Prediction model for mild cognitive impairment in patients with type 2 diabetes using the autonomic function test.

OBJECTIVE: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a risk factor for cognitive impairment, and reduced heart rate variability (HRV) has been correlated with cognitive impairment in elderly individuals. This study investigated risk factors and validated a predictive model for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in patients with T2DM using an autonomic function test. METHODS: Patients with T2DM, 50-85 years of age, who attended the diabetes clinic at Gyeongsang National University Hospital between March 2018 and December 2019, were included. A total of 201 patients had been screened; we enrolled 124 patients according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria in this study. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Korean version (MOCA-K); MCI was defined as a total MOCA-K score ≤ 23. Risk factors for MCI in patients with T2DM, including demographic- and diabetes-related factors, and autonomic function test results, were analyzed. Based on multivariate logistic regression, a nomogram was developed as a prediction model for MCI. RESULTS: Thirty-nine of 124 patients were diagnosed with MCI. Age, education, and decreased cardiovagal function were associated with a high risk for MCI, with cardiovagal function exerting the greatest influence. However, diabetes-related factors, such as glycemic control, duration of diabetes, or medications, were not associated with the risk for MCI. The nomogram demonstrated excellent discrimination (area under the curve, 0.832) and was well calibrated. CONCLUSION: Approximately one-third of patients had MCI; as such, carefully evaluating cognitive function in elderly T2DM patients with reduced HRV is important to prevent progression to dementia.

Hufsiella ginkgonis gen. nov., sp. nov. and Hufsiella arboris sp. nov., isolated from tree barks.

Two Gram-staining-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, bacteria that formed pale-pinkish colonies, designated HMF7056T and HMF7647T were isolated from Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) and Korean cornel dogwood (Cornus offcinalis), respectively. Phylogenetic analyses based on sequences of 16S rRNA genes and 92 core genes indicated that two strains represent novel species within the family Sphingobacteriaceae. HMF7056T and HMF7647T showed high 16S rRNA sequence similarities to Daejeonella lutea N7d-4T (93.9 % and 95.7 %, respectively). The genomes of HMF7056T and HMF7647T were 5.2 and 4.8 Mbp in size with 50.5 and 42.5 % DNA G+C contents, respectively. Menaquinone-7 was the main respiratory quinone. The predominant fatty acids of HMF7056T and HMF7647T were iso-C15 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c). The major polar lipid of both strains was phosphatidylethanolamine. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values of HMF7056T, HMF7647T and related species were well below the threshold limit for species delineation (<68.9 and <20.8 %, respectively). The average amino acid identity values of HMF7056T, HMF7647T with related type strains were below 67.8 and 68.3 %, respectively. On the basis of the results of phenotypic and phylogenetic characterizations, the two strains are considered to represent members of a novel genus of the family Sphingobacteriaceae, for which the names Hufsiella ginkgonis gen. nov., sp. nov. and Hufsiella arboris sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are HMF7056T (=KCTC 72282T =NBRC 113964T) and HMF7647T (=KCTC 72283T =NBRC 113965T), respectively.

Mucilaginibacter rivuli sp. nov., isolated from a water rivulet.

Strain HMF5004T was isolated from a rivulet located in Yongin, Republic of Korea. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain HMF5004T belonged to the genus Mucilaginibacter. Strain HMF5004T was closely related to Mucilaginibacter paludis (97.7%) and Mucilaginibacter gracilis (97.2%). The values of average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization between strain HMF5004T and M. paludis were 72.8 and 19.2 %, respectively. Cells of strain HMF5004T were Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile, catalase-positive and oxidase-positive. The DNA G+C content of strain HMF5004T was 42.4 mol%. Strain HMF5004T had menaquinone-7 as a major quinone. The major cellular fatty acids included iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c) and anteiso-C15 : 0. The polar lipids of strain HMF5004T contained phosphatidylethanolamine, five unidentified aminolipids, one unidentified aminophospholipid and four unidentified polar lipids. On the basis of the evidence presented in this polyphasic taxonomic study, strain HMF5004T is considered to represent a novel species for which the name Mucilaginibacter rivuli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HMF5004T (=KCTC 82633T=NBRC 115091T).

Deinococcus betulae sp. nov. and Deinococcus arboris sp. nov., novel bacteria isolated from bark of birch tree (Betula platyphylla).

