A human-driven decline in global burned area.

Fire is an essential Earth system process that alters ecosystem and atmospheric composition. Here we assessed long-term fire trends using multiple satellite data sets. We found that global burned area declined by 24.3 ± 8.8% over the past 18 years. The estimated decrease in burned area remained robust after adjusting for precipitation variability and was largest in savannas. Agricultural expansion and intensification were primary drivers of declining fire activity. Fewer and smaller fires reduced aerosol concentrations, modified vegetation structure, and increased the magnitude of the terrestrial carbon sink. Fire models were unable to reproduce the pattern and magnitude of observed declines, suggesting that they may overestimate fire emissions in future projections. Using economic and demographic variables, we developed a conceptual model for predicting fire in human-dominated landscapes.

Take a Stand!-a multi-component intervention aimed at reducing sitting time among office workers-a cluster randomized trial.

Background: Prolonged sitting time has been associated with adverse health outcomes. Interventions at work may contribute to reduced sitting. The objective was to test if a multicomponent work-based intervention can reduce sitting time and the number of prolonged sitting periods (> 30 min), increase the number of sit-to-stand transitions and decrease waist circumference and body fat percentage among office workers. Primary outcomes were: change in sitting time, prolonged sitting periods and sit-to-stand transitions at follow-up 1 month later. Methods: At four workplaces, 19 offices (317 workers in total) were cluster randomized for intervention or control. The intervention included the appointment of local ambassadors, management support, environmental changes, a lecture and a workshop. Sitting time was measured using an ActiGraph GT3X+ fixed on the thigh. Data were processed using Acti4 software providing data on time spent sitting, standing and doing other activities. Control participants were instructed to behave as usual. Follow-up measurements were obtained after 1 and 3 months. Results: At 1 and 3 months, total sitting time was 71 ( P < 0.001) and 48 min ( P < 0.001) lower per 8-h workday in the intervention group compared with the control group. At 1 month, the number of prolonged sitting periods was lower (-0.79/8-h workday, P < 0.001) and sit-to-stand transitions were higher (+14%/sitting hour, P = 0.001) in the intervention compared with the control group. After 3 months, trends persisted. The body fat percentage was lower by 0.61 percentage points ( P = 0.011) in the intervention group compared with the control group after 3 months. Conclusions: The multicomponent workplace-based intervention was effective in reducing sitting time, prolonged sitting periods and body fat percentage, and in increasing the number of sit-to-stand transitions.

A randomized study on hormone-resistant prostatic cancer: estramustine phosphate versus low dose epirubicin with or without medroxyprogesterone acetate. A Norwegian multicenter study.

A prospective randomized study has been carried out in order to compare three different treatment modalities for symptomatic metastatic hormone-resistant prostatic cancer. A total of 79 patients were included. One group was treated with estramustine phosphate, another with Epirubicin plus Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), while the third arm consisted of Epirubicin plus placebo. Best palliation was obtained by the combination of Epirubicin and MPA. This combination also seemed to be associated with the longest response duration.

Noninvasive evaluation of the enlarged prostate preliminary results.

The choice between a conventional endoscopic examination of the prostate and a noninvasive technique with ultrasound raises a basic question: Which method is most reliable and informative yet has an acceptable costbenefit ratio? One hundred patients selected on the basis of fixed criteria were examined by ultrasonography and so far 50 have been operated on. Pathologic conditions were observed in the upper urinary tract at ultrasonography in 18% of the cases. The method was found reliable as a basis for the choice between open prostatectomy and transurethral resection. Noninvasive examination of patients with an enlarged prostate is a reliable method in the preoperative evaluation. The method is convenient to the patient and no more time-consuming than cystoscopy. The capital investment in ultrasound is high, but the cost per examination low.