Adiabatic invariants drive rhythmic human motion in variable gravity

Natural human movements are stereotyped. They minimise cost functions that include energy, a natural candidate from mechanical and physiological points of view. In time-changing environments, however, motor strategies are modified since energy is no longer conserved. Adiabatic invariants are relevant observables in such cases, although they have not been investigated in human motor control so far. We fill this gap and show that the theory of adiabatic invariants explains how humans move when gravity varies

A prospective cohort study assessing clinical referral management & workforce allocation within a UK regional medical genetics service

Abstract Ensuring patient access to genomic information in the face of increasing demand requires clinicians to develop innovative ways of working. This paper presents the first empirical prospective observational cohort study of UK multi-disciplinary genetic service delivery. It describes and explores collaborative working practices including the utilisation and role of clinical geneticists and non-medical genetic counsellors. Six hundred and fifty new patients referred to a regional genetics service were tracked through 850 clinical contacts until discharge. Referral decisions regarding allocation of lead health professional assigned to the case were monitored, including the use of initial clinical contact guidelines. Significant differences were found in the cases led by genetic counsellors and those led by clinical geneticists. Around a sixth, 16.8% (109/650) of referrals were dealt with by a letter back to the referrer or re-directed to another service provider and 14.8% (80/541) of the remaining patients chose not to schedule an appointment. Of the remaining 461 patients, genetic counsellors were allocated as lead health professional for 46.2% (213/461). A further 61 patients did not attend. Of those who did, 86% (345/400) were discharged after one or two appointments. Genetic counsellors contributed to 95% (784/825) of total patient contacts. They provided 93.7% (395/432) of initial contacts and 26.8% (106/395) of patients were discharged at that point. The information from this study informed a planned service re-design. More research is needed to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of different models of collaborative multi-disciplinary working within genetics services. Keywords (MeSH terms) Genetic Services, Genetic Counseling, Interdisciplinary Communication, Cohort Studies, Delivery of Healthcare, Referral and Consultation

Cybertools improve reaction time in open heart surgery

OBJECTIVE: Head-up displays allow the surgeons to simultaneously view the patient and the patient's vital parameters (ECG, blood pressure, etc.) using vision-through over a wireless net, potentially enhancing the speed, accuracy and safety of surgical decisions. The aim was to assess surgical reaction time to AFIB, bigeminy, trigeminy, VTACH, and VFIB and concentration during a surgical intervention comparing standard and cyber tools monitoring. METHODS: Using a patient simulator for beating heart surgery able to emulate heart signals and motion (arrhythmias) a group of surgeons performed coronary bypass procedures. Measurements of reaction time, efficiency of the surgeon, time elapsed to display a coronary angiography in a realistic surgical environment were taken. RESULTS: The duration to accomplish the experiment is not different between groups (cyber vs. standard) reaction times, however, are significantly decreased for cyber by a mean of 33%. There is also a measured time difference for displaying a coronary angiography within the head-up display as compared to a remote console. CONCLUSIONS: During surgery, modern cyber tools allow for significant improvements of reaction time and concentration due to real time access to vital information

Efficacy of the feed additive containing Companilactobacillus farciminis (formerly Lactobacillus farciminis) CNCM I-3740 (Biacton\uae) for chickens for fattening, turkeys for fattening and laying hens (ChemVet dk A/S)

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the efficacy of the additive consisting of Companilactobacillus farciminis (formerly Lactobacillus farciminis) CNCM I-3740 (tradename: Biacton\uae) for chickens for fattening, turkeys for fattening and laying hens. The additive is a preparation containing viable cells of C. farciminis CNCM I-3740 at the minimum concentration of 1  7 109 CFU/g additive. In a previous opinion, the FEEDAP Panel assessed the safety and the efficacy of the product when used in these target species. The Panel concluded that based on the qualified presumption of safety of the active agent, and the lack of concerns deriving from other components of the additive, Biacton\uae was presumed safe for the target animals, consumers and the environment. Regarding the safety for the user, the FEEDAP Panel could not conclude on the potential of the additive to be irritant to skin and eyes or its dermal sensitisation due to the lack of data. However, it concluded that the additive should be considered a respiratory sensitiser. The data provided in the previous assessment to support the efficacy of the additive did not allow drawing conclusions on the efficacy of the additive in any of the target species. The additional information submitted with chickens for fattening and laying hens did not provide sufficient evidence to conclude on the efficacy of Biacton\uae for these target species. No new information was provided that would lead the Panel to reconsider the conclusions already reached on the use of the additive with turkeys for fattening. The FEEDAP Panel, based on the available data, cannot conclude on the efficacy of Biacton\uae in chickens for fattening, turkeys for fattening and laying hens

