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PubMed1986

Structural properties of spinal nerve roots: biomechanics.

The biomechanics of spinal nerve roots obtained from normal and nerve-crushed mice were evaluated. Photographs and longitudinal force measurements were taken as nerve roots were elongated through mechanical failure. Proportional limit stress and strain as well as the apparent modulus were calculated from photographic and force measurements to characterize nerve root strength, elasticity, and stiffness, respectively. Resulting mechanical data were indicative of an extremely weak material. Comparisons of nerve and nerve root mechanical properties revealed major differences. While nerve root elasticity was comparable to nerve, nerve root strength was only 10% that of nerve and root stiffness was only 20% of nerve values. Differences in nerve and root mechanics are attributed to the large discrepancies in relative amounts of connective tissue. Also in sharp contrast with peripheral nerve, unilateral nerve crush produced no significant alterations in root mechanics. Comparisons of nerve and nerve root strengths suggested possible pathways for dissipation of peripherally applied forces through epineurial and dural structures.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

The improved Allium/Vicia root tip micronucleus assay for clastogenicity of environmental pollutants.

The meristematic mitotic cells of plant roots are appropriate and efficient cytogenetic materials for the detection of clastogenicity of environmental pollutants, especially for in situ monitoring of water contaminants. Among several cytological endpoints in these fast dividing cells, such as chromosome/chromatid aberrations, sister-chromatid exchanges and micronuclei, the most effective and simplest indicator of cytological damage is micronucleus formation. Although the Allium cepa and Vicia faba root meristem micronucleus assays (Allium/Vicia root MCN) have been used in clastogenicity studies about 12 times by various authors in the last 25 years, there is no report on the comparison of the efficiency of these two plant systems and in different cell populations (meristem and F1) of the root tip as well as under adequate recovery duration. In order to maximize the efficiency of these bioassays, the current study was designed to compare the Allium and the Vicia root MCN assays on the basis of chromosome length, peak sensitivity of the mitotic cells, and the regions of the root tip where the MCN are formed. The total length of the 2n complement of Allium chromosomes is 14.4 microns and the total length of the 2n complement of Vicia is 9.32 microns. The peak sensitivity determined by serial fixation at 12-h intervals after 100 R of X-irradiation is 44 h. The slope of the X-ray dose-response curve of Allium roots derived from the meristematic regions was lower than that derived from cells in the F1 region. Higher efficiency was also demonstrated when the MCN frequencies were scored from the F1 cells in both Allium and Vicia treated with formaldehyde (FA), mitomycin C (MMC), and maleic hydrazide (MH). The results indicated that scoring of MCN frequencies from the F1 cell region of the root tip was more efficient than scoring from the meristematic region. The X-ray linear regression dose-response curves were established in both Allium and Vicia cell systems and the coefficients of correlations, slope values were used to verify the reliability and efficiency of these two plant cell systems. Based on the dose-response slope value of 0.894 for Allium and 0.643 for Vicia, the Allium root MCN was a more efficient test system. The greater sensitivity of the Allium roots is probably due to the greater total length of the diploid complement and the higher number of metacentric chromosomes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Allium↗
PubMed2005

Differential impact of low temperature on fatty acid unsaturation and lipoxygenase activity in figleaf gourd and cucumber roots.

