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Introduction and hypothesis: The objective was to determine whether standardized, intraoperative urethral measurement improves retropubic mid-urethral sling (RPMUS) positioning and if the intraoperative position remains stable at 2 weeks postoperatively. Methods: Participants undergoing a RPMUS were randomized to mid-urethral placement as per usual surgical care (no Foley catheter measurement, no-FCM) vs urethral mid-point Foley catheter measurement (FCM). The primary outcomes were RPMUS location as determined by 2D and 3D ultrasound 2 weeks postoperatively (as percentage from urethral meatus − relative to the urethral length) and intraoperatively following the RPMUS placement. Results: Forty-four women enrolled, underwent RPMUS, and provided baseline data and intraoperative ultrasound measurements; of these, 36 (82%) had interpretable intraoperative and postoperative ultrasound measurements. Demographic data were similar in the two groups. The mean RPMUS mid-point was 57 % and 55 % in measured and controls (p = 0.685); this same measurement was relatively unchanged at 2 weeks postoperatively at 57% and 54% respectively (p = 0.538). Very much and much improvement was reported on the PGI-I by 84% and 85% of participants in the FCM and no-FCM groups respectively. Conclusions: Intraoperative RPMUS position at 2 weeks after surgery is similar to the intraoperative position. Compared with usual surgical care, intraoperative measurement of urethral mid-point with a Foley catheter did not affect RPMUS sling position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this short Editorial to support the Commemorative Special Issue in honour of our founding Editor, Professor Ken Walters FRS, we draw together a series of informal "reflections" from current (and previous) Editors of the Journal, together with a number of his key collaborators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: A 6‐year‐old Cleveland Bay mare was referred to the University of Liverpool Equine Hospital for repair of an iatrogenic nasocutaneous fistula. The fistula had developed following attempted ablation of an epidermal inclusion cyst located in the right nasal diverticulum with intra‐lesional formalin 6 weeks previously. Subsequent tissue necrosis resulted in the formation of a full‐thickness defect in the overlying tissues and the creation of a 5 × 5 cm nasocutaneous fistula. Surgical management consisted of initial debridement of the fistula and use of a commercial dermal regeneration mesh to bridge the defect, acting as a tissue scaffold. The levator labii superioris muscle was utilised to cover the scaffold by transecting it close to its proximal origin and reflecting it rostrally. Finally, a transposition skin flap was created adjacent to the site and was rotated to cover the defect. The mare made an excellent recovery, and follow‐up confirmed complete healing of the surgical site with an excellent cosmetic outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the status of the U.S. cowboy in Americans' psychology and popular culture, including in regard to their depiction in American Western films. An overview of the perception of the history of the U.S. West in American popular culture, including in pulp fiction written by American authors from the Eastern U.S., is provided. The author often references his attitude towards cowboys throughout his life, including in regard to his horses and horseback riding.

The effects of temperature and copper catalyst concentration on the formation of graphene-encapsulated copper nanoparticles (GECNs) were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy-attenuated total reflectance, and transmission electron microscopy. Results showed that higher amounts of copper atoms facilitated the growth of more graphene islands and formed smaller size GECNs. A copper catalyst facilitated the decomposition of lignin at the lowest temperature studied (600 °C). Increasing the temperature up to 1000 °C retarded the degradation process, while assisting the reconfiguration of the defective sites of the graphene layers, thus producing higher-quality GECNs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation of graphene-encapsulated copper nanoparticles was investigated through carbonizing a mixture of kraft lignin and copper sulfate pentahydrate at the temperature up to 500 °C. The abrupt conversion of copper ions into its atoms occurred at 300 °C. The formation of graphene layers surrounding copper nanoparticles started as early as the heating temperature reached 400 °C. Most copper nanoparticles were covered with less than five graphene layers when the temperature reached 500 °C. The average diameter of graphene-encapsulated copper nanoparticles was 12.75 and 11.62 nm for temperature at 400 and 500 °C, respectively. The heating temperature had no significant effect on the size of graphene-encapsulated copper nanoparticles in the evaluated temperature range. It is believed that the formation of graphene-layered shell surrounding copper nanoparticles is based on the mechanism of self-limiting theory with solid carbon as the carbon source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lung transplantation is indicated in patients with respiratory failure who progress despite optimal therapy. The selection of suitable transplant recipients considers internationally accepted absolute and relative contra-indications that are known to negatively influence survival, and typically involves a multi-disciplinary assessment. We assessed the impact on routinely collected pre-transplant variables on post-transplant survival and created a composite model that predicted post-transplant