Efficacy and Safety of Oral and IV Levonadifloxacin Therapy in Management of Bacterial Infections: Findings of a Prospective, Observational, Multi-center, Post-marketing Surveillance Study.

Background Antimicrobial resistance by bacteria poses a substantial threat to morbidity and mortality worldwide, and treatment of resistant infections is a challenge for the treating clinician. Levonadifloxacin is a novel broad-spectrum agent belonging to the benzoquinolizine subclass of quinolone, which can be used by both oral and intravenous administration for the treatment of infections caused by gram-positive organisms, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Patients and methods This prescription event monitoring study captured data from 1266 patients receiving levonadifloxacin (oral and/or IV) in a real-world setting to assess the safety and efficacy in the treatment of various bacterial infections. The duration of the study was 18 months. Study outcomes were clinical success and microbial success at the end of therapy. Global assessments were done for safety and efficacy at the end of therapy using a 5-point Likert scale (excellent, very good, good, satisfactory, and poor). Results The mean (median) duration of therapy was 7.2 (7.0) days, with a median time to clinical improvement of four days. Oral therapy was administered to 224 patients; 940 received IV, and 102 received IV followed by oral therapy. Patients were prescribed levonadifloxacin for gram-positive infections, skin and soft tissue infections, diabetic foot infections, septicemia, catheter-related blood-stream infections, bone and joint infections, febrile neutropenia, and respiratory infections, including COVID-19 pneumonia. The clinical cure on the eighth day was 95.7%, whereas the microbial success on the eighth day was 93.3% (n=60). For different types of infections, the clinical success rates ranged from 85.2% to 100%. There were only 30 treatment-emergent adverse events reported in 29 patients. Overall, about 95.6% of patients rated the efficacy as good to excellent, whereas only 3.8% of patients rated it satisfactory; for safety, 95.7% of patients rated it as good to excellent, with only 3.9% of patients rated it as satisfactory. Conclusions The excellent safety and efficacy profile of levonadifloxacin, when administered as an oral or intravenous therapy, makes it a desirable treatment modality for the management of various bacterial infections, including those caused by resistant pathogens such as MRSA and quinolone-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (QRSA). Features of levonadifloxacin, such as availability in both IV and oral form, minimal drug-drug interactions, lack of the need to adjust dosages in renal and hepatically impaired patients along with a broad spectrum of coverage, make it a suitable agent that meets several unmet clinical needs of physicians.

Functional and structural connectivity success predictors of real-time fMRI neurofeedback targeting DLPFC: Contributions from central executive, salience, and default mode networks.

Real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rt-fMRI) neurofeedback (NF), a training method for the self-regulation of brain activity, has shown promising results as a neurorehabilitation tool, depending on the ability of the patient to succeed in neuromodulation. This study explores connectivity-based structural and functional success predictors in an NF n-back working memory paradigm targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). We established as the NF success metric the linear trend on the ability to modulate the target region during NF runs and performed a linear regression model considering structural and functional connectivity (intrinsic and seed-based) metrics. We found a positive correlation between NF success and the default mode network (DMN) intrinsic functional connectivity and a negative correlation with the DLPFC-precuneus connectivity during the 2-back condition, indicating that success is associated with larger uncoupling between DMN and the executive network. Regarding structural connectivity, the salience network emerges as the main contributor to success. Both functional and structural classification models showed good performance with 77% and 86% accuracy, respectively. Dynamic switching between DMN, salience network and central executive network seems to be the key for neurofeedback success, independently indicated by functional connectivity on the localizer run and structural connectivity data.

The success rates and outcomes of mandibular third molar coronectomy: 167 cases.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess success rates and to report complications of coronectomy of mandibular third molars (M3M), including intra-operative failure, pain, infection, dry socket, inferior dental alveolar (IAN) and lingual nerve (LN) injuries and re-operation rates. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 167 coronectomies completed between January 2017 to December 2022 was undertaken. RESULTS: The success of coronectomy was 93%. Intra-operative failure was reported to be 3.6% (n = 8). Complications accounted for pain (15%, n = 24), infection (9%, n = 15) and dry socket (3.6%, n = 6). Three patients required removal of M3M root at 3 months (n = 2) and 24 months (n = 1), accounting for 1.8% re-operation rate. A total of number of patients who suffered a nerve injury was 12; three of these were permanent (LN - 1.2%, n = 2; IAN - 0.6%, n = 1), nine were temporary (IAN - 1.2%; n = 2, LN - 2.4%; n = 4; site not specified - 1.8%, n = 3). No patients with intra-operative failure and re-operation suffered IAN or LN injury post-operatively. CONCLUSION: Coronectomy offers a successful strategy for management of high risk M3M. The treatment outcomes can be improved with careful case selection and adjusting surgical technique, including assessment of root morphology, incomplete crown sectioning technique and avoidance of lingual retraction. Reporting of coronectomy success as a factor of surgical outcome, presence or absence of permanent IAN injury, persistent symptoms or any other long-standing complications (such as LN injury), and the need for re-operation accounting for root migration status may be a useful tool to measure coronectomy outcomes.

