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Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) restores autonomic balance, suppresses inflammation action and minimizes cardiomyocyte injury. However, little knowledge is known about the VNS’ role in cardiomyocyte phenotype, sarcomere organization, and energy metabolism of infarcted hearts. VNS in vivo and acetylcholine (ACh) in vitro optimized the levels of α/β-MHC and α-Actinin positive sarcomere organization in cardiomyocytes while reducing F-actin assembly of cardiomyocytes. Consistently, ACh improved glucose uptake while decreasing lipid deposition in myocytes, correlating both with the increase of Glut4 and CPT1α and the decrease of PDK4 in infarcted hearts in vivo and myocytes in vitro, attributing to improvement in both glycolysis by VEGF-A and lipid uptake by VEGF-B in response to Ach. This led to increased ATP levels accompanied by the repaired mitochondrial function and the decreased oxygen consumption. Functionally, VNS improved the left ventricular performance. In contrast, ACh-m/nAChR inhibitor or knockdown of VEGF-A/B by shRNA powerfully abrogated these effects mediated by VNS. On mechanism, ACh decreased the levels of nuclear translocation of FoxO3A in myocytes due to phosphorylation of FoxO3A by activating AKT. FoxO3A overexpression or knockdown could reverse the specific effects of ACh on the expression of VEGF-A/B, α/β-MHC, Glut4, and CPT1α, sarcomere organization, glucose uptake and ATP production. Taken together, VNS optimized cardiomyocytes sarcomere organization and energy metabolism to improve heart function of the infarcted heart during the process of delaying and/or blocking the switch from compensated hypertrophy to decompensated heart failure, which were associated with activation of both P13K/AKT-FoxO3A-VEGF-A/B signaling cascade.

Asperfloketals A (1) and B (2), two 1(10 → 6)-abeo-14,15-secosteroids featuring a novel trioxahexaheterocyclic ring system, were isolated from the sponge-associated fungus Aspergillus flocculosus 16D-1. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and NMR chemical shifts calculations, supported by DP4+ probability analysis, and their absolute configurations were determined by ECD calculations and the modified Mosher's method. Asperfloketals A and B showed strong anti-inflammatory activity in the CuSO4-induced transgenic fluorescent zebrafish but displayed no cytotoxicity against HeLa, HepG2, and SW480 cell lines.

A neutral-loss scanning mass method was used to explore new kynurenine-containing cycloheptapeptides, phakefustatins A-C (1-3), from the marine sponge Phakellia fusca. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and the advanced Marfey's method. 1 was total synthesized via a final-stage ozonolysis strategy by the combination of solid/solution-phase synthesis. Phakefustatin A (1) was identified as a RXRα modulator to inhibit cancer cell growth, and its pharmacophores could be Kyn and guanidine groups.

Neoantimycins are anticancer compounds of 15-membered ring antimycin-type depsipeptides. They are biosynthesized by a hybrid multimodular protein complex of nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) and polyketide synthase (PKS), typically from the starting precursor 3-formamidosalicylate. Examining fermentation extracts of Streptomyces conglobatus, here we discovered four new neoantimycin analogs, unantimycins B-E, in which 3-formamidosalicylates are replaced by an unusual 3-hydroxybenzoate (3-HBA) moiety. Unantimycins B-E exhibited levels of anticancer activities similar to those of the chemotherapeutic drug cisplatin in human lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and melanoma cells. Notably, they mostly displayed no significant toxicity toward noncancerous cells, unlike the serious toxicities generally reported for antimycin-type natural products. Using site-directed mutagenesis and heterologous expression, we found that unantimycin productions are correlated with the activity of a chorismatase homolog, the nat-hyg5 gene, from a type I PKS gene cluster. Biochemical analysis confirmed that the catalytic activity of Nat-hyg5 generates 3-HBA from chorismate. Finally, we achieved selective production of unantimycins B and C by engineering a chassis host. On the basis of these findings, we propose that unantimycin biosynthesis is directed by the neoantimycin-producing NRPS-PKS complex and initiated with the starter unit of 3-HBA. The elucidation of the biosynthetic unantimycin pathway reported here paves the way to improve the yield of these compounds for evaluation in oncotherapeutic applications.

