Systemic immune-inflammation index,neutrophilto-lymphocyte ratio,and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio in patients with type 2 diabetes at different stages of diabetic retinopathy

AIM:To investigate systemic immune-inflammation index(SII),neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR),and plateletto-lymphocyte ratio(PLR)levels in patients with type 2 diabetes at different stages of diabetic retinopathy(DR).METHODS:This retrospective study included 141 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(DM):45 without diabetic retinopathy(NDR),47 with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy(NPDR),and 49 with proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR).Complete blood counts were obtained,and NLR,PLR,and SII were calculated.The study analysed the ability of inflammatory markers to predict DR using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.The relationships between DR stages and SII,PLR,and NLP were assessed using multivariate logistic regression.RESULTS:The average NLR,PLR,and SII were higher in the PDR group than in the NPDR group(P=0.011,0.043,0.009,respectively);higher in the NPDR group than in the NDR group(P<0.001 for all);and higher in the PDR group than in the NDR group(P<0.001 for all).In the ROC curve analysis,the NLR,PLR,and SII were significant predictors of DR(P<0.001 for all).The highest area under the curve(AUC)was for the PLR(0.929 for PLR,0.925 for SII,and 0.821 for NLR).Multivariate regression analysis indicated that NLR,PLR,and SII were statistically significantly positive and independent predictors for the DR stages in patients with DM[odds ratio(OR)=1.122,95%confidence interval(CI):0.200–2.043,P<0.05;OR=0.038,95%CI:0.018–0.058,P<0.05;OR=0.007,95%CI:0.001–0.01,P<0.05,respectively).CONCLUSION:The NLR,PLR,and SII may be used as predictors of DR.

Molecular phylogeny and morphology reveal a new wood-rotting fungal species,Cyathus wenshanensis sp.nov.from the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau

A new species of bird's nest fungus,Cyathus wenshanensis is proposed based on a combination of the morphological and molecular evidence.It is characterised by the obconical to cupulate basidiomata covered with hirsute hairs,striations on the outer and inner surface of the peridium,funicular peridioles,a trimitic hyphal system of peridium with generative hyphae having clamp connections,a dimitic hyphal system of peridiole middle,and subglobose,elliptical to ellipsoid-elongate,thick-walled basidiospores.Sequence of the internal transcribed spacers(ITS)gene region was generated,and the phylogenetic analysis was performed with maximum likelihood,maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference methods.The phylogenetic analyses inferred from ITS dataset indicated that C.wenshanensis nested within the genus Cyathus,in which it formed a monophyletic lineage and grouped with C.albinus,C.amazonicus,C.badius,C.parvocinereus,C.pyristriatus and C.uniperidiolus.

Species diversity, updated classification and divergence times of the phylum Mucoromycota

Zygomycetes are phylogenetically early diverging,ecologically diverse,industrially valuable,agriculturally beneficial,and clinically pathogenic fungi.Although new phyla and subphyla have been constantly established to accommodate spe-cific members and a subkingdom Mucoromyceta,comprising Calcarisporiellomycota,Glomeromycota,Mortierellomycota and Mucoromycota,was erected to unite core zygomycetous fungi,phylogenetic relationships within phyla have not been well resolved.Taking account of the information of monophyly and divergence time estimated from ITS and LSU rDNA sequences,the present study updates the classification framework of the phylum Mucoromycota from the class down to the generic rank:three classes,three orders,20 families(including five new families Circinellaceae,Protomycocladaceae,Rhizomucoraceae,Syzygitaceae and Thermomucoraceae)and 64 genera.The taxonomic hierarchy was calibrated with estimated divergence times:phylum earlier than 617 Mya,classes and orders earlier than 547 Mya,families earlier than 199 Mya,and genera earlier than 12 Mya.Along with this outline,all genera of Mucoromycota are annotated and 58 new species are described.In addition,three new combinations are proposed.In this study,we update the taxonomic backbone of the phylum Mucoromycota and reinforce its phylogeny.We also contribute numerous new taxa and enrich the diversity of Mucoromycota.

