New records of lichens from the Zeysky Nature Reserve (Amur Region, Russia)

The lichen biota of the Zeysky Nature Reserve (southern Russian Far East) was studied in the course of geobotanical expedition. In total 36 species of lichens and one lichenicolous fungus are reported for the first time for the reserve. Among them 19 are new to the Amur Region. Parmelia asiatica is reported for the first time for the southern Russian Far East, Cladonia norvegica – for the Asian part of Russia, Tuckermannopsis gilva – for Russia, Melanohalea laciniatula – for Asia. Four species are included in the Red Data Book of Russian Federation.

Claudin 18.2 – a novel treatment target in the multicenter, randomized, phase II FAST study, a trial of epirubicin, oxaliplatin, and capecitabine (EOX) with or without the anti-CLDN18.2 antibody IMAB362 as 1st line therapy in advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer

Background: Claudin(CLDN)18.2 is a stomach specific tight junction protein. The chimeric monoclonal anti-CLDN18.2 antibody IMAB362 potently activates complement and antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity. FAST investigated CLDN18.2 tumor expression and therapy with IMAB362 in combination with first line chemotherapy in pts with advanced gastric and GEJ cancer. Methods: Pts with advanced gastric and GEJ cancer were centrally evaluated for CLDN18.2 by immunohistochemistry (CLAUDETECT18.2® Kit). CLDN18.2 expression of ≥ 2+ in ≥ 40% tumor cells was defined positive. Eligible pts required CLDN18.2+ tumors, an ECOG PS of 0–1, and no medical need for trastuzumab treatment

Final results of the FAST study, an international, multicenter, randomized, phase II trial of epirubicin, oxaliplatin, and capecitabine (EOX) with or without the anti-CLDN18.2 antibody IMAB362 as first-line therapy in patients with advanced CLDN18.2+ gastric and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma

Background: IMAB362, a chimeric monoclonal antibody that mediates specific killing of cancer cells expressing the tight junction protein Claudin18.2 (CLDN18.2) by activation of immune effector mechanisms, has demonstrated single-agent activity and tolerability in patients ( pts) with heavily pretreated gastric cancer. Methods: Pts with advanced/recurrent gastric and GEJ cancer were centrally evaluated for CLDN18.2 expression by immunohistochemistry (CLAUDETECT® 18.2 Histology Kit). Eligible pts had a CLDN18.2 expression of ≥2+ in ≥40% tumor cells, an ECOG PS of 0–1 and were not eligible for trastuzumab. Pts were randomized 1:1 to first-line EOX (epirubicin 50 mg/m2 and oxaliplatin 130 mg/m2 d1, and capecitabine 625 mg/m2 bid, d1–21; qd22) with or without IMAB362 (loading dose 800 mg/m2, then 600 mg/m2 d1, qd21). An exploratory arm (N = 85) was added to investigate a higher dose IMAB362 (1000 mg/m2) plus EOX. The primary study endpoint was PFS (Arm1 vs 2,70% power, hazard ratio [HR] 0.72, 1-sided p = 0.1). Here we present the final study results

Global patterns in endemicity and vulnerability of soil fungi

Fungi are highly diverse organisms, which provide multiple ecosystem services. However, compared with charismatic animals and plants, the distribution patterns and conservation needs of fungi have been little explored. Here, we examined endemicity patterns, global change vulnerability and conservation priority areas for functional groups of soil fungi based on six global surveys using a high-resolution, long-read metabarcoding approach. We found that the endemicity of all fungi and most functional groups peaks in tropical habitats, including Amazonia, Yucatan, West-Central Africa, Sri Lanka, and New Caledonia, with a negligible island effect compared with plants and animals. We also found that fungi are predominantly vulnerable to drought, heat and land-cover change, particularly in dry tropical regions with high human population density. Fungal conservation areas of highest priority include herbaceous wetlands, tropical forests, and woodlands. We stress that more attention should be focused on the conservation of fungi, especially root symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal and ectomycorrhizal fungi in tropical regions as well as unicellular early-diverging groups and macrofungi in general. Given the low overlap between the endemicity of fungi and macroorganisms, but high conservation needs in both groups, detailed analyses on distribution and conservation requirements are warranted for other microorganisms and soil organisms

Global patterns in endemicity and vulnerability of soil fungi

Fungi are highly diverse organisms, which provide multiple ecosystem services. However, compared with charismatic animals and plants, the distribution patterns and conservation needs of fungi have been little explored. Here, we examined endemicity patterns, global change vulnerability and conservation priority areas for functional groups of soil fungi based on six global surveys using a high-resolution, long-read metabarcoding approach. We found that the endemicity of all fungi and most functional groups peaks in tropical habitats, including Amazonia, Yucatan, West-Central Africa, Sri Lanka, and New Caledonia, with a negligible island effect compared with plants and animals. We also found that fungi are predominantly vulnerable to drought, heat and land-cover change, particularly in dry tropical regions with high human population density. Fungal conservation areas of highest priority include herbaceous wetlands, tropical forests, and woodlands. We stress that more attention should be focused on the conservation of fungi, especially root symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal and ectomycorrhizal fungi in tropical regions as well as unicellular early-diverging groups and macrofungi in general. Given the low overlap between the endemicity of fungi and macroorganisms, but high conservation needs in both groups, detailed analyses on distribution and conservation requirements are warranted for other microorganisms and soil organisms

Global patterns in endemicity and vulnerability of soil fungi

Fungi are highly diverse organisms, which provide multiple ecosystem services. However, compared with charismatic animals and plants, the distribution patterns and conservation needs of fungi have been little explored. Here, we examined endemicity patterns, global change vulnerability and conservation priority areas for functional groups of soil fungi based on six global surveys using a high-resolution, long-read metabarcoding approach. We found that the endemicity of all fungi and most functional groups peaks in tropical habitats, including Amazonia, Yucatan, West-Central Africa, Sri Lanka, and New Caledonia, with a negligible island effect compared with plants and animals. We also found that fungi are predominantly vulnerable to drought, heat and land-cover change, particularly in dry tropical regions with high human population density. Fungal conservation areas of highest priority include herbaceous wetlands, tropical forests, and woodlands. We stress that more attention should be focused on the conservation of fungi, especially root symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal and ectomycorrhizal fungi in tropical regions as well as unicellular early-diverging groups and macrofungi in general. Given the low overlap between the endemicity of fungi and macroorganisms, but high conservation needs in both groups, detailed analyses on distribution and conservation requirements are warranted for other microorganisms and soil organisms