1. |
- Hudson, Lawrence N, et al.
(author)
-
The database of the PREDICTS (Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems) project
- 2017
-
In: Ecology and Evolution. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2045-7758. ; 7:1, s. 145-188
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The PREDICTS project-Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems (www.predicts.org.uk)-has collated from published studies a large, reasonably representative database of comparable samples of biodiversity from multiple sites that differ in the nature or intensity of human impacts relating to land use. We have used this evidence base to develop global and regional statistical models of how local biodiversity responds to these measures. We describe and make freely available this 2016 release of the database, containing more than 3.2 million records sampled at over 26,000 locations and representing over 47,000 species. We outline how the database can help in answering a range of questions in ecology and conservation biology. To our knowledge, this is the largest and most geographically and taxonomically representative database of spatial comparisons of biodiversity that has been collated to date; it will be useful to researchers and international efforts wishing to model and understand the global status of biodiversity.
|
|
2. |
- Hudson, Lawrence N., et al.
(author)
-
The PREDICTS database : a global database of how local terrestrial biodiversity responds to human impacts
- 2014
-
In: Ecology and Evolution. - : Wiley. - 2045-7758. ; 4:24, s. 4701-4735
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Biodiversity continues to decline in the face of increasing anthropogenic pressures such as habitat destruction, exploitation, pollution and introduction of alien species. Existing global databases of species' threat status or population time series are dominated by charismatic species. The collation of datasets with broad taxonomic and biogeographic extents, and that support computation of a range of biodiversity indicators, is necessary to enable better understanding of historical declines and to project - and avert - future declines. We describe and assess a new database of more than 1.6 million samples from 78 countries representing over 28,000 species, collated from existing spatial comparisons of local-scale biodiversity exposed to different intensities and types of anthropogenic pressures, from terrestrial sites around the world. The database contains measurements taken in 208 (of 814) ecoregions, 13 (of 14) biomes, 25 (of 35) biodiversity hotspots and 16 (of 17) megadiverse countries. The database contains more than 1% of the total number of all species described, and more than 1% of the described species within many taxonomic groups - including flowering plants, gymnosperms, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, beetles, lepidopterans and hymenopterans. The dataset, which is still being added to, is therefore already considerably larger and more representative than those used by previous quantitative models of biodiversity trends and responses. The database is being assembled as part of the PREDICTS project (Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems - ). We make site-level summary data available alongside this article. The full database will be publicly available in 2015.
|
|
3. |
- Pardo-Camacho, Cristina, et al.
(author)
-
Mucosal Plasma Cell Activation and Proximity to Nerve Fibres Are Associated with Glycocalyx Reduction in Diarrhoea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome : Jejunal Barrier Alterations Underlying Clinical Manifestations
- 2022
-
In: Cells. - Basel : MDPI. - 2073-4409. ; 11:13
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of brain-gut interaction characterised by abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits. In the diarrhoea subtype (IBS-D), altered epithelial barrier and mucosal immune activation are associated with clinical manifestations. We aimed to further evaluate plasma cells and epithelial integrity to gain understanding of IBS-D pathophysiology. One mucosal jejunal biopsy and one stool sample were obtained from healthy controls and IBS-D patients. Gastrointestinal symptoms, stress, and depression scores were recorded. In the jejunal mucosa, RNAseq and gene set enrichment analyses were performed. A morphometric analysis by electron microscopy quantified plasma cell activation and proximity to enteric nerves and glycocalyx thickness. Immunoglobulins concentration was assessed in the stool. IBS-D patients showed differential expression of humoral pathways compared to controls. Activation and proximity of plasma cells to nerves and IgG concentration were also higher in IBS-D. Glycocalyx thickness was lower in IBS-D compared to controls, and this reduction correlated with plasma cell activation, proximity to nerves, and clinical symptoms. These results support humoral activity and loss of epithelial integrity as important contributors to gut dysfunction and clinical manifestations in IBS-D. Additional studies are needed to identify the triggers of these alterations to better define IBS-D pathophysiology.
|
|
4. |
- Vicario, Maria, et al.
(author)
-
Increased humoral immunity in the jejunum of diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome associated with clinical manifestations
- 2015
-
In: Gut. - : BMJ PUBLISHING GROUP. - 0017-5749 .- 1468-3288. ; 64:9, s. 1379-1388
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and aims Altered intestinal barrier is associated with immune activation and clinical symptoms in diarrhoea-predominant IBS (IBS-D). Increased mucosal antigen load may induce specific responses; however, local antibody production and its contribution to IBS aetiopathogenesis remain undefined. This study evaluated the role of humoral activity in IBS-D. Methods A single mucosal jejunal biopsy, luminal content and blood were obtained from healthy volunteers (H; n = 30) and IBS-D (n = 49; Rome III criteria) participants. Intraepithelial lymphocytes, mast cells, B lymphocytes and plasma cells were studied by imaging techniques. Differential gene expression and pathway analysis were assessed by microarray and PCR techniques. Blood and luminal immunoglobulins (Igs) were quantified. Gastrointestinal symptoms, respiratory atopy and stress and depression were also recorded. Results Patients with IBS-D showed a higher number and activation of mucosal B lymphocytes and plasma cells (p less than 0.05). Mast cell density was increased in patients with IBS-D (non-atopic) and in close proximity to plasma cells (p less than 0.05). Microarray profiling identified differential humoral activity in IBS-D, involving proliferation and activation of B lymphocytes and Igs production (p less than 0.001). Mucosal humoral activity was higher in IBS-D, with upregulation of germline transcripts and Ig genes (1.3-fold-1.7-fold increase; p less than 0.05), and increased IgG(+) cells and luminal IgG compared with H (p less than 0.05), with no differences in blood. Biological markers of humoral activity correlated positively with bowel movements, stool form and depression. Conclusions Enhanced small bowel humoral immunity is a distinctive feature of IBS-D. Mucosal Ig production contributes to local inflammation and clinical manifestations in IBS-D.
|
|