Comparative Evaluation of Trace Metal Distribution and Correlation in Human Malignant and Benign Breast Tissues

Selected trace metals were analyzed in human malignant and nonmalignant (benign) breast tissue samples by the flame atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. In malignant tissues, dominant mean concentrations were revealed by Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, and Al at 927, 552, 231, 61.7, 36.5, 18.3, and 8.94 microg/g, respectively, while the mean metal levels in benign tissues were 903, 435, 183, 63.3, 24.7, 14.5, and 10.1 microg/g, respectively. Average concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, K, Ca, and Zn were noted to be significantly higher in the malignant tissues compared with the benign tissues. Significantly strong correlations (r > 0.50) in malignant tissues were observed between Mn and Co, Mn and Cd, Cd and Cr, Fe and Mn, Cd and Co, Fe and Co, Mg and Pb, Cd and Fe, Mg and Ni, Pb and Ni, Ni and Sr, and Fe and Pb, whereas, Cd and Co, Cd and Mn, Co and Mg, Co and Mn, Cu and Mn, Co and Ni, Mg and Ni, Cd and Cu, Cd and Ni, Ca and Mg, Mn and Pb, Cu and Ni, Fe and Ni, Cd and Mg, Co and Cu, Cr and Na, and Cd and Cr revealed strong and significant relationships in benign tissues at p < 0.001. Principal component analysis of the metals data yielded six principal components for malignant tissues and five principal components for benign tissues, with considerably different loadings, duly supported by cluster analysis. The study revealed a considerably different pattern of distribution and mutual correlations of trace metals in the breast tissues of benign and cancerous patients.     

辽宁省高等植物多样性编目

为给辽宁植物多样性保护提供本底数据, 更准确地评价植物濒危及保护等级, 以及更好地给农学、林学、生态学、系统学等研究提供可靠的基础性数据, 本文首次将几代人在辽宁境内发现的高等植物进行汇总、编目, 包括苔藓植物和维管束植物。苔藓植物根据正式发表的文献和中国科学院沈阳应用生态研究所东北生物标本馆(IFP)馆藏采自辽宁省全域的苔藓植物标本编制。维管束植物主要根据5个方面的信息整理: 作者多年野外调查的一手资料、文献、同行交流、公众提供信息、标本等。编目内容包括辽宁省高等植物总名录、辽宁省栽培植物名录、辽宁省外来植物名录、辽宁省仅有栽培植物的科属目录、辽宁省仅有外来植物的科属目录; 编目中涉及的物种均有科属地位、中文名、拉丁名、生境、产地(县级), 总名录中附有每个物种的信息凭证, 包括标本信息、文献信息或照片依据。本编目共计收录植物254科1,176属3,241种73亚种447变种119变型。其中, 苔藓植物为辽宁地区首次披露名录信息, 计83科205属491种4亚种7变种(含藓类52科156属373种1亚种5变种, 苔类29科46属114种3亚种2变种, 角苔类2科3属4种)。维管束植物虽非首次披露名录信息, 但与以往发布的维管束植物名录相比, 本次收录的种类数最多, 计171科971属2,750种69亚种440变种119变型(含石松类植物2科3属13种, 蕨类植物17科39属83种2亚种7变种, 裸子植物5科19属47种1亚种13变种2变型, 被子植物147科910属2,607种66亚种420变种117变型)。经统计, 辽宁省所有苔藓植物均为本土野生植物。维管束植物中, 野生植物计149科741属2,077种62亚种378变种93变型(含石松类植物2科3属13种, 蕨类植物17科39属83种2亚种7变种, 裸子植物4科8属12种6变种1变型, 被子植物145科133属1,969种60亚种365变种92变型), 栽培植物计104科390属673种7亚种62变种26变型(含裸子植物5科17属35种1亚种7变种1变型, 被子植物99科373属638种6亚种55变种25变型); 本土植物计158科796属2,235种65亚种421变种116变型(含石松类植物2科3属13种, 蕨类植物17科39属83种2亚种7变种, 裸子植物5科14属29种12变种2变型, 被子植物134科740属2,110种63亚种402变种114变型), 外来植物计88科316属515种4亚种19变种3变型(含裸子植物3科10属18种1亚种1变种, 被子植物85科306属497种3亚种18变种3变型)。本编目仅是辽宁省高等植物的阶段性汇总, 尚需要根据野外工作的拓展和研究工作的深入不断完善。     

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.     

