古尔班通古特沙漠南部植物多样性的区域差异

植物多样性分布受环境影响,具有尺度依赖性,研究不同区域植物多样性的差异和分布规律有助于剖析群落多样性的整体形成和变化原因,进而为实施有效的保护和利用提供科学依据。以古尔班通古特沙漠植物多样性集中分布的南部为研究区,沿经向方向划分3条样带(绿洲边缘样带、克拉玛依至吉木萨尔的沙漠公路样带以及距离二者之间的沙漠腹地样带),同时根据沙垄高度、走向和生境差异将研究区划分为5个分区,对比研究各样带、各分区的α、β多样性特征及物种共性和差异性。结果表明:3条样带的α多样性变化为绿洲边缘样带沙漠公路样带沙漠腹地样带。随经度的增加,各样带的物种相似性和替代性特征表现相似的变化趋势。物种分析发现沙漠公路样带内短命植物分布较多,绿洲边缘样带以多年生草本和灌木群落为主,而沙漠腹地样带介于二者之间。各分区间的物种组成存在一定差异。沙漠西部、东部、莫索湾垦区附近、沙漠腹地等分区物种丰富度均较高,而古玛纳斯湖区的植物丰富度较低,与其余4个分区间的物种相似性小,相互替代性较强。总结认为古尔班通古特沙漠南部各分区间植物多样性受地史过程的影响较大,而样带间植物多样性受土壤质地、降水量等环境因素影响较大;沙漠东部似是整个南部沙漠的物种扩散中心。     

水分梯度下黑河流域荒漠植物群落多样性特征

物种多样性对大尺度环境条件的响应是植物生态学的热点问题,干旱区内陆河流域的特殊环境条件如何影响物种多样性仍存在较大的不确定性。以黑河流域荒漠植物群落为对象,探讨了荒漠植物群落α多样性和β多样性对不同水分梯度的响应。结果表明:(1)荒漠植物群落随水分条件不同而变化,在区域降水梯度上,依次分布有梭梭[Haloxylon ammodendron(C.A.Mey.)Bunge]、西伯利亚白刺(Nitraria sibirica Pall.)、毛瓣白刺(Nitraria praevisa Bobr.)、沙蒿(Artemisia desertorum Spreng.)、细枝盐爪爪(Kalidium gracile Fenzl)、珍珠猪毛菜(Salsola passerina Bunge)和尖叶盐爪爪[Kalidium cuspidatum(Ung.Sternb.)Grub.]群落;随距黑河河道距离增加,主要分布有胡杨(Populus euphratica Oliv.)、多枝柽柳(Tamarix ramosissima Lebed.)、花花柴[Karelinia caspia(Pall.)Less.]和红砂[Reaumuria songarica(Pall.)Maxim.]群落。(2)荒漠植物群落物种多样性指数偏低,Margalef指数、Shannon-Weiner指数和Simpson指数最大值仅为0.985、1.641、0.596,群落结构简单,物种组成单一,单寡种优势群落现象极为明显,群落相对稳定。(3)在区域降水梯度上,α多样性指数大致呈先增加后降低的变化趋势,在珍珠猪毛菜群落(190 mm)达到峰值后迅速下降,Srensen相似指数在细枝盐爪爪群落(166 mm)与珍珠猪毛菜群落(190 mm)之间达到最大值,Cody指数相对较小,表明珍珠猪毛菜群落(190 mm)物种丰富度最高,细枝盐爪爪群落(166 mm)与珍珠猪毛菜群落(190 mm)之间β多样性最小,物种更替速率最慢,群落处于较稳定阶段。(4)随距黑河河道距离增加,α多样性指数大体呈"M"型变化,在多枝柽柳群落(1 km)和多枝柽柳群落(4.1 km)存在两个峰值,此处物种多样性相对较高,Srensen指数在1—1.5 km和4.1—4.8 km之间出现两个较小值,Cody指数出现两个峰值,两者之间β多样性最大,为物种更替速率相对较快的过渡地带。对荒漠植被,以重要值为指标计测多样性指数较为可行,荒漠植物群落的物种多样性并不是随水分的增加而直线增加,这对维持和管理荒漠植物群落的多样性具有重要意义。     

