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Although some molecular epidemiological surveys on avian haemosporidian protozoa have been conducted in Turkey, it is of great importance to increase the number of studies on the subject in this country, which has important bird migration routes between Europe and Africa. Hatay province, which is the intersection point of many bird migration routes in the intercontinental crossing, is a very suitable geographical location for the investigation of avian haemosporidian protozoa in a wide variety of bird species that use it as a route. Therefore, this study was planned to survey Haemoproteus spp., Plasmodium spp., and Leucocytozoon spp. in migratory birds sampled from this province. The animal material of the study consisted of Ciconia ciconia (Ciconiformes, n:45), Ichthyaetus melanocephalus (Charadriiformes, n:2), Pelecanus onocrotalus (Pelecaniformes, n:5) and Pelecanus crispus (Pelecaniformes, n:1). Microscopic examinations revealed Haemoproteus spp. gametocytes (5.66%) in one white stork and two Mediterranean gulls. On the other hand, nested PCR assay targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cytb) gene revealed the presence of Plasmodium/Haemoproteus spp. in 11.3% (6/53) of migratory birds. Leucocytozoon spp. was not detected by either microscopy or PCR. PCRpositive products were sequenced bi-directionally, and the GenBank and MalAvi databases were used for phylogenetic analysis and lineage identification of the isolates. This study revealed H-MYCAME08 lineage (OR227579, OR227580, OR227581, OR227582) in Ciconia ciconia and H-LARCRA01 [H. (Parahaemoproteus) larae] lineage (OR227577, OR227578) in Ichthyaetus melanocephalus, respectively. There are no studies investigating the haemosporidian parasites of these birds in Turkey, and studies on haemosporidian parasites of these species in different countries are also limited. Although the Haemoproteus MYCAME08 Cytb lineage has been demonstrated in ciconiform birds (Ciconidae) and the LARCRA01 lineage in charadriiform birds (Laridae), this study is unique in terms of reporting these lineages in different species in the same families. Inspired by this, we envisage that the expanding host range of Cytb lineages of haemosporidian protozoa is an indication that there is still a long way to go with avian haemosporidian protozoa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autophagy participates in the development of cerebral ischemia stroke. Autophagy-related 3 (ATG3), an important autophagy regulator, was reported to be upregulated in a rat model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (CI/R) injury and an oxygen–glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) cell model. However, the detailed role of ATG3 in CI/R injury remains elusive. An in vitro cellular model was established to mimic CI/R injury by exposing hBMECs and bEnd.3 cells to OGD/R. OGD/R-induced injury were evaluated by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), LDH release assay, caspase-3 activity assay and TUNEL assay. Inflammation was assessed by detecting mRNA expression and concentrations of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) using qRT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. The protein levels of ATG3, light chain 3 (LC3)-I, LC3-II, p62, protein kinase B (Akt), and phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) were determined by western blot analysis. We successfully established an in vitro OGD/R injury model using hBMECs and bEnd.3 cells. ATG3 was time-dependently upregulated and ATG3 knockdown inhibited autophagy in OGD/R-challenged brain microvascular endothelial cells. Moreover, autophagy inhibition by ATG3 interference attenuated OGD/R-induced viability inhibition and increase of LDH release, caspase-3 activity, programmed cell death, and production of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. Inhibition of autophagy by ATG3 silencing activated the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway in OGD/R-challenged brain microvascular endothelial cells. Furthermore, inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway reversed the protective effects of ATG3 silencing on OGD/R-induced injury and inflammation. In conclusion, autophagy inhibition by ATG3 knockdown remitted OGD/R-induced injury and inflammation in brain microvascular endothelial cells via activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to analyze the parasitic fauna of dead white storks in nesting sites in different parts of Poland and the associated histopathological changes. Samples from thirtyeight white storks aged 3 weeks to 5 years were examined after their arrival at a stork sanctuary. The presence of Cathaemasia hians, Chaunocephalus ferox, Choanotaenia infundibulum, Railletina tetragona and Syngamus trachea was confirmed in 17 out of 38 (47.73%) individuals. Cathaemasia hians and Chaunocephalus ferox flukes are not endemic to the studied area. The frequency of C. ferox was