32 research outputs found
A multivariate morphometric analysis of diagnostic traits in southern Italy and Sicily pubescent oaks
Species identification within the species complex
of Q. pubescens is a well-known taxonomic challenge
among European botanists. Some of the specific
pubescent oak binomials currently accepted in various
European floras and checklistswere originally described
in Sicily and southern Calabria. As a consequence,
several species belonging to the pubescent oaks group
(Q. pubescens, Q. amplifolia, Q. congesta,
Q. dalechampii, Q. leptobalana and Q. virgiliana) are
reported in the taxonomic and phytosociological literature.
To verify whether it was possible to associate a
diverse set of morphological characters with each of
these different taxa, thirteen natural populations of pubescent
oak from Sicily and southern Calabria were
sampled. A total of 391 trees, 3,887 leaves and 1,047
fruits were collected. Overall, 28 morphological characters
of oak leaves and fruits were statistically analysed
using univariate and multivariate procedures. The results
showed that neither the groups of morphological
diversity identified by cluster analysis, nor those obtained
by our expert identification through the use of analytical
keys, matched with the current taxonomical
frameworks as proposed by the most recent floras and
checklists. Nearly all of the morphological characters
considered displayed a more or less continuous trend of
variation, both within and among populations. In the
light of these findings it seems unlikely that more than
one biological species of pubescent oak occurs in Sicily
and southern Calabria
Checklist of gypsophilous vascular flora in Italy
Our understanding of the richness and uniqueness of the flora growing on gypsum substrates in Italy has grown significantly since the 19th century and, even today, new plant species are still being discovered. However, the plants and plant communities, growing on gypsum substrates in Italy, are still a relatively unknown subject.
The main aim of this paper was to elaborate a checklist of the Italian gypsophilous flora, to increase knowledge about this peculiar flora and for which conservation efforts need to be addressed.
Through a structured group communication process of experts (application of the Delphi technique), a remarkable number of experienced Italian botanists have joined together to select focal plant species linked to gypsum substrates. From the results obtained, 31 plant species behave as absolute or preferent taxa (gypsophytes and gypsoclines) and form the âcoreâ Italian gypsophilous flora. The most abundant life forms were chamaephytes and hemicryptophytes, belonging to Poaceae and Brassicaceae; as for chorotypes, the most represented are Mediterranean and narrow endemics. By improving on previously available information about the flora with a clear preference for gypsum in Italy, this undertaking represents an important contribution to the knowledge of a habitat which is today considered a priority for conservation
Notulae to the Italian alien vascular flora: 11
In this contribution, new data concerning the distribution of vascular flora alien to Italy are presented. It includes new records, confirmations, exclusions, and status changes for Italy or for Italian administrative regions. Nomenclatural and distribution updates published elsewhere are provided as Suppl. material 1
Lancet
BACKGROUND: In 2015, the second cycle of the CONCORD programme established global surveillance of cancer survival as a metric of the effectiveness of health systems and to inform global policy on cancer control. CONCORD-3 updates the worldwide surveillance of cancer survival to 2014. METHODS: CONCORD-3 includes individual records for 37.5 million patients diagnosed with cancer during the 15-year period 2000-14. Data were provided by 322 population-based cancer registries in 71 countries and territories, 47 of which provided data with 100% population coverage. The study includes 18 cancers or groups of cancers: oesophagus, stomach, colon, rectum, liver, pancreas, lung, breast (women), cervix, ovary, prostate, and melanoma of the skin in adults, and brain tumours, leukaemias, and lymphomas in both adults and children. Standardised quality control procedures were applied; errors were rectified by the registry concerned. We estimated 5-year net survival. Estimates were age-standardised with the International Cancer Survival Standard weights. FINDINGS: For most cancers, 5-year net survival remains among the highest in the world in the USA and Canada, in Australia and New Zealand, and in Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. For many cancers, Denmark is closing the survival gap with the other Nordic countries. Survival trends are generally increasing, even for some of the more lethal