Management of 'Tough' fish syndrome (TFS) in tropical Saddletail Snapper to re-instill market confidence

Successful identification of these factors influence upon TFS will empower stakeholders to make informed decisions as to how to best utilise the resource, boost consumer confidence thus ensuring the improved profitability of the fishery into the future.

Weaning management of beef calves - practical guidelines for northern Australian

The ‘Weaning management of beef calves – practical guidelines for northern Australian beef producers‘ book or simply ‘the weaner book’ is a compilation of all the research, demonstration and practical knowledge available on weaning and weaner management in northern Australia. Most of this information has been available for some years, but it has not been collated in a single document that is practical and easy to understand. It has been difficult for property owners, managers and their staff to access. The end result of this project is an easy to read guide that has all the available information in one publication. Compiling this information has also highlighted areas where information is limited or non existent or where available information is not being implemented across the whole industry. This has been evaluated and included in recommendations for further research and or demonstration work.

Management of pain associated with bull castration

There is a need to have infertile male cattle in the Australian beef herd. There is, currently, no non-invasive alternative to the castration of cattle, nor is there likely to be one in the near future. There is ample scientific evidence demonstrating that castration causes stress and pain, and with the community increasingly scrutinising farming practices and seeking assurance that they are humane, there is a clear need to develop practical strategies for minimising the pain and stress associated with castration.

Concordance of genetic risk across migraine subgroups: Impact on current and future genetic association studies

BACKGROUND There has been intensive debate whether migraine with aura (MA) and migraine without aura (MO) should be considered distinct subtypes or part of the same disease spectrum. There is also discussion to what extent migraine cases collected in specialised headache clinics differ from cases from population cohorts, and how female cases differ from male cases with respect to their migraine. To assess the genetic overlap between these migraine subgroups, we examined genome-wide association (GWA) results from analysis of 23,285 migraine cases and 95,425 population-matched controls. METHODS Detailed heterogeneity analysis of single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) effects (odds ratios) between migraine subgroups was performed for the 12 independent SNP loci significantly associated (p < 5 x 10(-8); thus surpassing the threshold for genome-wide significance) with migraine susceptibility. Overall genetic overlap was assessed using SNP effect concordance analysis (SECA) at over 23,000 independent SNPs. RESULTS: Significant heterogeneity of SNP effects (p het < 1.4 x 10(-3)) was observed between the MA and MO subgroups (for SNP rs9349379), and between the clinic- and population-based subgroups (for SNPs rs10915437, rs6790925 and rs6478241). However, for all 12 SNPs the risk-increasing allele was the same, and SECA found the majority of genome-wide SNP effects to be in the same direction across the subgroups. CONCLUSIONS Any differences in common genetic risk across these subgroups are outweighed by the similarities. Meta-analysis of additional migraine GWA datasets, regardless of their major subgroup composition, will identify new susceptibility loci for migraine.

Optimise efficacy of broiler house treatments for the management of lesser mealworm

The Australian chicken meat industry requires effective agents for the management of lesser mealworm in broiler houses. The only two appropriate insecticides currently registered are cyfluthrin and spinosad, with gamma cyhalothrin being developed for registration. The industry requires the efficacy of cyfluthrin to be investigated, with progress and adoption of the latter two chemicals. Optimising the efficacy of each chemical and studying them singly and in rotation will, in addition to improving their efficacy, reduce overall insecticide use and improve their cost effectiveness.

Trialling Biological Agents for the Management of Lesser Mealworm in Australian Broiler Houses

For approximately three decades the Australian broiler industry has relied heavily on the use of insecticides as its key tool for management of darkling beetle or lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus [Panzer] in broiler houses. The use of these chemicals over this period has been largely unchecked which has resulted in the development of strong insecticide resistance in many beetle populations from broiler farms. Although we are in a period now with an improved knowledge of managing resistance and the availability of new more effective insecticides that are currently marketed, the industry still requires more pest management options in order to inhibit development of resistance and reduce overall chemical use. In response to this need, ‘natural’ agents such as entomopathogenic nematodes and fungi were proposed as potential agents for managing darkling beetle populations in Australian broiler houses. Since 2007 laboratory and field studies have been undertaken to assess these agents. This report outlines these studies and discusses potential benefits to the Chicken Meat industry resulting from this research.

