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Species distribution models (SDMs) are increasingly used to forecast impacts of climate change on species geographic distributions, but the reliability of predictions is scrutinized. The main limitation of SDMs lies in their assumption that species' ranges are determined mostly by climate, which is arguable. For instance, biotic interactions, habitat and elevation may affect species ranges. The inclusion of habitat-related variables as predictors in SDMs is generally accepted, but there is no consensus regarding the inclusion of elevation. A review of randomly chosen literature revealed that elevation is used as a predictor variable by just over half of the papers studied with no apparent trends as to why, except that papers predicting mammal species distributions for large regions included elevation more often than not, and that papers that predicted mammal ranges for small regions tended to exclude elevation. In addition, we compared the performance of SDMs with and without elevation as a predictor variable for the distribution of north European mammals and plants and found that the difference between their performances is statistically significant for mammals, slightly favouring exclusion of elevation. No differences were found for plants.

Brain expression of transferrin (Tf) and transthyretin (TTR) mRNA has been demonstrated in different species, TTR being found only in the choroid plexus. We report here that both these mRNAs are also expressed in the meninges. In vitro studies have shown that Tf secretion by the rat choroid plexus is stimulated by 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) while sympathetic nerves regulate different transport functions in the same tissue. We have used various in vivo models to study the neuroendocrine regulation of Tf and TTR mRNA expression in the choroid plexus and meninges. Destruction of the serotonergic nerves in the brain by either raphe nuclei lesion or intraventricular injections of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT), which both decreased brain 5-HT levels significantly, did not affect Tf or TTR mRNA levels in choroid plexus and meninges, but increased TTR mRNA in liver. Intraventricular injection of 10 or 100 pmol 5-HT did not change the expression of these proteins in any of the tissues studied. Removal of the sympathetic innervation to the choroid plexus by cervical sympathectomy did not affect Tf or TTR mRNA levels in choroid plexus and liver, nor the incorporation of radioactive leucine into protein in various parts of the brain. In conclusion, our results do not support a regulatory role in vivo for neuronally derived 5-HT or sympathetic nerve activity on Tf and TTR mRNA expression in rat choroid plexus and meninges.

Although most of the world's river systems are regulated, the effects of river regulation on mammals and birds are little known. In fact, speculations are more common than empirical data. A review of this topic is presented, emphasizing northern rivers where most impacts have been described. Effects are related to the major causes of change. It is concluded that the two most disastrous effects of river regulation on mammals and birds are the permanent inundation of vast areas of land, and the disruption of the seasonal flood regime along the river. The design of future investigations to improve our knowledge is considered.

Background The clinical presentation in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), an atypical parkinsonian disorder, includes varying degrees of frontal dysexecutive symptoms. Using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and tractography (DTT), we investigated whether diffusion changes and atrophy of the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus (IFO) occurs in PSP and if these changes correlate with disease stage and clinical phenotype. The corticospinal tract (CST), which is often involved in PSP, was investigated for comparison. Methods DTI of the whole brain was performed with a 3 T MR scanner using a single shot-EPI sequence with diffusion encoding in 48 directions. Scans were obtained in patients with PSP (n = 13) and healthy age-matched controls (n = 12). DTT of the IFO and CST was performed with the PRIDE fibre tracking tool (Philips Medical System). Fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were calculated and correlated with disease stage and clinical phenotype. Results In patients with PSP, significantly decreased FA and increased ADC was found in the frontal part of IFO compared with the medial and occipital parts of IFO, as well as compared to controls. Four of the thirteen patients with PSP showed a marked decrease in the number of tracked voxels in the frontal part of IFO. These findings were most pronounced in patients with severe frontal cognitive symptoms, such as dysexecutive problems, apathy and personality change. There was a strong correlation (r2 = -0.84; p < 0,001) between disease stage and FA and ADC values in the CST. Conclusions DTT for identification of neuronal tracts with subsequent measurement of FA and ADC is a useful diagnostic tool for demonstrating patterns of neuronal tract involvement in neurodegenerative disease. In selected tracts, FA and ADC values might act as surrogate markers for disease stage.

Rats were made hypo- or hyperthyroid to study the role of thyroid hormones on cerebral transthyretin (TTR) mRNA expression. TTR mRNA was detected by Northern blot in rat liver, choroid plexus and meninges but not in cultured astrocytes or cultured cerebral endothelial cells. No changes were found in the levels of TTR mRNA in liver, choroid plexus or meninges in hypo- or hyperthyroid rats compared with the controls. In order to investigate the main route of thyroxine transport from blood to brain, the distribution of [125I]thyroxine in the brain was studied after intravenous (i.v.) and intraventricular (i.v.c.) injection by both direct counting and autoradiography. While distribution of [125I]thyroxine could be seen throughout the brain parenchyma after i.v. injection, the labelling was confined to the CSF spaces after i.v.c. administration. When protein synthesis was inhibited by cycloheximide treatment and [125I]thyroxine was injected intravenously, the uptake of [125I]thyroxine in the choroid plexus decreased while the uptake in the cerebral cortex increased. This indicates that thyroxine is transported into the brain primarily through the blood-brain barrier and not via the choroid plexus and CSF. We discuss the possibility that TTR has a role in the distribution of thyroxine throughout the brain.

The development of a dedicated facility for nuclear microprobe analysis and the experiences from using it are discussed. The general properties of the present Lund nuclear microprobe will be described and the advantages of using a dedicated accelerator discussed.

Between 1850 and 1970, rivers throughout Sweden were channelized to facilitate timber floating. Floatway structures were installed to streamline banks and disconnect flow to secondary channels, resulting in simplified channel morphologies and more homogenous flow regimes. In recent years, local authorities have begun to restore channelized rivers. In this study, we examined the effects of restoration on riparian plant communities at previously disconnected secondary channels of the Pite River. We detected no increase in riparian diversity at restored sites relative to unrestored (i.e., disconnected) sites, but we did observe significant differences in species composition of both vascular plant and bryophyte communities. Disconnected sites featured greater zonation, with mesic-hydric floodplain species represented in plots closest to the stream and mesic-xeric upland species represented in plots farthest from the stream. In contrast, restored sites were most strongly represented by upland species at all distances relative to the stream. These patterns likely result from the increased water levels in reconnected channels where, prior to restoration, upland plants had expanded toward the stream. Nonetheless, the restored fluvial regime has not brought about the development of characteristic flood-adapted plant communities, probably due to the short time interval (ca. 5 years) since restoration. Previous studies have demonstrated relatively quick responses to similar restoration in single-channel tributaries, but secondary channels may respond differently due to the more buffered hydrologic regimes typically seen in anabranching systems. These findings illustrate how restoration outcomes can vary according to hydrologic, climatic and ecological factors, reinforcing the need for site-specific restoration strategies.

