The valorization of Amazonian wood residues into active chemical compounds could be an eco-friendly,cost-effective and valuable way to develop wood preservative formulations to enhance the decay and termite resistance...The valorization of Amazonian wood residues into active chemical compounds could be an eco-friendly,cost-effective and valuable way to develop wood preservative formulations to enhance the decay and termite resistance of low-durable wood species.Wacapou(Vouacapoua americana.,Fabaceae)is a well-known Guianese wood spe-cies commonly used in local wood construction due to its outstanding natural durability,which results from the presence of a large panel of extractives compounds.In addition,its industrial processing generates large amounts of residues.Wacapou residues were extracted by maceration using four different solvents(water/ethanol,ethyl acetate,hexane and dichloromethane/methanol),separately and successively.The yield of each extractive fraction was determined,and their chemical compositions were analyzed by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry(LC-MS).Ethyl acetate led to the highest extraction yield,and the active compounds were identified in the obtained extractive fraction.In this sense,the fungicidal and termite-repellent properties of these extractives were then tested using a screening laboratory(with temperate and tropical microorganisms),according to the solution concentration(1%,2.5%,5%,8%and 10%).Finally,Virola michelii Heckel wood samples(low durable species)were impregnated with the 8%concentration solution.The impregnated wood samples were then exposed to a soil bed test.The results highlighted that the nature of the solvent used during wood maceration affects the con-tent of the obtained extractive fractions.Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography–High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry(UHPLC-HRMS)analyses showed the influence of extraction parameters on the nature of the extracted molecules.Wacapou extracts(from ethyl acetate maceration)showed good anti-fungal and anti-termite activities.Additionally,the concentration in extractives had an impact on the anti-termite activity level for Reti-culitermesflavipes and Cryptotermes sp.Formulations based on Wacapou extractives showed a good potential for valorization in eco-friendly preservatives,aiming to confer better durability to local low-durability wood species.展开更多
Bayesian inference model is an optimal processing of incomplete information that, more than other models, better captures the way in which any decision-maker learns and updates his degree of rational beliefs about pos...Bayesian inference model is an optimal processing of incomplete information that, more than other models, better captures the way in which any decision-maker learns and updates his degree of rational beliefs about possible states of nature, in order to make a better judgment while taking new evidence into account. Such a scientific model proposed for the general theory of decision-making, like all others in general, whether in statistics, economics, operations research, A.I., data science or applied mathematics, regardless of whether they are time-dependent, have in common a theoretical basis that is axiomatized by relying on related concepts of a universe of possibles, especially the so-called universe (or the world), the state of nature (or the state of the world), when formulated explicitly. The issue of where to stand as an observer or a decision-maker to reframe such a universe of possibles together with a partition structure of knowledge (i.e. semantic formalisms), including a copy of itself as it was initially while generalizing it, is not addressed. Memory being the substratum, whether human or artificial, wherein everything stands, to date, even the theoretical possibility of such an operation of self-inclusion is prohibited by pure mathematics. We make this blind spot come to light through a counter-example (namely Archimedes’ Eureka experiment) and explore novel theoretical foundations, fitting better with a quantum form than with fuzzy modeling, to deal with more than a reference universe of possibles. This could open up a new path of investigation for the general theory of decision-making, as well as for Artificial Intelligence, often considered as the science of the imitation of human abilities, while being also the science of knowledge representation and the science of concept formation and reasoning.展开更多
BACKGROUND Mucosal healing has become a therapeutic goal to achieve stable remission in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. To achieve this objective, overlapping actions of complex cellular processes, such as ...BACKGROUND Mucosal healing has become a therapeutic goal to achieve stable remission in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. To achieve this objective, overlapping actions of complex cellular processes, such as migration, proliferation, and differentiation, are required. These events are longitudinally and tightly controlled by numerous factors including a wide range of distinct regulatory proteins. However, the sequence of events associated with colon mucosal repair after colitis and the evolution of the luminal content characteristics during this process have been little studied.AIM To document the evolution of colon mucosal characteristics during mucosal healing using a mouse model with chemically-induced colitis.METHODS C57 BL/6 male mice were given 3.5% dextran sodium sulfate(DSS) in drinking water for 5 d. They were euthanized 2(day 7), 5(day 10), 8(day 13), and 23(day28) d after DSS removal. The colonic luminal environment and epithelial repair processes during the inflammatory flare and colitis resolution were analyzed with reference to a non-DSS treated control group, euthanized at day 0. Epithelial repair events were assessed histo-morphologically in combination with functional permeability tests, expression of key inflammatory and repairing factors, and evaluation of colon mucosa-adherent microbiota composition by 16 S rRNA sequencing.RESULTS The maximal intensity of colitis was concomitant with maximal alterations of intestinal barrier function and histological damage associated with goblet cell depletion in colon mucosa. It was recorded 2 d after termination of the DSStreatment, followed by a progressive return to values similar to those of control mice. Although signs of colitis were severe(inflammatory cell infiltrate, crypt disarray, increased permeability) and associated with colonic luminal alterations(hyperosmolarity, dysbiosis, decrease in short-chain fatty acid content), epithelial healing processes were launched early during the inflammatory flare with increased gene expression of certain key epithelial repair modulators, including transforming growth factor-β, interleukin(Il)-15, Il-22, Il-33, and serum amyloid A. Whereas signs of inflammation progressively diminished, luminal colonic environment alterations and microscopic abnormalities of colon mucosa persisted long after colitis induction.CONCLUSION This study shows that colon repair can be initiated in the context of inflamed mucosa associated with alterations of the luminal environment and highlights the longitudinal involvement of key modulators.展开更多
Prey have evolved anti-predator defences that reduce or eliminate the risk of predation. Predators often reproduce at specific sites over many years causing permanent threats to local prey species. Such prey may respo...Prey have evolved anti-predator defences that reduce or eliminate the risk of predation. Predators often reproduce at specific sites over many years causing permanent threats to local prey species. Such prey may respond by moving elsewhere thereby reducing local population abundance, or they may stay put and adjust their behavior to the presence of predators. We tested these predictions by analyzing population abundance and anti-predator behavior within 100 m of and 500 m away from nests of sparrowhawks Accipiter nisus and goshawks A. gentilis for 80 species of birds. Population abundance of prey was reduced by 11% near goshawk nests and by 15% near sparrowhawk nests when compared with nearby control sites in similar habitats. Flight initiation distance （FID） of prey, estimated as the distance at which birds took flight when approached by a human, increased by 50% in the presence of hawk nests, providing evidence of adjustment of anti-predator behavior to prevailing risks of predation. Susceptibility to predation was estimated as log transformed abundance of the observed number of prey items obtained from prey remains collected around nests minus log transformed expected number of prey according to point counts of breeding birds. FID increased from 10 to 46 m with increasing susceptibility of prey species to predation by the goshawk and from 12 to 15 m with increasing susceptibility of prey species to predation by the sparrowhawk. These findings suggest that prey adjust their distribution and anti-predator behavior to the risk of predation.展开更多
