Redisposition of acremonium-like fungi in Hypocreales.

Acremonium is acknowledged as a highly ubiquitous genus including saprobic, parasitic, or endophytic fungi that inhabit a variety of environments. Species of this genus are extensively exploited in industrial, commercial, pharmaceutical, and biocontrol applications, and proved to be a rich source of novel and bioactive secondary metabolites. Acremonium has been recognised as a taxonomically difficult group of ascomycetes, due to the reduced and high plasticity of morphological characters, wide ecological distribution and substrate range. Recent advances in molecular phylogenies, revealed that Acremonium is highly polyphyletic and members of Acremonium s. lat. belong to at least three distinct orders of Sordariomycetes, of which numerous orders, families and genera with acremonium-like morphs remain undefined. To infer the phylogenetic relationships and establish a natural classification for acremonium-like taxa, systematic analyses were conducted based on a large number of cultures with a global distribution and varied substrates. A total of 633 cultures with acremonium-like morphology, including 261 ex-type cultures from 89 countries and a variety of substrates including soil, plants, fungi, humans, insects, air, and water were examined. An overview phylogenetic tree based on three loci (ITS, LSU, rpb2) was generated to delimit the orders and families. Separate trees based on a combined analysis of four loci (ITS, LSU, rpb2, tef-1α) were used to delimit species at generic and family levels. Combined with the morphological features, host associations and ecological analyses, acremonium-like species evaluated in the present study are currently assigned to 63 genera, and 14 families in Cephalothecales, Glomerellales and Hypocreales, mainly in the families Bionectriaceae, Plectosphaerellaceae and Sarocladiaceae and five new hypocrealean families, namely Chrysonectriaceae, Neoacremoniaceae, Nothoacremoniaceae, Pseudoniessliaceae and Valsonectriaceae. Among them, 17 new genera and 63 new combinations are proposed, with descriptions of 65 new species. Furthermore, one epitype and one neotype are designated to stabilise the taxonomy and use of older names. Results of this study demonstrated that most species of Acremonium s. lat. grouped in genera of Bionectriaceae, including the type A. alternatum. A phylogenetic backbone tree is provided for Bionectriaceae, in which 183 species are recognised and 39 well-supported genera are resolved, including 10 new genera. Additionally, rpb2 and tef-1α are proposed as potential DNA barcodes for the identification of taxa in Bionectriaceae. Taxonomic novelties: New families: Chrysonectriaceae L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Neoacremoniaceae L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Nothoacremoniaceae L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Pseudoniessliaceae L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Valsonectriaceae L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous. New genera: Bionectriaceae: Alloacremonium L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Gossypinidium L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Monohydropisphaera L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Musananaesporium L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Paragliomastix L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Proliferophialis L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Proxiovicillium L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Ramosiphorum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Verruciconidia L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Waltergamsia L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Clavicipitaceae: Subuliphorum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Neoacremoniaceae: Neoacremonium L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Nothoacremoniaceae: Nothoacremonium L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Plectosphaerellaceae: Allomusicillium L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Parafuscohypha L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Pseudoniessliaceae: Pseudoniesslia L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Sarocladiaceae: Polyphialocladium L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous. New species: Bionectriaceae: Alloacremonium ferrugineum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Al. humicola L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Acremonium aerium L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, A. brunneisporum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, A. chlamydosporium L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, A. ellipsoideum L.W. Hou, Rämä, L. Cai & Crous, A. gamsianum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, A. longiphialidicum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, A. multiramosum L.W. Hou, Rämä, L. Cai & Crous, A. mycoparasiticum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, A. stroudii K. Fletcher, F.C. Küpper & P. van West, A. subulatum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, A. synnematoferum L.W. Hou, Rämä, L. Cai & Crous, Bulbithecium ammophilae L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, B. ellipsoideum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, B. truncatum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Emericellopsis brunneiguttula L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Gliomastix musae L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Gossypinidium sporodochiale L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Hapsidospora stercoraria L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, H. variabilis L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Mycocitrus odorus L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Nectriopsis ellipsoidea L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Paracylindrocarpon aurantiacum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Pn. foliicola Lechat & J. Fourn., Paragliomastix rosea L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Proliferophialis apiculata L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Protocreopsis finnmarkica L.W. Hou, L. Cai, Rämä & Crous, Proxiovicillium lepidopterorum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Ramosiphorum echinoporiae L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, R. polyporicola L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, R. thailandicum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Verruciconidia erythroxyli L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Ve. infuscata L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Ve. quercina L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Ve. siccicapita L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Ve. unguis L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Waltergamsia alkalina L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, W. catenata L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, W. moroccensis L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, W. obpyriformis L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Chrysonectriaceae: Chrysonectria crystallifera L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Nectriaceae: Xenoacremonium allantoideum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Neoacremoniaceae: Neoacremonium