Sphingobacterium oryzagri sp. nov., isolated from rice paddy soil.

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative and short rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated M6-31T, was isolated from rice paddy soil sampled in Miryang, Republic of Korea. Growth was observed at 4-35 °C (optimum, 28 °C), pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0-8.0) and in the presence of 0-4 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0 % w/v). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences grouped strain M6-31T with Sphingobacterium bambusae IBFC2009T, Sphingobacterium griseoflavum SCU-B140T and Sphingobacterium solani MLS-26-JM13-11T in the same clade, with the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities ranging from 95.8 to 96.6 %. A genome-based phylogenetic tree reconstructed by using all publicly available Sphingobacterium genomes placed strain M6-31T with S. bambusae KACC 22910T, 'Sphingobacterium deserti' ACCC 05744T, S. griseoflavum CGMCC 1.12966T and Sphingobacterium paludis CGMCC 1.12801T. Orthologous average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain M6-31T and its closely related strains were lower than 74.6 and 22.0 %, respectively. The respiratory quinone was menaquinone-7, and the major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. The major fatty acids (>10 %) were C15 : 0 iso, C17 : 0 iso 3OH and summed feature 3. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic data obtained in this study showed that strain M6-31T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium oryzagri sp. nov. (type strain M6-31T=KACC 22765T=JCM 35893T) is proposed.

Lacticaseibacillus pabuli sp. nov., isolated from fermented cattle feed.

Strain BSF-3MT is a Gram-stain-positive, non-flagellated, facultative anaerobic and rod-shaped bacterium that was isolated from fermented feed collected at a cattle farm in the Daejeon region of the Republic of Korea. It was studied using polyphasic taxonomic methods. Using 16S rRNA gene sequences and the resulting phylogenetic tree, the strain was primarily identified as a member of the genus Lacticaseibacillus. Strain BSF-3MT contained a chromosome of 2.5 Mbp and a plasmid of 33.4 kbp. The G+C content of genomic DNA was 51.3 mol%. Strain BSF-3MT had the highest ortho-average nucleotide identity value of 73.7 % with Lacticaseibacillus songhuajiangensis 7-19T, its closest relative in the phylogenetic tree based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences and the phylogenomic tree based on up-to-date bacterial core genes. Based on the results of a polyphasic taxonomic study, strain BSF-3MT represents a novel species in the genus Lacticaseibacillus, for which the name Lacticaseibacillus pabuli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BSF-3MT (=KACC 23028T=NBRC 116014T).

Interpersonal sensitivity and childhood trauma in patients with major depressive disorder, bipolar I, and II disorder.

Childhood trauma and interpersonal sensitivity impact the development of mood disorders. In this study, we investigate the association between childhood trauma and interpersonal sensitivity in patients with mood disorders. A total 775 patients (major depressive disorder [MDD, n = 241], bipolar I disorder [BD I, n = 119], and bipolar II disorder [BD II, n = 415]) and 734 controls. For evaluation, we used the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ) and Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure (IPSM). We examined between-group differences for each subscale in the CTQ and IPSM. Patients with BD II had significantly higher IPSM total scores than patients with MDD, BD I, or controls. The CTQ total score was related to the IPSM total score in all participants and subgroups. Among the CTQ subscales, emotional abuse showed the highest correlation with the IPSM total score, while separation anxiety and fragile inner self showed higher positive correlations with CTQ than the other subscales of IPSM in all patient groups and the control group, respectively. The findings reveal that childhood trauma and interpersonal sensitivity are positively correlated among patients with MDD, BD I, and BD II, and that interpersonal sensitivity is higher in patients with BD II than those with BD I or MDD. Childhood trauma is associated with interpersonal sensitivity, and each trauma type has a different impact on mood disorders. We expect that this study will encourage future research on interpersonal sensitivity and childhood trauma in mood disorders to improve treatment approaches.

Mycoproteins and their health-promoting properties: Fusarium species and beyond.

