Deer Bone Research Articles

Effects of compound deer bone extract on osteoporosis model mice and intestinal microflora.

The preventive and therapeutic mechanisms of CDBE on osteoporosis were studied by observing the serum bone-related biochemical indicators, bone trabecular micro-structure and intestinal flora in ovariectomized osteoporosis model mice, in order to provide a scientific theoretical basis for the further study on the effect of CDBE on osteoporosis, and the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis with clinical traditional Chinese medicines. The components in CDBE were detected by UHPLC-MS. A mouse osteoporosis model was established by the bilateral ovariectomy in female ICR mice. The biochemical indicators related to osteoporosis were detected, the right proximal tibia was scanned by Micro-CT, the intestinal microflora in the colon contents were examined, and the changes of microflora were taken as the main target to evaluate the effect of CDBE on the intestinal microflora in the model mice. A total of 16 compounds were obtained by the combined application of UHPLC-MS. CDBE could significantly increase the contents of E2, Ca2+ , CT, HyP, OCN, FOXP3, P1NP and CTX-II, in the model mice. CDBE could significantly improve the trabecular micro-structure, Tb.N, Tb.Sp, SMI and Conn.D. CDBE could make the intestinal flora of osteoporosis model mice tend to healthy mice in species and quantity. CDBE can improve the symptoms of postmenopausal osteoporosis in mice, with a positive effect on the intestinal flora of postmenopausal mice. Its mechanism of regulating the symptoms of osteoporosis may be related to the regulation of bone-related biochemical indicators in the serum of mice. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This research has a positive impact on the development of functional food with anti-osteoporosis in the future.

Protective effect of Sika Deer bone polypeptide extract on dexamethasone-induced osteoporosis in rats

Background: Osteoporosis attacks approximately 10% of the population worldwide. Sika Deer ( Cervus nippon ), one of China’s precious traditional medicinal animals, has been widely recorded in ancient Chinese medical books and claimed for centuries to have numerous medical benefits including bone strengthening. This study aimed to find the use of Sika Deer bone in treating osteoporosis according to traditional records and to investigate the protective effect of Sika Deer bone polypeptide extract on glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) in rats. Results: Sika Deer bone polypeptide extract could increase serum Ca 2+ and BGP, decrease serum P 3+ , ALP, PTH, and CT, but had no effect on serum NO in rats with GIOP. The immunohistochemical iNOS results of the rats’ distal femur were negative in each group. Besides the model group, the eNOS color reaction in osteoblasts was strongly positive in the other three groups. Conclusions: Sika Deer bone polypeptide extract can improve pathological changes in the microstructure and stimulate the expression of eNOS in osteoblasts. The protective effect on bone might be mediated by eNOS-dependent NO generation. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:Tabla normal; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:107%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:Calibri,sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Times New Roman; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}

Method for processing deer bones

The article presents the data on the assessment of a method for the production of biosubstance from the bones, of Siberian red deer including the removal of fat and protein fractions using infrared radiation, ultrasound and fermentation, as well as softening the bone by autoclaving, followed by grinding of the resulting product. The prerequisite for the study was the importance and necessity to create a biosubstance of natural origin with a high degree of digestibility for the prevention of the development of musculoskeletal system diseases due to the intensive spread among population. The research material was tubular bones of Siberian red deer with removed bone marrow. It was shown that the optimal mode during processing of deer bone is the phased exposure of infrared rays for 2-3 hours at a temperature of 80-85 ° C, followed by removal of the protein fraction using ultrasound equipment at a temperature range of 75 to 80 ° C and exposure time 4-5 hours, autoclaving at the temperature of 120 ° C and pressure of 1.5 atm for 3 hours. This technological scheme allowed obtaining biosubstance from deer bones with a yield of mineral substances up to 98.6% and a maximum level of purification of the product from organic impurities.

New physiological insights into the phenomena of deer antler: A unique model for skeletal tissue regeneration.

