Population dynamics of Kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) and Barn Owls (Tyto alba): Results from an evaluation in the Kraichgau Area (Southwest Germany)

Turmfalke (Falco tinnunculus) und Schleiereule (Tyto alba) sind seit Jahrhunderten avifaunistischer Bestandteil der Kulturräume Süddeutschlands, wobei deren jährliche Reproduktionsraten erheblichen Schwankungen unterliegen und bei beiden Arten nicht synchron verlaufen müssen. Diese Arbeit beruht auf Untersuchungen der Populationsentwicklung von Schleiereule und Turmfalke, die über zehn Jahre auf einer Probefläche in der Region Kraichgau (Südwestdeutschland) durchgeführt wurden. Unsere Daten belegen einen positiven Effekt der Schaffung neuer bzw. der Optimierung alter Brutplätze auf die Populationsentwicklung beider Vogelarten. 81 % der gebäudebrütenden Turmfalken und 99 % der Schleiereulen brüteten in künstlichen Nisthilfen. Die Brutpaardichte der Schleiereule schwankte von 1,4 Paaren/100 km2 bis 8,6 Paaren/100km2, die des Turmfalken von 6,6 Paaren/100 km2 bis 19,7 Paaren/100 km2. Im Mittel lag die Reproduktionsrate der Schleiereule während des Untersuchungszeitraumes bei 4,7 Jungvögeln pro erfolgreicher Erstbrut, die des Turmfalken ebenfalls bei 4,7 Jungvögeln pro erfolgreicher Brut. Für die Schleiereule zeigte sich aktuell im Vergleich zu früheren Perioden keine direkte Abhängigkeit der Brutpopulation von der Anzahl der Schneetage des vorausgegangenen Winters. Beim Turmfalken fiel eine ausgeprägte Jugenddispersion auf. Unsere Daten sprechen zudem für eine Brutplatzkonkurrenz zwischen Dohle, Turmfalke und Schleiereule im Siedlungsraum.For hundreds of years Kestrels and Barn Owls have populated settled areas in southern Germany. Reproduction rates show huge variations without any strict correlation between the two species. In the present study we investigate the population dynamics of Kestrels and Barn Owls over a 10 year period in the Kraichgau Area (Southwest Germany). Our data confirm a beneficial effect on species’ population development from creating and optimizing nesting sites. 81 % of Kestrels, bred on buildings, and 99 % of the Barn Owl population bred in special nesting boxes. The total number of Barn Owl breeding pairs varied from 1.4 pairs to 8.6 pairs/100 km2 and the number of Kestrel breeding pairs from 6.6 to 19.7 pairs/100 km2. The average reproduction rate was 4.7 fledglings per Barn Owl’s first annual breeding and 4.7 fledglings per Kestrel breeding pair during the period of the study. In contrast to former winter periods the present data failed to demonstrate a correlation between the number of days of snowfall in the previous winter and the number of Barn Owl breeding pairs. Kestrel fledglings showed a distinctive juvenile migration. Results furthermore demonstrated competition in occupying nesting sites between Jackdaws, Kestrels and Barn Owls in an urban habitat

Incidence of perioperative sleep-disordered breathing in patients undergoing major surgery: a prospective cohort study

Background: Major surgery might have a modulating effect on nocturnal breathing patterns. The incidence and course of perioperative sleep-disordered breathing in individuals without a previous diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea has not been investigated sufficiently so far. Methods: In this study, polygraphic recordings have been obtained from 37 inpatients without a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome during the preoperative night before and six nights following major surgical procedures. Eligible patients consenting to participate in this study underwent polygraphic recordings including four items (O2-saturation, pulse, nasal air flow and snoring) during the study period. Polygraphic data obtained from the postoperative recordings were compared to preoperative recordings. Results: Median (IQR [range]) apnea-hypopnea-index (AHI) for the whole group was 6,0 (2,5 - 14,7 [0–32,6]) in the preoperative night and increased in the following six nights post surgery: second night: 5,6 (2,6-15,0 [1,1 - 59,3]); third night: 16,9 (5,6 - 38,8 [2,9 - 64,3]); fourth night: 11,6 (5,9 - 17,3 [0,4 - 39,3]); fifth night: 15,2 (5,7 - 22,2 [0,2 - 55,5]); sixth night: 22,5 (5,2 - 35,4 [0,2 - 67,7]). AHI-scores of the third to sixth night post surgery differed significantly from data observed in the preoperative night. Conclusion: A significant increase in the AHI occurred frequently after major surgical procedures in the late postoperative period. Sleep-disordered breathings in the late postoperative period deserve attention, as they potentially increase the risk of postoperative complications

