Application of concentrated growth factor in mandibular third molar extraction: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: We will perform the systematic review to evaluate the effect of applying concentrated growth factor (CGF) on relieving postoperative complications and promoting wound healing following mandibular third molar extraction. METHODS: The PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, China Biology Medicine Disc (CBM), and VIP Databases will be comprehensively searched up to May 31, 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the application of CGF after mandibular third molar extraction will be included. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO, and the registration ID was CRD42023463234. Two reviewers will conduct the literature search, eligible study selection, data extraction, and bias risk assessment (using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool). Data analysis will be performed with RevMan software (version 5.4). RESULTS: The results of this study will be available in a peer-reviewed journal. CONCLUSION: Our study will provide scientific evidence regarding the efficacy of applying CGF in mandibular third molar extraction.

[A new cinnamic acid ester derivative from Liquidambaris Resina].

Twelve compounds were isolated from Liquidambaris Resina by silica gel column chromatography and thin layer chromatography. Their structures were identified on the basis of spectral data, electron capture detector data, and physicochemical properties as(2'R, 3'R)-2',3'-dihydroxy-hydrocinnamyl-(E)-cinnamate(1),(E)-cinnamyl-(E)-cinnamate(2), cinnamic acid(3), 28-norlup-20(29)-en-3-one-17ß-hydroperoxide(4), erythrodiol(5), 13ß,28-epoxy-30-hydroxyolean-1-en-3-one(6),(3ß)-olean-12-ene-3,23-diol(7), 2α,3α-dihydroxy-olean-12-en-28-oic acid(8), 28-hydroxyolean-12-en-3-one(9), 3-epi-oleanolic acid(10), 3-oxo-oleanolic acid(11), and hederagenin(12). Compound 1 was a new cinnamic acid ester derivative and compounds 2-4,6-8, and 12 were isolated from Liquidambaris Resina for the first time. Compounds 4, 5, 10, and 12 exerted inhibitory effects on the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVEC) with the IC_(50) values of(17.43±2.17),(35.32±0.61),(27.50±0.80), and(46.30±0.30) µmol·L~(-1), respectively.

Itraconazole inhibits proliferation, induces apoptosis, and reduces angiogenesis of hemangioma endothelial cells by downregulating the hedgehog signaling pathway.

Infantile hemangioma (IH) is among the most prevalent benign vascular tumours in infants. The pathogenesis of IH mainly involves abnormal proliferation of vascular endothelial cells and the formation of new vessels. Itraconazole was shown to be effective in treating IH; however, the mechanism underlying its action is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of itraconazole on the proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis of hemangioma endothelial cells (HemECs); human umbilical vein endothelial cells served as the control group. The expression of genes involved in the hedgehog (HH) signaling pathway (SHH, PTCH1, SMO, and GLI1) was determined using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Western blotting was used to determine the expression of related proteins. In this study, itraconazole significantly dose- and time-dependently inhibited the viability of HemECs. Itraconazole suppressed the expression of PCNA, Ki67, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), demonstrating that this treatment inhibited cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Moreover, itraconazole induced apoptosis of HemECs by activating the expression of BAX and inhibiting the expression of BCL2. Itraconazole inhibited SHH, PTCH1, SMO, and GLI1 expression. Activation of the HH pathway by recombinant human sonic hedgehog (rhSHH) protein attenuated the effect of itraconazole on HemECs. In conclusion, itraconazole inhibits proliferation, induces apoptosis, and reduces angiogenesis of HemECs via the downregulation of the HH signaling pathway. Therefore, itraconazole may be an alternative choice for the treatment of IH.