SummaryGenerally, mammals are unable to regenerate complex tissues and organs however the deer antler provides a rare anomaly to this rule. This osseous cranial appendage which is located on the frontal bone of male deer is capable of stem cell-based organogenesis, annual casting, and cyclic de novo regeneration. A series of recent studies have classified this form of regeneration as epimorphic stem cell based. Antler renewal is initiated by the activation of neural crest derived pedicle periosteal cells (PPCs) found residing within the pedicle periosteum (PP), these PPCs have the potential to differentiate into multiple lineages. Other antler stem cells (ASCs) are the reserve mesenchymal cells (RMCs) located in the antlers tip, which develop into cartilage tissue. Antlerogenic periosteal cells (APCs) found within the antlerogenic periosteum (AP) form the tissues of both the pedicle and first set of antlers. Antler stem cells (ASCs) further appear to progress through various stages of activation, this coordinated transition is considered imperative for stem cell-based mammalian regeneration. The latest developments have shown that the rapid elongation of the main beam and antler branches are a controlled form of tumour growth, regulated by the tumour suppressing genes TP73 and ADAMTS18. Both osteoclastogenesis, as well as osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation are also involved. While there remains much to uncover this review both summarises and comprehensively evaluates our existing knowledge of tissue regeneration in the deer antler. This will assist in achieving the goal of in vitro organ regeneration in humans by furthering the field of modern regenerative medicine.The Translational potential of this articleAs a unique stem cell-based organ regeneration process in mammals, the deer antler represents a prime model system for investigating mechanisms of regeneration in mammalian tissues. Novel ASCs could provide cell-based therapies for regenerative medicine and bone remodelling for clinical application. A greater understanding of this process and a more in-depth defining of ASCs will potentiate improved clinical outcomes.

Scavenging of Animal Carcasses by Gumaga nigricula (Sericostomatidae, Trichoptera), an Apparent Herbivore

Caddisflies within the genus Gumaga are generally considered shredders (i.e., consumers of leaf litter) or grazers (i.e., consumers of algae). We report on observations of Gumaga nigricula scavenging animal carcasses within and adjacent to isolated pools along intermittent reaches of Coyote Creek, Santa Clara County, California, USA. In particular, during the summer of 2018, we observed G. nigricula scavenging fish carcasses within isolated pools as well as bits of flesh from the bones of a black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) deposited on the stream bank. To the best of our knowledge, our observations represent the first published record of Gumaga spp. scavenging animal carcasses. Our observations also highlight how deteriorating conditions within isolated pools create a late-summer resource pulse for scavengers.

Modeling the age-related shift in the mineral content of hard tissues in two Mediterranean deer species

ObjectiveIn this paper we aim to provide baseline data and model the changes of Ca, P and Mg throughout life in the mandibular bone, enamel and dentin of red (Cervus elaphus) and fallow deer (Dama dama) in Mediterranean ecosystems. DesignThrough a cross-sectional study of cervids from 1.5 to 20 yrs old, hunted between 1990 and 1997, we apply generalized additive models (GAMs) with data from scanning-electron-microscope with energy-dispersive X-ray (FESEM-EDX) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analyses. ResultsThe mineral content varied in a similar range to that reported for other ruminants. However, we detected lower Ca content values, while more similar results were obtained for P and Mg contents, which led to relatively lower Ca/P ratios and higher Ca/Mg in our deer at that time. A significantly lesser pattern of decreasing mineral content with aging was detected in the fallow deer males, similarities were found between the sexes, and significantly less resistance to demineralization was observed in dentin compared to bone. We discuss how the basic macromineral elements involved in the biomineralization process vary with age throughout life depending on deer species, sex and hard tissues. ConclusionAllowing for possible inferences of differential changes in the mineralization state at the main stages in life history, our methodological approach opens up new possibilities in zooarchaeological, paleontological, and wildlife research.

Hardness, an Important Indicator of Bone Quality, and the Role of Collagen in Bone Hardness.

Bone is a nanocomposite material where the hard inorganic (hydroxyapatite crystallites) and organic (collagen fibrils) components are hierarchically arranged in the nanometer scale. Bone quality is dependent on the spatial distributions in the shape, size and composition of bone constituents (mineral, collagen and water). Bone hardness is an important property of bone, which includes both elastic and plastic deformation. In this study, a microhardness test was performed on a deer bone samples. The deer tibia shaft (diaphysis) was divided into several cross-sections of equal thickness; samples were prepared in untreated, boiled water treatment (100 °C for 30 min) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) treatment conditions. Microhardness tests were performed on various regions of the tibial diaphysis to study the heterogeneous characteristics of bone microhardness and highlight the role of the organic matrix in bone hardness. The results indicated that boiled water treatment has a strong negative correlation with bone hardness. The untreated bone was significantly (+20%) harder than the boiled-water-treated bone. In general, the hardness values near the periosteal surface was significantly (23 to 45%) higher than the ones near the endosteal surface. Samples treated with NaOCl showed a significant reduction in hardness.

