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Environmentally damaging invasive plants can also serve as reservoir hosts for agricultural pathogens. Microstegium vimineum is an invasive C4 annual grass that is present throughout the midwestern and eastern United States. It can reach high densities in disturbed areas such as crop-forest interfaces, which creates the potential for pathogen spillover from M. vimineum to agricultural crops and native plants. A previous study that surveyed disease on M. vimineum found a large-spored Bipolaris species that was widespread on M. vimineum and also isolated from co-occurring native grasses. Here, we report that the large-spored fungus isolated from M. vimineum and the native grass Elymus virginicus is Drechslera gigantea, based on comparison with published descriptions of morphological traits, and establish that D. gigantea is a pathogen of M. vimineum and E. virginicus. We review the phylogenetic placement and taxonomic history of D. gigantea and propose that it be reassigned to the genus Bipolaris as Bipolaris gigantea.

Objectives To investigate factors affecting the haemostatic success of non-dissolvable intranasal packs in the management of acute epistaxis presenting to the emergency department (ED). Design Prospective cohort study. Setting A nationwide prospective audit examining epistaxis management at 113 sites in the UK over a 30-day period. Participants Patients 16 years or older, presenting to the ED with acute epistaxis managed with non-dissolvable intranasal packs. Main outcome measures The primary outcome was pack success, defined as successful haemostasis following nasal pack removal, not requiring further packing or surgical intervention or interventional radiology. Results A cohort of 969 patients presented with epistaxis to the ED, with nasal packs being inserted in 54.4% by ED staff and by ENT in a further 18.9%. Overall, nasal packs were successful in 87.5%. Longer duration packs (≥21 hours) were more successful than shorter-duration packs (89.9% vs. 84.3%, χ2 P = .028). A patient survey supported longer packing duration. The most significant predictors of treatment failure were shorter packing duration (Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.3; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.4-3.8), alongside ischaemic heart disease (OR = 1.9; 95% CI = 1.1-3.3), normal admission haemoglobin (OR = 2.0; 95% CI = 1.2-3.4) and no attempt at cautery following pack removal (OR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.4-4.2). Conclusions The majority of epistaxis patients are packed by the ED prior to referral to ENT. Once inserted, nasal packs are highly successful, with data supporting the British Rhinological Society guidance of maintaining nasal packs for around 24 hours. Further work is needed to explore alternatives to non-dissolvable intranasal packs to improve patient experience in epistaxis.

There is a desire to engineer mammalian host cell lines to improve cell growth/biomass accumulation and recombinant biopharmaceutical protein production in industrially relevant cell lines such as the CHOK1 and HEK293 cell lines. The over-expression of individual subunits of the eukaryotic translation factor eIF3 in mammalian cells has previously been shown to result in oncogenic properties being imparted on cells, including increased cell proliferation and growth and enhanced global protein synthesis rates. Here we report on the engineering of CHOK1 and HEK cells to over-express the eIF3i and eIF3c subunits of the eIF3 complex and the resultant impact on cell growth and a reporter of exogenous recombinant protein production. Transient over-expression of eIF3i in HEK293 and CHOK1 cells resulted in a modest increase in total eIF3i amounts (maximum 40% increase above control) and an approximate 10% increase in global protein synthesis rates in CHOK1 cells. Stable over-expression of eIF3i in CHOK1 cells was not achievable, most likely due to the already high levels of eIF3i in CHO cells compared to HEK293 cells, but was achieved in HEK293 cells. HEK293 cells engineered to over-express eIF3i had faster growth that was associated with increased c-Myc expression, achieved higher cell biomass and gave enhanced yields of a reporter of recombinant protein production. Whilst CHOK1 cells could not be engineered to over-express eIF3i directly, they could be engineered to over-express eIF3c, which resulted in a subsequent increase in eIF3i amounts and c-Myc expression. The CHOK1 eIF3c engineered cells grew to higher cell numbers and had enhanced cap- and IRES-dependent recombinant protein synthesis. Collectively these data show that engineering of subunits of the eIF3 complex can enhance cell growth and recombinant protein synthesis in mammalian cells in a cell specific manner that has implications for the engineering or selection of fast growing or high producing cells for production of recombinant proteins., Highlights • We have engineered the overexpression of eIF3i and eIF3c in CHOK1 and HEK293 cells. • HEK293 cells overexpressing eIF3i had faster growth and increased c-Myc expression. • Direct stable overexpression of eIF3i in CHOK1 cells was not achievable. • Overexpression of eIF3c in CHOK1 cells resulted in an increase in eIF3i. • eIF3c overexpressing CHOK1 cells had enhanced recombinant protein synthesis.

Species of Syncephalis (Zoopagomycotina, Piptocephalidaceae) are obligate mycoparasites that grow on common saprobic species of Mortierellomycotina and Mucoromycotina in soil and dung. Despite their ubiquitous occurrence across the globe, fungi in the genus Syncephalis are understudied, and there are few modern taxonomic treatments of these fungi. In order to clarify species concepts in the genus, we provide morphological data and discuss seven classical Syncephalis species: S. basibulbosa, S. cordata, S. depressa, S. hypogena, S. intermedia, S. nodosa, and S. sphaerica. Three of these species are only known as herbarium specimens (S. basibulbosa, S. cordata, S. intermedia). We have isolated co-cultures of the remaining parasites (S. depressa, S. nodosa, and S. sphaerica) on their host fungi both from nature and from culture collections. The remaining taxon (S. hypogena) was revived from a lyophilized culture. We provide photos and updated descriptions for all of these species as well as new geographic data and references to documented herbarium specimens for each taxon. In addition, we also describe the new species S. latigena.

We studied the South American species of Cortinarius section Thaumasti based on morphological and molecular data. Members of this group can easily be identified in the field because the basidiomata...

BackgroundTopical nasal decongestants are frequently used as part of the medical management of symptoms related to Eustachian tube dysfunction.ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the effect of topical xylometazoline hydrochloride sprayed in the anterior part of the nose on Eustachian tube active and passive opening in healthy ears.MethodsActive and passive Eustachian tube function was assessed in healthy subjects before and after intranasal administration of xylometazoline spray, using tympanometry, video otoscopy, sonotubometry, tubo-tympano-aerodynamic-graphy and tubomanometry.ResultsResting middle-ear pressures were not significantly different following decongestant application. Eustachian tube opening rate was not significantly different following the intervention, as measured by all function tests used. Sonotubometry data showed a significant increase in the duration of Eustachian tube opening following decongestant application.ConclusionThere remains little or no evidence that topical nasal decongestants improve Eustachian tube function. Sonotubometry findings do suggest that further investigation with an obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction patient cohort is warranted.