Comparison of clinical esthetic outcomes of immediately placed implants with and without immediate provisionalization in single-tooth implants of the esthetic area: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Immediately placed implants with immediate provisionalization have become attractive options for patients and clinicians. However, there is no agreement on the esthetic advantages of immediately placed implants with immediate provisionalization. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis will be to assess the effect of immediate provisionalization on the clinical esthetic outcomes of immediately placed implants in a single-tooth implant of the esthetic area. METHODS: An electronic search of MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Clinicaltrials.org., Cochrane Library, China Biology Medicine (CBM), Wan Fang Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), and VIP Science Technology Periodical Database will be performed. The search will be carried out in the databases for articles published until May 2021. Two researchers will independently perform the literature selection, data extraction and quality assessment. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting on the impact of immediate provisionalization on the clinical esthetic outcomes of implants immediately placed in a single-tooth implant of the aesthetic area will be included. The primary outcome of this study will be the esthetic outcome assessed by the objective index and patient satisfaction. The survival rate of implants and restorations and the changes in mucosa and bone around implants will also be analyzed. The included studies will be analyzed by Review Manager 5.3, and a meta-analysis will be performed. RESULTS: The study will evaluate the clinical esthetic outcomes of immediately placed implants with and without immediate provisionalization in single-tooth implants of the esthetic area. The results will provide clinicians with a better treatment approach in their application. CONCLUSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis will provide more reliable, evidence-based data for the impact of immediate provisionalization on the clinical esthetic outcomes of immediately placed implants, which may or may not be beneficial. REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021221669.

Historical Differentiation and Recent Hybridization in Natural Populations of the Nematode-Trapping Fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora in China.

Maintaining the effects of nematode-trapping fungi (NTF) agents in order to control plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) in different ecological environments has been a major challenge in biological control applications. To achieve such an objective, it is important to understand how populations of the biocontrol agent NTF are geographically and ecologically structured. A previous study reported evidence for ecological adaptation in the model NTF species Arthrobotrys oligospora. However, their large-scale geographic structure, patterns of gene flow, their potential phenotypic diversification, and host specialization remain largely unknown. In this study, we developed a new panel of 20 polymorphic short tandem repeat (STR) markers and analyzed 239 isolates of A. oligospora from 19 geographic populations in China. In addition, DNA sequences at six nuclear gene loci and strain mating types (MAT) were obtained for these strains. Our analyses suggest historical divergence within the A. oligospora population in China. The genetically differentiated populations also showed phenotypic differences that may be related to their ecological adaptations. Interestingly, our analyses identified evidence for recent dispersion and hybridization among the historically subdivided geographic populations in nature. Together, our results indicate a changing population structure of A. oligospora in China and that care must be taken in selecting the appropriate strains as biocontrol agents that can effectively reproduce in agriculture soil while maintaining their nematode-trapping ability.

Hydroazulene Diterpenes from a Dictyota Brown Alga and Their Antioxidant and Neuroprotective Effects Against Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury.

Five new diterpenes, including four new hydroazulenes, (8R,11R)-8,11-diacetoxypachydictyol A (1), (8R*,11R*)-6-O-acetyl-8-acetoxy-11-hydroxypachydictyol A (2), (8R*,11S*)-8-acetoxy-11-hydroxypachydictyol A (3), and (8R*,11S*)-6-O-acetyl-8,11-dihydroxypachydictyol A (4), and a secohydroazulene derivative, named 7Z-7,8-seco-7,11-didehydro-8- acetoxypachydictyol A (5), were isolated from a South China Sea collection of a Dictyota sp. nov. brown alga, together with five known analogues (6-10). Structure elucidation was achieved by extensive spectroscopic analysis and comparison with reported data. All compounds showed potent antioxidant effects against H2O2-induced oxidative damage in neuron-like PC12 cells at a low concentration of 2 µM. The antioxidant property of dictyol C (9) was associated with activation of the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway; it also showed neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) in a rat model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. As such, hydroazulene diterpenes could serve as lead structures for the development of novel neuroprotective agents against CIRI.

Pentacyclic Triterpenes from the resin of Liquidambar formosana have anti-angiogenic properties.

