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Thin solid membranes are formed by a new strategy, whereby an in situ derived self-healing polymer matrix that penetrates the void space of an inorganic solid is created. The concept is applied as a separator in an all-solid-state battery with an FeS2 -based cathode and achieves tremendous performance for over 200 cycles. Processing in dry conditions represents a paradigm shift for incorporating high active-material mass loadings into mixed-matrix membranes., (© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Doped Si nanoparticles (SiNPs) with conformal carbon coating and cyclized-polyacrylonitrile (PAN) network displayed capacities of 3500 and 3000 mAh g(-1) at C/20 and C/10, respectively. At 1 C, the electrode preserves a specific discharge capacity of ∼1500 mAh g(-1) for at least 60 cycles without decay. Al2O3 atomic layer deposition (ALD) helps improve the initial Coulombic efficiency (CE) to 85%. The dual coating of conformal carbon and cyclized-PAN help alleviate volume change and facilitate charge transfer. Ultra-thin Al2O3 ALD layers help form a stable solid electrolyte interphase interface.

This study aimed at evaluating raw materials as potential lactic acid bacteria (LAB) sources for kimchi fermentation and investigating LAB successions during fermentation. The bacterial abundances and communities of five different sets of raw materials were investigated using plate-counting and pyrosequencing. LAB were found to be highly abundant in all garlic samples, suggesting that garlic may be a major LAB source for kimchi fermentation. LAB were observed in three and two out of five ginger and leek samples, respectively, indicating that they can also be potential important LAB sources. LAB were identified in only one cabbage sample with low abundance, suggesting that cabbage may not be an important LAB source. Bacterial successions during fermentation in the five kimchi samples were investigated by community analysis using pyrosequencing. LAB communities in initial kimchi were similar to the combined LAB communities of individual raw materials, suggesting that kimchi LAB were derived from their raw materials. LAB community analyses showed that species in the genera Leuconostoc, Lactobacillus, and Weissella were key players in kimchi fermentation, but their successions during fermentation varied with the species, indicating that members of the key genera may have different acid tolerance or growth competitiveness depending on their respective species., (© 2015 Institute of Food Technologists®)

Myeolchi-aekjeot (MA) is a Korean traditional fish sauce, made by fermenting salted [approximately 25% (w/v)] anchovies. Three sets of MA samples, S-MA, M-MA, and L-MA, were prepared using small (5-8 cm), medium (8-10 cm), and large (10-13 cm) anchovies, respectively, and their bacterial communities and metabolites were investigated for 280 days. Bacterial community analysis using pyrosequencing revealed that, in S-MA, the initially dominant genera, including Phychrobacter, Photobacterium, and Vibrio, disappeared rapidly and Salinivibrio, Staphylococcus, and Tetragenococcus/Halanaerobium appeared sequentially as the major populations. In contrast, in M-MA and L-MA, the initially dominant genera were maintained relatively well during the early fermentation period, but eventually Tetragenococcus became predominant without the growth of Halanaerobium. The changes in the bacterial community occurred more quickly in MA prepared with smaller anchovies than in those prepared with larger anchovies. Metabolite analysis using (1)H NMR showed that amino acids, glycerol, acetate, and lactate rapidly increased in all MA samples during the early fermentation period. Amino acids increased more quickly and then decreased after reaching their maximum level in S-MA, while they increased continually until the end of fermentation in L-MA. This suggests that the complete fermentation of L-MA may require more time than that for S-MA. A correlative analysis between bacterial communities and metabolites revealed that the increase in acetate, butyrate, and putrescine in S-MA was associated with the growth of Halanaerobium, which may be a useful indicator of anchovy sauce quality., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A Gram-stain positive, aerobic and moderately halophilic bacterium, designated strain SL-MJ1(T), was isolated from myeolchi-aekjeot, a Korean traditionally fermented anchovy sauce. Cells were observed to be non-spore-forming rods showing oxidase-negative and catalase-positive reactions. Growth of strain SL-MJ1(T) was observed at 15-40 °C (optimum, 30 °C) and pH 6.5-8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and in the presence of 0-20 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 6 %). Chemotaxonomic data (major isoprenoid quinone: menaquinone-7; DNA G + C content: 42.8 mol%; cell wall type: meso-diaminopimelic acid; major fatty acids: anteiso-C15:0, anteiso-C17:0 and iso-C16:0) support the affiliation of the isolate to the genus Lentibacillus. Phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified phospholipid were identified as the major cellular polar lipids. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain SL-MJ1(T) is most closely related to Lentibacillus juripiscarius IS40-3(T) with a 95.3 % similarity. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences also support the conclusion that strain SL-MJ1(T) forms a phylogenetic lineage with members of the genus Lentibacillus within the family Bacillaceae. Given its phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features, we conclude that strain SL-MJ1(T) represents a novel species of the genus Lentibacillus, for which the name Lentibacillus garicola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SL-MJ1(T) (=KACC 18130(T) = JCM 30131(T)).

