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Feather pecking is still a behavioral problem in laying hen flocks, resulting in impaired welfare and economic losses. Environment enrichment, e.g., providing access to litter, to increase foraging behavior in laying hens has been shown to decrease feather pecking. This study investigated the effect of spreading crushed mussel shells (particle size 10 to 20 mm) in the litter area as an environment enrichment and source of calcium for layers receiving a commercial feed and for layers given a feed with 40% less calcium. These treatments were compared with a control involving hens given the commercial feed, but no mussel shells in the litter. The study included 900 Dekalb White layers housed in a single-tier floor system during a production cycle (20 to 72 wk of age). The mussel shells were consumed to a lower extent than predicted, resulting in calcium deficiency in hens fed the low-calcium diet. This in turn was evident as increased degree of keel bone deviations and lower eggshell breaking strength. Daily addition of crushed mussel shells to the litter for laying hens on a balanced or calcium-deficient diets did not generate any positive effects on bird feather cover, eggshell quality, production performance, or fearfulness. Hence, with the particle size of mussel shells used in this study, there was no indication of improved welfare due to environment enrichment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumer concerns about the welfare of laying hens are increasing, leading to increased interest in identifying reliable ways to assess welfare. The present study evaluated invasive and noninvasive welfare indicators in relation to a stressful challenge. The study included 126 Lohmann Selected Leghorn hens housed in furnished cages. Welfare indicators were measured between 61 and 70 wk of age in birds excluded from their nests for 5 consecutive d and control birds that had continuous access to nests. Baseline recordings were carried out in both groups prior to and post exclusion period. The assessed indicators were: corticosterone metabolites in droppings (FCM), corticosterone concentration in yolk, corticosterone concentration in plasma, irregularities of eggshells, heterophil to lymphocyte (H:L) ratio, tonic immobility duration, and feather cover. Behavioral observations showed that the birds had a clear preference for using the secluded nest sites, confirming that they were likely to perceive nest exclusion as an undesirable experience. Further, elevated levels of FCM in droppings, yolk corticosterone concentrations, H:L ratios and irregular eggshells were detected in both nest deprived and control birds during the exclusion. This suggests that these indicators were able to detect an increased stress response arising from nest deprivation, and it is hypothesized that the stress spread to birds in adjacent cages with access to nests. There was a positive and consistent correlation between FCM in droppings and eggshell irregularities, also supporting the use of eggshell irregularities as a potential non-invasive welfare indicator. However, the pattern of the stress response varied between indicators and correlations were generally few and inconsistent, highlighting the complexity of the relationship among welfare indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When introduced to the laying facility, pullets are sometimes temporarily excluded from the litter area in order to help them locate food and water, and to prevent floor-laid eggs. This procedure is not permitted in Sweden, because it involves denying access to both litter and space, which may have a negative effect on bird welfare. The present study investigated how the welfare and performance of layers were affected by this temporary exclusion on introduction of hens to the laying facility. The study included 600 floor-reared Dekalb White layers obtained at 16wk age and housed in 6 groups of 100 in a conventional single-tier floor-laying system. Birds were either given full access to the litter area during the whole study or were excluded from the litter area during the first 2wk after transfer to the laying facility. From 18 to 72wk age, birds in both treatments had full access to the litter area. Excluding birds from the litter area for 2wk resulted in better feather cover and reduced fearfulness, according to novel object and tonic immobility tests. Furthermore, birds initially excluded from the litter area produced eggs with a lower proportion of shell irregularities than birds with full access to the litter area throughout. No difference was found in corticosterone metabolites in droppings rate of lay, mortality, or proportion of floor-laid eggs. In conclusion, none of the parameters studied indicated that the welfare of laying hens was compromised by temporary exclusion from the litter area on introduction to the laying facility. In fact, some of the data suggested that bird welfare had improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is growing interest and concern for animal welfare in commercial poultry production. To evaluate stress and welfare in an objective and noninvasive way, fecal corticosterone metabolites (FCM) in droppings can be analyzed. However, the influence of diet, genotype, and daily variations in FCM and production of droppings in laying hens has been poorly investigated. This study examined the effect of insoluble fiber by adding 3% ground straw pellets to the feed to Lohmann Selected Leghorn (LSL) and Lohmann Brown (LB) hens housed in furnished cages between 20 and 40 wk of age. In total, 960 hens were included in the study. Droppings were collected 4 times per day for 3 consecutive days and analyzed by corticosterone immunoassay. Biological validation confirmed the ability of the assay to detect changes in FCM levels. Inclusion of straw pellets in the feed increased FCM concentration in both hen genotypes and increased excretion rate of FCM in LB hens. The LB hens also produced greater amounts of droppings than LSL hens. Both FCM levels and production of droppings varied during the day, although no distinct diurnal rhythm was found. These findings demonstrate that when using FCM to evaluate stress and welfare in laying hens, many factors (e.g., diet, genotype used, and so on) need to be taken into account to allow accurate interpretation of the results. In addition, under certain conditions, excretion rate of FCM might be more appropriate to use compared with FCM concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

