Influence of group B streptococcus and vaginal cleanliness on the vaginal microbiome of pregnant women

BACKGROUND

The vaginal microbiome plays a critical role in the health of pregnant women and their newborns. Group B Streptococcus (GBS) and vaginal cleanliness significantly affect the vaginal microecosystem and are closely associated with vaginal diseases.

AIM

To explore the effects of GBS status and vaginal cleanliness on vaginal microecosystems.

METHODS

We collected 160 vaginal swabs from pregnant women and divided them into the following four groups based on GBS status and vaginal cleanliness: GBS-positive + vaginal cleanliness I–II degree, GBS-negative + vaginal cleanliness I–II degree, GBS-positive + vaginal cleanliness III–IV degree, and GBS-negative + vaginal cleanliness III–IV degree. Samples were subjected to 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing.

RESULTS

Alpha diversity analysis showed that the Shannon index did not significantly differ between the four groups. We identified significant variation in taxa abundance between the GBS-positive and GBS-negative groups and between the vaginal cleanliness I–II degree and III–IV degree groups. Principal coordinate analysis and non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis further confirmed the microbial diversity of the four groups. Moreover, the linear discriminant analysis demonstrated that Lactobacillus jensenii and Actinobacteria were strongly associated with GBS-positive status, and Lactobacillus iners, Lactobacillaceae, Lactobacillus, Lactobacillales, Bacilli and Firmicutes were closely correlated with GBS-negative status.

CONCLUSION

GBS status and vaginal cleanliness significantly affect vaginal microbiome differences in pregnant women. Our findings provide instructional information for clinical antibiotic treatment in pregnant women with different GBS statuses and vaginal cleanliness degrees.

Properties of Modestobacter deserti sp. nov., a Kind of Novel Phosphate-Solubilizing Actinobacteria Inhabited in the Desert Biological Soil Crusts

Three Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, motile actinobacterial strains designated as CPCC 205119^T, CPCC 205215, and CPCC 205251 were isolated from different biological soil crust samples collected from Tengger Desert, China. The 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison of these three strains showed they had almost identical 16S rRNA genes, which were closely related to members of the family Geodermatophilaceae, with the highest similarities of 96.3–97.3% to the species of Modestobacter. In the phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, these isolates clustered into a subclade next to the branch containing the species of Modestobacter lapidis and Modestobacter multiseptatus, within the lineage of the genus Modestobacter. The comparative genomic characteristics (values of ANI, dDDH, AAI, and POCP) and the phenotypic properties (morphological, physiological, and chemotaxonomic characteristics) of these isolates readily supported to affiliate them to the genus Modestobacter as a single separate species. For which, we proposed that the isolates CPCC 205119^T, CPCC 205215, and CPCC 205251 represent a novel species of the genus Modestobacter as Modestobacter deserti sp. nov. CPCC 205119^T (=I12A-02624=NBRC 113528^T=KCTC 49201^T) is the type strain. The genome of strain CPCC 205119^T consisted of one chromosome (4,843,235bp) containing 4,424 coding genes, 48 tRNA genes, five rRNA genes, three other ncRNA genes, and 101 pseudogenes, with G+C content of 74.7%. The whole-genome sequences analysis indicated that this species contained alkaline phosphatase genes (phoA/phoD), phosphate transport-related genes (phoU, phnC, phnD, phnE, phoB, phoH, phoP, phoR, pitH, ppk, pstA, pstB, pstC, and pstS), trehalose-phosphate synthase gene (otsA), trehalose 6-phosphate phosphatase gene (otsB) and other encoding genes for the properties that help the microorganisms to adapt to harsh environmental conditions prevalent in deserts. Strains of this species could solubilize tricalcium phosphate [Ca₃(PO₄)₂] and phytin, assimilate pyrophosphate, thiophosphate, dithiophosphate, phosphoenol pyruvate, 2-deoxy-d-glucose-6-phosphate, and cysteamine-S-phosphate.