A novel Gram-staining-positive, non-endospore-forming, aerobic bacterium, designated strain SJ5-4(T), was isolated from seau-jeot, a traditional food that is made by fermentation of highly salted [approximately 25 % (w/v)] shrimp in Korea. Cells were moderately halophilic, non-motile cocci or short rods that showed catalase- and oxidase-positive reactions. Growth of strain SJ5-4(T) was observed at 15-40 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 6.0-9.5 (optimum, pH 6.5-7.0) and in the presence of 1-17 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 6 %). The major cellular fatty acids of strain SJ5-4(T) were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and C16 : 0. Phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, an unidentified phospholipid, three glycolipids and an unidentified lipid were detected as the polar lipids. Strain SJ5-4(T) belonged to the exceptionally small group of strains within the order Micrococcales that show a peptidoglycan cross-linked according to the A-type but containing 2,4-diaminobutyric acid. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 61.8 mol%. MK-7, MK-8 and MK-9 were detected as the isoprenoid quinones. Strain SJ5-4(T) was most closely related to members of the genus Nesterenkonia, with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 93.1-94.8 %. However, phylogenetic inference based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain SJ5-4(T) formed a phyletic lineage distinct from members of the genus Nesterenkonia within the family Micrococcaceae. On the basis of its phenotypic and molecular features, strain SJ5-4(T) represents a novel genus and species of the family Micrococcaceae, for which the name Garicola koreensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Garicola koreensis is SJ5-4(T) ( = KACC 16909(T) = JCM 18572(T) = DSM 28238(T))., (© 2015 IUMS.)

We are currently in the midst of a race to discover and develop new battery materials capable of providing high energy-density at low cost. By combining a high-performance Si electrode architecture with a room temperature ionic liquid electrolyte, here we demonstrate a highly energy-dense lithium-ion cell with an impressively long cycling life, maintaining over 75% capacity after 500 cycles. Such high performance is enabled by a stable half-cell coulombic efficiency of 99.97%, averaged over the first 200 cycles. Equally as significant, our detailed characterization elucidates the previously convoluted mechanisms of the solid-electrolyte interphase on Si electrodes. We provide a theoretical simulation to model the interface and microstructural-compositional analyses that confirm our theoretical predictions and allow us to visualize the precise location and constitution of various interfacial components. This work provides new science related to the interfacial stability of Si-based materials while granting positive exposure to ionic liquid electrochemistry.

Objectives: One of the antidiabetic drugs, metformin, have shown that it prevented oxidative stress-induced death in several cell types through a mechanism involving the opening of the permeability transition pore and cytochrome c release. Thus, it is possible that the antioxidative effect of metformin can also serve as protection against gentamicin-induced cytotoxicity related to reactive oxygen species (ROS). The aim of this study was to examine the protective effect of metformin on gentamicin-induced vestibulotoxicity in primary cell culture derived from rat utricle., Methods: For vestibular primary cell culture, rat utricles were dissected and incubated. Gentamicin-induced cytotoxicity was measured in both the auditory and vestibular cells. To examine the effects of metformin on gentamicin-induced cytotoxicity in the primary cell culture, the cells were pretreated with metformin at a concentration of 1 mM for 24 hours, and then exposed to 2.5 mM gentamicin for 48 hours. The intracellular ROS level was measured using a fluorescent dye, and also measured using a FACScan flow cytometer. Intracellular calcium levels in the vestibular cells were measured with calcium imaging using Fura-2 AM., Results: Vestibular cells were more sensitive to gentamicin-induced cytotoxicity than auditory hair cells. Metformin protects against gentamicin-induced cytotoxicity in vestibular cells. Metformin significantly reduced a gentamicin-induced increase in ROS, and also reduced an increase in intracellular calcium concentrations in gentamicin-induced cytotoxicity., Conclusion: Metformin significantly reduced a gentamicin-induced increase in ROS, stabilized the intracellular calcium concentration, and inhibited gentamicin-induced apoptosis. Thus, Metformin showed protective effect on gentamicin-induced cytotoxicity in vestibular primary cell culture.

