Lack of in vivo mutagenicity of carbendazim in the liver and glandular stomach of MutaMice.

BACKGROUND: Carbendazim (methyl 2-benzimidazolecarbamate, CASRN: 10605-21-7) exhibits spindle poisoning effects and is widely used as a fungicide. With respect to genotoxicity, carbendazim is deemed to be non-mutagenic in vitro, but it causes indicative DNA damage in vivo and chromosome aberrations in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we examined the mutagenicity of carbendazim in vivo. RESULTS: MutaMice were treated with carbendazim orally at doses of 0 (corn oil), 250, 500, and 1,000 mg/kg/day once a day for 28 days. A lacZ assay was used to determine the mutant frequency (MF) in the liver and glandular stomach of mice. MutaMice were administered up to the maximum dose recommended by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Test Guidelines for Chemicals No. 488 (OECD TG488). The lacZ MFs in the liver and glandular stomach of carbendazim-treated animals were not significantly different from those in the negative control animals. In contrast, positive control animals exhibited a significant increase in MFs in both the liver and glandular stomach. CONCLUSIONS: Carbendazim is non-mutagenic in the liver and glandular stomach of MutaMice following oral treatment.

In vivo mutagenicity assessment of orally treated tert-butyl hydroperoxide in the liver and glandular stomach of MutaMouse.

BACKGROUND: tert-Butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP; CAS 75-91-2), a hydroperoxide, is mainly used as a polymerization initiator to produce polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and unsaturated polyester. It is a high-production chemical, widely used in industrial countries, including Japan. TBHP is also used as an additive for the manufacturing of food utensils, containers, and packaging (UCP). Therefore, there could be consumer exposure through oral intake of TBHP eluted from UCPs. TBHP was investigated in various in vitro and in vivo genotoxicity assays. In Ames tests, some positive results were reported with and/or without metabolic activation. As for the mouse lymphoma assay, the positive result was reported, regardless of the presence or absence of metabolic activation enzymes. The results of some chromosomal aberrations test and comet assay in vitro also demonstrated the genotoxic positive results. On the other hand, in in vivo tests, there are negative results in the bone marrow micronucleus test of TBHP-administered mice by single intravenous injection and the bone marrow chromosomal aberration test using rats exposed to TBHP for 5 days by inhalation. Also, about dominant lethal tests, the genotoxic positive results appeared. In contrast, there is little information about in vivo mutagenicity and no information about carcinogenicity by oral exposure. RESULTS: We conducted in vivo gene mutation assay using MutaMice according to the OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals No. 488 to investigate in vivo mutagenicity of TBHP through oral exposure. After repeated dosing for 28 days, there were no significant differences in the mutant frequencies (MFs) of the liver and glandular stomach up to 300 mg/kg/day (close to the maximum tolerable dose (MTD)). The positive and negative controls produced the expected responses. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show that orally administrated TBHP is not mutagenic in the mouse liver and glandular stomach under these experimental conditions.

North-to-South diversity of lipomycetaceous yeasts in soils evaluated with a cultivation-based approach from 11 locations in Japan.

To understand the species distribution, diversity, and density of lipomycetaceous yeasts in soil based on their north-to-south location in Japan, 1146 strains were isolated from soil samples at 11 locations from Hokkaido to Okinawa Prefecture and taxonomically characterized. Lipomycetaceous yeast strains were isolated efficiently from soil by selecting watery mucoid-like colonies on agar plates with nitrogen-depleted medium. Twenty-four (80%) of the 30 known species of the genus Lipomyces were isolated from the soil samples collected in Japan, including species recently proposed. Among the species isolated, L. starkeyi was the most predominant in Japan, except on Iriomote Island, Okinawa, and accounted for 60-98% of the isolated strains. Lipomyces yarrowii was the dominant species on Iriomote Island (64%). The second most dominant species were L. chichibuensis in Saitama Prefecture and L. doorenjongii from Yamaguchi to Okinawa Prefecture. The species diversity of lipomycetaceous yeasts was in Japan and the significant correlation with the latitude of the sampling sites was revealed.

Possible diverse contribution of coronary risk factors to left ventricular systolic and diastolic cavity sizes.

