Cork oak vulnerability to fire: the role of bark harvesting, tree characteristics and abiotic factors

Forest ecosystems where periodical tree bark harvesting is a major economic activity may be particularly vulnerable to disturbances such as fire, since debarking usually reduces tree vigour and protection against external agents. In this paper we asked how cork oak Quercus suber trees respond after wildfires and, in particular, how bark harvesting affects post-fire tree survival and resprouting. We gathered data from 22 wildfires (4585 trees) that occurred in three southern European countries (Portugal, Spain and France), covering a wide range of conditions characteristic of Q. suber ecosystems. Post-fire tree responses (tree mortality, stem mortality and crown resprouting) were examined in relation to management and ecological factors using generalized linear mixed-effects models. Results showed that bark thickness and bark harvesting are major factors affecting resistance of Q. suber to fire. Fire vulnerability was higher for trees with thin bark (young or recently debarked individuals) and decreased with increasing bark thickness until cork was 3–4 cm thick. This bark thickness corresponds to the moment when exploited trees are debarked again, meaning that exploited trees are vulnerable to fire during a longer period. Exploited trees were also more likely to be top-killed than unexploited trees, even for the same bark thickness. Additionally, vulnerability to fire increased with burn severity and with tree diameter, and was higher in trees burned in early summer or located in drier south-facing aspects. We provided tree response models useful to help estimating the impact of fire and to support management decisions. The results suggested that an appropriate management of surface fuels and changes in the bark harvesting regime (e.g. debarking coexisting trees in different years or increasing the harvesting cycle) would decrease vulnerability to fire and contribute to the conservation of cork oak ecosystemsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Factors predicting clinically significant fatigue in women following treatment for primary breast cancer

Cancer-related fatigue is common, complex, and distressing. It affects 70–100% of patients receiving chemotherapy and a significant number who have completed their treatments. We assessed a number of variables in women newly diagnosed with primary breast cancer (BrCa) to determine whether biological and/or functional measures are likely to be associated with the development of clinically significant fatigue (CSF). Two hundred twenty-three women participated in a study designed to document the impact of the diagnosis and treatment of primary breast cancer on function. Forty-four had complete data on all variables of interest at the time of confirmed diagnosis but prior to treatment (baseline) and ≥9 months post-diagnosis. Objective measures and descriptive variables included history, physical examination, limb volume, hemoglobin, white blood cell count, and glucose. Patient-reported outcomes included a verbal numerical rating of fatigue (0–10, a score of ≥4 was CSF), five subscales of the SF-36, Physical Activity Survey, and Sleep Questionnaire. At baseline, the entire cohort (n = 223) and the subset (n = 44) were not significantly different for demographic, biological, and self-reported data, except for younger age (p = 0.03) and ER+ (p = 0.01). Forty-five percent had body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25, 52% were post-menopause, and 52% received modified radical mastectomy, 39% lumpectomy, 52% chemotherapy, 68% radiation, and 86% hormonal therapy. Number of patients with CSF increased from 1 at baseline to 11 at ≥9 months of follow-up. CSF at ≥9 months significantly correlated with BMI ≥ 25, abnormal white blood cell count, and increase in limb volume and inversely correlated with vigorous activity and physical function (p < 0.05). Fatigue increases significantly following the treatment of BrCa. Predictors of CSF include high BMI and WBC count, increase in limb volume, and low level of physical activity. These are remediable

