Gender-specific reproductive tissue in ratites and Tyrannosaurus rex

Unambiguous indicators of gender in dinosaurs are usually lost during fossilization, along with other aspects of soft tissue anatomy. We report the presence of endosteally derived bone tissues lining the interior marrow cavities of portions of Tyrannosaurus rex (Museum of the Rockies specimen number 1125) hindlimb elements, and we hypothesize that these tissues are homologous to specialized avian tissues known as medullary bone. Because medullary bone is unique to female birds, its discovery in extinct dinosaurs solidifies the link between dinosaurs and birds, suggests similar reproductive strategies, and provides an objective means of gender differentiation in dinosaurs.     

Molecular phylogenetics of mastodon and Tyrannosaurus rex

We report a molecular phylogeny for a nonavian dinosaur, extending our knowledge of trait evolution within nonavian dinosaurs into the macromolecular level of biological organization. Fragments of collagen alpha1(I) and alpha2(I) proteins extracted from fossil bones of Tyrannosaurus rex and Mammut americanum (mastodon) were analyzed with a variety of phylogenetic methods. Despite missing sequence data, the mastodon groups with elephant and the T. rex groups with birds, consistent with predictions based on genetic and morphological data for mastodon and on morphological data for T. rex. Our findings suggest that molecular data from long-extinct organisms may have the potential for resolving relationships at critical areas in the vertebrate evolutionary tree that have, so far, been phylogenetically intractable.     

Thermophysiology of Tyrannosaurus rex: Evidence from Oxygen Isotopes

The oxygen isotopic composition of vertebrate bone phosphate (delta(p)) is related to ingested water and to the body temperature at which the bone forms. The delta(p) is in equilibrium with the individual's body water, which is at a physiological steady state throughout the body. Therefore, intrabone temperature variation and the mean interbone temperature differences of well-preserved fossil vertebrates can be determined from the deltap variation. Values of delta(p) from a well-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex suggest that this species maintained homeothermy with less than 4 degrees C of variability in body temperature. Maintenance of homeothermy implies a relatively high metabolic rate that is similar to that of endotherms.     

Protein sequences from mastodon and Tyrannosaurus rex revealed by mass spectrometry

Fossilized bones from extinct taxa harbor the potential for obtaining protein or DNA sequences that could reveal evolutionary links to extant species. We used mass spectrometry to obtain protein sequences from bones of a 160,000- to 600,000-year-old extinct mastodon (Mammut americanum) and a 68-million-year-old dinosaur (Tyrannosaurus rex). The presence of T. rex sequences indicates that their peptide bonds were remarkably stable. Mass spectrometry can thus be used to determine unique sequences from ancient organisms from peptide fragmentation patterns, a valuable tool to study the evolution and adaptation of ancient taxa from which genomic sequences are unlikely to be obtained.     

Analyses of soft tissue from Tyrannosaurus rex suggest the presence of protein

We performed multiple analyses of Tyrannosaurus rex (specimen MOR 1125) fibrous cortical and medullary tissues remaining after demineralization. The results indicate that collagen I, the main organic component of bone, has been preserved in low concentrations in these tissues. The findings were independently confirmed by mass spectrometry. We propose a possible chemical pathway that may contribute to this preservation. The presence of endogenous protein in dinosaur bone may validate hypotheses about evolutionary relationships, rates, and patterns of molecular change and degradation, as well as the chemical stability of molecules over time.     

Comment on "Protein sequences from mastodon and Tyrannosaurus rex revealed by mass spectrometry"

Asara et al. (Reports, 13 April 2007, p. 280) reported sequencing of Tyrannosaurus rex proteins and used them to establish the evolutionary relationships between birds and dinosaurs. We argue that the reported T. rex peptides may represent statistical artifacts and call for complete data release to enable experimental and computational verification of their findings.     

Comment on "Protein sequences from mastodon and Tyrannosaurus rex revealed by mass spectrometry"

We used authentication tests developed for ancient DNA to evaluate claims by Asara et al. (Reports, 13 April 2007, p. 280) of collagen peptide sequences recovered from mastodon and Tyrannosaurus rex fossils. Although the mastodon samples pass these tests, absence of amino acid composition data, lack of evidence for peptide deamidation, and association of alpha1(I) collagen sequences with amphibians rather than birds suggest that T. rex does not.     

