Characteristics of Top-Searched Individuals in Japan's Yen for Docs Conflicts of Interest Database During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Purpose Transparency in healthcare has led to increased public disclosure of doctors' conflicts of interest, with the "Yen for Docs Database" in Japan emerging as a pivotal source. Nevertheless, there remains ambiguity regarding the backgrounds and influence of highly-searched persons, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary objective of this study was to examine if the database was utilized for its intended purpose in 2021, a year marked by the introduction of vaccines and treatments, the addition of new COVID-19-related data, and the frequent appearances of expert statements in various media outlets. Methods We conducted a descriptive analysis on the 10 most frequently searched individuals in the "Yen for Docs Database" between August 27 and September 23, 2021, and determined the amount of money they received from pharmaceutical companies and other organizations over the four-year period between 2016 and 2019. To characterize frequently searched individuals' academic profiles and appearances in the mass media, we identified their h-index and affiliation, their activity on Twitter, and the number of TV appearances. Results There were 72,904 searches during the study period, with the top person accounting for 4,905 of those searches. All top 10 were male, mostly affiliated with universities and specialists in infectious diseases or related fields. Their median number of COVID-19 articles was five, and the median h-index was 34. Four of these top 10 had Twitter accounts, with followers ranging from 12,000 to 195,000. The median amount received from pharmaceutical entities over four years was $154,930, ranging from $809 to $705,502. Conclusions In the Yen for Docs Database, a significant portion of searches during the COVID-19 pandemic was concentrated on a selected group of healthcare professionals with considerable payments over the years, and they exhibited prominent academic and media profiles. These observations highlight the need for more transparent conflicts of interest disclosure among physicians with public visibility.

Sociodemographic factors and self-restraint from social behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: A cross-sectional study.

The control of human flow has led to better control of COVID-19 infections. Japan's state of emergency, unlike other countries, is not legally binding but is rather a request for individual self-restraint; thus, factors must be identified that do not respond to self-restraint, and countermeasures considered for those factors to enhance its efficacy. We examined the relationship between sociodemographic factors and self-restraint toward social behaviors during a pandemic in Japan. This cross-sectional study used data for February 18-19, 2021, obtained from an internet survey; 19,560 participants aged 20-65 were included in the analysis. We identified five relevant behaviors: (1) taking a day trip; (2) eating out with five people or more; (3) gathering with friends and colleagues; (4) shopping for other than daily necessities; (5) shopping for daily necessities. Multilevel logistic regression analyses were used to examine the relationship between sociodemographic factors and self-restraint for each of the behaviors. Results showed that for behaviors other than shopping for daily necessities, women, those aged 60-65, married people, highly educated people, high-income earners, desk workers and those who mainly work with interpersonal communication, and those with underlying disease reported more self-restraint. Older people had less self-restraint than younger people toward shopping for daily necessities; an underlying disease had no effect on the identified behavior. Specialized interventions for these groups that include recommendations for greater self-restraint may improve the efficacy of the implementing measures that request self-restraint.

The Cdc14 Phosphatase Controls Resolution of Recombination Intermediates and Crossover Formation during Meiosis.

Meiotic defects derived from incorrect DNA repair during gametogenesis can lead to mutations, aneuploidies and infertility. The coordinated resolution of meiotic recombination intermediates is required for crossover formation, ultimately necessary for the accurate completion of both rounds of chromosome segregation. Numerous master kinases orchestrate the correct assembly and activity of the repair machinery. Although much less is known, the reversal of phosphorylation events in meiosis must also be key to coordinate the timing and functionality of repair enzymes. Cdc14 is a crucial phosphatase required for the dephosphorylation of multiple CDK1 targets in many eukaryotes. Mutations that inactivate this phosphatase lead to meiotic failure, but until now it was unknown if Cdc14 plays a direct role in meiotic recombination. Here, we show that the elimination of Cdc14 leads to severe defects in the processing and resolution of recombination intermediates, causing a drastic depletion in crossovers when other repair pathways are compromised. We also show that Cdc14 is required for the correct activity and localization of the Holliday Junction resolvase Yen1/GEN1. We reveal that Cdc14 regulates Yen1 activity from meiosis I onwards, and this function is essential for crossover resolution in the absence of other repair pathways. We also demonstrate that Cdc14 and Yen1 are required to safeguard sister chromatid segregation during the second meiotic division, a late action that is independent of the earlier role in crossover formation. Thus, this work uncovers previously undescribed functions of the evolutionary conserved Cdc14 phosphatase in the regulation of meiotic recombination.

