Infectious hepatitis E virus excreted into the vagina.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) persists in the male genital tract that associates with infertility. However, the presence of HEV in the female genital tract is unreported. Vaginal secretions, cervical smears, and cervix uteri were collected to explore the presence of HEV in the female genital tract. HEV RNA and/or antigens were detected in the vaginal secretions, cervical smears, and the cervix uteri of women. The infectivity of HEV excreted into vaginal secretions was further validated in vitro. In addition, HEV replicates in the female genital tract were identified in HEV-infected animal models by vaginal injection or vaginal mucosal infection to imitate sexual transmission. Serious genital tract damage and inflammatory responses with significantly elevated mucosal innate immunity were observed in women or animals with HEV vaginal infection. Results demonstrated HEV replicates in the female genital tract and causes serious histopathological damage and inflammatory responses.

Quantification of host proteomic responses to genotype 4 hepatitis E virus replication facilitated by pregnancy serum.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is a common cause of acute hepatitis worldwide and causes approximately 30% case fatality rate among pregnant women. Pregnancy serum (PS), which contains a high concentration of estradiol, facilitates HEV replication in vitro through the suppression of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR and cAMPK-PKA-CREB signaling pathways. However, the proteomics of the complex host responses to HEV infection, especially how PS facilitates viral replication, remains unclear. METHODS: In this study, the differences in the proteomics of HEV-infected HepG2 cells supplemented with fetal bovine serum (FBS) from those of HEV-infected HepG2 cells supplemented with serum from women in their third trimester of pregnancy were quantified by using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification technology. RESULTS: A total of 1511 proteins were identified, among which 548 were defined as differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). HEV-infected cells supplemented with PS exhibited the most significant changes at the protein level. A total of 328 DEPs, including 66 up-regulated and 262 down-regulated proteins, were identified in HEV-infected cells supplemented with FBS, whereas 264 DEPs, including 201 up-regulated and 63 down-regulated proteins, were found in HEV-infected cells supplemented with PS. Subsequently, Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses revealed that in HEV-infected cells, PS supplementation adjusted more host genes and signaling pathways than FBS supplementation. The DEPs involved in virus-host interaction participated in complex interactions, especially a large number of immune-related protein emerged in HEV-infected cells supplemented with PS. Three significant or interesting proteins, including filamin-A, thioredoxin, and cytochrome c, in HEV-infected cells were functionally verified. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study provide new and comprehensive insight for exploring virus-host interactions and will benefit future studies on the pathogenesis of HEV in pregnant women.

Severe maternal-fetal pathological damage and inflammatory responses contribute to miscarriage caused by hepatitis E viral infection during pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection causes serious adverse pregnancy outcomes during pregnancy. However, the maternal and fetal damage induced by HEV infection is rarely reported. METHODS: A BALB/c pregnant mouse model was established to explore the maternal and fetal pathological damage and inflammatory responses caused by HEV infection. RESULTS: Notably, miscarriages and stillbirths were observed in HEV-infected pregnant mice. HEV infections were identified by qRT-PCR, immunohistochemical analysis and immunofluorescence assay in the uterus, placenta, umbilical cords and livers and brains of fetuses. Serious inflammatory responses and pathological damage were triggered in the uterus and placenta of HEV-infected pregnant mice. Vertical transmission of HEV resulted in severe pathological damage and inflammatory responses in the livers and brains of fetuses, as well as emerging apoptosis cells in the brains of fetuses. Most of the cytokines/chemokines in the sera were significantly increased in the HEV-infected pregnant mice. Remarkably, cytokines/chemokines were significantly different between HEV-infected pregnant and miscarriage mice; IL9, GM-CSF and IL1α were the most important three cytokines/chemokines in determining the pregnancy outcomes. CONCLUSION: HEV infections cause serious maternal/fetal pathological damage, inflammatory responses and apoptosis, which may be responsible for adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Inhibition of hepatitis E virus replication by zinc-finger antiviral Protein synergizes with IFN-ß.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis worldwide. However, host-HEV interactions have yet to be fully understood. Zinc-finger antiviral protein (ZAP) is a novel interferon (IFN)-stimulated gene product that inhibits a variety of viruses in synergy with IFN-ß. To evaluate the role of ZAP in HEV infection, its expressions in HEV-infected patients and in cell cultures were measured. We report a significant inhibition of ZAP expression in patients with HEV genotype four acute infection. The expression of ZAP in the HEV life cycle was monitored in cultures of HEV-infected cells. Results indicated that the ZAP level decreased significantly after HEV infection. ZAP over-expression inhibited HEV replication, whereas its knockdown by RNA interference significantly increased HEV RNA. These suggest that ZAP serves as an antiviral in HEV infection. Moreover, silencing ZAP decreased IFN regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) phosphorylation in HEV-infected cells treated with poly(I:C), indicating that ZAP synergizes with IFN-ß. In conclusion, ZAP is an important anti-HEV host factor and in synergy with IFN-ß, inhibits HEV replication.

