Description of Roseibium sediminicola sp. nov. Isolated from Sediment of a Tidal Flat on the Yellow Sea Coast.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, motile, flagellated bacterial strain, designated as CAU 1639T, was isolated from the tidal flat sediment on the Yellow Sea in the Republic of Korea. Growth of the isolate was observed at 20-37 °C, at pH 5.0-10.5 and with 0-7% (w/v) NaCl. The genomic DNA G + C content was 60.8%. Phylogenetic analysis, grounded on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, revealed that strain CAU 1639T was closely related to species within the genus Roseibium. It shared the highest similarity with Roseibium album CECT 5095T, followed by Roseibium aggregatum IAM 12614T and Roseibium salinum Cs25T, with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity ranging from 98.0-98.4%. It was observed that the average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values ranged between 72.5-79.5 and 20.0-22.9%, respectively. The polyphasic taxonomic analysis reveals that strain CAU 1639T represents a novel species in the genus Roseibium with the proposed name Roseibium sediminicola sp. nov. The type strain is CAU 1639T (= KCTC 82430T = MCCC 1K06081T).

1-Kestose Blocks UVB-Induced Skin Inflammation and Promotes Type I Procollagen Synthesis via Regulating MAPK/AP-1, NF-κB and TGF-ß/Smad Pathway.

Solar UVB irradiation cause skin photoaging by inducing the high expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) to inhibit the expression of Type1 procollagen synthesis. 1-Kestose, a natural trisaccharide, has been indicated to show a cytoprotective role in UVB radiation-induced-HaCaT cells. However, few studies have confirmed the anti-aging effects. In the present study, we evaluated the anti-photoaging and pathological mechanism of 1-kestose using Human keratinocytes (HaCaT) cells. The results found that 1-kestose pretreatment remarkably reduced UVB-generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in HaCaT cells. 1-Kestose suppressed UVB radiation-induced MMPs expressions by blocking MAPK/AP-1 and NF-κB p65 translocation. 1-Kestose pretreatment increased Type 1 procollagen gene expression levels by activating TGF-ß/Smad signaling pathway. Taken together, our results demonstrate that 1-kestose may serve as a potent natural trisaccharide for inflammation and photoaging prevention.

The evolutionary phylodynamics of human parechovirus A type 3 reveal multiple recombination events in South Korea.

Human parechovirus A (HPeV-A) is a causative agent of respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses, acute flaccid paralysis encephalitis, meningitis, and neonatal sepsis. To clarify the characteristics of HPeV-A infection in children, 391 fecal specimens were collected from January 2014 to October 2015 from patients with acute gastroenteritis in Seoul, South Korea. Of these, 221/391 (56.5%) HPeV-A positive samples were found in children less than 2 years old. Three HPeV-A genotypes HPeV-A1 (117/221; 52.94%), HPeV-A3 (100/221; 45.25%), and HPeV-A6 (4/221; 1.81%) were detected, among which HPeV-A3 was predominant with the highest recorded value of 58.6% in 2015. Moreover, recombination events in the Korean HPeV-A3 strains were detected. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the capsid-encoding regions and noncapsid gene 2A of the four Korean HPeV-A3 strains are closely related to the HPeV-A3 strains isolated in Canada in 2007 (Can82853-01), Japan in 2008 (A308/99), and Taiwan in 2011 (TW-03067-2011) while noncapsid genes P2 (2B-2C) and P3 (3A-3D) are closely related to those of HPeV-A1 strains BNI-788St (Germany in 2008) and TW-71594-2010 (Taiwan in 2010). This first report on the whole-genome analysis of HPeV-A3 in Korea provides insight into the evolving status and pathogenesis of HPeVs in children.

Description of Mycolicibacterium arenosum sp. nov. Isolated from Coastal Sand on the Yellow Sea Coast.

