Fine Root Productivity and Turnover of Ectomycorrhizal and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Tree Species in a Temperate Broad-Leaved Mixed Forest

Advancing our understanding of tree fine root dynamics is of high importance for tree physiology and forest biogeochemistry. In temperate broad-leaved forests, ectomycorrhizal (EM) and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) tree species often are coexisting. It is not known whether EM and AM trees differ systematically in fine root dynamics and belowground resource foraging strategies. We measured fine root productivity (FRP) and fine root turnover (and its inverse, root longevity) of three EM and three AM broad-leaved tree species in a natural cool-temperate mixed forest using ingrowth cores and combined the productivity data with data on root biomass per root orders. FRP and root turnover were related to root morphological traits and aboveground productivity.FRP differed up to twofold among the six coexisting species with larger species differences in lower horizons than in the topsoil. Root turnover varied up to fivefold among the species with lowest values in Acer pseudoplatanus and highest in its congener A. platanoides. Variation in root turnover was larger within the two groups than between EM and AM species. We conclude that the main determinant of fine root productivity and turnover in this mixed forest is species identity, while the influence of mycorrhiza type seems to be less important

ALPNAP – A NEW PROJECT ON TRAFFIC-INDUCED NOISE AND AIR POLLUTION ALONG TRANSPORT ROUTES IN THE ALPS

Abstract. ALPNAP (Monitoring and Minimisation of Traffic-Induced Noise and Air Pollution Along Major Alpine Transport Routes) is a new project financed under the EU Interreg III B Alpine Space Programme. It will run from 2005-2007. A network of eleven institutions has been formed with DLR Institute of Atmospheric Physics as the lead partner. The project aims at the integrated use of advanced science-based methods to monitor, assess, and predict air pollution and noise and their impact on the environment, quality of life and health along major transport routes. These methods are adapted to the Alpine topography and its specific meteorological phenomena which often amplify the levels of concentration and noise. The purpose of the project is to promote these methods to regional and local authorities, to supplement standard methods towards more reliable predictions and scenario assessments, to quantify the limits of emissions if given air quality and noise standards are to be met, and to assess the environmental impact of traffic flow changes due to regulations, new infrastructure, or modal shifts. Previous work has shown that the conditions for the propagation of noise and the dispersion of air pollutants in Alpine valleys are quite different, and often considerably more unfavourable than in flat terrain. Standard models which are still applied in such environments, too, are not adequate. The project aims at demonstrating the advantage of more advanced methods taking into account state-of-the-art scientific tools

Preoperative CYFRA 21-1 and CEA as Prognostic Factors in Patients with Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Objective: To validate the prognostic value of preoperative levels of CYFRA 21-1, CEA and the corresponding tumor marker index (TMI) in patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: Two hundred forty stage I NSCLC patients (80 in pT1 and 160 in pT2; 100 squamous cell carcinomas, 91 adenocarcinomas, 32 large-cell carcinomas, 17 with other histologies; 171 males and 69 females) who had complete resection (R0) between 1986 and 2004 were included in the analysis. CYFRA 21-1 and CEA were measured using the Elecsys system (Roche) and AxSym-System (Abbott), respectively. Univariate analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method to identify potential associations between survival and age, gender, CYFRA 21-1, CEA and TMI. Results: Overall 3- and 5-year survival rates were 74 and 64%, respectively. Male gender (p = 0.0009) and age 1 70 years (p = 0.0041) were associated with a worse prognosis; there were no differences between pT1 and pT2 nor between histological subtypes. Three- year survival was 72% for CYFRA 21-1 levels > 3.3 ng/ml versus 75% for levels 6.7 ng/ ml versus 75% for CEA 70 years were associated with a worse outcome, but elevated levels of CEA and CYFRA 21-1, and TMI risk were not. Copyright (C) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel

