Recruiting faculty with clinical responsibilities: factors that influence a decision to accept an academic position

The current opportunities for veterinary clinical specialists in private practice and industry have made recruiting and retaining faculty a major focus for most clinical academic departments. To gain a better understanding of the importance of the various factors considered in accepting an academic position, an electronic survey was distributed to newly hired veterinary faculty with clinical responsibilities. The results suggest that the perceived climate and collegiality within the prospective hiring department is the most important factor influencing the decision to accept an academic position. Salary is the second most important factor. Institutional support for the newly hired faculty member and the reputation and quality of the prospective institution rank as more important than the perceived quality of the local community and the geographic location of the institution. The search process and administrative support are the least important factors. There were no differences between the responses of faculty hired into tenure-track positions and those of faculty hired into clinical-track positions. Focusing on the advantages of a collegial environment, enhancing compensation packages, and using creative and flexible appointments may improve faculty recruitment and retention in clinical academic departments.     

Dairy and Veal Producer Assessment of Changes in Care,Handling, and Transportation Factors

The data for this study were questionnaires from 280 dairy and 143 veal producers. The objective was to determine producer evaluations of the amount and importance of changes in the past 10 yr and those projected in the near future related to several animal management and facility factors. A part of the survey emphasized handling and transportation changes. Dairy producers indicated that nutrition (diet), herd health, quality assurance, ventilation/housing, and breeding management were the most important changes over the past 10 yr. These same management factors were projected to be the most important in the future, although the top-ranked factor was milking facilities/equipment, which was ranked only of moderate importance with regard to changes in the past. Veal producers identified calf health, medication use, quality assurance, nutrition, and veterinary use as the most important changes over the past 10 yr. Most important future changes were the above-mentioned factors (with exception of nutrition), with biosecurity and waste management becoming highly-ranked factors. The most important factors to reduce animal stress, prevent animal losses, and to improve on-farm management were identified by dairy producers as nonslip flooring, facilities to restrain and move calves, loading expertise, seasonal venting on transport vehicles, and biosecurity. Veal producers identified seasonal truck venting, market/packer personnel, driver expertise, and overloading as the most important factors in reducing stress and preventing losses, with overloading being of little importance in improving management. Loading expertise was the third-ranked factor in improving on-farm management. These results indicate that both dairy and veal farmers are cognizant of factors influencing animal well-being. Both dairy and veal producers also believe they have improved their level of animal care. In addition, dairy and veal producers feel that public opinion of their methods and industries has improved in the past 10 yr.     

Erysipelas as a disease factor

The infection with Erysipelas rhusiopathiae demonstrates that it is possible to characterize the significance of predisposing factors. The virulence of the agent is most important among the exogenous factors; it determines decisively the course of the disease: 1. paracute course as septicemia; 2. chronic course as polyarthritis; 3. subclinical course nearly without any symptoms. The immune status and the genotype of the host are predominant out of endogenous factors. The importance of immunity is known since a long time. A series of field observations supported the potential genetical influence in the pig. Within the hereditability an association to the MHC (in special genetic lines of rats to the RT 1 system of the MHC) was most recently determined in inbred laboratory animals. Additionally several environmental conditions, which can be summarized as stress, and as endogenous factor the age of the animals are relevant for the pathogenesis of the erysipelas infection. A non variable but most important disposition for special tissues are the so-called "borderline tissues", where accumulation, sedimentation and persistence of bacterial antigens are wellknown as described earlier. This phenomenon is determined by hemodynamic manifestation and quantifiably regulated by cytokines especially interleukin (IL 1) as well as by the tumor necrosis factor (TNF alpha) and prostaglandin PgE2. Additionally the cross reactivity of antibodies of Erysipelas rhusiopathiae against most specific collagen of type II, IX and XI in the pig and in laboratory animals was elaborated. This autoimmune phenomenon called "immunologic mimicry" supports besides the special physiologic conditions as niche of defense a very successful evolutionary adaptation of the agent.     

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in veterinary medicine

Staphylococci are important opportunistic pathogens in most animal species. Among the most relevant species are the coagulase positive species Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius. Methicillin resistance has emerged as an important problem in both of these organisms, with significant concerns about animal and public health. The relative importance of these staphylococci on different animal species varies, as do the concerns about zoonotic transmission, yet it is clear that both present a challenge to veterinary medicine.     

