Metagenome sequencing and recovery of 444 metagenome-assembled genomes from the biofloc aquaculture system.

Biofloc technology is increasingly recognised as a sustainable aquaculture method. In this technique, bioflocs are generated as microbial aggregates that play pivotal roles in assimilating toxic nitrogenous substances, thereby ensuring high water quality. Despite the crucial roles of the floc-associated bacterial (FAB) community in pathogen control and animal health, earlier microbiota studies have primarily relied on the metataxonomic approaches. Here, we employed shotgun sequencing on eight biofloc metagenomes from a commercial aquaculture system. This resulted in the generation of 106.6 Gbp, and the reconstruction of 444 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs). Among the recovered MAGs, 230 were high-quality (≥90% completeness, ≤5% contamination), and 214 were medium-quality (≥50% completeness, ≤10% contamination). Phylogenetic analysis unveiled Rhodobacteraceae as dominant members of the FAB community. The reported metagenomes and MAGs are crucial for elucidating the roles of diverse microorganisms and their functional genes in key processes such as nitrification, denitrification, and remineralization. This study will contribute to scientific understanding of phylogenetic diversity and metabolic capabilities of microbial taxa in aquaculture environments.

Metagenomic data from surface seawater of the east coast of South Korea.

The East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, is a marginal sea located in the western Pacific Ocean, displaying comparable characteristics to Earth's oceans, thereby meriting its recognition as a "miniature ocean". The East Sea exhibits a range of annually-recurring biogeochemical features in accordance with seasonal fluctuations, such as phytoplankton blooms during the spring and autumn seasons. Despite ongoing monitoring efforts focused on water quality and physicochemical parameters, the investigation of prokaryotic assemblages in the East Sea, encompassing seasonal variations, has been infrequently pursued. Here, we present a monthly time-series metagenomic dataset spanning a one-year period in 2009, obtained from surface (10 m) seawater samples collected off the coast of the East Sea. The dataset encompasses 12 metagenomes, amounting 195 Gbp, with 14.73-22.52 Gbp per sample. This dataset is accompanied by concurrently measured physicochemical parameters. Our anticipation is that these metagenomes will facilitate extensive investigations aimed at elucidating various aspects of the marine microbial ecosystems in the East Sea.

Cultivation of marine bacteria of the SAR202 clade.

Bacteria of the SAR202 clade, within the phylum Chloroflexota, are ubiquitously distributed in the ocean but have not yet been cultivated in the lab. It has been proposed that ancient expansions of catabolic enzyme paralogs broadened the spectrum of organic compounds that SAR202 bacteria could oxidize, leading to transformations of the Earth's carbon cycle. Here, we report the successful cultivation of SAR202 bacteria from surface seawater using dilution-to-extinction culturing. The growth of these strains is very slow (0.18-0.24 day-1) and is inhibited by exposure to light. The genomes, of ca. 3.08 Mbp, encode archaella (archaeal motility structures) and multiple sets of enzyme paralogs, including 80 genes coding for enolase superfamily enzymes and 44 genes encoding NAD(P)-dependent dehydrogenases. We propose that these enzyme paralogs participate in multiple parallel pathways for non-phosphorylative catabolism of sugars and sugar acids. Indeed, we demonstrate that SAR202 strains can utilize several substrates that are metabolized through the predicted pathways, such as sugars ʟ-fucose and ʟ-rhamnose, as well as their lactone and acid forms.

Ten Novel Species Belonging to the Genus Flavobacterium, Isolated from Freshwater Environments: F. praedii sp. nov., F. marginilacus sp. nov., F. aestivum sp. nov., F. flavigenum sp. nov., F. luteolum sp. nov., F. gelatinilyticum sp. nov., F. aquiphilum sp. nov., F. limnophilum sp. nov., F. lacustre sp. nov., and F. eburneipallidum sp. nov.

