Suchergebnisse

The aquaculture sector in Bangladesh is an important employer and a significant source of foreign exchange. In addition, it contributes significantly to food security due to the role of fish in peoples' diets, the most important source of protein and micronutrients. However, infectious diseases represent an important barrier to sector development due to economic losses and vulnerability of smallholders. The aim of this study was to gain an overview of the impact of infectious diseases in the aquaculture sector, and to assess the usefulness and use of impact studies in decision making for animal health management and biosecurity governance in Bangladesh. A review of scientific and grey literature on infectious disease impact in different aquaculture systems was conducted and their methodologies and findings summarised. Subsequently, interviews with 28 stakeholders from the private and public sector were conducted to enquire about decision-making structures in animal health management. The data were analysed using the framework method to allow the development of themes, by using the information, experiences and opinions inductively obtained from interviewees, deductively through the reviewed literature. Results showed a substantial socio-economic impact of infectious diseases. The numerous stakeholders involved in the decision-making process explained that key barriers to effective aquaculture health management were insufficient resources to investigate and tackle infectious aquatic animal diseases, a dearth of legislation and capacity for disease surveillance, a reliance on reactive response, and a lack of impact and evidence-based approaches for prioritising problem-solving, commonly based on anecdotal evidence. Furthermore, communication among the multiple stakeholders involved was reported to be weak. This complex situation requires a multi-level response, which should span from strengthening the knowledge of farmers and professionals in the field to the improvement of surveillance and diagnostic systems. Improved systems along with evidence on disease impact could inform the prioritisation of diseases and resource allocation for disease control in Bangladesh. Further, this evidence needs to be used to advise decisions to have a true value, for which establishing and strengthening communication pathways and processes is critical to make systematic use of the information and improve animal health management. In the light of future threats to Bangladesh such as climate change, increasing population density and demand for animal source foods, it is crucial to strengthen animal health management systems to reduce livelihoods vulnerability, food insecurity and the likelihood of disease emergence.

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular (RV) remodeling has been reported in response to regular training, but it remains unclear how exercise intensity affects the presence and extent of such remodeling. We aimed to assess the relationship between RV remodeling and exercise load in a long-term endurance training model. Wistar rats were conditioned to run at moderate (MOD; 45 min, 30 cm/s) or intense (INT; 60 min, 60 cm/s) workloads for 16 wk; sedentary rats served as controls. Cardiac remodeling was assessed with standard echocardiographic and tissue Doppler techniques, sensor-tip pressure catheters, and pressure-volume loop analyses. After MOD training, both ventricles similarly dilated (~16%); the RV apical segment deformation, but not the basal segment deformation, was increased [apical strain rate (SR): −2.9 ± 0.5 vs. −3.3 ± 0.6 s−1, SED vs. MOD]. INT training prompted marked RV dilatation (~26%) but did not further dilate the left ventricle (LV). A reduction in both RV segments' deformation in INT rats (apical SR: −3.3 ± 0.6 vs. −3.0 ± 0.4 s−1 and basal SR: −3.3 ± 0.7 vs. −2.7 ± 0.6 s−1, MOD vs. INT) led to decreased global contractile function (maximal rate of rise of LV pressure: 2.53 ± 0.15 vs. 2.17 ± 0.116 mmHg/ms, MOD vs. INT). Echocardiography and hemodynamics consistently pointed to impaired RV diastolic function in INT rats. LV systolic and diastolic functions remained unchanged in all groups. In conclusion, we showed a biphasic, unbalanced RV remodeling response with increasing doses of exercise: physiological adaptation after MOD training turns adverse with INT training, involving disproportionate RV dilatation, decreased contractility, and impaired diastolic function. Our findings support the existence of an exercise load threshold beyond which cardiac remodeling becomes maladaptive. ; Support for this work was partially funded by Generalitat de Catalunya Grants FI-AGAUR 2014-2017 and RH040991 (to M. Sitges), the Spanish government (Plan Nacional I + D, Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad Grants DEP2010-20565, DEP2013-44923-P, and TIN2014-52923-R, cofinanced by the Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional de la Unión Europea "Una manera de hacer Europa"), Instituto de Salud Carlos III Grants PI13/01580 and PI16/00703, and Centro de Investigación BIomédica en Red-Cardiovascular CB16/11/00354.

