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Rewilding presents a unique opportunity to better understand the processes influencing ecological communities and how they function. Although empirical evidence on the effects of rewilding is growing rapidly, knowledge gain is unbalanced, particularly for invertebrates, despite this group representing a large proportion of biodiversity and being fundamental to key ecosystem processes. Here, we advocate for more targeted systematic monitoring and experimental research, providing a site‐based framework for practitioners to evaluate project effects on invertebrate biodiversity. This framework utilizes taxonomic indicators of change, representative of processes important to ecosystem functioning. Implementation of this framework and the associated opportunities and challenges for practitioners are discussed. Adopting this framework would broaden the taxonomic groups and ecosystem processes evaluated by rewilding projects, transform the sector from opinion‐based to evidence‐based, and help address some of the most pressing ecological and conservation questions of the twenty‐first century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite advances in temporomandibular disorders' (TMDs) diagnosis, the diagnostic process continues to be problematic in non‐specialist settings. Objective: To complete a Delphi process to shorten the Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (DC/TMD) to a brief DC/TMD (bDC/TMD) for expedient clinical diagnosis and initial management. Methods: An international Delphi panel was created with 23 clinicians representing major specialities, general dentistry and related fields. The process comprised a full day workshop, seven virtual meetings, six rounds of electronic discussion and finally an open consultation at a virtual international symposium. Results: Within the physical axis (Axis 1), the self‐report Symptom Questionnaire of the DC/TMD did not require shortening from 14 items for the bDC/TMD. The compulsory use of the TMD pain screener was removed reducing the total number of Axis 1 items by 18%. The DC/TMD Axis 1 10‐section examination protocol (25 movements, up to 12 sets of bilateral palpations) was reduced to four sections in the bDC/TMD protocol involving three movements and three sets of palpations. Axis I then resulted in two groups of diagnoses: painful TMD (inclusive of secondary headache), and common joint‐related TMD with functional implications. The psychosocial axis (Axis 2) was shortened to an ultra‐brief 11 item assessment. Conclusion: The bDC/TMD represents a substantially reduced and likely expedited method to establish (grouping) diagnoses in TMDs. This may provide greater utility for settings requiring less granular diagnoses for the implementation of initial treatment, for example non‐specialist general dental practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shallow lake restoration typically focusses on the re‐establishment of macrophytes. The likelihood of a species returning to a site is contingent on dispersal, proximity to propagule sources, and the on‐site propagule‐bank viability. We explore the potential of palaeoecological records in combination with botanical surveys and distribution maps, to ascertain the loss of three submerged macrophytes (Littorella uniflora, Najas flexilis, and Elatine hydropiper) from, respectively, two lakes (Barton Broad, Norfolk and Esthwaite Water, Cumbria) and one lake landscape (Greater Glasgow, Scotland). We discuss re‐establishment likelihood when accounting for species' autoecology and current water‐chemistry conditions. L. uniflora is widespread in the United Kingdom but absent locally in Norfolk without known seed bank, hence is unlikely to naturally recolonise Barton Broad. Furthermore, current conditions are unsuitable for this species suggesting that nutrient reduction is required prior to translocation. N. flexilis is extinct in Cumbria and the long distances involved (>100 km) for recolonisation of Esthwaite Water suggest that spatial dispersal is unlikely, rendering the seed bank the last chance of natural recovery. Alternatively, translocation may be feasible. E. hydropiper is a nationally scarce species in the United Kingdom yet would have only a short dispersal distance (~10 km) to recolonise Loch Libo, hence there being no requirement for translocation. In exploring the recovery possibilities for the three focal plant species, we develop a time–space integrated framework that can be employed to guide conservation decisions for other species, enabling a more rational use of translocations in the future, in line with international guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small waterbodies have potentially high greenhouse gas emissions relative to their small footprint on the landscape, although there is high uncertainty in model estimates. Scaling their carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) exchange with the atmosphere remains challenging due to an incomplete understanding and characterization of spatial and temporal variability in CO2 and CH4. Here, we measured partial pressures of CO2 (pCO2) and