河距对连香树雌雄植株分布、形态和叶片N、P重吸收效率的影响差异

近年来,河岸带植被的分布及其生物多样性的维持机制成为研究热点,然而目前对河岸带雌雄异株濒危植物的生态适应机制的研究较少。以河岸带专性濒危树种连香树(Cercidiphyllum japonicum)为研究对象,比较不同河岸距离下雌雄植株的数量、形态、叶片N、P重吸收效率及土壤水分、全N、全P的差异及相关性。结果表明:河距的增加显著降低了雌株的数量,而对雄株的数量影响不大,进而降低了种群的性比(雌/雄)。离河岸带远的地方,连香树种群性比显著偏雄(雌雄性比为0.289;χ2=4.57,P0.05),且雄株株高、成熟叶N含量、叶P重吸收效率均显著高于雌株,而在距河岸近的地方以上指标在性别间均无显著差异。雄株叶N重吸收效率、雌株的叶P重吸收效率与其叶片养分、土壤因子相关性较强。且连香树(尤其是雌株)的株高与叶片N、P重吸收效率均呈显著正相关。这些结果表明,连香树对河距的适应性响应具有性别差异,且雌雄植株叶片的N和P重吸收效率对其植物、土壤因子的响应不同。雌株对河岸生境的依赖可能限定了该种群的分布。     

汾河中上游湿地植被β多样性

探讨和揭示群落构建机制(生态位理论和中性理论)是生态学和生物地理学研究的热点和难点之一。研究β多样性格局及其与空间距离和环境异质性的关系为解释群落构建机制提供了一定的理论依据,以往群落β多样性的研究主要集中于物种组成的差异性,对种间在进化关系和功能属性方面的差异则关注较少。在野外调查的基础上,分析了汾河中上游湿地植被Tβ(taxonβ-diversity)、Pβ(phylogeneticβ-diversity)和Fβ(functionalβ-diversity)多样性格局及其与空间距离和生境异质性的关系。结果表明:(1)随着样地间距离的增加,Tβ、Pβ和Fβ整体上表现出逐渐增加的趋势,即表现出群落的距离衰减效应。(2)土壤因子中,TP是影响样地间Tβ、Pβ和Fβ的主要因子(P0.05);p H、TOC和TN对Tβ、Pβ和Fβ的影响均未达到显著水平(P0.05)。(3)由于受到空间扩散限制和生境异质性的影响,样地间β多样性表现出较大的差异,Tβ(0.66—1)、Pβ(0.42—0.85)和Fβ(0.51—0.94)。(4)尽管Tβ、Pβ和Fβ反映了多样性的不同方面,但三者之相关性极显著(P0.01);(5)对Tβ、Pβ和Fβ多样性格局及其与空间距离和生境异质性的关系进行研究,表明环境因子和扩散限制共同决定着β多样性的格局,即群落的构建机制由生态位理论和中性理论共同主导。     

景观格局与植物多样性的关系及其空间尺度效应——以浑善达克沙地为例

景观格局是植物多样性的重要影响因素,为了探明沙地景观格局与植物多样性的关系及其空间尺度效应,以浑善达克沙地腹地为研究区,采用样方法进行植物群落学调查,基于GIS和遥感分析技术,分析景观格局指数,计算了10个尺度(100,200,300,400,500,600,700,800,900,1000m)下33个景观格局指数,利用双变量相关性分析法筛选出不同尺度下与植物多样性显著相关的指数;运用逐步回归的方法识别不同尺度下对植物多样性贡献显著的景观格局指数,并进行拟合检验。研究结果表明:景观格局指数对物种多样性影响具有显著的尺度依赖性。在所有空间尺度,景观格局指数主要对Shannon多样性指数和β指数影响较大;在100m尺度下,Shannon指数逐步回归R~2值达到最大(0.138);β指数在900m尺度下R2值达到最大值(0.2)。拟合检验发现,在500m尺度下,均匀度指数、Shannon多样性指数和β多样性指数实测值和预测值拟合均达到显著水平(P0.05),故认为500m尺度下,景观格局对植物多样性影响较大。因此,在不同尺度下管理和保护沙地植物多样性,应综合考虑景观格局指数的尺度效应,根据需要建立和优化有利于植物多样性的景观格局。     

