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The causal fungus of a rust disease of Rosa hirtula , endemic to mountainous areas of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Japan, was thought to be a common species Phragmidium rosae-multiflorae. Continued field observations, morphological examination, and experimental inoculations proved that the fungus produced laterally three-angled aeciospores and urediniospores together with multi-cellular teliospores on the same R. hirtula trees. These morphological features were different from those of P. rosae-multiflorae. The fungus parasitized only R. hirtula. Experimental inoculations and field observations did not prove that R. banksiae , R. laevigata , and R. multiflora supported infection and sporulation of the fungus. Under the field observations, R. multiflora , the most common host of P. rosae-multiflorae , was not proven to harbor the R. hirtula fungus. Therefore, the fungus was concluded to be a species distinct from P. rosae-multiflorae ; and a new name, P. satoanum , was proposed for it. • Phragmidium satoanum sp. nov. occurs on Rosa hirtula endemic to Japan. • Phragmidium satoanum produces laterally angled anamorph spores. • Circumscription of Phragmidium rosae-multiflorae is emended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract We report a case of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), successfully treated by a combination therapy of α-interferon (IFN-α) and tegafur/uracil (UFT). A 44-year-old Japanese man who underwent a partial hepatectomy for HCC developed tumor recurrence in the liver 10 months after surgery. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TAE) was performed twice within 7 months, but was ineffective. Later, multiple metastatic lesions appeared in the liver, lung and spine. Following the third TAE, a combination therapy of IFN-α (10 × 10 units, i.m., t.i.w.) and UFT (300 mg, p.o.d.) was started. The treatment resulted in a fall in serum PIVKA-II (protein induced by vitamin K antagonism) levels from 906 mAU to normal levels and a complete resolution of all lung nodules within 6 months. At the latest follow up 24 months after the initiation of combination treatment, the patient was working full-time and showed no evidence of tumor relapse. A combination therapy of IFN-α and UFT may be promising for the treatment of advanced HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]