Morphology and molecules support the new monotypic genus Fenghwaia (Rhamnaceae) from south China.

Fenghwaia, a new monotypic genus, along with the new species Fenghwaia gardeniicarpa, is described from Guangdong Province, China. The combined features of inferior ovary, cylindrical drupaceous fruits and orbicular and dorsiventrally-compressed seeds with an elongate and pronounced basal appendage make the new genus significantly different from other genera of the family. In addition, its pollen morphology also showed great similarity to other species of this stenopalynous family. The molecular phylogenetic analysis, based on nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and plastid trnL-F intron spacer (trnL-F) DNA sequence data from the new genus and the other 375 species representing 58 genera of Rhamnaceae, indicates that Fenghwaia is nested within the 'rhamnoid' group and sister to the tribe Rhamneae and then both sister to the tribe Maesopsideae. A taxonomic classification key to the 'rhamnoid' group is provided, based on morphological characters. A global conservation assessment is also performed and classifies Fenghwaia gardeniicarpa as Near Threatened (NT).

Development of microsatellite markers for a monotypic and globally endangered species, Glyptostrobus pensilis (Cupressaceae).

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Microsatellite markers were developed to facilitate studies of genetic diversity and structure in Glyptostrobus pensilis, a critically endangered and monotypic conifer species. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RAD-Seq), we developed 10 polymorphic and 27 monomorphic microsatellite markers. Polymorphism was characterized using 333 individuals from nine populations. The number of alleles per locus ranged from one to 14 at the population level. The levels of observed and unbiased expected heterozygosities varied from 0.058 to 0.844 and 0.219 to 0.583, respectively. Nine of these 10 polymorphic markers were successfully cross-amplified in Taxodium distichum, the species most closely related to G. pensilis. CONCLUSIONS: These microsatellite markers can be used to reveal the genetic diversity in existing populations of G. pensilis, enabling its conservation and restoration.

[Synergistion mechanism of exogenous Ca2+ to SA-induced resistance to Botrytis cinerea in tomato].

In this study, we investigated the effect of exogenous calcium and salicylic acid (SA) on Botrytis cinerea resistance in tomato seedlings. We treated a tomato strain susceptible to Botrytis cinerea with foliar spraying of water, SA, SA+CaCl2 and SA+EGTA (Ca2+ chelating agent) for one to five days. During the treatment, leaves were collected to analyze the reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity, chintase and ß-1,3-glucanase levels, and the expression of pathogenesis related protein 1, 2, 3 (PR1, PR2, PR3). Three days after infection, the disease index was 74.8 in control plants, and 46.9, 38.5 and 70.3 in SA, SA+Ca and SA+ EGTA treated plants, respectively. SA treatment significantly increased ROS leaf accumulation, and activities of PAL, chintase and ß-1,3-glucanase. These values were further enhanced in SA+Ca treated plants, but decreased in SA+EGTA treated plants. Application of SA significantly increased the expression levels of PR1, PR2a and PR3b, which were further elevated by the combination treatment with Ca2+. These effects were counteracted by the combination treatment of SA and EGTA. The transcription levels of PR2b and PR3a were up-regulated by 1-2 folds, and PR1, 2a and 3b by 2-5 folds in SA- and SA+Ca-treated plants relative to control. These data suggested that application of Ca2+ could synergistically increase SA-induced resistance to B. cinerea. The resistance was associated with ROS accumulation, therefore the increase in resistance might be through ROS ability to increase the activity of defense-related enzymes and expression levels of PR1, PR2a and PR3b.

[Determination of metals in Ginkgo biloba leaves by atomic absorption spectrometry with microwave digestion].

Microwave digestion technique was used in the decomposition of Ginkgo biloba leaves from six different trees at the same age in the same area. HNO3-H2O2 (5 : 1 v/v) was used as microwave digestion agent at a suitable temperature and time. The contents of Ca, Mg, K, Na, Cu, Zn and Zn/Cu were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry to study the distribution rule of metallic elements in the trees at the same age and in the same area. The recovery ratio ranged from 95.2% to 104.6%. The results showed that there were certain differences between different trees in the distribution of metallic elements. The contents of calcium were from 39 586 to 48 320 microg x g(-1), and those of magnesium from 10 076 to 12 918 microg x g(-1), of potassium from 2 004 to 5 240 microg x g(-1), of sodium from 9.05 to 35.30 microg x g(-1), and of copper from 1.50 to 3.05 microg x g(-1), while Zn/Cu values were from 2.68 to 5.93 in the leaves of 6 different trees in the same growing area. Therefore there were abounding calcium, magnesium and potassium, while the content of sodium and Zn/Cu values were lower, and the metal contents were different in the leaves. The experimental results provided useful bases for studying the distribution rule of metallic elements in Ginkgo biloba leaves, the relationship between the contents of calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium and the Zn/Cu value in ginkgo biloba leaves and the treatment for cardio-cerebral vascular disease.

[Comparative study of ultrasonography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in common duct stones].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic value study the technique of ultrasonography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in common duct stones. METHODS: Three hundreds and eighty-four patients suspected common duct stones from August 2005 to October 2007 were undergone abdominal ultrasonography, MRCP and ERCP. RESULTS: There was stone in common duct in 370 and no stones in 14 of 384 patients. Ultrasonography indicated stones 268 cases, 8 false positive result was among them. MRCP diagnosed stones in 362 cases and false positive result in 6 cases, ERCP diagnosed stones 370 cases. The diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography, MRCP and ERCP was 70.3% (260/370), 96.2% (356/370) and 100% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography for common duct stone was little higher, US should be used as a primary checking method. There was higher concordance between MRCP and ERCP for common duct stone. Combination of MRCP and ERCP can improve diagnostic accuracy of common duct stone.