Community structure of raptors in the páramo landscape of the Ecuadorian Andes

Introduction: Habitat alterations result in biodiversity loss, particularly in regions with high levels of diversity and endemism. Raptors are an essential part of the functionality and stability of ecosystems and indicators of habitat quality. In the paramo grassland ecosystems in the high Andes of Northern South America, raptors contain a high concentration of threatened species. Objective: To describe the raptor community structure and determine the species associations. Methods: We made monthly raptor counts in eight transects from October 2021 to September 2022 and used a principal component analysis to determine species associations. Results: We identified 149 individuals (seven species, three families) in two communities: abundant (Carunculated Caracara, Variable Hawk, Andean Condor and Turkey Vulture; PCI = 47 %), and scarce (Cinereous Harrier, Peregrine Falcon and Aplomado Falco; PCII = 27 %). Conclusion: We provide a valid description and understanding of raptor community structure, identifying two communities and the dynamics between them. The first is characterized by an increased abundance of generalist and regionally common species, when the abundance of these species decreases, the second community is defined, characterized by an increase in the abundance of specialist and rare species at the local scale.

Introducción: Las alteraciones del hábitat provocan la pérdida de biodiversidad, especialmente en regiones con altos niveles de diversidad y endemismo. Las aves rapaces son una parte esencial de la funcionalidad y estabilidad de los ecosistemas, y son indicadores de la calidad del hábitat. En los ecosistemas de páramo en los Andes del norte de Sudamérica, hay una concentración de especies rapaces amenazadas. Objetivo: Describir la estructura de la comunidad de aves rapaces y determinar las asociaciones entre las especies. Métodos: Hicimos conteos mensuales de rapaces en ocho transectos, de octubre 2021 a setiembre 2022 y usamos un análisis de componentes principales para determinar las asociaciones entre especies. Resultados: Identificamos 149 individuos (siete especies, tres familias) en dos comunidades: abundantes (e.g., Caracara Curiquingue, Gavilán Variable, Cóndor Andino y Gallinazo Cabecirrojo; PCI = 47 %), y poco abundantes (e.g., Caracara Curiquingue, Gavilán Variable, Cóndor Andino y Gallinazo Cabecirrojo; PCII = 27 %). Conclusiones: Nuestro enfoque proporciona una descripción y comprensión válida de la estructura de la comunidad de rapaces. Identificamos dos comunidades y la dinámica entre ellas. La primera se caracteriza por una mayor abundancia de especies generalistas y regionalmente comunes, cuando la abundancia de estas especies disminuye, se define la segunda comunidad, caracterizada por un aumento de la abundancia de especies especialistas y raras a escala local.

Bicolored Hawk, Accipiter bicolor in Guayaquil city (Western Ecuador): new preys-species records and citizen science urban records

Accipiter bicolor is a widely distributed Neotropical raptor but knowledge about its ecology is poor, particularly in urban areas. In this work, we document the presence of A. bicolor in the city of Guayaquil and in nearby forested areas, in addition, we provide new records on its diet and discuss possible foraging strategies in synanthropic environments. Also, reports of this species are considered on citizen science platforms. Accipiter bicolor was observed consuming an individual of Columbina bluckeyi and another of Artibeus fraterculus; near a colony of this species of bat. Finally, we found 59 records of A. bicolor between 2007 and 2022 for Guayaquil and its surrounding areas, 14 records were in urban habitats. Observations in different urban and peri-urban habitats are discussed, as well as their feeding habits.

Accipiter bicolor es una rapaz Neotropical ampliamente distribuida pero el conocimiento sobre su ecología es escaso en particular en zonas urbanas. En este trabajo, documentamos la presencia de A. bicolor en la ciudad de Guayaquil y en áreas boscosas cercanas, además, proveemos nuevos registros sobre su dieta y discutimos posibles estrategias de forrajeo en ambientes sinantrópicas. También, se consideran reportes de esta especie en plataformas de ciencia ciudadana. Accipiter bicolor fue observada consumiendo un individuo de Columbina bluckeyi y otro de Artibeus fraterculus; cerca de una colonia de esta especie de murciélago. Finalmente, se encontraron 59 registros de A. bicolor entre el 2007 y 2022 para Guayaquil y sus áreas circundantes, 14 registros fueron en hábitat urbanos. Se discute las observaciones en diferentes hábitats urbanos y periurbanos, así como sus hábitos de alimenticios.