Phytochemical investigation of the resin of Liquidambar formosana Hanc led to the separation and identification of five undescribed pentacyclic triterpenoids, including two lupane type, one taraxerane type, and two oleanane type triterpenoids, in addition to ten known analogues. Structures and relative or absolute configurations were elucidated by intensive spectroscopic methods, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their anti-angiogenic effects in vitro against VEGF-induced endothelial cell proliferation and migration in HUVECs. Among them, (5R, 8R, 9R, 10R, 13S, 14R, 17R, 18R, 19S)-17,18-epoxy-17,18-seco-28-norlupa-17- hydroxy-20 (29) -ene-3-one, (5R, 8R, 9R, 10R, 13S, 14R, 17S, 18S, 19S, 20S)-17, 20-peroxy-28- norlupa -29 -hydroxy- 3-one, 11α,12α:13ß,28-diepoxyoleanane- 3-one, 28-norlup-20 (29)-ene- 3ß,17ß-diol, liquidambaric lactone and 13,28-epoxy-11- oleanene- 3-one significantly inhibited VEGF-induced HUVECs proliferation with IC50 values ranging from 1.64 ± 0.36 to 7.06 ± 0.28 µM. In addition, they also effectively decreased VEGF-induced cell migration with IC50 values ranging from 1.57 ± 0.60 to 4.77 ± 0.62 µM. The structure-activity relationship of these compounds is discussed. The anti-angiogenic property of (5R, 8R, 9R, 10R, 13S, 14R, 17R, 18R, 19S)-17,18-epoxy-17,18-seco-28-norlupa-17- hydroxy-20 (29) -ene-3-one is mediated by the VEGFR2 - AKT signaling pathway.

Efficacy and safety of sirolimus in the treatment of vascular malformations: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The pathophysiologic of vascular malformations is still unclear, and the treatment of vascular malformations is a challenge. With improvement in the understanding of pathogenesis of vascular malformations, sirolimus has been a promising and effective treatment. As so far, there is absent convincing evidence to confirm the efficacy of sirolimus for vascular malformations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of sirolimus in the treatment of vascular malformations. METHODS: The literatures about the management of vascular malformations with sirolimus would be searched from databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, Clinicaltrials.org., Cochrane Library, China Biology Medicine Database (CBM), Wan Fang Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), and VIP Science Technology Periodical Database. We will search each database from inception or 1995 to August 20, 2020. Two researchers worked independently on literature selection, data extraction and quality assessment. The efficacy and safety of sirolimus in the treatment of vascular malformations were the main outcomes. Adverse events after sirolimus were evaluated as the secondary outcomes. The included studies will be analyzed by Review Manager 5.3. If the results are applicable, meta-analysis would also be performed. RESULTS: The study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of sirolimus in the treatment of vascular malformations based on current evidence. CONCLUSION: The conclusion of this study will provide more reliable, evidence-based data for the use of sirolimus in the treatment of vascular malformations. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020167881.

Cardiac adverse events of PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors in cancer protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis: A protocol for systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors have been increasingly used in the treatment of cancer. Immunosuppressive therapy can control the cancer well and is suitable for the moderate to severe diseases. However, according to clinical observation, immune-related cardiac adverse events against PD-1or/and PD-L1 are inevitable, but generally reversible. Understanding the cardiac adverse events of PD-1 or/and PD-L1 inhibitors is crucial to improve the anti-cancer efficacy and ensure the life safety of patients. The variability of cardiac adverse events between different immunosuppressants and different cancers is not clear. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This protocol established in this study has been reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols. We will search the following electronic bibliographic databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE databases and ClinicalTrials.gov from their inception to December 2019. We will use a combination of Medical Subject Heading, and free-text terms with various synonyms to search based on the Eligibility criteria. We will include RCTs on PD-1 or/and PD-L1 inhibitors therapy to analyze. In addition, our study will include some clinical trials. All relevant RCTs will be included, such as early phase I/II, phase III experimental trials, prospective and retrospective observational studies. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria outlined above, the full texts of each eligible study will be retrieved for further identification by one reviewer. Two authors will screen the titles and abstracts of all records retrieved in above electronic databases independently to find potentially eligible reviews. Data will be extracted by 2 reviewers independently using a pre-designed data extraction form. The other reviewer will validate data. I-square (I) test, substantial heterogeneity, sensitivity analysis and publication bias assessment will be performed accordingly. For our network meta-analysis, we will use Stata 15.0 and WinBUGS 1.4.3. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval and patient consent would be not required because the data of this network meta-analysis mainly are obtained from existing resources. This network meta-analysis will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. PROSPERO NUMBER: CRD42019142865.

