Proposal to transfer Bacillus massiliigorillae to the genus Peribacillus as Peribacillus massiliigorillae comb. nov., and Bacillus sinesaloumensis to the genus Ferdinandcohnia as Ferdinandcohnia sinesaloumensis comb. nov.

The present study was carried out to clarify the taxonomic position of Bacillus massiliigorillae and Bacillus sinesaloumensis. The 16S rRNA gene sequences extracted from the Bacillus sinesaloumensis Marseille-P3516T (FTOX00000000) and Bacillus massiliigorillae G2T (CAVL000000000) genomes showed 98.5 and 99.1% similarity with the type strains of Ferdinandcohnia humi and Peribacillus endoradicis, respectively. The amino acid identity (AAI) values of Bacillus sinesaloumensis Marseille-P3516T were higher with Ferdinandcohnia members, while Bacillus massiliigorillae G2T with Peribacillus members. In phylogenomic and phylogenetic trees, Bacillus sinesaloumensis Marseille-P3516T and Bacillus massiliigorillae G2T clade with members of the genera Ferdinandcohnia and Peribacillus, respectively. Based on the above results, we propose to transfer Bacillus massiliigorillae to the genus Peribacillus as Peribacillus massiliigorillae comb. nov., and Bacillus sinesaloumensis to the genus Ferdinandcohnia as Ferdinandcohnia sinesaloumensis comb. nov.

Proposal for transfer Bacillus alkalicola to the genus Evansella as Evansella alkalicola comb. nov.

The taxonomic position of Bacillus alkalicola was evaluated using phylogenetic and genome-based comparisons. In phylogenetic (based on 16S rRNA gene sequence) and phylogenomic (based on concatenation of protein-marker genes) trees, Bacillus alkalicola clade with the members of the genus Evansella. The amino acid identity (AAI) values suggested to reclassify Bacillus alkalicola as a member of the genus Evansella. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) value between Bacillus alkalicola and the members of the genus Evansella was lower than the threshold values for bacterial species delineation. Based on the results, we propose to transfer Bacillus alkalicola to the genus Evansella as Evansella alkalicola comb. nov. The type strain is Zby6T (=CGMCC 1.10368T=JCM 17098T=NBRC 107743T).

Proposal to transfer Bacillus lacisalsi Dong et al. 2021 to the genus Alteribacter as Alteribacter lacisalsi comb. nov.

In the present study, the taxonomic position of Bacillus lacisalsi YSP-3T was evaluated using phylogenetic and genome-based comparison. B. lacisalsi YSP-3T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Alteribacter natronophilus M30T (98.4 %), followed by Alteribacter aurantiacus K1-5T (97.5 %) and Alteribacter populi FJAT-45347T (97.2 %). In phylogenetic (based on 16S rRNA gene sequences) and phylogenomic (based on 71 bacterial single-copy genes) trees, B. lacisalsi YSP-3T clustered with the members of the genus Alteribacter. The amino acid identity (AAI) values between B. lacisalsi YSP-3T and the members of the genus Alteribacter were >65 %, which is above the cut-off level (65-95 %) for genus delineation. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) values between B. lacisalsi YSP-3T and the members of the genus Alteribacter were <95 %, which is lower than the threshold value (95-96 %) for bacterial species delineation. The AAI value suggested that B. lacisalsi YSP-3T was a member of the genus Alteribacter while the ANIb value suggested it as a novel species of the genus Alteribacter. Based on the results, we propose to transfer Bacillus lacisalsi to the genus Alteribacter as Alteribacter lacisalsi comb. nov.

Lysinibacillus cavernae sp. nov., isolated from cave soil.

