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The purpose of this study is to compare the clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes of thoracotomy and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in children with congenital lung malformations (CLMs) in a tertiary referring center and to report our modified biportal VATS setting.This is a single-center retrospective chart review study including children who underwent surgical resection for CLMs between January 2007 and December 2020. Patient characteristics and surgical outcomes were compared between open and thoracoscopy, as well as conventional VATS and biportal VATS. Biportal setting included an anterior utility wound and a camera trocar wound with one-lung ventilation.A total of 100 patients were identified. Twenty patients received thoracotomy, and 80 patients received VATS (67 conventional and 13 biportal VATS). The median age at operation was 0.4 months in the thoracotomy group and 4.7 months in the VATS group. More patients in the thoracotomy group had preoperative symptoms, comorbidities, and emergent operations. The patients who underwent thoracotomy had significantly longer postoperative ICU stays, chest tube durations, hospital stays, and more complications. The pathological analysis revealed 67 congenital pulmonary airway malformations, 27 pulmonary sequestration, 6 hybrid lesions, and one accompanying pleuropulmonary blastoma. Compared to conventional VATS, the ICU stay was shorter in the biportal VATS group, with comparable operative durations, hospital stay and complications.VATS for CLMs is associated with better postoperative recovery and fewer complications. Biportal VATS is also a safe and feasible approach.

Background The effect of urbanization on the morbidity of hepatitis A remains unclear. We aimed to estimate the association between various urbanization-related indices and hepatitis A morbidity in China. Methods Data on the annual morbidity of hepatitis A, urbanization-related measures (i.e., gross domestic product per capita, the number of hospitalization beds per 1000 persons, illiteracy rate, tap water coverage, motor vehicles per 100 persons, population density, and the proportion of arable land), and meteorological factors in 31 provincial-level administrative divisions of Chinese mainland during 2005–2018 were collected from the National Population and Health Science Data Sharing Platform, China Statistical Yearbooks, and the China Meteorological Data Sharing Service System, respectively. Generalized linear mixed models were applied to quantify the impacts of different urbanization-related indices on the morbidity of hepatitis A in China after adjusting for covariates. Results A total of 537,466 hepatitis A cases were reported in China during 2005–2018. The annual morbidity had a decline of 79.4% from 5.64 cases to 1.16 cases per 100,000 people. There were obvious spatial variations with higher morbidity in western China. Nationally, gross domestic product per capita and the number of hospitalization beds per 1000 persons increased from 14,040 to 64,644 CNY and from 2.45 to 6.03 during 2005–2018, respectively. The illiteracy rate decreased from 11.0 to 4.9%. Gross domestic product per capita [relative risk (RR) = 0.96, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.92–0.99], and the number of hospitalization beds per 1000 persons (RR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.75–0.83) were associated with the declined morbidity of hepatitis A. By contrast, the increased morbidity of hepatitis A was linked to the illiteracy rate (RR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02–1.06). Similar influential factors were detected for children and adults, with greater effects witnessed for children. Conclusions People in the western region suffered the heaviest burden of hepatitis A in Chinese mainland. Nationally, there was a sharp decline in the morbidity of hepatitis A. The urbanization process was associated with the reduction of hepatitis A morbidity in China during 2005–2018. Graphical Abstract

Video laryngoscopy is often selected to assist nasotracheal intubation in allowing better laryngeal visualization, although there is no comparative study evaluating the effectiveness between auxiliary techniques by using Magill forceps and inflated cuff in GlideScope video laryngoscopy for nasotracheal intubation. Fifty-one of 100 patients in a Magill forceps group and 47 of 100 patients in a cuff inflation group were included in the final analysis in this randomized, single-blind, parallel, clinical trial study. Induction agents were routinely administered according to body weight, while intubation time spent, attempts, and related side effects were recorded. Compared to the Magill forceps group, the cuff inflation technique shortened the total intubation time (70.0 ± 24.5 s vs. 87.0 ± 25.0 s, p = 0.001) and the time of advancing the nasotracheal tube from oropharyngeal space into the trachea (25.9 ± 16.4 s vs. 42.3 ± 21.2 s, p 0.001). However, the number of intubation attempts was not significantly different between groups. During tube advancement, the tube was rotated to accommodate the glottis and trachea more frequently in the cuff inflation group (p = 0.009), but the blade of the laryngoscope shifted and was adjusted to the proper position more frequently in the Magill forceps group (p 0.001). In the Magill forceps group, the tube cuff might be clipped incidentally and the intubator might shift their gaze away from the screen during intubation, although there was no significant difference in intubation-related side effects between groups. Unlike the conventional approach, nasotracheal intubation with the GlideScope® video laryngoscope using the auxiliary technique of cuff inflation could be more suited than using Magill forceps.

Two strains of Chryseobacterium identified from different experiments are proposed to represent new species. Strain WLa1L2M3T was isolated from the digestive tract of an Oryctes rhinoceros beetle larva. Strain 09-1422T was isolated from a cage housing the stick insect Eurycantha calcarata. Sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA and rpoB genes found both strains to be similar but not identical to other Chryseobacterium species. Whole-genome sequencing suggested the isolates represent new species, with average nucleotide identity values ranging from 74.6 to 80.5 %. Genome-to-genome distance calculations produced values below 25.3 %, and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values were 13.7–29.9 %, all suggesting they are distinct species. The genomic DNA G+C content of WLa1L2M3T is approximately 32.53 %, and of 09-1422T is approximately 35.89 %. The predominant cellular fatty acids of strain WLa1L2M3T are C15 : 0 iso, summed feature 9 (C16 : 0 10OH or C17 : 1 iso ω6c), C17 : 0 iso 3OH, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c), C15 : 0 iso 3OH, C15 : 0 anteiso and C13 : 0 iso, and those of strain 09-1422T are C15 : 0 iso, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c), C17 : 0 iso 3OH, C15 : 0 anteiso, C15 : 0 iso 3OH, C16 : 1 ω7c, C17 : 0 2OH and C18 : 0. In addition, physiological and biochemical tests revealed phenotypic differences from related Chryseobacterium type strains. These cumulative data indicate that the two strains represent novel species of the genus Chryseobacterium for which the names Chryseobacterium oryctis sp. nov. and Chryseobacterium kimseyorum sp. nov. are proposed with WLa1L2M3T (=BCRC 81350T=JCM 35215T=CIP 112035T) and 09-1422T (=UCDFST 09-1422T=BCRC 81359T=CIP 112165T), as type strains, respectively.

Background To develop the modified 4-item version of Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) with a better reliability and validity than the 4-item version of PSS (PSS-4) in evaluating psychological stress in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD). The present study also aimed to explore the correlation between dyspepsia symptoms severity (DSS), anxiety, depression, somatization, quality of life (QoL), and psychological stress assessed by two approaches in FD. Methods A total of 389 FD patients who met the Roman IV criteria completed the 10-item version of the PSS (PSS-10), and 4/10 items were selected by five methods, such as Cronbach’s coefficient, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), correlation coefficient, discrete degree, and item analysis, to develop the modified PSS-4. The reliability and validity of the modified PSS-4 and the PSS-4 were compared by internal consistency, EFA, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The correlation between psychological stress assessed by two approaches and DSS, anxiety, depression, somatization, and QoL was explored by Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression analysis. Results Cronbach’s α coefficient of the modified PSS-4 and the PSS-4 was 0.855 and 0.848, respectively, and a common factor was extracted. The cumulative contribution rate of one factor to the overall variance for the modified PSS-4 and the PSS-4 was 70.194% and 68.698%, respectively. The model used for the modified PSS-4 showed that the values of the goodness-of-fit index (GFI) and the adjusted GFI (AGFI) were 0.987 and 0.933, respectively, indicating that the model fitted well. Psychological stress was correlated to DSS, anxiety, depression, somatization, and QoL as assessed by the modified PSS-4 and PSS-4. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that psychological stress was correlated to somatization, as assessed by the modified PSS-4 (β = 0.251, P β = 0.247, P β = 0.173, P β = 0.167, P Conclusions The modified PSS-4 showed better reliability and validity, and psychological stress had a greater effect on the somatization and QoL of FD patients assessed by the modified PSS-4 than PSS-4. These findings were helpful for further investigation of the clinical application of the modified PSS-4 in FD.

