Search

Uwe Gründler,1 Eva Ekesbo,2 Martin Löwe,1 Adelheid Gauly3 1REFA Consulting AG, Dortmund, Germany; 2BetaHälsan AB, Lund, Sweden; 3Fresenius Medical Care, Global Medical Office, Bad Homburg, GermanyCorrespondence: Adelheid GaulyFresenius Medical Care Deutschland GMBH, Global Medical Office, 3 Else-Kröner-Strasse, Bad Homburg 61352, GermanyTel +49 6172 609 2260Email adelheid.gauly@fmc-ag.comPurpose: Innovative hemodialysis systems are designed to ensure user safety and reduce operational time to allow health-care personnel to focus on patient care. The 6008 CareSystem has been developed to simplify the extracorporeal circuit of the system through a disposable cassette, automate operation steps, and facilitate handling in comparison to its predecessor — the 5008 CorDiax. The present investigations were performed with the aim of evaluating usability, safety, and ergonomic aspects of the new therapy system.Methods: A time–motion study compared these two hemodialysis systems with video and time recording of handling steps required to prepare, operate, and dismantle a dialysis machine. The ergonomic burden on hands and finger joints was evaluated in a second study, again by video-recording the simulated operation of both dialysis systems.Results: The number of handling steps required for the 6008 CareSystem and critical contact points were reduced by 26% in comparison to the 5008 CorDiax for patients with arteriovenous fistula used for vascular access and by 22% for those with a catheter used for vascular access. Total process time was reduced by 2.83 and 2.57 minutes using fistulae and catheters for vascular access, respectively. The number of hand grips and finger and thumb presses was reduced by approximately 50% and required less strength to execute.Conclusion: The most recent hemodialysis system confirmed its ease of use and user safety through fewer handling steps and less physical burden on the user. Shorter operational time should enable more patient-focused care.Keywords: ergonomics, usability, hemodialysis equipment, safety

Sebastian Zschätzsch,1 Manuela Stauss-Grabo,2 Adelheid Gauly,2 Jennifer Braun2 1Center for Kidney and Blood Pressure Diseases, Georg-Haas-Dialysis Center, Giessen, Germany; 2Fresenius Medical Care, Global Medical Office, Bad Homburg, GermanyCorrespondence: Adelheid GaulyFresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH, Global Medical Office, Else-Kröner-Strasse 3, Bad Homburg, 61352, GermanyTel +49 6172 6092260Email adelheid.gauly@fmc-ag.comPurpose: Volume management in hemodialysis (HD) requires the ability to assess volume status objectively and determine treatment strategies that achieve euvolemia without compromising hemodynamic stability. The aim of this study was to compare dialysis with and without blood volume-controlled ultrafiltration (UF) in combination with body composition monitoring, and to evaluate indicators for adequate dialysis (Kt/V), ultrafiltration volume, fluid status, and the occurrence of intradialytic morbid events (IME).Patients and Methods: Patients undergoing hemodialysis or on-line hemodiafiltration with support of a blood volume monitor (BVM) – a feedback control device integrated into the 5008 and 6008 HD systems – were enrolled. Patients received treatment for four weeks using the 6008 CAREsystem and the BVM (6008+). Data on dialysis dose (Kt/V), UF volume and predialysis fluid status were documented. This data was also documented retrospectively for four weeks with (5008+) and without (5008−) the use of the BVM with the 5008 system. Comparisons were analyzed using linear mixed models.Results: Twenty-four patients were enrolled. Kt/V was unaffected by blood volume-controlled UF (5008− vs 5008+: p=0.230) and was equally achieved with both HD systems (5008+ vs 6008+: p=0.922). The UF volume and fluid status achieved were comparable, independent of the use of UF control with BVM (5008− vs 5008+; UF volume: p=0.166; fluid overload: p=0.390) or the HD system (5008+ vs 6008+: UF volume: p=0.003; fluid overload: p=0.838), except for UF volume being higher in the 6008+ phase. IMEs occurred in less than 3% of treatments, with no difference between study phases.Conclusion: This study demonstrates that a clinical approach to kidney replacement therapy that tracks volume status and manages intradialytic fluid removal by blood volume-controlled UF delivers adequate dialysis without compromising fluid removal. It maintains volume status and ensures low incidence of IMEs.Keywords: fluid status, blood volume monitoring, body composition monitoring, dialysis dose, intradialytic morbid events