Two reddish-coloured bacterial strains (HMF7604T and HMF7620T) were isolated from bark of birch tree (Betula platyphylla) together with two strains (designed as HMF7603 and HMF7618). Cells were observed to be Gram-stain-negative, oval- to short rod-shaped and non-motile. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the four isolates belonged to the genus Deinococcus, family Deinococcaceae. They had the highest similarities (95.4-95.6 %) to Deinococcus multiflagellatus ID1504T, with which they formed a clade in phylogenetic trees. Menaquinone-8 was the only respiratory quinone. The predominant fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c), C15 : 1 ω6c, C17 : 0 and C16 : 0. Strain HMF7604T contained two unidentified phosphoglycolipids, nine unidentified glycolipids, one unidentified aminolipid, three unidentified phospholipids and three unidentified polar lipids, while strain HMF7620T contained one unidentified phosphoglycolipid, four unidentified glycolipids, one unidentified aminophospholipid, one unidentified phospholipid and one unidentified polar lipid. The DNA G+C contents of strains HMF7604T and HMF7620T were 65.6 and 65.7 mol%, respectively. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between the two isolates and their close relative D. multiflagellatus were 81.1-95.3 and 24.5-61.6 %, respectively. Based on the results of phenotypic and phylogenetic characterizations, the four isolates are considered to represent two novel species of the genus Deinococcus, for which the names Deinococcus betulae sp. nov. and Deinococcus arboris sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are HMF7604T (=KCTC 43354T=NBRC 115489T) and HMF7620T (=KCTC 43051T=NBRC 113959T).

Fibrella aquatilis sp. nov., Fibrella rubiginis sp. nov. and Fibrella forsythiae sp. nov., isolated from freshwater, rusty iron and forsythia flower.

Three novel strains, designated as HMF5036T, HMF5335T and HMF5405T, were isolated from freshwater, rusty iron and forsythia flower, in Yong-in, Republic of Korea, respectively. They were Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, non-motile, reddish-pigmented and rod-shaped bacteria. The predominant fatty acids of three strains were C16 : 1 ω5c and summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c). They were found to contain MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone. The major polar lipids are phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified aminophospholipid and an unidentified lipid. Strains HMF5036T, HMF5335T and HMF5405T exhibited the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 91.8, 92.6 and 93.6 % to Fibrella aestuarina BUZ 2T and less than 88.7 % to other members of the family Spirosomaceae. Similarity values among the three isolates ranged from 94.9 to 96.6 %. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences of the three isolates revealed that they formed a distinct clade within the family Spirosomaceae. The genome sizes of strains HMF5036T, HMF5335T and HMF5405T were 6.8, 6.4 and 7.8 Mbp, and their DNA G+C contents were 54.9, 54.0 and 52.1 mol%, respectively. The average nucleotide identity, digital DNA-DNA hybridization and amino acid identity values between three isolates and F. aestuarina BUZ 2T were 73.8-82.2, 19.6-25.4 and 75.0-87.5 %, respectively. These values were lower than the recommended threshold values for species delimitation. Based on the results of the phenotypic, genotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic investigations, three novel species, Fibrella aquatilis sp. nov., Fibrella rubiginis sp. nov. and Fibrella forsythiae sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are HMF5036T (=KCTC 82476T=NBRC 115092T), HMF5335T (=KCTC 82477T=NBRC 115093T) and HMF5405T (=KCTC 82478T=NBRC 115094T), respectively.

Clinical utility of cerebrospinal fluid vitamin D-binding protein as a novel biomarker for the diagnosis of viral and bacterial CNS infections.

BACKGROUND: Rapid and accurate diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) infections is important, and laboratory tests help diagnose CNS infections. Even when the patient has symptoms, laboratory tests often do not reveal any specific findings. The potential of vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP) to be used as a biomarker for viral and bacterial CNS infections was studied. METHODS: A total of 302 subjects with suspected CNS infection who underwent lumbar puncture were included. Clinical and laboratory data were collected retrospectively. VDBP levels were measured in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. Genotyping for the GC gene encoding VDBP was also performed. VDBP levels were analyzed and compared by CNS infection, pathogen, CSF opening pressure, and GC genotype. RESULTS: A CNS infection group (n = 90) and a non-CNS infection group (n = 212) were studied. In terms of its receiver operating characteristic, CSF VDBP showed an area under the curve of 0.726 for the diagnosis of CNS infection. CSF VDBP levels were significantly different between the CNS infection and non-infection groups. The CNS infection group with enterovirus showed a statistically lower distribution of CSF VDBP levels than the other virus groups. The group with CSF opening pressure > 25 cmH2O showed higher CSF VDBP levels than the other groups. There was no significant difference in GC gene allele distribution between the CNS infection and non-infection groups. CONCLUSIONS: CSF VDBP levels were increased in patients with CNS infection. The CSF VDBP showed potential as a new biomarker for viral and bacterial CNS infections.

