Enhanced ozone strongly reduces carbon sink strength of adult beech (Fagus sylvatica) – Resume from the free-air fumigation study at Kranzberg Forest

Ground-level ozone (O3) has gained awareness as an agent of climate change. In this respect, key results are comprehended from a unique 8-year free-air O3-fumigation experiment, conducted on adult beech (Fagus sylvatica) at Kranzberg Forest (Germany). A novel canopy O3 exposure methodology was employed that allowed whole-tree assessment in situ under twice-ambient O3 levels. Elevated O3 significantly weakened the C sink strength of the tree–soil system as evidenced by lowered photosynthesis and 44% reduction in whole-stem growth, but increased soil respiration. Associated effects in leaves and roots at the gene, cell and organ level varied from year to year, with drought being a crucial determinant of O3 responsiveness. Regarding adult individuals of a late-successional tree species, empirical proof is provided first time in relation to recent modelling predictions that enhanced ground-level O3 can substantially mitigate the C sequestration of forests in view of climate change

Cardiovalve in mitral valve position—Additional solution for valve replacement

We report on a 72 years old male patient with recurrent heart failure hospitalizations caused by severe mitral regurgitation due to severe restriction of the posterior mitral leaflet treated with the transfemoral mitral valve replacement (TMVR) system Cardiovalve. Immediate interventional success was obtained resulting in a quick mobilization and discharge

Evaluation of methods to estimate production, biomass and turnover of ectomycorrhizal mycelium in forests soils : A review

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

The Analysis of Genetic Variability of Norway Spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) Subpopulation at the Igman Mountain

Uporabom 12 izoenzimskih sustava, te analizom 20 gen lokusa, uspoređivana je genetička struktura dviju subpopulacija s planine Igman. Prema ekološkim pokazateljima, a misli se na klimu i njeno djelovanje, postoje razlike između subpopulacija, jer jedna pripada mrazištu a druga tipičnoj planinskoj klimi. Rezultati analize izoenzimskih biljega upućuju na postojanje razlika između analiziranih subpopulacija.In this study we analyzed the genetic structure of two autochthonous subpopulations of Norway spruce in the Mountain of Igman by usage of isoenzyme markers. We collected the material for the analysis in two separate plant communities. The subpopulation Igman – A is represented by fir-tree and spruce forest with randomly distributed white pine trees (Abieti-Piceetum illyricum Stef. 1960) while the Igman – B subpopulation is represented through the spruce tree of frosty type in the mountain area (Piceetum montanum s.lat. (Fuk. et Stef., 1958, emend. Horv. et al., 1974)). Between the subpopulations there is a 150 m difference in altitude. We analyzed the following systems of Acotinase (Aco-A), Glutamate dehydrogenase (Gdh-A), Glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (Got-A, Got-B, Got-C), Izocitrate dehidrogenase (Idh-A, Idh-B), Leucine aminopeptidase (Lap-B), Malate dehydrogenase (Mdh-A, Mdh-B, Mdh-C), Menadione reductase (Mnr-A, Mnr-C), Phosphoglucose isomerase (Pgi-B), Phosphoglucomutase (Pgm-A), Shikimate dehydrogenase (Skdh-A), 6-Phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-Pgdh-A, 6-Pgdh-B, 6-Pgdh-C) and Fluorescentesterase (Fest-B). The frequency of the allele and the frequency of genotypes show diversity between subpopulations. The Allele differentiation was most evident at loci Got-C, 6-Pgdh-A. In the sample of the Igman – A subpopulation the frequency of the allele Aco-A2 was 7 % lower, and the frequency of 6-Pgdh-A2 7 % higher than in the sample from Igman – B subpopulation. The genotype subpopulations are most explicitly differentiated at loci Fest-B, Got-C, Lap-B, Mdh-C, Mnr-A, Mnr-C, Pgi-B, 6-Pgdh-A, 6-Pgdh-B, 6-Pgdh-C. If the Igman – A subpopulation is compared with Igman – B subpopulation, we have 8–14% higher frequency of homozygote: Got-C44 (52 % vs. 44 %), Fest22 (90 % vs. 80 %), Mnr-A22 (12 % vs. 4 %), Mnr-C22 (94 % vs. 82 %), 6-Pgdh-A22 (94 % vs. 80 %), 6-Pgdh-C22 (42 % vs. 30 %) and from 10–14 % higher heterozygote frequency for gene loci: Lap-B46 (12 % vs. 0 %), Pgi-B23 (52 % vs. 42 %), 6-Pgdh-B25 (54 % vs. 40 %). In Igman – B subpopulation versus Igman – A subpopulation has 10 % higher homozygote frequency, as follows: Pgi-B33 (46 % vs. 36 %), 6-Pgdh-B22 (50 % vs. 40 %) and between 8–14 % heterozygote frequency Fest-B12 (14 % vs. 2 %), Mnr-A24 (70 % vs. 56 %), Mnr-C23 (16 % vs. 4 %), 6-Pgdh-A23 (12 % vs. 4 %), 6-Pgdh-C25 (60 % vs. 46 %). By statistical calculation we obtained an average number of allele per locus, thus in the subpopulation A the number of allele per locus was 2,71, and the effective was 1,307, and in the subpopulation B it was 2,59, while the effective number was 1,332. The actual heterozygosis in subpopulation A was 24,4 %, and expected was 84,1 %, and in the subpopulation B the actual was 26,2 %, and expected 81,9 %. The number of polymorphous loci in both populations was 17, and the percentage of polymorphous loci was 85,00%. Through the analysis of the allele genetic closeness and genetic distance (d0), we can conclude that the closeness is very high, and differences are relatively small. Thus we determined that the allele closeness has the value of 0,959, and the distance is 0,041 according to Gregorius (1974), which in our case is an extremely high value taking into account the distance between subpopulations of approximately 2 km. Applied statistical parameters for comparison of populations did not show major differences, but the analysis of the direct comparison of the allele presence and their frequency points at the existence of differences, that is, the influence of diverse selection pressures at populations