Despite a variety of testing approaches, it is often difficult to make an accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), especially at an early stage of the disease. Diagnosis is based on clinical criteria as well as exclusion of other causes of dementia but a definitive diagnosis can only be made at autopsy. We have investigated the diagnostic value of a 96-gene expression array for detection of early AD. Gene expression analysis was performed on blood RNA from a cohort of 203 probable AD and 209 cognitively healthy age matched controls. A disease classification algorithm was developed on samples from 208 individuals (AD = 103; controls = 105) and was validated in two steps using an independent initial test set (n = 74; AD = 32; controls = 42) and another second test set (n = 130; AD = 68; controls = 62). In the initial analysis, diagnostic accuracy was 71.6 ± 10.3%, with sensitivity 71.9 ± 15.6% and specificity 71.4 ± 13.7%. Essentially the same level of agreement was achieved in the two independent test sets. High agreement (24/30; 80%) between algorithm prediction and subjects with available cerebrospinal fluid biomarker was found. Assuming a clinical accuracy of 80%, calculations indicate that the agreement with underlying true pathology is in the range 85%-90%. These findings suggest that the gene expression blood test can aid in the diagnosis of mild to moderate AD, but further studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Hydrochory, or the passive dispersal of organisms by water, is an important means of propagule transport, especially for plants. During recent years, knowledge about hydrochory and its ecological consequences has increased considerably and a substantial body of literature has been produced. Here, we review this literature and define the state of the art of the discipline. A substantial proportion of species growing in or near water have propagules (fruits, seeds or vegetative units) able to disperse by water, either floating, submerged in flowing water, or with the help of floating vessels. Hydrochory can enable plants to colonize sites out of reach with other dispersal vectors, but the timing of dispersal and mechanisms of establishment are important for successful establishment. At the population level, hydrochory may increase the effective size and longevity of populations, and control their spatial configuration. Hydrochory is also an important source of species colonizing recruitment-limited riparian and wetland communities, contributing to maintenance of community species richness. Dispersal by water may even influence community composition in different landscape elements, resulting in landscape-level patterns. Genetically, hydrochory may reduce spatial aggregation of genetically related individuals, lead to high gene flow among populations, and increase genetic diversity in populations receiving many propagules. Humans have impacted hydrochory in many ways. For example, dams affect hydrochory by reducing peak flows and hence dispersal capacity, altering the timing of dispersal, and by presenting physical barriers to dispersal, with consequences for riverine plant communities. Hydrochory has been inferred to be an important vector for the spread of many invasive species, but there is also the potential for enhancing ecosystem restoration by improving or restoring water dispersal pathways. Climate change may alter the role of hydrochory by modifying the hydrology of water-bodies as well as conditions for propagule release and plant colonization.

The six most important pests of oilseed rape are host to at least 80 species of parasitoid, mostly parasitic Hymenoptera, particularly braconids, chalcids and ichneumonids. Most of them attack the egg or larval stages of their hosts. Based on reviews of the literature and extensive sampling programmes during the EU project MASTER (QLK5-CT-2001-01447), 12 species have been identified as the key parasitoid species of these pests in winter oilseed rape, and, with little divergence, also in spring rape in nearly all European countries where their hosts occur. Some key species have been recorded for the first time in individual partner countries. They are sufficiently widespread and abundant across Europe to be of potential economic importance for conservation biological control of the target pests. Their incidence and abundance in European countries were associated with the occurrence of their hosts, thereby indicating close host-parasitoid-relationships.

The spatial distribution and temporal availability of propagules fundamentally constrain plant community development. This study experimentally tested several hypotheses about the relative roles of wind and water dispersal in colonization and development of riparian communities along rivers. Through controlling the source of propagules (dispersed by wind, water, or both) reaching newly created, bare river margin sites, we isolated the relative roles of dispersal and other factors in plant community development over five years. Replicated treatments were established at 12 sites spanning 400 km along two adjacent rivers in northern Sweden, one fragmented by a series of dams, the other free-flowing. Bare river margins receiving only water-dispersed propagules had significantly higher species richness compared to plots receiving only wind-dispersed propagules during the initial two years of colonization. Species richness increased annually throughout the study along tranquil and turbulent reaches of the free-flowing river but reached an asymptote at comparatively low richness after a single year on the impounded river. Propagule source strongly influenced species richness during the initial establishment along both rivers, with richness being significantly higher in plots receiving water-dispersed seeds. This strong treatment effect continued to be important through time along the regulated river but diminished in importance along the free-flowing river where other factors such as soil moisture, light availability, and exposure of sites to fluvial disturbance overshadowed the influence of dispersal pathway in mediating species richness. This suggests that hydrochory (plant dispersal by water) may be more important for maintenance of diversity in regulated systems where long-distance dispersal is absent or negligible, but that the rich local propagule source along free-flowing rivers supports high species richness. The number of unique species was higher in water-dispersal plots along both the regulated and free-flowing rivers. This result suggests that hydrochory may contribute to temporal variability of sites, may enhance richness over time, and may have an important role in meta-population and meta-community dynamics of plant communities through long-distance (and local) dispersal and chance colonization. Our findings provide experimental evidence that water dispersal of plant propagules influences colonization dynamics and is important for long-term community development in riparian zones.

The computer-based DSS proPlant incorporates weather-based phenological models for the six major pests of oilseed rape in Europe: the cabbage stem flea beetle, the rape stem weevil, the cabbage stem weevil, the pollen beetle, the cabbage seed weevil and the brassica pod midge. The models have now been validated for several European countries. The system predicts the start and course of pest infestation and provides site-specific crop protection treatment decisions, a selection of suitable chemicals, computes optimum dates and rates for application and evaluates the efficacy of past applications. Phenological models for migration of some key parasitoids of the pests have also been constructed recently; their use in finding spray windows to conserve parasitoids is described. Further work is needed to validate them before they can be integrated into a pest control strategy for farmers.

Some of the parasitoids of important oilseed rape pests over-winter in the soil within the pupal chambers prepared by the host larva. Thus post-harvest soil tillage can have a great impact on the survival of these insects and the parasitization of oilseed rape pests the following year. Conventionally, soil tillage following harvest of oilseed rape was usually by ploughing but, more recently, methods of reduced tillage and direct drilling have become increasingly common. Experiments have shown that ploughing almost always reduces the number of parasitoids emerging the following year by 50% or more, while other kinds of tillage have a varying but lesser effect. Reduced, non-inversion tillage can be part of an integrated strategy to control insect pests in oilseed rape.

