\n\nCONCLUSION: Ets-1 may contribute to the pathologic progress of the diabetic retina induced by VEGF.”
“In 2008, a northwest Texas feedlot underwent an outbreak of Bovine Selleckchem MK-2206 viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) causing high morbidity and mortality involving 2 lots of calves (lots A and B). Severe mucosal surface lesions were observed grossly in the oral cavity, larynx, and esophagus. Mucosal lesions varied from small (1-3 mm) infrequent mucosal ulcerations to large (5 mm to 1 cm) and coalescing ulcerations. Necrotic debris was present in ulcerations of some mortalities with some having plaque-like debris, but other mortalities presented more proliferative lesions. A calf persistently

infected with BVDV arrived with one lot and the isolated virus was genotyped as BVDV-1b. Identical BVDV-1b strains were isolated from 2 other mortalities. A BVDV-2a genotype was also isolated in this outbreak. This genotype was identical to all BVDV-2a strains isolated in both lots. Serum samples were collected from exposed and unexposed animals and tested for antibodies for multiple viral pathogens. Seropositivity ranged from zero percent for calicivirus to 100% positive to Pseudocowpox

virus. At the end of the feeding period, the morbidity and mortality for the 2 lots involved was 76.2% and 30.8%, respectively, for lot A, and 49.0% and 5.6%, respectively, for lot B. Differential diagnoses included vesicular stomatitis viruses, Bovine papular stomatitis virus, and Foot-and-mouth disease virus. Based on the present case, acute BVDV should be considered when mucosal lesions are observed grossly.”
“Background: SBE-β-CD The interpretation of the fetal heart rate (FHR) signal considering labor progression may improve perinatal morbidity and mortality. However, there have been few studies that evaluate the fetus in each labor stage quantitatively. Aim: To evaluate whether the entropy indices of FHR are different according to labor progression. Study design: A retrospective comparative study of FHR recordings in three groups: 280 recordings

in the second stage of labor before vaginal delivery, 31 recordings in the first stage of labor before emergency cesarean delivery, and 23 recordings in the pre-labor before elective TPCA-1 order cesarean delivery. Subjects: The stored FHR recordings of external cardiotocography during labor. Outcome measures: Approximate entropy (ApEn) and sample entropy (SampEn) for the final 2000 RR intervals. Results: The median ApEn and SampEn for the 2000 RR intervals showed the lowest values in the second stage of labor, followed by the emergency cesarean group and the elective cesarean group for all time segments (all P smaller than 0.001). Also, in the second stage of labor, the final 5 min of 2000 RR intervals had a significantly lower median ApEn (0.49 vs. 0.44, P = 0.001) and lower median SampEn (034 vs. 0.29, P smaller than 0.001) than the initial 5 min of 2000 RR intervals.

Crabs were monitored weekly for the presence of eggs. Clutch quality and larval Bromosporine viability were assessed for each clutch. Crabs produced up to 7 clutches over 1 to 2 spawning seasons and survived up to 394 d after the terminal molt. Time to first clutch and time between clutches were positively correlated with carapace width and best described by degree-days, physiological time calculated

as a thermal integral. Size at maturity was negatively correlated with water temperature on the day of the terminal molt. Egg lipid content (mean = 79.2% of dry mass), egg diameter (mean = 267.5 mu m), larval carapace width (mean = 278.4 mu m), and larval survival time without food (mean = 3.4 d) were similar for all clutches. The percentage of embryos developing normally decreased 40% from Clutch 1 to 4, and clutch volume decreased 50% from Clutch 1 to 5. Thus, most of a crab’s reproductive output is from the first few clutches. Realistic estimates of fecundity and reproductive potential are essential for accurate spawning stock assessment and population modeling.”
“Magnetic property of anorthic phase Ag2Mo2O7

nanowires with width of 2 mu m and length up to 40 mu m synthesized by hydrothermal method was studied for the first time. The Ag2Mo2O7 nanowires exhibit ferromagnetic property at room temperature with coercivity 127.7 Oe and remanent magnetization 16.9 x 10(-3) emu/g. The magnetic mechanism has been discussed according to the calculated results Quisinostat inhibitor of the spin-polarized density functional theory