Objectives: To explore the relationship between aural symptoms during baro-challenge and the underlying measured Eustachian tube (ET) function. Two key questions were addressed. (1) In patients who have features of obstructive ET dysfunction, is there a measurable underlying difference in ET function between those who experience severe symptoms on baro-challenge and those that do not? (2) What is the diagnostic value of ET function tests in the identification of patients with severe symptoms on baro-challenge? Methods: Patients with symptoms of obstructive ET dysfunction were recruited, with the presence of aural symptoms on baro-challenge established via the clinical history and analysis of the Cambridge ET Dysfunction Assessment, a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM). ET function tests were assessed in each patient: 9 objective and semi-objective measures of ET opening, and 2 symptom-based PROMs. The tests’ results were grouped by type of ET opening assessed, generating passive and active dysfunction scores. Individual test results were assessed for diagnostic accuracy in reference to features in the history or PROM-based evidence of symptoms on baro-challenge. Results: Both passive and active opening of the ET was significantly reduced in ears with a history of pain on baro-challenge. Some patients had apparent severe obstructive ET dysfunction without symptoms on baro-challenge, whilst others had symptoms but normal test results. No individual test of ET opening was of diagnostic value in predicting those ears likely to experience pain or exacerbated symptoms on baro-challenge. Conclusion: The relationship between aural pain during baro-challenge and ET function appears more complex than had been assumed, with pain possibly related to factors other than just ET function.

The boletoid genera

Objectives To explore the impact of COVID‐19 on the management and outcomes of acute paediatric mastoiditis across the UK. Design National retrospective and prospective audit. Setting 48 UK secondary care ENT departments. Participants Consecutive children aged 18 years or under, referred to ENT with a clinical diagnosis of mastoiditis. Main outcome measures Cases were divided into Period 1 (01/11/19‐15/03/20), before the UK population were instructed to reduce social contact, and Period 2 (16/03/20‐30/04/21), following this. Periods 1 and 2 were compared for population variables, management and outcomes. Secondary analyses compared outcomes by primary treatment (medical/needle aspiration/surgical). Results 286 cases met criteria (median 4 per site, range 0–24). 9.4 cases were recorded per week in period 1 versus 2.0 in period 2, with no winter increase in cases in December 2020‐Febraury 2021. Patient age differed between periods 1 and 2 (3.2 vs 4.7 years respectively, p

Symbiosis between insects and fungi arose multiple times during the evolution of both groups, and some of the most biologically diverse and economically important are mutualisms in which the insects cultivate and feed on fungi. Among these are bark beetles, whose ascomycetous cultivars are better known and studied than their frequently-overlooked and poorly understood basidiomycetous partners. In this study, we propose five new species of Entomocorticium, fungal mutualists in the Russulales (Basidiomycota) that are mutualistic symbionts of scolytine beetles. We have isolated these fungi from the beetle mycangia, which are structures adapted for the selective storage and transportation of fungal mutualists. Herein, we present the most complete phylogeny of the closely related genera Entomocorticium and Peniophora and provide insights into how an insect-associated taxon (Entomocorticium) evolved from within a wood-decaying, wind-dispersed lineage (Peniophora). Our results indicate that following a transition from angiosperms to gymnosperms, fungal domestication by beetles facilitated the evolution and diversification of Entomocorticium. We additionally propose four new species: Entomocorticium fibulatum Araújo, Li & Hulcr, sp. nov.; E. belizense Araújo, Li & Hulcr, sp. nov.; E. perryae Araújo, Li & Hulcr, sp. nov.; and E. macrovesiculatum Araújo, Li, Six & Hulcr, sp. nov. Our findings highlight the fact that insect-fungi associations remain an understudied field and that these associations harbor a large reservoir of novel fungal species.

Metabarcoding is an important tool for understanding fungal communities. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA is the accepted fungal barcode but has known problems. The large subunit (LSU) rDNA has also been used to investigate fungal communities but available LSU metabarcoding primers were mostly designed to target Dikarya (Ascomycota + Basidiomycota) with little attention to early diverging fungi (EDF). However, evidence from multiple studies suggests that EDF comprise a large portion of unknown diversity in community sampling. Here, we investigate how DNA marker choice and methodological biases impact recovery of EDF from environmental samples. We focused on one EDF lineage, Zoopagomycota, as an example. We evaluated three primer sets (ITS1F/ITS2, LROR/LR3, and LR3 paired with new primer LR22F) to amplify and sequence a Zoopagomycota mock community and a set of 146 environmental samples with Illumina MiSeq. We compared two taxonomy assignment methods and created an LSU reference database compatible with AMPtk software. The two taxonomy assignment methods recovered strikingly different communities of fungi and EDF. Target fragment length variation exacerbated PCR amplification biases and influenced downstream taxonomic assignments, but this effect was greater for EDF than Dikarya. To improve identification of LSU amplicons we performed phylogenetic reconstruction and illustrate the advantages of this critical tool for investigating identified and unidentified sequences. Our results suggest much of the EDF community may be missed or misidentified with "standard" metabarcoding approaches and modified techniques are needed to understand the role of these taxa in a broader ecological context.

Fungal endophytes live asymptomatically within plants and are widespread inhabitants of leaves and other organs (Wilson, 1995). Similarly, endolichenic fungi live asymptomatically within lichens, occurring in healthy lichen thalli worldwide (Arnold et al., 2009). Endophytes and endolichenic fungi are ecologically similar, living in symbiosis with either a plant or the photobionts of lichens (Arnold et al., 2009), and both functional groups represent the same major lineages of fungi (U'Ren et al., 2012).

Among many convergently evolved sequestrate fungal genera in Boletaceae (Boletales, Basidiomycota), the genus Octaviania is the most diverse. We recently collected many specimens of Octaviania subg. Octaviania, including several undescribed taxa, from Japan and the Americas. Here we describe two new species in subgenus Octaviania, O. tenuipes and O. tomentosa, from temperate to subtropical evergreen Fagaceae forests in Japan based on morphological observation and robust multilocus phylogenetic analyses (nrDNA ITS and partial large subunit [LSU], translation elongation factor 1-α gene [TEF1] and the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II gene [RPB1]). Based on specimens from the Americas as well as studies of the holotype, we also taxonomically re-evaluate O. asterosperma var. potteri. Our analysis suggests that O. asterosperma var. potteri is a distinct taxon within the subgenus Octaviania so we recognize this as O. potteri stat. nov. We unexpectedly collected O. potteri specimens from geographically widespread sites in the USA, Japan and Colombia. This is the first verified report of Octaviania from the South American continent. Our molecular analyses also revealed that the RPB1 sequence of one O. tenuipes specimen was identical to that of a closely related species, O. japonimontana, and that one O. potteri specimen from Minnesota had an RPB1 sequence of an unknown species of O. subg. Octaviania. Additionally, one O. japonimontana specimen had an unusually divergent TEF1 sequence. Gene-tree comparison and phylogenetic network analysis of the multilocus dataset suggest that these heterogenous sequences are most likely the result of previous inter- and intra-specific hybridization. We hypothesize that frequent hybridization events in Octaviania may have promoted the high genetic and species diversity found within the genus.