Background: High-intensity training has been associated with atrial remodelling and arrhythmias in men. Our purpose was to analyse atrial performance in female endurance athletes, compared to male athletes and controls. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. We included four groups: female athletes, females controls, male athletes and male controls. Left (LA) and right atrial (RA) volumes and function were assessed using 2D and speckle-tracking echocardiography to determine peak atrial strain-rate at atrial (SRa) and ventricular contraction (SRs), as surrogates of atrial contractile and reservoir function, respectively. ANOVA and Bonferroni's statistical tests were used to compare variables among groups. Results: We included 82 subjects, 39 women (19 endurance athletes, 20 controls) and 43 men (22 endurance athletes, 21 controls). Mean age was similar between groups (36.6 ± 5.6 years). Athletes had larger bi-atrial volumes, compared to controls (women, LA 27.1 vs. 15.8 ml/m2, p < 0.001; RA 22.31 vs. 14.2 ml/m2, p = 0.009; men, LA: 25.0 vs. 18.5 ml/m2, p = 0.003; RA 30.8 vs. 21.9 ml/m2, p < 0.001) and lower strain-rate (women, LASRa −1.60 vs. −2.18 s−1, p < 0.001; RASRa −1.89 vs. −2.38 s−1, p = 0.009; men, LASRa −1.21 vs. −1.44 s−1, p = 1; RASRa −1.44 vs. −1.60 s−1, p = 1). However, RA indexed size was lower and bi-atrial deformation greater in female athletes, compared to male athletes. Conclusions: The atria of both male and female athletes shows specific remodelling, compared to sedentary subjects, with larger size and less deformation at rest, particularly for the RA. Despite a similar extent of remodelling, the pattern in women had greater bi-atrial myocardial deformation and smaller RA size. ; This work was partially funded by grants from the Generalitat de Catalunya (FI-AGAUR 2014–2017 (RH 040991, M. Sanz)), and from the Spanish Government (Plan Nacional I+D, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad DEP2013-44923-P; TIN2014-52923-R and FEDER).

Animal health surveillance is an important tool for disease mitigation and helps to promote animal health and welfare, protect human health, support efficient animal production, and enable trade. This study aimed to assess adoption of recommended standards and best practice for surveillance (including risk-based approaches) in Europe. It included scoping interviews with surveillance experts in Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and Switzerland to gather information on knowledge acquisition, decisions and implementation of surveillance, and perceptions. This was followed by an online survey among animal health and food safety surveillance users in EU, EEA, and Schengen countries. A total of 166 responses were collected from 27 countries; 111 were eligible for analysis. A strong preference for legislation and established standards was observed, with peer-reviewed publications, conferences, symposia, and workshops to be major sources of information. The majority of respondents indicated a need for international evaluation for surveillance and implied that considerations of cost-effectiveness were essential when making a decision to adopt new surveillance standards. However, most of the respondents did not use a formal evaluation to inform the adoption of new standards or only conducted a descriptive assessment before their implementation or adaptation. Only a few respondents reported a quantitative economic evaluation despite economic efficiency being considered as a highly relevant criterion for surveillance implementation. Constraints mentioned in the adoption of new surveillance standards included insufficient time, financial and human resources, and lack of competency. Researchers aiming to achieve impact by their surveillance work are advised to consider ways of influencing binding standards and to disseminate their work pro-actively using varied channels of engagement tailored to relevant target audiences and their needs. Generally, a more formal linkage between surveillance information and disease mitigation ...

Animal health surveillance is an important tool for disease mitigation and helps to promote animal health and welfare, protect human health, support efficient animal production, and enable trade. This study aimed to assess adoption of recommended standards and best practice for surveillance (including risk-based approaches) in Europe. It included scoping interviews with surveillance experts in Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and Switzerland to gather information on knowledge acquisition, decisions and implementation of surveillance, and perceptions. This was followed by an online survey among animal health and food safety surveillance users in EU, EEA, and Schengen countries. A total of 166 responses were collected from 27 countries; 111 were eligible for analysis. A strong preference for legislation and established standards was observed, with peer-reviewed publications, conferences, symposia, and workshops to be major sources of information. The majority of respondents indicated a need for international evaluation for surveillance and implied that considerations of cost-effectiveness were essential when making a decision to adopt new surveillance standards. However, most of the respondents did not use a formal evaluation to inform the adoption of new standards or only conducted a descriptive assessment before their implementation or adaptation. Only a few respondents reported a quantitative economic evaluation despite economic efficiency being considered as a highly relevant criterion for surveillance implementation. Constraints mentioned in the adoption of new surveillance standards included insufficient time, financial and human resources, and lack of competency. Researchers aiming to achieve impact by their surveillance work are advised to consider ways of influencing binding standards and to disseminate their work pro-actively using varied channels of engagement tailored to relevant target audiences and their needs. Generally, a more formal linkage between surveillance information and disease mitigation decisions—for example, by using systematic evaluation—could help increase the economic value of surveillance efforts. Finally, a collaborative, international platform for exchange and learning on surveillance as well as co-design and dissemination of surveillance standards is recommended.

