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Abstract Calls for using marine protected areas (MPAs) to achieve goals for nature and people are increasing globally. While the conservation and fisheries impacts of MPAs have been comparatively well‐studied, impacts on other dimensions of human use have received less attention. Understanding how humans engage with MPAs and identifying traits of MPAs that promote engagement is critical to designing MPA networks that achieve multiple goals effectively, equitably and with minimal environmental impact. In this paper, we characterize human engagement in California's MPA network, the world's largest MPA network scientifically designed to function as a coherent network (124 MPAs spanning 16% of state waters and 1300 km of coastline) and identify traits associated with higher human engagement. We assemble and compare diverse indicators of human engagement that capture recreational, educational and scientific activities across California's MPAs. We find that human engagement is correlated with nearby population density and that site “charisma” can expand human engagement beyond what would be predicted based on population density alone. Charismatic MPAs tend to be located near tourist destinations, have long sandy beaches and be adjacent to state parks and associated amenities. In contrast, underutilized MPAs were often more remote and lacked both sandy beaches and parking lot access. Synthesis and applications: These results suggest that achieving MPA goals associated with human engagement can be promoted by developing land‐based amenities that increase access to coastal MPAs or by locating new MPAs near existing amenities during the design phase. Alternatively, human engagement can be limited by locating MPAs in areas far from population centres, coastal amenities or sandy beaches. Furthermore, managers may want to prioritize monitoring, enforcement, education and outreach programmes in MPAs with traits that predict high human engagement. Understanding the extent to which human engagement impacts the conservation performance of MPAs is a critical next step to designing MPAs that minimize tradeoffs among potentially competing objectives. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Calls for using marine protected areas (MPAs) to achieve goals for nature and people are increasing globally. While the conservation and fisheries impacts of MPAs have been comparatively well‐studied, impacts on other dimensions of human use have received less attention. Understanding how humans engage with MPAs and identifying traits of MPAs that promote engagement is critical to designing MPA networks that achieve multiple goals effectively, equitably and with minimal environmental impact.In this paper, we characterize human engagement in California's MPA network, the world's largest MPA network scientifically designed to function as a coherent network (124 MPAs spanning 16% of state waters and 1300 km of coastline) and identify traits associated with higher human engagement. We assemble and compare diverse indicators of human engagement that capture recreational, educational and scientific activities across California's MPAs.We find that human engagement is correlated with nearby population density and that site "charisma" can expand human engagement beyond what would be predicted based on population density alone. Charismatic MPAs tend to be located near tourist destinations, have long sandy beaches and be adjacent to state parks and associated amenities. In contrast, underutilized MPAs were often more remote and lacked both sandy beaches and parking lot access.Synthesis and applications: These results suggest that achieving MPA goals associated with human engagement can be promoted by developing land‐based amenities that increase access to coastal MPAs or by locating new MPAs near existing amenities during the design phase. Alternatively, human engagement can be limited by locating MPAs in areas far from population centres, coastal amenities or sandy beaches. Furthermore, managers may want to prioritize monitoring, enforcement, education and outreach programmes in MPAs with traits that predict high human engagement. Understanding the extent to which human engagement impacts the conservation performance of MPAs is a critical next step to designing MPAs that minimize tradeoffs among potentially competing objectives. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amphotericin B (AmpB) is a polyene macrolide antibiotic used in the treatment of blood-borne parasitic and fungal infections. However, its use, particularly in the developing world, has been limited by dose-dependent kidney toxicity, other systemic-related toxicity issues following injection, the inconvenience of parenteral administration, and accessibility. Oral formulation approaches have focused on the dual problem of solubility and permeability of AmpB, which is poorly water soluble, amphoteric and has extremely low oral bioavailability. Therefore, to enhance oral absorption, researchers have employed micellar formulations, polymeric nanoparticles, cochleates, pro-drugs, and self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS). This paper will highlight current uses of AmpB against parasitic infections such as leishmaniasis, preclinical and clinical formulation strategies, applications in veterinary medicine and the importance of developing a cost-effective and safe oral AmpB formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract HEPES (4-(2-hydroxyethyl) piperazine-1-ethanesulfonic acid) is a buffer that is used in the radiolabelling of gallium-68 compounds. The beneficial effects of HEPES on molar activity in bioconjugates have been well described. Current strict regulations on the HEPES content in radiopharmaceuticals limit its use when intended for parenteral administration. This short communication summarizes data from the literature on the toxicity of HEPES in dogs after intravenous infusion and the subsequent use in humans. We also highlight the use of HEPES in an FDA labelled intravenous drug formulation. Regulatory institutions may consider this data to review current strict limits.

