Determining the death burden for prioritising public health interventions necessitates detailed data on the causal pathways to death. Postmortem minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS), incorporating histology, molecular and microbial culture diagnostics, enhances cause-of-death attribution, particularly for infectious deaths. MITS proves a valid alternative to full diagnostic autopsies, especially in low- and middle-income countries. In Soweto, South Africa (SA), the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) programme has delineated over 1 000 child and stillbirth deaths since 2017. This SA CHAMPS site supports advocating for the use of postmortem MITS as routine practice, for more granular insights into under-5 mortality causes. This knowledge is crucial for SA's pursuit of Sustainable Development Goal 3.2, targeting reduced neonatal and under-5 mortality rates. This commentary explores the public health advantages and ethicolegal considerations surrounding implementing MITS as standard of care for stillbirths, neonatal and paediatric deaths in SA. Furthermore, based on the data from CHAMPS, we present three pragmatic algorithmic approaches to the wide array of testing options for cost-effectiveness and scalability of postmortem MITS in South African state facilities.

It is important that the views of children be considered during the process of their parents' divorce. Parental divorce mediation informed by the needs of children is more likely to produce better outcomes. The ways in which divorce mediators in South Africa, Australia and Kenya consider views of the children of marriages in the process of dissolution are compared. The extent to which these three countries have domesticated and implemented relevant international law and policies is compared. Recommendations are provided for Kenya, where empirical research was undertaken to establish the practices and attitudes of Kenyan divorce mediators. The outcome of this empirical research indicates that - prior to mediating between their parents - most of Kenya's divorce mediators fail to elicit the views and wishes of the children who will be affected by the divorce. Proposals are put forward on how this may be rectified. In formulating these proposals, practices in South Africa and Australia are examined for the purpose of comparative analysis. The recommendations for Kenya include the formulation of appropriate laws and policies; the establishment of cost-effective mechanisms for hearing the voices of children prior to their parents' divorce mediation; and the education of the general public on the importance of considering the views and wishes of children when their parents are divorcing.

ABSTRACT Herbal medicine is widely used as an integrative complementary treatment for common chronic diseases, yet potential risks include adverse effects and coprescription Aim This exploratory survey assessed Brazilian dentists’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding phytotherapy Material and Method This study used a consecutive sample of registered dentists who were active in clinical practice and attending advanced training for complex oral rehabilitation at a leading dental school in Latin America. Participants responded to a semi-structured 38-item instrument designed to collect data on sociodemographic, professional and health variables, and on their knowledge, use, prescription and opinions of phytotherapy. Quantitative data were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Qualitative data were described and analyzed with a thematic approach Results A total 53 dentists responded the survey (88.3% response rate). Six dentists reported formal education in phytotherapy and 33 had informal knowledge. Twenty-one dentists (39.6%) reported using herbal medicine, and 17 (32.1%) prescribed phytotherapy to their patients, mostly traditional medicinal plants. A logistic regression model showed that post-graduate degree and personal use of phytotherapy were associated with phytotherapy prescription. Opinions on how to improve the rational use of phytotherapy included the need for research evidence, specific academic education, and knowledge dissemination to clinicians. As a clinical recommendation, it was proposed that questions on herbal medicine should be asked during the dental patient’s anamnesis Conclusions Dentists with post-graduate degrees and personal use of phytotherapy prescribe herbal medicines for their patients in real-world clinics, regardless of formal education on the subject. Qualitative findings indicate the need to implement scientific initiatives.

