Validation of a handheld near-infrared spectrophotometer for measurement of chemical intramuscular fat in Australian lamb.

The objective of the study was to independently validate a calibrated commercial handheld near infrared (NIR) spectroscopic device and test its repeatability over time using phenotypically diverse populations of Australian lamb. Validation testing in eight separate data sub-groups (n = 1591 carcasses overall) demonstrated that the NIR device had moderate precision (R2 = 0.4-0.64, RMSEP = 0.70-1.22%) but fluctuated in accuracy between experimental site demonstrated by variable slopes (0.50-0.94) and biases (-0.86-0.02). The repeatability experiment (n = 10 carcasses) showed that time to scan post quartering affected NIR measurement from 0 to 24 h (P < 0.001). On average, NIR IMF% was 0.97% lower (P < 0.001) at 24 h (4.01% ± 0.166), compared to 0 h. There was no difference (P > 0.05) between Time 0 and 1 h or Time 0 and 4 h or between replicate scans within each time point. This study demonstrated the SOMA NIR device could predict lamb chemical IMF% with moderate precision and accuracy, however additional work is required to understand how loin preparation, blooming and surface hydration affect NIR measurement.

Association between visual marbling score and chemical intramuscular fat with camera marbling percentage in Australian beef carcasses.

This study assessed the precision and accuracy in the prediction of chemical intramuscular fat (IMF%), Meat Standards Australia (MSA) marbling score and AUS-MEAT eye-muscle area (EMA) using Meat Imaging Japan (MIJ) prototype camera systems. Eleven carcass datasets from the Beef Information Nucleus (BIN) project were compiled with carcass grading, IMF% and camera data. Camera prediction of IMF%, MSA marbling score and EMA was assessed using a leave-one-out cross validation method. There was an association between MIJ mirror and MIJ-30 camera traits and IMF%, MSA marbling score and EMA. However, for both prototypes precision varied for IMF% (R2 = 0.4-0.5, RMSECV = 1.5-1.6%), MSA marbling (R2 = 0.3-0.5, RMSECV = 57.5-59.3) and EMA (R2 = 0.7-0.6, RMSECV = 4.1-5.8 cm2). Accuracy also fluctuated with average bias values of 1.7-1.8%, 45.8-40.0 units and 3.8-4.1 cm2 for IMF%, MSA marbling score and EMA respectively. Key differences between carcass and camera traits and processing factors affecting the grading site are likely to have contributed to this variation.

Objective grading of eye muscle area, intramuscular fat and marbling in Australian beef and lamb.

The objective of this study was to test the performance of a prototype vision system in phenotypically diverse beef and lamb carcasses against visual grading of eye muscle area (EMA), marbling and chemical intramuscular fat (IMF%). Validation in beef demonstrated that the camera prototype in combination with analytical techniques enabled prediction of EMA (r2 = 0.83, RMSEP = 6.4 cm2), MSA marbling (r2 = 0.76, RMSEP = 66.1), AUS-MEAT marbling (r2 = 0.70, RMSEP = 0.74) and chemical IMF% (r2 = 0.78, RMSEP = 1.85%). Accuracy was also maintained on validation with all four traits displaying minimal bias of -3.6, 6.3, 0.07 and - 0.01, for EMA, MSA marbling, AUS-MEAT marbling and IMF% respectively. Preliminary analysis in lamb indicates potential of the system for the prediction of EMA (r2 = 0.41, RMSEP = 1.87) and IMF% (r2 = 0.28, RMSEP = 1.10), however further work to standardise image acquisition and environmental conditions is required.

Prediction of consumer palatability in beef using visual marbling scores and chemical intramuscular fat percentage.

With development of objective technologies that can predict chemical intramuscular fat percentage (IMF%), there is a need to understand the relationships between existing marbling traits, IMF% and eating quality. This study utilised historical carcass data (n = 9641 observations) from the Meat Standards Australia (MSA) industry research dataset and included MSA grading data, chemical IMF% data and weighted composite eating quality scores (MQ4). Several analyses were performed to assess the prediction of MQ4 by MSA marbling, M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum (striploin) IMF% and cut specific IMF%. Results demonstrated that there was similar precision between chemical IMF% (R2 = 0.32, RSE = 11.8) and MSA marbling (R2 = 0.28, RSE = 11.9) in the prediction of grilled 14 day aged striploin MQ4, with similar results across other cut by cook by days aged combinations. These results support the development of objective technologies that predict chemical IMF% in parallel with MSA marbling for carcass grading and the prediction of eating quality.

