Conservative Treatment Research Articles

Management of pediatric distal humerus metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction fracture: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Fractures occurring at the metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction of the distal humerus in children are not commonly documented in the literature. Until this moment, there is no gold standard technique regarding its management and most surgeons treat it as a regular supracondylar humerus fracture by conventional pinning. This systematic review explores the relevant literature to assess the efficacy of different techniques. This review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Our literature search encompassed several online databases, including PUBMED/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, and Google Scholar. Data from articles that met our general inclusion criteria were extracted and categorized into treatment method groupings. Functional and cosmetic outcomes, demographic characteristics, and complications were the main parameters used to analyze the data. Ten retrospective studies met our inclusion criteria with a total of 178 participants of unilateral pediatric distal humerus metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction fractures. Most literature chose closed reduction and percutaneous pinning in seven articles, followed by elastic stable intramedullary nail technique used in three articles, then conservative treatment was chosen in two articles, while only one article used lateral miniplate and assisted K-wire and another article used combined closed reduction and percutaneous pinning and intramedullary K-wire. As regards the operation time; elastic stable intramedullary nails had the shortest time with a mean of 39.7 min (range: 37.5-41.9 min), while closed reduction and percutaneous pinning had the longest time with a mean of 75.47 min (range: 55.9-92.1 min). The shortest healing time was observed in miniplate with a mean of 7.2 weeks, while the most prolonged was in conservative management with a mean of 12 weeks and closed reduction and percutaneous pinning was a mean of 10 weeks. Regarding Flynn's criteria, all participants received excellent and good except in closed reduction and percutaneous pinning; 13 cases were fair and 2 cases were poor. Regarding complications, the most commonly observed complication after metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction fracture was cubitus varus, the highest incidence was in conservative management (33% of cases), followed by closed reduction and percutaneous pinning (10.9% of cases), the least incidence was observed in elastic stable intramedullary nails (3.77% of cases), and none of the cases treated with mini plate developed this complication. Other complications were observed only with closed reduction and percutaneous pinning; 8.5% of cases developed fixation loss, 6.2% of cases had a significantly reduced range of motion, and one case refractured. Pediatric distal humerus metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction fractures should be distinguished from the more prevalent supracondylar humerus fractures, as conventional pinning techniques are associated with a higher incidence of complications and increased both operative and healing times.Level of evidence: III.

Recurrence Rates and Risk Factors in Altemeier Procedure for Rectal Prolapse: A Multicenter Study.

Perineal proctosigmoidectomy (Altemeier) is a surgical procedure that is commonly utilized for the treatment of rectal prolapse. However, there is a diverse range of recurrence rates following the Altemeier procedure repair that have been reported in the literature. We aimed to identify primary and subsequent recurrence rates following perineal proctosigmoidectomy, as well as to define potential risk factors for recurrence. Cohort study. Conducted at 6 hospitals affiliated with the Cleveland Clinic. Included patients older than 18 years who were treated with Altemeier procedure for rectal prolapse between 2007 and 2022. Primary outcomes were rates of primary and subsequent recurrences. Secondary outcomes included potential risk factors for recurrence previously mentioned in the literature. We identified 182 patients, of whom 95.1% were female with a mean age of 79 years (SD 11.4). Overall, 92.1% were elective, and 14.3% had previously undergone prolapse repairs (Delorme, Thiersch, abdominal suture rectopexy, and abdominal mesh rectopexy). At a mean follow-up period of 27.5 months (SD 45.7), 37.9% of patients experienced recurrence, with 16.5% of patients having multiple recurrences. A subsequent Altemeier procedure was performed in 72.5% of instances. Other treatments included Delorme, abdominal suture rectopexy, abdominal mesh rectopexy, or conservative management. This study identified connective tissue disorders and time since surgery as significant risk factors for recurrence. Retrospective design and varying follow-up periods. Perineal proctosigmoidectomy is associated with a significant risk of recurrence. The risk of recurrence increased with the presence of a connective tissue disorder and in proportion to the elapsed time since surgery. These discoveries assist healthcare professionals in counseling and managing patients who undergo perineal proctosigmoidectomy for rectal prolapse. See Video Abstract.

Gastric perforation as a complication of Wilkie's syndrome.

