Chronic coccidian infestation compromises flight feather quality in house sparrows Passer domesticus

Parasites usurp indispensable resources for birds during a moult, and this is particularly relevant for those parasites residing in host intestines. This might compromise the nutritionally demanding moult and, thus, feather functionality. Although lower feather quality has profound and multifaceted adverse effects on residual fitness, surprisingly, little is known about parasites' effect on feather traits, especially over the longer term. We conducted an aviary experiment by medicating half of a group of naturally infested house sparrows Passer domesticus against intestinal coccidians for 15 months, spanning two consecutive postnuptial moults, whereas the other half was kept infested (i.e. without medication). Coccidian infestation significantly and negatively affected the size of the uropygial gland during the second moulting period compared to the medicated group. Furthermore, wing length was significantly shorter after the second moulting in the non‐medicated compared to the medicated female birds, which indicates that the negative effects of coccidians emerge only after a prolonged exposure to parasite infestation. Non‐medicated birds grew poorer quality flight feathers detected in a large number of feather traits both after the first and second moults. In the case of non‐medicated birds, the primaries were lighter and shorter, and had a smaller vane area, thinner rachis and decreased stiffness, although a higher barb and barbule density, which may have various consequences for fitness through reducing flight performance. Our findings demonstrate that, besides the well‐known immediate consequences for host breeding success, parasites might also have serious, long‐lasting effects through influencing feather quality and, ultimately, fitness of the host. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London     

The Piperaceae Amides I: Structure of Pipercide,A New Insecticidal Amide from Piper nigrum L.

It was evidenced that mutagenic principles in tryptophan pyrolysate, 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H pyrido(4,3-b) indole and 3-amino-1-methyl-5H pyrido(4,3-b) indole (abbreviated as Trp-P-1 and Trp-P-2, respectively) bind to DNA without activation by rat liver microsomes. The bindings of Trp-P-1 and Trp-P-2 were not random and did not introduce strand scissions into DNA. Trp-P-1 bound more easily than Trp-P-2. The bindings of these mutagenic principles to DNA were concluded by using negatively superhelical simian virus 40 (SV40) DNA from following experimental data. (1) The intensity of ethidium bromide (EtBr)-DNA fluorescence by illumination with UV light and the electrophoretic mobility of superhelical DNA in agarose gel decreased as a function of the amounts of Trp-P-1 and Trp-P-2. (2) In vitro RNA synthesis catalyzed by Escherichia coli DNA-dependent RNA polymerase and nick-translation catalyzed by Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I (Kornberg enzyme) were inhibited significantly on DNA treated with Trp-P-1 and Trp-P-2. (3) The negative superhelicity of SV40 DNA introduces unpaired regions into DNA. These regions can be cleaved by single-strand-specific S1 endonuclease to generate unit length linear duplex molecules. It was found that this S1-sensitivity of DNA decreased by treatment with Trp-P-1. (4) The cleavage patterns of Trp-P-1 treated DNA with five restriction endonucleases were investigated. The protection of the cleavage site by the drug was observed against HincII, HindIII and EcoRII, whereas not against HaeIII and HinfI. These results show that the binding of Trp-P-1 to DNA is not random. Identical results were also obtained in Trp-P-2.

However, the bindings of Trp-P-1 and Trp-P-2 were not so tight, and phenol extraction of the complex dissociated these drugs from DNA.     

The impact of simulated chronic nitrogen deposition on the biomass and N2-fixation activity of two boreal feather moss–cyanobacteria associations

Bryophytes achieve substantial biomass and play several key functional roles in boreal forests that can influence how carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling respond to atmospheric deposition of reactive nitrogen (N_r). They associate with cyanobacteria that fix atmospheric N₂, and downregulation of this process may offset anthropogenic N_r inputs to boreal systems. Bryophytes also promote soil C accumulation by thermally insulating soils, and changes in their biomass influence soil C dynamics. Using a unique large-scale (0.1 ha forested plots), long-term experiment (16 years) in northern Sweden where we simulated anthropogenic N_r deposition, we measured the biomass and N₂-fixation response of two bryophyte species, the feather mosses Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi. Our data show that the biomass declined for both species; however, N₂-fixation rates per unit mass and per unit area declined only for H. splendens. The low and high treatments resulted in a 29% and 54% reduction in total feather moss biomass, and a 58% and 97% reduction in total N₂-fixation rate per unit area, respectively. These results help to quantify the sensitivity of feather moss biomass and N₂ fixation to chronic N_r deposition, which is relevant for modelling ecosystem C and N balances in boreal ecosystems.     

