Persistent reduced ecosystem respiration after insect disturbance in high elevation forests

Amid a worldwide increase in tree mortality, mountain pine beetles (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) have led to the death of billions of trees from Mexico to Alaska since 2000. This is predicted to have important carbon, water and energy balance feedbacks on the Earth system. Counter to current projections, we show that on a decadal scale, tree mortality causes no increase in ecosystem respiration from scales of several square metres up to an 84 km2 valley. Rather, we found comparable declines in both gross primary productivity and respiration suggesting little change in net flux, with a transitory recovery of respiration 6–7 years after mortality associated with increased incorporation of leaf litter C into soil organic matter, followed by further decline in years 8–10. The mechanism of the impact of tree mortality caused by these biotic disturbances is consistent with reduced input rather than increased output of carbon.

In vivo evaluation of the biocompatibility of three current bonding agents

The aim of this in vivo study was to evaluate the biocompatibility of three current bonding agents and calcium hydroxide cement. Sixty polyethylene tubes filled with the following materials: Group 1: Prime & Bond NT (PB - Dentsply, US; Group 2: Bond 1 (BO - Jeneric/Pentron, US); Group 3: Optibond Solo (OP - Kerr, US); and Group 4 (control): calcium hydroxide cement - Dycal (CH - Dentsply, US) were implanted into the connective tissue of 30 rats. After 15, 30 and 60 days, the implants were excised and the animals sacrificed. The biopsies were immersed in Karnovsky (pH, 7.2) fixative solution for 48 hours, and processed using routine histological technique. Six-micron-thick sections were cut and stained with hematoxilin and eosin and Masson's trichome technique. Microscopic evaluation was used to compare the connective tissue reactions caused by the experimental and control materials adjacent to the tube opening. At 15 days, the experimental and control materials triggered a moderate to intense inflammatory response which gave rise to a thick capsule adjacent to the tube opening. With time, the inflammatory reaction decreased. At 60 days, the connective tissue adjacent to the bonding agents exhibited a persistent inflammatory response mediated by macrophages and giant cells which were engulfing displaced resin components. on the other hand, for the control group (calcium hydroxide) no inflammatory response associated with a thin capsule adjacent to the material was observed even at the 30-day period. The hard-setting calcium hydroxide cement allowed complete healing and was considered more biocompatible than the bonding agents.

Current status of pulp capping with dentin adhesive systems: a review

Several studies have assessed the morphology and thickness of hybrid layer, the dentin bend strengths as well as sealing ability of dentin adhesive systems. However, few in vivo studies have evaluated the biocompatibility of the adhesive systems following application to deep dentin or directly to the pulp of human teeth. Many studies performed in non-human primate teeth or teeth of rats have reported pulp healing and dentin bridging following pulp capping with bonding agents. In addition, a few clinical and radiographical reports of the success of resin pulp capping have been described in the dental literature.Objectives: the aim of this review was to evaluate the literature on pulp responses following total acid etching and application of adhesive resins on deep cavities or pulp exposures. In addition, the clinical/radiographical evidence for the apparent success of vital pulp therapy and results obtained from animal and human studies were compared and discussed.Significance and conclusions: the self-etching adhesive systems may be useful and safe when applied on dentin, In contrast, persistent inflammatory reactions as well as delay in pulpal healing and failure of dentin bridging were seen in human pulps capped with bonding agents. The results observed in animal teeth cannot be directly extrapolated to human clinical conditions. Consequently, vital pulp therapy using acidic agents and adhesive resins seems to be contraindicated. (C) 2000 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cytotoxic effects of current dental adhesive systems on immortalized odontoblast cell line MDPC-23

