Omecamtiv mecarbil in chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, GALACTIC‐HF: baseline characteristics and comparison with contemporary clinical trials

Aims: The safety and efficacy of the novel selective cardiac myosin activator, omecamtiv mecarbil, in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is tested in the Global Approach to Lowering Adverse Cardiac outcomes Through Improving Contractility in Heart Failure (GALACTIC‐HF) trial. Here we describe the baseline characteristics of participants in GALACTIC‐HF and how these compare with other contemporary trials. Methods and Results: Adults with established HFrEF, New York Heart Association functional class (NYHA) ≥ II, EF ≤35%, elevated natriuretic peptides and either current hospitalization for HF or history of hospitalization/ emergency department visit for HF within a year were randomized to either placebo or omecamtiv mecarbil (pharmacokinetic‐guided dosing: 25, 37.5 or 50 mg bid). 8256 patients [male (79%), non‐white (22%), mean age 65 years] were enrolled with a mean EF 27%, ischemic etiology in 54%, NYHA II 53% and III/IV 47%, and median NT‐proBNP 1971 pg/mL. HF therapies at baseline were among the most effectively employed in contemporary HF trials. GALACTIC‐HF randomized patients representative of recent HF registries and trials with substantial numbers of patients also having characteristics understudied in previous trials including more from North America (n = 1386), enrolled as inpatients (n = 2084), systolic blood pressure < 100 mmHg (n = 1127), estimated glomerular filtration rate < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 (n = 528), and treated with sacubitril‐valsartan at baseline (n = 1594). Conclusions: GALACTIC‐HF enrolled a well‐treated, high‐risk population from both inpatient and outpatient settings, which will provide a definitive evaluation of the efficacy and safety of this novel therapy, as well as informing its potential future implementation

Influenţa parametrilor meteorologici lunari şi periodici asupra creşterii radiale a bradului, pinului silvestru şi laricelui din Banat [The influence of monthly and periodical meteorological parameters on the radial growth of Silver fir, Scots pine and larch in Banat]

The purpose of this study was to determine the climatic variables (monthly and periodic) that are mostly related with the increase in basal area of silver fir, scots pine and larch from Semenic Mountains. The relationship between climate and trees radial growth was highlighted using dendroclimatological methods. By using periodic variables, in contrast to monthly varibles, a higher numer of statistical significant periods with an effect on auxological processes of the trees has been found. Compared to the use of monthly variables in the analysis, the periodicals climatic variables highlights many more statistically significant periods of the year that influencing auxological processes of the trees. Also, by using this type of analysis much higher values of the correlation coefficients have been obtained. Although most other dendroclimatological studies have used monthly values of climate variables to quantify the relationship between climate and trees growth in diameter, this study revealed that the analysis of correlation coefficients between the increase in the the tree basal area and periodic climate variables is the type of analysis that reflects most closely the relationship between the auxological processes of trees and climate variation

Dendroclimatic Response Variability of Quercus species in the Romanian Intensive Forest Monitoring Network

Oaks are among the most important broad-leaved species in Romanian forests from both an economic and socio-ecological point of view. A significant decline of these species has been observed, which was first evident in various studies and investigations followed by the more results of interdisciplinary research performed in intensive monitoring plots (level II) showing that the decline is climate induced. Thus, it is important to understand the climate change conditions and factors that influence Quercus spp. Typical dendroclimatological investigations were conducted on an intensive forest monitoring network based on four oak species (Q. robur, Q. petraea, Q.cerris, and Q. frainetto) in 7 permanent plots placed in southern Romania. Three patterns of climate-growth relationships were identified and discerned in accordance with the Quercus species. All oak species were found to have a positive correlation with the level of precipitation. In addition, the intensity and level of significance of correlation coefficients differ from one species to another and from one region to another.</p

Dendroclimatic Response Variability of Quercus species in the Romanian Intensive Forest Monitoring Network