Filamentous fungal mycoproteins have gained increasing attention as sustainable alternatives to animal and plant-based proteins. This comprehensive review summarizes the nutritional characteristics, toxicological aspects, and health-promoting effects of mycoproteins, focusing on those derived from filamentous fungi, notably Fusarium venenatum. Mycoproteins are characterized by their high protein content, and they have a superior essential amino acid profile compared to soybeans indicating excellent protein quality and benefits for human nutrition. Additionally, mycoproteins offer enhanced digestibility, further highlighting their suitability as a protein source. Furthermore, mycoproteins are rich in dietary fibers, which have been associated with health benefits, including protection against metabolic diseases. Moreover, their fatty acids profile, with significant proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids and absence of cholesterol, distinguishes them from animal-derived proteins. In conclusion, the future of mycoproteins as a health-promoting protein alternative and the development of functional foods relies on several key aspects. These include improving the acceptance of mycoproteins, conducting further research into their mechanisms of action, addressing consumer preferences and perceptions, and ensuring safety and regulatory compliance. To fully unlock the potential of mycoproteins and meet the evolving needs of a health-conscious society, continuous interdisciplinary research, collaboration among stakeholders, and proactive engagement with consumers will be vital.

The Impact of Morningness-Eveningness on Depression through a Serial Mediation Model of Resilience and Anxiety.

OBJECTIVE: Resilience has been recently considered one of the possible mechanisms for the association between morningness-eveningness and depression. Meanwhile, anxiety is closely associated with mood disorder, but its association with morningness-eveningness is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the mediating effects of resilience and anxiety on morningness-eveningness and depression as the possible mechanisms. METHODS: This study included patient group and nonpatient group. Patient group consists of 743 patients with mood disorders [Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), 233; Bipolar Disorder Ⅰ (BDⅠ), 113; Bipolar Disorder Ⅱ (BDⅡ), 397] whereas nonpatient group consists of 818 individuals without mood disorder. The Composite Scale of Morningness, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Self-Rating Depression Scale, and Beck Anxiety Inventory were used to evaluate morningness-eveningness, resilience, anxiety, and depression, respectively. RESULTS: Our model provided a good fit for the data. The association between morningness-eveningness and depression symptoms was partially serially mediated by resilience and anxiety in both the patient and nonpatient groups. The patient group exhibited significantly stronger morningness-eveningness toward resilience and anxiety than the nonpatient group. In the indirect effect of morningness-eveningness on depression, group differences exist only through each mediation of resilience and anxiety, not through serial mediation. CONCLUSION: Our results expand on the mechanism underlying the association between morningness-eveningness and depression. They highlight the importance of morningness-eveningness modification to increase resilience and the need to consider anxiety jointly in this process.

Network Structure of Depressive Symptomatology in Elderly with Cognitive Impairment.

Objective and objectives: Patients with cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) frequently exhibit depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms can be evaluated with various measures and questionnaires. The geriatric depression scale (GDS) is a scale that can be used to measure symptoms in geriatric age. Many questionnaires sum up symptom scales. However, core symptoms of depression in these patients and connections between these symptoms have not been fully explored yet. Thus, the objectives of this study were (1) to determine core symptoms of two cognitive disorders, Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment, and (2) to investigate the network structure of depressive symptomatology in individuals with cognitive impairment in comparison with those with Alzheimer's disease. Materials and Methods: This study encompassed 5354 patients with cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer's disease (n 1889) and mild cognitive impairment (n = 3464). The geriatric depression scale, a self-administered questionnaire, was employed to assess depressive symptomatology. Using exploratory graph analysis (EGA), a network analysis was conducted, and the network structure was evaluated through regularized partial correlation models. To determine the centrality of depressive symptoms within each cohort, network parameters such as strength, betweenness, and closeness were examined. Additionally, to explore differences in the network structure between Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment groups, a network comparison test was performed. Results: In the analysis of centrality indices, "worthlessness" was identified as the most central symptom in the geriatric depression scale among patients with Alzheimer's disease, whereas "emptiness" was found to be the most central symptom in patients with mild cognitive impairment. Despite these differences in central symptoms, the comparative analysis showed no statistical difference in the overall network structure between Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment groups. Conclusions: Findings of this study could contribute to a better understanding of the manifestation of depressive symptoms in patients with cognitive impairment. These results are expected to aid in identifying and prioritizing core symptoms in these patients. Further research should be conducted to explore potential interventions tailored to these core symptoms in patients with Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment. Establishing core symptoms in those groups might have clinical importance in that appropriate treatment for neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with cognitive impairment could help preclude progression to further impairment.