Amphotericin B (AmpB) is a polyene macrolide antibiotic used in the treatment of blood-borne parasitic and fungal infections. However, its use, particularly in the developing world, has been limited by dose-dependent kidney toxicity, other systemic-related toxicity issues following injection, the inconvenience of parenteral administration, and accessibility. Oral formulation approaches have focused on the dual problem of solubility and permeability of AmpB, which is poorly water soluble, amphoteric and has extremely low oral bioavailability. Therefore, to enhance oral absorption, researchers have employed micellar formulations, polymeric nanoparticles, cochleates, pro-drugs, and self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS). This paper will highlight current uses of AmpB against parasitic infections such as leishmaniasis, preclinical and clinical formulation strategies, applications in veterinary medicine and the importance of developing a cost-effective and safe oral AmpB formulation.

It is generally thought that increased human activity or infrastructure automatically translates to decreased wildlife activity or abundance. We surveyed dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata) at fourteen urban parks with water features to determine factors that promote or hinder species richness or overall abundance. We constructed basic decision trees with either richness or abundance as a response variable and a suite of park characteristics (e.g., size, footprint of the water feature(s), habitat heterogeneity, presence and extent of infrastructure) as predictors. We found that the key predictor of both higher odonate richness and higher odonate abundance was the presence and extent of fishing activities. Despite higher human use at parks that promoted angling, as well as more infrastructure and increased management at these parks—factors that typically are thought to be correlated negatively with biodiversity—odonates and humans benefit from maintaining them and, we suggest, ensuring proper water quality persists. If it is good for fish, it is good for aquatic insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Coffee is a ubiquitous beverage in the USA today, accounting for 19% of the world's coffee consumption. Although coffee consumption in itself is not new, the technology for brewing coffee and its corresponding environmental impact has been evolving rapidly in recent years, particularly with the widespread adoption of the single-serve coffee pod. This work utilizes a midpoint life cycle assessment with multiple environmental impact categories, to assess the environmental impact of a conventional (drip filter) brewing system, compared to a novel (single-serve coffee pod) brewing system, from cradle to grave. Methods: This work analyzes the impact of consumer habits (such as leaving the novel system in standby mode) and phantom electricity consumption on the environmental impact of the system, in addition to the brewing systems themselves. The TRACI (Tool for Reduction and Assessment of Chemical and Other Environmental Impacts) suite is utilized to define the impact categories for the analysis, providing a holistic view. The SimaPro software tool is utilized along with multiple databases to enable the analysis. Results and discussion: The question as to which coffee brewing system has the lowest environmental impact is a function of the phase, boundaries, and impact categories considered. The conventional brewing system has a lower environmental impact, with respect to raw materials and manufacturing. However, when only brewing is considered, the novel system has a lower environmental impact, suggesting that tradeoffs may occur. When the overall brewing system is considered throughout its lifetime, the system with the greatest environmental impact is not only a function of the technology, but also human behavior. The conventional system has a greater environmental impact than the novel system across some of the impact categories when phantom electricity usage is considered. However, when standby electricity consumption is considered, the novel system has the greater environmental impact due to the increased electricity consumption. Meaning that it is not only the technological aspects of the system that influence its environmental impact, but also how the technology is used. Conclusions: A major conclusion of this work is that although the technology utilized to brew the coffee is relevant to the environmental impact, the human usage of the technology is also equally relevant, although it is not often the focus of literature in this area. In order to truly understand and quantify the environmental impact of brewing coffee across multiple technologies, more information about coffee consumption habits is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study discusses the issue of authorizations for medicines in the European Union and the Member States. The issue regarding the use of generic medicines is topical and interesting in terms of the requirement that human and veterinary medicines meet the requirements of EU legislation in this field. For this purpose, Community legislation (Directive 2001/83/EC) has been developed to address the concern that any regulation on the production and distribution of medicinal products should pursue the safeguarding of public health and the abridged procedure established by this directive ensures the rigor of the safety and efficacy rules of medicines use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Preclinical results suggest therapeutic potential of mild hyperbilirubinemia in T2DM and cardiovascular disease. Translational data are limited, because an appropriate bilirubin formulation for parenteral human use is lacking. Considering its use in both clinical practice and medical research in the past, we explored the feasibility to reintroduce parenteral bilirubin for translational experiments. Methods: We developed a preparation method in accordance with good manufacturing practice and evaluated the parenteral applicability in healthy volunteers (n = 8). Explorative pharmacokinetic and safety data were compared to the results from a literature study on the former parenteral use of bilirubin. Bilirubin was administered intra‐arterially to raise the local plasma concentration in the forearm vascular bed (n = 4) and intravenously to raise the systemic plasma concentration (n = 4). Finally, pharmacokinetic characteristics were studied following a single bolus infusion (n = 3). Results: During parenteral application, no side effects occurred. Adverse events mentioned during the two‐week observation period were in general mild and self‐limiting. Three more significant adverse events (appendicitis, asymptomatic cardiac arrhythmia and atopic eczema) were judged unrelated by independent physicians. A dose–concentration relationship appeared sufficiently predictable for both intra‐arterial and intravenous administration. In line with existing