Capturing genetic gains in productivity with heterosis

The National Swine Registry (NSR) has two long term goals: 1) to register purebred pigs and thus assure breed purity and 2) encourage genetic progress through performance testing - genetic selection programs. The continued production of purebred lines assures that a number of breeds are available to produce females and terminal cross pigs with high levels of heterosis. Purebred breeders, whose customers are commercial swine producers, have produced substantial rates of genetic progress by use of the STAGES program

Capturing genetic gains in productivity with heterosis

The National Swine Registry (NSR) has two long term goals: 1) to register purebred pigs and thus assure breed purity and 2) encourage genetic progress through performance testing - genetic selection programs. The continued production of purebred lines assures that a number of breeds are available to produce females and terminal cross pigs with high levels of heterosis. Purebred breeders, whose customers are commercial swine producers, have produced substantial rates of genetic progress by use of the STAGES program.This proceeding was published as Schinckel, A., R. Bates, T. See, R. Pfortmiller and K. Stalder. 2007. Capturing genetic gains in productivity with heterosis. AASV 38th Annual Meeting Proceedings, Orlando, FL. March 3-6, pp. 179-184.</p

Observations on Burnout in Family Medicine and Psychiatry Residents

Objective: To investigate the relationship between burnout, work environment, and a variety of personal variables, including age, gender, marital, parental and acculturation status within a population of family medicine and psychiatry resident physicians. Methods: Between 2002 and 2005, 155 residents in family medicine and psychiatry at East Tennessee State University College of Medicine were surveyed at intervals using the Maslach Burnout Inventory and Work Environment Scale, form R, to assess their current state of emotional health and job satisfaction. Results: Female residents had lower scores on the Depersonalization scale of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (t = 3.37, p = 0.001). Parenting was associated with lower Depersonalization (t = 3.98, p\u3c0.001) and Emotional Exhaustion (t = 2.59, p = 0.011). Residents from the United States culture reported higher Depersonalization and Emotional Exhaustion (t = -3.64, p\u3c0.001; t = -3.85, p\u3c0.001). On the Work Environment Scale, residents from United States culture reported less Task Orientation and Control but higher Work Pressure (t = 2.89, p = 0.005; t = 2.24, p = 0.027; t = -2.79, p = 0.006). Psychiatry residents reported less burnout than family medicine residents on the Depersonalization and Emotional Exhaustion scales (t = 2.49, p = 0.014: t = 2.05, p = 0.042) and higher Physical Comfort on the Work Environment Scale (t = -2.60, p = 0.011); while family medicine residents reported higher Peer Cohesion, Supervisor Support, and Autonomy (t = 3.41, p = 0.001; t = 2.38, p = 0.019; t = 2.27, p = 0.025). Conclusion: This study design, using well established, standard, and valid measures, identified important issues for further exploration: the relationship between acculturation to burnout, the potential role of parenting as a protective factor from burnout, and the recognition that women residents may not be as vulnerable to burnout as previously reported

Surgical treatment for chronic subdural hematoma in the elderly: A retrospective analysis

Background: Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is primarily a disease of the elderly. Less invasive interventions are often offered for elderly (> 80 years) patients due to concerns for elevated surgical risk, although data suggesting a clear outcome benefit is lacking. Methods: All patients aged 65 years or older who underwent surgical treatment for CSDH at a single institution over a 4-year period were evaluated in this retrospective analysis. Surgical options included twist drill craniostomy (TDC), burr hole craniotomy (BHC), or standard craniotomy (SC). Outcomes, demographics, and clinical data were collected. Practice patterns and outcomes for patients older than 80 years old were compared to the age 65-80 cohort. Results: 110 patients received TDC, 35 received BHC, and 54 received SC. There was no significant difference in post-operative complications, outcomes, or late recurrence (30-90 days). Recurrence at 30 days was significantly higher for TDC (37.3% vs. 2.9% vs 16.7%, p 80 group, SC had higher risk of stroke and increased length of stay. Conclusion: Twist drill craniostomy, burr hole craniostomy, and standard craniotomy have similar neurologic outcomes in elderly patients. Presence of thick membranes is a relative contra-indication for TDC due to high 30-day recurrence. Patients > 80 have higher risk of stroke and increased length of stay with SC