肝细胞生长因子刺激大鼠离体肝细胞DNA合成的剂量—与时间—效应

本工作采用３ＨＴｄＲ掺入ＤＮＡ法观察重组人肝细胞生长因子（ｒｈＨＧＦ）刺激大鼠离体肝细胞ＤＮＡ合成的剂量与时间效应。实验结果表明：ｒｈＨＧＦ是最强的促肝细胞分裂剂,在一定剂量范围内,ｒｈＨＧＦ与肝细胞ＤＮＡ合成有明显的量效关系。１ｎｇ／ｍｌｒｈＨＧＦ即可引起３ＨＴｄＲ掺入显著增加（Ｐ＜０．０１）,随剂量增加,刺激ＤＮＡ合成的效应也随之增强;１０ｎｇ／ｍｌ时３ＨＴｄＲ掺入量最大,较对照组高７倍（Ｐ＜０．００１）,剂量再增加即出现抑制效应;ｒｈＨＧＦ刺激肝细胞ＤＮＡ合成存在时间效应关系,表现为ｒｈＨＧＦ作用２４ｈ,ＤＮＡ合成量明显高于对照组（Ｐ＜０．０１）,４８ｈ作用达最高（Ｐ＜０．００１）,随后开始下降,至９６ｈ下降到相当于２４ｈ的水平。     

盐生杜氏藻甘油-3-磷酸脱氢酶的分离纯化及其特性的研究

利用ＰＥＧ分级,ＤＥＡＥ离子交换层析,ＢｌｕｅＳｅｐｈａｒｏｓｅ拟亲和层析,ＭｏｎｏＱ离子交换层析等手段,分离纯化盐生杜氏藻（Ｄｕｎａｌｉｅｌａｓａｌｉｎａ（Ｄｕｎａｌ）Ｔｅｏｄ．）甘油三磷酸（Ｇ３Ｐ）脱氢酶（ＥＣ１．１．１．８）,得到比活为１２．６Ｕ／ｍｇ的电泳纯的酶,并对此酶的生化特性进行了研究。４％～２０％非变性聚丙烯酰胺梯度凝胶电泳测得全酶分子量约为２７０ｋＤ,ＳＤＳＰＡＧＥ表明该酶只有一种分子量约为６５ｋＤ的亚基,据此推测该酶应为同四聚体。酶催化磷酸二羟丙酮（ＤＨＡＰ）还原的最适ｐＨ值为７．５,催化Ｇ３Ｐ脱氢的最适ｐＨ值为１０。该酶对４个底物还原型辅酶Ⅰ（ＮＡＤＨ）,二磷酸吡啶核苷酸（ＤＨＡＰ）,辅酶Ⅰ（ＮＡＤ）,Ｇ３Ｐ的表观Ｋｍ值分别为６３μｍｏｌ／Ｌ,２７２μｍｏｌ／Ｌ,１．５３ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ,６．５２ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ。该酶在保存过程中易失活。ＮＡＤＨ能降低酶失活的速度,而ＮＡＤ则不然。低浓度ＮａＣｌ对酶略有保护作用,但高浓度ＮａＣｌ加快酶的失活,且浓度越高效应越明显。     

有氧运动对高胆固醇血症大鼠肝脏低密度脂蛋白受体活性调节的影响

本文研究了实验性高胆固醇血症大鼠肝脏低密度脂蛋白受体（ＬＤＬＲ）活性变化及有氧运动时ＬＤＬＲ活性调节的影响。发现,高脂（ＨＣ）组肝组织匀浆ＬＤＬＲ活性较正常对照（ＮＣ）组降低３７％（Ｐ＜０．０５）,同时血清总胆固醇（ＴＣ）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（ＬＤＬＣ）及血清载脂蛋白Ｂ（ＡｐｏＢ）均显著高于ＮＣ组（Ｐ＜０．０１）;高脂＋运动（ＨＥ）组ＴＣ、ＬＤＬＣ及ＡｐｏＢ均明显低于ＨＣ组,而ＬＤＬＲ活性则较ＨＣ组增高２６％（Ｐ＜０．０５）。结果提示：（１）高胆固醇负荷时细胞可通过下行调节影响ＬＤＬＲ活性;（２）运动可能通过增加对细胞内胆固醇利用和降解,反馈作用于下行调节过程影响ＬＤＬＲ的合成,增加对ＬＤＬＣ摄取而显著改善血脂水平。     

