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This study investigates how extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) synthesized by dark septate endophytic (DSE) improve alfalfa's drought resistance. Drought stress was simulated in hydroponic culture, and roots were treated with different EPS concentrations to determine their effects on drought tolerance and applicable concentrations. Hydroponic solutions with 0.25 and 0.50% EPS concentrations alleviated leaf wilting and increased total plant fresh weight by 35.8 and 57.7%, respectively. SEM shows that EPS attached to the roots and may have served to protect the root system. EPS treatment significantly depressed the MDA contents of the roots, stems, and leaves. Roots responded to drought stress by increasing soluble sugar contents and antioxidant enzyme activities, while mitigating stem and leaf stress by synthesizing lipid compounds, amino acids, and organic acid metabolites. Five metabolites in the stem have been reported to be associated with plant stress tolerance and growth, namely 3- O -methyl 5- O -(2-methyl propyl) (4S)-2,6-dimethyl-4-(2-nitrophenyl)-3,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate, malic acid, PA (20:1(11Z)/15:0), N -methyl-4,6,7-trihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, and 2-( S -glutathionyl) acetyl glutathione. In summary, EPS treatment induced oxidative stress and altered plant metabolism, and this in turn increased plant antioxidant capacity. The results provide a theoretical basis for the application of EPS in commercial products that increase plant resistance and ecological restoration.

In the existing work of tensor product (TP) model transformation, the TP model transformation-based work on the quadrotor's control system design is scarce, the direct TP model transformation control strategy that applied to the quadrotor fails due to the calculation complexity, infeasibility of the huge amount of linear matrix inequalities, and the complexity of solving the linear matrix inequalities. To solve this problem, a partial TP model transformation-based double loop fuzzy controller has been studied in this work, the double-loop hybrid control scheme combines the fully actuated control method and the TP model transformation, while the fully actuated control method is used to the position subsystem control loop, and the TP model transformation based fuzzy controller is applied to the attitude control of the quadrotor. Moreover, for comparison purpose, a varying-input method based on TP model transformation is extended to the quadrotor's system control. The double-loop hybrid control scheme could also be extended with other TP model transformation based tensor sampling methods, such as, uniform sampling method and varying-input method. At last, the proposed algorithms are evaluated and compared on Parrot Mambo Minidrone, MFP450 and CUAV V5+ based hexarotor., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (Copyright © 2024 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Some non-structural carbohydrates, especially starch, escape ruminal fermentation, are converted into glucose, and are absorbed from the small intestine. This glucose provides an important source of energy, and its usage is more efficient than glucose from carbohydrates which are fermented as short chain fatty acids in the rumen and, subsequently, undergo hepatic gluconeogenesis. Tibetan sheep graze on the harsh Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) all year round and their carbohydrate and energy intakes fluctuate greatly with seasonal forage availability. Consequently, a high capacity to absorb glucose from the small intestine would be particularly beneficial for Tibetan sheep to allow them to cope with the inconsistent dietary intakes. This study examined how the small intestinal morphology and sugar transporters' expression of Tibetan and Small-tailed Han (Han) sheep respond to fluctuating energy intakes under the harsh conditions of the QTP. Han sheep graze on the QTP only in summer and are generally raised in feedlots. Twenty-four Tibetan sheep and 24 Han sheep, all wethers, were assigned randomly to four groups (n = 6 per breed/group), with each group offered a diet differing in digestible energy content: 8.21, 9.33, 10.45 and 11.57 MJ/kg DM. After 49 d, all sheep were slaughtered, tissues of the small intestine were collected, and measurements were made of the morphology and glucose transporters and the related regulation gene expressions. At intakes of low energy levels, Tibetan sheep had a greater villus surface area in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum and higher mRNA expression of sodium-dependent glucose transporter 1 in the duodenum and ileum (P < 0.05) than Han sheep. In the glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) mediated glucose absorption pathway, Tibetan sheep had higher GLUT2 and taste receptor family 1 member 2 and 3 mRNA expressions than Han sheep in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum (P < 0.05). We concluded that the differences between breeds indicated a greater glucose absorption capacity in the small intestine of Tibetan than Han sheep, which would confer an advantage to Tibetan over Han sheep to an inconsistent energy intake on the harsh QTP. These findings suggested that ruminants raised under harsh environmental conditions with highly fluctuating dietary intakes, as is often the case in grazing ruminants worldwide, are able to absorb glucose from the small intestine to a greater extent than ruminants raised under more moderate conditions., (Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A novel Gram-reaction positive-, catalase and oxidase negative-, rod-shaped, facultatively anaerobic bacterial strain, DCY120 T , was isolated from the gut of honeybee (Apis cerana) in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Strain DCY120 T belongs to the genus Bombilactobacillus and is moderately related to Bombilactobacillus mellis Hon2 T (94.1% similarity), Bombilactobacillus bombi BTLCH M1/2 T (93.8%), and Bombilactobacillus mellifer Bin4N T (93.5%) based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The genome of strain DCY120 T was sequenced and the average nucleotide identity (ANI) between strain DCY120 T and the related Bombilactobacillus type strains were below the threshold value (95-96%) for species delineation. The major fatty acids were C 16:0 , C 18:1 ω9c, Summed C 19:1 ω6c/C 19:0 cyclo ω10c/C 19:0 ω6 and Summed C 18:1 ω7c/C 18:1 ω6c. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), one glycolipid (GL), and one unidentified aminophospholipid (APL). The amino acids in peptidoglycan of strain DCY120 T were lysine, alanine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid. In conclusion, the description of phenotypic and genotypic properties support strain DCY120 T as a novel species within the genus Bombilactobacillus, for which the name Bombilactobacillus apium sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DCY120 T (= KCTC 43194 T  = JCM 34006 T ).

Background: Panax ginseng is an important crop in Asian countries given its pharmaceutical uses. It is usually harvested after 4-6 years of cultivation. However, various abiotic stresses have led to its quality reduction. One of the stress causes is high content of heavy metal in ginseng cultivation area. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can play a role in healthy growth of plants. It has been considered as a new trend for supporting the growth of many crops in heavy metal occupied areas, such as Aluminum (Al)., Methods: In vitro screening of the plant growth promoting activities of five tested strains were detected. Surface-disinfected 2-year-old ginseng seedlings were dipping in Rhizobium panacihumi DCY116 T suspensions for 15 min and cultured in pots for investigating Al resistance of P. ginseng . The harvesting was carried out 10 days after Al treatment. We then examined H 2 O 2 , proline, total soluble sugar, and total phenolic contents. We also checked the expressions of related genes ( PgCAT , PgAPX , and PgP5CS ) of reactive oxygen species scavenging response and pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method., Results: Among five tested strains isolated from ginseng-cultivated soil, R. panacihumi DCY116 T was chosen as the potential PGPR candidate for further study. Ginseng seedlings treated with R. panacihumi DCY116 T produced higher biomass, proline, total phenolic, total soluble sugar contents, and related gene expressions but decreased H 2 O 2 level than nonbacterized Al-stressed seedlings., Conclusion: R. panacihumi DCY116 T can be used as potential PGPR and "plant strengthener" for future cultivation of ginseng or other crops/plants that are grown in regions with heavy metal exposure., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (© 2020 The Korean Society of Ginseng. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: Panax ginseng is one of the most important medicinal plants and is usually harvested after 5 to 6 years of cultivation in Korea. Heavy metal (HM) exposure is a type of abiotic stress that can induce oxidative stress and decrease the quality of the ginseng crop. Siderophore-producing rhizobacteria (SPR) may be capable of bioremediating HM contamination., Methods: Several isolates from ginseng rhizosphere were evaluated by in vitro screening of their plant growth-promoting traits and HM resistance. Subsequently, in planta (pot tests) and in vitro (medium tests) were designed to investigate the SPR ability to reduce oxidative stress and enhance HM resistance in P. ginseng inoculated with the SPR candidate., Results: In vitro tests revealed that the siderophore-producing Mesorhizobium panacihumi DCY119 T had higher HM resistance than the other tested isolates and was selected as the SPR candidate. In the planta experiments, 2-year-old ginseng seedlings exposed to 25 mL (500 mM) Fe solution had lower biomass and higher reactive oxygen species level than control seedlings. In contrast, seedlings treated with 10 8 CFU/mL DCY119 T for 10 minutes had higher biomass and higher levels of antioxidant genes and nonenzymatic antioxidant chemicals than untreated seedlings. When Fe concentration in the medium was increased, DCY119 T can produce siderophores and scavenge reactive oxygen species to reduce Fe toxicity in addition to providing indole-3-acetic acid to promote seedling growth, thereby conferring inoculated ginseng with HM resistance., Conclusions: It was confirmed that SPR DCY119 T can potentially be used for bioremediation of HM contamination., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (© 2020 The Korean Society of Ginseng. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V.)