(DFT), which was carried out by the Vienna ab initio Simulation Package (VASP) using projector augmented wave (PAW) pseudopotential to describe the interaction between electron and ion for Ag2Mo2O7 crystal, demonstrating that the magnetism is caused by oxygen vacancies. The photoluminescence spectrum measured at room temperature also indicates the oxygen vacancies in the Ag2Mo2O7 nanowires. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Introduction: Although the dentoalveolar and skeletal effects MI-503 of rapid maxillary expansion are well documented, the condylar response to this procedure is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to test the following null hypothesis: rapid maxillary expansion promotes immediate changes of the position of the condyles in patients with Class I malocclusion. Methods: Thirty-four subjects with Class I malocclusion underwent rapid maxillary expansion. Cone-beam computed tomography images were collected before activation of the expander and 3 weeks later, after screw stabilization. Using specific software functions, it was possible to determine and reproduce head positioning and landmarks during the different times of the study. Results: The axial, coronal, and sagittal planes were examined, and no asymmetries in condylar positions were found at either time.

There were several significant findings : 1) related subsidence [T-score (p=0.039) and anterior osteophyte (p=0.009)], 2) accompanying posterior osteophyte and outcome (p=0.05).\n\nConclusion : Cage subsidence and osteophyte formation were GM6001 order radiologically observed in most cases. Low T-scores may have led to subsidence and kyphosis during bone fusion although severe neurologic aggravation was not found, and therefore cylindrical cages should be used in selected cases.”
“Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine age at menopause and the prevalence of menopausal symptoms among women in a community in Babol,

Iran, and then identify the factors associated with these symptoms and age.\n\nMethods: A retrospective, descriptive, epidemiological study was conducted on the characteristics of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. A total of 1,397 individuals aged 45 to 63 years were selected using a standard cluster sampling technique. The questionnaire used included menopausal symptoms, menopause status, causes of menopause, use of hormones, reproductive history, and sociodemographic factors. A standard questionnaire

named Symptom ScoreCard was used to assess the frequency and severity of menopausal symptoms. The data were analyzed by chi(2) analysis, t test, analysis of variance, and adjusted odds GSK923295 concentration ratios with their 95% CIs.\n\nResults: Recalled mean +/- SD age at natural menopause was 47.7 +/- 4.9 years. No significant difference by age at menopause was observed in sociodemographic data, smoking status, reproductive history, and oral contraceptive use. The most prevalent symptoms were irritability (72.1%), joint pain

(70.6%), and depression (59.7%) during the previous 2 weeks. An increase in the percentage of occurrence and severity of some symptoms with transition to menopause was observed. The total score for menopausal symptoms was 13.0 +/- 7.7. High economic situation (odds ratio, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.37-2.58) was a factor significantly associated with a total menopausal score of higher than 15.\n\nConclusions: This study shows P5091 a high prevalence of menopausal symptoms and an earlier mean age at menopause (47.7 y) for women in a community in Babol, Iran. It would be beneficial to establish a menopausal clinic in primary healthcare centers for the clinical staff to monitor postmenopausal women.”
“Hypertension is a common chronic medical condition affecting over 65 million Americans. Uncontrolled hypertension can progress to a hypertensive crisis defined as a systolic blood pressure >180 mm Hg or a diastolic blood pressure >120 mm Hg. Hypertensive crisis can be further classified as a hypertensive urgency or hypertensive emergency depending on end-organ involvement including cardiac, renal, and neurologic injury. The prompt recognition of a hypertensive emergency with the appropriate diagnostic tests and triage will lead to the adequate reduction of blood pressure, ameliorating the incidence of fatal outcomes.

