Societal Impact Statement
Conserving trees is fundamental to maintaining forests, which are home to about half of the global biodiversity and provide unmeasurable benefits to people. Colombia has ...5868 known species of trees, 1148 of which are endemic to the country. Unfortunately, 45% of the endemic trees of Colombia are threatened with extinction, and therefore, the ecosystem services they provide might be in jeopardy. This study represents an important contribution to conservation planning for the endemic trees of a megadiverse country and highlights critical considerations for their conservation.
Summary
Colombia has a very rich tree flora and high levels of tree endemism. As a contribution to the “Global Tree Assessment”, we assessed 860 species to complete the Red List of the 1148 endemic trees of the country. The information is being used to support spatial conservation planning as Key Biodiversity Areas identification.
To categorize the species according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List guidelines, we used geographic occurrences obtained from herbarium specimens. We carried out detailed analysis of habitat quantity and quality (using forest cover and human footprint maps) and documented anthropogenic threats and conservation actions.
Almost half (45%) of the endemic trees were categorized as threatened. Most species had small distributions (with an extent of occurrence of less than 40,000 km2). Endemic tree occurrences were more common in the Andes and Magdalena regions, which have very high human footprint and consequently a large proportion of threatened species. The major threat to endemic trees was habitat destruction, due mainly to deforestation for livestock and crops. Many endemic trees were present in protected areas (65%), but threatened and non‐threatened species had low coverage with habitat protection, and many of their populations persist in disturbed habitats.
Colombia has hundreds of threatened endemic trees, most of them in global biodiversity hotspots, with very few proactive conservation actions. It is urgent to increase the coverage of endemic tree populations in area‐based conservation strategies and to complement this with ex situ and other conservation actions.
La conservación de árboles es fundamental para el mantenimiento de los bosques, que albergan cerca de la mitad de la biodiversidad global y proveen beneficios invaluables para las personas. Colombia tiene 5868 especies conocidas de árboles, 1148 de las cuales son endémicas del país. Desafortunadamente, el 45% de los árboles endémicos de Colombia se encuentran amenazados de extinción, y por tanto, los servicios ecosistémicos que brindan podrían estar en riesgo. Esta investigación representa una contribución importante a la planificación para la conservación de los árboles endémicos de un país megadiverso, y destaca consideraciones cruciales para su conservación.
Conserving trees is fundamental to maintaining forests, which are home to about half of the global biodiversity and provide unmeasurable benefits to people. Colombia has 5868 known species of trees, 1148 of which are endemic to the country. Unfortunately, 45% of the endemic trees of Colombia are threatened with extinction, and therefore, the ecosystem services they provide might be in jeopardy. This study represents an important contribution to conservation planning for the endemic trees of a megadiverse country and highlights critical considerations for their conservation.
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DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Societal Impact Statement
Palms provide vital plant resources and ecosystem services to people across the tropics. To improve conservation guidance, a “health check” of palms in two highly threatened ...biodiversity hotspots in Colombia and Ecuador was undertaken. Palms are very diverse in these regions, but over one third are threatened with extinction now, especially among endemic species. Widespread and useful palms are also under intense human pressure and need to be prioritized in terms of sustainable management practices. Given the importance of palms for humans, inclusive conservation actions should be continued in both countries in order to safeguard this resource.
Summary
Palms provide central plant resources to societies in the tropics, especially in the Global South. The western Pacific and Andean regions of Colombia and Ecuador host two hotspots of biodiversity. To prioritize conservation policies towards palms, we undertook a conservation assessment of species in the region.
We compiled a taxonomically verified database of specimens collected in both hotspots. We inferred preliminary conservation assessments using International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Criteria B. In addition, we evaluated the level of exposure of palms to human use and population density using the anthrome concept.
We documented 144 native palm species in 33 genera occurring in both hotspots of Colombia and Ecuador. Of these, 55 are endemic to this region. We recorded 133 species for Colombia, 43 endemic, and 71 species for Ecuador, 9 endemic. A third of all palm species in the region are potentially threatened with extinction (50/144) and 12 as preliminary Critically Endangered. Aiphanes and Geonoma have the highest number of threatened species. In total, 60% of palm specimens were collected in the “low human impact” anthrome type. In contrast, 41% of specimens occur in high human density areas.
The two hotspots of biodiversity in Colombia and Ecuador are very diverse in palms. However, we show that this diversity is under threat and is predominantly found in areas impacted by human activities. Extinction risk is highest in endemic species in both countries. Widespread and useful palm species also face threats linked to overexploitation or habitat loss. Inclusive conservation measures should be designed to conserve, together with communities, this plant resource.
