The botanical diversity in the Ayawasi area, Irian Jaya, Indonesia

In the karst-dominated Ayawasi area (Bird's Head peninsula), the botanical diversity and its relation to soil and geological substratum were studied. An inventory in 22 plots of 0.1 ha was made of all plants (1945) with a dbh 10 cm (mainly trees). Myrtaceae, Burseraceae, and Euphorbiaceae were the most frequent families (considering relative number of individuals), whereas Myrtaceae, Lauraceae, and Meliaceae were most species-rich. The most frequent genera were Syzygium, Haplolobus, and Lithocarpus, and most species-rich were Syzygium, Garcinia, Elaeocarpus, and Pouteria. The most frequent species were Anisoptera thurifera, Tristaniopsis ferruginea, and Gymnacranthera farquhariana var. zippeliana. Species richness was greater in plots in mixed forest (38–57 species, average 48) than in limestone forest (26–42 species, average 33) and secondary forest (21–46 species, average 34). Some very common species, such as Xanthophyllum novoguineense (Polygalaceae) and Macaranga suwo (Euphorbiaceae), were hitherto herbarium rarities, known from very few collections only. Species dominating earlier investigated forests elsewhere in the Bird's Head Peninsula range from being less important to absent in the presently investigated forest. Explanatory factors for this phenomenon are variation due to the geographical distance, the high beta-diversity of tropical forests in general, habitat differences, and differences in research methods, in particular in their scale.     

Early fire and forest change in the Baliem Valley, Irian Jaya, Indonesia

Abstract. A 3.5 m section of organic sediment was obtained from a karstic pond on a hill in the centre of the Baliem Valley, one of the major settled intermontane highland areas of New Guinea. The material spans two time periods each of approximately 2 millennia, one from about 2000 BP to the present and the other from 33,500 to 31,500 BP. The pollen analysis of the earlier section showed that it formed when the valley was forested by Nothofagus forest, but a carbonized particle input was consistently present after about 32,500 years ago. The recent section covers a period when the hill was totally cleared except for grassland and some open shrubby regrowth. The early burning and associated clearances are tentatively ascribed to a human origin. Fire is associated with slope erosion on the hill at 28,000 BP which supports the hypothesis of long term human settlement in the area.     

Two Plasmodium species of the crocodile skink Tribolonotus gracilis from Irian Jaya, Indonesia

Two undescribed Plasmodium species were present in 1 of 8 New Guinea skinks, Tribolonotus gracilis. Plasmodium tribolonoti n. sp. is characterized by rounded or oblong schizonts 6.1 x 5.3 microm (5-7 x 4-7) that produce on average 14.3 merozoites (10-21), in no particular arrangement of nuclei. All parasitized proerythrocytes and had no effect upon dimensions of host cells or their nuclei. Gametocytes, mostly erythrocytic, averaged 7.2 x 6.3 (6.5-9.0 x 5.5-7.5), with length x width (LW) 45.5 microm2 (38-63) and L/W 1.15 (1.0-1.5). Gametocytes are not sexually dimorphic in size or shape and had no effect upon dimensions of host erythrocytes or their nuclei. Schizonts of P. gracilis n. sp. averaged 4.3 x 3.5 (3-6 x 3-5), with 4.9 merozoites (3-8) usually arranged as a fan, and had no effect upon dimensions of host erythrocytes or their nuclei. Gametocytes averaged 5.9 x 5.5 (5.0-6.6 x 5.0-6.0), with LW 31.9 microm2 (25-40) and L/W 1.06 (1.0-1.2). Gametocytes are not sexually dimorphic in size or shape and had no effect upon dimensions of host erythrocytes or their nuclei.     

Anthropometrical study of the Asmat (Irian Jaya).

An anthropometric study in the Asmat population, a coastal group of Papua living in the south-western part of Irian Jaya (Indonesian New Guinea) covered 318 subjects of both sexes, belonging to four different villages (Basim, Senggo, Ewer and Piramanak) of the Asmat region. The dimensions and derived indices, describing body, head and face morphology as well as body composition show the Asmat to be slender and muscular, with shoulders, chest and pelvis of medium dimensions and with long legs in relation to the trunk. They are dolichocephalic with narrow faces and rather large noses. Comparisons of the four Asmat groups indicate the importance of geographic position on size of the subjects and the similarities detected between the groups by discriminant and principal component analysis.     

Holocene palynology and sea-level change in two estuaries in Southern Irian Jaya

Southern New Guinea leads the continental Australian plate into convergence to form the New Guinea Highlands. Extensive inter-tidal deltas are typical of much of this low gradient equatorial coastline. In two adjacent estuaries in Irian Jaya (West Papua), this study uses present elevations of mangrove species zones as a finite indicator of Holocene sea levels from pollen diagrams of estuarine cores. All cores showed mangroves at levels well below the present tidal range, with landward species zones being replaced over time by seaward zones. Results show tectonic subsidence in the recent period, with Late Holocene relative sea-level rise of 0.67 mm year⁻¹.     

