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The objective of this study was to describe the nutritional strategies used on Canadian dairy farms with automated milking systems (AMS), both at the feed bunk and the concentrate offered at the AMS, as well as to determine what dietary components and nutrients, as formulated, were associated with milk production and milking behaviors on those farms. Formulated diets (including ingredients and nutrient content) and AMS data were collected from April 1, 2019, until September 30, 2020, on 160 AMS farms (eastern Canada [East] = 8, Ontario [ON] = 76, Quebec [QC] = 22, and western Canada [West] = 54). Both partial mixed ration (PMR) and AMS concentrate samples were collected from May 1 to September 30, 2019, on 169 farms (East = 12, ON = 63, QC = 42, West = 52). We collected AMS milking data for 154 herds. For each farm (n = 161), milk recording data were collected and summarized by farm to calculate average milk yield and components. Multivariable regression models were used to associate herd-level formulated nutrient composition and feeding management practices with milk production and milking behavior. Milk yield (mean ± SD = 37.0 ± 0.3 kg/d) was positively associated with the PMR ether extract (EE) concentration (+0.97 kg/d per percentage point [ p.p. ] increase) and with farms that fed barley silage as their major forage source (n = 16; +2.18 kg/d) as compared with haylage (n = 42), whereas farms that fed corn silage (n = 96; +1.23 kg/d) tended to produce more milk than farms that fed haylage. Greater milk fat content (4.09 ± 0.28%) was associated with a greater PMR-to-AMS concentrate ratio (+0.02 p.p. per unit increase) and total diet net energy for lactation (+0.046 p.p. per 0.1 Mcal/kg increase), but a lesser percentage of NFC of the PMR (−0.016 p.p. per p.p. increase of NFC percentage). Milk protein content (3.38 ± 0.14%) was positively associated with the forage percentage of the PMR (+0.003 p.p. per p.p. increase of forage percentage) and the total diet starch percentage (+0.009 p.p. per p.p. increase of starch percentage), but was negatively associated with farms feeding corn silage (−0.1 p.p. compared with haylage) as their major forage. Greater milking frequency (2.77 ± 0.40 milkings/d) was observed on farms with free-flow cow traffic systems (+0.62 milkings/d) and was positively associated with feed push-up frequency (+0.013 milkings/d per additional feed push-up), but negatively associated with PMR NFC content and forage percentage of the total ration (−0.017 milkings/d per p.p. increase of forage percentage). Lastly, greater milking refusal frequency (1.49 ± 0.82 refusals/d) was observed on farms with free-flow cow traffic systems (+0.84 refusals/d) and farms feeding barley silage (+0.58 refusals/d) than with guided flow and farms feeding either corn silage or haylage, respectively. These data give insight into the ingredients, nutrient formulations and type of diets fed on AMS dairy farms across Canada and the association of those factors with milk production and milking behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Levofloxacin is a broad‐spectrum antibiotic of the fluoroquinolone class used in the paediatric population to treat resistant bacterial infections. Because no commercial option exists, a stable liquid formulation of this antibiotic made with accessible vehicles would be useful. Aim: The aim of this study was to develop and assess the stability of levofloxacin suspensions made from commercially available tablets and three different accessible vehicles. Methods: Levofloxacin suspensions (50 mg/mL) were compounded using two different commercially available tablets (from Apotex; Toronto, ON, Canada and Sandoz; Boucherville, QC, Canada) and three different vehicles (Ora‐Blend, Oral‐Mix; Medisca, Saint‐Laurent, QC, Canada and Simple Syrup (SS); Laboratoire Atlas Inc., Anjou, QC, Canada). Suitable suspensions in Ora‐Blend and Oral‐Mix were stored at room temperature (25°C) as well as under refrigeration (5°C) in amber plastic bottles for 90 days. Suspensions made with SS were only stored at 25°C because of sugar crystallisation at 5°C. Suspension concentrations were assessed by HPLC. Results: Suspensions using Apotex levofloxacin tablets produced unsuitable high‐foaming, phase‐separated, non‐homogeneous suspension products in all vehicles tested that were therefore not tested for stability. Levofloxacin suspensions prepared using Sandoz tablets remained chemically and physically stable for 3 months, with >96% recovery according to United States Pharmacopeia criteria (90%–110%) in all three vehicles. Conclusion: The results show that the choice of generic levofloxacin tablets is important when preparing homogeneous suspensions. All three vehicles could be used to prepare levofloxacin suspensions using Sandoz tablets that were physically and chemically stable