Safety of the feed additive consisting of manganese chelates of lysine and glutamic acid for all animal species (Zinpro Animal Nutrition)

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety for target animals of manganese chelates of lysine and glutamic acid (Manganese-LG) as a nutritional feed additive for all animal species. The European Commission request followed an opinion of the FEEDAP Panel published in 2020; in that opinion, the FEEDAP Panel could conclude on the safety of the additive for chickens for fattening, but not for the rest of the target animals. The applicant submitted additional information to allow the FEEDAP Panel to complete its assessment; these additional data, comprising two tolerance studies (one with chickens for fattening and one with laying hens), were the subject of this opinion. The tolerance study in laying hens was not considered for the assessment since the housing conditions of the animals were not appropriate according to the relevant EU provisions. The results of the tolerance study in chickens for fattening showed that Manganese-LG at the highest level tested – 800 mg Mn/kg feed – is safe for these target animals. The FEEDAP Panel also considered a previous tolerance study in chickens for fattening. Taking all the evidence together the Panel concluded that Manganese-LG is safe for chickens for fattening at 150 mg Mn/kg feed, with a margin of safety of 5.5. This conclusion can be extrapolated to all animal species and categories provided that the maximum authorised levels in the EU for total manganese in feed are not exceeded

Safety and efficacy of TYFER\u2122 (Ferric tyrosine chelate) as a zootechnical feed additive for chickens, turkeys and minor poultry species for fattening or reared for laying/breeding

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of the product TYFERTM (ferric tyrosine chelate) as zootechnical feed additive for chickens, turkeys and minor poultry species for fattening or reared for laying/breeding. The additive is safe for chickens for fattening at the maximum expected level of 200 mg TYFERTM/kg complete feed; this conclusion can be extended to chickens reared for laying/breeding and extrapolated to turkeys and all minor poultry species for fattening or reared for laying/breeding. No concerns for consumer safety are expected from the use of the additive in poultry nutrition. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) considers that the additive poses a risk to users by inhalation, and should also be considered as an irritant to skin, eyes and mucous membranes. Due to the presence of nickel, ferric tyrosine chelate should also be considered as a dermal and respiratory sensitiser. The supplementation of feed with the additive is not expected to pose an environmental risk. TYFERTM used at the minimum recommended level (20 mg/kg feed) in chickens diets has the potential to improve zootechnical parameters of birds. The additive at 20 mg/kg feed has the potential to reduce the caecal load Campylobacter spp. by at least 1 log10-units in chickens for fattening, thus with a potential impact to reduce the risk of human campylobacteriosis; however, the Panel notes that the load of Campylobacter in the chickens caecum is one of the multiple factors that contribute to Campylobacter load in carcases-meat. The conclusions on the efficacy of the additive can be extended to chickens reared for laying/breeding and extrapolated to turkeys and all minor poultry species for fattening or reared for laying/breeding. The Panel recommends including a specification for maximum lithium content in a potential authorisation of the additive

Efficacy of a feed additive consisting of endo-1,4-beta-xylanase produced by Trichoderma citrinoviride (IMI SD 135) (HOSTAZYM® X) for sows in order to have benefits in piglets (Huvepharma NV)

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the efficacy of HOSTAZYM® X as a feed additive for sows in order to have benefits in piglets. This additive consists of endo-1,4-β-xylanase produced by a non-genetically modified strain of Trichoderma citroviride. The additive is to be used in sows at 1,500 EPU/kg feed. In a previous opinion, the FEEDAP Panel could not conclude on the efficacy of the additive when added to feed for sows in order to have benefits in piglets. The applicant provided new efficacy data to complete the assessment of the efficacy of the additive. Based on the previously assessed data and the newly submitted one, the Panel could not conclude on the efficacy of the additive

