Recent and ancient evolutionary events shaped plant elemental composition of edaphic endemics: a phylogeny-wide analysis of Iberian gypsum plants

The analysis of plant elemental composition and the underlying factors affecting its variation are a current hot topic in ecology. Ecological adaptation to atypical soils may shift plant elemental composition. However, no previous studies have evaluated its relevance against other factors such as phylogeny, climate or individual soil conditions. We evaluated the effect of the phylogeny, environment (climate, soil), and affinity to gypsum soils on the elemental composition of 83 taxa typical of Iberian gypsum ecosystems. We used a new statistical procedure (multiple phylogenetic variance decomposition, MPVD) to decompose total explained variance by different factors across all nodes in the phylogenetic tree of target species (covering 120 million years of Angiosperm evolution). Our results highlight the relevance of phylogeny on the elemental composition of plants both at early (with the development of key preadaptive traits) and recent divergence times (diversification of the Iberian gypsum flora concurrent with Iberian gypsum deposit accumulation). Despite the predominant phylogenetic effect, plant adaptation to gypsum soils had a strong impact on the elemental composition of plants, particularly on sulphur concentrations, while climate and soil effects were smaller. Accordingly, we detected a convergent evolution of gypsum specialists from different lineages on increased sulphur and magnesium foliar concentrations.Spanish Government CGL2015-71360-P PID2019-111159GB-C31European Commission H2020-MSCA-RISE-777803Spanish Government BES-2016-076455PTA contract AEI-CSIC PTA2019-017033-I/AEI/10.13039/501100011033Ramon y Cajal Fellowship (MICINN) RYC-2013-1416

Plant Conservation Biology: a view from the Mediterranean ecoregions

This Special Issue provides an overview of the current status of plant conservation biology in Spain and other regions around the World. Papers represent selected outstanding presentations made during the 9th Congress of the Spanish Society of Plant Conservation Biology, which took place in Granada (Spain) on July 9–12, 2019. These papers cover different topics, all present illustrating trends in plant conservation biology. They highlight the important contribution of different approaches to plant conservation in the area. This special issue is dedicated to the Spanish botanist José Antonio Fernández Prieto (1950-2019)

Plant conservation in Mediterranean-type ecosystems

This study has been made possible by the long-time experiences of the many research projects awarded to the authors. Especially, the projects 'Assessment, Monitoring and Applied Scientific Research for Ecological Restoration of Gypsum Mining Concessions (Majadas Viejas and Marylen) and Spreading of Results (ECORESGYP) ' sponsoredby the company EXPLOTACIONES RiO DE AGUAS S.L. (TORRALBA GROUP) ; 'Provision of services, monitoring and evaluation of the environmental restoration of the mining concessions Los Yesares, Maria Morales and El Cigarron' sponsored by the company Saint Gobain Placo Iberica S.A.; and 'CEIJ-009 Integrated study of coastal sands vegetation (AREVEG II) ' sponsored by CEI.MAR. We are very grateful to the three reviewers for their comments and suggestions, which have been very helpful in improving the manuscript.The present paper is an overview of state of the art in plant conservation in Mediterranean-type Ecosystems (MTEs), highlighting current studies and neglected topics. A review of the literature dealing with this issue and a general analysis of the results was performed, delving into relevant plant conservation biology topics. The main topics considered were: 1) reproductive biology and genetic conservation, 2) threat factors and effects of global change, and 3) evaluation of conservation status and protected areas selection. This study illustrates differences in the number of documents published in northern countries of the Mediterranean Basin concerning southern and eastern countries and compared with other MTEs. It also highlights the paramount importance of public organizations as funding entities. Additionally, it points to a decrease in traditional subject categories related to plant conservation and increased multidisciplinary conservation research and novel methodologies (e.g., phylogenomics, SDM). To overcome existing biases among the different MTE regions, integrating actions at a transnational level would be necessary, with standard conservation policies and strategies. Moreover, research should be supported with more important participation and funding from private entities, with a clear focus on specific conservation proposals. In contrast, certain weaknesses were detected, some related to the limited information available about threatened plant species and the scarce use of the available data from genetic conservation research in management plans. Consequently, the authors consider that future conservation efforts should be addressed to improve the knowledge of threatened MTEs’ flora and implement a manual of good practices, which would make use of the available research information to put forward more direct proposals for management and conservation.company Saint Gobain Placo Iberica S.A.CEI.MARcompany EXPLOTACIONES RiO DE AGUAS S.L. (TORRALBA GROUP