Therapeutic efficacy of a Dioscorea membranacea extract in a rat model of hepatocellular carcinoma: Histopathological aspects.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is most common in adults and has a high mortality rate because of a lack of effective treatment options. We investigated the effect of a medicinal plant as a potential source of drugs against HCC. The rhizomes of Dioscorea membranacea Pierre (DM), Hua-Khao-Yen in Thai, are commonly used as ingredients for alternative treatment of cancer in Thailand. In this study, the anticancer effects of DM extract in HCC-bearing rats were evaluated with respect to gross morphology, histopathology, and leakage of liver enzymes. In untreated HCCs, typical features of liver cancer, including hepatic nodules, thick-cell cords, and pseudoglandular cell arrangements, were observed. In addition, the HCCs showed abnormal reticulin patterns and a high glypican3 expression. In HCC-bearing rats treated with DM the cancer areas and reticulin expression were significantly reduced compared to the untreated group (p < 0.01). Sorafenib, the standard drug to treat HCC, reduced the cancer area further, but increased leakage of liver enzymes and decreased serum albumin concentration, indicating liver toxicity. These findings suggest that DM has an anticancer effect on HCCs in an animal model in vivo with potentially less severe side effects than sorafenib. Therefore, further studies of DM's mechanism of action in HCC should be carried out.

Can Tissue Expansion Reconstruction in the Trunk of Children Increase the Risk of Scoliosis?

INTRODUCTION: We hypothesize that treatment of significant truncal lesions with truncal tissue expanders and subsequent flap surgery in pediatric patients may increase the risk of scoliosis. This study aims to investigate any relationship between tissue expansion (TE) and scoliosis and to compare the prevalence of scoliosis in our tissue expander population to the general population. METHODS: Health records of patients who underwent truncal TE at BC Children's Hospital between 1997 and 2017 were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. The cross-sectional component of the study consisted of radiological imaging to establish the presence or absence of scoliosis. RESULTS: We identified 28 patients who underwent truncal TE over the study period. Ten had a scoliosis X-ray on their chart or as a part of the study. Three (10.7%) patients were identified as having developed scoliosis after TE. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend that pediatric TE patients be made aware of the potential complication of scoliosis and be followed closely in the years during and after their treatment, in order to allow for preventative measures, early diagnosis and early management (if required).

INTRODUCTION: Les chercheurs postulent que le traitement d'importantes lésions du tronc par des expandeurs tissulaires suivi d'une opération par lambeau chez les patients pédiatriques peut accroître le risque de scoliose. La présente étude vise à explorer la relation entre l'expansion tissulaire (ET) et la scoliose et à comparer la prévalence de scoliose entre la population ayant subi une expansion tissulaire et la population générale. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Les chercheurs ont procédé à l'analyse prospective du dossier de santé des patients qui ont subi une ET du tronc au BC Children's Hospital entre 1997 et 2017. L'élément transversal de l'étude était constitué d'une imagerie radiologique pour établir la présence ou l'absence de scoliose. RÉSULTATS: Les chercheurs ont recensé 28 patients qui ont subi une ET du tronc pendant la période de l'étude. Dix avaient une radiographie de scoliose au dossier ou en cours d'étude. Trois (10,7 %) avaient eu une scoliose après l'ET. CONCLUSIONS: Les chercheurs recommandent d'informer les patients pédiatriques qui subissent une ET du tronc qu'ils courent un risque de complication de scoliose et de les suivre de près dans les années où se déroulent le traitement et qui le suivent, afin de favoriser des mesures préventives, des diagnostics précoces et une prise en charge rapide, s'il y a lieu.