It is generally believed that risk factors damage the coronary arteries, cause myocardial ischemia, and consequently change the shape of the heart. On the other hand, each of the risk factors may also have a negative effect on the heart. However, it is very difficult to examine the effects of each of these risk factors independently. Therefore, it is necessary to select an appropriate statistical method and apply it efficiently. In this study, the effects of coronary risk factors on left ventricular size and cardiac function were investigated using structure equation modeling (SEM), and were shown as Bayesian SEM-based frequency polygons using selected two-dimensional contours. This study showed that each risk factor directly affected the shape of the heart. Because vascular risk and heart failure risk are likely to evolve at the same time, managing risk factors is very important in reducing the heart failure pandemic.

Elucidation of the enzyme involved in 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining activity and the relationship between TTC staining activity and fermentation profiles in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

2,3,5-Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining is a method to distinguish the mitochondrial activity of cells based on the color: colorless TTC turns red when under reducing conditions. Although the assay reflects the mitochondrial activity of cells, which enzyme(s) in the electron transport system contribute to TTC reduction has been unclear. TTC staining assays using gene disruptants related to the electron transport system in Saccharomyces cerevisiae revealed those disruptants related to electron transport from each electron donor to ubiquinone (red colonies) and disruptants that were related to ubiquinol-cytochrome c oxidoreductase and cytochrome c oxidase (white colonies). In addition, when the enzyme activities of ubiquinol-cytochrome c oxidoreductase and cytochrome c oxidase were measured using TTC as the electron acceptor, only ubiquinol-cytochrome c oxidoreductase showed TTC reduction activity, and the activity was enhanced by potassium cyanide, an inhibitor of cytochrome c oxidase. These results indicated that ubiquinol-cytochrome c oxidoreductase is involved in TTC reduction in S. cerevisiae. The fermentation profiles of BY4741UΔcor1 and BY4741UΔcox4, which exhibited no TTC staining activity, were almost identical to that of the parental strain BY4741U. However, cell growth and ethanol and succinate production of the ura3-mutated strain BY4741, which also exhibited no TTC staining activity, was altered compared to those of BY4741U, indicating that the fermentation profile varies among strains that show no TTC staining activity. The relationship between uracil metabolism and TTC staining activity was also determined based on metabolome analysis.

Fourteen novel lipomycetaceous yeast species isolated from soil in Japan and transfer of Dipodascopsis anomala to the genus Babjevia based on ascospore production phenotype.

Fourteen novel lipomycetaceous yeasts species were isolated from soil samples collected from the Hokkaido, Chiba and Okinawa prefectures of Japan. Phylogenetic analyses of the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rRNAs and translation elongation factor 1 alpha genes (TEF1-α) revealed that five strains of two species from the soil in Furano-shi, Hokkaido were related to Dipodascopsis anomala and 29 strains representing 12 species from soils in Kamogawa-shi, Chiba and Iriomote Island, Okinawa were in the Myxozyma clade. The two species of Dipodascopsis form globose or ellipsoid ascospores in their sac-like ascus and pseudohyphae. Furthermore, these species produce ascospores in their pseudohyphae and do not produce an acicular ascus, which is common among the three species including D. anomala. Therefore, we propose transferring D. anomala to the genus Babjevia and amending Babjevia. Two novel species were described and included in the genus Babjevia: Babjevia hyphoforaminiformans sp. nov. (holotype NBRC 111233; MycoBank no. MB 829051) and Babjevia hyphasca sp. nov. (holotype NBRC 112965; MycoBank no. MB 829053). The 12 species in the Myxozyma clade produce neither ascospores nor pseudohyphae and have different characteristics in assimilating several carbon sources from each other. Thus, we propose that the novel species of Lipomyces be classified as forma asexualis (f.a.). From Kamogawa-shi, Chiba (19 strains representing five species): Lipomyces melibiosiraffinosiphilus f.a., sp. nov. (holotype NBRC 111411; MycoBank no. MB 829034), Lipomyces kiyosumicus f.a., sp. nov. (holotype NBRC 111424; MycoBank no. MB 829035), Lipomyces chibensis f.a., sp. nov. (holotype NBRC 111413; MycoBank no. MB 829036), Lipomyces kamogawensis f.a., sp. nov. (holotype NBRC 112967; MycoBank no. MB 829037), Lipomyces amatsuensis f.a., sp. nov. (holotype NBRC 111420; MycoBank no. MB 829041). From Iriomote island, Okinawa (10 strains representing seven species): Lipomyces taketomicus f.a., sp. nov. (holotype NBRC 112966; MycoBank no. MB 829042), Lipomyces yaeyamensis f.a., sp. nov. (holotype NBRC 110433; MycoBank no. MB 829050), Lipomyces iriomotensis f.a., sp. nov. (holotype NBRC 110436; MycoBank no. MB 829045), Lipomyces haiminakanus f.a., sp. nov. (holotype NBRC 110435; MycoBank no. MB 829046), Lipomyces komiensis f.a., sp. nov. (holotype NBRC 110440; MycoBank no. MB 829047), Lipomyces nakamensis f.a., sp. nov. (holotype NBRC 110434; MycoBank no. MB 829048), Lipomyces sakishimensis f.a., sp. nov. (holotype NBRC 110439; MycoBank no. MB 829049).

