Coupled hydraulics and carbon economy underlie age-related growth decline and revitalisation of sand-fixing shrubs after crown removal

Crown removal revitalises sand-fixing shrubs that show declining vigour with age in drought-prone environments; however, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we addressed this knowledge gap by comparing the growth performance, xylem hydraulics and plant carbon economy across different plant ages (10, 21 and 33 years) and treatments (control and crown removal) using a representative sand-fixing shrub (Caragana microphylla Lam.) in northern China. We found that growth decline with plant age was accompanied by simultaneous decreases in soil moisture, plant hydraulic efficiency and photosynthetic capacity, suggesting that these interconnected changes in plant water relations and carbon economy were responsible for this decline. Following crown removal, quick resprouting, involving remobilisation of root nonstructural carbohydrate reserves, contributed to the reconstruction of an efficient hydraulic system and improved plant carbon status, but this became less effective in older shrubs. These age-dependent effects of carbon economy and hydraulics on plant growth vigour provide a mechanistic explanation for the age-related decline and revitalisation of sand-fixing shrubs. This understanding is crucial for the development of suitable management strategies for shrub plantations constructed with species having the resprouting ability and contributes to the sustainability of ecological restoration projects in water-limited sandy lands.

Seasonal patterns of nonstructural carbohydrate storage and mobilization in two tree species with distinct life-history traits

Nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) are essential for tree growth and adaptation, yet our understanding of the seasonal storage and mobilization dynamics of whole-tree NSC is still limited, especially when tree functional types are involved. Here, Quercus acutissima Carruth. and Pinus massoniana Lamb. with distinct life-history traits (i.e., a deciduous broadleaf species vs. an evergreen coniferous species) were studied to assess the size and seasonal fluctuations of organ and whole-tree NSC pools with a focus on comparing differences in carbon resource mobilization patterns between the two species. We sampled the organs (leaf, branch, stem, and root) of the target trees repeatedly over four seasons of the year. Then, NSC concentrations in each organ were paired with biomass estimates from the allometric model to generate whole-tree NSC pools. The seasonal dynamics of the whole-tree NSC of Q. acutissima and P. massoniana reached the peak in autumn and summer, respectively. The starch pools of the two species were supplemented in the growing season while the soluble sugar pools were the largest in the dormant season. Seasonal dynamics of organ-level NSC concentrations and pools were affected by organ type and tree species, with above-ground organs generally increasing during the growing season and P. massoniana roots decreasing during the growing season. In addition, the whole-tree NSC pools of P. massoniana were larger but Q. acutissima showed larger seasonal fluctuations, indicating that larger storage was not associated with more pronounced seasonal fluctuations. We also found that the branch and root were the most dynamic organs of Q. acutissima and P. massoniana, respectively, and were the major suppliers of NSC to support tree growth activities. These results provide fundamental insights into the dynamics and mobilization patterns of NSC at the whole-tree level, and have important implications for investigating environmental adaptions of different tree functional types.

Development of the first PCR for detection of Psoroptes ovis var. cuniculi infection and its comparison to microscopic examination and serological assay in rabbits

Psoroptes mites are the common ecto-parasites of wild and domestic animals worldwide, which causes considerable economic losses in livestock industry. Microscopy is deemed to be the 'gold standard' for the diagnosis of Psoroptes mite infection but it has poor sensitivity for low mite infections and/or sub-clinical infections. To overcome these shortcomings, we screened four genes to develop a sensitive and specific PCR for the detection of Psoroptes mite infection in rabbits, and confirmed its practicability in detecting early infection and monitoring treatment outcome with traditional microscopy and serological tests. Results showed that PCR assay targeting ITS2 (ITS2-PCR) had a high specificity and sensitivity (detection limit: 40.3 pg/μL DNA) for detecting P. ovis DNA. In rabbits artificially infected with P. ovis, all three diagnostic tests showed the same detection rate from 14 days post infection (dpi) to 42 days dpi. However, these diagnostic tests behave differently at 7 dpi and after treatment: at 7 dpi, the detection rate of ITS2-PCR was higher than rPsoSP3-based iELISA and traditional microscopy (ITS2-PCR: 88.9%, rPsoSP3-iELISA: 77.7%, microscopy: 33.3%); at 7 days post treatment (dpt), positivity rates of ITS2-PCR and microscopy rapidly decreased to 0.00% and 11.1%, whereas rPsoSP3-iELISA remained 100% positive rate. Furthermore, the comprehensive comparisons of diagnostic performance and features of three diagnostic tests at 7 dpi were performed. Compared to ITS2-PCR or rPsoSP3-iELISA, microscopy had the lowest sensitivity, and the agreement between these assays was low (κ < 0.3). Field study showed that ITS2-PCR showed a higher detection rate than microscopy (19.4% and 11.1%, respectively). Our results suggested that the ITS2-PCR developed in this study provided a new laboratory tool for diagnosis of P. ovis var. cuniculi infection, and it had advantages over microscopic examination in detection low-level mite infections and serological assay in monitoring treatment outcome.

Ring- and diffuse-porous tree species from a cold temperate forest diverge in stem hydraulic traits, leaf photosynthetic traits, growth rate and altitudinal distribution

In cold and humid temperate forests, low temperature, late frost and frequent freeze-thaw cycles are the main factors limiting tree growth and survival. Ring- and diffuse-porous tree species differing in xylem anatomy coexist in these forests, but their divergent adaptations to these factors have been poorly explored. To fill this knowledge gap, we compared four ring-porous and four diffuse-porous tree species from the same temperate forest in Northeast China by quantifying their leaf and stem functional traits, their stem growth rates using tree ring analysis and their resistance to cold represented by upper altitude species distribution borders from survey data. We found that the ring-porous trees were characterized by traits related to more rapid water transport, carbon gain and stem growth rates than those of the diffuse-porous species. Compared with the diffuse-porous species, the ring-porous species had a significantly higher shoot hydraulic conductance (Ks-shoot, 0.52 vs 1.03 kg m-1 s-1 MPa-1), leaf photosynthetic rate (An, 11.28 vs 15.83 μmol m-2 s-1), relative basal area increment (BAIr, 2.28 vs 0.72 cm year-1) and stem biomass increment (M, 0.34 vs 0.09 kg year-1 m-1). However, the observed upper elevational distribution limit of the diffuse-porous species was higher than that of the ring-porous species and was associated with higher values of conservative traits, such as longer leaf life span (R2 = 0.52). Correspondingly, BAIr and M showed significant positive correlations with acquisitive traits such as Ks-shoot (R2 = 0.77) and leaf photosynthetic rate (R2 = 0.73) across the eight species, with the ring-porous species occurring at the fast-acquisitive side of the spectrum and the diffuse-porous species located on the opposite side. The observed contrasts in functional traits between the two species groups improved our understanding of their differences in terms of growth strategies and adaptive capabilities in the cold, humid temperate forests.