Holliday Junction Resolution.

Holliday junctions are four-way DNA structures that may arise during meiotic recombination, double-strand break repair, or postreplicative repair by the reciprocal exchange of single strands between two DNA molecules. Given their ability to effectively bridge two sister chromatids or homologous chromosomes, cells have implemented various pathways to ensure their timely removal. One of them is the nucleolytic processing of the Holliday junctions by specialized structure-selective endonucleases termed resolvases, which sever the connection between the linked molecules. These Holliday junction resolvases are essential tools of the DNA damage repair machinery to ensure accurate chromosomal segregation, whose activities can be modulated by posttranslational modifications like phosphorylation. Here, we describe a protocol to purify S. cerevisiae Yen1 resolvase in two different phosphorylation states (high and low) and to set up a biochemical assay to compare their ability to process a synthetic, oligonucleotide-based Holliday junction structures.

Natural hazard's effect and farmers' perception: Perspectives from flash floods and landslides in remotely mountainous regions of Vietnam.

Understanding perceptions of indigenous people toward natural disasters is essential in social and environmental research to facilitate further studies in investigating the impacts of the events, as well as in examining the adaptive strategies and having implications for policymakers and relevant institutional bodies. We took this essential feature to study the perceptions of local people toward the two common natural disasters: flash floods and landslides. We selected the case study in three communes (An Binh, An Thinh, and Dai Son) in Van Yen district, Yen Bai province in Vietnam. This is because flash floods and landslides are two frequent natural disasters that highly adversely affect these areas where major poor ethnic minority communities reside. We conducted six Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and household surveys (405 households) in 2016. The results showed that a decline in productivity, a decrease in income, more hard-working conditions, and an increase in daily expenses were the most observed impacts of these natural disasters in the communes. The analysis also revealed that almost 45% of farmers perceived an increasing trend in the frequency and impacts of flash floods and landslides over the past 15 years. A Multinomial Logit (MNL) model was used to analyze the determinants of farmers' awareness of flash floods and landslides, which indicated that farmers' perceptions of flash floods and landslides are associated with socio-economic characteristics, such as gender, agricultural experience, ethnic groups, climate information, and household income conditions. We suggested that local governments should pay more attention to strengthen farmers' awareness to help improve perceptions of local people toward common natural disasters so that they would gain better adaptive capacities and become more sustainable, which are in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Mount Vernon Index vs Yen Angle for Assessment of Anteroposterior Apical Jaw Base Relationship.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This research aimed to determine the predictability and variability of the Yen angle and Mount Vernon Index (MVI) in relation to the other four sagittal discrepancy parameters, as well as to evaluate and explain any correlations that exist. The Lateral Cephalograms of 100 Class I Indian participants aged 17-24 years were recorded. The lateral cephalograms were traced for six distinct AP characteristics, including ANB, Wits appraisal, facial convexity, and beta angle, Yen angle, and MVI. The gathered data were evaluated statistically using S.P.S.S. version 10. To determine the difference between males and females, an independent "t" test was used. The coefficient of variability and correlation methods were used to determine the correctness of the Yen angle and MVI, as well as the association between the variables. RESULTS: The results of this study indicate that the most predictable and highly dependable parameter was the Yen angle (CV = 5.63), followed by the beta angle (5.63), the MVI (CV = 13.6), the ANB, Rickett's analysis, and Wit's analysis. Throughout all five analyses, the most statistically significant positive association between the MVI and the BETA angle was determined. CONCLUSION: The derived inferences from the study included the high reliability of the yen angle for assessing the AP skeletal patterns of a patient, followed by the beta angle and MVI. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Doshi JR, Jain P, Jain M, et al. Mount Vernon Index vs Yen Angle for Assessment of Anteroposterior Apical Jaw Base Relationship. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(S-1):S35-S38.

