Topical erythritol combined with L-ascorbyl-2-phosphate inhibits staphylococcal growth and alleviates staphylococcal overgrowth in skin lesions of canine superficial pyoderma.

Erythritol (ERT) and L-ascorbyl-2-phosphate (APS) are bacteriostatic, but their effects on staphylococcal skin infections remain unknown. We aimed to determine whether ERT combined with APS inhibits the growth of staphylococci that are commonly isolated from pyoderma skin lesions in dogs. We investigated the individual and combined effects of ERT and APS on the growth of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, S. schleiferi, and S. aureus using turbidity assays in vitro. Skin lesions from 10 dogs with superficial pyoderma were topically treated with 5% ERT and 0.1% APS for 28 days, and swabbed skin samples were then analyzed using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Results showed that ERT inhibited S. pseudintermedius growth regardless of harboring the mecA gene, and APS increased the inhibitory effects of ERT against S. pseudintermedius, S. schleiferi, and S. aureus in vitro. Moreover, combined ERT and APS decreased the prevalence of staphylococci on canine skin lesions at the genus level. The combination slightly increased the α-diversity but did not affect the ß-diversity of the microbiota. The qPCR results revealed that the combination significantly decreased S. pseudintermedius and S. schleiferi in skin lesions. Topical administration of EPS combined with APS can prevent staphylococcal colonization on the surface of mammalian skin. The results of this study may provide an alternative to systemic antibiotics for treating superficial pyoderma on mammalian skin surfaces.

Clinical effects of combined Lactobacillus paracasei and kestose on canine atopic dermatitis.

Probiotics and prebiotics are viable bacteria with beneficial effects on the host and components that selectively act on the beneficial commensal bacteria, respectively. The combined use of probiotics and prebiotics is termed synbiotics. Probiotic intake improves dysbiosis in the intestinal microbiota and can positively affect canine atopic dermatitis (CAD). However, clinical studies on improvements in CAD using synbiotics remain limited. In this study, 15 dogs with CAD who received prednisolone, a synthetic glucocorticoid (GC) used in the treatment of CAD, for more than 90 days were continuously treated with Lactobacillus paracasei M-1 from fermented food as a probiotic, and trisaccharide kestose as a prebiotic, for 90 days to determine their synbiotic effects on CAD. The CAD symptoms were evaluated using the canine atopic dermatitis lesion index (CADLI) and pruritus visual analog scores (PVAS) at 30, 60 and 90 days after synbiotic administration. The total prednisolone use for 90 days pre- and post-administration was also evaluated. Synbiotic administration significantly reduced the CADLI (pre: median, 28.0 [22.0-32.0]; 30 days: median, 20.0 [20.0-28.0]; 60 days: median, 20.0 [10.0-21.0]; 90 days: median, 12.0 [10.0-19.0]) and PVAS (pre: median, 6.0 [5.0-7.0]; 30 days: median, 3.0 [3.0-3.5]; 60 days: median, 3.0 [3.0-3.5]; 90 days: median, 2.0 [2.0-3.5]) scores, and reduced the total prednisone use over 90 days (pre: 112.0 [25-450] mg; post: 80.0 [18.-300.0] mg; p⟨0.001) in the 15 dogs. Thus, the synbiotic activity of L. paracasei M-1 and trisaccharide kestose can improve CAD.

Fusarium and allied fusarioid taxa (FUSA). 1.