distortum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, N. flavum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Nothoacremoniaceae: Nothoacremonium subcylindricum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, No. vesiculophorum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Myrotheciomycetaceae: Trichothecium hongkongense L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Plectosphaerellaceae: Brunneomyces polyphialidus L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Parafuscohypha proliferata L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Sarocladiaceae: Chlamydocillium acaciae L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, C. antarcticum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, C. guttulatum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, C. lolii L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, C. soli L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, C. terrestre L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Parasarocladium chondroidum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous,Polyphialocladium fusisporum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Sarocladium agarici L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, S. citri L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, S. ferrugineum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, S. fuscum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous,S. theobromae L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Valsonectriaceae: Valsonectria crystalligena L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, V. hilaris L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous. New combinations: Bionectriaceae: Acremonium purpurascens (Sukapure & Thirum.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Bulbithecium arxii (Malloch) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Bu. borodinense (Tad. Ito et al.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Bu. pinkertoniae (W. Gams) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Bu. spinosum (Negroni) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Emericellopsis exuviara (Sigler et al.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, E. fimetaria (Pers.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, E. fuci (Summerb. et al.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, E. moniliformis (A. Giraldo et al.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, E. salmonea (W. Gams & Lodha) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, E. tubakii (Gams) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Fusariella arenula (Berk. & Broome) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Hapsidospora chrysogena (Thirum. & Sukapure) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, H. flava (W. Gams) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, H. globosa (Malloch & Cain) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, H. inversa (Malloch & Cain) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Hydropisphaera aurantiaca (C.A. Jørg.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Lasionectria atrorubra (Lechat & J. Fourn.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, L. bisepta (W. Gams) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, L. castaneicola (Lechat & Gardiennet) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, L. cerealis (P. Karst.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, L. olida (W. Gams) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Lasionectriopsis dentifera (Samuels) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Lasionectriella arenuloides (Samuels) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, La. marigotensis (Lechat & J. Fourn.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Monohydropisphaera fusigera (Berk. & Broome) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Musananaesporium tectonae (R.F. Castañeda) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Mycocitrus zonatus (Sawada) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Nectriopsis microspora (Jaap) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Ovicillium asperulatum (A. Giraldo et al.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, O. variecolor (A. Giraldo et al.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Paracylindrocarpon multiloculatum (Samuels) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Pn. multiseptatum (Samuels)L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Paragliomastix chiangraiensis (J.F. Li et al.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Px. luzulae (Fuckel) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Px. znieffensis (Lechat & J. Fourn.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Protocreopsis rutila (W. Gams) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Proxiovicillium blochii (Matr.)L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Stanjemonium dichromosporum (Gams & Sivasith.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Verruciconidia persicina (Nicot) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Ve. verruculosa (W. Gams & Veenb.-Rijks) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Waltergamsia citrina (A. Giraldo et al.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai &Crous, W. dimorphospora (A. Giraldo et al.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, W. epimycota (Samuels) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, W. fusidioides (Nicot) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, W. hennebertii (W. Gams) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, W. parva (A. Giraldo et al.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, W. pilosa (A. Giraldo et al.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, W. zeylanica (Petch) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Cephalothecaceae: Phialemonium thermophilum (W. Gams & J. Lacey) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Clavicipitaceae: Subuliphorum camptosporum (W. Gams) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Coniochaetaceae: Coniochaeta psammospora (W. Gams) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Nothoacremoniaceae: Nothoacremonium exiguum (W. Gams) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Neoacremoniaceae: Neoacremonium minutisporum (Sukapure & Thirum.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Ne. taiwanense (K.L. Pang et al.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Ne. vitellinum (W. Gams) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Plectosphaerellaceae: Allomusicillium domschii (W. Gams) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Brunneomyces pseudozeylanicus (W. Gams) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Pseudoniessliaceae: Pseudoniesslia minutispora (W. Gams et al.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Sarocladiaceae: Chlamydocillium curvulum (W. Gams) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Parasarocladium funiculosum (Sukapure & Thirum.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Valsonectriaceae: Valsonectria inflata (C.H. Dickinson) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, V. roseola (G. Sm.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous. Epitype (basionym): Sphaeria violacea J.C. Schmidt ex Fr. Neotype (basionym): Mastigocladium blochii Matr. Citation: Hou LW, Giraldo A, Groenewald JZ, Rämä T, Summerbell RC, Zang P, Cai L, Crous PW (2023). Redisposition of acremonium-like fungi in Hypocreales. Studies in Mycology 105: 23-203. doi: 10.3114/sim.2023.105.02.

Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking in a Coherently Driven Nanophotonic Bose-Hubbard Dimer.

We report on the first experimental observation of spontaneous mirror symmetry breaking (SSB) in coherently driven-dissipative coupled optical cavities. SSB is observed as the breaking of the spatial or mirror Z_{2} symmetry between two symmetrically pumped and evanescently coupled photonic crystal nanocavities, and manifests itself as random intensity localization in one of the two cavities. We show that, in a system featuring repulsive boson interactions (U>0), the observation of a pure pitchfork bifurcation requires negative photon hopping energies (J<0), which we have realized in our photonic crystal molecule. SSB is observed over a wide range of the two-dimensional parameter space of driving intensity and detuning, where we also find a region that exhibits bistable symmetric behavior. Our results pave the way for the experimental study of limit cycles and deterministic chaos arising from SSB, as well as the study of nonclassical photon correlations close to SSB transitions.

The protective effect of extra-virgin olive oil in the experimental model of multiple sclerosis in the rat.

This study has evaluated the effect of EVOO (Extra-Virgin olive oil), OA (oleic acid) and HT (hydroxytyrosol) in an induced model of MS through experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).Dark Agouti 2-month old rats (25 males) were divided into five groups: (i) control group, (ii) EAE group, (iii) EAE+EVOO, (iv) EAE+HT, and (v) EAE+OA. At 65 days, the animals were sacrificed and the glutathione redox system and bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and LPS-binding protein (LBP) products of the microbiota in brain, spinal cord, and blood were evaluated.Gastric administration of EVOO, OA, and HT reduced the degree of lipid and protein oxidation, and increased glutathione peroxidase, making it a diet-based mechanism for enhancing protection against oxidative damage. In addition, it reduced the levels of LPS and LBP, which appeared as being increased in the EAE correlated with the oxidative stress produced by the disease.

Inside Plectosphaerellaceae.

The family Plectosphaerellaceae (Glomerellales, Sordariomycetes) includes numerous plant pathogenic genera and soil-borne fungal species. Ten genera are currently accepted, including several taxa that occupy an unresolved position within the family. To address this issue, a multilocus sequence analysis was carried out using partial gene sequences from the 28S large subunit nrRNA gene (LSU), the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of the nrDNA region, including the 5.8S nrRNA gene, the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1-α), tryptophan synthase (TS), actin (ACT) and the RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2), based on a large set of isolates mainly from the CBS collection. Results of the molecular data combined with a detailed morphological study resolved 22 genera in the family, of which 12 are newly described. Additionally, 15 new species and 10 new combinations are proposed. An epitype and neotype are also introduced for Stachylidium bicolor and Plectosphaerella cucumerina, respectively.

Fungal Planet description sheets: 785-867.

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Angola, Gnomoniopsis angolensis and Pseudopithomyces angolensis on unknown host plants. Australia, Dothiora corymbiae on Corymbia citriodora, Neoeucasphaeria eucalypti (incl. Neoeucasphaeria gen. nov.) on Eucalyptus sp., Fumagopsis stellae on Eucalyptus sp., Fusculina eucalyptorum (incl. Fusculinaceae fam. nov.) on Eucalyptus socialis, Harknessia corymbiicola on Corymbia maculata, Neocelosporium eucalypti (incl. Neocelosporium gen. nov., Neocelosporiaceae fam. nov. and Neocelosporiales ord. nov.) on Eucalyptus cyanophylla, Neophaeomoniella corymbiae on Corymbia citriodora, Neophaeomoniella eucalyptigena on Eucalyptus pilularis, Pseudoplagiostoma corymbiicola on Corymbia citriodora, Teratosphaeria gracilis on Eucalyptus gracilis, Zasmidium corymbiae on Corymbia citriodora. Brazil, Calonectria hemileiae on pustules of Hemileia vastatrix formed on leaves of Coffea arabica, Calvatia caatinguensis on soil, Cercospora solani-betacei on Solanum betaceum, Clathrus natalensis on soil, Diaporthe poincianellae on Poincianella pyramidalis, Geastrum piquiriunense on soil, Geosmithia carolliae on wing of Carollia perspicillata, Henningsia resupinata on wood, Penicillium guaibinense from soil, Periconia caespitosa from leaf litter, Pseudocercospora styracina on Styrax sp., Simplicillium filiforme as endophyte from Citrullus lanatus, Thozetella pindobacuensis on leaf litter, Xenosonderhenia coussapoae on Coussapoa floccosa. Canary Islands (Spain), Orbilia amarilla on Euphorbia canariensis. Cape Verde Islands, Xylodon jacobaeus on Eucalyptus camaldulensis. Chile, Colletotrichum arboricola on Fuchsia magellanica. Costa Rica, Lasiosphaeria miniovina on tree branch. Ecuador, Ganoderma chocoense on tree trunk. France, Neofitzroyomyces nerii (incl. Neofitzroyomyces gen. nov.) on Nerium oleander. Ghana, Castanediella tereticornis on Eucalyptus tereticornis, Falcocladium africanum on Eucalyptus brassiana, Rachicladosporium corymbiae on Corymbia citriodora. Hungary, Entoloma silvae-frondosae in Carpinus betulus-Pinus sylvestris mixed forest. Iran, Pseudopyricularia persiana on Cyperus sp. Italy, Inocybe roseascens on soil in mixed forest. Laos, Ophiocordyceps houaynhangensis on Coleoptera larva. Malaysia, Monilochaetes melastomae on Melastoma sp. Mexico, Absidia terrestris from soil. Netherlands, Acaulium pannemaniae, Conioscypha boutwelliae, Fusicolla septimanifiniscientiae, Gibellulopsis simonii, Lasionectria hilhorstii, Lectera nordwiniana, Leptodiscella rintelii, Parasarocladium debruynii and Sarocladium dejongiae (incl. Sarocladiaceae fam. nov.) from soil. New Zealand, Gnomoniopsis rosae on Rosa sp. and Neodevriesia metrosideri on Metrosideros sp. Puerto Rico, Neodevriesia coccolobae on Coccoloba uvifera, Neodevriesia tabebuiae and Alfaria tabebuiae on Tabebuia chrysantha. Russia, Amanita paludosa on bogged soil in mixed deciduous forest, Entoloma tiliae in forest of Tilia × europaea, Kwoniella endophytica on Pyrus communis. South Africa, Coniella diospyri on Diospyros mespiliformis, Neomelanconiella combreti (incl. Neomelanconiellaceae fam. nov. and Neomelanconiella gen. nov.) on Combretum sp., Polyphialoseptoria natalensis on unidentified plant host, Pseudorobillarda bolusanthi on Bolusanthus speciosus, Thelonectria pelargonii on Pelargonium sp. Spain, Vermiculariopsiella lauracearum and Anungitopsis lauri on Laurus novocanariensis, Geosmithia xerotolerans from a darkened wall of a house, Pseudopenidiella gallaica on leaf litter. Thailand, Corynespora thailandica on wood, Lareunionomyces loeiensis on leaf litter, Neocochlearomyces chromolaenae (incl. Neocochlearomyces gen. nov.) on Chromolaena odorata, Neomyrmecridium septatum (incl. Neomyrmecridium gen. nov.), Pararamichloridium caricicola on Carex sp., Xenodactylaria thailandica (incl. Xenodactylariaceae fam. nov. and Xenodactylaria gen. nov.), Neomyrmecridium asiaticum and Cymostachys thailandica from unidentified vine. USA, Carolinigaster bonitoi (incl. Carolinigaster gen. nov.) from soil, Penicillium fortuitum from house dust, Phaeotheca shathenatiana (incl. Phaeothecaceae fam. nov.) from twig and cone litter, Pythium wohlseniorum from stream water, Superstratomyces tardicrescens from human eye, Talaromyces iowaense from office air. Vietnam, Fistulinella olivaceoalba on soil. Morphological and culture characteristics along with DNA barcodes are provided.

