祁连山东段高原鼢鼠洞道土壤微生物和土壤酶

高原鼢鼠繁杂的洞道系统对高寒草甸土壤的理化性质有着重要影响。本研究采集高原鼢鼠活动洞道土壤样本,并以无鼢鼠扰动的同深度土层土壤作为对照。对比分析了2个处理土壤微生物（细菌、真菌、放线菌）、土壤酶（脲酶、蔗糖酶、碱性磷酸酶）活性以及土壤全氮、有机质、速效磷含量的差异。结果表明：高原鼢鼠洞道土壤速效磷和全氮的含量均高于对照,其中春季和秋季的速效磷达到显著水平（P<0.05）;秋季无鼢鼠扰动的土壤有机质和真菌的含量显著高于洞道土壤（P<0.05）;3种酶活性各处理间无显著差异（P>0.05）;对照区春季土壤的细菌和秋季真菌的含量显著高于洞道土壤（P<0.05）;洞道和对照区土壤的细菌、放线菌、速效磷、全氮和有机质的含量均在夏季达到最大值,各种指标其它月份差异不显著（P>0.05）。基于以上结果,本研究发现高原鼢鼠活动洞道土壤微生物和土壤酶与对照区土壤无显著差异（P>0.05）。     

高原鼢鼠繁殖特性与其栖息草地质量的关系

高原鼢鼠种群密度动态变化与其繁殖特性密切相关,而繁殖特性又与其栖息环境有关。为了解高原鼢鼠繁殖特性与其栖息草地质量的关系,本文在祁连山东段选择两个不同高原鼢鼠种群密度分布区,在其繁殖期调查各密度区雌雄个体不同月份的繁殖特性、草地生物量、植物组成、地下根系重量及根系可溶性糖含量、土壤紧实度和水分变化。通过多因素方差分析和独立样本T检验研究繁殖特性与草地质量的关系。结果显示：在高原鼢鼠繁殖期,5月为繁殖高峰期,6月进入繁殖末期;不同种群密度区之间个体繁殖强度无显著性差异（P>0.05）;雌性繁殖强度在繁殖高峰期无显著性差异（P>0.05）,而繁殖末期存在显著差异（P<0.05）;高原鼢鼠性比在繁殖高峰期表现为低密度区大于高密度区,而在繁殖初期和繁殖末期为高密度区大于低密度区;两个种群密度区之间,草地植物组成、草地地上生物量、可利用草地生物量和地下生物量无显著性差异（P>0.05）,而0-30 cm土层根系根可溶性糖含量存在显著性差异（P<0.05）;除高原鼢鼠采食深度（0-20 cm）外,不同密度区土壤紧实度无显著性差异（P>0.05）,而0-30 cm土层土壤水分含量存在显著性差异（P<0.05）。结果表明在一定种群密度下,高原鼢鼠繁殖特性的变化与地下根可溶性糖含量和土壤水分有关,而繁殖特性与草地植物学组成、草地生物量无显著关系。     

低氧环境对高原鼢鼠不同组织VEGF165b基因表达量及微血管密度的影响

目的：探讨高原低氧环境下高原鼢鼠不同组织血管内皮生长因子165b （VEGF_165b）表达量及微血管密度（MVD）的变化。方法：克隆高原鼢鼠VEGF_165b基因并测定其在不同海拔脑、肺和骨骼肌组织内的表达量;免疫组化法观察脑、肺和骨骼肌组织内微血管并测定其在不同海拔组织内的密度。结果：高海拔VEGF_165b表达量显著低于低海拔表达量（P<0.05）;微血管密度随海拔高度升高而增加（P<0.05）。结论：VEGF_165b基因调节动物组织微血管密度是高原动物适应低氧环境的重要机制之一。     

