Drought impact on forest carbon dynamics and fluxes in Amazonia.

In 2005 and 2010 the Amazon basin experienced two strong droughts, driven by shifts in the tropical hydrological regime possibly associated with global climate change, as predicted by some global models. Tree mortality increased after the 2005 drought, and regional atmospheric inversion modelling showed basin-wide decreases in CO2 uptake in 2010 compared with 2011 (ref. 5). But the response of tropical forest carbon cycling to these droughts is not fully understood and there has been no detailed multi-site investigation in situ. Here we use several years of data from a network of thirteen 1-ha forest plots spread throughout South America, where each component of net primary production (NPP), autotrophic respiration and heterotrophic respiration is measured separately, to develop a better mechanistic understanding of the impact of the 2010 drought on the Amazon forest. We find that total NPP remained constant throughout the drought. However, towards the end of the drought, autotrophic respiration, especially in roots and stems, declined significantly compared with measurements in 2009 made in the absence of drought, with extended decreases in autotrophic respiration in the three driest plots. In the year after the drought, total NPP remained constant but the allocation of carbon shifted towards canopy NPP and away from fine-root NPP. Both leaf-level and plot-level measurements indicate that severe drought suppresses photosynthesis. Scaling these measurements to the entire Amazon basin with rainfall data, we estimate that drought suppressed Amazon-wide photosynthesis in 2010 by 0.38 petagrams of carbon (0.23-0.53 petagrams of carbon). Overall, we find that during this drought, instead of reducing total NPP, trees prioritized growth by reducing autotrophic respiration that was unrelated to growth. This suggests that trees decrease investment in tissue maintenance and defence, in line with eco-evolutionary theories that trees are competitively disadvantaged in the absence of growth. We propose that weakened maintenance and defence investment may, in turn, cause the increase in post-drought tree mortality observed at our plots.

Specificity of histological markers of long-term CNI nephrotoxicity in kidney-transplant recipients under low-dose cyclosporine therapy.

The specificity of chronic histological lesions induced by calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) is often questioned, but few studies have directly compared long-term lesions in renal-transplant patients who received this treatment and those who did not. We therefore conducted a retrospective study of 141 kidney-transplant recipients treated with (n = 48) or without (n = 93) cyclosporine (CsA) to compare the histological lesions observed at 3-month, 24-month and 10-year protocol biopsies. All of the chronic elementary lesions (glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy, arteriolar hyalinosis, fibrointimal thickening) progressed in frequency and severity in both groups, although significantly more in the CsA group. Ten-year biopsy results showed that 92% of patients in the CsA-treated group and 65% in the control group had arteriolar hyalinosis lesions. When we focused on muscular arteriolar hyaline deposits more specific to CsA arteriolopathy, we observed these lesions in 68% of CsA patients and 28% of patients who had never received CsA. CsA was not the sole factor involved in the development of arteriolar hyalinosis and was independently associated with an increased risk of graft loss. In summary, we observed that histological lesions commonly attributed to CsA nephrotoxicity were not sufficiently specific to definitively diagnose CNI nephrotoxicity.

Molecular studies of a patient with complete androgen insensitivity and a 47,XXY karyotype.

A phenotypic female with complete androgen insensitivity from a maternally inherited mutation in the androgen receptor had a 47,XXY karyotype. Partial maternal X isodisomy explained the expression of androgen insensitivity despite the presence of 2 X chromosomes.

Changes of the forest-savanna boundary in Brazilian Amazonia during the Holocene revealed by stable isotope ratios of soil organic carbon.

The possibility of ecosystem boundary changes in northern Brazilian Amazonia during the Holocene period was investigated using soil organic carbon isotope ratios. Determination of past and present fluctuations of the forest-savanna boundary involved the measurement of natural 13C isotope abundance, expressed as δ13C, in soil organic matter (SOM). SOM 13C analyses and radiocarbon dating of charcoal fragments were carried out on samples derived from soil profiles taken along transects perpendicular to the ecotonal boundary. SOM δ13C values in the upper soil horizons appeared to be in equilibrium with the overlying vegetation types and did not point to a movement of the boundary during the last decades. However, δ13C values obtained from deeper savanna and forest soil layers indicated that the vegetation type has changed in the past. In current savanna soil profiles, we observed the presence of mid-Holocene charcoals derived from forest species: fire frequency at that time was probably greater, and more extensive savanna may have resulted. Isotope data and the presence of these charcoals thus suggest that the forest-savanna boundary has shifted significantly in the recent Holocene period, forest being more extensive during the early Holocene than today. During the middle Holocene, the forest could have strongly regressed, and fires appeared, with a maximum development of the savanna vegetation. At the beginning of the late Holocene, the forest may have invaded a part of this savanna, and fires occurred again.

Present dynamics of the savanna-forest boundary in the Congolese Mayombe: a pedological, botanical and isotopic (13C and 14C) study.

