Review of the diagnosis,classification and management of autoimmune pancreatitis

Autoimmune pancreatitis(AIP)is a rare form of chronic pancreatitis,with as yet undetermined incidence and prevalence in the general population.Our understanding of it continues to evolve.In the last few years,2separate subtypes have been identified:type 1 AIP has been recognised as the pancreatic manifestation of a multiorgan disease,named immunoglobulin G4(IgG4)-related disease while type 2 AIP is a pancreas specific disorder not associated with IgG4.International criteria for the diagnosis of AIP have been defined:the HISORt criteria from the Mayo clinic,the Japan consensus criteria and,most recently,the international association of pancreatology"International Consensus Diagnostic Criteria".Despite this,in clinical practice it can still be very difficult to confirm the diagnosis and differenti-ate AIP from a pancreatic cancer.There are no large studies into the long-term prognosis and management of relapses of AIP,and there is even less information at present regarding the Type 2 AIP subtype.Further studies are necessary to clarify the pathogenesis,treatment and long-term outcomes of this disease.Critically for clinicians,making the correct diagnosis and differentiating the disease from pancreatic cancer is of the utmost importance and the greatest challenge.

Climate Change Adaptation Planning for Biodiversity Conservation:A Review

Climate change has been linked to well-documented changes in physiology, phenology, species distributions, and in some cases, extinction. Projections of future change point to dramatic shifts in the states of many ecosystems. Aceommodating these shifts to effectively conserve biodiversity in the context of uncertain climate regimes represents one of the most difficult challenges faced by conservation planners. A number of adaptation strategies have been proposed for managing species and ecosystems in a changing climate. However, there has been little guidance available on integrating climate change adaptation strategies into contemporary conservation planning frameworks. The paper reviews the different approaches being used to integrate climate change adaptation into conservation planning, broadly categorizing strategies as continuing and extending on ＂best practice＂ principles and those that integrate species vulnerability assessments into conservation planning. We describe the characteristics of a good adaptation strategy emphasizing the importance of incorporating clear principles of flexibility and efficiency, accounting for uncertainty, integrating human response to climate change and understanding trade-offs.

Human-carnivore conflict in China: a review of current approaches with recommendations for improved management

Human-wildlife conflict(HWC)is a conservation concern that increasingly threatens the continued existence of some of the world’s most endangered species.With an increase in human population,urban sprawl and sub­sequent encroachment on wild land,human and wildlife interaction has become inevitable.In the majority of cases,this interaction results in a negative outcome for humans,wildlife or both.In China,these key elements,along with a decrease in wild prey species,have resulted in the expansion of HWC encounters,and the need for alleviating this conflict has become a conservation priority.Loss of human life,livestock and/or crops is most often the catalysts that fuel HWC.Techniques to alleviate conflict around the world have included preventative measures and mitigation techniques,such as financial compensation and other incentive programs.Both types of measures have had variable success.We review the current status of human-carnivore conflict management in China,and,drawing lessons from around the globe,we make recommendations for improving conservation management in China.For example,an increase in law enforcement in nature reserves is vital to reducing hu­man disturbance in prime carnivore habitat,thereby reducing conflict encounters.Also,modifications to current wildlife compensation programs,so that they are linked with preventative measures,will ensure that moral haz­ards are avoided.Furthermore,investigating the potential for a community self-financed insurance scheme to fund compensation and increasing efforts to restore wild prey populations will improve the outcome for wildlife conservation.Ultimately,HWC management in China will greatly benefit from an integrative approach.