Gibt es Ruderalpflanzen, die für Europa endemisch sind?

Some of the endemic vascular plants in Europe tend to be ruderals (including agricultural lands). These 200 or 300 taxa represent roughly 5 % of all European endemics (see list in the appendix). Aspects of origen and evolution are discussed

Centers of endemism and the potential of zoos and botanical gardens in conservation of endemics

Knowledge about ecological conditions and processes in centers of endemism (CoEs) is still limited with respect to various systematic groups of organisms, ecosystem types, ecological conditions, and ecosystem services. We review the characterization, identification, and meaning of CoEs. Endemics play an increasing and prominent role in nature conservation monitoring and management and in the organization of zoos, aquaria, and botanical gardens. We examine the importance of different groups of organisms and indicators for the characterization of endemicrich regions, e.g., with regard to the richness of endemics per region and degree of endemism, the importance of heterogeneity in space, continuity in time, isolation, and ex situ management for the survival of endemic species. Currently, conversion of land cover and land use change are the most important causes of biodiversity decline and extinction risk of endemic and endangered species. These are followed by climate change, including severe weather, and then natural processes such as volcanism, landslides, or tsunamis. For conservation purposes, the management of regional land use, zoos, aquaria, botanical gardens, and social aspects of the diversity of endemics and CoEs have to be taken into account as well. We find that the ex situ representation of endemics in general is limited, and conservation networks in this regard can be improved. We need better answers to questions about the relationship between ecoregions, CoEs and regional awareness of endemism, which is linked with human culture including aesthetics, well-being, health, and trade.https://www.mdpi.com/journal/jzbgPlant Production and Soil ScienceSDG-15:Life on lan

Interrelations between blood-brain barrier permeability and matrix metalloproteinases are differently affected by tissue plasminogen activator and hyperoxia in a rat model of embolic stroke

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In ischemic stroke, blood-brain barrier (BBB) regulations, typically involving matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and inhibitors (TIMPs) as mediators, became interesting since tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)-related BBB breakdown with risk of secondary hemorrhage was considered to involve these mediators too. Despite high clinical relevance, detailed interactions are purely understood. After a pilot study addressing hyperoxia as potential neuroprotective co-treatment to tPA, we analyzed interrelations between BBB permeability (BBB-P), MMPs and TIMPs.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Rats underwent embolic middle cerebral artery occlusion (eMCAO) and treatment with normobaric (NBO) or hyperbaric oxygen (HBO), tPA, tPA+HBO, or no treatment. BBB-P was assessed by intravenously applied FITC-albumin at 4 or 24 hours. MMP-2/-9 and TIMP-1/-2 serum levels were determined at 5 or 25 hours. Time point-corrected partial correlations were used to explore interrelations of BBB-P in ischemic regions (extra-/intravasal FITC-albumin ratio) and related serum markers. BBB-P correlated positively with MMP-2 and MMP-9 in controls, whereas hyperoxia led to an inverse association, most pronounced for HBO/MMP-9 (r = -0.606; <it>P </it>< 0.05). As expected, positive coefficients were observed after treatment with tPA. Co-treatment with HBO attenuated and in part reversed this effect, but to a lower degree than HBO alone. Amongst MMPs and TIMPs, significant associations shifted from MMP-9 to -2 when comparing treatment with HBO/tPA and tPA+HBO. TIMPs were significantly interrelated after tPA, tPA+HBO, and interestingly, HBO alone.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>HBO was found to reverse the positively directed interrelation of BBB-P and MMPs after eMCAO, but this effect failed to sustain in the expected amount when HBO and tPA were given simultaneously.</p

A Combined Clinical and Serum Biomarker-Based Approach May Allow Early Differentiation Between Patients With Minor Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack as Well as Mid-term Prognostication

Background: Early differentiation between transient ischemic attack (TIA) and minor ischemic stroke (MIS) impacts on the patient’s individual diagnostic work-up and treatment. Furthermore, estimations regarding persisting impairments after MIS are essential to guide rehabilitation programs. This study evaluated a combined clinical- and serum biomarker-based approach for the differentiation between TIA and MIS as well as the mid-term prognostication of the functional outcome, which is applicable within the first 24 h after symptom onset. Methods: Prospectively collected data were used for a retrospective analysis including the neurological deficit at admission (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, NIHSS) and the following serum biomarkers covering different pathophysiological aspects of stroke: Coagulation (fibrinogen, antithrombin), inflammation (C reactive protein), neuronal damage in the cellular [neuron specific enolase], and the extracellular compartment [matrix metalloproteinase-9, hyaluronic acid]. Further, cerebral magnetic resonance imaging was performed at baseline and day 7, while functional outcome was evaluated with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) after 3, 6, and 12 months. Results: Based on data from 96 patients (age 64 ± 14 years), 23 TIA patients (NIHSS 0.6 ± 1.1) were compared with 73 MIS patients (NIHSS 2.4 ± 2.0). In a binary logistic regression analysis, the combination of NIHSS and serum biomarkers differentiated MIS from TIA with a sensitivity of 91.8% and a specificity of 60.9% [area under the curve (AUC) 0.84]. In patients with NIHSS 0 at admission, this panel resulted in a still acceptable sensitivity of 81.3% (specificity 71.4%, AUC 0.69) for the differentiation between MIS (n = 16) and TIA (n = 14). By adding age, remarkable sensitivities of 98.4, 100, and 98.2% for the prediction of an excellent outcome (mRS 0 or 1) were achieved with respect to time points investigated within the 1-year follow-up. However, the specificity was moderate and decreased over time (83.3, 70, 58.3%; AUC 0.96, 0.92, 0.91). Conclusion: This pilot study provides evidence that the NIHSS combined with selected serum biomarkers covering pathophysiological aspects of stroke may represent a useful tool to differentiate between MIS and TIA within 24 h after symptom onset. Further, this approach may accurately predict the mid-term outcome in minor stroke patients, which might help to allocate rehabilitative resources

