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Biomedical subjects

J V Craig

Publications and source records attributed to J V Craig.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

A survey of current practice with regard to oral care for children being treated for cancer.

The aim of the study was to establish current UK oral care practice for children with cancer. A telephone survey of all 22 United Kingdom Children's Cancer Study Group (UKCCSG) centres was undertaken. Nineteen (86%) of the centres reported using guidelines/protocols for mouth care. The use of routine preventive oral care therapies showed the greatest variation between centres. Four centres (18%) did not use any prophylactic oral care therapy other than basic oral hygiene, whereas seven (32%) routinely used a combination of three or more agents. Chlorhexidine was the most frequently administered prophylactic therapy (17/22 centres, 77%), followed by nystatin (11/22 centres, 50%). There was little variation in advice given to parents/patients on basic oral hygiene. Regarding dental check-ups, 9/22 centres (41%) recommended children to attend a hospital-linked dental clinic. Only at 8/22 centres (36%) did children undergo a dental check-up before commencing cancer treatment. The survey identified significant variation in preventive oral care therapies and dental check-ups at the UKCCSG centres. Attention needs to be given to establishing evidence based, effective strategies.

Cancer Care Facilities↗
PubMed2002

Meta-analysis of method comparison studies.

Methods for the meta-analysis of results from randomized controlled trials are well established. However, there are currently no methods for the meta-analysis of method comparison studies. Here the combination of results from studies comparing two methods of measurement on the same unit of observation is required. We compare standard methods for the pooling of k samples from the same Normal population to those for pooling parameter estimates, in order to estimate the pooled mean difference and 95 per cent limits of agreement. Methods for investigating heterogeneity across studies and for calculating random effects estimates are proposed. We postulate that for published studies either the estimated mean or variance of the difference between measurements will tend to be smaller than for unpublished studies and investigate the evidence for the existence of such publication bias. The methods are illustrated with an example evaluating the accuracy of temperature measured at the axilla compared to the rectum in children.

Axilla↗
PubMed2000

Temperature measured at the axilla compared with rectum in children and young people: systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the agreement between temperature measured at the axilla and rectum in children and young people. DESIGN: A systematic review of studies comparing temperature measured at the axilla (test site) with temperature measured at the rectum (reference site) using the same type of measuring device at both sites in each patient. Devices were mercury or electronic thermometers or indwelling thermocouple probes. STUDIES REVIEWED: 40 studies including 5528 children and young people from birth to 18 years. DATA EXTRACTION: Difference in temperature readings at the axilla and rectum. RESULTS: 20 studies (n=3201 (58%) participants) had sufficient data to be included in a meta-analysis. There was significant residual heterogeneity in both mean differences and sample standard deviations within the groups using different devices and within age groups. The pooled (random effects) mean temperature difference (rectal minus axillary temperature) for mercury thermometers was 0.25 degrees C (95% limits of agreement -0.15 degrees C to 0.65 degrees C) and for electronic thermometers was 0. 85 degrees C (-0.19 degrees C to 1.90 degrees C). The pooled (random effects) mean temperature difference (rectal minus axillary temperature) for neonates was 0.17 degrees C (-0.15 degrees C to 0. 50 degrees C) and for older children and young people was 0.92 degrees C (-0.15 degrees C to 1.98 degrees C). CONCLUSIONS: The difference between temperature readings at the axilla and rectum using either mercury or electronic thermometers showed wide variation across studies. This has implications for clinical situations where temperature needs to be measured with precision.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Improving animal well-being through genetic selection.

This paper reviews the possibilities of adapting laying hens to cages by means of genetic selection. By selecting separately for rate of lay and longevity using a kin selection method, a strain of laying hen has been developed that shows much less feather pecking and cannibalism than a control strain, and with no decrease in productivity. This experimental strain enjoys a higher level of welfare in cages because it does not require beak trimming.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1996

Group selection for adaptation to multiple-hen cages: beak-related mortality, feathering, and body weight responses.