Previous studies show that low temperature strongly induces suberin layers in the roots of chilling-sensitive cucumber plants, while in contrast, low temperature produces a much weaker induction of suberin layers in the roots of the chilling-tolerant figleaf gourd [S.H. Lee, G.C. Chung, S. Steudle, Gating of aquaporins by low temperature in roots of chilling-sensitive cucumber and -tolerant figleaf gourd, J. Exp. Bot. 56 (2005) 985-995; S.H. Lee, G.C. Chung, E. Steudle, Low temperature and mechanical stresses differently gate aquaporins of root cortical cells of chilling-sensitive cucumber and figleaf gourd, Plant Cell Environ. (2005) in press; S.J. Ahn, Y.J. Im, G.C. Chung, B.H. Cho, S.R. Suh, Physiological responses of grafted-cucumber leaves and rootstock roots affected by low root temperature, Scientia Hort. 81 (1999) 397-408]. Here, the effect of low temperature on fatty acid unsaturation and lipoxygenase activity was examined in cucumber and figleaf gourd. The double bond index demonstrated that membrane lipid unsaturation shows hyperbolic saturation curve in figleaf gourd roots while a biphasic response in cucumber roots to low temperature. In figleaf gourd, the hyperbolic response in the double bond index was primarily due to accumulation of linolenic acid. Chilling stress also significantly induced lipoxygenase activity in figleaf gourd roots. These results suggest that the degree of unsaturation of root plasma membrane lipids correlates positively with chilling-tolerance. Therefore, studies that compare the effects of chilling on cucumber and figleaf gourd may provide broad insight into stress response mechanisms in chilling-sensitive and chilling-tolerant plants. Furthermore, these studies may provide important information regarding the relationship between lipid unsaturation and lipoxygenase function/activity, and between lipoxygenase activity and water channeling during the response to chilling stress. The possible roles of these processes in chilling tolerance are discussed.

Cell Membrane↗
PubMed2004

Release of the benzoxazinoids defense molecules during lateral- and crown root emergence in Zea mays.

We observed the release of the benzoxazinoids defense molecules on the surface of the primary root and the coleoptilar node in Zea mays during the emergence of lateral- and crown-roots, respectively. At later stages of crown root and lateral root development, benzoxazinoids around the emerged roots were no longer observed. Specific mutants revealed that the developmental status of the emerged roots was not important for the release of benzoxazinoids, but the breakage of the epidermis by emerging roots was. This is the first report of benzoxazinoid-release during normal development controlled by endogenous developmental programs. Release of benzoxazinoids around the emerging roots supports the idea that defense molecules accumulate at the site of root emergence in order to reduce pathogenic infections. We discuss possible explanations for the evolution of two different developmental mechanisms of root emergence.

Benzoxazines↗
PubMed2005

Uptake, transport and accumulation of nicotine by the Golden Potho (Epipremnum aureum): the central role of root pressure.

The roots of Epipremnum aureum, though not synthesizing nicotine themselves, take up exogenously fed nicotine as a xenobiotic. The alkaloid is subsequently translocated to the leaves, via the xylem path, where it accumulates in the mesophyll up to levels comparable with nicotine-rich Nicotiana species. The Epipremnum plants accept nicotine only up to a distinct level; saturation is reached after about 10 days. All mature, non-senescent leaves accumulate the same amount of nicotine. By different experimental approaches, unequivocal evidence could be provided that root pressure is the 'translocative force' for nicotine transport in E. aureum. Xylem sap exudates, collected from shoot stumps that were connected to an intact root system immersed in nicotine solution were analyzed for nicotine content. Nicotine uptake from the medium by the root and its subsequent transfer into the xylem of the shoot persisted for more than 10h without measurable decline of the transport rate, provided the nicotine concentrations applied were < or =0.05%. In intact plants, where both components of water transport in the xylem--root pressure and transpirative water flow--are in operation, no surplus transport of nicotine from the roots into the leaves took place beyond the level observed in amputated plants. Under the influence of inhibitors of root respiration, nicotine uptake was halted slowly in case of oxygen deprivation and in case of cyanide, or it stopped very rapidly when CCCP, an uncoupler of mitochondrial ATP formation, was applied to the roots. This threshold of toxicity against the xenobiotic was established by dose effect curves for nicotine sensitivity of the roots for root respiration and by transpiration measurements. Leaves, bearing a heavy 'nicotine load', showed symptoms of senescence only after 3-6 weeks, as indicated by a decline in the chlorophyll content, the chl a/b ratio, and the maximal quantum yield efficiency (Fv/Fm), and by an increase in catalase activity. Our results provide insight into the mechanisms of uptake, transport and storage of nicotine as a xenobiotic.

