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A novel pale orange-coloured bacterium, designated strain SYSU D00532 T , was isolated from sandy soil collected from the Gurbantunggut desert in Xinjiang, PR China. Cells of strain SYSU D00532 T were found to be aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, oxidase-positive, catalase-positive, motile and rod-shaped with a single polar or subpolar flagellum. Growth occurred at 15-45 °C (optimum, 28-37 °C, pH 5.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 6.0-7.0) and with 0-1.5% NaCl (w/v; optimum, 0.5 %). The major polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol. Unidentified aminolipids, unidentified polar lipids, an unidentified aminophospholipid and an unidentified phospholipid were also detected. The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10 and the major fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C 18:1 ω 7 c and/or C 18:1 ω 6 c ), C 16:0 and C 19:0 cyclo ω 8 c . The genomic DNA G+C content was 69.8 mol%. Results of phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain SYSU D00532 T belonged to the family Azospirillaceae and showed 93.4% ( Desertibacter roseus 2622 T ), 93.2% ( Skermanella xinjiangensis 10-1-101 T ), 93.2% (' Skermanella rubra ' YIM 93097 T ) and 92.4% ( Desertibacter xinjiangensis M71 T ) similarities. Based on the phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data, strain SYSU D00532 T is proposed to represent a new species of a new genus, named Arenibaculum pallidiluteum gen. nov., sp. nov., within the family Azospirillaceae . The type strain is SYSU D00532 T (=KCTC 82269 T =CGMCC 1.18631 T =MCCC 1K04984 T ). We also propose the reclassification of Skermanella xinjiangensis to a new genus Deserticella as Deserticella xinjiangensis comb. nov., and the transfer of the genera Indioceanicola and Oleisolibacter from the family Rhodospirillaceae to the family Azospirillaceaewe based on the phylogenetic results.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming, aerobic, motile, curved rod-shaped bacterium, designed strain R148 T was isolated from a coralline algae Tricleocarpa sp. collected from Weizhou island, PR China. The optimal growth of R148 T occurred at 25 °C, pH 8-9 in the presence of 0.5 % (w/v) NaCl on the basis of amended marine broth 2216. The genomic DNA G+C content was 59.5 mol%. The only detected respiratory quinone was Q-10. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and three unidentified ninhydrin-positive lipids. The major cellular fatty acids were C 18 : 1 ω7 c , C 16 : 1 ω7 c , C 19 : 0 cyclo 9, 10 DMA and C 18 : 0 . The results of 16S rRNA gene-based global alignment indicated that the closest neighbour of strain R148 T was Pelagibius litoralis DSM 21314 T (93.1 % similarity), the second is Limibacillus halophilus KCTC 42420 T (92.2 %). The results of phylogenetic analysis indicated that R148 T forms a distinct branch in the robust clade of R148 T and P. litoralis DSM 21314 T , while the taxonomic position of this clade in the family Rhodospirillaceae is ambiguous among phylogenetic approaches. The low 16S rRNA gene similarity and distinct polar lipid and cellular fatty acid profile could readily distinguish R148 T from closely related type strains. So R148 T is suggested to represent a novel species in a novel genus, for which the name Denitrobaculum tricleocarpae gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is R148 T (=MCCC 1K03781 T =KCTC 72137 T ).

A novel Gram-staining-negative, spiral-shaped bacterium, designated strain 64-1 T , was isolated from oil reservoir water collected from Liaohe oilfield, north-eastern China. Growth occurred at 15-55 °C and pH 6.0-10.0. The sole respiratory quinone was Q-10. The predominant cellular fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C 18 : 1  ω 7 c /C 18 : 1  ω 6 c ), C 16 : 0 and C 19 : 0 cyclo ω 8 c . The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylcholine (PC), an unidentified aminophospholipid (UAPL), an unidentified aminolipid (UAL) and two unidentified polar lipids (UPL). The genomic DNA G+C content of strain 64-1 T was 64.5 mol%. Strain 64-1 T shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with Phaeospirillum chandramohanii JA145 T (92.0 %) and Telmatospirillum siberiense 26-4b1 T (91.8 %). In the phylogenetic trees, the strain constituted a sub-cluster within the family Rhodospirillaceae . Based on the results of morphological, physiological, biochemical and phylogenetic analysis, strain 64-1 T represents a new species of a novel genus within the family Rhodospirillaceae , for which the name Oleiliquidispirillum nitrogeniifigens gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 64-1 T (=CGMCC 1.16798 T =LMG 31399 T ).

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex of neurodevelopmental conditions with increasing incidence. The microbiota of children with ASD is distinct from neurotypical children, their food habits are also different, and it is known that nutrient intake influences microbiota in a specific way. Thus, this study investigates the food habits of children with ASD and their association with the gut microbiota. Children with ASD had their dietary energy intakes similar to controls, but they more often demonstrated food selectivity, which seemed to result in deficiency of micronutrients such as vitamins K, B6, C, iron, cooper, docosahexaenoic and docosapentanoic acid. Using high-throughput sequencing, a DNA library of intestinal microbiota was performed. Core microbiota was similar in children with and without ASD, but Dichelobacter , Nitriliruptor and Constrictibacter were found to be putative markers of ASD. The changes in gut microbiota that we observed in connection to food selectivity, intake of fats and omega-3 in particular, fermented milk products and animal/plant protein consumption had similar character, independent of diagnosis. However, high fibre intake was connected with a decreased α-diversity only in children with ASD. High carbohydrate and fibre intake influenced β-diversity, changing the abundance of Bacteroides and other genera, many of them members of the Clostidiaceae . Modulating food habits of ASD children can influence their gut microbiota composition.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, light pink-coloured, short rod-shaped, designated strain W17 T , was isolated from a meadow soil sample collected from Xinjiang, PR China. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain W17 T was related most closely to Skermanella rosea M1 T (98.72 %) and Skermanella mucosa 8-14-6 T (98.44 %). However, strain W17 T showed a low level of DNA-DNA relatedness to S. rosea M1 T (32.4±2.6 %) and S. mucosa 8-14-6 T (33.5±0.1 %). The genome size of the novel strain was 5.87 Mb and the genomic DNA G+C content was 67.27 mol%. The only respiratory quinone of strain W17 T was Q-10. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol. phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine were the major polar lipids. The predominant cellular fatty acids were C 18 : 1 ω6 c and/or C 18 : 1 ω7 c (48.53 %), C 16 : 0 (20.88 %) and C 18 : 0 (14.92 %). The phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data showed that strain W17 T represents a novel species of the genus Skermanella , for which the name Skermanella pratensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is W17 T (=GDMCC 1.1392 T =KCTC 62434 T ).

Two strains of the family Rhodospirillaceae were isolated from the rhizosphere of the medicinal plant Hypericum perforatum . Cells of both strains were Gram-stain-negative, motile by means of a single polar flagellum, non-spore-forming, non-capsulated, short rods that divided by binary fission. Colonies were small and white. Strains R5913 T and R5959 T were oxidase-positive, mesophilic, neutrophilic and grew optimally without NaCl. Both grew under aerobic and microaerophilic conditions and on a limited range of substrates with best results on yeast extract. Major fatty acids were C 19 : 0 cyclo ω 8 c and C 16 : 0 ; in addition, C 18 : 1 ω7 c was also found as a predominant fatty acid in strain R5913 T . The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone 10 (Q-10). The DNA G+C contents of strains R5913 T and R5959 T were 66.0 and 67.4 mol%, respectively. 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison revealed that the closest relatives (<92 % similarity) of the strains are Oceanibaculum pacificum MCCC 1A02656 T , Dongia mobilis CGMCC 1.7660 T , Dongia soli D78 T and Dongia rigui 04SU4-P T . The two novel strains shared 98.6 % sequence similarity and represent different species on the basis of low average nucleotide identity of their genomes (83.8 %). Based on the combined phenotypic, genomic and phylogenetic investigations, the two strains represent two novel species of a new genus in the family Rhodospirillaceae , for which the name Hypericibacter gen. nov. is proposed, comprising the type species Hypericibacter terrae sp. nov. (type strain R5913 T =DSM 109816 T =CECT 9472 T ) and Hypericibacter adhaerens sp. nov. (type strain R5959 T =DSM 109817 T =CECT 9620 T ).