A Gram-staining-positive, aerobic, non-spore-forming bacterium was isolated from coastal sand samples from Incheon in the Republic of Korea and designated as strain CAU 1645T. The optimum conditions for growth were observed at 30 °C in growth media containing 1% (w/v) NaCl at pH 9.0. The predominant respiratory quinone was MK-9 and the major fatty acids were C16:0, C17:1 w7c, and summed feature 7. Similarly, the 16S rRNA gene sequence exhibited the highest similarity with Mycolicibacterium bacteremicum DSM 45578T and Mycolicibacterium neoaurum JCM 6365T, both of which exhibited similarity rates of 97.2%. The genomic DNA G+C content was 68.2%. The whole genome of strain CAU 1645T was obtained and annotated with annotation using RAST server. The pan-genome analysis was determined using Prokka, Roary, and Phandango. In the pan-genome analysis, the strain CAU 1645T shared 40 core genes with closely related Mycolicibacterium species, including the AcpM gene, the meromycolate extension acyl carrier protein involved in forming impermeable cell walls in mycobacteria. Therefore, our findings demonstrated that the isolate represents a novel species of the genus Mycolicibacterium, for which we propose the name Mycolicibacterium arenosum sp. nov. The type strain is CAU 1645T (= KCTC 49724T = MCCC 1K07087T).

WGA-M001, a Mixture of Total Extracts of Tagetes erecta and Ocimum basilicum, Synergistically Alleviates Cartilage Destruction by Inhibiting ERK and NF-κB Signaling.

Tagetes erecta and Ocimum basilicum are medicinal plants that exhibit anti-inflammatory effects against various diseases. However, their individual and combined effects on osteoarthritis (OA) are unknown. Herein, we aimed to demonstrate the effects of T. erecta, O. basilicum, and their mixture, WGA-M001, on OA pathogenesis. The administration of total extracts of T. erecta and O. basilicum reduced cartilage degradation and inflammation without causing cytotoxicity. Although WGA-M001 contained lower concentrations of the individual extracts, it strongly inhibited the expression of pathogenic factors. In vivo OA studies also supported that WGA-M001 had protective effects against cartilage destruction at lower doses than those of T. erecta and O. basilicum. Moreover, its effects were stronger than those observed using Boswellia and Perna canaliculus. WGA-M001 effectively inhibited the interleukin (IL)-1ß-induced nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of the activated B cell (NF-κB) pathway and ERK phosphorylation. Furthermore, RNA-sequence analysis also showed that WGA-M001 decreased the expression of genes related to the IL-1ß-induced NF-κB and ERK signaling pathways. Therefore, WGA-M001 is more effective than the single total extracts of T. erecta and O. basilicum in attenuating OA progression by regulating ERK and NF-κB signaling. Our results open new possibilities for WGA-M001 as a potential therapeutic agent for OA treatment.

Changes in fecal metabolic and lipidomic features by anti-TNF treatment and prediction of clinical remission in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Background: Therapeutic targets for ulcerative colitis (UC) and prediction models of antitumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy outcomes have not been fully reported. Objective: Investigate the characteristic metabolite and lipid profiles of fecal samples of UC patients before and after adalimumab treatment and develop a prediction model of clinical remission following adalimumab treatment. Design: Prospective, observational, multicenter study was conducted on moderate-to-severe UC patients (n = 116). Methods: Fecal samples were collected from UC patients at 8 and 56 weeks of adalimumab treatment and from healthy controls (HC, n = 37). Clinical remission was assessed using the Mayo score. Metabolomic and lipidomic analyses were performed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry and nano electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, respectively. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis was performed to establish a remission prediction model. Results: Fecal metabolites in UC patients markedly differed from those in HC at baseline and were changed similarly to those in HC during treatment; however, lipid profiles did not show these patterns. After treatment, the fecal characteristics of remitters (RM) were closer to those of HC than to those of non-remitters (NRM). At 8 and 56 weeks, amino acid levels in RM were lower than those in NRM and similar to those in HC. After 56 weeks, levels of 3-hydroxybutyrate, lysine, and phenethylamine decreased, and dodecanoate level increased in RM similarly to those in HC. The prediction model of long-term remission in male patients based on lipid biomarkers showed a higher performance than clinical markers. Conclusion: Fecal metabolites in UC patients markedly differ from those in HC, and the levels in RM are changed similarly to those in HC after anti-TNF therapy. Moreover, 3-hydroxybutyrate, lysine, phenethylamine, and dodecanoate are suggested as potential therapeutic targets for UC. A prediction model of long-term remission based on lipid biomarkers may help implement personalized treatment.