The different replication between nonenveloped and quasi-enveloped hepatitis E virus.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the major pathogen of viral hepatitis. However, the understanding of the HEV life cycle is limited. In the present study, cells were separately infected with nonenveloped HEV (derived from feces or bile) or quasi-enveloped HEV (derived from the cell culture after serial passages, eHEV) and observed by confocal fluorescence microscopy to investigate the life cycle of HEV. HEV finished its binding and entry into host cells at first 6 h postinoculation (hpi). Cells inoculated with eHEV showed less infectivity than cells inoculated with nonenveloped HEV. Newly synthesized progeny virions were released into the supernatant of cell cultures from 48 hpi. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot analysis results showed that the supernatant's progeny viruses were infectious even after five serial passages. These results show the significant difference between nonenveloped HEV and eHEV, which will provide novel insights into the HEV replication cycle. The efficient cell culture of HEV will promote the development of anti-HEV drugs and vaccines.

Hepatitis E viral infection regulates estrogen signaling pathways: Inhibition of the cAMPK-PKA-CREB and PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathways.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection has become a global concern with high mortality rates among pregnant women, especially those in their third trimester of pregnancy. Estrogen plays an important role in mediating the body, regulating physiological and pathological processes. Estrogen is activated by binding to estrogen receptors (ERs) and mediates rapid signaling events by pathways that involve transmembrane ERs. Our previous study had confirmed that high estrogen levels during pregnancy are associated with high HEV titers. However, the association between HEV infection and estrogen signaling pathways remains unclear. In the present study, the regulation of estrogen signaling pathways by HEV infection was evaluated. Results demonstrated that HEV infection significantly inhibits the cAMP-PKA-CREB and PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathways, but is independent of the Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK signaling pathway. In summary, the increasing estrogen levels and highly activated ERα during pregnancy aggravates HEV replication. The exacerbation of HEV replication, in turn, inhibits ERα expression and suppresses both cAMP-PKA-CREB and PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathways.

Nocardioides cavernae sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from a karst cave.

A novel actinobacterial strain, designated YIM A1136T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from a karst cave in Xingyi county, Guizhou province, south-western China. The taxonomic position of the strain was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Cells of the strain were aerobic, Gram-staining-positive and rod-shaped. Colonies of the strain were circular, convex, opaque and yellowish-white in colour. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain YIM A1136T was most closely related to the type strains Nocardioides ganghwensis JC2055T (98.3 % sequence similarity), Nocardioides exalbidus RC825T (98.2 %), Nocardioides alpinus Cr7-14T (98.2 %), Nocardioides hwasunensis HFW-21T (98.0 %), Nocardioides oleivorans DSM 16090T (97.9 %) and Nocardioides furvisabuli SBS-26T (97.8 %) and is therefore considered to represent a member of the genus Nocardioides. DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain YIM A1136T and related type strains of the genus Nocardioides were less than 70 %. ll-Diaminopimelic acid was the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The whole-cell sugars were galactose, glucose, mannose, rhamnose and ribose. The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-8(H4), while the major fatty acids (>10 %) were C16 : 0, summed feature 3 and summed feature 8. The polar lipids comprised diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and two unidentified phospholipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 71.4 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic data, strain YIM A1136T merits representation of a novel species of the genus Nocardioides, for which the name Nocardioides cavernae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM A1136T (=KCTC 39551T=DSM 29950T).

Nocardia cavernae sp. nov., a novel actinobacterium isolated from a karst cave sample.

