Long-term research sites as refugia for threatened and over-harvested species

The presence of researchers, ecotourists or rangers inside protected areas is generally assumed to provide a protective effect for wildlife populations, mainly by reducing poaching pressure. However, this assumption has rarely been empirically tested. Here, we evaluate and quantify the conservation benefits of the presence of a long-term research area in Taï National Park, Côte d''Ivoire. A wildlife survey following 225 km of line transects revealed considerably higher primate and duiker encounter rates within the research area when compared with adjacent areas. This positive effect was particularly pronounced for threatened and over-harvested species, such as the endangered red colobus monkey (Procolobus badius). This pattern was clearly mirrored by a reversed gradient in signs of poaching, which decreased towards and inside the research area, a trend that was also supported with park-wide data. This study demonstrates that even relatively simple evidence-based analytical approaches can bridge the gap between conservation theory and practice. In addition, it emphasizes the value of establishing long-term research sites as an integral part of protected area management.     

Rehabilitating degraded forests in Central Europe into self–sustaining forest ecosystems

There is a need for a consistent forest restoration strategy for the `Black Triangle', Central Europe. In the past 50 years, forests in this area have been heavily affected by industrial pollution. Recently, the amount of pollutants has decreased. This means that effective forest restoration programmes can be started. Forest decline must be seen as an ecological disturbance which cannot be solved by applying technical measures only. An ecosystem approach to forest restoration must be introduced into restoration policy and management. Basic principles and working methods of such an approach are briefly described and proposals are made for forest restoration policy, management and research in the area.     

Modification of a novel angiogenic peptide, AG30, for the development of novel therapeutic agents

We previously identified a novel angiogenic peptide, AG30, with antibacterial effects that could serve as a foundation molecule for the design of wound-healing drugs. Toward clinical application, in this study we have developed a modified version of the AG30 peptide characterized by improved antibacterial and angiogenic action, thus establishing a lead compound for a feasibility study. Because AG30 has an α-helix structure with a number of hydrophobic and cationic amino acids, we designed a modified AG30 peptide by replacing several of the amino acids. The replacement of cationic amino acids (yielding a new molecule, AG30/5C), but not hydrophobic amino acids, increased both the angiogenic and the antimicrobial properties of the peptide. AG30/5C was also effective against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In a diabetic mouse wound-healing model, the topical application of AG30/5C accelerated wound healing with increased angiogenesis and attenuated MRSA infection. To facilitate the eventual clinical investigation/application of these compounds, we developed a large-scale procedure for the synthesis of AG30/5C that employed the conventional solution method and met Good Manufacturing Practice guidelines. In the evaluation of stability of this peptide in saline solution, RP-HPLC analysis revealed that AG30/5C was fairly stable under 5°C for 12 months. Therefore, we propose the use of AG30/5C as a wound-healing drug with antibacterial and angiogenic actions.     

'Because we see them naked' - nurses' experiences in caring for hospitalized patients with dementia: considering artificial nutrition or hydration (ANH)

The aim of this study was to explore and describe how Flemish nurses experience their involvement in the care of hospitalized patients with dementia, particularly in relation to artificial nutrition or hydration (ANH). We interviewed 21 hospital nurses who were carefully selected from nine hospitals in different regions of Flanders. 'Being touched by the vulnerability of the demented patient' was the central experience of the nurses, having great impact on them professionally as well as personally. This feeling can be described as encompassing the various stages of the care process: the nurses' initial meeting with the vulnerable patient; the intense decision-making process, during which the nurses experienced several intense emotions influenced by supporting or hindering contextual factors; and the final coping process, a time when nurses came to terms with this challenging experience. From our examination of this care process, it is obvious that nurses' involvement in ANH decision-making processes that concern patients with dementia is a difficult and ethically sensitive experience. On the one hand, the feeling of 'being touched' can imply strength, as it demonstrates that nurses are willing to provide good care. On the other hand, the feeling of 'being touched' can also imply weakness, as it makes nurses vulnerable to moral distress stemming from contextual influences. Therefore, nurses have to be supported as they carry out this ethically sensitive assignment. Practical implications are given.     

