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Vietnam is an important hotspot for Begonia in Southeast Asia. Due to its broad latitudinal range and varied terrain, it has developed a rich biodiversity of flora, of which the genus of Begonia is one of the most striking taxa. In this study, we provide a checklist of Begonia found in Vietnam, including a new species: B. jubar V.T.Pham & C.W.Lin, which is described and illustrated. In addition, Begonia modestiflora Kurz is recorded for the first time in Vietnam.

Begonia rigidifolia Aver. ssp. sonhungii C.W.Lin (sect. Petermannia, Begoniaceae) from Central Vietnam is hereby described and illustrated as new. It resembles B. rigidifolia ssp. rigidifolia, but differs in its very sparsely puberulous (vs. glabrous), darker toned lamina that is embellished with a pale green broad band (vs. emerald green lamina with irregular radiantly arranged dark spots), stamens widely obovate (vs. obovate) and capsule with wider abaxial wing 6–10 mm (vs. 2–3 mm).

The Begonia species occurring in Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park (Lam Dong Province, southern Vietnam) are reviewed based on recent floristic field surveys. Five species were recognized from the montane forests, and two of which are new to science. The new species belong to Begonia sect. Platycentrum and are named as B. hongiaoensis C.W.Lin, T.C.Hsu & Luu and B. lamdongiana C.W.Lin, T.C.Hsu & Luu, repectively. Begonia hongiaoensis most closely resembles B. siamensis Gagnep from northern Thailand. Both species have a rhizomatous habit and bear ovate leaves. However, the new species differs by its stoloniferous habit, shallowly cordate leaf base and 5-tepaled pistillate flowers. Begonia lamdongiana is similar to B. coelocentroides Y.M.Shui & Z.D.Wei, a hairy leaf species of the same section in Yunnan of China, but is markedly distinct in its glabrous petioles, inflorescences, pedicels and ovaries, and larger bracts.

Two new species, Begonia dinhdui and B. bacmeensis are described from Vietnam. Begonia dinhdui is somewhat similar to B. austrovietnamica C.-I Peng, C.W. Lin, D.D. Nguyen & N.D. Truong, a limestone tuberous species also occurring in southern Vietnam. Both species have a periodically dormant habit and silvery variegated lamina, however, the new species differs in having a rhizomatous (vs. tuberous) rootstock, cymose (vs. racemose) inflorescence and 4-tepaled (vs. 6-tepaled) pistillate flower. Another new species, Begonia bacmeensis most closely resembles B. psilophylla Irmsch. in its stout rhizomatous rootstock, 4-tepaled staminate flower and 5-tepaled pistillate flower, but differs from the latter by having a strongly asymmetrical (vs. subsymmetric), lanceolate to oval-lanceolate (vs. ovate) lamina, tepals of staminate and pistillate flower pale green (vs. pink), ovary lateral wings surface verrucose or echinate (vs. nearly flat). Begonia dinhdui is currently known only from a single locality in Lâm Đồng Province while B. bacmeensis is rather common in Hà Giang Province.

Bredia (Melastomataceae) is an Asian genus that extends from central and southern mainland China to Taiwan and the Ryukyu islands. Molecular phylogenetic analyses reveal that the type of Bredia is nested in a clade of 20 species, while Tashiroea, a genus previously synonymized in Bredia, falls in another distantly related clade of 10 species. Our morphological survey shows that the two clades can be distinguished by several diagnostic features including leaf indumentum, texture, leaf surface sculpture under SEM, presence/absence of yellowish uniseriate trichomes, and capsule morphology. Based on molecular and morphological evidence, Bredia is recircumscribed and Tashiroea is resurrected. Description and a list of species are provided for the two genera with the description of a new species, T.villosa.

Two new species of Begonia, B. inggitiae and B. dracopelta, are described from Borneo. Begonia inggitiae is endemic to Kalimantan, and B. dracopelta is found in both Kalimantan and Sarawak, and both belong to Begonia section Petermannia.

