Yr Posttreatment Research Articles

THU178 Predicted Adult Height Outcomes And Relation To Final Adult Height In Children With Isolated Idiopathic Growth Hormone Deficiency Treated With rhGH Therapy

Abstract Disclosure: B. Duong: None. K. Vu: None. A.S. Bhangoo: None. Background: Children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) are treated with growth hormone therapy for multiple years. Once a year a bone age X ray is done to monitor the development of the epiphysial growth plates and to calculate the predicted adult height (PAH) by using the Bayley-Pinneau tables. There is not much quantitative data on the PAH calculations in relation to Final adult height (FAH) and Mid-parental height (MPH). Methods: We collected data on 42 children with isolated idiopathic GHD (9 females, 33 males). These children had finished GH therapy after multi-year treatment. Data on MPH, FAH and PAH baseline (prior to starting rhGH), 1 yr, 2 yr and 3 yr post treatment was collected, and correlation analysis was performed. Results: The PAH at baseline correlated with FAH (R2 of 0.62), the PAH underestimated the height on average by 2.9 cms with SDS of 5.9 cms. The PAH was >2SDS below the FAH in 42%, >2SDS above in only 8% of children. The PAH after 1 year of rhGH correlated with FAH (R2 of 0.69), the PAH started to slightly overestimate the height on average by 0.6 cms with SDS of 5.9 cms. The PAH after 2 year of rhGH correlated with FAH (R2 of 0.82), the PAH calculated overestimated the height on average by 2.5 cms with SDS of 4.4 cms. The PAH after 3 year of GH therapy correlated with FAH (R2 of 0.94), the PAH also overestimated as compared to FAH on average by 2.6 cms with SDS of 2.3 cms. The PAH was >2SDS above the FAH in only 12% and for 88% within 2SDS of FAH. The PAH at baseline correlated with MPH (R2 of 0.35), the PAH was less than MPH on average by 4.2 cms with SDS of 7.6 cms. The PAH was >2SDS below the MPH in 48% children, >2SDS above the MPH in only 12 %. The PAH after 1 year of rhGH therapy correlated with MPH (R2 of 0.43), the average PAH calculated slightly below the MPH by 0.56 cms with SDS of 7.8 cms. The PAH after 2 years of rhGH therapy correlated with MPH (R2 of 0.57), the PAH was calculated most close to MPH on average by 0.05 cms with SDS of 6.5 cms. The PAH after 3 years of rhGH therapy correlated with MPH (R2 of 0.59), the PAH was now calculated above the MPH on average of 1.08 cms with SDS of 6.1 cms. At 3 years the PAH was >2SDS above the MPH in 28% and >2SDS below in 18% and within range in 64% of children. Conclusion: The PAH correlation with the FAH and MPH grows stronger with successive 3 years of therapy. The PAH correlation was stronger with FAH as compared to MPH. The PAH underestimated the height outcome at the beginning of therapy and overestimated after 3 years of rhGH therapy. The strongest correlation between PAH and FAH was seen after 3 years. The variations in PAH as measured by SDS improved post treatment. These factors should be considered while considering the height trajectory of children receiving rhGH therapy and while counseling parents on child’s height outcome. Presentation: Thursday, June 15, 2023

FLEA CONTROL ON PRAIRIE DOGS (CYNOMYS SPP.) WITH FIPRONIL BAIT PELLETS: POTENTIAL PLAGUE MITIGATION TOOL FOR RAPID FIELD APPLICATION AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION.

Sylvatic plague is a widespread, primarily flea-vectored disease in western North America. Because plague is highly lethal to endangered black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes, BFFs) and the prairie dogs (Cynomys spp., PDs) on which BFFs depend for habitat and prey, minimizing the impacts of plague is a priority at BFF reintroduction sites. We developed a new, flour-based bait pellet containing 0.84 mg of fipronil and weighing ∼1.25 g (FipBits). We measured the degree and duration of flea control on black-tailed PDs (C. ludovicianus) in Montana and on Gunnison's PDs (C. gunnisoni) in Arizona, USA from 2018-2020. FipBits were distributed on treated plots one time at a rate of 125/ha. Fleas were virtually eliminated in Montana from 1 mo posttreatment to 1 yr later and remained substantially depressed 2 yr posttreatment. With the split colony design, we probably underestimated the degree of flea control achieved with FipBits due to crossover edge effects along the arbitrary line dividing the plots. Flea control in Arizona was significant from 1 mo posttreatment to 1 yr later, but flea abundance had recovered by 2 yr posttreatment. Flea control was evaluated from 2020-2021 in South Dakota, USA on four plots treated with three concentrations of fipronil in FipBits (0.68, 0.71, and 0.83 mg/FipBit). Fleas were essentially eliminated for 10 mo on the 0.83-mg plot and were substantially reduced on the two 0.71-mg plots. Fleas were reduced on the 0.68-mg plot, but the degree of control was less than observed on other treated plots. Impacts of plague on PDs and BFFs would probably be greatly reduced by the levels of flea control observed with FipBits. Options for expanded FipBit evaluations are being pursued for what may become a highly practical, affordable, and effective plague mitigation tool.