The synergistic effect of hydraulic and thermal impairments accounts for the severe crown damage in Fraxinus mandshurica seedlings following the combined drought-heatwave stress

Drought combined with extreme heatwaves has been increasingly identified as the important trigger of worldwide tree mortality in the context of climate change; nonetheless, our understanding of the potential hydraulic and thermal impairments of hot droughts to trees and the subsequent post-recovery process remains limited. To investigate the response of tree water and carbon relations to drought, heatwave, and combined drought-heatwave stresses, three-year-old potted seedlings of Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr., a dominant tree species in temperate forests of northeast China, were grown under well-watered and drought-stressed conditions and exposed to a rapid, acute heatwave treatment. During the heatwave treatment with a maximum temperature exceeding 40 °C for two days, the leaf temperature of drought-stressed seedlings was, on average, 5 °C higher than that of well-watered counterparts due to less effective evaporative cooling, indicating that soil water availability influenced leaf thermoregulatory capacity during hot extremes. Consistently, more pronounced crown damage, as shown by 13 % irreversible leaf scorch, was found in seedlings under the drought-heatwave treatment relative to sole heatwave treatment, alongside the more severe stem xylem embolism and leaf electrolyte leakage. While the heatwave treatment accelerated the depletion of non-structural carbohydrates in drought-stressed seedlings, the increase of branch soluble sugar concentration in response to heatwave might be related to the requirement for maintaining hydraulic functioning via osmoregulation under high dehydration risk. The coordination between leaf stomatal conductance and total non-structural carbohydrate content during the post-heatwave recovery phase implied that plant-water relations and carbon physiology were closely coupled in coping with hot droughts. This study highlights that, under scenarios of aggravating drought co-occurring with heatwaves, tree seedlings could face a high risk of crown decline in relation to the synergistically increased hydraulic and thermal impairments.

Xylem hydraulics strongly influence the niche differentiation of tree species along the slope of a river valley in a water-limited area

Xylem hydraulic characteristics govern plant water transport, affecting both drought resistance and photosynthetic gas exchange. Therefore, they play critical roles in determining the adaptation of different species to environments with various water regimes. Here, we tested the hypothesis that variation in xylem traits associated with a trade-off between hydraulic efficiency and safety against drought-induced embolism contributes to niche differentiation of tree species along a sharp water availability gradient on the slope of a unique river valley located in a semi-humid area. We found that tree species showed clear niche differentiation with decreasing water availability from the bottom towards the top of the valley. Tree species occupying different positions, in terms of vertical distribution distance from the bottom of the valley, showed a strong trade-off between xylem water transport efficiency and safety, as evidenced by variations in xylem structural traits at both the tissue and pit levels. This optimized their xylem hydraulics in their respective water regimes. Thus, the trade-off between hydraulic efficiency and safety contributes to clear niche differentiation and, thereby, to the coexistence of tree species in the valley with heterogeneous water availability.

Hemiepiphytic figs kill their host trees: acquiring phosphorus is a driving factor

Hemiepiphytic figs killing their host trees is an ecological process unique to the tropics. Yet the benefits and adaptive strategies of their special life history remain poorly understood. We compared leaf phosphorus (P) content data of figs and palms worldwide, and functional traits and substrate P content of hemiepiphytic figs (Ficus tinctoria), their host palm and nonhemiepiphytic conspecifics at different growth stages in a common garden. We found that leaf P content of hemiepiphytic figs and their host palms significantly decreased when they were competing for soil resources, but that of hemiepiphytic figs recovered after host death. P availability in the canopy humus and soil decreased significantly with the growth of hemiepiphytic figs. Functional trait trade-offs of hemiepiphytic figs enabled them to adapt to the P shortage while competing with their hosts. From the common garden to a global scale, the P competition caused by high P demand of figs may be a general phenomenon. Our results suggest that P competition is an important factor causing host death, except for mechanically damaging and shading hosts. Killing hosts benefits hemiepiphytic figs by reducing interspecific P competition and better acquiring P resources in the P-deficient tropics, thereby linking the life history strategy of hemiepiphytic figs to the widespread P shortage in tropical soils.

Hydraulic vulnerability segmentation in compound-leaved trees: Evidence from an embolism visualization technique

The hydraulic vulnerability segmentation (HVS) hypothesis implies the existence of differences in embolism resistance between plant organs along the xylem pathway and has been suggested as an adaptation allowing the differential preservation of more resource-rich tissues during drought stress. Compound leaves in trees are considered a low-cost means of increasing leaf area and may thus be expected to show evidence of strong HVS, given the tendency of compound-leaved tree species to shed their leaf units during drought. However, the existence and role of HVS in compound-leaved tree species during drought remain uncertain. We used an optical visualization technique to estimate embolism occurrence in stems, petioles, and leaflets of shoots in two compound-leaved tree species, Manchurian ash (Fraxinus mandshurica) and Manchurian walnut (Juglans mandshurica). We found higher (less negative) water potentials corresponding to 50% loss of conductivity (P50) in leaflets and petioles than in stems in both species. Overall, we observed a consistent pattern of stem > petiole > leaflet in terms of xylem resistance to embolism and hydraulic safety margins (i.e. the difference between mid-day water potential and P50). The coordinated variation in embolism vulnerability between organs suggests that during drought conditions, trees benefit from early embolism and subsequent shedding of more expendable organs such as leaflets and petioles, as this provides a degree of protection to the integrity of the hydraulic system of the more carbon costly stems. Our results highlight the importance of HVS as an adaptive mechanism of compound-leaved trees to withstand drought stress.

Greater hydraulic safety contributes to higher growth resilience to drought across seven pine species in a semi-arid environment

Quantifying inter-specific variations of tree resilience to drought and revealing the underlying mechanisms are of great importance to the understanding of forest functionality, particularly in water-limited regions. So far, comprehensive studies incorporating investigations in inter-specific variations of long-term growth patterns of trees and the underlying physiological mechanisms are very limited. Here, in a semi-arid site of northern China, tree radial growth rate, inter-annual tree-ring growth responses to climate variability, as well as physiological characteristics pertinent to xylem hydraulics, carbon assimilation and drought tolerance were analyzed in seven pine species growing in a common environment. Considerable inter-specific variations in radial growth rate, growth response to drought and physiological characteristics were observed among the studied species. Differently, the studied species exhibited similar degrees of resistance to drought-induced branch xylem embolism, with water potential corresponding to 50% loss hydraulic conductivity ranging from -2.31 to -2.96 MPa. We found that higher branch hydraulic efficiency is related to greater leaf photosynthetic capacity, smaller hydraulic safety margin and lower woody density (P < 0.05, linear regressions), but not related to higher tree radial growth rate (P > 0.05). Rather, species with higher hydraulic conductivity and photosynthetic capacity were more sensitive to drought stress and tended to show weaker growth resistance to extreme drought events as quantified by tree-ring analyses, which is at least partially due to a trade-off between hydraulic efficiency and safety across species. This study thus demonstrates the importance of drought resilience rather than instantaneous water and carbon flux capacity in determining tree growth in water-limited environments.

[Hydraulics and non-structural carbohydrate contents of Ginkgo biloba under different environmental conditions in Shenyang City, China]

Ginkgo biloba is an important urban ornamental tree species, but poor growth and damages often occur in urban environments. As a street tree species, the decline and death of G. biloba is particularly frequent, with the relevant physiological mechanism being unclear. In this study, we compared hydraulic characteristics, non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) contents and health status between G. biloba trees growing along the streets and those in parks in Shenyang City. The results showed that G. biloba growing along the streets showed higher degrees of branch and leaf mortality than those growing in the parks. Branches of G. biloba growing in both conditions showed lower degrees of xylem embolism. Branch hydraulic vulnerable curves of G. biloba under the two growing conditions also showed no significant difference, with the average P₅₀ being lower than -2.8 MPa. G. biloba growing along the streets had lower leaf area specific conductivity, smaller tracheid diameter, smaller hydraulic diameter, lower soluble sugar content and total NSC than those growing in parks. Hydraulic failure was not the direct reason for the decline and mortality of G. biloba growing along streets. Under the more stressed growth conditions along the streets, G. biloba had smaller tracheid diameters in stems and lower Huber values, which limited the ability of water transport and photosynthetic carbon assimilation at the whole branch level. In addition, in order to deal with more serious stress such as greater heat and drought stresses, G. biloba might need to invest more NSC to repair damage, which further decreaded NSC contents in branches and increased the risk of carbon imbalance. At the same habitat (street or park), xylem hydraulics and NSC contents of G. biloba also showed relatively large difference among sampling sites, which reflected large heterogeneity of urban environment for tree growth.

