Early Cretaceous flora from coal-bearing strata of Markovsky Peninsula in South Primorye，Russia

The Early Cretaceous flora from the coal-bearing strata(Ussuri and Lipovtsy formations)in the Markovsky peninsula of South Primorye,Far East Russia,is reported in some detail in this paper.The flora containing over 80 species of about 50 genera can be divided into two assemblages.The paleofloristic characteristics and the comparisons of this flora with its coeval floras from the adjacent region of the eastern Heilongjiang of Northeast China,indicate the flora and its coal-bearing strata of the Markovsky peninsula can be compared to those of the Chengzihe and Muling formations of the Jixi area of Heilongjiang,representing probably the late Barremian and Aptian age,respectively.     

塔吉克斯坦种子植物区系分析

塔吉克斯坦区系位置特殊、物种独特丰富,研究其植物区系特点对于进一步全面了解中亚植物资源现状、起源及演化具有重要意义。通过文献搜集、野外调查和标本查阅,对塔吉克斯坦种子植物区系特点进行了分析。结果表明：塔吉克斯坦境内共有种子植物4 115种,隶属于110科864属,种子植物丰富、种类分布表现出多数种集中于少数科属中,同时单种及寡种科属多的两端分布的特点;植物区系主要表现为温带性质,但也受到热带植物区系的深远影响,区系成分复杂、过渡特征明显,特有属少。特有成分在种级水平上分化明显,种子植物区系性质表现出与所处自然地理条件的一致性。     

内蒙古锡林浩特盆地早侏罗世晚期植物群:兼论中国早侏罗世晚期气候

首次报道了产于内蒙古锡林浩特盆地侏罗系红旗组的植物群,共计21属37种。该植物群由木贼目、真蕨纲、苏铁纲、银杏纲、松柏纲和少量分散保存的种子等组成,以真蕨类丰富、蚌壳蕨科Coniopteris和Eboracia出现以及南方型分子较多等为特征。该植物群的时代为早侏罗世晚期,反映研究区红旗组主体的沉积时代为早侏罗世晚期,上部沉积可能形成于中侏罗世早期。气候敏感植物,特别是南方型分子的出现,指示锡林浩特盆地早侏罗世晚期属于暖温带—亚热带气候区,气候较热或短期有一定程度的偏干旱;其气温较早侏罗世早期和中侏罗世早期更高,说明早侏罗世晚期发生过1次升温气候事件。对早、中侏罗世植物群和沉积特征的综合分析表明,中国在早侏罗世晚期可划分出黑龙江东部温凉气候区、北方暖温带温暖潮湿气候区、中部热带—亚热带半干旱—半潮湿气候区、中南热带—亚热带干旱气候区和西藏—滇西热带干旱气候区共5个气候区,其中北方暖温带温暖潮湿气候区与中部热带—亚热带半干旱—半潮湿气候区的界线较早侏罗世早期和中侏罗世早期偏北4°～8°(纬度),亦说明早侏罗世晚期发生了升温事件。此升温事件与中亚和西伯利亚的图阿尔期升温事件相当,其很可能是早侏罗世晚期图阿尔期大洋缺氧事件(T-OAE)在陆地生态系统中的响应。     

On age of Nazimovskaya and Khasan formations in the Paleogene succession of southwestern Primor’e

Materials of previous studies and new original geological and paleobotanic data are used to substantiate synchronism (late Eocene) of the Khasan and Nazimovskaya formations, the key stratigraphic units of the Paleogene in Primor’e. Coal-bearing sediments of the units rest upon early-middle Eocene volcanics (Kraskino rhyolite tuffs, Zaisanovka basaltic andesites) being overlain by the lower Fatash Subformation of the lower Oligocene with flora of the Kraskino type. The Ust’-Davydovskaya Formation of the Rechnoi Peninsula (outskirts of Vladivostok) is the most probable analogue of the Khasan (=Nazimovskaya) Formation.     

Diatom-based ionic concentration and salinity models from the south Bolivian Altiplano (15–23 ° S

The relationship between surface sediment diatom assemblages and measured limnological variables in fifty eight lake samples from the south Bolivian Altiplano was examined by constructing a diatom-water chemistry dataset. Analysis of this dataset by canonical correspondence analysis revealed that salinity and ionic concentration accounted for a significant amount of the variation in the distribution of the diatom assemblages. Two methods weighted-averaging regression and calibration, and by-class mean percentage table were used to established a transfer function for future reconstruction of past lake water salinity and ionic concentration in the southern Bolivian Altiplano. Weighted-averaging regression and calibration with inverse deshrinking provided a better model for the water chemistry reconstructions in this region.     

