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Habitat loss is a key driver of biodiversity loss. However, hardly any long-term time series analyses of habitat loss are available above the local scale for finer-level habitat categories. We analysed, from a long-term perspective, the habitat specificity of habitat-area loss, the change in trends in habitat loss since 1989 (dissolution of the communist state), and the impact of protected areas on habitat loss in Hungary. We studied 20 seminatural habitat types in 5000 randomly selected localities over 7 periods from 1783 to 2013 based on historical maps, archival and recent aerial photos and satellite imagery, botanical descriptions, and field data. We developed a method for estimating habitat types based on information transfer between historical sources (i.e., information from a source was used to interpret or enrich information from another source). Trends in habitat loss over time were habitat specific. We identified 7 types of habitat loss over time regarding functional form: linear, exponential, linear and exponential, delayed, minimum, maximum, and disappearance. Most habitats had continuous loss from period to period. After 1986 the average annual rates of habitat loss increased, but the trend reversed after 2002. Nature conservation measures significantly affected habitat loss; net loss was halted, albeit only inside protected areas. When calculating the degree of endangerment based on short-term data (52 years), we classified only 1 habitat as critically endangered, but based on long-term data (230 years), this increased to 7 (including habitat that no longer existed). Hungary will probably reach the global Convention on Biological Diversity Target 5 but will probably not achieve the EU Biodiversity Strategy target of halting habitat loss by 2020. Long-term trend data were highly useful when we examined recent habitat-loss data in a wider context. Our method could be applied effectively in other countries to augment shorter-term data sets on trends in habitat area. La pérdida de hábitats es un conductor importante de la pérdida de la biodiversidad. Sin embargo, difícilmente está disponible una serie de análisis a largo plazo por encima de la escala local para categorías de hábitat de un nivel más fino. Analizamos, desde una perspectiva de largo plazo, la especificidad del hábitat en la pérdida del área de hábitats, el cambio en las tendencias de pérdida de hábitats desde 1989 (disolución del estado comunista), y el impacto de las áreas protegidas sobre la pérdida de hábitat en Hungría. Estudiamos 20 tipos de hábitats seminaturales en 5000 localidades seleccionadas al azar a lo largo de siete periodos desde 1783 hasta 2013 con base en mapas históricos, fotografías aéreas recientes y de archivos e imágenes de satélites, descripciones botánicas, y datos de campo. Desarrollamos un método para estimar los tipos de hábitats basado en la transferencia de información entre las fuentes históricas (es decir, se usó información a partir de una fuente para interpretar o enriquecer la información proveniente de otra fuente). Las tendencias en la pérdida de hábitats fueron específicas por hábitat. Identificamos siete tipos de pérdida de hábitats a través del tiempo con respecto a la forma funcional: lineal, exponencial, lineal y exponencial, retrasada, mínima, máxima, y desaparición. La mayoría de los hábitats tuvieron una pérdida continua de un periodo o a otro. Después de 1986, las tasas anuales promedio de la pérdida de hábitats incrementaron, pero la tendencia se revirtió después del 2002. Las medidas de conservación de la naturaleza afectaron considerablemente a la pérdida de hábitats; se detuvo la pérdida neta, no obstante sólo fue dentro de las áreas protegidas. Cuando calculamos el grado de peligro basado en información de corto plazo (52 años), solamente clasificamos a un hábitat como en peligro crítico, pero con base en la información de largo plazo (230 años), esta clasificación incrementó a siete hábitats (incluyendo a un hábitat que ya no existía). Hungría probablemente alcanzará el Objetivo 5 global de la Convención sobre la Diversidad Biológica pero probablemente no sea el caso para el objetivo de detener la pérdida de hábitats para el 2020 impuesto por la Estrategia de Biodiversidad de la UE. La información de largo plazo sobre las tendencias fue muy útil cuando se examinaron datos recientes de pérdida de hábitats en un contexto más amplio. Nuestro método podría aplicarse efectivamente en otros países para aumentar los conjuntos de datos de corto plazo sobre las tendencias en áreas de hábitat. 