A new species of Limnonectes (Amphibia: Anura: Dicroglossidae) from Vietnam.

A new species of Limnonectes from Phu Yen Province, South-central Vietnam is described based on morphological and molecular differences. Morphologically, the new species is distinguishable from its congeners on the basis of a combination of the following diagnostic characters: SVL 49.8-77.9 mm in males, 40.8-61.8 mm in females; males with moderately enlarged head (HL/SVL 0.47, HW/SVL 0.48); head slightly broader than long (HL/HW 0.97 in males, 0.95 in females); vomerine teeth present; external vocal sacs absent; rostral length short (RL/SVL 0.15); tympanum invisible; dorsal surface of head, body and flanks with ridges and tubercles; dorsal surface of tibia and foot distinctly tuberculate, covered with moderately dense, small, low tubercles; supratympanic fold present; dorsolateral fold absent; Finger I with nuptial pad, composed of minute spines on dorsal surface and medial edge in males; toes webbed to distal of terminal phalanx, webbing formula I0-0II0-0III0-0IV0--0V0; in life, dorsum yellowish brown with dark brown markings; ventral surface white with brown markings. In phylogenetic analyses, the new species from Vietnam and Limnonectes fastigatus as well as L. kiziriani form a clade, which is sister to L. fragilis from China, although the nodal support values for the set of relationships are insignificant from all analyses.

Implications of Metastable Nicks and Nicked Holliday Junctions in Processing Joint Molecules in Mitosis and Meiosis.

Joint molecules (JMs) are intermediates of homologous recombination (HR). JMs rejoin sister or homolog chromosomes and must be removed timely to allow segregation in anaphase. Current models pinpoint Holliday junctions (HJs) as a central JM. The canonical HJ (cHJ) is a four-way DNA that needs specialized nucleases, a.k.a. resolvases, to resolve into two DNA molecules. Alternatively, a helicase-topoisomerase complex can deal with pairs of cHJs in the dissolution pathway. Aside from cHJs, HJs with a nick at the junction (nicked HJ; nHJ) can be found in vivo and are extremely good substrates for resolvases in vitro. Despite these findings, nHJs have been neglected as intermediates in HR models. Here, I present a conceptual study on the implications of nicks and nHJs in the final steps of HR. I address this from a biophysical, biochemical, topological, and genetic point of view. My conclusion is that they ease the elimination of JMs while giving genetic directionality to the final products. Additionally, I present an alternative view of the dissolution pathway since the nHJ that results from the second end capture predicts a cross-join isomerization. Finally, I propose that this isomerization nicely explains the strict crossover preference observed in synaptonemal-stabilized JMs in meiosis.

High Prevalence of Clonorchis sinensis and Other Zoonotic Trematode Metacercariae in Fish from a Local Market in Yen Bai Province, Northern Vietnam.

A small survey was performed to investigate the recent infection status of Clonorchis sinensis and other zoonotic trematode metacercariae in freshwater fish from a local market of Yen Bai city, Yen Bai province, northern Vietnam. A total of 118 fish in 7 species were examined by the artificial digestion method on March 2016. The metacercariae of 4 species of zoonotic trematodes, i.e., C. sinensis, Haplorchis pumilio, Haplorchis taichui, and Centrocestus formosanus, were detected. The metacercariae of C. sinensis were found in 62 (69.7%) out of 89 fish (5 species), and their intensity of infection was very high, 81.2 per fish infected. Prevalences of 3 intestinal flukes, H. pumilio, H. taichui and C. formosanus, were 75.0%, 47.6%, and 31.7% in positive fish species, respectively, with the metacercarial intensities of 15.5, 10.3, and 2.2 per fish infected. From the above results, it has been confirmed that various species of freshwater fish continue to play the role of the infection source of C. sinensis and other zoonotic trematodes in Yen Bai city, Yen Bai province, northern Vietnam. It is of particular note that the prevalence and intensity of C. sinensis metacercariae are much higher than those reported in previous studies in fish in northern Vietnam.