生长空间竞争指数及其在油松、侧柏种内竞争中的应用研究

研究林木个体之间的竞争是研究森林生态系统基础,林木竞争的研究方法主要有定性描述和定量分析两种方法并先后提出了20多种衡量竞争程度的竞争指数系统,但有关学者研究后认为,这些竞争指数都没有较好地解决了定量分析中树冠变化的问题。论文首次提出生长空间竞争指数(Growthspacecompetitionindex,GSCI),系树冠表面积与胸高断面积之比,由于树冠外围面积代表树冠接受光照最强的部分并且是决定生产效率的重要指标,因此在群体和群落的竞争中作为反映竞争参数,较好地解决了定量分析中树冠变化的问题,为树冠覆盖程度的无量纲度量。本文还在油松(Pinus tabulaeformis)、侧柏(Platycladus orientalis)林种内个体竞争中得到应用,与常用的简单竞争指数(Competition index,CI)和空间竞争指数(Growth space index,GSI)进行了对比研究。     

Ethical Considerations for Outcome‐adaptive Trial Designs: A Clinical Researcher's Perspective

In a typical comparative clinical trial the randomization scheme is fixed at the beginning of the study, and maintained throughout the course of the trial. A number of researchers have championed a randomized trial design referred to as ‘outcome‐adaptive randomization.’ In this type of trial, the likelihood of a patient being enrolled to a particular arm of the study increases or decreases as preliminary information becomes available suggesting that treatment may be superior or inferior. While the design merits of outcome‐adaptive trials have been debated, little attention has been paid to significant ethical concerns that arise in the conduct of such studies. These include loss of equipoise, lack of processes for adequate informed consent, and inequalities inherent in the research design which could lead to perceptions of injustice that may have negative implications for patients and the research enterprise. This article examines the ethical difficulties inherent in outcome‐adaptive trials.     

中国瘦寄蝇属一新种和一新纪录种(双翅目,寄蝇科)

瘦寄蝇属Leptothelaira Mesnil et Shima隶于长足寄蝇亚科Dexinae瘦寄蝇族Leptothelairini;其体细长,后足基节上部具1宽而闭合的骨化桥,翅R4 5脉基部背面具1根小鬃;已知分布于俄罗斯远东南部、日本、越南、尼泊尔和我国台湾.本文记述了采自我国广西龙胜华坪的瘦寄蝇属1新纪录种:东方瘦寄蝇L.orientalis Mesnil et Shima,1979和产自陕西太白山和山西沁源与方山的1新种:长茎瘦寄蝇L.longipennis sp.nov,新种与分布东洋区的南方瘦寄蝇L.meridionalis Mesnil et Shima近似,但单眼鬃弱于内顶鬃,腹部第4背板后1/4～1/5和第5背板完全黑,第5腹板基部圆,中央裂深且基部宽,侧尾叶端部较窄而尖等.新种模式标本保存在沈阳师范大学昆虫研究所.     

利用双启动子表达载体pDH2-YggG-Ptac-Era研究E. coli Era和YggG 蛋白间的相互关系

yggG是从大肠杆菌全基因组文库中钓取并克隆的Era结合蛋白基因,研究表明该基因表达的YggG294(amino acids 1-294)蛋白对宿主菌的生长具有强烈的抑制作用。为了阐明YggG与Era间的相互关系,构建可同时可控性表达Era和YggG294蛋白的双启动子表达载体。利用所构建的双启动子表达载体在同一细胞中同时可控性地表达YggG294与Era蛋白。结果显示,在不表达和少量表达YggG294的细菌细胞内,Era 的表达量与总蛋白量的比值随着诱导时间增加而增高,而YggG294大量表达的细菌内Era 的表达量与总蛋白量的比值基本保持不变;Era 蛋白的预表达对YggG294表达所引起的细菌生长率下降无影响。由此可以推论,YggG294的过表达引起宿主菌生长抑制进而影响了Era蛋白的进一步表达,而YggG294的过表达引起宿主菌生长抑制与YggG和Era蛋白间的相互作用无关