Objectives: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a growing prevalence of racial and ethnic discrimination occurred when many Americans struggled to maintain healthy lifestyles. This study investigated the associations of racial and ethnic discrimination with changes in exercise and screen time during the pandemic in the United States (US). Methods: We included 2,613 adults who self-identified as non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic Asian, or Hispanic from the Health, Ethnicity, and Pandemic (HEAP) study, a cross-sectional survey conducted among a nationally representative sample of US adults between October and November 2020. We assessed self-reported racial and ethnic discrimination by measuring COVID-19-related racial and ethnic bias and examined its associations with changes in exercise and screen time using multivariable logistic regression models. We analyzed data between September 2021 and March 2022.Results: COVID-19-related racial and ethnic bias was associated with decreased exercise time among non-Hispanic Asian (odds ratio [OR]=1.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13–1.89) and Hispanic people (OR=1.91; 95% CI, 1.32–2.77), and with increased screen time among non-Hispanic Black people (OR=1.94; 95% CI, 1.33–2.85), adjusting for age, gender, education, marital status, annual household income, insurance, and employment status. Conclusions: Racial and ethnic discrimination may have adversely influenced exercise and screen time changes among racial and ethnic minorities during the COVID-19 pandemic in the US. Further studies are needed to investigate the mechanisms through which racial and ethnic discrimination can impact lifestyles and to develop potential strategies to address racial and ethnic discrimination as a barrier to healthy lifestyles.

Neuroblastoma (NB) is characterized by several malignant phenotypes that are difficult to treat effectively without combination therapy. The therapeutic implication of mitochondrial ClpXP protease ClpP and ClpX has been verified in several malignancies, but is unknown in NB. Firstly, we observed a significant increase in ClpP and ClpX expression in immature and mature ganglion cells as compared to more malignant neuroblasts and less malignant Schwannian-stroma-dominant cell types in human neuroblastoma tissues. We used ONC201 targeting ClpXP to treat NB cells, and found a significant suppression of mitochondrial protease, i.e., ClpP and ClpX, expression and downregulation of mitochondrial respiratory chain subunits SDHB and NDUFS1. The latter was associated with a state of energy depletion, increased reactive oxygen species, and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, consequently promoting apoptosis and suppressing cell growth of NB. Treatment of NB cells with ONC201 as well as the genetic attenuation of ClpP and ClpX through specific short interfering RNA (siRNA) resulted in the significant upregulation of the tumor suppressor alpha thalassemia/mental retardation X-linked (ATRX) and promotion of neurite outgrowth, implicating mitochondrial ClpXP proteases in MYCN-amplified NB cell differentiation. Furthermore, ONC201 treatment significantly decreased MYCN protein expression and suppressed tumor formation with the reactivation of ATRX expression in MYCN-amplified NB-cell-derived xenograft tumors. Taken together, ONC201 could be the potential agent to provide diversified therapeutic application in NB, particularly in NB with MYCN amplification.

Purpose This large-scale nationwide population-based study aimed to determine the recurrence rate and risk factors for recurrence after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP). Methods This retrospective study used data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database to identify individuals who underwent VATS for PSP from 2007 to 2014. All patients were followed up until December 31, 2017. Study variables included demographic characteristics, intensive care unit admission, lung resection status, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and hospital level. The primary outcome was 1-year recurrence, and the secondary outcomes were the 1-year rate of reintervention for recurrence and overall recurrence rate. Results During the study period, 6654 patients underwent VATS for PSP (average age: 23.2 years, 89.1% male), including 910 patients (13.7%) who experienced recurrence within 1 year and 531 patients (8.0%) who required reintervention within 1 year. The overall recurrence rate was 24.8%, with an average follow-up time of 6.7 years. Age ≤18 years and the use of NSAIDs, especially ketorolac, were significant risk factors for 1-year recurrence and overall recurrence. Younger age was a risk factor for 1-year reintervention. In subgroup analysis, NSAID use was a significant risk factor for 1-year recurrence, 1-year reintervention, and overall recurrence in pediatric patients but not in adult patients. Conclusions In Taiwan, the 1-year recurrence rate was 13.7% after VATS for PSP. Younger age and the use of NSAIDs, especially ketorolac, were significant risk factors for short- and long-term recurrence after VATS for PSP.

Background Though BRCA1 mutation is the most susceptible factor of breast cancer, its prognostic value is disputable. Here in this study, we use a novel method which based on whole-genome analysis to evaluate the chromosome instability (CIN) value and identified the potential relationship between CIN and prognosis of breast cancer patients with germline-BRCA1 mutation. Materials and methods Sanger sequencing or a 98-gene panel sequencing assay was used to screen for BRCA1 germline small mutations in 1151 breast cancer patients with high-risk factors. MLPA assay was employed to screen BRCA1 large genomic rearrangements in familial breast cancer patients with BRCA1 negative for small mutations. Thirty-two samples with unique BRCA1 germline mutation patterns were further subjected to CIN evaluation by LPWGS (low-pass whole-genome sequencing) technology. Results Firstly, 113 patients with germline BRCA1 mutations were screened from the cohort. Further CIN analysis by the LPWGS assay indicated that CIN was independent from the mutation location or type of BRCA1. Patients with high CIN status had shorter disease-free survival rates (DFS) (HR = 6.54, 95% CI 1.30–32.98, P = 0.034). The TP53 copy loss was also characterized by LPWGS assay. The rates of TP53 copy loss in CIN high and CIN low groups were 85.71% (12/14) and 16.67% (3/18), respectively. Conclusion CIN-high is a prognostic factor correlated with shorter DFS and was independent with the germline BRCA1 mutation pattern. Higher CIN values were significantly correlated with TP53 copy loss in breast cancer patients with germline BRCA1 mutation. Our results revealed a reliable molecular parameter for distinguishing patients with poor prognosis from the BRCA1-mutated breast cancer patients.

Background and Objectives: The current study aimed to better understand the changes in respiration that occur with aging in men and women to provide accurate recommendations for breathing exercises to improve health. Materials and Methods: A total of 610 healthy subjects, aged 20 to 59, participated in the study. They performed quiet breathing while wearing two respiration belts (Vernier, Beaverton, OR, USA) at the height of the navel and at the xiphoid process to record abdominal motion (AM) and thoracic motion (TM), respectively. Vital capacity, representing maximal inhalation movement, was measured using a spirometer (Xindonghuateng, Beijing, China). After exclusion, 565 subjects (164 men, aged 41 ± 11; 401 women, aged 42 ± 9) were included for statistical analysis using the Kruskal–Wallis U test and stepwise multiple linear regression. Results: Abdominal motion and its contribution to spontaneous breathing were significantly larger for older men, while the contribution of thoracic motion was smaller for older men. There was no significant difference in thoracic motion between the younger and older men. The differences in women’s respiratory movements among various ages were mild and negligible. The contribution of thoracic motion to spontaneous breathing in women was larger than in men for those of older ages (40–59 years), but not for those of younger ages (20–39 years). Additionally, men’s and women’s vital capacities were less in those of older ages, and the men’s were larger than the women’s. Conclusions: The findings indicate that men’s abdominal contribution to spontaneous breathing increased from 20 to 59 years of age due to increased abdominal motion. Women’s respiratory movements did not change much with aging. The maximal inhalation movement became smaller with aging for men and women. Healthcare professionals should focus on improving thoracic mobility when addressing health concerns about aging.

