Ann Surg Oncol 2010, 17:3210–3218.CrossRef 41. Liu CG, Calin GA, Meloon B, Gamliel N, Sevignani C, Ferracin M, Dumitru CD, Shimizu M, Zupo S, Dono M, Alder H, Bullrich F, Negrini M, Croce CM: An oligonucleotide microchip for genome-wide microRNA profiling in human and mouse tissues. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2004, 101:9740–9744.PubMedCrossRef 42. Babak T, Zhang W, Morris Q, Blencowe BJ, Hughes TR: Probing microRNAs with microarrays:

tissue specificity and functional inference. RNA 2004, 10:1813–1819.PubMedCrossRef Competing interests The authors declare that they have no competing interests. Authors’ contributions MZM, XK and MZW conceived the study and participated in the data collection and Savolitinib supplier analysis. MZM, XK and MZW performed the experiments. MZM and KX analysed the data. MZM, XK, ZWQ, WG and CHP wrote the paper. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.”
“Introduction Recent investigation has shown that biochemical markers of bone turnover, both markers of bone resorption and markers of bone formation, can confirm a biochemical response to treatment of osteoporosis with antiresorptive agents [1], and early changes in these markers can predict long-term changes in bone mineral density [2]. Further, changes Wortmannin chemical structure in markers are associated

with fracture risk [3–5]. Although these findings have secured a place for the use of bone turnover markers in research trials, markers still are not used frequently in clinical practice. Use in the diagnosis and treatment of individual patients has largely been limited by cost, by the data supporting marker significance, and by variability, both 6-phosphogluconolactonase pre-analytical and analytical. Pre-analytical variability includes biological variability, which comprises that from INCB28060 circadian rhythms, diet, age, and gender [6], as well as that due to sample handling and storage. Analytical variability, in contrast, is that which originates from the laboratory measurements themselves. While laboratory assays are studied rigorously in standardized settings, data are lacking about the reproducibility

of bone turnover marker measurements in actual clinical practice. The data that do exist raise concerns: a European investigation involving interlaboratory variation found that results for most biochemical markers of bone turnover differed markedly among laboratories [7]. In the USA, laboratory standards are determined by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments and assessed by proficiency-testing providers such as the College of American Pathologists, but the results of cross-laboratory proficiency testing are not routinely available to clinicians. The evaluation of laboratory reproducibility in clinical practice is especially important as laboratory assays evolve. For some markers, manual enzyme-linked immunosorbant assays (ELISAs) are being replaced by assays using the same monoclonal antibodies but run on automated platforms.

J Am Chem Soc 106:1676–1681. doi:10.​1021/​ja00318a021 CrossRef Salzmann R, McMahon MT, Godbout N, Sanders LK, Wojdelski M, Oldfield E (1999) Solid-state NMR, crystallographic and density functional theory investigation of Fe-CO and Fe-CO analogue metalloporphyrins and metalloproteins. J Am Chem Soc 121:3818–3828. doi:10.​1021/​ja9832818 CrossRef Schenker R, Mock MT, Kieber-Emmons MT, Riordan CG, Brunold

TC (2005) Spectroscopic and computational studies on [Ni(tmc)CH3]OTf: implications for Ni-methyl bonding in the A cluster of acetyl-CoA synthase. Inorg Chem 44:3605–3617. Bucladesine price doi:10.​1021/​ic0483996 CrossRefPubMed Schoneboom JC, Neese F, Thiel W (2005) Toward identification of the compound I reactive intermediate in cytochrome P450 chemistry: A QM/MM study of its EPR and Mössbauer parameters.

J Am Chem Soc 127:5840–5853. doi:10.​1021/​ja0424732 CrossRefPubMed Schünemann V, Winkler H (2000) Structures and dynamics of biomolecules studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy. Rep Prog Phys 63:263–353. doi:10.​1088/​0034-4885/​63/​3/​202 CrossRef Senn HM, Thiel W (2007) QM/MM methods for biological systems. Top Curr Chem 268:173–290. doi:10.​1007/​128_​2006_​084 CrossRef Seth M, Ziegler T (2006) Calculation of excitation energies of open-shell molecules with spatially degenerate ground states. II. Transformed reference via intermediate configuration Kohn-Sham time dependent density functional theory oscillator strengths and magnetic circular click here dichroism C terms. J Chem Phys 124:144105. doi:10.​1063/​1.​2187004 CrossRefPubMed Seth M, Ziegler T, Banerjee A, Autschbach J, van Gisbergen SJA, Baerends EJ (2004) Calculation of the A term of magnetic circular dichroism based on time dependent-density functional SPTBN5 theory I. Formulation and implementation. J Chem Phys 120:10942–10954. doi:10.​1063/​1.​this website 1747828 CrossRefPubMed Seth M, Ziegler T, Autschbach J (2005) Ab initio calculation of the C/D ratio of magnetic

