Preliminary species diversity and community phylogenetics of wood-inhabiting basidiomycetous fungi in the Dabie Mountains, Central China reveal unexpected richness.

Wood-inhabiting fungi have important economic values as well as playing a major ecological role in forest ecosystem cycles. The Dabie Mountains, at the junction of Henan, Hubei, and Anhui Provinces, Central China, provide an ideal climate and favorable niches for the speciation and diversification of various forms of life including fungi. We studied the species diversity and community phylogenetics of wood-inhabiting basidiomycetous fungi that revealed 175 wood-inhabiting basidiomycetous species, of which 20 represented unidentified species, based on morphological and phylogenetic analyses of 575 specimens collected from ten sampling sites. These species belonged to two classes, 11 orders, 42 families, and 106 genera of Basidiomycota, and included 12 edible species, 28 medicinal species, four poisonous species, and seven forest pathogens. Four types of fungal distribution pattern at the genus level were recognized for 65 genera, while another 41 genera could not be placed in any known distribution pattern. The five sampling sites in the eastern part of the Dabie Mountains had significantly higher species diversity and phylogenetic diversity of wood-inhabiting basidiomycetous fungi than those in the western part, and thus deserve priority in terms of conservation. The community of wood-inhabiting basidiomycetous fungi in the Dabie Mountains is generally affected by a combination of habitat filtering and competitive exclusion. This study provides a basis on which to build actions for the comprehensive recognition, utilization, and conservation of wood-inhabiting basidiomycetous fungi in the region.

Xenasmatellales ord. nov. and Xenasmatellaceae fam. nov. for Xenasmatella (Agaricomycetes, Basidiomycota).

In the era of molecular phylogeny as dominant evidence in fungal taxonomy, the taxonomic framework of fungi adopted from morphological characteristics has been largely updated. Compared with other fungal groups, macrofungi underwent fewer updates at the order and higher level. In this study, the taxonomic placement of a poorly known macro-basidiomycetous genus Xenasmatella is studied. Phylogenetic and molecular clock analyses inferred from a seven-locus dataset support that the genus represents an order rank lineage. Accordingly, a monotypic order Xenasmatellales and a monotypic family Xenasmatellaceae are newly introduced for Xenasmatella within Agaricomycetes. The species diversity and relationships of Xenasmatella are further clarified with the aid of the phylogenetic analysis inferred from a four-locus dataset. In association with morphological characteristics, a new species Xenasmatella hjortstamii is described. Moreover, the distribution of Xenasmatella ailaoshanensis, X. gossypina, and X. wuliangshanensis previously known only from type localities in Yunnan Province, China are expanded. In addition, two unnamed single-specimen lineages of Xenasmatella from Victoria State, Australia and Sichuan, China are revealed, likely representing two potential new species of this genus. In summary, the current study updates the taxonomic framework of Agaricomycetes and provides a crucial supplement for comprehensively understanding the evolutionary history of this fungal class.

Taxonomy of Hyphodermella: a case study to show that simple phylogenies cannot always accurately place species in appropriate genera.

The genus is a special and crucial taxonomic rank compared with others above the species level, because a species has to be placed in a certain genus instead of any other higher ranks. With more and more new species being described, the placements of their generic position are sometimes incorrect due to the simple phylogenies resulting from inappropriate sampling. Here, we focus on the taxonomy of a small wood-inhabiting fungal genus Hyphodermella. With the most comprehensive sampling to date, the phylogenetic position of Hyphodermella within Phanerochaetaceae is rearranged by employing the same ITS and nLSU regions as in previous studies and also the ITS, nLSU, rpb1, rpb2 and tef1α regions. Three species are excluded from Hyphodermella: H. poroides is placed in a newly introduced monotypic genus Pseudohyphodermella, while H. aurantiaca and H. zixishanensis are transferred to Roseograndinia. Hyphodermella suiae is described as a new species from South China and Vietnam. Keys to eight species in Hyphodermella and five in Roseograndinia are provided. Beyond solving the taxonomic issue of Hyphodermella itself, the current study also aims to suggest that all fungal taxonomists especially beginners should keep in mind to sample as many comprehensive taxa as possible in phylogenetic analyses.

