Self-propulsion of dew drops on lotus leaves: a potential mechanism for self cleaning

This study shows that condensation on the hierarchically structured lotus leaf can facilitate self-propulsion of water droplets off the surface. Droplets on leaves inclined at high angles can be completely removed from the surface by self-propulsion with the assistance of gravity. Due to the small size of mobile droplets, light breezes may also fully remove the propelled droplets, which are typically projected beyond the boundary layer of the leaf cuticle. Moreover the self-propelled droplets/condensate were able to remove contaminants (eg silica particles) from the leaf surface. The biological significance of this process may be associated with maintaining a healthy cuticle surface when the action of rain to clean the surface via the lotus effect is not possible (due to no precipitation). Indeed, the native lotus plants in this study were located in a region with extended time periods (several months) without rain. Thus, dew formation on the leaf may provide an alternative self-cleaning mechanism during times of drought and optimise the functional efficiency of the leaf surface as well as protecting the surface from long term exposure to pathogens such as bacteria and fungi.     

Phase separation in bilayer lipid membranes: effects on the inner leaf due to coupling to the outer leaf

The combined effects of the tendency of cholesterol to order lipids in the liquid phase and the coupling between lipids in the two leaves of a bilayer are investigated theoretically utilizing a Landau free energy. We show that as a consequence of these combined effects, lateral phase separation in the outer leaf between cholesterol-rich and -poor liquids causes a similar, but weaker, phase separation in the inner leaf. Just as the areal density of lipids in the outer leaf increases in the cholesterol-rich regions, so the areal density of lipids also increases in the inner leaf. Thus, the areal density in the inner leaf varies spatially, reflecting spatial variations of the areal density in the outer leaf. This provides a mechanism for proteins attached to the inner leaf via a hydrocarbon tether to respond to variations in the composition of the outer leaf. We also note that the effect of coupling between the leaves should be observable in artificial bilayers.     

中国梅花草属植物的叶表皮特征及其系统学意义

利用光学显微镜和扫描电镜对梅花草属Parnassia 30种植物的叶表皮进行了观察。结果表明:气孔器普遍存在于叶的下表皮,少数种的上表皮也有分布,均为无规则型。叶表皮细胞形状为多边形或不规则形;垂周壁式样可区分为近平直、浅波状和波状。在扫描电镜下,叶表皮气孔器外拱盖内缘为近平滑、浅波状或波状;一些种的保卫细胞两端有加厚;角质膜条纹状,有的条纹隆起,有的条纹上附有颗粒或小孔穴。气孔器类型及下表皮细胞形状的一致性表明梅花草属是一个自然分类群;sect. Saxifragastrum叶表皮特征具有多样性显示该组可能是一个复合群;突隔梅花草P. delavayi属于subsect. Xiphosandra,其气孔下陷,与其细胞学特征相似,支持独立为一组;此外,气孔器的分布、保卫细胞两端加厚、气孔器外拱盖内缘形态以及角质膜等特征对该属部分种的区分有一定的参考价值。     

安徽产两种山罗花属植物及其居群叶的微形态比较

利用离析法、扫描电镜和石蜡切片法对安徽产2种3居群山罗花属植物的叶进行了微形态比较研究,结果表明：该属植物叶表皮细胞形状为不规则形,垂周壁呈波状、深波状至重波状;表皮细胞内含叶绿体;角质层具条状纹饰;表皮上有表皮毛和腺毛分布,扫描电镜下表皮毛具瘤状突起的纹饰;栅栏组织只有1层,排列比较疏松,海绵组织有发达的胞间隙;气孔器多为无规则型,极少数仅有一个副卫细胞,仅分布于下表皮,扫描电镜下气孔外拱盖内缘近光滑或浅波状。2种植物在垂周壁式样、表皮毛密度、气孔器长宽比、栅栏组织和海绵组织的厚度比以及中脉的结构特征等具有明显的差异,而山罗花3居群间的差异不明显。     

中国拳参属(蓼科)植物叶脉序式样的研究

用清净标本制作法对中国产拳参属（Bistorta）（蓼科）12种1变种植物的叶脉序式样在光镜下进行了比较研究。结果表明,叶脉序式样可分为3种类型：（1）环结曲行羽状脉,边缘末级脉不完全,加粗且外卷;（2）环结曲行荆状脉,二级脉与其余各级脉近等粗,边缘末级脉具边脉,不加粗;（3）直行羽状脉,盲脉无或偶有,边缘末级脉不完全,不加粗。依据叶脉序式样,结合其植物习性及外部形态特征,将拳参属植物划分为3个组：拳参组section Bistortu,乌饭树叶蓼组section Vacciniifolia F．Z．Li,L．X．Liu ＆ Y．T．Hou,sect．nov．和匍枝蓼组section Bambuphyllum F．Z．Li,L．X．Liu ＆ Y．T．Hou,sect．nov．。     

