An Integrative Salt Marsh Conceptual Framework for Global Comparisons

Salt marshes occur globally across climatic and coastal settings, providing key linkages between terrestrial and marine ecosystems. However, salt marsh science lacks a unifying conceptual framework; consequently, historically well-studied locations have been used as normative benchmarks. To allow for more effective comparisons across the diversity of salt marshes, we developed an integrative salt marsh conceptual framework. We review ecosystem-relevant drivers from global to local spatial scales, integrate these multi-scale settings into a framework, and provide guidance on applying the framework using specific variables on 11 global examples. Overall, this framework allows for appropriate comparison of study sites by accounting for global, coastal, inter-, and intra-system spatial settings unique to each salt marsh. We anticipate that incorporating this framework into salt marsh science will provide a mechanism to critically evaluate research questions and a foundation for effective quantitative studies that deepen our understanding of salt marsh function across spatial scales

An integrative salt marsh conceptual framework for global comparisons

Salt marshes occur globally across climatic and coastal settings, providing key linkages between terrestrial and marine ecosystems. However, salt marsh science lacks a unifying conceptual framework; consequently, historically well-studied locations have been used as normative benchmarks. To allow for more effective comparisons across the diversity of salt marshes, we developed an integrative salt marsh conceptual framework. We review ecosystem-relevant drivers from global to local spatial scales, integrate these multi-scale settings into a framework, and provide guidance on applying the framework using specific variables on 11 global examples. Overall, this framework allows for appropriate comparison of study sites by accounting for global, coastal, inter-, and intra-system spatial settings unique to each salt marsh. We anticipate that incorporating this framework into salt marsh science will provide a mechanism to critically evaluate research questions and a foundation for effective quantitative studies that deepen our understanding of salt marsh function across spatial scales

Extraction of pure components from overlapped signals in gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is a widely used analytical technique for the identification and quantification of trace chemicals in complex mixtures. When complex samples are analyzed by GC-MS it is common to observe co-elution of two or more components, resulting in an overlap of signal peaks observed in the total ion chromatogram. In such situations manual signal analysis is often the most reliable means for the extraction of pure component signals; however, a systematic manual analysis over a number of samples is both tedious and prone to error. In the past 30 years a number of computational approaches were proposed to assist in the process of the extraction of pure signals from co-eluting GC-MS components. This includes empirical methods, comparison with library spectra, eigenvalue analysis, regression and others. However, to date no approach has been recognized as best, nor accepted as standard. This situation hampers general GC-MS capabilities, and in particular has implications for the development of robust, high-throughput GC-MS analytical protocols required in metabolic profiling and biomarker discovery. Here we first discuss the nature of GC-MS data, and then review some of the approaches proposed for the extraction of pure signals from co-eluting components. We summarize and classify different approaches to this problem, and examine why so many approaches proposed in the past have failed to live up to their full promise. Finally, we give some thoughts on the future developments in this field, and suggest that the progress in general computing capabilities attained in the past two decades has opened new horizons for tackling this important problem

Diagnosis and management of Cornelia de Lange syndrome:first international consensus statement

Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is an archetypical genetic syndrome that is characterized by intellectual disability, well-defined facial features, upper limb anomalies and atypical growth, among numerous other signs and symptoms. It is caused by variants in any one of seven genes, all of which have a structural or regulatory function in the cohesin complex. Although recent advances in next-generation sequencing have improved molecular diagnostics, marked heterogeneity exists in clinical and molecular diagnostic approaches and care practices worldwide. Here, we outline a series of recommendations that document the consensus of a group of international experts on clinical diagnostic criteria, both for classic CdLS and non-classic CdLS phenotypes, molecular investigations, long-term management and care planning

Osteochondroma of the sacrum: A case report and review of the literature

STUDY DESIGN. A case report and review of the literature. OBJECTIVES. To describe the en bloc excision and postoperative outcome of an osteochondroma of the sacrum compressing the neural elements, as well as review the literature on solitary osteochondroma involving the sacrum. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA. Osteochondroma is the most common primary benign bone tumor. However, this tumor rarely involves the spine and even more rarely involves the sacrum. To the best of our knowledge, en bloc excision of a solitary osteochondroma of the sacrum has not been previously reported. METHODS. An 11-year-old male presented with disabling radicular pain in the right lower extremity. Radiologic studies showed a lesion occurring from the sacral lamina that was compressing the S2 nerve root. The tumor was excised en bloc through a posterior approach. The cavitary defect within the sacrum was reconstructed with crushed cancellous allograft and demineralized bone matrix putty. A literature review of solitary sacral osteochondroma was conducted of the English-based medical literature. RESULTS. Histologic studies showed the tumor to be an osteochondroma. After surgery, pain was completely relieved, and neurologic function was normal. At the last follow-up, the sacroiliac joint remained intact, and there was no evidence of local recurrence. A literature review revealed 4 previous cases addressing osteochondroma of the sacrum. CONCLUSIONS. Osteochondroma is a rare primary benign bone tumor that can occur in the sacrum. Local contamination and, therefore, the likelihood of local recurrence, are decreased when an en bloc, as opposed to an intralesional, excision is performed. ©2006, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Multilevel en bloc spondylectomy and chest wall excision via a simultaneous anterior and posterior approach for Ewing sarcoma