Farmers' decisions to adapt to flash floods and landslides in the Northern Mountainous Regions of Vietnam.

Understanding household's decision making in agricultural production to natural hazards is significant for policymakers and extension organizations in supporting farmers to optimize adaptive strategies, there are, however, still limited empirical researches that emphasize the determinants affecting the choice of measures in the process of adaptation. This paper explores the decision-making process of rural households in adapting to flash floods and landslides (FF&LS) by conducting a household survey on 405 purposively selected households in Yen Bai province, one of the poorest mountainous regions in Vietnam. Based on the multi-portfolio framework, the study assumes that farmers have multiple choice of adaptation strategies simultaneously and these adaptation measures are correlative. Multivariate Probit models were used to figure out the household decision making process in adapting to FF&LS. Survey results showed that changing cropping patterns, crop variegation, diversifying types of crop varieties, as well as managing and implementing crop protection (soil and plant) are the primary adaptation measures applied by local farmers. Furthermore, lack of money, inadequate support from local government, shortage of machinery and technical equipment, as well as insufficient knowledge about FF&LS were listed as major constraints in the study area. The MVP analysis indicated that all farmers' perception, socio-economic, farming features, and institutional conditions strongly influence the farmers' adaptation decisions regarding FF&LS. Future policies may therefore need to consider these major contributing factors with appropriate interventions to facilitate suitable adaptations for local farmers.

Network Rewiring of Homologous Recombination Enzymes during Mitotic Proliferation and Meiosis.

Homologous recombination (HR) is essential for high-fidelity DNA repair during mitotic proliferation and meiosis. Yet, context-specific modifications must tailor the recombination machinery to avoid (mitosis) or enforce (meiosis) the formation of reciprocal exchanges-crossovers-between recombining chromosomes. To obtain molecular insight into how crossover control is achieved, we affinity purified 7 DNA-processing enzymes that channel HR intermediates into crossovers or noncrossovers from vegetative cells or cells undergoing meiosis. Using mass spectrometry, we provide a global characterization of their composition and reveal mitosis- and meiosis-specific modules in the interaction networks. Functional analyses of meiosis-specific interactors of MutLγ-Exo1 identified Rtk1, Caf120, and Chd1 as regulators of crossing-over. Chd1, which transiently associates with Exo1 at the prophase-to-metaphase I transition, enables the formation of MutLγ-dependent crossovers through its conserved ability to bind and displace nucleosomes. Thus, rewiring of the HR network, coupled to chromatin remodeling, promotes context-specific control of the recombination outcome.

A cephalometric analysis to establish a correlation of different ridge relations to three levels of camper's line in edentulous patients: An in vivo study.

AIM: This study was undertaken with an aim to establish a relationship between normognathic (Class I), retrognathic (Class II), and prognathic (Class III) ridge relation and superior, middle, and inferior levels of the ala-tragus line in edentulous individuals, by utilizing arbitrary and cephalometric methods. METHODOLOGY: Ninety edentulous male patients were selected for the study, and after establishing tentative jaw relation, radiopaque ball bearings were attached on three levels of the tragus and inferior part of the ala of the nose. Furthermore, orthodontic wire was attached to maxillary occlusal rims. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken, and tracings were carried out to compare and to evaluate the cephalometrically derived ridge relations with that of the visually analyzed ridge relations based on the mounted casts in relation to the ala-tragus line. The results obtained were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA test, and multiple comparisons were carried out using the Bonferroni tests. The interoperator variability for obtaining ridge relations using visual analysis and the cephalometrically obtained ridge relations were analyzed using the Kappa statistics. RESULTS: The result obtained states that 78 participants out of 90 participants are in total agreement with the Kappa value of 0.8. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that for Class I and Class III, the inferior part of the tragus forming the ala-tragus line, and for Class II, the middle part of the tragus should be considered for establishing the occlusal plane.

