Vegetation Associations Research Articles

Linking Habitat with Associations of Woody Vegetation and Vines on Two Mid-Atlantic Barrier Islands

ABSTRACT Bissett, S.N.; Zinnert, J.C., and Young, D.R., 2014. Linking habitat with associations of woody vegetation and vines on two mid-Atlantic barrier islands. Coastal habitats are inherently vulnerable to global change, as they are the first areas impacted by sea level rise and to experience more frequent and intense storms. Shrubs and vines dominate the climax communities in these environments, and with comparatively long regeneration periods, they are highly vulnerable to shifting topography and climate. We investigated abiotic and biotic components of two barrier island landscapes with similar plant communities but different site histories to clarify relationships among physical factors, woody plants, and vines. On Hog Island, Virginia and at Duck, North Carolina, intrasite comparisons with reference to distance from shoreline and elevation were made to evaluate relationships between woody and vine communities, as well as edaphic characteristics. Elevation was significantly related to woody species...

Persistent and occasional poverty and children's food consumption: evidence from a longitudinal Québec birth cohort

BackgroundChildhood poverty is associated with poorer food consumption but longitudinal data are limited. The objective was to assess if food consumption differs depending on age (6, 7, 10 and 12...

Multi-temporal analysis of vegetation reflectance using MERIS data in the Czech Republic

Abstract Accurate high temporal resolution data is a very important source of information for understanding processes in the landscape. High temporal and spectral resolution data enable the monitoring of dynamic landscape processes. For this reason, since 2008 a receiving station for Metosat, NOAA and Envisat data has been installed at the Department of Applied Geoinformatics and Cartography, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague. The aim of this study is to analyse the spectral characteristics of vegetation using MERIS data in the Czech Republic. Spectral characteristics of vegetation were examined both by analysing changes in reflectivity as well as by utilising vegetation indices. Vegetation in forests and agricultural land was evaluated. The results present the spectral characteristics of selected associations of vegetation based on MERIS data and a discussion of the methods of multitemporal classification of land cover.

Phytocoenological researches on the grasslands of the middle and inferior basin of Crişul Negru river

The meadowlands from the middle and inferior basin of Crisul Negru river form an area with rich flora and vegetation suitable for a complex phytocoenological research and an ecologic and bio-economical study of the floor vegetation.
 After conducting a number of 80 phytocoenological surveys on the meadowlands near Apateu and Satu Nou villages (Arad county, Romania), respectively near Cociuba Mare and Mărțihaz villages (Bihor county, Romania) there have been identified a number of fifteen vegetal associations from which one is examined in this work.
 The paper presents the hygrophilic association Typhetum latifoliae Lang 1973 on the grasslands of the middle and inferior basin of Crişul Negru river, association classified from the coenotaxonomic point of view in the alliance Phragmition communis Koch 1926, order Phragmitetalia Koch 1926, class Phragmitetea australis R. Tüxen et Preising 1942.

Association of vegetables and fruits consumption with sarcopenia in older adults: the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

several studies have found nutrients, including antioxidants, to be associated with sarcopenia. However, whether specific foods, such as vegetables and fruits, are associated with sarcopenia has not been studied. to examine the association of the frequency of vegetables and fruits consumption with sarcopenia in older people. this study used cross-sectional data from the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2008-09. Subjects were community-dwelling 823 men and 1,089 women aged ≥65 years. Frequency of food group consumption was obtained by using the food frequency questionnaire. Body composition was measured with the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and sarcopenia was defined as appendicular lean mass adjusted for height and fat mass. Logistic regression was used to assess the association of the frequency of food group consumption with sarcopenia, controlling for sociodemographics and health-related variables. dietary intake of vegetables, fruits and both vegetables and fruits was associated with a significantly reduced risk of sarcopenia after controlling for covariates in men (P = 0.026 for trend, P = 0.012 for trend, P = 0.003 for trend, respectively). Men in the highest quintile, compared with those in the lowest quintile, of vegetables [odds ratio (OR) = 0.48; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.24-0.95], fruits (OR = 0.30; 95% CI: 0.13-0.70) and vegetables and fruits consumption (OR = 0.32; 95% CI: 0.16-0.67) demonstrated a lower risk of sarcopenia. In women, high consumption of fruits demonstrated a lower risk of sarcopenia (OR = 0.39; 95% CI: 0.18-0.83). frequent vegetables and fruits consumption was inversely associated with sarcopenia in older adults.