Study Design. A case study of a patient with Ewing sarcoma of T8 and T9 with paravertebral and chest wall involvement, who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy and subsequent multilevel en bloc spondylectomy and chest wall excision using a simultaneous anterior and posterior approach. Objective. To show the feasibility of treating Ewing sarcoma of the thoracic spine with paravertebral and chest wall extension by multiagent chemotherapy followed by a multilevel en bloc spondylectomy and chest wall excision using a simultaneous anterior and posterior approach. Summary of Background Data. Ewing sarcoma is a primary malignant bone tumor that occasionally involves the spinal column. Most patients with Ewing sarcoma of the spine are treated with systemic chemotherapy followed by definitive local control. Radiation therapy is the usual mode of local control in these patients because the spinal column has historically been considered a surgically inaccessible site where wide surgical margins are difficult to obtain. However, en bloc spondylectomy techniques have been described that can probably further decrease the risk of local recurrence, thereby minimizing or even eliminating the need for radiation therapy. To our knowledge, a combined en bloc spondylectomy and chest wall excision in a patient with Ewing sarcoma in the spine has not been previously reported. Methods. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy consisting of vincristine, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide was administered. After completion of the chemotherapy, an en bloc spondylectomy of T8 and T9 with removal of the chest wall was achieved using a simultaneous anterior and posterior approach to the spine. A stackable carbon fiber cage filled with autograft and allograft bone was inserted between T7 and T10. The spine was stabilized with anterior and posterior instrumentation. The chest wall was reconstructed with contoured polymethylmethacrylate and polypropylene (Marlex, Textile Development Associates, Inc., Franklin Square, NY) mesh. Results. The patient maintained normal neurologic function, and pain was lessened. The margins were free of tumor, and tumor necrosis was 100%. After surgery, radiotherapy was not administered. No local tumor recurrence or distant metastases were evident at the last follow-up. Balance in the coronal and sagittal planes was maintained. The patient has returned to work and resumed normal activities of daily living. Conclusions. Multilevel en bloc spondylectomy and chest wall excision performed using a simultaneous anterior and posterior approach is a safe and effective technique that may be used to achieve adequate margins in select patients with malignant tumors involving the thoracic spine and chest wall. This technique can eliminate the need for radiation therapy in patients with Ewing sarcoma and probably decreases the risk of local recurrence compared with radiation therapy alone. © 2005, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Documento de enfoque: Evaluación de programa de país: México 2007-2011

Este documento describe la Evaluación de Programa de País (EPP) con respecto a la asistencia que el BID ha brindado a México durante el período 2007-2011 y se espera sirva como insumo para la preparación de la Estrategia de País que el BID preparará para 2013-2018. Para realizar las EPPs, el BID usa los criterios estándar de relevancia, eficiencia y efectividad. Estos criterios otorgan la suficiente flexibilidad para ordenar las preguntas de evaluación requeridas para esta evaluación. La información usada para la preparación de esta EPP se recogerá de tres fuentes principales: (i) percepciones de funcionarios de gobierno, usuarios y funcionaros del BID, (ii) análisis de datos empíricos disponibles, y (iii) un análisis de literatura y estudios del CONEVAL. Se realizará una prueba de coherencia mediante un proceso de triangulación.

Scaling-up to understand tree-pathogen interactions:a steep, tough climb or a walk in the park?

Plants have proficient tools that allow them to survive interactions with pathogens. Upon attack, they respond with specific countermeasures, which are controlled by the immune system. However, defences can fail and this failure exposes plants to fast-spreading devastation. Trees face similar challenges to other plants and their immune system allows them to mount defences against pathogens. However, their slow growth, longevity, woodiness, and size can make trees a challenging system to study. Here, we review scientific successes in plant systems, highlight the key challenges and describe the enormous opportunities for pathology research in trees. We discuss the benefits that scaling-up our understanding on tree–pathogen interactions can provide in the fight against plant pathogenic threats

Risk Assessment in Relation to Indoor Air Quality. Report No. 22.

Abstract not availableJRC.(EI)-Environment Institut