Curcumolide, a unique sesquiterpenoid from Curcuma wenyujin displays anti-angiogenic activity and attenuates ischemia-induced retinal neovascularization.

BACKGROUND: Targeting vascular endothelial growth factor is a common treatment strategy for neovascular eye disease, a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness. However, these approaches are limited or carry various complications. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of unique therapeutic approaches. PURPOSE: To investigate the anti-angiogenic effects of curcumolide and its mechanism of action. METHODS /STUDY DESIGNS: In this study, we examine the effects of curcumolide on the process of vasculature formation, including cell proliferation, migration, tube formation and apoptosis in vitro using human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs). We also assess the anti-angiogenic effects of curcumolide in vivo using a mouse model of oxygen induced retinopathy (OIR). The mechanism of anti-angiogenic effects was investigated by measuring the expression level of various signaling proteins and the molecular docking simulations. RESULTS: Intravitreal injection of curcumolide reduced the formation of retinal neovascular tufts and VEGFR2 phosphorylation in the murine OIR model at concentrations administered without definite cellular and retinal toxicities. Curcumolide suppressed VEGF-induced HRMECs proliferation, migration and tube formation in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, it promoted caspase-dependent apoptosis. Curcumolide also inhibited VEGF-induced phosphorylation of VEGFR-2 tyrosine kinase, and suppressed downstream protein kinases of VEGFR2, including Src, FAK, ERK, AKT, and mTOR in HRMECs. In silico study revealed that curcumolide bound with ATP-binding sites of the VEGFR2 kinase unit by the formation of a hydrogen bond and hydrophobic interactions. CONCLUSION: Curcumolide has anti-angiogenic activity in HUVECs and in a murine OIR model of ischemia-induced retinal neovascularization, and it might be a potential drug candidate for the treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Spongian Diterpenes Including One with a Rearranged Skeleton from the Marine Sponge Spongia officinalis.

Five new diterpenes, including an unprecedented 5,5,6,6,5-pentacyclic diterpene, sponalactone (1), two new spongian diterpenes, 17- O-acetylepispongiatriol (2) and 17- O-acetylspongiatriol (3), and two new spongian diterpene artifacts, 15α,16α-dimethoxy-15,16-dihydroepispongiatriol (4) and 15α-ethoxyepispongiatriol-16(15 H)-one (5), were isolated from a South China Sea collection of the marine sponge Spongia officinalis, together with three known analogues (6-8). The structures of the new diterpenes were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis. The absolute configurations were established on the basis of ECD data. Compounds 1-5 and 7 exhibited moderate inhibition against LPS-induced NO production in RAW264.7 macrophages with IC50 values of 12-32 µM.

A Steroid-Type Antioxidant Targeting the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE Signaling Pathway from the Soft Coral Dendronephthya gigantea.

Four new steroids, named 7-dehydroerectasteroid F (1), 11α-acetoxyarmatinol A (2), 22,23-didehydroarmatinol A (3), and 3-O-acetylhyrtiosterol (4), together with 11 previously described analogues, were isolated from a South China Sea collection of the soft coral Dendronephthya gigantea. The structures of the new steroids were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis and by comparison with previously reported data. Compound 1 showed potent protection against H2O2-induced oxidative damage in neuron-like PC12 cells by promoting nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and enhancing the expression of HO-1. 1 represents the first steroid-type antioxidant from marine organisms.

