Since the late Pleistocene, large-bodied mammals have been extirpated from much of Earth. Although all habitable continents once harbored giant mammals, the few remaining species are largely confined ...to Africa. This decline is coincident with the global expansion of hominins over the late Quaternary. Here, we quantify mammalian extinction selectivity, continental body size distributions, and taxonomic diversity over five time periods spanning the past 125,000 years and stretching approximately 200 years into the future. We demonstrate that size-selective extinction was already under way in the oldest interval and occurred on all continents, within all trophic modes, and across all time intervals. Moreover, the degree of selectivity was unprecedented in 65 million years of mammalian evolution. The distinctive selectivity signature implicates hominin activity as a primary driver of taxonomic losses and ecosystem homogenization. Because megafauna have a disproportionate influence on ecosystem structure and function, past and present body size downgrading is reshaping Earth's biosphere.
The transition of hominins to a largely meat-based diet ∼1.8 million years ago led to the exploitation of other mammals for food and resources. As hominins, particularly archaic and modern humans, ...became increasingly abundant and dispersed across the globe, a temporally and spatially transgressive extinction of large-bodied mammals followed; the degree of selectivity was unprecedented in the Cenozoic fossil record. Today, most remaining large-bodied mammal species are confined to Africa, where they co-evolved with hominins. Here, using a comprehensive global dataset of mammal distribution, life history and ecology, we examine the consequences of ‘body size downgrading’ of mammals over the late Quaternary on fundamental macroecological patterns. Specifically, we examine changes in species diversity, global and continental body size distributions, allometric scaling of geographic range size with body mass, and the scaling of maximum body size with area. Moreover, we project these patterns toward a potential future scenario in which all mammals currently listed as vulnerable on the IUCN's Red List are extirpated. Our analysis demonstrates that anthropogenic impact on earth systems predates the terminal Pleistocene and has grown as populations increased and humans have become more widespread. Moreover, owing to the disproportionate influence on ecosystem structure and function of megafauna, past and present body size downgrading has reshaped Earth's biosphere. Thus, macroecological studies based only on modern species yield distorted results, which are not representative of the patterns present for most of mammal evolution. Our review supports the concept of benchmarking the ‘Anthropocene’ with the earliest activities of Homo sapiens.
•For most of the Cenozoic mammal extinction was not size-biased, this changed in the late Quaternary.•Late Quaternary extinctions were temporally and spatially coincident with hominin migration.•Extinctions have led to much loss of phylogenetic and functional diversity.•The loss of the largest mammals leds to changes in the continental body size distribution.•Range fragmentation and constriction have influenced the largest mammals disproportionately.
The ProtecT trial reported intention-to-treat analysis of men with localised prostate cancer (PCa) randomly allocated to active monitoring (AM), radical prostatectomy, and external beam radiotherapy.
...To determine report outcomes according to treatment received in men in randomised and treatment choice cohorts.
This study focuses on secondary care. Men with clinically localised prostate cancer at one of nine UK centres were invited to participate in the treatment trial comparing AM, radical prostatectomy, and radiotherapy.
Two cohorts included 1643 men who agreed to be randomised; 997 declined randomisation and chose treatment.
Health-related quality of life impacts on urinary, bowel, and sexual function were assessed using patient-reported outcome measures. Analysis was carried out based on treatment received for each cohort and on pooled estimates using meta-analysis. Differences were estimated with adjustment for known prognostic factors using propensity scores.
According to treatment received, more men receiving AM died of PCa (AM 1.85%, surgery 0.67%, radiotherapy 0.73%), whilst this difference remained consistent with chance in the randomised cohort (p=0.08); stronger evidence was found in the exploratory analyses (randomised plus choice cohort) when AM was compared with the combined radical treatment group (p=0.003). There was also strong evidence that metastasis (AM 5.6%, surgery 2.4%, radiotherapy 2.7%) and disease progression (AM 20.35%, surgery 5.87%, radiotherapy 6.62%) were more common in the AM group. Compared with AM, there were higher risks of sexual dysfunction (95% at 6mo) and urinary incontinence (55% at 6mo) after surgery, and of sexual dysfunction (88% at 6mo) and bowel dysfunction (5% at 6mo) after radiotherapy. The key limitations are the potential for bias when comparing groups defined by treatment received and outdating of the interventions being evaluated during the lengthy follow-up required in trials of screen-detected PCa.
Analyses according to treatment received showed increased rates of disease-related events and lower rates of patient-reported harms in men managed by AM compared with men managed by radical treatment, and stronger evidence of greater PCa mortality in the AM group.
More than 90 out of every 100 men with localised prostate cancer do not die of prostate cancer within 10yr, irrespective of whether treatment is by means of monitoring, surgery, or radiotherapy. Side effects on sexual and bladder function are much better after active monitoring, but the risks of spreading of prostate cancer are more common.