CH4 (pCH4) across 30 ponds and shallow lakes during summer in temperate regions of Europe and North America. We sampled each waterbody in three locations at three times during the growing season, and tested which physical, chemical, and biological characteristics related to the means and variability of pCO2 and pCH4 in space and time. Summer means of pCO2 and pCH4 were inversely related to waterbody size and positively related to floating vegetative cover; pCO2 was also positively related to dissolved phosphorus. Temporal variability in partial pressure in both gases weas greater than spatial variability. Although sampling on a single date was likely to misestimate mean seasonal pCO2 by up to 26%, mean seasonal pCH4 could be misestimated by up to 64.5%. Shallower systems displayed the most temporal variability in pCH4 and waterbodies with more vegetation cover had lower temporal variability. Inland waters remain one of the most uncertain components of the global carbon budget; understanding spatial and temporal variability will ultimately help us to constrain our estimates and inform research priorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The use of lithium during breast‐feeding has not been comprehensively investigated in humans due to concerns about lithium toxicity. Procedure: We analyzed lithium in the kidneys of nursed pups of lithium medicated mothers, using analytical spectroscopy in a novel rat model. The mothers were healthy rats administered lithium via gavage (1000 mg/day Li2CO3 per 50 kg body weight). Results: Lithium was detected in the breast milk, and in the blood of pups (0.08 mM), of lithium‐exposed dams at post‐natal day 18 (P18), during breast‐feeding. No lithium was detected after breast‐feeding, at P25 (4 days after cessation of nursing). The lithium pups blood had elevated urea nitrogen at P18 and reduced total T4 at P18 and P25, indicating a longer‐term effect on the kidneys and the thyroid gland. Multivariate machine‐learning analysis of spectroscopy data collected from the excised kidneys of pups showed elevated potassium in lithium‐exposed animals both during‐ and after breast‐feeding. The elevated renal potassium was associated with low nephrin expression in the kidneys measured immunohistochemically during breast‐feeding. After lithium exposure is stopped, the filtration of lithium from the kidneys reverses these effects. Our study showed that breastfeeding during lithium use has an effect on the kidneys of the offspring in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ponds are among the most biodiverse and ecologically important freshwater habitats globally and may provide a significant opportunity to mitigate anthropogenic pressures and reverse the decline of aquatic biodiversity. Ponds also provide important contributions to society through the provision of ecosystem services. Despite the ecological and societal importance of ponds, freshwater research, policy, and conservation have historically focused on larger water bodies, with significant gaps remaining in our understanding and conservation of pond ecosystems. In May 2019, pond researchers and practitioners participated in a workshop to tackle several pond ecology, conservation, and management issues. Nine research themes and 30 research questions were identified during and following the workshop to address knowledge gaps around: (1) pond habitat definition; (2) global and long‐term data availability; (3) anthropogenic stressors; (4) aquatic–terrestrial interactions; (5) succession and disturbance; (6) freshwater connectivity; (7) pond monitoring and technological advances; (8) socio‐economic factors; and (9) conservation, management, and policy. Key areas for the future inclusion of ponds in environmental and conservation policy were also discussed. Addressing gaps in our fundamental understanding of pond ecosystems will facilitate more effective research‐led conservation and management of pondscapes, their inclusion in environmental policy, support the sustainability of ecosystem services, and help address many of the global threats driving the decline in freshwater biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lithium is especially taken as a maintenance medication for Bipolar Disorder. In women with bipolar disorder, lithium is often effective during postpartum period, but breast‐feeding for medicated mothers is controversial because of harmful effects for her child. At present, the biological mechanisms of lithium are not well‐understood, affecting its usage and overall health implications. Procedure: We developed a rat lithium and breast‐feeding model at human therapeutic levels to study the effects of lithium exposure through breast‐milk on pups' thyroid function. Novel laser analytical spectroscopy, along with traditional blood and immunohistochemical tests, were applied to further investigate the mechanisms behind the thyroid dysfunction. Maternal iodine supplementation was evaluated as a therapeutic method to address the pups' thyroid dysfunction. Results: Pups exposed to lithium via breastmilk, even with the dam on a sub‐therapeutic level, experienced weight gain, reduced