印度块菌子囊果内部解剖结构的扫描电镜观察

利用扫描电镜对成熟印度块菌子囊果的内部结构进行了观察,以系统揭示其子囊果内部组织特征,为块菌属的分类以及块菌属真菌子囊果的生理研究奠定基础。观察结果进一步证明,成熟印度块菌子囊果横切面上的白色迷宫状脉络是由不育的侧丝构成,而暗脉则是被侧丝缠绕并包裹着的可育的菌丝组织,即产孢组织,这些白色脉络和暗脉就构成了印度块菌子囊果横切面上迷宫状的纹脉;产孢组织中,可观察到正在发育的大大小小的子囊被缠绕在一起的大量产囊丝与侧丝包裹着,形成密密麻麻微小的类似蜂巢状结构;子囊孢子游离于子囊中,成熟子囊孢子表面有刺状纹饰,刺的顶端有小弯钩。单个子囊内含的子囊孢子大小与其内含的子囊孢子数目有关,子囊内所含的子囊孢子越多,子囊孢子就越小。     

How Cholesterol Could Be Drawn to the Cytoplasmic Leaf of the Plasma Membrane by Phosphatidylethanolamine

In the mammalian plasma membrane, cholesterol can translocate rapidly between the exoplasmic and cytoplasmic leaves, so that its distribution between them should be given by the equality of its chemical potential in the leaves. Due to its favorable interaction with sphingomyelin, which is almost entirely in the outer leaf, one expects the great majority of cholesterol to be there also. Experimental results do not support this, implying that there is some mechanism attracting cholesterol to the inner leaf. We hypothesize that it is drawn there to reduce the bending free energy of the membrane caused by the presence of PE (phosphatidylethanolamine). It does this in two ways: first by simply diluting the amount of PE in the inner leaf, and second by ordering the tails of the PE to reduce its spontaneous curvature. Incorporating this mechanism into a model free energy for the bilayer, we find that between 50 and 60% of the total cholesterol should be in the inner leaf of human erythrocytes.     

Stomata actively regulate internal aeration of the sacred lotus Nelumbo nucifera

The sacred lotus Nelumbo nucifera (Gaertn.) possesses a complex system of gas canals that channel pressurized air from its leaves, down through its petioles and rhizomes, before venting this air back to the atmosphere through large stomata found in the centre of every lotus leaf. These central plate stomata (CPS) lie over a gas canal junction that connects with two‐thirds of the gas canals within the leaf blade and with the larger of two discrete pairs of gas canals within the petiole that join with those in the rhizome. It is hypothesized that the lotus actively regulates the pressure, direction and rate of airflow within its gas canals by opening and closing these stomata. Impression casting the CPS reveal that they are open in the morning, close at midday and reopen in the afternoon. The periodic closure of the CPS during the day coincides with a temporary reversal in airflow direction within the petiolar gas canals. Experiments show that the conductance of the CPS decreases in response to increasing light level. This behaviour ventilates the rhizome and possibly directs benthic CO₂ towards photosynthesis in the leaves. These results demonstrate a novel function for stomata: the active regulation of convective airflow.     

Evaluation of the transpiration rate of lotus using the stem heat-balance method

To reveal the mechanism of transpiration by hydrophytes in the field, it is necessary to evaluate the transpiration rate without the effect of the evaporation from the water surface. In order to test the suitability for evaluating the transpiration rate of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) leaves in the field, stem heat-balance method was applied and the obtained sap-flow rate was compared with the transpiration rate measured by weighing and with the overall canopy evapotranspiration rate by means of the eddy covariance technique. The transpiration rate estimated with the sap-flow measurements showed good agreement with that obtained from the weighing method. Lotus has many air canals in its petiole to carry oxygen-rich air to the rhizome and methane- and carbon dioxide-rich air back to the atmosphere, but there was little effect of the mass flow of air through these canals on the sap-flow rates. In the field observations, the canopy evapotranspiration rate (0.28 mm h⁻¹ at maximum) was nearly equal to the sum of the transpiration rate from all sunlit leaves (0.30 mm h⁻¹), and the contribution of the transpiration from shaded leaves and evaporation from the water surface was considered to be minor in the seasons when the leaves were fully developed. Evaluation of bulk leaf conductance revealed that the conductance in the leaf boundary layer of lotus could be low (ca. 0.23 mol m⁻² s⁻¹) because of its large leaf area. The low conductance in the leaf boundary layer would increase leaf temperature, which, in turn, would generate air circulation within the plant's ventilation system. Because there was a linear relationship between transpiration rate and the leaf-to-air vapor-pressure deficit, with no apparent maximum, high vapor-pressure deficits (3.4 kPa at maximum) did not appear to cause significant stomatal closure in lotus plants. The stomata of lotus leaves play a role as air inlets to carry oxygen-rich air to the rhizome, so their low sensitivity would help to increase air intake.     

