Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) Prompts and Practice Cards: a tool to support responsible practice

Researchers often find it hard to know where, when and how to start when applying Responsible Innovation approaches to their own research projects and proposals. Based on experience supporting a range of researchers and projects, we have developed a small set of concept cards, the Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) Prompts and Practice cards, which highlight 18 different aspects of RRI, each with key questions and prompts for action. Initial use with groups of researchers and PhD students has found them to be accessible and effective in prompting reflection and discussion, including raising previously unconsidered aspects of responsible innovation. Based on this feedback we are now developing a second release of the cards

Using genomic DNA-based probe-selection to improve the sensitivity of high-density oligonucleotide arrays when applied to heterologous species

High-density oligonucleotide (oligo) arrays are a powerful tool for transcript profiling. Arrays based on GeneChip® technology are amongst the most widely used, although GeneChip® arrays are currently available for only a small number of plant and animal species. Thus, we have developed a method to improve the sensitivity of high-density oligonucleotide arrays when applied to heterologous species and tested the method by analysing the transcriptome of Brassica oleracea L., a species for which no GeneChip® array is available, using a GeneChip® array designed for Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. Genomic DNA from B. oleracea was labelled and hybridised to the ATH1-121501 GeneChip® array. Arabidopsis thaliana probe-pairs that hybridised to the B. oleracea genomic DNA on the basis of the perfect-match (PM) probe signal were then selected for subsequent B. oleracea transcriptome analysis using a .cel file parser script to generate probe mask files. The transcriptional response of B. oleracea to a mineral nutrient (phosphorus; P) stress was quantified using probe mask files generated for a wide range of gDNA hybridisation intensity thresholds. An example probe mask file generated with a gDNA hybridisation intensity threshold of 400 removed > 68 % of the available PM probes from the analysis but retained >96 % of available A. thaliana probe-sets. Ninety-nine of these genes were then identified as significantly regulated under P stress in B. oleracea, including the homologues of P stress responsive genes in A. thaliana. Increasing the gDNA hybridisation intensity thresholds up to 500 for probe-selection increased the sensitivity of the GeneChip® array to detect regulation of gene expression in B. oleracea under P stress by up to 13-fold. Our open-source software to create probe mask files is freely available http://affymetrix.arabidopsis.info/xspecies/ webcite and may be used to facilitate transcriptomic analyses of a wide range of plant and animal species in the absence of custom arrays

Independent and combined effects of diethylhexyl phthalate and polychlorinated biphenyl 153 on sperm quality in the human and dog

A temporal decline in human and dog sperm quality is thought to reflect a common environmental aetiology. This may reflect direct effects of seminal chemicals on sperm function and quality. Here we report the effects of diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and polychlorinated biphenyl 153 (PCB153) on DNA fragmentation and motility in human and dog sperm. Human and dog semen was collected from registered donors (n = 9) and from stud dogs (n = 11) and incubated with PCB153 and DEHP, independently and combined, at 0x, 2x, 10x and 100x dog testis concentrations. A total of 16 treatments reflected a 4 × 4 factorial experimental design. Although exposure to DEHP and/or PCB153 alone increased DNA fragmentation and decreased motility, the scale of dose-related effects varied with the presence and relative concentrations of each chemical (DEHP.PCB interaction for: DNA fragmentation; human p < 0.001, dog p < 0.001; Motility; human p < 0.001, dog p < 0.05). In both human and dog sperm, progressive motility negatively correlated with DNA fragmentation regardless of chemical presence (Human: P < 0.0001, r = −0.36; dog P < 0.0001, r = −0.29). We conclude that DEHP and PCB153, at known tissue concentrations, induce similar effects on human and dog sperm supporting the contention of the dog as a sentinel species for human exposure

To what extent can zero tillage lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from temperate soils?