Genera of phytopathogenic fungi: GOPHY 1.

Genera of Phytopathogenic Fungi (GOPHY) is introduced as a new series of publications in order to provide a stable platform for the taxonomy of phytopathogenic fungi. This first paper focuses on 21 genera of phytopathogenic fungi: Bipolaris, Boeremia, Calonectria, Ceratocystis, Cladosporium, Colletotrichum, Coniella, Curvularia, Monilinia, Neofabraea, Neofusicoccum, Pilidium, Pleiochaeta, Plenodomus, Protostegia, Pseudopyricularia, Puccinia, Saccharata, Thyrostroma, Venturia and Wilsonomyces. For each genus, a morphological description and information about its pathology, distribution, hosts and disease symptoms are provided. In addition, this information is linked to primary and secondary DNA barcodes of the presently accepted species, and relevant literature. Moreover, several novelties are introduced, i.e. new genera, species and combinations, and neo-, lecto- and epitypes designated to provide a stable taxonomy. This first paper includes one new genus, 26 new species, ten new combinations, and four typifications of older names.

Ecotoxicological Evaluation of the UV Filters Ethylhexyl Dimethyl p-Aminobenzoic Acid and Octocrylene Using Marine Organisms Isochrysis galbana, Mytilus galloprovincialis and Paracentrotus lividus.

The growing concern regarding the negative effects of solar radiation on the skin has led to a drastic increase in the use of sunscreens containing in its composition up to 10% of aromatic chemicals, such as ethylhexyl dimethyl p-aminobenzoic acid (OD-PABA) and octocrylene (OC). The objective of this study was to evaluate the toxicity and to assess the environmental risk posed by these two ultraviolet filters, widely used in cosmetics and as plastic additives, in the marine environment. Several ecotoxicological bioassays were performed with three model organisms belonging to different trophic levels: the microalgae Isochrysis galbana, the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, and the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus. The results show remarkable toxicity to marine species for both OD-PABA (EC10 values range 26,5-127 µg L-1) and OC (EC10 range 103-511 µg L-1). The cell division in the microalgae I. galbana was the most sensitive endpoint tested. To determine the environmental risk of these substances, the risk coefficient (RQ) was calculated. Due to the higher concentrations reported, OC showed remarkable risk (RQ = 0.27), whereas for OD-PABA the risk was low (RQ = 0.007).

Accuracy of cotinine serum test to detect the smoking habit and its association with periodontal disease in a multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: The validity of the surveys on self-reported smoking status is often questioned because smokers underestimate cigarette use and deny the habit. It has been suggested that self-report should be accompanied by cotinine test. This report evaluates the usefulness of serum cotinine test to assess the association between smoking and periodontal status in a study with a large sample population to be used in studies with other serum markers in epidemiologic and periodontal medicine researches. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 578 patients who were part of a multicenter study on blood biomarkers were evaluated about smoking and its relation to periodontal disease. Severity of periodontal disease was determinate using clinical attachment loss (CAL). Smoking was assessed by a questionnaire and a blood sample drawn for serum cotinine determination. RESULTS: The optimal cut-off point for serum cotinine was 10 ng/ml. Serum cotinine showed greater association with severity of CAL than self-report for mild-moderate CAL [OR 2.03 (CI95% 1.16-3.53) vs. OR 1.08 (CI95% 0.62-1.87) ] advanced periodontitis [OR 2.36 (CI95% 1.30- 4.31) vs. OR 2.06 (CI95% 0.97-4.38) ] and extension of CAL > 3 mm [ OR 1.78 (CI95% 1.16-1.71) vs. 1.37 (CI95% 0.89-2.11)]. When the two tests were evaluated together were not shown to be better than serum cotinine test. CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported smoking and serum cotinine test ≥ 10ng/ml are accurate ,complementary and more reliable methods to assess the patient's smoking status and could be used in studies evaluating serum samples in large population and multicenter studies. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The serum cotinine level is more reliable to make associations with the patient's periodontal status than self-report questionnaire and could be used in multicenter and periodontal medicine studies.

