Migratory and resident blue tits Cyanistes caeruleus differ in their reaction to a novel object

Individuals differ consistently in their behavioural reactions towards novel objects and new situations. Reaction to novelty is one part of a suit of individually consistent behaviours called coping strategies or personalities and is often summarised as bold or shy behaviour. Coping strategies could be particularly important for migrating birds exposed to novel environments on their journeys. We compared the average approach latencies to a novel object among migrants and residents in partially migratory blue tits Cyanistes caeruleus. In this test, we found migrating blue tits to have shorter approach latencies than had resident ones. Behavioural reactions to novelty can affect the readiness to migrate and short approach latency may have an adaptive value during migration. Individual behaviour towards novelty might be incorporated among the factors associated with migratory or resident behaviour in a partially migratory population.     

Habitat structure is associated with the expression of carotenoid-based coloration in nestling blue tits Parus caeruleus

We investigated how the expression of carotenoid-based plumage coloration (lightness and chroma) in nestling blue tits Parus caeruleus is associated with forest structure in oak forests of central Spain. We found evidence of a reduced expression of carotenoid-based coloration in nestlings growing up in successionally young and structurally simple forest territories. Our results suggest that breast feather coloration can be used as an indicator of nestling quality because nestlings with more intense yellow plumage coloration had larger body size and stronger immune responses to the injection of phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Given the association of forest structural complexity with carotenoid-based plumage coloration, our findings suggest that variation in habitat structure may have a significant impact on forest birds in their first stages of life which has implications for forest management practices.     

Split-second escape decisions in blue tits (Parus caeruleus)

Bird mortality is heavily affected by birds of prey. Under attack, take-off is crucial for survival and even minor mistakes in initial escape response can have devastating consequences. Birds may respond differently depending on the character of the predator's attack and these split-second decisions were studied using a model merlin (Falco columbarius) that attacked feeding blue tits (Parus caeruleus) from two different attack angles in two different speeds. When attacked from a low attack angle they took off more steeply than when attacked from a high angle. This is the first study to show that escape behaviour also depends on predator attack speed. The blue tits responded to a high-speed attack by dodging sideways more often than when attacked at a low speed. Escape speed was not significantly affected by the different treatments. Although they have only a split-second before escaping an attack, blue tits do adjust their escape strategy to the prevailing attack conditions.     

Effect of cadmium on photosynthetic pigments, lipid peroxidation, antioxidants, and artemisinin in hydroponically grown Artemisia annua

The effects of different cadmium (Cd) concentrations (0, 20, 60, and 100 μmol/L) on hydroponically grown Artemisia annua L. were investigated. Cd treatments applied for 0, 4, 12, 24, 72, 144, 216, and 336 hr were assessed by measuring the changes in photosynthetic pigments, electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidants (ascorbic acid and glutathione), while the artemisinin content was tested after 0, 12, 144, 216, and 336 hr. A significant decrease was observed in photosynthetic pigment levels over time with increasing Cd concentration. Chlorophyll b levels were more affected by Cd than were chlorophyll a or carotenoid levels. The cell membrane was sensitive to Cd stress, as MDA content in all treatment groups showed insignificant differences from the control group, except at 12 hr treatment time. Ascorbic acid (AsA) content changed slightly over time, while glutathione (GSH) content took less time to reach a maximum as Cd concentration increased. Cd was found to promote synthesis and accumulation of artemisinin, especially at concentrations of 20 and 100 μmol/L. In conclusion, Cd stress can damage to photosynthetic pigments, and vigorously growing A. annua showed a strong tolerance for Cd stress. Appropriate amounts of added Cd aided synthesis and accumulation of artemisinin.     

Settlement decisions in blue tits: difference in the use of social information according to age and individual success

