Training delays reduce the choose-short effect with keylight, but not with food, duration samples in pigeons

Pigeons were trained to match 2- and 8-s food samples. The delay on training trials was either 0s (group 0sF), 5s (group 5sF), or varied between 2 and 8s (M=5s, group 5sV). Testing at a delay that exceeded the training delay by 15s in each group revealed a robust choose-short effect in each group. The same pigeons then reacquired a previously trained matching task involving 2- and 8-s keylight samples. Different comparison stimuli were used on food-sample and keylight-sample trials. The delay on training trials was the same on both food- and keylight-sample trials. Extended-delay testing revealed a robust choose-short effect in all three groups when the durations were conveyed by food presentations, but only group 0sF revealed a choose-short effect when the durations were conveyed by keylight presentations. Hence, training with a nonzero delay, whether fixed or variable, reduces the choose-short effect with keylight durations but not with food durations. It was concluded that at least some of the psychological processes mediating performance differ as a function of the event that conveys the duration.     

Sex-biased,but not plumage color-based,prevalence of haemosporidian parasites in free-range chickens

Previous studies found a relationship between blood parasite infection and bird gender, with higher prevalence in males. Some studies also found a relationship between host plumage color and parasitic infection, while others did not. Here, we investigated the blood parasite prevalence in correlation with sex and plumage color in free-range chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) in China. We analyzed a total of 297 blood samples, out of which 234 chickens tested positive for haemosporidian parasites, with 78.5% parasite prevalence. Out of 139 males, 118 tested positive with 84.8% parasite prevalence while 116 of 158 female samples tested positive (73.4%). Leucocytotozoon was the most frequent genus isolated (193 infected individuals /234 birds), followed by Plasmodium (41 infected individuals/234 birds), with no Haemoproteus parasites being detected. There were no significant differences in the body parameters and chicken color plumages with regards to the infection status. Our study indicated that blood parasite infection was significantly different between male and female chickens, with infection prevalent in males.     

NMDA-, but not kainate- or quisqualate-dependent increases in cerebellar cGMP are dependent upon monoaminergic innervation.

As previously reported, intracerebellar injections of D-serine, quisqualate and kainate elevated mouse cerebellar cGMP levels. Similarly, activation of endogenous excitatory amino acid utilizing neurons with harmaline or pentylenetetrazole also increased cerebellar cGMP. We previously have demonstrated that the harmaline- and pentylenetetrazol-dependent cGMP increases are NMDA receptor mediated. In this report we further demonstrate that NMDA-dependent increases in cGMP are dependent upon monoaminergic innervation of the cerebellum, while kainate- and quisqualate-dependent cGMP increases are independent of such innervation.     

红杉属植物在中国云南中新世首次发现

化石标本采自中国云南省中部楚雄市吕合煤矿的石鼓村层 ,该层为灰色至浅灰色细砂岩至粗砂岩、粉砂质粘土层和褐煤层 ,地质时代属中新世 ① 。石鼓村层的孢粉组合以被子植物占绝对优势(90 % ) ,其中热带、亚热带植物成分类型较多 ,如金缕梅科、棕榈科等 ,温带植物成分类型较少 ,如榆科、桦木科等 ;裸子植物花粉占整个孢粉组合的 9% ,主要是松科和杉科花粉 ;蕨类植物孢子仅占整个孢粉组合的 1% ,以水龙骨单缝孢为主。本次发现的标本小枝长约 2 .8ｃｍ ,宽约 1.6ｃｍ ,小枝基部稍膨大。叶螺旋状排列 ,基部扭转 ,在同一平面排成 2列 ,以 30～ 70…     

Biodiversity of Bitahai Nature Reserve in Yunnan Province, China

Bitahai Nature Reserve is located in Northwest Yunnan and is the highest elevation and the highest latitude wetland nature reserve in Yunnan Province. Bitahai Nature Reserve is a typical wetland nature reserve in very low latitude and high elevation with large areas of coniferous forest around the alpine till lakes, wetland and water area ecosystem while compared with natural reserves distributed same latitude in the world. The area of the reserve distribution is the key area of Transverse Mountain Region. It was a refuge for plant and wildlife because Transverse Mountains were not covered by ice in the Tertiary. And the area is now regarded as a center of forming new species and preserving ancient species. Species biodiversity is high and the distribution of some endemic animals and plants are limited in Transverse Mountains area. In the nature reserve, there are many first and second grade protected plants and animals listed in Lists of China National Priority Protection Fauna and Flora. All of these are precious materials of genetic diversity. The diversities of the plant community and vegetation contribute to ecosystem diversity. Thus, Bitahai Nature Reserve holds with high conservation value. However, its biodiversity is threatened by different factors and its conservation should be paid great attention.     