significantly higher in the youngest storks from group I (3-4 weeks old) compared to groups II (11-15 weeks old) and III (older than 2 years). Fluke eggs were only detected with sedimentation method in three samples (group III), while no adult flukes at all were found in the intestines. Chaunocephalus ferox was shown to be the most common pathogen in all storks studied when compared to other parasites. A histopathological examination of the jejunum and ileum revealed atherosclerotic changes in the muscular layer, lymphoid infiltration in the mucosa, the presence of adult flukes of C. hians and C. ferox in the intestinal lumen, and lymphoid infiltration in the muscular layer. Intense lymphoid infiltration in the mucosa was also observed in storks whose intestines were heavily infested with R. tetragona and C. infundibulum. Parasitic infections compromise the birds' health status and affect the duration of flights, and they can increase the risk of other diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Belief in animal protectors from around the home managed to reach present times almost unchanged in Romania. In this respect, the paper publishes for the first time information gathered in The Folklore Archive of Moldavia and Bucovina, founded in 1970. The two sub-sections are based both on a bibliographic and field information perspective on swallows, storks, and on the snake of the house respectively. The close relationship with these animals is on one hand created by the conviction that birds bring good fortune to the house they nest in, and on the other hand by the belief that each house has a protecting serpent. None of these can be killed or even disturbed by people since great misfortune will follow. The swallows and the storks will set the house on fire if their nests are destroyed and the death of the snake will also end the life of the inhabitants, because they are presented as double egos. This later perspective can be supported both by personal stories and folk ballads on the lad who grew together with the serpent beneath the house. There are also many legends on swallows and storks backing up the mythological image of these migratory birds. The active beliefs also influenced architecture and crafts, since people felt the need to decorate their houses, gates and house objects mainly with the image of the snake, but also with representations of the swallow. The conviction is so strong that even animals who harm the birds are believed to suffer from their revenge. The portraits are obviously drawn in an humanizing manner in order to support the idea of special creatures coming to help the entire household. While the birds have a solar projection, since they come in Romania with the spring and leave when the day is getting shorter, the serpent keeps his sepulchral auro that has been documented ever since Roman Antiquity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finding of Two Species from the Tribe Synhimantea (Nematoda, Acuariidae) in the Kyiv Zoological Park. Syrota, Ya. Yu., Kharchenko, V. O., Lyaskivskiy, V. N., Kobylinsky, V. V., Vasylkivska, I. B. - The article presents the description of Desportesius sagitattus (Rudolphi, 1809) and Dispharynx nasuta (Rudolphi, 1819) based on original studies of the material collected in the Kyiv Zoo. De. sagitattus was found in Ukraine for the first time. Di. nasuta, found in Grus grus Linnaeus, 1758, is uncommon parasite of this host species. Larvae of Di. nasuta from the intermediate hosts, woodlice Oniscidea spp., are also described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to describe the origin, course and ramifications of the cardiac veins in storks. For this purpose, coloured latex injection method was applied on heart of nine adult storks. The results indicate that venous drainage of the heart was provided by the v. cardiaca sinistra, the v. cardiaca media, the vv. cardiacae dextrae and the vv. cardiacae minimae. The coronary sinus was not found in all samples. The v. cardiaca sinistra and v. cardiaca media were opened into the v. cava cranialis sinistra. The v. cardiaca sinistra was the largest vein providing to venous drainage of heart which consisted of two main parts pars interventriculars and v. cardiaca circumflexa sinistra.Jhe v. cardiaca circumflexa sinistra was collected to venous blood of the ventriculus sinister and atrium sinistrum by means of several vessels. One branch of the v. cardiaca circumflexa sinistra coming from ventriculus sinister was much larger than rest and drained big part of ventriculus sinister. The v. cardiac media was a single vein. The vv. cardiacae dextrae were opened directly into the right atrium. The vv. cardiacae minimae were collected venous blood from the wall of atrium dextrum and interventricular septum and emptied into the right chambers of heart. The venous blood of the interventricular septum was collected by the vv. septales of pars interventricularis and v. cardiaca media. It was concluded that circulation of cardiac veins in