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An aerobic, Gram-stain negative bacterium was isolated from sediment samples of Barkol salt lake in Hami City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China, with the number EGI_FJ10229 T . The strain is ellipse-shaped, oxidase-negative, catalase-positive, and has white, round, smooth, opaque colonies on marine 2216 E agar plate. Growth occurs at 4.0-37.0 ℃ (optimal:30.0 ℃), pH 7.0-9.0 (optimal: pH 8.0) and NaCl concentration of 0-8.0% (optimal: 3.0%). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene and genome sequences indicated that the isolated strain should be assigned to the genus Aquibaculum and was most closely related to Aquibaculum arenosum CAU 1616  T . Average nucleotide identity (ANI) and Average amino-acid identity (AAI) values between the type species of the genus Aquibaculum and other related type species were lower than the threshold values recommended for bacterial species. The genomic DNA G + C content of EGI_FJ10229 T was 65.41%. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and unidentified phospholipid. The major fatty acids (> 5%) were C 19:0 cyclo ω8c (42.0%) and C 18:1 ω7c (33.78%). The respiratory quinone identified was Q-10. Differential phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of this strain and species of genus Aquibaculum showed that the strain should be classified as representing a new species belonging to this genus, for which the name Aquibaculum sediminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the proposed novel species is EGI_FJ10229 T (= KCTC 8570  T  = GDMCC 1.4598  T )., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile and rod-shaped bacterium, the color of the bacterial colony ranges from light yellow to yellow, designated YC-2023-2T, was isolated from sediment sample of Yuncheng salt lake. Growth occurred at 15-45℃ (optimum 37℃), pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum pH 7.0-8.0) and with 0-8.0% NaCl (w/v, optimum 2.0%). The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain YC-2023-2T belonged to the family Kordiimonadaceae. The closely related members were Gimibacter soli 6D33T (92.38%), Kordiimonas lipolytica M41T (91.88%), Eilatimonas milleporae DSM 25217T (91.88%) and Kordiimonas gwangyangensis JCM 12864T (91.84%). The genome of strain YC-2023-2T was 2957513 bp, and the genomic DNA G+C content was 63.91%. The main respiratory quinone was Q-10 and the major fatty acids (>10%) were iso-C15:0, C16:0, C19:0 cyclo ω8c, Summed Feature 8 (C18:1 ω6c or C18:1 ω7c) and Summed Feature 9 (iso-C17:1 ω9c or C16:0 10-methyl). The major polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, unidentified glycolipid, unidentified lipid, and two unidentified aminolipids. Based on the phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain YC-2023-2T is proposed to represent a novel species of a novel genus named Yunchengibacter salinarum gen. nov., sp. nov., within the family Kordiimonadaceae. The type strain is YC-2023-2T (= GDMCC 1.4502T = KCTC 8546T)., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

A Gram-positive, facultatively anaerobic, oval beaded-shape, oxidase-negative, and non-motile bacterium designated DM20194951 T was isolated from a spoiled eye mask obtained from Guangdong, China. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence, phylogenetic analysis indicated that strain DM20194951 T showed the highest sequence similarity (95.8%) to Fundicoccus ignavus WS4937 T . Meanwhile, strain DM20194951 T could be distinguished from the type strains in the genus Fundicoccus by distinct phenotypic and genotypic traits. Strain DM20194951 T grew variably with 1-2% (w/v) NaCl and tolerated pH 6.0-10.0. Growth was observed from 28 to 37 °C. The diagnostic diamino acids in the cell-wall peptidoglycan consisted of aspartic and glutamic acids as well as alanine. The predominant fatty acids were C 18:1 ω9c, C 16:0 , and C 16:1 ω9c. In the polar lipid profile, two glycolipids, three phospholipids, one phosphatidylglycerol, and one diphosphatidylglycerol were found. No respiratory quinones were detected. The DM20194951 T genome is 3.2 Mb in size and contains a G + C content of 38.1%. A gene cluster for lactococcin 972 family bacteriocin production was found in the DM20194951 T genome. Based on morphological, genotypic, and phylogenetic data, strain DM20194951 T should be considered to represent a novel species in the genus Fundicoccus, for which the name Fundicoccus culcitae sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain DM20194951 T (= KCTC 43472 T  = GDMCC 1.3614 T )., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