Background With currently 1980 described species, the mega-diverse Begonia is now perhaps the 5th largest flowering plant genus, expanding rapidly from ca. 900 species in 1997 to its current size in merely two decades. In continuation of our studies of Asian Begonia, we report six additional new species from Guangxi, the region/province harboring the second richest Begonia flora of China. Results Based on morphological and molecular data, the new species B. aurora belongs to Begonia sect. Platycentrum, while the other five new species (viz. B. larvata, B. longiornithophylla, B. lui, B. scabrifolia, and B. zhuoyuniae) are members of Sect. Coelocentrum. Somatic chromosome numbers of B. longiornithophylla and B. zhuoyuniae at metaphase were counted as 2n = 30, consistent with previously reports for Sect. Coelocentrum. Conclusions With the addition of the six new species, the total number of Begonia species in Guangxi increases from 86 to 92. Detailed description, line drawings, and color plates are provided to aid in identification.

Phyllagathis Blume and Bredia Blume (Sonerileae s.l., Melastomataceae) are two closely related Asian genera with similar morphology and overlapping geographical range. Their generic circumscription and phylogenetic relationships are far from fully understood. We present here a molecular phylogenetic investigation for the two genera using nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer and chloroplast (trnV‐trnM) sequence data. Seventeen genera of Sonerileae s.l. were included in the analyses, with Phyllagathis and Bredia densely sampled to cover their geographical range and morphological diversity. We identified 14 well supported species clusters within Sonerileae s.l.–Medinilla. Phylogenetic analyses together with reconstruction of morphological characters clearly indicated the taxonomic mess in generic delimitation of Sonerileae s.l. Many of the characters traditionally used in generic delimitation were highly homoplasious. Bredia and Phyllagathis, as well as Allomorphia, Anerincleistus, Fordiophyton, and Oxyspora, were revealed to be non‐monophyletic. Bredia, as currently defined, contains two groups of species with different phylogenetic affiliations. Bredia should be recircumscribed to exclude the Bredia–Phyllagathis clade I and accommodate the Bredia–Phyllagathis clade II as the type of the genus is included in the latter clade. Most species sampled in Phyllagathis spread across eight well supported clades throughout the phylogenetic tree. The type of Phyllagathis showed no close affiliation with other members of Phyllagathis nor its putative relatives. Phyllagathis, as presently circumscribed, is heterogeneous, encompassing multiple evolutionary lineages. As sequence data of nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer and chloroplast trnV‐trnM failed to resolve the phylogenetic relationships among these lineages, the formal taxonomic adjustment of Phyllagathis is postponed until further evidence can be gathered.

Background The flora of Panay Island is under-collected compared with the other islands of the Philippines. In a joint expedition to the island, botanists from Taiwan and the Philippines found three unknown Begonia species and compared them with potentially allied species. Results The three species are clearly assignable to Begonia sect. Baryandra which is largely endemic to the Philippines. Studies of literature, herbarium specimens, and living plants support the recognition of the three new species: Begonia culasiensis, B. merrilliana, and B. sykakiengii. Somatic chromosomes at metaphase were determined to be 2n = 30 for B. culasiensis and 2n = 28 for both B. merrilliana and B. sykakiengii, congruent with those of most species in sect. Baryandra. Molecular phylogenetic evidence is consistent with B. culasiensis being a relict from the late Miocene and B. merrilliana and B. sykakiengii being younger species of Pleistocene origin. Conclusion The continuing discovery of endemic Philippine species means the remaining fragments of both primary and secondary native vegetation in the archipelago are of increasing value in terms of natural capital. A secure future for the species could be realized through ex situ conservation collections and raising awareness with community groups.

Sonerileae/Dissochaeteae (Melastomataceae) comprises ca. 50 genera, two thirds of which occur in Southeast Asia. Phylogenetic relationships within this clade remain largely unclear, which hampers our understanding of its origin, evolution, and biogeography. Here, we explored the use of chloroplast genomes in phylogenetic reconstruction of Sonerileae/Dissochaeteae, by sampling 138 species and 23 genera in this clade. A total of 151 complete plastid genomes were assembled for this study. Plastid genomic data provided better support for the backbone of the Sonerileae/Dissochaeteae phylogeny, and also for relationships among most closely related species, but failed to resolve the short internodes likely resulted from rapid radiation. Trees inferred from plastid genome and nrITS sequences were largely congruent regarding the major lineages of Sonerileae/Dissochaeteae. The present analyses recovered 15 major lineages well recognized in both nrITS and plastid phylogeny. Molecular dating and biogeographical analyses indicated a South American origin for Sonerileae/Dissochaeteae during late Eocene (stem age: 34.78 Mya). Two dispersal events from South America to the Old World were detected in late Eocene (33.96 Mya) and Mid Oligocene (28.33 Mya) respectively. The core Asian clade began to diversify around early Miocene in Indo-Burma and dispersed subsequently to Malesia and Sino-Japanese regions, possibly promoted by global temperature changes and East Asian monsoon activity. Our analyses supported previous hypothesis that Medinilla reached Madagascar by transoceanic dispersal in Miocene. In addition, generic limits of some genera concerned were discussed.