Global warming will continue, and the Arctic is expectedto warm at twice the global average rate (Intergovern-mental Panel on Climate Change 2007). The most pro-nounced changes will occur during winter with increasedprecipitation, more precipitation falling as rain, and ashorter snow period (Intergovernmental Panel on ClimateChange 2007; Roderfeld et al. 2008). These changes willhave far-reaching consequences for ecosystems and for thepeople dependent on their services and may serve as anindicator of environmental change and an ‘‘early warningsystem’’ for other parts of the world (Arctic Climate ImpactAssessment, Symon et al. 2005). We assessed the likelychanges in the provision of goods and services from naturaland seminatural ecosystems (i.e., excluding urban, indus-trial, and agricultural land) in the Barents region—thenorthern parts of Norway, Sweden, and Finland, andnorthwestern Russia—as a consequence of anticipatedclimate changes during the twenty-first century. Thisregion includes approximately six million people in an areathe size of France, Portugal, Spain, and Germany together,totaling 1.75 million km

Farming systems for arable cropping, should, in the future, combine sustainability with environmental acceptability, be high-yielding yet energy efficient, providing a good net return. Integrated crop management aims to achieve a sustainable farming system by using natural resources and regulating mechanisms to replace polluting inputs. In oilseed rape production, nitrogen inputs to the crop and machinery use are greater than for many other crops and a system that reduces these inputs is desirable. The crop is attacked by more pests than most other arable crops and consequently pesticide inputs are also high; increased use of natural control provided by parasitoids, predators and pathogens would improve sustainability and environmental acceptability. An Integrated Crop Management (ICM) System can be designed to be more sustainable and resource-efficient and to enhance biological control of pests, by reduced tillage with no ploughing, use of a seed mix to provide an internal trap crop to reduce pest damage, plant density to increase parasitisation, and insecticide application using control thresholds. This IPM strategy is exemplified by the EU project MASTER (QLK5-CT-2001-01447).

(-)-(3-Hydroxyphenyl)-N-n-propylpiperidine ((-)-3-PPP) and transdihydrolisuride (terguride, TDHL) are partial dopamine D2 receptor agonists displaying low intrinsic activity at normosensitive postsynaptic dopamine D2 receptors in brain while activating prolactin-regulating dopamine D2 receptors in male rats with an efficacy close to that of full dopamine D2 receptor agonists. In the present study we examined the effects of these partial dopamine D2 receptor agonists on prolactin release in vitro. For this purpose prolactin-producing tumour cells which have been transfected with the dopamine D2 receptor cDNA and hence which express a dopamine D2 receptor (short isoform) that is functionally active with respect to inhibition of adenylate cyclase and prolactin release (GH4ZR7; Albert et al., J. Biol. Chem. (1990) 265, 2098) were used. While the full dopamine D2 receptor agonists, quinpirole, (+)-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N-n-propylpiperidine ((+)-3-PPP) and dopamine induced a dose-dependent suppression of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-induced prolactin release from GH4ZR7, both (-)-3-PPP and terguride were inactive. Furthermore, the prolactin-suppressive effects of dopamine and quinpirole were significantly antagonized by pretreatment with (-)-3-PPP and terguride. It is concluded that partial dopamine D2 receptor agonists, which activate male lactotroph dopamine D2 receptors in vivo, may antagonize dopamine D2 receptors on GH4ZR7 cells. There were similar results from an experiment using monolayers of anterior pituitary cells from male rats. Thus, in this in vitro preparation (+)-3-PPP suppressed spontaneous prolactin release while (-)-3-PPP again was inactive.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

We examined 15 criteria used for selection of 1175 natural areas protected by the Swedish Nature Conservation Act. We categorized criteria as “scientific,” having botanical, ornithological, and geological values, or “political,” having human-oriented recreational, landscape, and cultural values. On average, 2.3 criteria were used per protected area, and number of criteria increased with size of area. The six major criteria in order of use were: recreational, botanical, landscape, geological, ornithological, and cultural values. Political criteria were as important as scientific ones for protection of Swedish nature. There were only minor historical changes in use of different criteria, except that recreational values increased strongly from 1965 to 1975. The average and median size of protected areas increased from 1960 onwards. Areas of recreational value were more common close to the three largest cities and were often large; areas of botanical value were often small. Areas of recreational or ornithological value were associated with lakes and the coast; areas of botanical and landscape value were associated with mountain and farmland. An ordination of areas with two or more criteria showed associations within the group of political and within the group of scientific criteria. Political criteria may be important in or close to populated areas during periods when urbanization and leisure increase; nationally, we plead for emphasis on biological criteria in future selection of protected areas. Resumen: Examinamos 15 criterios utilizados para seleccionar 1175 areas naturales protegidas por la Ley Sueca de Conservacion de la Naturaleza. Clasificamos los criterios como ‘cientificos’ (por ejemplo valor botanico, ornitologico y geologico) o ‘politicos’ (orientados hacia las personas; por ejemplo, valor recreacional, paisajistico y cultural). En promedio, se utilizaron 2,3 criterios por area protegida y el numero de criterios aumento con el tamano del area. Los seis criterios mas importantes en funcion de su uso fueron los valores recreacional, botanico, paisajistico, geologico, ornitogico y cultural. Los criterios politicos fueron tan importantes como los cientificos para la proteccion de la naturaleza Sueca. Historicamente, solo han existido cambios menores en el uso de los distintos criterios, siendo la unica excepcion, el fuerte incremento de los valores recreacionales entre 1965 y 1975. La media y mediana del tamano de las areas protegidas aumento a partir de 1960. Las areas de valor recreativo eran mas comunes cerca de las tres ciudades mas grandes siendo a menudo de gran tamano. Las areas de valor botanico eran, a menudo, pequenas. Las areas de valor recreativo y ornitologico estaban asociadas con los lagos y la costa. Las areas de valor botanico y paisajistico estaban asociadas con la cordillera y las tierras cultivadas. Un ordenamiento de areas utilizando dos o mas criterios mostro asociaciones dentro del grupo de criterios politicos y dentro del grupo de criterios cientificos. Los criterios poliiticos podrian ser importantes dentro de areas pobladas o en sus aledanos durante los periodos de aumento en la urbanizacion y en el tiempo libre. A nivel nacional, pedimos que se enfaticen los criterios biologicos en la futura seleccion de areas protegidas.