The introduction of the European fallow deer to the northern provinces of the Roman Empire: a multi-proxy approach to the Herstal skeleton (Belgium)

Many exotic animal species were introduced to Northern Europe during the Roman period, including fallow deer (Dama dama). To date, however, finds of fallow deer bones at archaeological sites in this region have been sporadic and disarticulated, leaving uncertainty over their origins. This article presents the first known articulated fallow deer skeleton from Roman North-western Europe. Osteological, ancient DNA, radiocarbon dating and stable isotope analyses confirm that the species was established in this region by the Roman period, probably originating from translocated, rather than native, Mediterranean populations. Clarifying the origins of fallow deer in North-western Europe is critical for understanding the dynamics of species exchange around the Roman Empire.

Accumulation of Toxic Elements in Bone and Bone Marrow of Deer Living in Various Ecosystems. A Case Study of Farmed and Wild-Living Deer.

Simple SummaryToxic elements (TE) such as Be—beryllium, Al—aluminum, As—arsenic, Cd—cadmium, Sb—antimony, Ba—barium, Pb—lead, V—vanadium, Ni—nickel, Tl—thallium may negatively impact bone cells even at low concentrations. This is especially undesirable when they are released from the bone marrow. Therefore, in this study, the concentrations of TE in the bone marrow and bones of wild and farmed red deer were compared to evaluate the influence of the external environment on the absorption and accumulation of various harmful elements. The obtained results show that higher accumulation was detected only in the case of As, Ba, and Pb in the bones of the wild red deer, compared to the farmed group. In turn, higher levels of Al in the bone marrow and bones, as well as Cd in the bones were recorded in the farmed animals. Although the study involved animals living in an area that is regarded as being unpolluted, the concentrations of some heavy metals were higher than values reported from industrial regions.The aim of the study was to determine the concentrations of toxic elements accumulated in the bone marrow and bones (Cervus elaphus). The studies were carried out on two groups of young stags: farmed (n = 6) and wild (n = 9). Their body weights were measured and bone and bone marrow samples were collected. The concentrations of toxic elements were analyzed using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry technique. The mean aluminum content in the bone marrow and bones of the farmed animals was significantly higher than in the wild group (p < 0.05). The mean concentration of arsenic, barium and lead in the bones of the wild red deer was significantly higher than in the bones of the farmed animals (p < 0.05), while the cadmium concentration in the bones of the farmed red deer exceeded the value determined in the wild animals. A significant difference was found between the mean concentrations of aluminum, arsenic, barium, lead, vanadium and nickel in the bone marrow and bones of both red deer groups (p < 0.05). Although the study involved animals living in an uncontaminated area, the concentrations of some heavy metals were higher than values reported from industrial regions.

Isotopic Ecology in Modern and Holocene Populations of Pampas Deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) from Eastern Central Argentina. Implications for Conservation Biology and Ecological Models of Hunter-gatherer Subsistence

ABSTRACT The Pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) is an endangered ungulate from South American. The following paper presents the first investigation on the isotopic ecology (δ13Ccollagen; δ15Ncollagen) of modern populations of Pampas deer. The information obtained is compared with new δ13C and δ15N data of Pampas deer bones recovered from archaeological sites in the Central Pampean Dunefields (Inland Pampa phytogeographic area) and with previously published archeofaunistic isotope data for sites from eastern central Argentina. The range of δ13C values of Pampas deer is broad, ranging from a diet dominated by C3 plants to a mixed diet of C3 and C4 plants. The δ15N values mainly show distinct signals between the Atlantic coast and the interior. The diet breadth of the Pampas deer suggests a high adaptability to different environments, a crucial factor for conservation programs of this species. The δ13C values of the Inland Pampa do not show great differences between the Middle Holocene, Late Holocene and today. Adaptation strategies of the Pampas deer to the environmental changes during the Holocene were not associated with a modification of their feeding habits, but rather with social and demographic strategies. These variations in ecology conditioned the predictability of this prey for hunter-gatherers.

