Epidemiology and gene markers of ulcerative colitis in the Chinese

Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)includes two similar yet distinct conditions called ulcerative colitis(UC)and Crohn's disease(CD).These diseases affect the digestive system and cause the inflammation of intestinal tissue,form sores and bleed easily.Most children with IBD are diagnosed in late childhood and adolescence.However,both UC and CD have been reported as early as in infancy.Most information pertaining to the epidemiology of IBD is based upon adult studies.Symptoms include abdominal pain,cramping,fatigue and diarrhea.Genetic factors play a significant role in determining IBD susceptibility.Epidemiological data support a genetic contribution to the pathogenesis of IBD.Recently,numerous new genes have been identified as being involved in the genetic susceptibility to IBD:TNF-308A,CARD15(NOD2),MIF-173,N-acetyltransferase 2(NAT2),NKG2D(natural killer cell 2D),STAT6(signal transducer and activator of transcription 6),CTLA-4(cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4),MICA-MICB(major histocompatibility complex A and B),HLA-DRB1,HLA class-,IL-18,IL-4,MICA-A5,CD14,TLR4,Fas-670,p53 and NF-κB.The characterization of these novel genes has the potential to identify therapeutic agents and aid clinical assessment of phenotype and prognosis in patients with IBD(UC and CD).

The role of KDR in the interactions between human gastric carcinoma cell and vascular endothelial cell

AIM:To study the interactions between human gastriccarcinoma cell (HGCC) and human vascular endothelialcell (HVEC), and the role of KDR in these interactions.METHODS:Antisense oligodexynucleotide(ASODN)specific to KDR gene was devised and added to theculture medium of HGCC and HVEC. After the action ofASODN, the proliferation of two cells was measured byMTT method.The role of KDR in regulating theproliferation of two kinds of cells was known throughobserving the effect of ASODN on them. The conditionedmediums (CMs) of HGCC and HVEC were prepared. TheCM of one kind of cell was added acting on the otherkind of cell, then the cell proliferation was measuredby MTT. After the action of ASODN or CM, the cellularexpression of KDR gene was detected with in situhybridization(ISH) for mRNA level and withimmunohistochemical staining for protein level. ABC-ELISA was used to detect/NEGF in the CMs of two cells.RESULTS: KDR ASODN could specifically inhibit theproliferation of HGCC and HVEC significantiy. The growthinhibitory rate amounted to 55.35 % and 54.83 %,respectively (P＜0.01). HGCC and HVEC could secret acertain level of hVEGF(92.06±1.69 ng/L, 77.70±8.04ng/L). The CM of HGCC could significantiy stimulate thegrowth(2.70±0.01 times) and KDR gene expression ofHVEC(P＜0.01) while the CM of HVEC could significantiyinhibit the growth(52.97±0.01%) and KDR geneexpression of HGCC (P ＜0.01).CONCLUSION: KDR plays a key role in regulating theproliferation of HGCC and HVEC. There existcomplicated interactions between HGCC and HVEC.HGCC can significantly stimulate the growth of HVECwhile HVEC can significantly inhibit the growth of HGCC.KDR is involved in the interactions between them.

Expression and function of classical protein kinase C isoenzymes in gastric cancer cell line and its drugresistant sublines

