Neiella litorisoli sp. nov., an alginate lyase: producing bacterium from South China Sea, and proposal of Echinimonadaceae fam. nov. in the order Alteromonadales.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped bacterium, designated HB171785T, was isolated from soil sample collected from Qishui Bay, Hainan, China. The strain grew optimally at pH 7-8, 37-40 °C and with NaCl 3-4%. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was found to be Q-8 and the major fatty acids were C16:0, C16:1 ω7c/C16:1 ω6c, C18:1 ω7c/C18:1 ω6c and C12:0 3OH. The polar lipids contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylethanolamine. The size of the draft genome was 4.32 Mbp with G + C content 49.7%. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the closest phylogenetically related species were Neiella marina j221T, "Neiella holothuriorum" 126 and Echinimonas agarilytica KMM 6351T with the similarities of 98.2, 96.0 and 95.0%, respectively. The phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene and phylogenomic tree based on core genome showed that strain HB171785T clustered together with N. marina j221T, with the highest values of average nucleotide identity (82.9%) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (25.4%). The combined phylogenetic relatedness, phenotypic and genotypic features supported the conclusion that strain HB171785T represents a novel species of the genus Neiella, for which the name Neiella litorisoli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HB171785T (= MCCC 1K04625T = KCTC 82319T). In addition, Echinimonadaceae fam. nov. in the order Alteromonadales was proposed.

Paenibacillus sabuli sp. nov., isolated from the South China Sea.

A Gram-positive, rod-shaped, motile, spore-forming bacterium, designated strain IB182496T, was isolated from coastal sand of the South China Sea. The strain grew optimally at pH 7.0-9.0, 20-30 °C, and with NaCl 3.0-5.0 %. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7 and the major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and C16 : 0. The polar lipids in the cell wall included diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified phospholipids and one unidentified lipid. The comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain IB182496T was most closely related to 'Paenibacillus sambharensis' SMB1 and Paenibacillus tarimensis SA-7-6T with similarities of 95.7 and 95.5 %, respectively. The whole-genome average nucleotide identity values between strain IB182496T and the two reference strains were 70.8 and 70.5%, and the digital DNA-DNA hybridization values were 18.7 and 18.0 %, respectively. Genomic analyses showed that strain IB182496T presented a genome of 6.22 Mbp with chromosomal G+C content of 60.3 %, and a total of 5261 genes were predicted. The combined phylogenetic relatedness, phenotypic and genotypic features supported the conclusion that strain IB182496T should be considered as representing a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which we propose the name Paenibacillus sabuli sp. nov. with the type strain IB182496T (=MCCC 1K04627T=JCM 34216T).

Thymopentin improves the survival of septic mice by promoting the production of 15-deoxy-prostaglandin J2 and activating the PPARγ signaling pathway.

Sepsis, a systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) caused by infection, is a major public health concern with limited therapeutic options. Infection disturbs the homeostasis of host, resulting in excessive inflammation and immune suppression. This has prompted the clinical use of immunomodulators to balance host response as an alternative therapeutic strategy. Here, we report that Thymopentin (TP5), a synthetic immunomodulator pentapeptide (Arg-Lys-Asp-Val-Tyr) with an excellent safety profile in the clinic, protects mice against cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis, as shown by improved survival rate, decreased level of pro-inflammatory cytokines and reduced ratios of macrophages and neutrophils in spleen and peritoneum. Regarding mechanism, TP5 changed the characteristics of LPS-stimulated macrophages by increasing the production of 15-deoxy-Δ12,14 -prostaglandin J2 (15-d-PGJ2). In addition, the improved effect of TP5 on survival rates was abolished by the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) antagonist GW9662. Our results uncover the mechanism of the TP5 protective effects on CLP-induced sepsis and shed light on the development of TP5 as a therapeutic strategy for lethal systemic inflammatory disorders.

Paenibacillus oceani sp. nov., isolated from surface seawater.

A Gram-stain-positive and motile bacterial strain, designated IB182363T, was isolated from surface seawater of the South China Sea. Cells grew at pH 5.0-9.5 (optimum, pH 7.0-8.0), 20-40 °C (optimum, 30 °C) and with 1-8 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2-4 %). On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain IB182363T was affiliated to the genus Paenibacillus and the closest phylogenetically related species was Paenibacillus ginsengarvi DSM18677T with 96.9 % sequence similarity. The values of whole genome average nucleotide identity analysis and digital DNA-DNA hybridization between the isolate and the closely related type strains were less than 86.3 and 25.6 %, respectively. Chemotaxonomic analysis revealed that strain IB182363T possessed meso-diaminopimelic acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan and contained menaquinone MK-7 as the predominant isoprenoid quinone. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The polar lipids comprised phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified glycolipid, two unidentified aminolipids, two unidentified phospholipids and four unidentified aminophospholipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 54.5 mol%. On the basis of the above results, strain IB182363T represents a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which we propose the name Paenibacillus oceani sp. nov. with the type strain IB182363T (=MCCC 1K04630T=JCM 34214T).

Amaricoccus solimangrovi sp. nov., isolated from mangrove soil.