Experiences With WM: A Centralised Scheduling Approach for Performance Management of IEEE 802.11 Wireless LANs

In our earlier work ([1]) we proposed WLAN Manager (or WM) a centralised controller for QoS management of infrastructure WLANs based on the IEEE 802.11 DCF standards. The WM approach is based on queueing and scheduling packets in a device that sits between all traffic flowing between the APs and the wireline LAN, requires no changes to the AP or the STAs, and can be viewed as implementing a "Split-MAC" architecture. The objectives of WM were to manage various TCP performance related issues (such as the throughput "anomaly" when STAs associate with an AP with mixed PHY rates, and upload-download unfairness induced by finite AP buffers), and also to serve as the controller for VoIP admission control and handovers, and for other QoS management measures. In this paper we report our experiences in implementing the proposals in [1]: the insights gained, new control techniques developed, and the effectiveness of the WM approach in managing TCP performance in an infrastructure WLAN. We report results from a hybrid experiment where a physical WM manages actual TCP controlled packet flows between a server and clients, with the WLAN being simulated, and also from a small physical testbed with an actual AP.

Management of postharvest diseases in subtropical and tropical fruit

Development of disease management strategies for subtropical and tropical fruit based on natural resistance mechanisms.

Management of Papaya diseases in North Queensland

Management of Papaya diseases in North Queensland.

Using genomic data to make indirect (and unauthorized) estimates of disease risk

The number of genetic factors associated with common human traits and disease is increasing rapidly, and the general public is utilizing affordable, direct-to-consumer genetic tests. The results of these tests are often in the public domain. A combination of factors has increased the potential for the indirect estimation of an individual's risk for a particular trait. Here we explain the basic principals underlying risk estimation which allowed us to test the ability to make an indirect risk estimation from genetic data by imputing Dr. James Watson's redacted apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) information. The principles underlying risk prediction from genetic data have been well known and applied for many decades, however, the recent increase in genomic knowledge, and advances in mathematical and statistical techniques and computational power, make it relatively easy to make an accurate but indirect estimation of risk. There is a current hazard for indirect risk estimation that is relevant not only to the subject but also to individuals related to the subject; this risk will likely increase as more detailed genomic data and better computational tools become available.

Prevention of type 2 diabetes with lifestyle intervention - emphasis on dietary composition and identification of high-risk individuals