Feed deprivation in Merino and Terminal sired lambs: (1) the metabolic response under resting conditions.

The aim of this study was to examine the metabolic response to feed deprivation up to 48 h in low and high yielding lamb genotypes. It was hypothesised that Terminal sired lambs would have decreased plasma glucose and increased plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHOB) concentrations in response to feed deprivation compared to Merino sired lambs. In addition, it was hypothesised that the metabolic changes due to feed deprivation would also be greater in progeny of sires with breeding values for greater growth, muscling and leanness. Eighty nine lambs (45 ewes, 44 wethers) from Merino dams with Merino or Terminal sires with a range in Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs) for post-weaning weight (PWT), post-weaning eye muscle depth and post-weaning fat depth (PFAT) were used in this experiment. Blood samples were collected via jugular cannulas every 6 h from time 0 to 48 h of feed deprivation for the determination of plasma glucose, NEFA, BHOB and lactate concentration. From 12 to 48 h of feed deprivation plasma glucose concentration decreased (P < 0.05) by 25% from 4.04 ± 0.032 mmol/l to 3.04 ± 0.032 mmol/l. From 6 h NEFA concentration increased (P < 0.05) from 0.15 ± 0.021 mmol/l by almost 10-fold to 1.34 ± 0.021 mmol/l at 48 h of feed deprivation. Feed deprivation also influenced BHOB concentrations and from 12 to 48 h it increased (P < 0.05) from 0.15 ± 0.010 mmol/l to 0.52 ± 0.010 mmol/l. Merino sired lambs had a 8% greater reduction in glucose and 29% and 10% higher NEFA and BHOB response, respectively, compared to Terminal sired lambs (P < 0.05). In Merino sired lambs, increasing PWT was also associated with an increase in glucose and decline in NEFA and BHOB concentration (P < 0.05). In Terminal sired lambs, increasing PFAT was associated with an increase in glucose and decline in NEFA concentration (P < 0.05). Contrary to the hypothesis, Merino sired lambs showed the greatest metabolic response to fasting especially in regards to fat metabolism.

Feed deprivation in Merino and Terminal sired lambs: (2) the metabolic response under pre-slaughter conditions and impact on meat quality and carcass yield.

Under current Australian industry pre-slaughter guidelines, lambs may be off feed for up to 48 h before slaughter. The purpose of this study was to examine what proportion of circulating metabolites at slaughter are due to stress and feed deprivation and if this response differs between Merino and Terminal genotypes. In addition the effect of feed deprivation on carcass weight and meat quality was examined. Jugular blood samples were collected from 88 Merino and Terminal sired lambs at rest and at slaughter following 24, 36 and 48 h of feed deprivation and plasma analysed for glucose, lactate, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHOB). From the same carcasses hot carcass weight (HCWT) were measured as well as a suite of meat quality traits measured such as M. longissimus lumborum (loin) and M. semitendinosus pH at 24 h postmortem. Loin samples were also analysed for intramuscular fat content and Warner-Bratzer Shear Force. Merino sired lambs had a higher NEFA response compared to Terminal sired lambs at slaughter after 24, 36 and 48 h of feed deprivation, with NEFA levels up to 35% higher than previously reported in the same animals at rest in animal house conditions, whereas BHOB response to feed deprivation was not affected by sire type (P>0.05) and similar to previously reported at rest. In addition to the metabolic effects, increasing feed deprivation from 36 h was associated with a 3% reduction in HCWT and dressing percentage as well as causing increased ultimate pH in the M. semitendinosus in Merino sired lambs. Findings from this study demonstrate that Merino and Terminal sired lambs differ in their metabolic response to feed deprivation under commercial slaughter conditions. In addition, commercial feed deprivation appears to have a negative effect on ultimate pH and carcass weight and warrants further investigation.

Lamb loin tenderness is not associated with plasma indicators of pre-slaughter stress.