AIM: To investigate the expression and function of classicalprotein kinase C (PKC) isoenzymes in inducing MDRphenotype in gastric cancer cells.METHODS: Two cell lines were used in the study: gastriccancer cell SGC7901 and its drug-resistant cell SGC7901/VCRstepwise-selected by vincristine 0.3, 0. 7 and 1.0 mg@ L-1 ,respectively. The expression of classical PKC (cPKC)isoenzymes in SGC7901 cells and SGC7901/VCR cells weredetected using immunofluorescent cytochemistry, laserconfocal scanning microscope and Wsstern blot. The effectsof anti-PKC isoenzymes antibody of adriamycinaccumulation in SGC7901/VCR cells were determined usingflow cytometric analysis.RESULTS: (1) SGC7901 cells exhibited positive staining ofPKC-α. SGC7901/VCR cells exhibited stronger staining ofPKC-α than SGC7901 cells. The higher dosage vincristineselected, the much stronger staining of PKC-α was observedon SGC7901/VCR cells. (2) Both SGC7901 and SGC7901/VCRcells exhibited positive staining of PKC-βⅠ and PKC-βⅡ withno significant difference. ( 3 ) Compared with SGC7901,SGC7901/VCR cells had decreased adriamycin accumulationand retention. Accumulation of adriamycin in SGC7901 was5.21 + 2.56 mg@ L-1, in SGC7901/VCR 0.3 was 0.85 + 0.29 mg@L-1 , in SGC7901/VCR 0.7 was 0.81 + 0.32 og@ L-1 , and inSGC7901NCR 1.0 was 0.80 + 0.33 mg @ L-1; Retention ofadriamycin in SGC 7901 was 2.51 + 1.23 mg@L-1, in SGC7901/VCR 0.3 was 0.47 + 0.14 mg@ L-1 , in SGC7901/VCR 0.7 was 0.44 + 0.15 mg@ L-1, and in SGC 7901/VCR 1.0 was 0.41 + 0.1 1mg @ L-1 . (4) Fluorescence intensity presented adriamycinaccumulation in SGC7901/VCR cells was increased from 1.14+0.36 to 2.71 +0.94 when cells were co-incubated with anti-PKC-αbut not with anti-PKC-βⅠ, PKC-βⅡ and PKCγ antibodies.CONCLUSION: PKC-α, but not PKC-βⅠ, PKC-βⅡ or PKCγ,may play a role in multidrug resistance of gastric cancercells SGC7901/VCR.

Efficacy and safety of gemcitabine-oxaliplatin combined with huachansu in patients with advanced gallbladder carcinoma

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of gemcitabine-oxaliplatin (GEMOX) combined with huachansu (cinobufagin) injection treatment in patients with locally advanced or metastatic gallbladder carcinoma (GBC), and to assess the quality of life (QOL) of such patients. METHODS: Twenty-fi ve patients with locally advanced or metastatic GBC were treated with intravenous gemcitabine (1000 mg/m2) over 30 min on days 1 and 8, 2 h infusion of oxaliplatin (120 mg/m2) on day 1, and 2-3 h infusion of huachansu (20 mL/m2) on days -3-11, every 3-4 wk. Treatment was continued until occurrence of unacceptable toxicity or disease progression. QOL of patients was assessed by the EORTC QLQ-C30 at baseline, at the end of the fi rst, third and sixth chemotherapy cycles, and 1 mo after the treatment. RESULTS: Among the 25 patients with a median age of 64 years (range 42-78 years), 23 were evaluable in the study. A total of 137 cycles of therapy were performed and the median cycle was 5 (range 1-8) per patient. Out of the 23 patients whose response couldbe evaluated, 8 partial responses (PR) were observed (34.8%), while 7 patients (30.4%) demonstrated a stable disease (SD). The disease control rate was 65.2%. Progression of cancer was observed in 8 (34.8%) patients. The median progression-free and overall survival time was 5.8 mo (95% CI: 4.5-7.1 mo) and 10.5 mo, respectively. The therapy was well tolerated, with moderate myelosuppression as the main toxicity. Anemia grade 2 was seen in 16.0%, neutropenia grade 3 in 8.0% and thrombocytopenia grade 3 in 24.0% of patients, respectively. Non-hematologic toxicity ranged from mild to moderate. No death occurred due to toxicity. The QOL of patients was improved after chemotherapy, and the scores of QOL were increased by 10 to 20 points. CONCLUSION: GEMOX combined with huachansu (cinobufagin) injection is well tolerated, effective, thus improving the QOL of patients with advanced GBC.

Effects of lysophosphatidic acid on human colon cancer cells and its mechanisms of action

AIM:To study the effects of lysophosphatidic acid(LPA) on proliferation,adhesion,migration,and apoptosis in the human colon cancer cell line,SW480,and its mechanisms of action. METHODS:Methyl tetrazolium assay was used to assess cell proliferation.Flow cytometry was employed to detect cell apoptosis.Cell migration was measured by using a Boyden transwell migration chamber.Cell adhesion assay was performed in 96-well plates according to protocol. RESULTS:LPA significantly stimulated SW480 cell proliferation in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner compared with the control group(P<0.05) while the mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)inhibitor,PD98059,significantly blocked the LPA stimulation effect on proliferation.LPA also significantly stimulated adhesion and migration of SW480 cells in a dosedependent manner(P<0.05).Rho kinase inhibitor, Y-27632,significantly inhibited the up-regulatory effect of LPA on adhesion and migration(P<0.05).LPA significantly protected cells from apoptosis induced by the chemotherapeutic drugs,cisplatin and 5-FU(P<0.05), but the phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)inhibitor, LY294002,significantly blocked the protective effect of LPA on apoptosis. CONCLUSION:LPA stimulated proliferation,adhesion,migration of SW480 cells,and protected from apoptosis.The Ras/Raf-MAPK,G12/13-Rho-RhoA and PI3K- AKT/PKB signal pathways may be involved.

