九香虫形态及生物学特征研究

通过建立网室近自然实验种群,结合野生个体观察记述了云南玉溪九香虫Coridius chinensis (Dallas)种群的各虫期形态特征、在云南玉溪红塔区的年生活史、寄主范围、取食偏好、成虫及若虫的行为习性,为该虫的保育和规模化养殖提供依据。结果显示,九香虫卵有绿色和粉色两种生态型,若虫有5个龄期;在云南玉溪红塔区1年仅发生1代,仅以成虫态越冬;红塔区九香虫野生个体主要以佛手瓜和南瓜等葫芦科植物为食;取食偏好选择试验表明该虫最喜取食葫芦,冬瓜和南瓜次之;雌雄成虫可多次交配多次产卵,单雌单次平均产卵量为16.3±6.0粒。研究表明,云南玉溪红塔区的九香虫种群为典型的一化性昆虫,休眠期可达8个月;该虫食性较广,可取食多科植物,但以葫芦科瓜类为主;羽化成虫每年9月中旬至10月上旬陆续从佛手瓜、南瓜等寄主植物上迁至枯树皮下、柴堆等隐蔽场所越冬,翌年4月下旬陆续解除休眠,迁至佛手瓜、南瓜等作物上取食繁殖。     

Process-induced cell cycle oscillations in CHO cultures: Online monitoring and model-based investigation

The influence of process strategies on the dynamics of cell population heterogeneities in mammalian cell culture is still not well understood. We recently found that the progression of cells through the cell cycle causes metabolic regulations with variable productivities in antibody-producing Chimese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. On the other hand, it is so far unknown how bulk cultivation conditions, for example, variable nutrient concentrations depending on process strategies, can influence cell cycle-derived population dynamics. In this study, process-induced cell cycle synchronization was assessed in repeated-batch and fed-batch cultures. An automated flow cytometry set-up was developed to measure the cell cycle distribution online, using antibody-producing CHO DP-12 cells transduced with the cell cycle-specific fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicator (FUCCI) system. On the basis of the population-resolved model, feeding-induced partial self-synchronization was predicted and the results were evaluated experimentally. In the repeated-batch culture, stable cell cycle oscillations were confirmed with an oscillating G1 phase distribution between 41% and 72%. Furthermore, oscillations of the cell cycle distribution were simulated and determined in a (bolus) fed-batch process with up to cells/ml. The cell cycle synchronization arose with pulse feeding only and ceased with continuous feeding. Both simulated and observed oscillations occurred at higher frequencies than those observable based on regular (e.g., daily) sample analysis, thus demonstrating the need for high-frequency online cell cycle analysis. In summary, we showed how experimental methods combined with simulations enable the improved assessment of the effects of process strategies on the dynamics of cell cycle-dependent population heterogeneities. This provides a novel approach to understand cell cycle regulations, control cell population dynamics, avoid inadvertently induced oscillations of cell cycle distributions and thus to improve process stability and efficiency.     

Trophic niche changes associated with habitat fragmentation in a Neotropical bat species

Habitat fragmentation could alter ecological traits including species trophic habits. Here, we used carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios to establish differences in isotopic niche width and food resource use between forest fragments and the continuous forest for the phyllostomid frugivorous bat Artibeus lituratus. Using mist nests, we captured bats from two forest fragments and two sites in continuous forest, and sampled from each individual captured three body tissues with contrasting turnover rates (skin, muscle, and liver). Samples were collected between February and March (austral summer) and between August and September (austral winter). In addition, in each sampling site and season we collected potential food resources (fruits and insects) consumed by our A. lituratus. Our findings indicate that A. lituratus had a predominantly omnivorous diet, with high consumption of insects during summer in forest fragments. The increasing consumption of insects in these fragments seems to have led to a wider isotopic niche, in relation to the continuous forest. Because A. lituratus is typically a seed disperser, changes in trophic habits in the forest fragments from frugivory to insectivory may diminish their role in forest regeneration. Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material.     