CHRM2 but not CHRM1 or CHRM3 polymorphisms are associated with asthma susceptibility in Mexican patients

Asthma is a complex disease for which genetic predisposition has been widely documented. Considerable evidence supports the hypothesis that polymorphisms in the muscarinic–cholinergic (CHRM) genes could be involved in asthma pathogenesis, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and mucus secretion. To determine whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) or haplotypes in CHRM1, CHRM2, or CHRM3 are associated with asthma in Mexican pediatric population. We performed a case–control study including 398 pediatric cases with asthma and 450 healthy controls. We analyzed 19 SNPs distributed among these three genes. Two of the seven SNPs located in CHRM2, the 3′ untranslated region rs8191992 and rs6962027, differed significantly in allele frequencies between patients with asthma and healthy controls [odds ratio (OR) 1.42, 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) 1.14–1.77, P = 0.001, and OR 1.50, 95 % CI 1.21–1.87, P = 0.0002, respectively]. Statistical significance remained after multiple comparison corrections (P = 0.003 and P = 0.005, respectively). The haplotypes AA and TT, containing both major and minor alleles from rs8191992 and rs6962027, also differed between cases and controls. The haplotype AA occurred at a lower frequency in cases (OR 0.67, 95 % CI 0.53–0.85, P = 0.001) whereas the haplotype TT was overrepresented in cases compared to controls (28 vs 21 %, respectively; OR 1.46, 95 % CI 1.15–1.85, P = 0.002). No association was observed between CHRM1 or CHRM3 SNPs or haplotypes and asthma. CHRM2 polymorphisms are implicated in the genetic etiology of asthma.     

Polymorphisms of the FTO gene are associated with variation in energy intake, but not energy expenditure

The FTO gene has significant polymorphic variation associated with obesity, but its function is unknown. We screened a population of 150 whites (103F/47M) resident in NE Scotland, United Kingdom, for variants of the FTO gene and linked these to phenotypic variation in their energy expenditure (basal metabolic rate (BMR) and maximal oxygen consumption VO(2)max) and energy intake. There was no significant association between the FTO genotype and BMR or VO(2)max. The FTO genotype was significantly associated (P = 0.024) with variation in energy intake, with average daily intake being 9.0 MJ for the wild-type TT genotype and 10.2 and 9.5 MJ for the "at risk" AT and AA genotypes, respectively. Adjusting intake for BMR did not remove the significance (P = 0.043). FTO genotype probably affects obesity via effects on food intake rather than energy expenditure.     

Lifespan and age,but not residual reproductive value or condition,are related to behaviour in wild field crickets

Individuals frequently show long‐term consistency in behaviour over their lifetimes, referred to as “personality.” Various models, revolving around the use of resources and how they are valued by individuals, attempt to explain the maintenance of these different behavioural types within a population, and evaluating them is the key for understanding the evolution of behavioural variation. The pace‐of‐life syndrome hypothesis suggests that differences in personalities result from divergent life‐history strategies, with more active/risk‐taking individuals reproducing rapidly but dying young. However, studies of wild animals provide only limited support for key elements of this and related hypotheses, such as a negative relationship between residual reproductive value and activity. Furthermore, alternative models make divergent predictions regarding the relationship between risk‐taking behaviours and variables consistent in the short‐term, such as condition. To test these predictions, we regularly measured willingness to leave a shelter and the activity level of wild adult field crickets (Gryllus campestris) at both short and long intervals over their entire adult lives. We found some support for a pace‐of‐life syndrome influencing personality, as lifespan was negatively related to willingness to leave the shelter and activity. Crickets did not appear to protect their “assets” however, as estimates of residual reproductive value were not related to behaviour. Although there was considerable variance attributed to the short‐term consistency, neither trait was affected by phenotypic condition, failing to support either of the models we tested. Our study confirms that behaviours may covary with some life‐history traits and highlights the scales of temporal consistency that are more difficult to explain.     