Abstract Mediterranean agroecosystems are under increasing pressures by extreme weather events, which together with poor livestock grazing management bring the already degraded lands closer to desertification. To address these challenges, we develop a decision support manual for sustainable management of degraded lands based on local plant and animal resources. We present a conceptual approach to quantify the quality attributes of current pasture-based livestock and mixed farming systems to increase their added value. Most approaches focus on lowland areas, we propose building a system to assess and quantify the quality and management of grazing lands as well as the small ruminant farming practices in Less Favoured Areas (LFAs) areas of the Mediterranean. The interventions have been proposed by 17 researchers from different disciplines ranging from animal science and animal husbandry, nutrition and genetics, pasture management, plant breeding and soil science to regional development and environmental science and agricultural economics. They are based on technical and socio-economic information, to foster the development of business models towards sustainable management of regenerative grazing. These models are also expected to be used as evidence for motivating farmers and stakeholders in reinforcing grazing as a practice that, when properly used and implemented using local knowledge, reduces land degradation and contributes to the conservation of the local resources. The economic analysis showing the costs and benefits of the applied systems is important to foster the integration and implementation of the recommended schemes and leads to more efficient planning through better decision making. The proposed interventions are designed to stimulate farmers to learn or rediscover grazing techniques, and to stimulate a re-think of priorities on the multi-faceted contribution of grazing agro-ecosystems, among others, on soil health, land degradation, sustainable grazing management and population conservation in LFAs, acknowledging the importance of pastureland regeneration. In the long term the introduction of the decision support manual and the business model will benefit the quality and management of grazing agroecosystems. Furthermore, it is essential to adjust the agricultural policies to implenent the proposed measures.

ABSTRACT: Cow milk microbiota has received increased attention in recent years, not only because of its importance for human health but also because of its effect on the quality and technological properties of milk. Several studies, therefore, have investigated the effect of various production factors on the microbial composition of milk. However, most of the previous studies considered a limited number of animals from experimental or single farm, which could have biased the results. Therefore, this study aimed to understand the effect of different alpine production systems in Italy on the compositional and microbiological quality of milk, considering commercial herds with different feeding intensities and cattle breeds. The results obtained in this work indicated that the month and season of sampling (July for summer or February for winter) more than farm, breed, and cow diet exerted significant effects on cow milk parameters and microbiota. In particular, significant differences were observed for urea content in milk between sampling seasons. Differences in milk fat were mainly related to breed specific effects. From a microbiological point of view, statistically significant differences were found in presumptive lactic acid bacteria counts. Based on a culture-independent method, milk obtained in February harbored the highest number of Firmicutes (e.g., Lactobacillus) and the lowest number of Actinobacteria (e.g., Corynebacterium). Moreover, bacterial richness and diversity were higher in July during alpine pasture season indicating a significant effect of pasture feed on the growth of bacterial communities. The results of this study highlighted the effect of month or season mainly related to differences in feeding management (e.g., access to pasture during vegetation period, concentrates supplementation) on composition and microbiota in milk.

Previous research based on large-scale studies consistently suggests that on average, male students tend to have lower literacy compared to their female students during secondary schooling. However, this gender gap in literacy seems to "disappear" during adulthood. Up until today, only a few studies investigated the role of assessment features in gender differences in literacy performance in adulthood. This study aims to understand the relationship between assessment features and gender differences in literacy skills. Using the German 2012 PIAAC data (N = 4,512), we applied item-level analyses using linear probability models to examine gender differences in the probability of solving a literacy item correctly with six assessment features including: (1) text format; (2) text topics; (3) text length; (4) cognitive strategies; (5) numerical content of the text/questions; and (6) gender typicality of content. We found that men had a 13.4% higher probability of solving items with a noncontinuous text format correctly than women. Men also had a 9.4% higher probability of solving short text items correctly and a 4.6% higher probability of solving items with a medium/high numerical content in the question correctly than women. There were small to negligible gender differences in literacy performance in terms of text topics, cognitive strategies, and gender typicality of content. Our findings highlight the role of text format, text length, and numerical content in gender differences in literacy skills, suggesting that further refining these practices can enhance the fairness and accuracy of literacy assessments. Specifically, we advocate for ongoing research aimed at understanding and minimizing the potential bias introduced by these assessment features. Such efforts are not only crucial for developing instruments that accurately measure literacy skills, but they also yield insights that hold significant implications for educational researchers and practitioners dedicated to creating more equitable assessment environments.