Seven Fusarium species complexes are treated, namely F. aywerte species complex (FASC) (two species), F. buharicum species complex (FBSC) (five species), F. burgessii species complex (FBURSC) (three species), F. camptoceras species complex (FCAMSC) (three species), F. chlamydosporum species complex (FCSC) (eight species), F. citricola species complex (FCCSC) (five species) and the F. concolor species complex (FCOSC) (four species). New species include Fusicolla elongata from soil (Zimbabwe), and Neocosmospora geoasparagicola from soil associated with Asparagus officinalis (Netherlands). New combinations include Neocosmospora akasia, N. awan, N. drepaniformis, N. duplosperma, N. geoasparagicola, N. mekan, N. papillata, N. variasi and N. warna. Newly validated taxa include Longinectria gen. nov., L. lagenoides, L. verticilliforme, Fusicolla gigas and Fusicolla guangxiensis. Furthermore, Fusarium rosicola is reduced to synonymy under N. brevis. Finally, the genome assemblies of Fusarium secorum (CBS 175.32), Microcera coccophila (CBS 310.34), Rectifusarium robinianum (CBS 430.91), Rugonectria rugulosa (CBS 126565), and Thelonectria blattea (CBS 952.68) are also announced here. Citation: Crous PW, Sandoval-Denis M, Costa MM, Groenewald JZ, van Iperen AL, Starink-Willemse M, Hernández-Restrepo M, Kandemir H, Ulaszewski B, de Boer W, Abdel-Azeem AM, Abdollahzadeh J, Akulov A, Bakhshi M, Bezerra JDP, Bhunjun CS, Câmara MPS, Chaverri P, Vieira WAS, Decock CA, Gaya E, Gené J, Guarro J, Gramaje D, Grube M, Gupta VK, Guarnaccia V, Hill R, Hirooka Y, Hyde KD, Jayawardena RS, Jeewon R, Jurjevic Z, Korsten L, Lamprecht SC, Lombard L, Maharachchikumbura SSN, Polizzi G, Rajeshkumar KC, Salgado-Salazar C, Shang Q-J, Shivas RG, Summerbell RC, Sun GY, Swart WJ, Tan YP, Vizzini A, Xia JW, Zare R, González CD, Iturriaga T, Savary O, Coton M, Coton E, Jany J-L, Liu C, Zeng Z-Q, Zhuang W-Y, Yu Z-H, Thines M (2022). Fusarium and allied fusarioid taxa (FUSA). 1. Fungal Systematics and Evolution 9: 161-200. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2022.09.08.

The bacteriostatic effect of erythritol on canine periodontal disease-related bacteria.

Erythritol helps both prevent and improve periodontal disease and is therefore widely used for dental care in humans. However, only a few studies have investigated the effects of erythritol on periodontal disease in animals. We hypothesized that erythritol could be used to prevent and improve periodontal disease also in canines and investigated the effects of erythritol on canine periodontal disease-related pathogenic bacteria using both in vitro and in vivo methods. The effect of erythritol on the proliferation of Porphyromonas gulae, which is reportedly associated with canine periodontal disease, was investigated in vitro. In addition, a 4-week intervention trial using an external gel preparation containing 5% erythritol was performed in canines with mild periodontal disease; changes in the microbiota around periodontal lesions were investigated using next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. The growth of P. gulae was significantly suppressed by erythritol in vitro. In the intervention study, the Shannon index, an indicator of the species distribution α-diversity, and the occupancy of several canine periodontal disease - related bacteria ( P. gulae, P. cangingivalis) were significantly decreased in periodontal lesions. Based on the results of in vitro and in vivo studies, we conclude that, as in humans, erythritol has bacteriostatic effects against periodontal disease - related bacteria in canines.

Fusarium: more than a node or a foot-shaped basal cell.

Recent publications have argued that there are potentially serious consequences for researchers in recognising distinct genera in the terminal fusarioid clade of the family Nectriaceae. Thus, an alternate hypothesis, namely a very broad concept of the genus Fusarium was proposed. In doing so, however, a significant body of data that supports distinct genera in Nectriaceae based on morphology, biology, and phylogeny is disregarded. A DNA phylogeny based on 19 orthologous protein-coding genes was presented to support a very broad concept of Fusarium at the F1 node in Nectriaceae. Here, we demonstrate that re-analyses of this dataset show that all 19 genes support the F3 node that represents Fusarium sensu stricto as defined by F. sambucinum (sexual morph synonym Gibberella pulicaris). The backbone of the phylogeny is resolved by the concatenated alignment, but only six of the 19 genes fully support the F1 node, representing the broad circumscription of Fusarium. Furthermore, a re-analysis of the concatenated dataset revealed alternate topologies in different phylogenetic algorithms, highlighting the deep divergence and unresolved placement of various Nectriaceae lineages proposed as members of Fusarium. Species of Fusarium s. str. are characterised by Gibberella sexual morphs, asexual morphs with thin- or thick-walled macroconidia that have variously shaped apical and basal cells, and trichothecene mycotoxin production, which separates them from other fusarioid genera. Here we show that the Wollenweber concept of Fusarium presently accounts for 20 segregate genera with clear-cut synapomorphic traits, and that fusarioid macroconidia represent a character that has been gained or lost multiple times throughout Nectriaceae. Thus, the very broad circumscription of Fusarium is blurry and without apparent synapomorphies, and does not include all genera with fusarium-like macroconidia, which are spread throughout Nectriaceae (e.g., Cosmosporella, Macroconia, Microcera). In this study four new genera are introduced, along with 18 new species and 16 new combinations. These names convey information about relationships, morphology, and ecological preference that would otherwise be lost in a broader definition of Fusarium. To assist users to correctly identify fusarioid genera and species, we introduce a new online identification database, Fusarioid-ID, accessible at www.fusarium.org. The database comprises partial sequences from multiple genes commonly used to identify fusarioid taxa (act1, CaM, his3, rpb1, rpb2, tef1, tub2, ITS, and LSU). In this paper, we also present a nomenclator of names that have been introduced in Fusarium up to January 2021 as well as their current status, types, and diagnostic DNA barcode data. In this study, researchers from 46 countries, representing taxonomists, plant pathologists, medical mycologists, quarantine officials, regulatory agencies, and students, strongly support the application and use of a more precisely delimited Fusarium (= Gibberella) concept to accommodate taxa from the robust monophyletic node F3 on the basis of a well-defined and unique combination of morphological and biochemical features. This F3 node includes, among others, species of the F. fujikuroi, F. incarnatum-equiseti, F. oxysporum, and F. sambucinum species complexes, but not species of Bisifusarium [F. dimerum species complex (SC)], Cyanonectria (F. buxicola SC), Geejayessia (F. staphyleae SC), Neocosmospora (F. solani SC) or Rectifusarium (F. ventricosum SC). The present study represents the first step to generating a new online monograph of Fusarium and allied fusarioid genera (www.fusarium.org).

