AIM: To research the two homologous predicted proline -rich protein genes, Mus musculus predicted gene 4736 (MP4) and proline-rich protein BstNI subfamily 1 (Prb1) which were significantly upregulated in cultured corn...AIM: To research the two homologous predicted proline -rich protein genes, Mus musculus predicted gene 4736 (MP4) and proline-rich protein BstNI subfamily 1 (Prb1) which were significantly upregulated in cultured corneal organs when encountering fungal pathogen preparations. This study was to confirm the expression and potential functions of these two genes in ocular surface. METHODS: A Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis model was established in Balb/c mice. One day post infection, mRNA level of MP4 was measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and MP4 protein detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) or Western blot using a customized polyclonal anti -MP4 antibody preparation. Lacrimal glands from normal mice were also subjected to IHC staining for MP4. An online bioinformatics program, BioGPS, was utilized to screen public data to determine other potential locations of MP4. RESULTS: One day after keratitis induction, MP4 was upregulated in the corneas at both mRNA level as measured using real -time PCR and protein levels as measured using Western blot and IHC. BioGPS analysis of public data suggested that the MP4 gene was most abundantly expressed in the lacrimal glands, and IHC revealed that normal murine lacrimal glands were positive for MP4 staining. CONCLUSION: MP4 and Prb1 are closely related with the physiology and pathological processes of the ocular surface. Considering the significance of ocular surface abnormalities like dry eye, we propose that MP4 and Prb1 contribute to homeostasis of ocular surface, and deserve more extensive functional and disease correlation studies.展开更多
The Portuguese island of Selvagem Grande(Great Salvage)in Macaronesia is an important seabird breeding station in the eastern Atlantic.Significant populations of Cory’s shearwater Calonectris diomedea(Scopoli,1769),B...The Portuguese island of Selvagem Grande(Great Salvage)in Macaronesia is an important seabird breeding station in the eastern Atlantic.Significant populations of Cory’s shearwater Calonectris diomedea(Scopoli,1769),Bulwer’s petrel Bulweria bulweria(Jardine&Selby,1828)and little shearwater Puffinus assimilis baroli(Bonaparte,1857)are present,and white-faced storm-petrel Pelagodroma marina(Latham,1790)and Madeiran storm-petrel Oceanodroma castro(Harcourt,1851)populations are of global significance.Selvagem Grande also provides diverse habitats for an extensive flora,including 11 endemic species.The 270-ha island was also inhabited by two alien invasive mammals:the European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus(Linnaeus,1758)and the house mouse Mus musculus(Linnaeus,1758).Both are known to have had adverse impacts on breeding seabirds and island vegetation.In 2002,the Natural Park of Madeira conducted a program using brodifacoum bait formulations aimed at rabbit and mouse eradication.Approximately 17000 individual baiting points were established on a 12.5×12.5 m grid.Baits were also applied by hand“seeding”on steep slopes and cliffs where bait stations could not be placed.Rabbits were removed after a month.However,mice persisted for considerably longer and strategic bait applications against them continued for a further six months.Subsequent assessments by trapping,bait takes and systematic observa-tion of signs over three years,has confirmed the removal of both alien invasive species.This paper presents information on these operations,on measures adopted to mitigate adverse impacts of the eradication program on important vertebrate non-target species,including Berthelot’s pipit Anthus berthelotii Bolle,1862 and a species of gecko Tarentola bischoffi Joger,1984 and on the initial response of the island’s ecosystem to the eradication of rabbits and mice.展开更多
The attractiveness and efficacy of four anonymous anticoagulant-free alternative rodenticides(active ingredients cellulose or plaster)were tested on wild strain groups of house mice(Mus musculus Linnaeus)and brown rat...The attractiveness and efficacy of four anonymous anticoagulant-free alternative rodenticides(active ingredients cellulose or plaster)were tested on wild strain groups of house mice(Mus musculus Linnaeus)and brown rats(Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout)in laboratory choice and no-choice experiments.In no-choice tests,the rodenticide product was offered ad libitum to the animals for 21 days(mice)and 10 days(rats),respectively.In choice tests,the rodenticide product and non-poisoned food were offered for 28 days(mice)and 14 days(rats).Two products with cellulose(C1 and C2)as the active ingredient were tested against both mice and rats.In two no-choice tests with mice,all animals died within 14 days(C1)and 21 days(C2);in a third no-choice test,11%(2/18)of mice survived(C1:21 days).In all three tests,numerous incidents of cannibalism were observed.The attractiveness of cellulose baits was tested for one product(C1)in three trials against normal food pellets.In all trials,bait consumption was low and all mice survived(15-34 days).Two no-choice trials with cellulose baits(C1)were conducted on groups of Rattus norvegicus;11 of 12 rats survived the bait feeding period and no cannibalism or sign of aggression between conspecifics was observed.Two plaster-based(CaSO_(4)·0.5H_(2)O)products(P1 and P2)were tested against both mice and rats;in no-choice tests,only one mouse(n=20)and no rats(n=8)were killed,although the baits proved to be attractive for rats and mice in choice tests.The results of these experiments suggest that neither cellulose-based nor plaster-based rodenticides are suitable agents for the control of Mus musculus and Rattus norvegicus.展开更多
