Release from sheep-grazing appears to put some heart back into upland vegetation: A comparison of nutritional properties of plant species in long-term grazing experiments

Rewilding or wilding is a popularised means for enhancing the conservation value of marginal land. In the British uplands, it will involve a reduction, or complete removal, of livestock grazing (sheep), based on the belief that grazing has reduced plant species diversity, the ‘Wet Desert’ hypothesis. The hope is that if livestock is removed, diversity will recover. If true, we hypothesise that the species extirpated/reduced by grazing and then recover on its removal would more nutritious compared to those that persisted. We test this hypothesis at Moor House National Nature Reserve (North-Pennines), where seven sets of paired plots were established between 1953 and 1967 to compare ungrazed/sheep-grazed vegetation. Within these plot-pairs, we compared leaf properties of seven focal species that occurred only, or were present in much greater abundance, in the absence of grazing to those of 10 common species that were common in both grazed and ungrazed vegetation. Each sample was analysed for macro-nutrients, micro-nutrients, digestibility, palatability and decomposability. We ranked the species with respect to 22 variables based on effect size derived from Generalised Linear Modelling (GLM) and compared species using a Principal Components Analysis. We also assessed changes in abundance of the focal species through time using GLMs. Our results support the ‘Wet Desert’ hypothesis, that is, that long-term sheep grazing has selectively removed/reduced species like our focal ones and on recovery, they were more nutritious (macro-nutrients, some micro-nutrients) palatable, digestible and decomposable than common species. Measured changes in abundance of the focal species suggest that their recovery will take 10–20 years in blanket bog and 60 years in high-altitude grasslands. Collectively, these results suggest that sheep grazing has brought about biotic homogenization, and its removal in (re)wilding schemes will reverse this process eventually! The ‘white woolly maggots’ have eaten at least part of the heart out of the highlands/uplands, and it will take some time for recovery.     

Adipose tissue-derived stem cells upon decellularized ovine small intestine submucosa for tissue regeneration: An optimization and comparison method

The extracellular matrix of different mammalian tissues is commonly used as scaffolds in the field of tissue engineering. One of these tissues, which has frequently been studied due to its structural and biological features, is the small intestine submucosal membrane. These research are mainly done on the porcine small intestine. However, a report has recently been published about a scaffold produced from the submucosal layer of the ovine small intestine. In the present study, ovine small intestine submucosal (OSIS) was decellularized in a modified manner and its histological, morphological, and biomechanical properties were studied. Decellularization was performed in two phases: physical and chemical. In this method, a chloroform-methanol mixture, enzymatic digestion, and a constant dose of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was used in the least agitation time and its histological property and biocompatibility were evaluated in the presence of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs); furthermore, ADSCs were isolated with a simple method (modified physical washing non-enzymatic isolation). The results were showed that the use of OSIS could be effective and operative. Mechanical properties, histological structure and shape, and glycosaminoglycan content were preserved. In the SDS-treated group, more than 90% of the native cells of tissue were deleted, and also in this group, no toxicity was observed and cell proliferation was supported, compared to the untreated group. Therefore, our results indicate that ADSCs seeded on OSIS scaffold could be used as a new approach in regenerative medicine as hybrid or hydrogel application.     

Environmental Influences on Dall's Sheep Survival

Understanding how species respond to environmental conditions can assist with conservation strategies and harvest management, especially in arctic and boreal regions that are experiencing rapid climate change. Although climatic influences on species distributions have been studied, broad-scale effects of climate on survival are less well known. We examined the interactive effects of meteorological and remotely sensed environmental variables on survival of Dall's sheep (Ovis dalli dalli) lambs and adults by synthesizing radio-telemetry data across their range. We used data from 9 studies of adult sheep and 2 studies of lambs that were conducted between 1997 and 2012 at sites spanning the species' range in Alaska, USA, and northwestern Canada. We obtained environmental variables throughout the range of Dall's sheep, including the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) from optical remote sensing, freeze-thaw frequency (FTF) from passive microwave remote sensing, and gridded climate variables such as snow water equivalent, temperature, and precipitation. We used Cox proportional hazard regression to investigate the effects of environmental variables recorded during summer, winter, and the previous winter on annual survival rates of Dall's sheep lambs and adults. Summer NDVI was the most influential environmental factor affecting lamb survival, with improved lamb survival occurring in years with a high maximum NDVI. Also, lamb predation by coyotes (Canis latrans) and golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) decreased substantially with increasing NDVI. The previous winter FTF had the strongest effect on adult survival, with decreased survival occurring after winters with high FTF. In addition, these remotely sensed environmental factors interacted with meteorological factors to affect survival, such that effects of winter temperature depended on summer NDVI and winter FTF. Warm winters increased lamb survival only when preceded by summers with high NDVI, and warm winters increased adult survival only when winter FTF was low. Thus, potential benefits of climate warming may be counteracted if wintertime freeze-thaw events markedly increase. Correlations among environmental variables across sites were low, and regional climate cycles such as the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) had weak effects, indicating substantial local variability in climatic conditions experienced by Dall's sheep across their range. These findings can help managers anticipate how Dall's sheep populations will respond to changes in local environmental conditions. Our results also highlight the utility of multiple remotely sensed environmental conditions for ungulate management, especially passive microwave products that provide valuable information on winter icing events. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.     

