Habitat Characteristics of Eastern Wild Turkey Nest and Ground-roost Sites in 2 Longleaf Pine Forests

Managing and restoring longleaf pine forests throughout the Southeast is a conservation priority. Prescribed fire is an integral part of these activities, as it is the primary means of controlling hardwood encroachment and maintaining native groundcover. Nest site and preflight brood groundroost site selection of eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) has not been well studied in longleaf pine systems. Therefore, we determined habitat characteristics associated with wild turkey nests and ground-roosts in 2 longleaf pine forests in southwestern Georgia. We radio-tagged 45 female turkeys and evaluated habitat characteristics associated with 84 nests and 51 ground-roosts during the 2011–2013 nesting seasons. Nests were located farther from mature pine and mature pine-hardwood stands and closer to shrub/scrub habitats than expected. Nests were also negatively associated with percent canopy closure and positively associated with percent woody ground cover and vegetation height. Ground-roosts were closer to mature pine-hardwood stands and open water than were random sites. We suggest that management of longleaf pine forests should focus on maintaining open-canopied forests with adequate understory vegetation to serve as nesting and brood-rearing cover. Our findings suggest that frequent prescribed fire (≤ 2 years), when the management goal is to optimize restoration of longleaf ecosystems, is conducive to maintaining wild turkey populations

UBC-Nepal Expedition: Haemoconcentration underlies the reductions in cerebralblood flow observed during acclimatization to high-altitude

At high‐altitude, increases in haematocrit (Hct) are achieved through altitude‐induced diuresis and erythropoiesis, both of which result in increased arterial oxygen content (CaO2). Given the impact alterations in Hct have on CaO2, haemoconcentration has been hypothesized to partly mediate the attenuation of the initial elevation in cerebral blood flow (CBF) at high‐altitude. To test this hypothesis, healthy males (n = 13) ascended to 5050 m over nine days without the aid of prophylactic acclimatization medications. Following one‐week of acclimatization at 5050 m, participants were haemodiluted by rapid saline infusion (2.10 ± 0.28 L) to return Hct towards pre‐acclimatized levels. Arterial blood gases, Hct, global CBF (duplex ultrasound), and haemodynamic variables were measured following initial arrival to 5050 m, and after one‐week of acclimatization at high‐altitude, prior to and following the haemodilution protocol. Following one‐week at 5050 m, Hct increased from 42.5 ± 2.5 to 49.6 ± 2.5% (P < 0.001), and was subsequently reduced to 45.6 ± 2.3% (P < 0.001) following haemodilution. Global CBF decreased from 844 ± 160 to 619 ± 136 ml mi−1 n (P = 0.033) following one‐week of acclimatization and increased to 714 ± 204 ml mi−1n (P = 0.045) following haemodilution. Despite the significant changes in Hct, and thus CaO2, cerebral oxygen delivery was unchanged at all time points. Furthermore, these observations occurred in the absence of any changes in mean arterial blood pressure, cardiac output, arterial blood pH, or oxygen saturation pre‐ and post‐haemodilution. These data highlight the influence of Hct in the regulation of CBF and are the first to demonstrate experimentally that haemoconcentration contributes to the reduction in CBF during acclimatization to altitude

The 2018 Global Research Expedition on Altitude-related Chronic Health (REACH) to Cerro de Pasco, Peru: An Experimental Overview

In 2016, the international research team - Global Research Expedition onAltitude-related Chronic Health (REACH) - was established and executed a high altituderesearch expedition to Nepal. The team consists of ~45 students, principal investigatorsand physicians with the common objective of conducting experiments focused on highaltitude adaptation in lowlanders, and highlanders with lifelong exposure to high altitude.In 2018, Global REACH traveled to Peru where we performed a series of experiments inthe Andean highlanders. The experimental objectives, organization and characteristics,and key cohort data from Global REACH's latest research expedition are outlined herein.Herein, fifteen major studies are described that aimed to elucidate the physiologicaldifferences in high altitude acclimatization between lowlanders (n=30) and Andean bornhighlanders with (n=22) and without (n=45) Excessive Erythrocytosis (EE). Afterbaseline testing in Kelowna, BC, Canada (344m), Global REACH travelled to Lima, Peru(~80 m), and then ascended by automobile to Cerro de Pasco, Peru (~4300m) whereexperiments were conducted over 25 days. The core studies focused on elucidating themechanism(s) governing cerebral and peripheral vascular function, cardiopulmonaryregulation, exercise performance, and autonomic control. Despite encountering seriouslogistical challenges, each of the proposed studies were completed at both sea level andhigh altitude amounting to ~780 study sessions and >3000 hrs of experimental testing.Participant demographics and data related to acid-base balance and exercise capacityare presented. The collective findings will contribute to our understanding of howlowlanders and Andean highlanders have adapted under high altitude stress

Global REACH 2018: Andean Highlanders, Chronic Mountain Sickness and the Integrative Regulation of Resting Blood Pressure