Investigating the exploitation pattern of a newly established species, the case of the Late-Glacial roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) at La Fru (Savoie, France)

The Late-Glacial period offers a key window into the expansion of temperate species from southern refugia towards northern areas and the impact of faunal change on hunting strategies. In the Jura and in the Alps, the arrival of red deer and the withdrawal of reindeer are coeval with the warming of the GI-1e. Very little is known about roe deer, however. A high-resolution study of the rich archaeofauna from the Early Azilian occupation at the Northern Alpine site of La Fru provides data on the habitat and exploitation of roe deer. Roe deer populations were already established in the region in the early Bolling (~GI-1e), as is shown by the earliest radiocarbon date of roe deer bones (14.7–14.3 ky cal BP, 1σ). This is the earliest post-Last Glacial Maximum evidence of this species in northern France. The specimens from the site show the highest δ15N values among the deer species present in the areas. This is probably linked to the roe deer’s selective foraging of highly nutritious vegetation already available in the open habitat at that time. Our zooarchaeological study shows that roe deer was a key resource at La Fru and was intensively hunted between May and September. The mortality profile indicates a “deliberate” targeting of inexperienced subadults and weaker older animals. These new data provide further evidence that there was both a reorganization of the animal environment and a reorientation of hunting on red deer and roe deer associated with the Early Azilian culture during the Bolling chronozone.

Cervus and cucumis peptides combined umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells therapy for rheumatoid arthritis.

Cervus and cucumis peptides (Lugua polypeptides, LG) are traditional Chinese medicine, which are active components of polypeptide extracted from Sika deer bone and melon seed, and they contain bone induced polypeptide biological factors. Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell, (UC-MSC) have tissue repair multiple effects, anti-inflammatory, and immune regulation function, which become a very promising start in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment. Hence, LG combined UC-MSC can significantly enhance the UC-MSC treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).To explore the clinical curative effect and therapeutic mechanism of LG combined UC-MSC for treating RA.119 patients were divided into control and treatment groups, and both groups were treated with methotrexate tablets, leflunomide, and UC-MSC. But, LG were added to the treatment group. In vitro, the effects of LG on UC-MSC cell secretion of anti-inflammatory factors were also performed.The Health Assessment Questionnaire; the 28 joint disease activity score; C reactive protein; the erythrocyte sedimentation rate; rheumatoid factor; and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody were significantly reduced in treatment group 1 year after treatment (P < .05). In vitro, compared with the control group, the number of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), the secretion of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and tumor necrosis factor-inducible gene 6 protein (TSG6) increased significantly (P < .05).LG combined UC-MSCs can significantly improve the curative effect of RA patients, while LG may reduce inflammatory cytokines, regulate immunity, improve microcirculation, and are conducive to UC-MSCs migration and the repair of damaged tissue.

Punzones de hueso de Odocoileus virginianus (Artiodactyla: Cervidae) de un depósito arqueológico del Posclásico temprano en la costa de Jalisco, México

Se describen punzones elaborados con huesos metapodiales de venado cola blanca (Odocoileus virginianus) encontrados en el sitio arqueológico Arroyo Piedras Azules (1215 de nuestra era) del centro occidente de México. Se especula que fueron utilizados para fabricación de vestimentas, uso en telares o perforaciones corporales.

Following white-tailed deer to the hilltop: A zooarchaeological and taphonomic analysis of deer hunting at Cerro Mangote, a Late Preceramic (7800-4600 cal yr BP) site in central Pacific Panama

The white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimmermann 1780) was an apex species for Precolumbian subsistence in the anthropogenic savannas and tropical dry forests bordering Parita Bay on the central Pacific coast of Panama. This paper focusses on Late Preceramic Cerro Mangote, a multi-component site whose domestic occupation corresponds to a maximum time-period of 7900 and 4600 cal BP. At this time, this site's inhabitants developed mixed subsistence strategies including farming and hunting, along with coastal fishing and invertebrate collection. Communities across the seasonally dry and windy plains and foothills of the central Pacific practiced swidden agriculture – a variety of plant food production that would have favored “garden hunting” (sensu Linares 1976), which, in this region, most likely involved white-tailed deer because of this species' acknowledged attraction to cultivated plots. Zooarchaeological and taphonomic analyses of white-tailed deer bone, tooth and antler samples from Cerro Mangote are based on two sequential Late Preceramic occupation layers. Results reveal that the same strategies for white-tailed deer hunting and for the treatment of their carcasses continued without change throughout the Late Preceramic period at Cerro Mangote.

Examination of Hacking and Blunt Force Skeletal Trauma.