Human proximity often have negative consequences for wildlife. However, animals may also benefit from human proximity in terms of availability of resources and protection against predators and parasites. We recorded t...Human proximity often have negative consequences for wildlife. However, animals may also benefit from human proximity in terms of availability of resources and protection against predators and parasites. We recorded the distance between all birds detected during the breeding season along 18 5-kin transects and the nearest inhabited house in three areas of 50 km2 in Spain, France, and Denmark. More than three quarters of birds were located closer than 100 m to the nearest house, while the null expectation was less than a third. Mean distance for species was correlated with degree of bird urbanization and with flight initiation distance. Habitat specialist species with small breeding territories tended to live closer to houses. Birds from species having more broods per year, larger annual fecundity and lower nest predation rate lived closer to human habitation. Breeding range size, population density, and continental breeding population sizes were larger for species living closer to human habitation. Most relationships between distance to houses and bird traits had a strong phylogenetic signal, but most additive trait effects remained after phylogenetic correction. Proximity to human habitation was a main driver of the distribution of birds, with most individuals and species tightly linked to inhabited houses. Living close to human habitation was associated with success in the colonization of urban habitats and with consistent changes in distribution, abundance, behavior, and life history. Replicated measurements of the spatial and tempo- ral variation in these distributions may be useful for monitoring and analyzing the ongoing process of organisms＇ urbanization.展开更多
Sugarcane bagasse was pyrolyzed using a laboratory fixed bed reactor to produce char and its by-product(pyrolysis liquid).The pyrolysis experiments were carried out using different temperatures(400℃ and 500℃),heatin...Sugarcane bagasse was pyrolyzed using a laboratory fixed bed reactor to produce char and its by-product(pyrolysis liquid).The pyrolysis experiments were carried out using different temperatures(400℃ and 500℃),heating rate(1℃/min and 10℃/min),and holding time(30 min and 60 min).Char was characterized according to its thermal properties,while the pyrolysis liquid was tested for its anti-fungal and anti-termite activities.Pyrolysis temperature and heating rate had a significant influence on the char properties and the yield of char and pyrolysis liquid,where a high-quality char and high yield of pyrolysis liquid can be obtained at a temperature of 500℃ and a heating rate of 10℃/min.The yield of char and pyrolysis liquid was 28.97%and 55.46%,respectively.The principal compounds of pyrolysis liquid were water,acetic acid,glycolaldehyde,1-hydroxy-2-propanone,methanol,formic acid,levoglucosan,furfural,followed by some phenol compounds and guaiacol derivatives.Pyrolysis liquid at a concentration of 0.20%and 0.25%(v/v)caused a 100%inhibition of Coniophora puteana and Trametes versicolor,respectively,when performing inhibition growth tests in Petri dishes.Filter paper treated with 10%of pyrolysis liquid caused 100%of termite mortality,while only 5.65%–7.03%of the treated filter papers consumed by termites at such concentration.Pyrolysis liquid is potentially effective to be used in the formulation of wood protection against fungi and termites.展开更多
Barn swallows Hirundo rustica have white spots on their tail feathers, and they have been hypothe-sized to be a handicap because white spots are prone to feather breakage, ectoparasites are dispro-portionately common ...Barn swallows Hirundo rustica have white spots on their tail feathers, and they have been hypothe-sized to be a handicap because white spots are prone to feather breakage, ectoparasites are dispro-portionately common in white spots, and size of white spots increases with tail length. Here I testfor attractiveness of narrow and long tail spots by manipulation of their shape while using com-plete painting of spots and an absence of treatment as a control. Female barn swallows are knownto differentially invest in reproduction when mated to attractive males. Spot manipulation tookplace during laying of the first clutch, and there were no effects of treatment on clutch size or broodsize of first or second broods. In contrast, the incidence of second clutches and the total number ofeggs and fledglings produced during the breeding season was larger in males with painting of theside of tail spots rather than painting of the tip of spots, painting of entire spots, or no treatment.These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that it is the shape rather than the size of tailspots that affects differential reproductive effort by female barn swallows.展开更多
Background: The Hooded Crane(Grus monacha) is listed as a vulnerable species by IUCN. Knowledge about the migration of the Hooded Crane is still limited. Here we reported the spatio-temporal migration patterns of Hood...Background: The Hooded Crane(Grus monacha) is listed as a vulnerable species by IUCN. Knowledge about the migration of the Hooded Crane is still limited. Here we reported the spatio-temporal migration patterns of Hooded Cranes wintering in Izumi, Japan, as well as important stopover areas for their conservation.Methods: Four adult and five subadult cranes, all wintering in Izumi, Japan, were fitted with satellite transmitters(GPS–GSM system) at their stopover sites in northeastern China in 2014 and 2015. We analyzed the time and duration of adults and subadults in spring and autumn migration, as well as the time and duration they stayed in breeding and wintering ground. In addition, we analyzed the land use of the cranes in stopover areas.Results: Adult cranes took much longer time to migrate both north in spring(mean days) compared with subadult cranes(15.3 and 5.2 days, respectively). H= 44.3 days) and south in fall(mean = 54.0 owever, the subadults had longer wintering(mean = 149.8 days) and nomadic(breeding season for adults) seasons(mean d with adults(133.8 and 122.3 days, respectively). Three important stopover areas have been= 196.8 days) compare identified: the region around Muraviovka Park in Russia, the Songnen Plain in China, and the west coast of South Korea, where cranes spent most of their migration time(62.2 and 85.7% in spring and autumn, respectively). During migration, nomadic period and winter, Hooded Cranes usually stay in croplands for resting and feeding. In non-wintering season, less than 6% of stopover sites were located within protected areas.Conclusion: Overall, our results contribute to understanding the annual spatio-temporal migration patterns of Hooded Cranes in the eastern flyway, and planning conservation measures for this species.展开更多
Background: Pregnancy is associated with important changes in gut microbiota composition. Dietary factors may affect the diversity, composition, and metabolic activity of the intestinal microbiota. Among amino acids, ...Background: Pregnancy is associated with important changes in gut microbiota composition. Dietary factors may affect the diversity, composition, and metabolic activity of the intestinal microbiota. Among amino acids, proline is known to play important roles in protein metabolism and structure, cell differentiation, conceptus growth and development, and gut microbiota re-equilibration in case of dysbiosis.Results: Dietary supplementation with 1% proline decreased(P < 0.05) the amounts of Klebsiella pneumoniae,Peptostreptococcus productus, Pseudomonas, and Veillonella spp. in distal colonic contents than that in the control group. The colonic contents of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Bifidobacterium sp., Clostridium coccoides, Clostridium coccoides-Eubacterium rectale, Clostridium leptum subgroup, Escherichia coli, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii,Fusobacterium prausnitzii, and Prevotella increased(P < 0.05) on d 70 of pregnancy as compared with those on d 45 of pregnancy. The colonic concentrations of acetate, total straight-chain fatty acid, and total short-chain fatty acids(SCFA) in the proline-supplemented group were lower(P < 0.05), and butyrate level(P = 0.06) decreased as compared with the control group. Almost all of the SCFA displayed higher(P < 0.05) concentrations in proximal colonic contents on d 70 of pregnancy than those on d 45 of pregnancy. The concentrations of 1,7-heptyl diamine(P = 0.09) and phenylethylamine(P < 0.05) in proximal colonic contents were higher, while those of spermidine(P = 0.05) and total bioamine(P = 0.06) tended to be lower in the proline-supplemented group than those in the control group. The concentrations of spermidine, spermine, and total bioamine in colonic contents were higher(P < 0.05) on d 70 of pregnancy than those measured on d 45 of pregnancy. In contrast, the concentration of phenylethylamine was lower(P < 0.05) on d 70 than on d 45 of pregnancy.(Continued on next page)(Continued from previous page)Conclusion: These findings indicate that L-proline supplementation modifies both the colonic microbiota composition and the luminal concentrations of several bacterial metabolites. Furthermore, our data show that both the microbiota composition and the concentrations of bacterial metabolites are evolving in the course of pregnancy. These results are discussed in terms of possible implication in terms of luminal environment and consequences for gut physiology and health.展开更多