土壤中高产蛋白酶菌株产酶条件及酶学性质

【背景】微生物蛋白酶已经成为工业用蛋白酶的主要来源,筛选具有特殊环境适应性的微生物成为生物酶资源的开发热点。【目的】通过对青藏高原土壤微生物产蛋白酶菌株的筛选、优化及相关特性研究,寻找新的蛋白酶资源,为高原菌种资源利用提供科学依据。【方法】采用形态学和分子生物学对筛选菌株进行菌种鉴定,利用单因素试验和正交试验对菌株进行发酵条件优化及酶学性质的探究。【结果】筛选出一株高产蛋白酶菌株XC2,经鉴定菌株XC2为枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis)。XC2最优产酶条件:可溶性淀粉4.0%,牛肉膏1.0%,K~+0.6%,培养温度34°C、初始pH 7.0、接种量2.0%的条件下200 r/min振荡培养13 h,所产蛋白酶活力最高为638.5 U/mL。XC2所产蛋白酶最适反应温度60°C,最适pH9.0;40-50°C、pH8.0-10.0条件下酶活稳定性较高;Mn~(2+)对酶活力有明显激活作用,而Zn~(2+)、Cu~(2+)、Fe~(2+)、Fe3+对酶活力有明显抑制作用。【结论】枯草芽孢杆菌XC2有较强的产碱性蛋白酶的能力,具有较好的应用前景。     

Twenty-four-hour rhythm patterns of plasma melatonin in short-day and long-day breeders maintained under natural environmental conditions

ABSTRACT

Photoperiodic treatments have been of practical interest in controlling seasonal reproduction in sheep, goats and horses. Melatonin is the principal mediator of the environmental photoperiodic message. To investigate the intra- and inter-subject variability of melatonin 24 h rhythm, ten female Italian Saddle horses (8–10 yrs old, mean body weight 525 ± 30 kg), ten female Sarda breed sheep (2–3 yrs old, mean body weight 40.5 ± 2.8 kg) and ten female Sarda breed goats (3–4 yrs old, mean body weight 38.9 ± 4.1 kg), housed individually in a 4 × 4 m soundproof box equipped with 50 × 100 cm opening windows, were subjected to a natural photoperiod of the vernal equinox (sunrise 06:00 h; sunset 18:00 h). Blood samples were collected from each animal, every 3 h over a 48 h period starting at 00:00 h of day 1 and ending at 00:00 h of day 3. Plasma melatonin concentrations were determined by direct radioimmunoassay (MelatoninDirect RIA, Labor Diagnostika Nord GmbH, Nordhorn, Germany). The application of single cosinor method substantiated a circadian rhythm of melatonin with a nocturnal peak in all studied species. The application of two-way ANOVA on the rhythmic parameters indicated statistically significant differences between the three species in all of the cosinor analysis-derived parameters of MESOR, amplitude, acrophase and robustness of rhythm. Analyses of intra- and inter-subject variability indicate that organization of the melatonin 24 h rhythm is characterized by great accuracy of control within and between the individuals of a breed. In conclusion, features of the 24 h rhythm of melatonin among species; however, the 24 h rhythmicity of melatonin each species showed high stability within the various subjects and within the same subject. These findings must be taken into consideration when applying photoperiod and melatonin treatments for breeding purposes.     

中国典型冻土区土壤可培养细菌多样性

[目的]对比分析中国典型高纬度冻土区和高海拔冻土区土壤可培养细菌的多样性.[方法]采用NM、TSA 、R2A 3种培养基分离培养不同冻土区土壤可培养细菌,用通用引物扩增分离的细菌16S rRNA基因,根据系统发育分析进行鉴定.[结果]从6个样品中得到冻土土壤可培养细菌的菌落数量为4.70×103 -2.57×105 cfu/g(土壤干重),根据不同的菌落形态分离出144株可培养细菌.纯培养物的16S rRNA基因部分序列分析表明:我国高纬度冻土区土壤样品中的细菌分别属于Firmicutes分支(59.52％)、Gammaproteobacteria 分支(38.10％)、Betaproteobacteria分支(2.38％),其中假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas)、芽胞杆菌属(Bacillus)、类芽胞杆菌属(Paenibacillus)的菌株为该区域的三大优势菌群.我国高海拔冻土区土壤样品中分离细菌属于Gammaproteobacteria分支(89.22％)、Firmicutes分支(8.82％)和Bacteroidetes分支(1.96％)o优势菌群为假单胞菌属( Pseudomonas).[结论]我国高纬度冻土区和高海拔冻土区土壤具有较高的可培养细菌多样性;不同类型冻土区土壤可培养细菌群落组成不同.本文研究结果将为我国冻土区土壤细菌资源研究与利用提供理论依据.     