Palaeosmunda Emended and Two New Species

The genus Palaeosmunda was established by R. E. Gould in 1970 based upon some Late Permian Osmundaceous trunks with well-developed leaf gaps and rhomboidal sclerotic ring within petiolar base seen in cross section. As he thinks that the latter character is more important than the former, this genus could not be assigned to any subfamily of Osmundaceae. However, the leaf gap is one of the most important characters in the structure of the fern stem, so the author suggests that this genus should be assigned to subfamily Osmundoideae and its diagnosis must be emended as follows: The genus Palaeosmunda is represented by some rhizomes (or trunks), roots and leaf bases of ferns which structurally are preserved, resembling Osmundacaulis but which can’t be assigned to any group of this genus. Stem containing an ectophloic dictyoxylic siphonostele; if tracheids present in the pith, they being multiseriate scalariform pitted; pith or cortex sometimes contain ing groups of secretory cells or sclerenchyma; number of leaf traces seen in a tran sverse section of cortex more than 30; leaf traces adaxially curvature, rarely oblong shaped; petiolar bases with or without stipular expansion, containing a C-shaped vascular strand; root diarch. Type species——Palaeosmunda williamsii. According to this diagnosis some primitive osmundaceous species with the leaf gaps, which have already found in Upper Permian and Lower Triassic, could be assigned to this genus. Two of them are P. williamsii Gould and P. playfordii Gould, and Osmundacaulis beardmorensis, which was from Lower Triassic of Antarctica in 1978, should be assigned to the genus Palaeosmunda. In this paper two osmundaceous new species: P. primitiva and P. plenasioides were found in the coal balls of Upper Permian age from Wangjiazhai of Shuicheng of Guizhou Province, China. P. primitiva is represented by two trunks; stem about 4 cm in diameter; stele actophloic dictyoxylic siphonostele; pith cavity about 3—4 mm in diameter, contianing parenchyma and tracheids; xylem cylinder thin, less than 10 tracheids in radial thickness, dissected by leaf gaps. Inner cortex about 1.5 cm thick, mainly parenchymatous, but sometimes containing a few sclerenchymatous; number of leaf traces seen in a transverse section about 50—60; leaf traces departing at 35—45º,open C-shaped at point of departure, gradually becoming shallow C-shaped or V-shaped in different parts; protoxylem in base of leaf traces single, endarch; when leaf traces pass through inner cortex, protoxylem biturcating. Petiole bases without stipular expansion, probablyloosely embracing the stem; xylem strand of potiole trace shallow C-shaped, surrounded by selerenchyma; sclerotic ring round, connected with single sclerenchyma mass in the concavity of the petiole trace. Root arising singly from leaf trace, diarch, with inner and outer cortex. P. plenasioides is represented by a rhizome; stem more than 4 cm in diameter; stele actophloic dictyoxylic siphonostele; xylem cylider with about 20 tracheids in radial thickness, dissected by leaf gaps; xylem bundle U-, O-, or crosier- (i.e. query-) shaped; pith and inner cortex parenchymatous, with many groups of secretory cells; leaf trace C-shaped, its base containing two endarch protoxylem groups; root diareh,with inner and outer cortex, arising singly from leaf trace or its base.     

Leaf maximum photosynthetic rate and venation are linked by hydraulics

Leaf veins are almost ubiquitous across the range of terrestrial plant diversity, yet their influence on leaf photosynthetic performance remains uncertain. We show here that specific physical attributes of the vascular plumbing network are key limiters of the hydraulic and photosynthetic proficiency of any leaf. Following the logic that leaf veins evolved to bypass inefficient water transport through living mesophyll tissue, we examined the hydraulic pathway beyond the distal ends of the vein system as a possible limiter of water transport in leaves. We tested a mechanistic hypothesis that the length of this final traverse, as water moves from veins across the mesophyll to where it evaporates from the leaf, governs the hydraulic efficiency and photosynthetic carbon assimilation of any leaf. Sampling 43 species across the breadth of plant diversity from mosses to flowering plants, we found that the post-vein traverse as determined by characters such as vein density, leaf thickness, and cell shape, was strongly correlated with the hydraulic conductivity and maximum photosynthetic rate of foliage. The shape of this correlation provided clear support for the a priori hypothesis that vein positioning limits photosynthesis via its influence on leaf hydraulic efficiency.     

