| 1. |
- Stone, D., et al.
(författare)
-
A method of establishing a transect for biodiversity and ecosystem function monitoring across Europe
- 2016
-
Ingår i: Applied Soil Ecology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0929-1393 .- 1873-0272. ; 97, s. 3-11
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The establishment of the range of soil biodiversity found within European soils is needed to guide EU policy development regarding the protection of soil. Such a base-line should be collated from a wide-ranging sampling campaign to ensure that soil biodiversity from the majority of soil types, land-use or management systems, and European climatic (bio-geographical zones) were included. This paper reports the design and testing of a method to achieve the large scale sampling associated with the establishment of such a baseline, carried out within the remit of the EcoFINDERS project, and outlines points to consider when such a task is undertaken. Applying a GIS spatial selection process, a sampling campaign was undertaken by 13 EcoFINDERS partners across 11 countries providing data on the range of indicators of biodiversity and ecosystem functions including; micro and meso fauna biodiversity, extracellular enzyme activity, PLEA and community level physiological profiling (MicroResp (TM) and Biolog (TM)). Physical, chemical and bio-geographical parameters of the 81 sites sampled were used to determine whether the model predicted a wide enough range of sites to allow assessment of the biodiversity indicators tested. Discrimination between the major bio-geographical zones of Atlantic and Continental was possible for all land-use types. Boreal and Alpine zones only allowed discrimination in the most common land-use type for that area e.g. forestry and grassland sites, respectively, while the Mediterranean zone did not have enough sites sampled to draw conclusions across all land-use types. The method used allowed the inclusion of a range of land-uses in both the model prediction stage and the final sites sampled. The establishment of the range of soil biodiversity across Europe is possible, though a larger targeted campaign is recommended. The techniques applied within the EcoFINDERS sampling would be applicable to a larger campaign. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
|
|
| 2. |
- Bernhardt, J, et al.
(författare)
-
CASE Needs Analysis. Summary. Findings on Competencies for Sustainability-driven Entrepreneurship. Based on interviews with partners from sustainability-driven enterprises and universities.
- 2016
-
Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The report represents the main outputs of the needs analysis of work package 1 (WP1) within the CASE project. The specific aim of the report and WP1 is to summarize concrete needs and necessary competencies for sustainability-driven entrepreneurship. For this purpose a qualitative research approach was chosen to bring together perspectives of enterprises and universities concerning a future collaboration as a possible starting-point for a long-lasting multistakeholder network. Furthermore an analysis of best practice examples was necessary in order to create synergies and use existing knowledge and good experiences of teaching towards sustainability-driven entrepreneurship. As the results show, both, companies and universities, are highly aware of the huge challenges for society, economy and natural environment on a global and regional level. That calls for integrated, holistic approaches and for comprehensive socio-economic transformation processes, involving various stakeholders from entrepreneurial, societal and educational contexts. As disciplinary analysis quickly reach their limits, research and practice for sustainability-driven entrepreneurship require comprehensive and integrated approaches. Multistakeholder networks could provide the right learning environments for complex sustainability issues.
|
|
| 3. |
- Fryk, Emanuel, et al.
(författare)
-
Microdialysis and proteomics of subcutaneous interstitial fluid reveals increased galectin-1 in type 2 diabetes patients
- 2016
-
Ingår i: Metabolism-Clinical and Experimental. - : Elsevier BV. - 0026-0495 .- 1532-8600. ; 65:7, s. 998-1006
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective. To identify a potential therapeutic target for type 2 diabetes by comparing the subcutaneous interstitial fluid from type 2 diabetes patients and healthy men. Methods. Proteomics was performed on the interstitial fluid of subcutaneous adipose tissue obtained by microdialysis from 7 type 2 diabetes patients and 8 healthy participants. 851 proteins were detected, of which 36 (including galectin-1) showed significantly altered expression in type 2 diabetes. We also measured galectin-1 expression in: (1) adipocytes isolated from adipose tissue biopsies from these participants; (2) subcutaneous adipose tissue of 24 obese participants before, during and after 16 weeks on a very low calorie diet (VLCD); and (3) adipocytes isolated from 6 healthy young participants after 4 weeks on a diet and lifestyle intervention to promote weight gain. We also determined the effect of galectin-1 on glucose uptake in human adipose tissue. Results. Galectin-1 protein levels were elevated in subcutaneous dialysates from type 2 diabetes compared with healthy controls (p < 0.05). In agreement, galectin-1 mRNA expression was increased in adipocytes from the type 2 diabetes patients (p < 0.05). Furthermore, galectin-1 mRNA expression was decreased in adipose tissue after VLCD (p < 0.05) and increased by overfeeding (p < 0.05). Co-incubation of isolated human adipocytes with galectin-1 reduced glucose uptake (p < 0.05) but this was independent of the insulin signal. Conclusion. Proteomics of the interstitial fluid in subcutaneous adipose tissue in vivo identified a novel adipokine, galectin-1, with a potential role in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
|
|
| 4. |
|
|
| 5. |
- Kist, Andreas M., et al.
