Integrating morphology and molecular data to explore taxonomy, evolutionary history and conservation of Italian endemic Forficulidae (Dermaptera)

Italy hosts 27 species of Dermaptera, five belonging to Forficula, which were never thoroughly investigated. We integrated morphological (morphometric measurements) and molecular data (mitochondrial COI, 16S and nuclear 28S, ITS2) to revise the Italian species, focusing on the endemic taxa, and on the diversity within F. auricularia to reveal the presence of cryptic species. Our data were integrated with those available for other West Mediterranean Forficula. Our results confirmed the taxonomic status of the endemic F. apennina and F. silana, that belong to different lineages but share some morphological traits. The endemic Pseudochelidura orsinii and P.galvagnii resulted nested within Forficula, and a new taxonomic arrangement is proposed (Forficula orsinii: resurrected combination and Forficula galvagnii: new combination). Molecular data revealed the presence in Pantelleria and Sardinia of F. mediterranea, cryptic with F.auricularia and reported only from Spain and Morocco. Morphometric data showed a distinction between West Mediterranean and Italian specimens of F. mediterranea, indicating a divergent selection within this species. This study provides new insights for the Italian Forficulidae, highlighting the importance of combining different approaches in the study of species diversity for their conservation. Indeed, F.apennina and F. galvagnii are high altitude species which seem to be affected by global warming so much to raise fears for their conservatio

Effect of indigenous non-saccharomyces yeasts on lipid compositions of Maraština wine

This study is the first to investigate the impact of indigenous non-Saccharomyces yeasts, including Hypopichia pseudoburtonii, Metschnikowia sinensis/shanxiensis, Metschnikowia chrysoperlae, Metschnikowia pulcherrima, Lachancea thermotolerans, Hanseniaspora uvarum, Hanseniaspora guilliermondii, Hanseniaspora pseudoguilliermondii, Pichia kluyveri, and Starmerella apicola on the lipid composition of sterile Maraština grape juice and wines using the UHPLC-MS/MS method. Yeasts were tested in monoculture and sequential fermentations alongside commercial Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Indigenous non-Saccharomyces yeasts showed the potential to improve fermentation performance and enable the development of new wine styles through the biosynthesis of an unsaturated fatty acid pathway, which was identified as the most significant pathway. In monoculture fermentations, L. thermotolerans, H. uvarum, H. guilliermondii, H. pseudoguilliermondii, and P. kluyveri significantly reduced lignoceric acid, potentially influencing wine aroma through the formation of esters and higher alcohols. Hyp. pseudoburtonii, M. chrysoperlae, M. pulcherrima, P. kluyveri, and S. apicola increased the demand for lipids, such as stearic acid, which may help preserve membrane permeability by integrating into the membrane in response to ethanol shock. The most significant impact on free fatty esters was observed in fermentations with H. pseudoguilliermondii. Furthermore, L. thermotolerans in sequential fermentations significantly reduced arachidic, stearic, and palmitic acid. P. kluyveri reduced the content of erucic and linoleic aci

Sustainable exploitation of apple by-products: a retrospective analysis of pilot-scale extraction tests using hydrodynamic cavitation

Apple by-products (APs) consist of whole defective fruits discarded from the market and pomace resulting from juice squeezing and puree production, which are currently underutilized or disposed of due to the lack of effective and scalable extraction methods. Bioactive compounds in APs, especially phlorizin, which is practically exclusive to the apple tree, are endowed with preventive and therapeutic potential concerning chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases, and specific types of cancer. This study investigated the exploitation of APs using hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) for the extraction step and water as the only solvent. High-temperature extraction (>80 °C) was needed to inactivate the polyphenol oxidase; a strict range of the cavitation number (around 0.07) was identified for extraction optimization; less than 20 min were sufficient for the extraction of macro- and micro-nutrients up to nearly their potential level, irrespective of the concentration of fresh biomass up to 50% of the water mass. The energy required to produce 30 to 100 g of dry extract containing 100 mg of phlorizin was predicted at around or less than 1 kWh, with HC contributing for less than 2.5% to the overall energy balance due to the efficient extraction proces

Novel technologies and ensemble modelling for climate-sensitive vector activity and vector-borne disease risk assessment

Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) pose significant challenges to global public health, contributing extensively to morbidity and mortality worldwide. The dynamics governing VBD transmission are highly complex, involving multifaceted interactions among vectors, hosts, pathogens, and environmental factors. Recent advances in mathematical modelling and machine learning have substantially improved our ability to understand these intricate dynamics, offering powerful tools to better anticipate disease transmission and to guide effective control and potential elimination strategies. We initiated a dedicated workshop series to examine a wide array of advanced modelling techniques designed to predict mosquito and pathogen transmission under varying environmental conditions. By bringing together experts from diverse disciplines, the workshops foster an inclusive, collaborative environment that encourages open dialogue and critical analysis. Participants evaluate the strengths and limitations of existing modelling frameworks, explore emerging methodologies and ensemble modelling to enhance predictive accuracy, and identify key gaps in current knowledge requiring further research. The workshops also feature training sessions suitable for participants at all levels of expertise, fostering knowledge exchange and facilitating the integration of innovative technologies into public health strategies. Outcomes from the workshops are prepared for dissemination through open-access repositories and integration into the Climate-Driven Vector-Borne Disease Risk Assessment platform (VEClim). VEClim serves as an essential tool for early warning and decision-support systems, aiming to enhance vector control and outbreak management capabilities. Through its user-friendly, web-based Geographic Information System (GIS), VEClim ensures versatile access to advanced modelling tools, offering reliable short-, medium-, and long-term predictions of habitat suitability, vector activity, and associated disease risks. VEClim is operationally managed by The Cyprus Institute and remains permanently accessible via its dedicated domain: veclim.com