Meta-analysis reveals that pollinator functional diversity and abundance enhance crop pollination and yield

How insects promote crop pollination remains poorly understood in terms of the contribution of functional trait differences between species. We used meta-analyses to test for correlations between community abundance, species richness and functional trait metrics with oilseed rape yield, a globally important crop. While overall abundance is consistently important in predicting yield, functional divergence between species traits also showed a positive correlation. This result supports the complementarity hypothesis that pollination function is maintained by non-overlapping trait distributions. In artificially constructed communities (mesocosms), species richness is positively correlated with yield, although this effect is not seen under field conditions. As traits of the dominant species do not predict yield above that attributed to the effect of abundance alone, we find no evidence in support of the mass ratio hypothesis. Management practices increasing not just pollinator abundance, but also functional divergence, could benefit oilseed rape agriculture.

Insect pollination reduces yield loss following heat stress in faba bean (Vicia faba L.)

Global food security, particularly crop fertilization and yield production, is threatened by heat waves that are projected to increase in frequency and magnitude with climate change. Effects of heat stress on the fertilization of insect-pollinated plants are not well understood, but experiments conducted primarily in self-pollinated crops, such as wheat, show that transfer of fertile pollen may recover yield following stress. We hypothesized that in the partially pollinator-dependent crop, faba bean (Vicia faba L.), insect pollination would elicit similar yield recovery following heat stress. We exposed potted faba bean plants to heat stress for 5 days during floral development and anthesis. Temperature treatments were representative of heat waves projected in the UK for the period 2021-2050 and onwards. Following temperature treatments, plants were distributed in flight cages and either pollinated by domesticated Bombus terrestris colonies or received no insect pollination. Yield loss due to heat stress at 30 °C was greater in plants excluded from pollinators (15%) compared to those with bumblebee pollination (2.5%). Thus, the pollinator dependency of faba bean yield was 16% at control temperatures (18-26 °C) and extreme stress (34 °C), but was 53% following intermediate heat stress at 30 °C. These findings provide the first evidence that the pollinator dependency of crops can be modified by heat stress, and suggest that insect pollination may become more important in crop production as the probability of heat waves increases.

Species richness declines and biotic homogenisation have slowed down for NW-European pollinators and plants

Concern about biodiversity loss has led to increased public investment in conservation. Whereas there is a widespread perception that such initiatives have been unsuccessful, there are few quantitative tests of this perception. Here, we evaluate whether rates of biodiversity change have altered in recent decades in three European countries (Great Britain, Netherlands and Belgium) for plants and flower visiting insects. We compared four 20-year periods, comparing periods of rapid land-use intensification and natural habitat loss (1930-1990) with a period of increased conservation investment (post-1990). We found that extensive species richness loss and biotic homogenisation occurred before 1990, whereas these negative trends became substantially less accentuated during recent decades, being partially reversed for certain taxa (e.g. bees in Great Britain and Netherlands). These results highlight the potential to maintain or even restore current species assemblages (which despite past extinctions are still of great conservation value), at least in regions where large-scale land-use intensification and natural habitat loss has ceased.

Establishment of a cross-European field site network in the ALARM project for assessing large-scale changes in biodiversity

The field site network (FSN) plays a central role in conducting joint research within all Assessing Large-scale Risks for biodiversity with tested Methods (ALARM) modules and provides a mechanism for integrating research on different topics in ALARM on the same site for measuring multiple impacts on biodiversity. The network covers most European climates and biogeographic regions, from Mediterranean through central European and boreal to subarctic. The project links databases with the European-wide field site network FSN, including geographic information system (GIS)-based information to characterise the test location for ALARM researchers for joint on-site research. Maps are provided in a standardised way and merged with other site-specific information. The application of GIS for these field sites and the information management promotes the use of the FSN for research and to disseminate the results. We conclude that ALARM FSN sites together with other research sites in Europe jointly could be used as a future backbone for research proposals.

