Morphological and phylogenetic analyses reveal a new species of Anthracophyllum (Omphalotaceae, Agaricales) in Zhejiang Province, China.

During the investigations of macrofungi resources in Zhejiang Province, China, an interesting wood rot fungus was collected. Based on morphological and molecular phylogenetic studies, it is described as a new species, Anthracophyllum sinense. A. sinense is characterized by its sessile, charcoal black and pleurotoid pileus, sparse lamellae occasionally branching, clavate basidia with long sterigmata [(3-)6-7(-8) µm], and non-heteromorphous cystidia. A. sinense establishes a separate lineage close to A. archeri and A. lateritium in the phylogenetic tree.

Aquapteridospora jiangxiensis, a new aquatic hyphomycetous fungus from a freshwater habitat in China.

During an investigation of freshwater fungi in Jiangxi province, China, a new hyphomycetous fungus, Aquapteridospora jiangxiensis, was collected and isolated. Aquapteridospora jiangxiensis is characterized by its unbranched and guttulate conidiophores with multi-septa swollen at the base, polyblastic conidiogenous cells with sympodial proliferations, and denticles, and guttulate conidia with a sheath. A photo plate of the macro- and micro-morphology and a muti-loci (ITS, LSU, SSU, TEF1 and RPB2) phylogenetic tree are provided. A key to the species of Aquapteridospora is also presented in this paper.

Exploration of the key functional proteins from an efficient cellulolytic microbial consortium using dilution-to-extinction approach.

In the present study, the cellulose binding proteins (CBPs) secreted by a putative cellulolytic microbial consortium were isolated and purified by affinity digestion. The purified CBPs were subsequently separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Using mass spectrometric analyses, eight CBPs were identified and annotated to be similar to known proteins secreted by Clostridium clariflavum DSM 19732 and Paenibacillus sp. W-61. In addition, in combination with dilution-to-extinction approach and zymogram analysis technique, CBPs 6 (97kDa) and 12 (52kDa) were confirmed to be the key functional proteins that influence cellulolytic activities. Moreover, structural domain analyses and enzymatic activity detection indicated that CBPs 6 and 12 contained glycoside hydrolase families (GH) 9 and 48 catalytic modules, which both revealed endoglucandase and xylanase activities. It was suggested that the coexistence of GH9 and GH48 catalytic domains present in these two proteins could synergistically promote the efficient degradation of cellulose.

Multi-gene phylogenetic analyses revealed two novel species and one new record of Trichobotrys (Pleosporales, Dictyosporiaceae) from China.

The rotting wood in freshwater is a unique eco-environment favoring various fungi. During our investigation of freshwater fungi on decaying wood, three hyphomycetes were collected from Jiangxi and Guangxi Provinces, China. Based on the morphological observations and phylogenetic analysis of a combined DNA data containing ITS, LSU, SSU and tef1-α sequences, two new Trichobotrys species, T.meilingensis and T.yunjushanensis, as well as a new record of T.effusa, were introduced. Additionally, a comprehensive description of the genus with both morphological and molecular data was first provided.

Four novel species of Pleurotheciaceae collected from freshwater habitats in Jiangxi Province, China.

During an investigation of fungal diversity from freshwater environments in different regions in Jiangxi Province, China, four interesting species were collected. Morphology coupled with combined gene analysis of an ITS, LSU, SSU, and rpb2 DNA sequence data showed that they belong to the family Pleurotheciaceae. Four new species, Pleurotheciella ganzhouensis, Pla. irregularis, Pla. verrucosa, and Pleurothecium jiangxiense are herein described. Pleurotheciella ganzhouensis is characterized by its capsule-shaped conidia and short conidiophores, while Pla. irregularis has amorphous conidiophores and 3-septate conidia. Pleurotheciella verrucosa has cylindrical or verrucolose conidiogenous cells, 1-septate, narrowly fusiform, meniscus or subclavate conidia. Pleurothecium jiangxiense characterized in having conidiogenous cells with dense cylindrical denticles and short conidiophores. Pleurothecium obovoideum was transferred to Neomonodictys based on phylogenetic evidence. All species are compared with other similar species and comprehensive descriptions, micrographs, and phylogenetic data are provided.

A new species of Dictyochaeta (Sordariomycetes, Chaetosphaeriales, Chaetosphaeriaceae) from freshwater habitats in China.

