This study aimed to reveal the microbial diversity in the fecal samples of bactrian camels using the 16 S r RNA sequencing analysis on the Illumina Mi Seq platform. Three fecal samples were collected from two geograph...This study aimed to reveal the microbial diversity in the fecal samples of bactrian camels using the 16 S r RNA sequencing analysis on the Illumina Mi Seq platform. Three fecal samples were collected from two geographical regions in China. Operational taxonomic unit（OTU） clustering was performed by identifying an OTU at 97% sequence identity. The alpha and beta diversities were applied to estimate the differences in microbial diversity among the three fecal samples. Totally, 4409, 3151 and 4075 OTUs in the fecal samples were identified in the Lop Nor wild camel（Camelus ferus）, the domestic camel（C. bactrianus） and Dunhuang wild camel（C. ferus）, respectively. The majority of bactreria were affiliated with phylum Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes in the three samples. The wild camels had higher gastrointestinal tract microbial diversity than the domestic one, while the microbial composition of the Lop Nor wild camel shared higher similarity with domestic camel at the genus and family levels than that of the Dunhuang wild camel did. Our results may provide a theoretical basis for assessing their health conditions and may thus be useful for protecting the critically endangered species of C. ferus.展开更多
Camelids are the only mammals that can produce functional heavy-chain antibodies(HCAbs).Although HCAbs were discovered over 30 years ago,the antibody gene repertoire of Bactrian camels remains largely underexplored.To...Camelids are the only mammals that can produce functional heavy-chain antibodies(HCAbs).Although HCAbs were discovered over 30 years ago,the antibody gene repertoire of Bactrian camels remains largely underexplored.To characterize the diversity of variable genes of HCAbs(VHHs),germline and rearranged VHH repertoires are constructed.Phylogenetics analysis shows that all camelid VHH genes are derived from a common ancestor and the nucleotide diversity of VHHs is similar across all camelid species.While species-specific hallmark sites are identified,the non-canonical cysteines specific to VHHs are distinct in Bactrian camels and dromedaries compared with alpacas.Though low divergence at the germline repertoire between wild and domestic Bactrian camels,higher expression of VHHs is observed in some wild Bactrian camels than that of domestic ones.This study not only adds our understanding of VHH repertoire diversity across camelids,but also provides useful resources for HCAb engineering.展开更多
With the increasing immunological studies on camels due to the advantage of their single-chain antibodies for humanizations,it is demanding to develop an easy-to-handle evaluation method of their humoral immune respon...With the increasing immunological studies on camels due to the advantage of their single-chain antibodies for humanizations,it is demanding to develop an easy-to-handle evaluation method of their humoral immune response before proceeding with immunization of foreign antigens that may be toxic to camels.In this study,we quantitatively determined the expression levels of T-helper 2(Th2)cytokines in peripheral blood lymphocytes obtained from Bactrian camels by real-time PCR.The recorded kinetic profiles resulting from the immunization of ovalbumin(OVA)indicated that after immunization,Th2 cytokines including interleukin(IL)families such as IL-4,IL-10,and IL-13 in the camels were up-regulated by a factor of 1.78,3.15,and 1.22,respectively,which was validated by traditional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)methods.Unlike ELISA which requires specific enzyme-labeled antibodies,this established method based on the minimal amount of blood samples holds an advantage in the preliminary evaluation of camel humoral immune response with desirable precision,which is meaningful for biomedical explorations of camel-derived antibodies.展开更多
A disease characterized by emaciation, pica, lameness and liability to fracture in bactrian camel from gravel desert pasture was described. Analyses of mineral elements in soil, water and forage from the affected and ...A disease characterized by emaciation, pica, lameness and liability to fracture in bactrian camel from gravel desert pasture was described. Analyses of mineral elements in soil, water and forage from the affected and normal areas as well as in blood, hair and parts of tissues from normal and diseased camel, together with a pathological study were carried out to define the nature and major causes of the disease. The related blood indices were also measured. The result indicated that copper and phosphorus in the soil and forage from the affected area were significantly lower than those of the normal area (P<0.01). The levels of phosphorus in the blood, hair and rib reduced significantly in affected camels. The concentrations of PTH, T3, T4, creat-inine(Crt) and the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in serum rose markedly (P<0.01). Bone injury was characterized by osteoporosis. The degenerative and necrotic lesions of liver and kidney were common. In addition, slight demylination of brains and spinal cords were showed by histopathological and ultrastructural studies. It is concluded that the disease is caused mainly by phosphorus deficiency in the food chain.展开更多