survival. Adult patients (n = 916) undergoing lung transplant assessment at a single center between 2013 and 2021 had the following variables analyzed: age, gender, pre-transplant diagnosis, BMI, eGFR, HbA1c, albumin, 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) and Stanford Integrated Psychosocial Assessment for Transplant (SIPAT) score. Logistic regression was performed for post-transplant survival. Multiple imputation was used for missing data. Variables for inclusion in the final model were selected using backward elimination and confirmed using forward elimination (p-value <0.1). Internal validation of the model was performed using-one-out cross validation and 70/30 data split. Variables as assessed by univariate analysis predicting worse survival included pre-transplant diagnosis (CLAD), limited renal reserve and reduced 6MWD, with CLAD and 6MWD remaining significant predictors of death in the multivariate analysis. All variables were initially included in the predictive model, however the model performance improved with the selective inclusion of pre-transplant diagnosis, 6MWD and HbA1c (ROC 0.672, sensitivity 98.7%). Case examples demonstrated the practical utility of the model. Scenario #1. CF, HbA1c 5, Albumin 40 and 6MWD 400m; predicted probability of survival is 85%. Scenario #2. CLAD, HbA1c 5, albumin 20, 6MWD 250m; predicted probability of survival is 36%. Using variables that are commonly collected during a pre-transplant assessment, we have created a clinically applicable model that predicts post-transplant survival. The model can aid in recipient selection and inform discussion with potential transplant candidates on expected post-transplant outcomes, including survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was designed to examine the practical effects on bending and compression perpendicular to the grain of heating and treatment with preservative agents. Red oak and sweetgum were steamed to an internal temperature of 71 °C. Samples were subsequently treated with creosote or ammoniacal copper zinc arsenate (ACZA) while still hot. Samples were tested in bending and compression perpendicular to the grain using ASTM standards. The data indicate no severe reduction in bending properties of red oak or of the compression properties of sweetgum or red oak heated and then treated with ACZA or creosote. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To prospectively assess whether periodic chest health surveillance is beneficial for the early detection of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) in children after allo-SCT. Children up to 18 years of age receiving allo-SCT from September 2009 to September 2011 were included. Surveillance consisted of the following: a 7-item respiratory system questionnaire of cough, wheeze and shortness of breath; focused physical examination; and pulmonary function test (PFT) conducted before SCT and at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months after SCT. Thirty-nine patients were enrolled. Five children developed BOS at a median time of 192 days (range 94-282). Positive response comparisons between the BOS group vs the non-BOS group were NS for history questionnaire (P=0.2), heart rate (P=0.3), respiratory rate (P=0.3) and oxygen saturation monitoring (P=0.8). Differences between the two groups for chest auscultation and PFT were statistically significant (P=0.03 and P=0.01, respectively). However, chest auscultation in the BOS group was only positive after BOS diagnosis. PFT reduction was evident in the asymptomatic phase (BOS group 33%; non-BOS group 4.5%, P=0.01). Changes in PFT, but not history/physical examination, allow the early detection of BOS in children after SCT. Our study is limited by the small sample size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poster: RTT track: Patient preparation, positioning and immobilisation PO-1828: Alignment of prostate cancer patients for radiotherapy on the MR-linac H. Barnes, J. Mohajer, A. Dunlop, G. Adair Smith, T. Herbert, R. Lawes, A. Tree, H. McNair. [Extracted from the article]

Alison Crumbie and Heather Barnes have undertaken research into the patient's perceptions of the nurse practitioner role. Here they discuss the challenges of the experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship of growth characteristics to compression properties from commercially available southern pine lumber. The in-grade No. 2 southern pine lumber was collected from retail stores across the Southeast United States. For this specific project, 797 samples of 2 × 8 and 2 × 10 boards were examined. The samples were subjected to static bending following ASTM D 198 to determine mechanical properties. The 2 × 8 samples averaged 4.78 growth rings per inch (RPI) and the 2 × 10s averaged 3.95. Average density (ρ) was 477 kg·m-3 in the 2 × 8 and 487 kg·m-3 for the 2 × 10 specimens. From small clear samples from the parent boards, compression parallel to grain averaged from 43.78 MPa for the 2 × 8 to 46.77 MPa for the 2 × 10. Correlations were run to test significance among growth rings per inch and compressions parallel to grain, across both sizes: 2 × 8 and 2 × 10. Slight significance was found in those correlations and increased in measure from 2 × 8 to 2 × 10. The segmentation of RPI into three distinct groups helped strengthen the findings of effect on compression parallel to grain. Moreover, the addition of density as another test variable further strengthened in relationship per those RPI categorizations. Statistically significant findings for density per RPI segments, R² values: for 2 × 8 equal 0.31 (3 or less RPI) to 0.60 (more than 5 RPI). For the 2 × 10 lumber per the same segments, R² values: 