An investigation to determine the cause of haemorrhagic enteritis in commercial pig grower units in the northern parts of South Africa

Necropsies were performed on 36 grower pigs that died peracutely on farms in the northern parts of South Africa. All these pigs were suffering from haemorrhagic enteritis and suspected toxaemia. Samples of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum were taken for histopathological examination and a section of ileum was collected for microbiological examination from each animal. Histological lesions characteristic of enterotoxigenic Clostridium infection were found. Large, Gram-positive bacilli were sometimes abundant in sections and mucosal smears of the intestine. However, only 40% of the cultures were positive for Clostridium perfringens

A Mysterious Island in the Digital Age: Technology and Musical Life in Ulleungdo, South Korea

This paper contributes to the growing body of ethnomusicological research about music-making on small islands, focusing on the remote South Korean island of Ulleungdo (literally, ‘Mysterious Island’). Historically, a number of factors have conspired to present serious obstacles to the Ulleungdo islanders' musical aspirations. However, since the early 1990s, enterprising amateurs have managed to generate and maintain a variety of musical activities in spite of these obstacles: church ensembles, karaoke, saxophone clubs, and more. Paralleling other island music studies, this paper seeks to show how the condition of being an Ulleungdo islander—entailing a complex of varied experiences, values, and relationships—has informed music-making over the years. However, here, the discussion remains firmly focused upon the islanders' use of technology since an acute reliance on technology has come to permeate Ulleungdo's musical life, with certain electronic devices commonly regarded as essential facilitators of musical expression. Drawing from the islanders' own testimonies, studies of Ulleungdo's cultural history, and works addressing technology's applications within and effects upon local communities, the authors explore how and why this condition of musical techno-reliance developed, how it is manifest in the present-day, and its broader implications for the island's music culture and identity

ANGPTL4 variants E40K and T266M are associated with lower fasting triglyceride levels in Non-Hispanic White Americans from the Look AHEAD Clinical Trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Elevated triglyceride levels are a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (Angptl4) is a metabolic factor that raises plasma triglyceride levels by inhibiting lipoprotein lipase (LPL). In non-diabetic individuals, the <it>ANGPTL4 </it>coding variant E40K has been associated with lower plasma triglyceride levels while the T266M variant has been associated with more modest effects on triglyceride metabolism. The objective of this study was to determine whether ANGPTL4 E40K and T266M are associated with triglyceride levels in the setting of obesity and T2D, and whether modification of triglyceride levels by these genetic variants is altered by a lifestyle intervention designed to treat T2D.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The association of <it>ANGPTL4 </it>E40K and T266M with fasting triglyceride levels was investigated in 2,601 participants from the Look AHEAD Clinical Trial, all of whom had T2D and were at least overweight. Further, we tested for an interaction between genotype and treatment effects on triglyceride levels.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among non-Hispanic White Look AHEAD participants, <it>ANGPTL4 </it>K40 carriers had mean triglyceride levels of 1.61 ± 0.62 mmol/L, 0.33 mmol/L lower than E40 homozygotes (p = 0.001). Individuals homozygous for the minor M266 allele (MAF 30%) had triglyceride levels of 1.75 ± 0.58 mmol/L, 0.24 mmol/L lower than T266 homozygotes (p = 0.002). The association of the M266 with triglycerides remained significant even after removing K40 carriers from the analysis (p = 0.002). There was no interaction between the weight loss intervention and genotype on triglyceride levels.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This is the first study to demonstrate that the <it>ANGPTL4 </it>E40K and T266M variants are associated with lower triglyceride levels in the setting of T2D. In addition, our findings demonstrate that <it>ANGPTL4 </it>genotype status does not alter triglyceride response to a lifestyle intervention in the Look AHEAD study.</p

The use of a rat model to evaluate the <i>in vivo</i> toxicity and wound healing activity of selected <i>Combretum</i> and <i>Terminalia </i>(Combretaceae) species extracts

Wound healing is a fundamental response to tissue injury and several natural products have been shown to accelerate the healing process. The present study was undertaken to determine the safety and efficacy of the topical treatment of acetone leaf extracts of Combretum imberbe, Combretum nelsonii,Combretum albopuntactum and Terminalia sericea based on their in vitro antimicrobial activity. Four circular full-thickness skin wounds were made on the backs of eight anaesthetised Wistar rats using aseptic techniques. The treatments were administrated topically using 10% and 20% concentrations of each extract in aqueous cream in separate treatments. Indications of erythema, exudate, crust formation,swelling and ulceration were used to determine the wound healing process. All of the wounds closed completely within 17 days. Throughout the experiment, a subcutaneous probe was used to determine that the body temperature and body weight of the rats were within the normal range. C. imberbe and C. nelsonii extracts accelerated wound healing, but there was no significant difference in wound contraction using 10% and 20% concentrations of the extracts in cream. The results also showed the potential usefulness of this model to measure accelerating wound healing.The extracts could perhaps overcome defects associated with healing failure in chronic wounds and prevent secondary bacterial and fungal infections

