The community and Cd-resistance of endophytic fungi from roots of Salix variegata Franch. collected from the water-level-fluctuation zone of Three Gorges Reservoir Region, China, were investigated. A total of 53 strains were isolated and identified to 13 morphotaxa, in which Chromosporium, Fusarium and Gonatobotrys were dominant genera. Among them, 27 isolates were selected to measure their resistance to 0.02 mg ml(-1) Cd(2+) and 11 were growth stimulated (Tolerance index>100%). Of these active isolates, four dark septate endophyte (DSE) isolates (Paraphaeosphaeria sp. SR46, Pyrenochaeta sp. SR35, Rhizopycnis vagum SR37 and R. vagum SR44) were further tested for minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against Cd and SR46 was found to be the most tolerant isolate with MIC of 0.39 mg ml(-1). Additionally, the maximum uptake values of these DSEs ranged from 3.01 to 7.89 mg g(-1), but there was no significant correlation between metal uptake with fungal biomass and metal tolerance. Subsequently, a pot experiment was conducted for investigating the impact of SR46 on corn seedlings in Cd-enriched soil. The results obtained suggested that SR46 reduced the Cd bioaccumulation of plant under low (100 mg kg(-1)) Cd stress and enhanced the Cd translocation from root zone to aerial parts under high (200 mg kg(-1)) Cd stress. Besides, it promoted plant growth without Cd stress. These findings indicated S. variegata harbors an endophytic fungal flora showing a high genetic diversity as well as a high level of metal resistance to Cd that has potential values in cadmium cycling and restoration of plant, soil and water system.

No abstract

Pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma (PSC) is a rare subtype of lung malignant tumor. Conventional chemotherapy has a suboptimal effectiveness. PSC has the characteristics of rapid disease progression and poor prognosis. We herein report a 56-year-old male patient with substantial smoking history was pathologically diagnosed as PSC, cT4N0M0 IIIA stage. Peripheral blood NGS showed TP53 mutation. The patient had poor tolerance to the first-line chemotherapy regimen “albumin paclitaxel + cisplatin,” but the severe anemia was significantly improved after 5 days of anti-angiogenic therapy with Anlotinib. At this time, the patient received anti-PD-1 immunotherapy with Tislelizumab. Half a month later, degree III liver injury occurred repeatedly. After excluding drug-induced liver injury, we found that HCV-RNA 3.10 × 105 IU/ml and suspended all anti-tumor therapy. After the start of anti-HCV treatment with Epclusa, the treatment of Tislelizumab combined with Anlotinib was restarted, and there was no liver injury after that. The patient received monthly maintenance therapy with Tislelizumab combined with Anlotinib to the present. The pulmonary lesions continued to decrease, and only one lung cavity is left. The patient has achieved clinical complete remission (CCR) with PSF over 20 months. Our findings suggest that Tislelizumab combined with Anlotinib may be a preferred strategy in PSC complicating TP53 mutation. Core tip: Immune-check point inhibitors (ICIs) have been reported for the treatment of PSC in a small number of case reports and retrospective analysis, but there are few reports of ICIs combined with anti-angiogenic drugs. This patient was diagnosed as locally advanced PSC complicated with TP53 mutation and hepatitis C. After 14 cycles of Tislelizumab combined with Anlotinib treatment (during the course of treatment, several courses were not treated on time for economic reasons, rather than adverse reactions), the patient has achieved CCR. III degree liver injury occurred during the treatment, and the liver function returned to normal range after anti-hepatitis C treatment, which did not affect the continued treatment of this regimen.

A highly antagonistic endophytic fungus, designated strain CL39, was originated from the leaves of Chloranthus multistachys collected in Wulong of Chongqing municipality of China in November 2015. The strain was identified as Fusarium solani based on morphological characteristics, 5.8S gene and internal transcribed spacer sequence analysis. Two new compounds, 2β, 9α-dihydroxy-5α-methoxyergosta-7, 22-diene (1), 2β, 6β-dihydroxy-5α-methoxyergosta-7, 22-diene (2) have been isolated from the culture broth of the strain. Structures of the new compounds were elucidated by detailed analysis of their spectroscopic data aided by the comparison with reported data of related derivatives, and found to belong to the polyhydroxylated steroids with a hydroxyl at C-2 instead of C-3, a rare structure among the steroids. The extract of this strain and all isolated compounds were evaluated for their antagonistic activities.

No abstract