0.39, 0.46 and 0.25, respectively. The results suggest ρ is a better predictor than RPI alone for compression parallel to grain values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Broiler dietary potassium (K) and available phosphorous (AvP) have decreased in recent years but both ions are intimately involved in the elimination of hydrogen ions that are produced during rapid growth. It was hypothesized that the decrease of these dietary electrolytes was related to the development of myopathies, and thus increased dietary K and/or AvP would reduce the occurrence of breast myopathies. A total of 320 Ross male broiler chicks were placed into 16 pens and fed 2 diet series containing either decreasing AvP levels of 0.45, 0.40, and 0.35% in the starter, grower, and finisher diets, respectively (Decline), or a fixed AvP of 0.45% in all dietary phases (Fixed). To complete a 2 × 2 design either normal basal dietary K (K-) (0.86, 0.77, 0.68%) or added dietary K (K+) (1.01, 0.93, 0.88%) were also applied to starter, grower, and finisher diets, respectively. Blood physiology was measured at 29 and 42 d. Carcass data, wooden breast and white striping scores were measured at 35 and 43 d. The K+ diets improved feed conversion ratio at 35 d (1.52 vs 1.57 g: g), reduced body weight at 42 d (3524 vs 3584 g), reduced hemoglobin (6.83 vs 7.58 g/dL), and packed cell volume (20.1 vs 22.3%) at 29 d, reduced ionized blood calcium (1.42 vs 1.47 mmol/L) at 42 d, and reduced partial pressure of blood CO2 (49.1 vs 54.7 mm/Hg) at 42 d relative to broilers fed basal K- diets (P < 0.05). Fixed AvP diets improved feed conversion ratio at 28 and 42 d, increased percentage breast meat (28.85 vs 27.58%) and carcass water pickup (2.72 vs 1.42%) at 35 d, and reduced wooden breast (2.88 vs 3.69) at 43 d (P < 0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of time-limited feeding, genetic background, and egg storage on white striping (WS) and wooden breast (WB) in broilers were studied. Male chicks (240) from 2 genetic backgrounds and 2 egg storage periods were fed on either an ad libitum (AL) or time-limited (TL) program from 7 d of age. A rapid growth strain (Growth) and an enhanced yield strain (Yield) of broiler breeder males were mated to a single female line and eggs were stored for periods of either 1 to 7 d or 8 to 14 d. Body weight (BW), feed consumption, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were determined weekly. Carcass data including WS and WB scores were collected at 42 d of age. Breast muscle scoring was conducted either visually or by hand palpation using a 1 to 4 point ordinal scale (normal to greatest severity). Data were analyzed using the Mixed procedure of SAS. The TL fed broilers presented less WS (1.64 vs. 2.87) and WB (2.14 vs. 2.89), lower BW (2.99 vs. 3.27 kg), and improved FCR (1.55 vs. 1.58 g: g), as well as reduced dressing percentage (79.5 vs. 80.1%), breast muscle yield (33.3 vs. 34.6%), and 24 h muscle pH (5.82 vs. 5.95) relative to AL broilers (P < 0.01). Yield broilers exhibited reduced BW (2.97 vs. 3.28 kg), lower WS (2.04 vs. 2.47), and greater WB (2.65 vs. 2.38) (P < 0.05) but similar dressing percentage (80.0 vs. 79.7%) and breast muscle yield (34.3 vs. 33.6%) when compared to Growth broilers. Longer egg storage generated lower BW (3.07 vs. 3.18 kg) and when fed AL, an increased WS score (2.58 vs. 3.15) compared to the shorter egg storage period (P < 0.05). It was concluded that WS and WB could be reduced by TL feeding and that genetic background and egg storage period may influence the expression of WS and WB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A solution to the problem of charge being trapped on the gate of a floating gate MOS transistor during fabrication is presented. The solution does not alter the floating nature of the gate of the device since it does not use any kind of active or passive device to get rid of the accumulated charge. In addition, it does not require any post-processing techniques such as exposure to UV light and does not require any extra masks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A patient with sarcoidosis is described, in whom papular lesions confined to the vulva and peri-anal skin were the first manifestation of the disease. Vulval sarcoid is rare and has only been reported on one previous occasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery is the mainstay of treatment for patients with rectal cancer. Standard clinical target volume (CTV) to planning target volume (PTV) margins of 10 mm are used to accommodate inter- and intrafraction motion of target. Treating on magnetic resonance-integrated linear accelerators (MR-linacs) allows for online manual recontouring and adaptation (MRgART) enabling the reduction of PTV margins. The aim of this study was to investigate motion of the primary CTV (CTVA; gross tumour volume and macroscopic nodes with 10 mm expansion to cover microscopic disease) in order to develop a simultaneous integrated boost protocol for use on MR-linacs. Patients suitable for neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy were recruited for treatment on MR-linac using a two-phase technique; only the five phase 1 fractions on MR-linac were used for analysis. Intrafraction motion of CTVA was measured between pre-treatment and post-treatment MRI scans. In MRgART, isotropically expanded pre-treatment PTV margins from 1 to 10 mm were rigidly propagated to post-treatment MRI to determine overlap with 95% of CTVA. The PTV margin was considered acceptable if overlap was >95% in 90% of fractions. To understand the benefit of MRgART, the same methodology was repeated using a reference computed tomography planning scan for