Drug utilisation study in patients receiving antiepileptic drugs in Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: This study examines the indications according to which antiepileptic drugs are prescribed and used in a population of patients enrolled in the Colombian national health system (SGSSS). METHODS: Retrospective cross-sectional study. From the pool of individuals in 34 Colombian cities who used antiepileptic drugs between 18 July, 2013 and 31 August, 2014 during a period of no less than 12 months, we obtained a random sample stratified by city. Socio-demographic, pharmacological and comorbidity variables were analysed. Continuous and categorical variables were compared, and logistic regression models were used. RESULTS: Our patient total was 373 patients, with 197 women (52.1%) and a mean age of 41.9 ± 21.7 years; 65.4% of the patients were treated with monotherapy. The most frequently used drugs were valproic acid (53.1%) and carbamazepine (33.2%). Epilepsy was the most frequent indication (n=178; 47.7%); however, 52.3% of the patients were prescribed antiepileptics for different indications, especially neuropathic pain (26.8%), affective disorders (14.2%) and migraine prophylaxis (12.3%). A total of 81 patients with epilepsy (46.6%) displayed good seizure control while another 25 (14.4%) had drug-resistant epilepsy. In the multivariate analysis, medication adherence was associated with a lower risk of treatment failure in patients with epilepsy (OR: 0.27; 95%CI, 0.11-0.67). CONCLUSIONS: In Colombia, antiepileptic drugs are being used for indications other than those originally intended. Monotherapy is the most commonly used treatment approach, together with the use of classic antiepileptic drugs.

Fungal Planet description sheets: 400-468.

Novel species of fungi described in the present study include the following from Australia: Vermiculariopsiella eucalypti, Mulderomyces natalis (incl. Mulderomyces gen. nov.), Fusicladium paraamoenum, Neotrimmatostroma paraexcentricum, and Pseudophloeospora eucalyptorum on leaves of Eucalyptus spp., Anungitea grevilleae (on leaves of Grevillea sp.), Pyrenochaeta acaciae (on leaves of Acacia sp.), and Brunneocarpos banksiae (incl. Brunneocarpos gen. nov.) on cones of Banksia attenuata. Novel foliicolous taxa from South Africa include Neosulcatispora strelitziae (on Strelitzia nicolai), Colletotrichum ledebouriae (on Ledebouria floridunda), Cylindrosympodioides brabejum (incl. Cylindrosympodioides gen. nov.) on Brabejum stellatifolium, Sclerostagonospora ericae (on Erica sp.), Setophoma cyperi (on Cyperus sphaerocephala), and Phaeosphaeria breonadiae (on Breonadia microcephala). Novelties described from Robben Island (South Africa) include Wojnowiciella cissampeli and Diaporthe cissampeli (both on Cissampelos capensis), Phaeotheca salicorniae (on Salicornia meyeriana), Paracylindrocarpon aloicola (incl. Paracylindrocarpon gen. nov.) on Aloe sp., and Libertasomyces myopori (incl. Libertasomyces gen. nov.) on Myoporum serratum. Several novelties are recorded from La Réunion (France), namely Phaeosphaeriopsis agapanthi (on Agapanthus sp.), Roussoella solani (on Solanum mauritianum), Vermiculariopsiella acaciae (on Acacia heterophylla), Dothiorella acacicola (on Acacia mearnsii), Chalara clidemiae (on Clidemia hirta), Cytospora tibouchinae (on Tibouchina semidecandra), Diaporthe ocoteae (on Ocotea obtusata), Castanediella eucalypticola, Phaeophleospora eucalypticola and Fusicladium eucalypticola (on Eucalyptus robusta), Lareunionomyces syzygii (incl. Lareunionomyces gen. nov.) and Parawiesneriomyces syzygii (incl. Parawiesneriomyces gen. nov.) on leaves of Syzygium jambos. Novel taxa from the USA include Meristemomyces arctostaphylos (on Arctostaphylos patula), Ochroconis dracaenae (on Dracaena reflexa), Rasamsonia columbiensis (air of a hotel conference room), Paecilomyces tabacinus (on Nicotiana tabacum), Toxicocladosporium hominis (from human broncoalveolar lavage fluid), Nothophoma macrospora (from respiratory secretion of a patient with pneumonia), and Penidiellopsis radicularis (incl. Penidiellopsis gen. nov.) from a human nail. Novel taxa described from Malaysia include Prosopidicola albizziae (on Albizzia falcataria), Proxipyricularia asari (on Asarum sp.), Diaporthe passifloricola (on Passiflora foetida), Paramycoleptodiscus albizziae (incl. Paramycoleptodiscus gen. nov.) on Albizzia falcataria, and Malaysiasca phaii (incl. Malaysiasca gen. nov.) on Phaius reflexipetalus. Two species are newly described from human patients in the Czech Republic, namely Microascus longicollis (from toenails of patient with suspected onychomycosis), and Chrysosporium echinulatum (from sole skin of patient). Furthermore, Alternaria quercicola is described on leaves of Quercus brantii (Iran), Stemphylium beticola on leaves of Beta vulgaris (The Netherlands), Scleroderma capeverdeanum on soil (Cape Verde Islands), Scleroderma dunensis on soil, and Blastobotrys meliponae from bee honey (Brazil), Ganoderma mbrekobenum on angiosperms (Ghana), Geoglossum raitviirii and Entoloma kruticianum on soil (Russia), Priceomyces vitoshaensis on Pterostichus melas (Carabidae) (Bulgaria) is the only one for which the family is listed, Ganoderma ecuadoriense on decaying wood (Ecuador), Thyrostroma cornicola on Cornus officinalis (Korea), Cercophora vinosa on decorticated branch of Salix sp. (France), Coprinus pinetorum, Coprinus littoralis and Xerocomellus poederi on soil (Spain). Two new genera from Colombia include Helminthosporiella and Uwemyces on leaves of Elaeis oleifera. Two species are described from India, namely Russula intervenosa (ectomycorrhizal with Shorea robusta), and Crinipellis odorata (on bark of Mytragyna parviflora). Novelties from Thailand include Cyphellophora gamsii (on leaf litter), Pisolithus aureosericeus and Corynascus citrinus (on soil). Two species are newly described from Citrus in Italy, namely Dendryphiella paravinosa on Citrus sinensis, and Ramularia citricola on Citrus floridana. Morphological and culture characteristics along with ITS nrDNA barcodes are provided for all taxa.