Cytochrome P450 Genes from the Sacred Lotus Genome

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) in the sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) genome have been identified and named according to systematic P450 nomenclatures. Comparisons of these sequences with those in the papaya and grape CYPomes have indicated that gene blooms exist in the CYP89, CYP94, CYP96 and CYP714 families and that less dramatic expansions exist in the CYP71 and CYP72 families. Expansions in the CYP94 and CYP96 families may be associated with generation of the extremely hydrophobic leaf surfaces associated with the “lotus effect” in this water-adapted species, since these families are known to hydroxylate fatty acids and alkanes in the wax biosynthetic pathways of other plant species. Evolution of the CYP719 and CYP80 families may be associated with production of a number of benzylisoquinoline and aporphine alkaloids. Structures for anonaine and roemerine, two of the most abundant aporphine alkaloids in lotus leaves and seeds, contain methylenedioxy bridges that are known to be generated by members of the CYP719 family. With only one CYP719A22 gene existing in the lotus genome, it is likely that it is involved in making aporphine alkaloids. The fact that CYP719 has not previously been seen in angiosperm phylogeny below the order of Ranunculales suggests that its presence in lotus (in the Proteales) presents an evolutionary terminus prior to its loss in more recent eudicot species. With several CYP80 family genes existing in the lotus genome, there are multiple candidates for those involved in conducting benzylisoquinoline alkaloid synthesis.     

枇杷叶尖焦枯病叶脉组织电镜观察初报

用超薄切片和电镜观察技术,对枇杷叶尖焦枯病进行组织病理学观察。结果发现,病株叶脉韧皮部的筛管及伴胞内有大量丝状菌体状物存在,其大小为37~100×1500~?nm,横切面形态为近圆形、椭圆形或不规则短杆状,纵切面形态为菌丝状,而对照的无病实生苗木中则无。据此初步认为,丝状菌体状物可能与枇杷叶尖焦枯病的发生有关。     

不同荷花品种出泥部分与根状茎生长性状和部分生理指标的比较及相关性分析

在盆栽条件下,对不同荷花(Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.)品种〔藕莲品种'大紫红'('Dazihong')、花莲品种'中国红·上海'('Zhongguohongshanghai')和花藕兼用莲品种'逸仙莲'('Yixianlian')〕出泥部分(叶和花)和泥下部分(根状茎)的生长性状和部分生理指标进行了比较研究,并对3个荷花品种出泥部分与根状茎间的生长性状和部分生理指标进行了相关性分析.结果表明:'大紫红'在整个生长发育期不开花;'中国红·上海'开花时间相对较早(6月上旬),花重瓣且色泽鲜艳;'逸仙莲'开花时间相对较晚(7月上中旬),花单瓣呈白色.3个荷花品种中,'大紫红'立叶数最少,立叶面积最大,根状茎膨大明显,根状茎中可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白质含量最高;'中国红·上海'立叶数最多,立叶中叶绿素含量最高,根状茎节间长度最长,但根状茎膨大不明显;'逸仙莲'立叶数居中,叶柄最长,根状茎膨大明显,根状茎中可溶性蛋白质、可溶性糖、淀粉和维生素C含量介于其他2个荷花品种之间.相关性分析结果表明:荷花立叶面积与根状茎节间长度呈显著负相关,而与根状茎中可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白质及维生素C含量呈极显著或显著正相关;叶柄长度与根状茎直径和根状茎节间质量呈显著正相关;立叶中叶绿素含量与根状茎节间长度和根状茎中淀粉含量呈显著正相关,而与根状茎中可溶性糖含量呈显著负相关.研究结果显示:根据供试3个荷花品种的立叶面积、叶柄长度、立叶中叶绿素含量可间接判断根状茎的生长发育及营养品质状况,并可进一步应用于快速选育花藕兼用莲品种.     

