贵州发现昆明钝头蛇

2020年8月在贵州省普安县（25°47′02″N,105°01′07″E,海拔1 636 m）采集到3号蛇类标本。它们在形态上与昆明钝头蛇（Pareas niger）相似。基于线粒体细胞色素b(Cytb)基因序列构建的系统发育树显示,此次采集的钝头蛇标本与昆明钝头蛇的1号地模标本序列聚为一支,它们之间的遗传距离为0.4%,远小于钝头蛇属物种之间的遗传距离（5.60%～23.90%）。综合形态比较和分子系统发育分析结果,确定此次采集到的钝头蛇标本为昆明钝头蛇,为贵州省爬行动物分布新记录种。     

滇绒鼠在四川的分类与分布厘定

2019至2023年,在四川省珙县（104°50′05″E,27°54′27″N,海拔1 331 m）和叙永县（105°32′05″E,28°13′51″N,海拔1370m）分别采集到2号和4号绒鼠类成体标本。这些标本个体较小,尾长约为体长的41%,形态鉴定属于滇绒鼠（Eothenomys eleusis）。对所采标本的Cyt b基因进行PCR扩增和测序,并结合从GenBank下载的绒鼠属物种序列构建贝叶斯基因树,结果显示：所采标本与滇绒鼠指名亚种（E. e. eleusis）聚为一个支系（贝叶斯后验概率为1.0）,遗传距离为0.8%,与滇绒鼠aurora亚种（E.e.aurora）的遗传距离为2.5%。根据标本形态、头骨特征,结合分子生物学证据,确定所采6号标本为滇绒鼠,是该物种在四川省的首次确认分布记录。标本现存于四川省林业科学研究院动物标本馆（编号分别为SAF19843、SAF19844、SAF220125、SAF220131、SAF23176和SAF23177）。     

云南老君山发现福建华珊瑚蛇

<正>2014年4月20日,在云南省麻栗坡县老君山的季风常绿阔叶林(22°57′0.97″N,104°36′17.27″E,海拔1 218 m)采集到蛇类标本1号,经鉴定为福建华珊瑚蛇(Sinomicrurus kelloggi,图1)。该物种国内已知分布于安徽、浙江、福建、江西、湖南、海南、广东、广西、贵州和重庆,国外分布于越南和老挝。本次发现为云南省首次发现。标本现保存在国家林业局昆明勘察设计院标本室。     

江西武夷山自然保护区发现大眼斜鳞蛇

<正>2014年7月23日,在江西武夷山国家级自然保护区叶家厂附近(27°52′42.07″N,117°43′25.24″E,海拔963 m)采集到蛇类标本1号,鉴定为大眼斜鳞蛇(Pseudoxenodon macrops)。经查阅文献,为江西省首次发现该物种(钟昌富2004,赵尔宓2006,程松林等2009),距离本发现地最近的该物种分布地位于福建省邵武县(赵尔宓1998)。标本保存在江西武夷山国家级自然保护区标本室(编号:WYS2014072501)。该标本为幼体,体长255 mm,尾长50 mm,头宽5.5 mm。头顶有两条黑色横纹,中间有1道相当于顶鳞长     

上海市发现钝尾两头蛇

正2017年9月8日,在上海市大金山岛的南坡中段(30°41′30″N,121°25′04″E,海拔40 m)距山脚约30 m和40 m处,采集到2号蛇类尸体标本。经查阅文献(浙江动物志委员会1990,赵尔宓1999,2006)和鉴定,确认为游蛇科(Colubridae)两头蛇属(Calamaria)的钝尾两头蛇(C.septentrionalis),系上海市首次发现。标本现保存于上海自然博物馆的两栖爬行类标本库房。     

高黎贡山发现野生林猬种群，希望有兴趣的专家加盟开展深入研究

2003年至今,云南高黎贡山国家级自然保护区保山管理局工作人员在进行高黎贡山国家级自然保护区野生动物监测时发现,在高黎贡山南段,地理位置介于东经98°44′35″—98°46′20″,北纬24°50′49″—24°58′35″之间,有野生林猬种群。该物种主要分布在海拔2200—2681m之间的中山湿性常绿阔叶林和杜鹃苔藓矮林之中,以昆虫为主食。在其人工饲养中,     