匍茎剪股颖草皮的无性繁殖生产试验

结合灰色关联分析，对影响草皮生产的因素－繁殖材料，隔离布和隔离层进行正交试验，结果表明，隔离布是对草皮生产影响最大的因素，其次是繁殖材料。煤灰和细石沙作隔离层对生产效果作用不明显。化纤无纺布不腐烂，隔离好，易卷起草皮，草皮重量轻；而棉纱布易烂，不利于草皮成卷，草皮重量大。茎的繁殖倍数比草皮大，生产的草皮质量好。因素间不存在互作。最优处理平均关联率为０．８１４，其因素组合为茎作繁殖材料，化纤无纺布作     

Climate,female traits and population features as drivers of breeding timing in Mediterranean red deer populations

Understanding the factors that lead to variation in the timing of breeding in widespread species such as red deer (Cervus elaphus) is crucial to predict possible responses of wild populations to different climate scenarios. Here, we sought to further understand the causes of inter‐annual variation in the reproduction timing of female deer in Mediterranean environments. An integrative approach was used to identify the relative importance of individual, population and climate traits in the date of conception of free‐ranging deer, based on a dataset of 829 hinds culled during 12 years. We found that a population trait, density, was the most important factor explaining the variation in conception dates, with greater densities causing later conception dates. Body mass was the second in importance, with heavier females conceiving earlier than lighter ones. Almost equally important was the spring real bioclimatic index, a measure of plant productivity, causing later conception dates in the least productive springs (drier and hotter). Another climatic component, the end of summer drought, showed that the sooner the autumn arrives (greater rainfalls and cooler temperatures) the earlier the conception dates. Interestingly, age class was found to be a minor factor in determining conception date. Only older females (≥10 years old) conceived significantly later, suggesting reproductive senescence. This study highlights not only the importance of population and individual traits but also the influence of climatic parameters on the deer reproductive cycle in Mediterranean environments, giving valuable insight into how reproductive phenology may respond to seasonality and global climate changes.     

A Comparative Economic Analysis of Smallholder Cattle and Small Ruminant Production Systems in Botswana

Cattle rearing is the single most important activity in the agricultural sector of Botswana, and cattle enjoy a high status among both rural and urban dwellers. In recent years, farmers have begun to intensify the production of small ruminants owing to an increasing recognition by policy makers that they are a potential alternative source of farm income. However, as yet, small ruminants have not approached the social importance of cattle. This may be attributable to several factors, including economic considerations. The present study focused on the economic factor. It comprised a comparative economic assessment of cattle- and goat-rearing enterprises for an average smallholder farm-household to throw light on their relative economic efficiency. It was concluded that rearing either cattle or small ruminants is economically viable in the study area. The net profit measured as the net margin either per enterprise or per animal was far higher for a cattle-rearing enterprise. Nevertheless, when expressed in terms of the return on the capital invested in each enterprise, cattle rearing had only a slight edge (1.93%) over rearing of small ruminants     

Evaluation of a diet dilution technique for measuring the response of broiler chickens to increasing concentrations of lysine

Three experiments were conducted on male broiler chickens between one and three weeks of age to determine their response to dietary lysine concentrations. Serial dilutions of a summit diet shown to be first-limiting in lysine were fed in all experiments. The balance between amino acids in these diets was maintained within narrow limits. Intake of the most-limiting amino acid was the most important factor determining growth rate; protein intake as such was of little or no importance. The efficiency of utilisation of dietary lysine for protein growth was calculated to be 65.05 mg/g protein gain, representing a net efficiency of 0.85. The diet dilution technique overcomes the major disadvantage of the graded supplementation method for determining the requirements of amino acids, namely that of the amino acid balance changing systematically in successive dietary treatments.     

放牧扰动下草地植物多样性对土壤因子的响应

自由放牧草地羊粪归还作用在空间上往往表现出一定梯度分布格局,是影响自由放牧草地土壤与植被空间分布与演替动态的重要因素。为深入认识荒漠草原放牧对草地的影响格局与作用机制,以宁夏盐池荒漠草原围栏放牧草地为研究对象,按自然形成的地表羊粪量梯度,设置了6个梯度序列控制样地(1.41~1 581.68 g/m²),模拟自然条件下不同放牧强度。重点分析不同放牧强度下草地植物多样性与土壤环境因子之间的关系。结果表明,随着放牧强度的增加,1)植物群落中优势种白草的地位逐渐被苦豆子取代;白草重要值由2.07减小到0.19,苦豆子重要值由0增加到1.25。2)植物群落物种多样性指数从0.64增加到2.26,丰富度指数从0.35增加到1.86,均匀度指数没有一定的变化规律。3)0~5 cm土层,土壤全氮、速效氮和水分对植物群落物种多样性变化的影响较大,其中,土壤全氮是显著性影响因子;5~10 cm土层,土壤速效氮和有机碳对植物群落多样性变化的影响较大,其中,土壤速效氮是显著性影响因子。初步研究结论认为:放牧扰动下,表层土壤中氮素的增加是荒漠草原植物多样性变化的主导因子之一,这种结果的产生很可能与家畜排泄物的归还作用有关。明确氮的来源与去向,可能是下一步深入认识有关羊粪归还作用机制的主要任务。     

