An invasive non-native mammal population conserves genetic diversity lost from its native range.

Invasive, non-native species are one of the major causes of global biodiversity loss. Although they are, by definition, successful in their non-native range, their populations generally show major reductions in their genetic diversity during the demographic bottleneck they experience during colonization. By investigating the mitochondrial genetic diversity of an invasive non-native species, the stoat Mustela erminea, in New Zealand and comparing it to diversity in the species' native range in Great Britain, we reveal the opposite effect. We demonstrate that the New Zealand stoat population contains four mitochondrial haplotypes that have not been found in the native range. Stoats in Britain rely heavily on introduced rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus as their primary prey and were introduced to New Zealand in a misguided attempt at biological control of rabbits, which had also been introduced there. While invasive stoats have since decimated the New Zealand avifauna, native stoat populations were themselves decimated by the introduction to Britain of Myxoma virus as a control measure for rabbits. We highlight the irony that while introduced species (rabbits) and subsequent biocontrol (myxomatosis) have caused population crashes of native stoats, invasive stoats in New Zealand, which were also introduced for biological control, now contain more genetic haplotypes than their most likely native source.

Using genetic techniques to quantify reinvasion, survival and in situ breeding rates during control operations.

Determining the origin of individuals caught during a control/eradication programme enables conservation managers to assess the reinvasion rates of their target species and evaluate the level of success of their control methods. We examine how genetic techniques can focus management by distinguishing between hypotheses of 'reinvasion' and 'survivor', and defining kin groups for invasive stoats (Mustela erminea) on Secretary Island, New Zealand. 205 stoats caught on the island were genotyped at 16 microsatellite loci, along with 40 stoats from the opposing mainland coast, and the age and sex were determined for each individual. Using these data, we compare and combine a variety of genetic techniques including genetic clustering, population assignment and kinship-based techniques to assess the origin of each stoat. The population history and individual movement could be described in fine detail, with results indicating that both in-situ survival and breeding, and reinvasion are occurring. Immigration to the island was found to be generally low, apart from in 1 year where around 8 stoats emigrated from the mainland. This increased immigration was probably linked to a stoat population spike on the mainland in that year, caused by a masting event of southern beech forest (Nothofagus sp.) and the subsequent rodent irruption. Our study provides an example of some of the ways genetic analyses can feed directly into informing management practices for invasive species.

Providing reviews of evidence to COPD patients: controlled prospective 12-month trial.

The aim of this study was to evaluate a novel patient-held manual designed to reduce the evidence-practice gap in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The intervention manual contained summaries of research evidence. It was developed using current best practice for patient information materials and designed to cause discussion of evidence between patient and doctor. A controlled before-and-after study was employed in two similar but geographically separate regions of metropolitan Adelaide, South Australia. Participants had moderate to severe COPD, with 249 included at baseline and 201 completing the study. Evidence-based COPD management was measured using an indicator with three components: rates of influenza vaccination, bone density testing, and pulmonary rehabilitation. A survey of behavioral steps leading to practice change was conducted with the trial. Analysis, by median split of socioeconomic disadvantage, showed significant difference between study arms for only one component of the indicator of evidence-based practice, enrollment in pulmonary rehabilitation and only for the most socioeconomically disadvantaged stratum. For both socioeconomic strata, more intervention participants than control participants reported remembering being given the information material, reading part or all, and finding it very or quite helpful. Other significant differences were restricted to the stratum of greatest socioeconomic disadvantage: reading all of the material, learning from it, referring back, and talking to a doctor about a topic from the material. Above 90% of all participants who received the manual reported reading from it, 42% reported discussing topics with a doctor, but only 10% reported treatment change attributable to the manual. We have found that people with COPD will read an evidence manual developed using current best practice. However, the study demonstrated improvement for only one of the three components of an indicator of evidence-based disease management for only the most socioeconomically disadvantaged stratum of participants. Future interventions should be designed to better translate reading uptake into evidence-based disease management.

Eformoterol n-of-1 trials in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease poorly reversible to salbutamol.

AIMS: Benefits of long acting beta 2 agonists are unclear for severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with poor response to short acting bronchodilators. We aimed to evaluate 1) effects of eformoterol in such patients using a 'n-of-1' double crossover study design, and 2) aggregate data as a double-blind, double crossover randomized control trial. METHODS: Subjects with forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) < 60% predicted, and poor response to short acting bronchodilators were studied six times over 18 weeks. During that time they were prescribed four weeks of either eformoterol or placebo, followed by the alternate, and then a second crossover. Four-weekly measures included six minute walk distance (6MWD), FEV1, previous two weeks of symptoms, and chronic respiratory questionnaire (CRQ) including treatment goal items. RESULTS: Of 27 original subjects (21 male, mean age of 70 years, five smokers, mean prebronchodilator FEV1 36% predicted), one subject had clinically significant concordant improvement in the CRQ dyspnoea domain and 6MWD (by 51 metres), but not for other outcomes. There were no concordant improvements in any other subjects. Aggregate double crossover data analysis demonstrated no improvement in any outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS: The 'n-of-1' study design and aggregate data analysis demonstrated lack of benefit from eformoterol in COPD patients with poor response to short acting bronchodilators.

'Normal' lung function in rural Australian aborigines.

BACKGROUND: Although lung diseases are a leading cause of premature mortality in Australian Aborigines, little is known about normal lung function in these people. AIM: To develop models for 'normal' spirometric function in rural Australian Aborigines. METHOD: A cross-sectional population-based study of four rural Aboriginal communities was performed in Queensland, Northern Territory and South Australia, Australia. We studied 261 children aged seven-19 years and 332 adults aged 20-80 years who were free of symptoms and had no clinical signs of chronic lung disease. The outcome measures were forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC). Multiple linear regression was used to develop models for FEV1 and FVC and comparisons were made with Caucasians and indigenous people from other countries. RESULTS: The Aboriginal people studied had FEV1 and FVC values that were lower (20% and 30% respectively) than those found in Caucasians of the same height, age and gender. As a consequence, they had relatively high FEV1/FVC ratios. Those studied also had forced expiratory volumes that were lower than those found in African Americans and other indigenous peoples. CONCLUSIONS: Apparently healthy rural Aboriginal people have low forced expiratory volumes when contrasted with Caucasians and indigenous peoples such as African Americans. More research is required to determine if this is 'normal' or a product of the suboptimal environment into which many Aboriginal people are born.

Asthma and atopy in four rural Australian aboriginal communities.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and nature of asthma in four rural Australian Aboriginal communities. DESIGN: Cross-sectional population study. SETTING: Four Aboriginal communities in Queensland, the Northern Territory and South Australia, Australia. SUBJECTS: Data were collected from 1252 subjects aged 5-84 years in August 1990 and August/September 1991. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Respiratory symptoms, measured by interview-administered questionnaire; airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), measured by histamine challenge; and allergy, measured by skin-pick tests. AHR was a PD20FEV1 of histamine of less than or equal to 3.9 mumol. RESULTS: The prevalence of AHR in the four communities ranged from 2.2% to 7.5% and significantly increased with age (chi 2 trend test: P < 0.05). The prevalence of current asthma was 0.5% among 8-12 year old children and 3.3% among adults. The overall prevalence of atopy in the four communities ranged from 21% to 34%. Allergy to cats, house dust mites or cigarette smoking was a risk factor for AHR, and cat allergy was a risk factor for current asthma. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of asthma in rural Aboriginal adults is low in comparison with the prevalence among non-Aboriginal Australians, and asthma in Aboriginal children is almost non-existent. The low prevalence of asthma is possibly due to environmental factors that influence the acquisition of atopy and AHR.