In cattle breeding, emphasis has historically been placed on productive traits, so-called primary traits, while health and fitness traits have been overlooked due to their low heritability and partly negative genetic correlations with productivity. In addition, the recording of phenotypes caused problems due to a lack of high-quality information and / or high costs of recording. This oversight has additionally led to increased incidences of fertility issues and health problems in cattle populations, resulting in economic losses and consumer concerns regarding animal welfare and food safety. This study investigates the potential use of veterinary diagnoses, collected via the Italian electronic recording system of veterinary treatments, for breeding decisions in the local dual-purpose Alpine Grey cattle breed for which the consideration of functional traits in breeding has also become imperative over the last years. The dataset comprised 97 821 records spanning from 2021 to 2023, representing 8 273 individuals and 18 110 lactations of the Alpine Grey breed. Each record documented the administration of treatments for mammary, respiratory, and urogenital pathologies. After data editing and model development, heritability estimates were obtained for each pathology using univariate linear animal models and gibbs sampling algorithms. Results indicate that mammary pathologies affected the highest number of cows (11%), followed by respiratory (4%) and urogenital (5%) pathologies. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.01 to 0.04 across all traits, confirming generally low heritability values. Respiratory pathologies exhibited the highest heritability (0.04; sd 0.04), followed by mammary (0.03; sd 0.01) and urogenital (0.01; sd 0.01) pathologies. This study, although preliminary, provides valuable insights into the health status of local dual-purpose Alpine Grey cattle and highlights the potential of considering veterinary diagnoses for improving animal health and welfare in dairy cattle breeding. However, the low heritability of these traits, which is consistent with literature data, clearly shows the current limitations of using them for breeding. Further, the diagnostic key of the Italian electronic recording system of veterinary treatments should be specified for the use of health data for breeding purposes, as it is formulated in too general manner in its current form. Nevertheless, their significance for animal welfare and economic sustainability underlines the need for their consideration in dairy cattle breeding. Therefore, further research with larger sample sizes and consideration of additional indicators, such as somatic cell counts, is recommended to enhance the accuracy of genetic evaluations and improve breeding strategies for sustainable cattle production.

Abstract This study estimates the association between the level of biosecurity, animal welfare, milk quality, and economic performance on 2291 mountain dairy farms which largely differs in management and structure from large dairy operations in the lowlands mainly due to climatic and topographic constraints in mountain areas. The dairy industry’s increasing emphasis on biosecurity is crucial for ensuring animal health, productivity, and disease mitigation. Therefore, in the present study the biosecurity and animal welfare status of mountain dairy farms were assessed considering the official welfare protocol for dairy cows of the Italian ClassyFarm system. Our findings reveal a suboptimal adoption of biosecurity measures, attributed to structural limitations in mountain farms and farmers’ awareness gaps. Despite these challenges, the economic significance of biosecurity adoption is evident, emphasizing potential benefits for farm viability and animal health. Conversely, the study indicates a moderate to good welfare status in assessed farms, reflecting farmers’ awareness of the importance of high welfare standards for dairy cows. Improved welfare positively correlates with milk sales and productivity, highlighting the economic advantages of prioritizing animal well-being. Challenges persist, particularly regarding animal housing deficiencies and related consumer concerns about animal welfare in dairy production. Therefore, targeted interventions and educational initiatives are crucial to empower farmers and promote best practices in biosecurity and animal welfare management. However, addressing resultant production cost increases necessitates society’s willingness to pay more for animal-based food, emphasizing the importance of aligning economic incentives with sustainable farming practices.