The purpose of this study was to describe the basal nuclei of brain in Bactrian camel. Seven coronal slices of brain were uniformly taken between callosal genu and splenium, and six uniform sagittal slices of left cer...The purpose of this study was to describe the basal nuclei of brain in Bactrian camel. Seven coronal slices of brain were uniformly taken between callosal genu and splenium, and six uniform sagittal slices of left cerebral hemisphere of brain were examined. The results demonstrated that the basal nuclei of the brain include the caudata nucleus, putamen, putamen and pallidum, internal capsule and external capsule, claustrum and amygdaloid body. The study provides an elementary finding on the gross anatomy for further research on the comparative neuroanatomy, neu- rephysiology and the related behavior study of the camel.展开更多
In this study, mitochondrial 16S rRNA sequences of snow leopard, gray wolf, domestic horse and Bactrian camel inhabited or domesticated in Mongolian territory were obtained by using polymerase chain reaction （PCR） b...In this study, mitochondrial 16S rRNA sequences of snow leopard, gray wolf, domestic horse and Bactrian camel inhabited or domesticated in Mongolian territory were obtained by using polymerase chain reaction （PCR） based on universal primers for 16S rRNA （F-5＇-AACGAGCCTGGTGATA-3＇ and R-5＇-CTCCGGTCTGAACTCAGATCACGTA-3＇）. The 16S rRNA sequence was 1,048 bp to 1,086 bp in length, and each sequence was compared to other related species （Felidae, Camelidae, Equidae and Canidae） by using NCBI Basic Local Alignment Search Tool （BLAST）. Results showed that sequences were highly similar to sequences in GenBank database （93%-99%）. Then phylogenetic analysis was performed based on about 1,100 bp sequence of 16S rRNA for Panthera uncia, Canis lupus, Equus caballus, Camelus bactrianus and other related species. The result revealed that P. uncia and P. leo were sister species, C. bactrianus and C. ferus were more closely related species, and wolf and dog were the almost similar species. This finding could be important for designing species specific primers for PCR based analysis of animal species identification and forensic veterinary medicine.展开更多
The Kumtag Desert, the fourth largest sand desert covered mainly by mobile dunes and shifting sands, had remained as the last untouched natural desert to be fully investigated in a scientific way. Therefore,＂Integrat...The Kumtag Desert, the fourth largest sand desert covered mainly by mobile dunes and shifting sands, had remained as the last untouched natural desert to be fully investigated in a scientific way. Therefore,＂Integrated Scientific Expedition of the Kumtag Desert Programme＂was listed as one of nine key research programmes of China National Science and Technology Basic Research Programmes in December, 2006. The expedition team carried out two large-scale and multidisciplinary scientific expeditions from June 2007 to December 2009, to the Kumtag Desert and collected more than 20 sets of field samples and ground observations. Finally, the expedition team completed not only systematic and integrated scientific expedition of the Kumtag Desert and filled in the gap of the last unexplored desert in China, but also gained fruitful research results in many scientific research subjects. These research results included that：（i） A unique aeolian landform unit, sand-gravel-moraine, developed in the Kumtag Desert, was defined and named for the first time, and the morphologic characteristics of feather-like longitudinal sand dune and its formation process are initially proved;（ii） Two sources and mineral element composition of the surface sedimentation of the Kumtag Desert was determined, and the characteristics of the desert sedimentation and stratum chronology of the Later Cenozoic Era was illustrated;（iii） The chronology of the paleo-aeolian sand was essentially determined and the formation courses and evolution process of the desert was illustrated;（iv） The thorough investigations of water system distribution, hydrology,chemical characteristics of water of the Kumtag Desert were made and six Water System Evolution Maps of the Kumtag Desert were compiled from the Later Cenozoic Era to the contemporary age;（v） The types, formation processes and distribution of soil in the Kumtag Desert were fully determined;（vi）An all-direction, all-weather, full-coverage desert meteorology observation was established and the characteristics and trend of climate change of the Kumtag Desert and nearby districts were adequately illustrated;（vii） It is the first time that the distribution areas of six plant species, including Tamarix taklamakanensis, Tamarix albiflonum, Agriophyllum lateriflorum etc., were catalogued in the Desert;（viii） The varieties, population, quantity and distribution of the wild animal such as the Bactrian Camel （Camelus ferus Przewalski）, are now documented;And （ix） it is the first time that the ecological services and economic function subdivision zones of the Kumtag Desert were classified;the Framework of the Great Dunhuang Special Ecological-Economic Zone was proposed to realize the sustainable development strategy in population, resources, environment, ecology and economics in the Kumtag Desert and nearby districts.展开更多
