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Senegalia propinqua (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae), a new species from the Yuanjiang dry-hot valley in south-central Yunnan Province, China is described and illustrated. It is compared with S. kunmingensis, S. macrocephala and S. teniana. A distribution map of the four species is provided.

Yushania doupengshanensis Y.Y. Zhang et N.H. Xia, a new species of the temperate woody bamboo tribe Arundinarieae (Poaceae: Bambusoideae), is described and illustrated from south Guizhou, China. Yushania doupengshanensis is characterised by long-necked rhizomes, usually a single branch at each branching node, densely white puberulous and thin white powdery internodes, tardily deciduous culm sheaths, densely ciliate culm-sheath margins, 6‒12 leaves per ultimate branch, densely puberulous and 8‒9 mm long pseudopetioles. Based on the morphological features, this new species is assigned to section Yushania.

Flowering material of Ferrocalamus rimosivaginus has been identified, allowing its analysis and description. The unit of inflorescence of the synflorescences of F. rimosivaginus is panicle-like and its fruit is berry-like. Ferrocalamus rimosivaginus differs from F. strictus in its rachilla puberulent except on its adaxial surface, the first glume with a glabrous apex, the abaxially glabrous lemma with an acute mucronate apex, and the palea with the surfaces between keels apically pubescent and progressively less pubescent towards the glabrous base. An epitype is designated to support the sterile holotype.

A plant formerly misidentified as Amomum maximum in Guangxi, China, is described here as a new species, namely A. fangdingii. A detailed description, distribution map and illustrations are provided together with a taxonomic key distinguishing A. fangdingii from eight morphologically similar species characterised by cincinnate inflorescences occurring in Cambodia, China, Laos and Vietnam.

The floral morphological description of Vaccinium glaucophyllum is supplemented based on newly collected flowering material. This species is reassigned to V. section Calcicolus based on its evergreen habit, dimorphic perennating buds, racemose inflorescences with large caducous bracts and pseudo-10-loculed ovary with 2–5 seeds. The information on its type, distribution and conservation status together with color photos is also provided.

Identifying a bamboo taxon from the Asian seasonal tropics is notoriously difficult, if not impossible, especially when the type material is lacking vegetative parts. This is due to the fact that old type material associated with the naming of bamboos often consists of only flowering branches and perhaps just a few leaves, and, as bamboos in the field are vegetative for prolonged periods prior to flowering, they are therefore not easily identifiable much of the time. Investigating one such bamboo, Neohouzeaua mekongensis, we show that previous flowering collections made during the seasonal dry (flowering) season could not have easily included key vegetative parts, such as the culm sheaths, which would have assisted in their recognition at other times. We trace this species back to its type localities and propose an epitype in order that its vegetative characteristics are made available to complement the floral characteristics of the original material.

Among the tropical woody bamboos, the Melocanninae is one of the most clearly recognized subtribes morphologically and has also been consistently well delimited in molecular phylogenetic work. The relationships among those genera in this subtribe, however, have been contentious because of poorly understood generic delimitations, in part due to poor specimen material or insufficiently assessed morphological traits, sometimes exacerbated by poorly accessible provenances. We address the phylogenetic and taxonomic status of two groups which together include the largest number of species in this subtribe: the Neohouzeaua-Schizostachyum complex, distributed from India to South China, Southeast Asia and southwest Pacific, and the endemic Indian genus Ochlandra. Three Neohouzeaua species (including the generic type), 12 Schizostachyum species (including the generic type and several species of uncertain placement), together with five species of Ochlandra and representatives of Cephalostachyum, Melocanna and Pseudostachyum were assessed in a molecular phylogenetic analysis together with members of other well-distinguished subtribes. Members of Neohouzeaua and Schizostachyum align into two main groups that were not completely well-supported statistically but which members possess mostly reflexed culm leaf blades, or mostly erect culm leaf blades. Other characters which provide obvious differences between taxa, such as the number of flowers in a pseudospikelet, fusion of filaments into a staminal tube, and presence of lodicules, were inconsistent between these groups. Neohouzeaua and Schizostachyum cannot be clearly distinguished in either morphological or molecular terms, and thus are united under the latter name, which takes precedence. In reviewing names in Neohouzeaua and their basionyms, several lectotypifications are designated. Three new combinations in Schizostachyum are proposed. On the other hand, Ochlandra forms a distinct clade and its monophyly is demonstrated, supported by clear morphological characters.