Abstract:: The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of altitude on the quality of milk from dairy cows housed in small-scale farms in alpine areas. Therefore, a dataset comprising 5,680 bulk milk samples from 32 farms located at different geographical altitudes was considered. Milk traits such as fat, protein, lactose, free fatty acids, casein, milk urea nitrogen content, pH value, and somatic cell score were examined in the laboratories of the South Tyrolean Dairy Association using mid-infrared spectroscopy. The data were analyzed using a statistical model that considered altitude category, grazing practice, housing system, and season of milk analysis as fixed effects. The findings revealed a positive association between altitude and milk fat, free fatty acids, and somatic cell count. Conversely, lactose content, milk urea nitrogen, and pH value in milk from cows kept on farms at higher altitude (>1,200 m above sea level) showed a negative relationship with altitude. Farms located at altitudes above 1,200 m exhibited higher fat, protein, urea, and somatic cell content than farms located at lower levels. The results provide new insights into a production effect that has so far received little attention and should be considered in farm management (e.g., feeding management, breed decision) to ensure animal health and the associated animal welfare as well as the productivity of dairy cows reared in traditional small-scale mountain dairy farms.

Biosecurity plays a crucial role in preventing the introduction of infectious diseases to a herd as well as the spread of diseases within or between animals and herds. In particular, biosecurity measures are crucial for maintaining animal health and reducing the need for the application of antibiotic substances for fighting the rising antibiotic resistance. The object of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the presence of biosecurity measures and their association with milk quality parameters, with a special focus on somatic cell count (SCC) − an indicator for udder health −, in small-scale mountain dairy farms. Therefore, for the very first time, the CLASSYFARM system was considered, which is a computer platform integrated into the Italian national veterinary portal, that processes a significant amount of data from various sources collected in the field or from other information systems (e.g. animal welfare, health status, biosecurity, antimicrobial use, slaughterhouse information). A total of 169 dairy farms were included in the study. Biosecurity measures, based on 15 questions required in the CLASSYFARM welfare assessment protocol, as well as information about husbandry systems, milking systems and pasture practices were gathered and combined with milk yield data, provided by the South Tyrolean dairy association. Farms only scored 44.00 points on average in a scoring system from 0.00 to 100.00 points that was be able to summarize 15 different biosecurity measures in one index. Our results show a clear negative correlation (−0.713) between the biosecurity index and somatic cell score (SCS) indicating that a higher level of biosecurity, which reflects the presence of biosecurity measures within a farm, is associated with lower SCC levels. Furthermore, we found significant correlations between SCS and milk production (−0.629), confirming that udder health is linked to higher milk production. Fat, protein, and the fat-to-protein ratio showed a positive correlation with SCS (0.281, 0.146, 0.106), likely to be caused by a concentration shift effect (dilution effect). Husbandry system, breed, milking system, and pasture practices seem to have an impact as well, but the main factor was the biosecurity score. This study highlights the importance of implementing biosecurity measures for ensuring animal health and thus productivity and quality in milk production, even in small-scale farms, which are characterized by limited structure availability and smaller herds compared to big dairy enterprises in the lowlands.

The challenges facing the health sector and the agri-food industry have become increasingly complex over the years. Animal welfare, drug consumption, the use of the slaughterhouse as an epidemiological observatory and biosecurity, as well as the health risks associated with it, are increasingly interconnected, making an integrated approach necessary. Hence the European Commission developed regulations to ensure a certain standard for animal welfare in livestock husbandry, which led the Animal Health and Veterinary Drugs Directorate of the Italian Ministry of Health to design an integrated system called Classyfarm, aimed at categorising farming according to risk. The aim of our study was to consider the protocol of the Classyfarm system for evaluating the present situation in South Tyrolean dairy farming (1) and discuss the practical implementation of this new system in small-scale mountain dairy farming (2) which largely differs from large dairy enterprises in the lowlands. The results provide important insights about farm structure and management. However, in terms of animal welfare the questionnaire of Classyfarm is not able to properly differentiate and therefore results need to be considered with caution. Similarly, the section about biosafety is hardly applicable for small-scale mountain farms due to limited herd size and building capacity. Therefore, authors underline the necessity of developing a further differentiated questionnaire for the Classyfarm system, which considers the peculiarities of small-scale mountain dairy farming and allow proper conclusions regarding sanitary risk for public health unless the long-term aim is that such structure will stop producing which will have significant effects on many other sectors in the region, e.g. tourism.

