Plant’s gypsum affinity shapes responses to specific edaphic constraints without limiting responses to other general constraints

Aims: Harsh edaphic environments harbor species with different soil affinities. Plant’s responses to specific edaphic constraints may be compromised against responses to prevalent stresses shared with other semi-arid environments. We expect that species with high edaphic affinity may show traits to overcome harsh soil properties, while species with low affinity may respond to environmental constraints shared with arid environments. Methods: We quantified the edaphic affinity of 12 plant species co-occurring in gypsum outcrops and measured traits related to plant responses to specific gypsum constraints (rooting and water uptake depth, foliar accumulation of Ca, S and Mg), and traits related to common constraints of arid environments (water use efficiency, macronutrients foliar content). Results: Plants in gypsum outcrops differed in their strategies to face edaphic limitations. A phylogenetic informed PCA segregated species based on their foliar Ca and S accumulation and greater water uptake depths, associated with plant responses to specific gypsum limitations. Species’ gypsum affinity explained this segregation, but traits related to water or nutrient use efficiency did not contribute substantially to this axis. Conclusions: Plant’s specializations to respond to specific edaphic constraints of gypsum soils do not limit their ability to deal with other non-specific environmental constraints

Pine afforestation decreases the long-term performance of understorey shrubs in a semi-arid Mediterranean ecosystem: A stable isotope approach

Plant-plant interactions shape the structure and composition of plant communities, but shifts in interaction outcomes might occur in the face of ongoing climate change. We assessed the influence of Pinus halepensis plantations on the long-term ecophysiological performance of understorey vegetation, by conducting a retrospective comparison (1989-2007) of growth-ring widths, δ13C and δ18O between Rhamnus lycioides shrubs from two contrasting vegetation types: P. halepensis plantations vs. open woodlands. We also measured the leaf δ13C, δ18O, δ15N, and nutrient concentrations of understorey R. lycioides shrubs growing at varying distances from planted trees within pine plantations. Dendroecological and stable isotope data revealed strong competitive effects of planted P. halepensis trees on R. lyciodies. Shrubs in pine plantations showed lower radial growth and higher growth ring δ13C and δ18O than those in open woodlands, indicating lower stomatal conductance and photosynthesis in the former. The strong competitive effects of P. halepensis on understorey R. lycioides were most evident in wet, productive years. Conversely, in very dry years, there were indications of a facilitative effect of planted P. halepensis canopies on understorey shrubs. Within pine plantations, understorey R. lycioides shrubs growing at shorter distances from planted trees were forced to rely on more superficial and ephemeral soil water sources, which reduced their stomatal conductance (higher leaf δ18O) and interfered with nutrient uptake (lower leaf N and P concentrations and more negative δ15N). The intrinsic water use efficiency of R. lycioides shrubs growing in open woodlands has increased during recent decades as a result of their ability to adjust their stomatal conductance in response to increasing temperature and atmospheric CO2. However, this adaptive response was much weaker or absent in the severely drought-stressed shrubs from pine plantations. Pine afforestation strongly reduces water and nutrient availability for understorey shrubs in drylands, with potential long-term consequences for ecosystem biodiversity, structure and functioning. Competition by P. halepensis on R. lycioides clearly outweighed facilitation in the long-term, thus compromising the ability of understorey shrubs in semi-arid pine plantations to cope with climate changePlant-plant interactions shape the structure and composition of plant communities, but shifts in interaction outcomes might occur in the face of ongoing climate change. We assessed the influence of Pinus halepensis plantations on the long-term ecophysiological performance of understorey vegetation, by conducting a retrospective comparison (1989-2007) of growth-ring widths, δ13C and δ18O between Rhamnus lycioides shrubs from two contrasting vegetation types: P. halepensis plantations vs. open woodlands. We also measured the leaf δ13C, δ18O, δ15N, and nutrient concentrations of understorey R. lycioides shrubs growing at varying distances from planted trees within pine plantations. Dendroecological and stable isotope data revealed strong competitive effects of planted P. halepensis trees on R. lyciodies. Shrubs in pine plantations showed lower radial growth and higher growth ring δ13C and δ18O than those in open woodlands, indicating lower stomatal conductance and photosynthesis in the former. The strong competitive effects of P. halepensis on understorey R. lycioides were most evident in wet, productive years. Conversely, in very dry years, there were indications of a facilitative effect of planted P. halepensis canopies on understorey shrubs. Within pine plantations, understorey R. lycioides shrubs growing at shorter distances from planted trees were forced to rely on more superficial and ephemeral soil water sources, which reduced their stomatal conductance (higher leaf δ18O) and interfered with nutrient uptake (lower leaf N and P concentrations and more negative δ15N). The intrinsic water use efficiency of R. lycioides shrubs growing in open woodlands has increased during recent decades as a result of their ability to adjust their stomatal conductance in response to increasing temperature and atmospheric CO2. However, this adaptive response was much weaker or absent in the severely drought-stressed shrubs from pine plantations. Pine afforestation strongly reduces water and nutrient availability for understorey shrubs in drylands, with potential long-term consequences for ecosystem biodiversity, structure and functioning. Competition by P. halepensis on R. lycioides clearly outweighed facilitation in the long-term, thus compromising the ability of understorey shrubs in semi-arid pine plantations to cope with climate change

