腾格里沙漠沙坡头地区荒漠地衣与生物地毯工程

文章论述了荒漠地衣与“沙漠生物地毯工程”。在沙坡头结皮微型生物中发现了23种地衣,其中两个新种已发表,一属6种为中国新记录。对于在腾格里沙漠东南角沙坡头地区人工植被固沙防护体系建成后的生态演替进行了分析。由于人工植被为形成结皮的微型生物提供了适宜的生长环境而导致微型生物结皮的形成和发育。在水分平衡规律的作用下漫长生态演替过程中,具有抽水机效应的人工植被使沙土深层水分消耗殆尽,从而导致人工植被自身逐年衰退。然而,与此相反的是无抽水机效应而具有固沙、固碳和抗旱功能的结皮微型生物却逐年形成并发育。这一结果为借助于结皮微型生物的接种技术在干旱沙漠构建“沙漠生物地毯工程”的可行性提供了科学依据。为了优化“沙漠生物地毯工程”利用荒漠地衣耐旱基因以构建转基因草地植物的研究也正在进行中。该研究是“沙漠生物地毯工程”基础研究的组成部分。     

荒漠地衣结皮研究进展

微型生物结皮在干旱、半干旱荒漠地区广泛分布,对维持荒漠生态系统的稳定性具有重要作用。地衣结皮是微型生物结皮的重要组成部分及主要类型之一,在固沙、固碳和固氮能力方面独具优势。本文从区域尺度和局部尺度综述了国内外荒漠地衣分布、群落组成及其影响因素,从微尺度探讨了荒漠地衣在形成过程中可能相关的生物因子的作用与功能。虽已有研究发现气候类型、降水量、土壤理化性质、微地形和温度会对荒漠地衣生长型、种类、丰度及盖度产生影响,来自地衣体、地衣结皮和地衣结皮土壤中的生物因素与维持地衣正常生命活动及分布之间存在相关关系,但上述结论尚具有一定的局限性,主要表现在区域尺度仍缺乏专门对荒漠地衣的研究,微尺度缺乏对地衣相关生物功能的实验性探索及验证。上述局限在一定程度上限制了通过人工手段大规模应用荒漠地衣结皮的研究。本文基于国内外研究进展及存在问题,对荒漠地衣结皮应用进行了展望,以期为人工构建荒漠地衣结皮和干旱、半干旱荒漠治理及生态恢复提供新的思路和参考。     

沙坡头植被固沙区生物结皮的发育特征

对沙坡头人工植被区内生物结皮的生物特征和非生物特征进行了调查,利用时空代换法研究了该地区生物结皮的发育和演替特征。结果表明：生物结皮层有着较快的成土过程,随固沙年限的增加,生物结皮的厚度以及结皮中粘土所占的比例增加,容重呈下降趋势;在各固沙年限的生物结皮覆盖区,构成生物结皮的主要优势生物成分为地衣、藻类和苔藓。不同发育年限和不同沙丘部位各类生物结皮的盖度的调查揭示,生物结皮的形成和发育有着重要的生物过程。对沙坡头植被固沙区生物结皮的演化过程进行了系统分析,发现生物结皮是在流沙固定过程中生物成分和非生物成分相互作用的产物,是降尘累积过程、生物过程和成土过程3个阶段的统一,并依据其发生学特点给出了3个发育阶段的定性划分。     

荒漠生物结皮中藻类和苔藓植物研究进展

藻类和苔藓植物是荒漠植被演替过程中常见的两类先锋植物,同时也是生物结皮中生物量最大的2个类群。该文综述了近年来干旱半干旱荒漠地区生物结皮中藻类和苔藓两大类植物区系及其生态作用的研究进展,重点介绍藻类结皮、苔藓结皮的生态作用以及二者之间存在的生态学关系。在此基础上对荒漠生物结皮中藻类与苔藓植物的研究前景进行了展望,指出荒漠生物结皮中藻类与苔藓共生机理的探讨是未来的研究重点,这对进一步探明生物结皮中藻类和苔藓植物之间的相互作用,揭示它们的生态学关系具有重要的理论意义和实践价值。     