Effects of propofol versus urapidil on perioperative hemodynamics and intraocular pressure during anesthesia and extubation in ophthalmic patients

AIM: To compare the effect of propofol versus urapidil on hemodynamics and intraocular pressure during anesthesia and extubation for ophthalmic patients. METHODS: Eighty-two surgical patients (Class: ASA I-II) were randomly assigned to propofol (n = 41) and urapidil groups (n = 41). Their gender, age, body mass, operation time and dosage of anesthetics had no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). The patients of propofol and urapidil groups were given propofol (1.5mg/kg) and urapidil (2.5mg/kg) respectively; and two drugs were all diluted with normal saline to 8mL. Then the drugs were given to patients by slow intravenous injection. After treatment, the patients were conducted immediate suction, tracheal extubation, and then patients wore oxygen masks for 10 minutes. By double-blind methods, before the induction medication, at the suction, and 5, 10 minutes after the extubation, we recorded the systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), pH, PaO2, PaCO2, SaO(2) and intraocular pressure (TOP) respectively. The complete recovery time of the patients with restlessness (on the command they could open eyes and shaking hands) was also recorded during the extubation. The data were analyzed by using a professional SPSS 15.0 statistical software. RESULTS: The incidence of cough, restlessness and glossocoma was significantly lower in the propofol group than that in the urapidil group after extubation (P < 0.05). There were no episodes of hypotension, laryngospasm, or severe respiratory depression. There was no statistical difference in recovery time between two groups (P > 0.05). In propofol group, the BP and HR during extubation and thereafter had no significant difference compared with those before induction, while they were significantly lower than those before giving propofol (P < 0.05), and had significant difference compared with those in urapidil group (P < 0.05). Compared to preinduction, the BP of urapidil group showed no obvious increase during aspiration and extubation. The HR of urapidil group had little changes after being given urapidil, and it was obviously increased compared with that before induction. The stimulation of aspiration and extubation caused less cough and agitation in propofol group than that in urapidil group (P < 0.05). The IOP of propofol group showed no obvious increase during extubation compared with that in preinduction, while in the urpidil group, extubation caused IOP significantly increased (P < 0.05). The changes in these indicators between the two groups had no significant difference (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared to urapidil, propofol is superior for preventing the cardiovascular and stress responses and IOP increases during emergence and extubation for the ophthalmic patients. Moreover, it has no effects on patient's recovery.

Expression of sphingosine kinase gene in the interactions between human gastric carcinoma cell and vascular endothelial cell

AIM: To study the interactions between human gastriccarcinoma cell (HGCC) and human vascular endothelialcell (HVEC), and if the expression of sphingosine kinase(SPK) gene was involved in these interactions.METHODS: The specific inhibitor to SPK, dimethylsphingosine (DMS), was added acting on HGCC andHVEC, then the cell proliferation was measured by MTT.The conditioned mediums (CMs) of HGCC and HVECwere prepared. The CM of one kind of cell was added tothe other kind of cell, and the cell proliferation wasmeasured by MTr. After the action of CM, the cellularexpression of SPK gene in mRNA level was detectedwith in situ hybridization(ISH).RESULTS: DMS could almost completely inhibit theproliferation of HGCC and HVEC. The growth inhibitoryrates could amount to 97.21%, 83.42 %, respectively(P＜0.01). The CM of HGCC could stimulate the growthof HVEC (2.70±0.0:1, P＜0.01) while the CM of HVEC couldinhibit the growth of HGCC (52.97±0.01 %, P＜0.01).There was no significant change in the mRNA level ofSPK gene in one kind of cell after the action of the CM ofthe other kind of cell.CONCLUSION: SPK plays a key role in regulating theproliferation of HGCC and HVEC. There exist complicatedinteractions between HGCC and HVEC. HGCC cansignificantly stimulate the growth of HVEC while HVECcan significantly inhibit the growth of HGCC. Theexpression of SPK gene is not involved in the interactions.

