Genbanken und ENSCONET in Österreich

Samen-Genbanken dienen zum Erhalt der Genressourcen und stellen daher einen bedeutenden Beitrag zum Artenschutz dar. In dieser Arbeit wird eine Übersicht über die Situation in Österreich gegeben. Während die Sicherung von landwirtschaftlichen und forstlichen Genressourcen durch die AGES betrieben wird, ist eine dezentralisierte ex situ Samen-Genbank für Wildpflanzen-Arten in Zusammenarbeit der Mitglieder der Arbeitsgemeinschaft Botanischer Gärten Österreich in Aufbau, wobei die Mitarbeit im von der EU geförderten Netzwerk ENSCONET eine wichtige Rolle spielt. Die geplante ex situ-Samenbank ist auch ein wesentlicher Beitrag der Botanischen Gärten Österreichs zur Global Strategy for Plant Conservation der Biodiversitätskonvention.Gene banks aim at maintaining genetic resources by long-term seed preservation. The present compilation gives a survey to the situation of seed-gene banks in Austria. Agricultural and silvicultural genetic resources are managed by an agency installed by the government (AGES), while an ex situ gene bank for native wild species has recently been initiated as collaborative approach of the Austrian Botanic Gardens Working Group (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Österreichischer Botanischer Gärten). This initiative is linked with the EU-funded project ENSCONET and represents an important contribution of the Austrian Botanic Gardens to the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation of the CBD

GENETIČKI DOKAZI O PORIJEKLU DANAŠNJE POPULACIJE EUROPSKOG DABRA (Castor fiber) U DONJOJ AUSTRIJI

Beside European beavers (Castor fiber) from Poland, Belarus and Sweden also individuals of C. canadensis have been released to the Austrian Danube watershed east of Vienna during the years 1976 and 1990. Based on reintroduction activities the Lower Austrian beaver population developed well to a current size of more than 3000 individuals. However, it remains ambiguous, which of the originally released animals account for this success. Here, we present mitochondrial (mt) DNA data to answer the questions whether C. canadensis is still traceable in Lower Austria and which intraspecific lineages of C. fiber are currently present?Our Maximum Likelihood (ML) analysis based on 81 newly generated DNA sequences from the mitochondrial control region plus 30 reference beaver samples from the literature, revealed no evidence for the existence of C. canadensis in Lower Austria. With respect to C. fiber, three different intraspecific lineages (mainly corresponding to different subspecies) were identified. While the majority of samples represent either Scandinavian (subsp. fiber) or Central European beavers (likely C. f. albicus x belorussicus/orientoeuropaeus), one sample of C. f. pohlei was rather genetically distinct and unexpected from the documented reintroduction history. In addition, possible hybridisation among intraspecific beaver lineages is discussed, although the maternally inherited mtDNA analysed here did not give the ultimate answer to this question.SažetakPored europskog dabra (Castor fiber) podrijetlom iz Poljske, Bjelorusije i Švedske, u razdoblju od 1976. do 1990. godine u porječje Dunava istočno od Beča u Republici Austriji unešene su i jedinke kanadskog dabra (C. canadensis). Zahvaljujući naporima oko reintrodukcije populacija dabra dobro se razvijala i danas se procjenjuje na više od 3000 jedinki. Postavlja se pitanje koje su od svojedobno unešenih jedinki (linija) "zaslužne" za ovaj uspjeh. U radu se prikazuje analiza mitohondrijske DNA (mtDNA) prikupljena iz uzoraka tkiva i dlake dabrova odstrijeljenih u razdoblju 2007–2011. Istraživanjem se željelo odgovoriti na pitanja o današnjoj zastupljenosti unutarvrsnih linija kojima su pripadale jedinke kod reintrodukcije te pitanje detekcije prisutnost gena udaljene vrste C. canadensis. Analiza metodom najveće vjerojatnosti (ML) bazirana na 81 generiranih DNA sekvenci mitohondrijskog kontrolnog područja u sprezi s 30 referentnih uzoraka dabra iz literaturnih izvora nije potvrdila prisutnost vrste C. canadensis u Donjoj Austriji. Što se pak europskog dabra (C. fiber) tiče, utvrđena je prisutnost tri unutarvrsne linije, uglavnom korespondirajuće sa tri različite podvrste. Dok je najveći broj uzoraka odgovarao skandinavskoj (ssp. fiber) ili srednjoeuropskoj podvrsti (vrlo vjerojatno C. f. albicus x belorussicus/orientoeuropaeus), jedan je uzorak genetički odstupao (definiran kao C. f. Pohlei) i pojavio se neočekivano s obzirom na poznate podatke o izvršenoj reintrodukciji. U radu se također razmatraju mogući aspekti križanja između prisutnih unutarvrsnih linija, mada mtDNA analiza nije uspjela u potpunosti odgovoriti na ova pitanja.In addition, possible hybridisation among intraspecific beaver lineages is discussed, although the maternally inherited mtDNA analysed here did not give the ultimate answer to this question