Dispersers are expected to assess breeding habitat quality before settlement. Although cues reflecting habitat quality are well studied, social cues have not been as well evaluated. In this paper, we studied breeding habitat selection during 3 years in a natural population of blue tits, Cyanistes caeruleus, breeding in nest-boxes. Our aim was to investigate if this species used conspecific density and/or reproductive success of con- and heterospecifics (i.e., social cues) in settlement decisions. The patterns observed were consistent with the idea that juveniles, when dispersing from their natal patches, did not react to any of the cues that we tested. In contrast, breeders that dispersed seemed to respond to both conspecific mean patch reproductive success (PRS) and breeding density of the settlement patch in the year of dispersal, their response differing according to their own reproductive success. Indeed, failed breeders moved to areas with high PRS and low density relative to source patches, while successful breeders behaved the opposite. The comparison between juveniles and adults might be modulated by the limited time available to juveniles to gather information on PRS and density at the end of the dispersing year. Adults lacking these time constraints, however, seemed to rely on these conspecific cues although limited by their own quality. Additionally, breeders were more likely to be immigrants in patches with relatively low breeding success and density the previous year, suggesting that settlement is influenced by multiple cues, which may reveal information on different aspects of habitat and be available at different moments. Collectively, our results support the importance of social cues for blue tits’ settlement.     

臭氧处理对海带膜脂过氧化和脱酯化伤害研究

采用生态毒理学和生物化学的方法，选用海带的2个品系——海带901和荣城1号为实验材料，研究了不同剂量的臭氧处理对海带膜脂过氧化和脱酯化伤害作用结果表明，随着臭氧处理强度的增加，海带的2个品系的光合速率均下降同时。膜相对透性增大，细胞内H2O2含量上升，微粒体膜中磷脂减少，游离脂肪酸增加海带901中无论是细胞匀浆中丙二醛(MDA)含量，还是微粒体膜的MDA含量在臭氧处理下均无显著变化，而荣城1号微粒体膜的MDA含量在臭氧处理下显著提高，说明海带901在臭氧氧化胁迫下膜的损伤是由膜脂脱酯化单独造成的，与膜脂过氧化无关，而荣城1号膜的损伤是由膜脂过氧化和脱酯化共同引起的。     

Joint effects of Penta-BDE and heavy metals on Daphnia magna survival, its antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation

The joint toxicity of Penta-BDE (Pe-BDE) and heavy metals including cadmium and copper on Daphnia magna (D. magna) was evaluated on the basis of determining the 48 h survival, antioxidative enzyme responses, and lipid peroxidation. The response was classified as additive, greater than additive, or less than additive by comparing the measured “toxic units, TU” with one. Based on the survival of D. magna, less-than-additive interactions were found in most of mixtures treatments. This may be attributed to the different toxicity mechanism between Pe-BDE and metals. Cu and Cd played a greater role in toxicity than what Pe-BDE did. As for the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity, most response was less than additive. For the glutathione S-transferases (GST) activity, most of the greater-thanadditive responses were found in the Cu plus Pe-BDE treatments, but the additive responses occurred in Cd plus Pe-BDE treatments and binary metal treatments. For lipid peroxide levels, which were measured as malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, less-than-additive response occurred in the 50% Cd plus 50% Cu and ternary mixture treatments. Results suggested that Pe-BDE, Cd, and Cu could induce different patterns of antioxidant enzyme responses, such as antioxidant/prooxidant responses, depending on their capability to produce reactive oxygen species and antioxidant enzymes to detoxify them.     

三丁基锡对文蛤鳃的抗氧化酶活性及脂质过氧化的影响

在实验室条件下,观察质量浓度分别为高、中、低(0·1,1,10ng·L-1(以Sn计))3组的三丁基锡(TBT)暴露2、8、20d以及恢复7d和20d后对文蛤鳃的谷胱甘肽硫转移酶(GST)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性以及丙二醛(MDA)含量、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量的影响.结果显示,除了高浓度TBT(10ng·L-1)暴露在早期(2d)对GSH含量、GST和CAT活性产生抑制之外,TBT暴露对GSH含量、GST和CAT活性的作用主要为诱导效应.在暴露8d后,MDA的含量表现出显著的诱导.恢复7d后除了高浓度组对MDA还有影响外,其它各指标均恢复到与对照组相当的水平.结果表明,环境水平的TBT暴露对文蛤产生明显的氧化胁迫,抗氧化防御系统可以作为海洋环境有机锡污染监测的潜在的生物标志物.     