RESULTS: selleck screening library One hundred twenty patients with AFLUS underwent thyroidectomy; 18 (15%) had carcinoma. FSE altered management in 36 (62%) of the 58 patients-32 with benign disease and 4 with cancer who underwent lobectomy and total thyroidectomy, respectively. Total thyroidectomy without FSE was performed in 61 (51%) patients with sonographically. confirmed bilateral disease. FSE had a 36.4% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% positive predictive value, 87% negative predictive

value, and 88% accuracy. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound in combination with FSE is of value for determining the extent of thyroidectomy in patients with AFLUS. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“The amygdala is implicated in chronic pain-induced emotional changes. Chronic pain induces plastic

changes of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) functions in the brain including the amygdala. D-Serine is synthesized endogenously by serine racemase and modulates NMDAR-mediated synaptic transmission as a coagonist of glycine binding site. To clarify the functional roles of endogenous DMH1 TGF-beta/Smad inhibitor D-serine in chronic pain-induced plasticity of NMDAR mediated synaptic transmission, we investigated the NMDAR-mediated excitatory synaptic current (EPSC) of neurons in the latero-capsular division of the central amygdala (CeLC) using brain slices from serine racemase knockout (SR-KO) mice with chronic pain induced by monoarthritis. The decay time of NMDAR-mediated EPSC was significantly elongated by monoarthritis in wild type (WT) mice, but not in SR-KO mice. The D-serine application-induced increase of NMDAR-mediated EPSC was significantly facilitated by monoarthritis in WT mice, but not in SR-KO mice. These results suggest that endogenous D-serine facilitates chronic pain-induced plastic

changes of NMDAR mediated synaptic transmission in CeLC. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Electrical stimulation of cutaneous tissue through surface electrodes is an often used method for evoking experimental pain. However, at painful intensities both non-nociceptive www.selleckchem.com/products/BI6727-Volasertib.html A beta-fibers and nociceptive A delta- and C-fibers may be activated by the electrical stimulation. This study proposes a finite element (FE) model of the extracellular potential and stochastic branching fiber model of the afferent fiber excitation thresholds. The FE model described four horizontal layers; stratum corneum, epidermis, dermis, and hypodermal used to estimate the excitation threshold of A beta-fibers terminating in dermis and A delta-fibers terminating in epidermis. The perception thresholds of 11 electrodes with diameters ranging from 0.2 to 20 mm were modeled and assessed on the volar forearm of healthy human volunteers by an adaptive two-alternative forced choice algorithm. The model showed that the magnitude of the current density was highest for smaller electrodes and decreased through the skin.

These results suggest that an increase in intracellular cAMP levels upregulates TAFI expression in the cells in accompaniment with an elevation of TAFI mRNA levels,and that the elevated mRNA levels are derived from both transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulations of the TAFI gene mediated by activation of the AMP/PKA signaling pathway.”
“In the last decade, biologic agents, in particular anti-TNF agents such as infliximab, adalimumab, and certolizumab have substantially extended the therapeutic armamentarium of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Additional approaches include biologicals, such XMU-MP-1 cost as natalizumab, that block

leucocyte adhesion; those that target cytokines, such as interleukin-12/23 antibodies; or those that inhibit. T-cell signaling, such as interleukin-6 receptor antibodies. However,

these drugs have a number of contraindications and side effects, especially when used in combination with classical immunosuppressive agents or corticosteroids. Areas of concern include opportunistic infections, malignancies, and miscellaneous complications such as injection/infusion reactions and autoimmunity and contraindications, such as heart failure and acute infectious diseases. In this review, the indications of biologicals in IBD treatment are briefly reported, and the potential disadvantages of a more active therapeutic approach in IBD are discussed. We have learned in the last decade that anti-TNF-alpha therapy is an effective and Pevonedistat relatively safe treatment option for selected patients that changes the natural course of severe IBD. However, despite these changed therapeutic paradigms and goals Liproxstatin1 in IBD, clinicians should be aware that the powerful immunosuppressive capacity of biologicals necessitates a rigorous long-term safety follow-up.

(C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“The quantitative underpinning of the information content of biosequences represents an elusive goal and yet also an obvious prerequisite to the quantitative modeling and study of biological function and evolution. Several past studies have addressed the question of what distinguishes biosequences from random strings, the latter being clearly unpalatable to the living cell. Such studies typically analyze the organization of biosequences in terms of their constituent characters or substrings and have, in particular, consistently exposed a tenacious lack of compressibility on behalf of biosequences. This article attempts, perhaps for the first time, an assessement of the structure and randomness of polypeptides in terms on newly introduced parameters that relate to the vocabulary of their (suitably constrained) subsequences rather than their substrings. It is shown that such parameters grasp structural/functional information, and are related to each other under a specific set of rules that span biochemically diverse polypeptides.

