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For many decades, acid deposition used to pose a significant regional air pollution challenge in China. After substantial emission control of anthropogenically derived sulfur and nitrogen containing gasses, both sulfur and nitrogen deposition, as well as the acid rain-affected area, have significantly decreased compared to their peak levels. Forests, particularly in the humid subtropics, are sensitive to acid deposition, as evidenced by soil acidification, sulfate and nitrate leaching in stream water, and elevated soil nitrous oxide emission. Reduction in the total deposition of sulfur and nitrogen, caused a significant decline in sulfate and nitrate leaching from subtropical forest and subsequently in sulfate and nitrate concentrations in stream water, although there was about a 5-year delay. This delay may be attributed to the desorption of accumulated sulfate and continued elevated mineralization of accumulated nitrogen pools. Emissions of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, also declined in nitrogen-saturated subtropical forest soils, as soil water nitrate concentration decreased. Therefore, subtropical forests in China suffering from elevated acid deposition have begun to recover. Yet, the current levels of sulfur and nitrogen deposition continue to exceed the critical loads, i.e., the assigned threshold levels in accordance with emission control policies, in more than 10% of the country’s land area, respectively, indicating remaining risks of acidification and eutrophication. Thus, further emission reductions are urgently needed, also because they will help achieving goals related to air quality and nitrous oxide emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Nitrogen (N) deposition alters plant stoichiometry and the state of nutrient limitation in forest ecosystems. In subtropical forests of China, responses of plants stoichiometry to chronically elevated and recently declined N deposition remain unclear. Methods: A 14-year investigation of needle elements, including N, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and aluminum (Al), was carried out under field N manipulation (10-year N addition and subsequent cessation of N addition) in a typical, subtropical Masson pine (Pinus massoniana Lamb.) forest in southwest China. Results: Needle N and P concentrations were significantly elevated by N addition even after N addition ceased while needle N:P remained constant among treatments. Needle N:K and P:K were significantly elevated by N addition, but were no longer different from reference plots after N addition ceased. Masson pine's annual relative growth rate (RGR) was significantly decreased by N addition but the differences among treatments became insignificant among treatments after N addition ceased. Additionally, the annual RGR was negatively correlated with needle Al concentration. Needle Al exhibited a trend of first rising and then decreasing over the 14-year experiment. Conclusions: Under the background of high ambient N deposition and Ca deposition, chronic N addition does not aggravate P limitation but can result in K limitation in a N-saturated subtropical forest. With the recovery of subtropical forest from soil acidification and N saturation, the elevated needle N and P induced by N addition will persist for at least four years and most likely for much longer in the future, but the risk of K limitation is expected to diminish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tau pathology of the noradrenergic locus coeruleus (LC) is a hallmark of several age-related neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. However, a comprehensive neuropathological examination of the LC is difficult due to its small size and rod-like shape. To investigate the LC cytoarchitecture and tau cytoskeletal pathology in relation to possible propagation patterns of disease-associated tau in an unprecedented large-scale three-dimensional view, we utilized volume immunostaining and optical clearing technology combined with light sheet fluorescence microscopy. We examined AT8+ pathological tau in the LC/pericoerulear region of 20 brains from Braak neurofibrillary tangle (NFT) stage 0–6. We demonstrate an intriguing morphological complexity and heterogeneity of AT8+ cellular structures in the LC, representing various intracellular stages of NFT maturation and their diverse transition forms. We describe novel morphologies of neuronal tau pathology such as AT8+ cells with fine filamentous somatic protrusions or with disintegrating soma. We show that gradual dendritic atrophy is the first morphological sign of the degeneration of tangle-bearing neurons, even preceding axonal lesions. Interestingly, irrespective of the Braak NFT stage, tau pathology is more advanced in the dorsal LC that preferentially projects to vulnerable forebrain regions in Alzheimer's disease, like the hippocampus or neocortical areas, compared to the ventral LC projecting to the cerebellum and medulla. Moreover, already in the precortical Braak 0 stage, 3D analysis reveals clustering tendency and dendro-dendritic close appositions of AT8+ LC neurons, AT8+ long axons of NFT-bearing cells that join the ascending dorsal noradrenergic bundle after leaving the LC, as well as AT8+ processes of NFT-bearing LC neurons that target the 4th ventricle wall. Our study suggests that the unique cytoarchitecture, comprised of a densely packed and dendritically extensively interconnected neuronal network with long projections, makes the human LC to be an ideal anatomical template for early accumulation and trans-neuronal spreading of hyperphosphorylated tau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uterine sarcomas are rare but deadly malignancies without effective treatment. Immunotherapy is a promising new approach to treat these tumors but has shown heterogeneous effects in sarcoma patients. With the goal of identifying key factors for improved patient treatment, we characterized the tumor immune landscape in 58 uterine sarcoma cases with full clinicopathological annotation. Immune cell characterization revealed the overall prevalence of FOXP3+ cells and pro-tumor M2-like macrophages. Hierarchical clustering of patients showed four tumor type-independent immune signatures, where infiltration of FOXP3+ cells and M1-like macrophages associated with favorable prognosis. High CD8+/FOXP3+ ratio in UUS and ESS correlated with poor survival, upregulation of immunosuppressive markers, extracellular matrix (ECM)-related genes and proteins, and YAP activation. This study shows that uterine sarcomas present distinct immune signatures with prognostic value, independent of tumor type, and suggests that targeting the ECM could be beneficial for future treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To analyze biopsy samples from the subscapularis tendon and from the joint capsule from male patients with subacromial impingement syndrome and compare them with samples from male patients with post-traumatic recurrent shoulder instability, to detect increased inflammatory activity that might be present inside the humeroscapular joint.Methods: Twenty male patients scheduled for surgery for either subacromial decompression or Bankart reconstruction were included. Four biopsies from each patient were obtained during surgery from the capsule and the subscapularis tendon. Each specimen was analyzed for TNF-α, IL-6, CD-3 and CD-72. Multiplex fluorescence immunohistochemistry was performed on histological samples from the capsule and tendon to demonstrate the level of inflammatory markers. Fluorescence microscope images were acquired using an automated scanning system. On each slide, the number of pixels was registered and used in the analyses.Results: The subacromial impingement syndrome group comprised eight patients, median age 53 (45-74) years, while the instability group 12, median age 27 (22-48) years (p < 0.00001). The amount of IL-6 