Objectives: Evaluate the cytotoxic effect of the three dental adhesive systems. Methods: The immortalized mouse odontoblast cell line (MDPC-23) was plated (30,000 cell/cm 2) in 24 well dishes, allowed to grow for 72 h, and counted under inverted light microscopy. Uncured fresh adhesives were added to culture medium to simulate effects of unset adhesive. Three adhesives systems were applied for 120 min to cells in six wells for each group: Group 1) Single Bond (3M), Group 2) Prime & Bond 2.1 (Dentsply), and Group 3) Syntac Sprint (Vivadent). In the control group, PBS was added to fresh medium. The cell number was counted again and the cell morphology was assessed under SEM. In addition, the adhesive systems were applied to circles of filter paper, light-cured for 20 s, and placed in the bottom of 24 wells (six wells for each experimental materials and control group). MDPC-23 cells were plated (30,000 cell/cm 2) in the wells and allowed to incubate for 72 h. The zone of inhibition around the filter papers was measured under inverted light microscopy; cell morphology was evaluated under SEM; and the MTT assay was performed for mitochondrial respiration. Results: The fresh adhesives exhibited more toxic (cytopathic effects) to MDPC-23 cells than polymerized adhesives on filter papers, and as compared to the control group. The cytopathic effect of the adhesive systems occurred in the inhibition zone around the filter papers, which was confirmed by the MTT assay and statistical analysis (ANOVA) combined with Fisher's PLSD test. In the control group, MDPC-23 cells were dense on the plastic substrate and were in contact with the filter paper. In the experimental groups, when acid in the adhesive systems was removed by changing the culture medium, or when the adhesives were light-cured, some cells grew in the wells in spite of the persistent cytotoxic effect. Significance: All dentin adhesive systems were cytotoxic odontoblast-like cells. Both acidity and non-acidic components of these systems were responsible for the high cytopathic effect of those dental materials. © 1999 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Biocompatibility of two current adhesive resins

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the biocompatibility of two current adhesive resins and a calcium hydroxide cement. Fifty-four polyethylene tubes were filled with these dental materials, which were hand-mixed or light-cured according to the manufacturer's directions: group 1-Clearfill Liner Bond 2 (Kuraray); group 2-Single Bond (3M); and group 3-calcium hydroxide cement (Dycal-Dentsply). The materials were implanted into dorsal connective tissue of rats, which were killed 7, 30, and 60 days after the implantation procedure. The implant sites were excised, immersed in buffered Karnovsky's fixative, and processed using routine histological techniques. Sections of 6 μm thickness were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and assessed under light microscopy. Both adhesive resins at 7 days elicited a moderate/intense inflammatory reaction that decreased over time. Fibrous capsules surrounding the tubes were observed at 30 days. Half of the samples in groups 1 and 2 showed thin fibrous capsule formation containing macrophages, capillaries, lymphocytes, fibroblasts, and collagen fibers. Connective tissue healing was observed even though many specimens exhibited a persistent inflammatory reaction mediated by macrophages and giant cells at the 60-day evaluation. Dycal allowed complete healing at 30 days with only a thin fibrous capsule. In conclusion, all experimental materials were successfully walled off by the connective tissue of the rat. However the adhesive resins may release particulates that may, in turn, induce a persistent local inflammatory reaction. Consequently, in this specific condition, these materials cannot be regarded as biocompatible. Dycal was less irritating than the adhesive resins and was better tolerated by the connective tissue. Copyright © 2000 by The American Association of Endodontists.

Consensus Document of the International Union of Angiology (IUA)-2013. Current concept on the management of arterio-venous management

