Graphlet correlation distance to compare small graphs

Graph models are standard for representing mutual relationships between sets of entities. Often, graphs deal with a large number of entities with a small number of connections (e.g. social media relationships, infectious disease spread). The distances or similarities between such large graphs are known to be well established by the Graphlet Correlation Distance (GCD). This paper deals with small graphs (with potentially high densities of connections) that have been somewhat neglected in the literature but that concern important fora like sociology, ecology and fisheries, to mention some examples. First, based on numerical experiments, we study the conditions under which Erdős-Rényi, Fitness Scale-Free, Watts-Strogatz small-world and geometric graphs can be distinguished by a specific GCD measure based on 11 orbits, the GCD11. This is done with respect to the density and the order (i.e. the number of nodes) of the graphs when comparing graphs with the same and different orders. Second, we develop a randomization statistical test based on the GCD11 to compare empirical graphs to the four possible null models used in this analysis and apply it to a fishing case study where graphs represent pairwise proximity between fishing vessels. The statistical test rules out independent pairing within the fleet studied which is a standard assumption in fisheries. It also illustrates the difficulty to identify similarities between real-world small graphs and graph models.

New and Interesting Fungi. 5

Nine new genera, 17 new species, nine new combinations, seven epitypes, three lectotypes, one neotype, and 14 interesting new host and / or geographical records are introduced in this study. New genera: Neobarrmaelia (based on Neobarrmaelia hyphaenes), Neobryochiton (based on Neobryochiton narthecii), Neocamarographium (based on Neocamarographium carpini), Nothocladosporium (based on Nothocladosporium syzygii), Nothopseudocercospora (based on Nothopseudocercospora dictamni), Paracamarographium (based on Paracamarographium koreanum), Pseudohormonema (based on Pseudohormonema sordidus), Quasiphoma (based on Quasiphoma hyphaenes), Rapidomyces (based on Rapidomyces narthecii). New species: Ascocorticium sorbicola (on leaves of Sorbus aucuparia, Belgium), Dactylaria retrophylli (on leaves of Retrophyllum rospigliosii, Colombia), Dactylellina miltoniae (on twigs of Miltonia clowesii, Colombia), Exophiala eucalyptigena (on dead leaves of Eucalyptus viminalis subsp. viminalis supporting Idolothrips spectrum, Australia), Idriellomyces syzygii (on leaves of Syzygium chordatum, South Africa), Microcera lichenicola (on Parmelia sulcata, Netherlands), Neobarrmaelia hyphaenes (on leaves of Hyphaene sp., South Africa), Neobryochiton narthecii (on dead leaves of Narthecium ossifragum, Netherlands), Niesslia pseudoexilis (on dead leaf of Quercus petraea, Serbia), Nothocladosporium syzygii (on leaves of Syzygium chordatum, South Africa), Nothotrimmatostroma corymbiae (on leaves of Corymbia henryi, South Africa), Phaeosphaeria hyphaenes (on leaves of Hyphaene sp., South Africa), Pseudohormonema sordidus (on a from human pacemaker, USA), Quasiphoma hyphaenes (on leaves of Hyphaene sp., South Africa), Rapidomyces narthecii (on dead leaves of Narthecium ossifragum, Netherlands), Reticulascus parahennebertii (on dead culm of Juncus inflexus, Netherlands), Scytalidium philadelphianum (from compressed air in a factory, USA). New combinations: Neobarrmaelia serenoae, Nothopseudocercospora dictamni, Dothiora viticola, Floricola sulcata, Neocamarographium carpini, Paracamarographium koreanum, Rhexocercosporidium bellocense, Russula lilacina. Epitypes: Elsinoe corni (on leaves of Cornus florida, USA), Leptopeltis litigiosa (on dead leaf fronds of Pteridium aquilinum, Netherlands), Nothopseudocercospora dictamni (on living leaves of Dictamnus albus, Russia), Ramularia arvensis (on leaves of Potentilla reptans, Netherlands), Rhexocercosporidium bellocense (on leaves of Verbascum sp., Germany), Rhopographus filicinus (on dead leaf fronds of Pteridium aquilinum, Netherlands), Septoria robiniae (on leaves of Robinia pseudoacacia, Belgium). Lectotypes: Leptopeltis litigiosa (on Pteridium aquilinum, France), Rhopographus filicinus (on dead leaf fronds of Pteridium aquilinum, Netherlands), Septoria robiniae (on leaves of Robinia pseudoacacia, Belgium). Neotype: Camarographium stephensii (on dead leaf fronds of Pteridium aquilinum, Netherlands). Citation: Crous PW, Begoude BAD, Boers J, Braun U, Declercq B, Dijksterhuis J, Elliott TF, Garay-Rodriguez GA, Jurjević Ž, Kruse J, Linde CC, Loyd A, Mound L, Osieck ER, Rivera-Vargas LI, Quimbita AM, Rodas CA, Roux J, Schumacher RK, Starink-Willemse M, Thangavel R, Trappe JM, van Iperen AL, Van Steenwinkel C, Wells A, Wingfield MJ, Yilmaz N, Groenewald JZ (2022) New and Interesting Fungi. 5. Fungal Systematics and Evolution 10: 19-90. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2022.10.02.

PL02.2.A Microglia-specific disruption of sialic acid-Siglec-9/E interactions. A novel immunotherapy against glioblastoma?

Background

Recently, ‘don’t eat me’-signals like CD47 have emerged as novel innate immune checkpoints, enabling cancer cells to evade clearance by phagocytes such as monocyte-derived macrophages (MdM) or microglia (MG). Here, we aim at defining the role of inhibitory Siglec-9 in human and its mouse homologue Siglec-E in MG-centered immunotherapy against GBM.

Material and Methods

We employed a CT-2A orthotopic GBM mouse model with MG specific (Sall1CreERT2 x Sigleceflox) and whole innate-compartment (Cx3cr1CreERT2 x Sigleceflox) spatio-temporal deletion of Siglece. We applied multi-color flow cytometry, transcriptomics and proteomics analysis to decipher the immune response upon Siglece knockout.

Results

TCGA RNA-sequencing data revealed a significant correlation between high expression of immunoinhibitory SIGLEC9 and poor survival in GBM patients (log-rank p = 0.02). Siglec-E blockade increased murine MG mediated GBM cell in vitro phagocytosis (normalized phagocytosis of 1.00 in isotype vs. 1.76 in anti-Siglec-E antibody, p < 0.001). In the MG specific spatio-temporal deletion of Siglece (Sall1CreERT2 xSigleceflox), we observed high MG-proliferation upon Siglec-E knockout (Ki-67+ MG 14.8% in Cre- vs. 34.9% in Cre+, p < 0.0001) accompanied by an enhanced microglial GBM-cell uptake (5.6% in Cre- vs. 12.3% in Cre+, p < 0.001). By extending the Siglece knockout to the MdM compartment in our glioma mouse model (Cx3cr1CreERT2 x Sigleceflox) we observed a significantly prolonged survival in the Cx3cr1Cre+ population (21d in Cre- vs. 27d post-tumor injection in Cre+, p = 0.018), which could be further promoted by combining Siglece knockout with CD47 blockade (30d post-tumor injection in Cre+ + anti-CD47). Unbiased proteomics analysis revealed increased antigen processing and presentation capabilities of Siglece knockout MdMs which was confirmed by ex-vivo OT-1 cross-presentation assays. This bridging of innate and adaptive responses with increased T cell priming upon MdM Siglece knockout was further promoted by addition of anti-PD1 antibody to the combined Siglece knockout and anti-CD47 treatment arm. Animals harboring CT-2A tumors, exhibited a sustained survival benefit under the triple therapy, with 23% of animals experiencing long-term remission, even after tumor re-challenge into the contra-lateral hemisphere. By genetically targeting sialic acids, the ligand for Siglec receptors, on CT-2A cells (GNE-KO), we observed a strong innate and adaptive immune response with increased GBM-cell phagocytosis by MG and MdMs and less exhausted tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T-cells (14.8% in WT vs. 5.9% in GNE-KO, p = 0.003).