Gracilimonas sediminicola sp. nov., a moderately halotolerant bacterium isolated from seaweed sediment collected in the East Sea, Republic of Korea.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium, designated as strain CAU 1638T, was isolated from seaweed sediment collected in the Republic of Korea. The cells of strain CAU 1638T grew at 25-37 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 6.0-7.0 (optimum, pH 6.5) and in the presence of 0-10% NaCl (optimum, 2 %). The cells were positive for catalase and oxidase and did not hydrolyse starch and casein. Strain CAU 1638T was most closely related to Gracilimonas amylolytica KCTC 52885T (97.7 %), followed by Gracilimonas halophila KCTC 52042T (97.4 %), Gracilimonas rosea KCCM 90206T (97.2 %), Gracilimonas tropica KCCM 90063T and Gracilimonas mengyeensis DSM 21985T (97.1 %), as revealed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. MK-7 was the major isoprenoid quinone, and iso-C15  : 0 and C15  : 1 ω6c were the major fatty acids. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified lipids, two unidentified glycolipids and three unidentified phospholipids. The G+C content of the genome was 44.2 mol%. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain CAU 1638T and the reference strains were 73.1-73.9 % and 18.9-21.5  %, respectively. Based on its phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features, strain CAU 1638T represents a novel species of the genus Gracilimonas, for which the name Gracilimonas sediminicola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CAU 1638T (=KCTC 82454T=MCCC 1K06087T).

Genomic insight into Algoriphagus limi sp. nov. isolated from a mudflat on the Yellow Sea coast.

A Gram-negative, non-motile, and reddish-orange colored bacterium, designated CAU 1643T, was isolated from a mudflat collected in Ganghwa Island, Republic of Korea. The bacterium was found to grow optimally at 30°C, pH 9.0-9.5, and with 0%-1% (w/v) NaCl. The highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to the bacterium were Algoriphagus kandeliae XY-J91T (97.9%), A. aquimaris F21T (97.1%), A. formosus XAY3209T (97.0%), and A. marincola DSM 16067T (96.2%). The DNA G + C content of the type strain was 40.35 mol%. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain CAU 1643T and the reference strains were below the threshold value for species demarcation. The predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C15:0, iso-C17:0 3-OH, and Summed Feature 9. The major respiratory quinone was menaquinone-7. The genome showed three putative biosynthetic gene clusters that are responsible for different secondary metabolites. Moreover, CAU 1643T contains 72 genes that encode carbohydrate-active enzymes. Based on phenotypic, phylogenetic, and chemotaxonomic evidence, strain CAU 1643T represents novel species in the genus Algoriphagus, for which the name A. limi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CAU 1643T ( = KCTC 92080T, = MCCC 1K07150T).

Effect of chemically modified lignin addition on the physicochemical properties of PCL nanofibers.

In this study, a chemically modified lignin additive was successfully prepared to improve the physicochemical properties of biodegradable polycaprolactone (PCL)-based nanofibers. The molecular weight and surface functional group characteristics of lignin were effectively controlled through a solvent fractionation process using ethanol. Then, PCL-g-lignin was successfully synthesized by using ethanol-fractionated lignin as a platform for the PCL grafting process. Finally, PCL/PCL-g-lignin composite nanofibers were simply prepared by adding PCL-g-lignin to the PCL doping solution and performing a solution blow spinning process. The addition of PCL-g-lignin could dramatically improve the physical and chemical properties of PCL nanofibers, and in particular, the tensile strength (0.28 MPa) increased by approximately 280 % compared to the conventional PCL. In addition, the lignin moiety present in PCL-g-lignin was able to impart UV blocking properties to PCL nanofibers, and as a result, it was possible to effectively suppress the photolysis phenomenon that occurred rapidly in existing PCL nanofibers. Therefore, PCL-g-lignin may be widely used not only as a reinforcing agent of existing biodegradable nanofibers but also as a functional additive for UV protection.

Description of Defluviimonas salinarum sp. nov. with the potential of benzene-degradation isolated from saltern in the Yellow Seacoast.