Rapid Disappearance of Intraventricular Mobile Structures with Steroids in Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis.

Endomyocarditis in Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare complication, commonly involving an apical mass compatible with a thrombus. However, no previous report has discussed mobile structures detected by echocardiography in a patient with EGPA. A 53-year-old man with asthma presented with low-grade fever, consciousness disturbance, and vomiting. Magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple acute infarctions in the bilateral cerebrum and cerebellum. Remarkable eosinophilia was observed, and transthoracic echocardiography showed multiple mobile structures originating from the left ventricular septum. The day after admission, he developed left partial hemianopia and intracranial hemorrhage was identified in his right occipital lobe. Skin biopsy showed infiltration of eosinophils in the arterial wall, and we diagnosed EGPA. Myocardial biopsy was performed from the right ventricular wall, and eosinophilic infiltration into the endocardium and myocardium was observed. Endomyocarditis secondary to EGPA was confirmed, and steroid therapy was immediately initiated. Ten days after steroid therapy, the mobile structures in the left ventricle disappeared completely. He suffered no recurrence of stroke with continued steroid therapy. Mobile structures in the left ventricle in patients with active EGPA could be treated conservatively with steroid therapy.

Predictors of oxygenation impairment in medical treatment for type B acute aortic dissection.

Lung oxygenation impairment often occurs in patients with type B acute aortic dissection (AAD), necessitating mechanical ventilation. Patients receiving mechanical ventilation are at risk of complications, so a low-oxygen condition requiring mechanical ventilation should be avoided. We explored the predictors of oxygenation impairment. We enrolled 46 patients with type B AAD who had been medically treated and underwent computed tomography. Blood was sampled to measure markers of inflammation, such as the C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and white blood cell count. The arterial partial pressure of oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio (PaO2/FiO2) was calculated to quantify the severity of respiratory failure. Spearman's rank correlation analysis revealed that the minimum PaO2/FiO2 ratio was significantly correlated with gender, age, and current smoker, and the peak CRP, body temperature, and D-dimer values. A multivariate regression analysis revealed that younger age, male sex, and the peak CRP level were significant predictors of the minimum PaO2/FiO2 ratio (P = 0.01, 0.035 and 0.005, respectively). A covariance structure analysis showed that a younger age and the peak CRP level were significant predictors of oxygenation impairment in type B AAD. Oxygenation impairment in type B AAD is correlated with younger age and a higher peak CRP level. This will enable the identification of patients whose respiratory condition is susceptible to worsening and help prevent mechanical ventilation, leading to the provision of appropriate therapy.

Reclassification of Nocardia species based on whole genome sequence and associated phenotypic data.

Type strains of 72 validated Nocardia species were phylogenetically analyzed based on the multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) concatenated atpD-groL1-groL2-recA-rpoA-secY-sodA-ychF. Furthermore, their similarity based on digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) was calculated. Nocardia soli, Nocardia cummidelens and Nocardia salmonicida, Nocardia nova and Nocardia elegans, Nocardia exalbida and Nocardia gamkensis, and Nocardia coubleae and Nocardia ignorata formed coherent clades, respectively. Moreover, each set showed over 70% relatedness by dDDH and shared common phenotypic characteristics. Therefore, we propose a reclassification of Nocardia soli and Nocardia cummidelens as a later heterotypic synonym of Nocardia salmonicida, Nocardia elegans as a later heterotypic synonym of Nocardia nova, Nocardia gamkensis as a later heterotypic synonym of Nocardia exalbida, and Nocardia coubleae as a later heterotypic synonym of Nocardia ignorata.

The Usefulness and Limitations of Point-of-care Cardiac Troponin Measurement in the Emergency Department.

