bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biodiversity management of fens and fen meadows by grazing, cutting and burning
Authors: Middleton Beth A. , Holsten Bettina , van Diggelen Rudy 
Published: February 2009

AbstractQuestion: Can the biodiversity of fens in Europe and North America be maintained through the use of grazing (especially cattle grazing), fire, and/or cutting?Location: European and North American fens.Methods: This paper is a review of the literature on the effects of grazing, fire and cutting on fens, to explore the relationship between management and biodiversity in fens.Results: A reduction of cattle grazing, mowing and burning in fens has led to a reduction in biodiversity in fens. The vegetation of abandoned fens shifts to trees and shrubs after 10–15 years, which shade the smaller and rarer species of these wetlands. While careful use of fire is used to manage fens in North America, it is not widely used in European fens, perhaps because the peat of drained fens may catch fire. Cattle grazing cannot be considered a natural disturbance in North America, since cattle did not evolve on that continent. In Europe, cattle do not generally graze in unaltered fens, but they do use slightly drained fen meadows.Conclusions: Three approaches have been used to control the dominance of tall woody and herbaceous species in abandoned fens, including the re‐introduction of cattle, mowing, and burning. Overgrazing results in a permanent reduction in biodiversity, therefore cattle re‐introduction must be approached cautiously. In Europe, but not in North America, mowing has been an important management tool, and mowing has been successful in maintaining species richness, particularly in fens that have been mowed annually for centuries. Fire has been the most common and successful management tool in North America although it is not effective in removing shrubs that have become large. Because the problems and solutions are similar, the literature of both European and North American fen management can be analyzed to better assess the management of fens on both continents. Many management questions require further study and these are listed in the paper.
A dendro‐ecological study of forest overstorey productivity following the invasion of the non‐indigenous shrub Lonicera maackii
Authors: Hartman K.M. , McCarthy B.C. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractQuestion:Will a non‐indigenous, invasive, understorey shrub, such asLonicera maackii(Amur honeysuckle) have an impact on the productivity of overstorey trees in hardwood forests?Location:Trees from 12 invaded and four non‐invaded sites were sampled in hardwood forests of southwestern Ohio, US.Methods:Changes in radial and basal area tree growth in the ten years prior toL. maackiiinvasion vs. ten years after invasion were examined using dendrochronological techniques. Intervention analysis was used to detect growth changes 25 years prior to and 25 years following invasion, and estimates of load impacts forL. maackiipopulation and biomass were also calculated.Results:We found that the rate of radial and basal area growth of overstorey trees was reduced significantly in eleven out of twelve invaded sites. Non‐invaded sites did not exhibit this consistent pattern of reduced growth. For invaded vs. non‐invaded sites, the mean basal area growth was reduced by 15.8%, and the overall rate of basal area growth was reduced by 53.1%. Intervention analysis revealed that the first significant growth reductions were 6.25 ± 1.24 (mean ± SE) years after invasion with the greatest frequency of negative growth changes occurring 20 years after invasion. In invaded stands, 41% of trees experienced negative growth changes. In terms of invasive load estimates per 1000L. maackiiindividuals, radial tree growth was reduced by 0.56 mm.a−1, and basal area growth was reduced by 0.74 cm2.a−1, Given these findings, significant economic losses could occur in hardwood forests of Ohio.Conclusions:To our knowledge, this is the first study using dendrochronological techniques to investigate the impact of a non‐indigenous, understorey plant on overstorey tree growth. Active management will likely be needed to maintain forest productivity inL. maackiiimpacted landscapes.
Effects of the expansion by Hippophaë rhamnoides on plant species richness in coastal dunes
Authors: Isermann Maike , Diekmann Martin , Heemann Sonja 
Published: February 2009

