A multi-scale modelling approach for analysing landscape service dynamics.

Shifting societal needs drive and shape landscapes and the provision of their services. This paper presents a modelling approach to visualize the regional spatial and temporal dynamics in landscape service supply as a function of changing landscapes and societal demand. This changing demand can result from different policy targets. In this paper we conceptualise the system in which these dynamics take place by explicitly addressing (i) the multifunctional character of a landscape, (ii) the different spatial levels at which interactions between landscape service supply, demand, and land management occur, and (iii) trade-offs in service supply as a result of land management actions. Next, we translate the resulting conceptual framework into an operational model. As a demonstration, this model is applied to simulate changes in landscape service supply driven by regional policies in a rural region of the Netherlands. This application demonstrates potential trade-offs, which emerge in a spatially explicit way in the region over time. It illustrates the potential relevance of modelling landscape service dynamics for environmental management and decision making.

Global biodiversity scenarios for the year 2100.

Scenarios of changes in biodiversity for the year 2100 can now be developed based on scenarios of changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide, climate, vegetation, and land use and the known sensitivity of biodiversity to these changes. This study identified a ranking of the importance of drivers of change, a ranking of the biomes with respect to expected changes, and the major sources of uncertainties. For terrestrial ecosystems, land-use change probably will have the largest effect, followed by climate change, nitrogen deposition, biotic exchange, and elevated carbon dioxide concentration. For freshwater ecosystems, biotic exchange is much more important. Mediterranean climate and grassland ecosystems likely will experience the greatest proportional change in biodiversity because of the substantial influence of all drivers of biodiversity change. Northern temperate ecosystems are estimated to experience the least biodiversity change because major land-use change has already occurred. Plausible changes in biodiversity in other biomes depend on interactions among the causes of biodiversity change. These interactions represent one of the largest uncertainties in projections of future biodiversity change.

The properties of a tRNA-specific adenosine deaminase from Drosophila melanogaster support an evolutionary link between pre-mRNA editing and tRNA modification.

Pre-mRNA editing involving the conversion of adenosine to inosine is mediated by adenosine deaminases that act on RNA (ADAR1 and ADAR2). ADARs contain multiple double-stranded RNA(dsRNA)-binding domains in addition to an adenosine deaminase domain. An adenosine deaminase acting on tRNAs, scTad1p (also known as scADAT1), cloned from Saccharomyces cerevisiae has a deaminase domain related to the ADARs but lacks dsRNA-binding domains. We have identified a gene homologous to scADAT1 in the region of Drosophila melanogaster Adh chromosome II. Recombinant Drosophila ADAT1 (dADAT1) has been expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris and purified. The enzyme has no activity on dsRNA substrates but is a tRNA deaminase with specificity for adenosine 37 of insect alanine tRNA. dADAT1 shows greater similarity to vertebrate ADARs than to yeast Tad1p, supporting the hypothesis of a common evolutionary origin for ADARs and ADATs. dAdat1 transcripts are maternally supplied in the egg. Zygotic expression is widespread initially and later concentrates in the central nervous system.

Inhibition of cytokine-induced NF-kappaB activation by adenovirus-mediated expression of a NF-kappaB super-repressor prevents beta-cell apoptosis.

Cytokine-induced beta-cell death is an important event in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes. The transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) is activated by interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), and its activity promotes the expression of several beta-cell genes, including pro- and anti-apoptotic genes. To elucidate the role of cytokine (IL-1beta + gamma-interferon [IFN-gamma])-induced expression of NF-kappaB in beta-cell apoptosis, rat beta-cells were infected with the recombinant adenovirus AdIkappaB((SA)2), which contained a nondegradable mutant form of inhibitory kappaB (IkappaB((SA)2), with S32A and S36A) that locks NF-kappaB in a cytosolic protein complex, preventing its nuclear action. Expression of IkappaB((SA)2) inhibited cytokine-stimulated nuclear translocation and DNA-binding of NF-kappaB. Cytokine-induced gene expression of several NF-kappaB targets, namely inducible nitric oxide synthase, Fas, and manganese superoxide dismutase, was prevented by AdIkappaB((SA)2), as established by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, protein blot, and measurement of nitrite in the medium. Finally, beta-cell survival after IL-1beta + IFN-gamma treatment was significantly improved by IkappaB((SA)2) expression, mostly through inhibition of the apoptotic pathway. Based on these findings, we conclude that NF-kappaB activation, under in vitro conditions, has primarily a pro-apoptotic function in beta-cells.

Differential expression and function of the Drosophila Pax6 genes eyeless and twin of eyeless in embryonic central nervous system development.