Araceae↗
PubMed2005

Fluctuations of different endogenous phenolic compounds and cinnamic acid in the first days of the rooting process of cherry rootstock 'GiSelA 5' leafy cuttings.

The relationship between the phenol composition of rooting zones and rootability was studied in the first days after the establishment of cuttings. The trial included two different types of cuttings (basal and terminal). Additionally, the influence of exogenously applied auxin (IBA) was observed. The best rooting results (55.6%) were achieved with terminal IBA treated cuttings, while only 1.9% of basal cuttings formed roots. The auxin treatment increased the root formation in terminal, but not in basal cuttings. Low rooting rate of basal cuttings was probably due to higher lignification rate of the basal tissue which can represent a mechanical barrier for root emergence. When measuring phenolic compounds and cinnamic acid, terminal cuttings contained higher (rutin, vanillic acid, (-)-epicatechin, caffeic acid and sinapinic acid) or equal concentrations of detected phenols as basal cuttings, while applied auxin did not influence the level of any of discussed phenolics, neither of cinnamic acid. It is to assume that cuttings for starting of root induction phase should contain certain levels of several phenolic compounds, but higher influence on rooting success is to be ascribed to the impact of the auxin level. During the time of the experiment concentrations of monophenols sinapinic acid and vanillic acid rapidly decreased. This decrease was more pronounced in terminal cuttings, which might have a better mechanism of lowering those two compounds to which a negative influence on rooting is ascribed. Fluctuations and differences between treatments of other phenolics were not significant enough to influence the rooting process.

Cinnamates↗
PubMed2005

Effects of different cultivation temperatures on plasma membrane ATPase activity and lipid composition of sugar beet roots.

Sugar beet seedlings (Beta vulgaris L. cv. Monohill) were cultivated for 3 weeks at different root and shoot temperatures and the plasma membranes (PM) from roots were purified by aqueous two-phase partitioning and analyzed for lipid composition and ATPase activities. Lipid analyses, undertaken immediately after PM purification from the roots, showed that a low root zone temperature (10 degrees C) decreased the ratio between the major lipids phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). A low temperature in the root environment increased the mol% of PE and decreased the mol% of phosphatidic acid (PA), independent on the shoot growth temperature. A low temperature also decreased the mol% of linoleic acid (18:2) and increased mol% of linolenic acid (18:3) in the analyzed lipid classes, especially in PC and PE. The ratio between acyl chain lipids and protein generally increased in PM from roots grown at 10 degrees C, compared with higher temperature. The changes in lipid composition correlated with changes in ATPase activities, detected as hydrolyses of MgATP. The kinetic parameters, K(m) and V of the PM H(+)ATPase in roots increased at a low cultivation temperature, independent on shoot temperature. Moreover, Arrhenius analyses showed that the transition temperature was independent of both root or shoot growth temperature at 10-24 degrees C, whereas the activation energy of the ATPase was dependent on the growth temperature of the root, and independent on shoot temperature. Thus, acclimation processes can take place in roots, irrespective of the shoot temperature.

Acclimatization↗
PubMed2006

Fine root biomass, necromass and chemistry during seven years of elevated aluminium concentrations in the soil solution of a middle-aged Picea abies stand.