Soil tillage practices have a profound influence on the physical properties of soil and the greenhouse gas (GHG) balance. However there have been very few integrated studies on the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) and soil biophysical and chemical characteristics under different soil management systems. We recorded a significantly higher net global warming potential under conventional tillage systems (26–31% higher than zero tillage systems). Crucially the 3-D soil pore network, imaged using X-ray Computed Tomography, modified by tillage played a significant role in the flux of CO2 and CH4. In contrast, N2O flux was determined mainly by microbial biomass carbon and soil moisture content. Our work indicates that zero tillage could play a significant role in minimising emissions of GHGs from soils and contribute to efforts to mitigate against climate change

Maternal fructose and/or salt intake and reproductive outcome in the rat: effects on growth, fertility, sex ratio, and birth order

Maternal diet can significantly skew the secondary sex ratio away from the expected value of 0.5 (proportion males), but the details of how diet may do this are unclear. Here, we altered dietary levels of salt (4% salt in the feed) and/or fructose (10% in the drinking water) of pregnant rats to model potential effects that consumption of a "Western diet" might have on maternofetal growth, development, and sex ratio. We demonstrate that excess fructose consumption before and during pregnancy lead to a marked skew in the secondary sex ratio (proportion of males, 0.60; P < 0.006). The effect was not mediated by selective developmental arrest of female embryos or influenced by fetal position in the uterine horn or sex-specific effects on sperm motility, suggesting a direct effect of glycolyzable monosaccharide on the maternal ovary and/or ovulated oocyte. Furthermore, combined excess maternal consumption of salt and fructose-sweetened beverage significantly reduced fertility, reflected as a 50% reduction in preimplantation and term litter size. In addition, we also noted birth order effects in the rat, with sequential implantation sites tending to be occupied by the same sex

Exploring the effects of tomato extract supplementation on cognitive function during exercise and at rest

It has been reported that tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruit extracts may have beneficial effects on cognition. To assess if those effects are reproducible, cognitive function was assessed using a double-blind, randomised control trial design; 17 healthy test participants were given encapsulated tomato fruit (n=8) extract (290 mg) or a placebo control (n=9). Cognition was assessed at rest and, as exercise is known to negatively impact on cognitive function, equivalent tests were also undertaken after controlled physical exertion using the Bath University Rugby Shuttle Test (45 minutes and 90 minutes exercise). After normalisation of raw data to remove performance related error, the tomato fruit extract improved (P [less than] 0.05) normalised detection scores and detection times after 90 minutes exercise. These positive effects were specific to psychomotor function, relating to both ability and speed of response; compared to placebo controls, the supplemented group recorded scores 6.5% (P=0.02) and speeds ~17% (P=0.03) better when compared to the placebo group. A repeated measures linear mixed model (LMM) was undertaken and again significance reported (P [less than] 0.05) for overall effects of treatment (detection speeds and scores) and additionally for the identification speed. A suggestion (P [less than] 0.1) of treatment effects was observed for identification scores. LMM analysis therefore also identifies positive benefits for reaction times and visual attention after supplementation. No effect on one-card-learning (visual learning) scores or speeds was detected; also there is no evidence of any learning effect on the data. Collectively this data shows certain tomato fruit extracts have a trait specific beneficial effect on cognition

Environmental risk factors for canine atopic dermatitis: a retrospective large‐scale study in Labrador and golden retrievers

Background - canine atopic dermatitis (cAD) is one the most common and distressing skin disorders seen in dogs. It is characterised by dysfunction in the skin barrier, with a complex pathogenesis combining both genetic and environmental factors.Objectives - to evaluate associations between environmental factors and case-control status in two closely related, at-risk breeds, the Labrador and Golden retriever.Animals - 2,445 pet dogs, of which 793 were classed as cases (575 Labradors and218 Golden retrievers) and 1,652 as controls (1,120 Labradors and 532 Golden retrievers). Methods – case-control status was assigned based upon owner response to a standardised validated questionnaire. Retrospective data on rearing environment was collected via additional questions. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were utilised to evaluate associations between environmental factors and case-control status.Results - risk factors included being reared in an urban environment (not living currently in an urban environment), being male, being neutered, receiving flea control, and being allowed on upholstered furniture. Protective factors included living with other dogs (not cats) and walking in woodlands, fields or beaches. Additionally, amongst Labradors, chocolate coated dogs were at greater risk of having cAD than black or yellow coated dogs.Conclusions and clinical importance - This study is the largest of its kind to date to investigate the role of the environment in canine atopic dermatitis. Although precise triggers are unclear, this study contributes to those of earlier studies to highlight the protective role of a rural environment and highlights some novel associations with disease development

Evaluation of progestogen supplementation for luteal phase support in fresh in vitro fertilization cycles