The hypothesis was tested that selection on the basis of family means for increased survival and hen-housed egg production, when sisters with intact beaks were kept together in multiple-bird cage, would cause adaptive changes in behavior. Specifically, it was posited that beak-inflicted injuries causing cannibalistic mortality and feather loss and damage would be reduced. Body weight effects were not predicted, but were examined. Three stocks were compared; the Selected (S), representing the seventh generation of selection, the Randombred Control (C) from which S was derived, and a commercial stock (X), known to be highly productive and peak-trimmed by commercial producers. Pullets were placed in single-bird (1H) as well as in 12-hen (12H) cages using a completely randomized block experimental design. Mortality from beak-inflicted injuries differed among stocks in total hens lost (P < 0.005). Of 576 per stock in 12H cages 287, 128, and 46 replacements were used from 17 to 44 wk in X, C, and S, respectively, to maintain group size. The C and S hens also differed from 44 to 59 wk and 17 to 59 wk. X hens were not included in comparisons of mortality beyond 44 wk. Relative incidence of mortality caused by vent-cloacal injuries differed with X > C = S (P < 0.005 for X vs C and S). For cages with > or = 1 cannibalistic death, X had twice (P < 0.025) and C 1.6 times (P < 0.10) as many with repeated losses as S. Means and variances of feather scores were different for 1H vs 12H cages, ages, and genetic stocks. Greater variances were observed in 12H cages and among older birds. Within 1H units, genetic stocks did not differ in general, but in 12H cages X and C were always more variable than S. In 12H cages, mean feather scores and body weights were decreased and S hens had better feathering than either C or X. The evidence supported the hypothesis.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1996

Group selection for adaptation to multiple-hen cages: behavioral responses.

Three stocks of White Leghorns were compared for behavioral traits when kept in single-bird (1H) and 12-hen (12H) layer-house cages. Genetic stocks consisted of a commercial strain (X), a randombred control (C), and a stock derived from C and selected on the basis of kin's group performance information for increased survival and egg production over seven generations (S). Experimental units consisted of four consecutive 1H cages or a single 12H cage. All birds within a unit had intact beaks and were of the same stock. Each stock was represented by hens in 48 units of both 1H and 12H cages, and by 48 males (C and S stocks only) in 1H cages. Birds that died were replaced. Observations involved hens in their home cages except for tonic immobility (TI) and pair contests. Observations carried out soon after birds were placed in layer-house cages indicated that avoidance of the observer was essentially absent after pullets were observed on the 1st and 2nd d. Behavioral profile frequencies differed for nearly all behaviors compared in 1H and 12H environments. Following initially high crouching and low feeding frequencies, apparently normal levels were present by Days 15 and 16 posthousing. During the initial adaptation phase, genetic stock differences were not found within 1H cages and were present in only 2 of 10 categories in 12H cages. Young adult profiles also indicated no differences among stocks in 1H cages, but stock differences were found in 6 of 12 categories in 12H cages. In those cases, X strain hens differed from hens of the C and S stocks, but C and S hens did not differ from each other. Comparisons carried out between hens in 1H and 12H cages revealed that fearfulness was greater in 12H cages. Genetic stock comparisons, involving relative fearfulness and feeding and movement in a frustrating situation indicated that the X stock frequently differed from both C and S, but C and S did not usually differ from each other. However, observations of hens' agonistic activity in the 12H home cage environment revealed that the S stock had fewer agonistic acts than the C stock from which it was derived, and both C and S had less agonistic activity than the X stock. Pair contests carried out within and between C and S stocks in both sexes yielded results inconsistent with those for agonistic activity in 12H cages. The C and S hens did not differ, but S males were more aggressive and, in between-strain contests, were more dominant.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1996

Group selection for adaptation to multiple-hen cages: hematology and adrenal function.