Representation of all ecosystems and species in protected areas is a major goal of nature conservation, but few countries have assessed the degree to which it has been fulfilled. We analyzed the extent to which landscape and habitat types in Sweden are represented in areas protected by the Nature Conservation Act. A total of 1175 national parks, nature reserves, and nature conservation areas comprised 4.7% of the total Swedish territory on 31 December 1986 (the proportion increased to 5.9% in 1990). Among landscape types, a very large area of alpine landscape was protected, but only a small area of river landscape. Among habitat types, subalpine birch forest and alpine heaths showed the highest degree of representation in protected areas (32% and 30%, respectively, of the total area of each habitat type). Less than 1% of the farmland and less than 2% of the coniferous forests were represented in protected areas. During an early (1909–66) and a late (1967–86) conservation period, 30% and 70%, respectively, of the protected area was established. During the early period protection of alpine areas predominated; during the late period higher proportions of the other habitat types were protected, suggesting that representation was considered increasingly important. We discuss three factors that influence the goal of representation: (1) threat to and amount of remaining habitat type, (2) cost and opportunity, and (3) evaluation criteria and history. Further inventory of communities and species as well as understanding of ecological processes, in and outside of protected areas, are necessary in future conservation work. Resumen: La representacion de todos los sistemas ecologicos y especies en las areas protegidas es un objetivo importante de la conservacion de la naturaleza, pero son pocos los paires que han evaluado el cumplimiento de dicho objetivo. Analizamos el grado de representacion de los diversos tipos de paisajes y ambientes en las areas protegidas por la Ley Sueca de Conservacion de la Naturaleza. Hasta el 31 de diciembre de 1986, existia un total de 1175 parques nacionales, reservas naturales y areas de conservacion de la naturaleza que ocupaban un 4,7% del territorio total de Suecia. En 1990 esta proporcion aumento a un 5.9%. Entre los tipos de paisajes protegidos, habia un area muy grande de paisaje alpino pero solo un area muy pequena de paisaje de rio. Entre los tipos de ambientes en las areas protegidas, el bosque subalpino de abedules y los paramos alpinos tenian la mayor representacion (un 32% y un 30% del area total de cada tipo de ambiente, respectivamente). Menos del 1% de las tierras de cultivo y menos del 2% de los bosques de coniferas estaban representados en las areas protegidas. El 30% de las areas protegidas fueron establecidas durante un periodo temprano de conservacion (entre 1909 y 1966), mientras que el 70% restante fue establecido durante un periodo tardio (entre 1967 y 1986). Durante el periodo temprano predomino la proteccion de areas alpinas; durante el periodo tardio se protegio una mayor proporcion de otros tipos de ambientes, lo cual sugiere que la importancia asignada a la representacion estaba en aumento. Discutimostres factores que influyen sobre el objetivo de la representacion: (1) el peligro que corre el tipo de ambiente y la cantidad de este que aun queda, (2) el costo y la plausibilidad, y (3) el criterio de evaluacion y la historia. El futuro trabajo de conservacion requiere mas inventarios de comunidades y especies asi como tambien una comprension de los procesos ecologicos.

Omeprazole, a specific inhibitor of H(+)-K(+)-activated ATPase, gave a dose-dependent inhibition of CSF production as determined by cerebroventriculocisternal perfusions in the rabbit. The reduction was 35% when the perfusate concentration of omeprazole was 10(-6) M and 25% after an intravenous dose of 0.2 mg/kg of omeprazole, respectively. A similarly substituted benzimidazol (H178/42) without H(+)-K(+)-ATPase-inhibiting properties did not affect CSF production at a perfusate concentration of 10(-5) M. Omeprazole in a concentration of 2 x 10(-4) M and more caused a significant but variable reduction in total and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity in choroid plexus homogenates. However, in concentrations of 2 x 10(-5) M and less, no effect on total or Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity was obtained. Nor did omeprazole (2 x 10(-4) M) influence HCO3-ATPase. Choline uptake in isolated choroid plexus was significantly reduced by 86% in the presence of acid-pretreated omeprazole 2 x 10(-3) M, but was not affected by 2 x 10(-5) M omeprazole (intact or acid-pretreated). Thus, the mechanism for the marked inhibitory influence of omeprazole on CSF production is not yet evident. In doses causing even a 50% reduction of CSF production, no side effects were observed in contrast to Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase inhibitors such as ouabain.

Recent advances in magnetic resonance imaging have made it possible to visualize and quantify flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain. The net flow of CSF through the cerebral aqueduct was used to measure CSF production in six normal volunteers at different times during a 24-h period. CSF production varied greatly both intra- and interindividually. The average CSF production in each time interval showed a clear tendency to circadian variation, with a minimum production 30% of maximum values (12 +/- 7 ml/h) approximately 1800 h and a nightly peak production approximately 0200 h of 42 +/- 2 ml/h. The total CSF production during the whole 24-h period, calculated as an average of all measurements, was 650 ml for the whole group and 630 ml for repeated measurements in each time interval in one of the volunteers.

Gait and force analysis have proven to be useful methods in linking claw injuries to surface material conditions. To determine the relationship between claw disorders and floor properties such as friction and surface abrasiveness, the factors controlling gait must be characterised. The effects of fouled concrete floor conditions on the gait of 10 pigs walking in a curve, using kinematics and kinetics to record gait parameters and slip frequency are described and compared with clean conditions. Pigs adapted to fouled floor conditions by reducing their walking speed and stride length, using a higher number of 3-foot support phases and by lowering diagonality. This adaption produced lower vertical forces, a twofold reduction in propulsion and outward stabilisation force and a threefold increase in braking force, without reducing the peak utilised coefficient of friction (UCOF). The UCOF values for both limbs of the curve walking pigs exceeded the recorded dynamic coefficient of friction and the corresponding UCOF values for pigs walking a straight line in fouled floor condition. As UCOF increased and available friction from the fouled floor surface decreased, this resulted in higher forward and backward slip frequencies in both limbs for pigs walking in a curve. Pigs provoked to walk in a curve can adapt to fouled floor condition, but if the floor is heavily fouled this adaption is not sufficient to ensure safe walking.

