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There are limited data on referral rates and the number of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) who are eligible for lung transplantation. The aim of the present study was to assess adherence to the consensus of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) for the referral of patients with IPF among Czech interstitial lung disease (ILD) centers. Czech patients who were diagnosed with IPF between 1999 and 2021 (n = 1584) and who were less than 65 years old at the time of diagnosis were retrospectively selected from the Czech Republic of the European Multipartner Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Registry (EMPIRE). Nonsmokers and ex‐smokers with a body mass index (BMI) of <32 kg/m2 (n = 404) were included for further analyses. Patients with a history of cancer <5 years from the time of IPF diagnosis, patients with alcohol abuse, and patients with an accumulation of vascular comorbidities were excluded. The trajectory of individual patients was verified at the relevant ILD center. From the database of transplant patients (1999‐12/2021, n = 541), all patients who underwent transplantation for pulmonary fibrosis (n = 186) were selected, and the diagnosis of IPF was subsequently verified from the patient's medical records (n = 67). A total of 304 IPF patients were eligible for lung transplantation. Ninety‐six patients were referred to the transplant center, 50% (n = 49) of whom were referred for lung transplantation. Thirty percent of potentially eligible patients not referred to the transplant center were considered to have too many comorbidities by the reporting physician, 19% of IPF patients denied lung transplantation, and 17% were not referred due to age. Among Czech patients with IPF, there may be a larger pool of potential lung transplant candidates than has been reported to the transplant center to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive species management is key to conserving critically threatened native prairie ecosystems. While prescribed burning is widely demonstrated to increase native diversity and suppress invasive species, elucidating the conditions under which burning is most effective remains an ongoing focus of applied prairie ecology research. Understanding how conservation management interacts with climate is increasingly pressing, because climate change is altering weather conditions and seasonal timing around the world. Increasingly early growing seasons due to climate change are shifting the timing and availability of resources and niche space, which may disproportionately advantage invasive species and influence the outcome of burning. We estimated the effects of burning, start time of the growing season, and their interaction on invasive species relative cover and frequency, two metrics for species abundance and dominance. We used 25 observed prairie sites and 853 observations of 267 transects spread throughout Minnesota, USA from 2010 to 2019 to conduct our analysis. Here, we show that burning reduced the abundance of invasive cool‐season grasses, leading to reduced abundance of invasive species as a whole. This reduction persisted over time for invasive cover but quickly waned for their frequency of occurrence. Additionally, and contrary to expectations that early growing season starts benefit invasive species, we found evidence that later growing season starts increased the abundance of some invasive species. However, the effects of burning on plant communities were largely unaltered by the timing of the growing season, although earlier growing season starts weakened the effectiveness of burning on Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) and smooth brome (Bromus inermis), two of the most dominant invasive species in the region. Our results suggest that prescribed burning will likely continue to be a useful conservation tool in the context of earlier growing season starts, and that changes to growing season timing will not be a primary mechanism driving increased invasion due to climate change in these ecosystems. We propose that future research seek to better understand abiotic controls on invasive species phenology in managed systems and how burning intensity and timing interact with spring conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At small spatial scales, attraction or deterrence of herbivores by plant neighbors can alter the susceptibility of plants to damage (i.e., associational effects). Given the patchy nature of plants and insect herbivory, we hypothesized that induced resistance may play an important role in mitigating such spatial variability. To test this notion, we first documented neighbor effects between two closely related and co‐occurring plant species in natural populations, and second, we measured how these effects changed after inducing plant resistance in a common garden. In wet fields and marshes of Northeastern North America, boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) is the primary host for the herbivorous beetle Ophraella notata. Across two years of surveys at multiple sites, we found that Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium maculatum) was a secondary host to O. notata and was more likely to receive beetle eggs when it grew near boneset, constituting a negative neighbor effect (associational susceptibility) for Joe Pye weed. Reciprocally, there were trends of reduced susceptibility for boneset when it grew near Joe Pye weed (a positive neighbor effect), but this pattern was less consistent over space and time. In the common garden, we manipulated patches, each with a center (focal) and surrounding (neighbor) plants, with focal plants of each species either induced by the plant hormone jasmonic acid or left as controls. While neighbor effects prior to induction mirrored the pattern in surveys, induction was most effective in reducing beetle oviposition on focal plants in heterospecific groups. This effectively eliminated negative neighbor effects (susceptibility) for Joe Pye weed, the less preferred plant species. However, in conspecific patches, induction had minimal effect on either species' susceptibility to beetles. Given the importance of spatial variation generally and the ubiquity of neighbor effects in plant communities, we suggest that inducible resistance may be an important mechanism to cope with spatial heterogeneity in susceptibility to herbivores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale. Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is highly heterogeneous with a plethora of different etiologic factors and inflammatory presentations. COPD with higher blood eosinophil count is associated with increased readmission rates and better corticosteroid responses. However, the clinical features of eosinophilic AECOPD are not well explored. Thus, this study was aimed at exploring the clinical differences between eosinophilic and noneosinophilic AECOPD. Methods. A total of 643 AECOPD patients were enrolled in this multicenter cross-sectional study. Finally, 455 were included, 214 in the normal-eosinophil AECOPD (NEOS-AECOPD) group, 63 in the mild increased-eosinophil AECOPD (MEOS-AECOPD) group, and 138 in the severe increased-eosinophil AECOPD (SEOS-AECOPD) group. Demographic data, underlying diseases, symptoms, and laboratory findings were collected. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the independent factors associated with blood eosinophils (EOS). Correlations between blood EOS and its associated independent factors were evaluated. Results. The significant differences in 19 factors, including underlying diseases, clinical symptoms, and laboratory parameters, were identified by univariate analysis. Subsequently, multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that lymphocyte%, neutrophil% (NS%), procalcitonin (PCT), and anion gap (AG) were independently associated with blood EOS in AECOPD. Both blood EOS counts and EOS% were significantly correlated with lymphocyte%, NS%, PCT, and AG. Conclusions. Collectively, blood EOS was independently associated with lymphocyte%, NS%, PCT, and AG in AECOPD patients. Lymphocyte% was lower, and NS%, PCT, and AG were higher in eosinophilic AECOPD. Our results indicate that viral-dominant infections are the probable major etiologies of eosinophilic AECOPD. Noneosinophilic AECOPD is more likely associated with bacterial-dominant infections. The systemic inflammation in noneosinophilic AECOPD was more severe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale.tempspacetempspaceAcute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is highly heterogeneous with a plethora of different etiologic factors and inflammatory presentations.tempspacetempspaceCOPD with higher blood eosinophil count is associated with increased readmission rates and better corticosteroid responses.tempspacetempspaceHowever, the clinical features of eosinophilic AECOPD are not well explored.tempspacetempspaceThus, this study was aimed at exploring the clinical differences between eosinophilic and noneosinophilic AECOPD.tempspacetempspaceMethods.tempspacetempspaceA total of 643 AECOPD patients were enrolled in this multicenter cross-sectional study.tempspacetempspaceFinally, 455 were included, 214 in the normal-eosinophil AECOPD (NEOS-AECOPD) group, 63 in the mild increased-eosinophil AECOPD (MEOS-AECOPD) group, and 138 in the severe increased-eosinophil AECOPD (SEOS-AECOPD) group.tempspacetempspaceDemographic data, underlying diseases, symptoms, and laboratory findings were collected.tempspacetempspaceMultiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the independent factors associated with blood eosinophils (EOS).tempspacetempspaceCorrelations between blood EOS and its associated independent factors were evaluated.tempspacetempspaceResults.tempspacetempspaceThe significant differences in 19 factors, including underlying diseases, clinical symptoms, and laboratory parameters, were identified by univariate analysis.tempspacetempspaceSubsequently, multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that lymphocyte%, neutrophil% (NS%), procalcitonin (PCT), and anion gap (AG) were independently associated with blood EOS in AECOPD.tempspacetempspaceBoth blood EOS counts and EOS% were significantly correlated with lymphocyte%, NS%, PCT, and AG.tempspacetempspaceConclusions.tempspacetempspaceCollectively, blood EOS was independently associated with lymphocyte%, NS%, PCT, and AG in AECOPD patients.tempspacetempspaceLymphocyte% was lower, and NS%, PCT, and AG were higher in eosinophilic AECOPD.tempspacetempspaceOur results indicate that viral-dominant infections are the probable major etiologies of eosinophilic AECOPD.tempspacetempspaceNoneosinophilic AECOPD is more likely associated with bacterial-dominant infections.tempspacetempspaceThe systemic inflammation in noneosinophilic AECOPD was more severe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is altering the interactions among plants and soil organisms in ways that will alter the structure and function of ecosystems. We reviewed the literature and developed a map of studies focused on how the three most common types of mycorrhizal fungi (arbuscular mycorrhizal [AM], ectomycorrhizal [EcM], and ericoid mycorrhizal [ErM] fungi) respond to elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations (eCO2), climatic warming, and changes in the distribution of precipitation. Broadly, we ask how do mycorrhizal fungi respond to climate change, how do these responses vary by fungal type, and how do mycorrhizal traits influence plant adaptation, movement, or extinction in response to climatic change? First, we found that 92% of studies were conducted in the northern hemisphere, and plant host, ecosystem type and study location were only correlated with each other in the northern hemisphere because studies across all mycorrhizal fungal types were only