Arterio-venous malformations (AVMs) are congenital vascular malformations (CVMs) that result from birth defects involving the vessels of both arterial and venous origins, resulting in direct communications between the different size vessels or a meshwork of primitive reticular networks of dysplastic minute vessels which have failed to mature to become 'capillary' vessels termed "nidus". These lesions are defined by shunting of high velocity, low resistance flow from the arterial vasculature into the venous system in a variety of fistulous conditions. A systematic classification system developed by various groups of experts (Hamburg classification, ISSVA classification, Schobinger classification, angiographic classification of AVMs,) has resulted in a better understanding of the biology and natural history of these lesions and improved management of CVMs and AVMs. The Hamburg classification, based on the embryological differentiation between extratruncular and truncular type of lesions, allows the determination of the potential of progression and recurrence of these lesions. The majority of all AVMs are extra-truncular lesions with persistent proliferative potential, whereas truncular AVM lesions are exceedingly rare. Regardless of the type, AV shunting may ultimately result in significant anatomical, pathophysiological and hemodynamic consequences. Therefore, despite their relative rarity (10-20% of all CVMs), AVMs remain the most challenging and potentially limb or life-threatening form of vascular anomalies. The initial diagnosis and assessment may be facilitated by non- to minimally invasive investigations such as duplex ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), MR angiography (MRA), computerized tomography (CT) and CT angiography (CTA). Arteriography remains the diagnostic gold standard, and is required for planning subsequent treatment. A multidisciplinary team approach should be utilized to integrate surgical and non-surgical interventions for optimum care. Currently available treatments are associated with significant risk of complications and morbidity. However, an early aggressive approach to elimiate the nidus (if present) may be undertaken if the benefits exceed the risks. Trans-arterial coil embolization or ligation of feeding arteries where the nidus is left intact, are incorrect approaches and may result in proliferation of the lesion. Furthermore, such procedures would prevent future endovascular access to the lesions via the arterial route. Surgically inaccessible, infiltrating, extra-truncular AVMs can be treated with endovascular therapy as an independent modality. Among various embolo-sclerotherapy agents, ethanol sclerotherapy produces the best long term outcomes with minimum recurrence. However, this procedure requires extensive training and sufficient experience to minimize complications and associated morbidity. For the surgically accessible lesions, surgical resection may be the treatment of choice with a chance of optimal control. Preoperative sclerotherapy or embolization may supplement the subsequent surgical excision by reducing the morbidity (e.g. operative bleeding) and defining the lesion borders. Such a combined approach may provide an excellent potential for a curative result. Conclusion. AVMs are high flow congenital vascular malformations that may occur in any part of the body. The clinical presentation depends on the extent and size of the lesion and can range from an asymptomatic birthmark to congestive heart failure. Detailed investigations including duplex ultrasound, MRI/MRA and CT/CTA are required to develop an appropriate treatment plan. Appropriate management is best achieved via a multi-disciplinary approach and interventions should be undertaken by appropriately trained physicians.

Current hot potatoes in atrial fibrillation ablation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation has evolved to the treatment of choice for patients with drug-resistant and symptomatic AF. Pulmonary vein isolation at the ostial or antral level usually is sufficient for treatment of true paroxysmal AF. For persistent AF ablation, drivers and perpetuators outside of the pulmonary veins are responsible for AF maintenance and have to be targeted to achieve satisfying arrhythmia-free success rate. Both complex fractionated atrial electrogram (CFAE) ablation and linear ablation are added to pulmonary vein isolation for persistent AF ablation. Nevertheless, ablation failure and necessity of repeat ablations are still frequent, especially after persistent AF ablation. Pulmonary vein reconduction is the main reason for arrhythmia recurrence after paroxysmal and to a lesser extent after persistent AF ablation. Failure of persistent AF ablation mostly is a consequence of inadequate trigger ablation, substrate modification or incompletely ablated or reconducting linear lesions. In this review we will discuss these points responsible for AF recurrence after ablation and review current possibilities on how to overcome these limitations.

The impact of input fluctuations on the frequency-current relationships of layer 5 pyramidal neurons in the rat medial prefrontal cortex

The role of irregular cortical firing in neuronal computation is still debated, and it is unclear how signals carried by fluctuating synaptic potentials are decoded by downstream neurons. We examined in vitro frequency versus current (f-I) relationships of layer 5 (L5) pyramidal cells of the rat medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) using fluctuating stimuli. Studies in the somatosensory cortex show that L5 neurons become insensitive to input fluctuations as input mean increases and that their f-I response becomes linear. In contrast, our results show that mPFC L5 pyramidal neurons retain an increased sensitivity to input fluctuations, whereas their sensitivity to the input mean diminishes to near zero. This implies that the discharge properties of L5 mPFC neurons are well suited to encode input fluctuations rather than input mean in their firing rates, with important consequences for information processing and stability of persistent activity at the network level.

Spatial Patterns in Seasonal and Interannual Variability of Chlorophyll and Sea Surface Temperature in the California Current