Effect of White Noise on Anxiety Levels and Breastfeeding Success of Primiparous Mothers Having Vaginal Delivery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to determine the effect of white noise on anxiety levels and breastfeeding success of primipara mothers having vaginal delivery. Design: The research was conducted using a randomized controlled experimental design. Setting: The research was conducted at a public hospital located in western Turkey. Participants: Sixty primipara mothers, who were between 37 and 42 weeks of gestation, who had a vaginal delivery, and who gave birth to a healthy newborn weighing 2,500-4,000 g, were included in the study as participants. Interventions: The mothers and their babies in the study group (30) were made to listen to white noise with a CD player during breastfeeding in the first hour after delivery and 24 hours after delivery. Measurements: Measurements were performed before, during, and after breastfeeding. A descriptive information form, the State Anxiety Inventory (STAI) Scale, and the "LATCH Breastfeeding Diagnostic and Evaluation Scale" were applied to the mothers by the researcher and the observer. In this way, breastfeeding success and anxiety levels were measured. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the study group listening to white noise and the control group in terms of the mean STAI-I, observation 2, and observation 4 scores (p < 0.001). Also, it was found that the mean LATCH, observation 1, and observation 2 scores in the control group were significantly lower than the mean LATCH, observation 1, and observation 2 scores in the study group (p < 0.001). Conclusions: As a result of the research, it was determined that white noise was an effective method in increasing breastfeeding success and reducing anxiety levels. In this direction, white noise can be used by health care professionals as a supportive method for breastfeeding.

Evaluating the Role of AI in Predicting the Success of Dental Implants Based on Preoperative CBCT Images: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Dental implant surgery has become a widely accepted method for replacing missing teeth. However, the success of dental implant procedures can be influenced by various factors, including the quality of preoperative planning and assessment. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging provides valuable insights into a patient's oral anatomy, but accurately predicting implant success remains a challenge. Materials and Methods: In this randomized controlled trial (RCT), a cohort of 150 patients requiring dental implants was randomly divided into two groups: an artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted group and a traditional assessment group. Preoperative CBCT images of all patients were acquired and processed. The AI-assisted group utilized a machine learning model trained on historical data to assess implant success probability based on CBCT images, while the traditional assessment group relied on conventional methods and clinician expertise. Key parameters such as bone density, bone quality, and anatomical features were considered in the AI model. Results: After the completion of the study, the AI-assisted group demonstrated a significantly higher implant success rate, with 92% of implants successfully integrating into the bone compared to 78% in the traditional assessment group. The AI model showed an accuracy of 87% in predicting implant success, whereas traditional assessment methods achieved an accuracy of 71%. Additionally, the AI-assisted group had a lower rate of complications and required fewer postoperative interventions compared to the traditional assessment group. Conclusion: The AI-assisted approach significantly improved implant success rates and reduced complications, underscoring the importance of incorporating AI into the dental implant planning process.

Long-term Success of Regenerative Endodontic Procedures.

Background: Regenerative endodontic procedures (REPs) have emerged as a transformative approach to treating immature permanent teeth with necrotic pulp tissue. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted, enrolling 100 patients with immature permanent teeth requiring REPs. All procedures were performed by a single experienced endodontist following established protocols. Patients were followed up for a minimum of 5 years' post-treatment. Clinical examinations, radiographic assessments, and patient-reported outcomes were recorded at regular intervals. Data were analyzed using statistical methods to determine the success rates, complications, and factors influencing long-term outcomes. Results: The results of this original research reveal a significant and sustained success rate for REPs. After a minimum follow-up period of 5 years, an arbitrary value of 92% for tooth survival was achieved. Radiographic assessments demonstrated consistent healing of apical lesions, and continued root development was observed in the majority of cases. Patient-reported outcomes indicated a high level of satisfaction with the procedure. Complications such as crown discoloration and tooth fracture occurred in a minority of cases but were effectively managed without compromising the overall success of REPs. Conclusion: This original research provides strong evidence for the long-term success of REPs in the treatment of immature permanent teeth with necrotic pulp tissue. The high tooth survival rate, continued root development, and patient satisfaction support the efficacy of REPs as a reliable treatment option.

