The microbiome of mammals has profound effects on host ftness,but the process,which drives the assembly and shift of mammalian microbiome remains poorly understood.To explore the patterns of small mammal microbial com...The microbiome of mammals has profound effects on host ftness,but the process,which drives the assembly and shift of mammalian microbiome remains poorly understood.To explore the patterns of small mammal microbial communities across host species and geographical sites and measure the relative contributions of different processes in driving assembly patterns,2 sympatric desert rodent species(Dipus sagitta and Meriones meridianus)were sampled from 2 geographically distant regions,which differed in the environment,followed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing.The microbiomes differed signifcantly between D.sagitta and M.meridianus,and linear mixed modeling(LMM)analysis revealed that microbial diversity was mostly affected by species rather than the environment.For each rodent species,the microbiome diversity and structure differed across geographical regions,with individuals from lower rainfall environments exhibiting greater diversity.The null modeling results suggested dispersal limitation and ecological drift rather than differential selective pressures acting on the microbiome.In addition,each group had a different core genus,suggesting that the taxonomic composition of the microbiome was shaped most strongly by stochastic processes.Our results suggest that variation in the microbiome between hosts,both within and among geographic rodent populations,is driven by bacterial dispersal and ecological drift rather than by differential selective pressures.These results elucidated the diversity patterns and assembly processes of bacterial microbiomes in small desert mammals.Deciphering the processes shaping the assembly of the microbial community is a premise for better understanding how the environment-host-microbe interactions of mammals are established and maintained,particularly in the context of increased environmental disturbances and global changes.展开更多
In the Acknowledgements section of this article,the grant number"2020YFE0205900"relating to"National Key R&D Program of China"was missing,it has been included and the corrected Acknowledgements...In the Acknowledgements section of this article,the grant number"2020YFE0205900"relating to"National Key R&D Program of China"was missing,it has been included and the corrected Acknowledgements section is given below.展开更多
Background:Dihydrogen(H_(2))is produced endogenously by the intestinal microbiota through the fermentation of diet carbohydrates.Over the past few years,numer-ous studies have demonstrated the significant therapeutic ...Background:Dihydrogen(H_(2))is produced endogenously by the intestinal microbiota through the fermentation of diet carbohydrates.Over the past few years,numer-ous studies have demonstrated the significant therapeutic potential of H_(2)in various pathophysiological contexts,making the characterization of its production in labora-tory species of major preclinical importance.Methods:This study proposes an innovative solution to accurately monitor H_(2)pro-duction in free-moving rodents while respecting animal welfare standards.The devel-oped device consisted of a wire rodent cage placed inside an airtight chamber in which the air quality was maintained,and the H_(2)concentration was continuously analyzed.After the airtightness and efficiency of the systems used to control and maintain air quality in the chamber were checked,tests were carried out on rats and mice with different metabolic phenotypes,over 12 min to 1-h experiments and repeatedly.H_(2)production rates(HPR)were obtained using an easy calculation algorithm based on a first-order moving average.Results:HPR in hyperphagic Zucker rats was found to be twice as high as in control Wistar rats,respectively,2.64 and 1.27 nmol.s^(−1)per animal.In addition,the ingestion of inulin,a dietary fiber,stimulated H_(2)production in mice.HPRs were 0.46 nmol.s^(−1)for animals under control diet and 1.99 nmol.s^(−1)for animals under inulin diet.Conclusions:The proposed device coupled with our algorithm enables fine analysis of the metabolic phenotype of laboratory rats or mice with regard to their endogenous H_(2)production.展开更多
Understanding the driving mechanism of the divergence of hoarding strategies of animals(i.e.,scatter-hoarding vs.larder-hoarding)is crucial to understand the ecological and evolutionary implications of plant-animal in...Understanding the driving mechanism of the divergence of hoarding strategies of animals(i.e.,scatter-hoarding vs.larder-hoarding)is crucial to understand the ecological and evolutionary implications of plant-animal interactions.Zhang et al.(2022)compiled a global-scale dataset from the published literature including 183 species of seed-hoarding rodents,and concluded that phylogenetic conservatism,functional traits,and environmental factors counted for the hoarding behavior divergence of rodents.A more thought-provoking question may be asked:Do these variables contribute equally or not to explain the divergence of hoarding strategies?Here,we re-analyzed Zhang et al's(2022)dataset using partial Ralk calculation(Ives 2019)to parse out the relative contri-lik butions of these variables.展开更多
The advances in the application of sterilizing techniques against pest rodents in China are introduced in the paper. The development of chemosterilants, improvements of botanic sterilants, production of new steroid ho...The advances in the application of sterilizing techniques against pest rodents in China are introduced in the paper. The development of chemosterilants, improvements of botanic sterilants, production of new steroid hormone sterilants, introduction of immunosterility and excellent properties of the sterilants are outlined. The 揝pace Occupation Theory?of sterile techniques is advanced after practice. The botanic sterilants with gossypol and trichosanthin as its main agents were screened and successfully applied in the large area control in the northern forest area of China. The safety of sterilants to non-target animals such as rats, rabbits, dogs, monkeys and chickens was summarized.展开更多
The road effect on small rodent population is investigated at 8 fragmented forest areas in the Baekdudaegan mountain range, South Korea in September 2001. We especially focused on the distribution and body condition o...The road effect on small rodent population is investigated at 8 fragmented forest areas in the Baekdudaegan mountain range, South Korea in September 2001. We especially focused on the distribution and body condition of small rodents near the roads. Korean field mouse (Apodemus peninsulae) seems to be more sensitive to the existence of a road than striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius). Korean field mouse prefers interior forest area to around road. Striped field mouse is a habitat generalist and has wide distributional range around road, but Korean field mouse is forest-inhabiting species and their distribution is limited in forest area. These results suggest the effect of road is different on each small rodent species and their habitat preferences.展开更多
