TRY plant trait database - enhanced coverage and open access

Plant traits-the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants-determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait-based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits-almost complete coverage for 'plant growth form'. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait-environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives.

P3793Spironolactone in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation, possible heart failure protective potential

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) promotes electrical, neurohormonal and structural remodeling of atria and ventricles. Long lasting AF leads to atrial interstitial fibrosis, apoptosis, loss of myofibrils and finally to heart failure (HF).

Purpose

The aim of the study was impact of aldosterone antagonist, spironolactone, on exercise tolerance and neurohormonal activity in patients with permanent AF without symptoms of HF.

Methods

In prospective, randomized study patients with permanent AF at least for 1 year, no signs and symptoms of HF and stable clinical condition were included. Patients were randomized to: beta-blocker plus spironolactone (dose: 25 mg) treatment and rate-control treatment with only beta-blocker. Propranolol, metoprolol and bisoprolol were used, doses were adjusted to achieve resting heart rate 60–80/min. Ergospirometry (CPX) and 6-minute walk (6-MWT) tests were performed during separate days.

Results

Study group consisted of 49 patients, 69% men, mean age 62.1±9.6 without structural and chronic active diseases, mean time of arrhythmia was 5.5 years, Q1: 2, Q3: 8 years. Follow-up was 11.2 months. All patients were treated with beta-blockers, 27 patients were treated with 25 mg spironolactone. Surprisingly physical capacity in 6-minute walk test (6-MWT) in studied patients was not significantly reduced in comparison with values ranges for healthy volunteers. After 11.2 months follow-up significantly longer exercise time (433±113 vs. 367±162 sec, p<0.05) and lower maximal HR (159±25 vs. 165±22 beats/min, p<0.0550) were observed in spironolactone treated group. Other CPX variables did not differ significantly between groups after 11,2 months: VO2: 20.7±5.1 vs. 20.1±4.8 [ml/kg/min]; VO2 as % of normal value: 78.4±15.2 vs. 76.8±15.2; O2 pulse: 12±2.8 vs. 12.7±3.6 [ml/beat]; AT: 1.4±0.3, 1.6±0.5 [L/min]; VE: 74.9±20.0, 72.6±17.9 [L/min]. All spirometric variables worsened after 11.2 months: VC: 4.3±1.1 vs. 3.8±0.8 [L], p<0.0005, FVC: 4.2±1.1 vs. 3.8±1.0 p<0.005 [L], FEV1: 3.1±0.8 vs. 2.8±0.7 [L], p<0.01. In spironolactone treated group after 11.2 months BNP concentrations were significantly lower: Q1: 54, Q2: 83, Q3: 100 vs. Q1: 42, Q2: 93; Q3: 184 ng/L (p=0.025) and aldosterone levels were markedly increased: Q1: 216, Q2: 266; Q3:443 vs. Q1: 169; Q2: 228; Q3:294 ng/dL (p=0.0007).

Conclusions

In patients with permanent atrial fibrillation cardiopulmonary exercise responses were markedly abnormal, but exercise capacity was increased after spironolactone treatment. Deterioration of spirometry results might be due to beta-blocker treatment. In spironolactone treated group BNP levels were significantly lower what may correspond to its heart failure protective activity.