STUDY DESIGN:: Consecutive male patients studied with photographic measurement of a combination of clinical methods. OBJECTIVES:: To describe seating in individuals with complete thoracic spinal cord injury (SCI) by using a combination of clinical methods. SETTING:: Spinalis SCI unit, Stockholm, Sweden. METHODS:: Wheelchair specifications were documented. Measurements of posture from photographs in 30 male subjects with complete thoracic SCI, sitting in a relaxed and an upright position on a standardized surface and in a wheelchair were calculated. A comparison was made between positions and seating surfaces. An examiner's classification of lower trunk position in wheelchair was compared to subjects' evaluations. SCI subjects reported sitting support, satisfaction, and wishes for improvement. RESULTS:: Most SCI subjects used similar wheelchair specifications. None of the backrests were custom designed. Relatively small differences were found between the relaxed and upright position in the wheelchair regarding measurements of posture and according to the examiner's classification of the lower trunk position. Only 13/30 SCI subjects were sitting with the lower trunk centered relative to the backrest in the upright position. The examiner's classification and the subjects' evaluation of asymmetric sitting were not always in agreement. Only 12/30 SCI subjects were satisfied with their way of sitting. CONCLUSION:: Current wheelchair specifications and adjustments seem to inhibit a postural correction towards upright sitting and fail to provide sufficient lateral support. Findings indicate an inability for SCI subjects to vary their sitting position in a wheelchair to a large extent. Both an examiner's classification and subjects' evaluation of asymmetric sitting are necessary to obtain a sufficient knowledge base for subsequent adjustment. By using methods regarding different aspects of seating, a more comprehensive view of seating was achieved. The combination of clinical methods seems to be useful in order to describe seating in individuals with complete thoracic SCI.Spinal Cord (2003) 41, 563-571. doi:10.1038/sj.sc.3101507 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant ingredients and processed animal proteins are alternative feedstuffs for fish feeds in aquaculture. However, their use can introduce contaminants like pesticides that are not previously associated with marine Atlantic salmon and gilthead sea bream farming. This study covers the screening of around 800 pesticides by gas chromatography (GC) and liquid chromatography (LC) coupled to high resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry in matrices throughout the entire marine food production chain. Prior to analysis of real-world samples, the screening methodology was validated for 252 pesticides to establish the screening detection limit. This was 0.01 mg kg −1 for 113 pesticides (45%), 0.05 mg kg −1 for 73 pesticides (29%) and >0.05 mg kg −1 for 66 pesticides (26%). After that, a quantitative methodology based on GC coupled to tandem mass spectrometry with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source (GC-APCI-MS/MS) was optimized for the pesticides found in the screening. Although several polar pesticides, of which pirimiphos methyl and chlorpyriphos-methyl were most dominant, were found in plant material and feeds based on these ingredients, none of them were observed in fillets of Atlantic salmon and gilthead sea bream fed on these feeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The suitability of land animal by-products (ABPs) in feed for Atlantic salmon postsmolts (initial weight 372 g) in sea water was studied in a feeding experiment, using poultry by-product meal (PBM) and porcine blood meal (BM) as protein sources and poultry oil as fat source. Four extruded feeds were tested in a 2 * 2 factorial model, with or without ABP protein sources and with or without poultry oil. The control feed contained a mix of marine and plant ingredients. Initial feed intake was highest in the ABP protein-based diets, whereas poultry oil had a weak opposite effect. No differences were seen in growth rate or body weight. Addition of PBM and BM led to increased FCR, and lower retention of crude protein and energy. This could be explained by lower digestibility of amino acids and crude protein, and a slightly lower energy level in these diets. Reduced igf1 mRNA levels in liver and muscle were seen in fish fed dietary ABP protein and oil. Despite lower protein digestibility of ABP protein, this study confirms the suitability of ABP protein and lipid in combination with plant ingredients in feed for Atlantic salmon growers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Residue levels of the antibacterials enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were analysed in 15 commercially relevant animal by-products ( ABPs). Enrofloxacin was detected in all ABPs, and ciprofloxacin was detected in 11 of 15 ABP samples. Feed to muscle and skin carry -over of low background enro- and ciprofloxacin levels were assessed by applying a simple toxicokinetic model. The muscle and skin uptake and elimination rates were established in Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar L.) fed enrofloxacin enriched