Dear Editor,Cognitive impairment is a hallmark of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease（AD）and Parkinson’s disease.Growing evidence has demonstrated that cognitive impairment is closely associate...Dear Editor,Cognitive impairment is a hallmark of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease（AD）and Parkinson’s disease.Growing evidence has demonstrated that cognitive impairment is closely associated with insulin resistance.展开更多
The quality of seed deposition often involves habitat and microenvironmlent selection by seed-dispersing agents (e.g. birds and small rodents) and deposition patterns (eg. burial of seeds). However,little is known whe...The quality of seed deposition often involves habitat and microenvironmlent selection by seed-dispersing agents (e.g. birds and small rodents) and deposition patterns (eg. burial of seeds). However,little is known where seeds and nuts are deposited by these animals after their shedding from parent trees.In this study, seed deposition patterns of oil tea (Camellia oleifera Abel., Theaceae) influenced by seed-caching rodents were studied by tracking individual oil tea seeds (labeled with small coded tin-tags) at two stands (secondary stand and primary stand) in an experimental forest of Dujiangyan City, Sichuan Province,China. We found that over 80% of the tagged seeds were well buried 0-60 mm deep in the soil and a small part of them were deposited on the soil surface with some leaf litter covering at both stands. Small rodents significantly preferred to select some specific microenvironments (e.g. shrub edge and under shrubs) to cache and eat seeds at each stand. In these microenvironments, they may experience less predation risk during the foraging process. We also found that the microenvironment distributions of caches changed slightly with cache order: a higher proportion of the cached seeds was deposited under shrubs or at shrub edge at higher order cache sites (i.e. secondary and tertiary caches) than at primary cache sites at both stands. Our results indicate that burial of oil tea seeds by small rodents might be a greater benefit for seed survival, seed germination and seedling establishment. Small rodents dispersed seeds from seed sources or parent trees to different microenvironments, which may be beneficial to seed germination and seedling establishment due to more seeds deposited in a favorable environment.展开更多
The Bale Mountains of Ethiopia represent the world＇s largest continuous extent of afroalpine habitat. With a peak combined density of over 8000 individuals/km2, the endemic giant mole rat Tachyoryctes macrocephalus, ...The Bale Mountains of Ethiopia represent the world＇s largest continuous extent of afroalpine habitat. With a peak combined density of over 8000 individuals/km2, the endemic giant mole rat Tachyoryctes macrocephalus, Blick＇s grass rat Arvi- canthis blicki and the brush-furred mouse Lophuromys melanonyx are the dominant wild herbivores within this ecosystem and may be affected by the presence of high densities of domestic livestock. The purpose of this study was to establish whether these endemic rodent populations could respond to the removal of grazing pressure inside three 0.25 hectare livestock exclosures （paired with grazed control plots） and to determine whether such response was mediated through concomitant changes in the vegetation structure. We hypothesised that livestock grazing negatively affects endemic rodent populations through competition or increased predation risk and we predicted an increase in rodent biomass following the removal of grazing pressure. We found no evidence of rodent populations responding to the removal of livestock after fourteen months. The short-term nature of the ex- perimental design, environmental fluctuations and the ecosystem＇s inherent stochasticity may explain the apparent lack of a sig- nificant response. However, while this study is inconclusive, it emphasises the need for more long-term experimental investiga- tions to assess the effects of domestic grazers on vegetation and on dependent communities. The effects of rapidly increasing livestock numbers in the Bale Mountains will require continued close monitoring of vegetation and endemic animal communities as the afroalpine is altered by external biotic and abiotic forces .展开更多
<strong>Objectives:</strong> The digestive track of mice and humans has always been an integral part of the pathogenesis of the Trypanosomes but is constantly overlooked. This realization opens up complete...<strong>Objectives:</strong> The digestive track of mice and humans has always been an integral part of the pathogenesis of the Trypanosomes but is constantly overlooked. This realization opens up completely new strategies for the development of trypanosomes vaccines, allowing approaches that parenteral delivery forms would not permit. The target of the study was to compare the haematological changes and immunological responses of trypanosomiasis model systems (mice and rats) inoculated orally and intraperitoneally and to observe the afterward effect of a controlled drug [Isometamidium chloride (ISM)] in the restoration of these initial parameters. <strong>Methods:</strong> To achieve this, a total of 40 rodents (20 rats and 20 mice) were purchased, then grouped into two [sixteen younger (1 - 5 weeks) and older (7 - 15 weeks) groups each]. They were further sub-grouped into five each. Body weights, Parasitaemia and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) were taken before, after inoculation and after treatment with ISM at 4 mg/kg. <strong>Results:</strong> Based on presumptive clinical diagnosis, all rodents inoculated intraperitoneally showed clinical signs of fluctuations in weight, PCV and parasitaemia levels before, after inoculations and after treatment compared to those inoculated orally with a significant difference (P < 0.05) observed. Both young and older rodents also responded differently to the inoculants and to the different methods of inoculation. But more deaths were recorded among the mice when compared to the rats. <strong>Conclusion: </strong>Although these non-transgenic models would not have offered a completely new methods to vaccine development, their differences in response to various methods of inoculations is an indication of an exciting research processes and could offer desired results, particularly where transgenic rodents are employed.展开更多