生境丧失是生物多样性丧失的ー个关键驱动力。然而，目前几乎没有对局部尺度、高精度生境分类下的 生境丧失的长期时序分析。我们从长期的视角分析了匈牙利生境面积减少的生境特异性、自 1989年以来生境 丧失的变化趋势以及保护地对生境丧失的作用。我们利用历史地图、档案ヽ近期的航片及卫星影像、植物记录 和野外数据，在 5000 个随机选择的地区,研究了 20 个半自然生境类型从 1783 年到 2013 年的 7 个时间段内 的变化。我们建立了一个基于历史来源之间信息传递(即ー个来源的信息用于解释或完善另ー个来源的信息) 的方法来估计生境类型。生境丧失随时间发展的变化趋势有生境特异性。我们根据函数类型分出7 类随时间 发生的生境丧失: 线性、指数型、线性及指数型、延迟型、最小型、最大型以及生境消失。大部分生境都随着 时间流转持续地丧失。在 1986 年之后, 生境丧失的平均年变化率増加, 而这个趋势在 2002 年后有所逆转。自 然保护措施有效遏制了生境丧失，使净减少停止’ 尽管这一影响仅在保护地之内。当根据短期数据(52 年)计算 瀕危程度时, 只有一个生境被评为极度瀕危, 但根据长期数据(230 年) 评估’极度瀕危的生境増加到了 7 个（包 括已经不存在的生境) 。匈牙利很可能完成全球《生物多祥性公约》的第五个目标, 但可能难以达到〈〈欧盟生物 多样性战略》在 2020 年前遏止生境丧失的目标。长期变化趋势可用于在更大的背景下检验近期生境丧失的数 据。我们的方法可以有效应用于其它国家, 来补充生境面积变化的短期数据。

Black locust ( Robinia pseudoacacia L.), beech ( Fagus sylvatica L.), aspen ( Populus tremula L.) and sessile oak ( Quercus petraea Liebl.) hardwood samples were irradiated by a strong ultraviolet (UV) emitter mercury lamp at 50 °C. Other series of specimens were exposed to a combined treatment of UV irradiation and water leaching. Ratio of UV radiation and water leaching time was 2:1. While the total duration of UV radiation was 20 days for both test series that of water leaching was 10 days. IR measurement was taken after both UV radiation and water leaching to monitor both effects separately. Lignin degradation proved to be more intensive in leached samples than in purely UV-irradiated samples. Guaiacyl and syringyl lignin showed similar degradation properties. Unconjugated carbonyl groups generated by the photodegradation were the most sensitive chemical components to leaching. Photodegradation generated two absorption bands of unconjugated carbonyl groups at around 1710 and 1760 cm −1 wavenumbers. The band at 1760 cm −1 was much more sensitive to water leaching than the band at 1710 cm −1 . Three to ten days of water leaching was enough to remove all unconjugated carbonyls generated by the photodegradation, depending on the species. Sessile oak was the most sensitive species to water leaching, whereas black locust proved to be the most stable against both photodegradation and water leaching. Water was able to leach out unconjugated carbonyl groups (absorbing at 1745 cm −1 ) originally present in all investigated wood species.

In this perspective, we present and discuss four major causes of the worldwide nature conservation failure: 1) ideologies based on nature–culture dualism, 2) the bias prioritising forests in conservation, 3) the illusory objectiveness of selected biological indicators, and 4) the mismanagement of rural agricultural landscapes. All of these relate to ignorance of historical ecology and neglect of the role past plays in shaping landscapes and fostering biodiversity. These led to a false anthropology focussed on the broader human economy (including agriculture) as the absolute culprit of biodiversity loss. It is believed, therefore, that biodiversity preservation depends on conservation policies and actions providing protection against human activities, such as farming. In this way, nature conservation has been detached from the rich experiences of long and fruitful coexistence of people with other elements of nature. The bio-cultural legacy includes biodiversity-rich rural landscapes, whose habitats are often either neglected or wrongly interpreted as “remnants of natural ecosystems”. Consequently, conservation efforts are frequently ineffective or worse still, counter-effective. In the face of policies favouring subsidised intensive agribusiness at the cost of destroying smallholder family farming, even expensive conservation projects are usually nothing more than a “fig leaf” to cover failure. We advocate re-focussing of conservation planning to put more emphasis on landscapes’ historical ecology responsible for their bio-cultural diversity. It implies the need for new principles in policies necessary to secure the economic and cultural sovereignty of local socio-ecological systems responsible for the world’s bio-cultural diversity.