Background: Freshwater fungi refer to the fungi that depend on the freshwater habitats for the whole life cycle or part of their life cycle. In this context, a new aquatic hyphomycete was isolated from decaying wood in a freshwater habitat in Jiangxi Province, China. New information: Dictyochaetajiangxiensis sp. nov., a new aquatic hyphomycete, is characterised by its unbranched, septate, base-fertile conidiophores with multisepta and single phialide at the apex, brown, sterile seta, monophialidic, subcylindrical conidiogenous cells narrowing below the funnel-shaped collarette, hyaline, unicellular, thin-walled, smooth, guttulate, falcate to subclavate conidia narrowly rounded at both ends with hair-like appendages. Phylogenetically, the new species Dictyochaetajiangxiensis clustered together with Dictyochaetabrevis MFLU 19-0216 in a well-supported clade, but formed a separate branch. In order to better define the taxonomic status of the new species, a phylogenetic tree of most closely-related taxa in Chaetosphaeriaceae was established, based on multi-locus sequences (ITS and LSU). The novel species is described and illustrated. Newly-generated molecular data of Dictyochaetajiangxiensis is also provided.

Three novel species of Distoseptispora (Distoseptisporaceae) isolated from bamboo in Jiangxi Province, China.

Decaying bamboo in freshwater is a unique eco-environment for fungi. Three new Distoseptispora (Distoseptisporaceae) species, D.meilingensis, D.yongxiuensis and D.yunjushanensis from submerged decaying bamboo culms in Jiangxi Province, China, were discovered, based on phylogenetic analyses and morphological characters. The combined data of ITS-LSU-SSU-Tef1 sequences were used to infer the phylogenetic relationship between D.meilingensis, D.yongxiuensis, D.yunjushanensis and related species. Both molecular analyses and morphological data supported D.meilingensis, D.yongxiuensis and D.yunjushanensis as three independent taxa.

Menisporopsisaquatica sp. nov. (Sordariomycetes, Chaetosphaeriales, Chaetosphaeriaceae), from freshwater habitat in China.

Background: Freshwater fungi are an integral part of freshwater ecosystems. They promote the carbon cycle of the ecosystem by decomposing wood substrates. Menisporopsis is a fungal genus of Chaetosphaeriales in Sordariomycetes, which has been commonly collected from aquatic and marine environments. Most species of this genus are saprophytes. New information: Here, a new freshwater hyphomycetous fungus, Menisporopsisaquatica, reported from submerged rotten wood samples collected in a stream in Zhejiang Province, south-eastern China. The new species is characterised by hyaline conidia appendiculate with 1-2 setulae at each end and synnematous conidiophores growing closely around a black central seta. Molecular phylogeny of Menisporopsis was studied using a combined two-loci dataset, including the internal transcribed spacer sequences (ITS) and the nuclear ribosomal large subunit gene sequences (nrLSU). The new species is illustrated and a synopsis of the Menisporopsis species is presented in this paper.

Phaeoisarialaianensis (Pleurotheciales, Pleurotheciaceae), a new species from freshwater habitats in China.

Background: Freshwater fungi play an indispensable role in the ecosystem and have great research value. Based on morphological and phylogenetic analyses of a concatenated dataset of ITS, LSU and SSU sequences, a new species, Phaeoisarialaianensis, was introduced as a freshwater hyphomycete from Anhui Province, China. New information: Phaeoisarialaianensis was morphologically described as erect, rigid, dark brown to black, velvety synnemata which has macronematous, septate, branched, brown to dark brown, parallel adpressed conidiophores with polyblastic, integrated, terminal, hyaline to pale brown, smooth, denticulate, sympodial conidiogenous cells and ellipsoidal to obovoid, rounded at the apex, obtuse and tapering towards base, septate, guttulate conidia. Based on molecular and morphological characteristics, it is confirmed to be a new species. All illustrations and descriptions have been provided.

Exploration of the key functional strains from an azo dye degradation microbial community by DGGE and high-throughput sequencing technology.

This study investigated a previously developed thermophilic microbial community with the ability to effectively degrade azo dyes. To identify the key microbes of this microbial community, a dilution-to-extinction approach was combined with polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) and Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology (HTST). Strains belonging to Tepidiphilus sp. almost disappeared from the degradation solution at dilution ratios above 10-7; furthermore, at this ratio, the diluted microbial community almost lost their decolorization ability, indicating this ratio as the critical point for effective azo dye decolorization. Strains belonging to Tepidiphilus sp. were indicated as possible key functional microbes of this microbial community for effective azo dye decolorization. Moreover, the synergistic action of other microbes, such as Anoxybacillus sp., Clostridium sp., and Bacillus sp., was suggested to further promote the decolorization process by secreting azoreductase and laccase. Caloramator spp. were found have the ability to degrade proteins and amino acids, which might promote the degradation process with further degradation microbes. The loss of these bacteria might diminish the synergistic relationships among different strains, which further results in the failure of efficient azo dye decolorization and degradation by this microbial community.