[Expression and significance of STOX1 in villi and placenta at different stages of normal gestation]

Objective: To investigate the expression and significance of STOX1 in different stages of gestation villi and placenta. Methods: Totally 137 cases of normal villi and placenta of pregnant women were collected from the Department of Obstetrics of Shanghai Pudong Hospital from October 1(st) 2015 to February 28(th) 2018, including 64 cases of early pregnancy (early pregnancy group) which consists of 32 cases of 5-7(+6) weeks gestation (early pregnancy group A) and 32 cases of 8-11(+3) weeks gestation (early pregnancy group B), 28 cases of 14-26 weeks gestation(middle pregnancy group) and 45 cases of 37-41 weeks gestation (late pregnancy group). The expression and localization of STOX1 mRNA and protein in placenta were evaluated by RT-qPCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Results: (1)STOX1 was positively expressed in the cytotrophoblasts and syncytiotrophoblasts as well as interstitial and vascular endothelial cells of all groups. (2)STOX1 mRNA expression in each group was significantly different (P<0.05), the lowest was in the early pregnancy group A(0.007 8±0.000 4), which increased along with the progression of gestational age(P<0.05),and reached the highest level in the third trimester(0.064 4±0.001 3). (3)The protein level of STOX1 in different stages of normal pregnancy was 0.53±0.20 in early pregnancy group A;0.62±0.37 in early pregnancy group B;0.70±0.03 in middle pregnancy group and 0.81±0.04 in late pregnancy group respectively; which was positively related with the progression of gestational age (P<0.05). Conclusion: The expressions of STOX1 is gradually increasing along with the normal pregnancy progression, suggesting that it might be involved in proliferation, differentiation and infiltration and (or) apoptosis of trophoblast cells and the development of the placenta.

Allobranchiibius huperziae gen. nov., sp. nov., a member of Dermacoccaceae isolated from the root of a medicinal plant Huperzia serrata (Thunb.)

A Gram-stain-positive, non-spore-forming actinobacterial strain, designated CPCC 204077^T, was isolated from the surface-sterilized root of a medicinal plant Huperzia serrata (Thunb.) collected from Sichuan Province, south-west China. The peptidoglycan type of strain CPCC 204077^T was detected as A4α with an l-Lys-l-Ser-d-Asp interpeptide bridge. Galactose, glucose, rhamnose and ribose were the sugar compositions in the whole-cell hydrolysates. MK-8(H4) was the only menaquinone. The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, one unidentified phospholipid and one unidentified glycolipid. The major fatty acid was iso-C16 : 0. The genomic DNA G+C content was 71.0 mol%. The phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain CPCC 204077^T stood for a distinct lineage within the family Dermacoccaceaealongside the genera Branchiibius, Demetria and Barrientosiimonas, with the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to Branchiibius hedensis Mer 29717^T (95.0 %), Calidifontibacter indicus PC IW02^T (95.0 %), Barrientosiimonas humi 39^T (94.9 %) and Demetria terragena HKI 0089^T (94.7 %), and less than 94.7 % sequence similarities to all other species. Signature nucleotides in the 16S rRNA sequence showed that the strain contained the Dermacoccaceaefamily-specific 16S rRNA signature nucleotides and a genus-specific diagnostic nucleotide signature pattern. Combining the genotypic and phenotypic analyses, we propose that strain CPCC 204077^T represents a novel species of a new genus in the family Dermacoccaceae with the name Allobranchiibius huperziae gen. nov., sp. nov. Strain CPCC 204077^T (=NBRC 110719^T=DSM 29531^T) is the type strain of the type species.

Mac-1 deficiency induces respiratory failure by affecting type I alveolar epithelial cells

As a β2 integrin family member, Mac-1 plays an important role in the inflammatory response. Inflammation and lung injury are closely associated, but the involvement of Mac-1 in the occurrence and development of such pathologies remains poorly understood. We aimed to investigate the relationship between Mac-1 deficiency and respiratory failure in Mac-1 knockout {Mac-1^-/-} mice, using C57BL/6J mice as a control. The newborn survival rate of Mac-1^-/- mice was calculated, and mouse lung tissue was treated with hematoxylin and eosin and subjected to immunofluorescent staining. Moreover, western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of molecules specific to type I and type II alveolar epithelial cells, as well as alveolar surfactant proteins secreted by the latter. Survival of Mac-1^-/- pups was significantly lower than that of newborn C57BL/6J mice. In a float test, lung tissues from C57BL/6J mice were buoyant, whereas those of Mac-1^-/- mice were not. Compared with C57BL/6J mice, expression of proSP-C {specific to type II alveolar epithelial cells} and alveolar surfactant proteins in Mac-1^-/- mice was not significantly different, implying that type II cell function was unaltered. However, western blotting revealed expression of T1α, Aqp5, and Snx5 {type I alveolar epithelial cell markers} in Mac-1^-/- mice to be significantly decreased {P < 0.05}. In conclusion, Mac-1 may play an important role in respiratory failure. Its absence leads to this condition not by influencing type II alveolar epithelial cells or their secreted surfactant proteins, but rather by reducing type I alveolar cell numbers.