Captive conditions can affect the symbiotic microbiome of animals.In this study,we compared the structural and functional differences of the gastrointestinal microbiomes of wild Bactrian camels(Camelus ferus)between w...Captive conditions can affect the symbiotic microbiome of animals.In this study,we compared the structural and functional differences of the gastrointestinal microbiomes of wild Bactrian camels(Camelus ferus)between wild and captive populations,as well as their different host energy utilization performances through metagenomics.The results showed that wild-living camels harbored more microbial taxa related to the production of volatile fatty acids,fewer methanogens,and fewer genes encoding enzymes involved in methanogenesis,leading to higher energy utilization efficiency compared to that of captive-living camels.These findings suggest that the wild-living camel fecal microbiome demonstrates a series of adaptive characteristics that enable the host to adjust to a relatively barren field environment.Our study provides novel insights into the mechanisms of wildlife adaptations to habitats from the perspective of the microbiome.展开更多
Heavy chain only antibodies(HCAbs)represent a rare type of antibody that is devoid of light chains and the CH1 domain that have been reported in cartilaginous fish and camelids.By analyzing transcript data and genome ...Heavy chain only antibodies(HCAbs)represent a rare type of antibody that is devoid of light chains and the CH1 domain that have been reported in cartilaginous fish and camelids.By analyzing transcript data and genome sequences,we conducted a comprehensive analysis of Bactrian camel immunoglobulin heavy chain genes.Based on the transcript data,oneμgene,fiveγgenes,oneαgene and oneεgene were found.Additionally,the variable region of HCAbs(VHH)and the conventional antibodies(VH)sequences associated with theγ3,γ1a/b andμgenes were amplified.Based on these genome sequences,seven DH,six JH,μ,γ2a,γ2c,α,andεgenes and a portion of aγ3 gene were observed.Different Kozak sequences within different VH families were found in our analysis,and the variability index differed between the VHH3 and VH3 families.Phylogenetic analysis of the constant regions of the camelid immunoglobulin genes indicates that these genes appeared before the evolutionary divergence of Bactrian camels and dromedaries.展开更多
基金supported by the Xinjiang Lop Nur Wild Camels National Reserve Comprehensive Scientific Research Projects by The Environmental Protection Agency of China (20100228)
文摘This study aimed to reveal the microbial diversity in the fecal samples of bactrian camels using the 16 S r RNA sequencing analysis on the Illumina Mi Seq platform. Three fecal samples were collected from two geographical regions in China. Operational taxonomic unit（OTU） clustering was performed by identifying an OTU at 97% sequence identity. The alpha and beta diversities were applied to estimate the differences in microbial diversity among the three fecal samples. Totally, 4409, 3151 and 4075 OTUs in the fecal samples were identified in the Lop Nor wild camel（Camelus ferus）, the domestic camel（C. bactrianus） and Dunhuang wild camel（C. ferus）, respectively. The majority of bactreria were affiliated with phylum Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes in the three samples. The wild camels had higher gastrointestinal tract microbial diversity than the domestic one, while the microbial composition of the Lop Nor wild camel shared higher similarity with domestic camel at the genus and family levels than that of the Dunhuang wild camel did. Our results may provide a theoretical basis for assessing their health conditions and may thus be useful for protecting the critically endangered species of C. ferus.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32070570)the National Key Research and Development Project(2020YFE0203300)the Special Fund for Commercialization of Scientific and Research Findings in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region(2021CG0021)。
文摘Camelids are the only mammals that can produce functional heavy-chain antibodies(HCAbs).Although HCAbs were discovered over 30 years ago,the antibody gene repertoire of Bactrian camels remains largely underexplored.To characterize the diversity of variable genes of HCAbs(VHHs),germline and rearranged VHH repertoires are constructed.Phylogenetics analysis shows that all camelid VHH genes are derived from a common ancestor and the nucleotide diversity of VHHs is similar across all camelid species.While species-specific hallmark sites are identified,the non-canonical cysteines specific to VHHs are distinct in Bactrian camels and dromedaries compared with alpacas.Though low divergence at the germline repertoire between wild and domestic Bactrian camels,higher expression of VHHs is observed in some wild Bactrian camels than that of domestic ones.This study not only adds our understanding of VHH repertoire diversity across camelids,but also provides useful resources for HCAb engineering.