A comparison of the immunoglobulins, IgA, IgG and IgE in nasal secretions from normal and asthmatic children

The secreted proteins obtained from nasal washings from eighty-five normal children and fifty asthmatic children, between 6 and 14 years, were investigated by immunological assay for their content of albumin, secretory IgA and IgG. A smaller number of specimens from asthmatic and normal children were examined for their IgE content. There was no statistically significant difference in the levels of albumin, secretory IgA and IgG in the asthmatic and the normal children. The IgE content of nasal wash protein in normal children averaged approximately 70 ng/mg of protein, whereas the IgE content in the asthmatic children averaged greater than 400 ng/mg of wash protein

Using indices of skeletal maturity to better understand musculoskeletal development in sheep

Animal maturity is an important concept in the meat industry, with emphasis on producing less mature (i.e. “physiologically younger”) animals with superior carcase characteristics such as greater tenderness and lower fatness. Unfortunately the concept of ‘maturity’ remains poorly defined. Where specified, ‘maturity’ usually refers to some proportion or index expressed relative to the mature state, in which the animal is in anatomical and/or compositional equilibrium. However indices of maturity referenced to body weight or composition (e.g. muscle:bone ratio) are problematic for assessing genotypic effects in modern prime lamb production, where terminal sires may be selected for specific compositional traits such as rapid muscle growth or low body fat. In such cases it may be preferable to define other indices such as skeletal maturity, by staging development in relation to longitudinal bone growth and mineral maturation

The impact of carcase estimated breeding values on yield and quality of sheep meat

The aims of this study were to investigate the impact of carcase estimated breeding values on carcase size and lean meat yield of lambs and to determine whether nutrition alters these responses. Selection for high estimated breeding values for growth increased carcase size by as much as 4 kg in lambs fed a high plane of nutrition. On a low plane of nutrition, this effect was reduced by 60%, highlighting the importance of nutrition for realizing the potential of this trait. Selection for estimated breeding values for muscling reduced total carcase fatness by 3% in lambs fed at a low plane of nutrition and by 10% in lambs fed at a high plane of nutrition, resulting in an increase in lean meat yield and improved economic returns for sales based on a lean-meat-yield grid. Selecting for estimated breeding values for low fat depth reduced total carcase fatness by 4%; this effect was the same whether lambs were maintained on high or low planes of nutrition. Other aspects of meat quality maybe influenced by using sires selected for muscling. Meat tenderness may be reduced due to greater connective tissue content, but it is likely that this can be controlled by concurrent selection for growth. Juiciness and flavour may be reduced due to reduced intramuscular fat content, but this can be attenuated by nutritional practices and, in the longer term, by alleviating the negative selection for fatness. Selection for a combination of muscling and growth estimated breeding values in terminal sires is an excellent way to increase both carcase size and lean meat yield of lambs - and to provide greater returns for producers

'Care about my animal, know your stuff and take me seriously':United Kingdom and Australian clients' views on the capabilities most important in their veterinarians

Success in veterinary practice requires careful balancing of stakeholder needs. The aim of this study was to investigate the current expectations and needs of veterinary clients across a range of practice types. Interviews and focus groups were undertaken with veterinary clients to identify the capabilities of veterinarians that result in the best client experience, generating a 'Veterinary Capability Framework'. This comprised six main capabilities each containing 4-10 behavioural indicators: client relationships; professionalism; communication skills; decision-making and problem solving; commitment to animal welfare; and commitment to quality and the profession. An online survey was then conducted to validate the importance of these capabilities, which was completed by 1446 mostly UK and Australian clients. The data have allowed us to develop a 'Client Hierarchy of Needs' which emphasises the fundamental importance of commitment to animal welfare and veterinary capabilities to the client experience. This study is part of the VetSet2Go project, a collaborative international project to define the capabilities most important for employability and success in the veterinary profession today

Intermittent applied mechanical loading induces subchondral bone thickening that may be intensified locally by contiguous articular cartilage lesions

Objectives: Changes in subchondral bone (SCB) and cross-talk with articular cartilage (AC) have been linked to osteoarthritis (OA). Using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) this study: (1) examines changes in SCB architecture in a non-invasive loading mouse model in which focal AC lesions are induced selectively in the lateral femur, and (2) determines any modifications in the contralateral knee, linked to changes in gait, which might complicate use of this limb as an internal control. Methods: Right knee joints of CBA mice were loaded: once with 2weeks of habitual use (n=7), for 2weeks (n=8) or for 5weeks (n=5). Both left (contralateral) and right (loaded) knees were micro-CT scanned and the SCB and trabecular bone analysed. Gait analysis was also performed. Results: These analyses showed a significant increase in SCB thickness in the lateral compartments in joints loaded for 5weeks, which was most marked in the lateral femur; the contralateral non-loaded knee also showed transient SCB thickening (loaded once and repetitively). Epiphyseal trabecular bone BV/TV and trabecular thickness were also increased in the lateral compartments after 5 weeks of loading, and in all joint compartments in the contralateral knee. Gait analysis showed that applied loading only affected gait in the contralateral himd-limb in all groups of mice from the second week after the first loading episode. Conclusions: These data indicate a spatial link between SCB thickening and AC lesions following mechanical trauma, and the clear limitations associated with the use of contralateral joints as controls in such OA models, and perhaps in OA diagnosis