Determination of Calcium and Phosphorus Digestibility of Individual Feed Ingredients as Affected by Limestone, in the Presence and Absence of Phytase in Broilers.

To begin formulating broiler diets on a digestible calcium (Ca) basis, robust Ca digestibility values for ingredients and factors affecting this digestibility are needed. This study had three main objectives: (1) determine the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of Ca and phosphorus (P) for seven plant-based feed ingredients in broilers, (2) assess the impact of phytate source on SID Ca from limestone (LS), and (3) evaluate the effect of phytase on SID Ca and P for the different ingredients. Two experiments were conducted to satisfy these objectives.

The effects of irrigation on the survival of in the phyllosphere and soil environments of lettuce.

Unlabelled: This study aimed to address the gap in knowledge regarding the fate of foodborne pathogens within agro-ecosystems. It specifically focused on the surrogate microorganism , which was introduced into lettuce-producing environments via surface and spray irrigation methods, respectively. The concentration of in the rhizosphere, phyllosphere, and non-rhizosphere soil was quantified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) over a 42-day trial.

Acaricide resistance status of livestock ticks from East and West Africa and in vivo efficacy of acaricides to control them.

Through a collaborative effort across six Sub-Saharan African countries, using recognized international assessment techniques, 23 stocks of three tick species (Rhipicephalus microplus, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Amblyomma variegatum) of economic importance for rural small holder farming communities from East and West Africa were collected from cattle, and evaluated in in vitro larval packet tests (LPT). The results demonstrated medium to high resistance to chlorfenvinphos and amitraz across species. Rhipicephalus microplus demonstrated high level alpha-cypermethrin and cypermethrin resistance.

Journeying with developmental coordination disorder: The family experience.

Background: Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder impacting 5% - 6% of children and continues into adulthood for 50% - 70% of cases. Despite the multidomain and lifelong influence of this disorder, little consideration has been given to the experiences of the family. Post-diagnostic support has been recommended however, the specific areas requiring support remain vague.

Supporting a Tsonga learner living with Bardet-Biedl syndrome, a rare complex disability.

Background: Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a rare, systemic, hereditary disorder characterised by obesity, polydactyly, visual and auditory impairment, and cognitive disability. Providing quality education in appropriate schools for children who present with such complex chronic conditions is challenging.

Objectives: This study explored the dimensions of psycho-educational support needs for a child with BBS in South Africa to contribute to the improvement of early detection and holistic interventions.

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of acaricide resistance in Rhipicephalus microplus field isolates from South Africa and Brazil.

Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus is one of the most successful ticks infesting cattle around the world. This highly-invasive species transmits cattle parasites that cause cattle fever leading to a high socio-economic burden. Tick eradication programs have often failed, due to the development of acaricide resistance.

Sunglass tint does not impact the indoor catching performance of cricket fielders.

Introduction: Sunglasses are worn by outdoor athletes such as cricketers for many reasons, including comfort and glare reduction, which may help to improve vision. Anecdotally they are purported to have performance-enhancing benefits, but there is a lack of evidence for this. Further, it appears that fielders are the only position in cricket who wear sunglasses.

Meta-analysis of heritability estimates and genome-wide association for tick-borne haemoparasites in African cattle.

The control of tick-borne haemoparasites in cattle largely relies on the use of acaricide drugs against the tick vectors, with some vaccination also being used against selected pathogens. These interventions can be difficult in Africa, where accessibility and cost of vaccines can be issues, and the increasing resistance of tick vectors to the widely used acaricides is a complication to disease control. A potential complementary control strategy could be the exploitation of any natural host genetic resistance to the pathogens.

Optimal home and hospital laundering of reusable surgical scrubs: Systematic literature review.

Background: Theatre personnel can spread healthcare-associated infections through contaminated surgical scrubs. Decontamination of surgical scrubs through optimal methods is important to minimise transmission of microorganisms from theatre personnel's clothing to different areas in the hospital and their homes.

Aim: This study aimed to review the literature on the optimal home and hospital laundering methods for the decontamination of reusable surgical scrubs worn by theatre personnel.

Tick-borne pathogens and body condition of cattle in smallholder rural livestock production systems in East and West Africa.

Background: The majority of the African population lives in rural areas where they heavily depend on crop and livestock production for their livelihoods. Given their socio-economic importance, we initiated a standardized multi-country (Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Nigeria, Ethiopia Tanzania and Uganda) surveillance study to assess the current status of important tick-borne haemoparasites (TBHPs) of cattle.

