A sedimentary model for transverse inland dunes in central Scandinavia

The largest dune fields in Sweden and Norway are small in international comparison but still form distinct parts of this previously glaciated landscape. The dunes formed c.10.5-9 ka ago, shortly after the last deglaciation, when winds close to the ice sheet were strong and vegetation was largely absent [1-4]. Since then they have been more or less stable and today they are covered by forest. Most of the dunes are curvi-linear in shape and formed transverse to the wind [5]. Here we present a sedimentary model for these transverse inland dunes, based on geophysical and sedimentological investigations of dunes at Skattungheden, Bonäsheden and Starmoen in central Sweden and south-eastern Norway. Ground-penetrating radar profiles reveal the main architectural elements of the dunes, while logging of sediment exposures in the dunes provide information on sedimentary structures. Grain-size analysis and scanning electron microscope studies of individual grains give us more detail on sediment characteristics.The main dune body, consisting of cross beds generally dipping 25-30°, makes up the largest part of the dunes; minor elements include windward side cover, dune-crest superimposed features and dune-toe apron (Fig. 1). The dominating sediment structures are planar parallel lamination, massive to vaguely stratified beds and a few types of secondary structures, such as bioturbation or physical disturbances. Few large erosional discordances are seen, and the dominating depositional processes are wind-ripple migration and some grain fall on the sloping lee sides. The sediments are well-sorted fine-to-medium sand, dominated by quartz, but with significant amounts of feldspar as well as some lithic fragments, micas and heavy minerals. Most grains are angular to subrounded and their surfaces display few traces of aeolian transport. Overall, the dune sands show large similarities to their source material (glacifluvial deposits), which suggests only short transport and brief reworking by aeolian processes.References[1] Alexanderson, H. and M. Bernhardson, OSL dating and luminescence characteristics of aeolian deposits and their source material in Dalarna, central Sweden Boreas, 2016. 45: p. 876-893.[2] Alexanderson, H. and M. Henriksen, A short-lived aeolian event during the Early Holocene in southeastern Norway. Quaternary Geochronology, 2015. 30: p. 175-180.[3] Bernhardson, M. and H. Alexanderson, Early Holocene NW-W winds reconstructed from small dune fields, central Sweden. Boreas, 2018.[4] Alexanderson, H. and D. Fabel, Holocene chronology of the Brattforsheden delta and inland dune field, SW Sweden. Geochronometria, 2015. 42: p. 1-16.[5] Bernhardson, M. and H. Alexanderson, Early Holocene dune field development in Dalarna, central Sweden: A geomorphological and geophysical case study. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 2017. 42: p. 1847-1859

The fan-like forms in the southern margin of the Mazovian Lowland area (Central Poland) : a new high-resolution textural-timing study

An optically stimulated luminescence technique with a high-resolution sampling strategy, as well as a set of multiple proxies such as grain size distribution, shape, surface and microstructures of quartz grains, along with mineral composition of light and heavy fractions was used to investigate the age and origin of fan-like forms at the southern margin of Mazovian Lowland, Poland. The predominance of aeolian factors was observed throughout all of the investigated sites. However, the sedimentary variability of the grains reflected the superposed influence of multiple cold environmental factors such as snow/ice interbedded layers, cryoturbation processes or a “fluvial” transformation. Luminescence ages provide the first detailed chronology of the southern margin of the Mazovian Lowland. Deposition began after ca. 42 ka and onwards, and resulted in the depositional alternation of dry and humid environmental interactions. Between ca. 31 and 25 ka, the pre-LGM aeolian transformation took place. Finally, during the Pomeranian Phase in Poland at ~14 ka, polar desert environmental conditions prevailed

Sandy fan-like forms in the central-eastern mazovian lowland (central poland) : Textural record and chronology

