Taxus baccata in Morocco: a tree in regression in its southern extreme

12 p., figuras, tablas, gráficos -- Contiene material suplementario -- Este es un artículo open-access distribuido bajo los términos de la licencia Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International licenceThe knowledge on chorology of species is basic for biogeographic and ecological studies and for conservation actions. The data on the chorology of Taxus baccata in Morocco have not been studied. The bibliographic resources, herbarium material, unpublished data of several botanists and the authors’ field notes have been reviewed. Two yew populations on Jbel Lakrâa in the Rif and near Bekrit in the Middle Atlas were measured to verify demographic structure and health conditions. The Maxent model of predict­ed habitat based on bioclimatic variables was used to evaluate the potential geographic range of T. baccata. The species occurs in the mountain areas of northern Morocco: in the Rif, the Middle and High Atlas, at altitudes between (500) 1200 and 2000 (2350) m. In the High Atlas, it reaches its southernmost locations within the geographic range. The populations represented by the highest number of individuals are found in the Western Rif and Middle Atlas, while from the High Atlas only single, isolated individuals are known. The yew occurred preferably in forests of Cedrus atlantica, Abies maroccana, groves of Betula fontqueri, Ilex aquifolium and Prunus lusitanica and in riparian forests located in narrow gorges. Seedlings were observed only at single localities. The population of T. baccata in the Rif presented a good health condition with suc­cessful regeneration, while the population in the Middle Atlas was in a much worse state, where only 4–8 m high yews were observed, without natural regeneration. The Maxent model of predicted habitat, based on bioclimatic variables, suggests that T. baccata could occur today in much broader mountainous areas in Morocco, especially in the Rif and Middle Atlas. However, the progressive decline of this species in Morocco indicates the significant importance of other factors on yew distribution, including microsite conditions and human pressure. Taxus baccata in Morocco is in regression at most of its localities and should be treated as a vulnerable species. Measures to ensure the yew’s conservation are needed, especially at its southernmost localities in the High Atlas.The present study was financially supported by the Institute of Dendrology of the Polish Academy of Sciences (under statutory activity).Peer reviewe

Influence of herbivory pressure on the growth rate and needle morphology of Taxus baccata L. juveniles

Damage by herbivore grazing negatively influences the development of subsequent forest generations. Little is known about the long-term impacts of grazing and interactions between grazing and light conditions on sapling growth after the cessation of herbivory impact. In this study, Taxus baccata saplings were grown over a period of four years in artificial shading at 2, 8, 30 and 100% of full sunlight (described as initial light). These saplings were planted in fenced and unfenced plots in a mixed forest in Poland. After six years with no protection from grazing, deer pressure was eliminated by fencing. In this study, we analysed sapling growth and needle morphology five years after deer suppression. Overall, grazing had a negative significant impact on the growth rate and needle morphology of T. baccata saplings. Saplings damaged by herbivores had a height increment approximately one-third that of non-grazed saplings. The grazed yew saplings had a lower needle area and length and a higher specific leaf area (SLA) than non-grazed saplings. Initial and current light conditions did not influence tree growth rates and needle morphology. However, we found positive correlations between sapling height and both leaf area and leaf length and a negative correlation between sapling height and SLA. Browsed yews also had a greater tendency to form polycormic (multi-stemmed) individuals. Lower growth rates, smaller needles and polycormic stems indicate a strategy of “escaping” herbivory pressure even five years after elimination of deer pressure

DataSheet_1_Level of IL-6, TNF, and IL-1β and age-related diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis.docx