The simple-septate basidiomycetes: a synopsis

The simple-septate basidiomycetes comprise more than 8,000 species that show a high morphological and ecological heterogeneity. To gain insight in the phylogenetic relationships within this group, we compared several ultrastructural features such as septal pore apparatus, form, and behavior of the spindle pole bodies, types of host–parasite interaction, presence or absence of colacosomes, symplechosomes, atractosomes, and cystosomes as well as nuclear rDNA sequences coding for small- and large-subunit rRNA. Based on our integrated analysis, we propose a new classification system for the simple-septate basidiomycetes with the subphylum Pucciniomycotina and the classes Agaricostilbomycetes, Atractiellomycetes, Classiculomycetes, Cryptomycocolacomycetes, Cystobasidiomycetes, Microbotryomycetes, Mixiomycetes, and Pucciniomycetes. We also propose the pucciniomycotinous taxa Cystobasidiales, Erythrobasidiales, Helicobasidiales, Mixiales, Naohideales, Pachnocybales, Spiculogloeales, and Kondoaceae and the new subphyla Agaricomycotina (equivalent to the current Hymenomycetes) and Ustilaginomycotina (equivalent to the current Ustilaginomycetes).     

海蛎壳生物质资源再利用的研究进展*

海蛎是一种营养和医药价值较高的咸水双壳类动物,在世界各地被广泛养殖。海蛎壳副产品是一种天然生物质资源,由95%的碳酸钙和5%的有机基质组成。海蛎壳的多尺度、多层次“砖-泥”独特结构,使其具有良好的机械稳定性、生物相容性、可降解性和优异的吸附特性。首先,介绍了海蛎壳生物质的理化性质和天然独特微纳米结构,总结了海蛎壳在农业、工业、生物医药领域的研究现状,详细阐述了其在污水治理、土壤改良、天然抗菌剂(食品工业和生物医药)、骨组织工程、医药原料、生物填料、工业催化剂及分散载体、建筑工业填料、功能化涂料等领域的研究现状。其次,概述了利用生物转化技术将海蛎壳转化为生物能源、新型生物质材料等方面的研究进展。最后,展望了海蛎壳生物质资源及其衍生物未来在工业、农业、医药领域的潜在应用。     

减氮配施有机物料对玉米-白菜轮作系统作物产量、光合特性和产品品质的影响

减氮配施有机物料是实现农作物减肥不减产甚至增产的重要措施之一。为了探究减氮配施有机物料对贵州黄壤区玉米-白菜轮作系统作物产量、光合特性和农产品品质的影响,本研究采用盆栽试验,以玉米和白菜作为供试作物,研究了不施肥(CK)、常规化肥(CF)、减氮(20%)配施生物炭(RF+B)、减氮配施菜籽饼(RF+O)、减氮配施生物炭和菜籽饼(RF+BO)处理,对玉米苗期、拔节期、抽穗期、成熟期和白菜苗期、生长期、收获期植株叶片光合特性、生物性状、产量和品质的影响。结果表明: 与CF处理相比,RF+BO处理显著增加了玉米和白菜产量,增幅分别为9.7%和39.2%,RF+O处理对玉米和白菜产量的影响不显著,RF+B处理玉米增产不明显。RF+BO处理改善了玉米和白菜的生物性状,显著提升了玉米百粒重和白菜的株高、最大叶长、总生物量;延长了玉米和白菜持绿期及高光合持续时间,其中,玉米苗期、拔节期、抽穗期和成熟期叶片SPAD值分别增加42.7%、11.0%、12.8%和30.2%,白菜苗期、生长期和收获期叶片SPAD值分别增加13.5%、9.2%和12.5%;玉米苗期、抽穗期和成熟期的净光合速率(P_n)分别增加11.1%、10.9%和119.8%,白菜生长期和收获期的P_n分别提高12.7%和14.6%;玉米抽穗期和收获期的气孔导度(g_s)分别增加58.3%和41.7%,白菜苗期、生长期和收获期的g_s分别增加10%、64.7%和19.2%;玉米苗期、拔节期、抽穗期和成熟期的蒸腾速率(T_r)分别增加55.0%、10.6%、14.0%和143.9%,白菜生长期的T_r增加26.1%。同时,玉米和白菜的营养品质明显改善,玉米籽粒还原糖、淀粉和粗蛋白含量分别提高16.2%、3.5%和20.3%,白菜Vc、氨基酸和还原糖含量分别提高26.3%、21.0%和27.8%。这说明本试验条件下,减氮20%配施生物炭和菜籽饼组合对贵州黄壤玉米-白菜轮作系统的作物生长、产量提升、持绿期和高光合持续时间的延长、农产品品质改良均有积极效应,总体上在所有处理中提升效果最佳。减氮下单一配施有机物料对作物产量、光合和品质的整体影响不明显。     

