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The tropical ginger genus Amomum (Zingiberaceae) has always posed challenges for classification based on morphological characters. Previous molecular phylogenetic studies showed Amomum to be paraphyletic but limited sampling and absence of the data of the type Amomum subulatum made it impossible to resolve the paraphyly and make nomenclatural changes. Here, Amomum is further investigated in a multi-marker phylogenetic framework using matK and nrITS including multiple accessions of the type, the genus Elettaria and additional accessions of Amomum, Alpinia, Elettariopsis, Geocharis, Geostachys and Hornstedtia. Amomum is shown to consist of nine clades and Alpinia of six. The genera Elettaria, Elettariopsis, Plagiostachys, and species in Hornstedtia are nested within these clades. Morphological studies of species previously subsumed in Amomum support recognition of new genera that correspond to well-delimited clades in the phylogenetic framework presented here. Recircumscription of the paraphyletic genus Amomum facilitates identification and creates nomenclatural stability. Three genera, Conamomum, Meistera and Wurfbainia, are resurrected, and three new genera Epiamomum, Lanxangia and Sundamomum are described, together with a key to the genera and a nomenclatural synopsis placing 384 specific names (incl. all synonyms) into the new generic framework. Of these 129 represent new combinations and 3 are replacement names. Types of Geocharis and Geostachys are designated. Further studies and specific sampling will be needed to resolve other branches of Alpinioideae containing other polyphyletic genera.

Glioblastoma is the most aggressive primary brain tumor, and is associated with a very poor prognosis. In this study we investigated the potential of microRNA expression profiles to predict survival in this challenging disease. MicroRNA and mRNA expression data from glioblastoma (n = 475) and grade II and III glioma (n = 178) were accessed from The Cancer Genome Atlas. LASSO regression models were used to identify a prognostic microRNA signature. Functionally relevant targets of microRNAs were determined using microRNA target prediction, experimental validation and correlation of microRNA and mRNA expression data. A 9-microRNA prognostic signature was identified which stratified patients into risk groups strongly associated with survival (p = 2.26e−09), significant in all glioblastoma subtypes except the non-G-CIMP proneural group. The statistical significance of the microRNA signature was higher than MGMT methylation in temozolomide treated tumors. The 9-microRNA risk score was validated in an independent dataset (p = 4.50e−02) and also stratified patients into high- and low-risk groups in lower grade glioma (p = 5.20e−03). The majority of the 9 microRNAs have been previously linked to glioblastoma biology or treatment response. Integration of the expression patterns of predicted microRNA targets revealed a number of relevant microRNA/target pairs, which were validated in cell lines. We have identified a novel, biologically relevant microRNA signature that stratifies high- and low-risk patients in glioblastoma. MicroRNA/mRNA interactions identified within the signature point to novel regulatory networks. This is the first study to formulate a survival risk score for glioblastoma which consists of microRNAs associated with glioblastoma biology and/or treatment response, indicating a functionally relevant signature. •Used entire TCGA dataset to identify a 9-microRNA signature that predicts outcome in gliobastoma.•8 of the 9 microRNAs have proven roles in glioblastoma biology.•Lasso regression may be a useful statistical tool to extract prognostic signatures from large databases.

Amomum compactum Sol. ex Maton (Java cardamom) is widely cultivated across Southeast Asia as a spice and medicine. Confusion has surrounded this species both morphologically and nomenclaturally. The nomenclatural confusion between Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton and certain other names in Amomum is discussed, and the identity of A. compactum is clarified with respect to A. verum Blackw. More than one element of original material of A. compactum has been located and a lectotype is chosen. The identity of A. kepulaga Burkill & Sprague is discussed and a lectotype chosen.

Amomum compactumSol. ex Maton (Java cardamom) is widely cultivated across Southeast Asia as a spice and medicine. Confusion has surrounded this species both morphologically and nomenclaturally. The nomenclatural confusion betweenElettaria cardamomum(L.) Maton and certain other names inAmomumis discussed, and the identity ofA. compactumis clarified with respect toA. verumBlackw. More than one element of original material ofA. compactumhas been located and a lectotype is chosen. The identity ofA. kepulagaBurkill & Sprague is discussed and a lectotype chosen.

Amomum Roxb. is a moderately large and diverse genus, with several widely cultivated species of economic importance. The first regional treatment of Amomum of Sumatra, in which 23 species are recognised, is presented here. Two species, Amomum mentawaiense A.J. Droop and Amomum oligophyllum A.J. Droop, are newly described, and a further nine species are recorded for the first time from the island. Detailed descriptions and provisional IUCN assessments are provided for each species, and a key to the Amomum species of Sumatra is given. The names Amomum compactum Sol. ex Maton and Amomum cardamomum sensu Roxb. Are lectotypified and a transcription of Solander’s collection notes for A. compactum is provided. Evolutionary relationships within the tribe Alpinieae, and in particular within Amomum Roxb., were reconstructed based on sequences from the nuclear ribosomal ITS region and the chloroplast regions matK and trnL-F. Phylogenetic analyses identified at least seven distinct groups of Amomum species within the Alpinieae, suggesting that the genus as currently defined is polyphyletic. Alpinia and Hornstedtia were also identified as being polyphyletic. Morphological character analysis identified several characters that could be used, in combination, to distinguish between the groups of Amomum and of these, fruit morphology is the most informative. A hypothesis for the temporal and spatial evolutionary history for the Zingiberaceae and tribe Alpinieae was developed using a phylogeny derived from ITS sequence data and Bayesian ancestral area and dating reconstruction analyses. A Laurasian origin of the Zingiberaceae (105 – 72 Ma) is proposed, with the Alpinieae migrating south-east across Sundaland and crossing Wallace’s Line from the west to the east. Long-distance dispersal events are suggested to account for the presence of Aframomum and Renealmia in Africa, and Renealmia in the Neotropics.

(ProQuest: ... denotes non-US-ASCII text omitted.) Book Review para1This book is the culmination of a two-year Sibbald Trust research fellowship held by its author, allowing him to travel and collect gingers in Sulawesi and to complete a taxonomic revision of the genus Etlingera on the island.