Melaminivora suipulveris sp. nov., isolated from pigpen dust.

A bacterial strain designated SC2-9T was isolated from the dust collector of a pigpen located in Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea. Cells were strictly aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, flagellated and rod-shaped. The strain was catalase- and oxidase-positive, and grew optimally 28-30 °C, pH 8.0 and 0 % NaCl (w/v). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed 99.1 and 98.3 % similarities to Melaminivora jejuensis KBB12T and Melaminivora alkalimesophila CY1T, and revealing less than 97 % similarity to other validly named species. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain SC2-9T was 68.2 %. The orthologous average nucleotide identity and dDDH values of strain SC2-9T with the closest species Melaminivora jejuensis KCTC 32230T were 85.6 and 29.3 %, respectively. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, three unidentified aminolipids and one unidentified lipid. The major fatty acids (>10 %) were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω6c and/or C16 : 1 ω7c), C16 : 0 and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω6c and/ or C18 : 1 ω7c). The predominant isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone-8. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain SC2-9T should be assigned as a novel species of the genus Melaminivora, for which the name Melaminivora suipulveris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SC2-9T (=KACC 19310T=NBRC 113103T).

Brevibacillus ruminantium sp. nov., isolated from cow faeces.

An aerobic, Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped, endospore-forming bacterial strain, designated BB3-R1T, was isolated from cow faeces sampled in Daejeon, Republic of Korea. Growth was observed at 25-45 °C (optimum, 35-40 °C) and pH 7.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 8.0), with up to 3 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0 % NaCl). blast analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed the highest sequence similarity of strain BB3-R1T to Brevibacillus borstelensis NRRL NRS-818T (98.8 %) followed by Brevibacillus panacihumi JCM 15085T (97.5 %). According to 16S rRNA gene and whole-genome based phylogenetic trees, strain BB3-R1T clustered with Brevibacillus composti FJAT-54423T and B. borstelensis NRRL NRS-818T. OrthoANI and dDDH values of strain BB3-R1T with the closely related strains were lower than 77.5 and 26.8 %, respectively. The major menaquinones and polar lipids of the strain were MK-7 and phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine, respectively. The major fatty acids (>10 %) were C14 : 0 iso, C15 : 0 iso, C15 : 0 anteiso and C16 : 1 ω7c alcohol. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained cross-linked meso-diaminopimelic acid (type A1 gamma). The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic data obtained in this study showed that the strain represents a novel species of the genus Brevibacillus, for which the name Brevibacillus ruminantium sp. nov. (type strain BB3-R1T=KACC 22663T=NBRC 115962T) is proposed.

Frateuria soli sp. nov. and Frateuria edaphi sp. nov., isolated from greenhouse soil.