Roof Shale Flora of Coal Seam 6 from the Asselian（Lower Permian）Taiyuan Formation of the Wuda Coalfield, Inner Mongolia and Its Ecostratigraphic Significance

Roof shale floras help understand the transition of vegetational landscapes from a peat–forming environment to a clastic one, but are seldom investigated in the Cathaysian province(typical present day China and East Asia). Here the roof shale flora of Coal Seam 6 from the lower Permian Taiyuan Formation of the Wuda Coalfield, Inner Mongolia, is systematically described and its ecostratigraphic and phytogeographic implications are discussed. The flora is composed of seven plant groups, including Lepidodendrales, Medullosales, Gigantopteridales, Peltaspermales, Noeggerathiales, Cordaitales and Cycadales. Many of these taxa are also documented in Euramerica, and the floral composition indicates a more intimate relationship between Cathaysia and Euramerica during the Cisuralian than previously thought. However, there are few genera and species in common with those of the underlying peat–forming flora. Moreover, the flora is hardly comparable with the commonly known flora of the Taiyuan Formation. Such assemblage differences are very likely due to changes of taphonomic and environmental phases, rather than evolutionary floral succession. For a full and more precise understanding of the floral composition, succession and the floristic discrepancy in different depositional environments, an ecostratigraphic investigation on the Late Palaeozoic of Cathaysia is advocated.     

Temporospatial dynamics and public health significance of bacterial flora identified on a major leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) nesting beach in the Southern Caribbean

Grande Riviere beach, on the island of Trinidad, supports the largest nesting population of leatherback turtles in the Caribbean region. Throughout the nesting season, nests are naturally disturbed by newly nesting females, resulting in egg breakage and loss of some nest viability. This environment is ideal for the growth and proliferation of microorganisms. The range of bacterial flora present in beach sand and egg shells was examined, with emphasis on bacteria that may pose a threat to public and animal health. The extent to which the bacterial load and genera on the beach changed throughout the season was also assessed. Twenty‐five genera were identified, with Pseudomonas spp. found to be the most predominant environmental bacteria. Four genera identified possess zoonotic potential, while five additional genera are known to be of public and animal health significance. Distinct shifts in the density and distribution of bacteria were observed along the beach from early to peak nesting season. Shifts were seen across heavily traversed zones, thus highlighting the potential exposure threats posed to beach visitors and animals alike. Further studies aimed at speciating this population of bacteria, as well as isolating potential fungal pathogens may mitigate this threat. Identification of bacterial agents that are specifically pathogenic to leatherback turtles, turtle eggs, hatchlings and those who may interact with these animals will serve to enhance and guide efforts to better conserve this species and protect the health of all who visit this ecologically significant site.     

藻蓝蛋白对博来霉素肺纤维化小鼠肠道菌群的影响

博来霉素(bleomycin,BLM)是目前用于治疗头颈癌等多种癌症的药物之一,但会产生一系列副作用,例如肺纤维化(pulmonary fibrosis,PF),这大大降低了患者的生活质量。藻蓝蛋白(phycocyanin,PC)作为一种色素蛋白对包括PF在内的多种疾病具有调节作用。研究发现,慢性肠道疾病通常伴有肺部疾病,患者的肠道菌群会发生紊乱。针对上述线索,研究了PC对BLM诱导的PF小鼠肠道菌群的影响。通过尾静脉将BLM注入小鼠体内,以构建肺纤维化模型。然后通过16S r RNA高通量基因测序技术,分析了PC对BLM引起的PF小鼠肠道菌群的影响。结果表明,PC降低了BLM诱导的PF程度并调节了小鼠的肠道菌群。通过尾静脉注射BLM后,小鼠肺部受到损伤,肠道菌群发生紊乱。口服藻蓝蛋白干预后,小鼠的肺组织切片显示其胶原蛋白沉积减少,肺泡间隔和炎性细胞浸润减少,小鼠PF程度减轻。此时,小鼠肠道菌群中Alistipes、Lachnospiraceae等有益菌的丰度增加,Rikenella等有害菌的丰度降低,肠道菌群趋于正常。推测PC可以通过增加肠道中有益细菌的数量并减少肠道中有害细菌的数量...