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The use of environmental cues such as temperature and rainfall for the timing of breeding and as an indicator of plentiful food much later in the season is thought to have a great influence on breeding success and productivity rates. We tried to assess effects of such cues on timing and performance of the lanner falcon (Falco biarmicus feldeggii), a threatened large falcon in Italy. We ascertained success and productivity of 178 breeding attempts in 38 breeding sites distributed in central Eastern Sicily and along the Apennine peninsula. In Sicily alone, we checked each nest annually to ascertain the number and age of chicks and also post-hatching mortality. We overlaid nest locations in order to add attributes of temperature and rainfall for each month and year. Breeding populations from Sicily to the Apennine peninsula showed no significant difference in all breeding parameters except distribution of brood size. Annually, breeding pairs tried to synchronize the hatching in a precise favourable period that increased nestling survival. February rainfall was the main abiotic factor that greatly influenced all lanner falcon reproductive parameters with a positive effect as cues for breeding decisions by parents. Conversely, intense rainfall caused nesting failure through a delay in laying dates. Our study confirmed the importance of environmental cues such as temperature and rainfall on breeding decisions by lanner falcon pairs inhabiting the whole Italian territory. We discuss our results and compare them with prior studies in terms of their potential conservation implications for this threatened subspecies.

Calls for urgent action to conserve biodiversity under global change are increasing, and conservation of migratory species in this context poses special challenges. In the last two decades the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) has provided a framework for several subsidiary instruments including action plans for migratory bird species, but the effectiveness and transferability of these plans remain unclear. Such laws and policies have been credited with positive outcomes for the conservation of migratory species, but the lack of international coordination and on-ground implementation pose major challenges. While research on migratory populations has received growing attention, considerably less emphasis has been given to integrating ecological information throughout the annual cycle for examining strategies to conserve migratory species at multiple scales in the face of global change. We fill this gap through a case study examining the ecological status and conservation of a migratory raptor and facultative scavenger, the red kite (Milvus milvus), whose current breeding range is limited to Europe and is associated with agricultural landscapes and restricted to the temperate zone. Based on our review, conservation actions have been successful at recovering red kite populations within certain regions. Populations however remain depleted along the southern-most edge of the geographic range where many migratory red kites from northern strongholds overwinter. This led us to a forward-looking and integrated strategy that emphasizes international coordination involving researchers and conservation practitioners to enhance the science-policy-action interface. We identify and explore key issues for conserving the red kite under global change, including enhancing conservation actions within and outside protected areas, recovering depleted populations, accounting for climate change, and transboundary coordination in adaptive conservation and management actions. The integrated conservation strategy is sufficiently general such that it can be adapted to inform conservation of other highly mobile species subject to global change., Financial and logistic support were provided by GREFA, IREC, UCLM (Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha), CSIC and MITECO.

In the 19th century, Red kite (Milvus milvus) was very common and widespread in Sardinia, but in the mid-900 an important decline occurred. Since the 1970s the species has been studied more continuously, but in recent years the published data seem contradictory. In 2018-2020, authors carried out specific research to collect data on the population of the Red kite in Sardinia exploring both the historical range of the species and areas where the species was reported in the past. In 2018-2020, we estimated 10-13 breeding pairs in an area of about 3,440 km2 located in the north west of Sardinia. As regard wintering, we estimated 30-40 birds in winters 2018-2019 and 2019-2020, whereas 90-110 birds were counted in winter 2020-2021.