We analyzed the expression and function of eyeless (ey) and twin of eyeless (toy) in the embryonic central nervous system (CNS) of Drosophila. Both genes are differentially expressed in specific neuronal subsets (but not in glia) in every CNS neuromere, and in the brain, specific cell populations co-expressing both proteins define a longitudinal domain which is intercalated between broad exclusive expression domains of ey and toy. Studies of genetic null alleles and dsRNA interference did not reveal any gross neuroanatomical effects of ey, toy, or ey/toy elimination in the embryonic CNS. In contrast, targeted misexpression of ey, but not of toy, resulted in profound axonal abnormalities in the embryonic ventral nerve cord and brain.

Correlation between temperature-dependent cytoplasmic solubility and periplasmic export of a heterologous protein in Escherichia coli.

The coding sequence of mature human tumor necrosis factor (hTNF) was fused to the signal-encoding sequence of beta-lactamase (Bla). Mature hTNF was exported into the periplasm of Escherichia coli. A mutant hTNF [Van Ostade et al., FEBS Lett. 238 (1988) 347-352], which displays a temperature-dependent intracellular solubility, was fused to the same Bla signal-encoding sequence. We found that the export competence of the mutated hTNF was correlated with the intracellular solubility of this protein. We postulate that the secretion proficiency of eukaryotic proteins, when fused to a prokaryotic export signal, depends on the ability of the mature protein to readily fold into a soluble conformation.

The efficacy of Xialine in patients with xerostomia resulting from radiotherapy for head and neck cancer: a pilot-study.

Changes in subjective sensations due to xerostomia before and after administration of Xialine, a xanthan gum-based saliva substitute, were evaluated in 30 patients with radiation-induced xerostomia using the QLQ-H&N35. Xerostomia in general decreased with both Xialine and placebo to almost the same degree. A trend was seen for Xialine to improve problems with speech and senses.

Nocardia farcinica as the causative agent in a primary psoas abscess in a previously healthy cattle inspector.

A 42-year-old, previously healthy cattle inspector presented with a 7-day history of fever, a painful left knee, malaise and muscular pain. He did not suffer from an underlying disease, nor was he immunocompromised. After 12 days of hospitalization, a unilocular abscess in the left psoas muscle was diagnosed. Nocardia farcinica was isolated from the aspirate. No connection with his work could be demonstrated. The patient was successfully treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for 11 months.

Splenic epithelial cysts and splenomegaly: diagnosis and management.

Splenomegaly is a common problem. In the absence of systemic illness or malignancy splenic cysts must be considered, especially the epithelial variety. For large cysts total splenectomy has long been recommended. Recognition of the risk of an overwhelming postsplenectomy infection (OPSI), especially in children, has led to spleen conserving surgery. We describe the use of an absorbable Vicryl net after partial splenectomy with total cystectomy in the management of splenic epithelial cysts.

[Anuria and recurrent pulmonary edema due to ischemic nephropathy successfully treated with surgical renal revascularization]. / Anurie en recidiverend longoedeem door ischemische nefropathie succesvol behandeld door chirurgische renale revascularisatie.

In a 61-year-old man, who had undergone left-sided nephrectomy in the past, and who came with anuria and recurrent pulmonary oedema, complete obstruction of the right renal artery was diagnosed. Recurrent pulmonary oedema may be a manifestation of ischaemic renal disease. This clinical entity is not rare and may lead to terminal renal insufficiency. Both surgery and angioplasty can preserve or improve renal function and make dialysis therapy unnecessary. In the patient described, the stenotic part of the renal artery was resected and the vessel connected to the aorta end to side; the patient recovered.

The use of elastic intramedullary nailing in the stabilisation of paediatric fractures.

UNLABELLED: The treatment of paediatric long-bone fractures remains controversial. Elastic intramedullary nailing has been proposed as an alternative for the treatment of paediatric long-bone fractures. PATIENTS: We treated 68 children in a time span of 9 years with 32 fractures of the forearm, 27 fractures of the femur and nine fractures of the tibia. The mean age was 8.3 years and the mean admission time 2.6 days. RESULTS: Mean consolidation time was 7.9 weeks for the forearm fractures, 11.9 weeks for the femur fractures and 10.6 weeks for the tibial fractures. Full weight bearing for the latter two fracture types was allowed within the first week. There were no major complications. The complications encountered were three hydrops of the knee, four low-grade infections and one delayed union. Leg length discrepancy was only seen in five patients (18%) and was less than 2 cm. DISCUSSION: In femur fractures, we let the parents decide between skeletal traction and intramedullary rods. When confronted with the possible complications (operation-related complications and infection) compared to the advantages (early weight bearing and short admission time), they almost always choose the operative approach. In our opinion, elastic intramedullary nailing is an excellent treatment option for diaphyseal fractures in children with skeletal immaturity, especially of the femur.

