Artabotrys pachypetalus (Annonaceae), a new species from China.

Artabotrys pachypetalus sp. nov. is described from Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hunan and Jiangxi in China. A detailed description, distribution data, along with a color plate and a line drawing are provided. In China, specimens representing this species were formerly misidentified as A. multiflorus or A. hongkongensis (= A. blumei). Artabotrys blumei typically has a single flower per inflorescence, whereas both Artabotrys pachypetalus and A. multiflorus have multiple flowers per inflorescence. In addition, A. pachypetalus is readily distinguished from A. multiflorus in having thicker and shorter petals, and connivent and somewhat trigonal or terete inner petal blades. Artabotrys pachypetalus is most similar to A. punctulatus because both have multi-flowered inflorescences and similar petal length, but A. pachypetalus differs in having cream petals in vivo, connivent inner petal blades, and a short, raised rim above the inner petal claw. Artabotrys multiflorus should be excluded from the flora of China because none of the Chinese specimens of Artabotrys collected so far fall within the variation of A. multiflorus.

Tigridiopalma exalata, a new and endangered species of Melastomataceae from China.

A new species of the genus Tigridiopalma, formerly considered monotypic, is here described as T. exalata and illustrated based on molecular and morphological evidence. It is morphologically similar to T. magnifica in having a short stem, huge basal leaves, scorpioid cymes, and 5-merous flowers, but differs in having ribbed and pale yellow puberulent petioles, purple petals with a small white apical patch, connectives of longer stamens with a distinct dorsal short spur at their base, and wingless capsules. Due to the restricted distribution, small populations and horticultural potential of this new species, it should be categorized as an Endangered species (EN).

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).

Nutritional and Functional Properties of Wild Food-Medicine Plants From the Coastal Region of South China.

Food-medicine plants play an important role in providing nutrition and treating chronic diseases, especially in many minority communities and developing regions. The coastal region of South China has abundant resources of medicinal plants. A long history of cross-cultural medicinal practices among different minority groups has facilitated the development of a remarkable dietary culture by using food-medicine plants. However, integrative ethnobotanical research on both nutritional and functional properties of the food-medicine plants in this region is still limited. In this study, 27 commonly used wild food-medicine plants were recorded and analyzed from the coastal region of South China. Most of them are good sources for calcium (47.83-1099.89 mg/100 g fresh weight), dietary fiber (3.00-31.87 mg/100 g fresh weight), iron (1.17-24.73 mg/100 g fresh weight), and vitamin C (0.44-68.32 mg/100 g fresh weight). Solanum americanum has the highest average nutritive value and is also considered to be good sources for proteins (7.90 g/100 g fresh weight). Medicinal properties of the studied species can be classified into 8 categories: treatment of the damp-heat syndrome, digestive diseases, urologic diseases, arthropathy, respiratory diseases, gynecological diseases, snake or insect bites, and uses as a tonic. Treating the damp-heat syndrome or expelling warm pathogenic factors is the most commonly used ethnomedicinal practice in the study area. The present study highlights that the local ethnomedicinal practices are deeply influenced by local natural conditions and customs. Food-medicine plants with superior key nutrients have been used regularly in the diet as medicinal food to alleviate common endemic diseases.

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.

[Multi-point fixation with absorbable cartilage screws for the treatment of osteochondral fracture caused by patellar instability].

OBJECTIVE: To study clinical effects of multi-point fixation with bioabsorbable cartilage screws for the treatment of osteochondral fracture caused by patellar instability. METHODS: During the period from August 2014 to Steptember 2016, there were 21 patients with osteochondral fracture caused by patellar dislocation, including 7 males and 14 females, ranging in age from 12 to 42 years old, with an average of 27 years old. During the operation, free fractures fragments of cartilage were found with a open surgery, and the patients were treated with fixation by absorbable cartilage screws combined with lateral retinaculum release and medial retinaculum shrinkage. The Lysholm scoring scale was used to evaluate the knee joint functions before and after operation. The retrospective study analyzing the data was carried out. RESULTS: All the patients underwent successful surgeries and were followed up with a mean period of 12 months(ranged, 8 to 22 months). The CT and X-ray examinations were performed after the operation which showed the fracture fragments were on good positon. The exercise level in all the patients basically returned to the pre-injury level. The postoperative Lysholm score was 86.11±4.97. CONCLUSIONS: The absorbable cartilage nail can effectively fix the free cartilage fragments of the osteochondral fracture due to the patellar instability, which is a simple operation, and worthy of clinical promotion.