for 3 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mix design of ultra-high performance fibre reinforced concretes (UHPFRC) produced with locally available materials in Quebec and Ontario is presented. The procedure and results of the optimization of self-consolidating UHPFRC are discussed. The characterization of the retained mixes is presented with regards to strength, heat of hydration, shrinkage, chloride ion permeability, and freeze-thaw resistance. The results show that it is possible to produce self-consolidating UHPFRC with the targeted properties for use in precast products and in situ applications without requiring heat or pressure treatment during curing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using bee pollinators as a means for the dissemination of microbial control agents, such as Beauveria bassiana, against insect pests of agricultural crops is a novel and interesting approach to biological control. In four laboratory trials, one in Canada and three in Jordan, factors affecting the acquisition of B. bassiana by honey bees were evaluated using hive-mounted inoculum dispensers. The numbers of conidia carried by bees emerging from the dispensers differed according to the type of carrier used. Bees that passed through corn flour acquired more inoculum than did those that walked through wheat flour, durum semolina, corn meal, potato starch, potato flakes, oat flour or barley flour. The numbers of conidia acquired by the bees increased with decreasing particle size and moisture content of the carrier, and with increasing density of B. bassiana conidia in the formulation. Time required for a bee to pass through the dispenser did not significantly affect the acquisition of conidia. This study indicated that honeybees (Apis mellifera carnica) have a great potential for vectoring B. bassiana in crop systems. It also opens more avenues for studies on bee delivery of other microbial biological control agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patient preferences for psoriasis treatment may affect treatment adherence and disease control; changing topical formulation may improve adherence and patient acceptance of treatment. This study explored dermatologists' reasons for transitioning psoriasis patients from an ointment or gel (Dovobet®) formulation to an aerosol foam (Enstilar®) formulation of calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate (Cal/BD), and to assess the success of this transition. Medical records of 81 Canadian patients from 9 dermatologists were retrospectively reviewed for symptoms affecting quality of life, reasons for transitioning treatment, and whether transition was successful. Reasons for transition included efficacy, quality of life, and patient adherence. At follow-up, median psoriasis severity and body surface area affected had decreased from baseline, and patients experienced improved quality of life. Itch and itch-related sleep loss, which were identified as burdensome in 63% of patients at baseline, had resolved in 33% and improved in 54% of patients at follow-up. Dermatologists deemed the transition successful in 85% of patients, with the most common reasons being patient-reported success, clearance of signs/symptoms, and continued prescription refills. Transition from Cal/BD ointment or gel to aerosol foam was generally deemed successful by patients and dermatologists, and was associated with improved quality of life and improved itch control., Competing Interests: D. Adam has been an investigator, speaker, or advisory board member for LEO Pharma, AbbVie, Amgen, Arcutis, Bausch Health, Boehringer Ingelheim, BMS, Celgene, Coherus, Dermira, Dermavant, Eli Lilly, Galderma, Incyte, Janssen, Merck, Novatrtis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi Genzyme, Sun Pharma, and UCB. S. Abdulla has been a speaker or advisory board member for LEO Pharma, AbbVie, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Galderma, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi Genzyme, UCB, and Bausch/Valeant. P. Fleming has received honorarium and/or consulting and/or advisory boards and/or speaking fees for AbbVie, Altius, Aralez, Bausch Health, Cipher, Galderma, Eli Lilly, UCB, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, and Sanofi-Genzyme. M. Gooderham has been an investigator, speaker, or advisory board member for LEO Pharma, AbbVie, Amgen, Akros, Arcutis, Boehringer Ingelheim, BMS, Celgene, Dermira, Dermavant, Eli Lilly, Galderma, GSK, Janssen, Kyowa Kirin, Medimmune, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi Genzyme, Sun Pharma, UCB, and Bausch/Valeant. J. Ashkenas received support via imc North America (Toronto, ON) from LEO Pharma Inc. Canada for participating in the development of the practice reflective and for analyzing the findings. He has no other financial interest to declare. C. McCracken is employed by LEO Pharma Inc. Canada.