混合喂养法建立成年营养性肥胖大鼠模型

目的:尝试用混合喂养法建立一种与临床相仿的成年营养性肥胖大鼠模型。方法:55只8周龄SD大鼠随机分为对照组10只(普通饲料喂养)和实验组45只(混合喂养),喂养2周后实验组剔除肥胖抵抗大鼠。每周记录大鼠体重,喂养9周后观察两组大鼠体重、体长、Lee's指数、空腹血糖(FBG)、血脂、葡萄糖耐量水平和肝脏组织病理改变。结果:喂养第9周末,实验组大鼠和对照组大鼠体重分别为(645.6±34.8)g和(483.3±31.5)g,Lee's指数分别为(326.3±24.2)和(302.7±19.8),组间比较有显著差异(P0.05)。实验组血清甘油三酯(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)及低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、FPG、糖负荷后30、60、120分钟血糖均明显高于对照组,差异有统计学意义。HE染色病理结果显示实验组大鼠肝脏均出现脂肪样变,而对照组未见明显变性。结论:本研究所应用的混合喂养法可以稳定成功地建立伴有葡萄糖耐量减低和高脂血症的成年营养性肥胖大鼠模型。     

下丘脑Nesfatin-1/NUCB2对糖尿病小鼠摄食的影响

目的:探讨下丘脑神经肽NUCB2与Tsumura Suzuki(TS)多基因突变2型糖尿病(T2DM)小鼠摄食过多的关系。方法:将动物分为Tsumura Suzuki糖尿病(TSD)小鼠、正常小鼠;监视器监测小鼠摄食量;分析血生化指标;定量RT-PCR分析摄食相关神经肽m RNA表达水平;放射免疫分析法检测nesfatin-1蛋白水平。结果:与年龄匹配的TSN小鼠相比,TSD小鼠在1月龄就存在体重增加(P<0.05)和高瘦素血症(P<0.05),3-12月龄出现贪食(P<0.05)、高血糖(P<0.05)、高血脂(P<0.05)和高胰岛素血症(P<0.05),且3-12月龄时厌食肽nesfatin-1前体核连蛋白2(NUCB2)m RNA和nesfatin-1蛋白水平均显著降低(P<0.05~0.01);TSD小鼠下丘脑甘丙肽、黑色素浓集素、神经肽Y及前黑素细胞皮质素原m RNA水平也有显著改变(P<0.05)。结论:下丘脑NUCB2介导信号通路破坏可能导致TSD小鼠摄食过多。     

Current views on insect feed and its future

Population growth and the subsequent increased demand for food, along with the rise in cost of feed, have led insect feed to be considered as an alternative to conventional animal feed. Insect feed is a sustainable and nutritious option; however, it does carry the risk of lower microbiological safety than conventional feed. Although there is some hesitancy from farmers in adapting insect feed due to fear of market rejection of insect‐fed animals, surveys seem to show positive attitudes of people towards insect feed when they informed of the benefits. Traditional methods of harvesting insects is not a sustainable method of production, and therefore further research will be needed to access appropriate methods of mass‐producing insects without putting a strain on the natural ecosystem. This review discusses the benefits and risks of using insect feed, its acceptance, type of animals that can be fed by insects, and future directions of insect feed.     

Trophic convergence drives morphological convergence in marine tetrapods

Marine tetrapod clades (e.g. seals, whales) independently adapted to marine life through the Mesozoic and Caenozoic, and provide iconic examples of convergent evolution. Apparent morphological convergence is often explained as the result of adaptation to similar ecological niches. However, quantitative tests of this hypothesis are uncommon. We use dietary data to classify the feeding ecology of extant marine tetrapods and identify patterns in skull and tooth morphology that discriminate trophic groups across clades. Mapping these patterns onto phylogeny reveals coordinated evolutionary shifts in diet and morphology in different marine tetrapod lineages. Similarities in morphology between species with similar diets—even across large phylogenetic distances—are consistent with previous hypotheses that shared functional constraints drive convergent evolution in marine tetrapods.     