Syphacia longaecauda n. sp. (Nematoda: Oxyuridae) syphacinea from Melomys spp. (Muridae: Hydromyinae) from Papua New Guinea and Irian Jaya, Indonesia

A new oxyurid nematode Syphacia (Syphacia) longaecauda n. sp. is described from the caecum and colon of the hydromyine rodents Melomys monktoni (type host) and M. rubex from Papua New Guinea and Irian Jaya, Indonesia. Syphacia longaecauda has an oval, laterally extended, relatively large cephalic plateau and can be distinguished from other species of Syphacia with similar characters by, amongst other features, tail length. The significance of the distribution of S. longaecauda, apparently restricted to New Guinea, is discussed.     

Dogs as alternative intermediate hosts of Taenia solium in Papua (Irian Jaya), Indonesia confirmed by highly specific ELISA and immunoblot using native and recombinant antigens and mitochondrial DNA analysis

Serology (ELISA and immunoblot) using native glycoproteins, affinity purified glycoproteins, and a recombinant antigen is known to be highly specific to Taenia solium cysticercosis in humans and pigs. These techniques were applied for dogs in the highly endemic area of cysticercosis in Papua (Irian Jaya), Indonesia. Analysis of dog sera by both ELISA and immunoblot revealed 7 of 64 dogs were highly positive. Examination of two sero-positive dogs revealed cysticerci of T. solium in the brain and heart of these dogs. Mitochondrial DNA analysis confirmed that they were the same as T. solium previously confirmed from pigs and biopsies from local people from Irian Jaya. It is suggested that the life cycle of T. solium may be completed not only between humans and pigs but also between humans and dogs.     

Cherax snowden,a new species of crayfish (Crustacea,Decapoda, Parastacidae) from the Kepala Burung (Vogelkop) Peninsula in Irian Jaya (West Papua), Indonesia

A new species, Cherax snowden sp. n., from the Oinsok River Drainage, Sawiat District in the central part of the Kepala Burung (Vogelkop) Peninsula, West Papua, Indonesia, is described, figured and compared with the closest related species, Cherax holthuisi Lukhaup & Pekny, 2006. This species is collected and exported for ornamental purposes and its commercial name in the pet trade is “orange tip” or “green orange tip”. Both species may be easily distinguished morphologically or by using sequence divergence, which is substantial, for considering Cherax snowden sp. n. to be a new species.     

Macropostrongyloides dendrolagi n. sp. and Mbaisonema coronatum n. g., n. sp., two new species of nematodes (Strongyloidea: Cloacinidae) from tree-kangaroos,Dendrolagus spp. (Marsupialia: Macropodidae) from Irian Jaya,Indonesia

Two new species of strongyloid nematodes are described from tree-kangaroos, Dendrolagus spp. (Marsupialia: Macropodidae), from Irian Jaya, Indonesia. Macropostrongyloides dendrolagi n. sp. from the colon of Dendrolagus dorianus (type-host) and D. mbaiso is distinguished from congeners by the presence of a cephalic inflation and paired lateral alae which extend along the body from the cephalic inflation. Mbaisonema coronatum n. g., n. sp., from the stomach of D. mbaiso, is allocated to the tribe Coronostrongylinea Beveridge, 1986, as the buccal capsule is reduced to a sclerotised annulus and the lining is inflated into lip-like lobes at the anterior extremity. The new genus is allied to Popovastrongylus Mawson, 1977, from which it is distinguished by the presence of a labial crown composed of numerous elements.     

Cherax (Astaconephrops) pulcher,a new species of freshwater crayfish (Crustacea,Decapoda, Parastacidae) from the Kepala Burung (Vogelkop) Peninsula,Irian Jaya (West Papua), Indonesia

A new species, Cherax (Astaconephrops) pulcher sp. n., from Hoa Creek, close to the village Teminabuan in the southern-central part of the Kepala Burung (Vogelkop) Peninsula, West Papua, Indonesia, is described, figured and compared with the morphologically closest species, Cherax boesemani Lukhaup & Pekny, 2008.     

A new species of Dorcopsinema Mawson, 1977 (Nematoda: Cloacinidae) from the tree kangaroo Dendrolagus mbaiso (Marsupialia: Macropodidae) from Irian Jaya,Indonesia and new host records for Dorcopsinema dendrolagi

A new species, Dorcopsinema mbaiso, from Dendrolagus mbaiso from Irian Jaya, Indonesia is described. It is most similar to D. dendrolagi, the other species of Dorcopsinema occurring in tree-kangaroos, but can be distinguished from it in having a distinct fleshy collar surrounding the buccal capsule, deirids close to the collar, shorter spicules (1,055 µm versus 1,420 in D. dendrolagi), the dorsal lobe of the bursa longer than the lateral lobe rather than the same length as in D. dendrolagi, and the dorsal ray with vestigial lateral branches versus longer lateral branches in D. dendrolagi. It can be distinguished from D. dorcopsinema occurring in Dorcopsis muelleri in having six, not eight perioral cuticular elements, deirids close to the collar (115 µm versus 790 in D. dorcopsis), the dorsal ray with very short lateral branches rather than one third the length of the dorsal ray as in D. dorcopsis, and shorter spicules (1,055 µm versus 2,150 in D. dorcopsis). New host records for D. dendrolagi are Dendrolagus scottae and D. inustus, new localities are Tembagapura in Irian Jaya, Indonesia and the West Sepik region of Papua New Guinea. A key to the species of Dorcopsinema is given.     

