Ridley College

The growth performance of Penaeus monodon is often reduced when fishmeal is extensively replaced with terrestrial ingredients. This study evaluated the efficacy of a marine microbial biomass, NovaqPro™ (NQ), and inorganic mineral premixes in improving the performance of low fishmeal diets. Diets containing soybean meal, soy protein concentrate, and bloodmeal were formulated with fishmeal limited to 6%. Treatments included 10% NQ, an experimental inorganic mineral premix, a commercial mineral premix, and their combinations added to the low fishmeal control. A high fishmeal diet was also assessed as a benchmark of performance. NQ supplementation significantly improved shrimp growth, increasing weight gain by 78.7% compared with the low fishmeal control (2.77 vs. 1.55 g shrimp−1) and numerically improved by 25.3% compared with the high fishmeal diet (2.21 g shrimp−1). Similar responses were observed for FCR where NQ diets (1.47–1.68), as well as the high fishmeal diet (1.59), were superior to that of the control diet (2.02). Growth improvements were associated with increased feed intake and higher retention of protein and gross energy. In contrast, mineral premix supplementation did not improve growth, and weight gain was numerically reduced relative to the low fishmeal control. The NQ diet showed higher apparent digestibility of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium compared with the high fishmeal diet. These results demonstrate that NQ is an effective mitigation strategy to reduce growth limitations associated with low fishmeal diets in P. monodon, without the need for additional inorganic mineral supplementation.

The increasing prevalence of marine heat waves is a challenge facing global aquaculture, especially for temperate species like Atlantic salmon which, in Australia, are farmed in relatively warm waters. However, we do not understand the mechanistic basis for fish underperformance at temperatures above their thermal optimum and this limits our capacity to develop interventions to offset the effects of warming on production efficiencies. In this study, we compared a diverse suite of physiological and immunological biomarkers in post-smolt Tasmanian Atlantic salmon (~60–100 g) following 6 weeks of exposure to elevated (19 °C) or optimal rearing temperatures (15 °C). Fish held at 19 °C experienced a significant increase in standard metabolic rate, but no change in maximum metabolic rate which resulted in a significant reduction in factorial aerobic scope. There was a significant increase in upper thermal tolerance limits, but a reduction in hypoxia tolerance in 19 °C-exposed fish. CTmax was also more oxygen-dependent in 19 °C fish suggesting that hypoxia can compound the effects of heat stress on Atlantic salmon. Fish held at 19 °C experienced osmoregulatory disturbances with increase in plasma osmotic pressure, but this was not due to reduced performance of branchial Na + K + ATPase activity. Innate (respiratory burst and white blood cell counts) and adaptive immune responses were also impaired in 19 °C-acclimated salmon. These data demonstrate that the loss of production efficiency in salmon at high temperatures is complex given that multiple physiological systems are impacted simultaneously. Whole animal performance could be improved through the provision of targeted nutritional support to key physiological and/or immune parameters that may be disrupted during periods of thermal stress. • Ocean warming reduces growth performance in Tasmanian Atlantic Salmon ( Salmo salar ). • Fish experience multiple physiological and immunological deficits at high temperatures. • Hypoxia compounds the effects of elevated temperatures on thermal tolerance. • Biomarkers facilitate detection and interventions to reduce impacts of heat stress.

To assess long-term safety and effectiveness of a multipoint, impedance-controlled, RF ablation device for treatment of chronic rhinitis through 12-month follow-up. A prospective, multicenter study. Bilateral posterior nasal nerve (PNN) ablation was performed on all participants. Assessments at 6-, 9-, and 12-month visits included Visual Analog Scale Nasal Symptom Score (VAS NSS), reflective Total Nasal Symptom Score (rTNSS), mini-Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (mini RQLQ), and adverse events. Thirty-six participants were enrolled and 35 completed the 12-month follow-up. All 5 VAS NSS items demonstrated statistically significant improvement (p < .0001) over baseline at all 3 time points. The total rTNSS improved from 7.9 ± 1.8 at baseline to 4.3 ± 2.1 at 6-months, 3.8 ± 2.4 at 9-months, and 4.0 ± 2.1 at 12-months (all p < .0001). At 12-months, 91% (31/35) of participants had achieved the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) of a reduction from baseline of ≥1 point and 80% (28/35) of the participants met the responder criteria of ≥30% reduction from baseline. The total mean mini RQLQ was reduced from 3.0 ± 1.0 at baseline to 1.4 ± 0.8 at 6-months, 1.4 ± 1.0 at 9-months, and 1.3 ± 0.8 at 12-months (all p < .0001). At 12-months, 86% (30/35) of participants achieved the MCID of a reduction from baseline of ≥0.4 points for the mini RQLQ. No related serious adverse events occurred during the study. Impedance-controlled RF ablation of the PNN is safe and resulted in durable, significant improvement in rhinitis symptoms and quality of life through 12-month follow-up. The study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov with the unique identifier of NCT05324397. 4.

This paper firstly describes how my teaching context and student body shapes the methodological and motivational resources that I use in the first three weeks of a section in comparative hagiographical studies. This practical example demonstrates the importance of being conversant with both our local learning context and the international scholarly comparative community. The second part of this essay outlines my methodological thinking as I propose a historical-scientific example of hagiographical comparison to my students, by employing taxonomies from psychological science for the sake of making helpful comparative observations between thirteenth-century hagiographies. The third part of the essay describes how I ensure that employing a particular psychological paradigm—such as “religious and spiritual struggles”—is appropriate to a given historical context.