Surface modification of silicon nanoparticles via molecular layer deposition (MLD) has been recently proved to be an effective way for dramatically enhancing the cyclic performance in lithium ion batteries. However, the fundamental mechanism of how this thin layer of coating functions is not known, which is complicated by the inevitable presence of native oxide of several nanometers on the silicon nanoparticle. Using in situ TEM, we probed in detail the structural and chemical evolution of both uncoated and coated silicon particles upon cyclic lithiation/delithation. We discovered that upon initial lithiation, the native oxide layer converts to crystalline Li2O islands, which essentially increases the impedance on the particle, resulting in ineffective lithiation/delithiation and therefore low Coulombic efficiency. In contrast, the alucone MLD-coated particles show extremely fast, thorough, and highly reversible lithiation behaviors, which are clarified to be associated with the mechanical flexibility and fast Li(+)/e(-) conductivity of the alucone coating. Surprisingly, the alucone MLD coating process chemically changes the silicon surface, essentially removing the native oxide layer, and therefore mitigates side reactions and detrimental effects of the native oxide. This study provides a vivid picture of how the MLD coating works to enhance the Coulombic efficiency, preserves capacity, and clarifies the role of the native oxide on silicon nanoparticles during cyclic lithiation and delithiation. More broadly, this work also demonstrates that the effect of the subtle chemical modification of the surface during the coating process may be of equal importance to the coating layer itself.

High-energy-density FeS2 cathodes en-abled by a bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (TFSI-) anion-based room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) electrolyte are demonstrated. A TFSI-based ionic liquid (IL) significantly mitigates polysulfide dissolution, and therefore the parasitic redox shuttle mechanism, that plagues sulfur-based electrode chemistries. FeS2 stabilization with a TFSI(-) -based IL results in one of the highest energy density cathodes, 542 W h kg(-1) (normalized to cathode composite mass), reported to date., (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Abnormal metastasis of carcinoma is associated with the loss of epithelial features and the acquisition of a mesenchymal phenotype. The stimulation of cells with epidermal growth factor (EGF) resulted in morphological changes and induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). EGF stimulation resulted in increased mobility along with upregulated actin polarization related proteins, E-cadherin regulators and the mesenchymal markers. Treatment with Torilis japonica extract (TJE) along with stimulation by EGF prevented changes in cell morphology, mobility, expression of actin polarization proteins and EMT markers. Using specific inhibitors and siEGFR, it was demonstrated that TJE suppressed EMT through EGFR inactivation and regulation of its downstream signaling pathways. We suggest that TJE is a new potential reagent for EGFR-targeted therapy and anti-abnormal metastasis in MCF-7 breast cancer.