Notes,outline and divergence times of Basidiomycota

The Basidiomycota constitutes a major phylum of the kingdom Fungi and is second in species numbers to the Ascomycota.The present work provides an overview of all validly published,currently used basidiomycete genera to date in a single document.An outline of all genera of Basidiomycota is provided,which includes 1928 currently used genera names,with 1263 synonyms,which are distributed in 241 families,68 orders,18 classes and four subphyla.We provide brief notes for each accepted genus including information on classification,number of accepted species,type species,life mode,habitat,distribution,and sequence information.Furthermore,three phylogenetic analyses with combined LSU,SSU,5.8s,rpb1,rpb2,and ef1 datasets for the subphyla Agaricomycotina,Pucciniomycotina and Ustilaginomycotina are conducted,respectively.Divergence time estimates are provided to the family level with 632 species from 62 orders,168 families and 605 genera.Our study indicates that the divergence times of the subphyla in Basidiomycota are 406-430 Mya,classes are 211-383 Mya,and orders are 99-323 Mya,which are largely consistent with previous studies.In this study,all phylogenetically supported families were dated,with the families of Agaricomycotina diverging from 27-178 Mya,Pucciniomycotina from 85-222 Mya,and Ustilaginomycotina from 79-177 Mya.Divergence times as additional criterion in ranking provide additional evidence to resolve taxonomic problems in the Basidiomycota taxonomic system,and also provide a better understanding of their phylogeny and evolution.

Fungal diversity notes 1277-1386:taxonomic and phylogenetic contributions to fungal taxa

This is the twelfth contribution to the Fungal Diversity Notes series on fungal taxonomy,based on materials collected from many countries which were examined and described using the methods of morphology,anatomy,and strain culture,combined with DNA sequence analyses.110 taxa are described and illustrated,including five new genera,92 new species,eight new combinations and other taxonomic contributions(one new sequenced species,one new host and three new records)which are accommodated in 40 families and 1 incertae sedis in Dothideomycetes.The new genera are Amyloceraceomyces,Catenuliconidia,Hansenopezia,Ionopezia and Magnopulchromyces.The new species are Amyloceraceomyces angustisporus,Amylocorticium ellipsosporum,Arthrinium sorghi,Catenuliconidia uniseptata,Clavulina sphaeropedunculata,Colletotrichum parthenocissicola,Coniothyrium triseptatum,Cortinarius indorusseus,C.paurigarhwalensis,C.sinensis,C.subsanguineus,C.xiaojinensis,Diaporthe pimpinel-lae,Dictyosporella guizhouensis,Diplodia torilicola,Fuscoporia marquesiana,F.semiarida,Hansenopezia decora,Helicoarcta-tus thailandicus,Hirsutella hongheensis,Humidicutis brunneovinacea,Lentaria gossypina,L.variabilis,Lycoperdon lahorense,L.pseudocurtisii,Magnopulchromyces scorpiophorus,Moelleriella gracilispora,Neodevriesia manglicola,Neodidymelliopsis salvia,N.urticae,Neoroussoella magnoliae,Neottiella gigaspora,Ophiosphaerella chiangraiensis,Phaeotremella yunnanensis,Podosphaera yulii,Rigidoporus juniperinus,Rhodofomitopsis pseudofeei,Russula benghalensis,Scleroramularia vermispora,Scytinopogon minisporus,Sporormurispora paulsenii,Thaxteriellopsis obliqus,Tomentella asiae-orientalis,T.atrobadia,T.atrocastanea,T.aureomarginata,T.brevis,T.brunneoflava,T.brunneogrisea,T.capitatocystidiata,T.changbaiensis,T.citri-nocystidiata,T.coffeae,T.conclusa,T.cystidiata,T.dimidiata,T.duplexa,T.efibulata,T.efibulis,T.farinosa,T.flavidobadia,T.fuscocrustosa,T.fuscofarinosa,T.fuscogranulosa,T.fuscopelliculosa,T.globospora,T.gloeocystidiata,T.griseocastanea,T.griseofusca,T.griseomarginata,T.inconspicua,T.incrustata,T.interrupta,T.liaoningensis,T.longiaculeifera,T.longiechinuli,T.megaspora,T.olivacea,T.olivaceobrunnea,T.pallidobrunnea,T.pallidomarginata,T.parvispora,T.pertenuis,T.qingyuanensis,T.segregata,T.separata,T.stipitata,T.storea,Trichoderma ceratophylletum,Tyromyces minutulus,Umbelopsis heterosporus and Xylolentia reniformis.The new combinations are Antrodiella descendena,Chloridium macrocladum,Hansenopezia retrocurvata,Rhodofomitopsis monomitica,Rh.oleracea,Fuscoporia licnoides,F.scruposa and Ionopezia gerardii.A new sequenced species(Graphis supracola),one new host(Aplosporella prunicola)and three new geographical records(Golovinomyces monardae,Paradictyoarthrinium diffractum and Prosthemium betulinum),are reported.