A Gram-staining positive, motile, rod-shaped and subterminal endospore-forming bacterium, designated strain SYSU K30005T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from a karst cave in Libo county, Guizhou province, south-western China. Strain SYSU K30005T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Lysinibacillus fusiformis (98.6%) and Lysinibacillus sphaericus (98.2%). In phylogenetic tree, strain SYSU K30005T clade with the members of the genus Lysinibacillus. Based on the phylogenetic and 16S gene sequence result, strain SYSU K30005T was affiliated to the genus Lysinibacillus. The growth of SYSU K30005T was observed at 15-37 °C (optimum, 28 °C), pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and in the presence of 0-4% (w/v) NaCl (optimum in 3.5% NaCl). Cell wall peptidoglycan type was A4α (Lys-Asp). The cell-wall sugars of SYSU K30005T were ribose, galactose and mannose and MK-7 was the only quinone. The fatty acids (> 5% of total fatty acids) were iso-C15:0, anteiso-C15:0, iso-C16:0 and iso-C17:0. The polar lipids profile included diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatideylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified phospholipid. The genomic DNA G + C content was 37.2 mol%. The average nucleotide identity values between SYSU K30005T and its closest relatives were below the cut-off level (95-96%) for species delineation. The results support the conclusion that strain SYSU K30005T represents a novel species of the genus Lysinibacillus, for which we proposed the name Lysinibacillus cavernae sp. nov. The type strain is SYSU K30005T (= KCTC 43130T = CGMCC 1.17492T).

Bacillus tepidiphilus sp. nov., isolated from tepid spring.

A novel Bacillus strain, designated SYSU G01002T, was isolated from a sediment sample collected from tepid spring in Tengchong, Yunnan province, south-west PR China. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the strain SYSU G01002T shared the highest sequence identity with the type strain of Bacillus alkalitolerans (97.7%). Strain SYSU G01002T grew at pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0), at 28-55 °C (optimum, 45 °C) and in the presence of 0-2.5% (w/v) NaCl (optimum in the absence of NaCl). It contained meso-2,6-diaminopimelic acid as the cell-wall diamino acid and MK-7 as isoprenoid quinone. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15:0, iso-C17:0 and C16:0. The polar were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and unidentified phospholipid. The genomic DNA G + C content was 38.0 mol %. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values between SYSU G01002T and closely related members of the genus Bacillus were below the cut-off level recommended for interspecies identity. Based on the above results, strain SYSU G01002T represents a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus tepidiphilus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain, SYSU G01002T (= KCTC 43131T = CGMCC 1.17491T).

Lysinibacillus antri sp. nov., isolated from cave soil.

A Gram-stain-positive, motile, rod-shaped and endospore-forming strain, SYSU K30002T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from a karst cave in Xingyi county, Guizhou province, south-west China. SYSU K30002T grew at 28-40 °C (optimum, 37 °C), at pH 5.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and in the presence of 0-4 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum in the absence of NaCl). The cell-wall peptidoglycan type was A4α (Lys-Asp). The cell-wall sugars of SYSU K30002T were ribose, galactose and mannose, and MK-7 was the menaquinone. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 1 ω7c alcohol and iso-C16 : 0. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and two unidentified phospholipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 36.1 mol%. The average nucleotide identity values between SYSU K30002T and its closest relatives were below the cut-off level (95-96 %) for species delineation. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genome comparisons, strain SYSU K30002T represents a novel species of the genus Lysinibacillus, for which the name Lysinibacillusantri sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SYSU K30002T (=KCTC 33955T=CGMCC 1.13504T).

Description of Paenibacillus antri sp. nov. and Paenibacillus mesophilus sp. nov., isolated from cave soil.

Two Gram-positive, rod-shaped, motile, endospore-forming strains, SYSU K30003T and SYSU K30004T, were isolated from cave soil sampled in Xingyi County, Guizhou Province, south-west PR China. The 16S rRNA gene sequence results indicated that strains SYSU K30003T and SYSU K30004T had highest sequence similarities to Paenibacillus thermoaerophilus DSM 26310T (93.2 %) and Paenibacillus haemerocallicola KCTC 33185T (97.8 %), respectively. Optimum growth for both strains occurred at pH 7.0 and 37 °C. Both strains contained meso-2,6-diaminopimelic acid in their cell-wall peptidoglycan and MK-7 was the only isoprenoid quinone detected. The polar lipid profile of strain SYSU K30004T consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, two aminophospholipids, an unidentified glycolipid, unidentified phospholipids and two unidentified polar lipids. The polar lipid profile of strain SYSU K30003T contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified glycolipid. The major fatty acids (>5 %) of strain SYSU K30003T were anteiso-C15:0, C16 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0, while those of strain SYSU K30004T were anteiso-C15:0, C16:0, anteiso-C17 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16:0 and iso-C17 : 0. The genome G+C contents of strains SYSU K30003T and SYSU K30004T were 59.0 and 53.6 mol%, respectively. The average nucleotide identity values between strains SYSU K30003T and SYSU K30004T and other closely related Paenibacillus members were below the cut-off level (95-96 %) for species identification. Based on the results of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genome analyses, strains SYSU K30003T and SYSU K30004T represent two novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the names Paenibacillus antri sp. nov. and Paenibacillus mesophilus sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are SYSU K30003T (=KCTC 33956T=CGMCC 1.13505T) and SYSU K30004T (=KCTC 33957T=CGMCC 1.13872T).

