SGO and the elephant that is still in the room: Wellness, burnout and gynecologic oncology.

OBJECTIVE: To measure wellness and burnout among gynecologic oncology clinicians and identify trends and at-risk populations to inform future interventions. METHODS: Gynecologic oncologist (GO) and advanced practice provider (APP) responses to the 2020 Society of Gynecologic Oncology State of the Society survey were analyzed. The Maslach Burnout Inventory criteria for burnout was used. Work-life balance was scored on a 5-point Likert scale. Chi-square tests were used to compare mental health factors and the prevalence of burnout. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for associations between burnout and gender. RESULTS: 543 survey responses were included for analysis. Most GO (54%) and all APP respondents were female. Female GOs were disproportionately affected by burnout particularly in the Northeast (female(F): 40.9% vs male(M): 19.1%, p = 0.007) and South (F: 42.5% vs M:22.9%, p = 0.01). Burnout in female GOs over 40 was 1.79 (CI: 1.13-2.83; p-value 0.01) times higher than similarly aged males. Females in non-private practice experienced burnout 1.66 times that of males in similar positions (CI: 1.18-2.94; p < 0.0001). Female GOs reported the worst work-life balance across all 5 domains. APPs and female GOs experienced more stress and feeling overwhelmed compared to men. GOs were more reluctant to see a mental health professional (p = 0.0003) or take medication (p = 0.009) than APPs. CONCLUSIONS: Burnout in gynecologic oncology persists in both genders and is felt most acutely by female GOs. APPs are not immune and would benefit from inclusion in future research to mitigate burnout in healthcare clinicians.

Characterization of Salt Overly Sensitive 1 (SOS1) gene homoeologs in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.).

Salt tolerance is an agronomically important trait that affects plant species around the globe. The Salt Overly Sensitive 1 (SOS1) gene encodes a plasma membrane Na+/H+ antiporter that plays an important role in germination and growth of plants in saline environments. Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is a halophytic, allotetraploid grain crop of the family Amaranthaceae with impressive nutritional content and an increasing worldwide market. Many quinoa varieties have considerable salt tolerance, and research suggests quinoa may utilize novel mechanisms to confer salt tolerance. Here we report the cloning and characterization of two homoeologous SOS1 loci (cqSOS1A and cqSOS1B) from C. quinoa, including full-length cDNA sequences, genomic sequences, relative expression levels, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis, and a phylogenetic analysis of SOS1 genes from 13 plant taxa. The cqSOS1A and cqSOS1B genes each span 23 exons spread over 3477 bp and 3486 bp of coding sequence, respectively. These sequences share a high level of similarity with SOS1 homologs of other species and contain two conserved domains, a Nhap cation-antiporter domain and a cyclic-nucleotide binding domain. Genomic sequence analysis of two BAC clones (98 357 bp and 132 770 bp) containing the homoeologous SOS1 genes suggests possible conservation of synteny across the C. quinoa sub-genomes. This report represents the first molecular characterization of salt-tolerance genes in a halophytic species in the Amaranthaceae as well as the first comparative analysis of coding and non-coding DNA sequences of the two homoeologous genomes of C. quinoa.

Description of Paeon asymboli n. sp. (Copepoda: Sphyriidae), parasitic on Asymbolus spp. (catsharks) and a new host record for P. australis Kabata, 1993.

Paeon asymboli n. sp. (Copepoda: Sphyriidae) is described and illustrated from two female specimens taken from the gills of a grey spotted catshark Asymbolus analis (Ogilby) and an orange spotted catshark A. rubiginosus (Last, Gomon & Gledhill) (Scyliorhinidae) from off southeastern Queensland, Australia. The key features for identification are: a pear-shaped trunk, longer than it is wide, along with a cephalothorax characterised by two large ventral papillae, projecting laterally and supporting a number of secondary lobes; a single mid-line, sub-conical papilla located antero-dorsal to the ventral papillae; an anterior surface bearing two prominent stalked papillae; and an absence of posterolateral lobular processes. P. australis Kabata, 1993 is recorded for the first time from the eastern shovelnose ray Aptychotrema rostrata (Shaw & Nodder) (Rhinobatidae).

Effect of age at feedlot entry on performance and carcass characteristics of bulls and steers.