Objective This study was carried out to examine the usefulness of point-of-care (POC) cardiac troponin in diagnosing acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and to understand the limitations of a POC cardiac troponin I/T-based diagnoses. Methods Patients whose cardiac troponin levels were measured in the emergency department using a POC system (AQT System; Radiometer, Tokyo, Japan) between January and December 2016 were retrospectively examined (N=1,449). Patients who were < 20 years of age or who were admitted with cardiopulmonary arrest were excluded. The sensitivity and specificity of the POC cardiac troponin levels for the diagnosis of ACS were determined. Result One hundred and twenty of 1,449 total patients had ACS (acute myocardial infarction, n=88; unstable angina n=32). On comparing the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, the area under the curve (AUC) values for POC cardiac troponin I and cardiac troponin T were 0.833 and 0.786, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of POC cardiac troponin I when using the 99th percentile (0.023 ng/mL) as the diagnostic cut-off value were 69.0% and 88.1%, respectively. The sensitivity of POC cardiac troponin I (99th percentile) was higher in the patients sampled > 3 hours after symptom onset (83.3%) than in those sampled ≤ 3 hours after symptom onset (58.8%, p < 0.01). Conclusion When sampled > 3 hours after the onset of symptoms, the POC cardiac troponin I level is considered to be suitable for use in diagnosing ACS. However, when sampled ≤ 3 hours after the onset of symptoms, careful interpretation of POC cardiac troponins is therefore required to rule out ACS.

Midterm angiographic outcomes with sirolimus- and everolimus-eluting stents for small vessels in diabetic patients: propensity-score-matched comparisons in three different vessel diameters.

We conducted propensity-score-matched comparisons of midterm angiographic follow-up outcomes of sirolimus- versus everolimus-eluting stents (SES, EES) after elective placements for de novo coronary stenosis in small vessels (SV) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), because the angiographic efficacy of EES over SES for those cohorts remained unclear. The study was a non-randomized, retrospective, lesion-based, multicenter study, examining lesions followed up angiographically within 550 days, extracted from the unified database of 6 institutes. The endpoint (binary restenosis) was defined as the percentage of subjects having >50% diameter stenosis at follow-up. Propensity-score-matched analyses were conducted in 3 different vessel-size cohorts, defined by a preprocedural reference diameter (RD) <2.10, <2.35, and <2.60 mm, yielding group sizes of n = 107, 183, and 312 baseline-adjusted lesions in each of the 2 stent arms. The frequency of binary restenosis decreased significantly with increasing vessel size, at 16.8, 12.6, and 12.2%, in the SES group. However, it remained almost the same across vessel-size groups in the EES group (8.0, 6.0, and 7.5%). The p values for the significance of the differences in binary restenosis between EES and SES in each vessel size increased with the decrease in vessel size [p = 0.002, 0.040, and 0.063 (the last still nearly significant)]. Thus, in patients with DM, EES showed increasingly superior efficacy over SES for SV stenosis as the vessel size became smaller, i.e., the risk for binary restenosis became greater.

Effects of pH on nano-bubble stability and transport in saturated porous media.

An understanding of nano-scale bubble (NB) transport in porous media is important for potential application of NBs in soil/groundwater remediation. It is expected that the solution chemistry of NB water highly influences the surface characteristics of NBs and porous media and the interaction between them, thus affecting the stability and transport characteristics of NB. In this study, in addition to stability experiments, one-dimensional column transport experiments using glass beads were conducted to investigate the effects of pH on the NB transport behavior. The results showed that the NBs were more stable under higher pH. Column transport experiments revealed that entrapment of NBs, especially larger ones, was enhanced in lower-pH water, likely suggesting pH-dependent NB attachment and physical straining, both of which are also probably influenced by bubble size. Although relatively smaller NBs were released after switching the eluting fluid to one with lower ionic strength, most of the NBs in lower-pH water were still retained in the porous media even altering the chemical condition.

Propensity-Score Matched Comparison of Midterm Angiographic Outcomes of Sirolimus- Versus Everolimus- and Biolimus-Eluting Stents for De Novo Coronary Stenosis.