Species diversity and taxonomy of Scytinostroma sensu stricto (Russulales, Basidiomycota) with descriptions of four new species from China.

Scytinostroma is species-rich genus in Peniophoraceae, Russulales and has been shown to be polyphyletic. In this study, we performed phylogenetic analyses on the core clade of Scytinostroma based on concatenated ITS1-5.8S-ITS2-nrLSU sequence data. Fifteen lineages including four new species from China, Scytinostromabeijingensis, S.boidinii, S.subduriusculum, and S.subrenisporum, were recognized. The genus Michenera was nested within the Scytinostroma s.s. clade in the phylogenetic tree of Peniophoraceae. Sequences of S.portentosum (type species) and S.hemidichophyticum from Europe formed a strongly supported lineage sister to the S.portentosum sample from Canada. It is supposed that the European "S.portentosum" is S.hemidichophyticum, and the former species is restricted in distribution to North America. Scytinostromaduriusculum is supposed to be a species complex. Samples from Sri Lanka (the type locality) formed a lineage sister to those from China, Thailand and Vietnam (described herein as S.subduriusculum) and two samples from France that might represent an undescribed species. The four new species are described and illustrated, and an identification key to all the 14 Scytinostroma s.s. species worldwide is provided. Until now, seven species of Scytinostroma s.s. have been found in China. Our results increased the knowledge of species diversity and taxonomy of corticioid fungi in China.

Comparative efficacy and safety of immunotherapy for patients with advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review and network Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to compare efficacy and safety of various immune checkpoint inhibitors for patients with advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). METHODS: We searched Medline, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, Clinical Trials.gov and several international conference databases from January 1, 2000 to December 19, 2021. We conducted Bayesian network meta-analysis to assess the relative effects among treatments. Outcomes included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), overall response rate and adverse events. RESULTS: Ten eligible trials with 5250 patients were included. Toripalimab and Camrelizumab plus chemotherapy were preferred to rank first on OS (probability, 61%) and PFS (probability, 37%) in the first-line setting, respectively. In refractory patients, Sintilimab and Camrlizumab were most likely to be ranked first on OS (probability, 37%) and PFS (probability, 94%). The toxicity related to immunotherapy was manageable in clinical trials. Camrelizumab and Nivolumab had the less adverse events of grade 3 or higher in the first and refractory setting, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that Toripalimab and Camrelizumab plus chemotherapy were likely to be the best option in terms of OS and PFS in the first-line setting for patients with advanced or metastatic ESCC respectively. Sintilimab and Camrelizumab were the preferred options for OS and PFS in refractory patients respectively. The toxicity of immunotherapy was different from conventional chemotherapy, but manageable in patients with ESCC. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration number: (CRD 42021261554).

Alloexidiopsis gen. nov., A Revision of Generic Delimitation in Auriculariales (Basidiomycota).

Auriculariales is a fungal order with highly diverse morphological traits of basidiomes, which partially leads to a poor understanding of its taxonomic system at the generic level. To identify our recently collected specimens of Auriculariales to a species level, we perform a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the generic relationships in Auriculariales. In association with morphological characteristics, a new genus Alloexidiopsis belonging to Auriculariaceae is erected with two new species, namely, A. australiensis and A. schistacea. Moreover, Exidiopsis calcea separated from the generic type E. effusa and Heteroradulum niveum and H. yunnanense recently inaccurately described as members of Heteroradulum are recovered in the clade of Alloexidiopsis. These three species are thus transferred to this new genus. One collection of Exidiopsis grisea also falls in the clade of Alloexidiopsis, whereas another collection of this species is separated far from Alloexidiopsis and E. effusa. Since we have no collection to confirm the species identity of E. grisea, its generic position is uncertain. The main taxonomic morphological differences among Alloexidiopsis and related corticioid genera in Auriculariales are summarized. A key to all the five accepted species of Alloexidiopsis is provided. As two unnamed lineages exist in Alloexidiopsis besides the abovementioned five species, it is assumed that more new species will be revealed from this genus under its current circumscription.