湖南南山国家公园发现花坪角蟾

2023年6月12日,在湖南省城步县南山国家公园（110°11′42″E,26°11′54″N）采集到无尾目（Anura）角蟾科（Megophryidae）布角蟾属（Boulenophrys）雌性标本1号（标本号NS20230612）,现保存于湖南师范大学生命科学学院脊椎动物学实验室。该标本背部皮肤光滑有痣粒,两侧皮肤松弛,有刺疣,背部灰褐色,背中央有深色“X”形斑,与花坪角蟾（B. mirabilis）形态鉴别特征一致。基于线粒体16Sr RNA和COI基因片段进行的系统发育分析结果显示,该标本与花坪角蟾聚为一支;平均遗传距离为0.28%,远小于布角蟾属物种间的遗传距离。结合形态特征比较与系统发育关系重建,鉴定该标本为角蟾科布角蟾属花坪角蟾,查阅相关文献资料,确认花坪角蟾为湖南省两栖纲分布新记录种。该物种的发现丰富了南山国家公园的两栖爬行动物物种多样性,同时为该物种分类及谱系地理学研究提供了参考资料。     

山西阳城发现刘氏链蛇

正2018年8月8日,在山西阳城蟒河猕猴国家级自然保护区内树皮沟管护站的前庄(35°17′16.45″N,112°25′24.10″E,970 m)采到1蛇类标本。经鉴定,该蛇隶属于游蛇科(Colubridae)链蛇属(Lycodon),为刘氏链蛇(L. liuchengchaoi),为山西省爬行动物分布新记录种。标本现保存于山西阳城蟒河猕猴国家级自然保护区标     

湖南壶瓶山发现刘氏链蛇

正自原始描述发表以来,刘氏链蛇(Lycodon liuchengchaoi Zhang,Jiang,Vogal,Rao,2011)仅已知分布于四川(中部、西北部)(Zhang et al.2011)、陕西(南部)(彭丽芳等2014)、安徽(Zhang et al.2015)及浙江(彭丽芳等2017)四省。2016年7月21日,作者于湖南壶瓶山国家级自然保护区的落叶阔叶林(110°47′23.45″E,30°03′42.27″N,海拔1 421 m)采集到雄性成体蛇类标本1号(标本号:20160721303,图1),标本保存在湖南壶瓶山国家级自然     

河南省驻马店发现大别山原矛头蝮

<正>2016年9月17日,河南省驻马店市西平县村民王孝在自家果园中(33°11′32.45″N,113°37′19.42″E,海拔218 m)采集到1号蛇类标本,置于75%酒精保存后,送至沈阳师范大学两栖爬行动物研究所,经鉴定为蝰科(Viperidae)蝮亚科(Crotalinae)原矛头蝮属(Protobothrops)大别山原矛头蝮(P.dabieshanensis),为河南省蛇类新纪录种,     

Simultaneous measurement of the trace elements Al, As, B, Be, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Rb, Se, Sr, and Zn in human serum and their reference ranges by ICP-MS

The goal of this article was to establish reference ranges of the concentration of trace elements in human serum and to compare these results with those reported by other authors. We describe the sample preparation and measurement conditions that allow the rapid, precise, and accurate determination of Al, As, B, Be, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Rb, Se, Sr, and Zn in human serum samples (n=110) by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Accuracy and precision were determined by analyzing three reconstituted reference serum samples by comparison with other methods and by the standard addition procedure. The advantages of the ICP-MS method include short time of analysis of the elements mentioned, low detection limit, high precision, and high accuracy. Disadventages include a high risk of contamination due to the presence of some of the elements of interest in the environment, the relatively delicate sample handling, and the high cost of the equipment.     

Distribution of N,P, K,Ca, Mg,S, Zn,Fe, Mn and Cu in groundnut

Summary Concentration of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S in summer groundnut crop was higher than in kharif while Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu contents were higher in summer crop. Kernel's N, P and Zn; Leaflet's Ca and Mn; Stem's K and Fe; Root's S and Cu and Petiole's Mg contents were highest. Shell's N, P, K, Mg, S, Zn and Cu; Kernel's Ca, Fe and Mn contents were the least. N, P, K, S, Zn and Cu concentrations decreased linearly as the crop grew. Ca, Mg, Fe and Mn concentrations did not display any distinct pattern. Ca concentration was positively correlated with pod yield in both the seasons.     