Phylogeny of Sarocladium (Hypocreales).

The circumscription of the genus Acremonium (Hypocreales) was recently reviewed on the basis of a DNA phylogenetic study. Several species were subsequently transferred to Sarocladium, but the relationships between both genera remained unresolved. Based on multilocus phylogenetic inferences combined with phenotypic data, we have revised the species concepts within Sarocladium and some genetically related species of Acremonium. As a result of these studies, six species are described as new, viz. S. bifurcatum, S. gamsii, S. hominis, S. pseudostrictum, S. subulatum and S. summerbellii. In addition, the new combinations S. implicatum and S. terricola are proposed for A. implicatum and A. terricola, respectively. Sarocladium attenuatum is confirmed as synonym of the type species of the genus, S. oryzae. An epitype and neotype are also introduced for S. oryzae and S. implicatum, respectively. Although Sarocladium species have traditionally been considered as important phytopathogens, the genus also contains opportunistic human pathogens. This study extends the spectrum of clinical species that could be diagnosed as causal agents of human infections.

Fungal Planet description sheets: 320-370.

Novel species of fungi described in the present study include the following from Malaysia: Castanediella eucalypti from Eucalyptus pellita, Codinaea acacia from Acacia mangium, Emarcea eucalyptigena from Eucalyptus brassiana, Myrtapenidiella eucalyptorum from Eucalyptus pellita, Pilidiella eucalyptigena from Eucalyptus brassiana and Strelitziana malaysiana from Acacia mangium. Furthermore, Stachybotrys sansevieriicola is described from Sansevieria ehrenbergii (Tanzania), Phacidium grevilleae from Grevillea robusta (Uganda), Graphium jumulu from Adansonia gregorii and Ophiostoma eucalyptigena from Eucalyptus marginata (Australia), Pleurophoma ossicola from bone and Plectosphaerella populi from Populus nigra (Germany), Colletotrichum neosansevieriae from Sansevieria trifasciata, Elsinoë othonnae from Othonna quinquedentata and Zeloasperisporium cliviae (Zeloasperisporiaceae fam. nov.) from Clivia sp. (South Africa), Neodevriesia pakbiae, Phaeophleospora hymenocallidis and Phaeophleospora hymenocallidicola on leaves of a fern (Thailand), Melanconium elaeidicola from Elaeis guineensis (Indonesia), Hormonema viticola from Vitis vinifera (Canary Islands), Chlorophyllum pseudoglobossum from a grassland (India), Triadelphia disseminata from an immunocompromised patient (Saudi Arabia), Colletotrichum abscissum from Citrus (Brazil), Polyschema sclerotigenum and Phialemonium limoniforme from human patients (USA), Cadophora vitícola from Vitis vinifera (Spain), Entoloma flavovelutinum and Bolbitius aurantiorugosus from soil (Vietnam), Rhizopogon granuloflavus from soil (Cape Verde Islands), Tulasnella eremophila from Euphorbia officinarum subsp. echinus (Morocco), Verrucostoma martinicensis from Danaea elliptica (French West Indies), Metschnikowia colchici from Colchicum autumnale (Bulgaria), Thelebolus microcarpus from soil (Argentina) and Ceratocystis adelpha from Theobroma cacao (Ecuador). Myrmecridium iridis (Myrmecridiales ord. nov., Myrmecridiaceae fam. nov.) is also described from Iris sp. (The Netherlands). Novel genera include (Ascomycetes): Budhanggurabania from Cynodon dactylon (Australia), Soloacrosporiella, Xenocamarosporium, Neostrelitziana and Castanediella from Acacia mangium and Sabahriopsis from Eucalyptus brassiana (Malaysia), Readerielliopsis from basidiomata of Fuscoporia wahlbergii (French Guyana), Neoplatysporoides from Aloe ferox (Tanzania), Wojnowiciella, Chrysofolia and Neoeriomycopsis from Eucalyptus (Colombia), Neophaeomoniella from Eucalyptus globulus (USA), Pseudophaeomoniella from Olea europaea (Italy), Paraphaeomoniella from Encephalartos altensteinii, Aequabiliella, Celerioriella and Minutiella from Prunus (South Africa). Tephrocybella (Basidiomycetes) represents a novel genus from wood (Italy). Morphological and culture characteristics along with ITS DNA barcodes are provided for all taxa.

