scholarly journals Variation in the nocturnal foraging distribution of and resource use by endangered Ryukyu flying foxes (Pteropus dasymallus) on Iriomotejima Island, Japan

2009 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 51-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ya-Fu Lee ◽  
Tokushiro Takaso ◽  
Tzen-Yuh Chiang ◽  
Yen-Min Kuo ◽  
Nozomi Nakanishi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Resource Use ◽  
East Coast ◽  
Land Area ◽  
Flying Foxes ◽  
Nocturnal Foraging ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Pteropus Dasymallus ◽  
Tree Composition ◽  
Adequate Resource ◽  
Flying Fox

The nocturnal distribution and resource use by Ryukyu flying foxes was studied along 28 transects, covering five types of habitats, on Iriomote Island, Japan, from early June to late September, 2005. Bats were mostly encountered solitarily (66.8%) or in pairs (16.8%), with a mean linear density of 2.5 ± 0.6 bats/km of transect/night. Across the island, however, bat densities were distributed non-randomly among transect-nights, not correlated with transect length, and showed a slightly clumped distribution (variance/mean = 3.3). Outskirt trails contributed higher values to the relative importance of bat abundance, but the highest mean abundances occurred mostly at village sites on the west coast, which on average devoted only a quarter of their land area to agriculture/husbandry compared to those on the east coast. This supports our prediction that higher bat abundances are found in areas with less anthropogenic interference and more forest. Among habitats, the mean total abundance and density were lower in cultivated areas than in villages and inland forests. Bat perches in cultivated areas were also lower, and were in correspondence with lower shrub and canopy heights, and less canopy coverage. Flying fox abundance was correlated moderately with the heterogeneity of the tree composition, and strongly with the density of major fruiting trees. Thirty-nine species of plants and some animal items were used by Ryukyu flying foxes, including at least 31 species of fruits, 13 species of flowers, and leaves of seven species, with 14 species new to the record. Ficus septica and F. variegata were the most frequently encountered and dominant items in both fecal and rejecta/dropped samples, followed mostly by other figs and mulberries in the former, but by larger-seed non- Moraceae plants in dropped samples. Our results suggest that for conservation of flying foxes undisturbed forests providing an adequate resource basis are of major importance.

scholarly journals Costs per Treatment Phase for AML Patients Receiving High-Dose Chemoterapy in Sweden

Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 2154-2154
Author(s):  
Emma Hernlund ◽  
Josefine Redig ◽  
Åsa Rangert Derolf ◽  
Bjorn Paulsson ◽  
Martin Höglund ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Complete Remission ◽  
Resource Use ◽  
Treatment Phase ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Curative Intent ◽  
Swedish Cancer Registry ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Mean Cost ◽  
First Admission

