Search Results (518)

During a survey of the west coast of South Korea, two new Pseudochromadora species were recorded from Yeongjongdo Island. Descriptions of two new species, an updated list of valid species within the genus, a tabular key, partial sequences of mtCOI, near full-length SSU, and the D2–D3 region of LSU rDNA, together with phylogenetic analyses are provided. The two new species are classified as Pseudochromadora based on having a two-portioned cephalic capsule, unispiral amphidial fovea, lateral alae extending from the posterior end of the pharynx as far as the tail, and presence of copulatory thorns, as well as a short conical tail. The two species are distinguished from each other by their different types of labial regions of the cephalic capsule (round-shaped vs. hat-shaped). The two species, despite being found in the same locality, are morphologically and molecularly distinct from one another. Pairwise Kimura 2-parameter (K2P) distances between the two new species were 10.6% (18S) and 27.2% (28S), values consistent with interspecific divergence observed among congeners. Phylogenetic analyses showed both species as distinct lineages within Pseudochromadora. In the 28S rDNA tree, each was retrieved as a well-supported monophyletic clade with congeners, whereas in the 18S tree, all congeners including the two new species formed a single clade, except for P. plurichela, which branched outside the main group. These results highlight potential paraphyly within Pseudochromadora and suggest that overlooked morphological traits may hold phylogenetic significance, warranting further investigation. Full article

This study presents the first molecular characterization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) isolated from single-spore cultures in Morocco, specifically from the rhizosphere of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) in the Figuig oasis. Nine indigenous AMF isolates were successfully established and identified through an integrative approach combining spore morphology with ribosomal DNA region sequencing (SSU–ITS–LSU). Morphological and phylogenetic analyses revealed that the isolates belonged mainly to the genera Rhizophagus and Glomus. These results provide new insights into AMF diversity in arid Moroccan ecosystems and establish a reference collection of indigenous isolates with potential applications. In particular, they open opportunities for developing bio-inoculants that can improve date palm growth, enhance resilience to environmental stresses, and contribute to sustainable agriculture and soil restoration in oasis systems. Full article

The demand for energy-efficient construction in agriculture calls for a reassessment of materials used in livestock buildings. This study evaluated the use of timber as an alternative to traditional materials, with a focus on embodied energy (EE) and carbon footprint (CFP) Eight EU countries (Germany, Poland, Spain, Italy, Denmark, France, Sweden, and Finland), were analyzed considering both forest resources and livestock populations. The forest area varied from more than 310,000 km² in Sweden to just 6464 km² in Denmark. Meanwhile, livestock populations varied significantly, with Germany reporting over 8.2 million LSU (livestock unit, 500 kg) in cattle alone. The number of livestock buildings was estimated assuming 100 LSU per building, allowing for a comparison between timber and conventional designs. Timber-based cowsheds were found to lower embodied carbon by up to 10,433 kg CO₂e per barn compared with 17,450 kg CO₂e for conventional structures. Embodied energy for a single wooden cowshed was around 151 GJ versus more than 246 GJ for a traditional counterpart. Scaled up to the national level, this represents a 35–40% reduction in total embodied energy. In addition to environmental outcomes, the analysis considered economic, technical, and regulatory aspects influencing adoption. The results suggest that substituting conventional materials with timber can contribute to emission reductions in agricultural construction, while further research is needed on fire safety, prefabrication, and policy harmonizations. Full article

