Male panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) urine contains kinship information

Chemical communication plays an important role in kin selection and mate choice in mammals. The covariance of odor-genes of rodents has been documented and kinship odor has been proposed and termed, yet little is known of the relationship between genetic relatedness and chemical composition of kinship odors. Giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) rely substantially on chemical communication to mediate their social interactions. To examine the relationship between genetic relatedness and compounds in the urine/anogenital gland secretions, we compared the similarities between genetic relatedness and the chemical profiles of anogenital gland secretions and urine via lineage construction and GC-MS (gas chromatography and mass spectrometry). We found that information about kinship odors was present only in the urine of male adults in the mating season but absent in the non-mating season. Adult females and all sub-adults did not have such kinship odors in either mating or non-mating season. Therefore, kinship odor in the panda was contingent on age, sex, and season. This is the first report about the condition-dependent expression of kinship odor, which may have a sig- nificant implication in the practice of panda conservation in relation to chemical communication and sexual selection.     

Cross-modal signaling in giant pandas

For solitary species that aggregate to breed, signals, such as sound or odor, transmitted across the landscape can play an important role in mate choice and coordinating breeding activity. Recent work on vocalizations of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), bleats and chirps that are emitted during periods of reproductive activity, has revealed that auditory communication in this species is more complicated and developed than once believed. However, playback experiments using these calls have recorded only a few behaviors over short observation times and the influence of these calls on the signaling behavior of receivers remains unknown. Here, we present results from a pilot study in which we played the bleats of male and female giant pandas in estrus to captive animals and measured vocal and chemical signaling response behavior. We found an increase in scent marking behavior, but not vocalizations, in males and females following the playback of calls made by members of the opposite sex in estrus. To our knowledge, this is the first study to detect a chemical communication response, which was marking, to an auditory signal in giant pandas. Our findings reveal a previously unknown relationship between acoustic and chemical signals in this high profile species and suggest that these two forms of signaling may be interdependent in the social lives of giant pandas.     

Sick building syndrome,perceived odors,sensation of air dryness and indoor environment in Urumqi,China

In order to evaluate the perceived home indoor air quality, as well as sick building syndrome （SBS） in areas with typical arid continental climate such as Urumqi, northwest of China, a cross-sectional study including 4,260 parents of children （1-8 years） was performed by a ques- tionnaire survey in winter season in 2011. The sensation of air dryness （weekly/sometimes） in the last 3 months had the highest proportion of reports by more than half of the parents （57.4 %）, followed by perceived stuffy odor （40.6 %）, unpleasant odor （27.0 %）, tobacco smoke odor （25.5 %）, sensation of humid air （17.9 %）, pungent odor （11.7 %） and moldy odor （9.5 %）, respectively. The prevalence of SBS symptoms in the same time period was 40.4 % for general symptom, 47.7 % for mucosal symptom and 9.5 % for skin symptom, respectively. There were significant associations between perceived odors/sensation of air dryness and SBS symptoms （ORs range 1.39-1.42）. Additionally, the OR values increased with an increase of the OH score （P 〈 0.05）. Dampness, the presence of cockroaches and mosquitoes/flies, prenatal exposure to decoration and close to traffic were all risk factors of SBS symptoms. However, frequently putting bedding to sun- shine was potentially a protective factor. In conclusion, adults＇ perceptions of odors and sensation of air dryness are related to SBS symptoms and home environmental factors in Urumqi, China.     