Vulcaniibacterium gelatinicum sp. nov., a moderately thermophilic bacterium isolated from a hot spring.

The present study aimed to determine the taxonomic positions of strains designated R-5-52-3T, R-5-33-5-1-2, R-5-48-2 and R-5-51-4 isolated from hot spring water samples. Cells of these strains were Gram-stain-negative, non-motile and rod-shaped. The strains shared highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Vulcaniibacterium thermophilum KCTC 32020T (95.1%). Growth occurred at 28-55 °C, at pH 6-8 and with up to 3 % (w/v) NaCl. DNA fingerprinting, biochemical, phylogenetic and 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses suggested that R-5-52-3T, R-5-33-5-1-2, R-5-48-2 and R-5-51-4 were different strains but belonged to the same species. Hence, R-5-52-3T was chosen for further analysis and R-5-33-5-1-2, R-5-48-2 and R-5-51-4 were considered as additional strains of this species. R-5-52-3T possessed Q-8 as the only quinone and iso-C15:0, iso-C11:0, C16 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 as major fatty acids. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, unidentified polar lipids and two unidentified phospholipids. The genomic G+C content was 71.6 mol%. Heat shock proteins (e.g. Hsp20, GroEL, DnaK and Clp ATPases) were noted in the R-5-52-3T genome, which could suggest its protection in the hot spring environment. Pan-genome analysis showed the number of singleton gene clusters among Vulcaniibacterium members varied. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) values between R-5-52-3T, Vulcaniibacterium tengchongense YIM 77520T and V. thermophilum KCTC 32020T were 80.1-85.8 %, which were below the cut-off level (95-96 %) recommended as the ANI criterion for interspecies identity. Thus, based on the above results, strain R-5-52-3T represents a novel species of the genus Vulcaniibacterium, for which the name Vulcaniibacterium gelatinicum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is R-5-52-3T (=KCTC 72061T=CGMCC 1.16678T).

Description of Paenibacillus tepidiphilus sp. nov., isolated from a tepid spring.

China is a hotspot for hot springs and during microbial diversity analysis of Tengchong hot spring, Yunnan province, south-west PR China, two strains designated SYSU G01001T and SY-13 were isolated. SYSU G01001T and SY-13 were Gram-stain-positive, motile and spore-forming. Colonies were white, circular, raised and punctiform. SYSU G01001T and SY-13 grew at pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum pH 8.0) and at 23-37 °C (optimum 28 °C). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between SYSU G01001T and SY-13 was 99.6 % but these strains shared low sequence similarity with Paenibacillus azotifigens (97.5 %) indicating that they represented a novel species. On the basis of the results, SYSU G01001T was selected for further investigations and SY-13 was considered to represent a second strain of the species. The cell wall peptidoglycan of SYSU G01001T was meso-2,6-diaminopimelic acid and MK-7 was the only respiratory quinone. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), two unidentified aminolipids (AL), two unidentified amino phospholipids (APL), an unidentified phospholipid (PL) and an unidentified polar lipid (L). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 53.9 mol%. The average nucleotide identity (ANIb and ANIm) values between SYSU G01001T and Paenibacillus azotifigens LMG 29963T were below the cut-off level (95-96 %) recommended as the average nucleotide identity (ANI) criterion for interspecies identity. On the basis of the above results strain SYSU G01001T represents a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus tepidiphilus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SYSU G01001T (=KCTC 33952T=CGMCC 1.13870T).

Pseudomonas Saliphila sp. nov., a Bacterium Isolated from Oil-Well Production Water in Qinghai Oilfield of China.

