Light wavelength and its impact on broiler health.

Light is a powerful management tool in poultry production systems, affecting productivity, physiology, and behavior. The objective of this study was to understand the impacts of three light colors (blue, green, or white) on broiler health. Broilers (N = 14,256) were raised in floor pens with fresh litter from 0 to 35 d in 9 rooms (2 blocked trials). Additionally, 2 genotypes (Ross YPMx708 and EPMx708) and sex were studied (6 room replications per lighting treatment and 18 pen replicates per sex × genotype × lighting program). Blood samples and tissue samples from the retina and the pineal gland were collected from birds (16-18 d of age) 9 times in one 24-hr period per trial, then analyzed to determine melatonin levels (pg/mL). Mobility was assessed via gait scoring, using a 0 to 5 scale at 31 to 32 d of age. Footpad dermatitis was assessed using a 0 to 4 scale, and litter quality by a subjective scoring system (scores ranging from 0-4). Mortality and morbidity causes were identified through necropsies performed by pathologists. Data were analyzed as a 3 × 2 × 2 factorial design, with trial as a random variable block and lighting treatment nested within rooms (MIXED procedure, SAS). Birds raised under blue light had lower serum melatonin levels during one time-point during the scotophase, but no other differences were noted. No effect of light color was observed for melatonin produced in the tissues, nor mobility and footpad dermatitis. An interaction was noted for litter quality where a higher percentage of pens housing YPM-708 broilers had litter categorized into dry, but not easily moved with the foot (category 1). Males had higher incidence of infectious and metabolic deaths than females. Interactions were observed between light and sex, where males raised under white light had a higher incidence of skeletal causes of mortality. Overall, the results showed that light color had minor impacts only on melatonin levels, mobility, footpad dermatitis, litter quality, and cause of mortality.

Light color and the commercial broiler: effect on behavior, fear, and stress.

Light is an important component in poultry production, and it may impact bird behavior, an important component of animal welfare. Light-emitting diode (LED) lamps are of interest for broiler production since they are inexpensive to run and provide monochromatic colors. This study aimed to understand the impact of three light colors (blue, green, or white), provided by LED lighting, on behavioral expression, stress and fear levels of broilers. A total of 14,256 male and female broilers of 2 genotypes (Ross EPMx708 and Ross YPMx708) were housed in 9 rooms in 2 blocked trials (3 room replicates per light per trial), with sexes and genotypes housed in 12 separate pens per room. Behavioral expression was recorded using an infrared camera and analyzed using a scan sampling technique. To assess fear, 3 tests were conducted: tonic immobility, novel object, and response to observer. Blood was collected to evaluate chronic stress using the heterophil:lymphocyte (H:L) ratio. Data were statistically analyzed using SAS (MIXED procedure) in a 3 × 2 × 2 factorial design, with lighting treatment nested within room. Fear tests indicated reduced fear levels in birds raised under blue light (lower latency to rise during the tonic immobility test and a lower percentage of birds moving due to the passage by of an observer). No differences were observed for the novel object test. Light color resulted in changes in stress levels, indicated by a lower H:L ratio for broilers raised under blue light compared to those raised under white light. Behavior was influenced by light color, especially at 33 to 34 d of age, where birds raised under white light were more active, and birds raised under blue light spent more time resting. Overall, results indicated that light color has minor influences on behavioral expression. Utilizing blue light during the brooding and rearing phase leads to lower stress and a reduction in fear, suggesting that blue light may improve the emotional states of fear and stress, thereby improving the welfare of poultry.

Does light color during brooding and rearing impact broiler productivity?

Light color during brooding and rearing may impact broiler production; however, literature results are inconsistent. To address this, the effects of 3 wavelength spectra on broiler performance in 2 sex and 2 genotypes (Ross YPMx708 and EPMx708) were studied. Broilers were raised (d 0-35) under wavelength programs provided by LED light bulbs (blue (455 nm), green (510 nm) or white) under similar intensities (clux). Two trials were conducted (total number of birds =  14,256; 6 room replications per lighting treatment; 18 replicate pens per light × sex × genotype). Data were analyzed as a 3 × 2 × 2 (wavelength × sex × genotype) factorial design, with trial as a random variable block and wavelength nested within rooms (Proc Mixed, SAS 9.4). Birds raised under white light were heavier than under blue or green light at d7 (P = 0.004), and green at d14 (P = 0.03). Feed intake, gain-to-feed efficiency and flock uniformity (d15, 28) did not differ. Mortality only differed at wk 5, when broilers raised under white light had higher mortality than those raised under blue (P = 0.03). YPM-708 were heavier at 21 d (P = 0.007), 28 d (P = 0.001), and 35 d (P < 0.0001), had a better total feed conversion rate (P < 0.0001), higher mortality for wk 1 (P = 0.001), lower mortality during the last wk (P = 0.02) and better uniformity at 28 d (P = 0.01) than EPM-708 broilers. Males were heavier at all measured ages except d0 (d7-P = 0.03, other weeks P < 0.0001), had better total feed conversion (P < 0.0001), increased weekly mortality except for wk 1 (wk2-P = 0.04, wk3-P = 0.002, wk4, 5, and total-P = 0.0001) and were less uniform (P = 0.0002) than females. YPM-708 and EPM-708 males had higher total feed intake (P < 0.0001), and males raised under white light had higher mortality than females raised under white or blue light (P = 0.01). To conclude, the use of specific light colors (blue and green) had only minor impacts on broiler production when light intensity was equalized and balanced for bird spectral sensitivity, and its use to improve productivity does not appear to be advantageous for broilers in a commercial setting.

Assessing cognitive functioning in ALS: A focus on frontal lobe processes.