Reference values for the concentrations of As,Cd, Co,Cr, Cu,Fe, I,Hg, Mn,Mo, Ni,Pb, Se,and Zn in selected human tissues and body fluids

This report attempts to formulate reference ranges of elemental concentrations for 15 trace elements in selected human tissues and body fluids. A set of samples consisting of whole blood, blood serum, urine, milk, liver, and hair were chosen and considered for 15 elements of biological significance: As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, F, Fe, I, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn. The results represent wholly or partially data received from 40 countries of the global regions of Africa, Asia, Europe, North, South, and Central America, Australia, and New Zealand. This survey, even if qualitative, has been useful in demonstrating certain trends of trace-element scenarios around the world. It is of course recognized that both diet and environment exert a strong influence on the distribution pattern of several elements, such as As, Cd, Mn, Pb, Se, and Zn. A limited comparison of the available information on soil status of different countries reflected some interesting associations for elements, such as Mn and Zn. Importantly, this study revealed that only a few countries were in a position to identify a reasonable amount of data on samples requested for this project. Regretably, for a number of countries, any dependable data for even such essential elements as Cu, Fe, and Zn were not available. In view of the nutritional importance of many elements, the time is ripe for concerted efforts by intergovernmental agencies to initiate investigations or commission task forces/projects to generate reliable reference data for selected global regions, which sadly lack data of any kind at present.     

Relations of the Al,B, Ba,Br, Ca,Cl, Cu,Fe, K,Li, Mg,Mn, Na,P, S,Si, Sr,and Zn mass fractions to morphometric parameters in pediatric and nonhyperplastic young adult prostate glands

The variation with age of the 18 trace element mass fractions and some histological characteristics of intact prostate glands of 50 subjects aged 0–30 years was investigated by instrumental neutron activation analysis, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, and a quantitative morphometric analysis. Mean values ± standard error of the mean (M ± SΕΜ) for the mass fractions (in milligrams per kilogram wet tissue) of these trace elements in pre-puberty were: Al 28.5 ± 9.0, B 0.40 ± 0.11, Ba 1.48 ± 0.44, Br 10.5 ± 1.5, Ca 241 ± 30, Cl 3,203 ± 278, Cu 3.51 ± 0.89, Fe 33.7 ± 4.1, K 2,364 ± 145, Li 0.020 ± 0.004, Mg 153 ± 23, Mn 0.46 ± 0.06, Na 2,286 ± 130, P 1,391 ± 100, S 1,698 ± 132, Si 62 ± 11, Sr 0.38 ± 0.08, and Zn 27.6 ± 2.3. During puberty and postpuberty, when there is a significant increase in circulating androgens, the mean values were: Al 7.2 ± 1.4, B 0.21 ± 0.05, Ba 0.25 ± 0.06, Br 5.8 ± 1.0, Ca 433 ± 81, Cl 2,314 ± 201, Cu 1.77 ± 0.13, Fe 20.9 ± 1.6, K 2,585 ± 118, Li 0.0088 ± 0.0014, Mg 232 ± 27, Mn 0.34 ± 0.04, Na 1,875 ± 107, P 1,403 ± 98, S 1,673 ± 73, Si 22.2 ± 3.1, Sr 0.22 ± 0.03, and Zn 93.3 ± 8.9. Mean values (M ± SΕΜ) of percent volumes (%) of the stroma, epithelium and lumen in the prostate before puberty were 73.4 ± 2.6, 20.4 ± 1.7, and 4.45 ± 0.94, respectively, versus 46.5 ± 2.5, 38.5 ± 1.9, and 14.9 ± 1.2 during puberty and postpuberty. This work’s results confirm that the Zn mass fraction in prostate tissue is an androgen-dependent parameter. For the first time it has been demonstrated that the glandular lumen is a main pool of Ca, Mg, and Zn accumulation and that the stroma is a main pool of Al, B, Ba, Br, Cl, Cu, Fe, Mn, Na, and Si accumulation in the normal human prostate, for the age range 0–30 years. It was concluded that the Ca, Mg, and Zn binds tightly within the prostatic fluid, because the volume of glandular lumen reflects the volume of prostatic fluid.     

The Effect of Age and Gender on Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, P, S, Sr, V, and Zn Contents in Rib Bone of Healthy Humans

The effect of age and gender on major, minor, and trace element contents in the intact rib bone of 80 relatively healthy 15–55-year-old women and men was investigated. Contents or upper limit of contents of 16 chemical elements in the rib bone were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Mean values (M?±?SΕΜ) for the mass fraction of Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Na, P, S, Sr, and Zn (milligram per kilogram of dry bone) were as follows: 2.54?±?0.16, 171,400?±?4,050, 1.35?±?0.22, 140?±?11, 1,874?±?71, 0.049?±?0.011, 2,139?±?38, 5,378?±?88, 75,140?±?1,660, 1,881?±?51, 291?±?20, and 92.8?±?1.5, respectively. The upper limits of contents of Al, B, Mn, and V were <7.20, <0.65, <0.36, and <0.03, respectively. Statistically significant tendency for the Ca, Mg, and P content to decrease with age was found in the human rib bone, regardless of gender. The mass fraction of Fe in the male rib bone increases with age. It was shown that higher Ca, Mg, Na, P, and Sr mass fractions as well as lower Fe content were typical of female ribs as compared to those in male ribs.     

