The risk of plague epidemics and relapse of various types of plague foci persists in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. For Marmota sibirica plague foci, the animal plague has not been found but antibody has been detected positive. Nowadays, Marmota sibirica has been increasing in population and distribution in China. In bordering countries Mongolia and Russia, the animal plague has been continuously prevalent. For Spermophilus dauricus plague foci, the animal plague has been taken place now and then. Compared to the above foci, the animal plague is most prevalent in Meriones unguiculatus plague foci and frequently spread to humans. Due to higher strain virulence and historical disaster in Marmota sibirica plague foci and Spermophilus dauricus plague foci, plague prevention and control should be strengthened on these foci. In addition to routine surveillance, epidemic dynamics need to be further monitored in these two foci, in order to prevent their relapse and spread to humans.
Animals ; China/epidemiology* ; Epidemics ; Humans ; Plague/prevention & control* ; Prevalence ; Sciuridae ; Yersinia pestis

This study compared the effects on bone metabolism and morphology of pathological obesity induced by excessive fat intake in a non-hibernator (mice) versus healthy obesity due to pre-hibernation fattening in a hibernator (ground squirrels). Kunming mice were fed a high-fat diet to provide a model of pathological obesity (OB group). Daurian ground squirrels fattened naturally in their pre-hibernation season (PRE group) were used as a healthy obesity model. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and three-point bending tests were used to determine the microstructure and mechanical properties of bone. Western blots were used to analyze protein expression levels related to bone metabolism (Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RunX2), osteocalcin (OCN), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of nuclear factor-‍κB ligand (RANKL), cathepsin K, matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9), patched protein homolog 1 (Ptch1), phosphorylated β‍-‍catenin (P‍-‍β‍-‍catenin), and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β)). Compared with controls, there was no obvious bone loss in the OB mice, and the stiffness of the femur was increased significantly. Compared with summer active squirrels, bone formation was enhanced but the mechanical properties did not change in the PRE group squirrels. In OB mice, western blots showed significantly increased expression levels of all proteins except RunX2, OPG, and Ptch1. PRE ground squirrels showed significantly increased expression of most proteins except OCN and Ptch1, which decreased significantly, and P‍-‍β‍-‍catenin and OPG, which did not change. In conclusion, for non-hibernating mice, moderate obesity had a certain protective effect on bones, demonstrating two-way regulation, increasing both bone loss and bone formation. For pre-hibernating ground squirrels, the healthy obesity acquired before hibernation had a positive effect on the microstructure of bones, and also enhanced the expression levels of proteins related to bone formation, bone resorption, and Wnt signaling.
Mice ; Animals ; Hibernation ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit/metabolism* ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta/metabolism* ; Diet, High-Fat ; X-Ray Microtomography ; Sciuridae/metabolism* ; Obesity

This study was conducted to define the taxonomic status of Spermophilus in the plague area of Dingbian County in Shaanxi Province, China, through the two-factor variance analysis of morphological characteristics, DNA barcoding, and chromosome karyotype analysis. The Spermophilus samples collected from Dingbian and Zhengxiang Baiqi Counties exhibited significant differences in their morphological measurements. All Spermophilus samples form two distinct branches in neighbor-joining (NJ) tree. One branch included the Spermophilus samples collected from Inner Mongolia, and the other branch included samples collected from the plague foci of Shaanxi Province and the Ningxia Region. The Spermophilus samples collected from Dingbian County had a chromosome number of 2n = 38 in 84.40% of all their cells. The Spermophilus species collected from the plague area of Dingbian County was categorized as Spermophilus alashanicus (S.alashamicus). The findings reported in this study are epidemiologically significant for monitoring plague in this region of west-central China.
Animals ; China ; Cytochromes b ; analysis ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; Electron Transport Complex IV ; analysis ; Karyotype ; Plague ; microbiology ; Sciuridae ; anatomy & histology ; classification ; genetics

Parasites are recorded from the red squirrel, Sciurus vulgaris, from Cheongju, the Republic of Korea. A total of 5 road-killed squirrels were thoroughly examined for internal and external parasites from November 2011 to May 2014. Total 4 parasite species, including 1 tapeworm and 3 ectoparasite species were recovered. They were morphologically identified as Catenotaenia dendritica (Cestoda: Catenotaeniidae), Hirstionyssus sciurinus, Leptotrombidium pallidum, and Ceratophyllus (Monopsyllus) indages. Among them, C. dendritica and H. sciurinus are recorded for the first time in the Korean parasite fauna. In addition, the possibility that the red squirrel could act as a reservoir host for a zoonotic disease like tsutsugamushi disease with L. pallidum as its vector has been raised.
Cestoda ; Chungcheongbuk-do* ; Globus Pallidus ; Korea* ; Parasites ; Republic of Korea ; Sciuridae* ; Scrub Typhus ; Trombiculidae ; Zoonoses

Plague is a virulent infectious disease in China. In this study, '3S' technology was used to perform spatial autocorrelation analysis and spatial interpolation analysis for Spermophilus dauricus (S. Dauricus, a species of ground squirrel) captured in Manchuria City in 2015. The results were visually inspected. During the two-month (May to July) plague surveillance in 2015, 198 S. dauricus individuals were captured in the study area in Manchuria City (48 monitoring areas) by using a day-by-day catching method. Spatial autocorrelation was conducted using the ArcGIS software, and the following significantly different results were obtained: Moran's I=0.228472, Z-score=2.889126, and P<0.05. Thus, a spatial aggregation was observed. In 2015, the distribution of S. dauricus diminished from west to east and from north to south of Manchuria. Geo Detector software was used to analyze the habitat factors affecting the spatial distribution of S. dauricus. This highly clustered species mainly exists in suburban communities, construction sites, and areas surrounding factories. In future studies, plague surveillances should be performed in areas around Manchuria and Zhalainuoer.
Animal Distribution ; Animals ; China ; Disease Reservoirs ; statistics & numerical data ; Geographic Information Systems ; Humans ; Plague ; transmission ; Sciuridae ; physiology ; Spatial Analysis

OBJECTIVETo analysis the volatile components of Trogopterus faeces.