Effects of Using Indaziflam and Activated Carbon Seed Technology in Efforts to Increase Perennials in Ventenata dubia–Invaded Rangelands

Reestablishing perennial vegetation dominance in ventenata (Ventenata dubia)– and other annual grass–invaded rangelands is critical to restoring ecological function and increasing ecosystem goods and services. Recovery of perennial dominance in ventenata-invaded rangelands is challenging and constrained by a lack of established best management practices; however, preemergent herbicides can, at least temporarily, reduce ventenata. Indaziflam is a preemergent herbicide that has longer soil activity than other commonly used preemergent herbicides that needs evaluated to determine if it offers multiple-year control of ventenata and to determine its effects on residual perennial vegetation. Some ventenata-invaded rangelands may not have enough residual vegetation to occupy the site after ventenata control, but longer soil activity with indaziflam likely limits establishment of seeded species. However, incorporating seeds in activated carbon pellets, which can limit herbicide damage, may be a strategy for establishing perennial vegetations simultaneously with indaziflam application. We evaluated 1) applying indaziflam to control ventenata and 2) broadcast-seeding perennial grass seed incorporated in activated carbon pellets with a simultaneous indaziflam application at two sites for 3 yr post treatment. Indaziflam controlled ventenata for the 3 yr sampled. Perennial grasses increased with indaziflam at the site that had more residual perennial grasses before treatment. At the other site, perennial forbs increased with indaziflam. Indaziflam offers multiple-year control of ventenata; however, plant community response depends on composition before treatment. Seeding perennial grass seeds incorporated in activated carbon pellets while indaziflam controlled ventenata did not increase perennial grass abundance. Though this was likely associated with low establishment due to below-average precipitation post seeding and because broadcast seeding is often an ineffective seeding method, we cannot rule out nontarget herbicide damage. Further evaluations of activated carbon technologies used in conjunction with indaziflam are needed to determine if this can be an effective management strategy.

Vertical Brush Sculpting for Heterogeneity in Mesquite Savanna: Implementation and Effect on Grass Production

Managing woody species that have encroached into grasslands and can resprout following top-kill has become an increasing problem. Treatments that yield complete mortality (i.e., “root-kill”) such as mechanical grubbing are often too costly at landscape scale. Less expensive treatments that only top-kill are problematic if treatments are not applied frequently to maintain regrowth suppression. More sustainable strategies are needed. Previous research found that a low rate (0.28 kg·ha−1) of clopyralid-only herbicide root-killed some honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) but importantly caused partial top-kill (PTK) in surviving trees that maintained apical dominance and prevented basal sprouting. This management approach, referred to as “vertical brush sculpting,” increased herbaceous productivity compared with top-killed mesquite with dense resprouting. Here we determined if higher rates of clopyralid could increase mesquite root-kill and maintain the PTK physiognomy in surviving plants. We evaluated effects of clopyralid at 0.28, 0.42, and 0.56 kg·ha−1 (C28, C42, and C56, respectively) and a mixture of clopyralid (0.28 kg·ha−1) + triclopyr (0.28 kg·ha−1) (C + T) on mesquite physiognomy. Averaged over two sites at 6 yr post treatment (YPT), root-kill was 0%, 20.0%, 42.8%, 58.9%, and 65.6% in untreated, C28, C42, C56, and C + T, respectively. Among surviving trees, percent PTK with no basal sprouts was greatest in clopyralid-only treatments; percent top-killed with basal sprouting was greatest in C + T. Grass production, measured in untreated, C28, and C + T, ranged from 110% to 215% greater in treated than untreated at 2 YPT. We developed a model to project stand-level mesquite competitive impact on grasses in all treatments over 30 yr. Mesquite competitive impact values were lowest in C42 and C56 due to high root-kill, and most survivors had noncompetitive PTK physiognomy. We viewed C42 as the best option due to lower cost. Vertical brush sculpting offers a method to reduce woody competition with grasses yet maintain landscape heterogeneity.

Reducing Exotic Annual Grass Competition did not Improve Shrub Restoration Success During a Drought

Restoration of native shrub species is challenging but direly needed in arid and semiarid rangelands globally as native shrubs provide critical habitat for wildlife and livestock forage. Restoration of antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata Pursh DC), a wildlife-important shrub, is often a priority on western US rangelands. One challenge to bitterbrush restoration is competitive exotic annual grasses. Exotic annual grasses can be successfully controlled with pre-emergent herbicides, but the effects of controlling exotic annual grasses with pre-emergent herbicides on bitterbrush survival and growth are unknown. We evaluated the effects of applying a pre-emergent herbicide, imazapic, to control exotic annual grasses on planted bitterbrush seedlings and existing vegetation for 2 yr post treatment at five sites in southeastern Oregon. Imazapic application reduced exotic annual grass cover and density but did not improve bitterbrush establishment. Exotic annual grass control did lead to an increase in native perennial bunchgrass cover. We suspect the lack of treatment effect was caused by high mortality of bitterbrush seedlings from drought in the first year. By the second year, bitterbrush was largely lost across the study sites with only four individuals surviving. The high bitterbrush seedling mortality observed in this study highlights that multiple barriers to restoration success likely exist in arid and semiarid rangelands. For successful restoration, land managers and restoration practitioners need to have a plan and resources for overcoming multiple barriers, which may require several restoration attempts should initial attempts be unsuccessful.

