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Sea‐level rise due to climate change is a major threat to coastal ecosystems worldwide. Current management to reduce beach erosion often focuses on protecting human structures and research on effects on wildlife is lacking. Using a combination of hierarchical models and generalized linear models, we evaluated how the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) colonized constructed dunes along coastal scrub at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, central Florida, USA. Over 2 years, we surveyed tortoise populations along natural dunes and 2 constructed dunes (completed in 2012 and in 2014) and estimated tortoise density each summer and winter. Our models indicated that tortoise density along the 2014 dune was comparable to that of natural dunes (truex¯ = 0–8 tortoises/ha), and density peaked at a mean of 21 tortoises/ha along the 2012 constructed dune. Gopher tortoises rapidly colonized constructed dunes, and dune construction may represent effective management against habitat loss for this species. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.

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Introduction: Collection of adequate numbers of Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs) is a prerequisite for proceeding to autologous bone marrow transplant. However, various studies have showed that approximately 5% to 40% of patients do not meet the minimum threshold of 2×106 CD34+ cells/kg that is associated with timely engraftment and better outcomes. There is little consensus over the optimal mobilization regimen for procurement of peripheral blood CD34 + stem cells (PBSCs). Studies comparing mobilization using high-dose cyclophosphamide(HD-CY) {5-7 g/m2} or intermediate dose cyclophosphamide (ID-CY) {3-4g/m2} plus G-CSF with low dose cyclophosphamide (LD-CY) {1-2g/m2) plus G-CSF have reported higher total PBSC yield with the former but at the cost of higher toxicity [Hiwase et al, Cytotherapy 2007]. Hence the significance of our study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of LD-CY plus G-CSF in the era of novel induction therapies, takes precedence in terms of optimal resource utilization. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed mobilization efficacy and need for supportive care in Myeloma and Lymphoma patients that received LD-CY (2g/m2) plus G-CSF (10µg/kg/day) as the preferred mobilization regimen. Patients treated with novel induction regimens only, with or without radiation were included. LD-CY was given on day 1 with MESNA. G-CSF was started Day +5 from LD-CY and continued until the completion of apheresis. We started to measure peripheral CD34+ (pCD34) when patient's white blood cell count recovered to >1000/µL. When the pCD34 count was ≥10/uL, apheresis was started. Results: Out of 21 patients analyzed, 14 (67%) were Myeloma, predominantly IgG subtype (71%) and 7(33%) Lymphoma predominantly Non-Hodgkins type (71%). Our study population comprised of 53% females, 81% Caucasians with median age of 59 years (30-66). 28.5% patients had radiation treatment in the past. Mean/Median lines of chemotherapy previously received were 2/1 (1-5).71% patients received Lenalidomide (57%) / Thalidomide (14%) based regimens for induction therapies. 52% patients had complete response at the time of chemo mobilization. Successful mobilization (defined as total CD34+ cells collected >2x106/kg) was significantly achieved in 95% patients with mean/ median collection of 12.4/11.5 x106 CD34+ cells/kg (20 out of 21 patients, One sample T- test with significance level, alpha =0.025 [one sided ]showed T statistic 5.36 with p-value <0.0001). First apheresis yielded at least 2 x10 6/kg CD34+ cells in 76 % patients with a mean/median of 5.8/3.8 x106/kg CD34+ cells. 66% of patients were found to be good mobilizers, defined as patients collecting ≥5 x106 CD34+ cells/kg in ≤2 days. 81% patients collected ≥5x106 CD34+ cells/kg and 57 % patients collected ≥10 x106 CD34+ cells/kg. Mean/Median Peak pCD34count was 97.7/60 cells/µL(2-488). Median number of aphereses was 2 (mean 2.6) with the mean and median time to apheresis being 11 days (9-15). None of the patients needed inpatient hospitalization or intravenous antibiotics during mobilization or had any complication related to immunosuppression. 14% and 19% of patients needed packed red blood cell and platelet transfusions respectively during the mobilization period. One Myeloma patient (4.8%) that failed mobilization had previously received five lines of chemotherapy including lenalidomide/thalidomide containing regimens and had stable disease at the time of mobilization. Interestingly, 61% of myeloma patients that successfully mobilized had received lenalidomide containing induction regimen (mean/median no. of cycles- 3.9/4[1-7]) Conclusion: Our analysis shows that LD-CY plus G-CSF is efficacious to mobilize sufficient number of stem cells (>2x106 CD34+ cells /kg) in Myeloma and Lymphoma patients treated with novel agents, including the challenging sub-group of lenalidomide treated myeloma patients, with no infectious complications or morbidity noted during the entire period of mobilization. Therefore, we believe LD-CY plus G-CSF may overcome the negative effects of prior lenalidomide exposure on PBSC mobilization [Mark et al, Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2008] and is superior in terms of optimal resource utilization compared to novel plerixafor based regimens [Chaudhary et al, J Clin Apher 2013]. Prospective studies involving CY based regimens will help elucidate the optimal dose of chemo-mobilization. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.