TRY plant trait database - enhanced coverage and open access

Plant traits-the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants-determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait-based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits-almost complete coverage for 'plant growth form'. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait-environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives

TRY plant trait database - enhanced coverage and open access

Plant traits—the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants—determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait‐based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits—almost complete coverage for ‘plant growth form’. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait–environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives

RUNX2-related metaphyseal dysplasia with maxillary hypoplasia : a rare skeletal disorder resembling SFRP4-related Pyle disease

Abstract: Metaphyseal dysplasia with maxillary hypoplasia with or without brachydactyly (MDMHB) is an ultra-rare skeletal dysplasia caused by heterozygous intragenic RUNX2 duplications, comprising either exons 3 to 5 or exons 3 to 6 of RUNX2. In this study, we describe a 14-year-old Belgian boy with metaphyseal dysplasia with maxillary hypoplasia but without brachydactyly. Clinical and radiographic examination revealed mild facial dysmorphism, dental anomalies, enlarged clavicles, genua valga and metaphyseal flaring and thin cortices with an osteoporotic skeletal appearance. Exome sequencing led to the identification of a de novo heterozygous tandem duplication within RUNX2, encompassing exons 3 to 7. This duplication is larger than the ones previously reported in MDMHB cases since it extends into the C-terminal activation domain of RUNX2. We review previously reported cases with MDMHB and highlight the resemblance of this disorder with Pyle disease, which may be explained by intersecting molecular pathways between RUNX2 and sFRP4. This study expands our knowledge on the genotypic and phenotypic characteristics of MDMHB and the role of RUNX2 in rare bone disorders

In situ gross nitrogen transformations differ between temperate deciduous and coniferous forest soils

Despite long-term enhanced nitrogen (N) inputs, forests can retain considerable amounts of N. While rates of N inputs via throughfall and N leaching are increased in coniferous stands relative to deciduous stands at comparable sites, N leaching below coniferous stands is disproportionally enhanced relative to the N input. A better understanding of factors affecting N retention is needed to assess the impact of changing N deposition on N cycling and N loss of forests. Therefore, gross N transformation pathways were quantified in undisturbed well-drained sandy soils of adjacent equal-aged deciduous (pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.)) and coniferous (Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.)) planted forest stands located in a region with high N deposition (north Belgium). In situ inorganic N-15 labelling of the mineral topsoil (0-10 cm) combined with numerical data analysis demonstrated that (i) all gross N transformations differed significantly (p < 0.05) between the two forest soils, (ii) gross N mineralization in the pine soil was less than half the rate in the oak soil, (iii) meaningful N immobilization was only observed for ammonium, (iv) nitrate production via oxidation of organic N occurred three times faster in the pine soil while ammonium oxidation was similar in both soils, and (v) dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium was detected in both soils but was higher in the oak soil. We conclude that the higher gross nitrification (including oxidation of organic N) in the pine soil compared to the oak soil, combined with negligible nitrate immobilization, is in line with the observed higher nitrate leaching under the pine forest

Nitrogen dynamics in contrasting forest ecosystems exposed to enhanced atmospheric N deposition

Despite chronically enhanced nitrogen (N) deposition to forest ecosystems in Europe and NE America, considerable N retention by forests has been observed. It is still unclear which factors determine N retention in forest soils. However, this knowledge is crucial to assess the impact of changing anthropogenic N emissions on future N cycling and N loss of forests. For coniferous and deciduous forest stands at comparable sites, it is known that both N deposition to the forest floor as well as N loss by leaching below the rooting zone are significantly higher in coniferous stands (De Schrijver et al., 2007). In addition, the N loss in coniferous stands is often more enhanced than can be explained by the higher N input only, which suggests lower N retention by coniferous stands and may be related to differences in litter quality, microbial activity, and N uptake by plant roots. To test this hypothesis, we studied the effect of forest type on N retention. N dynamics were examined for two adjacent forest stands (pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.)) on a well-drained soil type and with a similar stand history, which are located in a region with high N deposition (Belgium). Firstly, input-output N budgets were established by quantifying atmospheric deposition and leaching, which confirmed the above finding of higher N deposition and disproportionately higher N loss by the pine stand than the oak stand. Secondly, the fate of inorganic N within the ecosystems was studied by spraying dissolved 15N onto the forest floor, both as ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3-). The 15N recovery over time in organic and mineral soil layers, tree roots, water leaching, ferns, foliage, and stem wood was compared between the two forest stands and N treatments. Thirdly, in situ gross N transformation rates in undisturbed mineral forest soils were determined via a 15N tracing approach (Müller et al., 2007). Meaningful differences between the two forest stands were found for the rates of mineralisation, heterotrophic and autotrophic nitrification, and NH4+ and NO3- immobilisation. Unexpectedly, dissimilatory NO3- reduction to NH4+ (DNRA) was detected in the oak soil. This process has mainly been described for unpolluted soils (e.g., Huygens et al., 2008), and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of DNRA under field conditions in a temperate forest soil under high N deposition

Sleutelrol voor halfparasieten in de biogeochemie van soortenrijke graslanden

Hemiparasitic plants are keystone species in semi-natural grasslands and impact on structure and species composition of the plant community by both parasitism and litter pathways. Because of the suppression of hosts and insufficient nutrient use, total biomass decreases and space becomes available to other species. By producing high-quality litter, hemiparasites increase nutrient availability, compensating som of the biomass decrease due to parasitism. We studied the litter pathway and the overall net effect of Rhinanthus angustifolius and Pedicularis sylvatica on the vegetation. The parasitism pathway proved more important than the litter pathway. Compared to Pedicularis, Rhinanthus has a bigger impact on its plant community – reducing total biomass more and therefore promoting less abundant species as light becomes more available. The litter pathway provides an additional way through which hemiparasites might impact on species composition and promotes fast-growing species. Introduction of hemiparasites can be considered as a means to facilitate the restoration of species-rich grasslands, if applied properly

Anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma : focus on potential molecular mechanisms of drug resistance

Targeted therapy against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is one of the most promising molecular therapeutics for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). EGFR is overexpressed in a wide range of malignancies, including HNSCC, and initiates important signal transduction pathways in HNSCC carcinogenesis. However, primary and acquired resistance are serious problems and are responsible for low single-agent response rate and tumor recurrence. Therefore, an improved understanding of the molecular mechanisms of resistance to EGFR inhibitors may provide valuable indications to identify biomarkers that can be used clinically to predict response to EGFR blockade and to establish new treatment options to overcome resistance. To date, no predictive biomarker for HNSCC is available in the clinic. Therapeutic resistance to anti-EGFR therapy may arise from mechanisms that can compensate for reduced EGFR signaling and/or mechanisms that can modulate EGFR-dependent signaling. In this review, we will summarize some of these molecular mechanisms and describe strategies to overcome that resistance