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There are 12 million people with hearing loss in the UK and this is expected to increase to 14.2 million by 2035. We know that the effects of unmanaged hearing loss are significant. It leads to an increased risk of both social isolation and poor mental health, and is a major driver for leaving the workforce early. Hearing loss has also been identified as the largest potentially modifiable risk factor for dementia. Yet still, people wait an average of 10 years before they seek help for their hearing loss. World Hearing Day 20231 took place on the 3 March and the theme this year looks to highlight the importance of integrating ear and hearing care within primary care, as an essential component of universal health coverage

Experiences of hearing loss and views towards interventions to promote uptake of rehabilitation support among UK adults

Objective: Effective hearing loss rehabilitation support options are available. Yet, people often experience delays in receiving rehabilitation support. This study aimed to document support-seeking experiences among a sample of UK adults with hearing loss, and views towards potential strategies to increase rehabilitation support uptake. People with hearing loss were interviewed about their experiences of seeking support, and responses to hypothetical intervention strategies, including public awareness campaigns, a training programme for health professionals, and a national hearing screening programme. Design: Semi-structured qualitative interview design with thematic analysis. Study sample: Twenty-two people with hearing loss, aged 66–88. Results: Three themes, representing barriers to receiving rehabilitation support and potential areas for intervention, were identified: making the journey from realization to readiness, combatting social stigma, and accessing appropriate services. Barriers to receiving support mostly focused on appraisal of hearing loss symptoms. Interventions enabling symptom appraisal, such as routine screening, or demonstrating how to raise the topic effectively with a loved one, were welcomed. Conclusions: Interventions to facilitate realization of hearing loss should be prioritized. Raising awareness of the symptoms and prevalence of hearing loss may help people to identify hearing problems and reduce stigma, in turn increasing hearing loss acceptance

Ruminal Degradable Sulfur and Hydrogen Sulfide in Cattle Finishing Diets

The relationship between ruminal degradable sulfur intake (RDSI) and ruminal hydrogen sulfide concentration ([H2S]) as well as ruminal parameters were evaluated. Steers were fed diets containing organic, inorganic, and wet distiller grains with solubles (WDGS) sources of sulfur, as well as a control diet. A laboratory procedure was developedto measure RDS of ingredients. RDSI explained 65% of [H2S] variation, whereas total sulfur intake and ruminal pH, individually, explained 29 and 12%, respectively. Availability of sulfur for ruminal reduction is more important than total sulfur in the diet

Nutrient Composition of Spoiled and Non-Spoiled Wet Byproducts Mixed and Stored With Straw

Wet corn byproducts were mixed with straw and stored in 55 gallon barrels for 56 days to simulate bunker storage. The spoilage process caused a decrease in fat content and an increase in pH, NDF, ash, and CP. Covering with plastic or distillers solubles reduced the amount of spoilage and the change in nutrient composition

Fiber Digestibility and Rumen pH for Diets Containing Wet Corn Gluten Feed or Wet Distillers Grains with Solubles

Seven ruminally cannulated steers were used to evaluate fiber digestibility and rumen pH for diets containing 35 or 88% wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) or 35% wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS). These diets were top-dressed with or without a direct-fed microbial (DFM). Interactions were observed for DM and NDF digestibility. Feeding 88% WCGF decreased DM digestibility, but NDF digestibility increased especially with the DFM. Rumen pH was greatest for steers fed 88% WCGF and lowest for steers fed 35% WCGF

Effect of Source and Level of Sulfur on Rumen Metabolism and Finishing Performance

Five ruminally fistulated steers fitted with rumen gas extraction cannula plugs were utilized to quantify ruminal pH and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) levels produced at different times post feeding. Diets consisted of 1) 28.5% WDGS, 37.5% Sweet Bran®, 4% corn bran, 0% alfalfa hay; 2) 28.5% WDGS, 37.5% Sweet Bran, 7.5% alfalfa, 4% corn bran; 3) 44% WDGS, 44% Sweet Bran, 7.5% alfalfa; 4) 50% WDGS, 37.5% DRC, 7.5% alfalfa; and 5) 87.5% Sweet Bran, 7.5% Aafalfa. Dry matter intake was different (P = 0.05) across treatments. Steers fed diets containing 44% WDGS and 44% Sweet Bran had greater (P \u3c 0.01) levels of H2S compared to other diets; however, cattle fed 87.5% Sweet Bran produced less (P \u3c 0.05) H2S compared to the other four dietary treatments

Metabolism Characteristics of Feedlot Diets Containing Different Fat Sources

A metabolism trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary fat source on the metabolism characteristics of feedlot steers fed 8.5% fat (7% fatty acids) diets. Steers fed condensed corn distillers solubles (CCDS) had lower average pH and greater DM digestibility than those fed corn oil, tallow, or WDGS. Steers fed CCDS also had greater fat and fatty acid digestibility than corn and corn oil fed steers and greater NDF digestibility than corn oil or tallow fed steers. Although CCDS fat is similar to corn oil, the two feeds are digested differently. The omasal fatty acid profile of steers fed WDGS is less saturated than cattle fed corn diets with or without corn oil, CCDS, or beef tallow. In addition, the efficiency of fat and fatty acid absorption was not decreased with high fat feedlot diets

An immunoregulatory role for complement receptors in Murine Models of breast cancer

The complement system has demonstrated roles in regulating tumor growth, although these may differ between tumor types. The current study used two murine breast cancer models (EMT6 and 4T1) to investigate whether pharmacological targeting of receptors for complement proteins C3a (C3aR) and C5a (C5aR1) is protective in murine breast cancer models. In contrast to prior studies in other tumor models, treatment with the selective C5aR1 antagonist PMX53 had no effect on tumor growth. However, treatment of mice with a dual C3aR/C5aR1 agonist (YSFKPMPLaR) significantly slowed mammary tumor development and progression. Examination of receptor expression by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis showed very low levels of mRNA expression for either C3aR or C5aR1 by EMT6 or 4T1 mammary carcinoma cell lines compared with the J774 macrophage line or bone marrow-derived macrophages. Moreover, flow cytometric analysis found no evidence of C3aR or C5aR1 protein expression by either EMT6 or 4T1 cells, leading us to hypothesize that the tumor inhibitory effects of the dual agonist are indirect, possibly via regulation of the anti-tumor immune response. This hypothesis was supported by flow cytometric analysis of tumor infiltrating leukocyte populations, which demonstrated a significant increase in T lymphocytes in mice treated with the C3aR/C5aR1 agonist. These results support an immunoregulatory role for complement receptors in primary murine mammary carcinoma models. They also suggest that complement activation peptides can influence the anti-tumor response in different ways depending on the cancer type, the host immune response to the tumor and levels of endogenous complement activation within the tumor microenvironment