AbstractQuestion: Is the expansion of Hippophaë rhamnoides in coastal dunes associated with a decline in plant species richness, and is this decline best described by a hump‐backed relationship between species number and shrub cover?Location: Grey and yellow dunes on the East Frisian islands Spiekeroog and Norderney.Methods: Total plant species richness as well as the number of herbaceous and cryptogam species were determined in 2001 using plots of 16 m2 size. We compared shrubland plots with varying cover of Hippophaë with neighbouring dune grassland plots without shrubs as reference sites. Soil samples were collected to determine the values of some important edaphic variables (pH, organic matter, nitrogen).Results: The shrubland plots with Hippophaë had or tended to have lower soil pH and C/N ratios and higher contents of organic matter and nitrogen than the grassland plots. Total species richness was marginally significantly related to the cover of Hippophaë in a hump‐backed manner on both islands. The pattern was more pronounced for mosses and lichens than for herbaceous species. For all species groups on Spiekeroog and for the herbaceous species on Norderney, the hump‐backed relationship was much improved when using the difference in species number between shrubland and grassland plot as a dependent variable. Relationships could be improved by including the soil parameters as co‐variables. Species richness was highest at moderate levels of shrub expansion, while it was much reduced in very dense shrubland. The decrease in species number is caused by the decline in grassland species typical of the open dunes, including some rare taxa.Conclusions: The expansion of Hippophaë rhamnoides is a serious threat to the plant species richness of open coastal dunes, and needs to be counteracted by management measures.
Effects of cutting and nitrogen deposition on biodiversity in Cantabrian heathlands
Authors: Calvo L. , Alonso I. , Marcos E. , De Luis E. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractQuestions: Does the diversity of heathland vegetation change when subjected to experimental disturbances such as cutting and nitrogen fertilization? Do changes in the vegetation structure negatively affect the regeneration of the dominant species Calluna vulgaris? Is cutting an alternative method of conserving the diversity and maintaining the structure of heathlands in the Cantabrian Mountains?Location:
Calluna vulgaris heathlands on the southern slopes of the Cantabrian Mountain range, NW Spain.Methods: A total of 60 plots were treated with different combinations of cutting and twice the estimated atmospheric deposition of nitrogen (56 kg‐N.ha−1.yr−1). The changes in the cover values of the species present were monitored over a five year study period. The cover values were used to calculate abundance and species richness.Results: Fertilizing with nitrogen allows biodiversity to increase over time. However, the greatest biodiversity is associated with the cutting plus fertilization treatment, since cutting allows gaps to be opened that are easily colonized by pioneer annual species, while fertilization mainly favours an increase in the mean number of perennial herbs (graminoids and forbs). Increased perennial herb richness also corresponds to a rise in their cover values. The recovery of the dominant woody species in these communities, Calluna vulgaris, is not impeded by the increase in perennial herbs species' cover values.Conclusions: In the Calluna vulgaris heathlands studied, cutting plus fertilization allowed an increase in biodiversity over time. No displacement of the dominant woody species, Calluna vulgaris, is observed due to the presence of the perennial herbs. Cutting patches of heathland is recommended as a mechanism for maintaining high vegetation diversity, when grazing is not possible.
The role of soil seed banks in the restoration of dry acidic dune grassland after burning of Ulex europaeus scrub
Authors: Bossuyt B. , Cosyns E. , Hoffmann M. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractQuestion: Can the seed bank play a significant role in the restoration of plant communities of dry acidic dune grassland where fire has destroyed Ulex europaeus scrub?Location: Northern French Atlantic coast.Methods: One year after the fire, the seed bank and vegetation were sampled in 1 m × 1 m plots along three transects from the oldest scrub vegetation towards the grassland. Differences in species richness, seed density and contribution of ecological groups in the seed bank and vegetation along the transects were analysed.Results: Seed density and species richness in the seed bank decreased significantly from the grassland towards the centre of the scrub vegetation; 50% of the seed bank consisted of core species of the target plant community, such as Carex arenaria, Aira praecox, Rumex acetosella and Agrostis capillaris. Seeds of these species were also found in the deeper soil layers beneath the oldest scrub vegetation, indicating that they can be considered to be long‐term persistent. Beneath the youngest scrub vegetation, seeds of rare satellite target species also occurred. However, no target species were established on the burned site after one year, resulting in a large discrepancy between seed bank and vegetation.Conclusions: Although the seeds present in the soil indicate that restoration of the acidic grassland based on the seed bank is possible, additional management actions such as mowing and soil disturbance may be necessary to restrict resprouting of Ulex and to stimulate the germination of seeds of target species in the deeper soil layers.
Phytosociological data give biased estimates of species richness
Authors: Chytrý Milan 
Published: February 2009