镇痛指数在全麻手术中评估镇痛程度的临床价值

目的：探讨脑电镇痛指数（PRi）评估全身麻醉手术中镇痛程度的临床价值,为临床应用提供理论依据。方法：ASAI-Ⅱ级,拟于全身麻醉下行经腹手术的病人20例。患者入手术室后持续有创监测收缩压（SBP）、舒张压（DBP）、心率（HR）,实时监测脑电双频指数（BIS）和镇痛指数（PRi）。于麻醉诱导后气管插管前,气管插管后1 min、切皮前、切皮后2 min、追加芬太尼前,追加芬太尼5 min后记录BIS、PRi、SBP、DBP、HR的变化。结果：气管插管和切皮均引起SBP、DBP、HR的显著升高（P<0.05）;追加芬太尼后SBP、DBP、HR均降低（P<0.05）。气管插管和切皮均未引起BIS的显著变化（P>0.05）;追加芬太尼后BIS有所下降（P<0.05）。气管插管和切皮均引起PRi的显著升高（P<0.05）;追加芬太尼后PRi降低（P<0.05）。气管插管和切皮均引起SBP、DBP、HR、PRi的显著升高（P<0.05）,但均未引起BIS的显著变化（P>0.05）;追加芬太尼后SBP、DBP、HR、BIS和PRi均明显降低（P<0.05）。结论：在丙泊酚联合瑞芬太尼全身麻醉手术中,PRi能够反映伤害性刺激的变化,与伤害性刺激过程一致,对全身麻醉中镇痛程度的评估有指导意义。     

雄性短尾猴的等级顺位、睾酮水平与肠道寄生虫感染强度的关系

在等级森严的非人灵长类群体中,睾酮对雄性顺位维持有着重要作用,且影响着体内寄生虫种类和荷虫量。本研究以栖息于安徽黄山的雄性短尾猴为研究对象,通过计算成年雄性的等级顺位,测定其粪便中睾酮含量以及寄生虫的荷虫量,探讨雄性等级顺位、睾酮水平与健康间的平衡关系。结果表明：共检测出10种肠道寄生虫,包括4种蠕虫、5种原虫和1种螨虫;其中雄性短尾猴个体间睾酮水平（1.00±0.42） ng/g和肠道寄生虫荷虫量（112.44±83.62）EPG均存在显著差异（Kruskal-Wallis H,P<0.05）;等级顺位与睾酮水平呈正相关（Spearman, N=8,ρ= 0.326, P<0.05）,与肠道原虫类的荷虫量呈负相关（Spearman, N=8,ρ= - 0.345, P<0.05）,与肠道蠕虫类的荷虫量无相关性（Spearman, N=8,ρ= 0.065, P>0.05）;睾酮水平与肠道原虫类寄生虫的荷虫量呈负相关（Spearman, N=8,ρ= -0.546, P<0.05）,与肠道蠕虫类的荷虫量无相关性（Spearman, N=8,ρ= -0.013, P>0.05）。本研究表明高顺位雄性拥有更高的睾酮水平,这不仅对其顺位的维持具有重要作用,对原虫类寄生虫也具有明显的抑制作用。     

