A survey is presented of the syntaxonomic status and the internal differentiation of the Genisto-Vaccinion Br.-Bl. 1926. This alliance comprises subalpine heathland communities of low mountain ranges in western Europe, which are dominated by Vaccinium and other dwarf-shrub species. The alliance is assigned to the class Nardo-Callunetea Preising 1949. All available relevés were analysed together according to the Braun-Blanquet approach. The floristic and ecological characteristics of the alliance are given, and the relationship to allied syntaxa is discussed. The Genisto-Vaccinion is divided into two suballiances, the Phyteumo-Vaccinenion and the Carici piluliferae-Vaccinenion. The Phyteumo-Vaccinenion is restricted to the upper belt of the subalpine zone, where it includes the major part of the natural climax vegetation. Two associations are distinguished, the Pulsatillo vernalis-Genistetum Quézel et Rioux 1954 and the Vaccinietum uliginosi-myrtilli Br.-Bl. 1926. The Carici piluliferae-Vaccinenion is bound to the lower belt of the subalpine zone; mostly, the communities have developed secondarily after cutting of the pre-existing woodlands, followed by cattle grazing. Within this suballiance, four associations are described, the Alchemillo saxatilis-Vaccinietum uliginosi Thébaud ex Schaminée et Hennekens 1992, the Allio victorialis-Vaccinietum Schaminée et Hennekens 1992, the Pulsatillo alpinae-Vaccinietum Carbiener 1966, and the Leontodonto-Vaccinietum myrtilli Bartsch et Bartsch 1940. The description of the associations includes an appropriate diagnosis and enumeration of the nomenclatural types.
Background: Some Bupleurum species, such as the Bupleurum chinense DC. or the Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd have been extensively studied (especially their roots) for the treatment of inflammation. In contrast, only compounds extracted from the aerial parts of Bupleurum rotundifolium have been studied and showed anti-inflammatory or antiproliferative activities. This study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects of Bupleurum rotundifolium roots. Methods: To tackle the various aspects of inflammation, we studied in vitro a methanolic extract from the roots of Bupleurum rotundifolium on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), and the monocytic cells THP-1. Its antioxidant capacities and iron-chelating activity were assessed. The extract was tested on THP-1 differentiation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by leukocytes, neutrophils chemotaxis, cytokines, PGE2 production, and NF-κB activation in PBMCs. Results: The extract showed a decreased ROS production in stimulated cells. It increased PBMC chemokine secretion and up-regulated the differentiation of THP-1 monocytes into macrophage-like cells, indicating a potential interest of the extract in the resolution of acute inflammation. In addition, the analysis of cytokine production suggests that Bupleurum rotundifolium has immunomodulatory properties. Conclusions: Cytokines secretion, especially IL-1β and IL-12p70, provided us with a set of indicators suggesting that the extract might be able to drive the polarization of macrophages and lymphocytes toward a Th2 anti-inflammatory profile in excessive inflammation. Formal analysis, J.C.; Funding acquisition, P.C.; Investigation, J.C.
Etude preliminaire des hauts-marais ombrotrophes du Forez septentrional et des Bois-Noirs (Massif central, France): vegetation, evolution et dynamique actuelle par Gilles The baud('), Herve CubizolleCZ) et Gilles Pete I e) (/) lnstitut des Herbiers universitaires,
The main concepts and definitions related to dynamic-catenal phytosociology are presented and discussed, in order to share common definitions within the French national program CarHAB dedicated to serial and catenal vegetation typology and mapping. Symphytosociology is based on serial approach and on the vegetation series concept, while Geosymphytosociology is based on catenal approach and on the geoseries concept.
Les tourbières du haut bassin versant de la Loire (Massif central oriental) Intérêts paléoenvironnemental et phytocénotique, enjeux socioéconomiques The mires of the Loire upstream catchment (Eastern Massif central): heritage value, phytocenotic interest and economic uses Hervé Cubizolle, Céline Sacca, Arnaud Tourman, Jérôme Porteret et Gilles Thébaud NOTE DE L'ÉDITEUR Cet article a été reçu le 25 mars 2004 et définitivement accepté le 1 er juillet 2004. Remerciements : Nous tenons à exprimer toute notre gratitude à nos partenaires institutionnels : conseils généraux, parcs naturels régionaux, communautés de communes, agence de l'Eau Loire-Bretagne. Au-delà de leurs appuis financiers indispensables à la pérennité des recherches, ils ont joué le jeu d'une véritable collaboration avec notre communauté scientifique permettant ainsi le développement des connaissances et l'évolution des modalités de gestion des tourbières dans l'intérêt bien compris de notre environnement. Nous remercions sincèrement les relecteurs pour leurs critiques et leurs suggestions qui ont contribué à améliorer sensiblement cet article 1 Malgré des superficies modestes, les hydrosystèmes tourbeux sont une des composantes biophysiques majeures et originales des moyennes montagnes du bassin amont de la Loire dans le Massif central oriental (fig. 1). Si de nombreux sites ont fait l'objet d'études techniques liées aux politiques environnementales, inventaires floristiques, cartographie des habitats dans le cadre de l'élaboration des documents d'objectif du réseau Natura 2000 ou études d'espaces naturels sensibles des départements, la recherche scientifique reste particulièrement déficitaire malgré quelques travaux importants en géomorphologie (Etlicher, 1986), en écologie (Francez, 1990), en phytosociologie Les tourbières du haut bassin versant de la Loire (Massif central oriental
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