The efficacy of supplying supplemental cobalt, selenium and vitamin B₁₂ via the oral drench route in sheep

Cobalt and selenium are essential trace elements required for ruminants. There are many different methods of supplementation available to sheep including boluses, in feed, free access minerals, pasture dressing and oral drenches. Recent changes in European legislation have resulted in a reduction in the maximum permitted level (MPL) of cobalt to be included in ruminant diets from 2 mg/kg at 88% DM to 1 mg/kg at 88% DM with a suggested supplementary rate of 0.3 mg Co/kg at 88% DM. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of cobalt plus/minus vitamin B₁₂ and selenium supplementation from oral drenching over a 13 day time period. Seven groups of grass silage fed Suffolk cross mule lambs (n=56) were randomly allocated to one of 7 treatments, a 5 ml oral drench containing 700, 2300, 12000 mg Co/l, with or without 2300 mg vitamin B₁₂/l in a factoral design, with an additional control group which received no drench. All drenches also contained selenium at 625 mg/l. Lambs were weighed on days 0 and 13. The lambs were sampled by jugular venepuncture on days 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11 and 13, with samples analysed for plasma selenium and cobalt by ICP-MS, erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase by colourimetric assay and vitamin B₁₂ by immunoassay. The results showed that cobalt via a drench was able to raise plasma cobalt in a dose dependent manner, with each dose level significantly higher than the previous level at all post drenching time points (P<0.05). However, the cobalt containing drenches did not significantly raise vitamin B₁₂ concentrations in the plasma. Vitamin B₁₂ containing drenches were able to elevate vitamin B₁₂ in the plasma for a period of 7 days (P<0.05). The selenium content of the drench was able to significantly raise the plasma selenium from day 1 throughout the rest of the trial (day 13) (P<0.001). A significant increase in erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity of the sheep did eventually occur at day 13 (P<0.05). In summary, the addition of vitamin B₁₂ via the drench route resulted in a short term elevation (7 days) of plasma vitamin B₁₂ concentrations whereas cobalt sulphate alone was unable to significantly raise vitamin B₁₂ concentrations within this trial in sheep with marginally adequate cobalt status, despite elevating plasma cobalt concentrations. The drench route was also able to elevate plasma selenium concentrations from a marginal selenium status

Cynyddu amlygiad plant i'r Gymraeg: Dylanwad rhaglenni cyw ar ddatblygiad geirfa plant a'u hadnabyddiaeth o reolau cystrawennol

Mae ymchwil ym maes seicoieithyddiaeth wedi amlygu pwysigrwydd amlder mewnbwn a rhyngweithio i sicrhau caffaeliad llwyddiannus o iaith ac mae’r patrymau hyn o drosglwyddo iaith yn cael eu defnyddio i gefnogi damcaniaethau blaengar megis Tomosello (2000) a Gathercole (2007). Bwriad yr ymchwil hwn oedd archwilio dull penodol o gynyddu amlygiad plant a theuluoedd L1 Saesneg i fodelau L1 Cymraeg trwy ddefnydd o’r teledu. Gan seilio’r fethodoleg ar ddulliau ymchwil arbrofol, cymharodd Astudiaeth 1 effaith gwylio rhaglenni teledu Cymraeg, wrth neu heb ryngweithio gydag oedolyn, ag effaith gwrando ar straeon Cymraeg neu Saesneg ar ddatblygiad iaith Gymraeg plant L1 Saesneg 4 i 5 mlwydd oed tra yn yr ysgol. Dangosodd y canlyniadau gynnydd yn bennaf yn adnabyddiaeth y plant oedd wedi gwylio’r teledu o eirfa Gymraeg, gyda mymryn o gynnydd o ran gramadeg, ond roedd y cynnydd mwyaf amlwg pan roedd yr ymchwilydd yn rhyngweithio gyda'r plant yn ystod y gwylio. Edrychodd Astudiaeth 2 ar effaith rhaglenni teledu Cymraeg ar blant L1 Saesneg 2 i 3 blwydd oed yn y cartref. Er nad oedd cynnydd amlwg i’w weld o ran y Gymraeg, roedd y teledu yn fodd o amlygu’r plant i batrymau iaith nad oedd yn gyfarwydd iddyn nhw a hynny mewn ffordd lle’r oedd y plant yn cael mwynhad. Aeth Astudiaeth 3 ati i ganfod agwedd rhieni tuag at y teledu fel cyfrwng a thuag at ddwyieithrwydd a’r Gymraeg, gan ymholi am arferion gwylio teledu yn y cartref ac unrhyw ymwybyddiaeth o’r gwasanaeth @TiFiaCyw sy’n annog rhieni di-Gymraeg i ryngweithio gyda’u plant tra’n gwylio rhaglenni Cyw. Datgelodd y canlyniadau gefnofaeth i’r cysyniad y tu ôl i’r gwasaneth, ond prin oedd y defnydd o’r gwasanaeth hwnnw. Mae angen rhagor o waith i sicrhau ei fod wedi ei farchanta’n effeithiol ar gyfer y gynulleidfa darged. Mae goblygiadau'r canfyddiadau hyn ar gyfer agweddau penodol ar addysg ddwyieithog a chynllunio ieithyddol bwriadus, ynghyd â’u cyfraniad i ddamcaniaethau ymchwil, yn cael eu trafod

