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Fungi are among the most diverse and ecologically important kingdoms in life. However, the distributional ranges of fungi remain largely unknown as do the ecological mechanisms that shape their distributions1,2. To provide an integrated view of the spatial and seasonal dynamics of fungi, we implemented a globally distributed standardized aerial sampling of fungal spores3. The vast majority of operational taxonomic units were detected within only one climatic zone, and the spatiotemporal patterns of species richness and community composition were mostly explained by annual mean air temperature. Tropical regions hosted the highest fungal diversity except for lichenized, ericoid mycorrhizal and ectomycorrhizal fungi, which reached their peak diversity in temperate regions. The sensitivity in climatic responses was associated with phylogenetic relatedness, suggesting that large-scale distributions of some fungal groups are partially constrained by their ancestral niche. There was a strong phylogenetic signal in seasonal sensitivity, suggesting that some groups of fungi have retained their ancestral trait of sporulating for only a short period. Overall, our results show that the hyperdiverse kingdom of fungi follows globally highly predictable spatial and temporal dynamics, with seasonality in both species richness and community composition increasing with latitude. Our study reports patterns resembling those described for other major groups of organisms, thus making a major contribution to the long-standing debate on whether organisms with a microbial lifestyle follow the global biodiversity paradigms known for macroorganisms4,5.

Novel methods for sampling and characterizing biodiversity hold great promise for re-evaluating patterns of life across the planet. The sampling of airborne spores with a cyclone sampler, and the sequencing of their DNA, have been suggested as an efficient and well-calibrated tool for surveying fungal diversity across various environments. Here we present data originating from the Global Spore Sampling Project, comprising 2,768 samples collected during two years at 47 outdoor locations across the world. Each sample represents fungal DNA extracted from 24 m3 of air. We applied a conservative bioinformatics pipeline that filtered out sequences that did not show strong evidence of representing a fungal species. The pipeline yielded 27,954 species-level operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Each OTU is accompanied by a probabilistic taxonomic classification, validated through comparison with expert evaluations. To examine the potential of the data for ecological analyses, we partitioned the variation in species distributions into spatial and seasonal components, showing a strong effect of the annual mean temperature on community composition.

One important ecological question regarding the use of plant resistance genes against fungal pathogens concerns whether and how such resistance genes may modify pathogenic or beneficial members of the plant-associated microbiota. We studied the impact of a plant resistance gene by analyzing the mycobiota associated with Brassica napus organs over two cropping seasons. Sampling dates coincided with key stages of the life cycle of the B. napus pathogen Leptosphaeria maculans. Leaf samples were collected at three time points in autumn and spring, and stem base samples were collected at two time points a few weeks before and at harvest. Stem residues, where L. maculans survives in the intercropping season and develops sexual reproduction, were also analyzed at four time points between the two cropping seasons. The sampling was performed on two plant genotypes, Darmor and Darmor-Rlm11, only differing by the effective resistance gene against L. maculans, Rlm11. Altogether, 419 samples were analyzed using two barcode: internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and Actin. The plant organ was shown to be the main mycobiota structuring factor, as clear-cut alternation of the species suggested that each plant organ represented a specific ecological niche. The cropping season and plant genotype also significantly influenced the community structure in lower proportions. The resistance gene contributed differently to the community structure depending on the year and the organ concerned. A significant but low impact of Rlm11 on other B. napus fungal pathogens was detected. The ITS and Actin barcodes showed similar results, but the species assignation was limited for the latter.

Abstract Novel methods for sampling and characterizing biodiversity hold great promise for re-evaluating patterns of life across the planet. The sampling of airborne spores with a cyclone sampler, and the sequencing of their DNA, have been suggested as an efficient and well-calibrated tool for surveying fungal diversity across various environments. Here we present data originating from the Global Spore Sampling Project, comprising 2,768 samples collected during two years at 47 outdoor locations across the world. Each sample represents fungal DNA extracted from 24 m3 of air. We applied a conservative bioinformatics pipeline that filtered out sequences that did not show strong evidence of representing a fungal species. The pipeline yielded 27,954 species-level operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Each OTU is accompanied by a probabilistic taxonomic classification, validated through comparison with expert evaluations. To examine the potential of the data for ecological analyses, we partitioned the variation in species distributions into spatial and seasonal components, showing a strong effect of the annual mean temperature on community composition.

Abstract Clinical relevance The Keratoconus International Consortium (KIC) will allow better understanding of keratoconus. Background Keratoconus is a disorder characterised by corneal elevation and thinning, leading to reduced vision. The current gaps in understanding of this disease will be discussed and the need for a multi-pronged and multi-centre engagement to enhance our understanding of keratoconus will be highlighted. Design KIC has been established to address the gaps in our understanding of keratoconus with the aim of collecting baseline as well as longitudinal data on several fields. Participants Keratoconus and control (no corneal condition) subjects from different sites globally will be recruited in the study. Methods KIC collects data using an online, secure database, which enables standardised data collection at member sites. Data fields collected include medical history, clinical features, quality of life and economic burden questionnaires and possible genetic sample collection from patients of different ethnicities across different geographical locations. Results There are currently 40 Australian and international clinics or hospital departments who have joined the KIC. Baseline data has so far been collected on 1130 keratoconus patients and indicates a median age of 29.70 years with 61% being male. A total of 15.3% report a positive family history of keratoconus and 57.7% self-report a history of frequent eye rubbing. Conclusion The strength of this consortium is its international, collaborative design and use of a common data collection tool. Inclusion and analyses of cross-sectional and longitudinal data will help answer many questions that remain in keratoconus, including factors affecting progression and treatment outcomes.