We conducted propensity-score matched comparisons of midterm angiographic outcomes of sirolimus (SES) versus either everolimus- (EES) or biolimus- (BES) eluting stents after placements for coronary stenosis in a daily practice environment since previous randomized trials did not demonstrate the superiority of EES and BES over SES in terms of midterm angiographic outcomes.The present study was a non-randomized, retrospective, and lesion-based study, recruiting angiographically followed-up lesions within 550 days after successful and elective SES (n = 1793), EES (n = 1303), or BES (n = 324) placement for de novo native coronary stenosis during the period from August 2004 to January 2014 at 6 institutes. The endpoint, as an angiographic surrogate marker of clinical efficacy, was the distribution of in-stent follow-up percent diameter stenosis (%DS) which comprised the percentages of 1) follow-up %DS < 20 and 2) follow-up %DS > 50. Propensityscore matched analyses were conducted to adjust 21 baselines.In 1215 baseline adjusted lesions, the endpoints in the EES group [1) 74.1%, and 2) 4.6%] were significantly different from those in the SES group [57.9%; P < 0.001, 7.2%; P = 0.006, respectively). In 307 baseline adjusted lesions, the endpoints in the BES group [1) 80.5%, 2) 2.0%] were significantly different from those in the SES group [59.3%; P < 0.001, 2) 8.1%; P = 0.001, respectively].The present study is the first to confirm the superiority of midterm angiographic outcomes after the placement of EES and BES over SES for de novo coronary stenosis in a clinical setting.

Ca2+ in Hybridization Solutions for Fluorescence in situ Hybridization Facilitates the Detection of Enterobacteriaceae.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) has been employed to identify microorganisms at the single cell level under a microscope. Extensive efforts have been made to improve and extend the FISH technique; however, the development of a widely applicable protocol is a continuing challenge. The present study evaluated the effects of divalent cations in the hybridization solution on the FISH-based detection of various species of bacteria and archaea with rRNA-targeted probes. A flow cytometric analysis after FISH with a standard hybridization buffer detected positive signals from less than 30% of Escherichia coli IAM 1264 cells. However, the number of cells with positive signals increased to more than 90% after the addition of calcium chloride to the hybridization buffer. Mn2+ also had positive effects, whereas Mg2+ did not. The positive effects of Ca2+ were similarly observed for bacteria belonging to Enterobacteriaceae, including Enterobacter sakazakii IAM 12660T, E. aerogenes IAM 12348, Klebsiella planticola IAM 14202, and Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium strain LT2. These results indicate that the supplementation of Ca2+ to the hybridization buffer for FISH contributes to the efficient detection of Enterobacteriaceae cells.

Adenine Addition Restores Cell Viability and Butanol Production in Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum N1-4 (ATCC 13564) Cultivated at 37°C.

We have developed butanol-producing consolidated bioprocessing from cellulosic substrates through coculture of cellulolytic clostridia and butanol-producing Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum strain N1-4. However, the butanol fermentation by strain N1-4 (which has an optimal growth temperature of 30°C) is sensitive to the higher cultivation temperature of 37°C; the nature of this deleterious effect remains unclear. Comparison of the intracellular metabolites of strain N1-4 cultivated at 30°C and 37°C revealed decreased levels of multiple primary metabolites (notably including nucleic acids and cofactors) during growth at the higher temperature. Supplementation of the culture medium with 250 mg/liter adenine enhanced both cell growth (with the optical density at 600 nm increasing from 4.3 to 10.2) and butanol production (increasing from 3.9 g/liter to 9.6 g/liter) at 37°C, compared to those obtained without adenine supplementation, such that the supplemented 37°C culture exhibited growth and butanol production approaching those observed at 30°C in the absence of adenine supplementation. These improved properties were based on the maintenance of cell viability. We further showed that adenine supplementation enhanced cell viability during growth at 37°C by maintaining ATP levels and inhibiting spore formation. This work represents the first demonstration (to our knowledge) of the importance of adenine-related metabolism for clostridial butanol production, suggesting a new means of enhancing target pathways based on metabolite levels.IMPORTANCE Metabolomic analysis revealed decreased levels of multiple primary metabolites during growth at 37°C, compared to 30°C, in C. saccharoperbutylacetonicum strain N1-4. We found that adenine supplementation restored the cell growth and butanol production of strain N1-4 at 37°C. The effects of adenine supplementation reflected the maintenance of cell viability originating from the maintenance of ATP levels and the inhibition of spore formation. Thus, our metabolomic analysis identified the depleted metabolites that were required to maintain cell viability. Our strategy, which is expected to be applicable to a wide range of organisms, permits the identification of the limiting metabolic pathway, which can serve as a new target for molecular breeding. The other novel finding of this work is that adenine supplementation inhibits clostridial spore formation. The mechanism linking spore formation and metabolomic status in butanol-producing clostridia is expected to be the focus of further research.

Genome analysis-based reclassification of Streptomyces endus and Streptomyces sporocinereus as later heterotypic synonyms of Streptomyces hygroscopicus subsp. hygroscopicus.