Fargesia sapaensis N.H.Xia & Y.Y.Zhang, a new species from Lao Cai, Vietnam, is described and illustrated. The new species is similar to F. dracocephala T.P.Yi and F. fansipanensis T.Q.Nguyen, but differs from the former mainly in its mid-culm complement of 3–7 branches at each node, auricles of culm sheaths absent, 2‒6 florets per spikelet, 7‒10 mm long first glume and 2‒3 mm long lodicules, and from the latter by its culm sheaths shorter than culm internodes, 3–4 leaves per ultimate branch, and a mid-culm complement of 3–7 branches at each node.

A new species of the family Magnoliaceae, Magnolia quangninhensis Q.N. Vu & N.H. Xia from Yen Tu National Forest, in the Quang Ninh Province, north of Vietnam is described and illustrated. It is most closely related to M. bawangensis and M. shangsiensis, but differs by having all parts of tree glabrous (except for dense brown sericeous tomentose to tomentulose brachyblasts), larger elliptic-obovate leaves, creamy-white to pink–purple tepals and stamens, and (6–)9–11 tepals.

Eight new diarylheptanoids, coriandralpinins A–H (1–8), were isolated from the rhizomes of Alpinia coriandriodora, an edible plant of the ginger family. Their structures, including the absolute configurations, were established by extensive spectroscopic analysis and ECD calculations. Compounds 1–8 have a 1,5-O-bridged diarylheptanoid structure featuring polyoxygenated aryl units. When evaluated for intracellular antioxidant activity using t-BHP stressed RAW264.7 macrophages, all these compounds scavenged reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a concentration-dependent manner. Compounds 3 and 5 also showed inhibitory activity against NO release in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Six known flavonols, 7,4′-di-O-methylkaempferol, 7-O-methylquercetin, 7,4′-di-O-methylquercetin, 7,3′,4′-tri-O- methylquercetin, kaempferol 3-O-β-d-(6-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl)glucopyranoside, and 3-O-β-d-glucopyranuronosylquercetin were also isolated and characterized from the rhizomes.

A new genus of Arundinarieae, Khoonmengia, is established to accommodate a unique new bamboo species, K. honbaensis, from central-southern Vietnam. The morphological features, habitats and distribution of Khoonmengia and related genera, i.e. Ampelocalamus and Hsuehochloa, are compared. The characters of its scrambling habit, internodes with brownish green dots, conspicuous nodes swollen at one side, elliptic buds wholly sunken into culm, extravaginal branching pattern, mid-culm branch complement with one central dominant branch elongating to reiterate the culm accompanied by several lateral slender branches, swollen culm sheath base with a distinctive zone of transverse wrinkles, synflorescence composed of only one spikelet, single or several to many synflorescences arranged into a raceme or panicle terminal on leafy branches, purple anthers and nut-like caryopsis with hardened pericarp and loosely adherent lemma and palea distinguish K. honbaensis from morphologically similar taxa. In order to investigate the phylogenetic position of this unknown bamboo, molecular phylogenetic analyses based on the nuclear gene GBSSI were also conducted, and the results proved that K. honbaensis is definitely a member of Arundinarieae with an isolated position, which also indicated that this species could not be assigned to any of the already described genera and supported the establishment of the new genus.

Schizostachyum dakrongenseis a new species of woody bamboo from Dakrong Nature Reserve, Quang Tri Province, central Vietnam. It is closely related toS. hainanensebut differs by its pseudospikelets having terminal rachilla segments with ciliate margin and 6 bracts; culm sheath with the base of the outer margin having a slight projection below its point of attachment at the node, as well as sheath blades usually less than half as long as the culm sheath proper; and leaf blades pale-puberulent and sparsely pilosulous on the abaxial surface. The new species is described and illustrated here.

