Long-term and large-scale multispecies dataset tracking population changes of common European breeding birds

Around fifteen thousand fieldworkers annually count breeding birds using standardized protocols in 28 European countries. The observations are collected by using country-specific and standardized protocols, validated, summarized and finally used for the production of continent-wide annual and long-term indices of population size changes of 170 species. Here, we present the database and provide a detailed summary of the methodology used for fieldwork and calculation of the relative population size change estimates. We also provide a brief overview of how the data are used in research, conservation and policy. We believe this unique database, based on decades of bird monitoring alongside the comprehensive summary of its methodology, will facilitate and encourage further use of the Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme results.publishedVersio

Elevated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-DNA adducts in benign prostate and risk of prostate cancer in African Americans

Carcinogen–DNA adducts, a marker of DNA damage, are capable of inducing mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, resulting in carcinogenesis. We have shown previously that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)–DNA adduct levels in prostate cancer cases vary by cellular histology and that higher adduct levels are associated with biochemical recurrence. A nested case–control study was conducted in a historical cohort of 6692 men with histopathologically benign prostate specimens. PAH-DNA adduct levels were determined by immunohistochemistry in benign prostate specimens from 536 prostate cancer case-control pairs (59% White and 41% African American). We estimated the overall and race-stratified risk of subsequent prostate cancer associated with higher adduct levels. Prostate cancer risk for men with elevated adduct levels (defined as greater than control group median) was slightly increased [odds ratio (OR) = 1.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.98–1.67, P = 0.07]. After race stratification, elevated adduct levels were significantly associated with increased risk in African American men (OR = 1.56, CI = 1.00–2.44, *P = 0.05) but not White men (OR = 1.14, CI = 0.82–1.59, P = 0.45). Elevated PAH-DNA adduct levels were significantly associated with 60% increased risk of prostate cancer among cases diagnosed 1–4 years after cohort entry (OR = 1.60, CI = 1.07–2.41) with a greater risk observed in African Americans within the first 4 years of follow-up (OR = 4.71, CI = 1.97–11.26, ***P = 0.0005). Analyses stratified by age or tumor grade revealed no additional significant heterogeneity in risk. Increased prostate cancer risk associated with high PAH-DNA adduct levels in benign prostate was found only in African Americans; risk was greatest within 4 years of follow-up, possibly reflecting a carcinogenic process not yet histologically detectable