Long-term evaluation of restoring understories in Wyoming big sagebrush communities with mowing and seeding native bunchgrasses

Restoring degraded plant communities is a global challenge and a major priority for land managers and conservationists. Degraded Wyoming big sagebrush communities (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis [Beetle & A. Young] S.L. Welsh) have high sagebrush cover with a depleted perennial herbaceous understory. They are widespread in western North America and are a priority for restoration because they provide habitat for sagebrush-associated species and an important forage base for livestock production. Mechanically reducing sagebrush with mowing has been attempted to restore the understory in these communities but often fails because large native perennial bunchgrasses do not increase and exotic annual grasses proliferate. Seeding large native perennial bunchgrasses after mowing sagebrush may increase their density or cover and thereby limit exotic annual grasses. Native perennial bunchgrasses are slow growing; thus, long-term studies are needed to evaluate this treatment strategy. We evaluated mowing followed by drill-seeding large native perennial bunchgrasses in southeastern Oregon for 11 yr post treatment. Large bunchgrass cover and density were approximately 2 × greater with mowing followed by seeding compared with the untreated control. However, mowing, with and without seeding, increased exotic annual grasses and decreased biological soil crusts. Sagebrush cover was less in mowed treatments compared with the untreated control, but sagebrush cover increased over time. Mowing and seeding native bunchgrasses was less successful than desired, particularly since exotic annual grasses increased substantially. This treatment may be improved by reducing the disturbance associated with mowing and drill seeding, decreasing exotic annual grass competition, and increasing the establishment of native perennial bunchgrasses. The results of our study indicate that seeding native bunchgrasses into degraded Wyoming big sagebrush communities has potential as a restoration treatment but needs refinement to improve success.

Rough Soil Surface Lessens Annual Grass Invasion in Disturbed Rangeland

Effective manipulations to prevent the spread of invasive species are needed. Downy brome (Bromus tectorum L.) is an annual invader that often expands after disturbances, compromising restoration of big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt.) communities in western North America. This study examined the effects of two manipulations that may slow seed dispersal: soil microtopography (roughened with 50-cm relief or flat) and woody debris (0.024 m3·m−2 or none) on restoration of four disturbed mountain big sagebrush (A. tridentata Nutt. ssp. vaseyana) sites in Colorado. Treatments were crossed with seeding in a fully factorial experiment (n = 3). Microtopography and woody debris treatments were also crossed in a seed dispersal experiment using fluorescently marked downy brome seeds. In the restoration study, downy brome invaded two sites, one pervasively and one patchily. Seeding limited downy brome cover at both of these sites and also increased perennial grass and forb cover while limiting shrub cover. At the pervasively invaded site, the rough surface reduced unseeded plot downy brome cover from 13% to 3% by 5 yr post treatment. Woody debris increased shrub and perennial grass cover but had little effect on downy brome. In the seed dispersal experiment, the rough surface reduced downy brome mean dispersal distance twofold to threefold and 95% quantile distance threefold to sixfold. Woody debris slightly reduced downy brome dispersal only within rough surface plots. A rough surface may aid restoration by trapping downy brome seeds near the parent plant, limiting their spatial distribution, increasing intraspecific competition, and reducing propagule pressure. Designing landscapes to slow seed dispersal may help control invasives and promote establishment of seeded species.

A Meta-Analysis of Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) Management in Annual and Perennial Systems

AbstractField bindweed (Convolvulus arvensisL.) is a persistent, perennial weed species that infests a variety of temperate habitats around the globe. To evaluate the efficacy of general management approaches and impacts on crop yield and to identify research gaps, we conducted a series of meta-analyses using published studies focusing onC. arvensismanagement in annual cropping and perennial systems. Our analysis of 48 articles (560 data points) conducted in annual systems indicated that 95% of data points measured efficacy over short time frames (within 2 yr of treatment). Furthermore, only 27% of data points reported impacts ofC. arvensismanagement on crop yield. In annual systems, herbicide control dominated the literature (~80% of data points) and was an effective management technique up to 2 yr posttreatment. Integrated management, with or without herbicides, and three nonchemical techniques were similarly effective as herbicide at reducingC. arvensisup to 2 yr posttreatment. In addition, integrated approaches, with or without herbicides, and two nonchemical techniques had positive effects on crop yield. There were few differences among herbicide mechanism of action groups onC. arvensisabundance in annual systems. There were only nine articles (28 data points) concerningC. arvensismanagement in perennial systems (e.g., pasture, rangeland, lawn), indicating more research effort has been directed toward annual systems. In perennial systems, biocontrol, herbicide, and non-herbicide integrated management techniques were equally effective at reducingC. arvensis, while competition and grazing were not effective. Overall, our results demonstrate that while chemical control ofC. arvensisis generally effective and well studied, integrated and nonchemical control practices can perform equally well. We also documented the need for improved monitoring of the efficacy of management practices over longer time frames and including effects on desired vegetation to develop sustainable weed management programs.