雨生红球藻对大鼠运动性心肌损伤的保护作用

目的：研究雨生红球藻对长时间、大强度运动导致的大鼠运动性心肌损伤的保护作用。方法：以大强度耐力训练大鼠为模型,将65只42 d龄雄性SPF级Wistar大鼠随机分为5组：安静组（C组）、运动对照组（M组）、运动+雨生红球藻低剂量组（HM I组）、运动+雨生红球藻中剂量组（HM Ⅱ组）、运动+雨生红球藻高剂量组（HM Ⅲ组）,每组12只（剔除不符合实验要求的大鼠5只）。雨生红球藻组剂量分别为0.067,0.133,0.4 g/kg,体积为5 ml/kg,每天灌胃（ig）1次,其他组ig等量生理盐水。游泳训练42 d后,测定血清谷丙转氨酶（ALT）等心肌损伤标志物含量、心肌超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性、丙二醛（MDA）含量,血清、心肌内皮素（ET）及降钙素基因相关肽（CGRP）含量等相关生化指标。结果：血清ALT、乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）、肌酸激酶（CK）、a-羟丁酸脱氢酶（a-HBDH）、心肌MDA、血清与心肌ET含量,M组较C组显著升高（P<0.05或P<0.01）。心肌SOD活性、血清与心肌CGRP含量,M组较C组显著降低（P<0.05）。血清ALT （P<0.01）、LDH （P<0.01）、CK （P<0.05或P<0.01）含量,HM各组较M组均有所降低,组间无差异,且随剂量增加而递减。血清a-HBDH、ET、心肌ET含量,HM各组较M组均有所降低（P<0.05或P<0.01）,且组间随剂量增加而递减;HM Ⅲ组较HM I组显著降低（P<0.05）。心肌MDA含量,HM各组较M组均显著降低（P<0.05或P<0.01）,且组间随剂量增加而递减;HM Ⅱ、HM Ⅲ低于HM I组（P<0.01）。心肌SOD活性,HM各组较M组均有所升高（P<0.05或P<0.01）,且组间随剂量增加而递增;HM Ⅱ、HM Ⅲ高于HM I组（P<0.01）。血清与心肌CGRP含量,HM各组较M组显著升高（P<0.05或P<0.01）,且各组组间随剂量增加而递增;HM Ⅲ组较HM I组显著升高（P<0.05）。结论：不同剂量雨生红球藻可有效地清除机体长时间、大强度运动产生的过量自由基;提高机体免疫力,增强血管cNOS活性,保证ET和CGRP浓度的相对平衡,从而阻止心肌脂质过氧化作用和心肌损伤。其中以高剂量组效果为最好。     

姜黄素对过度训练大鼠肾脏细胞凋亡的调控作用及其机制

目的：探讨姜黄素对过度训练所致大鼠氧化应激、肾脏细胞凋亡的作用及其机制。方法：7周龄SPF级雄性Wistar大鼠分为对照组（C组,n=12）、过度训练组（OM组,n=11）、姜黄素+过度训练组（COM组,n=14）。C组不进行任何运动干预,OM组、COM组大鼠进行8周递增负荷游泳训练。训练期间,COM组以200 mg/（kg·d）、5 ml/kg姜黄素进行灌胃,其他组灌胃等体积0.5%浓度羧甲基纤维素纳。末次训练后24 h,光镜观察肾脏组织病理学改变,取血液、肾脏组织检测相关生化指标。结果：8周递增负荷游泳训练后,光镜下C组大鼠肾脏组织结构正常;OM组出现组织病理学改变;COM组较OM组减轻。与C组比较,OM组血清皮质酮（Cor）、肌酐（Cr）和尿素氮（BUN）水平均升高（P<0.01）,睾酮（T）水平降低（P<0.01）;肾脏核因子E2相关因子2（Nrf2）表达水平无显著变化（P>0.05）,血红素氧合酶1（HO-1）表达水平降低（P<0.05）,总抗氧化能力（T-AOC）和超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性降低（P<0.01）,丙二醛（MDA）浓度升高（P<0.01）;肾脏细胞凋亡水平升高（P<0.01）,肾脏抗凋亡蛋白B淋巴细胞瘤因子-2（Bcl-2）表达减弱（P<0.01）,促凋亡蛋白Bcl-2相关X蛋白（Bax）表达增强（P<0.01）。与OM组比较,COM组血清Cor水平（P<0.01）降低,T水平升高（P<0.01）,Cr和BUN水平均降低（P<0.05）;肾脏Nrf2和HO-1表达增强（P<0.05）,T-AOC和SOD活性升高（P<0.01）,MDA浓度降低（P<0.05）;肾脏细胞凋亡水平降低（P<0.05）,Bcl-2表达增强（P<0.05）,Bax表达减弱（P<0.01）。组间T/Cor比值变化趋势与T变化相一致,Bcl-2/Bax比值变化趋势与Bcl-2变化相一致。结论：8周递增负荷游泳训练引发大鼠过度训练,氧化应激加剧并加速肾脏细胞凋亡,肾脏组织发生病理改变及功能异常。姜黄素通过上调Nrf2、HO-1蛋白表达,有效缓解过度训练引发的氧化应激,从而增强Bcl-2表达,减弱Bax表达,抑制大鼠肾脏细胞凋亡,保护肾脏组织结构和功能正常。     