The effects of intervessel pit characteristics on xylem hydraulic efficiency and photosynthesis in hemiepiphytic and non-hemiepiphytic Ficus species

Xylem vulnerability to cavitation and hydraulic efficiency are directly linked to fine-scale bordered pit features in water-conducting cells of vascular plants. However, it is unclear how pit characteristics influence water transport and carbon economy in tropical species. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate functional implications of changes in pit characteristics for water relations and photosynthetic traits in tropical Ficus species with different growth forms (i.e. hemiepiphytic and non-hemiepiphytic) grown under common conditions. Intervessel pit characteristics were measured using scanning electron microscopy in five hemiepiphytic and five non-hemiepiphytic Ficus species to determine whether these traits were related to hydraulics, leaf photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and wood density. Ficus species varied greatly in intervessel pit structure, hydraulic conductivity and leaf physiology, and clear differences were observed between the two growth forms. The area and diameter of pit aperture were negatively correlated with sapwood-specific hydraulic conductivity, mass-based net assimilation rate, stomatal conductance (g_s ), intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i ) and the petiole vessel lumen diameters (D_v ), but positively correlated with wood density. Pit morphology was only negatively correlated with sapwood- and leaf-specific hydraulic conductivity and D_v . Pit density was positively correlated with g_s , C_i and D_v , but negatively with intrinsic leaf water-use efficiency. Pit and pit aperture shape were not significantly correlated with any of the physiological traits. These findings indicate a significant role of pit characteristics in xylem water transport, carbon assimilation and ecophysiological adaptation of Ficus species in tropical rain forests.

Compound leaves are associated with high hydraulic conductance and photosynthetic capacity: evidence from trees in Northeast China

Characterizing differences in key functional traits between simple-leaved (SL) and compound-leaved (CL) tree species can contribute to a better understanding of the adaptive significance of compound leaf form. In particular, this information may provide a mechanistic explanation to the long-proposed fast-growth hypothesis of CL tree species. Here, using five SL and five CL tree species co-occurring in a typical temperate forest of Northeast China, we tested whether higher hydraulic efficiency underlies potentially high photosynthetic capacity in CL species. We found that the CL species had significantly higher hydraulic conductance at the whole-branch level than the SL species (0.52 ± 0.13 vs 0.15 ± 0.04 × 10-4 kg m-2 s-1 Pa-1, P = 0.029). No significant difference in net photosynthetic rate (14.7 ± 2.43 vs 12.5 ± 2.05 μmol m-2 s-1, P = 0.511) was detected between these two groups, but this was largely due to the existence of one outlier species in each of the two functional groups. Scrutinization of the intragroup variations in functional traits revealed that distinctions of the two outlier species in wood type (ring- vs diffuse-porous) from their respective functional groups have likely contributed to their aberrant physiological performances. The potentially high photosynthetic capacity of CL species seems to require ring-porous wood to achieve high hydraulic efficiency. Due to its limitation on leaf photosynthetic capacity, diffuse-porous wood with lower hydraulic conductivity largely precludes its combination with the 'throw-away' strategy (i.e., annually replacing the stem-like rachises) of compound-leaved tree species, which intrinsically requires high carbon assimilation rate to compensate for their extra carbon losses. Our results for the first time show clear differentiation in hydraulic architecture and CO2 assimilation between sympatric SL and CL species, which contributes to the probing of the underlying mechanism responsible for the potential fast growth of trees with compound leaves.

The interaction between nonstructural carbohydrate reserves and xylem hydraulics in Korean pine trees across an altitudinal gradient

Nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) have been proposed to play an important role in maintaining the hydraulic integrity of trees, particularly in environments with high risks of embolism formation, but knowledge about the interaction between NSC reserves and xylem hydraulics is still very limited. We studied the variation of NSC reserves and hydraulic traits in Pinus koraiensis Sieb. et Zucc. (Korean pine) in March and June across a relatively large altitudinal gradient in Changbai Mountain of Northeast China. One of the major aims was to investigate the potential role NSC plays in maintaining hydraulic integrity of overwintering stems in facing freezing-induced embolism. Consistent with our hypotheses, substantial variations in both NSC contents and hydraulic traits were observed across altitudes and between the two seasons. In March, when relatively high degrees of winter embolism exist, the percentage loss of conductivity (PLC) showed an exponential increase with altitude. Most notably, positive correlations between branch and trunk soluble sugar content and PLC (P = 0.053 and 0.006) were observed across altitudes during this period. These correlations could indicate that more soluble sugars are required for maintaining stem hydraulic integrity over the winter by resisting or refilling freezing-induced embolism in harsher environments, although more work is needed to establish a direct causal relationship between NSC dynamics and xylem hydraulics. If the correlation is indeed directly associated with varying demands for maintaining hydraulic integrity across environmental gradients, greater carbon demands may compromise tree growth under conditions of higher risk of winter embolism leading to a trade-off between competitiveness and stress resistance, which may be at least partially responsible for the lower dominance of Korean pine trees at higher altitudes.

Divergent hydraulic strategies to cope with freezing in co-occurring temperate tree species with special reference to root and stem pressure generation

Some temperate tree species mitigate the negative impacts of frost-induced xylem cavitation by restoring impaired hydraulic function via positive pressures, and may therefore be more resistant to frost fatigue (the phenomenon that post-freezing xylem becomes more susceptible to hydraulic dysfunction) than nonpressure-generating species. We test this hypothesis and investigate underlying anatomical/physiological mechanisms. Using a common garden experiment, we studied key hydraulic traits and detailed xylem anatomical characteristics of 18 sympatric tree species. These species belong to three functional groups, that is, one generating both root and stem pressures (RSP), one generating only root pressure (RP), and one unable to generate such pressures (NP). The three functional groups diverged substantially in hydraulic efficiency, resistance to drought-induced cavitation, and frost fatigue resistance. Most notably, RSP and RP were more resistant to frost fatigue than NP, but this was at the cost of reduced hydraulic conductivity for RSP and reduced resistance to drought-induced cavitation for RP. Our results show that, in environments with strong frost stress: these groups diverge in hydraulic functioning following multiple trade-offs between hydraulic efficiency, resistance to drought and resistance to frost fatigue; and how differences in anatomical characteristics drive such divergence across species.

Hydraulics play an important role in causing low growth rate and dieback of aging Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica trees in plantations of Northeast China

The frequently observed forest decline in water-limited regions may be associated with impaired tree hydraulics, but the precise physiological mechanisms remain poorly understood. We compared hydraulic architecture of Mongolian pine (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica) trees of different size classes from a plantation and a natural forest site to test whether greater hydraulic limitation with increasing size plays an important role in tree decline observed in the more water-limited plantation site. We found that trees from plantations overall showed significantly lower stem hydraulic efficiency. More importantly, plantation-grown trees showed significant declines in stem hydraulic conductivity and hydraulic safety margins as well as syndromes of stronger drought stress with increasing size, whereas no such trends were observed at the natural forest site. Most notably, the leaf to sapwood area ratio (LA/SA) showed a strong linear decline with increasing tree size at the plantation site. Although compensatory adjustments in LA/SA may mitigate the effect of increased water stress in larger trees, they may result in greater risk of carbon imbalance, eventually limiting tree growth at the plantation site. Our results provide a potential mechanistic explanation for the widespread decline of Mongolian pine trees in plantations of Northern China.

