The diverse chemical, biological, and microbial properties of litter and organic matter (OM) in forest soil along an altitudinal gradient are potentially important for nutrient cycling. In the present study, we sought to evaluate soil chemical, biological, microbial, and enzymatic characteristics at four altitude levels (0, 500, 1,000, and 1,500 m) in northern Iran to characterize nutrient cycling in forest soils. The results showed that carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) turnover changed with altitude along with microbial properties and enzyme activity. At the lowest altitude with mixed forest and no beech trees, the higher content of N in litter and soil, higher pH and microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN), and the greater activities of aminopeptidases affected soil N cycling. At elevations above 1,000 m, where beech is the dominant tree species, the higher activities of cellobiohydrolase, arylsulfatase, β-xylosidase, β-galactosidase, endoglucanase, endoxylanase, and manganese peroxidase (MnP) coincided with higher basal respiration (BR), substrate-induced respiration (SIR), and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and thus favored conditions for microbial entropy and C turnover. The low N content and high C/N ratio at 500-m altitude were associated with the lowest microbial and enzyme activities. Our results support the view that the plain forest with mixed trees (without beech) had higher litter quality and soil fertility, while forest dominated by beech trees had the potential to store higher C and can potentially better mitigate global warming.

• Keywords
• N stock, enzyme activity, forest soils, litter quality, microbial entropy,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Tropical forests store 40-50 per cent of terrestrial vegetation carbon1. However, spatial variations in aboveground live tree biomass carbon (AGC) stocks remain poorly understood, in particular in tropical montane forests2. Owing to climatic and soil changes with increasing elevation3, AGC stocks are lower in tropical montane forests compared with lowland forests2. Here we assemble and analyse a dataset of structurally intact old-growth forests (AfriMont) spanning 44 montane sites in 12 African countries. We find that montane sites in the AfriMont plot network have a mean AGC stock of 149.4 megagrams of carbon per hectare (95% confidence interval 137.1-164.2), which is comparable to lowland forests in the African Tropical Rainforest Observation Network4 and about 70 per cent and 32 per cent higher than averages from plot networks in montane2,5,6 and lowland7 forests in the Neotropics, respectively. Notably, our results are two-thirds higher than the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change default values for these forests in Africa8. We find that the low stem density and high abundance of large trees of African lowland forests4 is mirrored in the montane forests sampled. This carbon store is endangered: we estimate that 0.8 million hectares of old-growth African montane forest have been lost since 2000. We provide country-specific montane forest AGC stock estimates modelled from our plot network to help to guide forest conservation and reforestation interventions. Our findings highlight the need for conserving these biodiverse9,10 and carbon-rich ecosystems.

• MeSH
• Biomass MeSH
• Datasets as Topic MeSH
• Rainforest * MeSH
• Geographic Mapping MeSH
• Climate Change MeSH
• Attitude * MeSH
• Carbon Sequestration * MeSH
• Trees metabolism   MeSH
• Tropical Climate * MeSH
• Carbon analysis   MeSH
• Conservation of Natural Resources MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Africa MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Carbon MeSH

Constructed wetlands (CWs) are decentralized wastewater treatment systems considered to be green and low cost. They have the potential to effectively remove pollutants and recycle nutrients with plant composting. However, they need large areas to implement them due to the usual high Hydraulic Retention Times (HRT), reaching up to 50 days. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the influence of HRT (HRT = 3, 7, and 10 days), and seasonality on Total Phosphorus (TP) removal, and standing stock in a pilot scale free water surface CW (FWS CW). Unplanted and planted (Eichhornia crassipes) tanks were evaluated in wet and dry seasons. The FWS CW was set up as a complementary treatment to a secondary level wastewater treatment plant. The system was monitored weekly for ten months, totalizing 29 replicate samplings (n = 58). Planted tanks were harvested every week to keep free space for plant reproduction (∼40%). The mean removal efficiency of TP ranged between 82% and 95% without a significant difference between HRT (pvalue > 0.05). However, when the effects of the sedimentation of the unplanted tanks were disregarded, the lowest HRT (3 days) tank presented the highest standing stock of TP. The wet season presented a significant difference in TP removal results (pvalue < 0.05), associated with higher macrophyte growth rate due to more intense solar irradiation and incorporation of TP by E. crassipes. The results point out advances in P removal and recycling by a low-cost ecological engineering system.

