Grouse reintroduction programs are often hindered by the rapid loss of released birds to predators. The ability to predict how release candidates will respond to danger is an important step toward selective-release programs that increase the effectiveness of population reinforcement. We studied captive-bred three-week-old western capercaillie chicks. The chicks were placed in a novel environment and sequentially exposed to a moving bird silhouette in its “goose” and “hawk” orientations. We tested whether their individual responses could be predicted from the tonic immobility test, a standard method for assessing individual stress responses. The tonic immobility test was administered twice to each chick: duration was measured at two weeks of age (TI2) and at three weeks of age (TI3), one day before the two model presentations. Chicks with longer TI3 either ignored the “hawk” or resumed exploring or feeding after briefly freezing. Chicks with shorter TI3 responded more strongly, either by freezing for a prolonged period or by escaping. The response to the “goose,” which was always presented before the “hawk,” was unrelated to TI3. Tonic immobility duration was repeatable during the third week of life, but TI2 did not predict defensive responses in three-week-old chicks. Defensive responses showed significant temporal consistency during the fourth week of life and significant contextual consistency at three, but not four, weeks of age.
Information on bats was collected during field surveys in 2001–2024 in 22 administrative districts of the Republic of Bashkortostan, Ural region, and eastern European Russia. Our studies summarize new and previously published information on the habitats and distribution of 14 species of bats (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae). For the first time in Bashkortostan, habitats of the Giant Noctule Nyctalus lasiopterus were identified and the presence of the Soprano Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pygmaeus was established. Information on the locations and dates, the relative abundance and occurrence, the age and sex composition, and the nature of stay and environmental status is presented. The species Vespertilio murinus, Myotis brandtii, Eptesicus nilssonii, M. daubentonii, Plecotus auritus, P. nathusii, N. noctula, M. mystacinus, and M. dasycneme are especially widespread and abundant in the Republic of Bashkortostan, amounting to 93.1
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a type of non-coding RNAs that are evolutionarily conserved in plants, playing a significant function in regulating gene expression in metabolic and physiological processes such as the biotic stress response. Flax is an annual herb cultivated for diverse purposes, including dietary and medicinal uses. This study aimed to identify and characterize novel flax miRNAs using computational approaches based on comparative genetics in the flax genome and predict their pathogen effector protein (Avr) targets related to the pathogenicity of Melampsora lini. As a result, one novel flax miRNA (miR156) was predicted in the flax genome using the expressed sequence tags (ESTs) database according to the proposed strict rules. Depending on their sequence complementarity, one potential miRNA target associated with the Avr gene was determined. The findings of the current investigation provide new insights into RNA-based molecular strategies for plant disease management.
The Macqueen’s Bustard (Chlamydotis macqueenii) firstly recorded from the south-eastern part of Türkiye, Diyarbakır province. The species have been observed by local villager near Ergani district (38°16′27′′ N, 39°51′16′′ E) where is located north of Diyarbakır city centre, on January 6, 2026. The recent record and available other records of species from the country were evaluated for the occurrence of species in Türkiye. A total of seven records of Macqueen’s Bustard has been documented in Türkiye over more than a century, together with the most recent record from the Ergani district of Diyarbakır, which represents the first recorded occurrence in this region. The recent assessment based on available data indicates that the species remains as a vagrant in Türkiye, with no indication of a resident population. However, at least six individuals have been recorded over the past 10–15 years, but these records are not readily explained by range expansion or altered migratory dynamics. These individuals are highly likely to represent juveniles originating from populations east of the Caspian Sea, particularly those associated with Kazakhstan, that deviated from their typical migratory routes and dispersed westward. As a result, the species is now recorded only sporadically and at extremely low numbers in Türkiye. Moreover, considering the species’ global vulnerable status, a long-term monitoring programme is recommended to assess national population size and to support effective conservation.
Arterial hypertension is characterized by the development of chronic indolent inflammation, activation of innate and adaptive immunity cells. The number and activity of certain subsets of T cells changes. This is probably the key mechanism for the development and maintenance of chronic inflammation in this disease. Hormones such as angiotensin II (Ang II), estrogens and testosterone affect the profile and characteristics of T cells. High levels of angiotensin II contribute to a decrease in the number of Foxp3+ cells, an increase in the number of monocytes, Th1, Th2 and Th17. Age and gender differences in the number of T cells are shown. With age the number of naive T cells decreases, senescent lymphocytes increase, T cell activity and production of proinflammatory cytokines increase. These changes in the T cell balance probably contribute to the creation of a proinflammatory environment in the body and an increased risk of developing high blood pressure. The number of T cells and their functional activity depend on the level of estrogens. This affects the incidence and severity of hypertension in postmenopausal women. Modulation of estrogen levels and estrogen receptor activity may serve as promising approaches to prevent the development of arterial hypertension.