RESUMO A fitoterapia é amplamente utilizada como um tratamento integrativo e complementar para doenças crônicas comuns, mas os riscos potenciais incluem efeitos adversos e co-prescrição Objetivo Esta pesquisa exploratória avaliou o conhecimento, as atitudes e as práticas de cirurgiões-dentistas brasileiros sobre fitoterapia Materiais e Método Uma amostra consecutiva foi composta por dentistas com registro profissional, que eram ativos em prática clínica e frequentavam treinamento avançado para reabilitação oral complexa em uma das principais escolas de odontologia da América Latina. Os participantes responderam a um instrumento semiestruturado de 38 itens para coletar dados sobre variáveis sociodemográficas, profissionais e de saúde, bem como conhecimento, uso, prescrição e opiniões sobre fitoterapia. Os dados quantitativos foram analisados com estatística descritiva e inferencial. Os dados qualitativos foram descritos e analisados com abordagem temática Resultados Um total de 53 dentistas respondeu à pesquisa (taxa de resposta de 88,3%). Seis cirurgiões-dentistas relataram formação em fitoterapia e 33 possuíam conhecimento informal. Vinte e um dentistas (39,6%) relataram o uso de fitoterápicos e 17 (32,1%) prescreveram fitoterapia para seus pacientes, principalmente plantas medicinais tradicionais. Um modelo de regressão logística mostrou que pós-graduação e uso pessoal de fitoterapia estiveram associados à prescrição de fitoterapia. As opiniões para melhorar o uso racional da fitoterapia incluíram a necessidade de evidências de pesquisa, formação acadêmica específica e disseminação do conhecimento para os clínicos. Como recomendação clínica, foram propostas questões sobre fitoterapia para a anamnese odontológica do paciente Conclusões Cirurgiões-dentistas com pós-graduação e uso pessoal de fitoterapia prescrevem mais medicamentos fitoterápicos para seus pacientes em clínicas do mundo real, independentemente da educação formal sobre o assunto. Os resultados qualitativos indicam a necessidade de iniciativas de implementação científica.

Objective: To analyze and identify in the scientific literature how remote teaching is being used and how it was evaluated in postgraduate health courses. Methods: Systematic review with a search in the Virtual Health Library (VHL), with the descriptors distance education, remote learning, residency, graduate studies and health in Portuguese and English, between 2017 and 2021, in Portuguese, English and Spanish. Results: From 750 initial results, 19 articles were included. The United States leads with the largest number of publications on the subject. The evaluation of students who studied through remote teaching is positive. Conclusion: Remote teaching was introduced very quickly for a large number of specialties in the world, with this, even showing positive aspects in this type of teaching, some negative points were evident and that future improvements must be made

Objetivo: Analizar e identificar en la literatura científica el uso de la enseñanza a distancia y su evaluación en los cursos de posgrado en salud. Métodos: Revisión sistemática en las bases de datos Medline, Lilacs, BDEnf, IBECS, BBO y BDENF con los descriptores educación a distancia, aprendizaje a distancia, residencia, estudios de posgrado y salud entre 2017 y 2021, en portugués, inglés y español. Resultados: La búsqueda inicial identificó 750 resultados. En la fase de análisis de títulos y resúmenes quedaron 66 estudios. Finalmente, se incluyeron 19 artículos. Estados Unidos lidera con el mayor número de publicaciones sobre el tema. La valoración de los alumnos que estudiaron a través de la docencia a distancia es positiva. Conclusión: La enseñanza a distancia se implementó muy rápidamente para una gran cantidad de especialidades en el mundo, con lo que, aun mostrando aspectos positivos en este tipo de enseñanza, se evidenciaron algunos puntos negativos y que se deben realizar mejoras futuras

Objetivo: Analisar e identificar na literatura científica a utilização do ensino remoto e sua avaliação em cursos de pós-graduação em saúde. Métodos: Revisão sistemática nas bases de dados Medline, Lilacs, BDEnf, IBECS, BBO e BDENF com os descritores educação a distância, ensino remoto, residência, pós-graduação e saúde entre 2017 a 2021, nos idiomas português, inglês e espanhol. Resultados: A busca inicial identificou 750 resultados. Na fase de análise dos títulos e resumos sobraram 66 estudos. Por fim foram incluídos 19 artigos. Os Estados Unidos lideram com o maior número de publicações acerca do tema. A avaliação dos discentes que estudaram através do ensino remoto é positiva. Conclusão: O ensino remoto foi colocado de forma muito rápida para uma grande quantidade de especialidades no mundo, com isso, mesmo evidenciando-se aspectos positivos nesse tipo de ensino, ficou evidente alguns pontos negativos e que se deve fazer melhorias futuras.