Serum neprilysin and the risk of death in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest of non-traumatic origin

Background: Early risk stratification remains an unmet clinical need in patients with in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. We hypothesised that soluble neprilysin may represent a promising biomarker in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest of non-traumatic origin and provide new pathobiological insight. Methods: This pilot study was a biomarker analysis from the Heidelberg Resuscitation Registry. Serum soluble neprilysin levels on admission were measured in 144 patients with successful return of spontaneous circulation after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest of non-traumatic origin. The primary endpoint was time to all-cause mortality. KM Event Rates are reported. Cox models were adjusted for age, bystander resuscitation, initial ECG rhythm, baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate, baseline lactate, left ventricular function at baseline, and targeted temperature management. Results: In total, 90 (62.5%) patients died over a follow-up of at least 30 days. Soluble neprilysin correlated weakly with high-sensitivity troponin T (r=0.18, P=0.032) but did not correlate significantly with estimated glomerular filtration rate (r=−0.12) or lactate (r=0.11). Patients with elevated soluble neprilysin levels on admission were at significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality (Q4 69.1% vs. Q1 48.4%). After multivariable adjustment, soluble neprilysin in the top quartile (Q4) was significantly associated with all-cause mortality (Q4 vs. Q1: adjusted hazard ratio 2.48 (1.20–5.12)). In an adjusted multimarker model including high-sensitivity troponin T and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, soluble neprilysin and high-sensitivity troponin T remained independently associated with all-cause mortality (soluble neprilysin: adjusted hazard ratio 2.27 (1.08–4.78); high-sensitivity troponin T: adjusted hazard ratio 3.40 (1.63–7.09)). Conclusion: Soluble neprilysin, measured as early as on hospital admission, was independently associated with allcause mortality in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest of non-traumatic origin and may prove to be useful in the estimation of risk in these patients

Evaluation of Plaque Stability of Advanced Atherosclerotic Lesions in Apo E-Deficient Mice after Treatment with the Oral Factor Xa Inhibitor Rivaroxaban

Aim. Thrombin not only plays a central role in thrombus formation and platelet activation, but also in induction of inflammatory processes. Activated factor X (FXa) is traditionally known as an important player in the coagulation cascade responsible for thrombin generation. We assessed the hypothesis that rivaroxaban, a direct FXa inhibitor, attenuates plaque progression and promotes stability of advanced atherosclerotic lesions in an in vivo model. Methods and Results. Rivaroxaban (1 or 5 mg/kg body weight/day) or standard chow diet was administered for 26 weeks to apolipoprotein E-deficient mice (n = 20 per group) with already established atherosclerotic lesions. There was a nonsignificant reduction of lesion progression in the high-concentration group, compared to control mice. FXa inhibition with 5 mg Rivaroxaban/kg/day resulted in increased thickness of the protective fibrous caps (12.3 ± 3.8 μm versus 10.1 ± 2.7 μm; P < .05), as well as in fewer medial erosions and fewer lateral xanthomas, indicating plaque stabilizing properties. Real time-PCR from thoracic aortas revealed that rivaroxaban (5 mg/kg/day) treatment reduced mRNA expression of inflammatory mediators, such of IL-6, TNF-α, MCP-1, and Egr-1 (P < .05). Conclusions. Chronic administration of rivaroxaban does not affect lesion progression but downregulates expression of inflammatory mediators and promotes lesion stability in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

Rhizoma Coptidis Inhibits LPS-Induced MCP-1/CCL2 Production in Murine Macrophages via an AP-1 and NFκB-Dependent Pathway

