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High-head dams are migration barriers for Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. in many river systems and recovery measures for impacted stocks are limited. Trap-and-haul has been widely used in attempts to facilitate recovery but information from existing programs has not been synthesized to inform improvements to aid recovery of salmonids in systems with high-head dams. We reviewed 17 trap-and-haul programs regarding Pacific salmon to: (1) summarize information about facility design, operation and biological effects; (2) identify critical knowledge gaps; and (3) evaluate trap-and-haul as a current and future management tool. Existing programs are operated to address a range of management goals including restoring access to historical habitats, temporarily reducing exposure to dangerous in-river conditions, and reintroducing ecological processes upstream from dams. Information gathered from decades of operation on facility design criteria and fish handling protocols, and robust literature on fish collection and passage are available. While many aspects of trap-and-haul have been evaluated, effects on population productivity and sustainability remain poorly understood. Long-term and systematic studies of trap-and-haul outcomes are rare, and assessments can be confounded by concurrent management actions and broad ecological and climatic effects. Existing data suggest that performance and effectiveness vary among programs and over various time scales within programs. Although critical information gaps exist, trap-and-haul is an important management and conservation tool for providing Pacific salmonids access to historical habitats. Successful application of trap-and-haul programs requires long-term commitment and an adaptive management approach by dam owners and stakeholders, and careful planning of new programs.

The influence of streamflow on survival of emigrating juvenile Pacific salmonids Oncorhynchus spp. (smolts) is a major concern for water managers throughout the northeast Pacific Rim. However, few studies have quantified flow effects on smolt survival, and available information does not indicate a consistent flow–survival relationship within the typical range of flows under management control. In the Yakima Basin, Washington, the potential effects of streamflow alterations on smolt survival have been debated for over 20 years. Using a series of controlled flow releases from upper basin reservoirs and radiotelemetry, we quantified the relationship between flow and yearling Chinook salmon smolt survival in the 208 km reach between Roza Dam and the Yakima River mouth. A multistate mark–recapture model accounted for weekly variation in flow conditions experienced by tagged fish in four discrete river segments. Smolt survival was significantly associated with streamflow in the Roza Reach [river kilometre (rkm) 208–189] and marginally associated with streamflow in the Sunnyside Reach (rkm 169–77). However, smolt survival was not significantly associated with flow in the Naches and Prosser Reaches (rkm 189–169 and rkm 77–3). This discrepancy indicates potential differences in underlying flow-related survival mechanisms, such as predation or passage impediments. Our results clarify trade-offs between flow augmentation for fisheries enhancement and other beneficial uses, and our study design provides a framework for resolving uncertainties about streamflow effects on migratory fish survival in other river systems. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Background:Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is the most common inflammatory rheumatic disease of people over 50 years in Scandinavian countries and people of northern European descent, characterized by proximal pain, stiffness, raised inflammatory markers and prompt response to steroids(1). Relapse free during tapering off prednisone, are common in approximately 50% of patients. Studies reported that up to 70% of PMR patients are successfully tapered of prednisone due to remission, within 1-2 years from treatment initiation (1). Telemedicine has found a wider application in a number of chronic diseases resulting in a decreased number of hospital visits; however, no telemedicine studies on PMR patients have been performed before (2).Objectives:To evaluate the use of telemedicine consultation in newly diagnosed PMR patients.Methods:Telemedicine consultations managed by rheumatic nurses for newly diagnosed PMR patients was established in 2017 at our department. Patients diagnosed with PMR by a rheumatologist received written information concerning the nature of the disease, a “follow-up” schedule and a prednisone treatment/tapering plan. Telephone consultations (TC) including relevant blood analysis was planned after 4, 16, 52 and 78 weeks from the time of diagnosis. TC was managed by 4 nurses specialized in rheumatic diseases, who received appropriate education of PMR prior to the establishment. A predefined questionnaire was used for every telephone consultation.All PMR patients were initially treated with 15 mg of prednisone daily, with slowly tapering to 5 mg daily at week 16 and reduced to zero at week 48. In the case of relapse symptoms, patients were instructed to contact the treating nurses. In that case, relevant biomarkers were taken and a rheumatologist evaluated the need for a physical consultation and potential treatment adjustment.Only patients with minimum disease duration of 3 months were included in the study.Results:In a period of two years, 76 patients were evaluated. The mean age was 73 years and the mean follow up period was 10, 67 ± standard deviation (SD) 5,2 months. At the time of diagnosis, all patients fulfilled the 2012 Classifications criteria for PMR (3). The Mean number of TC was 4.27(± SD 2, 3).In 45 cases (60%) no additional physical consultation was necessary. In patients examined physically due to relapse suspicion, the most common findings were PMR relapses (66%), followed by non-inflammatory muscle and joint pain (18,5%), arthritis (14%), while one patient was diagnosed with giant cell arteritis.Successfully prednisone tapering was achieved in 23 cases (30%) while 27 patients (35,5%) at the time of data evaluation were treated with only 2,5 mg of prednisone daily. The mean current daily prednisolone dosage was 3.95 mg (± SD 3.25) while disease-modifying-anti-rheumatic-drugs had been initiated in 6 patients.Conclusion:Telemedicine consultations in PMR diminish the need for physical consultations in this patient cohort. More than half of all patients were either out of- or received only a very low dose of prednisone at the time of evaluation of data.References:[1]Kermani TA, Warrington KJ. Polymyalgia rheumatica. Lancet. 2013 Jan 5;381(9860):63-72. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60680-1.[2]Matteo Piga et al. Telemedicine for patients with rheumatic diseases: Systematic review and proposal for research agenda. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2017 Aug;47(1):121-128. doi: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2017.03.014. Epub 2017 Mar 22.[3]Dasgupta B, et al. 2012 Provisional classification criteria for polymyalgia rheumatica: A European League Against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology collaborative initiative. Arthritis Rheum. 2012; 64: 943-54.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

