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Interactions between tree species determine the dynamics of forest communities. Spatial and temporal changes in resource availability, variation in species composition and spatial distribution of trees may alter competitive interactions between species and, therefore, affect tree growth and forest productivity. In this study, we analyzed the intra and inter-specific interactions between European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) in southern Italy (Molise and Calabria regions), and how these interactions affect basal area increments in mixed-species and pure stands. Results showed that intra-specific interactions have a negative effect on the basal area increment, both in pure and mixed-species stands of Molise and Calabria. Basal area increment was higher influenced by intra-specific interactions in pure stands than in mixed-species stands. Silver fir in Molise showed higher basal area increment in mixed-species stand, probably in relation with stand structure and space occupation that resulted in less competition between individual trees. European beech showed high values of intra-specific interactions in pure stands, likely related to the low self-tolerance of this species and to the spatial arrangement of trees, due to canopy closure. The absence of inter-specific interactions in mixed-species stands could be explained by the sub-dominant position of European beech, which may have limited the benefit derived from niche separation and complementarity for silver fir.

Urban afforestation is increasingly regarded as a key strategy for fostering biodiversity to restore and enhance the ecosystem services needed to counteract the effects of climate change in built-up areas. In Italy, several experimental afforestation projects have been launched as part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), focusing on cities or metropolitan areas such as Milan, Rome, Pistoia and Campobasso. These projects follow a multidisciplinary approach, integrating botanists, foresters, urban planners, landscape architects and remote sensing specialists. The goal is to address the challenging complexity of urban forest restoration through reforestation and afforestation actions. Key innovations include the integration of transdisciplinary methodologies (landscape analysis, landscape design, forest and plant ecology) with the application of advanced remote sensing technologies and participatory community engagement frameworks to address ecological and social challenges. Experimental plots have been set up across various urban areas, testing a range of planting schemes to maximise climate change resilience and ensure long-term ecological sustainability. Emphasis has been placed on selecting drought-tolerant and thermophilic species that are better adapted to widespread warming and local urban heat islands. 'Biodiversity strips' with perennial flowers for insects, shrubs with berries for birds and nests for wild bees and vertebrates have been set up to enhance biodiversity in new afforestation areas. Advanced monitoring tools, such as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and multi-sensor drones, have been employed alongside field observations to assess forest growth, species survival, structural complexity and biodiversity enhancement over time. Historical analyses of landscape patterns and ecological connectivity over the past 200 years, along with evaluations of afforestation projects from the last 70 years, have provided critical insights into the successes and challenges of previous interventions, serving as a guide for future efforts. By focusing on ecological connectivity, the integration of afforested areas into the urban matrix, and citizen engagement, the current project aims to align urban forestry efforts with sustainable development goals. This comprehensive project framework addresses environmental restoration and the social and aesthetic impacts on local communities, contributing to the overall resilience and well-being of urban and peri-urban ecosystems.

Objective: Diagnosing autoimmune limbic encephalitis (ALE) in adults with new-onset seizures can be challenging, especially when seizures represent the predominant manifestation and MRI findings are not straightforward. By comparison with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis (MTLE-HS), this study aimed to identify ictal electro-clinical features that might help clinicians recognize ALE-related seizures., Methods: This retrospective, multi-centre study analysed the ictal semiology and EEG correlate of 116 video-EEG-captured seizures in 40 ALE patients and 45 ones recorded in 21 MTLE-HS subjects. The proportion of patients presenting each clinical feature on at least one occasion was compared between the study groups. Latent class analysis (LCA) was also performed., Results: Ictal features were overall more numerous in ALE than in MTLE-HS (33 vs 22), and LCA confirmed the intrinsic variability of ALE-related seizures. Hyperventilation served as a trigger only in ALE (4/40). Awareness impairment (p = 0.032), limb dystonic posturing (p = 0.009) and manual automatisms (p < 0.001) were significantly less common in ALE cases. Conversely, piloerection was observed only in ALE subjects, although it did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.289), as was the case for déjà-vu (p = 0.084), and sensory symptoms (p = 0.079). Regarding EEG, the type of ictal pattern differed significantly (p = 0.007)., Significance: This study shows that, despite the wide overlap with MTLE-HS, some ictal electro-clinical features could help clinicians suspect the autoimmune origin of adult-onset seizures. Moreover, autoimmune limbic seizures apparently shared similarities with 'temporal plus' epilepsy, which could partly account for the poor surgical outcomes and provide an interesting conceptual framework for future research., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