Understory Plant Community Responses to Fuel-Reduction Treatments and Seeding in an Upland Piñon-Juniper Woodland

Woody plant expansion and infilling into nonwooded rangeland ecosystems have been observed worldwide. Such expansion may lead to declines in herbaceous understory plant communities and increased fuel loads in rangelands. Under the US National Fire Plan, fuel-reduction treatments have been implemented over vast expanses of western forest types to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and restore historical ecosystem structure, function, and diversity. The benefits of fuel-reduction may, however, also carry inherent ecological risk such as promoting non-native species colonization. Here, we compare understory plant community responses to three commonly used fuel-reduction treatments with seeding applications in an upland piñon (Pinus edulis Engelm.)–juniper (Juniperus osteosperma [Torr.] Little) woodland on the Colorado Plateau: 1) mechanical mastication, 2) lop and slash piled then burned (pile burn), and 3) lop and scatter followed by a broadcast burn (broadcast burn). Data were collected pretreatment (2009) and one (2010), two (2011), and six (2015) growing seasons post treatment. We found while understory perennial herbaceous plant cover remained low 1 and 2 yr post treatment, it increased by > 700% in all fuel-reduction treatment plots six growing seasons post treatment. Furthermore, while we observed minor increases in invasive annual grass, Bromus tectorum L. (cheatgrass), colonization in 2010 and 2011, there were substantial increases in B. tectorum cover by 2015. B. tectorum cover varied among treatments with the greatest cover in the unseeded mastication plot at nearly 30%. Seeding applications did not increase overall seed mix species cover but enhanced seed mix species richness and, thus, may have increased resistance to B. tectorum invasion in seeded treatment plots. Our findings offer valuable insights to the ecological consequences of fuel-reduction activities in piñon-juniper woodlands through comparison of common fuel-reduction treatments and seeding applications and highlight differences in understory plant community responses to treatments across short to longer time scales.

Focal cryo-hemiablation to treat unilateral localized prostate cancer: A prospective midterm oncologic and functional outcomes.

e537 Background: We report our mid-term oncologic and functional outcomes of focal cryo-hemiablation (FC-HA) for unilateral localized low-risk prostate cancer (PCa). Methods: Prospective single-arm interventional study analyzing mid-term data of PCa patients treated at our institution with FC-HA of diseased lobe. Inclusion criteria‎ were men with unilateral localized cancer, PSA < 15 ng/ml, clinical stage T1c-T2a, Gleason score ≤ 7 (3+4), maximum number of cancer-cores < 33%, maximum cancer involvement in a single core < 50%, no extra prostatic extension in mp-MRI, no previous PCa-related treatment and life expectancy ≥10 yr. PSA was measured every 3 mo during 1st yr post treatment, and biannually thereafter. mp-MRI and biopsy of both lobes were routinely done at 12 mo, while repeat biopsies were driven by PSA elevations. Continence, urinary and erectile functions were assessed using ICS, IPSS and IIEF-5 questionnaires, respectively. Treatment failure (primary outcome) was defined as residual cancer in treated lobe at follow up. Results: We studied 52 men with mean (SD) age of 65.8 (7.2) yrs and median (IQR) follow-up of 31 (21-44) mo. Baseline criteria were: median (IQR) of PSA of 6.8 (5.4–8.0) ng/ml, total number of cancer-cores of 2 (1-3) and percentage cancer-cores of 17% (8-25), and total cancer-core length of 7 (3-12) mm. Gleason score was 6 (3+3) in 33 (63.5%) and 7 (3+4) in 19 (36.5%) patients. Follow-up biopsies were done in 1st, 2nd and 3rd yrs for 52 (100%), 28 (53.8%) and 15 (28.8%) patients, respectively, revealing cancer-cores in 13/52 (25%) patients. 6 (11.5%), 5 (9.6%) and 2 (3.8%) patients showed cancer in ipsilateral lobe, contralateral lobe and bilaterally, respectively. Treatment failure was observed in the treated lobe in 8 (15.4%) patients. Median (IQR) PSA significantly (p < 0.0001) declined to nadir PSA of 2.9 (1.5-4.2) ng/ml (57.4% reduction) at 3 mo. None of patients demonstrated undetectable PSA. All patients maintained continence with insignificant worsening of IPSS (p <0.92) and IIEF-5 (p <0.07) and low toxicity. Conclusions: FC-HA appears to maintain acceptable oncologic control in mid-term follow-up with preserved genitourinary functions and low toxicity.

RO-10PROSPECTIVE SLOPES OVER EIGHT YEARS IN COGNITIVE MARKERS OF PHOTON RADIOTHERAPY FOR PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMORS

RO-10. PROSPECTIVE SLOPES OVER EIGHT YEARS IN COGNITIVE MARKERS OF PHOTON RADIOTHERAPY FOR PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMORS Carol L. Armstrong1,2, Julie Petersen1,3, Michael J. Fisher1,2, Robert A. Lustig1,2, Jane E. Minturn1,2, Jean B. Belasco1,2, Sarah Amedoro1, Cathy Bolton3, Peter C. Phillips1,2, and Christine E. Hill-Kayser1,2; The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA; The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA PURPOSE: This prospective longitudinal study examined late-delayed effects (pre-treatment to 8y) of IMRT/conformal photon radiotherapy (RT) on cognition in children with brain tumors. We previously demonstrated that memory systems are affected differentially by RT, and investigated the pattern over eight years of these RT-specific cognitive markers. At the latedelayed phase, clinical information suggests a generalized decline in cognition, but no prospective studies report the late phase cognitive toxicity (.5 yr post treatment). METHODS: Participants were 28 patients with mixed primary brain tumors (18 males; age range: 4-17, M 1⁄4 9.04, SD 1⁄4 3.32; 61% had grosstotal resection)whocompletedbaseline andat leastone follow-upassessment frombaseline-8years (115 visits). Verbal-semantic memory wasassessed using a supraspan test of word memory (Rey Auditory Verbal Learning (RAVL, 4-forms)) for encoding, retrieval after interference, and retrieval after a delay. Complex Figure (CF, 2-forms) measured visuoperceptual memory immediately and after delay. Picture Recognition (PR) measured visual-semantic memory (accuracy, speed to recognize). Analyses used age-referenced Z scores in a mixed effects model; whole brain versus focal RT was a covariate. RESULTS: Verbal retrieval indices, but not encoding, were sensitive to the late-effects with progressive decline, and greater detriment in hippocampus-sensitive delayed retrieval. CF recall demonstrated continuous improvement to eight years. Bi-hemispherically processed PR demonstrated no decline over eight years. Dose burden significantly predicted retrieval but not encoding or recognition. CONCLUSIONS: Results evidence significant change over time, with differential changes in cognition, and no general decline. The sensitivity of retrieval infers multi-substrate injury not limited to hippocampus. Neuro-Oncology 18:iii159–iii164, 2016. doi:10.1093/neuonc/now082.10 #The Author(s) 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Neuro-Oncology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Cattle Grazing Effects on Phragmites australis in Nebraska

Phragmites australis (common reed) is one of the most widely distributed flowering plants in North America. The introduced lineage occurs in wetland and riparian areas covering a range of climatic types. In Nebraska, an abundance of livestock could help to reduce P. australis with proper timing and grazing intensities. In 2011, a 3-yr study was initiated to evaluate targeted cattle grazing and herbicide effects and the nutritive value of this species. Treatments included a single application of imazapyr (Habitat®, BASF Corporation, Research Triangle Park, NC) herbicide applied in the first year, grazing, and a control. Grazing was applied for up to five consecutive days in June and August 2011 and 2012 and in June 2013. Stem density, height, and biomass of P. australis were determined before each grazing period and in 2014. Diet samples were collected from rumenally fistulated steers each grazing period. Imazapyr provided 100% control of P. australis; however, re-establishment began 2 yr posttreatment. Grazing significantly reduced pregrazing P. australis biomass in the second and third growing season (P < 0.05). Stem density and height in the grazed treatment was similar to the control through 2012; however, in 2013 and 2014, control stem density was 1.5 times greater and height was 1.4 times that of the grazed treatment. Crude protein content of diet samples was greater in 2011 (16.8%) compared with 2012 (14.3%, P < 0.05). In vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of diet samples (45.4%) was not affected by year or month (P > 0.05). The relatively low IVDMD suggests that some form of energy supplementation would be needed to create a better nutritional balance. The cumulative effect of grazing does have the potential to reduce P. australis populations, but other methods would have to be used for greater control and site restoration.

The Effects of Focal Therapy for Prostate Cancer on Sexual Function: A Combined Analysis of Three Prospective Trials

BackgroundTissue preservation by means of focal therapy offers some men with clinically significant prostate cancer an alternative to standard care that appears to confer favourable genito-urinary outcomes. The precise estimates of these outcomes have so far been based on small series. ObjectiveThis analysis pools the sexual domain related patient reported outcomes from three prospective, registered studies that represent a range of inclusion criteria. Design, setting, and participantsOne-hundred and eighteen men with localised prostate cancer (prostate specific antigen ≤ 15ng/ml, Gleason ≤ 4+3, stage ≤ T3aN0M0) treated in a tissue-preserving manner using high intensity focused ultrasound from three registered studies were included. Data on International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) scores and use of phosphodiesterase-5-inhibitors were collected at baseline, and 1 mo, 3 mo, 6 mo, 9 mo, and 12 mo postoperatively. The IIEF-15 total and individual domain scores were used to assess overall sexual function. Urinary function was assessed with the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), IPSS quality-of-life, and UCLA-Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite continence questionnaires. General health status was derived by means of the Charlson score. Multiple linear regression was used to assess whether age, grade, stage, qualitative scores (IIEF, IPSS, Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite, Charlson), or focal therapy type duration were associated with IIEF-5 and IIEF-15 scores at 12 mo. Results and limitationsMedian age was 63 yr (interquartile range [IQR] 52–70 yr). Median IIEF-erectile score at baseline was 23 (IQR 11–28). This declined significantly to 9 (IQR 3–22, p<0.01) at 1 mo, but improved to 20 (IQR 9–29, p=0.30) at 1 yr posttreatment. Changes in total IIEF and other IIEF domains were only significantly different from preoperative values at 1 mo and 3 mo postoperatively. In the same period, the proportion of men using phosphodiesterase-5-inhibitors was 10% preoperatively, reaching 43% and 42% at 6 mo and 9 months before declining to 37% at 1 yr. The only baseline determinants of postoperative erectile function were total IIEF and IIEF-erectile function scores (p=0.002). The primary limitation of our study is the relatively short follow-up of 1 yr. ConclusionMen who received a range of tissue preserving therapies from the three pertinent studies experienced small decreases in total IIEF, erectile, and individual sexual domain scores that are not significantly different to those recorded at baseline. The only determinant of erectile dysfunction after tissue preserving therapy was preoperative erectile dysfunction status. Tissue preservation confers a high probability of maintaining erectile function that appears independent of all perioperative factors with the exception of baseline status. Patient summaryIn this report, the largest prospectively collected and published set of patients with erectile dysfunction outcomes post–focal therapy for prostate cancer, we have found a return to baseline International Index of Erectile Function–erectile and total International Index of Erectile Function scores by 6 mo post–focal therapy which was maintained at 1 yr, with the majority of patients not on any form of medical treatment for their erectile dysfunction at that point. Focal therapy may represent a suitable alternative for men of any age or comorbidity wishing to maintain erectile function.

