Identification of and Mechanistic Insights into SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Non-Covalent Inhibitors: An In-Silico Study.

The indispensable role of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) in the viral replication cycle and its dissimilarity to human proteases make Mpro a promising drug target. In order to identify the non-covalent Mpro inhibitors, we performed a comprehensive study using a combined computational strategy. We first screened the ZINC purchasable compound database using the pharmacophore model generated from the reference crystal structure of Mpro complexed with the inhibitor ML188.

Colletotrichum litangense sp. nov., Isolated as an Endophyte of Hippuris vulgaris, an Aquatic Plant in Sichuan, China.

An unknown endophytic fungus was isolated from the aquatic plant Hippuris vulgaris in Litang county, Sichuan province, China. Phylogenetic analyses inferred from combined ITS, Sod2, Apn2, and TUB2 sequences revealed that the endophyte is a new species belonging to the Colletotrichum graminicola species complex. Morphological characteristics showed that Colletotrichum litangense is characterized by its falcate, lunate to sublunate conidia, and ellipsoidal, ovoid, or lobed appressoria.

Two new asexual genera and six new asexual species in the family Microthyriaceae (Dothideomycetes, Ascomycota) from China.

The family Microthyriaceae is represented by relatively few mycelial cultures and DNA sequences; as a result, the taxonomy and classification of this group of organisms remain poorly understood. During the investigation of the diversity of aquatic hyphomycetes from southern China, several isolates were collected. These isolates were cultured and sequenced and a BLAST search of its LSU sequences against data in GenBank revealed that the closest related taxa are in the genus .

sp. nov., a novel black yeast from soil in southern China.

is an important genus, with several species associated with infections in humans and animals. In a survey of soil fungal diversity in Yunnan province, PR China, a novel taxon, sp. nov.

sp. nov. (, Chaetosphaeriales), a new species of freshwater hyphomycetes from southwest China.

During a mycological survey of freshwater hyphomycetes on submerged leaves in southwest China, a new species, , was isolated. The new species is characterized by having monophialidic conidiogenous cells with funnel shaped collarettes and globose or subglobose, aseptate and hyaline conidia. Morphologically, is somewhat similar to and in conidiophores and conidiogenous cells, but can be easily distinguished by its subglobose to globose and smaller conidia.

sp. nov. and sp. nov., two novel species isolated from the invasive weed in PR China.

To determine if can accumulate diverse pathogens from surrounding native plants, we intensively sampled fungal communities, including endophytes, leaf spot pathogens and canopy air fungi, associated with as well as native plants in its invasive range. In total, we collected 4542 foliar fungal strains from 10 geographic sites, including 1340 from healthy leaves of , 2051 from leaf spots of and 1151 from leaf spots of 56 species of native plants and crops. Taxonomically, the common fungal genera included , , , , , , , , , , , and .

Two new species of associated with spp. infesting spp. in Southwestern China.

and are proposed as new taxa based on sequence data and morphological characters. The phylogenetic analyses based on ITS2-partial LSU rDNA region, β-tubulin and elongation factor 1-α genes showed that and formed well-supported clades and were closely related to , and , and then nested within the complex. The two species differ in their conidial size and shape.

Morphological and molecular characterization of and , two new species of Orbiliaceae from China.

This study examined over 20 fungal specimens of the Orbiliaceae (Orbiliomycetes) from different regions in China. Our analyses based on morphological traits and the ITS rDNA sequences revealed two new species with drechslerella-like asexual morphs. These new species are able to trap nematodes with constricting rings.

sp. nov., an endophytic fungus from China and a key to species of the genus.

During a survey of endophytic fungi in plant roots in secondary forests in Yunnan, China, a novel ascomyceteous taxon, , was isolated from Hand.-Mazz. and Hemsl.

The complete mitochondrial genomes of , a fungus phylogenetically close to nematode-trapping fungus.

In our study, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of and obtained the complete mitochondrial DNA sequence. This mitogenome is a typical circular molecule of 186,056 bp in length, which is rich in AT (73.79%), including 14 protein-coding genes, 24 transfer RNA genes, and 2 ribosomal RNA genes.

sp. nov., a new species from China and a key to species of the genus.

During a survey of fungal diversity in a deserted rocky area in Yunnan, PR China, a new species, , was identified. This new species is characterized by having phialidic conidiogenous cells with conspicuous collarettes, and aseptate, verrucose, ellipsoidal to sometimes ovoid, olivaceous brown to dark brown conidia. Morphologically, is similar to , but can be easily distinguished due to its hyaline conidiophores and smaller conidia.

sp. nov. from Yunnan, China and two new members of .

, an aquatic hyphomycete collected from south-western PR China, is described as a new species. This new species is characterized by having multicellular branched conidia composed of a curved main axis and one or two laterals, with the laterals arising from the third or fourth cell of the base of the main axis. Combined analyses of the LSU, SSU, and gene sequence data revealed that and another aquatic hyphomycete genus, , belonged to Wiesneriomycetaceae, Tubeufiales, Dothideomycetes, Ascomycota.

gen. et sp. nov., a new helotialean fungus.