Background:Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is the most common inflammatory rheumatic disease at persons > 50 years of age. It is clinically characterized by pain and stiffness in the neck, proximal shoulder, and hip girdle. (1)Glucocorticoid (GC) is the cornerstone of PMR treatment; the use is associated with potentially severe side effects (3).According to EULAR-ACR recommendations for the management of PMR, treatment should be individualized using the minimum effective GC dose. (2)An initial prednisolone dose of > 15mg is associated with significantly higher risk for GCs related side effects (1) and GC doses higher than 25 mg/day are discouraged because of the high risk of adverse events; furthermore, there is no evidence that such doses are more effective than lower doses (2,3).In most countries, the vast majority of PMR patients are diagnosed and managed primarily by their General Practitioner (GP) (4)Objectives:To compare the initial GC dose for PMR patients diagnosed by their GP versus an outpatient rheumatological clinic in Denmark.Methods:All patients with the diagnosis of PMR in South-West Jutland Hospital, Denmark at the period of 2013 to 2018 were identified from an electronic register.Patients with an already known rheumatic disease before the diagnosis of PMR, GCA symptoms at the diagnosis time or hospitalized at the diagnostic time were excluded.Clinical and paraclinical data were collected from the patient’s electronic journal.Results:In a period of 6 years, 342 patients with PMR were identified. Of 342 patients 83 were diagnosed by their GP. No significant differences were found regarding demographical, clinical and paraclinical baseline characteristics between the two groups. No differences were identified regarding the treatment response. However the initial prednisone dose in patients diagnosed by the GP’s was significantly higher (pTable 1.Diagnosed by GPsN 83Diagnosed by the rheumatological outpatient clinicN 259P valuesAge (years) ± SD70,2 ± 8,270,58± 7,5n.s*Gender-female(%)62,6%56,7%n.s*Duration of symptoms (weeks)± SD12,34 ± 1012,9 ± 13,4n.s*Age over 50 %98,8%99,6%n.sBilateral shoulder pain (%)95,1%96,5%n.sAbnormal CP and/or SR (%)87,8%94,2%n.s*CRP (mg/lt) ± SD36,8 ± 32,245,8± 36,8n.s*SR(mm/hour) ± SD50,1±26,555,1±23,7n.s*Morning stiffness87,9%91%n.s*Hip pain or limited range of motion66,2%70,4%n.s*RF and aCCP negative %87,9%90,2%n.s*Absence of other joint involvement79,5%71%n.s*Initial prednisolone dose(mg) ± SD25,65 ± 12,116,4±4,5Response to treatment93,9%94,1%n.s*non-significantConclusion:Our study shows that the initial GC dose is significantly higher for PMR patients diagnosed by GPs which may lead to a higher risk of GC related side effects.References:[1]Camellino D, Dejaco C. Update on treatment of polymyalgia rheumatica Reumatismo. 2018 Mar 27;70(1):59-66. doi: 10.4081/reumatismo.2018.1062.[2]Dejaco C, Singh YP, Perel P, et al. 2015 recommendations for the management of polymyalgia rheumatica: A European League Against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology collaborative initiative. Ann Rheum Dis. 2015; 74: 1799-807[3]Dejaco C, Singh YP, Perel P, et al. Current evidence for therapeutic interventions and prognostic factors in polymyalgia rheumatica: a systematic literature review informing the 2015 European League Against Rheumatism/ American College of Rheumatology recommendations for the management of po. Ann Rheum Dis. 2015; 74: 1808-17.[4]Helliwell T, Muller S, Hider SL, Zwierska I, Lawton S, Richardson J, Mallen C. Challenges of diagnosing and managing polymyalgia rheumatica: a multi methods study in UK general practice. Br J Gen Pract. 2018 Nov;68(676):e783-e793. doi: 10.3399/bjgp18X699557.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