Short-Term Impacts of Tree Removal on Runoff and Erosion From Pinyon- and Juniper-Dominated Sagebrush Hillslopes

Tree removal is often applied to woodland-encroached rangelands to restore vegetation and improve hydrologic function, but knowledge is limited regarding effects of tree removal on hydrologic response. This study used artificial rainfall and overland flow experiments (9–13 m2) and measures of vegetation and ground cover to investigate short-term (1–2 yr) responses to tree removal at two woodland-encroached sites. Plots were located under trees (tree zone) and in the intercanopy (shrub-interspace zone, 75% of area). Before tree removal, vegetation and ground cover were degraded and intercanopy runoff and erosion rates were high. Cutting and placing trees into the intercanopy did not significantly affect vegetation, ground cover, runoff, or erosion 1 yr posttreatment. Whole-tree mastication as applied in this study did not redistribute tree mulch within the intercanopy, but the treatment did result in enhanced herbaceous cover and hydrologic function in the intercanopy. Fire removal of litter and herbaceous cover increased tree-zone runoff and erosion under high-intensity rainfall by 4- and 30-fold at one site but had minimal impact at the other site. Site response differences were attributed to variability in burn conditions and site-specific erodibility. Burning had minimal impact on shrub-interspace runoff and erosion from applied high-intensity rainfall. However, 1 yr postfire, erosion from concentrated overland flow experiments was 2- to 13-fold greater on burned than unburned tree-zone and shrub-interspace plots and erosion for burned tree zones was 3-fold greater for the more erodible site. Two yr postfire, overland flow erosion remained higher for burned versus unburned tree zones, but enhanced intercanopy herbaceous cover reduced erosion from shrub-interspace zones. The net impact of burning included an initial increase in erosion risk, particularly for tree zones, followed by enhanced herbaceous cover and improved hydrologic function within the intercanopy. The overall results suggest that erosion from late-succession woodlands is reduced primarily through recruitment of intercanopy herbaceous vegetation and ground cover.

Abstract P1-09-06: A prospective longitudinal study of the impact of breast cancer treatment with adjuvant chemotherapy or tamoxifen alone on ovarian reserve

Abstract Background: Many women with breast cancer (BC) of reproductive age would prefer to preserve their fertility and ovarian function, if possible. However, available information is insufficient to predict the likelihood and extent of ovarian damage that will be suffered by an individual woman. In prior studies, menses was used as a surrogate for fertility, but it is a poor marker of future fertility. Preliminary work suggests that anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) may be a better surrogate for ovarian reserve. The goal of this study is to delineate the extent of ovarian damage from specific treatment regimens by using serum AMH. Here we report results from the largest longitudinal study with a pretreatment evaluation to measure the impact of both chemotherapy (chemo) and tamoxifen (tam) on ovarian reserve in BC patients. Methods: A multi-institutional longitudinal IRB-approved study was performed in 207 premenopausal women with stage 0-III BC. AMH levels were evaluated at baseline and 1 yr post completion of adjuvant chemo or 1 yr post initiation of tam. After the exclusions (failure to follow-up, sample inadequacy, presumed PCOS and consent withdrawal), 115 women ages 26-46 (median 38) were available for analysis at 1 yr post treatment (primary endpoint). AMH levels were measured in frozen sera with an in-house ultrasensitive ELISA assay and were log transformed due to non-normal distribution. Results were analyzed with Wilcoxon rank sum test and repeated measures ANOVA to adjust for age, tam use and stage. Results: In the 115 evaluable women, 98 pts had HR positive BC &amp; 17 had triple negative BC. 77 pts received anthracycline-based (ddAC-T/EC-T) chemo, 26 non-anthracycline-based chemo (TC/CMF/TH) &amp; 12 tam only. In the 103 women who received chemo, compared to baseline (median 0.21 ng/ml, 0.001-3.9 ng/ml), AMH levels declined significantly (median 0.11 ng/ml, 0.001-4.47 ng/ml; p&amp;lt;0.0001) at 1 yr post chemo. The type of chemo, stage and adjuvant tam use did not significantly impact the results. In the 12 women who received tam only, compared to baseline (median 0.505 ng/ml, 0.010-1.27 ng/ml), AMH levels declined significantly (median 0.155 ng/ml, 0.010-0.91 ng/ml; p=.0049) at 1 yr. Despite a significant decline in ovarian reserve by AMH, 69% (66/95) of pts who received chemo had return of menses by 1 yr post treatment. Conclusion: This longitudinal study shows that BC chemo is detrimental to ovarian reserve. Although a decline in AMH was also seen in pts treated with tam only, this is a small cohort and the results are hypothesis generating. The decline in AMH may be due to ovarian stimulation from tam, which can cause predominance of larger follicles that produce less AMH rather than actual reduction in ovarian reserve. This needs to be studied in a larger cohort. The fact that the majority of pts resumed their menses despite a significant decline in their ovarian reserve by AMH indicates that resumption of menses is not the best measure of ovarian normalcy/fertility. This new info can be used for counseling pts in childbearing ages so they can make better informed decisions on fertility preservation, if desired. Supported by NIH RO1 HD053112, Jodi Spiegel Fisher Cancer Foundation and Susan G. Komen Foundation. Citation Format: Shari B Goldfarb, Giuliano Bedoschi, Eli Grunblatt, Sumanta Goswami, Tessa Cigler, Jessica Quistorff, Fernanda Pacheco, Robert Stobezki, Mark Robson, Fred Moy, Clifford Hudis, Sujata Patil, Maura Dickler, Kutluk Oktay. A prospective longitudinal study of the impact of breast cancer treatment with adjuvant chemotherapy or tamoxifen alone on ovarian reserve [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-09-06.