Three unusual chlorinated PKS-NRPS hybrid metabolites, flavipesides A-C (1-3), were isolated from a strain of marine sponge symbiotic fungus Aspergillus flavipes 164013. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic data analysis, and absolute configurations were assigned by single-crystal X-ray diffraction with ECD spectral analysis. Flavipesides A-C showed potent pancreatic lipase (PL) inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 0.07-0.23 μM.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of butyrolactone-I (A6) on type 2 diabetes (T2D) in db/db mice because A6 was found to inhibit α-glucosidase activities and TNF-α release, which were associated with improving T2D. Male db/db mice were divided into 6 groups and given an equivalent volume of olive oil, acarbose, or different doses of A6 for 4 wk (n = 8/group). In this study, 11 butenolide derivatives were screened for their α-glucosidase and TNF-α suppressive activity in vitro. A6, an efficient α-glucosidase inhibitor, exerts hypoglycemic and multiple activities in reducing weight, improving glucose tolerance and insulin resistance, increasing short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels, activating SCFA-induced increases in glucagon-like peptide 1 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ expression, enhancing intestinal mucosal barrier function and mitigating endoxemia in db/db mice. These effects may result from mediation of gut microbiota by A6. Meanwhile, A6, with potent TNF-α–lowering properties, was demonstrated to have multiple salutary effects with excellent structural stability and long-term safety in vivo. A6, an effective α-glucosidase inhibitor with high security and stability, exerted potent antidiabetic effects in vivo. Furthermore, the modulation of gut microbiota of A6 was demonstrated to be one of the mechanisms contributing to anti-inflammation properties and improving endoxemia. Our work confirms that the compound A6 is a prospective drug candidate for T2D.—Wu, W., Liu, L., Zhu, H., Sun, Y., Wu, Y., Liao, H., Gui, Y., Li, L., Liu, L., Sun, F., Lin, H. Butyrolactone-I, an efficient α-glucosidase inhibitor, improves type 2 diabetes with potent TNF-α–lowering properties through modulating gut microbiota in db/db mice.

Penibishexahydroxanthone A, a new hexahydroxanthone homodimer with a rare highly oxidized hexacyclic framework, was identified from the marine-derived Penicillium sp. ZZ486A. Its structure was determined by a combination of extensive NMR spectroscopical analyses, HRESIMS data, ECD calculation, and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Penibishexahydroxanthone A showed in vivo activity in promoting angiogenesis in a dose-dependent manner by rescuing VRI-induced vascular insufficiency in zebrafish. This study is the first report of the proangiogenic activity of hexahydroxanthones.

A novel marine actinomycete, designated LHW63014T, isolated from a marine sponge, Craniella species, collected in the South China Sea, was examined using a polyphasic approach. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain LHW63014T showed highest similarities to Jishengella endophytica 202201T (98.9 %), Micromonospora olivasterospora DSM 43868T (98.7 %), Micromonospora maris AB-18-032T (98.6 %) and Micromonospora gifhornensis DSM 44337T (98.6 %). Phylogenetic analyses of the family Micromonosporaceae based on the 16S rRNA and gyrB gene sequences indicated that strain LHW63014T and J. endophytica 202201T located within the genus Micromonospora . Morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics confirmed their affiliation to the genus Micromonospora . Based on phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic data and digital DNA–DNA hybridization results, strain LHW63014T could be distinguished from its closest taxa, representing a novel species of the genus Micromonospora , for which the name Micromonospora craniellae sp. nov., is proposed, with the type strain LHW63014T (=DSM 106193T=CCTCC AA 2018012T). It is also proposed that J. endophytica be transferred to genus Micromonospora as Micromonospora endophytica comb. nov. (type strain 202201T =CGMCC 4.5597T=DSM 45430T).

