Involvement of Nucleotide Excision Repair and Rec-Dependent Pathway Genes for UV Radiation Resistance in Deinococcus irradiatisoli 17bor-2.

Strain Deinococcus irradiatisoli 17bor-2 was isolated from a soil sample exposed to γ radiation at Seoul Women's University, Republic of Korea. The genus Deinococcus is a Gram-negative, coccus-shaped, and extremophilic bacterium, well renowned as being a radiation-resistant bacterium. Therefore, the mechanism behind the resistance to radiation and the gene responsible for the resistance could be helpful for detailed experimental studies with biotechnological applications. To study the involvement of genes in UV radiation resistance in strain 17bor-2, the genomic DNA of the strain was sequenced and constructed using the Pacific Biosciences RS II system. In addition, the complete genome sequence of strain 17bor-2 was annotated and interpreted using the Genomes-Expert Review (IMG-ER) system, along with Prodigal and JGI GenePRIMP analysis. The genome analysis of strain 17bor-2 revealed evidence of excinuclease UvrABC genes, which are key enzymes in the nucleotide excision repair (NER) mechanism, as well as genes from the recA-dependent and recQ pathways. The genome of strain Deinococcus irradiatisoli 17bor-2 was a circular chromosome comprising 3,052,043 bp with a GC content of 67.0%, including 2911 coding sequences (CDs), 49 tRNA genes, and 9 rRNA genes. In addition, their complete genome sequence annotation features provided evidence that radiation resistance genes play a central part in adaptation against extreme environmental conditions. In recent decades, excision repair genes have been indicated in considerable detail for both prokaryote and eukaryote resistance against UV-C radiation.

Pseudocnuella soli gen. nov., sp. nov., a bacterium from soil belonging to the family Chitinophagaceae.

A Gram-stain negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, yellow-coloured bacterium, designated strain 17J28-1T, was isolated from soil of Jeju Island, Korea. Optimal growth was found to occur at 30 °C, at pH 6.0 and in the absence of NaCl on R2A at 30 °C. Strain 17J28-1T showed resistance to UV-radiation. The draft genome sequence of strain 17J28-1T is 4804,510 bp long with a 49.4% G + C content. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain 17J28-1T forms a distinct lineage within the family Chitinophagaceae (order Chitinophagales, class Chitinophagia) and is closely related to Cnuella takakiae (93.7% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Flavisolibacter ginsengiterrae (93.1%). In addition, genomic comparison using digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) and OrthoANI analyses between the novel organism and the members of the family Chitinophagaceae revealed identities of 65.5-74.1% and 18.1-28%, respectively. The predominant cellular fatty acids were identified as C15:0 iso, C15:1 iso G and C17:0 iso 3-OH and the major respiratory quinone as MK-7. Based on these data we propose that strain 17J28-1T (= KCTC 62223T = JCM 33202T) represents a novel genus and species in the family Chitinophagaceae, for which the name Pseudocnuella soli gen. nov. sp. nov. is proposed.

Hymenobacter radiodurans sp. nov., isolated from soil in the Republic of Korea.

A bacterial strain, designated 17J36-26T, was isolated from the UV-irradiated soil from Jeju Island, South Korea. Cells are Gram negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile, non-spore forming, rod shaped, and catalase and oxidase positive. The major fatty acids of strain 17J36-26T were summed feature 4 (17:1 iso I/17:1 anteiso B), summed feature 3 (16:1 ω6c/16:1 ω7c), C16:1 ω5c and iso-C15:0. The polar lipid profile contained phosphatidylethanolamine, unidentified aminophospholipid, phospholipids and four unidentified lipids. The G+C content of the strain 17J36-26T was 62.6 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain 17J36-26T was phylogenetically related to Hymenobacter qilianensis DK6-37T and Hymenobacter roseosalivarius AA718T (97.5% and 96.8% sequence similarity, respectively). Strain 17J36-26T showed resistance to UV radiation. Both average nucleotide identity (ANI) and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization (isDDH) values between strains 17J36-26T and type strains of Hymenobacter species were lower than the cut-off (≥ 95-96% for ANI and ≥ 70% for isDDH) to define a bacterial new species. The polyphasic approach using genotypic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data showed that strain 17J36-26T could be distinguished from its phylogenetically related species, and thus, the strain representative of a novel species within the genus Hymenobacter, for which the name Hymenobacter radiodurans sp. nov. (type strain 17J36-26T = KCTC 62269T = JCM 33185T) is proposed.