血浆miRNA-1、miRNA-21对冠心病合并糖尿病患者PCI术后支架内再狭窄的影响

目的：观察血浆miRNA-1、miRNA-21在冠心病（CHD）与无冠脉病变患者中含量的差异,探讨其在CHD合并糖尿病（DM）患者的经皮冠状动脉介入治疗（PCI）后发生支架内再狭窄（ISR）与非支架内再狭窄（NISR）患者的含量差异及其对ISR的预测价值。方法：入选CHD支架置入术后患者（CHD组,n=187）、无冠脉病变患者（对照组,n=195）。根据指南,将对照组分为正常对照组（n=150）、单纯DM组（n=45）;将CHD组分为单纯CHD组（n=119）、CHD合并DM组（n=68）,又将CHD组分为ISR组（n=48）及NISR组（n=139）;再将ISR组分为单纯ISR组（n=26）和ISR合并DM组（n=22）。收集各组患者血浆,提取总miRNA,检测miRNA-1、miRNA-21含量并分析各组的含量差异。结果：与对照组比较,CHD组miRNA-1、miRNA-21含量均升高（P<0.05）;与NISR组比较,ISR组miRNA-1、miRNA-21含量均升高（P<0.05）。与单纯CHD组比较,CHD合并DM组ISR发生率明显升高;而且与单纯ISR组比较,ISR合并DM组miRNA-21含量升高（P<0.05）,而单纯ISR组与ISR合并DM组miRNA-1含量无明显差异（P<0.05）。Logistics分析表明,与CHD患者相关危险因素DM、miRNA-1、miRNA-21的OR值分别为2.132,3.066,1.924（P<0.05,P<0.01）;ISR患者相关危险因素DM、miRNA-21的OR值分别为3.091,5.654（P<0.05,P<0.01）;CHD合并DM患者PCI术后发生ISR相关危险因素miRNA-21的OR值为9.148（P<0.01）。ROC曲线评价表明,miRNA-1,miRNA-21与CHD患者发生ISR的AUC分别为0.854,0.857;miRNA 21与CHD合并DM患者发生ISR的AUC为0.783。结论：血浆miRNA-1、miRNA-21对诊断CHD患者支架置入术后ISR发生有重要临床意义,miRNA-21对诊断CHD合并DM患者支架置入术后ISR发生尤其有重要临床意义。     

高原鼢鼠越冬食物选择与营养成分的关系

为了解高原鼢鼠在越冬期的食物选择与营养成分之间的关系,采集了67 个高原鼢鼠的冬季粮仓及环境样方,分析高原鼢鼠对每一种植物的选择指数,将其分成3 种食物类型:喜食、可变和不喜食。通过测定每一种植物的粗蛋白、粗纤维、水溶性糖和粗灰分的含量,比较分析了营养成分含量在3 种食物类型间的差异,及其与各种植物选择指数的相关关系。结果显示,高原鼢鼠储存的食物种类多达67 种,本文选取含量较高且样本量大于5 的39 种植物(占粮仓和样方总生物量的99% 以上其中喜食12 种、可变16 种、不喜食11 种)进行分析。在3 种食物类型之间,粗蛋白、粗纤维和水溶性糖含量均有极显著差异(P < 0. 001),粗灰分含量则无明显差异(P = 0.800)。喜食和可变类型的粗蛋白和水溶性糖含量显著高于不喜食类型(P < 0.01);喜食和可变类型的粗纤维含量则显著低于不喜食类型(P < 0. 01);喜食和可变类型之间这3 个指标差异都不显著(P >0. 05)。Spearman 相关分析显示,粗蛋白(R = 0.547,P < 0.001)和水溶性糖(R = 0.617,P < 0. 001)含量与选择指数显著正相关,粗纤维与选择指数显著负相关(R = - 0. 707,P <0. 001),粗灰分与选择指数则无显著相关关系(R = 0.032,P =0. 846)。结果表明,高原鼢鼠总体上偏好粗蛋白和水溶性糖含量高、粗纤维含量低的植物,对无机盐的含量则不敏感。     