A unique, continuous, fan-shaped belt of sandy landforms in the central-eastern Mazovian Lowland, Central Poland has been investigated using a multiproxy dataset of sediment physical properties and chronological framework. Although there are several previous studies of similar fan-like forms elsewhere in Central Poland, this central-eastern part has not been investigated in detail. A combined methodological approach, using grain-size distributions, the roundness, surface character and microtexture of quartz grains, and the mineral composition of the light and heavy fractions, indicate a predominantly aeolian origin for the fan-like forms. Overlying them are dunes, the sediment within which is derived mainly from the fan-like forms. Two main aeolian phases are distinguished based on luminescence ages: (1) between around 15 and 16 ka, possibly correlated with the Pomeranian Phase of the last (Vistulian) glaciation in Poland, and representing a phase with a poorly recorded deflation event; and (2) around 12 ka, associated with the Younger Dryas onset, when fresh, non-aeolian material was delivered to the system. Overall, the palaeoenvironmental pattern of the fan-like forms is controlled by the Upper Pleistocene aeolian trends

Luminescence dating of aeolian–coastal events on the Kristianstad plain, SE Sweden

Aeolian–coastal sediments and landforms are excellent palaeoenvironmental archives, but chronological studies of coastal records are scarce in Sweden. In this study, we provide luminescence and radiocarbon ages of aeolian activity and coastal landscape evolution on the Kristianstad plain, SE Sweden, based on the investigations of two foredunes and two inland dunes at Åhus and Vittskövle. Additionally, we do a laboratory intercomparison of five young luminescence samples. The comparison shows a significant age difference most likely due to an instrumental difference. The equivalent dose cannot be determined accurately with the low irradiation times, and therefore, the results obtained from the reader with a lower dose rate are favoured and are largely supported by historical records. The oldest age, 11.6 ka, is from littoral sediments underlying an aeolian dune at Vittskövle and represents deposition in the Baltic Ice Lake. These deposits are topped by an organic horizon, which developed between AD 1476 and 1637, a time that partially corresponds with a short and abrupt climate warming in the ‘Little Ice Age’. The aeolian deposits are all younger. Sand mobilisation in the inland dunes took place around AD 1686–1799, related to forest destruction during war, intense cultivation of land or/and the coldest phase of the ‘Little Ice Age’. The foredunes are younger and were deposited at the beginning and in the end of the 20th century by easterly winds

New luminescence ages reveal early to Middle Weichselian deposits in central Latvia

New optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) ages show that sandy deposits overlain by Late Weichselian subglacial till in central Latvia are of Early to Middle Weichselian age. The finer chronological resolution of unconsolidated sediment deposition in the Central Latvian Lowland (CLL) remains relatively unstudied, and here we provide a first characterisation of the deposits with respect to their age. Three OSL ages ranging between 84 ± 9 ka and 112 ± 11 ka suggest that the deposits studied in the CLL are of Early Weichselian age (MIS 5). We found no Middle Weichselian deposits in the CLL, and assume that any such younger sediments might have been eroded during the advance of the Zemgale Lobe in the Late Weichselian. One site, in the ice-marginal zone adjacent to the interlobate area, has nevertheless deposits dated to 44 ± 10 ka corresponding to the Middle Weichselian (MIS 3). Our results are compatible with existing ESR ages on three sets of Portlandia arctica shells from the central part of the lowland; the shells had been incorporated into glacial deposits during later glacial advances. Finally, our findings largely support ice-free conditions during the Early and Middle Weichselian in the middle and southern part of central Latvia

National survey on clinical and genetic characteristics of patients with hereditary angioedema in Latvia