Oral lesions, diarrhoea, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, tuberculosis and urinary tract infections are some of the opportunistic infections (OIs) which arise when the CD4 cells of the HIV/AIDS patient fall below 200 c...Oral lesions, diarrhoea, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, tuberculosis and urinary tract infections are some of the opportunistic infections (OIs) which arise when the CD4 cells of the HIV/AIDS patient fall below 200 cells/mm3. HIV/AIDS infection complications include tissue damage from oral lesions accompanied with pains. Pain is a disagreeable sensory and sensitive experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage. This condition requires immediate treatment with analgesics and antibiotics. However, the inability of rural dwellers to afford readily available drugs is a consequence for using herbs like Bidens pilosa whose local usefulness in the management of oral lesions of HIV/AIDS has not been proven scientifically. Therefore, the objective of this study was to provide the scientific basis in rats for the traditional healers’ use of Bidens pilosa leaves’ extracts in managing pain associated with oral lesions of HIV/AIDS patients in South Western Uganda. Assessment of the analgesic effects of Bidens pilosa was conducted using acetic acid in mice, formalin-induced pain and tail flick methods in rats. Both aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the leaves of Bidens pilosa produced statistically significant dose dependent inhibition of acetic acid induced pain, non dose dependent pain reduction in formalin induced pain, (p < 0.05;student t-test) and non dose dependent tail withdrawal pattern (p < 0.05, Multivariate ANOVA test). Hence, we conclude that extracts of Bidens pilosa have an analgesic basis for their local use in treatment of oral lesions associated pain in HIV/AIDS patients in South-Western Uganda.展开更多
Emerging zoonotic diseases have received tremendous interests in recent years,as they pose a significant threat to human health,animal welfare,and economic stability.A high proportion of zoonoses originate from wildli...Emerging zoonotic diseases have received tremendous interests in recent years,as they pose a significant threat to human health,animal welfare,and economic stability.A high proportion of zoonoses originate from wildlife reservoirs.Rodents are the most numerous,widespread,and diverse group of mammals on the earth and are reservoirs for many zoonotic viruses responsible for significant morbidity and mortality.A better understanding of virome diversity in rodents would be of importance for researchers and professionals in the field.Therefore,we developed the DRodVir database（http：//www.mgc.ac.cn/DRodVir/）,a comprehensive,up-to-date,and well-curated repository of rodent-associated animal viruses.The database currently covers 7690 sequences from 5491 rodent-associated mammal viruses of 26 viral families detected from 194 rodent species in 93 countries worldwide.In addition to virus sequences,the database provides detailed information on related samples and host rodents,as well as a set of online analytical tools for text query,BLAST search and phylogenetic reconstruction.The DRodVir database will help virologists better understand the virome diversity of rodents.Moreover,it will be a valuable tool for epidemiologists and zoologists for easy monitoring and tracking of the current and future zoonotic diseases.As a data application example,we further compared the current status of rodent-associated viruses with bat-associated viruses to highlight the necessity for including additional host species and geographic regions in future investigations,which will help us achieve a better understanding of the virome diversities in the two major reservoirs of emerging zoonotic infectious diseases.展开更多
Rodent-borne leptospirosis is by far the most common bacterial zoonosis and it is an important emerging global public health concern in Southeast Asia.Bacterial pathogens associated with rodents,especially those that ...Rodent-borne leptospirosis is by far the most common bacterial zoonosis and it is an important emerging global public health concern in Southeast Asia.Bacterial pathogens associated with rodents,especially those that live in close association with humans have been underreported.To fill this knowledge gap,the present study was undertaken to explore other neglected disease agents that can naturally infect synanthropic rodents.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the prevalence of Calodium hepaticum(C.hepaticum)in rodents and insectivores from Wuhan section of the Yangtze River in China,and to provide evidence for the prevention and treatment of hepati...Objective:To investigate the prevalence of Calodium hepaticum(C.hepaticum)in rodents and insectivores from Wuhan section of the Yangtze River in China,and to provide evidence for the prevention and treatment of hepatic Calodium infection.Methods:Rodents and insectivores were captured from three selected Yangtze River beaches using mousetraps.The three survey sites were divided into six areas according to natural conditions,with 60 mousetraps placed in each area.The liver lesions in the captured rodents were observed by the naked eye and the eggs in the liver tissue were observed by microscopic examination.Results:A total of 1080 mousetraps were placed,and 1075 mousetraps were retrieved,with the retrieve rate as 99.5%.A total of 101 Apodemus agrarius,12 Rattus norvegicus,and 9 Crocidura attenuata were caught.The average density of rodents and insectivores was 10.5%and 0.8%,respectively.DNA of egg nodules from infected rodents showed 98%similarity with that of C.hepaticum 18 S rRNA(LC425008.1).One Rattus norvegicus was infected with C.hepaticum,with an infection rate of 3.23%in the Erqi river beach;the other two beaches did not show the incidence of C.hepaticum.Conclusions:The monitoring of C.hepaticum in the Yangtze River beaches should be strengthened to reduce the risk of human C.hepaticum infection.展开更多
Wild rodents were collected using live snap traps in pistachio gardens of Kerman Province, Southeast Iran from 2007 to 2009, then some physiological parameters of them were measured. The samples were identified as fol...Wild rodents were collected using live snap traps in pistachio gardens of Kerman Province, Southeast Iran from 2007 to 2009, then some physiological parameters of them were measured. The samples were identified as follow: Nesokia indica, Meriones persicus, Meriones lybicus and Tatera indica. Blood samples were obtained from the heart, then the blood parameters (glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, HDL, red and white blood cell number) in wild species of rodents and laboratory rat were compared. The results showed that there were no significant differences in serum glucose, triglyceride, HDL and total protein levels among different experimental groups. The concentration of cholesterol in T. indica was more than that in N. indica (P < 0.01). The total numbers of red blood cells also showed significant difference between wild garden rodent species and laboratory rat (P < 0.01), while the numbers of white blood cells showed no significant difference.展开更多
Dear Editor, Herbal medicines have been used for prevention and treatment of human diseases and promotion of healthy living. These medicines, often self medicated and consumed as concentrated extracts, are not strict...Dear Editor, Herbal medicines have been used for prevention and treatment of human diseases and promotion of healthy living. These medicines, often self medicated and consumed as concentrated extracts, are not strictly regulated. Considering their popular use and increasing safety concerns, thorough evaluations of their efficacy and safety are warranted to protect consumers from potential adverse effects. Toxicity tests （acute, sub- acute and chronic） using animals are widely applied to evaulate adverse effects of a drug and thereby determine its ＂No Observed Adverse Effect Level＂ （NOAEL）.展开更多