We also found Drosophila tropicalis to be infected with the wAu strain and a Drosophila paulistorum Andean-Brazilian semispecies laboratory

line to be infected with a wAu-like Wolbachia. Moreover, we observed that all Drosophila willistoni samples tested with the VNTR-141 marker harbor the same Wolbachia variant, wWil, either in populations from the South or the North of Brazil. Horizontal transfer events involving species of Old World immigrants and Neotropical species of the willistoni subgroup are discussed. (C) 2013 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.”
“The biocatalytic buy NU7441 cascade conversion of ethyl 4-chloroacetoacetate (COBE) to ethyl (R)-4-cyano-3-hydroxybutyrate ((R)-HN) for the preparation of atorvastatin represents significant economic and environmental benefits, and is catalyzed by alcohol dehydrogenase and halohydrin dehalogenase (HHDH). However, as the activity of HHDH is inhibited by COBE, the cascade reaction is an inefficient one-pot reaction. In this study, substrate inhibition kinetics analysis was performed and the inhibition by COBE was found to be competitive reversible inhibition. Molecular simulation analysis was used to determine the inhibition mechanism by COBE. The results showed that COBE bound to the active center of HHDH via the formation of hydrogen bonds with the OH groups of S132 and Y145. Site saturation mutagenesis of residues around the active site

and at the entrance buy GDC-0941 of the access tunnel was performed, and two target mutant residues were identified, F136 and W249. Small focused mutagenesis on these two residues was performed and the F136V/W249F mutant was successfully found to relieve the activity inhibition of HHDH by COBE. The half inhibiting concentration of mutant F136V/W249F was found to be 20-fold higher than wild-type HHDH. The efficiency of the multi-enzymatic one-pot system for the synthesis of (R)-HN from COBE

using mutant F136V/W249F was improved significantly.”
“Heat shock proteins (HSP) are induced during cellular stress. Their role is to chaperone cellular proteins giving protection from denaturation and ultimately preventing cell death. Monocytes are key cells involved in atherosclerosis and are highly responsive to HSP induction. Therefore, we wished to examine monocyte Hsp70 expression and this website induction in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and in healthy controls.\n\nWe measured cellular Hsp70 levels in freshly isolated monocytes and released Hsp70 levels in plasma and monocyte culture supernatants, obtained from patients with PAD and from healthy controls. We assessed the effect of statin therapy on Hsp70 levels and examined monocyte cell survival in culture with and without immunological stress.\n\nMonocyte cellular Hsp70 was lower in patients with PAD compared to healthy controls (11.3 +/- 7.4 ng/10(6) cells vs 20.7 +/- 16.

Patients with asymLVD were older, had lower glomerular filtration rate, higher levels of glycated hemoglobin, C reactive protein, LV mass, relative wall

thickness and prevalence of valve calcifications. Older age (HR 1.1 [1.02-1.18], p = 0.01), aortic valve calcifications (HR 6.3 [1.31-30.31], p = 0.02), LV concentric geometry defined as relative wall thickness >= 0.43 (HR 15.44 [2.96-80.44], p = 0.001) were independent predictors of asymLVD at multivariate analysis.\n\nConclusions: Using Smad inhibitor suitable echocardiographic indexes, asymLVD is detectable in two/third of DM patients without overt cardiac disease and is predicted by older age, cardiac valve calcifications and LV concentric remodeling. (C) 2013 Elsevier LY2090314 nmr Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Background: Pharmaceutical representatives provide medicines information on their promoted products to doctors. However, studies have shown that the quality of this information is often low. No study has assessed the medicines information provided by pharmaceutical representatives to doctors in Malaysia and no recent evidence in Australia

is present. We aimed to compare the provision of medicines information by pharmaceutical representatives to doctors in Australia and Malaysia.\n\nMethods: Following a pharmaceutical representative’s visit, general practitioners in Australia and Malaysia who had agreed to participate, were asked to fill out a questionnaire on the main product and claims discussed during the encounter. The questionnaire focused on provision