A novel actinobacterial strain, designated YIM A1135T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from a karst cave in Xingyi county, Guizhou province, south-western China. The taxonomic position of the strain was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Cells of the strain were aerobic, Gram-stain-positive and partially acid-alcohol-fast. Strain YIM A1135T shared 98.3 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Nocardia jejuensis NBRC 103114T and 97.6 % with Nocardia alba YIM 30243T. DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain YIM A1135T and related type strains of the genus Nocardia were less than 70 %. In addition, meso-diaminopimelic acid was the diagnostic diamino acid in cell-wall peptidoglycan. The whole-cell sugars were fructose, mannose, galactose and glucose. The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-8(H4,ω-cycl), while the major fatty acids (>10 %) were C16 : 0, C18 : 1ω9c, C18 : 0 10-methyl and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c). The polar lipids contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannoside. Mycolic acids were present. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain YIM A1135T was 66.7 mol%. Based on the results of the molecular studies supported by its morphological, physiological, chemotaxnomic and other differential phenotypic characteristics, strain YIM A1135T is considered to represent a novel species within the genus Nocardia, for which the name Nocardia cavernae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM A1135T (=KCTC 39595T=CCTCC AA 2017030T).

Lentzea cavernae sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from a karst cave sample, and emended description of the genus Lentzea.

A novel actinobacterial strain, designated SYSU K10001T, was isolated from a limestone sample collected from a karst cave in Xingyi county, Guizhou province, south-western China. The taxonomic position of the strain was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Cells of the strain were aerobic and Gram-stain-positive. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain SYSU K10001T was most closely related to the type strains of the genus Lentzea, Lentzea albida NBRC 16102T (98.8 % similarity) and Lentzea waywayandensis NRRL B-16159T (98.6 %), and is therefore considered to represent a member of the genus Lentzea. DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain SYSU K10001T and related type strains of the genus Lentzea were less than 70 %. In addition, meso-diaminopimelic acid was the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The whole-cell sugars were arabinose, fructose, mannose and xylose. The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-9(H4), while the major fatty acids (>10 %) were iso-C16 : 0 and C14 : 0. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxy-phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, one unidentified phospholipid and one unidentified lipid. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain SYSU K10001T was 69.4 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic data, strain SYSU K10001T represents a novel species of the genus Lentzea, for which the name Lentzea cavernae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SYSU K10001T (=KCTC 39804T=CGMCC 4.7367T=NBRC 112394T).

Alcaligenes endophyticus sp. nov., isolated from roots of Ammodendron bifolium.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, motile bacterium, designated AER10T, was isolated from the roots of Ammodendron bifolium collected from Takeermohuer desert in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, northwestern China. Growth was found to occur from 10 to 45 °C, at pH 5.0-9.0, and could tolerate up to 10 % (w/v) NaCl. 16S rRNA gene sequence result indicated that the strain AER10T belongs to the genus Alcaligenes and was closely related to Alcaligenes aquatilis (98.4 %), Alcaligenes faecalissubsp. parafaecalis (98.4 %), Alcaligenes faecalissubsp. faecalis (98.1 %) and Alcaligenes faecalissubsp. phenolicus (97.9 %). However, the DNA-DNA hybridization values between the strain AER10T and the above strains were less than the threshold value (below 70 %) for the delineation of genomic species. The DNA G+C content was 53.3 mol%. Ubiquinone-8 (Q-8) was the only quinone system present. The major fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c, 25 %), C16 : 0 (24.2 %), summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c, 19.3 %) and cyclo-C17 : 0 (10.5 %). The polar lipid profile of the strain AER10T consists of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylserine, two unidentified aminolipids and five unknown polar lipids. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, strain AER10T is a representative of a novel species in the genus Alcaligenes, for which the name Alcaligenes endophyticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is AER10T (=DSM 100498T=KCTC 42688T).

Magnetic solid-phase extraction for determination of the total malachite green, gentian violet and leucomalachite green, leucogentian violet in aquaculture water by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection.