Salt-dependent regulation of a CNG channel subfamily in Arabidopsis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In <it>Arabidopsis thaliana</it>, the family of cyclic nucleotide-gated channels (CNGCs) is composed of 20 members. Previous studies indicate that plant CNGCs are involved in the control of growth processes and responses to abiotic and biotic stresses. According to their proposed function as cation entry pathways these channels contribute to cellular cation homeostasis, including calcium and sodium, as well as to stress-related signal transduction. Here, we studied the expression patterns and regulation of <it>CNGC19 </it>and <it>CNGC20</it>, which constitute one of the five CNGC subfamilies.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>GUS, GFP and luciferase reporter assays were used to study the expression of <it>CNGC19 </it>and <it>CNGC20 </it>genes from <it>Arabidopsis thaliana </it>in response to developmental cues and salt stress. <it>CNGC19 </it>and <it>CNGC20 </it>were differentially expressed in roots and shoots. The <it>CNGC19 </it>gene was predominantly active in roots already at early growth stages. Major expression was observed in the phloem. <it>CNGC20 </it>showed highest promoter activity in mesophyll cells surrounding the veins. Its expression increased during development and was maximal in mature and senescent leaves. Both genes were upregulated in the shoot in response to elevated NaCl but not mannitol concentrations. While in the root, <it>CNGC19 </it>did not respond to changes in the salt concentration, in the shoot it was strongly upregulated in the observed time frame (6-72 hours). Salt-induction of <it>CNGC20 </it>was also observed in the shoot, starting already one hour after stress treatment. It occurred with similar kinetics, irrespective of whether NaCl was applied to roots of intact plants or to the petiole of detached leaves. No differences in K and Na contents of the shoots were measured in homozygous T-DNA insertion lines for <it>CNGC19 </it>and <it>CNGC20</it>, respectively, which developed a growth phenotype in the presence of up to 75 mM NaCl similar to that of the wild type.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Together, the results strongly suggest that both channels are involved in the salinity response of different cell types in the shoot. Upon salinity both genes are upregulated within hours. <it>CNGC19 </it>and <it>CNGC20 </it>could assist the plant to cope with toxic effects caused by salt stress, probably by contributing to a re-allocation of sodium within the plant.</p

Niederlande: Provinz Zuid-Holland und Metropolregion Rotterdam-Den Haag

Das niederländische Planungssystem hat sich mit dem neuen Planungsrecht (2004) noch stärker als bisher auf „Entwicklungssteuerung“ hinbewegt. Am Beispiel der Provinz Süd-Holland und der Metropolregion Rotterdam-Den Haag werden neuere strategische Planungsansätze herausgearbeitet. Für Deutschland von Interesse sind dabei: a) die engere Einbindung von Stakeholdern in die Planungsprozesse und vor allem Planumsetzung, b) das neue Verständnis von Planung als Management der Kooperation, c) die Umsetzung der Pläne über finanzielle Anreize, soziale Zwänge (Öffentlichkeitsbeteiligung, Medien) sowie Projektgenehmigungsvorbehalte und d) das Konsensmodell (trotz seiner Probleme).With the new Planning Act of 2004, the planning system of the Netherlands moved more strongly towards “development management”. Using the example of the province of South Holland and the metropolitan region of Rotterdam-Den Haag new strategic planning approaches are discussed. Of interest in the German context are: a) the closer involvement of stakeholders in the planning processes and particularly in the implementation of plans, b) a new understanding of planning as the management of cooperation, c) the implementation of plans using financial incentives, social pressure (public participation and media) and project approval provisos, and d) the consensus model (despite its problems)

Frankreich: Großraum Lyon

Entsprechend dem auf wirtschaftliche Entwicklung ausgerichteten französischen Planungssystem hat der seit 1969 existierende Großraum Lyon (Grand Lyon) ein raumstrategisch orientiertes projekt- und freiraumbezogenes Raumentwicklungskonzept erarbeitet. Dessen Erstellung und spätere Umsetzung erfolgt in enger Zusammenarbeit mit den Stakeholdern, die in korporatistischen Governance-Regimes eingebunden werden. Die Umsetzung wird zudem über Vertragsregelungen abgesichert.In keeping with the economic orientation of the French planning system, the Lyon conurbation (Grand Lyon), in existence since 1969, has produced a strategically oriented spatial development concept that focuses on projects and open space. Preparation and later implementation of the development concept were carried out in close cooperation with stakeholders who are integrated into corporatist governance regimes. Implementation is further safeguarded by contractual provisions