Elevated ozone concentration decreases whole-plant hydraulic conductance and disturbs water use regulation in soybean plants

Elevated tropospheric ozone (O3 ) concentration has been shown to affect many aspects of plant performance including detrimental effects on leaf photosynthesis and plant growth. However, it is not known whether such changes are accompanied by concomitant responses in plant hydraulic architecture and water relations, which would have great implications for plant growth and survival in face of unfavorable water conditions. A soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) cultivar commonly used in Northeast China was exposed to non-filtered air (NF, averaged 24.0 nl l-1 ) and elevated O3 concentrations (eO3 , 40 nl l-1 supplied with NF air) in six open-top chambers for 50 days. The eO3 treatment resulted in a significant decrease in whole-plant hydraulic conductance that is mainly attributable to the reduced hydraulic conductance of the root system and the leaflets, while stem and leaf petiole hydraulic conductance showed no significant response to eO3 . Stomatal conductance of plants grown under eO3 was lower during mid-morning but significantly higher at midday, which resulted in substantially more negative daily minimum water potentials. Moreover, excised leaves from the eO3 treated plants showed significantly higher rates of water loss, suggesting a lower ability to withhold water when water supply is impeded. Our results indicate that, besides the direct detrimental effects of eO3 on photosynthetic carbon assimilation, its influences on hydraulic architecture and water relations may also negatively affect O3 -sensitive crops by deteriorating the detrimental effects of unfavorable water conditions.

Impact of hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) infestation on xylem structure and function and leaf physiology in eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)

Hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae Annand) (HWA) is an invasive insect that feeds upon the foliage of eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carrière) trees, leading to a decline in health and often mortality. The exact mechanism leading to the demise of eastern hemlocks remains uncertain because little is known about how HWA infestation directly alters the host's physiology. To evaluate the physiological responses of eastern hemlock during early infestation of HWA, we measured needle loss, xylem hydraulic conductivity, vulnerability to cavitation, tracheid anatomy, leaf-level gas exchange, leaf water potential and foliar cation and nutrient levels on HWA-infested and noninfested even-aged trees in an experimental garden. HWA infestation resulted in higher xylem hydraulic conductivity correlated with an increase in average tracheid lumen area and no difference in vulnerability to cavitation, indicating that needle loss associated with HWA infestation could not be attributed to reduced xylem transport capacity. HWA-infested trees exhibited higher rates of net photosynthesis and significant changes in foliar nutrient partitioning, but showed no differences in branch increment growth rates compared with noninfested trees. This study suggests that HWA-induced decline in the health of eastern hemlock trees is not initially caused by compromised water relations or needle loss.

Divergences in hydraulic architecture form an important basis for niche differentiation between diploid and polyploid Betula species in NE China

Habitat differentiation between polyploid and diploid plants are frequently observed, with polyploids usually occupying more stressed environments. In woody plants, polyploidization can greatly affect wood characteristics but knowledge of its influences on xylem hydraulics is scarce. The four Betula species in NE China, representing two diploids and two polyploids with obvious habitat differentiation, provide an exceptional study system for investigating the impact of polyploidization on environmental adaptation of trees from the point view of xylem hydraulics. To test the hypothesis that changes in hydraulic architecture play an important role in determining their niche differentiation, we measured wood structural traits at both the tissue and pit levels and quantified xylem water transport efficiency and safety in these species. The two polyploids had significantly larger hydraulic weighted mean vessel diameters than the two diploids (45.1 and 45.5 vs 25.9 and 24.5 μm) although the polyploids are occupying more stressed environments. As indicated by more negative water potentials corresponding to 50% loss of stem hydraulic conductivities, the two polyploids exhibited significantly higher resistance to drought-induced embolism than the two diploids (-5.23 and -5.05 vs -3.86 and -3.13 MPa) despite their larger vessel diameters. This seeming discrepancy is reconciled by distinct characteristics favoring greater embolism resistance at the pit level in the two polyploid species. Our results showed clearly that the two polyploid species have remarkably different pit-level anatomical traits favoring greater hydraulic safety than their congeneric diploid species, which have likely contributed to the abundance of polyploid birches in more stressed habitats; however, less porous inter-conduit pits together with a reduced leaf to sapwood area may have compromised their competitiveness under more favorable conditions. Contrasts in hydraulic architecture between diploid and polyploid Betula species suggest an important functional basis for their clear habitat differentiation along environmental gradients in Changbai Mountain of NE China.

Microenvironment in the canopy rivals the host tree water status in controlling sap flow of a mistletoe species

Mistletoes absorb water from the vascular system of their hosts and thus the water use of mistletoes can be influenced by the water status of their hosts besides abiotic environmental conditions; however, there is a lack of studies on the dynamics of mistletoe water utilization in relation to both types of controlling factors. By building a canopy platform at 20 m above the ground, we monitored the dynamic changes of sap flow of Viscum coloratum (Kom.) Nakai (Loranthaceae) in combination with continuous measurements of microclimatic variables and volumetric water content (VWC) of its host tree branch xylem. We found that the host tree VWC exhibited substantial fluctuations during sunny days but lower VWC of the host did not negatively affect the sap flow of V. coloratum. Hourly and daily mean transpiration rates (Esap) of V. coloratum calculated from sap flow measurements showed strong positive correlations with photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) measured in close vicinity to the point of mistletoe attachment. The mean Esap of V. coloratum was substantially higher than that of their host during clear days (4.55 ± 0.54 vs 2.01 ± 0.15 kg m-2 day-1). Moreover, the mistletoe-to-host transpiration ratio was not constant but became increasingly larger with the increase of PPFD or VPD on both hourly and daily bases, suggesting a weaker control of water loss in the mistletoe in comparison to its host species. The strong dependence of mistletoe Esap on micrometeorological variables and its decoupling from the host tree xylem water status suggests that the development of dense tree canopy functions as a potential mechanism for the host trees in reducing the competitive water use of mistletoes. These findings have important implications for the interactions between mistletoe species and their host trees in temperate forests.

