Clinical and genetic investigation of 14 families with various forms of short stature syndromes.

Skeletal dysplasias are a heterogeneous group of disorders presenting mild to lethal defects. Several factors, such as genetic, prenatal, and postnatal environmental may contribute to reduced growth. Fourteen families of Pakistani origin, presenting the syndromic form of short stature either in the autosomal recessive or autosomal dominant manner were clinically and genetically investigated to uncover the underlying genetic etiology. Homozygosity mapping, whole exome sequencing, and Sanger sequencing were used to search for the disease-causing gene variants. In total, we have identified 13 sequence variants in 10 different genes. The variants in the HSPG2 and XRCC4 genes were not reported previously in the Pakistani population. This study will expand the mutation spectrum of the identified genes and will help in improved diagnosis of the syndromic form of short stature in the local population.

A Novel Feature-Selection Algorithm in IoT Networks for Intrusion Detection.

The Internet of Things (IoT) and network-enabled smart devices are crucial to the digitally interconnected society of the present day. However, the increased reliance on IoT devices increases their susceptibility to malicious activities within network traffic, posing significant challenges to cybersecurity. As a result, both system administrators and end users are negatively affected by these malevolent behaviours. Intrusion-detection systems (IDSs) are commonly deployed as a cyber attack defence mechanism to mitigate such risks. IDS plays a crucial role in identifying and preventing cyber hazards within IoT networks. However, the development of an efficient and rapid IDS system for the detection of cyber attacks remains a challenging area of research. Moreover, IDS datasets contain multiple features, so the implementation of feature selection (FS) is required to design an effective and timely IDS. The FS procedure seeks to eliminate irrelevant and redundant features from large IDS datasets, thereby improving the intrusion-detection system's overall performance. In this paper, we propose a hybrid wrapper-based feature-selection algorithm that is based on the concepts of the Cellular Automata (CA) engine and Tabu Search (TS)-based aspiration criteria. We used a Random Forest (RF) ensemble learning classifier to evaluate the fitness of the selected features. The proposed algorithm, CAT-S, was tested on the TON_IoT dataset. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm, CAT-S, enhances classification accuracy while simultaneously reducing the number of features and the false positive rate.

Noviherbaspirillum aridicola sp. nov., isolated from an arid soil in Pakistan.

Strain NCCP-691T was isolated from a soil sample collected from an arid soil in Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Phenotypically, the cells were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic and motile rods. The organism was able to grow between 20-40 °C (optimum at 30-37 °C), at pH 5.5-8.0 (optimum at pH 7.0-7.2) and tolerated 0-1.5% NaCl (w/v) (optimum at 0-0.5). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain NCCP-691T formed a distinct phylogenetic clade with Noviherbaspirillum arenae, N. agri, N. denitrificans and N. autotrophicum (having sequence similarities of 99.0; 98.1; 98.0 and 97.7% respectively). Phylogenetic analyses based on the whole genome sequences confirmed that strain NCCP-691T should be affiliated to the genus Noviherbaspirillum. The average nucleotide identity values compared to other species of Noviherbaspirillum were below 95-96 % and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values were less than 70 %. Chemotaxonomic analyses showed that the strain had ubiquinone-8, as the only respiratory quinine. The major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω 7 c/C16 : 1 ω 6 c, 35.9 %), summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω 7 c/C18 : 1 ω 6 c, 26.9 %) and C16 : 0 (22.9 %) and the polar lipid profile was composed of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine. The genomic DNA G+C content was 65.5 mol% (from draft genome). Genome analyses showed that strain NCCP-691T had terpene and arylpolyene biosynthetic genes clusters and genes related to resistance against heavy metals. Based on phylogenetic analyses, phenotypic features and genomic comparison, it is proposed that strain NCCP-691T is a novel species of the genus Noviherbaspirillum and the name Noviherbaspirillum aridicola sp. nov. is proposed. Type strain is NCCP-691T (=KCTC 52721T=CGMCC 1.13600T).

Zafaria cholistanensis gen. nov. sp. nov., a moderately thermotolerant and halotolerant actinobacterium isolated from Cholistan desert soil of Pakistan.