Designated strain K5 T was isolated from soil on Jeju Island. The bacterium was aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, oxidase-positive, catalase-low activity, motile, short-rod shaped, opaque and formed white colonies that were circular, raised and had entire margins. Strain K5 T was able to grow at 15-40 °C, pH 4-9 and at 0-2 % (w/v) NaCl concentration. Phylogenetic analysis based on its 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain K5 T is closely related to Ferrovibrio soli A15 T (98.9 % sequence similarity), Ferrovibrio denitrificans Sp-1 T (98.7 %) and Ferrovibrio xuzhouensis LM-6T (97.4 %). The sole respiratory quinone was determined to be ubiquinone-10. The dominant fatty acids of strain K5 T were summed feature 8 (C 18 : 1   ω 7c / C 18 : 1 ω 6c , 29.8 %), C 19 : 0 cyclo ω8 c (20.2 %) and C 16 : 0 (24.4 %). DNA G+C content was 63.6 % and DNA-DNA relatedness between strain K5 T and other three members of the genus Ferrovibrio ranged from 24 to 28 %. The major polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and aminolipids. Moreover, polyphasic characterization revealed that strain K5 T represents a novel species in the genus Ferrovibrio, for which the name Ferrovibrio terrae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is K5 T (=KCCM 43295 T =LMG 30611 T ).

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic and moderately halophilic bacterium, designated strain Gri0909 T , was isolated from a red marine alga, Grinnellia species, in the Yellow Sea of the Republic of Korea. Cells were motile by a single polar flagellum and short-rods showing oxidase and catalase activities. Growth was observed at 10-37 °C (optimum, 30 °C) and pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 8.0) and in the presence of 0-12.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2.0-3.0 %). Strain Gri0909 T contained C 16 : 0 , C 18 : 1 2-OH, anteiso-C 15 : 0 and summed feature 8 (comprising C 18 : 1 ω 7 c and/or C 18 : 1 ω 6 c ) as major fatty acids. Ubiquinone-10 was identified as the sole isoprenoid quinone. Major polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, an identified phospholipid, four unidentified aminolipids and five unidentified lipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA calculated from the whole-genome sequence was 59.1 mol%. Strain Gri0909 T was most closely related to Marivibriohalodurans ZC80 T with 91.4 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain Gri0909 T formed a phyletic lineage within the family Rhodospirillaceae . The very low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, together with distinct phenotypic and chemotaxonomic properties, served to differentiate strain Gri0909 T from phylogenetically closely related genera. Here it is proposed that strain Gri0909 T represents a new species of a novel genus of the family Rhodospirillaceae , for which the name Hwanghaeella grinnelliae gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Gri0909 T (=KACC 19793 T =JCM 32943 T ).

A novel Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, oxidase-negative, catalase-positive bacillus, designated WD2A32 T , was isolated from a marine solar saltern in the coast of Weihai, Shandong Province, PR China. Strain WD2A32 T grew optimally at 37-40 °C (range, 20-45 °C) and pH 7.0-7.5 (range, 6.5-8.0) and was tolerant to 6-8 % (w/v) NaCl (range, 2-12 %). The 16S rDNA of strain WD2A32 T was most similar (93.5 %) to that of Rhodovibrio salinarum DSM 9154 T (the type species of the genus Rhodovibrio ), followed by Limimonas halophila DSM 25584 T (92.4 %; the type species of the genus Limimonas ). The similarities to the type strains of the genera Pelagibius and Limibacillus were less than 91.0 %. The draft genome sequence of strain WD2A32 T contained 72 contigs (>507 bp) of 4 237 996 bp with a DNA G+C content of 65.5 mol%. The major polar lipids of strain WD2A32 T were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and unidentified aminolipids; major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C 18 : 1 ω7 c /C 18 : 1 ω6 c ) and C 19 : 0 cyclo ω8 c ; the major respiratory quinone was Q-10. On the basis of the results from chemotaxonomic, physiological and biochemical analyses, strain WD2A32 T represents a novel species of a novel genus in the family Rhodospirillaceae , for which the name Ferruginivarius sediminum gen. nov., sp. nov. has been proposed. The type strain is WD2A32 T (=KCTC 52888 T =MCCC 1H00201 T ).

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, flagellated, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain NAU-10 T , was isolated from an oil-contaminated soil collected in PR China. Strain NAU-10 T could grow at 10-42 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 5.0-9.0 (pH 7.0) and in the presence of 0-2.5 % (w/v) NaCl (0.5 % in Luria-Bertani broth). The major fatty acids were C18 : 1  ω7c (38.6 %), C17 : 1  ω6c (9.8 %), C18 : 1 2-OH (9.1 %), summed feature 3 (8.7 %), C16 : 0 3-OH (7.2 %) and C16 : 0 (6.7 %). The major respiratory quinones were Q9 and Q10. The total polar lipids were lipid, aminolipid, phospholipid, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. Strain NAU-10 T shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with Rhodocista pekingensis 3-p T (95.9 %), Niveispirillum cyanobacteriorum TH16 T (95.3 %) and Niveispirillum fermenti CC-LY736 T (95.3 %), and constituted a sub-cluster within the family Rhodospirillaceae. The DNA G+C content of strain NAU-10 T was 68.2 mol% based on its draft genome sequence. Genome annotation of strain NAU-10 T predicted the presence of 4309 genes, of which 4237 are coding proteins and 72 are RNA genes. Based on its phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, as well as the analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences, it was concluded that strain NAU-10 T represents a novel genus, for which the name Oleisolibacter gen. nov., is proposed. The type species of this genus is Oleisolibacter albus with the type strain NAU-10 T (=KCTC 62417 T =CCTCC AB 2018015 T ).

