Mycodiversity of Nature Reserves in Central Italy

Seven nature reserves situated in the province of Arezzo (Tuscany, Central Italy), presenting various habitats, plants and animals of comunitary interest according to the Habitat Directive, have been observed from a myco-floristic viewpoint. A synthesis of the results on fungal investigations is given. Interesting the finding of rare species such as Ramariopsis pulchella and Mycena diosma

Combined impact of forest management and climate change on Boletus edulis productivity: may mycosilviculture mitigate the effects of climate extremes?

Climate change can affect forest ecosystems, especially through an increase of extreme events. In order to verify whether mycosilvicultural practices could mitigate the effects of climate change, productivity of Boletus edulis in Abies alba managed plantations was correlated to intense rainfall and temperature peaks during three years. Fungal productivity in each of the 21 days following an extreme climatic event was considered. Results showed that sudden increases in maximum temperature seemed to have an inhibitory effect on B. edulis productivity in sites with no or modest thinning. In sites with heavy thinning, productivity seemed to be favoured by high temperatures, starting from the twentieth day following the extreme event. Mycosilviculture may mitigate the climate change effects; however, further studies are needed to verify how climate-dominated effects can be altered by local factors and how ecological relationship between B. edulis and forest ecosystem will be affected

Wood-Decay Fungi Fructifying in Mediterranean Deciduous Oak Forests: A Community Composition, Richness and Productivity Study.

first_pagesettingsOrder Article Reprints Open AccessArticle Wood-Decay Fungi Fructifying in Mediterranean Deciduous Oak Forests: A Community Composition, Richness and Productivity Study by Ángel Ponce 1,2,Elena Salerni 3,*ORCID,Maria Nives D’Aguanno 4ORCID andClaudia Perini 3,5ORCID 1 Department of Agricultural and Forest Sciences and Engineering, University of Lleida, Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure 191, E-25198 Lleida, Spain 2 Joint Research Unit CTFC—AGROTECNIO—CERCA, Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure 191, E-25198 Lleida, Spain 3 Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy 4 Institute of Microbiome and Applied Sciences, Malta Life Sciences Park (LS2.1.12—LS2.1.15), SGN 3000 San Gwann, Malta 5 NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Palermo, Italy * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Forests 2023, 14(7), 1326; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14071326 Received: 5 June 2023 / Revised: 23 June 2023 / Accepted: 25 June 2023 / Published: 28 June 2023 (This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity, Abundance, and Distribution of Wood-Decay Fungi) Download Browse Figures Review Reports Versions Notes Abstract Deadwood is involved in several important ecological roles, being the fundamental habitat of wood-decay fungi. At the same time, this polyphyletic group of fungi is the principal agent of wood decomposition, regulating the carbon cycle and the food resource for many other organisms. It is known that the diversity and community composition of wood-decay fungi are related to the tree species, decay stage and size of the woody debris in which they are living. Nevertheless, there is a lack of information on Mediterranean Quercus cerris L. forests. In response, we explored how wood-decay fungi colonize different woody types and how the productivity, richness and community composition of these fungi is influenced by the decay stage and size of the deadwood. Our results indicate that the studied groups, i.e., Ascomycetes, Corticioids, Polyporoids and Heterobasidiomycetes responded differently to the woody debris classes. Moreover, we note the high importance of smaller and soft-decayed woody debris for community composition and richness, hosting a great number of species, in addition to the positive effect of the heterogeneity of the woody debris size for wood-decay fungi productivity

New Frontiers in the Cultivation of Edible Fungi: The Application of Biostimulants Enhances the Nutritional Characteristics of Pleurotus eryngii (DC.) Quél