knowledge, bilirubin pharmacokinetics could be described best according to a two‐compartment model with a volume of distribution of 9.9 (±2.0) l and a total plasma clearance of 36 (±16) ml per minute. Conclusions: Supported by previous reports, our data suggest that it is both feasible and safe to perform translational experiments with parenteral albumin bound bilirubin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The significance of historic places often depends on their use by people. The Anderson Ferry, an historic river crossing in the Eastern United States, is an extreme example; arguably the on-going human use of the crossing is its only significant characteristic. The National Mall in Washington DC also exemplifies the importance of on-going human use. However, such places are often managed as though on-going human use were irrelevant and even damaging to their historic significance; again the National Mall offers a case in point. At least part of this disconnect may result from the documentation instruments used in recognising and designating such places as historic; these instruments tend to focus attention on architectural details and past events, at the expense of contemporary roles and values. We suggest that the forms and guidelines used in historic place designation should be rethought with an eye toward recognising that service as a living part of community life and development is an important aspect of historic significance. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Granitic outcrop vegetation was compared in 22 inselbergs of French Guiana, South America, using RLQ and fourth-corner analyses to identify the main relationships between environmental gradients and plant traits. At the scale of the whole territory the distribution of species and species traits was mostly driven by a spatially-structured gradient embracing regional climate (annual rainfall), forest matrix (canopy openness), and inselberg features (altitude, shape, habitats, summit forest, degree of epiphytism, fire events). Biogeographic, environmental and past historical factors contribute to explain the variation observed at coarse scale and two groups of inselbergs are identified. A first group occupies the southern peneplain in a semi-open forest matrix and exhibits a higher representation of suffrutescent species and climbers, a lower representation of upright shrubs, a lower degree of Guiana Shield endemism, and a higher incidence of human use and autochory. All these features suggest an adaptation to more disturbed environments linked to past climate changes and savannization and to human influences. A second group, characterized by opposite plant traits, occupies the northern part of French Guiana and the far south within a closed forest matrix. Within archipelagos (inselbergs at less than 7 km distance), C-score and Mantel tests revealed a random co-occurrence of plant species and an increase of floristic dissimilarity with distance without any concomitant change in plant traits, respectively, suggesting that spatially-structured stochastic factors (limitation by dispersal) were the driving force of vegetation change at fine scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIM: To describe the use of antimicrobial drugs for food animals in New Zealand, based on sales data reported to government, changes over time, and in comparison with other countries and human use. METHODS: Data were sourced from official government and industry reports covering 26 European countries, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States of America in 2012, the last year data were available for all countries. The data included antimicrobial sales, and animal and human populations. Antimicrobial use was estimated based on the amount of active ingredient sold, per standardised biomass (population correction unit). RESULTS: The estimated usage of antimicrobials for food animals in New Zealand for 2012 was 9.4 mg active ingredient/kg biomass. Total sales of antimicrobials between 2005–14 increased on average by 2.5% or 1.5 tonnes per year. Over the same time total animal biomass decreased by an estimated 4.3%, with the main decrease being in sheep (25%) and beef cattle (17%), while dairy cattle increased (28%). In the countries examined, the estimated usage of antimicrobials in food producing animals in 2012 varied from 3.8 to 341 mg active ingredient/kg biomass, in Norway and Italy, respectively, with use in New Zealand being the third lowest. Usage of antimicrobials for human health in New Zealand in 2012 was estimated at 121 mg active ingredient/kg biomass, being ranked sixteenth of the countries compared. Use in humans was 12.9 times the use in animals. CONCLUSIONS: New Zealand was the third lowest user of antimicrobials in animal production and used much less than in human medicine. This is the first report of baseline data which may be used by the New Zealand animal health industry to develop, and measure success in, approaches to maximise the life of antimicrobials for animal health and welfare. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: New Zealand veterinarians will soon have to make changes to adopt the World Health Organisation’s global action plan to manage antimicrobial resistance. Having a benchmark of current antimicrobial use will inform priorities and allow measurement of the impact of future programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Guassa area of Menz in the Central Highlands of Ethiopia is an Afro-alpine ecological community with an indigenous resource management system. The local community harvest different resources including collecting grass and firewood from the Guassa area. Cattle and other livestock are also grazed in the Guassa area, especially during the dry season. Several sympatric species of endemic rodents dominate the small mammal ecological communities in the Guassa area, and form most of the diet of the endangered Ethiopian wolf. This study aimed to determine if current levels of resource use by the local community through the indigenous resource management system had any discernible effect on rodent community structure. We found that the structure of the rodent community differs between habitat types, and that different species of rodents show diurnal variations in their patterns of activity. We also found that populations of different species show variable responses to each type of resource use in different habitats; some species show increases in abundance in relation to use while others show decreases. Although the indigenous resource management system was not specifically designed to conserve wildlife, it has nevertheless allowed wildlife, specifically small mammals or rodent communities, to co-exist alongside the ongoing resource use by the local community. We conclude the Guassa area represents an interesting model of community-led resource management of an Afro-alpine habitat which supports populations of endemic and threatened species.