cancers: in some countries, survival has increased by up to 5% for cancers of the liver, pancreas, and lung. For women diagnosed during 2010-14, 5-year survival for breast cancer is now 89.5% in Australia and 90.2% in the USA, but international differences remain very wide, with levels as low as 66.1% in India. For gastrointestinal cancers, the highest levels of 5-year survival are seen in southeast Asia: in South Korea for cancers of the stomach (68.9%), colon (71.8%), and rectum (71.1%); in Japan for oesophageal cancer (36.0%); and in Taiwan for liver cancer (27.9%). By contrast, in the same world region, survival is generally lower than elsewhere for melanoma of the skin (59.9% in South Korea, 52.1% in Taiwan, and 49.6% in China), and for both lymphoid malignancies (52.5%, 50.5%, and 38.3%) and myeloid malignancies (45.9%, 33.4%, and 24.8%). For children diagnosed during 2010-14, 5-year survival for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia ranged from 49.8% in Ecuador to 95.2% in Finland. 5-year survival from brain tumours in children is higher than for adults but the global range is very wide (from 28.9% in Brazil to nearly 80% in Sweden and Denmark). INTERPRETATION: The CONCORD programme enables timely comparisons of the overall effectiveness of health systems in providing care for 18 cancers that collectively represent 75% of all cancers diagnosed worldwide every year. It contributes to the evidence base for global policy on cancer control. Since 2017, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has used findings from the CONCORD programme as the official benchmark of cancer survival, among their indicators of the quality of health care in 48 countries worldwide. Governments must recognise population-based cancer registries as key policy tools that can be used to evaluate both the impact of cancer prevention strategies and the effectiveness of health systems for all patients diagnosed with cancer. FUNDING: American Cancer Society; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Swiss Re; Swiss Cancer Research foundation; Swiss Cancer League; Institut National du Cancer; La Ligue Contre le Cancer; Rossy Family Foundation; US National Cancer Institute; and the Susan G Komen Foundation
Worldwide trends in population-based survival for children, adolescents, and young adults diagnosed with leukaemia, by subtype, during 2000â14 (CONCORD-3) : analysis of individual data from 258 cancer registries in 61 countries
Background Leukaemias comprise a heterogenous group of haematological malignancies. In CONCORD-3, we analysed
data for children (aged 0â14 years) and adults (aged 15â99 years) diagnosed with a haematological malignancy
during 2000â14 in 61 countries. Here, we aimed to examine worldwide trends in survival from leukaemia, by age and
morphology, in young patients (aged 0â24 years).
Methods We analysed data from 258 population-based cancer registries in 61 countries participating in CONCORD-3
that submitted data on patients diagnosed with leukaemia. We grouped patients by age as children (0â14 years),
adolescents (15â19 years), and young adults (20â24 years). We categorised leukaemia subtypes according to the
International Classification of Childhood Cancer (ICCC-3), updated with International Classification of Diseases
for Oncology, third edition (ICD-O-3) codes. We estimated 5-year net survival by age and morphology, with 95% CIs,
using the non-parametric Pohar-Perme estimator. To control for background mortality, we used life tables by
country or region, single year of age, single calendar year and sex, and, where possible, by race or ethnicity. All-age
survival estimates were standardised to the marginal distribution of young people with leukaemia included in the
analysis.
Findings 164563 young people were included in this analysis: 121328 (73·7%) children, 22963 (14·0%) adolescents, and
20272 (12·3%) young adults. In 2010â14, the most common subtypes were lymphoid leukaemia (28205 [68·2%] patients)
and acute myeloid leukaemia (7863 [19·0%] patients). Age-standardised 5-year net survival in children, adolescents, and
young adults for all leukaemias combined during 2010â14 varied widely, ranging from 46% in Mexico to more than
85% in Canada, Cyprus, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, and Australia. Individuals with lymphoid leukaemia had better
age-standardised survival (from 43% in Ecuador to â„80% in parts of Europe, North America, Oceania, and Asia) than
those with acute myeloid leukaemia (from 32% in Peru to â„70% in most high-income countries in Europe,
North America, and Oceania). Throughout 2000â14, survival from all leukaemias combined remained consistently
higher for children than adolescents and young adults, and minimal improvement was seen for adolescents and young
adults in most countries.
Interpretation This study offers the first worldwide picture of population-based survival from leukaemia in children,
adolescents, and young adults. Adolescents and young adults diagnosed with leukaemia continue to have lower
survival than children. Trends in survival from leukaemia for adolescents and young adults are important indicators
of the quality of cancer management in this age group.peer-reviewe
Global survival trends for brain tumors, by histology: analysis of individual records for 556,237 adults diagnosed in 59 countries during 2000â2014 (CONCORD-3)
Background:
Survival is a key metric of the effectiveness of a health system in managing cancer. We set out to provide a comprehensive examination of worldwide variation and trends in survival from brain tumors in adults, by histology.
Methods:
We analyzed individual data for adults (15â99 years) diagnosed with a brain tumor (ICD-O-3 topography code C71) during 2000â2014, regardless of tumor behavior. Data underwent a 3-phase quality control as part of CONCORD-3. We estimated net survival for 11 histology groups, using the unbiased nonparametric Pohar Perme estimator.
Results:
The study included 556,237 adults. In 2010â2014, the global range in age-standardized 5-year net survival for the most common sub-types was broad: in the range 20%â38% for diffuse and anaplastic astrocytoma, from 4% to 17% for glioblastoma, and between 32% and 69% for oligodendroglioma. For patients with glioblastoma, the largest gains in survival occurred between 2000â2004 and 2005â2009. These improvements were more noticeable among adults diagnosed aged 40â70 years than among younger adults.
Conclusions:
To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the largest account to date of global trends in population-based survival for brain tumors by histology in adults. We have highlighted remarkable gains in 5-year survival from glioblastoma since 2005, providing large-scale empirical evidence on the uptake of chemoradiation at population level. Worldwide, survival improvements have been extensive, but some countries still lag behind. Our findings may help clinicians involved in national and international tumor pathway boards to promote initiatives aimed at more extensive implementation of clinical guidelines
Habitat e specie dâinteresse prioritario nel SIC ITA020042 â Rocche di Entella (Sicilia centro-occidentale).
A new association of relict maquis with Ptilostemon greuteri (Oleo-Ceratonion, Quercetea ilicis), located in a circumscribed area of north-western Sicily
This paper illustrates the results of a survey aimed at deepening available knowledge on the ecology of Ptilostemon greuteri (Asteraceae), a very rare palaeoendemic and relict nano-phanerophyte discovered about 15 years ago on Monte Inici, near Castellammare del Golfo (province of Trapani, north-western Sicily). Two plant communities characterised by P. greuteri are described in detail; they occur in the locus classicus and in a second, recently discovered stand, which is also very localised and threatened by fire. The field investigations revealed that the sites where the species grows are very similar from the ecological point of view; in fact, both of them are located on the steep slopes of deep gullies, benefitting from constantly cool and shady microclimatic conditions, and allowed to a) better identify the currently preferred habitat (ledges, screes at the base of cliffs), b) analyse from a floristic and phytosociological point of view the maquis communities where P. greuteri grows as co-dominant or dominant species, referable to the class Quercetea ilicis, c) to identify the syndynamic role that these coenoses play within the series and microgeoseries of local vegetation. As far as syntaxonomy is concerned, the Malvo olbiae-Ptilostemonetum greuteri ass. nova is described, a basiphilous, thermophilous and shade-tolerant maquis framed in the Oleo-Ceratonion alliance. Moreover, two subassociations are described: 1) typicum subass. nova, corresponding to a pioneer maquis community prevailing on the coarse, loose and mobile debris located along the slopes at the base of rock cliffs, where P. greuteri is clearly dominant and shows a nano-phanerophytic habitus, and 2) euphorbietosum bivonae subass. nova, a primary aspect found of the ledges of carbonate cliffs, where the species can play either a dominant or co-dominant role with other elements of the maquis (Euphorbia bivonae, Chamaerops humilis, etc.), sometimes showing a slightly smaller size