Agrocybe chaxingu is a commercially important edible mushroom in China, valued for its rich bioactive compounds and distinctive umami flavor. In recent years, frequent disease outbreaks have severely limited production, as many pathogens spread rapidly and are difficult to control, posing a significant threat to the sustainable development of the industry. In this study, a systematic disease survey across major A. chaxingu cultivation areas in Jiangxi Province led to the isolation and identification of 17 potential fungal pathogens and 2 potential myxomycete pathogens using combined morphological characterization and multilocus phylogenetic analyses including the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, 28S large subunit ribosomal RNA (LSU), translation elongation factor (tef1), RNA polymerase largest subunit (rpb1), RNA polymerase second largest subunit (rpb2), Histone (H3), Beta tubulin (tub2), and 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA). Among the identified diseases, white slime disease showed the highest incidence (17.3%) and was attributed to the slime mold Fuligo gyrosa, with pathogenicity confirmed according to Koch’s postulates. F. gyrosa proved highly virulent to both fruiting bodies and mycelia, enveloping host mycelium via plasmodial expansion, inhibiting growth, inducing structural rupture, and causing progressive degradation. Infection was accompanied by the deposition of characteristic stress-related pigments in the mycelium. This study provides the first detailed characterization of F. gyrosa infection dynamics in A. chaxingu mycelium. These findings provide new insights into the myxomycete pathogenesis in edible fungi and provide a foundation for the accurate diagnosis, targeted prevention, and sustainable management of diseases in A. chaxingu cultivation. Full article

Pythium-like organism species are widespread soilborne oomycetes known to cause root diseases in a wide range of plant hosts. However, their involvement in the decline of woody species in historical and urban gardens has received limited attention. This study reports the isolation and identification of a Pythium-like organism from declining Quercus ilex specimens in a historical garden, where affected trees showed symptoms of root rot and sucker dieback. Integration of morphological observations and molecular analyses of ITS, LSU, and Cox II sequences confirmed the identity of the isolates as Globisporangium glomeratum (formerly Pythium glomeratum). Pathogenicity tests confirmed the aggressiveness of these isolates on Q. ilex seedlings, resulting in significant reductions in plant height and shoot and root biomass. The detection of G. glomeratum in the soil of a historical garden underscores the risk of its unintentional dissemination through nursery stock or soil movement, particularly in urban settings where plant replacement is frequent. This is the first report of G. glomeratum as a pathogen of Q. ilex, emphasizing the importance of phytosanitary monitoring in culturally and ecologically valuable green spaces. Full article

Mucor species are fast-growing filamentous fungi, widespread in natural ecosystems. As opportunistic pathogens, some species can cause mucormycoses in humans and animals, while others hold significant economic value in food fermentation and bioengineering. In this study, four novel species were identified from soil samples collected in Xizang Autonomous Region and Yunnan Province, China, and their establishment as new species was supported by morphological characteristics and molecular data (ITS-LSU-RPB1), with phylogenetic analyses conducted using the Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Bayesian Inference (BI) methods. M. globosporus sp. nov. is characterized by producing globose chlamydospores. M. multimorphus sp. nov. is distinguished by swelling in the sporangiophores. M. polymorphus sp. nov. is differentiated by polymorphic chlamydospores. And M. xizangensis sp. nov. reflects its geographical origin in the Xizang Autonomous Region. Comprehensive descriptions of each novel taxon are presented herein. This study constitutes the ninth segment in an ongoing series elucidating early-diverging fungal diversity in China, expanding the understanding of the phylogeny of Mucor fungi and extending the worldwide number of known Mucor species to 137. Full article

Ginger holds significant economic importance in both China and worldwide agriculture. Fungi from the family Plectosphaerellaceae are globally recognized as aggressive plant pathogens. However, the effects of Plectosphaerellaceae species on ginger have been poorly understood. In this research, we identified two novel Musidium species (M. shandongensis sp. nov. and M. zingiberis sp. nov.), one newly recorded species (Gibellulopsis serrae) and one new host record (Plectosphaerella cucumerina) from the rotten rhizomes and roots of ginger in Shandong Province, China, utilizing morphological observations combined with multilocus phylogenetic analysis of the 28S large subunit (LSU), internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1-α) gene, along with pathogenicity analyses. Key diagnostic features include M. shandongensis exhibiting abundant mycelium ropes and coils, M. zingiberis showing dark olivaceous colonies, G. serrae producing brown chlamydospores, and P. cucumerina displaying conspicuous guttulae conidia. Comparative analyses with closely related taxa were based on detailed morphological descriptions, illustrations, and phylogenetic analyses. Artificial inoculation of healthy ginger in vitro and in vivo assays caused characteristic symptoms, such as wilt, leaf yellowing, and rhizome necrosis, identical to those observed on naturally infected plants. Our findings broaden current knowledge on the diversity of Plectosphaerellaceae associated with ginger, revealing them as serious threats to ginger cultivation in China. Full article