blood thyroxine (T4), and elevated blood urea nitrogen, indicating effects on thyroid and kidney function. We show that lithium inhibited iodine uptake by thyroid follicles, initiating a mechanism that reduced iodination of tyrosine, thyroglobulin cleavage, and thyroid hormone production. Importantly, infant thyroid function can be significantly improved by administering supplementary iodine to the medicated dam's diet during breast‐feeding. Conclusion: These results elucidate the mechanisms of lithium in thyroid function, provide valuable information on use postpartum, and suggest a clinically applicable remedy to side‐effects. The results are particularly important for patients (and their infants) who respond well to lithium and need, or choose, to breast‐feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To determine whether reintroduced beavers, as an example of native herbivorous megafauna, can increase freshwater biodiversity at the landscape scale and to compare effects on two contrasting taxonomic groups. Location: South‐central Sweden. Methods: We collected data on plant and water beetle composition and supporting environmental variables from 20 closely located wetlands, half created from the damming of streams by beavers—beaver ponds (BP), and half by other, mainly natural (e.g. topographic, river migration) means—other wetlands (OW). Differences in species composition and plant growth strategy (i.e. competitor, stress tolerator or ruderal) between wetland types were assessed using multivariate analyses. Results: The species pool of both taxonomic groups was higher in BP than OW (plants + 17%; beetles + 15%). For both groups, the number of species unique to BP was 50% higher than those unique to OW. Plant and beetle compositions differed significantly between wetlands, most strongly for plants, while rarity scores showed no difference, and the incidence of invasive species was negligible. Plant composition was mostly influenced by open water, bare ground and woody debris in BP, and plant cover, height and leaf litter in OW. This was consistent with the characterization of BP vegetation by ruderal plants and OW by competitors and stress tolerators. A significant residual effect of wetland type on plant, but not beetle composition, suggests that beavers exert important direct effects on some biota (e.g. via herbivory) independent of the indirect effects they exert via environmental change. Main conclusions: Beaver‐created ponds support novel biodiversity that is not merely a subset of that found elsewhere in the same landscape. As such, re‐establishing beaver populations where they are native should benefit freshwater biodiversity, but effects may be context and taxon specific. Beavers alone cannot solve the freshwater biodiversity crisis, but recognizing the widespread importance of herbivorous megafauna in maintaining heterogeneity and creating novel habitat will be a positive step. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Freshwaters are among the most globally threatened habitats and their biodiversity is declining at an unparalleled rate. In an attempt to slow this decline, multiple approaches have been used to conserve, restore or enhance waterbodies. However, evaluating their effectiveness is time‐consuming and expensive. Identifying species or assemblages across a range of ecological conditions that can provide a surrogate for wider freshwater biodiversity is therefore of significant value for conservation management and planning.For lakes and ponds in three contrasting landscapes of Britain (lowland agricultural, eastern England; upland, north‐west England; urban, central Scotland) we examined the link between macrophyte species, macrophyte morpho‐group diversity (an indicator of structural diversity) and the richness of three widespread aquatic macroinvertebrate groups (molluscs, beetles, and odonates) using structural equation modelling. We hypothesised that increased macrophyte richness and, hence, increased vegetation structural complexity, would increase macroinvertebrate richness after accounting for local and landscape conditions.We found that macrophyte richness, via macrophyte morpho‐group diversity, was an effective surrogate for mollusc, beetle, and odonate richness in ponds after accounting for variation caused by physical variables, water chemistry, and surrounding land use. However, only mollusc richness could be predicted by macrophyte morpho‐group diversity in lakes, with no significant predicted effect on beetles or odonates.Our results indicate that macrophyte morpho‐group diversity can be viewed as a suitable surrogate of macroinvertebrate biodiversity across diverse landscapes, particularly in ponds and to a lesser extent in lakes. This has important implications for the restoration, conservation, and creation of standing water habitats and for assessing their effectiveness in addressing the decline of global freshwater biodiversity. Management actions prioritising the development of species‐rich and structurally diverse macrophyte assemblages will be likely to benefit wider freshwater biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assesses