Oaks are among the most important broad-leaved species in Romanian forests from both an economic and socio-ecological point of view. A significant decline of these species has been observed, which was first evident in various studies and investigations followed by the more results of interdisciplinary research performed in intensive monitoring plots (level II) showing that the decline is climate induced. Thus, it is important to understand the climate change conditions and factors that influence Quercus spp. Typical dendroclimatological investigations were conducted on an intensive forest monitoring network based on four oak species (Q. robur, Q. petraea, Q.cerris, and Q. frainetto) in 7 permanent plots placed in southern Romania. Three patterns of climate-growth relationships were identified and discerned in accordance with the Quercus species. All oak species were found to have a positive correlation with the level of precipitation. In addition, the intensity and level of significance of correlation coefficients differ from one species to another and from one region to another.</p

Influence of Planting Scheme on Some Physical Properties of Norway Spruce (<i>Picea abies</i> (L.) H. Karst) Wood

This study analyses the influence of a planting scheme on physical properties of Norway spruce wood. The research material consisted of 326 Norway spruce trees (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst) selected from an experimental plot with four planting variants (2500, 3330, 5000, and 7510 trees·ha−1). The research aspects were: (1) wood density (measured by volumetric method and using microdrilling resistance as proxy), (2) microdrilling resistance, and (3) sound speed. There was a decrease in wood density values (from 0.3376 to 0.3367 g·cm−3) and in microdrilling resistance values (from 15.136% to 14.292%) as the number of trees·ha−1 used for plantation increased from 2500 to 5000. The planting variant with 7510 trees·ha−1 had the largest value (0.3445 g·cm−3 for wood density and 15.531% for microdrilling resistance). Sound speed decreased from 1032.8 to 989.8 m·s−1 as the number of trees·ha−1 increased from 2500 to 7510. These results show a relationship between DBH values and studied physical properties. This relationship is more evident for variants with low planting density (e.g., 2500, 3330 trees·ha−1) than that of dense planting variants (e.g., 7510 trees·ha−1). The explanation may be that the growth of trees in dense plantings is slower; in less dense planting variants, the increase in wood is greater, and as a result, wood volumetric density dependence on the DBH value is greater

Impact of Industrial Pollution on Radial Growth of Conifers in a Former Mining Area in the Eastern Carpathians (Northern Romania)

The research aims to evaluate the impact of local industrial pollution on radial growth in affected Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) stands in the Tarnița study area in Suceava. For northeastern Romania, the Tarnița mining operation constituted a hotspot of industrial pollution. The primary processing of non-ferrous ores containing heavy metals in the form of complex sulfides was the main cause of pollution in the Tarnița region from 1968 to 1990. Air pollution of Tarnița induced substantial tree growth reduction from 1978 to 1990, causing a decline in tree health and vitality. Growth decline in stands located over 6 km from the pollution source was weaker or absent. Spruce trees were much less affected by the phenomenon of local pollution than fir trees. We analyzed the dynamics of resilience indices and average radial growth indices and found that the period in which the trees suffered the most from local pollution was between 1978 and 1984. Growth recovery of the intensively polluted stand was observed after the 1990s when the environmental condition improved because of a significant reduction in air pollution

Assessing Standing-Tree Wood Density by Microdrilling in Tending Forestry Work Carried Out on Norway Spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst) Stands