Effects of moxibustion on Treg cells in sarcoma microenvironment

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effect of moxibustion on sarcomas from mesenchymal tissues,which have a low response rate to chemotherapy and radiotherapy.Methods:S180 sarcoma cell line was inoculated in C57 BL/6 mice to form transplanted tumor.Moxibustion therapy was directly applied at the transplanted tumor sites,at a distance of 3.0 cm,10 min per session,till skin temperature reached 45°C,once a day,for 14 consecutive days of intervention.After the mice were killed,serum was collected and used to detect concentrations of interleukin-10(IL-10),transforming growth factor-b1(TGF-b1),IL-4 and interferon-c(IFN-c)by Luminex liquid suspension chip.The numbers of Treg^(^(+) )T cells and CD4^(+) CD25^(+) Forkhead Box P3(Foxp3)^(+) T cells were detected by flow cytometry.Fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to analyze the changes of CD4,CD8,Foxp3 and TGF-b1 in the tumor microenvironment(TME).Results:Weight of S180 transplanted tumor in the control group was(2.03±0.54)g,and that in the moxibustion group was(1.27±0.29)g,which was statistically different(P=0.023).The mean value of Foxp3^(+) T cells in the normal group was 2.01%,which increased to 3.63%after the formation of transplanted tumor,and decreased to 1.48%after moxibustion treatment.The moxibustion group also had reduced numbers of CD4^(+) CD25^(+) Foxp3^(+) T cells in the spleen of mice with transplanted tumor.The concentrations of IL-10,TGF-b1 and IL-4 decreased in the serum of mice with transplanted tumor,while the concentration of IFN-c increased.Moxibustion was associated with downregulation in expression of Foxp3,IL-10 and TGF-b1 genes in the transplanted tumor,and increases in the gene expression of CD4^(+) T cells and CD8^(+) T cells in the TME.Conclusion:Moxibustion may have therapeutic effects on sarcomas by reducing the number of Treg cells in the blood and controlling the infiltration of Treg cells in the TME.

New species and phylogeny of Perenniporia based on morphological and molecular characters

Three new resupinate,poroid,wood-inhabiting fungi,Perenniporia aridula,P.bannaensis and P.substraminea,are introduced on the basis of morphological and molecular characters.Molecular study based on sequence data from the ribosomal ITS and LSU regions supported the three new species’positions in Perenniporia s.s.,and all of them formed monophyletic lineages with strong support(100%BP,1.00 BPP).Phylogenetic analysis revealed seven clades for the 31 species of Perenniporia s.l.used in this study.Among them,Perenniporiella clustered with Perenniporia ochroleuca group,and then subsequently grouped with Abundisporus.In addition,the P.ochroleuca group,the P.vicina group,the P.martia group and P.subacida formed well supported monophyletic entities,which could be recognized as distinct genera,and they are not related to P.medulla-panis which belongs to Perenniporia s.s.clade.An identification key to 38 species of Perenniporia occurring in China is provided.