and TNF-α was significantly higher in the subscapularis tendon of the patients with subacromial impingement syndrome compared with instability patients (p = 0.0015 and p = 0.0008 respectively). In the capsular samples, significantly higher amount of TNF-α and CD-72 was found in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome compared with instability patients (p < 0.0001 for both). On the other hand, the amount of CD-3 was significantly higher in the instability group (p = 0.0013).Conclusions: This study provides evidence that an extended inflammatory process is present, not only in the subacromial bursa but also in the glenohumeral joint in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome.Level Of Evidence: Level III.Clinical Relevance: To develop a treatment targeted towards intra-articular inflammatory cytokines appears appealing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing, catalyzed by ADAR enzymes, is an essential post-transcriptional modification. Although hundreds of thousands of RNA editing sites have been reported in mammals, brain-wide analysis of the RNA editing in the mammalian brain remains rare. Here, a genome-wide RNA-editing investigation is performed in 119 samples, representing 30 anatomically defined subregions in the pig brain. We identify a total of 682,037 A-to-I RNA editing sites of which 97% are not identified before. Within the pig brain, cerebellum and olfactory bulb are regions with most edited transcripts. The editing level of sites residing in protein-coding regions are similar across brain regions, whereas region-distinct editing is observed in repetitive sequences. Highly edited conserved recoding events in pig and human brain are found in neurotransmitter receptors, demonstrating the evolutionary importance of RNA editing in neurotransmission functions. Although potential data biases caused by age, sex or health status are not considered, this study provides a rich resource to better understand the evolutionary importance of post-transcriptional RNA editing. Huang et al performed a genome-wide RNA editing investigation in the porcine brain in which they found over 680,000 A-to-I RNA editing sites. They identified conserved recoding events between pig and human brains thus providing an extensive resource to aid our understanding of the evolutionary importance of post-transcriptional RNA editing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of dementia and is characterized by abnormal extracellular aggregates of amyloid-β and intraneuronal hyperphosphorylated tau tangles and neuropil threads. Microglia, the tissue-resident macrophages of the central nervous system (CNS), are important for CNS homeostasis and implicated in AD pathology. In amyloid mouse models, a phagocytic/activated microglia phenotype has been identified. How increasing levels of amyloid-β and tau pathology affect human microglia transcriptional profiles is unknown. Here, we performed snRNAseq on 482,472 nuclei from non-demented control brains and AD brains containing only amyloid-β plaques or both amyloid-β plaques and tau pathology. Within the microglia population, distinct expression profiles were identified of which two were AD pathology-associated. The phagocytic/activated AD1-microglia population abundance strongly correlated with tissue amyloid-β load and localized to amyloid-β plaques. The AD2-microglia abundance strongly correlated with tissue phospho-tau load and these microglia were more abundant in samples with overt tau pathology. This full characterization of human disease-associated microglia phenotypes provides new insights in the pathophysiological role of microglia in AD and offers new targets for microglia-state-specific therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The primary aim was to assess and compare the total costs (direct health care costs and indirect costs due to loss of production) after early mobilization versus plaster immobilization in patients with a simple elbow dislocation. It was hypothesized that early mobilization would not lead to higher direct and indirect costs.Materials and Methods: This study used data of a multicenter randomized clinical trial (FuncSiE trial). From August 25, 2009 until September 18, 2012, 100 adult patients with a simple elbow dislocation were recruited and randomized to early mobilization (immediate motion exercises; n = 48) or 3 weeks plaster immobilization (n = 52). Patients completed questionnaires on health-related quality of life [EuroQoL-5D (EQ-5D) and Short Form-36 (SF-36 PCS and SF-36 MCS)], health care use, and work absence. Follow-up was 1 year. Primary outcome were the total costs at 1 year. Analysis was by intention to treat.Results: There were no significant differences in EQ-5D, SF-36 PCS, and SF-36 MCS between the two groups. Mean total costs per patient were €3624 in the early mobilization group versus €7072 in the plaster group (p = 0.094). Shorter work absenteeism in the early mobilization group (10 versus 18 days; p = 0.027) did not lead to significantly lower costs for loss of productivity (€1719 in the early mobilization group versus €4589; p = 0.120).Conclusion: From a clinical and a socio-economic point of view, early mobilization should be the treatment of choice for a simple elbow dislocation. Plaster immobilization has inferior results at almost double the cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

FRMD6, a member of the group of FERM-domain proteins, is involved both in communication between cells, interactions with extracellular matrix, cellular apoptotic and regenerative mechanisms. FRMD6 was first discovered in the rodent sciatic nerve, and in the present immunohistochemical study we investigated the distribution of FRMD6 in the dorsal root ganglia (DRGs), sciatic nerve and spinal cord following sciatic nerve injury. FRMD6-immunoreactivity was found in the cytoplasm, nucleus or both, and in a majority of DRG neurons. FRMD6-immunoreactivity co-existed with several well-known neuronal markers, including calcitonin gene-related peptide, isolectin B4 and neurofilament 200 in mouse DRGs. After peripheral nerve injury, the FRMD6 mRNA levels and the overall percentage of FRMD6-positive neuron profiles (NPs) were decreased in ipsilateral lumbar DRGs, the latter mainly affecting small size neurons with cytoplasmic localization. Conversely, the proportion of NPs with nuclear FRMD6-immunoreactivity was significantly increased. In the sciatic nerve, FRMD6-immunoreactivity was observed in non-neuronal cells and in axons, and accumulated proximally to a ligation of the nerve. In the spinal cord FRMD6-immunoreactivity was detected in neurons in both dorsal and ventral horns, and was upregulated in ipsilateral dorsal horn after peripheral nerve axotomy. Our results demonstrate that FRMD6 is strictly regulated by peripheral nerve injury at the spinal level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess the 3-year cumulative survival rate of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) and conventional resin composite restorations (CRT) placed in persons with disability. Materials and methods: Patients referred for restorative care to the Haemophilia Foundation special care service were treated by one of two specialists. Patients and/or caregivers were provided with written and verbal information regarding treatment options and selected the alternative they preferred. Treatment was provided as selected unless this option proved clinically unfeasible when an alternative technique was proposed. The treatment protocols were ART (hand instruments/high-viscosity glass-ionomer) in the clinic or CRT (rotary instrumentation/resin composite) in the clinic or under general anaesthesia (GA). After 6, 12, 24 and 36 months, two independent, trained and calibrated examiners evaluated restoration survival using established ART codes. The proportional hazard model with frailty corrections gave survival estimates over 3 years. Results: Sixty-six patients (13.6 ± 7.8 years) with 16 different disability profiles participated. CRT in the clinic proved feasible for five patients (13%), and 14 patients received CRT under GA (21%). ART was used for 47 patients (71.2%). Altogether, 298 dentine carious lesions were restored in primary and permanent teeth (182 ART; 116 CRT). The 3-year cumulative survival rates and jackknife standard errors for the 182 ART and 116 CRT restorations were 94.8 ± 2.1 and 82.8 ± 5.3%, respectively ( p = 0.01). Conclusions: The 3-year follow-up results confirm that ART is an effective treatment protocol. Clinical relevance: Patients with disability, many of whom have difficulty coping with CRT, may benefit from the ART approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acidic subtropical forest soils, receiving high atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition, are characterized by fast N turnover, making them potential 'hot spots' for nitrous oxide (NO) and nitric oxide (NO) emissions. Production of NO in soils is mediated by microbial nitrification and denitrification and/or chemical decomposition of microbially produced nitrite (NO ). In monsoonal forests, soil microbial processes are exposed to strong soil moisture and temperature fluctuations, known to cause pronounced variability in NO emission. We quantified in situ fluxes of NO throughout two summers in the N-saturated TieShanPing forest, Chongqing, SW China. Additional NO measurements were carried out in the second summer to infer likely source processes. To address spatial variability, fluxes were measured along two transects, one covering well-drained Acrisols on a forested hill slope, and the other hydrologically connected terraces with poorly drained Cambisols situated in a groundwater discharge zone. Hill slope sites emitted on average 48.4 ± 60.6 µg NO-N m h in the relatively wet summer of 2015 and 88.4 ± 94.6 µg NO-N m h in the dry summer of 2016, illustrating the strong effect of soil moisture regime. The NO emission in the groundwater discharge zone, measured in the dry summer of 2016 only, while it was flooded in the summer of 2015, was significantly smaller (26.4 ± 52.7 µg N m h). The mean NO-N emission on the hillslope (18.1 ± 13.9 µg N m h) was smaller than NO-N flux, while it was larger (38.3 ± 39.3 µg N m h) in the groundwater discharge zone. The temporal variability of the NO flux was largely explained by soil moisture fluctuations, whereas soil organic matter pool sizes contributed most to spatial variability. Hourly measurements showed that the NO flux doubled with 8 °C increase of soil temperature, indicating that soil temperature was another important driver for NO emissions. Our study indicates that acid N-saturated subtropical forest soils are a large source for NO, particularly during dry summers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subtropical forests receive increasing amounts of atmogenic nitrogen (N), both as ammonium (NH ) and nitrate (NO ). Previous long-term studies indicate efficient turnover of atmogenic NH to NO in weathered, acidic soils of the subtropics, leading to excessive NO leaching. To clarify the mechanism governing the fate of atmogenic inputs in these soils, we conducted an in situ N tracing experiment in the TieShanPing (TSP) forested catchment, SW China. NHNO, NHNO and N-glutamic acid were applied to an upland hillslope soil and inorganic N, total soil N and nitrous oxide (NO) were monitored for nine days. Incorporation of NO into soil organic N was negligible and 80% of the applied label was lost from the top soil (0-15 cm) primarily by leaching within 9 days. In contrast, NH was largely retained in soil organic N. However, instant production of NO in the NH treatment suggested active nitrification. In both the NH and N-glutamic acid treatments, the N enrichment in the NO pool exceeded that in the NH pool one day after N application, suggesting preferential nitrification of added NH with subsequent dilution of the NH pool and/or immobilization of NH followed by heterotrophic nitrification. The cumulative recovery of N in NO after 9 days ranged from 2.5 to 6.0% in the NO treatment, confirming the previously reported significant response of NO emission to N deposition. Source partitioning of NO demonstrated a measurable contribution of nitrification to NO emissions, particularly at low soil moistures. Our study emphasizes the role of a fast-cycling organic N pool (including microbial N) for retention and transformation of atmogenic NH in subtropical, acid forest soils. Thus, it explains the near-quantitative leaching of deposited N (as NO and NH ) common to subtropical forest soils with chronic, elevated atmogenic N inputs by (i) negligible retention of NO in the soil and (ii) rapid immobilization-mineralization of NH followed by nitrification. Our findings point to a leaky N cycle in N-saturated Chinese subtropical forests with consequences for regional soil acidification, N pollution of fresh waters and NO emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The temporal variability of leaf ammonia (NH) emission potentials (the ratio of leaf tissue ammonium to proton concentration) and nitrogen (N) pools of six dominant plant species were investigated at the Tieshanping (TSP) forested catchment, southwest China. The results showed that the NH emission potentials and N pools presented small variations among seasons, which were mainly controlled by plant species and the leaf age. Also, high emission potential in one species did not correspond to high tissue N content. Specifically, the Chinese fir ( Cunninghamia lanceolata) had higher NH emission potential (mean: 46.2) but lower N content (mean: 1.6% of Dw). The leaf privet ( Ligustrum quihoui Carr.) was with the moderate emission potential (15) and the highest N content (2.7% of Dw) on average, which for the Masson pine ( Pinus massoniana) were both low. Overall, the emission potentials of the six species were too low (<200) to build up a sufficiently high NH partial pressure in the leaves. Therefore, the Masson pine dominant subtropical forest at TSP acts as a sink for the atmospheric NH, indicating that using the N flux in throughfall only may significantly underestimate the N income of the ecosystem. The results are informative for future modeling of plant-atmosphere NH exchange and estimating N budget in local or regional scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The null-hypothesis tested was that there was no difference in the frequency of remnants of high-viscosity glass-ionomer sealants left behind in pits and fissures of occlusal surfaces of first permanent molars and that of resin composite and glass-carbomer sealants. Materials and methods: Based on the results of a sealant trial, a sample of sealed teeth from which the material had apparently completely disappeared from at least one of the three sections into which the occlusal surface was divided, assessed through visible clinical examination, was also assessed from images of colour photographs and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) as the reference image. The sample size consisted of 112 and 120 teeth from 59 and 98 children at evaluation years 2 and 3 respectively. Two examiners performed the assessments. Fisher's Exact Test was applied to test for the differences between the dependent variable and the sealant groups. Results: The remnants of sealant material left in the deeper parts of pits and fissures were assessed from colour photograph and SEM images in five sections at year 2 and in eight sections at year 3. The assessment found no sealant group effect. Conclusion: The frequency of remnants of glass-ionomer sealant in pits and fissures of occlusal surfaces in first permanent molars is not higher than the frequency of glass-carbomer and resin sealants after 2 and 3 years. Clinical relevance: Contrary to the current assumption, there appears to be no significant difference in the frequency of remnants left behind in