荒漠生物结皮中藻类和苔藓植物研究进展

藻类和苔藓植物是荒漠植被演替过程中常见的两类先锋植物, 同时也是生物结皮中生物量最大的2个类群。该文综述了近年来干旱半干旱荒漠地区生物结皮中藻类和苔藓两大类植物区系及其生态作用的研究进展, 重点介绍藻类结皮、苔藓结皮的生态作用以及二者之间存在的生态学关系。在此基础上对荒漠生物结皮中藻类与苔藓植物的研究前景进行了展望, 指出荒漠生物结皮中藻类与苔藓共生机理的探讨是未来的研究重点, 这对进一步探明生物结皮中藻类和苔藓植物之间的相互作用, 揭示它们的生态学关系具有重要的理论意义和实践价值。     

腾格里沙漠人工固沙植被演替生物土壤结皮盖度对沙埋的响应

生物土壤结皮(简称结皮)的形成与发展是沙区固沙植被建设成功的重要标志之一,其盖度随固沙植被演替的变化趋势是表征该植被系统地表稳定性的一个直观性生态学指标。利用空间代时间的方法,以腾格里沙漠不同始植年代(1956、1973、1981和1987年)固沙植被区发育的4种优势结皮-真藓(Bryum argenteum Hedw.)结皮、土生对齿藓(Didymodon vinealis(Brid.)Zand.)结皮、齿肋赤藓(Syntrichia caninervis Mitt.)结皮和藻-地衣-藓类混生结皮(Mixed crust)为研究对象,在测定结皮盖度、高度以及粗糙度随沙埋厚度逐渐增加变化的基础上,计算了使结皮盖度(从99.99%)开始降低的初始沙埋厚度(D1)和盖度降低为0%的临界沙埋厚度(D2),研究了该区固沙植被演替过程中结皮盖度对沙埋厚度增加的响应特征及其相关机制。结果显示:(1)4种结皮的盖度随沙埋厚度的增加呈logistic曲线逐渐降低。(2)在同一年代固沙区不同种间比较,混生结皮的D1值最小,D2值最大;真藓结皮的D1和D2值均小于其他两种藓类结皮;土生对齿藓结皮和齿肋赤藓结皮因固沙年限的不同而不同,在1956年固沙区,土生对齿藓结皮齿肋赤藓结皮,而在1973年固沙区和1981年固沙区,齿肋赤藓结皮土生对齿藓结皮。(3)随固沙植被演替,4种结皮盖度随沙埋厚度增加的降低速率逐渐减小,D1和D2值逐渐增大。(4)结皮总盖度随沙埋厚度增加的降低速率逐渐减小,表明随固沙植被演替,结皮对沙埋的抵御能力逐渐增强,固沙区植被系统地表稳定性增加。(5)结皮的粗糙度和高度随固沙植被演替逐渐增加,并显著影响了4种结皮盖度随沙埋厚度增加的降低速率、D1及D2值。研究为全面评估沙埋对沙区结皮结构、功能的影响乃至固沙植被稳定性提供了参考。     

陇中黄土高原典型草原生物土壤结皮发育对土壤养分的影响

为了解生物土壤结皮发育与土壤养分特征的关系,该研究选取处于不同发育阶段和不同盖度的藓结皮(M-crust)和地衣结皮(L-crust),对其结皮层生物体及结皮下层3 cm土壤进行养分分析。结果显示：(1)藓结皮生物体对土壤全氮(TN)、全磷(TP)、铜(Cu)和锌(Zn)的生物富集作用较强,其富集系数分别高达807.4%、175%、122.4%和244.5%,而地衣结皮生物体对TN、TP和钙(Ca)的生物富集作用较强,其富集系数分别高达950.8%、126.2%和208.6%;除Ca外,藓结皮生物体中TP、钠(Na)、钾(K)、Cu、铁(Fe)、镁(Mg)、锰(Mn)和Zn均显著高于地衣结皮。(2)土壤生物结皮盖度与其对应的土壤养分含量之间无显著线性相关关系,但发育有不同盖度藓结皮的土壤其平均TN、TP、Cu、Fe、K、Na和Ca含量均高于地衣结皮。研究表明,不同类型生物土壤结皮对养分吸收、富集效率不同,处于发育后期的藓结皮较发育中期的地衣结皮具有更强的养分累积效应,提高了土壤的养分贮存量,对黄土高原典型草原生态系统的恢复与重建具有潜在的重要影响。     