Bacterial and fungal community dynamics, along with viable plate counts and water content, were investigated in the exterior and interior regions of doenjang-meju, traditional Korean fermented soybean, during its fermentation process. Measurement of viable cells showed that the meju molding equipment might be an important source of bacterial cells (mostly Bacillus) during doenjang-meju fermentation, whereas fungi might be mostly derived from the fermentation environment including incubation shelves, air, and rice straws. Community analysis using rRNA-targeted pyrosequencing revealed that Bacillus among bacteria and Mucor among fungi were predominant in both the exterior and interior regions of doenjang-meju during the early fermentation period. Bacteria such as Ignatzschineria, Myroides, Enterococcus, Corynebacterium, and Clostridium and fungi such as Geotrichum, Scopulariopsis, Monascus, Fusarium, and eventually Aspergillus were mainly detected as the fermentation progressed. Bacillus, an aerobic bacterial group, was predominant in the exterior regions during the entire fermentation period, while anaerobic, facultative anaerobic, and microaerobic bacteria including Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, Clostridium, Myroides, and Ignatzschineria were much more abundant in the interior regions. Principal component analysis (PCA) also indicated that the bacterial communities in the exterior and interior regions were clearly differentiated, suggesting that aeration might be an important factor in determining the bacterial communities during doenjang-meju fermentation. However, PCA showed that fungal communities were not separated in the exterior and interior regions and Pearson's correlation coefficients showed that the major fungal taxa had significantly positive (Mucor and Geotrichum) or negative (Aspergillus) correlations with the water content during doenjang-meju fermentation, indicating that water content might be a significant factor in determining the fungal communities during doenjang-meju fermentation., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A Gram-staining-negative, strictly aerobic, white-colony-forming bacterium, designated strain 5-10(T), was isolated from forest soil of Bac Kan Province in Vietnam. Cells were non-motile rods or coccoids, showing oxidase- and catalase-positive reactions. Growth was observed at 10-37 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 5.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and in the presence of 0-1.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0-0.5 %). The major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c), C16 : 0, C10 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 8 (comprising C18 : 1ω6c and/or C18 : 1ω7c). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 69.9 mol% and the only respiratory quinone detected was ubiquinone 8 (Q-8). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain 5-10(T) formed a tight phyletic lineage with members of the genus Ramlibacter. Strain 5-10(T) was most closely related to Ramlibacter tataouinensis TTB310(T) (97.3 %), but the DNA-DNA relatedness level between the two strains was 38.2±1.8 %. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular features, strain 5-10(T) was shown to represent a novel species of the genus Ramlibacter, for which the name Ramlibacter solisilvae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 5-10(T) ( = KACC 17567(T) = JCM 19319(T)). An emended description of the genus Ramlibacter is also proposed.

The induction of apoptosis in cancer cells is a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of cancer. In the present study, we investigated the regulatory mechanisms responsible for quercetin-induced apoptosis, mamely the increased expression of sestrin 2 and the activation of the 5' AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/p38 MAPK signaling pathway. Our results revealed that quercetin induced apoptosis by generating the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increasing the expression of sestrin 2. The induction of apoptosis by quercetin occurred through the activation of the AMPK/p38 signaling pathway and was dependent on sestrin 2. However, the silencing of sestrin 2 using small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting sestrin 2 revealed that quercetin did not regulate AMPK or p38 phosphorylation in the cells in which sestrin 2 was silenced. On the other hand, it has been previously reported that sestrin 2 expression is not dependent on p53 expression under hypoxic conditions, whereas DNA damage is dependent on p53. We demonstrate that the increase in the expression of sestrin 2 by quercetin-generated intracellular ROS is p53-independent. The increased expression of sestrin 2 induced apoptosis through the AMPK/p38 signaling pathway in the HT-29 colon cancer cells, which are p53 mutant, treated with quercetin. Thus, our data suggest that quercetin induces apoptosis by reducing mitochondrial membrane potential, generating intracellular ROS production and increasing sestrin 2 expression through the AMPK/p38 pathway. In addition, p53 is not a necessary element for an apoptotic event induced by sestrin 2.

Kimchi, a traditional Korean food made by the fermentation of vegetables, has become popular globally because of its organoleptic, beneficial, and nutritional properties. Spontaneous kimchi fermentation in unsterilized raw materials leads to the growth of various lactic acid bacteria (LAB), which results in variations in the taste and sensory qualities of kimchi products and difficulties in the standardized industrial production of kimchi. Raw materials, kimchi varieties, ingredients, and fermentation conditions have significant effects on the microbial communities and fermentative characteristics of kimchi during fermentation. Heterofermentative LAB belonging to the genera Leuconostoc, Lactobacillus, and Weissella are likely to be key players in kimchi fermentation and have been subjected to genomic and functional studies to gain a better understanding of the fermentation process and beneficial effects of kimchi. The use of starter cultures has been considered for the industrial production of high quality, standardized kimchi. Here, we review the composition and biochemistry of kimchi microflora communities, functional and genomic studies of kimchi LAB, and perspectives for industrial kimchi production.