The aim of this proof of concept, prospective, randomized pilot trial was to investigate the effects of extracorporeal cytokine removal (CytoSorb®) applied as a standalone treatment in patients with septic shock. 20 patients with early (<24 h) onset of septic shock of medical origin, on mechanical ventilation, norepinephrine>10 μg/min, procalcitonin (PCT) > 3 ng/mL without the need for renal replacement therapy were randomized into CytoSorb (n = 10) and Control groups (n = 10). CytoSorb therapy lasted for 24 h. Clinical and laboratory data were recorded at baseline (T0), T12, T24, and T48 hours. Overall SOFA scores did not differ between the groups. In the CytoSorb-group norepinephrine requirements and PCT concentration decreased significantly (norepinephrine: CytoSorb: T0 = 0.54[IQR:0.20–1.22], T48 = 0.16[IQR:0.07–0.48], p = .016; Controls: T0 = 0.43[IQR:0.19–0.64], T48 = 0.25[IQR:0.08–0.65] μg/kg/min; PCT: CytoSorb: T0 median = 20.6[IQR: 6.5–144.5], T48 = 5.6[1.9–54.4], p = .004; Control: T0 = 13.2[7.6–47.8], T48 = 9.2[3.8–44.2]ng/mL). Big-endothelin-1 concentrations were also significantly lower in the CytoSorb group (CytoSorb: T0 = 1.3 ± 0.6, *T24 = 1.0 ± 0.4, T48 = 1.4 ± 0.8, *p = .003; Control: T0 = 1.1 ± 0.7, T24 = 1.1 ± 0.6, T48 = 1.2 ± 0.6 pmol/L, p = .115). There were no CytoSorb therapy-related adverse events. This is the first trial to investigate the effects of early extracorporeal cytokine adsorption treatment in septic shock applied without renal replacement therapy. It was found to be safe with significant effects on norepinephrine requirements, PCT and Big-endothelin-1 concentrations compared to controls. Trial registration: The study has been registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, under the registration number of NCT02288975, registered 13 November 2014. •First randomized trial on one single 24-hour period of standalone CytoSorb treatment•Medical patients with septic shock were randomized (CytoSorb treated or control)•Patients were treated for 24 h with CytoSorb in addition to standard treatment•Significant reduction (70%) in norepinephrine requirement, PCT and Big Endothelin-1

A dysregulated host response is a common feature in critically ill patients due to both infectious and non-infectious origins that can lead to life-threatening organ dysfunction, which is still the primary cause of death in intensive care units worldwide. In its course, pathologic, unregulated levels of inflammatory mediators are often released into the circulation, a phenomenon also referred to as a “cytokine storm”. To date, there are no approved therapies to modulate the excessive immune response and limit hyperinflammation with the goal of preventing related organ failure and death. In this context, extracorporeal blood purification therapies aiming at the alteration of the host inflammatory response through broad-spectrum, non-selective removal of inflammatory mediators have come into focus. A novel hemoadsorption device (CytoSorb®, CytoSorbents Inc., Princeton, NJ, USA) has shown promising results in patients with hyperinflammation from various origins. Although a significant body of literature exists, there is ongoing research to address many important remaining questions, including the optimal selection of patient groups who might benefit the most, optimal timing for therapy initiation, optimal schedule for adsorber exchanges and therapy duration, as well as an investigation into the potential removal of concomitant antibiotics and other medications. In this review, we discuss the existing evidence and provide a consensus-based best practice guidance for CytoSorb® hemoadsorption therapy in patients with vasoplegic shock.

