Context‐dependent responses of food‐hoarding to competitors in Apodemus peninsulae: implications for coexistence among asymmetrical species

Superior species may have distinct advantages over subordinates within asymmetrical interactions among sympatric animals. However, exactly how the subordinate species coexists with superior species is unknown. In the forests west of Beijing City, intense asymmetrical interactions of food competition exist among granivorous rodents (e.g. Apodemus peninsulae, Niviventer confucianus, Sciurotamias davidianus and Tscherskia triton) that have broadly overlapping habitats and diets but have varied body size (range 15–300 g), hoarding habits (scatter vs larder) and/or daily rhythm (diurnal vs nocturnal). The smallest rodent, A. peninsulae, which typically faces high competitive pressure from larger rodents, is an ideal model to explore how subordinate species coexist with superior species. Under semi‐natural enclosure conditions, we tested responses of seed‐hoarding behavior in A. peninsulae to intraspecific and interspecific competitors in the situations of pre‐competition (without competitor), competition (with competitor) and post‐competition (competitor removed). The results showed that for A. peninsulae, the intensity of larder‐hoarding increased and the intensity of scatter‐hoarding declined in the presence of intraspecifics and S. davidianus, whereas A. peninsulae ceased foraging and hoarding in the presence of N. confucianus and T. triton. A. peninsulae reduced intensity of hoarding outside the nest and moved more seeds into the nest for larder‐hoarding under competition from intraspecific individuals and S. davidianus. In most cases, the experimental animals could recover to their original state of pre‐competition when competitors were removed. These results suggest that subordinate species contextually regulate their food‐hoarding strategies according to different competitors, promoting species coexistence among sympatric animals that have asymmetrical food competition.     

Risk for interspecies transmission of zoonotic pathogens during poultry processing and pork production in Peru: A qualitative study

Interspecies transmission of pathogens is an unfrequent but naturally occurring event and human activities may favour opportunities not previously reported. Reassortment of zoonotic pathogens like influenza A virus can result from these activities. Recently, swine and birds have played a central role as “mixing vessels” for epidemic and pandemic events related to strains like H1N1 and H5N1. Unsafe practices in poultry markets and swine farms can lead to interspecies transmission, favouring the emergence of novel strains. Thus, understanding practices that lead to interspecies interactions is crucial. This qualitative study aimed to evaluate poultry processing practices in formal and informal markets and the use of leftovers by swine farmers in three Peruvian cities: Lima (capital), Tumbes (coastal) and Tarapoto (jungle). We conducted 80 direct observations at formal and informal markets and interviewed 15 swine farmers. Processors slaughter and pluck chickens and vendors and/or processors eviscerate chickens. Food safety and hygiene practices were suboptimal or absent, although some heterogeneity was observed between cities and chicken vendors versus processors. Both vendors (76%) and processors (100%) sold the chicken viscera leftovers to swine farmers, representing the main source of chicken viscera for swine farms (53%). Swine farmers fed the chicken viscera to their swine. Chicken viscera cooking times varied widely and were insufficient in some cases. Non‐abattoired poultry leads to the sale of poultry leftovers to small‐scale swine farms, resulting in indirect but frequent interspecies contacts that can lead to interspecies transmission of bacterial pathogens or the reassortment of influenza A viruses. These interactions are exacerbated by suboptimal safety and hygiene conditions. People involved in these activities constitute an at‐risk population who could play a central role in preventing the transmission of pathogens between species. Educational interventions on hygiene and food safety practices will be important for reducing the risk of interspecies influenza transmission.     

Determination of mammalian deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in commercial vegetarian and vegan diets for dogs and cats

The determination of undeclared ingredients in pet food using different analytical methods has been reported in recent years, raising concerns regarding adequate quality control, dietary efficacy and the potential for purposeful adulteration. The objective of this study was to determine the presence or absence of mammalian DNA using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on diets marketed as vegetarian or vegan for dogs and cats. The diets were tested in duplicate; two samples were purchased approximately 3 to 4 months apart with different lot numbers. Multiplex PCR‐targeted mitochondrial DNA with two species‐specific primers was used to amplify and sequence two sections of the cytochrome b gene for each of the 11 mammalian species. Half of the diets assessed (7/14) were positive for one or more undeclared mammalian DNA source (bovine, porcine, or ovine), and the result was repeatable for one or more species in six diets. While most of the detected DNA was found at both time points, in some cases, the result was positive only at one time point, suggesting the presence may have been due to unintentional cross‐contact with animal‐sourced ingredients. DNA from feline, cervine, canine, caprine, equine, murine (mouse and rat) and leporine was not identified in any samples. However, evidence of mammalian DNA does not confirm adulteration by the manufacturer nor elucidate its clinical significance when consumed by animals that may benefit from a vegetarian or vegan diet.     