Toxic effects of aluminium (Al) on Picea abies (L.) Karst. (Norway spruce) trees are well documented in laboratory-scale experiments, but field-based evidence is scarce. This paper presents results on fine root growth and chemistry from a field manipulation experiment in a P. abies stand that was 45 years old when the experiment started in 1996. Different amounts of dissolved aluminium were added as AlCl3 by means of periodic irrigation during the growing season in the period 1997-2002. Potentially toxic concentrations of Al in the soil solution were obtained. Fine roots were studied from direct cores (1996) and sequential root ingrowth cores (1999, 2001, 2002) in the mineral soil (0-40 cm). We tested two hypotheses: (1) elevated concentration of Al in the root zone leads to significant changes in root biomass, partitioning into fine, coarse, living or dead fractions, and distribution with depth; (2) elevated Al concentration leads to a noticeable uptake of Al and reduced uptake of Ca and Mg; this results in Ca and Mg depletion in roots. Hypothesis 1 was only marginally supported, as just a few significant treatment effects on biomass were found. Hypothesis 2 was supported in part; Al addition led to increased root concentrations of Al in 1999 and 2002 and reduced Mg/Al in 1999. Comparison of roots from subsequent root samplings showed a decrease in Al and S over time. The results illustrated that 7 years of elevated Al(tot) concentrations in the soil solution up to 200 microM are not likely to affect root growth. We also discuss possible improvements of the experimental approach.

Aluminum↗
PubMed2006

Radiographic features of vertically fractured endodontically treated mesial roots of mandibular molars.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the most frequent radiographic appearance of bony lesions around endodontically treated vertically fractured mesial roots of mandibular molars. STUDY DESIGN: For the study, 49 extracted mesial roots with vertical fractures (study group) were evaluated and compared to 52 extracted roots without fractures (control). RESULTS: The "halo" (36.7%) and "periodontal" (28.6%) type radiolucencies were the most typical appearances of periradicular areas around the mesial roots of mandibular molars with vertical root fractures. By itself, bifurcation radiolucency was statistically insignificant (6.1%), however in conjunction with other areas of radiolucency, it was significant (63.3%, P < .0378). No radiolucency (38.5%) and periapical radiolucency (32.7%) were predominant features in the control (nonfractured roots). Amalgam dowel in the coronal part (1-2 mm) of the root was found in 67.3% of the vertically fractured roots (P < .0006). Defined but not corticated (57.2%) or diffuse (32.6%) borders were typical for vertically fractured mesial roots. CONCLUSIONS: The use of significant variables, such as "periodontal" and "halo" bony radiolucencies, bifurcation involvement, and the presence of amalgam dowel, has prediction sensitivity of 77.6% (VRF group) and specificity of 82.7% (nonfractured roots).

Alveolar Bone Loss↗
PubMed2000

Mercury net methylation in five tropical flood plain regions of Brazil: high in the root zone of floating macrophyte mats but low in surface sediments and flooded soils.

In aquatic systems, bottom sediments have often been considered as the main methylmercury (MeHg) production site. In tropical floodplain areas, however, floating meadows and flooded forests extend over large areas and can be important Hg methylating sites. We present here a cross-system comparison of the Hg net methylation capacity in surface sediments, flooded soils and roots of floating aquatic macrophytes, assayed by in situ incubation with 203Hg and extraction of formed Me203 Hg by acid leaching and toluene. The presence of mono-MeHg was confirmed by thin layer chromatography and other techniques. Study areas included floodplain lakes in the Amazon basin (Tapajós, Negro and Amazon rivers), the Pantanal floodplain (Paraguay river basin), freshwater coastal lagoons in Rio de Janeiro and oxbow lakes in the Mogi-Guaçú river, São Paulo state. Different Hg levels were added in assays performed in 1994-1998, but great care was taken to standardise all other test parameters, to allow data comparisons. Net MeHg production was one order of magnitude higher (mean 13.8%, range 0.28-35) in the living or decomposing roots of floating or rooted macrophyte mats (Eichhornia azurea, E. crassipes, Paspalum sp., Eleocharis sellowiana, Salvinia sp., S. rotundifolia and Scirpus cubensis) than in the surface layer of underlying lake sediments (mean 0.6%, range 0.022-2.5). Methylation in flooded soils presented a wide range and was in some cases similar to the one found in macrophyte roots but usually much lower. In a Tapajós floodplain lake, natural concentrations of MeHg in soil and sediment cores taken along a lake-forest transect agreed well with data on net methylation potentials in the same samples. E. azurea, E. crassipes and Salvinia presented the highest methylation potentials, up to 113 times higher than in sediments. Methylation in E. azurea from six lakes of the Paraguay and Cuiabá rivers, high Pantanal, was determined in the 1998 dry and wet seasons and ranged from 1.8 to 35%. Methylation was lower in washed roots than in untreated roots of E. azurea and methylation in solids isolated from the roots, was higher than in sediments but lower than in untreated roots. This indicates that the methylation in roots zones occurs mainly in the root-associated solids. Floating meadows are sites of intense production of biomass and of highly bioavailable MeHg and appear to be an essential link of the MeHg cycle in tropical aquatic systems.