Sexuality in Postmenopausal Women with Genital Prolapse

Background: One of the most common complaints among menopausal women concerns changes in sexual function. This is attributed to various factors, including anatomical defects in the genital tract, with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) being one of the most prevalent problems affecting women during this stage of their lives. Additionally, symptoms resulting from gonadal hypofunction can also contribute to the development of sexual dysfunction during menopause. This research aimed to explore the way in which postmenopausal patients with POP experienced their sexuality in our setting. Methods: To achieve the proposed objective, we conducted a descriptive, crosssectional study involving a total of 133 postmenopausal women with POP. Results: The results of our series are consistent with the scarce literature available in our setting and suggest a high rate of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal patients with POP. Conclusions: We can conclude that POP is associated with the presence of female sexual dysfunctio

The Fate of Endemic Species Specialized in Island Habitat under Climate Change in a Mediterranean High Mountain

Mediterranean high-mountain endemic species are particularly vulnerable to climatic changes in temperature, precipitation and snow-cover dynamics. Sierra Nevada (Spain) is a biodiversity hotspot in the western Mediterranean, with an enormous plant species richness and endemicity. Moehringia fontqueri is a threatened endemic plant restricted to north-facing siliceous rocks along a few ridges of the eastern Sierra Nevada. To guide conservation actions against climate change effects, here we propose the simultaneous assessment of the current reproductive success and the possible species’ range changes between current and future climatic conditions, assessing separately different subpopulations by altitude. Reproductive success was tested through the seed-set data analysis. The species’ current habitat suitability was modeled in Maxent using species occurrences, topographic, satellite and climatic variables. Future habitat suitability was carried out for two climatic scenarios (RCP 2.6 and 8.5). The results showed the lowest reproductive success at the lowest altitudes, and vice versa at the highest altitudes. Habitat suitability decreased by 80% from current conditions to the worst-case scenario (RCP 8.5). The lowest subpopulations were identified as the most vulnerable to climate change effects while the highest ones were the nearest to future suitable habitats. Our simultaneous assessment of reproductive success and habitat suitability aims to serve as a model to guide conservation, management and climate change mitigation strategies through adaptive management to safeguard the persistence of the maximum genetic pool of Mediterranean high-mountain plants threatened by climate change

The Role of Technology in Greenhouse Agriculture: Towards a Sustainable Intensification in Campo de Dalías (Almería, Spain)

Campo de Dalías, located in southeastern Spain, is the greatest European exponent of greenhouse agriculture. The development of this type of agriculture has led to an exponential economic development of one of the poorest areas of Spain, in a short period of time. Simultaneously, it has brought about a serious alteration of natural resources. This article will study the temporal evolution of changes in land use, and the exploitation of groundwater. Likewise, this study will delve into the technological development in greenhouses (irrigation techniques, new water resources, greenhouse structures or improvement in cultivation techniques) seeking a sustainable intensification of agriculture under plastic. This sustainable intensification also implies the conservation of existing natural areas

Análisis de una intervención para la mejora de resultados en salud en EPOC agudizada en atención primaria

ResumenObjetivoAnalizar la efectividad de una intervención en profesionales sanitarios de atención primaria (AP) en la mejora de resultados de salud de pacientes agudizadores de EPOC (AEPOC).DiseñoObservacional, con análisis retrospectivo y prospectivo.EmplazamientoDistrito Sanitario Málaga-Guadalhorce (DSMG).ParticipantesPacientes EPOC agudizados atendidos por los dispositivos móviles de urgencias del DSMG (n=523; 21% pérdidas).IntervencionesFormación a los profesionales en la práctica clínica habitual e inclusión de indicadores de proceso de EPOC en objetivos ligado a incentivos.Mediciones principalesComparación de variables de proceso y de resultado mediante auditoría de la historia clínica. Variable respuesta: diferencia de agudizaciones en 2 periodos analizados. Análisis bivariante y multivariante.ResultadosEdad media 75 (±9,3) años; varones 63,7%, con un IMC de 29,4 (±7,1); fumadores activos 21%. El FEV1 medio fue del 48,2% (±18,7). La media de agudizaciones en el primer período fue de 2,86 (±2,29) y en el segundo, de 1,36 (±1,56) (p<0,001). La media de ingresos en el primer y segundo periodos fue 0,56 (±0,94) y 0,31 (±0,66) (p<0,001), respectivamente. La disminución del número de agudizaciones se relacionó de forma directa con haber tenido ≥2 agudizaciones en el primer período, exacerbación revisada en atención primaria y de forma inversa con tener insuficiencia cardiaca y ≥2 agudizaciones en el segundo período (coeficiente de determinación R2=0,28; p<0,001).ConclusionesEl número de agudizaciones y de ingresos entre ambos periodos evaluados disminuyó significativamente. Sin embargo, no mejoraron los indicadores de proceso evaluados. Se precisan estudios prospectivos de intervención para establecer la posible relación causal.AbstractObjectiveTo examine the impact of an intervention by Primary Care (PC) professionals of a Health District on the clinical outcomes for treating COPD exacerbations using a process and outcome indicators analysis (clinical audit).DesignObservational, retrospective and prospective analysis cross-sectional audit of clinical practiceSettingMalaga-Guadalhorce Sanitary District (DSMG).ParticipantsPatients with COPD exacerbations treated by the extra-hospital emergency services (n=523; 21% losses).InterventionsProfessional training in the usual clinical practice and inclusion of process indicators of COPD targets in relation to incentives.Principal measurementsComparison of external audit results (process and outcomes variables) from medical records and Health Outcomes (exacerbations, admissions). Variable response: Difference in exacerbations and admissions in 2 periods analysed. Bivariate and multivariate analysis.ResultsMean age was 75 (±9.3), 63.7% males with a BMI of 29.4 (±7.1), and 21% active smokers. Mean FEV1, 48.2% (±18.7). Mean exacerbations in the first period, 2.86 (±2.29) and in the second 1.36 (±1.56) (P<.001). Mean hospital admissions in the first and second period, 0.56 (±0.94) and 0.31 (±0.66) (P<.001), respectively. The decrease in the number of exacerbations was directly associated with having ≥2 exacerbations in the first period, reviewed in Primary Care, and inversely with heart failure and with having ≥2 exacerbations in the second period (R2=0.28; P<.001)ConclusionsThe number of exacerbations and admissions decreased significantly in both periods assessed. However, the evaluated process indicators did not improve. Prospective intervention studies are necessary to establish the possible causal relationship