Pharmaceutical nanotechnology has generated breakthrough developments in improving health care and human life from its emergence. The biomaterials employed mainly aim at improving drug delivery systems, imaging and diagnostic technologies while the nanoscale materials are in widespread use in other industries such as electronics and optics. Such advancement may revolutionize the drug development and therapy with new and more efficient treatments. Although, nanotechnology assists humankind in improving its well being, it has certain limitations that entail thorough investigation by the regulatory and scientific authorities. To address concerns regarding the safety and toxicity profile of the nanopharmaceuticals, we have reviewed the challenges and solutions of nanopharmaceuticals use in human health and the related health risks. In this regard, regulatory and scientific bodies such as countries' Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), European Medicine Agency (EMA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and World Health Organization (WHO) can participate in developing and reinforcing safety measures and regulatory frameworks to insure the public health. The regulatory authorities may enforce the nanopharmaceutical industries to conduct comprehensive toxicity tests and monitor the adverse drug reaction reports in close collaboration with the scientific community to act accordingly and inform the public as the implementation of the strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In urbanized regions, such as southern California, USA, marine rocky intertidal habitats are frequented by large numbers of human visitors. Visitor activities, such as trampling, rock turning, and collecting, can harm rocky shore flora and fauna, including reducing their abundances, diversity, and reproductive output, shifting their size/age structure, and altering normal ecosystem functioning. Research characterizing human use of these ecosystems in 1995–96 at 8 sites in Orange County, California, revealed that levels of visitation and collecting were high at some sites, despite collecting being prohibited in these Marine Protected Areas, and that these behaviors have adversely affected some organisms. Over the decade following, the Orange County Marine Protected Area Council (OCMPAC), a local conservation collaborative, implemented education, outreach, and enforcement strategies to reduce the harmful activities of visitors. To determine whether human visitation and behaviors have changed over the last two-decades, during a period of increased management associated with OCMPAC efforts, we compared human use patterns between 1995–96 and 2013–14. Comparisons revealed a decrease in the frequency of detrimental activities, such as collecting and fishing, possibly due to management strategies. However, increases in visitation frequency over time, which often includes the detrimental impacts of trampling on organisms, highlights that some activities are increasing and will remain difficult to manage in the future. Comparisons of the size structures of Lottia gigantea , an exploited limpet herbivore, over the same time period, reveal an increase in size, possibly indicative of reduced collecting pressure, potentially as a result of OCMPAC management. While some adaptive management is necessary to improve enacted management strategies, it is recommended that the conservation model set by OCMPAC be introduced to other coastal regions exhibiting high levels of human visitation in order to better manage rocky intertidal ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study describes the successful radiolabeling of [99mTcO−4] with doxorubicin, and the resultant product was formulated in to a ready-to-label lyophilized single vial kit preparation for convenient use in a routine clinical setting. The radiolabeled preparation of [99mTc]-doxorubicin exhibited a high radiolabeling efficiency of more than 95.0%, serum stability for up to 24 h, and shelf-life of lyophilized cold kits was more than 6 months. Animal imaging data in tumor-bearing mice demonstrated that [99mTc]-doxorubicin accumulated in the tumor site with high target (tumor) to non-target (contra-lateral thigh) ratio (3.2 ± 0.5). The ratio decreased to 1.2 ± 0.6 indicating a good response on follow up imaging performed after 2 weeks of doxorubicin treatment. [99mTc]-doxorubicin scintigraphic data in human volunteers supported the hepato-renal excretion of the radiotracer as reflected by the increased accumulation of the radiotracer as a function of time in intestine, kidneys, and urinary bladder. Further, imaging in patients (very limited number) indicated that the technique may be useful in the detection of active sarcoma and post treatment (surgery/chemotherapy) remission or absence of the disease. The technique, however, needs validation through further preclinical evaluation and imaging in a larger number of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scale-area curves are increasingly used in ecology to predict population trajectories, based on the assumption that observed patterns are indicative of population dynamics. However, for introduced species, scale-area curves might be strongly influenced by introduction history. We examined the spatial structure of an invasive tree species ( Acacia elata; Fabaceae) introduced to South Africa as an ornamental plant and compared our findings with previous work done on a species introduced for dune stabilization ( A. longifolia). A fractal sampling method was used to map the occupancy of A. elata at twelve spatial scales for ten quarter-degree grid cells throughout South Africa. Based on the fractal dimension ( D) calculated at different spatial scales we found that populations were more contiguous at plot (2.5-25 m) and regional scales (2.5-25 km) than at local and landscape scales (0.025-2.5 km). We argue that the lack of contiguous A. elata populations over 250 m to 2.5 km is not indicative of