Search Results (25)

Protected areas are crucial for the conservation of West Africa’s increasingly imperiled wildlife, but are under unprecedented pressure associated with exponential human population growth in the region. Using birds as biodiversity indicators, we investigated the conservation status of Togo’s Fazao-Malfakassa National Park, which was managed by a private foundation from 1990 to 2015, and since 2015 has been managed by the state. Between 2022 and 2024, we conducted 90 days of bird surveys in the park and documented a total of 240 bird species. Our findings include 34 species new to the park, including the first record of Emin’s Shrike (Lanius gubernator) in Togo, the first sightings of the Great Blue Turaco (Corythaeola cristata) since 1990, and first observations of the Abyssinian Ground-Hornbill (Bucorvus abyssinicus) since 2019. Many such species survive in Togo only in Fazao-Malfakassa National Park, but its exceptional biodiversity has come under increasing assault from illegal activities, including poaching, logging, road construction, charcoal production, cattle grazing, and land clearance to establish agricultural plantations. We were unable to document 91 bird species previously reported for the park during our surveys, suggesting a possible ~31% decline in avian species richness in the park compared to historical records. Apparent extirpations of globally-threatened raptors such as the Critically Endangered White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus) and Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus), and declines of the Endangered Bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus) and Martial Eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus) further indicate that current conservation strategies are failing to adequately protect wildlife in the park. Togo’s two other historical national parks have already been almost entirely destroyed by human activities, and unless urgent conservation action is taken, there is a high risk that Fazao-Malfakassa National Park will share the same fate. We urgently recommend improving support for law enforcement capacity and park staff, conducting community conservation outreach, and ongoing monitoring of wildlife in the park to assess its conservation success. Full article

Background/Objectives: The automated analyses of optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans of the retina occasionally suggest the presence of tissue deficits when no visual field defects can be detected. This study was made to find the sources of such alerts. Methods: Data from a population-based cohort of 360 participants aged 30–80 years was analysed for the anatomical sources of alerts after the extensive exclusion of participants where any suspicion of abnormality could be raised. An analysis was made of 12 × 9 mm volume scans centred between the disc and the fovea. The exclusions comprised 107 eyes with definite or borderline abnormal visual fields or other potentially confounding characteristics. A statistical analysis of the thickness patterns was made using the manufacturer’s proprietary algorithm. The analysis comprised alerts corresponding to local layer thickness values in the lower 5th percentile of an independent reference population. Results: Of the 613 eligible healthy eyes, thickness deficit alerts were seen in 391. They were related to the angle between the temporal nerve fibre ridges being wider, narrower, or rotated compared to the reference template in 174 eyes and to the variations in the size of the macula in 207 eyes. The source was unidentifiable in 28 eyes. The common sources were a thin papillomacular nerve fibre layer accompanied by arcuate nerve fibre ridges spaced far apart and a thinly, but wider than the normal macular ganglion cell layer. Conclusions: Anatomical variation in the retinal nerve fibre and ganglion cell layers was the source of more than 90% of the thickness deficit alerts in the eyes with normal visual fields. Full article

Tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), is commonly used as an adjuvant drug therapy for estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancers. Though effective at reducing the rate of cancer recurrence, patients often report unwanted cognitive and affective side effects. Despite this, the impacts of chronic tamoxifen exposure on the brain are poorly understood, and rodent models of tamoxifen exposure do not replicate the chronic oral administration seen in patients. We, therefore, used long-term ad lib consumption of medicated food pellets to model chronic tamoxifen exposure in a clinically relevant way. Adult female Long-Evans Hooded rats consumed tamoxifen-medicated food pellets for approximately 12 weeks, while control animals received standard chow. At the conclusion of the experiment, blood and brain samples were collected for analyses. Blood tamoxifen levels were measured using a novel ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry assay, which found that this administration paradigm produced serum levels of tamoxifen similar to those in human patients. In the brain, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was visualized in the hippocampus using immunohistochemistry. Chronic oral tamoxifen treatment resulted in a decrease in BDNF expression across several regions of the hippocampus. These findings provide a novel method of modeling and measuring chronic oral tamoxifen exposure and suggest a putative mechanism by which tamoxifen may cause cognitive and behavioral changes reported by patients. Full article

