去除干扰对内蒙古典型草原植物叶片功能属性的影响

以内蒙古典型草原为研究对象,选取放牧和割草、去除放牧、去除放牧和割草样地进行群落调查和叶片属性测量,比较分析各样地土壤性质、群落生产力及主要物种的比叶面积(SLA,Specific Leaf Area)、叶片干物质含量(LDMC,Leaf Dry Matter Content)、叶片氮含量(LNC,Leaf Nitrogen Concentration)在个体、功能群和群落水平对去除干扰的响应。结果表明,1)去除干扰处理在短期对土壤特性和群落生产力的影响不显著;2)多数物种在放牧和割草样地SLA较低,说明典型草原多数物种的SLA表现为放牧逃避;3)不同功能群植物叶片属性对去除干扰的响应不一致,去除放牧后,多年生杂类草的SLA和LDMC不受影响,但LNC变小;多年生禾草的SLA增加,而LDMC和LNC无显著变化。一年生植物在去除放牧和割草后,LNC显著增加。去除割草后,多年生禾草SLA减小,而多年生杂类草SLA、LNC增加,LDMC减小;4)在群落水平,放牧和割草样地由于较占优势的多年生禾草SLA较低,群落比叶面积最低,在去除放牧和割草样地,群落叶片氮含量显著增加;5)在内蒙古典型草原,LDMC能够很好地将多年生禾草和多年生杂类草区分,SLA在个体、功能群和群落水平均比LDMC敏感。     

油蒿叶片资源利用效率变化及其影响因素

植物资源(光、氮、水分)利用效率是反映生态功能适应气候变化的关键指示,然而鲜有研究综合考虑植物资源利用效率间的相对变化及其调控机制。选取宁夏盐池毛乌素沙地优势物种油蒿(Artemisia ordosica)为研究对象,于2017-2019年生长季对油蒿光合生理参数和环境因子进行原位监测,实验室测定叶片比叶面积(SLA)和叶氮含量(LNC),分析叶片光利用效率(LUE)、水分利用效率(WUE)、氮利用效率(NUE)的相对变化特征及其生物和非生物影响因子,探讨油蒿叶片资源利用效率对环境的响应。结果显示:油蒿LUE和NUE的季节变化趋势基本一致,两者呈正相关(R²=0.17;P<0.01),且皆与WUE季节变化不同,无显著关系(P>0.05),WUE波动幅度最高(CV=48%),NUE最低(CV=39%);研究期间LUE、WUE和NUE月均值基本在夏季出现高峰值,分别为0.12 mol/mol,104.02 μmol/mol和11.49 μmol g^-1 s^-1。土壤含水量(SWC)>0.09 m³/m³,叶片资源利用效率不受其影响,而SWC<0.09 m³/m³,WUE和SWC关系为二次函数;SWC调节土壤氮含量(N_soil)和光合有效辐射(PAR)对叶片资源利用效率的影响。叶片资源利用效率与LNC无显著相关性;SLA与LUE显著负相关(P<0.01),与NUE显著正相关(P<0.01),与WUE相关性不显著(P>0.05)。LUE主要受SLA和N_soil影响,NUE主要受SLA和SWC影响,SWC和N_soil还可通过SLA和LNC间接影响LUE和NUE。结果表明水分和土壤氮含量是限制油蒿叶片资源利用效率的主要非生物因子,比叶面积则是调控其资源利用效率的关键生物因子,是深入探究荒漠植物群落对环境响应策略的重要补充。     

内蒙古草原常见植物叶片δ13C和δ15N对环境因子的响应

在中国东北样带沿线的内蒙古草原地区采集了一些常见植物的叶片样品,并测定其δ¹³C和δ¹⁵N值,分析了其统计学特征以及对环境因子(年平均降雨量和温度)的响应模式。发现东北样带草原区同时存在C₃和C₄两种不同光合途径的植物,但是C₃植物占主导地位,C₄植物数量有限。C₃植物叶片δ¹³C随着年平均降雨量和年平均温度的升高而显著降低,反映了此区域C₃植物δ¹³C受控于降水量和温度。C₄植物的叶片δ¹³C值随着降雨量的增多而有轻微升高的趋势,但是C₄植物的叶片δ¹³C值对年平均温度的响应不敏感。不论对C₃植物还是C₄植物而言,叶片δ¹⁵N都随降雨量增加而显著降低,即干旱区的植物叶片δ¹⁵N大于湿润地区,这说明降水是影响植物叶片δ¹⁵N的一个重要因素。然而两者叶片δ¹⁵N对温度的响应不敏感。     