Vegetation of the eastern communal conservancies in Namibia: I. Phytosociological descriptions

The establishment of communal conservancies aims to have the local communities share in the benefits especially of wildlife resources, in this way spearheading the conservation of the environment. The Desert Margins Programme in Namibia aimed to develop vegetation resource data for the Otjituuo, Okamatapati, Ozonahi, African Wild Dog, Otjinene, Epukiro, Otjombinde, Omuramba Ua Mbinda, Eiseb and Ondjou communal conservancies, in order to assist with natural resource planning. For this purpose, a phytosociological survey of this area, with 422 relevés, was conducted during 2004. The data was captured in Turboveg and forms part of the Namibian phytosociological database (GIVD AF-NA-001). The data was split into two, representing two major land forms, the ‘hardeveld’ and the ‘sandveld’, respectively. A classification was undertaken using the Modified two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN) procedure. Further refinements, based on field observations and literature sources, were performed using Cocktail procedures. Thirteen vegetation associations were formally described in this article, of which two were subdivided into subassociations. These associations can broadly be grouped into broad-leaved savanna types typical of the central and northern Kalahari of Namibia and microphyll savannas found on the transitions to the Central Plateau. One association, the Burkeo africanae–Pterocarpetum angolensis, forms the southern fringe of the Zambesian Baikiaea Woodlands ecoregion of the World Wildlife Fund, whilst all the other associations fall within the Kalahari Acacia–BaikiaeaWoodlands ecoregion. The Combreto collini–Terminalietum sericeae is the most widespread association and dominates the landscape. Threats to the vegetation include overutilisation and regular fires, both of which could easily lead to desertification. This threat is aggravated by global climate change.Conservation implications: This article described 13 plant associations of the central Kalahari in eastern Namibia, an area hitherto virtually unknown to science. The information presented in this article forms a baseline description, which can be used for future monitoring of the vegetation under communal land use.

Macrophyte Biological Index for Rivers estimation in the waters of Pescara Springs by means of SCUBA dive and orthophotos interpretation

Macrophyte Biological Index for Rivers (IBMR) has been applied to the superficial waters of Pescara Springs (Popoli, Italy) according to Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC. Two complementary and not mutually exclusive methodologies were performed to evaluate possible differences in taxa identification and cover estimation: boat survey and interpretation of orthophotos and images taken during SCUBA (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) dive. Data from submerged macrophytes were analyzed by means of exploratory multivariate analysis to detect vegetation associations and their correlation with some abiotic factors (water current velocity, substrate granulometry, detritus type, water depth). Six homogeneous tracts were observed according to hydromorphological characters and to vegetation associations; IBMR and Ecological Quality Ratio (IBMR-EQR) were calculated for each of them. On an average basis, IBMR was 7.84 (trophic status: very high) and IBMR-EQR was 0.63 (quality class: scarce). A good concordance was registered by means of Bland–Altman plot between values obtained by the two methods: 0.57±3.07 (mean±SD) of percent bias. Nevertheless, IBMR failed to correctly describe the trophic status of the surveyed site, possible due to low dissolved oxygen, high pCO2 and HCO3 values.

Protection Benefits Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) Abundance: The Influence of Three Management Strategies on a Threatened Species

We surveyed an area of ∼260 km2 in the western Mojave Desert to evaluate relationships between condition of Agassiz's Desert Tortoise populations (Gopherus agassizii) and habitat on lands that have experienced three different levels of management and protection. We established 240 1-ha plots using random sampling, with 80 plots on each of the three types of managed lands. We conducted surveys in spring 2011 and collected data on live tortoises, shell-skeletal remains, other signs of tortoises, perennial vegetation, predators, and evidence of human use. Throughout the study area and regardless of management area, tortoise abundance was positively associated with one of the more diverse associations of perennial vegetation. The management area with the longest history of protection, a fence, and legal exclusion of livestock and vehicles had significantly more live tortoises and lower death rates than the other two areas. Tortoise presence and abundance in this protected area had no significant positive or negative associations with predators or human-related impacts. In contrast, the management area with a more recent exclusion of livestock, limited vehicular traffic, and with a recent, partial fence had lower tortoise densities and high death rates. Tortoise abundance here was negatively associated with vehicle tracks and positively associated with mammalian predators and debris from firearms. The management area with the least protection—unfenced, with uncontrolled vehicle use, sheep grazing, and high trash counts—also had low tortoise densities and high death rates. Tortoise abundance was negatively associated with sheep grazing and positively associated with trash and mammalian predator scat.