The production and turnover of extramatrical mycelium of ectomycorrhizal fungi in forest soils : role in carbon cycling

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Effect of eplerenone on parathyroid hormone levels in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Increasing evidence suggests the bidirectional interplay between parathyroid hormone and aldosterone as an important mechanism behind the increased risk of cardiovascular damage and bone disease observed in primary hyperparathyroidism. Our primary object is to assess the efficacy of the mineralocorticoid receptor-blocker eplerenone to reduce parathyroid hormone secretion in patients with parathyroid hormone excess.</p> <p>Methods/design</p> <p>Overall, 110 adult male and female patients with primary hyperparathyroidism will be randomly assigned to eplerenone (25 mg once daily for 4 weeks and 4 weeks with 50 mg once daily after dose titration] or placebo, over eight weeks. Each participant will undergo detailed clinical assessment, including anthropometric evaluation, 24-h ambulatory arterial blood pressure monitoring, echocardiography, kidney function and detailed laboratory determination of biomarkers of bone metabolism and cardiovascular disease.</p> <p>The study comprises the following exploratory endpoints: mean change from baseline to week eight in (1) parathyroid hormone(1–84) as the primary endpoint and (2) 24-h systolic and diastolic ambulatory blood pressure levels, NT-pro-BNP, biomarkers of bone metabolism, 24-h urinary protein/albumin excretion and echocardiographic parameters reflecting systolic and diastolic function as well as cardiac dimensions, as secondary endpoints.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>In view of the reciprocal interaction between aldosterone and parathyroid hormone and the potentially ensuing target organ damage, the EPATH trial is designed to determine whether eplerenone, compared to placebo, will effectively impact on parathyroid hormone secretion and improve cardiovascular, renal and bone health in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>ISRCTN33941607</p

Belowground Biodiversity Relates Positively to Ecosystem Services of European Forests

Environmental Biolog