Predicting Diameter at Breast Height from Stump Measurements of Removed Trees to Estimate Cuttings, Illegal Loggings and Natural Disturbances

Predicting diameter at breast height (DBH) of trees from stump information may be necessary to reconstruct silvicultural practices, to assess harvested timber and wood, or to estimate forest products’ losses caused by illegal cuttings or natural disasters (disturbances). A model to predict DBH of felled trees was developed by the first Italian National Forest Inventory in 1985 (IFNI85). The model distinguished between the two broad groups of conifers and broadleaves and used stump diameter as the sole quantitative variable. Using an original dataset containing data from about 1200 trees of sixteen species recorded throughout Italy, we assessed the performance of that model. To improve the prediction of the DBH of removed trees over large areas and for multiple species, we developed new models using the same dataset. Performance of the new models was tested through indices computed on cross-validated data obtained through the leave-one-out method. A new model that performs better than the old one was finally selected. Compared to the old NFI model, the selected model improved DBH prediction for fourteen species up to 31.28%. This study proved that species specification and stump height are variables needed to improve the models’ performance and suggested that data collection should be continued to get enhanced models, accurate for different ecological and stand conditions

Relationship between p53 and p27 expression following HER2 signaling

HER2, frequently associated with low p27 expression in breast tumors, when activated has been found to upmodulate p53 in tumor cells. The aim of this work was to investigate the role of p53 in the connection between HER2 and p27. Fifty-two breast tumor specimens, characterized for p53 mutations, were analyzed immunohistochemically (IHC) for HER2, p53 and p27 expression. p27, inversely associated with HER2, was found in 29% of tumors with IHC-negative mutated p53 versus 93% of tumors with accumulation of p53 protein and 59% with wild-type p53 (p=0.001), indicating a direct association between p53 and p27 expression. HER2-overexpressing cell lines carrying wild-type or null p53 protein, and treated with heregulin beta1 (HRG), were analyzed for expression and subcellular localization of p53 and p27. In HER2-overexpressing cells stimulated with HRG, p27 protein expression increased in parallel with p53 with no corresponding increase in p27 transcript. No p27 increase was observed in p53-null cells. Transfection with wild-type p53 restored p27 upmodulation in HRG-stimulated cells, indicating a crucial role of p53 in determining p27 upmodulation following HER2 activation. Together, our data demonstrate the crucial role of p53 in determining p27 upmodulation following HER2 activation. This could have implications in the response to Transtuzumab therapy

Harmonising, improving and using social and recreational data in National Forest Inventories across Europe

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Comparison of methods used in European National Forest Inventories for the estimation of volume increment: towards harmonisation

International audienceAbstractKey messageThe increment estimation methods of European NFIs were explored by means of 12 essential NFI features. The results indicate various differences among NFIs within the commonly acknowledged methodological frame. The perspectives for harmonisation at the European level are promising.ContextThe estimation of increment is implemented differently in European National Forest Inventories (NFIs) due to different historical origins of NFIs and sampling designs and field assessments accommodated to country-specific conditions. The aspired harmonisation of increment estimation requires a comparison and an analysis of NFI methods.AimsThe objective was to investigate the differences in volume increment estimation methods used in European NFIs. The conducted work shall set a basis for harmonisation at the European level which is needed to improve information on forest resources for various strategic processes. MethodsA comprehensive enquiry was conducted during Cost Action FP1001 to explore the methods of increment estimation of 29 European NFIs. The enquiry built upon the preceding Cost Action E43 and was complemented by an analysis of literature to demonstrate the methodological backgrounds. ResultsThe comparison of methods revealed differences concerning the NFI features such as sampling grids, periodicity of assessments, permanent and temporary plots, use of remote sensing, sample tree selection, components of forest growth, forest area changes, sampling thresholds, field measurements, drain assessment, involved models and tree parts included in estimates. ConclusionIncrement estimation methods differ considerably among European NFIs. Their harmonisation introduces new issues into the harmonisation process. Recent accomplishments and the increased use of sample-based inventories in Europe make perspectives for harmonised reporting of increment estimation promising

The conservation status assessment of Natura 2000 forest habitats in Europe: capabilities, potentials and challenges of national forest inventories data

This article is part of the topical collection on Forest information for bioeconomy outlooks at European level- Key message - There is a need to improve the consistency of international information concerning the conservation status assessment of the species and habitat types in the Natura 2000 reports. National Forest Inventories could contribute towards a more objective and harmonised assessment although their use shows some challenges as low precision for rare or small area habitats. Recommendations for a set of 12 structural and functional indicators are provided. - Context - There are differences among Member States as regards applying conservation status assessment and priorities according to the Directive on the conservation of natural habitats (Habitats Directive). - Aims -This paper aims to analyse the consistency as regards forest habitat types reporting and the use and suitability of National Forest Inventories (NFIs) to assess their conservation status, as well as to provide recommendations for harmonised assessments through NFIs. - Methods - A survey was carried out concerning the use of NFI data to report within the commitments of the Habitat Directive. The survey covered 13 European countries, accounting for 62% of forest habitat area. Additionally, case studies were carried out in four countries. - Results -The identification of forest habitat types and the set of quantitative and/or qualitative indicators differ between countries. The use of NFI data is being considered in seven countries and it is expected to increase for the 2013–2018 reporting period. The main challenges reported of use of NFI data are related to the habitat identification and their mapping, and the monitoring frequency, design and costs (i.e. rare or small area habitats). - Conclusion - It is necessary to improve the comparability of the conservation status assessments between countriesinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Assessing forest availability for wood supply in Europe