© 2019 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of progestogen supplementation in improving clinical pregnancy rates in women undergoing fresh IVF cycles and to compare different routes, start times, durations, and estrogen coadministration regimen. Design: Comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. Setting: University. Patient(s): Women undergoing fresh IVF cycles who did and did not receive progestogen supplementation. Intervention(s): Summary odds ratios (ORs) were calculated by binomial logistic regression. Main Outcome Measure(s): Clinical pregnancy rates. Result(s): Eighty-two articles (26,726 women) were included. Clinical pregnancy rates were increased by IM (OR = 4.57), vaginal (OR = 3.34), SC (OR = 3.36), or oral (OR = 2.57) progestogen supplementation versus no treatment. The greatest benefit was observed when progestogens were supplemented IM versus vaginally (OR = 1.37). The optimal time to commence administration was between oocyte retrieval and ET (OR = 1.31), with oocyte retrieval +1 day being most beneficial. Coadministration of estrogen had no benefit (OR = 1.33), whether progestogens were coadministered vaginally or IM. Clinical pregnancy rates were equivalent when progestogen supplementation was ceased after ≤3 weeks or continued for up to 12 weeks (OR = 1.06). Conclusion(s): This broad-ranging meta-analysis highlights the need to reevaluate current clinical practice. The use of progestogens in fresh IVF cycles is substantially beneficial to clinical pregnancy. Critically, the use of IM progestogens should not be dismissed, as it yielded the greatest clinical pregnancy rates. Pregnancy success was impacted by initiation of therapy, with 1 day after oocyte retrieval being optimal. There is little evidence to support coadministration of estrogen or prolonging progestogen treatment beyond 3 weeks

"She's a dog at the end of the day": guide dog owners' perspectives on the behaviour of their guide dog

A guide dog is a domestic dog (Canis familiaris) that is specifically educated to provide mobility support to a blind or visually impaired owner. Current dog suitability assessments focus on behavioural traits, including: trainability, reactivity or attention to environmental stimuli, low aggressiveness, fearfulness and stress behaviour, energy levels, and attachment behaviour. The aim of this study was to find out which aspects of guide dog behaviour are of key importance to guide dog owners themselves. Sixty-three semi-structured interview surveys were carried out with guide dog owners. Topics included the behaviour of their guide dog both within and outside their working role, and also focused on examples of behaviour which might be considered outside a guide dog owner’s typical expectations. Both positive and negative examples and situations were covered. This allowed for the discovery of new perspectives and emerging themes on living and working with a guide dog. Thematic analysis of the results reveals that a dog’s safe behaviour in the face of traffic was the most important positive aspect of a guide dog’s behaviour and pulling or high tension on the lead and /or harness was the most discussed negative aspect. Other aspects of guide dog behaviour were highlighted as particularly pleasing or disappointing by owners including attentiveness to the task, work, environment and owner; confidence in work and decision making (with confident dogs resulting in confident owners) obedience and control; calmness and locating objectives. The results reveal important areas of behaviour that are not currently considered priorities in guide dog assessments; these key areas were consistency of behaviour, the dog’s maturity and the dog’s behaviour in relation to children. The survey revealed a large range in what owners considered problematic or pleasing behaviours and this highlights the heterogeneity in guide dog owners and the potential multifarious roles of the guide dog. This study contributes to the literature on which behaviour is considered appropriate or inappropriate in dogs and on the nature of human-animal interactions

Effect of feeding system on enteric methane emissions from individual dairy cows on commercial farms

This study investigated the effects of feeding system on diurnal enteric methane (CH4) emissions from individual cows on commercial farms. Data were obtained from 830 cows across 12 farms, and data collated included production records, CH4 measurements (in the breath of cows using CH4 analysers at robotic milking stations for at least seven days) and diet composition. Cows received either a partial mixed ration (PMR) or a PMR with grazing. A linear mixed model was used to describe variation in CH4 emissions per individual cow and assess the effect of feeding system. Methane emissions followed a consistent diurnal pattern across both feeding systems, with emissions lowest between 05:00 and 08:59, and with a peak concentration between 17:00 and 20:59. No overall difference in emissions was found between feeding systems studied; however, differences were found in the diurnal pattern of CH4 emissions between feeding systems. The response in emissions to increasing dry matter intake was higher for cows fed PMR with grazing. This study showed that repeated spot measurements of CH4 emissions whilst cows are milked can be used to assess the effects of feeding system and potentially benchmark farms on level of emissions