Eleven bacterial strains were isolated from freshwater environments and identified as Flavobacterium based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses. Complete genome sequences of the 11 strains ranged from 3.45 to 5.83 Mb with G + C contents of 33.41-37.31%. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) values showed that strains IMCC34515T and IMCC34518 belonged to the same species, while the other nine strains represented each separate species. The ANI values between the strains and their closest Flavobacterium species exhibited ≤ 91.76%, indicating they represent each novel species. All strains had similar characteristics such as being Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, and contained iso-C15:0 as the predominant fatty acid, menaquinone-6 as the respiratory quinone, and phosphatidylethanolamine and aminolipids as major polar lipids. Genomic, phylogenetic, and phenotypic characterization confirmed that the 11 strains were distinct from previously recognized Flavobacterium species. Therefore, Flavobacterium praedii sp. nov. (IMCC34515T = KACC 22282 T = NBRC 114937 T), Flavobacterium marginilacus sp. nov. (IMCC34673T = KACC 22284 T = NBRC 114940 T), Flavobacterium aestivum sp. nov. (IMCC34774T = KACC 22285 T = NBRC 114941 T), Flavobacterium flavigenum sp. nov. (IMCC34775T = KACC 22286 T = NBRC 114942 T), Flavobacterium luteolum sp. nov. (IMCC34776T = KACC 22287 T = NBRC 114943 T), Flavobacterium gelatinilyticum sp. nov. (IMCC34777T = KACC 22288 T = NBRC 114944 T), Flavobacterium aquiphilum sp. nov. (IMCC34779T = KACC 22289 T = NBRC 114945 T), Flavobacterium limnophilum sp. nov. (IMCC36791T = KACC 22290 T = NBRC 114947 T), Flavobacterium lacustre sp. nov. (IMCC36792T = KACC 22291 T = NBRC 114948 T), and Flavobacterium eburneipallidum sp. nov. (IMCC36793T = KACC 22292 T = NBRC 114949 T) are proposed as novel species.

Taeanamides A and B, Nonribosomal Lipo-Decapeptides Isolated from an Intertidal-Mudflat-Derived Streptomyces sp.

Two new lipo-decapeptides, namely taeanamides A and B (1 and 2), were discovered from the Gram-positive bacterium Streptomyces sp. AMD43, which was isolated from a mudflat sample from Anmyeondo, Korea. The exact molecular masses of 1 and 2 were revealed by high-resolution mass spectrometry, and the planar structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated using NMR spectroscopy. The absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were determined using a combined analysis of 1H-1H coupling constants and ROESY correlations, the advanced Marfey's method, and bioinformatics. The putative nonribosomal peptide synthetase pathway for the taeanamides was identified by analyzing the full genome sequence data of Streptomyces sp. AMD43. We also found that taeanamide A exhibited mild anti-tuberculosis bioactivity, whereas taeanamide B showed significant bioactivity against several cancer cell lines.

Svalbamides A and B, Pyrrolidinone-Bearing Lipodipeptides from Arctic Paenibacillus sp.

Two new secondary metabolites, svalbamides A (1) and B (2), were isolated from a culture extract of Paenibacillus sp. SVB7 that was isolated from surface sediment from a core (HH17-1085) taken in the Svalbard archipelago in the Arctic Ocean. The combinational analysis of HR-MS and NMR spectroscopic data revealed the structures of 1 and 2 as being lipopeptides bearing 3-amino-2-pyrrolidinone, d-valine, and 3-hydroxy-8-methyldecanoic acid. The absolute configurations of the amino acid residues in svalbamides A and B were determined using the advanced Marfey's method, in which the hydrolysates of 1 and 2 were derivatized with l- and d- forms of 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrophenyl-5-alanine amide (FDAA). The absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were completely assigned by deducing the stereochemistry of 3-hydroxy-8-methyldecanoic acid based on DP4 calculations. Svalbamides A and B induced quinone reductase activity in Hepa1c1c7 murine hepatoma cells, indicating that they represent chemotypes with a potential for functioning as chemopreventive agents.

Genome characteristics of Kordia antarctica IMCC3317T and comparative genome analysis of the genus Kordia.