Isolated savannas enclosed by forest are especially abundant in the eastern part of the Congolese Mayombe. They are about 3000 years old, and were more extensive some centuries ago. The boundary between forest and savanna is very abrupt, as a consequence of the numerous savanna fires lit by hunters. Floristic composition and vegetation structure data, organic carbon ratios, Δ14C and δ13C measurements presented here show that forest is spreading over savanna at the present time and suggest that the rate of forest encroachment is is currently between 14 and 75 m per century, and more probably about 20-50 m per century. As most savannas are less than 1 km across, such rates mean, assuming there are no changes in environmental conditions, that enclosed savannas could completely disappear in the Mayombe in about 1000-2000 years.

Total cholesterol correlates with cyclosporine C2 levels in kidney transplant recipients under maintenance immunosuppression.

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between cyclosporine (CyA) trough level (C0) and 2-hour postdose (C2) and total cholesterol (TC) in kidney transplant (KT) recipients on Neoral maintenance immunosuppression. In KT recipients who had more than 5 years of follow-up, stable graft function, and stable Neoral dose, we measured C2 and C0 blood levels, serum creatinine, mean total cholesterol (TC) over the last 5 years, prednisone dose, use of beta-blockers and thiazides. Correlations between C0 and C2 levels and TC were performed with the Pearson coefficient. Receiver operating characteristics (ROCs) were used to define the threshold with greater accuracy for significant variables at the correlation test. Statistical tests were performed with SPSS 9.5 The C2 correlated with TC (0.31; P=.008) whereas C0 did not. The C2 level was an independent predictor for TC after adjusting for recipient age, gender, dose of prednisone, creatinine clearance, and use of beta-blockers and thiazides (B coefficient=1.124(E-3); P=.009). A threshold C2 value of 700 microg/L yielded to a TC level of 5.2 mmol/L. This is the first study to report a correlation between C2 levels and TC. Although C2 explained a small fraction of TC variability, it is an independent predictor of TC in KT recipients on Neoral maintenance immunosuppression. A long-term C2 value under 700 microg correlates with better control of hypercholesterolemia.

Evaluation of a preemptive strategy for BK polyomavirus-associated nephropathy based on prospective monitoring of BK viremia: a kidney transplantation center experience.

INTRODUCTION: BK polyomavirus-associated nephropathy (BKPVAN) is a major cause of renal failure early after kidney transplantation. The present study reports the preliminary results of prospective monitoring including a preemptive strategy for BKPVAN during the first year after kidney transplantation. METHODS: We monitored BK virus DNA in blood at months 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12 among 92 subjects who received induction therapy (basiliximab or antithymocyte globulin), and maintenance immunosuppression with prednisone, mycophenolate mofetil, and tacrolimus. Patients with two or more consecutive measurements of viral load >10(4) copies/mL were treated with a stepwise approach including dose reduction or discontinuation of mycophenolate mofetil eventually followed by reduction of tacrolimus and introduction of leflunomide. RESULTS: Within 1 year, seven (7%) patients displayed sustained BK viremia at a median of 92 days after transplantation. Among 68 patients who underwent a renal allograft biopsy, seven were diagnosed as BKPVAN at a median of 15 weeks after transplantation. The diagnosis was achieved by a surveillance biopsy in four patients with stable renal function. BKPVAN was preceded by asymptomatic viremia except for two cases in whom BK viremia occurred at 6 or 11 months, after the histological diagnosis. At 12 months, six patients had cleared their viremia. Serum creatinine levels had stabilized in six recipients with BKPVAN estimated renal function was 43.7 ± 16.3 mL/min in patients with viremia and/or BKPVAN versus 61.3 ± 20.1 mL/min among patients who never became viremic (P = .03). None of the patients with viremia and/or BKPVAN lost the allograft. CONCLUSION: BKPVAN may occur early after kidney transplantation, at a low or undetectable viremia or at some weeks after the first positive viremia. Intensive monitoring during the first 4 months after transplantation together with early protocol biopsies or interventions prompted by BK viremia may optimize BKPVAN diagnosis at a subclinical stage, thus avoiding renal dysfunction.

Cooling in cat visual cortex: stability of orientation selectivity despite changes in responsiveness and spike width.

Cooling is one of several reversible methods used to inactivate local regions of the brain. Here the effect of cooling was studied in the primary visual cortex (area 17) of anaesthetized and paralyzed cats. When the cortical surface temperature was cooled to about 0 degrees C, the temperature 2 mm below the surface was 20 degrees C. The lateral spread of cold was uniform over a distance of at least approximately 700 microm from the cooling loop. When the cortex was cooled the visually evoked responses to drifting sine wave gratings were strongly reduced in proportion to the cooling temperature, but the mean spontaneous activity of cells decreased only slightly. During cooling the strongest effect on the orientation tuning curve was on the peak response and the orientation bandwidth did not change, suggesting a divisive mechanism. Our results show that the cortical circuit is robust in the face of cooling and retains its essential functionality, albeit with reduced responsiveness. The width of the extracellular spike waveform measured at half height increased by 50% on average during cooling in almost all cases and recovered after re-warming. The increase in spike width was inversely correlated with the change in response amplitude to the optimal stimulus. The extracellular spike shape can thus be used as a reliable and fast method to assess whether changes in the responses of a neuron are due to direct cooling or distant effects on a source of its afferents.