Frequent heteroplasmy and recombination in the mitochondrial genomes of the basidiomycete mushroom Thelephora ganbajun.

In the majority of sexual eukaryotes, the mitochondrial genomes are inherited uniparentally. As a result, individual organisms are homoplasmic, containing mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from a single parent. Here we analyzed the mitochondrial genotypes in Clade I of the gourmet mushroom Thelephora ganbajun from its broad geographic distribution range. A total of 299 isolates from 28 geographic locations were sequenced at three mitochondrial loci: the mitochondrial small ribosomal RNA gene, and the cytochrome c oxidase subunits I (COX1) and III (COX3) genes. Quantitative PCR analyses showed that the strains had about 60-160 copies of mitochondrial genomes per cell. Interestingly, while no evidence of heteroplasmy was found at the 12S rRNA gene, 262 of the 299 isolates had clear evidence of heterogeneity at either the COX1 (261 isolates) or COX3 (12 isolates) gene fragments. The COX1 heteroplasmy was characterized by two types of introns residing at different sites of the same region and at different frequencies among the isolates. Allelic association analyses of the observed mitochondrial polymorphic nucleotide sites suggest that mtDNA recombination is common in natural populations of this fungus. Our results contrast the prevailing view that heteroplasmy, if exists, is only transient in basidiomycete fungi.

Curcumolide reduces diabetic retinal vascular leukostasis and leakage partly via inhibition of the p38MAPK/NF-κ B signaling.

Retinal inflammation in a hyperglycemic condition is believed to play a crucial role in the development of diabetic retinopathy, and targeting inflammatory mediators is a promising strategy for the control of diabetic retinopathy. Curcumolide, a novel sesquiterpenoid with a unique 5/6/5 tricyclic skeleton, was isolated from Curcuma wenyujin. In this study, we demonstrate that treatment with curcumolide alleviated retinal inflammatory activities both in vitro and in vivo in a STZ-induced diabetic rat model and in TNF-α-stimulated HUVECs. Curcumolide alleviated retinal vascular permeability and leukostasis and attenuated the overexpression of TNF-α and ICAM-1 in diabetic retinas. Moreover, curcumolide also inhibited inducible p38 MAPK and NF-κB activation and the subsequent induction of proinflammatory mediators. These data suggest potential treatment strategies against diabetic retinopathy, particularly in the early stages of the disease.

Analysis of factors affecting the therapeutic effect of propranolol for infantile haemangioma of the head and neck.

Infantile haemangiomas (IHs) are the most common congenital vascular tumours of infancy. Propranolol has been demonstrated to be effective for IHs; however, the factors affecting its therapeutic effect remain unknown. We enrolled 169 infants with IHs of the head and neck region treated with oral propranolol at a dose of 2.0 mg/kg/day. We evaluated the therapeutic responses 6 months after treatment and the end of treatment, which were categorized into four grades. The type and location of the lesions and the infant age at treatment initiation were analysed. The clinical response rate (III + IV) was 91.72% at 6 months after treatment and 97.63% at the end of treatment. The average treatment duration was 9.99 (2-24) months. The group aged 4-6 months exhibited a greater therapeutic response rate (98.48%). The treatment duration was shorter (9.52 months) for mixed-type IHs. Better therapeutic responses were observed for IHs located around the parotid, periorbital, cheek, and neck regions and for multiple IH lesions. Our study indicated that propranolol is effective for IHs affecting the head and neck. The age at treatment initiation and the location of the lesions had a significant effect on the therapeutic response, whereas the lesion type might affect the treatment duration.

Cembranoids from a Chinese Collection of the Soft Coral Lobophytum crassum.