common in the northern hemisphere. Second, we show that temperature and rainfall variability had more variable effects than eCO2 on mycorrhizal fungal structures, but these effects were context dependent. Third, while mycorrhizal fungal types vary in their responses to climate change, it appears that warming leads to more variable responses in ectomycorrhizal than in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Finally, we discuss common traits of mycorrhizal fungi that could aid in fungal and plant adaption to climate change. We posit that mycorrhizal fungi can buffer plant hosts against extinction risk, they can facilitate or retard the dispersal success of plants moving away from poor environments, and, by buffering host plants, they can enable host plant adaptation to new climates. All of these influences are, however, context dependent a finding that reflects the complex traits of mycorrhizal fungi as a group, the diversity of plant species they associate with and the variation in ecosystems in which they reside. Overall, while we point out many gaps in our understanding of the influence of climate changes on mycorrhizal fungi, we also highlight the large number of opportunities for researching plant and mycorrhizal fungal responses to and mitigation of climate changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Clinical Message Deep brain stimulation (DBS) may be considered in severe cases of therapy-refractory major depressive disorder (MDD). However, DBS for MDD is still an experimental therapy. Therefore, it should only be administered in clinical studies driven by multidisciplinary teams, including surgeons with substantial experience of DBS in the treatment of other conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extrafloral nectar ( EFN) mediates food-for-protection mutualisms between plants and insects and provides plants with a form of indirect defense against herbivory. Understanding sources of variation in EFN production is important because such variations affect the number and identity of insect visitors and the effectiveness of plant defense. Light represents a potentially crucial tool for regulating resource allocation to defense, as it not only contributes energy but may help plants to anticipate future conditions. Low red/far-red (R/ FR) light ratios can act as a signal of the proximity of competing plants. Exposure to such light ratios has been shown to promote competitive behaviors that coincide with reduced resource allocation to direct chemical defenses. Little is known, however, about how such informational light signals might affect indirect defenses such as EFN, and the interactions that they mediate. Through controlled glasshouse experiments, we investigated the effects of light intensity, and R/ FR light ratios, on EFN production in Senna mexicana var. chapmanii. Plants in light-limited conditions produced significantly less EFN, and leaf damage elicited increased EFN production regardless of light conditions. Ratios of R/ FR light, however, did not appear to affect EFN production in either damaged or undamaged plants. Understanding the effects of light on indirect defenses is of particular importance for plants in the threatened pine rockland habitats of south Florida, where light conditions are changing in predictable ways following extensive fragmentation and subsequent mismanagement. Around 27% of species in these habitats produce EFN and may rely on insect communities for defense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycorrhizal symbiosis is important for growth of coffee (Coffea arabica), but differences among coffee cultivars in response to mycorrhizal interactions have not been studied. We compared arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) extraradical hyphae in the soil and diversity of AM fungi among three coffee cultivars, Caturra, Pacas, and Borbón, at three farms in Puerto Rico. Caturra had significantly lower total extraradical AM hyphal length than Pacas and Borbón at all locations. P content did not differ among cultivars. Extraradical hyphal lengths differed significantly among locations. Although the same morphotypes of mycorrhizal fungal spores were present in the rhizosphere of the three cultivars and total spore density did not differ significantly, frequencies of spore morphotypes differed significantly among cultivars. Spore morphotypes were typical of Glomus and Sclerocystis. Levels of soil nutrients did not explain differences in AM colonzation among cultivars. The cultivar Caturra is a mutant of Borbón and has apparently lost Borbón's capacity to support and benefit from an extensive network of AM hyphae in the soil. Widespread planting of Caturra, which matures earlier and has higher yield if fertilized, may increase dependence on fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim We examined the influences of regional climate and land-use variables on mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos), blue-winged teal ( Anas discors), ruddy duck ( Oxyura jamaicensis) and pied-billed grebe ( Podilymbus podiceps) abundances to inform conservation planning in the Prairie Pothole Region of the United States. Location The US portion of Bird Conservation Region 11 (US-BCR11, the Prairie Potholes), which encompasses six states within the United States: Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota and Iowa. Methods We used data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey (NABBS), the National Land Cover Data Set, and the National Climatic Data Center to model the effects of environmental variables on waterbird abundance. We evaluated land-use covariates at three logarithmically related spatial scales (1000, 10,000 and 100,000 ha), and constructed hierarchical spatial count models a priori using information from published habitat associations. Model fitting was performed using a hierarchical modelling approach within a Bayesian framework. Results Models with the same variables expressed at different scales were often in the best model subset, indicating that the influence of spatial scale was small. Both land-use and climate variables contributed strongly to predicting waterbird abundance in US-BCR11. The strongest positive influences on waterbird abundance were the percentage of wetland area across all three spatial scales, herbaceous vegetation and precipitation variables. Other variables that we included in our models did not appear to influence waterbirds in this study. Main conclusions Understanding the relationships of waterbird abundance to climate and land use may allow us to make predictions of future distribution and abundance as environmental factors change. Additionally, results from this study can suggest locations where conservation and management efforts should be focused. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated plant richness-biomass relationships in tall grass (Field 1, 12 years) and mixed grass (Field 2, 5 years) restoration experiments located in the northern Great Plains grasslands (USA). They were organized as randomized factorial experiments with fertilization rates (N or P) and number of species as factors. Results were as follows: (1) above ground biomass (AGB) increased and year-to-year variability declined with plant species and functional form richness. (2) AGB was higher when the species had various combinations: (a) high relative growth rates, root density, root surface area, N or P uptake rates, and N use efficiency; (b) low root-to-shoot ratio and root plasticity. (3) Biomass stability was positively related to high root surface area in Field 1 and N use efficiency and P uptake rates in Field 2. (4) Invasion of nonseeded species declined with plant species and functional form richness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We measured Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus sp. numbers in soil and on fresh radish (Raphanus sativus L.) at 1, 7, 14, 28, 54, and 84 days after the addition of high and low amounts of solid dairy manure in combination with chisel tillage to a 20 cm depth (deep) or roller tillage to a 10 cm depth (shallow). When the high or low amount of solid dairy manure was added to the soil, E. coli populations in soil were higher in the 54 days following manure addition compared to the control treatment. Dairy manure addition increased Enterococcus sp. in soils compared to the control treatment for the entire 84 days sampling period. At harvest, which was 84 days after application, we did not detect E. coli in radish in rhizosphere soil or on radish roots. Addition of solid dairy manure increased Enterococcus sp. numbers in radish rhizosphere soil and on radish roots. We suggest that fresh animal manure be applied to soil at least 120 days prior to planting to allow die-off of human pathogenic bacteria and reduce the incidence of bacterial adhesion on or bacterial colonization of ready to eat vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive species can alter the structure and function of the communities they invade, as well as lead to biotic homogenization across their invasive range, thus affecting large‐scale diversity patterns. The mechanisms by which invasive species can lead to biotic homogenization are poorly understood. We argue that invasive species acting as strong, deterministic, and consistent filters within and across invaded communities are likely to cause biotic homogenization at multiple spatial scales. We studied Bromus inermis Leyss. invasion into eight grasslands covering most of the grassland and parkland natural regions of Alberta (western Canada). Specifically, we tested whether B. inermis (1) has a strong impact on species richness and composition, (2) consistently alters resources (nutrients, light, and soil moisture), imposing the same ecological filter to species establishment and persistence across sites, and hence (3) whether it leads to biotic homogenization within and across sites. We recorded plant cover and resources across native‐to‐invaded transition areas combining space‐for‐time substitutions with time‐series data analyses. Bromus inermis invasion was associated with rapid biotic homogenization of communities, within and among the eight grasslands. The sharp changes in species relative abundances following invasion was the initial driver of biotic homogenization, and species loss was delayed. Supporting the idea that biotic homogenization can occur when an invasive species presents a broad and consistent filter, resources modified by B. inermis invasion (particularly light and certain nutrients) were altered rather consistently within and across sites. The 50% reduction in light was likely the initial driver of biotic homogenization, and the increase in nutrient availability probably facilitates the displacement of species from the invaded areas and could lead to the establishment of self‐reinforcing dynamics. Overall, our results support the idea that invaders acting as strong, deterministic, and consistent ecological filters are likely to cause biotic homogenization of the communities they invade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article the editors of the "Journal of Ecology" thank their colleagues for their assistance in evaluating manuscripts during 2003. Their opinions have been greatly appreciated. The editors hope that the already high percentage of referees willing to work within their new Web-based system will continue to increase, but are happy to make alternative arrangements for those who find it difficult to review in this way. Some of the names are: L.W. Aarssen, D.D. Ackerly, R. Aerts, A.A. Agrawal, J. Agren, M. Aguiar, J.M. Alcantara, H.M. Alexander, G.A. Allen, M.F. Allen, S. Andersson, J. Antonovics and S. Archer.

Lists names of editors/referees who have evaluated submitted manuscripts for 'Journal of Ecology' during 2001. Elizabeth John; Duane Peltzer; John Tallis; Rene van der Wal.