A Review of Genotype x Environment Interaction Studies Conducted in the U.S. Involving Cattle Varying in Percentage Bos indicus Inheritance

A summary of genotype x environment interaction studies involving cattle varying in percentage Bos indicus inheritance indicates that the interactions are important for most measures of preweaning productivity and, to a lesser extent, for postweaning and carcass traits. For most of these studies, the genotype x environment interactions were represented by a change in magnitude rather than a change in rank of the Bos indicus genetic types when evaluated under different environment scenarios. To date, most genotype x environment interaction studies have been conducted to assess the importance of the interactions. Since the evidence is substantial that the interactions are important, it is suggested that any future studies be directed not at assessing if the interactions are important, but in terms of elucidating why the interactions occur.     

Endocrine Disruptors and Other Food-contaminating Environmental Pollutants as Risk Factors in Animal Reproduction

Pollutants of many chemical classes, derived primarily from anthropogenic activities, are ubiquitous in the environment, persistent, biologically available and can exert adverse effects on the reproductive and other, indirectly related, physiological systems. Food is generally considered to be the major route of animal exposure in vertebrate species but the relative contributions of other routes of exposure such as through lungs, gills or skin are not well studied and may be of importance for certain animal groups, depending on their immediate environment. Animals are particularly sensitive to exposure during developmental stages but the pattern of exposure to chemicals is likely to be different to that of adults. Quantification of the risk posed by the ingestion of pollutants in food is complex and depends on many factors including species, diet composition, duration of exposure to the food, efficiency of pollutant absorption, subsequent metabolism, sensitivity of target organs and stage of development. While the effects of high doses of single chemicals are proven, dietary exposure to pollutants generally involves prolonged, low-level exposure to a large number of compounds, each of which has different chemical characteristics, exerts different biological effects and is present at varying concentrations. Thus, while exposure to pollutants through feed is undoubtedly a significant risk factor for many species and may be the most important one for many terrestrial vertebrates, other routes of exposure may be more important in other groups.     

Helminths of British dogs: Toxocara canis—a veterinary perspective

An important factor in the life-cycle of Toxocara canis is the dissemination of ova into the host's environment. This provides a reservoir for infection of the bitch with subsequent transmission of larvae to the fetus. Additionally, other warm-blooded animals may acquire infection, thereby acting as paratenic hosts in subsidiary predator-prey cycles. Embryonated ova are infective for man and may on occasion result in clinical disease.
Information assessing the extent of such environmental contamination in the UK and denning the sources of the T. canis ova is reviewed. These data are of immediate practical importance as each contribution to the understanding of the epidemiology of toxocariasis facilitates the formulation of effective control measures.     

Factors contributing to the decision for euthanasia of dogs with congestive heart failure

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of clinical signs that affect quality of life in dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF), and to characterize the role of these clinical signs in the decision for euthanasia. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 38 dogs with CHF that had been euthanatized within the preceding 22 months. PROCEDURE: Clinical information and factors affecting the decision for euthanasia were reviewed and recorded from medical records of dogs with CHF. Each owner was then interviewed via telephone to determine whether their dog had anorexia or other clinical signs of disease prior to euthanasia, their perception of their dogs' quality of life, and the most important factor and contributing factors that influenced the decision to euthanatize their dog. RESULTS: Of the 38 dogs with CHF, > 70% had weakness (35 dogs), coughing (33), anorexia (32), weight loss (32), dyspnea (30), or exercise intolerance (28) reported by their owners. Factors often named by owners as most important in the decision for euthanasia were poor prognosis given by the attending veterinarian, recurrent clinical signs of CHF (ie, coughing, dyspnea, or ascites), and poor quality of life. Weakness, anorexia, and recurrent clinical signs of CHF were the most common contributing factors in the decision for euthanasia. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Anorexia, weight loss, and exercise intolerance are common in dogs euthanatized because of CHF. The importance of quality of life and poor prognosis in making a decision for euthanasia suggests that addressing these factors may improve patient management.     