海藻粉和抗菌肽对肉鸡生长性能、免疫器官指数和肠道菌群的影响

为探讨海藻粉和抗菌肽不同添加水平对肉鸡生长性能、免疫器官指数和肠道菌群的影响。选取1日龄体重相近的AA肉鸡504羽,随机分为7个处理,每处理6个重复,每重复12羽。对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组在基础日粮中添加不同水平(1.0%、3.0%、5.0%)的海藻粉和抗菌肽(300 mg/kg、600 mg/kg)。试验分前期(1~21 d)和后期(22~42 d)共42 d。结果表明:(1)添加不同水平的海藻粉对前期、后期和全期肉鸡的料重比有显著影响(P0.05);对21日龄肉鸡的脾脏指数和胸腺指数及对42日龄肉鸡的法氏囊指数差异显著(P0.05);降低了21日龄和42日龄肉鸡盲肠大肠杆菌的数量(P0.05),增加了盲肠乳酸菌的数量(P0.05)。(2)添加不同水平的抗菌肽对后期和全期肉鸡的料重比有显著差异(P0.05);对21日龄肉鸡的脾脏指数和胸腺指数及对42日龄肉鸡的法氏囊指数差异显著(P0.05);降低了21日龄和42日龄肉鸡盲肠大肠杆菌的数量(P0.05),增加了盲肠乳酸菌的数量(P0.05)。(3)海藻粉和抗菌肽交互作用对前期、后期和全期肉鸡的料重比有明显影响(P0.05);对21日龄肉鸡的脾脏指数和胸腺指数及对42日龄肉鸡的法氏囊指数差异显著(P0.05);降低了21日龄和42日龄肉鸡盲肠大肠杆菌的数量(P0.05),增加了盲肠乳酸菌的数量(P0.05)。本研究得出以下结论,海藻粉和抗菌肽能促进肉鸡生长,提高肉鸡免疫器官指数和改善肠道菌群,且二者间存在协同效应,添加5%的海藻粉和300 mg/kg抗菌肽综合效果最佳。     

Feather steroid hormone concentrations in relation to age,sex, and molting time in a long‐distance migratory passerine

In birds, concentrations of testosterone (T) and corticosterone (Cort) are closely connected with many morphological, behavioral, and other physiological traits, including reproduction, metabolism, immunity, and fitness. The direction of the effect of these hormones on above‐mentioned traits, and the potential feedback between hormones are in general unclear; in addition, knowledge on how age and sex can affect T and Cort concentrations is still inconsistent. Our study used a novel method to analyze testosterone and corticosterone in feathers (T_f, Cort_f) based on the precolumn chemical derivatization of hormones before liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) analysis. Unlike previously used methods (RIA, EIA), our analytical procedure allows simultaneous analysis of both hormones from small amounts of feathers (4–25 mg) and, thus, overcomes the problem of insufficient detection limits. We applied this method to reveal associations between T_f and Cort_f hormone concentrations and feather growth, age, and sex in feathers grown during the postbreeding (flanks) and prebreeding (tails) periods in barn swallows (Hirundo rustica). There was neither a correlation between prebreeding and postbreeding T_f, nor between prebreeding and postbreeding Cort_f. Tail Cort_f concentrations were negatively associated with tail feather growth rates. Feather hormone concentrations were correlated in the prebreeding period, negatively in males but positively in females. Both Cort_f and T_f were higher in young birds compared to older ones, indicating either an age‐related decrease in hormone concentrations within individuals, or the selective disappearance of individuals with high steroid concentrations. Males and females did not differ in Cort_f, but T_f concentrations were higher in males than females, particularly during the prebreeding period. In this study, we provide an effective method for analyzing hormones in feathers in an ecological context, especially in situations when the total amount of feathers available for the analysis is limited.     

Of 11 candidate steroids,corticosterone concentration standardized for mass is the most reliable steroid biomarker of nutritional stress across different feather types