中国木犀属植物叶脉形态及其分类学意义

观察了中国木犀属植物4组19种叶脉形态。主要分析木犀属植物叶片脉序走向,脉序为环结曲行或半直行羽状脉。二级脉急转曲行或半直行,叶脉分支一般为4级,少数5级。盲脉1～2次分支,少数3次或不分支。仅柊树叶缘末级脉汇合成边脉.部分叶缘具齿,叶缘齿性状不稳定,因其内主脉不同而在本属种间表现出一个连续的变异过程。圆锥花序组与李榄属和木犀榄属从叶片脉序特征方面表现出较近的亲缘关系。四个组的叶脉形态在演化上关系上与花粉形态表现相一致。编写了叶片脉序特征分种检索表。     

荷叶水提物对实验性肥胖大鼠脂代谢的影响及机制

目的：探讨荷叶水提物的减肥降脂作用及机制。方法：通过离体脂肪组织灌流实验观察荷叶水提物对正常SD大鼠离体脂肪组织游离脂肪酸（FFA）释放的影响;利用高糖高脂饮食诱导建立实验性肥胖大鼠模型,探讨荷叶水提物给药4周后,大鼠体重和血脂水平的变化,并采用RT-PCR和免疫组化技术对脂肪组织过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ（PPAR-γ）和瘦素（leptin）表达进行检测。结果：离体实验发现荷叶水提物可明显促进离体脂肪组织FFA的释放。在体实验发现中剂量荷叶（60 mg/kg）与奥利斯他相似,可使实验性肥胖大鼠体重、血脂水平明显下降（P<0.05）,使脂肪组织PPAR-γ和瘦素的表达明显下降（P<0.05）。结论：荷叶水提物可通过改善大鼠脂肪组织PPAR-γ和leptin的表达,促进脂肪的动员和分解,降低肥胖大鼠体重和血脂水平,有望研发为减肥药物。     

Reviewing models of auxin canalization in the context of leaf vein pattern formation in Arabidopsis

In both plants and animals vein networks play an essential role in transporting nutrients. In plants veins may also provide mechanical support. The mechanism by which vein patterns are formed in a developing leaf remains largely unresolved. According to the canalization hypothesis, a signal inducing vein differentiation is transported in a polar manner and is channeled into narrow strands. Since inhibition of auxin transport affects venation patterns, auxin is likely to be part of the signal involved. However, it is not clear whether the canalization hypothesis, initially formulated over 25 years ago, is compatible with recent experimental data. In this paper we focus on three aspects of this question, and show that: (i) canalization models can account for an acropetal development of the midvein if vein formation is sink-driven; (ii) canalization models are in agreement with venation patterns resulting from inhibited auxin transport and (iii) loops and discontinuous venation patterns can be obtained assuming proper spacing of discrete auxin sources.     

The evolution of plant microRNAs: insights from a basal eudicot sacred lotus

microRNAs (miRNAs) are important noncoding small RNAs that regulate mRNAs in eukaryotes. However, under which circumstances different miRNAs/miRNA families exhibit different evolutionary trajectories in plants remains unclear. In this study, we sequenced the small RNAs and degradome from a basal eudicot, sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera or lotus), to identify miRNAs and their targets. Combining with public miRNAs, we predicted 57 pre‐eudicot miRNA families from different evolutionary stages. We found that miRNA families featuring older age, higher copy and target number tend to show lower propensity for miRNA family loss (PGL) and stronger signature of purifying selection during divergence of temperate and tropical lotus. Further analyses of lotus genome revealed that there is an association between loss of miRNA families in descendent plants and in duplicated genomes. Gene dosage balance is crucial in maintaining those preferentially retained MIRNA duplicates by imposing stronger purifying selection. However, these factors and selection influencing miRNA family evolution are not applicable to the putative MIRNA‐likes. Additionally, the MIRNAs participating in lotus pollen–pistil interaction, a conserved process in angiosperms, also have a strong signature of purifying selection. Functionally, sequence divergence in MIRNAs escalates expression divergence of their target genes between temperate and tropical lotus during rhizome and leaf growth. Overall, our study unravels several important factors and selection that determine the miRNA family distribution in plants and duplicated genomes, and provides evidence for functional impact of MIRNA sequence evolution.     

Leaf Venation and Its Systematic Significance in Sapindaceae of China

Leaf venation of 27 species representing 25 genera of Sapindaceae (sstr.) of China was investigated for the first time. The pinnate venation pattern in most species is either camptodromous, or craspedodromous. Three types of leaf blade margin were observed, ie., entire, toothed and partite. The secondary veins are branched or unbranched. Most species have intersecondary veins. The tertiary veins of most species are reticulate and percurrent. The areoles are regular or irregular. Veinlets are simple, branched or absent. The delimitations of Xanthoceroideae and Lepisanthes sensu lato are supported by leaf venation characters. The close relationships among Dimocarpus, Litchi and Nephelium are supported by the evidence from leaf venation. A key to the species of Sapinaceae based on leaf venation characters is presented.