Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Causes of Admission and Outcomes of Long-eared Owl (Asio Otus) in Wildlife Rescue Centres in Italy from 2010 to 2014

Data obtained from wildlife rescue centres are a useful means of understanding threats posed to wild animal populations. Aims of the present study were to investigate the causes of admission and outcomes of Long-eared Owls (Asio otus) hospitalised in rescue centres in Italy. Data were collected from 13 centres form January 2010 to October 2014 using a web form. The following variables were considered: estimated age at admission; date of admission; habitat at finding location; main cause of admission; and outcome. Major causes of admissions were related to human activities, mainly consisting of collision trauma and collection of uninjured fledglings. Despite nocturnal habits of owls and their protection status, according to European Union Directive 2009/147/ CE and to national Italian laws, gunshot wounds were also represented as an admission cause in adult animals. Overall mortality rate was 47.3%. Considering age classes, the majority of adult animals died while the majority of pulli survived and were later released. Both collisions and gunshot wounds contributed to the higher mortality in adult animals. We suggest that anatomopathological and toxicological investigation of dead casualties, along with post release monitoring of rehabilitated owls, would contribute to a better understanding of mortality causes and to the implementation of more successful rehabilitation techniques.
Serotoninergic receptors in brain tissue: properties and identification of various 3H-ligand binding sites in vitro.

In vitro binding studies to serotoninergic receptors were performed using 3H-LSD, 3H-5-HT and 3H-spiperone. An overview is given on findings using these three ligands with respect to the following: (1) Localization of specific binding sites, i.e., in various animal species, the regional distribution in the brain and periphery, the subcellular and cellular distribution. (2) Properties of the binding sites, i.e., influence of the composition of the assay medium, binding kinetic properties, receptor regulation in vivo. (3) Identity of the binding sites, i.e., differences between sites for various 3H-ligands, pharmacological specificity of the membranous binding sites, chemical composition of the macromolecular complex constituting the binding site. (4) Function of the receptor. Binding affinities of 44 compounds were measured in binding assays using 3H-spiperone and 3H-LSD with rat frontal cortex membrane preparations and using 3H-5-HT and 3H-LSD with rat hippocampal membrane preparations. A significant correlation between binding affinities for 3H-LSD and 3H-spiperone binding sites in the frontal cortex was found. Binding to these sites correlates with potencies of compounds to antagonize 5-HT-induced contraction in isolated rat caudal arteries and also with potencies of compounds to antagonize tryptamine-induced clonic seizures in rats. There was a very significant correlation between binding affinities for 3H-LSD and 3H-5-HT labelled sites in the hippocampus. These hippocampal binding sites are different from those for 3H-LSD and 3H-spiperone in the frontal cortex. Binding to 3H-5-HT or 3H-LSD sites in the hippocampus could not be related to a pharmacological effect.
The identification of non-protein coding rna in the tumour vasculature

In the last 15 years a number of studies have sought to identify markers of tumour endothelium. However, studies have yet to identify non-protein markers of the tumour vasculature. This thesis provides novel contributions in this area by using RNA sequencing (RNAseq) to probe the transcriptome of tumour endothelial cells (TEC) and healthy tissue associated endothelial cells (HEC). The ensuing bioinformatic analysis revealed many differentially expressed short nuclear RNA (snoRNA) and long intergenic ncRNA (lincRNA) molecules. Some of which were confirmed as being specifically expressed in (and differentially expressed between) TEC and HEC using quantitative PCR (qPCR). One of these molecules was also functionally explored in vitro and is the first ncRNA molecule to be identified as both specific to the endothelium and to be functional in pathological angiogenesis.
Host factors in nidovirus replication