植被覆盖对科尔沁沙地土壤生物结皮及其下层土壤理化特性的影响

为了解不同植被覆盖对沙地土壤生物结皮及其下层土壤的影响,于2006年调查了科尔沁沙地冷蒿、小红柳、杨树和樟子松等植被封育区土壤生物结皮及结皮下0～5 cm土壤的理化特性.结果表明：经过15年的封育保护和植被建设,科尔沁沙地天然植被和人工植被下流动沙地大部分被生物结皮所覆盖,其结皮覆盖度可达60%～80%,厚度1～2 cm;在调查的几种植被中,小红柳植被区的土壤结皮厚度、硬度、粘粉粒、有机质和养分含量最高,其次是樟子松林地,杨树林地和冷蒿植被区相对较差;几种植被区的苔藓结皮的结皮厚度、硬度、粘粉粒、有机质和养分含量均优于地衣结皮;与流动沙地相比,结皮下0～5 cm土壤的理化特性有明显改善,改善程度苔藓结皮强于地衣结皮,小红柳和樟子松植被区强于杨树林地和冷蒿群丛;土壤结皮及结皮下表土理化特性的变化既受植被覆盖类型的影响,也受制于土壤结皮的发育.由于枝叶繁茂的中、高植被有利于降风滞尘和产生较多的凋落物,因而更能促进沙地结皮发育和土壤改良,而苔藓结皮较地衣结皮更有利于其下层土壤理化特性的改善.     

固定沙丘结皮层藓类植物多样性及固沙作用研究

 根据对沙坡头固定沙丘生物结皮的物种调查、鉴定及盖度和生物量的研究,藓类植物共2科,7属,16种,以真藓（Bryum argenteum）为优势种。随着固沙时间的延长,生物结皮中藓类和藻类总盖度呈上升趋势;沿不同年代固定沙丘坡面向上等距离梯度,藓类盖度显著下降,而藻类盖度则平稳上升。对不同年代固定沙丘生物结皮优势种真藓的生物量和固沙量的测定表明,随沙丘固定年代的增加,真藓的生物量和固沙量增加,50年代固沙区结皮层真藓生物量是944.03 kg·hm-2,固沙量是3.925×104 kg·hm-2,但固沙率随时间的增加而减少。真藓的饱和吸水量与生物量呈正相关,50年代固定沙丘藓类结皮层可吸水7.06×103 kg·hm-2,说明藓类结皮层具有很强的吸水和保水能力,对于干燥少雨的沙漠地区具有十分重要的生态学意义。     

沙坡头地区生物结皮覆盖区土壤种子库组成及垂直分布特征

采用野外随机取样和室内萌发试验相结合的方法,对沙坡头人工植被区的藓类结皮、地衣结皮和裸沙覆盖区土壤种子库的组成及垂直分布特征进行了研究。结果表明:1)人工植被区土壤种子库的物种组成简单,以1年生草本为主,相较于裸沙,两种生物结皮的存在显著增加了土壤种子库的密度(P0.01),但降低了土壤种子库的物种多样性及其与地上植被的相似性;2)两种生物结皮覆盖区土壤种子库的总密度虽无显著差异,但在0—2 cm土层中,地衣结皮土壤种子库的密度显著高于藓类结皮(P0.05),而在2—5 cm和5—10 cm土层中,藓类结皮土壤种子库的密度高于地衣结皮,但差异不显著;3)不同生物结皮覆盖区土壤种子库的垂直分布特征存在差异,藓类结皮覆盖土壤中有活力的种子主要分布在0—5 cm土层中,而地衣结皮和裸沙覆盖土壤中有活力的种子主要分布在0—2 cm土层中,且随着深度的增加,土壤中有活力的种子急剧减少。该研究表明,相较于裸沙,生物结皮的存在不仅增加了土壤种子库的大小,还改变了土壤种子库的垂直分布格局。生物结皮层下仍有相当比例有活力的小种子,这些种子欠缺萌发条件,对地上植被的贡献作用较小,但它们的存在对荒漠生态系统健康及可持续发展具有重要意义。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Potential Compounds for Oral Cancer Treatment: Resveratrol,Nimbolide, Lovastatin,Bortezomib, Vorinostat,Berberine, Pterostilbene,Deguelin, Andrographolide,and Colchicine