青藏高原高寒草地不同植物功能群与土壤碳同位素特征及影响因素

青藏高原海拔高、面积广,是全球范围内最典型的高寒地区之一,探究青藏高原高寒草地植物和土壤碳稳定同位素组成(δ¹³C)特征及其控制要素,对深刻理解高寒生态系统碳循环过程具有重要意义。研究采集并测定了青藏高原不同区域135个草地样点中的植物和土壤碳稳定同位素自然丰度,探讨了不同植物功能群和表层(0-10 cm)土壤δ¹³C特征及其与气候、土壤因素的关系。结果表明:(1)杂类草δ¹³C显著低于禾本科、莎草科和豆科植物δ¹³C(P ＜ 0.05)。表层土壤δ¹³C与禾本科、莎草科、豆科植物δ¹³C呈显著正相关(P ＜ 0.05),与杂类草δ¹³C无显著相关关系,且表层土壤δ¹³C对三种植物功能群δ¹³C的敏感性为禾本科>豆科>莎草科。(2)在影响禾本科、莎草科、豆科植物和表层土壤δ¹³C的环境因子中,气候因子的相对贡献率均大于土壤因子,气候因子中太阳辐射相对贡献率最大,杂类草δ¹³C与气候和土壤因子均不存在显著相关关系。研究表明,太阳辐射是决定高寒草地生态系统植物和表层土壤δ¹³C的主要因子。研究可为青藏高原高寒草地植物和土壤δ¹³C特征与有机碳动态循环提供数据支撑和理论参考。     

深圳市建成区入侵植物对草本植物种类及功能多样性的影响

入侵植物对城市生态系统形成潜在威胁,有待引起足够的关注。为探究城市入侵植物对草本植物种类及功能多样性的影响,以深圳市建成区入侵植物鬼针草（Bidens pilosa）和南美蟛蜞菊（Sphagneticola trilobata）为例,分析了不同绿地类型中不同程度的单独入侵和共同入侵对草本植物群落物种多样性和功能多样性的影响规律。结果显示：①Margalef物种丰富度指数、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、Simpson优势度指数和Pielou均匀度指数均与入侵植物盖度呈显著负相关（P<0.05,0.5865 < R² < 0.9356）。②功能丰富度指数（FRic）、功能均匀度指数（FEve）和Rao二次熵指数（FD_Q）与入侵植物盖度有一定的相关关系（0.0000 < R² < 0.2211）。③群落的特征加权平均株高（CWM_H）与入侵植物盖度有一定的正相关关系（0.0716 < R² < 0.2262）。④与未入侵的样方相比,鬼针草轻度入侵显著提高了物种多样性（P<0.05）,鬼针草和南美蟛蜞菊单独重度入侵均显著降低物种多样性（P<0.05）,二者各种程度的分别单独入侵及共同入侵都显著提高了群落加权平均株高（CWM_H）（P<0.05）。⑤对不同的绿地类型分开计算发现,鬼针草单独入侵和二者共同入侵都显著提高了各种绿地类型的物种多样性（P<0.05）,南美蟛蜞菊单独入侵只对部分绿地类型的群落物种多样性影响显著。⑥鬼针草和南美蟛蜞菊之间的生态效应可能为拮抗作用。研究结果为进一步揭示植物入侵对城市草本植物群落的影响规律提供参考,为有效防治城市外来植物入侵提供一定的依据。     

控制降水梯度对荒漠草原优势植物叶功能性状及土壤养分的影响

探究植物叶功能性状随降水梯度的变化规律,对揭示干旱区优势植物对环境变化的响应和适应策略至关重要。以盐池荒漠草原为研究对象,采用遮雨棚和喷灌系统控制降水梯度,分析了优势植物蒙古冰草（Agropyron mongolicum）、短花针茅（Stipa breviflora）及达乌里胡枝子（Lespedeza davurica）叶功能性状变异,以及土壤水分、养分和微生物特性与响应性状间的相关关系。结果表明：HW（增水50%）处理下3个植物LA（叶面积）、LDMC（干物质含量）显著增大,LW处理（减水50%）下短花针茅和达乌里胡枝子LA、LDMC显著减小,降水处理对短花针茅和达乌里胡枝子SLA（比叶面积）影响不显著,LW处理显著提高了蒙古冰草SLA;LW处理显著提高了蒙古冰草和短花针茅LNC（叶氮含量）和LPC（叶磷含量）;HW显著降低了土壤C、N含量,LW和HW均显著减少了真菌数量,而放线菌数量、微生物生物量C、N显著增加;3种优势植物LA均与土壤水分显著正相关,蒙古冰草和短花针茅通过提高SLA、LNC及LNP来适应干旱生境,蒙古冰草和短花针茅LNC及LNP是表征土壤P、微生物生物量有效性的关键指标,达乌里胡枝子通过自我调节养分利用策略来适应C、N、P含量和微生物活性较低的生境,从而决定其在群落中的优势地位。     