A Gram-staining positive, non-spore forming, non-pigmented and non-motile bacterium, designated strain NCCP-1664T, was isolated from Cholistan desert, Pakistan. Cells of strain NCCP-1664T were strictly aerobic, catalase positive and oxidase negative with a rod to coccus growth cycle and can grow at pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum pH 7-8) at 28-45 °C (optimum 37 °C) and could tolerate 0-16% NaCl (optimum 2%). Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain NCCP-1664T belongs to the family Micrococcaceae and was related to members of the genus Arthrobacter having highest sequence similarities with Arthrobacter ginkgonis (98.9%), A. halodurans (97.7%) and A. oryzae (97.1%) and less than 97% with other related taxa. DNA-DNA relatedness values of strain NCCP-1664T with above mentioned type strains were found to be less than 54%, whereas digital DDH and average nucleotide identity (ANI) values with A. oryzae were 20.9 and of 74.3%, respectively. DNA G + C content of strain NCCP-1664T was 70.0 mol%. Chemotaxonomic data of strain NCCP-1664T showed the peptidoglycan type as A3α L-Lys-L -Ala; menaquinones as MK-9(H2) (67%), MK-8(H2) (32%) and MK-7(H2) (1%), major fatty acids as anteiso -C15:0 (51.2%), anteiso-C17:0 (9.6%) and C18:1ω9c (6.9%) and polar lipids profile comprising of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, digalactosyldiacylglycerol, small amounts of monogalactosyldiacylglycerol, trimannosyldiacylglycerol and three unidentified lipids. The phylogenomic analyses along with chemotaxonomic data, physiological, biochemical characteristics allowed to describe it as representative of a novel genus, for which the name Zafaria cholistanensis gen. nov. sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain NCCP-1664T (= DSM 29936T = KCTC 39549T).

Fever-range hyperthermia promotes cGAS-STING pathway and synergizes DMXAA-induced antiviral immunity.

Background: Fever-range hyperthermia or fever-range temperature (hereafter FRT) improves survival and shortens disease duration in microbial infections. However, the mechanisms of these beneficial effects still remain elusive. We hypothesized that FRT might enhance cell responsiveness to infections by promoting cGAS-STING signaling to cause enhanced production of IFN-ß. Objective: To investigate the effect fever-range hyperthermia on cGAS-STING pathway. Methods: RAW 264.7 and cGAS-/- RAW 264.7 cells, stimulated with 5µg/ml herring testis DNA (htDNA), were heated to 39.5°C and analyzed for the expression of cGAS, STING, IFN-ß, and the synthesis of cGAMP and IRF3 phosphorylation. In vivo, wild type C57BL/6J mice were subjected to whole body hyperthermia (WBH) at 39.5°C. The mice were then challenged with influenza virus and analyzed for antiviral response in term of IFN-ß expression, body weight and survival. Results: We found that 39.5°C FRT upregulated the expression of cGAS and STING, and induced the synthesis of cGAMP and production of IFN-ß in htDNA-transfected RAW 264.7 cells more potently as compared to 37°C. Moreover, FRT+DMXAA-treated cells were better protected from vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-induced cytotoxicity in vitro in contrast to the nonprotected control (no FRT and DMXAA) or DMXAA treatment alone. In vivo, FRT at 39.5°C, co-administered with DMXAA, significantly induced the expression of IFN-ß, showed reduced weight loss mice and exhibited 25% more survival over the course of 14 days as compared to DMXAA treated mice 37°C. Conclusion: We conclude that fever-range hyperthermia promotes cGAS-STING pathway to cause increased expression of IFN-ß and mediate its antiviral effects.

Antimicrobial and antioxidant chlorinated azaphilones from mangrove Diaporthe perseae sp. isolated from the stem of Chinese mangrove Pongamia pinnata.

Many plants remain unexplored for their endophytic fungi that may possess potentially important phytochemicals. Consequently, we have focused to discover new natural products from endophytic fungus Diaporthe perseae sp. isolated from the stem of the Chinese mangrove Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre plant that led to the isolation of one new chlorinated isochromophilone G (1) along with six known azaphilones (2-7). The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by UV, NMR and Mass spectroscopic analysis. All the isolated compounds were screened for their antimicrobial and anti-oxidant activities.

Respiratory syncytial virus F and G protein core fragments fused to HBsAg-binding protein (SBP) induce a Th1-dominant immune response without vaccine-enhanced disease.