Prostate cancer is very common, affecting about one in nine men during their lifetime, but most do not die or develop complications. The ProtecT trial randomised men with prostate-specific antigen-detected localised prostate cancer to active monitoring (AM), radical prostatectomy, or radiotherapy, and followed them up for 10yr. We found that >90 out of every 100 men with localised prostate cancer do not die of prostate cancer within 10yr, irrespective of whether treatment is by means of monitoring (AM), surgery, or radiotherapy. Side effects on sexual and bladder function are much better after AM than after radical treatments, but the risks of spreading of prostate cancer are greater after AM.
ObjectivesTo develop a nurse-led, urologist-supported model of care for men managed by active surveillance or active monitoring (AS/AM) for localised prostate cancer and provide a formative ...evaluation of its acceptability to patients, clinicians and nurses. Nurse-led care, comprising an explicit nurse-led protocol with support from urologists, was developed as part of the AM arm of the Prostate testing for cancer and Treatment (ProtecT) trial.DesignInterviews and questionnaire surveys of clinicians, nurses and patients assessed acceptability.SettingNurse-led clinics were established in 9 centres in the ProtecT trial and compared with 3 non-ProtecT urology centres elsewhere in UK.ParticipantsWithin ProtecT, 22 men receiving AM nurse-led care were interviewed about experiences of care; 11 urologists and 23 research nurses delivering ProtecT trial care completed a questionnaire about its acceptability; 20 men managed in urology clinics elsewhere in the UK were interviewed about models of AS/AM care; 12 urologists and three specialist nurses working in these clinics were also interviewed about management of AS/AM.ResultsNurse-led care was commended by ProtecT trial participants, who valued the flexibility, accessibility and continuity of the service and felt confident about the quality of care. ProtecT consultant urologists and nurses also rated it highly, identifying continuity of care and resource savings as key attributes. Clinicians and patients outside the ProtecT trial believed that nurse-led care could relieve pressure on urology clinics without compromising patient care.ConclusionsThe ProtecT AM nurse-led model of care was acceptable to men with localised prostate cancer and clinical specialists in urology. The protocol is available for implementation; we aim to evaluate its impact on routine clinical practice.Trial registration numbersNCT02044172; ISRCTN20141297.
Background: Although the syndrome of ventricular septal defect and aortic regurgitation was described a long time ago, there is still no agreement about the anatomic and functional components of the ...syndrome and the optimal methods of management.
Objective: Our objective was to describe a new simple technique of anatomic correction of all the components of the syndrome, based on redefining the salient anatomic and functional features of the syndrome.
Methods: Anatomic correction of the syndrome is achieved through a transaortic approach with the placement of a series of pledget-supported mattress sutures using autogenous pericardium. The sutures are used to close the ventricular septal defect, plicate the aortic sinus, and correct the outward and downward displacement of the anulus of the aortic valve. The technique is designed to correct all the anatomic functional components including severe aortic regurgitation when present.
Results: Between 1972 and 1996, 46 patients with this syndrome underwent surgical treatment. The current technique was used in most of the patients operated on before 198l and in all patients since that date. There were no early or late deaths during a follow-up period varying from 3 months to 24 years (mean 8.4 years). Aortic regurgitation was abolished in 16 and improved in the remaining patients, The hemodynamic results have been maintained except in five patients operated on early in the series, in whom additional procedures on the cusps were performed.
Conclusions: Anatomic correction of all the components of the syndrome of prolapsing right coronary cusp, dilatation of the sinus of Valsalva, and ventricular septal defect, can be achieved by a very simple technique. This technique can be applied in young children and prevents progression and secondary changes. Early correction in all patients with this syndrome is warranted. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1997;113:253-61)
Book reviews Black, Alison E.; Chaixis, Jasmine; Terry, Peter ...
