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Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the leading cause of mortality and antimicrobial drug (AMD) use in weaned dairy heifers. Limited information is available regarding antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in respiratory bacteria in this population. This study determined AMR gene presence in 326 respiratory isolates (Pasteurella multocida, Mannheimia haemolytica, and Histophilus somni) from weaned dairy heifers using whole genome sequencing. Concordance between AMR genotype and phenotype was determined. Twenty-six AMR genes for 8 broad classes of AMD were identified. The most prevalent, medically important AMD classes used in calf rearing, to which these genes predict AMR among study isolates were tetracycline (95%), aminoglycoside (94%), sulfonamide (94%), beta-lactam (77%), phenicol (50%), and macrolide (44%). The co-occurrence of AMR genes within an isolate was common; the largest cluster of gene co-occurrence encodes AMR to phenicol, macrolide, elfamycin, β-lactam (cephalosporin, penam cephamycin), aminoglycoside, tetracycline, and sulfonamide class AMD. Concordance between genotype and phenotype varied (Matthew’s Correlation Coefficient ranged from −0.57 to 1) by bacterial species, gene, and AMD tested, and was particularly poor for fluoroquinolones (no AMR genes detected) and ceftiofur (no phenotypic AMR classified while AMR genes present). These findings suggest a high genetic potential for AMR in weaned dairy heifers; preventing BRD and decreasing AMD reliance may be important in this population.

Epidemiological studies of low prevalence disease problems are often hindered by the high cost of diagnostic testing. The objective of this study was to evaluate PCR screening of both individual and pooled fecal samples from culled dairy cows for the invA gene of Salmonella followed by culture to determine if the sensitivity and specificity were comparable to the results from traditional culture methods applied to individual samples. Cows from six different dairies were sampled in all four seasons. A total of 240 individual cow fecal samples, 24 fecal pools and 24 pools of 24-hour tetrathionate enrichment broth were tested. Diagnostic sensitivity of PCR screening followed by culture of PCR positive or indeterminate samples (i.e PCR-CUL method) was lower than that of culture (CUL) when applied to individual fecal samples (94.8%, 99.5%), however the specificity was comparable (99.6% and 97.7% respectively). For pools of five fecal samples and pools of five, 24 h tetrathionate broth samples, the specificity of both tests were comparable (∼98%); however, their sensitivity was only comparable in pooled fecal samples (∼93%) but greater for culture compared to PCR-CUL in pooled broth samples (∼99% versus ∼93%). Compared to culture results from testing of individual fecal samples, testing pooled fecal samples by culture had a relative sensitivity of 74% and relative specificity of 96%, testing pooled fecal samples by PCR-CUL resulted in relative sensitivity of 90% and relative specificity of 96%. Testing of pooled 24-hour enrichment broth by PCR-CUL increased the relative sensitivity and specificity to 100%. PCR testing followed by culture of positive or indeterminate samples is a time saving alternative to traditional methods. In addition, pooling of samples may be a useful method for decreasing cost if study aims can accommodate a moderate loss of relative sensitivity.

Avibacterium paragallinarum is the causative agent of infectious coryza, a highly contagious respiratory disease in chickens. Given its fastidious nature, this bacterium is difficult to recover and identify, particularly from locations colonized by normal bacterial flora. Standard PCR methods have been utilized for detection but are labor-intensive and not feasible for high-throughput testing. We evaluated a real-time PCR (rtPCR) method targeting the HPG-2 region of A. paragallinarum, and validated a high-throughput extraction for this assay. Using single-tube extraction, the rtPCR detected 4 A. paragallinarum (ATCC 29545T and 3 clinical) isolates with a limit of detection (LOD) of 10 cfu/mL and a PCR efficiency of 89-111%. Cross-reaction was not detected with 33 non-A. paragallinarum, all close relatives from the family Pasteurellaceae. Real-time PCR testing on extracts of 66 clinical samples (choana, sinus, or trachea) yielded 98.2% (35 of 36 on positives, 30 of 30 on negatives) agreement with conventional PCR. Duplicate samples tested in a 96-well format extraction in parallel with the single-tube method produced equivalent LOD on all A. paragallinarum isolates, and 96.8% agreement on 93 additional clinical samples extracted with both procedures. This A. paragallinarum rtPCR can be utilized for outbreak investigations and routine monitoring of susceptible flocks.