Two bacterial strains, designated 5GH9-11T and 5GH9-34T, were isolated from greenhouse soil sampled in Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea. Both strains formed yellow colonies and were aerobic, rod-shaped and flagellated. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between 5GH9-11T and 5GH9-34T was 98.6 %. Strain 5GH9-11T showed the highest sequence similarities to Dyella thiooxydans ATSB10T (98.1 %) and Frateuria aurantia DSM 6220T (97.7 %) while strain 5GH9-34T revealed the highest sequence similarity to F. aurantia DSM 6220T (98.3 %) and D. thiooxydans ATSB10T (98.3 %). Phylogenetic analysis on the basis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strains 5GH9-11T and 5GH9-34T formed a robust cluster with Frateuria flava MAH-13T and Frateuria terrea NBRC 104236T. The phylogenomic tree also showed that strains 5GH9-11T and 5GH9-34T formed a robust cluster with F. terrea DSM 26515T and F. flava MAH-13T. Strain 5GH9-11T showed the highest orthologous average nucleotide identity (OrthoANI; 88.5 %) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values (35.5 %) with F. flava MAH-13T, and strain 5GH9-34T revealed highest OrthoANI (88.1 %) and dDDH (34.2 %) values with F. flava MAH-13T. The orthoANI and dDDH values between strain 5GH9-11T and 5GH9-34T were 87.7 and 33.9 %, respectively. Their major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone 8, and the major cellular fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, summed feature 9 (iso-C17 : 1 ω9c and/or C16 : 0 10-methyl) and iso-C15 : 0. The major polar lipids of both strains were composed of large or moderate amounts of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified aminolipid and an unidentified aminophospholipid. Based on these data, strains 5GH9-11T and 5GH9-34T should represent two independent novel species of Frateuria, for which the names Frateuria soli sp. nov. (type strain 5GH9-11T=KACC 16943T=JCM 35197T) and Frateuria edaphi sp. nov. (type strain 5GH9-34T=KACC 16945T=JCM 35198T) are proposed.

Five novel Hymenobacter species isolated from air: Hymenobacter cellulosilyticus sp. nov., Hymenobacter cellulosivorans sp. nov., Hymenobacter aerilatus sp. nov., Hymenobacter sublimis sp. nov. and Hymenobacter volaticus sp. nov.

Five Hymenobacter strains isolated from air samples collected from the Suwon and Jeju regions of the Republic of Korea were studied using polyphasic taxonomic methods. Using 16S rRNA gene sequences and the resulting phylogenetic tree, the strains were primarily identified as members of the genus Hymenobacter. Digital DNA-DNA hybridization values and average nucleotide identities values for species delineation (70 and 95-96 %, respectively) between the five strains and their nearest type strains indicated that each strain represented a novel species. All strains were aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, mesophilic, rod-shaped and catalase- and oxidase-positive, with red to pink coloured colonies. The genome sizes of the five strains varied from 4.8 to 7.1 Mb and their G+C contents were between 54.1 and 59.4 mol%. Based on their phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic characteristics, we propose to classify these isolates into five novel species within the genus Hymenobacter for which we propose the names, Hymenobacter cellulosilyticus sp. nov., Hymenobacter cellulosivorans sp. nov., Hymenobacter aerilatus sp. nov., Hymenobacter sublimis sp. nov. and Hymenobacter volaticus sp. nov., with strains 5116 S-3T (=KACC 21925T=JCM 35216T), 5116 S-27T (=KACC 21926T=JCM 35217T), 5413 J-13T (=KACC 21928T=JCM 35219T), 5516 S-25T (=KACC 21931T=JCM 35222T) and 5420 S-77T (=KACC 21932T=JCM 35223T) as the type strains, respectively.

Spirosoma oryzicola sp. nov., isolated from dried rice husk.

Strain RHs26T is an aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, non-flagellated and rod- or filamentous-shaped (1.0-1.1×2.3-50 µm) bacterium that was isolated from dried rice husk. It was positive for oxidase and catalase, hydrolysed starch and Tween 80, and weakly hydrolysed CM-cellulose. The strain grew at temperatures between 10 and 37 °C (optimum, 28 °C), in 0-1 % NaCl (optimum, 0 %) and at pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0-8.0). The predominant membrane fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c), C16 : 1 ω5c, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified aminolipid, two unidentified aminophospholipids and two unidentified lipids. The predominant quinone was menaquinone MK-7. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain RHs26T belongs to the genus Spirosoma, presenting the highest sequence similarity to Spirosoma agri S7-3-3T (95.8 %). The genomic DNA G+C content of strain RHs26T was 49.5 %. Strain RHs26T showed the highest orthologous average nucleotide identity (OrthoANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values of 76.4 % and 20.0 % with S. agri KCTC 52727T while sharing OrthoANI and dDDH values of 74.6 % and 19.2 % with Spirosoma terrae KCTC 52035T, the closest relative in the phylogenomic tree. Based on the results of a polyphasic taxonomic study, strain RHs26T represents a novel species in the genus Spirosoma, for which the name Spirosoma oryzicola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RHs26T (=JCM 35224T=KACC 17318T).