国内8款常用植物识别软件的识别能力评价

随着智能手机和人工智能技术的发展, 以手机app为载体的植物识别软件慢慢走进公众生活、科普活动和科研活动的各个方面。植物识别app的识别正确率是决定其使用价值和用户体验的关键因素。目前, 国内应用市场上有许多植物识别app, 它们的开发目的和应用范围各异, 软件本身的关注点、数据库来源、算法、硬件要求也存在很大差异。对于不同人群, 植物识别app有不同的意义, 如对于科研人员来说, 识别能力强的app是提高效率的一大工具; 对植物爱好者来说, 具一定准确率的识别app可以作为入门的工具。因此, 对各app的识别能力进行分析与评价显得尤为重要。本文选取了8款常用的app, 分别对400张已准确鉴定的植物图片进行识别, 其中干旱半干旱区、温带、热带和亚热带4个区各选取100张。这些图片共计122科164属340种, 涵盖了乔木、灌木、草本、草质藤本和木质藤本5种生长型, 包含23种国家级保护植物。种、属、科准确识别正确分别计4分、2分、1分, 以此标准对软件识别能力按总得分进行排序, 正确率得分由高到低依次为花帮主、百度识图、花伴侣、形色、花卉识别、植物识别、发现识花、微软识花。     

中国昆虫染色体研究现状与展望

简要叙述了中国昆虫染色体研究的现状,包括研究涉及的昆虫类群、核型分析结果、研究方法和手段、染色体有丝分裂、减数分裂、染色体形态变异、结构变异和数量变异等。我国学者对昆虫染色体研究从20世纪30年代开始,迄今已对蜉蝣目、蜚蠊目、直翅目、半翅目、同翅目、鞘翅目、鳞翅目、双翅目、蚤目和膜翅目等10目481种昆虫的核型进行了研究,主要集中在蝗虫、蝽类、蚜虫、蚕类、果蝇、摇蚊及实蝇等。在染色体行为方面的研究主要有：蚕类和果蝇等有丝分裂;蜚蠊类、蝗类、蝽类和蚕类的减数分裂及性别决定机制;部分昆虫的联会复合体分析。染色体结构变异的研究主要集中在果蝇和蚊类昆虫的唾腺染色体;果蝇的B染色体;蚕类和蚊类昆虫染色体的缺失、易位和倒位等变异;蚕蛾类的数量变异。研究结果多应用于昆虫系统分类和进化的探讨,揭示昆虫遗传与变异规律。通过与国外研究成果对比,提出昆虫染色体研究的必要性,并对我国未来昆虫染色体研究进行了展望。     

Oxypred： Prediction and Classification of Oxygen-Binding Proteins

This study describes a method for predicting and classifying oxygen-binding pro- teins. Firstly, support vector machine (SVM) modules were developed using amino acid composition and dipeptide composition for predicting oxygen-binding pro- teins, and achieved maximum accuracy of 85.5% and 87.8%, respectively. Sec- ondly, an SVM module was developed based on amino acid composition, classify- ing the predicted oxygen-binding proteins into six classes with accuracy of 95.8%, 97.5%, 97.5%, 96.9%, 99.4%, and 96.0% for erythrocruorin, hemerythrin, hemo- cyanin, hemoglobin, leghemoglobin, and myoglobin proteins, respectively. Finally, an SVM module was developed using dipeptide composition for classifying the oxygen-binding proteins, and achieved maximum accuracy of 96.1%, 98.7%, 98.7%, 85.6%, 99.6%, and 93.3% for the above six classes, respectively. All modules were trained and tested by five-fold cross validation. Based on the above approach, a web server Oxypred was developed for predicting and classifying oxygen-binding proteins(available from http://www.imtech.res.in/raghava/oxypred/).     