Seventy Angus x Simmental calves (BW = 166.3 +/- 4.2 kg) were used in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement to determine the effect of age at feedlot entry and castration on growth, performance, and carcass characteristics. At 82 d of age, steers were castrated. Calves were placed in the feedlot at 111 (early-weaned), 202, or 371 (yearling) d of age. Steers were implanted with Synovex-S followed 93 d later with Revalor-S. Calves were harvested on an individual basis when fat thickness was estimated to be 1.27 cm. During the feedlot phase, yearlings gained faster (P < 0.01) than calves placed in the feedlot at 202 or 111 d of age (1.88, 1.68, and 1.62 kg/d, respectively); however, from 111 d of age until harvest, ADG was greatest for early-weaned calves, intermediate for cattle placed in the feedlot at 202 d of age, and lowest for yearlings (1.62, 1.47, and 1.21 kg/d, respectively; P < 0.01). Early-weaned calves spent the most days in the feedlot, followed by calves placed in the feedlot at 202 d of age; yearlings spent the fewest days in the feedlot (221, 190, and 163 d, respectively; P < 0.01). Total DMI when in the feedlot was similar (P = 0.22) among age groups; however, daily DMI was lowest for early-weaned calves, intermediate for calves placed in the feedlot at 202 d of age, and the highest for yearlings (7.1, 8.1, 10.5 kg/ d, respectively; P < 0.01). Early-weaned calves were the most efficient, followed by calves placed in the feedlot at 202 d of age; yearlings were the least efficient (227, 207, 180 g gain/kg feed, respectively; P < 0.01). Weight at harvest (682, 582, 517 kg, respectively; P < 0.01) and hot carcass weight (413, 358, 314 kg, respectively; P < 0.01) were greatest for yearlings, intermediate for cattle placed in the feedlot at 202 d of age, and lowest for early-weaned calves. Early-weaned calves had the smallest longissimus area, followed by calves placed in the feed-lot at 202 d of age; yearlings had the largest longissimus area (77, 86, 88 cm2, respectively; P < 0.01). Calves placed in the feedlot at 111 and 202 d of age had lower yield grades (3.2, 3.1, 3.5, respectively; P < 0.04), and produced fewer select carcasses than yearlings (25, 13, 48%, respectively; P < 0.01). Bulls and implanted steers both had an ADG of 1.7 kg/d when in the feedlot; however, bulls had a greater (P < 0.09) hot carcass weight (370 vs 354 kg) and a larger (P < 0.01) longissimus area (85.8 vs 81.3 cm2) than steers. Earlier feedlot placement resulted in greater quality grades but lower carcass weights.

Effect of an accelerated finishing program on performance, carcass characteristics, and circulating insulin-like growth factor I concentration of early-weaned bulls and steers.

Sixty-three Angus x Simmental calves were allotted to a bull or a steer group based on sire, birth date, and birth weight to determine effects of castration status on performance, carcass characteristics, and circulating insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) concentrations in early-weaned cattle. At 75 d of age, calves in the steer group were castrated. Calves were not creep-fed prior to weaning. All calves were weaned and weighed at an average age of 115 d and transported by truck to the OARDC feedlot in Wooster, OH. Performance and carcass characteristics were measured in three phases. Phase 1 was from 115 to 200 d of age, phase 2 was from 201 to 277 d of age, and phase 3 was from 278 d of age to slaughter. Before implantation, four bulls and four steers were selected for serial slaughter and carcass evaluation. Steers were implanted with Synovex-C at 130 d of age and with Revalor-S at 200 and 277 d of age. Serum samples were collected from all calves on the day of implantation, 28 and 42 d after implantation, and at slaughter and analyzed for circulating IGF-I concentration. Bulls gained 9.7% faster (1.75 vs 1.60 kg/d; P < 0.01), consumed 25 kg more DM (521 vs 496 kg; P = 0.11), and were 3.3% more efficient (282 vs 273 g/kg, P < 0.10) than steers in phase 1. However, steers gained 10.5% faster (1.62 vs 1.46 kg/d; P < 0.02), consumed similar amounts of DM, and were 6.5% more efficient than bulls (214 vs 201 g/kg; P < 0.06) in phase 2. Overall gains and efficiency were similar between bulls and steers; however, bulls consumed 140 kg more DM (P < 0.05), were 27 kg heavier (P < 0.05), and had to stay in the feedlot 18 more days (P < 0.05) than steers to achieve a similar amount of fat thickness. Implanted steers had greater concentrations of circulating IGF-I than bulls (P < 0.01), and the pattern of IGF-I concentration over time was affected by castration status (castration status x time interaction; P < 0.01). Synovex-C had a lower impact on circulating IGF-I concentration (implant effect, P < 0.01) than either Revalor-S implant. Eighty-five percent of both bulls and steers had marbling scores sufficient to grade low Choice or better. Bulls achieved their target fat thickness later, increased muscle growth, and deposited fat more favorably than steers, possibly due to a gradual increase in IGF-I concentration as the testicles grew rather than the large fluctuations in IGF-I concentration observed in steers following implantation.