In this study, magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotube nanoparticles were synthesized and used as the adsorbent for the sums of malachite green, gentian violet and leucomalachite green, leucogentian violet in aquaculture water samples followed by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. This method was based on in situ reduction of chromic malachite green, gentian violet to colorless leucomalachite green, leucogentian violet with potassium borohydride, respectively. The obtained adsorbent combines the advantages of carbon nanotubes and Fe3 O4 nanoparticles in one material for separation and preconcentration of the reductive dyes in aqueous media. The structure and properties of the prepared nanoparticles were characterized by transmission and scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The main parameters affecting the adsorption recoveries were investigated and optimized, including reducing agent concentration, type and amount of sorbent, sample pH, and eluting conditions. Under the optimum conditions, the limits of detection in this method were 0.22 and 0.09 ng/mL for malachite green and gentian violet, respectively. Product recoveries ranged from 87.0 to 92.8% with relative standard deviations from 4.6 to 5.9%. The results indicate that the sorbent is a suitable material for the removal and concentration of triphenylmethane dyes from polluted environmental samples.

Actinomadura amylolytica sp. nov. and Actinomadura cellulosilytica sp. nov., isolated from geothermally heated soil.

Two aerobic, Gram-positive actinomycetes, designated YIM 77502(T) and YIM 77510(T), were isolated from geothermally heated soil of Tengchong county, Yunnan province, south-west China. The taxonomic position of strains YIM 77502(T) and YIM 77510(T) were investigated by a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strains YIM 77502(T) and YIM 77510(T) belong to the genus Actinomadura. Both strains form extensively-branched substrate and aerial mycelia which differentiated into short spore chains. The cell wall of the two strains contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, while the whole-cell sugars detected were glucose, madurose, mannose and rhamnose. The polar lipid profile of strain YIM 77502(T) was found to consist of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, phosphatidylinositol, two unidentified phospholipids and an unidentified polar lipid, while strain YIM 77510(T) consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside and phosphatidylinositol. The respiratory quinones of strains YIM 77502(T) and YIM 77510(T) were MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H8). The major fatty acids (>10 %) of strain YIM 77502(T) were C17:0, iso-C16:0, C17:010-methyl and iso-C18:0, and those of strain YIM 77510(T) were iso-C16:0, C17:010-methyl and iso-C18:0. The G+C contents of strains YIM 77502(T) and YIM 77510(T) were determined to be 71.3 and 70.2 mol%, respectively. The DNA-DNA hybridization values of strains YIM 77502(T), YIM 77510(T) and their closest phylogenetic neighbours Actinomadura echinospora BCRC 12547(T) and Actinomadura umbrina KCTC 9343(T) were less than 70 %. Based on the morphological and physiological properties, and phylogenetic analyses, strains YIM 77502(T) and YIM 77510(T) are considered to represent two novel species of the genus Actinomadura, for which the names Actinomadura amylolytica sp. nov. (type strain YIM 77502(T) = DSM 45822(T) = CCTCC AA 2012024(T)) and Actinomadura cellulosilytica sp. nov. (type strain YIM 77510(T) = DSM 45823(T) = CCTCC AA 2012023(T)) are proposed.

Enhancing diabetic wound healing with a pH-responsive nanozyme hydrogel featuring multi-enzyme-like activities and oxygen self-supply.

Diabetic wound treating remains a challenging due to bacterial infections, oxidative stress, tissue hypoxia, and high glucose levels. Herein, a multi-enzyme-like activities nanocomposite (Mo,Fe/Cu,I-Ag@GOx) was designed and anchored to a multifunctional fluorescence hydrogel. The nanozyme gel, loaded with glucose-oxidase (GOx), exhibits intrinsic GOx, peroxidase (POD)-, oxidase (OXD)-, catalase (CAT)- and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activities with pH-switchable glucose-initiated cascade reaction for diabetic wound healing. In the first cascade-reaction, initiated by GOx, the nanozyme gel catalyzes glucose and O2 into gluconic acid and H2O2 to further generate superoxide anion radical (O2·-) and hydroxyl radicals (·OH) to eradicate bacteria. In the second cascade-reaction, as the wound pH changes alkalescent microenvironment, the nanozyme gel simulates SOD to transform O2·- into O2 and H2O2, and then decomposes endogenous and exogenous H2O2 into O2 via CAT-like activity to reduce oxidative stress and alleviate hypoxia. The gel by calcium ion (Ca2+) cross-linked sodium alginate (SA) and chitosan (CS) containing nanozyme was constructed with injectability, adhesion and fluorescence properties, as well as beneficial biocompatible. Importantly, the water/alcohol solubility of the nanozyme gel allows it to be used as a dressing without causing secondary injury to the wound. The multifunctional fluorescence hydrogel exhibits efficiently promote pro-angiogenesis and bacteria-infected wound healing.

