Search Results (6)

This data descriptor presents δ-MedBioclim, a newly developed dataset for the Euro-Mediterranean region. This dataset applies the delta-change method by comparing the values of 25 General Circulation Models (GCMs) for the reference period (1981–2010) with their projections for future periods (2026–2050, 2051–2075, and 2076–2100) under the SSP1-RCP2.6, SSP2-RCP4.5, and SSP5-RCP8.5 scenarios. These anomalies are added to two pre-existing datasets, ERA5-Land and CHELSA, yielding resolutions of 0.1° and 0.01°, respectively. Additionally, this manuscript provides a ranking of GCMs for each major river basin within the study area to guide model selection. δ-MedBioclim includes, for all the aforementioned scenarios, monthly mean temperature, total monthly precipitation, and 23 bioclimatic variables, including 9 (biorm1 to biorm9) from the Worldwide Bioclimatic Classification System (WBCS) that are not available in other databases. It also provides two bioclimatic classifications: Köppen–Geiger and WBCS. This dataset is expected to be a valuable resource for modeling the distribution of Mediterranean species and habitats, which are highly affected by climate change. Full article

Background: T cell clonality is commonly assessed in the diagnostic work-up of mature T cell lymphoid neoplasms. Although fragment-length polymerase chain reaction (FL-PCR) assays are most widely used, next-generation sequencing (NGS) of the TRG and TRB genes is increasingly being used to assess T cell clonality. Objective: The present work is a scoping review of studies that assessed T cell clonality by NGS for diagnostic purposes, including only studies that provided integrated clinicopathologic diagnoses in comparing FL-PCR and NGS assays to evaluate if it is preferable to use NGS-based assays for T cell clonality evaluation in diagnostic pathology. Methods: Papers published from 1992 to 3 August 2024 were searched in PubMed. Twenty-nine cohort studies and five instructive case reports, published from 2013–2024 from the USA, UK, Europe, and Australia that provided integrated clinicopathologic diagnoses and used NGS to evaluate T cell clonality in clinical specimens from patients with mature T cell neoplasms and related non-neoplastic and neoplastic diseases were included, with additional relevant studies. Results: Ten (34.4%) of the 29 cohorts included clinical samples from patients having various cutaneous and non-cutaneous T cell malignancies, related neoplasms, and reactive conditions; 2 (6.8%) studies focused on T cell prolymphocytic leukemia, 16 (55%) on cutaneous T cell lymphoma, and one on pediatric pityriasis lichenoides. Eleven (38%) of the 29 cohort studies compared NGS with FL-PCR assays in 908 clinical samples. Eight (72.7%) of the 11 studies compared TRG FL-PCR with TRG NGS (n = 5), TRB NGS (n = 2), and TRG NGS and TRB NGS (n = 1); the remaining three compared EuroClonality/BIOMED-2 FL-PCR (TRG and TRB) with TRG NGS (n = 1), TRB NGS (n = 1), and the EuroClonality-NGS DNA capture assay (n = 1). TRB NGS was used in 16 (55%) of 29, TRG NGS in 6 (20.6%) of 29, and both TRG and TRB NGS in 7 (24%) of 29. Two (6.8%) of the 29 studies compared TRB NGS with flow cytometric immunophenotyping assays for Vβ and T cell receptor β constant region 1. One additional study compared long-read sequencing with NGS for TRG and TRB rearrangements. Conclusions: NGS is highly specific and sensitive for assessing T cell clonality. NGS precisely tracks unique rearranged sequences, which FL-PCR cannot. NGS findings for clonality must be interpreted in the context of all clinicopathologic and immunophenotypic findings, like FL-PCR. With such interpretations, NGS is much preferable to FL-PCR for evaluating T cell clonality for diagnostic purposes. It is necessary to reduce costs, increase accessibility, and educate providers about NGS for clonality evaluation. TRB NGS has been primarily assessed in the peripheral blood and skin, whereas TRG NGS has also been evaluated in formalin-fixed and non-cutaneous fresh lymphoid tissues. TRG NGS performed better than TRB NGS in comparative studies. Full article

The European Mediterranean Basin (Euro-Med), a region particularly vulnerable to global warming, notably lacks research aimed at assessing and enhancing the widely used remote climate detection products known as General Circulation Models (GCMs). In this study, the proficiency of GCMs in replicating reanalyzed 1981–2010 temperature data sourced from the ERA5 Land was assessed. Initially, the least data-modifying interpolation method for achieving a resolution match of 0.1° was ascertained. Subsequently, a pixel-by-pixel evaluation was conducted, employing five goodness-of-fit metrics. From these metrics, we compiled a Comprehensive Rating Index (CRI). A Multi-Model Ensemble using Random Forest was constructed and projected across three emission scenarios (SSP1-RCP2.6, SSP2-RCP4.5, and SSP5-RCP8.5) and timeframes (2026–2050, 2051–2075, and 2076–2100). Empirical Bayesian Kriging, selected for its minimal data alteration, supersedes the commonly employed Bilinear Interpolation. The evaluation results underscore MPI-ESM1-2-HR, GFDL-ESM4, CNRM-CM6-1, MRI-ESM2-0, CNRM-ESM2-1, and IPSL-CM6A-LR as top-performing models. Noteworthy geospatial disparities in model performance were observed. The projection outcomes, notably divergent from IPCC forecasts, revealed a warming trend of 1 to over 2 °C less than anticipated for spring and winter over the medium–long term, juxtaposed with heightened warming in mountainous/elevated regions. These findings could substantially refine temperature projections for the Euro-Med, facilitating the implementation of policy strategies to mitigate the effects of global warming in vulnerable regions worldwide. Full article

