Nasal aperture area and body mass in felids: Ecophysiological implications and paleobiological inferences

In order to study the adaptive significance of the nasal chamber in felids (Mammalia, Carnivora), we measured the nasal aperture area and used it as an indirect estimate of the nasal chamber volume. We assume that this measurement relates to the metabolic demands for oxygen by animals, which in turn would depend on their mass, hunting techniques and/or the environment inhabited. The proven relationship between nasal aperture area and body size among living felids was used to estimate the mass and different aspects of the paleobiology of nine extinct felids from the New and Old World, six of the subfamily Machairodontinae and three of the subfamily Felinae. Results obtained confirm that the North American lion and the Eurasian cave lion were both comparable in size, with a body about 25% heavier than in today's lions. The large nasal apertures of smilodontines suggest that, compared to extant felids with skulls of similar length, these ambushing saber-tooth cats had a more robust body and thus greater oxygen demands. In contrast, coursing homotherines had longer skulls, narrower palates and a more lightened body than other saber-tooth cats.     

山东名优特产水果氨基酸及其营养成分的研究

本文研究测定了１７种山东省名优特产水果的蛋白质、氨基酸及其它营养成分的组成。证明这些水果不仅口味美,而且有较好的营养成分构成。     

Allometry and performance: the evolution of skull form and function in felids

Allometric patterns of skull‐shape variation can have significant impacts on cranial mechanics and feeding performance, but have received little attention in previous studies. Here, we examine the impacts of allometric skull‐shape variation on feeding capabilities in the cat family (Felidae) with linear morphometrics and finite element analysis. Our results reveal that relative bite force diminishes slightly with increasing skull size, and that the skulls of the smallest species undergo the least strain during biting. However, larger felids are able to produce greater gapes for a given angle of jaw opening, and they have overall stronger skulls. The two large felids in this study achieved increased cranial strength by increasing skull bone volume relative to surface area. Allometry of skull geometry in large felids reflects a trade‐off between the need to increase gape to access larger prey while maintaining the ability to resist unpredictable loading when taking large, struggling prey.     

绣球菌蛋白质的营养评价

采用国际上通用的营养评价方法,对绣球菌[Sparassis crispa(Wulf.)Fr.]子实体进行了蛋白质营养价值评价。结果为绣球菌子实体的粗蛋白质含量为12.9%,氨基酸总量为9.33%,其中必需氨基酸含量占氨基酸总量的33.9%。绣球菌的赖氨酸为第一限制氨基酸,苏氨酸相对过剩。绣球菌子实体蛋白质的化学评分(CS)、氨基酸评价(AAS)、必需氨基酸指数(EAAI)、生物价(BV)、营养指数(NI)和氨基酸比值系数分(SRCAA)分别为80.9,87.3,78.3,73.6,10.1和87.9。绣球菌的营养价值高于松口蘑(Tricholoma matsutake)和茶树菇(A-grocybe aegerita)。因此,绣球菌子实体是良好的菌类蛋白源。     

5种中草药的营养价值测定

为探讨中草药饲料添加剂的作用机制,本研究测定了黄芪、刺五加、党参、山楂和丹参中常规营养成分和氨基酸的含量。结果显示,中草药中的蛋白质和氨基酸特别是必需氨基酸含量丰富,黄芪和丹参除蛋氨酸、酪氨酸和脯氨酸外的其它14种氨基酸的含量均相对较高,特别是黄芪中赖氨酸、天门冬氨酸和谷氨酸的含量分别高达1．078％、1．644％和1．368％。本结果为进一步研究中草药资源在动物生产中的应用提供了一定的科学依据。     

Alteration of free amino acid concentrations in insect galls induced by Andricus mukaigawae (Hymenoptera; Cynipidae)

1. Insect galls are abnormal plant growths that develop in response to a stimulus provided by a galling insect. The nutrition hypothesis suggests that the concentrations of nutritive compounds in galls are changed to provide optimum nutrition for the larvae and adults of galling insects. 2. To test the nutrition hypothesis, we determined the concentrations of 20 free amino acids in galls and in galled and ungalled twigs of Quercus fabri during the larval and adult stages of Andricus mukaigawae using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet–visible detection. 3. At the larval stage, the concentrations of 12 out of 20 amino acids in A. mukaigawae galls were significantly higher than those in galled and ungalled twigs. Asparagine and tryptophan were the most abundant nonessential and essential amino acids, respectively, in A. mukaigawae galls. 4. At the adult stage, the concentrations of most amino acids, except proline, were significantly lower in A. mukaigawae galls than in galled and ungalled twigs. The A. mukaigawae adults may not manipulate amino acid levels because the adults do not feed on galls. The decrease of amino acid levels in adult galls may be viewed as a depletion. 5. The composition of free amino acids in A. mukaigawae galls was significantly different from the composition in galled and ungalled twigs in both the larval and adult stages. 6. Our results may support the nutrition hypothesis. We suggest that a high concentration of proline in A. mukaigawae galls may protect larvae and adults from plant defense responses.     