Current antifungal interventions have often limited efficiency in treating fungal pathogens, particularly those resistant to commercial drugs or fungicides. Antifungal drug repurposing is an alternative intervention strategy, whereby new utility of various marketed, non-antifungal drugs could be repositioned as novel antifungal agents. In this study, we investigated "chemosensitization" as a method to improve the efficiency of antifungal drug repurposing, wherein combined application of a second compound (viz., chemosensitizer) with a conventional, non-antifungal drug could greatly enhance the antifungal activity of the co-applied drug. Redox-active natural compounds or structural derivatives, such as thymol (2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol), 4-isopropyl-3-methylphenol, or 3,5-dimethoxybenzaldehyde, could serve as potent chemosensitizers to enhance antifungal activity of the repurposed drug bithionol. Of note, inclusion of fungal mutants, such as antioxidant mutants, could also facilitate drug repurposing efficiency, which is reflected in the enhancement of antifungal efficacy of bithionol. Bithionol overcame antifungal (viz., fludioxonil) tolerance of the antioxidant mutants of the human/animal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. Altogether, our strategy can lead to the development of a high efficiency drug repurposing design, which enhances the susceptibility of pathogens to drugs, reduces time and costs for new antifungal development, and abates drug or fungicide resistance.

Abstract Background Febrile seizures are the commonest type of seizure in occurring in the first few years of life, mostly affecting children aged six months to five years old. While largely benign, the incidence of each febrile seizure increases the risk of recurrence, afebrile seizures and epilepsy. Viruses are the most frequent cause of febrile illnesses in which a febrile seizure occurs. Febrile seizure presentation patterns appear to follow a seasonal trend. Aims To identify patterns of febrile seizure incidence across different seasons with specific viral activity, and to establish a framework for analysing virus circulation data with common illnesses within a shared region and population. Setting Our study was a study of febrile seizure presentations in Victoria, Australia and respiratory virus detection. Participants We obtained independent datasets of emergency department febrile seizure presentations at Monash Health and all respiratory multiplex PCR tests performed at Monash Health from January 2010–December 2019 to observe common trends in virus circulation and febrile seizure incidence. Study design Trends were studied temporally through mixed effects Poisson regression analysis of the monthly incidence of febrile seizures and the rate of positive PCR tests. Peak viral seasons (95th centile incidence) were compared to median viral circulation (50th centile incidence) to calculate peak season risk ratios. Results We found a 1.75–2.06 annual risk ratio of febrile seizure incidence in June–September. Temporal analysis of our data showed this peak in febrile seizures was attributable to circulating viruses in this season, and virus modelling showed correlation with increased rates of positive Influenza A (1.48 peak season risk ratio), Influenza B (1.31 peak season risk ratio), Human metapneumovirus (1.19 peak season risk ratio) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (1.53 peak season risk ratio) on PCR testing. Conclusion Our ecological study statistically demonstrates the recognised winter peak in febrile seizure incidence and ascribes the seasonal relationship to several viral infections which affect the community, including a novel association with Human metapneumovirus.

Much has been written about why students engage in academic studies at university, with less attention given to the concept of disengagement. Understanding the risks and factors associated with student disengagement from learning provides opportunities for targeted remediation. The aims of this review were to (i) explore how student disengagement has been conceptualised, (ii) identify factors associated with disengagement, and (iii) identify measureable indicators of disengagement in previous literature. A systematic search was conducted across relevant databases and key websites. Reference lists of included papers were screened for additional publications. Studies and national published survey data were included if they addressed issues pertaining to student disengagement with learning or the academic environment, were in full text and in English. In the 32 papers that met the inclusion criteria, student disengagement was conceptualised as a multi-faceted, complex yet fluid state that has a combination of behavioural, emotional and cognitive domains influenced by intrinsic (psychological factors, low motivation, inadequate preparation for higher education, and unmet or unrealistic expectations) or extrinsic (competing demands, institutional structure and processes, teaching quality and online teaching and learning). A number of measurable indicators of disengagement were synthesised from the literature including those that were self-reported by students and those collected by a number of tertiary institutions. An examination of the conceptualisation, influences and indicators of disengagement could inform intervention programs to ameliorate the consequences of disengagement for students and academic institutions.