First molecular evidence on the puzzling origin of beavers in Central Italy

The Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) represents an extraordinary example of demographic recovery after centuries of severe hunting and extirpation. Reintroduction programs and legal protection have triggered the recolonisation of Europe, with rapid expansion of beaver populations in the last 25 years. In northern Italy, the species reappeared in 2018 after a 450-years absence, due to natural spreading of individuals from neighbouring countries. Since 2021, the presence of beavers has been reported in several areas of central Italy, probably following unofficial releases. Here, we employed mitochondrial DNA markers, mainly from non-invasive samples, to rule out the presence of the North American beaver (C. canadensis) and to characterise both the beavers from northern Italy and the new population from central Italy, assessing their genetic relationships with other European beavers. The analysis of 35 samples from Italy and other countries provided no evidence of the North American sister taxon and revealed four widely distributed mitochondrial haplo types, which are discussed in the current framework of genetically mixed populations in Europe. In addition, this note reports genetic data from beavers in the Balkans, where no information has been available so far

Quantitative normal values of helical flow, flow jets and wall shear stress of healthy volunteers in the ascending aorta.

OBJECTIVES 4D flow MRI enables quantitative assessment of helical flow. We sought to generate normal values and elucidate changes of helical flow (duration, volume, length, velocities and rotational direction) and flow jet (displacement, flow angle) as well as wall shear stress (WSS). METHODS We assessed the temporal helical existence (THEX), maximum helical volume (HVmax), accumulated helical volume (HVacc), accumulated helical volume length (HVLacc), maximum forward velocity (maxVfor), maximum circumferential velocity (maxVcirc), rotational direction (RD) and maximum wall shear stress (WSS) as reported elsewhere using the software tool Bloodline in 86 healthy volunteers (46 females, mean age 41 ± 13 years). RESULTS WSS decreased by 42.1% and maxVfor by 55.7% across age. There was no link between age and gender regarding the other parameters. CONCLUSION This study provides age-dependent normal values regarding WSS and maxVfor and age- and gender-independent normal values regarding THEX, HVmax, HVacc, HVLacc, RD and maxVcirc. KEY POINTS • 4D flow provides numerous new parameters; therefore, normal values are mandatory. • Wall shear stress decreases over age. • Maximum helical forward velocity decreases over age

Molecular profiling of pediatric meningiomas shows tumor characteristics distinct from adult meningiomas

In contrast to adults, meningiomas are uncommon tumors in childhood and adolescence. Whether adult and pediatric meningiomas differ on a molecular level is unclear. Here we report detailed genomic analyses of 37 pediatric meningiomas by sequencing and DNA methylation profiling. Histologically, the series was dominated by meningioma subtypes with aggressive behavior, with 70% of patients suffering from WHO grade II or III meningiomas. The most frequent cytogenetic aberrations were loss of chromosomes 22 (23/37 [62%]), 1 (9/37 [24%]), 18 (7/37 [19%]), and 14 (5/37 [14%]). Tumors with NF2 alterations exhibited overall increased chromosomal instability. Unsupervised clustering of DNA methylation profiles revealed separation into three groups: designated group 1 composed of clear cell and papillary meningiomas, whereas group 2A comprised predominantly atypical meningiomas and group 2B enriched for rare high-grade subtypes (rhabdoid, chordoid). Meningiomas from NF2 patients clustered exclusively within groups 1 and 2A. When compared with a dataset of 105 adult meningiomas, the pediatric meningiomas largely grouped separately. Targeted panel DNA sequencing of 34 tumors revealed frequent NF2 alterations, while other typical alterations found in adult non-NF2 tumors were absent. These data demonstrate that pediatric meningiomas are characterized by molecular features distinct from adult tumors