Jatrophihabitans huperziae sp. nov., an endophytic actinobacterium isolated from surface-sterilized tissue of the medicinal plant Huperzia serrata (Thunb.)

A novel endophytic actinobacterium, designated strain CPCC 204076T, was isolated from surface-sterilized tissue of the medicinal plant Huperzia serrata (Thunb.) collected from Sichuan Province, south-west China. The taxonomic position of the isolate was investigated by a polyphasic approach. The strainwas aerobic, Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming and rod-shaped. Growth was observed at 10-37 °C, at pH 5.0-10.0 and with 0-3.0 % (w/v) NaCl. The polar lipid fraction consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, a phospholipid, an aminolipid, a glycolipid, an aminophospholipid and phosphatidylinositol. The cell wall contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and the peptidoglycan was of type A4γ. The menaquinone system consisted of MK-9(H4) and MK-8(H4). The major cellular fatty acids (>10 %) were iso-C16 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain CPCC 204076T was found to be 71.9 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that CPCC 204076T belongs to the genus Jatrophihabitans with highest sequence similarity to Jatrophihabitans endophyticus DSM 45627T (96.5 %), Jatrophihabitans soli DSM 45908T (96.5 %) and Jatrophihabitans fulvus JCM 30448T (96.1 %), and much lower similarities (<95.0 %) to other available 16S rRNA gene sequences from validly described pure cultures. However, DNA-DNA hybridyzation values between strain CPCC 204076T and the three recognized Jatrophihabitans species were 31±3.1 % (J. endophyticus DSM 45627T), 33±2.9 % (J. soli DSM 45908T) and 37±1.7 % (J. fulvus JCM 30448T), which were all far below the recommended cut-off value of 70 %. The phenotypic and genomic characteristics distinctly indicated that strain CPCC 204076T represents a novel species of the genus Jatrophihabitans, for which the name Jatrophihabitans huperziae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CPCC 204076T (I13A-01604) (=DSM 46866T=NBRC 110718T).

Tenggerimyces mesophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a member of the family Nocardioidaceae

A novel aerobic actinomycete, designated strain I12A-02601T, was isolated from a desert soil crusts sample collected from the Shapotou region of Tengger Desert, north-west China. The substrate mycelia of this isolate were well-developed and branched, but not fragmented. The maturity aerial mycelia formed short chains of small, rod-shaped spores. The strain contained ll-diaminopimelic acid, dd-diaminopimelic acid, galactose, glucose, ribose and xylose in its whole-cell hydrolysates. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, N-acetylglucosamine-containing phospholipids, phosphatidylinositolmannoside and glycolipids. The predominant menaquinones were MK-10(H6) and MK-10(H8). The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 72.2 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequences comparison showed that strain I12A-02601T was most closely related to members of the family Nocardioidaceae, such as Actinopolymorpha alba YIM 48868T (93.3 % sequence similarity), Actinopolymorpha pittospori PIP 143T (93.2 %), and Flindersiella endophytica EUM 378T (93.2 %). In the phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain I12A-02601T formed a clade with the members of the genera Flindersiella, Thermasporomyces, and Actinopolymorpha in the family Nocardioidaceae. Combined data from this taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach, led to the conclusion that strain I12A-02601T represents a novel species of a new genus in the family Nocardioidaceae, for which the name Tenggerimyces mesophilus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is I12A-02601T ( = CPCC 203544T = DSM 45829T = NBRC 109454T).

