Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of climate, pollution and management on the occurrence of epiphytic lichens and bryophytes on Corylus avellana.
Methods: Thirteen hazelwood study sites were systematically sampled along a climate, pollution and management gradient in Britain. Epiphyte composition and richness were examined in a strict hierarchical framework, and compared against site-, stool- and stem-scale environmental predictors.
Results: The study showed that along the gradient from ‘clean-air’ relict sites to ‘polluted’ coppiced sites: (i) epiphytic local stem-scale diversity declined, (ii) there was a loss of late-successional species including foliose cyano- and tripartite lichens and bryophytes and (iii) stem sizes were reduced, providing a further limit to the accumulation of species richness within a site.
Conclusions: Relict hazelwoods in western Scotland are confirmed as an example of the most intact epiphyte communities. In particular, we show that the transition to coppicing can be clearly linked to ecological processes causing species loss. 相似文献
Aims: Quantify how variation in regional tree community richness and composition in a humid tropical forest across a mountain chain are related to niche and putative neutral processes.
Methods: We used a variation partitioning routine based on Redundancy Analysis to model tropical tree community richness and composition within three distinct elevation belts, as a function of environment and spatial structure, using data from 32 studies in the Serra do Mar Range, south-eastern Brazil.
Results: Environmental effects were greater than spatial structure effects to explain community variation in the three elevation belts. There was a trend of decreasing spatial structure effects while environmental effects remained constant from lower to higher elevations. Patterns were congruent for species richness and composition.
Conclusions: We suggest that on tropical mountains, niche-related processes are equally relevant for tropical forest community assembly at all elevations, while neutral processes become weaker towards higher elevations. Determining if this trend is a consequence of the greater heterogeneity of environmental conditions associated with higher elevations in tropical mountainous terrain remains an important area of research. 相似文献
Methods: A systemic review was conducted in concordance with the PRISMA guidelines. The studies were identified by searching PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register, from May to August 2016. Studies measuring both cTnT and cTnI in populations without ACS were eligible.
Results: Twenty-nine studies were included (n?=?25,859). Seventeen studies reported on prognostic information with follow-up time ranging for 30?d–5?years. Elevation above the 99th percentile (reference value for a healthy population) in non-ACS population was reported to be 0–39% for cTnI and 40–100% for cTnT. Elevation of cTnT tends to be a superior predictor for all-cause mortality and elevation of cTnI tends to be a superior predictor for cardiovascular related mortality.
Discussion: In the absence of ACS, elevation of cTnT is more frequent than elevation of cTnI.
Conclusion: Both cTnT and cTnI elevations have important prognostic information regarding morbidity, cardiac mortality and all-cause mortality. 相似文献
Aims: To examine how forest types and seasons affect avian diversity and habitat-use guilds in protected and unprotected forests.
Methods: Habitat and seasonal avian surveys were conducted to test forest type and seasonal differences on avian species richness, relative abundances and relative abundance of habitat-use guilds.
Results: Twenty-three avian species (~40% endemics) were recorded. Highland old growth forests showed the highest richness (4.1–4.9 species/point count). The lowest richness was recorded in mid-elevation secondary forests (3.1 species/point count). The highest relative abundances for habitat-specialist understorey users and large tree users were recorded in highland old growth forests. However, the abundance of large tree users was higher in secondary forests at low elevations during colder seasons.
Conclusions: Some species and guilds may move to lower elevations outside protected areas during winter. Increasing degradation of unprotected areas will likely affect the suitability of ‘winter habitat’ for specialist guilds, and thus the ecological processes and source/sink dynamics occurring across boundaries of protected and unprotected areas. 相似文献
Aims: To investigate the habitat selection patterns of tree-nesting Golden Eagles, and identify how potential conflicts with wind farm development could be minimized.
Methods: The study is based on GPS tracking data from 22 adult eagles. We estimated home range sizes using a biased random bridge approach and habitat selection patterns using resource selection functions following a use-availability design.
Results: Core home range size among adults was variable during the breeding season (5–30?km2). Individual movement extents were variable, but sexes did not significantly differ in their scale of movement. At the landscape scale, individuals selected for clear-cuts and coniferous forest with ground lichens, whereas wetland, water bodies and mixed forest were avoided. Steeper and south facing slopes were selected for, whereas, north facing slopes were avoided.
Conclusions: Potential conflicts between eagles and wind energy establishment can be reduced if wind farms are placed away from steep slopes, minimizing areas that are clear-cut during construction, and locating turbines within dense, young and other less favoured forest habitats. 相似文献
Methods. Populations of five hyperoceanic liverworts were measured, Aphanolejeunea microscopica, Drepanolejeunea hamatifolia, Harpalejeunea molleri, Jubula hutchinsiae and Radula voluta, at two time periods, before and after HEP installation.