circular dichroism. J Chem Phys 122:094112. doi:10.​1063/​1.​1856453 CrossRefPubMed Siegbahn PEM (2003) Mechanisms of metalloenzymes studied by quantum chemical methods. Q Rev Biophys 36:91–145. doi:10.​1017/​S003358350200382​7 CrossRefPubMed Siegbahn PEM (2006a) O–O bond formation in the S4 state of the oxygen-evolving complex in photosystem II. Chem Eur J 12:9217–9227. doi:10.​1002/​chem.​200600774 CrossRef Siegbahn PEM (2006b) The performance of hybrid DFT for mechanisms involving metal complexes in enzymes. J Biol Inorg Chem 11:695–701. doi:10.​1007/​s00775-006-0137-2 CrossRefPubMed Siegbahn PEM (2008a) Theoretical studies of O–O bond formation in photosystem II. Inorg Chem 47:1779–1786. doi:10.​1021/​ic7012057 CrossRefPubMed Siegbahn PEM (2008b) A structure-consistent mechanism for dioxygen formation in photosystem II. Chem Eur J 14:8290–8302. doi:10.​1002/​chem.

Kovesdy CP, et al. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2009;4:435–41. (Level 4)   2. Kalantar-Zadeh K, et al. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2005;16:3070–80. (Level 4)   3. Pollak VE, et al. BMC Nephrol. 2009;10:6. (Level 4)   4. Teehan GS, et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2004;38:1090–4. (Level 4)   5. Hasuike Y, et al. Clin Exp Nephrol. 2010;14:349–55. (Level 4)   6. Stancu S, et learn more al. Am J Kidney Dis. 2010;55:639–47. (Level 4)   Are long-acting ESAs recommended for treatment of renal anemia in GKT137831 ic50 non-dialysis CKD? Recently, long-acting ESAs have become available. The advantage of these new ESAs was examined. Since long-acting ESAs have a longer half-life

as compared to recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO), improving and maintaining the Hb level through a lower frequency of administration can be expected. At the same time, long-acting ESA might change the clinical outcome selleck inhibitor as a result of the different function and duration of activity. However, the latter is not clear at present. For the former statement, a cohort

study on darbepoetin alfa (DA) by Gobin et al. has been the only one to report that the frequency of administration necessary for achieving the target Hb was decreased by replacing rHuEPO with long-acting ESA in non-dialysis CKD. A randomized controlled trial comparing DA with rHuEPO has not been conducted, so the absolute superiority of DA over rHuEPO has not been demonstrated. The status of methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta is also the same. Although a randomized controlled trial has been conducted, it merely confirmed that administration every 4 weeks did not yield inferior results compared with administration every 2 weeks. As Niclosamide mentioned above, we conclude that currently there is no strong reason to recommend long-acting ESAs. Bibliography 1. Gobin J, et al. Clin Drug Investig. 2011;31:113–20. (Level 4)   2. Hertel J, et al. Am J Nephrol. 2006;355–26:149–56. (Level 4)   3. Disney A, et al. Nephrology. 2007;12:95–101.

(Level 4)   4. Agarwal AK, et al. J Intern Med. 2006;260:577–85. (Level 4)   5. Kessler M, et al. Hemodial Int. 2010;14:233–9. (Level 2)   6. Roger SD, et al. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2011;26:3980–6. (Level 2)   Chapter 8: CKD–Mineral and Bone Disorders (MBD) Is targeting serum phosphate within the normal range recommended for CKD patients? One recent meta-analysis showed that a 1 mg/dL increase in the serum phosphate level was associated with a 29 % increase in all-cause mortality in CKD patients. A sub-analysis using a limited number of well-designed studies with multiple covariates demonstrated an even higher hazardss ratio of 1.35. Due to a lack of evidence, the association of serum phosphate with cardiovascular death in CKD patients remains to be elucidated. In other reports, a high serum phosphate level was associated with a steeper decline in eGFR and an increased risk of ESRD in CKD patients.