Arfaptins are localized to the trans-Golgi by interaction with Arl1, but not Arfs

Arfaptins (arfaptin-1 and arfaptin-2/POR1) were originally identified as binding partners of the Arf small GTPases. Both proteins contain a BAR (Bin/Amphiphysin/Rvs) domain, which participates in membrane deformation. Here we show that arfaptins associate with trans-Golgi membranes. Unexpectedly, Arl1 (Arf-like 1), but not Arfs, determines the trans-Golgi association of arfaptins. We also demonstrate that arfaptins interact with Arl1 through their BAR domain-containing region and compete for Arl1 binding with golgin-97 and golgin-245/p230, both of which also bind to Arl1 through their GRIP (golgin-97/RanBP2/Imh1p/p230) domains. However, arfaptins and these golgins show only limited colocalization at the trans-Golgi. Time-lapse imaging of cells overexpressing fluorescent protein-tagged arfaptins and golgin-97 reveals that arfaptins, but not golgin-97, are included in vesicular and tubular structures emanating from the Golgi region. These observations indicate that arfaptins are recruited onto trans-Golgi membranes by interacting with Arl1, and capable of inducing membrane deformation via their BAR domains.     

Oxytocin antagonist blocks the vasodepressor but not the vasopressor effect of neurohypophysial peptides in chickens

Cockerels with permanent cannulas in the brachial artery and vein were put into isolated slings. Arterial pressure and heart rate were continuously recorded. Following habituation, tests were initiated. In each cockerel 2 nmol/kg of the tested neurohypophysial peptide (NPs) or analogue was IV injected six times at 6-min intervals. Arginine vasotocin (AVT) caused an immediate vasodepressor (VDP) effect and tachycardia. These subsided within 20–30 s and were followed by a vasopressor (VP) response and bradycardia. On repeated injections of AVT, the VDP response declined and bradycardia intensified. Arginine vasopressin (AVP), oxytocin (OT), and mesotocin (MT) had short-lasting VDP effect in the following order of potency: OT = MT > AVT > AVP. Only AVT and, more effectively, AVP, caused a VP response. The VDP effect of MT and OT declined on repeated injections. When AVT was injected after three injections of MT, it had mostly an immediate VP effect. Although the V₁ agonist is VP in chickens, at the dose used the V₁ antagonist, [d(CH₂)₅,O-Me-Tyr²]AVP, had no effect on cardiovascular responses to AVT. Pretreatment with OT antagonist, [d(CH₂)₅-O-Me-Tyr^2,Thr^4,Tyr^9,Orn⁸]VT, abolished the VDP effect of all NPs. Thus, MT had no effect on blood pressure, whereas AVP and, more effectively, AVT, had a marked immediate VP action. In chickens the VDP effect of NPs is probably mediated by an OT/MT-like receptor, wherein the peptide's ring structure, shared by AVT, OT, and MT, is important. The VP effect is mediated by a receptor only partially similar to the mammalian V₁ receptor, where arginine in position 8, shared only by AVT and AVP, is necessary for action, and the native AVT is more effective than the mammalian AVP. This receptor reacts to the V₁ agonist but probably not to the V₁ antagonist.     

Metagenomic Profiling of Viruses Associated with Rhipicephalus microplus Ticks in Yunnan Province,China

Ticks are well known as vectors of many viruses which usually do great harm to human and animal health. Yunnan Province, widely covered by flourishing vegetation and mainly relying on farming husbandry, is abundant with Rhipicephalus microplus ticks. Therefore, it is of great significance to characterize the viral profile present in R. microplus parasitizing on cattle in Yunnan Province. In this study, a total of 7387 R. microplus ticks were collected from cattle and buffalo in the northwest and southeast areas of Yunnan Province from 2015 to 2017. We investigated the virome of R.microplus using next-generation sequencing(NGS) and the prevalence of important identified viruses among tick groups by RT-PCR. It revealed the presence of diverse virus concerning chu-, rhabdo-, phlebo-, flavi-and parvo-viruses in Yunnan. These viruses consist of single-stranded, circular and segmented sense RNAs, showing a greatly diversity in genomic organization. Furthermore, continuous epidemiological survey among ticks reveals broad prevalence of three viruses(Yunnan mivirus 1, Wuhan tick vrius 1 and YN tick-associated phlebovirus 1) and two possible prevalent viruses including a flavivirus-like segmented virus(Jingmen tick virus) and a bovine hokovirus 2 in Yunnan. Serological investigation among cattle indicates that these identified viruses may be infectious to cattle and can elicit corresponding antibody. Our findings on R. microplus-associated viral community will contribute to the prevention of viral disease and tracking the viral evolution. Further analysis is needed to better elucidate the pathogenicity and natural circulation of these viruses.     