The main aim of the study was to assess the recent evolution of cattle breeding in Alpine areas based on the number, quality and price of calves sold at local auctions in the South Tyrol region over the last decade, as case study. In addition, the effect of grazing during dam’s late gestation on calves’ auction quality was investigated to assess whether the inclusion of pasture in Alpine production system has an impact on auction parameters of calves beside its well-known positive effects on cattle welfare and the environment. Similarly, to other geographical areas, the study revealed that the numbers of crossbred calves (especially from specialised dairy breeds) has increased over the last years also in the Alpine area, because of more targeted breeding plans with an intensive use of beef bulls’ semen. Further, purebred calves from dual-purpose breeds (Simmental, Alpine Grey, Pinzgauer) received a higher remuneration in terms of price and market value at auction than purebred calves from specialised Holstein Friesian and Brown Swiss cows. A part of these animals could be available to support an innovative alpine meat supply chain which, if grass-fed, could further strengthen the current landscape maintenance service provided by the mountain livestock husbandry. Dams grazing during the last 90 days of gestation had a limited negative effect on calves’ liveweight and quality traits at auctions. All these results provide useful technical insights to support the switch from dairy to suckler herd system as future productive alternative for some small-scale mountain cattle farms whose viability is essential for the provision of several ecosystem services in the fragile Alpine environment.

Literature provides indications that the personality and temperament of a horse are sufficiently genetically determined. This background was the impetus to continue collecting phenotypic information on the temperament in the South Tyrolean Haflinger horses, not only to have marketing tools but also to be able to estimate genetic parameters for a future genetic evaluation. The latter should open the possibility to include temperament traits in the breeding goal. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to consider for the very first-time phenotypic information from character testing for estimating genetic parameters for temperament in Haflinger horses. For the present study, data from routine character testing of 210 South Tyrolean Haflinger mares between 2019 and 2021 were considered. A multivariate estimation of heritability (h2) and genetic correlations (r) was carried out for the criteria ‘Interest’, ‘Activity’ and ‘Excitement’. In addition, univariate and bivariate estimation runs were also carried out. The pedigree-based heritability for the behavioural trait Interest was lowest with 0.07 and a standard error of ±0.04. For the other two criteria, Activity and Excitement, h2 was 0.19 ± 0.05 and 0.21 ± 0.04, respectively. The genetic correlation between Interest and Activity and between Interest and Excitement was in both cases negative with −0.52 and −0.61, respectively while the genetic correlation between Excitement and Activity was positive (0.99). Results of the present study highlight the potential of considering temperament traits in breeding of Haflinger horses.

Reports of Ascaridia galli in laying hens in Europe have increased since the ban on conventional battery cages in 2012. As this parasite is transmitted directly via the faecal-oral route by parasite eggs containing a larva, it is reasonable to assume that the escalating problem is related to the increased exposure now occurring in modern welfare-friendly cage-free housing systems. On many farms, A. galli reappears in subsequent flocks, even though the birds have no access to the outdoors, biosecurity is high and empty houses are cleaned and disinfected during downtime. Since the egg production cycle lasts only ≈80 weeks and recombinant antigen production for helminth vaccines has not yet been solved, the development of a vaccine seems to be an unrealistic option. Therefore, disrupting the life cycle of the parasite by other means, including the strategic use of dewormers, appears to be the key to controlling infection. Of concern is that only one class of anthelmintics is licenced for poultry in Europe and that are usually administered indiscriminately through the birds' drinking water and often too late when the parasite is already established. If current calendar-based parasite control strategies are not changed, there is a risk that resistance to anthelmintics may develop, as has already been demonstrated with nematodes in livestock. We insist that treatments can be more effective and the risk of developing drug resistance can be mitigated if we invest in a better understanding of A. galli responses to more prudent and judicious use of anthelmintics. This review identifies knowledge gaps and highlights aspects of sustainable parasite control that require further research to support commercial egg producers.