Methods: We assessed pathogen prevalences (Anaplasma marginale, Anaplasma centrale, Babesia bigemina, Babesia bovis, Ehrlichia ruminantium, and Theileria parva) in the blood of 6447 animals spread over fourteen districts (two districts per country).

Touch Hand 4.5: low-cost additive manufacturing prosthetic hand participated in Cybathlon 2020 ARM discipline.

Background: The Touch Hand 4.5 is a highly customisable prosthetic hand, which features an optimised modular design of the Touch Hand 4. The Touch Hand team has developed a low-cost prosthetic hand, which has been built using an additive manufacturing process.

World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP): Second edition of guidelines for evaluating the efficacy of anthelmintics for dogs and cats.

These revised guidelines have been developed to assist in the design, execution, and interpretation of studies to assess the efficacy of anthelmintic drugs against internal parasites in dogs and cats. The design and execution of studies are outlined and discussed. Considerations for specific targeted parasites are included.

Oxygen as a drug and scarce commodity: Do we use it rationally?

Background: Medical grade oxygen is classified as a drug and needs to be prescribed by a qualified healthcare professional. Oxygen therapy is prescribed to people who cannot maintain normal blood oxygen saturation while breathing atmospheric air. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic highlighted the importance of the rational use of this scarce commodity.

A community approach for pathogens and their arthropod vectors (ticks and fleas) in cats of sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: Arthropod-borne pathogens and their vectors are present throughout Africa. They have been well studied in livestock of sub-Saharan Africa, but poorly studied in companion animals. Given their socioeconomic importance, the African Small Companion Animal Network (AFSCAN), as part of the WSAVA Foundation, initiated a standardized multi-country surveillance study.

Assessment of genotyping array performance for genome-wide association studies and imputation in African cattle.

Background: In cattle, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have largely focused on European or Asian breeds, using genotyping arrays that were primarily designed for European cattle. Because there is growing interest in performing GWAS in African breeds, we have assessed the performance of 23 commercial bovine genotyping arrays for capturing the diversity across African breeds and performing imputation. We used 409 whole-genome sequences (WGS) spanning global cattle breeds, and a real cohort of 2481 individuals (including African breeds) that were genotyped with the Illumina high-density (HD) array and the GeneSeek bovine 50 k array.

Living standards in settler South Africa, 1865-1920.

We construct an anthropometric measure of living standards for White South Africans covering 55 years using five different military sources. Accounting for different selection across the forces, we find that prior to industrialisation, White South African males were amongst the tallest in the world. Rural living standards declined in response to natural disasters in the 1880s and 90s with those with the lowest living standards moving off the land and into the cities.

Laboratory breeding of two Phortica species (Diptera: Drosophilidae), vectors of the zoonotic eyeworm Thelazia callipaeda.

Background: Some species of drosophilid flies belonging to the genus Phortica feed on ocular secretions of mammals, acting as biological vectors of the zoonotic eyeworm Thelazia callipaeda. This study describes an effective breeding protocol of Phortica variegata and Phortica oldenbergi in insectary conditions.

Methods: Alive gravid flies of P.

World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP) second edition: Guideline for evaluating the efficacy of parasiticides against ectoparasites of ruminants.

This second edition guideline was prepared to assist in the planning, conduct and interpretation of studies to assess the efficacy of parasiticides against ectoparasites of ruminants. It provides updated information on the selection of animals, dosage determination, dosage confirmation and field studies, record keeping and result interpretation. This guideline is intended to assist investigators on how to conduct specific studies, to provide specific information for registration authorities involved in the decision-making process, to assist in the approval and registration of new ectoparasiticides, and to facilitate the worldwide adoption of standard procedures.

Phase 2 Open-Label Study of Long-Term Safety, Tolerability, and Antiviral Activity of Rilpivirine in Antiretroviral-Naive Adolescents Living with HIV-1.

This phase 2 study investigated long-term safety and efficacy of rilpivirine (RPV) plus two investigator-selected nucleos(t)ide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) in HIV-1-infected antiviral therapy-naive adolescents. Participants (≥12 to <18 years of age) were treated with RPV at 25 mg once daily (q.d.

A community approach of pathogens and their arthropod vectors (ticks and fleas) in dogs of African Sub-Sahara.

Background: Arthropod-borne pathogens and their vectors are present throughout Africa. They have been well-studied in livestock of sub-Saharan Africa, but poorly in companion animals. Given the socio-economic importance of companion animals, the African Small Companion Animal Network (AFSCAN), as part of the WSAVA Foundation, initiated a standardized multi-country surveillance study.