Truffle fungi are esteemed for their aromatic qualities and are among the most widely cultivated edible ectomycorrhizal fungi. Here we document a successful method for establishing Tuber lyonii, the pecan truffle, on pecan (Carya illinoinensis) seedlings in a field setting. We assessed the impacts of soil fumigation and varying concentrations of truffle spore inoculum on the ectomycorrhizal fungal and the complete fungal communities as well as the colonization of T. lyonii on pecan roots at three nurseries in Georgia, United States. To identify fungal communities on pecan seedlings, we performed high-throughput amplicon sequencing of the fungal ITS1 rDNA region. Our 5-year long field experiment demonstrates that fumigation and inoculation together resulted in the highest persistence of T. lyonii on pecan roots. While fungal OTU numbers fluctuated over the years of our experiments, there was no statistical support to demonstrate diversification of communities when Shannon diversity metrics were used. However, we did find that older seedlings were less likely to be dominated by T. lyonii compared to younger ones, suggesting successional changes in the fungal community over time. This suggests that transplanting inoculated seedlings after 2 or 3 years post-inoculation is optimal for future truffle propagation efforts. Our results demonstrate that T. lyonii can be established in situ with methods that are compatible with current pecan nursery industry practices and that fungal communities on pecan seedlings vary depending on the experimental treatments used during planting. While the pecan truffle is not yet widely cultivated, our results provide insights for future large-scale cultivation of this and perhaps other Tuber species.

Symptoms of patulous Eustachian tube (ET), particularly autophony, can overlap with other conditions, and can arise from a variety of causes. We review the pathophysiology of “speech hyper-resonance syndromes”, and possible mechanisms, including resonances in the tympanic membrane, Eustachian tube and nasopharynx. Treatment can be directed at the eardrum or the ET depending on site of pathology. We review typical presentations, examination findings, and useful clinical tests to distinguish PET from other disorders, and our philosophy of management. Keywords: Patulous Eustachian tube, Autophony, Cartilage typmpanoplasty, Eustachian tube function testing, Sonotubometry

Obstructive and patulous Eustachian tube dysfunction provide a significant diagnostic and management challenge. The development of new treatments such as balloon Eustachian tuboplasty has generated renewed interest in measuring Eustachian tube function, as a method of selecting appropriate patients for intervention, and measuring their treatment outcomes.This review summarises recent findings relating to Eustachian tube function assessment. Increasingly it is recognised that patient reported outcome measures based on symptoms are highly non-specific and non-diagnostic, and clinical assessment alone may not permit the selection of individuals with abnormal Eustachian tube opening. Tests of Eustachian tube opening therefore may represent a practical and objective addition to patient assessment in clinic, allowing the identification of individuals with abnormal (patulous or obstructive) Eustachian tube function. A diagnostic pathway is described on this basis.More work is required to validate the described Eustachian tube function tests, and there remain individuals, such as those with dysfunction limited to pressure challenges, in whom function tests have yet to fully characterise the disorder. Keywords: Eustachian tube, Function, Test, Accuracy, Diagnosis

The genus Hygrophorus is poorly studied from Asia. From Pakistan, only one species has been reported so far. Two new species in the genus have been collected from Himalayan oak forests of Pakistan. Hygrophorusalboflavescens (section Pudorini, subgenus Colorati) is characterised by its pure white, centrally depressed pileus, occurrence of white stipe with yellow patches at lower half and broader (4.98 μm) basidiospores. Hygrophorusscabrellus (section Hygrophorus, subgenus Hygrophorus) is characterised by its yellowish-green stipe with white apex that has fine scales on the entire stipe, an off-white pileus with dark green and greyish fibrils, ovoid to ellipsoid basidiospores and clavate 4-spored basidia. Macro- and micromorphological descriptions have revealed that both these taxa are not yet described. Phylogenetic estimation based on DNA sequences from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and large subunit (LSU) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) genes, is congruent with the morphological characters that help to delimit these as new species of Hygrophorus. Allied taxa are also compared.

OBJECTIVES Observational studies often represent the best available evidence for surgical practice. Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) recommendations were generated in 2007 with the aim of improving the quality of reporting. This study was designed to assess whether publication of STROBE guidelines has improved the quality of reporting in observational otology and audiology studies. DATA SOURCES EMBASE and MEDLINE were searched using a comprehensive keyword search developed in conjunction with a scientific librarian. STUDY SELECTION English language papers from six Otorhinolaryngology journals during two 6-month periods (2005 and 2016) were evaluated. DATA EXTRACTION Two reviewers independently analyzed papers according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. DATA SYNTHESIS Percentage scores for the two periods were compared using Mann-Whitney U test. CONCLUSIONS Forty and 42 studies were returned for the 2005 and 2016 periods, respectively. The mean percentage of STROBE items that were met improved between 2005 and 2016 (58, 76%, respectively; p

In the northwestern Himalayan mountains of India, the hypogeous sequestrate fungus Trappeindia himalayensis is harvested from forests dominated by the ectomycorrhizal tree Cedrus deodara (Himalayan cedar). This truffle has basidiospores that are ornamented with raised reticulation. The original description of Trappeindia himalayensis suggested that the gleba of this species is similar to young specimens of Scleroderma (Boletales), whereas its basidiospores are ornamented with raised reticulation, suggesting a morphological affinity to Leucogaster (Russulales) or Strobilomyces (Boletales). Given this systematic ambiguity, we have generated DNA sequence data from type material and other herbarium specimens and present the first molecular phylogenetic analysis of this unusual Cedrus-associated truffle. Despite the irregular ornamented basidiospore morphology, T. himalayensis is resolved within the genus Rhizopogon (Suillineae, Boletales) and represents a unique lineage that has not been previously detected. All known Rhizopogon species possess an ectomycorrhizal trophic mode, and because of its placement in this lineage, it is likely that Trappeindia himalayensis is an ectomycorrhizal partner of Cedrus deodara. This study highlights the importance of generating sequence data from herbarium specimens in order to identify fungal biodiversity and clarify the systematic relationships of poorly documented fungi.