• Keywords
• Ecotechnology, Floating macrophyte, Harvesting, Phosphorus recovery, Wastewater,
• MeSH
• Water Pollutants, Chemical * analysis   MeSH
• Nitrogen analysis   MeSH
• Eichhornia * MeSH
• Phosphorus MeSH
• Wetlands MeSH
• Waste Disposal, Fluid MeSH
• Wastewater MeSH
• Water MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Water Pollutants, Chemical * MeSH
• Nitrogen MeSH
• Phosphorus MeSH
• Waste Water MeSH
• Water MeSH

• Keywords
• Addiction, Methamphetamine, Neurotoxicity, Translational,
• MeSH
• Cognition drug effects   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Methamphetamine administration & dosage   adverse effects   MeSH
• Amphetamine-Related Disorders physiopathology   MeSH
• Central Nervous System Stimulants administration & dosage   adverse effects   MeSH
• Translational Research, Biomedical organization & administration   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Editorial MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Methamphetamine MeSH
• Central Nervous System Stimulants MeSH

The health of animals depends not only on the level of hygiene on the farms but also on the ability of the individual to withstand diseases and to face various unfavourable effects of the environment. On the cellular level, chromosome analysis in the peripheral lymphocytes of farm animals is used to determine the effects of various environmental factors. According to present knowledge the frequency of chromosome aberrations is considered to be a quantitative index of genetic damage. The present work reports on in-vitro observations of structural aberrations in the peripheral lymphocytes of Merino and crossbred sheep kept under good hygienic conditions. Comparison of the incidence of aberrant cells (AB.C.) was carried out in two seasons of the year (Tab. I). There was not a significant difference (P > 0.05) between the spring (0.96%-AB.C.) and autumn findings (1.59% AB.C.). In these seasons, chromatid breaks (B1) were the most frequently recorded structural aberrations. Comparison of the three age groups (comprising animals aged 1-2, 3-4 or 5-9 years) did not reveal any significant differences in the AB.C. percentage (P > 0.05, Tab. II).

• MeSH
• Animal Husbandry MeSH
• Chromosome Aberrations * MeSH
• Lymphocytes ultrastructure   MeSH
• Sheep genetics   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• English Abstract MeSH
• Journal Article MeSH

There is still a considerable need for development of new tools and methods detecting specific viral proteins for the diagnosis and pathogenesis study of the Yellow fever virus (YFV). This study aimed to develop and characterize polyclonal peptide antisera for detection of YFV-C and -NS1 proteins. The antisera were used further to investigate NS1 protein expression during YFV infection in mammalian cells. YFV target proteins were detected by all antisera in western blot and immunofluorescence assays. No cross-reactivity was observed with Dengue virus, West Nile virus, Tick-borne encephalitis virus and Japanese encephalitis virus. Nuclear localization of the YFV-C protein was demonstrated for the first time. Experiments investigating NS1 expression suggested a potential use of the YFV-NS1 antisera for development of diagnostic approaches targeting the secreted form of the NS1 protein. The antisera described in this study offer new possibilities for use in YFV research and for the development of novel diagnostic tests.

• Keywords
• Capsid protein, NS1 protein, Peptide antisera, Yellow fever virus,
• MeSH
• Antigens, Viral analysis   immunology   metabolism   MeSH
• Cell Nucleus chemistry   virology   MeSH
• Chlorocebus aethiops MeSH
• Diagnostic Tests, Routine methods   MeSH
• Fluorescent Antibody Technique MeSH
• Rabbits MeSH
• Guinea Pigs MeSH
• Peptides isolation & purification   metabolism   MeSH
• Antibodies, Viral immunology   isolation & purification   metabolism   MeSH
• Sensitivity and Specificity MeSH
• Vero Cells MeSH
• Virology methods   MeSH
• Viral Nonstructural Proteins analysis   immunology   metabolism   MeSH
• Capsid Proteins analysis   immunology   metabolism   MeSH
• Yellow fever virus immunology   isolation & purification   MeSH
• Blotting, Western MeSH
• Cross Reactions MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Rabbits MeSH
• Guinea Pigs MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Antigens, Viral MeSH
• NS1 protein, Flavivirus MeSH Browser
• Peptides MeSH
• Antibodies, Viral MeSH
• Viral Nonstructural Proteins MeSH
• Capsid Proteins MeSH

The study aim was to implement a molecular real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay recommended by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) for the detection of Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae in clinical (culture negative) specimens from patients with suspected invasive bacterial disease. Clinical specimens are referred to the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for Meningococcal Infections, Unit for Airborne Bacterial Infections, Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology, National Institute of Public Health from various regions of the Czech Republic. Clinical specimens are, in particular, cerebrospinal fluid, anti-coagulated blood or serum and, exceptionally, post-mortem specimens. The NRL has implemented molecular diagnosis of these bacterial pathogens involved in meningitis and sepsis from clinical specimens since 1999. The first diagnostic method was semi-nested PCR followed by electrophoretic analysis. In 2014, a molecular qualitative real-time PCR assay was implemented.