Sediment size and supply exert a dominant control on channel structure. We review the role of sediment supply in channel structure, and how regional differences in sediment supply and land use affect stream restoration priorities. We show how stream restoration goals are best understood within a common fluvial geomorphology framework defined by sediment supply, storage, and transport. Land-use impacts in geologically young landscapes with high sediment yields (e.g., coastal British Columbia) typically result in loss of in-stream wood and accelerated sediment inputs from bank erosion, logging roads, hillslopes and gullies. In contrast, northern Sweden and Finland are landscapes with naturally low sediment yields caused by low relief, resistant bedrock, and abundant mainstem lakes that act as sediment traps. Land-use impacts involved extensive channel narrowing, removal of obstructions, and bank armouring with boulders to facilitate timber floating, thereby reducing sediment supply from bank erosion while increasing export through higher channel velocities. These contrasting land-use impacts have pushed stream channels in opposite directions (aggradation versus degradation) within a phase-space defined by sediment transport and supply. Restoration in coastal British Columbia has focused on reducing sediment supply (through bank and hillslope stabilization) and restoring wood inputs. In contrast, restoration in northern Fennoscandia (Sweden and Finland) has focused on channel widening and removal of bank-armouring boulders to increase sediment supply and retention. These contrasting restoration priorities illustrate the consequences of divergent regional land-use impacts on sediment supply, and the utility of planning restoration activities within a mechanistic sediment supply-transport framework.

Summary 1. Species immigration is vital for the success of restoring degraded ecosystems, but the effectiveness of enhancing dispersal following restoration is seldom evaluated. Running water is an important vector for plant dispersal. Frequency and duration of floods and channel-network complexity are important factors influencing propagule dispersal. In Sweden, these functions have been modified by channelization to facilitate timber floating, thus hampering emigration and immigration of riparian propagules. 2. During the last 10‐20 years, affected watercourses have been restored by removing barriers and replacing boulders into channels. This is hypothesized to facilitate retention of water-dispersed propagules. We studied the efficiency of propagule retention following restoration by releasing propagule mimics and by placing propagule traps in the riparian zone. 3. Retention of propagule mimics was highest in sites restored with boulders and large wood. Retention occurred at both high and low flows but was most efficient during low flows when mimics were trapped by boulders and wood. Waterborne propagules ending up at such sites are unlikely to establish unless they can reach the riparian zone later. At high flows, floating propagules are more likely to reach riparian areas suitable for establishment. According to propagule traps placed at various levels of the riparian zone, deposition of plant propagules and sediments did not increase in restored sites. 4. Synthesis and applications. Our study not only demonstrates that restoration of channel complexity through replacement of boulders and wood can enhance retention of plant propagules, but also it highlights the importance of understanding how restoration effects vary with flow. Most streams are restored to function optimally during median or average flows, whereas communities often are controlled by ecological processes acting during extreme flow events. We advocate that stream restoration should be designed for optimal function during those discharges under which the ecological processes in question are most important, which in this case is, during high flow.

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trees growing on shingle fields offer a unique possibility to reconstruct precipitation and study climate variability in the fairly humid eastern part of central Sweden. Tree-ring characteristics were compared with monthly (1890–2001) and daily (1961–2001) climate data from an adjacent meteorological station. Chronologies for latewood (LW), earlywood (EW), and tree-ring widths (RW) were constructed from 73 living and dead trees. Correlation analyses show that tree growth is most sensitive to early summer precipitation. EW shows the strongest correlation with precipitation in May and June while LW is best correlated with June and July precipitation. A reconstruction model for May–June precipitation was calculated using principal component analysis (PCA) regression (regular regression) including EW, LW, and RW for present and previous years. The model explained 46% of the variation in May–June precipitation and allowed a reconstruction back to 1560. Information about wet and dry years was collected from historical documents and was used to validate the result. Periods with precipitation above and below the mean show agreement with previous reconstructions of spring precipitation from tree rings in Finland and of spring floods from estuary sediments in the region. Analyses of correlations between meteorological stations and reconstructed precipitation show that the model is valid for the coastal part of central Sweden. The authors conclude that Scots pine trees on shingle fields are well suited for precipitation reconstruction, and the separate analyses of LW and EW improve the reconstruction.

A de novo alpha-synuclein A53T (p.Ala53 Th; c.209G > A) mutation has been identified in a Swedish family with autosomal dominant Parkinson's disease (PD). Two affected individuals had early-onset (before 31 and 40 years), severe levodopa-responsive PD with prominent dysphasia, dysarthria, and cognitive decline. Longitudinal clinical follow-up, EEG, SPECT and CSF biomarker examinations suggested an underlying encephalopathy with cortical involvement. The mutated allele (c.209A) was present within a haplotype different from that shared among mutation carriers in the Italian (Contursi) and the Greek-American Family H kindreds. One unaffected family member carried the mutation haplotype without the c.209A mutation, strongly suggesting its de novo occurrence within this family. Furthermore, a novel mutation c.488G > A (p.Arg163His; R163H) in the presenilin-2 (PSEN2) gene was detected, but was not associated with disease state.

Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is the second most common form of neurodegenerative dementia after Alzheimer's disease (AD). The underlying neurobiological mechanism of DLB is not fully understood and no generally accepted biomarkers are yet available for the diagnosis of DLB. In a recent MRI study, DLB patients displayed hypothalamic atrophy whereas this region was not affected in AD patients. Cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript (CART) is a neuropeptide expressed selectively in neurons in the hypothalamus. Here, we found that CSF CART levels were significantly reduced by 30% in DLB patients (n = 12) compared to controls (n = 12) as well as to AD patients (n = 14) using radioimmunoassay. Our preliminary results suggest that reduced CSF CART is a sign of hypothalamic dysfunction in DLB and that it may serve as a biomarker for this patient group.

Recent arctic warming experiments have recorded significant vegetation responses, typically an increase in shrub cover and a loss of species richness. We report similar changes in vegetation along an arctic mountainside in northern Sweden over 20 years. During this time mean annual temperature increased by 2.0 1C, and growing season temperature by 2.3 1C. Growing season length increased by 28% at the bottom of our study area, in birch forest, and by 175% on the mountaintop. Neither total vegetation cover nor the cover of bare ground changed. One common dwarf shrub, Empetrum hermaphroditum, and two common forbs, Viola biflora and Geranium sylvaticum, increased in abundance over time, but no common species moved up the gradient. Species richness declined significantly over time, with an average loss of two species per 50 cmx100cm plot. The richness of herbaceous species at intermediate altitudes decreased significantly with increasing shrub cover. In spite of large changes in temperature, the type and magnitude of vegetation change along this mountainside were relatively modest and consistent with those from wide-spread warming experiments.