The purpose of this study was to test if associations exist between plasma indicators of acute and chronic stress and lamb loin Warner Bratzler Shear Force (WBSF). Blood was collected at exsanguination from 2877 lambs from the Meat and Livestock Genetic Research flock with a suite of indicators analysed. Loin (M. longissimus lumborum) WBSF was measured after 5days aging. Plasma indicators of stress did not relate to WBSF, however a positive association was found between WBSF and kill order, indicating that immediate pre-slaughter factors may be causing reduced tenderness in lamb. In addition, selection for decreased fat depth (PFAT) was associated with increased loin WSBF, indicating that genetic selection for increased carcass leanness is negatively affecting lamb loin tenderness.

Perceptions of veterinary admissions committee members of undergraduate credits earned from community colleges or online compared to traditional 4-year institutions.

Veterinary admission committees are asked to create and implement a fair, reliable, and valid system to select the candidates most likely to succeed in veterinary school from a large pool of applicants. Although numerous studies have explored grade point average (GPA) as a predictive value of later academic success, there has been little attention paid to how and where an applicant acquires his/her undergraduate coursework. Quality of academic program is an important component of applicant files, and it is suggested that the source of a candidate's coursework might influence admissions committee decisions, perhaps even outside of the committee's immediate awareness. Options for undergraduate education include taking classes at a traditional four-year institution, a community college, or online. This study provides an overview of the current state of online courses and community colleges in the US as a foundation to explore the views of veterinary admissions committee members pertaining to coursework completed at traditional residential 4-year schools or at community colleges and whether they are delivered on campus or online (at either type of institution). Survey participants reported a pattern of preference for traditional four-year residential coursework compared to online or community college courses. These results are interesting given the exponential growth of students taking online courses and data showing community colleges are providing a successful gateway to obtaining a four-year degree. This also points to the need for admission committees to discuss potential biases since the information about type of school and/or course may not be consistently available for all applicants. Finally, at a time when admitting a diverse class of students is a goal of many programs, it is of special concern that there are potential biases against courses taken online or from community colleges - venues that tend to draw a more diverse population than traditional 4-year universities.

Atomic layer deposition and biocompatibility of titanium nitride nano-coatings on cellulose fiber substrates.

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is investigated as a process to produce inorganic metallic bio-adhesive coatings on cellulosic fiber substrates. The atomic layer deposition technique is known to be capable of forming highly conformal and uniform inorganic thin film coatings on a variety of complex surfaces, and this work presents an initial investigation of ALD on porous substrate materials to produce high-precision biocompatible titanium oxynitride coatings. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed TiNOx composition, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis showed the coatings to be uniform and conformal on the fiber surfaces. Biocompatibility of the modified structures was determined as a function of coating layer thickness by fluorescent live/dead staining of human adipose-derived adult stem cells (hADSC) at 6, 12 and 24 h. Cell adhesion showed that thin TiNOx coatings yielded the highest number of cells after 24 h with a sample coated with a 20 A coating having approximately 28.4 +/- 3.50 ng DNA. By altering the thickness of the deposited film, it was possible to control the amount of cells adhered to the samples. This work demonstrates the potential of low temperature ALD as a surface modification technique to produce biocompatible cellulose and other implant materials.

Overweight, obesity, weight-related concerns and behaviours in Hong Kong Chinese children and adolescents.

AIM: To study the prevalence of overweight and obesity, and weight-related concerns and behaviours among overweight, obese and non-overweight children and adolescents. METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional survey of all Chinese students in primary schools in the Central and Western District of Hong Kong in March 2002. Thirty-one of 32 schools participated, and 5402 boys and 5371 girls aged 8 to 15 y who completed a standardized questionnaire were included. We used the International Obesity Task Force definition (IOTF reference) to define overweight and obesity. RESULTS: The prevalence (95% CI) of overweight was 16.4% (15.7-17.1%) (19.9% in boys, 12.9% in girls), and that of obesity was 7.7% (7.2-8.2%) (10.3% in boys and 5.1% in girls). The combined prevalence of overweight and obesity was similar to that based on the local reference. Overweight children had more concerns about their weight than obese children. They were more likely than obese children to feel fat, wish to be lighter, diet and exercise to lose weight. Although obese children were heavier, they did not make more effort to lose weight than overweight children. CONCLUSIONS: The differences in weight-related concerns and behaviours among overweight, obese and non-overweight children suggested good validity of the IOTF reference and the self-reported data. The differences between overweight and obese children suggested that the two groups had different psychological states and that they needed different weight management programmes and other intervention strategies.