Type 2 diabetes is an increasing, serious, and costly public health problem. The increase in the prevalence of the disease can mainly be attributed to changing lifestyles leading to physical inactivity, overweight, and obesity. These lifestyle-related risk factors offer also a possibility for preventive interventions. Until recently, proper evidence regarding the prevention of type 2 diabetes has been virtually missing. To be cost-effective, intensive interventions to prevent type 2 diabetes should be directed to people at an increased risk of the disease. The aim of this series of studies was to investigate whether type 2 diabetes can be prevented by lifestyle intervention in high-risk individuals, and to develop a practical method to identify individuals who are at high risk of type 2 diabetes and would benefit from such an intervention. To study the effect of lifestyle intervention on diabetes risk, we recruited 522 volunteer, middle-aged (aged 40 - 64 at baseline), overweight (body mass index > 25 kg/m2) men (n = 172) and women (n = 350) with impaired glucose tolerance to the Diabetes Prevention Study (DPS). The participants were randomly allocated either to the intensive lifestyle intervention group or the control group. The control group received general dietary and exercise advice at baseline, and had annual physician's examination. The participants in the intervention group received, in addition, individualised dietary counselling by a nutritionist. They were also offered circuit-type resistance training sessions and were advised to increase overall physical activity. The intervention goals were to reduce body weight (5% or more reduction from baseline weight), limit dietary fat (< 30% of total energy consumed) and saturated fat (< 10% of total energy consumed), and to increase dietary fibre intake (15 g / 1000 kcal or more) and physical activity (≥ 30 minutes/day). Diabetes status was assessed annually by a repeated 75 g oral glucose tolerance testing. First analysis on end-points was completed after a mean follow-up of 3.2 years, and the intervention phase was terminated after a mean duration of 3.9 years. After that, the study participants continued to visit the study clinics for the annual examinations, for a mean of 3 years. The intervention group showed significantly greater improvement in each intervention goal. After 1 and 3 years, mean weight reductions were 4.5 and 3.5 kg in the intervention group and 1.0 kg and 0.9 kg in the control group. Cardiovascular risk factors improved more in the intervention group. After a mean follow-up of 3.2 years, the risk of diabetes was reduced by 58% in the intervention group compared with the control group. The reduction in the incidence of diabetes was directly associated with achieved lifestyle goals. Furthermore, those who consumed moderate-fat, high-fibre diet achieved the largest weight reduction and, even after adjustment for weight reduction, the lowest diabetes risk during the intervention period. After discontinuation of the counselling, the differences in lifestyle variables between the groups still remained favourable for the intervention group. During the post-intervention follow-up period of 3 years, the risk of diabetes was still 36% lower among the former intervention group participants, compared with the former control group participants. To develop a simple screening tool to identify individuals who are at high risk of type 2 diabetes, follow-up data of two population-based cohorts of 35-64 year old men and women was used. The National FINRISK Study 1987 cohort (model development data) included 4435 subjects, with 182 new drug-treated cases of diabetes identified during ten years, and the FINRISK Study 1992 cohort (model validation data) included 4615 subjects, with 67 new cases of drug-treated diabetes during five years, ascertained using the Social Insurance Institution's Drug register. Baseline age, body mass index, waist circumference, history of antihypertensive drug treatment and high blood glucose, physical activity and daily consumption of fruits, berries or vegetables were selected into the risk score as categorical variables. In the 1987 cohort the optimal cut-off point of the risk score identified 78% of those who got diabetes during the follow-up (= sensitivity of the test) and 77% of those who remained free of diabetes (= specificity of the test). In the 1992 cohort the risk score performed equally well. The final Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC) form includes, in addition to the predictors of the model, a question about family history of diabetes and the age category of over 64 years. When applied to the DPS population, the baseline FINDRISC value was associated with diabetes risk among the control group participants only, indicating that the intensive lifestyle intervention given to the intervention group participants abolished the diabetes risk associated with baseline risk factors. In conclusion, the intensive lifestyle intervention produced long-term beneficial changes in diet, physical activity, body weight, and cardiovascular risk factors, and reduced diabetes risk. Furthermore, the effects of the intervention were sustained after the intervention was discontinued. The FINDRISC proved to be a simple, fast, inexpensive, non-invasive, and reliable tool to identify individuals at high risk of type 2 diabetes. The use of FINDRISC to identify high-risk subjects, followed by lifestyle intervention, provides a feasible scheme in preventing type 2 diabetes, which could be implemented in the primary health care system.

Algorithm of medication review in frail older people: Focus on minimizing the use of high-risk medications

Aim Frail older people typically suffer several chronic diseases, receive multiple medications and are more likely to be institutionalized in residential aged care facilities. In such patients, optimizing prescribing and avoiding use of high-risk medications might prevent adverse events. The present study aimed to develop a pragmatic, easily applied algorithm for medication review to help clinicians identify and discontinue potentially inappropriate high-risk medications. Methods The literature was searched for robust evidence of the association of adverse effects related to potentially inappropriate medications in older patients to identify high-risk medications. Prior research into the cessation of potentially inappropriate medications in older patients in different settings was synthesized into a four-step algorithm for incorporation into clinical assessment protocols for patients, particularly those in residential aged care facilities. Results The algorithm comprises several steps leading to individualized prescribing recommendations: (i) identify a high-risk medication; (ii) ascertain the current indications for the medication and assess their validity; (iii) assess if the drug is providing ongoing symptomatic benefit; and (iv) consider withdrawing, altering or continuing medications. Decision support resources were developed to complement the algorithm in ensuring a systematic and patient-centered approach to medication discontinuation. These include a comprehensive list of high-risk medications and the reasons for inappropriateness, lists of alternative treatments, and suggested medication withdrawal protocols. Conclusions The algorithm captures a range of different clinical scenarios in relation to potentially inappropriate medications, and offers an evidence-based approach to identifying and, if appropriate, discontinuing such medications. Studies are required to evaluate algorithm effects on prescribing decisions and patient outcomes.

Management of Phytophthora fruit rot and Pythium-related root rot of papaya

Management of Phytophthora fruit rot and Pythium-related root rot of papaya.