The energy intake of Tibetan sheep on the harsh Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) varies greatly with seasonal forage fluctuations and is often below maintenance requirements, especially during the long, cold winter. The liver plays a crucial role in gluconeogenesis and skeletal muscle is the primary tissue of energy expenditure in mammals. Both play important roles in energy substrate metabolism and regulating energy metabolism homeostasis of the body. This study aimed to gain insight into how skeletal muscle and liver of Tibetan sheep regulate energy substrate metabolism to cope with low energy intake under the harsh environment of the QTP. Tibetan sheep (n = 24; 48.5 ± 1.89 kg BW) were compared with Small-tailed Han sheep (n = 24; 49.2 ± 2.21 kg BW), which were allocated randomly into one of four groups that differed in dietary digestible energy densities: 8.21, 9.33, 10.45 and 11.57 MJ /kg DM. The sheep were slaughtered after a 49-d feeding period, skeletal muscle and liver tissues were collected and measurements were made of the activities of the key enzymes of energy substrate metabolism and the expressions of genes related to energy homeostasis regulation. Compared with Small-tailed Han sheep, Tibetan sheep exhibited higher capacities of propionate to glucose conversion and fatty acid oxidation and ketogenesis in the liver, higher glucose utilization efficiency in both skeletal muscle and liver, but lower activities of fatty acid oxidation and protein mobilization in skeletal muscle, especially when in negative energy balance. However, the Small-tailed Han sheep exhibited higher capacities to convert amino acids and lactate to glucose and higher levels of glycolysis and lipogenesis in the liver than Tibetan sheep. These differences in gluconeogenesis and energy substrate metabolism conferred the Tibetan sheep an advantage over Small-tailed Han sheep to cope with low energy intake and regulate whole-body energy homeostasis under the harsh environment of the QTP., (Copyright © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Ginseng is a traditional medicinal herb commonly consumed world-wide owing to its unique family of saponins called ginsenosides. The absorption and bioavailability of ginsenosides mainly depend on an individual's gastrointestinal bioconversion abilities. There is a need to improve ginseng processing to predictably increase the pharmacologically active of ginsenosides. Various types of ginseng, such as fresh, white, steamed, acid-processed, and fermented ginsengs, are available. The various ginseng processing methods produce a range ginsenoside compositions with diverse pharmacological properties. This review is intended to summarize the properties of the ginsenosides found in different Panax species as well as the different processing methods. The sugar moiety attached to the C-3, C-6, or C-20 deglycosylated to produce minor ginsenosides, such as Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd→Rg3, F2, Rh2; Re, Rf→Rg1, Rg2, F1, Rh1. The malonyl-Rb1, Rb2, Rc, and Rd were demalonylated into ginsenoside Rb1, Rb2, Rc, and Rd by dehydration. Dehydration also produces minor ginsenosides such as Rg3→Rk1, Rg5, Rz1; Rh2→Rk2, Rh3; Rh1→Rh4, Rk3; Rg2→Rg6, F4; Rs3→Rs4, Rs5; Rf→Rg9, Rg10. Acetylation of several ginsenosides may generate acetylated ginsenosides Rg5, Rk1, Rh4, Rk3, Rs4, Rs5, Rs6, and Rs7. Acid processing methods produces Rh1→Rk3, Rh4; Rh2→Rk1, Rg5; Rg3→Rk2, Rh3; Re, Rf, Rg2→F1, Rh1, Rf2, Rf3, Rg6, F4, Rg9. Alkaline produces Rh16, Rh3, Rh1, F4, Rk1, ginsenoslaloside-I, 20(S)-ginsenoside-Rh1-60-acetate, 20(R)-ginsenoside Rh19, zingibroside-R1 through hydrolysis, hydration addition reactions, and dehydration. Moreover, biological processing of ginseng generates the minor ginsenosides of Rg3, F2, Rh2, CK, Rh1, Mc, compound O, compound Y through hydrolysis reactions, and synthetic ginsenosides Rd12 and Ia are produced through glycosylation. This review with respect to the properties of particular ginsenosides could serve to increase the utilization of ginseng in agricultural products, food, dietary supplements, health supplements, and medicines, and may also spur future development of novel highly functional ginseng products through a combination of various processing methods.

A new bacterium, designated DCY113 T , was isolated from ginseng cultivation soil in Gochang-gun, South Korea, and its taxonomic position identified by the polyphasic approach. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis determined that this isolate belongs to the genus Paraburkholderia, and was closest to P. dipogonis DL7 T (98.6%), P. phytofirmans PsJN T (98.5%), P. kirstenboschensis Kb15 T (98.4%) and P. aromaticivorans BN T (98.1%). Strain DCY113 T is Gram-reaction negative, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile, and catalase and oxidase positive. The predominant isoprenoid quinone of DCY113 T was ubiquinone Q-8. The major cellular fatty acids were C 16:0 , cyclo-C 17:0 and the Summed feature 8 (C 18:1 ω7c and/or C 18:1 ω6c). The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and an unknown amino lipid (AL1). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 62.2 mol%. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) between strain DCY113 T and the related Paraburkholderia type strains were below the threshold value for species delineation. This low DNA relatedness in combination with phylogenetic and phenotypic tests indicates that strain DCY113 T cannot be assigned to any recognized species. Strain DCY113 T was also found to have antifungal activity against the pathogenic fungi Cylindrocarpon destructans. In conclusion, this study found DCY113 T to be a novel species within the genus Paraburkholderia, for which the name P. panacisoli is proposed. The type strain is DCY113 T (= KCTC 52951 T  = JCM 32098 T ).

Ginsenosides are the major bioactive constituents of Panax ginseng , which have pharmacological effects. Although there are several reviews in regards to ginsenosides, new ginsenosides have been detected continually in recent years. This review updates the ginsenoside list from P. ginseng to 170 by the end of 2019, and aims to highlight the diversity of ginsenosides in multiple dimensions, including chemical structure, tissue spatial distribution, time, and isomeride. Protopanaxadiol, protopanaxatriol and C17 side-chain varied (C17SCV) manners are the major types of ginsenosides, and the constitute of ginsenosides varied significantly among different parts. Only 16 ginsenosides commonly exist in all parts of a ginseng plant. Protopanaxadiol-type ginsenoside is dominant in root, rhizome, leaf, stem, and fruit, whereas malonyl- and C17SCV-type ginsenosides occupy a greater proportion in the flower and flower bud compared with other parts. In respects of isomeride, there are 69 molecular formulas corresponding to 170 ginsenosides, and the median of isomers is 2. This is the first review on diversity of ginsenosides, providing information for reasonable utilization of whole ginseng plant, and the perspective on studying the physiological functions of ginsenoside for the ginseng plant itself is also proposed.

Dendropanax morbifera is a versatile plant that has been used as a herbal medicine due to its various useful medicinal effects. To protect its active component from biological stress and increase its drug efficacy as well as drug bioavailability, nanoemulsion was prepared. Dendropanax morbifera zinc oxide nanoparticles ( DM -ZnO NPs) were synthesized using the plant extract via the co-precipitation method and loaded with active indole-3-carbinol for nanoemulsion formulation using the ultrasonication process. Field emission transmission electron microscope revealed the flower shape of the Dendropanax morbifera indole-3-carbinol zinc oxide nanoemulsion ( DM -ZnO-I3C-NE). In contrast, DM -ZnO NPs showed a spheroid shape that coincides agreeably with field emission electron scanning microscope. The hydrodynamic sizes by dynamic light scattering are about 65 ± 3 nm and 239.6 ± 6 nm and the crystallite sizes from X-ray diffraction are 11.52 nm and 16.07 nm for DM -ZnO NPs and DM -ZnO-I3C-NE, respectively. In vitro analysis revealed the cytotoxicity of DM -ZnO-I3C-NE against a human lung cancer cell line (A549) at 12.5 µg/mL as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The DM -ZnO-I3C-NE-induced ROS generation level was higher than that of DM -ZnO NPs and free indole-3-carbinol. The synergistic effect of DM -ZnO and indole-3-carbinol indicates DM -ZnO-I3C-NE as a potential candidate for future lung cancer drug and could be scope for functional food.