Establishment and evaluation of a trauma clinic based in a primary care setting.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to establish and evaluate a referral centre for the treatment of children with traumatized teeth in an area remote from a dental hospital. SETTING: The study was conducted in a Community Dental Service clinic in Cheshire, UK. METHODS: A dentist from the Cheshire Community Dental Service was trained in the treatment and management of traumatized teeth. Invite referrals to the trauma clinic in a health centre. The number and types of patients referred and treated at the trauma clinic were monitored. In addition, the parents of referred children and referring dentists were asked to comment on the acceptability of the service. RESULTS: During the first 12 months, 49 patients with 74 traumatized teeth were referred to the trauma clinic. The majority of the patients were referred by their dentist because problems arose following their initial management. Both parents and referring dentists were very satisfied with the service. CONCLUSIONS: The trauma clinic fulfilled a clinical need, and was well received by the parents of children referred to the clinic and by the local dentists.

Smoking and high-risk sexual behavior among young adults in Hong Kong.

Young adults (n = 964; never married; age, 18-27 years) in Hong Kong were surveyed to obtain information about their smoking habits and sexual behaviors. Current smokers (15% of the entire sample) and those who had ever had sexual intercourse (28%) were more likely to be male, to have ended their education at secondary school, and to report less life satisfaction. After controlling for demographic and psychosocial correlates, sexual intercourse was associated with smoking status for both males and females. Among those who were sexually active, those who had multiple sexual partners, had their first sexual experience prior to age 18 years, and (for males) reported visiting massage parlors were more likely to have a history of smoking. Our findings extend those of our previous study with community adolescents in Hong Kong and suggest that smoking may be a marker for other high-risk behaviors among young Chinese adults.

Prevalence and correlates of smoking and sexual activity among Hong Kong adolescents.

PURPOSE: To report on the prevalence and correlates of smoking and sexual activity in a community sample of Hong Kong Chinese adolescents. METHODS: Participants (N = 4116) aged 13 to 18 years were surveyed regarding smoking and physical heterosexual activity, relationships with family members, family involvement, social support, school performance and emotional adjustment. Data were analyzed using logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: About 30% of participants reported ever smoking and 3.5% reported sexual intercourse. Current smoking was correlated with age, school performance and quality of relationship with mother. Sexual intercourse was correlated with age, gender, family involvement and social support. Smoking and sexual activity were significantly correlated with each other. Smoking and increasing levels of heterosexual physical contact were negatively correlated with emotional adjustment, even after controlling for common predictors to health-endangering behaviors and emotional adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking and sexual activity among adolescents are far less common in Hong Kong than in the West and their presence in a Hong Kong adolescent should alert the health practitioner to the possibility of significant psychosocial stress and maladjustment.

Preliminary evaluation of "interpreter" role plays in teaching communication skills to medical undergraduates.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Multiculturalism presents linguistic obstacles to health care provision. We explored the early introduction of "interpreter" role-play exercises in teaching medical undergraduates communication skills. The interpreter role creates a natural barrier in communication providing an active prompt for recognizing learning needs in this area. METHODS: Bilingual Cantonese first-year medical students (n=160) were randomly allocated to either "Observer" or "Interpreter" role plays at a small-group introductory communication skills workshop using a quasi experimental design, counterbalanced across tutors. Students assessed their own skill competence before and, together with their perceptions of the different role plays' effectiveness, again after the workshop, using an anonymous 16 item Likert-type scale, analysed using ANOVA and MANOVA. RESULTS: Students' assessments of their skills improved significantly following the workshop (F=73.19 [1,156], P=0.0009). Students in the observer group reported greater changes in their scores following the workshop than did students in the interpreter group (F=4.84 [1,156], P=0.029), largely due to improvement in perceived skill (F=4.38 [1,156], P=0.038) rather than perceived programme effectiveness (F=3.13 [1,156], P > 0.05). Subsequent MANOVA indicated no main effect of observer/interpreter conditions, indicating these differences could be attributed to chance alone (F=1.41 [16 141], P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The workshop positively influenced students' perceived communication skills, but the "Interpreter" role was less effective than the "Observer" role in achieving this. Future studies should examine whether interpreter role plays introduced later in the medical programme are beneficial.

