Taxonomic significance of the abaxial lemma surface in southern African members of Helictotrichon (Poaceae)

BACKGROUND : Helictotrichon (excluding Amphibromus, Avenula, Helictochloa and Tricholemma), a genus of temperate C3 grasses, is represented by 14 species in southern Africa. Members of the genus are difficult to identify at species level on the basis of macromorphology alone. OBJECTIVES : The primary objective of this study was to investigate the usefulness of the micromorphology of the lemma surface for differentiating amongst the southern African members of Helictotrichon. METHOD : Lemma surfaces were studied with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Lemmas were obtained from herbarium specimens housed in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (PRE). These were mounted on aluminium stubs using double-sided adhesive tape, sputter-coated with gold, and photographs were taken using a J840 scanning electron microscope. RESULTS : Based on whether the lemma surface is smooth, papillate, scaberulous, scabrid or a combination of these, five groups of species are distinguished. All species, except Helictotrichon barbatum which has a smooth lemma surface, have small prickles (scaberulous). Helictotrichon leoninum, Helictotrichon quinquesetum and Helictotrichon rogerellisii have only small prickles, whilst Helictotrichon dodii, Helictotrichon hirtulum, Helictotrichon namaquense and Helictotrichon roggeveldense have, in addition, medium to large prickles (scabrid). Helictotrichon capense, Helictotrichon longifolium, Helictotrichon longum and Helictotrichon turgidulum have a combination of small prickles and papillae whilst Helictotrichon galpinii and Helictotrichon natalense have a combination of all three. A key to the groups and photos of the different types of surfaces are provided. CONCLUSION : The micromorphology of the lemma surface was shown to be of considerable taxonomic significance and to be extremely useful for differentiating amongst species.South African National Biodiversity Institutehttp://www.abcjournal.orgam2016Plant Scienc

Taxonomic significance of epidermal structure in southern African members of Helictotrichon

Helictotrichon Besser ex Schult. & Schult.f. (excluding Avenula (Dumort.) Dumort. and Amphibromus Nees) is a genus of temperate C3 grasses with about 40 species (Gibbs Russell et al. 1990; Mabberley 2008). The genus is most diverse in the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, especially in Europe, from where it extends southwards along the African mountains (Afromontane Region). This paper deals only with those species occurring in southern Africa, a secondary centre of diversity for the genus.http://www.sanbi.org/products/publications/bothalia.htmam201

Resistência anti-helmíntica em nematoides gastrintestinais de pequenos ruminantes: avanços e limitações para seu diagnóstico

A seleção e a crescente disseminação de nematoides resistentes aos anti-helmínticos mais comumente utilizados, benzimidazóis (BZs), imidazotiazóis e lactonas macrocíclicas (LMs), constituem um sério entrave na produção de pequenos ruminantes em todo o mundo. O uso de métodos eficientes e sensíveis para a detecção e o monitoramento da resistência anti-helmíntica no campo torna-se urgente, especialmente para os grupos de BZs e LMs, devido aos constantes relatos de resistência. A obtenção de um diagnóstico preciso e precoce da resistência é extremamente importante para auxiliar a tomada de decisão em programas de controle parasitário, com o objetivo de preservar a vida útil dos produtos e limitar o desenvolvimento da resistência nas populações de nematoides. Os testes in vivo e, mais recentemente, os testes in vitro têm sido desenvolvidos para a detecção de nematoides resistentes aos principais grupos de anti-helmínticos. No entanto, a disponibilidade de testes in vitro validados e o seu uso prático ainda são muito limitados. Embora o teste de redução na contagem de ovos nas fezes (TRCOF, in vivo - indireto) seja o principal método de escolha para a detecção de resistência no campo, vem recebendo críticas quanto à validade dos resultados, e passa por significativas modificações. Além disso, o desenvolvimento de técnicas moleculares a partir de alterações genômicas gerou avanços consideráveis nessa área de investigação, com o uso de mutações nos códons 167, 198 e 200 do gene da β-tubulina como principais SNPs (polimorfismos de nucleotídeo único; do inglês Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) associados à resistência aos BZs. A presente revisão tem o objetivo de discutir os métodos de diagnóstico disponíveis para a detecção de resistência anti-helmíntica em nematoides de pequenos ruminantes, destacando progressos e obstáculos para seu uso na rotina laboratorial e no campo