Comparison of the Photofunctionalization and Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Immediate Implants.

Introduction: Many adjuvant methods have been researched to enhance the immediate implant success in the recent times. The study's goal was to compare the aesthetic and biological results of immediate dental implants in the aesthetic zone to standard tapered root form implants that had not undergone pre-treatment with platelet-rich plasma or photofunctionalization. Materials and Methods: The study used a randomized controlled trial as its design. Ninety subjects were chosen at random and placed into three groups: a control group, a case group, and a group that needed replacement of their maxillary anterior teeth right away following extraction. The interventional groups received the "Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)" or "Photofunctionalization (PF)" group before the implant placement. After the delayed loading approach, the prosthesis was given after 6 months. At the second and fourth weeks, as well as 2, 4, 6, and 12 months (P 0.05), follow-up was conducted. The success and survival rate, aesthetic, and biological outcomes were assessed. One-way ANOVA was used to compare outcomes, and repeated-measures ANOVA was used to assess intragroup variations over baseline and follow-up. Results: The distal, mesial, and mean marginal bone loss as well as the aesthetic scores for pink and white did not differ significantly between groups. The implant stability however was significantly higher in the PF and PRP groups as compared to the controls. A single implant failed in all the three groups. The success percentage was similar for all the groups. Conclusion: The stability of immediate dental implants pre-treated with PRP or PF differed statistically significantly than the subjects in the control group, while other parameters remained the similar between the groups.

Investigating the Long-Term Success and Complication Rates of Zirconia Dental Implants: A Prospective Clinical Study.

This study addresses the durability and complications of zirconia dental implants through a prospective clinical investigation. Zirconia implants are increasingly utilized in dental implantation, and a comprehensive understanding of their long-term performance is essential. Background: Zirconia dental implants have gained attention due to their biocompatibility and aesthetics. However, research on their extended success and complication rates is limited. Materials and Methods: A prospective clinical study involved the placement of 30 zirconia dental implants in patients requiring tooth replacement. The implants were followed up for five years. Success was defined as the implant remaining stable and functional. Complications, including peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis, were monitored. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and P-values were set at P < 0.05. Results: The long-term success rate of zirconia dental implants was found to be 93.3%. Among the 30 implants, only 2 exhibited failure. The most common complication was peri-implant mucositis, occurring in 16.7% of implants. Notably, the incidence of peri-implantitis was limited, observed in 6.7% of implants. Statistical analysis showed significant associations between implant failure and smoking (P = 0.021). Conclusion: Zirconia dental implants demonstrated a high long-term success rate of 93.3% over five years. Peri-implant mucositis was the predominant complication, with a relatively low occurrence of peri-implantitis. The findings underscore the potential of zirconia implants for reliable dental implantation. Addressing modifiable risk factors, such as smoking, could further enhance implant success. Continued research is recommended to validate and expand upon these outcomes.

Relationship of attitudes for healthy nutrition with mindful eating, motivation to participate in physical activity, and academic success: A controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we examined the relationship between university students' attitudes toward healthy nutrition with mindful eating, motivation to participate in physical activity, and academic success. METHODS: A total of 497 healthy students aged between 21 and 38 were randomly selected from among senior students of the Faculty of Health Sciences and nonhealth-related faculties. In the study, a questionnaire form consisting of questions about the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants were used, along with the Attitude Scale for Healthy Nutrition (ASHN), Mindful Eating Questionnaire, and Motivation Scale for Participation in Physical Activity. RESULTS: The total scores of ASHN and MEQ were found to be significantly higher in those studying in health-related departments and those with high academic success. In addition, a significant inverse relationship was found between the total score of MEQ and BMI and waist circumference. A statistically significant and positive correlation was found between the total mean score of ASHN and the total mean score of MEQ and MSPPA. CONCLUSIONS: It has been concluded that the development of healthy eating and lifestyle habits in university students positively affects their academic success as well as their general health.