藏鸡微卫星文库的构建与微卫星标记筛选

通过磁珠富集法构建了藏鸡基因组微卫星富集文库,分离微卫星序列并对其进行分析.将藏鸡基因组DNA经Sau3AI酶切后纯化回收,连接特定接头.用生物素标记的(CA)12探针与藏鸡基因组酶切回收片段杂交,捕获200～900 bp片段,随后将获得的片段连接到pMD 18-T载体上,转化至JM109中,成功构建藏鸡微卫星富集文库.从1200个转化子中获得了353个阳性克隆,随机挑选53个测序,根据测序结果成功设计了18对藏鸡微卫星引物,最终筛选出6个具有多态性的微卫星标记,其PIC值均大于0.5,同时可以用于研究藏鸡遗传多样性.实验结果表明磁珠富集法能够有效提高分离微卫星标记的效率.     

藏药臭蚤草的一个新的苯丙素苷类成分

为了研究藏药臭蚤草的浩性成分,我们利用各种柱色谱技术,从藏药臭蚤草甲醇提取物的乙酸乙酯萃取相分离到4个化合物,通过1D、2DNMR、MS和HRMS等试验,鉴定为2,4-dihydroxy-6-methyl—ethanone-4-O-β-D—Glc（1）,4-（3’-hydroxypropyl）-2,6-dimethoxyphenol-3’-O-β-D—glcoside（2）,4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol-1-O-β-gleo—side（3）,2-methyl-1,3,6-trihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone-3—O-（6＇-O-Ac）-α—L—Rha-（1→2）-β-D—Gle（4）,其中化合物1—3为苯丙素苷类化合物,化合物4为蒽醌苷。化合物1—4都是首次从该属植物中分离得到,化合物1为新的苯丙素苷类化合物。     

Investigation of bathymetry and water quality of Lake Nam Co, the largest lake on the central Tibetan Plateau, China

Comprehensive field investigations have been conducted four times on Nam Co, central Tibet, from September 2005 to September 2008. Here, we present the preliminary results focusing on the bathymetric survey and water quality measurements. The isobathic map shows that Nam Co is a high-altitude, deep lake where a flat and large basin lies in the central part with a water depth of more than 90 m. Water depth data from the northwestern bank areas of Nam Co provide unquestionable evidence of rising water levels in the last 3 decades because of the formation of two small islands that were still peninsulas in the 1970s. Water quality measurements taken at 19 stations during three summer field campaigns (2006, 2007 and 2008) covering almost all of the lake areas showed that the temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen and electric conductivity of surface water are on average 11.43°C, 9.21, 8.90 mg l⁻¹ and 1,851 μS cm⁻¹, respectively. The surface water shows no obvious spatial variability among all the stations. Vertical fluctuations of profiles, however, display some differences in thermocline and related parameters, such as pH and dissolved oxygen. According to the vertical variations of water quality parameters, the water column in relatively deep lake areas of Nam Co could be divided into three layers with distinctly various features: the epilimnion is from the surface to about 18–20 m depth in which the parameters are homogeneous with higher temperature and abundant sunlight; the metalimnion ranged from 20–60 m where a thermocline develops; the deepest layer forms a cold and dark hypolimnion.     

短尾猴粪便雌二醇和孕酮处理与 提取方法比较

非损伤性的粪便样本已在监测动物性激素水平中得到广泛应用,但粪便处理和激素的提取方法在不同物种中因其食性与代谢不同具有明显的物种特异性。本研究以野生和笼养两种环境下的短尾猴(Macacathibetana)为研究对象,采集粪便样品,利用放射免疫法(RIA)检测激素含量,比较不同粪便处理方式(湿便法、冷冻干燥粉碎法、冷冻干燥研筛法)和激素提取方法(乙醇加热法、甲醇乙醚法、乙醇丙酮法、甲醇乙醇法)的效果,探讨不同取食条件下短尾猴雌二醇(E2)和孕酮(P4)水平的最佳测定方法。粪便不同处理方法的比较中,冷冻干燥研筛法测得雌二醇和孕酮含量最高,冷冻干燥研筛法与冷冻干燥粉碎法在野生短尾猴中具有显著差异(P0.01),但在笼养短尾猴中无显著差异(P 0.05)。湿便法测得含量最低,与另两种处理方法均具有显著差异性(P 0.01)。激素提取方法的比较中,乙醇加热法提取雌二醇和孕酮含量最高,与甲醇乙醚法(P 0.01)、乙醇丙酮法(P 0.01)、甲醇乙醇法(P 0.01)之间均具有显著性差异。综合考虑激素平均含量、处理过程的简便性、抽提步骤的可行性,野生短尾猴粪便处理建议选用冷冻干燥研筛法,笼养短尾猴粪便由于冷冻干燥粉碎法操作简便且与冷冻干燥研筛法无显著差异,因此笼养短尾猴建议选用冷冻干燥粉碎法。野生与笼养短尾猴粪便激素的提取均建议采用乙醇加热法。