6,387 research outputs found

    Exploring the hidden welfare problem of gastric ulceration in sows: behaviour and saliva composition as possible methods of diagnosis

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    Gastric ulcers are highly prevalent in the pig industry and evidence suggests probably affect pigs in all productive stages. Gastric ulcers affect pig welfare as they cause some degree of discomfort or pain (observed by a change in behaviour) as well as impacting performance. Gastric ulceration is a hidden problem as it is difficult to identify in living pigs and there is no method of diagnosis that is both non-invasive and affordable. In this thesis, I hypothesised that re-directed oral behaviours (e.g. sham chewing, biting bars) and changes in saliva characteristics may be of use for the diagnosis of gastric ulceration in pigs. Re-directed oral behaviours have been largely related with chronic hunger in sows which appear as a way to cope with a diet and environment that does not fulfil sows’ nutritional and behavioural needs. However, these behaviours have also been observed in finishing pigs as well as in gilts and sows fed ad libitum. Furthermore, there is some evidence that the behaviour of finishing pigs changes with the presence of gastric ulcers. Saliva composition has been reported to change with various illnesses or conditions but also, recently, with the presence of gastric ulcers in finishing pigs. Chapter 2 describes oral behaviours present in finishing pigs and compares them to the behaviour of sows. All oral behaviours studied were observed in finishing pigs, and the rate was the same as compared to sows. The behaviours which were least frequent and performed by the least number of animals in both finishing pigs and gestating sows were self-directed oral behaviours. Self-directed oral behaviours are much more difficult to explain in finishing pigs as opposed to oral behaviours that involve the interaction with an object or conspecific. Chapter 3 explored the relationship between self-directed oral behaviours (chewing movements, wind sucking, tongue playing and jaw stretching) and the presence of gastric ulcers in finishing pigs. All self-directed oral behaviours, but jaw stretching, were observed in both pigs with healthy and ulcerated stomachs (video observations). All observed behaviours were the same between both groups. Chapter 4 explores the relationship between re-directed oral behaviours (live observations) as well as salivary composition and pH with gastric ulceration in gestating and lactating sows. All sows were found to have some level of ulceration and the prevalence of gastric ulcers was 67.57%. The rate of re-directed oral behaviours was not affected by overall stomach score or lesion score during either gestation or lactation. Salivary pH was not affected by stomach integrity. Saliva composition changed with the overall stomach score and lesion score in gestating and lactating sows. Lipoxin A4, Succinic acid and L-Histidine were identified as possible biomarkers of gastric ulceration. Chapter 5 is a systematic literature review of the variation of re-directed oral behaviours according to housing system, diet and feeding practices, and environmental enrichment in gestating gilts and sows. All of the results of the included studies can be explained by ‘chronic hunger’ theory or their housing environment. Although the design of these studies was to test factors which relate to hunger and re-directed foraging, rather than the health of the upper digestive system. This thesis shows that oral behaviours do not have a clear link with gastric ulceration in finishing pigs, or in gestating and lactating sows. However, oral behaviours were observed in finishing pigs and some of these remain unexplained (e.g. self-directed oral behaviours). Also, all re-directed oral behaviours in gestating gilts and sows can be explained by chronic hunger or housing environment as shown by the systematic literature review. Possibly, the remaining unexplained oral behaviours may be a response to an environment that is still insufficient for the pig to fulfill its behavioural needs and/or other conditions affecting the upper digestive system. Saliva composition is linked to gastric ulceration in gestating and lactating sows, and possible biomarkers were identified in this thesis. More studies are needed to identify and validate biomarkers for gastric ulceration in pigs

    An investigation into interdental arch relationship outcomes of 5-Year-Olds born with a Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate using the Modified Huddart Bodenham Index following the centralisation of cleft services within the United Kingdom

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    Aim: To investigate the interdental arch relationship outcomes of 5-year-old children withunilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) before and after centralisation of cleft services in theUnited Kingdom (UK) using the Modified Huddart-Bodenham Index (MHBI).Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study.Setting: Evaluation of 3D orthodontic study models of children with a complete UCLP.Participants: All available 5-year-old orthodontic study models of participants with UCLP fromthe pre-centralisation (Clinical Standard Advisory Group CSAG n=107) and post-centralisation(Cleft Care UK CCUK n=195) studies.Outcome measure: Differences between the interdental arch relationship outcomes for theCSAG and CCUK cohorts were assessed using the Modified Huddart-Bodenham Index (MHBI).This index scored the buccal/palatal or labial/palatal relationships of 8 maxillary deciduousteeth with the opposing mandibular dentition. The anterior segment (deciduous centralincisors), buccal (deciduous canine, first and second deciduous molar) cleft segment and noncleft segment scores were calculated along with the sum of the three segments combined tocalculate the total arch MHBI scores.Results: The inter- and intra-examiner reliability had a high level of agreement. Statisticallysignificant differences in the anterior segment, buccal non cleft segment, and total arch MHBI3scores were found between CCUK and CSAG cohorts, with CCUK performing better. There wasno difference in the buccal cleft segment scores.Conclusions: There were improved transverse and anterior interdental arch relationshipspost centralisation (CCUK) of cleft services in the UK, suggestive of better primary surgicaloutcomes post CSAG