Background Melastoma has undergone rapid species radiation during the last one million years, and circumscription of some species in the genus has remained controversial. Melastoma kudoi, an erect species narrowly endemic to central Taiwan was previously treated as a synonym of M. intermedium, a semicreeping hybrid between the erect species M. candidum and the creeping M. dodecandrum, making its identity questionable. We addressed this question based on molecular and morphological data. Results Phylogenetic analyses based on nrITS sequence data revealed that M. kudoi is most closely related to M. dodecandrum. Further analyses of six nuclear genes (cam, chi, gapC, gbss, tpi and vr) and two chloroplast markers (trnL–trnF and psbA) showed that M. kudoi is well diverged from its close relatives. Morphologically, it is also easily distinguished from related species by its erect habit, center-positioned stigma, and spreading, basally enlarged hairs on the hypanthium. Conclusions Both molecular phylogenetic and morphological data suggest that M. kudoi is well separated from M. intermedium, M. dodecandrum, and O. scaberrima, and should be treated as a distinct species. Taxonomic treatment and detailed description of M. kudoi are provided. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40529-019-0253-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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The Philippine island of Palawan is highly biodiverse. During fieldwork there in 2011 & 2014 we found five unknown species in the large genus Begonia. The species are similar in their rhizomatous stems, four-tepaled flowers, inferior two- or three-locular ovaries with bilamellate placentas, and are assignable to Begonia sect. Baryandra. Our observations support the recognition of these as five new species endemic to Palawan: B. elnidoensis, B. gironellae, B. quinquealata, B. tabonensis and B. tenuibracteata which are described here. The five new species were added to phylogenies based Bayesian analysis of nrDNA (ITS) and chloroplast DNA (ndhA, ndhF-rpl32, rpl32-trnL, trnC-trnD), along with 45 other allied ingroup species. A majority of the species show incongruent positions in the two phylogenies, with evidence of prevalent chloroplast capture. Models show chloroplast capture is more likely in plant populations with high levels of inbreeding following a reduction in selfing rate after hybridisation; we suggest that this is a possible explanation for the massive amount of chloroplast exchange seen in our phylogeny, as Begonia species often exist as small isolated populations and may be prone to inbreeding depression. Our data also indicate a level of nuclear genetic exchange between species. The high prevalence of hybrid events in Begonia is potentially an important factor in driving genomic change and species evolution in this mega-diverse genus.

Two new species of Begonia (Begoniaceae), B. baik and B. padawanensis, from Sarawak are described and illustrated. Begonia baik, a member of sect. Petermannia, resembles B. conipila, but is distinguishable by having glabrous ovary (vs sparsely hispid) and margins of bracts dentate and glandular hairy (vs entire). Begonia padawanensis (sect. Reichenheimia) is similar to B. andersonii, differing in the leaves being obtriangular-spatulate (vs orbicular) and having 5 pistillate flower tepals (vs 4). Both new species were discovered in a sandstone area in Padawan, Sarawak.

Wound dressing, which prevents dehydration and provides a physical barrier against infection to wound beds, can improve wound healing. The interactions between extracellular matrix (ECM) and growth factors is critical to the healing process. Electrospun nanofibers are promising templates for wound dressings due to the structure similarity to ECM of skin. Otherwise, the ECM secreted by human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) is rich in growth factors known to enhance wound healing. Accordingly, we propose that the PLGA nanofibrous template incorporated with hASCs-secreted ECM may enhance wound healing. In this study, PLGA nanofibrous matrixes with an aligned or a random structure were prepared by electrospinning. Human ASCs cultured on the aligned matrix had a better viability and produced a larger amount of ECM relative to that of random one. After 7 days&rsquo, cultivation, the hASCs on aligned PLGA substrates underwent decellularization to fabricate cECM/PLGA dressings. By using immunohistochemical staining against F-actin and cell nucleus, the removal of cellular components was verified. However, the type I collagen and laminin were well preserved on the cECM/PLGA nanofibrous matrixes. In addition, this substrate was hydrophilic, with appropriate mechanical strength to act as a wound dressing. The L929 fibroblasts had good activity, survival and proliferation on the cECM/PLGA meshes. In addition, the cECM/PLGA nanofibrous dressings improved the wound healing of surgically created full-thickness skin excision in a mouse model. This hASCs-secreted ECM incorporated into electrospun PLGA nanofibrous could be a promising dressing for enhancing wound healing.