Conditions for Growth of Plants

This chapter sets out the approach and research methods used to assess the plant types and species that grow in different parts of the targeted Mediterranean landscape and that could potentially be used in restoration strategies and mitigation of desertified and degraded land. Species occurring in the various land units in the study catchment in southeast Spain are identified. These units are reforested land, rainfed croplands, semi-natural and abandoned land and stream channels, Factors restricting growth of trees and understorey vegetation in reforested land were assessed using experimental plots and the effects of pine litter on seed germination were tested. The potential for growth of cover crops between orchard trees was assessed from hydrological balances. Using multivariate statistical analysis various factors were found to influence the regrowth of vegetation in abandoned agricultural lands. In the ephemeral stream channels a wide range of variables was analyzed and presence of species found to be clearly related to substrate and hydrological zone. The results on differential conditions necessary for or favouring growth of various species are used in subsequent design of optimal spatial strategies of planting and restoration

Conditions for Growth of Plants

This chapter sets out the approach and research methods used to assess the plant types and species that grow in different parts of the targeted Mediterranean landscape and that could potentially be used in restoration strategies and mitigation of desertified and degraded land. Species occurring in the various land units in the study catchment in southeast Spain are identified. These units are reforested land, rainfed croplands, semi-natural and abandoned land and stream channels, Factors restricting growth of trees and understorey vegetation in reforested land were assessed using experimental plots and the effects of pine litter on seed germination were tested. The potential for growth of cover crops between orchard trees was assessed from hydrological balances. Using multivariate statistical analysis various factors were found to influence the regrowth of vegetation in abandoned agricultural lands. In the ephemeral stream channels a wide range of variables was analyzed and presence of species found to be clearly related to substrate and hydrological zone. The results on differential conditions necessary for or favouring growth of various species are used in subsequent design of optimal spatial strategies of planting and restoration

Serum carboxy-terminal propeptide of procollagen type I is a marker of myocardial fibrosis in hypertensive heart disease

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to investigate whether the serum concentration of the carboxy-terminal propeptide of procollagen type I (PIP), a marker of collagen type I synthesis, is related to myocardial fibrosis in hypertensive patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study was performed in 26 patients with essential hypertension in which ischemic cardiomyopathy was excluded after a complete medical workup. Right septal endomyocardial biopsies were performed in hypertensive patients to quantify collagen content. Collagen volume fraction (CVF) was determined on picrosirius red-stained sections with an automated image analysis system. The serum concentration of PIP was measured by specific radioimmunoassay. Compared with normotensives, both serum PIP and CVF were increased (P<0.001) in hypertensives. A direct correlation was found between CVF and serum PIP (r=0.471, P<0.02) in all hypertensives. Histological analysis revealed the presence of 2 subgroups of patients: 8 with severe fibrosis and 18 with nonsevere fibrosis. Serum PIP was higher (P<0.05) in patients with severe fibrosis than in patients with nonsevere fibrosis. Using receiver operating characteristic curves, we observed that a cutoff of 127 microg/L for PIP provided 78% specificity and 75% sensitivity for predicting severe fibrosis with a relative risk of 4.80 (95% CI, 1.19 to 19.30). CONCLUSIONS: These results show a strong correlation between myocardial collagen content and the serum concentration of PIP in essential hypertension. Although preliminary, these findings suggest that the determination of PIP may be an easy and reliable method for the screening and diagnosis of severe myocardial fibrosis associated with arterial hypertension

Serum carboxy-terminal propeptide of procollagen type I is a marker of myocardial fibrosis in hypertensive heart disease