The increasing number of deteriorating old dams that need renovation or have lost their function make dam removal a viable management option. There are at least four major reasons for dam removal: safety, law and policy, economy, and ecology. Here we discuss 17 Swedish dams that were recently considered for removal. Because dam removal usually causes controversy, dam removal initiatives may succeed, fail, or result in a compromise such as a bypass channel for migrating fish. We identify and discuss three major obstructions to dam removal: funding, cultural-historical values, and threatened species. To facilitate dam removal, the reasons for, and the effects of, dam removal must be carefully explained, and the public and stakeholders must be kept informed. In complicated cases in which compromise solutions may be the most feasible outcome, the integration of the knowledge of different stakeholders is crucial. The involvement of diverse stakeholders increases their willingness to find compromises, thus avoiding conflicts and failures.

Landscape heterogeneity causes spatial variation in disturbance regimes and resilience. We asked whether the resilience of bryophyte (liverwort and moss) assemblages to clear-cutting differs between streamside and upland boreal forests in northern Sweden. We hypothesized that bryophyte survival and recolonization rates are higher in streamside areas, thus raising resilience. Conversely, disturbance-intolerant but also invading species should be more frequent here, potentially reducing resilience. In each of 18 sites, we compared two 0.1-ha plots (one streamside and one upland) located in old forest that had never been clear-cut with two matching plots in young stands established after clear-cutting of old forests 30-50 years earlier. We used the magnitude of the difference in assemblages between old and young stands as a measure of change and, therefore, resilience (large difference implying low resilience). Species assemblages were more resilient in streamside than in upland forests. Species composition changed significantly in upland but not in streamside forests. Reductions in species richness were more pronounced in upland forests for total richness and for eight subgroups of species. Two results indicated lower survival/recolonization in upland forests: (1) species had a stronger association with old stands in upland areas, and (2) among species present in both the old streamside and old upland plot in a site, fewer appeared in the young upland than in the corresponding streamside plot. Simultaneously, a higher proportion of species invaded streamside areas; 40 of the 262 species encountered in streamside forests increased their occupancy by two or more sites compared to only two of 134 species in uplands. We suggest that in boreal forests spatial variation in resilience of assemblages of forest organisms intolerant of canopy removal is related to factors governed mainly by topography. More generally, we argue that landscape-scale variation in resilience of assemblages is influenced by spatial variation in (1) stress and resource availability, (2) number of disturbance intolerant species, and (3) magnitude of environmental changes brought about by a disturbance with a specific intensity. We also suggest that rapid recovery in the short term does not necessarily imply higher long-term ability to return to the pre-disturbance state.

SUMMARY. 1 Possible convergence in species richness and species composition between the (standing) vegetation and soil seed bank was studied along gradients of wave exposure, estimated as soil organic matter content, on five levels of a shore of a river-lake in northern Sweden. 2 Species with seeds having little natural ability to float were most common in the vegetation, whereas species with seeds capable of prolonged floating were most abundant in the seed bank. Species richness in the vegetation and seed bank varied with wave exposure in the same way. Species richness decreased with exposure in both communities at the upper three levels but did not vary with exposure at the lower levels. 3 Floristic similarity between the vegetation and seed bank was 0.25 (Sorensen's index of similarity) for the entire flora. The variation in floristic similarity between communities did not differ between levels. Floristic similarity per sample plot increased with wave exposure.

Using laser-Doppler flowmetry during ventriculocisternal perfusion with inulin-[14C]carboxylic acid, choroid plexus blood flow (CPBF) and CSF production were measured simultaneously in rats during periods of 3 h. Blood flow and CSF production decreased only slightly during control experiments. The effect of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) was studied at different concentrations of the peptide given either intraventricularly or intravenously. Intraventricular administration of VIP (10−9 or 10−7 M) resulted in a decrease in CSF production of up to 30%, while CPBF increased by 20%, also demonstrating that CSF production and blood flow are not directly coupled in the choroid plexus. When infused intravenously, VIP (10 or 100 pmol/kg/min) increased CPBF, an effect partly antagonized at higher concentrations owing to a VIP-induced systemic hypotension. No effect of VIP on CSF production could be seen with intravenous administration.

There is a growing consensus that relatively few factors with broad applicability underlie changes in the structure of different plant communities along different environmental gradients. Direct comparisons of variation in community structure with respect to common abiotic factors along different environmental gradients would provide a test of this hypothesis. We illustrate this by quantifying patterns of species diversity and growth form along two gradi- ents, a lakeshore and a mountainside. On both gradients, standing crop increased with productiv- ity; light at the soil surface and bare ground decreased. The proportions of woody species, stemmed species, phanerophytes, and chamaephytes increased with productivity, whereas hemicryptophytes decreased. Regressions of species diversity and growth forms on number of growing days, for both gradients simultaneously, allowed each variable to be described by the same regression formula for both gradients, even though the lakeshore spanned 67 cm in altitude and the mountainside 495 m. These results demonstrate statistically significant vegetation- environment correlations in a range of state variables in spite of the fact that these two gradients appear fundamentally different.

Using the choroid plexus from pig a method has been developed to purify the epithelial cells from the underlying vascularized connective tissue stroma. An epithelial cell fraction was obtained that showed a purity of at least 95%, as determined by light microscopic analysis. The epithelial cells were investigated for the presence of binding sites for the neurotransmitter peptide, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). Suspensions of epithelial cells were found to have high affinity binding sites for 125I-labelled VIP, with maximum binding obtained after 30 min incubation at 20 degrees C with a concentration of 50 micrograms cell protein per sample. Competition experiments with displacement of [125I]VIP binding by increasing concentrations of unlabeled VIP indicated the presence of a single class of binding sites with a Kd of 3 nM and a binding capacity of 970 pmol/g cell protein. Cross-linking of [125I]VIP to epithelial cells with disuccinimido dithiobis (propionate) (DSP), followed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, demonstrated binding to a single 55 kD protein. The receptor was highly specific for VIP as binding was only inhibited in the presence of high concentrations of the related peptides helodermin, growth hormone-releasing factor, secretin, and peptide histidine isoleucine. This is the first demonstration of VIP-binding to choroid plexus epithelial cells.

Inadequate floor properties are considered the primary cause of the majority of claw disorders in pigs but to date no clear relationship has been found between claw disorders and floor properties such as friction and surface abrasiveness. To determine this relationship, the factors controlling pig gait must be characterised. This study examined unprovoked pig gait on a concrete floor in clean conditions and compared it with gait in fouled floor conditions. Kinematics were used to record gait parameters such as walking speed, stride length, swing and stance time, stride elevation together with limb support phases, gait symmetry, diagonality and duty factor. On clean floors, pigs had an unprovoked symmetrical gait with alternating two- and three-beat support phases and a high rate of diagonality. Stride length, swing and stance time and stride elevation showed little variation. Pigs altered their gait in accordance with floor conditions to maintain gait control by reducing walking speed, lowering diagonality and employing more three-limb support phases. Pigs also shortened their stride length and prolonged their stance time.

