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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 pimpinellae, Dictyosporella guizhouensis, Diplodia torilicola, Fuscoporia marquesiana, F. semiarida, Hansenopezia decora, Helicoarctatus 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. citrinocystidiata, 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.

Transcatheter aortic-valve implantation is an alternative to open surgery in high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis during which the role of the anesthesiologists. is pivotal to the success of the operation. In this review, we summarize recent advances in monitoring and management during anesthesia for transcatheter aortic-valve implantation, and present current information on anesthesia for clinical anesthesiologists. We introduce the latest developments in preoperative assessment techniques and methods of anesthesia, intraoperative monitoring, and intra- and postoperative management, and review innovations in anesthesia for transcatheter aortic-valve implantation. Studies on anesthesia for transcatheter aortic-valve implantation are scarce, but concur that safety and effective monitoring by anesthesiologists are key to a successful operation.

In roadside environments, commuters are exposed to a high level of traffic-related pollution. Despite vegetation is often used to mitigate air pollution in road environments, its air quality impacts are complex and could be both positive or negative depending on specific conditions. This study conducted field measurements to assess the air quality impacts of roadside vegetation. Three common street vegetation configurations (dense vegetation, porous vegetation, and clearing) were selected and the concentrations of size-resolved particles and black carbon were measured. Results show that dense vegetation formed an accumulation area of particle pollutants on the sidewalk and bikeway, which was attributable to the increased deposition of pollutants. Compared with porous vegetation, the increase in particle concentrations before dense vegetation was 0–35% on the sidewalk (closer to vegetation) and 0–6% on the bikeway. Due to high homogeneity, fine particles (0.3–1 μm) showed low variability among different sample points, while coarse particles (>1 μm) showed high variability and presented a significant increase in concentration before dense vegetation. Porous vegetation showed weak interception effects on pollutants, and the particle concentrations before porous vegetation were close to those in the clearing. The horizontal decay of particle concentrations in porous and dense vegetation showed that particle pollutants were difficult to penetrate dense vegetation, which concentrations of particles presented a pronounced increase in the front part (0–5 m) of dense vegetation but also showed a large drop across it. These results suggest that vegetation serves as a good filter to clean the air and could improve the air quality away from the vegetation but could also worsen the air quality close to the vegetation. This study provides an insight into the environmental impacts of roadside vegetation, which could have practical implications in air pollution abatement.

Ni–P(–SiC) composite coatings were successfully deposited on 70 vol% SiCp/Al composite by electroless plating. The surface microstructures and the phase structures of the Ni–P(–SiC) coatings were examined and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) before and after heat-treatment at 200–400 °C for 2 h. The thermal diffusivity of the deposited samples and the interface adhesion between the coating and the substrate were investigated. The experimental results show that SiC content in the coatings increases obviously and XRD peaks are enhanced with SiC content in the bath increasing from 3 to 9 g·L−1. After heat-treatment, the surface of the coating becomes smoother and no diffusion layer is produced at the interface. A new phase Ni3P forms in the coating during heat-treatment at 400 °C. The critical load (L c) of Ni–P–SiC composite coating on SiCp/Al composite reaches the maximum value of 84.9 N with SiC content of 3 g·L−1 after heat-treatment at 200 °C and more or less decreases with the increase in SiC content and heat-treatment temperature. The thermal diffusivity of deposited samples gradually increases as the temperature increases; however, it reduces firstly and then climbs with the increase in SiC content.

Heavy metal pollutions in the farmland are regarded as serious threats to rural environment in China. Human activities, such as intensive livestock, sewage irrigation, large amounts of agrochemicals input and the rapid urbanization are proved to be the main sources of the heavy metals in farmland. The study area is located in middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River in Anhui Province, China. The concentrations of Cr, Pb, As, Hg and Cd in the topsoil(0~20 cm) of the farmland in the district were analyzed, and the potential ecological risks of these heavy metals were assessed. It turned out that the average content of Cd, Pb, Cr, As and Hg in soils were 0.302, 61.17, 87.13, 12.89 mg·kg-1 and 0.139 mg·kg-1 respectively. According to the second grade in Chinese Standard of the Soil Environment Quality(GB 15618-1995), Cd was the only element that exceeded the limit. However, all the elements were beyond the scope comparing with the background values of the elements in the local soils. Besides, the proportions of samples beyond the standard of limit of the heavy metal elements in soils were as follow respectively:Cd(85.43%), Hg(76.38%), Pb(59.30%), As(26.63%) and Cr(19.60%). The results showed that the pollution rank were Cd > Hg > Pb > As > Cr and the potential ecological risk index of heavy metals in the research area were Hg > Cd > As > Pb > Cr with Hg and Cd took the dominant position. The comprehensive potential ecological risk indexes of the research area were from 83.83 to 6 987.87 with the average value of 250.76 and high risk level for 13.57% of the samples, which should be paid attention by relevant government agencies.