The evolution of kidney function after lung transplantation: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Little information exists regarding the rate of kidney functional loss after lung transplantation. The aim of this study was to assess the evolution of kidney function after lung transplantation, seeking to identify a pretransplant glomerular filtration rate (GFR) threshold under which dual lung-kidney transplantation should be considered. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a single-center, retrospective cohort study among patients who received a first lung transplant. GFR was measured with the MDRD7 equation immediately before and up to 10 years after transplantation. A hierarchical model of linear regression was used to determine the evolution of GFR over time. RESULTS: We studied 241 subjects whose mean GFR was 92 +/- 33 mL/min/1.73 m(2) immediately before transplantation. The GFR declined quickly during the first posttransplant month (-24 mL/min/1.73 m(2) vs baseline; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -27, -21 mL/min/1.73 m(2)). It decreased slightly between 1 and 12 months (-34 mL/min/1.73 m(2) at 12 months vs baseline; 95% CI: -37, -31 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) and then stabilized up to 10 years after transplantation. GFR loss varied according to the baseline GFR. In patients with baseline GFR < or = 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2), the GFR declined by 9 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (95% CI = 6-15) at 1 year and was stable there after. CONCLUSION: GFR declines rapidly in the first month and at 1 year after lung transplantation, stabilizing thereafter. Because they are likely to develop eligibility for kidney transplantation in the 1 to 2 years following lung transplantation, we believe that dual lung-kidney transplantation should definitely be considered for subjects with a baseline GFR < or = 35 mL/min/1.73 m(2).

Lack of benefit of early protocol biopsies in renal transplant patients receiving TAC and MMF: a randomized study.

We conducted a randomized, multicenter study to determine whether treatment of subclinical rejection with increased corticosteroids resulted in beneficial outcomes in renal transplant patients receiving tacrolimus (TAC), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and prednisone. One hundred and twenty-one patients were randomized to biopsies at 0,1,2,3 and 6 months (Biopsy arm), and 119 to biopsies at 0 and 6 months only (Control arm). The primary endpoint of the study was the prevalence of the sum of the interstitial and tubular scores (ci + ct)> 2 (Banff) at 6 months. Secondary endpoints included clinical and subclinical rejection and renal function. At 6 months, 34.8% of the Biopsy and 20.5% of the Control arm patients had a ci + ct score >or= 2 (p = 0.07). Between months 0 and 6, clinical rejection episodes were 12 in 10 Biopsy arm patients and 8 in 8 Control arm patients (p = 0.44). Overall prevalence of subclinical rejection in the Biopsy arm was 4.6%. Creatinine clearance at 6 months was 72.9 +/- 21.7 in the Biopsy and 68.90 mL/min +/- 18.35 mL/min in the Control arm patients (p = 0.18). In conclusion, we found no benefit to the procurement of early protocol biopsies in renal transplant patients receiving TAC, MMF and prednisone, at least in the short term. This is likely due to their low prevalence of subclinical rejection.

Moderate renal failure in association with prolonged acquired hypothyroidism in children.

We evaluated five children with prolonged primary hypothyroidism and noted a significant reduction in renal function (40%), which was reversible with hormonal replacement. This decline was higher than reported in adults and was of sufficient magnitude to warrant altering drug-dosing schedules. Furthermore, patients with moderately reduced renal function should be carefully evaluated for signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism.

Prospective analysis and classification of patients with cystinuria identified in a newborn screening program.

Patients who inherit mutant cystinuria genes excrete high concentrations of cystine, ornithine, arginine, and lysine in the urine. At least three variants of cystinuria can be distinguished in heterozygotes. To determine whether certain combinations of mutant genes are more disadvantageous than others, we analyzed amino acid excretion in families of 17 probands with cystinuria identified by the Quebec neonatal screening program. Parents of the probands were classified into the three known phenotypes by calculating the sum of cystine, ornithine, arginine, and lysine excretion. Although parents of type I/I homozygotes excreted amounts of cystine in the normal range, their offspring excreted significantly greater amounts of urinary cystine than did children who have type I/III genetic compounds. This observation suggests that types I and III cystinuria mutations might involve two distinct genetic loci. Children with type I/I homozygous cystinuria often excrete cystine at levels greater than the theoretic solubility limit and may be at greatest risk for nephrolithiasis. We outline an approach to monitoring children with cystinuria who come to medical attention before formation of cystine stones.