Insights into the development of a juvenile harpy eagle's hunting skills / Considerações sobre o desenvolvimento da habilidade de caça de um gavião-real juvenil

The post-fledging period is of paramount importance for raptors, since this is when a juvenile develops its hunting skills and gains the abilities required in adulthood and independence through dispersal. Little is known however, about this stage in the lives of raptors such as harpy eagles, Harpia harpyja. Between March 2016 and July 2017, we recorded three predation attempts on groups of primates by a wild juvenile harpy eagle in southwestern Brazilian Amazonia, including the first predation of an adult squirrel monkey, Saimiri ustus. These sequential records give insights into the gradual development of hunting skills during the post-fledging period, similar to what has been reported for other birds of prey. We hypothesize that a link between developing flight skills, decreasing parental food provisioning and increasingly successful captures triggers adulthood and independence in harpy eagles. (AU)

O período pós-emplumagem é de suma importância para os rapinantes, pois é quando um jovem desenvolve a habilidade de caça necessária na idade adulta e a independência por meio da dispersão. Entretanto, pouco se sabe sobre esse estágio na vida de rapinantes como o gavião-real, Harpia harpyja. Entre março 2016 e julho 2017, três tentativas de predação sobre grupos de primatas por um gavião-real juvenil foram registradas no sudoeste da Amazônia brasileira, incluindo a primeira predação de um macaco-de-cheiro adulto, Saimiri ustus. Estes registros sequenciais indicam um desenvolvimento gradual da habilidade de caça ao longo do período de pós-emplumagem, de forma similar ao relatado para outros rapinantes. Hipotetizamos que a associação entre o desenvolvimento da habilidade de voo, diminuição do provisionamento pelos pais e aumento da taxa de capturas bem-sucedidas promove a maturidade e independência no gavião-real.(AU)

Haemoproteus in barn and collared scops owls from Thailand

The barn owl (BO) and the collared scops owl (CSO) are common nocturnal raptors throughout Thailand. Blood samples from 23 adult BOs and 14 CSOs were collected and processed for complete blood cell counts and parasite morphological examinations. Two Haemoproteus-positive samples were processed for ultrastructural observation. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis for a partial cytochrome b gene (cytb) from Haemoproteus was performed in all samples. Haemoproteus presence detected by light microscopy was lower than that detected by PCR (30.4% and 34.8%, respectively, in BO; and 50.0% and 78.6%, respectively, in CSO). Comparative hematology revealed that Haemoproteus-positive BOs had higher mean cell hemoglobin concentration, total leukocyte, absolute heterophil, basophil, and monocyte counts than Haemoproteus-negative BOs, but no significant differences between Haemoproteus-negative and

Raptor induces migration and invasion of breast cancerthrough epithelial-mesenchymal transition / 中国药理学通报

Aim To study the molecular mechanism of Raptor in the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells and provide the clinical theory basis for prevention of breast cancer invasion and metastasis.Methods Western blot was used to detect the expression of Raptor protein in MCF-7 cells and MDA231 cells.The siRNA plasmids were used to transfect MDA231 cells.At the same time,the plasmid pcDNA3.1-Raptor was transfected into MCF-7 breast cancer cells.And Western blot was used to analyze the protein expression level of E-cadherin and Vimentin.Transwell was used to test the ability of invasion.Nucleus mass separation experiment was used to test the expression of Snail.Results The expression of Raptor protein in MDA231 cells was higher than in the MCF-7 cell.When the control group of Scr/MDA231 cells compared with siRaptor/MDA231,Raptor protein expression was decreased obviously after plasmid transfection interference,accompanied by reduction of Vimentin protein expression and increase of E-cadherin protein expression.Compared with MCF-7/Con,Raptor protein expression significantly increased in MCF-7/Raptor,accompanied by increase of Vimentin protein expression and reduction of E-cadherin protein expression.The number of cells through the artificial basilemma Transwell in siRaptor/MDA231 cells was significantly reduced(P<0.05),and the number of cells through the Transwell chambers artificial basilemma was significantly increased in MCF-7/Raptor(P<0.05).Nucleus mass separation experiment results showed that the expression of Snail decreased obviously in the siRaptor/MDA231 than in the Scr/MDA231,however,the expression of Snail was obviously higher in the MCF-7/Raptor.Conclusions Raptor can promote the occurrence of EMT in breast cancer,thus it promotes invasion and metastasis of breast cancer.