The frequency of corticospinal tract (CST) T2/FLAIR hyperintensity in disorders with neuroglial antibodies is unclear. Herein, we retrospectively reviewed brain MRIs of 101 LGI1-antibody encephalitis patients, and observed CST hyperintensity in 30/101 (30%). It was mostly bilateral (93%), not associated with upper motor neuron signs/symptoms (7%), and frequently decreased over time (39%). In a systematic review including patients with other neuroglial antibodies, CST hyperintensity was reported in 110 with neuromyelitis optica (94%), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-associated disease (2%), Ma2-antibody (3%) and GAD65-antibody paraneoplastic neurological syndrome (1%). CST hyperintensity is not an infrequent finding in LGI1-Ab encephalitis and other disorders with neuroglial antibodies., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Restless legs syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease (RLS/WED) is a sleep-related sensory-motor disorder associated with poor sleep quality and impaired daily functioning. In patients affected by chronic RLS/WED, a pharmacological therapy is recommended. International guidelines suggest to start the treatment with a α2δ calcium channel ligand in most cases, unless contraindicated., Areas Covered: The present review is based on an extensive Internet and PubMed search from 1986 to 2024. Our purpose is to describe the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and toxicology (ADMET) of the α2δ ligands, with common consideration for the therapeutic class, specificities of different compounds, efficacy, and safety in relation to other treatment options., Expert Opinion: α2δ ligands are quite similar in their ADMET profiles, sharing most of the pharmacokinetics and potential adverse effects. However, we highlight the linear kinetic of gabapentin enacarbil and pregabalin, differently from gabapentin. α2δ ligands are safe and effective for the treatment of RLS/WED. Additional benefits can be obtained in comorbid insomnia, chronic pain syndromes, history of impulse control disorder, and comorbid anxiety. The use of α2δ ligands is associated with poor risk of augmentation. We still need new long-term safe and effective treatments, which could be developed along with our knowledge of RLS/WED pathophysiology.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, autoimmune-mediated, demyelinating disease whose pathogenesis remains to be defined. In past years, in consideration of a constantly growing number of patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, the impacts of different environmental factors in the pathogenesis of the disease have been largely studied. Alterations in gut microbiome composition and intestinal barrier permeability have been suggested to play an essential role in the regulation of autoimmunity. Thus, increased efforts are being conducted to demonstrate the complex interplay between gut homeostasis and disease pathogenesis. Numerous results confirm that disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) used for the treatment of MS, in addition to their immunomodulatory effect, could exert an impact on the intestinal microbiota, contributing to the modulation of the immune response itself. However, to date, the direct influence of these treatments on the microbiota is still unclear. This review intends to underline the impact of DMTs on the complex system of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Few studies compare the clinical effectiveness of the three anti-CGRP mAbs. Moreover, no studies compare their efficacy during suspension and reprisal. Our study aimed to compare the efficacy of migraine frequency, intensity, and symptomatic medication intake during the first year of therapy, a 1-month suspension period, and a 3-month drug reprisal. Methods: A total of 160 migraineurs (chronic and high-frequency episodic) were treated with anti-CGRP mAbs (49 with fremanezumab, 55 with erenumab, and 55 with galcanezumab) for 12 months. They discontinued the therapy for 1 month and then reprised the therapy. In the three groups, we analyzed and compared the migraine days per month, migraine intensity, and symptomatic medication intake per month at baseline, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month follow-up. We also compared these variables during the 1-month suspension and 3 months after the reprisal of the therapy. We compared the data and evaluated the response rate (>50% reduction in migraine days per month) at different follow-ups. This comparison was also performed separately for chronic and high-frequency episodic migraineurs. Results: There was no statistical difference in monthly migraine days, intensity, or symptomatic medication intake per month at the different follow-ups. Moreover, there was no difference in the response rate overall. However, in chronic migraineurs treated with galcanezumab, the response rate was higher during the 1-month suspension when compared to fremanezumab and erenumab. In high-frequency episodic migraineurs, fremanezumab had a higher response rate at 12-month follow-up when compared to galcanezumab and erenumab. Conclusions: In our study, the three anti-CGRP mAbs presented a similar response, with no significant differences, during the first year of therapy, the suspension period, and 3 months after the drug reprisal. The response rate during the 1-month suspension period in chronic migraineurs may be higher with galcanezumab.

Process-based models and empirical modelling techniques are frequently used to (i) explore the sensitivity of tree growth to environmental variables, and (ii) predict the future growth of trees and forest stands under climate change scenarios. However, modelling approaches substantially influence predictions of the sensitivity of trees to environmental factors. Here, we used tree-ring width (TRW) data from 1630 beech trees from a network of 70 plots established across European mountains to build empirical predictive growth models using various modelling approaches. In addition, we used 3-PG and Biome-BGCMuSo process-based models to compare growth predictions with derived empirical models. Results revealed similar prediction errors (RMSE) across models ranging between 3.71 and 7.54 cm 2 of basal area increment (BAI). The models explained most of the variability in BAI ranging from 54 % to 87 %. Selected explanatory variables (despite being statistically highly significant) and the pattern of the growth sensitivity differed between models substantially. We identified only five factors with the same effect and the same sensitivity pattern in all empirical models: tree DBH, competition index, elevation, Gini index of DBH, and soil silt content. However, the sensitivity to most of the climate variables was low and inconsistent among the empirical models. Both empirical and process-based models suggest that beech in European mountains will, on average, likely experience better growth conditions under both 4.5 and 8.5 RCP scenarios. The process-based models indicated that beech may grow better across European mountains by 1.05 to 1.4 times in warmer conditions. The empirical models identified several drivers of tree growth that are not included in the current process-based models (e.g., different nutrients) but may have a substantial effect on final results, particularly if they are limiting factors. Hence, future development of process-based models may build upon our findings to increase their ability to correctly capture ecosystem dynamics., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