The North China Plain is the agricultural heartland in China. High PM 2.5 levels and elevated chemical pollutants have been observed during crop harvest seasons due to open biomass burning. Biomass burning in the wheat-harvest season may significantly deteriorate the regional air quality. The harmful ingredients in smoke particles also have severe implications for toxicity and health effects. Previous studies have illustrated the potential role of bioaerosols as ice-nuclei and cloud condensation nuclei and highlighted their influence on biochemical cycles and human health effects. In a monthly field observation campaign of biomass burning conducted at the summit of Mount Tai in July 2015, we reported the composition, potential role, size distribution of microorganisms in particulate matters PM 1.0 , PM 2.5 , and estimated their contribution to particles. The wide-range particle spectrometer suggested that the predominant particles were distributed in submicron particles (PM 1.0 ), which resulted in a similar community structure for bacteria and fungi in PM 1.0 and PM 2.5 . Among bacteria, the predominant Pseudomonas accounted for 18.06% and 21.29% in PM 1.0 and PM 2.5 , respectively. Alternaria covered up to 69.01% and 72.76% of the fungal community in PM 1.0 and PM 2.5 , respectively. A disparity between bacterial communities was identified by the abundance of rare species, such as Bacilli being higher in PM 1.0 (2.4%) than in PM 2.5 (1.8%), and Defluviicoccus being higher in PM 2.5 (2.5%) than in PM 1.0 (0.5%), which may be related to cell size and cell growth patterns. Quantitative PCR revealed that microbial cell numbers in PM 2.5 were higher than in PM 1.0 , and that the bacterial cell number was about an order of magnitude greater than the fungal cell number. However, the mass concentration and contribution of fungi to particulate matter was much higher than that of bacteria, suggesting the underestimated role of fungi in atmospheric aerosols. Airborne microorganisms in alpine areas remained less characterized. The findings presented here illustrated the potentially important impacts on air quality and bioaerosol pollution by biomass burning, which provides an essential reference for understanding the transmission and health effects of bioaerosols., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A bacterial strain, designated HHTR 118 T , was isolated from a culture of the green alga Ulvaprolifera obtained from offshore seawater of Qingdao, Shandong Province, China. Cells of strain HHTR 118 T were rod-shaped and motile with a single flagellum, and approximately 0.3-0.4 µm wide and 0.8-1.4 µm long. The strain was Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, catalase-negative and oxidase-positive. Optimal growth was observed at 30 °C, at pH 8.0 and with 1 % (w/v) NaCl. Nitrate was not reduced. Sucrose, sodium citrate and l-leucine stimulated growth, but not lactose, fructose, xylose, d-mannose, glucose, raffinose, rhamnose, ornithine or lysine. The DNA G+C content of strain HHTR 118 T calculated on the basis of the genome sequence was 64.9 mol% and the genome size is 4.6 Mbp. The major quinone was ubiquinone 10 and the predominant cellular fatty acids (>10 % of total fatty acids) were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω6c and/or C18 : 1ω7c). The predominant polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified phospholipid, two unidentified aminolipids and three unidentified polar lipids. Phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, demonstrated that strain HHTR 118 T was affiliated with the family Rhodospirillaceae. On the basis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence data as well as physiological and biochemical characteristics, we concluded that strain HHTR 118 T represents a novel species of a novel genus. We propose the name of Algihabitans albus gen. nov., sp. nov. for this novel species. The type strain of the novel species is strain HHTR 118 T (=KCTC 62395 T =MCCC 1K03486 T ).

Sinking marine oil snow was found to be a major mechanism in the transport of spilled oil from the surface to the deep sea following the Deepwater Horizon (DwH) oil spill. Marine snow formation is primarily facilitated by extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), which are mainly composed of proteins and carbohydrates secreted by microorganisms. While numerous bacteria have been identified to degrade oil, there is a paucity of knowledge on bacteria that produce EPS in response to oil and Corexit exposure in the northern Gulf of Mexico (nGoM). In this study, we isolated bacteria from surface water of the nGoM that grow on oil or Corexit dispersant. Among the 100 strains isolated, nine were identified to produce remarkable amounts of EPS. 16S rRNA gene analysis revealed that six isolates (strains C1, C5, W10, W11, W14, W20) belong to the genus Alteromonas; the others were related to Thalassospira (C8), Aestuariibacter (C12), and Escherichia (W13a). The isolates preferably degraded alkanes (17-77%), over polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (0.90-23%). The EPS production was determined in the presence of a water accommodated fraction (WAF) of oil, a chemical enhanced WAF (CEWAF), Corexit, and control. The highest production of visible aggregates was found in Corexit followed by CEWAF, WAF, and control; indicating that Corexit generally enhanced EPS production. The addition of WAF and Corexit did not affect the carbohydrate content, but significantly increased the protein content of the EPS. On the average, WAF and CEWAF treatments had nine to ten times more proteins, and Corexit had five times higher than the control. Our results reveal that Alteromonas and Thalassospira, among the commonly reported bacteria following the DwH spill, produce protein rich EPS that could have crucial roles in oil degradation and marine snow formation. This study highlights the link between EPS production and bacterial oil-degrading capacity that should not be overlooked during spilled oil clearance., Competing Interests: Antonietta Quigg and Wei-Chun Chin are Academic Editors of PLOS ONE. This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

A novel basophilic bacterial strain, designated as SCSIO 08040 T , was recovered from a deep-sea sediment sample collected from the Indian Ocean. The strain was Gram-stain-negative, vibrioid or spiral, light pink, 0.6-1.0 µm wide and 1.0-2.5 µm long. Growth occurred at 20-45 °C, pH 7-11 and <5 % (w/v) NaCl, with optimum growth at 28-37 °C, pH 7 and 0-3 % (w/v) NaCl. Catalase-, oxidase and urease-positive, nitrate reduction-negative. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that strain SCSIO 08040 T had the highest similarity of 95.3 % to Rhodocista pekingensis 3-p T . Phylogenetic analysis based on nearly complete 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the novel isolate formed a distinct phylogenetic lineage in the family Rhodospirillaceae. The whole-cell hydrolysate contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, galactose, mannose and xylose. The total cellular fatty acid profile was dominated by C18:1ω7c and C19:0cycloω8c. Q-10 was the predominant ubiquinone. The major phospholipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. The DNA G+C content of strain SCSIO 08040 T was 66.82 mol%. Based on these polyphasic data, a new genus, Indioceanicola gen. nov., is proposed in the family Rhodospirillaceae with the type species Indioceanicola profundi sp. nov. and the type strain SCSIO 08040 T (=DSM 105146 T =CGMCC 1.15812 T ).

Two novel marine bacteria, designated strains CSC3H3 T and CSC1P2, were isolated from surface seawater of the South China Sea. Both strains were Gram-negative, oxidase-positive, catalase-positive, curved rods and motile. They grew at 10-40 °C, pH 5-10 and in the presence of 0-15 % (w/v) NaCl. Their 16S rRNA gene sequences were identical to each other. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that they belong to the genus Thalassospira, and shared 97.5-98.3 % sequence similarity to all other validly type strains of the genus Thalassospira, and the highest similarity was to the type strain Thalassospira povalilyticaZumi 95 T (98.3 %), followed by Thalassospira australica NP3b2 T (98.2 %). The digital DNA-DNA hybridization value between the two strains was 80.4 %, while the values with T. povalilyticaZumi 95 T and T. australica NP3b2 T were only 20.5-20.7 % and 20.4-20.5 %, respectively. The two strains possess similar major cellular fatty acids including C18 : 1ω7c, C16 : 0, C19 : 0ω8c cyclo, C18 : 1 2-OH and C17 : 0 cyclo. The G+C contents of the chromosomal DNA of strains CSC3H3 T and CSC1P2 were 54.6 and 54.5 mol%, respectively. The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone 10. Phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and several unidentified phospholipids, aminolipid and lipids were present in both strains. Based on phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, the two strains represent a novel species within the genus Thalassospira, for which the name Thalassospira marina sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CSC3H3 T (=MCCC 1A11786 T =KCTC 62333 T ).

Nitrospirillum amazonense is a nitrogen-fixing bacterium that shows potential to promote plant growth when inoculated into sugarcane and rice plants. This microorganism has been the subject of biochemical and genetic characterization to elucidate important functions related to host plant interaction and growth promotion, including the determination of draft genome sequences of two strains, Y2 and CBAmC, the second of which is the aim of the present study. CBAmC has been isolated from sugarcane (Saccharum spp.), and is currently used in a sugarcane consortium inoculant with four other nitrogen-fixing bacterial strains. The present paper describes a significant improvement in the genome sequence and assembly for the N. amazonense strain CBAmC, and determination for the first time of a complete genome sequence for this bacterial species, using PacBio technology. The analysis of the genomic data obtained allowed the discovery of genes coding for metabolic pathways and cellular structures that may be determinant for the success of the bacterial establishment and colonization into the host sugarcane plant, besides conferring important characteristics to the inoculant. These include genes for the use of sucrose and N-glycans, biosynthesis of autoinducer molecules, siderophore production and acquisition, auxin and polyamine biosynthesis, flagellum, σ-fimbriae, a variety of secretion systems, and a complete denitrification system. Concerning genes for nitrogenase and auxiliary proteins, it was possible to corroborate literature data that in N. amazonense these probably had originated from horizontal gene transfer, from bacteria of the Rhizobiales order. The complete genomic sequence of the CBAmC strain of N. amazonense revealed that the bacterium harbors four replicons, including three chromosomes and one chromid, a profile that coincides with that of other two strains, according to literature data, suggesting that as a replicon pattern for the species. Finally, results of phylogenomic analyses in this work support the recent reclassification of the species, separating it from the Azospirillum genus. More importantly, results of the present work shall guide subsequent studies on strain CBAmC as well as the development of a sugarcane inoculant.