The incidence of noroviral gastroenteritis has increased dramatically in recent years, and norovirus (NoV) genogroup II.4 (GII.4) is associated with outbreaks worldwide. The NoV genotypes and their clinical relevance in children hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis between 2006 and 2011 in northern Taiwan were evaluated in this study. NoV sequences were amplified from 47 clinical specimens and phylogenetic analysis was performed. Based on noroviral capsid protein (VP1) and RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) phylogeny, circulating NoV could be divided into GII.2, GII.3, GII.12, and GII.4 and GII.16, GII.12, GII.g, and GII.4; respectively. The GII.4 subtype was predominant and could be divided further into the 2004 (Hunter), 2006b, and 2010 (New Orleans) subtypes. Regarding clinical manifestations, convulsive disorder occurred only in cases caused by NoV GII.4 2006b. Patients affected by NoV GII.4 2006b presented with a higher frequency of diarrhea (P = 0.0204), longer duration of diarrhea (P = 0.0215), more frequent hypoglycemia (P = 0.038), and electrolyte imbalance (P = 0.0487) than acute gastroenteritis caused by NoV GII.4 2010. Structural analysis showed that the amino acid changes in viral VP1 between GII.4 2006b and 2010 subtype were located mainly in the protruding domain 2 (P2 domain). In conclusion, the NoV GII.4 variants 2006b and 2010 were the main causes of acute gastroenteritis in hospitalized children in northern Taiwan during 2006–2011. The clinical presentations and structural changes in VP1 of the two NoV GII.4 variants should be evaluated in the future. J. Med. Virol. 86:335–346, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

BACKGROUND: Polygonum viviparum L. (PV) is a member of the family Polygonaceae and is widely distributed in high-elevation areas. It is used as a folk remedy to treat inflammation-related diseases. This study was focused on the anti-inflammatory response of PV against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in RAW264.7 macrophages. RESULTS: Treatment with PV did not cause cytotoxicity at 0–50 µg mL−1 in RAW264.7 macrophages, and the IC50 value was 270 µg mL−1. PV inhibited LPS-stimulated nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin (PG)E2, interleukin (IL)-1β and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α release and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 protein expression. In addition, PV suppressed the LPS-induced p65 expression of nuclear factor (NF)-κB, which is associated with the inhibition of IκB-α degradation. These results suggest that, among mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory response, PV inhibits the production of NO and these cytokines by down-regulating iNOS and COX-2 gene expression. Furthermore, PV can induce haem oxygenase (HO)-1 protein expression through nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activation. A specific inhibitor of HO-1, zinc(II) protoporphyrin IX, inhibited the suppression of iNOS and COX-2 expression by PV. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that PV possesses anti-inflammatory actions in macrophages and works through a novel mechanism involving Nrf2 actions and HO-1. Thus PV could be considered for application as a potential therapeutic approach for inflammation-associated disorders. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry

Background Antigenemia is commonly found in children with rotavirus infection, although its clinical significance is undetermined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of antigenemia with clinical manifestations and cytokine profiles in children infected by rotavirus. Methods In total, 68 children hospitalized with rotavirus gastroenteritis were enrolled. Serum samples were collected for detection of antigenemia and viremia. Clinical, laboratory and demographic data were analyzed. Proinflammatory, Th1 and Th2 cytokines were evaluated by bead-based flow cytometry. Results Antigenemia and viremia were found in 45.6% ( n = 31) and 5.9% ( n = 4) of the 68 rotavirus-infected children, respectively. The mean age of the antigenemia group was significantly greater than that of the non-antigenemia group (43.5 vs. 27.3 months; p = 0.034). The antigenemia group had a significantly shorter length of hospitalization (4.8 vs. 5.8 days; p = 0.0354) in comparison with the non-antigenemia group, and antigenemia was inversely associated with the length of hospitalization (β = 0.31, p = 0.021). A significantly higher tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-β level was found in the patients with antigenemia than those without (236.7 vs. 29.2 pg/mL, p = 0.026). The severity of disease and the rate of extra-intestinal manifestations did not differ between the groups. Viremia was associated with a higher fever ( p = 0.012). Conclusions Antigenemia was positively correlated with shorter hospital stay in children with rotavirus infection. Enhanced innate and T-cell-mediated immunity evidenced by up-regulation of TNF-β was found in patients with antigenemia.