The interplay between nidoviruses and the infected host cell was investigated. Arterivirus RNA-synthesising activity was shown to depend on intact membranes and on a cytosolic host protein which does not cosediment with the RTC. Furthermore, the immunosuppressant drug cyclosporin A (CsA) blocks replication of EAV and the swine arterivirus PRRSV in cell culture. Cyclophilin A appears to be an important host factor for EAV replication. CsA may be a nidovirus-wide inhibitor of replication since this compound also blocked replication of the coronaviruses SARS-CoV, HCoV-229E, and MHV. We further described a kinase siRNA library screen that identified ninety antiviral and forty proviral hits and signalling pathways involved in the SARS-CoV replicative cycle. PKR (antiviral) and COPB2 (proviral) were validated in follow-up experiments. We also investigated MERS-CoV replication characteristics and we described an assay t o screen for compounds that block MERS-CoV infection. CsA and pegylated IFN-α (PEG-IFN) significantly inhibited infection, and MERS-CoV was shown to be much more sensitive to PEG-IFN treatment than SARS-CoV, an observation that may have implications for the treatment of MERS-CoV infection. The data presented in this thesis might contribute to better understand virus replication and hopefully provide additional starting points for the development of antiviral strategies.
Relationship between paraoxonase-1 activity and lipid mobilisation in transition dairy cows.

1Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia 2Clinic for Obstetrics and reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia 3Veterinary Practice Đurđevac, Đurđevac, Croatia 4Department of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Merkur University hospital, Zagreb, Croatia 5Department for nutrition and animal husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Genetic and Ecotypic Characterization of European Beech ( Fagus sylvatica L.) in Poland

European beech ( Fagus sylvatica L.) is one of the most important forest tree speci es in Poland and it covers 5.2% of forest area. Present g enetic structure of beech populations has been formed within the last few thousand years and influ enced by many different factors, not only of environmental (postglacial) and genetic origin, but also by anthropogenic ones. In Poland, beech attains its north-eastern limit of natural range, a nd is limited by continental climate, winter temperatures, air humidity and soil conditions. The growth of beech stands outside the natural beech limit indicates that the species possesses a potent ially wider range. Based on their phytosociological characteristics, n ine beech experimental plots of one hectare area were established in selected seed stands, represent ing the typical plant associations and the most imp ortant beech provenance (seed) regions. The genetic analys es were performed using isoenzyme electrophoresis for seven loci (GOT, LAP, MDH, MNR, PGM, PGI, SKDH) and DNA markers using RAPD primers. The following genetic parameters were calculated: average number of alleles per locus, percentage of polymorphic loci and heterozyg osity (on the basis of isoenzyme analysis). Dendrograms based on genetic distances were constructed. There is a slight decrease of genetic variation of beech populations towards the north of Poland, which can be explained by migration paths and selec tion after the glacial period. The genetic differentiation of beech in Poland does not allow d istinguishing provenance regions. The data show a mosaic character of species differentiation and an ecotypic variation. isoenzyme analysis / DNA-RAPD markers / genetic variation / genetic differentiation / progeny differentiation
Cytologic observations of the bovine teat end.

: Cells infiltrating from the vasculature and histologic components of internal tissues of teats (mammary papilla) from noninfected udder quarters were studied, using light and electron microscopy. Morphometric analysis demonstrated a progressive increase in number of infiltrating cells from the distal teat cistern (sinus papillaris) to the junction of the Furstenberg's rosette (distal termination and convergence of mucosal folds lining the teat cistern) and the streak canal (ductus papillaris). Plasma cells contributed to cellular increases in subepithelial connective tissue and were the most prevalent infiltrating cell type. Plasma cells also penetrated the basal epithelial lining of the rosette area and occasionally migrated to the luminal surface near the squamocolumnar junction. Neutrophils and monocytes contributed to the increase in cells infiltrating the epithelial lining. Few infiltrating cells were observed in epithelium and underlying stroma of the streak canal. Cytologic comparison demonstrated a reduction in all cell types from lactating to involuting phases of lactation. Greater numbers of plasma cells, lymphocytes, and monocytes were observed in teat end tissues from quarters previously infected with Staphylococcus aureus.
New species of Geosmithia and Graphium associated with ambrosia beetles in Costa Rica.