Wilkie's syndrome, also known as Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome, is characterized by intestinal obstruction due to aortomesenteric duodenal compression caused by the reduction of the normal angle between (38-65º) to <25º or to a distance <8mm. The clinical presentation is usually non-specific (dyspepsia, postprandial abdominal pain) but sometimes presented as an acute intestinal obstruction syndrome (nausea, vomiting, gastric dilatation and abdominal distention). In this study, we report the case of a 22-year-old patient with a BMI of 16.5 who presented to the emergency room with acute intestinal obstruction caused by SAMS. He presented with massive gastric dilation that caused ischaemic necrosis of the gastric mucosa with subsequent perforation. It should be noted that only one case associated with Wilkie syndrome has been described in the literature. Therefore, given the rare incidence of complications associated with this syndrome and the favourable prognosis with conservative management, surgery is usually the last line of treatment. However, we must not forget that when necrosis appears, it is often extensive and requires urgent surgical treatment in most cases.

Genetic diversity and population structure of an insect-pollinated and bird-dispersed dioecious tree Magnolia kwangsiensis in a fragmented karst forest landscape.

This study combined population genetics and parentage analysis to obtain foundational data for the conservation of Magnolia kwangsiensis. M. kwangsiensis is a Class I tree species that occurs in two disjunct regions in a biodiversity hotspot in southwest China. We assessed the genetic diversity and structure of this species across its distribution range to support its conservation management. Genetic diversity and population structure of 529 individuals sampled from 14 populations were investigated using seven nuclear simple sequence repeat (nSSR) markers and three chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) fragments. Parentage analysis was used to evaluate the pollen and seed dispersal distances. The nSSR marker analysis revealed a high genetic diversity in M. kwangsiensis, with an average observed (Ho) and expected heterozygosities (He) of 0.726 and 0.687, respectively. The mean and maximum pollen and seed dispersal distances were 66.4 and 95.7 m and 535.4 and 553.8 m, respectively. Our data revealed two distinct genetic groups, consistent with the disjunct geographical distribution of the M. kwangsiensis populations. Both pollen and seed dispersal movements help maintain genetic connectivity among M. kwangsiensis populations, contributing to high levels of genetic diversity. Both genetically differentiated groups corresponding to the two disjunct regions should be recognized as separate conservation units.

Surgical management of spinal pathologies in the octogenarian: a narrative review.

Optimal management paradigms of spinal pathologies in the octogenarian population are controversial given the higher incidence of comorbidities with concern for poor prognosis and fear of increased complications associated with surgical management. In this narrative review, we aim to detail the complex clinical considerations when approaching odontoid screw fixation/instrumented fusion, spinal decompression, and spinal fusion in the octogenarian. Literature review was conducted via Google Scholar and PubMed databases, with literature selected based on statistical power and clinical relevance to the following pathologies/surgical techniques: odontoid fracture, surgical decompression, and surgical fusion in the octogenarian. The aforementioned pathologies were selected based on prevalence in the advanced-age population in which surgical screening techniques and management remain nonuniform. Preoperative evaluation of the octogenarian patient increasingly includes frailty, sarcopenia, and osteopenia/osteoporosis assessments. In cases of odontoid fracture, conservative management appears to provide beneficial clinical outcomes with lower rates of complication compared to surgery; however, rates of radiographic odontoid fusion are far lower in conservatively managed patients. Regarding surgical decompression and fusion, the presence of comorbidities may be more predictive of outcome rather than age status, with the advent of minimally invasive techniques providing safety and efficacy in the surgical management of this age cohort. Age status may be less pertinent than previously thought in the decision to pursue spinal surgery for odontoid fracture, spinal decompression, or spinal fusion; however, each of these procedures has respective risks and benefits that must be considered within the context of each patient's comorbidity profile.

Evolving trends in the management of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: A multicenter retrospective cohort study.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is usually managed by conservative treatment, but in selected cases, especially in the presence of a tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA), surgical management is a recognized treatment option. We compared the trends in managing PID and short-term outcomes before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. This is a retrospective study performed in three Italian gynecological centers. We included patients admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of PID. Demographic characteristics, management, time to diagnosis, and time to treatment were compared before versus during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. One hundred nineteen PID patients were screened, eighty-one before the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, and thirty-eight after the onset. At admission, leukocytosis (median 19.73 vs. 13.99 WBC/mm3, p-value = 0.02) was significantly higher in patients who underwent surgery after the onset of the pandemic. TOA incidence was higher in patients who underwent surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, but the difference did not reach statistically significance (p = 0.06). The proportion of patients treated with surgery dropped to 26.3% after the onset from 46% of patients before the onset of pandemic (p = 0.03). Furthermore, a higher percentage of emergency surgical procedures on day 0 of hospital admission were performed after the onset of the pandemic (50% vs. 13.1%, p = 0.01). In this retrospective cohort study, we found that the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic influenced the clinical presentation and management of PID in favor of conservative treatment. Patients who underwent surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic had higher inflammatory markers.

