Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Kimberly G. Blumenthal, Rebecca R. Saff, Esther E. Freeman
Summary: Blumenthal et al. reported delayed injection-site reactions in 12 patients who had received the mRNA-1273 vaccine, while a case of delayed local reaction in a 38-year-old woman after receiving the first dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine was also observed.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Steven Job Thomas, Haiyan Li, Arnaud R. Praplan, Heidi Hellen, Federico Bianchi
Summary: Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) have a strong impact on global climate by affecting various atmospheric constituents. However, current analytical techniques miss out on a significant portion of BVOC emissions. This study used Vocus PTR-TOF-MS to measure the emissions from a downy birch tree in a boreal forest in Finland. OVOCs accounted for around 90% of the total emissions, with the largest contribution from C8H8O3. Emissions of diterpenes were observed for the first time from the downy birch tree, although in minor quantities. The study highlights the influence of factors other than temperature and light on BVOC emissions.
FRONTIERS IN FORESTS AND GLOBAL CHANGE
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Yusuke Matsuya, Nobuyuki Hamada, Yoshie Yachi, Yukihiko Satou, Masayori Ishikawa, Hiroyuki Date, Tatsuhiko Sato
Summary: Cesium-bearing microparticles (Cs-BMPs) are insoluble radioactive microparticles with high specific radioactivity, potentially causing chronic local exposure when adhering to normal tissues long term. In vitro studies indicate that local exposure to Cs-BMPs can induce inflammatory responses and DNA damage, potentially modifying biological effects through the NF-kappa B pathway. This suggests that the radiation risk from Cs-BMP exposure may differ from that estimated based on conventional uniform exposure to normal tissues.
Article
Forestry
Oskars Krisans, Roberts Matisons, Liga Jansone, Nauris Istenais, Rolands Kapostins, Silva Senhofa, Aris Jansons
Summary: The ongoing shifts in natural vegetation zones indicate that European beech may replace birch in forest regeneration in the Eastern Baltic region. It is necessary to evaluate the susceptibility to natural disturbances, such as wind, for reliable projections of timber yield. This study compared the loading resistance of beech and local birch and found that both species have similar relationships between aboveground dimensions and resistance to wood damages. However, birch, being more drought sensitive, is suggested to be more susceptible to post-storm legacy effects, supporting beech as a potential alternative to birch in terms of wind resistance.
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
A. Quacquarelli, G. Mollon, T. Commeau, N. Fillot
Summary: This passage mentions the wear problem caused by hard debris or abrasive slurries between moving surfaces, which is a major issue in the industrial field. Furthermore, it introduces a case study on the wear of diamond tools used to cut stones, which involves specific tribological interactions. The understanding of the wear process involving the metal matrix and the investigation of the relationship between wear evolution and metal surface roughness are also highlighted.
TRIBOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jac A. Nickoloff, Aruna S. Jaiswal, Neelam Sharma, Elizabeth A. Williamson, Manh T. Tran, Dominic Arris, Ming Yang, Robert Hromas
Summary: Replicative DNA polymerases are obstructed by various DNA damage, leading to DNA replication stress that threatens genome stability. Cellular responses to replication stress include cell cycle arrest, replication fork collapse, DNA repair induction, and programmed cell death. Nucleases play critical roles in these responses, promoting repair and restart of stressed replication forks. Understanding biological responses to genome-wide replication stress can inform novel cancer treatment strategies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Nisha Nisha, Sergey Vinogradov, Katalin Korosi, Arbnora Berisha, Rita Ban
Summary: The study aimed to assess the sensitivity of Plasmopara halstedii isolates to mefenoxam, a previously effective active ingredient, through host responses to infection. Results showed clear differences in host responses and suggested that examining tissue reactions may be more accurate in assessing the sensitivity of P. halstedii isolates to mefenoxam.