Bioleaching of chalcopyrite with different crystal structures (α-phase, β-phase and γ-phase) by Acidianus manzaensis was comparatively studied by synchrotron radiation based X-ray diffraction (SR-XRD) and S K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy. The α-phase, β-phase and γ-phase chalcopyrite was prepared by heating original chalcopyrite at 583, 773 and 848 K, respectively. Bioleaching results showed that [Cu2+] in the leaching solution of α-phase, β-phase, γ-phase and original chalcopyrite after 10 days of bioleaching was 1.27, 1.86, 1.43 and 1.13 g/L, respectively, suggesting that β-phase had a better leaching kinetics than others. SR-XRD and XANES results indicated that jarosite and chalcopyrite were the main components in the leaching residues in all cases, and elemental sulfur formed in the early stage of bioleaching. While for β-phase and γ-phase chalcopyrite during bioleaching, bornite was produced in the initial stage of leaching, and turned into chalcocite on day 6.

Three unusual meroterpenoids, septosones A-C (1-3), were isolated from the marine sponge Dysidea septosa. The structures were determined by analysis of spectroscopic data combined with single-crystal X-ray diffraction and ECD calculations. Septosone A (1) features an unprecedented "septosane" carbon skeleton, whereas septosones B (2) and C (3) share a rare spiro[4.5]decane motif. Septosone A showed in vivo anti-inflammatory activity in CuSO4-induced transgenic fluorescent zebrafish likely through inactivation of the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Asperfloketals A (

Cancer drug resistance and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a critical process of cancer invasion and metastasis, have recently been associated with the existence of cancer stem cells (CSCs). However, there are no appropriate CSC-markers of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)-associated drug resistance and EMT. It is unknown if and how the drug-resistant and EMT phenotypes in NSCLC cells link to specific stemness-related pathways. Here, we found a significant elevated expression of both Oct4 and Nanog in gefitinib-resistant NSCLC cells, which displayed multi-drug resistance (MDR) properties and exhibited EMT phenotype. Ectopic co-expression of Oct4/Nanog empowered NSCLC cells with cancer stem cell properties, including self-renewal, drug resistance, EMT and high tumorigenic capacity. Following molecular mechanism investigation indicated Oct4/Nanog-regulated drug resistance and EMT change through Wnt/β-catenin signaling activation. Moreover, silencing β-catenin abrogated Oct4/Nanog-mediated MDR and EMT process in NSCLC cells. Our findings propose Wnt/β-catenin pathway as a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of progression and metastasis of NSCLC with CSC-like signatures and epithelial-mesenchymal transition phenotype.

Three unusual chlorinated PKS-NRPS hybrid metabolites, flavipesides A-C (

Objective This study aimed to determine the differences in learning style preferences among bachelor degree nursing students at Central South University and associate degree nursing students at the Vocational Health School in China. Methods This study was a cross-sectional survey using the Chinese version of the VARK questionnaire to assess preferred learning styles: 159 enrolled bachelor degree nursing students and 199 enrolled associate degree nursing students completed the questionnaire with a response rate of 96.8%. Results The bachelor degree nursing students tend to prefer a multimodal learning style (58.49%), which significantly differed from that of associate degree nursing students (45.77%). The kinaesthetic modality was the predominant unimodal learning style among the bachelor degree and associate degree nursing students (18.20% and 33.67%), and the read-write modality was the least popular modality (2.5% and 4.02%). Conclusion There are both differences and similarities between the learning style preferences of bachelor degree and associate degree nursing students. Educational background is one of the most critical factors that influence the learning style preference of nursing students. This finding may be necessary and beneficial for carrying out future curricula reform. In addition, further comprehensive research should be conducted to examine the relationships between learning style preferences and academic performance, as well as learning style preferences and teaching methods.