Fungal diversity notes 1387-1511:taxonomic and phylogenetic contributions on genera and species of fungal taxa

This article is the 13th contribution in the Fungal Diversity Notes series,wherein 125 taxa from four phyla,ten classes,31 orders,69 families,92 genera and three genera incertae sedis are treated,demonstrating worldwide and geographic distri-bution.Fungal taxa described and illustrated in the present study include three new genera,69 new species,one new com-bination,one reference specimen and 51 new records on new hosts and new geographical distributions.Three new genera,Cylindrotorula(Torulaceae),Scolecoleotia(Leotiales genus incertae sedis)and Xenovaginatispora(Lindomycetaceae)are introduced based on distinct phylogenetic lineages and unique morphologies.Newly described species are Aspergillus lan-naensis,Cercophora dulciaquae,Cladophialophora aquatica,Coprinellus punjabensis,Cortinarius alutarius,C.mammil-latus,C.quercoflocculosus,Coryneum fagi,Cruentomycena uttarakhandina,Cryptocoryneum rosae,Cyathus uniperidiolus,Cylindrotorula indica,Diaporthe chamaeropicola,Didymella azollae,Diplodia alanphillipsii,Dothiora coronicola,Efibula rodriguezarmasiae,Erysiphe salicicola,Fusarium queenslandicum,Geastrum gorgonicum,G.hansagiense,Helicosporium sexualis,Helminthosporium chiangraiensis,Hongkongmyces kokensis,Hydrophilomyces hydraenae,Hygrocybe boertmannii,Hyphoderma australosetigerum,Hyphodontia yunnanensis,Khaleijomyces umikazeana,Laboulbenia divisa,Laboulbenia triarthronis,Laccaria populina,Lactarius pallidozonarius,Lepidosphaeria strobelii,Longipedicellata megafusiformis,Lophiotrema lincangensis,Marasmius benghalensis,M.jinfoshanensis,M.subtropicus,Mariannaea camelliae,Mel-anographium smilaxii,Microbotryum polycnemoides,Mimeomyces digitatus,Minutisphaera thailandensis,Mortierella solitaria,Mucor harpali,Nigrograna jinghongensis,Odontia huanrenensis,O.parvispina,Paraconiothyrium ajrekarii,Par-afuscosporella niloticus,Phaeocytostroma yomensis,Phaeoisaria synnematicus,Phanerochaete hainanensis,Pleopunctum thailandicum,Pleurotheciella dimorphospora,Pseudochaetosphaeronema chiangraiense,Pseudodactylaria albicolonia,Rhexoacrodictys nigrospora,Russula paravioleipes,Scolecoleotia eriocamporesi,Seriascoma honghense,Synandromyces makranczyi,Thyridaria aureobrunnea,Torula lancangjiangensis,Tubeufia longihelicospora,Wicklowia fusiformispora,Xenovaginatispora phichaiensis and Xylaria apiospora.One new combination,Pseudobactrodesmium stilboideus is pro-posed.A reference specimen of Comoclathris permunda is designated.New host or distribution records are provided for Acrocalymma fici,Aliquandostipite khaoyaiensis,Camarosporidiella laburni,Canalisporium caribense,Chaetoscutula juniperi,Chlorophyllum demangei,C.globosum,C.hortense,Cladophialophora abundans,Dendryphion hydei,Diaporthe foeniculina,D.pseudophoenicicola,D.pyracanthae,Dictyosporium pandanicola,Dyfrolomyces distoseptatus,Ernakula-mia tanakae,Eutypa flavovirens,E.lata,Favolus septatus,Fusarium atrovinosum,F.clavum,Helicosporium luteosporum,Hermatomyces nabanheensis,Hermatomyces sphaericoides,Longipedicellata aquatica,Lophiostoma caudata,L.clematidis-vitalbae,Lophiotrema hydei,L.neoarundinaria,Marasmiellus palmivorus,Megacapitula villosa,Micropsalliota globocys-tis,M.gracilis,Montagnula thailandica,Neohelicosporium irregulare,N.parisporum,Paradictyoarthrinium diffractum,Phaeoisaria aquatica,Poaceascoma taiwanense,Saproamanita manicata,Spegazzinia camelliae,Submersispora variabi-lis,Thyronectria caudata,T.mackenziei,Tubeufia chiangmaiensis,T.roseohelicospora,Vaginatispora nypae,Wicklowia submersa,Xanthagaricus necopinatus and Xylaria haemorrhoidalis.The data presented herein are based on morphological examination of fresh specimens,coupled with analysis of phylogenetic sequence data to better integrate taxa into appropriate taxonomic ranks and infer their evolutionary relationships.

