Identifying selection strategies based on the practices and preferences of small ruminant farmers to improve the sustainability of their breeding systems.

Small ruminant farming is of socio-economic and environmental importance to many rural communities around the world. The SMARTER H2020 project aims to redefine genetic selection criteria to increase the sustainability of the sector. The objective of this study was to analyse the selection and breeding management practices of small ruminant producers and breeders, linked with socio-technical elements that shape them. The study is based on farm surveys using semi-structured interviews conducted in five countries (France, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Uruguay) across 272 producers and breeders of 13 sheep and goat breeds, and 15 breed × system combinations. The information was collected in four sections. The first and second sections dealt with general elements of structure and management of the system and the flock/herd. The third section focused on selection and breeding management practices: criteria for culling and replacement of females, selection criteria for males, use of estimated breeding values and global indexes, and preferences for indexing new traits to increase the sustainability of their system. The fourth section aimed to collect socio-technical information. We used a data abstraction method to standardise the representation of these data. A mixed data factor analysis followed by a hierarchical ascending classification allowed the characterisation of three profiles of selection and breeding management: (1) a profile of producers (n = 93) of small flocks/herds, with little knowledge or use of genetic selection and improvement tools (selection index, artificial insemination, performance recording); these farmers do not feel that new traits are needed to improve the sustainability of their system. (2) a profile of producers (n = 34) of multibreed flocks/herds that rely significantly on grazing; they are familiar with genetic tools, they currently use AI; they would like the indexes to include more health and robustness characteristics, to make their animals more resistant and to increase the sustainability of their system. And (3) a profile of producers or breeders (n = 145) of large flocks/herds, with specific culling criteria; these farmers are satisfied with the current indexes to maintain the sustainability of their system. These results are elements that can be used by private breeding companies and associations to support the evolution of selection objectives to increase the resilience of animals and to improve the sustainability of the small ruminant breeding systems.

Excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy for presbyopia: 24-month follow-up in three eyes.

BACKGROUND: For some patients, standard optical correction for presbyopia is not satisfactory. Using a specially designed mask, we developed a procedure for correcting presbyopia with excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). METHODS: A mask consisting of a mobile diaphragm formed by two blunt blades was used to ablate a 10 to 17 microm deep semilunar-shaped zone immediately below the pupillary center, steepening the corneal curvature in that area. Three eyes of three presbyopic patients were treated, aiming at a near addition of +3.00 D. Follow-up time was 24 months. RESULTS: After an initial regression of 1.00 D during the first 6 months, the presbyopic correction remained stable for the duration of the follow-up period, enabling uncorrected near vision of J3 in all three eyes. Uncorrected distance visual acuity was not altered. Contrast sensitivity (Regan) was slightly decreased only at the 11% level. Videokeratography confirmed corneal steepening in the ablated area. CONCLUSION: The visual and refractive outcome of excimer laser PRK for presbyopia with the Aesculap-Meditec MEL 60 is promising, especially in view of the 2-year follow-up.

Management of giant retinal tears using perfluorodecalin as a postoperative short-term vitreoretinal tamponade: a long-term follow-up study.

To avoid postoperative "compartmentalization" of the vitreous cavity, which may accelerate the recurrence of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), and to provide a tamponading effect lasting long enough to allow the formation of a firm chorioretinal adhesion by retinopexy, we managed 11 eyes with giant retinal tears and grade-B PVR with lensectomy, vitrectomy, 5-day internal tamponade with perfluorodecalin (PFD), and postoperative supine positioning until the PFD was removed. Baseline characteristics included myopia (10 eyes; range, 5.00 to 15.00 diopters) and perforating trauma (one eye). All patients underwent PFD/fluid exchange 5 days after surgery. Anatomic attachment of the retina was achieved with two operations (the second one being the removal of the PFD) in 9 (82%) of the 11 eyes (median follow up, 18 months). In eight eyes (73%), there was no evidence of reproliferation; in one (successfully reattached after PFD/fluid exchange), a macular pucker developed. The intraocular PFD used as an internal tamponade appeared to be well tolerated for up to 5 days, as judged by static threshold perimetry in the two patients tested, and by the functional outcomes (64% of the reattached eyes had a final visual acuity of 20/40 or better).