The taxonomic history of Boesenbergia (Zingiberaceae) in China is reviewed. Based on field observations and herbarium specimen studies, a comprehensive taxonomic revision of Chinese Boesenbergia is carried out. The results suggest that those specimens previously misidentified as B. longiflora and B. fallax in China should be either B. maxwellii or B. kingii. Boesenbergia maxwellii is newly recorded for the country. Altogether, four species are recognized for China. Keys, descriptions, distributions and illustrations of all recognized species are presented.

Background Bamboos, widely distributed in temperate and tropical Asia, Africa and America, refer to a group of special plants in Poaceae, Bambusoideae. China is rich in bamboo species. However, due to a long flowering cycle, the flowering habit and the flowering structure of many bamboo species are still not well understood. Here, we report a new bamboo species from Guangdong, China and an analysis of its interesting branch development in relation to flowering. Results This species is similar to G. stellatus, the type species, but differs in the characteristics of its lemma and palea, mid-culm branch complement, and culm-sheath ligules. The initial branches at a culm node do not apically develop flowering structures during a flowering episode; instead, these form on what appears to be specialized flowering branches. Conclusions The results of morphological comparison support the recognition of Gelidocalamus fengkaiensis as a new species. And during a flowering episode, two branch types (‘foliage branch’ and ‘flowering branch’) can be distinguished in this species.

Costus chinensis and C. oblongus (Costaceae) has been previously placed in synonymy under C. lacerus. Our critical examination of herbarium specimens including type material demonstrates that they are morphologically distinct from each other. Therefore, the independent specific status of C. chinensis and C. oblongus is reinstated. According to recent studies, Costus chinensis as well as other two Chinese species, C. oblongus and C. viridis, should be transferred to Hellenia. Thus, a new name for C. chinensis, and two new combinations are proposed. A detailed description of C. chinensis along with a distribution map of three allied species is also provided.

Understanding the immunological characteristics of monocytes-including the characteristics associated with fibrosis-in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is crucial for understanding the pathogenic mechanism of the disease and preventing disease severity. In this study, we performed single-cell transcriptomic sequencing of peripheral blood samples collected from six healthy controls and 14 COVID-19 samples including severe, moderate, and convalescent samples from three severely/critically ill and four moderately ill patients. We found that the monocytes were strongly remodeled in the severely/critically ill patients with COVID-19, with an increased proportion of monocytes and seriously reduced diversity. In addition, we discovered two novel severe-disease-specific monocyte subsets: Mono 0 and Mono 5. These subsets expressed amphiregulin (AREG), epiregulin (EREG), and cytokine interleukin-18 (IL-18) gene, exhibited an enriched erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog (ErbB) signaling pathway, and appeared to exhibit pro-fibrogenic and pro-inflammation characteristics. We also found metabolic changes in Mono 0 and Mono 5, including increased glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and an increased hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) signaling pathway. Notably, one pre-severe sample displayed a monocyte atlas similar to that of the severe/critical samples. In conclusion, our study discovered two novel severe-disease-specific monocyte subsets as potential predictors and therapeutic targets for severe COVID-19. Overall, this study provides potential predictors for severe disease and therapeutic targets for COVID-19 and thus provides a resource for further studies on COVID-19.

Rhododendron xishuiense C.H.Yang & C.D.Yang in Yang et al. (2012: 95) was described based on material from Xishui, Guizhou, China. In the protologue, Yang et al. (2012) provided a Latin description and cited two collections, C.H. Yang 5784 with flowers and C.H. Yang 7590 with fruits. Both of the collections were deposited in the herbarium of Guizhou Academy of Forestry (GF). However, no type was indicated in the protologue. According to Art. 40.1 & 40.6 of ICN (Turland et al. 2018), it was invalidly published. Here R. xishuiense is validated by reference to the previously published description (Yang et al. 2012) and by designating the specimen with flowers (C.H. Yang 5784) as its holotype.