Objective: In the era of precision medicine, molecular and genetic biomarkers act as the key indicators for glioma patients' recurrence and prognosis., Materials and Methods: We summarize the biomarkers of glioma prognosis from molecular level, gene level and microRNA level., Results: In molecular biomarkers, cyclinD1 high expression/P16 low expression, MIF high expression and VEGF high expression were all related to glioma patients' poor prognosis; in genetic biomarkers, MGMT promoter methylation absence, IDH1 wild type, HIF-α high expression, Chromosome 1p/19q non-deletion and TERT promoter mutation were associated with poor prognosis for glioma; in microRNA biomarkers, miR-524-5p, miR-586, miR-433, miR-619, miR-548d-5p, miR-525-5p, miR-301a, miR-210, miR-10b-5p, miR-15b-5p and miRNA-182 high expression, miR-124, miR-128, miR-146b and miR-218 low expression were commonly seen in glioma poor prognosis patients., Conclusions: With the continuous development of science and technology, the diagnosis of glioma will tend to the gene and molecular level. Finding specific markers is helpful for the early diagnosis and accurate prognosis of glioma, which provides the possibility for individualized treatment.

Objective: To develop a novel screw positioning method to improve the treatment of unstable thoracolumbar fractures., Methods: A total of 72 patients with unstable thoracolumbar fractures who were treated with anterior screw-rod interfixation from January 2011 to October 2015 were included in this clinical study. Those patients included 48 male and 24 female patients with an average age of 45.10 years (range, 26-63 years). Patients were randomly divided into two groups: an observation group (n = 36) and a control group (n = 36). The quadrant positioning method was used for screw insertion in the observation group during the operation, while the traditional screw positioning method was used in the control group. The quadrant positioning method targeted four quadrants, including the superior anterior (SA), superior posterior (SP), inferior anterior (IA) and inferior posterior (IP) quadrants, while for the traditional screw positioning, four screws were inserted into the vertebral bodies above and below the excision. Patients were followed up for approximately 40 months to record recovery. Clinical and radiological records, local angle and fractured vertebra body height, clinical outcomes, complications, neurological improvement, and fusion rate were recorded and compared between the two groups., Results: The quadrant positioning method was successfully used for anterior screw insertion. The quadrant center in the lateral view of the vertebral body was well marked, and screws were easily located on the scheduled quadrant. Blood loss (BL), hospital stay (HS), and operation time (OP) in the observation group were 749.40 ± 379.90 mL, 17.10 ± 4.10 days, and 167.40 ± 44.70 min, respectively. While those parameters in the control group were 1198.40 ± 339.27 mL, 23.22 ± 3.77 days, and 221.47 ± 32.15 min, respectively. The average operation time and hospital stay time were significantly shorter, and blood loss was significantly less in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Local angle and vertebral body height were markedly improved and 1-2 grade improvement was achieved in patients with neurological deficits in both groups. Both groups of patients achieved bony fusion during follow-up. No incision infection or internal fixation failure was observed in the two groups, and complications including cerebrospinal fluid and chylous leakage and hemothorax were resolved., Conclusions: The quadrant positioning method can shorten operation time, reduce blood loss, and accelerate postoperative recovery. The technique provides an effective method for screw insertion for double screw-rod instrumentation fixation in the treatment of thoracolumbar fracture via the anterior approach., (© 2019 The Authors. Orthopaedic Surgery published by Chinese Orthopaedic Association and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

A Gram-positive bacterium (DCY118 T ) was isolated from ginseng-cultivated soil in Gochang-gun, Republic of Korea. This isolate was assigned to the genus Ornithinimicrobium and is closely related to Ornithinimicrobium kibberense K22-20 T (98.8%), O. pekingense DSM 21552 T (98.5%), O. algicola JC311 T (98.2%), and O. humiphilum DSM 12362 T (97.9%) based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. However, strain DCY118 T showed < 55% DNA-DNA homology with closely related reference strains. Cells were non-motile, non-sporulating, catalase- and oxidase-positive, aerobic, short rods, and cocci, and produced light-yellow, circular, and smooth colonies on TSA medium. MK-8(H 4 ) was the predominant menaquinone. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C 15:0 , anteiso-C 15:0 , and C 16:0 . The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylinositol (PI), an unknown phospholipid (PL1), an unknown amino lipid (AL1), and unidentified polar lipids (L1-5). The genomic DNA G+C content was 71.1 mol%. The peptidoglycan contained L-ornithine as the diagnostic diamino acid. Whole-cell sugars were composed of glucose, arabinose, and xylose. Overall, data collected from phenotypic and genotypic tests during this study indicated that strain DCY118 T could not be assigned to a recognized species. Strain DCY118 T showed antagonistic activity against the fungal pathogens causing root rot in ginseng, i.e., Fusarium solani (KACC 44891 T ) and Cylindrocarpon destructans (KACC 44660 T ). The results from this study confirm the DCY118 T strain as a new species within the genus Ornithinimicrobium, for which the name Ornithinimicrobium panacihumi is proposed. The type strain is DCY118 T (=KCTC 39962 T =JCM 32156 T ).

A novel bacterial strain designated DCY116 T was isolated from ginseng-cultivated soil in Gochang-gun, Republic of Korea. Strain DCY116 T , belongs to the genus Rhizobium, and is closely related to Rhizobium yantingense H66 T (98.3%), Neorhizobium huautlense S02 T (98.2%), Rhizobium soli DS-42 T (98.1%), Rhizobium smilacinae PTYR-5 T (97.9%), and Neorhizobium alkalisoli CCBAU 01393 T (97.9%) based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Analysis of the housekeeping genes atpD, recA, and glnII showed low levels of sequence similarity (96.8%) between strain DCY116 T and other closely related species. Strain DCY116 T was Gram-stain negative, motile by peritrichous flagella, rod-shaped, strictly aerobic, catalase- and oxidase-positive. Q-10 was the predominant ubiquinone. The major cellular fatty acids were identified as C 16:0 and summed feature 8 (C 18:1 ω7c and/or C 18:1 ω6c). The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and an unknown lipid (L1-3). Genomic DNA G + C content of strain DCY116 T was determined to be 57.2 mol%. DNA-DNA homology values between strain DCY116 T and closely related species of the genus Rhizobium were lower than 40%. Strain DCY116 T produced indole-3-acetic acid, siderophores, and was able to solubilize phosphate as a potential plant growth promoting bacterium. In conclusion, the results of this study support strain DCY116 T as a novel species of the genus Rhizobium, for which the name Rhizobium panacihumi is proposed. The type strain is DCY116 T (= KCTC 62017 T  = JCM 32251 T ).

A novel bacterium, designated DCY112 T , was isolated from the rhizospheric soil of a ginseng-cultivated field in Gochang-gun, Republic of Korea. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, this isolate was assigned to the genus Rhodanobacter and is closely related to Rhodanobacter soli DCY45 T (98.0%) and R. umsongensis GR24-2 T (98.0%). Strain DCY112 T is Gram-negative, catalase- and oxidase-positive, aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped, and produces yellow-pigmented colonies on R2A medium. Q-8 was the predominant respiratory quinone. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C 15:0 , iso-C 17:0 , and summed feature 9 (iso-C 17:1 ω9c and/or 10-methyl-C 16:0 ). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), an unknown amino lipid (AL1), and an unidentified polar lipid (L3). The genomic DNA G + C content was 65.2 mol%. DNA-DNA homology values between strain DCY112 T and related strains were lower than 55%. The low DNA relatedness data in combination with phenotypic and genotypic tests indicated that strain DCY112 T could not be assigned to a recognized species. Strain DCY112 T showed antagonistic activity against the fungal pathogen Fusarium solani (KACC 44891 T ), which causes ginseng root rot. The results of this study support that strain DCY112 T is a novel species belonging to the genus Rhodanobacter, for which the name Rhodanobacter ginsengiterrae is proposed. The type strain is DCY112 T (= KCTC 62018 T  = JCM 32167 T ).