• Keywords
• Haemophilus influenzae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae - rt-PCR -detection of the agents of bacterial meningitis and sepsis., rt-PCR detection of Neisseria meningitidis,
• MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Haemophilus influenzae classification   genetics   isolation & purification   MeSH
• Haemophilus Infections diagnosis   microbiology   MeSH
• Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction methods   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Meningitis, Bacterial diagnosis   microbiology   MeSH
• Neisseria meningitidis classification   genetics   isolation & purification   MeSH
• Pneumococcal Infections diagnosis   microbiology   MeSH
• Sensitivity and Specificity MeSH
• Streptococcus pneumoniae classification   genetics   isolation & purification   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Evaluation Study MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH
• United States MeSH

Three-dimensional (3D) electronic band structure is fundamental for understanding a vast diversity of physical phenomena in solid-state systems, including topological phases, interlayer interactions in van der Waals materials, dimensionality-driven phase transitions, etc. Interpretation of ARPES data in terms of 3D electron dispersions is commonly based on the free-electron approximation for the photoemission final states. Our soft-X-ray ARPES data on Ag metal reveals, however, that even at high excitation energies the final states can be a way more complex, incorporating several Bloch waves with different out-of-plane momenta. Such multiband final states manifest themselves as a complex structure and added broadening of the spectral peaks from 3D electron states. We analyse the origins of this phenomenon, and trace it to other materials such as Si and GaN. Our findings are essential for accurate determination of the 3D band structure over a wide range of materials and excitation energies in the ARPES experiment.

• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of valsartan, a new angiotensin II receptor antagonist, versus atenolol in the treatment of severe primary hypertension. A total of 103 adult out-patients were randomised to receive either valsartan 160 mg or atenolol 100 mg once daily for 6 weeks. If necessary, additional blood pressure (BP) control could be provided as add-on therapy. Both valsartan and atenolol decreased mean sitting diastolic BP (DBP) and mean sitting systolic BP (SBP): least squares mean change from baseline in DBP; valsartan, -20.0 mm Hg; atenolol, -20.4 mm Hg: in SBP; valsartan, -30.0 mm Hg; atenolol, -25.5 mm Hg. There was no statistically significant difference between the treatment groups. Add-on hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 25 mg was required by 97.2% of patients receiving atenolol and 83.6% of patients receiving valsartan; additional verapamil SR 240 mg was also required by 58.3% of patients receiving atenolol and 64.2% receiving valsartan. Valsartan was well tolerated, with a comparable incidence of treatment-related adverse experiences in both groups. In conclusion valsartan 160 mg is as well tolerated and effective as atenolol 100 mg in lowering BP in severely hypertensive patients.

• MeSH
• Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists MeSH
• Antihypertensive Agents administration & dosage   adverse effects   MeSH
• Atenolol administration & dosage   adverse effects   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Hypertension drug therapy   physiopathology   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Tetrazoles administration & dosage   adverse effects   MeSH
• Valine administration & dosage   adverse effects   analogs & derivatives   MeSH
• Valsartan MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Clinical Trial MeSH
• Randomized Controlled Trial MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists MeSH
• Antihypertensive Agents MeSH
• Atenolol MeSH
• Tetrazoles MeSH
• Valine MeSH
• Valsartan MeSH

The circadian variation of sensory and motor symptoms with increasing severity in the evening and at night is a key diagnostic feature/symptom of the restless legs syndrome (RLS). Even though many neurological diseases have shown a strong nexus between motor and cognitive symptoms, it has remained unclear whether cognitive performance of RLS patients declines in the evening and which neurophysiological mechanisms are affected by the circadian variation. In the current study, we examined daytime effects (morning vs. evening) on cognitive performance in RLS patients (n = 33) compared to healthy controls (n = 29) by analyzing flanker interference effects in combination with EEG and source localization techniques. RLS patients showed larger flanker interference effects in the evening than in the morning (p = .023), while healthy controls did not display a comparable circadian variation. In line with this, the neurophysiological data showed smaller N1 amplitudes in RLS patients compared to controls in the interfering task condition in the evening (p = .042), but not in the morning. The results demonstrate diurnal cognitive changes in RLS patients with intensified impairments in the evening. It seems that not all dopamine-regulated cognitive processes are altered in RLS and thus show daytime-dependent impairments. Instead, the daytime-related cognitive impairment emerges from attentional selection processes within the extra-striate visual cortex, but not from later cognitive processes such as conflict monitoring and response selection.

• Keywords
• Attentional selection, Circadian variation, Cognition, EEG, Flanker interference effect, Restless legs syndrome (RLS),
• MeSH
• Circadian Rhythm physiology   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Electroencephalography MeSH
• Cognition physiology   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Attention physiology   MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Restless Legs Syndrome physiopathology   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH