Spatial behaviour of yellow-necked wood mouse Apodemus flavicollis in two sub-Mediterranean oak coppice stands

Strong mutual relationships exist between rodents and ecosystems. By modifying the structure and functioning of ecosystems, human activity can affect rodent behaviour and ecology. The yellow-necked mouse Apodemus flavicollis is widespread in Europe and its spatial ecology has been studied in various habitats, but studies are lacking for Mediterranean forests often altered by forest management practices. We investigated the spatial behaviour of A. flavicollis in a sub-Mediterranean deciduous oak forest of central Italy subject to forest management. We radio-tracked 27 individuals in two different coppice stands, i.e. a recently cut area and a high forest, differing in terms of species-specific habitat quality and rodent population density. We analysed the size of home ranges in relation to habitat type and sex. Our results revealed that home range and core area size did not differ between habitat types or sexes. The spatial behaviour of A. flavicollis thus did not appear to be influenced by population density and habitat quality. The lack of sex-related differences confirms the current knowledge on the species’ spatial ecology. Our findings provide the first useful information on the spatial behaviour of A. flavicollis in sub-Mediterranean deciduous oak forests, whose ecological processes may be markedly influenced by this key-species at several trophic levels.acceptedVersio

Phytochemical analysis and antifungal activity of extracts from leaves and fruit residues of brazilian savanna plants aiming its use as safe fungicides

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)The increasing demand for safe food without preservatives or pesticides residues has encouraged several studies on natural products with antifungal activity and low toxicity. In this study, ethanolic extracts from leaves and fruit residues (peel and seeds) of three Brazilian savanna species (Acrocomia aculeata, Campomanesia adamantium and Caryocar brasiliense) were evaluated against phytopathogenic fungi. Additionally, the most active extract was chemically characterized by ESI-MS and its oral acute toxicity was evaluated. Extracts from C. brasiliense (pequi) peel and leaves were active against Alternaria alternata, Alternaria solani and Venturia pirina with minimal inhibitory concentrations between 350 and 1000 mu g/mL. When incorporated in solid media, these extracts extended the lag phase of A. alternata and A. solani and reduced the growth rate of A. solani. Pequi peel extract showed better antifungal activity and their ESI-MS analysis revealed the presence of substances widely reported as antifungal such as gallic acid, quinic acid, ellagic acid, glucogalin and corilagin. The oral acute toxicity was relatively low, being considered safe for use as a potential natural fungicide. [GRAPHICS] .The increasing demand for safe food without preservatives or pesticides residues has encouraged several studies on natural products with antifungal activity and low toxicity. In this study, ethanolic extracts from leaves and fruit residues (peel and seeds6195204FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)2011/19057-7; 2012/21395-0We are grateful to São Paulo Research Foundation for the financial support of this research and for the fellowships awarded to C.A.B. (FAPESP No. 2011/19057-7) and G.A.B. (FAPESP No. 2012/21395-0) and to Study Group of Cerrado Agro-industrial Processes (

Exames gratuitos: exames laboratoriais para cães e gatos fornecidos pelo LPV – Instituto Federal Catarinense – Campus Concórdia

The growing number of pets in large urban centers and the close contact with humans contribute to an increase in the risk of zoonoses for the human population.  By offering free parasitological examinations of feces of domestic animals, it is possible to carry out routine analyzes and monitor the health of the animals; it also is possible to measure the most frequent parasitological agents and which constitute zoonosis.  To provide free services to the community that uses the veterinary clinic of the Instituto Federal Catarinense - Campus Concórdia, feces samples from dogs and cats, collected by the tutors individually, were identified and placed in a box with the identification of the project Free exams: Laboratory tests for dogs and cats provided by the LVP. The tests were performed at the same institution, at the Veterinary Parasitology Laboratory (LPV).  These samples were subjected to Willis' qualitative methods; Hoffman, Pons & Janer and centrifugal flotation in sucrose solution (d = 1.203g / cm3).  96 samples were examined, totaling 238 parasitological exams.  29 animals with parasitosis were diagnosed, in which eggs of the genera Ancylostoma, Trichuris, Cystoisospora, Giardia, Toxocara and Dipylidium were found.  In addition, other parasites were accidentally found in stool tests, such as the arthropod Demodex canis and mites.  The diagnosed and properly identified dogs and cats had their owners notified.  Considering the diagnoses made by the project, it is notable that the tests help in the care and attention to the animal's health and consequently to the human´s.O crescente número de animais de companhia nos grandes centros urbanos e o estreito convívio com o homem fazem com que haja um aumento no risco de zoonoses para a população humana. Ao oferecer exames parasitológicos gratuitos de fezes de animais domésticos, é possível realizar análises de rotina e acompanhamento da saúde dos animais, além de tornar possível a mensuração de quais são os agentes parasitológicos mais frequentes e quais constituem zoonose. Com objetivo de fornecer serviços gratuitos à comunidade que usufrui da clínica veterinária do Instituto Federal Catarinense – Campus Concórdia, amostras de fezes provenientes de cães e gatos, colhidas pelos tutores individualmente, foram identificadas e então colocadas em uma caixa com a identificação do projeto Exames gratuitos: Exames laboratoriais para cães e gatos fornecidos pelo LVP, sendo os exames realizados na mesma instituição, no Laboratório de Parasitologia Veterinária (LPV). Estas amostras foram submetidas aos métodos qualitativos de Willis; Hoffman, Pons & Janer e centrífugo-flutuação em solução de sacarose (d=1,203g/cm3). Foram examinadas 96 amostras, totalizando 238 exames parasitológicos. Foram diagnosticados 29 animais com parasitoses, nos quais foram encontrados ovos dos gêneros Ancylostoma, Trichuris, Cystoisospora, Giardia, Toxocara e Dipylidium. Além destes, outros parasitas foram acidentalmente encontrados nos exames de fezes, como o artrópode Demodex canis e ácaros. Os cães e gatos diagnosticados e devidamente identificados tiveram seus proprietários notificados. Levando-se em consideração os diagnósticos realizados pelo projeto, é notável que os exames auxiliam nos cuidados e na atenção à saúde do animal e consequentemente à humana

Initial oak regeneration responses to experimental warming along microclimatic and macroclimatic gradients

Quercus spp. are one of the most important tree genera in temperate deciduous forests in terms of biodiversity, economic and cultural perspectives. However, natural regeneration of oaks, depending on specific environmental conditions, is still not sufficiently understood. Oak regeneration dynamics are impacted by climate change, but these climate impacts will depend on local forest management and light and temperature conditions. Here, we studied germination, survival and seedling performance (i.e. aboveground biomass, height, root collar diameter and specific leaf area) of four oak species (Q. cerris, Q. ilex, Q. robur and Q. petraea). Acorns were sown across a wide latitudinal gradient, from Italy to Sweden, and across several microclimatic gradients located within and beyond the species' natural ranges. Microclimatic gradients were applied in terms of forest structure, distance to the forest edge and experimental warming. We found strong interactions between species and latitude, as well as between microclimate and latitude or species. The species thus reacted differently to local and regional changes in light and temperature ; in southern regions the temperate Q. robur and Q. petraea performed best in plots with a complex structure, whereas the Mediterranean Q. ilex and Q. cerris performed better in simply structured forests with a reduced microclimatic buffering capacity. The experimental warming treatment only enhanced height and aboveground biomass of Mediterranean species. Our results show that local microclimatic gradients play a key role in the initial stages of oak regeneration; however, one needs to consider the species-specific responses to forest structure and the macroclimatic context

The still under-investigated role of cognitive deficits in PML diagnosis

Background: Despite cognitive deficits frequently represent the first clinical manifestations of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) in Natalizumab-treated MS patients, the importance of cognitive deficits in PML diagnosis is still under-investigated. The aim of the current study is to investigate the cognitive deficits at PML diagnosis in a group of Italian patients with PML. Methods: Thirty-four PML patients were included in the study. The demographic and clinical data, the lesion load and localization, and the longitudinal clinical course was compared between patients with (n = 13) and without (n = 15) cognitive deficit upon PML suspicion (the remaining six patients were asymptomatic). Clinical presentation of cognitive symptoms was described in detail. Result: After symptoms detection, the time to diagnosis resulted to be shorter for patients presenting with cognitive than for patients with non cognitive onset (p = 0.03). Within patients with cognitive onset, six patients were presenting with language and/or reading difficulties (46.15%); five patients with memory difficulties (38.4%); three patients with apraxia (23.1%); two patients with disorientation (15.3%); two patients with neglect (15.3%); one patients with object agnosia (7.7%), one patient with perseveration (7.7%) and one patient with dementia (7.7%). Frontal lesions were less frequent (p = 0.03), whereas temporal lesions were slightly more frequent (p = 0.06) in patients with cognitive deficits. The longitudinal PML course seemed to be more severe in cognitive than in non cognitive patients (F = 2.73, p = 0.03), but differences disappeared (F = 1.24, p = 0.29) when balancing for the incidence of immune reconstitution syndrome and for other treatments for PML (steroids, plasma exchange (PLEX) and other therapies (Mefloquine, Mirtazapine, Maraviroc). Conclusion: Cognitive deficits at PML onset manifest with symptoms which are absolutely rare in MS. Their appearance in MS patients should strongly suggest PML. Clinicians should be sensitive to the importance of formal neuropsychological evaluation, with particular focus on executive function, which are not easily detected without a formal assessment

Soil seed bank responses to edge effects in temperate European forests

Aim The amount of forest edges is increasing globally due to forest fragmentation and land-use changes. However, edge effects on the soil seed bank of temperate forests are still poorly understood. Here, we assessed edge effects at contrasting spatial scales across Europe and quantified the extent to which edges can preserve the seeds of forest specialist plants. Location Temperate European deciduous forests along a 2,300-km latitudinal gradient. Time period 2018-2021. Major taxa studied Vascular plants. Methods Through a greenhouse germination experiment, we studied how edge effects alter the density, diversity, composition and functionality of forest soil seed banks in 90 plots along different latitudes, elevations and forest management types. We also assessed which environmental conditions drive the seed bank responses at the forest edge versus interior and looked at the relationship between the seed bank and the herb layer species richness. Results Overall, 10,108 seedlings of 250 species emerged from the soil seed bank. Seed density and species richness of generalists (species not only associated with forests) were higher at edges compared to interiors, with a negative influence of C : N ratio and litter quality. Conversely, forest specialist species richness did not decline from the interior to the edge. Also, edges were compositionally, but not functionally, different from interiors. The correlation between the seed bank and the herb layer species richness was positive and affected by microclimate. Main conclusions Our results underpin how edge effects shape species diversity and composition of soil seed banks in ancient forests, especially increasing the proportion of generalist species and thus potentially favouring a shift in community composition. However, the presence of many forest specialists suggests that soil seed banks still play a key role in understorey species persistence and could support the resilience of our fragmented forests