Tick-Borne Rickettsial Diseases (TBRD) are emerging zoonotic diseases, and a problem of human health and veterinary medication. The distribution of these diseases is related to the distribution of vector. The presence...Tick-Borne Rickettsial Diseases (TBRD) are emerging zoonotic diseases, and a problem of human health and veterinary medication. The distribution of these diseases is related to the distribution of vector. The presence of pathogens in the host is a risk indicator of population exposure to these areas. A total of 478 tissues samples from rodents, A. phagocytophilum 18 (3.7%), E. canis 47 (9.8%), Rickettsia rickettsii 18 (3.7%) and E. chaffeensis 19 (3.9%) were detected using species-specific PCR assay. It is the first report in Mexico the presence of rodents infected with A. phagocytophilum and E. chaffeensis. The rodent Peromyscus spp. were the most commonly prevalent host of infection for all the bacteria’s. We have to consider as host of TBRD transmitter and provide a useful contribution to understanding their epidemiology. The health sector should be considered all the fevers of unknown causes in humans and animals in Mexico as infections by these vector-borne rickettsial pathogens.展开更多
We summarize theoretical approaches and practice of rodent pest control in Russia and former USSR during last 50 years. We review literature as well as original data to understand mechanisms of rodent populations reco...We summarize theoretical approaches and practice of rodent pest control in Russia and former USSR during last 50 years. We review literature as well as original data to understand mechanisms of rodent populations recovery after chemical control campaigns in urban areas, agricultural lands and natural foci of plague. Laboratory and field experiments indicate that inherent individual variation in behavioural, physiological and life-history traits provides survival of heterogeneous mix of individuals in residual population with increased resistance to poisonous baits and high reproductive potential that leads to fast recovery of a population. In a series of field experiments with various rodent and lagomorph species （Mus musculus, Rattus norvegicus, Meriones unguiculatus, M. meridianus, M. tamariscinus, Ochotona pallasii ） we have shown that patterns of recolonization of depopulated area and mechanisms of population recovery vary among species and depend on species-specific social organization. After control territorial and group-living species demonstrated an increase in mobility and affiliative and marking behaviour and a decrease in intraspecific aggression. The rate of recolonization of treated areas was high due to redistribution of survived individuals and immigration by neighbors. Population recovered to original level due to increased breeding performance and fecundity of both survived residents and immigrants. In contrast, socially-independent species exhibited minor changes in behaviour. Recolonization was mainly due to better survival and recruitment of youngs, so the rate of recolonization was low. Species-specificity of behavioural compensation mechanisms to control should be considered when developing ecologically based rodent management strategies展开更多
The threat to wildlife population is attributed to various anthropogenic activities. The main objective of this study was to identify the influence of fragment size on the population density of rodents in the study ar...The threat to wildlife population is attributed to various anthropogenic activities. The main objective of this study was to identify the influence of fragment size on the population density of rodents in the study area. Fourteen (14) out of forty (40) fragments existing in the area were randomly sampled. The parameters used for the study were number, size of fragments and the corresponding population distribution of rodents in the study area. Fifty hunters in the area were also interviewed. The fragments were stratified into first, second and third order fragments on the basis of their sizes and randomly selected for the study. Indirect method of wildlife census was carried out through the observation of droppings, trail or tract, burrows, eating habits and noise. Fragment growth rate was 18 to 40 (87.5%) in 7 years. Anthropogenic perturbations in the form of cultivation of permanent cropland, settlement expansion, bush burning, timber exploitation and new settlements in areas previously thinly settled or not accessible to outsiders have resulted in disjointed ecosystems. The population density of rodents correlated with fragment size was highly significant ((P < 0.05) r = 0.9). It was then concluded that fragment size greatly influenced the population and diversity of rodent species. It was recommended that the remaining large fragments in the study area should be protected by law from further fragmentation.展开更多
Many rodent species are currently under conservation threat. However, population monitoring and status assessment are extremely challenging because of small body size, low abundance and elusive behavior of rodents. Fu...Many rodent species are currently under conservation threat. However, population monitoring and status assessment are extremely challenging because of small body size, low abundance and elusive behavior of rodents. Furthermore, invasive methods of capture and tissue collection commonly used to address such studies can induce an unacceptable amount of stress to sensitive species. As a result, noninvasive techniques have become more widely used, but relatively few studies have applied noninvasive techniques to rodents. Here we present two noninvasive alternatives for the collection of DNA from Franklin’s ground squirrels (Poliocitellus franklinii). We compared the quantity, purity and degradation of DNA extracted from plucked hair and fecal pellets to tail snip tissues. We recovered more DNA from tail snips than either plucked hair or fecal pellets. Both hair and fecal pellets recovered DNA with purity ratios similar to tail snips. As expected, DNA recovered from fecal pellets exhibited a high degree of degradation compared to hair and tail tissues. Careful planning of field and laboratory protocols is therefore necessary to compensate for challenges associated with noninvasive tissue types. While there is no tissue that can universally be applied to all research projects, both hair and feces are viable alternatives to traditional invasive procedures and can be applied to threatened and endangered rodent species.展开更多
基金supported by grants from the Third Xinjiang Scientifc Expedition Program(Grant No.2022xjkk0205 to Lin Xia,Grant No.2021xjkk0604 to Jilong Cheng)the Joint Fund of National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.U2003203 to Lin Xia)+1 种基金the Western Young Scholar Program-B of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(Grant No.2021-XBQNXZ-014 to Muyang Wang)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.32170416 to Qisen Yang and Grant No.32370472 to Jilong Cheng).