Pathways from emotional adjustment to glycemic control in youths with diabetes in Hong Kong.

OBJECTIVE: To examine factors that influence emotional adjustment, adherence to diabetic care, and glycemic control in Hong Kong youths with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). METHODS: Seventy youths, their mothers, and matched controls provided information on health beliefs, authoritarian parenting style, parent-child conflict, emotional adjustment, and adherence to medical regimen. Glycosylated hemoglobin levels were obtained to measure glycemic control. RESULTS: Predictors explained 34% of the variance in emotional adjustment and 39% of the variance in glycemic control. The data supported a pathway from emotional adjustment to self-efficacy to adherence behaviors to glycemic control. In contrast to Western culture and consistent with prediction, parenting style did not associate with negative outcomes, and even relatively low levels of parent-child conflict correlated negatively with emotional adjustment in this culture. CONCLUSIONS: Management of conflict and self-efficacy enhancing interactions are suggested interventions to enhance adherence to diabetic care in Hong Kong youths with IDDM.

Suicide ideation and its relationship to depressed mood in a community sample of adolescents in Hong Kong.

A sample of 996 Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong provided information about their suicide ideation. Their depressive symptoms were measured by the Chinese Beck Depression Inventory (C-BDI), and a broad range of stressors were also assessed as potential predictors to level of suicide ideation. The stressors and C-BDI scores predicted 33% of the variance in suicide ideation. In boys, most of the prediction was attributable to C-BDI scores, suggesting that depression mediated the effects of stressors. In girls, C-BDI scores, perceptions of low parental caring, and high conflict with parents had additive effects in predicting level of suicide ideation. This study contributes needed information about a non-Western population and highlights gender differences.

The correlates of depressed mood in adolescents in Hong Kong.

PURPOSE: Most studies of depressed mood and its correlates in adolescents have been conducted in Western countries. This study examined the relationship between a broad range of stressors and depressed mood in a community sample of Hong Kong adolescents. METHODS: Secondary school students (n = 996) completed the Chinese Beck Depression Inventory (C-BDI), provided demographic information, and indicated their perceptions of family and peer relationships, school function and pressures, and subjective health, and some measures salient to the Hong Kong environment: triad gang pressure, religiosity, and intent to emigrate. The correlation between C-BDI and these variables was assessed in bivariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Hong Kong adolescents reported higher levels of depressive symptoms than a comparison group of Western teenagers. Girls showed more symptoms than boys. All stressors correlated in bivariate analyses with C-BDI, indicating similar influences on depressed mood in Western and Hong Kong teenagers. In multivariate analyses, the stressors contributed cumulatively to the C-BDI score. Perceptions of a lack of parental understanding and peer acceptance appeared as the strongest variables in predicting depressed mood. CONCLUSIONS: Depressed mood is highly prevalent among Hong Kong teenagers. Stressors play a cumulative role in their relationship to mood. Our findings point to the importance of broad screening of this vulnerable population.

A prospective analysis of stress and academic performance in the first two years of medical school.

AIM: This study provides prospective, longitudinal data on the relationship between stress-related measures and academic performance during the first two years of medical school. METHODS: First year medical students (n = 121) were surveyed prior to beginning classes (wave 1), and again 8 months later (wave 2). Personality variables predisposing to distress (optimism and trait anxiety), stress response (depression and state anxiety), and stress management strategies were assessed at wave 1 and wave 2. Pre-medical academic scores, and grades at the end of five assessment periods over the course of the first 2 years of medical school were also obtained. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: As expected, pre-medical-school academic performance strongly predicted performance in medical school. Academic performance before and during medical school was negatively related to reported stress levels. On bivariate correlations, there were numerous significant relationships between stress reported at waves 1 and 2, and medical school academic performance assessed after these measures. In addition there were modest negative correlations between self-reported coping strategies of 'humour' and 'wishful thinking', and consequent academic performance. However, the predictive value of stress and its management on prospective academic performance was much decreased once pre-medical-school performance was statistically controlled.