Development of biomedical publications on ametropia research in PubMed from 1845 to 2010:a bibliometric analysis

We have carried out a bibliometric analysis on the development of ametropia literature to determine its growth rule and tendency, and to provide the basis for the problems related to ametropia research. Literatures that contained the descriptors of ametropia in title or paper published before Nov. 10, 2010 in PubMed databases (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Pubmed) were selected. As bibliometric indicators of ametropia, biomedical journals referring to ophthalmology by ISSN were calculated. The principal bibliometric indicators: Price's and Bradford's laws were applied on the increase or dispersion of scientific literature, the participation index of languages and the journals. By means of manual coding, literatures were classified according to documents study and statistical analysis. The literatures cited in ametropia, astigmatism, myopia and hypermetropia had accumulated to 26475, which consists of Review (n =1560), Randomized Controlled Trial (n =776), Practice Guideline (n =10), Meta-Analysis (n=23), Letter (n=1222), Editorial (n =328), Clinical Trial ( n =1726) and Others (n=20830); and Humans (n=23073), Animals (n=1434) and Others ( n=1968). 1136 literatures were included in PubMed Central, 22384 in MEDLINE and 2955 in others. The ametropia literatures rose every 5 years which of the ametropia-year cumulated amount of the literatures had three periods: before 1900, slowly increasing from 1901 to 1950, rapidly rising from 1951 to 2010 (increased approximate exponentiation exponent). Sixty kinds of languages were listed in PubMed databases, of which English was dominant for aborting to ametropia research documents before 2010 (77.32%, 20471/26475). The document language of top eight accounted for 95.58% (English, German, French, Japanese, Russian, Italian, Spanish, Chinese), and others for 4.42% (1171/26475). The SCI database includes 48 ophthalmologic journals and the impact factor of 39 journals is >= 1 on Thomson-Reuters in 2010. Of 48 ophthalmologic journals, there were 14785 documents (55.85%) of ametropia, astigmatism, myopia, and hypermetropia. Others were without exception. The bibliometric analysis results show that ametropia literature are increased progressively, approximate exponentiation Exponent during 1951-2010. In addition, ametropia research has become more popular since nearly half century.

Combined treatment of oxaliplatin and capecitabine in patients with metastatic esophageal squamous cell cancer

AIM:To investigate the efficacy and side effects of the combined therapy of oxaliplatin and capecitabine in patients with metastatic esophageal squamous cell cancer(ESCC) and the survival of the patients.METHODS:Sixty-four patients(median age of 63 years) with histological or cytological confirmation of ESCC received oxaliplatin 120 mg/m2 intravenously on day 1 and capecitabine 1000 mg/m2 orally twice daily on days 1 to 14 in a 21-d treatment cycle as palliative chemotherapy.Each patient received at least two cycles of treatment.The efficacy,side effects and patient survival were evaluated.RESULTS:The partial response(PR) rate was 43.8%(28/64).Stable disease(SD) rate was 47.9%(26/64),and disease progression rate was 15.6%(10/64).The clinical benefit rate(PR + SD) was 84.4%.The main toxicities were leukopenia(50.0%),nausea and vomiting(51.6%),diarrhea(50.0%),stomatitis(39.1%),polyneuropathy(37.5%) and hand-foot syndrome(37.5%).No grade 4 event in the entire cohort was found.The median progression-free survival was 4 mo,median overall survival was 10 mo(95% CI:8.3-11.7 mo),and the 1-and 2-year survival rates were 38.1% and 8.2%,respectively.High Karnofsky index,single metastatic lesion and response to the regimen indicated respectively good prognosis.CONCLUSION:Oxaliplatin plus capecitabine regimen is effective and tolerable in metastatic ESCC patients.The regimen has improved the survival moderately and merits further studies.

Alterations of serum cholinesterase in patients with gastric cancer

AIM: To understand the correlation of serum cholinesterase (CHE) activity with gastric cancer and to assess their clinical significance.METHODS: The velocity method was adopted to detect the activity of serum CHE in patients with gastric cancer and in patients with non-malignant tumor as controls.RESULTS: The serum CHE activity in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group with a very significant difference between the two groups (83.3:113.1,P = 0.0003). Age was significantly associated with the incidence of gastric caner.CONCLUSION: Serum CHE activity has a close relation with the incidence of gastric cancer.