Safety of 80 antidepressants,antipsychotics, anti‐attention‐deficit/hyperactivity medications and mood stabilizers in children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders: a large scale systematic meta‐review of 78 adverse effects

Mental disorders frequently begin in childhood or adolescence. Psychotropic medications have various indications for the treatment of mental dis­orders in this age group and are used not infrequently off‐label. However, the adverse effects of these medications require special attention during developmentally sensitive periods of life. For this meta‐review, we systematically searched network meta‐analyses and meta‐analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), individual RCTs, and cohort studies reporting on 78 a priori selected adverse events across 19 categories of 80 psychotropic medications – including antidepressants, antipsychotics, anti‐attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications and mood stabilizers – in children and adolescents with mental disorders. We included data from nine network meta‐analyses, 39 meta‐analyses, 90 individual RCTs, and eight cohort studies, including 337,686 children and adolescents. Data on ≥20% of the 78 adverse events were available for six antidepressants (sertraline, escitalopram, paroxetine, fluoxetine, venlafaxine and vilazodone), eight antipsychotics (risperidone, quetiapine, aripiprazole, lurasidone, paliperidone, ziprasidone, olanzapine and asenapine), three anti‐ADHD medications (methylphenidate, atomoxetine and guanfacine), and two mood stabilizers (valproate and lithium). Among these medications with data on ≥20% of the 78 adverse events, a safer profile emerged for escitalopram and fluoxetine among antidepressants, lurasidone for antipsychotics, methylphenidate among anti‐ADHD medications, and lithium among mood stabilizers. The available literature raised most concerns about the safety of venlafaxine, olanzapine, atomoxetine, guanfacine and valproate. Nausea/vomiting and discontinuation due to adverse event were most frequently associated with antidepressants; sedation, extrapyramidal side effects, and weight gain with antipsychotics; anorexia and insomnia with anti‐ADHD medications; sedation and weight gain with mood stabilizers. The results of this comprehensive and updated quantitative systematic meta‐review of top‐tier evidence regarding the safety of antidepressants, antipsychotics, anti‐ADHD medications and mood stabilizers in children and adolescents can inform clinical practice, research and treatment guidelines.     

Extracellular Adenosine, Inosine, Hypoxanthine, and Xanthine in Relation to Tissue Nucleotides and Purines in Rat Striatum During Transient Ischemia

Extracellular (EC) adenosine, hypoxanthine, xanthine, and inosine concentrations were monitored in vivo in the striatum during steady state, 15 min of complete brain ischemia, and 4 h of reflow and compared with purine and nucleotide levels in the tissue. Ischemia was induced by three-vessel occlusion combined with hypotension (50 mm Hg) in male Sprague-Dawley rats. EC purines were sampled by microdialysis, and tissue adenine nucleotides and purine catabolites were extracted from the in situ frozen brain at the end of the experiment. ATP, ADP, and AMP were analyzed with enzymatic fluorometric techniques, and adenosine, hypoxanthine, xanthine, and inosine with a modified HPLC system. Ischemia depleted tissue ATP, whereas AMP, adenosine, hypoxanthine, and inosine accumulated. In parallel, adenosine, hypoxanthine, and inosine levels increased in the EC compartment. Adenosine reached an EC concentration of 40 microM after 15 min of ischemia. Levels of tissue nucleotides and purines normalized on reflow. However, xanthine levels increased transiently (sevenfold). In the EC compartment, adenosine, inosine, and hypoxanthine contents normalized slowly on reflow, whereas the xanthine content increased. The high EC levels of adenosine during ischemia may turn off spontaneous neuronal firing, counteract excitotoxicity, and inhibit ischemic calcium uptake, thereby exerting neuroprotective effects.     

Allenic and cumulenic lipids

Nowadays, about 200 natural allenic metabolites, more than 2700 synthetic allenic compounds, and about 1300 cumulenic structures are known. The present review describes research on natural as well as some biological active allenic and cumulenic lipids and related compounds isolated from different sources. Intensive searches for new classes of pharmacologically potent agents produced by living organisms have resulted in the discovery of dozens of such compounds possessing high anticancer, cytotoxic, antibacterial, antiviral, and other activities. Known allenic and cumulenic compounds can be subdivided on several structural classes: fatty acids, hydrocarbons, terpenes, steroids, carotenoids, marine bromoallenes, peptides, aromatic, cumulenic, and miscellaneous compounds. This review emphasizes the role of natural and synthetic allenic and cumulenic lipids and other related compounds as an important source of leads for drug discovery.     