OBJECTIVE: It is generally acknowledged that at least 50% of individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) will exhibit cognitive deficits outside of the characteristic motor neuron involvement. However, a specific cognitive profile has been difficult to ascertain due to disease-related testing barriers and limitations in the sensitivity and specificity of available assessment methods. This study assessed the level of functioning of extramotor frontal cognitive processes in ALS, and the amount of change in the functioning in these processes over time as disease progresses. METHODS: Empirical tests validated for a model of frontal lobe functioning were modified into an assessment battery appropriate for individuals with ALS in a clinical setting (the ALS-CFB, Computerised Frontal Battery). Twenty ALS participants and 36 age- and education-matched neurologically healthy controls were tested, and a sub-sample of each group (11 ALS and 20 controls) re-tested after approximately nine months. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Compared to standard neuropsychological screening tests that did not show a difference between ALS participants and healthy controls, the ALS-CFB illustrated a profile of extramotor frontal dysfunction involving energisation (preparing the neural system to respond) and executive functions, a profile that may be indicative of the nature of neurodegeneration in ALS.

An assessment of the accuracy and utility of the primary care electronic medical record as used by the British Army.

INTRODUCTION: For the purposes of patient safety, audit and research, the electronic patient record (EPR) must be accurate and searchable. No evaluation of the accuracy of EPRs compared with paper records has been made. Furthermore, the use of Read codes is known to be heterogeneous. This study was designed to evaluate the EPR used by the UK Armed Forces. METHODS: A cross-sectional study reviewing the paper records and EPRs of 50 consecutive soldiers posted to a British Army Training Regiment. RESULTS: There was a pre-enlistment summary in only 38% of the paper notes, although 24% had some primary care records from prior to enlistment. There were 357 entries that should have been transferred to the EPR. Of these, only 190 (53.2%) were transferred with appropriate Read codes, while only 24% of patients reviewed had all their entries appropriately Read coded. There were 168 secondary care letters discovered with 122 (72.6%) generically Read coded and 46 (27.4%) using an appropriate Read code. Of those letters with more than one potential Read code, 34 (73.9%) were coded using all appropriate Read codes. Several incidental errors in the medical records were also discovered with significant patient safety implications. CONCLUSIONS: The historical paper-based medical record was found to have many data missing. The transfer of these paper records to the EPR has been inaccurate with many records not transferred or transferred ineffectively. These findings have an impact on patient safety, audit and data security and should trigger a review of how the Armed Forces manage their primary care records.

Pneumoperitoneum without visceral trauma: an under-recognised phenomenon after blast injury?

OBJECTIVES: The management of patients who have sustained blast injuries poses an important challenge for military healthcare professionals. Current military operations are generating large numbers of casualties and modern military healthcare facilities are increasingly using CT scanning to facilitate their management. This small case series serves to draw attention to a rare (or possibly under-reported) phenomenon after blast injury. METHODS AND RESULTS: We report two patients exposed to blast who had pneumoperitoneum identified by CT scan but who did not have abdominal visceral injury or ballistic peritoneal violation. DISCUSSION: The use of cross-sectional imaging is leading to the recognition of otherwise occult injury. Military practitioners should be aware of this injury pattern when using CT to help select patients for conservative management after abdominal blast injury.

Regional frontal injuries cause distinct impairments in cognitive control.

BACKGROUND: Lesions of the frontal lobes may impair the capacity of patients to control otherwise intact cognitive operations in the face of ambiguous sensory input or conflicting possible responses. OBJECTIVE: To address the question of whether focal lesions in different regions of the frontal lobes produced specific impairments in cognitive control. METHODS: We evaluated 42 patients with chronic frontal lesions and 38 control subjects on a modified Stroop test that allowed measurement of reaction times and errors. Planned, stratified analyses permitted identification of discrete frontal lesions that are critical for impaired performance. RESULTS: Lesions of the left ventrolateral region produced an increased number of incorrect responses to distractors. Lesions of a large portion of the right superior medial region, including anterior cingulate, supplementary motor area (SMA), pre-SMA, and dorsolateral areas, caused a slow reaction time and a decreased number of correct responses to targets. CONCLUSION: Lesions in two distinct frontal regions impair cognitive control for a Stroop task, and the mechanisms of impairment are specific to the region of injury. This is support for a general proposal that the supervisory system is constructed of distinct subsystems.

Impaired concentration due to frontal lobe damage from two distinct lesion sites.

BACKGROUND: Investigations of cognitive deficits after frontal lobe damage have commonly relied on multidimensional tests and relatively coarse specification of lesion anatomy. Some form of impairment in attention is often asserted to cause the revealed deficits. OBJECTIVE: To describe a disorder of attention in patients with frontal damage using a theoretical model of the fundamental cognitive processes that underlie attention. METHODS: The ability to perform a task of concentrated responding was studied in 43 patients with well-defined chronic frontal lesions and 38 control subjects using a continuous reaction time (RT) test. Performance measures were mean RT, RT across blocks of the test, and errors. Lesion measures were coarse localization and a hot-spot analysis to detect finer grained lesion effects. RESULTS: Only patients with lesions in the right superomedial (SM) frontal regions had significantly prolonged RT consistently across the entire test. The critical lesion was in Brodmann's areas 24, 32, 9, and 46 days and in the adjacent corpus callosum. Patients with lesions in left lateral frontal (LL) regions made significantly more errors on the 20% of trials in the first block. The critical lesion was in areas 44, 45, and 47/12. CONCLUSION: Concentrating attention to respond is affected by lesions in two different frontal regions for reasons that reflect impairments in different cognitive processes. Right superomedial lesions cause an insufficient energizing of attention to respond. Left lateral lesions cause defective setting of specific stimulus-response contingencies. Constrained tests of attention can demonstrate impairments in specific cognitive operations following lesions to different regions of the frontal lobes.