Veillonella faecalis sp. nov., a propionic acid-producing bacterium isolated from the faeces of an infant

A strictly anaerobic, Gram-stain-negative, catalase-negative, cocci-shaped, and propionate-producing bacterial strain, named Ds1651T was isolated from the fecal sample collected from a South Korean infant. Through a comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences, it was revealed that Ds1651T had the highest phylogenetic affinity with Veillonella nakazawae KCTC 25297 T (99.86%), followed by Veillonella infantium KCTC 25370 T (99.80%), and Veillonella dispar KCTC 25309 T (99.73%) in the family Veillonellaceae. Average nucleotide identity values between Ds1651T and three reference species were 95.48% for Veillonella nakazawae KCTC 25297 T, 94.46% for Veillonella infantium KCTC 25370 T, and 92.81% for Veillonella dispar KCTC 25309 T. The G + C content of Ds1651T was 38.58 mol%. Major fermentation end-products were acetic and propionic acids in Trypticase peptone glucose yeast extract broth with 1% (v/v) sodium lactate. The predominant cellular fatty acids that account for more than 10% were summed in Feature 8 (C17:1 ω8c and/or C17:2) and C13:0. Based on the findings from phylogenetic, genomic, phenotypic, and chemotaxonomic studies, we propose that the type strain Ds1651T (= KCTC 25477 T = GDMCC 1.3707 T) represents a novel bacterial species within the genus Veillonella, with the proposed name Veillonella faecalis sp. nov.

Sphingomonas cremea sp. nov., isolated from ginseng soil

A novel Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile, cream-coloured strain (G124^T) was isolated from ginseng soil collected in Yeongju, Republic of Korea. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain G124^T belongs to a distinct lineage within the genus Sphingomonas (family Sphingomonadaceae, order Sphingomonadales and class Alphaproteobacteria). Strain G124^T was closely related to Sphingomonas rhizophila THG-T61^T (98.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Sphingomonas mesophila SYSUP0001^T (98.3 %), Sphingomonas edaphi DAC4^T (97.6 %) and Sphingomonas jaspsi TDMA-16^T (97.6 %). The strain contained ubiquinone 10 as the major respiratory quinone. The major polar lipid profile of strain G124^T comprised phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and sphingoglycolipids. The predominant cellular fatty acids of strain G124^T were summed feature 8 (C_18 : 1  ω7c/C_18 : 1  ω6c; 33.4 %), summed feature 3 (C_16 : 1  ω6c/C_16 : 1  ω7c; 27.2 %) and C_16 : 0 (18.3 %). The genome size of strain G124^T was 2 549 305 bp. The genomic DNA G+C content is 62.0 mol%. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain G124^T and other Sphingomonas species were in the range of 71.2-75.9 % and 18.7-19.9 %, respectively. Based on the polyphasic analysis such as biochemical, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain G124^T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingomonas, for which the name Sphingomonas cremea sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is G124^T (=KACC 21691^T=LMG 31729^T).

Limosilactobacillus reuteri DS0384 promotes intestinal epithelial maturation via the postbiotic effect in human intestinal organoids and infant mice

Little is known about the modulatory capacity of the microbiota in early intestinal development. We examined various intestinal models that respond to gut microbial metabolites based on human pluripotent stem cell-derived human intestinal organoids (hIOs): physiologically relevant in vitro fetal-like intestine, intestinal stem cell, and intestinal disease models. We found that a newly isolated Limosilactobacillus reuteri strain DS0384 accelerated maturation of the fetal intestine using 3D hIO with immature fetal characteristics. Comparative metabolomic profiling analysis revealed that the secreted metabolite N-carbamyl glutamic acid (NCG) is involved in the beneficial effect of DS0384 cell-free supernatants on the intestinal maturation of hIOs. Experiments in an intestinal stem cell spheroid model and hIO-based intestinal inflamed model revealed that the cell-free supernatant from DS0384 comprising NCG promoted intestinal stem cell proliferation and was important for intestinal protection against cytokine-induced intestinal epithelial injury. The probiotic properties of DS0384 were also evaluated, including acid and bile tolerance and ability to adhere to human intestinal cells. Seven-day oral administration of DS0384 and cell-free supernatant promoted the intestinal development of newborn mice. Moreover, NCG exerted a protective effect on experimental colitis in mice. These results suggest that DS0384 is a useful agent for probiotic applications and therapeutic treatment for disorders of early gut development and for preventing intestinal barrier dysfunction.