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to investigate whether the serum concentration of the carboxy-terminal propeptide of procollagen type I (PIP), a marker of collagen type I synthesis, is related to myocardial fibrosis in hypertensive patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study was performed in 26 patients with essential hypertension in which ischemic cardiomyopathy was excluded after a complete medical workup. Right septal endomyocardial biopsies were performed in hypertensive patients to quantify collagen content. Collagen volume fraction (CVF) was determined on picrosirius red-stained sections with an automated image analysis system. The serum concentration of PIP was measured by specific radioimmunoassay. Compared with normotensives, both serum PIP and CVF were increased (P<0.001) in hypertensives. A direct correlation was found between CVF and serum PIP (r=0.471, P<0.02) in all hypertensives. Histological analysis revealed the presence of 2 subgroups of patients: 8 with severe fibrosis and 18 with nonsevere fibrosis. Serum PIP was higher (P<0.05) in patients with severe fibrosis than in patients with nonsevere fibrosis. Using receiver operating characteristic curves, we observed that a cutoff of 127 microg/L for PIP provided 78% specificity and 75% sensitivity for predicting severe fibrosis with a relative risk of 4.80 (95% CI, 1.19 to 19.30). CONCLUSIONS: These results show a strong correlation between myocardial collagen content and the serum concentration of PIP in essential hypertension. Although preliminary, these findings suggest that the determination of PIP may be an easy and reliable method for the screening and diagnosis of severe myocardial fibrosis associated with arterial hypertension

Indirect costs associated with glioblastoma: Experience at one hospital

Introduction: Glioblastoma is the most common primary brain tumour. Despite advances in treatment, its prognosis remains dismal, with a mean survival time of about 14 months. Many articles have addressed direct costs, those associated with the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Indirect costs, those associated with loss of productivity due to the disease, have seldom been described. Material and method: We conducted a retrospective study in patients diagnosed with glioblastoma at Hospital Universitario Donostia between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2013. We collected demographics, data regarding the treatment received, and survival times. We calculated the indirect costs with the human capital approach, adjusting the mean salaries of comparable individuals by sex and age and obtaining mortality data for the general population from the Spanish National Statistics Institute. Past salaries were updated to 2015 euros according to the annual inflation rate and we applied a discount of 3.5% compounded yearly to future salaries. Results: We reviewed the records of 99 patients: 46 women (mean age 63.53) and 53 men (mean age 59.94); 29 patients underwent a biopsy and the remaining 70 underwent excisional surgery. Mean survival was 18.092 months for the whole series. The total indirect cost for the series was €11 080 762 (2015). Mean indirect cost per patient was €111 926 (2015). Discussion: Although glioblastoma is a relatively uncommon type of tumour, accounting for only 4% of all cancers, its poor prognosis and potential sequelae generate disproportionately large morbidity and mortality rates which translate to high indirect costs. Clinicians should be aware of the societal impact of glioblastoma and indirect costs should be taken into account when cost effectiveness studies are performed to better illustrate the overall consequences of this disease. Resumen: Introducción: El glioblastoma es el tumor cerebral más frecuente. A pesar de los avances en su tratamiento, el pronóstico sigue siendo pobre, con una supervivencia media en torno a los 14 meses. Los costes directos, aquellos asociados al diagnóstico y el tratamiento de la enfermedad, han sido descritos ampliamente. Los costes indirectos, aquellos derivados de la pérdida de productividad debido a la enfermedad, han sido descritos en escasas ocasiones. Material y método: Realizamos un estudio retrospectivo, incluyendo a los pacientes diagnosticados entre el 1 de enero del 2010 y el 31 de diciembre del 2013 de glioblastoma en el Hospital Universitario Donostia. Recogimos datos demográficos, relativos al tratamiento ofertado y la supervivencia. Calculamos los costes indirectos a través del método del capital humano, obteniendo datos de sujetos comparables según sexo y edad, y de mortalidad de la población general a través del Instituto Nacional de Estadística. Los salarios pasados fueron actualizados a euros de 2015 según la tasa de inflación interanual y los salarios futuros fueron descontados en un 3,5% anual en forma de interés compuesto. Resultados: Revisamos a 99 pacientes, 46 mujeres (edad media 63,53 años) y 53 hombres (edad media 59,94 años). En 29 pacientes se realizó una biopsia y en los 70 restantes se realizó una cirugía resectiva. La supervivencia global media fue de 18,092 meses. Los costes indirectos totales fueron de 11.080.762 € (2015). El coste indirecto medio por paciente fue de 111.926 € (2015). Discusión: A pesar de que el glioblastoma es un tipo relativamente poco frecuente de tumor, que supone el 4% de todos los tipos de cáncer, su mal pronóstico y sus posibles secuelas generan una mortalidad y morbilidad desproporcionadamente altas. Esto se traduce en unos costes indirectos muy elevados. El clínico debe ser consciente del impacto del glioblastoma en la sociedad y los costes indirectos deben ser tenidos en cuenta en los estudios de coste-efectividad para conocer las consecuencias globales de esta enfermedad. Keywords: Costs, Glioblastoma, Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy, Prognosis, Survival, Palabras clave: Costes, Glioblastoma, Radioterapia, Quimioterapia, Pronóstico, Supervivenci