The genus Kordia is one of many genera affiliated with the family Flavobacteriaceae of the phylum Bacteroidetes, well known for its degradation of high molecular weight organic matters. The genus Kordia currently comprises eight species, type strains of which have been isolated from a diverse range of marine environments. As of this report, four genome sequences have been submitted for cultured strains of Kordia, but none are complete nor have they been analyzed comprehensively. In this study, we report the complete genome of Kordia antarctica IMCC3317T, isolated from coastal seawater off the Antarctic Peninsula. The complete genome of IMCC3317T consists of a single circular chromosome with 5.5 Mbp and a 33.2 mol% of G+C DNA content. The IMCC3317T genome showed features typical of chemoheterotrophic marine bacteria and similar to other Kordia genomes, such as complete gene sets for the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas glycolysis pathway, tricarboxylic acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation. The genome also encoded many carbohydrate-active enzymes, some of which were clustered into approximately seven polysaccharide utilization loci, thereby demonstrating the potential for polysaccharide utilization. Finally, a nosZ gene encoding nitrous oxide reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of N2O to N2 gas, was also unique to the IMCC3317T genome.

Ferrimonas sediminicola sp. nov. and Ferrimonas aestuarii sp. nov., Fe(III)-reducing bacteria isolated from marine environments.

Two Gram-stain-negative, Fe(III)-reducing, facultatively anaerobic, motile via a single polar flagellum, rod-shaped bacterial strains, designated IMCC35001T and IMCC35002T, were isolated from tidal flat sediment and seawater, respectively. Results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that IMCC35001T and IMCC35002T shared 96.6 % sequence similarity and were most closely related to Ferrimonas futtsuensis FUT3661T (98.6 %) and Ferrimonas kyonanensis Asr22-7T (96.8 %), respectively. Draft genome sequences of IMCC35001T and IMCC35002T revealed 4.0 and 4.8 Mbp of genome size with 61.0 and 51.8 mol% of DNA G+C content, respectively. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between the two strains were 73.1 and 19.8 %, respectively, indicating that they are separate species. The two genomes showed ≤84.4 % ANI and ≤27.8 % dDDH to other species of the genus Ferrimonas, suggesting that the two strains each represent novel species. The two strains contained both menaquinone (MK-7) and ubiquinones (Q-7 and Q-8). Major fatty acids of strain IMCC35001T were iso-C15 : 0, C18 : 1 ω9c, C17 : 1 ω8c and C16 : 0 and those of strain IMCC35002 T were C18 : 1 ω9c, C16 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c). Major polar lipids in both strains were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, unidentified phospholipid, unidentified aminophospholipid and unidentified lipids. The two strains reduced Fe(III) citrate, Fe(III) oxyhydroxide, Mn(IV) oxide and sodium selenate but did not reduce sodium sulfate. They were also differentiated by several phenotypic characteristics. Based on the polyphasic taxonomic data, IMCC35001T and IMCC35002T were considered to represent each novel species in the genus Ferrimonas, for which the names Ferrimonas sediminicola sp. nov. (IMCC35001T=KACC 21161T=NBRC 113699T) and Ferrimonas aestuarii (IMCC35002T=KACC 21162T=NBRC 113700T) sp. nov. are proposed.