Simultaneous polyandry and heteropaternity in tiger (Panthera tigris altaica): Implications for conservation of genetic diversity in captive populations of felids

Male tigers(Panthera tigris altaica) in captivity copulate alternatively with an estrous female,suggesting a potential for heteropaternity as an effective reproductive strategy to maximize genetic diversity of offspring.We analyzed microsatellites to test and compare the genetic output of multiple male mating(simultaneous polyandry) and single male mating(monogamy) with a female in a captive population.Simultaneous polyandry resulted in heteropaternity in 66.7% observed litters.No significant differences between parental populations and between offspring populations were detected in the number of alleles(A),expected heterozygosity(H e),number of effective alleles(N e) per locus and standard individual heterozygosity(SH)(P>0.05 for all 4 indexes).Comparisons showed no significant reduction of A,H o,H e and SH from parental population to offspring population for the two mating modes(P>0.05) except for SH in polyandrous families(P=0.029).However,such reduction was equivalent to single mating families when the influence of relatedness was eliminated using effective SH(E SH)(P>0.05).These results highlight an alternative strategy for managing captive populations of tiger and other wild felids in which animals are combined at one location allowing for copulation by multiple males to encourage heteropaternity in favor of maintained genetic diversity among offspring.     

Determining method and conditional factors of electrochemical fingerprint of Chinese traditional medicine

The thermodynamic systems and kinetic model suitable for the electrochemical token of the compo-nent throng in Chinese traditional medicines have been analyzed. It has been indicated that the damp oscillatory reactions in the non-equilibrium close system and open system without the supplement of dissipative substance have important significance for the throng token and analysis of chemical com-ponents in Chinese traditional medicines. Various factors influencing the electrochemical fingerprint,such as reactant species and their concentrations,electrode types,temperature,stir rate,the kind,dosage and granularity of Chinese traditional medicines,have amply been researched by the B-Z os-cillatory reaction which used malonic acid as a main dissipative substance. In addition,the quantitative information about the chemical components in Chinese traditional medicines has been discussed in detail. The method and its conditions for determining the electrochemical fingerprint used in scientifi-cally distinguishing and evaluating Chinese traditional medicines have successfully been put forward.     

The equilibrium between diagenetic calcites and dolomites and its impact on reservoir quality in the sandstone reservoir of Kela 2 gas field

Based on the equilibrium theory of chemical reactions between water and rocks, this paper establishes a thermodynamic phase relationship diagram among calcites, dolomites and water solution under the condition of diagenesis based on the thermodynamic database of related minerals and fluids and dolomite’s degree of order parameters. It has been discovered that the equilibrium between calcites and dolomites in the diagenetic environment is strongly impacted by temperature and the Ca/Mg ratios in groundwater, and that the dolomite’s degree of order in the diagenetic environment is a function of crystallization temperature and time, not controlled by water solution. Hereby, the authors make a further analysis of the close relationship of chemical reaction between carbonate cements and pore water in the sandstone reservoirs of Kala 2 gas field in Kuche sag. It can be seen that there are different impacts on sandstone reservoir quality among the equilibrium system of calcites, dolomites and pore water at different depths of reservoirs.     

The equilibrium between diagenetic calcites and dolomites and its impact on reservoir quality in the sandstone reservoir of Kela 2 gas field

Based on the equilibrium theory of chemical reactions between water and rocks,this paper establishes a thermodynamic phase relationship diagram among calcites,dolomites and water solution under the condition of diagenesis based on the thermodynamic database of related minerals and fluids and dolomite's degree of order parameters.It has been discovered that the equilibrium between calcites and dolomites in the diagenetic environment is strongly impacted by temperature and the Ca/Mg ratios in groundwater,and that the dolomite's degree of order in the diagenetic environment is a function of crystallization temperature and time,not controlled by water solution.Hereby,the authors make a further analysis of the close relationship of chemical reaction between carbonate cements and pore water in the sandstone reservoirs of Kala 2 gas field in Kuche sag.It can be seen that there are different impacts on sandstone reservoir quality among the equilibrium system of calcites,dolomites and pore water at different depths of reservoirs.     

Female multiple copulations among wild Sichuan snubnosed monkeys （Rhinopithecus roxellana） in Qinling, China

Mating strategies are the key to understanding both reproduction and evolution. The majority of the previous work on the mating strategies of the Sichuan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana), a polygynous species, has concentrated on the character of sexual behavior between heterosexual individuals, mating patterns, and the seasonality of mating and births in captivity and in wild. The importance of multiple copulations of them, both wild and captivity, has so far been neglected.     