Hatchery ‘recycling’ programs have been used to increase angling opportunities by re-releasing fish into a river after they returned to a hatchery or fish trap. Recycling is intended to increase opportunities for fishermen, but this strategy could affect wild fish populations if some recycled fish remain in the river and interact with wild fish populations. To quantify hatchery return and angler harvest rates of recycled steelhead, we conducted a 2-year study on the Cowlitz River, Washington. A total of 1051 steelhead were recycled, including 218 fish that were radio-tagged. Fates of recycled steelhead were similar between years: 48.4% returned to the hatchery, 19.2% were reported captured by anglers, and 32.4% remained in the river. A multistate model quantified the effects of covariates on hatchery return and angler harvest rates, which were positively affected by river discharge and negatively affected by time since release. However, hatchery return rates increased and angler harvest rates decreased during periods of increasing discharge. A total of 21.1% (46 fish) of the radio-tagged steelhead failed to return to the hatchery or be reported by anglers, but nearly half of those fish (20 fish) appeared to be harvested and not reported. The remaining tagged fish (11.9% of the radio-tagged population) were monitored into the spawning period, but only five fish (2.3% of the radio-tagged population) entered tributaries where wild steelhead spawning occurs. Future research focused on straying behaviour, and spawning success of recycled steelhead may further advance the understanding of the effects of recycling as a management strategy. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Summary Background The resistance of Staphylococcus aureus is increasing, not only to antibiotics but also to antiseptics. Aim To investigate the activity of the antiseptic polyhexanide and several antibiotics against clinical isolates of meticillin-susceptible and meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA and MRSA, respectively). Polyhexanide was tested alone and in combination with oxacillin, penicillin G, ampicillin, cefazolin, cefuroxime, imipenem, gentamicin, erythromycin, doxycycline, levoflocaxin, linezolid and vancomycin. Methods Fifty MSSA and 50 MRSA strains, including one vancomycin-intermediate (VISA) strain, were tested. All strains were typed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to exclude testing of clonal isolates. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were determined using the serial broth microdilution technique according to DIN 58940. Combinations of polyhexanide and different antibiotics were investigated using the checkerboard technique. Findings Polyhexanide MICs and MBCs in the range of 0.5–2 mg/L were found for both MSSA and MRSA, and the VISA strain had MIC and MBC values of 2 mg/L. All isolates were regarded as susceptible to polyhexanide, and no antagonism was observed between polyhexanide and the tested antibiotics. Synergism between polyhexanide and some bacteriostatic antibiotics (erythromycin, doxycycline and linezolid) was found for some strains. Conclusions Polyhexanide appears to be suitable for the topical treatment of S. aureus alone and in combination with antibiotics.

A 4-year evaluation was conducted to determine the proportion of juvenile coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch passing Cowlitz Falls Dam, on the Cowlitz River, Washington, during winter. River and reservoir populations of coho salmon parr were monitored using radiotelemetry to determine if streamflow increases resulted in increased downstream movement and dam passage. This was of interest because fish that pass downstream of Cowlitz Falls Dam become landlocked in Riffe Lake and are lost to the anadromous population. Higher proportions of reservoir-released fish (0.391–0.480) passed Cowlitz Falls Dam than did river-released fish (0.037–0.119). Event-time analyses demonstrated that streamflow increases were important predictors of dam passage rates during the study. The estimated effect of increasing streamflows on the risk of dam passage varied annually and ranged from 9% to 75% for every 28.3 m3/s increase in streamflow. These results have current management implications because they demonstrate the ...

