Forest Research Institute

About: Forest Research Institute is a facility organization based out in Dehra Dūn, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Forest management. The organization has 5320 authors who have published 7625 publications receiving 185876 citations.

Cardiomyocyte apoptosis and progression of heart failure to transplantation.

Abstract: Background Cardiomyocyte apoptosis has been found in congestive heart failure, but its clinical significance has been difficult to study. We compared the occurrence of cardiomyocyte apoptosis in explanted hearts with the progression of severe heart failure until the need for transplantation. Design Using the TUNEL assay, apoptotic cardiomyocytes were quantified in explanted failing hearts from patients with either idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (n = 21) or ischaemic heart disease (n = 14). The percentage was compared with the clinical severity and progression of end-stage heart failure. Samples obtained at autopsy and during open heart surgery served as controls. Results The number of apoptotic cardiomyocytes was significantly increased in failing hearts regardless of aetiology (medians 0.075% in ischaemic heart disease and 0.119% in dilated cardiomyopathy) compared with control myocardium. In patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, apoptotic cardiomyocytes were more numerous in subjects with a rapidly deteriorating clinical course (0.192%, n = 10) than in patients with intermediate (0.093%, n = 6, P = 0.03) or slow (0.026%, n = 5, P = 0.003) progression. No such association was observed in patients with ischaemic heart disease, in whom we found significantly increased cardiomyocyte apoptosis adjacent to scars of previous infarctions (0.576%) in contrast to the diffuse distribution seen in dilated cardiomyopathy. Expression of Bcl-2, an antiapoptotic protein, was increased in all failing hearts by immunohistochemistry. Conclusion Cardiomyocyte apoptosis is a consistent feature of end-stage heart failure in man and appears to be quantitatively related to the clinical severity of deterioration in dilated cardiomyopathy. Increased expression of Bcl-2 in cardiomyocytes indicates activation of an antiapoptotic response. These observations suggest that cardiomyocyte apoptosis is a clinically relevant and potentially modifiable pathophysiological phenomenon in severe heart failure.

Ski tourism affects habitat use and evokes a physiological stress response in capercaillie Tetrao urogallus: a new methodological approach

Abstract: 1. Human outdoor recreational activities are increasing and have a significant impact on wildlife. There are few methods suitable for investigating the response of rare and endangered species to human recreational activities, although the impact can be assessed at various scales by measuring both physiological and behavioural responses to disturbance. 2. Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus are suffering strong population declines throughout central Europe. We examined the effects of ski tourism on capercaillie habitat use and adrenocortical activity, measured non-invasively in droppings. 3. During three winters, 2003–06, we radio-tracked 13 capercaillie. In the southern Black Forest in Germany, we sampled 396 droppings of these and additional individuals before and after the start of the ski season. We tested whether the intensity of human winter recreational activities affected home range location and habitat use, and we identified those factors influencing the concentration of corticosterone metabolites (CM) in droppings. 4. Capercaillie used habitats subject to ski tourism. Although the latter did not affect home range location, capercaillie preferred undisturbed forests within their home ranges and avoided areas with high recreation intensity in the ski season. Faecal CM levels of individuals in areas with low recreation intensity were significantly lower than those in areas with moderate or high recreation intensity during the entire study period. 5. We conclude that ski tourism affects both habitat use and endocrine status in capercaillie, with potential negative consequences on body condition and overall fitness. 6. Synthesis and applications. This study demonstrates the relevance of studying wildlife responses at various temporal and spatial scales, and the value of using multiple methods applied to the same individuals to monitor the impact of human recreational activities on a free-ranging species. In order to protect capercaillie populations, we recommend that managers keep forests inhabited by capercaillie free from tourism infrastructure and retain undisturbed forest patches within skiing areas.

Phosphorus in soil, water and sediment: an overview

Abstract: The geochemistry, availability and abundance of different forms of phosphorus in soil, water and sediments are reviewed. The present knowledge of phosphorus pathways in ecosystems and their regulation is discussed.