The cultural characteristics of fungi can provide useful information for studying the biology and ecology of a group of closely related species, but these features are often overlooked in the order Polyporales. Optimal temperature and growth rate data can also be of utility for strain selection of cultivated fungi such as reishi (i.e., laccate Ganoderma species) and potential novel management tactics (e.g., solarization) for butt rot diseases caused by Ganoderma species. Historically, the taxonomy of the laccate (shiny) Ganoderma species has been unresolved and many species have been treated together as G. lucidum. The cultural characteristics of Ganoderma species from the United States are needed to understand the biology of these unique species that have all been lumped under this name. Culture morphology, average growth rate, optimal temperatures, and resiliency to elevated temperature exposure were characterized for isolates of Ganodermataceae taxa from the eastern United States, including Ganoderma curtisii, G. martinicense, G. meredithiae, G. ravenelii, G. sessile, G. tsugae, G. tuberculosum, G. cf. weberianum, G. zonatum, and Tomophagus colossus. We documented differences in linear growth rates and optimal temperatures between taxa. Isolates of G. sessile and T. colossus grew the fastest, and isolates of G. meredithiae, G. ravenelii, and G. tsugae grew the slowest. Isolates of G. sessile, G. martinicense, G. cf. weberianum, and T. colossus constitutively produced chlamydospores on malt extract agar, and these species were the only species to survive long-term exposure (30 or 40 d) to 40 C. We hypothesize that chlamydospores function as survival structures that serve as propagules resilient to adverse temperature conditions, especially heat. Cultural characteristics of G. martinicense, G. ravenelii, G. tuberculosum, and G. cf. weberianum collected from the United States are described for the first time.

Summary The ancestor of termites relied on gut symbionts for degradation of plant material, an association that persists in all termite families. 1 , 2 However, the single-lineage Macrotermitinae has additionally acquired a fungal symbiont that complements digestion of food outside the termite gut. 3 Phylogenetic analysis has shown that fungi grown by these termites form a clade—the genus Termitomyces—but the events leading toward domestication remain unclear. 4 To address this, we reconstructed the lifestyle of the common ancestor of Termitomyces using a combination of ecological data with a phylogenomic analysis of 21 related non-domesticated species and 25 species of Termitomyces. We show that the closely related genera Blastosporella and Arthromyces also contain insect-associated species. Furthermore, the genus Arthromyces produces asexual spores on the mycelium, which may facilitate insect dispersal when growing on aggregated subterranean fecal pellets of a plant-feeding insect. The sister-group relationship between Arthromyces and Termitomyces implies that insect association and asexual sporulation, present in both genera, preceded the domestication of Termitomyces and did not follow domestication as has been proposed previously. Specialization of the common ancestor of these two genera on an insect-fecal substrate is further supported by similar carbohydrate-degrading profiles between Arthromyces and Termitomyces. We describe a set of traits that may have predisposed the ancestor of Termitomyces toward domestication, with each trait found scattered in related taxa outside of the termite-domesticated clade. This pattern indicates that the origin of the termite-fungus symbiosis may not have required large-scale changes of the fungal partner.

The cryptic lifestyle of most fungi necessitates molecular identification of the guild in environmental studies. Over the past decades, rapid development and affordability of molecular tools have tremendously improved insights of the fungal diversity in all ecosystems and habitats. Yet, in spite of the progress of molecular methods, knowledge about functional properties of the fungal taxa is vague and interpretation of environmental studies in an ecologically meaningful manner remains challenging. In order to facilitate functional assignments and ecological interpretation of environmental studies we introduce a user friendly traits and character database FungalTraits operating at genus and species hypothesis levels. Combining the information from previous efforts such as FUNGuild and FunFun together with involvement of expert knowledge, we reannotated 10,210 and 151 fungal and Stramenopila genera, respectively. This resulted in a stand-alone spreadsheet dataset covering 17 lifestyle related traits of fungal and Stramenopila genera, designed for rapid functional assignments of environmental studies. In order to assign the trait states to fungal species hypotheses, the scientific community of experts manually categorised and assigned available trait information to 697,413 fungal ITS sequences. On the basis of those sequences we were able to summarise trait and host information into 92,623 fungal species hypotheses at 1% dissimilarity threshold. Fungal traits · Trophic modes · Function · Guild · Bioinformatics · High-throughput sequencing · Community ecology

The ancestor of termites relied on gut symbionts for degradation of plant material, an association that persists in most termite families. However, the single lineage Macrotermitinae has additionally acquired a fungal symbiont that complements digestion of food outside the termite gut. Phylogenetic analysis has shown that fungi grown by these termites form a monophyletic group – the genus Termitomyces , but the events leading towards domestication remain unclear . To address this, we reconstructed the lifestyle of the common ancestor of Termitomyces using a combination of ecological data with a phylogenomic analysis of 21 related non-domesticated species and 25 species of Termitomyces. We show that the closely related genera Blastosporella and Arthromyces also contain insect-associated species. We demonstrate that the genus Arthromyces produces asexual spores on the mycelium, which may facilitate their dispersal by insects when growing on aggregated subterranean faecal pellets of a plant-feeding insect. The sister relationship between Arthromyces and Termitomyces implies that insect-association and asexual sporulation, which are present in both genera, preceded the domestication of Termitomyces and did not follow domestication as has been proposed previously. Specialisation of the last common ancestor of these two genera on an insect-faecal substrate is further supported by similar carbohydrate-degrading profiles between Arthromyces and Termitomyces. We describe a ‘termite-domestication syndrome’, with each component found scattered in related genera and species outside of the termite-domesticated clade. This pattern indicates that the origin of the termite-fungus symbiosis may not have required large-scale changes of the fungal partner.

A second genus in Chlorociboriaceae is described here as Brahmaculusgen. nov. Macroscopically distinctive, all species have bright yellow apothecia with several apothecial cups held on short branches at the tip of a long stipe. The genus is widely distributed across the Southern Hemisphere; the four new species described here include two from Chile (B. magellanicussp. nov., B. osornoensissp. nov.) and one each from New Zealand (B. moonlighticussp. nov.) and Australia (B. packhamiaesp. nov.). They differ from species referred to Chlorociboria, the only other genus in Chlorociboriaceae, in their terrestrial habitat and ascomata that are noticeably more hairy than the known Chlorociboria species, most of which have apothecia with short, macroscopically indistinct hair-like elements. Based on our analyses, Chlorociboria as accepted here is paraphyletic. Additional study is needed to clarify where alternative, monophyletic generic limits should be drawn and how these genera may be recognised morphologically. Also described here are three new Chlorociboria spp. from New Zealand (C. metrosiderisp. nov., C. solandrisp. nov., C. subtilissp. nov.), distinctive in developing on dead leaves rather than wood and in two of them not forming the green pigmentation characteristic of most Chlorociboria species. New Zealand specimens previously incorrectly identified as Chlorociboria argentinensis are provided with a new name, C. novae-zelandiaesp. nov.

