1
|
Hellamand P, van de Sande MGH, Nurmohamed MT, van Vollenhoven RF, Hollick RJ, Rotariu O, Rotar Z, Pirkmajer KP, Nordström D, Hokkanen AM, Michelsen B, Kvien TK, Glintborg B, Hetland ML, Østergaard M, Loft AG, Pavelka K, Zavada J, Castrejon I, Otero-Varela L, Gudbjornsson B, Palsson O, Olofsson T, Wallman JK, Ciurea A, Nissen MJ, Yildirim TD, Onen F, Codreanu C, Mogosan C, Santos MJ, Vieira-Sousa E, Iannone F, Frediani B, Ørnbjerg LM, Twisk JWR, van der Horst-Bruinsma IE. Sex differences in patient-reported outcomes and the association with clinical factors in axial spondyloarthritis patients treated with tumour necrosis factor inhibitors. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2024:keae370. [PMID: 39041780 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keae370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate sex differences in patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) among axSpA patients initiating their first TNFi and identify factors contributing to these disparities over the follow-up. METHODS Data were included from 15 EuroSpA registries and consisted of axSpA patients initiating their first TNFi, with ≥2 measurements for each analysed PROM (BASDAI and BASFI, scale 0-100) taken at any time point. Linear mixed models were employed to analyse sex differences in PROMs over 24 months and to evaluate how baseline characteristics were related to the observed sex differences. RESULTS We analysed 13 102 (38% women) in the BASDAI analyses and 10 623 (38% women) in the BASFI analyses. At follow-up, mean sex differences in BASDAI increased from 4.3 units at baseline (95% CI, 3.5-5.1)-8.0 (7.2-8.8) at 6 months, and in BASFI from 2.2 (1.4-3.1)-4.6 (3.6-5.5), with consistently worse scores in women. Baseline characteristics could not substantially account for the observed sex differences over time; however, the magnitude of the sex differences was reduced by HLA-B27 positivity, longer disease duration, and increased CRP levels, but increased by TNFi initiation in later years and peripheral arthritis. CONCLUSION In axSpA patients initiating their first TNFi, baseline sex differences in BASDAI and BASFI increased two-fold after 6 months of treatment and persisted thereafter, with worse scores in women. Several baseline characteristics moderated the sex differences, though none could fully account for them. These findings improve our understanding of sex differences and underscore their importance in axSpA.
Collapse
|
2
|
Hilário S, Gonçalves MFM, Matos I, Rangel LF, Sousa JA, Santos MJ, Ayra-Pardo C. Comparative genomics reveals insights into the potential of Lysinibacillus irui as a plant growth promoter. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:370. [PMID: 38861018 PMCID: PMC11166776 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13210-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Members of the genus Lysinibacillus attract attention for their mosquitocidal, bioremediation, and plant growth-promoting abilities. Despite this interest, comprehensive studies focusing on genomic traits governing plant growth and stress resilience in this genus using whole-genome sequencing are still scarce. Therefore, we sequenced and compared the genomes of three endophytic Lysinibacillus irui strains isolated from Canary Island date palms with the ex-type strain IRB4-01. Overall, the genomes of these strains consist of a circular chromosome with an average size of 4.6 Mb and a GC content of 37.2%. Comparative analysis identified conserved gene clusters within the core genome involved in iron acquisition, phosphate solubilization, indole-3-acetic acid biosynthesis, and volatile compounds. In addition, genome analysis revealed the presence of genes encoding carbohydrate-active enzymes, and proteins that confer resistance to oxidative, osmotic, and salinity stresses. Furthermore, pathways of putative novel bacteriocins were identified in all genomes. This illustrates possible common plant growth-promoting traits shared among all strains of L. irui. Our findings highlight a rich repertoire of genes associated with plant lifestyles, suggesting significant potential for developing inoculants to enhance plant growth and resilience. This study is the first to provide insights into the overall genomic signatures and mechanisms of plant growth promotion and biocontrol in the genus Lysinibacillus. KEY POINTS: • Pioneer study in elucidating plant growth promoting in L. irui through comparative genomics. • Genome mining identified biosynthetic pathways of putative novel bacteriocins. • Future research directions to develop L. irui-based biofertilizers for sustainable agriculture.
Collapse
|
3
|
Rangel LF, Rocha S, Santos MJ. Synopsis of the species of Ortholinea Shulman, 1962 (Cnidaria: Myxosporea: Ortholineidae). Syst Parasitol 2024; 101:37. [PMID: 38700664 PMCID: PMC11068676 DOI: 10.1007/s11230-024-10155-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
A synopsis of Ortholinea Shulman, 1962 (Cnidaria: Myxosporea: Ortholineidae) is presented and identifies 26 nominal species presently allocated within this genus. Species morphological and morphometric features, tissue tropism, type-host, and type-locality are provided from original descriptions. Data from subsequent redescriptions and reports is also given. Accession numbers to sequences deposited in GenBank are indicated when available, and the myxospores were redrawn based on original descriptions. The information gathered shows that Ortholinea infect a wide taxonomic variety of freshwater and marine fish. Nonetheless, the broad host specificity reported for several species is not fully supported by morphological descriptions and requires molecular corroboration. The members of this genus are coelozoic and mainly parasitize the urinary system, with few species occurring in the gallbladder. Ortholinea visakhapatnamensis is the only exception, being histozoic in the visceral peritoneum. Molecular data of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (SSU rDNA) is available for about one third of Ortholinea species, with genetic interspecific variation ranging between 1.65% and 29.1%. Phylogenetic analyses reveal Ortholinea to be polyphyletic, with available SSU rDNA sequences clustering within the subclades of the highly heterogenous freshwater urinary clade of the oligochaete-infecting lineage. The life cycles of two Ortholinea species have been clarified based on molecular inferences and identify triactinomyxon actinospores as counterparts, and marine oligochaetes of the family Naididae as permissive hosts to this genus.