We conducted a 3-year radiotelemetry study in the lower Snake River to (1) determine whether juvenile fall Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha pass dams during winter, when bypass systems and structures designed to prevent mortality are not operated; (2) determine whether downstream movement rate varies annually, seasonally, and from reservoir to reservoir; and (3) identify some of the factors that contribute to annual, seasonal, and spatial variation in downstream movement rate. Fall Chinook salmon juveniles moved downstream up to 169 km and at a sufficiently fast rate (7.5 km/d) such that large percentages (up to 93%) of the fish passed one or more dams during the winter. Mean downstream movement rate varied annually (9.2–11.3 km/d), increased from winter (7.5 km/d) to spring (16.4 km/d), and increased (from 6.9 to 16.8 km/d) as fish moved downstream from reservoir to reservoir. Fish condition factor at tagging explained some of the annual variation in downstream movement rate, whereas wate...

Formerly landlocked Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) juveniles (age 2) were monitored following release into the free-flowing Cowlitz River to determine if they remained in the river or resumed seaward migration. Juvenile Coho Salmon were tagged with a radio transmitter (30 fish) or Floy tag (1050 fish) and their behavior was monitored in the lower Cowlitz River. We found that 97% of the radio-tagged fish remained in the Cowlitz River beyond the juvenile outmigration period, and the number of fish dispersing downstream decreased with increasing distance from the release site. None of the tagged fish returned as spawning adults in the 2 y following release. We suspect that fish in our study failed to migrate because they exceeded a threshold in size, age, or physiological status. Tagged fish in our study primarily remained in the Cowlitz River, thus it is possible that these fish presented challenges to juvenile salmon migrating through the system either directly by predation or indirectly by competition for food or habitat. Given these findings, returning formerly landlocked Coho Salmon juveniles to the free-flowing river apparently provided no benefit to the anadromous population. These findings have management implications in locations where landlocked salmon have the potential to interact with anadromous species of concern.

In fisheries science, habitat use is often inferred when fish are sampled or observed in a particular location. Physical habitat is typically measured where fish are found, and thus deemed important to habitat use. Although less common, a more informative approach is to measure or observe fish behavior within given habitats to more thoroughly assess their use of those locations. While this approach better reflects how fish use habitat, fish behavior can be difficult to quantify, particularly at night. For example, Tiffan and others (2002, 2006) were able to quantify habitat availability and characteristics that were important for rearing juvenile fall Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River.

We conducted a radiotelemetry evaluation to determine if strobe lights could be used to decrease turbine entrainment of juvenile steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) at Cowlitz Falls Dam, Washington. We found that radio-tagged juvenile steelhead approached and entered two spillbays (one lighted, one unlighted) in equal proportions. However, the presence of strobe lights was associated with decreased spillbay residence time of juvenile steelhead and increased passage through induction slots (secondary turbine intakes located upstream of the ogee on the spillway). Mean residence time of tagged fish inside the lighted spillbay was 14 min compared to 62 min inside the unlighted spillbay. Radio-tagged steelhead passed through induction slots at a higher proportion in the lighted spillbay (55%) than in the unlighted spillbay (26%). Recent studies have suggested that strobe lights can induce torpor in juvenile salmonids. We believe that strobe light exposure affected fish in our study at a location where the...

This study investigated behavioural thermoregulation by subyearling fall (autumn) Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha in a reservoir on the Snake River, Washington, U.S.A. During the summer, temperatures in the reservoir varied from 23 degrees C on the surface to 11 degrees C at 14 m depth. Subyearlings implanted with temperature-sensing radio transmitters were released at the surface at temperatures20 degrees C during three blocks of time in summer 2004. Vertical profiles were taken to measure temperature and depth use as the fish moved downstream over an average of 5.6-7.2 h and 6.0-13.8 km. The majority of the subyearlings maintained average body temperatures that differed from average vertical profile temperatures during most of the time they were tracked. The mean proportion of the time subyearlings tracked within the 16-20 degrees C temperature range was larger than the proportion of time this range was available, which confirmed temperature selection opposed to random use. The subyearlings selected a depth and temperature combination that allowed them to increase their exposure to temperatures of 16-20 degrees C when temperatures16 and20 degrees C were available at lower and higher positions in the water column. A portion of the subyearlings that selected a temperature c. 17.0 degrees C during the day, moved into warmer water at night coincident with an increase in downstream movement rate. Though subyearlings used temperatures outside of the 16-20 degrees C range part of the time, behavioural thermoregulation probably reduced the effects of intermittent exposure to suboptimal temperatures. By doing so, it might enhance growth opportunity and life-history diversity in the population of subyearlings studied.