Background The Biebrza Valley is one of the largest complexes of wetlands (floodplain and percolation mire) and conservation sites in Central Europe. Local communities have managed the area extensively for subsistence and farming purposes for centuries; nonetheless, since the 1960s, hand mowing and livestock grazing have been gradually ceasing due to the intensification of farming, and wetlands have undergone natural succession. Currently, the protection of this vast ecosystem is challenging. Despite its remarkable cultural origin, the complexity of the traditional practices and knowledge of local people have never been studied comprehensively. Therefore, we found it urgent to explore if traditional ecological knowledge that could be used in conservation management of the area still exists among the local community. Methods We interviewed 42 inhabitants of seven villages located in the Lower Basin of the Biebrza Valley (NE-Poland) in the consecutive years 2018–2020. We applied semi-structured, repeated interviews with farmers (aged 29–89), each lasting several hours. By using different ethnoecological methods (visual stimuli, walks in wetlands, co-mapping of the area), we explored traditional knowledge on the plants, landscape and traditional management of wetlands. Results Farmers from the oldest generation, who used to manage wetlands with scythes, shared the deepest ecological knowledge. Local people divided wetlands into zones differentiated by vegetation type and hay quality. Depending on plant composition, people managed wetlands under a mixed regime: mowing once or twice a year during periods that ensured good hay quality and pasturing various livestock: cattle, horses, sheep, pigs and fowl. We identified at least 50 plant ethnospecies, which were described exhaustively by their habitat, morphological features, and mowing and grazing value. Conclusions The local community in the Biebrza Valley shared a deep traditional ecological knowledge and had a good memory of traditional farming practices. Research confirmed the unquestionable cultural origin of the local ecosystem, therefore in conservation endeavours the area should be treated first and foremost as a cultural landscape. The documented exceptional local perception of the wetland landscape, elements of traditional knowledge and complex farming practices should be considered for inclusion into conservation management, and cooperation with the local community should also be taken into account.

The hunt for useful sepsis biomarkers is ongoing. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) was implicated as a biomarker in sepsis, but its diagnostic and prognostic value has remained unclear in human studies. Here, we aimed at clarifying the value of MIF as a sepsis biomarker with the meta-analysis of clinical trials. PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched until December 2019. From the included studies, blood MIF levels and indicators of disease severity were extracted in septic and control patient groups. Twenty-one eligible studies were identified, including data from 1876 subjects (of which 1206 had sepsis). In the septic patients, blood MIF levels were significantly higher than in healthy controls with a standardized mean difference (SMD) of 1.47 (95% confidence interval, CI: 0.96–1.97; p  < 0.001) and also higher than in patient groups with nonseptic systemic inflammation (SMD = 0.94; CI: 0.51–1.38; p  < 0.001). Markedly greater elevation in blood MIF level was found in the more severe forms of sepsis and in nonsurvivors than in less severe forms and in survivors with SMDs of 0.84 (CI: 0.45–1.24) and 0.75 (CI: 0.40–1.11), respectively ( p  < 0.001 for both). In conclusion, blood MIF level is more elevated in systemic inflammation caused by infection (i.e., sepsis) compared to noninfectious causes. In more severe forms of sepsis, including fatal outcome, MIF levels are higher than in less severe forms. These results suggest that MIF can be a valuable diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in sepsis given that well-designed clinical trials validate our findings.

