A systematic review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of animal experiments with guidelines for reporting

To maximize the findings of animal experiments to inform likely health effects in humans, a thorough review and evaluation of the animal evidence is required. Systematic reviews and, where appropriate, meta-analyses have great potential in facilitating such an evaluation, making efficient use of the animal evidence while minimizing possible sources of bias. The extent to which systematic review and meta-analysis methods have been applied to evaluate animal experiments to inform human health is unknown. Using systematic review methods, we examine the extent and quality of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of in vivo animal experiments carried out to inform human health. We identified 103 articles meeting the inclusion criteria: 57 reported a systematic review, 29 a systematic review and a meta-analysis, and 17 reported a meta-analysis only. The use of these methods to evaluate animal evidence has increased over time. Although the reporting of systematic reviews is of adequate quality, the reporting of meta-analyses is poor. The inadequate reporting of meta-analyses observed here leads to questions on whether the most appropriate methods were used to maximize the use of the animal evidence to inform policy or decision-making. We recommend that guidelines proposed here be used to help improve the reporting of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of animal experiments. Further consideration of the use and methodological quality and reporting of such studies is needed.     

Solar driven nitrous acid formation on building material surfaces containing titanium dioxide: A concern for air quality in urban areas?

The photoenhanced uptake of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) to the surface of commercially available self-cleaning window glass has been studied under controlled laboratory conditions. This material is one of an array of modern building products which incorporate titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles and are finding increasing use in populated urban areas. Amongst the principal drivers for the use of these materials is that they are thought to facilitate the irreversible removal of pollutants such as NO₂ and organic molecules from the atmosphere and thus act to remediate air quality. While it appears that TiO₂ materials do indeed remove organic molecules from built environments, in this study we show that the photoenhanced uptake of NO₂ to one example material, self-cleaning window glass, is in fact accompanied by the substantial formation (50–70%) of gaseous nitrous acid (HONO). This finding has direct and serious implications for the use of these materials in urban areas. Not only is HONO a harmful respiratory irritant, it is also readily photolysed by solar radiation leading to the formation of hydroxyl radicals (OH) together with the re-release of NO_x as NO. The net effect of subsequent OH initiated chemistry can then be the further degradation of air quality through the formation of secondary pollutants such as ozone and VOC oxidation products. In summary, we suggest that a scientifically conceived technical strategy for air quality remediation based on this technology, while widely perceived as universally beneficial, could in fact have effects precisely opposite to those intended.     

Trying harder: Developing a new sustainable strategy for the UK

The UK reviewed its National Sustainable Development Strategy during 2003 and 2004, and produced a new strategy — the third for the UK — in March 2005. Having established that the main weakness of the previous strategy was in its delivery, the review and the resulting new strategy set out to put a much stronger emphasis on delivery mechanisms. In support of this, the process included more participative ways for those involved in delivering to contribute their views and ideas, including web‐based dialogue, participative events and seminars, and community level discussions. The key points for the success of the project were the involvement of stakeholders; project management of the process; a marketing and communications strategy; cross‐departmental governance; and involvement of an external challenge function (fulfilled in the UK by the Sustainable Development Commission).     

The influence of nitrogen deposition,competition and desiccation on growth and regeneration of Racomitrium lanuginosum (Hedw.) brid

Racomitrium lanuginosum shoot growth was studied under the combined effects of N deposition (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg N ha(-1) year(-1)). competition with Festuca ovina, and a drought pre-treatment. Moss regeneration from shoot fragments was also investigated. Growth was initially stimulated at the 60 kg N level. However, after 6 months, growth was lower in all N treatments than in the 0 kg N control. Reductions in shoot growth first became apparent in the pre-desiccated moss, while moss shoots grew longer when surrounded by a F. ovina canopy. Optimum regeneration occurred at 20-40 kg N on bare soil, and at 0-20 kg N under a F. ovina canopy. These results suggest that current N deposition in upland Wales is already detrimental to growth of this species, and to regeneration under certain conditions. This species may be affected under predicted climatic scenarios of increased summer drought in Britain.     

MICRO-RELIEF SURFACE DEPRESSION STORAGE: ANALYSIS OF MODELS TO DESCRIBE THE DEPTH-STORAGE FUNCTION1

ABSTRACT: Micro-relief surface depression storage is one of the components of the rainfall-runoff process. The quantification of surface depression storage values and a depth-storage model to describe the storage was the subject of this study. Point measurement data were collected on 258 surfaces of 5 soils and three artificial surfaces. Five methods of computing storage, 15 depth-storage models, two depth increments, and six grid spacings were investigated. The 1-inch grid computational method, 0.1-inch depth increment, and 1-inch grid spacings were recommended. The surface depression storage function is best described by the model S = aD^b, which relates surface depression storage as a function of depth with two equation parameters. Equations for describing the surface depression storage model parameters have been developed.     

Reconstruction of historical trends of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in the Venice Lagoon, Italy

Historical trends of PCDD/Fs and PCBs from the year 1900 have been reconstructed for the Venice Lagoon area by using a fugacity-based dynamic multimedia model. A novel approach to estimate the inputs to the system was applied. Emissions to the lagoon were estimated by studying dated sediment cores taken from salt marshes located in the lagoon area. These cores have recently proven to be a suitable tool to reconstruct the temporal trends of atmospheric deposition of POPs. According to the model, concentrations of PCBs and PCDD/Fs in air and water reflect the trends of their production and usage, peaking during the 1960s. The peaks in the sediment were delayed by 5-40 years depending on the congener. Predicted concentrations are in good agreement with experimental results. The most important input parameters, identified by a sensitivity analysis, are the degradation constants, K(ow), the Henry's law constant, vapour pressure, active sediment depth, sediment resuspension, and deposition rates, and water residence time in the lagoon.     

Identifying socioeconomic and biophysical factors driving forest loss in protected areas

Protected areas (PAs) are a commonly used strategy to confront forest conversion and biodiversity loss. Although determining drivers of forest loss is central to conservation success, understanding of them is limited by conventional modeling assumptions. We used random forest regression to evaluate potential drivers of deforestation in PAs in Mexico, while accounting for nonlinear relationships and higher order interactions underlying deforestation processes. Socioeconomic drivers (e.g., road density, human population density) and underlying biophysical conditions (e.g., precipitation, distance to water, elevation, slope) were stronger predictors of forest loss than PA characteristics, such as age, type, and management effectiveness. Within PA characteristics, variables reflecting collaborative and equitable management and PA size were the strongest predictors of forest loss, albeit with less explanatory power than socioeconomic and biophysical variables. In contrast to previously used methods, which typically have been based on the assumption of linear relationships, we found that the associations between most predictors and forest loss are nonlinear. Our results can inform decisions on the allocation of PA resources by strengthening management in PAs with the highest risk of deforestation and help preemptively protect key biodiversity areas that may be vulnerable to deforestation in the future.     

INTERSTATE AND INTERNATIONAL AQUIFERS1

Many important groundwater aquifers cross state and national boundaries. The flow of water in these aquifers is not influenced by the boundaries but may be materially influenced by mans activities on one or both sides of a boundary. Interstate and international problems may develop because of excessive groundwater lowering on one side of a boundary affecting water users on the opposite side of the line. Similarly, intensive groundwater development along a surface stream may influence the amount of surface water that flows across a boundary. A third type of problem may develop when pumping on one side of the boundary induces poor quality water into an aquifer on the other side of the boundary. Several specific interstate and international aquifer problems are briefly described.