diets (100 μg kg−1 'low' and 4000 μg kg−1 'high') in triplicate for 41 days followed by a 90 days depuration period. The terminal half-lives were 17 ± 0.4 and 18 ± 0.7 days, and uptake rates were 9.3 ± 3.3 and 11 ± 3.1 (day−1) for the 'low' and 'high' groups, respectively. Only fish fed high background levels had quantifiable levels of the metabolite ciprofloxacin with a formation of 0.25 ± 0.01% day−1. The toxicokinetic carry-over model predicted muscle and skin steady state levels of 1.8 μg kg−1 when fed theoretically high enrofloxacin levels (158 μg kg−1), which is below the EU limit of 100 μg kg−1 for enrofloxacin in finfish food products. The antibacterial residue levels could however be detected in EU food surveillance programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyze patterns of cerebral microdialysis in patients with traumatic brain injury and, with a neural network methodology, investigate pattern relationships to intracranial pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure.Design: Retrospective.Setting: University hospital, adult neurosurgical intensive care unit.Patients: Twenty-six patients with severe traumatic brain injury. All consecutive traumatic brain injured patients (Glasgow Coma Scale < or =8) with microdialysis monitoring, analyzing glutamate, lactate, pyruvate, and glucose in both penumbral and nonpenumbral tissue.Interventions: None; patients received the unit's standard neurointensive care procedure.Measurements and Main Results: We used 2084 hrs of complete microdialysis data sets (eight markers) to train Kohonen self-organizing maps. The self-organizing map algorithm is a data-clustering method that reduces high-dimensional information to a two-dimensional representation on a grid (map), retaining local relationships in the data. Maps were colored (overlaid) for intracranial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure, and outcome, to explore relationships with underlying microdialysis patterns. The maps exhibited a striking clustering of patients, with unique microdialysis patterns that were recognizable throughout the analysis period. This also held true for most microdialysis patterns characteristic of ischemia. These patients with ischemic patterns can have good outcomes, suggesting a disparity between microdialysis values and severity of traumatic brain injury.Conclusion: Using an artificial neural network-like clustering technique, Kohonen self-organizing maps, we have shown that cerebral microdialysis, in traumatic brain injury, exhibits strikingly individualistic patterns that are identifiable throughout the analysis period. Because patients form their own clusters, microdialysis patterns, during periods of increased intracranial pressure or decreased cerebral perfusion pressure, will be found within these clusters. Consequently, no common pattern of microdialysis can be seen among patients within the range of our data. We suggest that these individualistic patterns reflect not only metabolic states of traumatic brain injury but also local gradients seen with small volume sampling. Future investigation should focus on relating these patterns, and movement within and from clusters, to metabolic states of the complex pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to evaluate biomechanical variables related to balance control in sitting, and the effects of kayak training, in individuals with spinal cord injury.Subjects: Twelve individuals with spinal cord injury were investigated before and after an 8-week training period in open sea kayaking, and 12 able-bodied subjects, who did not train, served as controls.Methods: Standard deviation and mean velocity of centre of pressure displacement, and median frequency of centre of pressure acceleration were measured in quiet sitting in a special chair mounted on a force plate.Results: All variables differed between the group with spinal cord injury, before training, and the controls; standard deviation being higher and mean velocity and median frequency lower in individuals with spinal cord injury. A significant training effect was seen only as a lowering of median frequency.Conclusion: The results indicate that individuals with spinal cord injury may have acquired and consolidated an alternative strategy for balance control in quiet sitting allowing for only limited further adaptation even with such a vigorous training stimulus as kayaking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laparoscopic surgery has dramatically improved surgical care of patients reducing postoperative pain, wound infection rate, hospital stay, inability to work, risk of hernia, and cosmetic result. Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is even less traumatic to the abdominal wall and might further improve minimal invasive surgery of patients, but might also increase surgical risk when used by a transgastric or transcolonic approach with flexible endoscopes. Therefore we decided to use a transvaginal approach using rigid laparoscopic instruments for cholecystectomies. Through a 5-mm incision deep in the umbilicus a pneumoperitoneum was created. The optic and a dissector were inserted through the posterior fornix of the vagina under laparoscopic control from the umbilicus and a transvaginal gallbladder removal was performed. 20 patients were successfully operated in a 4.5-month period. Operating time was 62 (35–100) min. No intra- or postoperative complications occurred in any patient. Gynecological examination after 8 days showed no negative findings and the cosmetic result was ideal with no visible scars. In our series we showed that cholecystectomies can be routinely performed in a NOTES technique without visible scar. The transvaginal approach is the safe in NOTES and common laparoscopic instruments can be used as long as there are no better flexible endoscopes for this purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]