Development of a Web-Based Korean Triage and Acuity Scale Learning Program for Emergency Department Nurses.

The Korean Triage and Acuity Scale is a tool developed to classify severity and urgency of emergency department patients, focusing on their symptoms. Considering the importance of the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale, learning for emergency department nurses who perform the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale must be structured to ensure that the knowledge they gain can be applied to various clinical situations of the emergency department. Moreover, Web-based learning is considered appropriate in this situation. This is a methodological research study that was conducted to develop a Web-based Korean Triage and Acuity Scale learning program for emergency department nurses. The learning program was developed using each of the five phases of the "analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation" model, that is, analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. The learning program was composed of 22 cases of emergency situations based on the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale teaching material with an approval from the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale committee in the Korean Society of Emergency Medicine. The developed program was delivered in 4-hour sessions over 4 weeks. Emergency department nurses who were given the Web-based Korean Triage and Acuity Scale learning program showed improvement in work-site transfer and reported satisfactory learning. The findings indicate that the Web-based learning program for nurses can be used as an effective tool that is easily accessible and provides multiple learning opportunities.

Adhaeribacter arboris sp. nov., and Adhaeribacter pallidiroseus sp. nov., novel bacteria isolated from birch tree (Betula platyphylla).

Two Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile and rod-shaped bacterial strains, designated as HMF7605T and HMF7616T, were isolated from birch tree, in Yong-in, Republic of Korea. Strains HMF7605T and HMF7616T exhibited the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 95.9 and 97.5 % to Adhaeribacter swui 17mud1-7T, 97.9 % between themselves. The values of average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization between strains HMF7605T and HMF7616T were 77.6 and 22.0 %, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences of the two strains revealed that they belonged to the genus Adhaeribacter within the family Hymenobacteraceae. The predominant fatty acids of both strains were iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c), C16 : 1 ω5c and summed feature 4 (comprising iso-C17 : 1 I and/or anteiso-C17 : 1 B). The both strains contained menaquinone-7 as the only isoprenoid quinone. The major polar lipid profiles of the two strains were similar with phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminophosphoglycolipid, one unidentified glycolipid and three unidentified polar lipids. The DNA G+C contents of strains HMF7605T and HMF7616T were 42.0 and 42.8 mol%, respectively. Based on the results of the phenotypic, genotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic investigation, two novel species, Adhaeribacter arboris sp. nov. and Adhaeribacter pallidiroseus sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are HMF7605T (=KCTC 62465T=NBRC 113228T) and HMF7616T (=KCTC 62466T=NBRC 113229T), respectively.

Saliniradius amylolyticus gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from solar saltern sediment.

A novel non-pigmented, Gram-stain-negative, motile by means of a polar flagellum, aerobic and rod-shaped bacterium, designated HMF8227T, was isolated from solar saltern sediment sampled at Shinan, Republic of Korea. The isolate was able to grow at 15-42 °C (optimum, 37 °C), at pH 6-8 (pH 7) and with 0.5-12 % NaCl (2-5 %). Strain HMF8227T was positive for hydrolysis of starch and dextrin. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain HMF8227T was affiliated with the family Alteromonadaceae, sharing the highest sequence similarities to the genera Salinimonas (93.0-94.4 %), Aestuariibacter (92.0-94.2 %), Alteromonas (92.0-93.6 %) and Lacimicrobium (93.6 %). In the phylogenetic trees, strain HMF8227T formed an independent clade with Lacimicrobium alkaliphilum X13M-12T. The major fatty acids were C16 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c) and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c and/or C18 : 1 ω6c). The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-8 (Q-8). The major polar lipids are phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminolipid and two unidentified glycolipids. The DNA G+C content of the genomic DNA was 52.1 mol%. On the basis of the polyphasic characterizations, strain HMF8227T represents a novel species and genus within the family Alteromonadaceae, for which the name Saliniradius amylolyticus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain being HMF8227T (=KCTC 62462T =NBRC 113230T).

Flagellimonas maritima sp. nov., isolated from surface seawater.

An aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped and Gram-stain-negative marine bacterium, designated as HME9304T, was isolated from surface seawater of the Yellow Sea. Growth was observed at 10-35 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 6-8 (pH 7) and with 1-5 % NaCl (2 %). The major fatty acids of strain HME9304T were iso-C15 : 1 G, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c). The only respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids, one unidentified glycolipid and five unidentified polar lipids. Results of phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain HME9304T was affiliated with the genus Flagellimonas. Its closest type strains were Flagellimonas aquimarina ECD12T (95.5 % sequence similarity), Flagellimonas flava A11T (95.4 %), Flagellimonas pacifica SW169T (94.9 %) and Flagellimonas eckloniae DOKDO 007T (94.6 %). The DNA G+C content of the genomic DNA was 38.1 mol%. Phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics suggested that strain HME9304T represents a novel species of the genus Flagellimonas within the family Flavobacteriaceae, for which the name  Flagellimonas maritima sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HME9304T (=KCTC 32464T=KACC 17618T=CECT 8418T).

Hymenobacter ginkgonis sp. nov., isolated from bark of Ginkgo biloba.

Strain HMF4947T, isolated from the bark of a ginkgo tree, was a pale-pink coloured, Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, strictly aerobic and rod-shaped bacterium. The isolate grew optimally on Reasoner's 2A agar at 30 °C, pH 7.0 and with 0 % NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain HMF4947T belonged to the genus Hymenobacter and was most closely related to Hymenobacter metalli A2-91T (96.9 % sequence similarity) and Hymenobacter pomorum 9-2-1-1T (96.5 %). The average nucleotide identity and estimated DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain HMF4947T and Hymenobacter arizonensis DSM 17870T were 74.3 and 20.5 %, respectively. The major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c), iso-C15 : 0 and C16 : 1 ω5c. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was menaquinone-7. The polar lipids comprised phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminoglycolipid, three unidentified aminophospholipids, one unidentified phospholipid, three unidentified aminolipids, two unidentified glycolipids and three unidentified polar lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 59.3 mol%. Thus, based on phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data, strain HMF4947T represents a novel species of the genus Hymenobacter, for which the name Hymenobacter ginkgonis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the species is strain HMF4947T (=KCTC 72780T=NBRC 114271T).

Spirosoma telluris sp. nov. and Spirosoma arboris sp. nov. isolated from soil and tree bark, respectively.

Two novel strains (HMF3257T and HMF4905T), isolated from freshwater and bark samples, were investigated to determine their relationships within and between species of the genus Spirosoma by using a polyphasic approach. They were aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, non-motile and rod-shaped bacteria. The major fatty acids (>10%) in both strains were identified as summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c) and C16 : 1 ω5c, while strains HMF3257T and HMF4905T contained a moderately high amount of C16 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0, respectively. The predominant respiratory quinone was MK-7 for both strains. In addition to phosphatidylethanolamine and one unidentified glycolipid, the polar lipid profile of strain HMF3257T consisted of three unidentified aminophospholipids, one unidentified aminolipid and two unidentified polar lipids, and that of strain HMF4905T consisted of one unidentified aminophospholipid, two unidentified aminolipids and three unidentified polar lipids. The DNA G+C contents of strains HMF3257T and HMF4905T were 47.2 and 46.4 mol%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strains HMF3257T and HMF4905T are closely related to Spirosoma migulaei 15J9-8T (97.0 % sequence similarity), while sharing 97.4 % sequence similarity with each other. The average nucleotide identity value between strains HMF3257T and HMF4905T was 81.1 %, and the digital DNA-DNA hybridization value between these two strains was 24.4 %. Based on the above data, strains HMF3257T and HMF4905T represent two novel members within the genus Spirosoma, for which the names Spirosoma telluris sp. nov. and Spirosoma arboris sp. nov. are proposed, respectively. The type strain of S. telluris is HMF3257T (=KCTC 62463T=NBRC 112670T) and type strain of S. arboris is HMF4905T (=KCTC 72779T=NBRC 114270T).

Bacillus salinus sp. nov., isolated from commercial solar salt.