0 ± 0.6/7.4 ± 0.2/43.7 ± 0.4. After 1 week storage a decrease of CO2 (23-28%) was detected in all packages but after that the gas composition remained essentially the same. Bacterial counts by cultivation during storage Quality of the processed raw material (LS, low salt with 0.4% NaCl) was evaluated upon packaging and the total psychrotrophic load (TVC) was found to contain Foretinib in vitro less than 104 colony forming units (CFU)/g. Initial Pseudomonas spp. load was tenfold lower (Fig. 1) and H2S-producing bacteria almost 100-fold lower than

TVC (data not shown). P. phosphoreum was not detected (< 20 CFU/g) in newly packaged cod loins. Generally, air storage at -2°C did not inhibit bacterial growth compared to storage at 0°C whereas storage at -4°C clearly showed a reduced growth throughout the storage time (Fig. 1 and 2). In MAP fish, storage temperature clearly influenced bacterial growth, with an increased delay as temperature decreased. Monitoring of P. phosphoreum showed a reduction in growth with lower temperatures, especially when combined with MA (Fig. 1). Figure 1 Bacterial growth in air and MA cod loins (LS). Bacterial growth in air- and MA-packaged cod loins (LS)

during storage at A) 0°C, B) -2°C and C) -4°C. (black square) Total psychrotrophic viable counts in MA, (white square) total psychrotrophic viable counts in air, (black circle) presumptive Pseudomonas counts in MA, (white circle) presumptive Pseudomonas counts in air,

(black triangle) P. phosphoreum in MA and (white triangle) P. phosphoreum in air. Figure 2 Bacterial growth in CYC202 purchase air and MA cod loins (HS). Bacterial growth in air- and MA-packaged cod loins (HS) during storage at A) -2°C and B) -4°C. (black square) Total psychrotrophic viable counts in MA, (white square) total psychrotrophic viable counts in air, (black circle) presumptive Pseudomonas counts in MA, (white circle) presumptive Pseudomonas counts in air, (black triangle) P. phosphoreum in MA and (white triangle) P. phosphoreum in air. Pseudomonas Branched chain aminotransferase spp. showed an increasing growth during storage in air, both at 0 and -2°C, but with some delay at -4°C. MAP had a biostatic effect on pseudomonads development, resulting in constant counts (between 3 and 4 log10 CFU/g) at all temperatures. Similar MK 2206 trends could be seen during storage of brined (HS, high salt with 2.5% NaCl) fish where combining MA and lower temperature storage generally inhibited bacterial growth (Fig. 2). Relative ratio of selected spoilage organisms showed a large variation of dominance. Pseudomonas spp. were usually in high proportional concentrations during air storage (up to 58.9%) and at lower concentrations during MA storage. However, on day 7 at -4°C in MA storage, Pseudomonas spp. reached a level of 33% of the flora in both the LS and HS groups. P. phosphoreum was at low relative concentrations (0 – 6%) except during MA storage at 0°C where it reached up to nearly 100% (Table 1).

The efficiency of drug combinations is often sequence dependent. In our cell line system we observed additive to synergistic drug interaction for parallel drug combinations of 5-FU and FWGE. These data confirm the results of Szende et al, who observed no decrease in the antiproliferative activity of 5-FU, doxorubicin or navelbine by

the simultaneous exposure to nontoxic concentrations of FWGE [23]. In drug sequence experiments the additive to synergistic effect was abolished dependent on the sequence resulting in either additive effects or even a trend to antagonism (table 2). FWGE is known to interfere with ribonucleotide reductase which catalyzes the reduction of ribonucleotides to their corresponding deoxyribonucleotides [11]. Since these are the building blocks for DNA

replication, presee more treatment of cells with FWGE decreases 4EGI-1 ic50 DNA-synthesis which might hamper the activity of the antimetabolite 5-FU. In line with this hypothesis, it was recently demonstrated in HT29 and HL-60 cells, that pretreatment of cells with FWGE significantly reduced the deoxyribonucleotide triphosphate pools and the incorporation of 14C-cytidine into DNA [3, 8]. In the event of impaired DNA-synthesis 5-FU might lose one of its targets which might at least in part explain the observed trend to antagonism in selleck chemicals llc our model system when FWGE treatment precedes 5-FU by 24 hours. Taken together, for further development of drug combinations with FWGE not just the combination partner but also the chosen drug schedule appeared to be crucial and should be considered. Based on its documented preclinical activity profile and mechanisms of drug action as well as on the available clinical data, FWGE appeared to be a good combination partner for drug regimens, in particular as modulator of drug activity and attenuator of drug toxicity. In conclusion, FWGE check exerted significant antiproliferative activity in a broad spectrum of tumor cell lines. Simultaneous administration