Rockfishes (Sebastes spp.) are a long-lived, understudied, multi-species fish assemblage in inland Washington (USA) waters. Driven by large-scale fishery removals in the 1970s, their numbers declined and have yet to recover, perhaps due to slow maturation and rare recruitment success. Since then, rockfish fishing restrictions have increased within Puget Sound, culminating in a 2010 total ban. Here, we analyze rockfish community trends (abundance and Shannon Diversity) within Puget Sound from 2009 to 2023. Our dataset includes 157 recorded dive transects from nine rocky or artificial reef habitats at depths 5–24 m throughout four Puget Sound basins: Admiralty Inlet (2 sites), Central Puget Sound (4 sites), Hood Canal (2 sites), and South Puget Sound (1 site). Significant differences in community species composition between basins were observed; we noted more Black (S. melanops), Yellowtail (S. flavidus), and Puget Sound (S. emphaeus) rockfish and fewer Brown rockfish (S. auriculatus) at sites in Admiralty Inlet vs. Central Puget Sound. Adult rockfish counts and Shannon Diversity varied seasonally, with higher rockfish counts and diversity indices in summer/autumn vs. winter/spring. Notably, we observed that total adult rockfish count per survey tended downward over time, driven partly by significant downward trends in Hood Canal Copper rockfish (S. caurinus) counts. We recommend continued monitoring and additional investigation into what factors besides fishing may be driving the trends reported here. Full article

The summer temperatures recorded in Poland in 2022 were among the highest in over 30 years and, combined with higher-than-expected rainfall, gave the impression of an almost tropical climate. Such climatic conditions were ideal for the transmission of vector-borne zoonotic diseases such as West Nile fever. In northeastern Poland, in the Mazowieckie region, the Polish event-based surveillance network reported increased fatalities of free-living hooded crows (Corvus corone cornix). West Nile virus (WNV) lineage 2 was identified for the first time as the etiological agent responsible for the death of the birds. WNV was detected in 17 out of the 99 (17.17%) free-living birds tested in this study. All the WNV-infected dead birds were collected in the same area and were diagnosed in September by the NVRI and confirmed by the EURL for equine diseases, ANSES, in October 2022. Unnaturally high temperatures recorded in Poland in 2022 likely favored the infection and spread of the virus in the avian population. A nationwide alert and awareness raising of blood transfusion centers and hospitals was carried out to prevent human infections by WNV. Full article

Peru has the largest inventory of alpacas worldwide. Despite their importance as a source of net income for rural communities living at the Andean Plateau, data on energy requirements and methane (CH₄) emissions for alpacas are particularly lacking. In 2019, the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC; 2006, and Refinement 2019) outlined methods for estimating CH₄ emissions from enteric fermentation and no methane (CH₄) conversion factors were reported for camelids. IPCC has since updated its guidelines for estimating CH₄ emissions from the enteric fermentation of livestock at a national scale. For greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory purposes, conversion factors were developed for ruminants but not for domestic South American camelids (SAC), with this category including alpacas. A mobile open-circuit respirometry system (head hood) for the rapid determination of CH₄ and CO₂ production, O₂ consumption, and thereafter, heat production (HP) for camelids was built and validated. In addition, an experimental test with eight alpacas was conducted for validation purposes. The average HP measured by indirect calorimetry (respiratory quotient (RQ) method) was close to the average HP determined from the carbon–nitrogen balance (CN method); 402 kJ/kg BW^0.75 and 398 kJ/kg BW^0.75, respectively. Fasting HP was determined by the RQ method and 250 kJ/kg BW^0.75 was obtained. The metabolizable energy requirement for maintenance (MEm) was calculated to be 323 kJ/kg BW^0.75 with an efficiency of energy utilization of 77%. When intake was adjusted to zero energy retention by linear regression, the MEm requirement increased to 369 kJ/kg BW^0.75 and the efficiency decreased up to 68%. The CH₄ conversion factor (Y_m) was 5.5% on average. Further research is required to gain a better understanding of the energy requirements and CH₄ emissions of alpacas in conditions of the Andean Plateau and to quantify them with greater accuracy. Full article