whether the concentrations of biologically important elements in bones are altered by long-term consumption of cadmium (Cd)-contaminated water. Heavy metal poisoning has significant impact on humans, and pollutants such as Cd are often found at high concentrations in waterways. Twelve Sprague Dawley rats consumed water with 50 p.p.m. Cd (Cd group), and another 12 consumed normal water (control group). Six subjects from each group were sacrificed after 2 weeks and the others after 4 weeks. Spectra were acquired from the femur by using the EDAX Eagle III micro-XRF setup, and quantitative calculations were performed by using the fundamental parameter method to determine the concentrations of elements. A bone calcium/phosphorus concentration ratio (Ca/P) of 2.07 ± 0.001 is observed in the spectra from control subjects after 2 weeks and 2.07 ± 0.001 after 4 weeks. In Cd subjects, Ca/P after 2 weeks is 2.04 ± 0.001 and after 4 weeks is 1.97 ± 0.003. Statistically significant differences are obtained when comparing controls with Cd subjects at both time points and when comparing Cd subjects at both time points. Cadmium poisoning significantly affects bone Ca and P concentrations, increasing the likelihood of osteoporosis and other bone diseases. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small-scale discontinuities, formed by accumulations of wood, are recognised as a key feature of functionally intact forested streams because they promote organic matter retention, increase habitat complexity and provide flow refugia. Re-establishing such features in physically degraded streams is therefore a common priority for restoration schemes. Ecosystem engineering by beavers in the form of dam building might offer a natural mechanism for restoring degraded streams. Despite an increase in beaver reintroductions globally, the ecosystem engineering concept has rarely been applied to restoring biodiversity and ecosystem function, especially within degraded freshwater systems., By comparing multiple beaver-modified and unmodified sites on headwater streams draining 13 ha of pastureland in eastern Scotland, U.K., we investigated if hydromorphological changes caused by reintroduced beavers ( Castor fiber) translate into desirable biological responses when there is a long history of physical degradation and contraction of the regional species pool due to agricultural land use., Beaver modified in-stream habitat by constructing 10 dams, thus creating a series of interconnected dam pools. Organic matter retention and aquatic plant biomass increased (7 and 20 fold higher respectively) in beaver ponds relative to unmodified channels, consistent with the lower fluctuation in stream stage observed below a series of dams. Growing season concentrations of extractable P and NO3 were on average 49% and 43% lower respectively below a series of dams than above, although colour and suspended solids concentrations increased., Macroinvertebrate samples from beaver-modified habitats were less taxon rich (alpha diversity on average 27% lower) than those from unmodified stream habitat. However, due to significant compositional differences between beaver versus unmodified habitats, a composite sample from all habitats indicated increased richness at the landscape scale; gamma diversity was 28% higher on average than in the absence of beaver-modified habitat. Feeding guild composition shifted from grazer/scraper and filter feeder dominance in unmodified habitats to shredder and collector-gatherer dominance in beaver-created habitats., Dam building by beaver in degraded environments can improve physical and biological diversity when viewed at a scale encompassing both modified and unmodified habitats. By restoring ecosystem processes locally, it may also offer wider scale benefits, including greater nutrient retention and flood attenuation. These benefits should be evaluated against evidence of any negative effects on land use or fisheries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many marine and terrestrial organisms lay down regular growth bands. In some species (e.g., trees), control of growth band geometry is related to environmental conditions. Coralline algae are long-lived marine plants with a global distribution that lay down regular calcitic growth bands composed of more- and less-extensively calcified cells. Little is known about environmental and organism controls on their growth. In this investigation, coralline algae ( Lithothamnion glaciale Kjellm.) were grown at 8, 11, and 15°C, and temperature controls on algal growth were considered. Calcite density within less-extensively calcified cells in L. glaciale was negatively correlated to summer temperature. No relationships were observed between temperature and calcite density in more-extensively calcified cells or growth-band width itself. Additionally, temperature controls on growth in three L. glaciale thalli over the last 50 years were considered. Temperature was negatively related to calcite density in more- and less-extensively calcified cells but showed no consistent relationship with band width. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]