Sward type alters enteric methane emissions, nitrogen output and the relative abundance of the rumen microbial ecosystem in sheep.

Observed improvements in animal and sward performance, coupled with a desire for more sustainable pasture-based feeding systems, has triggered a surge in the implementation of more botanically diverse pastures. However, thus far, there has been limited research investigating the effects of botanically diverse sward types on enteric methane (CH4) or nitrogen (N) excretion, alongside the ruminal microbiota and fermentation profile, in sheep. Hence, this study investigates the effect of sward type on CH4 production and N excretion, in addition to assessing the rumen microbiome, volatile fatty acid proportions, and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) concentration in sheep.

The inclusion of companion forages in the diet alongside perennial ryegrass increased dry matter intake and organic matter digestibility in sheep.

The inclusion of companion forages in the diet of ruminant animals is gaining popularity in temperate regions due to observed improvements in animal performance. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of diet type on DM intake (DMI) and organic matter digestibility (OMD) in sheep. Furthermore, the effect of sward type on diet nutritive quality was investigated.

Bio-economic modelling of sheep meat production systems with varying flock litter size using field data.

Sheep meat producers derive the majority of income from sales of weaned lambs, determined by flock conception rates, litter size, and lamb survival. Field data from commercial flocks can inform sensitivity analyses of the effect of litter size on flock productivity, feed demand, and gross margin. This study adapted an established bio-economic model of a flock of breeding ewes informed by statistical relationships (from linear models) between flock litter size (lambs born per ewe lambing) and production factors (such as flock barren rate, litter birth type and lamb birth weight) identified using 156 145 animal records from the Irish national sheep breeding database.

The impact of genetic merit on ewe performance and efficiency parameters.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of ewe genetic merit on ewe performance and efficiency parameters. The study consisted of three genetic merit groups (New Zealand [NZ], High Irish, and Low Irish) and ran from 2016 to 2019, inclusive. Each genetic merit group contained 30 purebred Suffolk and 30 purebred Texel ewes, which were selected based on their maternal genetic indexes in their country of origin, namely Ireland (€uro-star Replacement index) or New Zealand (New Zealand Maternal worth).

Infrared thermography as a tool to detect hoof lesions in sheep.

Lameness has a major negative impact on sheep production. The objective of this study was to 1) quantify the repeatability of sheep hoof temperatures estimated using infrared thermography (IRT); 2) determine the relationship between ambient temperature, sheep hoof temperature, and sheep hoof health status; and 3) validate the use of IRT to detect infection in sheep hooves. Three experiments (a repeatability, exploratory, and validation experiment) were conducted over 10 distinct nonconsecutive days.

Mean difference in live-weight per incremental difference in body condition score estimated in multiple sheep breeds and crossbreds.

Body condition score (BCS) is a subjective assessment of the proportion of body fat an animal possesses and is independent of frame size. There is a growing awareness of the importance of mature animal live-weight given its contribution to the overall costs of production of a sector. Because of the known relationship between BCS and live-weight, strategies to reduce live-weight could contribute to the favouring of animals with lesser body condition.

Association between Bispectral Index System and airway obstruction: an observational prospective cohort analysis during third molar extractions.

Background: Sedation regimes during oral procedures frequently associated with airway obstruction. The aim of this study was to define the association of Bispectral Index (BIS) to the depth of sedation and airway obstruction events.

Methods: Forty-seven patients between 14-21 years old, who were candidates for 3rd molar teeth extraction, were enrolled in this study.

Measures of lamb production efficiency in a temperate grass-based system differing in ewe prolificacy potential and stocking rate.

The objective of this study was to quantify the effects of ewe prolificacy potential (PP; predicted number of lambs born ewe yr), as dictated by sire breed type, and stocking rate (SR; ewes ha) on ewe production efficiency (kg lamb live weight weaned:kg ewe live weight mated), lamb growth, lamb carcass output, and dry matter (DM; kg) and energy (UFL; unit of energy kg DM) consumption (in the form of both grazed and conserved herbage, concentrate supplementation, and total) in a temperate grass-based lamb production system. The study was a 2 × 3 factorial design, consisting of 2 differing ewe prolificacy potentials (medium prolificacy [MP]-Suffolk-sired crossbred ewes and high prolificacy [HP]-Belclare-sired crossbred ewes) and 3 stocking rates: low (LSR; 10 ewes ha), medium (MSR; 12 ewes ha), and high (HSR: 14 ewes ha). Each treatment was managed in a 5-paddock rotational system for the duration of the study.

Effect of ewe prolificacy potential and stocking rate on ewe and lamb performance in a grass-based lamb production system.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of ewe prolificacy potential (PP; predicted number of lambs born per ewe per year) as dictated by sire breed type, stocking rate (SR; ewes per ha), and their interaction on ewe and lamb performance in a temperate grass-based lamb production system. The study was a 2 × 3 factorial design, consisting of 2 differing ewe PP and 3 SR which included 180 medium prolificacy potential (MP- Suffolk-sired crossbred ewes) and 180 high prolificacy potential ewes (HP- Belclare-sired crossbred ewes) allocated to 1 of 3 ( = 60 ewes) SR: low (LSR; 10 ewes per ha), medium (MSR; 12 ewes per ha) or high (HSR: 14 ewes per ha). Each treatment was managed in a 5-paddock rotational grazing system for the duration of the study.

Comparison of energy rationing systems for late gestation ewes: Impacts on ewe and lamb performance.

The objectives of this study were 1) to compare the effects of a ME () or a NE () system for rationing ewes during late gestation on ewe and progeny performance and 2) to investigate incremental increases in NE allocation above 100% of recommendation during late gestation on ewe and progeny performance. Fifty-two twin-bearing ewes ( = 13 per treatment) were rationed to either 100% of recommended ME requirements (100% ME) or 100, 110, or 120% of recommended NE requirements (100% NE, 110% NE, and 120% NE) from d 112 of gestation to parturition. Mean energy intake, measured as ME and NE, from Day 112 of gestation to parturition was higher in all NE treatments compared with 100% ME ewes ( = 0.