Article
Forestry
Ester Gonzalez de Andres, Michele Colangelo, Reyes Luelmo-Lautenschlaeger, Jose Antonio Lopez-Saez, Jesus Julio Camarero
Summary: This study compared the radial growth patterns and responses to climate, river, or reservoir flows, and a drought index of southernmost populations of birch trees in Spain with populations located in northern Spain. The main climatic constraint on birch growth was a high summer water deficit, and local hydrological conditions were particularly important in southernmost populations. Additionally, the study found distinct growth patterns and climate-growth associations of birch populations across Europe, showing that populations further south and in warmer locations were more sensitive to drought stress. Protection of threatened birch populations at their southern distribution limit requires proper management of local water resources.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jikun Wang, Bangguo Zhu, Chung-Yuen Hui, Alan T. Zehnder
Summary: This paper presents an experimental and theoretical study of delayed fracture of polydimethlsiloxane (PDMS). The interactions between damage and the elastic field are investigated using different specimens and crack geometries. The proposed model, which couples nonlinear elastic deformation and rate-dependent bond scission, is found to be in good agreement with the experimental data.
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICS AND PHYSICS OF SOLIDS
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
E. A. Tyutkova, I. A. Petrov, S. R. Loskutov
Summary: The study found that the lignin and cellulose of mountain birch were more sensitive to climate change, with air temperature and precipitation significantly influencing their chemical composition. Thermogravimetric analysis proved to be an effective tool for studying the impact of climate and weather variability on the lignin-carbohydrate complex of deciduous and conifer tree species.
JOURNAL OF THERMAL ANALYSIS AND CALORIMETRY
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Yueping Xia, Weimin Yang, Yi Li, Zhongyao Qian, Shuangfeng Chen, Yike Zhang, Chao Cong, Tengyuan Li, Huichan Liu, Dongxue Chen, Wanqiu Zhao, Guo Zhong, Daqiao Wei, Wenhai Yu, Fen Huang
Summary: HEV infection during pregnancy leads to adverse pregnancy outcomes, including miscarriages and stillbirths. The study established a pregnant mouse model to investigate the pathological damage and inflammatory responses in both maternal and fetal tissues caused by HEV infection. The results showed that HEV infection caused serious inflammatory responses and pathological damage in the uterus and placenta of pregnant mice. Vertical transmission of HEV resulted in severe pathological damage and inflammation in the livers and brains of fetuses, as well as the presence of apoptosis cells in the fetal brains. Additionally, there were significant increases in cytokines/chemokines in the sera of HEV-infected pregnant mice, with IL9, GM-CSF, and IL1 alpha being the most important in determining the pregnancy outcomes.
LIVER INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yanghua He, Zhenyi Liu, Mingzhi Li, Pengliang Li, Yao Zhao, Qiqi Liu, Chuang Liu, Ping Ye
Summary: This paper presents the results of damage to thick steel plates subjected to local blast loading using experimental and numerical approaches. By analyzing and comparing experimental results with numerical simulation, the influence law of the explosive, the damage mode of the steel plates, the reliability verification of the numerical simulation, and the criterion for judging the damage mode were obtained. The results show that the damage mode changes with the explosive charge, and a new criterion was proposed to predict the damage mode of the steel plates under contact explosion.
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Kimberly G. Blumenthal, Esther E. Freeman, Rebecca R. Saff, Lacey B. Robinson, Anna R. Wolfson, Ruth K. Foreman, Dean Hashimoto, Aleena Banerji, Lily Li, Sara Anvari, Erica S. Shenoy
Summary: Twelve patients developed delayed cutaneous reactions days after initial injection-related symptoms resolved. These reactions, some as severe as grade 3, were resolved in a few days with local therapy. After receiving the second vaccination, 6 patients had no recurrence of the local reaction, 3 had similar reactions to the initial injection reaction, and 3 had milder reactions.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gauthier Croizat, Aurelien Gregor, Jaroslava Joniova, Emmanuel Gerelli, Georges Wagnieres
Summary: The study reveals the different fluorescence characteristics of PpIX at different concentrations, and the linear correlation between fluorescence characteristics and local concentration. The observation of PpIX excimer fluorescence allows for more accurate measurement of PpIX concentration in tissues, which is significant for applications such as photodynamic therapy.
JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY B-BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Samuel R. Revolinski, Peter J. Maughan, Craig E. Coleman, Ian C. Burke
Summary: A high-quality chromosome-scale reference genome for Bromus tectorum was assembled and used for a genome wide association study, leading to the identification of QTLs related to reproductive phenology and plant height. This study is significant as it contributes to the understanding of genetic mechanisms in one of the most successful invasive weed species, providing insights for integrated management strategies.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Shaopeng Wang, Michel Loreau, Claire de Mazancourt, Forest Isbell, Carl Beierkuhnlein, John Connolly, Douglas H. Deutschman, Jiri Dolezal, Nico Eisenhauer, Andy Hector, Anke Jentsch, Jurgen Kreyling, Vojtech Lanta, Jan Leps, H. Wayne Polley, Peter B. Reich, Jasper van Ruijven, Bernhard Schmid, David Tilman, Brian Wilsey, Dylan Craven
Summary: This study demonstrates the significant impact of beta diversity on ecosystem stability, showing that it contributes to maintaining productivity stability at larger spatial scales. The stabilizing effects of both alpha and beta diversity lead to a positive diversity-stability relationship at the landscape scale, emphasizing the importance of conserving biodiversity at multiple spatial scales to maintain ecosystem functions and services.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Milada Vitova, Vojtech Lanta, Maria Cizkova, Martin Jakubec, Frode Rise, Oyvind Halskau, Katerina Bisova, Samuel Furse
Summary: This study demonstrates significant changes in the biosynthesis of the three most abundant phospholipid classes during the normal cell cycle of D. quadricauda, with implications for the physical properties of membranes.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR AND CELL BIOLOGY OF LIPIDS
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Mikhail Kozlov, Zowi Oudendijk, Anders Forsman, Vojtech Lanta, Maxwell V. L. Barclay, Vladimir Gusarov, Bert Gustafsson, Zheng-Zhong Huang, Oksana Y. Kruglova, Yuri M. Marusik, Yuri E. Mikhailov, Marko Mutanen, Alexander Schneider, Lukas Sekerka, Maksim E. Sergeev, Vitali Zverev, Elena L. Zvereva
Summary: Color polymorphism in Chrysomela lapponica leaf beetle shows a high level of diversity across its distribution range, with different color morphs having varied climatic requirements. The proportion of melanic beetles increases with latitude and altitude, but decreases with climate seasonality. The observed patterns suggest that color polymorphism is advantageous for populations inhabiting unpredictable environments, possibly due to the different climatic requirements of coexisting color morphs.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Petr Kozel, Pavel Sebek, Michal Platek, Jiri Benes, Michal Zapletal, Miroslav Dvorsky, Vojtech Lanta, Jiri Dolezal, Radek Bace, Borivoj Zbuzek, Lukas Cizek
Summary: The study found that spatial connectivity and rapid temporal dynamics are important habitat features for light-demanding insects. When creating or restoring habitats for light-demanding forest biota, it is important to consider: (a) Insects benefit from direct connection of new open patches to open habitats or flight corridors such as forest edges. (b) The optimal solution for plants is to connect newly created open forest habitats to existing habitats with established biota of high conservation value. (c) Interventions should be carried out within short time intervals, that is within years rather than decades. (d) A fine mosaic of interconnected, open woodland patches in various successional stages is more beneficial than a single large patch with a single successional stage.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
F. Curtis Lubbe, Martin Bitomsky, Tomas Hajek, Francesco de Bello, Jiri Dolezal, Veronika Jandova, Stepan Janecek, Alena Bartuskova, Vojtech Lanta, Jitka Klimesova
Summary: The study examined the relationship between plant preference/response for water availability, intrinsic water use efficiency, and belowground storage traits in 37 perennial herbs from wet and dry temperate grasslands in the Czech Republic. Results showed that plants from dry grassland preferred to store oligo- and polysaccharides and their water-use efficiency increased with greater concentrations of starch.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Vojtech Lanta, Jiri Dolezal, Petr Kozel, David Hauck, Jan Altman, Josef Kasak, Jiri Foit, Pavel Sebek, Lukas Cizek
Summary: The study found that the invasive black locust has a greater impact on plants than on saproxylic beetles. Plant and beetle species richness and abundance were lower in black locust stands, contributing to homogenization and impoverishment of the respective communities. The presence of black locust may offer refuge to saproxylic beetles, but it also results in decreased diversity and threatened species in plant and insect assemblages.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Mikhail Kozlov, Vojtech Lanta, Vitali Zverev
Summary: The evidence for the small-island effect in boreal forest plants colonising patches of bare ground is mixed, as half of the data showed a classic species-area relationship. The probability of SIE occurrence increases with decreases in the species pool of primary colonisers and with decreases in the time from the beginning of colonisation. Analysis of plant functional traits in study systems where SIE does occur should be conducted to uncover the drivers of this interesting biogeographical phenomenon.