Salt management strategy defines the stem and leaf hydraulic characteristics of six mangrove tree species

Mangroves in hypersaline coastal habitats are under constant high xylem tension and face great risk of hydraulic dysfunction. To investigate the relationships between functional traits and salt management, we measured 20 hydraulic and photosynthetic traits in four salt-adapted (SA) and two non-SA (NSA) mangrove tree species in south China. The SA species included two salt secretors (SSs), Avicennia marina (Forsskål) Vierhapper and Aegiceras corniculatum (L.) Blanco and two salt excluders (SEs), Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) Savigny and Kandelia obovata (L.) Sheue et al. The two NSA species were Hibiscus tiliaceus (L.) and Pongamia pinnata (L.) Merr. Extremely high xylem cavitation resistance, indicated by water potential at 50% loss of xylem conductivity (Ψ50; -7.85 MPa), was found in SEs. Lower cavitation resistance was observed in SSs, and may result from incomplete salt removal that reduces the magnitude of xylem tension required to maintain water uptake from the soil. Surprisingly, the NSA species, P. pinnata, had very low Ψ50 (-5.44 MPa). Compared with NSAs, SAs had lower photosynthesis, vessel density, hydraulic conductivity and vessel diameter, but higher sapwood density. Eight traits were strongly associated with species' salt management strategies, with predawn water potential (ΨPD) and mean vessel diameter accounting for 95% flow (D95) having the most significant association; D95 separated SAs from NSAs and SEs had the lowest ΨPD. There was significant coupling between hydraulic traits and carbon assimilation traits. Instead of hydraulic safety being compromised by xylem efficiency, mangrove species with higher safety had higher efficiency and greater sapwood density (ρSapwood), but there was no relationship between ρSapwood and efficiency. Principal component analysis differentiated the species of the three salt management strategies by loading D, D95 and vessel density on the first axis and loading ΨPD, Ψ50 and water potential at 12% loss of xylem conductivity (Ψ12), ρSapwood and quantum yield on the second axis. Our results provide the first comparative characterization of hydraulic and photosynthetic traits among mangroves with different salt management strategies.

Floral Mass per Area and Water Maintenance Traits Are Correlated with Floral Longevity in Paphiopedilum (Orchidaceae)

Floral longevity (FL) determines the balance between pollination success and flower maintenance. While a longer floral duration enhances the ability of plants to attract pollinators, it can be detrimental if it negatively affects overall plant fitness. Longer-lived leaves display a positive correlation with their dry mass per unit area, which influences leaf construction costs and physiological functions. However, little is known about the association among FL and floral dry mass per unit area (FMA) and water maintenance traits. We investigated whether increased FL might incur similar costs. Our assessment of 11 species of Paphiopedilum (slipper orchids) considered the impact of FMA and flower water-maintenance characteristics on FL. We found a positive relationship between FL and FMA. Floral longevity showed significant correlations with osmotic potential at the turgor loss and bulk modulus of elasticity but not with FA. Neither the size nor the mass per area was correlated between leaves and flowers, indicating that flower and leaf economic traits evolved independently. Therefore, our findings demonstrate a clear relationship between FL and the capacity to maintain water status in the flower. These economic constraints also indicate that extending the flower life span can have a high physiological cost in Paphiopedilum.

Tradeoff between Stem Hydraulic Efficiency and Mechanical Strength Affects Leaf-Stem Allometry in 28 Ficus Tree Species

Leaf-stem allometry is an important spectrum that linked to biomass allocation and life history strategy in plants, although the determinants and evolutionary significance of leaf-stem allometry remain poorly understood. Leaf and stem architectures - including stem area/mass, petiole area/mass, lamina area/mass, leaf number, specific leaf area (LA), and mass-based leafing intensity (LI) - were measured on the current-year branches for 28 Ficus species growing in a common garden in SW China. The leaf anatomical traits, stem wood density (WD), and stem anatomical and mechanical properties of these species were also measured. We analyzed leaf-stem allometric relationships and their associations with stem hydraulic ad mechanical properties using species-level data and phylogenetically independent contrasts. We found isometric relationship between leaf lamina area/mass and stem area/mass, suggesting that the biomass allocation to leaf was independent to stem size. However, allometric relationship between LA/mass and petiole mass was found, indicating large leaves invest a higher fractional of biomass in petiole than small ones. LI, i.e., leaf numbers per unit of stem mass, was negatively related with leaf and stem size. Species with larger terminal branches tend to have larger vessels and theoretical hydraulic conductivity, but lower WD and mechanical strength. The size of leaf lamina, petiole, and stem was correlated positively with stem theoretical hydraulic conductivity, but negatively with stem WD and mechanical strength. Our results suggest that leaf-stem allometry in Ficus species was shaped by the trade-off between stem hydraulic efficiency and mechanical stability, supporting a functional interpretation of the relationship between leaf and stem dimensions.

Responses of hydraulics at the whole-plant level to simulated nitrogen deposition of different levels in Fraxinus mandshurica

Nitrogen (N) deposition is expected to have great impact on forest ecosystems by affecting many aspects of plant-environmental interactions, one of which involves its influences on plant water relations through modifications of plant hydraulic architecture. However, there is a surprising lack of integrative study on tree hydraulic architecture responses to N deposition, especially at the whole-plant level. In the present study, we used a 5-year N addition experiment to simulate the effects of six different levels of N deposition (20-120 kg ha(-1) year(-1)) on growth and whole-plant hydraulic conductance of a dominant tree species (Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr.) from the typical temperate forest of NE China. The results showed that alleviation of N limitation by moderate concentrations of fertilization (20-80 kg ha(-1) year(-1)) promoted plant growth, but further N additions on top of the threshold level showed negative effects on plant growth. Growth responses of F. mandshurica seedlings to N addition of different concentrations were accompanied by corresponding changes in whole-plant hydraulic conductance; higher growth rate was accompanied by reduced whole-plant hydraulic conductance (Kplant) and higher leaf water-use efficiency. A detailed analysis on hydraulic conductance of different components of the whole-plant water transport pathway revealed that changes in root and leaf hydraulic conductance, rather than that of the stem, were responsible for Kplant responses to N fertilization. Both plant growth and hydraulic architecture responses to increasing levels of N addition were not linear, i.e., the correlation between measured parameters and N availability exhibited bell-shaped curves with peak values observed at medium levels of N fertilization. Changes in hydraulic architecture in response to fertilization found in the present study may represent an important underlying mechanism for the commonly observed changes in water-related tree performances in response to N deposition.

Freezing resistance in Patagonian woody shrubs: the role of cell wall elasticity and stem vessel size

Freezing resistance through avoidance or tolerance of extracellular ice nucleation is important for plant survival in habitats with frequent subzero temperatures. However, the role of cell walls in leaf freezing resistance and the coordination between leaf and stem physiological processes under subzero temperatures are not well understood. We studied leaf and stem responses to freezing temperatures, leaf and stem supercooling, leaf bulk elastic modulus and stem xylem vessel size of six Patagonian shrub species from two sites (plateau and low elevation sites) with different elevation and minimum temperatures. Ice seeding was initiated in the stem and quickly spread to leaves, but two species from the plateau site had barriers against rapid spread of ice. Shrubs with xylem vessels smaller in diameter had greater stem supercooling capacity, i.e., ice nucleated at lower subzero temperatures. Only one species with the lowest ice nucleation temperature among all species studied exhibited freezing avoidance by substantial supercooling, while the rest were able to tolerate extracellular freezing from -11.3 to -20 °C. Leaves of species with more rigid cell walls (higher bulk elastic modulus) could survive freezing to lower subzero temperatures, suggesting that rigid cell walls potentially reduce the degree of physical injury to cell membranes during the extracellular freezing and/or thaw processes. In conclusion, our results reveal the temporal-spatial ice spreading pattern (from stem to leaves) in Patagonian shrubs, and indicate the role of xylem vessel size in determining supercooling capacity and the role of cell wall elasticity in determining leaf tolerance of extracellular ice formation.