污染土壤中多环芳烃生物降解的调控研究

选用温度、湿度、表面活性剂ＴＷ８０和ＣＮＰ比４个因素为调控因子,采用正交法进行周期为１５０天的实验研究．结果表明,３０天后,土壤中ＰＡＨｓ的降解率可达４４．５～７４．６％,６０天后,达７０．４～９３．７％,降解率的不同与调控条件显著相关．在此期间,降解最佳条件为４０℃,湿度２５％,ＣＮＰ比为１２０１０１,ＴＷ８０分别为２００～５００ｍｇ·ｋｇ－１．实验结束时,土壤中ＰＡＨｓ的降解率达９１．２～９９．８％．降解的最佳条件是４０℃,湿度１５％．经Ｒ值判别表明,不同时期各因子对ＰＡＨｓ降解影响有所不同．温度对ＰＡＨｓ降解影响较大,表面活性剂对土壤中ＰＡＨｓ的生物降解有调控作用．     

抗寒锻炼对冬小麦幼苗质膜Ca^2＋—ATPase的稳定作用

通过氯化铈（ＣｅＣｌ３）沉淀的电镜细胞化学方法,观察了抗寒锻炼对冬小麦（ＴｒｉｔｉｃｕｍａｅｓｔｉｖｕｍＬ．）幼苗质膜Ｃａ２＋ＡＴＰａｓｅ的稳定作用,主要结果是：（１）正常温度（２０℃）下生长的冬小麦幼苗（未经抗寒锻炼）,其质膜上有很强的Ｃａ２＋ＡＴＰａｓｅ活性反应;当经过－９℃３ｈ的低温处理后,质膜的Ｃａ２＋ＡＴＰａｓｅ活性明显降低;在处理１２ｈ后,质膜的Ｃａ２＋ＡＴＰａｓｅ活性进一步降低;当处理时间延长到２４ｈ,质膜的Ｃａ２＋ＡＴＰａｓｅ完全失活,同时细胞的超微结构受到破坏。（２）冬小麦幼苗在２℃低温下锻炼１５ｄ后,其质膜的Ｃａ２＋ＡＴＰａｓｅ活性高于未经抗寒锻炼的小麦幼苗。抗寒锻炼后的小麦幼苗在－９℃处理３ｈ后,质膜的Ｃａ２＋ＡＴＰａｓｅ活性与低温处理前相比无明显降低;经低温处理１２ｈ,质膜仍保持较高的Ｃａ２＋ＡＴＰａｓｅ活性,较同样低温处理（－９℃,１２ｈ）但未经抗寒锻炼的幼苗高;当－９℃低温处理２４ｈ后,质膜上仍可观察到Ｃａ２＋ＡＴＰａｓｅ的活性反应,而且细胞的超微结构也未受到破坏。结果表明,抗寒锻炼可提高冬小麦幼苗质膜Ｃａ２＋ＡＴＰａｓｅ在低温下的稳定性     

脂多糖对离体培养大鼠血管平滑肌细胞增殖的影响

本研究观察到１０－７～１０－５ｋｇ／Ｌ脂多糖（ｌｉｐｏｐｏｌｙｓａｃｈａｒｉｄｅ,ＬＰＳ）可显著促进血管平滑肌细胞（ＶＳＭＣ）的增殖及ＤＮＡ的合成（Ｐ＜００５）。５×１０－４～１０－３ｋｇ／ＬＬＰＳ却抑制ＶＳＭＣ的增殖及ＤＮＡ的合成,降低其活力（Ｐ＜００１）,并呈时间依赖效应。一氧化氮合酶抑制剂ＮＮｉｔｒｏＬＡｒｇｉｎｉｎｅ（ＬＮＮＡ）可拮抗ＬＰＳ的抑制作用。大剂量ＬＰＳ作用组ＶＳＭＣ上清液中一氧化氮（ＮＯ）代谢产物ＮＯ－３和ＮＯ－２的含量与对照组相比显著增加（Ｐ＜００１）,４８ｈ组比２４ｈ组增加９１％,７２ｈ组比４８ｈ组增加４５％;同时,诱导性一氧化氮合酶（ｉｎｄｕｃｔｉｖｅｎｉｔｒｉｃｏｘｉｄｅｓｙｎｔｈａｓｅ,ｉＮＯＳ）免疫组化染色呈阳性。结果表明,低浓度ＬＰＳ促进ＶＳＭＣ增殖和ＤＮＡ合成,而高浓度ＬＰＳ却明显抑制ＶＳＭＣ增殖和ＤＮＡ合成,降低其活力。这种抑制作用可能与ＬＰＳ诱导ＶＳＭＣ产生的ＮＯ有关。     