Collapse
|
4
|
Farinha F, Barreira S, Couto M, Cunha M, Fonseca D, Freitas R, Inês L, Luís M, Macieira C, Prata AR, Rodrigues J, Santos B, Torres R, Pepper RJ, Rahman A, Santos MJ. Risk of chronic kidney disease in 260 patients with lupus nephritis-analysis of a nationwide multicentre cohort with up to 35 years of follow-up. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2024:keae236. [PMID: 38648778 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keae236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To compare proliferative (PLN) and membranous (MLN) lupus nephritis (LN) regarding clinical and laboratory presentation and long-term outcomes; To investigate predictors of progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS Multicentre observational study, with retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort, using data from the Rheumatic Diseases Portuguese Registry-Reuma.pt. Patients with biopsy-proven PLN, MLN and mixed LN were included. Cox regression survival analysis was used to investigate predictors of CKD. RESULTS 260 patients were included. Median follow-up was 8 years (IQR 11; minimum 1, maximum 35 years). MLN patients presented with significantly lower serum creatinine (0.70 (IQR 0.20; minimum 0.50, maximum 1.30) mg/dl vs 0.80 (IQR 0.31; minimum 0.26, maximum 2.60) in PLN, p= 0.003). Proteinuria levels did not differ between groups (p= 0.641). Levels of complement were reduced in PLN but nearly normal in MLN patients, and there were fewer patients with positive anti-dsDNA antibodies in the MLN group (p< 0.001). One year after the beginning of treatment, 62% of the patients achieved EULAR/ERA-EDTA complete response, with further 5% achieving partial response. Patients with lower proteinuria at diagnosis were more likely to achieve a complete renal response at one year, however, proteinuria at diagnosis or at one year did not predict long term CKD. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≤75 mL/min/1.73 m2 at one year was the strongest predictor of progression to CKD (HR 23 [95% CI 8-62], p< 0.001). Other possible predictors included the use of azathioprine for induction of remission, older age at diagnosis and male sex. CONCLUSION Proteinuria levels did not predict LN histologic class in our cohort. eGFR cutoff of 75 mL/min/1.73 m2 after one year of treatment was strongly predictive of progression to CKD.
Collapse
|
5
|
Hellamand P, van de Sande MGH, Ørnbjerg LM, Klausch T, Eklund KK, Relas H, Santos MJ, Vieira-Sousa E, Loft AG, Glintborg B, Østergaard M, Lindström U, Wallman JK, Michelsen B, Fagerli KM, Castrejón I, Gudbjornsson B, Love TJ, Vencovský J, Nekvindová L, Rotar Ž, Tomšič M, Díaz-González F, Kenar G, Tuğsal HY, Iannone F, Ramonda R, Codreanu C, Mogosan C, Nissen MJ, Möller B, Hetland ML, van der Horst-Bruinsma IE. Sex Differences in the Effectiveness of First-Line Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors in Psoriatic Arthritis: Results From the European Spondyloarthritis Research Collaboration Network. Arthritis Rheumatol 2024; 76:587-598. [PMID: 37975166 DOI: 10.1002/art.42758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Women with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) may have reduced tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) effectiveness compared to men. We examined sex differences in treatment response and retention rates during 24 months of follow-up among patients with PsA initiating their first TNFi. METHODS Data from patients with PsA across 13 European Spondyloarthritis Research Collaboration Network registries starting their first TNFi were pooled. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between sex and treatment response using low disease activity (LDA) according to the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using the C-reactive protein level (DAS28-CRP) (<3.2) at six months as the primary outcome. Analyses were adjusted for age, country, conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug treatment, and TNFi start year. Retention rates were explored using the Kaplan-Meier estimator. RESULTS We analyzed the treatment response of 7,679 patients with PsA (50% women) with available data on LDA at six months. At baseline, women and men had similar characteristics, including mean DAS28-CRP (women vs men, 4.4 [SD 1.2] vs 4.2 [SD 1.2]), though patient-reported outcome measures were worse in women. At six months, 64% of women and 78% of men had LDA (relative risk [RR] 0.82; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.80-0.84). This difference was similar after adjustment (RR 0.83; 95% CI 0.81-0.85). TNFi retention rates were evaluated in 17,842 patients with PsA. Women had significantly lower retention rates than men at all time points (women 79%, 64%, and 50% vs men 88%, 77%, and 64% at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively). CONCLUSION Despite comparable disease characteristics at baseline, women with PsA have reduced treatment response and retention rates to their first TNFi, highlighting the need to consider sex differences in PsA research and management.