Abstract.Large phytosociological data sets of three types of grassland and three types of forest vegetation from the Czech Republic were analysed with a focus on plot size used in phytosociological sampling and on the species‐area relationship. The data sets included 12975 relevés, sampled by different authors in different parts of the country between 1922 and 1999. It was shown that in the grassland data sets, the relevés sampled before the 1960s tended to have a larger plot size than the relevés made later on. No temporal variation in plot sizes used was detected in forest relevés.Species‐area curves fitted to the data showed unnatural shapes, with levelling‐off or even decrease in plot sizes higher than average. This distortion is explained by the subjective, preferential method of field sampling used in phytosociology. When making relevés in species‐poor vegetation, researchers probably tend to use larger plots in order to include more species. The reason for this may be that a higher number of species gives a higher probability of including presumed diagnostic species, so that the relevé can be more easily classified in the Braun‐Blanquet classification system. This attitude of phytosociologists has at least two consequences: (1) in phytosociological data bases species‐poor vegetation types are underrepresented or relevés are artificially biased towards higher species richness; (2) the suitability of phytosociological data for species richness estimation is severely limited.
The Role of Chloride Channels in Rat Corpus Cavernosum: In Vivo Study
Authors: Kuo Yuh-Chen , Chung Shiu-Dong , Liu Shih-Ping , Chang Hong-Chiang , Yu Hong-Jeng , Hsieh Ju-Ton 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Recent studies have identified the existence of outward, depolarizing chloride currents in isolated rat, rabbit, and human corpus cavernosum muscle cells. However, few articles have demonstrated the functional role of chloride channels in vivo in corpus cavernosum smooth muscle.

Aim
To investigate the role of calcium-dependent chloride channels in erectile function of rat corpus cavernosum smooth muscle.

Methods
Adult male Wistar rats were used to perform an in vivo study in a rat model of erection. Both crura of the rats were isolated to in order to record intracavernosal pressure (ICP) during basal conditions and electrical stimulation of erection, with and without intracorporeal injection of norepinephrine, chloride transport inhibitors, and chloride channel blockers.

Main Outcome Measure
ICP.

Results
ICP increased as the amplitude of electrical stimulation increased, and decreased in a dose-dependent manner (during electrical stimulation) as norepinephrine injection strength increased. Injection into the corpus cavernosum of the Cl- channel blockers, niflumic acid, anthracene-9-carboxylic acid, and 4,4′-diisothiocyano-2,2′-stilbene-disulfonic acid increased ICP. Injection into the corpus cavernosum of the Cl- channel transport inhibitors bumetanide, ethacrynic acid, and HCO3-free 4-(2-hydroxyethyl )-1-1- piperazine ethanesulphonic acid buffer, and also increase the ICP. The effects of both Cl- channel blockers and Cl- channel transport inhibitors on ICP were concentration-dependent.

Conclusions
Our findings suggest that chloride channels play an important role in the regulation of corpus cavernous smooth muscle tone in vivo.
Clinical Autonomic Neurophysiology and the Male Sexual Response: An Overview
Authors: Yang Claire C. , Jiang Xiaogang 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Clinical neurophysiology is the study of the human nervous system through the recording of bioelectrical activity. In the realm of male sexual functioning, this includes using electrophysiologic techniques to study the nerves subserving erection, emission, ejaculation, and orgasm.