Interspecific Association of Dominant Species Analysis of Different Slope Types in Mining Area, Beijing

Water and soil loss due to the mining activities make extremely serious ecological degradation. Vegetation restoration is a vital solution to the construction of ecosystem. However, vegetation recovery is a slow process, thus, it is crucial significant to master the distribution characteristics of vegetation and interspecific association of dominant species in different types of slopes. Compared with rocky and soilrocky slopes, soil slopes had the highest vegetation diversity indexes, in which the interspecific association of dominant species was the closest. In general, the vegetation restoration in soilrocky slopes was more efficient than that in the rocky slopes. Engineering measure, as a method of speeding up the succession process, showed a good effect during the early stage of vegetation restoration. As the succession process continued, interspecific competition got increasingly fierce so that the mid-term vegetation restoration had gained little improvement. At the later stage, the restoration effect in slopes which adopted engineering measures was superior to those in natural restoration, and the community characteristics of vegetation in these slopes had more similarities to the native vegetation's. Our experiment results would contribute to deepening the understanding of interspecific relationships in different site conditions and building a more stable ecosystem.

Evaluation of the association of vegetation of allergenic plants and pollinosis with meteorological changes

Joo-Hwa Kim, Jae-Won Oh, Ha-Baik Lee, Seong-Won Kim, Hai-Lee Chung, Myung-Hee Kook, Kang-Seo Park, Bong-Seong Kim, Ja-Kyung Kim, Dong-Jin Lee, Won-Ki Paik, Kyu-Rang Kim, Hey-Lim Lee, Young-Jin Choi, Seung-Do Yu, Jeong-Hwa Kim, Yong-Seong Cho Department of Pediatrics, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul; Department of Pediatrics, Busan St. Mary's Hospital, Busan; Department of Pediatrics, Catholic University of Daegu School of Medicine, Daegu; Department of Pediatrics, Gwangju Veteran's Hospital, Gwangju; Department of Pediatrics, Jeonju Presbyterian Medical Center, Jeonju; Department of Pediatrics, Gangneung Asan Hospital, Gangneung; Department of Pediatrics, Gangwon National University School of Medicine, Chuncheon; Department of Pediatrics, Ulsan Dongkang Hospital, Ulsan; Department of Life Science, Daejin University, Pocheon; Applied Meteorology Research Laboratory, National Institute of Meteorological Research, Seoul; Department of Environmental Health Research, National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon, Korea Allergy Asthma Respir Dis 3(3):236-236, May 2015 http://dx.doi.org/10.4168/aard.2015.3.3.236

Socioeconomic drivers of yard sustainable practices in a tropical city

Meléndez-Ackerman, E. J., R. Santiago-Bartolomei, C. P. Vila-Ruiz, L. E. Santiago, D. García-Montiel, J. C. Verdejo-Ortiz, H. Manrique-Hernández, and E. Hernández-Calo. 2014. Socioeconomic drivers of yard sustainable practices in a tropical city. Ecology and Society 19(3): 20. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-06563-190320

Conservation Concern for the Deteriorating Geographical Range of the Grey Parrot in Cameroon

The need for information on Grey Parrot distribution and vegetation associations for informed management and policy decisions was the basis for this study. A nationwide survey of the Grey Parrot population and habitat status was carried out, using questionnaire and point count methods. From the results, the extent of the contemporary range of the parrots was restricted to Southern Cameroon, which harbours the rainforest. Regional parrot population means ranged from 3,487 parrots in the Littoral to 1,351,275 parrots in the East Regions. The extent of the contemporary range as a percentage of the whole country was 25.4% and as a percentage of the regions with rainforest was 44.5%. The historic range of the bird has been reduced by over 55.5%. Estimated percentage of forest lost per region ranged from 20.4% in the Centre to 57.1% in the East and South Regions. At a global level, Cameroon contributed 9% to the total extent of the range of the Grey Parrot in Africa. The range is increasingly fragmented, contracted, and lost through land-based socioeconomic activities. These degradation pressures on the range called for urgent conservation considerations for long-term survival of the parrot species and its associated biodiversity in Cameroon.