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(U1703118)Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(No.BK20181364)+6 种基金Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions of China(No.19KJA310003)Scientific Research Foundation of Jiangsu health and Health Committee(No.H2018087)a project funded by the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions(PAPD),Jiangsu Shuangchuang ProgramOpen Funds of the State Key Laboratory for Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics(2016015)Open project of the National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules(2017kf05)the cooperative project between Southeast University and Nanjing Medical University(2018DN0004)Jiangsu Specially-Appointed Professor project,China。
文摘With the increasing immunological studies on camels due to the advantage of their single-chain antibodies for humanizations,it is demanding to develop an easy-to-handle evaluation method of their humoral immune response before proceeding with immunization of foreign antigens that may be toxic to camels.In this study,we quantitatively determined the expression levels of T-helper 2(Th2)cytokines in peripheral blood lymphocytes obtained from Bactrian camels by real-time PCR.The recorded kinetic profiles resulting from the immunization of ovalbumin(OVA)indicated that after immunization,Th2 cytokines including interleukin(IL)families such as IL-4,IL-10,and IL-13 in the camels were up-regulated by a factor of 1.78,3.15,and 1.22,respectively,which was validated by traditional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)methods.Unlike ELISA which requires specific enzyme-labeled antibodies,this established method based on the minimal amount of blood samples holds an advantage in the preliminary evaluation of camel humoral immune response with desirable precision,which is meaningful for biomedical explorations of camel-derived antibodies.
基金This work was supported by the grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(39470546).
文摘A disease characterized by emaciation, pica, lameness and liability to fracture in bactrian camel from gravel desert pasture was described. Analyses of mineral elements in soil, water and forage from the affected and normal areas as well as in blood, hair and parts of tissues from normal and diseased camel, together with a pathological study were carried out to define the nature and major causes of the disease. The related blood indices were also measured. The result indicated that copper and phosphorus in the soil and forage from the affected area were significantly lower than those of the normal area (P<0.01). The levels of phosphorus in the blood, hair and rib reduced significantly in affected camels. The concentrations of PTH, T3, T4, creat-inine(Crt) and the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in serum rose markedly (P<0.01). Bone injury was characterized by osteoporosis. The degenerative and necrotic lesions of liver and kidney were common. In addition, slight demylination of brains and spinal cords were showed by histopathological and ultrastructural studies. It is concluded that the disease is caused mainly by phosphorus deficiency in the food chain.
文摘The purpose of this study was to describe the basal nuclei of brain in Bactrian camel. Seven coronal slices of brain were uniformly taken between callosal genu and splenium, and six uniform sagittal slices of left cerebral hemisphere of brain were examined. The results demonstrated that the basal nuclei of the brain include the caudata nucleus, putamen, putamen and pallidum, internal capsule and external capsule, claustrum and amygdaloid body. The study provides an elementary finding on the gross anatomy for further research on the comparative neuroanatomy, neu- rephysiology and the related behavior study of the camel.
文摘In this study, mitochondrial 16S rRNA sequences of snow leopard, gray wolf, domestic horse and Bactrian camel inhabited or domesticated in Mongolian territory were obtained by using polymerase chain reaction （PCR） based on universal primers for 16S rRNA （F-5＇-AACGAGCCTGGTGATA-3＇ and R-5＇-CTCCGGTCTGAACTCAGATCACGTA-3＇）. The 16S rRNA sequence was 1,048 bp to 1,086 bp in length, and each sequence was compared to other related species （Felidae, Camelidae, Equidae and Canidae） by using NCBI Basic Local Alignment Search Tool （BLAST）. Results showed that sequences were highly similar to sequences in GenBank database （93%-99%）. Then phylogenetic analysis was performed based on about 1,100 bp sequence of 16S rRNA for Panthera uncia, Canis lupus, Equus caballus, Camelus bactrianus and other related species. The result revealed that P. uncia and P. leo were sister species, C. bactrianus and C. ferus were more closely related species, and wolf and dog were the almost similar species. This finding could be important for designing species specific primers for PCR based analysis of animal species identification and forensic veterinary medicine.
