Emerging Evidence on the Effectiveness of Tropical Forest Conservation

The PLOS ONE Collection “Measuring forest conservation effectiveness” brings together a series of studies that evaluate the effectiveness of tropical forest conservation policies and programs with the goal of measuring conservation success and associated co-benefits. This overview piece describes the geographic and methodological scope of these studies, as well as the policy instruments covered in the Collection as of June 2016. Focusing on forest cover change, we systematically compare the conservation effects estimated by the studies and discuss them in the light of previous findings in the literature. Nine studies estimated that annual conservation impacts on forest cover were below one percent, with two exceptions in Mexico and Indonesia. Differences in effect sizes are not only driven by the choice of conservation measures. One key lesson from the studies is the need to move beyond the current scientific focus of estimating average effects of undifferentiated conservation programs. The specific elements of the program design and the implementation context are equally important factors for understanding the effectiveness of conservation programs. Particularly critical will be a better understanding of the causal mechanisms through which conservation programs have impacts. To achieve this understanding we need advances in both theory and methods.     

Diagnosing Depression in Chronic Pain Patients: DSM-IV Major Depressive Disorder vs. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)

Background

Diagnosing depression in chronic pain is challenging due to overlapping somatic symptoms. In questionnaires, such as the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), responses may be influenced more by pain than by the severity of depression. In addition, previous studies have suggested that symptoms of negative self-image, a key element in depression, are uncommon in chronic pain-related depression. The object of this study is to assess the relationship of the somatic and cognitive-emotional items of BDI with the diagnosis of depression, pain intensity, and disability.

Methods

One hundred consecutive chronic pain patients completed the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders (SCID) for the diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) according to DSM-IV. Two subscales of BDI (negative view of self and somatic-physical function) were created according to the factor model presented by Morley.

Results

In the regression analysis, the somatic-physical function factor associated with MDD, while the negative view of self factor did not. Patients with MDD had higher scores in several of the BDI items when analysed separately. Insomnia and weight loss were not dependent on the depression diagnosis.

Limitations

The relatively small sample size and the selected patient sample limit the generalisability of the results.

Conclusions

Somatic symptoms of depression are also common in chronic pain and should not be excluded when diagnosing depression in pain patients. Regardless of the assessment method, diagnosing depression in chronic pain remains a challenge and requires careful interpretation of symptoms.     

Establishment and Validation of GV-SAPS II Scoring System for Non-Diabetic Critically Ill Patients

MethodsTraining and validation cohorts were exacted from the Multiparameter Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care database III version 1.3 (MIMIC-III v1.3). The GV-SAPS II score was constructed by Cox proportional hazard regression analysis and compared with the original SAPS II, Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment Score (SOFA) and Elixhauser scoring systems using area under the curve of the receiver operator characteristic (auROC) curve.Results4,895 and 5,048 eligible individuals were included in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. The GV-SAPS II score was established with four independent risk factors, including hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, standard deviation of blood glucose levels (Glu_SD), and SAPS II score. In the validation cohort, the auROC values of the new scoring system were 0.824 (95% CI: 0.813–0.834, P< 0.001) and 0.738 (95% CI: 0.725–0.750, P< 0.001), respectively for 30 days and 9 months, which were significantly higher than other models used in our study (all P < 0.001). Moreover, Kaplan-Meier plots demonstrated significantly worse outcomes in higher GV-SAPS II score groups both for 30-day and 9-month mortality endpoints (all P< 0.001).ConclusionsWe established and validated a modified prognostic scoring system that integrated glucose variability for non-diabetic critically ill patients, named GV-SAPS II. It demonstrated a superior prognostic capability and may be an optimal scoring system for prognostic evaluation in this patient group.     

Distribution of FMRFamide-like immunoreactivity in the brain,retina and nervus terminalis of the sockeye salmon parr,Oncorhynchus nerka

Summary Neurons displaying FMRFamide(Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-NH₂)-like immunoreactivity have recently been implicated in neural plasticity in salmon. We now extend these findings by describing the extent of the FMRF-like immunoreactive (FMRF-IR) system in the brain, retina and olfactory system of sockeye salmon parr using the indirect peroxidase anti-peroxidase technique. FMRF-IR perikarya were found in the periventricular hypothalamus, mesencephalic laminar nucleus, nucleus nervi terminalis and retina (presumed amacrine cells), and along the olfactory nerves. FMRF-IR fibers were distributed throughout the brain with highest densities in the ventral area of the telencephalon, in the medial forebrain bundle, and at the borders between layers III/IV and IV/V in the optic tectum. High densities of immunoreactive fibers were also observed in the area around the torus semicircularis, in the medial hypothalamus, median raphe, ventromedial tegmentum, and central gray. In the retina, immunopositive fibers were localized to the inner plexiform layer, but several fiber elements were also found in the outer plexiform layer. The olfactory system displayed FMRF-IR fibers in the epithelium and along the olfactory nerves. These findings differ from those reported in other species as follows: (i) FMRF-IR cells in the retina have not previously been reported in teleosts; (ii) the presence of FMRF-IR fibers in the outer plexiform layer of the retina is a new finding for any species; (iii) the occurrence of immunopositive cells in the mesencephalic laminar nucleus has to our knowledge not been demonstrated previously.     