文摘The microbiome of mammals has profound effects on host ftness,but the process,which drives the assembly and shift of mammalian microbiome remains poorly understood.To explore the patterns of small mammal microbial communities across host species and geographical sites and measure the relative contributions of different processes in driving assembly patterns,2 sympatric desert rodent species(Dipus sagitta and Meriones meridianus)were sampled from 2 geographically distant regions,which differed in the environment,followed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing.The microbiomes differed signifcantly between D.sagitta and M.meridianus,and linear mixed modeling(LMM)analysis revealed that microbial diversity was mostly affected by species rather than the environment.For each rodent species,the microbiome diversity and structure differed across geographical regions,with individuals from lower rainfall environments exhibiting greater diversity.The null modeling results suggested dispersal limitation and ecological drift rather than differential selective pressures acting on the microbiome.In addition,each group had a different core genus,suggesting that the taxonomic composition of the microbiome was shaped most strongly by stochastic processes.Our results suggest that variation in the microbiome between hosts,both within and among geographic rodent populations,is driven by bacterial dispersal and ecological drift rather than by differential selective pressures.These results elucidated the diversity patterns and assembly processes of bacterial microbiomes in small desert mammals.Deciphering the processes shaping the assembly of the microbial community is a premise for better understanding how the environment-host-microbe interactions of mammals are established and maintained,particularly in the context of increased environmental disturbances and global changes.
文摘In the Acknowledgements section of this article,the grant number"2020YFE0205900"relating to"National Key R&D Program of China"was missing,it has been included and the corrected Acknowledgements section is given below.
基金UniversitéGrenoble Alpes through the Cross Disciplinary Program(CDTools)“My Health Companions”.
文摘Background:Dihydrogen(H_(2))is produced endogenously by the intestinal microbiota through the fermentation of diet carbohydrates.Over the past few years,numer-ous studies have demonstrated the significant therapeutic potential of H_(2)in various pathophysiological contexts,making the characterization of its production in labora-tory species of major preclinical importance.Methods:This study proposes an innovative solution to accurately monitor H_(2)pro-duction in free-moving rodents while respecting animal welfare standards.The devel-oped device consisted of a wire rodent cage placed inside an airtight chamber in which the air quality was maintained,and the H_(2)concentration was continuously analyzed.After the airtightness and efficiency of the systems used to control and maintain air quality in the chamber were checked,tests were carried out on rats and mice with different metabolic phenotypes,over 12 min to 1-h experiments and repeatedly.H_(2)production rates(HPR)were obtained using an easy calculation algorithm based on a first-order moving average.Results:HPR in hyperphagic Zucker rats was found to be twice as high as in control Wistar rats,respectively,2.64 and 1.27 nmol.s^(−1)per animal.In addition,the ingestion of inulin,a dietary fiber,stimulated H_(2)production in mice.HPRs were 0.46 nmol.s^(−1)for animals under control diet and 1.99 nmol.s^(−1)for animals under inulin diet.Conclusions:The proposed device coupled with our algorithm enables fine analysis of the metabolic phenotype of laboratory rats or mice with regard to their endogenous H_(2)production.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31971444,32171533,31770570)Anhui Provincial Natural Science Foundation(2208085J28).
文摘Understanding the driving mechanism of the divergence of hoarding strategies of animals(i.e.,scatter-hoarding vs.larder-hoarding)is crucial to understand the ecological and evolutionary implications of plant-animal interactions.Zhang et al.(2022)compiled a global-scale dataset from the published literature including 183 species of seed-hoarding rodents,and concluded that phylogenetic conservatism,functional traits,and environmental factors counted for the hoarding behavior divergence of rodents.A more thought-provoking question may be asked:Do these variables contribute equally or not to explain the divergence of hoarding strategies?Here,we re-analyzed Zhang et al's(2022)dataset using partial Ralk calculation(Ives 2019)to parse out the relative contri-lik butions of these variables.