Monovalent Cation Permeation through the Connexin40 Gap Junction Channel : Cs,Rb, K,Na, Li,TEA, TMA,TBA, and Effects of Anions Br,Cl, F,Acetate, Aspartate,Glutamate, and NO3

The unitary conductances and permeability sequences of the rat connexin40 (rCx40) gap junction channels to seven monovalent cations and anions were studied in rCx40-transfected neuroblastoma 2A (N2A) cell pairs using the dual whole cell recording technique. Chloride salt cation substitutions (115 mM principal salt) resulted in the following junctional maximal single channel current-voltage relationship slope conductances (γ_j in pS): CsCl (153), RbCl (148), KCl (142), NaCl (115), LiCl (86), TMACl (71), TEACl (63). Reversible block of the rCx40 channel was observed with TBA. Potassium anion salt γ_j are: Kglutamate (160), Kacetate (160), Kaspartate (158), KNO₃ (157), KF (148), KCl (142), and KBr (132). Ion selectivity was verified by measuring reversal potentials for current in rCx40 gap junction channels with asymmetric salt solutions in the two electrodes and using the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation to calculate relative permeabilities. The permeabilities relative to Li⁺ are: Cs⁺ (1.38), Rb⁺ (1.32), K⁺ (1.31), Na⁺ (1.16), TMA⁺ (0.53), TEA⁺ (0.45), TBA⁺ (0.03), Cl⁻ (0.19), glutamate⁻ (0.04), and NO₃− (0.14), assuming that the monovalent anions permeate the channel by forming ion pairs with permeant monovalent cations within the pore thereby causing proportionate decreases in the channel conductance. This hypothesis can account for why the predicted increasing conductances with increasing ion mobilities in an essentially aqueous channel were not observed for anions in the rCx40 channel. The rCx40 effective channel radius is estimated to be 6.6 Å from a theoretical fit of the relationship of relative permeability and cation radius.     

Crystal structure, detonation performance, and thermal stability of a new polynitro cage compound: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15-nonanitro-2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15-nonaazaheptacyclo [5.5.1.13, 11. 15, 9] pentadecane

A new polynitro cage compound 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15-nonanitro-2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15-nonaazaheptcyclo [5.5.1.1(3,11).1(5,9)] pentadecane (NNNAHP) was designed in the present work. Its molecular structure was optimized at the B3LYP/6-31 G(d,p) level of density functional theory (DFT) and crystal structure was predicted using the Compass and Dreiding force fields and refined by DFT GGA-RPBE method. The obtained crystal structure of NNNAHP belongs to the P-1 space group and the lattice parameters are a = 9.99 ?, b = 10.78 ?, c = 9.99 ?, α = 90.01°, β = 120.01°, γ = 90.00°, and Z = 2, respectively. Based on the optimized crystal structure, the band gap, density of state, thermodynamic properties, infrared spectrum, strain energy, detonation characteristics, and thermal stability were predicted. Calculation results show that NNNAHP has detonation properties close to those of CL-20 and is a high energy density compound with moderate stability.     

Competitive inhibition and selectivity enhancement by Ca in the uptake of inorganic elements (Be, Na, Mg, K, Ca, Sc, Mn, Co, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Ce, Pm, Gd, Hf) by carrot (Daucus carota cv. U.S. harumakigosun)

We investigated the uptake of inorganic elements (Be, Na, Mg, K, Ca, Sc, Mn, Co, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Ce, Pm, Gd, and Hf) and the effect of Ca on their uptake in carrots (Daucus carota cv. U.S. harumakigosun) by the radioactive multitracer technique. The experimental results suggested that Na, Mg, K, and Rb competed for the functional groups outside the cells in roots with Ca but not for the transporter-binding sites on the plasma membrrane of the root cortex cells. In contrast, Y, Ce, Pm, and Gd competed with Ca for the transporters on the plasma membrane. The selectivity, which was defined as the value obtained by dividing the concentration ratio of an elemental pair, K/Na, Rb/Na, Be/Sr, and Mg/Sr, in the presence of 0.2 and 2 ppm Ca by that of the corresponding elemental pair in the absence of Ca in the solution was estimated. The selectivity of K and Rb in roots was increased in the presence of Ca. The selectivity of Be in roots was not affected, whereas the selectivity of Mg was increased by Ca. These observations suggest that the presence of Ca in the uptake solution enhances the selectivity in the uptake of metabolically important elements against unwanted elements.