Urbanization influences the food availability and quality for birds in many ways. Although a great amount of food for birds is provided incidentally or intentionally in urban areas, the quantity of insect-based food can be reduced in cities. We studied the role of one artificial food source, insects smashed on the front panels of cars, in Finland, and more specifically in the city of Rovaniemi, by conducting questionnaire research, searching for data from databases and performing a field study. Our results indicated that a total of seven bird species have been detected using insects on the front panels of cars in Finland. However, this behavior is not yet common since about 60% of responders to the questionnaire stated that this behavior is currently either rare or very rare. Most of the observations identified House Sparrows, followed by the White Wagtail or the Eurasian Jackdaw. Only a few observations identified the Eurasian Tree Sparrow, the Hooded Crow, the Great Tit and the Eurasian Magpie. The phenomenon was distributed quite widely across Finland, except in the case of the Eurasian Jackdaws, for which observations were restricted only to the southern part of the country. The first observation was made about the House Sparrow in 1971, followed by the White Wagtail (1975), Hooded Crow (1997), Eurasian Jackdaw (2006), Eurasian Tree Sparrow (2011), Eurasian Magpie (2019) and Great Tit (2022). The species using this food source are mainly sedentary urban exploiters, such as corvids and sparrows, that have been previously reported to have several different types of innovative behaviors. Most of the observations were conducted in urban parking sites of hypermarkets, and no observations were made in residential areas. Most of the foraging observations were made during the end phase of the breeding season, partly supporting the extra need for high-quality insect-based food for nestlings and fledglings. Our observations indicate that this behavior is not yet common and widespread among species. Full article

Further examination of the molecular regulators of long-term calorie restriction (CR), reported to have an anxiolytic effect, may highlight novel therapeutic targets for anxiety disorders. Here, adult male Hooded Wistar rats were exposed to a 25% CR whilst anxiety-like behaviour was assessed at 6-, 12-, and 18-months of age via the elevated plus maze, open field, and acoustic startle tests. Next-generation sequencing was then used to measure transcriptome-wide gene expression in the hypothalamus, amygdala, pituitary, and adrenal glands. Results showed an anxiolytic behavioural profile across early, middle, and late adulthood by CR, with the strongest effects noted at 6-months. Transcriptomic analysis by seven attribute weighting algorithms, including Info Gain Ratio, Rule, Chi Squared, Gini Index, Uncertainty, Relief, and Info Gain, led to the development of a signature of long-term CR, independent of region. Complement C1q A chain (C1qa), an extracellular protein, expression was significantly decreased by CR in most regions examined. Furthermore, text mining highlighted the positive involvement of C1qa in anxiety, depression, neurodegeneration, stress, and ageing, collectively identifying a suitable biomarker candidate for CR. Overall, the current study identified anxiety-related phenotypic changes and a novel transcriptome signature of long-term CR, indicating potential therapeutic targets for anxiety, depression, and neurodegeneration. Full article

Functional dissatisfaction following total knee replacement (TKR) is recorded as high as 20%. The majority of these patients report anterior knee pain (AKP) as the main source of dissatisfaction. Elevated patellofemoral compression forces and soft tissue extensor hood strain have been implicated in the generation of significant AKP. A novel method of assessing and measuring patellofemoral compression forces dynamically in the native and resurfaced patella for TKR in four different quadrants of the patella is described. Results are reported from an in vitro model and cadaveric studies in the native and resurfaced knee. Patellofemoral compression forces are shown to be characteristic and consistent over repeated assessments in the native knee. Placement of a TKR significantly alters this pattern. Furthermore, over-stuffing or under-stuffing the resurfaced patella also significantly alters the nature and magnitude of patellofemoral compression forces. These studies may lead to an improved understanding of the nature of AKP following TKR, and using this assessment tool presents an opportunity to more effectively balance the third space, reproduce the native patellofemoral forces, and subsequently reduce AKP following TKR. Full article

Gliflozins (sodium-glucose transporter-2 inhibitors) exhibited renoprotective effects not only in diabetic but also in non-diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Controversial results were reported in experimental non-diabetic models of CKD. Therefore, we examined empagliflozin effects in three CKD models, namely, in fawn-hooded hypertensive (FHH) rats, uninephrectomized salt-loaded (UNX + HS) rats, and in rats with Goldblatt hypertension (two-kidney, one-clip 2K1C) that were either untreated or treated with empagliflozin (10 mg/kg/day) for eight weeks. Plethysmography blood pressure (BP) was recorded weekly, and renal parameters (proteinuria, plasma urea, creatinine clearance, and sodium excretion) were analyzed three times during the experiment. At the end of the study, blood pressure was also measured directly. Markers of oxidative stress (TBARS) and inflammation (MCP-1) were analyzed in kidney and plasma, respectively. Body weight and visceral adiposity were reduced by empagliflozin in FHH rats, without a significant effect on BP. Experimentally induced CKD (UNX + HS and 2K1C) was associated with a substantial increase in BP and relative heart and kidney weights. Empagliflozin influenced neither visceral adiposity nor BP in these two models. Although empagliflozin increased sodium excretion, suggesting effective SGLT-2 inhibition, it did not affect diuresis in any experimental model. Unexpectedly, empagliflozin did not provide renoprotection because proteinuria, plasma urea, and plasma creatinine were not lowered by empagliflozin treatment in all three CKD models. In line with these results, empagliflozin treatment did not decrease TBARS or MCP-1 levels in either model. In conclusion, empagliflozin did not provide the expected beneficial effects on kidney function in experimental models of CKD. Full article

