Xyridaceae are represented in New Caledonia only by the genus Xyris, the description of which was last revised in the 1960s, and three endemic species were recognized there at that time, X. pancheri, X. neocaledonica and X. guillauminii. However, no specimens of X. guillauminii were reported from P or L, although some type material was present. In addition, most material was unidentified at the species level in international herbaria (up to 45% for the NOU herbarium), showing that the family had not been studied in the framework of the Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie. In total, 129 herbarium specimens were examined for an ascendant hierarchical classification and a principal coordinates analysis based on 18 morphological characters regarded as diagnostic at the species level (including six used in the original revision). The analyses revealed three well-delimited groups that potentially correspond to species-level units. A sub-sampling of 21 specimens, representative of these three groups, was studied anatomically (leaf cross-sections) and by scanning electron microscopy (leaf surface and seeds) and provided ten additional characters. This additional dataset validated the taxonomy in three species-level units. The resulting entities were then compared with nomenclatural types, which showed that the first corresponded to X. neocaledonica, the second represents a well-delimited, undescribed species, and the third includes types of both X. pancheri and X. guillauminii, this last being in need of synonymization. The findings of the present study provide a basis for undertaking a taxonomic revision of Xyris in New Caledonia, including the description of the new species. All New Caledonian species have an axile placentation and a trilocular ovary, so they belong to Xyris section Pomatoxyris, which is no longer endemic to Australia.

Objectives To assess safety and efficacy of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment by tocilizumab (TCZ) in routine practice Methods The French Society of Rheumatology set up the REGATE registry to prospectively collect, every 6 months for 5 years, data from 1500 patients treated with TCZ for RA. From January 2011 to October 2012, 1100 patients treated by TCZ initiated after January 1st 2010 have been prospectively included from 78 French centres. Serious adverse events were collected Results Characteristics of patients: women: 80.2%, age 56.8±13.6 years, disease duration: 13.5 years ±9.9, number of prior DMARD: 2.5 ±1.5, DAS28: 5.1±1.4; 77% RF-positive, 77.9% ACPA positive), cancer (5.23%), severe infections (5.9%); current or past smoker (77%); history of cardiovascular event (19.1%); hypercholesterolémia (25%). Almost 10% of patients had not received any anti-TNF prior to TCZ and the number of biologics before TCZ was 2.1±1.5. The last biologic prescribed before initiation of TCZ was an anti-TNF for 59.7% of patients, rituximab for 16.8%, abatacept for 13.4%. TCZ was initiated 1.7 months (0-120) after last biologic. Before TCZ initiation, 69.6% of the patients received corticoids with a mean dose of 12 ± 34.3 mg/day. 39.1% of patients were treated with TCZ as monotherapy. 728 patients have already had at least 1 follow-up visit with a current follow-up duration of 40.8 ±26 months corresponding to an exposure of 568.1 patients/year (PY). After 1.9 years, 75% of RA patients were still treated with TCZ. Discontinuation was explained for 121 patients: 48 % for absence or loss of efficacy and 37% for safety reasons. Overall, 60 serious adverse events were reported: ten patients discontinued TCZ for infusion-reactions (2.3%). Forty one severe infections (14 soft tissues, 7 gastrointestinal, 7 articular, 8 respiratory tract and 2 urinary tract and 3 others site) were reported in 36 patients corresponding to a rate of severe infections of 7.2/100 PY. The other SAE were 3 gut perforations (0.5/100 PY), 2 lymphoma (0.4/100 PY), 1 skin cancer (0.2 /100 PY), 1 stroke (0.2/100 PY), 2 thrombo-embolic events (0.4/100PY) and 2 deaths. DAS28 scores were available for 172 and 230 patients at 7 and 14 ±1 monthsand low disease activity was respectively achieved for 60 and 67% of these patients Conclusions These preliminary results of the REGATE registry show that a high proportion of patients treated with TCZ was previously treated by anti-TNF (87%) even though it can be prescribed as a first line biologic. In addition, TCZ is not infrequently prescribed in monotherapy in clinical practice (39%). Severe infections are in the higher range observed with biologics but deserve to be confirmed after longer exposure duration. Low disease activity was achieved for one third of the patients in the first year of follow up Acknowledgements Club Rhumatisme et Inflammation for coordination and logistic supports Roche Chugaï laboratory for their financial support Disclosure of Interest: J. Morel Grant/research support from: Roche Chugaï, Cons...

A new genus of Gesneriaceae, Bopopia Munzinger & J.R.Morel gen. nov., is described from New Caledonia. The genus is based on B. parviflora Munzinger & J.R.Morel gen. et sp. nov., a new species collected during an expedition on Mt Katalupaik, in the North Province of New Caledonia’s main island. Originally considered as a species of Coronanthera, our phylogenetic analysis – including 19 species within Coronanthereae and two individuals of B. parviflora gen. et sp. nov., and using three molecular markers (nuclear rDNA ITS, and chloroplast regions trnL-trnF and trnE-trnT) – showed that the new species is not close to Coronanthera in subtribe Coronantherinae, but belongs to subtribe Negriinae where it is sister to Depanthus. From that genus Bopopia gen. nov. differs in floral symmetry (zygomorphic vs actinomorphic) and the number of stamens (4 vs 5). From the other genera of Negriinae the new genus differs in the white corolla and its indeterminate thyrse with 3 to 5 levels of branching. The morphological circumscription of the subtribe Negriinae is amended to include Bopopia gen. nov. Two keys are provided, one to the subtribes in the tribe Coronanthereae, and one to the genera in subtribe Negriinae. Following the IUCN Red List categories and criteria, the conservation status of B. parviflora gen. et sp. nov. is provisionally assessed as Endangered (EN).

Three endemic species of Xyris (Xyridaceae, Poales) are currently recognized in New Caledonia. A recent multivariate analysis of 18 morphological characters based on 129 specimens of Xyris from New Caledonia, supported by 10 anatomical and micromorphological observations, suggested that three species should be recognized in the New Caledonian archipelago. However, the three published names did not correspond to the three entities identified via the multivariate analyses. The results showed that Xyris neocaledonia Rendle was morphologically distinct but requires lectotypification, Xyris guillauminii Conert was indistinct from X. pancheri Rendle, and that a new morphologically distinct species required description. We therefore propose to clarify the taxonomy of the genus for New Caledonia, by designating a lectotype, making this synonymy and describing the new species. The new species, Xyris desquamatus J.R.Morel & Munzinger, sp. nov., has the remarkable feature of leaves that are shed as the plant senesces, and is reflected in the specific epithet for this new species. Line drawings are provided for the new species, along with colour photos for the three New Caledonian Xyris species and a distribution map. Three identification keys are provided, the first based on vegetative characters, the second on reproductive characters and the third on anatomical features of the leaf. Xyris desquamatus is preliminarily assigned an IUCN risk of extinction assessment of vulnerable.

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