Dispersal is a key process that impacts population dynamics and structures biotic communities. Dispersal limitation influences the assembly of plant and microbial communities, including mycorrhizal fungi and their plant hosts. Mycorrhizal fungi play key ecological roles in forests by feeding nutrients to plants in exchange for sugars, so the dispersal of mycorrhizal fungi spores actively shapes plant communities. Although many fungi rely on wind for spore dispersal, long-distance dispersal is uncommon and most spores land close to fungal fruiting bodies. Some fungi have lost the ability to shoot their spores into the air and instead produce enclosed belowground fruiting bodies (truffles) that rely on animals for dispersal. Animal-facilitated spore dispersal increases the chances that spores reach suitable habitats and colonize plant roots. The role of mammals in fungal spore dispersal is well documented but the relevance of birds as dispersal agents of fungal spores has been understudied, despite the prominence of birds as seed dispersal vectors. Here we use metagenomics and epifluorescence microscopy to demonstrate that two common, widespread and endemic birds from Patagonia, Chucao Tapaculos (Scelorchilus rubecula) and Black-throated Huet-huets (Pteroptochos tarnii), regularly consume mycorrhizal fungi and disperse viable spores via mycophagy. We sampled more than 100 fecal samples that were collected across a 700 kilometer area in Patagonia. Our metagenomic analysis indicates that these two species of generalist, ground-dwelling birds routinely consume diverse mycorrhizal fungi, including many truffles, that are symbiotically associated with Nothofagaceae trees that dominate Patagonian forests. We used soil sample controls to ensure that fecal samples were not contaminated from nearby soil as well as extraction, PCR and sequencing controls to account for lab contamination. Epifluorescence microscopy of fecal samples confirmed that the birds dispersed large numbers of viable spores from truffles and other mycorrhizal fungi, including Cystangium nothofagi and species of Cortinarius, Descolea, and Inocybe, which are important root colonizers of seedling and saplings of several Nothofagaceae species. Our results show that fungi are a common food for both bird species and that this cryptic animal-fungi symbiosis is widespread and ecologically important in Patagonia. Our findings suggest that birds may also act as cryptic but critical agents of fungal spore dispersal in other ecosystems.

Ambrosia beetles in the subtribe Hyorrhynchini are one example of an entire ambrosia beetle lineage whose fungi have never been studied. Here, we identify one dominant fungus associated with a widespread Asian hyorrhynchine beetle

Species in the Laetiporus sulphureus species complex, also known as “chicken of the woods” mushrooms, are wood-decay fungi that cause brown rot within the heartwood of their tree hosts. The common name “chicken of the woods” is given to some species in this group because they are tasty edible mushrooms. Several Laetiporus species have been harvested to use as food colorants, to dye natural products such as wool, and for human consumption. This new 4-page publication of the UF/IFAS Plant Pathology Department, written by Brianna Benitez, Claudia A. Paez, Matthew E. Smith, and Jason A. Smith, describes these fungi as well as their ecology, management, and potential edibility.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp358

Many animals have been shown to eat fungi and most truffle-like fungi depend on animals for spore dispersal via mycophagy. Although these interactions are widespread, they are understudied in many habitats. In this study, we show that bonobos (

Among many convergently evolved sequestrate fungal genera in Boletaceae (Boletales, Basidiomycota), the genus Octaviania is the most diverse. We recently collected many specimens of Octaviania subgenus Octaviania, including several undescribed taxa, from Japan and the Americas. Here we describe two new species in subgenus Octaviania, O. tenuipes and O. tomentosa, from temperate to subtropical evergreen Fagaceae forests in Japan based on morphological observation and robust multi-locus phylogenetic analyses (nrDNA ITS and partial large subunit [LSU], translation elongation factor 1-α gene [TEF1] and the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II gene [RPB1]). Based on specimens from the Americas as well as studies of the holotype, we also taxonomically re-evaluate the taxon O. asterosperma var. potteri. Our analysis suggests that O. asterosperma var. potteri is a distinct taxon within the subgenus Octaviania so we recognize this as O. potteri. We unexpectedly collected O. potteri specimens from geographically widespread sites in the USA, Japan and Colombia. This is the first verified report of Octaviania from the South American continent. Our molecular analyses also revealed that the RPB1 sequence of one O. tenuipes specimen was identical to that of a closely related species, O. japonimontana, and that one O. potteri specimen from Minnesota had an RPB1 sequence of an unknown species of O. subg. Octaviania. Additionally, one O. japonimontana specimen had an unusually divergent TEF1 sequence. Gene-tree comparison and phylogenetic network analysis of the multi-locus dataset suggest that these heterogenous sequences are most likely the result of previous inter- and intra-specific hybridization. We hypothesize that frequent hybridization events in Octaviania may have promoted the high genetic and species diversity within the genus.

Environmentally damaging invasive plants can also serve as reservoir hosts for agricultural pathogens.

Objectives We aimed to audit current United Kingdom (UK) practice of Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) post-treatment surveillance against national guidelines, and determine the outcomes of these practices in detecting recurrence. Design National cross-sectional study of current HNC surveillance practice. Setting UK HNC outpatient departments. Participants HNC patients reviewed for post-treatment surveillance. Main outcome measures Compliance with UK multidisciplinary guidelines, and rates of cancer recurrence detection by time, clinic type and symptoms. Results Data were analysed from 5,123 consultations across 89 UK centres. 30% of consultations were in dedicated multidisciplinary clinics, with input from Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) available on the day in 23% of all consultations. Recurrence was suspected in 344 consultations and investigated with MRI in 29.6% (n=102) and PET-CT in 14.2% (n=49). Patient education regarding recurrence symptoms, and smoking and alcohol advice, was provided in 20.4%, 6.2%, and 5.3% of cases, respectively. Rates of recurrence detected were 35% in expedited appointments and 5.2% in planned follow-ups (p=0.0001). Of the expedited appointments, 63% were initiated by patients and 37% by clinicians. Recurrence was higher in those with new symptoms (7.1% versus 2.2%). The strongest predictors of recurrence were dyspnoea (positive predictive value (PPV)=16.2%), neck pain (PPV=10.4%) and mouth/throat pain (PPV=9.2%). Conclusions Dedicated multidisciplinary clinics comprise a minority of consultations for HNC surveillance in the UK, with low availability of AHPs. PET-CT and MRI were underutilised for the investigation of suspected recurrence. There may be scope for greater emphasis on patient education and consequent patient-initiated symptom driven follow-up.

Obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction (OETD) is a common condition resulting from inadequate opening of the Eustachian tube (ET). A new surgical treatment involves high-pressure inflation of a balloon within the ET, with the aim of dilating the soft tissue structure. However, the mechanical effects of this intervention have not been established, nor the impact of changing device size or other technical parameters. A novel experimental technique allowed quantification of plastic and elastic tissue deformation in model materials and then human cadaver ETs during balloon dilation, based on the measured balloon inflation pressure-volume relationship. Plastic tissue deformation was found to be greater using larger balloons and deeper device insertion, but increasing the inflation pressure had a more limited effect, with most deformation occurring well below the clinically used pressures. Histological assessment of ET tissue suggested that mucosal tearing and cartilage cracking were in part responsible for the mechanical changes. Balloon dilation of the ET has huge potential if found to be clinically effective, but currently there is a need to understand and develop the technique further. The novel methods employed in this study will be valuable in future laboratory and in vivo studies of ET balloon dilation. Pressures are reported in Bar as this unit is used for medical balloon dilation procedures in clinical practice. 1 Bar = 100,000 Pa. Graphical abstract captionDilation of the Eustachian tube for obstructive dysfunction is performed clinically with 3- and 6-mm-diameter balloons of approximately the same overall length. Our data suggest that dilation with a 6-mm balloon causes greater deformation of the soft tissue structure than dilation with a 3-mm balloon. This difference has yet to be demonstrated clinically. Plastic deformation was measured in terms of energy (J) dissipated during balloon inflation. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s11517-020-02121-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Antarctica, Cladosporium arenosum from marine sediment sand. Argentina, Kosmimatamyces alatophylus (incl. Kosmimatamyces gen. nov.) from soil. Australia, Aspergillus banksianus, Aspergillus kumbius, Aspergillus luteorubrus, Aspergillus malvicolor and Aspergillus nanangensis from soil, Erysiphe medicaginis from leaves of Medicago polymorpha, Hymenotorrendiella communis on leaf litter of Eucalyptus bicostata, Lactifluus albopicri and Lactifluus austropiperatus on soil, Macalpinomyces collinsiae on Eriachne benthamii, Marasmius vagus on soil, Microdochium dawsoniorum from leaves of Sporobolus natalensis, Neopestalotiopsis nebuloides from leaves of Sporobolus elongatus, Pestalotiopsis etonensis from leaves of Sporobolus jacquemontii, Phytophthora personensis from soil associated with dying Grevillea mccutcheonii. Brazil, Aspergillus oxumiae from soil, Calvatia baixaverdensis on soil, Geastrum calycicoriaceum on leaf litter, Greeneria kielmeyerae on leaf spots of Kielmeyera coriacea. Chile, Phytophthora aysenensis on collar rot and stem of Aristotelia chilensis. Croatia, Mollisia gibbospora on fallen branch of Fagus sylvatica. Czech Republic, Neosetophoma hnaniceana from Buxus sempervirens. Ecuador, Exophiala frigidotolerans from soil. Estonia, Elaphomyces bucholtzii in soil. France, Venturia paralias from leaves of Euphorbia paralias. India, Cortinarius balteatoindicus and Cortinarius ulkhagarhiensis on leaf litter. Indonesia, Hymenotorrendiella indonesiana on Eucalyptus urophylla leaf litter. Italy, Penicillium taurinense from indoor chestnut mill. Malaysia, Hemileucoglossum kelabitense on soil, Satchmopsis pini on dead needles of Pinus tecunumanii. Poland, Lecanicillium praecognitum on insects' frass. Portugal, Neodevriesia aestuarina from saline water. Republic of Korea, Gongronella namwonensis from freshwater. Russia, Candida pellucida from Exomias pellucidus, Heterocephalacria septentrionalis as endophyte from Cladonia rangiferina, Vishniacozyma phoenicis from dates fruit, Volvariella paludosa from swamp. Slovenia, Mallocybe crassivelata on soil. South Africa, Beltraniella podocarpi, Hamatocanthoscypha podocarpi, Coleophoma podocarpi and Nothoseiridium podocarpi (incl. Nothoseiridium gen. nov.)from leaves of Podocarpus latifolius, Gyrothrix encephalarti from leaves of Encephalartos sp., Paraphyton cutaneum from skin of human patient, Phacidiella alsophilae from leaves of Alsophila capensis, and Satchmopsis metrosideri on leaf litter of Metrosideros excelsa. Spain, Cladophialophora cabanerensis from soil, Cortinarius paezii on soil, Cylindrium magnoliae from leaves of Magnolia grandiflora, Trichophoma cylindrospora (incl. Trichophoma gen. nov.) from plant debris, Tuber alcaracense in calcareus soil, Tuber buendiae in calcareus soil. Thailand, Annulohypoxylon spougei on corticated wood, Poaceascoma filiforme from leaves of unknown Poaceae. UK, Dendrostoma luteum on branch lesions of Castanea sativa, Ypsilina buttingtonensis from heartwood of Quercus sp. Ukraine, Myrmecridium phragmiticola from leaves of Phragmites australis. USA, Absidia pararepens from air, Juncomyces californiensis (incl. Juncomyces gen. nov.) from leaves of Juncus effusus, Montagnula cylindrospora from a human skin sample, Muriphila oklahomaensis (incl. Muriphila gen. nov.)on outside wall of alcohol distillery, Neofabraea eucalyptorum from leaves of Eucalyptus macrandra, Diabolocovidia claustri (incl. Diabolocovidia gen. nov.)from leaves of Serenoa repens, Paecilomyces penicilliformis from air, Pseudopezicula betulae from leaves of leaf spots of Populus tremuloides. Vietnam, Diaporthe durionigena on branches of Durio zibethinus and Roridomyces pseudoirritans on rotten wood. Morphological and culture characteristics are supported by DNA barcodes.

A new monotypic sequestrate genus, Longistriata is described based on collections from the Neotropical forest of Atlantic forest in Paraíba, Northeast Brazil – an area known for its high degree of endemism. The striking features of this new fungus are the hypogeous habit, the vivid yellow peridium in mature basidiomes, broadly ellipsoid basidiospores with a distinct wall that is ornamented with longitudinal striations and lageniform cystidia with rounded apices. Phylogenetic analysis, based on LSU and tef-1α regions, showed that the type species, Longistriata flava, is phylogenetically sister to the monotypic sequestrate African genus Mackintoshia in Boletaceae. Together these two species formed the earliest diverging lineage in the subfamily Zangioideae. Longistriata flava is found in nutrient-poor white sand habitats where plants in the genera Coccoloba (Polygonaceae) and Guapira (Nyctaginaceae) are the only potential ectomycorrhizal host symbionts.