pits and fissures between glass-ionomer and resin sealants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuronal calcium-binding protein 1 and -2 (NECAB1/2) localize to multiple excitatory neuron populations in the mouse spinal cord. Here, we analyzed rat and human spinal cord, combining in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, complementing newly collated data on mouse spinal cord for direct comparisons. Necab1/2 mRNA transcripts showed complementary distribution in rodent's spinal cord. Multiple-labeling fluorescence histochemistry with neuronal phenotypic markers localized NECAB1 to a dense fiber plexus in the dorsal horn, to neurons mainly in superficial layers and to commissural interneurons in both rodent species. NECAB1-positive (+) motor neurons were only found in mice. NECAB1 distribution in the human spinal cord was similar with the addition of NECAB1-like immunoreactivity surrounding myelinated axons. NECAB2 was mainly present in excitatory synaptic boutons in the dorsal horn of all three species, and often in calbindin-D28k neuronal somata. Rodent ependymal cells expressed calbindin-D28k. In humans, they instead were NECAB2 and/or calretinin. Our results reveal that the association of NECAB2 to excitatory neuronal circuits in the spinal cord is evolutionarily conserved across the mammalian species investigated so far. In contrast, NECAB1 expression is more heterogeneous. Thus, our study suggests that the phenotypic segregation of NECAB1 and -2 to respective excitatory and inhibitory spinal systems can underpin functional modalities in determining the fidelity of synaptic neurotransmission and neuronal responsiveness, and might bear translational relevance to humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adequate estimation of neuroinflammatory processes following ischemic stroke is essential for better understanding of disease mechanisms, and for the development of treatment strategies. With the TSPO (18 kDa translocator protein) positron emission tomography (PET) radioligand [C]PBR28, we monitored longitudinally the inflammatory response post-transient cerebral ischemia in rats, using a recently developed rat stroke model that produces isolated focal cortical infarcts with clinical relevance in size and pathophysiology. Six Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 90 min transient endovascular occlusion of the M2 segment of the middle cerebral artery (M2CAO). Animals were imaged with a nanoScan PET/MRI system at 1, 4, 7 and 14 days after M2CAO with a bolus injection of [C]PBR28. In the infarct region, we found a significantly increased uptake of [C]PBR28 on day 4, 7 and 14 compared to day 1 as well as compared to the contralateral cortex. No significant increase was detected in the contralateral cortex during the 14 days of imaging. The activation in the infarct region gradually decreased between day 4 and day 14. In an additional group of animals ( n = 26), immunofluorescence studies were performed with antibodies for activated microglia/monocytes (Cd11b), phagocytes (Cd68), astrocytes (glial fibrillary acidic protein) and TSPO. The TSPO immunofluorescence signal indicated reactive microgliosis post injury, corresponding to PET findings. The present clinically relevant animal model and TSPO PET ligand appear to be well suited for studies on neuroinflammation after ischemic stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study by using specific antibodies for detecting transcription factor T‑Pit and improving the classification of pituitary neuroendocrine tumors, and mentions the importance of T-Pit antibody for the diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumors.

Coastal dunes play an important role in coastal defense along sandy shorelines of the world. The majority of the shorelines experience erosion and this erosion is expected to accelerate under anthropogenic climate change and subsequent sea level rise. This paper investigates the impact of climate change, sea level rise and current management for coastal dunes in the Netherlands. Furthermore the paper discusses the implications of climate change projections for adaptation strategies into the future. Recent climate change scenarios for the Netherlands highlight rising temperature and accelerated sea-level rise. Their combined effects on dune-building processes are expected to be manifested through an increase in erosive forces at the expensive of accretive forces. In the Netherlands, a negative sand balance and inland migration of the beach-dune system has been successfully counteracted in the last decades through the application of sand nourishments. These have enhanced accretion on the one hand and limited erosion on the other hand. Generally, coastal protection has improved despite rising sea levels. Important preconditions that make this sand nourishment strategy possible are: a readily available sand resource that makes exploitation technically and economically feasible; a sound monitoring system supported by solid science; political consensus and a good institutional structure to implement the strategy. In the Netherlands, the necessary preconditions are already in place to successfully adapt to sea level rise. Given the expected accelerated rise in sea level and its potential effects on the dune-beach sediment balance, the annual sand nourishment will need to be intensified to ensure the preservation and integrity of the coastal zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease and other age-related neurodegenerative disorders are associated with deterioration of the noradrenergic locus coeruleus (LC), a probable trigger for mood and memory dysfunction. LC noradrenergic neurons exhibit particularly high levels of somatostatin binding sites. This is noteworthy since cortical and hypothalamic somatostatin content is reduced in neurodegenerative pathologies. Yet a possible role of a somatostatin signal deficit in the maintenance of noradrenergic projections remains unknown. Here, we deployed tissue microarrays, immunohistochemistry, quantitative morphometry and mRNA profiling in a cohort of Alzheimer's and age-matched control brains in combination with genetic models of somatostatin receptor deficiency to establish causality between defunct somatostatin signalling and noradrenergic neurodegeneration. In Alzheimer's disease, we found significantly reduced somatostatin protein expression in the temporal cortex, with aberrant clustering and bulging of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive afferents. As such, somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2) mRNA was highly expressed in the human LC, with its levels significantly decreasing from Braak stages III/IV and onwards, i.e., a process preceding advanced Alzheimer's pathology. The loss of SSTR2 transcripts in the LC neurons appeared selective, since tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine β-hydroxylase, galanin or galanin receptor 3 mRNAs remained unchanged. We modeled these pathogenic changes in Sstr2 mice and, unlike in Sstr1 or Sstr4 genotypes, they showed selective, global and progressive degeneration of their central noradrenergic projections. However, neuronal perikarya in the LC were found intact until late adulthood (<8 months) in Sstr2 mice. In contrast, the noradrenergic neurons in the superior cervical ganglion lacked SSTR2 and, as expected, the sympathetic innervation of the head region did not show any signs of degeneration. Our results indicate that SSTR2-mediated signaling is integral to the maintenance of central noradrenergic projections at the system level, and that early loss of somatostatin receptor 2 function may be associated with the selective vulnerability of the noradrenergic system in Alzheimer's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecosystem stores of carbon are a key component in the global carbon cycle. Many studies have examined the impact of climate change on ecosystem carbon storage, but few