This article presents as follows the most recent progresses of our group on in-situ characterization and evaluation of the molecular mechanisms of interfacial interaction of minerals and bioleaching microorganisms. (1) By studying the speciation transformation of iron/copper/sulfur on the mineral surface, the evolution of cell surface properties and EPS composition, the evolution of microbial community structure, and the evolution of expression of key oxidase genes during bioleaching, to characterize the adaptation process and therein the effects of it on the specific sulfur oxidation efficiency of bioleaching; (2) by in-situ characterization of the evolution of chalcopyrite surface microstructure, chemical speciation and the biofilm formation, to illustrate the specific adsorption and the relationship between cell growth/biofilm formation and the structure and speciation on the defect mineral surface; (3) by studying the utilization, transformation and activation of S0, which is one of the major intermediates during bioleaching, and the distribution of extracellular thiol groups and iron speciation, to evaluate in situ the sulfur activation mechanism; and (4) by comparative proteomics study of the extracellular and outmembrane proteins and looking up the genome sequence, to screen sulfur activation/transportation relevant proteins and genes.

The relatedness between catalytic effect of activated carbon and passivation phenomenon during chalcopyrite bioleaching by mixed thermophilic Archaea culture (Acidianus brierleyi, Metallosphaera sedula, Acidianus manzaensis and Sulfolobus metallicus) at 65 °C was studied. Leaching experiments showed that the addition of activated carbon could significantly promote the dissolution of chalcopyrite for both bioleaching and chemical leaching. The results of synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction, iron L-edge and sulfur K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy indicated that activated carbon could change the transition path of electrons through galvanic interactions to form more readily dissolved secondary mineral chalcocite at a low redox potential (

Streptomyces-derived natural products have been become a major focus of anti-tumor drug discovery studies. Neoantimycin F (NAT-F), was isolated from Streptomyces conglobatus by our group. Here, we examined the anti-cancer activities and its underlying molecular mechanisms implicated in NAT-F-induced apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Our results showed that NAT-F exerted excellent growth-inhibitory activity against PC9 and H1299 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. NAT-F-induced cell cycle arrest at S and G0/G1 phase in PC9 and H1299 cells, respectively. Further investigation revealed that the key proteins (including cyclinD1, cyclinE1, cyclinB1, CDK2, and CDK4) were involved in the cell regulation by NAT-F. Additionally, NAT-F significantly increased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), induced DNA damage, nuclear condensation, and cell apoptosis in both cell lines. Moreover, loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was markedly induced by NAT-F. Additional results revealed that NAT-F could up-regulate pro-apoptotic protein Bax and down-regulate anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, Mcl-1, and Bcl-xL, resulting in cytochrome c release from mitochondria and sequential activation of caspase-9 and -3, as well as the cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. Meanwhile, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38 MAPK (p38), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway were also involved in anti-cancer activity of NAT-F in NSCLC cells. Taken together, these findings indicated that NAT-F possessed anti-proliferative effect and induced apoptosis in NSCLC cells in vitro and may be conducive to promote the development of novel anti-NSCLC agents.

Four new cycloheptapeptides, fuscasins A–D (1–4), were isolated from the marine sponge Phakellia fusca collected from the South China Sea. Their planar structures were fully characterized by spectroscopic methods, and the absolute configurations of amino acid residues were determined using the advanced Marfey’s method. Structurally, 1 is a unique cycloheptapeptide with a backbone bearing a pyrrolidine-2,5-dione unit. Among the isolated compounds, 1 exhibited potent growth-inhibitory activity against HepG2 cells with an IC50 value of 4.6 μM, whereas it did not show apparent inhibitory effects against the other five human cancer cell lines, MCF-7, HeLa, NCI-H460, PC9, and SW480. Encouragingly, 1 exhibited no cytotoxicity against nonmalignant cells even with a concentration up to 100 μM. These findings suggest that 1 may display a selective inhibitory effect on the growth of HepG2 cells.

Two new polyketides (1–2), four new norterpenoids (3–6), together with five known compounds (7–11) were isolated from the marine sponge Diacarnus megaspinorhabdosa. The new structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic analyses, ECD spectra comparison, and Mosher’s method. The cytotoxicities towards six cancer cell lines together with the antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Canadida albicans, and Escherichia coli were valuated. Compound 10 showed cytotoxicities towards cancer cell lines SW480, NCI–H460, PC−9, and HepG2, with IC50 3.7, 7.8, 6.2 and 8.0 μM respectively.