Two strains of Gram-stain-positive, strictly aerobic, motile, spore-forming, rod-shaped, moderately halotolerant bacteria, designated as HMF5848T and HME7618, were isolated from salt/brine and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic investigation. Growth of both yellow-coloured strains occurred in the presence of 1-9 % NaCl (w/v; optimum, 2-3 %), at 15-45 °C (optimum, 37 °C) and pH 6-9 (optimum, pH 7). The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. The cell-wall peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The only respiratory quinone was menaquinone-7. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, four unidentified glycolipids, three unidentified phospholipids and two unidentified polar lipids. DNA G+C content was 37.4 mol%. Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strains HMF5848T and HME7618 clustered with Bacillus luteolus YIM 93174T. Strains HMF5848T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to Bacillus humi LMG 22167T (96.1 %), Bacillus isabeliae CVS-8T (96.0 %) and Bacillus luteolus YIM 93174T (96.0 %). The values of in silico DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity between strains HMF5848T and B. humi DSM 16318T were 25.8 and 69.7 %, respectively. On the basis of phylogenetic, physiological and chemotaxonomic properties, strain HMF5848T represents a novel species, Bacillus salinus sp. nov. The type strain is HMF5848T (=KCTC 43010T=CECT 9695T).

Protective Effects of Evogliptin on Steatohepatitis in High-Fat-Fed Mice.

There are few studies on the effects of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors on steatohepatitis. We explored whether evogliptin (Evo), a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, protects against steatohepatitis in a high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice and whether these effects involve modulation of mitophagy. Adult male C57BL/J mice were divided into the normal diet (ND), HFD (45% of energy from fat) with Evo (250 mg/kg) (HFD + Evo), and HFD groups at 4 weeks of age and were sacrificed at 20 weeks of age. The HFD group showed hepatic lipid accumulation; this was decreased in the Evo + HFD group. There was an increased 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHDG) expression in the HFD group compared to ND mice. However, 8-OHDG expression levels were significantly decreased in the HFD + Evo group. Expressions of the mitophagy markers PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1), Parkin, and BNIP-3 (BCL2 Interacting Protein 3) were significantly increased in the HFD group. However, the expressions of these markers were lower in the HFD + Evo group than that in the HFD group. Phospho-Akt was upregulated and p53 was downregulated in the HFD + Evo group compared to the HFD group. Evogliptin may alleviate steatohepatitis in HFD-fed mice by ameliorating steatosis and oxidative stress and by modulating mitophagy in the liver.

Allopseudarcicella aquatilis gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from freshwater.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped and red-pigmented strain, HME7025T, was isolated from freshwater sampled in the Republic of Korea. Phylogenetic analysis based on its 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain HME7025T formed a lineage within the family Cytophagaceae of the phylum Bacteroidetes. Strain HME7025T was closely related to the genera Pseudarcicella, Arcicella and Flectobacillus. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of strain HME7025T were under 94.5 % to its closest phylogenetic neighbours. The major fatty acids of strain HME7025T were iso-C15 : 0 (41.9 %), summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c; 12.2 %) and anteiso-C15 : 0 (10.8 %). The major respiratory quinone was menaquinone-7. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminophospholipids and one unidentified polar lipid. The DNA G+C content of strain HME7025T was 37.9 mol%. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, strain HME7025T represents a novel species of a novel genus within the family Cytophagaceae, for which the name Allopseudarcicella aquatilis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HME7025T (=KCTC 23617T=CECT 7957T).

Altererythrobacter maritimus sp. nov., isolated from seawater.

A rod-shaped, Gram-staining-negative and orange-pigmented bacterium, designated strain HME9302T, was isolated from seawater of the Yellow Sea in the Republic of Korea. The phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain HME9302T formed a lineage within the genus Altererythrobacter, and was most closely related to Altererythrobacter aurantiacus O30T with 96.7 % sequence similarity. The major fatty acids were summed feature 8 (comprising C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c), summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) and C16 : 0. The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, sphingoglycolipid and four unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content was 60.8 mol%. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, strain HME9302T represents a novel species of the genus Altererythrobacter, for which the name Altererythrobacter maritimus sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain HME9302T (=KCTC 32463T=KACC 17617T=CECT 8417T).

Sphingomonas ginkgonis sp. nov., isolated from phyllosphere of Ginkgo biloba.

Strain HMF7854T, isolated from a ginkgo tree, was an orange-pigmented, Gram-stain-negative, motile by means of a single flagellum, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium. The isolate grew optimally on Reasoner's 2A agar at 30 °C, pH 7.0-8.0 and 0 % NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain HMF7854T belonged to the genus Sphingomonas and was most closely related to Sphingomonasagri HKS-06T (96.8 % sequence similarity). The major fatty acids were C17 : 1 ω6c, summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c), summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) and C16 : 0. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone-10. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, sphingoglycolipid, two unidentified lipids and two unidentified glycolipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 68.4 mol%. Thus, based on its phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data, strain HMF7854T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingomonas, for which the name Sphingomonasginkgonis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the species is strain HMF7854T (=KCTC 62461T=NBRC 113337T).

