Old-field recolonization by animal - dispersed keystoneplants: combining field work, genetics and apatially-explicit modelling

Doutoramento em Biologia / Instituto Superior de Agronomia. Universidade de LisboaThe transformation and destruction of natural areas for their exploitation as agricultural lands is a typical example of land-use change that generates high ecosystem degradation worldwide. However, during the last decades, many agricultural lands are being abandoned due to multiple socio-economic factors. Currently, there is a trend that sees the farmland abandonment as an opportunity to restore the functioning of these human-altered ecosystems. To take advantage of this opportunity, it is central to understand the ecological processes that drive and limit the natural regeneration of plant communities in these old-fields. This doctoral dissertation addresses the understanding of two central stages that determine the natural (re)colonization of old-fields where interspecific interactions are central: seed arrival and seedling recruitment and establishment. To do this, a multidisciplinary framework that combines intensive field work, molecular techniques and spatially explicit modelling was used in three old-fields located in southwestern Iberian Peninsula. Specifically, it was applied to the system comprised of the dwarf palm (Chamaerops humilis L.), a pioneer palm endemic to the Mediterranean, and its interspecific interactions with frugivorous mammals (ungulates and carnivores) and woody plant species. The results showed that carnivores promoted a considerable seed arrival. The fecal marking behavior of dispersers, especially badgers, impacted the spatial and genetic structure of dispersed seeds and seedlings. Several nurse shrub species were quantitatively compared, being identified the dwarf palm as a ‘keystone’ species. Indeed, for the first time, it was experimentally demonstrated the role of the dwarf palm as nurse plant of several woody species. However, the strong variation among individual palms confirmed the presence of the facilitation-competition continuum and therefore, that these plant-plant interactions are not always positive. Besides, spatial evidences of the role of the dwarf palm as ‘perche’ for frugivorous birds were found. In conclusion, using the system ‘dwarf palm-mammals-woody plants’ as a model, it was revealed how the natural (re)colonization of old-fields can promote their self-recovery, although active restoration interventions can be highly recommendable to increase the regeneration of some plant communities.N/

CARB-ES-19 Multicenter Study of Carbapenemase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli From All Spanish Provinces Reveals Interregional Spread of High-Risk Clones Such as ST307/OXA-48 and ST512/KPC-3

ObjectivesCARB-ES-19 is a comprehensive, multicenter, nationwide study integrating whole-genome sequencing (WGS) in the surveillance of carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae (CP-Kpn) and E. coli (CP-Eco) to determine their incidence, geographical distribution, phylogeny, and resistance mechanisms in Spain.MethodsIn total, 71 hospitals, representing all 50 Spanish provinces, collected the first 10 isolates per hospital (February to May 2019); CPE isolates were first identified according to EUCAST (meropenem MIC > 0.12 mg/L with immunochromatography, colorimetric tests, carbapenem inactivation, or carbapenem hydrolysis with MALDI-TOF). Prevalence and incidence were calculated according to population denominators. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the microdilution method (EUCAST). All 403 isolates collected were sequenced for high-resolution single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) typing, core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST), and resistome analysis.ResultsIn total, 377 (93.5%) CP-Kpn and 26 (6.5%) CP-Eco isolates were collected from 62 (87.3%) hospitals in 46 (92%) provinces. CP-Kpn was more prevalent in the blood (5.8%, 50/853) than in the urine (1.4%, 201/14,464). The cumulative incidence for both CP-Kpn and CP-Eco was 0.05 per 100 admitted patients. The main carbapenemase genes identified in CP-Kpn were blaOXA–48 (263/377), blaKPC–3 (62/377), blaVIM–1 (28/377), and blaNDM–1 (12/377). All isolates were susceptible to at least two antibiotics. Interregional dissemination of eight high-risk CP-Kpn clones was detected, mainly ST307/OXA-48 (16.4%), ST11/OXA-48 (16.4%), and ST512-ST258/KPC (13.8%). ST512/KPC and ST15/OXA-48 were the most frequent bacteremia-causative clones. The average number of acquired resistance genes was higher in CP-Kpn (7.9) than in CP-Eco (5.5).ConclusionThis study serves as a first step toward WGS integration in the surveillance of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales in Spain. We detected important epidemiological changes, including increased CP-Kpn and CP-Eco prevalence and incidence compared to previous studies, wide interregional dissemination, and increased dissemination of high-risk clones, such as ST307/OXA-48 and ST512/KPC-3

Time to Switch to Second-line Antiretroviral Therapy in Children With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Europe and Thailand.