Hacking trauma is prevalent in forensic cases involving genocide and dismemberment, but research into the identification of this type of trauma is lacking. The present study examines characteristics of hacking and blunt force skeletal trauma in order to determine if there is a point at which blunt force trauma becomes distinguishable from hacking trauma. Ten implements with a range of blade angles (i.e., the striking surface of the implement) were used in conjunction with a controlled-force hacking device to impact 100 limb bones of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Observations of the trauma included the occurrence and degree of fragmentation, the entrance widths of the impacts, and composite scores of six hacking characteristics, especially the distinctive V-shaped kerf. ANOVA tests and regression analyses were used to assess the relationships between these characteristics and the blade angles. A significant relationship (p-value = 0.011) was found between the composite hacking scores and the blade angles, indicating that blunt force and hacking trauma can be distinguished. The entrance widths of the impacts exhibited a significant relationship with the blade angles (p-value = 0.037). There was also a significant relationship between the visibility of a V-shaped kerf in the bones (p-value = 0.003), with visibility decreasing around the 60° blade angle. These data should assist in establishing guidelines to differentiate hacking and blunt force skeletal trauma in cases where the implement is on a spectrum between sharp and blunt.

Laser-Induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for the analyses of faunal bones: Assembling of individuals and elemental quantification

Among the innumerable remains that appear in the archaeological sites, the faunal fossil remains are one of the most numerous. Different specialities study these fossil remains of fauna from different perspectives. Among them, the quantification of the remains is some of the most important information, since they allow us to estimate what species there are and what representativeness they can have. The problem is that the archaeological sites usually consist of several bones from different species and individuals. The minimum number of individuals (MNI) is usually used to estimate the representativeness of the species (e.g. there are 4 individuals of deer and 3 individuals of horses). The problem with this technique is that it does not allow to relate the remains that appear with each individual in a concrete way. Just the DNA analysis is necessary to reassemble the remains. However, the high cost and difficulty of implementation of DNA analysis do not allow performing a genetic study. In this paper, the combination of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and Neural Networks (NN) has been successfully implemented to discriminate and reassemble wild deer bones from different individuals. This is a step further from human bones classification and one step behind the archaeological bones classification. The elemental composition of bones provides enough information to get the correct discrimination of different individuals. The spectral correlation has exceeded 93 %. There have been no false positives and negatives. Also, the quantification of the different inorganic elements present in all bone samples has been achieved by the Calibration-Free LIBS (CF-LIBS) approach. Both approaches are different, NN is more qualitative and CF-LIBS, quantitative. Usually, chemometric methods are employed for the discrimination of samples, but it is an approach that requires a lot of LIBS spectra in order to perform the training, validation and test. In the case of CF-LIBS, only one spectrum with a certain degree of accumulation is necessary to obtain the elemental concentration. Thus, both approaches have been explored in this work. This fast analysis could allow archaeologist to perform a correct classification of individuals without performing several DNA´s analysis. This would save time and resources.

Anatomy, Morphometry and Radiography in the thoracic limb bones of the Patagonian Huemul Deer (Hippocamelus bisulcus).

The aim of this study was to provide morphometric, anatomic and radiographic data of the thoracic limb bones of the Patagonian Huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus) including a functional interpretation of this, as a reference for clinical use, biomedical research and teaching purposes. Currently, the Patagonian huemul deer is in danger of becoming extinct due to multiple causes. Research carried out for its conservation has focused mainly on its ecology and pathology, leaving gaps in biological knowledge, which is basic and important for its comprehension. This study was conducted to reveal the gross osteology and radiology features of the thoracic limb bones of the Patagonian huemul deer. The osteological findings suggest the presence of powerful flexor muscles in the scapulohumeral and elbow joints, useful to cushion the jumps. Also, the principal nutrient foramen of Patagonian huemul differs in position with respect to domestic ungulates, which may be important to consider during surgical procedures. Finally, the radiographic data can provide new information about the tissue loading conditions in Patagonian huemul, so that this new knowledge can be of great importance for a better understanding of mechanically induced or adaptive changes in bone produced by habitat or other ecological phenomena.

