CATTLE FEEDER PERCEPTIONS OF LIVESTOCK MANDATORY PRICE REPORTING

Because of the significant investment in the mandatory price reporting program (MPR) by the USDA and by packers, it is important to understand what producers believe about its effectiveness. This study reports results from a survey of feedyards located primarily in Kansas, Nebraska, Texas, and Iowa. Results indicate a diversity of opinion regarding MPR effectiveness. On average producers are neutral to negative regarding the value of MPR to them. Interestingly, feedlot characteristics appear to have little systematic relationship to the manager's perceptions regarding the usefulness of MPR.Livestock Production/Industries,

Rethinking Urban Nature: The Rise and Value of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in Europe

Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) have been proposed by the European Union as the most contemporary approach to delivering resilient cities in Europe. Through official guidance and funded projects, the Horizon 2020 programme, the EU has positioned nature at the centre of landscape and urban planning debates. However, there remains a scepticism regarding whether the support of NBS as an alternative to green infrastructure (GI) planning is meaningful and appropriate or damaging to existing practices. Furthermore, the framing of NBS does not, to date, extend the conceptual, practical or political parameters of ‘green space’ planning beyond terminological changes. Its most significant contribution to urban planning is the emphasis it places on urban ecology as a foundational principle of all development. To assess the added value of NBS in the planning and management of urban landscapes the paper reflects on the academic discussions surrounding the approach. This examines how NBS are being used to shape support for investment in urban nature but also argues that it potentially creates a schism between advocates of existing green space terminology and approaches. It concludes by setting the parameters for further analysis of how NBS are being, and may be used, going forward to socio-economic and ecological agendas in the EU

Borehole Radar Attenuation-Difference Tomography During the Tracer/Time-Lapse Test at the Boise Hydrogeophysical Research Site

A tracer test and time-lapse radar imaging experiment was conducted at the Boise Hydrogeophysical Research Site to investigate the utility of crosswell radar in imaging an electrically conductive tracer plume. A multilevel water sampling system down gradient from the tracer injection well and in the radar imaging plane was used to collect detailed, 1-dimensional, fluid electrical conductivity data during the tracer test. We compare the spatial and temporal position and concentration variations of the plume as indicated by the fluid conductivity data to those suggested by radar level run attenuation differences, shot-receiver attenuation difference crossplots, and an attenuation-difference tomogram. We find that attenuation differences generally correlate well with changes in fluid conductivity. Where correlations are not so strong, the discrepancies can be explained by the difference in support volumes for the radar and chemistry measurements, and also by regularization of the radar tomogram. Our results indicate that crosswell radar imaging coupled with hydrologic tracer testing can provide useful information about subsurface fluid flow and mass transport in complex fluvial aquifers

Septic arthritis in an in vivo murine model induced by Staphylococcus aureus:a comparison between actions of the haemolysin toxin and the effects of the host immune response

AIMS: Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of septic arthritis, and in vitro studies suggest α haemolysin (Hla) is responsible for chondrocyte death. We used an in vivo murine joint model to compare inoculation with wild type S. aureus 8325-4 with a Hla-deficient strain DU1090 on chondrocyte viability, tissue histology, and joint biomechanics. The aim was to compare the actions of S. aureus Hla alone with those of the animal’s immune response to infection. METHODS: Adult male C57Bl/6 mice (n = 75) were randomized into three groups to receive 1.0 to 1.4 × 10(7) colony-forming units (CFUs)/ml of 8325-4, DU1090, or saline into the right stifle joint. Chondrocyte death was assessed by confocal microscopy. Histological changes to inoculated joints were graded for inflammatory responses along with gait, weight changes, and limb swelling. RESULTS: Chondrocyte death was greater with 8325-4 (96.2% (SD 5.5%); p < 0.001) than DU1090 (28.9% (SD 16.0%); p = 0.009) and both were higher than controls (3.8% (SD 1.2%)). Histology revealed cartilage/bone damage with 8325-4 or DU1090 compared to controls (p = 0.010). Both infected groups lost weight (p = 0.006 for both) and experienced limb swelling (p = 0.043 and p = 0.018, respectively). Joints inoculated with bacteria showed significant alterations in gait cycle with a decreased stance phase, increased swing phase, and a corresponding decrease in swing speed. CONCLUSION: Murine joints inoculated with Hla-producing 8325-4 experienced significantly more chondrocyte death than those with DU1090, which lack the toxin. This was despite similar immune responses, indicating that Hla was the major cause of chondrocyte death. Hla-deficient DU1090 also elevated chondrocyte death compared to controls, suggesting a smaller additional deleterious role of the immune system on cartilage. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2022;11(9):669–678

Presentation and outcome of subsequent thyroid cancer among childhood cancer survivors compared to sporadic thyroid cancer:a matched national study

Objective: Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) are at increased risk to develop differentiated thyroid cancer predominantly after radiotherapy (subsequent DTC). It is insufficiently known whether subsequent DTC in CCS has a different presentation or outcome than sporadic DTC. Methods: Patients with subsequent DTC (n = 31) were matched to patients with sporadic DTC (n = 93) on gender, age and year of diagnosis to compare presentation and DTC outcomes. Clinical data were collected retrospectively. Results: Among the CCS with subsequent DTC, all but one had received chemotherapy for their childhood cancer, 19 (61.3%) had received radiotherapy including the thyroid region, 3 (9.7%) 131I-MIBG and 8 (25.8%) had received treatment with chemotherapy only. Subsequent DTC was detected by surveillance through neck palpation (46.2%), as a self-identified mass (34.6%), or by chance. Among sporadic DTC patients, self detection predominated (68.8%). CCS with subsequent DTC tended to have on average smaller tumors (1.9 vs 2.4 cm, respectively, (P = 0.051), and more often bilateral (5/25 (60.0%) vs 28/92 (30.4%), P = 0.024). There were no significant differences in the occurrence of surgical complications, recurrence rate or disease-related death. Conclusion: When compared to patients with sporadic DTC, CCS with subsequent DTC seem to present with smaller tumors and more frequent bilateral tumors. Treatment outcome seems to be similar. The finding that one-third of subsequent DTC cases had been treated with chemotherapy only needs further investigation. These results are important for the development of surveillance programs for CCS at risk for DTC and for treatment guidelines of subsequent DTC