Determining the global significance of local and regional mitigation strategies: Setting the scene with global integrated assessment models.

Because of the importance and complexity of the processes involved in the response of land cover and land use to changing environmental conditions, other approaches are required to evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation options. One such approach is provided by the global integrated assessment model, IMAGE 2. This article presents the structure and some of the underlying assumptions of IMAGE 2, which illustrates the importance of feedback processes in evaluating the effectiveness of mitigation options with respect to land use. Although models such as IMAGE 2 are unsuitable for local and national mitigation evaluations, they can be used to define the regional and global constraints of the smaller scale assessments.

Evaluating changes in land cover and their importance for global change.

During recent years, much progress has been made in integrating traditional natural science disciplines and in the developmnet of multidisciplinary models. This is crucial for an increased understanding of the dynamics of the Earth system. The domination of human activities in altering these dynamics is still increasing. However, few research projects have focused directly on understanding the motives for such intensification. It has only recently been acknowledged that improved understanding of human driving forces of global change is required to enable meaningful projections of plausible future states of the Earth system.

Splenic autotransplantation and the immune system. Adequate testing required for evaluation of effect.

The risk of severe infections after splenectomy, even after many years, is now well established. In attempts to prevent these infections, spleen-saving techniques, including autotransplantation of spleen fragments, have been performed, when possible in combination with vaccination. The problem in autotransplantation is the evaluation of functional activity. The results of the tests used until now often do not seem to correlate very well with the risk of developing an overwhelming postsplenectomy infection (OPSI). This may be related to the fact that the tests used evaluate general functions, and not specific spleen-related functions, such as the capacity to mount a primary response to certain polysaccharide antigens present in the capsule of bacteria known to cause OPSI. In this review, the significance of the spleen in the human immune system is discussed and the effects of splenectomy are described, including the precautions that can be taken to diminish the risk of postsplenectomy infections and sepsis. It appears that postsplenectomy vaccination is more successful when recently developed protein-conjugated polysaccharide vaccines are used. Because the present testing of the function of spleen autotransplants is not adequate, we suggest that new tests should be developed, employing appropriate polysaccharide antigens.

A broad-host-range expression vector based on the pL promoter of coliphage lambda: regulated synthesis of human interleukin 2 in Erwinia and Serratia species.

We report the construction of a broad-host-range expression vector based on an RSF1010-derived replicon. The vector carries the strong leftward promoter (pL) of coliphage lambda as well as the cI857 allele, which codes for a thermolabile repressor protein. The coding region of mature human interleukin 2, which is preceded by the ner ribosome binding site of phage Mu, was cloned downstream from the pL promoter. The plasmid was introduced into Erwinia and Serratia species by means of mobilization. Heat-inducible synthesis of interleukin 2 protein was obtained, showing that the pL promoter is functional in these genera. As in Escherichia coli, the bulk of the overproduced protein was present in an insoluble form.

Spleen autotransplantation provides restoration of functional splenic lymphoid compartments and improves the humoral immune response to pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine.

After splenectomy, patients have an increased risk of overwhelming post-splenectomy infection (OPSI) or sepsis involving encapsulated bacteria such as pneumococcus. The value of spleen autotransplantation after splenectomy because of trauma has long been questioned. Much attention has been given to the restoration of mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS) function, which appeared to be similar to that of splenectomized individuals. The presence of specific anti-pneumococcal antibodies may enhance phagocytosis of opsonized bacteria by other parts of the MPS, as present in the liver. Therefore, in the present study we have evaluated the restoration of the humoral immune response after spleen autotransplantation, especially to pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides (PPS). Wistar rats were divided into three groups which were operated as follows: splenectomy, splenectomy followed by autotransplantation, and sham operation. After 12 weeks the rats were vaccinated with 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine. Blood samples were taken after 3 days, 3 and 6 weeks for anti-PPS IgM and IgG ELISA against types 3, 4, 6, 9, 14 and 23. In addition, immunohistological studies were performed on the autotransplants. Significant antibody titre rises were found in a main proportion of the autotransplanted rats, comparable to sham-operated rats. Splenectomized rats showed as well a significantly lower increase in immunoglobulin levels, as significant differences in the proportion of rats showing a minimum two-fold increase of antibody level, considered to represent an adequate response. The titres were highest 3 days after vaccination. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated structurally functional autotransplants, including an intact marginal zone. Considering this significant anti- pneumococcal antibody response, spleen autotransplants can be expected to enable an improved humoral response to PPS, and to contribute to protection against OPSI after splenectomy.