Integration of eDNA‐Based Biological Monitoring within the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Streamgage Network

This study explores the feasibility and utility of integrating environmental DNA (eDNA) assessments of species occurrences into the United States (U.S.) Geological Survey’s national streamgage network. We used an existing network of five gages in southwest Idaho to explore the type of information that could be gained as well as the associated costs and limitations. Hydrologic technicians were trained in eDNA sampling protocols and they collected samples during routine monthly visits to streamgages over an entire water year (2016). We analyzed the eDNA in the filtered water samples to determine the presence of two fish species: bull trout and rainbow trout. We then modeled the spatiotemporal distribution of each species using discharge and temperature data. To assess the influence of the spatial distribution of the gages on the biological information obtained, we also collected eDNA samples from locations between the gages three times during the water year. We found eDNA monitoring at the five gages provided meaningful information about the distribution of both species, especially when detection probabilities accounted for variations in temperature and discharge. Sampling between the gages provided additional information about bull trout distribution — the rarer of the two species. Our study suggests the integration of eDNA sampling into a streamgage network is feasible and could provide a novel and powerful source of biological information for riverine ecosystems in the U.S.     

高效氯氰菊酯对小鼠肝细胞的氧化损伤

为了探讨高效氯氰菊酯对生物体的氧化损伤,以昆明小鼠为受试体,高效氯氰菊酯按10、和40mg·kg20-13个剂量水平,灌胃染毒小鼠7d,并以肝匀浆测定活性氧自由基(ROS)、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)、丙二醛(MDA)含量,以肝细胞测定DNA-蛋白质交联(DPC)系数.实验结果表明,随着高效氯氰菊酯染毒剂量的升高,ROS和MDA含量及DPC系数逐渐上升,GSH含量逐渐降低,各指标呈一定的剂量-效应关系.染毒剂量≥20mg·kg-1时,处理组的ROS含量和DPC系数与对照组有显著差异(p<0.05);染毒剂量≥40mg·kg-1时,GSH和MDA含量与对照组有显著差异(p<0.05),DPC系数有极显著差异(p<0.01).说明较高剂量的高效氯氰菊酯可造成小鼠肝脏的氧化损伤和DNA-蛋白质交联作用增强.     

乳品废水活性污泥总DNA提取方法的比较

为了从乳品废水活性污泥中快速提取总DNA,本文系统对SDS高盐缓冲液抽提法、冻融+SDS高盐缓冲液抽提法、溶菌酶+SDS抽提法与冻融+溶菌酶+SDS抽提法等4种抽提活性污泥总DNA方法做了比较研究,并对提取的DNA浓度以及通过PCR扩增技术对DNA的质量进行了检测。结果表明:4种方法均可从乳品废水活性污泥中提取出DNA4,种方法提取的DNA总量与纯度存在差异,其中采用冻融+SDS高盐缓冲液抽提活性污泥总DNA效果最好,以该方法提取的总DNA为模板,PCR扩增16 SrDNA,可扩增出分子量为1.5 Kb左右的DNA产物。本文为研究乳品废水活性污泥总DNA的提取提供了一种简便、快速的方法。     

Conservation outside Protected Areas and the Effect of Human‐Dominated Landscapes on Stress Hormones in Savannah Elephants

Biodiversity conservation strategies are increasingly focused on regions outside national protected areas, where animals face numerous anthropogenic threats and must coexist with human settlements, livestock, and agriculture. The effects of these potential threats are not always clear, but they could have profound implications for population viability. We used savannah elephants (Loxodonta africana) as a case study to assess the physiological stress associated with living in a human‐livestock‐dominated landscape. We collected samples over two 3‐month periods in 2007 and 2008. We used fecal DNA to identify 96 individual elephants in a community conservation area (CCA) and measured fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) concentrations as a proxy for stress. The CCA is community Maasai land managed for livestock and wildlife. We compared the FGM concentrations from the CCA to FGM concentrations of 40 elephants in Amboseli National Park and 32 elephants in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, where human settlements and intense livestock grazing were absent. In the CCA, we found no significant individual differences in FGM concentrations among the elephants in 2007 (p = 0.312) or 2008 (p = 0.412) and no difference between years (p = 0.616). The elephants in the CCA had similar FGM concentrations to the Maasai Mara population, but Amboseli elephants had significantly lower FGM concentrations than those in either Maasai Mara or the CCA (Tukey pairwise test, p < 0.001), due primarily to females excreting significantly lower FGM relative to males (p = 0.025). In the CCA, there was no relation among female group size, average pairwise group relatedness, and average group FGM concentration. We found no clear evidence of chronic stress in elephants living on CCA communal land, which is encouraging for conservation strategies promoting the protection of animals living outside protected areas. Conservación Fuera de Áreas Protegidas y el Efecto de Paisajes Dominados por Humanos sobre Hormonas del Estrés en Elefantes Africanos     

Management of red cell alloimmunisation in pregnancy: the non-invasive monitoring of the disease

Haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) due to red cell alloimmunization was a significant cause of fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality until the introduction of anti-D immunoglobulin, which has dramatically changed the incidence of the disease. However, it is still a major problem in affected pregnancies. The emphasis of current clinical management has shifted from an invasive approach to non-invasive monitoring of the disease. The key elements of the modern management are determining which fetuses are at risk of HDFN with the use of cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma (fetal RHD genotype) and the follow-up of antigen positive fetuses by Doppler ultrasonography to detect anaemia severe enough to need treatment. When anaemia is suspected, an invasive approach is still required in a timely manner for confirmation of the degree of anaemia and to administer blood transfusions. This non-invasive approach prevents unnecessary administration of human-derived blood products, with the consequent ethical and cost implications and most importantly avoids iatrogenic conversion of mild to severe disease by avoiding need for techniques such as amniocentesis. The potential problem of the non-invasive approach is the reduction in the total number of invasive procedures, with the subsequent difficulty of maintaining the skills required to perform them. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

SAFE—The Special Non-invasive Advances in Fetal and Neonatal Evaluation Network: aims and achievements

In this short review, the objectives and work of SAFE—the Special Non-invasive Advances in Fetal and Neonatal Evaluation Network, a European Union Framework VI network of excellence is described. We demonstrate how this network facilitates the implementation of non-invasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) for single gene disorders, fetal rhesus typing, aneuploidy and pregnancy complications. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.