Introduction: AML affects all ages with an incidence rate of 5 per 100,000, but is much more frequent in older population. The overall lifetime risk of AML is estimated to be 0.5-1%. Long-term overall survival in younger (age < 60 years) is about 50%, but much worse among older population. Although AML therapy is one of the most resource-intensive cancer treatments, there are few estimates of the resource use and economic burden by treatment phase. Methods: This study was a retrospective database study performed on Swedish national data. Adult patients (age ≥18 years) diagnosed with AML in Sweden between 2007 and 2015 were identified in the Swedish Cancer Registry, along with vital status. Data on resource use were collected from national registers for inpatient- and outpatient specialized care and prescribed drugs. Information on diagnostics and treatment was accessed from the Swedish national AML Registry (SwAMLR). Data on sick leave (SL) and early retirement (ER) came from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (absent days costed with the mean salary in Sweden). Hospital care resource use was costed using diagnosis-related group (DRG) remunerations, and include cost of inpatient drugs. The mean cost from the defined start of the treatment phase until the end of the treatment phase was divided by the mean number of days for the corresponding treatment phase to estimate the mean cost per day. The defined treatment phases were restricted to a maximum of 5 years. All costs are represented in US$. Results: Of the 2,954 patients identified in the Swedish Cancer Registry, 1,772 patients with a median age of 64 years were identified in the SwAMLR as fit for receiving high-dose chemotherapy . Of these, 1,243 were recorded with both curative intent of treatment and dates for achieving complete remission. Mean costs from the first AML-related hospital admission until the date of complete remission amount to $27,244. The mean number of days for the corresponding period were 45.16, resulting in a mean cost per day of $603 from first admission to first complete remission. The corresponding cost per day for patients recorded with curative intent but no complete remission (n=428) are $494. Time was counted from first AML-related admission until 90 days after first admission, or SCT or death, whichever occurred first. Costs after complete remission to either relapse, SCT, death or re-induction (n=1,237) amount to $50,793 for a mean of 438.63 days ($116/day). This treatment phase includes long-term survivors, whereas the costs from SCT, relapse or re-induction are not included. From relapse to death, the total cost is almost twofold for patients with re-induction (n=350) compared to palliative treatment (n=254). Cost per day amount to $179 for patients with palliative treatment and $256 for patients with re-induction treatment, respectively. The cost per day from date of SCT to death (n=511) is estimated to $192, incurred over a long period of time (mean number of days 844.02). The age of transplant recipients ranged between 18-71 years, with a median of 52 years. Conclusions: Costs of AML up to remission are feasible to estimate through DRG-costing methods, and studies have shown these costs are intense. Indeed this study shows that the highest cost per day is observed from first admission to complete remission. In addition results from our study show that there are high costs incurred also in the long-term, i.e. after remission. Of the included treatment phases the total cost from date of SCT to death is the largest, amounting to over $160,000. Approximately 20% are due to SL/ER, which is the second largest cost component after inpatient costs accounting for 60% of the total costs. Table. Disclosures Hernlund: ICON: Employment. Redig:ICON: Employment. Paulsson:Novartis: Employment. Vertuani:Novartis: Employment.

scholarly journals Characteristics, Treatment Patterns, Healthcare Resource Use, and Costs among Pediatric Patients Diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 and Plexiform Neurofibromas: A Retrospective Database Analysis of a Medicaid Population

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoqin Yang ◽  
Kaushal Desai ◽  
Neha Agrawal ◽  
Kirti Mirchandani ◽  
Sagnik Chatterjee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Resource Use ◽  
Neurofibromatosis Type 1 ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Healthcare Resource ◽  
Neurofibromatosis Type ◽  
Treatment Patterns ◽  
Healthcare Resource Use ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Background: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1)-related plexiform neurofibromas (PN) can cause substantial morbidity by disfigurement and compression of vital structures. Real-world data on the burden and cost of disease among pediatric patients with NF1 and PN is limited. The objectives of this study were to describe the characteristics, treatment patterns, healthcare resource use (HCRU), and costs of these patients.Results: A total of 383 patients were included in the retrospective analysis of patients aged ≤18 with at least 1 ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for both NF1 and PN enrolled in the MarketScan® Multistate Medicaid database from October 1, 2014 to December 31, 2017. The mean follow-up was 448 days. The mean age was 11.4 years and 52.0% of patients were male. Most patients were diagnosed by a specialist (63.5%). During the follow-up period, pain medications were used by 58.5% of patients, 25.1% were treated with chemotherapy, 7.1% received surgery for PN, 1.6% received MEK inhibitors, and 0.8% received radiation. Mean per patient per year inpatient, outpatient, emergency room, pharmacy, and other visits were 1.4, 17.3, 1.6, 13.6, and 25.8, respectively. Mean ±SD (median) total per patient per year healthcare costs (2018 USD) were $17,275 ±$61,903 ($2,889), with total medical costs of $14,628 ±$56,203 ($2,334) and pharmacy costs of $2,646 ±$13,303 ($26). Inpatient costs were the largest drivers of medical cost, with a mean per patient per year cost of $6,739.Conclusions: This study showed that many pediatric patients diagnosed with NF1 and PN were treated with supportive care only, highlighting a substantial unmet medical need. This study also highlights the considerable economic burden among patients with NF1 and PN.

scholarly journals A comparison of nutritional value of native and alien food plants for a critically endangered island flying-fox