The uropygial gland has been hypothesized to play a role in sexual signaling through a "make-up" function derived from the effects of secretions from the gland on the appearanee of the plumage and bare parts...The uropygial gland has been hypothesized to play a role in sexual signaling through a "make-up" function derived from the effects of secretions from the gland on the appearanee of the plumage and bare parts of the body. Here we show that plumage brightness of dorsal feathers of individual barn swallows Hirundo rustica was greater in mated than in unmated individuals. In addition, plumage brightness in creased with colony size. Furthermore, plumage bright ness was positively correlated with the amount of wax in the uropygial gland, negatively correlated with time of sampling of uropygial wax (perhaps because more wax is present early in the morning after an entire night of wax production without any preening), and negatively correlated with the number of chewing lice that degrade the plumage. Experimentally preventing barn swallows from access to the uropygial gland reduced plumage brightness, showing a causal link between secretions from the uropygial gland and plumage brightness. These findings provide evidence consistent with a role of uropygial secretions in signaling plumage brightness.展开更多
Algae have become an area of intensive research in many fields of study. Areas of application are becoming increasingly diverse with the advent of technologies particularly in the mass production of algae biomass. Alg...Algae have become an area of intensive research in many fields of study. Areas of application are becoming increasingly diverse with the advent of technologies particularly in the mass production of algae biomass. Algae contain complex bioactive compounds and these are gaining importance in emerging technologies with nutritional and environmental applications. In this study, a preliminary investigation evaluated 15 species of algae from the major categories of marine and fresh water algae for their potential as inclusions in ruminant diets for management of greenhouse gas emissions. It was hypothesized that algae would positively affect rumen fermentation and gas production while reducing methane production. The hypothesis was tested using an Ankom automated gas monitoring system and rumen fluid from Bos indicus steers fed tropical forage diets. The results were variable between algae species with some showing a significant reduction in total gas and methane production, with others increasing gas and fermentation. The red and brown algae stand out as having potential for greenhouse gas mitigation with the brown alga Cystoseira having the most prominent effect. The effects observed on fermentation may be manipulated through dosage management and beneficial effects could be potentially maximized by preparing combinations of algal supplements. It has been demonstrated in this study that algae have the potential to assist in rumen fermentation management for improved gas production, and greenhouse gas abatement.展开更多
Microorganisms on and within organisms are ubiquitous and interactions with their hosts range from mutualistic over commensal, to pathogenic. We hypothesized that microorganisms might affect the ability of barn swallo...Microorganisms on and within organisms are ubiquitous and interactions with their hosts range from mutualistic over commensal, to pathogenic. We hypothesized that microorganisms might affect the ability of barn swallows Hirundo rustica to escape from potential predators, with positive associations between the abundance of microorganisms and escape ability implying mutualistic effects, while negative associations would imply antagonistic effects. We quantified escape behavior as the ability to avoid capture in a mist net and hence as a small number of recaptures. Because recapture probability may also depend on timing of reproduction and reproductive success, we also tested whether the association between recapture and microorganisms was mediated by an association between recapture and life history. We found intermediate to strong positive relationships between recapture probability and abundance of Bacillus megaterium, but not abundance of other bacteria or fungi. The abundance of B. megaterium was associated with an advance in laying date and an increase in reproductive success. However, these effects were independent of the number of recaptures. This interpretation is supported by the fact that there was no direct correlation between laying date and reproductive success on one hand and the number of recaptures on the other. These findings have implications not only for predator-prey interactions, but also for capture-mark-recapture analyses of vital rates such as survival and dispersal.展开更多
Egg discrimination by cavity-nesting birds that build nests under dim light conditions was presumed to depend on nest luminance,although this hypothesis has rarely been tested.Tests of egg discrimination ability by ca...Egg discrimination by cavity-nesting birds that build nests under dim light conditions was presumed to depend on nest luminance,although this hypothesis has rarely been tested.Tests of egg discrimination ability by cavity-nesting tits under dim light conditions may reveal the selection pressure from brood parasitism that they encounter under natural interactions.We manipulated the intensity of luminance of nests of the Green-backed Tit(Parus monticolus),a potential cuckoo host that possesses a strong discrimination ability of non-mimetic foreign eggs.We performed experiments to test their egg discrimination ability under different light conditions.Our results showed that Green-backed Tits discriminate against non-mimetic foreign eggs under normal light conditions in nest boxes,and this ability persisted at nest luminance as low as 4.78±1.31 lux that is several times lower than normal luminance(38.11±24.02 lux).However,egg discrimination by Green-backed Tits disappeared when nest luminance was reduced to a minimum of 0.35±0.15 lux.The latter value represents total darkness for humans.The present study shows that nest luminance plays a key role in egg discrimination by Green-backed Tits that build nests under dim light conditions.This study provides strong experimental evidence for nest illumination altering egg rejection behavior in cavity-nesting birds.展开更多
Modified BCR sequential extraction, single equilibrium-based EDTA extraction and kinetic fractionation were used for estimating the Pb and Cd availability in a series of soil samples from 3 sites located in urban area...Modified BCR sequential extraction, single equilibrium-based EDTA extraction and kinetic fractionation were used for estimating the Pb and Cd availability in a series of soil samples from 3 sites located in urban areas of Hanoi (Vietnam). These schemes were compared to identify a simple, rapid and cheap protocol for routine estimation of Pb and Cd remobilizable fraction and the related potential risk. The comparison of these three approaches revealed their convergence in terms of mobility patterns observed for Pb and Cd. Cd was characterized by higher extractibality and mobility whatever the approach. Pb was distinguished of Cd by its high association to Feoxides, lower extractability, lower rate of desorption and then lower mobility. For this environmental scenario, EDTA single scheme at equilibrium could be suggested as the best suited and a simple protocol for determination of the labile pool of Cd and Pb. The pseudo-total concentrations of Pb and Cd are actually below the Vietnamese standard level, contrary to the results obtained by other authors for agricultural soils at other urban sites of Hanoi.展开更多