A bacterial strain designated KDG-16T is isolated from a freshwater waterfall in Taiwan and characterized to determine its taxonomic affiliation. Cells of strain KDG-16T are Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, motile by gliding, rod-shaped and form light yellow colonies. Optimal growth occurs at 20-25 oC, pH 6-7, and with 0% NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and an up-to-date bacterial core gene set reveal that strain KDG-16T is affiliated with species in the genus Flavobacterium. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences shows that strain KDG-16T shares the highest similarity with Flavobacterium terrigena DSM 17934T (97.7%). The average nucleotide identity, average amino acid identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain KDG-16T and the closely related Flavobacterium species are below the cut-off values of 95-96, 90 and 70%, respectively, used for species demarcation. Strain KDG-16T contains iso-C15:0, iso-C15:1 G and iso-C17:0 3-OH as the predominant fatty acids. The polar lipid profile consists of phosphatidylethanolamine, one uncharacterized aminophospholipid, one uncharacterized phospholipid, two uncharacterized aminolipids and two uncharacterized lipids. The major polyamine is homospermidine. The major isoprenoid quinone is MK-6. Genomic DNA G+C content of strain KDG-16T is 31.6%. Based on the polyphasic taxonomic data obtained, strain KDG-16T is considered to represent a novel species in the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium difficile sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KDG-16T (=BCRC 81194T =LMG 31332T).

The thrombopoietin mimetic peptide for injection is a second-generation thrombopoietin receptor agonist (TPO-RA) used in the treatment of patients with immune thrombocytopenia. The aim of the present study was to assess the safety, tolerance, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of thrombopoietin mimetic peptide for injection in Chinese healthy volunteers. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, dose-escalation study was conducted in healthy Chinese subjects aged 18-50 years. Thirty subjects received single subcutaneous injection of 0.3 μg/kg, 1.0 μg/kg, 2.0 μg/kg thrombopoietin mimetic peptide or placebo. Thrombopoietin mimetic peptide was safe and well tolerated at doses of 0.3-2.0 μg/kg. There was no significant change in mean platelet count (PLT) from baseline at the 0.3 μg/kg or placebo groups. The mean PLT of subjects in the 1.0 μg/kg and 2.0 μg/kg groups peaked at day 12 (± 1), began to decline around day 17, and returned to the baseline level at day 28 (± 1). Platelet aggregation rates of the three dose groups showed no significant change before and after administration. Serum concentrations of thrombopoietin mimetic peptide in all subjects were below the quantization limit. This was the first study to demonstrate that subcutaneous injection of thrombopoietin mimetic peptide at doses of 0.3-2.0 μg/kg was safe and well tolerated in Chinese healthy subjects. As a second-generation TPO-RA, thrombopoietin mimetic peptide is effective at improving PLT after single subcutaneous injection at dose of ≥1 μg/kg.

Purpose To explore the clinical features and immunological mechanisms of Castleman disease (CD) complicated with autoimmune diseases (AID). Methods We explored the prevalence and clinical manifestations of CD complicated with AID by reviewing clinical, pathological, and laboratory data of 40 CD patients retrospectively, and then explored abnormal immune mechanisms in the co-existence of the two entities by monitoring lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood. Results Paraneoplastic pemphigus, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, Sjogren’s syndrome, myasthenia gravis, and psoriasis were found to be coexisted with CD in 9/40 (22.5%) patients with different sequence of onset. No bias in the clinical and histological type of CD was observed for the occurrence of AID. CD patients with AID were more likely to have skin and/or mucous membrane damage and pulmonary complications, and presented elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, hypergammaglobulinemia, and positive autoantibodies than those without AID (p + T cells and increased natural killer cells were observed in peripheral blood of CD patients with AID (p Conclusion Systemic inflammation/immunological abnormalities and organ dysfunction were associated with the occurrence of AID in CD. Impairment of cellular and innate immunity may be a candidate etiology for the coexistence of the two entities.

Background/purpose Anastomotic stricture (AS) is a major morbidity of patients with esophageal atresia (EA) after surgical reconstruction. Our study determined the risk factors of AS after EA reconstruction. The therapeutic efficacy and complications of esophageal dilatation for children with AS were also evaluated. Methods Forty children treated for EA between January 2008 and December 2018 were included in this retrospective analysis. Esophageal dilatation was performed when AS was diagnosed. The therapeutic effect of esophageal dilatation was determined based on nutritional status, as assessed by the weight-for-age z-score. Results Sixteen EA patients developed AS. A gap >1.5 cm between the esophageal pouches (P = 0.02) in patients with EA and type A EA was a risk factor for developing AS. A mean of 7.7 sessions of esophageal dilatation were performed per patient, and no complications occurred. The nutritional status of EA children with AS after dilatation was not inferior to that of the children without AS at the 6-month follow-up. Conclusions A gap >1.5 cm between the esophageal pouches and type A EA are risk factors for AS after esophageal reconstruction. Esophageal dilatation is both safe and effective for managing strictures and improves nutritional status in EA children with AS.

This study evaluates the impact of the use of antibiotics on the effectiveness of nivolumab in the treatment of advanced/metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A literature search was conducted in various electronic databases to identify studies, which evaluated the impact of antibiotic use on the survival of patients with advanced/metastatic NSCLC who have been treated with nivolumab. Six studies, comprising a total of 787 patients with 37.2% females and of age range 30–90 years, were included in the study. A lack of smoking history was reported in 14.4% of the patients. A meta-analysis was conducted in 678 and 713 patients for PFS and OS, respectively. The pooled HR was 1.95 (95% CI: 1.13–3.37, P = 0.016) for PFS and 2.70 (95% CI: 1.81–4.02, P < 0.001) for OS. Among patients exposed to antibiotics, the median PFS and OS were reduced by 1.6 months (95% CI: 1.5–1.7) and 8.8 months (95% CI: 8.5–9.1), respectively. Our study indicates that, among patients with advanced/metastatic NSCLC, the use of antibiotics with nivolumab led to a decrease in the median OS by more than 8 months. Studying the mechanism of the effect of antibiotics on the efficacy of nivolumab in patients with NSCLC should also be prioritized.

This study investigated the relationship between the MTRA2576G polymorphism of the key enzyme in homocysteine metabolism and deep vein thrombosis (DVT), chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) and arteriosclerotic occlusion (ASO) of the lower extremities.Genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of patients with lower-extremity vascular diseases, including 125 cases of DVT, 125 cases of CVI and 125 cases of ASO. DNA samples extracted from 197 healthy individuals were used as control samples. PCR-RFLP was used to investigate the polymorphisms ofThe frequency of the G allele inPatients with the G allele in

Two Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile bacteria, designated KMS-5T and CYK-10T, were isolated from freshwater environments. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity results indicated that these two novel strains belong to the family Rhodobacteraceae . Strain KMS-5T is closely related to species within the genus Tabrizicola (96.1–96.8 % sequence similarity) and Cypionkella (96.5–97.0 %). Strain CYK-10T is closest to Rhodobacter thermarum YIM 73036T with 96.6 % sequence similarity. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and an up-to-date bacterial core gene set showed that strain KMS-5T is affiliated with species in the genus Tabrizicola and strain CYK-10T is placed in a distinct clade with Rhodobacter blasticus ATCC 33485T, Rhodobacter thermarum YIM 73036T and Rhodobacter flagellatus SYSU G03088T. These two strains shared common chemotaxonomic features comprising Q-10 as the major quinone, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine as the principal polar lipids, and C18 : 1 ω7c as the main fatty acid. The average nucleotide identity, average amino acid identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between these two novel isolates and their closest relatives were below the cut-off values of 95–96, 90 and 70 %, respectively, used for species demarcation. The obtained polyphasic taxonomic data suggested that strain KMS-5T represents a novel species within the genus Tabrizicola , for which the name Tabrizicola oligotrophica sp. nov. is proposed with KMS-5T (=BCRC 81196T=LMG 31337T) as the type strain, and strain CYK-10T should represent a novel species of the genus Rhodobacter , for which the name Rhodobacter tardus sp. nov. is proposed with CYK-10T (=BCRC 81191T=LMG 31336T) as the type strain.

