Gastrointestinal tract size, total-tract digestibility, and rumen microflora in different dairy cow genotypes

peer-reviewedThe superior milk production efficiency of Jersey (JE) and Jersey × Holstein-Friesian (JE × HF) cows compared with Holstein-Friesian (HF) has been widely published. The biological differences among dairy cow genotypes, which could contribute to the milk production efficiency differences, have not been as widely studied however. A series of component studies were conducted using cows sourced from a longer-term genotype comparison study (JE, JE × HF, and HF). The objectives were to (1) determine if differences exist among genotypes regarding gastrointestinal tract (GIT) weight, (2) assess and quantify whether the genotypes tested differ in their ability to digest perennial ryegrass, and (3) examine the relative abundance of specific rumen microbial populations potentially relating to feed digestibility. Over 3 yr, the GIT weight was obtained from 33 HF, 35 JE, and 27 JE × HF nonlactating cows postslaughter. During the dry period the cows were offered a perennial ryegrass silage diet at maintenance level. The unadjusted GIT weight was heavier for the HF than for JE and JE × HF. When expressed as a proportion of body weight (BW), JE and JE × HF had a heavier GIT weight than HF. In vivo digestibility was evaluated on 16 each of JE, JE × HF, and HF lactating dairy cows. Cows were individually stalled, allowing for the total collection of feces and were offered freshly cut grass twice daily. During this time, daily milk yield, BW, and dry matter intake (DMI) were greater for HF and JE × HF than for JE; milk fat and protein concentration ranked oppositely. Daily milk solids yield did not differ among the 3 genotypes. Intake capacity, expressed as DMI per BW, tended to be different among treatments, with JE having the greatest DMI per BW, HF the lowest, and JE × HF being intermediate. Production efficiency, expressed as milk solids per DMI, was higher for JE than HF and JE × HF. Digestive efficiency, expressed as digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, N, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber, was higher for JE than HF. In grazing cows (n = 15 per genotype) samples of rumen fluid, collected using a transesophageal sampling device, were analyzed to determine the relative abundance of rumen microbial populations of cellulolytic bacteria, protozoa, and fungi. These are critically important for fermentation of feed into short-chain fatty acids. A decrease was observed in the relative abundance of Ruminococcus flavefaciens in the JE rumen compared with HF and JE × HF. We can deduce from this study that the JE genotype has greater digestibility and a different rumen microbial population than HF. Jersey and JE × HF cows had a proportionally greater GIT weight than HF. These differences are likely to contribute to the production efficiency differences among genotypes previously reported

THE IMPACT OF ESSENTIAL AMINO ACID SUPPLEMENTS ENRICHED WITH L-LEUCINE ON APPETITE AND ENERGY INTAKE IN ELDERLY WOMEN

Rationale: Inadequate protein intake (PI), the main source of essential amino acids (EAAs), and reduced appetite are contributing factors to age-related sarcopenia. The satiating effects of dietary protein may negatively affect energy intake (EI), thus there is a need to explore alternative strategies to facilitate PI without compromising appetite and subsequent EI. Methods: Elderly women completed two experiments (EXP1&2) where they consumed either a Bar (B, 135 kcal) or a Gel (G, 114 kcal), rich in EAAs (7.5 g, 40% L-Leucine), or nothing [control (C)]. In EXP1, subjects (n=10, 68±5 years, mean±SD) consumed B, G or C with appetite sensations and appetite-related hormonal responses monitored for 1h, followed by consumption of an ad libitum breakfast (ALB). In EXP2, subjects (n=11, 69±5 years) ingested B, G or C alongside an ALB. Results: In EXP1, EI at ALB was not different (P=0.674) between conditions (282±135, 299±122, 288±131 kcal for C, B and G respectively). However, total EI was significantly higher in B and G compared to C after accounting for the energy content of the supplements (P<0.0005). Analysis revealed significantly higher appetite Area under the Curve (AUC) (P<0.007), a tendency for higher acylated ghrelin AUC (P=0.087), and significantly lower pancreatic polypeptide AUC (P=0.02) in C compared with B and G. In EXP2, EI at ALB was significantly higher (P=0.028) in C (306±122 kcal) compared to B (245±135 kcal) and G (254±118 kcal). However, total EI was significantly higher in B and G after accounting for the energy content of the supplements (P<0.007). Conclusion: Supplementation with either the bar or gel increased total energy intake whether consumed 1h before or during breakfast. This may represent an effective nutritional means for addressing protein and total energy deficiencies in elderly women