The induction of a dominant Th2-type response is the main cause of harmful inflammation in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine trials. A balanced Th1 versus Th2 immune response is needed for a safe and effective RSV vaccine. In this study, we evaluated the potential of a recombinant protein SBP-FG as a vaccine candidate with the main focus on shifting the harmful Th2 response to a Th1 response. SBP-FG consists of epitopes from RSV fusion (F) and attachment (G) proteins conjugated to the N-terminus of HBsAg-binding protein (SBP). SBP-FG induced significantly stronger immune responses assessed at the level of total IgG, IgA and neutralizing antibodies as compared with formalin-inactivated RSV (FI-RSV) and live RSV. Analysis of IgG isotypes, lung cytokines and T helper cells showed that SBP-FG induced a dominant Th1-type response. Further, SBP-FG immunized mice showed significantly reduced lung eosinophilia, reduced viral multiplication in lungs after challenge infection and provided protection against RSV infection. These results suggest that SBP-FG can be developed into a safe and effective vaccine against RSV. However, more studies are required to further evaluate SBP-FG as a potent vaccine candidate against RSV.

Elioraea thermophila sp. nov., a thermophilic bacterium from hot spring of the class Alphaproteobacteria, emended description of the genus Elioraea and proposal of Elioraeaceae fam. nov.

A Gram-staining-negative, aerobic, curved rod-shaped and thermophilic bacterial strain, designated YIM 72297T, was isolated from a sediment sample collected from a hot spring in Tengchong county, Yunnan province, south-west China. Growth was observed at pH 5.0-9.0 with an optimum of pH 7.0-7.5, and at 45-60 °C with an optimum of 55 °C. Positive for catalase and oxidase. The 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison indicated that strain YIM 72297T was most closely related to Elioraea tepidiphila DSM 17972T (96.9 %) and showed <91 % sequence similarities to members of the order Rhodospirillales. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain YIM 72297T formed a distinct lineage within the genus Elioraea, and revealed that the genus Elioraea formed a novel family-level clade in the order Rhodospirillales. The ANI and the dDNA-DNA hybridization estimate values between strains YIM 72297T and Elioraea tepidiphila DSM 17972T were 70.8 and 20.1 %, respectively. Strain YIM 72297T contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone. The major fatty acids (>5 %) were summed C18 : 0 (35.8 %), summed feature 8 (30.1 %), C16 : 0 (12.6 %), C18 : 1 2OH (5.6 %) and C16 : 0 2OH (5.4 %). The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol in addition to two unidentified aminolipids. The DNA G+C content of YIM 72297T was 70.8 mol% (draft genome). On the basis of the polyphasic taxonomic evidence presented in this study, strain YIM 72297T should be classified as representing a novel species of the genus Elioraea, for which the name Elioraea thermophila sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain YIM 72297T (=CCTCC AB 2017169T=KCTC 62323T). In addition, a novel family, Elioraeaceae fam. nov., is proposed to accommodate the genus Elioraea.

Marmoricola caldifontis sp. nov., a novel actinobacterium isolated from a hot spring.

A Gram-staining-positive, aerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming and coccoid-shaped actinobacterial strain, designated YIM 730233T, was isolated from a sediment sample, collected from a hot spring in Tibet, China. Colonies were brownish, circular, smooth and convex. Strain YIM 730233T was able to grow in the temperature range of 20-50 °C, pH 6.5-8.0 and in the presence of up to 1.0 % (w/v) NaCl. A comparison of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain YIM 730233T with sequences of type strains of most closely related species of Marmoricola showed highest sequence similarities to Marmoricola bigeumensis MSL-05T (98.3%) and Marmoricola pocheonensis Gsoil 818T (98.1%). The draft genome of strain YIM 730233T had a size of 4 806 234 bp with a DNA G+C content of 72.1 mol%. The major fatty acids (>10 %) of strain YIM 730233T mainly consisted of iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and C18 : 1 ω9c, typical of the genus Marmoricola. Strain YIM 730233T had LL-2,6-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell wall. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-8(H4). The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, unidentified phospholipids and an unidentified lipid. DNA-DNA hybridizations between strain YIM 730233T and type strains of Marmoricola bigeumensis MSL-05T and Marmoricola pocheonensis Gsoil 818T resulted in similarity values of 21 and 19% respectively. Based on DNA-DNA hybridization results, together with the differentiating biochemical and chemotaxonomic features, showed that strain YIM 730233T represents a novel Marmoricola species, for which the name Marmoricola caldifontis sp. nov. (type strain YIM 730233T=KCTC 49192T=CGMCC 4.7521T), is proposed.

