术前预后营养指数、中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值及血小板与淋巴细胞比值对脑胶质瘤患者术后预后的评估价值研究

摘要 目的：探讨术前预后营养指数（PNI）、中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值（NLR）及血小板与淋巴细胞比值（PLR）对脑胶质瘤患者术后预后的评估价值。方法：回顾性分析2016年2月至2019年2月我院收治的131例脑胶质瘤患者（脑胶质瘤组）的临床资料,另选择同期86例于门诊健康体检的志愿者为对照组,收集相关资料计算PNI、NLR、PLR。比较脑胶质瘤患者不同临床病理特征PNI、NLR、PLR的差异,Kaplan-Meier法绘制不同PNI、NLR、PLR水平脑胶质瘤患者的生存曲线,单因素和多因素COX回归分析影响脑胶质瘤患者预后的相关因素,受试者工作特征曲线（ROC）分析术前PNI、NLR、PLR预测脑胶质瘤患者预后的价值。结果：脑胶质瘤组NLR、PLR高于对照组（P＜0.05）,PNI低于对照组（P＜0.05）。世界卫生组织（WHO）分级Ⅲ 级患者NLR、PLR高于WHO分级Ⅰ～Ⅱ级患者（P＜0.05）,PNI低于WHO分级Ⅰ～Ⅱ级患者（P＜0.05）。高NLR组、高PLR组3年生存率低于低NLR组、低PLR组（P＜0.05）,低PNI组3年生存率低于高PNI组（P＜0.05）。WHOⅢ级、NLR（较高）、PLR（较高）是脑胶质瘤患者预后不良的危险因素（P＜0.05）,PNI（较高）是保护因素（P＜0.05）。术前PNI、NLR、PLR联合预测脑胶质瘤患者预后的曲线下面积为0.849,高于单独指标预测的0.703、0.706、0.704。结论：脑胶质瘤患者术前PNI降低,NLR、PLR均升高,且与预后不良有关,术前PNI、NLR、PLR可作为脑胶质瘤患者预后评估的参考指标。     

术前预后营养指数与可切除非小细胞肺癌患者术后生活质量和远期预后的关系研究

摘要 目的：探讨术前预后营养指数（PNI）与可切除非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）患者术后生活质量和远期预后的关系。方法：选择2015年2月-2017年2月期间我院收治的400例可切除NSCLC患者,根据术前PNI将患者分为高PNI组（PNI≥50,235例）和低PNI组（PNI＜50,165例）。患者术后住院期间生活质量采用健康状况调查简表（SF-36）评估。所有患者均采用门诊复查和电话随访的方式随访3年,Kaplan-Meier生存分析不同PNI指数下可切除NSCLC患者无进展生存期（PFS）生存率、总生存期（OS）生存率,Cox风险比例回归分析可切除NSCLC患者远期预后的影响因素。结果：高PNI组术后SF-36各项评分和总分,PFS生存率、OS生存率均高于低PNI组（P＜0.05）。多因素Cox风险比例回归分析显示TNM分期Ⅲa期、低PNI是可切除NSCLC患者远期预后的影响因素（P＜0.05）。结论：术前高PNI可切除NSCLC患者近期生活质量和远期生存率均高于低PNI者,术前PNI可能作为可切除NSCLC患者远期预后评估的辅助指标。     

PIV、NLR、PLR、MLR对晚期非小细胞肺癌免疫治疗近期疗效和预后的评估价值

摘要 目的：评价泛免疫炎症值（PIV）、中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞的比值（NLR）、血小板与淋巴细胞的比值（PLR）、单核细胞与淋巴细胞的比值（MLR）对接受程序性细胞死亡受体-1（PD-1）抑制剂治疗的晚期非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）患者近期疗效和预后的评估价值。方法：收集徐州医科大学附属医院2018年1月至2020年1月使用PD-1抑制剂治疗的132例晚期NSCLC患者的临床资料，根据免疫治疗前的PIV、NLR、PLR、MLR最佳阈值分组，分析其与疾病控制率（DCR）的关系。采用Kaplan-Meier法绘制生存曲线，通过COX回归分析确定影响生存预后的危险因素。结果：PIV、NLR、PLR、MLR最佳阈值分别为286.17、3.07、250.97、0.33。NLR≤3.07的患者DCR更高（P＜0.05）。PIV≤286.17组、NLR≤3.07组、PLR≤250.97组和MLR≤0.33组患者的中位总生存期（OS）更长。COX回归分析结果显示： PIV、NLR、PLR、MLR是影响患者预后的危险因素（P＜0.05）。结论：NLR≤3.07的患者近期疗效更好，PIV、NLR、PLR、MLR低水平的患者预后更佳，检测PIV、NLR、PLR、MLR对晚期NSCLC患者的近期疗效和预后评估具有一定的指导意义。     