铅对河南华溪蟹卵巢抗氧化酶活力和脂质过氧化水平的影响

采用亚急性毒性实验方法,研究了铅(Pb2+)对河南华溪蟹(Sinopotamon henanense)卵巢组织抗氧化酶活性与脂质过氧化产物的影响.实验设置了5个Pb2+浓度组(3.675、7.35、14.70、29.40和58.80mg·L-1)和1个空白对照组,在3个染毒时间(5、10和15d)下对超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPx)活力和丙二醛(MDA)含量进行了测定.结果显示,在不同浓度和不同暴露时间下,铅对河南华溪蟹卵巢SOD、CAT、GPx活力及MDA含量均有明显的影响.SOD、CAT活力表现为低浓度诱导激活,高浓度抑制,即先升后降的变化规律,GPx活力在5d和10d时表现出先升后降的趋势,在15d时活力不断下降,且SOD在10d、14.70mg·L-1Pb2+浓度组,CAT在5d、7.35mg·L-1Pb2+浓度组,GPx在10d、3.675mg·L-1Pb2+浓度组分别升至峰值,而卵巢MDA含量随染毒时间的延长和染毒浓度的升高逐渐增多,且在15d、58.80mg·L-1Pb2+浓度组中较对照组差异极显著。结果表明,Pb2+暴露对河南华溪蟹卵巢产生了明显的氧化胁迫作用,且抗氧化酶和脂质过氧化物水平可以作为重金属对水生生物毒理学研究的生物标志物.     

Cobalt and manganese stress in the microalga Pavlova viridis （Prymnesiophyceae）： Effects on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes

Pollution of marine environment has become an issue of major concern in recent years.Serious environmental pollution by heavy metals results from their increasing utilization in industrial processes and because most heavy metals are transported into the marine environment and accumulated without decomposition.The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects on growth,pigments, lipid peroxidation,and some antioxidant enzyme activities of marine microalga Pavlova viridis,in response to elevated concentrations of cobalt(Co)and manganese(Mn),especially with regard to the involvement of antioxidative defences against heavy metal-induced oxidative stress.In response to Co~(2 ),lipid peroxidation was enhanced compared to the control,as an indication of the oxidative damage caused by metal concentration assayed in the microalgal cells but not Mn~(2 ).Exposure of Pavlova viridis to the two metals caused changes in enzyme activities in a different manner,depending on the metal assayed:after Co~(2 )treatments,total superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity was irregular,although it was not significantly affected by Mn~(2 )exposure.Co~(2 )and Mn~(2 )stimulated the activities of catalase(CAT)and glutathione(GSH),whereas,ghitathione peroxidase(GPX)showed a remarkable increase in activity in response to Co~(2 )treatments and decreased gradually with Mn~(2 )concentration,up to 50μmol/L,and then rose very rapidly,reaching to about 38.98% at 200μmol/L Mn~(2 ).These results suggest that an activation of some antioxidant enzymes was enhanced,to counteract the oxidative stress induced by the two metals at higher concentration.     

Integrated plumage colour variation in relation to body condition, reproductive investment and laying date in the collared flycatcher

The possible integration of different sexual ornaments into a composite system, and especially the information content of such ornament complexes, is poorly investigated. Many bird species display complex plumage coloration, but whether this represents one integrated or several independent sexual traits can be unclear. Collared flycatchers (Ficedula albicollis) display melanised and depigmented plumage areas, and the spectral features (brightness and UV chroma) of these are correlated with each other across the plumage. In a 5-year dataset of male and female plumage reflectance, we examined some of the potential information content of integrated, plumage-level colour attributes by estimating their relationships to previous and current year body condition, laying date and clutch size. Females were in better condition the year before they became darker pigmented, and males in better current year condition were also darker pigmented. Female pigment-based brightness was positively, while male structurally based brightness was negatively related to current laying date. Finally, the overall UV chroma of white plumage areas in males was positively associated with current clutch size. Our results show that higher degree of pigmentation is related to better condition, while the structural colour component is associated with some aspects of reproductive investment. These results highlight the possibility that correlated aspects of a multiple plumage ornamentation system may reflect together some aspects of individual quality, thereby functioning as a composite signal.     

