To understand the role of forest ecosystems in the global carbon cycle, it is important to clarify the factors affecting the carbon balance of forest ecosystems. However, little is known about the direct effect of for...To understand the role of forest ecosystems in the global carbon cycle, it is important to clarify the factors affecting the carbon balance of forest ecosystems. However, little is known about the direct effect of forest types, especially dominant species, on their different carbon dynamics. To clarify the effect of difference in forest types, an experiment was conducted in three forests, which were located in the same place and exposed to the same climate conditions. These forests were middle-aged (40 - 45 years) and dominated by Quercus serrata (Q forest), Larix kaempferi (L forest) and Pinus densiflora (P forest). Net primary production (NPP), heterotrophic respiration (HR) and net ecosystem production (NEP) were estimated in each forest, using a biometric method over one year. For NPP estimated from the annual growth of tree biomass (ΔB) and amount of litter (LF), P forest NPP (5.3 MgC·ha-1·yr-1) was higher than Q and L forest NPP (4.6 and 3.2 MgC·ha-1·yr-1). The difference was affected by a significant difference in ΔB (p = 0.032) and LF (p -1·yr-1) was higher than L and P forest (2.3 and 2.1 MgC·ha-1·yr-1). This difference could result from the amount of litter (respiration substrate) and chemical properties of litter (lability of decomposition). The NEP, which was calculated from the difference between NPP and HR, varied widely among the forest types (0.5, 0.9 and 3.2 MgC·ha-1·yr-1 in Q, L and P forests, respectively). The range of values among the forest types was comparable to those among age sequences and climate zones in previous studies. These results suggest that the difference in forest types (especially dominant species) can potentially lead to a large variation in carbon dynamics, in ecosystems located in the same place.展开更多
Background Only a few reports have currently studied the efficacy of dutasteride in patients with small benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH).We investigated the efficacy of dutasteride on reducing lower urinary tract sym...Background Only a few reports have currently studied the efficacy of dutasteride in patients with small benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH).We investigated the efficacy of dutasteride on reducing lower urinary tract symptoms among them.Materials and methods A total of 81 patients with BPH who completed 52weeks of 0.5?mg dutasteride treatment were enrolled.Each patient filled out the International Prostatic Symptom Score(IPSS)and overactive bladder symptom score(OABSS)at baseline and at the 6-and 12-month follow-up visits.Total testosterone,prostate-specific antigen,adenoma/prostate volume(PV),uroflowmetry analysis,and postvoid residual volume were evaluated at baseline and at the 12-month follow-up visit.The enrolled patients were divided into 2 groups according to PV at baseline.The groups were as follows:Group A(PV≥30 mL)and Group B(PV<30 mL).Results Groups A and B had mean PVs of 52.1 and 23.6 mL and mean IPSS scores of 16.7 and 14.4,respectively.Group A had significantly higher OABSS and prostate-specific antigen levels at baseline than Group B,while no significant differences in any other baseline characteristics was observed.After dutasteride treatment,adenoma volume and PV decreased significantly,while testosterone level showed a significant increase in both groups.Group A showed significant improvements in the total IPSS,voiding and storage subscore of the IPSS,OABSS,maximum flow rate,and postvoid residual volume.Group B,on the other hand,also showed significant improvements only in the total IPSS,voiding subscore of the IPSS,and maximum flow rate.Conclusions The present study suggests a possible beneficial effect of dutasteride treatment on the reduction of lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with small and large BPH.However,the effectiveness of dutasteride was limited compared to patients with large BPH(PV≥30 mL).展开更多
文摘To understand the role of forest ecosystems in the global carbon cycle, it is important to clarify the factors affecting the carbon balance of forest ecosystems. However, little is known about the direct effect of forest types, especially dominant species, on their different carbon dynamics. To clarify the effect of difference in forest types, an experiment was conducted in three forests, which were located in the same place and exposed to the same climate conditions. These forests were middle-aged (40 - 45 years) and dominated by Quercus serrata (Q forest), Larix kaempferi (L forest) and Pinus densiflora (P forest). Net primary production (NPP), heterotrophic respiration (HR) and net ecosystem production (NEP) were estimated in each forest, using a biometric method over one year. For NPP estimated from the annual growth of tree biomass (ΔB) and amount of litter (LF), P forest NPP (5.3 MgC·ha-1·yr-1) was higher than Q and L forest NPP (4.6 and 3.2 MgC·ha-1·yr-1). The difference was affected by a significant difference in ΔB (p = 0.032) and LF (p -1·yr-1) was higher than L and P forest (2.3 and 2.1 MgC·ha-1·yr-1). This difference could result from the amount of litter (respiration substrate) and chemical properties of litter (lability of decomposition). The NEP, which was calculated from the difference between NPP and HR, varied widely among the forest types (0.5, 0.9 and 3.2 MgC·ha-1·yr-1 in Q, L and P forests, respectively). The range of values among the forest types was comparable to those among age sequences and climate zones in previous studies. These results suggest that the difference in forest types (especially dominant species) can potentially lead to a large variation in carbon dynamics, in ecosystems located in the same place.
文摘Background Only a few reports have currently studied the efficacy of dutasteride in patients with small benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH).We investigated the efficacy of dutasteride on reducing lower urinary tract symptoms among them.Materials and methods A total of 81 patients with BPH who completed 52weeks of 0.5?mg dutasteride treatment were enrolled.Each patient filled out the International Prostatic Symptom Score(IPSS)and overactive bladder symptom score(OABSS)at baseline and at the 6-and 12-month follow-up visits.Total testosterone,prostate-specific antigen,adenoma/prostate volume(PV),uroflowmetry analysis,and postvoid residual volume were evaluated at baseline and at the 12-month follow-up visit.The enrolled patients were divided into 2 groups according to PV at baseline.The groups were as follows:Group A(PV≥30 mL)and Group B(PV<30 mL).Results Groups A and B had mean PVs of 52.1 and 23.6 mL and mean IPSS scores of 16.7 and 14.4,respectively.Group A had significantly higher OABSS and prostate-specific antigen levels at baseline than Group B,while no significant differences in any other baseline characteristics was observed.After dutasteride treatment,adenoma volume and PV decreased significantly,while testosterone level showed a significant increase in both groups.Group A showed significant improvements in the total IPSS,voiding and storage subscore of the IPSS,OABSS,maximum flow rate,and postvoid residual volume.Group B,on the other hand,also showed significant improvements only in the total IPSS,voiding subscore of the IPSS,and maximum flow rate.Conclusions The present study suggests a possible beneficial effect of dutasteride treatment on the reduction of lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with small and large BPH.However,the effectiveness of dutasteride was limited compared to patients with large BPH(PV≥30 mL).