ABSTRACT: Public concern about the welfare of farm animals and the livestock industry's awareness of the need to improve animal welfare have led to the implementation of new tools designed to meet this objective. Especially in the case of small-scale farms in marginalized areas, the lack of available data specifically for assessing welfare led to the present study. Its aim was to use animal- and resource-based indicators that are representative of small-scale farms, to establish an index and develop a benchmarking tool that can be used to dynamically evaluate the welfare of cattle on farms with different husbandry systems and provide farmers, veterinarians, extension officers, and stakeholders with reliable information that can be used as a decision support tool. For this reason, 1,891 cows from 204 herds housed in freestall (n = 111) and tiestall (n = 93) husbandry systems in South Tyrol (Northern Italy) were evaluated. The results showed that 17.6% of herds (36 farms) had an average score below 60 (out of 100), which means that immediate intervention should be adopted to improve welfare. South Tyrolean dairy farms performed well in terms of lameness, skin alterations, avoidance behavior, number and space of lying areas, and dystocia occurrence scores, whereas water supply, cow cleanliness status, claw conformation, and getting-up behavior offered significant potential for improvement. Significant differences were observed between housing systems scoring less than 60 out of 100 points in 9.9% (n = 11) and 26.9%, (n = 25), of the herds kept in freestalls and tiestalls, respectively. A slight difference was found when comparing the percentage of herds with high scores, which corresponded to 30.6% (n = 34) of herds housed in freestalls and 22.6% (n = 21) of herds housed in tiestall housing systems. In addition, it was shown that animals reared on farms with tiestalls more often had problems with body condition, cleanliness, and skin alterations. All individual welfare indicators in the top 25% of herds had scores above 80, indicating that this may be an attainable target for freestall and tiestall herds, respectively, to promote good dairy cow welfare. The overall aim must be to adopt measures to increase the scores on all farms closer to this level.

ABSTRACT: Livestock production systems with ruminants play a relevant role in the emission of the greenhouse gas CH4, which is known to significantly contribute to global warming. Consequently, it is a major societal concern to develop strategies in mitigating such emissions. In addition to breeding toward low-emitting cows, management strategies could also help in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from dairy farms. However, information is required for appropriate decision making. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that considers different, already available equations to estimate CH4 emissions of small-scale dairy farms in the mountain region, which largely differ from large dairy farms in the lowlands concerning management and production. For this study, 2 different production systems, both typical for small-scale dairy farming in mountain regions, were simultaneously run over 3 yr at an experimental farm as follows: (1) a high-input production system, characterized by intensive feeding with high amounts of external concentrates and maize silage, year-round housing, and high yielding Simmental cattle breed, and (2) a low-input production system, characterized by prevailing hay and pasture feeding and silage ban, thus covering most of the energy requirements by forage harvested on-farm and the use of the local Tyrolean Grey cattle breed. Results reveal that feeding management has a significant effect on the amount of CH4 emissions. The low-input production system produced less CH4 per cow and per day compared with the high-input production system. However, if calculated per kilogram of milk, the high-input scenario produced proportionally less CH4 than the low-input one. Findings of this study highlight the potential to assess in a fast and cost-effective way the CH4 emission in different dairy production systems. This information contributes to the debate about the future of sustainable milk production in mountain regions, where the production of feed resources is climatically constrained, and could be useful for breeding purposes toward lower CH4-emissions.

Abstract Background A coproantigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has recently been proposed for detecting ascarid infections in chickens. The excretion pattern of ascarid antigens through chicken faeces and the consistency of measurements over the course of infections are currently unknown. This study evaluates the pattern and repeatability of worm antigen per gram of faeces (APG) and compares the diagnostic performance of the coproantigen ELISA with a plasma and egg yolk antibody ELISA and McMaster faecal egg counts (M-FEC) at different weeks post-infection (wpi). Methods Faecal, blood and egg yolk samples were collected from laying hens that were orally infected with a mix of Ascaridia galli and Heterakis gallinarum eggs (N = 108) or kept as uninfected controls (N = 71). Measurements including (a) APG using a coproantigen ELISA, (b) eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) using the McMaster technique and (c) ascarid-specific IgY in plasma and in egg yolks using an ascarid-specific antibody ELISA) were performed between wpi 2 and 18. Results Time-dependent significant differences in APG between infected and non-infected laying hens were quantified. At wpi 2 (t (164) = 0.66, P = 1.00) and 4 (t (164) = −3.09, P = 0.094) no significant differences were observed between the groups, whereas infected hens had significantly higher levels of APG than controls by wpi 6 (t (164) = −6.74, P 0.95, while plasma IgY ELISA showed the highest diagnostic performance in wpi 2 (AUC = 0.95). M-FEC had the highest correlation with total worm burden, while APG had highest correlations with weights and lengths of A. galli. Conclusion Ascarid antigen excretion through chicken faeces can be measured with high accuracy and repeatability using a coproantigen ELISA. The antigen excretion increases over time, and is associated with worm maturation, particularly with the size of A. galli. Our results suggest the necessity of complementary use of different diagnostic tools for a more accurate diagnosis of infections. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Background Healthcare systems invest in leadership development of surgeons, surgical trainees, and teams. However, there is no agreement on how interventions should be designed, or what components they must contain to be successful. The objective of this realist review was to generate a programme theory explaining in which context and for whom surgical leadership interventions work and why. Methods Five databases were systematically searched, and articles screened against inclusion considering their relevance. Context-mechanism-outcome configurations (CMOCs) and fragments of CMOCs were identified. Gaps in the CMOCs were filled through deliberation with the research team and stakeholder feedback. We identified patterns between CMOCs and causal relationships to create a programme theory. Results Thirty-three studies were included and 19 CMOCs were developed. Findings suggests that interventions for surgeons and surgical teams improve leadership if timely feedback is delivered on multiple occasions and by trusted and respected people. Negative feedback is best provided privately. Feedback from senior-to-junior or peer-to-peer should be delivered directly, whereas feedback from junior-to-senior is preferred when delivered anonymously. Leadership interventions were shown to be most effective for those with awareness of the importance of leadership, those with confidence in their technical surgical skills, and those with identified leadership deficits. For interventions to improve leadership in surgery, they need to be delivered in an intimate learning environment, consider implementing a speak-up culture, provide a variety of interactive learning activities, show a genuine investment in the intervention, and be customised to the needs of surgeons. Leadership of surgical teams can be best developed by enabling surgical teams to train together. Conclusions The programme theory provides evidence-based guidance for those who are designing, developing and implementing leadership interventions in surgery. Adopting the recommendations will help to ensure interventions are acceptable to the surgical community and successful in improving surgical leadership. Trial registration The review protocol is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021230709).