[Enterocolitis associated with Hirschsprung's Disease. Experience in a pediatric teaching hospital]. / Enterocolitis asociada a enfermedad de Hirschsprung. Experiencia en un Hospital Universitario Pediátrico.

Hirschsprung's associated enterocolitis (HAEC) is the most serious and potentially fatal complication of the disease, with a significant morbidity and mortality. The effect of HAEC varies remarkably among the publications since the lack of consensus and the absence of established diagnostic criteria. Patients diagnosed with Hirschsprung's disease (HD) were selected and treated between January 2009 and December 2012 in Fundación HOMI, finding 41 cases of HD, 6 of them with total aganglionosis. 76% of the patients had HAEC, 18 of them during the neonatal period and 6 of them after the final pull-through; 23% presented recurrent enterocolitis episodes. HAEC was the first clinical manifestation in 25 (61%) of the patients with HD. From HD patients limited to the rectum and sigmoid 67% had enterocolitis unlike TCA (total colonic agangliniosis) cases in which all presented HAEC episodes. In our setting, HAEC remains to be an unknown complication; this revision demonstrates its high incidence and mortality.

La enterocolitis asociada a la enfermedad de Hirschsprung (EAEH) es la complicación más grave y potencialmente fatal de la enfermedad, con una morbilidad y mortalidad significativas. La incidencia de EAEH varía notablemente entre las publicaciones dada la falta de consenso y la ausencia de criterios diagnósticos establecidos. Se seleccionaron los pacientes con diagnóstico de enfermedad de Hirschsprung (EH) tratados entre Enero de 2009 a Diciembre de 2012 en la Fundación Hospital de La Misericordia (HOMI) encontrando 41 casos de EH, 6 de ellos con aganglionosis total. En el 76% de los pacientes se realizó el diagnóstico de EAEH, 18 de ellos en el periodo neonatal y 6, tras el descenso definitivo; 23% presentaron episodios de enterocolitis recurrente. La EAEH fue la primera manifestación clínica en 25 (61%) de los pacientes con EH. De los pacientes con EH limitada al recto y sigmoides, un 67% tuvieron enterocolitis a diferencia de los casos de aganglionosis total del colon (ATC), donde todos presentaron episodios de EAEH.

Phylogenetic circumscription of Arthrographis (Eremomycetaceae, Dothideomycetes).

Numerous members of Ascomycota and Basidiomycota produce only poorly differentiated arthroconidial asexual morphs in culture. These arthroconidial fungi are grouped in genera where the asexual-sexual connections and their taxonomic circumscription are poorly known. In the present study we explored the phylogenetic relationships of two of these ascomycetous genera, Arthrographis and Arthropsis. Analysis of D1/D2 sequences of all species of both genera revealed that both are polyphyletic, with species being accommodated in different orders and classes. Because genetic variability was detected among reference strains and fresh isolates resembling the genus Arthrographis, we carried out a detailed phenotypic and phylogenetic analysis based on sequence data of the ITS region, actin and chitin synthase genes. Based on these results, four new species are recognised, namely Arthrographis chlamydospora, A. curvata, A. globosa and A. longispora. Arthrographis chlamydospora is distinguished by its cerebriform colonies, branched conidiophores, cuboid arthroconidia and terminal or intercalary globose to subglobose chlamydospores. Arthrographis curvata produced both sexual and asexual morphs, and is characterised by navicular ascospores and dimorphic conidia, namely cylindrical arthroconidia and curved, cashewnut-shaped conidia formed laterally on vegetative hyphae. Arthrographis globosa produced membranous colonies, but is mainly characterised by doliiform to globose arthroconidia. Arthrographis longispora also produces membranous colonies, but has poorly differentiated conidiophores and long arthroconidia. Morphological variants are described for A. kalrae and our results also revealed that Eremomyces langeronii and A. kalrae, traditionally considered the sexual and asexual morphs of the same species, are not conspecific.

Fungal Planet description sheets: 281-319.

