Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Monica Diosdado Figueiredo
Summary: This study revealed that only half of hypertensive men presented a good quality of life, with prostate symptoms having a considerable negative impact on both mental state and somatic manifestations domains.
REVISTA ESPANOLA DE SALUD PUBLICA
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anne D. Yoder, George P. Tiley
Summary: Germline mutations are crucial for natural selection and species evolution, but excessive mutations can have detrimental effects on fitness and population viability. Molecular ecology faces the challenge of determining the rate and mechanisms of mutation accrual across the tree of life. Despite the high potential of pedigree-based genome comparisons for detecting germline mutations, technical challenges remain significant in this emerging field.
Article
Pediatrics
Fernanda Jordao Pinto Marques, Alessandra Lemos de Carvalho, Eliana Valverde Magro Borigato, Luiz Felipe Vieira de Oliveira, Lenamaris Mendes Rocha Duarte, Adriana Goncalves da Silva, Claret Luiz Dias Amarante, Laura Jacome de Melo Pereira, Elise Ferreira Tavares, Lilian Gleice de Sena da Costa, Carolina Alves Rezende Alcantara, Andrea Nakamura Salinas, Fernanda de Lourdes da Cunha Pinto, Gerliane Carvalho de Alcantara, Fabiana Utsch, Cinthia Ramos Diniz Silva, Dirlene Araujo dos Reis, Wilerson Marques Bessa, Rafaela Christine Dutra, Paloma Ventura, Tatiana Souza Oliveira
Summary: The objective of this study was to describe the health-related quality of life (QOL) in children with cerebral palsy (CP) associated with congenital Zika infection. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a consecutive series of children in a referral multicentric rehabilitation network in Brazil, using the Brazilian version of the Caregiver Priorities & Child Health Index of Life with Disabilities (CPCHILDTM) questionnaire. The study found that the QOL scores of this population were very similar to other populations with cerebral palsy, and that positioning, transferring and mobility had the greatest impact on health-related QOL.
REVISTA PAULISTA DE PEDIATRIA
(2023)
Article
Physiology
Roberto F. Nespolo, Francisco E. Fonturbel, Carlos Mejias, Rodrigo Contreras, Paulina Gutierrez, Esteban Oda, Pablo Sabat, Catherine Hambly, John R. Speakman, Francisco Bozinovic
Summary: This study on the marsupial Dromiciops gliroides shows that the use of torpor can be modulated depending on energy supply, thus optimizing energy budgeting. Animals facing chronic caloric restriction increased torpor frequency and reduced energy expenditure, resulting in weight recovery at the end of the season.
PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL ZOOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Martina Gajardo-Rojas, Ariel A. Munoz, Jonathan Barichivich, Karin Klock-Barria, Eugenia M. Gayo, Francisco E. Fonturbel, Matias Olea, Christine M. Lucas, Camilo Veas
Summary: This study evaluated the historical changes in honey production in the Mediterranean and Temperate regions of Chile and investigated the effects of climate change on honey production and adaptation measures. The results showed a decline in honey production and exports, with beekeepers experiencing the impacts of drought and implementing adaptive strategies.
PROGRESS IN PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY-EARTH AND ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Review
Ecology
Francisco E. Fonturbel, Lida M. Franco, Francisco Bozinovic, Julian F. Quintero-Galvis, Carlos Mejias, Guillermo C. Amico, M. Soledad Vazquez, Pablo Sabat, Juan C. Sanchez-Hernandez, David M. Watson, Pablo Saenz-Agudelo, Roberto F. Nespolo
Summary: The arboreal marsupial monito del monte is a key species in the temperate rainforest, as it acts as the main seed disperser for endemic plants. It is also one of the few hibernating mammals in South America, able to reduce energy expenditure during winter. Despite low reproductive rates, this marsupial shows high densities due to its unique habitat. However, immediate actions are needed to protect the species from habitat destruction and climate change.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Francisco E. Fonturbel, Javiera Villarroel, Jose Orellana
Article
Plant Sciences
Francisco E. Fonturbel, Isidora B. Sepulveda, Giselle Muschett, Gaston O. Carvallo, Lorena Vieli, Maureen M. Murua
Summary: Invasive species are a significant driver of worldwide biodiversity loss. This study examines the associations between bumblebees and native and exotic plant species in Chile, particularly focusing on flower color preferences. The findings suggest that exotic bumblebee species primarily visit flowers of exotic plants and show preferences for purple and pink flowers, while native bumblebees visit both native and exotic plant species in similar proportions and have preferences for white, pink, and purple flowers.
