Map-based multicriteria analysis to support interactive land use allocation

This article focuses on the use of map-based multicriteria analysis to develop a negotiation support tool for land use allocation. Spatial multicriteria analysis is used to make explicit trade-offs between objectives and to provide guidance and feedback on the land use changes negotiated by the participants. Digital maps are the means of communication among workshop participants, and an interactive mapping device (the 'Touch table') is used as the interface. Participants are informed about the relevant trade-offs on the map and use this information to change the land use maps. The approach is tested during a negotiation session as part of the land use planning process of the Bodegraven polder, a peat meadow area in the Netherlands. © 2011 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC

Composición química y actividad antifúngica del látex de Argemone mexicana (Cardo Santo)

Ecuador cuenta con una amplia diversidad de especies vegetales que han sido usadas como medicina tradicional, entre ellas la especie Argemone mexicana (Cardo Santo), la cual se encuentra distribuida en varias zonas de la sierra central, el látex es usado en forma tópica, de manera directa y en emplastos, debido a que presenta propiedades antifúngicas. El presente trabajo de investigación se enfoca en la caracterización e identificación de las especies químicas presentes en el látex de dicha especie, para lo cual se obtuvieron dos extractos (acuoso y etanólico). Se realizaron cortes en la planta y mediante jeringuillas esterilizadas, se extrajo el látex para su posterior caracterización por medio de un tamizaje fitoquímico (análisis químico referencial) y la técnica de CG-EM (cromatografía de gases acoplado a espectrometría de masas). Paralelamente, se realizaron pruebas de bioactividad, mediante la técnica de Kirby Bauer, con las cepas de hongos Botrytis cinerea y Cladoosporium spp, y con dos medios de cultivo (agar PDA y Saoubourad), donde se logró comprobar la actividad antifúngica del extracto acuoso del látex a concentraciones de 10 µl y 20 µl del extracto, mediante la observación evidente de la formación de halos de inhibición bien definidos. Utilizando los metabolitos secundarios identificados por cromatografía de gases-detector de masas se realizó una comparación de sus estructuras químicas y bioactividad con trabajos similares reportados en la literatura, lo que permitió atribuirle la actividad antifúngica a los compuestos identificados, pudiendo ser responsables de la actividad biológica observada.Ecuador has a wide diversity of plant species that have been used as traditional medicine, including the Argemone mexicana specie (Cardo Santo), which is distributed in various areas of the central highlands, latex is used topically, directly and in plasters, because it has antifungal properties. The present research work focuses on the characterization and identification of the chemical species present in the latex of said species, for which two extracts (aqueous and ethanolic) were obtained. Cuts were made in the plant and the latex was extracted using sterilized syringes for its subsequent characterization by means of a phytochemical screening (referential chemical analysis) and GC-MS technique (gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry). At the same time, bioactivity tests were carried out, using the Kirby Bauer technique, in the strains of fungi Botrytis cinerea and Cladoosporium spp, and with two culture media (PDA and Saubourad agar), where it was possible to verify the antifungal activity of the aqueous extract of the latex at concentrations of 10 µl and 20 µl of the extract, through the evident observation of the formation of well-defined inhibition halos. Using the secondary metabolites identified by gas chromatography-mass detector, a comparison of their chemical structures and bioactivity with similar works reported in the literature was made, which allowed attributing the antifungal activity to the identified compounds that could be responsible for the observed biological activity.&nbsp

The Effect of Carbon Credits on Savanna Land Management and Priorities for Biodiversity Conservation

Carbon finance offers the potential to change land management and conservation planning priorities. We develop a novel approach to planning for improved land management to conserve biodiversity while utilizing potential revenue from carbon biosequestration. We apply our approach in northern Australia's tropical savanna, a region of global significance for biodiversity and carbon storage, both of which are threatened by current fire and grazing regimes. Our approach aims to identify priority locations for protecting species and vegetation communities by retaining existing vegetation and managing fire and grazing regimes at a minimum cost. We explore the impact of accounting for potential carbon revenue (using a carbon price of US$14 per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent) on priority areas for conservation and the impact of explicitly protecting carbon stocks in addition to biodiversity. Our results show that improved management can potentially raise approximately US$5 per hectare per year in carbon revenue and prevent the release of 1–2 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent over approximately 90 years. This revenue could be used to reduce the costs of improved land management by three quarters or double the number of biodiversity targets achieved and meet carbon storage targets for the same cost. These results are based on generalised cost and carbon data; more comprehensive applications will rely on fine scale, site-specific data and a supportive policy environment. Our research illustrates that the duel objective of conserving biodiversity and reducing the release of greenhouse gases offers important opportunities for cost-effective land management investments

