Management of the bedload transport of the Milibach torrent for flood protection purpose – physical model based study

The Milibach River between Hasliberg-Reuti and Meiringen agglomerations in Switzerland has a limited hydraulic capacity leading to frequent flooding. During the 2005 flood event, large populated areas were inundated and damages exceeding many millions of Swiss francs occurred (Fig. 1). The deficit of the river flow capacity is essentially caused by a reduction of river cross sections due to local sediment deposits which lead to the overtopping of the lateral embankment

Gestion du charriage sur le torrent de Milibach pour la protection contre les inondations – optimisation sur modèle physique / Management of the bedload transport of the Milibach torrent for flood protection purpose – a physically-based model study

Le torrent du Milibach présente une capacité hydraulique insuffisante conduisant à des débordements fréquents dans le village de Meiringen notamment. Ce manque de capacité est dû essentiellement à l’accumulation de sédiments dans le lit du cours d’eau pendant les crues. Une solution pour retenir une partie des sédiments charriés et ainsi réduire le flux solide à l’amont de la région à risque a été proposée. Elle consiste en un réaménagement du cours d’eau et en la création de terrasses de déposition sédimentaire sur la rive gauche adjacente. Un modèle physique a été réalisé pour optimiser le projet expérimentalement. Les améliorations ont essentiellement porté sur l’intégration de seuils dans le cours d’eau et de digues transversales sur les terrasses d’alluvionnemen

Instream Measures in einer alpinen Schwallstrecke – eine erste Bilanz von der Hasliaare

In der Hasliaare in Innertkirchen wurden im Winter 2014/15 auf einer 300 m langen Flussstrecke fischökologische Aufwertungsmassnahmen in Form von Instream Measures (direkt im Fliessgewässer, innerhalb der Dämme) umgesetzt. Aus ökologischer Sicht lag der Hauptfokus auf dem Schaffen von Habitaten für Jungfischstadien der heimischen Forelle (Salmo trutta), da diese in der mit Buhnen kanalisierten Strecke bei Abflüssen grösser als 20 m³/s fehlen. In der Planungsphase mussten erstens die dynamischen Anforderungen eines Gebirgsflusses berücksichtigt werden. Zweitens musste bei der ökologischen Aufwertung das Schwall/ Sunk-Abflussregime beachtet werden, drittens sollte der Aufwand in einem akzeptablen Verhältnis zum ökologischen Mehrwert stehen und nicht zuletzt mussten die Ansprüche von vielen verschiedenen Akteuren berücksichtigt werden. Als Massnahmen wurde eine Kombination aus Belebtsteingruppen, Wurzelstöcken, Fischunterständen und abgeknickten Buhnen realisiert. Im Sommer und Herbst 2015 erfolgte eine erste Erfolgskontrolle, bei der die fischökologischen Verbesserungen aufgezeigt werden konnten

Evaluation der Ökomassnahmen: Bereich Biodiversität

1993 führte der Bund ökologische Direktzahlungen ein; seit 1999 ist die Erbringung des ökologischen Leistungsnachweises (ÖLN) durch die Landwirtschaftsbetriebe die Voraussetzung zum Bezug von Direktzahlungen. Heute werden 97 % der landwirtschaftlichen Nutzfläche nach den Regeln des ÖLN bewirtschaftet. Die wichtigste Massnahme des ÖLN, welche einen Einfluss auf die Biodiversität hat, ist, dass die Betriebe 7 % ihrer landwirtschaftlichen Nutzfläche (LN) als ökologische Ausgleichsflächen (öAF) auszuweisen haben (bei Spezialkulturen 3,5 %). Weitere Anforderungen des ÖLN (ausgeglichene Nährstoffbilanz, geregelte Fruchtfolge, Bodenschutz, gezielter Einsatz von Pflanzenschutzmitteln, tiergerechte Haltung der Nutztiere) können ebenfalls einen Einfluss haben, stehen jedoch weniger im Vordergrund

The Effect of Raltegravir Intensification on Low-level Residual Viremia in HIV-Infected Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

In a double-blind trial, Rajesh Gandhi and colleagues detect no significant reduction in viral load after people with low-level HIV viremia added an integrase inhibitor to their treatment regimen

