Comparing motion capture cameras versus human observer monitoring of mammal movement through fence gaps: a case study from Kenya

Monitoring the movement and distribution of wildlife is a critical tool of an adaptive management framework for wildlife conservation. We installed motion‐triggered cameras to capture the movement of mammals through two purpose‐built migration gaps in an otherwise fenced conservancy in northern Kenya. We compared the results to data gathered over the same time period (1 Jan 2011–31 Dec 2012) by the human observers monitoring mammal tracks left at the same fence gaps in a sandy loam detection strip. The camera traps detected more crossing events, more species and more individuals of each species per crossing event than did the human track observers. We tested for volume detection differences between methods for the five most common species crossing each gap and found that all detection rates were heavily weighted towards the camera‐trap method. We review some of the discrepancies between the methods and conclude that although the camera traps record more data, the management of that data can be time‐consuming and ill‐suited to some time‐sensitive decision‐making. We also discuss the importance of daily track monitoring for adaptive management conservation and community security.     

Absolute quantification of human tear lactoferrin using multiple reaction monitoring technique with stable-isotopic labeling

The mass spectrometry technique of multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) was used to quantify and compare the expression level of lactoferrin in tear films among control, prostate cancer (CaP), and benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) groups. Tear samples from 14 men with CaP, 15 men with BPH, and 14 controls were analyzed in the study. Collected tears (2 μl) of each sample were digested with trypsin overnight at 37 °C without any pretreatment, and tear lactoferrin was quantified using a lactoferrin-specific peptide, VPSHAVVAR, both using natural/light and isotopic-labeled/heavy peptides with MRM. The average tear lactoferrin concentration was 1.01 ± 0.07 μg/μl in control samples, 0.96 ± 0.07 μg/μl in the BPH group, and 0.98 ± 0.07 μg/μl in the CaP group. Our study is the first to quantify tear proteins using a total of 43 individual (non-pooled) tear samples and showed that direct digestion of tear samples is suitable for MRM studies. The calculated average lactoferrin concentration in the control group matched that in the published range of human tear lactoferrin concentration measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Moreover, the lactoferrin was stably expressed across all of the samples, with no significant differences being observed among the control, BPH, and CaP groups.     

Long-term ex vivo and in vivo monitoring of tumor progression by using dual luciferases

We propose a new concept of tumor progression monitoring using dual luciferases in living animals to reduce stress for small animals and the cost of luciferin. The secreted Cypridina luciferase (CLuc) was used as an ex vivo indicator to continuously monitor tumor progression. On the other hand, the non-secreted firefly luciferase was used as an in vivo indicator to analyze the spatial distribution of the tumor at suitable time points indicated by CLuc. Thus, the new monitoring systems that use dual luciferases are available, allowing long-term bioluminescence imaging under minimal stress for the experimental animals.     

海南省香蕉黄胸蓟马田间种群的抗药性监测

【目的】本文全面评估了香蕉黄胸蓟马Thrips hawaiiensis田间种群对杀虫剂的抗性水平,旨在为更科学合理地防治该虫提供依据。【方法】室内采用叶管药膜法(TIBS),分别在2013、2015年监测了昌江、澄迈、临高、东方4个地区香蕉黄胸蓟马田间种群对10种杀虫剂的抗性水平。【结果】从2013—2015年,总体上海南香蕉黄胸蓟马田间种群对大多数杀虫剂的敏感性均有不同程度的下降,但仍处于敏感状态。其中,香蕉黄胸蓟马田间种群对传统药剂甲维盐、毒死蜱和高效氯氰菊酯,及新型杀虫剂乙基多杀菌素、溴氰虫酰胺和螺虫乙酯均保持较敏感状态(抗性倍数<5)。但监测的所有田间种群(昌江、澄迈、临高、东方)均对啶虫脒均已产生了中等水平抗性(抗性倍数分别为15.19、11.19、17.46、13.58倍);对阿维菌素均产生了低水平抗性(抗性倍数分别为9.06、8.95、13.35、6.57倍);另外,东方种群对多杀菌素、吡虫啉,以及临高种群对吡虫啉均产生了低水平抗性(抗性倍数分别为7.11、7.48、8.28倍)。【结论】因此,建议在香蕉同一生长季节应避免重复使用或限用啶虫脒和阿维菌素,应注意与其它药剂的混用、轮用,以延缓香蕉黄胸蓟马抗药性的发展。     