Collapse
|
6
|
Ørnbjerg LM, Rugbjerg K, Georgiadis S, Rasmussen SH, Jacobsson L, Loft AG, Iannone F, Fagerli KM, Vencovsky J, Santos MJ, Möller B, Pombo-Suarez M, Rotar Z, Gudbjornsson B, Cefle A, Eklund K, Codreanu C, Jones G, van der Sande M, Wallman JK, Sebastiani M, Michelsen B, Závada J, Nissen MJ, Sanchez-Piedra C, Tomšič M, Love TJ, Relas H, Mogosan C, Hetland ML, Østergaard M. Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) and PRO Remission Rates in 12,262 Biologic-Naïve Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis Treated With Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors in Routine Care. J Rheumatol 2024; 51:378-389. [PMID: 38224992 DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.2023-0764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after initiation of tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) treatment in European real-world patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Further, to investigate PRO remission rates across treatment courses, registries, disease duration, sex, and age at disease onset. METHODS Visual analog scale or numerical rating scale scores for pain, fatigue, patient global assessment (PtGA), and the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) from 12,262 patients with PsA initiating a TNFi in 13 registries were pooled. PRO remission rates (pain ≤ 1, fatigue ≤ 2, PtGA ≤ 2, and HAQ-DI ≤ 0.5) were calculated for patients still on the treatment. RESULTS For the first TNFi, median pain score was reduced by approximately 50%, from 6 to 3, 3, and 2; as were fatigue scores, from 6 to 4, 4, and 3; PtGA scores, from 6 to 3, 3, and 2; and HAQ-DI scores, from 0.9 to 0.5, 0.5, and 0.4 at baseline, 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. Six-month Lund Efficacy Index (LUNDEX)-adjusted remission rates for pain, fatigue, PtGA, and HAQ-DI scores were 24%, 31%, 36%, and 43% (first TNFi); 14%, 19%, 23%, and 29% (second TNFi); and 9%, 14%, 17%, and 20% (third TNFi), respectively. For biologic-naïve patients with disease duration < 5 years, 6-month LUNDEX-adjusted remission rates for pain, fatigue, PtGA, and HAQ-DI scores were 22%, 28%, 33%, and 42%, respectively. Corresponding rates for patients with disease duration > 10 years were 27%, 32%, 41%, and 43%, respectively. Remission rates were 33%, 40%, 45%, and 56% for men and 17%, 23%, 24%, and 32% for women, respectively. For patients aged < 45 years at diagnosis, 6-month LUNDEX-adjusted remission rate for pain was 29% vs 18% for patients ≥ 45 years. CONCLUSION In 12,262 biologic-naïve patients with PsA, 6 months of treatment with a TNFi reduced pain by approximately 50%. Marked differences in PRO remission rates across treatment courses, registries, disease duration, sex, and age at onset of disease were observed, emphasizing the potential influence of factors other than disease activity on PROs.
Collapse
|
7
|
Lauper K, Mongin D, Bergstra SA, Choquette D, Codreanu C, Gottenberg JE, Kubo S, Hetland ML, Iannone F, Kristianslund EK, Kvien TK, Lukina G, Mariette X, Nordström DC, Pavelka K, Pombo-Suarez M, Rotar Z, Santos MJ, Tanaka Y, Turesson C, Courvoisier DS, Finckh A, Gabay C. Oral glucocorticoid use in patients with rheumatoid arthritis initiating TNF-inhibitors, tocilizumab or abatacept: Results from the international TOCERRA and PANABA observational collaborative studies. Joint Bone Spine 2024; 91:105671. [PMID: 38042363 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2023.105671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate and compare the use of oral glucocorticoids with three classes of bDMARDs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS We included patients from 13 observational registries treated with a TNF-inhibitor, abatacept or tocilizumab and with available information on the use of oral glucocorticoids. The main outcome was oral glucocorticoid withdrawal. A McNemar test was used to analyse the change in the use of glucocorticoids after 1 year. Kaplan-Meier estimates and Cox regressions, adjusted for patient, treatment, and disease characteristics, were used to evaluate glucocorticoid discontinuation in patients with glucocorticoids at baseline. Because of heterogeneity, analyses were done by registers and pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS A total of 12,334 participants treated with TNF-inhibitors, 2100 with tocilizumab and 3229 with abatacept were included. At one-year, oral glucocorticoid use decreased in all treatment groups (odds ratio for stopping vs. starting of 2.19 [95% CI 1.58; 3.04] for TNF-inhibitors, 2.46 [1.39; 4.35] for tocilizumab; 1.73 [1.25; 2.21] for abatacept). Median time to glucocorticoid withdrawal was ≈2 years or more in most countries, with a gradual decrease over time. Compared to TNF-inhibitors, crude hazard ratios of glucocorticoid discontinuation were 0.65[0.48-0.87] for abatacept, and 1.04 [0.76-1.43] for tocilizumab, and adjusted hazard ratios were 1.1 [0.83-1.47] for abatacept, and 1.30 [0.96-1.78] for tocilizumab. CONCLUSION After initiation of a bDMARD, glucocorticoid use decreased similarly in all treatment groups. However, glucocorticoid withdrawal was much slower than advocated by current international guidelines. More effort should be devoted to glucocorticoid tapering when low disease activity is achieved.