A thermophilic bacterium, designated strain SYSU G04325 T , was isolated from a hot spring sediment in Yunnan, China. Polyphasic taxonomic analyses and whole-genome sequencing were used to determine the taxonomic position of the strain. Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain SYSU G04325 T shows high sequence similarity to Thermoflexibacter ruber NBRC 16677 T (86.2%). The strain can be differentiated from other species of the family Thermoflexibacteraceae by its distinct phenotypic and genotypic characteristics. Cells of the strain SYSU G04325 T were observed to be aerobic, Gram-stain negative and filamentous. Growth was found to occur optimally at 45 ºC and pH 7.0. In addition, the respiratory quinone was identified as menaquinone-7, while the major fatty acids (> 10%) were identified as iso-C 15:0 , iso-C 17:0 and Summed Feature 9 (iso-C 17:1 ω9c). The polar lipids detected included phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified phospholipids, one unidentified glycolipid, five unidentified aminolipids and four unidentified polar lipids. The G + C content of the genomic DNA was determined to be 47.6% based on the draft genome sequence. On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic data, strain SYSU G04325 T is concluded to represent a novel species of a novel genus in the family Thermoflexibacteraceae, for which the name Rhodoflexus caldus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Rhodoflexus caldus is SYSU G04325 T (= MCCC 1K06127 T  = KCTC 82848 T )., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergic diseases, including eczema, atopic dermatitis (AD), and allergic rhinitis (AR), have increased prevalence in recent decades. Recent studies have proved that environmental pollution might have correlations with IgE-mediated allergic diseases, but existing research findings were controversial. Thus, we performed a comprehensive meta-analysis from published observational studies to evaluate the risk of long-term and short-term exposure to air pollutants on eczema, AD, and AR in the population (per 10-μg/m 3 increase in PM 2.5 and PM 10 ; per 1-ppb increase in SO 2 , NO 2 , CO, and O 3 ). PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched to identify qualified literatures. The Cochran Q test was used to assess heterogeneity and quantified with the I 2 statistic. Pooled effects and the 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate outcome effects. A total of 55 articles were included in the study. The results showed that long-term and short-term exposure to PM 10 increased the risk of eczema (PM 10 , RR long  = 1.583, 95% CI: 1.328, 1.888; RR short  = 1.006, 95% CI: 1.003-1.008) and short-term exposure to NO 2 (RR short  = 1.009, 95% CI: 1.008-1.011) was associated with eczema. Short-term exposure to SO 2 (RR short : 1.008, 95% CI: 1.001-1.015) was associated with the risk of AD. For AR, PM 2.5 (RR long  = 1.058, 95% CI: 1.014-1.222) was harmful in the long term, and short-term exposure to PM 10 (RR short : 1.028, 95% CI: 1.008-1.049) and NO 2 (RR short : 1.018, 95% CI: 1.007-1.029) were risk factors. The findings indicated that exposure to air pollutants might increase the risk of IgE-mediated allergic diseases. Further studies are warranted to illustrate the potential mechanism for air pollutants and allergic diseases., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Two novel species of the genus Deinococcus, designated SYSU M49105 T and SYSU M42101 T , were isolated from freshwater samples of the Pearl River estuary in Guangdong, China. Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strains SYSU M49105 T and SYSU M42101 T showed the highest sequence similarities to Deinococcus aetherius JCM 11751  T (93.6%) and Deinococcus multiflagellatus NBRC 112888  T (97.3%), respectively. Cells of both strains were Gram-staining positive, aerobic, coccus-shaped, oxidase-negative and non-motile. The cell wall contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as their diagnostic diamino acid. MK-8 was the predominant respiratory quinone for both strains. The polar lipid profile of SYSU M49105 T contained two unidentified phosphoglycolipids, nine unidentified glycolipids, and five unidentified polar lipids. SYSU M42101 T had one unidentified phosphoglycolipid, nine unidentified glycolipids, one unidentified aminophospholipid and four unidentified polar lipids. The major fatty acids of strains SYSU M49105 T and SYSU M42101 T were summed feature 3 (C 16:1 ω7c and/ or C 16:1 ω6c) and C 16:0. The G + C contents of the novel isolates based on genomic DNAs were 69.6% and 67.4%, respectively. On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic data, strains SYSU M49105 T and SYSU M42101 T should be considered to represent two novel species in the genus Deinococcus, for which the names Deinococcus aestuarii sp. nov. and Deinococcus aquaedulcis sp. nov. were proposed with the type strains SYSU M49105 T (= KCTC 43258  T  = CGMCC 1.18609  T ) and SYSU M42101 T (= KCTC 43257  T  = CGMCC 1.18614  T ), respectively., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Two bacterial strains SYSU G02173 T and SYSU G03142 were isolated from hot springs in Tibet, China. Based on the results of nearly full-length 16S rRNA gene sequences and phylogenetic analyses, strains SYSU G02173 T and SYSU G03142 were assigned to the family Sphingosinicellaceae, and were closest to Sandaracinobacter sibiricus RB16-17  T (96.04% and 96.12% similarity, respectively). Cells of the both new strains were observed to be motile rod-shape, Gram-staining negative. Growth occurred at pH 6-8 (optimal: pH 7.0) and 37-55 °C (optimal: 45 °C) with 0-1.0% (w/v) NaCl in T4 broth. The cells were found to be positive for oxidase and catalase activities. The major respiratory ubiquinone was Q-8. The major fatty acids were identified as summed feature 8 (C 18:1 ω7c and/or C 18:1 ω6c), C 16:0 , C 14:0 2-OH. The major polar lipids were found to consist of sphingoglycolipid, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified phospholipid, one unidentified glycolipid, three unidentified aminolipids and two unidentified polar lipids. The DNA G + C contents of strains SYSU G02173 T and SYSU G03142 were 71.8%. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) value between strain SYSU G02173 T and SYSU G03142 was 99.98%. The amino acid identity (AAI) values between them and their closely related species were below 66.14%. The isolates are characterized by aerobic growth, a yellow endocellular pigment and a higher optimum growth temperature. The results showed that strains SYSU G02173 T and SYSU G03142 represent a novel species of a novel genus in the family Sphingomonadaceae, and thus the name Thermaurantiacus tibetensis (type strain SYSU G02173 T  = KCTC 72052  T  = CGMCC 1.16680  T ) is proposed.