Ten new cembrane-based diterpenes, locrassumins A-G (1-7), (-)-laevigatol B (8), (-)-isosarcophine (9), and (-)-7R,8S-dihydroxydeepoxysarcophytoxide (10), were isolated from a South China Sea collection of the soft coral Lobophytum crassum, together with eight known analogues (11-18). The structures of the new compounds were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis and by comparison with previously reported data. Locrassumin C (3) possesses an unprecedented tetradecahydrobenzo[3,4]cyclobuta[1,2][8]annulene ring system. Compounds 1, 7, 12, 13, and 17 exhibited moderate inhibition against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production with IC50 values of 8-24 µM.

Structurally Diverse Metabolites from the Soft Coral Sinularia verruca Collected in the South China Sea.

Nineteen metabolites with diverse structures, including the rare pyrroloindoline alkaloid verrupyrroloindoline (1), the unprecedented highly fused benzosesquiterpenoid verrubenzospirolactone (2), the new asteriscane-type sesquiterpenoid 10-deoxocapillosanane D (3), and the two new cyclopentenone derivatives (4S*,5S*)-4-hydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)-2,3-dimethyl-4-pentylcyclopent-2-en-1-one (4) and (S)-4-hydroxy-5-methylene-2,3-dimethyl-4-pentylcyclopent-2-en-1-one (5), were isolated from a South China Sea collection of the soft coral Sinularia verruca. Eleven previously described marine metabolites (7-15, 18, and 19) were also obtained as well as three new EtOH-adduct artifacts (6, 16, and 17). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and by comparison with previously reported data. Compounds 4, 5, and 16 showed protection against the cytopathic effects of HIV-1 infection with EC50 values of 5.8-34 µM, and 4, 6, and 16 exhibited inhibition against LPS-induced NO production with IC50 values of 24-28 µM.

Evidence for Inbreeding and Genetic Differentiation among Geographic Populations of the Saprophytic Mushroom Trogia venenata from Southwestern China.

During the past 40 years, more than 400 Sudden Unexplained Deaths (SUDs) have occurred in Yunnan, southwestern China. Epidemiological and toxicological analyses suggested that a newly discovered mushroom called Trogia venenata was the leading culprit for SUDs. At present, relatively little is known about the genetics and natural history of this mushroom. In this study, we analyzed the sequence variation at four DNA fragments among 232 fruiting bodies of T. venenata collected from seven locations. Our ITS sequence analyses confirmed that all the isolates belonged to the same species. The widespread presence of sequence heterozygosity within many strains at each of three protein-coding genes suggested that the fruiting bodies were diploid, dikaryotic or heterokaryotic. Within individual geographic populations, we found significant deviations of genotype frequencies from Hardy-Weinberg expectations, with the overall observed heterozygosity lower than that expected under random mating, consistent with prevalent inbreeding within local populations. The geographic populations were overall genetically differentiated. Interestingly, while a positive correlation was found between population genetic distance and geographic distance, there was little correlation between genetic distance and barium concentration difference for the geographic populations. Our results suggest frequent inbreeding, geographic structuring, and limited gene flow among geographic populations of T. venenata from southwestern China.

Orbilia tianmushanensis sp. nov., a new member of the O. luteorubella group with an unusual asexual morph.

A new species of Orbilia related to O. luteorubella is described mainly based on morphological characters of its asexual morph and molecular data. The sexual morph does not significantly differ from O. luteorubella, whereas the asexual morph obtained from its ascospore isolate resembles members of the non-predacious genus Dactylella, because it has fusiform phragmoconidia borne singly at the apex of conidiophores. Phylogenetic analysis showed that this strain clustered with a clade that included available strains of the O. luteorubella aggregate and was distant from all analysed Dactylella species. Within this clade, the new strain fell between species with filiform conidia and those of a Pseudotripoconidium anamorph. By combining morphological and phylogenetic analyses, we conclude that our isolate belongs to a new taxon. Pleomorphism of the new taxon is described and discussed.