a low risk, but the result of the spatial structure of available land in suburban environments. When working with introduced species, scale-area curves representing fragmented populations at the edge of invasions should not be considered to indicate a lack of invasive spread/threat. Rather they can be used to identify 'missing links' in the invasive introduction-naturalization-invasion continuum, but only if the life-history traits, introduction history, and area suitable for invasion are well understood and are used in interpreting the results. We suggest that their greatest value will lie in their use as a method for long-term monitoring of introduced species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human actions are negatively affecting rocky intertidal ecosystems worldwide, causing habitat degradation, loss of biodiversity, and increased rates of species extinctions. These impacts primarily happen due to visitor behaviors such as trampling and harvesting, which are especially frequent in southern California, USA where the mild coastal climate attracts large numbers of visitors to the shore. As a result, several rocky intertidal habitats in San Diego County are under protection from harvesting as part of the California's network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). However, the effectiveness of this protection has remained unclear. In this study, we worked at paired MPAs and non-MPAs in three neighborhoods within San Diego County over 18 months to investigate (1) visitation rates and visitor behaviors, (2) harvesting (collecting) organisms, and (3) visitor knowledge about the San Diego County's MPAs. Although we observed more total visitors within the MPAs (8,983) than in the non-MPAs (5,055), the average size of the MPAs was larger than the non-MPAs, resulting in average visitor densities being only 13% greater in the MPAs. Consequently, the average visitation rates (number of visitors observed during 10-min periods per meter of shoreline) did not differ as a function of protection status. Tide pooling, which involved trampling, was the most common visitor behavior across all MPAs and non-MPAs, with 83% of 14,038 observed visitors engaging in this activity. Organism harvesting was rare and generally more common in the non-MPAs, but it was observed in each of the MPAs. Interviews of 1349 visitors suggested that the main problems with protection of San Diego County's MPAs are (1) a general lack of knowledge about the existence of MPAs and their locations, and (2) inadequate on-site information describing their status, rules and regulations. Our study suggests that efforts to educate the public during their visitation to the rocky intertidal habitats, such as establishing outreach programs, using informational signage, and increasing surveillance and enforcement, can help promote better management of these MPAs and their ecological resources. [Display omitted] • 14,038 visitors were observed in San Diego, CA USA, to determine their use of protected and unprotected rocky intertidal habitats. • 13349 visitors were interviewed to determine their knowledge of MPA regulations and locations. • Protected and unprotected rocky intertidal habitats were paired across three geographic neighborhoods. • The value of improving public education to reduce impactful visitor activities is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The icthyofaunal documentationis regarded as one of the major issues of enabling sustainable use of natural resources and play a vital role in analyzing status of fish species (threatened endangered, dominant, abundance etc). The Bhopal district has an area of 2,772 km2, and a population 1,836,784 (2001 census). Bhopal District is bounded by the districts of Guna to the north, Vidisha to the northeast, Raisen to the east and southeast, Sehore to the southwest and west, and Rajgarh to the northwest. It consists of two tehsil Huzur and Bersia and block is Phanda and Bersia.The present study revealed that a total of 45 fish species belonging to 18 families, 7 orders and 32 genera were recorded from the District Bhopal. Order cypriniformes was dominant (19species) followed by Perciformes (10 species), Siluriformes (8 species), Synbranchiformes (2 species), Osteoglossiformes, Beloniformes and Clupeiformes (1 species) each. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous scientific papers have suggested health-promoting effects of resveratrol, including claims in the prevention of diseases such as coronary heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Therefore, it was proposed that the scientific community needed to express recommendations on the human use of resveratrol. Such recommendations were formulated after the first international resveratrol conference in Denmark, Resveratrol2010. The working group stated that the evidence was 'not sufficiently strong to justify recommendation for the chronic administration of resveratrol to human beings, beyond the dose which can be obtained from dietary sources.' It was a disappointing conclusion relative to the positive claims about the therapeutic potential of resveratrol made by the media. However, since 2010, results from the first clinical trials on resveratrol have been made available. Because of these emerging results, it is necessary to formulate updated versions of the recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protected areas will more efficiently protect biodiversity if threats to the persistence of populations are addressed. Seagrass meadows are globally regarded as critical habitats because of their ecosystem services, human use values, and their diminishing extent. While selecting priority areas for conservation of seagrass meadows is largely aimed at maximizing the protection of their biodiversity, little attention is paid to consider simultaneously the representation of biodiversity and the minimization of threats. This study developed and tested an approach for integrating