Context. Biochar and pumice have potential to improve soil water retention and mitigate salinity. However, little is known about their effect on salt transport in sandy soils. Aims. We investigated the influence of the porosity and pore size distribution of soil amendments with pumice and biochar on the mobile water content of a New Zealand sandy soil. Methods. Pumice and biochar (1.5-cm, 3-cm and 6-cm in diameter, [empty set]) were characterised using scanning electron microscope technology. The fraction of mobile water present in these amendments, previously added to a sandy soil at different application rates and particle sizes, was determined using a tracer ([Na.sup.+]) technique. Key results. (I) Pumice exhibited a wider pore-size span than biochar; and (2) both materials had a predominance of pores with [empty set] < 30 [micro]m; but (3) the total porosity in pumice and biochar was not significantly different; (4) pumice had a significantly larger (P < 0.05) mean absolute micro-scale porosity than biochar; and (5) a significantly greater (P < 0.05) relative resident [Na.sup.+] concentration than biochar, irrespective of the particle size. Conclusions. These results reflect a larger fraction of the mobile water in pumice than that of biochar under near-saturated conditions, irrespective of the biochar particle size; and this increased as the pumice particle size increased. Implications. While both materials are expected to contribute to water retention and thus might alleviate salt-stress by diluting salt concentration, pumice may perform better than this specific biochar on improving the retention of plant-available water. Keywords: dilution, miscible displacement, mobile-water fraction, particle size, physical properties, porosity, salinity, scanning electron microscopy., Introduction The sustainability of agriculture in arid regions is challenged by the limited availability of water, and the need to manage salinity in soils and irrigation-water. This demands long-term interventions, [...]

For this study, antimicrobial susceptibility data for Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Dublin (S. Dublin)—a well-known cattle-adapted pathogen with current concerns for multidrug resistance—were recovered from cattle at the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS) over the last three decades (1993–2019) and were evaluated using tools to capture diversity in antimicrobial resistance. For this purpose, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) testing was conducted for 247 clinical S. Dublin isolates. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles revealed a predominant core multidrug-resistant pattern in the three most common AMR profiles observed. Antimicrobial resistance richness, diversity, and similarity analysis revealed patterns for changes in AMR profiles for different age groups. Discriminant analysis using MIC log2-transformed data revealed changes in MIC for year groups, with a time-sequence pattern observed. Drivers for reduced susceptibility were observed for 3rd generation cephalosporins and quinolones observed for more recent year groups (2011–2015 and 2016–2019) when compared to older year groups (1993–1999 and 2000–2005). Together, these results highlight the changes in the diversity of AMR profiles, as well as changes in susceptibility of S. Dublin over time for critical antimicrobials of importance to both animals and humans, and support the need for continued monitoring and efforts that will support judicious use of antimicrobials, especially for these two drug classes.

The use of integrated tasks to test English-speaking skills raises questions about the impact of comprehension on test score outcomes, and the impact of stimulus materials on test-taker strategic behaviours. This study analysed speaking performances and verbal report data to examine the strategies used by test takers at different levels of proficiency to relate stimulus text information in response to a TOEFL-iBT reading-listening-speaking task. One-hundred twenty speaking performances were analysed to identify how ideas from reading and listening source texts were reproduced, summarised and/or synthesised. Verbal reports from 38 test takers were also collected. Findings showed that test takers, regardless of proficiency, reproduced more single ideas from stimulus texts than summarised or synthesised information, although high proficiency test-takers summarised information more than low proficiency test takers. Verbal report data further revealed that high proficiency test-takers engage in effective summarisation and synthesising as part of note-taking while reading and listening, suggesting these are aspects of integrated speaking task constructs and supporting the relevance of integrated tasks for assessing entry to tertiary educational domains.

Abstract Background Non-random non-response bias in surveys requires time-consuming, complicated, post-survey analyses. Our goal was to see if modifying cover letter information would prevent non-random non-response bias altogether. Our secondary goal tested whether larger incentives would reduce non-response bias. Methods A mailed, survey of 480 male and 480 female, nationally representative, Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, or New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND) Veterans applying for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability benefits for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Cover letters conveyed different information about the survey’s topics (combat, unwanted sexual attention, or lifetime and military experiences), how Veterans’ names had been selected (list of OEF/OIF/OND Veterans or list of Veterans applying for disability benefits), and what incentive Veterans would receive ($20 or $40). The main outcome, non-response bias, measured differences between survey respondents’ and sampling frame’s characteristics on 8 administrative variables, including Veterans’ receipt of VA disability benefits and exposure to combat or military sexual trauma. Analysis was intention to treat. We used ANOVA for factorial block-design, logistic, mixed-models to assess bias and multiple imputation and expectation-maximization algorithms to assess potential missing mechanisms (missing completely at random, missing at random, or not random) of two self-reported variables: combat and military sexual assault. Results Regardless of intervention, men with any VA disability benefits, women with PTSD disability benefits, and women with combat exposure were over-represented among respondents. Interventions explained 0.0 to 31.2% of men’s variance and 0.6 to 30.5% of women’s variance in combat non-response bias and 10.2 to 43.0% of men’s variance and 0.4 to 31.9% of women’s variance in military sexual trauma non-response bias. Non-random assumptions showed that men’s self-reported combat exposure was overestimated by 19.0 to 28.8 percentage points and their self-reported military sexual assault exposure was underestimated by 14.2 to 28.4 percentage points compared to random missingness assumptions. Women’s self-reported combat exposure was overestimated by 8.6 to 10.6 percentage points and military sexual assault exposure, by 1.2 to 6.9 percentage points. Conclusions Our interventions reduced bias in some characteristics, leaving others unaffected or exacerbated. Regardless of topic, researchers are urged to present estimates that include all three assumptions of missingness.