Novel species of fungi described in the present study include the following from South Africa: Alanphillipsia aloeicola from Aloe sp., Arxiella dolichandrae from Dolichandra unguiscati, Ganoderma austroafricanum from Jacaranda mimosifolia, Phacidiella podocarpi and Phaeosphaeria podocarpi from Podocarpus latifolius, Phyllosticta mimusopisicola from Mimusops zeyheri and Sphaerulina pelargonii from Pelargonium sp. Furthermore, Barssia maroccana is described from Cedrus atlantica (Morocco), Codinaea pini from Pinus patula (Uganda), Crucellisporiopsis marquesiae from Marquesia acuminata (Zambia), Dinemasporium ipomoeae from Ipomoea pes-caprae (Vietnam), Diaporthe phragmitis from Phragmites australis (China), Marasmius vladimirii from leaf litter (India), Melanconium hedericola from Hedera helix (Spain), Pluteus albotomentosus and Pluteus extremiorientalis from a mixed forest (Russia), Rachicladosporium eucalypti from Eucalyptus globulus (Ethiopia), Sistotrema epiphyllum from dead leaves of Fagus sylvatica in a forest (The Netherlands), Stagonospora chrysopyla from Scirpus microcarpus (USA) and Trichomerium dioscoreae from Dioscorea sp. (Japan). Novel species from Australia include: Corynespora endiandrae from Endiandra introrsa, Gonatophragmium triuniae from Triunia youngiana, Penicillium coccotrypicola from Archontophoenix cunninghamiana and Phytophthora moyootj from soil. Novelties from Iran include Neocamarosporium chichastianum from soil and Seimatosporium pistaciae from Pistacia vera. Xenosonderhenia eucalypti and Zasmidium eucalyptigenum are newly described from Eucalyptus urophylla in Indonesia. Diaporthe acaciarum and Roussoella acacia are newly described from Acacia tortilis in Tanzania. New species from Italy include Comoclathris spartii from Spartium junceum and Phoma tamaricicola from Tamarix gallica. Novel genera include (Ascomycetes): Acremoniopsis from forest soil and Collarina from water sediments (Spain), Phellinocrescentia from a Phellinus sp. (French Guiana), Neobambusicola from Strelitzia nicolai (South Africa), Neocladophialophora from Quercus robur (Germany), Neophysalospora from Corymbia henryi (Mozambique) and Xenophaeosphaeria from Grewia sp. (Tanzania). Morphological and culture characteristics along with ITS DNA barcodes are provided for all taxa.

Protective effects of melatonin on changes occurring in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis model of multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Melatonin has been related to the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS), and its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties have been proved in numerous neurodegenerative diseases. This study aimed to find out whether a melatonin supplement in MS is able to act as a benefit to its clinical status, i.e. oxidative stress, inflammation and indirect biomarkers of bacterial dysbiosis, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and LPS-binding protein (LBP), verifying its therapeutic potential and its possible clinical use in patients with MS. METHODS: The animal MS model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), was employed whereby 25 male Dark Agouti rats (5 animals per group) were divided into: a control group (not manipulated); a control+vehicle group; a control+melatonin group; an EAE group; an EAE+melatonin group. Melatonin was administered daily for 51 days, at a dose of 1 mg/kg body weight/i.p., once a day, five days a week. RESULTS: The results from the administration of melatonin demonstrated an improvement in clinical status, a diminution in oxidative stress and inflammation, as well as in bacterial dysbiosis. CONCLUSION: Melatonin could play an effective role against MS, either alone or as a therapy combined with traditional agents.

Sexual, ontogenetic, temporal and spatial effects on the diet of Urotrygon rogersi (Elasmobranchii:Myliobatiformes).

The food habits and trophic ecology of Urotrygon rogersi were analysed to ascertain sexual, ontogenetic, temporal and spatial effects on the diet. These effects were examined with contingency tables, simple correspondence analysis and MANOVA. The trophic relationships of the species were determined with Levin's niche amplitude index and Pianka's diet overlap index. Urotrygon rogersi is a predator of benthic organisms, especially shrimp and polychaetes. Analysis of sex and time showed no significant differences, but differences among class sizes were found. A strong trend towards diet specialization and a strong overlap between sexes and between class sizes were found. Finally, fishing activity on shrimps in the study area could force U. rogersi to change its trophic spectrum over time as an adaptation to the considerable reduction in its principal prey.

HLA-DRB1 polymorphism determines susceptibility to autoimmune thyroiditis in transgenic mice: definitive association with HLA-DRB1*0301 (DR3) gene.

Familial clustering of autoimmune thyroid diseases has led to studies of their association with human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II genes. One such gene implicated in Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is HLA-DR3, but the association is weak and is contradicted by other reports. On the other hand, murine experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT), a model for HT, presents a clear linkage with MHC class II. Moreover, it is inducible with thyroglobulin (Tg), the common autoantigen in either species. Immunization of HLA-DRB1* 0301 (DR3) transgenic mice with mouse or human Tg resulted in severe thyroiditis. In contrast, transgenic mice expressing the HLA-DRB1*1502 (DR2) gene were resistant to EAT. Our studies show that HLA-DRB1 polymorphism determines susceptibility to autoimmune thyroiditis and implicate Tg as an important autoantigen.