(författare)
-
SCN10A Mutation in a Patient with Erythromelalgia Enhances C-Fiber Activity Dependent Slowing
- 2016
-
Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 11:9
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Gain-of-function mutations in the tetrodotoxin (TTX) sensitive voltage-gated sodium channel (Nav) Nav1.7 have been identified as a key mechanism underlying chronic pain in inherited erythromelalgia. Mutations in TTX resistant channels, such as Nav1.8 or Nav1.9, were recently connected with inherited chronic pain syndromes. Here, we investigated the effects of the p.M650K mutation in Nav1.8 in a 53 year old patient with erythromelalgia by micro-neurography and patch-clamp techniques. Recordings of the patient's peripheral nerve fibers showed increased activity dependent slowing (ADS) in CMi and less spontaneous firing compared to a control group of erythromelalgia patients without Nav mutations. To evaluate the impact of the p. M650K mutation on neuronal firing and channel gating, we performed current and voltage-clamp recordings on transfected sensory neurons (DRGs) and neuroblastoma cells. The p. M650K mutation shifted steady-state fast inactivation of Nav1.8 to more hyperpolarized potentials and did not significantly alter any other tested gating behaviors. The AP half-width was significantly broader and the stimulated action potential firing rate was reduced for M650K transfected DRGs compared to WT. We discuss the potential link between enhanced steady state fast inactivation, broader action potential width and the potential physiological consequences.
|
|
| 6. |
- Namer, B., et al.
(författare)
-
Differential sensitization of silent nociceptors to low pH stimulation by prostaglandin E2 in human volunteers
- 2015
-
Ingår i: European Journal of Pain. - : Wiley. - 1090-3801 .- 1532-2149. ; 19:2, s. 159-166
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundInflammatory mediators activate and sensitize nociceptors. Tissue acidosis with low pH of 5.5 often accompanies inflammation and could enhance inflammatory pain and sensitization. MethodsAction potentials from single mechano-responsive (CM) and mechano-insensitive (CMi) C-nociceptors of cutaneous fascicles of the peroneal nerve in healthy volunteers were recorded by microneurography. Low pH solutions with and without prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were injected twice (with an interval of approximately 5min) into two spots of the receptive fields of C-fibres. Heat thresholds of the C-fibres were obtained before and after each injection. ResultsInjections of the low pH solutions immediately induced phasic responses in CM nociceptors, whereas CMi fibres responded after a delay of several seconds with a sustained response. More CMi fibres than CM fibres showed ongoing discharge after low pH injection, but the duration and intensity of the responses to the first low pH injection did not differ between them. Upon repetition, duration and intensity of the pH responses increased more than twofold in CMi fibres only. Furthermore, combined application of pH and PGE2 sensitized the response in CMi fibres only. In contrast, heat activation thresholds were sensitized by the combination of low pH and PGE2 in both fibre classes. ConclusionsOur results confirm nociceptor class independent heat sensitization by PGE2 which is probably mediated by transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 phosphorylation. However, prolonged and increased pain responses in humans upon low pH/PGE2 stimulation appear to be primarily dependent on CMi fibres, whereas CM nociceptors appear crucial for phasic responses.
|
|
| 7. |
- Morriën, Elly, et al.
(författare)
-
Soil networks become more connected and take up more carbon as nature restoration progresses
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Nature Communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 8
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Soil organisms have an important role in aboveground community dynamics and ecosystem functioning in terrestrial ecosystems. However, most studies have considered soil biota as a black box or focussed on specific groups, whereas little is known about entire soil networks. Here we show that during the course of nature restoration on abandoned arable land a compositional shift in soil biota, preceded by tightening of the belowground networks, corresponds with enhanced efficiency of carbon uptake. In mid- and long-term abandoned field soil, carbon uptake by fungi increases without an increase in fungal biomass or shift in bacterial-to-fungal ratio. The implication of our findings is that during nature restoration the efficiency of nutrient cycling and carbon uptake can increase by a shift in fungal composition and/or fungal activity. Therefore, we propose that relationships between soil food web structure and carbon cycling in soils need to be reconsidered.
|
|