Relationships of Raptor and Rictor expression with angiogenesis in colorectal cancer and their clinical significance / 临床与实验病理学杂志

Purpose To detect the expression of Raptor,Rictor,angiogenesis-related factors HIF-lα,HIF-2α and VEGF and to investigate their relationship and significance in eolorectal cancer (CRC).Methods Immunohistochemistry,Western blot and RT-PCR were employed to detect the expression of Raptor,Rictor,HIF-lα,HIF-2α and VEGF in 120 cases of CRC and 60 cases of normal colorectal mucosa.CD34 labeled microvascular density (MVD) was also observed.The correlations between Raptor,Rictor,HIF-1α,HIF-2c,VEGF expression and the patients' clinicopathological features were analyzed.Results The positive rates of Raptor,Rictor,HIF-1c,HIF-2α and VEGF in CRC were significantly higher than those in normal colorectal mucosa (P ＜ 0.05).Raptor and Rictor expression was correlated with the degree of tumor diffcrentiation and lymph node metastasis,respectively.The expression of HIF-1α,HIF2α and VEGF was higher in patients with lymph node metastasis than those in patients without lymph node metastasis (P ＜0.05).The MVD was higher in patients with Raptor or Rictor positive than that in patients with Raptor or Rictor negative (P ＜0.05).The expression of Raptor was positively correlated with HIF-1α and VEGF (P ＜ 0.01),the expression of Rictor was positively correlated with HIF-2o and VEGF (P ＜ 0.01),but the expression of Raptor was negatively correlated with Rictor (P＜0.01).Conclusion The expression of mTOR core molecules Raptor and Rictor is related to the initiation and development of colorectal cancer and angiogenesis,and they promote angiogenesis in colorectal cancer by different ways.

Effect of Raptor on invasion ability of glioma cells / 中国病理生理杂志

[ ABSTRACT] AIM:To study the influence of Raptor on the invasion ability of glioma cells.METHODS: The technique of RNA interference was used.U87 cells were transfected with Raptor restricted siRNA plasmid, and the expres-sion level of Raptor in the transfected cells was detected by Western blotting.The invasive ability of the cancer cells in vitro was determined.The phosphorylation level of ARK5 and the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were detected by Western blotting.The expression levels of Raptor in the tumor samples of low-grade gliomas ( WTO grade I and grade II) and high-grade gliomas (WTO grade III and grade IV) were also analyzed by immunohistochemical staining.RESULTS: Raptor siRNA was transfected into U87 cells and the cells were named siRaptor/U87 cells.The cells transfected with the control plasmid was named Scr/U87 cells.The expression level of Raptor in siRaptor/U87 cells was lower than that in Scr/U87 cells.The results of in vitro invasion assay showed that the number of siRaptor/U87 cells penetrating the Matrivgel matrix membrane was less than that of Scr/U87 cells (P<0.01).The protein expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9, and phosphoryl-ation of ARK5 protein in the cells in the experimental group were lower than those in control group.The correlation between the expression of Raptor in gliomas and the degree of deterioration was also observed ( P<0.01) .CONCLUSION: The expression of Raptor may contribute to the invasion ability of glioma cells by phosphorylation of ARK5 and increase in the levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9.