Expression of Transketolase like gene 1 (TKTL1) predicts disease-free survival in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>For patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is recommended as standard therapy. So far, no predictive or prognostic molecular factors for patients undergoing multimodal treatment are established. Increased angiogenesis and altered tumour metabolism as adaption to hypoxic conditions in cancers play an important role in tumour progression and metastasis. Enhanced expression of Vascular-endothelial-growth-factor-receptor <it>(VEGF-R</it>) and Transketolase-like-1 (<it>TKTL1</it>) are related to hypoxic conditions in tumours. In search for potential prognostic molecular markers we investigated the expression of <it>VEGFR-1</it>, <it>VEGFR-2 </it>and <it>TKTL1 </it>in patients with LARC treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and cetuximab.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Tumour and corresponding normal tissue from pre-therapeutic biopsies of 33 patients (m: 23, f: 10; median age: 61 years) with LARC treated in phase-I and II trials with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (cetuximab, irinotecan, capecitabine in combination with radiotherapy) were analysed by quantitative PCR.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Significantly higher expression of <it>VEGFR-1/2 </it>was found in tumour tissue in pre-treatment biopsies as well as in resected specimen after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy compared to corresponding normal tissue. High <it>TKTL1 </it>expression significantly correlated with disease free survival. None of the markers had influence on early response parameters such as tumour regression grading. There was no correlation of gene expression between the investigated markers.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>High <it>TKTL-1 </it>expression correlates with poor prognosis in terms of 3 year disease-free survival in patients with LARC treated with intensified neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and may therefore serve as a molecular prognostic marker which should be further evaluated in randomised clinical trials.</p

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 mediates migration of human colorectal carcinoma cells by activation of Src family kinases

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the predominant pro-angiogenic cytokine in human malignancy, and its expression correlates with disease recurrence and poor outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer. Recently, expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs) has been observed on tumours of epithelial origin, including those arising in the colon, but the molecular mechanisms governing potential VEGF-driven biologic functioning in these tumours are not well characterised. In this report, we investigated the role of Src family kinases (SFKs) in VEGF-mediated signalling in human colorectal carcinoma (CRC) cell lines. Vascular endothelial growth factor specifically activated SFKs in HT29 and KM12L4 CRC cell lines. Further, VEGF stimulation resulted in enhanced cellular migration, which was effectively blocked by pharmacologic inhibition of VEGFR-1 or Src kinase. Correspondingly, migration studies using siRNA clones with reduced Src expression confirmed the requirement for Src in VEGF-induced migration in these cells. Furthermore, VEGF treatment enhanced VEGFR-1/SFK complex formation and increased tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase, p130 cas and paxillin. Finally, we demonstrate that VEGF-induced migration is not due, at least in part, to VEGF acting as a mitogen. These results suggest that VEGFR-1 promotes migration of tumour cells through a Src-dependent pathway linked to activation of focal adhesion components that regulate this process

Guiding principles for rewilding

There has been much recent interest in the concept of rewilding as a tool for nature conservation, but also confusion over the idea, which has limited its utility. We developed a unifying definition and 10 guiding principles for rewilding through a survey of 59 rewilding experts, a summary of key organizations’ rewilding visions, and workshops involving over 100 participants from around the world. The guiding principles convey that rewilding exits on a continuum of scale, connectivity, and level of human influence and aims to restore ecosystem structure and functions to achieve a self-sustaining autonomous nature. These principles clarify the concept of rewilding and improve its effectiveness as a tool to achieve global conservation targets, including those of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. Finally, we suggest differences in rewilding perspectives lie largely in the extent to which it is seen as achievable and in specific interventions. An understanding of the context of rewilding projects is the key to success, and careful site-specific interpretations will help achieve the aims of rewilding

Fine-mapping host genetic variation underlying outcomes to Mycobacterium bovis infection in dairy cows

Abstract Background Susceptibility to Mycobacterium bovis infection in cattle is governed in part by host genetics. However, cattle diagnosed as infected with M. bovis display varying signs of pathology. The variation in host response to infection could represent a continuum since time of exposure or distinct outcomes due to differing pathogen handling. The relationships between host genetics and variation in host response and pathological sequelae following M. bovis infection were explored by genotyping 1966 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows at 538,231 SNPs with three distinct phenotypes. These were: single intradermal cervical comparative tuberculin (SICCT) test positives with visible lesions (VLs), SICCT-positives with undetected visible lesions (NVLs) and matched controls SICCT-negative on multiple occasions. Results Regional heritability mapping identified three loci associated with the NVL phenotype on chromosomes 17, 22 and 23, distinct to the region on chromosome 13 associated with the VL phenotype. The region on chromosome 23 was at genome-wide significance and candidate genes overlapping the mapped window included members of the bovine leukocyte antigen class IIb region, a complex known for its role in immunity and disease resistance. Chromosome heritability analysis attributed variance to six and thirteen chromosomes for the VL and NVL phenotypes, respectively, and four of these chromosomes were found to explain a proportion of the phenotypic variation for both the VL and NVL phenotype. By grouping the M. bovis outcomes (VLs and NVLs) variance was attributed to nine chromosomes. When contrasting the two M. bovis infection outcomes (VLs vs NVLs) nine chromosomes were found to harbour heritable variation. Regardless of the case phenotype under investigation, chromosome heritability did not exceed 8% indicating that the genetic control of bTB resistance consists of variants of small to moderate effect situated across many chromosomes of the bovine genome. Conclusions These findings suggest the host genetics of M. bovis infection outcomes is governed by distinct and overlapping genetic variants. Thus, variation in the pathology of M. bovis infected cattle may be partly genetically determined and indicative of different host responses or pathogen handling. There may be at least three distinct outcomes following M. bovis exposure in dairy cattle: resistance to infection, infection resulting in pathology or no detectable pathology