Two novel Gram-stain negative, moderately thermophilic, aerobic, rod-shaped strains, designated 3D203 T and 3D207, were isolated from hot spring sediment samples collected from Tibet, western China. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities showed that two isolates belonged to the genus Microvirga and were most closely related to Microvirga makkahensis SV1470 T (98.5% and 98.4%, respectively) and two strains had 99.8% similarity to each other. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) based on whole genome sequences of two strains and M. makkahensis SV1470 T was 80.8% and 80.78%, respectively. Optimum growth was observed at 45 °C, pH 7.0 and 0.5% NaCl. They both could tolerate to high concentration arsenic. Ubiquinone 10 (Q10) was their predominant quinone. The differences of strains 3D203 T and 3D207 were phosphatidyl dimethyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl-N-methylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, unidentified glycolipids and unidentified lipids. The major fatty acids (> 5%) were identified C 18:1 ω7c and/or C 18:1 ω6c, C 18:0 and C 16:0 . The genomic DNA G + C contents of strain 3D203 T and 3D207 based on whole genome sequences were 64.8% and 64.7%, respectively. Phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, phylogenetic and genomic analyses suggested that two strains represent a novel species of the genus Microvirga, for which the name Microvirga arsenatis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 3D203 T (= CGMCC 1.17691 T  = KCTC 72653 T ).

A novel proteobacterial strain designated SYSU H10001 T was isolated from a soil sample collected from plateau meadow in Hongyuan county, Sichuan province, south-western China. The taxonomic position of the strain was investigated using a polyphasic approach. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities and phylogenetic analysis, strain SYSU H10001 T was most closely related to Lysobacter soli KCTC 22011 T (98.6%, sequence similarity) and Lysobacter panacisoli JCM 19212 T (98.2%). The prediction result of secondary metabolites based on genome shown that the strain SYSU H10001 T contained 3 clusters of bacteriocins, 1 cluster of non-ribosomal peptide synthetase, 1 cluster of type 1 polyketide synthase and 1 cluster of arylpolyene. In addition, the major isoprenoid quinone was Q-8 and the major fatty acids were identified as iso-C 15:0 , iso-C 17:0 and Summed feature 9. The polar lipids contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and three unidentified phospholipids. The genomic DNA G + C content of strain SYSU H10001 T was 66.5% (genome). On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic data, strain SYSU H10001 T represents a novel species of the genus Lysobacter, for which the name Lysobacter prati sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SYSU H10001 T (= KCTC 72062 T  = CGMCC 1.16662 T ).