The aim with this article is to put the sexual grooming of children in teaching as a trust profession in perspective. Because sexual grooming frequently precedes other sexual offences, targeting it can help prevent such offences. However, the author contends it should not be targeted as a preparatory offence but as an independent offence and form of sexual misconduct. This argument is supported by the fact that the institutional context and distinguishing features of schools make them unique hunting grounds for sexual groomers looking to sexually groom children. This risk is heightened by instances in which a school's institutional values, culture, traditions and practices facilitate sexual grooming. Furthermore, sexual grooming causes severe harm to a child, especially when it occurs within a trust relationship. Following a brief conceptual analysis of the offence of sexual grooming of children as set out in section 18 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 32 of 2007 and some reflection on dilemmas in this regard, the author deliberates on the harmfulness of sexual grooming, focussing on teaching as a trust profession. The author then addresses schools as breeding grounds for sexual grooming before discussing the institutional facilitation of sexual grooming. The author concludes with recommendations on how sexual grooming in schools could be approached.

It is important that the views of children be considered during the process of their parents' divorce. Parental divorce mediation informed by the needs of children is more likely to produce better outcomes. The ways in which divorce mediators in South Africa, Australia and Kenya consider views of the children of marriages in the process of dissolution are compared. The extent to which these three countries have domesticated and implemented relevant international law and policies is compared. Recommendations are provided for Kenya, where empirical research was undertaken to establish the practices and attitudes of Kenyan divorce mediators. The outcome of this empirical research indicates that - prior to mediating between their parents - most of Kenya's divorce mediators fail to elicit the views and wishes of the children who will be affected by the divorce. Proposals are put forward on how this may be rectified. In formulating these proposals, practices in South Africa and Australia are examined for the purpose of comparative analysis. The recommendations for Kenya include the formulation of appropriate laws and policies; the establishment of cost-effective mechanisms for hearing the voices of children prior to their parents' divorce mediation; and the education of the general public on the importance of considering the views and wishes of children when their parents are divorcing.

ABSTRACT The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of phytase supplementation on growth performance, mineral digestibility, and tibia calcium and phosphorous in broilers fed low phosphorus diets. Three hundred broiler chicks were allotted to six different treatments with five replicates each (10 chicks/replicate). T1: Control, 0.5% available phosphorus (Av.P); T2: 0.35P, 0.35% Av.P; T3: 0.20P, 0.20% Av.P; T4: 0.35P-1Phy, diet 0.35P + 1000FTU/kg phytase; T5: 0.20P-2Phy, diet 0.20P + 2000 ftu/kg phytase; T6: 0.20P-3Phy, diet 0.20P + 3000 ftu/kg phytase. Feed intake and weight gain were higher (p=0.001) in broilers fed phytase supplemented diets. Feed conversion ratio was better (p<0.01) in the 0.35P-1Phy than in the others. Calcium and P digestibility was higher (p<0.05) in the 0.35P-1Phy than the 0.35P, 0.20P and 0.20P-2Phy, groups. The highest (p<0.05) tibia ash was observed in the 0.35P and 0.35P-1Phy groups rather than the 0.20P at 21st day, while at 33rd day it was higher (p<0.05) in the control than in 0.20P. At 21st day, tibia Ca content was higher (p<0.05) in the 0.35P-1Phy group as compared to 0.20P and 0.35P, while at 33rd day, tibia Ca content in the control and 0.20P-2Phy groups was higher (p<0.05) than that of 0.20P and 0.35P. Furthermore, tibia P content was higher (p<0.05) in all phytase supplemented groups. It could be concluded that dietary available phosphorus at 0.35% with phytase addition at 1000 FTU/kg reduces the cost per unit weight gain by 9.17%, with positive effects on growth performance.