The aim of this study was to reclarify the taxonomic relationship among Streptomyces hygroscopicus subsp. hygroscopicus, Streptomyces endus and Streptomyces sporocinereus. Whole genome shotgun sequencing was performed for the type strains of these three taxa. Average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values among the three taxa were greater than the thresholds for bacterial species delineation, indicating that they belong to the same genomospecies. In addition, the phenotypic data previously reported also support the synonymy. Therefore, S. endus and S. sporocinereus should be reclassified as later heterotypic synonyms of S. hygroscopicus subsp. hygroscopicus.

Pseudactinotalea terrae gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from greenhouse soil, and reclassification of Actinotalea suaedae as Pseudactinotalea suaedae comb. nov.

A bacterial strain, designated 5GHs33-3T, was isolated from greenhouse soil collected from Yongin region, Gyeonggi province, South Korea. The strain was an aerobic, Gram-stain-positive, flagellated, rod-shaped bacterium. Strain 5GHs33-3T grew at 4-37 °C (optimally at 28-30 °C), pH 6.0-10.0 (optimally at pH 7.0) and with 0-7 % (w/v) NaCl (optimally with 0 %). The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain 5GHs33-3T had high sequence similarity with Actinotalea suaedae EGI 60002T (98.4 %), Actinotalea ferrariae CF5-4T (96.4 %) and Actinotalea fermentans DSM 3133T (96.2 %), and less than 95.5 % sequence similarity against all the other species with validly published names. The phylogenetic tree revealed that strain 5GHs33-3T formed a robust independent monophyletic line with Actinotalea suaedae EGI 60002T. The predominant fatty acids of strain 5GHs33-3T were anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C14 : 0. The only quinone was MK-8(H4). Polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, an unknown phosphoglycolipid and unknown lipids. The peptidoglycan type was A4ß, with ornithine as the diagnostic diamino acid and an interpeptide bridge comprising l-Glu. The DNA G+C content is 69.0 mol%. Based on phylogenetic evidence and the results of phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic analyses, strain 5GHs33-3T represents a novel species of a new genus of the family Cellulomonadaceae, for which the name Pseudactinotalea terrae gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is 5GHs33-3T (=KACC 16542T=NBRC 111006T). We also propose the reclassification of Actinotalea suaedae as Pseudactinotalea suaedae comb. nov. (type strain EGI 60002T=JCM 19624T=KACC 17839T=KCTC 29256T).

Halobium palmae gen. nov., sp. nov., an extremely halophilic archaeon isolated from a solar saltern.

A novel and extremely halophilic archaeon, designated strain 2a_47_2T, was isolated from a solar saltern sample collected in Indonesia. Cells of the strain were Gram-stain-negative, non-motile and pleomorphic and formed orange-red pigmented colonies. Strain 2a_47_2T grew at 20-48 °C (optimum 38-41 °C), pH 6.0-8.5 (optimum pH 7.5), >1.7 M NaCl (optimum 2.6 M) and <0.5 M MgCl2 (optimum 0.3 M). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester, two phospholipids and sulfated diglycosyl diether. The cells mainly contained menaquinone-8. The G+C content in the genomic DNA of the strain was 67.0 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain 2a_47_2T represents a member of the family Halorubraceae and is different from any other known halophilic archaea. This finding was also demonstrated by phylogenetic analyses based on deduced RpoB' amino acid sequences. Collectively, these results show that strain 2a_47_2T represents a novel genus and species in the family Halorubraceae, and the name Halobium palmae gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 2a_47_2T (=NBRC 111368T=InaCC Ar34T).

Kocuria pelophila sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from the rhizosphere of a mangrove.

A novel spherical actinobacterium, designated RS-2-3T, was isolated from the rhizosphere of a mangrove growing on Rambut Island, Indonesia, and its taxonomic position was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison revealed that strain RS-2-3T was related to the members of the genus Kocuria. The highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity value was observed with Kocuria marina KMM 3905T (97.0 %). The peptidoglycan type of strain RS-2-3T was found to be A3α with an interpeptide bridge comprising l-Ala4-5. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7(H2) and the major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0. The DNA G+C content was 71.8 mol%. These characteristics were consistent with those of members of the genus Kocuria. Meanwhile, physiological and biochemical characteristics revealed that strain RS-2-3T differed from the species of the genus Kocuria with validly published names. Therefore, strain RS-2-3T represents a novel species of the genus Kocuria, for which the name Kocuria pelophila sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RS-2-3T (=NBRC 110990T=InaCC A704T).