Strain CAU 1641T was isolated from saltern collected in Ganghwa Island, Republic of Korea. The bacterium was an aerobic, Gram-negative, catalase-positive, oxidase-positive, motile, and rod-shaped bacterium. Cell of strain CAU 1641T could grow at 20-40°C and pH 6.0-9.0 with 1.0-3.0% (w/v) NaCl. Stain CAU 1641T shared high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with Defluviimonas aquaemixtae KCTC 42108T (98.0%), Defluviimonas denitrificans DSM 18921T (97.6%), and Defluviimonas aestuarii KACC 16442T (97.5%). Phylogenetic trees based on the 16S rRNA gene and the core-genome sequences indicated that strain CAU 1641T belonged to genus Defluviimonas. Strain CAU 1641T contained ubiquinone-10 (Q-10) as the sole respiratory quinone and and summed feature 8 (C18:1ω6c and/or C18:1ω7c) as the predominant fatty acid (86.1%). The pan-genome analysis indicated that the genomes of the strain CAU 1641T and 15 reference strains contain a small core genome. The Average Nucleotide Identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values among strain CAU 1641T and reference strains of the genus Defluviimonas were in the range of 77.6%-78.8% and 21.1-22.1%, respectively. The genome of strain CAU 1641T has several genes of benzene degradation. The genomic G + C content was 66.6%. Based on polyphasic and genomic analyses, strain CAU 1641T represents a novel species of the genus Defluviimonas, for which the name Defluviimonas salinarum sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is CAU 1641T ( = KCTC 92081T = MCCC 1K07180T).

Potential Anti-Allergy and Immunomodulatory Properties of Lactococcus lactis LB 1022 Observed In Vitro and in an Atopic Dermatitis Mouse Model.

Lactococcus lactis is a lactic acid bacterium and used in the dairy food industry. The ameliorating effects of Lactobacillus species on atopic dermatitis (AD) have been extensively studied, but the specific effect of L. lactis strains has not yet been investigated. In this study, the efficacy of L. lactis LB 1022, isolated from natural cheese, was evaluated using RAW 264.7, HMC-1 and HaCaT cell lines and an ovalbumin-sensitized AD mouse model. L. lactis LB 1022 exhibited nitric oxide suppression and anti-allergy and anti-inflammatory activity in vitro. Oral administration of L. lactis LB 1022 to AD mice significantly reduced the levels of IgE, mast cells, and eosinophils, and a range of T cell-mediated T helper Th1, Th2, and Th17-type cytokines under interleukin (IL)-10, transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß), thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP). In addition, L. lactis LB 1022 treatment increased the concentration of short-chain fatty acids. Overall, L. lactis LB 1022 significantly modulated AD-like symptoms by altering metabolites and the immune response, illustrating its potential as candidate for use in functional food supplements to alleviate AD.

Characterization of a Potential Probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LRCC5310 by Comparative Genomic Analysis and its Vitamin B6 Production Ability.

Safety assessment and functional analysis of probiotic candidates are important for their industrial applications. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum is one of the most widely recognized probiotic strains. In this study we aimed to determine the functional genes of L. plantarum LRCC5310, isolated from kimchi, using next-generation, whole-genome sequencing analysis. Genes were annotated using the Rapid Annotations using Subsystems Technology (RAST) server and the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) pipelines to establish the strain's probiotic potential. Phylogenetic analysis of L. plantarum LRCC5310 and related strains showed that LRCC5310 belonged to L. plantarum. However, comparative analysis revealed genetic differences between L. plantarum strains. Carbon metabolic pathway analysis based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database showed that L. plantarum LRCC5310 is a homofermentative bacterium. Furthermore, gene annotation results indicated that the L. plantarum LRCC5310 genome encodes an almost complete vitamin B6 biosynthetic pathway. Among five L. plantarum strains, including L. plantarum ATCC 14917T, L. plantarum LRCC5310 detected the highest concentration of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate with 88.08 ± 0.67 nM in MRS broth. These results indicated that L. plantarum LRCC5310 could be used as a functional probiotic for vitamin B6 supplementation.

Physicochemical characteristics of lignin-g-PMMA/PLA blend via atom transfer radical polymerization depending on the structural difference of organosolv lignin.

Lignin has different structural characteristics depending on the extraction conditions. In this study, three types of ethanol organosolv lignin (EOL) were produced under different extraction conditions involving the reaction temperature (140, 160, 180 °C), sulfuric acid concentration (0.5, 1, 1.5 %), and ethanol concentration (40, 60, 80 %) to compare the difference in properties when mixed with polylactic acid (PLA) matrix after atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). ATRP of EOL was conducted to improve its compatibility with PLA using methyl methacrylate (MMA) as a monomer. The molecular weight of each EOL increased significantly, and the glass transition temperature (Tg) decreased from approximately 150 to 110 °C. The EOL-g-PMMA copolymer exhibited a melting point (Tm), whereas EOL did not, implying that the thermoplasticity increased. The EOL-g-PMMA/PLA blend and film were prepared with 10 % of the copolymer in the PLA matrix. The tensile strength and strain of the blend were higher than those of unmodified organosolv lignin as the compatibility increased, and the UV transmittance was lower than that of neat PLA because of the UV protecting properties of EOL moiety.