Objectives To elucidate a novel anti-inflammatory mechanism of myrrh against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation. Methods RAW264.7 macrophages were cultured in DMEM and then cells were treated with LPS or LPS plus a myrrh methanol extract (MME) for 24 h. The culture medium was collected for determination of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin (PG)E2, interleukin (IL)-1β, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and cells were harvested by lysis buffer for Western blot analysis. Key findings Our data showed that treatment with the MME (1∼100 µg/ml) did not cause cytotoxicity or activate haem oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein synthesis in RAW264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, the MME inhibited LPS-stimulated NO, PGE2, IL-1β and TNF-α release and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 protein expression. Zn(II) protoporphyrin IX, a specific inhibitor of HO-1, blocked the inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 expression by the MME. Conclusions These results suggest that among mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory response, the MME inhibited the production of NO, PGE2, IL-1β and TNF-α by downregulating iNOS and COX-2 gene expression in macrophages and worked through the action of HO-1.

Begonia austrovietnamica C.-I Peng, C.W. Lin, D.D. Nguyen & N.D. Truong, a new species from Binh Thuan provice, southern Vietnam, is hereby described and illustrated. B. austrovietnamica resembles B. alicida C.B. Clarke in being a tuberous species with a dormant period, having 4-tepaled staminate flowers and 3-locular ovaries. However, the new species differs from B. alicida in being stemless with basal leaves (vs. erect stem), strongly asymmetrical (vs. slightly asymmetrical) lamina, inflorescence axillary (vs. terminal), pistillate flowers 6-tepaled (vs. 5-tepaled), ovary narrowly trigonous-ellipsoid (vs. trigonous-spheroid).

Reknowned for its high biodiversity and endemism, over one third of the Bornean species of Phyllagathis were discovered in Sarawak over the past two years. In this study, we report an addition of a new species of Phyllagathis, namely P. stellata from southwestern Sarawak. In addition to the taxonomic account, color plates, line drawings, a distribution map, and comparisons with morphologically similar species are provided to aid in identification.

Begonia qingchengshanensis H.Z. Li, C.-I Peng & C.W. Lin, a new species of sect. Reichenheimia from Qingchengshan, an important centre of Daoist religion in Sichuan Province, China and a World Heritage Site, is here described and fully illustrated. Begonia qingchengshanensis resembles B. wilsonii Gagnep., also a member of sect. Reichenheimia occurring in Sichuan, in the widely ovate leaves and 3-locular ovary, each locule with unilamellate placenta. The new species differs from B. wilsonii in having an erect stem (vs. stemless with basal leaves) and ovary trigonous-ellipsoid with 3 wings (vs. clavate and without wings).

The geographic location, climatic, and soil conditions of Samar Island render a mosaic of varied habitats which harbor numerous endemic, rare, and endangered species of plants. The island province is one of the centers of plant endemism in the Philippines. Included in this rich biodiversity of flora are members of genus Begonia of the family Begoniaceae. In 2018, researchers of the University of the Philippines found in the island three unknown Begonia species. With rhizomatous habits, persistent stipules, protandrous inflorescences, four-tepaled flowers, three winged capsules and bifid placenta, the three species are clearly members of Begonia section Baryandra. Studies of literature, herbarium specimens, and living plants support the recognition of the three new species: Begonia sohoton, Begonia tarangban and Begonia burabod.