This study analyses the possibility of assessing standing-tree wood density by microdrilling during tending forestry work carried out on Norway spruce stands. The research material comes from 4 experimental plots and consists of 270 trees (78 trees = control variant, 85 trees = moderate variant, and 107 trees = strong variant). The research objectives were to: (1) highlight wood density particularities, (2) identify wood resistance to microdrilling particularities, and (3) assess standing-tree wood density by microdrilling. For the control variant, average density recorded values of 0.357 &plusmn; 0.021 and 0.386 &plusmn; 0.027 g&middot;cm&minus;3; in the moderate variant, values were between 0.359 &plusmn; 0.029 and 0.393 &plusmn; 0.027 g&middot;cm&minus;3; and the strong variant was characterized by the limits of 0.364 &plusmn; 0.020 and 0.397 &plusmn; 0.027 g&middot;cm&minus;3. Average microdrilling resistance values were between 16.6 &plusmn; 2.6 and 22.5 &plusmn; 3.0% for the control variant; the moderate variant was characterized by the limits of 18.3 &plusmn; 3.1 and 23.4 &plusmn; 3.3%; and the strong variant recorded value of 19.7 &plusmn; 2.6 and 20.5 &plusmn; 2.6 (1.5)%. The linear regression results showed that microdrilling resistance increased as wood density increased. Additionally, generalized linear models showed that, when using covariates of microdrill resistance and tree diameter at breast height, there was a significant influence on the dependent variable, wood density, for all considered work variants. These results suggest that it is possible to consistently estimate both quality and resistance in Norway spruce standing trees using microdrilling. Our findings suggest that wood density and microdrilling resistance are dependent on biometric and qualitative characteristics, as well as the amount of tending forestry work conducted on Norway spruce stands

Broad-Leaved Tree Growth Modulated by Industrial Air Pollution in the Northern Romania (Baia Mare Region)

Atmospheric pollutants over the last century have led to increased negative impacts on the environment, especially on forest ecosystems. In the Baia Mare region of Romania, the influence of pollution on the neighboring forests of the municipality has been reported since 1970, and its negative effects have been reported mainly in the form of reduced tree growth, which implies significant losses of wood biomass. The objective of this study is to analyze the temporal and spatial effect of industrial pollution on the auxological processes of beech trees in this region. Quantification of auxological changes was performed by analyzing the resilience, recovery and resistance indices. The most intense negative effect of local pollution with heavy metal dusts, sulfur and nitrogen oxides, and sulfuric acid vapors, on the auxological processes of beech trees was found in the period 1960&ndash;1990, with a maximum in the period 1970&ndash;1980, when the mining activity was at its highest intensity. Beech trees responded to the negative effect of pollution by significantly reducing their growth during the period affected by local pollution, and after 1990 they resumed their auxological activity close to normal. In addition, it was noted that the index that best captures the effect of pollution over time is the resilience index. Tree growth resilience, recovery, and resistance assessment and analysis significantly contributes to our understanding of trees response to environment pollution more broadly creating also the base for strategic planning initiatives with valuable insight into the efforts of making the forests more resilient and resistant

A couples-focused intervention for smoking cessation during pregnancy: The study protocol of the Quit Together pilot randomized controlled trial

Tobacco smoking remains the leading global cause of preventable disease and death. Preconception and pregnancy smoking are high in Central and Eastern Europe. Quit Together is a partnership between a US university and a Romanian university, obstetrics and gynecology clinics in Romania, and other community partners in Romania. The objective of the Quit Together pilot study is to adapt, enhance and test the implementation feasibility and initial efficacy of an evidence-based pregnancy and postnatal couple intervention for smoking cessation in Romania. Quit Together builds on the Motivation and Problem Solving (MAPS) approach, enhanced by targeting the couples’ smoking behavior and focusing on dyadic efficacy for smoking cessation. The study is an ongoing randomized controlled trial of 120 Romanian pregnant smokers and their partners. Participants are randomized to: 1) an intervention arm consisting, typically, of up to 8 prenatal and postnatal telephone counseling calls for the women and 4 for their partners, combining motivational strategies and problem-solving/ coping skills to encourage the woman to quit smoking and the partner to support her decision; and 2) a control arm (usual care). The primary outcome is maternal biochemically verified smoking abstinence at 3 months postpartum. Quit Together has the potential to identify effective strategies to increase maternal smoking cessation during pregnancy and smoking abstinence after birth. If effective, Quit Together is expected to have a sustainable positive impact on the health of the child, mother and partner, and potentially reduced health system costs