Recently, green metal nanoparticles have received global attention owing to their economical synthesis, biocompatible nature, widespread biomedical and environmental applications. Current study demonstrates a sustainable approach for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (P-AgNPs) and gold nanoparticles (P-AuNPs) from P. serrulata fresh fruit extract. The silver and gold nanoparticles were synthesized in a very rapid, efficient and facile manner, within 50 min and 30 s at 80 °C, respectively. The nanoparticles were characterized by using visual observation, UV-Vis, FE-TEM, EDX, elemental mapping, FT-IR, XRD and DLS, which confirmed the formation of monodispersed, crystalline and stable nanoparticles. Further, we explored these nanoparticles for anti-inflammatory activity through inhibition of downstream NF-κB activation in macrophages (RAW264.7). We demonstrated that the nanoparticles reduced expression of inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PEG 2 ), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was attenuated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, nanoparticles significantly suppressed LPS-induced activation of NF-κB signalling pathway via p38 MAPK in RAW 264.7 cells. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the efficient green synthesis of P-AgNPs and P-AuNPs using P. serrulata fresh fruit extract and its in vitro anti-inflammatory effects. Collectively, our results suggest that P. serrulata fresh fruit extract is a green resource for the eco-friendly synthesis of P-AgNPs and P-AuNPs, which further can be utilized as a novel therapeutic agent for prevention and cure of inflammation due to their biocompatible nature.

This research article investigates the one-pot synthesis of gold and silver chloride nanoparticles functionalized by fruit extract of Crataegus pinnatifida as reducing and stabilizing agents and their possible roles as novel anti-inflammatory agents. Hawthorn (C. pinnatifida) fruits are increasingly popular as raw materials for functional foods and anti-inflammatory potential agents because of abundant flavonoids. The reduction of auric chloride and silver nitrate by the aqueous fruit extract led to the formation of gold and silver chloride nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were further characterized by field emission transmission electron microscopy indicated that CP-AuNps and CP-AgClNps were hexagonal and cubic shape, respectively. According to X-ray diffraction results, the average crystallite sizes of CP-AuNps and CP-AgClNps were 14.20 nm and 24.80 nm. The biosynthesized CP-AgClNps served as efficient antimicrobial agents against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, CP-AuNps and CP-AgClNps enhanced the DPPH radical scavenging activity of the fruit extract. Lastly, MTT assay of nanoparticles demonstrated low toxicity in murine macrophage (RAW264.7). Biosynthesized nanoparticles also reduced the production of the inflammatory cytokines including nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 cells. Altogether, these findings suggest that CP-AuNps and CP-AgClNps can be used as novel drug carriers or biosensors with intrinsic anti-inflammatory activity.

A Gram-negative, non-motile, aerobic, catalase-, and oxidasepositive bacterial strain, designated DCY117 T , was isolated from ginseng cultivated soil in Gochang-gun, Republic of Korea, and was characterized taxonomically using a multifaceted approach. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain DCY117 T showed highest similarity to Lysobacter ruishenii CTN-1 T (95.3%). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that closely related relatives of strain DCY117 T were L. aestuarii S2-C T (95.1%), L. daejeonensis GH1-9 T (95.0%), and L. caeni BUT-8 T (94.9%). Diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) were the major polar lipids of strain DCY117 T . The major isoprenoid quinone was Q-8. The major cellular fatty acids of strain DCY117 T were iso-C 15:0 , iso-C 16:0 , and summed feature 9 (comprising iso-C 17:1 ω9c and/or 10-methyl-C 16:0 ). Genomic DNA G + C content was 61.8 mol%. On the basis of our findings, strain DCY117 T is a novel species in the genus Lysobacter. We propose the name Lysobacter panacihumi sp. nov., and the type strain is DCY117 T (= KCTC 62019 T = JCM 32168 T ).

The novel species DCY115 T was isolated from ginseng-cultivated soil in Gochang province, Republic of Korea. The isolated strain was assigned to the genus Paraburkholderia due to its 16S rRNA gene sequence proximity to Paraburkholderia xenovorans LB400 T (98.8%), Paraburkholderia terricola LMG 20594 T (98.4%), Paraburkholderia graminis C4D1M T (98.2%), Paraburkholderia rhynchosiae WSM3937 T (98.1%), and Paraburkholderia phytofirmans PsJN T (98.1%). Strain DCY115 T is gram-negative, facultative aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile, non-flagellated, and oxidase and catalase positive. The predominant isoprenoid quinone of DCY115 T is ubiquinone Q-8. The major cellular fatty acids are C 16:0 , cyclo-C 17:0 , cyclo-C 19:0 ω8c, summed feature 3 (C 16:1 ω7c and/or C 16:1 ω6c) and summed feature 8 (C 18:1 ω7c and/or C 18:1 ω6c). The major polar lipids include diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and an unknown amino lipid (AL1). The genomic DNA G + C content is 61.3 mol%. Phenotypic tests and chemotaxonomic analysis place strain DCY115 T in the genus Paraburkholderia. DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain DCY115 T and closely related reference strains were lower than 51%. The low DNA relatedness data in combination with phylogenetic and biochemical tests showed that strain DCY115 T could not be assigned to any recognized species. Finally, strain DCY115 T showed antagonistic activity against Fusarium solani (KACC 44891 T ) and Cylindrocarpon destructans (KACC 44660 T ), which are two root rot fungal pathogens of ginseng. In conclusion, the results in this study support strain DCY115 T as a novel species within the genus Paraburkholderia for which the name Paraburkholderia panacihumi is proposed. The type strain is DCY115 T (= KCTC 52952 T  = JCM 32099 T ).

A novel bacterium, designated DCY114 T , was isolated from ginseng-cultivated soil in Gochang-gun, Republic of Korea. This isolate was assigned to the genus Paenibacillus and is closely related to Paenibacillus amylolyticus NRRL NRS-290 T (98.3%), P. dongdonensis KUDC0114 T (98.0%), P. tylopili MK2 T (97.9%), P. tundrae A10b T (97.8%), and P. xylanexedens B22a T (97.5%) based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Strain DCY114 T is a Gram-reaction positive, catalase and oxidase positive, facultatively aerobic rod that is motile by peritrichous flagella. Strain DCY114 T produces siderophores and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and is able to solubilize phosphate as a plant growth-promoting bacterium. MK-7 was the diagnostic menaquinone. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C 15:0 , C 16:0 , and C 18:0 , and the major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and an unknown amino lipid (AL1,2). The genomic DNA G + C content was 46.0 mol%. Phenotypic and chemotaxonomic results also placed strain DCY114 T within the genus Paenibacillus. DNA-DNA homology values between strain DCY114 T and closely related reference strains were lower than 43%. The low DNA relatedness data in combination with phylogenetic and biochemical tests indicated that strain DCY114 T could not be assigned to a recognized species. The results of this study support that the DCY114 T strain is a novel species belonging to the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus panacihumi is proposed. The type strain is DCY114 T (= KCTC 33915 T  = JCM 32073 T ).

The isolated Chryseobacterium ginsengiterrae sp. nov DCY68 T was found to be Gram-negative, aerobic, non-motile, non-flagellate and rod-shaped. Their size was approximately 0.40-0.46 × 1.0-1.27 μm. The colonies were yellow-pigmented, convex, circular and 0.5-1.3 mm in diameter when grown on R2A agar for 2 days. DNA, esculin, skim milk, gelatine, starch, Tween 20, and Tween 80 were hydrolyzed, but not cellulose. The cells grew on R2A, TSA, and NA but not on MacConkey agars. Growth occured at 4-33 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 5.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 6.5), and 0-2.5% NaCl. Nitrate was not reduced to nitrite. Oxidase and catalase activity were positive. Strain DCY68 T contained β-glucosidase activity in which ginsenoside Rb1 was enzymatically converted to ginsenoside F2. Analysis of the16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain C. ginsengiterrae sp. nov DCY68 T belonged to the family Flavobacteriaceae and was most closely related to C. limigenitum SUR2 T (97.4%). The genomic DNA G+C content was 42.0 mol%. The predominant quinones were MK-6 (74.5%) and MK-7 (25.5%). The major fatty acids were iso-C 15:0 , summed feature 3 (containing C 16:1 ω7c and/or C 16:1 ω6c) and iso-C 17:0 3-OH. On the basis of these phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic studies, strain DCY68 T represents a novel species of the genus Chryseobacterium, for which name C. ginsengiterrae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DCY68 T (=KCTC 32089 T  = JCM 18517 T ).