Coordination of xylem hydraulics and stomatal regulation in keeping the integrity of xylem water transport in shoots of two compound-leaved tree species

Hydraulic segmentation between proximal and distal organs has been hypothesized to be an important protective mechanism for plants to minimize the detrimental effects of drought-induced hydraulic failure. Uncertainties still exist regarding the degree of segmentation and the role of stomatal regulation in keeping hydraulic integrity of organs at different hierarchies. In the present study, we measured hydraulic conductivity and vulnerability in stems, compound leaf petioles and leaflet laminas of Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr. and Juglans mandshurica Maxim. growing in Changbai Mountain of Northeast China to identify the main locality where hydraulic segmentation occurs along the shoot water transport pathway. Stomatal conductance in response to leaf water potential change was also measured to investigate the role of stomatal regulation in avoiding extensive transpiration-induced embolism. No major contrasts were found between stems and compound leaf petioles in either hydraulic conductivity or vulnerability to drought-induced embolism, whereas a large difference in hydraulic vulnerability exists between compound leaf petioles and leaflet laminas. Furthermore, in contrast to the relatively large safety margins in stems (4.13 and 2.04 MPa) and compound leaf petioles (1.33 and 1.93 MPa), leaflet lamina hydraulic systems have substantially smaller or even negative safety margins (-0.17 and 0.47 MPa) in F. mandshurica and J. mandshurica. Under unstressed water conditions, gas exchange may be better optimized by allowing leaflet vascular system function with small safety margins. In the meantime, hydraulic safety of compound leaf petioles and stems are guaranteed by their large safety margins. In facing severe drought stress, larger safety margins in stems than in compound leaf petioles would allow plants to minimize the risk of catastrophic embolism in stems by sacrificing the whole compound leaves. A strong coordination between hydraulic and stomatal regulation appears to play a critical role in balancing the competing efficiency and safety requirements for xylem water transport and use in plants.

Differentiation of water-related traits in terrestrial and epiphytic Cymbidium species

Epiphytes that grow in the canopies of tropical and subtropical forests experience different water regimes when compared with terrestrial plants. However, the differences in adaptive strategies between epiphytic and terrestrial plants with respect to plant water relations remain poorly understood. To understand how water-related traits contrast between epiphytic and terrestrial growth forms within the Cymbidium (Orchidaceae), we assessed leaf anatomy, hydraulics, and physiology of seven terrestrial and 13 epiphytic species using a common garden experiment. Compared with terrestrial species, epiphytic species had higher values for leaf mass per unit area (LMA), leaf thickness (LT), epidermal thickness, saturated water content (SWC) and the time required to dry saturated leaves to 70% relative water content (T70). However, vein density (Dvein), stomatal density (SD), and photosynthetic capacity (Amax) did not differ significantly between the two forms. T70 was positively correlated with LT, LMA, and SWC, and negatively correlated with stomatal index (SI). Amax showed positive correlations with SD and SI, but not with Dvein. Vein density was marginally correlated with SD, and significantly correlated with SI. Overall, epiphytic orchids exhibited substantial ecophysiological differentiations from terrestrial species, with the former type showing trait values indicative of greater drought tolerance and increased water storage capacity. The ability to retain water in the leaves plays a key role in maintaining a water balance in those epiphytes. Therefore, the process of transpiration depends less upon the current substrate water supply and enables epiphytic Cymbidium species to adapt more easily to canopy habitats.

Water storage dynamics in the main stem of subtropical tree species differing in wood density, growth rate and life history traits

Wood biophysical properties and the dynamics of water storage discharge and refilling were studied in the trunk of canopy tree species with diverse life history and functional traits in subtropical forests of northeast Argentina. Multiple techniques assessing capacitance and storage capacity were used simultaneously to improve our understanding of the functional significance of internal water sources in trunks of large trees. Sapwood capacitances of 10 tree species were characterized using pressure-volume relationships of sapwood samples obtained from the trunk. Frequency domain reflectometry was used to continuously monitor the volumetric water content in the main stems. Simultaneous sap flow measurements on branches and at the base of the tree trunk, as well as diurnal variations in trunk contraction and expansion, were used as additional measures of stem water storage use and refilling dynamics. All evidence indicates that tree trunk internal water storage contributes from 6 to 28% of the daily water budget of large trees depending on the species. The contribution of stored water in stems of trees to total daily transpiration was greater for deciduous species, which exhibited higher capacitance and lower sapwood density. A linear relationship across species was observed between wood density and growth rates with the higher wood density species (mostly evergreen) associated with lower growth rates and the lower wood density species (mostly deciduous) associated with higher growth rates. The large sapwood capacitance in deciduous species may help to avoid catastrophic embolism in xylem conduits. This may be a low-cost adaptation to avoid water deficits during peak water use at midday and under temporary drought periods and will contribute to higher growth rates in deciduous tree species compared with evergreen ones. Large capacitance appears to have a central role in the rapid growth patterns of deciduous species facilitating rapid canopy access as these species are less shade tolerant than evergreen species.

Is hemiepiphytism an adaptation to high irradiance? Testing seedling responses to light levels and drought in hemiepiphytic and non-hemiepiphytic Ficus

The epiphytic growth habit in many Ficus species during their juvenile stages has commonly been hypothesized to be an adaptation for avoiding deep shade in the forest understory, but this has never been tested experimentally. We examined growth and ecophysiology in seedlings of three hemiepiphytic (Hs) and three non-hemiepiphytic (NHs) Ficus species grown under different irradiance levels. Both Hs and NHs exhibited characteristics of high light requiring species, such as high plasticity to growth irradiance and relatively high maximum photosynthetic assimilation rates. Diurnal measurements of leaf gas exchange showed that Hs have much shorter active photosynthetic periods than NHs; moreover, leaves of Hs have lower xylem hydraulic conductivity but stronger drought tolerance as indicated by much lower rates of leaf diebacks during the drought treatment. Seedlings of NHs had 3.3- and 13.3-fold greater height and biomass than those of Hs species after growing in the nursery for 5 months, indicating a trade-off between growth and drought tolerance due to the conflicting requirements for xylem conductivity and cavitation resistance. This study does not support the shade-avoidance hypothesis; rather, it suggests that the canopy regeneration in Hs is an adaptation to avoid alternative terrestrial growth-related risks imposed to tiny Ficus seedlings. The NHs with terrestrial regeneration reduce these risks by having an initial burst of growth to rapidly gain relatively large seedling sizes, while in Hs seedlings more conservative water use and greater drought tolerance for surviving the canopy environment are intrinsically associated with slow growth.

Investigating xylem embolism formation, refilling and water storage in tree trunks using frequency domain reflectometry

Trunks of large trees play an important role in whole-plant water balance but technical difficulties have limited most hydraulic research to small stems, leaves, and roots. To investigate the dynamics of water-related processes in tree trunks, such as winter embolism refilling, xylem hydraulic vulnerability, and water storage, volumetric water content (VWC) in the main stem was monitored continuously using frequency domain moisture sensors in adult Betula papyrifera trees from early spring through the beginning of winter. An air injection technique was developed to estimate hydraulic vulnerability of the trunk xylem. Trunk VWC increased in early spring and again in autumn, concurrently with root pressure during both seasons. Diurnal fluctuations and a gradual decrease in trunk VWC through the growing season were observed, which, in combination with VWC increase after significant rainfall events and depletion during periods of high water demand, indicate the importance of stem water storage in both short- and long-term water balance. Comparisons between the trunk air injection results and conventional branch hydraulic vulnerability curves showed no evidence of 'vulnerability segmentation' between the main stem and small branches in B. papyrifera. Measurements of VWC following air injection, together with evidence from air injection and xylem dye perfusion, indicate that embolized vessels can be refilled by active root pressure but not in the absence of root pressure. The precise, continuous, and non-destructive measurement of wood water content using frequency domain sensors provides an ideal way to probe many hydraulic processes in large tree trunks that are otherwise difficult to investigate.