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. e0250857
Author(s):  
Laura A. Pulscher ◽  
Ellen S. Dierenfeld ◽  
Justin A. Welbergen ◽  
Karrie A. Rose ◽  
David N. Phalen
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Soluble Sugars ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Food Plants ◽  
Nutritional Requirements ◽  
Nutritional Content ◽  
Alien Plant ◽  
Flying Foxes ◽  
Christmas Island ◽  
Flying Fox

Habitat loss and alteration are two of the biggest threats facing insular flying-foxes. Altered habitats are often re-vegetated with introduced or domestic plant species on which flying-foxes may forage. However, these alien food plants may not meet the nutritional requirements of flying-foxes. The critically endangered Christmas Island flying-fox (CIFF; Pteropus natalis) is subject to habitat alteration and the introduction of alien food plants, and therefore is a good model species to evaluate the potential impact of alien plant species on insular flying-foxes. In this study, we evaluated nutritional content of native food plants to determine how flying-foxes historically met their nutritional requirements. Furthermore, we compared the nutritional content of native and alien fruits to predict possible impacts of alien plants on insular flying-foxes. Native and alien fruits and flowers, and native foliage (leaves, petals, and petioles) commonly consumed by the CIFF were collected and evaluated for soluble sugars, crude protein, non-fiber carbohydrates, and nine minerals. Evaluation of native food plants suggests that flying-foxes meet energy requirements by consuming fruit and nectar. However, fruit and nectar are low in protein and essential minerals required for demanding life periods; therefore, flying-foxes likely supplement their diets with pollen and foliage. Thus, flying-foxes require a diverse array of plants to meet their nutritional requirements. Compared to native fruits, alien fruits contained significantly higher non-fiber carbohydrates, and this may provide an important energy source, particularly from species that bear fruit year-round. Median mineral concentrations in alien fruit species, however, were deficient compared to native fruits, suggesting major (or even seasonal) shifts in the proportion of alien species in the CIFF diet could lead to nutritional imbalances. This study confirms the need to quantify nutritional parameters in addition to feeding ecology when evaluating habitat quality to inform conservation actions that can be applied both locally and globally.

scholarly journals Does Access to Modern Marketing Channels Improve Dairy Enterprises’ Efficiency? A Case Study of Punjab, Pakistan

1998 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-82
Author(s):  
Sana Sadaf ◽  
Khalid Riaz
Keyword(s):  
Returns To Scale ◽  
Marketing Channels ◽  
Scale Efficiency ◽  
Data Envelopment ◽  
Land Area ◽  
Fresh Milk ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Variable Returns To Scale

The main objective of this study is to investigate how access to modern marketing channels impacts the efficiency of dairy enterprises. Using data on dairy farms in central Punjab (Sargodha), we carry out a nonparametric data envelopment analysis to measure their technical and scale efficiencies. The results show that, for the sample dairy enterprises, the mean technical efficiency under variable returns to scale was 0.89 while scale efficiency was 0.94. The results of a follow-on regression analysis support the hypothesis that the access to modern marketing channels, where payment for fresh milk is based on measured milk quality (fat content), improved efficiency. We find that efficiency is positively affected by the size of dairy operations, and negatively by the size of operational land area. Moreover, dairy enterprises with smaller herds tend to operate at a suboptimal scale, possibly due to credit and/or land constraints.

scholarly journals A New Hendra Virus Genotype Found in Australian Flying Foxes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianning Wang ◽  
Danielle E Anderson ◽  
Kim Halpin ◽  
Xiao Hong ◽  
Honglei Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Relatedness ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Inflammatory Lesion ◽  
Hendra Virus ◽  
Virus Genotype ◽  
Flying Foxes ◽  
Qrt Pcr ◽  
Genotype 2 ◽  
Pcr Assays ◽  
Flying Fox