Abstract Background Infection by coronaviruses cause gastrointestinal disease in many species. Little is known about its prevalence and importance in goats. Objective Identify the etiology, demographics, and clinical features of an outbreak of diarrhea in adult goats. Hypothesis Bovine coronavirus (BCoV) PCR would detect viral material in feces of goats in the herds involved in the diarrhea outbreak. Animals Twelve herds with 4 to 230 adult goats were affected. Goats sampled for fecal PCR were ≥1‐year‐old: 25 from affected herds and 6 from a control herd. Methods This is a cross‐sectional descriptive study of an outbreak of diarrheal disease in adult goats. BCoV PCR primers for the spike (S) or nucleocapsid (N) proteins were used to test fecal material from affected goats. The N protein sequencing and phylogenetic analysis was performed. Herd records and owner surveys were used to characterize morbidity, clinical signs, and treatment. Results In 2 affected herds 18/25 of animals had at least 1 positive BCoV PCR test. Goats from affected herds were significantly more likely to be PCR positive than the control herd (OR 8.75, 95% CI 1.11‐104, P = .05). The most common clinical signs were change in fecal consistency (19/20) and decreased milk production (14/15). Phylogenetic analysis of the N protein showed this virus was closely related to a bovine‐like coronavirus isolated from a giraffe. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Bovine coronavirus primers detected nucleic acids of the N and S proteins in feces of goats in affected herds. Coronavirus shedding frequency was temporally associated with the outbreak.

Backyard poultry operations are increasingly popular and commonplace in both rural and suburban locations. Although Salmonella surveillance programs are well established for large commercial poultry systems, information on smaller operations is lacking. We identified the occurrence and serotype distribution of Salmonella spp. recovered from backyard flock cases submitted to the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (Davis, CA) in 2012-2015, and evaluated minimum inhibitory concentration for 12 antimicrobials as well as the lesions associated with Salmonella spp. in these cases. From records of 2,347 backyard flock cases with 2,627 samples, 44 samples (1.7%) were positive for Salmonella spp. DNA by PCR, and 41 (1.6%) of these samples yielded a Salmonella isolate by culture for further characterization. Seventeen different serotypes, including 3 isolates identified to the serogroup level, were identified from these isolates. Antimicrobial resistance was infrequent; however, 2 multidrug-resistant isolates were identified. Enteric or systemic lesions associated with Salmonella recovery were uncommon, with 77.3% of cases having no disease attributable to Salmonella. Recovered serotypes overlap with those seen in commercial poultry as well as in foodborne outbreaks reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in humans. Zoonotic risks via contact and food product contamination make monitoring of backyard flocks for Salmonella a critical part of flock surveillance programs, and we propose a potential sampling scheme.

