Climate‐driven rampant speciation of the Cape flora

Aim To test whether the radiation of the extremely rich Cape flora is correlated with marine‐driven climate change. Location Middle to Late Miocene in the south‐east Atlantic and the Benguela Upwelling System (BUS) off the west coast of South Africa. Methods We studied the palynology of the thoroughly dated Middle to Late Miocene sediments of Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Site 1085 retrieved from the Atlantic off the mouth of the Orange River. Both marine upwelling and terrestrial input are recorded at this site, which allows a direct correlation between changes in the terrestrial flora and the marine BUS in the south‐east Atlantic. Results Pollen types from plants of tropical affinity disappeared, and those from the Cape flora gradually increased, between 10 and 6 Ma. Our data corroborate the inferred dating of the diversification in Aizoaceae c. 8 Ma. Main conclusions Inferred vegetation changes for the Late Miocene south‐western African coast are the disappearance of Podocarpus‐dominated Afromontane forests, and a change in the vegetation of the coastal plain from tropical grassland and thicket to semi‐arid succulent vegetation. These changes are indicative of an increased summer drought, and are in step with the development of the southern BUS. They pre‐date the Pliocene uplift of the East African escarpment, suggesting that this did not play a role in stimulating vegetation change. Some Fynbos elements were present throughout the recorded period (from 11 Ma), suggesting that at least some elements of this vegetation were already in place during the onset of the BUS. This is consistent with a marine‐driven climate change in south‐western Africa triggering substantial radiation in the terrestrial flora, especially in the Aizoaceae.     

Detection of phospholipid peroxides in biological samples

Peroxidation of membrane lipids has been hypothesized to play a key role in various types of tissue degeneration and pathology. Lipid peroxides are formed when oxygen reacts with an unsaturated fatty acid chain. Virtually all of the unsaturated fatty acids in biological systems are bound by ester linkages in phospholipids or triglycerides. Phospholipid and triglyceride peroxides are primary products of lipid peroxidation and have rarely been measured. Most of the commonly used methods for detection of lipid peroxidation are based on detection of malondialdehyde or other chemical species that are derived from oxidized fatty acids. This review presents an overview of recently developed methods aimed at identifying and measuring oxidized phospholipids and triglycerides which are direct evidence of the occurrence of lipid peroxidation in vivo.     

中药灵香草及其混淆品种的比较鉴别

本文比较了中药灵香草Lysimachia foenum-graecum Hance及其混淆品种垂花香草Lysimaehia nutantiflora Chen et C.M.Hu的植物形态、药材性状以及茎、叶组织显微特征。指出垂花香草无灵香草特有的芳香。也无药用记载。应仔细区别,不宜混用。     

Combined second and third toe transfer

Historically, restoration of hand function following multiple digital amputation has been unsatisfactory. The evolution of digital reconstruction with toe transfer has enabled surgeons to reestablish prehension in these severely injured hands. A 4-year experience with 26 consecutive combined second and third toe transfers to replace missing adjacent fingers was reviewed in order to delineate the indications and technical considerations and to emphasize prevention of donor-site complications. Combined second and third toe transfer is reserved for adjacent finger amputations proximal to the digital web space with remaining fingers no longer than the small finger. Radial amputations are replaced with contralateral combined toe units, while ipsilateral toes are more ideal for ulnar amputations. Limited dorsal and plantar skin flaps extending only to the midpoint of the first and third digital web spaces allow for direct donor-site closure and uncomplicated healing. Maintenance of the plantar metatarsal arch by avoiding metatarsal shaft osteotomies or bone grafting-shortened metatarsals eliminates potential gait disturbances. When properly applied in selected patients, this single-stage microsurgical procedure can restore prehensile function, improve the appearance of the hand with multiple digital amputations, and preserve near-normal donor-foot function.