During a survey of the intertidal zone on the eastern coast of Jeju Island, Korea, a new species of free-living marine nematode belonging to the Selachinematidae (Chromadorida) family was discovered and described. Gammanema papillatum sp. nov. is morphologically most similar to G. lunatum and G. agglutinans, both recorded from New Zealand, by sharing a loop-shaped amphid in males, unlike the multispiral amphid typical of most congeners, and the presence of cuticular spines. It differs from G. lunatum in body length (1122–1366 µm vs. 754–1196 µm), a-ratio (21–23 vs. 13–15), shape of the supplementary organs (papilla-shaped vs. cup-shaped), and distance from the posterior-most supplement to the cloacal opening (58–63 µm vs. 18–32 µm). In terms of precloacal supplementary organ morphology, the new species also resembles Gammanema conicauda, as both are the only congeners with papilla-shaped precloacal supplementary organs. However, G. papillatum sp. nov. differs from G. conicauda by the number of supplementary organs (7–8 vs. 22), amphidial shape (loop-shaped vs. unispiral), and the presence of cuticular spines (absent in G. conicauda). Near full-length SSU and D2–D3 region LSU rDNA sequences were obtained for the new species. Molecular analyses revealed the lowest divergence from G. lunatum (SSU: 1.7%; LSU: 19.8%), with greater divergence from other congeners (SSU: 4.0–4.6%; LSU: 30.5–37.1%). This represents the second record of Gammanema from Korean waters and provides new insights into trait combinations that may help define a subgroup within the genus. Full article

Decaying wood, as a unique substrate, which contains cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and nitrogen-containing compounds, harbors significant fungal biodiversity, particularly among dematiaceous hyphomycete species. This study uses a combination of morphological and molecular systematics methods. Phylogenetic analyses of ITS, LSU, RPB2 and TEF1 sequences were conducted using the maximum likelihood (ML) and the Bayesian inference (BI) method. Combined with the morphological characteristics, four new species of Distoseptispora, D. bawanglingensis sp. nov., D. changjiangensis sp. nov., D. daanyuanensis sp. nov. and D. jianfenglingensis sp. nov., were identified from decaying wood collected in Hainan and Fujian provinces, China. This study provides detailed descriptions, illustrations, and phylogenetic trees with the aim of clarifying the taxonomic status of these four new species, thereby enhancing our understanding of the species diversity of Distoseptispora in Hainan and Fujian provinces, China. Full article

Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteremia (MDR-GNB) is a significant health threat associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates. Patients with cancer are particularly vulnerable to MDR-GNB due to immunosuppression and frequent healthcare exposure. The aim of this study was to evaluate risk factors, 30-day mortality, and outcomes in cancer and non-cancer patients. We conducted a retrospective study of adult patients aged 18 years or older with MDR-GNB who were hospitalized at Ochsner LSU Health—Academic Medical Center between January 2018 and July 2022. We collected data about demographics, comorbidities, cancer diagnosis, causative organisms, infection source, antibiotic therapy, and clinical outcomes. A total of 112 patients with MDR-GNB were included, where 31 patients (27.7%) had cancer and 81 patients (72.3%) did not. Cancer patients were more frequently male and white (74.2% vs. 58.0%, p = 0.114 and 45.2% vs. 25.9%, p = 0.031). Diabetes mellitus was more common in non-cancer patients, but it was associated with increased mortality risk in the cancer group (OR = 2.39, 95% CI: 1.125–5.074). Enterobacteriaceae species were the most frequently isolated organisms (83.0%), with no significant difference between groups. The most common source of infection was genitourinary (49.1%). ICU admission was more frequent in non-cancer patients (49.4% vs. 25.8%, p = 0.024). However, cancer patients had a higher ICU admission mortality risk (OR 2.156, 95% CI: 1.058–4.395) and recent hospitalization rates (67.7% vs. 40.7%, p = 0.011), both associated with increased mortality risk. Cancer patients had a significantly higher 30-day mortality rate (39.0% vs. 16.4%, p = 0.017; OR = 3.012, 95% CI: 1.190–7.622) and hospice admissions (22.6% vs. 3.7%, p = 0.002; OR = 7.583, 95% CI: 1.819–31.618). These findings emphasize the urgent need for early microbiological identification, targeted antimicrobial therapy, and improved infection control strategies. Given the rising prevalence of MDR-GNB pathogens, future research is needed for prompt appropriate antibacterial therapy based on risk stratification and enhanced antimicrobial stewardship programs as these are critical for high-risk cancer patients. Full article

Pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii poses a serious threat, particularly to immunocompromised patients such as those with HIV/AIDS, transplant recipients, or individuals undergoing chemotherapy. Its diagnosis is challenging because current methods, such as microscopy and certain molecular tests, have limitations in sensitivity and specificity, and require specialized equipment, which delays treatment initiation. In this context, CRISPR-Cas12-based methods offer a promising alternative: they are rapid, highly specific, sensitive, and low-cost, enabling more timely and accessible detection, even in resource-limited settings. We developed a simple and rapid detection platform based on the CRISPR-Cas12 coupled with lateral flow strips. A guide RNA was designed against DHPS, β-tubulin, and mtLSU rRNA genes. The guide corresponding to β-tubulin showed high sensitivity in the detection of P. jirovecii to produce a detectable fluorescence signal within the first 20–30 min. In addition, it demonstrated high specificity for P. jirovecii when DNA from other microorganisms was used. When coupled with lateral flow strips, high sensitivity and specificity were also observed for detecting positive samples, without the need for genetic amplification. CRISPR-Cas12 successfully detected P. jirovecii infection in an initial diagnostic application, demonstrating the potential of this method for integration into public health diagnostic systems, particularly in field, due to its adaptability, speed, and ease of use. Full article

Some Melanothamnus species have been documented growing epiphytically on other algae in seaweed aquaculture farms as fouling organisms. Such turf-forming Polysiphonia-looking algae were collected from a small (<1.0 km² area) Agarophyton tenuistipitata (Gracilariaceae, Gracilariales) farm on the east coast of the Bay of Bengal and examined for their taxonomy. DNA was extracted from silica gel-preserved specimens, and plastid-encoded rbcL, nuclear-encoded small subunit SSU, large subunit LSU, and universal plastid amplicon (UPA) were amplified and sequenced. Maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference were performed for the phylogenetic analysis. Four single-locus species delimitation methods (SDMs), namely, the generalized mixed Yule-coalescent (GMYC) method, a Poisson tree processes (PTP) model, the automatic barcode gap discovery (ABGD), and the assemble species by automatic partitioning (ASAP) method, were performed to segregate the putative species from other taxa in the Polysiphonia sensu lato clades. Our results revealed that rbcL had 1.4% interspecific genetic divergence, whereas LSU, UPA, and SSU had 1.6%, 2.5%, and 5.4% genetic divergence, respectively, from the nearest neighbors. Both comparative genetic and distinct morphological data revealed that the collected Bay of Bengal specimens comprise a species new to science. In addition, the above-mentioned SDMs supported the genetic data and segregated our specimens as Melanothamnus coxsbazarensis sp. nov. as a distinct species. Full article