A new genus and species, , is described and illustrated from leaves of mildewed tobacco. It is characterised by branched, septate hyphae from which arise macronematous, unbranched or spaced branched conidiophores and mono- or polyblastic conidiogenous cells that produced solitary and blastocatenate, obovoid, oblong, ellipsoidal, allantoid, broad fusiform to irregular, unicellular, hyaline conidia. The phylogenetic analyses, based on the combined sequence data from the small and large nuclear subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU and LSU), placed in the Leotiomycetes class, Helotiales order.

Three new species of soil-inhabiting from southwest China.

Fungi in the genus are widely distributed in China, including in Yunnan province. In this study, we report three new soil-inhabiting species in , named as , and . Their colony and mycelial morphology, including features of asexual states, were described.

Bark Beetle-Associated Blue-Stain Fungi Increase Antioxidant Enzyme Activities and Monoterpene Concentrations in .

Yunnan pine is the most important tree species in SW China in both economical and ecological terms, but it is often killed by pine shoot beetles ( spp.). beetles are secondary pests in temperate regions and the aggressiveness of the beetles in SW China is considered to be due to the warm subtropical climates as well as the beetles' virulent fungal associates.

New bioactive compounds from aquatic endophyte Chaetomium globosum.

Two new oxidation products-related aureonitol and cytochalasan were isolated from Chaetomium globosum fermented in Chinese yam (Dioscorea opposita) and determined as 10,11-dihydroxyl- aureonitol (1) and yamchaetoglobosin A (2). Compound 2 indicated significant inhibitory effect on nitric oxide production in LPS-activated macrophages, anti-acetylcholinesterase activity with the inhibition ratios of 92.5, 38.

Bacteria can mobilize nematode-trapping fungi to kill nematodes.

In their natural habitat, bacteria are consumed by bacterivorous nematodes; however, they are not simply passive preys. Here we report a defensive mechanism used by certain bacteria to mobilize nematode-trapping fungi to kill nematodes. These bacteria release urea, which triggers a lifestyle switch in the fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora from saprophytic to nematode-predatory form; this predacious form is characterized by formation of specialized cellular structures or 'traps'.

Genetic diversity and recombination in natural populations of the nematode-trapping fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora from China.

Nematophagous fungi can trap and capture nematodes and other small invertebrates. This unique ability has made them ideal organisms from which to develop biological control agents against plant- and animal-parasitic nematodes. However, effective application of biocontrol agents in the field requires a comprehensive understanding about the ecology and population genetics of the nematophagous fungi in natural environments.

Divergence and dispersal of the nematode-trapping fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora from China.

Nematode-trapping fungi are of significant agricultural, forestry and ecological importance. However, relatively little is known about the patterns of genetic variation for any nematode-trapping fungus through its broad geographic and ecological contexts. Here, we analysed DNA sequence variation among strains of the nematode-trapping fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora from China.

Pseudotripoconidium, a new anamorph genus connected to Orbilia.

A new anamorphic fungus is described based on four isolates from ascospores of Orbilia aff. luteorubella. This fungus differs from previously known Orbilia anamorphs in producing inversely pyramidal, unicellular conidia with several protuberances at their distal end.

A new Dactylella species from Orbilia alba.

A new Dactylella species, Dactylella alba was isolated from the ascospores of Orbilia alba collected in Wenshan County, Yunnan Province, China. Conidiophores were either not branched or occasionally branched, bearing divergent sterigmata on the tip with single conidium on each. Conidia were elongated ellipsoids, 1-2 septate, mostly 1 septate.

Stereumin A-E, sesquiterpenoids from the fungus Stereum sp. CCTCC AF 207024.

Five cadinane sesquiterpenoids, named stereumin A (1), B (2), C (3), D (4) and E (5) were isolated from the CHCl(3) extract of the culture broth of the fungal strain CCTCC AF 207024. Based on the sequences at the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and partial 28S rDNA, this fungus was identified as a Stereum sp. The structures of the five compounds were elucidated using spectroscopic data from 1D, 2D NMR and HRESIMS experiments, and the structures of 1 and 2 were further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.

Toxicity assessment for chlorpyrifos-contaminated soil with three different earthworm test methods.

Earthworm toxicity tests are useful tools for terrestrial risk assessment but require a hierarchy of test designs that differ in effect levels (behavior, sublethal, lethal). In this study, the toxicity of chlorpyrifos contaminated soil on earthworms was assessed. In addition to the acute and chronic tests, an avoidance response test was applied.

Nematicidal metabolites produced by the endophytic fungus Geotrichum sp. AL4.

From the endophytic fungal strain Geotrichum sp. AL4, cultivated from the leaves of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica), four compounds, 1-4, were isolated from the AcOEt extract, including two new, chlorinated, epimeric 1,3-oxazinane derivatives. All compounds were assessed for their nematicidal activities against the nematodes Bursaphelenchus xylophilus and Panagrellus redivivus, and three out of the four isolates showed noticeable bioactivities.