pre-treatment imaging. In total, nine patients were recruited between January 2018 and December 2020 with T3a-T4, N0–N2, M0 disease. Forty-five fractions were analysed in total. The median motion across all planes was 0 mm, demonstrating minimal intrafraction motion. A PTV margin of 3 and 5mm was found to be acceptable in 96 and 98% of fractions, respectively. When comparing to the computed tomography reference scan, the analysis found that PTV margins to 5 and 10 mm only acceptably covered 51 and 76% of fractions, respectively. PTV margins can be reduced to 3–5 mm in MRgART for rectal cancer treatment on MR-linac within an simultaneous integrated boost protocol. • Adaptive radiotherapy on MRgART for rectal cancer enables adaptation of treatment to anatomy of the day. • Intrafraction motion is minimal between start and end of treatment; however interfraction motion between reference CT planning scan and treatment is large and may not be fully covered with a reduced PTV margin. • Using new RCR guidelines nomenclature, the ICTV absorbs motion effectively, adding a 15 mm PTV margin to the GTV. • The ICTV component can be removed from MR-linac treatment and a direct PTV margin can be applied to the GTV. • Reducing target volumes on MR-linac can lead to trials in dose escalation in order to increase cPR rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study shows that the mechanical properties of steam-pressed scrim lumber (SPSL) are sufficient for use in many commercial wood products and pass APA certification values. Values are greater than many of the commercial products on the market today. This study indicates that adding borates and/or silane-based water repellents before pressing combined with a silane-based water repellent after pressing is effective for producing durable SPSL material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two cases of orchitis and epididymo-orchitis in broiler breeders are described. The first case occurred in a 62-week-old rooster showing signs of breeding inactivity. Grossly, the left testis was abnormally shaped and had multiple yellow foci, prominent blood vessels, and a gelatinous mass on the surface. The right testis and other tissues appeared normal. A pure, heavy growth of Staphylococcus aureus was obtained on bacterial culture, and intralesional Gram-positive cocci were numerous on histopathology. The second case occurred in a 28-week-old rooster that was found dead. Both testes were abnormally shaped, swollen, firm, and had irregular, dark, depressed areas, prominent vessels, and multiple petechial haemorrhages. Epididymides were enlarged and nodular. Other lesions in this rooster included poor nutritional condition, distended cloaca, and urate scalding of the abdominal skin below the vent. Microscopically, there was extensive, severe heterophilic intratubular orchitis and epididymitis with intralesional Gram-negative bacteria. A heavy, pure growth of Escherichia coli was obtained from the testes and epididymides. In both cases, the findings suggested that the most probable route of infection was ascending via the ductus deferens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inorganic borates offer good protection to timber in most non-ground contact applications. The effective use of low solubility borates has not yet been achieved in the treatment of solid lumber. Interest in reducing the leaching of borates stems from their favorable environmental characteristics and broad spectrum efficacy. The key to extending the use of borates to cover the entire spectrum of wood preservation is improving their permanence in wood while retaining efficacy by retaining limited mobility of the borate. We review research over the last two decades in laboratories around the world and classify all strategies employed into fifteen categories. For each strategy, resistance of the treated wood to wood destroying organisms, resistance to leaching, and potential applications are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Uncertainty exists concerning the key factors contributing to Campylobacter colonization of poultry, especially the possible role of vertical transmission from breeder hens to young birds. A longitudinal study of Campylobacter colonization was performed in two sibling pairs of turkey flocks (four flocks total). Each pair of sibling flocks shared breeder hen populations and was obtained from the same hatchery. One flock of each pair was grown on a commercial farm, and the other was grown in an instructional demonstration unit (Teaching Animal Unit [TAU]). Flocks were located within a 60-mi (96.8-km) radius. The time of placement, feed formulations, stocking density, and general husbandry were the same for both flocks, and each flock was processed at a commercial processing plant following standard feed withdrawal and transport protocols. Both flocks grown on the commercial farms became colonized with Campylobacter between weeks 2 and 3 and remained colonized until processing. Between 80 and 90% of isolates were Carnpylobacter coli, and the remainder were Carnpylobacter jejuni. In contrast, neither C. coli nor C. jejuni were isolated from either of the TAU flocks at any time during the production cycle. None of the fia types of Campylobacter from the breeders that provided poults to one of the commercial flocks matched those from the progeny. These results failed to provide evidence for vertical transmission and indicate that this type of transmission either did not occur or was not sufficient to render the TAU turkey flocks Campylobacter positive. Management practices such as proper litter maintenance, controlled traffic between the TAU farm and other turkey flocks, and other less