Nonoperative management of acute complicated diverticulitis with pericolic and/or distant extraluminal air: A systematic review.

Colonic Diverticular Disease (CDD) is a multifactorial inflammatory disease. Acute diverticulitis (AD), with extraluminal free air (both pericolic and distant), represents about 15% of radiological scenarios and remains a therapeutic challenge for surgeons. Currently, the WSES guidelines suggest trying a conservative strategy both in the presence of pericolic and distant free extraluminal air, even if both have respectively weak recommendation based on low/very low-quality evidence. We performed a systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes guidelines. PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases were used to identify articles of interest. A total of 2380 patients with AD and extraluminal free air (both pericolic and distant) who underwent nonoperative management (NOM) were analyzed. Of the 2380 patients, 2095(88%) were successfully treated with NOM, while 285 (12%) patients failed. A total of 1574 (93.1%) patients with pericolic extraluminal free air had a successful NOM with 6.9% (117) failure rates, while 135 (71.1%) patients with distant extraluminal free air had a successful NOM with 28.9% (55) failure rates. Regarding distant recurrence, we recorded a rate of 18.3% (261/1430), while a rate of 11.3% (167/1472) was recorded for patients undergoing elective surgery. NOM for patients with AD and extraluminal free air (both pericolic and distant) seems to be feasible and safe despite a higher failure rate in the distant subgroup, which remains the most challenging clinical scenario to deal with through conservative treatment.

The Deposition by Raffaello Sanzio: New analytical insights on old cross sections for the characterisation of pictorial palette

In 2020, 500th anniversary of Raffaello Sanzio death, his Deposition (1507), -the altarpiece known also as the Pala Baglioni, today located at the Borghese Gallery in Rome-has been subjected to conservative revision and preventive conservation project. This included in-depth diagnostic campaigns through most modern non-invasive techniques, together with the analysis of old cross sections from the same Pala. These latters, prepared between 1966 and 1972, preserved in ICR laboratory of chemistry and testing materials archive, have been used to deepen the knowledge of Raffaello painting techniques. The use of such cross sections was fundamental to verify the original pictorial film and restoration re-paintings before the conservation intervention in the same years.In this paper, the results of analytical insights on Raffaello pictorial palette are presented. The information is obtained by the analysis of the old ICR stratigraphic sections, through the use of Scanning Electron Microscope with Energy Dispersive X-Ray analysis (SEM-EDX) and micro-Raman (632.8 nm), while Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) analysis through colloidal paste has been tested for the identification of organic lake-pigments present in low concentration and for the successful recognition of copper resinate, whose SERS spectrum is here reported for the first time, according to our knowledge. This combined diagnostic approach has made it possible to recognize the pigments employed in the different pictorial layers, such species in traces and those from organic materials, responding to open questions arising previous non-invasive analyses and highlighting further aspects of the illustrious master refined painting technique.

Ecological integration of Vespa velutina Lepeletier, 1836 in South Korea: a comprehensive study of co-occurrence and interaction patterns with native social wasps.

The spread of Vespa velutina Lepeletier, 1836 (Asian hornet) in South Korea poses a threat to biodiversity and agriculture. Traditional species interaction models often fail to capture the complexity of invasive species dynamics. This study used association rule learning (ARL) and clustering analyses to explore the interactions of V. velutina with native Vespidae species in South Korea, with the aim of uncovering patterns of coexistence and competition. Over 4 years (2020-2023), 304 traps were strategically placed across South Korea to collect data on Vespidae species. Our findings showed that Vespula flaviceps, Vespa crabro, and Vespula koreensis were the most frequently encountered species. V. velutina was also widespread, suggesting its successful integration into local ecosystems. The ARL analysis, using the 'apriori' algorithm, identified significant co-occurrence patterns and potential interactions. The rules generated indicated both competitive and coexistent relationships with varying levels of association strength across different regions. Clustering analyses, including hierarchical and k-means clustering, grouped species based on their occurrence similarities. The distinct clusters formed in the analysis highlighted the unique ecological roles and interactions of V. velutina and other Vespidae species in South Korean ecosystems. This study confirms the successful establishment of V. velutina in diverse South Korean ecosystems and highlights its complex interactions with native species. These findings support the need for nuanced management strategies that consider the intricate ecological relationships of V. velutina. This approach is crucial for the effective management of invasive species and ecosystem conservation. © 2024 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Analyzing porous cold storage unit in presence of hybrid nano-powders considering Galerkin method