Objective: Copy number variation is a common polymorphic phenomenon within the human genome. Although the majority of these events are non-deleterious they can also be highly pathogenic. Herein we characterize five families with parkinsonism that have been identified to harbor multiplication of the chromosomal 4q21 locus containing the a-synuclein gene (SNCA). Methods: A methodological approach using fluorescent in situ hybridization and Affymetrix (Santa Clara, CA) 250K SNP microarrays was used to characterize the multiplication in each family and to identify the genes encoded within the region. The telomeric and centromeric breakpoints of each family were further narrowed using semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction with microsatellite markers and then screened for transposable repeat elements. Results: The severity of clinical presentation is correlated with SNCA dosage and does not appear to be overtly affected by the presence of other genes in the multiplicated region. With the exception of the Lister kindred, in each family the multiplication event appears de novo. The type and position of Alu/LINE repeats are also different at each breakpoint. Microsatellite analysis demonstrates two genomic mechanisms are responsible for chromosome 4q21 multiplications, including both SNCA duplication and recombination. Interpretation: SNCA dosage is responsible for parkinsonism, autonomic dysfunction, and dementia observed within each family. We hypothesize dysregulated expression of wild-type (alpha-synuclein results in parkinsonism and may explain the recent association of common SNCA variants in sporadic Parkinson's disease. SNCA genomic duplication results from intraallelic (segmental duplication) or interallelic recombination with unequal crossing over, whereas both mechanisms appear to be required for genomic SNCA triplication. (Less)

1. Differing responses in riparian species richness and composition to disturbance have been reported as a possible explanation for the differences along and between rivers. This paper explores the role of physical disturbance in shaping landscape-scale patterns of species distribution in riparian vegetation along a free-flowing river in northern Sweden. 2. To test whether sensitivity to disturbance varies across large landscapes, we experimentally disturbed riparian vegetation along an entire, free-flowing river by scouring the soil and the vegetation turf, cutting vegetation, applying waterborne plant litter, and after a period of recovery we measured vegetation responses. The experiment was repeated for two consecutive years. 3. We found no significant effect of disturbance on species composition, but all three forms of disturbance significantly reduced species richness. There was no downstream variation in community responses to disturbance but morphological groups of species responded differently to different kinds of disturbance. Graminoids were most resistant, suppressed only by litter burial. All forms of disturbance except cutting reduced the density of herbaceous species, and species density of trees + shrubs and dwarf shrubs was negatively affected by both scouring and cutting. We also evaluated the effects of disturbance in relation to varying levels of species richness. In nearly all cases, responses were significantly negatively correlated with control plot species richness, and relative responses indicated that species-rich plots were less resistant to scouring and cutting. 4. Our results suggest that although all disturbance treatments had an effect on species richness, variation in sensitivity to disturbance is not the most important factor shaping landscape-scale patterns of riparian plant species richness along rivers.

Question: The practice of extracting logging residues after clear-cutting for bioenergy purposes is spreading. Logging residues constitute a shelter in clear-cut areas and therefore concerns have been expressed that their removal could make the ground and its vegetation more exposed to extreme micro¬climatic conditions. We asked whether logging residues and forest edges can protect ground-dwelling forest bryophytes from fatal microclimate events following clear-cutting. Location: Boreal forests of central Sweden. Methods: Using transplants of eight forest floor bryophyte species we experimentally analysed the sheltering effect (less solar radiation and less wind) of logging residues and forest edges in seven clear-cut areas. Transplants were placed in two contrasting positions in each area; near a north-facing forest edge and in the centre of the clear-cut area. In each position, half of the transplants were covered by a layer of spruce branches and the other half was left uncovered. We estimated proportion of apparently living shoots (apparent vitality) and measured radial growth of transplants during one growing season. Results: Position in the clear-cut area, but not cover of spruce branches, clearly influenced radial growth. Vitality scores were higher among transplants covered with branches and the lowest apparent vitality was observed in uncovered transplants in the middle of clear-cut areas. The change in area of apparently liv¬ing shoots during the course of the experiment (growth minus mortality) was unaffected by branch cover close to the edge but positively affected in the centre of the clear-cut area. In general, the effect of branch cover on bryophytes was higher in the centre of clear-cut areas. Here, climatic measurements showed that branch cover buffers during periods of extreme microclimates. Conclusions: Extraction of logging residues after clear-felling may reduce the survival of some ground-dwelling forest organisms. The additional sheltering provided by branches was unimportant close to forest edges. We suggest smaller clear-cut areas, green-tree retention and other ways to make logged areas shadier and less windy to mitigate the reduced shelter caused by harvest of logging residues.

The clinical diagnosis Of Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is fraught with difficulty and there are no pathognomonic features to discriminate the parkinsonian variant (MSA-P) from Parkinson's disease (PD). Besides the poor response to levodopa, and the additional presence of pyramidal or cerebellar signs (ataxia) or autonomic failure as major diagnostic criteria, certain other clinical features known as "red flags" or warning signs may raise the clinical suspicion of MSA. To study the diagnostic role of these features in MSA-P versus PD patients, a standardized red flag check list (RFCL) developed by the European MSA Study Group (EMSA-SG) was administered to 57 patients with probable MSA-P and 116 patients with probable PD diagnosed according to established criteria. Those red flags with a specifity over 95% were selected for further analysis. Factor analysis was applied to reduce the number of red flags. The resulting set was then applied to 17 patients with possible MSA-P who on follow-up fulfilled criteria of probable MSA-P. Red flags were grouped into related categories. With two or more of six red flag categories present specificity was 98.3% and sensitivity was 84.2% in our cohort. When applying these criteria to patients with possible MSA-P, 76.5% of them would have been correctly diagnosed as probable MSA-P 15.9 (+/- 7.0) months earlier than with the Consensus criteria alone. We propose a combination of two out of six red flag categories as additional diagnostic criteria for probable MSA-P. (C) 2008 Movement Disorder Society.