of product information including indications, adverse effects, precautions, contraindications and the provision of information on the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (PBS) listings and restrictions (in Australia only). Descriptive statistics were produced. Chi-square analysis and clustered linear regression were used to assess differences in Australia and Malaysia.\n\nResults: Significantly more approved product information sheets were provided in Malaysia (78%) than in Australia (53%) (P < 0.001). In both countries, general IPI-145 supplier practitioners reported that indications (Australia, 90%, Malaysia, 93%) and dosages (Australia, 76%, Malaysia, 82%) were frequently provided by pharmaceutical representatives. Contraindications, precautions, drug interactions and adverse effects were often omitted in the presentations (range 25% – 41%). General practitioners in Australia and Malaysia indicated that in more than 90% of presentations, pharmaceutical representatives partly or fully answered their questions on contraindications, precautions, drug interactions and adverse effects. More general practitioners in Malaysia (85%) than in Australia (60%) reported that pharmaceutical representatives should have mentioned contraindications, precautions for use, drug interaction or adverse effects spontaneously (P < 0.001).

Knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) among primary healthcare professionals (HCPs) regarding dengue diseases may pace alarm and improve the outcome of dengue control.\n\nMethods: A cross-sectional survey using a structured quiz in 264 HCPs (response rate, 76%) was conducted in Tainan City in southern Taiwan. The quiz consisted of 10 questions regarding the control measures, notification,

and clinical practices of dengue diseases. Scores of KAP and demographic characteristics of HCPs were analyzed.\n\nResults: One hundred thirty-four physicians and 130 nurses comprise the 264 HCP responders. Forty-three physicians (32%) and 80 nurses (61.5%) were practicing in medical centers, and they scored higher than nonmedical center peers on quizzes on notification (1.18 vs. 0.93 points, p < 0.01) but lower on control measures (3.52 vs. 3.22 points, selleck inhibitor p < 0.01). Fifty-seven

physicians (42.5%) were experienced in reporting suspected dengue cases, and 13.1% of nurses had reported dengue cases. Three-fourths of HCPs failed to respond to the timing of dengue case notification, whereas nurses scored higher than physicians (0.34 vs. 0.16, p < 0.01). In addition, https://www.selleckchem.com/products/sbe-b-cd.html 57.2% of the HCPs failed to respond correctly to the timing of typical skin rashes occurring in the patients with dengue. More than half of the HCPs considered Taiwan an endemic area of dengue diseases.\n\nConclusion: This pilot study showed a lack of

acquaintance with notification timing and important clinical features of dengue among HCPs in southern Taiwan. Future continued medical/nursing education should place more emphasis on these factors to improve dengue control in this demographic area. Copyright (C) 2012, Elsevier Taiwan LLC Et Formosan Medical Association. All rights reserved.”
“Background: Epidermal growth LBH589 datasheet factor receptor inhibitors are widely prescribed anticancer drugs. Patients treated commonly develop dermatologic adverse drugs reactions, but rarely they are involved in systematic evaluation of their quality of life. This monocentric cross sectional study is carried out to assess quality of life in colon cancer patients experienced skin side effects due to anti epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors therapy.\n\nMethods: Consecutive patients with skin side effects to therapy treated at Fondazione Poliambulanza were enrolled in this study. Quality of life was evaluated with the Italian validated version of Skindex-29 questionnaire, exploring three dimensions: symptoms, emotional, and physical functioning. Skindex-29 was administered one time between the eighth and the twelfth week of the treatment.\n\nResults: Forty-five consecutive patients, mainly with metastatic colon cancer (29 female, 16 male), with an average age of 59.31 years (ranging from 34-78) were included in the study and analyzed.