Background: The suppression of abnormal cell proliferation is therapeutic strategies for the treatment of cancer. In this study, we investigated the regulatory mechanism of quercetin-induced apoptosis through regulation of Sestrin 2 and AMPK signaling pathway., Methods: After treatment of quercetin to colon cancer cells, intracellular ROS was detected using by DCFH-DA. To examine how quercetin and H2O2 induced apoptosis, we analyzed the change of Sestrin 2, p53 expression and p-AMPKα1, p-mTOR levels by Western blotting. To evaluate the effect of intracellular ROS generated by quercetin on colon cancer cells, NAC, anti-oxidative agent, was co-treated., Results: Quercetin increased apoptotic cell death though generating intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and it was responsible for Sestrin 2 expression. Increased Sestrin 2 expression was accompanied by AMPK activation. Interestingly, mTOR activity by Sestirn 2 expression was dependent on AMPK phosphorylation. On the other hand, the expression of Sestrin 2 by quercetin-generated intracellular ROS was independent of p53., Conclusions: We suggested that quercetin-induced apoptosis involved Sestrin 2/AMPK/mTOR pathway, which was regulated by increased intracellular ROS by quercetin.

A Gram-staining-positive, aerobic, non-motile bacterium, designated strain SJ5-8(T), was isolated from seau-jeot (shrimp jeotgal), a traditional fermented seafood in South Korea. Cells were non-spore-forming rods showing catalase- and oxidase-positive reactions. Growth of strain SJ5-8(T) was observed at 10-37 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.5-8.5) and in the presence of 0-14% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 5%). Phylogenetic inference based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain formed a tight phyletic lineage with members of the genus Brevibacterium. Strain SJ5-8(T) was most closely related to Brevibacterium yomogidense MN-6-a(T), Brevibacterium daeguense 2C6-41(T) and Brevibacterium salitolerans TRM 415(T) with similarities of 98.9, 97.5 and 97.4%, respectively. The DNA-DNA relatedness values between strain SJ5-8(T) and the type strains of B. yomogidense, B. daeguense and B. salitolerans were 51.7 ± 1.9%, 22.2 ± 4.0% and 52.4 ± 3.8%, respectively. Chemotaxonomic data (major sole isoprenoid quinone, MK-8(H₂); major diagnostic diamino acid, meso-diaminopimelic acid; major polyamines, putrescine and cadaverine; major cellular fatty acids, anteiso-C(15:0), iso-C(15:0) and anteiso-C(17:0); major polar lipids, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol; DNA G+C content, 69.3 mol%) also supported the affiliation of strain SJ5-8(T) to the genus Brevibacterium. Therefore, strain SJ5-8(T) represents a novel species of the genus Brevibacterium, for which the name Brevibacterium jeotgali sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SJ5-8(T) ( =KACC 16911(T) =JCM 18571(T)).

The effects of malachite green (MG) on the bacterial community in Antarctic soil were assessed. Culture-independent community analysis using 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing showed that, in the presence of MG, the relative abundance of Pseudomonas dramatically increased from 2.2 % to 36.6 % (16.6-fold), and Pseudomonas became the predominant genus. The reduction in bacterial biodiversity was demonstrated by diversity indices and rarefaction curves. MG-degrading Pseudomonas sp. MGO was isolated from Antarctic soil. MG tolerance and decolorization activity were confirmed by growth, spectrophotometric, high-performance liquid chromatography, and thin-layer chromatography analyses in high MG concentrations. Our data showed that the decolorization process occurred via biodegradation, while biosorption also occurred after some time during the fed-batch decolorization process. Significant inductions in laccase, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-2,6 dichlorophenol indophenol reductase, and MG reductase activities suggested their involvement in the decolorization process. We also showed that the high tolerance of strain MGO to toxic MG might be mediated by upregulation of oxidative stress defense systems such as superoxide dismutase and protease. Collectively, these results demonstrated the response of the Antarctic soil bacterial community to MG and provided insight into the molecular mechanism of MG-tolerant Pseudomonas strains isolated from Antarctic soil.