Comparative evaluation of new and conventional classifications of magnifying endoscopy with narrow band imaging for invasion depth of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

A new classification of magnifying endoscopy with narrow band imaging (ME-NBI) for diagnosing and staging superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SESCC) was proposed by the Japan Esophageal Society in 2011. This study aimed to compare the new classification with the conventional classifications (Inoue's classification and Arima's classification). This was a prospective analysis of data from a single cancer center involving 151 consecutive patients with 156 SESCCs that were endoscopically or surgically resected. Initially, only ME-NBI images were selected and reviewed independently by three experienced endoscopists. White light imaging (WLI) was then evaluated separately after an interval. The diagnostic performance of each classification and interobserver agreement were assessed, and the WLI findings that affect the diagnosis by the new classification were identified. The specificity for classifying invasive depth as epithelium (EP)/lamina propria mucosae (LPM) confined was higher with the new classification than with Inoue's classification (0.512 vs. 0.349; P = 0.02) and Arima's classification (0.512 vs. 0.279; P < 0.01). However, the sensitivity was lower (0.902 vs. 1.000; P < 0.01) compared with Arima's classification. The concordance rates of three evaluators (κ values) were 0.52 for the new classification, 0.50 for Inoue's classification, and 0.23 for Arima's classification. On multivariate analysis, thickness on WLI independently affected the accuracy of diagnosis with the new classification (OR 3.23; 95%CI, 1.30-8.03). The new classification is superior to conventional classifications with respect to specificity for diagnosing SESCC with depth EP/LPM. Thickness on WLI was a factor negatively affecting the diagnostic performance of the new classification.

Core I97L mutation in conjunction with P79Q is associated with persistent low HBV DNA and HBs antigen clearance in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

OBJECTIVES: When considering treatment for chronic hepatitis B (CHB), it is important to discriminate between patients with persistent low HBV DNA and patients with active hepatitis, who may proceed to cirrhosis. In this study, we sought to identify mutations in patients expected to have persistent low HBV DNA and ultimately exhibit clearance of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). METHODS: Serum samples were obtained from 33 CHB genotype C patients, divided based on HBV DNA and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels following observation for >2 years: Group A (n=10), transient HBV DNA ≥5.0 log copies/mL and ALT ≥120 IU/L; Group B (n=11), persistent HBV DNA <5.0 and ALT <60; and Group C (n=12), persistent HBV DNA <4.0 and ALT <30. Full-length HBV sequences were compared among groups. Subsequently, 82 patients with CHB were evaluated for the I97L mutation and the additional mutation P79Q. We compared cumulative incidences of persistent low HBV DNA and HBsAg clearance in patients with or without I97L and P79Q by the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Incidence of Core mutation I97L differed significantly among groups: A, 30% (3/10); B, 36.4% (4/11); C, 83.3% (10/12) (p = 0.021). Cumulative incidences of persistent low HBV DNA and HBsAg clearance were significantly higher in patients with I97L than in those with wild-type I97 (p = 0.003 and p = 0.016, respectively), and even higher in those with P79Q. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with CHB, measurement of I97L and additional mutation P79Q would be useful for predicting persistent low HBV DNA, normal ALT, and HBsAg clearance.