Published studies have shown contradictory results in the association of serum/plasma levels of homocysteine (HCY) with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study is to systematically evaluate the association of serum/plasma HCY levels in SLE. A search was done using PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect databases up to 7 April 2019. Thirty-six articles including 2919 SLE patients and 3120 healthy controls were finally included in this meta-analysis. The HCY levels were significantly higher in SLE patients than in healthy controls (P < 0.001). The subgroup analysis revealed that Asian, African, Arab, Mixed, White and others as well as ages (< 35 and ≥ 35) had significant higher HCY levels in SLE patients than in the healthy controls. The study indicated that patients with disease activity index scores < 8 (P < 0.001) and ≥ 8 (P = 0.003) of SLE had significant higher HCY levels as compared with the healthy controls. It was also revealed that disease duration in SLE patients for < 10 and ≥ 10 years (P < 0.001) had significant higher HCY levels as compared with the healthy controls. A significant higher HCY level for body mass index (< 23 and ≥ 23) was found as well as measurement type in SLE patients than healthy controls. This meta-analysis demonstrated higher HCY levels in patients with SLE than healthy controls, suggesting a possible role of HCY in the disease.Key Points• Homocysteine (HCY) is closely related to the mechanisms of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).• This study reveals a significant correlation between HCY levels and the various indexes of disease activity.• This study reveals that medication may influence HCY levels in SLE.• This study also discovers that the subgroup analysis of all the factors influences the HCY levels in SLE patients.

A novel actinobacterial strain, designated SYSU K12189 T , was isolated from a soil sample collected from a Karst cave in Xingyi county, Guizhou province, south-western China. The taxonomic position of the strain was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Cells of the strain were observed to be aerobic and Gram-stain positive. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities and phylogenetic analysis, strain SYSU K12189 T is closely related to the type strains of the genus Microlunatus, Microlunatus parietis 12-Be-011 T (98.5% sequence similarity), Microlunatus nigridraconis CPCC 203993 T (98.4%) and Microlunatus cavernae YIM C01117 T (96.6%), and is therefore considered to represent a member of the genus Microlunatus. DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain SYSU K12189 T and related type strains of the genus Microlunatus were < 70%. In addition, LL-diaminopimelic acid was found to be the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell wall peptidoglycan. The major isoprenoid quinone was identified as MK-9(H 4 ), while the major fatty acids (> 10%) were found to be anteiso-C 15:0 , iso-C 15:0 , iso-C 16:0 and iso-C 14:0 . The polar lipids were found to contain diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, three glycolipids and two unidentified lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain SYSU K12189 T was determined to be 69.4 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic data, strain SYSU K12189 T is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Microlunatus, for which the name Microlunatus speluncae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SYSU K12189 T (= KCTC 39847 T  = DSM 103947 T ).

A Gram-stain negative, aerobic bacterium, designated strain YIM 78456 T , was isolated from a hot spring sediment, Ngamring county, Tibet, south-west China. The taxonomic position of the isolate was investigated by a polyphasic approach. The novel isolate was found to be aerobic and rod-shaped. Colonies were observed to be pale yellow and circular. The strain was found to grow at pH 7.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0), 45-65 °C (optimum, 55 °C) and in the presence of up to 1.5% NaCl. Comparison of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain YIM 78456 T and other members of the genus Thermus showed sequence similarities ranging from 90.3 to 97.3%, with strain YIM 78456 T showing close sequence similarity to Thermus caliditerrae YIM 77925 T (97.3%). The phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain YIM 78456 T forms a distinct clade with T. caliditerrae YIM 77925 T . The predominant menaquinone was identified as MK-8 and the DNA G+C content was determined to be 65.1 mol%. The major cellular fatty acids (> 10%) were identified as iso-C 15:0 , anteiso-C 15:0 and iso-C 17:0 . The polar lipids were found to consist of an aminophospholipid, a phospholipid and glycolipids. On the basis of the morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, as well as genotypic data, it is proposed that strain YIM 78456 T represents a novel species of the genus Thermus, for which the name Thermus caldilimi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 78456 T (= KCTC 52948 T  = NBRC 113036 T ).