A new species of the genus Leptolalax (Anura: Megophryidae) from southern Vietnam.

We describe a new species of megophryid frog from Phu Yen Province in southern Vietnam. Leptolalax macrops sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological attributes: (1) body size medium (SVL 28.0-29.3 mm in three adult males, 30.3 mm in single adult female); (2) supra-axillary glands present, creamy white; ventrolateral glands indistinct; (3) tympanum externally distinct; (4) dorsal skin roughly granular with larger tubercles, dermal ridges on dorsum absent; (5) rudimentary webbing present between fingers I-II and II-III; rudimentary webbing between all toes; fingers and toes without dermal fringes; (6) in life ventral surface greyish-violet with white speckling; (7) supratympanic fold distinct, dark brown in life; (8) iris bicolored, typically golden in upper half, fading to golden green in lower half; (9) tibia short (TbL/SVL 0.44-0.45 in males); and (10) eyes large and protuberant (ED/SVL 0.15-0.16 in males). From all congeners for which comparable sequences are available, the new species differs markedly in the 16S rRNA mitochondrial gene sequence (P-distance>5.7%). The new species is currently known only from montane evergreen tropical forests of Song Hinh District, Phu Yen Province, and M'Drak District of Dak Lak Province at elevations of 470-630 m a.s.l. We suggest the new species should be considered as Data Deficient following the IUCN's Red List categories. We also report a previously unknown Leptolalax mtDNA lineage from an evergreen tropical forest in the Hoa Thinh District of Phu Yen Province, which may also represent an undescribed species.

Treatment of hepatitis C virus leads to economic gains related to reduction in cases of hepatocellular carcinoma and decompensated cirrhosis in Japan.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a serious complication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Sustained virologic response (SVR) for HCV is associated with a reduction in cirrhosis, HCC and mortality and their associated costs. Japanese HCV patients are older with higher prevalence of HCC. Here we used a decision-analytic Markov model to estimate the economic benefit of HCV cure by reducing HCC and DCC burden in Japan. A cohort of 10 000 HCV genotype 1b (GT1b) Japanese patients was modelled with a hybrid decision tree and Markov state-transition model capturing natural history of HCV over a lifetime horizon. Treatment options were approved all-oral direct-acting anti-virals (DAAs) vs no treatment. Treatment efficacy was based on clinical trials and transition rates and costs obtained from Japan-specific data. Cases of HCC, decompensated cirrhosis (DCC) and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were projected for patients treated with DAAs vs NT. QALYs were monetized using a willingness-to-pay threshold of ¥4-to-¥6 million. Incremental savings with treatment were calculated by adding the projected cost of complications avoided to the monetized gains in QALYs. The model showed that DAA treatment vs no treatment, reduces 2057 cases of HCC and 1478 cases of decompensated cirrhosis and saves ¥850 446.73 and ¥338 229.90 per patient (ppt). Additionally, treatment can lead to additional 2.64 QALYs gained per patient. The indirect economic gains associated with treatment-related QALY improvements were ¥10 576 000, ¥13 220 000 and ¥15 864 000 ppt (willingness-to-pay thresholds of ¥4 million, ¥5 million and ¥6 million). Total economic savings of treatment with DAAs (vs no treatment) was ¥7 526 372.63, ¥10 170 372.63 and ¥12 814 372.63, at these different willingness-to-pay thresholds. In conclusion treatment of HCV GT1b with all-oral DAAs in Japan can lead to significant direct and indirect savings related to avoidance of HCC and DCC.

A new species of Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) and the first record of C. otai from Son La Province, Vietnam.