A novel bacterial strain, designated CSW-10T, isolated from a freshwater pond in Taiwan, was characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped and formed yellow-coloured colonies. Optimal growth occurred at 30 °C, pH 7, and in the absence of NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and coding sequences of 92 protein clusters indicated that strain CSW-10Tformed a phylogenetic lineage in the genusSphingomonas. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity indicated that strain CSW-10Twas most closely related toSphingomonas fonticolaTNR-2T(97.6%). Strain CSW-10Tshowed 69.8–70.7% average nucleotide identity and 19.0–23.0% digital DNA–DNA hybridization identity with the strains of other relatedSphingomonasspecies. The major fatty acids of strain CSW-10Twere summed feature 8 (C18:1ω7cand/or C18:1ω6c) and C17:1ω6c. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, one uncharacterized sphingoglycolipid, five uncharacterized aminophospholipids, one uncharacterized phospholipid and one uncharacterized lipid. The predominant polyamines were homospermidine and spermidine. The major isoprenoid quinone was Q-10. Genomic DNA G+C content of strain CSW-10Twas 62.0 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic properties and phylogenetic inference, strain CSW-10Tshould represent a novel species of the genusSphingomonas, for which the nameSphingomonas lacunaesp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CSW-10T(=BCRC 81190T=LMG 31340T).

A bacterial strain, designated FSY-8T, was isolated from a freshwater mesocosm in Taiwan and characterized using the polyphasic taxonomy approach. Cells of strain FSY-8T were aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile and formed yellow coloured colonies on Reasoner's 2A agar. Growth occurred at 20–40 °C (optimum, 30–37 °C) and pH 5–7 (optimum, pH 6) and in the presence of 0–0.5 % NaCl (optimum, 0 %, w/v). The major fatty acids (>10 %) of strain FSY-8T were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c and/or C18 : 1 ω6c) and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c). The polar lipid profile consisted of a mixture of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine, sphingoglycolipid, diphosphatidylglycerol, an uncharacterized aminophospholipid, an uncharacterized glycolipid and an uncharacterized lipid. The major polyamine was spermidine. The major isoprenoid quinone was Q-10. The DNA G+C content was 64.8 mol %. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and coding sequences of 92 protein clusters indicated that strain FSY-8T formed a phylogenetic lineage in the genus Novosphingobium . Strain FSY-8T showed 71.6–77.2 % average nucleotide identity and 19.9–22.8 % digital DNA–DNA hybridization identity with the strains of other Novosphingobium species. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic properties and phylogenetic inference, strain FSY-8T should be classified in a novel species of the genus Novosphingobium , for which the name Novosphingobium ovatum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is FSY-8T (=BCRC 81051T=LMG 30053T=KCTC 52812T).

Bacterial strain CCP-6T, isolated from a freshwater pond in Taiwan, was characterized using a polyphasic taxonomy approach. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and an up-to-date bacterial core gene set (92 protein clusters) indicated that strain CCP-6T is affiliated with species in the genus Rhodovarius . Strain CCP-6T was most closely related to Rhodovarius lipocyclicus CCUG 44693T with a 98.9% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped and formed light pink-coloured colonies. Optimal growth occurred at 30 °C, pH 6 and in the absence of NaCl. The major fatty acids of strain CCP-6T were C18 : 1 ω7c, C16 : 0 and C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, three unidentified aminophospholipids and an unidentified phospholipid. The predominant polyamine was spermidine. The major isoprenoid quinone was Q-10. The DNA G+C content of the genomic DNA was 69.3 mol%. Strain CCP-6T showed 85.8% average nucleotide identity and 14.5% digital DNA–DNA hybridization identity with Rhodovarius lipocyclicus CCUG 44693T. On the basis of the genotypic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data, strain CCP-6T represents a novel species in the genus Rhodovarius , for which the name Rhodovarius crocodyli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CCP-6T (=BCRC 81095T=LMG 30310T=KCTC 62188T).

A novel bacterial strain, designated TBM-1T, isolated from a freshwater lake in Taiwan, was characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and coding sequences of 92 protein clusters indicated that strain TBM-1T formed a phylogenetic lineage in the genus Ideonella . Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain TBM-1T was most closely related to Ideonella dechloratans CCUG 30898T with 98.4 % sequence similarity. The average nucleotide identity, average amino acid identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain TBM-1T and closely related strains of the genus Ideonella were 74.4–77.5 %, 69.7–75.4 % and 19.8–21.8 %, respectively, supporting that strain TBM-1T represents a novel species of the genus Ideonella . Cells were Gram-stain-negative, motile by means of a single polar flagellum, rod-shaped and formed blue colonies. Optimal growth occurred at 30 °C, pH 6 and 0 % NaCl. The predominant fatty acids of strain TBM-1T were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c), C18 : 1 ω7c and C16 : 0. The polar lipid profile consisted of a mixture of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, two uncharacterized aminophospholipids and two uncharacterized phospholipids. The main polyamine was putrescine. The major isoprenoid quinone was Q-8. The estimated genome size was 5.26 Mb, with an average G+C content of 70.0 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic properties and phylogenetic inference, strain TBM-1T should be classified in a novel species of the genus Ideonella , for which the name Ideonella livida sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TBM-1T (=BCRC 81199T =LMG 31339T).

Bacterial strain NST-5T, isolated from a fish pond in Taiwan, was characterized using a polyphasic taxonomy approach. Results of phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and coding sequences of 92 protein clusters indicated that strain NST-5T formed a phylogenetic lineage in the genus Flavobacterium . Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain NST-5T showed the highest similarity to Flavobacterium enshiense DK69T (94.9 %), Flavobacterium ahnfeltiae 10Alg 130T (94.8 %) and Flavobacterium vireti THG-SM1T (94.8 %). Strain NST-5T showed 68.9–72.5% average nucleotide identity and 19.1–23.7% digital DNA–DNA hybridization identity with the type strains of other close related Flavobacterium species. Cells of the strain were Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, motile by gliding, rod-shaped and formed yellow colonies. Optimal growth occurred at 30 °C, pH 7 and with 0.5% NaCl. Strain NST-5T contained iso-C15:0, C15:0 and iso-C16:0 as the predominant fatty acids. The major hydroxyl fatty acids were iso-C16:0 3-OH and iso-C17:0 3-OH. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, three uncharacterized aminophospholipids, two uncharacterized phospholipids and one uncharacterized aminolipid. The major polyamine was homospermidine. The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-6. The DNA G+C content of the genomic DNA was 35.5 mol%. Differential phenotypic properties, together with the phylogenetic inference, demonstrate that strain NST-5T should be classified as a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium , for which the name Flavobacterium ichthyis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NST-5T (=BCRC 81198T=LMG 31341T).

This study is aimed at identifying the effects of dietary fiber on gut health, as well as the association between that understanding and fiber consumption in fish. A total of 300 juvenile largemouth bass (micropterus salmoides, initial average weight: 15.38 ± 0.16g) were randomly divided into three treatment groups (4 replicates per group). Fish were fed with isoproteic and isolipidic diets containing 0% (low fiber, LF), 4% (moderate fiber, MF) and 8% (high fiber, HF) soybean fiber, respectively. The intestine and intestinal content of test fish per treatment group after 56 days of treatment were sampled. The results showed that the anterior intestinal sections had normal histological architecture, and no considerable damage or inflammation was observed in any histological section from all subjects examined. Curiously, fish fed the MF diet had better histological alterations than the other treatments. Meanwhile, the intestinal antioxidant capacity in the MF group was significantly promoted when compared to the other groups, as well as up-regulated expression of antioxidant-related genes including sod, cat and gpx with increasing dietary fiber concentrations. Importantly, the administrations of MF diet remarkably elevated largemouth bass innate immune parameters include intestinal inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity, nitric oxide (NO) and total protein content. Similarly, dietary administrations of fiber down-regulated notablely the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-8, IL-1β and TNFα, whereas up-regulated tolerogenic cytokine IL-10 and TGF-β1 mRNA levels. In addition, dietary fibers also modulated the community structure of the intestinal microbiota by significantly altering bacterial diversity. Dietary supplemental fibers regulated intestinal microbiota in largemouth bass, characterized by a reduced abundance of Fusobacteria along with increased abundances of Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. Taken together, the present results suggested that moderate fiber supplementation was beneficial to promoting intestinal health status of fish through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which could be at least partially responsible by the modulation of gut microbial composition.