Gram-staining-negative, uniflagellated, rod-shaped, designated as DCY110 T , was isolated from sludge located in Gangwon province, Republic of Korea. The phylogenetic tree of 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that the strain DCY110 T belonged to the genus Rhodoferax with a close similarity to Rhodoferax saidenbachensis DSM 22694 T (97.7%), Rhodoferax antarcticus DSM 24876 T (97.5%), Rhodoferax ferrireducens DSM 15236 T (97.3%), and Rhodoferax fermentans JCM 7819 T (96.7%). The predominant isoprenoid quinine was ubiquinone (Q-8). DNA G + C content was 62.8 mol%. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and two unidentified phospholipids. The major fatty acids (> 10%) were C 12:0 , C 16:0 , summed feature 3 (which comprised C 16:1 ω7c and/or C 16:1 ω6c). The DNA-DNA relatedness values between the strain DCY110 T and the closely related relatives used in this study were lower than 70%. Based on the following polyphasic analysis, the strain DCY110 T is considered as a novel species of the genus Rhodoferax, for which the name Rhodoferax koreense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DCY-110 T (= KCTC 52288 T = JCM 31441 T ).

Objective: This study investigated the influence of asymptomatic hyperuricemia on the prognosis of patients who had undergone elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 3 452 consecutive patients , who had preoperative serum uric acid level record and were without gout, underwent elective PCIs between July 2009 and September 2011 were included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups based on their preoperative serum uric acid levels. The association between baseline serum uric acid levels and postoperative mortality was investigated through 1.5 years of follow up. Results: Of the 3 452 patients in the study population, 516 had elevated uric acid and 2 936 had normal uric acid.Patients in the elevated uric acid group were older, more frequently had prior history of hypertension, stroke, myocardial infarction and interventional procedure, less likely to have prior history of diabetes mellitus.Other significant differences included higher white blood cell, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels; lower left ventricular ejection fraction, estimated glomerular filtration rate and high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, more companied by multivessel disease, more PCI lesions, lower complete revascularization rate.More patients with elevated uric acid level were treated with ACEI/ARB and diuretics at the time of hospital discharge.The results of a multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that preoperative elevated uric acid was an independent predictive factor for mortality after adjustment for other factors (hazard ratio 3.252, 95% confidence interval 1.902-5.560, P <0.001). Conclusion: Asymptomatic hyperuricemia is an independent predictive factor of mortality in patients undergoing elective PCI.

Ginseng-cultivated soil is an excellent habitat for soil-borne bacteria to proliferate. A novel strain, DCY87T, was isolated from ginseng-cultivated soil in Gochang County, Republic of Korea, and subsequently characterized by polyphasic approach. Cells were rod shaped, non-motile, aerobic, Gram-reaction-positive, oxidase-negative and catalase-positive. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain DCY87T shared the highest similarity to 'Phycicoccus ochangensis' L1b-b9 (98.7 %). Closely phylogenetic relatives of strain DCY87T were identified: Phycicoccus ginsenosidimutans BXN5-13T (97.9 %), Phycicoccus soli THG-a14T (97.8 %), Phycicoccus bigeumensis MSL-03T (97.3 %), Phycicoccus cremeus V2M29T (97.3 %), Phycicoccus aerophilus 5516T-20T (97.3 %), Phycicoccus dokdonensis DS-8T (97.3 %) and Phycicoccus jejuensis KSW2-15T (97.1 %). The major polar lipids were classified as phosphatidylinositol and diphosphatidylglycerol. The major cellular fatty acids were composed of iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15:0, C17 : 0 and C17 : 1ω8c. The menaquinone was resolved as MK-8(H4). Strain DCY87T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan and glucose, xylose and rhamnose in the whole-cell sugar. The genomic DNA G+C content was calculated to be 72.7 mol%. DNA-DNA hybridization value between strain DCY87T and 'P. ochangensis' L1b-b9 was estimated to be 50 %. However, DNA-DNA hybridization value obtained between strain DCY87T and P. ginsenosidimutans BXN5-13T, P. soli THG-a14T and P. bigeumensis MSL-03T was well below 17 %. In general, polyphasic taxonomy demonstrated that DCY87T strain represented a novel species within the genus Phycicoccus. Accordingly, we propose the name Phycicoccus ginsengisoli sp. nov. The type strain is DCY87T (=KCTC 39635T=JCM 31016T).

Objective: Previous studies have revealed that the red blood cell distribution width (RDW) was associated with long-term prognosis in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, they did not exclude patients with anemia. This study, thus, investigated the association between RDW and prognosis in non-anemia patients. Methods: A total of 2 732 patients underwent elective PCI from July 2009 to September 2011 were enrolled in the study. These patients were divided into two groups based on their baseline median RDW levels: low RDW group (RDW<12.1%) and high RDW group (RDW≥12.1%). All the subjects were followed up for an average period of 18 months and the associations between baseline RDW levels and postoperative mortality were analyzed. Results: Patients in the high RDW group were elder and had more women than those in low RDW group. Most of them had prior history of hypertension, stroke, myocardial infarction, but few of them were current smokers. Subjects in the high RDW group had higher systolic blood pressure and total cholesterol levels, and lower erythrocyte mean corpuscular volume, hemoglobin level, estimated glomerular filtration rate level, and left ventricular ejection fraction. Moreover, more subjects in the high RDW group were combined with left main, ostial and chronic total occlusion lesion, and had a lower complete revascularization rate. The postoperative mortality was significantly higher in the high RDW group than that in the low RDW group (2.4% vs 0.6%, P <0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that preoperative high RDW level was an independent risk factor for postoperative mortality after adjustment of other factors ( HR 3.930, 95% CI 1.600-9.656, P =0.003). Conclusion: High RDW might be a marker for the postoperative mortality in non-anemic patients undergoing elective PCI.

Traditional molecular methods have been used to examine bacterial communities in ginseng-cultivated soil samples in a time-dependent manner. Despite these efforts, our understanding of the bacterial community is still inadequate. Therefore, in this study, a high-throughput sequencing approach was employed to investigate bacterial diversity in various ginseng field soil samples over cultivation times of 2, 4, and 6 years in the first and second rounds of cultivation. We used non-cultivated soil samples to perform a comparative study. Moreover, this study assessed changes in the bacterial community associated with soil depth and the health state of the ginseng. Bacterial richness decreased through years of cultivation. This study detected differences in relative abundance of bacterial populations between the first and second rounds of cultivation, years of cultivation, and health states of ginseng. These bacterial populations were mainly distributed in the classes Acidobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, Deltaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, and Sphingobacteria. In addition, we found that pH, available phosphorus, and exchangeable Ca+ seemed to have high correlations with bacterial class in ginseng cultivated soil.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped bacterium, designated DCY83T, was isolated from soil of a ginseng field in Gwangju Province, Republic of Korea. Cells were motile by means of flagella. Growth occurred at 4-40 °C (optimum 30 °C), at pH 6-8 (optimum pH 7.0) and with ≤ 0.4 % NaCl. Strain DCY83T was able to produce siderophore and was positive for phosphate solubilization. Indole-3-acetic acid production was 12.9 μg ml- 1 after 3 days in culture. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain DCY83T belonged to the genus Duganella and was related most closely to Duganella sacchari Sac-22T (97.4 % similarity), Duganella zoogloeoides IAM 12670T (97.1 %) and Duganella radicis Sac-41T (97.1 %). The major fatty acids were C16 : 0 and summed feature 3 (containing C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. The only quinone was ubiquinone 8. The genomic DNA G+C content was 55.3 mol%. DNA-DNA relatedness between strain DCY83T and D. sacchari KCTC 22381T, D. zoogloeoides JCM 20729T and D. radicis KCTC 22382T was 27.7, 22.4 and 35.5 %, respectively. On the basis of the phenotypic and genotypic analysis, DCY83T is classified as representing a novel species in the genus Duganella, for which the name Duganella ginsengisoli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DCY83T ( = KCTC 42409T = JCM 30745T).

A novel bacterium, designated DCY95T, was isolated from ginseng-cultivated soil in Quang Nam province, Vietnam. On the basis of 16S rRNA and gyrB gene sequence analysis, this isolate was assigned to the genus Paenibacillus and found to be closely related to Paenibacillus sacheonensis SY01T (97.1 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Paenibacillus taihuensis THMBG22T (96.4 %). The partial gyrB gene of DCY95T possessed 69.6-83.9 % sequence identity to those of other members of the genus Paenibacillus. Strain DCY95T was Gram-reaction-negative, catalase-negative, oxidase-positive, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped and motile by means of peritrichous flagella. Ellipsoidal free spores or subterminal endospores were produced in sporangia. MK-7 was the diagnostic menaquinone. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diamonopimelic acid as the diamino acid. Whole-cell sugars comprised ribose, mannose and glucose. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and C16 : 0. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, three unidentified aminophospholipids, and two unidentified phospholipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 60.7 ± 0.9 mol%. Phenotypic and chemotaxonomic results placed strain DCY95T within the genus Paenibacillus. However, DNA-DNA relatedness values between strain DCY95T and P. sacheonensis KACC 14895T or P. taihuensis NBRC 108766T were lower than 36 %. The low DNA relatedness data in combination with phylogenetic and (GTG)5-PCR analyses, as well as biochemical tests, indicated that strain DCY95T could not be assigned to any recognized species. In conclusion, the results in this study support the classification of strain DCY95T as a representative of a novel species within the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus panaciterrae is proposed. The type strain is DCY95T ( = KCTC 33581T = DSM 29477T).