PLR、NLR、CRP与老年AECOPD患者病情严重程度、近期预后的关系

摘要 目的：探讨血小板/淋巴细胞比值（PLR）、中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比值（NLR）、C反应蛋白（CRP）与老年慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期（AECOPD）患者病情严重程度、近期预后的关系。方法：选取97例老年AECOPD患者为疾病组,另取同期31例体检健康者为对照组。测定两组受试者PLR、NLR、CRP水平,比较不同病情严重程度患者PLR、NLR、CRP水平,并分析PLR、NLR、CRP与患者近期预后的关系以及三者联合评估患者预后的价值。结果：疾病组PLR、NLR、CRP水平高于对照组（P<0.05）;随着病情严重程度加重,PLR、NLR、CRP水平依次升高（P<0.05）;预后不良组PLR、NLR、CRP水平高于预后良好组（P<0.05）;ROC曲线结果显示,PLR、NLR、CRP联合评估患者预后的AUC为0.943,高于单项评估（P<0.05）。结论：PLR、NLR、CRP水平变化均可以反映老年AECOPD患者病情严重程度,且可以用来评估预后,联合评估其价值更高。     

术前修正衰弱指数联合C反应蛋白/白蛋白比值、中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比值对老年结直肠癌患者术后谵妄发生风险的评估价值

摘要 目的：探讨术前修正衰弱指数（mFI）联合C反应蛋白/白蛋白比值（CAR）、中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比值（NLR）预测老年结直肠癌患者术后谵妄发生风险的价值。方法：选择2020年1月至2021年12月郑州大学第一附属医院收治的352例行腹腔镜手术治疗的老年结直肠癌患者,根据术后谵妄发生情况将患者分为谵妄组（63例）和无谵妄组（289例）。术前采用mFI评估衰弱状态,检测C反应蛋白、白蛋白、中性粒细胞计数和淋巴细胞计数,计算CAR和NLR。分析影响老年结直肠癌患者术后发生谵妄的危险因素以及mFI、CAR和NLR预测老年结直肠癌患者术后发生谵妄的价值。结果：谵妄组mFI、CAR、NLR大于无谵妄组（P＜0.05）。年龄、饮酒史、脑血管病史、精神病史、术后转重症监护病房（ICU）比例高于无谵妄组（P＜0.05）。年龄、mFI、CAR、NLR升高是老年结直肠癌患者术后发生谵妄的危险因素（P＜0.05）。联合mFI、CAR、NLR预测老年结直肠癌患者术后发生谵妄的曲线下面积为0.835,高于单独mFI、CAR、NLR预测的0.688、0.741、0.733。结论：mFI、CAR、NLR升高是老年结直肠癌患者术后发生谵妄的危险因素,三指标联合检测有助于评估老年结直肠癌患者术后发生谵妄的风险。     

NLR、PLR、LMR与乳腺癌新辅助化疗疗效及预后的关系研究

摘要 目的：探讨化疗前外周血中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值（NLR）、血小板与淋巴细胞比值（PLR）、淋巴细胞与单核细胞比值（LMR）与乳腺癌患者新辅助化疗疗效及预后的关系。方法：选择2016年10月至2018年1月在安徽医科大学附属安庆第一人民医院进行新辅助化疗的乳腺癌患者105例为研究对象,根据新辅助化疗疗效分为病理完全缓解（pCR）组（26例）和非pCR组（79例）。比较pCR组和非pCR组化疗前外周血NLR、PLR、LMR;采用受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析化疗前外周血NLR、PLR、LMR对乳腺癌患者新辅助化疗病理疗效预测价值。所有患者术后随访5年,根据ROC曲线确定的NLR、PLR、LMR最佳截断值分为高NLR、PLR、LMR组和低NLR、PLR、LMR组,采用K-M生存曲线分析不同NLR、PLR、LMR组5年无病生存期（DFS）;单因素和多因素COX回归分析预后不良的影响因素。结果：pCR组化疗前NLR、PLR均低于非pCR组（P＜0.05）,LMR高于非pCR组（P＜0.05）。化疗前NLR、PLR、LMR三项联合预测新辅助化疗病理疗效的曲线下面积（AUC）均大于各指标单独预测。K-M生存曲线分析显示,化疗前高NLR、PLR组5年DFS分别低于低NLR、PLR组（P＜0.05）,高LMR组5年DFS高于低LMR组（P＜0.05）;多因素COX回归分析显示,NLR、PLR升高是乳腺癌预后的危险因素,LMR升高是保护因素（P<0.05）。结论：pCR组化疗前NLR、PLR更低,LMR更高,高NLR、PLR和低LMR患者5年DFS更低。NLR、PLR、LMR对新辅助化疗病理疗效具有一定的预测价值,三项联合能为乳腺癌的新辅助化疗评估提供重要参考依据。     

