As part of the Flora of Peninsular Malaysia Project, a species checklist of the genus Capparis in Peninsular Malaysia is presented here with a total of 11 species, two subspecies and four varieties. A new species and two varieties, endemic to Peninsular Malaysia, are described and illustrated: Cappariskenaboiensis, C.scortechiniivar.ruthiae and C.trinerviavar.chungiana. Cappariskenaboiensis is known from a single site in Negeri Sembilan and is assessed as Vulnerable (VU); C.scortechiniivar.ruthiae from Pahang is Vulnerable (VU); and Capparistrinerviavar.chungiana is known from Negeri Sembilan, Pahang and Selangor and its conservation status is assessed as Near Threatened (NT). A checklist and updated key to the genus in Peninsular Malaysia are provided.
Ardisiawhitmorei Julius & Utteridge, sp. nov. (Primulaceae-Myrsinoideae), a member of ArdisiasubgenusStylardisia on account of the style protruding from the closed petals prior to anthesis, is herein described and illustrated as a new species. This new species is easily distinguished by the combination of the inflorescences with a slender rachis branched to two orders, the corolla lobes are abaxially glabrous with usually up to only two gland-dots near the apex and the brochidrodromous secondary veins with double loops near the margin.
Ardisia argentiana and A. nagaensis from subgenus Tetrardisia are herein described and illustrated as new species. They are endemic to Borneo and the Indonesian province of Central Kalimantan and to the Malaysian state of Sarawak, respectively. Ardisia argentiana is unique in its linear-oblong leaves, with a long, acuminate-caudate apex, and finely serrulate margins, while A. nagaensis can be easily recognized by its elliptic-lanceolate leaves.
Ardisiakrauensis, a new species of Primulaceae from Peninsular Malaysia, is described and illustrated. The new species is assignable into subgenus (§) Pyrgus on account of specialised lateral reproductive branches bearing a terminal inflorescence subtended by foliose bracts. Morphologically, the new species mostly resembles Ardisiarigida in having elliptic leaves. However, the new species can be distinguished by the combination of its lateral veins number, the inflorescence branching pattern, the rachis and flower colour, and the stigma shape. Ardisiakrauensis is found in an entirely protected habitat, thus, it is assessed as Least Concern (LC).
Recent fieldwork in Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia, resulted in the collection of an endemic new species of Ardisia, described here as Ardisiarecurvipetala Julius, Siti-Munirah & Utteridge. The species is a member of subgenus (§) Crispardisia on account of its vascularised glands (bacterial nodules) on the leaf margin and the terminal inflorescence on a specialised lateral branch subtended by a normal leaf (rather than a reduced bract-like leaf). Ardisiarecurvipetala is unique amongst all members of §Crispardisia by having leaf margins with both vascularised glands and pustule-like structures and can be further distinguished from other Peninsular Malaysian members of this subgenus by the lamina raised between the leaf venation giving a somewhat bullate appearance, unbranched inflorescences, brownish-red pedicels and recurved corolla lobes, each with a creamy-white apex and a small pink patch at the base. Ardisiarecurvipetala is known only from a single location in Terengganu and its conservation status is assessed as Data Deficient (DD).
Wound healing is a programmed process of continuous events which is impaired in the case of diabetic patients. This impaired process of healing in diabetics leads to amputation, longer hospitalisation, immobilisation, low self-esteem, and mortality in some patients. This problem has paved the way for several innovative strategies like the use of nanotechnology for the treatment of wounds in diabetic patients. The use of biomaterials, nanomaterials have advanced approaches in tissue engineering by designing multi-functional nanocomposite scaffolds. Stimuli-responsive scaffolds that interact with the wound microenvironment and controlled release of bioactive molecules have helped in overcoming barriers in healing. The use of different types of nanocomposite scaffolds for faster healing of diabetic wounds is constantly being studied. Nanocomposites have helped in addressing specific issues with respect to healing and improving angiogenesis. Method: A literature search was followed to retrieve the articles on strategies for wound healing in diabetes across several databases like PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and Cochrane database. The search was performed in May 2022 by two researchers independently. They keywords used were "diabetic wounds, nanotechnology, nanocomposites, nanoparticles, chronic diabetic wounds, diabetic foot ulcer, hydrogel". Exclusion criteria included insulin resistance, burn wound, dressing material.