A selected line of White Leghorns that has shown improved survivability and productivity and reduced feather loss in multiple-hen cages was evaluated for hematological and adrenal responses under both stressed and unstressed conditions. It was hypothesized that hens selected for adaptation to multiple-bird cages would react less intensely to stressors. Three lines of chickens (selected, control, and commercial) were housed in either single-hen (1 hen) or multiple-hen cages (12 hens, social competition) at 16.7 or 17.1 wk of age. They were subsequently subjected to cold exposure at 33 wk of age and heat exposure at 44 wk of age. Genetic stock as a main effect, and the interaction of genetic stock with either a cold or heated environment or with cage size, had no effect on plasma levels of cholesterol and corticosterone. At the time of transfer to laying cages, the selected line of pullets, as indicated by a decrease in packed cell volume, appeared to adapt more quickly to the new waterer system of multiple-hen cages than did the control and commercial lines. At 33 wk of age, the control and commercial lines in multiple-hen cages experienced heterophilia and increased heterophil to lymphocyte ratios, whereas the selected line did not, when compared with these same lines in single-hen cages. This leucocytic response could be interpreted to mean that the selected line of chickens adapted better to social competition than either the control or commercial lines; however, a similar leucocytic response was not observed at 18 or 44 wk of age. In conclusion, the physiological characterization of the selected line of Leghorns showed evidence of improved adaptation to multiple-hen cages when compared to the other stocks. In some cases, the selected line responded less intensely to stress; however, trends were not always consistent.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1996

Group selection for adaptation to multiple-hen cages: production traits during heat and cold exposures.

A selected line of White Leghorns that has shown improved survivability and productivity and reduced feather loss in multiple-hen cages was evaluated for production traits under both stressed and unstressed conditions. It was hypothesized that hens selected for adaptation to multiple-bird cages would react less intensely to stressors and therefore lay more eggs and have lower mortality under stressed conditions. Three lines of chickens (selected, control, and commercial) were housed in either single-hen (1 hen) or multiple-hen cages (12 hens, social competition) at 16.7 or 17.1 wk of age. They were subsequently subjected to cold exposure at 33 wk of age and heat exposure at 44 wk of age. The selected line of chickens in multiple-hen cages showed an increased resistance to heat exposure, as indicated by lower mortality, when compared to the control and commercial lines housed in multiple-hen cages. Egg production 8 d prior to, during, and 8 d following either cold or heat exposures indicated that the selected line of chickens withstood social, handling, and environmental stressors better than the control line and, in some cases, the commercial line of chickens. It was concluded that the selected line of Leghorns showed evidence of stress resistance through lowered mortality and improved production.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1996

Group selection for adaptation to multiple-hen cages: humoral immune response.

A selected line of White Leghorns, which has shown improved survivability and reduced feather loss in large multiple-hen cages, was evaluated for humoral immune response to SRBC under both stressed and unstressed conditions. Three lines of chickens (selected, control, and commercial) were housed in either single- (1 hen) or multiple-hen cages (12 hens, social competition) and subjected to a cold ambient temperature (0 C) at 33 wk of age and to two heating episodes (38 C) at 44 wk of age. Each hen was challenged intravenously with 1 mL of a 7% saline suspension of SRBC at the time that cold exposure was initiated. Hens subjected to high ambient temperatures had been exposed previously to a cold temperature, but were not challenged with SRBC until 16 to 18 h following the end of the second heating episode. Exposure to cold caused immunosuppression in single-caged hens, but not in hens in colony cages. Single- vs colony-caged hens of the control environment challenged with SRBC at 33 wk of age had similar primary hemagglutinin responses to SRBC. Hens subjected to heat experienced immunosuppression at 9 and 12 d following challenge to SRBC when compared to the controls. Hens of multiple-bird cages challenged with antigen at 44 wk of age had a significantly lower hemagglutinin response to SRBC than those reared in single-bird cages. The three lines of genetic stock had similar primary hemagglutinin responses to SRBC; the interactions of genetic stock with cage size or environmental temperature were not significant. It was concluded that genetically selecting hens for survival in multiple-hen cages did not affect their humoral immune response to SRBC.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1994

Review: welfare perspectives on hens kept for egg production.