Effects of density and predation risk on leaf litter processing by Phylloicus sp.

The allochthonous detritus that accumulates in the substrate of streams is used by aquatic invertebrate shredders for shelter and food. Shredders are considered rare in tropical systems, and little information is available about the role of density effects and predation risk (associated with the perception of predators by prey) in relationship to the resources used by these organisms. The aim of this study was to examine experimentally the effects of increased predation risk and of the density of Phylloicus sp. (i.e. of two types of biological relationships) on the processing of the leaf litter of Nectandra megapotamica (Spreng.) Mez. Phylloicus sp. can use leaf litter for case building and as a food resource. The density effect was measured using four treatments that differed only in the number of individuals (one, two, three or four). A second experiment with five treatments was performed to test the risk of non‐lethal predation on detritus consumption (shelter and food) by Phylloicus sp. (T1: Caddisfly; T2: Mayfly; T3: Astyanax sp./fish; T4: Damselflies; T5: Stonefly). A single Phylloicus and one other organism (a potential predator blocked with 0.5 mm fine mesh) were placed in each tank (0.002 m³ volume). We observed a negative effect of density on per capita litter consumption (experiment 1). The low density of Phylloicus may be a natural factor that decreases intraspecific competition. In the presence of fish, Phylloicus showed the lowest amount of litter processing observed in the experiment, indicating top‐down control (experiment 2). In treatments that involved the presence of invertebrates (non‐predatory and predatory), Phylloicus showed the highest amount and an intermediate amount of leaf litter processing, respectively (experiment 2). This observation also suggests that the predation effect is more probable for specific predator–prey pairs. Population density and predation risk in Phylloicus may be important factors controlling leaf litter processing.     

Glucagon signalling in the dorsal vagal complex is sufficient and necessary for high‐protein feeding to regulate glucose homeostasis in vivo

High‐protein feeding acutely lowers postprandial glucose concentration compared to low‐protein feeding, despite a dichotomous rise of circulating glucagon levels. The physiological role of this glucagon rise has been largely overlooked. We here first report that glucagon signalling in the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) of the brain is sufficient to lower glucose production by activating a Gcgr–PKA–ERK–K_ATP channel signalling cascade in the DVC of rats in vivo. We further demonstrate that direct blockade of DVC Gcgr signalling negates the acute ability of high‐ vs. low‐protein feeding to reduce plasma glucose concentration, indicating that the elevated circulating glucagon during high‐protein feeding acts in the brain to lower plasma glucose levels. These data revise the physiological role of glucagon and argue that brain glucagon signalling contributes to glucose homeostasis during dietary protein intake.     

Direct and indirect effects of anthropogenic bird food on population dynamics of a songbird

Anthropogenic bird foods are frequently credited with affecting avian population dynamics, but few studies have tested this assertion over broad spatial scales. Human-derived foods could directly impact population sizes or indirectly affect them by mediating the influence of another factor, such as disease. In 1994, a novel disease outbreak (mycoplasmal conjunctivitis) substantially reduced populations of the house finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) in the eastern United States, creating an opportunity to test whether bird feeding indirectly exacerbated or ameliorated the impacts of the disease. We assessed the effects of bird food availability on house finch populations using data from the National Survey on Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-associated Recreation and the Christmas Bird Count. House finch densities were positively related to the density of people providing food for birds prior to the spread of mycoplasmal conjunctivitis, suggesting that the availability of bird seed can limit the size of finch populations. Following the disease epidemic, house finch declines were greatest where the density of people feeding birds also fell dramatically. This pattern suggests that bird food could have a positive indirect effect on disease-related mortality. Our findings suggest that the collective actions of individual people have the potential to influence resource availability and population dynamics of wildlife in human-modified landscapes.