新疆艾比湖湿地自然保护区荒漠优势种体内的水分来源

植物体内各水分来源的比例反映植物的适应特征,在水分作为限制因子的荒漠区,其更是物种间生态位分化、荒漠多样性维持的重要机理之一。通过检测艾比湖湿地自然保护区内4个生境(荒漠、河岸林、盐沼地和沙丘)的8科14种优势种的木质部,以及当地河水、地下水、4层不同深度(0—40,40—70,70—100 cm和100—150 cm)土壤水的稳定氧同位素值(δ~(18)O),估算各物种和各科植物体内各种水分来源的比例,随后依据根系的空间位置再将14种植物分成13个中深根系和1个浅根系物种,进一步利用δ~(18)O值分析深浅根系植物间的水分差别,以及各水源间的补给关系。结果表明:(1)艾比湖湿地自然保护区内,不同物种体内水分来源存在差别。将所有优势物种按科属归类后,类似物种水平,不同科属植物体内的水分来源也存在差别;(2)地下水是大部分植物的主要补给水源,多数植物很少利用0—40 cm表层土壤水;(3)深浅根系植物的水分来源不同,深根系植物主要利用地下水和河水,而浅根系植物主要利用土壤水;(4)艾比湖湿地自然保护区内,地下水补给河水,随后两者共同从土壤深层至浅层依次补给土壤水。综上可知:干旱荒漠内,水源可利用性的多样化,导致不同区域植物体内各水分来源的比例存在差别。在离河岸距离、地下水位高低、土壤表层盐渍化程度等因素的综合影响下,多年生和盐渍环境生长的植物,趋向于吸收地下水、河水和深层土壤水,相反,一年生或短命植物趋向于利用其能触及到的各种水源。     

凋落物和林下植被对杉木林土壤碳氮水解酶活性的影响机制

凋落物和林下植被在森林生态系统土壤碳、氮循环过程中发挥重要作用,目前关于亚热带杉木人工林凋落物和林下植被对土壤碳氮水解酶活性影响机制还不清楚。在亚热带杉木人工林设立去除凋落物+去除林下植被(LR+UR)、去除凋落物+保留林下植被(LR+U)、凋落物加倍+保留林下植被(LD+U)、凋落物加倍+割倒林下植被归还(LD+UC)处理。通过研究各处理对土壤环境因子(土壤温度(ST)、土壤含水量(SWC)、土壤酸度(p H)、硝态氮(NO_3~--N)、氨态氮(NH_4~+-N)、溶解性有机碳(DOC))和土壤碳氮水解酶(β-1,4-葡萄糖苷酶(βG)和β-1,4-N-乙酰葡糖氨糖苷酶(NAG))活性的影响,揭示凋落物和林下植被对杉木林土壤碳氮水解酶活性影响机制。结果表明:(1)通过比较LR+U和LD+U处理发现,短期内添加凋落物有增加土壤p H、NH+4-N含量和提高βG、NAG活性的趋势,但未达到显著水平(P0.05);(2)LR+UR与LR+U处理间的比较发现,去除林下植被有降低SWC、p H、NH+4-N含量、NAG活性的趋势,并显著降低了土壤DOC含量和βG活性(P0.05);(3)将LR+UR分别与LD+U、LD+UC处理进行比较表明,添加凋落物同时保留林下植被显著增加了SWC、p H、DOC和NH+4-N含量,并增强了βG和NAG活性(P0.05),而且林下植被割倒归还比林下植被正常生长更有利于土壤βG、NAG活性的提高和SWC、DOC含量的增加,但是对ST和NO-3-N含量没有显著影响(P0.05);(4)土壤水解酶活性与SWC、DOC表现为极显著正相关关系(P0.01)。总之,凋落物和林下植被影响碳氮水解酶活性的机制,主要是通过调节SWC、增加DOC含量,影响βG、NAG活性;βG、NAG活性增强也会加快土壤有机质(SOM)分解,增加土壤DOC含量。     

荒漠河岸林胡杨群落特征对地下水位梯度的响应

依据塔里木荒漠河岸林胡杨群落的实地调查资料与地下水位监测数据,应用多元统计法、Hill与β多样性指数测度法,研究优势种胡杨种群数量特征沿地下水位梯度的变化规律及其相互关系,探讨群落物种多样性对地下水位梯度的生态响应。结果表明,运用系统聚类法将荒漠河岸林不同地下水位的胡杨群落划归为3类,优势种群胸径、冠幅、盖度、密度、死亡率与地下水位呈极显著相关(P0.01)。随地下水位降低,优势种长势减弱,枯死率显著增大,种群退化。Hill多样性随地下水位梯度呈现3个明显不同的变化阶段,其中地下水位4—6 m时,多样性指数锐减与曲线渐趋平直,物种多样性开始受损。Cody(β_c)、Whittaker(β_w)指数均随地下水位梯度增大而增大,Sorensen(β_s)指数则呈下降趋势;β_s、β_c、β_w与地下水位高差间均呈极显著相关(P0.01),地下水位4 m,β_c、β_w值显著增大而β_s值显著降低。综合以上分析,地下水位4 m胡杨群落结构相似与共有种较多,优势种长势良好,其是优势种群生存的适宜生态水位;地下水位4 m,群落物种多样性与伴生种减少,物种变化速率增大,生境异质性增强,优势种群数量特征变化明显,群落结构简化;地下水位6 m左右,植被退化,物种多样性锐减,优势种稀疏衰败。因此,塔里木荒漠河岸林植被恢复的合理生态地下水位应维持在4 m左右。     