Collapse
|
8
|
Linde L, Ørnbjerg LM, Georgiadis S, H. Rasmussen S, Lindström U, Askling J, Michelsen B, Di Giuseppe D, Wallman JK, Gudbjornsson B, Love TJ, Nordström DC, Yli-Kerttula T, Nekvindová L, Vencovský J, Iannone F, Cauli A, Loft AG, Glintborg B, Laas K, Rotar Z, Tomšič M, Macfarlane GJ, Möller B, van de Sande M, Codreanu C, Nissen MJ, Birlik M, Erten S, Santos MJ, Vieira-Sousa E, Hetland ML, Østergaard M. Predictors of DAPSA28 remission in patients with psoriatic arthritis initiating a first TNF inhibitor: results from 13 European registries. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2024; 63:751-764. [PMID: 37314967 PMCID: PMC10907817 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In bio-naïve patients with PsA initiating a TNF inhibitor (TNFi), we aimed to identify baseline predictors of Disease Activity index for PsA in 28 joints (DAPSA28) remission (primary objective) and DAPSA28 moderate response at 6 months, as well as drug retention at 12 months across 13 European registries. METHODS Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were retrieved and the three outcomes investigated per registry and in pooled data, using logistic regression analyses on multiply imputed data. In the pooled cohort, selected predictors that were either consistently positive or negative across all three outcomes were defined as common predictors. RESULTS In the pooled cohort (n = 13 369), 6-month proportions of remission, moderate response and 12-month drug retention were 25%, 34% and 63% in patients with available data (n = 6954, n = 5275 and n = 13 369, respectively). Five common baseline predictors of remission, moderate response and 12-month drug retention were identified across all three outcomes. The odds ratios (95% CIs) for DAPSA28 remission were: age, per year: 0.97 (0.96-0.98); disease duration, years (<2 years as reference): 2-3 years: 1.20 (0.89-1.60), 4-9 years: 1.42 (1.09-1.84), ≥10 years: 1.66 (1.26-2.20); men vs women: 1.85 (1.54-2.23); CRP of >10 vs ≤10 mg/l: 1.52 (1.22-1.89) and 1 mm increase in patient fatigue score: 0.99 (0.98-0.99). CONCLUSION Baseline predictors of remission, response and adherence to TNFi therapy were identified, of which five were common for all three outcomes, indicating that the predictors emerging from our pooled cohort may be considered generalizable from country level to disease level.
Collapse
|
9
|
Duarte AC, Fernandes BM, Bernardes M, Tenazinha C, Martins P, Mazeda C, Mendes B, Guimarães F, Gago L, Correia AM, Valido A, Silva L, Brites L, Meirinhos T, Araújo F, Nero P, Cruz M, Teixeira L, Santos MJ. Lung disease in rheumatoid arthritis: Results from a national cohort. Pulmonology 2024; 30:87-89. [PMID: 37394340 DOI: 10.1016/j.pulmoe.2023.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
|
10
|
Cavaco MJ, Santos MJ, Paula F, Froes F. TRALI: A differential diagnosis to keep in mind. Pulmonology 2023:S2531-0437(23)00236-2. [PMID: 38129239 DOI: 10.1016/j.pulmoe.2023.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
|
11
|
Rangel LF, Elloumi A, Quilichini Y, Santos MJ, Bahri S. Morphological and molecular characterization of Chloromyxum dasyatidis n. sp. (Myxosporea: Chloromyxidae) in the common stingray Dasyatis pastinaca (Linnaeus) from Tunisian waters (Central Mediterranean Sea). Syst Parasitol 2023; 100:617-630. [PMID: 37689605 DOI: 10.1007/s11230-023-10111-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
A new species of Chloromyxum Mingazzini, 1890, C. dasyatidis n. sp., is described from the gallbladder of the elasmobranch fish Dasyatis pastinaca (Linnaeus) from the Mediterranean coast off Tunisia. Mature myxospores were subspherical measuring 13.0 ± 0.3 (12.5-13.9) µm in length, 11.3 ± 0.5 (10.2-12.2) µm in width, and 11.8 ± 0.5 (11.4-12.7) µm in thickness. Four pyriform polar capsules 4.4 ± 0.3 (4.0-4.9) µm long and 3.5 ± 0.3 (3.0-3.8) µm wide. Valves were ornamented by 5 to 7 elevated surface ridges and displayed short caudal filaments. Chloromyxum dasyatidis n. sp. had an overall prevalence of infection of 38.5%, with significant seasonal variation, being more prevalent during summer (60.0%) and autumn (70.8%). Phylogenetically, this species grouped within the Chloromyxum sensu stricto lineage, forming a small clade together with the genetically more similar species C. acuminatum and C. myolibati, both from stingray hosts.
Collapse
|
12
|
Eppinga MB, Michaels TK, Santos MJ, Bever JD. Introducing desirable patches to initiate ecosystem transitions and accelerate ecosystem restoration. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2023; 33:e2910. [PMID: 37602903 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Meeting restoration targets may require active strategies to accelerate natural regeneration rates or overcome the resilience associated with degraded ecosystem states. Introducing desired ecosystem patches in degraded landscapes constitutes a promising active restoration strategy, with various mechanisms potentially causing these patches to become foci from which desired species can re-establish throughout the landscape. This study considers three mechanisms previously identified as potential drivers of introduced patch dynamics: autocatalytic nucleation, directed dispersal, and resource concentration. These mechanisms reflect qualitatively different positive feedbacks. We developed an ecological model framework that compared how the occurrence of each mechanism was reflected in spatio-temporal patch dynamics. We then analyzed the implications of these relationships for optimal restoration design. We found that patch expansion accelerated over time when driven by the autocatalytic nucleation mechanism, while patch expansion driven by the directed dispersal or resource concentration mechanisms decelerated over time. Additionally, when driven by autocatalytic nucleation, patch expansion was independent of patch position in the landscape. However, the proximity of other patches affected patch expansion either positively or negatively when driven by directed dispersal or resource concentration. For autocatalytic nucleation, introducing many small patches was a favorable strategy, provided that each individual patch exceeded a critical patch size. Introducing a single patch or a few large patches was the most effective restoration strategy to initiate the directed dispersal mechanism. Introducing many small patches was the most effective strategy for reaching restored ecosystem states driven by a resource concentration mechanism. Our model results suggest that introducing desirable patches can substantially accelerate ecosystem restoration, or even induce a critical transition from an otherwise stable degraded state toward a desired ecosystem state. However, the potential of this type of restoration strategy for a particular ecosystem may strongly depend on the mechanism driving patch dynamics. In turn, which mechanism drives patch dynamics may affect the optimal spatial design of an active restoration strategy. Each of the three mechanisms considered reflects distinct spatio-temporal patch dynamics, providing novel opportunities for empirically identifying key mechanisms, and restoration designs that introduce desired patches in degraded landscapes according to these patch dynamics.