Flaviaesturariibacter flavus sp. nov., isolated from soil in Jeju Island.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile and yellow-colored bacterium, designated 17J68-12T, was isolated from soil in Jeju Island, Korea. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain 17J68-12T formed a distinct lineage within the family Chitinophagaceae and was mostly related to members of Flaviaesturariibacter luteus (97.5%), Flaviaesturariibacter amylovorans (96.8%) and Flaviaesturariibacter terrae (96.8%). Growth was observed at 18-42 °C (optimum 30 °C) in R2A broth at pH 7.0. The major cellular fatty acids of the strain 17J68-12 T were summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω6c and/or C16:1 ω7c), summed feature 1 (C15:1 iso-H and/or C13:0 3-OH), and iso-C15:0. The predominant respiratory quinones are MK-7 and MK-6. The major polar lipid was identified as phosphatidylethanolamine. Based on biochemical, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic characteristics, the strain 17J68-12T represents a novel bacterial species within the family Chitinophagaceae, for which the name Flaviaesturariibacter flavus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Flaviaesturariibacter flavus is 17J68-12T (= KCTC 62219T = JCM 33179T).

Sphingomonas parva sp. nov., isolated from soil in Jeju Island.

A Gram staining-negative, yellow-colored, rod-shaped, non-motile and aerobic, designated strain 17J27-24T was isolated from a soil sample in Korea. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain 17J27-24T was related to the members of the family Sphingomonadaceae and formed a distinct monophyletic cluster within the genus Sphingomonas with Sphingomonas deserti (98.3% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). Growth was observed at 30 °C (optimum), at pH 7.0 (optimum), and in the absence of NaCl (%). The predominant cellular fatty acids were summed feature 8 (18:1 ω7c and/or 18:1 ω6c) and C17:1 ω6c. The major respiratory quinone was Q10. The polar lipids profile comprised of diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and sphingoglycolipid (SGL). The DNA G + C content was 77.8 mol%. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridisation (dDDH) values between 17J27-24T and its phylogenetically closest Sphingomonas deserti (KCTC 62411T) were below the established cut-off < 94% (ANI) and < 70% (dDDH) for species delineation. Moreover, the results of the polyphasic approach confirmed that strain 17J27-24T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingomonas within the family Sphingomonadaceae, for which the name Sphingomonas parva sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of this species is 17J27-24T (= KCTC 62208T = JCM 3896T). An emended description of the species Sphingomonas parva is provided.

Topical Curcumin and Triamcinolone Acetonide in Recurrent Minor Aphthous Ulcers: A Pilot Trial.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of topical curcumin and topical triamcinolone acetonide in a professional population with minor aphthous ulcers by assessing six clinical variables: site, size, pain, healing period, frequency of recurrence and number of ulcers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized, parallel designed pilot trial was performed on 60 symptomatic individuals with minor aphthous ulcer. Willing participants were allocated randomly into group I and group II. Participants in group I were treated with topical curcumin and group II were treated with topical triamcinolone acetonide for a period of 6 months. All participants were blinded to the drug they received. Participants were assessed on day 1, day 3, day 5, day 7, and after healing for symptomatic reduction in pain, size, healing period, frequency of recurrence, and in the number of ulcers. Statistically, independent sample t test, Chi-square test, and Log rank Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were performed. RESULTS: Lower labial mucosa was found to be the predominant site of minor aphthous ulcer in both the groups. A gradual reduction in pain and size was noted in both the groups with statistical significance of p value <0.001. All the ulcers in both the groups healed completely without scarring within 2 weeks with statistical significance. In both the treatment groups, new ulcers occurred throughout the follow-up period of 6 months. The mean number of the ulcers are statistically not significant with p value >0.05. CONCLUSION: Our study showed clinically beneficial effects with topical curcumin with regard to ulcer size, pain, healing, and recurrence rate. Also topical curcumin gel was well tolerated and performed ot par with topical triamcinolone acetonide oral paste with a borderline favorable result with triamcinolone. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Curcumin can be safely recommended on a long-term basis as a more appealing therapeutic agent and is a better alternative choice for aphthous ulcers in children, pregnant woman, lactating mother, and in immunocompromised individuals.