心衰心脏收缩蛋白分子变化及与收缩力的关系

采用ＤＯＣＡ硅胶管皮下埋入法建立大鼠心衰模型,从基因转录水平检测正常与心衰大鼠心肌组织中心肌收缩蛋白分子基因α－ＭＨＣ、β－ＭＨＣ、α－ｃａｒｄｉａｃａｃｔｉｎ、α－ｓｋｅｌｅｔａｌａｃｔｉｎ表达的变化。结果显示：（１）心衰大鼠心肌收缩力指标ｄｐ／ｄｔｍａｘ较正常大鼠明显降低（下降２７．５１％,Ｐ＜０．０１）,（２）心衰大鼠与正常大鼠相比,心肌组织中α－ＭＨＣ基因表达水平显著下降（降低２１．４３％,Ｐ＜０．０５）,β－ＭＨＣ基因表达水平显著升高（升高６２．４３％,Ｐ＜０．０１）、α－ｃａｒｄｉａｃａｃｔｉｎ基因和α－ｓｋｅｌｅｔａｌａｃｔｉｎ基因表达水平未见明显改变,（３）α－ＭＨＣｍＲＮＡ的含量与心肌收缩力指标ｄｐ／ｄｔｍａｘ值之间存在正相关关系（ｒ＝０．４１４３,ｎ＝４３,Ｐ＜０．０５）,β－ＭＨＣｍＲＮＡ的含量与ｄｐ／ｄｔｍａｘ值之间存在负相关关系。（ｒ＝－０．３９０２,ｎ＝４３,Ｐ＜０．０５）。这提示：心肌组织中ＭＨＣ基因表达水平的改变是心衰时心肌收缩力降低的主要分子基础     

青海高原小麦叶片净光合速率日变化的中午降低现象对环境中生态因素的响应

以土培盆栽和大田栽培小麦（Ｔｒｉｔｉｃｕｍａｅｓｔｉｖｕｍ）为研究材料,探讨了青海高原小麦在正常生长的自然条件下,出现的土壤水分含量（ＳＷＣ）的变化所引起的植物叶片相对含水量（ＲＷＣ）和叶水势（ｗｌ）的变化以及自然强光（ＰＦＤ;Ｑ）导致的高温（Ｔａ）所产生较低的空气相对温度（ＲＨ）对小麦叶片净光合速率（Ｐｎ）日变化的中午降低现象的影响。结果表明,在大田小麦正常生长的自然条件下,当ＳＷＣ等于或低干３０％时,小麦叶片的ＲＷＣ和ｗｌ下降,气孔导度（Ｇｓ）变小,气孔阻力增大,ＣＯ＿２的供给受到了限制,从而也引起了小麦叶肉细胞进行光合作用的能力下降,Ｐｎ日变化就出现了明显的中午降低现象。当ＳＷＣ在８０％左右时,小麦叶片的ＲＷＣ和ｗｌ升高,Ｇｓ增大,气孔阻力变小,ＣＯ＿２供应充分,小麦叶肉细胞进行光合作用的能力增强,Ｐｎ日变化就没有出现中午降低现象（图１）,而青海高原偶然出现的自然强光（ＰＦＤ）导致较高的Ｔａ所产生较低的ＲＨ％和较低的ＳＷＣ一样也是晴天中午,小麦叶片Ｐｎ日变化产生中午降低现象的直接原因。所以说,晴天中午,青海高原大田ＳＷＣ的高低和ＲＨ％的大小是引起小麦叶片Ｐｎ日变化出现中午降低现象轻重与否的主要生态因素     

光合作用-蒸腾作用-气孔导度的耦合模型及C_3植物叶片对环境因子的生理响应(英文)

以叶片的气体传输过程为基础,将蒸腾作用包括在以往光合作用气孔导度的耦合模型中,建立了光合作用蒸腾作用气孔导度的耦合模型。该模型可以模拟边界层导度对生理过程的影响。模拟了Ｃ３植物叶片对环境因子,如光照、温度、湿度、边界层导度和ＣＯ２浓度等的生理响应（光合作用、蒸腾作用、气孔导度）以及Ｃｉ和水分利用效率的变化。在环境因子变化于较大范围的情况下,模拟结果符合许多实验结论。     

