Global arthropod beta-diversity is spatially and temporally structured by latitude.

Global biodiversity gradients are generally expected to reflect greater species replacement closer to the equator. However, empirical validation of global biodiversity gradients largely relies on vertebrates, plants, and other less diverse taxa. Here we assess the temporal and spatial dynamics of global arthropod biodiversity dynamics using a beta-diversity framework. Sampling includes 129 sampling sites whereby malaise traps are deployed to monitor temporal changes in arthropod communities. Overall, we encountered more than 150,000 unique barcode index numbers (BINs) (i.e. species proxies). We assess between site differences in community diversity using beta-diversity and the partitioned components of species replacement and richness difference. Global total beta-diversity (dissimilarity) increases with decreasing latitude, greater spatial distance and greater temporal distance. Species replacement and richness difference patterns vary across biogeographic regions. Our findings support long-standing, general expectations of global biodiversity patterns. However, we also show that the underlying processes driving patterns may be regionally linked.

Investigating the drying characteristics of Anthocephalus chinensis (Lam.) A. Rich ex Walp wood.

Anthocephalus chinensis (Lam.) A. Rich ex Walp is widely used as raw materials in particleboard and match industries in Bangladesh. The current study aimed to identify the drying characteristics of A. Chinensis wood for succeeding industrial usages. A compartment kiln dryer (heat and vent dryer) was used in this study. The drying characteristics and drying quality of A. Chinensis wood were measured. The boards reached 6-10% moisture content in 13 days from their green condition. The total proportions of the check, twist, and collapse in boards were 22.5, 32.5, and 7.3%, respectively. The volumetric shrinkage was 21.67%. Based on this study, further study may help to develop a complete drying schedule of A. Chinensis wood with fewer drying defects for application at industrial level.

Identification of bioactive metabolites and evaluation of in vitro anti-inflammatory and in vivo antinociceptive and antiarthritic activities of endophyte fungi isolated from Elaeocarpus floribundus blume.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Functional disability associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease is a challenging concern in healthcare systems. Along with environmental factors and epigenetic disorders, multiple pathways are reported as prominent mechanism for the progression of RA symptoms including; pain, swelling and stiffness of joints. Elaeocarpus floribundus Blume has been used as a folklore medicine for RA from ancient times. This plant harbours a suite of endophytic fungi that produce a range of metabolites of potential interest. Thus, for the establishment of a scientific basis for this folklore use, it is essential to find out the involvement, if any, of the endophytic fungi living in this plant and the metabolites they elaborate, for the management of RA. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study was designed to isolate, identify and evaluate the in vitro anti-inflammatory and in vivo antinociceptive and antiarthritic activities of the compounds produced by the endophytic fungi living in different parts of Elaeocarpus floribundus Blume. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Endophytic fungi from different parts of the plant were isolated and cultured for the production of secondary metabolites. Chromatographically fractionated fungal extracts were assessed for anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities. For the evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity, in vitro cyclooxygenase (COX1/COX2) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) inhibitory assays were performed. For the evaluation of in vivo antinociceptive activity, hot plate acetic acid induced writhing, and formalin induced paw licking methods were adopted, whereas complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) induced poly-arthritic method was adopted for the evaluation of antiarthritic activity. The most effective fraction was analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LC-MS) in search of the bioactive extracellular metabolites. RESULTS: Five endophytic fungi viz. Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Rhizoctonia oryzae, Rhizopus oryzae, and Syncephalastrum racemosum were isolated. COX1/COX2 and 5-LOX inhibitory assays state that the Aspergillus niger fraction possesses the greatest activity against these enzymes of inflammatory process. In vivo antinociceptive showed significant (***P<0.001) reduction of pain in a dose dependent manner. As well, significant (***P<0.001) reduction of paw volume was observed in CFA induce poly-arthritic test. LC/MS analysis of the Aspergillus niger fraction revealed the presence of bioactive compounds including tensyuic acid, hexylitaconic acid, chlorogenic acid, nigragillin, TMC-256C1, asnipyrone B, asperenone, fumaric acid and fusarubin, all having reported pharmacological activities. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates that secondary metabolites produced by endophytic fungi living in various parts of Elaeocarpus floribundus Blume had potential to relief pain and inflammation. The endophytes were found to contain multiple biomolecules effective in rheumatoid arthritis. These findings provide a rationale for the folklore use of the plant in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.