Las palmas proporcionan recursos vegetales vitales y servicios ecosistémicos a las poblaciones de los trópicos. Con el objetivo de tomar acciones de conservación informadas, llevamos a cabo un “control de salud” de las palmas en dos hotspots de biodiversidad altamente amenazados en Colombia y Ecuador. Las palmas son muy diversas en estas regiones, pero más de un tercio están probablemente amenazadas de extinción, especialmente entre las especies endémicas. Las palmas útiles y con una distribución amplia también están sometidas a una presión humana importante y es necesario priorizarlas en términos de prácticas de gestión sostenible. Dada la importancia de las palmas para los humanos, se debe continuar las acciones de conservación inclusivas en ambos países para poder proteger de manera segura este recurso.
Palms provide vital plant resources and ecosystem services to people across the tropics. To improve conservation guidance, a “health check” of palms in two highly threatened biodiversity hotspots in Colombia and Ecuador was undertaken. Palms are very diverse in these regions, but over one third are threatened with extinction now, especially among endemic species. Widespread and useful palms are also under intense human pressure and need to be prioritized in terms of sustainable management practices. Given the importance of palms for humans, inclusive conservation actions should be continued in both countries in order to safeguard this resource.
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DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The genus
Molossops
includes two monotypic species of insectivore bats distributed in South America:
Molossops neglectus
and
Molossops temminckii
. Both can be differentiated, based on sizes,
M. ...temminckii
being smaller (forearm less than 33 mm). Despite being monotypic, at least two additional subspecies have been described for
M. temminckii
, of which
M. temminckii griseiventer
from the inter-Andean Valley of the Magdalena River in Colombia might represent a valid taxon. To test the taxonomic status of
M. t. griseiventer
, we reviewed specimens of
M. temminckii
from cis- and trans-Andean localities in Colombia. We used Cytochrome-b and Cytochrome Oxidase I comparisons to test the phylogenetic position of cis- and trans-Andean samples and compared qualitative morphology, morphometric and bioacoustics. Our results show that
M. t. griseiventer
is differentiated from cis-Andean specimens, providing further evidence of its validity at the species level. Furthermore,
M. temminckii
(sensu stricto) is also distributed in Colombia, but both
M. griseiventer
and
M. temminckii
are allopatric, with the Andes acting as a barrier. The specific identity of the specimens from the Caribbean Region of Colombia needs a new evaluation, but our results clearly show that the diversity of
Molossops
is underestimated.
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The western or desert red bat,
Lasiurus frantzii
, is a cryptic insectivore species distributed in the Neotropics from Mexico south through Central America to Panama.
L. frantzii
was long considered ...a subspecies of the red bat,
Lasiurus blossevillii
, but recently it was elevated to full-species status based on genetic information. Here we present evidence of the presence of
L. frantzii
in the Andean Region of Colombia, confirming the species’ presence in South America; the new record, from 3836 m a.s.l., is also the highest elevation known for the species. We suggest that
L. frantzii
might be widely distributed in trans-Andean areas of Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and perhaps Peru and Bolivia. However, a review and exploration of additional morphological traits to identify the species are necessary because of the uncertainty of the distribution of
L. frantzii
.
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Biodegradable polymers are considered a feasible option to minimize the environment impacts of high disposal of solid waste. Nevertheless, environmental safety of these materials is a few explored ...issue. In this context, this study evaluated ecotoxicological effects in soil of the biodegradable materials poly(lactic acid)-PLA, poly(butylene adipate co-terephthalate)-PBAT and their blends compatibilized with a chain extender. The tool used for this analysis was the bioassay with
Allium cepa
as test organism. The studied materials were not phytotoxic, cytotoxic, genotoxic nor mutagenic for meristematic cells of
A. cepa
.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
•A branched exopolysaccharide was isolated from kefir by physical extraction.•Kefiran plasticized films were prepared by loading 2 and 5% w/w of plasticizers.•Kefiran solubility decreased with the ...incorporation of polyols as plasticizers.•The addition of plasticizers improved the thermal stability of the kefiran.•Type and concentration of plasticizer decreased the microhardness of the polymer.
Spectroscopies analysis indicated that kefiran contains branched hexasaccharide repeating units. Neat kefiran films, 2 and 5% w/w of glycerol, d-glucitol, d-galactitol, d-mannitol, and d-limonene were incorporated as plasticizers. Neat and plasticized kefiran films were characterized by physical, thermal, mechanical, optical, and water solubilization properties. Neat kefiran had a glass transition temperature (Tg) of −20 ± 2 °C and, with the addition of plasticizers between −15 to −17 ± 2 °C. The values were close to the neat kefiran, and the results could be attributed to a lower amount of plasticizer used. The solubility of the glycerol plasticized films increases by 33% and decreased with the concentration of other plasticizers in comparison with the neat kefiran. d-glucitol and d-galactitol decreased the microhardness and Young’s Modulus of films around 30% and 74% respectively, obtaining more flexible kefiran films. Kefiran based films could find applications as potential materials in the food-packaging industry.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
This retrospective study aimed to identify which patient-, donor tooth–, recipient site–, and surgical procedure–related variables may influence the outcome of tooth autotransplantation.