Aim
To introduce the reader to the principles of clinical neurophysiology as they relate to the male sexual response, particularly erection.

Methods
We review the pertinent autonomic neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of reflexes relevant to the male sexual response, as well as summarize the genital electrodiagnostic tests that are being used to interrogate the autonomic innervation pertinent to male sexual functioning.

Conclusions
The male sexual response is a coordinated series of interactions between the somatic and the autonomic nervous systems. Measurement of the autonomically mediated portions of the sexual reflexes is of great clinical interest, particularly in relation to erection. Advances in clinical electrodiagnostics now allow for consistent recording of evoked and spontaneous intrapenile electrical activity. However, before broad and widespread use of these techniques is possible, more investigations are needed.
Neural Regulation of Ejaculation
Authors: Young Brandt , Coolen Lique , McKenna Kevin 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Delineation of the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms of ejaculatory behavior is crucial for the treatment of male sexual dysfunction, including premature ejaculation. Recent studies provide compelling evidence that a population of lumbar spinothalamic (LSt) cells may play a role in the regulation of the ejaculatory response. Subsequent to ejaculation, LSt cells exhibit markers of activation that are not only highly correlated with ejaculatory behavior, but are also absent following the expression of other components of sexual behavior, such as mounts or intromissions. Similarly, targeted chemical lesion of LSt cells using substance P-saporin abolishes ejaculatory behavior explicitly. Early evidence suggests that pharmacological manipulation of LSt cells may offer additional evidence of crucial LSt cell involvement in the generation of ejaculation.

Aim
This review is intended to summarize what has currently been revealed regarding the role of LSt cells in the regulation and generation of ejaculatory behavior, and also to discuss the direction of future behavioral investigations.

Methods
Information presented in this discussion was derived from analysis of numerous recent articles detailing the delineation of anatomical and physiological correlates of sexual behavior, as well as numerous literature searches using the National Library of Medicine PubMed Services.

Results
A great deal of the work that has led to the implication of LSt cells in ejaculatory behavior is reviewed in the present article, including clinical data, as well as anatomical, physiological, and behavioral examinations. The rationale for ongoing pharmacological studies is also discussed.

Conclusion
LSt cells appear to play a vital role in the generation and regulation of ejaculatory behavior. Additional elucidation of this “ejaculation generator” could prove invaluable for the future treatment of male sexual dysfunction. Studies are currently in progress to further reveal the precise function of these cells and mechanisms of action through which they operate.
Sex Steroid Hormones in Diabetes-Induced Sexual Dysfunction: Focus on the Female Gender
Authors: Kim Noel N. 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Diabetes is associated with gender-specific changes in sex steroid hormones. However, the mechanisms responsible for these associations as well as the link to sexual dysfunction are not well understood.

Aim
To discuss key clinical and laboratory findings linking diabetes, sex steroid hormones, and sexual dysfunction, with particular focus on the female gender.

Methods
A comprehensive literature review was conducted using the PubMed database. Search terms were used in appropriate combinations, including diabetes, insulin, insulin sensitivity, androgen, estrogen, sexual function, women, men, estrogen receptor, and androgen receptor. Over 400 citations were selected, based on topical relevance, and examined for study methodology and major findings.

Main Outcome Measures
Data from peer-reviewed publications.

Results
Imbalances in sex steroid hormone levels are strongly associated with diabetes and this may negatively impact upon sexual function. Although numerous factors are likely to contribute to the development of diabetes and its complications, the role of sex steroid hormones must be acknowledged.