Polyploidy enhances the occupation of heterogeneous environments through hydraulic related trade-offs in Atriplex canescens (Chenopodiaceae)

Plant hydraulic characteristics were studied in diploid, tetraploid and hexaploid cytotypes of Atriplex canescens (Chenopodiaceae) to investigate the potential physiological basis underlying the intraspecific habitat differentiation among plants of different ploidy levels. Populations of A. canescens from different habitats of the Chihuahuan Desert (New Mexico, USA) were analyzed using flow cytometry to determine ploidy levels. Traits related to xylem water transport efficiency and safety against drought-induced hydraulic failure were measured in both stems and leaves. At the stem level, cytotypes of higher ploidy showed consistently lower leaf-specific hydraulic conductivity but greater resistance to drought-induced loss of hydraulic conductivity. At the leaf level, comparisons in hydraulics between cytotypes did not show a consistent pattern, but exhibited high plasticity to proximal environmental conditions related to soil water availability. The results suggest that a trade-off between stem hydraulic efficiency and safety across ploidy levels underlies niche differentiation among different cytotypes of A. canescens. Polyploidization may have been facilitated by environmental heterogeneity related to water availability, and variation in water-related physiology found in the present study suggests an important functional basis for the niche differentiation and coexistence of A. canescens cytotypes in desert environments.

Photosynthetic thermotolerance of woody savanna species in China is correlated with leaf life span

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Photosynthetic thermotolerance (PT) is important for plant survival in tropical and sub-tropical savannas. However, little is known about thermotolerance of tropical and sub-tropical wild plants and its association with leaf phenology and persistence. Longer-lived leaves of savanna plants may experience a higher risk of heat stress. Foliar Ca is related to cell integrity of leaves under stresses. In this study it is hypothesized that (1) species with leaf flushing in the hot-dry season have greater PT than those with leaf flushing in the rainy season; and (2) PT correlates positively with leaf life span, leaf mass per unit area (LMA) and foliar Ca concentration ([Ca]) across woody savanna species.

METHODS

The temperature-dependent increase in minimum fluorescence was measured to assess PT, together with leaf dynamics, LMA and [Ca] for a total of 24 woody species differing in leaf flushing time in a valley-type savanna in south-west China.

KEY RESULTS

The PT of the woody savanna species with leaf flushing in the hot-dry season was greater than that of those with leaf flushing in the rainy season. Thermotolerance was positively associated with leaf life span and [Ca] for all species irrespective of the time of flushing. The associations of PT with leaf life span and [Ca] were evolutionarily correlated. Thermotolerance was, however, independent of LMA.

CONCLUSIONS

Chinese savanna woody species are adapted to hot-dry habitats. However, the current maximum leaf temperature during extreme heat stress (44·3 °C) is close to the critical temperature of photosystem II (45·2 °C); future global warming may increase the risk of heat damage to the photosynthetic apparatus of Chinese savanna species.

Association between urothelial carcinoma after kidney transplantation and aristolochic acid exposure: the potential role of aristolochic acid in HRas and TP53 gene mutations

OBJECTIVE

We sought to investigate the association between urothelial carcinoma (UC) after kidney transplantation and aristolochic acid (AA) exposure, and to explore the potential role of AA in HRas and TP53 gene mutations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

UC was confirmed in 100 of 3790 patients who underwent kidney transplantation between January 1974 and May 2011. We retrospectively analyzed clinical data for these patients. Malignancies were identified in 136 patients (15 males and 85 females, of age range 27-71 years mean, 53.2±6.3). UC was the most common diagnosis (100/136; 73.5%). The median time from transplantation to the first confirmed diagnosis of a tumor was 34.5 months (range, 2-273). Polymerase chain reaction-based resequencing methods were used to detect mutations in the target regions of exons 2 and 3 of the HRas gene and exons 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the TP53 gene in 90 of 100 samples.

RESULTS

UC was identified in 53 of 380 patients exposed to AA and 47 of 3410 patients not exposed to AA (P<0.05). Pathologic examination of the UC specimens from AA-exposed patients identified heterozygous HRas changes in 3 cases, and deletion or replacement mutations in the TP53 gene in 4. No genetic mutations were observed among the control group.

CONCLUSION

UC after kidney transplantation significantly correlated with AA exposure; however, there seemed to be no significant difference in mutations in exons 2 and 3 of the HRas gene and those in exons 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the TP53 gene in terms of tumor development, a result that is inconsistent with previous studies.

Ecology of hemiepiphytism in fig species is based on evolutionary correlation of hydraulics and carbon economy

Woody hemiepiphytic species (Hs) are important components of tropical rain forests, and they have been hypothesized to differ from non-hemiepiphytic tree species (NHs) in adaptations relating to water relations and carbon economy; but few studies have been conducted comparing ecophysiological traits between the two growth forms especially in an evolutionary context. Using common-garden plants of the genus Ficus, functional traits related to plant hydraulics and carbon economy were compared for seven NHs and seven Hs in their adult terrestrial "tree-like" growth phase. We used phylogenetically independent contrasts to test the hypothesis that differences in water availability selected for contrasting suites of traits in Hs and NHs, driving evolutionary correlations among functional traits including hydraulic conductivity and photosynthetic traits. Species of the two growth forms differed in functional traits; Hs had substantially lower xylem hydraulic conductivity and stomatal conductance, and higher instantaneous photosynthetic water use efficiency. Leaf morphological and structural traits also differed strikingly between the two growth forms. The Hs had significantly smaller leaves, higher leaf mass per area (LMA), and smaller xylem vessel lumen diameters. Across all the species, hydraulic conductivity was positively correlated with leaf gas exchange indicating high degrees of hydraulic-photosynthetic coordination. More importantly, these correlations were supported by correlations implemented on phylogenetic independent contrasts, suggesting that most trait correlations arose through repeated convergent evolution rather than as a result of chance events in the deep nodes of the lineage. Vatiation in xylem hydraulic conductivity was also centrally associated with a suite of other functional traits related to carbon economy and growth, such as LMA, water use efficiency, leaf nutrient concentration, and photosynthetic nutrient use efficiency, indicating important physiological constraints or trade-offs among functional traits. Shifts in this trait cluster apparently related to the adaptation to drought-prone canopy growth during the early life cycle of Hs and clearly affected ecophysiology of the later terrestrial stage of these species. Evolutionary flexibility in hydraulics and associated traits might be one basis for the hyper-diversification of Ficus species in tropical rain forests.

Association between urothelial carcinoma after renal transplantation and infection by human papillomavirus types 16 and 18

OBJECTIVE

To explore the association between urothelial carcinoma following renal transplantation and infection by human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Of 3780 patients who underwent renal transplantation, we identified 90 cases of urothelial carcinoma. Tumor tissues collected from the 90 renal transplant recipients were compared with those from 30 nontransplanted patients with bladder cancer (control group) for HPV types 16 and 18 using polymerase chain reactions.

RESULTS

Seven transplanted patients were HPV positive: HPV-16 was detected in 3 patients with bladder cancer (3/90; 3.3%), and HPV-18 in 2 patients with bilateral pelvic ureteral carcinoma (2/90; 2.2%), and 2 patients with bladder cancer (2/90; 2.2%). Only 2 cases from the control group were HPV positive (both HPV-18; 2/30; 5%). The difference between the RTR and control groups was not significant (P > .05).

CONCLUSION

Malignant tumors in the urinary system following renal transplantation did not seems to be associated with infection by HPV-16 or -18.