General anesthesia for ovariectomy in dogs is based on a balanced anesthesia protocol such as using analgesics along with an inhalant agent. While opioids such as fentanyl and methadone are commonly used for their analgesic potency, other drugs can also have analgesic effects. Maropitant, an antiemetic for dogs and cats, has also been shown to exert analgesic effects, especially on visceral pain. The aim of this study was to compare the cardiorespiratory effects and analgesic properties of maropitant and methadone combined with desflurane in dogs undergoing ovariectomy. Two groups of 20 healthy mixed-breeds bitches undergoing elective ovariectomy received intravenous either maropitant at antiemetic dose of 1 mg kg -1 or methadone at the dose of 0.3 mg kg -1 . Cardiorespiratory variables were collected before premedication, 10 min after sedation and during surgery. Recovery quality and postoperative pain were evaluated 15, 30, 60, 120, 240 and 360 min postoperatively. Results showed that maropitant produced analgesia and reduced the requirement of desflurane in amounts similar to those determined by methadone (5.39 ± 0.20% and 4.91 ± 0.26%, respectively) without significant difference, while maintaining heart rate, arterial blood pressure, respiratory rate and carbon dioxide end-tidal partial pressure even at a more satisfactory level. Therefore, maropitant may be recommended as an analgesic drug for abdominal surgery not only in healthy dogs but also in those with reduced cardiorespiratory compensatory capacities or at risk of hypotension, especially when combined with a sedative such as dexmedetomidine.

In the context of neurodegenerative disorders, cognitive decline is frequently reported in older population. Recently, numerous metabolic pathways have been implicated in neurodegeneration, including signaling disruption of insulin and other glucose-regulating hormones. In fact, Alzheimer's disease has now been considered as "type-3 diabetes". In this review, we tried to clarify the role of sleep impairment as the third major player in the complex relationship between metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. Altered sleep may trigger or perpetuate these vicious mechanisms, leading to the development of both dementia and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Finally, we analyzed these reciprocal interactions considering the emerging role of the gut microbiota in modulating the same processes. Conditions of dysbiosis have been linked to circadian rhythm disruption, metabolic alterations, and release of neurotoxic products, all contributing to neurodegeneration. In a future prospective, gut microbiota could provide a major contribution in explaining the tangled relationship between sleep disorders, dementia and diabetes.

Background and Aims: Chronic pain is a complex clinical condition, often devastating for patients and unmanageable with pharmacological treatments. Converging evidence suggests that transcutaneous spinal Direct Current Stimulation (tsDCS) might represent a complementary therapy in managing chronic pain. In this randomized, double-blind and sham-controlled crossover study, we assessed tsDCS effects in chronic pain patients. Methods: Sixteen patients (aged 65.06 ± 16.16 years, eight women) with chronic pain of different etiology underwent sham and anodal tsDCS (anode over the tenth thoracic vertebra, cathode over the somatosensory cortical area: 2.5 mA, 20 min, 5 days for 1 week). As outcomes, we considered the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI), and the components of the lower limb flexion reflex (LLFR), i.e., RIII threshold, RII latency and area, RIII latency and area, and flexion reflex (FR) total area. Assessments were conducted before (T0), immediately at the end of the treatment (T1), after 1 week (T2) and 1 month (T3). Results: Compared to sham, anodal tsDCS reduced RIII area at T2 ( p = 0.0043) and T3 ( p = 0.0012); similarly, FR total area was reduced at T3 ( p = 0.03). Clinically, anodal tsDCS dampened VAS at T3 ( p = 0.015), and NPSI scores at T1 ( p = 0.0012), and T3 ( p = 0.0015), whereas sham condition left them unchanged. Changes in VAS and NPSI scores linearly correlated with the reduction in LLFR areas ( p = 0.0004). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that tsDCS could modulate nociceptive processing and pain perception in chronic pain syndromes., Competing Interests: RF, MV, SB, and AP are founders and shareholders of Newronika Spa. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Guidetti, Ferrucci, Vergari, Aglieco, Naci, Versace, Pacheco-Barrios, Giannoni-Luza, Barbieri, Priori and Bocci.)