Ubiquity, diversity and physiological characteristics of Geodermatophilaceae in Shapotou National Desert Ecological Reserve

The goal of this study was to gain insight into the diversity of culturable actinobacteria in desert soil crusts and to determine the physiological characteristics of the predominant actinobacterial group in these crusts. Culture-dependent method was employed to obtain actinobacterial strains from desert soil samples collected from Shapotou National Desert Ecological Reserve (NDER) located in Tengger Desert, China. A total of 376 actinobacterial strains were isolated and 16S rRNA gene sequences analysis indicated that these isolates belonged to 29 genera within 18 families, among which the members of the family Geodermatophilaceae were predominant. The combination of 16S rRNA gene information and the phenotypic data allowed these newly-isolated Geodermatophilaceae members to be classified into 33 “species clusters,” 11 of which represented hitherto unrecognized species. Fermentation broths from 19.7% of the isolated strains showed activity in at least one of the six screens for antibiotic activity. These isolates exhibited bio-diversity in enzymatic characteristics and carbon utilization profiles. The physiological characteristics of the isolates from different types of crusts or bare sand samples were specific to their respective micro-ecological environments. Our study revealed that members of the family Geodermatophilaceae were ubiquitous, abundant, and diverse in Shapotou NDER, and these strains may represent a new major group of potential functional actinobacteria in desert soil.

Glutathione-S-transferase polymorphisms (GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1) and acute leukemia risk in Asians: a meta-analysis

The association between glutathione-S-transferase polymorphisms (GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1) and risk of acute leukemia in Asians remains controversial. This study was therefore designed to evaluate the precise association in 23 studies identified by a search of PubMed and several other databases, up to December 2013. Using random or fixed effects models odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Heterogeneity across studies was assessed, and funnel plots were constructed to test for publication bias. The meta-analysis showed positive associations between GST polymorphisms (GSTM1 and GSTT1 but not GSTP1) and acute leukemia risk [(OR=1.47, 95% CI 1.18-1.83); (OR=1.32, 95% CI 1.07-1.62); (OR=1.01, 95% CI 0.84-1.23), respectively] and heterogeneity between the studies. The results suggested that the GSTM1 null genotype and GSTT1null genotype, but not the GSTP1 polymorphism, might be a potential risk factors for acute leukemia. Further well-designed studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Actinophytocola gilvus sp. nov., isolated from desert soil crusts, and emended description of the genus Actinophytocola Indananda et al. 2010

An actinomycete strain, designated I12A-02593(T), was isolated from a desert soil crust sample collected in the Shapotou region of Tengger Desert, north-west China. The isolate grew well on International Streptomyces Project (ISP) media 2, 3, 5 and 7, YS and Bennett's agar; it produced spherical bodies and formed clumps on the aerial mycelia on ISP 5 agar plates. Chemotaxonomically, the strain contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid, arabinose and galactose as the diagnostic sugars in whole-cell hydrolysates, MK-9(H4) as the sole isoprenoid quinone, and iso-C16 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 2-OH and iso-C16 : 1 H as the major cellular fatty acids, without mycolic acids. The profile of the phospholipids mainly comprised diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and hydroxyphosphatidylethanolamine. The genomic DNA G+C content was 70.1 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain I12A-02593(T) exhibited 96.4-97.4 % similarities with members of the genus Actinophytocola. In the phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, the isolate formed a robust cluster with Actinophytocola oryzae NBRC 105245(T), Aactinophytocola timorensis NBRC 105524(T), Actinophytocola corallina NBRC 105525(T), Actinophytocola burenkhanensis NBRC 105883(T)and Actinophytocola xinjiangensis NBRC 106673(T). DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain I12A-02593(T) and the five species of the genus Actinophytocola were all less than 70 %. On the basis of the polyphasic taxonomy evidence, a novel species of the genus Actinophytocola is proposed, with the name Actinophytocola gilvus sp. nov. The type strain is I12A-02593(T) ( = CPCC 203543(T) = DSM 45828(T) = NBRC 109453(T) = KCTC 29165(T)). An emended description of the genus Actinophytocola is also provided.

