Fringes of the empire: Diet and cultural change at the Roman to post‐Roman transition in NW Iberia

A growing number of paleodiet investigations over recent years have begun to reveal the stark dietary differences that existed between regions of the Roman Empire, as well as significant changes in subsistence strategies after its fall. The present study explores the dietary changes at the Roman to post‐Roman (Germanic) transition in the Northwest Iberian Peninsula, in order to improve our understanding of the changes that occurred at end of the Roman Empire in different regions across Europe and to also consider the influence of climate had on them. The carbon and nitrogen stable isotope investigation in bone collagen from A Lanzada, NW Spain (100–700 AD), which was an important commercial, coastal settlement has been presented. A human sample of 59 individuals, 6 of them subadults, is compared with 31 faunal specimens, which include a number of marine fish. Isotope data for the terrestrial fauna reveal the influence of the sea on the local isotope baseline. Analysis of the human samples indicates a mixed marine‐terrestrial diet. A shift in mean human δ¹³C values from ?16.7‰ to ?14.3‰ provides clear evidence for a significant change in diet in the post‐Roman period, probably through the intensification of both marine resources exploitation and C₄‐plant consumption (presumably millet). A deterioration of paleoenvironmental conditions, together with a poor socioeconomic situation and the arrival of new people, the Sueves, who brought a new political and socioeconomic system have been discussed as the main causes for the dietary modification in post‐Roman times.     

辛伐他汀联合运动训练治疗COPD稳定期合并代谢综合征患者的临床研究

目的:探讨辛伐他汀联合运动训练治疗慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)稳定期合并代谢综合征患者的临床疗效,为临床治疗提供指导。方法:按照随机数字表法将2013年9月-2015年3月我院收治的COPD稳定期合并代谢综合征患者分为A、B组和对照组,A组患者在常规治疗的基础上联合辛伐他汀和运行训练,B组患者在常规治疗的基础上以辛伐他汀治疗,对照组患者仅以常规治疗。治疗后6个月,比较三组患者的临床治疗效果。结果:A、B组治疗后的血清白细胞介素-6(IL-6)白细胞介素-8(IL-8)以及肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)水平低于治疗前,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),对照组治疗后的IL-6、IL-8及TNF-α水平与治疗前差异无统计学意义(P0.05),治疗后A组的IL-6、IL-8及TNF-α水平明显低于B组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。A组的胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)低于B组、对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);A、B组的颈-股动脉脉搏波速度(CFPWV)低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。A、B组治疗后的改良医学研究委员会量表(m MRC)低于对照组,A组m MCR低于B组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),A、B组治疗后的6 min步行距离(6MWD)高于对照组,A组6MWD高于B组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:辛伐他汀联合运动训练能明显降低COPD稳定期合并代谢综合征患者的炎症性反应,改善患者的胰岛素抵抗和大动脉弹性,提高临床治疗效果。     

胰岛素注射液启封后有效期内细菌污染情况调查分析

目的:分析生物合成胰岛素注射液启封后有效期内细菌污染情况,并总结其合理的使用方法及时间。方法:收集我院各个科室使用的胰岛素注射液96瓶,启封后分别在不同使用时间和保存温度下采集样本进行细菌学检测。结果:本实验中96瓶启封后有效期内的生物胰岛素注射液中,共有10瓶细菌培养呈阳性,阳性率为10.41%。其中7d之内启封的胰岛素注射液细菌培养全部呈阴性,其余各组的胰岛素注射液细菌培养均呈阳性及存在菌落,随着启封时间的延长,细菌培养阳性率及菌落数上升,且各组之间的差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05)。研究中保存温度2~4℃的细菌培养全部呈阴性,其余各组的胰岛素注射液细菌培养均呈阳性及存在菌落,随着保存温度的升高,细菌培养阳性率及菌落数上升,且各组之间的差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:胰岛素注射液启封后有效期内随着时间的延长以及保存温度的升高,细菌培养的阳性率及菌落数量上升,临床使用时要应尽量在7d内使用完,并且尽量保存在低于25℃环境中。     

Proteomic analysis of Rac1 signaling regulation by guanine nucleotide exchange factors

The small GTPase Rac1 is implicated in various cellular processes that are essential for normal cell function. Deregulation of Rac1 signaling has also been linked to a number of diseases, including cancer. The diversity of Rac1 functioning in cells is mainly attributed to its ability to bind to a multitude of downstream effectors following activation by Guanine nucleotide Exchange Factors (GEFs). Despite the identification of a large number of Rac1 binding partners, factors influencing downstream specificity are poorly defined, thus hindering the detailed understanding of both Rac1's normal and pathological functions. In a recent study, we demonstrated a role for 2 Rac-specific GEFs, Tiam1 and P-Rex1, in mediating Rac1 anti- versus pro-migratory effects, respectively. Importantly, via conducting a quantitative proteomic screen, we identified distinct changes in the Rac1 interactome following activation by either GEF, indicating that these opposing effects are mediated through GEF modulation of the Rac1 interactome. Here, we present the full list of identified Rac1 interactors together with functional annotation of the differentially regulated Rac1 binding partners. In light of this data, we also provide additional insights into known and novel signaling cascades that might account for the GEF-mediated Rac1-driven cellular effects.     