Knowledge about the Scottish Mental Health Act in a General Hospital Setting

Background

Clinical experience suggests that non-psychiatrists' knowledge of mental health legislation in relation to emergency detention is inadequate. However, most nonpsychiatrists will use this legislation at some point in their career.

Methodology

A questionnaire about emergency detention legislation was circulated to non-psychiatric medical staff to test their knowledge of the provisions relevant to the general hospital.

Results

Two hundred and seventy four medical staff replied (a response rate of 82%). Results showed that an understanding of detention procedures and applicability were markedly deficient, irrespective of grade, specialty or experience.

Conclusion

The results indicate a need for increased education and awareness about emergency detention legislation especially in view of the implementation of the Mental Health (Scotland) Act (2003).

Parallel Declines in Pollinators and Insect-Pollinated Plants in Britain and the Netherlands

Despite widespread concern about declines in pollination services, little is known about the patterns of change in most pollinator assemblages. By studying bee and hoverfly assemblages in Britain and the Netherlands, we found evidence of declines (pre-versus post-1980) in local bee diversity in both countries; however, divergent trends were observed in hoverflies. Depending on the assemblage and location, pollinator declines were most frequent in habitat and flower specialists, in univoltine species, and/or in nonmigrants. In conjunction with this evidence, outcrossing plant species that are reliant on the declining pollinators have themselves declined relative to other plant species. Taken together, these findings strongly suggest a causal connection between local extinctions of functionally linked plant and pollinator species.

Parallel declines in pollinators and insect-pollinated plants in Britain and the Netherlands

Despite widespread concern about declines in pollination services, little is known about the patterns of change in most pollinator assemblages. By studying bee and hoverfly assemblages in Britain and the Netherlands, we found evidence of declines (pre-versus post-1980) in local bee diversity in both countries; however, divergent trends were observed in hoverflies. Depending on the assemblage and location, pollinator declines were most frequent in habitat and flower specialists, in univoltine species, and/or in nonmigrants. In conjunction with this evidence, outcrossing plant species that are reliant on the declining pollinators have themselves declined relative to other plant species. Taken together, these findings strongly suggest a causal connection between local extinctions of functionally linked plant and pollinator species.

Illness behaviour in elite middle and long distance runners

OBJECTIVES

To examine the illness attitudes and beliefs known to be associated with abnormal illness behaviour (where symptoms are present in excess of objective signs and pathology) in elite middle and long distance runners, in comparison with non-athlete controls.

METHODS

A total of 150 athletes were surveyed using the illness behaviour questionnaire as an instrument to explore the psychological attributes associated with abnormal illness behaviour. Subjects also completed the general health questionnaire as a measure of psychiatric morbidity. A control group of 150 subjects, matched for age, sex, and social class, were surveyed using the same instruments.

RESULTS

A multivariate analysis of illness behaviour questionnaire responses showed that the athletes' group differed significantly from the control group (Hotelling's T: Exact F = 2.68; p = 0.01). In particular, athletes were more somatically focused (difference between means -0.27; 95% confidence interval -0.50 to -0.03) and more likely to deny the impact of stresses in their life (difference between means 0.78; 95% confidence interval 0.31 to 1.25). Athletes were also higher scorers on the Whiteley Index of Hypochondriasis (difference between means 0.76; 95% confidence interval 0.04 to 1.48). There were no differences in the levels of psychiatric morbidity between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The illness attitudes and beliefs of athletes differ from those of a well matched control population. The origin of these psychological attributes is not clear but those who treat athletes need to be aware of them.