Chemical and Genetic Diversity of Some Ligularia Species （Compositae） in Northwestern Yunnan and Southwestern Sichuan of China

Ligularia Cass., （Compositae） is a highly diversified genus, and more than 100 species of which are distributed in the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and adjacent areas. Ligularia species have been studied with respect to secondary metabolites, and many sesquiterpenes of the furanoeremophilane type have been isolated from them. In order to find correlates among these variations, and ultimately understand the diversity-generating mechanism of Ligularia species in the Hengduan Mountains, we initiated an extensive study that uses furanoeremophilanes as a chemical index and the DNA sequence as a genetic index. Furanoeremophilanes have been detected conventionally by Ehrlich＇s test, which has been used in a search for novel natural products. As for the DNA sequence, we determined the nucleotide sequence of the atpB-rbcL intergenic region in the present study.     

Relationship among Subtropical Anticyclone, Drought and Earth Rotation

The deep reason of severe disaster weather with the relationship among the earth nutation, rotation and atmos- pheric change is explored based on the effective results about the disaster weather prediction of the long term made by the variation of the earth rotation in near 10 years. It is discussed the relationship between the subtropical anticyclone and subtropical easterlies to aim at the problem of high temperature and drought in the globe, further more, the comparison analysis has been made to the earth nutation and the variation of rotation. The research results show that the reasons of severe disaster weather not only are due to atmosphere itself, but have some variation information of earth movement which could be used for the weather forecast.     

化学通讯介导对中缅树鼩个体识别的影响

为了探究尿液、粪便及胸腺分泌物对中缅树鼩个体识别的影响,通过Y-迷宫对中缅树鼩尿液、粪便和胸腺分泌物三种气味源的选择频次进行了统计分析。结果表明:用三种气味源与对照作为刺激源时,中缅树鼩均显著选择尿液和胸腺分泌物(P0.05);在习惯性实验中中缅树鼩对同性尿液和胸腺分泌物的选择频次持续下降,对陌生个体尿液和胸腺分泌物的选择频次显著增加(P0.05);尿液、胸腺分泌物在雌雄中缅树鼩个体识别的影响表现出明显差异,中缅树鼩对尿液和胸腺分泌物的选择频次均显著多于对照组(P0.01),而且雄性胸腺分泌物较雌性更受关注(P0.05),但雌性尿液比雄性更受关注(P0.05)。以上所有结果说明,中缅树鼩的尿液和胸腺分泌物中包含个体信息并用以识别个体,这两种气味源中所包含的化学信号对中缅树鼩个体间的交流极为重要,而粪便可能仅为单纯的排泄生理。     

啮齿动物性识别外激素的研究概况及方法

啮齿动物普遍利用外激素进行性识别。具有性识别功能的外激素可能由身体各个发出气味的部位产生,例如,尿液、粪便、唾液、精液、胚胎液、阴道分泌物、特化皮肤腺分泌物等。外激素的产生器官,尤其特化皮肤腺的形态、组织结构、所产生的化学成分和性识别功能有季节和性别的差异,并且受到脑垂体、内分泌腺和性腺分泌激素的调节。确定气味的识别功能和产生源,常利用被试鼠对雌雄气味的行为反应差异;生理调节作用的研究常采用切除有关的激素分泌腺和植入外源的激素后,气味产生器官的形态、组织结构和分泌物化学成分,以及对气味的嗅觉反应的变化的方法;化学研究涉及到气味分析样品的制备和对样品进行化学分析,进一步的活性成分的鉴定还要和生物测定相结合。     

猫的气味对黑线姬鼠行为的影响

以农田主要害鼠黑线姬鼠为研究对象,研究猫的尿液气味和猫的毛皮气味对其行为的影响,并探讨两种气味源的有效性.结果:两种气味源都能影响黑线姬鼠的行为,其修饰行为、取食行为、攻击行为的频次都不同程度的减少,而隐藏行为的时间和探究行为的频次变化不显著.不同的气味源对黑线姬鼠行为影响的有效性不同,猫的毛皮气味对黑线姬鼠行为的影响比尿液气味的影响显著.表明黑线姬鼠能够通过气味识别捕食风险的存在以及强度,并采用相应的策略.     

