AB0499 Inflammatory lung disease a potential risk factor for onset of inflammatory myopathies

Background Although the etiology of inflammatory myopathies is unclear, there are data indicating that myositis occurs as a result of complex interactions between genes and environmental/life style factors. Objectives To assess the association between lung disease and the risk of developing inflammatory myopathies, myositis. Methods In this population-based case-control study, 179 incident adult myositis cases diagnosed between 1995 and 1997 were identified from the Swedish inpatient registry. Verification of diagnosis was performed through patient records. The analysis was based on responses from a questionnaire on exposures to environmental factors from 100 cases that were alive and fulfilled the inclusion criteria and from 402 randomly selected population controls matched to cases on birth of date, gender and residency. Exposure was based upon self-reports of preceding inflammatory lung disease (pneumonia, tuberculosis or sarcoidosis). The association between inflammatory lung disease and risk of developing myositis was evaluated by calculating odds ratio (OR) together with 95% confidence interval (CI) by means of logistic regression. Results There was an association between preceding inflammatory lung disease and diagnosis of myositis: adjusted OR 1.5, 95% CI 0.9-2.6. The median duration between the lung disease and first symptom of myositis was 30 years. Conclusions Subjects with preceding inflammatory lung disease had an increased risk of developing myositis compared to those without such disease. Inflammatory lung disease could thus be a potential risk factor for onset of inflammatory myopathies, myositis, or a parallel phenomenon. Disclosure of Interest None Declare

New England salt marsh recovery: opportunistic colonization of an invasive species and its non-consumptive effects.

Predator depletion on Cape Cod (USA) has released the herbivorous crab Sesarmareticulatum from predator control leading to the loss of cordgrass from salt marsh creek banks. After more than three decades of die-off, cordgrass is recovering at heavily damaged sites coincident with the invasion of green crabs (Carcinusmaenas) into intertidal Sesarma burrows. We hypothesized that Carcinus is dependent on Sesarma burrows for refuge from physical and biotic stress in the salt marsh intertidal and reduces Sesarma functional density and herbivory through consumptive and non-consumptive effects, mediated by both visual and olfactory cues. Our results reveal that in the intertidal zone of New England salt marshes, Carcinus are burrow dependent, Carcinus reduce Sesarma functional density and herbivory in die-off areas and Sesarma exhibit a generic avoidance response to large, predatory crustaceans. These results support recent suggestions that invasive Carcinus are playing a role in the recovery of New England salt marshes and assertions that invasive species can play positive roles outside of their native ranges

Abundance of intertidal <i>Carcinus</i> per creek banks at healthy and die-off sites between 2011 and 2012.

<p>Note not only the magnitude difference in <i>Carcinus</i> densities between site types but also the difference in abundance trends across years. At healthy sites, <i>Carcinus</i> remains low over both 2011 and 2012. At die-off sites, however, <i>Carcinus</i> increases from 2011 to 2012.</p

Abundance of intertidal <i>Sesarma</i> and <i>Carcinus</i> in creek banks at healthy and die-off sites.

<p>Note the order of magnitude difference in crab densities between site types. <i>Carcinus</i> outnumbered <i>Sesarma</i> at both sites, but were only common at sites with high <i>Sesarma</i> densities and consequently many burrow complexes and expansive die-off (bottom). <i>Carcinus</i> and <i>Sesarma</i> were never found in the same burrow and no evidence of predation was ever observed, suggesting <i>Sesarma</i> may exhibit a strong avoidance response to the presence of <i>Carcinus</i>.</p

Appendix B. Results of experiment comparing the effect of regrowth vegetation on sediment characteristics relative to die-off and experimental areas with regrowth removed.

Results of experiment comparing the effect of regrowth vegetation on sediment characteristics relative to die-off and experimental areas with regrowth removed

Differential <i>Carcinus</i> survivorship with and without burrows access and predation exposure.

<p>Tethered <i>Carcinus</i> with access to burrows to avoid desiccation and in cages to avoid predation experienced the highest survivorship, while those exposed to both stressors experienced significant mortality. These results underscore the role of <i>Sesarma</i> burrows as refuges from desiccation, which transform inhospitable die-off banks into benign intertidal habitats capable of sustaining large, burrow-dwelling <i>Carcinus</i> populations.</p