Geosmithia cnesini sp. nov. is a dominant symbiont of the ambrosia beetle Cnesinus lecontei collected from Croton draco in Costa Rica. This fungus is characterised by whitish colonies and penicillate conidiophores with extraordinary large catenate conidia. Graphium scolytodis sp. nov. is described here from the galleries of ambrosia beetle Scolytodes unipunctatus collected from the trunk of a fallen Cecropia angustifolia tree in Costa Rica. This species does not seem to be a nutritional mutualist but rather a stable associate of unknown function. It produces mononematic conidiophores only and is related to Graphium penicillioides.
Comparative Study of the Effect of Telfairia Mosaic Virus (TEMV) on the Growth Characteristics of Two Ecotypes of Telfairia occidentalis (Hooker Fil)

The effect of Telfairia Mosaic Virus (TeMV) on the growth characteristics of two ecotypes of Telfairia occidentalis was investigated. Seeds of T. occidentalis obtained from Akparabong in Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State were designated ecotype A and seeds from Eket in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State were designated ecotype B. Infection of T. occidentalis by TeMV caused significant reductions (p<0.05) in leaf area, shoot height, leaf number, leaf fresh and dry weight, fresh and dry weight of shoot and root. Percentage difference values for the above parameters were 57.19, 40.10, 46.59, 25.0, 24.5, 31.65, 37.43, 30.78, 19.97, 37.01 and 21.94% for ecotype A and B in infected samples compared to healthy controls. The virus also induced (p<0.05) reductions in Relative Growth Rate (RGR), with percentage difference values for ecotype A and B ranging from 21.1-21.7, 17.5 and 28.2%, with values for Net Assimilation Rate (NAR) for ecotype A and B ranging from 22.1-39.3 and 20.5-34.4%, respectively and percentage difference values for Leaf Area Ratio (LAR) for ecotype A and B ranging from 13.9-26.0 and 15.0-25.3%, respectively. Telfairia mosaic virus infection caused significant (p<0.05) reductions in RGR, NAR and LAR in inoculated plants of ecotypes studied compared to the healthy controls with ecotype A being more susceptible to the effect of TeMV infections than ecotype B. The virus also reduced the quality of the vegetable. Since, the difference in plant growth between infected and healthy plants depend on infection, this explains the difference in growth and plant size. These reductions in plant growth characteristics induced by TeMV infection alter the metabolism and subsequently dry matter yield of T. occidentalis.
Polymyxin-B-Binding Capacities of Isolated Phospholipids from Salmonella typhimurium

5-hydroxycoumarin and aflatoxin B, were shorter than that of 5-methoxycoumarin by 75 nm and 40nm respectively. The relative fluorescent intensities of 5-methoxycoumarin, 5-hydroxycoumarin and aflatoxin B1 were estimated to be in the proportions 1 :2.1: 5.2 respectively. Although the coumarin molecule is non-fluorescent (Mattoo, 1956), these results indicate that the addition of a hydroxyl group in the 5-position causes a very pronounced fluorescence but that methylation of the phenolic group t o give 5-methoxycoumarin diminishes the fluorescence. The relatively high KQ value of aflatoxin B, makes it one of the most fluorescent coumarin derivatives. The KQ values of aflatoxin B1 in different solvents such as chloroform, methanol and ethanol have been determined by several workers (Carnaghan et al., 1963; Robertson et al., 1967). Our present results suggest that a n aqueous solution (pH2) is a superior medium for the quantitative determination of aflatoxin B1. The large enhancement of fluorescence of the aflatoxin B1 molecule over its central 5-methoxycoumarin moiety is undoubtedly due to the excitation of the rc (delocalized) electrons contained in the conjugated system of double bonds. The effect of pH on fluorescence can be associated with change in chemical species (Bridges & Williams, 1968). Examination of the variation of fluorescence intensity of aflatoxin B1 with pH will therefore be valuable in the attempt to determine the possible use of the furocoumarin compound as a p H indicator.
Evidence for low‐level hybridization between two allochronic populations of the pine processionary moth, Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae)