Representatives for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) continue to desire early feminizing surgery in girls with 46,XX-CAH. The aim of this analysis, which included 174 46,XX- individuals with salt-wasting (SW) or simple-virilizing (SV) CAH, a female gender identity, and an age > 16 years participating in a multicenter cross-sectional clinical evaluation study (dsd-LIFE), was to evaluate the long-term results of surgery and patient-reported outcomes (PRO). The gynecological examination (n = 84) revealed some shortcomings concerning surgical feminization. A clitoris was absent in 9.5% of cases, while a clitoral hood was missing in 36.7% of cases. Though all women had large labia, they didn’t look normal in 22.6% of cases. Small labia were absent in 23.8% of cases. There was no introitus vaginae, and the urethra and vagina had no separate opening in 5.1% of cases. A mucosal lining was missing in 15.4% of cases. Furthermore, 86.2% of the women had scars at the region of their external genitalia. A vaginal stenosis was described in 16.5% of cases, and a meatal stenosis was described in 2.6% of cases. Additionally, PRO data showed a very-/high satisfaction rate of 21.3%/40.2% with cosmesis and 23.8%/38.1% with functionality, while 3.3%/10.7% showed a very-/low satisfaction with cosmesis as well as 5.6%/10.3% with functionality. The remaining women—24.6% and 23.8%—were indifferent. Satisfaction concerning sex life was very-/high in 9.6%/27.7%. In 12.0%/16.9% it was very-/low. Furthermore, 33.7% had no opinion. Furthermore, 27.0%/31.6% of the women reported that clitoriplasty, but not clitoridectomy, had a very-/positive influence on their lives, while 1.3%/8.9% felt it to be very-/negative, and 28.4% were indifferent. Vaginoplasty had a very-/positive influence in 25.7%/33.8% and a very-/negative effect in 3.6%/6.8%. 29.7% had no opinion. Additionally, 75.7% of the women preferred feminizing surgery during infancy/childhood, especially concerning clitoreduction. In conclusion, though the majority of the participants (76%) preferred early feminizing surgery and 60% described a positive effect on their lives, about 10% felt it to have been negative. About 15% of the women suffered from insufficient cosmesis and functionality after surgery. Sex life was even described as poor in nearly 30%. Therefore, the decision about early genital surgery in 46,XX-CAH girls should be considered carefully. Parents should get detailed information about possible complications of surgery and should receive support to understand that postponing surgery does not inevitably cause harm for their child. Importantly, genital surgery when performed in children should only be performed in expert centers with a specialized team including surgeons who are trained in feminizing surgery. Full article

Diversity surveys of germplasm are important for gaining insight into the genomic basis for crop improvement; especially InDels, which are poorly understood in hexaploid common wheat. Here, we describe a map of 89,923 InDels from exome sequencing of 262 accessions of a Chinese wheat mini-core collection. Population structure analysis, principal component analysis and selective sweep analysis between landraces and cultivars were performed. Further genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified five QTL (Quantitative Trait Loci) that were associated with spike length, two of them, on chromosomes 2B and 6A, were detected in 10 phenotypic data sets. Assisted with RNA-seq data, we identified 14 and 21 genes, respectively that expressed in spike and rachis within the two QTL regions that can be further investigated for candidate genes discovery. Moreover, InDels were found to be associated with awn length on chromosomes 5A, 6B and 4A, which overlapped with previously reported genetic loci B1 (Tipped 1), B2 (Tipped 2) and Hd (Hooded). One of the genes TaAGL6 that was previously shown to affect floral organ development was found at the B2 locus to affect awn length development. Our study shows that trait-associated InDels may contribute to wheat improvement and may be valuable molecular markers for future wheat breeding Full article