Collapse
|
13
|
Bandeira M, Dourado E, Melo AT, Martins P, Fraga V, Ferraro JL, Saraiva A, Sousa M, Parente H, Soares C, Correia AM, E Almeida D, P Dinis S, Pinto AS, O Pinheiro F, S Rato M, Beirão T, Samões B, Santos B, Mazeda C, T Chícharo A, Faria M, Neto A, Lourenço MH, Brites L, Rodrigues M, Silva-Dinis J, M Dias J, Araújo FC, Martins N, Couto M, Valido A, Santos MJ, Barreira S, Fonseca JE, Campanilho-Marques R. Mechanic's hands are associated with interstitial lung disease in myositis patients regardless of the presence of antisynthetase antibodies. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2023; 62:e332-e334. [PMID: 37294734 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/11/2023] Open
|
14
|
Linde L, Ørnbjerg LM, Rasmussen SH, Love TJ, Loft AG, Závada J, Vencovský J, Laas K, Nordstrom D, Sokka-Isler T, Gudbjornsson B, Gröndal G, Iannone F, Ramonda R, Hellamand P, Kristianslund EK, Kvien TK, Rodrigues AM, Santos MJ, Codreanu C, Rotar Z, Tomšič M, Castrejon I, Díaz-Gonzáles F, Di Giuseppe D, Ljung L, Nissen MJ, Ciurea A, Macfarlane GJ, Heddle M, Glintborg B, Østergaard M, Hetland ML. Commonalities and differences in set-up and data collection across European spondyloarthritis registries - results from the EuroSpA collaboration. Arthritis Res Ther 2023; 25:205. [PMID: 37858143 PMCID: PMC10585911 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-023-03184-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In European axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) clinical registries, we aimed to investigate commonalities and differences in (1) set-up, clinical data collection; (2) data availability and completeness; and (3) wording, recall period, and scale used for selected patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). METHODS Data was obtained as part of the EuroSpA Research Collaboration Network and consisted of (1) an online survey and follow-up interview, (2) upload of real-world data, and (3) selected PROMs included in the online survey. RESULTS Fifteen registries participated, contributing 33,948 patients (axSpA: 21,330 (63%), PsA: 12,618 (37%)). The reported coverage of eligible patients ranged from 0.5 to 100%. Information on age, sex, biological/targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug treatment, disease duration, and C-reactive protein was available in all registries with data completeness between 85% and 100%. All PROMs (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity and Functional Indices, Health Assessment Questionnaire, and patient global, pain and fatigue assessments) were more complete after 2015 (68-86%) compared to prior (50-79%). Patient global, pain and fatigue assessments showed heterogeneity between registries in terms of wording, recall periods, and scale. CONCLUSION Important heterogeneity in registry design and data collection across fifteen European axSpA and PsA registries was observed. Several core measures were widely available, and an increase in data completeness of PROMs in recent years was identified. This study might serve as a basis for examining how differences in data collection across registries may impact the results of collaborative research in the future.
Collapse
|
15
|
Scown MW, Dunn FE, Dekker SC, van Vuuren DP, Karabil S, Sutanudjaja EH, Santos MJ, Minderhoud PS, Garmestani AS, Middelkoop H. Global change scenarios in coastal river deltas and their sustainable development implications. GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE : HUMAN AND POLICY DIMENSIONS 2023; 82:1-14. [PMID: 37693692 PMCID: PMC10483986 DOI: 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2023.102736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Deltas play a critical role in the ambition to achieve global sustainable development given their relatively large shares in population and productive croplands, as well as their precarious low-lying position between upstream river basin development and rising seas. The large pressures on these systems risk undermining the persistence of delta societies, economies, and ecosystems. We analyse possible future development in 49 deltas around the globe under the Shared Socio-economic and Representative Concentration Pathways until 2100. Population density, urban fraction, and total and irrigated cropland fraction are three to twelve times greater in these deltas, on average, than in the rest of the world. Maximum river water discharges are projected to increase by 11-33 % and river sediment discharges are projected to decrease 26-37 % on average, depending on the scenario. Regional sea-level rise reaches almost 1.0 m by 2100 for certain deltas in the worst-case scenario, increasing to almost 2.0 m of relative rise considering land subsidence. Extreme sea levels could be much higher still-reaching over 4.0 m by 2100 for six of the 49 deltas analysed. Socio-economic conditions to support adaptation are the weakest among deltas with the greatest pressures, compounding the challenge of sustainable development. Asian and African deltas stand out as having heightened socio-economic challenges-huge population and land use pressures in most Asian deltas and the Nile delta; low capacity for adaptation in most African deltas and the Irrawaddy delta. Although, deltas in other parts of the world are not immune from these and other pressures, either. Because of unique pressures and processes operating in deltas, as in other "hotspots" such as small islands, mountains, and semi-arid areas, we recommend greater consideration and conceptualisation of environmental processes in global sustainable development agendas and in the Integrated Assessment Models used to guide global policy.