Cicerbita alpina (L.) Wallr, is a perennial alpine plant and a member of the Asteraceae family, typically found at altitudes above 1000 meters in the Italian Alps. Although previously utilized primarily as a local delicacy, recent studies have revealed strong antiparasitic activity through in vitro experiments. In Europe, numerous chemical drugs employed to combat nematodes — helminths that infest the digestive tract of livestock — are banned due to their environmental harm or show only reduced efficiency because of the development of resistance. Consequently, there is a growing demand for new alternative anthelmintic treatments in agricultural practices. Specialized metabolites found in the extracts of C. alpina could offer a sustainable and biological alternative to chemical drugs, specifically for nematode control. For this purpose, a unique germplasm collection originating from eight distinct natural populations in the Italian Alps was analyzed for its chemical diversity using state-of-the-art targeted LC-MS/MS spectrometry, including quantification based on multiple reaction monitoring. The predominant metabolites identified from the species were the caffeic acid derivatives chicoric acid, chlorogenic acid, and 3. 5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, the sesquiterpene lactone derivative 8-O-acetyl-15-ß-D-glucopyranosyl lactucin and the flavone glycosides, apigenin-7-O-glucoside and luteolin-7-O-glucoside, alongside their precursors apigenin and luteolin, respectively. Additionally, the genetic diversity of eighty individual plants within the germplasm collection was evaluated using ten DNA molecular markers (Simple Sequence Repeats), successfully transferred from two closely related species (Cichorium intybus and Tanacetum parthenium). This investigation unveiled a significant range of genetic diversity within the examined populations, resulting in the establishment of three distinct genetic groups. The findings were further correlated with the original ecological environment and local climate conditions spanning a biennial period, indicating substantial variations among the different accessions and the intricate interplay between genetic background and environmental factors. These results could serve as a basis for future domestication of the species through plant breeding programs ensuring product quality, but also facilitating the cultivation of C. alpina in more diverse geographic regions.

"Practice engagement theory" (PET) posits that individuals' literacy proficiencies develop as a by-product of their engagement in everyday reading and writing practices and, reciprocally, that literacy proficiencies affect levels of engagement in reading and writing practices. This suggests that literacy training which increases engagement in meaningful practices might generate proficiency growth. Research has shown that this approach does indeed seem to be effective in improving (adult) learners' literacy proficiency. A number of cross-sectional comparisons of participants' and non-participants' performance in various training activities, as well as quantitative modelling of adults' proficiency growth in longitudinal studies have confirmed the theoretical assumptions of PET. The authors of this article describe the first application of PET to literacy and numeracy development in a longitudinal study of a nationally representative adult population. Their investigation followed a sample of adults initially interviewed and assessed in the German component of the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC), adding longitudinal data from three additional waves of the national extension study (PIAAC-L), which included repeated assessments of literacy and numeracy proficiency over a period of three years. The authors' quantitative modelling of the growth of literacy and numeracy proficiency over time provides strong support for PET. Their comparisons of how various practice engagement indexes predict growth of literacy and numeracy proficiencies indicate that reading engagement is the strongest predictor of literacy growth and maths engagement is the strongest predictor of numeracy growth. The authors conclude their article by considering their findings' implications for sustainable development, lifelong learning policy and future research into the development of adult literacy and numeracy proficiency.

