Biliary atresia

Biliary atresia (BA) is a rare disease characterised by a biliary obstruction of unknown origin that presents in the neonatal period. It is the most frequent surgical cause of cholestatic jaundice in this age group. BA occurs in approximately 1/18,000 live births in Western Europe. In the world, the reported incidence varies from 5/100,000 to 32/100,000 live births, and is highest in Asia and the Pacific region. Females are affected slightly more often than males. The common histopathological picture is one of inflammatory damage to the intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts with sclerosis and narrowing or even obliteration of the biliary tree. Untreated, this condition leads to cirrhosis and death within the first years of life. BA is not known to be a hereditary condition. No primary medical treatment is relevant for the management of BA. Once BA suspected, surgical intervention (Kasai portoenterostomy) should be performed as soon as possible as operations performed early in life is more likely to be successful. Liver transplantation may be needed later if the Kasai operation fails to restore the biliary flow or if cirrhotic complications occur. At present, approximately 90% of BA patients survive and the majority have normal quality of life

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Character utility and species delimitation in Mitrephora (Annonaceae)

No attempt has previously been made at comprehensively revising the genus Mitrephora, and there are unresolved taxonomic problems both within the genus and with related genera. Several of the gross morphological characters used in past studies are shown to be of limited value for species delimitation as they exhibit considerable ecologically correlated variation. The present taxonomic revision has enabled a re-evaluation of character utility for species delimitation. Leaf indumentum and venation patterns are particularly important, and their utility is illustrated with reference to doubtful species such as M. vulpina, M. winitii and M. collinsae. Three types of inflorescences have been determined within Mitrephora, viz.: (1) true terminal inflorescences (observed in only M. celebica); (2) pseudo-axillary inflorescences, in which the uppermost axillary shoot overtops the terminal inflorescence and the peduncle becomes laterally positioned (e.g., M. maingayi); and (3) pseudo-axillary inflorescences, in which the overtopping shoot fuses with the peduncle (e.g., M. polypyrena). The value of floral characters (such as pedicel length, and the shape and size of median bracts, sepals, inner and outer petals, stamens and carpels) and fruit characters (such as size and indument of pedicels, stipes and monocarps) are also discussed and evaluated

Monograph of Mitrephora (Annonaceae)

The genus Mitrephora (Annonaceae) comprises 47 species of small to medium-sized trees, growing in tropical lowland and submontane forests throughout Southeast Asia. The centers of diversity lie in Borneo, where there are 12 species, and the Philippines, where there are 11 species. The flowers are pendent and hermaphroditic, with two whorls of petals, of which the outer petals are larger. The inner petals are apically con-nivent over there productive structures, forming a partially enclosed pollination chamber with small apertures between the basal claws of the petals that enable entry by pollinators. A field study of the pollination ecology of M. heyneana in Sri Lanka (the first such study for the genus) revealed pollination by small nitidulid beetles, although it is possible that other species may be fly-pollinated

The genus Mitrephora (Annonaceae) in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam

A comprehensive taxonomic revision of the genus Mitrephora (Annonaceae) in Cambodia (Kampuchea), Laos, and Vietnam is presented. Eight species are recognized, including five that are newly described, viz. M. calcarea sp. nov., M. macclurei sp. nov., M. pallens, M. petelotii sp. nov., M. phanrangensis sp. nov., M. poilanei sp. nov., M. teysmannii, and M. tomentosa (inclusive of M. thorelii). Previous taxonomic confusion regarding the delimitation of M. calcarea is clarified and the name is validated for the first time. The correct application of the name M. maingayi is clarified: although the name has been used to refer to a species that is distinct within the region, the name itself is a synonym of M. teysmannii. Most of the Indochinese collections determined as "M. maingayi" are shown here to represent a new species, M. macclurei. © Copyright 2005 by the American Society of Plant Taxonomists.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

(1521-1522) Proposals to reject the names Mitrephora teysmannii and Orophea macrocarpa (Annonaceae)

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Three new species of Mitrephora (Annonaceae) from Sabah, Malaysia

Three new species of Mitrephora (Blume) Hook. f. & Thomson, M. clemensiorum, M. vittata and M. woodii, are described from Sabah, Malaysia. Mitrephora clemensiorum is related to M. korthalsiana Miq., but is distinguished by having long inflorescences, long flowering and fruiting pedicels, and fruits with sessile monocarps. Mitrephora vittata is related to M. reflexa Merr., but has lanceolate, subcoriaceous leaves, and densely pubescent inflorescence rachides, flowering pedicels and bracts. Mitrephora woodii is similar to M. heyneana (Hook. f. & Thomson) Thwaites, but has smaller flowers and fruits with sessile monocarps. © 2001 The Linnean Society of London.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Mitrephora simeuluensis (Annonaceae): A new species from Simeulue, Indonesia

A new species of Mitrephora is described from the swamp forests of Simeuluë Island, north-west of Sumatra. Mitrephora simeuluensis, spec. nov., is most closely related to M. korthalsiana Miq.link_to_subscribed_fulltex