Different distribution and expression of mammalian target of rapamycin complex in the kidney of diabetic nephropathy mice / 解剖学报

Objective To investigate the different distribution and expression of mammalian target of rapamycin complex (mTORC) in the kidney of diabetic nephropathy (DN) mice.Methods Fourteen eight-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were assigned to 2 groups: the control group ( n=7 ) and the streptozotocin ( STZ )-induced DN group ( n=7 ) . Blood and urinary variables including glucose , albumin, creatinine and albumin/creatinine ratio were assessed 2 weeks after STZ injection.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed for renal pathological analyses .The distributions of mTOR , phosph-ser2448-mTOR(p-mTOR), mTORC1(Raptor), mTORC2(Rictor) and phosph-ser240/244-S6K1 (p-S6K1) were determined by immunofluorescence.The expression levels of mTOR, p-mTOR, mTORC1(Raptor), mTORC2(Rictor), S6K1 and p-S6K1 were detected by Western blotting .Results Two weeks after STZ injection , the diabetic mice developed albuminuria (P<0.01) and renal hypertrophy (P<0.05).The immunofluorescence positive staining for mTOR , Raptor, and Rictor was distributed in the epithelial cells of proximal tubules , glomerular mesangium and capillary loops as well as the medullary collecting ducts of the control mouse kidney .These positive signals increased in the DN mouse kidney ( P<0.05).However, pS6K1 was not detected in the inner medulla of control mouse and p-mTOR was not found in the glomeruli of both control and DN mice .Conclusion mTORC is widely expessed in the mouse kidney and participates in the development of DN , whereas the 2448 serine phosphorylation of mTOR may be not implicated in the hyperglycemia mediated glomerular injury .

Strategies for controlling house fly populations resistant to cyromazine / Estratégias para o controle de populações de mosca doméstica resistentes à ciromazina

Os objetivos deste estudo foram comparar, dos pontos de vista biológico e econômico, o impacto de várias estratégias de controle e avaliar os seus efeitos sobre a Musca domestica L., resistente à ciromazina, e sobre parasitóides benéficos da pupas de mosca doméstica em aviários (240.000 frangos) na Argentina. As estratégias avaliadas foram: controle químico, controle químico + cultural, e químico+ cultural + biológico (manejo integrado de pragas). Os produtos utilizados foram: ciromazina 1% e 50%, DDVP, azametifós com e sem z-9-tricoseno, calcário, e os parasitóides Spalangia endius Walker e Muscidifurax raptor Girault & Sanders. No caso de ausência de medidas de controle, a densidadepopulacional da mosca aumentou rapidamente e a média de parasitismo foi de 12%. Quando somente o controle químico foi utilizado, as populações de moscas foram reduzidas para 40 por grupo e a média de parasitismo foi de 2%. Quando a ciromazina tópica foi utilizada em conjunto com o controle cultural (calcário), a população de moscas foi reduzida mais rapidamente que nos tratamentos com moscas alimentadas com ciromazina 1%. Com o uso subseqüente de vespas parasitas, altos índices de parasitismo foram observados e a população de mosca doméstica foi reduzida aos níveis de tolerância em tempo menor que em todos os outros tratamentos. Dos pontos de vista biológico e econômico, o melhortratamento para controle de mosca doméstica resistente à ciromazina foi o controle biológico + cultural + químico com aplicações localizadas de ciromazina tópica.

The objectives of this study were to compare, from both biological and economic viewpoints, the impact of various control strategies and evaluate their effect on cyromazine-resistantMusca domestica L., and beneficial house fly pupal parasitoids on caged-layer farms (240,000 hens) in Argentina. The strategies evaluated were: chemical, chemical + cultural, and chemical + cultural + biological (integrated management). The products used were: cyromazine 1% and 50%, DDVP, azamethiphos with and without z-9-tricosene, lime, and the parasitoids Spalangia endius Walker and Muscidifurax raptor Girault & Sanders. In the absence of control measures, fly density increased quickly and the average parasitism rate was 12%. When only chemical control was used, fly populations were reduced to ca. 40/grid and parasitism averaged 2%. When topical cyromazine was used in conjunction with cultural control (lime), fly populations were reduced more rapidly than those treated with cyromazine 1% feed-through. With the subsequent use of parasitic wasps, high parasitism levels were observed andhouse flies were reduced to tolerance levels in the shortest time. From an economic and biological point of view, the best treatment for house flies resistant to cyromazine was biological + cultural + chemical with localized applications of topical cyromazine.