Dominant frequency of loud mew calls of felids (Mammalia: Carnivora) decreases during ontogenetic growth

• 1 A negative correlation between body weight and frequency characteristics of a species' vocalizations exists in mammals, due to the acoustics of vocal sound production (‘source‐filter theory’; source = larynx; filter = supralaryngeal vocal tract) and the strong positive correlation between body weight and vocal tract length.
• 2 A negative correlation is hypothesized to exist between increasing body weight and frequency characteristics of calls during ontogeny as well.
• 3 This hypothesis is tested for mean dominant frequency (maximum spectral energy peak) of intense mew calls in juveniles of five species of the Felidae: lion Panthera leo, jaguar Panthera onca, leopard Panthera pardus, tiger Panthera tigris and puma Puma concolor.
• 4 In the five felid species in which the hyoid is incompletely ossified (genera Panthera and Uncia), the larynx undergoes a considerable ontogenetic descent, resulting in a proportionally longer vocal tract in adult individuals than in all other species of the family, which have a fully ossified hyoid without a descent.
• 5 In all five species studied here, mean dominant frequency decreases as body weight increases during growth. In the four Panthera species (with laryngeal descent) dominant frequency is determined by the vocal tract (the filter), and dominant frequency is largely similar at similar weights, indicating a similar correlation between the ontogenetic increase in body weight (and vocal tract length) and the decrease in mean dominant frequency. In the puma (without laryngeal descent) dominant frequency is determined by the larynx (the source), it is considerably higher than in the Panthera species, and the course of its ontogenetic decrease differs considerably from that in Panthera.
• 6 The data do not support a uniform scaling relationship between body weight and mean dominant frequency of intense mew calls in the Felidae during ontogenetic growth.

     

不同施肥水平对不同品种小麦籽粒蛋白质和地上器官游离氨基酸含量的影响

研究了小麦不同品种开花后各地上器官游离氨基酸含量的变化动态及其与籽粒蛋白质含量的关系,以及氮素营养的调节作用。结果表明,小麦叶片和颖壳十穗轴游离氨基酸含量均在开花后持续增加,至花后14d达到最大值,之后开始下降。茎和叶鞘游离氨基酸含量则在开花后上升较缓慢,至花后21d达最大值。籽粒游离氨基酸含量一般在开花后就持续降低。各地上器官游离氨基酸含量与成熟期籽粒蛋白质含量均呈显著或极显著正相关,说明源器宫中游离氨基酸供应充足,有利于籽粒蛋白质积累。增施氮肥能够提高各地上器官中的游离氨基酸含量,进而促进籽粒蛋白质的合成,提高籽粒蛋白质含量。品种之间籽粒蛋白质含量的差异,是由各地上营养器官向籽粒运输氨基酸的综合作用所造成的。     

Effect of various kinds of dietary protein and supplementation with limiting amino acids on growth,haemolymph components and uric acid excretion in the silkworm, Bombyx mori

Effects of various kinds of dietary protein on growth of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, were determined using semi-synthetic diets. Also, the ingestion, digestion and utilization of dry matter and of nitrogen were measured. Nutritive effects of dietary proteins and supplementation of limiting amino acids on haemolymph protein and amino acids pattern were also investigated. Larval growth was largely dependent on the dietary proteins. When the larvae were reared on a diet containing weakly nutritive proteins such as gluten and zein, haemolymph protein was decreased and uric acid excretion was markedly accelerated. The free amino acid composition of the haemolymph manifested characteristic patterns according to the kinds of dietary protein.The supplementation of gluten and zein with their limiting amino acids resulted in a rise of haemolymph protein and a drop in uric acid excretion. The amino acid patterns in the haemolymph were greatly changed according to supplementation.     

Role of dietary fiber in the recovery of the human gut microbiome and its metabolome

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花脸香蘑子实体蛋白质营养评价

采用国际上通用的营养价值评价方法,利用人工栽培花脸香蘑(Lepista sordida (Fr) Sing)子实体粗蛋白含量和氨基酸组成,对花脸香蘑(Lepista sordida (Fr)Sing)子实体的蛋白质进行营养评价及氨基酸评分和化学评分,评价结果:氨基酸评分中花脸香蘑限制氨基酸为缬氨酸Val 68.0高于蛋...     

Liver and plasma copper concentrations in rats fed diets containing various proteins

The question was addressed whether the type of dietary protein influences copper (Cu) concentrations in liver and plasma of rats. For this purpose, weanling female rats were fed diets containing as the sole source of protein either soybean protein, casein, amino acid mixtures simulating soybean protein or casein, lactalbumin, ovalbumin, or herring meal. The diets were balanced for residual Cu in the protein preparations. The type of protein and the composition of the amino acid mixture did not differentially influence liver Cu concentrations. Liver Cu was significantly lowered after feeding the amino acid mixtures when compared with the intact proteins. Plasma Cu concentrations were not affected by the type of protein in the diet.     

