Plasma tumour necrosis factor correlates with mRNA expression of tumour necrosis factor and mitochondrial transcription factors in skeletal muscle in patients with chronic heart failure treated with cardiac resynchronization therapy: potential role in myopathy

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is characterized by inflammation and skeletal muscle myopathy, including impaired fibre type distribution and reduced capillary density, reduced cytochrome oxidase activity and reduced mitochondrial density. The myopathy is associated with activation of the interleukin-6–C-reactive protein pathway and the prototypical inflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor (TNF) with alterations in the mRNA expression of enzymes essential in mitochondrial biogenesis. Central in this process are peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and mitochondrial transcription factor (TFAM). The covariance over time between plasma levels of TNF and skeletal muscle mRNA expression of this pro-inflammatory cytokine, and the correlation between TNF and mRNA expression of enzymes essential in mitochondrial biogenesis and skeletal muscle pathology has not previously been evaluated in patients with CHF on stable medical treatment. The methods have been described previously and are briefly presented here.acceptedVersio

Air versus Sulfur Hexafluoride Gas Tamponade for Small and Medium-Sized Macular Holes: A Randomized Noninferiority Trial

Purpose: To investigate whether air tamponade is noninferior to sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas tamponade for small (≤ 250 μm) and medium-sized (> 250 μm and ≤ 400 μm) macular holes (MHs). Design: Multicenter, randomized controlled, noninferiority trial. Participants: Patients aged ≥ 18 years undergoing surgery for primary MHs of ≤ 400 μm in diameter. Methods: The patients in both groups underwent conventional pars plana vitrectomy with peeling of the internal limiting membrane. At the end of the surgery, the patients were randomized to receive either air or SF6 gas tamponades, stratified by MH size. Postoperatively, the patients followed a nonsupine positioning regimen for 3 days. Main Outcome Measures: The primary end point was the MH closure rate after a single surgery, confirmed by OCT after 2 to 8 weeks. The noninferiority margin was set at a 10–percentage-point difference in the closure rate. Results: In total, 150 patients were included (75 in each group). In the intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis, 65 of 75 patients in the air group achieved primary closure. All 75 MHs in the SF6 group closed after a single surgery. Six patients were excluded from the per-protocol (PP) analysis. In the PP analysis, 63 of 70 patients in the air group and all 74 patients in the SF6 group achieved MH closure after a single surgery, resulting in closure rates of 90% (95% confidence interval [CI], 79.9%–95.5%) and 100% (95% CI, 93.9%–100%), respectively. For the difference in closure rates, the lower bound of a 2-sided 95% CI exceeded the noninferiority margin of 10% in both ITT and PP analyses. In the subgroups of small MHs, all 20 patients in the air group and all 28 patients in the SF6 group achieved primary closure. Conclusions: This prospective randomized controlled trial proved that air tamponade is inferior to SF6 tamponade for MHs of ≤ 400 μm in diameter.publishedVersio

Выявление и идентификация карантинных объектов на хризантеме в Республике Карелия

BACKGROUND: Co-infection with malaria and HIV increases the severity and mortality of both diseases, but the cytokine responses related to this co-infection are only partially characterised. The aim of this study was to explore cytokine responses in relation to severity and mortality in malaria patients with and without HIV co-infection. METHODS: This was a prospective cross-sectional study. Clinical data and blood samples were collected from adults in Mozambique. Plasma was analysed for 21 classical pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukins, interferons, and chemokines. RESULTS: We included 212 in-patients with fever and/or suspected malaria and 56 healthy controls. Falciparum malaria was diagnosed in 131 patients, of whom 70 were co-infected with HIV-1. The malaria patients had marked increases in their cytokine responses compared with the healthy controls. Some of these changes, particularly interleukin 8 (IL-8) and interferon-γ-inducing protein 10 (IP-10) were strongly associated with falciparum malaria and disease severity. Both these chemokines were markedly increased in patients with falciparum malaria as compared with healthy controls, and raised levels of IL-8 and IP-10 were associated with increased disease severity, even after adjusting for relevant confounders. For IL-8, particularly high levels were found in malaria patients that were co-infected with HIV and in those who died during hospitalization. INTERPRETATIONS: Our findings underscore the complex role of inflammation during infection with P. falciparum, and suggest a potential pathogenic role for IL-8 and IP-10. However, the correlations do not necessarily mean any causal relationship, and further both clinical and mechanistic research is necessary to elucidate the role of cytokines in pathogenesis and protection during falciparum malaria

The Nature Index: A General Framework for Synthesizing Knowledge on the State of Biodiversity

