Long‐Term Dynamics of a Fragmented Rainforest Mammal Assemblage

Abstract: Habitat fragmentation is a severe threat to tropical biotas, but its long‐term effects are poorly understood. We evaluated longer‐term changes in the abundance of larger (>1 kg) mammals in fragmented and intact rainforest and in riparian “corridors” in tropical Queensland, with data from 190 spotlighting surveys conducted in 1986–1987 and 2006–2007. In 1986–1987 when most fragments were already 20–50 years old, mammal assemblages differed markedly between fragmented and intact forest. Most vulnerable were lemuroid ringtail possums (Hemibelideus lemuroides), followed by Lumholtz's tree‐kangaroos (Dendrolagus lumholtzi) and Herbert River ringtail possums (Pseudocheirus herbertensis). Further changes were evident 20 years later. Mammal species richness fell significantly in fragments, and the abundances of 4 species, coppery brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula johnstoni), green ringtail possums (Pseudochirops archeri), red‐legged pademelons (Thylogale stigmatica), and tree‐kangaroos, declined significantly. The most surprising finding was that the lemuroid ringtail, a strict rainforest specialist, apparently recolonized one fragment, despite a 99.98% decrease in abundance in fragments and corridors. A combination of factors, including long‐term fragmentation effects, shifts in the surrounding matrix vegetation, and recurring cyclone disturbances, appear to underlie these dynamic changes in mammal assemblages.     

上喷式矿井排风热回收装置内液滴运动模型及其优化计算

为了减小常见下喷式装置风吹水损失大的问题,设计了上喷式矿井排风热回收装置.通过液滴受力及运动分析,将上喷式液滴的运动划分为2个阶段.根据牛顿第二定律,建立了简化的液滴动量方程;在该方程的基础上,结合运动阶段划分,得到临界条件下的力平衡关系式;利用该式,在10个不同相对速度下,得到了上喷式与下喷式的保证液滴不被吹飞的临界直径.应用变量替换,将液滴动量方程变换为液滴运动距离的微分式;继而,根据液滴及空气之间的雷诺数组合,导出了液滴最大上升高度的5个积分计算式.应用这些积分式,数值计算了不同迎面风速、液滴粒径及液滴初速度下,上喷式中液滴最大上升高度、下喷式中液滴最大下降高度.对比计算结果,相比下喷式,上喷式具有节水、液滴选择范围宽和低耗高效的优势.     

苯并芘对稀有鮈鲫的内分泌干扰效应研究

为评价典型有机污染物对长江三峡库区上游特有珍稀鱼类的环境风险,本实验以稀有鮈鲫为对象,研究了低剂量多环芳烃(PAHs)暴露而引起的内分泌干扰效应.将成年稀有鮈鲫暴露于不同浓度(0、0.1、0.3、1.0和3.0μg·L-1)的苯并芘(Ba P)中28 d,测定了体质系数、性激素含量、下丘脑-垂体-性腺(HPG)轴和肝脏中与繁殖相关基因的表达.结果显示:在雌鱼中,Ba P暴露后,睾酮(T)的含量显著升高,雌二醇(E2)的水平显著下降并改变了T/E2的比值;在雄鱼中,T和E2的含量都显著下降.雌雄鱼性激素的改变可能与类固醇合成相关基因(Cyp17、Cyp19a)表达量的改变有关.Ba P暴露显著抑制了雌雄鱼肝脏中卵黄蛋白原(VTG)基因的表达.以上检测到的激素或者基因表达的改变主要发生在高剂量(3.0μg·L-1)Ba P暴露下,而长江上游库区水体中多环芳烃含量较低(100 ng·L-1),因此推测,库区存在的多环芳烃不会对三峡库区上游水体中的鱼类产生内分泌干扰效应.     

Chemopreventive effects of ellagic acid against genotoxicity induced by benzo(a)pyrene

Benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) is a commonly used indicator for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contamination. The use of certain phytochemicals and some polyphenolic compounds proved to be effective in blocking PAH-induced effects. The aim of the present study was to examine the possible inhibitory effects of ellagic acid (EA), present in berries and nuts, against B(a)P-mediated toxicity using in vitro and in vivo test systems. In vitro method included the Ames test, using Salmonella typhimurium tester strain TA100. In vivo experiments were based on mouse bone marrow micronucleus (MN) assay and immunoblotting. EA produced a decrease in the number of revertant colonies against B(a)P in the Ames assay. Further, there was a reduction in the mean number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes in the presence of EA in the co-treatment protocol of the MN test. Western blotting results showed downregulation of CYP450 isoform CYP1A1 which prevented bioactivation of B(a)P. Thus, the present study demonstrates antimutagenic role played by EA against the mutagenic activity of B(a)P in both in vitro and in vivo systems.     