The Effect of Combinations of Food Insects for Continuous Rearing of the Wing Polymorphic Water Strider Limnogonus Fossarum fossarum (Hemiptera: Gerridae).

The water strider Limnogonus fossarum fossarum (F.) (Hemiptera: Gerridae) shows a macropterous, micropterous, and apterous polymorphism. Although a long photoperiod condition induces winged morphs, preliminary studies have revealed that crossing between winged morphs increased the proportion of macropterous individuals, suggesting that the genetic factors also affect wing-morph determination in this species. Assessing the genetic backgrounds of wing polymorphism requires constant and repeatable methods for rearing. This study attempts to establish a continuous rearing method for L. f. fossarum under constant diet conditions. Initially, we maintain the water striders with two Drosophila species as a food, but viability until adulthood is less than 20%. We then add the storage pest Plodia interpunctella (Hübner), which are readily reared in the laboratory, to the diets. As a result, nymphs fed on P. interpunctella (even only until the second instar) show significantly higher viability and shorter developmental period than nymphs fed on Drosophila alone. Moreover, feeding on D. melanogaster (Meigen) reared on cholesterol-enriched medium instead of a normal medium significantly increases viability in the next generation. This means that only the two food-insect species are enough for establishing a substantial number of individuals in segregating generations (F2 and backcross), limiting DNA and RNA contaminations from food insects with genome information. Thus, the present rearing method opens the way to elucidating the genetic backgrounds of the wing polymorphism in L. f. fossarum.

Considerable Risk of Restenosis After Endoscopic Treatment for Hepaticojejunostomy Stricture After Living-Donor Liver Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: There are few reports on the short- and long-term follow-up of endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) in adult patients with hepaticojejunostomy (HJS) stricture after living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT). METHODS: Nine LDLT recipients underwent ERC with the use of double-balloon endoscopy (DBE) for HJS stricture at Nagoya University Hospital. We assessed the rate of reaching biliary anastomosis, procedure success rate, procedure duration, complications, improvement in liver function test results, and biliary anastomosis patency. RESULTS: In total, 19 ERC procedures with the use of DBE were performed for 9 adult LDLT recipients with HJS stricture from June 2006 to September 2014. Balloon dilation with the use of DBE was successfully performed in 5 of the 9 patients during the 1st procedure. Of the 4 patients in whom DBE-ERC failed to be completed, 3 patients underwent 2nd procedures successfully. Liver function test results were significantly improved in the successful cases. Four patients underwent 2nd DBE-ERC for stricture recurrence at a mean time of 2.3 years after the 1st successful procedure. Of those, 2 patients required 3rd procedures for stricture recurrence after the 2nd procedure. CONCLUSIONS: DBE-ERC is promising as a treatment for HJS stricture in adult LDLT recipients in the short term. However, the DBE-ERC procedure may have a considerable risk of restenosis.

Aspergillus, Penicillium and Talaromyces isolated from house dust samples collected around the world.

As part of a worldwide survey of the indoor mycobiota, dust was collected from nine countries. Analyses of dust samples included the culture-dependent dilution-to-extinction method and the culture-independent 454-pyrosequencing. Of the 7 904 isolates, 2 717 isolates were identified as belonging to Aspergillus, Penicillium and Talaromyces. The aim of this study was to identify isolates to species level and describe the new species found. Secondly, we wanted to create a reliable reference sequence database to be used for next-generation sequencing projects. Isolates represented 59 Aspergillus species, including eight undescribed species, 49 Penicillium species of which seven were undescribed and 18 Talaromyces species including three described here as new. In total, 568 ITS barcodes were generated, and 391 ß-tubulin and 507 calmodulin sequences, which serve as alternative identification markers.