This article presents the progress on characterization of the interfacial interaction between sulfur oxidizing microbes and sulfide minerals by using of synchrotron radiation-based techniques including S/Fe/Cu X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy (XANES), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), micro-X-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF) mapping and micro-scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (μ-STXM) imaging, together with other accessory approaches such as SEM/EDS, Raman spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, and electrochemical methods as well as comparative proteomics methodology.

The surface properties and iron distribution of Acidianus manzaensis YN25 grown on four different energy substrates (chalcopyrite, pyrite, S0, and Fe2+) were comparatively studied. The results showed different growth and absorption features of A. manzaensis grown on different energy substrates. Results also showed that Zeta potentials, adsorption forces and cell surface acid-base properties were significantly influenced by the growth condition. Studies based on FT-IR and UV-vis spectroscopy indicated that the differences in cell surface properties may result from the different amounts of proteins and iron distribution on the cell surface of A. manzaensis grown on different growth conditions. The SR-μ-STXM images showed that the cell surface densities of iron spread on the cells grown on chalcopyrite, pyrite, S0 or Fe2+ were 4.31×10-5 - 23.25×10-5 g/cm2, 4.43×10-5 - 20.24×10-5 g/cm2, 0.10×10-5 - 0.29×10-5 g/cm2, and 6.45×10-5 - 24.06×10-5 g/cm2, respectively, further indicating that the surface of A. manzaensis cells grown on chalcopyrite, pyrite and Fe2+ had an iron-contained compounds, which might be the reason why the surface of A. manzaensis cells grown on chalcopyrite, pyrite and Fe2+ carried weak positive charges at pH 2 while negative for the cells grown on S0.

Differential utilization of isomers pyrite and marcasite by Acidianus manzaensis were comparatively studied, besides the iron and sulfur speciation transformation of the minerals was also investigated based on synchrotron radiation X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy. The results showed that the biooxidation of pyrite was faster than marcasite. The bioleached surface of both pyrite and marcasite are serious corroded, and the Fe (III)-containing species as well as jarosite were gradually produced, and more elemental sulfur species were formed on the marcasite surface than that for pyrite. It demonstrates the mineral structure does affect the biooxidation of pyrite and marcasite, and the more precipitated elemental sulfur might be one of the reasons leading to lower oxidation rate of marcasite by A. manzaensis.

The bioleaching experiments of chalcopyrite were conducted with single and mixed mesophiles (30 °C) and moderate thermophiles (45 °C) and extreme thermophile (65 °C), respectively, and analyzed by synchrotron radiation (SR) based X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy. The results showed that the copper extraction of chalcopyrite could be significantly promoted by bioleaching microorganisms, and the promotion effects for both the mixed cultures grown at different temperature and the different cells grown at the same temperature were significantly different. The surface of chalcopyrite after bioleached by the mixed or sole cultures are serious corroded and became complicated. More S0 was found to form in the sole cultures of specific iron-oxidizing microorganism L. ferrooxidans and L. ferriphilum and sulfur-oxidizing microorganisms A. thiooxidans and A. caldus cultures. Jarosite and secondary minerals (chalcocite and covellite) were detected for the mixed cultures and sole cultures of iron/sulfur-oxidizing microorganisms. The evolution of chalcocite and covellite were just relevant to the potential of leaching solution, no matter which cultures were used, where chalcocite could be formed at Eh value less than 500 mV and then converted to covellite at Eh value ~550 mV.