Neuroblastoma, a common childhood tumor, remains one of the most elusive diseases to treat. To date, high-risk neuroblastoma is associated with low survival rates. To address this, novel and more effective therapeutic strategies must continue to be explored. We employed a bioinformatics approach corroborated with in vitro and in vivo data. Samples from neuroblastoma patients were retrieved and immuno-stained for Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK). To evaluate its effect on cellular functions, BTK expression in SK-N-BE(2) and SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells was downregulated using gene silencing or inhibition with ibrutinib or acalabrutinib. Xenograft mouse models were used to investigate the in vivo role of BTK in neuroblastoma tumorigenesis. We found that BTK was highly expressed in primary neuroblastoma samples, preferentially in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cases, and was associated with a poor prognosis. Immunohistochemical staining of tissues from our neuroblastoma cohort revealed a strong BTK immunoreactivity. We also found that neuroblastoma SK-N-BE(2) and SH-SY5Y cells were sensitive to treatment with ibrutinib and acalabrutinib. Pharmacologic or molecular inhibition of BTK elicited a reduction in the migratory and invasive abilities of neuroblastoma cells, and ibrutinib considerably attenuated the neurosphere-forming ability of neuroblastoma cells. Both inhibitors showed synergism with cisplatin. In vivo assays showed that acalabrutinib effectively inhibited neuroblastoma tumorigenesis. From our data we conclude that BTK is a therapeutically targetable driver of neuroblastoma.

A bacterial strain CC-CTC003T was isolated from a synthetic wooden board. Cells of strain CC-CTC003T were Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, motile by gliding and formed yellow colonies. Optimal growth occurred at 25 °C, pH 7 and in the presence of 1 % NaCl. The phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA genes revealed that strain CC-CTC003T belonged to the genus Flavobacterium and was most closely related to Flavobacterium cerinum (95.3 % sequence identity), Flavobacterium maris (94.9 % sequence identity), Flavobacterium qiangtangense (94.8 %) and Flavobacterium subsaxonicum (94.7 %) and had less than 94.7 % sequence similarity to other members of the genus. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) values between strain CC-CTC003T and the type strains of other closely related species were 70.1–74.1 %. The digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) with F. cerinum was 19.4 %. Strain CC-CTC003T contained C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω6c / C16 : 1 ω7c) and summed feature 9 (C16 : 0 10-methyl / iso-C17 : 1 ω9c) as the predominant fatty acids. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, four uncharacterized aminophospholipids, two aminolipids and one unidentified glycolipid. The major polyamine was sym-homospermidine and contained MK-6 as major isoprenoid quinone. The DNA G+C content of the genomic DNA was 39.2 mol%. On the basis of the phylogenetic inference and phenotypic data, strain CC-CTC003T should be classified as a novel species, for which the name Flavobacterium supellecticarium sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-CTC003T (=BCRC 81146T=JCM 32838T).

Bacterial strain TWA-58T, isolated from irrigation water in Taiwan, was characterized using a polyphasic taxonomy approach. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and coding sequences of 92 protein clusters indicated that strain TWA-58T formed a phylogenetic lineage in the genus Oleiharenicola of the family Opitutaceae . Strain TWA-58T was most closely related to Oleiharenicola alkalitolerans NVTT with a 96.7 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. Strain TWA-58T showed 75.2 % average nucleotide identity, 70.9 % average amino acid identity and 21.0 % digital DNA–DNA hybridization identity with O. alkalitolerans NVTT. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile, coccoid-shaped and formed transparent colonies. Optimal growth occurred at 25 °C, pH 6, and 0 % NaCl. The major fatty acids of strain TWA-58T were iso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. The predominant hydroxy fatty acid was iso-C13 : 0 3-OH. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and two unidentified aminophospholipids. The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. Genomic DNA G+C content of strain TWA-58T was 65.3 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic properties and phylogenetic inference, strain TWA-58T should be classified in a novel species of the genus Oleiharenicola , for which the name Oleiharenicola lentus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TWA-58T (=BCRC 81161T=LMG 31019T=KCTC 62872T).

A bacterial strain designated CAR-16T was isolated from a freshwater lake in Taiwan and characterized using the polyphasic taxonomic approach. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile by gliding, rod-shaped and formed rose-colored colonies. Optimal growth occurred at 30 °C, pH 7 and with 0 % NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and coding sequences of 92 protein clusters indicated that CAR-16T represented a member of the family Cytophagaceae and formed a phylogenetic lineage in the genus Aquirufa . CAR-16T was most closely related to Aquirufa nivalisilvae 59G-WUEMPELT with a 99.7 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. CAR-16T showed 71.2–79.5 % average nucleotide identity and 17.8–21.7 % digital DNA–DNA hybridization identity with the strains of other species of the genus Aquirufa . The major fatty acids of strain CAR-16T were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH, C16 : 1ω5c and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH). The polar lipid profile consisted of a mixture of phosphatidylethanolamine and several uncharacterized aminophospholipids, phospholipids and lipids. The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The genomic DNA G+C content of CAR-16T was 38.8 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic properties and phylogenetic inference, CAR-16T should be classified as representing a novel species of the genus Aquirufa , for which the name Aquirufa rosea sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CAR-16T (=BCRC 81153T=LMG 30923T=KCTC 62869T).

A novel Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, motile with peritrichous flagella, rod-shaped bacterium, designated CC-MHH1044T, was isolated from a preserved vegetable sample. A polyphasic taxonomic approach was applied to the isolates in order to clarify its taxonomic position. Growth of the strain CC-MHH1044T occurred at 15–50 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 6.0–8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and with 0–2.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 1 %, w/v). The genome of strain CC-MHH1044T consisted of 8.5 Mb and the genomic DNA G+C content was 58.5 mol%. Comparison of the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that CC-MHH1044T belonged to the genus Cohnella and showed a close relationship with the type strains of Cohnella damuensis (96.2 %) and Cohnella panacarvi (95.9 %), and lower sequence similarity to other species. Average nucleotide identity values calculated from whole-genome sequencing data proved that CC-MHH1044T represents a distinct Cohnella species. The dominant cellular fatty acids (>5 %) included iso-C14 : 0(7.4 %), iso-C15 : 0 (6.4 %), anteiso-C15 : 0(40.3 %), C16 : 0 (6.6 %) and iso-C16 : 0 (27.0 %). The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, four unidentified aminophospholipids, one unidentified phospholipid and glycolipid. The major polyamine was spermidine. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was menaqinone 7 (MK-7). Based on its distinct phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic traits, together with results of comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence, average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization analyses, we conclude that strain CC-MHH1044T represents a novel member of the genus Cohnella , for which the name Cohnella fermenti sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-MHH1044T (=BCRC 81147T=JCM 32834T).

A novel bacterial strain, designated KMB7T, isolated from a freshwater pond in Taiwan, was characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, motile by means of a single polar flagellum, rod-shaped and formed cream colonies. Optimal growth occurred at 25 °C, pH 7, and in the absence of NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and an up-to-date bacterial core gene set (92 protein clusters) indicated that strain KMB7T is affiliated with species in the genus Aquabacterium . The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity indicated that strain KMB7T is closely related to species within the genus Aquabacterium (95.2–97.6 % sequence similarity) and is most similar to A. fontiphilum CS-6T (97.6 %), followed by A. parvum B6T (97.5 %). The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization identity between strain KMB7T and the closely related strains were 74.6–78.0 % and 19.0–21.2 %, respectively. The major fatty acids of strain KMB7T were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c), C18 : 1 ω7c and C16 : 0. The polar lipid profile consisted of a mixture of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylserine, diphosphatidylglycerol and four unidentified phospholipids. The sole isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone-8 (Q-8). Genomic DNA G+C content of strain KMB7T was 65.4 %. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic properties and phylogenetic inference, strain KMB7T should be classified in a novel species of the genus Aquabacterium , for which the name Aquabacterium lacunae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KMB7T (=BCRC 81156T=LMG 30924T=KCTC 62867T).