Exploring young carers' school based resilience: a focus on risk and protective factors

This study aimed to explore the educational experiences of Young Carers. Specifically the study aims to identify a set of education related risk and protective factors specific to Young Carers that may increase their school based resilience. The study used a mixed methods approach to try and gain a richer picture of these young people’s experiences. A participatory approach was used, as these Young Carers were deemed best placed to identify their own risk and protective factors. For the first part 6 Young Carers took part in a focus group. Risk and protective factors were identified and further discussions were transcribed and analysed using Thematic Analysis. For the second part a questionnaire was created from the factors identified in the focus group. The questionnaire was completed by 45 Young Carers between the ages of 8 and 18 and these were analysed based on the research questions identified. Results found a range of risk and protective factors influencing Young Carers’ school based resilience such as bullying, quality friendships, lack of awareness in schools and non-judgmental support from school staff. Additionally older Young Carers noted more negative experiences of school than their younger peers. These results are discussed in further detail with particular focus on their relation to research as well as Educational Psychologists’ practice

Targeted vs universal provision of support in high-risk communities: comparison of characteristics in two populations recruited to parenting interventions

Purpose – To compare the characteristics of parents and children recruited for two randomised-controlled trials (RCTs) of parenting support in disadvantaged communities in Wales in order to explore the effects of community-based vs individual-based targeting in early prevention. Design/methodology/approach – Parents from high-risk disadvantaged communities in Wales, where additional early intervention services were targeted as part of a Welsh Government early intervention strategy, were recruited to two RCTs of parenting interventions. In the first study parents of targeted three- and four-year-old children, who were screened, and deemed at risk of long-term problems, were recruited from Sure Start (SS) areas in Wales. In the second study parents of one- and two-year-old children living in disadvantaged Flying Start (FS) areas were recruited, with residence within the FS area being the only recruitment criterion. Findings – FS areas are more strategically targeted as communities with a greater percentage of families with high levels of socio-economic disadvantage and associated risk than SS areas. Families in the toddler parenting trial based in FS areas, recruited without any additional screening, were experiencing higher levels of socio-economic deprivation, mental health problems and parenting stress as well as other known risks to child outcomes than the general population. However, when compared with the individually targeted population recruited for the SS study, they were shown to be experiencing significantly lower levels of these and other risks factors for poor child outcomes than the sample recruited for the SS trial where recruitment was based on known child risk factors. The paper discusses these findings and explores the implications of targeting by geographical area (community level targeting) alone vs targeting individual families by known risk factors. The findings suggest that screening measures would identify children at greatest risk of poor outcomes and whose families might benefit from additional targeted services. Suggestions for possible screening measures are also made. Originality/value – This paper contributes to discussion about effective ways of allocating limited resources to best effect. </jats:sec

Socioeconomic status and non-communicable disease behavioural risk factors in low-income and lower-middle-income countries: a systematic review

Background Non-communicable diseases are the leading global cause of death and disproportionately affl ict those living in low-income and lower-middle-income countries (LLMICs). The association between socioeconomic status and non-communicable disease behavioural risk factors is well established in high-income countries, but it is not clear how behavioural risk factors are distributed within LLMICs. We aimed to systematically review evidence on the association between socioeconomic status and harmful use of alcohol, tobacco use, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity within LLMICs. Methods We searched 13 electronic databases, including Embase and MEDLINE, grey literature, and reference lists for primary research published between Jan 1, 1990, and June 30, 2015. We included studies from LLMICs presenting data on multiple measures of socioeconomic status and tobacco use, alcohol use, diet, and physical activity. No age or language restrictions were applied. We excluded studies that did not allow comparison between more or less advantaged groups. We used a piloted version of the Cochrane Eff ective Practice and Organisation of Care Group data collection checklist to extract relevant data at the household and individual level from the included full text studies including study type, methods, outcomes, and results. Due to high heterogeneity, we used a narrative approach for data synthesis. We used descriptive statistics to assess whether the prevalence of each risk factor varied signifi cantly between members of diff erent socioeconomic groups. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42015026604. Findings After reviewing 4242 records, 75 studies met our inclusion criteria, representing 2 135 314 individuals older than 10 years from 39 LLMICs. Low socioeconomic groups were found to have a signifi cantly higher prevalence of tobacco and alcohol use than did high socioeconomic groups. These groups also consumed less fruit, vegetables, fi sh, and fi bre than those of high socioeconomic status. High socioeconomic groups were found to be less physically active and consume more fats, salt, and processed food than individuals of low socioeconomic status. While the included studies presented clear patterns for tobacco use and physical activity, heterogeneity between dietary outcome measures and a paucity of evidence around harmful alcohol use limit the certainty of these fi ndings. Interpretation Despite signifi cant heterogeneity in exposure and outcome measures, clear evidence shows that the burden of behavioural risk factors is aff ected by socioeconomic position within LLMICs. Governments seeking to meet Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.4—reducing premature non-communicable disease mortality by a third by 2030—should leverage their development budgets to address the poverty-health nexus in these settings. Our fi ndings also have signifi cance for health workers serving these populations and policy makers tasked with preventing and controlling the rise of non-communicable diseases