vulnerability of seagrass meadows to anthropogenic disturbance with the selection of estuarine-protected areas. Vulnerability was measured by data on different land use types in subcatchments. Conservation value was measured by irreplaceability, diversity indices, and rarity of macroinvertebrate species in seagrass meadows. Vulnerability was incorporated into conservation planning by plotting grid cell scores for conservation value versus their scores for vulnerability. The results showed that the performance of the model for the integration of vulnerability into estuarine conservation planning was sensitive to the data treatment. The vulnerability of seagrass meadows and accordingly the arrangement of priority areas for conservation and management attention may change if more information is incorporated into the measurement of vulnerability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The effects of inductive hyperthermia on lung cancer have yet to be fully investigated. Magnetic nanoparticles used in inductive hyperthermia are made-to-order and expensive. This study was performed to investigate the use of ferucarbotran in inductive hyperthermia and to clarify whether inductive hyperthermia using ferucarbotran promotes antitumor effects in vivo using a lung cancer cell line. Methods: We injected A549 cells subcutaneously into the right thighs of BALB/c nu/nu nude mice. Forty mice with A549 xenografts were then classified into three groups. Group 1 was the control group. All mice in groups 2 and 3 had ferucarbotran injected into their tumors, and mice in group 3 were then subjected to alternating magnetic field irradiation. We evaluated tumor temperature during the hyperthermic procedure, the time course of tumor growth, histologic findings in tumors after hyperthermic treatment, and adverse events. Results: Intratumor temperature rose rapidly and was maintained at 43°C-45°C for 20 minutes in an alternating magnetic field. Tumor volumes in groups 1 and 2 increased exponentially, but tumor growth in group 3 was significantly suppressed. No severe adverse events were observed. Histologic findings for the tumors in group 3 revealed mainly necrosis. Conclusion: Inductive hyperthermia using ferucarbotran is a beneficial and promising approach in the treatment of lung cancer. Ferucarbotran is a novel tool for further development of inductive hyperthermia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Guassa area of Menz in the Central Highlands of Ethiopia is an Afro-alpine ecological community with an indigenous resource management system. The local community harvest different resources including collecting grass and firewood from the Guassa area. Cattle and other livestock are also grazed in the Guassa area, especially during the dry season. Several sympatric species of endemic rodents dominate the small mammal ecological communities in the Guassa area, and form most of the diet of the endangered Ethiopian wolf. This study aimed to determine if current levels of resource use by the local community through the indigenous resource management system had any discernible effect on rodent community structure. We found that the structure of the rodent community differs between habitat types, and that different species of rodents show diurnal variations in their patterns of activity. We also found that populations of different species show variable responses to each type of resource use in different habitats; some species show increases in abundance in relation to use while others show decreases. Although the indigenous resource management system was not specifically designed to conserve wildlife, it has nevertheless allowed wildlife, specifically small mammals or rodent communities, to co-exist alongside the ongoing resource use by the local community. We conclude the Guassa area represents an interesting model of community-led resource management of an Afro-alpine habitat which supports populations of endemic and threatened species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine whether abundance and diversity of fungal species differed among very low use, residential, and commercial beaches and whether human use had a measurable effect on sand fungi, samples were collected for two consecutive years from South Carolina beaches along a continuum of human use. For both years, more fungi (colony- forming units [CFUs] per gram dry weight sand) were isolated from high-use beach sand samples than low-use beach sand samples (analysis of variance, p < 0.05), but there was no evidence of accumulation of fungi over a tourist season or from year to year. In fact, fungal abundance was greatest for all three sites in May and July and significantly decreased in September. A positive correlation was found between census of beach-goers and fungal CFUs. Potential pathogens (fungi which grew at 37DC) were selected, and DNA-based sequence identifications were made. These included two potential human pathogens-one of which was found on commercial beaches only. Sand grain size and color ranged from smallest/whitest in samples from very low use beaches to largest/darkest in those from higher use beaches, suggesting that relative oxygen, mineral, or nutrient content or extent of absorptive surface might also affect fungal niche occupancy. These data suggest that a mixture of parameters influence abundance and diversity of beach fungi, but that level of human use is one significant factor. The absence of year-to-year accumulation of fungi is a novel observation. This study adds to the growing number of reports of beach sand as a reservoir of fungal and other nonbacterial organisms that can affect human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Australian Acacia species have been widely planted worldwide for different purposes. Some of them have spread and altered the native ecosystem functions to the extent of being considered economic and ecologic threats. Understanding factors that allow these species to become invasive