相似文献   

硝黄散外敷联合加味五虎汤口服治疗痰热闭肺型肺炎支原体肺炎患儿对肺功能和血清TNF-α、IFN-γ、IL-4水平的影响

目的:观察硝黄散外敷联合加味五虎汤口服治疗痰热闭肺型肺炎支原体肺炎(MPP)患儿对肺功能和血清肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、γ-干扰素(IFN-γ)、白介素-4(IL-4)水平的影响。方法:研究对象为我院2019年6月~2021年1月期间收治的MPP患儿80例,采用随机数字表法将患儿分为对照组(n=40,阿奇霉素抗感染治疗)和研究组(n=40,对照组基础上加用硝黄散外敷联合加味五虎汤口服治疗),均治疗7 d。比较两组患儿临床疗效,比较两组治疗前、治疗7 d后的中医证候积分、临床症状改善情况、肺功能和血清TNF-α、IFN-γ、IL-4水平。结果:研究组治疗7 d后的临床总有效率为92.50%(37/40),高于对照组的72.50%(29/40),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。与对照组相比,研究组的症状(咳嗽憋喘、发热、肺部干湿啰音)消失时间均更短(P<0.05)。与对照组相比,研究组治疗7 d后用力肺活量(FVC)、最高呼气峰流速(PEF)、第1秒最大呼气容积(FEV1)、FEV1/FVC均更高(P<0.05),研究组治疗7 d后的中医证候积分及血清TNF-α、IFN-γ和IL-4水平均更低(P<0.05)。结论:痰热闭肺型MPP患儿采用硝黄散外敷联合加味五虎汤口服治疗,可有效缩短患儿症状消失时间,显著改善其肺功能、血清炎症因子水平,疗效显著。     

四黄散外敷对竹叶青蛇咬伤肿胀的疗效观察

目的 探讨四黄散外敷治疗竹叶青蛇咬伤肿胀的临床疗效.方法 选择2017年10月～2020年4月我院收治的112例竹叶青蛇咬伤肿胀患者为研究对象,采用随机数字表法将患者分为观察组和对照组,每组56例.对照组采用常规蛇咬伤处理方案,包括清创、引流、注射抗蛇毒血清及对症治疗等.观察组在对照组治疗基础上采用四黄散外敷治疗.观察...     

Production of single cell protein using waste capsicum powder produced during capsanthin extraction

Aims: To produce single cell protein (SCP) by using waste capsicum powder produced during capsanthin extraction as a substrate. Methods and results: The extraction [CPM (capsicum powder medium)] from waste capsicum powder was used as culture medium to cultivate four yeast strains. The main composition of CPM was determined. The average concentration of total sugar, total nitrogen and phosphorous of CPM were 16·3, 3·7 g l^?1 and 785·4 mg l^?1, respectively. Four yeast strains were cultured in two CPMs, and the cell mass, protein content of cells and specific growth rate of cells were determined. Addition of corn steep liquor significantly increased the cell mass production. Presence of capsaicin in CPM did not show inhibition of cell growth of yeast tested. Conclusions: CPM contained sufficient nutrients and could be used as a good medium to produce SCP. Candida utilis 1769 was chosen as the biomass producer because of its highest SCP formation (6·8 g l^?1) and higher specific growth rate (0·12 h^?1). The amino acid composition of its protein was well balanced. Significance and Impact of the Study: Utilization of waste capsicum powder can reduce environmental pollution and increase protein supply for animal feed.     

Natural variation in the sexually selected feather ornaments of crested auklets (Aethia cristatella) does not predict future survival

We evaluated whether sexually selected crest and auricular plumefeather ornaments of crested auklet (Aethia cristatella) adultscovaried with individual local survival over 11 years (1991–2001).Crested auklets (n = 364 total) were captured near breedingsites, marked with color rings, and local survival estimateswere based on color ring resightings at a breeding colony. Survivalestimates and relationships among local survival and crest length,auricular plume length, mass and tarsus were evaluated usingthe program MARK. The best models included four groups, definedby sex and ease of resighting, that differed in resighting rate(p) but not local survival rate (). This model structure effectivelyexplained sources of variation in local survival and resightabilityamong individuals. The best fitting model showed local survivalrate varying annually, while accounting for differences in resightabilityof marked individuals between the sexes and groups ([t], p[sex*easeof resighting]). Annual local survival varied from 0.940 ±0.029 (SE) in 1993–1994 to 0.767 ± 0.034 in 1997–1998and averaged 0.859 ± 0.019. We found no evidence thatcrested auklet local survival covaried with continuous variationin individuals' ornaments. Simulations indicated that our dataset was sufficient to detect a relationship between local survivaland a covariate that equaled or exceeded a range of 8%. Theimplications for competing sexual selection mechanisms of empiricallymeasured survival–ornament relationships are controversial,but our study emphasizes that survival estimates for such investigationsmust control for confounding factors such as resighting rateas well as have sufficient statistical power and time scaleto be biologically meaningful. Our results are most consistentwith the idea that the conspicuous variation in crested auklet'sshowy ornaments is arbitrary with respect to individual viabilityas quantified by their long-term survival.