Prospective evaluation of a transnasal endoscopy utilizing flexible spectral imaging color enhancement (FICE) with the Valsalva maneuver for detecting pharyngeal and esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of transnasal endoscopy (TNE) with flexible spectral imaging color enhancement (FICE) for detection of superficial cancer in the pharyngeal and esophageal regions for high-risk populations. METHODOLOGY: Patients who previously had head and neck or esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were enrolled. Screening was conducted using TNE with conventional white-light endoscopy (WLE) followed by FICE chromoendoscopy. For observation of the pharyngeal region, the Valsalva maneuver was employed. RESULTS: 99 patients were eligible. Six esophageal cancers were detected in four patients (4.0%). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for the detection of cancer were 25.0% (95% CI, 3.4- 71.0), 97.8% (95% CI, 92.1-99.8), and 94.9 % (95% CI, 88.4-98.1), respectively for WLE; 100% (95% CI, 45.4%- 100%), 96.8% (95% CI, 90.7%-99.3%), and 96.9% (95% CI, 89.3%-99.1%), respectively for FICE chromoendoscopy. Pain in the nose and nasal hemorrhage were observed in 3 (3.0%) and 2 patients (2.0%), respectively. Following the Valsalva maneuver, endoscopic scores significantly increased from a mean of 1.1 (0.8-1.4) to 2.0 (1.3-2.6) (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: TNE with the Valsalva maneuver is a promising screening method for the pharyngeal and esophageal regions. TNE with FICE chromoendoscopy for detecting pharyngeal and esophageal cancer was more sensitive than WLE.

Fungal Planet description sheets: 214-280.

Novel species of microfungi described in the present study include the following from South Africa: Cercosporella dolichandrae from Dolichandra unguiscati, Seiridium podocarpi from Podocarpus latifolius, Pseudocercospora parapseudarthriae from Pseudarthria hookeri, Neodevriesia coryneliae from Corynelia uberata on leaves of Afrocarpus falcatus, Ramichloridium eucleae from Euclea undulata and Stachybotrys aloeticola from Aloe sp. (South Africa), as novel member of the Stachybotriaceae fam. nov. Several species were also described from Zambia, and these include Chaetomella zambiensis on unknown Fabaceae, Schizoparme pseudogranati from Terminalia stuhlmannii, Diaporthe isoberliniae from Isoberlinia angolensis, Peyronellaea combreti from Combretum mossambiciensis, Zasmidium rothmanniae and Phaeococcomyces rothmanniae from Rothmannia engleriana, Diaporthe vangueriae from Vangueria infausta and Diaporthe parapterocarpi from Pterocarpus brenanii. Novel species from the Netherlands include: Stagonospora trichophoricola, Keissleriella trichophoricola and Dinemasporium trichophoricola from Trichophorum cespitosum, Phaeosphaeria poae, Keissleriella poagena, Phaeosphaeria poagena, Parastagonospora poagena and Pyrenochaetopsis poae from Poa sp., Septoriella oudemansii from Phragmites australis and Dendryphion europaeum from Hedera helix (Germany) and Heracleum sphondylium (the Netherlands). Novel species from Australia include: Anungitea eucalyptorum from Eucalyptus leaf litter, Beltraniopsis neolitseae and Acrodontium neolitseae from Neolitsea australiensis, Beltraniella endiandrae from Endiandra introrsa, Phaeophleospora parsoniae from Parsonia straminea, Penicillifer martinii from Cynodon dactylon, Ochroconis macrozamiae from Macrozamia leaf litter, Triposporium cycadicola, Circinotrichum cycadis, Cladosporium cycadicola and Acrocalymma cycadis from Cycas spp. Furthermore, Vermiculariopsiella dichapetali is described from Dichapetalum rhodesicum (Botswana), Ophiognomonia acadiensis from Picea rubens (Canada), Setophoma vernoniae from Vernonia polyanthes and Penicillium restingae from soil (Brazil), Pseudolachnella guaviyunis from Myrcianthes pungens (Uruguay) and Pseudocercospora neriicola from Nerium oleander (Italy). Novelties from Spain include: Dendryphiella eucalyptorum from Eucalyptus globulus, Conioscypha minutispora from dead wood, Diplogelasinospora moalensis and Pseudoneurospora canariensis from soil and Inocybe lanatopurpurea from reforested woodland of Pinus spp. Novelties from France include: Kellermania triseptata from Agave angustifolia, Zetiasplozna acaciae from Acacia melanoxylon, Pyrenochaeta pinicola from Pinus sp. and Pseudonectria rusci from Ruscus aculeatus. New species from China include: Dematiocladium celtidicola from Celtis bungeana, Beltrania pseudorhombica, Chaetopsina beijingensis and Toxicocladosporium pini from Pinus spp. and Setophaeosphaeria badalingensis from Hemerocallis fulva. Novel genera of Ascomycetes include Alfaria from Cyperus esculentus (Spain), Rinaldiella from a contaminated human lesion (Georgia), Hyalocladosporiella from Tectona grandis (Brazil), Pseudoacremonium from Saccharum spontaneum and Melnikomyces from leaf litter (Vietnam), Annellosympodiella from Juniperus procera (Ethiopia), Neoceratosperma from Eucalyptus leaves (Thailand), Ramopenidiella from Cycas calcicola (Australia), Cephalotrichiella from air in the Netherlands, Neocamarosporium from Mesembryanthemum sp. and Acervuloseptoria from Ziziphus mucronata (South Africa) and Setophaeosphaeria from Hemerocallis fulva (China). Several novel combinations are also introduced, namely for Phaeosphaeria setosa as Setophaeosphaeria setosa, Phoma heteroderae as Peyronellaea heteroderae and Phyllosticta maydis as Peyronellaea maydis. Morphological and culture characteristics along with ITS DNA barcodes are provided for all taxa.