Mucilaginibacter aquatilis sp. nov., Mucilaginibacter arboris sp. nov., and Mucilaginibacter ginkgonis sp. nov., novel bacteria isolated from freshwater and tree bark.

Three Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile and rod-shaped bacterial strains, designated as HME9299T, HMF7410T and HMF7856T, were isolated from freshwater and tree bark collected in Yong-in, Republic of Korea. Strains HME9299T, HMF7410T and HMF7856T exhibited the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 97.2, 94.4 and 96.4 % to Mucilaginibacter daejeonensis Jip 10T, Mucilaginibacter terrae CCM 8645T and Mucilaginibacter phyllosphaerae PP-F2F-G21T, respectively. Among themselves, the values were 94.1-95.7 %. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences of the three isolates revealed that they belonged to the genus Mucilaginibacter within the family Sphingobacteriaceae. The predominant fatty acids of three strains were summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c) and iso-C15 : 0. Strain HME9299T contained a relatively large amount of C16 : 1 ω5c. The predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone-7. The genome sizes of strains HME9299T, HMF7410T and HMF7856T were 4.33, 4.16 and 3.68 Mbp, respectively, and their DNA G+C contents were 41.6, 38.4 and 43.9 mol%, respectively. Based on the results of the phenotypic, genotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic investigation, three novel species, Mucilaginibacter aquatilis sp. nov, Mucilaginibacter arboris sp. nov. and Mucilaginibacter ginkgonis sp. nov., are proposed. The type strains are HME9299T (=KCTC 42122T=DSM 29146T), HMF7410T (=KCTC 62464T=NBRC 113227T) and HMF7856T (=KCTC 72782T=NBRC 114275T), respectively.

Cerebrospinal fluid vitamin D-binding protein as a new biomarker for the diagnosis of meningitis.

BACKGROUND: Meningitis is an inflammatory process involving meninges. It is difficult to diagnose because of the absence of a diagnostic biomarker. We first report here the possibility of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP) as a new biomarker for the diagnosis of meningitis. METHODS: This prospective study enrolled a total of 102 subjects (58 patients with non-neurologic disease, 17 patients with meningitis, and 27 patients with other neurologic diseases) from 2017 to 2018. CSF and blood samples were collected in pairs. Total 25(OH)D in CSF and serum and VDBP levels in serum were measured. GC genotyping was also performed to determine polymorphisms of rs4588 and rs7041. CSF total 25(OH)D and VDBP levels were compared with serum total 25(OH)D and VDBP levels according to disease (meningitis vs. non-meningitis). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for the diagnosis of meningitis using CSF VDBP level was performed. RESULTS: Mean CSF VDBP and serum VDBP levels of all patients were 1.48 ± 1.32 and 181.28 ± 56.90 µg/mL, respectively. CSF VDBP level in the meningitis disease group (3.20 ± 1.49 µg/mL) was significantly (P < 0.001) higher than that in other disease groups. According to ROC curve analysis, the appropriate cut-off value for CSF VDBP was 1.96 µg/mL, showing sensitivity of 82.4% and specificity of 85.9%. AUC of CSF VDBP was 0.879 (95% CI: 0.789-0.962). CONCLUSIONS: CSF VDBP level showed very good diagnostic performance. It could be used as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of meningitis.

Effects of an educational program on disaster nursing competency.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an educational program on disaster nursing competency among Korean nursing students. DESIGN AND SAMPLE: A quasi-experimental design with a nonequivalent control group was used. We randomly assigned 60 junior nursing students from two nursing colleges in Korea to an experimental group (n = 30) and a control group (n = 30). MEASURES: A disaster educational program for nursing students was developed based on the International Council of Nurses framework of disaster nursing competencies. The program sought to teach nursing activities by stage of disaster (i.e., prevention/mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery/rehabilitation). Disaster nursing knowledge, disaster triage, and disaster readiness were measured as dependent variables. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the experimental group showed a significant increase in disaster nursing knowledge (t = 14.37, p < 0.001), disaster triage (t = 7.90, p = 0.002), and disaster readiness (t = 10.82, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The disaster educational program developed in this study was effective in increasing disaster nursing competency among nursing students and is therefore a useful intervention strategy for nursing students.