is an important step for mitigating or preventing the damaging effects of invasive species. We aimed to test the importance of native niche climatic width and average, plant functional traits (plant height, leaf area, seed mass and length of flowering season) and anthropogenic factors (number of uses, time since introduction) for predicting invasive success, in terms of abundance and range, of 16 Australian Acacia species in South Africa. By using multiple regression analysis, we constructed one different model for each type of predicting factors. When more than two predicting variables were available in a category, they were reduced to a maximum of two predictors by means of principal component analysis. Acacia spp. abundance and range in South Africa were highly correlated. The anthropogenic model (using number of human uses as predictor) was the best to explain both abundance and range of acacias in South Africa. This may be attributed to the importance of humans as dispersal vectors and to the relatively recent introduction of these species (circa 150 years). The functional traits model was the next best model explaining Acacia range, but not abundance, acacias with higher height and leaf area being more widespread in South Africa. Taller plants may disperse their seeds more efficiently by attracting dispersal agents, such as birds. The climatic affinities model was the following in the ranking explaining both range and abundance, acacias coming from moister, cooler and less seasonal regions in Australia being more successful in South Africa. This pattern may be attributed to the fast growth genotype generally selected for under low climatic stress conditions. Acacias with wide climatic niche in the native region were also more widespread and abundant in South Africa, probably because the same traits that allow them to be widespread in Australia, also contribute to overcome the climatic filters to establish throughout South Africa. This study provides managers with tools to identify those exotic Acacia ssp. having more chances to become successful invaders in South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Repeated biomass harvesting for human livelihood needs can cause significant changes in forest structure, composition and diversity. Such impacts have often been associated with the distance to villages and their size, but the effects of individual villages in relation to their characteristics have been little studied. Focussing on the issues around communities’ impacts on the forest, this research aimed to understand how resource extraction by two Buffer Zone villages in Nepal''s Bardia National Park affects forest structure and diversity. Tree density, basal area, diameter at breast height (DBH), species richness, two diversity indices and disturbance indices were recorded in 108 plots in 12 transects, from March till May 2005, within the park along the village boundaries, where resource extraction occurs, and in the core park area which is isolated from human disturbance. Forest subject to resource extraction had a lower density of trees, smaller DBH and lower species richness and diversity. Forest disturbance declined with distance from the villages but the two villages differed widely in their impact on the forest. Resource use was more intensive in Shivapur village and percentage of trees lopped, average lopping intensity and numbers of dung piles were statistically significant. This was mainly due to the lack of access to Buffer Zone community Forest for Shivapur households. Interviews with villagers suggested that there have been changes in species availability compared to 5 years ago. Households also underestimated the impact of their resource extraction, which may prevent them from changing their behaviour to benefit conservation. It is clear that understanding rural communities’ needs, their framing of resource extraction and utilisation, and dependence on forest resources will be very helpful for long term conservation measures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Despite wide agreement that strictly protected areas (World Conservation Union categories I–III) are the best strategy for conserving biodiversity, they are limited in extent and exclude many species of key conservation importance. In contrast, multiple-use management areas (categories IV–VI), comprising >60% of the world's protected-area network, are often considered of little value to biodiversity conservation, particularly in Africa, where they typically contain few charismatic large mammals. We sampled small mammals, amphibians, birds, butterflies, and trees at 41 sites along a four-step gradient of increasing human activity and decreasing conservation protection, from a well-protected Tanzanian national park to nonintensive agricultural land. Although preliminary, our results indicate that species richness of these five taxa did not decline along this gradient, but different management areas, occupying areas of largely similar habitat, hosted distinct communities of each taxon. Differences in species composition in the absence of manifest differences in species richness highlight the importance of developing landscape-scale conservation strategies and the danger of using either a limited suite of indicator taxa or umbrella species as surrogates for biodiversity. Although strictly protected areas perform a unique and vital conservation service in East Africa by protecting large mammals, areas that allow varied resource extraction activities still possess vital and complementary conservation value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: As a prominent tool in regenerative medicine, tissue engineering (TE) has been an active field of scientific research for nearly three decades. Clinical application of TE technologies has been relatively restricted, however, owing in part to the limited number of biomaterials that are approved for human use. While many excellent biomaterials have been