Neutrino intergalactic communication,metal life,and viruses: Part 1 quo vadis ex machina

At one spectrum extreme, Astrobiology conjectures that for exoplanets with Goldilocks conditions, terrestrial-like life is inevitable. Moreover, it is envisaged that via panspermia, terrestrial-like life and its precursors are transferred among galaxies, stars, and within solar systems via transiting comets, asteroids, and planetoids. In addition, expelled stars, which have solar systems, it is inferred, transfer life as well. However, at the other extreme, we propose a paradigm shift that on some planets, subject to non- Goldilocks conditions, metal machine life could arise, ab initio, and evolve viruses, intelligence, and civilizations, conjointly. Accordingly, intelligent mechanized civilizations could readily and efficiently commence space exploration. Furthermore, as a counter paradigm shift, such civilizations could experiment and produce non-metallic life, based on carbon and other non-metal elements, under suitable conditions, related to Goldilocks life. Even a single example of validated interstellar or intergalactic communication received on the Earth would support the existence of life elsewhere. However, the communication platform should not be restricted to electromagnetic radiation. Other platforms should be included as well - one such example, which would require sophisticated technology, is neutrino communication. This is the case for any advanced civilization, be it metal-machine based, biological-based, and carbon-based. In sum, civilizations based on machine life, would be highly productive due to the longevity and hardiness of machine life. However, significant caveats are raised in this brief report, because possibly dissimilar psychologies and intelligence may lead to conflicts between metal machine life and biological life, inter-paradigm conflict.     

Breeding for resistance to diseases in greengram and blackgram

Summary This review is given on the origin and interrelationship of blackgram and greengram: the symptoms, mode of transmission, and host range of important diseases, namely: mungbean yellow mosaic virus, leaf crinkle virus, leaf curl virus, mosaic mottle virus, Cercospora leaf spot, powdery mildew, root and stem rots, bacterial leaf spot and halo blight. The screening for resistance, sources of resistance, including interspecific hybridization, and induced mutations, as well as the genetics of resistance are treated along with suggestions for future breeding strategies of these crops.Greengram is relatively drought tolerant. It is cultivated in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Srilanka, Thailand, Laos, Kampuchea, Vietnam, eastern Malaysia, Southern China and in the relatively dry eastern parts of Java, (Jain and Mehra 1978). In the recent past it has been introduced into the eastern and central parts of Africa, the West Indies and the U.S.A. It is also grown in the Philippines, Nepal, Taiwan and Indonesia. Blackgram has greater water requirements than greengram. It is grown in India, Pakistan, Srilanka and Burma (Jain and Mehra 1978).     

Sugars in crop plants

We review current knowledge of the most abundant sugars, sucrose, maltose, glucose and fructose, in the world's major crop plants. The sucrose‐accumulating crops, sugar beet and sugar cane, are included, but the main focus of the review is potato and the major cereal crops. The production of sucrose in photosynthesis and the inter‐relationships of sucrose, glucose, fructose and other metabolites in primary carbon metabolism are described, as well as the synthesis of starch, fructan and cell wall polysaccharides and the breakdown of starch to produce maltose. The importance of sugars as hormone‐like signalling molecules is discussed, including the role of another sugar, trehalose, and the trehalose biosynthetic pathway. The Maillard reaction, which occurs between reducing sugars and amino acids during thermal processing, is described because of its importance for colour and flavour in cooked foods. This reaction also leads to the formation of potentially harmful compounds, such as acrylamide, and is attracting increasing attention as food producers and regulators seek to reduce the levels of acrylamide in cooked food. Genetic and environmental factors affecting sugar concentrations are described.     

Effects of antipsychotics,antidepressants and mood stabilizers on risk for physical diseases in people with schizophrenia,depression and bipolar disorder

People with severe mental illness have a considerably shorter lifespan than the general population. This excess mortality is mainly due to physical illness. Next to mental illness‐related factors, unhealthy lifestyle, and disparities in health care access and utilization, psychotropic medications can contribute to the risk of physical morbidity and mortality. We systematically reviewed the effects of antipsychotics, antidepressants and mood stabilizers on physical health outcomes in people with schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. Updating and expanding our prior systematic review published in this journal, we searched MEDLINE (November 2009 ‐ November 2014), combining the MeSH terms of major physical disease categories (and/or relevant diseases within these categories) with schizophrenia, major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, and the three major psychotropic classes which received regulatory approval for these disorders, i.e., antipsychotics, antidepressants and mood stabilizers. We gave precedence to results from (systematic) reviews and meta‐analyses wherever possible. Antipsychotics, and to a more restricted degree antidepressants and mood stabilizers, are associated with an increased risk for several physical diseases, including obesity, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders, hyponatremia; cardiovascular, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal, haematological, musculoskeletal and renal diseases, as well as movement and seizure disorders. Higher dosages, polypharmacy, and treatment of vulnerable (e.g., old or young) individuals are associated with greater absolute (elderly) and relative (youth) risk for most of these physical diseases. To what degree medication‐specific and patient‐specific risk factors interact, and how adverse outcomes can be minimized, allowing patients to derive maximum benefits from these medications, requires adequate clinical attention and further research.     