Aquabacterium tepidiphilum sp. nov., a moderately thermophilic bacterium isolated from a hot spring.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-spore-forming and rod-shaped bacterium, designated YIM 730274T, was isolated from a sediment sample collected from a hot spring located in Tibet, PR China, and was characterized by using a polyphasic taxonomy approach. Cells were motile by means of a polar flagellum. The strain was oxidase- and catalase-positive, and contained polyalkanoates and polyphosphate as storage polymers. Growth occurred at 25-50 °C, at pH 6.0-8.5 and with 0.5-1.0 % NaCl. The major fatty acids (>10 %) were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c), summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c) and C16 : 0. The known polar lipids comprised of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylserine. The isoprenoid quinone was Q-8. The G+C content of genomic DNA was 70.7 mol%. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the strain forms a monophyletic branch at the periphery of the evolutionary radiation occupied by the genus Aquabacterium in the class Betaproteobacteria. The most closely related phylogenetic neighbours were Aquabacterium limnoticumABP-4T (97.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence identity) and Aquabacterium communeB8T (97.2 % 16SrRNA gene sequence identity). DNA-DNA relatedness values between YIM 730274T and A. limnoticum KCTC 23306T (46.4±0.4 %) and A. commune DSM 11901T (42.2±1.2 %) were well below the 70 % limit for species identification. YIM 730274T was distinguishable from other members of the genus Aquabacterium by the differences in phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic characteristics. YIM 730274T merits recognition as a representative of a novel species of the genus Aquabacterium. It is proposed that the isolate should be classified in the genus Aquabacterium as representing a novel species, Aquabacteriumtepidiphilum sp. nov. The type strain is YIM 730274T (=KCTC 52716T=CCTCC AB 2016295T).

Calidifontimicrobium sediminis gen. nov., sp. nov., a new member of the family Comamonadaceae.

Two Gram-stain-negative and facultative anaerobic bacteria, designated strains SYSU G00088T and YIM 73032, were isolated from sediment samples collected from hot springs in Tibet, China. Based on the analyses of the 16S rRNA gene sequences, the two isolates were observed to be a member of the family Comamonadaceae, sharing highest pairwise sequence identity with type strains of Piscinibacter defluvii SH-1T (97.8  and 97.7 %, respectively). They were able to grow in the temperature range of 37-50 °C, pH 5.0-9.0 and in the presence of up to 0.5 % (w/v) NaCl. Both strains were positive for catalase and oxidase reactions. Cells of the novel isolates were short-rods and motile by means of a polar flagellum. The chemotaxonomic features of the two strains include ubiquinone 8 as the respiratory isoprenologue, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phoshatidylglycerol as the known polar lipids, and C16 : 0 and C17 : 0cyclo as major fatty acids. The genomic DNA of strains SYSU G00088T and YIM 73032 had G+C contents of 71.8 and 71.9%, respectively. Based on the analyses of the phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic, morphological and genomic data, the two isolates are considered to represent a novel species of a new genus, for which the name Calidifontimicrobium sediminis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Calidifontimicrobium sediminis is SYSU G00088T (=KCTC 52671T=CGMCC 1.13597T).

Rhodobacter thermarum sp. nov., a novel phototrophic bacterium isolated from sediment of a hot spring.

An ovoid to rod-shaped, phototrophic, purple non-sulfur bacterium was isolated from a sediment sample of a hot spring in Tibet, China. Cells of strain YIM 73036T were Gram-stain negative, non-motile and multiplied by binary fission. Strain YIM 73036T grew optimally at pH 7.0-7.5 at 37-45 °C. Growth occurred in 0.5-3.5% (w/v) NaCl. Vitamins were not required for growth. The presence of photosynthesis genes pufL and pufM were shown and photosynthesis pigments were formed. Bacteriochlorophyll α, the bacteriopheophytin and carotenoids were present as photosynthetic pigments. Internal cytoplasmic membranes were of the lamellar type. The organism YIM 73036T was able to grow chemo-organoheterophically, chemo-lithoautotrophically and photo-organoheterotrophically but photo-lithoautotrophic and fermentative growth were not demonstrated. Phylogenetic analysis on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain YIM 73036T is closely related to Rhodobacter blasticus ATCC 33485T (96.65% sequence similarity) and clustered with species of the genus Rhodobacter of the family Rhodobacteraceae. Whole-genome sequence analyses based on the average nucleotide BLAST identity (ANI < 82%) indicated that this isolate belongs to a novel species. The genomic DNA G+C content of organism YIM 73036T was determined to be 66.0 mol%. Strain YIM 73036T contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and C18:1ω7c, C18:1ω7c 11-methyl and C18:0 as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine and unidentified phospholipid. Differential phenotypic and chemotaxonomic properties, together with the phylogenetic distinctiveness, demonstrated that strain YIM 73036T is distinguishable from other species of the genus Rhodobacter. On the basis of the data presented, strain YIM 73036T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Rhodobacter, for which the name Rhodobacter thermarum sp. nov. [type strain YIM 73036T (= KCTC 52712T = CCTCC AB 2016298T)] is proposed.

Anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic and analgesic activities of Tamarix dioica.

Medicinal and aromatic plants contribute to major portion of the flora. The plant materials obtained from these plants are used in the pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and drug industries. Tamarix dioica is locally used in the management of splenic and hepatic inflammation as well as diuretic and carminative. It also possesses cytotoxic, antimicrobial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory activity. The present study investigates the anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic and analgesic activities of the crude methanolic extract from Tamarix dioica. Anti-inflammatory activity was measured by Carrageenan Induced Paw Edema and Xylene Induced Ear Edema methods. Pyrexia induction with Brewer's yeast assay was used to determine antipyretic activity and analgesic activity was estimated by acetic acid induced writhing and hot plate methods. The data indicated that anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic and analgesic activities of the crude methanolic extract from Tamarix dioica was dose and time dependent when measured by different assays. Exposure of model animal to increasing concentrations of the plant extract for longer period increased their anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic and analgesic activities. Significantly highest anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic and analgesic activities were noted at highest doses of the crude methanolic extract for longer exposure compared with their respective controls.

Actinoplanes deserti sp. nov., isolated from a desert soil sample.

A novel actinomycete, designated strain YIM CF22T, was isolated from a desert soil sample collected from Turpan in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, north-western China. The taxonomic position of the strain YIM CF22T is described based on a polyphasic approach. Strain YIM CF22T was found to form irregular sporangia on agar media. It contains meso-diaminopimelic acid in the cell wall peptidoglycan. The major menaquinone was identified as MK-9(H4); the polar lipids were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, two unidentified phospholipids and two unidentified glycolipids. The whole cell sugars were found to be ribose, mannose, galactose, glucose and xylose. The major cellular fatty acids were found to be (> 5%) iso-C16:0 (43.5%), anteiso-C17:0 (10.2%), iso-C15:0 (7.1%), C17:1 ω8c (6.3%) and iso H-C16:1 (5.9%). The G+C content was determined to be 70.8%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of strain YIM CF22T showed high similarity (97.0%) to Actinoplanes rishiriensis NBRC 108556T. The strain also showed high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to Verrucosispora sediminis CGMCC 4.3550T (96.9%) and Micromonospora tulbaghiae DSM 45142T (96.8%). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain YIM CF22T clusters with A. rishiriensis NBRC 108556T, Actinoplanes globisporus JCM 3186T and Actinoplanes rhizophilus NEAU-A-2T. Based on the differential phenotypic characteristics and the results of DNA-DNA relatedness and phylogenetic analysis, it is proposed that strain YIM CF22T represents a novel species of the genus Actinoplanes, for which the name Actinoplanes deserti sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM CF22T (= KCTC 39543T = CCTCC AB2018113T).

Tepidimonas sediminis sp. nov. and Tepidimonas alkaliphilus sp. nov., two novel moderately thermophilic species isolated from a hot spring.