JOURNAL OF VEGETATION SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Mikhail V. Kozlov, Vitali Zverev
Summary: Growing evidence suggests that the Small Island Effect (SIE) may not be a general rule in urban green spaces. Plant species richness is more influenced by open ground area rather than total courtyard area. Increasing the open ground area in urban green spaces can enhance plant diversity.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Vojtech Lanta, Pierre Liancourt, Jan Altman, Tomas Cerny, Miroslav Dvorsky, Pavel Fibich, Lars Gotzenberger, Ondrej Hornych, Jan Miklin, Petr Petrik, Petr Pysek, Lukas Cizek, Jiri Dolezal
Summary: Invasive alien plants pose a serious threat to native biodiversity and ecosystem processes. The success of single invasive species is determined by factors such as canopy openness, water stress, and taxonomic and functional properties of resident communities. Multiple invasive species tend to colonize forests with rich resident species, contributing to an increase in forest diversity.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Susanne Schmidt, Josef Hejzlar, Jiri Kopacek, Ma Cristina Paule-Mercado, Petr Porcal, Yuliya Vystavna, Vojtech Lanta
Summary: Forest damage by insect infestation not only directly affects trees, but also indirectly affects water quality through soil processes. This study demonstrates that the composition of forest components and the intensity of disturbance can predict the chemical properties of water outflow from affected lake catchments, with meteorological and hydrological variables playing a lesser role.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mikhail V. Kozlov, Vitali Zverev, Elena L. Zvereva
Summary: This study compared the sensitivity of leaf fluctuating asymmetry (FA) and leaf size to simulated herbivory stress. The results showed that leaf size was a more sensitive indicator of stress compared to leaf FA. Additionally, the study emphasized the importance of publishing "negative" or inconclusive results to overcome publication bias.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Mikhail V. Kozlov, Vitali Zverev, Tobias M. Sandner, Erik J. van Nieukerken, Elena L. Zvereva
Summary: Damage to plant communities caused by insect herbivores generally decreases with increasing latitude. This study examined the hypothesis that the food consumption by individual herbivores decreases from low to high latitudes due to a decrease in metabolic expenses driven by temperature. The results revealed that the larval feeding efficiency increased with latitude, resulting in reduced foliar biomass consumption by the herbivores at higher latitudes to reach the same size.
Article
Entomology
Mikhail V. Kozlov, Vitali Zverev, Elena L. Zvereva
Summary: Industrial pollution in polar regions does not significantly affect the overall abundance of moths and butterflies, but does lead to a decline in their diversity. Different species have varying responses to pollution. This study reveals the unexpected tolerance of arctic communities of moths and butterflies to industrial pollution.
Article
Plant Sciences
Vojtech Lanta, Ondrej Mudrak, Miroslav Dvorsky, Michael Bartos, Pavel Sebek, Lukas Cizek, Jiri Dolezal
Summary: Plant succession is a complex process influenced by stochastic and deterministic mechanisms. In European oak-hornbeam forests, succession after selective logging was initially governed by interactions between overstory and understory vegetation. Colonization by short-lived and light-demanding species increased overall diversity, but connected clearings had higher functional diversity and lower taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity compared to isolated clearings.
Article
Ecology
Vojtech Lanta, Thomas M. Lilley, Veikko Rinne, Lukas Cizek, Jiri Dolezal, Kai Norrdahl
Summary: Plant invasions can threaten biodiversity, but little is known about the detailed patterns and mechanisms of diversity changes across multitrophic levels. In this study, the impact of invasive plants on understory arthropods and the food web structure was investigated along roadsides in SW Finland. The results showed that trees, regardless of their origin, significantly reduced the diversity and biomass of understory plants and arthropods compared to shrubs. Shady tree stands had lower biodiversity and less complex food web structures compared to open roadside shrub canopies.
ARTHROPOD-PLANT INTERACTIONS
(2023)