Differentiation in light energy dissipation between hemiepiphytic and non-hemiepiphytic Ficus species with contrasting xylem hydraulic conductivity

Hemiepiphytic Ficus species (Hs) possess traits of more conservative water use compared with non-hemiepiphytic Ficus species (NHs) even during their terrestrial growth phase, which may result in significant differences in photosynthetic light use between these two growth forms. Stem hydraulic conductivity, leaf gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence were compared in adult trees of five Hs and five NHs grown in a common garden. Hs had significantly lower stem hydraulic conductivity, lower stomatal conductance and higher water use efficiency than NHs. Photorespiration played an important role in avoiding photoinhibition at high irradiance in both Hs and NHs. Under saturating irradiance levels, Hs tended to dissipate a higher proportion of excessive light energy through thermal processes than NHs, while NHs dissipated a larger proportion of electron flow than Hs through the alternative electron sinks. No significant difference in maximum net CO2 assimilation rate was found between Hs and NHs. Stem xylem hydraulic conductivity was positively correlated with maximum electron transport rate and negatively correlated with the quantum yield of non-photochemical quenching across the 10 studied Ficus species. These findings indicate that a canopy growth habit during early life stages in Hs of Ficus resulted in substantial adaptive differences from congeneric NHs not only in water relations but also in photosynthetic light use and carbon economy. The evolution of epiphytic growth habit, even for only part of their life cycle, involved profound changes in a suite of inter-correlated ecophysiological traits that persist to a large extent even during the later terrestrial growth phase.

Size-dependent mortality in a Neotropical savanna tree: the role of height-related adjustments in hydraulic architecture and carbon allocation

Size-related changes in hydraulic architecture, carbon allocation and gas exchange of Sclerolobium paniculatum (Leguminosae), a dominant tree species in Neotropical savannas of central Brazil (Cerrado), were investigated to assess their potential role in the dieback of tall individuals. Trees greater than approximately 6-m-tall exhibited more branch damage, larger numbers of dead individuals, higher wood density, greater leaf mass per area, lower leaf area to sapwood area ratio (LA/SA), lower stomatal conductance and lower net CO(2) assimilation than small trees. Stem-specific hydraulic conductivity decreased, while leaf-specific hydraulic conductivity remained nearly constant, with increasing tree size because of lower LA/SA in larger trees. Leaves were substantially more vulnerable to embolism than stems. Large trees had lower maximum leaf hydraulic conductance (K(leaf)) than small trees and all tree sizes exhibited lower K(leaf) at midday than at dawn. These size-related adjustments in hydraulic architecture and carbon allocation apparently incurred a large physiological cost: large trees received a lower return in carbon gain from their investment in stem and leaf biomass compared with small trees. Additionally, large trees may experience more severe water deficits in dry years due to lower capacity for buffering the effects of hydraulic path-length and soil water deficits.

Hydraulic redistribution in dwarf Rhizophora mangle trees driven by interstitial soil water salinity gradients: impacts on hydraulic architecture and gas exchange

Rhizophora mangle L. trees of Biscayne National Park (Florida, USA) have two distinct growth forms: tall trees (5-10 m) growing along the coast and dwarf trees (1 m or less) growing in the adjacent inland zone. Sharp decreases in salinity and thus increases in soil water potential from surface soil to about a depth of 1 m were found at the dwarf mangrove site but not at the tall mangrove site. Consistent with our prediction, hydraulic redistribution detected by reverse sap flow in shallow prop roots was observed during nighttime, early morning and late afternoon in dwarf trees, but not in tall trees. In addition, hydraulic redistribution was observed throughout the 24-h period during a low temperature spell. Dwarf trees had significantly lower sapwood-specific hydraulic conductivity, smaller stem vessel diameter, lower leaf area to sapwood area ratio (LA/SA), smaller leaf size and higher leaf mass per area. Leaves of dwarf trees had lower CO(2) assimilation rate and lower stomatal conductance compared to tall trees. Leaf water potentials at midday were more negative in tall trees that are consistent with their substantially higher stomatal conductance and LA/SA. The substantially lower water transport efficiency and the more conservative water use of dwarf trees may be due to a combination of factors such as high salinity in the surface soil, particularly during dry periods, and substantial reverse sap flow in shallow roots that make upper soil layers with high salinity a competing sink of water to the transpiring leaves. There may also be a benefit for the dwarf trees in having hydraulic redistribution because the reverse flow and the release of water to upper soil layers should lead to dilution of the high salinity in the rhizosphere and thus relieve its potential harm to dwarf R. mangle trees.

Water relations and hydraulic architecture in Cerrado trees: adjustments to seasonal changes in water availability and evaporative demand

We determined adjustments in physiology and morphology that allow Neotropical savanna trees from central Brazil (Cerrado) to avoid water deficits and to maintain a nearly constant internal water balance despite seasonal changes in precipitation and air saturation deficit (D). Precipitation in the study area is highly seasonal with about five nearly rainless months during which D is two fold higher compared to wet season values. As a consequence of the seasonal fluctuations in rainfall and D, soil water potential changes substantially in the upper 100 cm of soil, but remains nearly constant below 2 m depth. Hydraulic architecture and water relations traits of Cerrado trees adjusted during the dry season to prevent increasing water deficits and insure homeostasis in minimum leaf water potential ψL and in total daily water loss per plant (isohydry). The isohydric behavior of Cerrado trees was the result of a decrease in total leaf surface area per tree, a strong stomatal control of evaporative losses, an increase in leaf-specific hydraulic conductivity and leaf hydraulic conductance and an increase in the amount of water withdrawn from internal stem storage, during the dry season. Water transport efficiency increased in the same proportion in leaves and terminal stems during the dry season. All of these seasonal adjustments were important for maintaining ψL above critical thresholds, which reduces the rate of embolism formation in stems and help to avoid turgor loss in leaf tissues still during the dry season. These adjustments allow the stems of most Cerrado woody species to operate far from the point of catastrophic dysfunction for cavitation, while leaves operate close to it and experience embolism on a daily basis, especially during the dry season.

Androgen receptor isoforms in human and rat prostate

AIM

To investigate the androgen receptor (AR) isoforms and its variability of expression in human and rat prostatic tissues.

METHODS

Human benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatic cancer tissues were obtained from patients undergoing prostatectomy, and rat ventral prostate was incised 3 days after castration. Forty-one AR-positive BPH specimens, 3 prostatic cancer specimens, and 6 rat prostates were used. After processing at 4 degrees C, the tissues were examined by means of high resolution isoelectric focusing (IEF) technique to determine their AR isoforms.

RESULTS

From the prostatic specimens, 3 types of AR isoforms were detected with pI values at 6.5, 6.0, and 5.3. In human BPH tissues, 15/41 (36.6%) specimens showed all the three types of isoforms, while 19/41 (46.3%) showed 2 isoforms at various combinations and 7/41 (17.1%), 1 isoform. For the 3 prostatic cancer specimens, one showed 3 isoforms, one, 2 isoforms, and the other failed to show any isoform. All rat prostatic tissues showed 2 isoforms at different combinations. Binding of 3H-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to the isoforms was inhibited by the addition of 100-fold excess of DHT or testosterone, but not progesterone, oestradiol or diethylstilboestrol.

CONCLUSION

AR isoforms are different in different patients. Although their genesis is not clear, the therapeutic implication of the present observation appears to be interesting, that may help clarifying the individual differences in the response to hormonal therapy.