Heterozygous CTLA-4 deficiency has been reported as a monogenic cause of common variable immune deficiency (CVID) with features of immune dysregulation. Direct mutation in CTLA-4 leads to defective regulatory T cell function associated with impaired ability to control levels of the CTLA-4 ligands, CD80 and CD86. However, additional mutations affecting the CTLA-4 pathway, such as those recently reported for LRBA, indirectly affect CTLA-4 expression resulting in clinically similar disorders. Robust phenotyping approaches sensitive to defects in the CTLA-4 pathway are therefore required to inform understanding of such immune dysregulation syndromes. Here we describe assays capable of distinguishing a variety of defects in the CTLA-4 pathway. Assessing total CTLA-4 expression levels was found to be optimal when restricting analysis to the CD45RA-negative Foxp3+ fraction. CTLA-4 induction following stimulation, and the use of lysosomal blocking compounds, distinguished CTLA-4 from LRBA mutations. Short term T cell stimulation improved the capacity for discriminating the Foxp3+ Treg compartment, clearly revealing Treg expansions in these disorders. Finally, we developed a functionally orientated assay to measure ligand uptake by CTLA-4, which is sensitive to ligand-binding or trafficking mutations, that would otherwise be difficult to detect and that is appropriate for testing novel mutations in CTLA-4 pathway genes. These approaches are likely to be of value in interpreting the functional significance of mutations in the CTLA-4 pathway identified by gene sequencing approaches.

Background: The surgical treatment of Crawford extent II aneurysms after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) remains challenging, because of the need to remove the failed endograft and the complexity of the aortic reconstruction. We retrospectively reviewed our experience with surgical management of Crawford extent II aneurysms after TEVAR using thoracoabdominal aortic replacement (TAAR). Methods: Eleven patients (10 males, 1 female) with Crawford extent II aneurysm after TEVAR were treated with TAAR between August 2012 and May 2015. The indications included: diameter >5.0 cm; persistent pain; size increase >0.5 cm/year; and no suitable landing zone for re-TEVAR. Five patients underwent surgery under deep hypothermic cardiac arrest, two under mild hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass, and four under direct aortic cross-clamping under normothermia. Two patients had Marfan syndrome. Results: There were no in-hospital deaths. Continuous renal replacement therapy was required in three patients. One patient needed re-intubation, and two patients had prolonged intubation (>72 h). One patient sustained paraplegia after surgery but recovered during follow-up. Cerebrospinal fluid drainage were used in four patients (3 immediately in the operation room, and 1 in the intensive care unit when the patient suffered paraplegia). One patient died during follow-up. Conclusions: TAAR represents a feasible option for the treatment of Crawford extent II aneurysms after TEVAR, with acceptable surgical risks and favorable results.

Cortinarius is an important ectomycorrhizal genus that forms a symbiotic relationship with certain trees, shrubs and herbs. Recently, we began studying Cortinarius in China and here we describe three new species of Cortinarius subg. Telamonia based on morphological and ecological characteristics, together with phylogenetic analyses. Cortinarius laccariphyllussp. nov. (section Colymbadini) is associated with broadleaf trees, with strongly hygrophanous basidiomata, special Laccaria-like lamellae and white and extremely sparse universal veil. Cortinarius neotorvussp. nov. (section Telamonia) is associated with broadleaf trees and is easily confused with C. torvus, but can be distinguished by the colour of the fresh basidiomes and the stipe usually somewhat tapering towards the base. Cortinarius subfuscoperonatussp. nov. (section Fuscoperonati) is associated with coniferous trees, with subglobose to broadly ellipsoid spores and is closely related to C. fuscoperonatus. A key to the new species and similar species in sections Colymbadini, Telamonia and Fuscoperonati is provided.

Background: Acute aorta dissection (AD) is a fatal emergency, however, studies addressing the clinical characteristics, management, and outcome of acute AD in young adult patients aged under 45 yea...