硫酸粘杆菌素对獭兔肠道菌群及免疫功能的影响

为探讨硫酸粘杆菌素对獭兔盲肠菌群和免疫器官组织TLR2、TLR4mRNA相对表达量及外周血细胞因子含量的影响,试验分为2组,Ⅰ组(对照组)饲喂基础全价饲料;Ⅱ组饲喂含20mg/kg硫酸粘杆菌素的基础全价饲料。试验期为28d。试验应用PCR-DGGE及Real-Time PCR技术比较分析獭兔盲肠菌群结构的差异,采用ELISA检测外周血中细胞因子的含量,Real-Time PCR检测TLR2、TLR4mRNA相对表达量。结果表明:Ⅱ组盲肠菌群多样性与Ⅰ组相似(P0.05);Ⅱ组盲肠中梭菌类群XIVa、肠球菌属、链球菌属数量明显高于Ⅰ组(P0.05),梭菌类群Ⅳ明显低于Ⅰ组(P0.05);Ⅱ组盲肠TLR2/4和回肠TLR4的相对表达量高于Ⅰ组,盲肠TLR4差异显著(P0.05),其余差异不显著(P0.05)。与Ⅰ组相比,Ⅱ组獭兔脾脏指数和脾脏TLR2/4表达量增加,肝脏指数和肝脏TLR4表达量减少,均无显著差异(P0.05),但肝脏TLR2显著增加(P0.05);Ⅱ组外周血细胞因子IL-4的浓度显著高于Ⅰ组(P0.05)。饲料中添加20mg/kg的硫酸粘杆菌素可在一定程度上促进断奶幼兔脾脏发育并提高机体免疫力。     

蟆叶秋海棠离体培养的研究

以蟆叶秋海棠(Begonia rex)的幼嫩叶片为外植体,采用L25(55)正交设计,研究了不同生长调节剂和培养基对愈伤组织诱导的影响.结果表明,培养基的类型对愈伤组织诱导的影响极大,生长调节荆对愈伤组织诱导有一定的影响,愈伤组织在不添加任何生长调节剂的培养基上即可进行分化.蟆叶秋海棠最佳愈伤组织诱导培养基组合为1/2 MS+0.5～1.5 mg·L-1 KT+0.5 mg·L-16-BA+0.5～2.0 mg·L-1α-NAA+0.8%琼脂+3%蔗糖,愈伤组织诱导率可高达100%.生根培养基为1/2 MS+0.2 mg·L-1α-NAA+0.8%琼脂+3%蔗糖,生根率高达100%.     

壳寡糖对秋海棠叶片离体培养的影响

[目的]明确壳寡糖(COS)用于秋海棠叶片离体培养的可行性。[方法]以MS为基本培养基,添加不同浓度的壳寡糖和1.5 mg/L2,4-D(对照),对秋海棠叶片进行离体培养。[结果]对照处理的秋海棠叶片离体培养的效果最好。壳寡糖在秋海棠叶片培养中可起到生长激素的作用,最适合诱导愈伤组织的浓度是1.5 mg/L,继代增殖和不定芽分化效果最好的浓度是1.52、.0 mg/L,诱导生根效果最好的浓度为1.5 mg/L,浓度为0.75%~1.00%壳寡糖溶液浇灌的幼苗成活率最高,达90%以上;同时对培养基及外植体起到了防污抗病的保护作用。[结论]秋海棠叶片离体培养时,培养基中的壳寡糖浓度以1.5 mg/L为宜。     

美系獭兔血液生理生化指标测定

为了给獭兔的饲养管理、品种选育、肉质研究和临床诊疗提供依据,选择美系獭兔20只(雌雄各半),比利时兔10只(雌雄各半),对其血液生理生化指标进行了测定.结果表明:美系獭兔血液指标中的血小板数目、红细胞平均血红蛋白浓度、谷草转氨酶、谷氨酰转肽酶、钾离子和钙离子的含量分别为292.4×109·L-1、379.0 g·L-1...     

金霉素对獭兔盲肠菌群和免疫功能的影响

为研究饲用金霉素对獭兔盲肠菌群和免疫功能的影响,采用聚合酶链式反应-变性梯度凝胶电泳(PCRDGGE)和实时荧光定量PCR(qPCR)技术分析獭兔盲肠菌群;酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)测定细胞因子;qPCR技术对TLR2、TLR4mRNA进行定量检测。试验分为2组:对照组饲喂基础日粮;金霉素组在基础日粮中添加金霉素50mg/kg。结果表明:1)PCR-DGGE图谱显示,与对照组比较,金霉素组盲肠菌群结构和多样性等没有显著变化(P0.05);2)qPCR检测金霉素组普雷沃氏菌属数量是10.48(logcopy/g),对照组是10.10(logcopy/g),差异显著(P0.05);3)金霉素组獭兔外周血细胞因子IL-2、IL-4、TNF-α的浓度显著升高(P0.05),脾脏和肝脏指数均降低;4)回肠的TLR2、TLR4mRNA相对表达量和肝脏的TLR2 mRNA相对表达量均高于对照组,但差异不显著(P0.05)。在饲料中添加50mg/kg金霉素,对獭兔盲肠菌群结构和免疫功能均没有显著影响。     