Aerobic, hydrogen oxidizing bacteria are capable of efficient, non-phototrophic CO₂ assimilation, using H₂ as a reducing agent. The presence of explosive gas mixtures requires strict safety measures for bioreactor and process design. Here, we report a simplified, reproducible, and safe cultivation method to produce Cupriavidus necator H16 on a gram scale. Conditions for long-term strain maintenance and mineral media composition were optimized. Cultivations on the gaseous substrates H₂, O₂, and CO₂ were accomplished in an explosion-proof bioreactor situated in a strong, grounded fume hood. Cells grew under O₂ control and H₂ and CO₂ excess. The starting gas mixture was H₂:CO₂:O₂ in a ratio of 85:10:2 (partial pressure of O₂ 0.02 atm). Dissolved oxygen was measured online and was kept below 1.6 mg/L by a stepwise increase of the O₂ supply. Use of gas compositions within the explosion limits of oxyhydrogen facilitated production of 13.1 ± 0.4 g/L total biomass (gram cell dry mass) with a content of 79 ± 2% poly-(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate in a simple cultivation set-up with dissolved oxygen as the single controlled parameter. Approximately 98% of the obtained PHB was formed from CO₂. Full article

Chlamydiaceae occurrence has been largely evaluated in wildlife, showing that wild birds are efficient reservoirs for avian chlamydiosis. In this study, DNA extracted from cloacal swabs of 108 corvids from Northeast Italy was screened for Chlamydiaceae by 23S real-time (rt)PCR. The positive samples were characterised by specific rtPCRs for Chlamydia psittaci, Chlamydia abortus, Chlamydia gallinacea, Chlamydia avium, Chlamydia pecorum and Chlamydia suis. Cloacal shedding of Chlamydiaceae was detected in 12 out of 108 (11.1%, 5.9%–18.6% 95% CI) corvids sampled. Molecular characterisation at the species level was possible in 8/12 samples, showing C. psittaci positivity in only one sample from a hooded crow and C. abortus positivity in seven samples, two from Eurasian magpies and five from hooded crows. Genotyping of the C. psittaci-positive sample was undertaken via PCR/high-resolution melting, clustering it in group III_pigeon, corresponding to the B genotype based on former ompA analysis. For C. abortus genotyping, multilocus sequence typing was successfully performed on the two samples with high DNA load from Eurasian magpies, highlighting 100% identity with the recently reported Polish avian C. abortus genotype 1V strain 15-58d44. To confirm the intermediate characteristics between C. psittaci and C. abortus, both samples, as well as two samples from hooded crows, showed the chlamydial plasmid inherent in most C. psittaci and avian C. abortus, but not in ruminant C. abortus strains. The plasmid sequences were highly similar (≥99%) to those of the Polish avian C. abortus genotype 1V strain 15-58d44. To our knowledge, this is the first report of avian C. abortus strains in Italy, specifically genotype 1V, confirming that they are actively circulating in corvids in the Italian region tested. Full article

The metal surfaces of a car exhibit favorable properties for the passive condensation of atmospheric water. Under certain nocturnal climatic conditions (high relative humidity, weak windspeed, and total nebulosity), dew is often observed on cars, and it is appropriate to ask the question of using a vehicle as a standard condenser for estimating the dew yield. In order to see whether cars can be used as reference dew condensers, we report a detailed study of radiative cooling and dew formation on cars in the presence of radiating obstacles and for various windspeeds. Measurements of temperature and condensed dew mass on different car parts (rooftop, front and back hoods, windshield, lateral and back windows, inside and outside air) are compared with the same data obtained on a horizontal, thermally isolated planar film. The paper concludes that heat transfer coefficients, evaluated from temperature and dew yield measurements, are found nearly independent of windspeed and tilt angles. Moreover, this work describes the relation between cooling and dew condensation with the presence or not of thermal isolation. This dependence varies with the surface tilt angle according to the angular dependence of the atmosphere radiation. This work also confirms that cars can be used to estimate the dew yields in a given site. A visual observation scale h = Kn, with h the dew yield (mm) and n = 0, 1 2, 3 an index, which depends whether dew forms or not on rooftop, windshield, and lateral windows, is successfully tested with 8 different cars in 5 sites with three different climates, using K = (0.067 ± 0.0036) mm·day⁻¹. Full article