High‐altitude maladaptation syndrome chronic mountain sickness (CMS) is characterised by excessive erythrocytosis and frequently accompanied by accentuated arterial hypoxaemia. Whether altered autonomic cardiovascular regulation is apparent in CMS is unclear. Therefore, we assessed integrative control of blood pressure (BP) and determined basal sympathetic vasomotor outflow and arterial baroreflex function in 8 Andean natives with CMS ([Hb] 22.6 ± 0.9 g/dL) and 7 healthy highlanders ([Hb] 19.3 ± 0.8 g/dL) at their resident altitude (Cerro de Pasco, Peru; 4383 m). R‐R interval (RRI, electrocardiogram), beat‐by‐beat BP (photoplethysmography) and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA; microneurography) were recorded at rest and during pharmacologically‐induced changes in BP (modified Oxford test). Although [Hb] and blood viscosity (7.8 ± 0.7 vs 6.6 ± 0.7cP; d = 1.7, P = 0.01) were elevated in CMS compared to healthy highlanders, cardiac output, total peripheral resistance and mean BP were similar between groups. The vascular sympathetic baroreflex MSNA set‐point (i.e. MSNA burst incidence) and reflex gain (i.e. responsiveness) were also similar between groups (MSNA set‐point; d = 0.75, P = 0.16, gain; d = 0.2, P = 0.69). In contrast, in CMS the cardiovagal baroreflex operated around a longer RRI (960 ± 159 vs 817 ± 50msec; d = 1.4, P = 0.04) with a greater reflex gain (17.2 ± 6.8 vs 8.8 ± 2.6msec·mmHg−1; d = 1.8, P = 0.01) versus healthy highlanders. Basal sympathetic vasomotor activity was also lower compared to healthy highlanders (33 ± 11 vs 45 ± 13bursts·min−1; d = 1.0, P = 0.08). In conclusion, our findings indicate adaptive differences in basal sympathetic vasomotor activity and heart rate compensate for the haemodynamic consequences of excessive erythrocyte volume and contribute to integrative blood pressure regulation in Andean highlanders with mild CMS

Phylogeographical analysis of the dominant multidrug-resistant H58 clade of Salmonella Typhi identifies inter- and intracontinental transmission events.

The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) typhoid is a major global health threat affecting many countries where the disease is endemic. Here whole-genome sequence analysis of 1,832 Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) identifies a single dominant MDR lineage, H58, that has emerged and spread throughout Asia and Africa over the last 30 years. Our analysis identifies numerous transmissions of H58, including multiple transfers from Asia to Africa and an ongoing, unrecognized MDR epidemic within Africa itself. Notably, our analysis indicates that H58 lineages are displacing antibiotic-sensitive isolates, transforming the global population structure of this pathogen. H58 isolates can harbor a complex MDR element residing either on transmissible IncHI1 plasmids or within multiple chromosomal integration sites. We also identify new mutations that define the H58 lineage. This phylogeographical analysis provides a framework to facilitate global management of MDR typhoid and is applicable to similar MDR lineages emerging in other bacterial species

BHPR research: qualitative1. Complex reasoning determines patients' perception of outcome following foot surgery in rheumatoid arhtritis

Background: Foot surgery is common in patients with RA but research into surgical outcomes is limited and conceptually flawed as current outcome measures lack face validity: to date no one has asked patients what is important to them. This study aimed to determine which factors are important to patients when evaluating the success of foot surgery in RA Methods: Semi structured interviews of RA patients who had undergone foot surgery were conducted and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis of interviews was conducted to explore issues that were important to patients. Results: 11 RA patients (9 ♂, mean age 59, dis dur = 22yrs, mean of 3 yrs post op) with mixed experiences of foot surgery were interviewed. Patients interpreted outcome in respect to a multitude of factors, frequently positive change in one aspect contrasted with negative opinions about another. Overall, four major themes emerged. Function: Functional ability & participation in valued activities were very important to patients. Walking ability was a key concern but patients interpreted levels of activity in light of other aspects of their disease, reflecting on change in functional ability more than overall level. Positive feelings of improved mobility were often moderated by negative self perception ("I mean, I still walk like a waddling duck”). Appearance: Appearance was important to almost all patients but perhaps the most complex theme of all. Physical appearance, foot shape, and footwear were closely interlinked, yet patients saw these as distinct separate concepts. Patients need to legitimize these feelings was clear and they frequently entered into a defensive repertoire ("it's not cosmetic surgery; it's something that's more important than that, you know?”). Clinician opinion: Surgeons' post operative evaluation of the procedure was very influential. The impact of this appraisal continued to affect patients' lasting impression irrespective of how the outcome compared to their initial goals ("when he'd done it ... he said that hasn't worked as good as he'd wanted to ... but the pain has gone”). Pain: Whilst pain was important to almost all patients, it appeared to be less important than the other themes. Pain was predominately raised when it influenced other themes, such as function; many still felt the need to legitimize their foot pain in order for health professionals to take it seriously ("in the end I went to my GP because it had happened a few times and I went to an orthopaedic surgeon who was quite dismissive of it, it was like what are you complaining about”). Conclusions: Patients interpret the outcome of foot surgery using a multitude of interrelated factors, particularly functional ability, appearance and surgeons' appraisal of the procedure. While pain was often noted, this appeared less important than other factors in the overall outcome of the surgery. Future research into foot surgery should incorporate the complexity of how patients determine their outcome Disclosure statement: All authors have declared no conflicts of interes

Mammal responses to global changes in human activity vary by trophic group and landscape

Wildlife must adapt to human presence to survive in the Anthropocene, so it is critical to understand species responses to humans in different contexts. We used camera trapping as a lens to view mammal responses to changes in human activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Across 163 species sampled in 102 projects around the world, changes in the amount and timing of animal activity varied widely. Under higher human activity, mammals were less active in undeveloped areas but unexpectedly more active in developed areas while exhibiting greater nocturnality. Carnivores were most sensitive, showing the strongest decreases in activity and greatest increases in nocturnality. Wildlife managers must consider how habituation and uneven sensitivity across species may cause fundamental differences in human–wildlife interactions along gradients of human influence.Peer reviewe