The Effects of Disturbance on Plant-Pollinator Interactions in the Native Forests of an Oceanic Island (Terceira, Azores).

The native biodiversity of oceanic islands is threatened by human-driven disturbance and by the growing number of species introductions which often interfere with natural ecological processes. Here, we aim to evaluate the effect of anthropogenic disturbance on plant-pollinator interactions in the native forest communities of an oceanic island (Terceira, Azores, Portugal). We found that native species predominated in preserved sites compared to disturbed ones and that the extant plant-pollinator interactions were mostly dominated by generalist species.

Efficacy of sulfasalazine on recurrent acute anterior uveitis: a three-year follow-up.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of sulfasalazine (SSZ) for recurrent acute anterior uveitis (AAU).

Methods: Retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with recurrent AAU treated with SSZ from January 2008 to September 2023. The grading of uveitis activity was defined as per SUN working group.

Engineered allogeneic stem cells orchestrate T lymphocyte driven immunotherapy in immunosuppressive leptomeningeal brain metastasis.

Background: Immune-checkpoint inhibitors have shown clinical benefit in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) derived brain metastasis (BM), however, their efficacy in lung to leptomeningeal brain metastasis (LLBM) remains poor.

Methods: A paired matched RNA expression dataset of patients with NSCLCs and BMs was analyzed to idenfiy BM specific suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) features. Next, we created immune-competent LLBM mouse models that mimic clinical LLBM.

Long-term monitoring data on (Newman, 1838) (Coleoptera, Rutelidae) across the Azorean Islands.

Background: The Japanese Beetle, Newman, 1838 (Coleoptera, Rutelidae), is a univoltine agricultural pest that poses a serious threat to various agricultural crops. For more than 16 years, the Azorean official authorities have implemented a Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) programme that is crucial for understanding the dynamics of insect pests, such as the Japanese Beetle, and their impacts on agricultural ecosystems. The significance of this long-term monitoring extends beyond understanding the pest's life cycle.

How Habitat Simplification Shapes the Morphological Characteristics of Ant Assemblages (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Different Biogeographical Contexts.

Human-driven changes in land cover and use can significantly impact species ants community structures, often leading to a decline in taxonomic diversity or species homogenization. Ant morphology, used as a proxy for ecological function, offers a valuable framework for understanding the effects of anthropogenic disturbances on ant diversity. This study explored the morphological diversity of ant assemblages in agricultural ecosystems and secondary forests in Italy and the Brazilian Amazon, analyzing how these communities are structured and adapted to different environments.