Conclusions
Research related to diabetic women and sexual dysfunction is severely lacking. Identifying underlying causes for a given hormonal imbalance in diabetic patients, as well as determination of genetic and age-dependent factors, will become important in identifying the subpopulations in which hormonal replacement regimens will be most effective. Investigation into treating diabetic patients with adjunct hormonal therapies or steroid hormone receptor modulators holds much promise.
Reversal of Voltage-Dependent Erectile Responses in the Zucker Obese-Diabetic Rat by Rosuvastatin-Altered RhoA/Rho-kinase Signaling
Authors: Wingard Christopher J. , Moukdar Fatiha , Prasad Raju Y. , Cathey Brook L. , Wilkinson Lois 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACT

Introduction
The combination of independent risk factors for erectile dysfunction, obesity, hypertension, and diabetes are collectively manifested in a condition known as metabolic syndrome X (MSX). However, the regulatory mechanisms responsible for the erectile dysfunction (ED) are not fully understood. Clinical studies suggest that a pleiotropic effect of statin’s ability to enhance vascular relaxation might be through an impact on nitric oxide signaling or through a regulation of RhoA activation.

Aim
We hypothesized that regulatory aspects of short-term statin therapy involve the alteration of the RhoA/Rho-kinase signaling cascade and will reverse the ED seen in a rat model of MSX.

Main Outcome Measures
The magnitude and sensitivity of the voltage-dependent maintenance of intracavernosal blood pressure and mean arterial blood pressure. These responses were correlated with tissue protein and mRNA expression levels of RhoA and Rho kinases.

Methods
Erectile function was evaluated by assessing voltage-dependent stimulation of the cavernosal nerve in 16–20 weeks old lean and obese-diabetic Zucker rats treated with 5 mg/kg/day of rosuvastatin intraperitoneally for 3 days. Cavernosal tissue RhoA and Rho-kinases expression levels were evaluated by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, Western blot.

Results
The voltage-dependent erectile responses were suppressed by &gt;30% in the obese-diabetic Zucker rat. The 3-day treatment with rosuvastatin partially restored the erectile response. The Rho-kinase inhibitor, H-1152, dose dependently increased the erectile responses and shifted the voltage sensitivity with statin treatment. Analysis of protein expression levels suggested elevation of RhoA and Rho kinases in obese-diabetics and statin treatment lowering Rho-kinase II. The RhoA and Rho-kinase II mRNA levels were significantly reduced in the rosuvastatin-treated obese-diabetic animals.

Conclusions
These results support a hypothesis that short-term statin therapy may lower RhoA/Rho-kinase expression levels and improve cavernosal blood pressure response to Rho-kinase inhibition and voltage-stimulation, and reversing an augmented vasoconstricted state associated with diabetes and/or hypertension in MSX.
Sonic Hedgehog, Apoptosis, and the Penis
Authors: Podlasek Carol A. 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Smooth muscle apoptosis in the penis is common in prostatectomy patients and animal models of erectile dysfunction (ED). A critical regulator of smooth muscle apoptosis in the penis is the secreted protein Sonic hedgehog (SHH). Since SHH protein treatment of the penis prevents cavernous nerve (CN) injury-induced apoptosis, SHH has the potential to treat post-prostatectomy apoptosis. However, little is known about how SHH signaling is regulated in the adult penis.

Aim
The goal of this review is to examine what is known about SHH signaling in the penis, to offer insight as to how SHH inhibition induces apoptosis in penile smooth muscle, and to define the role of the SHH pathway in maintaining CN integrity.

Methods
Information presented in this review was derived from a literature search using the National Library of Medicine PubMed Services. Search terms included SHH, apoptosis, smooth muscle, penis, ED, pelvic ganglia, corpora cavernosa, CN, regeneration, Schwann cell, neural activity, and transport.

Results
In this review, we have discussed the role of the CN in regulation of SHH abundance and apoptosis induction in the penis, and have examined the function and localization of SHH signaling in the CN.

Conclusion
There is substantial potential to develop SHH for delivery to the penis of prostatectomy patients at the time of surgery in order to prevent apoptosis induction and long-term ED development. Studies are in progress that will identify if SHH may be used as a regenerative therapy to speed CN regeneration.