Vitamin A levels are decreased but not influenced by glucose- or lipid-lowering medications in subjects with type 2 diabetes

Background and aimType 2 diabetes (T2D) is a complex polygenic disease with unclear mechanisms. Clinical studies on the association of vitamin A with T2D in humans are still controversial. Herein, we aimed to investigate the plasma levels of vitamin A, predictor factors, and its correlations with clinical phenotypes in Emirati population. The effect of glucose-and lipid-lowering medications on vitamin A levels was also studied.MethodsA cross-sectional cohort comprised 158 T2D-subjects and 90 healthy controls were recruited from the United Arab Emirates National Diabetes Study (UAEDIAB). All anthropometric, clinical, and biomedical measurements were collected. Plasma levels of vitamin A were determined using ELISA assay.ResultsLevels of vitamin A were significantly lower in T2D-subjects compared to healthy control (p < 0.01). Vitamin A levels were unaffected by gender base and inversely correlated with age, fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), waist circumference, triglycerides, and body mass index (BMI). Regression analysis revealed that HbA1c and age are predictors for vitamin A. Intake of glucose- or lipid-lowering medications showed no effect on vitamin A levels.ConclusionHbA1c and age are predictors for low levels of vitamin A among Emirati-T2D subjects. No influence of glucose and lipid-lowering medications on the plasma levels of vitamin A.     

红河流域的外来入侵植物

红河流域是中国生物多样性最为丰富的地区,植物区系起源古老,生态系统类型复杂多样.本文论述了红河流域外来入侵植物的现状,列举了73种红河流域外来入侵物的种类,对危害比较严重的紫茎泽兰、飞机草、马樱丹、肿柄菊、凤眼莲和空心莲子草6种植物作了具体介绍.对外来入侵植物的控制对策,入侵植物本身的生物学特性的研究、保护生物多样性和退化生态系统的恢复以及路域生态系统管理等几方面作了论述.结果表明,减少人类对生态系统的干扰和破坏,恢复本地植被是防止外来入侵植物入侵的有效途径.     

红河流域的外来人侵植物

红河流域是中国生物多样性最为丰富的地区,植物区系起源古老,生态系统类型复杂多样.本文论述了红河流域外来入侵植物的现状,列举了73种红河流域外来入侵物的种类,对危害比较严重的紫茎泽兰、飞机草、马樱丹、肿柄菊、凤眼莲和空心莲子草6种植物作了具体介绍.对外来入侵植物的控制对策,入侵植物本身的生物学特性的研究、保护生物多样性和退化生态系统的恢复以及路域生态系统管理等几方面作了论述.结果表明,减少人类对生态系统的干扰和破坏,恢复本地植被是防止外来入侵植物入侵的有效途径.     

The islets of Langerhans in ducks and chickens with special reference to the argyrophil reaction

Summary The pancreas of birds is a suitable object for studying the A and B cells separately, since the two cell systems are topografically almost entirely segregated in the form of light (= B cells) and dark (= A cells) islets of Langerhans.On the whole in the chicken and duck the actual distribution of the light islets into different size classes followed the same regular pattern previously found in the rat and man. In the body of the pancreas, containing the great majority of islets, the volume distribution curves thus appeared symmetrical.With the silver impregnation method used a distinct argyrophil reaction in both types of islets was obtained on paraffin sections of the pancreas. According to the presence or absence of blackening, the cells of the dark islets could be divided into two distinct fractions. Especially in the duck the silver-positive cells were grouped in a characteristic way along the walls of the capillaries. Ducks and chickens are not the only animals in which it is possible to identify an argyrophil fraction in what the usual granule stains had shown to be A cells. Parallel studies of various mammals are in complete agreement with these observations. It is, however, still uncertain whether we are here dealing with differences in function, age etc. in one and the same type of cell or with two completely different kinds. No correlation between the argyrophil reaction in the dark islet cells and their content of SH and SS groups or tryptophane could be established.This work was aided by grants from the Swedish Medical Research Council.     