Do anogenital gland secretions of giant panda code for their sexual ability？

Communication and social recognition in many mammals are based on olfactory signals[1―3]. In many taxonomic groups, odors provide cues to species iden- tity, reproductive status, genetic relatedness and indi- vidual identity including social status[4,5].…     

红外线触发数码相机陷阱技术在大熊猫监测中的应用

为掌握大熊猫的季节活动规律和人为干扰状况，提高大熊猫监测水平。使用红外线触发数码相机陷阱技术，记录大熊猫活动信息。作者于2008年3-6月，对长青自然保护区大熊猫密集分布区进行了红外线数码相机监测。监测表明：平均海拔1614-1871m的区间，大熊猫拍摄率较高，2075米拍摄率很低，这与大熊猫的季节迁移活动规律是符合的。大熊猫的昼夜活动比是3．46：1；73％的样线上有大熊猫分布；0．91％的点上有人为干扰因素；12．68％的照片中出现天敌，成年大熊猫具有应对天敌的能力；交配季节标记行为占18．65％，标记行为较多：其中有2张照片记录到了交配场所。红外线触发数码相机陷阱技术，在大熊猫监测中是切实可行的。     

Temperature-sensitive gold-nanotube array membranes modified with poly（N-isopropylacrylamide）

A kind of temperature-sensitive nanotube array membrane was developed by modifying gold-nanotube array membranes with poly（N-isopropylacrylamide） （PNIPAm）. The permeation ability of the mem-branes at different temperatures was investigated using sodium fluorescein and quantum dots as probes. The results showed that the pore diameter of nanotube was changed due to the reversible response of PNIPAm-modified membranes to temperature, and then the permeation ability of the mem-branes was changed. The permeation of fluorescence probes was slow and even almost blocked at 25℃ （below the lower critical solution temperature, LCST）, since PNIPAm formed expanded structures and decreased the pore size. While at 40℃ （above the LCST）, the permeation was increased, since PNIPAm became compact structures and the pore diameter was increased. Furthermore, the permeation ability of the temperature-sensitive nanotube array membranes could be adjusted reversibly and it is possible to use the membranes in nanofluidic devices, nanogates, etc.     

大熊猫繁殖研究进展

本文综述了24年来大熊猫繁殖研究进展,论及大熊猫的配子生理特性、性成熟、繁殖季节、发情、性行为、性激素水平、自然交配与人工授精及受孕效果、妊娠、分娩、哺幼和幼兽的生长发育等特性.     

Evolution of the serum resistance-associated SRA gene in African trypanosomes

Serum resistance-associated (SRA) protein, a protein unique for Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, is responsible for resistance of this parasite to the lysis by normal human serum (NHS) and is a vital molecular marker to distinguish this species from other African trypanosomes. We cloned and sequenced the SRA basic copy (SRAbc) gene from T. b. rhodesiense and related species and found that this gene is confined to the subgenus Trypanozoon. The average 82% identity among the sequenced SRAbc genes indicates that they may have a common origin and are highly conserved. Since SRAbc coexists in the T. b. rhodesiense genome with SRA, we propose that SRAbc might be the ‘donor VSG’, which after duplication became inserted into the expression site by recombination. Under natural selection, SRAbc could reform into SRA following mosaic formation. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 30570245, 30670275), Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University (Grant No. DPCKSCU/IRT0447), International Foundation for Science of Sweden (Grant No. B/4318-1), Grant Agency of the Czech Republic (Grant No. Z60220518) and Education Foundation of the Czech Republic (Grant No. 2B06129)