Liver histological changes and lipid peroxidation in the amphibian Ambystoma mexicanum induced by sediment elutriates from the Lake Xochimilco

Lacustrine sediments accumulate pollutants that input from the lake watershed and can be released to the water column by sediment resuspension; thus, pollutants can change their bioavailability and exert adverse effects to aquatic biota. Shallow-urban lakes are particularly susceptible to receive pollutants from urban discharges and sediment resuspension. Lake Xochimilco, in Mexico City, an urban-shallow lake, faces multiple problems: urban sprawl, overexploitation of aquifers, drying of springs, discharge of wastewater from treatment plants, and sediment resuspension. The aquatic biota living in this ecosystem is continuously exposed to the release of pollutants from the sediments. We assessed the risk that pollutants released from sediments from Lake Xochimilco, Touristic (TZ) and Agriculture zone (AZ), can exert on a native amphibian species of the lake (Ambystoma mexicanum) through exposure bioassays to sediment elutriates. We evaluate alterations in the amphibian by three approaches: biochemical (level of lipid peroxidation, LPO), cellular (ultrastructure) and the liver histology of A. mexicanum and we compare them with a batch control. Additionally, we assessed heavy metals (Pb, Cd and Hg) in elutriates. Elutriates from TZ showed the highest concentrations of the metals assessed. Organisms exposed to sediment elutriates from either study sites showed higher LPO values than control organisms (p < 0.05). Organisms exposed to elutriates from the TZ showed the most conspicuous damages: hepatic vasodilation of sinusoids, capillaries with erythrocytes, leukocyte infiltration and cytoplasmic vacuolation in hepatocytes. The biological responses assessed reflected the risk that faces A. mexicanum when is exposed for prolonged periods to sediment resuspension in Lake Xochimilco.     

二甲基苯蒽和苯并(a)芘对小鼠肝脏金属硫蛋白及氧化损伤的诱导作用

观察两种致癌性多环芳烃化合物二甲基苯蒽（DMBA）和苯并（a)芘（BaP）对小鼠肝脏脂质过氧化产物和金属硫蛋白含量的影响。选用雄性C57BL／OLA129小鼠，观察DMBA和BaP各50mg/kg一次腹腔注射染毒后24、48、72和144h后的动物肝脏重量、金属硫蛋白（MT）含量和脂质过氧化程度的变化。MT测定采用镉－血红蛋白亲和分析法；脂质过氧化指标为硫代巴比妥酸测定丙二醛法。结果表明，DMBA和BaP均能引起小鼠肝脏重量增加、MT含量增加和MDA含量增加。随着DMBA和BaP染毒后的时间延长小鼠肝脏的重量不断增加，呈现时间效应关系。小鼠肝脏MT的含量在染毒后24和48h后明显增加1倍。肝脏MDA的含量增加在染毒后24h后达到高峰。本研究观察到DMBA和Bap可以MT增加。MT的增加与MDA的增加呈现一定平行的关。提示MT诱导可能与多环芳烃化合物所致的氧化损伤有关。     

硅对过量锰胁迫下水稻根系抗氧化系统和膜脂质过氧化作用的调控机理

揭示Mn胁迫下Si对水稻根系抗氧化系统的影响机制,可为减轻水稻Mn毒害提供重要的理论依据和技术支持.因此,本研究通过水培试验,采用两个对Mn耐性不同的水稻品种,研究Si(1.5 mmol·L-1)对Mn(2 mmol·L-1)胁迫下水稻根系抗氧化系统的影响.结果表明,在Mn胁迫下,敏感品种新香优640(XXY)根系的超...     

镉对背角无齿蚌外套膜和鳃抗氧化酶活性及脂质过氧化的影响

为了探究镉对背角无齿蚌(A.woodiana woodiana)外套膜和鳃抗氧化酶活性及脂质过氧化的影响,按照96 h的LC50为134.9 mg·L-1,分别于镉(Cd2+)浓度为4.22、8.43、16.82、33.7和67.45 mg·L-1,染毒24、48、72和96 h后测定背角无齿蚌外套膜和鳃中抗氧化酶包括超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPX)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性及脂质过氧化产物丙二醛(MDA)的含量.结果表明,背角无齿蚌在不同浓度镉(Cd2+)溶液中经急性毒性处理24、48、72和96 h后,外套膜抗氧化酶活性呈现“抑制-诱导-抑制”的规律性变化,鳃抗氧化酶活性呈现“诱导-抑制”的规律性变化.镉处理后的背角无齿蚌外套膜和鳃SOD、GPX和CAT活性,表现出明显的组织差异性,且鳃诱导SOD、GPX和CAT活性较外套膜早.经镉处理以后,外套膜和鳃中MDA含量呈现升高趋势,高浓度镉处理组较对照组脂质过氧化损伤出现显著差异(**p＜0.01),具有剂量-效应和时间-效应.     

