Factors influencing epiphytic bryophyte and lichen species richness at different spatial scales in managed temperate forests

The effect of management related factors on species richness of epiphytic bryophytes and lichens was studied in managed deciduous-coniferous mixed forests in Western-Hungary. At the stand level, the potential explanatory variables were tree species composition, stand structure, microclimate and light conditions, landscape and historical variables; while at tree level host tree species, tree size and light were studied. Species richness of the two epiphyte groups was positively correlated. Both for lichen and bryophyte plot level richness, the composition and diversity of tree species and the abundance of shrub layer were the most influential positive factors. Besides, for bryophytes the presence of large trees, while for lichens amount and heterogeneity of light were important. Tree level richness was mainly determined by host tree species for both groups. For bryophytes oaks, while for lichens oaks and hornbeam turned out the most favourable hosts. Tree size generally increased tree level species richness, except on pine for bryophytes and on hornbeam for lichens. The key variables for epiphytic diversity of the region were directly influenced by recent forest management; historical and landscape variables were not influential. Forest management oriented to the conservation of epiphyte s should focus on: (i) the maintenance of tree species diversity in mixed stands; (ii) increment the proportion of deciduous trees (mainly oaks); (iii) conserving large trees within the stands; (iv) providing the presence of shrub and regeneration layer; (v) creating heterogeneous light conditions. For these purposes tree selection and selective cutting management seem more appropriate than shelterwood system

Brentuximab vedotin does not cause clinically relevant QTc interval prolongation in patients with CD30-positive hematologic malignancies

PURPOSE: Brentuximab vedotin (ADCETRIS®), an antibody–drug conjugate, comprises an anti-CD30 antibody conjugated by a protease-cleavable linker to a microtubule-disrupting agent, monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE). In vitro studies showed that MMAE does not interfere with hERG K+ channels at clinically relevant concentrations. In pivotal phase 2 clinical trials in patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma and systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma, brentuximab vedotin has shown substantial efficacy and an acceptable safety profile. This phase 1 open-label study was designed to evaluate the effect of brentuximab vedotin on the duration of cardiac ventricular repolarization. METHODS: Patients with CD30-positive hematologic malignancies were treated with 1.8 mg/kg brentuximab vedotin by intravenous infusion every 3 weeks for up to 16 cycles. The primary endpoint was the change from baseline to Cycle 1 Days 2, 3, and 4 in the duration of ventricular repolarization using Fridericia's corrected QT interval (QTcF). RESULTS: There was no clinically meaningful change from baseline in the duration of ventricular repolarization as measured by QTcF in the 46 evaluable patients out of 52 total patients treated with brentuximab vedotin. There was no evidence of treatment-emergent cardiac safety abnormalities. Brentuximab vedotin was generally well tolerated with a response rate and an adverse event profile consistent with prior studies. CONCLUSION: There is no significant prolongation of the QT/QTc interval with brentuximab vedotin in patients with CD30-positive hematologic malignancies

The presence of the encyclicals in Web of Science: a bibliometric approach

The encyclicals, also known as papal letters, are documents that have a profound influence on the Catholic Church and, as a result, on the West. This research seeks to explore the impact and areas of influence of these documents according to the citations and length they have had in publications indexed in Web of Science. In addition to the nature and citations of the encyclicals spanning the pontificates of Leo XIII and Francis I, this study analyses the characteristics of the citing publications, such as subject matter, co-cited authors as well as the institution and country of publication. The production of encyclicals according to pontificate is irregular. This study shows that encyclicals on social themes are the ones with the greatest impact on science, particularly Rerum Novarum and the encyclicals commemorating it. Beyond the fields of Theology and Philosophy, encyclicals are used as referents in multiple themes, particularly in today’s great social themes of economics, politics, war, well-being, social inequality and human development. Likewise, the fact that the papal letters are co-cited together with great thinkers, such as Adam Smith, Karl Marx, Max Weber, Martin Heidegger, or theologians like Karl Ruhner, indicates their importance. Lastly, Catholic universities are observed be to the principal source of studies in which the encyclicals provide theoretical referents