Divergence between populations sharing the same habitat can be initiated by different reproductive times, leading to allochronic differentiation. A spatially localized allochronic summer population (SP) of the pine processionary moth Thaumetopoea pityocampa, recently discovered in Portugal, occurs in sympatry with the local winter population (WP). We examined the level of genetic differentiation between the two populations and estimated the current gene flow within the spatial framework of their co-occurrence. Mitochondrial data indicated that the two sympatric populations were genetically closer than other WP populations. Conversely, microsatellite genotyping uncovered greater differentiation between the two sympatric populations than between allopatric ones. While male trapping confirmed that reproduction of SP and WP occurred at distinct times, clustering approaches demonstrated the presence of a few LateSP individuals emerging within the WP flight period, although genetically identified as SP. We also identified rare recent hybridization events apparently occurring mainly in the margins of the current SP range. The ongoing gene flow detected between the ancestral and the emerging allochronic populations revealed an incomplete reproductive isolation, which must therefore be taken into account and integrated with studies focussed on ecological drivers, so that a complete understanding of the ongoing speciation process might be achieved.
Ameliorative Effects of Phytochemical Ingestion on Viral Infection in Honey Bees

Simple Summary Virus infection is among the many stressors honey bees are experiencing in the modern agricultural landscape. Although some promising treatments are currently under development, no reliable cure currently exists. Here, we investigated the effects of various phytochemicals (plant-produced chemical compounds) on the survivorship of virus infected honey bees. Our results showed that, when consumed at natural concentrations like those found in flowers, caffeine is capable of significantly reducing the mortality of infected bees. It is important to note that caffeine did not clear the infected bees of all viruses and should, therefore, not be considered a virus cure. Rather, caffeine represents a potential antiviral therapeutic agent that should be studied further to improve understanding of virus-phytochemical interactions. Abstract Honey bee viruses are capable of causing a wide variety of devastating effects, but effective treatments have yet to be discovered. Phytochemicals represent a broad range of substances that honey bees frequently encounter and consume, many of which have been shown to improve honey bee health. However, their effect on bee viruses is largely unknown. Here, we tested the therapeutic effectiveness of carvacrol, thymol, p-coumaric acid, quercetin, and caffeine on viral infection by measuring their ability to improve survivorship in honey bees inoculated with Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV) using high-throughput cage bioassays. Among these candidates, caffeine was the only phytochemical capable of significantly improving survivorship, with initial screening showing that naturally occurring concentrations of caffeine (25 ppm) were sufficient to produce an ameliorative effect on IAPV infection. Consequently, we measured the scope of caffeine effectiveness in bees inoculated and uninoculated with IAPV by performing the same type of high-throughput bioassay across a wider range of caffeine concentrations. Our results indicate that caffeine may provide benefits that scale with concentration, though the exact mechanism by which caffeine ingestion improves survivorship remains uncertain. Caffeine therefore has the potential to act as an accessible and inexpensive method of treating viral infections, while also serving as a tool to further understanding of honey bee–virus interactions at a physiological and molecular level.
Characterisation of the human TIP48 and TIP49 AAA+ proteins and their complexes

TIP48 and TIP49 are two closely related proteins, which are highly conserved in all eukaryotes. They are crucial components of various nuclear complexes involved in transcription activation, DNA repair, and snoRNP accumulation and trafficking, but the function of TIP48 and TIP49 within these complexes is not understood. They are part of the AAA+ family of ATPases and show homology to the bacterial branch migration motor RuvB. However, reports about their enzymatic activities, such as DNA helicase activities, are contradictory and subject to speculations. In this study the enzymatic activities of recombinant TIP48, TIP49 and catalytically inactive mutants were examined. The proteins displayed very low ATPase activities, which were not stimulated in the presence of DNA, and no DNA helicase activities. Both TIP48 and TIP49 bound adenine nucleotides. However, whilst TIP48 formed oligomers, upon incubation with adenine nucleotides, TIP49 did not. An equimolar TIP48/TIP49 complex was assembled in solution and purified. The ATPase activity of the complex was significantly higher than the activities of the constituent proteins. Within this complex, both proteins bound and hydrolyzed ATP, as shown by using catalytically inactive mutant. The ATPase activity of the complex was not stimulated in the presence of DNA and no DNA helicase or branch migration activities were detected. The TIP48/TIP49 complex consists of two stacked hexameric rings with C6 symmetry as shown by electron microscopy. Structural differences between the top and bottom rings indicate that the complex may consist of two homohexamers. The localizations of TIP48 and TIP49 in cells were examined by immunofluoresence microscopy. Both proteins showed specific localisation to the mitotic spindle, which strongly suggests a novel role in mitosis. Surprisingly, a dramatic accumulation of TIP48 at the midbody was observed in the late stages of mitosis, which differed from that of TIP49. The observations suggest that TIP48 may have a separate function at this stage of the cell cycle.
Bryophyte flora of the Czech Republic: updated checklist and Red List and a brief analysis