Effectiveness and safety of repeated quadruple therapy in Helicobacter pylori infection after failure of second-line quadruple therapy: repeated quadruple therapy as a third-line therapy

Backgrounds: Quadruple therapy using a proton‐pump inhibitor, bismuth, metronidazole, and tetracycline is a standard second‐line therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection, achieving an eradication rate of about 80% in Korea. A standard third‐line therapy is not currently established, although various protocols have been proposed. We performed this study to evaluate the effectiveness of a retrial with quadruple therapy before starting a third‐line treatment with new drugs. Materials and Methods: In 80 of 746 patients treated with a second‐line quadruple therapy at the Korea University Ansan Hospital between January 2002 and September 2010, treatment for H. pylori had failed, and 45 of these patients were eligible for this study. Eradication of H. pylori was assessed by repeated endoscopy or by the ¹³C‐urea breath test at least 4 weeks after therapy. The patients with treatment failure were treated again with quadruple regimen for 2 weeks and reevaluated for treatment effectiveness and safety. Results: The eradication rate with second‐line quadruple therapy was 86.9%. Of the 80 patients who failed treatment for H. pylori with the initial second‐line quadruple therapy, 64 patients were treated again with the same regimen. Of the 45 retreated patients in this study, three patients were lost to follow‐up and two complied poorly with medication. The eradication rate in the 40 patients retreated was 75.0% at per‐protocol analysis. Seventeen patients experienced mild adverse events. Conclusions: A retrial of quadruple therapy before use of a third‐line therapy may be safe and effective for patients who fail to respond to second‐line quadruple therapy.     

Epidemiological study of malaria in north Sulawesi, Indonesia by fluorescence and Giemsa staining.

An epidemiological study of malaria infection was conducted in the Likupang District, Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi Province, Indonesia, during August 2-15, 1991. In this study, 510 people of six villages, representing ages between 1 month to 84 years cooperated voluntarily. Blood smears stained with Giemsa and acridine orange (AO), revealed 33 and 83 malaria parasite positives respectively. This significant difference was due particularly to the fact that AO staining examined under either a daylight- or halogen-illuminated microscope equipped with interference filters was sensitive to detect low-density parasitemia in many subjects previously diagnosed negative by Giemsa staining in the field. The low malaria prevalence obtained by Giemsa staining may have been attributable to the lack of standard-quality diagnostic tools in the field or inadequate observation of the slides. In both staining methods, Plasmodium falciparum was found to be the predominant species, while the remainings were P. vivax or a mixture of both. Subjects infected with P. vivax revealed higher density of parasitemia and gametocytemia than those with P. falciparum.     

Relapsing malaria infection acquired in Kenya

An American physician-traveler to East Africa presented with manifestations of cerebral malaria and was treated with intravenous quinidine for chloroquine-resistant falciparum malaria. He later relapsed with Plasmodium ovale infection, despite previous primaquine therapy. Treatment of chloroquine-resistant malaria is discussed. The difficulty in diagnosing P. ovale infections and the predominance of this malaria species over P. vivax in East Africa are reviewed.     

Erythrocyte membrane-associated immunoglobulins during malaria infection of mice.

Immunoglobulin (Ig) is associated with erythrocyte membranes during infection of A/J mice with Plasmodium berghei. It was detected by agglutination of the cells with rabbit antibodies to mouse IgG and by a radioimmunoassay with 125I-labelled rabbit antibodies to mouse IgG. As shown by the degree of agglutination and of binding of radiolabeled antibodies to the erythrocyte membranes, the amount of Ig increased with time after infection and paralleled parasitemia and reticulocytosis. The erythrocyte-associated immunoglobulins are mainly IgG but IgM was also present on the cells of some mice. A large proportion of the Ig could be eluted at 37 degrees C and was analyzed by immunoprecipitation and acrylamide gel electrophoresis. A radioautographic study with 125I-labeled anti-mouse IgG revealed that both parasitized and nonparasitized reticulocytes of infected mice had much larger amounts of membrane-bound immunoglobulin than did mature, nonparasitized erythrocytes. The nature of the bonds between the Ig and the surface membrane of the reticulocytes is not known. The Ig could be part of immune complexes nonspecifically bound to the cell surface. However, since we have not detected Fc or C3d receptors on reticulocytes, it is possible that the Ig constitutes autoantibodies against reticulocytes or antibodies against parasitic antigens present on the cell membrane.