Abstract KDELR2 has been reported as a promotive factor for the genesis and progression of several malignancies. However, it is uncertain how it affects bladder urothelial carcinoma (BLCA). Using data extracted from online databases, an enhanced expression of KDELR2 in BLCA tissues was verified. Overexpression of KDELR2 was correlated with advanced clinicopathologic characteristics and unfavourable prognosis of BLCA. Receiver operating characteristic analysis highlighted the potential diagnostic value of KDELR2. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses further revealed the predictive effect of KDELR2 for the prognosis of BLCA. KDELR2 was primarily enriched in biological functions related to organization of the extracellular matrix. TIMER, ssGSEA and GEPIA analyses suggested that KDELR2 expression is positively related to the infiltration of macrophages, Th2 cells and neutrophils. Finally, knocking-down of KDELR2 in T24 cells resulted in reduced proliferation, migration and macrophages recruitment. These results suggest that KDELR2 overexpression is an indicator for poor prognosis of BLCA and it has the potential to be employed as an immunotherapy target for BLCA.

ABSTRACT Soybean cultivation requires herbicide application in the off-season, before emergence for weed desiccation, and after emergence. It is believed that the use of preand post-emergent herbicides combined with preharvest application may negatively affect the quality of soybean seeds. As such, the present study aimed to assess the effect of preand post-emergent herbicides on soybean seed quality. Five field experiments were conducted during the 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 growing seasons to investigate the effects of synthetic auxins and pre-emergents, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitors, broadleaf herbicides, and s-metolachlor or clomazone on the quality of soybean seeds. Dicamba application combined with the pre-emergent herbicides imazethapyr/flumioxazin before soybean planting reduced seed vigor and germination. ACCase inhibitors in association with broadleaf herbicides before planting had no effect on seed quality. Applying s-metolachlor (up to 2,880 g of active ingredient [ai] ha-1) or clomazone (up to 1,800 g ai ha-1) was safe for seed germination, even when used after soybean emergence.

RESUMO No cultivo da soja, faz-se necessário a aplicação de herbicidas na entressafra, com a associação de herbicidas para a dessecação das plantas-daninhas com pré-emergentes, bem como com aplicações em pós-emergência da soja. Acredita-se que herbicidas aplicados na dessecação pré-semeadura soja, em associação com herbicidas pré-emergentes, bem como herbicidas pré-emergentes aplicados em pós-emergência da soja, possam afetar negativamente a qualidade de sementes da cultura. Assim, objetivouse com este estudo avaliar o efeito de herbicidas, aplicados em pré ou pós-emergência da soja, na qualidade de sementes produzidas. Foram conduzidos cinco experimentos no campo, durante as safras 2018/2019 e 2019/2020. Foram investigados os efeitos de auxinas sintéticas e pré-emergentes, inibidores da ACCase e latifolicidas, e smetolachlor ou clomazone sobre a qualidade de sementes produzidas. A aplicação de dicamba em associações com os herbicidas préemergentes imazethapyr/flumioxazin, em pré-semeadura da soja, diminuiu o vigor e germinação das sementes. A aplicação de herbicidas inibidores da ACCase em associação com latifolicidas, em pré-semeadura, não teve impacto sobre a qualidade das sementes. A aplicação de s-metolachlor (até 2.880 g de ingrediente ativo [ia] ha-1) ou de clomazone (até 1.800 g ia ha-1) foi segura para a germinação das sementes, mesmo para a aplicação em pós-emergência da cultura.