动态对比增强磁共振成像联合PLR、NLR预测急性脑梗死短期预后的回顾性研究

摘要 目的：探讨动态对比增强磁共振成像（DCE-MRI）联合血小板与淋巴细胞比值（PLR）、中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值（NLR）预测急性脑梗死短期预后的价值。方法：回顾性分析我院从2015年1月～2019年12月收治的80例急性脑梗死患者的临床资料。将所有患者根据改良Rankin量表（mRS）评分差异分作预后良好组（mRS评分≤2分）50例和预后不良组（mRS评分＞2分）30例。比较两组DCE-MRI相关参数[容量转移常数相对值（rKtrans）、速率常数相对值（rKep）、血管外细胞外间隙容积分数相对值（rVe）]、入院时PLR、NLR以及基线资料,采用多因素Logistic回归分析急性脑梗死患者短期预后不良的影响因素。此外,采用受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析DCE-MRI、PLR、NLR单独及联合预测急性脑梗死短期预后的效能。结果：预后良好组各项DCE-MRI参数均明显高于预后不良组（P＜0.05）。预后良好组PLR、NLR、年龄以及入院时美国国立卫生研究院脑卒中量表（NIHSS）评分均低于预后不良组（P＜0.05）。经多因素Logistic回归分析可得：PLR、NLR、年龄以及入院时NIHSS评分均是急性脑梗死患者短期预后不良的危险因素（OR＞1,P＜0.05）。DCE-MRI联合PLR、NLR预测急性脑梗死短期预后不良的曲线下面积、敏感度、特异度以及约登指数均高于上述单项预测。结论：DCE-MRI联合PLR、NLR预测急性脑梗死短期预后不良的效能较高,具有一定应用价值。     

术前预后营养指数对肺鳞状细胞癌患者术后复发及死亡的预测价值分析

摘要 目的：探讨术前预后营养指数（PNI）与肺鳞状细胞癌患者预后的关系及对术后复发、死亡的预测效能。方法：纳入2017年1月-2019年1月在我院接受治疗的78例肺鳞状细胞癌患者,所有患者均具有完整的临床资料及病理信息,对其进行门诊复查随访3年,除去失访病例共纳入76例患者资料,期间共有43例患者复发、37例患者死亡;按照复发及死亡情况将该76例患者分别分为复发组（n=43）及未复发组（n=33）,死亡组（n=37）及存活组（n=39）,分别使用单因素和多因素Logistic回归分析影响肺鳞状细胞癌患者复发及死亡的独立危险因素;采用受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分别分析PNI在肺鳞状细胞癌患者术后复发及死亡的预测效能及最佳截断值。结果：单因素分析显示,TNM分期、吸烟年限、糖尿病、家族史、PNI是影响肺鳞状细胞癌患者术后复发的相关因素（P＜0.05）;性别、年龄、TNM分期、BMI、吸烟史、吸烟年限及PNI是影响肺鳞状细胞癌患者术后死亡的相关因素（P＜0.05）。多因素Logistic回归模型分析显示,TNM分期为Ⅲ期、吸烟年限较长、家族史是引发肺鳞状细胞癌患者术后复发的独立危险因素,PNI为保护因素（P＜0.05）;另外男性、年龄较大、TNM分期为Ⅲ期、吸烟年限较长是引发肺鳞状细胞癌患者术后死亡的独立危险因素,PNI为保护因素（P＜0.05）;ROC分析显示PNI在预测肺鳞状细胞癌患者术后复发的曲线下面积为0.726,敏感度为0.814,特异度为0.667,最佳截断值为48;PNI在预测肺鳞状细胞癌患者术后存活的曲线下面积为0.787,敏感度为0.838,特异度为0.718,最佳截断值为50。结论：PNI对肺鳞状细胞癌患者术后复发及生存均具有较高的预测效能,提高PNI水平对改善肺鳞状细胞癌患者的预后具有积极作用。     