Chryseobacterium panacisoli sp. nov., isolated from ginseng-cultivation soil with ginsenoside-converting activity

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, aerobic, rod-shaped and yellow-pigmented bacterium, designated strain Gsoil 183^T, was isolated from ginseng-cultivation soil sampled in Pocheon Province, Republic of Korea. This bacterium was characterized to determine its taxonomic position by using a polyphasic approach. Strain Gsoil 183^T grew at 10-37 °C and at pH 5.0-9.0 on tryptic soy agar. Strain Gsoil 183^T had β-glucosidase activity, which was responsible for its ability to convert ginsenoside Rb1 (one of the dominant active components of ginseng) to F2. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, strain Gsoil 183^T clustered with species of the genus Chryseobacterium and appeared to be closely related to Chryseobacterium sediminis LMG 28695^T (99.1 % sequence similarity), Chryseobacterium lactis NCTC 11390^T (98.6%), Chryseobacterium rhizoplanae LMG 28481^T (98.6%), Chryseobacterium oncorhynchi CCUG 60105^T (98.5%), Chryseobacterium viscerum CCUG 60103^T (98.4%) and Chryseobacterium joostei DSM 16927^T (98.3%). Menaquinone MK-6 was the predominant respiratory quinone and the major fatty acids were iso-C_15 : 0, iso-C_17 : 0-3OH and summed feature 3 (C_16 : 1  ω6c and/or C_16 : 1  ω7c). The polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, six unidentified glycolipids, five unidentified aminolipids and three unidentified lipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 36.6 mol%. Digital DNA-DNA hybridization between strain Gsoil 183^T and the type strains of C. sediminis, C. lactis, C. rhizoplanae, C. oncorhynchi, C. viscerum and C. joostei resulted in values below 70 %. Strain Gsoil 183^T could be differentiated genotypically and phenotypically from the recognized species of the genus Chryseobacterium. The isolate therefore represents a novel species, for which the name Chryseobacterium panacisoli sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain Gsoil 183^T (=KACC 15033^T=LMG 23397^T).

Ochrobactrum soli sp. nov., Isolated from a Korean Cattle Farm

A Gram stain negative, motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped, strictly aerobic, beige-pigmented bacterium, designated strain BO-7^T, was isolated from soil of cattle farm, in Seosan, Republic of Korea. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequencing, strain BO-7^T clustered with species of the genus Ochrobactrum and appeared closely related to O. haematophilum CCUG 38531^T (98.9%), O. daejeonense KCTC 22458^T (98.1%), O. rhizosphaerae DSM 19824^T (98.1%), O. pituitosum DSM 22207^T (98.0%), and O. pecoris DSM 23868^T (98.0%). The digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity between strain BO-7^T and the closely related strains were 21.9-39.1%, 78.5-89.5%, respectively, indicating that BO-7^T is a novel species of the genus Ochrobactrum. The DNA G + C content of the genomic DNA was 57.1 mol%, and ubiquinone Q-10 was the predominant respiratory quinone. The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylmonomethyl-ethanolamine, di-phosphatidylglycerol, the major polyamines were spermidine, putrescine, and sym-homospermidine. The major cellular fatty acids (> 5%) were C_16:0, C_19:0 cycle ω7c, and C_18:1ω7c and/or C_18:1ω6c (summed feature 8). ANI calculation, digital DNA-DNA hybridization, physiological and biochemical characteristics indicated that strain BO-7^T represents a novel species of the genus Ochrobactrum, for which the name Ochrobactrum soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BO-7^T (= KACC 19676^T = LMG 30809^T).