Effect of weaning status and implant regimen on growth, performance, and carcass characteristics of steers.

One hundred forty-three Angus x Simmental crossbred steers (initial BW = 155.1 +/- 4.5 kg) were used in a 2-yr study (yr 1, n = 67; yr 2, n = 76) to determine the effects of weaning age, implant regimen, and the weaning age x implant regimen interaction on steer growth and performance, organ mass, carcass characteristics, and cooked beef palatability. Steers were early-weaned at an average age of 108 d (EW) or normally weaned at an average age of 202 d (NW) and allotted by weight to an aggressive or nonaggressive implant regimen. On their respective weaning dates, EW and NW steers were penned individually and fed a grain-based diet until they were slaughtered at a final BW of 546 kg. A subsample of steers (n = 2 per treatment) were slaughtered at 254 kg. At 254 kg, EW steers implanted with the aggressive implant regimen had 64% greater backfat depth than those implanted with the nonaggressive implant regimen; conversely, NW steers implanted with the aggressive implant regimen had 52% lower backfat depth than those implanted with the nonaggressive implant regimen (weaning status x implant regimen interaction; P < 0.01). A similar interaction was observed for empty visceral organ weights. Early-weaned steers were younger (354.7 vs 372.4 d; P < 0.01) at final slaughter but were in the feedlot longer (246.5 vs 169.6 d; P < 0.01) than NW steers, whereas the aggressive implant regimen decreased days fed (203.3 vs 212.7; P < 0.07) compared to the nonaggressive implant regimen. Overall ADG was greater for EW than for NW steers (1.61 vs 1.50 kg/d; P < 0.01) and for the aggressive compared with the nonaggressive implant regimen (1.59 vs 1.52 kg/d; P < 0.02). Early-weaned steers consumed less DM per day (7.4 vs 8.5 kg/d; P < 0.01) and were more efficient (0.217 vs 0.208 kg/kg; P < 0.02) but consumed more total DM (1,817 vs 1,429 kg; P < 0.01) than NW steers while in the feedlot. Implant regimen did not affect DMI (P > 0.37) or feed efficiency (P > 0.15). Weaning status did not affect carcass characteristics (P > 0.14), final empty body composition (P > 0.25), or final longissimus muscle composition (P > 0.18); however, steaks from EW steers had higher (P < 0.05) taste panel tenderness and juiciness ratings than steaks from NW steers. The aggressive implant regimen decreased yield grade (P < 0.02), but did not affect quality grade (P > 0.86) compared to the nonaggressive implant regimen. Placing early-weaned steers on an aggressive implant regimen is a viable management option.

Effects of weaning age and diet on growth and carcass characteristics in steers.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of diet on growth of steers weaned at approximately 100 vs 205 d of age. In Exp. 1, a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial experiment was conducted using 78 Angus crossbred cow-calf pairs. The factors examined were age at weaning (early, at 103+/-3 d [EW] vs normal, at 203+/-3 d [NW]), feeding strategy (ad libitum vs postweaning programmed intake), and dietary CP concentration (100 vs 120% of NRC [1984] recommended levels). Early-weaned calves had a greater (P < .001) ADG than NW calves from 103 to 203 d and reached market weight at 385 d vs 418 d for NW calves (P < .001). Likewise, steers offered feed for ad libitum consumption reached market weight at 394 d, compared with 409 d for programmed-intake steers (P < .05). In Exp. 2, 64 Angus crossbred steers were either weaned at 93+/-3 d and fed one of four diets, weaned at 210+/-3 d without access to creep feed, or weaned at 210+/-3 d with access to creep feed for 60 d prior to weaning. Early-weaned calves were heavier (P < .01) than NW calves at 210 d if fed either 100 or 90% concentrate diets, and they had greater (P < .001) backfat thickness at 210 d but no difference (P > .10) in longissimus muscle area compared to EW calves fed a 60% concentrate diet. At slaughter, 80 to 100% of steers on all treatments graded low Choice or higher. Feeding high-concentrate diets to EW beef calves accelerated growth rate and fat deposition early in the feeding period and may be a way to provide young cattle for a high-quality beef market.

Synchronization of estrus in beef cows and heifers with prostaglandin F(2alpha) and estradiol benzoate.