Olfactory Ensheathing Cell Transplantation in Experimental Spinal Cord Injury:Effect size and Reporting Bias of 62 Experimental Treatments: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Olfactory ensheathing cell (OEC) transplantation is a candidate cellular treatment approach for human spinal cord injury (SCI) due to their unique regenerative potential and autologous origin. The objective of this study was, through a meta-epidemiologic approach, (i) to assess the efficacy of OEC transplantation on locomotor recovery after traumatic experimental SCI and (ii) to estimate the likelihood of reporting bias and/or missing data. A study protocol was finalized before data collection. Embedded into a systematic review and meta-analysis, we conducted a literature research of databases including PubMed, EMBASE, and ISI Web of Science from 1949/01 to 2014/10 with no language restrictions, screened by two independent investigators. Studies were included if they assessed neurobehavioral improvement after traumatic experimental SCI, administrated no combined interventions, and reported the number of animals in the treatment and control group. Individual effect sizes were pooled using a random effects model. Details regarding the study design were extracted and impact of these on locomotor outcome was assessed by meta-regression. Missing data (reporting bias) was determined by Egger regression and Funnel-plotting. The primary study outcome assessed was improvement in locomotor function at the final time point of measurement. We included 49 studies (62 experiments, 1,164 animals) in the final analysis. The overall improvement in locomotor function after OEC transplantation, measured using the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) score, was 20.3% (95% CI 17.8-29.5). One missing study was imputed by trim and fill analysis, suggesting only slight publication bias and reducing the overall effect to a 19.2% improvement of locomotor activity. Dose-response ratio supports neurobiological plausibility. Studies were assessed using a 9-point item quality score, resulting in a median score of 5 (interquartile range [IQR] 3-5). In conclusion, OEC transplantation exerts considerable beneficial effects on neurobehavioral recovery after traumatic experimental SCI. Publication bias was minimal and affirms the translational potential of efficacy, but safety cannot be adequately assessed. The data justify OECs as a cellular substrate to develop and optimize minimally invasive and safe cellular transplantation paradigms for the lesioned spinal cord embedded into state-of-the-art Phase I/II clinical trial design studies for human SCI

Impacts of soil conditions and light availability on natural regeneration of Norway spruce Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. in low-elevation mountain forests

& Key message Natural regeneration of P. abies (L.) H. Karst. may reach high densities in lower mountain elevations. The highest densities were found in sites with moderate light availability, with low pH, and not near the riverbank. However, age-height classes differed in the predicted magnitude of response, but were consistent in response directions. Mosses and understory species typical of coniferous forests were positively correlated with regeneration density. & Context Norway spruce Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. in Central Europe is at risk under climate change scenarios, particularly in mountain regions. Little is known about the impact of environmental factors on the natural regeneration of P. abies in lowelevation mountain forests. & Aims We aimed to assess impacts of distance from the riverbank, soil pH, and light availability on natural P. abies regeneration. We hypothesized that (1) natural P. abiesregeneration would depend on light availability and soil pH and (2) there are understory plant species which may indicate the microsites suitable for natural regeneration of P. abies. & Methods The study was conducted in the Stołowe Mountains National Park (SW Poland, 600–800 m a.s.l.). We established 160 study plots (25 m2 ) for natural regeneration, light availability, soil pH, and understory vegetation assessment

Differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells into neuron/motoneuron-like cells for cell replacement therapy of spinal cord injury

Human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) are increasingly presumed to be a prospective stem cell source for cell replacement therapy in various degenerative and/or traumatic diseases. The potential of trans-differentiating hADSCs into motor neuron cells indisputably provides an alternative way for spinal cord injury (SCI) treatment. In the present study, a stepwise and efficient hADSC trans-differentiation protocol with retinoic acid (RA), sonic hedgehog (SHH), and neurotrophic factors were developed. With this protocol hADSCs could be converted into electrophysiologically active motoneuron-like cells (hADSC-MNs), which expressed both a cohort of pan neuronal markers and motor neuron specific markers. Moreover, after being primed for neuronal differentiation with RA/SHH, hADSCs were transplanted into SCI mouse model and they survived, migrated, and integrated into injured site and led to partial functional recovery of SCI mice. When ablating the transplanted hADSC-MNs harboring HSV-TK-mCherry overexpression system with antivirial Ganciclovir (GCV), functional relapse was detected by motor-evoked potential (MEP) and BMS assays, implying that transplanted hADSC-MNs participated in rebuilding the neural circuits, which was further confirmed by retrograde neuronal tracing system (WGA). GFP-labeled hADSC-MNs were subjected to whole-cell patch-clamp recording in acute spinal cord slice preparation and both action potentials and synaptic activities were recorded, which further confirmed that those pre-conditioned hADSCs indeed became functionally active neurons in vivo. As well, transplanted hADSC-MNs largely prevented the formation of injury-induced cavities and exerted obvious immune-suppression effect as revealed by preventing astrocyte reactivation and favoring the secretion of a spectrum of anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Our work suggests that hADSCs can be readily transformed into MNs in vitro, and stay viable in spinal cord of the SCI mouse and exert multi-therapeutic effects by rebuilding the broken circuitry and optimizing the microenvironment through immunosuppression