Objective For patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP), a high body mass index (BMI) increases the likelihood of acute hepatic injury (AHI). In the current study, we explored whether magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate (MgIg) could alleviate ANP-induced liver injury in obese rats. Methods Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were selected for the present study, and the ANP model was established by retrograde injection of 5% sodium taurocholate into the biliary-pancreatic duct. Thirty-six SD rats were randomly assigned to six groups: the normal (N), standard rat chow (SRC) normal (S N), SRC ANP (S-ANP), high-fat diet (HFD) normal (H–N), HFD ANP (H-ANP), and MgIg pretreatment HFD ANP (H-ANPT) groups. The rats in the H-ANPT group were treated with MgIg (30 mg/kg) intragastrically for 7 days before the ANP model was established. The rats were sacrificed 12 h after ANP was established, and the blood and pancreatic and liver tissues were collected. Differences in the physiology, pathology and cellular and molecular responses of the rats in each group were examined. Result Analyses of serum amylase lipase, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase indicated that obesity aggravated ANP-induced hepatic injury and that MgIg improved liver function. The superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, M1 macrophage, M2 macrophage, neutrophil, NF-κB, IL-1β and caspase-3 levels in liver tissue showed that MgIg attenuated H-ANP-induced hepatic injury by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation. Conclusion Obesity aggravated ANP-induced liver injury via oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions. MgIg alleviated oxidative stress and decreased the inflammatory reaction, protecting the liver against the AHI induced by ANP in obese rats.

Getah virus (GETV), a mosquito-borne virus belonging to the Alphavirus genus of family Togaviridae, has become increasingly problematic, which poses a huge threat to the safety of animals and public health. In order to detect GETV quickly and accurately, we have developed a SYBR Green I real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) assay for GETV with the detection limit of 66 copies/μL, excellent correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.9975, and amplification efficiency (E) of 98.90%, the target selected was the non-structural protein 3 of GETV. The sensitivity of it was higher than that of ordinary RT-PCR by 1000 folds, and the inter-assay and intra-assay CV values were all less than 0.99%. The newly developed RT-qPCR assay exhibited good sensitivity and reproducibility, which will provide technical support for the reliable and specific rapid diagnosis, and quantitative analysis of GETV infection.

Based on a careful examination of the voucher specimens, the newly recorded Spiradiclis purpureocaerulea H. S. Lo from Vietnam was confirmed to be a misidentification of S. coccinea H. S. Lo. Coincidentally, Spiradiclis coccinea is a species previously known only from China, and represents a new record for the flora of Vietnam. True specimens of S. purpureocaerulea were collected by the authors in Thanh Hua Province (Vietnam) in 2017. Therefore, we report S. coccinea and S. purpureocaerulea as new records for the flora of Vietnam here. Detailed descriptions and color photographs of the two species and a key to the five species of Spiradiclis in Vietnam are also provided.

Gallibacterium anatis (G. anatis), one of the major pathogens causing reproductive tract disorders in laying hens, leads to a reduction in egg production and increased mortality, caused by either single or mixed infections with other pathogens. As a specific virulence factor of G. anatis, the role of GtxA in layers' salpingitis remains unclear. In this study, we explored the effect of GtxA on G. anatis infection by comparing wild strain Yu-PDS-RZ-1-SLG (RZ) and its GtxA deleted counterpart RZΔgtxA in primary chicken oviduct epithelial cells (COEC). Their adherence, invasion, cytoxicity, and ability to induce apoptosis and and cytokine secretion were evaluated and the cytotoxicity and cytokine secretion of the recombinant GtxA protein and its N-terminal adenylate cyclase and C-terminal RTX hemolysin domain were also analyzed. We found that the adhesion ability of RZΔgtxA was significantly lower than that of parental strain RZ, and its toxicity to COEC was weakened; Meanwhile, apoptosis was inhibited and the expression of IL-6, IL-2, TNF-α and IFN-γ were dramatically reduced in COEC infected by RZΔgtxA. In contrast, the recombinant protein GtxA inhibited the proliferation of oviduct cells and induced obvious cytotoxicity, and the expression of IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ were up-regulated in COEC interacted with recombinant proteins. Our study indicates that GtxA promotes G. anatis adherence to cells, changes cells permeability and expression of inflammatory factors, resulting in cell damage and apoptosis.