IntroductionChronic low-grade inflammation is an important aspect of morbidity and mortality in older adults. The level of circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) or IL-1β) is a risk factor in cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases and is also associated with sarcopenia and frailties. The objective of this study was to assess each cytokine: IL-6, TNF, and IL-1β separately in the elderly with comorbidities against controls without diseases according to the data published in the available literature.MethodsThe electronic bibliographic PubMed database was systematically searched to select all the relevant studies published up to July 2023. The total number of the subjects involved in the meta-analysis included patients with diseases (n=8154) and controls (n=33967).ResultsThe overall concentration of IL-6 was found to be higher in patients with diseases compared to controls and the difference was statistically significant, with a p-value of 2 = 79.2%. The potential diagnostic usefulness of IL-6 was confirmed by odds ratio (OR) analysis (OR: 1.03, 95% CI (1.01; 1.05), p=0.0029). The concentration of both TNF and IL-1β was elevated in the control group compared to patients and amounted to SMD -0.03; 95% CI, -0.09–0.02, p-value 0.533 and SMD-0.29; 95% CI, -0.47– -0.12; p = 0.001, respectively. For TNF, however, the difference was statistically insignificant.DiscussionIL-6, unlike TNF and IL-1β, could be a useful and convenient marker of peripheral inflammation in older adults with various comorbidities.</p

Genetic diversity and differentiation of the riparian relict tree Pterocarya fraxinifolia (Juglandaceae) along altitudinal gradients in the Hyrcanian forest (Iran)

Riparian trees, especially relict trees, are attractive and important for research to understand both past and recent biogeographical and evolutionary processes. Our work is the first study to elucidate the genetic diversity and spatial genetic structure of the canopy-dominating riparian (Juglandaceae) along two altitudinal gradients in different river systems of the Hyrcanian forest, which is one of the most important refugium of relict trees in Western Eurasia. Altitudinal gradients were chosen along two river systems at 100, 400 and 900 m a.s.l. Leaf samples were collected from 116 trees, and the genetic diversity was evaluated with eight SSR markers. Overall, 39 alleles were identified for all of the populations studied. The observed heterozygosity (Ho) varied from 0.79 to 0.87 (with a mean of 0.83). The results of the AMOVA analysis indicated that the variation within populations was 88%, whereas the variation among populations was 12% for all of the gradients. A structure analysis indicated that 93% of the trees were grouped in the same gradient. The genetic distance based on Fst confirmed the structure result and indicated a high rate of gene flow among the investigated populations. Based on high gene flow (low differentiation of the population along the same river) and the clearly distinct genetic structure of the investigated gradients, it can be concluded that rivers are the main seed dispersal vector among populations. The genetic diversity of did not show any trend from upstream to downstream. The high level of gene flow and uniform genetic diversity along each river suggest the âclassicalâ metapopulation structure of the species. Pterocarya fraxinifoliaP. fraxinifoliaP. fraxinifoli

Should the men be exempted from vaccination against human papillomavirus? Health disparities regarding HPV on the example of sexual minorities in Poland.

Introduction: Social campaigns concerning vaccinations against human papillomavirus (HPV) in Poland are mainly addressed to women. In addition to cervical cancer, anal, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers can be caused by the virus, which clearly affects men as well. HPV vaccinations are voluntary and mostly not refunded in Poland. Methods: A survey was published on social media’s group gathering males and contained questions concerning epidemiological data, knowledge about HPV, and opinions of HPV vaccination. A questionnaire was enriched with educational note regarding HPV-dependent cancers and available vaccines against HPV in Poland. Results: Because of age limitations, 169 males (115 heterosexuals, 48 homosexuals) aged 14-39 were chosen for the study. Seventy-five percent of heterosexual and 88% of homosexual men were aware of HPV, but less than 4% and 17% (respectively) were vaccinated against the virus. Main sources of knowledge about HPV were the Internet (61%), media (28%) and relatives (27%). HPV infection was linked with the development of anal and oropharyngeal cancers by 28%, and 37% of heterosexual males, compared with 56.3% and 43.8% of homosexual males. The majority of respondents (88%) indicated that all genders should be vaccinated, although only 57% were aware of HPV vaccination availability in Poland. Conclusions: The men are at risk of HPV-related cancers and the danger is poorly understood amongst Polish men. Despite awareness of HPV vaccines, the vaccination rate is low. Consequently, there is a serious need to broaden educational with a special attention to LGBTQ+ communities