Vegetation of the Okavango river valley in Kavango West, Namibia

The vegetation of the Okavango River Valley has previously only been described in general terms along the gradient from base of the valley to the top of the sand plateau, without the clear definition of different vegetation types or distinct vegetation compo- sition. Yet the valley bottom supports a large part of the population within the region, who are dependent on ecosystem services pro- vided by the vegetation. A Braun-Blanquet type survey was conducted to describe the vegetation of the Okavango River Valley in the Kavango West Region of Namibia, with special emphasis on the floodplain vegetation. The survey followed the guidelines set out for the Vegetation Survey of Namibia project. The data was classified using the modified TWINSPAN procedure in Juice, resulting in four higher-order syntaxa and 11 vegetation associations. We described these associations informally according to diagnostic species, species richness and environmental variables. In the case of floodplain and wetland associations, information regarding the flooding regime (depth, duration and probability of flooding) is provided. Although the higher-order groupings within this association come out very clearly, only the wetlands could be related to similar higher-order syntaxa described for the oshana wetlands in the Cuvelai delta. The placement and validity of the other three higher-order syntaxa is unclear at this stage, and needs to be addressed in a synopsis of all existing vegetation descriptions for the greater Kalahari ecoregion. The various vegetation associations can very clearly be associat- ed with distinct positions in the landscape. The degree of flooding at the one extreme, and the sandiness of the soil on the other ex- treme, defines the vegetation type and composition. The Acacia erioloba—Schinziophyton rautanenii association (7) has been cleared and ploughed to at least 90%, with only small patches of this vegetation remaining. Expansion of fields into the sands of the terrace embankment is worrisome, leading to fears of further soil degradation and ultimately desertification. Although signs of overgrazing are visible within the floodplains, this cannot be distinctly quantified as yet. Overgrazing in the wetlands will lead to the destruction of fish spawning and breeding habitats, damaging the other major food source of the people of the region.

Vegetation associations of birds wintering in a California oak woodland

Conditions in wintering areas can have persistent effects throughout the year for bird populations. Most studies, however, are conducted during the breeding season and the non-breeding ecology of many species remains poorly understood. We assessed vegetation associations of birds wintering in a diverse, well-structured oak woodland in coastal-central California. We calculated density estimates for 20 bird species and examined correlations between bird densities and vegetation characteristics as described by a principal components analysis. Ruby-crowned Kinglets (Regulus calendula) and Hutton's Vireos (Vireo huttoni) were positively associated with vegetation characteristic of dense, floristically diverse woodland with abundant coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) cover and a structurally complex understory. Conversely, White-breasted Nuthatches (Sitta carolinensis) and Western Bluebirds (Sialia mexicana) were negatively correlated with dense woodland and occurred at the highest densities on plots with large widely spaced blue oaks (Q. douglasii) and a sparse understory. Thirteen of the remaining 16 species were more abundant in dense woodland patches, but these relationships were not statistically significant. Our results are in agreement with those of previous studies and suggest that evergreen oak trees and a dense understory provide key resources (e.g., cover and food) for some bird species during the winter. However, areas with large widely spaced deciduous oaks are important habitats for other species. We therefore suggest that dense patches of live oaks and shrubs should be retained, but a mosaic of dense and sparse woodland is necessary to accommodate the entire suite of oak-woodland birds. RESUMEN Vegetacion asociada a aves invernantes en bosques de roble en California Las condiciones en areas invernantes pueden tener efectos persistentes a traves del ano en poblaciones de aves. Sin embargo, la mayoria de los estudios se han conducido durante la temporada reproductiva y, para muchas aves, la ecologia fuera de dicha epoca ha sido pobremente examinada. Nosotros determinamos las asociaciones de vegetacion relacionadas con aves invernantes, en un bosque bien estructurado de roble en la parte costanera central de California. Calculamos la densidad de 20 especies de aves y examinamos la correlacion entre densidad y caracteristicas de la vegetacion como descrita por un analisis de componente principal. Regulus calendura y Vireo huttoni, fueron positivamente asociados a vegetacion diversa y densa con una gran abundancia de robles vivos (Quercus agrifolia) y un sotobosque complejo. No obstante, para Sitta carolinensis y Sialia mexicana hubo una correlacion negativa con un bosque denso y estas se encontraron en mayor densidad en lugares con Robles Azules (Q. douglassi) espaciados e igualmente el sotobosque. Trece de las 16 especies restantes fueron mas abundantes en parchos densos de bosque, aunque esta relacion no resulto estadisticamente significativa. Nuestros resultados concuerdan con estudios previos que sugieren que los arboles de roble siempre-verdes y un sotobosque denso proveen de recursos claves (ej. cobijo y alimento) a algunas aves durante el invierno. Sin embargo, areas con especies deciduas de robles espaciados son un habitat importante para otras especies. Por lo tanto sugerimos que parchos densos de robles vivos y arbustos, deben ser mantenidos, pero un mosaico de vegetacion densa y espaciada es necesaria para acomodar el grupo de aves que se encuentran en las areas boscosas de robles.