The article presents a comprehensive simulation study on cold storage porous containers, employing the Galerkin method to analyze their thermal behavior. A key focus of the investigation is the incorporation of both radiation and conduction modes within the mathematical model, acknowledging their significant roles in the freezing process. To enhance the freezing rate, hybrid nanoparticles are introduced into H2O, aiming to speed up the solidification. Notably, the study integrates adaptive grid techniques to achieve higher modeling accuracy, with verification processes confirming a high level of agreement between simulation results and experimental data. This research also underscores the potential for improved energy efficiency in cold storage systems, contributing to the sustainability of natural resources by reducing energy consumption and enhancing the overall efficiency of thermal storage systems. Through meticulous examination, the study explores the impacts of various factors on freezing, including the fraction of hybrid nano-powders (ϕ), porosity (γ), and the radiation factor (Rd). Remarkably, the introduction of porous media causes to a substantial increment in the freezing rate, resulting in an improvement of approximately 91.19%. Moreover, the inclusion of the radiation term in the model significantly reduces the completion time by approximately 30.85%, underscoring the importance of considering radiation effects in such systems. Additionally, dispersing hybrid nano-powders into the water, results in a decrement in the freezing time around 7.21%. This approach highlights the significant potential for optimizing energy use in thermal storage applications, thereby promoting the conservation and sustainable management of natural resources.

Genotyping-by-sequencing informs conservation of Andean palms sources of non-timber forest products.

Conservation and sustainable management of lineages providing non-timber forest products are imperative under the current global biodiversity loss. Most non-timber forest species, however, lack genomic studies that characterize their intraspecific variation and evolutionary history, which inform species' conservation practices. Contrary to many lineages in the Andean biodiversity hotspot that exhibit high diversification, the genus Parajubaea (Arecaceae) has only three species despite the genus' origin 22 million years ago. Two of the three palm species, P. torallyi and P. sunkha, are non-timber forest species endemic to the Andes of Bolivia and are listed as IUCN endangered. The third species, P. cocoides, is a vulnerable species with unknown wild populations. We investigated the evolutionary relationships of Parajubaea species and the genetic diversity and structure of wild Bolivian populations. Sequencing of five low-copy nuclear genes (3753 bp) challenged the hypothesis that P. cocoides is a cultigen that originated from the wild Bolivian species. We further obtained up to 15,134 de novo single-nucleotide polymorphism markers by genotyping-by-sequencing of 194 wild Parajubaea individuals. Our total DNA sequencing effort rejected the taxonomic separation of the two Bolivian species. As expected for narrow endemic species, we observed low genetic diversity, but no inbreeding signal. We found three genetic clusters shaped by geographic distance, which we use to propose three management units. Different percentages of missing genotypic data did not impact the genetic structure of populations. We use the management units to recommend insitu conservation by creating new protected areas, and ex situ conservation through seed collection.

The use of conceptual ecological models to identify critical data and uncertainties to support numerical modeling: The northern Gulf of Mexico eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica example

AbstractObjectiveIncreasing reliance on numerical simulation models to help inform management and restoration choices benefits from careful consideration of critical early steps in model development. Along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico, the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica fulfills important ecological and economic roles. Using the eastern oyster as an example, we draw on several recent frameworks outlining best practices for model development and application for restoration, conservation, and management.MethodsWe identify priority model questions, outline a conceptual ecological model (CEM) to guide numerical model development, and use this framework to identify uncertainties and research needs.ResultThe CEM uses a nested design, identifying explicit vital rates, processes, attributes, and outcomes for the species (oysters), population, and metapopulation (i.e., network of populations) levels in response to drivers of species, population, and metapopulation changes and changing environmental factors. Most management actions related to oyster restoration and harvest affect population attributes directly, but many coastal management actions and changes (i.e., climate change and coastal and water resource engineering) impact environmental factors that alter vital rates and attributes of oysters, populations, and metapopulations.ConclusionInvestment in studies targeting individual oyster‐ and population‐level multi‐stressor responses (filtration, respiration, growth, and reproduction) and improving hydrodynamic and environmental models targeting drivers that influence metapopulation vital rates and attributes (i.e., connectivity and substrate persistence) would contribute to reducing uncertainties. Development of numerical models covering the entire oyster life cycle and connectivity of populations using hydrodynamic models of current and predicted conditions to provide key abiotic and biotic factors influencing larval movement, recruitment, and on‐reef oyster vital rates would assist in balancing the goals of conservation, restoration, and fisheries management of this foundational estuarine species.

