The toxicity of sulphur dioxide to Diplocarpon rosae Wolf causing blackspot of roses

Germination of conidia of Diplocarpon rosae Wolf is inhibited in a solution made by dissolving 35 p.p.m. sulphur dioxide in water. Inhibition is permanent after exposure for 3 hr. Gaseous SO₂ in air under controlled conditions at 100μg./m³ markedly reduces infection of rose leaves after exposure for 2 days. Blackspot of roses is checked or eliminated in areas where SO₂ pollution of air exceeds 100/μ./m.³.     

Rheumatoid arthritis; an evaluation of long-term treatment with cortisone

Fifty-six patients with rheumatoid arthritis were treated continuously with cortisone for periods ranging between 4 and 38 months, in daily doses of 15 to 100 mg. Concomitant therapy included periods of rest, physical therapy, and salicylates. The incidence of subjective improvement exceeded that of objective improvement. The incidence of objective improvement was higher in females; also, in those patients whose disease was in an early stage and of short duration at the time therapy was begun, and who required relatively smaller maintenance doses of cortisone. Therapeutic results were not affected by the age of the patient or by the presence of spondylitis. Despite precautions, the long-term administration of cortisone was, in some patients, productive of serious undesirable side-effects. Although cortisone usually suppressed the symptoms and signs of rheumatoid arthritis, progression of the disease was frequently noted during its long-term administration.     

A synopsis of Goniothalamus species (Annonaceae) in Thailand, with descriptions of three new species

A comprehensive taxonomic revision of Goniothalamus species (Annonaceae) occurring in Thailand is presented for the first time. Twenty-five species are recognized, including three that are described as new to science ( Goniothalamus aurantiacus from South-Western Thailand, Goniothalamus maewongensis from Northern Thailand, and Goniothalamus rongklanus from Northern and North-Eastern Thailand). Several taxonomic and nomenclatural misunderstandings are corrected. The name G. griffithii is shown to be widely misapplied for populations in Northern Thailand, for which the name G. calvicarpus should be applied; 'true' G. griffithii is restricted to South-Western Thailand and Myanmar. In addition, the widely used name G. marcanii is shown to be a synonym of G. tamirensis , and the name G. latestigma , previously regarded as a synonym of G. undulatus , is reinstated. Goniothalamus cheliensis is furthermore newly recorded from Thailand. Most species are restricted to Peninsular Thailand and represent a Malesian floristic component.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 156 , 355–384.     

Under-sized larvae from short-day adults of the blow fly, Calliphora vicina, side-step the diapause programme

Abstract. Larvae of Calliphora vicina R.-D. (Diptera: Calliphoridae) hatching from eggs laid by adult females exposed to short day length, and then raised in darkness at 11^oC, normally enter diapause rather than undergoing prompt pupariation. However, if the feeding stage is curtailed by premature extraction of larvae from their food, or if the larvae are subjected to severe overcrowding, smaller larvae side-step the diapause programme to become miniature puparia, whereas larger larvae proceed to diapause as fully-fed ones. In addition, smaller diapausing larvae show a shorter (or less intense) diapause than full-sized larvae. Apart from the smallest individuals, flies can emerge from these miniature puparia and in some cases are capable of laying eggs; this suggests that avoidance of diapause may allow undersized individuals an opportunity to reproduce before winter sets in. Fat determinations performed on larvae and pupae of various sizes, however, showed that short-day (diapause-destined) individuals lay down the same proportion of fat as long-day (non-diapause) individuals, and the same proportion of fat across all size classes. The possible functional significance of this phenomenon is discussed.