    The utility of salivary CRP and IL-6 as a non-invasive measurement evaluated in patients with COVID-19 with and without diabetes [version 3; peer review: 2 approved]

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    Background The available evidence suggests that inflammatory responses, in both systemic and oral tissue, contribute to the pathology of COVID-19 disease. Hence, studies of inflammation biomarkers in oral fluids, such as saliva, might be useful to better specify COVID-19 features. Methods In the current study, we performed quantitative real-time PCR to measure salivary levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in saliva obtained from patients diagnosed with mild COVID-19, in a diabetic group (DG; n = 10) and a non-diabetic group (NDG; n = 13). All participants were diagnosed with periodontitis, while six participants with periodontitis but not diagnosed with COVID-19 were included as controls. Results We found increases in salivary total protein levels in both the DG and NDG compared to control patients. In both groups, salivary CRP and IL-6 levels were comparable. Additionally, the levels of salivary CRP were significantly correlated with total proteins, in which a strong and moderate positive correlation was found between DG and NDG, respectively. A linear positive correlation was also noted in the relationship between salivary IL-6 level and total proteins, but the correlation was not significant. Interestingly, the association between salivary CRP and IL-6 levels was positive. However, a moderately significant correlation was only found in COVID-19 patients with diabetes, through which the association was validated by a receiver operating curve. Conclusions These finding suggest that salivary CRP and IL-6 are particularly relevant as potential non-invasive biomarker for predicting diabetes risk in mild cases of COVID-19 accompanied with periodontitis

    Effects of municipal smoke-free ordinances on secondhand smoke exposure in the Republic of Korea

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    ObjectiveTo reduce premature deaths due to secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure among non-smokers, the Republic of Korea (ROK) adopted changes to the National Health Promotion Act, which allowed local governments to enact municipal ordinances to strengthen their authority to designate smoke-free areas and levy penalty fines. In this study, we examined national trends in SHS exposure after the introduction of these municipal ordinances at the city level in 2010.MethodsWe used interrupted time series analysis to assess whether the trends of SHS exposure in the workplace and at home, and the primary cigarette smoking rate changed following the policy adjustment in the national legislation in ROK. Population-standardized data for selected variables were retrieved from a nationally representative survey dataset and used to study the policy action’s effectiveness.ResultsFollowing the change in the legislation, SHS exposure in the workplace reversed course from an increasing (18% per year) trend prior to the introduction of these smoke-free ordinances to a decreasing (−10% per year) trend after adoption and enforcement of these laws (β2 = 0.18, p-value = 0.07; β3 = −0.10, p-value = 0.02). SHS exposure at home (β2 = 0.10, p-value = 0.09; β3 = −0.03, p-value = 0.14) and the primary cigarette smoking rate (β2 = 0.03, p-value = 0.10; β3 = 0.008, p-value = 0.15) showed no significant changes in the sampled period. Although analyses stratified by sex showed that the allowance of municipal ordinances resulted in reduced SHS exposure in the workplace for both males and females, they did not affect the primary cigarette smoking rate as much, especially among females.ConclusionStrengthening the role of local governments by giving them the authority to enact and enforce penalties on SHS exposure violation helped ROK to reduce SHS exposure in the workplace. However, smoking behaviors and related activities seemed to shift to less restrictive areas such as on the streets and in apartment hallways, negating some of the effects due to these ordinances. Future studies should investigate how smoke-free policies beyond public places can further reduce the SHS exposure in ROK