Does the potential strength of sexual selection differ between mating systems with and without defensive behaviours? A meta-analysis.

The Darwin-Bateman paradigm predicts that females enhance their fitness by being choosy and mating with high-quality males, while males should compete to mate with as many females as possible. In many species, males enhance their fitness by defending females and/or resources used by females. That is, males directly defend access to mating opportunities. However, paternity analyses have repeatedly shown that females in most species mate polyandrously, which contradicts traditional expectations that male defensive behaviours lead to monandry. Here, in an extensive meta-analysis, encompassing 109 species and 1026 effect sizes from across the animal kingdom, we tested if the occurrence of defensive behaviours modulates sexual selection on females and males. If so, we can illuminate the extent to which males really succeed in defending access to mating and fertilisation opportunities. We used four different indices of the opportunity for sexual selection that comprise pre-mating and/or post-mating episodes of selection. We found, for both sexes, that the occurrence of defensive behaviours does not modulate the potential strength of sexual selection. This implies that male defensive behaviours do not predict the true intensity of sexual selection. While the most extreme levels of sexual selection on males are in species with male defensive behaviours, which indicates that males do sometimes succeed in restricting females' re-mating ability (e.g. elephant seals, Mirounga leonina), estimates of the opportunity for sexual selection vary greatly across species, regardless of whether or not defensive behaviours occur. Indeed, widespread polyandry shows that females are usually not restricted by male defensive behaviours. In addition, our results indicate that post-mating episodes of selection, such as cryptic female choice and sperm competition, might be important factors modulating the opportunity for sexual selection. We discuss: (i) why male defensive behaviours fail to lower the opportunity for sexual selection among females or fail to elevate it for males; (ii) how post-mating events might influence sexual selection; and (iii) the role of females as active participants in sexual selection. We also highlight that inadequate data reporting in the literature prevented us from extracting effect sizes from many studies that had presumably collected the relevant data.

Procedural factors associated with successful recanalization in patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with endovascular thrombectomy-a nationwide register-based observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Several studies have addressed technical aspects of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT), but it is not well known how procedural factors contribute to technical success in routine healthcare. The aim was to explore factors associated with technically successful EVT on nationwide scale. METHODS: We did an observational register-based study assessing factors associated with technical success off anterior circulation EVT in Sweden. The main outcome was successful recanalization defined as modified treatment in cerebral ischemia score 2b-3. The association between baseline and treatment variables and successful recanalization were explored using Chi-square(d) test and univariable logistic regression. Multivariable logistic regression was used to define predictors of successful recanalization. RESULTS: The study included 3211 patients treated during 2015 to 2020. Successful recanalization was achieved in 83.1% (2667) with a gradual improvement in technical outcome over the period. After adjustment for age and occlusion location, thet use of general anesthesia, balloon guide catheter (BGC) and an operator with an overall success rate of >85% were independent predictors of successful recanalization. An overall operator success rate of <80% or 80-85%, and an annual center volume lower than 50 were predicitors of recanalization failure. CONCLUSION: This study illustrates factors associated with procedural success in endovascular thrombectomy on a nationwide scale including the use of general anesthesia, BGC, annual center volumes >50 cases per year and the overall success rate of the individual operator. It highlights the potential benefit of systematic performance measurements, benchmarking, and continuous training to bring all centers and operators to the highest level of performance.

Evolution of Longevity in Tetrapods: Safety Is More Important than Metabolism Level.

Various environmental morphological and behavioral factors can determine the longevity of representatives of various taxa. Long-lived species develop systems aimed at increasing organism stability, defense, and, ultimately, lifespan. Long-lived species to a different extent manifest the factors favoring longevity (gerontological success), such as body size, slow metabolism, activity of body's repair and antioxidant defense systems, resistance to toxic substances and tumorigenesis, and presence of neotenic features. In continuation of our studies of mammals, we investigated the characteristics that distinguish long-lived ectotherms (crocodiles and turtles) and compared them with those of other ectotherms (squamates and amphibians) and endotherms (birds and mammals). We also discussed mathematical indicators used to assess the predisposition to longevity in different species, including standard indicators (mortality rate, maximum lifespan, coefficient of variation of lifespan) and their derivatives. Evolutionary patterns of aging are further explained by the protective phenotypes and life history strategies. We assessed the relationship between the lifespan and various studied factors, such as body size and temperature, encephalization, protection of occupied ecological niches, presence of protective structures (for example, shells and osteoderms), and environmental temperature, and the influence of these factors on the variation of the lifespan as a statistical parameter. Our studies did not confirm the hypothesis on the metabolism level and temperature as the most decisive factors of longevity. It was found that animals protected by shells (e.g., turtles with their exceptional longevity) live longer than species that have poison or lack such protective adaptations. The improvement of defense against external threats in long-lived ectotherms is consistent with the characteristics of long-lived endotherms (for example, naked mole-rats that live in underground tunnels, or bats and birds, whose ability to fly is one of the best defense mechanisms).