Article
Plant Sciences
Maria Jose Ramirez, Catalina Escanilla-Jaramillo, Maureen Murua
Summary: The study focuses on the difference in pollen deposition between nototribic and sternotribic plant species and their impact on female reproductive success. Through a systematic stigma collection and manipulative pollen donor-receipt experiment, it is found that nototribic species are less affected by heterospecific pollen deposition compared to sternotribic species. However, the impact of heterospecific pollen deposition can also be influenced by factors such as pollinator behavior and plant species' tolerance to foreign pollen receipt. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind these findings and their generalizability to other plant species.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PLANT SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Plant Sciences
Sebastian Cordero, Francisca Galvez, Francisco E. Fonturbel
Summary: Exotic species are a major threat to biodiversity, affecting the structure and functioning of natural ecosystems. They can disrupt mutualistic interactions between plants and dispersers by altering dispersal behavior, predation, and transmission of pathogens. However, they can also have positive impacts on native plants and forest regeneration through increased visitation rates, facilitating colonization, enhancing seedling survival, and promoting seed rain and recruitment. Different studies show both similar and opposite results, highlighting the complex nature of native-exotic species interactions. Overall, exotic species management requires a comprehensive understanding of their ecological roles.
Article
Plant Sciences
Javiera Pincheira, Javiera Villarroel, Jose I. Orellana, Francisco E. Fonturbel
Summary: We studied the fauna associated with two sympatric mistletoe species in the temperate rainforests of southern Chile. The results showed differences in the animal species composition between the two plants, mainly due to their relationships with hummingbirds, arboreal marsupials, and insects. Although the two mistletoe species have many similarities, they also have some phenology differences that potentially influence their associations with animals and ecological processes.
Article
Ornithology
Angela M. Vargas-Daza, Juan F. Betancurt-Grisales, Leydy J. Cardona-Salazar, Yeny A. Benavides-Ossa, Francisco E. Fonturbel, Gabriel J. Castano-Villa
Summary: Camera traps and mist nets are commonly used sampling methods for studying bird diversity in tropical forests. Mist nets capture more bird species, while camera traps provide complementary information on ground-dwelling birds. Despite detecting different species, both methods show similar patterns in estimated species richness for various categories.
ORNITHOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Solange A. Jaques, Christian Jofre-Perez, Maureen M. Murua, Lorena Vieli, Francisco E. Fonturbel
Summary: Characterizing insect communities in pollinator-dependent crops is important in understanding their potential pollinator effectiveness and impacts on crop yield. This study compared different pan trap arrangements to assess potential pollinator communities in blueberry and canola crops in Southern Chile. The results showed that species composition differed significantly between the two crops, and trap color and position had varying effects on sample composition. Yellow pans captured the highest number of species, and Hymenoptera contributed the most to differences in sampling efficiency. The study suggests that pan trap assessments should consider crop characteristics and include pans of different colors positioned at various locations within the crop.
Article
Plant Sciences
S. Ojeda, M. Arancibia, F. Gomez, I. B. Sepulveda, J. I. Orellana, F. E. Fonturbel
Summary: Plant spatial distribution is an important factor in determining species coexistence and biodiversity dynamics. Mistletoes are a good example of plants that exhibit clustered distributions, with aggregation being influenced more by environmental constraints than ecological constraints. The spatial structure of mistletoes primarily depends on the environment they inhabit, including the availability and arrangement of their host plants.
Article
Ecology
Caio S. Ballarin, Felipe W. Amorim, David M. Watson, Francisco E. Fonturbel
Summary: Keystone plant species are important for restoring degraded terrestrial sites, but their demographic characteristics and interactions with other species need to be considered. Replanting at low densities can re-establish food webs, while high-density restoration may affect the establishment and survival of sympatric plant species.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Esteban F. Soto, Rocio A. Pozo, Pablo Diaz-Siefer, Juan L. Celis-Diez, Francisco E. Fonturbel
Summary: Land-use change, particularly the expansion of agriculture, leads to biodiversity loss. Ecological intensification, aiming to increase crop yields while conserving biodiversity and ecosystem services, is important. This study assessed vertebrate diversity in apple and cherry crops, finding that diversity and abundance of native species increased in crops surrounded by more natural vegetation. The presence of exotic species explained most differences. Therefore, maintaining natural areas nearby crop fields is crucial for enhancing biodiversity and the ecosystem services provided by native species.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Angela M. Vargas-Daza, Juan F. Betancurt-Grisales, Gabriel J. Castano-Villa, Francisco E. Fonturbel
Summary: Old and mature secondary forests are similar to mature secondary forests in terms of species richness and abundance, but differ significantly in species composition. Old secondary forests play a valuable role in protecting species highly specialized to mature forests and those with decreasing populations.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Juan L. L. Celis-Diez, Camila B. B. Garcia, Juan J. J. Armesto, Sebastian Abades, Michael P. D. Garratt, Francisco E. E. Fonturbel
Summary: Wild insects and honeybees play important roles in pollinating avocado trees in Chile. This study found that wild insects accounted for 51.4% of total floral visitation, and their contribution to pollination was greater than that of honeybees, especially during dry years. The presence of honeybees influenced the floral visitor composition and modified plant-pollination network parameters, resulting in biotic homogenization of the interaction network. Future research should focus on ecological intensification practices to promote wild insect visits and evaluate the role of native vegetation as wild pollinator habitat in agricultural landscapes.