Florística y relaciones fitogeográficas del matorral xerófilo en el Valle de Tecozautla, Hidalgo, México.

Se realizó un estudio florístico y se consideraron las relaciones fitogeográficas del matorral xerófilo en el Valle de Tecozautla, Hidalgo, México. Se inventariaron 479 especies de plantas vasculares, 298 géneros, 80 familias y 51 taxa infraespecíficos. Las familias con mayor número de especies son Asteraceae (62), Poaceae (46) y Fabaceae (33). Las hierbas son la forma de vida dominante. La mayoría de las especies se distribuyen en la zona árida-semiárida. El 37.8% de las especies se distribuyen en México y el 14.3% desde el sur de Estados Unidos de América a México. Con base en el coeficiente de similitud de Preston, se comparte el 71% de los géneros con el Valle de Actopan, 66% con El Olivo, Ixmiquilpan, ambos localizados en Hidalgo, 54% con la Sierra de Catorce, San Luis Potosí y 50% con el Valle de Tehuacán-Cuicatlán, estados de Puebla y Oaxaca. Existe una mayor afinidad con la zona árida del Valle del Mezquital y en general con la porción sur del Desierto Chihuahuense. Se distinguen cinco asociaciones de matorral: Fouqueria splendens-Agave striata, Mimosa-Myrtillocactus, Opuntia, Opuntia imbricata-Myrtillocactus y Yucca . Debido a la falta de endemismos, los elementos florísticos del matorral xerófilo del Valle de Tecozautla probablemente migraron al área en épocas recientes.

Distribution, habitat preferences and population sizes of two threatened tree ferns, Cyathea cunninghamii and Cyathea x marcescens, in south-eastern Australia.

The distribution, population sizes and habitat preferences of the rare tree ferns Cyathea cunninghamii Hook.f. (Slender Tree Fern) and F1 hybrid Cyathea x marcescens N.A.Wakef. (Skirted Tree Fern) in south-eastern Australia are described, together with the extension of the known distribution range of Cyathea cunninghamii from eastern Victoria into south-eastern New South Wales. Floristic and ecological data, encompassing most of the known habitat types, vegetation associations and population sizes, were collected across 120 locations. Additional information was sought from literature reviews, herbarium collections and field surveys of extant populations. Cyathea cunninghamii is widespread, with the majority of populations occurring in Tasmania and Victoria, one population in south-eastern NSW and a disjunct population in south-eastern Queensland; Cyathea x marcescens is confined to south and eastern Victoria and south and north eastern Tasmania. Both taxa occur on King Island in Bass Strait. Both taxa have a near coastal distribution with most populations occurring in sub-coastal hinterland and escarpment forests with a median altitude of 288 m. Hierarchical cluster analysis of floristic data across the species' geographic range identified six vegetation communities ranging from rainforest to damp sclerophyll forest. Their micro-habitat preferences were consistently identified as steeply incised gullies of minor headwater streams of coastal and sub-coastal ranges with a plentiful moisture regime and geomorphic protection from extreme stream flow events, flooding and bank scouring. Sporophyte recruitment was associated with exposed soil of stream banks and edges of constructed walking tracks. Population sizes of both taxa are small with the majority of populations consisting of less than five adult individuals, with total populations of Cyathea cunninghamii and Cyathea x marcescens estimated at 919 and 221 mature individuals respectively. Population extinctions in Victoria and Tasmania have primarily been associated with outlier populations in regions subject to agricultural land clearance, habitat modification and changes to fire regimes in crown forests. Non- anthropogenic mortality was associated with land slips, tree falls and stream bank scouring by flood water. Conservation of the hybrid Cyathea x marcescens necessitates the preservation of habitats where both Cyathea cunninghamii and Cyathea australis occur in close proximity to substrates suitable for spore germination. In future, molecular techniques may prove useful for field identification of juvenile stages, facilitating selection of progeny of Cyathea cunninghamii and Cyathea x marcescens for cultivation and re-introduction to sites of previous or possible future extinctions.