生态素对獭兔肠炎和腹泻的疗效研究

本试验将腹泻试兔按照年龄分为成年兔组(5月龄以上)、青年组(3～5月龄)和幼兔组(1～3月龄),分别以生态素、氟哌酸、环丙沙星和喹乙醇等进行治疗。研究表明,以上处理方法对肠炎腹泻的治愈率分别为90 16%、86 36%、88 04%和78 89%,以生态素组最好,与喹乙醇组比较差异极显著(P<0 01),其他各组之间差异不显著(P>0 05);生态素对重症肠炎、轻症肠炎、粘液性肠炎和普通腹泻的治愈率分别为58 33%、87 50%、93 55%和100 00%,差异极显著(P<0 01或P<0 001);生态素对不同年龄獭兔肠炎和腹泻的治愈率没有明显的差异。试验表明,作为一种益生素,生态素对于獭兔腹泻和肠炎具有良好的治疗效果,具有使用方便,见效快等优点,同时可减少化学药物和抗生素的使用,有助于绿色动物食品的生产。     

日粮粗纤维水平对断乳力克斯兔营养物质消化率的影响

为了探讨断乳幼兔日粮适宜的粗纤维水平,选择35日龄断乳的力克斯兔40只,随机分成4组,每组10只。在等能等氮的基础上,分别饲喂粗纤维含量为7%、9%、12%和14%的日粮。研究表明:试兔日增重分别为(23.92±2.68)、925.23±2.49)(、27.74±2.90)和(25.70±3.37)g,以12%组最高,但差异不显著(P>0.05)。平均料肉比分别为2.95∶1、2.94∶1、2.87∶1和3.4∶1,以12%组最佳;平均日采食量分别为70.5、74.26、79.82和87.38 g,即随粗纤维含量的增加采食量递增(P<0.05);粗蛋白、粗脂肪、粗灰分和无氮浸出物的消化率以粗纤维为12%组最高,而且14%组各养分的消化率均极显著的低于12%组(P<0.01)。但粗纤维水平由12%增加到14%,各种养分的消化率均下降,尤其是粗蛋白消化率的下降幅度达极显著水平(P<0.01)。粗纤维的消化率随着日粮粗纤维含量的增加而降低;盲肠内容物各营养素的含量受日粮粗纤维水平的影响,与营养物质的消化率相吻合。本试验条件下,断乳兔日粮适宜的粗纤维水平为12%。     

酒糟的保存和应用现状

白酒生产在我国已经有几千年的历史,随着我国经济的发展,我国对白酒的需求量也在不断增长。酒糟伴随着我国独特的固态发酵和固态蒸馏生产白酒方式的出现而出现。随着白酒产量的逐年增长,大量的白酒副产物也在不断的堆积。本文从提高酿酒企业的经济效益和环境保护的视角,对酒糟的保存和应用现状进行了总结归纳。     

日粮NDF水平对断奶獭兔生长性能和肠道形态的影响

【目的】研究日粮中性洗涤纤维(NDF)水平对断奶獭兔生产性能、肠道形态、盲肠pH值、腹泻率、死亡率和血液碱性磷酸酶(AKP)活性的影响。【方法】将56只体质量相近((432.11±11.17) g)的35 d断奶獭兔,随机分为4组,分别饲喂含质量分数29%,33%,37%和41%NDF的日粮,进行28 d的饲喂试验,于14和28 d测定各组采食量和体质量,计算各组生产性能。饲喂结束后,屠宰并及时采集血液和肠道样品,测定肠道绒毛高度和隐窝深度及血液AKP活性、盲肠pH值、腹泻率、死亡率。【结果】各NDF处理组间的生产性能差异显著(P＜0.05),其中33% NDF组的平均日增质量显著高于37% NDF组和41% NDF组(P＜0.05),料质量比显著低于29% NDF组和41% NDF组(P＜0.05)。日粮NDF水平对十二指肠肠绒毛高度和隐窝深度、空肠肠绒毛高度的影响均不显著(P＞0.05);日粮NDF水平对空肠隐窝深度有显著影响 (P＜0.05),表现为低水平NDF使空肠隐窝加深;日粮NDF水平对回肠肠绒毛高度、隐窝深度和肠绒毛高度/隐窝深度都有显著影响(P＜0.05),表现为41% NDF组的肠绒毛高度和隐窝深度均较其他组高,而肠绒毛高度/隐窝深度值显著低于29% NDF组(P＜0.05)。腹泻率和死亡率随着日粮NDF水平的升高呈降低趋势,AKP活性在各组间无显著差异,盲肠pH值随日粮NDF水平的提高而总体升高,且37% NDF组和41% NDF组盲肠pH显著高于29% NDF组和33% NDF组(P＜0.05)。【结论】高NDF水平日粮可降低断奶獭兔腹泻率,影响其肠道形态,当日粮NDF质量分数为33%时1～2月龄獭兔生产性能最好。