Systematic review of approaches to using patient experience data for quality improvement in healthcare settings

Objectives: Explore how patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) are collected, communicated and used to inform quality improvement (QI) across healthcare settings. Design: Systematic review. Setting: Various primary and secondary care settings, including general practice, and acute and chronic care hospitals. Participants: A full range of patient populations from (children through to the elderly) and staff (from healthcare practitioners to senior managers). Methods: Scientific databases were searched (CINAHL, PsycINFO, MEDLINE and Cochrane Libraries) as was grey literature. Qualitative and quantitative studies describing collection of PREM data and subsequent QI actions in any healthcare setting were included. Risk of bias was assessed using established criteria. Of 5312 initial hits, 32 full texts were screened, and 11 were included. Results: Patient experience data were most commonly collected through surveys and used to identify small areas of incremental change to services that do not require a change to clinician behaviour (eg, changes to admission processes and producing educational materials). While staff in most studies reported having made effective improvements, authors struggled to identify what those changes were or the impact they had. Conclusions: Findings suggest there is no single best way to collect or use PREM data for QI, but they do suggest some key points to consider when planning such an approach. For instance, formal training is recommended, as a lack of expertise in QI and confidence in interpreting patient experience data effectively may continue to be a barrier to a successful shift towards a more patient-centred healthcare service. In the context of QI, more attention is required on how patient experience data will be used to inform changes to practice and, in turn, measure any impact these changes may have on patient experience

When is Sessional Monitoring More Likely in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services?

Sessional monitoring of patient progress or experience of therapy is an evidence-based intervention recommended by healthcare systems internationally. It is being rolled out across child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) in England to inform clinical practice and service evaluation. We explored whether patient demographic and case characteristics were associated with the likelihood of using sessional monitoring. Multilevel regressions were conducted on N = 2609 youths from a routinely collected dataset from 10 CAMHS. Girls (odds ratio, OR 1.26), older youths (OR 1.10), White youths (OR 1.35), and youths presenting with mood (OR 1.46) or anxiety problems (OR 1.59) were more likely to have sessional monitoring. In contrast, youths under state care (OR 0.20) or in need of social service input (OR 0.39) were less likely to have sessional monitoring. Findings of the present research may suggest that sessional monitoring is more likely with common problems such as mood and anxiety problems but less likely with more complex cases, such as those involving youths under state care or those in need of social service input

Prediction of the individual enteric methane emission of dairy cows from milk mid-infrared spectra

peer reviewedThe livestock sector is considered the largest producer of methane (CH4) from anthropogenic sources, world wide contributing 37% of emissions (FAO, 2006). An important step to study and develop mitigation methods for livestock emissions is to be able to measure them on a large scale. However, it is difficult to obtain a large number of individual CH4 measurements with the currently available techniques (chambers or SF6). The aim of this study was to develop a high throughput tool for determination of CH4 emissions from dairy cows. Anaerobic fermentation of food in the reticulorumen is the basis of enteric CH4 production. End-products of that enteric fermentation can be found in the milk (e.g., volatile fatty acids). Therefore individual enteric CH4 emissions could be quantified from whole milk mid-infrared (MIR) spectra which reflect milk composition and can be obtained at low cost (e.g., national milk recording). Prediction equations of individual CH4 emissions (determined using the SF6 method) from milk MIR spectra have been established (Dehareng et al., 2012; Soyeurt et al., 2013). The results presented here are the improvement of this methodology by using a multiple breed and country approach

Barriers and facilitators to shared decision-making in child and youth mental health: Exploring young person and parent perspectives using the Theoretical Domains Framework