Strain 16W4-4-3 T was isolated from the oil-well production water in Qinghai Oilfield, China. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, catalase- and oxidase-positive, facultatively anaerobic and motile by single polar flagellum. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of strain 16W4-4-3 T showed the highest similarities with Pseudomonas profundi M5T (98.8%), P. pelagia CL-AP6T (98.0%), P. salina XCD-X85T (97.7%), and P. sabulinigri J64T (97.5%). The phylogenetic trees based on multilocus sequence analyses with concatenating 16S rRNA, gyrB, rpoD and rpoB genes suggested that this strain should be affiliated to the genus Pseudomonas but remotely related from other species. In addition, whole genome analyses revealed that the digital DNA-DNA hybridization values and average nucleotide identities of strain 16W4-4-3 T against its close relatives were all below 28.8% and 86.5%, respectively. Furthermore, the isolate had totally different whole cell protein profile as compared to those of other species. Major fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18:1ω7c and/or C18:1ω6c), C16:0, summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c and/or C16:1ω6c) and C17:0cyclo. Major isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone (Q-9), and major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylethanolamine. The DNA G + C content was 58.5 mol%. Therefore, phenotypic, phylogenetic, genomic, chemotaxonomic, and proteomic traits showed that the isolate represented a novel species of the genus Pseudomonas, the name Pseudomonas saliphila sp. nov. is proposed. Type strain is 16W4-4-3 T (= CGMCC 1.13350 T = KCTC 72619 T).

Bacillus antri sp. nov., isolated from cave soil.

A Gram-stain-positive, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, motile, endospore-forming strain, SYSU K30001T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from a cave in Xingyi county, Guizhou province, south-west China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain SYSU K30001T belonged to the genus Bacillus, with the highest sequence similarity to the type strain of Bacillus panaciterrae (98.1 %). Growth occurred at pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0), at 28-55 °C (optimum, 28 °C) and in the presence of 0-3 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum in the absence of NaCl). Strain SYSU K30001T contained meso-2,6-diaminopimelic acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan and MK-7 as the only isoprenoid quinone present. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified glycolipid. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 1ω10c, anteiso-C14 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0. The genome G+C content was 39.8 mol%. The average nucleotide identity values between SYSU K30001T and B. panaciterrae DSM 19096T were 72.1 % (ANIb) and 83.1 % (ANIm), which were below the cut-off level (95-96 %) for species delineation. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular characterizations, strain SYSU K30001T represents a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus antri sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SYSU K30001T (=KCTC 33954T=CGMCC 1.13871T).

Blastomonas marina sp. nov., a bacteriochlorophyll-containing bacterium isolated from seawater.

A Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, dark-yellow-pigmented bacterium, named SSR2A-4-2T, was isolated from coastal water in the East China Sea. Cells were ovoid or short rods with peritrichous flagella and contained carotenoid in addition to bacteriochlorophyll a pigment. A phylogenetic dendrogram based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain SSR2A-4-2T formed a distinct clade with members of the genus Blastomonas, with Blastomonasnatatoria EY 4220T (=DSM 3183T) (similarity 95.6 %), Blastomonasursincola KR-99T (=DSM 9006T) (95.5 %) and Blastomonasaquatica PE4-5T (=JCM 30179T) (94.8 %) as its closest phylogenetic relatives. Q-10 was the predominant respiratory quinone. The major fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω6c and/or C18 : 1ω7c), summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c), C17 : 1ω6c and C18 : 1ω7c 11-methyl. The polar lipids contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, sphingoglycolipid, four unknown glycolipids and one unknown lipid. The DNA G+C content was 65.1 mol%. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, strain SSR2A-4-2T represents a novel species of the genus Blastomonas, for which the name Blastomonas marina sp. nov. is proposed, with strain SSR2A-4-2T (=CGMCC 1.15297T=DSM 103453T) as the type strain.

Microbacterium sorbitolivorans sp. nov., a novel member of Microbacteriaceae isolated from fermentation bed in pigpen.