The sample ...included 128 autotransplants performed in 122 patients. Single-visit clinical/imaging examinations were used to define the outcome as successful, survival, or failure. The association of potential indicators with the survival or failure categories was analyzed individually and adjusted for confounders through multivariate logistic regression models.
After a follow-up period of 1 to 30.11 years, success was achieved in 71.8% of autotransplants, whereas the survival and failure groups had rates of 14.1% each, and the grouped success/survival rate reached 85.9%. An extraoral time >15 minutes and difficult handling/placement were strong/independent risk covariates for survival and failure categories (odds ratio >1, P < .05). Additionally, unerupted/partially erupted status of the donor tooth was a significant indicator for survival, whereas deficient bone level at the recipient site, surgical extraction, poor initial stability, and lack of prophylactic antibiotics were independently linked to failure (odds ratio > 1, P < .05). The root morphology and socket status acted as modifiers of the effect of the recipient site location on the survival group (P > .05).
Based on the results of this study, unerupted/partially erupted status of the donor tooth, surgical extraction, total extraoral time >15 minutes, deficient recipient’s bone level, difficult handling/placement of the autotransplant, poor initial stability, and lack of prophylactic antibiotics during the surgical procedure must be considered with caution when performing autotransplantation because of their deleterious influence on the outcome.
Aims
The most common autosomal recessive limb girdle muscular dystrophy is associated with the CAPN3 gene. The exclusively recessive inheritance of this disorder has been recently challenged by the ...description of the recurrent variants, c.643_663del21 p.(Ser215_Gly221del) and c.598_612del15 p.(Phe200_Leu204del), associated with autosomal dominant inheritance. Our objective was to confirm the existence of autosomal dominant calpainopathies.
Methods
Through our activity as one of the reference centres for genetic diagnosis of calpainopathies in France and the resulting collaborations through the French National Network for Rare Neuromuscular Diseases (FILNEMUS), we identified four families harbouring the same CAPN3 heterozygous variant with supposedly autosomal dominant inheritance.
Results
We identified a novel dominantly inherited CAPN3 variant, c.1333G>A p.(Gly445Arg) in 14 affected patients from four unrelated families. The complementary phenotypic, functional and genetic findings correlate with an autosomal dominant inheritance in these families, emphasizing the existence of this novel transmission mode for calpainopathies. The mild phenotype associated with these autosomal dominant cases widens the phenotypic spectrum of calpainopathies and should therefore be considered in clinical practice.
Conclusions
We confirm the existence of autosomal dominant calpainopathies as an entity beyond the cases related to the in‐frame deletions c.643_663del21 and c.598_612del15, with the identification of a novel dominantly inherited and well‐documented CAPN3 missense variant, c.1333G>A p.(Gly445Arg). In addition to the consequences for genetic counselling, the confirmation of an autosomal dominant transmission mode for calpainopathies underlines the importance of re‐assessing other myopathies for which the inheritance is considered as strictly autosomal recessive.
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DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
This study presents the design and development of an ultrasonic sensor as a fundamental tool for characterizing the properties of fluids and biofluids. The analysis primarily focuses on measuring the ...electrical parameters of the system, which correlate with the density and viscosity of the solutions, in sample volumes of microliters and with high temporal resolution (up to 1 data point per second). The use of this sensor allows the fast and non-destructive evaluation of the viscosity and density of fluids deposited on its free surface. The measurements are based on obtaining the impedance versus frequency curve and the phase difference curve (between current and voltage) versus frequency. In this way, characteristic parameters of the transducer, such as the resonance frequency, phase, minimum impedance, and the quality factor of the resonant system, can characterize variations in density and viscosity in the fluid under study. The results obtained revealed the sensor’s ability to identify two parameters sensitive to viscosity and two parameters sensitive to density. As a proof of concept, the unfolding of the bovine albumin protein was studied, resulting in a curve that reflects its unfolding kinetics in the presence of urea.
Abstract This report is an integrated study to include the molecular simulation, physicochemical characterization and biological analysis of a paclitaxel-loaded PHBV nanoparticle that demonstrates ...uptake, release and cytotoxicity in cancer cell lines. Taking this nanoparticle one step closer to its use in a clinical setting, we demonstrate that it causes significant cell death in primary cultures of stage IIIc serous ovarian cancer cells isolated from six patients. Molecular simulations revealed a high affinity of paclitaxel for the water–polymer interface, thus the drug is delivered only when the polymer near it is degraded. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy suggests the formation of a short-lived crystalline phase, also observed in the CG simulations, and transmission electron microscopy revealed branched structures on the surface of particles, which disappeared after 4 days. Biological analyses indicated that these particles have a 48-h window of toxicity protection, allowing for the endocytosis of the particle by the cells; this finding was corroborated by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. The low cost to synthesize PHBV using microorganisms and the potential chemical modifications of the polymer make it attractive for inexpensive, large-scale pharmaceutical production.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
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