In the UK, the number of adults living with obesity is increasing. Bariatric surgery is an available treatment for those living with a BMI (kg/m2 ) ≥40 and above, or ≥35 with obesity-related comorbidities. Guidelines highlight the importance of providing psychological support pre- and post-surgery owing to the complex psychopathology present in those living with obesity. There are a lack of studies examining which patients proceed to surgery and the factors that predict progression. Routine patient data were collected within one NHS regional service in the UK, comprising 733 patients between 3 August 2018 and 26 July 2019, aged between 17 and 76 years (M = 43.20, SD = 12.32). The only exclusion criteria were patients still awaiting a final decision for surgical outcome at the point of analysis (N = 29), which resulted in 704 patients included in analysis. Binary Logistic Regression revealed those who were more likely to progress to surgery had a lower-level use of maladaptive external substances; lower level of self-harm and/or suicidality, were older in age; had a lower BMI; and had less comorbidities than those who did not progress. Findings support existing literature in that bariatric patients often present with physical and mental health complexity. Two thirds of patients in this study did not progress to surgery. Service commissioning decisions meant that these patients did not have access to psychology treatment. Consequently, in cases where bariatric surgery is considered, a final treatment option and otherwise clinically appropriate, lack of access to specialist services may result in unmet patient need owing particularly to a lack of psychological treatment provision.

To document an illustration-based methodology for culturally safe communication between Indigenous patients and clinicians in an urban ED. We co-designed a pre-ED visual tool to minimise miscommunication when triaging First Nations patients. Our steps included establishing project governance, conducting a literature review, obtaining ethics approval and designing illustrations. We then consulted relevant stakeholders, finalised the resource and contributed to the evidence base and to knowledge exchange. Co-design is an important principle in reducing miscommunication and ensuring cultural safety in EDs. Co-design methodologies can guide improvements in culturally safe clinical communication with First Nations patients in EDs.

Safety and efficacy of the NEUROMARK® system for treating chronic rhinitis. A prospective, single-arm, multicenter study was performed on adults with chronic rhinitis who underwent radiofrequency ablation to the posterior nasal nerves. Primary endpoints were device-related serious adverse events (SAEs) at 1 month and change from baseline in visual analog scale nasal symptom scale (VAS NSS) for rhinorrhea and nasal congestion at 3months. Total nasal symptom score (rTNSS) and mini Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (mini RQLQ) score were also evaluated. Thirty-six participants were enrolled and completed follow-up at 1 and 3 months. Mean VAS NSS scores for rhinorrhea and nasal congestion demonstrated significant improvement at 3 months (both p < .0001). The mean percent changes from baseline in VAS rhinorrhea and nasal congestion were 53% and 55%, respectively. Total scores and all individual rTNSS items significantly improved (all p < .001) over the measured interval. Percent responder rate (≥30% reduction from baseline in total rTNSS) at 3months was 78%. The total mean mini RQLQ scores, as well as all subdomains, improved significantly (all p < .0001). At 3months, 89% of participants reported a minimal clinically important difference of ≥0.4 point improvement in the mini RQLQ score. No SAEs occurred during the study. The NEUROMARK System is a novel radiofrequency ablation device that provides safe and effective treatment to the posterior nasal nerves for patients with chronic rhinitis. Study participants experienced statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in symptoms and quality of life assessments at 3months post-procedure. The study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov with the unique identifier of NCT05324397. 4.

The effects of L-arginine (Arg) and L-citrulline (Cit) supplementations in an Arg-deficient reduced-protein diet on tibia morphology and mineral composition were investigated in broilers maintained at the thermo-neutral (NT) and cyclic warm temperature (WT). Seven hundred and twenty Ross 308 male broilers were brooded together for the first 7 days and randomly assigned to four dietary treatments with 12 replicates of 15 birds each from days 8 to 35. The dietary treatments were standard protein diet (SP) with 22.3% and 20.9% crude protein in grower and finisher, respectively, an Arg-deficient reduced-protein diet with 2.5% lower protein (RP), and RP added with Arg (RP-Arg) or Cit (RP-Cit) at 0.28%. Dietary treatments were fed from day 8 with average bird’s body weights of 177±3.25 g. Cyclic warm temperature (33 °C ± 1 °C for 6 h per day) was applied in one of the climate-controlled rooms during the finisher phase (21 to 35 day), resulting in a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement of treatments with the factors were the dietary treatment and temperature. Birds fed the RP diet had lower tibia breaking strength (day 28), ash (day 35), and diameter (days 21 and 28) compared to those offered the SP diet (p<0.05). Birds fed the RP diet had lower serum K and tibia B and higher tibia Mn level on day 21; higher serum Ca, P, and Mg, and lower tibia B level on day 28 compared to the SP-fed birds (p<0.05). Supplementation with Arg or Cit compensated for the adverse effects of the RP diet on these traits (p<0.05). Interactions showed tibia diameter decreased in birds fed the SP diet compared to the RP and RP-Cit diets only when raised under cyclic WT on day 35 (p<0.05). Thus, supplementation of Arg or Cit to the RP diet was necessary to support bone morphology and mineralisation under normal and warm temperatures.