Hornstedtia tibetica was originally described only from fruiting material. On the basis of morphological study of flowering material originating at the type locality, the species is a member of Amomum. This was also confirmed by palynological evidence and a molecular analysis based on ITS region. A new combination Amomum tibeticum is therefore established here, together with a detailed description and colour plate of this species. As previously suspected from the similarity of the original description and type, Hornstedtia arunachalensis is conspecific with A. tibeticum and is therefore synonymised here. The only remaining species of Hornstedtia in China is therefore H. hainanensis, which was also described only from fruiting material. To aid unambiguous understanding of this taxon, we provide a detailed description and colour plate based on recent collections of flowering material near the type locality in Hainan Province, China.

Ploidy levels and genome sizes have significant implications in plant evolution and crop improvement. Species of Lonicera L. have long been cultivated as medicinal, ornamental crops, or both. However, chromosome numbers, karyotypes, and DNA contents have only been documented in a few species, of which some controversies regarding basic chromosome numbers and karyotypes remain. This study analyzed the chromosome numbers and karyomorphology of 11 cultivars across four species and also the DNA content of 10 cultivars representing six species of Lonicera. Among them, the chromosome numbers of nine cultivars are reported for the first time. Results showed that the basic chromosome number of x = 9 was constant, and chromosome numbers of 2n = 18, 27, 36, or 54 were observed, suggesting that polyploidy exists in the genus. Five cultivars are diploid with 2n = 18; one cultivar is triploid, four are tetraploid, and one is hexaploid. The karyotypes of all studied cultivars are 3B or 3A, except Lonicera sempervirens ‘Crimson Cascade’ that is 2B based on the Stebbins’ asymmetry classification of karyotypes. The asymmetry index (A1) values vary from 0.47 to 0.60. The chromosome lengths range from 0.77 to 4.09 μm. Total karyotype lengths differ from 33.55 to 78.71 μm. The 1C-value of 10 cultivars varies 3-fold, ranging from 1.158 to 3.664 pg. Information gathered from this study could be valuable for improving breeding efficiency in the development of new cultivars of Lonicera with enhanced medicinal, ornamental value, or both.

Viral vector transfection systems are among the simplest of biological agents with the ability to transfer genes into the central nervous system. In brain research, a series of powerful and novel gene editing technologies are based on these systems. Although many viral vectors are used in rodents, their full application has been limited in non-human primates. To identify viral vectors that can stably and effectively express exogenous genes within non-human primates, eleven commonly used recombinant adeno-associated viral and lentiviral vectors, each carrying a gene to express green or red fluorescence, were injected into the parietal cortex of four rhesus monkeys. The expression of fluorescent cells was used to quantify transfection efficiency. Histological results revealed that recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors, especially the serotype 2/9 coupled with the cytomegalovirus, human synapsin I, or Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II promoters, and lentiviral vector coupled with the human ubiquitin C promoter, induced higher expression of fluorescent cells, representing high transfection efficiency. This is the first comparison of transfection efficiencies of different viral vectors carrying different promoters and serotypes in non-human primates (NHPs). These results can be used as an aid to select optimal vectors to transfer exogenous genes into the central nervous system of non-human primates.