Objectives: Anti-keratin antibody (AKA) is a serum antibody for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and it has a high specificity. Diagnostic role of AKA in RA was evaluated in this study., Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched to acquire eligible studies. Articles published before 15 March 2018 were considered to be included. Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 was used to evaluate the risk of bias and application concern of the included articles. Pooled analysis of diagnostic indicators of AKA for RA was conducted by using a random effects model. Subgroup analysis was employed to explore the potential influencing factors. RevMan 5.3, Stata 11.0, and Meta-DiSc 1.4 software were used in this study., Results: A total of 15 studies (2350 positive and 2067 negative participants) were included. The pooled sensitivity was 0.46 (95% CI 0.44-0.48), pooled specificity was 0.94 (95% CI 0.93-0.95), and pooled diagnostic odds ratio was 15.86 (95% CI 9.48-26.52). In addition, the area under the curve was 0.7194., Conclusions: The current evidence indicated that AKA has high diagnostic specificity in RA and may be useful for RA diagnostic application in clinic.

A novel actinobacterial strain, designated YIM ART13 T , was isolated from a soil sample collected from a karst cave in Xingyi county, Guizhou province, South western China. The taxonomic position of the strain was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Cells of the strain were found to aerobic and Gram-stain positive. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain YIM ART13 T was found to be closely related to Nocardioides pakistanensis NCCP 1340 T (96.1% sequence similarity) and is therefore considered to represent a member of the genus Nocardioides. In addition, LL-diaminopimelic acid was identified as the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell wall peptidoglycan. The whole cell sugars were found to be mannose, galactose, glucose and ribose. The major isoprenoid quinone was identified as MK-8(H 4 ), while the major fatty acids (> 10%) were identified as iso-C 16:0 , C 18:1 ω9c and C 18:0 10-methyl. The polar lipids were found to contain diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannoside, an unidentified phospholipid. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain YIM ART13 T was determined from the draft genome sequence to be 70.1 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic data, strain YIM ART13 T represents a novel species of the genus Nocardioides, for which the name Nocardioides speluncae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM ART13 T (= KCTC 39593 T  = DSM 100493 T ).

A Streptomyces isolate, designated strain SYSU D8023 T , was isolated from a desert sand sample collected from Gurbantunggut desert, China. The characterisation of the isolate was achieved using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The isolate was found to be Gram-positive and aerobic. The strain was found to be able to grow at 14-50 °C, pH 6.0-9.0 and in the presence of up to 7% (w/v) NaCl. Strain SYSU D8023 T contains LL-diaminopimelic acid as a cell wall diamino acid. The polar lipids were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, an unidentified glycolipid and an unidentified phospholipid. MK-9(H 6 ) and MK-9(H 8 ) were detected as the respiratory quinones, and anteiso-C 15:0 , iso-C 16:0 and anteiso-C 17:0 as the predominant fatty acids. Pairwise comparison of the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain SYSU D8023 T has a sequence identity of 97.9% to Streptomyces barkulensis RC 1831 T . The DNA G + C content of strain SYSU D8023 T was determined to be 70.1 mol%. Based on the analyses of the phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, strain SYSU D8023 T was concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces desertarenae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the species is SYSU D8023 T (= CGMCC 4.7455 T  = KCTC 49023 T ).

A novel actinobacterium, designated strain CFH 30183 T , was isolated from a soil sample collected from a karst cave in Luoyang, Henan Province. The taxonomic position of the strain was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Cells of strain CFH 30183 T were observed to be Gram-stain positive, motile, asporogenous and coccoid to rod shaped. The strain was found to be aerobic and oxidase positive. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain CFH 30183 T was found to be closely related to Ornithinimicrobium murale 01-Gi-040 T (97.8% sequence identity). The ANIb/ANIm values between strain CFH 30183 T and O. murale DSM 22056 T were found to be 80.3%/85.9%. Strain CFH 30183 T was found to grow optimally at 28-32 °C, at pH 8.0-9.0 and in the presence of up to 7% NaCl (w/v). Whole cell hydrolysates of strain CFH 30183 T contained L-ornithine as the diagnostic diamino acid, and arabinose, glucose, mannose and rhamnose as whole cell sugars. The respiratory quinone was determined to be MK-8(H 4 ), while the major fatty acids were found to consist of iso-C 15:0 and iso-C 16:0 . The polar lipids profile was found to include diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, an unidentified phospholipid, an unidentified phosphoglycolipid and four unidentified lipids. The DNA G + C content of strain CFH 30183 T was calculated to be 70.9%. Based on the phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic data obtained, strain CFH 30183 T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Ornithinimicrobium, for which the name Ornithinimicrobium cavernae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CFH 30183 T (= KCTC 49018 T  = CGMCC 1.16393 T ).