While research on pedogenesis mainly focuses on long-term soil formation and most often neglects recent soil evolution in response to human practices or climate changes, this article reviews the impact of artificial s...While research on pedogenesis mainly focuses on long-term soil formation and most often neglects recent soil evolution in response to human practices or climate changes, this article reviews the impact of artificial subsurface drainage on soil evolution. Artificial drainage is considered as an example of the impact of recent changes in water fluxes on soil evolution over time scales of decades to a century. Results from various classical studies on artificial drainage including hydrological and environmental studies are reviewed and collated with rare studies dealing explicitly with soil morphology changes, in response to artificial drainage. We deduce that soil should react to the perturbations associated with subsurface drainage over time scales that do not exceeding a few decades. Subsurface drainage decreases the intensity of erosion and must i) increase the intensity of the lixiviation and eluviation processes, ii) affect iron and manganese dynamics, and iii) induce heterogeneities in soil evolution at the ten meter scale. Such recent soil evolutions can no longer be neglected as they are mostly irreversible and will probably have unknown, but expectable, feedbacks on crucial soil functions such as the sequestration of soil organic matter or the water available capacity.展开更多
Background: The interaction of the gut microbiota with key metabolic and physiological processes may be associated with poor growth outcomes in animals born with intrauterine growth restriction(IUGR).Results: Growth p...Background: The interaction of the gut microbiota with key metabolic and physiological processes may be associated with poor growth outcomes in animals born with intrauterine growth restriction(IUGR).Results: Growth performance, plasma hormone concentrations, and intestinal microbiota composition were analyzed in IUGR pigs and in normal birth weight(NBW) pigs when the NBW pigs reached 25, 50, and 100 kg of body weight(BW). Compared to NBW pigs, IUGR pigs had lower initial, weaned, and final BW, and lower average daily gain and average daily feed intake in all the considered time points. In the 25 kg BW group, IUGR pigs had higher concentrations of plasma ghrelin and pancreatic polypeptide(PP), but lower insulin concentration than NBW pigs, while the situation was reversed in the 50 kg BW group. As compared to NBW pigs, IUGR pigs had higher microbial alpha diversity in the jejunum and ileum;in the 50 and 100 kg BW groups, IUGR pigs had higher Firmicutes abundance but lower Proteobacteria abundance in the jejunum, and lower Lactobacillus abundance in the jejunum and ileum;in the 25 kg BW group, IUGR pigs showed higher unclassified Ruminococcaceae abundance in the ileum;and in 25 and 50 kg BW groups, IUGR pigs showed lower Ochrobactrum abundance in the jejunum.Spearman's correlation revealed that Lactobacillus was negatively correlated with growth performance, while unclassified Ruminococcaceae was positively correlated. Predictive metagenomic analysis detected significantly different expression of genes in the intestinal microbiota between IUGR and NBW pigs, suggesting different metabolic capabilities between the two groups.Conclusions: Growing-finishing IUGR pigs showed lower growth performance, higher microbial alpha diversity, and differences in plasma hormone concentrations compared to NBW pigs. Alterations in the abundance of Firmicutes,Proteobacteria, Ruminococcaceae, Lactobacillus, and Ochrobactrum in the small intestine may be associated with IUGR, and may therefore serve as a future target for gut microbiota intervention in growing-finishing IUGR pigs.展开更多
Hypothalamic neuropeptides named hypocretin/orexins which were identified in 1998 regulate critical functions such as wakefulness in the central nervous system.These past 20 years had revealed that orexins/receptors s...Hypothalamic neuropeptides named hypocretin/orexins which were identified in 1998 regulate critical functions such as wakefulness in the central nervous system.These past 20 years had revealed that orexins/receptors system was also present in the peripheral nervous system where they participated to the regulation of multiple functions including blood pressure regulation,intestinal motility,hormone secretion,lipolyze and reproduction functions.Associated to these peripheral functions,it was found that orexins and their receptors were involved in various diseases such as acute/chronic inflammation,metabolic syndrome and cancers.The present review suggests that orexins or the orexin neural circuitry represent potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of multiple pathologies related to inflammation including intestinal bowel disease,multiple sclerosis and septic shock,obesity and digestive cancers.展开更多
Background:Floods and other extreme events have disastrous effects on wetland breeding birds.However,such events and their consequences are difficult to study due to their rarity and unpredictable occurrence.Methods:H...Background:Floods and other extreme events have disastrous effects on wetland breeding birds.However,such events and their consequences are difficult to study due to their rarity and unpredictable occurrence.Methods:Here we compared nest-sites chosen by Reed Parrotbills(Paradoxornis heudei) during June-August 2016 in Yongnianwa Wetlands,Hebei Province,China,before and after an extreme flooding event.Results:Twenty-three nests were identified before and 13 new nests after the flood.There was no significant difference in most nest-site characteristics,such as distance from the road,height of the reeds in which nests were built,or nest volume before or after the flood.However,nests after the flood were located significantly higher in the vegetation compared to before the flood(mean ± SE:1.17 ± 0.13 m vs.0.75 ± 0.26 m,p < 0.01).However,predation rate also increased significantly after the flood(67% vs.25%,p = 0.030).Conclusions:Our results suggested that Reed Parrotbills demonstrated behavioral plasticity in their nest-site selection.Thus,they appeared to increase the height of their nests in response to the drastically changing water levels in reed wetlands,to reduce the likelihood that their nests would be submerged again by flooding.However,predation rate also increased significantly after the flood,suggesting that the change in nest height to combat the threat of flooding made the nests more susceptible to other threats,such as predation.Animals' response to rare climatic events,such as flooding,may produce ecological traps if they make the animals more susceptible to other kinds of threats they are more likely to continue to encounter.展开更多
The reclamation and disinfection of waters impacted by human activities（e.g., wastewater effluent discharges） are of growing interest for various applications but has been associated with the formation of toxic nitr...The reclamation and disinfection of waters impacted by human activities（e.g., wastewater effluent discharges） are of growing interest for various applications but has been associated with the formation of toxic nitrogenous disinfection byproducts（N-DBPs）. Monochloramine used as an alternative disinfectant to chlorine can be an additional source of nitrogen in the formation of N-DBPs. Individual toxicity assays have been performed on many DBPs, but few studies have been conducted with complex mixtures such as wastewater effluents. In this work, we compared the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of wastewater effluent organic matter（Ef OM） before and after chloramination. The toxicity of chloraminated Ef OM was significantly higher than the toxicity of raw Ef OM, and the more hydrophobic fraction（HPO）isolated on XAD-8 resin was more toxic than the fraction isolated on XAD-4 resin.More DBPs were also isolated on the XAD-8 resin. N-DBPs（i.e., haloacetonitriles or haloacetamides） were responsible for the majority of the cytotoxicity estimated from DBP concentrations measured in the XAD-8 and XAD-4 fractions（99.4% and 78.5%, respectively）.Measured DBPs accounted for minor proportions of total brominated and chlorinated products, which means that many unknown halogenated compounds were formed and can be responsible for a significant part of the toxicity. Other non-halogenated byproducts（e.g.,nitrosamines） may contribute to the toxicity of chloraminated effluents as well.展开更多
基金PROTEXTWOOD (ID 2202-102) funded through LabEx AGRO ANR-10-LABX-0001-01 (under ISiteUniversité de Montpellier framework)the project PANTHER2-Guyane funded through AgenceNationale de la Recherche (ANR-22-CE43-0019)+2 种基金“Investissement d’Avenir” grant managed by Agence Nationale de la Recherche (CEBA, ref. ANR-10-LABX-25-01)supported by the FEDER (European Regional Development Fund)research project “EcovaloBois” (Project number: GY0015430)by the CNRS peps INSIS2018 research project “GuyavaloFibres”.
