Habitat differentiation between groups of Risso's dolphins as evidence of coastal nursery areas

26th Annual Conference of the European Cetacean Society, Galway, Ireland 26-28 March 2012.Previous studies have shown strong site fidelity by Risso's dolphins at a site off Pico Island, Azores. Females with calves tend to be seen together, often with newborn calves. In this study we analyse position and photo-identification data gathered on ocean surveys from 2004 to 2007 to look at the distribution of females with calves of different ages (newborns to 6 months old, 6 months to 2 years and 2 to 4 years) and compare it with pods with no calves present. The association of the different groups with selected ecogeographical variables was tested, and a maximum entropy model was used to create habitat suitability maps, using a 50mx50m grid. The female pods with younger calves were found to have a significantly distinct distribution from those with older calves or without calves. The main difference was that the pods with younger calves tended to be found closer to the shore, whereas the other groups used a wider offshore area. More extensive sampling is required in order to validate the existence and geographical distribution of coastal nursery areas for this species. However, we believe the present data is enough to elicit precautionary conservation measures to reduce human impact on a vulnerable part of the dolphin society, such as that associated with boat traffic, whale watching and swimming with dolphins operations

Show me your body and I tell you how hold you are: a non-invasive methodto define 6 life history-classes in Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus), using an identified trial population in the Atlantic

European Cetacean Society Conference Workshop, Galway, Ireland, 25th March 2012."[…]. The objective of this paper is to present a new non-intrusive and inexpensive method to classify six life history stages in Risso's dolphins: from newborn calf to old-adult. We propose an age-class indicator model using the scarification patterns and the species unique discoloration process. We developed two methods and tested these among 52 rankers to examine if our proposed methods could be applied by anybody and if they would conform with our age class model. We also investigated the possible differences in the scarification patterns between genders. We used a longterm followed identified population of Risso's dolphins in the Azores to set up our test methods and report our present results.

Behavioural responses of Risso’s dolphin, Grampus griseus, to remote biopsy sampling

25th Conference of the European Cetacean Society. Long-terms datasets on marine mammals: learning from the past to manage the future, Cadiz, Spain, 21-23 March 2011.Biopsy sampling from free-ranging cetaceans is a widespread method used in various biological studies. Since this is an intrusive research technique, it’s important to determine its impact. We examined the short-term behavioural reactions of Risso’s dolphins, Grampus griseus (2.6-4m in length), off Pico Island, to remote biopsy sampling. Biopsies were conducted over a consecutive two year period using a crossbow with Finn Larsen bolts and tips. Sampling followed a number of precautionary rules, including taking samples only in calm seas, when animals were travelling; no more than 1-4 shots per group; and females with nursing calves were not exposed to sampling. Behavioural responses were analysed by visual observation using two scales of behavioural reactions: i) the reaction of the targeted individual, and ii) the reaction of the focal group to which the targeted individual belonged. We defined five categories of intensity of behavioural response (none, low, medium, high, very high) and five types of display response (quick dive, QD; diving & leaving, D&L; jumping, J; tail slapping, TS; and speeding away at surface, SS). A total of 189 shots were made (115 hits, 74 miss) during 61 survey days. Tissue was obtained in 83% of the hits. No significant differences were found between hits and misses in behavioural responses or types of display (Kruskal Wallis test). In 9% of the cases there was no visible reaction, while most (48%) behavioural responses were of low intensity. The frequencies of the display responses differed significantly from each other (chi-squared test). The types QD and D&L constituted 79% of the responses. Group reaction was observed during 1/5 of the shots, (main behaviour D&L-51%). Although biopsy sampling is an invasive method, our results indicate that if basic precaution rules are followed low intensity behavioural responses can be expected for half of the time

Risso's dolphins alter daily resting pattern in response to whale watching at the Azores

Peer reviewedPreprin

Minimal important difference of change in patient-specific goals in severe emphysema patients

Change in patient's personal treatment goals is an important patient-reported outcome and can be measured by the patient-specific complaints (PSC) questionnaire. This paper establishes the MID for this questionnaire as -5.9 points. https://bit.ly/3kwvWKM

Change in Dynamic Hyperinflation After Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction in Patients with Emphysema