地塞米松对大白鼠海马兴奋性神经元和抑制性神经元的影响

为了探讨糖皮质激素对海马兴奋性神经元和抑制性神经元的作用,本实验将地塞米松注入大白鼠侧脑室,２ｈ 后经Ｎｉｓｓｌ染色法、免疫组织化学方法和细胞计数法观察了海马谷氨酸免疫反应性（ＧｌｕＩＲ）神经元和γ氨基丁酸免疫反应性（ＧＡＢＡＩＲ）神经元的变化。结果显示：（１）ＣＡ１、ＣＡ３ 和ＳＧ区的ＧｌｕＩＲ神经元明显增多,特别是ＣＡ１ 区。经细胞计数统计分析表明,与对照组相比ＣＡ１ 有极显著性差异（Ｐ＜ ０００１）,ＣＡ３区有显著性差异（００１＜ Ｐ＜ ００５）,ＳＧ处无明显差异（Ｐ＞ ００５）。（２）与对照组相比,ＧＡＢＡＩＲ神经元无明显变化。结果表明,糖皮质激素有增加海马谷氨酸能神经元的作用。尽管γ氨基丁酸能神经元无明显变化,并不表明糖皮质激素对其无影响     

宿主虫龄对斜纹夜蛾核型多角体病毒病流行的影响

通过对田间感病幼虫跟踪观察,研究了对斜纹夜蛾不同龄期幼虫喷施斜纹夜蛾核型多角体病毒后,病毒病在当代种群中的田间流行动态．结果表明,随虫龄的增大,幼虫对病毒的敏感性下降,宿主幼虫病死率降低,病死速率减慢,病死持续时间延长,幼虫病亡和疾病现患始期、高峰期推迟．对不同龄期幼虫喷施病毒后,幼虫每日病死时间分布可用互补重对数模型较好地拟合(Hosmer-Lemoshow统计量检验不显著),模型中各项系数经t检验达极显著水平;疾病现息时间分布可用Holliday模型拟合,模型经F检验显著,方程中各项系数达到或接近显著水平;幼虫逐日病死时间分布可用’Weibull模型、Gompertz模型及Lo—gistic模型较好地拟合,通过用剩余平方和Q比较各模型的拟合程度,表明Gompertz模型拟合效果最好．     

高温和密度效应对棉蚜死亡和繁殖的影响

在室内采用叶子圆片培养基饲养棉蚜的方法,研究不同温度(32、34、36、38、40 ℃)和密度(每皿5、25、50、75)对棉蚜死亡和繁殖的影响.结果表明： 随着温度的升高、密度和持续天数的增加,棉蚜累计死亡率呈上升趋势.互补重对数模型模拟结果表明：β值随着密度的增加而减小,说明随着棉蚜密度的增加,温度对棉蚜的作用减弱;不同持续天数的γ_j值不同,说明棉蚜条件死亡率受温度和作用时间的共同影响.双因素方差分析结果表明,温度和密度显著影响棉蚜的繁殖率,且存在交互作用.32~36 ℃范围内,棉蚜繁殖率随密度的增加呈降低趋势,40 ℃条件下,不同密度棉蚜繁殖率没有差异,说明随着温度的升高,密度对棉蚜的作用逐渐减弱.即在不同的温度区间和密度范围内,温度和密度对棉蚜的作用大小、主次发生了改变.研究结果为棉蚜种群监测、预警和改进害虫控制方法提供了科学依据.     

Influence of environmental factors on the wandering phase and pupariation in stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans, larvae

Abstract. Components of the wandering phase of mature stable fly ( Stomoxys calcitrans L. (Diptera: Muscidae)) larvae were examined. The mean length of the wandering phase was estimated to be 10.6 ± 3.5 h. In a factorial experiment in which wandering larvae were allowed to pupate in media with three levels each of moisture, temperature and light, the mean time to 50% pupariation was delayed and the rate of pupariation was lowest at high moisture levels, but this latter effect was seen only at the moderate light level. Pupae in media with higher moisture contents had significantly higher fresh weights. However, none of the three factors affected dry weight of pupae. A significant interaction was observed between the effects of moisture and temperature on survival; only at highest moisture content and at the highest temperature did a significant decrease in survival occur. In a separate experiment, density was found to have no effect on mean time to 50% pupariation or the rate of pupariation. Puparium formation appeared to be random under a LD 169 h photocycle, showing no apparent circadian rhythm.     