Treatment of Canine Intervertebral Disc Disease with Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine

Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) in dogs is a common medical problem encountered by small animal practitioners. It normally occurs in both small and large canine breeds. From a conventional medical perspective there are two treatment options available for these patients, conservative medical management, or surgical intervention. There is, however, an effective third option available, traditional Chinese veterinary medicine (TCVM). This article will discuss how to use TCVM in the treatment of canine IVDD patients, results that can be expected, and a case series of 12 dogs affected with IVDD.

Isolated Omental Panniculitis

Isolated Omental Panniculitis is a very uncommon intra-abdominal disease, causing non-specific inflammatory symptoms, which only involves omentum without involving other organs like bowel, fat necrosis and pancreatitis. It is mostly seen in adults. The exact etiology of IAP is still obscure. Also, Modern diagnostic tools like CT &amp; MRI were also ineffective to make the diagnosis. Different treatment modalities including conservative medical management with Anti-inflammatory drugs like low dose steroid along with NSAIDS and surgical excision of mass both were tried in past. In this article we are reporting an isolated omental panniculitis patient who presented to emergency with acute abdominal pain &amp; was treated with laparoscopic omental segment resection.

Effect of Implant Maintenance on Incidence of Peri-implantitis and Early Implant Failure: Retrospective Cohort Study.

Maintaining dental implants and managing peri-implant tissues has become integral to dental practice. Owing to the larger number of implants placed, the number of peri-implant lesions is increasing. Periodontal implant maintenance therapy (PIMT) provides a conservative long-term treatment modality to monitor and maintain implants. This study aims to investigate periodontal maintenance effects on peri-implant tissue health to add to existing evidence. A retrospective analysis included implant patients with 1-7 years of follow-up, assessing peri-implantitis and early implant failure as outcome variables. The frequency of PIMT, implant characteristics, and demographics served as predictors, and associations between peri-implantitis, implant failure, and PIMT frequency were analyzed using Fisher exact tests with the significance level set at .05. Data were collected on 501 implants from 185 patients. Twenty-nine (6%) demonstrated peri-implantitis, whereas 22 (5%) experienced early implant failure. A significant association between PIMT and peri-implantitis was observed (p-value = .0169) with the rate of peri-implantitis at 9% (n = 20) for patients without PIMT and only 4% (n = 10) for those with PIMT. Whereas PIMT was not significantly associated with early implant failure (p-value = .4372), peri-implantitis was: 25% of implants with peri-implantitis experienced early failure compared with 4% without (p-value = .0062). Considering the limitations of the present study, the absence of PIMT was found to be associated with peri-implantitis, which was itself associated with early implant failure. Implant maintenance at 6-month intervals is important in maintaining peri-implant health.

OT Enhanced: Cupping’s Unique Impact on Conservative Carpal Tunnel Treatment

Abstract Date Presented 03/22/24 A statistically significant association between cupping therapy and increased protective sensation in the hand was observed. The results support the use of conservative therapies for treating carpal tunnel syndrome compared with invasive measures. Primary Author and Speaker: Abbigail Walsh Additional Authors and Speakers: Aubrey Bealer, Lee Bryant, Emily Giordano Contributing Authors: Kristopher Matullo, Ann Potter

Acute rupture of the Achilles tendon : Diagnostics, treatment and aftercare

With up to 50incidents per 100,000 inhabitants, Achilles tendon ruptures are among the most frequent tendon injuries encountered in orthopedics and trauma surgery. Apart from high-risk forms of sport, degenerative processes are primarily responsible for weakening and ultimately rupture. In addition to assessing the typical clinical signs with inability to perform powerful plantar flexion, the diagnostics include easy to earn examination techniques, such as the Thompson test and ultrasound as the imaging gold standard. Conservative and surgical treatment are available depending on the constitution, age and requirements of the patient. The latter option is divided into conventional open, minimally invasive or percutaneous procedures. Good to very good results can be expected regardless of the form of treatment, provided that early functional rehabilitation is carried out. The average rerupture rate is 5% and the return to sport rate is around 80%.