have investigated the impact of land-use change and herbivory. However, land-use change is a major aspect of environmental change, and livestock grazing is the most extensive land use globally. In this study, we combine a grazing exclosure experiment and a natural experiment to test the impact of grazer exclusion on vegetation dynamics and ecosystem carbon stores in the short term (12-year exclosures), and the long term (islands inaccessible to livestock), in a heavily grazed mountain region in Norway. Following long-term absence of sheep, birch forest was present. The grazing-resistant grass Nardus stricta, dominated under long-term grazing, whilst the selected grass Deschampsia flexuosa and herb species dominated the vegetation layer in the long-term absence of sheep. The established birch forest led to vegetation carbon stocks being higher on the islands (0.56 kg C m on the islands compared to 0.18 kg C m where grazed) and no difference in soil carbon stocks. In the short-term exclusion of sheep, there were minor differences in carbon stocks reflecting the longer term changes. These results show that aboveground carbon stocks are higher in the long-term absence of sheep than in the continual presence of high sheep densities, associated with a vegetation state change between tundra and forest. The reduction of herbivore populations can facilitate forest establishment and increase aboveground carbon stocks, however, the sequestration rate is low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sediment is a natural resource that provides the foundation for living, working and building in lowland delta areas. A sustainable society, therefore, reuses dredged material as a valuable resource. Such reuse matches perfectly to the philosophy of a circular economy. However, it is not yet a common practice. Why is this, what are the bottlenecks and how do we overcome them? Here, we use the Netherlands as an example to illustrate possible solutions to these questions, although we believe that our messages and recommendations can be applied generically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to test the hypothesis that there is no difference in the survival rates of molars treated according to the conventional restorative treatment (CRT) using amalgam, atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) using high-viscosity glass ionomer, and ultraconservative treatment (UCT) protocol after 3.5 years. Materials and methods: Cavitated primary molars were treated according to CRT, ART, and UCT (small cavities were restored with ART and medium/large cavities were daily cleaned with toothpaste/toothbrush under supervision). Molar extractions resulting from toothache, sepsis, or pulp exposure were failures. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the survival curves. Results: The numbers of treated teeth, among the 302 6-7-year-old children, were 341 (CRT), 244 (ART), and 281 (for UCT group: 109 small ART, 166 open cavities, and 6 combinations). Protocol groups were similar at baseline regarding gender and mean decayed missing filled tooth score, but not regarding age and type of surface. The numbers of molars extracted were 22 (CRT), 16 (ART), and 26 (UCT). Fistulae were most often recorded. After 3.5 years, the cumulative survival rate ± standard error for all molars treated was 90.9 ± 2.0 % with CRT, 90.4 ± 2.4 % with ART, and 88.6 ± 1.9 % with UCT ( p = 0.13). Only a type of surface effect was observed over the 3.5-year period: survival rates for molars were higher for single- than for multiple-surface cavities. Conclusion: There was no difference in the cumulative survival rates of primary molars treated according to the CRT, ART, and UCT protocols over a 3.5-year period. Clinical relevance: Keeping cavities in primary molars biofilm-free might be another treatment option alongside restoring such cavities through conventional and ART protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objectives: The aims of this study were to compare 2-year cumulative survival rates of amalgam and atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) restorations in primary molars and to investigate the determinants of the survival rate of restorations. Materials and methods: A controlled clinical trial using a parallel group design was carried out on 258 children aged 6-7 years old, allocated to two treatment groups: conventional restorative treatment using amalgam and ART using high-viscosity glass ionomer. A total of 364 amalgam restorations and 386 ART restorations were placed by three pedodontists in 126 and 158 children, respectively, and were evaluated after 0.5, 1, and 2 years. Restorations were placed in vital primary molars with neither pain nor signs of pulp involvement. The survival analysis was conducted using the proportional hazard rate regression model with frailty correction. Results: The 2-year cumulative survival rates for all amalgam (77.3 %) and ART (73.5 %) restorations were not statistically significantly different, but there was an effect of 'type of surface' (single/multiple) and 'cavity filling time' on the survival rates. Both amalgam and ART single-surface restorations had higher survival rates than multiple-surface restorations of the same material. Secondary caries was responsible for 36 and 38 % of failures in amalgam and ART restorations, respectively. Mean time for restoring all type of cavities with amalgam and ART restorations was 13.6 and 13.7 min, respectively. Conclusions: Amalgam and ART restorations presented similar survival rates over a 2-year period for all, single-surface, and multiple-surface restorations. Clinical relevance: In the cause of finding alternatives to amalgam, ART restorations using high-viscosity glass ionomer might be a suitable option for managing cavitated dentine carious lesions in vital primary molars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term elevated atmogenic deposition (~5 g m −2 year −1) of reactive nitrogen (N) causes N saturation in forests of subtropical China which may lead to high nitrous oxide (N 2O) emissions. Recently, we found high N 2O emission rates (up to 1,730 μg N 2O–N m −2 h −1) during summer on well-drained acidic acrisols (pH = 4.0) along a hill slope in the forested Tieshanping catchment, Chongqing, southwest China. Here, we present results from an in situ 15N–NO 3− labeling experiment to assess the contribution of nitrification and denitrification to N 2O emissions in these soils. Two loads of 99 at.% K 15NO 3 (equivalent to 0.2 and 1.0 g N m −2) were applied as a single dose to replicated plots at two positions along the hill slope (at top and bottom, respectively) during monsoonal summer. During a 6-day period after label application, we found that 71–100 % of the emitted N 2O was derived from the labeled NO 3− pool irrespective of slope position. Based on this, we assume that denitrification is the dominant process of N 2O formation in these forest soils. Within 6 days after label addition, the fraction of the added 15N–NO 3− emitted as 15N–N 2O was highest at the low-N addition plots (0.2 g N m −2), amounting to 1.3 % at the top position of the hill slope and to 3.2 % at the bottom position, respectively. Our data illustrate the large potential of acid forest soils in subtropical China to form N 2O from excess NO 3− most likely through denitrification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alpine ecosystems, representing a large proportion of the land area in Europe, are under pressure from changes in climate and land-use. This may also impact the quality of drainage waters. Here, we assess effects of plant communities (snowbed, dwarf shrub heath, and tall herb meadow) on concentrations of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen (DOC and DON), ammonium (NH-N), nitrate (NO-N), and phosphorus (tot-P and PO-P) in locally derived seepage water in a non-fertilized sub-alpine area of southern Norway. In addition, we investigated effects of two