A novel bacterial strain MAH-8 T was isolated from a soil sample of a Korean pine garden and was characterized using a polyphasic approach. Cells were Gram-staining negative, pinkish yellow colored, motile and vibrio-shaped. The strain was aerobic and catalase, oxidase positive, optimum growth temperature and pH were 28-30 °C and 7.0, respectively. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain MAH-8 T belongs to the genus Caenispirillum and is most closely related to Caenispirillum bisanense KCTC 12839 T (98.14%), Caenispirillum deserti KCTC 42064 T (96.35%), and Caenispirillum salinarum JCM 17360 T (95.76%). In DNA-DNA hybridization tests, the DNA relatedness between strain MAH-8 T and its closest phylogenetic neighbor was below 45.0%. The DNA G + C content was 70.5 mol% and the predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10. Flexirubin-type pigments were present and the major cellular fatty acids were C 18:1 ω7c/C 18:1 ω6c, C 16:1 ω7c/C 16:1 ω6c and C 16:0 . The results of DNA-DNA hybridization and genotypic analysis in combination with chemotaxonomic and physiological data demonstrated that strain MAH-8 T represented a novel species within the genus Caenispirillum, for which the name Caenispirillum humi, is proposed. The type strain is MAH-8 T (= KACC 19294 T  = CGMCC 1.16224 T ). The NCBI GenBank Accession Number for the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain MAH-8 T is KY964275.

A bacterial strain, 1-14 T , was isolated from cyanobacterial aggregates in a eutrophic lake, Taihu Lake, China. Cells were observed to be slightly curved, rod-shaped, aerobic and Gram-stain-negative. Optimal growth occurred at pH 7.0 (range: 5.0-9.0), 28 °C (range: 20-32 °C) and 0 % (w/v) NaCl (range: 0-1.0 %) in R2A broth. No growth is observed at 37 °C. The cells were found to be positive for oxidase and catalase activities. The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-10. The major fatty acids (>10 %) were identified as C18 : 1ω6c/C18 : 1ω7c, C16 : 0 3-OH and C18 : 1 2-OH. The major polar lipids were found to consist of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine. Within the genus Niveispirillum, strain 1-14 T was most closely related to Niveispirillum cyanobacteriorum TH16 T (98.3 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), followed by Niveispirillum irakense DSM 11586 T (97.8 %) and Niveispirillum fermenti CC-LY736 T (97.0 %). The genomic G+C content of strain 1-14 T was 62.2 mol% based on total genome calculations. Genes coding for light-harvesting complexes LHI and LHII, and a photosynthetic reaction centre were detected in the genome. Average nucleotide identities and digital DNA-DNA hybridizations for complete genomes ranged from 76.4 to 83.5 and from 21.5 to 27.4 % between strain 1-14 T and strains within the genus Niveispirillum. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties, and genome analysis suggested that strain 1-14 T represents a novel species within the genus Niveispirillum, for which the name Niveispirillum lacus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 1-14 T (=CGMCC 1.12980 T =LMG 28363 T ).

Two isolates of bacterial strains A15 T and A17 were isolated from stream bank soil in Kyonggi University. Cells were aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, oxidase- and catalase-positive, motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped, opaque, and cream coloured. Both strains hydrolysed CM-cellulose. Strains were able to grow at 20-42 °C, pH 5.5-10.0 and at 1.5 % NaCl concentration (w/v). Indole test was positive. Analyses of phylogenetic trees based on its 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain A15 T formed a lineage within the family Rhodospirillaceae of the phylum Proteobacteria which was distinct from Ferrovibrio denitrificans S3 T (98.4 % sequence similarity) and Ferrovibrio xuzhouensis LM-6 T (97.4 %). The sole detected respiratory quinone was Q-10. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified aminolipid. The major cellular fatty acids were C19 : 0 cycloω8c, C16 : 0, summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c), C18 : 0cyclo and C12 : 0. The DNA G+C contents of strains A15 T and A17 were 63.4 and 62.9 mol%, respectively. DNA-DNA relatedness between strain A15 T and other two members of the genus Ferrovibrioranged from 25 to 37 %. The polyphasic characterization revealed strains A15 T and A17 represent a novel species in the genus Ferrovibrio, for which the name Ferrovibriosoli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is A15 T (=KEMB 9005-522 T =KACC 19102 T =NBRC 112682 T ).

A taxonomic study was carried out on strain L54-1-50 T , which was isolated from surface seawater of the South China Sea. Cells of strain L54-1-50 T were Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, oxidase-positive and catalase-positive. Growth was observed at salinities from 0 to 9 % (optimum 2 %, w/v), at pH 6.0-10.0 (optimum 8.0-9.0) and at temperatures from 10 to 45 °C (optimum 25-37 °C), but not at 4 or 50 °C. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain L54-1-50 T was a member of the genus Oceanibaculum, related to Oceanibaculum indicum P24 T (98.8 %) and Oceanibaculum pacificum MC2UP-L3 T (97.7 %). The digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain L54-1-50 T and the two type strains O. indicum P24 T and O. pacificum MC2UP-L3 T were 35.4±2.5 and 23.7±2.5 %, respectively. The average nucleotide identity values between strain L54-1-50 T and two type strains were 79.7 and 88.3 %, respectively. The major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c), C16 : 0 and C18 : 1 2-OH. The respiratory quinone was Q-10. The polar lipids comprised diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, two unidentified phospholipids and three unidentified lipids. The G+C content of the chromosomal DNA was 65.1 mol%. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data showed that strain L54-1-50 T represents a novel species of the genus Oceanibaculum, for which the name Oceanibaculumnanhaiense sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain L54-1-50 T (=KCTC 52312 T =MCCC 1A05150 T ).

Gram-negative, spiral or curved rod-shaped cells of a bacterial strain, designated ZC80 T , were isolated from a rock salt sample collected at Yunnan salt mine, China. Analysis of the strain's 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed a clear affiliation of this novel strain within the family Rhodospirillaceae. Strain ZC80 T formed a robust cluster with Pelagibius litoralis CL-UU02 T at a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity level of 88.1 %. Strain ZC80 T shared no more than 91.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with the type strains of other species in the family Rhodospirillaceae. Strain ZC80 T was able to grow in the presence of 2-15 % (w/v) NaCl, and grew at 10-50 °C and pH 6.0-10.0. The major fatty acids were C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c (41.3 %). The major isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone 10 (Q-10). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified aminolipid. The DNA G+C content of strain ZC80 T was 60.8 mol%. On the basis of phylogenetic analyses and chemotaxonomic and physiological data, strain ZC80 T is considered to represent a novel species of a new genus in the family Rhodospirillaceae, for which the name Marivibrio halodurans gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Marivibrio halodurans is ZC80 T (=CGMCC 1.15697 T =NBRC 112461 T ).

A bacterial strain, TH019 T , was isolated from cyanobacterial aggregates in a eutrophic lake, Taihu Lake, China. Cells were observed to be slightly curved rod-shaped and stained Gram-negative. Optimal growth was obtained at pH 7.0 (range, 5.0-9.0) and 28 °C (range, 20-37 °C) in R2A broth. The cells were found to be positive for oxidase and catalase activities, nitrate reduction and denitrification. The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-10. The major fatty acids were identified as C18 : 1 ω6c/C18 : 1 ω7c and C18 : 1 2OH. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain TH019 T was phylogenetically related to Elstera litoralis Dia-1 T (97.9 % similarity). The genomic G+C content of strain TH019 T was 62.4 mol% based on total genome calculations. Average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values for complete genomes were 78.8 and 19.8 %, respectively, between strain TH019 T and Elstera litoralis Dia-1 T . The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties, and genome analysis suggested that strain TH019 T represented a novel species within the genus Elstera, for which the name Elstera cyanobacteriorum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TH019 T (=CGMCC 1.15802 T =LMG 29721 T ).