高原鼢鼠精子发生的形态学特征和关键调控因子探究

季节性繁殖是动物在长期进化中为适应环境变化而形成的生活史特征,受光周期和下丘脑-垂体-性腺轴的严密调控。高原鼢鼠（Eospalax baileyi）是青藏高原特有的地下啮齿类动物,其繁殖活动表现出明显的季节性。然而,地下啮齿类动物精子发生的形态特征和关键调控因子尚不明确。本研究以成年高原鼢鼠为研究对象,发现繁殖期成年雄性睾丸曲精小管内有各级生殖细胞,附睾内有长形精子,生精上皮可分为10个期;而非繁殖期睾丸重量显著下降,曲精小管内仅见精原细胞和支持细胞。激素水平检测结果显示,与非繁殖期相比,繁殖期褪黑素水平显著降低（P < 0.05）,促性腺激素释放激素、促黄体生成素和睾酮水平显著升高（P < 0.05）,而卵泡刺激素水平无显著差异。进一步研究发现,精原细胞分化的关键诱导因子维甲酸水平和其调控基因表达均呈季节性变化,且外源维甲酸注射能够诱导非繁殖期高原鼢鼠重启精子发生。综上,高原鼢鼠虽为地下动物,但其精子发生与下丘脑-垂体-性腺轴激素水平明显相关,且受睾酮和维甲酸信号的调控。本研究首次揭示了高原鼢鼠精子发生的形态学特征和关键调控因子,为理解季节性繁殖动物尤其是地下啮齿类动物生殖生理的调控机制提供了重要参考。     

高原鼢鼠干扰对三江源区高寒草甸群落特征的影响

高原鼢鼠是三江源高寒草甸区域的主要啮齿动物之一.它啃食植物根系,挖掘大量通道,并将挖掘出的土壤堆积于地表,形成覆盖于植物地上部分的裸露土丘,对草地群落特征会产生不同程度的影响.本研究以高原鼢鼠土丘密度表示高原鼢鼠对草地的干扰程度,选取7个不同高原鼢鼠土丘密度的样地,同时选取没有遭受高原鼢鼠干扰的样地作为对照,获得各样地的物种信息及地上、地下生物量,探讨不同高原鼢鼠干扰强度对草地群落的物种组成、物种多样性及群落生产力的影响.结果表明: 随着高原鼢鼠土丘的增加,草地植物优势种群发生由以莎草科和禾本科植物为主向珠牙蓼、鹅绒委陵菜、西伯利亚蓼等杂类草植物为主的转变,群落盖度和高度显著降低;轻度或中度的高原鼢鼠干扰能够提高群落的物种多样性,而群落均匀度指数变化不显著;群落生产力不存在类似中度干扰假说的结果.随高原鼢鼠干扰活动的增强,群落地上、地下及总生物量显著降低,群落生产力大幅度降低.     

祁连山东段高原鼢鼠(Eospalax baileyi)土丘空间分布格局及其与环境因子的空间关联性

高原鼢鼠推土造丘行为对高寒草地生态系统的生产和生态功能有重要影响,研究高原鼢鼠土丘空间分布格局及其与环境因子的关系,可以揭示高原鼢鼠栖息地利用和选择规律,为合理控制鼠害及保护草地生物多样性提供科学依据。于2014年8月在祁连山东段选取面积为140m×100m的高原鼢鼠栖息地,消除景观尺度取样带来的气候、地形和土壤的异质性,利用地统计学方法,分析高原鼢鼠土丘的空间分布格局、并揭示其与环境因子中土壤容重、土壤水分、植物地上、地下生物量、根系营养物质含量(可溶性糖、粗蛋白、粗脂肪)以及各功能群丰富度(禾本科、莎草科、杂类草)的空间关系。半方差函数及普通克里格插值表明,高原鼢鼠土丘存在中等程度的空间变异且呈现聚集分布,各环境因子均存在不同程度的空间异质性。交方差函数分析表明,高原鼢鼠分布虽与各环境因子在多种尺度下表现出复杂的空间关联性(正的或负的),但mantel检验发现土壤容重、莎草科丰富度与高原鼢鼠土丘分布呈现显著的负空间关联性,杂类草丰富度和根系粗脂肪含量与高原鼢鼠土丘分布存在显著正空间关联性。综上所述,高原鼢鼠主要栖息利用在土壤疏松、莎草科丰富度较低、杂类草较多和根系粗脂肪含量较高的地方。     

