Effects of forest management practices on treefrog oviposition site choice

Abstract only availableGlobally, amphibian populations are declining faster than those of birds or mammals. Habitat destruction is considered the primary cause of these declines; however, what remains partly unexplored is the idea that some species may be more greatly affected than others by deforestation. Treefrogs (Family: Hylidae), because of their mobility, may be expected to circumvent disturbed habitats; however, because of their dependency on arboreal habitat, they may be adversely affected by different forms of forest management. As part of the LEAP (Land-Use Effects on Amphibian Populations) study, four forest management practices—clearcut with coarse woody debris (CWD) removed, clearcut with CWD retained, thinning of 25% basal area, and uncut forest—were implemented at four wetlands at the Savannah River Site. In May 2005, we placed wading pools 25 m into each treatment and allowed them to fill with rainwater. To monitor time to first oviposition event and to determine the number of events per treatment, pools were checked daily, eggs were counted, and tadpoles were raised to confirm that all eggs were indeed those of hylids. We measured water depth, canopy cover, and surrounding vegetation. These data will be analyzed to determine if suitable calling/breeding habitat (microhabitat) is a more reliable predictor of oviposition than treatment (macrohabitat). At three of the four wetlands, first oviposition events occurred in the thinning treatments, and second events occurred in the clearcuts with CWD retained. We found that more oviposition events also occurred in the thinning treatments (43%) and the clearcuts with CWD retained (33%) than in the clearcuts with CWD removed (13%) or the uncut forest controls (10%). One explanation for these findings is that hylids have evolved to locate openings in the forest canopy which could indicate a wetland or a fallen tree whose uprooting has caused an ephemeral pool to form.Life Sciences Undergraduate Research Opportunity Progra

Developing approaches to the collection and use of evidence of patient experience below the level of national surveys

National approaches to collecting patient feedback provide trust level information which although can provide a benchmark for trusts often doesn’t provide information about specific services or patients experiences of pathways of care. This more granular level of data could be more informative for local service development and improvement. This research explored the feasibility and usefulness of such approaches. A conceptual model and standard questionnaire of patient experience was developed that might work across a range of services and pathways of care. Seven trusts were recruited as collaborating sites in which the model and survey instrument was tested. These were from different geographical locations and settings. The impact of the pilot and survey results on the improvement and development of services was evaluated. The service- line approach to capturing patient feedback was generally more feasible and considered of value for service improvement. The collection of patients’ experiences across pathways of care was more challenging in terms of the development of the survey and interpretation of results. However, many sites identified specific actionable areas for improvement. This study has shown that it is possible to develop and apply a standardised survey in a range of services and provides evidence that a consistent unified approach to monitoring patient experiences is feasible. However several methodological problems are acknowledged such as the availability of resources and capacity for improvements to services and care. Evidence is now particularly needed to establish how best to produce positive impact from patient feedback

923-6 Intravenous Adenosine and Lidocaine to Limit Reperfusion Injury During Acute Myocardial Infarction: Preliminary Data

Adenosine (ADO) and lidocaine (LDO) given prior to restoration of blood flow reduces reperfusion injury in animals. We conducted a pilot study of intravenous ADO and LDO in pts undergoing direct angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Pts with ≤12 hours of chest pain and electrocardiographic evidence of AMI were given LDO 1mg/kg iv bolus and 2mg/min iv infusion beginning at the time of recruitment, and ADO 70mcg/kg iv infusion beginning when coronary occlusion (TIMI grade 0–1 blood flow) was confirmed angiographically. Pts with bronchospasm, blood pressure <100mmHg, or<1° heart block were excluded. ADO and LDO were given for 1 hour after vessel patency was restored. Myocardial area at risk and final infarction area were measured with serial Tc-99m-sestamibi perfusion studies (prior to angioplasty, before hospital discharge and 6 weeks after discharge). A salvage index (S1) was constructed by correcting the change in sestamibi perfusion defect for the mass of myocardium at risk. Analysis of 25 patients completing the protocol revealed a mean (±SD) salvage of 20±17% and S1=0.55. Salvage and S1 were 25±18% and 0.54 for anterior infarctions, 13±5% and 0.57 for inferior infarctions, respectively. These data were compared to an historical control group consisting of 50 patients undergoing direct angioplasty for AMI without adjunctive ADO/LDO. After adjustment for time to treatment and perfusion nadir, analysis of covariance revealed a similar degree of early salvage in the study and control groups (p=0.3). However, at 6 weeks, the median infarct size for study pts was 0. Using logistic regression analysis, significantly more study pts had no final measureable infarction at 6 weeks than control pts at hospital discharge (p=0.007). After adjusting for infarct size, location and time to treatment, this difference persisted (p=0.04).ConclusionsAdjunctive ADO and LDO during angioplasty for AMI may favorably affect late final infarction size. Randomized studies assessing 6 week final infarction size are needed