Phenological shifts of abiotic events, producers and consumers across a continent

Ongoing climate change can shift organism phenology in ways that vary depending on species, habitats and climate factors studied. To probe for large-scale patterns in associated phenological change, we use 70,709 observations from six decades of systematic monitoring across the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Among 110 phenological events related to plants, birds, insects, amphibians and fungi, we find a mosaic of change, defying simple predictions of earlier springs, later autumns and stronger changes at higher latitudes and elevations. Site mean temperature emerged as a strong predictor of local phenology, but the magnitude and direction of change varied with trophic level and the relative timing of an event. Beyond temperature-associated variation, we uncover high variation among both sites and years, with some sites being characterized by disproportionately long seasons and others by short ones. Our findings emphasize concerns regarding ecosystem integrity and highlight the difficulty of predicting climate change outcomes. The authors use systematic monitoring across the former USSR to investigate phenological changes across taxa. The long-term mean temperature of a site emerged as a strong predictor of phenological change, with further imprints of trophic level, event timing, site, year and biotic interactions.Peer reviewe

Chronicles of nature calendar, a long-term and large-scale multitaxon database on phenology

We present an extensive, large-scale, long-term and multitaxon database on phenological and climatic variation, involving 506,186 observation dates acquired in 471 localities in Russian Federation, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Belarus and Kyrgyzstan. The data cover the period 1890-2018, with 96% of the data being from 1960 onwards. The database is rich in plants, birds and climatic events, but also includes insects, amphibians, reptiles and fungi. The database includes multiple events per species, such as the onset days of leaf unfolding and leaf fall for plants, and the days for first spring and last autumn occurrences for birds. The data were acquired using standardized methods by permanent staff of national parks and nature reserves (87% of the data) and members of a phenological observation network (13% of the data). The database is valuable for exploring how species respond in their phenology to climate change. Large-scale analyses of spatial variation in phenological response can help to better predict the consequences of species and community responses to climate change.Peer reviewe

Multimorbidity in Pediatric Dermatology: Clinical Case

Background. Nowadays, dermatoses with mixed clinical picture and resistant to classical management become more common. The presence of various genetic disorders typical for most chronic dermatoses may indicate possible combination of several nosologies.Clinical Case Description. The article presents the clinical case of multimorbid condition in 10 years old patient who has nucleotide variants in CARD14 and EXPH5 genes. Mutations in CARD14 gene are typical for patients with type 2 psoriasis and pityriasis rubra pilaris (autosomal dominant type), while mutations in EXPH5 gene are typical for patients with non-specific epidermolysis bullosa (autosomal recessive type). Mutation in the TGM1 gene that is described in patients with congenital ichthyosis (autosomal recessive type), pathogenic mutations in KRT74 gene typical for ectodermal dysplasia, hypotrichosis and uncombable hair syndrome, and mutations in the KRT86 gene typical for monilethrix were also revealed. Medical history taking and histological examination as well as clinical data evaluating are crucial for correct diagnosis. They allow to understand the absence of the such manifestations in relatives and reveal various pathological processes in the epidermis. Molecular genetic testing with new generation sequencing (NGS) helps to finally establish the diagnosis and determine the further tactics for patient management.Conclusion. Multidisciplinary approach and use of high-technology methods of examination and treatment (such as molecular genetic testing and biological therapy) are required for final diagnosis in severe forms of chronic dermatosis resistant to treatment and for decision on correct tactics for the further management of such patients

Ustekinumab Efficacy and Safety in Children with Plaque, Erythrodermic and Palmoplanar Forms of Psoriasis: Retrospective Cohort Study

Background. The study of psoriasis biological therapy aspects in children has certain topicality due to the small number and disunity of individual observations and the lack of special registers for pediatric patients.Objective. Our aim was to study ustekinumab efficacy and safety in children with plaque (PP), erythrodermic (EP) and palmoplanar (PPP) forms of psoriasis.Methods. The analysis of ustekinumab efficacy and safety has been carrying out for 1 year. The evaluation of therapy efficacy was based on definition of improvement of PASI scores (PASI 75, PASI 90 and PASI 100) on the 16th, 28th, 40th and 52nd weeks of follow-up and children's dermatology life quality index (CDLQI). Ustekinumab therapy safety analysis was based on registration and evaluation of adverse effects. Results. The study included 67 children with PP, EP and PPP aged 12 to 18 years. PP group results: the PASI 75 response at the 52nd week of therapy was observed in 35 children (100%), PASI 90 — in 33 (94%), PASI 100 — in 30 (86%). EP group results: 10 patients (56%) have reached PASI 75 on the 16th week, while none of patients have improved to PASI 90 and PASI 100 scores. The PASI 75 response at the 52nd week of therapy was observed in 18 children (100%), PASI 90 — in 17 (94%), PASI 100 — in 7 (39%). Only 1 patient (7%) with PPP has showed the score decrease to PASI 75 on the 16th week. Adverse effects were reported in 2 patients.Conclusion. Ustekinumab is the effective and safe treatment for moderate and severe forms of PP and EP in children, and it can also be considered as one of the alternative methods for PPP treatment in pediatrics

In Situ X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy Cells for High Pressure Homogeneous Catalysis

We have designed, built, and tested two cells for in situ and, potentially, operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy experiments in transmission and fluorescence modes. The cells were developed for high-pressure and high-temperature conditions to study the catalytic processes under relevant industrial conditions. Operation of the cells was tested for Ru and Rh-based homogeneous and heterogeneous catalytic systems. Using synchrotron-based in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy we tracked the evolution of active metal species during catalytic reactions. Our setup proved that it was capable to investigate liquid-state homogeneous and heterogenous systems under elevated temperatures, high pressures of reactive gasses, and in the presence of corrosive reagents

Operando Laboratory X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy and UV–Vis Study of Pt/TiO₂ Photocatalysts during Photodeposition and Hydrogen Evolution Reactions

Photocatalytic hydrogen (H2) production is a promising route for alternative energetics. Understanding structure–activity relationships is a crucial step towards the rational design of photocatalysts, which requires the application of operando spectroscopy under relevant working conditions. We performed an operando investigation on a catalytic system during the photodeposition of Pt on TiO2 and photostimulated H2 production, using simultaneous laboratory X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), UV–Vis spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. XAS showed a progressive increase in Pt fluorescence for Pt deposited on TiO2 for over an hour, which is correlated with the signal of the produced H2. The final Pt/TiO2 catalyst contained Pt(0) particles. The electronic features corresponding to the Pt4+ species in the UV–Vis spectrum of the solution disappear as soon as UV radiation is applied in the presence of formic acid, which acts as a hole scavenger, resulting in the presence of Pt(0) particles in solution