Risk factors of symptomatic NSAID-induced small intestinal injury and diaphragm disease.

BACKGROUND: The aetiology for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced small intestinal injuries has not been well characterised. AIM: To determine the risk factors of symptomatic NSAID-induced small intestinal injuries, including diaphragm disease. METHODS: Of the 1262 symptomatic patients who underwent videocapsule endoscopy and/or double-balloon enteroscopy, 156 consecutive patients were verified as having taken NSAIDs. Their CYP2C9*2, *3 and *13 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were determined by allelic discrimination with Taqman 5'-nuclease assays. RESULTS: Of the 156 NSAIDs users, 31 patients (20%) were diagnosed with NSAID-induced small intestinal injury. Multivariate analysis indicated that the presence of comorbidities and the use of oxicams (meloxicam, ampiroxicam and lornoxicam) or diclofenac were associated with an increased risk of NSAID-induced small intestinal injury (adjusted OR: 2.97, 95% CI: 1.05-8.41, P = 0.041 and adjusted OR: 7.05, 95% CI: 2.04-24.40, P = 0.002, respectively). The combination of aspirin and non-aspirin NSAID was more damaging than aspirin alone. Age, sex, concomitant use of proton pump inhibitors, indications for NSAIDs use, duration of NSAIDs use and CYP2C9*2, *3 and *13SNPs were unrelated. The use of meloxicam and CYP2C9*3SNPs were significantly associated with an increased risk for diaphragm disease (adjusted OR: 183.75, 95% CI: 21.34-1582.38; P < 0.0001 and adjusted OR: 12.94, 95% CI: 1.55-108.36, P = 0.018, respectively). CONCLUSION: The use of specific NSAIDs and the factors interfering with NSAIDs metabolism might associate with small intestinal injury, especially with diaphragm disease.

Endoscopic diagnosis of follicular lymphoma with small-bowel involvement using video capsule endoscopy and double-balloon endoscopy: a case series.

The aims of this study were to compare the detection rates of gastrointestinal follicular lymphoma lesions by video capsule endoscopy (VCE) and double-balloon endoscopy (DBE), and to determine the pathologic diagnostic yields of DBE-directed biopsies. A total of 27 consecutive patients were enrolled. No significant difference in detection rates was observed in 12 patients who underwent total enteroscopy at both VCE and DBE. Pathologic diagnostic yields stratified by location were 91 % in the proximal duodenum at esophagogastroduodenoscopy, 88 % in the jejunum at antegrade DBE, 52 % in the ileum at retrograde DBE, and 57 % in the terminal ileum at colonoscopy. VCE and DBE were helpful in determining treatment in 44 % of patients.

A monograph of Allantonectria, Nectria, and Pleonectria (Nectriaceae, Hypocreales, Ascomycota) and their pycnidial, sporodochial, and synnematous anamorphs.