Safety and efficacy of Bonvital® (Enterococcus faeciumDSM 7134) as a feed additive for laying hens

open23siFollowing a request from the European Commission, EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of Bonvital® for laying hens. Bonvital® is an additive containing viable cells of Enterococcus faeciumDSM 7134 marketed in two forms, a granular and a powder form, both with a guaranteed minimum concentration of E. faeciumDSM 7134 of 1.0 × 1010 colony forming units (CFU)/g additive. Bonvital® in either form is intended for use in feed for laying hens at the minimum concentration of 1.0 × 109 CFU/kg complete feed and at the maximum concentration of 1.0 × 1010 CFU/kg feedingstuffs. Bonvital powder® is also proposed for use in water for drinking at the minimum concentration of 5.0 × 108 CFU/L. The use of Bonvital® in animal nutrition is considered safe for the target animals. The results of a tolerance trial in which hens were fed the additive at 10-fold the maximum recommended dose support this conclusion. Delivery of comparable doses of the additive via water for drinking is considered as safe for laying hens. Bonvital® at the proposed conditions of use is safe for consumers of products derived from animals fed the additive and for the environment. Bonvital® is not a dermal or ocular irritant but a potential dermal and respiratory sensitiser. Bonvital® has the potential to be efficacious in improving the hen's performance when supplemented at 1.0 × 109 CFU/kg feed or 5.0 × 108 CFU/L water for drinking.openBampidis V.; Azimonti G.; Bastos M.; Christensen H.; Dusemund B.; Kouba M.; Fasmon Durjava M.; Lopez-Alonso M.; Lopez Puente S.; Marcon F.; Mayo B.; Pechova A.; Petkova M.; Ramos F.; Sanz Y.; Villa R.; Woutersen R.; Dierick N.; Martelli G.; Anguita M.; Galobart J.; Revez J.; Brozzi R.Bampidis V.; Azimonti G.; Bastos M.; Christensen H.; Dusemund B.; Kouba M.; Fasmon Durjava M.; Lopez-Alonso M.; Lopez Puente S.; Marcon F.; Mayo B.; Pechova A.; Petkova M.; Ramos F.; Sanz Y.; Villa R.; Woutersen R.; Dierick N.; Martelli G.; Anguita M.; Galobart J.; Revez J.; Brozzi R

Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of 3-phytase produced by Komagataella phaffii (CECT 13171) (FSF10000/FLF1000) for poultry species, pigs for fattening and minor porcine species (FERTINAGRO BIOTECH S.L.)

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of 3-phytase produced by Komagataella phaffii (CECT 13171) (FSF10000/FLF1000) as a zootechnical additive for poultry species, pigs for fattening and minor porcine species. The production strain (CECT 13171) is genetically modified and was developed from a strain that had been previously assessed by the FEEDAP Panel. The genetic modifications present in K. phaffii CECT 13171 do not raise safety concerns and no recombinant DNA was detected in the final formulations of the additive (FSF10000/FLF1000). However, the Panel could not conclude on the identity of the production strain and uncertainty remained on the possible presence of viable cells of the production strain in the final formulations. Owing to these uncertainties, the FEEDAP Panel could not conclude on the safety of the additive regarding the production strain. The additive in either form is not irritant to eyes and skin, the liquid formulation is not a dermal sensitiser but the solid formulation is, and the two formulations should be considered potential respiratory sensitisers. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that the 3-phytase present in the additive is safe for the target species at a level of 1,000 FTU/kg feed and that would not raise safety concerns for the environment. However, considering the uncertainties on the identification of the production strain and the possible presence of viable cells in the final formulations, the Panel could not conclude on the safety of the additive for the target species, consumer, users, and the environment. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that the additive is efficacious at 500 FTU/kg feed in poultry species for fattening or reared for laying/breeding, pigs for fattening and minor porcine species and at 1,000 FTU/kg feed in laying hens