well-defined aspects of turkey production were likely responsible for the absence of Campylobacter in the TAU flocks before harvest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficacy of chitosan oligomers and related nanoparticles as environmentally friendly wood protection agents was evaluated in this study. Commercially sourced low-molecular weight chitosan was depolymerized using sodium nitrite. Evaluation of depolymerized chitosan to the nano level by thin layer chromatography confirmed acceptable results for obtaining a degree of polymerization of four. Then, oligomers were modified to form quaternized chitosan oligomers. Both quaternized and non-quaternized oligomers were mixed with tripolyphosphate (TPP) to form nano-chitosan-TPP particles via an ionic gelation method. Southern pine wood samples were treated with different chitosan-based solutions and suspensions under a vacuum impregnation process. The mass and volume of the treated samples were calculated before and after treatments to evaluate bulking. The mass loss after leaching of the treated wood samples was calculated. The mass and volume gain results indicated that quaternized nano-chitosan-TPP treated samples had more mass and volume gain after treatment in comparison with non-quaternized nano-chitosan-TPP-treated and control samples. The mass loss results revealed that mass loss increased in quaternized nano-chitosan-TPP particles. Although quaternized nano-chitosan particles were positively charged, they could not fix to the cell walls and became leached out. Therefore, these nanoparticles can likely be used as wood preservatives in non-leaching applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wooden breast myopathy (WBM), or "woody breast" or "wooden breast" affects modern, rapidly growing, high breast-yield broiler chickens. Decreased meat quality due to undesirable organoleptic properties and condemnation of affected breast meat cause economic losses. The pathogenesis of WBM remains unknown. In this study, WBM lesion development was determined in three modern broiler strains and Athens Canadian Random Bred (ACRB) broilers, a 1950s unselected broiler chicken. Correlations between WBM severity and incubation temperature profile, sex, strain, body weight, and lymphocytic phlebitis were also determined. At 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age, samples of breast muscle from 10 male and 10 female birds from each strain, incubated under optimal or low-early, high-late temperatures, were scored histologically for severity of WBM and lymphocytic phlebitis. WBM lesions, identified as early as 2 weeks, became progressively more severe with age and growth in the three commercial broiler strains. WBM severity was significantly correlated with lymphocytic phlebitis and body weight. Lymphocytic phlebitis and minimal WBM were present in the ACRB broilers at all samplings, but did not progress in severity over time. There were no significant differences in severity of WBM among the commercial broiler strains, between sexes, or between incubation temperature profiles. The positive correlation between WBM severity and lymphocytic phlebitis indicates vascular injury is likely an important factor in the pathogenesis. Mild muscle lesions in ACRB birds without overt clinical signs indicate subclinical muscle disease may have been present in broilers prior to the description of WBM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pathogenic strains of Enterococcus cecorum cause symmetrical paralysis in broilers due to infection of the free thoracic vertebra. The disease caused by pathogenic E. cecorum, known as enterococcal spondylitis or "kinky-back" continues to be responsible for significant losses to the broiler industry worldwide. In outbreaks of pathogenic E. cecorum, gut colonization and sepsis occur in the first three weeks-of-life. Since maternal antibodies are present during this period, we postulated that vaccination of breeders with a polyvalent killed vaccine would protect chicks from challenge. To test this hypothesis, representative isolates from seven genotype groups of pathogenic E. cecorum circulating in the US were chosen to produce adjuvanted killed vaccines (bacterins) and given to broiler-breeder hens. No single strain produced high titres of antibodies to all other strains; however, the combination of serologic reactivity of pathogenic isolates (designated SA3 and SA7) was sufficient to react with all genotypes. Vaccination of commercial broiler-breeder hens with a bacterin composed of SA3 and SA7 did not have any adverse effects. Vaccinated hens developed E. cecorum specific antibodies; however, no significant difference in survival was observed in infected embryos from hens in vaccine or adjuvant only groups. Chicks from vaccinated hens also failed to resist homologous or heterologous challenge during experimental infection. In a macrophage killing assay, pathogenic E. cecorum were found to evade opsinophagocytosis with elicited antibodies. These data suggest that pathogenic strains of E. cecorum possess virulence mechanisms that confound antibody-mediated opsinophagocytosis, complicating vaccine development for this pathogen of broilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteochondrosis (OCD) results from a disturbance of endochondral ossification in articular cartilage and is an important cause of lameness in several animal species, including chickens. OCD lesions in the free thoracic vertebra (FTV) of chickens are essential to the pathogenesis of pathogenicEnterococcus cecorum. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of OCD in the FTV among three modern broiler chicken crosses (strains A/A, A/B, and C/C) and Athens Canadian Random Bred (ACRB) chickens, which served as the control group. The effect of sex, age, strain, body weight, and incubation temperature profile on OCD severity for each group was determined. At 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age, the FTV of 10 male and 10 female birds from each strain exposed to either optimal or low-early, high-late incubation temperature profiles were collected and scored histologically for OCD lesion severity. OCD spectrum lesions were detected in >70% of all strain/sex combinations, including the ACRB controls. No association was observed between mean OCD score and broiler strain, incubation temperature profile, sex, age, or body weight. These findings indicate that OCD of the FTV is common in broiler chickens with similar prevalence observed in broilers with modern genetics and the ACRB broilers which represent 1950s broiler genetics. As the parameters examined did not have a statistical correlation with OCD, additional work is needed to understand factors that contribute to development of OCD in chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinicopathological diagnosis of mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB (MPS IIIB; Sanfilippo syndrome B), an inherited autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease, as a cause of losses in a commercial emu flock and screening breeders using a mutation-specific DNA test are described. Between 2012 and 2015, ∼5–10 juvenile emus from a few weeks to several months of age developed progressive neurological signs and died while others in the flock remained healthy. Necropsy of two affected siblings revealed multiple sites of haemorrhage, cytoplasmic periodic acid-Schiff and Luxol fast blue-positive inclusions in neurons, and aggregates of foamy macrophages in visceral organs. Affected emus were homozygous for the two-base deletion in theα-N-acetylglucosaminidase gene that causes MPS IIIB in emus. Mutation-specific DNA tests for MPS IIIB in emus were developed. Screening blood samples from 78 breeding emus revealed 14 (18%; 9 males, 4 females, and 1 unknown gender) carriers; an overall 0.09 mutantα-N-acetylglucosaminidase allele frequency. A “test and cull male carriers” programme, in which carrier males are culled but carrier females are retained, was proposed to avoid breeding affected emus together, ultimately eliminating the disease from future broods, and preserving the gene pool with as much breeding stock as possible. Molecular genetic diagnostic tests are simple, precise, and permit screening of all breeders for the mutant allele in any flock and can be used to eliminate MPS IIIB-related emu losses through informed breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Enterococcus cecorum (EC) is the dominant enteric commensal of adult chickens and contributes to the gut consortia of many avian and mammalian species. While EC infection is an uncommon zoonosis, like other enterococcal species it can cause life-threating nosocomial infection in people. In contrast to other enterococci which are considered opportunistic pathogens, emerging pathogenic strains of EC cause outbreaks of musculoskeletal disease in broiler chickens. Typical morbidity and mortality is comparable to other important infectious diseases of poultry. In molecular epidemiologic studies, pathogenic EC strains were found to be genetically clonal. These findings suggested acquisition of specific virulence determinants by pathogenic EC. To identify divergent genomic features and acquired virulence determinants in pathogenic EC; comparative genomic analysis was performed on genomes of 3 pathogenic and 3 commensal strains of EC. Pathogenic isolates had smaller genomes with a higher GC content, and they demonstrated large regions of synteny compared to commensal isolates. A molecular phylogenetic analysis demonstrated sequence divergence in pathogenic EC genomes. At a threshold of 98% identity, 414 predicted proteins were identified that were highly conserved in pathogenic EC but not in commensal EC. Among these, divergent CRISPR-cas defense loci were observed. In commensal EC, the type IIA arrangement typical for enterococci was present; however, pathogenic EC had a type IC locus, which is novel in enterococci but commonly observed in streptococci. Potential mediators of virulence identified in this analysis included a polysaccharide capsular locus similar to that recently described for E. faecium, an epa-like locus, and cell wall associated proteins which may bind host extracellular matrix. This analysis identified specific genomic regions, coding sequences, and predicted proteins which may be related to the divergent evolution and increased virulence of emerging pathogenic strains of EC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proffered Papers: Proffered papers 25 - Clinical implementation of online MRgRT OC-0469: MR-guided online adaptive radiotherapy for muscle invasive bladder cancer: First UK experience A. Hunt, I. Hanson, A. Dunlop, L. Bower, H. Barnes, J. Chick, T. Herbert, R. Lawes, H. McNair, A. Mitchell, J. Mohajer, T. Morgan, G. Smith, S. Nill, U. Oelfke, R. Huddart, S. Hafeez. [Extracted from the article]