The boletoid genera Butyriboletus and Exsudoporus have recently been suggested by some researchers to constitute a single genus, and Exsudoporus was merged into Butyriboletus as a later synonym. However, no convincing arguments have yet provided significant evidence for this congeneric placement. In this study, we analyze material from Exsudoporus species and closely related taxa to assess taxonomic and phylogenetic boundaries between these genera and to clarify species delimitation within Exsudoporus. Outcomes from a multilocus phylogenetic analysis (ITS, nrLSU, tef1-α and rpb2) clearly resolve Exsudoporus as a monophyletic, homogenous and independent genus that is sister to Butyriboletus. An accurate morphological description, comprehensive sampling, type studies, line drawings and a historical overview on the nomenclatural issues of the type species E. permagnificus are provided. Furthermore, this species is documented for the first time from Israel in association with Quercus calliprinos. The previously described North American species Exsudoporus frostii and E. floridanus are molecularly confirmed as representatives of Exsudoporus, and E. floridanus is epitypified. The eastern Asian species Leccinum rubrum is assigned here to Exsudoporus based on molecular evidence, and a new combination is proposed. Sequence data from the original material of the Japanese Boletus kermesinus were generated, and its conspecificity with L. rubrum is inferred as formerly presumed based on morphology. Four additional cryptic species from North and Central America previously misdetermined as either B. frostii or B. floridanus are phylogenetically placed but remain undescribed due to the paucity of available material. Boletus weberi (syn. B. pseudofrostii) and Xerocomus cf. mcrobbii cluster outside of Exsudoporus and are herein assigned to the recently described genus Amoenoboletus. Biogeographic distribution patterns are elucidated, and a dichotomous key to all known species of Exsudoporus worldwide is presented.

Premise of the study The Hymenochaetales are dominated by lignicolous saprotrophic fungi involved in wood decay. However, the group also includes bryophilous and terricolous taxa, but their modes of nutrition are not clear. Here, we investigate patterns of carbon and nitrogen utilization in numerous non-lignicolous Hymenochaetales and provide a phylogenetic context in which these non-canonical ecological guilds arose. Methods We combined stable isotope analyses of δ13 C and δ15 N and phylogenetic analyses to explore assignment and evolution of nutritional modes. Clustering procedures and statistical tests were performed to assign trophic modes to Hymenochaetales and test for differences between varying ecologies. Genomes of Hymenochaetales were mined for presence of enzymes involved in plant cell wall and lignin degradation and sucrolytic activity. Key results Three different trophic clusters were detected - biotrophic, saprotrophic, and a second biotrophic cluster including many bryophilous Hymenochaetales and mosses. Non-lignicolous Hymenochaetales are generally biotrophic. All lignicolous Hymenochaetales clustered as saprotrophic and most terricolous Hymenochaetales clustered as ectomycorrhizal. Overall, at least 15 species of Hymenochaetales are inferred as biotrophic. Bryophilous species of Rickenella can degrade plant cell walls and lignin, and cleave sucrose to glucose consistent with a parasitic or endophytic life style. Conclusions Most non-lignicolous Hymenochaetales are biotrophic. Stable isotope values of many bryophilous Hymenochaetales cluster as ectomycorrhizal or in a biotrophic cluster indicative of parasitism or an endophytic life style. Overall, trophic mode diversity in the Hymenochaetales is greater than anticipated, and non-lignicolous ecological traits and biotrophic modes of nutrition are evolutionarily derived features.

The monotypic genus Phylloporopsis is described as new to science based on Phylloporus boletinoides. This species occurs widely in eastern North America and Central America. It is reported for the first time from a neotropical montane pine woodland in the Dominican Republic. The confirmation of this newly recognised monophyletic genus is supported and molecularly confirmed by phylogenetic inference based on multiple loci (ITS, 28S, TEF1-α, and RPB1). A detailed morphological description of P. boletinoides from the Dominican Republic and Florida (USA) is provided along with colour images of fresh basidiomata in habitat, line drawings of the main anatomical features, transmitted light microscopic images of anatomical features and scanning electron microscope images of basidiospores. The taxonomic placement, ecological requirements and distribution patterns of P. boletinoides are reviewed and the relationships with phylogenetically related or morphologically similar lamellate and boletoid taxa such as Phylloporus, Phylloboletellus, Phyllobolites and Bothia are discussed.

Objective To develop and validate a novel patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) to distinguish patulous from obstructive Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD). To determine accuracy of PROMs and ET function tests as diagnostic tools for ETD. Study design 1) PROM development and validation. 2) Test case-control diagnostic accuracy study. Interventions Cambridge ETD Assessment (CETDA) and ETDQ-7 PROMs, sonotubometry and tubomanometry ET function tests. Setting Tertiary referral center. Patients Cases with patulous (n = 7) or obstructive (n = 60) ETD, controls with either no ear symptoms (n = 33), or symptoms arising from hearing loss or Meniere's disease (n = 24). Main outcome measures PROMs were assessed in terms of internal consistency, ceiling and floor effects, test-retest reliability and content, structural and criterion validity. PROMs and function test sensitivity and specificity was determined as diagnostic tests for ETD. Results The 10-item CETDA was developed. CETDA validity and performance were good, though five items suffered floor effects. There was no difference in scores for either PROM in the patulous ETD, obstructive ETD, and symptomatic control groups. Both PROMS had excellent diagnostic accuracy using only healthy controls as comparator for ETD, but specificity was very poor when controls with other otological disorders were included. Both objective tests had sensitivity and specificity of 63% and 79% for obstructive ETD. Conclusions The CETDA and ETDQ-7 are not disease-specific and cannot distinguish obstructive from patulous ETD subtypes. A relatively weak correlation between sonotubometry and tubomanometry results, PROM scores, and the clinical diagnosis suggests that a varied core set of outcome measures is required to monitor response to treatments for ETD.