Morphological Variations between Korean and Southwestern Japanese Lilium leichtlinii Hook. f.

This study aimed to examine detailed morphological variations within Lilium leichtlinii Hook. f. For investigation, two groups, Korean L. leichtlinii (KR group) and southwestern Japanese broad-leaved L. leichtlinii (JSW group), were compared. In total, 52 morphological characteristics (45 quantitative and 7 qualitative traits) were examined in 59 lily accessions (30 KR and 29 JSW). Forty quantitative traits showed significant heterogeneity (p < 0.05) between JSW and KR accessions, and all seven color-related qualitative traits also exhibited differences. Student's t-tests and principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that major quantitative morphological differences between the two groups included plant height, internode length, upper leaf size, and number of new bulbs. Cluster analysis of 36 morphological traits showed that the KR and JSW accessions belonged to two distinct groups. All together, these results indicate that KR and JSW groups are distal within L. leichtlinii, suggesting that the two groups could be considered different varieties.

Muricauda lutisoli sp. nov., isolated from mudflat.

A Gram-negative, nonmotile, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain CAU 1631T, was isolated from a mudflat sample in the Republic of Korea. Strain CAU 1631T grew optimally at 30 °C, pH 6.5, and 1% (w/v) NaCl solution. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing and 92 core genes indicated that strain CAU 1631T is a member of the genus Muricauda and most closely related to Muricauda oceanensis 40DY170T and Muricauda lutimaris SMK-108T (98.1%, both). The draft genome was 3.4 Mb with 3064 protein-coding genes, and the DNA G + C content was 43.3 mol%. The major fatty acids were iso-C15:0, iso-C17:0 3-OH, and iso-C15:0 G, and the major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. The predominant respiratory quinone was MK-6. Based on the comprehensive taxonomic characterization, strain CAU 1631T is a novel species, for which the name Muricauda lutisoli sp. nov. has been proposed. The type strain is CAU 1631T (= KCTC 82456T = MCCC 1K06088T).

Zhongshania aquimaris sp. nov., isolated from seawater.

A Gram-negative, motile, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterial strain CAU 1632T was isolated from a seawater sample collected in the Republic of Korea. The cells of strain CAU 1632T grew optimally at 30 °C and pH 7.0 in 0% (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain CAU 1632T formed a tight phyletic lineage with Zhongshania antarctica ZS-23T, Zhongshania borealis CL-AS9T, Zhongshania marina DSW25-10T, Zhongshania guokunii ZS6-22T, 'Zhongshania ponticola GM-8T', Zhongshania aliphaticivorans SM-2T and shared a high similarity between 97.2% and 97.7%. The whole genome of strain CAU 1632T was 4.3-Mb with 3,780 protein-coding genes, 12 contigs, and a DNA G+C content of 49.4 mol%. The major fatty acids of strain CAU 1632T were C17:1 ω8c, C19:1 ω6c and/or C19:0 cyclo ω10c (summed feature 3), and C18:1 ω6c and/or C18:1 ω7c (summed feature 8). Q-8 was the only respiratory quinone. The polar lipids were composed of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, two aminophospholipids, and two phospholipids. Based on the results of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and phylogenetic analyses, strain CAU 1632T represents a novel species within the genus Zhongshania, for which the name Zhongshania aquimaris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CAU 1632T (= KCTC 82432T = MCCC 1K06086T).

Halomarinibacterium sedimenti gen. nov., sp. nov., a carotenoid pigment-producing bacterium isolated from marine sediment.

A Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterial strain CAU 1614T was isolated from a marine sediment sample collected in the Republic of Korea. Optimal growth of strain CAU 1614T proceeded at 30 °C, pH 7.0, and 2% (w/v) NaCl. 16S rRNA gene similarity was lower than 94.5% with genera Aureisphaera, Marinirhabdus, Aureitalea, Gilvibacter, Ulvibacter, and Jejudonia. The highest similarity was with Aureisphaera galaxeae 04OKA003-7T (94.5%). The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15:0, iso-C16:0, iso-C15:1 G, iso-C16:0 3-OH, and iso-C17:0 3-OH and the predominant menaquinone was MK-6. The polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphoglycolipid, an unidentified lipid, two unidentified aminolipids, and an unidentified glycolipid. The draft genome of strain CAU 1614T was 3.9 Mb and DNA G+C content was 36.0 mol%. On the basis of the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and genomic data, strain CAU 1614T presents a novel genus in the family Flavobacteriaceae, for which the name Halomarinibacterium sedimenti gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CAU 1614T (= KCTC 82457T = MCCC 1K06083T).