Conclusion

These data identify the sialic-acid-Siglec-E pathway as an anti-phagocytic signal in a pre-clinical GBM model, and demonstrate its therapeutic potential in GBM immunotherapy.

OS05.4.A Single-cell characterization of human GBM reveals regional differences in tumor-infiltrating leukocyte activation

Background

Clinical trials of systemic T cell checkpoint blockade in GBM patients showed only disappointing results. This may be attributed in part to the immunosuppressive components of the GBM immune tumor microenvironment (iTME). Therefore, major efforts have been undertaken to describe the GBM iTME on a single cell level. However, human data on the composition of the iTME in different tumor regions (contrast enhancing tumor center versus peripheral infiltration zone) remain scarce.

Material and Methods

Here, we performed high-depth single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on patient-matched biopsies from tumor center and the peripheral infiltration zone of five primary GBM patients. Additionally, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of the same patients were included in the analysis to explore the transcriptional changes occurring during tumor infiltration of circulating immune cells. Main findings of the transcriptional analysis were confirmed by flow cytometry.

Results

Through analysis of > 45’000 cells, we revealed a distinct regional transcriptional profile of microglia (MG) and monocyte-derived macrophages (MdM), a non-reactive/exhausted MG subcluster in the GBM iTME and an impaired interferon-response signature in the tumor-peripheral cytotoxic cell compartment. Comparing CD8+ T cells from the tumor periphery to PBMC-derived CD8+ T cells of the same patient revealed CX3CR1high and CX3CR1int CD8+ T cells with effector and memory phenotype, respectively, enriched in the PBMC but lacking in the tumor periphery. Tumor peripheral CD8+ T cells shared features with tissue-resident memory CD8+ T cells with exhausted effector functions.

Conclusion

Our analysis provides a large-scale dissection of GBM-associated cell types complemented by patient-matched PBMCs, serving as a high dimensional reference map of the human GBM iTME.

Fungal Planet description sheets: 1383-1435

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Australia, Agaricus albofoetidus, Agaricus aureoelephanti and Agaricus parviumbrus on soil, Fusarium ramsdenii from stem cankers of Araucaria cunninghamii, Keissleriella sporoboli from stem of Sporobolus natalensis, Leptosphaerulina queenslandica and Pestalotiopsis chiaroscuro from leaves of Sporobolus natalensis, Serendipita petricolae as endophyte from roots of Eriochilus petricola, Stagonospora tauntonensis from stem of Sporobolus natalensis, Teratosphaeria carnegiei from leaves of Eucalyptus grandis × E. camaldulensis and Wongia ficherai from roots of Eragrostis curvula. Canada, Lulworthia fundyensis from intertidal wood and Newbrunswickomyces abietophilus (incl. Newbrunswickomyces gen. nov.) on buds of Abies balsamea. Czech Republic, Geosmithia funiculosa from a bark beetle gallery on Ulmus minor and Neoherpotrichiella juglandicola (incl. Neoherpotrichiella gen. nov.) from wood of Juglans regia. France, Aspergillus rouenensis and Neoacrodontium gallica (incl. Neoacrodontium gen. nov.) from bore dust of Xestobium rufovillosum feeding on Quercus wood, Endoradiciella communis (incl. Endoradiciella gen. nov.) endophytic in roots of Microthlaspi perfoliatum and Entoloma simulans on soil. India, Amanita konajensis on soil and Keithomyces indicus from soil. Israel, Microascus rothbergiorum from Stylophora pistillata. Italy, Calonarius ligusticus on soil. Netherlands, Appendopyricularia juncicola (incl. Appendopyricularia gen. nov.), Eriospora juncicola and Tetraploa juncicola on dead culms of Juncus effusus, Gonatophragmium physciae on Physcia caesia and Paracosmospora physciae (incl. Paracosmospora gen. nov.) on Physcia tenella, Myrmecridium phragmitigenum on dead culm of Phragmites australis, Neochalara lolae on stems of Pteridium aquilinum, Niesslia nieuwwulvenica on dead culm of undetermined Poaceae, Nothodevriesia narthecii (incl. Nothodevriesia gen. nov.) on dead leaves of Narthecium ossifragum and Parastenospora pini (incl. Parastenospora gen. nov.) on dead twigs of Pinus sylvestris. Norway, Verticillium bjoernoeyanum from sand grains attached to a piece of driftwood on a sandy beach. Portugal, Collybiopsis cimrmanii on the base of living Quercus ilex and amongst dead leaves of Laurus and herbs. South Africa, Paraproliferophorum hyphaenes (incl. Paraproliferophorum gen. nov.) on living leaves of Hyphaene sp. and Saccothecium widdringtoniae on twigs of Widdringtonia wallichii. Spain, Cortinarius dryosalor on soil, Cyphellophora endoradicis endophytic in roots of Microthlaspi perfoliatum, Geoglossum lauri-silvae on soil, Leptographium gemmatum from fluvial sediments, Physalacria auricularioides from a dead twig of Castanea sativa, Terfezia bertae and Tuber davidlopezii in soil. Sweden, Alpova larskersii, Inocybe alpestris and Inocybe boreogodeyi on soil. Thailand, Russula banwatchanensis, Russula purpureoviridis and Russula lilacina on soil. Ukraine, Nectriella adonidis on overwintered stems of Adonis vernalis. USA, Microcyclus jacquiniae from living leaves of Jacquinia keyensis and Penicillium neoherquei from a minute mushroom sporocarp. Morphological and culture characteristics are supported by DNA barcodes. Citation: Crous PW, Boers J, Holdom D, et al. 2022. Fungal Planet description sheets: 1383-1435. Persoonia 48: 261-371. https://doi.org/10.3767/persoonia.2022.48.08.

