Biodiversity loss reduces global terrestrial carbon storage.

Natural ecosystems store large amounts of carbon globally, as organisms absorb carbon from the atmosphere to build large, long-lasting, or slow-decaying structures such as tree bark or root systems. An ecosystem's carbon sequestration potential is tightly linked to its biological diversity. Yet when considering future projections, many carbon sequestration models fail to account for the role biodiversity plays in carbon storage. Here, we assess the consequences of plant biodiversity loss for carbon storage under multiple climate and land-use change scenarios. We link a macroecological model projecting changes in vascular plant richness under different scenarios with empirical data on relationships between biodiversity and biomass. We find that biodiversity declines from climate and land use change could lead to a global loss of between 7.44-103.14 PgC (global sustainability scenario) and 10.87-145.95 PgC (fossil-fueled development scenario). This indicates a self-reinforcing feedback loop, where higher levels of climate change lead to greater biodiversity loss, which in turn leads to greater carbon emissions and ultimately more climate change. Conversely, biodiversity conservation and restoration can help achieve climate change mitigation goals.

A Conceptual Framework to Integrate Biodiversity, Ecosystem Function, and Ecosystem Service Models.

Global biodiversity and ecosystem service models typically operate independently. Ecosystem service projections may therefore be overly optimistic because they do not always account for the role of biodiversity in maintaining ecological functions. We review models used in recent global model intercomparison projects and develop a novel model integration framework to more fully account for the role of biodiversity in ecosystem function, a key gap for linking biodiversity changes to ecosystem services. We propose two integration pathways. The first uses empirical data on biodiversity-ecosystem function relationships to bridge biodiversity and ecosystem function models and could currently be implemented globally for systems and taxa with sufficient data. We also propose a trait-based approach involving greater incorporation of biodiversity into ecosystem function models. Pursuing both approaches will provide greater insight into biodiversity and ecosystem services projections. Integrating biodiversity, ecosystem function, and ecosystem service modeling will enhance policy development to meet global sustainability goals.

Reference values of amino acids, acylcarnitines and succinylacetone by tandem mass spectrometry for use in newborn screening in southwest Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: Inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) represent an important public health problem due to current diagnosis and treatment limitations, poor life quality of affected patients, and consequent untimely child death. In contrast to classical methods, tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) has allowed simultaneous evaluation of multiple metabolites associated with IEM offering higher sensitivity, low false positive rates and high throughput. AIMS: Determine concentration levels for amino acids and acylcarnitines in blood of newborns from Colombia, to establish reference values for further use in diagnosis of IEM. METHODS: Implementation of a method to determine amino acids, acylcarnitines and succinylacetone in newborn dried blood spots using MS/MS, and its application in a cross-sectional study conducted in 891 healthy neonates from Cali and Quibdo cities is described. RESULTS: fifty-seven analytes that allow the diagnosis of more than 40 different pathologies were tested. The method showed to be linear, precise and accurate. Healthy neonates 1-18 days of age were included, 523 from Cali and 368 from Quibdo; 52% male and 48% female. Age-related differences on the concentration levels of amino acids and acylcarnitines were observed whereas no significant differences by gender were found. CONCLUSION: The study has contributed to reveal the usual concentration levels of amino acids, acylcarnitines and succinylacetone that could be used as reference for the establishment of a newborn metabolic screening program in Colombia.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Los Errores Innatos del metabolismo (EIM) representan un importante problema de salud pública debido a limitaciones en el tratamiento y diagnóstico oportuno, la pobre calidad de vida de los pacientes afectados, así como la muerte infantil prematura. Comparada con los métodos clásicos, la espectrometría de masas en tándem (MS/MS) ha permitido la evaluación simultánea de múltiples metabolitos asociados con EIM, con una alta sensibilidad, baja proporción de falsos positivos y alto rendimiento. OBJETIVOS: Determinar los niveles de concentración de aminoácidos y acilcarnitinas en sangre de recién nacidos de Colombia, para establecer los valores normales para usarlos como referencia en el diagnóstico de EIM. MÉTODOS: Aquí, se describe la implementación de un método para determinar aminoácidos, acilcarnitinas y succinilacetona en gotas de sangre seca de recién nacidos usando MS/MS, y su aplicación en un estudio de corte transversal realizado en 891 neonatos sanos de las ciudades de Cali y Quibdó. RESULTADOS: Se evaluaron 57 analitos que permiten el diagnóstico de más de 40 patologías diferentes. El método mostró ser lineal, preciso y exacto. Se incluyeron neonatos sanos de 1-18 días de edad, 523 de Cali y 368 de Quibdó, 52% hombres y 48% mujeres. Se observaron diferencias en los niveles de concentración de aminoácidos y acilcarnitinas relacionadas con la edad, mientras que no se encontraron diferencias significativas por sexo. CONCLUSIÓN: El estudio ha contribuido a revelar los niveles usuales de concentración de aminoácidos, acilcarnitinas y succinilacetona que pueden ser usados como referencia para el establecimiento del programa de tamizaje neonatal metabólico en Colombia.