The wild ancestors of chickens, along with those of most other farm animals, were preadapted to domestication because their lack of specialized requirements allowed them to adapt to a wide variety of environments provided by humans. Currently most commercial chickens kept for table-egg production are incubated, reared, and maintained as productive adults in high-density, artificial environments. Nevertheless, there are limits to adaptability as indicated by behavioral, physiological, immunological, and individual productivity indicators when environmental conditions become extreme. However, with the exception of obvious injury, no single criterion is likely to be adequate. Multiple indicators are required to obtain reliable evaluation of whether husbandry practices and environmental conditions reduce hens' welfare significantly. Concern for the well-being of hens has led to the phasing out of cages in two European countries. Although cages are known to be associated with some problems of well-being, it is known also that they have some welfare advantages for hens over alternative systems of production and they have definite economic advantages for producers. Therefore, it is doubtful whether the use of cages should be denied without exploring further the possibilities of cage modification or genetic selection aimed at improving the well-being of hens in such environments. Ethical perspectives relative to animals have been evolving since the time of Aristotle more than 300 yr B.C. Recent developments include divergence of welfare concerns between utilitarian and animal rights based philosophies. The utilitarians generally agree that animals may be used for human benefit if unnecessary pain and suffering are avoided and humane care and management criteria are met. Fundamentally, rights-oriented groups reject such exploitation. The general public exhibits a continuum of attitudes towards animals. However, there are indications that they are moving towards a protectionist attitude toward farm animals. Many requirements for good husbandry are known. However, uncertainty prevails in some areas, particularly with the necessity of routine procedures such as beak trimming and the amount of space needed, optimal group size, and whether nests, roosts, litter, and other quality of environment features are necessities or luxuries in terms of hens' welfare. Floor and feeder space and group size seem to be of paramount importance, and space that is adequate for well-being seems to be greater than that which yields the greatest net income. Genetic solutions to several behavior-related problems that compromise hens' well-being seem to be feasible and worthy of greater emphasis by commercial poultry breeders.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed1992

Beak trimming effects on beak length and feed usage for growth and egg production.

Two experiments were conducted to compare beak treatment effects on pullets of three genetic stocks. Within each stock, equal numbers were assigned to three treatments: no beak trimming (IN), beak trimming once (1X), and beak trimming twice (2X). Beak treatment, genetic stock, and age effects along with interactions among main effects were examined for production-associated traits during rearing and brief periods of early egg production. Beaks of 1X and 2X pullets remained shorter than those of IN pullets through final measurements at 36 and 32 wk of age in Experiments 1 and 2, respectively. However, differences in beak length decreased as age increased. Upper beaks of 2X pullets remained shorter than those of 1X pullets, but lower beaks of 1X and 2X pullets did not differ by 20 wk in Experiment 2. Weight gains, feed usage, and efficiency of growth were affected by beak treatments. Beak trimming reduced gains, feed eaten, feed wasted, and total feed used, and 2X pullets used their feed more efficiently for weight gain and egg production. A general decrease occurred in differences among beak treatments for weight gains, feed eaten, feed wasted, and efficiency of gains with increasing age during rearing. Nevertheless, significant differences in feed consumed, feed wasted, and efficiency of feed used for egg production indicated an economic advantage in favor of beak trimming.

Aging↗
PubMed1992

Research note: effects of beak trimming and genetic stock on rate of mash consumption and feeding-related behavior in egg-strain pullets.

Pullets whose beaks were trimmed once (at 9 days) and twice (at 9 days and 9 wk) were able to ingest feed, in the form of mash, more rapidly under competitive feeding conditions and at least as rapidly in the absence of competition as pullets with intact beaks. Tests of feeding rate, when pullets fed in groups, were carried out after a feed deprivation period of 7 h at ages of 10 through 16 wk. Similar tests were done at 18 wk, when pullets fed without competition. Genetic stock and age had significant effects on frequency of agonistic acts at the feeder and displacements from the feeder during 5-min tests under competitive feeding conditions. Age influenced the number of pullets feeding simultaneously and amount of feed eaten per pullet during the same feeding tests. No interactions were detected among beak treatment, stock, and age for feeding-related behaviors or rate of feed consumption during competitive feeding. In noncompetitive feeding tests, genetic stock affected feeding rate but no stock by beak treatment interaction was present.

Aging↗
PubMed1991

Beak trimming effects on behavior patterns, fearfulness, feathering, and mortality among three stocks of White Leghorn pullets in cages or floor pens.