Journal of Sports Sciences,
19/6/1/, Letnik:
12, Številka:
3
Book Review
Recenzirano
Nutrition and Fitness in Health and Disease: World Review of Nutrition and Dietetics, Vol. 72, A.P. Simopoulos (ed.), Karger, Basel, 1993. xiii + 244 pp., 8280.00 (hb), ISBN 3 8055 5.706 X
Helping ...Athletes with Eating Disorders, R.A. Thompson and R.T. Sherman, Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL,1993. xii+194 pp., £18.50 (hb), ISBN 0 87322 383 7
Sport 'Psych' for Tennis, G. Winter and C. Martin, South Australia Sports Institute, Adelaide, 1991. vii+47 pp. + 3 cassettes, price unknown, ISBN 0 7308 1896 9
The Athletic Female, A.J. Pearl (ed.), Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL, 1993. xv+312 pp., £30.50 (hb), ISBN 0 87322 410 8
Pediatric Laboratory Exercise Testing: Clinical Guidelines, T.W. Roland (ed.), Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL, 1993. xx+195 pp., £32.00 (hb), ISBN 0 87322 380 2
Eating, Body Weight and Performance in Athletes: Disorders of Modern Society, K.D. Brownell, J. Rodin and J.H. Wilmore, Lea and Febiger, Philadelphia, PA, 1992. xii + 374 pp., £23.00 (pb), ISBN 0 8121 1474 4
New Directions in Physical Education, Vol. 2: Towards a National Curriculum, N. Armstrong (ed.), Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL, 1992. xiii + 206 pp., £17.50 (pb), ISBN 0 87322 367 5
Future Directions for Performance Related Research in the Sports Sciences: An Interdisciplinary Approach, L. Burwitz, P.M. Moore and D.M. Wilkinson, The Sports Council, London, 1993. 54 pp., £10.00 (pb), ISBN 1 872158 21 8
Future Directions for Performance Related Research in Sports Psychology, L. Hardy and G. Jones, The Sports Council, London, 1993. 58 pp., £10.00 (pb), ISBN 1 872158 16 1
Future Directions for Performance Related Research in Sports Biomechanics, M.R. Yeadon and J.H. Challis, The Sports Council, London, 1993. 42 pp., £10.00 (pb), ISBN 1 872158 31 5
Exercise Psychology, J.D. Willis and L.F. Campbell, Human Kinetics, Champaigne, IL, 1992. xi + 258 pp., £27.50 (hb), ISBN 0 87322 366 7
Lore of Running, 3rd edn, T. Noakes, Leisure Press, Champaign, IL, 1991. xxviii + 804 pp., £13.95 (pb), ISBN 0 88011 438 X
Acquiring Skill in Sport, R. Sharp, Sports Dynamics, Eastbourne, 1992. x+178 pp., price unknown (pb), ISBN 0 9519543 1 8
Advances in Body Composition Assessment, T.G. Lohman, Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL, 1992. viii + 150 pp., £11.95 (pb), ISBN 0 87322 327 6
Physical Activity and Health, N.G. Norgan (ed.), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1992. xi+251 pp., £40.00 (hb), ISBN 0 521 41551 9
Bibliography of Research Papers on Physique, Somatotyping and Body Composition Related to Sports Performance, 3rd edn, P. Bale, Human Performance Research Unit, Chelsea School Research Centre, University of Brighton, 1993. viii + 100 pp., price unknown (pb), ISBN 1 871 966 31 0
Control of Human Movement, M.L. Latash, Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL, 1993. xi + 392 pp., £33.00 (hb), ISBN 0 87322 455 8
The Biomechanicas of Sports Techniques, 4th edn, J.G. Hay, Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1993. xi + 528 pp., £20.95 (pb), ISBN 0 13 089012 X
Variability and Motor Control, K.M. Newell and D.M. Corcos (eds), Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL, 1993. vi + 510 pp., £47.50 (hb), ISBN 0 87322 424 8
The Sports Process: A Comparative and Developmental Approach, E.G. Dunning, J.A. Maguire and R.E. Pearton (eds), Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL, 1993. xiii+321 pp., £33.00 (hb), ISBN 0 87322 419 1
Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, Vol. 20, J.O. Holloszy (ed.), Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore, MD, 1992. xii + 387 pp., £36.00 (hb), ISSN 0091 6331
Stroke, Your Complete Exercise Guide, N.F. Gordon, Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL, 1993. xiii+126 pp., £8.95 (pb), ISBN 0 87322 428 0
Sport and Social Development, A.G. Ingham and J.W. Loy (eds), Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL,1993. xix + 273 pp., £33.00 (hb), ISBN 0 87322 467 1
Current Issues in Biomechanics, M.D. Grabiner (ed.), Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL, 1993. xv + 262 pp., £33.50 (hb), ISBN 0 87322 387 X
Arthritis: Your Complete Exercise Guide, N.F. Gordon, Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL, 1993. xiv+138 pp., £8.95 (pb), ISBN 0 87322 392 6
Breathing Disorders: Your Complete Exercise Guide, N.F. Gordon, Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL, 1993. xiii+130 pp., £8.95 (pb), 0 87322 426 4
Guidelines for Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programs, G. Connors and L. Hilling, Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL, 1993. viii+139 pp., £20.50 (pb), ISBN 0 87322 402 7
Compulsive Exercising and the Eating Disorders, A. Yates, Brunner/Mazel, New York, 1991. ix + 259 pp., $31.95 (hb), 0 87630 630 X
Neuromuscular Fatigue, AJ. Sargeant and D. Kernell (eds), Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, 1993. xiii+195 pp., DFL60 (pb), ISBN 0 444 85763 X
Psychology of Sport Injury, J. Heil (ed.), Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL, 1993. xiv+338 pp., £33.00 (hb), ISBN 0 87322 463 9
Psychological Bases of Sports Injuries, D. Pargman (ed.), Fitness Information Technology, Morgantown, WV, 1993. xviii + 302 pp., $38.00 (hb), ISBN 9627926 3 2
The Gait Analysis Laboratory, C.L. Vaughan, B.L. Davis and J.C. O'Connor, Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL, 1992. 168 pp., £81.50 (pb), ISBN 0 87322 370 5
PDF