density levels of sheep (no sheep and 80 sheep km) on infiltration capacity, pore size distribution and concentrations of nutrients and bacteria in surface runoff. Concentrations of NO-N (<0.02-0.03 mg l) and NH-N (<0.02-0.03 mg l) were low in seepage waters with no significant differences associated with plant community. Also, concentrations of DOC and DON were low, in particular in snowbeds, probably due to low productivity and small soil carbon pools. Infiltration rates, which were significantly smaller in snowbeds than in tall herb meadow, were further reduced by grazing. In turn, this caused increased runoff of coliform bacteria, whereas no effect of grazing on NH-N, NO-N and PO-P was observed. Grazing may significantly alter biological water quality but is not likely to affect the productivity of surface waters in non-fertilized alpine areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a supervised implementation of the 'Oral health care Guideline for Older people in Long-term care Institutions' (OGOLI) in The Netherlands. Materials and methods: A sample of 12 care homes in the Netherlands was allocated randomly to an intervention or control group. While the residents in the control group received oral health care as before, the intervention consisted of a supervised implementation of the OGOLI. Results: At baseline, the overall random sample comprised 342 residents, 52 % in the intervention group and 48 % in the control group. At 6 months, significant differences were observed between the intervention and the control group for mean dental as well as denture plaque, with a beneficial effect for the intervention group. The multilevel mixed-model analyses conducted with the plaque scores at 6 months as outcome variables showed that the reduction by the intervention was only significant for denture plaque. Conclusions: Supervised implementation of the OGOLI was more effective than non-supervised implementation in terms of reducing mean plaque scores at 6 months. However, the multilevel mixed-model analysis could not exclusively explain the reduction of mean dental plaque scores by the intervention. Clinical relevance: A supervised implementation of an oral health care guideline improves oral health of care home residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the 3.02 software version of the FloTrac/Vigileo™ system for estimation of cardiac output by uncalibrated arterial pressure waveform analysis, in septic shock. Nineteen consecutive patients in septic shock were studied. FloTrac/Vigileo™ measurements (COfv) were compared with pulmonary artery catheter thermodilution-derived cardiac output (COtd). The mean cardiac output was 7.7 L min and measurements correlated at r = 0.53 ( P < 0.001, n = 314). In Bland-Altman plot for repeated measurements, the bias was 1.7 L min and 95 % limits of agreement (LA) were −3.0 to 6.5 L min, with a %error of 53 %. The bias of COfv inversely related to systemic vascular resistance (SVR) (r = −0.54, P < 0.001). Above a SVR of 700 dyn s cm (n = 74), bias was 0.3 L min and 95 % LA were −1.6 to 2.2 L min (%error 32 %). Changes between consecutive measurements (n = 295) correlated at 0.67 ( P < 0.001), with a bias of 0.1 % (95 % limits of agreement −17.5 to 17.0 %). All changes >10 % in both COtd and COfv (n = 46) were in the same direction. Eighty-five percent of the measurements were within the 30°-330° of the polar axis. COfv with the latest software still underestimates COtd at low SVR in septic shock. The tracking capacities of the 3.02 software are moderate-good when clinically relevant changes are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hypotheses tested were: survival rate of fully and partially retained glass-carbomer sealants is higher than those of high-viscosity glass-ionomer, with and without energy supplied, and that of resin composite; survival rate of fully and partially retained sealants of high-viscosity glass-ionomer with energy supplied is higher than those without energy supplied. The randomized clinical trial covered 407 children, with a mean age of 8 years. The evaluation took place after 0.5, 1 and 2 years. Survival of sealant material in occlusal and in smooth surfaces, using the traditional categorization (fully and partially retained versus completely lost sealants) and the modified categorization (fully and more than 2/3 of the sealant retained versus completely lost sealants), were dependent variables. The Kaplan-Meier survival method was used. According to both categorizations of partially retained sealants, the survival of completely and partially retained resin composite sealants in occlusal and in smooth tooth surfaces was statistically significantly higher, and those of glass-carbomer sealants lower, than those of sealants of the other three groups. There was no statistically significant difference in the survival rates of completely and partially retained high-viscosity glass-ionomer sealants with and without energy supplied in occlusal and in smooth surfaces. After 2 years, glass-carbomer sealant retention was the poorest, adding energy to high-viscosity glass-ionomer sealant did not increase the retention rate and resin composite sealants were retained the longest. We suggest the use of the modified categorization of partially retained sealants in future studies. It seems not necessary to cure high-viscosity glass-ionomer sealants. The use of glass-carbomer sealants cannot be recommended yet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to assess the caries experience of children aged 6 to 7 years old in a socially deprived suburban area of Brazil's Federal District, using the ICDAS II system and to investigate determinants of dental caries. The survey was carried out in six public schools by three calibrated examiners, on a sample of 835 children. ICDAS II codes had to be converted into dmf/DMF components at surface and tooth levels, resulting in unfamiliar caries variables, to enable some meaningful reporting of the findings. The prevalence of dental caries, including enamel and dentinal carious lesions, in primary teeth was 95.6% and in permanent teeth it was 63.7%. Mean values of dmf-t (enamel and dentinal lesions), dmf-t (dentine lesions), DMF-T and DMF-T indices were 6.9 ± 3.8, 3.2 ± 3.4, 1.7 ± 1.6 and 0.2 ± 0.5, respectively. Enamel carious lesions predominated in the dmf-t/s and DMF-T/S indices. Seven-year-old children had statistically significantly more enamel and dentine carious lesions in permanent teeth than 6-year-old children had. Using ICDAS II, the prevalence of dental caries in both dentitions was very high. In both dentitions, the decay component predominated, with hardly any restorations or extractions observed. The new ICDAS II system leads to overvaluation of the seriousness of dental caries experience and made reporting of outcomes cumbersome. Guidelines on analysing data and reporting results should be agreed upon before this system can be used in epidemiological surveys globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to determine incidence rates of novel influenza A (H1N1) infection among healthcare personnel with different exposure risks during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. Methods: From August 2009 until April 2010, 66 healthcare workers from a 410 bed teaching hospital in Amsterdam were monitored. The following three different exposure groups were created: a high- ( n = 26), intermediate- ( n = 20), and low-risk group ( n = 20). Throat swabs were collected each week and analyzed by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in order to detect the H1N1 virus. Blood was drawn at study enrollment and once monthly thereafter, and serum specimens were tested with an H1N1-specific hemagglutination-inhibition serologic assay. Influenza-like signs and symptoms were assessed weekly. Results: One of 26 high-risk group participants proved H1N1 positive once by RT-PCR. This corresponds to an incidence rate in the high-risk