University of South Bohemia, Faculty of Science, Branišovská 31, CZ–370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic, e-mail: kucera@prf.jcu. cz; Charles University Prague, Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Benátská 2, CZ–128 01 Prague 2, Czech Republic, e-mail: vana@natur.cuni. cz; Palacký University Olomouc, Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Šlechtitelů 11, CZ-783 71 Olomouc-Holice, Czech Republic, e-mail: zbynek.hradilek@upol.cz.
Impact of incarceration on cardiovascular disease risk factors: a systematic review and meta-regression on weight and BMI change

Objective Cardiovascular disease is an underappreciated issue in prison medicine. Recent studies have revealed a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors (CVDRFs) among individuals in prison, but the impact of incarceration on CVDRFs over time is not well understood. This review aimed to assess available literature and quantify the relationship between incarceration and trends in major CVDRFs in high-income countries. Design Systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Meta-regression on weight change and obesity. Data sources Medline, Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Central Wiley and Web of Science. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies Longitudinal studies reporting on the incidence of, or trends in any CVDRF among current or former people in prison over time, in high-income countries. Data extraction and synthesis Two authors independently screened articles for eligibility, extracted data and assessed quality using an adapted version of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Trends in CVDRFs during and following incarceration were summarised and in those with sufficient data a meta-regression was performed. Results Twenty-six articles were identified. CVDRFs assessed included obesity, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, tobacco use, physical inactivity and unhealthy diet. A meta-regression on change in weight during incarceration found a mean increase of 5.3 kg (95% CI 0.5 to 10.1) and change in body mass index of 1.8 kg/m2 (95% CI −0.9 to 4.6) at 2 years. Weight gain appeared most pronounced right after entering prison and then plateaued at 2 years. Concerning hypertension, the results were inconclusive, despite a trend towards rising blood pressure or prevalence of hypertension during incarceration, and an increased incidence of hypertension following incarceration. Results are contradictory or inconclusive for the other CVDRFs reviewed. Conclusion Possible explanations for the association between incarceration and weight include a sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet, forced smoking cessation, psychotropic medication use and high levels of stress. Incarceration may be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Reply to “Retinal INL Thickness in Multiple Sclerosis: A Mere Marker of Neurodegeneration?”

we observed evidence of prominent INL thickening during the first phase of the disease – a phenomenon that evolves to the loss described by Sotirchos only at older ages (Fig). Earlier reports noted cystic changes and increased volume in the INL, and we propose an integrated model that synthesizes all available data, including the observation that swelling might be most prominent during early disease when inflammation is most active. Later in the disease course, the rate of thickening declines until such a time that atrophy begins to supersede the swelling. This means that rather than solely reflecting the progressive degenerative nature of MS, INL may evidence early inflammation followed by later neurodegeneration. In contrast to Sotirchos et al (Fig, 1Bdashed line), our data may capture the early thickening of INL due to the characteristics of our cohort, including 97 patients with MS in the first few years after an initial demyelinating event. This means that taken together with the data from Sotirchos et al our data may help expand our understanding of what is happening in the INL across the entire disease course.