Establishment and comparative analysis of HPLC fingerprints of deer tissues

Context With the increasing use of velvet antlers (VA) as functional food or traditional Chinese medicine, the quality control has become more and more important. Aims Establish an effective method to provide a way of distinguishing VA from other types of deer tissue. Methods In the present study, 18 samples from three types of deer tissue were analysed on the basis of high-performance liquid chromatography, and a chromatogram of each sample was obtained. Then, these chromatograms were processed using the similarity evaluation system for chromatographic fingerprints of traditional Chinese medicine, to give the fingerprints of three deer tissues. The chemometric methods were used to analyse the fingerprint results, so as to identify the three types of deer tissue. Key results Shared peaks of VA, venison and deer bone were identified using similarity evaluation system. The results showed that, in total, 19 peaks were identified among these three types of deer tissue. Compared with venison, VA lacked three peaks (Numbers 3, 4 and 17); compared with deer bone, VA had six extra peaks (Numbers 2, 5, 8, 9, 14 and 19). The results of chemometric methods showed that different tissue samples could be classified into three categories by using both cluster analysis and principal component analysis. After principal component analysis and partial least-square discrimination analysis, seven peaks were selected, which had significant influence on the classification of VA, venison and deer bone. Conclusions The high-performance liquid-chromatography fingerprints in combination with chemometric methods can be used to effectively distinguish three deer tissue types, namely, VA, venison and deer bone. Implications We believe the method offers a useful tool much needed in the current Chinese velvet market.

Simultaneously quantitative analysis of peptides and chemical components in Cervus and Cucumis polypeptide injection (Songmeile®) using reversed phase liquid chromatography-hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Co-occurrences of peptides and chemical components are usually observed in complicated matrices. Notably, those traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions (TCMPs) contain both plant and animal ingredients. It is still challenging to simultaneously monitor peptides and chemical components attributing to their different liquid chromatographic (LC) and mass spectrometric (MS) behaviors. Herein, efforts were made to pursue an eligible approach enabling simultaneous determination of peptides and chemical components in a TCMP namely Cervus and Cucumis polypeptide injection (CCPI, Songmeile®) that is prepared from the acid hydrolytic peptide-enriched extract of Sika deer (Cervus nippon Temminck) bone and the aqueous extract of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) seeds. Reversed phase liquid chromatography and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography were serially connected (RPLC-HILIC) to achieve comprehensive retention and separation. Sensitive detection was accomplished with selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode, and multiply charged and singly charged ion transitions were defined for peptides and chemical components, respectively. Inter-batch variations of CCPI were evaluated in an authentic compound-independent manner. In particular, online energy-resolved MS was proposed to gain optimal parameters for five targeted peptides after that CCPI peptidome was profiled using nanoLC-LTQ Orbitrap Velos Pro MS. A so-called universal metabolome standard (UMS) sample was built for calibration curve construction and subsequently applied to acquire the quasi-contents of all 31 analytes, including five peptides and 26 chemical components, in ten batches of CCPI (CCPI1–CCPI10). The quantitative dataset revealed mild fluctuation for the quasi-content profiles of analytes-of-interest within different batches. More importantly, RPLC-HILIC–SRM is a promising method to fully address the demands of simultaneous measurement of peptides and chemical components in complicated matrices, and it might be a robust analytical tool for in-depth quality evaluation of CCPI as well as other TCMPs.

Behind white-tailed deer teeth: A micro- and mesowear analysis from three Panamanian pre-Columbian archaeological sites

The white tailed-deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimmermann 1780) is one of the largest mammals in Holocene America. It was a primary resource for pre-Columbian communities in the wooded savannas of Panama for several millennia. The oldest remains yet found refer to the Late Preceramic period (6000-4500 cal yr BP), when people were already farming (i.e. at Cerro Mangote). Deer bones, antlers, and inferentially, sinews and skins, were used for tools, ornaments, musical instruments, and furniture. A prominent role in regional (i.e., Greater Coclé) symbolism is evidenced by the frequent representation of these cervids on ceramic, gold, and bone art objects at hierarchized villages and burial grounds during the period 2300-500 cal yr BP. We infer the duration and seasonality of human-deer interactions across a region characterized climatically by ~4 month intense dry seasons, and ~8 month unpredictable wet seasons. We combine microwear and mesowear analyses of deer teeth at three pre-Columbian sites with different time spans –Cerro Mangote (AG-1) (5900-3020 cal yr BP), Sitio Sierra (AG-3) (2300-500 cal yr BP), and Cerro Juan Díaz (LS-3) (2300-400 cal yr BP)–. The two dental wear methods indicate that the white-tailed deer was a browser at these sites. The microwear results, based on the degree of variability in the numbers of microwear traits such as scratches and pits, show that white-tailed deer hunting was restricted to wet seasons at Cerro Mangote and Cerro Juan Díaz while, at Sitio Sierra, different kinds of occupational events involving white-tailed deer occurred throughout the year.