stork closely resembles that of rodent and is unlike both fowl and ostrich patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we morphologically investigated storks' tongue and compared with other avian species for the similarities and differences. Six storks were used in the study. Stork tongue composed of three parts; apex linguae, corpus linguae and radix linguae and were connected with frenulum linguae in the ventral of the mount. The most thick epithelial layer and the most keratinization were located on the apex linguae and the dorsal part of the radix linguae in stork tongue. Although, macroscopically papillae was not seen, on microscopical examination filiform papillae was observed on the dorsal part of the radix linguae. Lingual glands were not present in the submucosal layer. In conclusion, it is the first time that morphological structure of tongue in the storks have been investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: There is growing evidence that ubiquitous environmental contaminants may interfere with vertebrate endocrine systems. The selected endocrine biomarkers are used to indicate the condition of free-ranging populations of wildlife, including avian species. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of environment quality on serum thyroxine (T4) and melatonin (Mel) in white stork nestlings (Ciconia ciconia) living in different locations: small villages in natural areas surrounded by forests and crop fields, near the city and near the copper smelter. We extended our analyses to examine the hormones'' day–night changes in conjunction with chicks'' age. Total serum T4 and Mel was measured by RIA. T4 level, as a decisive measure of thyroid hormone productivity, was significantly lower in the nestlings exposed to pollutants from the copper smelter. Mel, as a well-known scavenger of free radicals, was elevated in the nestlings in the area near the copper smelter. This study indicates that alteration in T4 and Mel levels could be a useful marker of exposure of nestling wild storks to different toxic substances in field studies. Mel is postulated to be a susceptible defensive molecule as a protective mechanism for organisms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Stereospecific Stille coupling reactions of 2-metallo-dihydropyrans with Z-vinyl iodo alcohols and subsequent cyclisation provides rapid access to 1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane family of spiroketals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Slender legged stilt birds give the impression of striding more gracefully and more slowly than other bipeds when moving over ground, a behavioural characteristic often thought to be linked to the challenges imposed by walking on tendril stilts. To test the significance of this impression, video sequences (50 Hz) of free ranging storks were digitised and analysed. Spatio-temporal gait characteristics (stride length, step length, stride frequency, duty factor, swing phase duration) were determined and compared with those of other bird species and humans, taking account of speed of locomotion, leg length and body mass. Storks increase their speed mainly by increasing stride frequency, and to a lesser extent by taking longer strides. Step length is nearly independent of speed. As a result, the duty factor decreases when walking faster, becoming somewhat smaller than 0.5 m only at higher speeds. At speeds below 1.3 m/s swing phase duration decreases with increased walking velocity; at higher speeds swing phase duration remains nearly constant. In general, spatio-temporal gait characteristics do not differ in their dimensionless form from those of other bipeds. However, storks definitely walk much slower than would be expected from their size (leg length and mass). This suggests that these slender legged stilt birds, although walking dynamically similarly to other bipeds, do limit their walking speed, probably to avoid excessive musculo-skeletal stresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present the design and implementation of an application-layer data throughput prediction and optimization service for many-task computing in widely distributed environments. This service uses multiple parallel TCP streams to improve the end-to-end throughput of data transfers. A novel mathematical model is developed to determine the number of parallel streams, required to achieve the best network performance. This model can predict the optimal number of parallel streams with as few as three prediction points. We implement this new service in the Stork Data Scheduler, where the prediction points can be obtained using Iperf and GridFTP samplings. Our results show that the prediction cost plus the optimized transfer time is much less than the nonoptimized transfer time in most cases. As a result, Stork data transfer jobs with optimization service can be completed much earlier, compared to nonoptimized data transfer jobs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]