The taxonomic positions of two moderately thermophilic bacteria, strains YIM 72259T and YIM 72238T, isolated from a hot spring sediment sample were determined using polyphasic taxonomic approaches. Pairwise comparison of the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strains YIM 72259T and YIM 72238T are closely related to Tepidimonas ignava SPS-1037T (97.0 and 97.5%, respectively), Tepidimonas taiwanensis I1-1T (96.5 and 97.3%), while sharing 98.0% sequence similarity with each other. The DNA-DNA relatedness values of strains YIM 72238T with T. ignava SPS-1037T and T. taiwanensis I1-1T were determined to be 25.2 ± 1.2 and 24.6 ± 3.1%, respectively, while the two strains (YIM 72259T and YIM 72238T) had a relatedness value of 38.3 ± 4.4% between themselves. The two strains were aerobic, Gram-stain negative, motile by means of a polar flagellum and formed non-pigmented colonies. The DNA G+C contents of strains YIM 72259T and YIM 72238T were determined to be 71.6 and 68.9 mol%, respectively. The major fatty acids in both strains were identified as (> 10%) C16:0, C17:0 and summed feature 8, while the strain YIM 72238T contained a moderately high amount of summed feature 3 as well. The polar lipid profiles for strains YIM 72259T and YIM 72238T consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified aminolipid and several unidentified phospholipids. Besides the morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA gene sequences and the biochemical characteristics indicated that the two strains represented two novel members of the genus Tepidimonas, for which the name Tepidimonas sediminis sp. nov. [type strain YIM 72259T (= NBRC 112410T = CGMCC 1.15971T) and Tepidimonas alkaliphilus sp. nov. [type strain YIM 72238T (= KCTC 52717T = CCTCC AB 2017168T)] are proposed.

Phenylobacterium terrae sp. nov., isolated from a soil sample of Khyber-Pakhtun-Khwa, Pakistan.

A Gram-stain negative, aerobic, motile, non-spore-forming and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated YIM 730227T, was isolated from a soil sample, collected from Karak district, Khyber-Pakhtun-Khwa, Pakistan. The bacterium was characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Pairwise comparison of the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain YIM 730227T is closely related to Phenylobacterium lituiforme FaiI3T (97.5% sequence similarity), Phenylobacterium muchangponense A8T (97.4%), Phenylobacterium panacis DCY109T (97.1%), Phenylobacterium immobile ET (97.1%) and Phenylobacterium composti 4T-6T (97.0%), while also sharing 98.0% sequence similarity with Phenylobacterium hankyongense HKS-05T after NCBI blast, showing it represents a member of the family Caulobacteraceae. The major respiratory quinone was Q-10 and the major fatty acids were C16:0, summed feature 8 (comprising C18:1ω7c and/or C18:1ω6c), C18:1ω7c 11-methyl and C17:0. The polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, unidentified glycolipids, phospholipid and unidentified lipid. The G + C content of the genomic DNA was 68.2 mol%. The DNA-DNA relatedness values of strain YIM 730227T with P. hankyongense HKS-05T, P. lituiforme FaiI3T, P. muchangponense A8T, P. panacis DCY109T, P. immobile ET and P. composti 4T-6T were 31.3 ± 0.6, 26.1 ± 0.2, 24.3 ± 0.1, 21.8 ± 0.9, 19.8 ± 0.6 and 18.2 ± 1.1%, respectively, values lower than 70%. Besides the morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences and the biochemical characteristics indicated that the strain YIM 730227T represents a novel member of the genus Phenylobacterium, for which the name Phenylobacterium terrae sp. nov. (type strain YIM 730227T = KCTC62324T = CGMCC 1.16326T) is proposed.

Anoxybacillus sediminis sp. nov., a novel moderately thermophilic bacterium isolated from a hot spring.

A Gram-stain positive, moderately thermophilic, aerobic, spore-forming and rod-shaped bacterium, designated YIM 73012T, was isolated from a sediment sample collected from a hot spring located in Tibet, China, and was characterized by using a polyphasic taxonomy approach. The strain is oxidase positive and catalase negative. Growth occurred at 37-65 °C (optimum, 45-50 °C), at pH 6.0-8.5 (optimum, pH 7.0-7.5) and with 0.5-3.5% NaCl (optimum, 0.5-1.0%, w/v). The major fatty acids were iso-C15:0, iso-C16:0 and C16:0. The major polar lipids comprised of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. The cell wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The respiratory quinone was MK-7. The G+C content of genomic DNA was 43.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain YIM 73012T forms a distinct lineage with respect to the genus Anoxybacillus in the family Bacillaceae. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence identities the closely related phylogenetic neighbours are Anoxybacillus caldiproteolyticus DSM 15730T (96.7%) and Saccharococcus thermophilus DSM 4749T (96.6%). Strain YIM 73012T was distinguishable from the closely related reference strains by the differences in phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic characteristics, and represents a novel species of the genus Anoxybacillus, for which the name Anoxybacillus sp. nov. is proposed. The type species is Anoxybacillus sediminis sp. nov., with the type strain YIM 73012T (= KCTC 33884T = DSM 103835T).

Nocardioides thalensis sp. nov., isolated from a desert.

