34 research outputs found
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Towards an updated checklist of the Libyan flora
The Libyan flora was last documented in a series of volumes published between 1976 and 1989. Since then there has been a
substantial realignment of family and generic boundaries and the discovery of many new species. The lack of an update or
revision since 1989 means that the Libyan Flora is now out of date and requires a reassessment using modern approaches.
Here we report initial efforts to provide an updated checklist covering 43 families out of the 150 in the published flora of
Libya, including 138 genera and 411 species. Updating the circumscription of taxa to follow current classification results in
11 families (Coridaceae, Guttiferae, Leonticaceae, Theligonaceae, Tiliaceae, Sterculiaceae, Bombacaeae, Sparganiaceae,
Globulariaceae, Asclepiadaceae and Illecebraceae) being included in other generally broader and less morphologically
well-defined families (APG-IV, 2016). As a consequence, six new families: Hypericaceae, Adoxaceae, Lophiocarpaceae,
Limeaceae, Gisekiaceae and Cleomaceae are now included in the Libyan Flora. This update results in those 43 families being
represented by 38 accounts. Fifty-five percent of species remain unchanged, the remaining 45% are reclassified at the
family, genus or species level based on modern treatments, illustrating the need for this update and the urgent need for a
review of the entire floristic treatment of Libya in support of the conservation of Libya’s biodiversity
Notulae taxinomicae, chorologicae, nomenclaturales, bibliographicae aut philologicae in opus "Flora Iberica" intendentes
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Conservation assessments and Red Listing of the endemic Moroccan flora (monocotyledons)
Morocco constitutes an important centre of plant diversity and speciation in the Mediterranean Basin. However, numerous species are threatened by issues ranging from human activities to global climatic change. In this study,
we present the conservation assessments and Red Listing of the endemic Moroccan monocotyledons according to
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria and categories. For each species, we include basic
taxonomic information, local names and synonyms, uses, a distribution map, extent of occurrence, area of
occupancy, population size and trend, a description of habitats and ecological requirements, and a discussion of the
threats affecting the species and habitats. We assessed the threatened status of the endemic Moroccan monocotyledons
at the species level (59 species) using the IUCN Red List criteria and categories (Version 3.1). This study
shows the high extinction risk to the Moroccan monocotyledon flora, with 95% of threatened species (20% Critically
Endangered, 50% Endangered, 25% Vulnerable) and only 5% not threatened (2% Near Threatened and 3% Least
Concern). The flora is thus of conservation concern, which is poorly recognized, both nationally and internationally.
The study presents the first part and so far the only national IUCN Red Data List for a large group of Moroccan
plants, and thus provides an overview of the threatened Moroccan flora. This IUCN Red List is an important first
step towards the recognition of the danger to Moroccan biodiversity hotspots, conservation of threatened species
and the raising of public awareness at national and international levels
Case Reports1. A Late Presentation of Loeys-Dietz Syndrome: Beware of TGFβ Receptor Mutations in Benign Joint Hypermobility
Background: Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) and dissections are not uncommon causes of sudden death in young adults. Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) is a rare, recently described, autosomal dominant, connective tissue disease characterized by aggressive arterial aneurysms, resulting from mutations in the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) receptor genes TGFBR1 and TGFBR2. Mean age at death is 26.1 years, most often due to aortic dissection. We report an unusually late presentation of LDS, diagnosed following elective surgery in a female with a long history of joint hypermobility. Methods: A 51-year-old Caucasian lady complained of chest pain and headache following a dural leak from spinal anaesthesia for an elective ankle arthroscopy. CT scan and echocardiography demonstrated a dilated aortic root and significant aortic regurgitation. MRA demonstrated aortic tortuosity, an infrarenal aortic aneurysm and aneurysms in the left renal and right internal mammary arteries. She underwent aortic root repair and aortic valve replacement. She had a background of long-standing joint pains secondary to hypermobility, easy bruising, unusual fracture susceptibility and mild bronchiectasis. She had one healthy child age 32, after which she suffered a uterine prolapse. Examination revealed mild Marfanoid features. Uvula, skin and ophthalmological examination was normal. Results: Fibrillin-1 testing for Marfan syndrome (MFS) was negative. Detection of a c.1270G > C (p.Gly424Arg) TGFBR2 mutation confirmed the diagnosis of LDS. Losartan was started for vascular protection. Conclusions: LDS is a severe inherited vasculopathy that usually presents in childhood. It is characterized by aortic root dilatation and ascending aneurysms. There is a higher risk of aortic dissection compared with MFS. Clinical features overlap with MFS and Ehlers Danlos syndrome Type IV, but differentiating dysmorphogenic features include ocular hypertelorism, bifid uvula and cleft palate. Echocardiography and MRA or CT scanning from head to pelvis is recommended to establish the extent of vascular involvement. Management involves early surgical intervention, including early valve-sparing aortic root replacement, genetic counselling and close monitoring in pregnancy. Despite being caused by loss of function mutations in either TGFβ receptor, paradoxical activation of TGFβ signalling is seen, suggesting that TGFβ antagonism may confer disease modifying effects similar to those observed in MFS. TGFβ antagonism can be achieved with angiotensin antagonists, such as Losartan, which is able to delay aortic aneurysm development in preclinical models and in patients with MFS. Our case emphasizes the importance of timely recognition of vasculopathy syndromes in patients with hypermobility and the need for early surgical intervention. It also highlights their heterogeneity and the potential for late presentation. Disclosures: The authors have declared no conflicts of interes
Type I interferon causes thrombotic microangiopathy by a dose-dependent toxic effect on the microvasculature
Many drugs have been reported to cause thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), yet evidence supporting a direct association is often weak. In particular, TMA has been reported in association with recombinant type I interferon (IFN) therapies, with recent concern regarding the use of IFN in multiple sclerosis patients. However, a causal association has yet to be demonstrated. Here, we adopt a combined clinical and experimental approach to provide evidence of such an association between type I IFN and TMA. We show that the clinical phenotype of cases referred to a national center is uniformly consistent with a direct dose-dependent drug-induced TMA. We then show that dose-dependent microvascular disease is seen in a transgenic mouse model of IFN toxicity. This includes specific microvascular pathological changes seen in patient biopsies and is dependent on transcriptional activation of the IFN response through the type I interferon α/β receptor (IFNAR). Together our clinical and experimental findings provide evidence of a causal link between type I IFN and TMA. As such, recombinant type I IFN therapies should be stopped at the earliest stage in patients who develop this complication, with implications for risk mitigation
The Herbarium of the late John Westley Carr
Se comenta el Herbario del fallecido John Westley Carr (1911-1978), que se
encuentra en la Universidad de Reading y íme contiene únicamente plantas Andaluzas. Junto con éstas hay mapas de distribución incompletos, pero valiosos, así como algunas buenas ilustraciones.Attention is drawn to the herbarium of the late John Westley Carr (1911-1978)
at the University of Reading. This consists entirely of Andulacian plants. Associated whith it are incomplete, but useful, species distribution maps, as well as some beautifully painted illustrations
The Herbarium of the late John Westley Carr
Se comenta el Herbario del fallecido John Westley Carr (1911-1978), que se encuentra en la Universidad de Reading y que contiene únicamente plantas Andaluzas. Junto con éstas hay mapas de distribución incompletos, pero valiosos, así como algunas buenas ilustraciones