group of 5.7/1,000 person weeks (95% CI 0-17/1,000). None of the intermediate- and low-risk group participants proved H1N1 positive by RT-PCR. Significant antibody titer rises in convalescent sera were demonstrated in three participants: one was a confirmation of the case that had proved H1N1 positive by RT-PCR; the others occurred in two asymptomatic participants belonging to the low- and high-risk groups. An influenza-like illness was assumed in four participants from the high- ( n = 1), intermediate- ( n = 1) and low-risk ( n = 2) groups; these findings were not confirmed by positive results from either diagnostic test. Conclusions: This study demonstrates a low incidence rate of influenza A (H1N1) infection among healthcare workers during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic in a setting with high hygiene standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many rangelands around the world are degraded by severe overgrazing with resulting loss of nutrients and reduced productivity. However, grazing may also increase nutrient cycling and enhance ecosystem productivity. The aim of this study was to determine effects of grazing on availability of nitrogen (N), sources of N utilized by plants and cycling and distribution of N at a low-alpine site, Southern Norway. The study was part of a sheep grazing experiment with three density levels of sheep (no sheep, 25 km and 80 km) since 2001. The N-content of plants was determined in June 2008, August 2008 and August 2009. Indirect effects of herbivory on sources of N and N-cycling were assessed by δN natural abundance and the system's distribution of added NH-N. We found little evidence for grazing induced effects on availability, sources or cycling of N based on N content of plants and δN natural abundance. The organic soil horizon was the largest sink for the added NH-N. Proportional tracer recoveries and tracer enrichments indicate a somewhat greater N cycling at grazed than at non-grazed sites. We conclude that the experimental levels of grazing have limited impact on distribution and cycling of N and thus represent sustainable ecosystem management in terms of N dynamics in the long-term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) plays an important ecological role in forest ecosystems, and its concentration is related to that of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). We investigated DON concentrations and ratios of DOC to DON in throughfall and soil waters in 16 Norway spruce and two Scots pine forest stands sampled at weekly intervals between 1996 and 2006. The stands are all included in the ICP Forests Level II monitoring program and are located throughout Norway. DON concentrations were significantly and positively related to DOC concentrations in throughfall ( r2 = 0.72, p < 0.0001) and soil water at 5, 15, and 40 cm ( r2 = 0.86, 0.32, and 0.84 and p < 0.0001, 0.04, and <0.0001, respectively). At most sites, the annual median DOC/DON ratio in throughfall ranged from 20.3 to 55.5, which is lower than values in soil water, which ranged from 24.5 to 81.3, gradually decreasing with soil depth. DON concentrations varied seasonally in throughfall at many plots and in soil water at 5-cm depth at one plot only, with higher values in the growing season, but there was no noticeable seasonality at greater depth. The ratios of DOC/DON in soil water were significantly positively related to the C/N ratio in soil at the same depth. Above-ground litter input was the main factor having a significant, negative relationship to DOC/DON in soil water at all depths studied. This might reflect the effect of site conditions on both DOC/DON ratios and litter quantity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mountain ecosystems are currently experiencing the strongest climatic warming and the largest changes in land-use during the last millennia. The impacts of these changes on soils and their roles in the cycling of carbon and nutrients are, however, largely unknown. Here, we define mountain soils as soils from mountainous areas with cool summers and cold winters and thus, soils from ecosystems that are influenced by snow and ice and where biogeochemical processes are limited by temperature. Because climatic conditions, soil properties, plant species and productivity vary at a small scale in mountains, they provide a unique natural but a seldom used laboratory to study soil processes. In this special issue, we compile different studies on soils from European mountains, reaching from the functioning of mountain soils along natural climatic gradients to responses of greenhouse gas fluxes from mountain soils to experimental warming, soil frost and changes in precipitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in throughfall and soil solutions at 5, 15 and 40-cm depth in 16 Norway spruce and two Scots pine plots throughout Norway between 1996 and 2006. Average DOC concentrations ranged from 2.3 to 23.1 mg/l and from 1.1 to 53.5 mg/l in throughfall water and soil solutions, respectively. Concentrations of DOC in throughfall and soil waters varied seasonally at most plots with peaks in the growing season. By contrast to recently reported positive long-term trends in DOC concentrations in surface waters between 1986 and 2003, soil water data from 1996 to 2006 showed largely negative trends in DOC concentrations and no significant trends in throughfall. However, regression analysis for individual sites, particularly at 5- and 15-cm soil depths, showed that DOC concentrations in soil water were significantly and negatively related to non-marine sulphate (SO4) and chloride (Cl−). The lack of a long-term increase in DOC in soil water in the period May 1996–December 2006 may be due to the relatively small changes in the deposition of SO4 and Cl− in this period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Huisarts En Wetenschap is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Projected increases in winter temperature due to future climate change may cause decreased snow accumulation at lower and intermediate altitudes in northern temperate regions. The resulting changes in soil temperature and water regime may affect the leaching of total organic carbon (TOC) and total organic nitrogen (TON). We manipulated the snow cover of small headwater catchments in a montane heathland area of southern Norway to quantify its effect on concentrations and fluxes of TOC and TON in runoff. Manipulations included snow removal, to promote soil frost, and insulation, to prevent soil frost. Snow removal resulted in increased TOC and TON concentrations, but decreased fluxes. Insulation caused a slight decrease in concentrations and fluxes of TOC. Our experiments show that a change in snow depth, and thus soil temperature, is not likely to have serious effects on TOC and TON leaching in the montane heatland area studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Projected changes in climate in Southern Norway include increases in summer and autumn precipitation. This may affect leaching of dissolved organic matter (DOM) from soils. Effects of experimentally added extra precipitation (10 mm week-1)during the growing season of 3 years (2004-2006) to small headwater catchments at Storgama (59°0′N, 550-600 m a.s.I.) on leaching of total organic carbon (TOC) and total organic nitrogen (TON) were assessed. Extra precipitation did not have a significant effect on average TOC and TON concentrations in runoff. Thus, fluxes of TOC and TON increased nearly proportionally with water fluxes. This suggests that a store of adsorbed and potentially mobile TOC and TON in catchment soils buffers the concentration of DOM in runoff. The size and dynamics of the pool of TOC and TON depends on the balance between production and leaching rates. Infrequent short droughts had only small effects on TOC and TON fluxes in runoff from the reference catchments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Projected climate