ABSTRACT Grape and cherry mini tomatoes have been conquering Brazilian consumers due to their sweet taste, practicality of consumption, and versatility in culinary use. Therefore, the present work aimed to characterize ten grape tomato hybrids based on genetic diversity and physical and biochemical traits to provide information for the development of new genotypes focused on the appearance and enrichment of nutritional factors. The evaluated hybrids were Aiko, BRSIG, BRS Zamir, Carolina, Dolcetto, Dulce, Guaraci, Santa West, SCI-023 and Sweet Heaven. The experiment was conducted in 2019 in a greenhouse at the State University of Londrina, using a completely randomized design with four replications and six plants in each replication. The plants were grown following the practices recommended for cultivating tomatoes. The physical and biochemical characterization data were subjected to analysis of variance by the F test (p<0.05) and Scott & Knott means cluster test (p<0.05), and the molecular characterization data were subjected to analysis of principal coordinates (PCoA) and Bayesian clustering. Aiko presented the highest fruit mass and size as opposed to that observed on SCI-023, while BRSIG was the firmest fruit with the largest pericarp thickness. SCI-023, Dolcetto, and Sweet Heaven had higher sugar content. The soluble solids content ranged from 6.04 to 9.66 °Brix among the genotypes. Hybrids SCI-023, BRSIG, Sweet Heaven, BRS Zamir, and Dulce had the highest antioxidant activity levels. In the phenotypic characterization two groups were formed. The genotypic characterization showed seven groups in which high genetic similarity was verified among BRS Zamir, SCI-023, and Guaraci, as well as between Carolina and Dulce. The greatest dissimilarity was observed between Sweet Heaven and BRSIG. Both characterizations were useful to evaluate the aptitude of these genotypes as outstanding genitors for breeding programs for the Brazilian market.

RESUMO Os minitomates tipo grape e cereja vêm conquistando o consumidor brasileiro pelo sabor adocicado, praticidade de consumo e versatilidade no uso culinário. Nesse contexto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar dez híbridos de tomate grape com base na diversidade genética e em descritores físicos e bioquímicos, afim de fornecer subsídios para o desenvolvimento de novas cultivares com foco no surgimento e enriquecimento de fatores nutricionais. Os híbridos avaliados foram Aiko, BRSIG, BRS Zamir, Carolina, Dolcetto, Dulce, Guaraci, Santa West, SCI-023 e Sweet Heaven. O experimento foi conduzido em 2019 na área experimental da Universidade Estadual de Londrina, utilizando o delineamento experimental em blocos completos ao acaso, com quatro repetições e seis plantas por repetição. As plantas foram cultivadas seguindo as práticas recomendadas para o cultivo do tomate. Os dados da caracterização física e bioquímica foram submetidos à análise de variância pelo teste F (p<0,05) e teste de agrupamento de médias de Scott & Knott (p<0,05); os dados da caracterização molecular foram submetidos à análise de coordenadas principais (PCoA) e agrupamento Bayesiano. O genótipo Aiko apresentou a maior massa e tamanho de fruto em relação ao observado para SCI-023, enquanto BRSIG apresentou o fruto mais firme e a maior espessura de pericarpo. SCI-023, Dolcetto e Sweet Heaven apresentaram maiores teores de açúcares totais. O teor de sólidos solúveis totais variou de 6,04 a 9,66 °Brix entre os genótipos. Os híbridos SCI-023, BRSIG, Sweet Heaven, BRS Zamir e Dulce apresentaram os maiores níveis de atividade antioxidante. Foram formados dois grupos na caracterização fenotípica. A caracterização genotípica mostrou sete grupos nos quais foi verificada alta similaridade genética entre BRS Zamir, SCI-023 e Guaraci, assim como Carolina e Dulce, enquanto a maior dissimilaridade foi observada entre Sweet Heaven e BRSIG. Ambas as caracterizações foram úteis para avaliar a aptidão desses genótipos como notáveis genitores para programas de melhoramento visando o desenvolvimento de novas cultivares para o mercado brasileiro.