We studied the migratory behavior of subyearling fall Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha in free-flowing and impounded reaches of the Snake River to evaluate the hypothesis that velocity and turbulence are the primary causal mechanisms of downstream migration. The hypothesis states that impoundment reduces velocity and turbulence and alters the migratory behavior of juvenile Chinook salmon as a result of their reduced perception of these cues. At a constant flow (m3/s), both velocity (km/d) and turbulence (the SD of velocity) decreased from riverine to impounded habitat as cross-sectional areas increased. We found evidence for the hypothesis that subyearling Chinook salmon perceive velocity and turbulence cues and respond to these cues by varying their behavior. The percentage of the subyearlings that moved faster than the average current speed decreased as fish made the transition from riverine reaches with high velocities and turbulence to upper reservoir reaches with low velocities and tu...

Luftfedersysteme haben sich nicht nur in schweren Nutzfahrzeugen durchgesetzt. Immer mehr Oberklasse-Pkw und Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV) erlangen durch diese Technik — meist kombiniert mit elektronisch gesteuerten Verstelldampfern — einen Wettbewerbsvorteil. Continental Automotive Systems bringt das Luftfedersystem nun auch in das leichte Nutzfahrzeug. Fiat, Citroen und Peugeot rusten ihre Transporter Ducato, Jumper und Boxer optional mit einer Hinterachs-Luftfeder-Anwendung aus, die den Fahr- und Bedienkomfort, vor allem aber die Fahrsicherheit verbessert.

In recent years, intestinal transport processes have been studied in detail regarding both, functional and structural aspects. For monosaccharides different systems have been demonstrated for apical uptake: this includes the high-affinity SGLT1 as a distinct d -glucose system and GLUT5 for fructose. Specifically in pigs a low affinity, high-capacity system for d -glucose and d -mannose with no preference for Na+ over K+ and a very low affinity system are suggested as further uptake systems. As in other species, basolateral extrusion is mediated by GLUT2. The distributions of monosaccharide transport along the gastrointestinal axis as well as the potential role of paracellular monosaccharide absorption have not yet been clarified. Amino acids can principally be absorbed by the paracellular and transcellular pathway whereas transcellular transport can either be mediated by facilitated diffusion or secondary active Na+-coupled transport. This includes different transport systems for neutral, anionic and cationic acids. In addition, the presence of the di-/tripeptides transport system PEPT1 which depends on an inwardly directed H+-gradient has also been confirmed for the pig small intestine, its quantitative proportion is still under debate. Short chain fatty acids (SCFA) are the major end products of microbial carbohydrate fermentation which occurs along the gastrointestinal tract with the highest production rates in the large intestines. At least two uptake mechanisms have to be assumed, i.e., non-ionic diffusion and anionic exchange via SCFA−/HCO3−-exchange. Controversial views still exist to what extent SCFA are metabolized within the epithelial tissue. Segmental differences between small and large intestines have been demonstrated for Na+ absorption. Whereas in the small intestines the major part of Na+ absorption is mediated by coupled nutrient transport systems, aldosterone sensitive Na+ channels and Na+/H+-exchange are the dominant mechanisms in the hindgut. For Cl− paracellular transport and anionic Cl−/HCO3−-exchange are the major absorptive mechanisms. Cl− secretion is mediated by apical channels which may be activated by toxins of different origin. Different types of Cl− channels have been identified, such as Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Regulator (CFTR), Ca-activated Cl− channels (CLCA) and Outwardly Rectifying Cl− Channels (ORCC). Whereas CFTR has clearly been shown for jejunal and colonic epithelial and goblet cells controversy still exists on the relevance of CLCA and ORCC in pigs. For Ca2+ there is evidence that both recently published channels TRPV5 and TRPV6 are also expressed in pig intestinal tissues, however, this has not yet been shown on protein level. From several functional approaches it was demonstrated that phosphate uptake can be mediated by both, a Na+-dependent transcellular component and paracellularly. On a molecular basis it is uncertain whether the transport protein of transcellular mechanism belongs to the NaPi-IIb cotransporter family.

Chloride secretion in the intestines of pigs of different age (32 days and 4 months) was examined using the Ussing chamber technique. After stimulating chloride secretion by carbachol and forskolin, alternative chloride channels and finally Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) channels were blocked. While basal short-circuit currents ( I sc ) were higher in the jejunum than in the colon of the piglets of 32 days, it was inverse for the 4-month-old fatteners. In the jejunum responses to stimulation and final levels of I sc were higher in the piglets than in the fatteners. The decrease in I sc after blocking CFTR channels was smaller in the fatteners than in the piglets in both intestinal segments. In conclusion, 32-day-old piglets show a higher basal chloride secretion as well as a higher response to stimulation in the jejunum than 4-month-old pigs.