Objective: Young people and parents want to be more active in treatment decisions. Using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), which segments behaviour change into barriers and facilitators across fourteen domains, the aim of this study is to explore the barriers and facilitators to shared decision‐making (SDM) from young people and their parents’ perspectives. / Method: The sample comprised nine young people who presented with internalising difficulties and ten parents of young people with internalising difficulties across two sites in England. Interviews were conducted, and transcripts were analysed using a deductive thematic analysis. / Results: Overall, 15 barriers to and facilitators for SDM in child and youth mental health were identified. Under capability, these included an awareness of SDM, forgetting discussions or not asking questions, clinician listening skills and communication skills. For opportunity, these included the availability of treatment options, availability of understandable resources, staff shortages, the environment being conducive to SDM, and if the school, or parents of young people, facilitated decisions. For motivation, these included whether SDM was thought to empower individuals, result in better treatment, or individuals making the ‘wrong’ decision, as well as whether individuals felt capable to be involved in treatment decision‐making, whether young people lacked capacity, and whether they could make decisions due to enhanced emotional states. / Conclusions: Barriers and facilitators across capability, opportunity and motivation were identified. Interventions which target these barriers and facilitators may facilitate young people and their parents’ involvement in decision‐making

Interactions among mitochondrial proteins altered in glioblastoma

Mitochondrial dysfunction is putatively central to glioblastoma (GBM) pathophysiology but there has been no systematic analysis in GBM of the proteins which are integral to mitochondrial function. Alterations in proteins in mitochondrial enriched fractions from patients with GBM were defined with label-free liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. 256 mitochondrially-associated proteins were identified in mitochondrial enriched fractions and 117 of these mitochondrial proteins were markedly (fold-change &#8805;2) and significantly altered in GBM (p &#8804; 0.05). Proteins associated with oxidative damage (including catalase, superoxide dismutase 2, peroxiredoxin 1 and peroxiredoxin 4) were increased in GBM. Protein–protein interaction analysis highlighted a reduction in multiple proteins coupled to energy metabolism (in particular respiratory chain proteins, including 23 complex-I proteins). Qualitative ultrastructural analysis in GBM with electron microscopy showed a notably higher prevalence of mitochondria with cristolysis in GBM. This study highlights the complex mitochondrial proteomic adjustments which occur in GBM pathophysiology

Appetite, gut hormone and energy intake responses to low volume sprint interval and traditional endurance exercise.

Sprint interval exercise improves several health markers but the appetite and energy balance response is unknown. This study compared the effects of sprint interval and endurance exercise on appetite, energy intake and gut hormone responses. Twelve healthy males [mean (SD): age 23 (3) years, body mass index 24.2 (2.9) kg m(-2), maximum oxygen uptake 46.3 (10.2) mL kg(-1) min(-1)] completed three 8 h trials [control (CON), endurance exercise (END), sprint interval exercise (SIE)] separated by 1 week. Trials commenced upon completion of a standardised breakfast. Sixty minutes of cycling at 68.1 (4.3) % of maximum oxygen uptake was performed from 1.75-2.75 h in END. Six 30-s Wingate tests were performed from 2.25-2.75 h in SIE. Appetite ratings, acylated ghrelin and peptide YY (PYY) concentrations were measured throughout each trial. Food intake was monitored from buffet meals at 3.5 and 7 h and an overnight food bag. Appetite (P 0.05). Therefore, relative energy intake (energy intake minus the net energy expenditure of exercise) was lower in END than that in CON (15.7 %; P = 0.006) and SIE (11.5 %; P = 0.082). An acute bout of endurance exercise resulted in lower appetite perceptions in the hours after exercise than sprint interval exercise and induced a greater 24 h energy deficit due to higher energy expenditure during exercise

Evaluating the Peer Education Project in secondary schools

PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to determine the efficacy of the Peer Education Project (PEP), a school-based, peer-led intervention designed to support secondary school students to develop the skills and knowledge they need to safeguard their mental health and that of their peers. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Six schools from across England and the Channel Islands took part in an evaluation of the PEP across the 2016/2017 academic year. In total, 45 trained peer educators from the sixth form and 455 Year 7 students completed pre- and post-questionnaires assessing their emotional and behavioural difficulties, perceived school climate, and knowledge, skills and confidence related to mental health. FINDINGS: Results indicate that participation in the PEP is associated with significant improvement in key skills among both peer educators and student trainees, and in understanding of key terms and readiness to support others among trainees. Most students would recommend participation in the programme to other students. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: While peer education has been found to be effective in some areas of health promotion, research on the effectiveness of peer-led mental health education programmes in schools is limited. This study contributes evidence around the efficacy of a new peer education programme that can be implemented in secondary schools