文摘The advances in the application of sterilizing techniques against pest rodents in China are introduced in the paper. The development of chemosterilants, improvements of botanic sterilants, production of new steroid hormone sterilants, introduction of immunosterility and excellent properties of the sterilants are outlined. The 揝pace Occupation Theory?of sterile techniques is advanced after practice. The botanic sterilants with gossypol and trichosanthin as its main agents were screened and successfully applied in the large area control in the northern forest area of China. The safety of sterilants to non-target animals such as rats, rabbits, dogs, monkeys and chickens was summarized.
文摘The road effect on small rodent population is investigated at 8 fragmented forest areas in the Baekdudaegan mountain range, South Korea in September 2001. We especially focused on the distribution and body condition of small rodents near the roads. Korean field mouse (Apodemus peninsulae) seems to be more sensitive to the existence of a road than striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius). Korean field mouse prefers interior forest area to around road. Striped field mouse is a habitat generalist and has wide distributional range around road, but Korean field mouse is forest-inhabiting species and their distribution is limited in forest area. These results suggest the effect of road is different on each small rodent species and their habitat preferences.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81471037 and 81770841)the "Six Kinds of Talents Summit" of Jiangsu Province, China (SWYY-051)+1 种基金Basic Research Program of Education Department of Jiangsu Province, China (14KJA180006)the Program for New Technology of Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment at Nantong (MS22016024)
文摘Dear Editor,Cognitive impairment is a hallmark of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease（AD）and Parkinson’s disease.Growing evidence has demonstrated that cognitive impairment is closely associated with insulin resistance.
文摘The quality of seed deposition often involves habitat and microenvironmlent selection by seed-dispersing agents (e.g. birds and small rodents) and deposition patterns (eg. burial of seeds). However,little is known where seeds and nuts are deposited by these animals after their shedding from parent trees.In this study, seed deposition patterns of oil tea (Camellia oleifera Abel., Theaceae) influenced by seed-caching rodents were studied by tracking individual oil tea seeds (labeled with small coded tin-tags) at two stands (secondary stand and primary stand) in an experimental forest of Dujiangyan City, Sichuan Province,China. We found that over 80% of the tagged seeds were well buried 0-60 mm deep in the soil and a small part of them were deposited on the soil surface with some leaf litter covering at both stands. Small rodents significantly preferred to select some specific microenvironments (e.g. shrub edge and under shrubs) to cache and eat seeds at each stand. In these microenvironments, they may experience less predation risk during the foraging process. We also found that the microenvironment distributions of caches changed slightly with cache order: a higher proportion of the cached seeds was deposited under shrubs or at shrub edge at higher order cache sites (i.e. secondary and tertiary caches) than at primary cache sites at both stands. Our results indicate that burial of oil tea seeds by small rodents might be a greater benefit for seed survival, seed germination and seedling establishment. Small rodents dispersed seeds from seed sources or parent trees to different microenvironments, which may be beneficial to seed germination and seedling establishment due to more seeds deposited in a favorable environment.
文摘The Bale Mountains of Ethiopia represent the world＇s largest continuous extent of afroalpine habitat. With a peak combined density of over 8000 individuals/km2, the endemic giant mole rat Tachyoryctes macrocephalus, Blick＇s grass rat Arvi- canthis blicki and the brush-furred mouse Lophuromys melanonyx are the dominant wild herbivores within this ecosystem and may be affected by the presence of high densities of domestic livestock. The purpose of this study was to establish whether these endemic rodent populations could respond to the removal of grazing pressure inside three 0.25 hectare livestock exclosures （paired with grazed control plots） and to determine whether such response was mediated through concomitant changes in the vegetation structure. We hypothesised that livestock grazing negatively affects endemic rodent populations through competition or increased predation risk and we predicted an increase in rodent biomass following the removal of grazing pressure. We found no evidence of rodent populations responding to the removal of livestock after fourteen months. The short-term nature of the ex- perimental design, environmental fluctuations and the ecosystem＇s inherent stochasticity may explain the apparent lack of a sig- nificant response. However, while this study is inconclusive, it emphasises the need for more long-term experimental investiga- tions to assess the effects of domestic grazers on vegetation and on dependent communities. The effects of rapidly increasing livestock numbers in the Bale Mountains will require continued close monitoring of vegetation and endemic animal communities as the afroalpine is altered by external biotic and abiotic forces .
文摘<strong>Objectives:</strong> The digestive track of mice and humans has always been an integral part of the pathogenesis of the Trypanosomes but is constantly overlooked. This realization opens up completely new strategies for the development of trypanosomes vaccines, allowing approaches that parenteral delivery forms would not permit. The target of the study was to compare the haematological changes and immunological responses of trypanosomiasis model systems (mice and rats) inoculated orally and intraperitoneally and to observe the afterward effect of a controlled drug [Isometamidium chloride (ISM)] in the restoration of these initial parameters. <strong>Methods:</strong> To achieve this, a total of 40 rodents (20 rats and 20 mice) were purchased, then grouped into two [sixteen younger (1 - 5 weeks) and older (7 - 15 weeks) groups each]. They were further sub-grouped into five each. Body weights, Parasitaemia and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) were taken before, after inoculation and after treatment with ISM at 4 mg/kg. <strong>Results:</strong> Based on presumptive clinical diagnosis, all rodents inoculated intraperitoneally showed clinical signs of fluctuations in weight, PCV and parasitaemia levels before, after inoculations and after treatment compared to those inoculated orally with a significant difference (P < 0.05) observed. Both young and older rodents also responded differently to the inoculants and to the different methods of inoculation. But more deaths were recorded among the mice when compared to the rats. <strong>Conclusion: </strong>Although these non-transgenic models would not have offered a completely new methods to vaccine development, their differences in response to various methods of inoculations is an indication of an exciting research processes and could offer desired results, particularly where transgenic rodents are employed.