Underlay Myringoplasty Versus Overlay Myringoplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Myringoplasty is still the most performed otological surgery. Nevertheless, the underlay vs. overlay approaches have yet to be determined. The purpose of this study is to compare the surgical and audiological outcomes of underlay and overlay myringoplasty in perforated tympanic membrane patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizing randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which were retrieved by systematically searching of Web of Science, SCOPUS, PubMed, and Google Scholar until January 25th, 2023. RevMan version 5.4 software was used to pooled dichotomous outcomes using the risk ratio (RR) with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). We registered our protocol in PROSPERO with ID: [CRD42023387432]. We included eight RCTs with 656 tympanic perforation membrane patients. Four RCTs had a low risk of overall bias, two had some concerns, and two had a high risk of bias. The underlay technique was significantly associated with a higher surgical success rate (n = 7 RCTs, RR: 1.21 with 95% CI [1.02, 1.43], P = 0.03) and audiological success rate (n = 4 RCTs, RR: 1.31 with 95% CI [1.18, 1.44], P < 0.00001). This meta-analysis underscores the potential superiority of the underlay technique in managing tympanic membrane perforations, with significant implications for surgical and audiological outcomes. However, more investigations are still necessary to confirm this result. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12070-023-04425-6.

Indirect costs of reproduction and the tradeoff between offspring size and number: A framework illustrated by fitness costs and benefits of ovarian fluid.

Theory describing evolution of offspring size often assumes that the production cost per unit volume is the same for small and large offspring. However, this may not be true if indirect costs of reproduction (e.g., material and energetic costs of supporting offspring development) scale disproportionately with offspring size. Here we show how direct and indirect costs of reproduction can be explicitly modeled within the Smith-Fretwell framework and how observations of size-number relationships can thus be used to evaluate indirect costs. We applied this analysis to measures of egg volume and fecundity for over 300 individuals of a coastal fish species and found that the tradeoff was much stronger than the expected inverse (fecundity scaled with volume-1.843). Larger offspring were thus more expensive to produce. For our study species, an important indirect cost was that larger eggs were accompanied by disproportionately more ovarian fluid. Calorimetry and removal experiments were used to further measure both the energetic costs and fitness benefits of ovarian fluid. In addition, we show that indirect costs of reproduction can intensify size-number tradeoffs in a variety of fishes. Indirect costs of reproduction can be large and may therefore play an important role in the evolution of offspring size.

Efficacy and Durability of Percutaneous Deep Vein Arterialization: A systematic review: Efficacy and durability of PDVA Review.

OBJECTIVE: Endovascular deep venous arterialization (DVA) is a novel technique aimed at salvaging peripheral arterial disease unamenable to conventional surgical intervention. This study aims to review contemporary literature on the efficacy, safety, and durability of DVA on patients with no-option critical limb ischaemia. METHODS: The study was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement, using predefined search terms of "percutaneous deep vein arterialization" or "percutaneous deep venous arterialization" in PubMed, Web of Sciences, OvidSP, and EMBASE. Only studies with five or more patients were included, and studies involving open or hybrid DVA were excluded. The primary outcomes included technical success and primary amputation rates. Secondary outcomes included rates of wound healing, complication, re-intervention, and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Ten studies encompassing a total of 233 patients were included. Patients were primarily those deemed to have no-option critical limb ischaemia. The median follow-up period was 12 months (range 1-63 months). The technical success rate was 97% (95% CI 96.2%-97.9%) and the major amputation rate was 21.8% (95% 21.1%-22.4%). The wound healing rate was 69.5% (95% CI 67.9-71.0%), complication rate was 13.8% (95% CI 11.7%-15.9%), reintervention rate was 37.4% (95% CI 34.9%-39.9%), and all-cause mortality rate was 15.7% (95% CI 14.1%-17.2%). CONCLUSION: Our study showed that endovascular DVA is safe for patients with no-option critical limb ischaemia. Nonetheless, studies were small with follow-up period of less than 1 year. There is currently lack of level 1 evidence to recommend routine use in patients with no-option critical limb ischaemia.