SummaryAlthough the population of Griffon VultureGyps fulvusis significantly increasing in Europe, in Italy the species is still on the Red List as ‘Critically Endangered’, with the last natural population persisting on the island of Sardinia. Several episodes of poisoning hampered the success of conservation actions implemented in the years 1987–1995. In 2005 there were estimated to be only 31–32 territorial pairs, with the population occupying the territories of Alghero and Bosa. We used a long-term dataset of reproductive records from the Sardinian Griffon Vulture populations to run a population viability analysis (PVA) to evaluate the extinction risk using the Vortex simulation software. The model estimated the probability of extinction over the next five generations (estimated generation time: 11 years, simulation time used: 55 years) as 96.4% for the Alghero population, and near-zero for the Bosa population. We used sensitivity analyses to understand how uncertainty about parameter values affect model outcomes. Population projections were evaluated under different management scenarios tackling the main threats (poisoning and human disturbance) and implementing conservation actions (supplementary feeding and restocking). Our results showed that population size is a critical factor in affecting the projections of population dynamics of Griffon Vultures. Sensitivity analyses highlighted the importance of poisoning events to population persistence and showed that juvenile and adult mortality rates had a secondary impact on population viability. The only conservation measure effective in significantly increasing stochastic growth rates in the Alghero population, whose initial population was set at five individuals, was the complete removal of poisoning events. When targeting the Bosa population (initial population size 94 individuals), supplementary feeding, mitigation of the risk of poisoning episodes, restocking, and mitigation of human disturbance in the reproductive sites significantly increased stochastic growth rate. A cost-effectiveness analysis should be performed to prioritise interventions.

Old World vultures are experiencing dramatic population declines and now are among the species most threatened with extinction. Understanding the environmental variables that can influence the reproductive indexes of vulture populations can facilitate both habitat and species management. The aim of this study was to identify which environmental variables primarily affect the breeding successes of the Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus in northern Sardinia by applying a Bayesian hierarchical model. A unique dataset of reproductive records (197 nests monitored over 39 years for a total of 992 breeding records) was used. Eight environmental and topographical variables describing the habitat at the nesting sites were considered as potential predictors of breeding success. These included mean annual temperature, mean annual precipitation, isothermality, elevation, the normalized difference vegetation index, wind speed, and the aspect and slope of the land surface. In addition, we also considered the effect of human disturbance and the type of nest. According to our best model, the probability of successfully raising a chick in Griffon Vultures was higher in nests exposed to a high wind speed, not covered by natural shelters, where the vegetation was mostly represented by shrub and pastures, with low human disturbance and in years with low rainfall. This model will be useful for management of the breeding habitat and to identify the area most suitable for Griffon Vulture reproduction. This information is crucial for programming conservation measures aimed at enlarging the area of occupancy of the species., SI

Trace elements have been acknowledged as one of the subtlest environmental hazards in all compartments of the total environment. Enhanced by activities in the anthroposphere, they accumulate in the atmosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere. Eventually, trace elements can bioaccumulate or biomagnifiy in the biosphere, with harmful effects on animals occupying higher trophic levels, including humans. Accordingly, there is great interest in assessing and monitoring trace element concentrations in the biosphere, and birds, especially passerines, have been commonly chosen as biomonitors. In this study, the concentration of 11 trace elements was measured (i.e. aluminum, chromium, manganese, iron, nickel, copper, zinc, arsenic, cadmium, barium, and lead) in flight feathers of Italian Sparrows, a common bird species hitherto not analysed in this respect. Samples were collected in an agricultural area in southern Italy, where a mosaic of natural environments, urbanized areas and industrial facilities can be found. Linear mixed modelling was applied to the analysis of flight feathers in juveniles, juvenile birds moulting to adulthood, and adults in three sampling years on 184 birds. Results are timely as they add new data to the scarce available information on Ba and As in bird feathers and showed clear bioaccumulation patterns from juveniles to adults for As, Cr, and Cd. Moreover, the modelling approach showed that the concentration of elements such as As, Cd and Cr can be variable across the years and that some elements, notably Cd and Ba, were inversely correlated with body mass and wing length, respectively, suggesting potential negative effects on bird health. Finally, when modelling bird body condition and trace elements, results showed that Cd and Ba negatively affect birds regardless of age or sampling year. Thus, the Italian Sparrow could be considered as a valuable biomonitor for trace elements in the total environment, especially for Cd and Ba.