黄土丘陵区退耕草地群落优势种叶片光合生理对氮磷添加的响应

以黄土丘陵区退耕草地群落典型优势种白羊草、长芒草和达乌里胡枝子为研究对象,测定不同氮磷（主区N：0,50,100 kg N hm^-2 a^-1;副区P：0,40,80 kg P₂O₅ hm^-2 a^-1）添加处理下叶片光合气体交换参数、叶绿素荧光参数、叶片氮磷含量、光合氮利用效率（PNUE）和光合磷利用效率（PPUE）,探究不同优势种光合生理特征对外源氮磷添加的响应特征与物种差异。结果表明：单独氮添加下,3个优势种的净光合速率（P_n）、蒸腾速率、水分利用效率（WUE_i）、气孔限制值（Ls）和光系统Ⅱ（PSⅡ）活性高于或显著高于未施肥处理,白羊草和达乌里胡枝子的PNUE和PPUE以及长芒草的PPUE显著增加。单独磷添加下,仅达乌里胡枝子的P_n、WUE_i、Ls和PNUE相比未施肥处理显著增加。氮磷共同添加下,50 kg N hm^-2 a^-1处理下,施磷后达乌里胡枝子的P_n以及三个优势种的PNUE显著增加,白羊草的PPUE显著降低;100 kg N hm^-2 a^-1处理下,施磷后达乌里胡枝子的P_n和PNUE均显著增加,白羊草PPUE和长芒草的PNUE的仅在40 kg P₂O₅ hm^-2 a^-1处理下显著增加。3个优势种的P_n均与PSⅡ最大光化学效率和叶片氮含量呈显著正相关关系,长芒草和达乌里胡枝子的P_n与PSⅡ潜在活性和叶片磷含量呈显著正相关关系。总体表明,氮磷对黄土丘陵区退耕草地优势种光合生理具有一定的交互作用,物种属性和施肥水平影响其光合生理特征响应程度。     

氮沉降和刈割条件下羊草光响应模型比较及响应特性

草地覆盖全球陆地面积的40%左右,在全球碳循环中发挥着重要作用。近年来,人类活动,如化石燃料燃烧和畜牧业的发展显著增加了氮在全球环境中的沉积。草地管理方式（如刈割）在介导氮沉降对草地植物的影响方面具有重要作用。因此,筛选合适的模型对光响应过程进行拟合并计算相关参数对研究植物光合特性具有重要意义。依托6种氮添加（NH₄NO₃）梯度和两种草原管理方式（刈割和不刈割）交互处理的野外控制实验,利用Li-6400便携式光合作用系统测定上述实验平台的优势种羊草（Leymus chinensis）的光合作用-光响应过程。采用直角双曲线模型、非直角双曲线模型、指数模型和直角双曲线修正模型4种光响应模型对羊草光响应曲线进行拟合,从参数拟合效果和模型拟合优度筛选氮添加和刈割条件下羊草的最佳拟合模型并分析羊草的光合特性。结果表明：指数模型对表观量子效率（α）、光饱和点（LSP）和最大净光合速率（P_nmax）具有较好的参数拟合效果,非直角双曲线模型的模型拟合优度最好。在所有处理中,羊草均未表现出明显的光抑制现象,具有一定的光合潜力和适应环境变化的能力。适度氮添加和刈割处理能提高羊草净光合速率（P_n）、气孔导度（G_s）、P_nmax、α和LSP等,提升了羊草的光能利用率并拓宽了光强利用范围,但过度氮添加并不能进一步提高光合能力。综上,指数模型和非直角双曲线模型较适用于氮添加和刈割条件下羊草的光响应曲线拟合,施氮浓度为20 g N m^-2 a^-1并刈割是最有利于提高羊草光合能力的草原管理措施。探讨了不同氮添加浓度和刈割处理对优势种羊草的交互影响,从光合作用角度分析羊草的适应机制,将对未来全球氮沉降增加情况下的草地管理方案提供科学依据。     