METHODThe volatile components of Trogopterus faeces was extracted by steam distillation and analyzed by GC-MS.

RESULTEighty-five volatile components were identified and the main components are cedrol (12.31%) and caryophyllene (7.5%).

CONCLUSIONThe volatile components of the samples are originated from the ingredients or other chemical compositions with similar basic structure of the fodders.

To investigate changes of glycoconjugates (GC) on the duodenal mucosa of Korean chipmunks (Tamias sibiricus) after cold-treatment, chipmunks were maintained in cold conditions (6 C) for 3, 5 or 9 months in an attempt to mimic conditions occurring during seasonal hibernation. Most chipmunks were active as before until 3 months in the cold room and since then were hibernated. Although there was significant decrease in neutral GC in cold-treated chipmunks compared with warm chipmunks, acid GC changed little. As for histochemical properties of acid GC in the duodenum, the cold-treated chipmunk showed some differences, such as appearance of villus goblet cells which contained the mixture of sulfated and nonsulfated GC. The affinities for all lectins used in this study were shown in the columnar cells of the duodenal villus and crypt, more intensive DBA, SBA, PNA, BSL-1, RCA-1 and sWGA affinities were demonstrated in the Golgi zone of columnar cells. These affinities decreased in the cold-treated groups, especially in the Golgi zone of columnar cells. The affinities with DBA, RCA-1, sWGA and BSL-1 was demonstrated in the goblet cells of the duodenum, but these affinities except DBA decreased in the cold-treated chipmunks. All lectin affinities except UEA-1 detected in duodenal gland, but cold-treatment induced a decrease of these affinities. The changes in amount and properties of GC in the present experimental model for hibernation may be due to the different intestinal environment associated with food intake. However, the present experimental model for hibernation, especially 9 months cold-treated chipmunks, stills need to be demonstrated during seasonal hibernation in the wild.
Duodenum ; Eating ; Glycoconjugates* ; Goblet Cells ; Hibernation ; Lectins ; Models, Theoretical ; Mucous Membrane* ; Sciuridae* ; Seasons

This is an in vitro study designed to assess the effect of temperature variation on the heart function of the five-strip eyebrow squirrel--amammal of the hibernating kind. A heart model of exsomatizing action and for determining the physiological parameters with four physiological recorders was used to measure the LVSP, LVEDP and (+/- dP/dtmax), respectively. It was found that the curves of the squirrel's heart mechanics property in relation to temperature variation are similar to the curves of the non-hibernating animals'. But, the squirrels' heart contraction function changes with in a much wider range, suggesting that their hearts are more tolerant of temperature variation.
Animals ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Female ; Heart ; physiology ; Hibernation ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Myocardial Contraction ; Sciuridae ; anatomy & histology ; physiology ; Temperature

Among wild chipmunks, Tamias sibiricus, captured in Kyunggi and Kangwon province in Korea, 1997, seropositivity for Orientia tsutsugamushi was determined. Serological test for Orientia tsutsugamushi infection was performed using indirect immunofluorescent antibody technique (IFA). Of 243 wild chipmunks, 61 against Gilliam strain and 64 against Karp strain of Orientia tsutsugamushi were IFA positive. Seropositivity against Gilliam strain was shown 33.3% in Kyunggi and 23.5% in Kangwon province, and against Karp strain was shown 33.3% and 25.4%, respectively.
Gangwon-do ; Gyeonggi-do ; Korea* ; Orientia tsutsugamushi* ; Sciuridae* ; Serologic Tests

The criteria for a good stereoacuity test in preschool children should be easy and provide accurate measurement of stereoacuity.To determine the success rate and efficacy of stereoacuity tests, and percentage of children between age of 2 and 3 years who correctly identified shapes and symbols of each stereoacuity test, we administered the Lang, Titmus circle, Titmus, animal, Randot circle, Randot shape and Randot preschool stereoacuity test in 96 patients whose ages ranged between 2 to 5 years. The overall success rates of the Lang, Titmus circle Titmus animal, Randot circle, Randot shape and Randot preschool stereoacuity tests were 84.4%, 72.9%, 75%, 75%, 75%and 84.4%, respectively.The overall success rates of the Lang and Randot preschool stereoacuity test tended to be higher among the methods.The sensitivity of the Lang and Randot preschool stereoacuity test was 100%and best among all methods.The percentage of 2-to 3-year-olds who correctly identified the shape of star, cat, car, elephant, rabbit, hand, truck, house, tree and round was higher than that of other shapes. The shapes of squirrel, monkey, heart, E, and cross was lower than that of other shapes.The Lang or Randot preschool stereoacuity test which uses shapes and symbols readily recognizable by children was found to be easy and accurate stereotests for preschool children, especially in uncooperative 2-to 3-year-olds.
Animals ; Cats ; Child ; Child, Preschool* ; Elephants ; Hand ; Haplorhini ; Heart ; Humans ; Motor Vehicles ; Sciuridae