A bacterial strain designated FSY-15T was isolated from a freshwater mesocosm in Taiwan and characterised using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Cells of strain FSY-15T were Gram-negative, aerobic, non-spore forming, non-motile rods and formed orange coloured colonies. Growth occurred at 20–30 °C (optimum, 25 °C), at pH 6–7.5 (optimum, pH 7) and with 0–0.5 % NaCl (optimum, 0 %). Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and coding sequences of 92 protein clusters indicated that strain FSY-15T formed a phylogenetic lineage in the the family Cytophagaceae . Strain FSY-15T was most closely related to the genera Pseudarcicella and Arcicella, and the levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence identity with respect to members of related genera are less than 94.1 %. Strain FSY-15T showed less than 68.8 % average nucleotide identity and less than 24.7 % digital DNA–DNA hybridisation identity compared to the type strains of related genera within the family Cytophagaceae . The predominant fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 1ω5c and the major hydroxyl fatty acid was iso-C15 : 0 3-OH. The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-7 and the DNA G+C content was 35.8 mol%. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and several uncharacterised aminophospholipid, aminolipid, phospholipid and lipid. The major polyamine was spermidine. On the basis of the genotypic and phenotypic data, strain FSY-15T represents a novel species of a new genus in the family Cytophagaceae , for which the name Sandaracinomonas limnophila gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is FSY-15T (=BCRC 81011T =LMG 29732T =KCTC 52445T).

Strain TTM-71T, isolated from a freshwater river in Taiwan, was characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and an up-to-date bacterial core gene set (92 protein clusters) indicated that strain TTM-71T is affiliated with species in the genus Filimonas . The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity indicated that strain TTM-71T is closely related to species within the genus Filimonas (94.7–95.5 % sequence similarity) and had a high sequence similarity with Filimonas endophytica SR 2-06T (95.5 %). Strain TTM-71T showed 70.3 % average nucleotide identity and 24.9 % digital DNA–DNA hybridization identity with Filimonas lacunae YT21T. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile by gliding, rod-shaped and formed beige-colored colonies. Optimal growth occurred at 20 °C, pH 8, and in the presence of 0.5 % NaCl. The major fatty acids of strain TTM-71T were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G and summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c). The predominant hydroxy fatty acid was iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. The polar lipid profile consisted of a mixture of phosphatidylethanolamine, four uncharacterized aminophospholipids, one uncharacterized aminolipid, one uncharacterized phospholipid and one uncharacterized lipid. The predominant polyamine was homospermidine. The only isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. Genomic DNA G+C content was 45.6 mol%. On the basis of the polyphasic evidence presented, strain TTM-71T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Filimonas , for which the name Filimonas effusa sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TTM-71T (=BCRC 81160T=LMG 31017T=KCTC 62871T).

An isolate, designated TTM-7T, recovered from a freshwater river in Taiwan, was characterized using a polyphasic taxonomy approach. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and an up-to-date bacterial core gene set (92 protein clusters) indicated that strain TTM-7T is affiliated with species in the genus Lacibacter . Strain TTM-7T was most closely related to Lacibacter cauensis NJ-8T with a 98.2 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, followed by Lacibacter daechungensis H32-4T (97.4 %) and Lacibacter nakdongensis SS2-56T (96.3 %). Cells were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile by gliding, rod-shaped and formed orange colonies. Optimal growth occurred at 25 °C, pH 7 and 0 % NaCl. The major fatty acids of strain TTM-7T were iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH) and iso-C15 : 1 G. The predominant hydroxy fatty acid was iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. The polar lipid profile consisted of a mixture of phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminoglycolipids, five unidentified aminophospholipids and one unidentified lipid. The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. Genomic DNA G+C content of strain TTM-7T was 40.6 mol%. Strain TTM-7T showed 83.6 % average nucleotide identity and 16.0 % digital DNA–DNA hybridization identity with Lacibacter cauensis NJ-8T. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic properties and phylogenetic inference, strain TTM-7T should be classified in a novel species of the genus Lacibacter , for which the name Lacibacter luteus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TTM-7T (=BCRC 81159T=LMG 30926T=KCTC 62870T).

Strain ICH-3T, isolated from a freshwater pond in Taiwan 9ROC), was characterized using a polyphasic taxonomy approach. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and an up-to-date bacterial core gene set (92 protein clusters) indicated that ICH-3T is affiliated with the species in the genus Rubrivivax . ICH-3T was most closely related to Rubrivivax benzoatilyticus JA2T and Rubrivivax gelatinosus NCIB 8290T with 97.5 and 97.4 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization identity between ICH-3T and the two closely related strains were 77.3 and 20.9–21.0 %, respectively, indicating that ICH-3T represents a novel species of the genus Rubrivivax . Cells were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped and formed white colonies. Optimal growth occurred at 30 °C, pH 7.5–8.0 and with 0.5 % NaCl. The major fatty acids (>20 %) of ICH-3T were summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) and C16 : 0. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, an uncharacterized aminophospholipid and two uncharacterized phospholipids. The major isoprenoid quinone was Q-8. The genomic DNA G+C content of ICH-3T was 70.3 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic properties and phylogenetic inference, strain ICH-3T should be classified as representing a novel species of the genus Rubrivivax , for which the name Rubrivivax albus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ICH-3T (=BCRC 81155T=LMG 30930T=KCTC 62866T).

A bacterial strain designated FSY-9T was isolated from a freshwater mesocosm in Taiwan and characterized to determine its taxonomic affiliation. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and coding sequences of 92 protein clusters indicated that strain FSY-9T formed a phylogenetic lineage in the genus Novosphingobium . Strain FSY-9T was most closely related to Novosphingobium humi R1-4T with a 97.2 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. Strain FSY-9T showed 71.3–72.6 % average nucleotide identity and 17.7–23.0 % digital DNA–DNA hybridization identity with the strains of other Novosphingobium species. Cells of strain FSY-9T were facultatively anaerobic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile and formed light yellow coloured colonies. Growth occurred at 15–37 °C and pH 5.5–7, and in the presence of 0–0.5 % NaCl. The major fatty acids (>10 %) of strain FSY-9T were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), C18 : 1ω7c and C16 : 0. The polar lipid profile consisted of a mixture of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine, sphingoglycolipid, an uncharacterized aminophospholipid, an uncharacterized glycolipid and an uncharacterized lipid. The major polyamine was spermidine. The major isoprenoid quinone was Q-10. The DNA G+C content was 61.5 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic properties and phylogenetic inference, strain FSY-9T should be classified as a novel species of the genus Novosphingobium , for which the name Novosphingobium umbonatum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is FSY-9T (=BCRC 81052T=LMG 30054T=KCTC 52813T).

A Gram-stain-negative, tyrosine-metabolizing, non-motile, strictly aerobic, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped marine bacterium, designated strain CC-PW-75T, was isolated from the estuarine water off Pintung, Taiwan. Strain CC-PW-75T formed a distinct phyletic lineage associated with Gemmobacter species, sharing the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with G. megaterium CF17T and G. straminiformis CAM-8T (96.0% each) followed by G. aquatilis IFAM 1031T and G. nectariphilus AST4T (95.8% each). Analysis of the draft genome (3.76 Mbp) revealed the presence of genes encoding light-harvesting complexes, photosynthetic reaction centers and proteins involved in the metabolism of CO, CO2, HCO3‒ and H2S. However, bacteriochlorophyll a was not detected. Average nucleotide identity values between the genome sequence of CC-PW-75T and the related Gemmobacter species (n = 6) were estimated to be 72.8–76.3%. Polar lipid analysis revealed the presence of phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified lipid in major amounts, and phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, an unidentified aminolipid and an unidentified lipid in minor amounts. C18:1ω7c and/or C18:1ω6c, C18:0 and C18:1ω7c 11-methyl were identified to be major fatty acids. The DNA G + C content was 66.2 mol% (draft genome sequence). Ubiquinone-10 (Q-10) was the sole respiratory quinone. Based on the polyphasic taxonomic evidence, CC-PW-75T is most likely a novel species of the genus Gemmobacter, affiliated to the family Rhodobacteraceae, for which the name Gemmobacter aestuarii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-PW-75T (= JCM 19754T = BCRC 80759T). Also, we propose the reclassification of Cereibacter changlensis as Gemmobacter changlensis Chen et al. 2013 using the polyphasic data presented in this study.