A novel actinomycete, designated strain YIM CF22 T , was isolated from a desert soil sample collected from Turpan in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, north-western China. The taxonomic position of the strain YIM CF22 T is described based on a polyphasic approach. Strain YIM CF22 T was found to form irregular sporangia on agar media. It contains meso-diaminopimelic acid in the cell wall peptidoglycan. The major menaquinone was identified as MK-9(H 4 ); the polar lipids were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, two unidentified phospholipids and two unidentified glycolipids. The whole cell sugars were found to be ribose, mannose, galactose, glucose and xylose. The major cellular fatty acids were found to be (> 5%) iso-C 16:0 (43.5%), anteiso-C 17:0 (10.2%), iso-C 15:0 (7.1%), C 17:1 ω8c (6.3%) and iso H-C 16:1 (5.9%). The G+C content was determined to be 70.8%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of strain YIM CF22 T showed high similarity (97.0%) to Actinoplanes rishiriensis NBRC 108556 T . The strain also showed high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to Verrucosispora sediminis CGMCC 4.3550 T (96.9%) and Micromonospora tulbaghiae DSM 45142 T (96.8%). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain YIM CF22 T clusters with A. rishiriensis NBRC 108556 T , Actinoplanes globisporus JCM 3186 T and Actinoplanes rhizophilus NEAU-A-2 T . Based on the differential phenotypic characteristics and the results of DNA-DNA relatedness and phylogenetic analysis, it is proposed that strain YIM CF22 T represents a novel species of the genus Actinoplanes, for which the name Actinoplanes deserti sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM CF22 T (= KCTC 39543 T  = CCTCC AB2018113 T ).

A draft genome sequence of Jiangella alba YIM 61503 T revealed a genome size of 7,664,864 bp arranged in 33 scaffolds. The genome was predicted to contain 7196 predicted genes, including 51 coding for RNA. Phylogenetic and comparative analyses of the draft genome of J. alba YIM 61503 T with the available genomes of other Jiangella species suggested a proximal similarity between strains J. alba YIM 61503 T and J. muralis DSM 45357 T , while indicating a high divergence between J. gansuensis YIM 002 T and other Jiangella species. The genome of J. alba YIM 61503 T also revealed genes involved in indole-3-acetic acid biosynthesis and an alkylresorcinols gene cluster. Further, detection of phosphotransferase genes in the genome of all Jiangella species indicated that they can uptake and phosphorylate sugars. The presences of TreX-Z, TreS and OtsA-OtsB genes in some of the Jiangella strains also indicated a possible mechanism for their tolerance of high salinity. Besides providing new insights into its genetic features, our results suggested that J. alba YIM 61503 T could be a potential strain for further genome mining studies. The release of this genome may, therefore, provide a better prospect for understanding "evolutionary taxonomy" about this genus in future.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of interleukin 10 alpha receptor (IL10RA) gene and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a Chinese population. We examined 533 RA patients and 958 subjects as a control group. Three IL-10RA SNPs (rs9610, rs2229113 and rs3135932) were genotyped using TaqMan genotyping assays on Fluidigm 192.24 system. The IL-10RA rs9610 A allele was increased in patient group compared with control subjects (OR = 1.232, 95 % CI = 1.052-1.442, p = 0.030). Significant difference in genotype distribution was found in RA patients and controls (χ2 = 15.32, p < 0.001). We also discovered a statistical significance under the dominant model (GG + AG versus AA: OR = 0.676, 95 % CI = 0.546-0.837, p < 0.001). However, no significant difference was discovered in the recessive model (GG versus AG + AA: OR = 1.013, 95 % CI = 0.754-1.361, p = 0.932). Interestingly, significant differences were detected both in the allele and genotype frequencies of rs9610 between anti-CCP positive patients and anti-CCP negative patients (χ2 = 7.209, p = 0.007; χ2 = 9.061, p = 0.011; respectively). We also found a significant difference in genotype frequency at rs9610 in females compared with males (χ2 = 7.658, p = 0.022). Unfortunately, we failed to find any significant results between two IL-10RA SNPs (rs2229113 and rs3135932) and RA susceptibility. The findings suggest that IL-10RA rs9610 polymorphism might contribute to RA susceptibility.