Introduced rodents have been eradicated from large numbers of offshore islands using toxic baits;however, toxicbaits have been linked with negative impacts on non-target species. The present study assessed the bait ta...Introduced rodents have been eradicated from large numbers of offshore islands using toxic baits;however, toxicbaits have been linked with negative impacts on non-target species. The present study assessed the bait take oftarget (house mouse, Mus musculus) and non-target (buff banded rail, Rallus philippensis) animals on Northwestand Heron Islands in the Great Barrier Reef. Three non-toxic bait formulations (wax block, pellet and grain) weretested and each was applied at 1 kg ha–1 in six treatment grids. The tracks of animals visiting the baits were identifiedusing 30 tracking stations per treatment grid. A tracking station consisted of a track-board placed in the centre of asand-pad. Mean bait take differed significantly between the formulations: birds took more grain bait than wax blockbait;mice took more wax block than grain bait. Both mice and birds were equally selective of pellet bait. Thus, thefindings indicate that wax blocks are the most suitable formulation for future baiting programs to eradicate mice onthese and other islands.展开更多
Bartonella are known to be important causes ofzooanthroponotic diseases. The range of human infection varies from mild lymphadenopathy and asymptomatic bacteremia to life-threatening systemic disease in immunocompromi...Bartonella are known to be important causes ofzooanthroponotic diseases. The range of human infection varies from mild lymphadenopathy and asymptomatic bacteremia to life-threatening systemic disease in immunocompromised patients. Microbiological improvements in isolation methods and PCR amplification of organism-specific DNA sequences have resulted in a dramatic increase in reports describing human patients with bartonellosis. Nevertheless, clearly and successful isolation ofBartonella spp. from bacteremic animals and human patients remains an ongoing challenge. Technology of experimental bartonellosis due to intraperitoneal introduction of biological material samples containing causative agents to laboratory animals is presented in the article. White nonlinear mice with the artificially cyclophosphamide formed immunodeficient state may be used as an experimental model for further investigation of the biological alterations responsible for angiomatosis. On the other hand, we believe that this new method will enhance the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity needed to achieve a diagnosis of bartonellosis.展开更多
In this study,we examined the effect of synanthropic house mouse(Mus musculus)urine odor on catching probability of small mammals to live traps.We conducted a series of field experiments in August 2016 and 2017 in a n...In this study,we examined the effect of synanthropic house mouse(Mus musculus)urine odor on catching probability of small mammals to live traps.We conducted a series of field experiments in August 2016 and 2017 in a natural forests of the northwestern Moscow Region(Russia).Small mammals were trapped at two 4-ha fields using capture-mark-recapture technique by setting 200 live traps(100 points,2 traps per point)within each field.One trap in each pair was odorless(control)with bait only,whereas the other one was odor-baited with 20μL of the urine of a synanthropic house mouse.Further analysis was based on the data collected from 2 rodent species(bank vole Myodes glareolus,herb field mouse Apodemus uralensis)and 3 shrew species(common shrew Sorex araneus,Laxmann’s shrew Sorex caecutiens,and Eurasian pygmy shrew Sorex minutus).As a result,only bank voles significantly avoided odor-baited live traps.Using generalized linear mixed models,we showed that the choice of a trap by bank voles depended on their age,whereas the probability of repeated capture to a certain live trap was related to their prior experience.We discuss the possible role of components of synanthropic house mouse urine in the population management of exoanthropic small mammals.展开更多
It is not clear if rodents express inducible defenses in response to reptilian predators such as snakes. We tested the hypothesis that adult house mice Mus musculus decrease aspects of their reproductive effort upon 1...It is not clear if rodents express inducible defenses in response to reptilian predators such as snakes. We tested the hypothesis that adult house mice Mus musculus decrease aspects of their reproductive effort upon 1 hour of exposure every 48 hours for a 25-day period to the fecal material and shed skins of a euryphagous ophidian predator, the kingsnake Lampropeltis getula, that had been fed mice. We found no significant differences in the total number of offspring born, the number of pups per litter, and the mean weight of pups in litters born to male and female mice that were exposed to predator cues and those mice that were not exposed to such cues. The lack of an inducible response may be associated with the low cost of an effective defense, or the lack of an effective defense against a generalist snake predator [Current Zoology 59 （1）： 135-141, 2013].展开更多
