Aphyllophoraceous wood-inhabiting fungi on Fagus sylvatica in Italy

166 species representing 84 genera of aphyllophoraceous fungi growing on Fagus sylvatica in Italy are listed. Steccherinum robustius is reported as new to Italy, while many species are considered rare in Italy, e.g. Antrodiella ichnusana, Crustomyces subabruptus and Dentipellis fragilis.

Carotid plaque detection improves the predictve value of CHA2DS2-VASc score in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrilation: The ARAPACIS Study

Abstract Background and aims Vascular disease (VD), as assessed by history of myocardial infarction or peripheral artery disease or aortic plaque, increases stroke risk in atrial fibrillation (AF), and is a component of risk assessment using the CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score. We investigated if systemic atherosclerosis as detected by ultrasound carotid plaque (CP) could improve the predictive value of the CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score. Methods We analysed data from the ARAPACIS study, an observational study including 2027 Italian patients with non-valvular AF, in whom CP was detected using Doppler Ultrasonography. Results VD was reported in 351 (17.3%) patients while CP was detected in 16.6% patients. Ad…

Identification and sustainable exploitation of wild edible mushrooms in rural areas (Mycoticon, LdV-ToI project): Development of an innovative training package to meet educational and income-generating demands in South Europe and to improve the use of mushrooms as high-value food

In Mediterranean and in southeast Europe the activities of a significant part of the population are traditionally linked with agriculture, forestry and animal husbandry. However, many rural communities are experiencing serious difficulties associated with low income per person and poor employment prospects combined with increased demographic decline. Alternative activities such as the collection and trading of wild edible mushrooms as well as the cultivation of choice species could contribute at providing valuable solutions both in financial and environmental terms. The total number of fungal species which are considered having edible and/or medicinal value is over 2300.1 Most of them form …

Elaphomyces citrinus and Elaphomyces maculatus in Sicily (southern Italy)

The first record of Elaphomyces maculatus from Sicily is reported. The presence of E. citrinus in Sicily, first indicated a century ago by Mattirolo in his monograph on hypogeous fungi of Sardinia and Sicily, is confirmed. Notes on the taxonomy, ecology and distribution of these two infrequent hypogeous fungi are provided.

Aphyllophoraceous wood-inhabiting fungi on Quercus spp. in Italy

240 species representing 100 genera of aphyllophoraceous fungi growing on Quercus spp. in Italy are listed. Some species are considered rare or infrequent in Italy, e.g. Bulbillomyces farinosus, Dendrothele dryina, Fomitopsis iberica, F. spraguei, Hyphoderma incrustatum, Inonotus andersonii.

Major adverse cardiovascular events in non-valvular atrial fibrillation with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: the ARAPACIS study

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) increases the risk of mortality in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients. Data on the relationship of COPD to major cardiovascular events (MACE) in AF have not been defined. The aim of the study is to assess the predictive value of COPD on incident MACE in NVAF patients over a 3-year follow-up. In the Atrial Fibrillation Registry for Ankle-Brachial Index Prevalence Assessment-Collaborative Italian Study (ARAPACIS) cohort, we evaluate the impact of COPD on the following clinical endpoints: MACE (including vascular death, fatal/non-fatal MI and stroke/TIA), cardiovascular (CV) death and all-cause mortality. Among 2027 NVAF patients, pati…

Pleurotus eryngii var. thapsiae var. nov. from Sicily

Field investigation in the Sicilian territory allowed the study of Pleurotus eryngii basidiomata growing in association with Thapsia garganica. The evaluation of morphological, ecological, distribution and isozyme, and PCR-RAPD data together with a revision of Bresadola's herbarium specimens kept in the Herbarium Botanische Staatssamlung (M) led to the description of a new variety, Pleurotus eryngii var. tahpsiae var. nov.

Fungal biodiversity in chestnut woods of Sicily (southern Italy)

Visual and Hearing Impairment Are Associated With Delirium in Hospitalized Patients: Results of a Multisite Prevalence Study

Objective: Sensory deficits are important risk factors for delirium but have been investigated in single-center studies and single clinical settings. This multicenter study aims to evaluate the association between hearing and visual impairment or bi-sensory impairment (visual and hearing impairment) and delirium. Design: Cross-sectional study nested in the 2017 "Delirium Day" project. Setting and participants: Patients 65 years and older admitted to acute hospital medical wards, emergency departments, rehabilitation wards, nursing homes, and hospices in Italy. Methods: Delirium was assessed with the 4AT (a short tool for delirium assessment) and sensory deficits with a clinical evaluation. …

Il Progetto "Check-list dei Funghi Italiani": dalla lista annotata alla Banca Dati.

Macrofungi in Mediterranean maquis along seashore and altitudinal transects

In semi-arid Mediterranean environments, fungal activity is fundamental for buffering biotic and abiotic stress to the plant and for sustaining a vegetation cover. Despite the important role that fungi play in habitats stability, mycological data from Mediterranean ecosystems are scarce and fragmentary. We investigated fungal diversity in several areas characterized by Mediterranean maquis, from continental Italy, Sicily, and Greece in order to contribute to the analysis of distribution, ecology, and diversity of macrofungi in evergreen sclerophyllous shrublands at different elevation and distance from the seashore across the Mediterranean Basin. Several fungal taxa that are remarkable due …

Biodiversity of wood-decay fungi in Italy

Current knowledge about Italian wood-decay fungi (Basidiomycota and Ascomycota) is surveyed: 1582 taxa belonging to Ascomycota (341) and Basidiomycota (1241) have been reported, including 23 species new to science of Basidiomycota described from Italy within the last five years. Evaluating diversity of wood-decay fungi can provide a more accurate estimation of species richness for fungi which are an important functional component of ecosystems. Aphyllophoroid and Ascomycota species play an important role in habitat conservation and management. Sardinia, Sicily, the Alps and the Apennines are “hot spots” for wood-decay Basidiomycota in Italy.