Background: Data on durability of first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) in children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are limited. We assessed time to switch to second-line therapy in 16 European countries and Thailand. Methods: Children aged <18 years initiating combination ART (≥2 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors [NRTIs] plus nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor [NNRTI] or boosted protease inhibitor [PI]) were included. Switch to second-line was defined as (i) change across drug class (PI to NNRTI or vice versa) or within PI class plus change of ≥1 NRTI; (ii) change from single to dual PI; or (iii) addition of a new drug class. Cumulative incidence of switch was calculated with death and loss to follow-up as competing risks. Results: Of 3668 children included, median age at ART initiation was 6.1 (interquartile range (IQR), 1.7-10.5) years. Initial regimens were 32% PI based, 34% nevirapine (NVP) based, and 33% efavirenz based. Median duration of follow-up was 5.4 (IQR, 2.9-8.3) years. Cumulative incidence of switch at 5 years was 21% (95% confidence interval, 20%-23%), with significant regional variations. Median time to switch was 30 (IQR, 16-58) months; two-thirds of switches were related to treatment failure. In multivariable analysis, older age, severe immunosuppression and higher viral load (VL) at ART start, and NVP-based initial regimens were associated with increased risk of switch. Conclusions: One in 5 children switched to a second-line regimen by 5 years of ART, with two-thirds failure related. Advanced HIV, older age, and NVP-based regimens were associated with increased risk of switch

Unmasking the perching effect of the pioneer Mediterranean dwarf palm Chamaerops humilis L.

Although farmlands are the most extensive terrestrial biomes, the abandonment of traditional agriculture in many parts of the world has brought opportunities and challenges for the restoration of such human-disturbed habitats. Seed arrival is a crucial necessary ecological process during plant recolonization that can be enhanced by the use of the so-called “perch plants”. Little is known, however, about whether the seed arrival via frugivorous birds is affected by the spatial distribution of the perch plants in disturbed habitats. To evaluate several spatial aspects of “perching” effect, we used a spatially explicit approach in two disturbed plots within the Doñana National Park (SW Spain). Specifically, we chose as study system the pioneer Mediterranean dwarf palm Chamaerops humilis L., which is often used as a perch by a variety of frugivorous bird species. A total of 289 C. humilis individuals were sampled in search of bird feces (N = 2998) and dispersed seeds (N = 529). Recorded seeds belonged to six different woody species from five different families. Nine bird species from six different families were recorded using C. humilis as perches. GLMs analyses indicated that taller C. humilis males with higher numbers of spatially associated woody species received more dispersed seeds. We detected a random spatial structure of bird feces and dispersed seeds in one study plot, while a nonrandom spatial structure was found in the other one, where isolated C. humilis received a higher number of bird feces and dispersed seeds than expected under spatial null models. The difference in spatial patterns between both study plots could relate, among other factors, to their different state of development in the ecological succession. Most of dispersed seeds were concentrated in a small number of C. humilis individuals, usually male and large ones, that acted as “hotspots” of seed arrival. The fact that frugivorous birds in one study site visited most often isolated C. humilis questions the aggregated spatial structure of revegetation designs typically used in restoration projects. This study reveals novel spatial aspects of the “perching” effect which could be helpful in the restoration of human-disturbed habitats worldwide.This work was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology to PJG (SFRH/BD/130527/2017) and by a grant of the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science to JMF (PGC2018-094808-B-I00). Logistic and technical support was provided by ICTS-RBD. The authors acknowledge support of the publication fee by the CSIC Open Access Publication Support Initiative through its Unit of Information Resources for Research (URICI

Unmasking the perching effect of the pioneer Mediterranean palm Chamaerops humilis L.

Trabajo presentado en la 7th Seed Ecology Conference of the International Society for Seed Science, celebrada en Gijón (España) del 06 al 09 de septiembre de 2022

Desenmascarando el efecto percha de la palmera pionera mediterránea Chamaerops humilis

Trabajo presentado en el I Congreso Español de Botánica, celebrado en Toledo (España) del 08 al 10 de septiembre de 2021.Las tierras destinadas a la agricultura y la ganadería suponen el mayor bioma terrestre de la actualidad, aunque en ciertas zonas, como Europa, esta extensión se ido reduciendo. Esto abre la puerta a la posibilidad de recuperar los hábitats que antaño había en esos lugares gracias a la restauración ecológica (ya sea facilitada o natural), aunque es más costosa en ciertos lugares, como la cuenca del Mediterráneo debido a su aridez, la poca disponibilidad de agua, las altas temperaturas, la erosión del suelo o la herbivoría (Rey-Benayas et al. 2007 ). En esta restauración posee un papel clave la dispersión de semillas, que forma parte de la dinámica y estructura de los hábitats al permitir colonizar nuevas áreas o recuperar zonas alteradas. El efecto percha juega un rol imprescindible en la dispersión de semillas y consiste en que las aves frugívoras utilicen las ramas de árboles y arbustos para posarse y defecar las heces que contienen las semillas. El uso reiterado de las mismas perchas da a lugar a procesos de nucleación que se ven acentuados en espacios perturbados. Aunque el efecto percha es conocido, este sería la primera vez que se estudia desde un punto de vista espacial. La planta que actúa como percha también puede actuar como nodriza, facilitando el establecimiento de las nuevas plántulas (plantas beneficiarias) (Joffre & Rambal 1993). La especie escogida para este estudio es el palmito (Chamaerops humilis L.), que es una planta pionera que coloniza fácilmente áreas perturbadas, utilizada en restauraciones ecológicas y cuyo papel como especie nodriza ha sido demostrado (Garrote et al. 2019). El objetivo de este estudio es comprobar (i) si realmente existe un efecto percha en nuestras áreas de estudio, (ii) si entre ambas áreas de estudio hay diferencia y por qué, (iii) si los palmitos agregados contienen más heces de aves con semillas dispersadas, (iv) si existen palmitos que actúan como hotspots para la llegada de heces (y semillas) y (v) si las semillas encontradas pertenecen a las mismas especies que las plantas beneficiarias encontradas en el interior de los palmitos