Two bacterial strains SZDIS-1-1T and GZDIS-1-1 were isolated from fermentation bed of a pigpen in Fujian Province, China. Cells were Gram-stain-positive, facultatively anaerobic, short rods without flagellum. Their nearest phylogenetic neighbours were Microbacterium amylolyticum N5T (16S rRNA gene sequence similarity 98.2 %), Microbacterium indicum BBH6T (97.9 %) and Microbacterium gubbeenense DPC 5286T (97.8 %) with the DNA-DNA hybridization values to strain SZDIS-1-1T as 20.0±1.2, 14.3±5.8 and 19.1±1.6 %, respectively. The DNA G+C content of the new isolates was 67.6-71.1 mol% and anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0 were their predominant cellular fatty acids. These results were consistent with classification into the genus Microbacterium. However, cell-wall sugars and characteristic amino acid were rhamnose, glucose, galactose and ornithine. Major menaquinones were MK-11 and MK-10. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, glycolipids, unknown phospholipid and unknown lipids. These characteristics constructed a distinct profile of the two isolates. Therefore, based on polyphasic taxonomic characteristics, strains SZDIS-1-1T and GZDIS-1-1 represented a novel species of genus Microbacterium, for which the name Microbacterium sorbitolivorans sp. nov. is proposed, with strain SZDIS-1-1T (=CGMCC 1.15228T=DSM 103422T) as the type strain.

[Effect of turmeric volatile oil on proliferation and apoptosis of human skin SCC A431 cells].

To investigate the effect of turmeric volatile oil (TVO) on the apoptosis and proliferation of human skin SCC A431 cells, A431 cells were incubated with different concentrations (5-80 mg•L⁻¹) of TVO in vitro．The proliferation and cell cycle were assessed by CCK8 assay. The change of morphology was observed with inverted microscope. Apoptosis was evaluated with AO/EB double staining and flow cytometry (FCM); cell cycle was analyzed with FCM ．Western blot method was used to detect caspase-3 and caspase-9 protein expression. Results indicated that TVO has significant inhibitory effects on the growth of A431 cells in a dose dependent relationship, the difference between groups has statistically significant (P<0.05). TVO group compared with control group, concentrations in cells shrivel and broken phenomenon, cell apoptosis rate increased, and a dose dependent and increased the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9. The experiment results suggested that TVO could restrain skin squamous carcinoma A431 cells proliferation, and induce its apoptosis. The mechanism may be related to increase the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9.

Gordonia iterans sp. nov., isolated from a patient with pneumonia.

A second novel clinical actinobacterial strain, designated IFM 10348(T), was isolated from the sputum of the same Japanese patient with bacterial pneumonia from whom the type strain of Gordonia araii had been isolated. The strains differed in phylogenetic position and drug-resistance profiles. The taxonomic position of strain IFM 10348(T) was clarified by phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic studies. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences clearly demonstrated that strain IFM 10348(T) occupied a distinct clade within the genus Gordonia and was related closely to Gordonia malaquae DSM 45064(T) and Gordonia hirsuta DSM 44140(T) (97.3 and 97.1% similarities, respectively). Strain IFM 10348(T) was also clearly differentiated from G. malaquae DSM 45064(T) and G. hirsuta DSM 44140(T) based on gyrB and secA1 gene sequence similarity values. Strain IFM 10348(T) had MK-9(H2) as the predominant menaquonine, contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, arabinose, galactose and glucosamine as cell-wall components, and contained C18:1ω9c, summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c and/or C16:1ω6c) and C16:0 as the major cellular fatty acids. Mycolic acids were present. The DNA G+C content of strain IFM 10348(T) was 68.0 mol%. DNA-DNA relatedness data coupled with the combination of genotypic and phenotypic data indicated that strain IFM 10348(T) represents a novel species of the genus Gordonia, for which the name Gordonia iterans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is IFM 10348(T) ( = CCTCC M2011245(T) = NCCB 100436(T)).

Biofilms as Battlefield Armor for Bacteria against Antibiotics: Challenges and Combating Strategies.

Bacterial biofilms are formed by communities, which are encased in a matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Notably, bacteria in biofilms display a set of 'emergent properties' that vary considerably from free-living bacterial cells. Biofilms help bacteria to survive under multiple stressful conditions such as providing immunity against antibiotics. Apart from the provision of multi-layered defense for enabling poor antibiotic absorption and adaptive persistor cells, biofilms utilize their extracellular components, e.g., extracellular DNA (eDNA), chemical-like catalase, various genes and their regulators to combat antibiotics. The response of biofilms depends on the type of antibiotic that comes into contact with biofilms. For example, excessive production of eDNA exerts resistance against cell wall and DNA targeting antibiotics and the release of antagonist chemicals neutralizes cell membrane inhibitors, whereas the induction of protein and folic acid antibiotics inside cells is lowered by mutating genes and their regulators. Here, we review the current state of knowledge of biofilm-based resistance to various antibiotic classes in bacteria and genes responsible for biofilm development, and the key role of quorum sensing in developing biofilms and antibiotic resistance is also discussed. In this review, we also highlight new and modified techniques such as CRISPR/Cas, nanotechnology and bacteriophage therapy. These technologies might be useful to eliminate pathogens residing in biofilms by combating biofilm-induced antibiotic resistance and making this world free of antibiotic resistance.