The hypotheses that litter deposition on riverbanks would depend on riverbank features and that litter mass would affect riverbank vegetation were tested by sampling vegetation, litter, and soil along a seventh-order stretch of the unregulated Vindel River in northern Sweden. Sampling was carried out within a horizontal litter gradient at the top of the riverbank where most of the litter deposition occurs. The amount of leaf litter left on the riverbank after flooding was significantly correlated (P 0.05) with riverbank features such as soil organic matter, riverbank slope, or stem density. Species richness, species diversity, and the proportions of stemmed and nonstemmed species showed quadratic relationships (P

While preterm contractions occur almost as often extremely preterm as they do closer to term, birth due to spontaneous preterm labour before 27 weeks of gestation is rare, accounting for 0.05–0.7% of all births in different populations. Although the likelihood that uterine contractions before 27 weeks of gestation represent true preterm labour is low, the risk of adverse outcome in such cases is high. A correct diagnosis is important, and a useful diagnostic test should have a high sensitivity. In most reports, only 30–40% of women hospitalised for spontaneous preterm labour experience a preterm birth, suggesting a low positive predictive value of clinical diagnosis based on uterine contractions and vaginal examination. Transvaginal ultrasonographic scanning (TVUSS) of cervical length has shown a high sensitivity for preterm birth, 90–100% for preterm birth before 33–35 weeks, using a liberal cutoff at 30 mm. Assessment of cervicovaginal fetal fibronectin (FFN) levels has shown a sensitivity of about 80%. Adding FFN assessment to TVUSS might contribute insignificantly to the prediction of preterm birth. In a retrospective study of 147 women with spontaneous preterm labour and intact membranes before 27 weeks in our department, 61% of hospitalised women and 77% of women receiving tocolytic infusion therapy delivered before 32 weeks. Among 66 singleton pregnancies delivered before 32 weeks, at admission, 94% either had an effaced cervix or cervix with ≥2 cm dilation (74%), vaginal bleeding (61%) or serum C-reactive protein level >20 mg/l (40%), whereas one of these findings only was present in 18% of women who delivered at later gestations. Among 132 women with symptoms of spontaneous preterm contractions before 27 weeks not admitted for hospital care, only 2 (1.5%) delivered before 32 weeks, not significantly higher than for all other women (0.6%). Although TVUSS may be useful when the diagnosis of spontaneous preterm labour is in doubt, the main predicament in early spontaneous preterm labour may not be to predict preterm birth but to prevent it, since many women appear in advanced labour or with manifest chorioamnionitis.

The purpose of the study was to explore the possibilities of using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and tractography (DTT) for the differential diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression in idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD), compared with the atypical parkinsonian disorders multiple system atrophy (MSA) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). A 3.0-T MR scanner was used. DTI was acquired using a single-shot EPI sequence with diffusion encoding in 32 directions and a voxel size of 2×2×2 mm3. DTI data were analysed and DTT was performed using the PRIDE fibre tracking tool supplied by the manufacturer. The fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) within each tract were determined. DTI and DTT images in patients with moderate to advanced MSA demonstrated degeneration of the middle cerebellar peduncles and pontine crossing tracts, with decreased FA and increased ADC. This accounted for most of the pontine and cerebellar atrophy characteristic of this disease. In contrast, patients with PSP showed a selective degeneration of the superior cerebellar peduncle. Three-dimensional images of whole-brain white matter tracts demonstrated a reduction of cortical projection fibres in all patients with PSP. Visualization of the selective degeneration of individual fibre tracts, using DTI and DTT, adds qualitative data facilitating the differential diagnosis of parkinsonian disorders. Repeated measurements of FA and ADC values in a whole fibre tract might be used for monitoring disease progression and studying the effect of treatment in neuroprotective trials. The results are preliminary considering the small number of subjects in the study. © Springer-Verlag 2007.

1. Denitrification in floodplain soils is one of the main biological processes emitting and reducing nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas, and the main process responsible for the buffering capacity of riparian zones against diffuse nitrate pollution. 2. The aim of this study was to measure denitrification rates under a wide range of current climatic conditions and hydrological regimes in Europe (from latitude 64°N to latitude 42°N and from longitude 2°W to longitude 25°E), in order to determine the response patterns of this microbial process under different climatic and hydrological conditions, and to identify denitrification proxies robust enough to be used at the European scale. 3. Denitrification activity was significant in all the floodplain soils studied whatever the latitude. However, we found an increase in rates of an order of magnitude from high to mid latitudes. Maximum rates (above 30 g N m?2 month?1) were measured in the maritime conditions of the Trent floodplain. These rates are similar to mineralisation rates measured in alluvial soils and of the same order of magnitude as the amount of N stored in herbaceous plants in alluvial soils. 4. We used Multivariate Adaptative Regression Splines to relate the response variable denitrification with five relevant predictors, namely soil moisture, temperature, silt plus clay, nitrate content and herbaceous plant biomass. 5. Soil moisture, temperature, and nitrate were the three main control variables of microbial denitrification in alluvial soils in decreasing order of importance. 6. The model developed for denitrification with interaction effects outperformed a pure additive model. Soil moisture was involved in all interactions, emphasising its importance in predicting denitrification. 7. These results are discussed in the context of scenarios for future change in European hydrological regimes.

Umbrella species are often spatially demanding and have limited ability to adapt to environmental changes induced by human land-use. This makes them vulnerable to human encroachment. In Sweden, broadleaved trees are disadvantaged by forestry, and commercially managed forests are often deprived of dead wood. This has led to a situation where previously widespread top predators in saproxylic food webs, such as the white-backed woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos), have become species of conservation concern. The white-backed woodpecker is generally considered an umbrella species, and it has been linked to forests with large volumes of dead wood from broadleaved trees. In recent years, forest stands have been restored for the white-backed woodpecker, but post-treatment evaluations have rarely included other species that also occur in broad-leaved forests (co-occurring species). Many co-occurring species are saproxylic beetles. In this study, we collected saproxylic beetles and environmental data in restored and commercially managed forests to evaluate if habitat restoration for the white-backed woodpecker also benefited other species with similar habitat associations. We found that volumes of coarse woody debris were higher in restored than in commercially managed forests, and that a majority of man-made snags and downed logs were created from birch trees (Betula spp.). Most spruce trees (Picea abies) were extracted during forest restoration, and this opened up the forest canopy, and created stands dominated by broadleaved trees. Many saproxylic beetles were more common in restored forests, and there were significant differences in species composition between treatments. These differences were largely explained by species traits. Effects of sun-exposure were particularly important, but many beneficiary species were also linked to dead wood from broadleaved trees. Red-listed saproxylic beetles showed a similar pattern with more species and individuals in restored sites. The white-backed woodpecker is still critically endangered in Sweden, but important prey species are already responding to forest restoration at the stand level. We recognize that landscape-level improvements will be required to bring the white-backed woodpecker back, but also that the umbrella species concept can provide a useful framework for successful forest restoration as many co-occurring saproxylic beetle species seemingly benefitted from restoration for the white-backed woodpecker.