文摘The valorization of Amazonian wood residues into active chemical compounds could be an eco-friendly,cost-effective and valuable way to develop wood preservative formulations to enhance the decay and termite resistance of low-durable wood species.Wacapou(Vouacapoua americana.,Fabaceae)is a well-known Guianese wood spe-cies commonly used in local wood construction due to its outstanding natural durability,which results from the presence of a large panel of extractives compounds.In addition,its industrial processing generates large amounts of residues.Wacapou residues were extracted by maceration using four different solvents(water/ethanol,ethyl acetate,hexane and dichloromethane/methanol),separately and successively.The yield of each extractive fraction was determined,and their chemical compositions were analyzed by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry(LC-MS).Ethyl acetate led to the highest extraction yield,and the active compounds were identified in the obtained extractive fraction.In this sense,the fungicidal and termite-repellent properties of these extractives were then tested using a screening laboratory(with temperate and tropical microorganisms),according to the solution concentration(1%,2.5%,5%,8%and 10%).Finally,Virola michelii Heckel wood samples(low durable species)were impregnated with the 8%concentration solution.The impregnated wood samples were then exposed to a soil bed test.The results highlighted that the nature of the solvent used during wood maceration affects the con-tent of the obtained extractive fractions.Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography–High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry(UHPLC-HRMS)analyses showed the influence of extraction parameters on the nature of the extracted molecules.Wacapou extracts(from ethyl acetate maceration)showed good anti-fungal and anti-termite activities.Additionally,the concentration in extractives had an impact on the anti-termite activity level for Reti-culitermesflavipes and Cryptotermes sp.Formulations based on Wacapou extractives showed a good potential for valorization in eco-friendly preservatives,aiming to confer better durability to local low-durability wood species.
文摘Bayesian inference model is an optimal processing of incomplete information that, more than other models, better captures the way in which any decision-maker learns and updates his degree of rational beliefs about possible states of nature, in order to make a better judgment while taking new evidence into account. Such a scientific model proposed for the general theory of decision-making, like all others in general, whether in statistics, economics, operations research, A.I., data science or applied mathematics, regardless of whether they are time-dependent, have in common a theoretical basis that is axiomatized by relying on related concepts of a universe of possibles, especially the so-called universe (or the world), the state of nature (or the state of the world), when formulated explicitly. The issue of where to stand as an observer or a decision-maker to reframe such a universe of possibles together with a partition structure of knowledge (i.e. semantic formalisms), including a copy of itself as it was initially while generalizing it, is not addressed. Memory being the substratum, whether human or artificial, wherein everything stands, to date, even the theoretical possibility of such an operation of self-inclusion is prohibited by pure mathematics. We make this blind spot come to light through a counter-example (namely Archimedes’ Eureka experiment) and explore novel theoretical foundations, fitting better with a quantum form than with fuzzy modeling, to deal with more than a reference universe of possibles. This could open up a new path of investigation for the general theory of decision-making, as well as for Artificial Intelligence, often considered as the science of the imitation of human abilities, while being also the science of knowledge representation and the science of concept formation and reasoning.
基金grants from the Societe Francaise de Nutrition and the Association Francois AupetitVidal-Lletjos S was a recipient of a PhD grant from INRA-Universite Paris-Saclay(ALIAS program)
文摘BACKGROUND Mucosal healing has become a therapeutic goal to achieve stable remission in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. To achieve this objective, overlapping actions of complex cellular processes, such as migration, proliferation, and differentiation, are required. These events are longitudinally and tightly controlled by numerous factors including a wide range of distinct regulatory proteins. However, the sequence of events associated with colon mucosal repair after colitis and the evolution of the luminal content characteristics during this process have been little studied.AIM To document the evolution of colon mucosal characteristics during mucosal healing using a mouse model with chemically-induced colitis.METHODS C57 BL/6 male mice were given 3.5% dextran sodium sulfate(DSS) in drinking water for 5 d. They were euthanized 2(day 7), 5(day 10), 8(day 13), and 23(day28) d after DSS removal. The colonic luminal environment and epithelial repair processes during the inflammatory flare and colitis resolution were analyzed with reference to a non-DSS treated control group, euthanized at day 0. Epithelial repair events were assessed histo-morphologically in combination with functional permeability tests, expression of key inflammatory and repairing factors, and evaluation of colon mucosa-adherent microbiota composition by 16 S rRNA sequencing.RESULTS The maximal intensity of colitis was concomitant with maximal alterations of intestinal barrier function and histological damage associated with goblet cell depletion in colon mucosa. It was recorded 2 d after termination of the DSStreatment, followed by a progressive return to values similar to those of control mice. Although signs of colitis were severe(inflammatory cell infiltrate, crypt disarray, increased permeability) and associated with colonic luminal alterations(hyperosmolarity, dysbiosis, decrease in short-chain fatty acid content), epithelial healing processes were launched early during the inflammatory flare with increased gene expression of certain key epithelial repair modulators, including transforming growth factor-β, interleukin(Il)-15, Il-22, Il-33, and serum amyloid A. Whereas signs of inflammation progressively diminished, luminal colonic environment alterations and microscopic abnormalities of colon mucosa persisted long after colitis induction.CONCLUSION This study shows that colon repair can be initiated in the context of inflamed mucosa associated with alterations of the luminal environment and highlights the longitudinal involvement of key modulators.