Infectivity of Pandora neoaphidis (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales) to Acyrthosiphon pisum (Hom., Aphididae) in response to varying temperature and photoperiod regimes

The infectivity of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum , by the aphid-specific entomophthoralean fungus, Pandora neoaphidis , was studied in environmental chambers using computer simulated late-season temperature and photoperiod patterns and an excised fava bean leaf system. A complementary log-log (CLL) time–dose–mortality model was used to model time–dose trends in infectivity of A. pisum by P. neoaphidis as a function of time and dose, and calculate the LC₅₀. The likelihood ratio test based on the CLL model was used to test for differences in levels of aphid infectivity by P. neoaphidis over different photoperiod regimes. Differences in the LC₅₀ values from CLL modelling over different time periods were found among the two regimes of 11- and 16-h photophases at a constant temperature of 20°C, and two regimes at daily fluctuating temperatures from 5.4 to 18.9°C (with half-hourly changes of 0.56°C the mean temperature was 12.12°C). The LC₅₀ for the same time period was lower under the higher temperature conditions than under lower fluctuating temperature conditions. The likelihood test ratio statistics showed no significant difference in the slope parameter for three out of four treatments (two from the constant temperature of 20°C, and one from 5.4 to 18.9°C, irrespective of photophase conditions). This suggests that different temperatures and photophases may change the temporal characteristics of P. neoaphidis , and result in higher or lower infectivity to the pea aphid at certain dosage levels. However, changes in the photoperiod appear to be less important for the infectivity of P. neoaphidis to pea aphid than changes in temperature.     

The effect of environmental parameters on growth,cholinesterase activity and glutathione S-transferase activity in the earthworm (Apporectodea caliginosa)

The effect of age and environmental parameters on growth, cholinesterase (ChE), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities were assessed in juvenile Apporectodea caliginosa earthworms. Earthworms were maintained in three types of soil- loam, sandy, and clay- at a range of moisture contents (15-30%), and temperatures (5-20 C). Earthworm age (1-3 months) had no significant affect on ChE activity. Growth rates were influenced by all environmental parameters tested and these effects were interrelated. Optimum conditions for growth appeared to be in loam or sandy soil with 25-30% moisture at 10-15 C. The GST activity was influenced by soil temperature and activity was significantly higher at 15 C than at 5 C and 10 C. Soil type also influenced GST activity and this influence was dependent on moisture content. In sandy soil GST activity was significantly lower at 30% moisture than at lower moisture contents, in loam soil GST activity was significantly higher at 15% moisture than at higher moisture contents, while in clay soil GST activity was not affected by moisture content. These results indicate that in field experiments when evaluating GST activity soil temperature and soil type need to be consistent between control and 'contaminated sites'. ChE activity was only affected by temperature, so this should be considered when comparing control and treatedareas.     

The effect of environmental parameters on growth, cholinesterase activity and glutathione S-transferase activity in the earthworm (Apporectodea caliginosa)

The effect of age and environmental parameters on growth, cholinesterase (ChE), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities were assessed in juvenile Apporectodea caliginosa earthworms. Earthworms were maintained in three types of soil- loam, sandy, and clay- at a range of moisture contents (15-30%), and temperatures (5-20 C). Earthworm age (1-3 months) had no significant affect on ChE activity. Growth rates were influenced by all environmental parameters tested and these effects were interrelated. Optimum conditions for growth appeared to be in loam or sandy soil with 25-30% moisture at 10-15 C. The GST activity was influenced by soil temperature and activity was significantly higher at 15 C than at 5 C and 10 C. Soil type also influenced GST activity and this influence was dependent on moisture content. In sandy soil GST activity was significantly lower at 30% moisture than at lower moisture contents, in loam soil GST activity was significantly higher at 15% moisture than at higher moisture contents, while in clay soil GST activity was not affected by moisture content. These results indicate that in field experiments when evaluating GST activity soil temperature and soil type need to be consistent between control and 'contaminated sites'. ChE activity was only affected by temperature, so this should be considered when comparing control and treatedareas.     

Complementary Log–Log Regression for the Estimation of Covariate‐Adjusted Prevalence Ratios in the Analysis of Data from Cross‐Sectional Studies

We assessed complementary log–log (CLL) regression as an alternative statistical model for estimating multivariable‐adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) and their confidence intervals. Using the delta method, we derived an expression for approximating the variance of the PR estimated using CLL regression. Then, using simulated data, we examined the performance of CLL regression in terms of the accuracy of the PR estimates, the width of the confidence intervals, and the empirical coverage probability, and compared it with results obtained from log–binomial regression and stratified Mantel–Haenszel analysis. Within the range of values of our simulated data, CLL regression performed well, with only slight bias of point estimates of the PR and good confidence interval coverage. In addition, and importantly, the computational algorithm did not have the convergence problems occasionally exhibited by log–binomial regression. The technique is easy to implement in SAS (SAS Institute, Cary, NC), and it does not have the theoretical and practical issues associated with competing approaches. CLL regression is an alternative method of binomial regression that warrants further assessment.     