Management of acute appendicitis in pediatric patients with acute leukemia: Insights from a single-center study.

Acute appendicitis (AA) in pediatric patients with acute leukemia mandates prompt treatment. Diagnosis presents challenges, relying on clinical and radiological assessments, often leading to treatment delays that may disrupt leukemia management. Our study on 14 such cases underscores the pivotal role of swift intervention. While conservative AA treatment may pose no risk to healthy children, our findings mandate the performance of laparoscopic appendectomy within 24hours of diagnosis. This strategy yielded successful surgical outcomes while ensuring uninterrupted leukemia care. Our experience contributes important insights to the limited understanding of navigating this complex clinical scenario.

Integration of the landscape of fear concept in grassland management: An experimental study on subtropical monsoon grasslands in Bardia National Park, Nepal.

The 'landscape of fear' concept offers valuable insights into wildlife behaviour, yet its practical integration into habitat management for conservation remains underexplored. In this study, conducted in the subtropical monsoon grasslands of Bardia National Park, Nepal, we aimed to bridge this gap through a multi-year, landscape-scale experimental investigation in Bardia National Park, Nepal. The park has the highest density of tigers (with an estimated density of ~7 individuals per 100 km2) in Nepal, allowing us to understand the effect of habitat management on predation risk and resource availability especially for three cervid species: chital (Axis axis), swamp deer (Rucervus duvaucelii) and hog deer (Axis porcinus). We used plots with varying mowing frequency (0-4 times per year), size (ranging from small: 49 m2 to large: 3600 m2) and artificial fertilisation type (none, phosphorus, nitrogen) to assess the trade-offs between probable predation risk and resources for these cervid species, which constitute primary prey for tigers in Nepal. Our results showed distinct responses of these deer to perceived predation risk within grassland habitats. Notably, these deer exhibited heightened use of larger plots, indicative of a perceived sense of safety, as evidenced by the higher occurrence of pellet groups in the larger plots (mean = 0.1 pellet groups m-2 in 3600 m2 plots vs. 0.07 in 400 m2 and 0.05 in 49 m2 plots). Furthermore, the level of use by the deer was significantly higher in larger plots that received mowing and fertilisation treatments compared to smaller plots subjected to similar treatments. Of particular interest is the observation that chital and swamp deer exhibited greater utilisation of the centre (core) areas within the larger plots (mean = 0.21 pellet groups m-2 at the centre vs. 0.13 at the edge) despite the edge (periphery) also provided attractive resources to these deer. In contrast, hog deer did not display any discernible reaction to the experimental treatments, suggesting potential species-specific variations in response to perceived predation risk arising from management interventions. Our findings emphasise the importance of a sense of security as a primary determinant of habitat selection for medium-sized deer within managed grassland environments. These insights carry practical implications for park managers, providing a nuanced understanding of integrating the 'landscape of fear' into habitat management strategies. This study emphasises that the 'landscape of fear' conceptcan and should be integrated into habitat management to maintain delicate predator-prey dynamics within ecosystems.

From spatial prioritization to conservation management in the Southern Ocean using the marine IBAs approach

Implementing effective conservation action requires spatial prioritization exercises to be functionally integrated with a process for developing an implementation strategy. There is great potential for animal tracking data to inform marine management in the Southern Ocean. Using information on penguin distribution, a set of marine Important Bird Areas (mIBAs) has recently been identified around Antarctica. Large-scale spatial analyses like this are key to guide resources and the attention of decision-makers towards areas of significant value. Yet, protecting marine resources requires translating prioritization exercises into legally-binding conservation measures. Here we use one of the largest gentoo colonies in Antarctica as a case study to explore pathways for the utilization of the mIBAs approach in the design and implementation of conservation measures in the Southern Ocean. For scientists and organizations willing to have a policy impact, there are two main routes to contribute to Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) decision-making: through Parties' National Delegations, or through Experts and Observers. We provide three main recommendations for incorporating the results of spatial prioritization analyses into the agenda of ATS governance bodies using the mIBAs approach: 1. Differentiate the potential contribution of mIBAs to spatial prioritization from the potential contribution to conservation planning, two different stages in the conservation process; 2. Use methods, criteria and data for delineating boundaries of potential conservation areas according to the stage of the conservation process that the outputs are expected to contribute to; 3. Understand how Antarctic mIBAs might fit into the ATS conservation measures framework and ongoing deliberations.