We describe a new species of Cyrtodactylus on the basis of four specimens collected from the limestone karst forest of Phu Yen District, Son La Province, Vietnam. Cyrtodactylus sonlaensis sp. nov. is distinguished from the remaining Indochinese bent-toed geckos by a combination of the following characters: maximum SVL of 83.2 mm; dorsal tubercles in 13-15 irregular rows; ventral scales in 34-42 rows; ventrolateral folds prominent without interspersed tubercles; enlarged femoral scales 15-17 on each thigh; femoral pores 14-15 on each thigh in males, absent in females; precloacal pores 8, in a continuous row in males, absent in females; postcloacal tubercles 2 or 3; lamellae under toe IV 18-21; dorsal head with dark brown markings, in oval and arched shapes; nuchal loop discontinuous; dorsum with five brown bands between limb insertions, third and fourth bands discontinuous; subcaudal scales distinctly enlarged. In phylogenetic analyses, the new species is nested in a clade consisting of C. huongsonensis and C. soni from northern Vietnam and C. cf. pulchellus from Malaysia based on maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses. In addition, we record Cyrtodactylus otai Nguyen, Le, Pham, Ngo, Hoang, Pham & Ziegler for the first time from Son La Province based on specimens collected from Van Ho District.

Mycosphaerellaceae - Chaos or clarity?

The Mycosphaerellaceae represent thousands of fungal species that are associated with diseases on a wide range of plant hosts. Understanding and stabilising the taxonomy of genera and species of Mycosphaerellaceae is therefore of the utmost importance given their impact on agriculture, horticulture and forestry. Based on previous molecular studies, several phylogenetic and morphologically distinct genera within the Mycosphaerellaceae have been delimited. In this study a multigene phylogenetic analysis (LSU, ITS and rpb2) was performed based on 415 isolates representing 297 taxa and incorporating ex-type strains where available. The main aim of this study was to resolve the phylogenetic relationships among the genera currently recognised within the family, and to clarify the position of the cercosporoid fungi among them. Based on these results many well-known genera are shown to be paraphyletic, with several synapomorphic characters that have evolved more than once within the family. As a consequence, several old generic names including Cercosporidium, Fulvia, Mycovellosiella, Phaeoramularia and Raghnildiana are resurrected, and 32 additional genera are described as new. Based on phylogenetic data 120 genera are now accepted within the family, but many currently accepted cercosporoid genera still remain unresolved pending fresh collections and DNA data. The present study provides a phylogenetic framework for future taxonomic work within the Mycosphaerellaceae.

The emergence of the ecological mind in Hua-Yen/Kegon Buddhism and Jungian psychology.

The complexity associated with deep interconnectedness in nature is beginning to be articulated and elaborated in the field of ecological studies. While some parallels to the psyche have been made and the field of Eco-psychology has been developing, Jung's explicit contribution by way of the image of rhizomes has not been considered in detail. Philosopher Gilles Deleuze acknowledges borrowing the term from Jung, though he disagreed with Jung's Empedoclean use of the term. The paper presents some fundamental properties of rhizomes along with contemporary scientific research on mycorrhizal (fungal) networks. Comparisons are made, first with classical symbolic forms, demonstrating some overlap but also some differences. Then comparison of rhizomal networks is made to those found both in mammalian brains and in recent images of the 'cosmic web'. While no hard conclusions can be drawn from these images, their remarkable similarities are suggestive of a need to reconsider what is meant by 'intelligence'. The cosmic web is one of the largest structures in the known universe (clusters of galaxies which form into filaments and walls) with empty spaces in between. Exploration of the structure of this web leads to a discussion of dark matter and dark energy, current hot topics in science, probing into the mysteries of our 'Big-Bang' cosmology. An additional comparison of the emerging image of the universe as a whole with the ancient Chinese Buddhist cosmological vision from the Hua-Yen School (Kegon in Japan) again reveals profound parallels. The potential convergence of aspects of subjective, or meditative, explorations with objective scientific constructions is striking and offers links between East and West, as well as potential confirmation of the objective aspects of empathy.