of FWGE with 5-FU, oxaliplatin or irinotecan did not impair the cytotoxic activity of these cytostatic drugs in our colon cancer model. Our findings suggest that simultaneous application of 5-FU and FWGE, which resulted in additive to synergistic drug interactions, seems superior to sequential scheduling. The sequential administration of 5-FU followed by FWGE may be appropriate, while the reverse sequence should be avoided. Overall, based on its preclinical activity profile and clinical available data, further evaluation of combinations FWGE and conventional cytostatic drugs seems safe and warranted. Authors’ contribution TM carried out the cell line studies and contributed significantly to the design of the study. KJ performed the data analysis and preparation of figures. WV participated in the design of the study and data analysis. He prepared the manuscript and raised funding.

One million T cells were fixed with 70% cold ethanol LY333531 mw at 4°C for 30 min, washed with PBS twice, and stained with 50 g/ml PI (Sigma, USA) at room temperature for 5 min. Data were analyzed with Mod-FIT software. Effect of MSCs on T cell activation MSCs and MNCs were prepared as described before, respectively. T cells were cultured alone or cocultured with

prepared MSCs and stimulated with PHA (50 g/ml final concentration). The expression of CD25 (BD, USA) and CD69 (BD, USA) was detected by flow cytometry at 24 h, and CD44 (BD, USA) was detected at 72 h. Effect of MSCs on T cell apoptosis MSCs and MNCs were prepared as described before. T cells were cultured alone or cocultured withMSCs with PHA (50 g/ml final concentration) stimulation for 3 days, then harvested and quantified, stained with Annexin-V kit (BD, USA), and analyzed by flow cytometry (FACS Vantage). RNA-i experiments The si-RNA sequence targeting human MMP-9 (from mRNA sequence; Invitrogen online) corresponds to the coding region 377-403 relative to the first

nucleotide of the start codon (selleck chemicals llc target = 5′-AAC ATC ACC TAT TGG ATC CAA ACT AC-3′). Computer analysis using the software developed by Ambion Inc. confirmed this sequence to be a good target. si-RNAs were 21 nucleotides long with symmetric 2-nucleotide 3′overhangs composed of 2′-deoxythymidine to enhance nuclease resistance. The si-RNAs Ro 61-8048 cost were synthesized chemically and high pressure liquid chromatography purified (Genset, Paris, France). Sense si-RNA sequence was 5′-CAU CAC CUA UUG GAU CCA AdT dT-3′. Antisense si-RNA was 5′-UUG GAU CCA AUA GGU GAU GdT dT-3′. For annealing of si-RNAs, mixture of complementary single stranded RNAs (at equimolar concentration) was incubated in annealing buffer (20 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5, 50 mM NaCl, and 10 mM MgCl2) for 2 minutes at 95°C followed by a slow cooling to room temperature (at least 25°C) and then proceeded to storage temperature of 4°C. Before transfection, cells cultured at

50% confluence in 6-well plates (10 cm2) were washed two times with OPTIMEM 1 (Invitrogen) without FCS and incubated in 1.5 ml of this medium without FCS for 1 hour. Then, cells were transfected Exoribonuclease with MMP-9-RNA duplex formulated into Mirus TransIT-TKO transfection reagent (Mirus Corp, Interchim, France) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Unless otherwise described, transfection used 20 nM RNA duplex in 0.5 ml of transfection medium OPTIMEM 1 without FCS per 5 × 105 cells for 6 hours and then the medium volume was adjusted to 1.5 ml per well with RPMI 2% FCS. SilencerTM negative control 1 si-RNA (Ambion Inc.) was used as negative control under similar conditions (20 nM). The efficiency of silencing is 80% in our assay. Enzyme-linked Immunoadsorbent Assays This was carried out according to the manufacturer’s recommendations (Oncogene Research Products).