Collapse
|
16
|
Tomé C, Oliveira-Ramos F, Campanilho-Marques R, Mourão AF, Sousa S, Marques C, Melo AT, Teixeira RL, Martins AP, Moeda S, Costa-Reis P, Torres RP, Bandeira M, Fonseca H, Gonçalves M, Santos MJ, Graca L, Fonseca JE, Moura RA. Children with extended oligoarticular and polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis have alterations in B and T follicular cell subsets in peripheral blood and a cytokine profile sustaining B cell activation. RMD Open 2023; 9:e002901. [PMID: 37652558 PMCID: PMC10476142 DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2022-002901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The main goal of this study was to characterise the frequency and phenotype of B, T follicular helper (Tfh) and T follicular regulatory (Tfr) cells in peripheral blood and the cytokine environment present in circulation in children with extended oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (extended oligo JIA) and polyarticular JIA (poly JIA) when compared with healthy controls, children with persistent oligoarticular JIA (persistent oligo JIA) and adult JIA patients. METHODS Blood samples were collected from 105 JIA patients (children and adults) and 50 age-matched healthy individuals. The frequency and phenotype of B, Tfh and Tfr cells were evaluated by flow cytometry. Serum levels of APRIL, BAFF, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, IL-21, IL-22, IFN-γ, PD-1, PD-L1, sCD40L, CXCL13 and TNF were measured by multiplex bead-based immunoassay and/or ELISA in all groups included. RESULTS The frequency of B, Tfh and Tfr cells was similar between JIA patients and controls. Children with extended oligo JIA and poly JIA, but not persistent oligo JIA, had significantly lower frequencies of plasmablasts, regulatory T cells and higher levels of Th17-like Tfh cells in circulation when compared with controls. Furthermore, APRIL, BAFF, IL-6 and IL-17A serum levels were significantly higher in paediatric extended oligo JIA and poly JIA patients when compared with controls. These immunological alterations were not found in adult JIA patients in comparison to controls. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest a potential role and/or activation profile of B and Th17-like Tfh cells in the pathogenesis of extended oligo JIA and poly JIA, but not persistent oligo JIA.
Collapse
|
17
|
Rangel LF, Santos MJ, Rocha S. Synopsis of the species of Henneguya Thélohan, 1892 (Cnidaria: Myxosporea: Myxobolidae) described since 2012. Syst Parasitol 2023; 100:291-305. [PMID: 37020081 DOI: 10.1007/s11230-023-10088-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
The genus Henneguya Thélohan, 1892 (Cnidaria: Myxosporea: Myxobolidae) encompasses a large number of species that mostly infect freshwater fish belonging to 71 families of Actinopterygii. A synopsis of Henneguya species described between 2012 and 2022 is herein presented. It includes 57 species described during the last decade, and one species missing from the previous synopses, adding to a total of 254 species that have been formally described within this genus. Biological characters and myxospore morphometry are presented for each species record.
Collapse
|
18
|
Ørnbjerg LM, Linde L, Georgiadis S, Rasmussen SH, Lindström U, Askling J, Michelsen B, Giuseppe DD, Wallman JK, Pavelka K, Závada J, Nissen MJ, Jones GT, Relas H, Pirilä L, Tomšič M, Rotar Z, Geirsson AJ, Gudbjornsson B, Kristianslund EK, van der Horst-Bruinsma I, Loft AG, Laas K, Iannone F, Corrado A, Ciurea A, Santos MJ, Santos H, Codreanu C, Akkoc N, Gunduz OS, Glintborg B, Østergaard M, Hetland ML. Corrigendum to 'Predictors of ASDAS-CRP inactive disease in axial spondyloarthritis during treatment with TNF-inhibitors: data from the EuroSpA collaboration' [Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism 56 (2022) 1-13/152081]. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2023; 58:152141. [PMID: 36463635 DOI: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2022.152141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
|
19
|
Alreshaid L, El-Badrawy W, Kulkarni G, Santos MJ, Prakki A. Resin Composite Versus Amalgam Restorations Placed in United States Dental Schools. Oper Dent 2023; 48:21-32. [PMID: 36472481 DOI: 10.2341/22-007-c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the latest teaching policies for posterior resin composite placement versus amalgam and to determine the actual numbers of posterior resin composites versus amalgam restorations placed in American dental schools from 2008 to 2018. METHODS Emails were sent to the deans of all 66 dental schools in the United States to collect data in the forms of: 1) Questionnaire on current teaching policies of posterior composite and amalgam restorations; and 2) Data entry form to collect the actual numbers of posterior composite and amalgam restorations placed in their clinics. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize ratios of posterior restorations. Inferential analysis (chi-square test and z-test) was employed to compare posterior restoration proportions over time and within each year. Level of significance was set at 0.05. RESULTS For the teaching questionnaire, the response rate was 52% (n=34). Seventy-six per cent of the responding schools reported that they assign 50% or more of their preclinical restorative teaching time towards posterior resin composite placement, while 50% of the responding schools devoted 25% or less towards amalgam teaching. Data entry response rate was 26% (n=17). In 2008, amalgam and resin composite restorations were placed almost equally. However, resin composite restorations were placed significantly more frequently from 2009 onwards in all responding schools. The results revealed a significant ongoing increasing trend in placing posterior resin composites in all responding schools over time (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Data analysis revealed a clear trend towards an increase in posterior resin composite restoration placement and a decrease in the number of amalgam restorations. However, the time assigned for posterior resin composite teaching is not aligned with quantity of restorations placed. Review and adjustment of the time allocated for teaching and training of each material are suggested.
