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Orostachys species have been recognized as medicinal herbs in East Asia. Although O. fimbriata is known as a traditional medicine, its antioxidant properties have not been investigated compared to other Orostachys species. In this study, we characterized the antioxidant compounds and determined the antioxidant activity of O. fimbriata for the first time. As a result, 1 g of O. fimbriata extracts contains 288.5 ± 7.4 mg polyphenols, which contains 159.7 ± 8.3 mg flavonoids. In particular, 21.6%, 6.6%, and 2.6% of the total flavonoids were identified as epicatechin gallate, quercetin, and kaempferol, respectively, by LC-MS system. The DPPH IC50, ABTS IC50, and FRAP value of the extracts was determined to be 27.6 ± 5.5 μg/mL, 125.7 ± 6.0 μg/mL, and 115.0 ± 4.4 mmol/L, respectively. These activities were 30–57% of the positive control, ascorbic acid. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that O. fimbriata has outstanding antioxidant properties. This study highlights the need for further investigations toward in-depth research on the pharmacological functions of O. fimbriata.

The aim of this study is to explore the performances of different data fusion techniques for the enhancement of urban features and evaluate the features obtained by the fusion techniques in terms of separation of urban land cover classes when multisource images are under consideration. For the data fusion, multiplicative method, Brovey transform, principal component analysis (PCA), Gram–Schmidt fusion, wavelet-based fusion and Elhers fusion are used and the results are compared. Of these methods, the best result is obtained by the use of the optical/synthetic aperture radar (SAR) wavelet-based fusion. The classification methods of multisource images, statistical maximum likelihood classification (MLC) and the knowledge-based method are used and the results are compared. The knowledge-based method is based on a hierarchical rule-based approach and it uses a hierarchy of rules describing different conditions under which the actual classification has to be performed. Overall, the research indicates that multisource information can significantly improve the interpretation and classification of land-cover types and the knowledge-based method is a powerful tool in the production of a reliable land-cover map. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The aim of this study is to compare the changes that occurred in the main urban land-cover classes of Ulaanbaatar city, Mongolia, during a centralized economy with those that occurred during a market economy and to describe the socio-economic reasons for the changes. For this purpose, multi-temporal remote sensing and geographical information system (GIS) data sets, as well as census data, are used. To extract the reliable urban land-cover information from the selected remotely sensed data sets, a refined parametric classification algorithm that uses spatial thresholds defined from local and contextual knowledge is constructed. Before applying the classification decision rule, some image fusion techniques are applied to the selected remotely sensed data sets to define the most efficient fusion method for training sample selection and for defining local and contextual knowledge. Overall, the study indicates that during the centralized economy significant changes occurred in a ger area of the city, whereas during the market economy the changes occurred in all areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Skermanella comprises important soil bacteria that are often associated with the crop rhizospheres, but its physiological traits remain poorly understood. This study characterizes Skermanella sp. TT6 T , isolated from human skin, with a focus on its metabolic and environmental adaptations. Genome sequencing and phylogenomic analyses revealed that the strain TT6 T is most closely related to S. rosea M1 T , with average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values of 94.14% (±0.5%) and 64.7%, respectively. Comparative genomic analysis showed that the strains TT6 T , S. rosea M1 T and S. mucosa 8-14-6 T share the Calvin cycle, and possess photosynthetic genes associated with the purple bacteria-type photosystem II. The strains TT6 T and S. rosea M1 T exhibited growth in a nitrogen-free medium under microaerobic conditions, which were generated in test tubes containing 0.1% soft agar. Under these conditions, with nitrate as a nitrogen source, S. rosea M1 T formed gases, indicating denitrification. Strain TT6 T also contains gene clusters involved in trehalose and carotenoid biosynthesis, along with salt-dependent colony morphology changes, highlighting its adaptive versatility. Genomic analyses further identified pathways related to hydrogenase and sulfur oxidation. Phenotypic and chemotaxonomic traits of strain TT6 T were also compared with closely related type strains, confirming its genotypic and phenotypic distinctiveness. The new species, Skermanella cutis sp. nov., is proposed, with TT6 T (=KCTC 82306 T = JCM 34945 T ) as the type strain. This study underscores the agricultural and ecological significance of the genus Skermanella .

Aureimonas sp. strain OT7 was isolated from human skin. This strain can grow on Triton X-100. Here, we present the complete whole-genome sequence of this species, which has one chromosome of 4,181,223 bp (G+C content, 65.05%). Analysis of the Aureimonas sp. strain OT7 genome sequence indicated potential for autotrophic growth., (Copyright © 2021 Ganzorig and Lee.)

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of Kocuria indica CE7, isolated from human skin. This strain possesses a 2,809-kbp chromosome and a 32-kbp plasmid with 2,507 coding sequences. In particular, the genome contains multiple genes potentially involved in adaptations in pH homeostasis and salt tolerance., (Copyright © 2019 Lee et al.)

Haematobacter massiliensis OT1 was isolated from human skin. This strain can catabolize 4-hydroxybenzoate. Here, we present the first complete whole-genome sequence of this species, which has one chromosome (2,467 kbp) and nine plasmids (total of 1,765 kbp). The analysis of the H. massiliensis OT1 genome indicated a potential for autotrophic growth., (Copyright © 2019 Lim et al.)

The colonization of liquid surfaces as floating biofilms or pellicles is a bacterial adaptation to optimally occupy the airliquid (A-L) niche. In aerobic heterotrophs, pellicle formation is beneficial for the utilization of O 2 and nonpolar organic compounds. Pseudomonas alkylphenolica KL28, an alkylphenol degrader, forms flat circular pellicles that are 0.3-0.5 mm in diameter. In this study, we first monitored the pellicle developmental patterns of multicellular organization from the initial settlement stage. The pellicles developed by clonal growth and mutants for flagella and pilus formation established normal pellicles. In contrast, the mutants of an epm gene cluster for biosynthesis of alginate-like polymer were incompetent in cell alignment for initial two-dimensional (2D) pellicle growth, suggesting the role of the Epm polymer as a structural scaffold for pellicle biofilms. Microscopic observation revealed that the initial 2D growth transited to multilayers by an accumulated self-produced extracellular polymeric substance that may exert a constraint force. Electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed that the fully matured pellicle structures were densly packed with matrix-encased cells displaying distinct arrangements. The cells on the surface of the pellicle were relatively flat, and those inside were longitudinally cross-packed. The extracellular polysaccharide stained by Congo red was denser on the pellicle rim and a thin film was observed in the open spaces, indicative of its role in pellicle flotation. Our results demonstrate that P. alkylphenolica KL28 coordinately dictates the cell arrangements of pellicle biofilms by the controlled growth of constituent cells that accumulate extracellular polymeric substances.

Paracoccus yeei TT13 was isolated from human skin because of its ability to degrade propylene glycol. Here, we present the whole-genome sequence of this strain; it possesses one 3.58-Mb chromosome and six plasmids. TT13 genome analysis indicated that this bacterium has denitrification potential., (Copyright © 2018 Lim et al.)

Here, we present the complete whole-genome sequences of three Moraxella osloensis strains with octylphenol polyethoxylate-degrading abilities. These strains were isolated from human skin., (Copyright © 2018 Lim et al.)