Prevalence of hepatitis E virus and its association with adverse pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women in China.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection has become a global concern, especially in pregnant women. However, the association between HEV prevalence and age, gravidity and parity of pregnant women remains unclear. METHODS: Pregnant women (n=19,762) were enrolled for HEV prevalence and associated adverse pregnancy outcomes investigation in Qujing City, Yunnan Province of China from May 2019 to December 2020. RESULTS: The seroprevalence of HEV was 11.6% (2,297/19,762; 95% CI:11.2%-12.1%). About 11.4% (2,247/19,762; 95% CI:10.9%-11.8%) were positive for anti-HEV IgG antibody, 0.1% (22/19,762; 95% CI:0.1%-0.2%) were positive for anti-HEV IgM antibody, and 0.1% (28/19,762; 95% CI:0.1%-0.2%) were positive for both anti-HEV IgM and IgG antibodies. Sixty-one out of 2,297 anti-HEV-antibodies-positive pregnant women were positive for HEV RNA. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all HEV isolates from pregnant women belong to genotype 4. Age, gravidity and parity are associated with increased prevalence of HEV. Pregnant women positive for HEV-IgG antibody bear a higher risk for an adverse pregnancy history and liver injury with elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels than anti-HEV-negative pregnant women. Furthermore, seropositive pregnant women suffered a higher adverse maternal outcomes risk (crude odds ratio [cOR]=1.29; 95% CI: 1.16-1.43; adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=1.40, 95% CI: 1.25-1.55 for anti-HEV-IgG-positive pregnant women and cOR=1.38, 95% CI: 1.02-1.86; aOR=1.43, 95% CI: 1.05-1.95 for anti-HEV-IgM-positive pregnant women) and fetal outcomes risk (cOR=1.80, 95% CI: 1.61-2.01; aOR=1.77, 95% CI: 1.57-1.99) than anti-HEV-negative pregnant women. Adverse pregnancy outcomes of HEV infection are aggravated by age, gravidity and parity. CONCLUSION: In this study, we demonstrated high prevalence of HEV in pregnancy women in China, and HEV infection can cause various adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Genotype 4 Hepatitis E virus replicates in the placenta, causes severe histopathological damage, and vertically transmits to fetuses.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in pregnant women causes adverse pregnancy outcomes, including maternal death, premature delivery, stillbirth, and fetal infection. However, the pathogenesis of maternal and fetal HEV infection is unclear. METHODS: Placenta and placental appendixes were collected from HEV-4 infected pregnant women to explore the vertical transmission of HEV from mothers to fetuses. RESULTS: HEV-4 replicated in the placenta, placental membrane, and umbilical cord and was vertically transmitted from mothers to fetuses. HEV-4 placental infection resulted in serious histopathological damage, such as fibrosis and calcification, and severe inflammatory responses. Adverse maternal outcomes were observed in 38.5% of HEV-4 infected pregnant women. The distinct cytokine/chemokine expression patterns of HEV-infected pregnant women and nonpregnant women may contribute to the adverse pregnancy outcomes. Furthermore, the impaired maternal and fetal innate immune responses against HEV-4 facilitated viral replication during pregnancy. CONCLUSION: HEV-4 replicates in the placenta and is vertically transmitted from mothers to fetuses, causing severe histopathological damage.

Pseudonocardia xishanensis sp. nov., an endophytic actinomycete isolated from the roots of Artemisia annua L.

A Gram-positive, non-motile, endophytic actinomycete, designated strain YIM 63638(T), was isolated from the surface-sterilized roots of Artemisia annua L. The isolate grew optimally with 1-3 % (w/v) NaCl, at pH 6.0-7.0 and at 20-37 °C. Comparative analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that the isolate belonged to the genus Pseudonocardia and showed highest sequence similarity with Pseudonocardia oroxyli D10(T) (98.9 %), Pseudonocardia ailaonensis YIM 45505(T) (98.3 %) and Pseudonocardia halophobica IMSNU 21327(T) (98.0 %). Phylogenetic distance from other type strains of species with validly published names within the genus Pseudonocardia was greater than 2.3 %. Strain YIM 63638(T) had a genomic DNA G+C content of 72.1 mol% and MK-8(H(4)) as the predominant respiratory quinone. The major fatty acids were iso-C(16 : 0) (36.32 %) and 10-methyl-C(16 : 0) (19.78 %). On the basis of phenotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain YIM 63638(T) represents a novel species of the genus Pseudonocardia, for which the name Pseudonocardia xishanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 63638(T) ( = JCM 17906(T)  = KCTC 29005(T)).

