关键词： Pines   Squirrels   Animal behavior   Food   Foraging   Eyes   Predation   Vision  

摘要： Asymmetry in motor patterns is present in a wide variety of animals. Many lateralized behaviors seem to depend on brain asymmetry, as it is the case of different tasks associated to food handling by several bird and mammal species. Here, we analyzed asymmetry in handling behavior of pine cones by red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris). Red squirrels devote most of their daily activity to feeding, thus this species constitutes an appropriate model for studying asymmetry in food processing. We aimed to explore 1) the potential lateralization in handling of pine cones by squirrels, 2) the dominant pattern for this behavior (left- vs. right-handed), and 3) whether this pattern varies among populations and depending on the pine tree species available. Results revealed that red squirrels handle pine cones in an asymmetrical way, and that direction of asymmetry varies among populations and seems to be determined more by local influences rather than by the pine tree species.

关键词： 实验动物   组织工程   树鼩   二抗   交叉反应   国家自然科学基金  

摘要： 背景:由于树鼩是介于食虫目和灵长目之间的代表,进化程度高,较价廉的灵长类动物,医学生物学的用途很高,已受到广大学者的重视。目的:检测通常用的二抗能否与树鼩的血清发生免疫反应。方法:用Western和ELISA的方法检测树鼩的血清是否与抗兔、抗羊、抗人、抗小鼠、抗大鼠、抗猴的二抗发生交叉反应。结果与结论:Western结果表明树鼩的血清与抗兔、抗羊、抗人、抗小鼠、抗大鼠的二抗均不发生反应,与抗猴的二抗有交叉反应。ELISA的结果也表明树鼩的血清与抗猴的二抗有交叉反应,而与其他二抗没有交叉反应。结果说明通常卖的二抗不能用于树鼩IgG的免疫检测,只有抗猴的二抗与树鼩的血清发生交叉反应,必需制备抗树鼩IgG的单克隆和多克隆抗体,在没有现成抗体可用时,可采用抗猴的二抗替代检测,能在树鼩疾病动物模型的研究中得到广泛应用。

关键词： constraint   development   Ebiscothyris bellonensis gen. et sp nov.   homoplasy   molecular phylogeny   molecular systematics   morphological systematics   new genera   phylogenetic systematics   rRNA  

摘要： We present five case studies among articulate (rhynchonelliform) brachiopods, i.e. of Rhynchonellida, Cancellothyridoidea, Terebratuloidea, Dyscolioidea, Laqueoidea, and various terebratulids with modified long-loops, in an attempt to illustrate and better understand congruence and conflict between morpho-classification and rDNA-based molecular clade structure, having been prompted to address these issues by difficulties encountered when describing the newly collected brachiopod, Ebiscothyris ***. The five studies reveal dramatic conflict in the Rhynchonellida and Terebratuloidea/Dyscolioidea, good congruence in the Cancellothyridoidea and Laqueoidea, and fair congruence (albeit with weak phylogenetic signal) in the long-looped terebratulids. We suggest that the leading cause of the observed conflict lies in the use of inadequately specific morphological characters and morpho-classification. Phylogenetic systematic (cladistic) analyses of Rhynchonellida also conflict markedly with the rDNA gene tree, leading us to recognize that such analyses are not only conceptually circular (using morphological characters to assess a morphological classification) but also to propose that they are biased by the act of classification that necessarily precedes the identification of putatively homologous characters;when the prior classification does not reflect evolutionary history, phylogenetic analysis will do likewise. In addition, we propose that the brachiopod community has overlooked the significance of two sources of morphological homoplasy affecting brachiopod systematics: (1) the loss of co-adapted genomic complexes caused by mass extinctions at the end of the Permian;and (2) the pervasive consequences of developmental integration and constraint resulting from the integrated roles of the outer mantle epithelium in shell deposition and growth that underly the determination of form and the shell-based classification.(c) 2015 The Linnean Society of London

关键词： Herbivorous animal   Ion PGM sequencer   Poisonous tree   SSR   Tree expansion  

摘要： Pieris japonica is a poisonous tree species that is rarely eaten by herbivorous animals, which could allow it to expand its distribution and change ecosystems. Using a next-generation sequencer, 18 microsatellite markers were isolated from P. japonica and characterized. The number of alleles at each locus ranged from 2 to 11. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.13 to 1.00 and 0.32 to 0.88, respectively. These markers will be useful for genetic studies of P. japonica, which will be essential for conservation of its surrounding environment.