Such a questionnaire may represent a new tool for the therapeutic management of HIV-infected patients. Further steps are required to complete these results.”
“Reconstructive surgery of the head and neck region has undergone tremendous advancement over the past three decades, and the success rate of free tissue transfers has risen to greater than 95%. It must always be considered that not all patients are ideal candidates for free flap reconstruction, and also that not every defect strictly requires a free flap transfer to achieve good functional

results. At our institution, free flap reconstruction is first choice, although we use pedicled alternative flaps for most weak patients suffering from severe comorbidities, and for pretreated Stem Cells & Wnt inhibitor patients presenting a second primary buy LB-100 or a recurrent cancer. From July 2006 to May 2010, 54 consecutive patients underwent soft tissue reconstruction of oral cavity and oropharyngeal defects. We divided the cohort in three groups: Group 1 (G1): 16 patients in good general conditions that received free radial forearm flap reconstruction; Group 2 (G2): 18 high-risk patients that received a reconstruction with infrahyoid flap; Group 3 (G3): 20 patients that received temporal flap (10 cases) or pectoral

flap (10 cases) reconstruction. We must highlight that pedicled alternative flaps were used in elderly, unfavourable and weak patients, where usually the medical costs tend to rise rather than decrease. We compared the healthcare costs of the three groups, calculating real costs in each group Bromosporine concentration from review of medical records and operating room registers, and calculating the corresponding DRG system reimbursement. For real costs, we found a statistically significant difference among groups: in G1 the average total cost per patient was

(sic) 22,924, in G2 it was (sic) 18,037 and in G3 was (sic) 19,872 (p = 0.043). The amount of the refund, based on the DRG system, was (sic) 7,650 per patient, independently of the type of surgery. Our analysis shows that the use of alternative non-microvascular techniques, in high-risk patients, is functionally and oncologically sound, and can even produce a cost savings. In particular, the infrahyoid flap (G2) ensures excellent functional results, accompanied by the best economic savings in the worst group of patients. Our data reflect a large disconnection between the DRG system and actual treatment costs.”
“Tuftsin (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg) is a natural immunomodulating peptide found to stimulate phagocytosis in macrophages/microglia. Tuftsin binds to the receptor neuropilin-1 (Nrp1) on the surface of cells. Nrp1 is a single-pass transmembrane protein, but its intracellular C-terminal domain is too small to signal independently. Instead, it associates with a variety of coreceptors. Despite its long history, the pathway through which tuftsin signals has not been described.

(C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“We have studied the 5-acetamido-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-sulphonamide compound and characterized it by infrared and Raman spectroscopy in the solid phase. The Density Functional Theory (DFT) method together with Pople’s basis set show that two stable molecules for the compound have been theoretically determined in the gas phase, and that only the more stable conformation is present in the solid phase, as was experimentally observed. The harmonic vibrational wavenumbers for the optimized geometry were calculated at B3LYP/6-31G* and B3LYP/6-311++G** levels at the proximity of the isolated molecule. For a complete assignment of the vibrational spectra in

the compound solid, DFT calculations were combined with Pulays Scaled Quantum selleck kinase inhibitor Mechanics Force Field (SQMFF) methodology in order to fit the theoretical wavenumber values to the experimental ones. In this way, a complete assignment of all of the observed bands in the infrared spectrum for the compound was performed. The natural bond orbital (NBO) study reveals the characteristics of the electronic

delocalization of the two structures, while the corresponding topological properties of electronic charge density are analysed by employing Bader’s Atoms in the Molecules theory (AIM). (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“The dominant pools of C and N in the terrestrial biosphere are in soils, and understanding what factors control the rates at which these pools cycle is essential in understanding soil CO2 production and N availability. selleck chemicals Many previous studies EPZ5676 have examined large scale patterns in decomposition of C and N in plant litter and organic soils, but few have done so in mineral soils, and fewer have looked beyond ecosystem specific, regional, or gradient-specific drivers. In this study, we

examined the rates of microbial respiration and net N mineralization in 84 distinct mineral soils in static laboratory incubations. We examined patterns in C and N pool sizes, microbial biomass, and process rates by vegetation type (grassland, shrubland, coniferous forest, and deciduous/broadleaf forest). We also modeled microbial respiration and net N mineralization in relation to soil and site characteristics using structural equation modeling to identify potential process drivers across soils. While we did not explicitly investigate the influence of soil organic matter quality, microbial community composition, or clay mineralogy on microbial process rates in this study, our models allow us to put boundaries on the unique explanatory power these characteristics could potentially provide in predicting respiration and net N mineralization. Mean annual temperature and precipitation, soil C concentration, microbial biomass, and clay content predicted 78% of the variance in microbial respiration, with 61% explained by microbial biomass alone.