Strain TLA-22T, isolated from a cold spring in Taiwan, was characterized using a polyphasic taxonomy approach. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, poly-β-hydroxybutyrate-accumulating, motile by means of a single polar flagellum, rod-shaped and formed bright yellow colonies. Optimal growth occurred at 20–25 °C, pH 6–6.5, and in the presence of 0.5 % NaCl. The major fatty acids of TLA-22T were C18 : 1 ω7 c and C17 : 1ω6c. The predominant hydroxy fatty acids were C15 : 0 2-OH and C14 : 0 2-OH. The polar lipid profile consisted of a mixture of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine, sphingoglycolipid, an unidentified aminophospholipid, an unidentified phospholipid and three unidentified lipids. TLA-22T contained spermidine as the major polyamine and putrescine as the minor component. The only isoprenoid quinone was Q-10. The genomic DNA G+C content of TLA-22T was 63.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and coding sequences of 92 protein clusters indicated that TLA-22T was a mem,ber of a phylogenetic lineage including members of the genus Sphingobium . TLA-22T was most closely related to Sphingobium aromaticiconvertens RW16T, with a 97.4 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. TLA-22T showed 74.8–75.7 % average nucleotide identity and 20.1–22.0 % digital DNA–DNA hybridization identity with the strains of other species of the genus Sphingobium . On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic properties and phylogenetic inference, strain TLA-22T should be classified as representing a novel species of the genus Sphingobium , for which the name Sphingobium algorifonticola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TLA-22T (=BCRC 81097T =LMG 30309T=KCTC 62189T).

Bacterial strain NST-14T, isolated from a freshwater fish pond in Taiwan, was characterized using a polyphasic taxonomy approach. The strain was Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped and formed pink colonies. Optimal growth occurred at 30 °C, pH 7 and in the absence of NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and coding sequences of 92 protein clusters indicated that strain NST-14T formed a phylogenetic lineage in the genus Hymenobacter . Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain NST-14T had the highest similarity to Hymenobacter actinosclerus CCUG 39621T (97.7%), Hymenobacter amundsenii P5136T (97.3%) and Hymenobacter humicola P6312T (96.9%). Strain NST-14T showed 75.1–85.3 % average nucleotide identity, 73.7–89.8 % average amino acid identity and 14.5–26.0 % digital DNA–DNA hybridization with the type strains of other closely related Hymenobacter species. Strain NST-14T contained iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 1 ω5c and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c) as the predominant fatty acids. The major hydroxyl fatty acids were iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and iso-C15 : 0 3-OH. The polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified glycolipid, four unidentified aminophospholipids, one unidentified aminolipid, two unidentified phospholipids and three unidentified lipids. The major polyamine was homospermidine. The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The DNA G+C content of the genomic DNA was 62.4 mol%. Differential phenotypic properties, together with the phylogenetic inference, demonstrate that strain NST-14T should be classified as a novel species of the genus Hymenobacter , for which the name Hymenobacter piscis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NST-14T (=BCRC 81249T=LMG 31686T).

IntroductionPsoriasis is a recurrent, chronic inflammatory skin disease with complex pathogenesis. The disease imposes a heavy burden on patients. Interleukin (IL)-36γ belongs to the IL-36 family and is predominantly expressed by epithelial cells. IL-36γ is upregulated in psoriasis lesions. However, the effects of IL-36γ in keratinocytes remain unclear.Material and methodsEighteen IL-36γ-deficient mice were divided into three groups: the vaseline group, the imiquimod (IMQ) group, and the IMQ/IL-36γ group. Vaseline or IMQ was administered for 6 consecutive days. The severity of psoriasis-like lesions was evaluated using a modified Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scoring system. Production of cytokines and expression of differentiation markers were assessed by immunohistochemistry.ResultsIMQ-induced psoriasis lesions were significantly more severe in IMQ/IL-36γ-treated mice compared with vaseline-treated and IMQ-treated mice, as shown by an exacerbated inflammatory phenotype, increased numbers of blood vessels, increased infiltration of cells, and increased epidermal thickness. Expression of loricrin and keratin 5 in skin lesions was decreased following treatment with IL-36γ. Levels of IL-17A, interferon-γ, β-catenin and Dickkopf-related protein 1 were elevated in keratinocytes within psoriatic lesions following IL-36γ stimulation.ConclusionsTogether, these data showed that IL-36γ contribute to abnormal keratinocytes proliferation and keratinocyte-related proinflammatory cytokines, and suggest that IL-36γ may play an important role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

Low-density granulocytes (LDGs), a distinct subset of neutrophils that colocalize with peripheral blood mononuclear cells after density gradient centrifugation, have been observed in many immune-mediated diseases. LDGs are considered highly proinflammatory because of enhanced spontaneous formation of neutrophil extracellular traps, endothelial toxicity, and cytokine production. Concomitantly, increased numbers of LDGs are associated with the severity of many immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Recent studies, with the help of advanced transcriptomic technologies, demonstrated that LDGs were a mixed cell population composed of immature subset and mature subset, and these two subsets showed different pathogenic features. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the composition, origin, and pathogenic properties of LDGs in several immune-mediated inflammatory diseases and discuss potential medical interventions targeting LDGs.

Glioma is a serious disease burden globally, with high mortality and recurrence rates. CDGSH iron sulfur domain 2 (CISD2) is an evolutionarily conserved protein that is involved in several cancers. However, its role in the prognosis and immune infiltration in glioma remains unclear. In our research, RNA-seq matrix and clinicopathological relevant data for CISD2 were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) databases. Human Protein Atlas was used to verify the CISD2 protein level in glioma, and STRING was used to establish relative coexpression gene network. The Kaplan-Meier plotter was adopted to analyze the effect of CISD2 on prognosis. The connection between CISD2 expression and immune infiltration was analyzed using single-sample GSEA (ssGSEA), TIMER, and GEPIA. In contrast to normal tissues, CISD2 expression was significantly higher in glioma tissues, and CISD2 presented a certain diagnostic value in distinguishing glioma tissues from normal tissues. Furthermore, the CISD2 level was correlated with age, histologic grade, histological type, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) status, 1p/19q codeletion status, and primary therapy outcome of glioma, while high CISD2 mRNA expression was correlated with grave overall survival. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that CISD2 was an independent risk factor for patients with glioma. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that CISD2 could regulate proliferation, immune reaction, and mitochondrial function. The results from the ssGSEA and TIMER databases confirmed that CISD2 acts a prominent role in immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment, especially in low-grade glioma (LGG). Furthermore, CISD2 expression was observably correlated to M2 polarization in macrophages with glioma progression. This is the first research to investigate the immune role of CISD2 in glioma. CISD2 may be an innovative prognostic biomarker and can act as a potential target for future therapy for glioma.