Autonomic reactions and peri-interventional alterations in body weight as potential supplementary outcome parameters for thromboembolic stroke in rats

BACKGROUND: Since several neuroprotectives failed to reproduce promising preclinical results under clinical conditions, efforts emerged to implement clinically relevant endpoints in animal stroke studies. Thereby, insufficient attention was given on autonomic reactions due to experimental stroke, although clinical trials reported on high functional and prognostic impact. This study focused on autonomic consequences and body weight changes in a translational relevant stroke model and investigated interrelations to different outcome measurements. METHODS: Forty-eight rats underwent thromboembolic middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) while recording heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP). After assessing early functional impairment (Menzies score), animals were assigned to control procedure or potentially neuroprotective treatment with normobaric (NBO) or hyperbaric oxygen (HBO). Four or 24 hours after ischemia onset, functional impairment was re-assessed and FITC-albumin administered intravenously obtaining leakage-related blood–brain barrier (BBB) impairment. Body weight was documented prior to MCAO and 4 or 24 hours after ischemia onset. RESULTS: During MCAO, HR was found to increase significantly while MAP decreased. The amount of changes in HR was positively correlated with early functional impairment (P = 0.001): Severely affected animals provided an increase of 15.2 compared to 0.8 beats/minute in rats with low impairment (P = 0.048). Regarding body weight, a decrease of 9.4% within 24 hours after MCAO occurred, but treatment-specific alterations showed no significant correlations with respective functional or BBB impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Future studies should routinely include autonomic parameters to allow inter-group comparisons and better understanding of autonomic reactions due to experimental stroke. Prospectively, autonomic consequences might represent a useful outcome parameter enhancing the methodological spectrum of preclinical stroke studies

Early outcome and blood-brain barrier integrity after co-administered thrombolysis and hyperbaric oxygenation in experimental stroke

Background After promising results in experimental stroke, normobaric (NBO) or hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) have recently been discussed as co-medication with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) for improving outcome. This study assessed the interactions of hyperoxia and tPA, focusing on survival, early functional outcome and blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity following experimental stroke. Methods Rats (n=109) underwent embolic middle cerebral artery occlusion or sham surgery. Animals were assigned to: Control, NBO (60-minute pure oxygen), HBO (60-minute pure oxygen at 2.4 absolute atmospheres), tPA, or HBO+tPA. Functional impairment was assessed at 4 and 24 hours using Menzies score, followed by intravenous application of FITC-albumin as a BBB permeability marker, which was allowed to circulate for 1 hour. Further, blood sampling was performed at 5 and 25 hours for MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 concentration. Results Mortality rates did not differ significantly between groups, whereas functional improvement was found for NBO, tPA and HBO+tPA. NBO and HBO tended to stabilize BBB and to reduce MMP-2. tPA tended to increase BBB permeability with corresponding MMP and TIMP elevation. Co-administered HBO failed to attenuate these early deleterious effects, independent of functional improvement. Conclusions The long-term consequences of simultaneously applied tPA and both NBO and HBO need to be addressed by further studies to identify therapeutic potencies in acute stroke, and to avoid unfavorable courses following combined treatment

GrassPlot - a database of multi-scale plant diversity in Palaearctic grasslands

GrassPlot is a collaborative vegetation-plot database organised by the Eurasian Dry Grassland Group (EDGG) and listed in the Global Index of Vegetation-Plot Databases (GIVD ID EU-00-003). GrassPlot collects plot records (releves) from grasslands and other open habitats of the Palaearctic biogeographic realm. It focuses on precisely delimited plots of eight standard grain sizes (0.0001; 0.001;... 1,000 m(2)) and on nested-plot series with at least four different grain sizes. The usage of GrassPlot is regulated through Bylaws that intend to balance the interests of data contributors and data users. The current version (v. 1.00) contains data for approximately 170,000 plots of different sizes and 2,800 nested-plot series. The key components are richness data and metadata. However, most included datasets also encompass compositional data. About 14,000 plots have near-complete records of terricolous bryophytes and lichens in addition to vascular plants. At present, GrassPlot contains data from 36 countries throughout the Palaearctic, spread across elevational gradients and major grassland types. GrassPlot with its multi-scale and multi-taxon focus complements the larger international vegetationplot databases, such as the European Vegetation Archive (EVA) and the global database " sPlot". Its main aim is to facilitate studies on the scale-and taxon-dependency of biodiversity patterns and drivers along macroecological gradients. GrassPlot is a dynamic database and will expand through new data collection coordinated by the elected Governing Board. We invite researchers with suitable data to join GrassPlot. Researchers with project ideas addressable with GrassPlot data are welcome to submit proposals to the Governing Board