Introduction. The Chinese extract Rhizoma coptidis is well known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antiviral, and antimicrobial activity. The exact mechanisms of action are not fully understood. Methods. We examined the effect of the extract and its main compound, berberine, on LPS-induced inflammatory activity in a murine macrophage cell line. RAW 264.7 cells were stimulated with LPS and incubated with either Rhizoma coptidis extract or berberine. Activation of AP-1 and NFκB was analyzed in nuclear extracts, secretion of MCP-1/CCL2 was measured in supernatants. Results. Incubation with Rhizoma coptidis and berberine strongly inhibited LPS-induced monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 production in RAW cells. Activation of the transcription factors AP-1 and NFκB was inhibited by Rhizoma coptidis in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. Conclusions. Rhizoma coptidis extract inhibits LPS-induced MCP-1/CCL2 production in vitro via an AP-1 and NFκB-dependent pathway. Anti-inflammatory action of the extract is mediated mainly by its alkaloid compound berberine

Percutaneous dilatational tracheotomy in high-risk ICU patients

BACKGROUND Percutaneous dilatational tracheotomy (PDT) has become an established procedure in intensive care units (ICU). However, the safety of this method has been under debate given the growing number of critically ill patients with high bleeding risk receiving anticoagulation, dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) or even a combination of both, i.e. triple therapy. Therefore, the purpose of this study, including such a high proportion of patients on antithrombotic therapy, was to investigate whether PDT in high-risk ICU patients is associated with elevated procedural complications and to analyse the risk factors for bleeding occurring during and after PDT. METHODS PDT interventions conducted in ICUs at 12 European sites between January 2016 and October 2019 were retrospectively analysed for procedural complications. For subgroup analyses, patient stratification into clinically relevant risk groups based on anticoagulation and antiplatelet treatment regimens was performed and the predictors of bleeding occurrence were analysed. RESULTS In total, 671 patients receiving PDT were included and stratified into four clinically relevant antithrombotic treatment groups: (1) intravenous unfractionated heparin (iUFH, prophylactic dosage) (n = 101); (2) iUFH (therapeutic dosage) (n = 131); (3) antiplatelet therapy (aspirin and/or P2Y12 receptor inhibitor) with iUFH (prophylactic or therapeutic dosage) except for triple therapy (n = 290) and (4) triple therapy (DAPT with iUFH in therapeutic dosage) (n = 149). Within the whole cohort, 74 (11%) bleedings were reported to be procedure-related. Bleeding occurrence during and after PDT was independently associated with low platelet count (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.56, 0.92, p = 0.009), chronic kidney disease (OR 1.75, 95{\%} CI 1.01, 3.03, p = 0.047) and previous stroke (OR 2.13, 95{\%} CI 1.1, 3.97, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION In this international, multicenter study bronchoscopy-guided PDT was a safe and low-complication airway management option, even in a cohort of high risk for bleeding on cardiovascular ICUs. Low platelet count, chronic kidney disease and previous stroke were identified as independent risk factors of bleeding during and after PDT but not triple therapy

Angiography after Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest without ST-Segment Elevation

Background: Myocardial infarction is a frequent cause of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. However, the benefits of early coronary angiography and revascularization in resuscitated patients without electrocardiographic evidence of ST-segment elevation are unclear. Methods: In this multicenter trial, we randomly assigned 554 patients with successfully resuscitated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest of possible coronary origin to undergo either immediate coronary angiography (immediate-angiography group) or initial intensive care assessment with delayed or selective angiography (delayed-angiography group). All the patients had no evidence of ST-segment elevation on postresuscitation electrocardiography. The primary end point was death from any cause at 30 days. Secondary end points included a composite of death from any cause or severe neurologic deficit at 30 days. Results: A total of 530 of 554 patients (95.7%) were included in the primary analysis. At 30 days, 143 of 265 patients (54.0%) in the immediate-angiography group and 122 of 265 patients (46.0%) in the delayed-angiography group had died (hazard ratio, 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00 to 1.63; P = 0.06). The composite of death or severe neurologic deficit occurred more frequently in the immediate-angiography group (in 164 of 255 patients [64.3%]) than in the delayed-angiography group (in 138 of 248 patients [55.6%]), for a relative risk of 1.16 (95% CI, 1.00 to 1.34). Values for peak troponin release and for the incidence of moderate or severe bleeding, stroke, and renal-replacement therapy were similar in the two groups. Conclusions: Among patients with resuscitated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest without ST-segment elevation, a strategy of performing immediate angiography provided no benefit over a delayed or selective strategy with respect to the 30-day risk of death from any cause. (Funded by the German Center for Cardiovascular Research; TOMAHAWK ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02750462.)