Underwater acoustic behavior of bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus) in the northeastern Chukchi Sea, 2007–2010

Bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus) calls were recorded using autonomous passive acoustic recorders deployed in the northeastern Chukchi Sea between October 2007 and October 2010. Continuous acoustic data were acquired during summer (August to mid‐October), and overwinter data (mid‐October through July) were acquired on a duty cycle of 40/48 min every 4 h. We investigated the spatio‐temporal distribution and acoustic behavior of vocalizing bearded seals in this multiyear data set. Peaks in calling occurred in spring, coinciding with the mating period, and calls stopped abruptly in late June/early July. Fewer calls were detected in summer, and the vocal presence of seals increased with the formation of pack ice in winter. Vocal activity was higher at night than during the day, with a peak around 0400 (AKST). Monthly patterns in proportional use of each call type and call duration were examined for the first time. The proportion and duration of AL1(T) and AL2(T) call types increased during the mating period, suggesting that males advertise their breeding condition by producing those specific longer trills. The observed seasonal and diel trends were consistent between years. These results improve our understanding of occurrence and acoustic behavior of bearded seals across the northeastern Chukchi Sea.     

太湖贡湖湾食物网特征研究

应用稳定性同位素技术(13C和15N)研究了太湖贡湖湾食物网特征, 结果显示由于食物来源变化多样性影响, 导致贡湖的食物网结构和营养级关系变化较为复杂, 贡湖主要生物类群13C、15N值表现出较大的种间差异。消费者13C值从摇蚊幼虫的-32.3到锯齿米虾的-22.1, 其值大小与营养级的关系没有规律性。消费者平均15N值从褶纹冠蚌的10.3到位于顶端间下鳙的19.0, 随营养级位置而升高。群落中所有种类的15N、13C值之间没有相关性(r=0.1835, P0.05), 表明该食物网是非线性食物网。研究结果验证了杂食性生物有机体普遍存在于富营养化的贡湖水域生态系统中, 且13C结果表明, 浮游植物、固着藻类以及沉水植物为贡湖食物网中大多数生物有机体的主要碳源。贡湖食物链长度为4.44营养级。     

夏季若尔盖高寒湿地水生生物群落食物网结构特征

为了解若尔盖高寒湿地夏季水生生物群落食物网结构及营养关系特征,应用稳定同位素技术分析了若尔盖湿地 3个不同区域(ZS1、ZS2和ZS3)水生生物群落碳、氮稳定同位素比值,并计算了13C-15N同位素生态位中的6个营养结构量化指标。结果显示:外源性营养源陆生植物13C、15N值分别为-28.23- -26.07,-1.20-5.98; 内源性营养源颗粒有机物 (POM:主要成分为藻类)和水生植物13C、15N值分别为-26.39- -21.17、-25.37- -24.15,3.68-6.61、3.50-4.01; 其中POM样品13C、15N组成存在明显的区域性差异(P0.05,P0.001)。食物网营养结构分析显示若尔盖湿地外源性碳源输入(优势陆生植物)对于维持该水域生态系统结构稳定有着十分重要的作用。若尔盖湿地水域食物网营养级介于2-3,暗示了其生态系统结构的相对脆弱性。同位素量化指标标记发现若尔盖湿地水生动物群落生态结构存在明显的空间异质性,可能与若尔盖湿地发达的畜牧产业相关。     

长江上游中华沙鳅食性特征的C、N同位素分析

应用C、N稳定同位素技术并结合肠含物分析对我国长江上游特有鱼类中华沙鳅（Sinibotia superciliaris）不同发育阶段食性进行了探究。结果显示:中华沙鳅13C、15N平均值分别为（22.480.85）、（10.090.69）;不同体长段13C（P0.05,F=2.44）、15N（P0.01,F=6.06）值差异显著,暗示了中华沙鳅在生长发育过程中存在食性转变现象;体长80 mm的个体主要摄食水生昆虫和藻类,属杂食偏肉食性鱼类;体长80 mm的个体,其食物以虾类、淡水壳菜和水生昆虫为主,属肉食性鱼类。中华沙鳅营养级位于2.02-2.47,与长江上游多种底栖型鱼类生态位相似;食物竞争可能是导致其摄食强度弱和资源量下降的原因之一。研究结果可为长江上游中华沙鳅野生资源保护提供理论参考。     

红颈常室茧蜂蛹发育的形态特征

红颈常室茧蜂Peristenus spretus Chen et van Achterberg是一种绿盲蝽若虫的优势内寄生蜂,本研究利用超景深三维显微系统、显微镜观察了红颈常室茧蜂老熟幼虫发育特征、蛹形态特征及蛹发育后期卵巢的超微结构。结果表明:红颈常室茧蜂蛹期为12～15 d,其中雌蛹期比雄蛹期长2～3 d。根据其形态特征,可将蛹划分为预蛹期、第一蛹阶段、第二蛹阶段、第三蛹阶段。蛹期发育前9 d,蛹期组织结构开始分化形成,成蜂的外部形态基本显现,但性别难以区分;蛹期发育至10～14 d,可通过幼蜂体表颜色的变化或腹部末端的形状区分性别,在相同的适宜温度条件下,雌蜂比雄蜂颜色深,雌蜂腹部末端比较尖,有突出的产卵瓣,雄峰腹部末端钝圆,无凸起;雌蜂卵巢在化蛹后的第11天开始形成,卵巢初期的形状如细丝,此时卵巢管已开始初步分化,但卵室尚未分化;蛹发育至第12天时,卵巢管逐渐加粗,卵室开始分化;第13天时,卵巢管、卵室数量逐渐增多;第14天卵巢基部开始有少量成熟卵子产生,呈乳白色。10～12 d,雄蜂腹部末端绒毛逐渐增多,体壁变硬,逐渐角质化,虫体可活动,雄蜂胸部略带黑色,翅逐渐伸展开,整个虫体呈浅红棕色。本研究结果明确了红颈常室茧蜂蛹发育的形态变化过程,提出了蛹期雌雄区分的方法,叙述了蛹后期卵巢发育特征,为研究该蜂繁殖机理奠定了形态学基础。