系统性炎症指标预测脓毒性休克预后的临床价值

摘要 目的：探讨系统性炎症指标对脓毒性休克预后的临床预测价值。方法：回顾性分析2019年7月至2022年7月贵州省铜仁市石阡人民医院重症医学科救治的脓毒性休克患者46例（治疗组），46例患者随访60 d后根据临床预后分为存活组22例和死亡组24例。收集患者入院后治疗前血常规中白细胞、中性粒细胞、淋巴细胞、单核细胞和血小板计数，计算中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值（neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio，NLR）、血小板与淋巴细胞比值（platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio，PLR）、淋巴细胞与单核细胞比值（lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio，LMR），同时记录生化中肌酐（Cr）、C反应蛋白（CRP）等指标，比较治疗后存活组和死亡组上述指标的差异，观察NLR、PLR、LMR与Cr水平的相关性。以Shapiro-Wilk检验进行正态性检验；Mann-Whitney U检验非正态分布的两组计数资料；相关性研究采用Spearman相关性分析；影响脓毒性休克预后的独立危险因素采用二分类logistic回归分析，并绘制生存曲线和受试者工作特征曲线（ROC曲线），评估危险因素预测脓毒性休克发生死亡事件的价值。结果：治疗组与正常对照组相比，入院时白细胞、中性粒细胞、淋巴细胞、单核细胞、血小板计数、NLR、PLR、LMR，差异有统计学意义（P＜0.01）。患者入院当天中性粒细胞、淋巴细胞、NLR、CRP在存活组与死亡组之间比较，差异有统计学意义（均P＜0.05），其余指标差异无统计学意义。脓毒性休克患者肌酐水平与NLR呈正相关（P＜0.01）。多因素logistic回归分析，结果显示仅有NLR是影响脓毒性休克患者60d预后的独立危险因素（OR=1.038，P= 0.031）。ROC曲线分析发现曲线下面积为0.705（95% CI: 0.597~0.812，P=0.001）；根据约登指数原则提示NLR预测死亡风险的截断值为16.35（敏感度为66.7%，特异度为72.7%），即NLR＞16.35时脓毒性休克的死亡率较高。Kaplan-Meier法分析治疗后60天生存预后，结果显示NLR≤16.35组中位生存期显著高于NLR＞16.35组，（χ²=5.568，P= 0.018）。结论：ICU初始NLR有助于脓毒性休克的病情判断并对患者生存预后评估有一定的临床价值，是发生死亡事件的独立预测指标。     

外周血MDSC水平及NLR、PLR比值对结直肠癌患者临床预后评估的价值

目的探讨结直肠癌患者外周血髓源抑制细胞（MDSC）水平及中性粒细胞淋巴细胞比值（NLR）、血小板淋巴细胞比值（PLR）对临床预后评估的价值。 方法选取广西崇左市人民医院普外科2013年5月至2018年5月收治的183例结直肠癌患者及50名健康体检者,分别纳入患者组、对照组。检测患者组治疗前、对照组入组时外周血MDSC水平及NLR、PLR比值,记录患者组治疗前、治疗后1个月上述指标变化,并比较治疗有效、无效患者治疗前上述指标的差异。采用卡方检验、t检验及受试者工作特征曲线（ROC）进行统计学分析。 结果患者组治疗前MDSC比例及NLR、PLR比值分别为（4.26±0.99）﹪、3.05±0.59、146.45±29.71,均高于对照组的（0.71±0.15）﹪、1.62±0.37、90.92±13.88,差异具有统计学意义（t?= 25.238、16.272、12.824,P均< 0.05）。患者治疗后1个月MDSC比例及NLR、PLR比值均较治疗前下降,差异具有统计学意义（P均< 0.05）。183例患者中,111例肿瘤未进展,纳入治疗有效组,72例肿瘤进展,纳入治疗无效组。治疗有效组治疗前MDSC比例及NLR、PLR比值分别为（4.06±0.61）﹪、2.73±0.40、136.18±26.11,均低于治疗无效组的（4.57±0.42）﹪、3.54±0.31、162.29±18.64,差异具有统计学意义（t?= 6.202、14.572、7.353,P均< 0.05）。ROC曲线示,以治疗前MDSC≥4.22﹪、NLR≥3.21、PLR≥151.60为截断值,MDSC比例联合NLR、PLR比值预测结直肠癌患者治疗无效的曲线下面积为0.909（P < 0.05）。 结论结直肠癌患者外周血MDSC水平及NLR、PLR比值升高,且较高的MDSC水平及NLR、PLR比值意味着预后不良。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Reliability of Analyses of Hg,Fe, Ca,K, P,pH, Alkalinity,Conductivity, Hardness and Colour from Lakes

The aim of this report has been to present results concerning analytical quality controls of Hg analysis of fish and sediment, analyses of Fe, Ca, total-P, K, pH, alkalinity, conductivity, colour and hardness (Ca + Mg) of lake water samples. Despite the fact that these are standard parameters in many regular water control programs, there are major differences in the reliability with which these parameters can be determined. The focus here is on an overall inter-laboratory comparison between the parameters. Six laboratories have been involved in the analysis. Selected results: pH gives the lowest (average) relative standard deviation (error), about 2 %; conductivity gives an error of about 5–7 %; alkalinity yields an average error of as much as 13–25 %, which is the largest among the parameters studied here; colour also gives a high error, 9–15 %; hardness gives a relative standard deviation of about 6–7 %. Of the other parameters (i. e., Hg, Fe, Ca and P), Hg gives the best reliability and Fe and P the lowest. To have knowledge of the reliability of the analytical data is of paramount importance in most control programs and research projects.     

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.