Collapse
|
20
|
Elloumi A, Rangel LF, Santos MJ, Bahri S. Myxidium tunisiensis n. sp. (Myxosporea: Myxidiidae) infecting the rough skate Raja radula Delaroche, 1908 (Rajiformes: Rajidae) from North East Tunisia. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:19-33. [PMID: 34494121 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07306-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
A new marine myxosporean, Myxidium tunisiensis n. sp. (Myxosporea: Myxidiidae), is described infecting the gallbladder of the rough skate Raja radula Delaroche, 1908 (Chondrichthyes: Rajidae) harvested from the Bay of Bizerte, Tunisia. Observed stages of the parasite were floating free in the bile. Plasmodia, disporic or polysporic, contain disporic pansporoblasts measuring 23.0-27.2 μm in maximum diameter and 21.0-25.5 μm in minimum diameter. Mature myxospores, which are elongated, typically fusiform measured 18.6 ± 1.7 (17.2-22.0) μm in length, 8.6 ± 1.2 (7.2-11.2) μm in width and 8.2 ± 0.9 (6.4-10.1) in thickness. Myxospore valves are symmetrical with 9-10 longitudinal striations. Two polar capsules, pyriform, were equal in size, measuring 5.8 ± 0.4 (5.2-6.7) μm in length and 3.1 ± 0.2 (3.0-3.2) μm in width, with 5-6 polar filament turns. The infection was prevalent throughout the year with the highest prevalence in autumn (81.8%) and the lowest in winter (32.3%). The seasonal prevalence of M. tunisiensis n. sp. in the Bay of Bizerte appeared to fluctuate according to seawater temperature. The morphological and morphometrical differences with all Myxidium spp. described so far, complemented by molecular data, prove clearly that the present species is a new member of the genus Myxidium. The SSU rDNA phylogenetic analyses revealed that Myxidium tunisiensis n. sp. clustered within the oligochaete-gallbladder clade in a basal position to the marine subclade of Myxidium baueri and Myxidium coryphaenoideum. While the new species branching pattern is stable in the ML and the BI analyses, it changed in the MP analysis. This is the first molecular study of a Myxidium species infecting an elasmobranch host inhabiting the Mediterranean Sea.
Collapse
|
21
|
Rocchini D, Santos MJ, Ustin SL, Féret J, Asner GP, Beierkuhnlein C, Dalponte M, Feilhauer H, Foody GM, Geller GN, Gillespie TW, He KS, Kleijn D, Leitão PJ, Malavasi M, Moudrý V, Müllerová J, Nagendra H, Normand S, Ricotta C, Schaepman ME, Schmidtlein S, Skidmore AK, Šímová P, Torresani M, Townsend PA, Turner W, Vihervaara P, Wegmann M, Lenoir J. The Spectral Species Concept in Living Color. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH. BIOGEOSCIENCES 2022; 127:e2022JG007026. [PMID: 36247363 PMCID: PMC9539608 DOI: 10.1029/2022jg007026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Biodiversity monitoring is an almost inconceivable challenge at the scale of the entire Earth. The current (and soon to be flown) generation of spaceborne and airborne optical sensors (i.e., imaging spectrometers) can collect detailed information at unprecedented spatial, temporal, and spectral resolutions. These new data streams are preceded by a revolution in modeling and analytics that can utilize the richness of these datasets to measure a wide range of plant traits, community composition, and ecosystem functions. At the heart of this framework for monitoring plant biodiversity is the idea of remotely identifying species by making use of the 'spectral species' concept. In theory, the spectral species concept can be defined as a species characterized by a unique spectral signature and thus remotely detectable within pixel units of a spectral image. In reality, depending on spatial resolution, pixels may contain several species which renders species-specific assignment of spectral information more challenging. The aim of this paper is to review the spectral species concept and relate it to underlying ecological principles, while also discussing the complexities, challenges and opportunities to apply this concept given current and future scientific advances in remote sensing.