Strain HB172011T was isolated from mangrove soil sampled at the Bamenbay mangrove forest, PR China. Cells were easily recognized under the microscope as cocci that were usually arranged in distinctive tetrads. Results of phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the isolate belongs to the genus Amaricoccus and has 95.6-96.3% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to the four Amaricoccus type strains. The strain was aerobic or facultatively anaerobic, Gram-stain-negative and non-motile. Cells were found to grow at 10-40 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and with 0-9.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2-4%). Major fatty acids were feature 8 (C18:1 ω7c and/or C18:1 ω6c), C16:0, C19:0 cyclo ω8c and summed feature 2 (C16:1 iso I and/or C14:0-3 OH). Genome sequencing revealed a genome size of 4.87 Mbp and a DNA G+C content of 69.9 mol %. Based on these data, strain HB172011T represents a novel species of Amaricoccus, for which the name Amaricoccus solimangrovi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HB172011T (=CGMCC 1.16728T=JCM 33334T).

Pontibacter mangrovi sp. nov., isolated from mangrove sediment.

A Gram-stain-negative, short-rod-shaped and pink-pigmented bacterial strain (HB172049T) was isolated from mangrove sediment. Cells grew at 10-45 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and with 0.5-9.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2-5 %). Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the isolate had highest sequence similarities to Pontibacter mucosus DSM 100162T (96.5 %) and Pontibacter korlensis X14-1T (96.5 %). The values of average nucleotide identity, average amino acid identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization between the isolate and its close neighbours were, respectively, less than 80.1, 81.7 and 23.2 %. Chemotaxonomic analysis indicated that the sole respiratory quinone was MK-7 and the predominant cellular fatty acids were summed feature 4 and iso-C15 : 0 (42.2 and 24.6 %, respectively). The major polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified glycolipid, one unidentified phospholipid, one unidentified aminophospholipid and two unidentified polar lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 52.6 mol%. Based on polyphasic taxonomic characterization, it is proposed that strain HB172049T belongs to the genus Pontibacter and represents a novel species, for which the name Pontibacter mangrovi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HB172049T (=CGMCC 1.16729T=JCM 33333T).

Experimental and Numerical Analysis on the Impact Wear Behavior of TP316H Steel.

In this work, the contact force model and experiment methods were used to study the dynamic response and impact wear behavior of TP316H steel. The Flore model and the classic Hertz model were selected for comparison with the experimental results, and the model was revised according to the section parameters of the TP316H tube. The results show that there is a large difference between the models without considering the effect of structural stiffness on the impact system and the test results, whereas the revised model has a good agreement. With the rise in impact mass, the coefficient of restitution increases from 0.65 to 0.78, whereas the energy dissipation and wear volume decrease. Spalling, delamination, plastic deformation, and oxidative wear are the main impact wear mechanism of TP316H steel.

SLC1A1-mediated cellular and mitochondrial influx of R-2-hydroxyglutarate in vascular endothelial cells promotes tumor angiogenesis in IDH1-mutant solid tumors.

Mutant isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (mIDH1) drives tumorigenesis via producing oncometabolite R-2-hydroxyglutarate (R-2-HG) across various tumor types. However, mIDH1 inhibitors appear only effective in hematological tumors. The therapeutic benefit in solid tumors remains elusive, likely due to the complex tumor microenvironment. In this study, we discover that R-2-HG produced by IDH1-mutant tumor cells is preferentially imported into vascular endothelial cells and remodels mitochondrial respiration to promote tumor angiogenesis, conferring a therapeutic vulnerability in IDH1-mutant solid tumors. Mechanistically, SLC1A1, a Na+-dependent glutamate transporter that is preferentially expressed in endothelial cells, facilitates the influx of R-2-HG from the tumor microenvironment into the endothelial cells as well as the intracellular trafficking of R-2-HG from cytoplasm to mitochondria. R-2-HG hijacks SLC1A1 to promote mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ exchange, which activates the mitochondrial respiratory chain and fuels vascular endothelial cell migration in tumor angiogenesis. SLC1A1 deficiency in mice abolishes mIDH1-promoted tumor angiogenesis as well as the therapeutic benefit of mIDH1 inhibitor in solid tumors. Moreover, we report that HH2301, a newly discovered mIDH1 inhibitor, shows promising efficacy in treating IDH1-mutant cholangiocarcinoma in preclinical models. Together, we identify a new role of SLC1A1 as a gatekeeper of R-2-HG-mediated crosstalk between IDH1-mutant tumor cells and vascular endothelial cells, and demonstrate the therapeutic potential of mIDH1 inhibitors in treating IDH1-mutant solid tumors via disrupting R-2-HG-promoted tumor angiogenesis.

Investigation of High-Energy Ion-Irradiated MA957 Using Synchrotron Radiation under In-Situ Tension.

In this study, an MA957 oxide dispersion-strengthened (ODS) alloy was irradiated with high-energy ions in the Argonne Tandem Linac Accelerator System. Fe ions at an energy of 84 MeV bombarded MA957 tensile specimens, creating a damage region ~7.5 µm in depth; the peak damage (~40 dpa) was estimated to be at ~7 µm from the surface. Following the irradiation, in-situ high-energy X-ray diffraction measurements were performed at the Advanced Photon Source in order to study the dynamic deformation behavior of the specimens after ion irradiation damage. In-situ X-ray measurements taken during tensile testing of the ion-irradiated MA957 revealed a difference in loading behavior between the irradiated and un-irradiated regions of the specimen. At equivalent applied stresses, lower lattice strains were found in the radiation-damaged region than those in the un-irradiated region. This might be associated with a higher level of Type II stresses as a result of radiation hardening. The study has demonstrated the feasibility of combining high-energy ion radiation and high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction to study materials' radiation damage in a dynamic manner.