Documento de consenso sobre consulta telemática en hipertensión y riesgo vascular. Sociedad Española de Hipertensión-Liga Española para la Lucha contra la Hipertensión Arterial (SEH-LELHA)

The pandemic caused by coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) has forced, in many cases, to replace face-to-face consultation with the telematic consultation, in order to reduce the risk of contagion associated with the presence of patients in health centres. This change may represent an opportunity for a different and more effective communication between professionals and patients, allowing better accessibility to medical care and more systematic and comprehensive approach to patients with hypertension and cardiovascular risk. However, organisational tools are needed to facilitate communication between patients and professionals, specifically with the exchange of clinical data by remote monitoring of variables associated with hypertension and cardiovascular risk (blood pressure, weight, height, blood tests…), and allow monitoring of adherence to treatments, lifestyles and risk factors. It would be desirable for this to be carried out by multidisciplinary teams, both from primary care, hospital and community pharmacy, with an adequate coordination of care. This document of the Spanish Society of Hypertension (SEH-LELHA) tries to give the keys to improve the quality of care of telematic consultations of patients with hypertension and cardiovascular risk, provide basic criteria of telematic or face to face attention and systematise their content. Likewise, the follow-up criteria are proposed by the different professionals.La pandemia producida por el coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) ha obligado, en muchos casos a sustituir la consulta presencial por la consulta telemática para reducir el riesgo de contagio asociado a la presencia de pacientes en los centros sanitarios. Este cambio puede representar una oportunidad para una comunicación diferente y más eficiente entre profesionales y pacientes, permitiendo mejorar la accesibilidad a la atención médica y un abordaje más sistemático e integral a los pacientes con hipertensión y riesgo cardiovascular. No obstante, se necesitan herramientas organizativas que faciliten la comunicación entre pacientes y profesionales, específicamente con intercambio de datos clínicos que favorezcan la monitorización remota de las variables asociadas a la hipertensión y riesgo cardiovascular (presión arterial, peso, talla, variables analíticas…) y permitan realizar un seguimiento adecuado en aspectos como la adherencia a los tratamientos, estilos de vida y factores de riesgo. Todo ello sería deseable que fuera realizado por equipos multidisciplinares, tanto de atención primaria como hospitalaria y farmacia comunitaria, con una coordinación adecuada del cuidado en este tipo de pacientes. Este documento de la Sociedad Española de Hipertensión-Liga Española para la Lucha contra la Hipertensión Arterial (SEH-LELHA) trata de dar las claves para mejorar la calidad asistencial de las consultas telemáticas de los pacientes con hipertensión y riesgo cardiovascular, proporcionar criterios básicos de atención telemática o presencial y sistematizar el contenido de estas. Así mismo se plantean los criterios de seguimiento por los diferentes profesionales.Sin financiaciónNo data JCR 20200.213 SJR (2020) Q3, 257/349 Cardiology and Cardiovascular MedicineNo data IDR 2020UE

Marine Biodiversity of Eastern Tropical Pacific Coral Reefs

The eastern tropical Pacific (ETP) is an isolated oceanic region exposed to extreme oceanographic conditions, including low salinity, low pH, high temperatures during El Niño, and low temperatures during La Niña and seasonal upwelling. The coral reefs in this region have a relatively limited suite of species compared to other coral reef areas of the world, but much like more diverse reefs the species present interact in complex ways. Here we synthezise the knowledge of taxonomic groups of reef organisms from prokaryotes to vertebrates, including algae, sponges, cnidarians, annelids and other worms, molluscs, crustaceans, echinoderms and fishes. We also present summaries on the biodiversity of associated functional groups and habitats, including (a) reef zooplankton and cryptic fauna, and (b) soft benthic environments, rhodolith beds and mesophotic environments. Several factors that structure the biodiversity of ETP coral reefs are explored, including biological, physical and chemical controls. ETP coral reefs are relatively simple systems that can be used as models for studying biodiversity and interactions among species. We conclude this review by highlighting pressing research needs, from very basic inventories to more sophisticated studies of cryptic assemblages, and to investigations on the impacts of natural and anthropogenic effects on ETP coral reef biodiversity.National Geographic Society/[NGS 5831–96]//Estados UnidosFondo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología/[1130167]/FONDECYT/ChileUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología (CIMAR)UCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Ciencias Básicas::Facultad de Ciencias::Escuela de Biologí