Are Cenozoic relict species also climatic relicts? Insights from the macroecological evolution of the giant sedges of Carex sect. Rhynchocystis (Cyperaceae).

PREMISE: Most of the Paleotropical flora widely distributed in the Western Palearctic became extinct during the Mio-Pliocene as a result of global geoclimatic changes. A few elements from this Cenozoic flora are believed to remain as relicts in Macaronesia, forming part of the laurel forests. Although the origins of the present species assembly are known to be heterogeneous, it is unclear whether some species should be considered climatic relicts with conserved niches. An ideal group for studying such relict characteristics is a Miocene lineage of Carex sect. Rhynchocystis (Cyperaceae), which comprises four species distributed in mainland Palearctic and Macaronesia. METHODS: We reconstructed the current and past environmental spaces for extant mainland and Macaronesian species, as well as for Pliocene fossils. We also studied the bioclimatic niche evolution. Species distribution modeling and ensemble small modeling were performed to assess the potential distribution over time. RESULTS: Climatic niche analyses and distribution modeling revealed that the ecological requirements of Macaronesian species did not overlap with those of either mainland species or with the Pliocene fossils. Conversely, the niches of mainland species displayed significant similarity and equivalence. CONCLUSIONS: Macaronesian species are not climatic relicts from the Paleotropical flora, but instead seem to have changed the ecological niche of their ancestors. By contrast, despite their ancient divergence (Late Miocene), mainland C. pendula and C. agastachys show conserved niches, with competitive exclusion likely shaping their mostly allopatric ranges.

An integrative monograph of Carex section Schoenoxiphium (Cyperaceae).

Carex section Schoenoxiphium (Cariceae, Cyperaceae) is endemic to the Afrotropical biogeographic region and is mainly distributed in southern and eastern Africa, with its center of diversity in eastern South Africa. The taxon was formerly recognized as a distinct genus and has a long history of taxonomic controversy. It has also an important morphological and molecular background in particular dealing with the complexity of its inflorescence and the phylogenetic relationships of its species. We here present a fully updated and integrative monograph of Carex section Schoenoxiphium based on morphological, molecular and cytogenetic data. A total of 1,017 herbarium specimens were examined and the majority of the species were studied in the field. Previous molecular phylogenies based on Sanger-sequencing of four nuclear and plastid DNA regions and RAD-seq were expanded. For the first time, chromosome numbers were obtained, with cytogenetic counts on 44 populations from 15 species and one hybrid. Our taxonomic treatment recognizes 21 species, one of them herein newly described (C. gordon-grayae). Our results agree with previous molecular works that have found five main lineages in Schoenoxiphium. We provide detailed morphological descriptions, distribution maps and analytical drawings of all accepted species in section Schoenoxiphium, an identification key, and a thorough nomenclatural survey including 19 new typifications and one nomen novum.

Síndrome inflamatorio multisistémico asociado a COVID-19: a propósito de un caso clínico con fenotipo shock e íleo paralítico / Multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with COVID-19: clinical case with shock phenotype and paralytic ileus / Síndrome inflamatória multissistêmica associada à COVID-19: relato de caso com fenótipo de choque e íleo paralítico

La enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) causada por la infección por SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) se ha extendido por todo el mundo desde diciembre de 2019. Luego de la primera ola de COVID-19, se reporta por primera vez en mayo de 2020 en el Reino Unido un estado hiperinflamatorio asociado temporalmente a la infección por SARS-CoV-2 en un grupo de niños ingresados a unidades de cuidado intensivo pediátrico. Este nuevo fenotipo, con características similares a la enfermedad de Kawasaki y al síndrome del shock tóxico, se ha denominado síndrome inflamatorio multisistémico en niños (MIS-C). Es fundamental la sospecha y el reconocimiento tempranos de esta entidad, con el fin de ofrecer un tratamiento médico oportuno, para prevenir la muerte y el desarrollo de secuelas. Presentamos el caso de una preescolar de 5 años, en la que se realizó diagnóstico de MIS-C con un fenotipo shock e íleo paralítico.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the infection by SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) has spread worldwide since December 2019. After the first wave of COVID-19, a hyperinflammatory condition temporarily associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection appeared in a group of children admitted to pediatric intensive care units and reported for the first time in May 2020 in the United Kingdom. This new phenotype shared characteristics with the Kawasaki disease and toxic shock syndrome and has been called multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Early suspicion and recognition of this condition is key in order to offer timely medical treatment to prevent death and the development of sequelae. We present the case of a 5-year-old child, in which diagnosis of MIS-C with a shock phenotype and paralytic ileus.

A doença de coronavírus 2019 (COVID-19) causada pela infecção por SARS-CoV-2 (síndrome respiratória aguda grave coronavírus 2) se espalhou pelo mundo desde dezembro de 2019. Após a primeira onda de COVID-19, houve relatos pela primeira vez em maio de 2020 no Reino Unido duma doença hiperinflamatória temporariamente associada à infecção por SARS-CoV-2 num grupo de crianças internadas em unidades de terapia intensiva pediátrica. Esse novo fenótipo com características semelhantes à doença de Kawasaki e a síndrome do choque tóxico foi chamado de síndrome inflamatória multissistêmica em crianças (MIS-C). A suspeita precoce e o reconhecimento dessa entidade são essenciais, a fim de oferecer tratamento médico oportuno, para prevenir a morte e o desenvolvimento de sequelas. Apresentamos o caso de uma menina pré-escolar de 5 anos que foi diagnosticada com MIS-C com fenótipo de choque e íleo paralítico.

Alternative oxidase reduces the sensitivity of Mycosphaerella graminicola to QOI fungicides.

Forty-six (1.5%) of nearly 3000 isolates of Mycosphaerella graminicola assayed in vitro were resistant to the QOI fungicide azoxystrobin, but on sub-culturing only ten remained resistant. Cross-resistance extended to other QOIs, but varied between different isolates. In planta the resistant isolates were not well controlled, especially at lower azoxystrobin dose rates. Propyl gallate, an inhibitor of alternative oxidase, potentiated the activity of azoxystrobin in vitro so that resistance was no longer observed. The growth of resistant strains in the presence of azoxystrobin led to alternative oxidase activation. This increased flexibility in respiration allows resistant strains to survive in the presence of a QOI fungicide. Under these conditions, selection for target-site mutations can occur. Using QOIs preventatively reduces the risk of resistance since the alternative oxidase cannot by itself generate all the energy needed for germination and early infection.