Mega-OATS of the knee without specialised instrumentation: a low-cost option for large cartilage defects in a resource-restrained environment

BACKGROUND: A 26-year-old patient presented to a specialised knee clinic in a public hospital with ongoing pain after having sustained a soccer injury six years prior. A large osteochondral defect of the distal medial femoral condyle was diagnosed. Due to resource limitations, fresh allograft or a large osteochondral autograft transplantation system (Mega-OATS) workbench was unavailable. CASE REPORT: A Mega-OATS cartilage transplantation was done, using the patient's posteromedial femoral condyle as donor tissue, and transplanted to the defect in the distal femoral condyle, a technique that has been well documented and followed up. At six weeks postoperatively, an MRI showed early incorporation of the graft tissue. Clinical outcomes were excellent at one year follow-up with the EQ-5D 5L score 11111, the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS-PS) 100%, and the Lysholm score also 100%. Radiographs at one year confirmed an unchanged graft position and showed no signs of osteoarthritis. DISCUSSION: Large osteochondral lesions in the knee (> 4 cm2) are challenging to treat, and the most commonly used modalities are fresh osteochondral allograft (OCA) or autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI). Mega-OATS of the knee has previously been described but is not commonly used due to the requirement of a specialised and expensive workbench, and fear of morbidity at the donor site. CONCLUSION: Mega-OATS of the knee is possible without a specialised workbench or tools and had good clinical outcomes at two-year follow-up of the patient. Level of evidence: Level 5

P–447 Challenging cases in Oncofertility: Insights from a national specialized e-meeting for fertility preservation specialists

Study question

How a new specialized e-meeting for complex cases in oncofertility is used by fertility preservation specialists (FPS)?

Summary answer

The e-meeting for complex oncofertility cases is an innovative tool that fulfils the needs of FPS and could help them to improve their oncofertility practice.

What is known already

Little is known about the management of fertility preservation (FP) in rare cancer that could be challenging for FPS due to lack of experience and scientific data. To our knowledge, there is no specially dedicated meeting reported in published literature to provide highly specialized advices to FPS in these challenging situations of FP.

Study design, size, duration

We present three years of activity of a national French e-meeting dedicated to the management of challenging oncofertility cases. We conducted a retrospective analysis of all submitted cases. Second, a survey was conducted to evaluate the use of this e-meeting at participating FPS.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

The E-meeting for Complex Cases in Oncofertility was created in 2016 September in France, allowing for National oncofertility experts to share viewpoints about challenging cases for which they do not have experience and/or no sufficient data available in published literature. Demographic and clinical data, number of replies and proposal for each case were collected retrospectively. A survey to investigate the use and the interest of FPS for this tool was sent to its members. Main results and the role of chance: One hundred and four experts have joined the e-meeting since its set-up and 109 challenging cases have been submitted. Mean age of patients was 22.0 ± 8.9 years old and 87% were female. Most of cases were hematological cancers (n = 32/109; 29%), gynecologic cancers (n = 30/109; 27%) and neurological cancers (n = 12/109; 10.9%). Each submitted case received on average 2 ± 1 different strategy for FP and the opinion of 7 ± 2 experts. Among the FPS who submitted cases, seeking the opinions from others FPS allowed them to confirm their care plan (N = 49; 84%), to offer different options to their patient (N = 34; 58%) and to compare their practices with other specialists (N = 23; 39%). All respondents reported a self-perceived improvement in their practice of oncologic FP (n = 80; 100%).

Limitations, reasons for caution

Although this study showed a perceived improvement at FPS in the management of challenging oncofertility cases, we did not study in details their adherence to the e-meeting’s proposals. The value of this new tool has also not been assessed regarding patient’s quality of life and further fertility.

Wider implications of the findings: Specific attention should be paid for challenging cases in oncofertility for which only experiences of individual exist. Enhancing communication between FPS through national and international networks, pooling experiences and collecting the most complex cases are required in order to improve the management of these patients.

Trial registration number

Not applicable

Disease-modifying therapy usage in patients with multiple sclerosis in France: A 6-year population-based study

BACKGROUND

Most data regarding the use of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) in multiple sclerosis (MS) comes from clinical series or regional databases that have a risk of recruitment bias. French health administrative data offers the significant advantage of being extensive in regards to both MS population coverage and DMT prescriptions.

OBJECTIVES

To describe patterns of DMTs usage at the level of the entire French population of MS patients from 2010 to 2015.

METHODS

MS patients were identified during a 6-year study period via the French national health data system (covering 97% of the general population) and characteristics of patients who received at least one treatment were compared to those that never received treatment over the indicated period. A state sequence analysis was performed to study in a longitudinal way MS patients who started DMTs in 2010 and then to classify them into groups of similar therapeutic patterns. DMTs were categorized into first-line, second-line and off-label use, and included untreated periods for at least six months. Groups that were obtained were described and compared using a multinomial logistic regression.

RESULTS

A total of 112,415 patients with MS were identified, of whom 54.0% received at least one DMT over the 6 years. The probability of being treated significantly decreased with age. Comorbidities and physical limitations appeared to be more frequent in not treated patients than in treated patients. Significant differences were also found between the two groups regarding the use of healthcare services (hospitalizations and visits to general practitioner, neurologist and nurse). Based on the 6-year therapeutic sequences, a four-cluster typology was obtained on the 4,474 patients who started a DMT in 2010. The first group which consisted of more than half of the patients (57.0%) mainly used first-line DMTs. The second group (13.1%) represented patients with second-line DMTs whereas the third group (7.3%) was comprised of off-label users and the last group (22.6%) was composed of MS patients who received no or minimal treatments. Classification into one of these groups was associated with patient's age, long-term disease status, pregnancy occurrence, estimated level of disability, levels of care (visits to a neurologist, nurse and/or physiotherapist and hospital/rehabilitation stays) and occurrence of death.

CONCLUSIONS

The exhaustive population-based dataset from the French national health data system gave the opportunity to provide a detailed description regarding the use of DMTs for MS at national level. The innovative method of state sequence analysis allowed obtaining four homogeneous groups of patients among thousands of longitudinal therapeutic sequences. The predominant place of first-line treatments was confirmed even if the type of first-line treatments has probably changed since 2015.