Formalized classification of semi-dry grasslands in central and eastern Europe

European semi-dry grasslands are among the most species-rich vegetation types in the northern hemisphere and form an important part of the habitat mosaics in the forest-steppe zone. However. there is no comprehensive evaluation of the variation in their composition and the phytosocio-logical classification of these grasslands. For the syntaxonomic revision, we used a dataset of 34,173 vegetation plot records (releves) from central and eastern Europe. which were assigned to the class Fesiuco-Bromeiea using the diagnostic species listed in the EuroVegChecklist. To determine the diagnostic species of the orders, we used a TWINSPAN classification of the whole dataset. Of the total dataset, 15,449 releves were assigned to the order Brachypodietalia pinnati. which corresponds to semi-dry grasslands. This subset was again classified using TWINSPAN. Formal definitions of the following alliances were established: Mesobromion erecti, Cirsio-Brachypodion pinnati (incl. Fragario-Trifolion montani. Agrosiio-Avenulion schellianae, Scabioso ochroleucae-Poion angustifoliae and Adonido vernalis-Stipion iirsae), Scorzonerion villosae and Chrysopogono-Danshonion. Another alliance, Armerion elongatae (=Koelerio-Phleion phleoidis p.p.). is transitional towards the class Koelerio-Corynephoreiea and its status needs further evaluation. We also established formal definitions of all of the associations of Mesobromion and Cirsio-Brachypodion within the area studied. Associations were identified using (i) a TWINSPAN classification of the whole order, (ii) TWINSPAN classifications of regionally restricted data sets (usually all Brachypodietalia plots in one country) and (iii) existing national classification schemes. All formal definitions were written in the expert system language of the JUICE program. To obtain a more complete picture of the floristic similarities and gradients. we performed a DCA ordination of the associations. Our results revealed that meadow steppes in the forest-steppe zone in eastern Europe are very similar to semi-dry grasslands in central Europe

Pulmonary Hypertension in Adults with Congenital Heart Disease: Real-World Data from the International COMPERA-CHD Registry

Introduction: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a common complication in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD), aggravating the natural, post-operative, or post-interventional course of the underlying anomaly. The various CHDs differ substantially in characteristics, functionality, and clinical outcomes among each other and compared with other diseases with pulmonary hypertension. Objective: To describe current management strategies and outcomes for adults with PH in relation to different types of CHD based on real-world data. Methods and results: COMPERA (Comparative, Prospective Registry of Newly Initiated Therapies for Pulmonary Hypertension) is a prospective, international PH registry comprising, at the time of data analysis, >8200 patients with various forms of PH. Here, we analyzed a subgroup of 680 patients with PH due to CHD, who were included between 2007 and 2018 in 49 specialized centers for PH and/or CHD located in 11 European countries. At enrollment, the patients’ median age was 44 years (67% female), and patients had either pre-tricuspid shunts, post-tricuspid shunts, complex CHD, congenital left heart or aortic disease, or miscellaneous other types of CHD. Upon inclusion, targeted therapies for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) included endothelin receptor antagonists, PDE-5 inhibitors, prostacyclin analogues, and soluble guanylate cyclase stimulators. Eighty patients with Eisenmenger syndrome were treatment-naïve. While at inclusion the primary PAH treatment for the cohort was monotherapy (70% of patients), with 30% of the patients on combination therapy, after a median observation time of 45.3 months, the number of patients on combination therapy had increased significantly, to 50%. The use of oral anticoagulants or antiplatelets was dependent on the underlying diagnosis or comorbidities. In the entire COMPERA-CHD cohort, after follow-up and receiving targeted PAH therapy (n = 511), 91 patients died over the course of a 5-year follow up. The 5-year Kaplan–Meier survival estimate for CHD associated PH was significantly better than that for idiopathic PAH (76% vs. 54%; p < 0.001). Within the CHD associated PH group, survival estimates differed particularly depending on the underlying diagnosis and treatment status. Conclusions: In COMPERA-CHD, the overall survival of patients with CHD associated PH was dependent on the underlying diagnosis and treatment status, but was significantly better as than that for idiopathic PAH. Nevertheless, overall survival of patients with PAH due to CHD was still markedly reduced compared with survival of patients with other types of CHD, despite an increasing number of patients on PAH-targeted combination therapy

Monitoring of <i>Dactylorhiza sambucina</i> (L.) Soó (Orchidaceae)—Variation in Flowering, Flower Colour Morph Frequencies, and Erratic Population Census Trends

Central questions of reproductive research on Dactylorhiza sambucina (Orchidaceae) are, if and how pollinator-mediated negative frequency dependent selection might maintain its flower colour polymorphism. As this hypothesis was based on artificial populations, it needs to be verified under natural conditions. Therefore, we demonstrate and discuss spatial-temporal variation of flowering, flower colour morph frequencies and population fluctuations in D. sambucina as prerequisites for understanding its population and reproduction dynamics. Knowledge of these dynamics is also crucial for the species’ conservation. We investigated colour morph frequencies for ten Austrian populations of D. sambucina over maximum time series of 18 consecutive years. We report repeated changes in the dominance of red- or yellow-flowering morphs in at least three populations during these time series. Even though being basically erratic (e.g., switches in different years), we identify smaller populations as being more prone to changes of flower colour dominance. Conversely, constant morph frequencies and the dominance of one flower colour morph is demonstrated for individual-poor and large populations. As previous large-scale (continental) analyses failed to identify environmental factors explaining the distribution of differing morph frequencies across Europe, we strongly argue for local approaches by investigating such factors at the micro-habitat scale