艾比湖湿地植物多样性特征及其影响因素研究

植物α 和β 多样性的变化与土壤、地貌及人为干扰等生态因子有密切的关系。主要选择沿湖从博尔塔拉河(简称博河)B, 鸟岛N, 鸭子湾Y, 奎屯河K 和在距湖岸H0km(近湖岸带)、H5km(湖滨带)、H10km(湿地-绿洲过渡带)、H15km(近精河绿洲带)范围的8 个研究区, 于2012 年10 月分别对样地乔木、灌木和草本进行调查。结果表明: (1) 艾比湖湿地共出现植物16 科46 属32 种, 藜科和禾本科种类最多, 样地上分布的草本植物比较丰富。(2)植物α 多样性变化特征: 沿湖周4 个样地平均物种Margalef 丰富度指数表现一致为: 鸟岛N>鸭子湾Y>博河B>奎屯河K; Simposon 多样性指数、Shannon-Wiener 多样性指数和McIntosh 均匀度指数表现为奎屯河最大。在距湖岸不同生境样地中平均物种Margalef 丰富度指数、Simposon 多样性指数和Shannon-Wiener 多样性指数、McIntosh 均匀度指数表现为距湖H10km 值最大。植物α 多样性指标的变化主要与土壤养分指标中的全磷、pH、全氮显著相关, 其次是全盐指标显著相关。(3)不同生境下植物β 多样性特征为H0km H5km。H5km 到H10km生境间Cody 指数变大, 其中H5km 到H10km 生境间Cody 指数变化最大。H5km 与H10km、H10km 与H15km 其资源异质性明显, 物种替代速率达到了最大。     

封育年限对高寒草甸群落组分和物种多样性的影响

高寒草甸在青藏高原畜牧业发展中占有重要地位,然而气候和人为活动的干扰对原本脆弱的生态系统产生了深刻影响。虽然封育是被广泛采用的草地恢复有效措施之一,但封育年限对群落组分和多样性的影响一直是受关注的核心问题,探明这一问题对高寒草甸的可持续发展具有重要意义。研究了封育2、7、17a的高寒矮嵩草(Kobresia humilis)草甸的群落组分和物种多样性变化特征,并探讨了不同封育年限影响物种多样性的可能原因。结果表明:1)随封育年限延长,群落上层禾本科植物的总体重要值明显增加,其中异针茅(Stipa aliena)最为显著,其重要值封育2a(13.87%)封育7a(21.76%)封育17a(23.95%),而豆科植物总体重要值显著降低,莎草科和杂类草植物变化不明显;2)α多样性:随封育年限延长,高寒草甸群落物种丰富度指数(Patrick和Margalef指数)没有发生显著变化,然而物种多样性指数(Simpson、Shannon-Wiener和种间相遇机率指数)及均匀度指数(Alatalo和Pielou指数)均表现为封育2a封育7a封育17a,且封育2a与封育7、17a呈显著性差异(P0.05);3)β多样性:Cody指数和Morisita-Horn相似指数的变化表明,封育2a与封育7、17a之间的物种差异较大,而封育7a和17a之间的物种差异较小;4)封育后凋落物的覆盖时间及其分解引起的土壤养分变化是导致物种多样性降低的重要原因之一,土壤碳氮比(C/N)与物种均匀度指数(Alatalo指数)和多样性指数(Simpson指数和种间相遇机率指数)均呈显著性负相关关系(P0.05),说明土壤养分元素之间的耦合效应对物种多样性变化具有重要影响。本研究说明,虽然物种丰富度指数随封育年限的延长没有变化,但物种均匀度和多样性指数均降低,且封育前期对物种多样性的影响大于后期,就物种多样性而言,该高寒草甸不宜进行长期封育。该研究以期为高寒草甸生物多样性的保护和可持续利用及管理提供科学依据。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.