Truffles are sequestrate hypogeous fungi, and most form ectomycorrhizal (ECM) associations with trees. Truffles belonging to the genus Tuber (Pezizales, Ascomycota), "true truffles," associate with diverse plant hosts, including economically important species such as pecan (Carya illinoinensis). Morphological and phylogenetic studies delimited several major lineages of Tuber, which include many cryptic and undescribed species. One of these, the Maculatum clade, is a speciose group characterized by relatively small, light-colored ascomata that have alveolate-reticulate spores. Here, we describe two new species in the Maculatum clade, Tuber brennemanii and T. floridanum (previously identified as Tuber sp. 36 and Tuber sp. 47). We delineate these two species by phylogenetic analyses of nuc ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (= ITS) and partial 28S rDNA (= LSU), and through morphological analysis. A recent collection of T. floridanum from a pecan orchard in Brazil indicates that this species was introduced there on the roots of pecan seedlings. Systematic studies of ascomata and ECM fungal communities indicate that these species are geographically widespread and common ECM symbionts of pecans and other members of the Fagales, particularly in sites with disturbed soils and nutrient enrichment.

Phylogenomic approaches have the potential to improve confidence about the inter-relationships of species in the order Mucorales within the fungal tree of life. Rhizopus species are especially important as plant and animal pathogens and bioindustrial fermenters for food and metabolite production. A dataset of 192 orthologous genes was used to construct a phylogenetic tree of 21 Rhizopus strains, classified into four species isolated from habitats of industrial, medical and environmental importance. The phylogeny indicates that the genus Rhizopus consists of three major clades, with R. microsporus as the basal species and the sister lineage to R. stolonifer and two closely related species R. arrhizus and R. delemar. A comparative analysis of the mating type locus across Rhizopus reveals that its structure is flexible even between different species in the same genus, but shows similarities between Rhizopus and other mucoralean fungi. The topology of single-gene phylogenies built for two genes involved in mating is similar to the phylogenomic tree. Comparison of the total length of the genome assemblies showed that genome size varies by as much as threefold within a species and is driven by changes in transposable element copy numbers and genome duplications.

Balsamia, a hypogeous, sequestrate genus in the Helvellaceae, has been characterized variously as having three to eight species in North America, and these have been considered either different from or conspecific with European species. No available modern systematic treatment of Balsamia exists to allow for accurate identification at the species level. We sequenced DNA from recent western North American Balsamia collections, assessed relationships by sequence similarity, and identified molecular taxonomic units. From these data, we determined which matched descriptions and types of named species. ITS sequences supported 12 Balsamia species in western North America, five originally described by Harkness and Fischer and seven new species that we describe here. No sequences from Balsamia collections in western North America were nested among those of European species. We found no clear evidence for separation of Balsamia into multiple genera.

Cenococcum geophilum forms sclerotia and ectomycorrhizas with host plants in forest soils. We demonstrated the differences in genetic diversity of C. geophilum between cultured isolates from sclerotia and those from ectomycorrhizal roots in the same 73 soil samples based on glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gene sequences and newly developed microsatellite markers. Based on GAPDH sequences, 759 cultured isolates (553 from sclerotia and 206 from ectomycorrhizas) were classified into 107 "genotypes" with sequence variation of up to 8.6%. The total number of GAPDH genotypes per soil sample ranged from 1 to 9, but genotypes that were shared between sclerotia and ectomycorrhizas were uncommon (0-3 per soil sample). More than 50% of GAPDH genotypes were unique to one source in most soil samples. Unique GAPDH genotypes were detected from either scleotia or ectomycorrhizal roots in most of the soil samples. Multilocus analysis using nine microsatellite markers provided additional resolution to differentiate fungal individuals and supported the results of GAPDH genotyping. The results indicated that sampling both sclerotia and ectomycorrhizal roots maximizes the detection of diversity at the soil core scale. On the other hand, when all isolates were viewed together, 82 GAPDH genotypes were unique to sclerotia whereas only 6 GAPDH genotypes were unique to ectomycorrhizas. Rarefaction analysis indicated that GAPDH genotypic diversity is significantly higher in sclerotia than ectomycorrhizal roots and the diversity within sclerotia is nearly the same as that of both sclerotia and ectomycorrhizas together. These findings suggest that sampling sclerotia alone is likely to detect the majority of GAPDH genotypes in Cenococcum at the regional scale. When deciding whether to sample sclerotia, ectomycorrhizas, or both types of tissues from Cenococcum, it is critical to consider the spatial scale and also the main questions and hypotheses of the study.

Dispersal is a key process that impacts population dynamics and structures biotic communities. Dispersal limitation influences the assembly of plant and microbial communities, including mycorrhizal fungi and their plant hosts. Mycorrhizal fungi play key ecological roles in forests by feeding nutrients to plants in exchange for sugars, so the dispersal of mycorrhizal fungi spores actively shapes plant communities. Although many fungi rely on wind for spore dispersal, some fungi have lost the ability to shoot their spores into the air and instead produce enclosed belowground fruiting bodies (truffles) that rely on animals for dispersal. The role of mammals in fungal spore dispersal is well documented, but the relevance of birds as dispersal agents of fungi has been understudied, despite the prominence of birds as seed dispersal vectors. Here, we use metagenomics and epifluorescence microscopy to demonstrate that two common, widespread, and endemic Patagonian birds, chucao tapaculos (Scelorchilus rubecula) and black-throated huet-huets (Pteroptochos tarnii), regularly consume mycorrhizal fungi and disperse viable spores via mycophagy. Our metagenomic analysis indicates that these birds routinely consume diverse mycorrhizal fungi, including many truffles, that are symbiotically associated with Nothofagaceae trees that dominate Patagonian forests. Epifluorescence microscopy of fecal samples confirmed that the birds dispersed copious viable spores from truffles and other mycorrhizal fungi. We show that fungi are a common food for both bird species and that this animal-fungi symbiosis is widespread and ecologically important in Patagonia. Our findings indicate that birds may also act as cryptic but critical fungal dispersal agents in other ecosystems.

Background:The initial assessment of epistaxis patients commonly includes: first aid measures, observations, focused history taking, and clinical examinations and investigations. This systematic review aimed to identify evidence that informs how the initial assessment of these patients should be conducted.Method:A systematic review of the literature was performed using a standardised methodology and search strategy.Results:Seventeen articles were included. Factors identified were: co-morbidity, intrinsic patient factors, coagulation screening and ice pack use. Hypertension and anticoagulant use were demonstrated to adversely affect outcomes. Coagulation screening is useful in patients on anticoagulant medication. Four studies could not be accessed. Retrospective methodology and insufficient statistical analysis limit several studies.Conclusion:Sustained ambulatory hypertension, anticoagulant therapy and posterior bleeding may be associated with recurrent epistaxis, and should be recorded. Oral ice pack use may decrease severity and can be considered as first aid. Coagulation studies are appropriate for patients with a history of anticoagulant use or bleeding diatheses.