Resumo Os estudos biocinemáticos são usados para programas clínicos, fisio- terapêuticos e reprodutivos. O objetivo deste estudo foi fornecer informações sobre essas variáveis para o cavalo Crioulo argentino. Foram estu- dadas 8 éguas da raça Crioula Argentino. Os marcadores refrativos foram colocados em locais anatômicos predeterminados. Eles foram obrigados a percorrer uma distância de 15 metros na grama guiados de mãos dadas. Os passeios foram repetidos três vezes por indivíduo e gravados em vídeo. Os quadros foram inseridos no software ImageJ para medir os ângulos articulares, de inclinação escapular e pélvica, protração e retração e de extensão, flexão e amplitude angular de cada articulação dos membros, ao mesmo tempo que o comprimento e número de passadas eram por batimento e a velocidade com que percorreram os 15 metros. Foi reali- zada estatística descritiva das variáveis. Os cavalos cobriram a distância em 22,99 seg a 4,08 m / seg, para a qual executaram 5,69 passadas com um comprimento de passada de 2,66 m realizado em 0,65 seg. Os ângulos de protração e retração foram de 22,63º e 6,8º; 9,06º e 22,03º para membros torácicos e pélvicos. Os ângulos de inclinação escapular e pél- vico foram 73,19º- 60,79º (12,4º); e 33,11 ° -26,52 ° (6,58 °). Os ângulos de extensão e flexão e amplitude angular foram: ombro 128,07º-116,93º, 11,13º, cotovelo 159,85º-144,60º, 15,52º; carpo 175,85º-172,18º, 3,66º, quadril 103,38º - 86,19º, 17,18º; joelho 138,57º-118,56º, 20,01º; tarso 153,79º - 142,85º, 10,94º e nódulos torácicos 159,68º-126,89º, 32,79º e nós pélvicos 161,09º-129,68º, 31,41º. Os intervalos de retração-pro- tração dos membros contribuem para o conhecimento da sincronicidade da retração ipsilateral do membro anterior e da protração do membro posterior no trote. A execução do trote no cavalo Crioulo argentino requer a sincronização das extensões e flexões articulares cujas variações míni- mas e máximas foram registradas.

Resumen Los estudios biocinemáticos se emplean con fines clínicos, fisioterápicos y en programas de reproducción. El objetivo de este estudio fue aportar información de estas variables para el caballo Criollo Argentino. Se estudiaron 8 yeguas de la raza Criollo Argentino. Les fueron colocados marcadores refractantes en sitios anatómicos predeterminados. Se les hizo recorrer una distancia de 15 metros sobre césped guiadas de la mano. Los recorridos se repitieron tres veces por individuo y se registraron en video. Los fotogramas se introdujeron en el software ImageJ para medir los ángulos articulares, de inclinación escapular y pélvica, protracción y retracción y de extensión, flexión y amplitud angular de cada articulación de los miembros, a la vez que se estableció la longitud y número de zancadas por batida y la velocidad a la que recorrieron los 15 metros. Se realizó estadística descriptiva de las variables. Los caballos recorrieron la distancia en 22,99 seg a 4,08 m/seg para lo cual ejecutaron 5,69 zancadas con una longitud de batida de 2,66 m efectuada en 0,65 seg. Los ángulos de protracción y retracción fueron 22,63º y 6,8º; 9,06º y 22,03º para miembros torá- cico y pélvico. Los ángulos de inclinación escapular y pelviano fueron 73,19º- 60,79º (12,4º); y 33,11º-26,52º (6,58º). Los ángulos de exten- sión y flexión y amplitud angular fueron: hombro 128,07º-116,93º, 11,13º, codo 159,85º-144,60º, 15,52º; carpo 175,85º-172,18º, 3,66º, cadera 103,38º–86,19º, 17,18º; rodilla 138,57º-118,56º, 20,01º; tarso 153,79º–142,85º, 10,94º y nudos torácicos 159,68º-126,89º, 32,79º y pelviano 161,09º-129,68º, 31,41º. Los rangos de retracción-pro- tracción de los miembros contribuyen a conocer la sincronicidad de la retracción ipsilateral de la extremidad anterior y la protracción del miembro posterior en el trote. La ejecución del trote en el caballo Criollo Argentino requiere sincronización de extensiones y flexiones articulares cuyas variaciones mínimas y máximas fueron registradas.