Serum lipid,apolipoprotein and lipoparticle levels in the human fetus

Blood collected from 62 fetuses aged 20–38 weeks of gestation was studied. The values of ten lipid parameters were determined: cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), apolipoprotein Al (apo A1), apolipoprotein B (apo B), apolipoprotein E (apo E), total apolipoprotein CIII (apo CIII), apolipoprotein CIII present in particles containing apo B (apo CIII LpB) or not (apo CIII Lp non-B), lipoparticles A1 (LpA1), and lipoprotein a (Lp(a)). The results show that, except for apo E, all the studied parameters were present in lower concentrations than in adults and newborns, and that Lp(a) is not detectable at that stage in life.     

南丹县矿区居民砷膳食暴露及健康风险评估

南丹县砷储量丰富,为了解其矿区周边常住人群的膳食结构,并评估当地居民As膳食暴露情况,文章采用称重法调查当地居民膳食结构,通过化学分析法测试其As含量。对矿业活动影响区大厂镇、车河镇和长老乡及对照区六寨镇典型村庄成年居民膳食As的每日摄入量进行测算,并评估其健康风险。结果显示:研究区域膳食结构主要以大米、蔬菜及肉类为主;与《食品中污染物限量》相比,各类食品的平均含量均低于对应的限量值,但矿业影响区蔬菜及鸡蛋存在超标,其超标率分别为50.9%和55.0%;车河镇和大厂镇成人经膳食途径引起的总目标危险系数显著高于六寨,且4个地区大米As的目标危险系数均高于1。风险评价结果表明,车河镇、大厂镇、金洞村和六寨镇居民As的年健康风险为分别为4.38×10~(-4)、2.97×10~(-4)、2.17×10~(-4)和1.73×10~(-4),远高于国际放射防护委员会ICPR标准,其中主要贡献者是大米。通过膳食途径导致该居民面临较严重的As暴露风险,建议当地居民应引起警惕并合理调节膳食结构,同时相应部门应加强对食品安全的重视。     

Colour change in a structural ornament is related to individual quality,parasites and mating patterns in the blue tit

Carry-over effects refer to processes that occur in one season and influence fitness in the following. In birds, two costly activities, namely reproduction and moult, are restricted to a small time window, and sometimes overlap. Thus, colour in newly moulted feathers is likely to be affected by the costs of reproduction. Using models of bird vision we investigated male colour change in a free-living population of blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) in three sampling occasions: spring 1, winter and spring 2. We related crown, tail, breast and cheek feather colouration after the moult (winter) to the intensity of infections by blood parasites during reproduction (spring 1). In the following spring (spring 2), we explored mating patterns with respect to changes in feather colour (springs 1 vs. 2). Males that were less intensely infected by the malaria parasite Plasmodium while breeding showed purer white cheek feathers in winter, which may indicate higher feather quality. Increased brightness in the white cheek was associated with better body condition during reproduction. In the following season, males with brighter cheeks paired with females that had noticeably brighter cheek patches compared to the male’s previous mate. These results suggest that the conditions experienced during reproduction are likely to affect moult and thus feather colouration, at least in the white patch. High quality individuals may allocate resources efficiently during reproduction increasing future reproductive success through variation in mating patterns. Carry-over effects from reproduction might extend not only to the non-breeding phase, but also to the following breeding season.     

Effects of salinity on activities of H+-ATPase, H+-PPase and membrane lipid composition in plasma membrane and tonoplast vesicles isolated from soybean (Glycine max L.) seedlings

The effects of NaCI stress on the H^＋-ATPase, H^＋-PPase activity and lipid composition of plasma membrane(PM) and tonoplast(TP) vesicles isolated from roots and leaves of two soybean cultivars( Glycine max L. ) differing in salt tolerance(Wenfeng^7,salt-tolerant; Union, salt-sensitive) were investigated. When Wenfeng^7 was treated with 0.3% (W/V) NaCI for 3 d, the H^＋ -ATP aseactivities in PM and TP from roots and leaves exhibited a reduction and an enhancement, respectively. The H^＋ -PPase activity in TP from roots also increased. Similar effects were not observed in roots of Union. In addition, the increases of phospholipid content and ratios of phospholipid to galactolipid in PM and TP from roots and leaves of Wenfeng^7 may also change membrane permeability and hence affect salt tolerance.