This article provides a comparison of the vascular alien flora of Sardinia (Italy) and that of Corsica (France), both territories belonging to the Western Mediterranean biogeographic subregion. The study has recorded 598 (90 doubtful) alien taxa in Sardinia (18% of the total flora) while 553 (87 doubtful) in Corsica (17%); six are new report to Sardinia and 27 to Corsica. A total of 234 taxa are common to both islands. Neophytes are 344 taxa (68% of the total) in Sardinia and 399 taxa (73%) in Corsica. The invasive component includes 64 taxa in Sardinia (13% of the alien flora) and 99 taxa (21%) in Corsica, 33 of them common to both territories. The total 740 alien taxa of Sardinia and Corsica are included in 93 families; being Fabaceae the richest. The comparison of the biological spectrum reveals that phanerophytes (202 taxa, 40%) are the most represented in Sardinia and therophytes (149 taxa, 32%) in Corsica. A study of the geographical origin shows supremacy of the American element in Sardinia (170 taxa, 34%) and in Corsica (136 taxa, 29%). The majority of taxa arrived as a result of intentional human introductions, mainly for ornamental use (247 taxa, 49% in Sardinia; 208 taxa, 45% in Corsica). Seminatural, agricultural and synanthropic are the most occupied habitats. These data show the need for joint action to stem the increasingly worrying phenomenon of the alien flora in order to reduce the negative effects on natural habitats and native flora.

This study reveals contrasted dynamics of orchid communities between local and regional scales in Corsica. Although high turnover in communities was found at the local scale, regional species richness was maintained despite major land-use changes. Conserving landscape mosaics could provide locally suitable habitats for orchids of different ecologies to maintain diversity at larger spatial scales.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (OPFA) have beneficial effects on inflammatory reactions and production of cytokines. They decrease the release of 5HT by platelets and possess vasorelaxant activity. This led them to be tried in the prophylactic treatment of migraine. After 4 weeks of a single-blind placebo run-in period, patients were randomized and treated in double-blind condition by placebo or OPFA 6 g a day for 16 weeks, followed by a 4-week placebo run-out period. The intention to treat population included 196 patients. Those who received all four treatment periods included 96 patients taking OPFA and 87 taking placebo. The primary efficacy analysis was the number of migraine attacks during the last 4 weeks of treatment. During this period, the mean number of attacks was 1.20 +/- 1.40 in the OPFA group and 1.26 +/- 1.11 in the placebo group (NS). The total number of attacks during the 4-month period of the study was significantly different between groups: 7.05 in the placebo group, 5.95 in the OPFA group (P = 0.036). Mean intensity, mean duration of the attacks and rescue medication use, were not significantly different between the two groups. Except for a significant difference against OPFA for eructations, the tolerance was satisfying. Despite a run-in placebo period of 1 month, a very strong placebo effect was observed in this trial: 45% reduction of the attacks between run-in and 4-month treatment period (55% in the OPFA group, P = 0.058). Finally, this large study did not confirm two previous studies based on a small number of patients.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (OPFA) have beneficial effects on inflammatory reactions and production of cytokines. They decrease the release of 5HT by platelets and possess vasorelaxant activity. This led them to be tried in the prophylactic treatment of migraine. After 4 weeks of a single-blind placebo run-in period, patients were randomized and treated in double-blind condition by placebo or OPFA 6 g a day for 16 weeks, followed by a 4-week placebo run-out period. The intention to treat population included 196 patients. Those who received all four treatment periods included 96 patients taking OPFA and 87 taking placebo. The primary efficacy analysis was the number of migraine attacks during the last 4 weeks of treatment. During this period, the mean number of attacks was 1.20 +/- 1.40 in the OPFA group and 1.26 +/- 1.11 in the placebo group (NS). The total number of attacks during the 4-month period of the study was significantly different between groups: 7.05 in the placebo group, 5.95 in the OPFA group (P = 0.036). Mean intensity, mean duration of the attacks and rescue medication use, were not significantly different between the two groups. Except for a significant difference against OPFA for eructations, the tolerance was satisfying. Despite a run-in placebo period of 1 month, a very strong placebo effect was observed in this trial: 45% reduction of the attacks between run-in and 4-month treatment period (55% in the OPFA group, P = 0.058). Finally, this large study did not confirm two previous studies based on a small number of patients.

DELAGE, A. (2018). Echium montenielluense (Boraginaceae), a new species endemic to English and French abstracts. A plant belonging to the genus Echium L. (Boraginaceae), discovered on the serpentine ridges of Cap Corse is described, characterized morphologically and named Echium montenielluense Delage. Elements relating to its ecology and its demography are presented. Probably related to the Sardinian endemic Echium anchusoides Bachetta et al., the differences between the two taxa are highlighted.Résumé DELAGE, A. (2018). Echium montenielluense (Boraginaceae), une nouvelle espèce endémique de Corse. Candollea 73: 193 -199. En français, résumés anglais et français. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15553/c2018v732a3 Une plante appartenant au genre Echium L. (Boraginaceae), découverte sur les crêtes serpentiniques du Cap Corse, est décrite, caractérisée morphologiquement et nommée Echium montenielluense Delage. Des éléments relatifs à son écologie et à sa démographie sont présentés. Probablement apparenté à l'endémique sarde Echium anchusoides Bachetta et al., les différences entre les deux taxons sont mises en évidence.