Brazil↗
PubMed1993

Human saliva penetration of coronally unsealed obturated root canals.

Studies have shown significant coronal dye and bacterial leakage following exposure of sealed root canals to artificial and natural saliva. The purpose of this study was to determine the time needed for bacteria in natural saliva to contaminate the entire length of root canals obturated by lateral and vertical condensation techniques. Forty root canals were cleaned and shaped using a step-back technique. Thirty root canals were obturated with gutta-percha and root canal sealer using either lateral or vertical condensation techniques. Forty root canals were obturated without a root canal sealer and served as positive controls. After obturation, the coronal 3 mm of five root canals were sealed with sticky wax and served as negative controls. The coronal portions of the filling materials were placed in contact with human saliva and the number of days required for bacteria in saliva to penetrate the entire root canals were determined. No bacterial leakage occurred in the negative control group. Complete bacterial leakage occurred within 2 days in the positive control group. All root canals were recontaminated in less than 30 days. No statistical significant difference was found between the two methods of obturation.

Dental Leakage↗
PubMed2003

Organic acid complexation, heavy metal distribution and the effect of ATPase inhibition in hairy roots of hyperaccumulator plant species.

Heavy metal uptake and distribution were investigated in hairy roots of the Cd hyperaccumulator, Thlaspi caerulescens, and the Ni hyperaccumulator, Alyssum bertolonii. Hairy roots of both species contained high constitutive levels of citric, malic and malonic acids. After treatment with 20 ppm Cd or 25 ppm Ni, about 13% of the total Cd in T. caerulescens roots and 28% of the total Ni in A. bertolonii were associated with organic acids. T. caerulescens and A. bertolonii hairy roots remained healthy and grew well at high concentrations of Cd and Ni, respectively, whereas hairy roots of the non-hyperaccumulator, Nicotiana tabacum, did not. Most of the Cd in T. caerulescens and N. tabacum roots was localised in the cell walls. In contrast, 85-95% of the Ni in A. bertolonii and N. tabacum was associated with the symplasm. Growth of T. caerulescens and A. bertolonii hairy roots was severely reduced in the presence of diethylstilbestrol (DES), an inhibitor of plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase. Treatment with DES increased the concentration of Cd in the symplasm of T. caerulescens about 6-fold with retention of root viability, whereas viability and Ni transport across the plasma membrane were both reduced in A. bertolonii. These results suggest that the mechanisms of Cd tolerance and hyperaccumulation in T. caerulescens hairy roots are capable of withstanding the effects of plasma membrane depolarisation, whereas Ni tolerance and hyperaccumulation in A. bertolonii hairy roots are not.

Acids, Acyclic↗
PubMed2002

In situ ageing of fine beech roots (Fagus sylvatica) assessed by transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy: description of microsites and evolution of polyphenolic substances.