This study aimed to identify arsenic resistant mechanisms in As-resistant purple nonsulfur bacteria (PNSB) by screening them for presence of As-resistance genes and related enzymes. Resistance to As(III) and As(V) of four As-resistant PNSB determined in terms of median inhibition concentration (IC 50 values) were in the order of strains Rhodopseudomonas palustris C1 > R. palustris AB3 > Rubrivivax benzoatilyticus C31 > R. palustris L28 which corresponded to the presence of As-resistance genes in these bacteria. The strain C1 showed all As-marker genes; arsC, arsM, aioA, and acr3, while aioA was not detected in strain AB3. Strains C31 and L28 had only Arsenite-transporter gene, acr3. Translation of all these detected gene sequences of strain C1 to amino acid sequences showed that these proteins have vicinal cysteine; Cys126, Cys105, and Cys178 of Acr3, ArsC, AioA, respectively. Tertiary structure of proteins Acr3, ArsC, AioA, and ArsM showed strain C1 exhibits the high activities of arsenite oxidase and arsenate reductase enzymes that are encoded by aioA and arsC genes, respectively. Moreover, strain C1 with arsM gene produced volatile-methylated As-compounds; monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), dimethylarsenic acid (DMA), and arsenobetaine (AsB) in the presence of either As(III) or As(V). In conclusion, the strain C1 has great potential for its application in bioremediation of As-contaminated sites., (© 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile, rod-shaped bacterium, designated 7M-Z19T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from a Pinus massoniana forest of Dinghushan Biosphere Reserve, Guangdong Province, PR China. Strain 7M-Z19T grew at pH 4.5-7.5 (optimum pH 6.0-6.5), 10 to 37 °C (optimum 28 °C) and NaCl concentration up to 2.0 % (optimum 0 %, w/v). iso-C17 : 0, C18 : 1ω7c and C19 : 0ω8c cyclo were the major fatty acids (>10 %) while ubiquinone-10 was the only respiratory quinone detected in 7M-Z19T. The polar lipids of the strain consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, six unidentified aminophospholipids, three unidentified phospholipids, six unidentified lipids and a glycolipid. The DNA G+C content was 65.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the isolate formed a distinct lineage with Dongia mobilis and Dongia rigui within the family Rhodospirillaceae, but with a low sequence similarity of 92.7 and 92.0 %, respectively. On the basis of phylogenetic, phenotypic, physiological and chemotaxonomic distinctiveness, strain 7M-Z19T should be placed in the family Rhodospirillaceae as a representative of a novel genus and species, for which the name Aliidongia dinghuensis gen. nov., sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain of the type species is 7M-Z19T (=NBRC 112240T=KCTC 52134T=CGMCC 1.15725T).

Inquilinus limosus is a slow growing, gram-negative, oxidase-positive, non-fermentative bacillus that is rarely isolated from clinical samples. When clinically identified, I. limosus is almost exclusively isolated from the respiratory tracts of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). We report the first case of I. limosus isolation from a pulmonary specimen in an individual without a diagnosis of CF. A review of the English-language literature has been made and shows 33 cases (excluding the present report) in which I. limosus was isolated from the respiratory tracts of patients. Our patient, at 60years of age, is more than two decades older than the any previously reported patient. Similar to previous reports, the I. limosus isolated from her lungs demonstrated intrinsic multidrug resistance. The pathogenicity, clinical relevance, and optimal therapeutic management of I. limosus remains largely unknown due to its infrequent recovery from clinical samples., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach was carried out on strain PB8BT, which was isolated from the deep water of the Indian Ocean. Cells of the bacterium were Gram-stain-negative, oxidase- and catalase-positive, curved rods and motile. Growth was observed at salinities of 0-15 % and at temperatures of 10-41°C. The isolate could reduce nitrate to nitrite and degrade Tween 80, but not degrade gelatin. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain PB8BT belonged to the genus Thalassospira, with the highest sequence similarity to the closely related type strain Thalassospira tepidiphila 1-1BT (99.7 %), followed by Thalassospira profundimaris WP0211T (99.6 %). Multilocus sequence analysis demonstrated low similarities of 94.1 and 93.7 % between strain PB8BT and the two reference type strains. Digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain PB8BT and the two above-mentioned type strains were, respectively, 56.3 and 55.3 %. The principal fatty acids of strain PB8BT were C18 : 1ω6c/C18 : 1ω7c, C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c and C16 : 0. The G+C content of the chromosomal DNA was 54.9 mol%. The quinone was determined to be Q-10 (100 %). Phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and several unidentified phospholipids and lipids were present. Based on phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, strain PB8BT represents a novel species within the genus Thalassospira, for which the name Thalassospira indica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the novel species is PB8BT (=MCCC 1A01103T=LMG 29620T).

Effective degradation of κ-carrageenan by isolated Thalassospira sp. fjfst-332 is reported for the first time in this paper. It was identified by 16S rDNA sequencing and morphological observation using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Based on a Plackett-Burman design for significant variables, Box-Behnken experimental design and response surface methodology were used to optimize the culture conditions. Through statistical optimization, the optimum medium components were determined as follows: 2.0 g/L κ-carrageenan, 1.0 g/L yeast extract, 1.0 g/L FOS, 20.0 g/L NaCl, 2.0 g/L NaNO₃, 0.5 g/L MgSO₄·7H₂O, 0.1 g/L K₂HPO₄, and 0.1 g/L CaCl₂. The highest activity exhibited by Thalassospira sp. fjfst-332 was 267 U/mL, which makes it the most vigorous wild bacterium for κ-carrageenan production. In order to guide scaled-up production, two empirical models-the logistic equation and Luedeking-Piretequation-were proposed to predict the strain growth and enzyme production, respectively. Furthermore, we report the fermentation kinetics and every empirical equation of the coefficients (α, β, X ₀, X m and μ m ) for the two models, which could be used to design and optimize industrial processes.

A Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, motile and rod-shaped strain, designed H2T, was isolated from the Western Pacific Ocean, and subjected to a taxonomic investigation using a polyphasic approach. Strain H2T grew at 15-40 °C and pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum 37 °C and pH 6.5), and with 1-10 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 2 %). The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10 (Q-10) and the major fatty acids identified were C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c, C18 : 1ω7c, C18 : 0 and 11-methyl-C18 : 1ω7c. The polar lipids of strain H2T consisted of phosphatidylglycerol, one unknown phospholipid, one unknown glycolipid and three unidentified aminolipids. The DNA G+C content was 75.0 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain H2T formed a distinct clade belong to the family Rhodospirillaceae within the Alphaproteobacteria. On the basis of morphological, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, together with the results of phylogenetic analysis, strain H2T represents a novel species in a new genus in the family Rhodospirillaceae, for which the name Marinibaculumpumilum gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is H2T(=MCCC 1K02279T=KCTC 42964T).

A novel Gram-stain-negative, small rod-shaped, motile strain, designated M1T, was isolated from hydrocarbon-contaminated desert sands collected from Kuwait. M1T grew at 12-45 °C, pH 6.1-8.8 and 0-4.5 % (w/v) NaCl concentration. Casein, Tween-20 and Tween-80 were hydrolyzed while starch, urea, chitin, DNA and carboxymethyl-cellulose were not hydrolyzed by M1T. C18 : 1ω6c/C18 : 1ω7c, C16 : 0 and C12 : 0 aldehyde were predominant fatty acids with minor amounts of iso-C16 : 1I/C14 : 0 3-OH, C16 : 0 3-OH, C18 : 0, C16 : 1ω6c/C16 : 1ω7c, C16 : 1ω11c and C18 : 1ω9c. Diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) were the major polar lipids. Minor amounts of unidentified aminolipids (AL1-2), unidentified phospholipids (PL1-2) and unidentified lipids (L1-4) were also detected. Genomic G+C content was 69.5 mol%. Comparisons of 16S rRNA gene sequence indicate that M1T represent a member of the genus Skermanella in the family Rhodospirillaceae of the class Alphaproteobacteria. M1T has a sequence similarity of 97.5 % with Skermanella aerolata 5416T-32T, 96.7 % with Skermanella stibiiresistens SB22T and <95.7 % with the other two species of the genus Skermanella. DNA-DNA hybridization values between M1T and the type strains of the most closely related species were clearly below the 70 % threshold. Distinct morphological, physiological and genotypic differences from the previously described taxa support the classification of strain M1T as a representative of a novel species in the genus Skermanella, for which the name Skermanella rosea sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is M1T (=KEMB 2255-458T=JCM 31276T).

A Gram-stain negative, white-pigmented bacterial strain, designated D78(T), was isolated from soil obtained from Dokdo in Korea. The strain was observed to be aerobic, asporogenous and rod-shaped. The strain was observed to grow at 15-40 °C (optimum 37 °C), at pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum 7.0-7.5) and in the presence of 0-1 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetically, the strain was found to be closely related to members of the genus Dongia and showed 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Dongia mobilis LM22(T) and Dongia rigui 04SU4-P(T) of 94.6 and 94.4 %, respectively. The major fatty acids were identified as C16:0, C19:0 cyclo ω8c and summed feature 8 (C18:1 ω7c and/or C18:1 ω6c). Q-10 was identified as the only ubiquinone. The polar lipids profile was found to contain phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxyphosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified aminolipid and three unidentified polar lipids. The DNA G+C content of the strain was found to be 54.7 mol%. Based on the phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic data, strain D78(T) represents a novel species in the genus Dongia, for which the name Dongia soli sp. nov. (=KACC 13941(T) =LMG 29193(T)) is proposed.

Two Gram-negative, non-pigmented, motile bacteria were isolated from a sea water sample collected at St. Kilda Beach, Port Philip Bay, Victoria, Australia. The two strains were found to grow between 4 and 40 °C, pH 5-10 and tolerate up to 10 % NaCl. A phylogenetic study, based on a 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strains NP 3b2(T) and H 94 belong to the genus Thalassospira. The sequence similarity of the 16S rRNA gene between the two new isolates is 99.8 % and between these strains and all validly named Thalassospira species was found to be in the range of 95-99.4 %. The DNA-DNA relatedness between the two strains was found to be 80.2 %, while relatedness with other validly named species of the genus Thalassospira was between 53 and 65 %. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and the in silico genome-to-genome distance (GGD) between the two bacteria and T. profundimaris WP0211(T), T. xiamenensis M-5(T), 'T. permensis' NBRC 106175(T) and T. lucentensis QMT2(T) was 76-82 % and 21-25 %, respectively. The results of phylogenetic and genomic analysis, together with physiological and biochemical properties, indicated that the two strains represent a new species of the genus Thalassospira. Based on these data, a new species, Thalassospira australica, is proposed with strain NP 3b2(T) (=KMM 6365(T) = JCM 31222(T)) as the type strain.

The aim of the present study was to obtain a marine bacterium active against Karenia mikimotoi from the East China Sea and to characterize its extracellular algicidal substances. Using preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (prep-HPLC) and electrospray ionization/quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometer coupled with a high-performance liquid chromatography (LC/MS-Q-TOF) system, we purified the alga-lysing substance produced by strain ZR-2 and determined its molecular structure. Based on morphology and l6S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequence analysis, the ZR-2 strain was highly homologous to Thalassospira species. Algicidal activity against K. mikimotoi was detected in the cell-free filtrate but not in bacterial cells. The alga-lysing substance produced by ZR-2 was ethanol-soluble and thermostable, with a retention time of 6.3 min and a measured elemental composition of C7H5O2 ([M-H](-) ion at m/z 121.0295). The alga-lysing substance produced by ZR-2 was determined to be benzoic acid. Compared with the negative control, both purified ZR-2 bacteria-free filtrate and standard benzoic acid promoted K. mikimotoi cell disruption and induced K. mikimotoi cell content leakage. Our study is the first to report benzoic acid activity against K. mikimotoi as well as production of benzoic acid by a Thalassospira species.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped (1.0-1.2×2.0-8.0 µm), non-motile without flagella strain, designated HSF7T, was isolated from deep seawater. Strain HSF7T was able to grow at 20-40 °C (optimum 35 °C), pH 5.5-9.0 (optimum pH 6.5) and 0-10 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 2 %). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 69 mol%. Bacteriochlorophyll a and poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) granules were not found. The major fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c (69.3 %), C16 : 0 (9.1 %) and C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c (6.6 %). The polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, three unknown aminophospholipids, an unknown phospholipid, an unknown aminolipid and two unknown lipids. The only isoprenoid quinone was Q-10. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain HSF7T was most closely related toThalassobaculum salexigens DSM 19539T, Thalassobaculum litoreum DSM 18839T, Nisaeadenitrificans DSM 18348T and Oceanibaculum indicum MCCC 1A02083Twith pairwise sequence similarities of 95.56 %, 95.21 %, 93.64 % and 92.65 %, respectively. On the basis of genotypic, phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain HSF7T represents a novel species of the genus Thalassobaculum, or which the name Thalassobaculum fulvum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HSF7T(=KCTC 42651T=MCCC 1K01158T).

A Gram-negative, aerobic, motile, spiral-shaped bacterium, strain H5569(T), was isolated from a human blood sample. Phenotypic and molecular characteristics of the isolate were investigated. Optimal growth was found to occur at 35 °C under aerobic conditions on Heart Infusion Agar supplemented with 5 % rabbit blood. The major fatty acids present in the cells were identified as C16:0, C16:1ω7c and C18:1ω7c. The predominant respiratory quinone was found to be ubiquinone-Q10. The G+C content of genomic DNA for strain H5569(T) was found to be 49.9 %. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis results, 13 additional isolates were also analysed in this study. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the organism, represented by strain H5569(T), forms a distinct lineage within the family Rhodospirillaceae, closely related to two Novispirillum itersonii subspecies (93.9-94.1 %) and two Caenispirillum sp. (91.2-91.6 %). Based on these results, the isolate H5569(T) is concluded to represent a new genus and species for which the name Haematospirillum jordaniae gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is H5569(T) (=DSM(T) 28903 = CCUG 66838(T)).

A Gram-negative, pink-coloured, rod-shaped, motile bacterium, designated YIM 93097(T), was isolated from the desert soil collected from Xinjiang province of China. Strain YIM 93097(T) was found to grow at 20-45 °C (optimum 28-37 °C), pH 5.0-7.0 (optimum pH 7.0) and 0-8 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 1 %, w/v). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies, it belongs to the genus Skermanella. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity was identified to be 98.7 % to Skermanella xinjiangensis CCTCC AB 207153(T) while the DNA-DNA hybridization value was found to be only 48.1 %. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was determined to be Q-10. The major fatty acids were identified to be C16:0, C18:1 ω7c and summed feature 4 (consisting of C17:1 anteiso B/iso I). The major polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, two unidentified phospholipids and one unidentified aminolipid. The DNA G+C content was found to be 67.2 mol %. The analysis of the genotypic and phenotypic data indicated that strain YIM 93097(T) belongs to a novel species of the genus Skermanella, for which the name Skermanella rubra sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 93097(T) (=DSM 21389(T)=CCTCC AB 2015161(T)).