The numbers of fungi:are the most speciose genera truly diverse?

Fungi play vital roles in ecosystems as endophytes,pathogens and saprobes.The current estimate of fungal diversity is highly uncertain,ranging from 1.5 to 12 million,but only around 150,000 species have been named and classified to date.Since the introduction of DNA based methods for species identification,the number of newly described taxa has increased from approximately 1000 to around 2000 yearly.This demonstrates the importance of DNA based methods to identify and distin-guish species,especially cryptic species.Many novel species from recent studies have been found in historically understudied regions and habitats,but these still represent only a small percentage of the estimated species.In this paper,we examine 16 genera from the top 40 most speciose genera as listed in Species Fungorum as case studies to examine the diversity of taxa in each genus.The genera treated herein are Cercospora,Diaporthe,Meliola,Passalora,Phyllachora,Phyllosticta,Pseudocer-cospora,Ramularia(ascomycetes)and Cortinarius,Entoloma,Inocybe,Marasmius,Psathyrella,Puccinia,Russula,Uromyces(basidiomycetes).We critically evaluate the number of species in these genera and correlate these numbers with the number of entries in GenBank.We introduce 18 new species Apiospora multiloculata,Candolleomyces thailandensis,Cortinarius acutoproximus,Cortinarius melleoalbus,Cortinarius pacificus,Cortinarius parvoacetosus,Diaporthe guizhouensis,Entoloma pseudosubcorvinum,Inocybe meirensongia,Marasmius albulus,Marasmius obscuroaurantiacus,Meliola camporesii,Phyl-lachora siamensis,Phyllosticta doitungensis,Picipes yuxiensis,Pseudocercospora vignae,Puccinia maureanui and Russula inornata.We also introduce a new record of Candolleomyces cladii-marisci and Inocybe iringolkavensis.We discuss the genera Colletotrichum and Pleurotus that are speciose,but do not occur in the top 40.We hypothesize whether there might be more species in these genera and discuss why these genera have some of the largest number of species.

Fragiliporiaceae,a new family of Polyporales(Basidiomycota)

Fragiliporiaceae fam.nov.,a new poroid wood-inhabiting family,is introduced based on the combination of molecular and morphological data,and is typified by Fragiliporia gen.nov.The phylogenetic analysis shows that Fragiliporia fragilis sp.nov.forms a monophyletic group within Polyporales and warrants the introduction of a new fragiliporia clade based on molecular data of ITS+nLSU rRNA gene regions.Combined ITS,nLSU,mtSSU,TEF1 and RPB2 sequence data also demonstrated that the new family Fragiliporiaceae also formed a monophyletic lineage(70%BS,57%BP,0.99 BPP),and grouped with the phlebioid clade,residual polyporoid clade and core polyporoid clade.Fragiliporiaceae has unique macromorphological characters in having resupinate basidiocarps with very soft tubes when fresh,which become brittle when dry(becoming almost powdery when bruised);a monomitic hyphal system with thick-walled generative hyphae,clamp connections,and frequently H-,W-or Y-shaped hyphae branching from the clamp connections.