The quantification of forests available for wood supply (FAWS) is essential for decision-making with regard to the maintenance and enhancement of forest resources and their contribution to the global carbon cycle. The provision of harmonized forest statistics is necessary for the development of forest associated policies and to support decision-making. Based on the National Forest Inventory (NFI) data from 13 European countries, we quantify and compare the areas and aboveground dry biomass (AGB) of FAWS and forest not available for wood supply (FNAWS) according to national and reference definitions by determining the restrictions and associated thresholds considered at country level to classify forests as FAWS or FNAWS. FAWS represent between 75 and 95 % of forest area and AGB for most of the countries in this study. Economic restrictions are the main factor limiting the availability of forests for wood supply, accounting for 67 % of the total FNAWS area and 56 % of the total FNAWS AGB, followed by environmental restrictions. Profitability, slope and accessibility as economic restrictions, and protected areas as environmental restrictions are the factors most frequently considered to distinguish between FAWS and FNAWS. With respect to the area of FNAWS associated with each type of restriction, an overlap among the restrictions of 13.7 % was identified. For most countries, the differences in the FNAWS areas and AGB estimates between national and reference definitions ranged from 0 to 5 %. These results highlight the applicability and reliability of a FAWS reference definition for most of the European countries studied, thereby facilitating a consistent approach to assess forests available for supply for the purpose of international reportinginfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Capacity building to boost information and communication skills inside an institute of research

To enhance its visibility, the Library of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) along with the Scientific Communication Unit of the same institution delivered a set of informal online training sessions, or webinars, on their fields of expertise: information retrieval, publication, effective communication, and research evaluation, specifically addressed to internal users. The collaboration was extremely useful in terms of improved knowledge on skills available among the personnel of these two services. It increased trust in the competencies of internal staff and at the same time it contributed to develop awareness of the value of the services rendered. Skills to use available online resources for training were improved as well as ISS staff cohesion favouring the development of new collaborations

Molecular epidemiology of Usher syndrome in Italy

Purpose: Usher syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by hearing and vision loss. Usher syndrome is divided into three clinical subclasses (type 1, type 2, and type 3), which differ in terms of the severity and progression of hearing loss and the presence or absence of vestibular symptoms. Usher syndrome is defined by significant genetic heterogeneity, with at least 12 distinct loci described and 9 genes identified. This study aims to provide a molecular epidemiology report of Usher syndrome in Italy. Methods: Molecular data have been obtained on 75 unrelated Italian patients using the most up-to date technology available for the screening of Usher syndrome gene mutations, i.e., the genotyping microarray developed by Asper Biotech (Tartu, Estonia), which simultaneously investigates 612 different marker positions using the well established arrayed primer extension methodology (APEX). Results: Using this method, we found that 12% of cases (9 out of 75) harbored homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in the gene positions analyzed, whereas 20% (15 out of 75) of the patients were characterized by the presence of only one mutated allele based on the positions analyzed. One patient was found to be compound heterozygous for mutations in two different genes and this represents an example of possible digenic inheritance in Usher syndrome. A total of 66.6% of cases (50 out of 75) were found to be completely negative for the presence of Usher syndrome gene mutations in the detected positions. Mutations detected by the array were confirmed by direct sequencing. Conclusions: These findings highlight the efficacy of the APEX-based genotyping approach in the molecular assessment of Usher patients, suggesting the presence of alleles not yet identified and/or the involvement of additional putative genes that may account for the pathogenesis of Usher syndrome

Desmoplastic small round cell tumor:from state of the art to future clinical prospects

Introduction: Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is an extremely rare and highly aggressive soft tissue sarcoma, presenting mainly in male adolescents and young adults with multiple nodules disseminated within the abdominopelvic cavity. Despite a multimodal approach including aggressive cytoreductive surgery, intensive multi-agent chemotherapy, and postoperative whole abdominopelvic radiotherapy, the prognosis for DSRCT remains dismal. Median progression-free survival ranges between 4 and 21 months, and overall survival between 17 and 60 months, with the 5-year overall survival rate in the range of 10–20%. Area covered: This review discusses the treatment strategies used for DSRCT over the years, the state of the art of current treatments, and future clinical prospects. Expert opinion: The unsatisfactory outcomes for patients with DSRCT warrant investigations into innovative treatment combinations. An international multidisciplinary and multi-stakeholder collaboration, involving both pediatric and adult sarcoma communities, is needed to propel preclinical model generation and drug development, and innovative clinical trial designs to enable the timely testing of treatments involving novel agents guided by biology to boost the chances of survival for patients with this devastating disease.</p