    Staff Education to Promote Probiotic Breastfeeding Therapy

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    Preterm birth is the leading cause of death in children under 5. In addition, there are 22 million babies born underweight each year which also contributes to the infant mortality rate. Some reasons for the inability to thrive and survive are the infants\u27 immature system, allostatic load inadaptability, and undiversified and underdeveloped microbiota. Human breast milk (HBM) provides lifesaving nutrients, which prevents necrotizing enterocolitis and mortality. In addition, probiotic supplementation helps reduce late-onset sepsis, morbidities, and mortality. A literature review provided substantial evidence that HBM and probiotics can improve an infant\u27s microbiota, thus improving thrivability and survivability. Probiotics offset the infant\u27s allostatic load, which may decrease the infant mortality rate. Furthermore, probiotics are involved in intestinal epithelium proliferation, nervous system maturity and function, and human life energy production. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project addressed the medium-level knowledge gap of probiotics among healthcare professionals (HCPs). The educational empowerment model and the allostatic model assisted in educating HCPs on probiotics and probiotic breastfeeding therapy (PBT). A pretest and posttest measured the effectiveness of an in-service on probiotics, breastfeeding mothers and infants. The pretest had a 49% score, while the posttest resulted in an improved score of 95%. The posttest results answered the DNP project question of whether a probiotic staff educational program would improve the HCP\u27s knowledge of probiotics and their use concerning PBT. The DNP project promotes positive social change by increasing the HCPs\u27 knowledge of probiotics and PBT, while providing an appropriate recommendation that all HCPs undergo probiotic training

    Exploring the Reported Strengths and Limitations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research: A Narrative Review of Intervention Studies

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    High quality intervention research is needed to inform evidence-based practice and policy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. We searched for studies published from 2008–2020 in the PubMed database. A narrative review of intervention literature was conducted, where we identified researcher reported strengths and limitations of their research practice. A total of 240 studies met inclusion criteria which were categorised as evaluations, trials, pilot interventions or implementation studies. Reported strengths included community engagement and partnerships; sample qualities; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander involvement in research; culturally appropriate and safe research practice; capacity building efforts; providing resources or reducing costs for services and communities; understanding local culture and context; and appropriate timelines for completion. Reported limitations included difficulties achieving the target sample size; inadequate time; insufficient funding and resources; limited capacity of health workers and services; and inadequate community involvement and communication issues. This review highlights that community consultation and leadership coupled with appropriate time and funding, enables Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health intervention research to be conducted. These factors can enable effective intervention research, and consequently can help improve health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.Romany McGuffog, Jamie Bryant, Kade Booth, Felicity Collis, Alex Brown, Jaquelyne T. Hughes, Catherine Chamberlain, Alexandra McGhie, Breanne Hobden, and Michelle Kenned

    Overview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status 2022

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    The main purpose of the Overview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status (Overview) is to provide a comprehensive summary of the most recent indicators of the health and current health status of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The Overview has been prepared by HealthInfoNet staff as part of our contribution to supporting those who work in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector. The Overview is a key indicator of the HealthInfoNet’s commitment to authentic and engaged knowledge development and exchange. The initial sections of this Overview provide information about the context of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, population, and various measures of population health status. The subsequent sections are about specific health conditions and risk/protective factors that contribute to the overall health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. These sections comprise an introduction about the condition and evidence of the current status of the condition or risk/protective factor and burden of disease. Information is provided for states and territories, Indigenous Regions and remoteness, and for demographics such as sex and age when it is available and appropriate..

    What does tooth enamel tell us of lived lives?: A study of the neonatal line and other accentuated lines in human deciduous enamel

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    The purpose of this study was to investigate the varying width and structure of the neonatal line (NNL) and the occurrence of other accentuated lines (ALs) and their association with known early life events. The NNL was identified and the effect of the mode and duration of delivery on the NNL width was assessed (Study I). The effect of tooth type and perinatal factors on the formation of the staircase (Sc) pattern in the NNL was evaluated (Study II). The probabilities were analysed for how likely certain life events are determinants of ALs (Study III). The 129 investigated Finnish Deciduous Tooth (FDT) collection teeth are part of a longitudinal population-based follow-up study, the Finnish Family Competence study. The NNL was detected, and the width measured using a transmitted light microscope (Study I) and the Sc pattern was investigated using polarisation (Study II). ALs were identified from polarisation light microscope tile scan images and compared with known postnatal life events (Study III). The NNL was identified, and width was inversely associated with the duration of delivery (p=0.0097). The mode of delivery had no effect on the NNL width (Study I). The Sc pattern was highly related to the tooth type (p<0.0001) and more present in the in the middle third of the vertical crown wall enamel (p<0.0001). Mode, duration of delivery or pain medication did not affect the NNL Sc pattern formation (Study II). 56% of canine ALs were located in the middle third of the crown height. Vaccinations and/or ear infections were not regular determinants for ALs (Study III). The neonatal line exists in practically all deciduous teeth. Its width is inversely interrelated with the duration of delivery. The neonatal line structure and the occurrence of accentuated lines are dependent on their topographical location: in the mid-height of the tooth crown the ameloblast susceptibility seems stronger along the enamel forming front. The most frequently appearing disease, ear infection, and vaccinations are not likely to always engender accentuated lines in the FDT collection samples
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