Intake of Specific Fruits and Vegetables in Relation to Risk of Estrogen Receptor-Negative Breast Cancer among Postmenopausal Women

In previous studies of postmenopausal women, overall intake of fruits and vegetables groups has been inversely associated with estrogen receptor-negative (ER-) breast cancer. In this analysis, we prospectively examined the associations of specific fruits and vegetables with risk of ER- postmenopausal breast cancer among 75,929 women aged 38-63 years at baseline and followed for up to 24 years. Dietary data were collected seven times during this period. Cox proportional hazard models were used, adjusting for potential confounders, including a modified Alternate Mediterranean Diet score. We ascertained 792 incident cases of ER- postmenopausal breast cancer. The multivariate relative risk (RR) for every 2 servings/week consumption for total berries was 0.82 (95 % CI = 0.71-0.96, p = 0.01), and the RR for women who consumed at least one serving of blueberries a week was 0.69 (95 % CI = 0.50-0.95, p = 0.02) compared with non-consumers. Also, the RR for consuming at least 2 servings of peaches/nectarines per week was 0.59 (95 % CI = 0.37-0.93, p = 0.02). Risk of ER- breast cancer was not associated with intakes of other specific fruits or vegetables. In conclusion, higher intake of berries and peaches was associated with lower risk of ER- breast cancer among postmenopausal women. These results are considered exploratory and need to be confirmed in further studies.

Increasing density leads to generalization in both coarse‐grained habitat selection and fine‐grained resource selection in a large mammal

Density is a fundamental driver of many ecological processes including habitat selection. Theory on density-dependent habitat selection predicts that animals should be distributed relative to profitability of habitat, resulting in reduced specialization in selection (i.e. generalization) as density increases and competition intensifies. Despite mounting empirical support for density-dependent habitat selection using isodars to describe coarse-grained (interhabitat) animal movements, we know little of how density affects fine-grained resource selection of animals within habitats [e.g. using resource selection functions (RSFs)]. Using isodars and RSFs, we tested whether density simultaneously modified habitat selection and within-habitat resource selection in a rapidly growing population of feral horses (Equus ferus caballus Linnaeus; Sable Island, Nova Scotia, Canada; 42% increase in population size from 2008 to 2012). Among three heterogeneous habitat zones on Sable Island describing population clusters distributed along a west-east resource gradient (west-central-east), isodars revealed that horses used available habitat in a density-dependent manner. Intercepts and slopes of isodars demonstrated a pattern of habitat selection that first favoured the west, which generalized to include central and east habitats with increasing population size consistent with our understanding of habitat quality on Sable Island. Resource selection functions revealed that horses selected for vegetation associations similarly at two scales of extent (total island and within-habitat zone). When densities were locally low, horses were able to select for sites of the most productive forage (grasslands) relative to those of poorer quality. However, as local carrying capacity was approached, selection for the best of available forage types weakened while selection for lower-quality vegetation increased (and eventually exceeded that of grasslands). Isodars can effectively describe coarse-grained habitat selection in large mammals. Our study also shows that the main predictions of density-dependent habitat selection are highly relevant to our interpretation of RSFs in space and time. At low but not necessarily high population size, density will be a leading indicator of habitat quality. Fitness maximization from specialist vs. generalist strategies of habitat and resource selection may well be apparent at multiple spatial extents and grains of resolution.