Correlation with changes in horns and pelage, but not reproduction, of seasonal cycles in the secretion of prolactin in rams of wild, feral and domesticated breeds of sheep

Seasonal cycles were monitored in groups of wild (mouflon), feral (Soay) and domesticated breeds of sheep (Shetland, Blackface, Herdwick, Norfolk, Wiltshire, Portland, Merino, Soay x Portland and Soay x Merino) living outdoors near Edinburgh (56 degrees N). Changes in the blood plasma concentrations of prolactin and FSH, and growth of the horns and pelage were measured every half calendar month from 1 to 3 years of age. In all breeds there was a clearly defined seasonal cycle in the plasma concentration of prolactin with an 18-66-fold increase in mean values from the nadir in November and December to the peak in May and June. The seasonal increase in prolactin was closely correlated with the seasonal increase in the growth of the horns, both within and between breeds (e.g. time of peak prolactin vs horn growth for 11 breeds, R = 0.62, P less than 0.05). In the mouflon, Soay and some of the domesticated breeds of sheep (Wiltshire, Herdwick and Shetland), the seasonal increase in prolactin was also temporally correlated with the resurgence of growth of the pelage in spring and a conspicuous moult. In the other breeds developed to produce fine wool (e.g. Norfolk, Portland and Merino), there was no clear seasonal change in the pelage and growth continued throughout the year. Comparison between breeds indicated that continuous growth of the pelage was associated with higher plasma prolactin concentrations in winter. The times of the seasonal changes in plasma concentrations of prolactin were not significantly correlated with the corresponding changes in the plasma concentrations of FSH. The overall results are consistent with a role for prolactin related to the growth of the horns and pelage rather than the seasonal cycle in reproduction. The differences between the wild-type and the domesticated breeds in the pelage represent the effect of selective breeding to produce a long fine fleece which has involved changes in both the seasonal pattern of prolactin secretion and the growth characteristics of the hair fibres.     

基于足迹家族的云南省资源与环境压力评价

为了科学评价区域资源与环境压力状况,为生态文明建设提供参考依据,构建了基于足迹家族的资源环境压力评价体系,并应用于云南省的资源环境压力评估。结果表明,1990—2013年,云南省生态压力由中上(Ⅱ_b)升至较高等级(Ⅲ_a);虽然林业碳汇23年来提高了73.28%,目前可中和全省14.67%的温室气体(GHG)排放,但碳足迹却增高了325.98%,致使GHG排放由较低(Ⅰ_b)上升至中下等级(Ⅱ_a);人均水足迹增速很小,可用水资源量较高,水资源压力虽很低(Ⅰ_a),但人均可用水资源量却以年均3.66%的速率减少;1990年以来,云南省的资源环境压力升高了一个亚级,由较低(Ⅰ_b)上升至中下等级(Ⅱ_a)。空间上生态压力变化较大,昆明、曲靖、昭通、文山、玉溪和红河等6市很高(Ⅲ_b),保山市和楚雄州较高(Ⅲ_a),大理州和临沧市为中上等级(Ⅱ_b),丽江、德宏、西双版纳、普洱等市(州)为中下等级(Ⅱ_a),怒江州和迪庆州分别属较低(Ⅰ_b)和很低等级(Ⅰ_a);GHG排放的空间差异较大,曲靖和昆明市为很高等级(Ⅲ_b),玉溪市较高(Ⅲ_a),红河市为中上(Ⅱ_b),西双版纳、怒江和迪庆3州属碳汇(Ⅰ_s),丽江和普洱市的GHG排放水平则低于全球应对气候变化目标的限定值,属很低等级(Ⅰa),其余地区较低(Ⅰ_b);空间上水资源压力亦不尽相同,昆明市的水资源压力很高(Ⅲ_b),楚雄州为中上等级(Ⅱ_b),玉溪市、大理州和曲靖市为中下等级(Ⅱa),其余地区很低(Ⅰ_a);资源环境压力的空间差异很大,昆明市很高(Ⅲ_b),曲靖市和玉溪市较高(Ⅲ_a),红河市中上(Ⅱ_b),昭通、文山、楚雄和大理州等市(州)中下(Ⅱ_a),保山市、临沧市和德宏州较低(Ⅰ_b),其余地区很低(Ⅰ_a)。在今后的发展中,云南省应严格保护耕地资源,推广农业高新技术,提高土地生产率;调整能源消费结构,大力发展清洁能源,减少GHG排放;加强森林保育,继续提高林业碳汇能力。使山清水秀的云南成为中国生态文明建设的一面旗帜。