文摘Oral lesions, diarrhoea, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, tuberculosis and urinary tract infections are some of the opportunistic infections (OIs) which arise when the CD4 cells of the HIV/AIDS patient fall below 200 cells/mm3. HIV/AIDS infection complications include tissue damage from oral lesions accompanied with pains. Pain is a disagreeable sensory and sensitive experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage. This condition requires immediate treatment with analgesics and antibiotics. However, the inability of rural dwellers to afford readily available drugs is a consequence for using herbs like Bidens pilosa whose local usefulness in the management of oral lesions of HIV/AIDS has not been proven scientifically. Therefore, the objective of this study was to provide the scientific basis in rats for the traditional healers’ use of Bidens pilosa leaves’ extracts in managing pain associated with oral lesions of HIV/AIDS patients in South Western Uganda. Assessment of the analgesic effects of Bidens pilosa was conducted using acetic acid in mice, formalin-induced pain and tail flick methods in rats. Both aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the leaves of Bidens pilosa produced statistically significant dose dependent inhibition of acetic acid induced pain, non dose dependent pain reduction in formalin induced pain, (p < 0.05;student t-test) and non dose dependent tail withdrawal pattern (p < 0.05, Multivariate ANOVA test). Hence, we conclude that extracts of Bidens pilosa have an analgesic basis for their local use in treatment of oral lesions associated pain in HIV/AIDS patients in South-Western Uganda.
基金supported by the National Major Science and Technology Project(2014ZX10004001)the National Key Research and Development Program(2016YFC1202404) of China+1 种基金supported by the Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University(IRT13007)the CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences(2016-I2M-1014)
文摘Emerging zoonotic diseases have received tremendous interests in recent years,as they pose a significant threat to human health,animal welfare,and economic stability.A high proportion of zoonoses originate from wildlife reservoirs.Rodents are the most numerous,widespread,and diverse group of mammals on the earth and are reservoirs for many zoonotic viruses responsible for significant morbidity and mortality.A better understanding of virome diversity in rodents would be of importance for researchers and professionals in the field.Therefore,we developed the DRodVir database（http：//www.mgc.ac.cn/DRodVir/）,a comprehensive,up-to-date,and well-curated repository of rodent-associated animal viruses.The database currently covers 7690 sequences from 5491 rodent-associated mammal viruses of 26 viral families detected from 194 rodent species in 93 countries worldwide.In addition to virus sequences,the database provides detailed information on related samples and host rodents,as well as a set of online analytical tools for text query,BLAST search and phylogenetic reconstruction.The DRodVir database will help virologists better understand the virome diversity of rodents.Moreover,it will be a valuable tool for epidemiologists and zoologists for easy monitoring and tracking of the current and future zoonotic diseases.As a data application example,we further compared the current status of rodent-associated viruses with bat-associated viruses to highlight the necessity for including additional host species and geographic regions in future investigations,which will help us achieve a better understanding of the virome diversities in the two major reservoirs of emerging zoonotic infectious diseases.
基金financially supported by the University of Malaya research grant(RP021C-16SUS)Higher Institution Centre of Excellence(HICoE)program(MO002-2019).
文摘Rodent-borne leptospirosis is by far the most common bacterial zoonosis and it is an important emerging global public health concern in Southeast Asia.Bacterial pathogens associated with rodents,especially those that live in close association with humans have been underreported.To fill this knowledge gap,the present study was undertaken to explore other neglected disease agents that can naturally infect synanthropic rodents.
基金financially supported by the Health Bureau of Wuhan(WG17B04)the Health Bureau of Wuhan(WG18Q05).
文摘Objective:To investigate the prevalence of Calodium hepaticum(C.hepaticum)in rodents and insectivores from Wuhan section of the Yangtze River in China,and to provide evidence for the prevention and treatment of hepatic Calodium infection.Methods:Rodents and insectivores were captured from three selected Yangtze River beaches using mousetraps.The three survey sites were divided into six areas according to natural conditions,with 60 mousetraps placed in each area.The liver lesions in the captured rodents were observed by the naked eye and the eggs in the liver tissue were observed by microscopic examination.Results:A total of 1080 mousetraps were placed,and 1075 mousetraps were retrieved,with the retrieve rate as 99.5%.A total of 101 Apodemus agrarius,12 Rattus norvegicus,and 9 Crocidura attenuata were caught.The average density of rodents and insectivores was 10.5%and 0.8%,respectively.DNA of egg nodules from infected rodents showed 98%similarity with that of C.hepaticum 18 S rRNA(LC425008.1).One Rattus norvegicus was infected with C.hepaticum,with an infection rate of 3.23%in the Erqi river beach;the other two beaches did not show the incidence of C.hepaticum.Conclusions:The monitoring of C.hepaticum in the Yangtze River beaches should be strengthened to reduce the risk of human C.hepaticum infection.