The Mediterranean region is one of the most responsive areas to climate change and was identified as a major “hot-spot” based on global climate change analyses. This study provides insight into local climate changes in the Mediterranean region under the scope of the InTheMED project, which is part of the PRIMA programme. Precipitation and temperature were analyzed in an historical period and until the end of this century for five pilot sites, located between the two shores of the Mediterranean region. We used an ensemble of 17 Regional Climate Models, developed in the framework of the EURO-CORDEX initiative, under two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5). Over the historical period, the temperature presents upward trends, which are statistically significant for some sites, while precipitation does not show significant tendencies. These trends will be maintained in the future as predicted by the climate models projections: all models indicate a progressive and robust warming in all study areas and moderate change in total annual precipitation, but some seasonal variations are identified. Future changes in droughts events over the Mediterranean region were studied considering the maximum duration of the heat waves, their peak temperature, and the number of consecutive dry days. All pilot sites are expected to increase the maximum duration of heat waves and their peak temperature. Furthermore, the maximum number of consecutive dry days is expected to increase for most of the study areas. Full article

The use of a compact set of climate change indexes enhances our understanding of the combined impacts of extreme climatic conditions. In this study, we developed the modified Climate Extremes Index (mCEI) to obtain unified information about different types of extremes. For this purpose, we calculated 10 different climate change indexes considering the temperature extremes, extreme precipitation, and moisture surplus and drought over the Europe–Mediterranean (EURO–MED) region for the 1979–2016 period. As a holistic approach, mCEI provides spatiotemporal information, and the high-resolution grid-based data allow us to accomplish detailed country-based and city-based analyses. The analyses indicate that warm temperature extremes rise significantly over the EURO–MED region at a rate of 1.9% decade⁻¹, whereas the cold temperature extremes decrease. Extreme drought has a significant increasing trend of 3.8% decade⁻¹. Although there are regional differences, extreme precipitation indexes have a significant increasing tendency. According to the mCEI, the major hotspots for the combined extremes are the Mediterranean coasts, the Balkan countries, Eastern Europe, Iceland, western Russia, western Turkey, and western Iraq. The decadal changes of mCEI for these regions are in the range of 3–5% decade⁻¹. The city-scale analysis based on urbanized locations reveals that Fes (Morocco), Izmir (Turkey), Marseille and Aix-en-Provence (France), and Tel Aviv (Israel) have the highest increasing trend of mCEI, which is greater than 3.5% decade⁻¹. Full article

The paper presents a survey on the situation in terms of solutions for grid integration throughout the Mediterranean area in the framework of climate change and energy transition. The objective of the study is focused on Mediterranean region connectivity initiatives in the context of the broader vision of an interconnected European–Mediterranean (Euro–Med) power system for a future low-carbon energy system as the fundamental objective of Med-TSO, the Association of the Mediterranean Transmission System Operators (TSOs) for electricity. The analysis examines how the power grid connectivity evolves from now on to 2030, describing the progress made to date in integrating the power grids of the Mediterranean region as well as the future possibilities for a more integrated power grid covering the whole region. The research, conducted within Mediterranean Project II of Med-TSO, includes an overview on the current situation of the interconnections and the proposal for the 2030 interconnections Master Plan, coherent with the national development plans (NDPs) and shared energy scenarios for the whole region at the same horizon of 2030. It conducts an assessment of the gap between the current and the 2030 expected situation, taking into account the energy transition toward 2030 objectives resulting from the achievements of climate change pledges, local governmental policies and EU strategy for neighboring countries and Africa. The solutions survey includes technical solutions, procedures and rules to improve systems’ integration and increase regional electricity exchanges in Med-TSO countries, and is aimed at achieving a higher quality of services and better efficiency of energy supply in Med-TSO member countries in the framework of the expected energy transition. The main scope is to present solutions that will be made available due to maturity and experience in the coming decade, specifically: high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission technologies, energy storage, sectors coupling, smart grid technologies and services, inter-TSO and transmission–distribution cooperation platforms, etc. The article presents two case studies: the island paradigm and a new cross-border interconnection project of common interest. Finally, the post-pandemic core role of TSOs, which has become more relevant than ever, is transformed into a key-enabler of energy transition towards a sustainable, resilient and innovative climate-neutral recovery. Full article