A Gram-staining negative, aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium, designated YIM C01544(T), was isolated from a soil sample collected from Sigangli Cave, Yunnan province, South-West China. The strain was able to grow over a range of temperatures (4-30 °C), pH (6.0-10.0) and NaCl concentration (0-2 %, w/v). Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain YIM C01544(T) should be a member of the genus Lysobacter. The strain is closely related to Lysobacter niastensis GH41-7(T) (97.6 %), Lysobacter soli DCY21(T) (97.5 %), Lysobacter enzymogenes DSM 2043(T) (97.3 %), Lysobacter antibioticus DSM 2044(T) (97.1 %) and Lysobacter panacisoli CJ29(T) (97.1 %). The genomic DNA relatedness values (<47 %) as indicated by DNA-DNA hybridization studies were below the threshold limit for characterization of new bacterial species. The chemotaxonomic features of the new isolate include diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified phospholipids and two unidentified polar lipids as its characteristic polar lipids and Q-8 as the only quinone. The major fatty acids detected were iso-C15:0 and iso-C17:1 ω9c. The DNA G + C content of the strain was determined to be 64.9 mol %. Based on the data from phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular studies, strain YIM C01544(T) merits recognition as novel species in the genus Lysobacter for which the name Lysobacter cavernae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Lysobacter cavernae is YIM C01544(T) (= KCTC 42875(T) = DSM 101561(T) = CPCC 100816(T)).

A series of conjugated multi-structured fluorescent probe molecules based on a salen ligand were designed and investigated in dimethyl sulfoxide solvent using a quantum-chemical method. The results indicate that the one-photon absorption and fluorescence emission spectra (λ (O) and λ (EM)) of these molecules generally show redshifts (of 23.1-74.5 and 22.7-116.6 nm, respectively) upon the coordination of the molecules to Zn(2+). Large Stokes shifts (1511.2-11744.1 cm(-1)) were found for the molecules, meaning that interference between λ (O) and λ (EM) can be avoided for these molecules. The two-photon absorption spectra of the molecules usually present blueshifts, but the two-photon absorption cross-section (δ) greatly increases (by 221.5-868.0 GM) upon the coordination of the molecules with Zn(2+). Most of the molecules show strong two-photon absorption peaks in the range 678.2-824.4 nm, i.e., in the near-infrared region. In a word, the expanded π-conjugated frameworks of these molecules lead to redshifted λ (O) and λ (EM) and enhanced δ values. Moreover, (L-phenyl)​2 and (L-phenyl-ethynyl)2 are the most suitable of the multi-structured molecules examined in this work for use as two-photon fluorescent probes for zinc ion detection in vivo. Graphical Abstract Scheme of the calculated transition energies (E0k and E0n) and the transition dipole moments (M0k and Mkn). NTO 109, NTO 197 and NTO 228 of Zn(L-phenyl-ethynyl), Zn2(L-phenyl-ethynyl)2 and Zn3(L-phenyl)3 for one-photon absorption, respectively.

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of swim-up and DGC in improving sperm deformity and DNA fragmentation and to determine which method is better in teratozoospermic patients requiring artificial reproduction., Methods: The present study compared the effects of swim-up and density gradient centrifugation (DGC), the two most commonly used semen preparation methods, on sperm deformity rate and DNA fragmentation index (DFI) in semen samples from teratozoospermic patients., Results: The results demonstrated that both swim-up and DGC yielded a significantly lower sperm deformity rate and DFI in comparison to unprocessed whole semen, with DGC having more favorable results. Sperm deformity rate in unprocessed whole semen samples was significantly lower in the 20-29 age group than in the 40-49 age group, but no significant difference was observed in DFI between different age groups. There was no significant correlation between sperm deformity rate and DFI., Conclusions: Our findings suggest that enrichment of sperm with normal morphology and intact DNA in teratozoospermic patients could be achieved by both DGC and swim-up procedures, and that DGC is a better method.