A new genus, Wuacanthus Y.F. Deng, N.H. Xia & H. Peng (Acanthaceae), is described from the Hengduan Mountains, China. Wuacanthus is based on Wuacanthus microdontus (W.W.Sm.) Y.F. Deng, N.H. Xia & H. Peng, originally published in Justicia and then moved to Mananthes. The new genus is characterized by its shrub habit, strongly 2-lipped corolla, the 2-lobed upper lip, 3-lobed lower lip, 2 stamens, bithecous anthers, parallel thecae with two spurs at the base, 2 ovules in each locule, and the 4-seeded capsule. Phylogenetic analyses show that the new genus belongs to the Pseuderanthemum lineage in tribe Justicieae. Wuacanthus is closely related to Pseuderanthemum but differs from the latter by its shorter corolla tube and two minute spurs at the base of each anther-theca. W. microdontus is assessed with the status EN B2ab (iii) based on the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Michelia sonlaensis Q.N. Vu, a new species of Michelia from Son La province, northern Vietnam is described. The new species is assigned to the genus Michelia (separated from Magnolia), subfamily Magnolioideae based on general morphology. It is closely similar to M. xianianhei and M. mannii, but differs mainly in having a leaf‐lamina that is elliptic, thinly leathery, larger, with lower surface yellowish white villous (easily visible by eyes and feeling by hand), brachyblasts and outside bracts yellowish‐white sericeous, flowers light green to cream white in colour, and nine tepals with the outside of all tepals silky hairy at base.

Hoya tengchongensis, a new species of Apocynaceae, subfamily Asclepiadoideae from Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically similar to Hoya serpens in its creeping habit, bearing small and suborbicular leaves, and adaxially tomentose corolla. However, H. tengchongensis differs from H. serpens in corolla size (ca 7 mm versus ca 12 mm in diam) and corona morphology (corona lobes slightly ascending versus erect).

Boesenbergia fallax Loes., previously known as a synonym of B. longiflora (Wall.) Kuntze, is recognized as belonging to the genus Zingiber Mill. Furthermore, it is conspecific with Z. liangshanense Z. Y. Zhu, which was incorrectly treated as a synonym of Z. striolatum in ‘Flora of China’. A new combination, Z. fallax (Loes.) L. Bai, Juan Chen & N. H. Xia is proposed here, and Z. liangshanense is treated as its synonym. Lectotypes are designated for B. fallax and Z. liangshanense. Zingiber fallax is now known to occur in southern Sichuan Province and northwestern to central Yunnan Province, China.

Lysimachia rupestris F. H. Chen & C. M. Hu is reported for the first time in Vietnam, in Cat Ba National Park. The supplemental description of its floral characters is applied. It has glabrous yellow corollas divided near to base, and stamens with short filaments connate basally into a ring and basifixed anthers opening by apical pores. The systematic position of L. rupestris F. H. Chen & C. M. Hu and its closely related species is also discussed.

Clinical studies have revealed that some patients will develop glucose tolerance dysfunction after recovering from acute pancreatitis (AP), which indicated the importance of investigating the potential therapies for restoration of islet β cell function. Cytokeratin 5 (Krt5)-positive cells are considered to function as stem or progenitor cells in the regeneration of lung and salivary gland following injury. In the present study, AP was induced by six hourly intraperitoneal injections of 100 μg/kg cerulein for 4 consecutive days in adult mice, in order to determine the role of Krt5-positive cells in pancreatic regeneration, especially in the restoration of β cell function and the underlying mechanisms. Results showed that glucose homeostasis were deteriorated partly during the recovery process after AP. Furthermore, clusters of Krt5-positive cells were significantly increased in the damaged pancreas marked by inflammatory cells infiltration and acinar cell eradication. In addition, cells co-labelling insulin and Krt5 were found in the injured region after cerulein administration, part of these cells were immunopositive for GLUT2. Taken together, our data demonstrated that Krt5-expressing cells could be involved in the natural pancreas self-healing process and the renewal of β cells after AP in adult mice. It is promising that promoting conversion of Krt5-expressing cells into functional β cells may be a novel method to mitigate the development of diabetes mellitus after AP in vivo.