Epidemiology and Rb 1 gene of retinoblastoma

Retinoblastoma (Rb) is the most common eye cancer in children and it can be inherited. Rb is quite rare and originators from the neural retina with a significant genetic component in etiology, which occurs in approximately 1 in every 20 0000 births. In children with the heritable genetic form of Rb, there is a mutation on chromosome 13, called the retinoblastoma 1 (Rb1) gene. Early diagnosis and intervention is critical to the successful treatment of the Rb. The Rb1 gene is the first cloned tumor suppressor gene. As a negative regulator of the cell cycle, Rb1 gene could maintain a balance between cell growth and development through binding to transcription factors and regulating the expression of genes involved in cell proliferation and differentiation. Thus, it is involved in cell cycle, cell senescence, growth arrest, apoptosis and differentiation. We summarized the recent advances on the epidemiology and Rb1 gene of Rb in this review.

Mating system and genetic diversity of a rare desert legume Ammopiptanthus nanus (Leguminosae)

Ammopiptanthus nanus is an endangered evergreen shrub endemic to the deserts of central Asia and plays an important role in delaying further desertification. We examined allozyme variation and AFLP diversity in A. nanus populations and investigated the mating system of this species using progeny arrays assayed for polymorphic allozyme loci. Mating system analysis in the Keyi＇eryongke＇er population showed low levels of outcrossing, and strong inbreeding depression. Low levels of genetic variation were detected at both population （allozyme, Pp=14.0%, A=l.14, He=0.031; AFLP, Pp=14.5%, Shannon＇s information index I=0.063） and species （allozyme, Pp=21.1%, A=1.21, He=0.040; AFLP, Pp=20.9%, I=0.083） levels; while moderate genetic differentiation existed among populations, as indicated by allozymes （Gsa-=0.081） and AFLP （GST=0.151-0.193）. Founder effect, bottlenecks in evolutionary history, the mixed mating system and co-ancestry may have influenced the level of genetic diversity in A. nanus. Markers of both types provide new insights for conservation management, indicating that the Biao＇ertuokuoyi and Keyi＇eryongke＇er populations should be given priority for in situ conservation and regarded as seed sources for ex situ conservation.

Data analysis of low dose multislice helical CT scan in orbital trauma

AIM: To explore the optimal low dose of MSCT in orbital trauma examination. METHODS: Sixty transverse images of the fracture layer were selected. Low-dose images acquired at 30, 70, 100, 140, 170, and 200 milliampere (mA) were simulated by adding noise to the image space using software. After assessing the images according to the conditions of image quality and fracture, we found the optimal tube current that met diagnostic requirements and then applied it to clinical use. The CT Dose Index volume (CTDIvol), dose length product (DLP) and effective dose (ED) were recorded. The image quality was classified as good, fairly good, ordinary, poor, or very poor according to image level, noise, anatomic structure and whether the diagnostic requirements were met or not. The rank-sum test was used to perform statistical analysis on the ranked data The Chi-square test was used for the numerical data. RESULTS: Under the scan conditions of a conventional dose of 300 mA, 60 cases of orbital fracture, 38 cases of orbital emphysema, 25 cases of ocular damage, and 3 cases of intraorbital foreign body were demonstrated in the images of the 60 orbital trauma patients. Among the low dose simulated images, the image quality difference of the different doses was of statistical significance (chi(2) =15.678, P =0.016). When the dose was lowered to 70 mA, the above mentioned clinical signs were still clear and diagnostic, however the image quality assessment results indicated that 2 cases were good, 16 cases were fairly good, and 42 cases were ordinary, poor or very poor. When the simulated dose tube current was 100mA, the image quality assessment results were 18 cases good, 34 cases fairly good, and 8 cases ordinary, poor and very poor; compared with the conventional dose, there was no statistical significance (P>0.05). When using a 100 mA tube current to examine 40 cases of orbital trauma patients in the clinic, the acquired image quality was 10 cases good, 26 cases fairly good and 4 cases ordinary, without any cases of poor or very poor. The CTDIvol, DLP and ED were 20.72mGy, 124.97mGy.cm and 0.26mSv, respectively, while the CTDIvol, DLP and ED were 62.53mGy, 375.18mGy.GTtl and 0.86mSv, respectively, when using a conventional dose of 300mA. Compared with the tube current of 100mA for scanning, the ED declined 70%. CONCLUSION: When conducting an MSCT scan for orbital trauma, the acquired images using the 100 mA tube current can meet the clinical diagnostic requirements, and the radiation dose to the patients can be decreased.