Species-Specific Interactions between Plant Metabolites and Insect Juvenile Hormone Receptors

Because juvenile hormone (JH) controls insect development and its analogs are used as insecticides, juvenile hormone disruptors (JHDs) represent potential sources from which novel pesticides can be developed. Many plant species harbor JHD activity, which has previously been attributed plant secondary metabolites (i.e., diterpenes) that disrupt insect development by interfering with the JH-mediated heterodimer formation of insect juvenile receptor complexes. The results of the present study indicate that plant JHD activity is also concentrated in certain plant groups and families and that plant metabolites have insect group-specific activity. These findings suggest that reciprocal diversification has occurred between plants and insects through the evolution of the plant metabolites and JH receptors, respectively, and that plant metabolites could be developed into insect group-specific pesticides with limited effects on non-target species.

Conifer Diterpene Resin Acids Disrupt Juvenile Hormone-Mediated Endocrine Regulation in the Indian Meal Moth Plodia interpunctella

Diterpene resin acids (DRAs) are important components of oleoresin and greatly contribute to the defense strategies of conifers against herbivorous insects. In the present study, we determined that DRAs function as insect juvenile hormone (JH) antagonists that interfere with the juvenile hormone-mediated binding of the JH receptor Methoprene-tolerant (Met) and steroid receptor coactivator (SRC). Using a yeast two-hybrid system transformed with Met and SRC from the Indian meal moth Plodia interpunctella, we tested the interfering activity of 3704 plant extracts against JH III-mediated Met-SRC binding. Plant extracts from conifers, especially members of the Pinaceae, exhibited strong interfering activity, and four active interfering DRAs (7α-dehydroabietic acid, 7-oxodehydroabietic acid, dehydroabietic acid, and sandaracopimaric acid) were isolated from roots of the Japanese pine Pinus densiflora. The four isolated DRAs, along with abietic acid, disrupted the juvenile hormone-mediated binding of P. interpunctella Met and SRC, although only 7-oxodehydroabietic acid disrupted larval development. These results demonstrate that DRAs may play a defensive role against herbivorous insects via insect endocrine-disrupting activity.

Left-sided gallbladder: a complicated percutaneous cholecystostomy and subsequent hepatic embolisation

A 68-year-old male patient with chronic hypertension, diabetes mellitus and chronic renal failure was diagnosed with acute calculous cholecystitis. A percutaneous cholecystostomy using a transperitoneal approach was performed after two failed attempts with a right-sided transhepatic approach. Subsequent hepatic embolisation was performed for the treatment of haemoperitoneum due to hepatic injury after the percutaneous cholecystostomy. The presence of a left-sided gallbladder was confirmed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy after 1 week. Prior identification of this anomaly would have prevented hepatic injury through the use of a cautious procedure against mobility or careful selection of the approach routes. In conclusion, the transperitoneal approach can be easier or more preferable to perform for a percutaneous cholecystostomy of a left-sided gallbladder.

Nanometal Surface Energy Transfer in Optical Rulers, Breaking the FRET Barrier

Optical-based distance measurements are essential for tracking biomolecular conformational changes, drug discovery, and cell biology. Traditional Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) is efficient for separation distances up to 100 A. We report the first successful application of a dipole-surface type energy transfer from a molecular dipole to a nanometal surface that more than doubles the traditional Forster range (220 A) and follows a 1/R(4) distance dependence. We appended a 1.4 nm Au cluster to the 5' end of one DNA strand as the energy acceptor and a fluorescein (FAM) to the 5' end of the complementary strand as the energy donor. Analysis of the energy transfer on DNA lengths (15, 20, 30, 60bp), complemented by protein-induced DNA bending, provides the basis for fully mapping the extent of this dipole surface type mechanism over its entire usable range (50-250 A). Further, protein function is fully compatible with these nanometal-DNA constructs. Significantly extending the range of optical based methods in molecular rulers is an important leap forward for biophysics.