Metalloprotease Meprinβ in Rat Kidney: Glomerular Localization and Differential Expression in Glomerulonephritis

Meprin (EC 3.4.24.18) is an oligomeric metalloendopeptidase found in microvillar membranes of kidney proximal tubular epithelial cells. Here, we present the first report on the expression of meprinβ in rat glomerular epithelial cells and suggest a potential involvement in experimental glomerular disease. We detected meprinβ in glomeruli of immunostained rat kidney sections on the protein level and by quantitative RT-PCR of laser-capture microdissected glomeruli on the mRNA level. Using immuno-gold staining we identified the membrane of podocyte foot processes as the main site of meprinβ expression. The glomerular meprinβ expression pattern was altered in anti-Thy 1.1 and passive Heymann nephritis (PHN). In addition, the meprinβ staining pattern in the latter was reminiscent of immunostaining with the sheep anti-Fx1A antiserum, commonly used in PHN induction. Using Western blot and immunoprecipitation assays we demonstrated that meprinβ is recognized by Fx1A antiserum and may therefore represent an auto-antigen in PHN. In anti-Thy 1.1 glomerulonephritis we observed a striking redistribution of meprinβ in tubular epithelial cells from the apical to the basolateral side and the cytosol. This might point to an involvement of meprinβ in this form of glomerulonephritis

The Metalloprotease Meprinβ Processes E-Cadherin and Weakens Intercellular Adhesion

BACKGROUND: Meprin (EC 3.4.24.18), an astacin-like metalloprotease, is expressed in the epithelium of the intestine and kidney tubules and has been related to cancer, but the mechanistic links are unknown. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We used MDCK and Caco-2 cells stably transfected with meprin alpha and or meprin beta to establish models of renal and intestinal epithelial cells expressing this protease at physiological levels. In both models E-cadherin was cleaved, producing a cell-associated 97-kDa E-cadherin fragment, which was enhanced upon activation of the meprin zymogen and reduced in the presence of a meprin inhibitor. The cleavage site was localized in the extracellular domain adjacent to the plasma membrane. In vitro assays with purified components showed that the 97-kDa fragment was specifically generated by meprin beta, but not by ADAM-10 or MMP-7. Concomitantly with E-cadherin cleavage and degradation of the E-cadherin cytoplasmic tail, the plaque proteins beta-catenin and plakoglobin were processed by an intracellular protease, whereas alpha-catenin, which does not bind directly to E-cadherin, remained intact. Using confocal microscopy, we observed a partial colocalization of meprin beta and E-cadherin at lateral membranes of incompletely polarized cells at preconfluent or early confluent stages. Meprin beta-expressing cells displayed a reduced strength of cell-cell contacts and a significantly lower tendency to form multicellular aggregates. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: By identifying E-cadherin as a substrate for meprin beta in a cellular context, this study reveals a novel biological role of this protease in epithelial cells. Our results suggest a crucial role for meprin beta in the control of adhesiveness via cleavage of E-cadherin with potential implications in a wide range of biological processes including epithelial barrier function and cancer progression

Genome-Wide Association Study in BRCA1 Mutation Carriers Identifies Novel Loci Associated with Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risk

BRCA1-associated breast and ovarian cancer risks can be modified by common genetic variants. To identify further cancer risk-modifying loci, we performed a multi-stage GWAS of 11,705 BRCA1 carriers (of whom 5,920 were diagnosed with breast and 1,839 were diagnosed with ovarian cancer), with a further replication in an additional sample of 2,646 BRCA1 carriers. We identified a novel breast cancer risk modifier locus at 1q32 for BRCA1 carriers (rs2290854, P = 2.7×10-8, HR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.09-1.20). In addition, we identified two novel ovarian cancer risk modifier loci: 17q21.31 (rs17631303, P = 1.4×10-8, HR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.17-1.38) and 4q32.3 (rs4691139, P = 3.4×10-8, HR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.17-1.38). The 4q32.3 locus was not associated with ovarian cancer risk in the general population or BRCA2 carriers, suggesting a BRCA1-specific associat