Oral Xeloda plus bi-platinu two-way combined chemotherapy in treatment of advanced gastrointestinal malignancies

AIM: To compare the effect, adverse events, cost-effectiveness and dose intensity (DI) of oral Xeloda vs calcium folinate (CF)/5-FU combination chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastrointestinal malignancies, both combined with bi-platinu two-way chemotherapy.METHODS: A total of 131 patients were enrolled and randomly selected to receive either oral Xeloda (X group)or CF/5-FU (control group). Oral Xeloda 1 000 mg/m2was administered twice daily from d 1 to 14 in X group,while CF 200 mg/m2 was taken as a 2-h intravenous infusion followed by 5-FU 600 mg/m2 intravenously for 4-6 h on d 1-5 in control group. Cisplatin and oxaliplatin were administered in the same way to both the groups:cisplatin 60-80 mg/m2 by hyperthermic intraperitoneal administration, and oxaliplatin 130 mg/m2 intravenously for 2 h on d 1. All the drugs were recycled every 21 d,with at least two cycles. Pyridoxine 50 mg was given t.i.d.orally for prophylaxis of the hand-foot syndrome (HFS).Then the effect, adverse events, cost-effectiveness and DI of the two groups were evaluated.RESULTS: Hundred and fourteen cases (87.0%) finished more than two chemotherapy cycles. The overall response rate of them was 52.5% (X group) and 42.4% (control group) respectively. Tumor progression time (TTP) was 7.35 mo vs5.95 mo, and 1-year survival rate was 53.1% vs 44.5%. There was a remarkable statistical significance of TTP and 1-year survival between the two groups. The main Xeloda-related adverse events were myelosuppression,gastrointestinal toxicity, neurotoxicity and HFS, which were mild and well tolerable. Therefore, no patients withdrew from the study due to side effects before two chemotherapy cycles were finished. Both groups finished pre-arranged DI and the relative DI was nearly 1.0. The average cost for 1 patient in one cycle was $9 137.35(X group) and $8 961.72 (control group), or US ＄1 100.89in X group and $1 079.73 in control group. To add 1% to the response rate costs $ 161.44 vs $210.37 respectively (US $19.45 vs $25.35). One-month prolongation of TTP costs $1 243.18 vs$1 506.17 (US $149.78 vs$181.47).Escalation of 1% of 1-year survival costs $172.74 vs$201.64 (US $20.75 vs$24.29).CONCLUSION: Oral Xeloda combined with bi-platinu two-way combination chemotherapy is efficient and tolerable for patients with advanced gastrointestinal malignancies; meanwhile the expenditure is similar to that of CF/5-FU combined with bi-platinu chemotherapy,and will be cheaper if we are concerned about the increase of the response rate, TTP or 1-year-survival rate pharmacoeconomically.

Epidermal characters of Tamarix L.(Tamaricaceae) from Northwest China and their taxonomic and palaeogeographic implications

The taxonomical position of species of the genus Tamarix(Tamaricaceae) has been criticized because of their gross morphological similarities(such as slender, smooth and reddish-brown branches,grey-green foliage and scale leaves), and their systematic relationships remain unclear. In this paper, the leaf epidermal features of 17 species from China are studied based on the micro-morphological characters of the epidermal cells, stomata, salt glands, papillae and epidermal hairs. According to the studies, the leaf epidermal features, together with the character of the flower, are taxonomically clearly distinct. The establishment of Tamarix albiflonum is consolidated. Tamarix korolkowi and Tamarix ramosissima have minimal differences in epidermal characters, and the former is suggested to be a junior synonym. Tamarix ramosissima, Tamarix tarimensis, Tamarix arceuthoides and Tamarix hohenackeri are most similar with respect to their leaf epidermis; considering the common morphological features, habit, distribution and especially the hybridization, it is suggested that these four species are closely genetically related and that the variations among them are probably intraspecific. The new taxonomical evidence indicates the occurrence of13 species and four variants in China. Presently, Tamarix is a typical plant of arid and semi-arid regions, but its Eocene ancestors lived in warm and humid climates in the coastal areas of the ancient Mediterranean Sea.Thus, the papillae or epidermal hairs, which are outgrowths of the outer epidermal cells facilitating the leaf to respond to water stress and commonly seen in the plants growing in arid or semi-arid areas rather than the plants in warm and humid climates, are of relatively recent origin in Tamarix. The primitive species lack papillae or epidermal hairs, while in evolved species these structures are abundant. Based on the ecological adaptations of the epidermal features, the palaeogeographic implications of Tamarix in the Late Cenozoic of Northwest China are also discussed.