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81271050)
文摘AIM: To research the two homologous predicted proline -rich protein genes, Mus musculus predicted gene 4736 (MP4) and proline-rich protein BstNI subfamily 1 (Prb1) which were significantly upregulated in cultured corneal organs when encountering fungal pathogen preparations. This study was to confirm the expression and potential functions of these two genes in ocular surface. METHODS: A Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis model was established in Balb/c mice. One day post infection, mRNA level of MP4 was measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and MP4 protein detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) or Western blot using a customized polyclonal anti -MP4 antibody preparation. Lacrimal glands from normal mice were also subjected to IHC staining for MP4. An online bioinformatics program, BioGPS, was utilized to screen public data to determine other potential locations of MP4. RESULTS: One day after keratitis induction, MP4 was upregulated in the corneas at both mRNA level as measured using real -time PCR and protein levels as measured using Western blot and IHC. BioGPS analysis of public data suggested that the MP4 gene was most abundantly expressed in the lacrimal glands, and IHC revealed that normal murine lacrimal glands were positive for MP4 staining. CONCLUSION: MP4 and Prb1 are closely related with the physiology and pathological processes of the ocular surface. Considering the significance of ocular surface abnormalities like dry eye, we propose that MP4 and Prb1 contribute to homeostasis of ocular surface, and deserve more extensive functional and disease correlation studies.
文摘The Portuguese island of Selvagem Grande(Great Salvage)in Macaronesia is an important seabird breeding station in the eastern Atlantic.Significant populations of Cory’s shearwater Calonectris diomedea(Scopoli,1769),Bulwer’s petrel Bulweria bulweria(Jardine&Selby,1828)and little shearwater Puffinus assimilis baroli(Bonaparte,1857)are present,and white-faced storm-petrel Pelagodroma marina(Latham,1790)and Madeiran storm-petrel Oceanodroma castro(Harcourt,1851)populations are of global significance.Selvagem Grande also provides diverse habitats for an extensive flora,including 11 endemic species.The 270-ha island was also inhabited by two alien invasive mammals:the European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus(Linnaeus,1758)and the house mouse Mus musculus(Linnaeus,1758).Both are known to have had adverse impacts on breeding seabirds and island vegetation.In 2002,the Natural Park of Madeira conducted a program using brodifacoum bait formulations aimed at rabbit and mouse eradication.Approximately 17000 individual baiting points were established on a 12.5×12.5 m grid.Baits were also applied by hand“seeding”on steep slopes and cliffs where bait stations could not be placed.Rabbits were removed after a month.However,mice persisted for considerably longer and strategic bait applications against them continued for a further six months.Subsequent assessments by trapping,bait takes and systematic observa-tion of signs over three years,has confirmed the removal of both alien invasive species.This paper presents information on these operations,on measures adopted to mitigate adverse impacts of the eradication program on important vertebrate non-target species,including Berthelot’s pipit Anthus berthelotii Bolle,1862 and a species of gecko Tarentola bischoffi Joger,1984 and on the initial response of the island’s ecosystem to the eradication of rabbits and mice.
文摘The attractiveness and efficacy of four anonymous anticoagulant-free alternative rodenticides(active ingredients cellulose or plaster)were tested on wild strain groups of house mice(Mus musculus Linnaeus)and brown rats(Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout)in laboratory choice and no-choice experiments.In no-choice tests,the rodenticide product was offered ad libitum to the animals for 21 days(mice)and 10 days(rats),respectively.In choice tests,the rodenticide product and non-poisoned food were offered for 28 days(mice)and 14 days(rats).Two products with cellulose(C1 and C2)as the active ingredient were tested against both mice and rats.In two no-choice tests with mice,all animals died within 14 days(C1)and 21 days(C2);in a third no-choice test,11%(2/18)of mice survived(C1:21 days).In all three tests,numerous incidents of cannibalism were observed.The attractiveness of cellulose baits was tested for one product(C1)in three trials against normal food pellets.In all trials,bait consumption was low and all mice survived(15-34 days).Two no-choice trials with cellulose baits(C1)were conducted on groups of Rattus norvegicus;11 of 12 rats survived the bait feeding period and no cannibalism or sign of aggression between conspecifics was observed.Two plaster-based(CaSO_(4)·0.5H_(2)O)products(P1 and P2)were tested against both mice and rats;in no-choice tests,only one mouse(n=20)and no rats(n=8)were killed,although the baits proved to be attractive for rats and mice in choice tests.The results of these experiments suggest that neither cellulose-based nor plaster-based rodenticides are suitable agents for the control of Mus musculus and Rattus norvegicus.