The magnitude and urgency of the biodiversity crisis is widely recognized within scientific and political organizations. However, a lack of integrated measures for biodiversity has greatly constrained the national and international response to the biodiversity crisis. Thus, integrated biodiversity indexes will greatly facilitate information transfer from science toward other areas of human society. The Nature Index framework samples scientific information on biodiversity from a variety of sources, synthesizes this information, and then transmits it in a simplified form to environmental managers, policymakers, and the public. The Nature Index optimizes information use by incorporating expert judgment, monitoring-based estimates, and model-based estimates. The index relies on a network of scientific experts, each of whom is responsible for one or more biodiversity indicators. The resulting set of indicators is supposed to represent the best available knowledge on the state of biodiversity and ecosystems in any given area. The value of each indicator is scaled relative to a reference state, i.e., a predicted value assessed by each expert for a hypothetical undisturbed or sustainably managed ecosystem. Scaled indicator values can be aggregated or disaggregated over different axes representing spatiotemporal dimensions or thematic groups. A range of scaling models can be applied to allow for different ways of interpreting the reference states, e.g., optimal situations or minimum sustainable levels. Statistical testing for differences in space or time can be implemented using Monte-Carlo simulations. This study presents the Nature Index framework and details its implementation in Norway. The results suggest that the framework is a functional, efficient, and pragmatic approach for gathering and synthesizing scientific knowledge on the state of biodiversity in any marine or terrestrial ecosystem and has general applicability worldwide

Manual for entering data to the nature index database. Version 2.1

Pedersen, B. and Kvaløy, P. 2015. Manual for entering data to the nature index database. Version 2.0 – NINA Report 1139. 52 pp. This manual guides the user in how to enter, edit and update data and other information about the indicators they are responsible for in the nature index database. A dedicated website has been developed for the purpose. The website also includes features for uploading images, documents and links to documents to the database. The database is open for data entry from users once a year. The period is announced directly to the users. To log in and get access to the database users need to be registered with a username and password. Users are responsible for a defined set of indicators, for which they get access to read and enter data. Thus, read and write access to indicator data is user-specific. The user may access six “pages” on the interface, the “Home”, “Indicator”, “Areas”, “Values”, and “User” pages. Initially, users must use the “Login” page to get access to the other five. The “Home” page contains information about updates of the interface and provides access to this manual. The “User” page contains fields for entering/revising user information. The “Indicator” page is used to select an indicator and enter or edit various information about the indicator to the database. The page contains fields for entering indicator metadata, sensitivity to pressure factors, and ecosystem affinity. There is also a link to a popup window for uploading or linking to documentation in electronic form, i.e. reports, pictures, web-pages etc. On the “Areas” page one delineates and edits the spatial units from where indicator data is col-lected. Users enter indicator observations and reference values for the selected indicator on the “Values” page. Data may be entered to the database either directly on the “Values” page or by importing them from Excel files. A tool for visualization and proofreading of stored data on maps is also avail-able on the page. Norwegian nature index, user’s manual, IT platform, nature index database, web-interface for data entry, nature index web-site, bio-diversity, Naturindeks for Norge, brukermanual, IT plattform, naturindeksda-tabasen, nettbasert innlegging av data, nettbasert innsynsløsning for naturindeks, biodiversitetNettstedet for innlesing av data til naturindeksbasen er utviklet som et grensesnitt der den enkelte ekspert kan legge inn, redigere og oppdatere observasjoner og annen informasjon om de indikatorene vedkommende er ansvarlig for. Nettstedet inneholder også funksjoner for opplasting av bilder, dokumenter og lenker. Disse skal i neste omgang presenteres og gjøres tilgjengelig for publikum på et eget nettsted. Innlesingsgrensesnittet har adresse http://naturindeks.nina.no/. For å få tilgang til nettstedet og naturindeks-databasen må eksperten på forhånd være registrert med brukernavn og passord. Ved registrering gis eksperten lese- og skrivetilgang kun til de indikatorene vedkommende er ansvarlig for. Innlogging til grensesnittet tillates i en periode hvert år, der nye data kan legges inn og der alle innlagte data kan redigeres. Grensesnittet er på engelsk. Nettstedet består av seks «sider» som brukeren har tilgang til. I første omgang må brukeren benytte innloggingssiden for å få tilgang til de fem andre Forsiden inneholder opplysninger om nye versjoner og oppdateringer av grensesnittet og gir tilgang til denne brukermanualen. Indikatorsiden benyttes til å velge indikator og lese inn ulike opplysninger om den. Den inneholder felter for innlesing av indikatorens metadata, sensitivitet ovenfor ulike påvirkningsfaktorer og dens tilhørighet til de ni hoved-økosystemene. Indikatorsiden inneholder også en lenke til et popup vindu for opplasting av bilder, rapporter og annen dokumentasjon som ligger til grunn for indikatorverdiene og de andre opplysningene som er lagt inn i databasen. Områdesiden benyttes til å definere og redigere de geografiske områdene indikatorobservasjonene gjelder for. Observasjoner og referanseverdier for valgt indikator leses inn på databasens verdiside, enten direkte i en tabell på siden eller via import fra Excel. På verdisiden inngår i tillegg et verktøy for visualisering og korrekturlesing av innleste data på kart.© Norwegian Institute for Nature Research The publication may be freely cited where the source is acknowledge