祁连山北麓高原鼢鼠栖息地选择要素

Studying the habitat characteristics and habitat selection of the plateau zokor in different grassland types is very important to understand the function and position of the zokor in these grassland ecosystems. We selected the plateau zokor inhabiting in the alpine meadow, alpine shrub meadow and alpine grassland located in northern Qilian Mountain to describe habitatcharacteristics and study its habitat selection by dividing five plots in each grassland according to the zokor’s mounds densities, which can be regarded as relative population density of zokors. We investigated soil compaction, soil moisture, soil temperature, soil pH, as well as plant community structure in each plot of three grassland types. One-Way ANOVAs showed that there were significant differences in vegetation and soil among the three grassland types. Soil compaction, soil temperature, and total plant species number in alpine meadow were the highest (P<0.05), soil moisture and total vegetation coverage in alpine shrub meadow were the highest (P<0.05), soil pH in alpine grassland was the highest (P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that soil compaction was negatively correlated with the relative population density of the zokor (P<0.05). Stepwise linear regression analysis showed that the plateau zokor preferred habitat with lower compaction, richer forbs in alpine meadow, lower compaction in alpine shrub meadow, and lower compaction, higher soil moisture, richer sedges in alpine grassland. In the three grassland types, we found that the soil compaction was the key factor of habitat selection of the plateau zokor and food resources was the secondary factor.     

Wildfire reduces carbon dioxide efflux and increases methane uptake in ponderosa pine forest soils of the southwestern USA

Severe wildfire may cause long-term changes in the soil-atmosphere exchange of carbon dioxide and methane, two gases known to force atmospheric warming. We examined the effect of a severe wildfire 10?years after burning to determine decadal-scale changes in soil gas fluxes following fire, and explored mechanisms responsible for these dynamics. We compared soil carbon dioxide efflux, methane uptake, soil temperature, soil water content, soil O horizon mass, fine root mass, and microbial biomass between a burned site and an unburned site that had similar stand conditions to the burned site before the fire. Compared to the unburned site, soil carbon dioxide efflux was 40% lower and methane uptake was 49% higher at the burned site over the 427-day measurement period. Soil O horizon mass, microbial biomass, fine root mass, and surface soil water content were lower at the burned site than the unburned site, but soil temperature was higher. A regression model showed soil carbon dioxide efflux was more sensitive to changes in soil temperature at the burned site than the unburned site. The relative importance of methane uptake to carbon dioxide efflux was higher at the burned site than the unburned site, but methane uptake compensated for only 1.5% of the warming potential of soil carbon dioxide efflux at the burned site. Our results suggest there was less carbon available at the burned site for respiration by plants and microbes, and the loss of the soil O horizon increased methane uptake in soil at the burned site.     

Microbial activities in soil near natural gas leaks

Summary From the present experiments it may be concluded that in the surroundings of natural gas leaks, methane, ethane and possibly some other components of the natural gas are oxidized by microbial activities as long as oxygen is available. This is demonstrated by an increased oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production, as well as by increased numbers of different types of bacteria. The resulting deficiency of oxygen, the excess of carbon dioxide, and perhaps the formation of inhibitory amounts of ethylene, are considered to be mainly responsible for the death of trees near natural gas leaks. Also the long period of time needed by the soil to recover, may be due to prolonged microbial activities, as well as to the presence of e. g. ethylene.The present experiments suggest that especially methane-oxidizing bacteria of the Methylosinus trichosporium type were present in predominating numbers and consequently have mainly been responsible for the increased oxygen consumption. However, some fungi oxidizing components of natural gas, including methane and ethane may also have contributed to the increased microbial activities in the soil. The same will be true of a possible secondary microflora on products derived from microorganisms oxidizing natural gas components.     

