Hydraulic Parameters Measured in 1-Year-Old Twigs of some Mediterranean Species with Diffuse-Porous Wood: Changes in Hydraulic Conductivity and Their Possible Functional Significance

We report measurements of hydraulic conductivity of Vitis oinifera,Oleo europaea and Populus deltoides 1-year-old twigs. Singleserial internodes were tested for the volume flow rate whichwas related to: (a) the xylem tissue cross-sectional area, (b)the vessel lumina cross-sectional area and (c) the leaf surfacearea supplied by a given stem section. From this, whole xylemhydraulic conductivity (L_x), vessel lumina hydraulic conductivity(L_xv) and leaf specific conductivity (LSC) were calculated.All the three parameters turned out to be linearly related toeach other. This is kcause: (a) the leaf surface area (A₁) waslinearly related to xylem cross-sectional area (A_x and (b) theratio of the vessel lumina cross-sectional area (A_xv) to xylemcross-sectional area (A_x) was approximately constant along thetwigs. Moreover, the hydraulic conductivity of twig segmentswhere buds grow most actively (distal internodes in V. viniferaand proximal ones in O. europaea) was much lower than in therest of the twigs. A possible role played by these ‘constricted’twig regions is discussed. Key words: Changes, Hydraulic conductivity, Stem     

A method for inducing xylem emboli in situ: experiments with a field-grown tree

A pressure collar, assembled around 25cm sections of 4-year-old willow twigs, was used to examine cavitation events under field conditions. When the air pressure inside the collar was raised to between 1–8 and 2–8MPa, ultrasound acoustic emission signals were triggered which indicated the breaking of water columns in the xylem. The hydraulic conductivity of the twig portion inside the chamber decreased markedly. As a result, water potentials and conductances in leaves at the end of the twig decreased. Similar changes were induced at comparable pressures in detached twigs. The equipment used is described in detail, and evidence is presented that the mechanism of this artificial production of emboli follows the air-seeding principle hypothesized for natural cavitation events.     

Ultrasound acoustic emissions from dehydrating leaves of deciduous and evergreen trees

While drying, detached leaves produced ultrasound acoustic emissions (UAE) comparable to emissions from stem and twig wood. Experiments on Ilex aquifolium L. showed that the main source of these signals was cavitation in the veins, to which conduits and fibres probably both contributed. Regions of the leaf blade with abundant mesophyll and only small veins emitted few signals. More signals were counted on the adaxial side of the midrib than on the abaxial one and on the proximal third than on the distal one, in accordance with the anatomical structure. Sound attenuation was pronounced. Eight species were compared with respect to cavitation behaviour, field water relations and pressure–volume curves, and the data showed differences in cumulative number of events and resistance of leaves to cavitation. Data were generally in good agreement with anatomical structure and habitat preferences. The number of signals per conduit counted on cross-sections was in some leaves much higher than unity, which suggests short xylem elements or an acoustic activity of cells other than conduits. There was no correlation between cavitation threshold or cumulative number of signals and the degree of sclerophylly; unexpectedly, there was a correlation between the cumulative number of signals at a water potential of -1.3 MPa and the bulk modulus of elasticity.     

家兔外膝体背核中继细胞的被动电缆特性

在离体脑片上测定了２４个家兔外膝体中继细胞的被动膜特性。它们的静息电位为－６２．７±４．１ｍＶ（ＳＤ）;膜输入阻抗为３０．４±１１．２ＭΩ。运用Ｒａｌｌ的线性电缆模型,计算出这些神经元树突的电紧张长度（Ｌ）为０．７９±０．１３;电压衰减因数（Ｈ）为回．３３±０．１１。说明家兔外膝体中继细胞是电学紧密的,树突远端的电位可扩散到胞体,幅度仅衰减２５％左右。     

自发性高血压大鼠中枢血管紧张素Ⅱ的变化对中枢肾上腺素和去甲肾上腺素含量的影响

自发性高血压大鼠中枢肾上腺能递质含量异常,然其原因仍不清楚。本工作发现:12周龄易卒中型自发性高血压大鼠(SHRSP)脑桥,下丘脑后部、尾核中去甲肾上腺素(NE)含量及延髓、下丘脑前部,下丘脑后部中肾上腺素(E)含量均高于同龄 Wista Kyoto 大鼠(WKY),SHRSP 中枢 AⅡ含量亦明显高于同龄 WKY;向8周龄 SHRSP 和 WKY 侧脑室慢性灌注巯甲丙脯氨酸,不仅降低动脉血压及各脑区AⅡ含量,亦使中枢 NE 及 E 水平下降,但巯甲丙脯氨酸对 SHRSP 的影响远较对 WKY 明显。结果提示:SHRSP 中枢肾上腺能递质含量增加可能与 SHRSP 中枢 AⅡ量含量升高以及 SHRSP 中枢 AⅡ对中枢肾上腺能递质的促释放调节机制明显易化有关。     

易卒中型自发性高血压大鼠中枢和血管中血管紧张素Ⅱ与血压变化关系

工作分析了不同年龄易卒中型自发性高血压大鼠（SHRSP）主动脉中血管紧张素Ⅱ（AⅡ）含量与收缩压（SBP）间的关系。SHRSP的SBP在12及16周龄时均持续上升,20周龄时不再继续上升但维持在高水平;三个年龄组的SHRSP的主动脉AⅡ含量均明显高于同年龄WKY对照鼠,向SHRSP侧脑室灌注巯甲丙脯氨酸四周不仅降低脑区中AⅡ含量,而且具有明显降压效应,同时显著降低主动脉AⅡ含量及血浆、主动脉中去甲肾上腺素和肾上腺素水平,上述结果证实了SHRSP血管中肾素-血管紧张素系统活动的异常与高血压发病学间的密切关系,提示中枢AⅡ可能通过易化外周交感-肾上腺系统活动调节血管中AⅡ水平。