ABSTRACT This study was planned to examine the effect of silymarin on diminishing adverse effects of ochratoxin-A (OTA) in laying hens. A total number of 300 Inshas, local layer hens of 28 weeks of age were randomly distributed into 4 groups with 5 replicates each (15 hens). The birds were fed on the following treatments, (Control): fed a hen diet without any supplementation; (SL): fed the control diet supplemented with SL (1000 mg/kg feed); (OTA-diet): was fed the control diet contaminated with 1 ppm of OTA/kg diet, and (OTA+SL): fed the OTA-diet plus SL (1ppm OTA+1000 mg SL/kg feed). Results showed that feeding OTA at 1 ppm reduced productive performance compared with those fed the control diet. In OTA treated groups the total erythrocytes count, leukocytes count, PCV and Hb were decreased when compared to the control and SL groups. Albumin, globulin and serum total proteins in OTA treated groups were significantly lower when compared to the control and SL groups. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were significantly increased in OTA fed groups in comparison with the control and SL groups. Creatinine and uric acid were increased in OTA treated groups but were almost normal in the SL group. The results showed that OTA had a severe effect on liver and kidney, but SL treated group had normal liver and kidneys showing its hepatoprotective effects.

ABSTRACT This experiment was planned to evaluate the effects of phytase supplementation with or without organic acid (OA) on performance, protein, calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and sodium (Na) digestibility and carcass parameters in broiler chickens fed low Ca and low P diets in comparison to a high Ca and high P diet with standard specifications. For this purpose, two iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric diets were prepared in such a way that one diet had high Ca (9.80) and high P (4.50) and second diet had low Ca (8.50) and low P (2.40), respectively. Low Ca and low P diet was further supplemented with enzyme phytase @ 500 FTU/kg, and phytase @ 500 FTU/kg + organic acid (1 kg/ton). Rations were offered to seven replicates of ten birds each, from day 1 to 21. Results revealed that the experimental treatments had no effect on feed intake and growth performance of birds (p>0.05). Carcass parameter results showed highest thigh meat yield % and liver weight % in the birds fed diet with low Ca & P and supplemented with enzymes phytase (p<0.05). Fecal P and Na digestiblities were high (p<0.05) in experimental broilers fed low Ca low P with enzyme phytase supplementation as compared to the diet without phytase supplementation. It is concluded that phytase and OA supplementation in the starter diet with low Ca and low P level did not influence intake, growth and feed conversion of the broilers. However, thigh meat yield percent and mineral digestiblities (P and Na) increased in the broilers that received the diet with low Ca and low P level and supplemented with enzyme phytase.

The inappropriate use of antibiotics in the veterinary sector has contributed to antibiotic resistance (ABR), which negatively impacts animal health and welfare. Understanding the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) on antibiotic use, ABR, and its containment amongst veterinarians is critical to optimise antibiotic use and contain resistance. A quantitative questionnaire-based online survey was conducted amongst members of professional veterinary associations. The questionnaire consisted of four sections focusing on socio-demographic characteristics, KAP of participants on antibiotic use, ABR, and its containment in the South African veterinary sector. The Independent t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and chi-square test were used to establish associations among selected socio-demographic variables and selected KAP parameters. A total of 130 responses were received from 2 178 animal health professionals, yielding a response rate of six per cent, with 102 complete responses constituting the final sample size. Self-reported knowledge on antibiotic stewardship, ABR mechanisms, and pharmacology was good at 96 (94.1%), 91 (89.2%), and 70 (68.6%), respectively. Notably, most of the veterinarians (61; 59.8%) lacked an antibiotic stewardship programme at their practice. Place of practice was significantly associated (p = 0.004) with possession of knowledge about ABR. Veterinarians in urban practice were more knowledgeable about ABR than those in rural practice. Antibiotic stewardship programmes need to be implemented in veterinary practice. Such programmes might encourage the frequent use of consensus guidelines for the appropriate use of antibiotics and microbiology-informed therapy.