Secondary tropical forests are increasingly important for their role in the global carbon (C) balance as they can rapidly accumulate aboveground biomass C during regrowth. Substantial amounts of plant-derived carbon are also incorporated into the soil through decomposition processes, but our understanding of soil C dynamics during forest regrowth is limited. Secondary succession is characterised by a shift in tree functional groups from light-demanding to shade-tolerant species over time, which can influence rates of C turnover via differences in litter quality and by modifying the decomposition environment. Changes in decomposition processes in turn affect the amount of organic C stored in the soil or released to the atmosphere as CO2. Consequently, understanding how tree functional composition influences C turnover during decomposition could help us predict soil C storage during tropical forest regrowth. We experimentally explored the relationship between tree functional groups and soil C dynamics (decomposition and respiration) by conducting a litter decomposition experiment across a successional gradient of naturally regenerating tropical forest. We created litter mixtures representing tree communities differing in their shade tolerance, as well as a functionally diverse litter mixture, and observed litter mass loss and soil respiration as measures of C turnover over a 6 month period. Litter from light-demanding species decomposed faster than litter from shade-tolerant species, which was reflected in the pattern of soil respiration. There were no clear patterns of increasing or decreasing rates of litter decay or soil respiration with increasing forest age, but there was an interaction between stand age and litter type which influenced both decomposition and soil respiration rates. Interestingly, soil respiration from the functionally diverse litter mixture was significantly higher in the younger than older forest stands, and the functionally diverse litter mixture decayed more rapidly than expected in one of the younger stands. Our findings highlight the potential importance of functionally diverse plant inputs, as well as the interaction between local environmental attributes and litter type, for soil C dynamics in tropical forests.

We report the case of a 57-year-old woman who presented with local invasion of the anal canal by mucinous adenocarcinoma, the malignant transformation of a long-term preexisting retrorectal tailgut cyst. This progression is infrequent and justifies preemptive surgical treatment of retrorectal cysts.

Introduction: Neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) has a major impact on patients' quality of life and can lead to upper urinary tract complications. Intradetrusor botulinum toxin type A injections are administered as second‐line treatment to these patients following the failure of anticholinergic agents. The aim of the DETOX 2 study is to propose a consensus definition of the failure of intradetrusor botulinum toxin injections for NDO in patients presenting spinal cord injury, spina bifida, or multiple sclerosis (MS) with self‐catheterization. Method: This study followed the method adopted by the French National Authority for Health for recommendations by consensus. Based on a review of the literature and a preliminary survey, a steering committee compiled a questionnaire and selected a rating group comprising 16 experts from the Neuro‐Urology Committee of the French Urology Association (cnuAFU) and Genulf. The experts were asked to complete the online questionnaire. At the end of the first round, all participants came together to discuss any disagreements and a second‐round online questionnaire was completed to reach a consensus. Results: Thirteen of the 16 experts approached completed both rounds of questionnaires. A strong consensus was reached for two proposals (median score = 9/10) which were therefore included in the definition from the first round: at least one repeat injection of the same botulinum toxin at the same dose must be given to rule out failure on technical grounds and a duration of efficacy <3 months must be considered a failure. At the end of round 2, a relative consensus was reached regarding the clinical criterion defining failure (median score = 7/10) and the urodynamic criterion of failure (median score = 8/10). An additional proposal was selected during this second round on the need for a voiding diary (median score = 8/10). Conclusion: The first consensus definition of failure of an intradetrusor injection of TB‐A for NDO has been achieved with this study: persistence of detrusor overactivity with maximum detrusor pressures >40 cm H2O and/or a compliance issue and/or persistence of urinary incontinence and/or urgency and/or a number of daily self‐catheterizations >8/day and/or efficacy <3 months. This study will help to standardize research on the failure of the intradetrusor botulinum toxin for NDO in clinical practice and clinical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimitotic compounds, such as paclitaxel, induce cell death in cycling cancer cells only. Here, the authors show that paclitaxel-targeted breast cancer cells prime neighboring cells to apoptosis through a STING-mediated paracrine signaling pathway.

The negative contribution of crop residues as a source of inoculum for plant diseases is well established. However, microbial ecologists have long reported positive effects of residues on the stability of agrosystems and conservation tillage practices have become increasingly widespread. Most studies have suggested that large microbial communities should be taken into account in plant disease management, but we know little about their ecological interaction with pathogens in the crop residue compartment. This review focuses on microbiomes associated with residues within the context of other microbial habitats in cereal-producing agroecosystems such as phyllosphere or rhizosphere. We connected residue microbiome with the survival of residue-borne fungal plant pathogens, thus combining knowledge in microbial ecology and epidemiology, two disciplines still not sufficiently connected. We provide an overview of the impact of residues on cereal disease epidemics and how dynamic interactions between microbial communities of nonburied residues during their degradation, along with soil and multitude of abiotic factors, can contribute to innovative disease management strategies, including next-generation microbiome-based biocontrol strategies. Starting from the classical but still relevant view of crop residues as a source of pathogen inoculum, we first consider possibilities for limiting the amount of residues on the soil surface to reduce the pathogen pressure. We then describe residues as a transient half-plant/half-soil compartment constituting a key fully fledged microbial ecosystem: in other words, an ecotone which deserves special attention. We focus on microbial communities, the changes in these communities over time and the factors influencing them. Finally, we discuss how the interactions between the microbial communities and the pathogens present on residues could be used: identification of keystone taxa and beneficial assemblages, then preservation of these taxa by adapted agronomic practices or development of synthetic communities, rather than the introduction of a single exogenous biocontrol species designed as a treatment product.