基金China National Science and Technology Infrastructure Programme(2006FY110800)Academician Consulting Project of Chinese Academy of SciencesCentral Public-interest Scientific Institution Basal Research Fund(CAFYBB2010001-03)
文摘The Kumtag Desert, the fourth largest sand desert covered mainly by mobile dunes and shifting sands, had remained as the last untouched natural desert to be fully investigated in a scientific way. Therefore,＂Integrated Scientific Expedition of the Kumtag Desert Programme＂was listed as one of nine key research programmes of China National Science and Technology Basic Research Programmes in December, 2006. The expedition team carried out two large-scale and multidisciplinary scientific expeditions from June 2007 to December 2009, to the Kumtag Desert and collected more than 20 sets of field samples and ground observations. Finally, the expedition team completed not only systematic and integrated scientific expedition of the Kumtag Desert and filled in the gap of the last unexplored desert in China, but also gained fruitful research results in many scientific research subjects. These research results included that：（i） A unique aeolian landform unit, sand-gravel-moraine, developed in the Kumtag Desert, was defined and named for the first time, and the morphologic characteristics of feather-like longitudinal sand dune and its formation process are initially proved;（ii） Two sources and mineral element composition of the surface sedimentation of the Kumtag Desert was determined, and the characteristics of the desert sedimentation and stratum chronology of the Later Cenozoic Era was illustrated;（iii） The chronology of the paleo-aeolian sand was essentially determined and the formation courses and evolution process of the desert was illustrated;（iv） The thorough investigations of water system distribution, hydrology,chemical characteristics of water of the Kumtag Desert were made and six Water System Evolution Maps of the Kumtag Desert were compiled from the Later Cenozoic Era to the contemporary age;（v） The types, formation processes and distribution of soil in the Kumtag Desert were fully determined;（vi）An all-direction, all-weather, full-coverage desert meteorology observation was established and the characteristics and trend of climate change of the Kumtag Desert and nearby districts were adequately illustrated;（vii） It is the first time that the distribution areas of six plant species, including Tamarix taklamakanensis, Tamarix albiflonum, Agriophyllum lateriflorum etc., were catalogued in the Desert;（viii） The varieties, population, quantity and distribution of the wild animal such as the Bactrian Camel （Camelus ferus Przewalski）, are now documented;And （ix） it is the first time that the ecological services and economic function subdivision zones of the Kumtag Desert were classified;the Framework of the Great Dunhuang Special Ecological-Economic Zone was proposed to realize the sustainable development strategy in population, resources, environment, ecology and economics in the Kumtag Desert and nearby districts.
基金funded by the Beijing Forestry University Outstanding Young Talent Cultivation Project(No.2019JQ03018)Postdoctoral Innovative Talents Support Program(No.BX20190042)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2020M670177).
文摘Captive conditions can affect the symbiotic microbiome of animals.In this study,we compared the structural and functional differences of the gastrointestinal microbiomes of wild Bactrian camels(Camelus ferus)between wild and captive populations,as well as their different host energy utilization performances through metagenomics.The results showed that wild-living camels harbored more microbial taxa related to the production of volatile fatty acids,fewer methanogens,and fewer genes encoding enzymes involved in methanogenesis,leading to higher energy utilization efficiency compared to that of captive-living camels.These findings suggest that the wild-living camel fecal microbiome demonstrates a series of adaptive characteristics that enable the host to adjust to a relatively barren field environment.Our study provides novel insights into the mechanisms of wildlife adaptations to habitats from the perspective of the microbiome.
文摘Heavy chain only antibodies(HCAbs)represent a rare type of antibody that is devoid of light chains and the CH1 domain that have been reported in cartilaginous fish and camelids.By analyzing transcript data and genome sequences,we conducted a comprehensive analysis of Bactrian camel immunoglobulin heavy chain genes.Based on the transcript data,oneμgene,fiveγgenes,oneαgene and oneεgene were found.Additionally,the variable region of HCAbs(VHH)and the conventional antibodies(VH)sequences associated with theγ3,γ1a/b andμgenes were amplified.Based on these genome sequences,seven DH,six JH,μ,γ2a,γ2c,α,andεgenes and a portion of aγ3 gene were observed.Different Kozak sequences within different VH families were found in our analysis,and the variability index differed between the VHH3 and VH3 families.Phylogenetic analysis of the constant regions of the camelid immunoglobulin genes indicates that these genes appeared before the evolutionary divergence of Bactrian camels and dromedaries.