关键词： competition   forest management   herbivores   invasion ecology   native-non-native interactions   species interactions   tree seedlings  

摘要： Invasive plants, herbivores and site management history can play crucial roles in determining plant community composition. The net effects of invasive species on plant communities are well known, but we have a poor understanding of the relative contributions of direct competitive effects of invasive species and their interactions with herbivores and management practices. Understanding interactions among plant invasions, herbivores and management history is critical for predicting and managing long-term ecological effects of invasions on native communities. We investigated the effects of the invasive annual grass Microstegium vimineum, vertebrate herbivory, site management history and their interactions on seedling performance of five native tree species in six forest sites. Half of the sites had been subjected to recent timber harvesting, and half had not been managed for timber for at least 20years. We evaluated tree seedling survival and biomass after two growing seasons in blocked split-plots where the invasive grass was present or experimentally removed and where vertebrate herbivores were excluded by fencing or allowed onto the plots. Removal of the invasive grass and herbivore exclosures both had positive effects on seedling survival. Survival of all species was significantly increased by removal or by the interaction of removal with exclosure or timber harvest history. There was a significant interaction between exclosure and removal on seedling biomass where seedlings were larger in exclosure treatments with the invasive removed but smaller in exclosure treatments when the invader was present. Mean seedling biomass was 796% greater in harvested sites than in non-harvested sites. The significant positive effects of removal and recent timber harvest on the biomass of two Quercus species suggest strong impacts of invasion and management history on this important *** and applications. An invasive grass directly inhibited tree seedling performance but

关键词： Constrained constructive optimization   Hepatic portal vein   Hepatic vein  

摘要： Physiologically realistic geometric models of the vasculature in the liver are indispensable for modelling hepatic blood flow, the main connection between the liver and the organism. Current in vivo imaging techniques do not provide sufficiently detailed vascular trees for many simulation applications, so it is necessary to use algorithmic refinement methods. The method of Constrained Constructive Optimization (CCO) (Schreiner et al., 2006) is well suited for this purpose. Its results after calibration have been previously compared to experimentally acquired human vascular trees (Schwen and Preusser, 2012). The goal of this paper is to extend this calibration to the case of rodents (mice and rats), the most commonly used animal models in liver research. Based on in vivo and ex vivo micro-CT scans of rodent livers and their vasculature, we performed an analysis of various geometric features of the vascular trees. Starting from pruned versions of the original vascular trees, we applied the CCO procedure and compared these algorithmic results to the original vascular trees using a suitable similarity measure. The calibration of the postprocessing improved the algorithmic results compared to those obtained using standard CCO. In terms of angular features, the average similarity increased from 027 to 0.61, improving the total similarity from 028 to 0.40. Finally, we applied the calibrated algorithm to refine measured vascular trees to the (higher) level of detail desired for specific applications. Having successfully adapted the CCO algorithm to the rodent model organism, the resulting individual-specific refined hepatic vascular trees can now be used for advanced modeling involving, e.g., detailed blood flow simulations. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

关键词： 树鼩   等效剂量   换算系数   体表面积  

摘要： 目的:测算树鼩与人类及其它实验动物等效剂量换算系数,为树鼩在生物医学领域的广泛应用提供重要的基础数据。方法:Image J软件测算树鼩表皮面积;基于体质量和体表面积,求出树鼩在Meeh-Rubner氏公式中的K值;计算得出树鼩与人类及其它种类实验动物之间药物剂量换算的常用系数。结果:树鼩在Meeh-Rubner氏公式中的K值为10.83±1.73;mg/kg-mg/m2转移因子为4.77±1.02;单位体质量上体表面积相对比值为0.65±0.10;按体质量/体表面积折算等效剂量的系数中,人类剂量(70kg)至树鼩剂量(130g)的换算系数为8.29。结论:本研究的结果为树鼩常用基础数据的完善提供了重要内容。

关键词： defaunation   ecosystem services   frugivores   habitat loss   herbivores  

摘要： The Gran Chaco in central South America is a major savanna woodland ecosystem. Accelerated changes in land use within it have resulted in a complex matrix of areas with varying capabilities for sustaining wildlife. Furthermore, hunting and habitat loss increasingly threaten the functional diversity of mammals found there. We assess the potential consequences of the loss of large and medium-sized native mammalian herbivores and frugivores on Chacoan ecosystem functioning, focusing on their role and conservation status in the Argentine Chaco. Our review shows that almost 50% of the largest frugivorous mammals present in the Argentine Chaco are threatened and exhibit declining population trends. Their decline may cause changes in vegetation composition, since almost 53% of the Chacoan woody plant species display endozoochory as their seed dispersal mechanism. Moreover, 80% of the largest herbivores are threatened, which may also lead to a compositional change in savanna vegetation. There is a significant void of information regarding the population status of native mammals in the Argentine Chaco and the functional roles they play in the ecosystem, and there are few studies examining the consequences of their potential loss. We express our concern with the major changes taking place in this subtropical region due to significant and rapid habitat transformations and emphasize the important role of ecological functionality in restoration and conservation planning in the Gran Chaco.