Background Mount Kinabalu, reknowned for its high biodiversity and endemism, is a National Park in the State of Sabah on the northern end of the island of Borneo. Every year many visit the higher part of the Kinabalu National Park, while most lowland forests in the Park are under-explored. Two unknown species of Begonia were collected from a peridotic (ultramafic) cliff in the Kinabalu National Park at ca. 400 m elevation. Results The two species are named B. moneta C.-I Peng, Rimi & C. W. Lin and B. peridoticola Rimi, C.-I Peng & C. W. Lin. Begonia moneta (sect. Baryandra) is similar to B. gueritziana Gibbs, a widespread species of the same section in Borneo, differing in the peltate (vs. basifixed) leaves and the smaller flower parts. Also, their chromosome numbers are different (B. moneta, 2n = 30; B. gueritziana, 2n = 28). The peltate and succulent foliage of B. moneta is also reminiscent of B. burttii Kiew & S. Julia and B. payung S. Julia & Kiew, both of sect. Reichenheimia, from Sarawak. Begonia moneta is distinct from the two species in having branched (vs. entire) placental lamellae. Additionally, B. moneta differs from B. burttii in having 4 (vs. 5) tepals in pistillate flowers and markedly unequal (vs. equal) fruit wings. Begonia moneta differs from B. payung in the smaller leaves and conspicuously winged (vs. wingless) capsules. Begonia peridoticola (sect. Petermannia) resembles B. punchak Kiew & S. Julia from limestone areas in Kuching Division, Sarawak, differing in the entire leaf margin (vs. distantly dentate), much larger capsular wings (8–11 mm vs. 2–3 mm wide) and yellow, spiral (vs. crimson, U-shaped) styles. Conclusion A careful study of the herbarium materials and literature supports the recognition of the two new species. Detailed descriptions, line drawings, color plates, chromsome data, foliar SEM observations and comparisons with phenetically similar species are provided to aid in identification. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40529-015-0087-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background Species of Begonia are richly represented in limestone karst areas across the Sino-Vietnamese border. More than one hundred species were known, many of which were documented recently. Results In continuation of our systematic studies of Asian Begonia, we report six species of Begonia that are unknown to science, namely B. caobangensis [sect. Platycentrum], B. circularis, B. melanobullata, B. langsonensis, B.locii and B. montaniformis [sect. Coelocentrum] from Northern Vietnam. Diagnostic features that separate them from morphologically allied species are provided. Somatic chromosome numbers were determined, which supports their placement in the respective sections. Foliar SEM microphotographs were taken and described. Conclusion A careful study of the literature, herbarium specimens and living plants, both in the wild and in cultivation in the experimental greenhouse, supports the recognition of the six new species, which are described and illustrated. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40529-015-0089-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A peltate-leaved species of Begonia was recently collected from a limestone hill in central Guangxi, China. Based on a careful study of literature, herbarium material, and plants both in the wild and in cultivation reveals that it is a new species of Begonia sect. Coelocentrum, which we hereby describe as B. ufoides. In addition to a full taxonomic account, color plates and line drawings are provided to aid in identification. Begonia ufoides may be confused with B. umbraculifolia Y. Wan & B.N. Chang in southwestern Guangxi and B. phuthoensis H.Q. Nguyen in northern Vietnam, both of which are peltate-leaved calciphilous species in sect. Coelocentrum, but the new species is clearly distinguishable in many morphological characters. A table comparing salient features of the three species is presented.

Ten undescribed species of Phyllagathis from southwestern Sarawak, named P. bicolor, P. lii, P. millelunata, P. phyllioides, P. rivularis, P. rubrosetosa, P. ulu, P. violinifolia, P. wallacei and P. yodae are reported in this study. We describe and illustrate the ten new species after a careful study of the literature, herbarium specimens and living plants.

Begonia polyclada, a new species of sect. Petermannia from Luzon, Philippines is here described and illustrated. The new species is apparently allied to a group of Begonia in the Philippines with axillary inflorescences and numerous, relatively small-sized sub-symmetric, ovate to lanceolate-ovate leaves, i.e. B. aequata A. Gray (1854: 658), B. binuangensis Merr. (1918: 40), B. edanoi Merr. (1918: 314), B. gracilipes Merr. (1912: 405), B. lagunensis Elmer (1910: 735), B. sarmentosa L.B. Sm. & Wassh. (1983: 443) and B. wenzelii Merr. (1915: 277). However, a combination of characters such as the much smaller, nearly sessile leaves, tomentose stem, petiole and leaf abaxial surface, and an erect habit readily distinguish the new species from them.