Group psychological treatment for chest pain with normal coronary arteries

We used a psychological treatment package (education, relaxation, breathing training, graded exposure to activity and exercise, and challenging automatic thoughts about heart disease) to treat 60 patients who had continuing chest pain despite cardiological reassurance following haemodynamically normal angiography. The treatment was delivered in six sessions over eight weeks to groups of up to six patients. The patients kept daily records of chest pain episode frequency and nitrate use. Questionnaires were used to assess anxiety, depression and disability. Exercise tolerance was tested by treadmill electrocardiography, with capnographic assessment of hyperventilation. The results were compared with waiting-list controls. Treatment significantly reduced chest pain episodes (p < 0.01) from median 6.5 to 2.5 per week. There were significant improvements in anxiety and depression scores (p < 0.05), disability rating (p < 0.0001) and exercise tolerance (p < 0.05), and these were maintained at six month follow-up. Treatment reduced the prevalence of hyperventilation from 54% to 34% (p < 0.01) but not the prevalence of ECG-positive exercise tests. Patients continuing to attribute their pain to heart disease had poorer outcomes. Group psychological treatment for non-cardiac chest pain is feasible, reduces pain, psychological morbidity and disability, and improves exercise tolerance.

Psychological morbidity in patients with chest pain and normal or near-normal coronary arteries: a long-term follow-up study

Forty-six patients with chest pain but normal or near-normal coronary arteries were assessed using standardized interviews and rating scales at the time of angiography, after 1 year, and again 11.4 years later. Psychological morbidity was substantial and enduring: 61% of patients were designated as psychiatric cases at angiography and 49% at 11.4 years. Both at the time of angiography, and 1 year later, levels of morbidity were significantly greater than in a control group of 53 patients with coronary artery disease. Anxiety disorders were common at all three interviews, with panic disorder (15% of patients) the most common current diagnosis at final follow-up. Current somatoform disorders were diagnosed in 9 patients (22%), and 11 (27%) reported previous episodes of major depression. Psychological morbidity was associated with continuing chest pain, which was reported in 74% of patients, and with ongoing functional incapacity. These findings suggest that, in a sub-group of these patients, psychological factors contribute in part to the development of chest pain and other physical symptoms, and are also important in maintaining the disorder over long periods. Further research is now required to identify more fully the nature of these psychological factors, and how they interact with cardiac and non-cardiac physical pathology. There is also an urgent need to examine the clinical and economic benefits of specific psychological interventions.

Psychosocial outcome and use of medical resources in patients with chest pain and normal or near-normal coronary arteries: a long-term follow-up study

Forty-six patients who were investigated in 1979-80 for chest pain, and found to have normal or insignificantly narrowed coronary arteries on coronary angiography, were followed up after a mean interval of 11.4 years. Patients were interviewed and given standardized questionnaires covering chest pain and other physical symptoms, psychiatric morbidity, and functional capacity. Medical records for the follow-up period were reviewed, as were death certificates and post-mortem reports, where appropriate. All patients (100%) were traced to death or their current address. Four had died (11.4 year survival rate 91%), one from ischaemic heart disease. Continuing chest pain was reported by 74%, and in 16 patients (38%), chest pain was either frequent, severe or both. A poor outcome for chest pain was associated with other physical symptoms and increased psychiatric morbidity, which for the entire cohort was higher than at 1 year after angiography. Twenty-six patients (58%) had received further hospital treatment for chest pain, including, in six patients, further coronary angiography. Twenty-nine survivors (71%) were taking cardiac medication, 12 (29%) were unable to work for medical reasons, and levels of functional disability were similar to those found in patients with myocardial infarction or angina. This study confirms the findings of previous studies with shorter follow-up intervals. Mortality was low, but high levels of chest pain, psychological distress, and functional incapacity persisted long after angiography. Patients reported many physical symptoms other than chest pain, and had made heavy use of medical resources. For many patients, reassurance after angiography had been ineffective, and the prognosis was poor. Early identification and effective management of such patients could offer the NHS substantial savings.

Lithium intoxication presenting as a mixed misidentification syndrome

A case is reported of lithium intoxication presenting with a mixed misidentification syndrome including features of Capgras syndrome. CT scanning showed cerebral atrophy, greater on the right, consistent with earlier evidence, suggesting that misidentification syndromes are more common with right hemisphere lesions.