Background Scientists frequently raise the topic of data deficiency related to the abundance and distribution of macrofungi in the context of climate change. Our study is the first detailed documentation on locals’ perception of fungal ecology which covers a large mycophilous region of Europe (Mazovia, Poland). Methods A total of 695 semi-structured interviews were carried out among local informants in 38 localities proportionally distributed throughout the study area (one locality approximately every 30 km). Interview questions concerned fungi species collected, their perceived habitats, and whether any changes had been noted in their abundance. As many as 556 respondents provided information concerning fungal ecology. In these descriptions, 35 taxa were mentioned by at least 5 respondents. Results The data collected during interviews allowed us to create collective folk descriptions of habitat preferences and a list of 98 different macro-, meso-, and microhabitats of macrofungi described by the respondents. This list of recurring habitats assigned to particular macrofungal taxa coincides with, and sometimes exceeds, data available in scientific publications. Some habitat preferences observed by the informants have not yet been researched or tested by science. Out of 695 respondents, 366 (53%) noticed a steady decrease in local macrofungi abundance, and only one person claimed to have observed a steady increase. Imleria badia was the only species with increased abundance, as noted by fifteen independent respondents. The main listed reason for abundance decrease was drought ( f = 186). Conclusions Collected information on the ecology of fungi shows that local knowledge does not generally diverge from scientific knowledge. The acquired information related to macrofungal abundance and ecology may also be used as a tool for the formulation of new scientific questions and theories. The analysis of local fungi observations might contribute to broadening knowledge about local changes in fungi and enable new estimations related to large-scale analysis of macrofungal abundance.

Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) is increasingly acknowledged as key to sustainability and to the successful adaptation of local communities to rapid changes. However, implementing TEK is a major challenge in most parts of the world. A book published 80 years ago by Sambuu Jamsran, a Mongolian agricultural minister in the 1930s, provides a unique opportunity to compare the past versus present knowledge and practices of semi‐nomadic herders. Sambuu collected information from highly respected herders during a dialogue workshop about the proper management of herds and pastures. This cooperation between a politician and the herders yielded a valuable collection of ‘best practices’. We aimed to assess the relevance of this traditional knowledge for the successful adaptation of local communities in present Mongolia. We interviewed 31 middle‐aged or older herders about 69 pieces of advice extracted from Sambuu's book. Two questions guided our inquiries: (1) Do you agree with the advice? (2) Do people in your region adhere to it? If so, why, if not, why? Most recommendations were still accepted as valid (77%) by herders; however, only a smaller proportion was followed (49% of all). The interviews revealed some key reasons for the abandonment of certain traditional practices in the post‐1990 era, driven by fast social‐economic changes, even though the herders were aware that the traditional practices were more proper and sustainable. The practices that were abandoned the most were those that required greater time investment, were less compatible with modern lifestyles or needed closer cooperation and better functioning institutions. In conclusion, the Mongolian semi‐nomadic herding system exhibits adaptability to new conditions, but the development of proper new practices by herders or the government may take considerable time. As in many cases around the world, there is a time lag between the changes and the herders' responses to these changes. Herders' TEK has a vital role in developing locally adaptive solutions, while institutions have a critical role in formulating policy that can mitigate the negative impacts of rapid changes while fostering tradition‐based, sustainable and innovative practices for the future. Хураангуй Олон судалгаа тогтвортой байдалд болон орон нутгийн иргэд нийгэм, экологийн хурдацтай өөрчлөлтөд амжилттай дасан зохицоход уламжлалт экологийн мэдлэг (УЭМ) чухал ач холбогдолтойг харуулж байна. Гэвч дэлхийн ихэнх оронд УЭМ‐ийг хэрэгжүүлэхэд томоохон асуудал, сорилт тулгарсаар байна. 