The prevailing method for estimating the potential impact of future climate change on biological communities is to stack binary predictions from species distribution models (binary stacked species distribution models, bS-SDM). However, it has been argued that bS-SDM may overestimate species richness and, hence, community composition. Alternative approaches, such as SESAM (‘Spatially Explicit Species Assemblage Modelling’), explicitly incorporate limits to species richness, preventing overestimation. We compared richness and taxonomic composition estimates as predicted by SESAM and bS-SDM for Mediterranean bird communities both in the present day and as projected in the future under simulated climate change scenarios. We trained single-species distribution models (S-SDM) and direct macroecological richness models (MEM) for 81 bird species, using climate, topographic, land-use and human-pressure indicators as predictors. Then, we compared and evaluated the models’ predictions. Species richness as predicted by bS-SDM was more accurate than under SESAM for present-day communities. Taxonomic composition was well predicted under both methods. However, we detected significant differences in future projections. Under bS-SDM, increased suitable area for a number of species leads to important changes in community composition and predicts higher levels of diversity in the future. In stark contrast, SESAM predicts lower species richness in the future and strong homogenization of bird communities across space. This study shows how the choice of the modelling approach drives substantially different expectations about future community composition under climate change. We therefore recommend contrasting predictions generated under different modelling approaches to gain better understanding of possible future scenario of biodiversity change. In addition, trasferability tests (i.e. hindcasting to past or predicting from the past to the present) should be used to effectively compare S-SDM and SESAM predictive abilities.

In this study we focus on kidney-transplanted patients in order to investigate the correlation between immunodeficiency (ID) induced by immunosuppressive treatments and the incidence of solid multiple primary malignancies (MPM). Material of Study: From 1980 to 2010 we followed up 1000 kidney-transplanted patients (637M, 363F). This group was homogeneous for age, immunology (e.g. miss-match index), number of rejection events and for immunosuppressive therapy. Results: Out of 1000 kidney-transplanted patients we observed 70 patients (53M, 17F) with cancer disease and in 22 of them a multiple cancer has been found. Most of multiple cancers were synchronous and the association between cancer and rejection episodes were not significant. Discussion: In general population 1 out of 9 patients with a cancer would develop a second neoplasia during the course of his life, so, it would be logical to conclude that, from a merely theoretical and statistical point of view, long term transplanted patients potentially have a higher risk to develop MPM. But our series and literature review did not confirm it, probably because these patients die before the appearance of a second primary malignancy. Conclusions: Despite many observations regarding different types of tumors/precancerous lesions and their increased incidence in ID patients and despite the fact that immune suppression is a predisposing factor for the multicancer syndrome, at least theoretically, nowadays there are no significant statistical data favouring a correlation between ID and MPM in kidney transplanted patients.

Laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) appears to be safe and effective as open liver resection (OLR) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, studies comparing LLR with ORL in elderly patients are limited. The purpose of this study is to compare the clinical outcomes of LLR versus OLR for HCC in elderly patients. A retrospective analysis was made comparing laparoscopic (n = 11) and open (n = 18) liver resections in elderly patients performed at the University of Naples “Federico II” between January 2010 and December 2014. Demographic data, operative and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. Demographic and tumor characteristics of laparoscopic and OLRs were similar. There were also no significant differences in operating room time. Patients undergoing OLR had increased rate of minor complications (33 vs. 0%), longer lengths of stay (6 vs. 3 days) and higher blood loss (310 ± 84 vs. 198 ± 34 ml). There were no significant differences in major complication rates or 90-day mortality. LLR is safe and feasible as OLR for treatment of HCC in selected elderly patients.

Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) appears to be safe and effective as open distal pancreatectomy (ODP) for benign or borderline malignant lesion. However, studies comparing LDP with ODP in elderly patients are limited. The purpose of this study is to compare the clinical outcomes of these two several approaches in elderly patients. A retrospective analysis was carried out by comparing laparoscopic (n = 7) and open (n = 15) distal pancreatectomy in elderly patients performed at the University of Naples “Federico II” and University of Perugia between January 2012 and December 2015. Demographic data, operative and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. Demographic and tumor characteristics of laparoscopic and ODP were similar. There were also no significant differences in operating room time. Patients undergoing LDP had lower blood loss, first flatus time, diet start time and postoperative hospital stay. There were no significant differences in complication rates or 90-day mortality. LDP is safe and feasible as ODP in selected elderly patients.