关键词： 肾阴虚型   老年痴呆证   中药治疗   病证结合   六味地黄丸   药效评价  

摘要： 目的:肾虚证是老年痴呆较常见的证型，研究肾虚型老年痴呆病及抗痴呆的中药治疗，意义重大。并且树鼩是研究脑疾病方面较理想的实验动物。本研究旨在以树鼩为对象，构建肾阴虚型老年痴呆病模型，为防治老年性痴呆及相关药物的研发提供病证结合的动物模型。　　方法:　　(1)肾阴虚型树鼩动物模型的建立。摸索出氢化可的松造肾阴虚证的给药途径、最佳剂量、给药时间。方法一:分别腹腔注射生理盐水、低剂量（1mg/100g体重）氢化可的松、中剂量（1.5mg/100g体重）氢化可的松、高剂量（2mg/100g体重）氢化可的松，连续5天。方法二:分别腹腔注射生理盐水、低剂量（1mg/100g体重）氢化可的松、高剂量（1.5mg/100g体重）氢化可的松，连续7天。在造模期间每天测量树鼩体重并观察毛发、粪便等一般状态。在给药结束后，测量每组动物血清中游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸(FT3)、游离甲状腺素(FT4)、雌二醇(E2)、睾酮、皮质醇(CORT)的含量，脏器指数。　　(2)老年痴呆树鼩动物模型的建立。方法一:分别腹腔注射生理盐水、低剂量（0.5ml/100g体重）0.96％D-半乳糖、高剂量（0.5ml/100g体重）1.92％D-半乳糖，连续6周。6周后造模组进行双侧脑室注射鹅膏蕈氨酸(IBO)5μg，空白组在相应位置注射生理盐水。方法二:分别双侧脑室注射生理盐水、低剂量(Aβ25-355μg+IBO5μg)、高剂量（Aβ25-3510μg+IBO5μg）。在造模期间每天测量树鼩体重并观察毛发、粪便等一般状态。在给药结束后测量脏器指数，观察脑组织病理形态变化，比较脑组织中乙酰胆碱转移酶(CHAT)、突触素(SYP)、APP、Aβ1-42、磷酸化tau(P-tau)、去甲肾上腺素(NE)的含量。　　(3)肾阴虚型老年痴呆模型的建立和六味地黄丸的干预作用。将动物随机分成四组。空白组:第一天双侧脑室注射生理盐水，之后腹腔注射生理盐水连续3天，灌胃蒸馏水连续10天;AD组:第一天双侧脑室同时注射Aβ25.3510μg和IBO5μg，之后腹腔注射生理盐水连续3天，灌胃蒸馏水连续10天;肾阴虚型AD组:第一天双侧脑室同时注射Aβ25-3510μg和IBO5μg，之后腹腔注射氢化可的松（1mg/100g体重）连续3天，灌胃蒸馏水连续10天;六味地黄丸治疗组:第一天双侧脑室同时注射Aβ25-3510μg和IBO5μg，之后腹腔注射氢化可的松（1mg/100g体重）连续3天，灌胃六味地黄丸（1mg/100g体重，2mg/ml）连续10天。在给药造模期间每天测量树鼩体重记录一般状态。在给药结束后，测量相应的生化指标、脏器指数、观察脑组织的病理形态变化、比较脑组织中CHAT、SYP、APP、Aβ1-42、P-tau、NE的含量。　　结果:　　(1)在肾阴虚模型部分，方法一:与空白组比较，高剂量组出现肌肉萎缩，四肢瘦瘪少光泽，皮肤疏松，但活动力差，状态不好;中剂量组出现大便干结，肌肉萎缩，四肢瘦瘪少光泽，皮毛无光泽，活力较强;低剂量组皮毛无光泽，生命指征良好，皮质醇水平显著下降(p＜0.05)。方法二:高剂量组出现大便干结、肌肉萎缩、四肢瘦瘪少光泽、皮毛无光泽且生命体征较弱，FT3和睾酮水平均显著下降(p＜0.05），甲状腺指数显著降低(p＜0.05）;低剂量组出现易惊躁动、大便干结、肌肉萎缩、皮毛无光泽，FT3和CORT水平显著降低(p＜0.05)，E2水平显著升高(p＜0.05)。结果表明，方法二中的低剂量(1mg/100g)，腹腔注射连续7天后，树鼩的状态及各项指标较符合肾阴虚证的表现。　　(2)在老年痴呆模型部分，方法一:与空白组比较，高剂量组一般状态变化为毛发少光泽且掉毛严重，食盒中有粪便;脑组织中神经元细胞发生核固缩成不规则形，胞浆、胞核界限不明显，细胞周围间隙大，排列紊乱，神经纤维排列杂乱，锥体细胞大量缺失;CHAT免疫阳性神经元数目和SYP反应产物的量大量减少，平均截面积非常显著下降(p＜0.01);APP、Aβ1-42、 P-tau蛋白的灰度值非常显著性增多(p＜0.01），脑组织的NE含量显著减少(p＜0.05）。低剂量组一般状态变化为躁动易惊，上下逃窜，毛发少光泽，掉毛，食盒中有粪便;脑组织中神经元细胞发生核固缩成不规则形，细胞稀疏，锥体细胞变小;CHAT免疫阳性神经元数量和SYP反应产物的量减少，平均截面积非常显著降低(p＜0.01);APP、Aβ1-42、P-tau蛋白的灰度值非常显著性增多(p＜0.01）。方法二:高剂量组一般状态变化为毛发少光泽且掉毛严重，将粪便拉在食盒当中，体重显著性降低(p＜0.05）;脑组织中神经元发生核固缩成不规则形，胞浆、胞核界限不明显，细胞周围间隙大，排列紊乱，神经纤维排列杂乱，锥体细胞大量缺失;CHAT免疫阳性神经元数量和S