An experiment was conducted to study an estrous synchronization regimen that involved the use of prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha)) alone or in combination with estradiol benzoate (EB) and appointment breeding. Fifty-three registered Angus yearling heifers and 167 registered Angus cows (3 to 9 yr of age) were given two injections of PGF(2alpha) 11 d apart. Forty-eight hours after the second injection of PGF(2alpha') a random sample consisting of 117 cows and heifers was injected with EB in sesame seed oil. All females in the herd were artificially inseminated 80 h after the second injection of PGF(2alpha). Nearly equal percentages (25.1 vs 25.6%; P = 0.93) of treated (EB) and control (no EB) females conceived at the appointment breeding. Use of EB tended to reduce (P = 0.06) natural service conception rate (83.4 vs 93.1% for EB and control groups, respectively). Estrous synchronization treatment did not affect interval from Day 1 of the breeding season to calving.

Synchronization of estrus in beef cows and heifers with fenprostalene, cloprostenol sodium, and prostaglandin F2 alpha.

The effects of fenprostalene, cloprostenol sodium and prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2alpha) on estrus, conception rate, pregnancy rate, and the interval from Day 1 of the breeding season to calving were studied on 135 purebred Angus cows and heifers. The cows and heifers were randomly allotted within age to the three estrus synchronization treatments and a control group. The calving percentages (for cows and heifers combined) that resulted from artificial insemination (AI) were 32.3, 31.4, 43.6, and 51.1% for the control, fenprostalene, cloprostenol sodium, and PGF2alpha groups, respectively. The calving percentage during the AI period by ages of dam at breeding were 54.2% for yearling heifers, 30.5% for two-year-olds, 47.6% for three-year-olds, and 26.1% for four-year-old or older cows. The percentage of cows and heifers detected in estrus and the percentage that conceived after the first injection for control, fenprostalene, cloprostenol sodium, and PGF2alpha groups were 51.6 and 22.3%, 59.3 and 32.1%, 76.8 and 44.1%, and 66.6 and 50.2%, respectively. The intervals from Day 1 of the breeding season to calving and from Day 1 of the calving season within each treatment to the birth of each calf were control, 285.9 and 23.8 d; fenprostalene, 283.6 and 13.4 d; cloprostenol sodium, 285.5 and 6.5 d; and PGF2alpha, 284.0 and 11.1 d.

Gynandroblastoma of the ovary.

Gynandroblastoma is an extremely rare primary tumour of the ovary showing morphological evidence of both male and female differentiation. We describe the light and ultrastructural features of this tumour and review the present knowledge about its nature, function and behaviour.

The beneficial side of moderate alcohol use.

Accumulating data indicate that the moderate use of alcoholic beverages by adults may reduce the risk of myocardial infarction, improve the quality of life of the elderly, relieve stress, and contribute to nutrition. Published evidence in each of these areas is critically examined. Based on the identification of levels of ethanol intake, below which adverse effects on health are rarely observed, the following upper limits of moderate drinking are proposed: 0.8 g/kg body weight (and an absolute limit of 80 g) on any day, and an average of 0.7 g/kg per day for any three-day period. Documentation, however, is at present inadequate to exclude the possibility that such levels of intake may impair driving by youths and young adults and pose risk to the fetus. Data presented should not be regarded as contradicting the evidence that excessive drinking is harmful to health and that alcoholics, as a rule, should beware of alcohol consumption at any level.

Rabbit cardiomyopathy associated with a virus antigenically related to human coronavirus strain 229E.

A new disease of rabbits is described. Following an acute febrile course, animals die or recover by the 11th day postinoculation. The characteristic pathologic finding is multifocal myocardial degeneration and necrosis. The disease can be transmitted by various routes with tissue filtrates or with infectious sera diluted to 10(-6) and passed through 0.1 micron filters. Virus particles with morphologic features characteristic of a coronavirus are present in infectious but not in normal rabbit serums. The antigen(s) in the infectious serums cross-reacts with the 229E and the OC43 strains of human coronavirus. Antigen cross-reacting with the 229E virus is detectable by immunofluorescent staining in frozen sections of heart tissue from sick but not from healthy animals. Animals surviving infection seroconvert to coronavirus specificity, as demonstrated by the presence in convalescent serums of antibody capable of reacting with the 339E virus. Susceptibility to infection has not been demonstrated in mice, hamsters, or guinea pigs, and the virus was not adapted for growth in tissue culture. It is uncertain whether the agent is a natural pathogen of rabbits or a coronavirus contaminant from another species, possibly human. The name rabbit infectious cardiomyopathy is suggested for this disease.