Testes Weight Is Not A Reliable Tool for Discriminating Immunocastrates from Entire Males

In view of the criticism regarding the piglet castration as currently practiced, one of the alternatives is the active immunisation against the hypothalamic GnRH hormone referred to as immunocastration. This method is effective in prevention of boar taint in pork and has the advantage of avoiding the pain associated with castration (performed without anaesthesia and analgesia). However, in some rare cases the immunocastration may not be effective and such pigs (so called non-responders) present a risk for boar taint. It is therefore important to have a reliable indicator of the effective immunocastration for the use on the slaughter line. Determination of boar taint substances (androstenone and skatole) is time consuming and expensive, whereas the size of reproductive organs could serve as an indicator of successful immunocastration. Present study provides results for 76 immunocastrates (IC) and 55 entire males (EM) varying in body (or carcass) weight and delay between immunocastration and slaughter, in which testes and accessory sex glands (vesicular gland, bulbourethral gland) were dissected and weighed. Gathered data were used to distinguish IC and EM by discriminant analysis. The results show better discrimination of IC than EM. Testes weight is less reliable indicator of successful immunisation than the weight of accessory sex glands and that the best discrimination was achieved when using all three measurements

Development of Population Tariffs for the CarerQol Instrument for Hungary, Poland and Slovenia

__Background:__ The CarerQol instrument can be used in economic evaluations to measure the care-related quality of life of informal caregivers. Tariff sets are available for Australia, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, the UK, and the USA. __Objective:__ Our objective was to develop tariff sets for the CarerQol instrument for Hungary, Poland and Slovenia and to compare these with the existing value sets. __Methods:__ Discrete-choice experiments were carried out in Hungary, Poland and Slovenia. Data were collected through an online survey between November 2018 and January 2019, using representative samples of 1000 respondents per country. Tariffs were calculated from coefficient estimates from panel mixed multinomial logit models with random parameters. __Results:__ All seven CarerQol domains contributed significantly to the utility associated with different caregiving situations. Attributes valued highest were ‘physical health

EQ-5D in Central and Eastern Europe : 2000-2015

Objective: Cost per quality-adjusted life year data are required for reimbursement decisions in many Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. EQ-5D is by far the most commonly used instrument to generate utility values in CEE. This study aims to systematically review the literature on EQ-5D from eight CEE countries. Methods: An electronic database search was performed up to July 1, 2015 to identify original EQ-5D studies from the countries of interest. We analysed the use of EQ-5D with respect to clinical areas, methodological rigor, population norms and value sets. Results: We identified 143 studies providing 152 country-specific results with a total sample size of 81,619: Austria (n=11), Bulgaria (n=6), Czech Republic (n=18), Hungary (n=47), Poland (n=51), Romania (n=2), Slovakia (n=3) and Slovenia (n=14). Cardiovascular (20%), neurologic (16%), musculoskeletal (15%) and endocrine/nutritional/metabolic diseases (14%) were the most frequently studied clinical areas. Overall 112 (78%) of the studies reported EQ VAS results and 86 (60%) EQ-5D index scores, of which 27 (31%) did not specify the applied tariff. Hungary, Poland and Slovenia have population norms. Poland and Slovenia also have a national value set. Conclusions: Increasing use of EQ-5D is observed throughout CEE. The spread of health technology assessment activities in countries seems to be reflected in the number of EQ-5D studies. However, improvement in informed use and methodological quality of reporting is needed. In jurisdictions where no national value set is available, in order to ensure comparability we recommend to apply the most frequently used UK tariff. Regional collaboration between CEE countries should be strengthened

Estimating the Share of Sickness Absence Costs in Europe's GDP – A Country, Gender and Time Perspective

