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- Halme, P., et al.
(author)
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Challenges of ecological restoration : Lessons from forests in northern Europe
- 2013
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In: Biological Conservation. - : Elsevier BV. - 0006-3207 .- 1873-2917. ; 167, s. 248-256
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The alarming rate of ecosystem degradation has raised the need for ecological restoration throughout different biomes and continents. North European forests may appear as one of the least vulnerable ecosystems from a global perspective, since forest cover is not rapidly decreasing and many ecosystem services remain at high level. However, extensive areas of northern forests are heavily exploited and have lost a major part of their biodiversity value. There is a strong requirement to restore these areas towards a more natural condition in order to meet the targets of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Several northern countries are now taking up this challenge by restoring forest biodiversity with increasing intensity. The ecology and biodiversity of boreal forests are relatively well understood making them a good model for restoration activities in many other forest ecosystems. Here we introduce northern forests as an ecosystem, discuss the historical and recent human impact and provide a brief status report on the ecological restoration projects and research already conducted there. Based on this discussion, we argue that before any restoration actions commence, the ecology of the target ecosystem should be established with the need for restoration carefully assessed and the outcome properly monitored. Finally, we identify the most important challenges that need to be solved in order to carry out efficient restoration with powerful and long-term positive impacts on biodiversity: coping with unpredictability, maintaining connectivity in time and space, assessment of functionality, management of conflicting interests and social restrictions and ensuring adequate funding. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.
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| 5. |
- Nyholm, Dag, et al.
(author)
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Frequent administration of levodopa/carbidopa microtablets vs levodopa/carbidopa/entacapone in healthy volunteers
- 2013
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In: Acta Neurologica Scandinavica. - : Hindawi Limited. - 0001-6314 .- 1600-0404. ; 127:2, s. 124-132
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVES:An oral dispersible microtablet formulation of levodopa/carbidopa 5/1.25 mg (LC-5) was developed for individualized repeated dosing. The aim was to compare pharmacokinetic profiles of LC-5 and levodopa/carbidopa/entacapone (LCE).MATERIALS AND METHODS:A randomized, crossover study was carried out in 11 healthy subjects. Plasma concentrations of levodopa, carbidopa and 3-O-methyldopa were determined after intake of 300 mg levodopa during the day, either as three intakes of 100/25/200 mg LCE or as a morning dose of 75/18.25 mg followed by five repeated doses of 45/11.25 mg LC-5.RESULTS:Repeated dosing (2.4-hourly) with LC-5 microtablets compared to LCE (6-hourly) avoided long periods with low plasma levodopa levels. Time to maximum plasma concentrations was significantly shorter for LC-5. LC-5 showed lower fluctuation index (FI) in plasma compared to LCE (ANOVA P = 0.0028). FI for dose 2-5 was on average 1.26 for levodopa in LC-5, and 2.23 for dose 1-2 of LCE. The ratio between the two mean FI:s is 0.565; that is, LC-5 gave nearly half the FI as compared to LCE.CONCLUSIONS:Fractionation of levodopa with LC-5 into small, frequent administrations as compared to standard administrations of LCE decreased the FI in plasma for both levodopa and carbidopa by nearly half.
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- Pålhagen, S. E., et al.
(author)
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Interim analysis of long-term intraduodenal levodopa infusion in advanced Parkinson disease
- 2012
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In: Acta Neurologica Scandinavica. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0001-6314 .- 1600-0404. ; 126:6, s. e29-e33
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background - This interim 12-month analysis is a part of an open-label, observational, prospective study on health outcomes and cost impact of levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG, Duodopa) in Parkinson disease (PD). The specific aim was to investigate clinical and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) effects in routine care. Methods - Unified PD rating scale (UPDRS) was the primary efficacy measurement. PD QoL questionnaire 39 (PDQ-39) assessed HRQoL. Subjects were assessed at baseline, andgt;= 3 months after surgery, and then every 3 months. Results - Twenty-seven treatment-naive subjects when started with LCIG showed a decrease in UPDRS score that was statistically significant throughout the year: UPDRS total score (mean +/- SD), baseline = 52.1 +/- 16.1, N = 27, month 0 (first visit; at least 3 months after permanent LCIG) = 43.1 +/- 16.7, N = 27, P = 0.003; month 12 = 42.5 +/- 22.6, n = 25, P = 0.017. PDQ-39 results also showed a tendency for improvement: PDQ-39 (mean +/- SD), baseline = 33.6 +/- 10.8, N = 27, month 0 = 27.1 +/- 11.8, N = 27, P = 0.001; 12 months = 28.8 +/- 12.8, n = 23, P = 0.126. Conclusions - LCIG provides functional improvement beginning at first visit that is sustained for 12 months.
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- Urpelainen, S., et al.
(author)
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FINEST:A high performance branch-line for VUV photon energy range gas phase studies at MAX-lab
- 2010
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In: AIP Conference Proceedings. - : AIP. - 0094-243X. - 9780735407824 ; 1234, s. 411-414
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present a dedicated beamline branch for high flux and ultra-high resolution (R>100000) gas and vapor phase studies in the vacuum-ultra-violet (VUV) region of light on the undulator beamline I3, located on the 700 MeV MAX-III storage ring. The mechanical and optical design of the branch-line, the differential pumping setup as well as performance characteristics are presented.
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