In this study, we describe strain DCY64T that was isolated from the rhizosphere of three-year-old Korean ginseng root. Cells were Gram-reaction negative, oxidase- and catalase-positive, strictly aerobic, capsulated, non-motile, non-sporulating and spherical to short rod-shaped. Multiplicative budding cells were produced. Vesicles covered the surface of cells. Phylogenetic analysis placed strain DCY64T within the genus Labrys with the highest similarity to Labrys monachus VKM B-1479T (97.6 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), followed by Labrys okinawensis MAFF 210191T (97.5 %), Labrys miyagiensis G24103T (97.4) and Labrys portucalensis F11T (97.0 %). The genomic DNA G+C content was 63 mol%. The presences of summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c), C19 : 1 cyclo ω8c and C16 : 0 as major fatty acids; phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and diphosphatidylglycerol as major polar lipids; ubiquinone Q-10 as the predominant quinone and sym-homospermidine as the dominant polyamine were found in strain DCY64T. These chemotaxonomic results were in accordance with those of members of the genus Labrys. However, the absence of C16 : 0 2-OH, C16 : 0 3-OH and C18 : 1 2-OH from the fatty acids profile and differences in minor polar lipids and phenotypic characteristics distinguished strain DCY64T from the closest type strains. The discrimination was also supported by unique enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus sequence PCR (ERIC-PCR) fingerprints, as well as DNA-DNA hybridization values ( ≤ 48 %) between strain DCY64T and related type strains. Therefore, we propose that strain DCY64T represents a novel species of the genus Labrys. The name Labrys soli sp. nov. is proposed, with DCY64T ( = KCTC 32173T = JCM 19895T) as the type strain.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with an increased incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF). This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of catheter ablation (CA) in the treatment of AF in patients with RA, which has not been previously reported., Methods: A total of 15 RA patients with AF who underwent CA were enrolled. For each RA patient, we selected 4 individuals (control group, 60 patients in total) who presented for AF ablation in the absence of structural heart or systemic disease and matched the RA patients with same gender, age (±2 years), type of AF, and procedure date., Results: Patients with RA had a significantly higher C-reactive protein level (1.81 ± 2.35 mg/dl vs. 4.14 ± 2.30 mg/dl, p=0.0320), white blood cell count (5632 ± 1200 mm(3) vs. 6361 ± 1567 mm(3), p=0.0482), and neutrophil count (3308 ± 973 mm(3) vs. 3949 ± 1461 mm(3), p=0.0441). At 2-year follow-up, atrial tachyarrhythmia (ATa) recurrence rate in the RA group (33.3%, 5/15) was similar to that in the control group (31.7%, 19/60; p=0.579) after single procedure. In all the five patients from the RA group who developed recurrence, ATa relapsed within 90 days following index procedure (median recurrence time 18 days vs. 92 days in control group; p=0.0373). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that hypertension and left atrial diameter but not RA, C-reactive protein, white blood cell count, and neutrophil count were independent predictors of ATa recurrence., Conclusions: Catheter ablation of AF can be safely performed in patients with RA, with a success rate comparable to that of patients without RA. RA patients tend to develop early ATa recurrence after AF ablation., (Copyright © 2014 Japanese College of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A novel bacterial strain DCY104(T) isolated from soil of a ginseng field in Yeoncheon County, Republic of Korea is described in this study. Cells were short rod-shaped, motile by mean of one polar flagellum, strictly aerobic, Gramreaction negative, oxidase and catalase-positive. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain DCY104(T) shared highest similarity 98.2 % to Paralcaligenes ureilyticus GR24-5(T), and from 97.7 to 97.1 % with other type strains belong to the genera Candidimonas, Pusillimonas and Parapusillimonas Otherwise, phylogenetic trees analyses indicated that strain DCY104(T) belongs to a single group with P. ureilyticus GR24-5(T) that was distinct to other genera. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, and diphosphatidylglycerol. The major cellular fatty acids consisted of C16:0, cyclo-C17:0, and summed feature 8 (comprising C18:1 ω7c and/or C18:1 ω6c). The predominant polyamine was putrescine. The ubiquinone was Q-8. The genomic DNA G+C content was 55.9 mol%. These data in combination with the presence of one polar flagellum and positive activity of urease confirmed the placement of strain DCY104(T) in the genus Paralcaligenes. DNA-DNA relatedness between strain DCY104(T) and P. ureilyticus KACC 13888(T) was 40 %. The differences in the profiles of polar lipids, fatty acids and phenotypic characteristics in combination with DNA-DNA relatedness delineated strain DCY104(T) and P. ureilyticus KACC 13888(T). In summary, taxonomic analyses in this study demonstrated that strain DCY104(T) represents a novel species within the genus Paralcaligenes, for which we propose the name Paralcaligenes ginsengisoli. The type strain is DCY104(T) (= KCTC 42406(T) = JCM 30746(T)).

A novel Gram-staining-positive, rod-shaped bacterium, designated DCY100(T), was isolated from rhizome of mountain ginseng root in Hwacheon mountain, Gangwon province, Republic of Korea. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain DCY100(T) belonged to the genus Microbacterium and was most closely related to Microbacterium ginsengisoli KCTC 19189(T) (97.9%), Microbacterium lacus JCM 15575(T) (97.2%) and Microbacterium invictum DSM 19600(T) (97.1%). The major menaquinones were MK-11 and MK-12. The major polar lipids were found to be diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and one unidentified glycolipid. The major fatty acids (>10.0%) were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained the amino acids ornithine, alanine, glutamic acid and glycine; whole-cell sugars consisted of glucose, galactose, rhamnose and ribose. The DNA G+C content was 63.6 ± 0.7 mol%. The DNA-DNA hybridization relatedness values between strain DCY100(T) and Microbacterium ginsengisoli KCTC 19189(T), Microbacterium lacus JCM 15575(T) and Microbacterium invictum DSM 19600(T) were 36.2 ± 0.4, 22.0 ± 3.0 and 15.3 ± 1.8%, respectively. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic analyses, the isolate is classified as a representative of a novel species in the genus Microbacterium, for which the name Microbacterium rhizomatis DCY100(T) is proposed. The type strain is DCY100(T) ( = KCTC 39529(T) = JCM 30598(T)).

Two novel Gram-staining-positive bacteria, designated DCY60T and DCY90T, were isolated from soil of a ginseng field in the Republic of Korea. 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons showed the two novel strains were closely related to members of the genus Humibacter with greatest similarity to Humibacter antri KCTC 33009T (98.8 and 98.4% for DCY60T and DCY90T, respectively). The predominant menaquinones present were MK-11 and MK-12. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C17 : 0 and summed feature 8 containing C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c. The DNA G+C contents of strains DCY60T and DCY90T were 62.8 and 66.8 mol%, respectively. The peptidoglycan of both strains contained the amino acids ornithine, 2,4-diaminobutyric acid, alanine, glutamic acid and glycine. The cell-wall sugars of strain DCY60T comprised glucose, galactose, rhamnose and xylose, while strain DCY90T contained glucose, galactose, rhamnose and ribose. The major polar lipids of both strains were phosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified glycolipid, and an unknown phospholipid. On the basis of the phenotypic analysis strains DCY60T and DCY90T represent novel species of the genus Humibacter, for which names Humibacter ginsengiterrae sp. nov. (type strain DCY60T = KCTC 33520T = JCM 30079T) and Humibacter ginsengisoli sp. nov. (type strain DCY90T = KCTC 33521T = JCM 30080T) are proposed.