New and Interesting Fungi. 4

An order, family and genus are validated, seven new genera, 35 new species, two new combinations, two epitypes, two lectotypes, and 17 interesting new host and / or geographical records are introduced in this study. Validated order, family and genus: Superstratomycetales and Superstratomycetaceae (based on Superstratomyces ). New genera: Haudseptoria (based on Haudseptoria typhae); Hogelandia (based on Hogelandia lambearum); Neoscirrhia (based on Neoscirrhia osmundae); Nothoanungitopsis (based on Nothoanungitopsis urophyllae); Nothomicrosphaeropsis (based on Nothomicrosphaeropsis welwitschiae); Populomyces (based on Populomyces zwinianus); Pseudoacrospermum (based on Pseudoacrospermum goniomae). New species: Apiospora sasae on dead culms of Sasa veitchii (Netherlands); Apiospora stipae on dead culms of Stipa gigantea (Spain); Bagadiella eucalyptorum on leaves of Eucalyptus sp. (Australia); Calonectria singaporensis from submerged leaf litter (Singapore); Castanediella neomalaysiana on leaves of Eucalyptus sp. (Malaysia); Colletotrichum pleopeltidis on leaves of Pleopeltis sp. (South Africa); Coniochaeta deborreae from soil (Netherlands); Diaporthe durionigena on branches of Durio zibethinus (Vietnam); Floricola juncicola on dead culm of Juncus sp. (France); Haudseptoria typhae on leaf sheath of Typha sp. (Germany); Hogelandia lambearum from soil (Netherlands); Lomentospora valparaisensis from soil (Chile); Neofusicoccum mystacidii on dead stems of Mystacidium capense (South Africa); Neomycosphaerella guibourtiae on leaves of Guibourtia sp. (Angola); Niesslia neoexosporioides on dead leaves of Carex paniculata (Germany); Nothoanungitopsis urophyllae on seed capsules of Eucalyptus urophylla (South Africa); Nothomicrosphaeropsis welwitschiae on dead leaves of Welwitschia mirabilis (Namibia); Paracremonium bendijkiorum from soil (Netherlands); Paraphoma ledniceana on dead wood of Buxus sempervirens (Czech Republic); Paraphoma salicis on leaves of Salix cf. alba (Ukraine); Parasarocladium wereldwijsianum from soil (Netherlands); Peziza ligni on masonry and plastering (France); Phyllosticta phoenicis on leaves of Phoenix reclinata (South Africa); Plectosphaerella slobbergiarum from soil (Netherlands); Populomyces zwinianus from soil (Netherlands); Pseudoacrospermum goniomae on leaves of Gonioma kamassi (South Africa); Pseudopyricularia festucae on leaves of Festuca californica (USA); Sarocladium sasijaorum from soil (Netherlands); Sporothrix hypoxyli in sporocarp of Hypoxylon petriniae on Fraxinus wood (Netherlands); Superstratomyces albomucosus on Pycnanthus angolensis (Netherlands); Superstratomyces atroviridis on Pinus sylvestris (Netherlands); Superstratomyces flavomucosus on leaf of Hakea multilinearis (Australia); Superstratomyces tardicrescens from human eye specimen (USA); Taeniolella platani on twig of Platanus hispanica (Germany), and Tympanis pini on twigs of Pinus sylvestris (Spain). Citation: Crous PW, Hernández-Restrepo M, Schumacher RK, Cowan DA, Maggs-Kölling G, Marais E, Wingfield MJ, Yilmaz N, Adan OCG, Akulov A, Álvarez Duarte E, Berraf-Tebbal A, Bulgakov TS, Carnegie AJ, de Beer ZW, Decock C, Dijksterhuis J, Duong TA, Eichmeier A, Hien LT, Houbraken JAMP, Khanh TN, Liem NV, Lombard L, Lutzoni FM, Miadlikowska JM, Nel WJ, Pascoe IG, Roets F, Roux J, Samson RA, Shen M, Spetik M, Thangavel R, Thanh HM, Thao LD, van Nieuwenhuijzen EJ, Zhang JQ, Zhang Y, Zhao LL, Groenewald JZ (2021). New and Interesting Fungi. 4. Fungal Systematics and Evolution 7: 255-343. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2021.07.13.

In vivo comparison of the proangiogenic properties of chlordecone and three of its dechlorinated derivatives formed by in situ chemical reduction

In situ chemical reduction (ISCR) has been identified as a possible way for the remediation of soils contaminated by chlordecone (CLD). Evidences provided by the literature indicate an association between the development of prostate cancer and CLD exposure (Multigner et al. 2010). In a previous in vitro study, we demonstrated that the two main dechlorinated CLD derivatives formed by ISCR, CLD-1Cl, and CLD-3Cl have lower cytotoxicity and proangiogenic properties than CLD itself (Legeay et al. 2017). By contrast, nothing is known on the in vivo proangiogenic effect of these dechlorinated derivatives. Based on in vitro data, the aims of this study were therefore to evaluate the in vivo influence of CLD and three of its dechlorinated metabolites in the control of neovascularization in a mice model of prostate cancer. The proangiogenic effect of CLD and three of its dechlorinated derivatives, CLD-1Cl, CLD-3Cl, and CLD-4Cl, was evaluated on a murine model of human prostate tumor (PC-3) treated, at two exposure levels: 33 μg/kg and 1.7 μg/kg respectively reflecting acute and chronic toxic exposure in human. The results of serum measurements show that, for the same ingested dose, the three metabolite concentrations were significantly lower than that of CLD. Dechlorination of CLD lead therefore to molecules that are biologically absorbed or metabolized, or both, faster than the parent molecule. Prostate tumor growth was lower in the groups treated by the three metabolites compared to the one treated by CLD. The vascularization measured on the tumor sections was inversely proportional to the rate of dechlorination, the treatment with CLD-4Cl showing no difference with control animals treated with only the vehicle oil used for all substances tested. We can therefore conclude that the proangiogenic effect of CLD is significantly decreased following the ISCR-resulting dechlorination. Further investigations are needed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which dechlorination of CLD reduces proangiogenic effects in prostate tumor.

The logistical management of tertiary urethral disease in the United Kingdom: Implications from an online audit of male reconstructive urethral surgery

Objective:

To determine those patient groupings, based on volume and risk, whose optimal urethral reconstructive management might be provided by a reorganisation of UK reconstructive surgeons.

Methods:

Between 2010 and 2017, ~689 men/year were enrolled onto an online audit platform collecting data about urethral reconstruction in the UK; this accrual was compared against hospital episode statistics (HES). The available workforce, and where this was based, was collected. Individual and institutional incumbent patient volumes, pathology, surgical complexity and outcomes from treatment were collated to stratify volume/risk groups.

Results:

More than 90% of all HES-recorded data were accrued, being provided by 50 surgeons at 39 operative sites. Most reconstructive surgery was provided at 10 centres performing >20 procedures/year. More than 50% of all interventions were of a high-volume low-risk type. Of activity, 32.3% was intermediate volume or moderate risk, and 12.5% of men presented for lower-volume or higher-risk procedures.

Conclusion:

Correlation of detailed volume/outcome data allows the definition of patient populations presenting for urethral reconstruction. Stratification of each group’s management, to optimise the surgical outcome, may be applied to a hierarchical service delivery model based on the complexity of the patient’s presenting urethral pathology.

Level of evidence:

Level IV

Use of healthcare services by patients with multiple sclerosis in France over 2010-2015: a nationwide population-based study using health administrative data

Background

Most of the knowledge about people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) in France comes from cohorts, which may suffer from recruitment bias or from the unique registry located in Lorraine, East France.

Objective

To describe use of care in the French population of PwMS, over 2010–2015.

Methods

All PwMS in the French national health data system (97% of the general population covered) were included. Demographics, and use of care were described (visits with general practitioners (GPs), neurologists, nurses, physiotherapists and hospitalisations). A focus on the neurological follow-up was also conducted.

Results

A total of 112,415 PwMS were identified (sex ratio F:M = 2.4, median age 46), of whom 5005 died during follow-up. The median numbers of visits with GPs and neurologists were 6.6 and 1.3 respectively per patient-year. Moreover, 53,457 (47.6%) received multiple sclerosis (MS) treatments; about 13% of patients had no neurological follow-up, and 81.8% had at least one hospitalisation.

Conclusions

For the first time in France, this exhaustive dataset offered the opportunity to provide objective figures regarding care practices for MS at the national level, without any selection bias. It also allowed description of patients with MS according to their neurological follow-up, especially those who were absent from cohorts led by neurologists.