Nocardioides jejuensis sp. nov., isolated from soil.

A Gram-stain positive, asporogenous, aerobic, white -coloured bacterium, designated 18JY15-6T, was isolated from soil from Jeju Island, Korea. Pairwise analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain 18JY15-6T indicated high similarity to Nocardioides phosphati DSM 104026T (97.4%), Marmoricola terrae KACC 17308T (96.7%) and Nocardioides jensenii KCTC 0074BPT (96.6%). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that strain 18JY15-6T formed a distinct lineage within the family Nocardioidaceae and is closely related to members of the genus Nocardioides. Genome sequencing of strain 18JY15-6T revealed 3221 total genes, including 3162 protein coding genes, 59 RNA and 31 pseudogenes. Growth was observed at 18-37 °C (optimal 30 °C) in R2A medium at pH 7.0. The major cellular fatty acids of strain 18JY15-6T were identified as C16:0, C18:1ω9c, C18:0 10-methyl, tuberculostearic and C17:0. The fatty acid profile of strain 18JY15-6T was more dissimilar when compared with M. terrae. The only respiratory quinone present was found to be MK-8(H4). The major polar lipids are diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine. The results of phylogenetic, biochemical and chemotaxonomic characterisation allow the differentiation of strain 18JY15-6T from N. phosphati WYH11-7T, M. terrae JOS5-1T and N. jensenii NBRC 14755T which supports the conclusion that this strain represents a novel species of the genus Nocardioides, for which we propose the name Nocardioides jejuensis sp. nov. The type strain of Nocardioides jejuensis is 18JY15-6T (= KCTC 49105T = JCM 33182T).

Hymenobacter jejuensis sp. nov., a UV radiation-tolerant bacterium isolated from Jeju Island.

A novel Gram-stain negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile and pink-coloured bacterium, designated strain 17J68-5T, was isolated from soil in Jeju Island, Korea. The strain was found to grow at 18-37 °C (optimum 25 °C) in R2A medium at pH (6.0 to 7.5; optimum 6.5) in the presence of 0% (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain 17J68-5T forms a distinct lineage within the family Hymenobacteraceae and is closely related to Hymenobacter daecheongensis DSM 21074T (94.9% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Hymenobacter rutilus K2-33028T (94.6%) and Hymenobacter tibetensis XTM003T (94.3%). The draft genome sequence of strain 17J68-5Tis 5.1 Mb size. The calculated average nucleotide identity and the digital DNA-DNA hybridization between strain 17J68-5T and closely related type strains were 81.3 to 84.1  % and 25.5 to 28.1%. The major cellular fatty acids (≥ 10%) of the strain 17J68-5T were identified as summed feature 3 (C16:1ω6c/C16:1ω7c; 21.2%), iso-C15:0 (19.1%), summed feature 4 (C17:1 iso I/C17:1 anteiso B; 17.9%) and C16:1ω5c (13.1%). The predominant respiratory quinones were found to be menaquinone 7 and 6 (MK-7 and MK-6). The major polar lipid was found to be phosphatidylethanolamine. The genomic DNA G + C content based on the whole genome sequence is 59.6 mol %. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic properties clearly indicated that isolate 17J68-5T represents a novel species within the genus Hymenobacter, for which the name Hymenobacter jejuensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Hymenobacter jejuensis is 17J68-5T (= KCTC 62224T = JCM 33182T).

Flavisolibacter galbus sp. nov., isolated from soil in Jeju Island.