ALPNAP – A NEW PROJECT ON TRAFFIC-INDUCED NOISE AND AIR POLLUTION ALONG TRANSPORT ROUTES IN THE ALPS

Abstract. ALPNAP (Monitoring and Minimisation of Traffic-Induced Noise and Air Pollution Along Major Alpine Transport Routes) is a new project financed under the EU Interreg III B Alpine Space Programme. It will run from 2005-2007. A network of eleven institutions has been formed with DLR Institute of Atmospheric Physics as the lead partner. The project aims at the integrated use of advanced science-based methods to monitor, assess, and predict air pollution and noise and their impact on the environment, quality of life and health along major transport routes. These methods are adapted to the Alpine topography and its specific meteorological phenomena which often amplify the levels of concentration and noise. The purpose of the project is to promote these methods to regional and local authorities, to supplement standard methods towards more reliable predictions and scenario assessments, to quantify the limits of emissions if given air quality and noise standards are to be met, and to assess the environmental impact of traffic flow changes due to regulations, new infrastructure, or modal shifts. Previous work has shown that the conditions for the propagation of noise and the dispersion of air pollutants in Alpine valleys are quite different, and often considerably more unfavourable than in flat terrain. Standard models which are still applied in such environments, too, are not adequate. The project aims at demonstrating the advantage of more advanced methods taking into account state-of-the-art scientific tools

Communication and signal exchange in the Rhizobium bradyrhizobium legume system

A new comprehensive communication concept in the Rhizobium/Bradyrhizobium legume symbiosis was developed. It includes a root zone specific flavonoid exudation, the differential activity of phenylpropane/acetate pathway derivatives on chemotaxis, nod-gene inducing activity and phytoalexin resistance induction on the microsymbiont side (Bradyrhizobium). Nod factor production from the microsymbiont affects the host plant in root hair curling and meristem induction. Phytoalexin production in the host plant is also an early response, however repressed to a low level after a few hours. Another strategy of the microsymbiont to overcome phytoalexin effects is degradation of phytoalexins in Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. vicieae. Competitiveness within the same infection group of the microsymbiont was studied with gus-gene fusion, using the blue coloured nodules to easily discriminate marked strains from unmarked competitors. New exopolysaccharide (EPS) mutants of Bradyrhizobium japonicum were reconstructed homologous with a DNA region to exoB gene of Rhizobium meliloti. Their clearly reduced competitiveness of nodulation, demonstrates that exopolysaccharides of Bradyrhizohium japonicum also have an important function during the early stages of this symbiotic interaction

Early prediction of therapy response in patients with acute myeloid leukemia by nucleosomal DNA fragments

BACKGROUND: Elevated levels of nucleosomal DNA fragments can be detected in plasma and sera of patients with malignant diseases. METHODS: We investigated the course of nucleosomal DNA, thymidine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase and leukocytes in sera of 25 patients with acute myeloid leukemia during the first cycle of induction chemotherapy and tested their power to distinguish between patients with complete remission and those with no remission. RESULTS: Almost all patients showed strongly decreasing levels of nucleosomal DNA during the first week, in some cases after initial peaks. In overall analysis of variance, DNA levels could clearly distinguish between patients with complete remission, who had higher DNA values, and those with insufficient response (p = 0.017). The area under the curve of DNA values of days 2–4 after start of therapy (AUC 2–4) discriminated between both groups with a sensitivity of 56% at a specificity of 100%. Further, pretherapeutic levels and AUC 2–4 of nucleosomal DNA correlated significantly with blast reduction after 16 days. A tendency to higher levels in patients with complete response was also found for thymidine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase and leukocytes, however the difference did not reach the level of significance (p = 0.542, p = 0.260, and p = 0.144, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that nucleosomal DNA fragments are valuable markers for the early prediction of therapeutic efficacy in patients with acute myeloid leukemia