Progression-free survival at 3 years is a reliable surrogate for 5-year overall survival for patients suffering from locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Despite 3-year survival being used as a primary endpoint in some randomized controlled trials (RCTs), limited evidence supports the use of intermediate endpoints to evaluate the effect of new therapies in esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC). This study aimed to systematically evaluate progression-free survival at 3 years (3-year PFS) and overall survival (OS) among patients with ESCC. METHODS: We identified 528 patients newly diagnosed with locally advanced ESCC who received definitive radiotherapy. OS was compared with an age- and sex-matched general Chinese population using the standardized mortality ratio (SMR). Regression analysis was used to validate the correlation between PFS and OS using published data. RESULTS: The annual risk of progression decreased to 11.5% after 3 years. Patients who did not achieve 3-year PFS had a median postprogression survival (PPS) of 7.3 months, with a 5-year OS rate of 9.6% and a SMR of 15.0 (95% confidence interval [CI], 12.9-17.5). Conversely, the SMR for patients who achieved 3-year PFS was 0.9 (95% CI, 0.6-1.3). We observed a significant correlation between log hazard ratio (HR) (PFS) and log HR (OS) at the trial level (r = 0.89; 95% CI, 0.88-0.90). The strongest correlation was observed between 3-year PFS and 5-year OS in RCTs and retrospective studies. CONCLUSIONS: Patients exhibiting progression within 3 years experienced poor survival, whereas patients achieving 3-year PFS had excellent outcomes. Our study supports 3-year PFS as a reliable primary endpoint for study design and risk stratification in locally advanced ESCC.

Redelimitation of Heteroradulum (Auriculariales, Basidiomycota) with H.australiense sp. nov.

Auriculariales accommodates species with diverse basidiomes and hymenophores. From morphological and phylogenetic perspectives, we perform a taxonomic study on Heteroradulum, a recently validated genus within the Auriculariales. The genus Grammatus is merged into Heteroradulum, and thus its generic type G.labyrinthinus is combined with Heteroradulum and G.semis is reaccepted as a member of Heteroradulum. Heteroradulumaustraliense is newly described on the basis of three Australian specimens. Heteroradulumyunnanense is excluded from this genus and its taxonomic position at the generic level is considered uncertain. Accordingly, the circumscription of Heteroradulum is re-delimited and the concept of this genus is adjusted by including irpicoid to poroid hymenophores and a hyphal system with clamp connections or simple septa. A key to all nine accepted species of Heteroradulum is presented.

Species Diversification of the Coniferous Pathogenic Fungal Genus Coniferiporia (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota) in Association with Its Biogeography and Host Plants.

Coniferiporia, belonging to Hymenochaetaceae and now segregated from Phellinidium, is a wood-inhabiting fungal genus with three species, each having a specific geographic distribution and a strong host specificity as a forest pathogen of coniferous trees. In this study, the species diversity of Coniferiporia is further clarified with the aid of a wider sampling and multilocus-based phylogenetic analysis, which reveals a new species Coniferiporia uzbekistanensis. The molecular clock and ancestral geographic origin analyses indicate that the ancestor of Coniferiporia emerged in one of the Pinaceae and Cupressaceae, then jumped to the other plant family originated in eastern Eurasia 17.01 million years ago (Mya; 95% highest posterior density: 9.46 to 25.86 Mya), and later extended its distribution to western North America, Central Asia, and eastern Europe. Coniferiporia sulphurascens speciated on Pinaceae in eastern Eurasia 8.78 Mya (9.46 to 25.86 Mya) and then extended its distribution to western North America and eastern Europe. Coniferiporia qilianensis and C. uzbekistanensis speciated on Juniperus przewalskii in eastern Eurasia 3.67 Mya (0.36 to 8.02 Mya) and on Juniperus polycarpos in Central Asia 4.35 Mya (0.94 to 8.37 Mya), respectively. The speciation event of Coniferiporia weirii occurred 4.45 Mya (0.77 to 9.33 Mya) right after the emergence of its host, the endemic Cupressaceae species Thuja plicata, and soon after, this fungus evolved to also inhabit another endemic Cupressaceae species Calocedrus decurrens. In summary, this study for the first time unambiguously clarified and timed the adaptive evolutionary event of Coniferiporia in association with its biogeography and host plants.

