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Genetic architecture of white striping in turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo).
Get PDFWhite striping (WS) is a myopathy of growing concern to the turkey industry. It is rising in prevalence and has negative consequences for consumer acceptance and the functional properties of turkey meat. The objective of this study was to conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and functional analysis on WS severity. Phenotypic data consisted of white striping scored on turkey breast fillets (N = 8422) by trained observers on a 0-3 scale (none to severe). Of the phenotyped birds, 4667 genotypic records were available using a proprietary 65 K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip. The SNP effects were estimated using a linear mixed model with a 30-SNP sliding window approach used to express the percentage genetic variance explained. Positional candidate genes were those located within 50 kb of the top 1% of SNP windows explaining the most genetic variance. Of the 95 positional candidate genes, seven were further classified as functional candidate genes because of their association with both a significant gene ontology and molecular function term. The results of the GWAS emphasize the polygenic nature of the trait with no specific genomic region contributing a large portion to the overall genetic variance. Significant pathways relating to growth, muscle development, collagen formation, circulatory system development, cell response to stimulus, and cytokine production were identified. These results help to support published biological associations between WS and hypoxia and oxidative stress and provide information that may be useful for future-omics studies in understanding the biological associations with WS development in turkeys
Best performances of visible–near-infrared models in soils with little carbonate – a field study in Switzerland
Get PDFConventional laboratory analysis of soil properties is often expensive and requires much time if various soil properties are to be measured. Visual and near-infrared (vis–NIR) spectroscopy offers a complementary and cost-efficient way to gain a wide variety of soil information at high spatial and temporal resolutions. Yet, applying vis–NIR spectroscopy requires confidence in the prediction accuracy of the infrared models. In this study, we used soil data from six agricultural fields in eastern Switzerland and calibrated (i) field-specific (local) models and (ii) general models (combining all fields) for soil organic carbon (SOC), permanganate oxidizable carbon (POXC), total nitrogen (N), total carbon (C) and pH using partial least-squares regression. The 30 local models showed a ratio of performance to deviation (RPD) between 1.14 and 5.27, and the root mean square errors (RMSE) were between 1.07 and 2.43 g kg−1 for SOC, between 0.03 and 0.07 g kg−1 for POXC, between 0.09 and 0.14 g kg−1 for total N, between 1.29 and 2.63 g kg−1 for total C, and between 0.04 and 0.19 for pH. Two fields with high carbonate content and poor correlation between the target properties were responsible for six local models with a low performance (RPD < 2). Analysis of variable importance in projection, as well as of correlations between spectral variables and target soil properties, confirmed that high carbonate content masked absorption features for SOC. Field sites with low carbonate content can be combined with general models with only a limited loss in prediction accuracy compared to the field-specific models. On the other hand, for fields with high carbonate contents, the prediction accuracy substantially decreased in general models. Whether the combination of soils with high carbonate contents in one prediction model leads to satisfying prediction accuracies needs further investigation
Effect of mortality prediction models on resource use benchmarking of intensive care units.
Get PDFPURPOSE
Intensive care requires extensive resources. The ICUs' resource use can be compared using standardized resource use ratios (SRURs). We assessed the effect of mortality prediction models on the SRURs.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We compared SRURs using different mortality prediction models: the recent Finnish Intensive Care Consortium (FICC) model and the SAPS-II model (n = 68,914 admissions). We allocated the resources to severity of illness strata using deciles of predicted mortality. In each risk and year stratum, we calculated the expected resource use per survivor from our modelling approaches using length of ICU stay and Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (TISS) points.
RESULTS
Resource use per survivor increased from one length of stay (LOS) day and around 50 TISS points in the first decile to 10 LOS-days and 450 TISS in the tenth decile for both risk scoring systems. The FICC model predicted mortality risk accurately whereas the SAPS-II grossly overestimated the risk of death. Despite this, SRURs were practically identical and consistent.
CONCLUSIONS
SRURs provide a robust tool for benchmarking resource use within and between ICUs. SRURs can be used for benchmarking even if recently calibrated risk scores for the specific population are not available
Das Haut hin. Ein praktischer Schmink- und Moulagenworkshop
No full textZusammenfassung:
Manche Befunde lassen sich, völlig unabhängig von den schauspielerischen Fähigkeiten der SPs und der Qualität des SP-Trainings nicht simulieren. Bei Hautkrankheiten, Symptomen auf der Haut und erkennbaren Verletzungen wie z.B. Wunden oder Hämatomen braucht es Schminke oder Moulagen, um mögliche Befunde oder den Zustand der SPs in der Simulation noch authentischer darzustellen: von Akne bis Zoster, vom Armbruch bis Zeckenbiss. Worauf muss ich für eine realistische Präsentation achten? Ist weniger manchmal mehr? Welche Materialien brauche ich? Wieviel Zeit muss ich einplanen? Was müssen die SPs vorab wissen?
Ablauf
- Kurzer Vorstellungsrunde, ggf. Erfahrungsstand
- Verschiedene Stationen im Rotationsprinzip
- Materialkunde und Erfahrungen (Hygiene, Allergien, Haltbarkeit, Bezugsquellen)
- Wissenswertes zur Umsetzung (Anleitung per Videos, Zeitplanung, Debriefing der SP, unterschiedliche Hauttöne)
- Zukünftige Zusammenarbeit in einem «Schmink-Netzwerk»
Der Workshop bietet eine Austauschplattform für Anfänger:innen und Fortgeschrittene, in der sowohl praktisches Hands-On als auch ein gemeinsamer Ideen- und Erfahrungsaustausch stattfinden kann.