Serum cytokine profiles in infants with infantile hemangiomas on oral propranolol treatment: VEGF and bFGF, potential biomarkers predicting clinical outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Oral propranolol has become first-line treatment for infantile hemangiomas (IHs). This study focused on identifying cytokines related to the biology of IH and early regression indicators of IH after propranolol treatment. METHODS: For inclusion, the patients had to be aged less than 1 year and have an IH with a largest diameter ≥2 cm. Patients were scheduled to receive 1 year of propranolol treatment. Serum cytokines involved in angiogenesis, vasculogenesis, and/or chronic inflammation were analyzed at 0, 1, and/or 12 months after treatment using Multiplex Luminex assays. RESULTS: Among the 49 evaluable patients, 33 completed the 1-year treatment: 16 showed excellent response and 12 had good response to propranolol. Significant decreases in serum MMP-2, bFGF, VEGF-α, and MCP-1 levels were observed after 1 year of treatment compared to pretreatment values. The maximal diameters of the lesions significantly correlated with pretreatment serum VEGF-α, bFGF, and MMP-9. Patients with higher bFGF and VEGF levels showed better response to propranolol at 1 year. CONCLUSION: MMP-2, VEGF-α, bFGF, and MCP-1 may involve in the biology of IH and their downregulation may be associated with involution processes of IH. Pretreatment bFGF and VEGF could be novel biomarkers for predicting response to propranolol. IMPACT: We found that decreases in the concentrations of MMP-2, bFGF, VEGF, and MCP-1 were associated with regression of the hemangioma, which indicates that one of the mechanisms of propranolol in the treatment of proliferative hemangiomas may involve downregulation of those cytokines. Patients with higher bFGF and VEGF levels showed better response to propranolol at 1 year. Importantly, serum bFGF higher than 37.07 pg/mL may predict an excellent response to propranolol. Therefore, along with the patient's age and the size and visual characteristics of the lesion, bFGF levels could help determine the viability of propranolol use in the treatment of IHs. Our study represented extensive serum profiling in IH, reporting the indicators and molecules clearly related to IH regression with propranolol treatment. The authors believe that monitoring serum cytokines, including MMP-2, bFGF, VEGF, and MCP-1, in IH patients could be important, in addition to clinical follow-up, for determining when to start and end propranolol treatment.

[Applying Extended Theory of Planned Behavior for Lung Cancer Patients Undergone Pulmonary Resection: Effects on Self-Efficacy for Exercise, Physical Activities, Physical Function, and Quality of Life].

PURPOSE: This study aims to examine the effects of nursing interventions based on the Extended Theory of Planned Behavior (ETPB) regarding self-efficacy for exercise (SEE), physical activity (PA), physical function (PF), and quality of life (QOL) in patients with lung cancer who have undergone pulmonary resection. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted between July 2015 and June 2018 in two university-affiliated hospitals. The intervention included pre-operative patient education, goal setting (action and coping planning), and feedback (behavior intention and perceived behavioral control). The intervention group (IG) (n=51) received nursing interventions from the day before surgery to 12 months after lung resection, while the comparison group (CG) (n=36) received usual care. SEE, PA, PF (dyspnea, functional status, and 6-minute walking distance [6MWD]), and QOL were measured before surgery and at one, three, six, and 12 months after surgery. Data were analyzed using the χ² test, Fisher's exact test, Mann-Whitney U test, t-test, and generalized estimation equations (GEE). RESULTS: There were significant differences between the two groups regarding SEE (χ²=13.53, p=.009), PA (χ²=9.51, p=.049), functional status (χ²=10.55, p=.032), and 6MWD (χ²=15.62, p=.004). Although there were no time or group effects, the QOL mental component (Z=-2.78, p=.005) of the IG was higher than that of the CG one month after surgery. Interventions did not affect dyspnea or the QOL physical component. CONCLUSION: The intervention of this study was effective in improving SEE, PA, functional status, and 6MWD of lung cancer patients after lung resection. Further extended investigations that utilize ETPB are warranted to confirm these results.

Korean parents' perceptions of the challenges and needs on school re-entry during or after childhood and adolescent cancer: a multi-institutional survey by Korean Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology.