基金conducted under Animal Ethics Approval Number SAS/340/06,which was granted by the University of Queensland Animal Ethics Committee.Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services gave us permission to conduct this research on the Coral Cay National Park under research permit number WITK03717006。
文摘Introduced rodents have been eradicated from large numbers of offshore islands using toxic baits;however, toxicbaits have been linked with negative impacts on non-target species. The present study assessed the bait take oftarget (house mouse, Mus musculus) and non-target (buff banded rail, Rallus philippensis) animals on Northwestand Heron Islands in the Great Barrier Reef. Three non-toxic bait formulations (wax block, pellet and grain) weretested and each was applied at 1 kg ha–1 in six treatment grids. The tracks of animals visiting the baits were identifiedusing 30 tracking stations per treatment grid. A tracking station consisted of a track-board placed in the centre of asand-pad. Mean bait take differed significantly between the formulations: birds took more grain bait than wax blockbait;mice took more wax block than grain bait. Both mice and birds were equally selective of pellet bait. Thus, thefindings indicate that wax blocks are the most suitable formulation for future baiting programs to eradicate mice onthese and other islands.
文摘Bartonella are known to be important causes ofzooanthroponotic diseases. The range of human infection varies from mild lymphadenopathy and asymptomatic bacteremia to life-threatening systemic disease in immunocompromised patients. Microbiological improvements in isolation methods and PCR amplification of organism-specific DNA sequences have resulted in a dramatic increase in reports describing human patients with bartonellosis. Nevertheless, clearly and successful isolation ofBartonella spp. from bacteremic animals and human patients remains an ongoing challenge. Technology of experimental bartonellosis due to intraperitoneal introduction of biological material samples containing causative agents to laboratory animals is presented in the article. White nonlinear mice with the artificially cyclophosphamide formed immunodeficient state may be used as an experimental model for further investigation of the biological alterations responsible for angiomatosis. On the other hand, we believe that this new method will enhance the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity needed to achieve a diagnosis of bartonellosis.
基金This research was partly supported by the project AAAA-A18-118042690110-1“Ecological and evolution-ary aspects of animal behavior and commul hication”of the.Ministry of Education and Science of Russia.
文摘In this study,we examined the effect of synanthropic house mouse(Mus musculus)urine odor on catching probability of small mammals to live traps.We conducted a series of field experiments in August 2016 and 2017 in a natural forests of the northwestern Moscow Region(Russia).Small mammals were trapped at two 4-ha fields using capture-mark-recapture technique by setting 200 live traps(100 points,2 traps per point)within each field.One trap in each pair was odorless(control)with bait only,whereas the other one was odor-baited with 20μL of the urine of a synanthropic house mouse.Further analysis was based on the data collected from 2 rodent species(bank vole Myodes glareolus,herb field mouse Apodemus uralensis)and 3 shrew species(common shrew Sorex araneus,Laxmann’s shrew Sorex caecutiens,and Eurasian pygmy shrew Sorex minutus).As a result,only bank voles significantly avoided odor-baited live traps.Using generalized linear mixed models,we showed that the choice of a trap by bank voles depended on their age,whereas the probability of repeated capture to a certain live trap was related to their prior experience.We discuss the possible role of components of synanthropic house mouse urine in the population management of exoanthropic small mammals.
文摘It is not clear if rodents express inducible defenses in response to reptilian predators such as snakes. We tested the hypothesis that adult house mice Mus musculus decrease aspects of their reproductive effort upon 1 hour of exposure every 48 hours for a 25-day period to the fecal material and shed skins of a euryphagous ophidian predator, the kingsnake Lampropeltis getula, that had been fed mice. We found no significant differences in the total number of offspring born, the number of pups per litter, and the mean weight of pups in litters born to male and female mice that were exposed to predator cues and those mice that were not exposed to such cues. The lack of an inducible response may be associated with the low cost of an effective defense, or the lack of an effective defense against a generalist snake predator [Current Zoology 59 （1）： 135-141, 2013].