Regulatory T cells (Treg) have a central role in controlling the activation of self-reactive T cells and maintaining peripheral tolerance in our body. Many effector mechanisms for Treg function have been described including a role for the protein CTLA-4 which is constitutively expressed by these cells. Despite its importance, there is currently little consensus in the methods and protocols for studying CTLA-4 function, which is partially due to debate over CTLA-4 function itself. In this chapter, we outline protocols used in our lab to study CTLA-4 function, which have been generated based on the observation that CTLA-4 acts to physically remove and degrade its ligands expressed by antigen presenting cells. Accordingly, we provide protocols for isolation of human monocytes and their differentiation into dendritic cells (DC), purification of conventional and regulatory T-cell populations, and the assembly of CTLA-4-dependent Treg suppression assays. We hope that this will offer a reliable platform for dissecting the biology of CTLA-4 on Treg and for testing reagents aimed at modulating CTLA-4 function. Such assays are increasingly vital for the study of immune function in both healthy individuals and patients with a variety of autoimmune and immune dysregulation syndromes.

Regulatory T cells (Treg) have a central role in controlling the activation of self-reactive T cells and maintaining peripheral tolerance in our body. Many effector mechanisms for Treg function have been described including a role for the protein CTLA-4 which is constitutively expressed by these cells. Despite its importance, there is currently little consensus in the methods and protocols for studying CTLA-4 function, which is partially due to debate over CTLA-4 function itself. In this chapter, we outline protocols used in our lab to study CTLA-4 function, which have been generated based on the observation that CTLA-4 acts to physically remove and degrade its ligands expressed by antigen presenting cells. Accordingly, we provide protocols for isolation of human monocytes and their differentiation into dendritic cells (DC), purification of conventional and regulatory T-cell populations, and the assembly of CTLA-4-dependent Treg suppression assays. We hope that this will offer a reliable platform for dissecting the biology of CTLA-4 on Treg and for testing reagents aimed at modulating CTLA-4 function. Such assays are increasingly vital for the study of immune function in both healthy individuals and patients with a variety of autoimmune and immune dysregulation syndromes.

The family Hydnaceae (Cantharellales, Basidiomycota) is a group of fungi found worldwide which exhibit stichic nuclear division. The group is highly diverse in morphology, ecology, and phylogeny, and includes some edible species which are popular all over the world. Traditionally, Hydnaceae together with Cantharellaceae, Clavulinaceae and Sistotremataceae are four families in the Cantharellales. The four families were combined and redefined as “Hydnaceae”, however, a comprehensive phylogeny based on multiple-marker dataset for the entire Hydnaceae sensu stricto is still lacking and the delimitation is also unclear. We inferred Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian phylogenies for the family Hydnaceae from the data of five DNA regions: the large subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nLSU), the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS), the mitochondrial small subunit rDNA gene (mtSSU), the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2) and the translation elongation factor 1-alpha gene (TEF1). We also produced three more phylogenetic trees for Cantharellus based on 5.8S, nLSU, mtSSU, RPB2 and TEF1, Craterellus and Hydnum both based on the combined nLSU and ITS. This study has reproduced the status of Hydnaceae in the order Cantharellales, and phylogenetically confirmed seventeen genera in Hydnaceae. Twenty nine new taxa or synonyms are described, revealed, proposed, or reported, including eight new subgenera (Cantharellus subgenus Magnus, Craterellus subgenus Cariosi, subg. Craterellus, subg. Imperforati, subg. Lamelles, subg. Longibasidiosi, subg. Ovoidei, and Hydnum subgenus Brevispina); seventeen new species (Ca. laevihymeninus, Ca. magnus, Ca. subminor, Cr. badiogriseus, Cr. croceialbus, Cr. macrosporus, Cr. squamatus, H. brevispinum, H. flabellatum, H. flavidocanum, H. longibasidium, H. pallidocroceum, H. pallidomarginatum, H. sphaericum, H. tangerinum, H. tenuistipitum and H. ventricosum); two synonyms (Ca. anzutake and Ca. tuberculosporus as Ca. yunnanensis), and two newly recorded species (H. albomagnum and H. minum). The distinguishing characters of the new species and subgenera as well as their allied taxa are discussed in the notes which follow them. The delimitation and diversity in morphology, ecology, and phylogeny of Hydnaceae is discussed. Notes of seventeen genera which are phylogenetically accepted in Hydnaceae by this study and a key to the genera in Hydnaceae are provided.

Traffic is a significant pollution source in cities and has caused various health and environmental concerns worldwide. Therefore, the improved understanding of traffic impacts on particle concentrations could help mitigate air pollution. In this study, field measurements were conducted beside an arterial road in Shanghai, China, to obtain the fine-scale temporal variations in traffic volumes, meteorological parameters, and size-resolved particle concentrations. The generalized additive model was developed to reveal their associations under different analysis intervals (time scales). Results indicate that on-road traffic greatly increased the concentration and variability of roadside particles. Variations of roadside fine particles (