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

The use of light-emitting diode fluorescence to diagnose mycobacterial lymphadenitis in fine-needle aspirates from children

BACKGROUND: Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is a simple, safe and effective method for investigating suspected mycobacterial lymphadenitis in children. Fluorescence microscopy can provide rapid mycobacterial confirmation. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) provide a cheap and robust excitation light source, making fluorescence microscopy feasible in resource-limited settings. OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic performance of LED fluorescence microscopy on Papanicolaou (PAP) stained smears with the conventional mercury vapour lamp (MVL). METHODS: FNAB smears routinely collected from palpable lymph nodes in children with suspected mycobacterial disease were PAP-stained and evaluated by two independent microscopists using different excitatory light sources (MVL and LED). Mycobacterial culture results provided the reference standard. A manually rechargeable battery-powered LED power source was evaluated in a random subset. RESULTS: We evaluated 182 FNAB smears from 121 children (median age 31 months, interquartile range 10-67). Mycobacterial cultures were positive in 84 of 121 (69%) children. The mean sensitivity with LED (mainspowered), LED (rechargeable battery-powered) and MVL was respectively 48.2%, 50.0% and 51.8% (specificity 78.4%, 86.7% and 78.4%). Inter-observer variation was similar for LED and MVL (κ = 0.5). CONCLUSION: LED fluorescence microscopy provides a reliable alternative to conventional methods and has many favourable attributes that would facilitate improved, decentralised diagnostic services. © 2011 The Union.Articl

Rare case of perplexing ovarian endometriosis

Objective: To document a rare case of coexisting endometriosis and mature cystic teratoma in the same ovary. Design: Case report. Setting: Gynecology unit in a tertiary training and teaching hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. Patient(s): A 30-year-old healthy nulligravida woman with a large ovarian tumor. Intervention(s): After a basic examination, a diagnostic and management laparotomy was performed. A unilateral oophorectomy and staging laparotomy were performed. Main Outcome Measure(s): Final diagnosis of a complex ovarian tumor. Result(s): Histologic analysis confirmed endometriosis of the pelvis and concomitant compound pathology in the right ovary, which included endometriosis, mature teratoma, and mucinous cystadenoma. Conclusion(s): Co-existence of varied pathology in a single organ presents a challenge to the pathologist and the clinician. Accurate clinical (i.e., surgical) assessment and decisive histologic verification forms a critical part in this process. This case of coexisting endometriosis and teratoma in a single ovary is, to our knowledge, only the third case reported in literature. Copyright © 2010 American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Published by Elsevier Inc.Articl

The correct author citation for Helictotrichon (Pooideae: Aveneae)

The purpose of this note is to clarify the confusion in the literature regarding the author citation for the generic name Helictotrichon

Two new species of Helictotrichon (Pooideae: Aveneae) from South Africa

In a taxonomic revision of Helictotrichon for southern Africa, Schweickerdt (1937) recognized 12 indigenous species. Except for one, all of these species are endemic to southern Africa, several of which are rare and known from very few collections. A possible new species of Helictotrichon, H. sp. (Ellis 4663), is mentioned by Gibbs Russell et al. (1990). During a taxonomic revision of the genus, the status of this new species was confirmed and a second new species was identified. Note that at PRE, specimens of the second new species were initially identified as H. namaquense Schweick., hence the distribution map supplied for H. namaquense in Gibbs Russell et al. (1990) applies to this new species. In the present contribution, the two new species are described, illustrated and compared with similar members of the genus