Assessment of in-situ bioremediation at a refinery waste-contaminated site and an aviation gasoline contaminated site

A combination of geochemical, microbiological and isotopic methods were used to evaluate in-situ bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons at one site contaminated with refinery waste and a second site contaminated with aviation gasoline at Alameda Point, California. At each site, geochemical and microbiological characteristics from four locations in the contaminated zone were compared to those from two uncontaminated background locations. At both sites, the geochemical indicators of in-situbiodegradation includeddepleted soil gas and groundwater oxygen, elevated groundwater alkalinity, and elevated soil gas carbon dioxide and methane in the contaminated zone relative to the background. Radiocarbon content of methane and carbon dioxide measured in soil gas at both sites indicated that they were derived from hydrocarbon contaminant degradation. Direct microscopy of soil core samples using cell wall stains and activity stains, revealed elevated microbial numbers and enhanced microbial activities in contaminated areas relative to background areas, corroborating geochemical findings. While microbial plate counts and microcosm studies using soil core samples provided laboratory evidence for the presence of some microbial activity and contaminant degradation abilities, they did not correlate well with either contaminant location, geochemical, isotopic, or direct microscopy data.     

Stimulation of rice coleoptile growth by ethylene

Summary The growth rate of rice coleoptiles is increased by low concentrations of ethylene, especially in oxygen concentrations lower than air; carbon dioxide enhanced this response. C₂H₄ is produced by rice seedlings, and this production is also enhanced by carbon dioxide. Ethane and propane were produced in trace amounts but were inactive in growth stimulation as were also methane, propylene, and butane.This investigation was supported in part by research grants (FD-00071 and GM-12885) from the U. S. Public Health Service.     

Oxidation of methane in the absence of oxygen in lake water samples.

Methane was oxidized to carbon dioxide in the absence of oxygen by water samples from Lake Mendota, Madison, Wis. The anaerobic oxidation of methane did not result in the assimilation of carbon from methane into material precipitable by cold 10% trichloracetic acid. Only samples taken at the suface of the sediment of Lake Mendota were capable of catalyzine the anaerobic oxidation of methane. The rate of methane oxidation in the presence of oxygen was highest in samples taken from near the thermocline. Of the radioactive methane oxidized, 30 to 60% was assimilated into material precipitable by cold 10% trichloroacetic acid during aerobic incubation of the samples. These data support the conclusion that two distinct groups of methane-oxidizing organisms occur in stratifield lakes. Enrichments with acetate and methane as the sole sources of carbon and energy and sulfate as the electron acceptor resulted in the growth of bacteria that oxidize methane. Sulfate, acetate, and methane were all required for growth of enrichments. Acetate was not oxidized to carbon dioxide but was assimilated by cells. Methane was not assimilated but was oxidized to carbon dioxide in the absence of air.     

In situ measurements of carbon dioxide gradients in a soil-plant-atmosphere system

Summary In order to more fully understand carbon dioxide dynamics in a soil-plant-atmosphere system, an in situ sampling technique has been developed to measure carbon dioxide concentration within the soil profile as well as in the atmosphere. Gas samples are automatically pumped in sequence from six porous collectors within the soil profile and five aboveground inlets through an infrared gas analyzer. Field measurements in a first year field, indicated that carbon dioxide concentrations reached a maximum value (1800 ppm) in the deepest soil sampling site (-180 cm). Temporal and spatial variations of carbon dioxide concentration were related to the development of root and vegetation structure as well as the position of the groundwater table.Supported, in part, by a grant from the Graduate Research Board. We acknowledge, with thanks, the competent assistance of Frank W. Schwartz.