Costes indirectos asociados al glioblastoma. Experiencia en un centro

Resumen: Introducción: El glioblastoma es el tumor cerebral más frecuente. A pesar de los avances en su tratamiento, el pronóstico sigue siendo pobre, con una supervivencia media en torno a los 14 meses. Los costes directos, aquellos asociados al diagnóstico y el tratamiento de la enfermedad, han sido descritos ampliamente. Los costes indirectos, aquellos derivados de la pérdida de productividad debido a la enfermedad, han sido descritos en escasas ocasiones. Material y método: Realizamos un estudio retrospectivo, incluyendo a los pacientes diagnosticados entre el 1 de enero del 2010 y el 31 de diciembre del 2013 de glioblastoma en el Hospital Universitario Donostia. Recogimos datos demográficos, relativos al tratamiento ofertado y la supervivencia. Calculamos los costes indirectos a través del método del capital humano, obteniendo datos de sujetos comparables según sexo y edad, y de mortalidad de la población general a través del Instituto Nacional de Estadística. Los salarios pasados fueron actualizados a euros de 2015 según la tasa de inflación interanual y los salarios futuros fueron descontados en un 3,5% anual en forma de interés compuesto. Resultados: Revisamos a 99 pacientes, 46 mujeres (edad media 63,53 años) y 53 hombres (edad media 59,94 años). En 29 pacientes se realizó una biopsia y en los 70 restantes se realizó una cirugía resectiva. La supervivencia global media fue de 18,092 meses. Los costes indirectos totales fueron de 11.080.762 € (2015). El coste indirecto medio por paciente fue de 111.926 € (2015). Discusión: A pesar de que el glioblastoma es un tipo relativamente poco frecuente de tumor, que supone el 4% de todos los tipos de cáncer, su mal pronóstico y sus posibles secuelas generan una mortalidad y morbilidad desproporcionadamente altas. Esto se traduce en unos costes indirectos muy elevados. El clínico debe ser consciente del impacto del glioblastoma en la sociedad y los costes indirectos deben ser tenidos en cuenta en los estudios de coste-efectividad para conocer las consecuencias globales de esta enfermedad. Abstract: Introduction: Glioblastoma is the most common primary brain tumour. Despite advances in treatment, its prognosis remains dismal, with a mean survival time of about 14 months. Many articles have addressed direct costs, those associated with the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Indirect costs, those associated with loss of productivity due to the disease, have seldom been described. Material and method: We conducted a retrospective study in patients diagnosed with glioblastoma at Hospital Universitario Donostia between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2013. We collected demographics, data regarding the treatment received, and survival times. We calculated the indirect costs with the human capital approach, adjusting the mean salaries of comparable individuals by sex and age and obtaining mortality data for the general population from the Spanish National Statistics Institute. Past salaries were updated to 2015 euros according to the annual inflation rate and we applied a discount of 3.5% compounded yearly to future salaries. Results: We reviewed the records of 99 patients: 46 women (mean age 63.53) and 53 men (mean age 59.94); 29 patients underwent a biopsy and the remaining 70 underwent excisional surgery. Mean survival was 18.092 months for the whole series. The total indirect cost for the series was €11 080 762 (2015). Mean indirect cost per patient was €111 926 (2015). Discussion: Although glioblastoma is a relatively uncommon type of tumour, accounting for only 4% of all cancers, its poor prognosis and potential sequelae generate disproportionately large morbidity and mortality rates which translate to high indirect costs. Clinicians should be aware of the societal impact of glioblastoma and indirect costs should be taken into account when cost effectiveness studies are performed to better illustrate the overall consequences of this disease. Palabras clave: Costes, Glioblastoma, Radioterapia, Quimioterapia, Pronóstico, Supervivencia, Keywords: Costs, Glioblastoma, Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy, Prognosis, Surviva