Population overlap and habitat segregation in wintering Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa

Distinct breeding populations of migratory species may overlap both spatially and temporally, but differ in patterns of habitat use. This has important implications for population monitoring and conservation. To quantify the extent to which two distinct breeding populations of a migratory shorebird, the Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa, overlap spatially, temporally and in their use of different habitats during winter. We use mid-winter counts between 1990 and 2001 to identify the most important sites in Iberia for Black-tailed Godwits. Monthly surveys of estuarine mudflats and rice-fields at one major site, the Tejo estuary in Portugal in 2005-2007, together with detailed tracking of colour-ringed individuals, are used to explore patterns of habitat use and segregation of the Icelandic subspecies L. l. islandica and the nominate continental subspecies L. l. limosa. In the period 1990-2001, over 66 000 Black-tailed Godwits were counted on average in Iberia during mid-winter (January), of which 80% occurred at just four sites: Tejo and Sado lower basins in Portugal, and Coto Dontildeana and Ebro Delta in Spain. Icelandic Black-tailed Godwits are present throughout the winter and forage primarily in estuarine habitats. Continental Black-tailed Godwits are present from December to March and primarily use rice-fields. Iberia supports about 30% of the Icelandic population in winter and most of the continental population during spring passage. While the Icelandic population is currently increasing, the continental population is declining rapidly. Although the estuarine habitats used by Icelandic godwits are largely protected as Natura 2000 sites, the habitat segregation means that conservation actions for the decreasing numbers of continental godwits should focus on protection of rice-fields and re-establishment of freshwater wetlands

Isolated limb infusion with fotemustine after dacarbazine chemosensitisation for inoperable loco-regional melanoma recurrence.

Contains fulltext : 57654.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)BACKGROUND: Isolated limb infusion (ILI) is a simple yet effective alternative to conventional isolated limb perfusion for the treatment of advanced melanoma of the extremities. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study group comprised 13 patients with very advanced limb disease who had failed to achieve a satisfactory response to one or more ILIs with melphalan, and in whom amputation was the only other realistic treatment option. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of ILI with fotemustine after systemic chemosensitisation with dacarbazine (DTIC). RESULTS: Complete remission was achieved in four patients and partial remission in eight patients, with a median response duration of 3 months. Limb salvage was achieved in five of 12 assessable patients (42%). Limb toxicity peaked 9 days after ILI; two patients experienced Wieberdink grade IV (severe) toxicity and four patients had grade V toxicity (requiring early amputation). CONCLUSIONS: ILI with fotemustine after DTIC chemosensitisation can be successful when gross limb disease has not been controlled by one or more ILIs with melphalan. However, it cannot be recommended as a routine method of treatment for advanced melanoma of the extremities because of the high incidence of severe limb toxicity

Labour management of a woman with carnitine palmitoyl transferase type 2 deficiency

Carnitine palmitoyl transferase (CPT) type 2 deficiency is a disorder of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. In situations where energy stores are inadequate, such as may occur during labour women with CPT type 2 deficiency are at risk of rhabdomyolysis. There is limited experience in the management of women with this condition in labour. We report a case of successful labour management of a woman with CPT type 2 deficiency, together with a brief review of the published case reports and a discussion of the issues surrounding anaesthetic management.E.M. Slater, R. Grivell and A.M. Cyn

Aldosterone-potassium ratio predicts primary aldosteronism subtype

Contains fulltext : 220540.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access)OBJECTIVE: Prediction models have been developed to predict either unilateral or bilateral primary aldosteronism, and these have not been validated externally. We aimed to develop a simplified score to predict both subtypes and validate this externally. METHODS: Our development cohort was taken from 165 patients who underwent adrenal vein sampling (AVS) in two Asian tertiary centres. Unilateral disease was determined using both AVS and postoperative outcome. Multivariable analysis was used to construct prediction models. We validated our tool in a European cohort of 97 patients enrolled in the SPARTACUS trial who underwent AVS. Previously published prediction models were also tested in our cohorts. RESULTS: Backward stepwise logistic regression analysis yielded a final tool using baseline aldosterone-to-lowest-potassium ratio (APR, ng/dl/mmol/l), with an area under receiver-operating characteristic curve of 0.80 (95% CI 0.70-0.89). In the Asian development cohort, probability of bilateral disease was 90.0% (with APR 15). Similar results were seen in the European validation cohort. Combining both cohorts, probability of bilateral disease was 76.7% (with APR 15). Other models had similar predictive ability but required more variables, and were less sensitive for identifying bilateral PA. CONCLUSION: The novel aldosterone-to-lowest-potassium ratio is a convenient score to guide clinicians and patients of various ethnicities on the probability of primary aldosteronism subtype. Using APR to identify patients more likely to benefit from AVS may be a cost-effective strategy to manage this common condition

Bar-tailed Godwits Limosa l. lapponica eat polychaete worms wherever they winter in Europe

<p>Capsule Across the European wintering range Bar-tailed Godwits Limosa lapponica lapponica selected polychaete worms and especially Ragworms Hediste diversicolor, with differences between areas due to variations in prey availability.Aims To determine the diet of Bar-tailed Godwits across their wintering range in Europe by the analysis of droppings, collected at five important wintering sites.Methods Diet was estimated by the identification of undigested prey remains in droppings. We provide the rationale for quantifying the contributions of jawed and non-jawed polychaetes.Results We identified 18 different prey species in the diet of wintering Bar-tailed Godwits. The Ragworm was the most common prey item and the only one actively selected. Ragworms, on average, contributed 79% to the diet in terms of biomass, followed by King Ragworm Alitta virens (with 17% biomass) and Lugworms Arenicola marina (with 2%). Polychaetes such as Alitta succinea and Scoloplos armiger were also regularly found in the diet. Bivalves, snails and crustaceans contributed less than 1% to the diet.Conclusion This study highlights and confirms the importance of polychaete worms in the diet of European-wintering Bar-tailed Godwits.</p>