Abstract: Equine influenza (EI) is a serious respiratory disease of horses induced by the equine influenza virus (EIV). Surveillance, quarantine procedures and vaccination are widely used to prevent or to contain the disease. This study aimed to further characterise the immune response induced by a non-updated inactivated EI and tetanus vaccine, including protection against a representative EIV isolate of the Florida clade 2 sublineage. Seven ponies were vaccinated twice with Duvaxyn IE-T Plus at an interval of four weeks. Five ponies remained unvaccinated. All ponies were experimentally infected with the EIV strain A/eq/Richmond/1/07 two weeks after the second vaccination. Clinical signs of disease were recorded and virus shedding was measured after experimental infection. Antibody response and EIV-specific IFNgamma synthesis, a marker of cell-mediated immunity, were measured at different time points of the study. Vaccination resulted in significant protection against clinical signs of disease induced by A/eq/Richmond/1/07 and reduced virus shedding when challenged at the peak of immunity. Antigenic drift has been shown to reduce protection against EIV infection. Inclusion of a more recent and representative EIV vaccine strain, as recommended by the OIE expert surveillance panel on equine influenza vaccine, may maximise field protection. In addition, significant levels of EIV-specific IFNgamma synthesis by peripheral blood lymphocytes were detected in immunised ponies, which provided a first evidence of CMI stimulation after vaccination with a whole inactivated EIV. Duration of humoral response was also retrospectively investigated in 14 horses vaccinated under field condition and following the appropriate immunisation schedule, up to 599 days after first immunisation. This study revealed that most immunised horses maintained significant levels of cross-reactive SRH antibody for a prolonged period of time, but individual monitoring may be beneficial to identify poor vaccine responders. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Enterococcus cecorum, a normal intestinal inhabitant, is increasingly responsible for outbreaks of arthritis and osteomyelitis in chickens worldwide. Enterococcal spondylitis (ES) is a specific manifestation of E. cecorum-associated disease in which increased flock morbidity and mortality result from chronic infection involving the free thoracic vertebra. In this study the genetic relatedness and antimicrobial resistance of isolates recovered from ES-affected flocks in the southeastern United States were determined. ES outbreaks from 2007 to 2011 were investigated in North Carolina (15 flocks, 13 farms, four integrators), South Carolina (one flock, one farm, one integrator) and Alabama (six flocks, six farms, one integrator). From these 22 epidemiologically distinct outbreaks, 326 isolates of E. cecorum were recovered. Isolates from spinal lesions and caeca of affected birds (cases) and caeca of unaffected birds (controls) were genotyped using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis; phenotyped using both GenIII MicroPlate™ (Biolog; Hayward, CA, USA) microbial identification plates and antimicrobial sensitivity testing; and compared with each other. Isolates from spinal lesions were incapable of mannitol metabolism and the majority of these isolates were genetically clonal. In contrast, caecal isolates from control birds varied in their ability to metabolize mannitol and were genetically diverse. Isolates from both case and control birds had high levels of antimicrobial resistance. These findings indicate that the increase in E. cecorum-associated disease in the southeast United States is due to the emergence of new clones with increased pathogenicity and multidrug resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives: A putative model of spontaneous cancer has been described in the laying hen that bears significant similarities to human ovarian cancer. Our objective was to characterize and compare the patterns of gene expression in chicken and human forms of this disease. Methods: RNA from 20 localized and metastatic ovarian and oviductal chicken tumor samples was isolated, amplified using in vitro transcription, and hybridized against normal ovarian epithelium to a customized cDNA microarray constructed for these studies. Differentially expressed genes were identified for localized ovarian, metastatic ovarian, and oviductal (or tubal) cancer by class comparison using BRB-ArrayTools. Results were validated with semi-quantitative PCR. A gene list (prediction model) constructed with the class prediction tool was used in a human ovarian cancer microarray obtained from the GEO datasets (GSE6008) in order to compare these results across species. Results: Class comparison analysis between localized ovarian, metastatic ovarian and oviductal cancer yielded 41 different informative probes that coded for 27 unique genes. Localized ovarian samples clustered between metastatic ovarian and oviductal cancer samples. Using our chicken data as a training set and leaving oviductal samples out of the analysis, we created a prediction model that classified early stage and advanced stage human ovarian cancer gene expression arrays with 78% overall accuracy. Conclusions: Gene expression of spontaneous ovarian cancer in the chicken is comparable to gene expression patterns of human ovarian cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To measure the activity of the key phosphotransfer enzymes creatine kinase (CK), adenylate kinase (AK), and glycolytic enzymes in two common mouse models of chronic heart failure.Methods and Results: C57BL/6 mice were subjected to transverse aortic constriction (TAC), myocardial infarction induced by coronary artery ligation (CAL), or sham operation. Activities of phosphotransfer enzymes CK, AK, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), 3-phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK), and pyruvate kinase were assessed spectrophotometrically. Mice were characterized by echocardiography or magnetic resonance imaging 5- to 8-week post-surgery and selected for the presence of congestive heart failure. All mice had severe left ventricular hypertrophy, impaired