Fungi, particularly Pleurotus eryngii, emerges as a promising solution for sustainable non-animal protein production, requiring less land and growing on waste materials. In connection with population growth, sustainable solutions must be found to increase yield and product quality without resorting to the use of synthetic chemical fertilizers. Several biobased products are currently on the market; one of the most interesting is wood distillate (WD), derived from the pyrolysis process of the woody material. WD is rich in biologically active substances such as polyphenols, alcohols, acids, and esters, and its use is authorized in organic agriculture. The study investigates the use of WD in cultivating P. eryngii. We tested different concentrations of WD: 0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.5%, and 1% WD on the growth of P. eryngii. Although WD did not significantly affect the yield (fresh weight), it led to a substantial increase in total soluble protein content and antioxidant compounds, such as phenols and vitamin C, and a reduction in glycogen content, especially at 0.2% WD. The results highlight the potential of biostimulants in mushroom cultivation, providing the ground for further research to improve the nutritional properties of cultivated mushrooms through wood distillate

Identification and Biological Characterization of the Pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine Derivative SI388 Active as Src Inhibitor

Src is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase (TK) whose involvement in cancer, including glioblastoma (GBM), has been extensively demonstrated. In this context, we started from our in-house library of pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines that are active as Src and/or Bcr-Abl TK inhibitors and performed a lead optimization study to discover a new generation derivative that is suitable for Src kinase targeting. We synthesized a library of 19 compounds, 2a-s. Among these, compound 2a (SI388) was identified as the most potent Src inhibitor. Based on the cell-free results, we investigated the effect of SI388 in 2D and 3D GBM cellular models. Interestingly, SI388 significantly inhibits Src kinase, and therefore affects cell viability, tumorigenicity and enhances cancer cell sensitivity to ionizing radiation

Effects of wild boar grazing on the yield of summer truffle (Tuscany, Italy)

The research presented here seeks to describe the impact of wild boar to a natural truffle ground of Tuber aestivum Vittad. on Monte Amiata (Tuscany – Italy). Pedoclimatic analyses indicated that the selected area could be considered suitable for the truffle production. Then classification of the vegetation of a Quercus cerris forest was carried out exploring the possibility of the BACI (Before-After-Control-Impact) sampling design. Finally 10 plots were selected, half of which have been fenced. For the first time the impact of wild boar was evaluated by estimating the surface area turned over by its activity. Moreover in each plot the number and weight of summer truffles was performed every 10 days during the fruiting period (June-November 2006-2008). The hypothesis that the presence of Sus scrofa has a strong negative influence on truffle harvesting has been amply confirmed by the data presented here, given the large increase of fruiting bodies of the summer truffle collected in the fenced plots. Consequently the destructive behaviour of the wild boar imply not only an ecological but also an economic damage in areas in which non-wood forest products are an important source of income

¿Por qué y cómo medir la presión arterial en perros y gatos conscientes?

La de nición de una Presión arterial (PA) normal en perros y gatos es difícil, ya que puede haber variaciones dependiendo de la especie, sexo, edad y la raza; así que los valores deben de interpretarse en base a las características especí cas del paciente y de la condición siológica o patológica presente. En la literatura se han reportado rangos de normalidad para la PAS de 110 a 160 mmHg, y para la PA diastólica de entre 55 a 110 mmHg en los perros; y para los gatos 120 a 160 mmHg de PA sistólica y de 70 a 120 mmHg de PAD. En los perros y gatos conscientes los valores de PAS son los que se utilizan como referencia de la PA, esto debido a que la primera técnica utilizada para medir la PA de forma no invasiva fue el sistema Doppler con el que generalmente solo es posible medir la PAS; además es raro existan alteraciones de la PAD de forma aislada. Cabe mencionar que en el monitoreo trans-anestésico la PA media es el principal indicador de la PA

Emerging influenza strains in the last two decades: A threat of a new pandemic?

In the last 20 years, novel non-seasonal influenza viruses have emerged, most of which have originated from birds. Despite their apparent inability to cause pandemics, with the exception of H1N1 swine influenza virus, these viruses still constitute a constant threat to public health. While general concern has decreased after the peak of the H5N1 virus, in recent years several novel reassorted influenza viruses (e.g., H7N9, H9N2, H10N8) have jumped the host-species barrier and are under surveillance by the scientific community and public health systems. It is still unclear whether these viruses can actually cause pandemics or just isolated episodes. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of old and novel potential pandemic strains of recent decades