Fungal Planet description sheets: 951-1041

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Antarctica, Apenidiella antarctica from permafrost, Cladosporium fildesense from an unidentified marine sponge. Argentina, Geastrum wrightii on humus in mixed forest. Australia, Golovinomyces glandulariae on Glandularia aristigera, Neoanungitea eucalyptorum on leaves of Eucalyptus grandis, Teratosphaeria corymbiicola on leaves of Corymbia ficifolia, Xylaria eucalypti on leaves of Eucalyptus radiata. Brazil, Bovista psammophila on soil, Fusarium awaxy on rotten stalks of Zea mays, Geastrum lanuginosum on leaf litter covered soil, Hermetothecium mikaniae-micranthae (incl. Hermetothecium gen. nov.) on Mikania micrantha, Penicillium reconvexovelosoi in soil, Stagonosporopsis vannaccii from pod of Glycine max. British Virgin Isles, Lactifluus guanensis on soil. Canada, Sorocybe oblongispora on resin of Picea rubens. Chile, Colletotrichum roseum on leaves of Lapageria rosea. China, Setophoma caverna from carbonatite in Karst cave. Colombia, Lareunionomyces eucalypticola on leaves of Eucalyptus grandis. Costa Rica, Psathyrella pivae on wood. Cyprus, Clavulina iris on calcareous substrate. France, Chromosera ambigua and Clavulina iris var. occidentalis on soil. French West Indies, Helminthosphaeria hispidissima on dead wood. Guatemala, Talaromyces guatemalensis in soil. Malaysia, Neotracylla pini (incl. Tracyllales ord. nov. and Neotracylla gen. nov.) and Vermiculariopsiella pini on needles of Pinus tecunumanii. New Zealand, Neoconiothyrium viticola on stems of Vitis vinifera, Parafenestella pittospori on Pittosporum tenuifolium, Pilidium novae-zelandiae on Phoenix sp. Pakistan, Russula quercus-floribundae on forest floor. Portugal, Trichoderma aestuarinum from saline water. Russia, Pluteus liliputianus on fallen branch of deciduous tree, Pluteus spurius on decaying deciduous wood or soil. South Africa, Alloconiothyrium encephalarti, Phyllosticta encephalarticola and Neothyrostroma encephalarti (incl. Neothyrostroma gen. nov.) on leaves of Encephalartos sp., Chalara eucalypticola on leaf spots of Eucalyptus grandis × urophylla, Clypeosphaeria oleae on leaves of Olea capensis, Cylindrocladiella postalofficium on leaf litter of Sideroxylon inerme, Cylindromonium eugeniicola (incl. Cylindromonium gen. nov.) on leaf litter of Eugenia capensis, Cyphellophora goniomatis on leaves of Gonioma kamassi, Nothodactylaria nephrolepidis (incl. Nothodactylaria gen. nov. and Nothodactylariaceae fam. nov.) on leaves of Nephrolepis exaltata, Falcocladium eucalypti and Gyrothrix eucalypti on leaves of Eucalyptus sp., Gyrothrix oleae on leaves of Olea capensis subsp. macrocarpa, Harzia metrosideri on leaf litter of Metrosideros sp., Hippopotamyces phragmitis (incl. Hippopotamyces gen. nov.) on leaves of Phragmites australis, Lectera philenopterae on Philenoptera violacea, Leptosillia mayteni on leaves of Maytenus heterophylla, Lithohypha aloicola and Neoplatysporoides aloes on leaves of Aloe sp., Millesimomyces rhoicissi (incl. Millesimomyces gen. nov.) on leaves of Rhoicissus digitata, Neodevriesia strelitziicola on leaf litter of Strelitzia nicolai, Neokirramyces syzygii (incl. Neokirramyces gen. nov.) on leaf spots of Syzygium sp., Nothoramichloridium perseae (incl. Nothoramichloridium gen. nov. and Anungitiomycetaceae fam. nov.) on leaves of Persea americana, Paramycosphaerella watsoniae on leaf spots of Watsonia sp., Penicillium cuddlyae from dog food, Podocarpomyces knysnanus (incl. Podocarpomyces gen. nov.) on leaves of Podocarpus falcatus, Pseudocercospora heteropyxidicola on leaf spots of Heteropyxis natalensis, Pseudopenidiella podocarpi, Scolecobasidium podocarpi and Ceramothyrium podocarpicola on leaves of Podocarpus latifolius, Scolecobasidium blechni on leaves of Blechnum capense, Stomiopeltis syzygii on leaves of Syzygium chordatum, Strelitziomyces knysnanus (incl. Strelitziomyces gen. nov.) on leaves of Strelitzia alba, Talaromyces clemensii from rotting wood in goldmine, Verrucocladosporium visseri on Carpobrotus edulis. Spain, Boletopsis mediterraneensis on soil, Calycina cortegadensisi on a living twig of Castanea sativa, Emmonsiellopsis tuberculata in fluvial sediments, Mollisia cortegadensis on dead attached twig of Quercus robur, Psathyrella ovispora on soil, Pseudobeltrania lauri on leaf litter of Laurus azorica, Terfezia dunensis in soil, Tuber lucentum in soil, Venturia submersa on submerged plant debris. Thailand, Cordyceps jakajanicola on cicada nymph, Cordyceps kuiburiensis on spider, Distoseptispora caricis on leaves of Carex sp., Ophiocordyceps khonkaenensis on cicada nymph. USA, Cytosporella juncicola and Davidiellomyces juncicola on culms of Juncus effusus, Monochaetia massachusettsianum from air sample, Neohelicomyces melaleucae and Periconia neobrittanica on leaves of Melaleuca styphelioides × lanceolata, Pseudocamarosporium eucalypti on leaves of Eucalyptus sp., Pseudogymnoascus lindneri from sediment in a mine, Pseudogymnoascus turneri from sediment in a railroad tunnel, Pulchroboletus sclerotiorum on soil, Zygosporium pseudomasonii on leaf of Serenoa repens. Vietnam, Boletus candidissimus and Veloporphyrellus vulpinus on soil. Morphological and culture characteristics are supported by DNA barcodes.

Geographical variations in access to expert centers for multiple sclerosis in France

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease affecting about 100,000 persons in France. Disease management is mainly supervised by the neurologist, supported by the general practitioner (GP). The complexity of the disease, due to the variety of symptoms as well as the recent changes in the therapeutic arsenal, requires both a high level of expertise and coordination between the different health care providers. To face this challenge, integrated and coordinated network of services “MS expert centers” have been progressively set up from 2000 onwards. Our objectives are to describe referrals to MS expert centers over the 2010-2015 period, to look for geographic variations and if any, to identify potential determinants of access.

Methods

The analysis is performed on the French health insurance database which covers 97% of the French population. Geographic variations of access are explored, as well as association with the following parameters: demographics (age, sex), socio-economic characteristics (social deprivation index at residence, degree of urbanization), and density of health care services (GPs, neurologists, hospital beds).

Results

Overall, 112,415 people with MS (70% women, mean age 46 years) were included. Initial results show that over the study period, 98% of patient had at least one visit to GP, 87% to neurologist, and 36% in a CRC SEP.

Conclusions

The present study will assess to what extent MS patients have been able to take full advantage of an innovative organization of specialized care which was recently deployed in France. This model of care has been generalized by the French Ministry of Health in 2016 and 23 ‘competence and resource centers’ for MS (CRC SEP) are now covering the whole national territory. Further research will be performed to identify whether and how this has modified access to specialized coordinated MS care.

A model of Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae spreading in the French hospitals network

Background

Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) are spreading at an alarming rate and threaten health systems and patient safety worldwide. In France, their transmission is driven by importation of international cases and inter-regional dissemination due to patients’ transfers between hospitals. This study aims at defining a mathematical model reproducing CPE transmission on the French network of hospitals.