Results. Spanning almost four years, results reveal a dynamic system, with significant change in fine-scale distribution patterns, including many colony extinctions and colonisations. About 23% of colony losses of A. microscopica, D. hamatifolia and H. molleri appeared to result from exclusion by larger bryophytes, involving at least 17 species, in particular Ctenidium molluscum.
Conclusions. Inference with regards to effects of the HEP is not advised from this type of preliminary before and after study, based at a single site without controls. Given rapid recent growth of small HEP development and the enormous future potential, both in Britain and around the world, it is important to build upon this work and undertake comprehensive studies to detect possible impacts on bryophytes of conservation concern. 相似文献
Objective: To evaluate circulatory apoptotic markers and oxidative stress in patients with PCOS.
Materials and methods: Forty-four women with PCOS, and 44 healthy women as controls were enrolled in the study. Oxidative stress parameters and caspases levels were measured in serum.
Results: The caspase 9 level was significantly lower and related with oxidant status in patients with PCOS, while the circulating levels of caspases 3 and 7 were statistically similar in both groups.
Discussion: This study is the first report demonstrating the circulating levels of apoptotic markers and their relationship with oxidant status in PCOS.
Conclusion: The circulating caspase 9 and oxidant status might contribute to apoptotic dysregulation in PCOS. 相似文献
Aims: To examine whether antioxidant capacity and chemical composition of alpine plants change with increasing elevation.
Methods: We measured the Trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and chemical composition of five alpine plant species at 3016, 3814 and 4621 m a.s.l.
Results: With increasing elevation: (1) the TEAC increased and total phenols and tannins tended to increase in two forb and two shrub species but not in a sedge species; (2) concentrations of protein and fat increased in all five plant species; (3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) increased and (4) mineral concentrations tended to decrease, but trends were inconsistent.
Conclusions: We conclude that with increasing elevation, TEAC and total phenols and tannins increased which we interpreted as an adaptation to higher oxidative stress; and protein and fat contents increased to support high metabolic activity. The increase in PUFA and the trend for minerals to decrease with increasing elevation require further investigation. 相似文献
Aims: To explore the vulnerability of these transitional forests to changes in land use and climate, we evaluated the effects of fragmentation and climatic variables on forest structure.
Methods: We measured the diameter and height of 14,185 trees with diameter ≥10 cm at 24 forest plots distributed over an area of 25,000 km2. For each plot, we obtained data on contemporary fragmentation and climatic variables.
Results: Forest structure variables (height, diameter, height:diameter allometry, biomass) varied significantly both within and among plots. The height, H:D and biomass of trees were positively correlated with annual precipitation and fragment area.
Conclusions: The association between forest structure and precipitation indicates that these forests plots are likely to be vulnerable to dry season intensification anticipated for the southern edge of the Amazon. Additionally, the reduction in the fragment area may contribute to reductions in forest biomass and tree height, and consequently ecosystem carbon stocks. Given the likely susceptibility of these forests, urgent conservation action is needed to prevent further habitat degradation. 相似文献
Aims: To determine differences in diversity patterns between serpentine and non-serpentine communities.
Methods: A two-year study was conducted in native eastern Mediterranean grasslands. For each year 40 0.25 m2 plots were sampled across four pairs of sites, each of which contained a serpentine and an adjacent non-serpentine plant community. Alpha and beta diversity (variation in species composition among plots within localities), species composition and biomass production were determined. Total soil elemental concentrations and pH were also measured.
Results: Serpentine habitats were shown to support a lower alpha diversity relative to non-serpentine habitatas on a per plot basis. Differences in alpha diversity between the two substrates were associated with variation in soil chemistry rather than above-ground biomass production. Serpentine habitats also exhibited lower beta diversity, which was unrelated to variation in biomass production. The two contrasting communities presented distinct species composition.
Conclusions: Differences in diversity patterns between serpentine and non-serpentine communities in the eastern Mediterranean are influenced by soil chemistry rather than biomass production. 相似文献
Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the association between sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) – a source of oxidative stress – and CML.
Materials and methods: About 1002 participants in the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) were studied.
Results: Women with SDB had significantly higher CML concentration compared with those without SDB (OR?=?1.63, 95%CI?=?1.03–2.58, p?=?0.04). The association was not significant among men.
Discussion: SDB was associated with CML concentration among elderly women but not men in the Cardiovascular Health Study.
Conclusion: Accumulation of CML may be an adverse health consequence of SDB 相似文献
Objectives: Few studies have compared the expression of inflammatory or adhesion molecules between coronary artery disease (CAD) versus CSX.
Materials and methods: Ninety-two CSX and 145 CAD subjects without known diabetes mellitus underwent coronary angiogram for angina.
Results: Vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 (median, 507 versus 431?ng/ml, p?=?0.001) was significantly higher in the CAD group. In the binary regression, VCAM-1 was a significant differential factor for CAD versus CSX.
