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Mesenchymal neoplasms with GLI1 alterations (rearrangements and/or amplification) have been reported recently in several anatomic locations, which include head and neck, soft tissue, and gastrointestinal tract. Herein, to the best of our knowledge, we describe the first three cases of superficial/subcutaneous mesenchymal neoplasm with GLI1 amplification. The neoplasms exhibited low‐grade cytologic features with predominant round cell morphology, glomangioma‐like areas and a rich background capillary network. There were two to three mitotic figures per 10 HPF and focal necrosis in one case. The tumors exhibited variable expression of CDK4, MDM2, STAT6, D2‐40, CD56 and cyclin D1. p16 had strong and diffuse nuclear and cytoplasmic expression in two cases. Numerous other stains were negative. Fluorescence in situ hybridization detected GLI1, DDIT3, and CDK4 coamplification in all cases, while next generation sequencing did not detect a GLI1 gene fusion. The overall features were compatible with a GLI1‐amplified mesenchymal neoplasm. In Case 1 a new distant skin lesion appeared 1 month after the surgery exhibiting similar morphology albeit with a higher mitotic index. In Cases 2 and 3, there is no evidence of local recurrence or systemic disease after 8 years and 1 month of follow‐up, respectively. These new cases of superficial GLI1‐amplified neoplasm expand its clinical spectrum and enter the realm of dermatopathology. The combination of CDK4, cyclin D1, D2‐40, and p16 expression with variable MDM2, STAT6, CD56, and S100 immunoreactivity in a low‐grade neoplasm with round/ovoid cytomorphology resembling a vascular or adnexal neoplasm may suggest the possibility of GLI1‐amplified neoplasm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forty vineyards from four wine making regions of Spain were sampled at three different growth stages in 2002 and 2003. The aim was to study the fungi associated with grapes and their ability to produce ochratoxin A (OTA) on synthetic media. Among the total mycoflora, 464 (7.7%) and 648 (10.8%) Aspergillus section Nigri (black aspergilli) strains were isolated in 2002 and 2003, respectively, and were classified into three groups: isolates with uniseriate heads, A. niger aggregate and A. carbonarius. The latter presented the highest percentage of OTA-positive strains (82% in 2002 and 76% in 2003) and produced the highest levels of toxin (2.5–25 μg g−1). The sampling year, sampling date, the region and their interactions presented significant differences in the number of black aspergilli isolated. Most black aspergilli were found in 2003 and at harvest. A positive correlation between the number of black aspergilli found in grapes and the temperature in the field was found. Grapes from 2003, the warmest year, and from Costers del Segre, the warmest region, were significantly the most contaminated. No significant correlation between black aspergilli presence and other meteorological factors such as relative humidity or rainfall could be established. Musts from all the vineyards were also analysed in both years, although no OTA was found in either year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of cinnamon, clove, oregano, palmarosa and lemongrass oils on fumonisin B 1(FB 1) accumulation by one isolate each of Fusarium verticillioides and Fusarium proliferatum in non-sterilised naturally contaminated maize grain at 0.995 and 0.950 a w and at 20 and 30 °C was evaluated. The concentration used was 500 mg kg -1 maize. Under these conditions it was shown that antimycotoxigenic ability only took place at the higher water availabilities, and mostly at 20 °C. Only cinnamon, lemongrass and palmarosa oils were somewhat effective. Moreover, it was suggested that competing mycoflora plays an important role in FB 1 accumulation. It was concluded that the efficacy of essential oils in real substrates, such as cereals, may be much lower than in synthetic media; different essential oils may be found to be useful and at different concentrations. Their effectiveness is highly dependent on both abiotic and biotic factors involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]