Animal health surveillance is an important tool for disease mitigation and helps to promote animal health and welfare, protect human health, support efficient animal production, and enable trade. This study aimed to assess adoption of recommended standards and best practice for surveillance (including risk-based approaches) in Europe. It included scoping interviews with surveillance experts in Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and Switzerland to gather information on knowledge acquisition, decisions and implementation of surveillance, and perceptions. This was followed by an online survey among animal health and food safety surveillance users in EU, EEA, and Schengen countries. A total of 166 responses were collected from 27 countries; 111 were eligible for analysis. A strong preference for legislation and established standards was observed, with peer-reviewed publications, conferences, symposia, and workshops to be major sources of information. The majority of respondents indicated a need for international evaluation for surveillance and implied that considerations of cost-effectiveness were essential when making a decision to adopt new surveillance standards. However, most of the respondents did not use a formal evaluation to inform the adoption of new standards or only conducted a descriptive assessment before their implementation or adaptation. Only a few respondents reported a quantitative economic evaluation despite economic efficiency being considered as a highly relevant criterion for surveillance implementation. Constraints mentioned in the adoption of new surveillance standards included insufficient time, financial and human resources, and lack of competency. Researchers aiming to achieve impact by their surveillance work are advised to consider ways of influencing binding standards and to disseminate their work pro-actively using varied channels of engagement tailored to relevant target audiences and their needs. Generally, a more formal linkage between surveillance information and disease mitigation ...

Background: Characteristic right ventricle (RV) remodelling is related to endurance exercise in male athletes (MAs), but data in female athletes (FAs) are scarce. Our aim was to evaluate sex-related influence on exercise-induced RV remodelling and on RV performance during exercise. Methods: Forty endurance athletes (>10 training hours/week, 50% female) and 40 age-matched controls (<3 h moderate exercise/week, 50% female) were included. Echocardiography was performed at rest and at maximum cycle-ergometer effort. Both ventricles were analysed by standard and speckle-tracking echocardiography. Results: Endurance training induced similar structural and functional cardiac remodelling in MAs and FAs, characterized by bi-ventricular dilatation [~34%, left ventricle (LV); 29%, RV] and normal bi-ventricular function. However, males had larger RV size (p < 0.01), compared to females: RV end-diastolic area (cm2/m2): 15.6 ± 2.2 vs 11.6 ± 1.7 in athletes; 12.2 ± 2.7 vs 8.6 ± 1.6 in controls, respectively, and lower bi-ventricular deformation (RV global longitudinal strain (GLS) (%): −24.0 ± 3.6 vs −29.2 ± 3.1 in athletes; −24.9 ± 2.5 vs −30.0 ± 1.9 in controls, and LVGLS: −17.5 ± 1.4 vs −21.9 ± 1.9 in athletes; −18.7 ± 1.2 vs −22.5 ± 1.5 in controls, respectively, p < 0.01). During exercise, the increase in LV function was positively correlated (p < 0.01) with increased cardiac output (∆%LV ejection fraction, r = +0.46 and ∆%LVGLS, r = +0.36). Improvement in RV performance was blunted at high workloads, especially in MAs. Conclusion: Long-term endurance training induced similar bi-ventricular remodelling in MAs and FAs. Independently of training load, males had larger RV size and lower bi-ventricular deformation. Improvement in RV performance during exercise was blunted at high workloads, especially in MAs. The potential mechanisms underlying these findings warrant further investigation. ; This work was partially funded by grants from the Generalitat de Catalunya FI-AGAUR 2014–2017 (RH 040991, M. Sanz), and from the Spanish Government (Plan Nacional I + D, Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad DEP2013-44923-P; TIN2014-52923-R and FEDER).

Background: The significance and spectrum of reduced right ventricular (RV) deformation, reported in endurance athletes, is unclear. Purpose: to comprehensively analyze the cardiac performance at rest of athletes, especially focusing on integrating RV size and deformation to unravel the underlying triggers of this ventricular remodelling. Methods: 100 professional male athletes and 50 sedentary healthy males of similar age were prospectively studied. Conventional echocardiographic parameters of all 4 chambers were obtained, as well as 2D echo-derived strain (2DSE) in the left (LV) and in the RV free wall with separate additional analysis of the RV basal and apical segments. Results: Left and right-sided dimensions were larger in athletes than in controls, but with a disproportionate RA enlargement. RV global strain was lower in sportsmen (-26.8 ± 2.8 vs -28.5 ± 3.4%, p<0.001) due to a decrease in the basal segment (-22.8 ± 3.5 vs -25.8 ± 4.0%, p<0.001) resulting in a marked gradient of deformation from the RV inlet towards the apex. By integrating size, deformation and stroke volume, we observed that the LV working conditions were similar in all sportsmen while a wider variability existed in the RV. Conclusions: Cardiac remodelling in athletes is more pronounced in the right heart cavities with specific regional differences within the right ventricle, but with a wide variability among individuals. The large inter-individual differences, as well as its acute and chronic relevance warrant further investigation. ; This work was partially funded by grants from the Fundació Clinic (premio Emili Letang, B. Merino), Generalitat de Catalunya (FI-AGAUR 2014-2017 (RH 040991, M. Sanz), and from the Spanish Society of Cardiology (Fundación Española del Corazón Investigación Clínica 2012), the Spanish Government (Plan Nacional I+D+i, Ministerio de Innovación y Ciencia DEP 2011-2013 (DEP 2010-20565); Intensificación Actividad Investigadora, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (M Sitges; PI11/01709); Plan Nacional I+D, Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad DEP2013-44923-P, TIN2014-52923-R and FEDER.