Methods

CPE spreading is modeled using a stochastic susceptible-colonized-infected (SCI) hospital-based model. It takes into account both CPE dissemination through patient transfers, and importations either from foreign countries or in-town transmission. The patient transfer network was reconstructed using data from the French hospital discharge database (PMSI) over the years 2014-2017. Epidemiological parameters were estimated from surveillance data of CPE episodes from August 2010 to November 2016 from the French national Healthcare-Associated Infections Early Warning and Response System.

Results

Our epidemiological model replicates the number of CPE hospital outbreaks occurring in France on a network of 2,433 hospitals. It allows to estimate the number of unobserved hospitals’ colonization and differentiate outbreaks due to foreign importation from outbreaks due to patient transfers. Finally, the model can be used to benchmark control strategies based on patient redirections, or targeted screening.

Conclusions

This study is the first to simulate CPE spread in France using real-life patient transfers data. Our mathematical model may further help public health authorities in the definition and evaluation of new control strategies of CPE transmission based on patient flows between hospitals.

Key messages

The mathematical model take into account CPE spreading through hospital transfers and importations from origins using real-life data. Our stochastic susceptible-colonized-infected (SCI) hospital-based model reproduces CPE spread in France and further help in evaluating control strategies of CPE transmission.

Modeling Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae episodes’ evolution in France over 2010-2020

Background

Incidence of Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) episodes within hospitals is rising at an alarming rate and threaten health systems and patient safety worldwide. Their number is growing in France since 2009 associated with inter-regional dissemination and importation of international cases. This study aimed at describing the dynamics of CPE episodes in France over 2010-2016 and forecasting their evolution for 2017-2020.

Methods

Surveillance data of CPE episodes (imported and non-imported) from August 2010 to November 2016 were issued from the French national Healthcare-Associated Infections Early Warning and Response System. Impact of seasonality on the number of CPE episodes was analyzed using seasonal-to-irregular ratios. Seven models issued from time series analysis and three ensemble stacking models (average, convex and linear stacking) were used to describe and forecast CPE episodes. The model with the best forecasting’s quality was then trained on all available data (2010-2016) and used to predict CPE episodes over 2017-2020.

Results

Over 2010-2016, 3,559 CPE episodes were observed in France. Compared to the average yearly trend, we observed a 30% increase in the number of CPE episodes in September and October. On the opposite, a decrease of 20% was noticed in February compared to other months. We also noticed a 1-month lagged seasonality of non-imported episodes compared to imported ones. The number of non-imported episodes appeared to grow faster than imported ones starting from 2014. Average stacking gave the best forecasts and predicted an increase over 2017-2020 with a peak up to 345 CPE episodes (95% PI [124-1,158], 80% PI [171-742]) in September 2020.

Conclusions

The number of CPE episodes is predicted to rise in the next years in France because of non-imported episodes. These results could help public health authorities in the definition and evaluation of new containment strategies.

Key messages

Time series modeling predicts an increase in the number of CPE episodes in France in the next few years with a quicker rise of non-imported episodes. An increase of 30% in the number of CPE episodes was observed in September and October with a 1-month lagged seasonality impact of non-imported episodes compared to imported one.

New and Interesting Fungi. 2

One order, seven families, 28 new genera, 72 new species, 13 new combinations, four epitypes, and interesting new host and / or geographical records are introduced in this study. Pseudorobillardaceae is introduced for Pseudorobillarda (based on P. phragmitis). New genera include: Jeremyomyces (based on J. labinae) on twigs of Salix alba (Germany); Neodothidotthia (based on N. negundinicola) on Acer negundo (Ukraine); Neomedicopsis (based on N. prunicola) on fallen twigs of Prunus padus (Ukraine); Neophaeoappendicospora (based on N. leucaenae) on Leucaena leucocephala (France) (incl. Phaeoappendicosporaceae); Paradevriesia (incl. Paradevriesiaceae) (based on P. americana) from air (USA); Phaeoseptoriella (based on P. zeae) on leaves of Zea mays (South Africa); Piniphoma (based on P. wesendahlina) on wood debris of Pinus sylvestris (Germany); Pseudoconiothyrium (based on P. broussonetiae) on branch of Broussonetia papyrifera (Italy); Sodiomyces (based on S. alkalinus) from soil (Mongolia), and Turquoiseomyces (incl. Turquoiseomycetales and Turquoiseomycetaceae) (based on T. eucalypti) on leaves of Eucalyptus leptophylla (Australia); Typhicola (based on T. typharum) on leaves of Typha sp. (Germany); Xenodevriesia (incl. Xenodevriesiaceae) (based on X. strelitziicola) on leaves of Strelitzia sp. (South Africa). New species include: Bacillicladium clematidis on branch of Clematis vitalbae (Austria); Cercospora gomphrenigena on leaves of Gomphrena globosa (South Africa); Cyphellophora clematidis on Clematis vitalba (Austria); Exophiala abietophila on bark of Abies alba (Norway); Exophiala lignicola on fallen decorticated trunk of Quercus sp. (Ukraine); Fuscostagonospora banksiae on Banksia sp. (Australia); Gaeumannomycella caricicola on dead leaf of Carex remota (Germany); Hansfordia pruni on Prunus persica twig (Italy) (incl. Hansfordiaceae); Microdochium rhopalostylidis on Rhopalostylis sapida (New Zealand); Neocordana malayensis on leaves of Musa sp. (Malaysia); Neocucurbitaria prunicola on fallen twigs of Prunus padus (Ukraine); Neocucurbitaria salicis-albae on Salix alba twig (Ukraine); Neohelicomyces deschampsiae on culm base of dead leaf sheath of Deschampsia cespitosa (Germany); Pararoussoella juglandicola on twig of Juglans regia (Germany); Pezicula eucalyptigena on leaves of Eucalyptus sp. (South Africa); Phlogicylindrium dunnii on leaves of Eucalyptus dunnii (Australia); Phyllosticta hagahagaensis on leaf litter of Carissa bispinosa (South Africa); Phyllosticta austroafricana on leaf spots of unidentified deciduous tree host (South Africa); Pseudosigmoidea alnicola on Alnus glutinosa leaf litter (Germany); Pseudoteratosphaeria africana on leaf spot on unidentified host (Angola); Porodiplodia vitis on canes of Vitis vinifera (USA); Sodiomyces alkalinus from soil (Mongolia), Sodiomyces magadiensis and Sodiomyces tronii from soil (Kenya), Sympodiella quercina on fallen leaf of Quercus robur (Germany) and Zasmidium hakeicola on leaves of Hakea corymbosa (Australia). Epitypes are designated for: Cryptostictis falcata on leaves of E. alligatrix (Australia), Hendersonia phormii on leaves of Phormium tenax (New Zealand), Sympodiella acicola on needles of Pinus sylvestris (Netherlands), and Sphaeria scirpicola var. typharum on leaf of Typha sp. (Germany). Several taxa originally described from rocks are validated in this study. New taxa include: Extremaceae fam. nov., and new genera, Arthrocatena, Catenulomyces, Constantinomyces, Extremus, Hyphoconis, Incertomyces, Lapidomyces, Lithophila, Monticola, Meristemomyces, Oleoguttula, Perusta, Petrophila, Ramimonilia, Saxophila and Vermiconidia. New species include: Arthrocatena tenebrosa, Catenulomyces convolutus, Constantinomyces virgultus, C. macerans, C. minimus, C. nebulosus, C. virgultus, Exophiala bonariae, Extremus adstrictus, E. antarcticus, Hyphoconis sterilis, Incertomyces perditus, Knufia karalitana, K. marmoricola, K. mediterranea, Lapidomyces hispanicus, Lithophila guttulata, Monticola elongata, Meristemomyces frigidus, M. arctostaphyli, Neodevriesia bulbillosa, N. modesta, N. sardiniae, N. simplex, Oleoguttula mirabilis, Paradevriesia compacta, Perusta inaequalis, Petrophila incerta, Rachicladosporium alpinum, R. inconspicuum, R. mcmurdoi, R. monterosanum, R. paucitum, Ramimonilia apicalis, Saxophila tyrrhenica, Vermiconidia antarctica, V. calcicola, V. foris, and V. flagrans.