Root biomass is quantitatively and qualitatively important in most ecosystems, but its contribution to the pool of organic matter in the soil is not clear. This work was designed to specify root ageing on an ultrastructural scale by transmission electron microscopy combined with microanalysis by electron energy loss spectroscopy. This approach is very suitable for studying the soil/plant interface, and for semi-quantitative analysis of the evolution of polyphenolic substances during root evolution. Three root segments were studied according to a gradient of root senescence: the apical and basal segments of the mycorrhiza and the mycorrhiza-carrier root. Each segment contained a certain proportion of senescent cells, some of which were of fungal origin, and this proportion increased as the root aged. In the three segments, the soil/plant interfaces were differentiated, and the micro-organisms observed in situ were described. Senescent root cells contained many polyphenolic substances and our results showed that these substances were, according to the root segment, differently associated with Ca, N and Si. When all these ultrastructural data are correlated with more global data, they can be usefully applied to root cell physiology, microbiology and pedology. This approach makes it possible to specify the evolution of organic matter in situ in soils whatever its origin.

Cellular Senescence↗
PubMed1999

Agravitropic mutant for the study of hydrotropism in seedling roots.

Roots have been shown to respond to a moisture gradient by positive hydrotropism. Agravitropic mutant plants are useful for the study of the hydrotropism in roots because on Earth hydrotropism is obviously altered by the gravity response in the roots of normally gravitropic plants. The roots are able to sense water potential gradient as small as 0.5 MPa mm(-1). The root cap includes the sensing apparatus that causes a differential growth at the elongation region of roots. A gradient in apoplastic calcium and calcium influx through plasmamembrane in the root cap is somehow involved in the signal transduction mechanism in hydrotropism, which may cause a differential change in cell wall extensibility at the elongation region. We have isolated an endoxy loglucan transferase (EXGT) gene that is strongly expressed in pea roots and appears to be involved in the differential growth in hydrotropically responding roots. Thus, it is now possible to study hydrotropism in roots by comparing with or separate from gravitropism. These results also imply that microgravity conditions in space are useful for the study of hydrotropism and its interaction with gravitropism.

Calcium Channels↗
PubMed1999

Effect of endodontic irrigation solutions on microhardness of root canal dentine.

OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of several endodontic irrigation solutions on the microhardness of root canal dentine. METHODS: Eighteen freshly extracted maxillary incisors were used in this experiment. The crowns of teeth were sectioned at the cemento-enamel junction. The root canals were instrumented to an apical size #50 file, and irrigated with saline solution. The prepared roots were divided equally into two groups each of nine roots. Each root was sectioned transversely into cervical, middle and apical segments. The three sections of each root were separately mounted in a metal chuck with acrylic resin. The coronal dentine surfaces of the root segments were polished. The microhardness of the dentine was measured for the purposes of control data at 500 microns and 1 mm from the pulpo-dentinal interface. The canal portions in the root segments included in the first group were irrigated with 3% H2O2 and 5% NaOCl solutions used alternatively, while 17% EDTA solution was the irrigation used in the second group. One millilitre of each solution/segment was applied for 60 s exposure time. After irrigation, dentine microhardness was re-assessed and compared with the control values obtained before the irrigation treatment. Data were statistically analysed using ANOVA and Scheffe's test. RESULTS: The results showed that, irrigation with either H2O2/NaOCl or EDTA decreased the microhardness value of root dentine. Irrigation with EDTA gave more reduction of dentine hardness compared to H2O2/NaOCl irrigation. The reduction of KHN of dentine following the irrigation treatment was statistically significant (p < 0.05) at both levels of hardness measurement. CONCLUSIONS: Both H2O2/NaOCl and EDTA irrigating solutions significantly reduced the microhardness of root canal dentine.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Histological study of deposited cementum in human deciduous teeth with pathological root resorption.