Physical forcing and biological response within the California Current System (CCS) are highly variable over a wide range of scales. Satellite remote sensing offers the only feasible means of quantifying this variability over the full extent of the CCS. Using six years (1997-2003) of daily SST and chlorophyll imagery, we map the spatial dependence of dominant temporal variability at resolutions sufficient to identify recurrent mesoscale circulation and local pattern associated with coastal topography. Here we describe mean seasonal cycles and interannual variation; intraseasonal variability is left to a companion paper ( K. R. Legaard and A. C. Thomas, manuscript in preparation, 2006). Coastal upwelling dictates seasonality along north-central California, where weak cycles of SST fluctuate between spring minima and late summer maxima and chlorophyll peaks in early summer. Off northern California, chlorophyll maxima are bounded offshore by the seasonally recurrent upwelling jet. Seasonal cycles differ across higher latitudes and in the midlatitude Southern California Bight, where upwelling winds are less vigorous and/or persistent. Seasonality along south-central Baja is strongly affected by processes other than upwelling, despite year-round upwelling-favorable winds. Interannual variation is generally dominated by El Nino and La Nina conditions. Interannual SST variance is greatest along south-central Baja, although interannual variability constitutes a greater fraction of total variance inshore along southern Oregon and much of California. Patterns of interannual chlorophyll variance are consistent with dominant forcing through the widespread depression and elevation of the nutricline during El Nino and La Nina, respectively. Interannual variability constitutes a greater fraction of total chlorophyll variance offshore.

Persistent Caching in Information-Centric Networks

Information-centric networking (ICN) is a new communication paradigm that aims at increasing security and efficiency of content delivery in communication networks. In recent years, many research efforts in ICN have focused on caching strategies to reduce traffic and increase overall performance by decreasing download times. Since caches need to operate at line speed, they have only a limited size and content can only be stored for a short time. However, if content needs to be available for a longer time, e.g., for delay-tolerant networking or to provide high content availability similar to content delivery networks (CDNs), persistent caching is required. We base our work on the Content-Centric Networking (CCN) architecture and investigate persistent caching by extending the current repository implementation in CCNx. We show by extensive evaluations in a YouTube and webserver traffic scenario that repositories can be efficiently used to increase content availability by significantly increasing cache hit rates.

Persistent Caching in Information-Centric Networking

Information-centric networking (ICN) is a new communication paradigm that aims at increasing security and efficiency of content delivery in communication networks. In recent years, many research efforts in ICN have focused on caching strategies to reduce traffic and increase overall performance by decreasing download times. Since caches need to operate at line-speed, they have only a limited size and content can only be stored for a short time. However, if content needs to be available for a longer time, e.g., for delay-tolerant networking or to provide high content availability similar to content delivery networks (CDNs), persistent caching is required. We base our work on the Content-Centric Networking (CCN) architecture and investigate persistent caching by extending the current repository implementation in CCNx. We show by extensive evaluations in a YouTube and webserver traffic scenario that repositories can be efficiently used to increase content availability by significantly increasing the cache hit rates.

Physical oceanography and current meter data from mooring and CTD measurements at Fram Strait

Current meters measured temperature and velocity on 12 moorings from 1997 to 2014 in the deep Fram Strait between Svalbard and Greenland at the only deep passage from the Nordic Seas to the Arctic Ocean. The sill depth in Fram Strait is 2545 m. The observed temperatures vary between the colder Greenland Sea Deep Water and the warmer Eurasian Basin Deep Water. Both end members show a linear warming trend of 0.11±0.02°C/decade (GSDW) and 0.05±0.01°C/decade (EBDW) in agreement with the deep water warming observed in the basins to the north and south. At the current warming rates, GSDW and EBDW will reach the same temperature of -0.71°C in 2020. The deep water on the approximately 40 km wide plateau near the sill in Fram Strait is a mixture of the two end members with both contributing similar amounts. This water mass is continuously formed by mixing in Fram Strait and subsequently exported out of Fram Strait. Individual measurements are approximately normally distributed around the average of the two end members. Meridionally, the mixing is confined to the plateau region. Measurements less than 20 km to the north and south have properties much closer to the properties in the respective basins (Eurasian Basin and Greenland Sea) than to the mixed water on the plateau. The temperature distribution around Fram Strait indicates that the mean flow cannot be responsible for the deep water exchange across the sill. Rather, a coherence analysis shows that energetic mesoscale flows with periods of approximately 1-2 weeks advect the deep water masses across Fram Strait. These flows appear to be barotropically forced by upper ocean mesoscale variability. We conclude that these mesoscale flows make Fram Strait a hot spot of deep water mixing in the Arctic Mediterranean. The fate of the mixed water is not clear, but after the 1990s, it does not reflect the properties of Norwegian Sea Deep Water. We propose that it currently mostly fills the deep Greenland Sea.