Abstract Background Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare and life-threatening inborn error of immunity. HAE is mostly caused by pathogenic variations in the serine protease inhibitor gene 1 (SERPING1), leading to deficient or dysfunctional C1-inhibitor (C1-INH), overproduction of bradykinin, and development of recurrent subcutaneous and/or submucosal oedema. The prevalence of HAE is 1 in 50,000 − 100000 people worldwide. We aimed to describe the clinical features and genetic spectrum of hereditary angioedema with C1-INH deficiency (C1-INH-HAE) in Latvia. Methods All patients from Latvia diagnosed with HAE (types I/II) from 2006 to March 2022 were included in the study. Laboratory tests and clinical data were analysed, and genetic tests with Sanger sequencing and whole genome sequencing were performed. Results The study identified 10 C1-INH-HAE patients (nine females, one male) from eight families. The point prevalence of HAE in Latvia is 0.53 per 100 000 inhabitants. Of all patients, seven (70%) had HAE type I and three (30%) had HAE type II. The median age of patients was 54 years and the median age at onset of symptoms was 15 years. A significant delay (median 20.5 years) until diagnosis was observed, and 60% of patients had a positive family history of angioedema. All HAE patients have been hospitalised a median two times during their lifetime. Skin (100%), abdominal (80%), and airway (80%) oedema were the most frequent symptoms. Triggering factors (60%) and prodromal symptoms (90%) were referred. Attacks were severe in 50% of patients, moderate in 10%, and mild in 40%. Pathogenic variations of SERPING1 were identified in eight patients (six families), confirming the diagnosis molecularly. In two patients (two families), no pathogenic variations in the genes were found even after whole genome sequencing. Conclusions Current data shows a significant delay and clear underdiagnosis of HAE in Latvia. Higher awareness and better information and communication between doctors would improve the diagnosis and management of HAE; as would screening of family members, patients with recurrent angioedema unresponsive to antihistamines and glucocorticoids, and patients with recurrent episodes of severe, unexplained abdominal pain

Age and sedimentary record of inland eolian sediments in Lithuania, NE European Sand Belt

We present a study based on four inland eolian locations in Eastern, Central and Southeastern Lithuania belonging to the northeastern part of the 'European Sand Belt' (ESB). Although there have been several previous studies of the ESB, this north-eastern extension has not been investigated before in any detail. The sedimentary structural-textural features are investigated and a chronology was derived using optically stimulated luminescence on both quartz and feldspar. The sedimentary structures and the rounding and surface characteristics of the quartz grains argue for a predominance of eolian transport. Additionally, some structural alternations and a significant contribution of non-eolian grains are interpreted as inherited local glacial/glaciofluvial-bearing lithologies. Three main (glaciolacustrine-) eolian phases are distinguished based on the position in the landscape and the luminescence ages: (1) An older eolian series around 15 to 16 ka, possibly correlated with the cold GS-2a event according to the GRIP stratigraphy, and (2) a younger eolian series around 14.0 ka, possibly representing the GI-Id and 1c events. The older eolian series is underlain by (3) a glaciolacustrine-eolian series for which the period of deposition remains uncertain due to the significant discrepancy between the ages based on quartz and feldspar. (C) 2015 University of Washington. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Clinical and genetic characterization of Netherton syndrome due to SPINK5 founder variant in Latvian population.

OBJECTIVE: Netherton syndrome (NS) (OMIM:256500) is a very rare autosomal recessive multisystem disorder mostly affecting ectodermal derivatives (skin and hair) and immune system. It is caused by biallelic loss-of-function variants in the SPINK5 gene, encoding the protease inhibitor lymphoepithelial Kazal-type-related inhibitor (LEKTI). MATERIAL, METHODS AND RESULTS: Here, we describe NS clinical and genetic features of homogenous patient group: 9 individuals from 7 families with similar ethnic background and who have the same SPINK5 variant (NM_006846.4: c.1048C > T, p.(Arg350*)) in homozygous or compound heterozygous states, suggesting that it is a common founder variant in Latvian population. Indeed, we were able to show that the variant is common in general Latvian population, and it shares the same haplotype among the NS individual. It is estimated that the variant arose >1000 years ago. Clinically, all nine patients exhibited typical NS skin changes (scaly erythroderma, ichthyosis linearis circumflexa, itchy skin), except for one patient who has a different skin manifestation-epidermodysplasia. Additionally, we show that developmental delay, previously underrecognized in NS, is a common feature among these patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the phenotype of NS individuals with the same genotype is highly homogeneous