Structural similarity of electrospun fibers (ESFs) to the native extracellular matrix provides great potential for the application of biofunctional ESFs in tissue engineering. This study aimed to synthesize biofunctionalized poly (L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) ESFs for investigating the potential for cardiac tissue engineering application. We developed a simple but novel strategy to incorporate adhesive peptides in PLGA ESFs. Two adhesive peptides derived from laminin, YIGSR, and RGD, were covalently conjugated to poly-L-lysine, and then mingled with PLGA solution for electrospinning. Peptides were uniformly distributed on the surface and in the interior of ESFs. PLGA ESFs incorporated with YIGSR or RGD or adsorbed with laminin significantly enhanced the adhesion of cardiomyocytes isolated from neonatal rats. Furthermore, the cells were found to adhere better on ESFs compared with flat substrates after 7 days of culture. Immunofluorescent staining of F-actin, vinculin, a-actinin, and N-cadherin indicated that cardiomyocytes adhered and formed striated α-actinin better on the laminin-coated ESFs and the YIGSR-incorporated ESFs compared with the RGD-incorporated ESFs. The expression of α-myosin heavy chain and β-tubulin on the YIGSR-incorporated ESFs was significantly higher compared with the expression level on PLGA and RGD-incorporated samples. Furthermore, the contraction of cardiomyocytes was faster and lasted longer on the laminin-coated ESFs and YIGSR-incorporated ESFs. The results suggest that aligned YIGSR-incorporated PLGA ESFs is a better candidate for the formation of cardiac patches. This study demonstrated the potential of using peptide-incorporated ESFs as designable-scaffold platform for tissue engineering.

BACKGROUND: Safflower, whose botanic name is Carthamus tinctorius L., is a member of the family Compositae or Asteraceae. Carthamus yellow (CY) is the main constituent of safflower and is composed of safflomin A and safflomin B. Dried safflower petals are used in folk medicine and have been shown to invigorate blood circulation, break up blood stasis, and promote menstruation. In addition, dried safflower petals contain yellow dyes that are used to color food and cosmetics. In this study, we investigated the effects of dried safflower petals aqueous extracts (SFA) and CY on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation using RAW264.7 macrophages. RESULTS: Our data showed that treatment with SFA (1–1000 µg mL−1) and CY (1–2000 µg mL−1) does not cause cytotoxicity in cells. SFA and CY inhibited LPS-stimulated nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) release, through attenuation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression. Further, SFA and CY suppressed the LPS-induced phosphorylation of nuclear factor-κB, which was associated with the inhibition of IκB-α degradation. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that SFA and CY provide an anti-inflammatory response through inhibiting the production of NO and PGE2 by the downregulation of iNOS and COX-2 gene expression. Thus safflower petals have the potential to provide a therapeutic approach to inflammation-associated disorders. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry

Two new benzenoids, linderagatin A and B (1–2), were isolated from the roots of Lindera aggregata. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D (1H, 13C) and 2D NMR (COSY, NOESY, HSQC and HMBC) spectra. Moreover, their absolute configurations were established from ECD spectra compared with previous reports.

Recent exploration and field collections in Batang Ai, southwest Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia, has resulted in the discovery of two new taxa, Phyllagathis rajah and Sonerila metallica (Melastomataceae). Taxonomic descriptions, detailed photographs, line drawings and a comparison table are provided to distinguish them from morphologically similar species.

Borneo is a hotspot for Begonia . About 140 species of Begonia have been described from Borneo, 75 of which occur in Sarawak. In this study we report the discovery of three undescribed species of Begonia, namely B. amidalae , B. darthvaderiana and B. anserina from southwestern Sarawak. They are assignable to sect. Petermannia based on the cane-like habit, protogynous inflorescence and pistillate flowers with three locules each with two placentas. The new species B. amidalae somewhat resembles B. subisensis K.G. Pearce, but is sharply distinct by the leaf shape, tepal color, much fewer stamens and smaller pistillate tepals and fruits. Begonia darthvaderiana is similar to B. chlorosticta Sands differing in the leaf shape, orientation and maculation, much fewer stamens, color of staminate tepals as well as shape of fruit wings. Begonia anserina approaches B. pleioclada Irmsch. in the sympodial branching, differing in being a much taller plant with shorter inflorescence and larger fruits.