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Comparison of carvedilol vs. bisoprolol for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF): A systematic review and meta-analysis from the Asian population
No full textChina, Indonesia, and Malaysia have the highest age-standardized rates of heart failure in Asia, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. While numerous systematic reviews and meta-analyses have compared bisoprolol and carvedilol in HFrEF, most have focused on Western populations. To address this gap, we conducted a meta-analysis of RCTs and cohort studies involving Asian patients with HFrEF from PubMed and Cochrane databases that reported all-cause mortality, hospital admission, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) increase. The search result identified five eligible studies, primarily from Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea, with a total of 11,577 participants. The meta-analysis revealed no significant difference between bisoprolol and carvedilol in terms of all-cause mortality (RR 1.04, p 0.62, I2 = 0%), hospitalization (RR 1.23, p. 0.23, I2 = 0%), and LVEF increase (RR -1.40, p. 0.50, I2 = 0%). These findings suggest that both drugs have comparable efficacy in the Asian population
Morphological and phylogenetic analyses reveal four novel species of Distoseptispora (Distoseptisporaceae, Distoseptisporales) from southern China
No full textSaprobic hyphomycetes with high density and species diversity were observed on plant debris. During our mycological surveys in southern China, numerous strains were isolated from dead branches of unidentified plants in the forest of Jiangxi and Fujian provinces, China. Phylogenetic analyses of ITS, LSU, RPB2, and TEF1 sequence data using maximum-likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods revealed the systematic placement of several Sporidesmium-like species within Distoseptispora. Based on morphological characteristics and molecular evidence, four new species of Distoseptispora, namely D. fujianensis, D. ganzhouensis, D. nanpingensis and D. subtropica, are introduced, and two known species, D. clematidis and D. yunjushanensis, are reported. This study enhances our knowledge of the species diversity of Distoseptispora in southern China
Reinstatement of Memecylon elegantulum (Melastomataceae) and recircumscription of Memecylon rostratum, two species endemic to Sri Lanka
No full textMemecylon elegantulum Thwaites, a heterotypic synonym of M. rostratum Thwaites, is re-instated based on recent collections and field observations. The two species differ mainly in their habit, inflorescence structure, floral morphology and lamina morphology. A lectotype and an epitype are designated for Memecylon elegantulum, and a lectotype designated for M. rostratum. Both species are confined to the mixed dipterocarp rainforests of Sri Lanka’s perhumid south-western ‘wet zone’. Memecylon elegantulum appears to be restricted to a relatively small range in Ratnapura district, while M. rostratum has a wider distribution in wet zone
Palm community structure association with topography, hydrography and forest density in a remote site in the Iriri river valley, Eastern Amazon
No full textBackground and aims – Palms (Arecaceae) are crucial to Amazonian ecosystems, contributing to biodiversity, ecosystem services, and forest resilience, and providing non-timber forest products (NTFPs) for local populations. This study investigated how topography, hydrography, and forest density influence palm community structure in a remote Eastern Amazon site, addressing knowledge gaps in this region.Material and methods – A field survey was conducted in 100 plots along a 5 km transect within the Riozinho do Anfrísio Extractive Reserve, Pará, Brazil. Palm species were identified, and topographic and hydrographic data, including NDVI, altitude, proximity to permanent and intermittent streams, and terrain characteristics were collected. Species richness and composition were analysed using Redundancy Analysis (RDA), general linear models (GLM), analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bayesian regression models.Key results – Eighteen palm species were recorded, dominated by Attalea