change might increase the deposition of nitrogen by about 10% to seminatural ecosystems in southern Norway. At Storgama, increased precipitation in the growing season increased the fluxes of total organic carbon (TOC) and total organic nitrogen (TON) in proportion to the water flux. In winter, soil temperatures near O°C, common under a snowpack, induced higher runoff of inorganic nitrogen (N) and lower runoff of TOC. By contrast, soil temperatures below freezing, caused by little snow accumulation (expected in a warmer world), reduced runoff of inorganic N, TON, and TOC. Long-term monitoring data showed that reduced snowpack can cause either decreased or increased N leaching, depending on interactions with N deposition, soil temperature regime, and winter discharge. Seasonal variation in TOC was mainly climatically controlled, whereas deposition of sulfate and nitrate (NO3) explained the long-term TOC increase. Upscaling to the river basin scale showed that the annual flux of NO3 will remain unchanged in response to climate change projections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background, Aim and Scope. Coastal and river plains are the surfaces of depositional systems, to which sediment input is a parameter of key-importance. Their habitation and economic development usually requires protection with dikes, quays, etc., which are effective in retaining floods but have the side effect of impeding sedimentation in their hinterlands. The flood-protected Dutch lowlands (so-called dike-ring areas) have been sediment-starved for up to about a millennium. In addition to this, peat decomposition and soil compaction, brought about by land drainage, have caused significant land subsidence. Sediment deficiency, defined as the combined effect of sediment-starvation and drainage-induced volume losses, has already been substantial in this area, and it is expected to become urgent in view of the forecasted effects of climate change (sea-level rise, intensified precipitation and run-off). We therefore explore this deficiency, compare it with natural (Holocene) and current human sediment inputs, and discuss it in terms of long-term land-use options. Materials and Methods. We use available 3D geological models to define natural sediment inputs to our study area. Recent progress in large-scale modelling of peat oxidation and compaction enables us to address volume loss associated with these processes. Human sediment inputs are based on published minerals statistics. All results are given as first-order approximations. Results. The current sediment deficit in the diked lowlands of the Netherlands is estimated at 136 ± 67 million m³/a. About 85% of this volume is the hypothetical amount of sediment required to keep up with sea-level rise, and 15% is the effect of land drainage (peat decomposition and compaction). The aver- age Holocene sediment input to ourstudy area (based on a total of 145 km³) is -14 million m³/a, and the maximum (millennium-averaged) input -26 million m³/a. Historical sediment deficiency has resulted in an unused sediment accommodation space of about 13.3 km³. Net human input of sediment material currently amounts to -23 million m³/a. Discussion. As sedimentary processes in the Dutch lowlands have been retarded, the depositional systems natural resilience to sealevel rise is low, and all that is left to cope is human countermeasure. Preserving some sort of status quo with water management solutions may reach its limits in the foreseeable future. The most viable long-term option therefore seems a combination of allowing for more water in open country (anything from flood-buffer zones to open water) and raising lands that are to be built up (enabling their lasting protection). As to the latter, doubling or tripling the use of filling sand in a planned and sustained effort may resolve up to one half of the Dutch sediment deficiency problems in about a century. Conclusions, Recommendations and Perspectives. We conclude that sediment deficiency — past, present and future — challenges the sustainable habitation of the Dutch lowlands. In order to explore possible solutions, we recommend the development of long-term scenarios for the changing lowland physiography, that include the effects of Global Change, compensation measures, costs and benefits, and the implications for long-term land-use options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated nitrogen leaching and input-output budgets from 12 small, upland headwater catchments with differing fractions of peat, heather and bare rock in SW Norway. A close relationship was found between annual inorganic nitrogen loss and the fractional cover bare rock explaining 74% of the variation. It was not possible to distinguish between the N leaching from the peat and heather dominated catchments in this investigation. Nitrate loss was negatively correlated to the C/N ratio of the soil organic horizon. Lowest soil C/N ratios of the soil organic surface horizon occurred in catchments receiving the highest amounts of N deposition. Our data for Norwegian moorland are in agreement with previous investigations relating soil C/N ratio and N leaching in forest soils. Runoff from the catchments showed a seasonal pattern in NO3 − concentrations. The low values during the summer are presumably due to increased biological activity (plant uptake and immobilization by soil microbes). The winter and spring NO3 − concentrations in 2001 in all catchments were much higher than in 2000, perhaps due to soil freezing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The deposition of nitrogen (N) is high in subtropical forest in South China and it is expected to increase further in the coming decades. To assess effects of increasing deposition on N cycling, we investigated the current N status of two selected 40–45-year-old masson pine-dominated Chinese subtropical forest stands at Tieshanping (TSP, near Chongqing City) and Caijiatang (CJT in Shaoshan, Hunan province), and explored the applicability of several indicators for N status and leaching, suggested for temperate and boreal forest ecosystems. Current atmospheric N deposition to the systems is from 25 to 49 kg ha−1 year−1. The concentration of total N in the upper 15 cm of the soil is from as low as 0. 05% in the B2 horizon to as high as 0. 53% in the O/A horizon. The concentration of organic carbon (C) varies from 0. 74 (B2) to 9. 54% (O/A). Pools of N in the upper 15 cm of the soils range from 1460 to 2290 kg N ha−1, where 25–55% of the N pool is in the O/A horizon (upper 3 cm of the soil). Due to a lack of a well-developed continuous O horizon (forest floor), the C/N ratio of this layer cannot be used as an indicator for the N status, as is commonly done in temperate and boreal forests. The net N mineralization rate (mg N g−1 C year−1) in individual horizons correlates significantly with the C/N ratio, which is from as high as 18. 2 in the O/A horizon to as low as 11. 2 in the B2 horizon. The N2O emission flux from soil is significantly correlated with the KCl extractable NH–N in the O/A horizon and with the net nitrification in the upper 15 cm of the soil. However, the spatial and temporal variation of the N2O emission rate is high and rates are small and often difficult to detect in the field. The soil flux density of mineral N, defined as the sum of the throughfall N input rate and the rate of in situ net N mineralization in the upper 15 cm of the soil, i. E. , the combination of deposition input and the N status of the system, explains the NO leaching potential at 30 cm soil depth best. The seasonality of stream water N concentration at TSP and CJT is climatic and hydrologically controlled, with highest values commonly occurring in the wet growing season and lowest in the dry dormant season. This is different from temperate forest ecosystems, where N saturation is indicated by elevated NO leaching in stream water during summer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]