Phosphate accumulation and the occurrence of polyphosphates and cyclic 2,3-diphosphoglycerate in Methanosarcina frisia

Methanosarcina frisia accumulates phosphate up to 14% of its dry weight. The phosphate is stored as long-chain polyphosphates as shown by ³¹P-NMR investigations. Further results show that the accumulation of phosphates is substrate-dependent. In the presence of H₂ and CO₂ as the only carbon and energy source 180 mg of PO _inf4 ^sup3- /g protein were accumulated, whereas 260 mg PO _inf4 ^sup3- /g protein were accumulated in the presence of methanol. This is far more than necessary for the maintenance of essential metabolic pathways. In addition, the ³¹P-NMR studies show the occurrence of cyclic 2,3-diphosphoglycerate in Methanosarcina frisia. The role of the phosphate metabolites in cell metabolism are discussed.Abbreviations M. Methanosarcina - CCP cyclic 2,3-diphosphoglycerate     

Characterization by mass spectrometry of blood group A active glycolipids from human and dog small intestins.

Glycolipids with blood group A activity isolated from human and dog small intestine have been characterized by mass spectrometry of intact lipid in methylated and in methylated and reduced (LiAiH4) form. Without degradative studies the glycolipids were conclusively shown to be hexaglycosyleramides with phytosphingosine as the major long-chain base and hydroxypalmitic acid as the major fatty acid. The exact sugar ratio was hexose-hexosamine-deoxyhexose 3:2:1 and the sequence established as hexosamine-[deoxyhexose-]hexose-hexosamine-hexose-hexose-ceramide. Evidence is presented that mass spectrometry can differential between type ) and type 2 saccharide chains.     

Main structures of the Forssman glycolipid hapten and a Leb-like glycolipid of dog small intestine, as revealed by mass spectrometry. Difference in ceramide structure related to tissue localization.

Two glycolipids of dog small intestine, one with Forssman activity and one with Leb-like activity, have been characterized by mass spectrometry of methylated, and methylated and reduced (LiAlH4) derivatives. The Forssman glycolipid was conclusively shown to be a pentaglycosylceramide with the carbohydrate sequence hexosamine-hexosamine-hexose-hexose-hexose-ceramide, and with sphingosine (dihydroxy base) as major long-chain base and normal fatty acids as the only fatty acids. The Leb-like glycolipid was a hexaglycosyl-ceramide with sequence fucose-hexose-[fucose-] hexosamine-hexose-hexose-ceramide and with phytosphingosine (trihydroxy base) as major long-chain base and only 2-hydroxy fatty acids as fatty acids. The difference of two hydroxy groups in the ceramide between the two glycolipids may be related to a different tissue localization. As shown by immunofluorescense study the Forssman activity was associated with the lamina propria and the Leb-like activity to the glandular epithelium of dog small intestine.     

Identification of a novel hepraglycosylceramide with two fucose residues and a terminal hexosamine.

A polar fucose-containing glycosphingolipid fraction isolated from dog small intestine has been characterized by mass spectrometry of intact methylated, and methylated and reduced (LiAlH4) glycolipid. The native fraction, which was homogenous on thin-layer chromatography, was shown after methylation to be a mixture of two compounds. One was identified as a hexaglycoslyceramide with the following composition and sequence: fucose-hexose(fucose)-hexosamine-hexose-hexose-ceramide, with a terminal saccharide structure similar to blood group Leb determinants. The second compound was a novel heptaglycosyceramide with the sequence: hexosamine(fucose)-hexose-tfucose)-hexosamine-hexose-hexose-ceramide. This glycolipid was also detected in human small intestine and pancreas. The dog intestinal fraction had phytosphingosine as its major base and contained almost exclusively 2-hydroxy fatty acids (16 : 0--24 : 0). The fraction of human pancreas differed in having spingosine as its major base and normal fatty acids (16 : 0--24 :0) as major acids.