Magnolia champacifolia J. E. Dandy ex F. Gagnepain, sp. nov., originally described, but invalidly published in 1938, is validated here by designating the flowering sheet as the holotype. Otherwise, a new species of Magnolia L., M. lamdongensis V.T. Tran, N.V. Duy & N.H. Xia, sp. nov. from southern Vietnam is described and illustrated. It is distinguished from the closely related M. champacifolia J. E. Dandy ex F. Gagnepain, sp. nov., and M. albosericea Chun & Tsoong by its leaf blades narrowly ovate, glabrous, apex long acuminate, petiole c. 3 cm long, tepals short and glabrous, peduncle c. 3 cm long and densely papillate when young, and gynoecium glabrous.

A new species of Dendrocalamus Nees new names in Sinocalamus McClure, which was (Poaceae, Bambusoideae), D. longivaginatus N. H. reduced to a synonym of Dendrocalamus Nees by Xia, V. T. Nguyen & V. L. Le, is illustrated and Chia & Fung (1980). In a preliminary enumeration of described from Phu Tho, Vietnam. This species is the bamboos of Vietnam, there were considered to be known only from the northern provinces of Vietnam: 29 species potentially present for this genus in Phu Tho, Yen Bai, and Ha Giang. It is morpholog- Vietnam, but only 14 of them are formally established ically similar to D. brandisii (Munro) Kurz, a widely with scientific names (Nguyen, 2006). distributed bamboo from Thailand, Myanmar, China, During studies on Dendrocalamus from Vietnam, and Vietnam, but differs by the ligules of the culm the authors carried out a survey in northern Vietnam, sheath, which are irregularly fimbriate, slightly with specimens of a distinctive bamboo collected in concave, and 7-9 mm, and by the pseudo-spikelets, Phu Tho, Yen Bai, and Ha Giang Provinces. This new which are (5-)13-16 mm with lemmas 9-11.5 mm. species of Dendrocalamus, locally known as Dind ´

Vaccinium damingshanense (Ericaceae), a new species from Daming Mountain, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China is described, illustrated and placed in a new key for the identification of species of V. sect. Eococcus Sleumer in China. The new species is similar to V. carlesii Dunn, but differs in leaf shape, leaf margin character and details of anther thecae. Information on its distribution and ecology is also provided.

Fresh pollen grains of 37 species representing eight genera (Magnolia, Manglietia, Lirianthe, Houpoea, Talauma, Michelia, Woonyoungia, and Parakmeria) of the subfamily Magnolioideae, one of the most primitive families among the angiosperms, were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, and 31 of them are reported for the first time. The Magnoliaceae family is typically stenopalynous. Pollen grains are bilaterally symmetrical, heteropolar, boat-shaped and monosulcate, rounded or elliptical in distal view. They are medium to large in size, ranging from 41.6 ± 4.4 μm to 94.1 ± 5.6 μm in the longest axis. Most species examined have microperforate ornamentation. Uniform perforations of 0.2 μm or from 0.1 μm to 0.5 μm in diameter on the outer surface of the exine were detected in Manglietia and Lirianthe species. Pollen grains of some species had microgemmae or ring-like appurtenances on the outer surface of the exine. Six pollen types and three subtypes are proposed in the Magnoliaceae. This is one more than the five types proposed by Praglowski in 1974. A key for the identification of these pollen types and subtypes is presented and its taxonomic implications in the Magnolioideae are discussed.

Altered bone turnover is a key pathologic feature of chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD). Expression of TGF-β1, a known regulator of bone turnover, is increased in bone biopsies from individuals with CKD. Similarly, TGF-β1 mRNA and downstream signaling is increased in bones from jck mice, a model of high-turnover renal osteodystrophy. A neutralizing anti-TGF-β antibody (1D11) was used to explore TGF-β's role in renal osteodystrophy. 1D11 administration to jck significantly attenuated elevated serum osteocalcin and type I collagen C-telopeptides. Histomorphometric analysis indicated that 1D11 administration increased bone volume and suppressed the elevated bone turnover in a dose-dependent manner. These effects were associated with reductions in osteoblast and osteoclast surface areas. Micro-computed tomography (µCT) confirmed the observed increase in trabecular bone volume and demonstrated improvements in trabecular architecture and increased cortical thickness. 1D11 administration was associated with significant reductions in expression of osteoblast marker genes (Runx2, alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin) and the osteoclast marker gene, Trap5. Importantly, in this model, 1D11 did not improve kidney function or reduce serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, indicating that 1D11 effects on bone are independent of changes in renal or parathyroid function. 1D11 also significantly attenuated high-turnover bone disease in the adenine-induced uremic rat model. Antibody administration was associated with a reduction in pSMAD2/SMAD2 in bone but not bone marrow as assessed by quantitative immunoblot analysis. Immunostaining revealed pSMAD staining in osteoblasts and osteocytes but not osteoclasts, suggesting 1D11 effects on osteoclasts may be indirect. Immunoblot and whole genome mRNA expression analysis confirmed our previous observation that repression of Wnt/β-catenin expression in bone is correlated with increased osteoclast activity in jck mice and bone biopsies from CKD patients. Furthermore, our data suggest that elevated TGF-β may contribute to the pathogenesis of high-turnover disease partially through inhibition of β-catenin signaling.