Swiss Multicenter Ab Interno XEN45 Gel Stent Study: 2-Year Real-World Data.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate the 2-year postoperative efficacy of the XEN45 Gel Stent by evaluating the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) and the need for eye pressure-lowering medications in a multicenter setting in Switzerland. METHODS: Patients with various types of glaucoma who received a XEN45 Gel Stent with or without combined phacoemulsification cataract surgery at five hospitals in Switzerland were retrospectively enrolled. Pre- and postoperative IOP, the number of antiglaucoma medications, and the need of subsequent interventions to control IOP were assessed. The success rate was defined as a ≥ 20% reduction of IOP 2 years postoperatively without the need for subsequent glaucoma surgery. RESULTS: A total of 345 eyes were included: 44.3% with primary open-angle, 42.0% pseudoexfoliation, and 13.7% with other types of glaucoma. Of these, 206 patients were followed for 2 years. Preoperatively, the mean IOP was 26.3 ± 8.9 mmHg and the mean number of antiglaucoma medications administered was 3.0 ± 1.3. Two years postoperatively, the success rate was 66.0% (95% confidence interval 59.3-72.1%), the IOP had dropped by 43.8% to 14.8 ± 5.7 mmHg, and the number of medications was reduced by a mean of 2.0 ± 1.7 per day. Postoperative complications and the need for interventions remained low. CONCLUSION: The XEN45 Gel Stent successfully reduced IOP and the number of antiglaucoma drugs in most patients at 2 years postoperatively.

The Struggle is Real: Facilitating Pharmacy Student Success on Rotations When Challenges Arise.

Pharmacy preceptors are pivotal to facilitating and maximizing student learning on experiential rotations. However, preceptors may encounter a variety of behaviors or barriers that can hinder student success. Although some guidance exists for preceptors, emerging learner challenges along with new educational outcomes call for an updated practical approach to promoting student success on rotations. This paper provides preceptors with a structured approach to facilitate success for students who exhibit challenges on rotations. Four categories that preceptors can use to identify behaviors and barriers to learning are outlined - knowledge, skills, professional attitudes and behaviors, and external factors including the Social Determinants of Learning™. We describe strategies to help preceptors identify and categorize these challenges and provide a stepwise approach to facilitate student success.

Effect of Management of Grassland on Prey Availability and Physiological Condition of Nestling of Red-Backed Shrike Lanius collurio.

The study aimed to determine the influence of grassland management on the potential food base of the red-backed shrike Lanius collurio and the condition of chicks in the population inhabiting semi-natural grasslands in the Narew floodplain. The grassland area was divided into three groups: extensively used meadows, intensively used meadows fertilised with mineral fertilisers, and intensively used meadows fertilised with liquid manure, and selected environmental factors that may influence food availability were determined. Using Barber traps, 1825 samples containing 53,739 arthropods were collected, and the diversity, abundance, and proportion of large arthropods in the samples were analysed depending on the grassland use type. In the bird population, the condition of the chicks was characterised by the BCI (Body Condition Index) and haematological parameters (glucose level, haemoglobin level, haematocrit, and H:L ratio). The diversity of arthropods was highest in extensively used meadows. Still, the mean abundance and proportion of arthropods over 1 cm in length differed significantly for Orthoptera, Hymenoptera, Arachne, and Carabidae between grassland use types, with the highest proportion of large arthropods and the highest abundance recorded in manure-fertilised meadows. The highest Body Condition Indexes and blood glucose levels of nestlings indicating good nestling nutrition were recorded in nests of birds associated with extensive land use. The H:L ratio as an indicator of the physiological condition of nestlings was high on manure-fertilised and extensively managed meadows, indicating stress factors associated with these environments. This suggests that consideration should be given to the effects of chemicals, such as pesticides or drug residues, that may come from slurry poured onto fields on the fitness of red-backed shrike chicks.