One question frequently included in surveys asks about respondents' earnings. As this information serves, for example, as a basis for evaluating policy interventions, it must be of high quality. This study aims to advance knowledge about possible measurement errors in earnings data and the potential of data linkage to improve substantive conclusions. We use the German sample of the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC), a subsample of which could be linked to administrative data from the German Integrated Employment Biographies (IEB). We define measurement error as the difference between administrative and survey data. Our results show differences in the ordinary least squares estimates when the administrative and survey measures of earnings were used as the respective dependent variable, which suggests that measurement error causes biased results. Learning more about the size and type of measurement error can help to correct existing biases and improve the quality of survey data.

Background: In Germany, three large-scale surveys--the Level One Study (LEO), the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC), and the National Educational Panel Study (NEPS)--provide complementary data on adults' literacy skills that can be harnessed to study adults with low literacy. To ensure that research on low-literate adults using these surveys arrives at valid and robust conclusions, it is imperative to ascertain the comparability of the three surveys' low-literacy samples. Towards that end, in the present study, we comprehensively assess the comparability of adults with low literacy across these surveys with regard to their sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Methods: We used data from LEO, PIAAC, and NEPS. We identified features of the sample representation and measurement of (low) literacy as potential causes for variations in the low-literacy samples across the surveys. We then compared the low-literacy samples with regard to their sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics and performed logistic regressions to compare the relative importance of these characteristics as correlates of low literacy. Results: The key insight our study provides is that--despite different sample representations and measurement approaches--the low-literacy samples in the three surveys are largely comparable in terms of their socioeconomic and sociodemographic characteristics. Although there were small differences between the surveys with regard to the distribution of gender, educational attainment, and the proportion of non-native speakers within the group of low-literate adults, results revealed that both the prevalence of low literacy and its correlates were largely robust across LEO, PIAAC, and NEPS. Across all three surveys, lower educational attainment emerged as the most significant correlate of low literacy, followed by a non-German language background, unemployment and low occupational status. Conclusions: Our study provides evidence that all three surveys can be used for investigating adults with low literacy. The small differences between the low-literacy samples across the three surveys appear to be associated with sample representation and certain assessment features that should be kept in mind when using the surveys for research and policy purposes. Nevertheless, our study showed that we do not compare apples with oranges when dealing with low-literate adults across different large-scale surveys.

Background: Improving effective leadership of individuals, groups, and healthcare organisations is essential for improving surgical performance and indirectly improving health outcomes for patients. Numerous systematic reviews have been conducted which seek to determine the effectiveness of specific leadership interventions across a range of disciplines and healthcare outcomes. The purpose of this realist review is to systematically synthesise the literature which examines in which context and for whom leadership interventions improve leadership of surgeons, surgical teams, and trainees. Methods: Several approaches will be used to iteratively search the scientific and grey literature to identify relevant evidence. Selected articles will inform the development of a programme theory that seeks to explain in which context and for whom interventions can improve leadership of surgical trainees, surgeons, and surgical teams. Next, empirical studies will be searched systematically in order to test and, where necessary, refine the theory. Once theoretical saturation has been achieved, recommendations for advancing leadership in surgery will be developed. Stakeholder and patient and public consultations will contribute to the development of the programme theory. The review will be written up according to the Realist And Meta-narrative Evidence Synthesis: Evolving Standards publication standards. No ethical review will be required for the conduct of this realist review. Discussion: The knowledge gained from this review will provide evidence-based guidance for those planning or designing leadership interventions in surgery. The recommendations will help policymakers, educationalists, healthcare providers, and those delivering or planning leadership development programmes across the surgical disciplines to design interventions that are acceptable to the surgical community and successful in improving surgical leadership. PROSPERO registration: CRD42021230709