BACKGROUND: For children and adolescents with cancer, going back to school is a key milestone in returning to "normal life." PURPOSE: To identify the support vital for a successful transition, we evaluated the parents' needs and the challenges they face when their children return to school. METHODS: This multi-institutional study was conducted by the Korean Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology. The written survey comprised 24 questions and was completed by 210 parents without an interviewer. RESULTS: Most parents (165 of 206) reported that their children experienced difficulties with physical status (n=60), peer relationships (n=30), academic performance (n=27), emotional/behavioral issues (n=11), and relationships with teachers (n=4) on reentering school. Parents wanted to be kept informed about and remain involved in their children's school lives and reported good parent-teacher communication (88 of 209, 42.1%). Parents reported that 83.1% and 44.9% of teachers and peers, respectively, displayed an adequate understanding of their children's condition. Most parents (197 of 208) answered that a special program is necessary to facilitate return to school after cancer therapy that offers emotional support (n=85), facilitates social adaptation (n=61), and provides tutoring to accelerate catch up (n=56), and continued health care by hospital outreach and school personnel (n=50). CONCLUSION: In addition to scholastic aptitude-oriented programs, emotional and psychosocial support is necessary for a successful return to school. Pediatric oncologists should actively improve oncology practices to better integrate individualized school plans and educate peers and teachers to improve health literacy to aid them in understanding the needs of children with cancer.

Halioglobus maricola sp. nov., isolated from coastal seawater.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, aerobic, non-flagellated, chemoheterotrophic bacterium, designated IMCC14385T, was isolated from surface seawater of the East Sea, Republic of Korea. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that IMCC14385T represented a member of the genus Halioglobus sharing 94.6-97.8 % similarities with species of the genus. Whole-genome sequencing of IMCC14385T revealed a genome size of 4.3 Mbp and DNA G+C content of 56.7 mol%. The genome of IMCC14385T shared an average nucleotide identity of 76.6 % and digital DNA-DNA hybridization value of 21.6 % with the genome of Halioglobus japonicus KCTC 23429T. The genome encoded the complete poly-ß-hydroxybutyrate biosynthesis pathway. The strain contained summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c and/or C18 : 1 ω6c), summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c) and C17 : 1 ω8c as the predominant cellular fatty acids as well as ubiquinone-8 (Q-8) as the respiratory quinone. The polar lipids detected in the strain were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, five unidentified phospholipids, an unidentified aminolipid, an unidentified aminophospholipid and four unidentified lipids. On the basis of taxonomic data obtained in this study, it is suggested that IMCC14385T represents a novel species of the genus Halioglobus, for which the name Halioglobus maricola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is IMCC14385T (=KCTC 72520T=NBRC 114072T).

Isolation and genome analysis of Winogradskyella algicola sp. nov., the dominant bacterial species associated with the green alga Dunaliella tertiolecta.

Microalgae and bacteria are known to be closely associated in diverse environments. To isolate dominant bacterial species associated with a green alga, Dunaliella tertiolecta, a photoreactor culture of the microalga was investigated using culture-based and culture-independent approaches. The bacterial community structure of the algal culture showed that the most abundant bacterial species under the culture conditions was related to the genus Winogradskyella. The closely related amplicon sequences, showing ≥ 99.5% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to one of the isolates, designated IMCC-33238T, constituted > 49% of the bacterial community and was therefore regarded as the most dominant species in the algal culture. Strain IMCC33238T was characterized by Gramstaining-negative and orange-colored rods. Phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA genes as well as whole genome sequences revealed that strain IMCC33238T belonged to Winogradskyella and shared more than 97.2% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Winogradskyella species. The strain contained iso-C15:1 G, iso-C15:0, iso-C15:0 3-OH, and summed feature 3 (C16:1ω6c and/or C16:1ω7c) as major fatty acids and MK-6 as the predominant quinone. The polar lipids found in strain IMCC33238T were phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids, and three unidentified lipids. The genome of strain IMCC33238T was 3.37 Mbp in size with 33.9 mol% G + C content and proteorhodopsin. Many genes encoding folate and vitamin production are considered to play an important role in the bacteria-algae interaction. On the basis of phylogenetic and phenotypic characteristics, strain IMCC33238T represents a novel species in the genus Winogradskyella, for which the name Winogradskyella algicola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is IMCC33238T (= KACC 21192T = NBRC 113704T).

Donghaesulfins A and B, Dimeric Benz[ a]anthracene Thioethers from Volcanic Island Derived Streptomyces sp.