动物源性食品中糖皮质激素残留检测方法的研究进展

糖皮质激素常用于治疗家畜的炎症反应、免疫性疾病、牛的酮病等,并且能提高饲料的转化率,促进畜禽的生长,因而广泛用于畜牧业中。然而,动物生长过程中过量使用糖皮质激素会导致其在动物源性食品中残留,给人体健康带来极大的危害。世界各国对动物源性食品中糖皮质激素残留实施愈来愈严格的监控,对各种检测方法也提出了越来越高的要求。本文介绍了糖皮质激素在畜牧业中的应用、糖皮质激素残留的危害,并对其残留检测方法进行综述。     

浅析食品防腐剂

对食品防腐剂分类进行阐述,主要介绍了我国食品防腐剂的应用状况及开发进展,对我国目前广泛使用的化学防腐剂存在的问题和近年来新开发的天然防腐剂的种类做了较详细的综述.     

Perception of Asian carp as a possible food source among Missouri anglers

Silver and bighead carps were imported from China to the United States in the 1970s as a biological control mechanism for improving water quality. After escaping captivity, both species spread into the Mississippi River Basin and now threaten to enter the Great Lakes. Human consumption is one solution, but many Americans believe that carp is unsavory. A random sample of 2,000 licensed anglers in Missouri was asked to complete a mail-back questionnaire about Asian carp, yielding a 27% response rate (n = 465). Results indicated that knowledge and perception about carp were poor, and food neophobia (fear of new foods) scores were above average. Less than 15% of respondents had eaten carp, but nearly 53% were willing to try. Marketing should focus on the benefits of consumption while downplaying any possible concerns. Although education programs are worthwhile, taste might be more influential to change public attitudes toward Asian carp.     

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: The approach to the mechanism of calcitonin gene‐related peptide‐inducing inhibition of food intake

The aim of this study was to investigate the anorectic mechanism of calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) in rats. Intraperitoneal injection of CGRP (50 μg/kg) resulted in decline (p < 0.05) in the food intake of rats at 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 h in comparison with saline control. Compared with saline‐treated group, the levels of hypothalamic 3′,5′‐cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and plasma glucagon were increased (p < 0.05) in CGRP‐treated group, but insulin level was decreased (p < 0.05). No significant changes (p > 0.05) in the plasma leptin were observed between two treatment groups. Calcitonin gene‐related peptide injection down regulated (p < 0.05) both neuropeptide Y (NPY) and melanin‐concentrating hormone (MCH) genes at mRNA levels, but up regulated (p < 0.05) the expression of cholecystokinin (CCK) gene. The correlations analysis showed that food intake was negatively correlated (p < 0.05) with CCK mRNA, cAMP and glucagon levels. Moreover, there existed negative correlations (p < 0.05) between MCH mRNA and glucagon levels, and positive correlations (p < 0.05) between insulin and leptin levels. The results showed that cAMP acting as the second messenger may play a vital role in the anorectic effects of CGRP. Calcitonin gene‐related peptide could stimulate anorexigenic neuropeptides (i.e. CCK) and/or inhibit orexigenic neuropeptides (i.e. NPY and MCH) expression, and ultimately suppressed food intake that was functionally coupled to cAMP/PKA pathway activation.     

食品中亚硝酸盐的风险评估

亚硝酸盐中毒是常见的食物中毒,其对人体健康的危害极为严重.通过危害识别、危害描述、暴露评估和风险描述等方面对亚硝酸盐风险进行全面的分析,并对其提出了风险管理的建议.     

加入WTO对重庆市粮食产业发展的影响与对策研究

通过对中国加入WTO后在粮食产业发展上面临的国内外形势的比较分析，指出了我国粮食产业发展在加入WTO的新形势下如何发展的问题，同时结合重庆市粮食生产情况，为重庆市粮食产业发展提出了一系列的建设性意见和对策，以应对加入WTO对我国及重庆市粮食产业带来的冲击，对把握重庆市粮食产业的发展方向有一定的指导意义。     

基于食物安全视角的我国畜产食品进口依赖性风险评价

新时期下,保障我国畜产食品供给安全是保障我国食物安全的重要内容之一,而“适度进口”是保障我国畜产食品供给安全的重要途径之一。如何才算“适度进口”,需对畜产食品进口的相关风险进行分析方可评判。运用进口依赖性评价模型对我国猪肉、鸡肉、羊肉、牛肉、鲜牛奶的进口依赖性风险进行分析发现,上述5种畜产食品均存在进口依赖性风险。其中,猪肉的风险来自美国、德国、丹麦、西班牙和加拿大;鸡肉的风险来自美国、巴西、阿根廷和波兰;羊肉的风险来自澳大利亚、新西兰和乌拉圭;牛肉的风险来自乌拉圭、澳大利亚、新西兰、阿根廷和加拿大;鲜牛奶的风险来自德国、法国、新西兰和澳大利亚。为降低我国畜产食品进口依赖性风险,短期内应采取畜产食品进口市场多元化策略以及用进口饲草料替代进口畜产食品的进口方式;长期应在保障“口粮安全”的前提下,调整农业结构,大力发展草地农业,减少对国际市场的依赖性。