Regulatory effect of moderate Jiang-flavour baijiu (Chinese liquor) dosage on organ function and gut microbiota in mice.

Chinese baijiu, an ancient fermented alcoholic beverage, contains ethanol and a variety of compounds. One of the most popular types of Chinese baijiu is Jiang-flavor baijiu. To investigate the effects of Jiang-flavor baijiu on organ function and gut microbiota, we developed a moderate drinking mouse model and studied its effects on the liver, kidney biomarkers, memory function, and gut microbiota. The results showed that ethanol caused more hepatic steatosis, liver and kidney damage, and memory impairment than Jiang-flavour baijiu consumption. Furthermore, Jiang-flavor baijiu altered the gut microbiota by increasing the abundance of beneficial taxa such as Lactobacillus and Akkermansia, whereas ethanol increased the abundance of harmful bacteria such as Prevotella and Mucispirillum. Our findings provide preliminary evidence that moderate dose Jiang-flavor baijiu regulates gut microbiota and organ function and provide a theoretical foundation for future research on the positive health effects of particular varieties of Chinese baijiu.

Diversity, morphology, and molecular phylogeny of Diatrypaceae from southern China.

During an investigation of Diatrypaceae from southern China, 10 xylariales-like taxa have been collected. Morphological and multi-gene analyses confirmed that these taxa reside in Diatrypaceae and represent eight novel taxa and two new records belonging to six genera (viz., Allocryptovalsa, Diatrype, Diatrypella, Paraeutypella, Peroneutypa, and Vasilyeva gen. nov.). Vasilyeva gen. nov. was proposed to accommodate Vasilyeva cinnamomi sp. nov. Among the other collections, seven new species were introduced (viz., Diatrype camelliae-japonicae sp. nov., Diatrype rubi sp. nov., Diatrypella guiyangensis sp. nov., Diatrypella fatsiae-japonicae sp. nov., Paraeutypella subguizhouensis sp. nov., Peroneutypa hainanensis sp. nov., and Peroneutypa qianensis sp. nov.), while two were reported as new records from China (Allocryptovalsa rabenhorstii and Diatrype enteroxantha). For Diatrypaceae, the traditional taxonomic approach based on morphology may not be applicable.

Cryptococcus neoformans MET5 Gene is not Essential for Virulence in the Silkworm Infection Model.

The involvement of the MET5 gene in virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans was examined using the silkworm Bombyx mori infection model. In the virulence assay, the met5Δ mutant showed virulence not significantly different from the wild-type strain, suggesting that the MET5 gene is not essential for full virulence of C. neoformans. The effect of silkworm hemolymph on the survival of the met5Δ mutant was also tested. The C. neoformans met5Δ strain incubated in the silkworm hemolymph for five days remained viable, suggesting that silkworm hemolymph supports survival of the met5Δ strain.

Overexpressing GRE3 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae enables high ethanol production from different lignocellulose hydrolysates.

The efficiently renewable bioethanol can help to alleviate energy crisis and environmental pollution. Genetically modified strains for efficient use of xylose and developing lignocellulosic hydrolysates play an essential role in facilitating cellulosic ethanol production. Here we present a promising strain GRE3OE via GRE3 overexpressed in a previously reported Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain WXY70. A comprehensive evaluation of the fermentation level of GRE3OE in alkaline-distilled sweet sorghum bagasse, sorghum straw and xylose mother liquor hydrolysate. Under simulated corn stover hydrolysate, GRE3OE produced 53.39 g/L ethanol within 48 h. GRE3OE produced about 0.498 g/g total sugar in sorghum straw hydrolysate solution. Moreover, GRE3OE consumed more xylose than WXY70 in the high-concentration xylose mother liquor. Taken together, GRE3OE could be a candidate strain for industrial ethanol development, which is due to its remarkable fermentation efficiency during different lignocellulosic hydrolysates.