Heat stress is a major constraint for plant production, and evapotranspiration is highly linked to plant production. However, the response mechanism of evapotranspiration to heat stress remains unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of heat stress during two main growth stages on transpiration and evapotranspiration of gerbera. Two levels of day/night temperature were adopted during the vegetative growth stage (VG) and the flowering bud differentiation stage (FBD), namely control (CK; 28/18 °C) and heat stress (HS; 38/28°C) levels. The duration of HS was set as 5, 10, 15, and 20 days, respectively. At the beginning of HS, hourly transpiration was mainly inhibited near noon. With continuation of HS, the duration and extent of inhibition of hourly transpiration increased. Daily transpiration rate was also markedly reduced by HS during the VG (18.9%-31.8%) and FBD (12.1%-20.3%) stages compared to CK. The decrease in the daily transpiration rate was greater for longer duration of heat stress. This reduction of transpiration was the main contributor to stomatal limitation at the beginning of HS, while additional inhibition of root activity, leaf area, and root biomass occurred under long-term HS. The daily transpiration rate could not recover after the end of HS (so-called recovery phase), except when HS lasted 5 days during the VG stage. Interestingly, daily evapotranspiration during HS was substantially increased during the VG (12.6%-24.5%) and FBD (8.4%-17.6%) stages as a result of more increased evaporation (100%-115%) than reduced transpiration. However, during the recovery phase, the daily evapotranspiration was markedly decreased at the VG (11.2%-22.7%) and FBD (11.1%-19.2%) stages. Hence, we suggest that disproportionate variation of transpiration and evaporation during HS, especially at the recovery phase, should be considered in various evapotranspiration models and climate scenarios projections.

BackgroundSleeve gastrectomy is a relatively new procedure that developed as a result of rapid innovation in the field of bariatric surgery. As with any newly developed operation, there is a learning curve that potentially can be associated with higher morbidity. Real-time surgical mentoring reduces the learning curve effect but can be time intensive for the mentor. The aim of this initiative was to evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, and satisfaction of surgical telementoring for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. This is the first national specialty society effort to determine if the "remote presence" of an expert surgeon (mentor) can help practicing surgeons improve skills.MethodsThe experience of 15 surgical trainees (mentees) who performed laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy under real-time telementoring by 7 mentors was reviewed. Telementoring was implemented using the Visitor1® remote presence system with two-way live audio and video communication. The receiving platform utilized a conventional laptop, iPad, or iPhone. The mentee followed a structured telementoring program including didactic learning, live case teleobservation, and telementoring of 2-3 cases. A survey on the quality of the telecommunication and effectiveness of the mentoring was performed by the mentor and mentee on a scale of "exceeded," "met," "almost met," or "failed to meet" expectations. The overall telementoring experience was rated on a scale of 1 for "poor" to 5 for "excellent."ResultsBased on the mentees' survey, the overall telementoring experience was rated as 4.8. Despite the mentees having experience with laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, most commented that the telementoring experience was an excellent educational tool and they learned some new techniques they plan to apply it in their practice. Based on the mentors' survey, the overall telementoring experience was rated as 4.7. All mentors stated that they were satisfied with the telementoring sessions and there were no unexpected intraoperative occurrences. There were some logistical limitations including difficulties in scheduling of cases or the delay of cases.ConclusionsSurgical instruction by telementoring was shown to be feasible, practical, and successful, and was highly rated in this study by both the mentors and mentees. The currently utilized telementoring platform is thus an effective educational tool that can facilitate acquisition of surgical skills and assist with the conventional on-site surgical mentoring model.

Author(s): Joanna Clothier [sup.1] , Michael Absoud [sup.2] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.483570.d, 0000 0004 5345 7223, Department of Paediatric Nephro-urology, Evelina London Children's Hospital, , Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7EH, [...], Neurodevelopmental impairments have been recognised as a major association of paediatric kidney disease and bladder dysfunction, presenting challenges to clinicians and families to provide reasonable adjustments in order to allow access to investigations and treatments. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by impairments in social interaction/communication and repetitive sensory-motor behaviours. Mental health, learning and physical co-morbidities are common. There is emerging evidence that ASD and kidney disease have some overlaps with genetic copy number variants and environmental factors contributing to shared pathogenesis. Prevalence rates of ASD in kidney disease are currently not known. A high index of suspicion of underlying ASD is required when a young person presents with communication difficulties, anxiety or behaviour that challenges, which should then trigger referral for a neurodevelopmental and behavioural assessment. We discuss practical approaches for providing care, which include understanding methods of communication and sensory, behavioural and environmental adaptations.

Eleven laboratories collaborated to determine the periodic prevalence of Salmonella in a population of dogs and cats in the United States visiting veterinary clinics. Fecal samples (2,965) solicited from 11 geographically dispersed veterinary testing laboratories were collected in 36 states between January 2012 and April 2014 and tested using a harmonized method. The overall study prevalence of Salmonella in cats (3 of 542) was

Campylobacter jejuni is an enteric bacterium that can cause abortion in livestock. This is the release of a multidrug-resistant Campylobacter jejuni genome from an isolate that caused an abortion in a cow in northern California. This isolate is part of the 100K Pathogen Genome Project.