Recurrence of hyperprolactinemia and continuation of ovarian acyclicity in captive African elephants (Loxodonta africana) treated with cabergoline.

Hyperprolactinemia is associated with reproductive acyclicity in zoo African elephants (Loxodonta africana) and may contribute to the non-self-sustainability of the captive population in North America. It is a common cause of infertility in women and other mammals and can be treated with the dopamine agonist cabergoline. The objectives of this study were to assess prolactin responses to cabergoline treatment in hyperprolactinemic, acyclic African elephants and to determine the subsequent impact on ovarian cyclic activity. Five elephants, diagnosed as hyperprolactinemic (>11 ng/ml prolactin) and acyclic (maintenance of baseline progestagens for at least 1 yr), were treated with 1-2 mg cabergoline orally twice weekly for 16-82 wk. Cabergoline reduced (P < 0.05) serum prolactin concentrations during the treatment period compared to pretreatment levels in four of five elephants (11.5 +/- 3.2 vs. 9.1 +/- 3.4 ng/ml; 20.3 +/- 16.7 vs. 7.9 +/- 9.8 ng/ml; 26.4 +/- 15.0 vs. 6.8 +/- 1.5 ng/ml; 42.2 +/- 22.6 vs. 18.6 +/- 8.9 ng/ml). However, none of the females resumed ovarian cyclicity based on serum progestagen analyses up to 1 yr posttreatment. In addition, within 1 to 6 wk after cessation of oral cabergoline, serum prolactin concentrations returned to concentrations that were as high as or higher than before treatment (P < 0.05). One elephant that exhibited the highest pretreatment prolactin concentration (75.2 +/- 10.5 ng/ml) did not respond to cabergoline and maintained elevated levels throughout the study. Thus, oral cabergoline administration reduced prolactin concentrations in elephants with hyperprolactinemia, but there was no resumption of ovarian cyclicity, and a significant prolactin rebound effect was observed. It is possible that higher doses or longer treatment intervals may be required for cabergoline treatment to result in permanent suppression of prolactin secretion and to mitigate associated ovarian cycle problems.

Ecological Scale of Bird Community Response to Piñon-Juniper Removal

Piñon (Pinus spp.) and juniper (Juniperus spp.) removal is a common management approach to restore sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) vegetation in areas experiencing woodland expansion. Because many management treatments are conducted to benefit sagebrush-obligate birds, we surveyed bird communities to assess treatment effectiveness in establishing sagebrush bird communities at study sites in Utah, Nevada, Idaho, and Oregon. Our analyses included data from 1 or 2 yr prior to prescribed fire or mechanical treatment and 3 to 5 yr posttreatment. We used detrended correspondence analysis to 1) identify primary patterns of bird communities surveyed from 2006 to 2011 at point transects, 2) estimate ecological scale of change needed to achieve treatment objectives from the relative dissimilarity of survey points to the ordination region delineating sagebrush bird communities, and 3) measure changes in pre- and posttreatment bird communities. Birds associated with sagebrush, woodlands, and ecotones were detected on our surveys; increased dissimilarity of survey points to the sagebrush bird community was characterized by a gradient of increased juniper and decreased sagebrush cover. Prescribed fires burned between 30% and 97% of our bird survey points. However, from 6% to 24% cover of piñon-juniper still remained posttreatment on the four treatment plots. We measured only slight changes in bird communities, which responded primarily to current vegetation rather than relative amount of change from pretreatment vegetation structure. Bird communities at survey points located at greater ecological scales from the sagebrush bird community changed least and will require more significant impact to achieve changes. Sagebrush bird communities were established at only two survey points, which were adjacent to a larger sagebrush landscape and following almost complete juniper removal by mechanical treatment. Our results indicate that management treatments that leave residual woodland cover and are not adjacent to extensive sagebrush stands are unlikely to establish sagebrush birds.