Abstract Background Hendra virus (HeV) has caused lethal disease outbreaks in humans and horses in Australia. Pteropid bats (flying foxes) are the wildlife reservoir from which the virus was first isolated in 1996. Following a heat stress mortality event in Australian flying foxes in 2013, a novel HeV variant was discovered. This study describes the subsequent surveillance of Australian flying foxes for this novel virus over a nine year period using qRT-PCR testing of bat tissues submitted primarily for Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) diagnosis. Genome sequencing and characterisation of the novel HeV variant was also undertaken. Methods Spleen and kidney samples harvested from flying fox carcasses were initially screened with two real-time qRT-PCR assays specific for the prototype HeV. Two additional qRT-PCR assays were developed specific for the HeV variant first detected in samples from a flying fox in 2013. Next-generation sequencing and virus isolation was attempted from selected samples to further characterise the new virus. Results Since 2013, 98 flying foxes were tested and 11 were positive for the new HeV variant. No samples were positive for the original HeV. Ten of the positive samples were from grey-headed flying foxes (GHFF, Pteropus poliocephalus), however this species was over-represented in the opportunistic sampling (83% of bats tested were GHFF). The positive GHFF samples were collected from Victoria and South Australia and one positive Little red flying fox (LRFF, Pteropus scapulatus) was collected from Western Australia. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) confirmed the presence of henipavirus antigen, associated with an inflammatory lesion in cardiac blood vessels of one GHFF. Positive samples were sequenced and the complete genome was obtained from three samples. When compared to published HeV genomes, there was 84% sequence identity at the nucleotide level. Based on phylogenetic analyses, the newly detected HeV belongs to the HeV species but occupies a distinct lineage. We have therefore designated this virus HeV genotype 2 (HeV-G2). Attempts to isolate virus from PCR positive samples have not been successful. Conclusions A novel HeV genotype (HeV-G2) has been identified in two flying fox species submitted from three states in Australia, indicating that the level of genetic diversity for HeV is broader than first recognised. Given its high genetic relatedness to HeV, HeV-G2 should be considered a zoonotic pathogen.

scholarly journals Cost of Living with Parkinson’s Disease over 12 Months in Australia: A Prospective Cohort Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shalika Bohingamu Mudiyanselage ◽  
Jennifer J. Watts ◽  
Julie Abimanyi-Ochom ◽  
Lisa Lane ◽  
Anna T. Murphy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Health System ◽  
Prospective Cohort Study ◽  
Resource Use ◽  
Prospective Cohort ◽  
Annual Cost ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Medicare Data ◽  
The Mean

Background. Parkinson disease (PD) is a costly chronic condition in terms of managing both motor and nonmotor symptoms. The burden of disease is high for individuals, caregivers, and the health system. The aim of this study is to estimate the annual cost of PD from the household, health system, and societal perspectives. Methods. A prospective cohort study of newly referred people with PD to a specialist PD clinic in Melbourne, Australia. Participants completed baseline and monthly health resource use questionnaires and Medicare data were collected over 12 months. Results. 87 patients completed the 12-month follow-up assessments. The mean annual cost per person to the health care system was $32,556 AUD. The burden to society was an additional $45,000 per annum per person with PD. The largest component of health system costs were for hospitalisation (69% of total costs). The costs for people with moderate to severe disease were almost 4 times those with mild PD ($63,569 versus $17,537 p<0.001). Conclusion. PD is associated with significant costs to individuals and to society. Costs escalated with disease severity suggesting that the burden to society is likely to grow with the increasing disease prevalence that is associated with population ageing.

scholarly journals Roost of Gray Flying Foxes (Pteropus griseus) in Indonesia and Records of a New Hunting Threat

Diversity ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheherazade ◽  
Susan Tsang
Keyword(s):  
Small Islands ◽  
Anecdotal Evidence ◽  
Conservation Action ◽  
International Union ◽  
Flying Foxes ◽  
North Sulawesi ◽  
Fruit Bat ◽  
Data Deficient ◽  
Conservation Threats ◽  
Flying Fox

Pteropus griseus (gray flying fox) is a species of Old World fruit bat that is listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as Data Deficient. The species is found on small islands in the Lesser Sundas and Sulawesi, and is endemic to Indonesia, but no contemporary roosts are known, and the last study of the species was in Timor in the Lesser Sundas. In this study, we describe the first known day roost in Sulawesi for Pteropus griseus and collected anecdotal evidence regarding conservation threats to the colony. We compared data from flying foxes collected from this roost to other P. griseus specimens and those of closely related co-occurring species to confirm its identity. We confirmed that this roost is likely of Pteropus griseus, though the subspecies identity remains to be determined. However, it is newly threatened by middlemen traders of bat meat from North Sulawesi arriving to encourage local villagers near the roost to hunt the bats. Elevated levels of hunting may deplete the entire colony in a single season should no conservation action be taken to safeguard the roost.