Suture sinus in the linea alba of two dogs

Suture sinuses developed in the linea alba of two dogs, associated with monofilament, nonabsorbable suture material. Knot bulk and irritation was thought to be the most important factor in sinus development in one dog, while infection was thought the most important factor in the other dog. Both dogs responded to aggressive surgical resection of the affected tissue and the offending suture. The factors responsible for suture sinus formation and the management of such are discussed.     

Reproductive Seasonality in Sheep

Unlike most domestic livestock species, sheep are widely known as animals with marked seasonality of breeding activity. The annual cycle of the daily photoperiod has been identified as the determinant factor of this phenomenon, while environmental temperature, nutritional status and social interactions may modulate it. The aim of this paper is to review the current state of knowledge of reproductive seasonality in sheep. Following general consideration of the importance of seasonal breeding as a reproductive strategy for the survival of the species, the paper describes manifestations of seasonality in both the ram and the ewe. Both determinant and modulating factors are discussed, and special emphasis is given to the neuroendocrine base of photoperiodic regulation of seasonal breeding. Other aspects such as the role of melatonin, the progestogens and ram effects with or without anestrus period are also reviewed.     

生态放养鸡饲养管理技术

我国农业经济快速发展,养殖工作的重要性变得更为突出,其中以生态放养鸡的饲养管理工作最为重要。但是在生态放养鸡的饲养管理工作开展过程中,却发现存在一定的问题,这些问题来自于人为及自然等2个方面,导致生态放养鸡的饲养管理技术没有从根本上得到最大程度的提升。养殖者应对生态放养鸡饲养管理工作的开展予以全面化重视,只有确保相关的技术要点得到实现,才能提升生态鸡的养殖水平。     

Zoonotic tick-borne flaviviruses

Tick-borne flaviviruses are among the medically most important arboviruses in Europe and Asia. Tick-borne encephalitis causes between 10,000 and 15,000 human cases every year in both continents. Besides this disease there are several other tick-borne flaviviruses which may be of local medical importance, and which are less known, but may be important as differential diagnosis. Among them are louping-ill disease which is present mainly on the British Islands, Omsk hemorrhagic fever, which is prevalent in parts of Russia, Kyasanur Forest Disease, which is distributed in parts of India, Alkhumra hemorrhagic fever, occurring in Saudi Arabia, Powassan encephalitis, which is known to be the only tick-borne flavivirus of human pathogenicity so far detected in North America and some other flaviviruses. Most of these viruses are also more or less important for veterinary medicine. Several other tick-borne flaviviruses so far have neither been associated with human nor animal diseases, and their potential pathogenicity for humans and animals is unknown. Changes in human behaviour, land use, or climate may change the actual geographical distribution and transmission intensity so that tick-borne flaviviruses are potential winners of the changing environment and may increase in medical and veterinary importance.     

Molybdenum and animal health in New Zealand

Extract

Molybdenum is the most recent addition to the group of trace elements that are important in agriculture. In New Zealand it has a special importance, for here it has great possibilities for doing good to animal production, and almost equal possibilities for doing harm. The good comes from improved pasture and crop yields when molybdates are used as fertilizers for deficient soils. The harm is due to stock poisoning by excess molybdenum already present in some pastures or getting there through careless use of molybdate fertilizers.     

Feline diabetes mellitus in the UK: the prevalence within an insured cat population and a questionnaire-based putative risk factor analysis

Prevalence and risk factors for the development of diabetes mellitus (DM) in cats in the United Kingdom have not previously been reported. The prevalence of DM was evaluated in a large insured population and was found to be 1 in 230 cats. In this insured cat population Burmese cats were 3.7 times more likely to develop DM than non-pedigree cats. A convenience-sampling questionnaire-based study was used in order to identify putative risk factors for the development of DM. The univariate risk factor analysis identified being male, neutered, inactive, weighing >or=5 kg and having a history of corticosteroid treatment as significant risk factors for the development of DM in these cats. In addition, male cats treated with megestrol acetate had a significantly increased risk of developing DM compared to females. In contrast, there was no difference in DM occurrence between male and female Burmese cats. A multivariate classification tree-based model on the questionnaire data looking for interactions between risk factors, identified gender as the most important overall risk factor for the development of DM with low physical activity being the next most important risk factor for female cats and breed the next most important for male cats.