Predicting undergraduate student success is critical for informing timely interventions and improving outcomes in higher education. This study leverages over a decade of historical data from Louisiana State University (LSU) to forecast graduation outcomes using advanced machine learning techniques, with a focus on convolutional autoencoders (CAEs). We detail the data processing and transformation steps, including feature selection and imputation, to construct a robust dataset. The CAE effectively extracts meaningful latent features, validated through low-dimensional t-SNE visualizations that reveal clear clusters based on class labels, differentiating students likely to graduate from those at risk. A two-year gap strategy is introduced to ensure rigorous evaluation and simulate real-world conditions by predicting outcomes on unseen future data. Our results demonstrate the promise of CAE-derived embeddings for dimensionality reduction and computational efficiency, with competitive performance in downstream classification tasks. While models trained on embeddings showed slightly reduced performance compared to raw input data, with accuracies of 83% and 85%, respectively, their compactness and computational efficiency highlight their potential for large-scale analyses. The study emphasizes the importance of rigorous preprocessing, feature engineering, and evaluation protocols. By combining these approaches, we provide actionable insights and adaptive modeling strategies to support robust and generalizable predictive systems, enabling educators and administrators to enhance student success initiatives in dynamic educational environments. Full article

The taxonomy of Laccaria laccata, the type species of the genus Laccaria, has long been ambiguous due to the absence of a reference sequence and the reliance on early, morphology-based descriptions. To resolve this issue, we selected a Code-compliant lectotype for Agaricus laccatus—the basionym of L. laccata—from Schaeffer’s 1762 illustration cited in Fries’ sanctioning work. Given the limitations of this historical material for modern species interpretation, we also designated an epitype based on Singer’s collection C4083 (BAFC) from Femsjö, Sweden, which was previously but not effectively designated as the “lectotype” by Singer. This epitype is supported by detailed morphological descriptions, iconography, and newly generated nrITS, nrLSU, and RPB2 sequences, which have also been newly obtained from additional collections. Phylogenetic analyses consistently place the epitype of L. laccaria within a well-supported clade, herein designated as/Laccaria laccata, which includes sequences previously reported as falling within the “proxima 1 clade”. This integrative approach, combining historical typification with modern molecular and morphological data, stabilizes the nomenclature of L. laccata and provides a robust foundation for future studies of this ecologically and economically important genus of ectomycorrhizal fungi. Full article

Fibrocapsa japonica (Raphidophyceae) is a cosmopolitan species frequently associated with harmful algal blooms (HABs) and fish mortality events, representing a potential threat to aquaculture and coastal ecosystems. This study provides the first comprehensive morphological, phylogenetic, pigmentary, and toxicological characterization of F. japonica strains isolated from Argentina. Light and transmission electron microscopy confirmed key diagnostic features of the species, including anterior flagella and the conspicuous group of mucocyst in the posterior region. Phylogenetic analysis based on the LSU rDNA D1–D2 region revealed monophyletic relationships with strains from geographically distant regions. Pigment analysis by HPLC identified chlorophyll-a (62.3 pg cell⁻¹) and fucoxanthin (38.4 pg cell⁻¹) as the main dominant pigments. Cytotoxicity assays using RTgill-W1 cells exposed for 2 h to culture supernatants and intracellular extracts showed strain-specific effects. The most toxic strain (LPCc049) reduced gill cell viability down to 53% in the supernatant exposure, while LC₅₀ values ranged from 1.6 × 10⁴ to 4.7 × 10⁵ cells mL⁻¹, depending directly on the strain and treatment type. No brevetoxins (PbTx-1, -2, -3, -6, -7, -8, -9, -10, BTX-B1 and BTX-B2) were detected by LC–MS/MS, suggesting that the cytotoxicity may be linked to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), or hemolytic compounds, as previously hypothesized in the literature. These findings offer novel insights into the toxic potential of F. japonica in South America and underscore the need for further research to elucidate the mechanisms underlying its ichthyotoxic effect. Full article