Two moderately halophilic, facultatively aerobic, motile bacteria with flagella, designated strains 10-C-3(T) and 30-C-3, were isolated from jeotgal, a traditional Korean fermented seafood. Cells of the strains were observed to be ovoid-rods showing catalase- and oxidase-positive reactions and production of creamy-pink pigments. Growth of strain 10-C-3(T) was observed at 15-35 °C (optimum, 25-30 °C), at pH 5.5-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0-7.5), and in the presence of 3-15 % (w/v) salts (optimum: 5-10 %). The two strains were found to contain C(18:1) ω7c, C(16:0), summed feature 3 (as defined by the MIDI system, comprising C(16:1) ω7c and/or C(16:1) ω6c), and C(12:0) 3-OH as the major cellular fatty acids. The G+C contents of the genomic DNA of strains 10-C-3(T) and 30-C-3 were determined to be 63.2 and 63.1 mol%, respectively and the respiratory quinone detected was ubiquinone 9 (Q-9) only. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strains 10-C-3(T)and 30-C-3 formed a distinct phyletic lineage within the genus Halomonas and are most closely related to Halomonas fontilapidosi 5CR(T) with 95.2 % of 16S rRNA sequence similarity. Strains 10-C-3(T)and 30-C-3 shared 99.2 % of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and their DNA-DNA relatedness value was 96.6 ± 0.9 %. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular features, strains 10-C-3(T)and 30-C-3 represent a novel species of the genus Halomonas, for which the name Halomonas cibimaris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 10-C-3(T) (= KACC 14932(T) = JCM 16914(T)).

A Gram-staining positive, facultative aerobic bacterium, designated strain RH-N24(T), was isolated from naked barley in South Korea. Cells of the isolate were observed to be motile rods by means of peritrichous flagella and showed catalase-positive and oxidase-negative reactions. Growth of strain RH-N24(T) was observed at 4-40 °C (optimum: 35-37 °C) and at pH 5.0-9.0 (optimum: pH 6.0-7.0). Chemotaxonomic data (major isoprenoid quinone: MK-7; DNA G + C content: 53.5 mol %; cell wall type: A1γ-meso-diaminopimelic acid; major fatty acids: anteiso-CB(15:0) and CB(16:0B)) supported the affiliation of the isolate to the genus Paenibacillus. The major cellular polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and two unidentified polar lipids. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences also supported the conclusion that strain RH-N24(T) belonged to the genus Paenibacillus. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain RH-N24(T) was most closely related to Paenibacillus hunanensis FeL05(T) and Paenibacillus illinoisensis NRRL NRS-1356(T) with similarities of 94.64 and 94.54 %, respectively. On the basis of phenotypic and molecular properties, strain RH-N24(T) represents a novel species within the genus Paenibacillus for which the name Paenibacillus hordei sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RH-N24(T) (=KACC 15511(T) = JCM 17570(T)).

Salimicrobium sp. strain MJ3 was isolated from myulchi-jeot, traditional fermented seafood made from anchovy in South Korea. Here we announce the draft genome sequence of Salimicrobium sp. MJ3 with 2,717,782 bp, which consists of 45 contigs (>500 bp in size), and provide a description of their annotation.

Leuconostoc carnosum strain JB16 was isolated from kimchi, the traditional Korean fermented food. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of L. carnosum strain JB16, consisting of a 1,645,096-bp circular chromosome with a G+C content of 37.24% and four plasmids.

A strain of Leuconostoc gelidum, designated strain JB7, was isolated from kimchi, the representative Korean traditional fermented food. Here we announce the complete genome sequence of L. gelidum strain JB7, consisting of a 1,893,499-bp circular chromosome with a G+C content of 36.68%, and provide a description of its annotation.