A novel actinobacterial strain, designated NCCP-696T, was isolated from the Thal desert in Punjab, Pakistan, and characterized by using a polyphasic taxonomy approach. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain NCCP-696T belongs to the genus Nocardioides and showed the highest level of sequence similarity with respect to Nocardioides panacisoliGsoil 346T (98.2 %) and less than 96.4 % to the strains of other species of the genus Nocardioides. Cells of strain NCCP-696T were Gram-positive, aerobic, non-motile rods and formed cream-coloured colonies. The strain was positive for oxidase and catalase. Growth occurred at 20-42 °C (optimum 30-37 °C) at pH 5.5-9.0 (optimum pH 7.0) and with 0-4 % NaCl (optimum 0-2 %, w/v). Strain NCCP-696T contained Iso-C16 : 0, C18 : 1ω9c, C17 : 1ω8c and C17 : 0 as the predominant fatty acids and was found to have LL-2,6-diaminopimelic acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylglycerol and one unknown phospholipid. The major menaquinone was MK-8(H4) (98.7 %) while a minor amount (1.3 %) of MK-9(H2) was also detected. The DNA G+C content of the genomic DNA was 71.6 mol%. The DNA-DNA hybridization value of the isolate against the closely related type strain Nocardioides panacisoliGsoil 346T was 56.3±1.4. On the basis of the phylogenetic inference, chemotaxonomic characteristics and phenotypic data, strain NCCP-696T should be classified as a novel species, for which the name Nocardioides thalensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NCCP-696T (=DSM 103833T=CCTCC AB 2016296T).

Meiothermus luteus sp. nov., a slightly thermophilic bacterium isolated from a hot spring.

A slightly thermophilic, aerobic bacterium, designated YIM 72257T, was isolated from a sediment sample taken from a hot spring in Tengchong county, Yunnan province, south-west China. The isolate was Gram-stain-negative, non-sporulating and forms non-motile rods, appearing in chains. The isolate grew at 50-65 °C, pH 6.0-9.0 and with 0.5-1 % NaCl (w/v). 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain YIM 72257T was most closely related to Meiothermus cateniformans LY1T (95.6 %), Meiothermus ruber DSM 1279T (95.1 %) and Meiothermus taiwanensis WR-30T (94.6 %). The genomic DNA G+C content of strain YIM 72257T was 62.6 mol%. The main cellular fatty acids (>5 %) were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, iso-C17 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and C16 : 0. The polar lipids consisted of an uncharacterized phospholipid and two glycolipids. Based on phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain YIM 72257T is proposed to be a representative of a novel species of the genus Meiothermus, for which the name Meiothermus luteus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 72257T (=KCTC 52599T=CCTCC AB 2017100T).

Thermus caldifontis sp. nov., a thermophilic bacterium isolated from a hot spring.

A thermophilic bacterial strain, designated YIM 73026T was isolated from a sediment sample collected from a hot spring in Tibet, PR China. The taxonomic position of the novel isolate was investigated by a polyphasic approach. The novel isolate was Gram-stain-negative, aerobic and rod-shaped. Colonies were circular, convex, opaque and yellow. The strain grew at 50-70 °C (optimum, 60 °C), pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and in the presence of up to 1.0 % NaCl (w/v). Comparison of the 16S rRNA gene sequences of YIM 73026T and those of other members of the genus Thermus showed sequence similarities ranging from 91.2 to 97.5 %, with YIM 73026T showing closest sequence similarity to Thermus scotoductus SE-1T (97.5 %). DNA-DNA hybridization results, however, revealed that DNA-DNA reassociation values between YIM 73026T and T. scotoductus DSM 8553T (37.6 %), Thermusamyloliquefaciens YIM 77409T (34.5 %), Thermusantranikianii DSM 12462T (30.3 %), Thermuscaliditerrae YIM 77925T (28.6 %) and Thermustengchongensis YIM 77924T (27.3 %) were well below the 70 % limit for species identification. YIM 73026T contained MK-8 as the respiratory quinone, and iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0 as the major cellular fatty acids (>10 %). The polar lipids consisted of one aminophospholipid, one phospholipid and two glycolipids. The genomic DNA G+C content of YIM 73026T was 65.4 mol%. On the basis of morphological, chemotaxonomic and genotypic characteristics, it is proposed that the isolate represents a novel species of the genus Thermus, for which the name Thermus caldifontis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 73026T (=NBRC 112415T=CCTCC AB 2016305T).