speciosa, Geonoma baculifera, and Euterpe longibracteata, providers of NTFPs. NDVI and altitude significantly influenced species composition, with denser forests favouring species such as G. baculifera, while others, such as A. speciosa, were found in less dense areas. The presence of igarapés (shallow, slow Amazonian streams) was the strongest predictor of species richness and composition, favouring E. oleracea and G. baculifera.Conclusion – Palm community structure in the study area was shaped by environmental gradients, particularly NDVI, terrain shape and proximity to igarapés. These findings highlight the ecological importance of topographic and hydrographic features in structuring palm diversity and offer insights for conservation and management strategies in the Eastern Amazon
First discovery of the genus Enicopus Stephens (Coleoptera, Dasytidae) from China
No full textEnicopus Stephens, 1830, is classified within the subfamily Dasytinae of the family Dasytidae (Coleoptera, Cleroidea). Currently, it comprises two subgenera and 27 known species. This genus primarily inhabits south-central Europe, with certain species extending into west Asia; however, it has not been reported in China until now.The genus Enicopus Stephens, 1830 is reported for the first time from China, following the discovery of E. (Enicopus) ater (Fabricius, 1787) in Xinjiang Autonomous Region. This species is thoroughly re-described and illustrated, including detailed depictions of the ultimate abdominal tergites and sternites, genitalia of both sexes, as well as tarsomeres 1 from the right front and hind legs of male
High-throughput sequence-based microsatellite genotyping for the non-model Neotropical tree species Anadenanthera colubrina (Leguminosae)
No full textBackground and aims – Anadenanthera colubrina is a Neotropical native forest tree species with significant ecological importance in Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests. Developing genetic markers for this species is relevant for conservation, breeding, and evolutionary studies. Previously available genetic markers for A. colubrina consisted of a few microsatellites. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) strategies allow simple and cost-effective development of new SSR loci from low-coverage whole genome shotgun sequencing. The main aim was to develop microsatellite markers for sequence-based high-throughput genotyping (SSRseq) in the species and to characterize their information content against traditional capillary electrophoresis-based microsatellite data by estimating the amount of molecularly accessible size homoplasy of each locus. Additionally, the reliability of these markers for population genetic analysis was assessed by genotyping two age classes (reproductively mature trees and seedlings) in a typical location in Argentina. Key results – Sixty primer pairs targeting microsatellites were designed, of which 25 were validated with allelic error rates < 3% and genotype missingness < 20%. A significantly higher number of alleles per locus and heterozygosity was detected for SSRseq considering sequence polymorphisms compared to analysing the same data based on sequence size (length) only. Size homoplasy, calculated as the proportion of mismatches between datasets relative to the number of alleles differing in length, averaged 97.85% over all SSR loci. High levels of population genetic diversity were detected in adults and seedlings from Paranaense forests, exceeding those reported in previous studies of A. colubrina using traditional SSRs. The generated datasets increase the resolution of capillary-based microsatellite genotyping, allowing for more accurate inference of eco-evolutionary processes in non-model tree species
Tilia saxatilis (Malvaceae), a new species from limestone areas of Guangxi, China
No full textTilia saxatilis Z.C.Lu & W.B.Xu, a new species was discovered in limestone areas of Guangxi, China. The morphology shows that T. saxatilis is similar to T. tuan Szyszyl., but differs by having leaf blades that are oblong or ovate-oblong, entire margins, fruit ellipsoid, 5-angled, apex acute
Symmetry and structure re-visited: is symmetry still over-emphasised as a taxonomic character for naviculoid diatoms?