文摘Prey have evolved anti-predator defences that reduce or eliminate the risk of predation. Predators often reproduce at specific sites over many years causing permanent threats to local prey species. Such prey may respond by moving elsewhere thereby reducing local population abundance, or they may stay put and adjust their behavior to the presence of predators. We tested these predictions by analyzing population abundance and anti-predator behavior within 100 m of and 500 m away from nests of sparrowhawks Accipiter nisus and goshawks A. gentilis for 80 species of birds. Population abundance of prey was reduced by 11% near goshawk nests and by 15% near sparrowhawk nests when compared with nearby control sites in similar habitats. Flight initiation distance （FID） of prey, estimated as the distance at which birds took flight when approached by a human, increased by 50% in the presence of hawk nests, providing evidence of adjustment of anti-predator behavior to prevailing risks of predation. Susceptibility to predation was estimated as log transformed abundance of the observed number of prey items obtained from prey remains collected around nests minus log transformed expected number of prey according to point counts of breeding birds. FID increased from 10 to 46 m with increasing susceptibility of prey species to predation by the goshawk and from 12 to 15 m with increasing susceptibility of prey species to predation by the sparrowhawk. These findings suggest that prey adjust their distribution and anti-predator behavior to the risk of predation.
文摘Human proximity often have negative consequences for wildlife. However, animals may also benefit from human proximity in terms of availability of resources and protection against predators and parasites. We recorded the distance between all birds detected during the breeding season along 18 5-kin transects and the nearest inhabited house in three areas of 50 km2 in Spain, France, and Denmark. More than three quarters of birds were located closer than 100 m to the nearest house, while the null expectation was less than a third. Mean distance for species was correlated with degree of bird urbanization and with flight initiation distance. Habitat specialist species with small breeding territories tended to live closer to houses. Birds from species having more broods per year, larger annual fecundity and lower nest predation rate lived closer to human habitation. Breeding range size, population density, and continental breeding population sizes were larger for species living closer to human habitation. Most relationships between distance to houses and bird traits had a strong phylogenetic signal, but most additive trait effects remained after phylogenetic correction. Proximity to human habitation was a main driver of the distribution of birds, with most individuals and species tightly linked to inhabited houses. Living close to human habitation was associated with success in the colonization of urban habitats and with consistent changes in distribution, abundance, behavior, and life history. Replicated measurements of the spatial and tempo- ral variation in these distributions may be useful for monitoring and analyzing the ongoing process of organisms＇ urbanization.
文摘Sugarcane bagasse was pyrolyzed using a laboratory fixed bed reactor to produce char and its by-product(pyrolysis liquid).The pyrolysis experiments were carried out using different temperatures(400℃ and 500℃),heating rate(1℃/min and 10℃/min),and holding time(30 min and 60 min).Char was characterized according to its thermal properties,while the pyrolysis liquid was tested for its anti-fungal and anti-termite activities.Pyrolysis temperature and heating rate had a significant influence on the char properties and the yield of char and pyrolysis liquid,where a high-quality char and high yield of pyrolysis liquid can be obtained at a temperature of 500℃ and a heating rate of 10℃/min.The yield of char and pyrolysis liquid was 28.97%and 55.46%,respectively.The principal compounds of pyrolysis liquid were water,acetic acid,glycolaldehyde,1-hydroxy-2-propanone,methanol,formic acid,levoglucosan,furfural,followed by some phenol compounds and guaiacol derivatives.Pyrolysis liquid at a concentration of 0.20%and 0.25%(v/v)caused a 100%inhibition of Coniophora puteana and Trametes versicolor,respectively,when performing inhibition growth tests in Petri dishes.Filter paper treated with 10%of pyrolysis liquid caused 100%of termite mortality,while only 5.65%–7.03%of the treated filter papers consumed by termites at such concentration.Pyrolysis liquid is potentially effective to be used in the formulation of wood protection against fungi and termites.
文摘Barn swallows Hirundo rustica have white spots on their tail feathers, and they have been hypothe-sized to be a handicap because white spots are prone to feather breakage, ectoparasites are dispro-portionately common in white spots, and size of white spots increases with tail length. Here I testfor attractiveness of narrow and long tail spots by manipulation of their shape while using com-plete painting of spots and an absence of treatment as a control. Female barn swallows are knownto differentially invest in reproduction when mated to attractive males. Spot manipulation tookplace during laying of the first clutch, and there were no effects of treatment on clutch size or broodsize of first or second broods. In contrast, the incidence of second clutches and the total number ofeggs and fledglings produced during the breeding season was larger in males with painting of theside of tail spots rather than painting of the tip of spots, painting of entire spots, or no treatment.These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that it is the shape rather than the size of tailspots that affects differential reproductive effort by female barn swallows.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.31570532)
文摘Background: The Hooded Crane(Grus monacha) is listed as a vulnerable species by IUCN. Knowledge about the migration of the Hooded Crane is still limited. Here we reported the spatio-temporal migration patterns of Hooded Cranes wintering in Izumi, Japan, as well as important stopover areas for their conservation.Methods: Four adult and five subadult cranes, all wintering in Izumi, Japan, were fitted with satellite transmitters(GPS–GSM system) at their stopover sites in northeastern China in 2014 and 2015. We analyzed the time and duration of adults and subadults in spring and autumn migration, as well as the time and duration they stayed in breeding and wintering ground. In addition, we analyzed the land use of the cranes in stopover areas.Results: Adult cranes took much longer time to migrate both north in spring(mean days) compared with subadult cranes(15.3 and 5.2 days, respectively). H= 44.3 days) and south in fall(mean = 54.0 owever, the subadults had longer wintering(mean = 149.8 days) and nomadic(breeding season for adults) seasons(mean d with adults(133.8 and 122.3 days, respectively). Three important stopover areas have been= 196.8 days) compare identified: the region around Muraviovka Park in Russia, the Songnen Plain in China, and the west coast of South Korea, where cranes spent most of their migration time(62.2 and 85.7% in spring and autumn, respectively). During migration, nomadic period and winter, Hooded Cranes usually stay in croplands for resting and feeding. In non-wintering season, less than 6% of stopover sites were located within protected areas.Conclusion: Overall, our results contribute to understanding the annual spatio-temporal migration patterns of Hooded Cranes in the eastern flyway, and planning conservation measures for this species.