Effects of agri-environmental measures, site and landscape conditions on butterfly diversity of Swiss grasslands

Agri-environment schemes (AES) were introduced in Europe to mitigate the loss of biodiversity in cultivated landscapes. In Switzerland, farmers have to convert 7% of the arable land into ecological compensation areas (ECA) in order to enhance biodiversity, low-input grassland making up the major part of ECA. This study investigated during 6 years the effect of ECA grassland on butterfly diversity at the field and the landscape scales in two farming landscape units of the Swiss Plateau. Butterfly diversity was compared between low-input and conventional grasslands, controlling for potential influence of local site conditions and landscape context of grasslands. Low-input management of ECA grasslands had a significant impact on butterfly communities, but ECA and conventional grasslands differed more in the composition of species assemblages than in the number of butterfly species. The typical butterfly assemblages on ECA grassland might be linked to the slightly higher plant species richness due to management restrictions. However, the effectiveness of ECA grassland for promoting butterfly diversity varied according to local site conditions (field slope and orientation) and to the amount of ECA and semi-natural elements in the surrounding landscape. Thus, the present study underlines the necessity to account for such environmental variation at multiple scales to be able to detect and interpret effects of AES. Nevertheless, our results suggest that additional restoration measures should be adopted. Especially, the ECA scheme should promote a connected network of ECA grasslands and semi-natural habitats at the landscape scale

Effet des mesures agro-environnementales sur la diversité des papillons diurnes en Suisse : évaluation à l’échelle locale et à l’échelle du paysage

En Suisse, les agriculteurs doivent convertir 7% de la surface agricole utile en milieux extensifs, les surfaces de compensation écologique (SCE) afin de préserver et favoriser la biodiversité. L’objectif de cette étude est d’évaluer les effets de la compensation écologique à différentes échelles spatiales sur la diversité des papillons diurnes, dans trois régions caractérisées par des contextes agricoles et paysagers contrastés. Les effets respectifs (i) du type de gestion des champs localement (ii) du contexte paysager à différentes échelles spatiales et (iii) de la localisation régionale ont ainsi été testés sur la richesse spécifique et la composition spécifique des papillons. Les résultats montrent que le nombre d’espèces de papillons varie en fonction de la localisation régionale et du type de gestion localement, mais n’est pas influencé par les caractéristiques paysagères. La composition des communautés de papillons est expliquée en premier lieu par la région dans laquelle elles se situent, ces différences régionales traduisant un effet du type d’agriculture et de paysage à l’échelle régionale, ainsi qu’un effet du contexte biogéographique. Les assemblages d’espèces sont influencés dans une moindre mesure par le type de gestion localement, les SCE présentant des assemblages d’espèces typiques en comparaison des surfaces conventionnelles. Enfin, la composition des communautés de papillons varie selon la quantité de SCE et de forêts au sein du paysage environnant. Les résultats suggèrent donc que la gestion extensive des habitats est une mesure importante pour la conservation des papillons, mais les programmes agrienvironnementaux doivent également promouvoir un réseau de SCE et d’éléments seminaturels à l’échelle du paysage.In Switzerland, farmers have to convert 7% of the arable land into low-input habitats, the ecological compensation areas (ECA), in order to conserve and enhance biodiversity. This study aimed at assessing the effects of ecological compensation at different spatial scales on the diversity of diurnal butterflies, in three regions with contrasted farming and landscape context. The respective impacts of (i) type of field management at the local scale, (ii) landscape context at different spatial scales and (iii) regional location were tested on butterfly species richness and species assemblages. The results show that species richness varies according to region and management type locally, but is not influenced by the landscape context. Butterfly assemblages are first influenced by regional location, these regional differences expressing differences in farming type and landscape features at the regional scale, but also in biogeographical conditions. Species assemblages are to a lesser extent influenced by field management, ECA having typical species assemblages in comparison with conventional fields. Butterfly assemblages is also affected by the amount of ECA and forest in the surrounding landscape. The results suggest that low-input management is an important measure for the conservation of butterflies, but agri-environmental programmes should also promote a connected network of ECA and semi-natural elements at the landscape scale