Prospective applications of ultrahigh resolution proteomics in clinical mass spectrometry

Introduction: Advances in mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomic strategies have resulted in robust protein biomarker discovery studies often performed on high resolution accurate mass (HRAM) platforms. For successful translation of promising protein biomarkers into useful clinical tests, trans-sector networks and collaboration among stakeholders involved in the biomarker pipeline are urgently needed.

Areas covered: In this perspective, literature- and empirical evidence is combined with author’s opinions to discuss the progress of ultrahigh resolution MS and provide insight in its potential for validation and development of clinical tests.

Expert commentary: Thus far two ‘low resolution’ MS strategies have been implemented in the clinic: quantification of proteins using triple quadrupole instruments and identification of unknown microorganisms using comparative analysis with spectral libraries on MALDI-TOF instruments. The rise of HRAM technology further boosts the potential of MS-based tests for detection and quantitation of disease-specific biomarkers which meet the analytical performance specifications needed for clinical assays.     

赣南稀土矿开发区生态环境遥感动态监测与评估

稀土矿业的发展在促进区域经济发展的同时,也对生态环境带来影响。为研究江西赣南稀土矿产开发及其对生态环境的影响,采用SPOT1/2/5、Landsat7和ALOS等多源遥感数据,对该区域2000—2010年稀土矿开发进行遥感动态监测。采用面向对象的方法对研究区进行生态系统分类,同时结合回溯法可较好地减少伪变化,并可快速地提取稀土矿开采区的变化信息。通过分析发现赣南稀土矿开采集中分布在几个主要的乡镇,从2000年至2010年这10年间整体上呈增加的趋势,但前5年主要体现为扩张,后5年复垦的力度在加强。新增的稀土矿矿区在开发过程中破坏的生态系统类型主要为林地,而废弃稀土矿区通过治理后主要恢复成耕地。稀土矿开采对植被覆盖、生物量、土地退化以及景观的破碎化都有一定的影响。同时稀土矿开采可能引发水体流失、山体滑坡等环境问题和风险。     

Spatiotemporal relationship between adult census size and genetic population size across a wide population size gradient

Adult census population size (N) and effective number of breeders (N_b) are highly relevant for designing effective conservation strategies. Both parameters are often challenging to quantify, however, making it of interest to determine whether one parameter can be generalized from the other. Yet, the spatiotemporal relationship between N and N_b has not been well characterized empirically in many taxa. We analysed this relationship for 5–7 consecutive years in twelve brook trout populations varying greatly in N (49‐10032) and N_b (3‐567) and identified major environmental variables affecting the two parameters. N or habitat size alone explained 47–57% of the variance in N_b, and N_b was strongly correlated with effective population size. The ratio N_b/N ranged from 0.01 to 0.45 and increased at small N or following an annual decrease in N, suggesting density‐dependent constraints on N_b. We found no evidence for a consistent, directional difference between variability in N_b and/or N_b/N among small and large populations; however, small populations had more varying temporal variability in N_b/N ratios than large populations. Finally, N_b and N_b/N were 2.5‐ and 2.3‐fold more variable among populations than temporally within populations. Our results demonstrate a clear linkage between demographic and evolutionary parameters, suggesting that N_b could be used to approximate N (or vice versa) in natural populations. Nevertheless, using one variable to infer the other to monitor trends within populations is less recommended, perhaps even less so in small populations given their less predictable N_b vs. N dynamics.