Performance test and verification of an off-the-shelf automated avian radar tracking system

Microwave radar is an important tool for observation of birds in flight and represents a tremendous increase in observation capability in terms of amount of surveillance space that can be covered at relatively low cost. Based on off-the- shelf radar hardware, automated radar tracking systems have been developed for monitoring avian movements. However, radar used as an observation instrument in biological research has its limitations that are important to be aware of when analyzing recorded radar data. This article describes a method for exploring the detection capabilities of a dedicated short-range avian radar system used inside the operational Smøla wind-power plant. The purpose of the testing described was to find the maximum detection range for various sized birds, while controlling for the effects of flight tortuosity, flight orientation relative to the radar and ground clutter. The method was to use a dedicated test target in form of a remotely controlled unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with calibrated radar cross section (RCS), which enabled the design of virtually any test flight pattern within the area of interest. The UAV had a detection probability of 0.5 within a range of 2,340 m from the radar. The detection performance obtained by the RCS-calibrated test target (−11 dBm2, 0.08 m2 RCS) was then extrapolated to find the corresponding performance of differently sized birds. Detection range depends on system sensitivity, the environment within which the radar is placed and the spatial distribution of birds. The avian radar under study enables continuous monitoring of bird activity within a maximum range up to 2 km dependent on the size of the birds in question. While small bird species may be detected up to 0.5–1 km, larger species may be detected up to 1.5–2 km distance from the radar. D S bird monitoring, clutter, detection probability, swerling, target detection, unmanned aerial vehiclepublishedVersio

Obesity-Susceptibility Loci and Their Influence on Adiposity-Related Traits in Transition from Adolescence to Adulthood - The HUNT Study

Introduction Obesity-susceptibility loci have been related to adiposity traits in adults and may affect body fat estimates in adolescence. There are indications that different sets of obesity-susceptibility loci influence level of and change in obesity-related traits from adolescence to adulthood. Objectives To investigate whether previously reported obesity-susceptible loci in adults influence adiposity traits in adolescence and change in BMI and waist circumference (WC) from adolescence into young adulthood. We also examined whether physical activity modifies the effects of these genetic loci on adiposity-related traits. Methods Nine obesity-susceptibility variants were genotyped in 1 643 adolescents (13–19 years old) from the HUNT study, Norway, who were followed-up into young adulthood. Lifestyle was assessed using questionnaires and anthropometric measurements were taken. The effects of genetic variants individually and combined in a genetic predisposition score (GPS) on obesity-related traits were studied cross-sectionally and longitudinally. A modifying effect of physical activity was tested. Results The GPS was significantly associated to BMI (B: 0.046 SD/allele [0.020, 0.073], p = 0.001) in adolescence and in young adulthood (B: 0.041 SD/allele [0.015, 0.067], p = 0.002) as it was to waist circumference (WC). The GPS was not associated to change in BMI (p = 0.762) or WC (p = 0.726). We found no significant interaction effect between the GPS and physical activity. Conclusions Our observations suggest that obesity-susceptibility loci established in adults affect BMI and WC already in adolescence. However, an association with change in adiposity-related traits from adolescence to adulthood could not be verified for these loci. Neither could an attenuating effect of physical activity on © Cuypers et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited

Sex-specific effects of weight-affecting gene variants in a life course perspective-The HUNT Study, Norway

Objective: The impact of previously identified genetic variants directly or indirectly associated with obesity, were investigated at birth, adolescence and adulthood to provide knowledge concerning timing and mechanisms of obesity susceptibility with focus on sex differences. Design: Twenty four previously identified obesity- and eating disorder susceptibility loci were tested for association with adiposity traits at birth (ponderal index (PI)), adolescence and young adulthood (body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist-hip ratio (WHR)) in 1782 individuals from the HUNT study. Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) were evaluated individually and by haplotype sliding-window approach for windows⩽50 kb (near-MC4R, FTO and near-BDNF). The analyses were performed on the total and sex stratified samples. Results: The most substantial effect on BMI was observed for the near-MC4R variants at adolescence and adulthood (adjusted P-values in adolescence: 0.002 and 0.003 for rs17782313 and rs571312, respectively). The same variants showed inverse association with PI in males (adjusted P-values: 0.019–0.036). Furthermore, significant effects were observed at adolescence with BMI for the near-KCTD15 variant (rs11084753) (adjusted P=0.038) in the combined sample. The near-INSIG2 (rs7566605) was significantly associated to WHR in males and near-BDNF (rs925946) in the combined sample (adjusted P=0.027 and P=0.033, respectively). The OPRD1 locus was associated to BMI and WC in males both at adolescence and adulthood with highest effect in adults (adjusted P=0.058). Interaction with sex was identified for near-MC4R, OPRD1, COMT, near-BDNF and DRD2. Conclusions: Most obesity susceptibility variants show stronger effect at adolescence than at birth and adulthood with a clear sex-specific effect at some loci. The near-MC4R locus exhibit inverse effect on weight at birth in boys compared with findings at adolescence and adulthood. Some variants less known for obesity-susceptibility such as OPRD1 were found to be associated to weight with strongest effects in males