Oral cancer is one of the main causes of cancer-related deaths in South-Asian countries. There are very limited treatment options available for oral cancer. Research endeavors focused on discovery and development of novel therapies for oral cancer, is necessary to control the ever rising oral cancer related mortalities. We mined the large pool of compounds from the publicly available compound databases, to identify potential therapeutic compounds for oral cancer. Over 84 million compounds were screened for the possible anti-cancer activity by custom build SVM classifier. The molecular targets of the predicted anti-cancer compounds were mined from reliable sources like experimental bioassays studies associated with the compound, and from protein-compound interaction databases. Therapeutic compounds from DrugBank, and a list of natural anti-cancer compounds derived from literature mining of published studies, were used for building partial least squares regression model. The regression model thus built, was used for the estimation of oral cancer specific weights based on the molecular targets. These weights were used to compute scores for screening the predicted anti-cancer compounds for their potential to treat oral cancer. The list of potential compounds was annotated with corresponding physicochemical properties, cancer specific bioactivity evidences, and literature evidences. In all, 288 compounds with the potential to treat oral cancer were identified in the current study. The majority of the compounds in this list are natural products, which are well-tolerated and have minimal side-effects compared to the synthetic counterparts. Some of the potential therapeutic compounds identified in the current study are resveratrol, nimbolide, lovastatin, bortezomib, vorinostat, berberine, pterostilbene, deguelin, andrographolide, and colchicine.     

New Coleoptera records from New Brunswick, Canada: Stenotrachelidae, Oedemeridae, Meloidae, Myceteridae, Boridae, Pythidae, Pyrochroidae, Anthicidae, and Aderidae

We report 19 new species records for the faunal list of Coleoptera in New Brunswick, Canada, six of which are new records for the Maritime provinces, and one of which is new Canadian record. We also provide the first recent records for five additional species in New Brunswick. One new species of Stenotrachelidae, Cephaloon ungulare LeConte, is added to the New Brunswick faunal list. Additional records are provided for Cephaloon lepturides Newman, as well the first recent record of Nematoplus collaris LeConte. Two species of Oedemeridae, Asclera puncticollis (Say) and Asclera ruficollis (Say), are newly reported for New Brunswick, and additional locality and bionomic data are provided for Calopus angustus LeConte and Ditylus caeruleus (Randall). The records of Ditylus caerulus are the first recent records for the province. Three species of Meloidae, Epicauta pestifera Werner, Lytta sayi LeConte, and Meloe augustcollis Say are reported the first time for New Brunswick; Epicauta pestifera is newly recorded in Canada. Lacconotus punctatus LeConte and the family Mycteridaeis newly recorded for New Brunswick. The first recent records of Borus unicolor Say (Boridae) are reported from the province. One new species of Pythidae, Pytho siedlitzi Blair, and the first recent records of Pytho niger Kirby are added to the faunal list of New Brunswick. Three species of Pyrochroidae are newly reported for the province, including Pedilus canaliculatus (LeConte) and Pedilus elegans (Hentz), which are new for the Maritime provinces. Five species of Anthicidae and the first recent record of Anthicus cervinus LaFerté-Sénectére are newly reported for New Brunswick. Anthicus melancholicus LaFerté-Sénectère, Sapintus pubescens (LaFerté-Sénectère), Notoxus bifasciatus (LeConte), and Stereopalpus rufipes Casey are new to the Maritime provinces faunal list. Ambyderus granularis (LeConte) is removed from the faunal list of the province. Three species of Aderidae, Vanonus huronicus Casey, Zonantes fasciatus (Melsheimer), and Zonantes pallidusWerner, are newly recorded for New Brunswick; Zonantes fasciatus and Vanonus huronicus are new for the Maritime provinces' faunal list. Collection data, bionomic data, and distribution maps are presented for all these species.     

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.