Two New Species of Fibrodontia (Trechisporales, Basidiomycota) with a Key to Worldwide Species.

Fibrodontia is a genus of wood-inhabiting fungi consisting of four species so far, including F. gossypina as generic type. Two new species, Fibrodontia austrosinensis and F. subalba, are described and illustrated from China. Fibrodontia austrosinensis from southwestern China is characterized by a grandinioid to odontioid hymenophore with numerous small aculei, a dimitic hyphal system with scattered, smooth skeletal hyphae and ellipsoid basidiospores measuring 4.2-5.2 × 3.5-4.5 µm. Fibrodontia subalba from the West Tianshan Mountain in northwestern China is distinguished by an odontioid to hydnoid hymenophore, a dimitic hyphal system, and ellipsoid basidiospores measuring 3.7-4.4 × 2.8-3.4 µm. The phylogenies inferred from the data set of nuc rDNA ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS) and D1-D2 domains of nuc 28S rDNA (28S), and that of ITS, 28S, translation elongation factor (tef1α), and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (rpb2) supported Fibrodontia as a monophyletic genus in the Trechisporales, and F. austrosinensis and F. subalba as separate lineages within Fibrodontia. Multi-rate Poisson Tree Processes, Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery and genetic distance methods based on ITS sequences of Fibrodontia also supported F. austrosinensis and F. subalba as distinct species. The taxonomic status of F. fimbriata that was recently transferred from Cystidiodendron, is briefly discussed. A key to all six known species of Fibrodontia is provided.

Towards a Natural Classification of Hyphodontia Sensu Lato and the Trait Evolution of Basidiocarps within Hymenochaetales (Basidiomycota).

Hyphodontia sensu lato, belonging to Hymenochaetales, accommodates corticioid wood-inhabiting basidiomycetous fungi with resupinate basidiocarps and diverse hymenophoral characters. Species diversity of Hyphodontia sensu lato has been extensively explored worldwide, but in previous studies the six accepted genera in Hyphodontia sensu lato, viz. Fasciodontia, Hastodontia, Hyphodontia, Kneiffiella, Lyomyces and Xylodon were not all strongly supported from a phylogenetic perspective. Moreover, the relationships among these six genera in Hyphodontia sensu lato and other lineages within Hymenochaetales are not clear. In this study, we performed comprehensive phylogenetic analyses on the basis of multiple loci. For the first time, the independence of each of the six genera receives strong phylogenetic support. The six genera are separated in four clades within Hymenochaetales: Fasciodontia, Lyomyces and Xylodon are accepted as members of a previously known family Schizoporaceae, Kneiffiella and Hyphodontia are, respectively, placed in two monotypic families, viz. a previous name Chaetoporellaceae and a newly introduced name Hyphodontiaceae, and Hastodontia is considered to be a genus with an uncertain taxonomic position at the family rank within Hymenochaetales. The three families emerged between 61.51 and 195.87 million years ago. Compared to other families in the Hymenochaetales, these ages are more or less similar to those of Coltriciaceae, Hymenochaetaceae and Oxyporaceae, but much older than those of the two families Neoantrodiellaceae and Nigrofomitaceae. In regard to species, two, one, three and 10 species are newly described from Hyphodontia, Kneiffiella, Lyomyces and Xylodon, respectively. The taxonomic status of additional 30 species names from these four genera is briefly discussed; an epitype is designated for X. australis. The resupinate habit and poroid hymenophoral configuration were evaluated as the ancestral state of basidiocarps within Hymenochaetales. The resupinate habit mainly remains, while the hymenophoral configuration mainly evolves to the grandinioid-odontioid state and also back to the poroid state at the family level. Generally, a taxonomic framework for Hymenochaetales with an emphasis on members belonging to Hyphodontia sensu lato is constructed, and trait evolution of basidiocarps within Hymenochaetales is revealed accordingly.