华南主要野生蔬菜氨基酸含量及营养价值评价

通过分析华南地区八种主要野生蔬菜的氨基酸含量,对其氨基酸营养进行评价,并和菜心进行对比,发现八种野生蔬菜除不含胱氨酸外,其它氨基酸含量均很丰富,是有利用人体氨基酸营养平衡的天然绿色食品。     

乳鼠脑组织中牛磺酸的快速检测

建立一种快速、准确的牛磺酸定量检测方法。采用Beckman公司6300黄金系统氨基酸分析仪,在锂柱130 min程序生理体液分析方法基础上,根据牛磺酸(TAU)的特性,建立了脑组织中TAU快速测定方法。用此方法完成TAU分析的时间为17 min,比原方法缩短了123 min。且有较好的重现性(日内RSD 0.42%,日间RSD 0.57%)、回收率高(98.39%)。本方法简便、快速、准确、可靠,适用于临床和科研工作。     

Laboratory rearing of potato cyst nematode; a method suitable for pathotyping and biological studies

A method is described for the laboratory rearing of potato cyst nematode, Globodera rostochiensis (Wollenweber, 1923) Mulvey & Stone, 1976 and G. pallida (Stone, 1973) Mulvey & Stone, 1976. Potato root systems were grown in 500 ml of sand in closed, clear plastic canisters. The enclosed system inhibited foliage growth and stabilised moisture balance. Root systems were sustained by the seed tubers, but supplementary nutrient was added. Potato cyst nematode eggs were inoculated into the sand after root initiation. At optimum rearing temperatures of 15–20°c the life cycle was completed within 8–12 weeks. The cyst‐to‐cyst multiplication factor was 10–20‐fold. The method has the advantage of not requiring light, and rearing canisters can be stacked in standard incubators. Its high reliability renders the method particularly suited to pathotype analysis.     

Influence of diet transition on serum calcium and phosphorus and fatty acids in zoo giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)

In response to new recommendations for feeding giraffe in zoos, giraffe (n = 6) were transitioned from a typical hoofstock diet to diets containing reduced starch, protein, Ca and P and added n3 fatty acids. This diet was fed as a 50:50 mix with alfalfa and grass hay. Over the next 4 years, serum Ca, P, and fatty acids were measured every 6 months (summer and winter). Serum Ca was not affected by season (P = 0.67) or by diet (P = 0.12). Serum P was not affected season (P = 0.14), but was reduced by diet (P<0.01), and serum Ca:P was also increased by diet (P<0.01). The ratio of serum Ca:P tended to be affected by season (P = 0.07), in which animals tended to have greater Ca:P during the summer vs. the winter. The diet transition resulted in reduced serum saturated fatty acids (including lauric, myristic, palmitic, arachidic, and behenic acids), and increases in n6 fatty acids (including linolenic and arachidonic acids) and n3 fatty acids (docosahexaenoic acid) (P<0.05 for each). Overall, this diet transition resulted in blood nutrient profiles that more closely match that of values found in free-ranging giraffe.     

氮素对不同类型玉米籽粒氨基酸、蛋白质含量及其组分变化的影响

以普通玉米掖单22和高油玉米高油115为材料,研究了不同供氮条件下玉米籽粒中蛋白质及其组分的含量、清蛋白和球蛋白含量、醇溶蛋白和谷蛋白含量、籽粒氨基酸总鼍以及氨基酸组分含量的品种差异。结果表明。氮素供应水平对两种类型玉米灌浆期间籽粒蛋白质含量变化作用相同,前期逐渐下降,至成熟期略有升高;籽粒清蛋白和球蛋白、醇溶蛋白和符蛋白含量变化动态各处理基本一致,两种类型玉米籽粒清蛋白含量随时间的推移逐渐降低。球蛋门含量的变化动态旱单峰曲线,峰值出现在授粉后30d。醇溶蛋白含量均呈“V”型变化,以授粉30d后最低。谷蛋白的含量则均呈上升趋势。氮素供应水平对两种类型玉米籽粒中各蛋白质组分禽量的变化的影响作用有所不同。对高油115籽粒中球蛋白含量的影响较小;施氮水平并不改变两种类型玉米籽粒氨基酸总量的变化趋势。但两种类型玉米籽粒中氨基酸组分的含量变化较大。     

氨基酸保健品的现状及发展趋势

随着社会经济的发展、人们生活水平的提高,氨基酸的各种功效逐渐被人们所熟知,在人们生活中扮演着越来越重要的角色,原本作为医用的氨基酸开始以保健品的形式走入人们的日常生活中。简要阐述了开发氨基酸保健品的必要性及现状,初步探讨了氨基酸保健品进一步的发展趋势。