The ‘minor confusion’ around Parquetina nigrescens (Periplocaceae)

A correction of the taxonomy of Parquetina nigrescens (Afz.) Bullock with its synonyms Periploca nigrescens Afz. and Omphalogonus calophyllus Baill, is presented. Our investigation reveals that Periploca nigrescens and Omphalogonus calophyllus are two distinct taxa, as their floral morphology differs conspicuously. The name, Parquetina nigrescens, is therefore an incorrect combination. A taxonomio revision of Periploca nigrescens and Omphalogonus calophyllus completes this account

Raphionacme chimanimaniana (Periplocaceae), a new species from Zimbabwe

Raphionacme chimanimaniana Venter & Verhoeven, a new species from Zimbabwe is described. It is recognized by its erect stems, linear-lanceolate leaves which are hirsute and glandular, few-flowered inflorescences and magenta to white flowers. Plants inhabit scrubby veld at high altitude in the Chimanimani Mountains. R. chimanimaniana resembles R. brownii Scott Elliot and R. pulchella Venter & Verhoeven. All three species erect with linear leaves and white to purple flowers. R. chimanimaniana is distinguished from R. brownii and R. pulchella by the few-flowered inflorescences with large flowers, its columnar corona bases and glandular hirsute indumentum

Raphionacme haeneliae (Periplocaceae), a new species from the Namib Desert, Namibia

Raphionacme haeneliae Venter & Verhoeven, a new species collected in the Namib Naukluft Park, Namibia, is described and illustrated. A map with its present known distribution is provided. R. haeneliae reveals affinity with R. lanceolata Schinz in the spreading, much-branched plants, large ovate foliage leaves and corona lobes that are basally unsegmented. R. haeneliae is distinguished by its lemon-green and pink corolla lobes, long filiform corona lobes and paired pincer-like follicles

An anatomical investigation of the stem and leaf of the South African species of Lycium L. (Solanaceae)

The anatomy of the leaf and stem of the eleven South African Lycium L. species is described and discussed. Owing to poor differentiation between palisade and spongy parenchyma the leaves are considered to be isobilateral. The most important diagnostic characteristic of the leaves is the trichomes. Short-stalked glandular trichomes with either globular or elongated heads are found on all the species and long-stalked glandular trichomes on L. pilifolium C.H. Wr. and L. hirsutum Dun. only. A non-glandular multicellular hair type is present on L. hirsutum only. Another less important diagnostic characteristic is the presence or absence of collenchyma on the adaxial and/or abaxial side of the main vascular bundle.No anatomical differences were found between the stems of the species examined. The vascular bundles are bicollateral with a well developed monofacial internal cambium. Phloem fibres are absent. Trichomes, similar to those present on the leaves, occur on the young stems

Germ-furrow morphology and storage conditions determine the degree of viability of Pinus caribaea pollen

This study has found a correlation between Pinus caribaea pollen morphology and viability. Eighteen different P. caribaea pollen families were screened to determine the effect of environmental conditions during storage on germination. The results indicated that there was a direct decrease in viability with an increase in the age of the pollen, temperature at which the pollen was stored, and exposure to high humidity during storage. Scanning electron microscopy was used to investigate the dimensions of the 18 families. Upon statistical analysis of the dimensional data, the families were found to group into three clusters. Pollen families displaying narrow germ furrows clustered with those displaying wide germ furrows, while those pollen families displaying intermediate germ furrows clustered into a second group. When the clusters were compared with the germination data obtained it was found that the pollen families displaying highest germination percentages fell into the intermediate cluster, while the pollen families displaying low to intermediate germination percentages fell into the narrow/wide cluster

Factors Associated with Revision Surgery after Internal Fixation of Hip Fractures

Background: Femoral neck fractures are associated with high rates of revision surgery after management with internal fixation. Using data from the Fixation using Alternative Implants for the Treatment of Hip fractures (FAITH) trial evaluating methods of internal fixation in patients with femoral neck fractures, we investigated associations between baseline and surgical factors and the need for revision surgery to promote healing, relieve pain, treat infection or improve function over 24 months postsurgery. Additionally, we investigated factors associated with (1) hardware removal and (2) implant exchange from cancellous screws (CS) or sliding hip screw (SHS) to total hip arthroplasty, hemiarthroplasty, or another internal fixation device. Methods: We identified 15 potential factors a priori that may be associated with revision surgery, 7 with hardware removal, and 14 with implant exchange. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses in our investigation. Results: Factors associated with increased risk of revision surgery included: female sex, [hazard ratio (HR) 1.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25-2.50; P = 0.001], higher body mass index (fo