Development of a pediatric differentiated thyroid carcinoma registry within the EuRRECa project: rationale and protocol

Registry; Thyroid carcinoma; ChildhoodRegistro; Carcinoma de tiroides; InfanciaRegistre; Carcinoma de tiroides; InfànciaBackground Although differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) is the most frequent endocrine pediatric cancer, it is rare in childhood and adolescence. While tumor persistence and recurrence are not uncommon, mortality remains extremely low. Complications of treatment are however reported in up to 48% of the survivors. Due to the rarity of the disease, current treatment guidelines are predominantly based on the results of small observational retrospective studies and extrapolations from results in adult patients. In order to develop more personalized treatment and follow-up strategies (aiming to reduce complication rates), there is an unmet need for uniform international prospective data collection and clinical trials. Methods and analysis The European pediatric thyroid carcinoma registry aims to collect clinical data for all patients ≤18 years of age with a confirmed diagnosis of DTC who have been diagnosed, assessed, or treated at a participating site. This registry will be a component of the wider European Registries for Rare Endocrine Conditions project which has close links to Endo-ERN, the European Reference Network for Rare Endocrine Conditions. A multidisciplinary expert working group was formed to develop a minimal dataset comprising information regarding demographic data, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome. We constructed an umbrella-type registry, with a detailed basic dataset. In the future, this may provide the opportunity for research teams to integrate clinical research questions. Ethics and dissemination Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants and/or their parents/guardians. Summaries and descriptive analyses of the registry will be disseminated via conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications.SFA and ALP are supported by the European Union’s Health Programme (2014–2020) on the EuRRECa project ‘777215/EuRRECa’ and the EuRR-Bone project ‘946831/EuRR-Bone’. The EuRRECa project is also grateful to the European Society of Endocrinology and the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology for funding support

Diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis: Consensus Guidelines from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Objective Cystic fibrosis (CF), caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, continues to present diagnostic challenges. Newborn screening and an evolving understanding of CF genetics have prompted a reconsideration of the diagnosis criteria. Study design To improve diagnosis and achieve standardized definitions worldwide, the CF Foundation convened a committee of 32 experts in CF diagnosis from 9 countries to develop clear and actionable consensus guidelines on the diagnosis of CF and to clarify diagnostic criteria and terminology for other disorders associated with CFTR mutations. An a priori threshold of ≥80% affirmative votes was required for acceptance of each recommendation statement. Results After reviewing relevant literature, the committee convened to review evidence and cases. Following the conference, consensus statements were developed by an executive subcommittee. The entire consensus committee voted and approved 27 of 28 statements, 7 of which needed revisions and a second round of voting. Conclusions It is recommended that diagnoses associated with CFTR mutations in all individuals, from newborn to adult, be established by evaluation of CFTR function with a sweat chloride test. The latest mutation classifications annotated in the Clinical and Functional Translation of CFTR project (http://www.cftr2.org/index.php) should be used to aid in diagnosis. Newborns with a high immunoreactive trypsinogen level and inconclusive CFTR functional and genetic testing may be designated CFTR-related metabolic syndrome or CF screen positive, inconclusive diagnosis; these terms are now merged and equivalent, and CFTR-related metabolic syndrome/CF screen positive, inconclusive diagnosis may be used. International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision codes for use in diagnoses associated with CFTR mutations are included

Clinical considerations for the treatment of secondary differentiated thyroid carcinoma in childhood cancer survivors

The incidence of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) has increased rapidly over the past several years. Thus far, the only conclusively established risk factor for developing DTC is exposure to ionizing radiation, especially when the exposure occurs in childhood. Since the number of childhood cancer survivors (CCS) is increasing due to improvements in treatment and supportive care, the number of patients who will develop DTC after surviving childhood cancer (secondary thyroid cancer) is also expected to rise. Currently, there are no recommendations for management of thyroid cancer specifically for patients who develop DTC as a consequence of cancer therapy during childhood. Since complications or late effects from prior cancer treatment may elevate the risk of toxicity from DTC therapy, the medical history of CCS should be considered carefully in choosing DTC treatment. In this paper, we emphasize how the occurrence and treatment of the initial childhood malignancy affects the medical and psychosocial factors that will play a role in the diagnosis and treatment of a secondary DTC. We present considerations for clinicians to use in the management of patients with secondary DTC, based on the available evidence combined with experience -based opinions of the authors

Recruiting the social contacts of patients with STI for HIV screening in Lilongwe, Malawi: process evaluation and assessment of acceptability

To explore acceptability of recruiting social contacts for HIV and STI screening in Lilongwe, Malawi

STI Patients Are Effective Recruiters of Undiagnosed Cases of HIV: Results of a Social Contact Recruitment Study in Malawi

Patients with newly diagnosed HIV may be part of social networks with elevated prevalence of undiagnosed HIV infection. Social network recruitment by persons with newly diagnosed HIV may efficiently identify undiagnosed cases of HIV infection. We assessed social network recruitment as a strategy for identifying undiagnosed cases of HIV infection