Value of Chiropractic Services at an On-Site Health Center Learning Objectives

Objective: Chiropractic care offered at an on-site health center could reduce the economic and clinical burden of musculoskeletal conditions. Methods: A retrospective claims analysis and clinical evaluation were performed to assess the influence of on-site chiropractic services on health care utilization and outcomes. Results: Patients treated off-site were significantly more likely to have physical therapy (P &lt; 0.0001) and outpatient visits (P &lt; 0.0001). In addition, the average total number of health care visits, radiology procedures, and musculoskeletal medication use per patient with each event were significantly higher for the off-site group (all P &lt; 0.0001). Last, headache, neck pain, and low back pain-functional status improved significantly (all P &lt; 0.0001). Conclusions: These results suggest that chiropractic services offered at on-site health centers may promote lower utilization of certain health care services, while improving musculoskeletal function. B ack and neck pain and severe headache or migraine comprise several of the most prevalent chronic medical problems. Back and neck pain are found among approximately a quarter of the US population aged 18 to 44 years and a third of the US population aged 45 to 64 years; whereas 20% of the population aged 18 to 44 years and 15% aged 45 to 64 years experience severe headaches or migraines. Moreover, these musculoskeletal problems have considerable and increasing economic burden. Direct costs in the United States for back and neck pain were $86 billion in 2005; a 65$14 billion in lost wages annually between 2002 and 2004. 3,4 In 2007, musculoskeletal cases tended to involve higher percentages of long-term work loss as compared with all nonfatal injuries and illnesses. Learning Objectives r Become familiar with data on the benefits of chiropractic care for common pain problems and the rationale for offering chiropractic services in occupational health settings. r Discuss the authors&apos; experience with offering chiropractic care at onsite health centers and their approach to assessing the value of onsite chiropractic services. r Summarize the findings on how chiropractic care affected utilization of healthcare services and its impact on functional status in patients with musculoskeletal conditions. Previous research has described the benefit of chiropractic care in the occupational setting. 9 Baldwin et al 10 performed a review of the literature and found that effectiveness of physician and chiropractic care for occupational lower back pain was similar, although chiropractic patients were more satisfied with treatment. Likewise, a retrospective analysis 9 of patients with work-related spinal injuries found lower subjective pain scores and improved tolerance for workrelated activities after chiropractic care. Moreover, functional scores after treatment were significantly improved among patients with either an acute or a subacute injury. Cerner Corporation, a health care company with 8500 associates and 11,600 lives (5530 associates, 6070 dependents) covered under its health benefits plan, hosts two on-site health centers designed to provide a range of worksite health care benefits for Cerner associates and their dependents, including chiropractic care. The onsite health centers offer convenience over off-site medical facilities through reductions in time spent away from work and waiting for appointments, as well as longer patient-doctor consultations. The services offered on-site include primary medical care, pharmacy services, health coaching, and condition management counseling; and in 2010, chiropractic services were introduced. It is hypothesized that, like the other services offered on-site, this chiropractic care will offer patients more convenient and quality care than they would receive off-site. This study had two objectives. The first was to determine whether providing chiropractic care at the on-site health centers versus care performed off-site by private practitioners was associated with lower utilization of health care visits (eg, inpatient, outpatient, and physical therapy), radiology procedures, and pain-related medication use. The second was to assess the effectiveness of on-site care through functional outcomes. Evaluating these endpoints will improve understanding of the value of on-site chiropractic care, specifically how it may contribute to the clinical and/or financial benefits provided by on-site health centers by providing effective and costeffective care. Recognizing the benefits of on-site chiropractic care may facilitate increased utilization of these services. METHODS A retrospective claims analysis was performed to evaluate health care utilization trends of patients who received chiropractic care at an on-site health center (&quot;on-site group&quot;) compared with those treated at off-site community-based chiropractic offices (&quot;offsite group&quot;) at least once durin