[Effects of potassium salts on direct induction of microtubers in Pinellia ternata].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of potassium salts on direct induction of microtubers from different explants in Pinellia ternata. METHOD: Leaves, petioles and tubers were cut and cultured on the medium with different kinds of potassium salts and plant growth regulators. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: Low concentration of potassium salts, which were lower than 4.02 mmol x L(-1), could promote the microtuber formation in vitro. While high concentration of potassium salts, which were more than 12.06 mmol x L(-1), inhibited the formation of microtubers.

MRI, enhanced CT, and FDG PET/CT in primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenocarcinoma.

Primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenocarcinoma (PRMC) is an extremely rare neoplasm. We present a case of PRMC with MRI, enhanced CT, and FDG PET/CT findings. Abdominal MRI showed a cystic lesion in the retroperitoneum with a mural nodule. The mural nodule showed progressive enhancement on enhanced CT and intense FDG uptake on early PET/CT with increased SUVmax on delayed PET/CT. Laparoscopy was performed. Retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenocarcinoma was confirmed histopathologically. Metastasis from gastrointestinal tract or ovary was excluded. This case indicates, although rare, PRMC should be considered when a hypermetabolic retroperitoneal cystic lesion with bilateral normal ovaries is found on FDG PET/CT.

FDG PET/CT in primary pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma.

Primary pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinomas are extremely rare tumors with better prognosis than other types of non-small cell lung cancer. An 83-year-old man presented with cough and hemoptysis for 2 weeks. Chest CT images showed a cylinder-shaped lesion in the right upper lung. F-FDG PET/CT showed strong FDG uptake (SUVmax, 34.5) of the tumor with ipsilateral hilar lymph node metastases. Video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy was performed. Histopathologically, the tumor was composed of epithelial tumor cells with high proliferation index (80%) and abundant lymphoplasmacytic cells, consistent with lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma.

Isolated nasal tip metastasis from esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Cutaneous metastatic tumors to the nasal tip are very rare. A 74-year-old woman presented with progressive dysphagia for 4 months and a painless red violaceous nodule in the nasal tip for the last 6 weeks. Gastroendoscopy showed midesophageal wall thickening, which corresponded to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma confirmed by endoscopic biopsy. F-FDG PET/CT showed intense FDG uptake of the esophageal carcinoma (SUVmax, 19.0) and the nasal tip nodule (SUVmax, 29.1). The patient underwent biopsy of the nasal tip nodule. Nasal tip metastasis from the esophageal squamous cell carcinoma was confirmed by pathologic examination.

Increased FDG uptake in scrotal steatocystoma multiplex with calcification.

Steatocystoma multiplex is a rare, benign, sporadic or familial disorder. Steatocystoma multiplex with extensive calcification is extremely rare. A 57-year-old man presented fever and cough with expectoration for 3 weeks. Chest CT showed bilateral pleural effusion. FDG PET/CT showed diffuse FDG uptake of the bone marrow and multiple hypermetabolic calcified nodules in the scrotum with SUVmax of 7.6. Blood culture revealed septicemia. Skin biopsy of the scrotal nodules revealed steatocystoma multiplex with calcification. Histopathologically, there were rich multinucleated giant cells and lymphocytes in the cyst wall of the steatocystoma, which may contribute to the increased FDG uptake.

Enhanced CT and FDG PET/CT in primary malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the uterine cervix.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the uterine cervix is extremely rare. A 45-year-old woman presented with intermittent vaginal bleeding for 1 month. Enhanced CT in the arterial and venous phases showed a hypervascular tumor in the uterine cervix. Colposcopy-directed biopsy revealed malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor. FDG PET/CT showed intense FDG uptake (SUVmax, 8.8) of the tumor mimicking cervical cancer. Total laparoscopic radical hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and pelvic lymphadenectomy were performed.

Comparative assessment of the methanogenic steps of single and two-stage processes without or with a previous hydrolysis of cassava distillage.

In this study, cassava distillage with a high solid content was digested in an anaerobic sequencing batch reactor (ASBR) without or with a previous hydrolytic step by a cellulolytic microbial consortium (i.e., single or two-stage process). The methanogenic steps of these processes were compared and evaluated through observation of the methanogenic stability and methane yield under different organic loading rates (OLRs). It was found the methanogenic reactor can be stably performed with the OLRs lower than 20 g COD L(-1) d(-1) in the two-stage process, where a specific methane yield (0.147 L CH4 g(-1) CODremoved) could be achieved, which was 17.6% higher than that of the single-stage process (0.125 L CH4 g(-1) CODremoved). The above results indicated that the degradation of cassava distillage in a two-stage process with a previous hydrolytic step can assure the methanogenic process proceeds with greater stability and generates higher methane yield.