A polyphasic approach was used to characterize a novel nitrogen-fixing bacterial strain, designated YC6995(T), isolated from the rhizosphere soil of Iris ensata var. spontanea (Makino) Nakai inhabiting a wetland located at an altitude of 960 m on Jiri Mountain, Korea. Strain YC6995(T) cells were Gram-negative, and rod-shaped, with motility provided by a single polar flagellum. Optimal growth conditions were 30 °C and pH 7.0. The major fatty acids of strain YC6995(T) were C18:1 ω7c, C18:1 2-OH and C16:0 3-OH. The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10 (Q-10). The polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol and unidentified glycolipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 64.1 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed strain YC6995(T) to form a phyletic lineage with Nitrospirillum amazonense DSM 2787(T) with a high sequence similarity (97.2 %), but it displayed low sequence similarity with other remotely related genera, including Azospirillum (<93 %), Rhodocista (93.1-93.4 %), and Skermanella (91.2-93.3 %) in the family Alphaproteobacteria. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and phylogenetic evidences, strain YC6995(T) represents a novel species within the genus Nitrospirillum, for which the name Nitrospirillum irinus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YC6995(T) (= KACC 13777(T) = DSM 22198(T)). An emended description of the genus Nitrospirillum is also proposed.

A Gram-stain-negative, slightly curved rod-shaped, non-spore-forming diazotrophic bacterium, designated strain TH16T, was isolated from cyanobacterial aggregates taken from eutrophic Lake Taihu, Jiangsu Province, China. The pH range for growth was 5-9 (optimum at pH 7.0), salinity range was 0-2% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 0%) and temperature range was 20-37 °C (optimum 30 °C) in nutrient broth. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that strain TH16T clusters near and is closely related to the genus Niveispirillum within the family Rhodospirillaceae of the class Alphaproteobacteria. Within the genus Niveispirillum, strain TH16T was related most closely to Niveispirillum irakense KBC1T (98.1% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Niveispirillum fermenti CC-LY736T (97.0 %). The DNA G+C content of strain TH16T was 64 mol%. DNA-DNA relatedness between strain TH16T and the type strains of N. irakense and N. fermenti was 39.6 and 30.1%, respectively. The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-10.The major fatty acids (>10%) were C18  :  1ω6c/C18  :  1ω7c, C18  :  1 2-OH and C16  :  0 3-OH. Genes in the puf operon, encoding proteins of the photosynthetic reaction centre and core light-harvesting complexes, were also present. Based on morphological, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain TH16T represents a novel species within the genus Niveispirillum, for which the name Niveispirillum cyanobacteriorum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TH16T ( = CGMCC 1.12958T = LMG 28334T).

A novel cyhalothrin-degrading strain, designated as LM-6(T), was isolated from a cyhalothrin contaminated wastewater sample. The bacterium was found to be Gram stain-negative, non-spore-forming, vibrio-shaped, and motile with a single polar flagellum. Strain LM-6(T) was observed to grow optimally at 28-30 °C, pH 6.0 and in the absence of NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain LM-6(T) is a member of the genus Ferrovibrio, and showed the highest sequence similarity with Ferrovibrio denitrificans Sp-1(T) (97.7 %), followed by Taonella mepensis H1(T) (93.3 %). The major fatty acids of strain LM-6(T) (>5 %) were determined to be C18:1 ω7c and/or C18:1 ω6c, C16:0, C18:1 2-OH and C17:1 iso I and/or anteiso B. The major polar lipids were identified to be phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylmethylethanolamine. The major respiratory quinone was determined to be ubiquinone-10. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain LM-6(T) is 66.5 mol %. Strain LM-6(T) showed low DNA-DNA relatedness with F. denitrificans Sp-1(T) (53.1 ± 0.5 %). On the basis of phylogenetic, genomic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data, strain LM-6(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Ferrovibrio, for which the name Ferrovibrio xuzhouensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Ferrovibrio xuzhouensis LM-6(T) (=KCTC 42182(T) = ACCC 19710(T)).

A gram-negative, aerobic, obligatory halophilic, curved-to-spiral rod-shaped, uni- or bi-polar flagellated motile bacterium 139Z-12(T) was isolated from water samples collected from Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica as part of the Indo-German iron fertilization experiment "LOHAFEX." The bacterium was positive for catalase, oxidase, and gelatinase, with C18:1ω7c (20.1 %), C16:0 (7.3 %), C16:1ω7c (28.9 %), and C12:0 (19.0 %) as the predominant fatty acids, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylethanolamine as major lipids and Q-10 as the major respiratory quinone. DNA G + C content (mol%) of strain 139Z-12(T) was 53.0. Both BLAST and EzTaxon identified strain 139Z-12(T) as affiliated species of the genus Thalassospira with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities ranging from 97.9 to 99.9 %. Based on above characteristics, strain 139Z-12(T) was assigned to the genus Thalassospira. Since strain 139Z-12(T) shared a DNA-DNA similarity of <70.0 % with members of the genus Thalassospira, 139Z-12(T) was identified as a novel species of the genus and named as Thalassospira lohafexi sp. nov. In addition to this, strain 139Z-12(T), based on REP-PCR, delineated at a similarity coefficient of <0.67 from other species of the genus Thalassospira and also exhibited a MLSA distance of <95.5 %, a value less than the interspecies distance determined previously for the genus Thalassospira, further supporting the species status. In addition, species rank was further confirmed by other polyphasic characteristics. The type strain of Thalassospira lohafexi sp. nov. is 139Z-12(T) (KCTC 32347(T) = LMG 27449(T) = MCC 2233(T) = NBRC 110402(T)).

Two alkaliphilic strains of nonsulfur purple bacteria (NPB), B7-4 and B8-2, were isolated from southeast Siberia moderately saline alkaline steppe lakes with pH values above 9.0. The isolates were motile, polymorphous cells (from short rods to long spindly cells) 2.0-3.2 x 9.6-20.0 μm. Intracellular membranes of vesicular type were mostly located at the cell periphery. The microorganisms contained bacteriochlorophyll a and carotenoids of the spheroidene and spirilloxanthin series. The photosynthetic apparatus was represented by LH2 and LH1 light-harvesting complexes. In the presence of organic compounds, the strains grew aerobically in the dark or anaerobically in the light. Capacity for photo- and chemoautotrophic growth was not detected. The cbbl gene encoding RuBisCO was not revealed. Optimal growth of both strains occurred at 2% NaCl (range from 0.5 to 4%), pH 8.0-8.8 (range from 7.5 to 9.7), and 25-35 degrees C. The DNA G+C content was 67.6-69.8 mol %. Pairwise comparison of the nucleotides of the 16S rRNA genes revealed that strains B7-4 and B8-2 belonged to the same species (99.9% homology) and were most closely related to the aerobic alkaliphilic bacteriochlorophyll a-containing anoxygenic phototrophic bacterium (APB) Roseibacula alcaliphilum De (95.2%) and to NPB strains Rhodobaca barguzinensis VKM B-2406(T) (94.2%) and Rbc. bogoriensis LBB1(T) (93.9%). The isolates were closely related to the NPB Rhodobacter veldkampii DSM 11550(T) (94.8%) and to aerobic bacteriochlorophyll a-containing bacteria Roseinatronobacter monicus ROS 35(T) and Roseicitreum antarcticul ZS2-28(T) (93.5 and 93.9%, respectively). New strains were described as a new NPB genus and species of the family Rhodobacteriaceae, Rhodobaculum claviforme gen. nov., sp. nov., with B7-4(T) (VKM B-2708, LMG 28126) as the type strain.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, facultatively anaerobic, moderately halophilic bacterium, designated strain BA45AL(T), was isolated from water of a saltern located in Santa Pola, Alicante, Spain. Cells were motile, and catalase- and oxidase-positive. Strain BA45AL(T) grew at temperatures in the range 14-45 °C (optimally at 37 °C), at pH 5.0-9.0 (optimally at pH 7.5), and in media containing 5-20 % (w/v) salts [optimally in media containing 10 % (w/v) salts]. Phylogenetic analysis based on the comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain BA45AL(T) is a member of the genus Fodinicurvata. The closest relatives to the novel strain were Fodinicurvata fenggangensis YIM D812(T) and Fodinicurvata sediminis YIM D82(T) with sequence similarities of 98.2 % and 97.4 %, respectively. DNA-DNA hybridization between the novel isolate and these phylogenetically related species revealed relatedness values of 30 % and 15 %, respectively, with respect to the aforementioned species. The major cellular fatty acids of strain BA45AL(T) were C18 : 1ω7c, C16 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain BA45AL(T) was 58.0 mol%, and the polar lipid pattern consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine and a number of unknown phospholipids and lipids. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data presented in this study, strain BA45AL(T) constituted a novel species of the genus Fodinicurvata, for which the name Fodinicurvata halophila sp. nov. is suggested. The type strain is BA45AL(T) ( = CCM 8504(T) = CECT 8472(T) = JCM 19075(T) = LMG 27945(T))., (© 2015 IUMS.)