文摘Wild rodents were collected using live snap traps in pistachio gardens of Kerman Province, Southeast Iran from 2007 to 2009, then some physiological parameters of them were measured. The samples were identified as follow: Nesokia indica, Meriones persicus, Meriones lybicus and Tatera indica. Blood samples were obtained from the heart, then the blood parameters (glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, HDL, red and white blood cell number) in wild species of rodents and laboratory rat were compared. The results showed that there were no significant differences in serum glucose, triglyceride, HDL and total protein levels among different experimental groups. The concentration of cholesterol in T. indica was more than that in N. indica (P < 0.01). The total numbers of red blood cells also showed significant difference between wild garden rodent species and laboratory rat (P < 0.01), while the numbers of white blood cells showed no significant difference.
文摘Dear Editor, Herbal medicines have been used for prevention and treatment of human diseases and promotion of healthy living. These medicines, often self medicated and consumed as concentrated extracts, are not strictly regulated. Considering their popular use and increasing safety concerns, thorough evaluations of their efficacy and safety are warranted to protect consumers from potential adverse effects. Toxicity tests （acute, sub- acute and chronic） using animals are widely applied to evaulate adverse effects of a drug and thereby determine its ＂No Observed Adverse Effect Level＂ （NOAEL）.
文摘Tick-Borne Rickettsial Diseases (TBRD) are emerging zoonotic diseases, and a problem of human health and veterinary medication. The distribution of these diseases is related to the distribution of vector. The presence of pathogens in the host is a risk indicator of population exposure to these areas. A total of 478 tissues samples from rodents, A. phagocytophilum 18 (3.7%), E. canis 47 (9.8%), Rickettsia rickettsii 18 (3.7%) and E. chaffeensis 19 (3.9%) were detected using species-specific PCR assay. It is the first report in Mexico the presence of rodents infected with A. phagocytophilum and E. chaffeensis. The rodent Peromyscus spp. were the most commonly prevalent host of infection for all the bacteria’s. We have to consider as host of TBRD transmitter and provide a useful contribution to understanding their epidemiology. The health sector should be considered all the fevers of unknown causes in humans and animals in Mexico as infections by these vector-borne rickettsial pathogens.
文摘We summarize theoretical approaches and practice of rodent pest control in Russia and former USSR during last 50 years. We review literature as well as original data to understand mechanisms of rodent populations recovery after chemical control campaigns in urban areas, agricultural lands and natural foci of plague. Laboratory and field experiments indicate that inherent individual variation in behavioural, physiological and life-history traits provides survival of heterogeneous mix of individuals in residual population with increased resistance to poisonous baits and high reproductive potential that leads to fast recovery of a population. In a series of field experiments with various rodent and lagomorph species （Mus musculus, Rattus norvegicus, Meriones unguiculatus, M. meridianus, M. tamariscinus, Ochotona pallasii ） we have shown that patterns of recolonization of depopulated area and mechanisms of population recovery vary among species and depend on species-specific social organization. After control territorial and group-living species demonstrated an increase in mobility and affiliative and marking behaviour and a decrease in intraspecific aggression. The rate of recolonization of treated areas was high due to redistribution of survived individuals and immigration by neighbors. Population recovered to original level due to increased breeding performance and fecundity of both survived residents and immigrants. In contrast, socially-independent species exhibited minor changes in behaviour. Recolonization was mainly due to better survival and recruitment of youngs, so the rate of recolonization was low. Species-specificity of behavioural compensation mechanisms to control should be considered when developing ecologically based rodent management strategies
文摘The threat to wildlife population is attributed to various anthropogenic activities. The main objective of this study was to identify the influence of fragment size on the population density of rodents in the study area. Fourteen (14) out of forty (40) fragments existing in the area were randomly sampled. The parameters used for the study were number, size of fragments and the corresponding population distribution of rodents in the study area. Fifty hunters in the area were also interviewed. The fragments were stratified into first, second and third order fragments on the basis of their sizes and randomly selected for the study. Indirect method of wildlife census was carried out through the observation of droppings, trail or tract, burrows, eating habits and noise. Fragment growth rate was 18 to 40 (87.5%) in 7 years. Anthropogenic perturbations in the form of cultivation of permanent cropland, settlement expansion, bush burning, timber exploitation and new settlements in areas previously thinly settled or not accessible to outsiders have resulted in disjointed ecosystems. The population density of rodents correlated with fragment size was highly significant ((P < 0.05) r = 0.9). It was then concluded that fragment size greatly influenced the population and diversity of rodent species. It was recommended that the remaining large fragments in the study area should be protected by law from further fragmentation.
文摘Many rodent species are currently under conservation threat. However, population monitoring and status assessment are extremely challenging because of small body size, low abundance and elusive behavior of rodents. Furthermore, invasive methods of capture and tissue collection commonly used to address such studies can induce an unacceptable amount of stress to sensitive species. As a result, noninvasive techniques have become more widely used, but relatively few studies have applied noninvasive techniques to rodents. Here we present two noninvasive alternatives for the collection of DNA from Franklin’s ground squirrels (Poliocitellus franklinii). We compared the quantity, purity and degradation of DNA extracted from plucked hair and fecal pellets to tail snip tissues. We recovered more DNA from tail snips than either plucked hair or fecal pellets. Both hair and fecal pellets recovered DNA with purity ratios similar to tail snips. As expected, DNA recovered from fecal pellets exhibited a high degree of degradation compared to hair and tail tissues. Careful planning of field and laboratory protocols is therefore necessary to compensate for challenges associated with noninvasive tissue types. While there is no tissue that can universally be applied to all research projects, both hair and feces are viable alternatives to traditional invasive procedures and can be applied to threatened and endangered rodent species.