No full textBackground and aims – Over 40 years ago, I explored the use of symmetry and structure as taxonomic criteria for naviculoid diatoms, arguing that structure was the more informative character. This paper examines subsequent progress in the understanding and systematics of naviculoid diatoms with particular reference to the treatment of symmetry as a taxonomic criterion. Methods and key results – The diatom literature since 1979 has been reviewed showing how SEM studies and data on wall morphogenesis have improved our knowledge of diatom wall structure and ontogenetic pathways. Understanding the inherent asymmetry in raphid diatom valves led to the recognition of two types of dorsiventrality within the Cymbellales and underpins the separation of cymbelloid taxa in different families. Hypotheses of character homology in the Naviculaceae have been supported by more recent molecular phylogenetic analyses, also revealing how shape and symmetry can vary within this family. Over-emphasising the significance of a particular character (out of familiarity or a priori preference?) can lead to relevant discriminative characteristics being ignored. The validity of some new genera is questioned and generic descriptions should be revised. Conclusion – Whereas valve shape and symmetry remain useful features when identifying taxa, systematic relationships are revealed through wall structure and should be the basis for diatom systematics. Nevertheless, it is important to discriminate between homologous and homoplasious characters and to apply terminology accurately
Integrative taxonomy and phylogenetic analyses of two Ceratomyxa species (Myxozoa, Ceratomyxidae) from the China Sea, including a new species description
No full textTwo species of Ceratomyxa (Myxozoa: Ceratomyxidae) from teleosts in the China Sea are investigated using an integrative approach which combines morphological characteristcs, parasitic traits, and molecular data including small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. A novel species, Ceratomyxa dactyloptena sp. nov., was identified from the gallbladder of Oriental flying gurnard Dactyloptena orientalis Cuvier, 1829, while Ceratomyxa siganicola Zhang, Zhao, Yang & Yang, 2019 was found in the gallbladder of Mottled spinefoot Siganus fuscescens Houttuyn, 1782 and Mozambique tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus Peters, 1852. Mature myxospores of C. dactyloptena sp. nov. exhibit a crescent shape in sutural view, with dimensions of 30.0 ± 1.3 (27.2–32.8) µm in thickness, 6.4 ± 0.4 (5.7–7.0) µm in length, and a posterior angle of 152.9 ± 3.7° (146.2–158.9°). Pyriform polar capsules measured 2.9 ± 0.3 (2.3–3.3) µm long and 2.4 ± 0.3 (1.7–2.8) µm wide, with polar filaments coiled in 3–4 turns. The SSU rDNA sequence of C. dactyloptena sp. nov. was distinct from all known myxosporeans, showing the highest similarity (87.9%) and the shortest genetic distance (0.1209) with C. filamentosi Kalatzis, Kokkari & Katharios, 2013. Molecular analyses revealed intraspecific variation among C. siganicola strains, with ITS rDNA being more sensitive than SSU rDNA in detecting these differences. Phylogenetic analysis placed C. dactyloptena sp. nov. in a clade with C. oxycheilinae Heiniger, Gunter & Adlard, 2008, while all C. siganicola strains clustered together, forming a sister clade to C. barnesi Gunter, Whipps & Adlard, 2009. Furthermore, the phylogenetic results indicated that ceratomyxid diversification is influenced not only by host specificity but also by geographic distribution
Environmental conditions can affect the spatiotemporal variation of invasive crayfish abundance in agricultural marshlands
No full textUnderstanding the long-term trends of biological invasions and their drivers is a pivotal issue. However, it is challenging because collecting presence/abundance data of invasive species as well as environmental/biotic factors over a period of years is time-consuming and therefore such data is scarce compared to short-term studies. Here, we investigated whether environmental and biotic factors in highly regulated eutrophic marshlands (water regime, physico-chemistry, habitat features, and predatory fish biomass) successfully accounted for spatiotemporal trends in abundance of small and large red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) in drainage ditches over seven consecutive years. For this, we used length-frequency data collected during the annual peak in crayfish activity. We also explored whether variation in crayfish abundance over time was due to density-dependent effects (temporal autocorrelation). We found large variation in crayfish abundance expressed in capture per unit effort (CPUE) between ditches and for different years (by a factor of 10 and 6 for small and large individuals) but with no specific trend over time. No density-dependent effect was found in any of the ditches. While crayfish CPUE was poorly related to the water regime (in particular dryness intensity of ditches for small crayfish), it was favoured by densely vegetated banks and negatively linked to the density of surrounding ditches for the two life stages. No relationship was detected with predatory fish biomass or any of the other environmental factors studied. Controlling crayfish abundance by managing environmental conditions seems possible in some cases, but likely costly for other components of biodiversity. Trapping could be a possible strategy when populations dropped to low densities in places. Finally, further studies are needed in ecosystems covering a wider range of environmental conditions to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the long-term trend of the species