Background: Large-scale clinical research on the relationship between red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and intermediate-term prognosis in elderly patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is lacking. Thus, this study investigated the effects of RDW on the intermediate-term mortality of elderly patients who underwent elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)., Methods: Data from 1891 patients ≥ 65 years old underwent elective PCI from July 2009 to September 2011 were collected. Based on preoperative median RDW (12.3%), the patients were divided into two groups. The low RDW group (RDW < 12.3%) had 899 cases; the high RDW group (RDW ≥ 12.3%) had 992 cases. The all-cause mortality rates of the two groups were compared., Results: Patients in the high RDW group were more likely to be female and accompanied with diabetes, had lower hemoglobin level. The mean follow-up period was 527 days. During follow-up, 61 patients died (3.2%). The postoperative mortality of the high RDW group was significantly higher than that of the low RDW group (4.3% vs. 2.0%, P = 0.004). After adjusting other factors, multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that preoperative high RDW was significantly associated with postoperative all-cause mortality (hazard ratio: 2.301, 95% confidence interval: 1.106-4.785, P = 0.026)., Conclusions: Increased RDW was an independent predictor of the increased intermediate-term all-cause mortality in elderly CAD patients after elective PCI.

Background: In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients complicated with atrial fibrillation (AF), catheter ablation has been recommended as a treatment option. Meanwhile, prolongation of QTc interval has been linked to an increased AF incidence in the general population and to poor outcomes in HCM patients. However, whether QTc prolongation predicts arrhythmia recurrence after AF ablation in the HCM population remains unknown., Methods and Results: Thirty-nine HCM patients undergoing primary AF ablation were enrolled. The ablation strategy included bilateral pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for paroxysmal AF (n=27) and PVI plus left atrial roof, mitral isthmus and tricuspid isthmus linear ablations for persistent AF (n=12). Pre-procedural QTc was corrected by using the Bazett's formula. At a 14.8-month follow up, 23 patients experienced atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence. Recurrent patients had longer QTc than non-recurrent patients (461.0±28.8 ms vs. 434.3±18.2 ms, P=0.002). QTc and left atrial diameter (LAD) were independent predictors of recurrence. The cut-off value of QTc 448 ms predicted arrhythmia recurrence with a sensitivity of 73.9% and a specificity of 81.2%. A combination of LAD and QTc (global chi-squared=13.209) was better than LAD alone (global chi-squared=6.888) or QTc alone (global chi-squared=8.977) in predicting arrhythmia recurrence after AF ablation in HCM patients., Conclusions: QTc prolongation is an independent predictor of arrhythmia recurrence in HCM patients undergoing AF ablation, and might be useful for identifying those patients likely to have a better outcome following the procedure.

Background: Serum uric acid (SUA) is a simple and independent marker of morbidity and mortality in a variety of cardiovascular diseases. In this study we aimed to investigate SUA and the risk of left atrial (LA) thrombus in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF)., Methods: In this retrospective study, 1359 consecutive patients undergoing transesophageal echocardiography before catheter ablation of AF were enrolled. Sixty-one of the 1359 patients (4.5%) had LA thrombus., Results: SUA levels in patients with LA thrombus were significantly greater (413.5 ± 98.8 μmol/L vs 366.7 ± 94.3 μmol/L; P < 0.001). Hyperuricemia was defined as SUA ≥ 359.8 μmol/L in women and ≥ 445.6 μmol/L in men determined according to receiver operating characteristic curve. The incidence of LA thrombus was significantly greater in patients with hyperuricemia than in those with a normal SUA level in women (12.1% vs 1.9%; P < 0.001) and in men (8.5% vs 2.8%; P < 0.001). Hyperuricemia had a negative predictive value of 98.1% in women and 97.1% in men for identifying LA thrombus. Hyperuricemia was associated with significantly greater risk of LA thrombus among Congestive Heart Failure, Hypertension, Age ≥ 75 Years, Diabetes Mellitus, Stroke, Vascular Disease, Age 65 to 74 Years, Sex Category (CHA2DS2-VASc) score = 0, 1, and ≥ 2 groups with odds ratios of 7.19, 4.05, and 3.25, respectively. In multivariable analysis, SUA was an independent risk factor of LA thrombus (odds ratio, 1.004; 95% confidence interval, 1.000-1.008; P = 0.028)., Conclusions: Hyperuricemia was a modest risk factor for LA thrombus, which might refine stratification of LA thrombus in patients with nonvalvular AF., (Copyright © 2014 Canadian Cardiovascular Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aims: This study sought to explore the predictors of recurrence in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing repeat catheter ablation, especially the impact of left atrial (LA) remodelling after the original procedure on the outcome of repeat procedure., Methods and Results: Ninety-five patients undergoing repeat ablation were enrolled in this study. Repeat procedure endpoints were pulmonary vein isolation, linear block when linear ablation is performed, and non-inducibility of atrial tachyarrhythmia by burst pacing. Patients with LA enlargement between the pre-original procedure and pre-repeat procedure were categorized as Group 1 (35 patients), while individuals with no change or decrease of LA diameter were categorized as Group 2 (60 patients). The mean duration from the original procedure to the repeat procedure was 12 months (1-40 months). After 29.6 ± 20.5 (3-73) months follow-up from the repeat procedure, 33 patients experienced recurrence (34.7%). The recurrence rate was significantly higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 (51.4 VS. 25.0%, P = 0.017). In univariate analysis, LA remodelling was the only predictor of recurrence. In multivariate analysis, after adjustment for age and LA diameter, Group 1 had a greater risk of recurrence after the repeat procedure (hazard ratio = 2.22, 95% confidence interval: 1.02-4.81, P = 0.043)., Conclusions: Left atrial enlargement after undergoing the original catheter ablation of paroxysmal AF was an independent risk factor of recurrence after repeat ablation., (Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The Author 2014. For permissions please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Purpose: Cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) frequently coexist with coronary artery disease (CAD) and adversely affect prognosis in patients with CAD; however, fewer studies have investigated the role of prior ischemic stroke on the outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The aim of this study was to determine the safety and effectiveness of PCI in patients with a prior ischemic stroke., Methods: A review of patients who underwent PCI between June 2003 and September 2005 (n=3893) at the Beijing Anzhen Hospital of Capital University of Medical Science, identified 295 PCI patients with a prior ischemic stroke (≥ 3 months) and 3598 patients without a prior stroke. To investigate whether prior history of an ischemic stroke was independently associated with increased risk of adverse PCI outcomes, prognostic parameters were analyzed using univariate analysis and Cox multivariate regression analysis. Propensity score analysis was then used to match the two subgroups of patients based on multiple factors known to impact cardiac outcome., Results: Patients with a prior ischemic stroke had more frequent high-risk baseline characteristics (diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and prior myocardial infarction). No significant differences were found in the major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCEs) rates between the two groups (1.7% in the stroke group vs. 1.4% in the non-stroke group; p=0.06). Diabetes mellitus, triple vessel CAD, number of diseased vessels, chronic total occlusion and previous myocardial infarction were independent predictors of MACCE in patients with prior stroke undergoing PCI., Conclusions: This study demonstrates that, in daily clinical practice, PCI can be provided safely and with good results to patients with a prior ischemic stroke (≥ 3 months).