Fungal endocarditis: clinical predictors for early diagnosis aiming at better outcome

Purpose: To study the clinical characteristics of patients with definite fungal endocarditis (FE) aiming at detecting clinical predictors for early diagnosis. Fungal endocarditis is a devastating disease that is associated with multiple morbidities and high mortality. Diagnosis is difficult and usually very late. Early diagnosis and treatment may result in better outcome. Method: Retrospective analytic study that included 232 patients with definite IE in the period between February 2005 and September 2011. Results: 31 (13.3%) patients had FE. The whole group was relatively young with mean age of 35 (13-74) in FE and 28.5 (15-50) in non-FE group. In the FE group 22 cases had aspergillus, 6 cases had candida [71% vs. 19.3%, p < 0.001] and 3 had other fungi. Native RHD was less prevalent in FE group [9.7% vs. 42.8%, p < 0.001; OR: 0.1, 95% CI = 0.04-0.49)]. The FE group had more cardiac prostheses [74.2% vs 23.8%, p <0.001; OR: 9.18, 95% CI = 3.8-21.9)]. Early P.V.E. was more prevalent among FE group [64% vs 38%, p=0.059], late P.V.E. was more common in non-FE [61% vs 36%, p=0.059]. Cardiac vegetations were more common FE group 100% vs. versus 84.6% in the non-FE group (p=0.002). Vegetations in FE group were larger [20 mm vs. 12 mm, p=0.002]. Negative Bl. Culture was more common among FE [80.6% vs. 52%, p=0.003]. HAI (identified as: infection [contracted ≥48 hours after hospital admission, infection appearing within: a) 1 month of receiving IV cannulation, chemotherapy or dialysis; b) 3 months of admission into an acute care facility, c) any time of admission to a nursing home) was significantly more common in FE group 90.3% vs. 58.2%, p=0.001; OR: 6.7, 95% CI = 1.98-22.9)]. Complications were high in both groups, however death was significantly higher in FE [(54.8%) vs. 66 (32.8%), p=0.017]. Through multivariate regression test following variables were independently associated with fungal IE: presence of cardiac prosthesis [OR: 14, 95% CI: 5 to 41, p<0.001] , presence of HAI [OR: 8, 95% CI: 2 to 29, p=0.003], non-presence of splenomegaly [OR: 0.174, 95% CI: 0.034 to 0.879, p=0.034] and the patient being IVDU [OR: 12, 95% CI: 2 to 64, p=0.004]. Also the larger the vegetation size [CI: 0.011-0.002, p=0.003]. Conclusion: Looking for clinical characteristics might help in the diagnosis of FE which is a disease associated with negative blood culture and grave prognosis. The association of cardiac prosthesis, HAI, large vegetation, IVDU and absence of splenomegaly in a culture negative IE might help this diagnosis.

Fruit and Vegetable Intakes Are Associated with Lower Risk of Bladder Cancer among Women in the Multiethnic Cohort Study1,2

Fruits and vegetables have been examined for their possible effects on the risk of bladder cancer, as they contain numerous nutrients, phytochemicals, and antioxidants with potentially anticarcinogenic properties. In a prospective analysis of 185,885 older adults participating in the Multiethnic Cohort Study, we examined whether the consumption of fruits and vegetables, or of nutrients concentrated in fruits and vegetables, was associated with bladder cancer risk. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate HRs and 95% CIs for bladder cancer in relation to dietary intakes. A total of 581 invasive bladder cancer cases (429 men and 152 women) were diagnosed over a mean follow-up period of 12.5 y. In women, total fruits and vegetables [HR = 0.35 (95% CI: 0.22, 0.56); highest vs. lowest quartile], total vegetables [HR = 0.49 (95% CI: 0.29, 0.83)], yellow-orange vegetables [HR = 0.48 (95% CI: 0.30, 0.77)], total fruits [HR = 0.54 (95% CI: 0.34, 0.85)], and citrus fruits [HR = 0.56 (95% CI: 0.34, 0.90)] were inversely associated with the risk of invasive bladder cancer in risk factor-adjusted models. In addition, women with the highest intakes of vitamins A, C, and E; the carotenoids α-carotene, β-carotene, and β-cryptoxanthin; and folate had a lower risk of bladder cancer. For men, no associations for fruits, vegetables, or nutrients were found overall, although inverse associations were observed for vegetable intake among current smokers, and in ethnic-specific analyses, for fruit and vegetable intake among Latinos specifically. Our findings suggest that greater consumption of fruits and vegetables may lower the risk of invasive bladder cancer among women and highlight the need for specific subgroup analyses in future studies.