Taxonomy and phylogeny of Resinicium sensu lato from Asia-Pacific revealing a new genus and five new species (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota).

Resinicium, belonging to Hymenochaetales, Agaricomycetes, is a worldwide genus of corticioid wood-inhabiting fungi. To improve the knowledge of species diversity within the Hymenochaetales, two dozen specimens from Asia-Pacific preliminarily identified to be members of Resinicium sensu lato were carefully studied from morphological and phylogenetic perspectives. From these specimens, a new monotypic genus Skvortzoviella, and five new species, viz. Resinicium austroasianum, R. lateastrocystidium, Skvortzovia dabieshanensis, S. qilianensis and Skvortzoviella lenis are described; moreover, a new basal lineage of Resinicium represented by a Vietnam specimen and three Chinese specimens of S. pinicola are identified. The six newly proposed taxa are morphologically compared with related genera and species, while the family positions of Resinicium, Skvortzovia, and Skvortzoviella within the Hymenochaetales are still ambiguous. In addition, the ancestral geographic origin of Resinicium, even though inconclusive, is now thought to be Asia-Pacific instead of tropical America as previously assumed.

Addressing widespread misidentifications of traditional medicinal mushrooms in Sanghuangporus (Basidiomycota) through ITS barcoding and designation of reference sequences.

"Sanghuang" refers to a group of important traditionally-used medicinal mushrooms belonging to the genus Sanghuangporus. In practice, species of Sanghuangporus referred to in medicinal studies and industry are now differentiated mainly by a BLAST search of GenBank with the ITS barcoding region as a query. However, inappropriately labeled ITS sequences of "Sanghuang" in GenBank restrict accurate species identification and, to some extent, the utilization of these species as medicinal resources. We examined all available 271 ITS sequences related to "Sanghuang" in GenBank including 31 newly submitted sequences from this study. Of these sequences, more than half were mislabeled so we have now corrected the corresponding species names. The mislabeled sequences mainly came from strains utilized by non-taxonomists. Based on the analyses of ITS sequences submitted by taxonomists as well as morphological characters, we separate the newly described Sanghuangporus subbaumii from S. baumii and treat S. toxicodendri as a later synonym of S. quercicola. Fourteen species of Sanghuangporus are accepted, with intraspecific distances up to 1.30% (except in S. vaninii, S. weirianus and S. zonatus) and interspecific distances above 1.30% (except between S. alpinus and S. lonicerinus, and S. baumii and S. subbaumii). To stabilize the concept of these 14 species of Sanghuangporus, their taxonomic information and reliable ITS reference sequences are provided. Moreover, ten potential diagnostic sequences are provided for Hyperbranched Rolling Circle Amplification to rapidly confirm three common commercial species, viz. S. baumii, S. sanghuang, and S. vaninii. Our results provide a practical method for ITS barcoding-based species identification of Sanghuangporus and will promote medicinal studies and commercial development from taxonomically correct material.

Global Phylogeny and Taxonomy of the Wood-Decaying Fungal Genus Phlebiopsis (Polyporales, Basidiomycota).

An in-depth study of the phylogeny and taxonomy of the corticioid genus Phlebiopsis (Phanerochaetaceae) was conducted. Phylogenetic analyses of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 and nrLSU sequences demonstrated that Phlebiopsis is a strongly supported clade which is distinct from its sister clades of Phaeophlebiopsis, Hapalopilus, and Rhizochaete. Two genera, Australohydnum and Hjortstamia, are reduced to synonyms under Phlebiopsis as generic type species A. griseofuscescens and H. friesii, respectively, are embedded in the Phlebiopsis clade. Twenty-four lineages are resolved in the ITS phylogenetic tree of Phlebiopsis, including six new taxa, viz. P. albescens, P. brunnea, P. cylindrospora, P. magnicystidiata, P. membranacea and P. sinensis, from Sri Lanka and China. Five new combinations, viz. Phaeophlebiopsis mussooriensis, Phlebiopsis bambusicola, P. dregeana, P. griseofuscescens and P. novae-granatae, are proposed. Phlebiopsis crassa is a morphological species complex with three distinct lineages. Phlebiopsis lamprocystidiata is determined to be a later synonym of P. darjeelingensis. The new taxa are described, illustrated, and compared and contrasted to morphologically similar species. An emended description of Phlebiopsis is provided along with an identification key to 27 accepted species.

Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy vs. Radiofrequency Ablation in the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis.

Background: Both stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are effective local treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but whether RFA is superior to SBRT is still controversial. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to compare the treatment outcomes of SBRT with RFA as curable or bridge intention. Methods: We searched online databases for studies that compared treatment outcomes for SBRT and RFA. Eligibility criteria included evaluation of local control, overall survival (OS), transplant rate, and post-transplant pathological necrosis. Results: As no randomized clinical trials met the criteria, 10 retrospective studies with a total of 2,732 patients were included. Two studies were in favor of SBRT in local control, two studies preferred RFA in OS, and others reported comparable outcomes for both. SBRT demonstrated significantly higher 1- and 3-year local control than RFA [odds ratio (OR) 0.42, 95% CI 0.24-0.74, P = 0.003; and OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.37-0.80, P = 0.002, respectively]. However, SBRT reported significantly shorter 1- and 2-year OS (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.21-1.90, P = 0.0003; and OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.38-2.01, P < 0.00001, respectively). As bridge treatment, no significant difference was shown in transplant rate and post-transplant pathological necrosis rate (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.32-1.03, P = 0.060; and OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.13-1.82, P = 0.290, respectively). Conclusions: This study demonstrates SBRT is able to complete a better local control for HCC than RFA, though the OS is inferior to RFA because of tumor burden or liver profiles of the enrolled studies. Well-designed, randomized, multicenter trials will be required to further investigate the conclusion.

Two new species of Perenniporia (Polyporales, Basidiomycota).

Two new species of Perenniporia, P. pseudotephropora sp. nov. and P. subcorticola sp. nov., are introduced respectively from Brazil and China based on morphological characteristics and molecular data. Perenniporia pseudotephropora is characterised by perennial, pileate basidiocarps with distinctly stratified tubes, grey pores, tissues becoming dark in KOH, a dimitic hyphal system with slightly dextrinoid arboriform skeletal hyphae and broadly ellipsoid to subglobose, truncate, weakly dextrinoid, cyanophilous basidiospores, measuring 4.9-5.2 × 4-4.8 µm. Perenniporia subcorticola is characterised by resupinate basidiocarps, yellow pores with thick dissepiments, tissues becoming dark in KOH, flexuous skeletal hyphae, ellipsoid, truncate and slightly dextrinoid basidiospores, measuring 4.2-5 × 3.5-4.2 µm. The morphologically-similar species and phylogenetically closely-related species to the two new species are discussed.

Optimize the dose of oxaliplatin for locally advanced rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by radical surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Addition of oxaliplatin to capecitabine remains controversial for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). And cumulative oxaliplatin dose (COD) varied among clinical trials showing different therapeutic effects of this regimen. The objective of this study was to explore how COD affected tumor metastasis and patient survival. METHODS: Totally 388 patients diagnosed with stage cII-III rectal cancer and treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by radical surgery plus adjuvant chemotherapy were consecutively enrolled into this study and retrospectively reviewed. After grouping by total chemotherapy cycle (TCC), influences of COD on adverse effects and patients' survivals were analyzed in each group. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were performed through Kaplan-Meier approach and COX proportional hazards model, respectively. Age, gender, anemia, differentiation, carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen 19-9, pretreatment clinical stage and postsurgical pathologic stage were used as covariates. RESULTS: COD < 460 mg/m2 emerged as an independent predictor of poorer overall, metastasis-free and disease-free survivals, in patients treated with TCC ≤ 7. The hazard ratios were 1.972, 1.763 and 1.637 (P values were 0.021, 0.028 and 0.041), respectively. But it was note-worthy that COD ≥460 mg/m2 increased incidence of acute toxicities from 38.4 to 70.8% (P < 0.001). And in patients treated with TCC ≥ 8, COD failed to be a prognosticator. CONCLUSIONS: For LARC patients treated with insufficient TCC (≤ 7), oxaliplatin of ≥460 mg/m2 might be needed to improve survival, though it might resulted in more acute toxicities.

Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy as a Salvage Therapy after Incomplete Radiofrequency Ablation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Retrospective Propensity Score Matching Study.

(1) Background: To investigate the clinical outcomes between radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for residual hepatocellular carcinoma (RHCC). (2) Methods: 139 patients were diagnosed with the RHCC after post-operative checkup, among whom 39 and 33 patients underwent RFA or SBRT as salvage treatments, respectively. We applied the propensity score matching (PSM) to adjust for imbalances in treatment assignment. Local disease progression, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and treatment-related side effects were the study endpoints. (3) Results: Before PSM, the SBRT group demonstrated significantly lower local disease progression rate (6/33 vs. 23/39; p = 0.002), better PFS (the 1- and 3-year PFS were 63.3% and 49.3% vs. 41.5% and 22.3%, respectively, p = 0.036), and comparable OS (the 1- and 3-year OS were 85.4% and 71.1% vs. 97.3% and 57.6%, respectively, p = 0.680). After PSM of 23 matched cases, the SBRT group demonstrated significantly lower local disease progression rate, better PFS and comparable OS. Centrally located tumor predicted the worse OS. No acute grade 3+ toxicity was observed in both groups. (4) Conclusion: SBRT might be the preferred treatment for RHCC, especially for patients with larger tumors or tumors abutting major vessels, rather than repeated RFA.

4-HNE Induces Apoptosis of Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells by Modifying HSP70.

The role of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in apoptosis of human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19) induced by 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE) was explored. Different concentrations of 4-HNE were used to stimulate ARPE-19 cells, and apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. The expression of apoptotic-related proteins, HSP70, X-linked inhibitor-of-apoptosis (XIAP), Bcl-2, and Bax were quantified by Western blotting. HSP70 and XIAP overexpression plasmids, or their corresponding siRNAs were transfected into ARPE-19 cells using Lipofectamine™ 2000. Co-immunoprecipitation and Western blotting were used to detect the effect of 4-HNE on the expression of HSP70 and the binding level between 4-HNE and HSP70. The results showed that 4-HNE induced late apoptosis in ARPE-19 cells, accompanied by elevated levels of 4-HNE-modified HSP70, but it did not affect HSP70 protein expression. 4-HNE-modified HSP70 down-regulated the expression of the apoptosis inhibitory protein XIAP. Overexpression of HSP70 or XIAP inhibited 4-HNE-induced apoptosis of ARPE-19 cells. It was suggested that 4-HNE could promote XIAP degradation by modification of HSP70 to induce late apoptosis of human retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Reinstatement of the corticioid genus Leifia (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota) with a new species L.brevispora from Hubei, Central China.

The monotypic genus Leifia was previously considered to be a later synonym of Odonticium. With the morphological and phylogenetic evidence provided by an additional four East Asian specimens, we propose to reinstate Leifia as an independent genus in Hymenochaetales. Leifia morphologically differs from Odonticium by its grandinioid hymenophore with hyphal strands, numerous thick-walled cystidia with an invaginated apical end and narrowly and thick-walled basidia. The phylogeny generated from the current data set of ITS and 28S regions indicates that Leifia forms a sister clade to Odonticium. Besides the generic type Leifiaflabelliradiata in the Leifia clade, two specimens, collected from Hubei, Central China, are newly introduced as Leifiabrevispora. This new species is the second species of Leifia and differs from the generic type by its shorter basidiospores and distribution in warm-temperate to subtropical areas in East Asia. The additional two specimens, collected from Da Lat, Viet Nam, differ morphologically, both from each other and from known species of Leifia, but more samples need to be examined before further taxonomic decisions can be made.