Habitat and spatial requirements of the eastern barred bandicoot (Perameles gunnii) at Hamilton, Victoria

1994 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 459 ◽  
Author(s):  
AC Dufty
Keyword(s):  
Structural Complexity ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Minimum Convex Polygon ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Artificial Materials ◽  
Nocturnal Foraging ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Optimal Habitat ◽  
Homogeneous Composition ◽  
Agricultural Areas

Perameles gunnii was greatly affected by the introduction of European agriculture to the volcanic plains in Victoria. At Hamilton, agricultural areas possessed little structural complexity and supported a fairly homogeneous composition of pasture species that were generally shorter than 100 mm because of heavy stock grazing. No P. gurznii were caught in agricultural areas at Hamilton. At the Hamilton Municipal Tip, most captures and nest sites occurred where food resources and structural complexity were greatest. Descriptions of 16 diurnal nest sites indicated that a range of natural and artificial materials was used for shelter, including fallen branches, sawn timber, cement culverts, galvanised iron, and scrap metal. Earthworms were most frequently observed in faecal and stomach material, while beetles and crickets were also common. Optimal habitat for P. gunnii was defined by high structural complexity and habitat heterogeneity. Older P. gunnii may usurp optimal habitat and force subordinate adult females into sub-optimal habitat. Associated with their occupation of optimal habitat, older P. gunnii may utilise smaller nocturnal foraging areas. Analysis of the movement of P. gunnii within the Hamilton Municipal Tip indicated that males occupied significantly larger nocturnal foraging areas than females. Mean female and male home ranges (defined by Minimum Convex Polygon analysis) were 1.6 ha (n = 13, range 0.02-5.9 ha) and 4 ha (n = 18, range 0.8-9.0 ha), respectively. Also, nocturnal foraging areas were analysed on the basis of pattern of use of an area, and these were referred to as utilisation distributions. The mean utilisation distributions (defined by Minimum Area v. Probability [0.95] analysis) for females and males were 0.64 ha (n = 13, range 0.01-4.7 ha) and 4.0 ha (n = 18, range 0.01-19.6 ha), respectively. Mean female and male observed range lengths were 173 m (tz = 26, range 0-364 m) and 249 m (n = 34, range 50430 m), respectively. Mean ( +/-s.e ) observed range length (214+/-20, n = 60, range 50-430 m) was less than half the grid width (500 m), which suggests that grid size did not negatively bias the calculated home-range sizes.

Prehospital neuromuscular blockade post OHCA: UK's first paramedic-delivered protocol

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 202-207
Author(s):  
Mark Durham ◽  
Pete Westhead ◽  
David Griffiths ◽  
Richard Lyon ◽  
Margaret Lau-Walker
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Neuromuscular Blockade ◽  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
East Coast ◽  
Service Evaluation ◽  
Spontaneous Circulation ◽  
Airway Control ◽  
Adverse Incident ◽  
The Mean ◽  
A Minor

Background: Since 2016, critical care paramedics from the South East Coast Ambulance Service have offered neuromuscular blockade to patients for ventilatory/airway control after cardiac arrest. Aims: To examine the first cases of paramedic-delivered neuromuscular blockade, and evaluate the prevalence of its use and safety. Methods: Retrospective service evaluation of patients receiving post-arrest paralysis during the study period from 1 April 2016 until 31 July 2017. Findings: The study included 127 patients. The mean age of administration was 63 years, mean weight was 80 kg (SD: 19 kg), dose was 1 mg/kg and median time from rocuronium administration to hospital was 32 minutes (IQR 20–43 minutes). Three patients (2.3%) experienced a minor adverse incident. There were no major airway complications, nor other significant adverse incidents. Thirty-seven patients (31%) survived to discharge. Conclusion: From this patient group, paramedic-administered rocuronium in intubated patients who have experienced a cardiac arrest and a return of spontaneous circulation appears to be safe, but further interventional research is required to determine whether this improves patient outcomes.

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