Bicycle injuries and helmet use: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The research literature was systematically reviewed and results were summarized from studies assessing bicycle helmet effectiveness to mitigate head, serious head, face, neck and fatal head injury in a crash or fall.

Methods: Four electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, COMPENDEX and SCOPUS) were searched for relevant, peer-reviewed articles in English. Included studies reported medically diagnosed head, face and neck injuries where helmet use was known.

Noise level measurement, a new method to evaluate effectiveness of sedation in pediatric dentistry.

Objectives: Pediatric dentists perform moderate sedation frequently to facilitate dental treatment in uncooperative children. Assessing the depth and quality of sedation is an important factor in the clinical utilization of moderate sedation. We aimed to determine if the level of noise, created by the children who are undergoing moderate sedation during dental procedures, could be used as a nonsubjective measurement of the depth of sedation and compare it to the Ohio State Behavior Rating Score (OSBRS).

An evaluation of intranasal sufentanil and dexmedetomidine for pediatric dental sedation.

Conscious or moderate sedation is routinely used to facilitate the dental care of the pre- or un-cooperative child. Dexmedetomidine (DEX) has little respiratory depressant effect, possibly making it a safer option when used as an adjunct to either opioids or benzodiazepines. Unlike intranasal (IN) midazolam, IN application of DEX and sufentanil (SUF) does not appear to cause much discomfort.

Understanding the cost-effectiveness of influenza vaccination in children: methodological choices and seasonal variability.

Background: The universal vaccination of children for influenza has recently been recommended in the UK and is being considered in other developed countries.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the potential costs and benefits of childhood influenza vaccination to gain a better understanding of the key drivers of cost-effectiveness.

Methods: As our case study we examined the cost-effectiveness of vaccination in Australian schoolchildren using an age-stratified Susceptible Exposed Infectious Recovered model.

An evaluation of 10 percent and 20 percent benzocaine gels in patients with acute toothaches: efficacy, tolerability and compliance with label dose administration directions.

Background: The authors evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of 10 percent and 20 percent benzocaine gels compared with those of a vehicle (placebo) gel for the temporary relief of toothache pain. They also assessed the compliance with the label dose administration directions on the part of participants with toothache pain.

Methods: Under double-masked conditions, 576 participants self-applied study gel to an open tooth cavity and surrounding oral tissues.

Expenditure and resource utilisation for cervical screening in Australia.

Background: The National Cervical Screening Program in Australia currently recommends that women aged 18-69 years are screened with conventional cytology every 2 years. Publicly funded HPV vaccination was introduced in 2007, and partly as a consequence, a renewal of the screening program that includes a review of screening recommendations has recently been announced. This study aimed to provide a baseline for such a review by quantifying screening program resource utilisation and costs in 2010.

Reducing the pain of intranasal drug administration.

Purpose: The purpose of this research study was to develop a score to assess intranasal (IN) drug administration discomfort and then assess 3 different approaches to reduce the pain associated with the administration of an IN citrate study solution.

Methods: After Institutional Review Board approval and with informed consent, volunteers intranasally received 0.3 M solution of citrate, on 4 different days.

The potential cost-effectiveness of infant pneumococcal vaccines in Australia.

Over the last decade infant pneumococcal vaccination has been adopted as part of routine immunisation schedules in many developed countries. Although highly successful in many settings such as Australia and the United States, rapid serotype replacement has occurred in some European countries. Recently two pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) with extended serotype coverage have been licensed for use, a 10-valent (PHiD-CV) and a 13-valent (PCV-13) vaccine, and offer potential replacements for the existing vaccine (PCV-7) in Australia.

Cervical cancer screening in Australia: modelled evaluation of the impact of changing the recommended interval from two to three years.

Background: The National Cervical Screening Program in Australia currently recommends that sexually active women between the ages of 18-70 years attend routine screening every 2 years. The publically funded National HPV Vaccination Program commenced in 2007, with catch-up in females aged 12-26 years conducted until 2009; and this may prompt consideration of whether the screening interval and other aspects of the organized screening program could be reviewed. The aim of the current evaluation was to assess the epidemiologic outcomes and cost implications of changing the recommended screening interval in Australia to 3 years.

A comparison of four sedation techniques for pediatric dental surgery.

Background: We prospectively assessed the efficacy and side effects of four sedation techniques in our dental clinic: oral midazolam, intranasal (IN) midazolam, IN midazolam combined with oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate (OTFC), and IN midazolam combined with IN sufentanil.

Materials & Methods: With IRB approval, a nonrandomized open label study of moderate sedation in children undergoing dental surgery was administered during a 6 -month period. The sedation regimen was rotated daily at the anesthesiologist's discretion.

Intranasal flumazenil and naloxone to reverse over-sedation in a child undergoing dental restorations.

We describe a 3-year-old child who became over-sedated after receiving intranasal (IN) midazolam (0.53 mg.kg(-1)) and IN sufentanil (1 mcg.

Telescoping tracheal tubes into catheters minimizes epistaxis during nasotracheal intubation in children.

Background: Numerous strategies have been used to reduce epistaxis after nasotracheal intubation. The authors compared the severity of epistaxis after nasotracheal intubation in children with tubes at room temperature, warm tubes, and tubes telescoped into catheters.

Methods: Children who were scheduled for elective dental surgery were randomly assigned to undergo nasotracheal intubation using a tube at room temperature (control), warmed in saline, or whose distal end had been telescoped into a red rubber catheter.