1930‐аад онд Монголын Хөдөө аж ахуйн яамны сайд байсан Жамсрангийн Самбуугийн тэртээ 80 жилийн өмнө хэвлүүлсэн “Малчдад өгөх зөвлөгөө” бүтээл нь монгол малчдын хуучин ба орчин үеийн мал маллагааны мэдлэг, арга туршлагыг харьцуулж харах хосгүй боломжийг бидэнд олгодог. Ж.Самбуу мал маллах, бэлчээрийн зохистой менежментийн талаарх зөвлөгөөг бичихдээ нэр хүндтэй малчдыг урин, зөвлөгөөн зохион байгуулж мэдээллээ цуглуулж авчээ. Ийнхүү улстөрч, малчдын хамтын ажиллагааны үр дүнд “сайн арга туршлага”‐уудын үнэ цэнэтэй цомирлог бүтсэн байна.Бид эдгээр уламжлалт арга туршлага нь өнөөгийн монголын малчид амжилттай дасан зохицоход хэр зэрэг холбогдож байгааг үнэлэхийг зорьсон юм. Бид Ж.Самбуугийн номноос сонгон авсан 69 зөвлөгөөний талаар дунд болон түүнээс дээш насны 31 малчнаас ярилцлага авч, аман мэдээлэл цуглуулав. Ярилцлагыг (1) эдгээр зөвлөгөөтэй санал нийлж байгаа эсэх? (2) эдгээр зөвлөгөөг дагаж мөрдөж байгаа эсэх? гэсэн ерөнхий хоёр асуулгын хүрээнд хийв. Мөн хэрэв тийм эсвэл үгүй бол яагаад гэдгийг тодруулсан болно.Малчид эдгээр уламжлалт аргуудын дийлэнх (77%) нь одоо ч хүчин төгөлдөр гэдгийг илэрхийлсэн ч зөвхөн багахан хэсэг (49%)‐ийг даган мөрдөж байна. Мөн малчид эдгээр уламжлалт арга туршлага нь илүү зохистой, тогтвортой гэдгийг онцолж байгаа ч 1990 оноос хойшхи нийгэм, эдийн засгийн өөрчлөлттэй холбоотойгоор зарим нь мөрдөгдөхөө больсоныг дурьдсан юм. Ийнхүү мөрдөгдөхөө больсоны шалтгааныг тэд ихээхэн цаг хугацаа шаарддаг, орчин үеийн амьдралын хэв маягт бага зохицдог, эсвэл илүү нягт хамтын ажиллагаа, сайн ажиллагаатай институт шаарддаг гэж тайлбарлаж байв.Дүгнэж хэлэхэд, монголын (хагас) нүүдлийн мал аж ахуй нь шинэ нөхцөлд дасан зохицох чадвартай боловч малчид болон засгийн газраас цаашид илүү зохистой, өөр арга боловсруулахад багагүй хугацаа шаардагдах магадлалтай байна. Дэлхий дээрх олон бодит жишээний адил, тухайн өөрчлөлт болон малчдын хариу үйлдлийн хооронд тодорхой цаг хугацааны хоцрогдол үүсдэг. Малчдын уламжлалт экологийн мэдлэг нь орон нутгийн онцлогт тохирсон шийдлийг боловсруулахад чухал үүрэг гүйцэтгэдэг бол байгууллагууд хурдацтай өөрчлөлтийн сөрөг нөлөөг бууруулж, уламжлалд суурилсан, тогтвортой, шинэлэг арга туршлагыг дэмжих бодлого боловсруулахад илүү анхаарах хэрэгтэй. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Along small watercourses, the growth and renewal of native willows and poplars (Salicaceae species) are hindered by the effects of past and recent man-made landscape alteration and climate change, while the selective foraging of the beaver (Castor fiber) is also becoming an increasingly important driver. Knowledge about foraging decisions can refine predictions about vegetational processes and help to develop better nature conservation and forest management strategies. We surveyed the woody plant supply (13,304 units) and its utilization by the beaver at 11 study sites along Central European small watercourses, at two fixed distances from the water. We collected information about the taxon, trunk diameter, and type of utilization (cutting, carving, debarking) of each unit. We built (generalized) linear mixed models aimed at answering questions regarding taxon and diameter preference, their interrelatedness, and their importance in foraging decisions. All of the factors examined had a significant effect on foraging decisions. Utilization was mostly explained by the taxon, with Salicaceae species being generally preferred and utilized in all diameter classes with a high ratio. Several further genera were frequently utilized (mainly Cornus and Ulmus), while others were almost completely avoided (including invasive Amorpha and Robinia). The beavers preferred units with a diameter of 5–9 cm. The type of utilization depended primarily on diameter class. Because native softwoods are the most affected by beaver impact, regardless of trunk diameter, their survival and regrowth should be consciously supported by increasing the water table and improving hydrological conditions.