White Leghorn pullets of the Y1, Y2, and North Central Randombred (NCR) experimental stocks were used. Half of the birds of each stock had half of the upper and less of the lower mandible removed at 4 wk of age by making a V-shaped cut as viewed from the side (BT), whereas the other half retained their beaks intact (IN). Pullets were moved from growing pens to a layer house at 18 wk of age. Seventy-two cages and 30 floor pens were filled with 6 and 20 birds per unit, respectively. Pullets within a cage or floor pen were all of the same genetic stock and beak treatment. All measurements were performed within 10 wk after housing, except for mortality in cages. When kept in cages, genetic stocks did not show behavioral differences. However, in floor pens, stock differences were detected in feeding, crouching, and nonaggressive pecking. When kept in cages, the stocks also differed in 24-wk body weight, weight gain from 18 to 24 wk, and certain measures of fearfulness in both cages and pens, and in feather condition at 21 and 22 wk. Mortality from cannibalism and hen-days survival of caged IN pullets differed among genetic stocks. Mortality from cannibalism was absent among pullets kept in experimental floor pens. In cages, BT pullets were less active, gained less weight, and had lower incidence of cannibalism than IN pullets. Also, BT pullets were less nervous and had better feather condition than IN pullets. However, trimming beaks to prevent cannibalism was less effective in NCR pullets than in Y1 or Y2 pullets. In floor pens, BT pullets showed less activity and reduced feeding frequency and less fearfulness as indicated by duration of induced tonic immobility. Agonistic behaviors were not different between BT and IN pullets. From these results, beak trimming could be interpreted as having either stressful or stress-alleviating effects, depending on the criteria used. However, proper beak trimming appears beneficial when cannibalistic pecking is likely to be a problem. The relative benefits of beak trimming vary among genetic stocks.

Agonistic Behavior↗
PubMed1991

Selection and beak-trimming effects on behavior, cannibalism, and short-term production traits in White Leghorn pullets.

Pullets of stocks derived from the North Central Randombred White Leghorn population without selection (C) or selected (S) on family performance when kept with beaks intact in multiple-hen cages were compared. Pullets had intact, one-fourth, or one-half of the beak removed (IN, 1/4R, and 1/2R, respectively). No stock differences were detected for behavior traits or other measures during the rearing period. However, beak-trimmed pullets were more inactive and feeding behavior was depressed in 1/2R pullets 1 wk after beak trimming. At 16 wk, 1/4R pullets' beaks had regrown but 1/2R pullets' beaks continued to be shorter than IN pullets' beaks. No differences in fearfulness were found between genetic stocks or among beak length treatments early in the laying period. Deaths from beak-inflicted injuries accumulated steadily from 18 wk until the study was ended at 40 wk. Cannibalistic deaths occurred less frequently in S as compared with C pullets within each beak treatment. As the amount of beak removal increased, beak-inflicted mortality decreased. The S pullets had earlier sexual maturity, lighter egg weights, and greater hen-housed egg production and egg mass than C pullets, and 1/2R pullets had greater egg production than 1/4R and IN pullets. Genetic stock by age and beak treatment by age interactions were present for hen-housed production and egg mass, and the interactions appeared to result primarily from increased mortality from cannibalistic pecking with increased age.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1991

Research note: genetic adaptation to multiple-bird cage environment is less evident with effective beak trimming.

Selection of hens with intact beaks for high performance in multiple-bird cages has produced a stock that clearly exceeds its unselected control when hens have intact beaks but shows less advantage when comparisons involve effectively beak-trimmed birds. The selected stock performed at about the same level as a stock recently derived from a commercial source (but with two generations of relaxed selection) when birds had intact beaks but at a lower level when birds had their beaks trimmed. Relative incidences of deaths from cannibalistic pecking were partially responsible for the results obtained.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1988

Replacing hens in cages: effect on subsequent egg production.

Comparisons were made to determine whether replacing hens that died in multiple-hen cages would alter the subsequent well-being of such groups, as indicated by rate of egg production. In only one of four comparisons was a significantly lower rate of lay obtained from hens in cages that received replacements in the 1st 5-wk period following replacements. Differences were not detected during the 2nd 5-wk period in any of the four comparisons. Consequences of replacing vs. not replacing hens are discussed briefly.

Animals↗