高温对共存种棉蚜与棉长管蚜死亡及繁殖的影响

棉蚜和棉长管蚜是棉花上的共存种,为探索其年内及年际间优势地位的不同是否与两者对高温的不同响应有关,室内研究了高温胁迫(32、34、36和38℃)对棉蚜和棉长管蚜死亡及繁殖的影响.结果表明:随着温度的升高和高温持续天数的延长,棉蚜和棉长管蚜累计死亡率均升高,棉长管蚜累计死亡率高于棉蚜;两种蚜虫的每日死亡率可用互补重对数模型较好地拟合,模型估计的棉蚜和棉长管蚜半数致死温度值随高温持续天数的延长而降低,棉蚜半数致死温度高于棉长管蚜;在32 ～ 38℃范围内,两种蚜虫的繁殖率随温度的升高而降低,棉蚜繁殖率显著高于棉长管蚜,表明在32℃以上高温条件下,棉蚜比棉长管蚜更具有竞争力.随着全球气候变暖,由于棉蚜比棉长管蚜更耐高温,推测未来棉蚜比棉长管蚜竞争优势更加明显.     

Effects of fluctuating moisture and temperature regimes on the infection potential of Beauveria bassiana for Rhodnius prolixus

The effect of both moisture and temperature on the infective potential of Beauveria bassiana to the Chagas' disease vector, Rhodnius prolixus, was studied under fluctuating regimes. At constant 25 degrees C, contaminated first-instar nymphs exposed to increasing daily periods of initial exposure to 97% RH, followed by transfer to reduced humidity (43, 53, 75, and 86% RH), showed a significant reduction in mortality when the 97% RH exposure time declined from 12 to 8 h per day. The duration of disease incubation depended on the daily 97% RH exposure time. Under fluctuating regimes of both humidity (97% RH versus 75% RH) and temperature (15/28, 20/25, 25/28, and 25/35 degrees C), first-instar mortality was affected by weather conditions, daily 97% RH exposure time (8, 12, and 16 h per day), and number of temperature and humidity fluctuations before transferring tested insects to constant unfavorable conditions. In most cases, at 12/12 h alternating cycles, high and rapid mortality required five cycles. Under these fluctuating regimes, fungus-induced mortality and mortality time were similarly affected in third- and fifth-instar nymphs by the daily 97% RH exposure time. Despite a lower susceptibility of older larval stages, mortality rates in insects exposed for at least 12 h per day at 97% RH remained very high except at 15 degrees C. Moisture and temperature regimes at 12/12 h cycling significantly affected the dose-mortality response in first-instar nymphs. The most favorable conditions consisted of 97%-20 degrees C combined with either 75%-25 degrees C or 43%-25 degrees C. Under less favorable alternating conditions (lower and higher temperatures) the amounts of inoculum required for killing 50% of first-instar nymphs were 10 or 20 times higher. From a vector control standpoint, daily high humidity appears to be the most crucial climatic constraint. B. bassiana has the potential to control R. prolixus populations with applications made during the rainy seasons when humidity is high.     

Cellulose and lignin degradation in forest soils: Response to moisture,temperature, and acidity

The concentration of lignin in plant tissue is a major factor controlling organic matter degradation rates in forest ecosystems. Microbial biomass and lignin and cellulose decomposition were measured for six weeks in forest soil microcosms in order to determine the influence of pH, moisture, and temperature on organic matter decomposition. Microbial biomass was determined by chloroform fumigation; lignin and cellulose decomposition were measured radiometrically. The experiment was designed as a Latin square with soils of pH of 4.5, 5.5, and 6.5 adjusted to 20, 40, or 60% moisture content, and incubated at temperatures of 4, 12, or 24°C. Microbial biomass and lignin and cellulose decomposition were not significantly affected by soil acidity. Microbial biomass was greater at higher soil moisture contents. Lignin and cellulose decomposition significantly increased at higher soil temperatures and moisture contents. Soil moisture was more important in affecting microbial biomass than either soil temperature or soil pH.