Physiological root resorption is a characteristic feature of human deciduous teeth. Pathological root resorption due to apical periodontitis, dental trauma or excessive orthodontic force is also observed in deciduous roots. The root resorption is not continuous, and has resting periods. In the resting period, cementum deposits in resorbed root surface. The deposited cementum in permanent teeth has been reported in detail. However, the deposited cementum in deciduous teeth is unclear. The present study examined apices of roots of human deciduous incisors with apical periodontitis and roots of sound deciduous incisors by light and transmission electron microscopy. Root dentin and original cementum had a severe irregular caved surface. Cementum was partially deposited on the caved root surfaces. The deposited cementum had made the caved root surface relatively flat. The cementum was lax and had some defects. The deposited cementum was belt-like in shape and had a stratified structure. Each layer had various structures consisting of abundant microfibrils and fine granular materials, microfibrils, granular materials, and collagen fibrils, a few fibrils and granular materials and a relatively homogeneous structure. The original cementum had many collagen fibrils, such as intrinsic and extrinsic fibers, and no granular materials or homogeneous structure. Therefore, structure of the deposited cementum was very different from that of original cementum in deciduous teeth and from that of deposited cementum in permanent teeth.

Child↗
PubMed2004

Computer-assisted morphometric study on the postnatal growth of axon size and myelin thickness in the ventral and dorsal roots of the rabbit.

The morphometric analysis of the myelinated fibers is of great value in developmental, experimental, and pathological studies. The present study was performed on the ventral and dorsal spinal roots (L7) of new-born, 10-, 15-, 20-, 30-, 60-, 120- and 240-day-old rabbits. Semi-thin cross-sections were investigated by OLYMPUS Video image analyser. The average axonal diameter was measured as an average length of Feret's diameters and the specific width of the myelin sheaths as a total width of the myelin sheath. In the ventral roots, the increase of the axon size is more intensive than the increase of the myelin thickness. In adult rabbits, the mean axonal diameter for the ventral root is approximately 15% greater than the mean axonal diameter for the dorsal root, whereas the mean myelin thickness values are practically equal for both roots. For the period newborn-adult (240-day-old) rabbits, a full correlation was found in respect to the increase of the dorsal root mean axonal diameter and mean myelin thickness (380% and 380%). In the ventral roots, the mean axonal diameter increased 420% whereas the mean myelin thickness increased 350%. It is intriguing whether the greater axonal size of the ventral roots might compensate their relatively thin myelin sheaths in comparison to the dorsal roots. Our findings of essential increase (16%) of the mean myelin thickness in the last (120-240 days) period in both, ventral and dorsal roots, points to a protracted period of myelinization in the rabbit.

Aging↗
PubMed2001

Swelling of root cell walls as an indicator of their functional state.

The swelling capacity of cell walls isolated from different parts of lupine root was investigated. The water content in fragments of intact roots (Q) and swelling coefficient of standardized samples of cell walls (Kcw) were determined, and the dependences of Q and Kcw on the distance from the root tip (L) were plotted. It was shown that the change in Q value along the stretch of the lupine root reaches its maximum at distances of 1.5-6 cm or 7-12 cm from the root tip in 7-day-old and 14-day-old seedlings, respectively, whereas the Kcw value distribution over the root length is virtually invariable. In the radial direction, both the Q and Kcw values in cortex tissues are about twice higher than in the central cylinder. In our opinion, the changes of both Q and Kcw in the radial direction are associated with different degrees of cross-linking between polymer chains in cell wall structures of root cortex and central cylinder. The results of measurement of the Kcw value are consistent with the widely accepted mechanisms of water transport in roots in the radial direction. These data show that water transport through apoplast to the border between the cortex and central cylinder is accompanied by an increase in the resistance to water flow. Among other factors, this increase is due to a greater degree of cross-linking between cell wall polymers in the central cylinder. The results of measurement of the swelling coefficient of standardized cell wall samples in water and in 10 mM KCl at different pH values show that the swelling capacity of root cell walls varies according to the physicochemical properties of synthetic ion exchangers. Cell walls shrink (cell wall volume decreases) as ion concentration in solution increases and pH decreases. This causes an increase in the hydraulic resistance (or a decrease in the hydraulic conductivity) of apoplast. It was concluded that swelling is determined by the physicochemical properties of the cell wall, whereas the change in the swelling capacity induced by variation of external or internal conditions is an element of the mechanism of regulation of volume water flow in roots.

Cell Wall↗