Short-Term Butterfly Response to Sagebrush Steppe Restoration Treatments

As part of the Sagebrush Steppe Treatment Evaluation Project (SageSTEP), butterflies were surveyed pretreatment and up to 4 yr posttreatment at 16 widely distributed sagebrush steppe sites in the interior West. Butterfly populations and communities were analyzed in response to treatments (prescribed fire, mechanical, herbicide) designed to restore sagebrush steppe lands encroached by piñon-juniper woodlands (Pinus, Juniperus spp.) and invaded by cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum). Butterflies exhibited distinct regional patterns of species composition, with communities showing marked variability among sites. Some variation was explained by the plant community, with Mantel's test indicating that ordinations of butterfly and plant communities were closely similar for both woodland sites and lower-elevation treeless (sage-cheat) sites. At woodland sites, responses to stand replacement prescribed fire, clear-cutting, and tree mastication treatments applied to 10–20-ha plots were subtle: 1) no changes were observed in community structure; 2) Melissa blues (Plebejus melissa) and sulfurs (Colias spp.) increased in abundance after either burning or mechanical treatments, possibly due to increase in larval and nectar food resource, respectively; and 3) the juniper hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus) declined at sites at which it was initially present, probably due to removal of its larval food source. At sage-cheat sites, after prescribed fire was applied to 25–75-ha plots, we observed 1) an increase in species richness and abundance at most sites, possibly due to increased nectar resources for adults, and 2) an increase in the abundance of skippers (Hesperiidae) and small white butterflies. Linkages between woody species removal, the release of herbaceous vegetation, and butterfly response to treatments demonstrate the importance of monitoring an array of ecosystem components in order to document the extent to which management practices cause unintended consequences.

A Synopsis of Short-Term Response to Alternative Restoration Treatments in Sagebrush-Steppe: The SageSTEP Project

The Sagebrush Steppe Treatment Evaluation Project (SageSTEP) is an integrated long-term study that evaluates ecological effects of alternative treatments designed to reduce woody fuels and to stimulate the herbaceous understory of sagebrush steppe communities of the Intermountain West. This synopsis summarizes results through 3 yr posttreatment. Woody vegetation reduction by prescribed fire, mechanical treatments, or herbicides initiated a cascade of effects, beginning with increased availability of nitrogen and soil water, followed by increased growth of herbaceous vegetation. Response of butterflies and magnitudes of runoff and erosion closely followed herbaceous vegetation recovery. Effects on shrubs, biological soil crust, tree cover, surface woody fuel loads, and sagebrush-obligate bird communities will take longer to be fully expressed. In the short term, cool wet sites were more resilient than warm dry sites, and resistance was mostly dependent on pretreatment herbaceous cover. At least 10 yr of posttreatment time will likely be necessary to determine outcomes for most sites. Mechanical treatments did not serve as surrogates for prescribed fire in how each influenced the fuel bed, the soil, erosion, and sage-obligate bird communities. Woody vegetation reduction by any means resulted in increased availability of soil water, higher herbaceous cover, and greater butterfly numbers. We identified several trade-offs (desirable outcomes for some variables, undesirable for others), involving most components of the study system. Trade-offs are inevitable when managing complex natural systems, and they underline the importance of asking questions about the whole system when developing management objectives. Substantial spatial and temporal heterogeneity in sagebrush steppe ecosystems emphasizes the point that there will rarely be a “recipe” for choosing management actions on any specific area. Use of a consistent evaluation process linked to monitoring may be the best chance managers have for arresting woodland expansion and cheatgrass invasion that may accelerate in a future warming climate.

Large-Scale Downy Brome Treatments Alter Plant-Soil Relationships and Promote Perennial Grasses in Salt Desert Shrublands

Because invasive annual grasses can strongly influence soil resource availability and disturbance regimes to favor their own persistence, there is a great need to understand the interrelationships among invasive plant abundance, resource availability, and desirable species prominence. These interrelationships were studied in two salt desert sites where the local abundance of downy brome (Bromus tectorum L.) varied spatially and increased more than 12-fold over a 3-yr period. We measured downy brome percentage cover, resource availability, and soil chemical and physical properties within 112 plots per site and found significant negative associations between downy brome abundance and both soil water content (P < 0.05; r = -0.27 to -0.49) and nitrate accumulation (P < 0.05; r = -0.34 to -0.45), which corroborated with the direction and strength of multivariate factor loadings assessed with principal component analysis. We then applied factorial combinations of prescribed burning and preemergence herbicide at management-relevant scales (i.e., 6 to 46 ha) as well as biomass removal to smaller plots (12.25 m2) at both sites to determine their impact on downy brome, soil resources, and resident plant species. Burning and herbicide applications, especially when combined, significantly reduced downy brome cover (P = 0.069 to 0.015), which in turn increased soil nitrate accumulation and water content in the spring. Furthermore, for one shrubland site that was seeded 6 yr previously, the combination of burning and herbicide treatments significantly increased perennial grass percentage cover in the 2 yr posttreatment (P < 0.05). Results not only demonstrate the strong relationships between downy brome abundance, soil resources, and residence species for impoverished salt desert shrub ecosystems, but also suggest that restoration and management efforts must include tactics that facilitate resource use by the residual plant community or establish a greater abundance of species capable of high resource acquisition in the spring.