The chemical analysis of a Streptomyces strain, from a Korean volcanic island, discovered new benz[ a]anthracene dimers linked by a thioether bond. The structures of donghaesulfins A and B (1 and 2) were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis including energy-dispersive X-ray. Their configurations were determined by ROESY NMR data, DP4 calculations, the modified Mosher's method, and ECD calculations. Donghaesulfins A (1) induced quinone reductase, whereas donghaesulfin B (2) displayed antiangiogenesis activity.

Thromboembolism in children with cancer: a retrospective multicenter study in Korea.

Thromboembolism (TE) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in adult cancer patients; however, there is a lack of sufficient knowledge on TE in pediatric cancer patients. We aimed to determine the epidemiology of TE in Korean children with cancer. Between January 2000 and July 2015, we retrospectively analyzed pediatric patients newly diagnosed with cancer at six tertiary hospitals in Korea. Of 3611 children with cancer, 33 (0.91%) had TE. A higher number of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n = 13), brain tumors (n = 6), lymphoma (n = 4), and bone/soft tissue sarcomas (n = 5) tended to develop TE. The male/female ratio was 17/16, and the median age at TE diagnosis was 10 years and 2 months. TE was detected a median of 2 months after cancer diagnosis. Symptoms including pain and swelling were present in 18 of the 33 patients. In terms of location, three intracerebral, 23 upper venous, six lower venous and one combined upper and lower venous system TEs were observed. Additional risk factors for TE included central venous catheter (CVC) use in 12 patients, steroid and/or L-asparaginase use in nine, and CVC and steroid and/or L-asparaginase use in seven. The TE incidence rate was quite low among Korean children with cancer, but higher than in the general pediatric population and among children hospitalized for diseases other than cancer. Further investigation of a larger pool of patients is warranted to determine the most effective strategies to prevent and treat TE in Korean children with cancer.

Winogradskyella aurantiaca sp. nov., isolated from seawater.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-flagellated, motile-by-gliding, orange-coloured bacterial strain, designated strain IMCC20180T, was isolated from seawater collected off the coast of the East Sea in the Republic of Korea. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain IMCC20180T was most closely related to Winogradskyellaporiferorum UST030701-295T (95.7 % sequence similarity) and formed a robust phylogenetic clade with other Winogradskyella species, indicating that the strain was affiliated with the genus Winogradskyella. Growth of strain IMCC20180T was observed at 20-30 °C (optimum, 25 °C), pH 7.0-9.0 (pH 8.0) and with 1.0-3.5 % NaCl (3.0 %, w/v). The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-6. Major fatty acid constituents were iso-C15 : 1 G, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c), iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and iso-C16 : 0 3-OH. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, four unknown aminolipids and five unknown lipids. The estimated genome size and the DNA G+C content of strain IMCC20180T were 3.1 Mb and 37.7 %, respectively. Based on 16S rRNA gene phylogeny, physiological and chemotaxonomic characterization, strain IMCC20180T represented a novel species in the genus Winogradskyella, for which the name Winogradskyellaaurantiaca sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is IMCC20180T (=KACC 18883T=KCTC 52240T=JCM 31383T).

School performance of childhood cancer survivors in Korea: A multi-institutional study on behalf of the Korean Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate school performance of childhood cancer survivors focusing on the child's functioning, including peer relationships, school attendance, and academic achievement. METHODS: We studied 241 children from 15 institutions in Korea between 2015 and 2016. The self-reported paper-and-pencil questionnaires were used. RESULTS: Approximately 22% of the survivors suffered from lack of friends. Bullying was reported by 30% of survivors. Survivors who returned to primary school reported a higher incidence of bullying compared with survivors who returned to middle or high school (P = 0.03). The percentage of children who missed classes more than 4 days in a month was higher in survivors with brain tumors than those with other tumors (P = 0.04). Approximately 41% of children reported learning difficulty. After returning to school, 53% of the patients reported that they had lower overall mark averages than they had before. Patients who returned to high school showed the highest rate of repeating a grade and the lowest rate of achieving high academic marks. The school marks in the Korean (P = 0.03), English (P = 0.04), and physical education (P = 0.04) were worse for the children with brain tumors than for the children with other tumors. CONCLUSION: We found that 20% to 25% of survivors experienced peer-related difficulties upon returning to school. Patients who return to school, especially high school, should be provided more educational support to overcome low academic achievement. Particular concern is needed to the patients with brain tumors, who are at risk for significant academic and social difficulties and therefore may require more intensive support in school.