Thalassococcus arenae sp. nov. isolated from sea sand.

A Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain CAU 1522T, was isolated from a sea sand sample collected from the Republic of Korea. Optimal growth of strain CAU 1522T ensued at 30 °C, pH 7.5, and 1.0% (w/v) NaCl. Strain CAU 1522T was affiliated to the genus Thalassococcus with high similarity to T. lentus KCTC 32084T (97.5%), T. profundi MCCC 1K03253T (96.5%), and T. halodurans JCM 13833T (96.1%) according to phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences. The whole genome of strain CAU 1522T was 3.7 Mb in length and included 7 contigs and 3599 protein-coding genes, with a G + C content of 65.4 mol%. The predominant cellular fatty acids were C18:1 ω6c and/or C18:1 ω7c (summed feature 8), with Q-10 being the sole isoprenoid quinone. The polar lipids included phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphoglycolipid, and an unidentified lipid. These phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and phylogenetic data support that strain CAU 1522T is a novel Thalassococcus species, for which the name T. arenae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CAU 1522T (= KCTC 72545T = MCCC 1K04064T).

Compositional Alterations of the Nasal Microbiome and Staphylococcus aureus-Characterized Dysbiosis in the Nasal Mucosa of Patients With Allergic Rhinitis.

OBJECTIVES: Host-microbial commensalism can shape the innate immune response in the nasal mucosa, and the microbial characteristics of nasal mucus directly impact the mechanisms of the initial allergic responses in the nasal epithelium. We sought to determine alterations of the microbial composition in the nasal mucus of patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and to elucidate the interplay between dysbiosis of the nasal microbiome and allergic inflammation. METHODS: In total, 364,923 high-quality bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA-encoding gene sequence reads from 104 middle turbinate mucosa samples from healthy participants and patients with AR were obtained and analyzed using the Quantitative Insights into Microbial Ecology pipeline. RESULTS: We analyzed the microbiota in samples of nasal mucus from patients with AR (n=42) and clinically healthy participants (n=30). The Proteobacteria (Ralstonia genus) and Actinobacteria (Propionibacterium genus) phyla were predominant in the nasal mucus of healthy subjects, whereas the Firmicutes (Staphylococcus genus) phylum was significantly abundant in the nasal mucus of patients with AR. In particular, the Ralstonia genus was significantly dominant in the clinically healthy subjects. Additional pyrosequencing data from 32 subjects (healthy participants: n=15, AR patients: n=17) revealed a greater abundance of Staphylococcus epidermidis, Corynebacterium accolens, and Nocardia coeliaca, accounting for 41.55% of mapped sequences in the nasal mucus of healthy participants. Dysbiosis of the nasal microbiome was more pronounced in patients with AR, and Staphylococcus aureus exhibited the greatest abundance (37.69%) in their nasal mucus, in association with a positive response to house dust mites and patients' age and height. CONCLUSION: This study revealed alterations in the nasal microbiome in the nasal mucus of patients with AR at the levels of microbial genera and species. S. aureus-dominant dysbiosis was distinctive in the nasal mucus of patients with AR, suggesting a role of host-microbial commensalism in allergic inflammation.

Multiple-Route Exciton Recombination Dynamics and Improved Stability of Perovskite Quantum Dots by Plasmonic Photonic Crystal.

We have studied the excited-state exciton recombination dynamics of perovskite quantum dots (QDs) through time-resolved photoluminescence (PL), PL blinking, PL intensity-dependent lifetime modulation, and long-term photostability tests. The various spectroscopic characterizations elucidate that the perovskite QDs have multiple intrinsic exciton recombination routes even in a single QD, i.e., exciton, biexciton, and positive/negative trions, which are dissimilarly contributed to ON and OFF state emissions. We also find that the enhanced radiative recombination from placing green QDs on a photonic Ag nanotip array induces notably improved long-term PL stability. We consider that the accelerated radiative recombination of QDs by strong coupling with the plasmonics of the photonic Ag nanotip array, while eliminating nonradiative pathways, is proven to be a critical factor for improved long-term stability.