基金jointly supported by grants from the National Nature Science Foundation of China(31572421 and 31270044)National Key R&D Program(2017YFD0500503)“Western Light”key program for Talent Cultivation from Chinese Academy of Sciences,and Chinese Academy of Sciences Visiting Professorship for Senior International Scientists(F.Blachier,2013T2S0014)
文摘Background: Pregnancy is associated with important changes in gut microbiota composition. Dietary factors may affect the diversity, composition, and metabolic activity of the intestinal microbiota. Among amino acids, proline is known to play important roles in protein metabolism and structure, cell differentiation, conceptus growth and development, and gut microbiota re-equilibration in case of dysbiosis.Results: Dietary supplementation with 1% proline decreased(P < 0.05) the amounts of Klebsiella pneumoniae,Peptostreptococcus productus, Pseudomonas, and Veillonella spp. in distal colonic contents than that in the control group. The colonic contents of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Bifidobacterium sp., Clostridium coccoides, Clostridium coccoides-Eubacterium rectale, Clostridium leptum subgroup, Escherichia coli, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii,Fusobacterium prausnitzii, and Prevotella increased(P < 0.05) on d 70 of pregnancy as compared with those on d 45 of pregnancy. The colonic concentrations of acetate, total straight-chain fatty acid, and total short-chain fatty acids(SCFA) in the proline-supplemented group were lower(P < 0.05), and butyrate level(P = 0.06) decreased as compared with the control group. Almost all of the SCFA displayed higher(P < 0.05) concentrations in proximal colonic contents on d 70 of pregnancy than those on d 45 of pregnancy. The concentrations of 1,7-heptyl diamine(P = 0.09) and phenylethylamine(P < 0.05) in proximal colonic contents were higher, while those of spermidine(P = 0.05) and total bioamine(P = 0.06) tended to be lower in the proline-supplemented group than those in the control group. The concentrations of spermidine, spermine, and total bioamine in colonic contents were higher(P < 0.05) on d 70 of pregnancy than those measured on d 45 of pregnancy. In contrast, the concentration of phenylethylamine was lower(P < 0.05) on d 70 than on d 45 of pregnancy.(Continued on next page)(Continued from previous page)Conclusion: These findings indicate that L-proline supplementation modifies both the colonic microbiota composition and the luminal concentrations of several bacterial metabolites. Furthermore, our data show that both the microbiota composition and the concentrations of bacterial metabolites are evolving in the course of pregnancy. These results are discussed in terms of possible implication in terms of luminal environment and consequences for gut physiology and health.
文摘The uropygial gland has been hypothesized to play a role in sexual signaling through a "make-up" function derived from the effects of secretions from the gland on the appearanee of the plumage and bare parts of the body. Here we show that plumage brightness of dorsal feathers of individual barn swallows Hirundo rustica was greater in mated than in unmated individuals. In addition, plumage brightness in creased with colony size. Furthermore, plumage bright ness was positively correlated with the amount of wax in the uropygial gland, negatively correlated with time of sampling of uropygial wax (perhaps because more wax is present early in the morning after an entire night of wax production without any preening), and negatively correlated with the number of chewing lice that degrade the plumage. Experimentally preventing barn swallows from access to the uropygial gland reduced plumage brightness, showing a causal link between secretions from the uropygial gland and plumage brightness. These findings provide evidence consistent with a role of uropygial secretions in signaling plumage brightness.
文摘Algae have become an area of intensive research in many fields of study. Areas of application are becoming increasingly diverse with the advent of technologies particularly in the mass production of algae biomass. Algae contain complex bioactive compounds and these are gaining importance in emerging technologies with nutritional and environmental applications. In this study, a preliminary investigation evaluated 15 species of algae from the major categories of marine and fresh water algae for their potential as inclusions in ruminant diets for management of greenhouse gas emissions. It was hypothesized that algae would positively affect rumen fermentation and gas production while reducing methane production. The hypothesis was tested using an Ankom automated gas monitoring system and rumen fluid from Bos indicus steers fed tropical forage diets. The results were variable between algae species with some showing a significant reduction in total gas and methane production, with others increasing gas and fermentation. The red and brown algae stand out as having potential for greenhouse gas mitigation with the brown alga Cystoseira having the most prominent effect. The effects observed on fermentation may be manipulated through dosage management and beneficial effects could be potentially maximized by preparing combinations of algal supplements. It has been demonstrated in this study that algae have the potential to assist in rumen fermentation management for improved gas production, and greenhouse gas abatement.
文摘Microorganisms on and within organisms are ubiquitous and interactions with their hosts range from mutualistic over commensal, to pathogenic. We hypothesized that microorganisms might affect the ability of barn swallows Hirundo rustica to escape from potential predators, with positive associations between the abundance of microorganisms and escape ability implying mutualistic effects, while negative associations would imply antagonistic effects. We quantified escape behavior as the ability to avoid capture in a mist net and hence as a small number of recaptures. Because recapture probability may also depend on timing of reproduction and reproductive success, we also tested whether the association between recapture and microorganisms was mediated by an association between recapture and life history. We found intermediate to strong positive relationships between recapture probability and abundance of Bacillus megaterium, but not abundance of other bacteria or fungi. The abundance of B. megaterium was associated with an advance in laying date and an increase in reproductive success. However, these effects were independent of the number of recaptures. This interpretation is supported by the fact that there was no direct correlation between laying date and reproductive success on one hand and the number of recaptures on the other. These findings have implications not only for predator-prey interactions, but also for capture-mark-recapture analyses of vital rates such as survival and dispersal.
基金supported by the Hainan Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (No.320CXTD437 and 2019RC189 to CY)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos.31772453 and 31970427 to WL)
文摘Egg discrimination by cavity-nesting birds that build nests under dim light conditions was presumed to depend on nest luminance,although this hypothesis has rarely been tested.Tests of egg discrimination ability by cavity-nesting tits under dim light conditions may reveal the selection pressure from brood parasitism that they encounter under natural interactions.We manipulated the intensity of luminance of nests of the Green-backed Tit(Parus monticolus),a potential cuckoo host that possesses a strong discrimination ability of non-mimetic foreign eggs.We performed experiments to test their egg discrimination ability under different light conditions.Our results showed that Green-backed Tits discriminate against non-mimetic foreign eggs under normal light conditions in nest boxes,and this ability persisted at nest luminance as low as 4.78±1.31 lux that is several times lower than normal luminance(38.11±24.02 lux).However,egg discrimination by Green-backed Tits disappeared when nest luminance was reduced to a minimum of 0.35±0.15 lux.The latter value represents total darkness for humans.The present study shows that nest luminance plays a key role in egg discrimination by Green-backed Tits that build nests under dim light conditions.This study provides strong experimental evidence for nest illumination altering egg rejection behavior in cavity-nesting birds.
文摘Modified BCR sequential extraction, single equilibrium-based EDTA extraction and kinetic fractionation were used for estimating the Pb and Cd availability in a series of soil samples from 3 sites located in urban areas of Hanoi (Vietnam). These schemes were compared to identify a simple, rapid and cheap protocol for routine estimation of Pb and Cd remobilizable fraction and the related potential risk. The comparison of these three approaches revealed their convergence in terms of mobility patterns observed for Pb and Cd. Cd was characterized by higher extractibality and mobility whatever the approach. Pb was distinguished of Cd by its high association to Feoxides, lower extractability, lower rate of desorption and then lower mobility. For this environmental scenario, EDTA single scheme at equilibrium could be suggested as the best suited and a simple protocol for determination of the labile pool of Cd and Pb. The pseudo-total concentrations of Pb and Cd are actually below the Vietnamese standard level, contrary to the results obtained by other authors for agricultural soils at other urban sites of Hanoi.