不同城市化梯度下木荷(Schima superba)功能性状差异

城市化过程会引起周边环境要素的改变,而这种变化是否会对植物功能性状产生影响目前尚不清楚。选择我国亚热带常绿阔叶林优势树种木荷（Schima superba Gardn.et Champ.）为研究对象,分别在杭州市中心（HZ）、郊区（FY）及偏远地区（JD）3个位置采集阴生和阳生枝条样品进行植物枝条功能性状测定,并对各功能性状在3个区域间的差异性以及阴生阳生枝条功能性状间的差异性进行双因素方差分析（Two-way ANOVA）和多重比较（Tukey法）,对所有区域的功能性状与环境气象因子进行相关分析。结果表明,从JD到HZ,阳生枝条水力结构性状枝条密度（ρ）,叶片比叶面积（SLA）及叶枝比（A_L∶A_S）逐渐降低,而边材导水率（K_S）则逐渐增加。而阴生枝条除了A_L∶A_S不受影响以外,其他水力结构性状也存在相同的变化趋势。在叶片气体交换能力上,阳生枝条叶片最大净光合速率（A_n）,蒸腾速率（E_l）以及气孔导度（g_s）均从JD到HZ逐渐增加,其中HZ的阳生枝条E_l是JD的2.8倍,而水分利用效率（WUE）以及¹³C同位素丰度（δ¹³C）则逐渐降低。阴生枝条除了A_n不存在显著差异以外（P > 0.05）,其他与阳生枝条也具有相同的变化趋势。此外,阳生和阴生枝条的对比结果表明,除了WUE和δ¹³C,两者的各功能性状均存在显著差异,并且阳生枝条对于城市化的环境效应的敏感性更高。植物水力结构性状和叶片气体交换功能性状之间存在显著相关性（P<0.05）,尤其是K_S与叶片气体交换能力（A_n,E_l）。而3个区域温度（T_a）和水汽压亏缺（VPD）的变化对植物水力结构性状的影响较大。这些结果表明,城市化会导致植物的生存策略向高气体交换能力-低水力安全阈值转变。     

模拟增温对植物叶片δ13C值的影响:全球Meta分析

温室气体大量排放导致的全球变暖是最为关注的环境问题之一,这会直接影响植物的生长与发育进而影响群落组成乃至生态系统的结构和功能。水分利用效率作为植物叶片通过光合作用调节水分生理过程的指标,是联系生态系统碳循环与水循环关系的关键,反映了植被生态系统对立地环境快速调整和资源变化的适应策略,是当前全球变化研究中的重点。植物叶片碳稳定同位素比值(δ¹³C)是反映植物长期水分利用效率的关键指标,但全球气候变暖对植物叶片δ¹³C值的影响仍存在较大争议。该研究利用Meta分析整合全球范围内51份相关研究文献中的371组数据,较为系统地评估模拟增温对植物叶片δ¹³C及其生理生态指标的影响。结果表明,模拟增温能够使叶片δ¹³C值显著升高0.6%(P<0.001),同时对叶片呼吸速率R_d、气孔导度G_s、净光合作用速率P_n、碳C的效应值分别为0.237、0.062、-0.140、-0.019 (P<0.05)。模拟增温处理在增强植物光合作用的同时提高了叶片呼吸速率(R_d),导致光合产物不断被消耗、叶片碳(C)降低,最终使叶片P_n降低并且叶片δ¹³C产生富集现象。通过进一步对影响因素分析发现,叶片δ¹³C值对增温的响应主要受增温时间、高程和年均气温等控制(相对重要性指数分别为1.00、0.97和0.92)。另外,模拟增温时选用不同的增温模式对叶片δ¹³C值也具有显著不同的影响,采用红外线加热、土柱置换和电缆增温等方法对叶片δ¹³C值具有正向促进作用(效应值分别为0.70、0.44和0.35),而采用遮阳屏与开顶箱增温等方法具有负向作用(效应值分别为-0.17和-0.09)。研究结论对于深入理解全球变化背景下植物水分利用的响应特征具有重要的理论意义,以期为今后该领域的植物生长研究提供理论依据和有效支撑。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.