Poor adherence to population-based vaccination in two counties after meningococcal B:14:P1.7,16 outbreak: an illustration of the growing vaccine hesitancy in France

BACKGROUND

Neisseria meningitidis is a virulent bacteria provoking outbreaks of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) that authorities may try to control with population-based vaccinations. Such campaigns are most often thoroughly followed. We assess the response of poor adherence during a population-based vaccination after a meningococcal B:14:P1.7,16 outbreak.

METHODS

Between July, 2012, and April, 2013, six cases including one fatality of invasive meningococcal disease related to N. meningitidis B:14:P1.7,16/ST32 were reported in two neighboring counties. A vaccination campaign with MenBVac^® targeting 6911 inhabitants was implemented. People entering the vaccination schedule from January 2014 received 4CMenB.

RESULTS

The number of immunized patients proved to be low, with 1721 (24.1%) receiving at least one dose out of 5069 doses administered. However, the incidence of IMD in the zone dramatically fell, with only one purpura fulminans case in June 2014 with a good outcome. The campaign was stopped after 1 year and a 2-year monitoring period was implemented until June, 2016, with no new cases.

CONCLUSIONS

This outbreak probably self-terminated in a context of a low incidence of serogroup B IMD during 2014 in France. Poor adherence illustrates the growing vaccine hesitancy in France. Similar campaigns will have to be thoroughly planned and implemented in terms of timing, modalities of injections, and mass communication.

Fungal Planet description sheets: 785-867

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Angola, Gnomoniopsis angolensis and Pseudopithomyces angolensis on unknown host plants. Australia, Dothiora corymbiae on Corymbia citriodora, Neoeucasphaeria eucalypti (incl. Neoeucasphaeria gen. nov.) on Eucalyptus sp., Fumagopsis stellae on Eucalyptus sp., Fusculina eucalyptorum (incl. Fusculinaceae fam. nov.) on Eucalyptus socialis, Harknessia corymbiicola on Corymbia maculata, Neocelosporium eucalypti (incl. Neocelosporium gen. nov., Neocelosporiaceae fam. nov. and Neocelosporiales ord. nov.) on Eucalyptus cyanophylla, Neophaeomoniella corymbiae on Corymbia citriodora, Neophaeomoniella eucalyptigena on Eucalyptus pilularis, Pseudoplagiostoma corymbiicola on Corymbia citriodora, Teratosphaeria gracilis on Eucalyptus gracilis, Zasmidium corymbiae on Corymbia citriodora. Brazil, Calonectria hemileiae on pustules of Hemileia vastatrix formed on leaves of Coffea arabica, Calvatia caatinguensis on soil, Cercospora solani-betacei on Solanum betaceum, Clathrus natalensis on soil, Diaporthe poincianellae on Poincianella pyramidalis, Geastrum piquiriunense on soil, Geosmithia carolliae on wing of Carollia perspicillata, Henningsia resupinata on wood, Penicillium guaibinense from soil, Periconia caespitosa from leaf litter, Pseudocercospora styracina on Styrax sp., Simplicillium filiforme as endophyte from Citrullus lanatus, Thozetella pindobacuensis on leaf litter, Xenosonderhenia coussapoae on Coussapoa floccosa. Canary Islands (Spain), Orbilia amarilla on Euphorbia canariensis. Cape Verde Islands, Xylodon jacobaeus on Eucalyptus camaldulensis. Chile, Colletotrichum arboricola on Fuchsia magellanica. Costa Rica, Lasiosphaeria miniovina on tree branch. Ecuador, Ganoderma chocoense on tree trunk. France, Neofitzroyomyces nerii (incl. Neofitzroyomyces gen. nov.) on Nerium oleander. Ghana, Castanediella tereticornis on Eucalyptus tereticornis, Falcocladium africanum on Eucalyptus brassiana, Rachicladosporium corymbiae on Corymbia citriodora. Hungary, Entoloma silvae-frondosae in Carpinus betulus-Pinus sylvestris mixed forest. Iran, Pseudopyricularia persiana on Cyperus sp. Italy, Inocybe roseascens on soil in mixed forest. Laos, Ophiocordyceps houaynhangensis on Coleoptera larva. Malaysia, Monilochaetes melastomae on Melastoma sp. Mexico, Absidia terrestris from soil. Netherlands, Acaulium pannemaniae, Conioscypha boutwelliae, Fusicolla septimanifiniscientiae, Gibellulopsis simonii, Lasionectria hilhorstii, Lectera nordwiniana, Leptodiscella rintelii, Parasarocladium debruynii and Sarocladium dejongiae (incl. Sarocladiaceae fam. nov.) from soil. New Zealand, Gnomoniopsis rosae on Rosa sp. and Neodevriesia metrosideri on Metrosideros sp. Puerto Rico, Neodevriesia coccolobae on Coccoloba uvifera, Neodevriesia tabebuiae and Alfaria tabebuiae on Tabebuia chrysantha. Russia, Amanita paludosa on bogged soil in mixed deciduous forest, Entoloma tiliae in forest of Tilia × europaea, Kwoniella endophytica on Pyrus communis. South Africa, Coniella diospyri on Diospyros mespiliformis, Neomelanconiella combreti (incl. Neomelanconiellaceae fam. nov. and Neomelanconiella gen. nov.) on Combretum sp., Polyphialoseptoria natalensis on unidentified plant host, Pseudorobillarda bolusanthi on Bolusanthus speciosus, Thelonectria pelargonii on Pelargonium sp. Spain, Vermiculariopsiella lauracearum and Anungitopsis lauri on Laurus novocanariensis, Geosmithia xerotolerans from a darkened wall of a house, Pseudopenidiella gallaica on leaf litter. Thailand, Corynespora thailandica on wood, Lareunionomyces loeiensis on leaf litter, Neocochlearomyces chromolaenae (incl. Neocochlearomyces gen. nov.) on Chromolaena odorata, Neomyrmecridium septatum (incl. Neomyrmecridium gen. nov.), Pararamichloridium caricicola on Carex sp., Xenodactylaria thailandica (incl. Xenodactylariaceae fam. nov. and Xenodactylaria gen. nov.), Neomyrmecridium asiaticum and Cymostachys thailandica from unidentified vine. USA, Carolinigaster bonitoi (incl. Carolinigaster gen. nov.) from soil, Penicillium fortuitum from house dust, Phaeotheca shathenatiana (incl. Phaeothecaceae fam. nov.) from twig and cone litter, Pythium wohlseniorum from stream water, Superstratomyces tardicrescens from human eye, Talaromyces iowaense from office air. Vietnam, Fistulinella olivaceoalba on soil. Morphological and culture characteristics along with DNA barcodes are provided.