The purpose of the article. The aim of the study was to calculate and evaluate the costs of employee sickness absence in European countries over the period 2006–2020. An additional objective was to analyse the sensitivity of the development of absenteeism costs depending on the changing level of the discount rate used in economic evaluation analyses. Methodology. The estimation and subsequent assessment of absenteeism of working-age people costs was based on human-capital approach and was carried out retrospectively using the morbidity, top-down approach, based on aggregated epidemiological data. As a measure of production loss volume, GDP per working person was adopted. Results of the research. The study indicated that there is variation in the cost of sickness absence across European countries, but no clustering relationship was identified from a geographic perspective. In addition, SACS is in the range of 1,9% – 2,1% in all countries in 2006 prices

Performance produtiva da raça suína Krškopolje – revisão dos resultados preliminares

Local pig breeds are adapted to specific local environment and fed with various locally available feedstuffs. Besides their genetic merit for agro-biodiversity, they represent the basis for sustainable local pork chains. The aim of the present study was to summarize data already available in the literature on production performance of Slovenian autochthonous pig breed - Krškopolje, which is one of the local pig breeds investigated in the project TREASURE. A collection and review of available literature data on productive traits (growth, carcass and meat quality) of Krškopolje pig breed was carried out. Literature review shows that growth rate of Krškopolje pigs from birth to slaughter is in average 492 g/day (339-637 g/day; n=6). In the studies described in the literature, slaughter was performed at the average age of 293 days (230-360 days; n=9) and 118 kg live weight (90-145 kg; n=7). Reported average dressing yield was 77.3% (71.7-80.2%; n=9) and lean meat content 43.5 % (37.5-47.8%; n=7). Backfat thickness measured at the level of the last rib was in average 38 mm (28-53 mm; n=11), whereas loin eye area and loin eye fat area were in average 32.6 and 33.0 cm2, respectively (23.2-41.7; n=5 and 27.7-42.2; n=4; respectively). In the studies reporting meat quality of Krškopolje pigs, pH 24 h post-mortem in Longissimus dorsi muscle was in average 5.46 (5.28-5.60; n=7), drip loss 48 h post-mortem reached 5.1% (3.9-6.7%; n=4) and intramuscular fat content averaged 3.5% (2.7-4.6%; n=6). Although studies on Krškopolje pig are scarce, current review gives the first insight on productive performance of this local pig breed.As raças suínas locais estão adaptadas a ambientes locais específicos e são alimentadas com vários alimentos disponíveis localmente. Para além do seu interesse genético da óptica da agro-biodiversidade, elas representam uma base para fileiras suínas locais sustentáveis. O objetivo do presente trabalho é resumir os dados já disponíveis na literatura sobre a performance produtiva da raça autóctone Eslovena, a raça Krškopolje, que é uma das raças estudadas no âmbito do projeto TREASURE. Foi realizada uma pesquisa e revisão da literatura disponível sobre parâmetros produtivos (crescimento, qualidade de carcaça e da carne) de suínos Krškopolje. A revisão da literatura indica que o crescimento do nascimento ao abate é, em média, de 492 g/dia (339-637 g/dia, n=6). O abate é feito, em média, aos 293 dias de idade (230-360 dias; n=9) e a 118kg de peso vivo (90-145 kg; n=7). O rendimento de carcaça é, em média, de 77,3% (71,7 – 80,2%; n=9) e o teor em tecido magro de 43,5% (37,5–47,8%; n=7). A espessura da gordura dorsal medida ao nível da última costela é, em média, 38mm (28-53mm; n=11), enquanto que a área do lombo e a área da gordura do lombo são, em média, 32,6 e 33,0 cm2, respetivamente (23,2-41,7; n=5 e 27,7-42,2; n=4, respetivamente). Nos estudos que reportam a qualidade da carne de porcos Krškopolje, o pH 24h post-mortem no músculo Longissimus dorsi é, em média, 5,46 (5,28-5,60; n=7), a perda por gotejamento “drip loss” 48h post-mortem atinge 5,1% (3,9-6,7%; n=4) e o teor em gordura intramuscular é de 3,5% (2,7-4,6%; n=6). Embora havendo poucos estudos sobre o porco Krškopolje, a presente revisão dá uma primeira visão sobre a performances produtivas desta raça local