Discussion and conclusion: Adhesion molecules might be implicated in the differential expression of macro versus microvascular coronary disease.
Trial registration number: NCT01198730 at https://clinicaltrials.gov 相似文献
Objective: To evaluate the risk of pneumonia-induced sepsis by examining its linkage with polymorphisms of IL-6 and IL-10.
Materials and methods: Samples were obtained from 188 pneumonia-induced sepsis patients, 162 pneumonia patients and 200 healthy controls.
Results: Subjects with IL-10 -1082 AA genotypes and IL-6 -174?CC genotype had a higher risk of sepsis and increased mRNA levels.
Conclusion: The variants of IL-10 -1082 A allele and IL-6 -174 C allele contributed to an increased risk of pneumonia-induced sepsis. 相似文献
Objective: The aim of this paper is the discovery of new non-invasive biomarker for the monitoring of VHLD patients.
Materials and methods: We compared the urinary proteome of VHLD patients, ccRCC patients and healthy volunteers.
Results: Among all differentially expressed proteins, alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1AT) and APOH (beta-2-glycoprotein-1) are strongly over-abundant only in the urine of VHLD patients with a history of ccRCC.
Discussion and conclusion: A1AT and APOH could be promising non-invasive biomarkers. 相似文献
Objective: The objective of this study is to explored novel biomarkers for phospholipidosis using a metabolomic approach.
Method: NMR spectrometry and LC/MS/MS analyses were applied to urine and plasma of rats administrated cationic amphiphilic drugs.
Results: The phenylacetylglycine to hippuric acid ratio in plasma was increased in time and dose-dependent manners; and it was well correlated with histopathological observation.
Conclusion: The plasma phenylacetylglycine to hippuric acid ratio is a potential marker in monitoring drug-induced phospholipidosis. 相似文献
Objective: The study examined the early release kinetics of TnTuORF.
Materials and methods: We analyzed the time course of the release of cardiac troponins I and T and TnTuORF in patients (n?=?31) with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy undergoing transcoronary ablation of septal hypertrophy (TASH).
Results: Fifteen minutes after TASH, the levels of both troponins increased significantly (cTnT median: 18?ng/L versus 27?ng/L; cTnI median: 15?ng/L versus 25?ng/L). TnTuORF showed no variation.
Discussion: We observed a significantly greater increase in cTnI compared with cTnT.
Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that troponin assays allow early detection of myocardial injury, whereas TnTuORF levels remain unchanged in this setting. 相似文献
Objectives: We have examined the incremental value of Big-ET-1 in predicting total and CV mortality next to the well-established CV risk marker N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP).
Methods: Big-ET-1 and NT-proBNP were determined in 2829 participants referred for coronary angiography (follow-up 9.9 years).
Results: Big-ET-1 is an independent predictor of total, CV mortality and death due to CHF.
Discussion: The conjunct use of Big-ET-1 and NT-proBNP improves the risk stratification of patients with intermediate to high risk of CV death and CHF.
Conclusions: Big-ET-1improves risk stratification in patients referred for coronary angiography. 相似文献
Objective: To evaluate the relationship between sCD40l and survival, CVE and mortality in HD patients on long-term follow-up.
Methods: We registered 46?HD patients’ baseline characteristics, mortality and CVE for 108 months.
Results: SCD40l correlated positively with C-reactive protein, was higher in survivors, but had no impact on survival and was not predictive for CVE or CV mortality.
Conclusion: The levels of sCD40l have no influence on survival or CVE and mortality in HD patients in a long-term follow-up. 相似文献
Objective: To establish a panel of protein biomarkers incorporated in a multiplexed microarray (BCa chip) and a classifier for diagnosing recurrent NMIBC.
Materials and methods: Urine samples from 45 patients were tested. Diagnostic performance was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.
Results: A multi biomarker panel (ECadh, IL8, MMP9, EN2, VEGF, past recurrences, BCG therapies and stage at diagnosis) was identified yielding an area under the curve of 0.96.
Discussion and conclusion: This biomarker panel represents a potential diagnostic tool for noninvasive diagnosis of recurrent NMIBC. 相似文献
Objective: Ascertain the utility of measurements of single-strand breaks (SSB) in DNA for assessment of breast cancer risk.
Methods: Fine-needle aspirates of the breast, SSB by nick translation, percent breast density (PBD), Gail model risk, cumulative methylation index (CMI), enzymes of DNA repair and tissue antioxidants.
Results: DNA repair enzymes and 4-hydroxyestradiol were negatively associated with SSB; CMI and PBD were positively associated.
Conclusions: Quantitative measurement of SSBs by this procedure indicates the relative number of SSBs and is related to promoter methylation, antioxidant availability and percent breast density. 相似文献