New and Interesting Fungi. 1

This study introduces two new families, one new genus, 22 new species, 10 new combinations, four epitypes, and 16 interesting new host and / or geographical records. Cylindriaceae (based on Cylindrium elongatum) is introduced as new family, with three new combinations. Xyladictyochaetaceae (based on Xyladictyochaeta lusitanica) is introduced to accommodate Xyladictyochaeta. Pseudoanungitea gen. nov. (based on P. syzygii) is described on stems of Vaccinium myrtillus (Germany). New species include: Exophiala eucalypticola on Eucalyptus obliqua leaf litter, Phyllosticta hakeicola on leaves of Hakea sp., Setophaeosphaeria citricola on leaves of Citrus australasica, and Sirastachys cyperacearum on leaves of Cyperaceae (Australia); Polyscytalum chilense on leaves of Eucalyptus urophylla (Chile); Pseudoanungitea vaccinii on Vaccinium myrtillus (Germany); Teichospora quercus on branch tissue of Quercus sp. (France); Fusiconidium lycopodiellae on stems of Lycopodiella inundata, Monochaetia junipericola on twig of Juniperus communis, Myrmecridium sorbicola on branch tissues of Sorbus aucuparia, Parathyridaria philadelphi on twigs of Philadelphus coronarius, and Wettsteinina philadelphi on twigs of Philadelphus coronarius (Germany); Zygosporium pseudogibbum on leaves of Eucalyptus pellita (Malaysia); Pseudoanungitea variabilis on dead wood (Spain); Alfaria acaciae on leaves of Acacia propinqua, Dictyochaeta mimusopis on leaves of Mimusops caffra, and Pseudocercospora breonadiae on leaves of Breonadia microcephala (South Africa); Colletotrichum kniphofiae on leaves of Kniphofia uvaria, Subplenodomus iridicola on Iris sp., and Trochila viburnicola on twig cankers on Viburnum sp. (UK); Polyscytalum neofecundissimum on Quercus robur leaf litter, and Roussoella euonymi on fallen branches of Euonymus europaeus (Ukraine). New combinations include: Cylindrium algarvense on leaves of Eucalyptus sp. (Portugal), Cylindrium purgamentum on leaf litter (USA), Cylindrium syzygii on leaves of Syzygium sp. (Australia), Microdochium musae on leaves of Musa sp. (Malaysia), Polyscytalum eucalyptigenum on Eucalyptus grandis × pellita (Malaysia), P. eucalyptorum on leaves of Eucalyptus (Australia), P. grevilleae on leaves of Grevillea (Australia), P. nullicananum on leaves of Eucalyptus (Australia), Pseudoanungitea syzygii on Syzygium cordatum leaf litter (South Africa), and Setophaeosphaeria sidae on leaves of Sida sp. (Brazil). New records include: Sphaerellopsis paraphysata on leaves of Phragmites sp., Vermiculariopsiella dichapetali on leaves of Melaleuca sp. and Eucalyptus regnans, and Xyladictyochaeta lusitanica on leaf litter of Eucalyptus sp. (Australia); Camarosporidiella mackenziei on twigs of Caragana sp. (Finland); Cyclothyriella rubronotata on twigs of Ailanthus altissima, Rhinocladiella quercus on Sorbus aucuparia branches (Germany); Cytospora viticola on stems of Vitis vinifera (Hungary); Echinocatena arthrinioides on leaves of Acacia crassicarpa (Malaysia); Varicosporellopsis aquatilis from garden soil (Netherlands); Pestalotiopsis hollandica on needles of Cupressus sempervirens (Spain), Pseudocamarosporium africanum on twigs of Erica sp. (South Africa), Pseudocamarosporium brabeji on branch of Platanus sp. (Switzerland); Neocucurbitaria cava on leaves of Quercus ilex (UK); Chaetosphaeria myriocarpa on decaying wood of Carpinus betulus, Haplograhium delicatum on decaying Carpinus betulus wood (Ukraine). Epitypes are designated for: Elsinoë mimosae on leaves of Mimosa diplotricha (Brazil), Neohendersonia kickxii on Fagus sylvatica twig bark (Italy), Caliciopsis maxima on fronds of Niphidium crassifolium (Brazil), Dictyochaeta septata on leaves of Eucalyptus grandis × urophylla (Chile), and Microdochium musae on leaves of Musa sp. (Malaysia).

Description and technical pitfalls of a hepatoma model and of intra-arterial injection of radiolabelled lipiodol in the rat

Intra-arterial metabolic radiotherapy (using lipiodol labelled with iodine-131 or rhenium-188) is a therapeutic approach that can be used for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). We propose a detailed description of the tumoral model using the N1-S1 cell line as well as a technique for intra-arterial injection of radiolabelled lipiodol in order to undertake preclinical studies necessary for the evaluation of a new molecule. We also report the principal technical pitfalls that were faced. The speed of injection of the tumoral cells is a key factor in the tumoral induction since slow injections lead to a tumoral induction rate of 36.3% compared with 76.6% ( P < 0.01) when using very slow injections. This parameter should thus be controlled carefully during the subcapsular injection of the tumoral cells. In addition, when injecting radiolabelled lipiodol, anaesthesia should not be performed with isoflurane since this leads to a reduction in tumoral uptake. Indeed, we found a 'tumour/healthy liver' uptake ratio of only 2.1 ± 0.7 with isoflurane as against 4.4 ± 2.6 ( P < 0.05) when anaesthesia was carried out by intraperitoneal injection of ketamine. Lastly, we show that the tumour size has an influence on the tumoral uptake of radiolabelled lipiodol; therefore, this parameter must also be carefully controlled.

Systematic analysis of the relationship between antibiotic use and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase resistance in Enterobacteriaceae in a French hospital: a time series analysis

The influence of hospital use of antibiotics other than cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones on extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) resistance among Enterobacteriaceae is poorly known. Our objective was to explore the association between ESBL and hospital use of various classes of antibacterial agents. The relationship between monthly use of 19 classes of antibacterial agents and incidence of nosocomial ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in a French hospital was studied between 2007 and 2013. Five antibiotic classes were significantly and independently associated with ESBL resistance. Uses of tetracyclines (link estimate ± SE, 0.0066 ± 0.0033), lincosamides (0.0093 ± 0.0029), and other antibacterial agents (0.0050 ± 0.0023) were associated with an increased incidence, while nitrofurantoin (-0.0188 ± 0.0062) and ticarcillin and piperacillin with or without enzyme inhibitor (-0.0078 ± 0.0031) were associated with a decreased incidence. In a multivariate model including 3rd- and 4th-generation cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, amoxicillin, and amoxicillin-clavulanate, 3rd- and 4th-generation cephalosporins (0.0019 ± 0.0009) and fluoroquinolones (0.0020 ± 0.0008) were associated with an increased ESBL resistance, whereas amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanate were not. Hospital use of tetracyclines and lincosamides may promote ESBL resistance in Enterobacteriaceae. Nitrofurantoin and ticarcillin and piperacillin with or without enzyme inhibitor should be considered as potential alternatives to broad-spectrum cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones to control the diffusion of ESBL resistance.