Background and Purpose In patients with severe emphysema, dynamic hyperinflation is superimposed on top of already existing static hyperinflation. Static hyperinflation reduces significantly after bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR). In this study, we investigated the effect of BLVR compared to standard of care (SoC) on dynamic hyperinflation. Methods Dynamic hyperinflation was induced by a manually paced tachypnea test (MPT) and was defined by change in inspiratory capacity (IC) measured before and after MPT. Static and dynamic hyperinflation measurements were performed both at baseline and 6 months after BLVR with endobronchial valves or coils (treatment group) or SoC (control group). Results Eighteen patients underwent BLVR (78% female, 57 (43-67) years, FEV(1)25(18-37) %predicted, residual volume 231 (182-376) %predicted). Thirteen patients received SoC (100% female, 59 (44-74) years, FEV(1)25 (19-37) %predicted, residual volume 225 (152-279) %predicted. The 6 months median change in dynamic hyperinflation in the treatment group was: + 225 ml (range - 113 to + 803) (p <0.01) vs 0 ml (- 1067 to + 500) in the control group (p = 0.422). An increase in dynamic hyperinflation was significantly associated with a decrease in residual volume (r = - 0.439,p <0.01). Conclusion Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction increases the ability for dynamic hyperinflation in patients with severe emphysema. We propose this is a consequence of improved static hyperinflation

Survival in COPD patients treated with bronchoscopic lung volume reduction

Background and objective: Severe COPD patients can significantly benefit from bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) treatments with coils or endobronchial valves. However, the potential impact of BLVR on survival is less understood. Therefore, our aim was to investigate the survival rate in patients who are evaluated for BLVR treatment and whether there is a difference in survival rate between patients who undergo BLVR treatment and patients who do not. Methods: We included patients with COPD who visited our hospital for a consultation evaluating their eligibility for BLVR treatment and who performed pulmonary function tests during this visit. Furthermore, vital status was verified. Results: In total 1471 patients were included (63% female, mean age 61 years). A total of 531 patients (35%) died during follow-up and the median survival time of the total population was 2694 days (95% confidence interval(CI) 2462–2926) which is approximately 7.4 years. The median survival time of patients who were treated with BLVR was significantly longer compared to patients who were not treated with BLVR (3133 days versus 2503 days, p < 0.001), and BLVR was found to be an independent predictor of survival when adjusting for other survival-influencing factors such as age, gender or severity of disease. Conclusions: Our results suggest that bronchoscopically reducing lung volume in patients with severe hyperinflation may lead to a survival benefit for a population with a severely reduced life expectancy

Revision Bronchoscopy After Endobronchial Valve Treatment for Emphysema:Indications, Findings and Outcomes

Background: Endobronchial valve (EBV) treatment is an effective treatment for patients with severe emphysema. Revision bronchoscopies after endobronchial valve treatment can be essential to prolong the effect of treatment or address long-term complications. Purpose: To evaluate the indications, endoscopic findings and outcomes of revision bronchoscopies and investigate if any predictors for granulation tissue formation, after EBV treatment, can be identified. Patients and Methods: Patients who underwent EBV treatment between 2016 and 2019 in our hospital, as routine care, were included. If a patient underwent a revision bronchoscopy, data regarding revision bronchoscopies, including indication, finding, intervention and pulmonary function testing (PFT) after revision bronchoscopy were analysed. Results: One hundred seventy-nine patients were included of which 41% required at least one revision bronchoscopy. In 43% of the revision bronchoscopy patients, the indication was loss of initial treatment effect. In 53% of the revision bronchoscopy patients, granulation tissue was found to be the underlying cause. Valve replacement(s) were performed in 51% of the revision bronchoscopy cases. Permanent valve removal was required in 13% of all patients. Overall, revision bronchoscopies led to improvements in PFT outcomes for patients experiencing no or a loss of initial treatment effect. No clinically relevant predictors for granulation tissue formation were identified. Conclusion: Performing a revision bronchoscopy after EBV treatment is a useful procedure leading to an improved treatment effect in most patients. Granulation tissue formation, causing valve dysfunction, is the most common cause of longer term problems

Data analysis model selection for estimating local population size of the Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus) in the Azores

27th Annual Conference of the European Cetacean Society. Setúbal, Portugal, 8-10 April 2013.Different models estimating cetacean population size require making assumptions about the marking and recapturing of individuals, and on the structure of the population. Crucial in selecting the most appropriate model is a critical assessment of these assumptions. In this study we applied the robust parameterization of the open Jolly-Seber (JS) model (POPAN), using the software program MARK. This model was applied to data collected on the Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus). Between 2004 – 2007, photo-identification was used as a Capture-Mark-Recapture technique to identify 670 unique individuals off Pico Island, Azores. For this model, it was assessed what assumptions are supported or violated. The aim of this study was improving our understanding of how to select the most appropriate population size model