A fungal perspective on conservation biology

Hitherto fungi have rarely been considered in conservation biology, but this is changing as the field moves from addressing single species issues to an integrative ecosystem‐based approach. The current emphasis on biodiversity as a provider of ecosystem services throws the spotlight on the vast diversity of fungi, their crucial roles in terrestrial ecosystems, and the benefits of considering fungi in concert with animals and plants. We reviewed the role of fungi in ecosystems and composed an overview of the current state of conservation of fungi. There are 5 areas in which fungi can be readily integrated into conservation: as providers of habitats and processes important for other organisms; as indicators of desired or undesired trends in ecosystem functioning; as indicators of habitats of conservation value; as providers of powerful links between human societies and the natural world because of their value as food, medicine, and biotechnological tools; and as sources of novel tools and approaches for conservation of megadiverse organism groups. We hope conservation professionals will value the potential of fungi, engage mycologists in their work, and appreciate the crucial role of fungi in nature. Una Perspectiva Micótica de la Biología de la Conservación     

基于贝叶斯的苯并(α)芘PBPK模型优化与健康风险评估应用

应用基于生理的药代动力学(PBPK)模型预测苯并(α)芘(BaP)暴露的人体内部剂量,基于贝叶斯的马尔科夫链蒙特卡洛模拟(MCMC)方法对模型参数进行校准和优化,最后运用已优化的模型对BaP内暴露基准值进行推导.研究发现,基于贝叶斯的MCMC方法对模型后验参数校准后,模型精度明显提高,两个数据集验证结果显示残差平方和分别降低了72%和94%.PBPK模型以BaP和子代谢物3-羟基苯并(α)芘(3-OHBaP)的体内动力学过程为结构基础,模拟BaP体内浓度分布大小为脂肪>肾脏>皮肤>缓慢灌注组织>快速灌注组织>静脉血>肝脏;3-OHBaP体内浓度分布大小为肾脏>快速灌注组织>脂肪>肺>静脉血>缓慢灌注组织>肝脏>皮肤.敏感性分析显示,快速灌注组织-血分配系数对模型输出影响最大,灵敏度系数超过了200%;排泄系数影响最小,只有肾小球过滤率K_BR的灵敏度系数超过了1%.以美国国家环境保护局推荐的参考浓度2.0×10^-6mg/m³为外暴露安全基准值,基于PBPK模型推导了职业暴露的BaP生物监测当量(BE),结果显示BE值为0.405pmol/mol肌酐(尿液3-OHBaP平均浓度),为基于人体内暴露剂量水平进行定量健康风险评估奠定了基础.     

Association of Coloration Mode with Population Declines and Endangerment in Australian Frogs

Abstract: Successful protection of biodiversity requires increased understanding of the ecological characteristics that predispose some species to endangerment. Theory posits that species with polymorphic or variable coloration should have larger distributions, use more diverse resources, and be less vulnerable to population declines and extinctions, compared with taxa that do not vary in color. We used information from literature on 194 species of Australian frogs to search for associations of coloration mode with ecological variables. In general, species with variable or polymorphic color patterns had larger ranges, used more habitats, were less prone to have a negative population trend, and were estimated as less vulnerable to extinction compared with nonvariable species. An association of variable coloration with lower endangerment was also evident when we controlled statistically for the effects of range size. Nonvariable coloration was not a strong predictor of endangerment, and information on several characteristics is needed to reliably identify and protect species that are prone to decline and may become threatened by extinction in the near future. Analyses based on phylogenetic‐independent contrasts did not support the hypothesis that evolutionary transitions between nonvariable and variable or polymorphic coloration have been accompanied by changes in the ecological variables we examined. Irrefutable demonstration of a role of color pattern variation in amphibian decline and in the dynamics and persistence of populations in general will require a manipulative experimental approach.     

Modeling the exposure of children and adults via diet to chemicals in the environment with crop-specific models

Exposure to chemicals via diet is a major uptake pathway for many compounds but is often estimated in a rather generic way. We use a new model framework (NMF) with crop-specific models to predict the dietary intake by 4-5-year-old children and 14-75-year-old women of three environmental compounds from their background concentrations in soil and air. Calculated daily intakes of benzo(a)pyrene and 2,3,7,8-TCDD are in good agreement with measured results from diet studies. The major source of both compounds in human diet is deposition from air. Inhalation of air and ingestion of soil play a minor role. Children take up more than twice the amount than adults per kg bodyweight, due to higher consumption per kg bodyweight. Contrary, the methods for indirect human exposure suggested in the Technical Guidance Document (TGD) for chemical risk assessment in the EU lead to overprediction, due to unrealistic consumption data and a false root model.     

兰州市大气中苯并(a)芘与儿童尿中1-羟基芘的分析及风险评价

对兰州市不同区域空气中苯并(a)芘和儿童尿液中1-羟基芘同步采样,分别采用气相色谱-质谱联用法和高效液相色谱法进行检测.结果表明:不同区域苯并(a)芘浓度有显著差别,研究区日均浓度约为对照区日均浓度的两倍.冬季大气中的浓度明显高于夏季,其中研究区冬季均值约为夏季的26.46倍,对照区冬季均值约为夏季的29.41倍.儿童尿中1-羟基芘的浓度与空气中苯并(a)芘的浓度呈一致的变化,冬季研究区儿童尿中1-羟基芘的均值为0.86μmol·(mol肌酐)-1,对照区为0.63μmol·(mol肌酐)-1.冬季研究区儿童的终生超额危险度最高,达到2.32×10-4,接近不可接受水平.