A Gram-stain negative, non-motile, and yellow-coloured bacterium, designated 17J28-26T, was isolated from soil in Jeju Island, Korea. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain 17J28-26T formed a distinct lineage within the family Chitinophagaceae (order Chitinophagales, class Chitinophagia), and is closely related to Flavisolibacter ginsenosidimutans (96.8% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), and Flavisolibacter ginsengisoli (96.6%). Growth was observed at 18-37 °C (optimum 30 °C) in R2A medium at pH 7.0. The major cellular fatty acids of strain 17J28-26T were summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω6c and/or C16:1 ω7c), and iso-C15:0. The predominant respiratory quinone was MK-7. The major polar lipid was identified as phosphatidylethanolamine. Based on biochemical, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic characteristics, strain 17J28-26T represents a novel bacterial species within the family Chitinophagaceae, for which the name Flavisolibacter galbus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Flavisolibacter galbus is 17J28-26T (= KCTC 62222T = JCM 33203T).

Paenibacillus albus sp. nov., a UV radiation-resistant bacterium isolated from soil in Korea.

A novel Gram-stain-positive, motile, white color and endospore-forming bacterium, designated 18JY67-1T, was isolated from soil in Jeju Island, Korea. The strain grow at 15-42 °C (optimum 30 °C) in R2A medium at pH (6.0-9.5) (optimum 7.5). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain 18JY67-1T formed a distinct lineage within the family Paenibacillaceae (order Bacillales, class Bacilli), and was closely related to Paenibacillus rhizoryzae (KP675984; 96.9% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). The major cellular fatty acids of the strain 18JY67-1T were C16:0 and anteiso-C15:0. The predominant respiratory quinones were MK-7. The major polar lipid was identified as diphosphatidylglycerol. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic properties clearly indicated that isolate 18JY67-1T represents a novel species within the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus flavus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Paenibacillus flavus is 18JY67-1T (= KCTC 33959T = JCM 33184T).

Oral Health Status of Sports University Students in Chennai.

BACKGROUND: The field of sports in India has its renowned importance. Oral health is mirror to general health. Thus, oral assessment to sports players by a dentist is important. The commonly faced oral health problems among sports players are oral and facial trauma, leading to fracture of facial bones and teeth. Hence, it compromises the function of chewing, loss of muscle balance, and temporomandibular joint problems. The mean of facial trauma experienced by sports players in Mysuru and Chennai was 21% and 17%, respectively. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the oral health status among sports university students in India. Clinical examination was conducted using the World Health Organization's oral health pro forma in 2013. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among sports university students, Melakottaiyur, Chennai. RESULTS: A total of 94 athletes comprising 64 (68%) males and 30 (32%) females in the age group of 18-30 years, with a mean age of 24 ± 5.04 years, were included. The mean decayed, missing, filled (Teeth) value was 2.23 ± 3.01 and 1.87 ± 2.62 for male and female, respectively. Around 64% of sports persons are affected with gingival inflammation, 36% with periodontal condition, and 15% with dental fluorosis. CONCLUSION: This study concludes that sports persons have poor gingival, dental caries, and periodontal status.

Cohnella candidum sp. nov., radiation-resistant bacterium from soil.

A Gram-stain positive, endospore-forming, circular, convex, cream colored, designated strain 18JY8-7T, was isolated from soil collected in Jeju Island, South Korea. Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain 18JY8-7T formed a distinct lineage within the family Paenibacillaceae (order Bacillales, class Bacilli), and is closely related to Cohnella rhizosphaerae (96.1%, sequence similarity) and Cohnella xylanilytica (96.0%). Optimal growth occurred at 30 °C, pH 6.5 and in the absence of NaCl. The predominant cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15:0 and iso-C16:0. The major respiratory quinone was MK-7. The polar lipids profile comprised of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylethanolamine. The DNA G + C content was 57.0 mol %. The genotypic and phenotypic analyses revealed the differentiation of strain 18JY8-7T from all recognized Cohenella species. The strain 18JY8-7T, therefore represents a novel bacterial species within the family Paenibacillaceae, for which the name Cohnella candidum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 18JY8-7T (= KCTC 33969T = JCM 33199T).