Do plant reproductive traits influence species susceptibility to decline?

Background and aims - Habitat destruction, eutrophication and fragmentation are the main drivers of plant extinctions. In addition to these environmental factors, it has been suggested that features related to intrinsic characteristics of the species play a role in their decline, however leading to widely divergent results. This paper aims at exploring whether intrinsic factors (species traits) can play a role in the decline of plant species, by specifically asking whether: (1) plant reproductive traits are significantly different between declining species and species that are doing well; and (2) these traits are related differently to species trend in different countries, suggesting context-dependent relationships. Methods - Species traits and trend indices were compared for large datasets from UK (1136 species) and Northern Belgium (1055 species) using multiple trait analysis (GLM) and single trait analysis (Kruskal- Wallis analysis of variance). Key results - Of the ten traits considered, type of reproduction and pollen vector showed by far the strongest association with species trend, although differently in each of the datasets considered. Species trends were also associated to flower class, floral reward, diaspore type, dicliny and breeding system, but patterns were not consistent among countries confirming a context-dependence of these findings. Conclusions - The relationships between decline and plant traits likely depend primarily upon extrinsic (environmental) factors, which might explain the difficulty in recognising consistent patterns. Consequently, environmental degradation (e.g. habitat destruction) is likely the main driver of plant decline and may cause extinctions irrespective of species traits. This context-dependence of the findings indicates that reliably identifying those species most prone to extinction based on their reproductive traits is problematic. We therefore recommend great caution when interpreting patterns emerging from the study of species traits. © 2014 Botanic Garden Meise and Royal Botanical Society of Belgium.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Pratique et interprétation de la spirométrie au cabinet du médecin de premier recours

Spirometry is a simple test, which has a central role in the early diagnosis and management of diseases that are very prevalent and may become symptomatic late in their evolution. This manuscript explores all the necessary steps for an optimal use of spirometry (choice of equipment, quality control, technique, and interpretation). Spirometry is easy to perform in a primary care setting and its use should be encouraged among primary care physicians. We discuss the indications of this test in the follow up of patients and cover the situations that need referral to the specialist

Wegwijzer voor een toegankelijke en interculturele drughulpverlening

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Migrants et Minorités Ethniques: Recueil sur l'accessibilité et l'interculturalité des services pour les usagers de drogues

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Ventilation non invasive. Les conseils 2015 du Groupe assistance ventilatoire (GAV) de la Société de pneumologie de langue française (SPLF)

A task force issued from the Groupe Assistance Ventilatoire (GAV) of the Société de Pneumologie de Langue Française (SPLF) was committed to develop a series of expert advice concerning various practical topics related to long-term non invasive ventilation by applying the Choosing Wisely® methodology. Three topics were selected: monitoring of noninvasive ventilation, the interpretation of data obtained from built-in devices coupled to home ventilators and the role of hybrid modes (target volume with variable pressure support. For each topic, the experts have developed practical tips based on a comprehensive analysis of recent insights and evidence from the literature and from clinical experience.SCOPUS: sh.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Candidate superdeformed band in 28Si

Recent antisymmetrized molecular dynamics (AMD) calculations for 28Si suggest the presence of a superdeformed (SD) band with a dominant 24Mg + α clustering for its configuration, with firm predictions for its location and associated moment of inertia. This motivates a review of the experimental results reported in the literature with a particular focus on 24Mg(α,γ ) studies, as well as on α-like heavy-ion transfer reactions such as 12C(20Ne,α) 28Si. Combining this information for the first time leads to a set of candidate SD states whose properties point to their α-cluster structure and strong associated deformation. Analysis of data from Gammasphere allows the electromagnetic decay of these candidate states to be probed and reveals further supporting evidence for such a structure. This paper appraises this body of information and finds the evidence for an SD band is strong.peerReviewe

Response to Statin Therapy in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

Rationale. Accumulated evidence implicates sympathetic activation as inducing oxidative stress and systemic inflammation, which in turn lead to hypertension, endothelial dysfunction, and atherosclerosis in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Statins through their pleiotropic properties may modify inflammation, lipid profile, and cardiovascular outcomes in OSA. Methods. This multicenter, randomized, double-blind study compared the effects of atorvastatin 40 mg/day versus placebo over 12 weeks on endothelial function (the primary endpoint) measured by peripheral arterial tone (PAT). Secondary endpoints included office blood pressure (BP), early carotid atherosclerosis, arterial stiffness measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV), and metabolic parameters. Results. 51 severe OSA patients were randomized. Key demographics for the study population were age 54 ± 11 years, 21.6% female, and BMI 28.5 ± 4.5 kg/m2. In intention to treat analysis, mean PAT difference between atorvastatin and placebo groups was 0.008 (−0.29; 0.28), P=0.979. Total and LDL cholesterol significantly improved with atorvastatin. Systolic BP significantly decreased with atorvastatin (mean difference: −6.34 mmHg (−12.68; −0.01), P=0.050) whereas carotid atherosclerosis and PWV were unchanged compared to the placebo group. Conclusion. In OSA patients, 3 months of atorvastatin neither improved endothelial function nor reduced early signs of atherosclerosis although it lowered blood pressure and improved lipid profile. This trial is registered with NCT00669695

Response to Statin Therapy in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

Rationale. Accumulated evidence implicates sympathetic activation as inducing oxidative stress and systemic inflammation, which in turn lead to hypertension, endothelial dysfunction, and atherosclerosis in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Statins through their pleiotropic properties may modify inflammation, lipid profile, and cardiovascular outcomes in OSA. Methods. This multicenter, randomized, double-blind study compared the effects of atorvastatin 40 mg/day versus placebo over 12 weeks on endothelial function (the primary endpoint) measured by peripheral arterial tone (PAT). Secondary endpoints included office blood pressure (BP), early carotid atherosclerosis, arterial stiffness measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV), and metabolic parameters. Results. 51 severe OSA patients were randomized. Key demographics for the study population were age 54 ± 11 years, 21.6% female, and BMI 28.5 ± 4.5 kg/m 2 . In intention to treat analysis, mean PAT difference between atorvastatin and placebo groups was 0.008 (−0.29; 0.28), = 0.979. Total and LDL cholesterol significantly improved with atorvastatin. Systolic BP significantly decreased with atorvastatin (mean difference: −6.34 mmHg (−12.68; −0.01), = 0.050) whereas carotid atherosclerosis and PWV were unchanged compared to the placebo group. Conclusion. In OSA patients, 3 months of atorvastatin neither improved endothelial function nor reduced early signs of atherosclerosis although it lowered blood pressure and improved lipid profile. This trial is registered with NCT00669695