Deporte Adaptado: Un Análisis Bibliométrico

Adapted sports (AS) allows the physical activity level to increase in groups such as people with disabilities, pregnant women, children and older people. AS modifies conventional sports' formal structure to make them accessible. This study aimed to analyse the trend followed by the annual publications on this topic and identify the most productive and cited authors, journals, and countries with the highest number of publications, the most cited documents and the most used keywords. The search was conducted in the Web of Science (WoS) and traditional bibliometric laws were applied. A total of 398 documents were identified. The annual publications followed an exponential growth trend (R2=89.5%). "Influence of Adapted Sport on Quality of Life: Perceptions of Athletes with Cerebral Palsy" was the most cited document. The categories of most interest to researchers were Sports Science and Rehabilitation. The journal with the higher number of publications was Retos-Nuevas Tendencias en Educación Física, Deportes y Recreación. The USA had the highest number of published documents (122 documents) and citations (973), leading extensive research networks worldwide. A total of 1270 authors have published on this topic, using "adapted sport", "adaptive sport", "disability, and "physical activity" as the most used keywords. Makhov (12 documents) was the most prolific co-author, and Lundberg was the most cited. Keywords: Adaptive Sport; Modified Sport; Disability; Physical Activity; Exercise.El deporte adaptado (DA) permite aumentar el nivel de actividad física en colectivos como las personas con discapacidad, las embarazadas, los niños y las personas mayores. El DA modifica la estructura formal de los deportes convencionales para hacerlos accesibles. Este estudio pretendía analizar la tendencia seguida por las publicaciones anuales sobre este tema e identificar los autores, revistas y países más productivos y citados, con mayor número de publicaciones, los documentos más citados y las palabras clave más utilizadas. La búsqueda se realizó en la Web of Science (WoS) y se aplicaron las leyes bibliométricas tradicionales. Se identificaron un total de 398 documentos. Las publicaciones anuales siguieron una tendencia de crecimiento exponencial (R2=89,5%). "Influence of Adapted Sport on Quality of Life: Perceptions of Athletes with Cerebral Palsy" fue el documento más citado. Las categorías de mayor interés para los investigadores fueron Ciencias del Deporte y Rehabilitación. La revista con mayor número de publicaciones fue Retos- Nuevas Tendencias en Educación Física, Deportes y Recreación. EE.UU. tuvo el mayor número de documentos publicados (122 do- cumentos) y de citas (973), liderando amplias redes de investigación en todo el mundo. Un total de 1270 autores han publicado sobre este tema, utilizando "deporte adaptado", "deporte adaptativo", "discapacidad" y "actividad física" como las palabras clave más utili- zadas. Makhov (12 documentos) fue el coautor más prolífico, y Lundberg el más citad

Conservation and Phylogeography of Plants: From the Mediterranean to the Rest of the World

During the last decades, phylogeography has transformed the ways to analyze and understand plant diversity and biogeography. The repeated and increasingly detailed articles made from DNA data with phylogeographical procedures and algorithms have revolutionized biodiversity research, particularly on biodiversity conservation. This paper presents a systematic literature review of the different ways in which phylogeography has been applied to plants in Mediterranean-type ecosystems (MTEs), especially to rare, threatened, and endemic plants. Studies ranged from basic research to how phylogeography is actually contributing to management conservation of Mediterranean plants. Finally, new and future phylogeography perspectives with integrative scientific arguments and conceptual bases applied to plant conservation biology are discussed