A pale pink and strictly aerobic bacterium, designated strain M71(T), was isolated from the soil of a Euphrates poplar forest in Xingjiang, PR China. Cells of the strain were Gram-reaction-negative, rod-shaped and motile by means of a single polar flagellum. Growth occurred at 10-37 °C (optimum 30 °C), at pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum pH 7.0-8.0) and with 0-2.0% NaCl (w/v, optimum 0%). Phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, indicated that strain M71(T) belongs to the genus Desertibacter in the family Rhodospirillaceae. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of this strain showed 96.2% sequence similarity with the type strain of Desertibacter roseus 2262(T). The respiratory quinone was Q-10 and the predominant cellular fatty acids were C(18:1)ω7c (53.2%), C(16:1)ω5c (11.0%), summed feature 3 (C(16:1)ω7c and/or C(16:1)ω6c, 10.2%) and C(16:0) (8.5%). The DNA G+C content was 71.2 mol% (HPLC). The strain contained phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine as the predominant polar lipids. On the basis of the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain M71(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Desertibacter, for which the name Desertibacter xinjiangensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is M71(T) ( =CCTCC AB 209291(T) =CIP 110127(T))., (© 2014 IUMS.)

This study determined the effect of light intensity and photoperiod on the dry cell weight and total amount of carotenoids in four isolates of purple non-sulfur bacteria obtained from shaded and exposed microhabitats of a mangrove ecosystem in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. The initial isolation of the bacteria was carried out using synthetic 112 medium under anaerobic conditions (2.5 klx) at 30 ± 2°C. On the basis of colony appearance, cell morphology, gram staining, motility test, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing analyses, all four bacteria were identified as Afifella marina. One of the bacterial isolates, designated as Af. marina strain ME, which was extracted from an exposed mud habitat within the mangrove ecosystem, showed the highest yield in dry cell weight (4.32± 0.03 g/l) as well as total carotenoids (0.783 ± 0.002 mg/g dry cell weight). These values were significantly higher than those for dry cell weight (3.77 ± 0.02g/l ) and total carotenoid content (0.706 ± 0.008 mg/g) produced by the isolates from shaded habitats. Further analysis of the effect of 10 levels of light intensity on the growth characteristics of Af. marina strain ME showed that the optimum production of dry cell weight and total carotenoids was achieved at different light intensities and incubation periods. The bacterium produced the highest dry cell weight of 4.98 g/l at 3 klx in 72 h incubation, but the carotenoid production of 0.783 mg/g was achieved at 2.5 klx in 48 h incubation. Subsequent analysis of the effect of photoperiod on the production of dry cell weight and total carotenoids at optimum light intensities (3 and 2.5 klx, respectively) revealed that 18 and 24 h were the optimum photoperiods for the production of dry cell weight and total carotenoids, respectively. The unique growth characteristics of the Af. marina strain ME can be exploited for biotechnology applications.

A taxonomic study was carried out on a novel aerobic bacterial strain (designated CC-LY736(T)) isolated from a fermentor in Taiwan. Cells of strain CC-LY736(T) were Gram-stain negative, spiral-shaped and motile by means of a monopolar flagellum. Strain CC-LY736(T) shared the greatest degree of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Azospirillum irakense DSM 11586(T) (97.2 %), Rhodocista centenaria JCM 21060(T) (96.3 %) and Rhodocista pekingensis JCM 11669(T) (96.1 %). The major fatty acids were C16:0, C16:1 ω5c, C19:0 cyclo ω8c, C18:1 ω7c/C18:1 ω6c, C16:0 3-OH and C18:1 2-OH. The predominant polar lipids included phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine and two unidentified glycolipids. The common major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-10 and predominant polyamines were sym-homospermidine and putrescine. The DNA G+C content of strain CC-LY736(T) was 67.6 ± 0.1 mol %. During phylogenetic analysis, strain CC-LY736(T) formed a unique phyletic lineage associated with Rhodocista species. However, the combination of genetic, chemotaxonomic and physiological data clearly indicated that strain CC-LY736(T) was a novel representative of the family Rhodospirillaceae. Based on the polyphasic comparison, the name Niveispirillum fermenti gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain of the type species is CC-LY736(T) (= BCRC 80504(T) = LMG 27263(T)). In addition, the reclassifications of Azospirillum irakense as Niveispirillum irakense comb. nov. (type strain KBC1(T) = ATCC 51182(T) = BCRC 15764(T) = CIP 103311(T)), and Azospirillum amazonense as Nitrospirillum amazonense gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain Am14(T) = ATCC 35119(T) = BCRC 14279(T) = DSM 3787(T)) are proposed based on the polyphasic taxonomic data obtained in this study.

A polyvinyl-alcohol-degrading marine bacterium was isolated from plastic rope litter found in Tokyo Bay, Japan. The isolated strain, Zumi 95(T), was a Gram-reaction-negative, non-spore-forming and facultatively anaerobic chemo-organotroph. The major respiratory quinone was Q-10. The predominant fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c and C16 : 0. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the isolated strain was closely affiliated with members of the genus Thalassospira in the class Alphaproteobacteria. The DNA G+C content of the novel strain was 55.1 mol%. The hybridization values for DNA-DNA relatedness between this strain and four reference strains representing species of the genus Thalassospira were significantly lower than that accepted as the phylogenetic definition of a species. On the basis of differences in taxonomic characteristics, the isolated strain represents a novel species of the genus Thalassospira for which the name Thalassospira povalilytica sp. nov. (type strain Zumi 95(T) = JCM 18746(T) = DSM 26719(T)) is proposed.

Ceftazidime is the only anti-pseudomonal beta-lactam that has been reported to be administered by extended infusion in pediatric cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. A small pediatric pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic study has been published regarding the use of intermittent extended infusion doripenem in the treatment of an acute pulmonary exacerbation (APE) in pediatric CF patients; however, clinical use of intermittent extended infusion doripenem in pediatric CF patients has not been previously reported. We present three cases administering intermittent extended infusion doripenem in pediatric CF patients for the treatment of an APE in the case of replacing meropenem due to shortage. The delivery of beta-lactam antibiotics via intermittent extended infusion should be considered in order to optimize the pharmacodynamics of beta-lactams in the treatment of an APE., (© 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Aztreonam, cefepime, and ceftazidime are anti-pseudomonal beta-lactam antibiotics which have been previously reported to be administered by continuous infusion (CI) in pediatric CF patients. We present two cases administering intravenous (IV) meropenem and ticarcillin-clavulanate by CI in pediatric CF patients. The delivery of beta-lactam antibiotics via CI should be considered in order to optimize the pharmacodynamics (PD) of beta-lactams in the treatment of acute pulmonary exacerbations (APE)., (© 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)