Rigid proctoscopy confirmed bloody mucosal tissue without a clear source of hemorrhage and no evidence of ischemia. Laboratory values were unremarkable and abdominal films revealed a small bowel obstructive pattern with a paucity of identifiable gas in the colon. (Figure 1) Computed tomography (CT) scan of

the abdomen and pelvis was subsequently Regorafenib ic50 performed with oral and intravenous contrast. An axial tomographic section taken from the abdomen demonstrates the “”target”" sign (Figure 2) of an extensive ileocolic intussusception, while a more distal section taken from the pelvis reveals the “”sausage”" sign (Figure 3) of the intussusception extending into the rectum. Figure 1 Plain abdominal supine radiograph revealing small bowel obstructive pattern with paucity of gas in colon. Figure 2 Axial section of abdominal CT revealing “”target”" sign of ileocolic intussusception Nec-1s nmr in left abdomen. Figure 3 Axial section of pelvic CT revealing “”sausage”" sign of ileocolic intussusception

to level of rectum. The CT scan was concerning for total ileocolic intussusception to the level of the rectum with possible compromised bowel. The patient was brought to the OR for an urgent exploratory laparotomy. The distal small bowel was invaginated into the colon throughout its entire length and could be palpated in the upper rectum (Figure 4). The patient had a highly mobile colon with essentially absent flexures, without evidence of malrotation. We elected to proceed with distal to proximal reduction given the fact that a subtotal colectomy would have been mandated without this maneuver. Erythromycin The key technical points in performing this maneuver include localizing the distal aspect of the intussusception and

careful milking proximally without undue manual pressure, in order to avoid inadvertant perforation. Success www.selleckchem.com/products/JNJ-26481585.html likely hinges on operative exploration early in the pathophysiological process. After successful reduction, a firm rubbery mass was palpated in the cecum. A formal right hemicolectomy was performed, given the risk of potential malignancy. Further exploration revealed a lipomatous mass in the wall of the proximal jejunum and segmental resection was performed. She was discharged home on post-operative day 10. Pathology revealed a fully resected 4 centimeter villous adenoma with foci of high grade dysplasia in the cecum. There was evidence of mucosal edema and lymphostasis in the adjacent colonic tissue. The small bowel specimen revealed ectopic pancreatic tissue. Given the pathological findings in this healthy 22 year-old female, the patient was referred for genetic counseling despite the negative family history, including testing for mutations and endoscopic screening. Figure 4 Intraoperative photo revealing total ileocolic intussusception to level of rectum.

We evaluated gp130 expression as a constituent of receptor complexes common to a number of cytokines implicated in inflammatory and immune responses. Of these, Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a most important pleiotropic cytokine, plays a central role in immune regulation, H 89 inflammation, hematopoiesis, and oncogenesis. In our series, gp 130 expression was detected in all patients with a scattered distribution represented by groups of cells of variable size, confirming the involvement of cytokines NSC23766 ic50 signalling through the gp130 subunit. An earlier immunohistochemical study on the expression pattern

of the IL-6 family members and their receptor subunits in normal prostate, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and prostatic carcinoma has suggested a role for this cytokine in both paracrine and autocrine regulation of proliferative processes [10]. In another study on oesophageal carcinoma it has been suggested that IL-6 may contribute to cancer progression in an autocrine or paracrine manner acting as an antiapoptotic factor [6]. As for STAT3 and p53 expression, both markers were found to

be click here overexpressed in 17 out of the 19 patients studied with a prevailing cytoplasmic localization (in 5 cases we observed an exclusively cytoplasmic pattern). Although our series was relatively small and no robust statistical analysis could be performed, the data obtained did not show any significant differential pattern of distribution Glutamate dehydrogenase amongst tissues obtained from multinodular goiter, adenoma, autoimmune disease or papillary carcinoma. As previously mentioned, the transcription factor STAT3 is most important for the signal transduction of interleukin-6 and related cytokines. Upon stimulation cytoplasmic STAT3 is phosphorylated and translocates to the nucleus. When constitutively activated, STAT3 plays an important role in tumorigenesis, as shown in human breast cancer

[5]. Wild-type p53 contributes to negatively regulate STAT3 phosphorylation. Thus, a mutant p53, as is the case for cytoplasmic p53, is also associated with constitutive STAT3 activation [7]. In the present study we did not investigate the STAT3 phosphorylation and the p53 mutational status as our aim was to evaluate their subcellular localization in apparently normal thyroid tissue and to verify whether differences exist amongst different thyroid diseases. The results are suggestive of an ongoing modulation mechanism, where an increased p53 expression level is observed with a main cytoplasmic localization, going along with an almost equivalent localization pattern for STAT3.