Purpose: The aims of our study were to compare the ocular microbial communities of humans with and without blepharitis in an attempt to elucidate which microorganisms may cause blepharitis., Methods: Bacterial 16S rRNA genes of eyelash and tear samples from seven blepharitis patients and four healthy controls were sequenced using a pyrosequencing method, and their bacterial community structures were compared bioinformatically., Results: Phylotypic analysis demonstrated that eyelash and tear samples had highly diverse bacterial communities with many previously undescribed bacteria. Bacterial communities in eyelash samples from subjects with blepharitis were less diverse than those from healthy controls, while the bacterial communities of tear subjects with blepharitis were more diverse than those of healthy subjects. Statistical analyses using UniFrac and a principle coordinate analysis showed that the bacterial communities of tear samples from subjects with blepharitis were well clustered, regardless of individual, while the bacterial communities of all eyelash samples and healthy tear samples were not well clustered due to high interpersonal variability. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that Propionibacterium, Staphylococcus, Streptophyta, Corynebacterium, and Enhydrobacter were the common ocular bacteria. An increase of Staphylococcus, Streptophyta, Corynebacterium, and Enhydrobacter, and a decrease of Propionibacterium were observed from blepharitis subjects, in terms of the relative abundances., Conclusions: Higher abundances of Streptophyta, Corynebacterium, and Enhydrobacter in blepharitis subjects suggested that human blepharitis might be induced by the infestations of pollens, dusts, and soil particles. These results will provide valuable information for the prevention and treatment of human blepharitis based on ocular microbial flora.

To deploy Li-ion batteries in next-generation vehicles, it is essential to develop electrodes with durability, high energy density, and high power. Here we report a breakthrough in controlled full-electrode nanoscale coatings that enables nanosized materials to cycle with durable high energy and remarkable rate performance. The nanoparticle electrodes are coated with Al(2)O(3) using atomic layer deposition (ALD). The coated nano-LiCoO(2) electrodes with 2 ALD cycles deliver a discharge capacity of 133 mAh/g with currents of 1400 mA/g (7.8C), corresponding to a 250% improvement in reversible capacity compared to bare nanoparticles (br-nLCO), when cycled at this high rate. The simple ALD process is broadly applicable and provides new opportunities for the battery industry to design other novel nanostructured electrodes that are highly durable even while cycling at high rate.

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic bacterium, designated strain N7(T), was isolated from a rice paddy in South Korea. Cells of strain N7(T) were non-motile, non-spore-forming rods. Growth was observed at 15-35 degrees C (optimum of 25-30 degrees C) and between pH 6.0 and 8.0 (optimum of pH 6.5-7.5). The predominant isoprenoid quinone was menaquinone-7. The major cellular fatty acids of strain N7(T) were summed feature 3 (comprising C(16 : 1)omega7c and/or iso-C(15 : 0) 2-OH), iso-C(15 : 0), anteiso-C(15 : 0), C(15 : 0) and iso-C(16 : 0). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 37.7 mol%. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses showed that strain N7(T) formed a distinct phyletic line within the genus Pedobacter. Phylogenetic distances from strains of other Pedobacter species with validly published names were greater than 5.0 % (i.e. <95.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities). On the basis of phenotypic and molecular data, it is clear that strain N7(T) represents a novel species within the genus Pedobacter, for which the name Pedobacter oryzae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is N7(T) (=KACC 12821(T) =DSM 19973(T)).

We have previously demonstrated that the redox reactant pyruvate prevents apoptosis in the oxidant model of bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAEC), and that the anti-apoptotic mechanism of pyruvate is mediated in part via the mitochondrial matrix compartment. However, cytosolic mechanisms for the cytoprotective feature of pyruvate remain to be elucidated. This study investigated the pyruvate protection against endothelial cytotoxicity when the glycolysis inhibitor 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) was applied to BPAEC. Millimolar 2DG blocked the cellular glucose uptake in a concentration- and time-dependent manner with >85% inhibition at > or =5 mM within 24 h. The addition of 2DG evoked BPAEC cytotoxicity with a substantial increase in lipid peroxidation and a marked decrease in intracellular total glutathione. Exogenous pyruvate partially prevented the 2DG-induced cell damage with increasing viability of BPAEC by 25-30%, and the total glutathione was also modestly increased. In contrast, 10 mM L-lactate, as a cytosolic reductant, had no effect on the cytotoxicity and lipid peroxidation that are evoked by 2DG. These results suggest that 2DG toxicity may be a consequence of the diminished potential of glutathione antioxidant, which was partially restored by exogenous pyruvate but not L-lactate. Therefore, pyruvate qualifies as a cytoprotective agent for strategies that attenuate the metabolic dysfunction of the endothelium, and cellular glucose oxidation is required for the functioning of the cytosolic glutathione/NADPH redox system.