A Bayesian modelling framework to quantify multiple sources of spatial variation for disease mapping.

Spatial connectivity is an important consideration when modelling infectious disease data across a geographical region. Connectivity can arise for many reasons, including shared characteristics between regions and human or vector movement. Bayesian hierarchical models include structured random effects to account for spatial connectivity.

Interaction between xylanase and a proton pump inhibitor on broiler chicken performance and gut function.

Three hundred thirty-six Ross 308 male broiler chicks were used in a 21-d study to explore performance and gut function when treated with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI; 0 or 89 mg/kg) in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with a xylanase (Xyl; 0 or 0.1 g/kg) to determine if the beneficial activity of arabinoxylan (AX) depolymerisation, through arabinoxylo-oligosaccharides (AXOS) production, starts in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Treatment with the PPI started from d 14, and by d 21 animal performance had deteriorated ( < 0.

The impact of climate suitability, urbanisation, and connectivity on the expansion of dengue in 21st century Brazil.

Dengue is hyperendemic in Brazil, with outbreaks affecting all regions. Previous studies identified geographical barriers to dengue transmission in Brazil, beyond which certain areas, such as South Brazil and the Amazon rainforest, were relatively protected from outbreaks. Recent data shows these barriers are being eroded.

Application of Creep Feed and Phytase Super-Dosing as Tools to Support Digestive Adaption and Feed Efficiency in Piglets at Weaning.

A total of 64 piglets were used in a 35-day study to evaluate whether creep feeding piglets on the sow or super-dosing phytase to piglets post-weaning can be used as a tool to reduce stress and support adaption to weaning. Treatments consisted of creep or no creep feed being offered pre-weaning and with or without phytase supplementation at 2000 FTU/kg post-weaning. Blood samples were collected from eight piglets per treatment on days 0 (weaning), 7 and 21 post-weaning to determine plasma cortisol and -inositol concentrations.

Spatial connectivity in mosquito-borne disease models: a systematic review of methods and assumptions.

Spatial connectivity plays an important role in mosquito-borne disease transmission. Connectivity can arise for many reasons, including shared environments, vector ecology and human movement. This systematic review synthesizes the spatial methods used to model mosquito-borne diseases, their spatial connectivity assumptions and the data used to inform spatial model components.

Combined effects of hydrometeorological hazards and urbanisation on dengue risk in Brazil: a spatiotemporal modelling study.

Background: Temperature and rainfall patterns are known to influence seasonal patterns of dengue transmission. However, the effect of severe drought and extremely wet conditions on the timing and intensity of dengue epidemics is poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to quantify the non-linear and delayed effects of extreme hydrometeorological hazards on dengue risk by level of urbanisation in Brazil using a spatiotemporal model.

Prevention of Morbidity in Sickle Cell Disease (POMS2a)-overnight auto-adjusting continuous positive airway pressure compared with nocturnal oxygen therapy: a randomised crossover pilot study examining patient preference and safety in adults and children.

Design: This randomised crossover trial compared nocturnal auto-adjusting continuous positive airway pressure (APAP) and nocturnal oxygen therapy (NOT) in adults and children with sickle cell anaemia, with patient acceptability as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included pulmonary physiology (adults), safety, and daily pain during interventions and washout documented using tablet technology.

Methods: Inclusion criteria were age > 8 years and the ability to use an iPad to collect daily pain data.

Influence of fibre and betaine on development of the gastrointestinal tract of broilers between hatch and 14 d of age.

An experiment was designed to determine the influence of fibre and betaine on the development of the intestine, liver and pancreas of broilers from hatch to 14 d of age. A total of 250-day-old Cobb 500 male broilers were allocated to 16 cages with 15 broilers each. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 4 factorial design, consisting of 2 feed formulations (low and high fibre diets) and 4 levels of betaine (0, 1, 3 or 5 kg/t).

Review on docosahexaenoic acid in poultry and swine nutrition: Consequence of enriched animal products on performance and health characteristics.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) are linked to a variety of health benefits against human disorders and disease. However, the typical western diet is generally low in n-3 PUFA and high in n-6 PUFA, suggesting that the recommended intake of these essential fatty acids is seldom achieved. Therefore, dietary enrichment of animal meat and eggs with n-3 PUFA could help increase consumption of these fatty acids.

Phytase as an alleviator of high-temperature stress in broilers fed adequate and low dietary calcium.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of phytase and dietary Ca level on performance, phytate (inositol hexa-phosphate, IP6) concentration, and anti-oxidant enzyme activity in broilers exposed to cycling high environmental temperatures. A total of 2,970 day-old Cobb 400 male broilers were randomly allocated among 6 treatments, with 15 replicate pens, and 33 birds per pen. Corn-soy diets low in available phosphorus (avP, 0.

Effect of phytase superdosing, myo-inositol and available phosphorus concentrations on performance and bone mineralisation in broilers.

A total of 2,376 one-day-old Ross broiler chickens were used to investigate the effect of myo-inositol (MYO) and phytase supplementation on performance and bone mineralization variables in broilers fed diets formulated to have varying concentrations of available phosphorus (P). The trial was designed as a 2 × 2 × 3 factorial; with and without phytase superdosing (0 or 1,500 FTU/kg), MYO (0 or 3 g/kg), and dietary P (low, moderate or high). At 21 d, dietary phytase and MYO had no consistent benefit on bone mineralization variables.