Strain TER-1T was isolated from water sampled from a rice paddy field in Taiwan. Cells were Gram-negative, aerobic, motile, rod-shaped and formed pink-coloured colonies. Optimal growth occurred at 25–30 °C, pH 6–7 and in the presence of 0.5 % NaCl. Strain TER-1T could grow on C1 compounds such as methanol, formic acid, methylamine and dimethylamine as sole carbon source, and carry methanol dehydrogenase gene, which supports its methylotrophic metabolism. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence, methanol dehydrogenase gene sequence and coding sequences of 92 protein clusters indicated that strain TER-1T formed a phylogenetic lineage in the genus Methylobacterium . Strain TER-1T was most closely related to Methylobacterium isbiliense AR24T with 96.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. Strain TER-1T showed 77.1–82.8 % average nucleotide identity and 16.4–20.2 % digital DNA–DNA hybridization identity with the strains of other Methylobacterium species. The major fatty acid of strain TER-1T was C18 : 1ω7c. The predominant hydroxy fatty acid was C18 : 0 3-OH. The polar lipid profile consisted of a mixture of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and two uncharacterized lipids. The only isoprenoid quinone was Q-10. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain TER-1T was 71.9 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic properties and phylogenetic inference, strain TER-1T should be classified in a novel species of the genus Methylobacterium , for which the name Methylobacterium oryzihabitans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TER-1T (=BCRC 81157T=LMG 30931T=KCTC 62864T).

A bacterial strain, designated H-5T, was isolated from an artificial reservoir in Taiwan and characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Cells of strain H-5T were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile by means of a single polar flagellum, rod-shaped, covered by large capsules and formed white colonies. Growth occurred at 15–30 °C (optimum, 25 °C), at pH 6–8 (optimum, pH 7) and with 0–0.5 % NaCl (optimum, 0 %). Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene, the methanol dehydrogenase gene and the coding sequences of 92 protein clusters indicated that strain H-5T was affiliated with genera in the family Methylophilaceae in the class Betaproteobacteria . Strain H-5T was most closely related to Methylobacillus methanolivorans ZT with a 95.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. Strain H-5T showed less than 73.7 % average nucleotide identity and less than 23.6 % digital DNA–DNA hybridization identity compared to the strains of related genera within the family Methylophilaceae . The predominant fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) and C16 : 0. The major isoprenoid quinone was Q-8 and the DNA G+C content was 58.3 mol%. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, one uncharacterized aminophospholipid, one uncharacterized phospholipid and one uncharacterized lipid. On the basis of the genotypic and phenotypic data presented here, strain H-5T represents a novel species of a new genus in the family Methylophilaceae , for which the name Pseudomethylobacillus aquaticus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is H-5T (=BCRC 81154T=KCTC 62865T).

Background Most melanomas identified in the stomach are metastatic; primary gastric melanoma (PGM) is extremely rare, and the relevant studies are relatively scarce. PGM may be incorrectly diagnosed as other gastric malignant tumor types. Case summary We describe a rare case of PGM confirmed through long-term clinical observation and pathological diagnosis. A 67-year-old woman presented to our hospital with recurrent chest tightness and chest pain. Digital gastrointestinal radiography revealed a circular shadow in the gastric cardia. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a heterogeneous tumor with uneven enhancement. Enlarged lymph nodes were noted in the lesser curvature of the stomach. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), T1- and T2-weighted imaging revealed hyperintensity in and hypointensity in the tumor, respectively, both of which increased substantially after uneven enhancement. Near total gastrectomy was performed, and the tumor was pathologically confirmed to be a gastric melanoma. Because no other possible primary site of malignant melanoma was suspected, a clinical diagnosis of PGM was made. The patient was followed for nearly 5 years, during which she received CT reexamination, but no recurrence or metastasis was observed. Conclusion Certain imaging characteristics could be revealed in PGM. Imaging examination can be of great value in preoperative diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and follow-up of patients with PGM.

Two bacterial strains, designated HSP-20T and CCP-1T, isolated from freshwater habitats in Taiwan, were characterized by polyphasic taxonomy. Both strains were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile and rod-shaped. Cells of strains HSP-20T and CCP-1T formed pink and dark red coloured colonies, respectively. Both strains contained bacteriochlorophyll a, and showed optimum growth under anaerobic conditions by photoheterotrophy, but no growth by photoautotrophy. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene and whole-genome sequences indicated that both strains belonged to the genus Rhodobacter . Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strains HSP-20T and CCP-1T shared 98.3 % sequence similarity and were closely related to Rhodobacter tardus CYK-10T (96.0 %) and Rhodobacter flagellatus SYSU G03088T (96.0 %), respectively. Both strains shared common chemotaxonomic characteristics including Q-10 as the major isoprenoid quinone, C18 : 1 ω7c as the predominant fatty acid, and phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine as the main polar lipids. The DNA G+C content of both strains was 66.2 mol%. The average nucleotide identity, average amino acid identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between these two novel isolates and their closest relatives were below the cut-off values of 95–96, 90 and 70 %, respectively, used for species demarcation. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic properties and phylogenetic inference, both strains should be classified as novel species within the genus Rhodobacter , for which the names Rhodobacter amnigenus sp. nov. (=BCRC 81193T=LMG 31334T) and Rhodobacter ruber sp. nov. (=BCRC 81189T=LMG 31335T) are proposed.

This retrospective study aimed to determine the prognostic value of imaging parameters derived from midtherapy 18F-fluorodihydroxyphenylalanine (18F-DOPA) and 18F-FDG PET in pediatric patients with stage 3-4 neuroblastoma.We enrolled 32 stage 3-4 pediatric neuroblastoma patients who underwent 18F-DOPA and 18F-FDG PET/CT scans before and after 3 chemotherapy cycles. We measured metabolic and volumetric parameters and applied a metabolic burden scoring system to evaluate the primary tumor extent and soft tissue metastases and that of bone/bone marrow involvement. The associations between these parameters and clinical outcomes were investigated.Over a median follow-up period of 47 months (range, 3-137 months), 16 patients experienced disease progression, and 13 died. After adjustment for clinical factors, multivariate Cox proportional hazard models showed that interim tumor FDG/FDOPA SUVmax (hazard ratio [HR], 5.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-34.98) and interim FDOPA whole-body metabolic burden scores (WBMB) (HR, 7.30; 95% CI, 1.50-35.50) were significant prognostic factors for overall survival (OS). Only interim FDOPA WBMB scores (HR, 7.05; 95% CI, 1.02-48.7) were predictive of progression-free survival. Based on median cutoff values, prognosis (OS and progression-free survival) was significantly associated with an interim FDOPA WBMB score ≥21.92 (all P0.05) and interim tumor FDG/FDOPA (SUVmax) score ≥0.57 with poor OS (P0.05).Our results indicate that midtreatment FDG and FDOPA PET/CT could serve as prognostic markers in stage 3-4 neuroblastoma patients.

Adsorption is the primary mechanism of antibiotic removal in wastewater treatment plants, wherein the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) of the activated sludge play an important role. Due to their complex characteristics, the effect of EPS components on antibiotic adsorption is unknown. Therefore, in this study, the role of main components of EPS in antibiotic adsorption was explored using enzymatic treatment. The results revealed that proteinase K and α-amylase can efficiently hydrolyse the proteins and polysaccharides of EPS. The protein content of EPS reduced from 31.25 mg/g VSS to 21.53, 18.75, and 10.76 mg/g VSS, after treatment with proteinase K, α-amylase and their combination, respectively; the polysaccharides content also observed a similar decrease from 15.20 mg/g VSS to 8.22, 7.83, and 6.03 mg/g VSS, respectively. The humic substance in EPS was stable during enzymatic treatment. The equilibrium adsorption capacity of activated sludge treated by enzyme for trimethoprim (TMP)- a typical antibiotic, was significantly increased from 2.19 μg/g VSS to 4.68, 5.34, and 8.36 μg/g VSS after treatment with proteinase K, α-amylase and their mixture. The adsorption process was adequately described by pseudo-second-order kinetic model. A multivariable linear regression model was subsequently used to quantify the adsorption capacity of activated sludge for TMP considering the concentration of EPS components. The modelling and validated results showed that the model could satisfactorily predict the TMP adsorption capacity. The results of this study can provide new insights into the role of EPS on antibiotic transformation in biological wastewater treatment systems.