Notes on genusPotentilla (Rosaceae) from Pakistan and Kashmir

A new species,P. grandiloba, and a new variety,P. pamirica var.khunjrabensis, from Pakistan are described. New status has been given toP. grisea var.vilijuga. P. aphanes is recorded for the first time from Pakistan.     

Benefits of total hip replacement to older patients and the community.

The benefits of total hip replacement in 49 people aged 55-84 with osteoarthrosis of the hip were evaluated. The main benefit was relief of symptoms, 40 patients being pain free after operation. Range of hip movement and mobility improved moderately in most patients. After operation most patients were better able to perform certain activities of daily life, though only six were completely independent, the rest requiring aids or help from others. Nevertheless, 18 of the patients'' main helpers estimated that they had more time free of tasks previously performed for the patient. There was a small reduction in the need for community medical resources such as home visits from general practitioners or district nurses. Thirteen patients were still taking antiarthritic drugs. Older patients needed to spend longer in hospital after operation because of complications. It was concluded that total hip replacement contributed to improving the quality of life of patients and their helpers, while also helping to reduce the demand for community health and welfare services.     

Microsatellites for the net‐spinning caddisfly Plectrocnemia conspersa (Polycentropodidae)

Six polymorphic microsatellites were developed for the caddisfly Plectrocnemia conspersa from two enriched partial genomic libraries. These represent the first microsatellites published for the order Trichoptera. We show that, whilst it is possible to develop a highly enriched library, isolation of polymorphic microsatellites is difficult for this species, as has been found in some other of invertebrate groups. The genotypes of 160 individuals were determined using these new loci. Observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.013 to 0.788. Despite their problematic isolation, polymorphic microsatellite loci show greater levels of variation than previously studied allozyme markers.     

Rapid floral senescence following male function and breeding systems of some tropical orchids

No comparative study of floral senescence following male function among a range of tropical orchid genera has previously been undertaken. The timing and pattern of floral senescence and occurrence of fruit formation were studied following self-, geitonogamous and cross-pollination in 14 epiphytic and two terrestrial orchid species to determine their breeding system and assess the occurrence of floral abscission following pollinaria removal. Both pollination and pollinaria removal caused rapid floral senescence, and the pattern and timing of the floral changes were the same in all treatments. Six Dendrobium species and Pelatantheria insectifera were self-incompatible (SI) and eight other species, including one terrestrial species, were self-compatible (SC). Capsules produced from outcrossing in four SC species, Phalaenopsis cornu-cervi, Eria pubescens, Cleisostoma appendiculatum and Arundina graminifolia, were larger and heavier than those produced after selfing. Reductions in flower life span following pollinaria removal were positively correlated with flower size and longevity of unpollinated flowers but not with position in the inflorescence or nature of the breeding system. Rapid flower senescence following pollinaria removal reported here suggests that it may be widespread in tropical species. The significant association of the response with size of flowers and inflorescences among the species studied suggests that the cost of flower maintenance outweighs the benefit of remaining open for female function after pollinaria have been removed. Both SC and SI species were found among tropical orchids, but variation in capsule size following self- and cross-pollination indicates that there may be a reduction in seed production following selfing, even in SC species, and that fruit formation alone should not be taken as reliable evidence of full self-compatibility.     

Taxonomic studies in theFruticosae group ofPotentilla from Pakistan and Kashmir andP. ochreata Lindl.: A forgotten species

Four species of theFruticosae group of the genusPotentilla occur in Pakistan and Kashmir—P. rigida, P. arbuscula, P. dryadanthoides andP. ochreata. The diagnostic characters ofP. ochreata Lindley have been overlooked since its first publication and we propose its re-instatement.     

Slow clearance of Plasmodium vivax with chloroquine amongst children younger than six months of age in the Brazilian Amazon

Plasmodium vivax is the most widespread parasite causing malaria, being especially prevalent in the Americas and Southeast Asia. Children are one of the most affected populations, especially in highly endemic areas. However, there are few studies evaluating the therapeutic response of infants with vivax malaria. This study retrospectively evaluated the parasitaemia clearance in children diagnosed with vivax malaria during the first five days of exclusive treatment with chloroquine (CQ). Infants aged less than six months old had a significantly slower parasitaemia clearance time compared to the group of infants and children between six months and 12 years old (Kaplan-Meier survival analysis; Wilcoxon test; p = 0.004). The impaired clearance of parasitaemia in younger children with vivax malaria is shown for the first time in Latin America. It is speculated that CQ pharmacokinetics in young children with vivax malaria is distinct, but this specific population may also allow the detection of CQ-resistant parasites during follow-up, due to the lack of previous immunity.