Ostracodes du Cénomanien supérieur et du Turonien de la zone sous-pyrénéenne orientale (Corbières méridionales, SE France). Systématique, biostratigraphie, paléoécologie et paléobiogéographie

Thirty-four species of ostracodes are collected in the platform series of the Southern Corbières; two biostratigraphical assemblages, with 13 and 29 species, are respectively recognized in Cenomanian and Upper Turonian; palaeoecology is specified. At that time, the ostracode sub-province of South-West France, established on Southern Corbières, Aquitaine, Touraine-Poitou-Charentes region and Provence, is connected with Eastern and Northern regions and countries: Sub-alpines ranges, Paris Basin, Great Britain, Switzerland and Bohemia, and with the Iberian Peninsula, sub-province of North-Central Spain and Western Portuguese Basin. The crossing of the Tethys and the Atlantic Ocean is realized, in Turonian, by some rare species.     

Accumulation of Minerals by Leccinum scabrum from Two Large Forested Areas in Central Europe: Notecka Wilderness and Tuchola Forest (Pinewoods)

Leccinum scabrum sporocarps and associated topsoils from two areas in Poland have been characterized for contents and bioconcentration potential of Ag, Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, Sr and Zn. Topsoil and fruitbody element composition varied between the two study sites, most likely as a result of local soil geochemistry. Element content of the labile fraction in topsoil from both sites followed the ‘pseudo‐total’ fraction and median values (mg kg^?1 dry matter) were: K 380 and 340, Mg 760 and 840, P 1100 and 920, Al 3800 and 8100, Ag 0.31 and 0.28, Ba 28 and 37, Ca 920 and 790, Cd 0.23 and 0.23, Co 2.0 and 1.7, Cu 3.2 and 3.6, Fe 2800 and 6300, Mn 280 and 180, Na 99 and 110, Ni 7.8 and 8.8, Pb 12 and 18, Rb 1.3 and 2.1, Sr 4.8 and 4.0 and Zn 22 and 19, respectively. Only for some elements such as K, Mg, Al, Ag, Ca, Co, Mn, Na, Ni, Sr and Zn we found concentration differences between the two study sites for the caps of sporocarps. With the exception of Al, Mn, Na and Pb, stipes showed a similar tendency. Caps had a higher concentration of K, Rb, P, Mg, Al, Ag, Cu, Fe, Zn, Cd, Pb and Ni compared to stipes, while Na, Ba and Sr contents were higher in stipes. The comparison of soil and fruitbody concentrations indicates that L. scabrum bioconcentrate some elements while others are bioexcluded.     

Quantification and characterisation of cyclo-oxygenase and lipid peroxidation inhibitory anthocyanins in fruits of Amelanchier

The levels of bioactive anthocyanins in the fruits of Amelanchier alnifolia, A. arborea and A. canadensis have been determined by HPLC. Cyanidin 3-galactoside (1) was present in the fresh fruit of the three species at concentrations of 155, 390 and 165 mg/100 g, respectively. Cyanidin 3-glucoside (2) was present only in A. alnifolia and A. canadensis at concentrations of 54 and 48 mg/100 g, respectively. The anthocyanins were confirmed by LC-ESI/MS and NMR studies. At 100 ppm, anthocyanin mixtures from the three species inhibited cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-1 and -2 enzymes at 66 and 67%, 60 and 72%, and 51 and 76%, respectively. The positive controls used in the COX assays were aspirin, Celebrex and Vioxx at 180, 1.67 and 1.67 ppm, respectively, and showed 74 and 69%, 5 and 82% and 0 and 85% COX-1 and COX-2 inhibition, respectively. Anthocyanins 1 and 2 and cyanidin (3) inhibited COX-1 enzyme 50.5, 45.62 and 96.36%, respectively, at 100 ppm, whereas COX-2 inhibition was the highest for 3 at 75%. In the lipid peroxidation inhibitory assay, anthocyanin mixtures at 10 ppm from the three species showed activities of 72, 73 and 68%, respectively, compared with 89, 87 and 98% for commercial anti-oxidants butylated hydoxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, and tert-butylhydroxyquinone at 1.67, 2.2 and 1.67 ppm, respectively. At 10 ppm, compounds 1-3 inhibited lipid peroxidation by 70, 75 and 78%, respectively.