Antimicrobial Drug Resistance Among Enterococci from Broilers and Poultry Abattoir Workers

Poultry abattoir workers who carry out eviscerate do pick up resistance from broiler enteric organisms. To test this hypothesis, the prevalence of and the association of antimicrobial drug resistance between enterococci from broilers and workers who carry out evisceration, washing and packing of broiler intestines were investigated. Broiler caecae (n = 240) from 6 farms were collected after slaughter. Caecal content as well as faeces from 29 abattoir workers and 28 human controls were selectively cultured for E. faecium and E. faecalis. The micro-dilution broth method was used to determine MICs for selected antimicrobials. Broilers carried higher levels of resistance for certain antimicrobials compared to the two human groups. Percent resistance and MIC90 for enrofloxacin and bacitracin and MIC50 for doxycycline showed that abattoir workers carried higher levels of resistance compared to the control group for antimicrobials used in poultry production. Resistance levels in the isolates from broilers and abattoir workers exhibited an association for certain drugs. Overall, the level of resistance in the two human populations did not exhibit a significant difference (p>0.05). Usage of antimicrobials as feed additives fuels resistance among broiler isolates. Abattoir workers are more likely to carry higher levels of resistance than the general public. However, this study did not demonstrate that carrying out evisceration, washing and packing of intestines of broilers fed antimicrobial feed additives significantly influences the level of resistance in abattoir workers.http://medwelljournals.com/journalhome.php?jid=1680-5593am2013ab201

A questionnaire survey of poultry layer farmers in Khartoum State, Sudan, to study their antimicrobial awareness and usage patterns

An initial census of layer farms in Khartoum State, Sudan, was carried out in late 2007 and early 2008 and found that there were 252 layer farms with a total population of 2 221 800 birds. This paper reports the findings of the census. Based on this information, a structured questionnaire survey of 92 farms was then conducted in the state in April 2008 to collect data on antibiotic usage, demographic data and public health awareness. Ninety-eight per cent of participating farms comprised open-sided houses. It was found that 49% of the farms surveyed were on antibiotic treatment when the survey was conducted, whilst 59% of the farms had used antibiotics within the last 3 months. The study found that farmers and producers had a lack of knowledge about antimicrobial residues, their withdrawal periods and the risk posed by the consumption of these residues. The study also concluded that traditional farming systems in Sudan relied heavily on antimicrobial medication to control disease and almost half of the farms surveyed were treating their flocks with antimicrobials. In addition to this, there was a lack of disease control programmes which probably resulted in a massive use of antibiotics to control endemic diseases. This was further compounded by the absence of governmental supervision and control on the use of drugs

Lessons learned from a pilot study quantifying face contact and skin conductance in teens with asperger syndrome

This paper presents lessons learned from a preliminary study quantifying face contact and corresponding physiological reactivity in teenagers with Asperger syndrome. In order to detect face contact and physiological arousability, we created a wearable system that combines a camera with OpenCV face detection and skin conductance sensors. In this paper, we discuss issues involved in setting up experimental environments for wearable platforms to detect face contact and skin conductance levels simultaneously, and address technological, statistical, and ethical considerations for future technological interventions

Transforming health through communities: an experience from a collaborative online international learning program

BackgroundFor many years, universities have placed a strong emphasis on providing students with an internationalization experience through study-abroad programs; however, the recent pandemic led many universities to look for alternatives to continue offering students an international experience.MethodThis article describes the implementation and evaluation of a collaborative online international learning (COIL) experience between nursing students in Australia and the United Kingdom.ResultsStudents explored community spirit in the recovery from COVID-19. Students positively rated the experience and shared insights and outcomes gained from the program.ConclusionThe COIL experience exposed nursing students from Australia and the United Kingdom to learn about public health issues and develop cultural awareness and a sense of global community. Future programs should evaluate the long-term effects on students' nursing practice and their careers. [J Nurs Educ. 2023;62(7):387-392.]