In order to investigate the embryological characteristics of Delavaya toxocarpa Franch. and provide a basis for further understanding the phylogeny within Sapindaceae s.l., we studied the sporogenesis and gametogenesis of D. toxocarpa using the conventional paraffin section method. The results were as follows: anthers are tetrasporangium; tapetum is typically secretory type; cytokinesis in the microsporecyte meiosis is of the simultaneous type and microspore tetrads are tetrahedral; mature pollen contains two cells; the ovary is bilocular with two ovules per locule; placentation is axial; the ovule is amphitropous, bitegmic, and crassinucellate; the chalazal megaspore in a linear tetrad becomes functional; and the development of megaspore is of the polygonum type. Most similarities shared by the species observed suggest that the species and genera of Sapindaceae s.l. have phylogenetic consistency. The distinctive trait, lacking hypostase, indicates Delavaya (and Handeliodendron) might be more primitive than other genera in Sapindaceae. Moreover, some characters, such as opposite palmate compound leaf, apical thyrse, rounded seed without wing, 2 hemitropous ovules per locule, and lacking aril, indicate the close relationship between Delavaya, Aceraceae, and Hippocastanaceae. The preliminary data about the embryological and morphological characteristics in Delavaya might justify the basic systematic position of this genus in the family Sapindaceae s.s.

A new species, Stephania polygona N.H. Xia & V.T. Chinh, is described and illustrated from southern Vietnam. It is similar to S. subpeltata and S. elegans in general appearance, but differs by its polygonous lobed leaf blade, five to eight veins, and longer, red purple sepals.

A new bamboo species, Phyllostachys danxiashanensis (Poaceae: Bambusoideae), is described from Danxia Mountain, Northern Guangdong. This new species is similar to P. rivalis in having papery culm sheaths, erect culm sheath blades and the absence of culm sheath auricles, but it differs from P. rivalis by its much longer cilia on culm sheath ligules, hispid culm sheaths, and fewer leaves on ultimate branches.

A new species of Curcuma L. subg. Curcuma (Zingiberaceae), C. yingdeensis N. H. Xia & Juan Chen, is described and illustrated. The new species is similar to C. phaeocaulis Valeton, but distinguished by creamy to pale yellow-colored rhizomes, narrower leaf blades, laxer inflorescences, smaller flowers, pink coma bracts with purple tips, pale green fertile bracts with brown tips and purple dots at the adnate portion, and sub-orbicular labellum with rounded lobes and two pale purple lines at the base.

Here we describe and illustrate a new species, Melocalamus grandiauritus N.H. Xia, Q.M. Qin & J. B. Ni sp. nov., from the lowland forest in Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam. Molecular phylogeny based on the GBSSI indicates that this species is a member of Melocalamus. Morphologically, M. grandiauritus is different from all congeneric species in Vietnam. It is somewhat similar to M. pacoensis H.N.Nguyen & V.T.Tran, but is easily distinguished by having much wider suborbicular culm leaf auricles, very high and ventricose auricles of foliage leaves, entire ligules of both culm leaves and foliage leaves, and large leaf blades.