Objective: To investigate the effect of the spinal cord extracts (SCE) after spinal cord injuries (SCIs) on the proliferation of rat embryonic neural stem cells (NSCs) and the expressions of mRNA of Notch1 as well as of Hes1 in this process in vitro., Methods: The experiment was conducted in 4 different mediums: NSCs+PBS (Group A-blank control group), NSCs+SCE with healthy SD rats (Group B-normal control group), NSCs+SCE with SD rats receiving sham-operation treatment (Group C-sham-operation group) and NSCs+ SCE with SCIs rats (Group D-paraplegic group). Proliferative abilities of 4 different groups were analyzed by MTT chromatometry after co-culture for 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 d, respectively. The expressions of Notch1 and Hes1 mRNA were also detected with RT-PCR after co-culture for 24 and 48 h, respectively., Results: After co-culture for 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 d respectively, the MTT values of group D were significantly higher than those of group A, group B and group C (P<0.05). However, there were no significantly differences regarding MTT values between group A, group B and group C after co-culture for 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 d, respectively (P>0.05). Both the expressions of Notch1 and Hes1 mRNA of group D were significantly higher than those of other 3 groups after co-culture for 24 h and 48 h as well (P<0.05). But there was no difference oin expressions of Notch1 and Hes1 mRNA among group A, group B and group C after co-culture for 24 h and 48 h (P>0.05). There was no difference in expressions of Notch1 and Hes1 mRNA between 24 h and 48 h treatment in group D., Conclusions: SCE could promote the proliferation of NSCs. It is demonstrated that the microenvironment of SCI may promote the proliferation of NSCs. Besides, SCE could increase the expression of Notch1 and Hes1 mRNA of NSC. It can be concluded that the Notch signaling pathway activation is one of the mechanisms that locally injured microenvironment contributes to the proliferation of ENSC after SCIs. This process may be performed by up-regulating the expressions of Notch1 and Hes1 gene., (Copyright © 2014 Hainan Medical College. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To compare the rates of mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), repeat revascularization and stent thrombosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with implantation of stents for diabetics versus nondiabetics with multivessel disease to evaluate the impact of diabetes on long-term clinical outcomes., Methods: We consecutively recruited a total of 1985 patients with multivessel disease at our institution from July 2003 to December 2005. And they were divided into two groups of diabetes (n = 587) or non-diabetes (n = 1398). The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality at 24 months., Results: After adjusting with Logistic regression, the risk of mortality in the diabetics was significantly higher than that in the nondiabetics (4.4% vs 2.0%, hazard ratio [HR] 1.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02 to 3.67, P = 0.021). Similar outcome was also found in the adjusted risk of cardiac mortality (2.7% vs 1.1%, HR = 2.04, 95%CI 1.12 to 3.89, P = 0.032) at 24 months, although the adjusted risk of nonfatal MI and repeat revascularization was similar. However, diabetes significantly increased the risk of stent thrombosis. The major adverse cardiac event (MACE) rate was also lower in the nondiabetics (15.8% vs 11.9%, HR = 1.52, 95%CI 1.12 to 1.89, P = 0.043)., Conclusion: In patients with multivessel disease, diabetes is correlated with increase risks of mortality, stent thrombosis and MACE at long-term follow-up compared with non-diabetes.

Background: Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) has been demonstrated to be effective in a subsets of patients with AF. However, very few data are available in regard to patients with prior history of stroke undergoing catheter ablation. This study aimed to investigate the outcome of catheter ablation in AF patients with prior ischemic stroke., Methods: Between January 2008 and December 2011, of 1897 consecutive patients who presented at Beijing An Zhen Hospital for treatment of drug-refractory AF, 172 (9.1%) patients in the study population had a history of ischemic stroke. All patients underwent catheter ablation and were followed up to assess maintenance of sinus rhythm and recurrence of symptomatic stroke., Results: Among these 1897 patients, 1768 (93.2%) who had complete follow-up information for a minimum of six months were included in the final analysis. Patients in the stroke group (group I) and the no-stroke group (group II) were similar in regards to gender, body mass index (BMI), history of diabetes, type of AF, and left atrial size. The patients in group I were older than those in group II, and had a higher incidence of hypertension, chronic heart failure, lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and higher CHADS2 scores. Six months after ablation, 107 (68.6%) patients in group I and 1403 (87.1%) in group II had discontinued warfarin treatment (P < 0.001). During a median follow-up of (633 ± 415) days, 65 patients in the group I and 638 in group II experienced AF recurrence, and five patients in group I and 28 in group II developed symptomatic stroke. The rates of AF recurrence and recurrent stroke were similar between group I and group II (41.7% vs. 39.6%, P = 0.611; 3.2% vs. 1.7%, P = 0.219; respectively)., Conclusion: Catheter ablation of AF in patients with prior stroke is feasible and efficient.

Background: The optimal revascularization strategy in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with HFPEF., Methods: From July 2003 through September 2005, a total of 920 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and HFPEF (ejection fraction ≥ 50%) underwent PCI (n = 350) or CABG (n = 570). We compared the groups with respect to the primary outcome of mortality, and the secondary outcomes of main adverse cardiac and cerebral vascular events (MACCE), including death, myocardial infarction, stroke and repeat revascularization, at a median follow-up of 543 days., Results: In-hospital mortality was significantly lower in the PCI group than in the CABG group (0.3% vs. 2.5%, adjusted P = 0.016). During follow-up, there was no significant difference in the two groups with regard to mortality rates (2.3% vs. 3.5%, adjusted P = 0.423). Patients receiving PCI had higher MACCE rates as compared with patients receiving CABG (13.4% vs. 4.0%, adjusted P < 0.001), mainly due to higher rate of repeat revascularization (adjusted P < 0.001). Independent predictors of mortality were age, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class and chronic total occlusion., Conclusion: Among patients with CAD and HFPEF, PCI was shown to be as good as CABG with respect to the mortality rate, although there was a higher rate of repeat revascularization in patients undergoing PCI.

Objective: To compare the short- and long-term outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention versus coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with severe left ventricular dilatation (LVD)., Methods: From July 2003 to September 2005, we enrolled 251 patients with severe LVD to undergo coronary revascularization with either PCI (n = 101) or CABG (n = 150) and analyzed the effects of different revascularization strategies on the in-hospital and follow-up major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE)., Results: Compared with those in the CABG group, the patients in the PCI group had lower incidence of in-hospital MACCE events [3.0% (3/101) vs 10.7% (16/150), P = 0.024], due mainly to a lower in-hospital mortality (2.0%vs 8.7%, P = 0.028). Ninety-nine (98.0%) patients in the PCI group and 136 (90.7%) patients in the CABG group were followed up for (516 ± 182) days and (515 ± 231) days, respectively. Although no difference existed in the follow-up incidence of MACCE between two groups, the PCI patients had a trend of a higher incidence of MACCE events [18.2% (18/99) vs 9.6% (13/136), P = 0.054], due mainly to a higher rate of repeat revascularization [14 (14.1%) vs (0.7%), P < 0.01]. Two patients groups had the comparable follow-up rates of mortality [4 (4.0%) vs 12 (8.8%), P = 0.151], myocardial infarction [2 (2.0%) vs 1 (0.7%), P = 0.781] and stroke [2 (2.0%) vs 0 (0.0%), P = 0.176]., Conclusion: For the patients with severe LVD. PCI is both safe and feasible. And it has a lower rate of in-hospital mortality, and a comparable incidence of follow-up MACCE events. However, the rate of follow-up repeat revascularization is higher.

Objective: To evaluate short-term and long-term prognosis of revascularization in patients with acute coronary syndrome., Methods: A total of 6005 patients who received coronary revascularization in our institution between July 2003 and September 2005 were enrolled. The patients were followed up in clinic or by telephone after discharge between September 2006 and November 2006. The clinical and prognosis data of all-cause mortality, neo-myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, and re-revascularization of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) were analyzed., Results: Among 4865 acute coronary syndrome patients, 955 cases were STEMI; 263 cases were NSTEMI; and 3647 cases were unstable angina (UA) pectoris. There were no significant difference for in-hospital mortality and late mortality (18 month survival 96%, 98% and 98%) between patients with STEMI, NSTEMI and UA. Patients with UA had lower MACCE rate (18 month non-MACCE survival of STEMI, NSTEMI and UA group were 86%, 86%, and 89% respectively)., Conclusions: Despite different clinical characteristics, patients with STEMI, NSTEMI and UA undergoing revascularization had similar short-term and long-term mortality. Patients with UA had lower MACCE rate.

Objective: To investigate the status quo of smoking cessation and analyze factors influencing smoking cessation in cigarette smoking patients with coronary artery disease (CAD)., Method: A total of 350 smoking patients with CAD was surveyed by questionnaire, logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze factors influencing smoking cessation., Results: Incidence of smoking cessation was 57.1% (200/350) in this cohort. Patients were divided into two groups, the elderly (> 65 years old, n = 111) and the young group (≤ 65 years old, n = 239). The smoking cessation rate in the elderly group is significantly higher than in the young group (71.2% vs. 50.6%, P < 0.001). Aged patients and patients with high cultural level are easier to give up smoking. Logistic analysis showed that age ≤ 65 years old (OR = 2.336, P = 0.004), low cultural level (OR = 1.310, P = 0.028), PCI (OR = 0.261, P < 0.001), coronary artery bypass graft (OR = 0.107, P = 0.004), total family income > 4000 RMB/month (OR = 1.828, P = 0.003) are risk factors for failed smoking cessation. There are 76 patients smoking again in current smokers, most due to lack of self-control (76.3%). Compared to the elderly group, there is a higher proportion of smoking again due to the need of daily communication and work in the young group., Conclusions: We still need to raise the awareness of smoking cessation for smoking patients with CAD. Following factors should be focused for tobacco control in CAD patients: younger age, lower cultural level, not treated with PCI or CABG, patients with smoking family members, higher body mass index and higher total family income.