Operative time was shortest in the laparoscopy group (74.3 ± 4.4 min), as was the duration of both intensive care unit and hospital stay. Mortality was 6%, regardless of operative technique. The author’s conclusion confirmed that the parameters associated with successful laparoscopic management of SBO are the presence of isolated bands, lower ASA scorse, younger age, fewer prior

operations, and a shorter duration of SBO obstruction before the operation. Reasons for primary laparotomy included a state of prolonged ileus with progressive abdominal distension and GANT61 nmr a higher number or more extensive previous operations. Reasons for converting to open adhesiolysis following initial laparoscopy were inadequate laparoscopic control due to intestinal distension, extensive adhesions, iatrogenic intestinal perforation and the presence of necrotic segments of the small bowel upon initial laparoscopy, www.selleckchem.com/products/Cisplatin.html requiring secondary open resection. Zerey et al. [131] reported a series of 33 patients underwent laparoscopic adhesiolysis secondary to a SBO. Twenty-nine patients (88%) were

successfully treated Sepantronium ic50 laparoscopically. Mean procedural time was 101 minutes (range, 19-198 minutes). Only one patient had a recurrent SBO 8 months postoperatively managed by repeat laparoscopic lysis of adhesions. Mean postoperative stay was 6 days. In another report of 65 patients submitted to laparoscopic adhesiolysis (40 for acute obstruction and 25 for chronic or recurrent transit disturbances) many the procedure was completed by laparoscopy in 52 patients (conversion rate: 20%) and after a mean follow up of 48 months has been observed a 15.4% rate of symptomatic recurrences, while surgical recurrences have been 4.6% [132]. In a series of 17 patients scheduled for elective adhesiolysis [133], laparoscopic treatment was successful in 14 patients (82.4%) and two

recurrences of small bowel obstructions were noted over a mean follow-up period of 61.7 months. In a similar series of elective laparoscopic treatment of 25 patients with recurrent small bowel obstruction, complete laparoscopic adhesiolysis was feasible in 18 patients (72%) and no recurrence of small bowel obstruction over a mean follow-up period of 41 months have been observed [134]. In this series conversion to laparoscopic-assisted adhesiolysis (mini-laparotomy with an incision less than 4 cm long) was required in 6 patients (24%) because of dense adhesion or the technical difficulties due to adhesion in the pelvic cavity. Leon et al.

2008; Buscardo et al. 2008) vary greatly depending

upon the characteristics of both the plantations and of the previous land uses. Synthesizing individual case studies and evaluating the patterns that emerge across cases can help to explain this diversity of outcomes observed with plantation establishment. In a global review of biodiversity of multiple taxa in plantations compared to pasture lands, Felton et al. (2010) found significantly higher amphibian and reptile richness in plantations, but found no significant differences Trametinib datasheet in species richness of other taxa, PSI-7977 manufacturer including plants, mammals, and invertebrates in plantations versus pasture lands. Pointing to “unexplained heterogeneity between studies,” Felton et al. (2010, p. 545) caution against “general statements about the inherent biodiversity value of diverse and broadly-defined land uses.” This conclusion emphasizes the importance of scrutinizing

Sapanisertib molecular weight differences within the broad categories of plantations and pasture lands, including whether plantations use exotic or native species, proximity to native vegetation, and prior land-use history. While, in addition to Felton et al.’s (2010) synthesis, several other studies summarize biodiversity and plantation case studies (Carnus et al. 2006; Stephens and Wagner 2007; Brockerhoff et al. 2008), there has yet to be a synthesis of quantitative changes in biodiversity

with plantation establishment across a range of paired land covers and plantation types. Accordingly, this paper synthesizes existing quantitative data available on plant richness in plantations (including those using native Carbachol and exotic species) in comparison with alternative land covers (categorized as primary forest, secondary forest, shrubland, grassland, and degraded or exotic pasture) in order to inform land-use policy and stimulate further research. The focus is on between species diversity using plant species richness (including total, exotic, and native species richness) as a proxy for biodiversity. While this will not necessarily reflect biodiversity of other taxa, understory vegetation is considered to be a good predictor of faunal diversity (Humphrey et al. 1999). Moreover, plants are the basis of the food chain and contribute to important ecosystem services including climate regulation, water purification, and pollination (Daily 1997; Goldman et al. 2008). As such, an evaluation of plantations and plant diversity provides valuable information on the effects on vegetation with implications for wider ecosystem services and the faunal diversity they support.