Patterns of genetic diversity in North Africa: Moroccan-Algerian genetic split in Juniperus thurifera subsp. africana

Juniperus thurifera is a key element of the forest communities in arid and semi-arid areas of the western Mediterranean. Previous genetic and morphological investigations suggested that Algerian populations are genetically more similar to European than to Moroccan populations and advocated their recognition at the variety rank. We aimed to investigate the spatial genetic structure in J. thurifera to verify the distinct character of the Algerian population in terms of the genetic breaks reported among several North African taxa. We also modelled species distributions since the Eemian to recognise the impact of past climatic changes on the current pattern of diversity and predict possible changes in species distribution in the future. Species-specific microsatellites were used in the analysis of 11 populations from Algeria, Morocco and Europe. We revealed the significant genetic distinctiveness of the Algerian populations from the Moroccan and European stands that may have important taxonomic and conservation implications. The diversity pattern revealed for J. thurifera reflects the east-west genetic splits reported among some North African plant and animal taxa and suggests an impact of shared historical processes. Additionally, modelling of the distribution allowed us to identify possible glacial refugia and their impact on the modern pattern of differentiation in J. thurifera. Reduction of species occurrence, especially in the European domain, is likely according to the future projections of the species distribution.This study was supported by the Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences and Ecole Nationale Supérieure Agronomique, Algeria.Abstract Introduction Materials and methods Plant material DNA extraction, amplification and sequencing Data analysis Genetic diversity and differentiation Geographic patterns of differentiation Modelling of species distributions Results Genetic diversity and differentiation Geographic pattern of differentiation Modelling of species distributions Discussion North African phylogeographic congruencies include J. thurifera subsp. africana Pleistocene/Holocene changes in species ranges: possible adaptation-driven divergence? Concluding remarks and perspectives References Acknowledgements Author information Ethics declarations Additional information Supplementary information Rights and permissions About this article Further reading Comment

Genetic Diversity and Structure of Rear Edge Populations of Sorbus aucuparia (Rosaceae) in the Hyrcanian Forest

Sorbus aucuparia (Rosaceae) is a small tree species widely distributed in Eurasia. The Hyrcanian forest is the southernmost distribution limit of this species. Severe habitat degradation and inadequate human interventions have endangered the long-term survival of this species in this region, and it is necessary to develop and apply appropriate management methods to prevent the loss of its genetic diversity. In this study, we used 10 SSR markers in order to evaluate the genetic diversity of this taxon. Leaf samples were collected from five known populations of S. aucuparia throughout its distribution area in the Hyrcanian forest. Expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.61 (ASH) to 0.73, and according to the M-ratio, all populations showed a significant reduction in effective population size, indicating a genetic bottleneck. Global FST was not statistically significant and attained the same values with and without excluding null alleles (ENA) correction (FST = 0.12). Bayesian analysis performed with STRUCTURE defined two genetic clusters among the five known populations, while the results of discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) identified three distinct groups. The average proportion of migrants was 22. In general, the gene flow was asymmetrical, with the biggest differences between immigration and emigration in Barzekoh and Asbehriseh. The Mantel test showed that there was no significant correlation between genetic distance (FST) and geographic distance in S. aucuparia. The best pathway for theoretical gene flow is located across the coast of the Caspian Sea and significant spatial autocorrelation was observed in only one population. In order to reduce the extinction risk of very small and scattered populations of S. aucuparia in the Hyrcanian forest, it is very important to establish and/or enhance the connectivity through habitat restoration or genetic exchange

Evaluation of the climate impact to the geographic range of junipers

Trabajo presentado en el Meeting on Juniper Trees, celebrado en Marsella (Francia) del 25 al 27 de septiembre de 2017Peer reviewe