Einige wissenschaftstheoretische Überlegungen zur Pflanzensoziologie

Es kann gezeigt werden, daß die pflanzensoziologische Schule nach BRAUN-BLANQUET (1921 ff.) zu einem durchgängig extrinsischen und hierarchischen System führt, durch das ein sehr realistischer Abgriff an der Natur erreicht werden kann. Die verschiedenen hierarchischen Ebenen des Systems entsprechen verschiedenen Abstraktionsniveaus. Das System basiert auf der zentralen Erkenntnis, daß Pflanzen, die gemeinsam auf engem Raum wachsen, sich gegenseitig beeinflussen. Eine Aussagenlogik auf der kategorialen Ebene von Existenzsätzen, die sich auf diese Tatsache gründet, ist das durchgängige Agens des Systems. Nachbesserungen der Methoden im Detail sind notwendig, Erweiterungen in den Anwendungsbereichen möglich: Die Methode ist geeignet, fragmentarische Ausbildungen, Übergänge, Unikate ebenso zu repräsentieren wie inhomogene Bestände; das Kriterium des "einheitlichen Standortes" als Bedingung für die pflanzensoziologische Aufnahme ist begrifflich unscharf und im Gelände kaum jemals zu verwirklichen. Im Gegensatz zu den so genannten exakten Wissenschaften wird die Erfassung von Gesetzmäßigkeiten durch eine historische Komponente erschwert. Viele Fragen aus dem Problemfeld der a-Diversität und ihrer Dynamik, deren Beantwortung auch für den Naturschutz bedeutsam ist, sind noch unzureichend geklärt.It can be shown that the phytosociological approach, founded by BRAUN-BLANQUET (1921 ff.), leads to a consequent extrinsic and hierarchical system which provides a realistic image of nature. The different hierarchical levels of the system correspond to different levels of abstraction. The entire system is based on the central fact that plants which coexist in a small space influence each other. The predictive logic based on this fact is the connecting bond of the system. An evaluation of the methods in detail is necessary. It seems possible to enlarge their applicability: the methods are suitable to represent fragmentary units, transitions and unique situations just as well as heterogeneous stands. The criterion "uniform ecological standard" of the relevés is ambiguous and difficult to meet in the field. Because of history the registration of rules in phytosociology is more difficult than in sciences, which work in closed systems. Many questions concerning a-diversity and dynamics, of which several are also important for nature conservation, have not been answered, until now

Species diversity in plant communities of The Netherlands

Für 112.253 pflanzensoziologische Aufnahmen der Niederlande wurden Berechnungen zur Pflan­zenartenvielfalt durchgeführt. Eine Korrelationsanalyse zeigt den hochsignifikanten Zusammenhang der Artenvielfalt mit verschiedenen Standortsparametern auf. Artenreiche Bestände sind in den Niederlan­den vor allem im Offenland, hier besonders in Zwergbinsenfluren (Isoeto-Nanojuncetea), in Trocken- und Steppenrasen (Koelerio-Corynephoretea, Festuco-Brometea), Flachmooren (Parvocaricetea), Borstgrasrasen (Nardetea), im Wirtschaftsgrünland (Molinio-Arrhenatheretea) und Saumgesellschaften (Trifolio-Geranietea, Saginetea) zu finden. Artenarmut ist unter den verschiedensten ökologischen Bedingun­gen zu finden. Die sehr artenarmen Bestände repräsentieren häufig Wasserpflanzengesellschaften (Zosteretea, Potamogetonetea), Röhrichte (Phragmitetea), Ufergehölze (Salicetea purpureae), Salzrasen (Spartinetea) und Weißdünengesellschaften (Ammophiletea).The amount of a-diversity, based on vascular plants, bryophytes and lichens, was determined for 112,253 vegetation samples from the Netherlands. Correlation analyses show high significance between some ecological factors and the species diversity. Plant communities with high species density are primarily found in open landscapes, like meadows and pastures (Isoeto-Nanojuncetea, Koelerio-Corynephoretea, Parvocaricetea, Molinio-Arrhenatheretea, Nardetea, Festuco-Brometea). Some of them represent transition zones (Saginetea maritimae, Trifolio-Geranietea). Many samples with low species density belong to aquatic or flood plain vegetation types, reed com­munities or dune vegetation (Zosteretea, Potamogetonetea, Phragmitetea, Salicetea purpureae, Spartine­tea, Ammophiletea). However, species poor vegetation can also be recognized under a lot of other eco­logical conditions