The Arctic Nature Index (ANI). Challenges and Opportunities

This report summarizes the results of two joint pilot projects conducted by the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF), the biodiversity working group of the Arctic Council and the Norwegian Environment Agency (NEA), concerning the implementation of the Nature Index (NI) framework in Svalbard and the circumpolar Arctic. The aims of these two pilot projects were to (1) investigate the possibility of establishing the NI in the Arctic; (2) transfer competence to the CAFF secretariat to manage such implementation; and (3) establish a pilot website to test the NI-framework. This report discuss choices regarding area divisions, major ecosystems and indicators for the implementation of the Nature Index framework in the Arctic. It presents a pilot website designed to test indicators for Arctic areas. Basic spatial units have been selected and implemented in the pilot web-site for the Barents Sea, Iceland and Svalbard. For all areas, both marine and terrestrial, basic spatial units must be agreed upon before implementation in the website. Testing the website and methodology is only possible when basic spatial units are defined. Successful implementation of a useful Arctic Nature Index (ANI) and in Svalbard will depend upon the quality and extent of included indicator data series; broader inclusion of taxonomic and ecological functions will strengthen its value. We recommend that the already estab-lished expert groups within CAFF and Environmental monitoring of Svalbard and Jan Mayen (MOSJ) should define the indicators and the necessary ecological information. Scientists participating in the project should be in charge of selecting what nature indices are pre-sented, that is, indices presenting the state of biodiversity within a major ecosystem and/or area, or thematic indices on e.g., groups of species. The participating scientists should also be involved in writing reports/ papers based on these results as is the practice in Norway. The purpose of this pilot project is therefore to propose a platform to collect, standardize and present ecological information on these indicators – not to replace an already existing pro-ces

Nature Index Costa Rica. An IPBES pilot project.

Barton, D.N., G. Certain, S. Chaves, J. Cuadra, A. Herrera, P.Kvaløy, M. A. Mora, S. Nybø, V. Obando, B. Pedersen, J. Ugalde, M. Vargas (2014) Nature Index Costa Rica. An IPBES pilot project- NINA Report 1112. 67 pp. KORT OM NI-CR Pilotprosjektet “Nature Index Costa Rica” (NI-CR) har tatt mål av seg å demonstrere kapasi-tetsutvikling i tråd med målsettingene til Naturpanelet (IPBES). Gjennom det ett-årige pilot-prosjektet samarbeidet det Nasjonale biodiversitetsinstituttet i Costa Rica (INBio) og Norsk institutt for naturforskning (NINA) med uttesting av den norske Naturindeks-metoden og IT-platformen i kartlegging av biodiversitetstilstanden i Costa Rica’s skogøkosystem. Pilotpro-sjektet involverte en rekke eksperter fra ulike nasjonale institusjoner i Costa Rica koordinert av INBio, i en lignende rolle som NINA tidligere har hatt i implementering av Naturindeksen for Norge.. NI-CR prosjektet har vist relevansen av Natuindeksen for IPBES som et metode-rammeverk for internasjonalt samarbeid og gjensidig kapasistetsoppbygging demonstrert at Naturindeksmetodologien og IT-platformen fungerer som verktøy for gap-analyse i biodiversitetsovervåkning og som del av forvaltning av verneområder. vist at Naturindeksen styrker rapportering av bærekraftsindikatorer og naturkapital-regnskap i Costa Rica illustrert hvordan Naturindeksens IT-platform kan kompletere nasjonale data ‘clearing-house’ som del av CBDs rapportering avdekket svakheter i nasjonal rapportering demonstrert hvordan Naturindeks-metodologien kan koordinere nasjonale data og insti-tusjoner på tvers av miljøsektorer, og potensialet for å fylle gap i rapportering om sikring av biodiversitet i REDD+ identifisert en rekke begrensninger, løsninger og muligheter ved Naturindeks-metodologien som kan bidra til oppskalering av pilotprosjektet på nasjonalt nivå og til overføring av metoden til andre tropiske land. biodiversity indicators, Costa Rica nature index, IPBES, biodiversitetsindikatorer, naturindekspublishedVersio