Rubritalea profundi sp. nov., isolated from deep-seawater and emended description of the genus Rubritalea in the phylum Verrucomicrobia.

A Gram-stain-negative, short-rod, facultatively anaerobic, non-motile and red-pigmented bacterium, designated SAORIC-165T, was isolated from a deep-seawater sample collected from the Pacific Ocean. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain SAORIC-165T was most closely related to Rubritalea marina Pol012T (95.7 % sequence similarity) and formed a robust phylogenetic clade with other species of the genus Rubritalea in the phylum Verrucomicrobia. Optimal growth of strain SAORIC-165T was observed at 10 °C, pH 7.0 and in the presence of 2.0-3.5 % (w/v) NaCl. The DNA G+C content of strain SAORIC-165T was 50.7 mol% and MK-9 was the predominant isoprenoid quinone. The major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c), iso-C14 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0 and C14 : 0. The major polar lipids constituted phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and unidentified phospholipids and aminolipids. On the basis of the taxonomic data obtained in this study, it was concluded that strain SAORIC-165T represented a novel species of the genus Rubritalea, for which the name Rubritalea profundi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Rubritalea profundi is SAORIC-165T (=NBRC 110691T=KCTC 52460T).

Experiences of peer exclusion and victimization, cognitive functioning, and depression among adolescent cancer survivors in South Korea.

Adolescents who reenter school after treatment for cancer may face certain challenges, such as social exclusion by their peers and difficulties in cognitive functioning, due to the cancer treatment and its psychosocial sequelae. Such challenges may have an impact on their mental health. This cross-sectional study examined the impact of peer exclusion-victimization and cognitive functioning on depression among adolescent survivors of childhood cancer. A total of 175 adolescent survivors of childhood cancer between the ages of 13 and 19 years completed a self-reported questionnaire. Their mean age was 15.33 years (SD = 1.65), the mean time since diagnosis was 7.97 years (SD = 3.91), and 49.7% experienced at least 1 kind of peer exclusion in school. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to examine the effects of survivors' experiences related to peer exclusion-victimization and cognitive functioning on depression, controlling for demographic (age and gender) and cancer-related (cancer type, time since diagnosis, recurrence) characteristics. The model with peer exclusion-victimization and cognitive functioning as predictors accounted for 27.9% of the variance in depression. More experiences in peer exclusion-victimization (ß = .200, p = .024) and lower cognitive functioning (ß = -.465, p < .001) were associated with greater levels of depression. Understanding the impact of survivors' experiences of peer exclusion-victimization and cognitive functioning on their mental health will help professionals to provide appropriate counseling services to moderate peer exclusion-victimization as well as resources for academic performance for those cancer survivors at risk for depression. (PsycINFO Database Record

Complete genome sequence of Granulosicoccus antarcticus type strain IMCC3135T, a marine gammaproteobacterium with a putative dimethylsulfoniopropionate demethylase gene.

Granulosicoccus, the only genus of the family Granulosicoccaceae, occupies a distinct phylogenetic position within the order Chromatiales of the Gammaproteobacteria. The genus has been found in various marine regions, especially associated with diverse marine macroalgae. No genomes have been reported for the genus Granulosicoccus thus far, hampering studies on physiology and lifestyles of this genus. Here we report the complete genome sequence of strain IMCC3135T, the type strain of Granulosicoccus antarcticus isolated from Antarctic coastal seawater. The genome was 7.78Mbp long and harbored many genes involved in sulfur metabolism. In particular, a gene for dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) demethylase was found in the genome, rendering strain IMCC3135T one of the few marine gammaproteobacteria equipped with the potential for DMSP demethylation.