关键词： 脉络膜新生血管   树鼩   动物模型   VEGF   PIGF-1  

摘要： 一、研究目的：探讨利用激光诱导建立树鼩脉络膜新生血管动物模型的可行性、形态学和组织学变化。二、实验方法：,1.激光损伤动物模型制作选取成年健康树鼩25只(48只眼),分为6组,每组4只(8眼),第6组为空白对照组。空白对照组不做任何处理.模型建立的方法：树鼩腹腔内注射戊巴比妥钠麻醉后,复方托吡卡胺散瞳三次,盐酸奥布卡因眼表面麻醉,对试验1-5组进行氪红激光视网膜光凝,每眼距离视盘约1PD位置做8个光凝点,出现爆破音和视网膜上有水泡改变,证明Bruch膜成功受到破坏。2、建模成功的判定激光光凝术后有气泡形成,标志Bruch’s膜破裂,成为CNV形成的基础,以FFA出现荧光渗漏作为建模成功的评判标准。3、模型的组织学评价(1)FFA：分别于光凝后3、7、14、21、28d,行FFA检查。CNV判定取造影晚期像(FFA>5min)观察CNV形成渗漏情况。计算机图像分析系统计算每个时间点CNV的荧光素渗漏积分面积。(2)免疫组化检测包括：VEGF-A、PIGF、Ⅷ因子。4、统计分析经过统计分析,判断动物模型建立的成功率、临床表现和组织病理表现与人类疾病过程的相似程度,对激光诱导树鼩CNV模型建立进行总体评价。三、研究结果：1.在同一时间点早、中、晚期FFA荧光渗漏面积可看出中、晚期渗漏面积大于早期,p<0.05, FFA渗漏面积早、中、晚期渗漏面差异性,有统计学意义。在不同时间点FFA同一时期表现出7～14天为渗漏面积高峰时期,随着3天、7天、14天、21天、28天时间的增加,FFA渗漏面积增加,p<0.005, FFA渗漏面积在不同的时间点的差异,有统计学意义。2.树鼩生物学分类接近于灵长类,视网膜结构与人类非常相似,HE染色可见,空白对照组的正常树鼩视网膜、脉络膜各层组织结构清晰,完整,分为十层,从内到外依次为内界膜、神经纤维层、节细胞层,内从状层、内核层、外丛状层、外核层、外界膜、视锥视杆细胞层、色素上皮层。实验1-5组激光损伤后可见视网膜各层广泛的血管扩张和管腔内淤血。3.实验组与空白组激光光凝术后进行PIGF、VEGF-AⅧ因子染色比较：运用SPSS17.0软件,实验结果以均数±标准差表示,对实验组术后激光着色强度、着色面积、总分情况进行方差齐性检验,结果P<0.05。经t检验, 实验组与空白组经PIGF、VEGF-A染色,实验组与空白组相比较随着造模时间延长,表达显著增高,差异有统计学意义。(P<0.05)。Ⅷ因子染色,经t检验,实验组从第14天开始随着造模时间延长表达才出现增高,从第14天起实验组对照组差异有统计学意义。(P<0.05)。可认为在激光损伤树鼩视网膜后VEGF、 PIGF-1、Ⅷ因子表达显著增高。四、结论：1.氪红激光视网膜光凝术可诱导树鼩脉络膜新生血管的形成。2.病理切片HE染色结果仅显示视网膜节细胞层广泛血管扩张和管内淤血,未见机械损伤,未能显示脉络膜新生血管的生长,可能与病理切片取材部位不准确有关。3.在激光损伤树鼩视网膜后,视网膜新生血管生长的相关因子均出现阳性表达,且表达的强度随观察时间延长而增强,出现阳性表达的时间VEGF和PIGF-1为激光后第7天,Ⅷ因子为第14天。