Der Erfahrungsaustausch im Workshop soll den Teilnehmern ermöglichen, ihre Kompetenz in Bezug auf Moulagen zu erweitern und so letztendlich die Qualität der von ihnen betreuten Simulationen verbessern
Integration of Laser Ranging Range-Rate Observations into the GRACE Follow-On Processing at the AIUB
Get PDFAnaesthesia training designs across Europe: A survey-based study from the trainees committee of the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care.
No full textBACKGROUND
Anaesthesiology training programs in Europe vary in duration, content, and requirements for completion. This survey-based study conducted by the Trainees Committee of the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care explores current anaesthesia training designs across Europe.
METHODS
Between May and July 2018, we sent a 41-item online questionnaire to all National Trainee Representatives, members of the National Anaesthesiologists Societies Committee, and Council Representatives of the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC) of all member countries. We cross-validated inconsistent data with different country representatives.
RESULTS
Forty-three anaesthesiologists from all 39 associated ESAIC countries completed the questionnaire. Results showed considerable variability in teaching formats, frequency of teaching sessions during training, and differences in assessments made during and at the end of training. The reported duration of training was 60 months in 59% (n = 23) of participating countries, ranging from 24 months in Russia and Ukraine to 84 months in the UK.
CONCLUSION
This study shows the significant differences in anaesthesiology training formats across Europe, and highlights the importance of developing standardised training programs to ensure a consistent level of training and to improve patient safety. This study provides valuable insights into European anaesthesia training, and underlines the need for further research and collaboration to improve requirements
The dilemma of neuroprotection trials in times of successful endovascular recanalization.
Get PDFBACKGROUND
The "translational roadblock" between successful animal stroke studies and neutral clinical trials is usually attributed to conceptual weaknesses. However, we hypothesized that rodent studies cannot inform the human disease due to intrinsic pathophysiological differences between rodents and humans., i.e., differences in infarct evolution.
METHODS
To verify our hypothesis, we employed a mixed study design and compared findings from meta-analyses of animal studies and a retrospective clinical cohort study. For animal data, we systematically searched pubmed to identify all rodent studies, in which stroke was induced by MCAO and at least two sequential MRI scans were performed for infarct volume assessment within the first two days. For clinical data, we included 107 consecutive stroke patients with large artery occlusion, who received MRI scans upon admission and one or two days later.
RESULTS
Our preclinical meta-analyses included 50 studies with 676 animals. Untreated animals had a median post-reperfusion infarct volume growth of 74%. Neuroprotective treatments reduced this infarct volume growth to 23%. A retrospective clinical cohort study showed that stroke patients had a median infarct volume growth of only 2% after successful recanalization. Stroke patients with unsuccessful recanalization, by contrast, experienced a meaningful median infarct growth of 148%.
CONCLUSION
Our study shows that rodents have a significant post-reperfusion infarct growth, and that this post-reperfusion infarct growth is the target of neuroprotective treatments. Stroke patients with successful recanalization do not have such infarct growth and thus have no target for neuroprotection
EMAS position statement: Thyroid disease and menopause.
No full textINTRODUCTION
Thyroid diseases are common in women in their late reproductive years; therefore, thyroid disease and menopause may co-exist. Both conditions may present with a wide range of symptoms, leading to diagnostic challenges and delayed diagnosis. Aim To construct the first European Menopause and Andropause Society (EMAS) statement on thyroid diseases and menopause.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Literature review and consensus of expert opinion (EMAS executive board members/experts on menopause and thyroid disease).
SUMMARY RECOMMENDATIONS
This position paper highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas in managing women with thyroid disease during the menopausal transition, aiming to increase healthcare professionals' awareness of thyroid disorders and menopause-related symptoms. Clinical decisions regarding the treatment of both conditions should be made with caution and attention to the specific characteristics of this age group while adopting a personalized patient approach. The latter must include the family history, involvement of the woman in the decision-making, and respect for her preferences, to achieve overall well-being
CT Assessment of Response/Progression with Immunotherapy and Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Targeted Treatment in 155 Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer
No full textBasic Training in Palliative Medicine for Internal Medicine Residents: Pilot Testing of a Canadian Model in Switzerland.
Get PDFBACKGROUND
In Switzerland, palliative care (PC) clinical training is well established at undergraduate and specialist postgraduate levels. However, postgraduate nonspecialist training curricula are less documented.
LOCAL PROBLEM
A structured curriculum for nonspecialist rotation within internal medicine (IM) in specialized PC wards is lacking.
OBJECTIVE
To pilot two versions of a PC nonspecialist curriculum for IM residents in Swiss PC units.
METHODS
In the pilot phase, two curricula-short immersion (3-10 weeks, based on the University of Toronto's Internal-Medicine PC Rotation) and standard nonspecialist (11-18 weeks, based on the Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physician Competencies)-were assessed using a mixed-method online survey. One university and two nonuniversity sites participated. The analysis was descriptive.
RESULTS
Five residents and eight supervisors of five training rotations (July-October 2023) responded. Overall, curriculum quality and feasibility (content and time) received positive ratings across all groups, with high satisfaction concerning organization, educational design, learning support, climate, experience, and facilities. Nonuniversity sites were generally rated more positively than university sites. Qualitative feedback paralleled these findings, highlighting the curriculum's relevance and fit with learners' needs and suggesting potential simplifications and more personalized planning.
CONCLUSIONS
Establishing short and standard duration curricula for a PC program is viable and well received by nonspecialist trainees. Future implementation should concentrate on personalized learning objectives and streamlining the content and structure of the competencies. Cooperation within various training settings (university and regional hospitals) as well as on an international level (e.g., Canada-Switzerland) may further improve the quality of the proposed training formats
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