Pseudonocardia yuanmoensis sp. nov., a novel actinobacterium isolated from soil in Yunnan, south-west China.

A novel Gram-stain positive, aerobic, non-motile, spore-forming actinobacterium, designated YIM 75926(T), was isolated from a soil sample collected at soil forest in Yuanmo county of Yunnan province, south-west China. Its taxonomic position was investigated by a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the novel strain YIM 75926(T) belongs to the genus Pseudonocardia and was closely related to Pseudonocardia halophobica DSM 43089(T) (98.1% similarity). Strain YIM 75926(T) had MK-8 (H(4)) as the predominant menaquinone. The whole organism hydrolysates mainly consisted of meso-diaminopimelic acid, mannose, glucose, galactose and arabinose. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C(16:0) (37.16%) and C(16:0) (12.43%). The DNA G+C content of strain YIM 75926(T) was 70.6 mol%. The resultant phylogenetic trees further showed that strain YIM 75926(T) belong to Pseudonocardia and had a distinct subclade within the evolutionary radiation of the genus Pseudonocardia. On the basis of its comparative analysis of phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, it is proposed that strain YIM 75926(T) represent a novel species of the genus Pseudonocardia, named Pseudonocardia yuanmoensis sp. nov. The type strain is YIM 75926(T) (=CCTCC AA 2011017(T) = JCM 18055(T)).

Paenibacillus thermophilus sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from a sediment of hot spring in Fujian province, China.

A Gram-positive, thermophilic, strictly aerobic bacterium, designated WP-1(T), was isolated from a sediment sample from a hot spring in Fujian province of China and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Cells of strain WP-1(T) were rods (~0.6-0.8 × 2.5-3.5 µm) and motile by means of peritrichous flagella. Endospores were ellipsoidal in terminal or subterminal positions. Strain WP-1(T) grew at 37-60 °C (optimum 42-45 °C), 0-3 % NaCl (optimum 1 %, w/v) and pH 3.0-9.0 (optimum pH 6.5-7.0). The predominant menaquinone was MK-7. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C(15:0), iso-C(16:0), C(16:0) and anteiso-C(17:0). The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, two glycolipids, two unidentified phospholipids and two unknown polar lipids. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid (meso-DAP). The G + C content of the genomic DNA was 52.5 %. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain WP-1(T) is a member of the genus Paenibacillus and exhibited sequence similarity of 99.3 % to Paenibacillus macerans DSM 24(T) and both strains represented a separate lineage from all other Paenibacillus species. However, the level of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain WP-1(T) and P. macerans DSM 24(T) was 34.0 ± 4.7 %. On the basis of phylogenetic, physiological and chemotaxonomic analysis data, strain WP-1(T) is considered to represent as a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus thermophilus sp. nov., is proposed, with the type strain WP-1(T) (=DSM 24746(T) = JCM 17693(T) = CCTCC AB 2011115(T)).

Lysobacter thermophilus sp. nov., isolated from a geothermal soil sample in Tengchong, south-west China.

A Gram-negative and aerobic bacterium, designated YIM 77875(T), was isolated from a geothermal soil sample collected at Rehai National Park, Tengchong, Yunnan Province, south-west China. Bacterial growth occurred from 37 to 65 °C (optimum 50 °C), pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum pH 7.0) and 0-1 % NaCl (w/v). Cells were rod-shaped and colonies were convex, circular, smooth, yellow and non-transparent. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain YIM 77875(T) belongs to the genus Lysobacter. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values between strain YIM 77875(T) and other species of the genus Lysobacter were all below 94.7 %. The polar lipids of strain YIM 77875(T) were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and five unknown phospholipids. The predominant respiratory quinone was Q-8 and the G+C content was 68.8 mol%. Major fatty acids were iso-C(16:0), iso-C(15:0) and iso-C(11:0). On the basis of the morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, as well as genotypic data, strain YIM 77875(T) represents a novel species, Lysobacter thermophilus sp. nov., in the genus Lysobacter. The type strain is YIM 77875(T) (CCTCC AB 2012064(T) = KCTC 32020(T)).