This study aims to explore the effects and advantages of coblation combined with microscopy to treat epiglottis cysts. Ninety patients with epiglottis cysts were randomly assigned to three groups: the first group: marsupialisation + electric coagulation group, n = 30; the second group: marsupialisation + coblation, n = 30; and the third group: marsupialisation + coblation + microsurgery, n = 30. To compare the cure rate, intraoperative bleeding volume, postoperative pain, operation time and postoperative complications were investigated among these three groups. The comparison among three procedures showed a significant difference for intraoperative bleeding volume, operation time and postoperative pain (P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed for cure rate (P > 0.05). These three procedures are effective in treating epiglottis cysts. Microscopic surgery with coblation has the advantages of less bleeding, short procedure duration, less pain and few complications. Thus, microscopic surgery is worthy of clinical application.

Interleukin (IL)-7 is one of the IL-2 family cytokines comprised of IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, IL-15, as well as IL-21. IL-7 is mainly secreted by stroma cells in primary lymphoid tissues, playing an essential role in the program of T cell development. Recently, studies have revealed that physiological function exerted by immunocytes can be influenced by aberrant IL-7 signaling, which is common in abnormal autoimmunity regulation. There is also increasing evidence that IL-7 is involved in several autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, type I diabetes, multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus, etc. Targeting components in IL-7 signaling pathways may have potential significance for treating numerous autoimmune diseases. In this review, we therefore summarize our current understandings regarding the relationship between IL-7 and autoimmune diseases so as to render more valuable information on this kind of research.

With the consideration of mechanism of prevention and control for the spread of infectious diseases, we propose, in this paper, a state dependent pulse vaccination and medication control strategy for a SIRS type epidemic dynamic system. The sufficient conditions on the existence and orbital stability of positive order-1 or order-2 periodic solution are presented. Numerical simulations are carried out to illustrate the main results and compare numerically the state dependent vaccination strategy and the fixed time pulse vaccination strategy.

Background and Objective: Glucose metabolism disorders including insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes are frequent and important cofactors of chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) plays a key role in the regulation of hepatic glucose metabolism. We investigated the possible effect of HCV replication on glucose metabolism of hepatocytes and expression of SIRT1 using Huh-7.5 cells harboring the HCV replicon., Methods: The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and value of NAD(+)/NADH and ATP/ADP were detected. Glucose uptake by hepatocytes and glucose production were measured. The activity and expression levels of SIRT1 and expression of its downstream glucose-metabolism genes were measured., Results: In replicon cells, the level of ROS increased and the value of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+))/NADH decreased, then the activity and expression level of mRNA and protein of SIRT1 decreased. Inhibition of SIRT1 not only increased insulin receptor substrate-1 phosphorylation and decreased Akt phosphorylation, inhibited cell surface expression of glucose transporter 2 and suppressed cellular glucose uptake, but it also decreased phosphorylation of forkhead box O1, then upregulated phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose 6-phosphatase genes and downregulated the glucokinase gene, thus promoting glucose production. Interferon treatment restored the aforementioned changes. SIRT1 activator improved glucose metabolism disorders by an increase in glucose uptake and a decrease in glucose production, and it inhibited HCV replication., Conclusions: HCV replication decreasing the NAD(+)/NADH ratio may downregulate the activity and expression of SIRT1, then change the expression profile of glucose metabolism-related genes, thereby causing glucose metabolism disorders of hepatocytes and promoting HCV replication. Treatment with SIRT1 activator improves glucose metabolic disorders and inhibits HCV replication, suggesting that restoration of SIRT1 activity may be a promising new therapeutic approach for CHC patients with IR.

Unlabelled: Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) is a robust technique for identifying the functions of plant genes. Tobacco rattle virus (TRV)-mediated VIGS has been commonly used in many plants. In order to overcome the limitations of existing agroinoculation methods, we report an easy and effective method of agroinoculation for virus-induced gene silencing-sprout vacuum-infiltration (SVI). Using sprout vacuum-infiltration, we have successfully silenced the expression of phytoene desaturase and Mg-protoporphyrin chelatase genes in four important solanaceous crops, including tomato, eggplant, pepper, and Nicotiana benthamiana. The gene-silenced phenotypes are conspicuous in 1-week-old plants. The method is simple, low cost and rapid compared to other techniques such as leaf infiltration or agrodrench. It may be more practical for studying gene function in the early stages of plant growth. An important aspect of SVI is that it will be used for high-throughput VIGS screens in the future. SVI will be an effective tool to overcome the limitations of current inoculation methods and to facilitate large-scale VIGS analysis of cDNA libraries., Key Message: SVI is a simple, low cost agroinoculation method for VIGS. It is practical for studying the function of genes expressed in early stages of plant growth and high-throughput VIGS screens.