developed in recent years, their translation into clinical practice has been slow. As a consequence, many investigators still employ biodegradable polymers that were first approved for use in humans over 30 years ago. During normal development tissue morphogenesis is heavily influenced by the interaction of cells with the extracellular matrix (ECM). Yet simple polymers, while providing architectural support for neo-tissue development, do not adequately mimic the complex interactions between adult stem and progenitor cells and the ECM that promote functional tissue regeneration. Future advances in TE and regenerative medicine will depend on the development of “smart” biomaterials that actively participate in the formation of functional tissue. Clinical translation of these new classes of biomaterials will be supported by many of the same evaluation tools as those developed and described by Professor David F. Williams and colleagues over the past 30 years. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Wolverine (Gulo gulo) distribution in British Columbia, Canada, includes multiple-use lands where human use and resource extraction may influence habitat selection. We evaluated seasonal habitat use by resident adult wolverines using radiotelemetry locations from 2 multiple-use landscapes in British Columbia. Food, predation risk, and human disturbance hypotheses were considered in logistic regression analyses of used and random landscapes. Male wolverine habitat associations were most supported by the food hypothesis in both summer and winter. Moose (Alces alces) winter ranges, valley bottom forests, and avalanche terrain were positively associated with winter male wolverine use. Habitat use by male wolverines in winter was also negatively associated with helicopter skiing areas in the Columbia Mountains. Habitat associations of females were more complex; combinations of variables supporting food, predation risk, or human disturbance hypotheses were included in most supported models from both summer and winter in both study areas. Females were associated with alpine and avalanche environments where hoary marmot (Marmota caligata) and Columbia ground squirrel (Spermophilus columbianus) prey are found in summer. Roaded and recently logged areas were negatively associated with female wolverines in summer. In the Columbia Mountains, where winter recreation was widespread, females were negatively associated with helicopter and backcountry skiing. Moose winter ranges within rugged landscapes were positively associated with females during winter. Our analysis suggests wolverines were negatively responding to human disturbance within occupied habitat. The population consequences of these functional habitat relationships will require additional focused research. Our spatially explicit models can be used to support conservation planning for resource extraction and tourism industries operating in landscapes occupied by wolverines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The avifauna of a mixed fruit orchard and nearby isolated forest patch on the mountain of Khao Luang, southern Thailand, was compared with that in natural forest. The orchard was about 75% as rich in bird species as the forest and was dominated by smaller frugivores, nectarivores and widespread generalists. Sundaic birds contributed 26% of sightings in the orchard, and understorey insectivores were poorly represented. The avifauna of the 4.5-ha forest patch was similarly depauperate and bore greater resemblance to that in the orchard than to that in forest. These results have implications for management since increasing emphasis is being placed upon the rights of local communities to manage and exploit resources in protected areas. While agricultural diversification may assist in restoring modest levels of diversity in areas already degraded or committed to human use, it should not be seen as a substitute for conventional protection of forest and wildlife through exclusion of such use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the boreal zone, there are about 50 native mammalian herbivore species that belong to the orders Artiodactyla, Rodentia, and Lagomorpha. Of these species, 31 occur in the Nearctic and 24 in the Palaearctic. Only six species occur in both regions. Species of the family Cervidae have probably been, and still are, the most important group for man, as they provide both meat and hides. Pelts from squirrels, muskrats, and hares were commercially harvested at the beginning of the century, but have less value today. The semi-domestic reindeer in the Palaearctic produces meat and hides on a commercial basis. It is also used for milking, to a limited extent, as is the semi-domestic moose in Russia. The Siberian musk deer is used for its musk and is raised in captivity in China. All species heavier than 1 kg are utilized by man, those with a body mass in the range 1 kg - 1 hg are sometimes used, and species lighter than 1 hg are rarely used. Here, we review the numerical fluctuations in terms of periodicity and amplitude, based on an extensive data set found in the literature, especially from the former Soviet Union. Current understanding of the underlying factors behind the population fluctuations is briefly reviewed. Management and conservation aspects of the mammalian herbivores in the boreal zone are also discussed. We conclude that there is a challenge to manage the forests for the mammalian herbivores, but there is also a challenge to manage the populations of mammalian herbivores for the forests.

The article presents research which assessed the fluctuations in the population of mammalian herbivores in the boreal forests. The researchers used an extensive data set in examining the amplitude and periodicity in six kinds of the herbivores such as those that belong to the orders of Rodentia, Artiodactyla and Lagomorpha. They also examine their potential to affect the entire function and structure of the boreal ecosystems.