Collapse
|
22
|
Izadi Z, Gianfrancesco MA, Schmajuk G, Jacobsohn L, Katz P, Rush S, Ja C, Taylor T, Shidara K, Danila MI, Wysham KD, Strangfeld A, Mateus EF, Hyrich KL, Gossec L, Carmona L, Lawson-Tovey S, Kearsley-Fleet L, Schaefer M, Al-Emadi S, Sparks JA, Hsu TYT, Patel NJ, Wise L, Gilbert E, Duarte-García A, Valenzuela-Almada MO, Ugarte-Gil MF, Ljung L, Scirè CA, Carrara G, Hachulla E, Richez C, Cacoub P, Thomas T, Santos MJ, Bernardes M, Hasseli R, Regierer A, Schulze-Koops H, Müller-Ladner U, Pons-Estel G, Tanten R, Nieto RE, Pisoni CN, Tissera YS, Xavier R, Lopes Marques CD, Pileggi GCS, Robinson PC, Machado PM, Sirotich E, Liew JW, Hausmann JS, Sufka P, Grainger R, Bhana S, Gore-Massy M, Wallace ZS, Yazdany J. Environmental and societal factors associated with COVID-19-related death in people with rheumatic disease: an observational study. THE LANCET. RHEUMATOLOGY 2022; 4:e603-e613. [PMID: 35909441 PMCID: PMC9313519 DOI: 10.1016/s2665-9913(22)00192-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Background Differences in the distribution of individual-level clinical risk factors across regions do not fully explain the observed global disparities in COVID-19 outcomes. We aimed to investigate the associations between environmental and societal factors and country-level variations in mortality attributed to COVID-19 among people with rheumatic disease globally. Methods In this observational study, we derived individual-level data on adults (aged 18-99 years) with rheumatic disease and a confirmed status of their highest COVID-19 severity level from the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance (GRA) registry, collected between March 12, 2020, and Aug 27, 2021. Environmental and societal factors were obtained from publicly available sources. The primary endpoint was mortality attributed to COVID-19. We used a multivariable logistic regression to evaluate independent associations between environmental and societal factors and death, after controlling for individual-level risk factors. We used a series of nested mixed-effects models to establish whether environmental and societal factors sufficiently explained country-level variations in death. Findings 14 044 patients from 23 countries were included in the analyses. 10 178 (72·5%) individuals were female and 3866 (27·5%) were male, with a mean age of 54·4 years (SD 15·6). Air pollution (odds ratio 1·10 per 10 μg/m3 [95% CI 1·01-1·17]; p=0·0105), proportion of the population aged 65 years or older (1·19 per 1% increase [1·10-1·30]; p<0·0001), and population mobility (1·03 per 1% increase in number of visits to grocery and pharmacy stores [1·02-1·05]; p<0·0001 and 1·02 per 1% increase in number of visits to workplaces [1·00-1·03]; p=0·032) were independently associated with higher odds of mortality. Number of hospital beds (0·94 per 1-unit increase per 1000 people [0·88-1·00]; p=0·046), human development index (0·65 per 0·1-unit increase [0·44-0·96]; p=0·032), government response stringency (0·83 per 10-unit increase in containment index [0·74-0·93]; p=0·0018), as well as follow-up time (0·78 per month [0·69-0·88]; p<0·0001) were independently associated with lower odds of mortality. These factors sufficiently explained country-level variations in death attributable to COVID-19 (intraclass correlation coefficient 1·2% [0·1-9·5]; p=0·14). Interpretation Our findings highlight the importance of environmental and societal factors as potential explanations of the observed regional disparities in COVID-19 outcomes among people with rheumatic disease and lay foundation for a new research agenda to address these disparities. Funding American College of Rheumatology and European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology.
Collapse
|
23
|
Grünzweig JM, De Boeck HJ, Rey A, Santos MJ, Adam O, Bahn M, Belnap J, Deckmyn G, Dekker SC, Flores O, Gliksman D, Helman D, Hultine KR, Liu L, Meron E, Michael Y, Sheffer E, Throop HL, Tzuk O, Yakir D. Dryland mechanisms could widely control ecosystem functioning in a drier and warmer world. Nat Ecol Evol 2022; 6:1064-1076. [PMID: 35879539 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-022-01779-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Responses of terrestrial ecosystems to climate change have been explored in many regions worldwide. While continued drying and warming may alter process rates and deteriorate the state and performance of ecosystems, it could also lead to more fundamental changes in the mechanisms governing ecosystem functioning. Here we argue that climate change will induce unprecedented shifts in these mechanisms in historically wetter climatic zones, towards mechanisms currently prevalent in dry regions, which we refer to as 'dryland mechanisms'. We discuss 12 dryland mechanisms affecting multiple processes of ecosystem functioning, including vegetation development, water flow, energy budget, carbon and nutrient cycling, plant production and organic matter decomposition. We then examine mostly rare examples of the operation of these mechanisms in non-dryland regions where they have been considered irrelevant at present. Current and future climate trends could force microclimatic conditions across thresholds and lead to the emergence of dryland mechanisms and their increasing control over ecosystem functioning in many biomes on Earth.
Collapse
|
24
|
Veeken A, Santos MJ, McGowan S, Davies AL, Schrodt F. Pollen-based reconstruction reveals the impact of the onset of agriculture on plant functional trait composition. Ecol Lett 2022; 25:1937-1951. [PMID: 35816121 PMCID: PMC9544184 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The onset of agriculture improved the capacity of ecosystems to produce food, but inadvertently altered other vital ecosystem functions. Plant traits play a central role in determining ecosystem properties, therefore we investigated how the onset of agriculture in Europe changed plant trait composition using 78 pollen records. Using a novel Bayesian approach for reconstructing plant trait composition from pollen records, we provide a robust method that can account for trait variability within pollen types. We estimate an overall four-fold decrease in plant size through agriculture and associated decreases in leaf and seed size. We show an increase in niche space towards the resource-acquisitive end of the leaf economic spectrum. Decreases in leaf phosphorus might have been caused by nutrient depletion through grazing and burning. Our results show that agriculture, from its start, has likely been gradually impacting biogeochemical cycles through altered vegetation composition.
Collapse
|
25
|
Golden O, Caldeira AJ, Santos MJ. Raw fish consumption in Portugal: A survey on trends in consumption and consumer characteristics. Food Control 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2022.108810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|