The in situ relevance of micro- structure and electrochemical properties of chalcopyrite to adsorption of thermoacidophilic bioleaching Archaea Acidianus manzaensis was studied. In this study, the electrochemical behavior of chalcopyrite was first investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) to get suitable initial reduction and oxidation potentials, at which electrochemical corrosions of chalcopyrite for several time were performed, respectively, to get specific surface micro-structures. The specific adsorption of A. manzaensis on the electrochemically corroded chalcopyrite surface was then comparatively studied. The changes of microstructure and chemical composition/speciation on the surface of chalcopyrite before and after electrochemical treatment and bio-adsorption was characterized by scanning electron microscopy/electron dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), and synchrotron radiation-based X-ray diffraction (SR-XRD) and Fe, Cu K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy. The results showed that the suitable initial oxidation and reduction of chalcopyrite electrode were at 0.67 V for 1h and -0.54 V for 10 min, respectively. After treated at 0.67V the surface of chalcopyrite became Cu-deficient with a composition of CuFe1.02S2.15, and bornite (Cu5FeS4) was detected. While after treated at -0.54V, the surface became Fe/S-deficient, with a composition of CuFe0.33S0.81, and a mass of chalcocite and some covellite were detected. Comparing to the original chalcopyrite, the adsorption capacity of A. manzaensis was increased on the surface of oxidation-treatment at 0.67 V, and decreased on the surface of reduction-treatment at -0.54 V. It clearly demonstrates the bornite-containing copper deficient chalcopyrite surface was more preferably adsorbed, whereas the chalcocite-containing Fe/S deficient chalcopyrite surface was less adsorbed by A. manzaensis, indicating the dependence of the specific adsorption of A. manzaensis upon the secondary minerals as well as Fe/S availability in the microstructure of chalcopyrite.

The copper, iron and sulfur speciation of chalcopyrite leached by moderate thermophile Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans was investigated by combining synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction (SR-XRD) and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy. Leaching experiment showed that the leaching rate of copper was 73.6% after 20 days bioleaching. Results of scanning electron microscopy of leaching residues showed that the surface of chalcopyrite was gradually corroded. Results of SR-XRD showed that orthorhombic form alpha-S-8, jarosite and chalcocite were produced at day 4; the bioleaching residue contained jarosite, covellite and alpha-S-8 besides chalcopyrite from day 8. The Cu, Fe and S K-edge XANES spectra quantitatively analyzed the copper, iron and sulfur species compositions of leaching residues, and the fitted results showed similar trend to SR-XRD results. According to both SR-XRD and XANES study, bornite and amorphous elemental sulfur mu-S were not found during bioleaching of chalcopyrite by S. thermosulfidooxidans. By conclusion, it indicated that iron-deficiency sulfide chalcocite first formed at the initiation of bioleaching with a low Eh value, and it then gradually transformed to covellite at a high Eh value. Meanwhile, alpha-S-8 and jarosite were produced as the predominant intermediates. By combining SR-XRD and XANES, it was useful for better understanding the dissolution mechanism of chalcopyrite during bioleaching by qualitatively and quantitatively analyzing in situ the surface chemical composition of the minerals. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Based on the Tangshan scientific innovation system construction's realistic situation, profits from the domestic and foreign region innovation theory, analyzed Tangshan scientific innovation system current construction environment and the resources characteristic, has constructed the evaluating indicator system, has carried on the empirical analysis based on the indicator system using the principal components law to the Tangshan scientific innovation system construction condition, proposed in the Tangshan scientific innovation system construction exists question as well as optimized countermeasure suggestion..

The utilization of amorphous μ-S and orthorhombic α-S8 by thermoacidophile Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans was firstly investigated in terms of cell growth and sulfur oxidation behavior. The morphology and surface sulfur speciation transformation were evaluated by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy and sulfur K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy. The results showed that the strain grown on μ-S entered slower (about 1 day later) into the exponential phase, while grew faster in exponential phase and attained higher maximal cell density and lower pH than on α-S8. After bio-corrosion, both sulfur samples were evidently eroded, but only μ-S surface presented much porosity, while α-S8 maintained glabrous. μ-S began to be gradually converted into α-S8 from day 2 when the bacterial cells entered the exponential phase, with a final composition of 62.3% μ-S and 37.7% α-S8 on day 4 at the stationary phase. α-S8 was not found to transform into other species in the experiments with or without bacteria. These data indicated S. thermosulfidooxidans oxidized amorphous μ-S faster than orthorhombic α-S8, but the chain-like μ-S was transformed into cyclic α-S8 by S. thermosulfidooxidans.