systolic function and pulmonary congestion compared with sham controls. A significant decrease in myocardial CK and maximal CK reaction velocity was observed in both experimental models of heart failure. However, the activity of AK and its isoforms remained unchanged, despite a reduction in its protein expression. In contrast, the activities of glycolytic phosphotransfer mediators GAPDH and PGK were 19 and 12% higher in TAC, and 31 and 23% higher in CAL models, respectively.Conclusion: Chronic heart failure in the mouse is characterized by impaired CK function, unaltered AK, and increased activity of glycolytic phosphotransfer enzymes. This pattern of altered phosphotransfer activity was observed independent of the heart failure aetiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An outbreak of H3N8 Equine Influenza virus (EIV) that occurred in vaccinated horses in Japan was caused by a genetically divergent EIV isolate of the Florida clade 1 sub-lineage. This virus subsequently entered Australia where it infected thousands of immunologically naïve horses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of a non-updated whole inactivated equine influenza (EI) vaccine to protect if used in the face of an outbreak induced by a virus similar to the ones circulating in Japan and Australia in 2007. Seven naïve Welsh mountain ponies were immunised twice with the commercially available vaccine Duvaxyn IE-T Plus and experimentally infected with A/eq2/Sydney/2888-8/07. Five ponies remained unvaccinated as controls. The ponies were challenged in an ACDP (Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens) Category III containment facility by exposure to a nebulised aerosol of A/eq2/Sydney/2888-8/07 two weeks after the second vaccination. Clinical signs and virus shedding were monitored for 14 days post-challenge infection. After challenge infection, all control ponies developed clinical signs of disease with coughing being particularly noteworthy when compared with vaccinated ponies. Only 3 out of 5 controls developed pyrexia for up to 3 days, and 1 out of 7 vaccinates was pyretic for 1 day. Nasal discharge was evident in both control and vaccinated ponies with no significant difference between groups. Three different methods were used to measure virus shedding in nasal secretions (i.e. titration in embryonated hens’ eggs, EIV NP ELISA and EIV NP qRT-PCR). The intensity and duration of EIV shedding significantly decreased in the vaccinated group when compared with the control ponies. All control ponies seroconverted after experimental infection with A/eq2/Sydney/2888-8/07 whereas only 1 out of 7 vaccinated ponies had a significant increase in antibody. Duvaxyn IE-T Plus therefore reduced clinical signs and virus shedding when ponies were challenged with A/eq2/Sydney/2888-8/07 (H3N8), 2 weeks after a second dose of vaccine. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Domestic Violence and Mental Health Policy Initiative (DVMHPI) is an innovative project to address the unmet mental health needs of domestic violence survivors and their children and to develop models that integrate clinical and advocacy concerns. Overseeing a network of more than fifty community-based mental health, domestic violence, substance abuse, and social service agencies, as well as city and state officials, the DVMHPI promotes collaboration and provides training and technical assistance to improve the capacity of local service systems to address the traumatic effects of abuse. This report highlights the importance of generating funding streams that promote collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• AWPA E1 grades for assessing termite damage on wood are heavily subjective. • Deep convolutional networks can be applied to help human graders judgment. • Stratified k -fold cross validation for small datasets. • Sequential AlexNet offers the best performance to predict grades of damaged wood samples. • Potential future applications in termite damage assessments using deep learning. We evaluated convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to visually classify severity of termite attack according to the rating scale from the AWPA E1 standard. The wood wafer dataset contained only 181 uniquely damaged samples. To help compensate for the lack of a large dataset, we performed stratified 5-fold cross validation in which the number of testing samples varied from 33 to 39. Data augmentation was performed on-the-fly on each training set by rotating and flipping samples to generate from 8520 to 8880 images. The CNNs tested included sequential AlexNet, InceptionV3, ResNet50, and InceptionV4-ResNetV2. Each CNN trained relatively well with no sign of overfitting. Sequential AlexNet achieved the best performance, predicting samples with an overall adjusted accuracy of 76.5%, followed by InceptionV3, ResNet50, and InceptionV4-ResNetV2 with 75.0%, 70.8%, and 67.2%, respectively. Sequential AlexNet reached a top-2 accuracy of 97.2%. Mispredictions were more prevalent in the E1 mid-grade ranges, i.e., 4–6 and 8–9. We believe that AlexNet out-performed the other CNNS because of two possible reasons: (1) the other deeper CNNs learned spurious features from the samples that led to more mispredictions; or (2) the other deeper CNNs simply require a training dataset larger than we had available. Future work will focus on developing machine-learning software to grade samples and segment the damage on early/latewood. In addition, we plan to solicit and collect more termite damage samples worldwide in order to enhance our tool and further validate our current findings based only on a limited dataset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]