Meta-analysis of microRNA-183 family expression in human cancer studies comparing cancer tissues with noncancerous tissues

MicroRNA-183 (miR-183) family is proposed as promising biomarkers for early cancer detection and accurate prognosis as well as targets for more efficient treatment. The results of their expression feature in cancer tissues are inconsistent and controversy still exists in identifying them as new biomarkers of cancers. Therefore, to systemically evaluate the most frequently reported cancers in which miR-183 family members were up- or down-regulated is critical for further investigation on physiological impact of its aberrant regulation in specific cancers. The published studies that compared the level of miR-183 family expression in cancer tissues with those in noncancerous tissues were reviewed by the meta-analysis with a vote-counting strategy. Among the 49 included studies, a total of 18 cancers were reported, with 11 cancers reported in at least two studies. In the panel of miR-183 family members' expression analysis, colorectal cancer and prostate cancer ranked at the top among consistently reported cancer types with up-regulated feature. Bladder cancer, lung cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma were the third most frequently reported cancer types with significant over-expression of miR-96, miR-182 and miR-183 respectively. Breast cancer and gastric cancer were presented with inconsistent regulations and the members of this family had their own distinct regulated features in other different cancers. MiR-183 family, either individually or as a cluster, may be useful prognostic markers and/or therapeutic targets in several cancers. Further studies and repeat efforts are still required to determine the role of miR-183 family in various cancer progressions.

CXCL12 G801A polymorphism contributes to cancer susceptibility: a meta-analysis

CXCL12 is an important alpha-chemokine that regulates many essential biological processes including tumor development and metastasis. The CXCL12 G801A polymorphism is associated with multiple kinds of malignant cancer, but the associations are inconsistent. To derive a more precise estimation of the relationship, we conducted a meta-analysis of 16 publications with 2,888 cases and 3,611 controls. We used the odds ratio (OR) corresponding to 95% confidence interval (CI) to estimate the strength of association. The increased risk of overall cancer was found in the homozygote comparison (AA vs. GG, OR=1.43, 95℅CI=1.07-1.91), the recessive model (AA vs. GG+GA, OR=1.26, 95℅CI=1.03-1.54), and the dominant model (GA+AA vs. GG, OR=1.35, 95℅CI=1.15-1.58). In the stratified analyses, the associations were significant in breast cancer, Asians and hospital-based controls. In conclusion, this meta-analysis suggests that the CXCL12 G801A polymorphism may be a risk factor of cancer, especially in the subgroups of breast cancer, Asians and hospital-based controls.

Extracellular matrix production of lens epithelial cells

PURPOSE

To examine extracellular matrix (ECM) production of lens epithelial cells (LECs) and their regulation by cytokines.

SETTING

Research Laboratory, International Intraocular Implant Training Center, Tianjin Medical University, People's Republic of China.

METHODS

Bovine LECs were cultured with or without tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and transforming growth factor beta2 (TGF-beta2). Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were used to detect the expression of ECM. The slides were quantified by computer analysis.

RESULTS

Laminin expression was increased by both TNF-alpha and TGF-beta2. The expression of type IV collagen at the mRNA level was upregulated by TNF-alpha and TGF-beta2. Its protein expression was promoted by only TNF-alpha.

CONCLUSIONS

Type IV collagen and laminin are the main components of the lens capsule. Their production of LECs could be increased by cytokines derived from the aqueous humor or LECs. This may lead to ECM deposition and capsule fibrosis during the development of posterior capsule opacification.

Detection of integrins in cataract lens epithelial cells

PURPOSE

To detect the expression of integrin subunits in lens epithelial cells (LECs) of human cataracts.

SETTING

Research Laboratory, International Intraocular Implant Training Centre, Tianjin Medical University, China.

METHODS

The circular sections of the anterior capsules with attached LECs were obtained during cataract surgery from 100 patients. The LECs were stained with an avidin-biotin-complex immunohistochemical technique using 5 monoclonal antibodies specific for alpha subunits 2, 3, 5 and beta subunits 1, 2.

RESULTS

All integrin subunits studied were found to varying degrees in specimens. The positive percentages were 70%, 65%, 75%, 70%, and 80%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Integrin subunits were present in LECs of human cataracts. These molecules may serve in the adhesion of LECs to the lens capsule and play a role in cell-posterior capsule interaction after cataract surgery.