Proceedings Of The 6Th International Bci Meeting: Bci Past, Present, And Future

Background : Fast-track program has been applied in several surgical fields. However, currently many surgical patients are elderly over 70 years of age, and discussion about the application of such protocols for elderly patients is inadequate. Materials and methods : The present study was designed to consider the safety and feasibility of application of a fast-track program after colorectal surgery in elderly patients. A total of 76 elderly patients with colorectal cancer who underwent laparoscopic colorectal resection were randomly assigned to receive either the fast-track care program ( n = 40) or the conventional perioperative care protocol (control group, n = 36). The fast track protocol included no preoperative mechanical bowel irrigation, immediate oral alimentation and earlier postoperative ambulation exercise. The length of postoperative hospital stay, the length of time to regain bowel function and the rate of postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. Results : The length of time to regain bowel function, including the passage of flatus [32 (24–40) h vs 42 (32–52) h], and to start a liquid diet (13 [10–16] h v/s 43 [36–50] h) were significantly shorter in patients receiving the fast track care protocol compared with those receiving the conventional care protocol. A shorter duration of postoperative hospital stay was recorded in patients receiving the fast-track program than in those receiving conventional care [6 (5–7) days v/s 9.5 (7–12) days]. A reduced percentage of patients who developed general complications was also observed in the fast-track group (5.0% v/s 18%). Conclusion : Fast-track after laparoscopic colorectal surgery can be safely applied in carefully selected elderly patients older than age 70 years. The fast-track recovery program resulted in a more rapid postoperative recovery, earlier discharge from hospital and fewer general complications compared with a conventional postoperative protocol.

Fast-track program has been applied in several surgical fields. However, currently many surgical patients are elderly over 70 years of age, and discussion about the application of such protocols for elderly patients is inadequate.The present study was designed to consider the safety and feasibility of application of a fast-track program after colorectal surgery in elderly patients. A total of 76 elderly patients with colorectal cancer who underwent laparoscopic colorectal resection were randomly assigned to receive either the fast-track care program (n = 40) or the conventional perioperative care protocol (control group, n = 36). The fast track protocol included no preoperative mechanical bowel irrigation, immediate oral alimentation and earlier postoperative ambulation exercise. The length of postoperative hospital stay, the length of time to regain bowel function and the rate of postoperative complications were compared between the two groups.The length of time to regain bowel function, including the passage of flatus [32 (24-40) h vs 42 (32-52) h], and to start a liquid diet (13 [10-16] h v/s 43 [36-50] h) were significantly shorter in patients receiving the fast track care protocol compared with those receiving the conventional care protocol. A shorter duration of postoperative hospital stay was recorded in patients receiving the fast-track program than in those receiving conventional care [6 (5-7) days v/s 9.5 (7-12) days]. A reduced percentage of patients who developed general complications was also observed in the fast-track group (5.0% v/s 18%).Fast-track after laparoscopic colorectal surgery can be safely applied in carefully selected elderly patients older than age 70 years. The fast-track recovery program resulted in a more rapid postoperative recovery, earlier discharge from hospital and fewer general complications compared with a conventional postoperative protocol.

In Naples the Yellow-legged Gull has nested since 1990, but in recent years a large number of pairs have bred in the city centre. This three-year study compares pairs breeding in natural contexts with those in the city centre.

In Naples there are 5 breeding pairs of Peregrine Falcon and one of these nests in a large flowerpot on the 17th floor of the Naples Telecom tower. In this area near the port and the railway station there are many high-rise buildings. In 2007, thanks to Telecom’s employees, a web cam was installed close to the nest to record the life and diet of the two pulli.

Human disturbance is one of the factors that reduce biodiversity. This study analyzes its effects on bird communities in four wetlands along the coast northwest of Naples. The community indexes used for the research (S, Shannon, NP/P, Species listed in the Italian Red Data Book) are inversely correlated to the disturbance index ID.