Although Nectria is the type genus of Nectriaceae (Hypocreales, Sordariomycetes, Pezizomycotina, Ascomycota), the systematics of the teleomorphic and anamorphic state of Nectriasensu Rossman has not been studied in detail. The objectives of this study are to 1) provide a phylogenetic overview to determine if species of Nectria with Gyrostroma, Tubercularia, and Zythiostroma anamorphs form a monophyletic group; 2) define Nectria, segregate genera, and their species using morphologically informative characters of teleomorphic and anamorphic states; and 3) provide descriptions and illustrations of these genera and species. To accomplish these objectives, results of phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequence data from six loci (act, ITS, LSU, rpb1, tef1 and tub), were integrated with morphological characterisations of anamorphs and teleomorphs. Results from the phylogenetic analyses demonstrate that species previously regarded as the genus Nectria having Gyrostroma,Tubercularia, and Zythiostroma anamorphs belong in two major paraphyletic clades. The first major clade regarded as the genus Pleonectria contains 26 species with ascoconidia produced by ascospores in asci, perithecial walls having bright yellow scurf, and immersed or superficial pycnidial anamorphs (Zythiostroma = Gyrostroma). A lineage basal to the Pleonectria clade includes Nectria miltina having very small, aseptate ascospores, and trichoderma-like conidiophores and occurring on monocotyledonous plants. These characteristics are unusual in Pleonectria, thus we recognise the monotypic genus Allantonectria with Allantonectria miltina. The second major clade comprises the genus Nectriasensu stricto including the type species, N. cinnabarina, and 28 additional species. Within the genus Nectria, four subclades exist. One subclade includes species with sporodochial anamorphs and another with synnematous anamorphs. The other two paraphyletic subclades include species that produce abundant stromata in which the large perithecia are immersed, large ascospores, and peculiar anamorphs that form pycnidia or sporodochia either on their natural substrate or in culture. In this study the evolution of species, morphology, and ecology of the three genera, Allantonectria, Nectria, and Pleonectria, are discussed based on the phylogenetic analyses. In addition, descriptions, illustrations, and keys for identification are presented for the 56 species in Allantonectria, Nectria, and Pleonectria. TAXONOMIC NOVELTIES: New species:Nectria argentinensis Hirooka, Rossman & P. Chaverri, Nectria berberidicola Hirooka, Lechat, Rossman, & P. Chaverri, Nectria himalayensis Hirooka, Rossman, & P. Chaverri, Nectria magnispora Hirooka, Rossman, & P. Chaverri, Nectria mariae Hirooka, Fournier, Lechat, Rossman, & P. Chaverri, Nectriapyriformis Hirooka, Rossman & P. Chaverri, Pleonectria boothii Hirooka, Rossman & Chaverri, Pleonectria clavatispora Hirooka, Rossman & P. Chaverri, Pleonectria ilicicola Hirooka, Rossman & P. Chaverri, Pleonectria okinawensis Hirooka, Rossman & P. Chaverri, Pleonectria pseudomissouriensis Hirooka, Rossman & P. Chaverri, Pleonectria quercicola Hirooka, Checa, Areual, Rossman & P. Chaverri, Pleonectria strobi Hirooka, Rossman & P. Chaverri. New combinations:Cosmospora proteae (Marinc., M.J. Wingf. & Crous) Hirooka, Rossman & P. Chaverri, Nectricladiellaviticola (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) Hirooka, Rossman & P. Chaverri, Neocosmospora guarapiensis (Speg.) Hirooka, Samuels, Rossman & P. Chaverri, Neocosmospora rehmiana (Kirschstein) Hirooka, Samuels, Rossman & P. Chaverri, Pleonectria aquifolii (Fr.) Hirooka, Rossman & P. Chaverri, Pleonectria aurigera (Berk. & Rav.) Hirooka, Rossman & P. Chaverri, Pleonectria chlorinella (Cooke) Hirooka, Rossman & P. Chaverri, Pleonectria coryli (Fuckel) Hirooka, Rossman & P. Chaverri, Pleonectria cucurbitula (Tode: Fr.) Hirooka, Rossman & P. Chaverri, Pleonectria lonicerae (Seeler) Hirooka, Rossman & P. Chaverri, Pleonectria rosellinii (Carestia) Hirooka, Rossman & P. Chaverri, Pleonectria rubicarpa (Cooke) Hirooka, Rossman & P. Chaverri, Pleonectria sinopica (Fr.: Fr.) Hirooka, Rossman & P. Chaverri, Pleonectria sphaerospora (Ellis & Everh) Hirooka, Rossman & P. Chaverri, Pleonectria virens (Harkn.) Hirooka, Rossman & P. Chaverri, Pleonectria zanthoxyli (Peck) Hirooka, Rossman & P. Chaverri.

A morphological and phylogenetic revision of the Nectria cinnabarina species complex.