Reference values of amino acids, acylcarnitines and succinylacetone by tandem mass spectrometry for use in newborn screening in southwest Colombia / Valores de referencia de aminoácidos, acilcarnitinas y succinilacetona por espectrometría de masas en tándem para su uso en el tamizaje neonatal en el suroccidente de Colombia

Abstract Introduction: Inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) represent an important public health problem due to current diagnosis and treatment limitations, poor life quality of affected patients, and consequent untimely child death. In contrast to classical methods, tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) has allowed simultaneous evaluation of multiple metabolites associated with IEM offering higher sensitivity, low false positive rates and high throughput. Aims: Determine concentration levels for amino acids and acylcarnitines in blood of newborns from Colombia, to establish reference values for further use in diagnosis of IEM. Methods: Implementation of a method to determine amino acids, acylcarnitines and succinylacetone in newborn dried blood spots using MS/MS, and its application in a cross-sectional study conducted in 891 healthy neonates from Cali and Quibdo cities is described. Results: fifty-seven analytes that allow the diagnosis of more than 40 different pathologies were tested. The method showed to be linear, precise and accurate. Healthy neonates 1-18 days of age were included, 523 from Cali and 368 from Quibdo; 52% male and 48% female. Age-related differences on the concentration levels of amino acids and acylcarnitines were observed whereas no significant differences by gender were found. Conclusion: The study has contributed to reveal the usual concentration levels of amino acids, acylcarnitines and succinylacetone that could be used as reference for the establishment of a newborn metabolic screening program in Colombia.

Resumen Introducción: Los Errores Innatos del metabolismo (EIM) representan un importante problema de salud pública debido a limitaciones en el tratamiento y diagnóstico oportuno, la pobre calidad de vida de los pacientes afectados, así como la muerte infantil prematura. Comparada con los métodos clásicos, la espectrometría de masas en tándem (MS/MS) ha permitido la evaluación simultánea de múltiples metabolitos asociados con EIM, con una alta sensibilidad, baja proporción de falsos positivos y alto rendimiento. Objetivos: Determinar los niveles de concentración de aminoácidos y acilcarnitinas en sangre de recién nacidos de Colombia, para establecer los valores normales para usarlos como referencia en el diagnóstico de EIM. Métodos: Aquí, se describe la implementación de un método para determinar aminoácidos, acilcarnitinas y succinilacetona en gotas de sangre seca de recién nacidos usando MS/MS, y su aplicación en un estudio de corte transversal realizado en 891 neonatos sanos de las ciudades de Cali y Quibdó. Resultados: Se evaluaron 57 analitos que permiten el diagnóstico de más de 40 patologías diferentes. El método mostró ser lineal, preciso y exacto. Se incluyeron neonatos sanos de 1-18 días de edad, 523 de Cali y 368 de Quibdó, 52% hombres y 48% mujeres. Se observaron diferencias en los niveles de concentración de aminoácidos y acilcarnitinas relacionadas con la edad, mientras que no se encontraron diferencias significativas por sexo. Conclusión: El estudio ha contribuido a revelar los niveles usuales de concentración de aminoácidos, acilcarnitinas y succinilacetona que pueden ser usados como referencia para el establecimiento del programa de tamizaje neonatal metabólico en Colombia.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency prevalence and genetic variants in malaria endemic areas of Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is an enzyme involved in prevention of cellular oxidative damage, particularly protecting erythrocytes from haemolysis. An estimated 400 million people present variable degrees of inherited G6PD deficiency (G6PDd) which puts them at risk for developing haemolysis triggered by several risk factors including multiple drugs and certain foods. Primaquine (PQ) is a widely used anti-malarial drug that can trigger haemolysis in individuals with G6PDd. Intensification of malaria control programmes worldwide and particularly malaria elimination planning in some regions recommend a more extensive use of PQ and related drugs in populations with different G6PDd prevalence. This a preliminary study to assess the prevalence of G6PDd in representative malaria endemic areas of Colombia by measuring G6PD phonotype and genotypes. METHODS: Volunteers (n = 426) from four malaria endemic areas in Colombia (Buenaventura, Tumaco, Tierralta and Quibdo) were enrolled. Blood samples were drawn to evaluate G6PD enzymatic activity by using a quantitative G6PD test and a subset of samples was analysed by PCR-RFLP to determine the frequency of the three most common G6PD genotypic variants: A-, A+ and Mediterranean. RESULTS: A total of 28 individuals (6.56 %) displayed either severe or intermediate G6PDd. The highest prevalence (3.51 %) was in Buenaventura, whereas G6PDd prevalence was lower (<1 %) in Tierralta and Quibdo. G6PD A alleles were the most frequent (15.23 %) particularly in Buenaventura and Tumaco. Overall, a high frequency of G6PD A- genotype, followed by A+ genotype was found in the analysed population. CONCLUSIONS: G6PDd based on enzymatic activity as well as G6PD A allelic variants were found in malaria-endemic populations on the Pacific coast of Colombia, where most of malaria cases are caused by Plasmodium vivax infections. These infections are treated for 14 days with PQ, however there are no official reports of PQ-induced haemolytic crises. Further assessment of G6PDd prevalence in malaria endemic areas in Colombia is crucial in view of possible mass drug administration for malaria elimination in these regions, as well as implementation of appropriate G6PDd diagnostic methods.

Erratum to: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency prevalence and genetic variants in malaria endemic areas of Colombia.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s12936-016-1343-1.].