文摘While research on pedogenesis mainly focuses on long-term soil formation and most often neglects recent soil evolution in response to human practices or climate changes, this article reviews the impact of artificial subsurface drainage on soil evolution. Artificial drainage is considered as an example of the impact of recent changes in water fluxes on soil evolution over time scales of decades to a century. Results from various classical studies on artificial drainage including hydrological and environmental studies are reviewed and collated with rare studies dealing explicitly with soil morphology changes, in response to artificial drainage. We deduce that soil should react to the perturbations associated with subsurface drainage over time scales that do not exceeding a few decades. Subsurface drainage decreases the intensity of erosion and must i) increase the intensity of the lixiviation and eluviation processes, ii) affect iron and manganese dynamics, and iii) induce heterogeneities in soil evolution at the ten meter scale. Such recent soil evolutions can no longer be neglected as they are mostly irreversible and will probably have unknown, but expectable, feedbacks on crucial soil functions such as the sequestration of soil organic matter or the water available capacity.
基金jointly supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31772613 and 31572421)Special Funds for Construction of Innovative Provinces in Hunan Province (2019RS3022)。
文摘Background: The interaction of the gut microbiota with key metabolic and physiological processes may be associated with poor growth outcomes in animals born with intrauterine growth restriction(IUGR).Results: Growth performance, plasma hormone concentrations, and intestinal microbiota composition were analyzed in IUGR pigs and in normal birth weight(NBW) pigs when the NBW pigs reached 25, 50, and 100 kg of body weight(BW). Compared to NBW pigs, IUGR pigs had lower initial, weaned, and final BW, and lower average daily gain and average daily feed intake in all the considered time points. In the 25 kg BW group, IUGR pigs had higher concentrations of plasma ghrelin and pancreatic polypeptide(PP), but lower insulin concentration than NBW pigs, while the situation was reversed in the 50 kg BW group. As compared to NBW pigs, IUGR pigs had higher microbial alpha diversity in the jejunum and ileum;in the 50 and 100 kg BW groups, IUGR pigs had higher Firmicutes abundance but lower Proteobacteria abundance in the jejunum, and lower Lactobacillus abundance in the jejunum and ileum;in the 25 kg BW group, IUGR pigs showed higher unclassified Ruminococcaceae abundance in the ileum;and in 25 and 50 kg BW groups, IUGR pigs showed lower Ochrobactrum abundance in the jejunum.Spearman's correlation revealed that Lactobacillus was negatively correlated with growth performance, while unclassified Ruminococcaceae was positively correlated. Predictive metagenomic analysis detected significantly different expression of genes in the intestinal microbiota between IUGR and NBW pigs, suggesting different metabolic capabilities between the two groups.Conclusions: Growing-finishing IUGR pigs showed lower growth performance, higher microbial alpha diversity, and differences in plasma hormone concentrations compared to NBW pigs. Alterations in the abundance of Firmicutes,Proteobacteria, Ruminococcaceae, Lactobacillus, and Ochrobactrum in the small intestine may be associated with IUGR, and may therefore serve as a future target for gut microbiota intervention in growing-finishing IUGR pigs.
基金INSERM U1149/The Inflammation Research Center,Inserm Transfert,The Institut National du Cancer,No.2013-213Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer,No.R16020HH,GB/MA/CD/EP-12062and AgroParisTech(INRAE and UniversitéParis-Saclay).
文摘Hypothalamic neuropeptides named hypocretin/orexins which were identified in 1998 regulate critical functions such as wakefulness in the central nervous system.These past 20 years had revealed that orexins/receptors system was also present in the peripheral nervous system where they participated to the regulation of multiple functions including blood pressure regulation,intestinal motility,hormone secretion,lipolyze and reproduction functions.Associated to these peripheral functions,it was found that orexins and their receptors were involved in various diseases such as acute/chronic inflammation,metabolic syndrome and cancers.The present review suggests that orexins or the orexin neural circuitry represent potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of multiple pathologies related to inflammation including intestinal bowel disease,multiple sclerosis and septic shock,obesity and digestive cancers.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.31672303 to CY,31472013 and 31772453 to WL)
文摘Background:Floods and other extreme events have disastrous effects on wetland breeding birds.However,such events and their consequences are difficult to study due to their rarity and unpredictable occurrence.Methods:Here we compared nest-sites chosen by Reed Parrotbills(Paradoxornis heudei) during June-August 2016 in Yongnianwa Wetlands,Hebei Province,China,before and after an extreme flooding event.Results:Twenty-three nests were identified before and 13 new nests after the flood.There was no significant difference in most nest-site characteristics,such as distance from the road,height of the reeds in which nests were built,or nest volume before or after the flood.However,nests after the flood were located significantly higher in the vegetation compared to before the flood(mean ± SE:1.17 ± 0.13 m vs.0.75 ± 0.26 m,p < 0.01).However,predation rate also increased significantly after the flood(67% vs.25%,p = 0.030).Conclusions:Our results suggested that Reed Parrotbills demonstrated behavioral plasticity in their nest-site selection.Thus,they appeared to increase the height of their nests in response to the drastically changing water levels in reed wetlands,to reduce the likelihood that their nests would be submerged again by flooding.However,predation rate also increased significantly after the flood,suggesting that the change in nest height to combat the threat of flooding made the nests more susceptible to other threats,such as predation.Animals' response to rare climatic events,such as flooding,may produce ecological traps if they make the animals more susceptible to other kinds of threats they are more likely to continue to encounter.
基金supported by the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Office of Competitive Research Funds, entitled "Nitrogenous Disinfection By-Products in Reclaimed Wastewater Effluents: Chemistry, Toxicity and Control Strategies"
文摘The reclamation and disinfection of waters impacted by human activities（e.g., wastewater effluent discharges） are of growing interest for various applications but has been associated with the formation of toxic nitrogenous disinfection byproducts（N-DBPs）. Monochloramine used as an alternative disinfectant to chlorine can be an additional source of nitrogen in the formation of N-DBPs. Individual toxicity assays have been performed on many DBPs, but few studies have been conducted with complex mixtures such as wastewater effluents. In this work, we compared the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of wastewater effluent organic matter（Ef OM） before and after chloramination. The toxicity of chloraminated Ef OM was significantly higher than the toxicity of raw Ef OM, and the more hydrophobic fraction（HPO）isolated on XAD-8 resin was more toxic than the fraction isolated on XAD-4 resin.More DBPs were also isolated on the XAD-8 resin. N-DBPs（i.e., haloacetonitriles or haloacetamides） were responsible for the majority of the cytotoxicity estimated from DBP concentrations measured in the XAD-8 and XAD-4 fractions（99.4% and 78.5%, respectively）.Measured DBPs accounted for minor proportions of total brominated and chlorinated products, which means that many unknown halogenated compounds were formed and can be responsible for a significant part of the toxicity. Other non-halogenated byproducts（e.g.,nitrosamines） may contribute to the toxicity of chloraminated effluents as well.