The genus Nectria is typified by N. cinnabarina, a wood-inhabiting fungus common in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. To determine the diversity within N. cinnabarina, specimens and cultures from Asia, Europe, and North America were obtained and examined. Their phylogeny was determined using sequences of multiple loci, specifically act, ITS, LSU, rpb1, tef1, and tub. Based on these observations, four species are recognised within the N. cinnabarina complex. Each species is delimited based on DNA sequence analyses and described and illustrated from specimens and cultures. The basionym for N. cinnabarina, Sphaeria cinnabarina, is lectotypified based on an illustration that is part of the protologue, and an epitype specimen is designated. Nectria cinnabarinas. str. is recircumscribed as having 2-septate ascospores and long stipitate sporodochia. Nectria dematiosa, previously considered a synonym of N. cinnabarina, has up to 2-septate ascospores and sessile sporodochia or no anamorph on the natural substrate. A third species, Nectria nigrescens, has up to 3-septate ascospores and short to long stipitate sporodochia. One newly described species, Nectria asiatica with a distribution restricted to Asia, has (0-)1-septate ascospores and short stipitate sporodochia. Young and mature conidia developing on SNA were observed for each species. Mature conidia of N. asiatica, N. cinnabarina, and N. nigrescens but not N. dematiosa bud when the mature conidia are crowded. On PDA the optimal temperature for growth for N. dematiosa is 20 °C, while for the other three species it is 25 °C. Based on our phylogenetic analyses, three subclades are evident within N. dematiosa. Although subtle culture and geographical differences exist, these subclades are not recognised as distinct species because the number of samples is small and the few specimens are insufficient to determine if morphological differences exist in the natural environment.

Delimitation of Neonectria and Cylindrocarpon (Nectriaceae, Hypocreales, Ascomycota) and related genera with Cylindrocarpon-like anamorphs.

Neonectria is a cosmopolitan genus and it is, in part, defined by its link to the anamorph genus Cylindrocarpon. Neonectria has been divided into informal groups on the basis of combined morphology of anamorph and teleomorph. Previously, Cylindrocarpon was divided into four groups defined by presence or absence of microconidia and chlamydospores. Molecular phylogenetic analyses have indicated that Neonectriasensu stricto and Cylindrocarponsensu stricto are phylogenetically congeneric. In addition, morphological and molecular data accumulated over several years have indicated that Neonectria sensu lato and Cylindrocarponsensu lato do not form a monophyletic group and that the respective informal groups may represent distinct genera. In the present work, a multilocus analysis (act, ITS, LSU, rpb1, tef1, tub) was applied to representatives of the informal groups to determine their level of phylogenetic support as a first step towards taxonomic revision of Neonectriasensu lato. Results show five distinct highly supported clades that correspond to some extent with the informal Neonectria and Cylindrocarpon groups that are here recognised as genera: (1) N. coccinea-group and Cylindrocarpon groups 1 & 4 (Neonectria/Cylindrocarponsensu stricto); (2) N.rugulosa-group (Rugonectria gen. nov.); (3) N. mammoidea/N. veuillotiana-groups and Cylindrocarpon group 2 (Thelonectria gen. nov.); (4) N. radicicola-group and Cylindrocarpon group 3 (Ilyonectria gen. nov.); and (5) anamorph genus Campylocarpon. Characteristics of the anamorphs and teleomorphs correlate with the five genera, three of which are newly described. New combinations are made for species where their classification is confirmed by phylogenetic data.

Mutations in the core and NS5A region of hepatitis C virus genotype 1b and correlation with response to pegylated-interferon-alpha 2b and ribavirin combination therapy.

Mutations in two regions of hepatitis C virus (HCV) have been implicated in influencing response to interferon (IFN) therapy. Substitutions in the NS5A region of HCV have been associated with response to IFN therapy, and this region has been known as the IFN sensitivity-determining region (ISDR). The mutations in the core region of HCV have also been reported to predict IFN response. The aim of this study was to investigate whether amino acid substitutions in the core region and ISDR among patients with HCV genotype 1b affect the response to IFN therapy. A total of 213 patients who completed IFN treatment were randomly selected. All patients received pegylated-IFN-alpha 2b once each week, plus oral ribavirin daily for 48 weeks. Of the 213 patients, 117 (54.9%) showed early virologic response (EVR), with HCV-negativity, at 12 weeks. Factors related to EVR on multivariate analysis were non-Gln70 and Leu91 in the core region, and ISDR mutant-type. One hundred and two (47.9%) showed a sustained virologic response (SVR). SVR occurred more frequently in patients without Gln70 (55.4%) than in those with Gln70 (21.3%) (P < 0.0001). SVR was achieved in 43.6% of patients with wild-type ISDR and 62.5% of patients with mutant-type (P = 0.0227). Of the 34 patients who simultaneously had non-Gln70 and mutant-type ISDR, 26 (76.5%) achieved SVR. Factors related to SVR on multivariate analysis were non-Gln70 and ISDR mutant-type. In conclusion, amino acid substitutions in the core region and ISDR were useful for predicting the response to IFN in patients with HCV genotype 1b.