Network structure of symptomatology of adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in patients with mood disorders.

Patients with mood disorders commonly manifest comorbid psychiatric disorders, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, few studies have evaluated ADHD symptoms in this population. The current study aimed to explore the network structure of ADHD symptomology and identify central symptoms in patients with mood disorders. The Korean version of the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale was used to assess the overall ADHD symptoms in 1,086 individuals diagnosed with mood disorders (major depressive disorder [n = 373], bipolar I disorder [n = 314], and bipolar II disorder [n = 399]). We used exploratory graph analysis to detect the number of communities, and the network structure was analyzed using regularized partial correlation models. We identified the central ADHD symptom using centrality indices. Network comparison tests were conducted with different subgroups of patients with mood disorders, including three mood diagnosis groups, between the patients who met the diagnostic criteria for ADHD [ADHD-suspected, n = 259] in their self-report and the others [ADHD-non-suspected, n = 827], and groups with high [n = 503] versus low [n = 252] levels of depressive state. The network analysis detected four communities: disorganization, agitation/restlessness, hyperactivity/impulsivity, and inattention. The centrality indices indicated that "feeling restless" was the core ADHD symptom. The result was replicated in the subgroup analyses within our clinically diverse population of mood disorders, encompassing three presentations: Patients with suspected ADHD, patients without suspected ADHD, and patients with a high depressive state. Our findings reveal that "feeling restless" is the central ADHD symptom. The treatment intervention for "feeling restless" may thus play a pivotal role in tackling ADHD symptoms in adult patients with mood disorders.

Understanding of Depressive Symptomatology across Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder: A Network Analysis.

Background and Objectives: Depressive symptoms are prominent in both major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD). However, comparative research on the network structure of depressive symptoms in these two diagnostic groups has been limited. This study aims to compare the network structure of depressive symptoms in MDD and BD, providing a deeper understanding of the depressive symptomatology of each disorder. Materials and Methods: The Zung Self-Rating Depressive Scale, a 20-item questionnaire, was administered to assess the depressive symptoms in individuals with MDD (n = 322) and BD (n = 516). A network analysis was conducted using exploratory graph analysis (EGA), and the network structure was analyzed using regularized partial correlation models. To validate the dimensionality of the Zung SDS, principal component analysis (PCA) was adopted. Centrality measures of the depressive symptoms within each group were assessed, followed by a network comparison test between the two groups. Results: In both diagnostic groups, the network analysis revealed four distinct categories, aligning closely with the PCA results. "Depressed affect" emerged as the most central symptom in both MDD and BD. Furthermore, non-core symptoms, "Personal devaluation" in MDD and "Confusion" in BD, displayed strong centrality. The network comparison test did not reveal significant differences in the network structure between MDD and BD. Conclusions: The absence of significant differences in the network structures between MDD and BD suggests that the underlying mechanisms of depressive symptoms may be similar across these disorders. The identified central symptoms, including "Depressed affect", in both disorders and the distinct non-core symptoms in each highlight the complexity of the depressive symptomatology. Future research should focus on validating these symptoms as therapeutic targets and incorporate various methodologies, including non-metric dimension reduction techniques or canonical analysis.

Korean Validation of the Short Version of the TEMPS-A (Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego Autoquestionnaire) in Patients with Mood Disorders.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A) is designed to assess affective temperaments. The short version of the TEMPS-A (TEMPS-A-SV) has been translated into various languages for use in research and clinical settings. However, no research has been conducted to validate the Korean version of the TEMPS-A-SV in patients with mood disorders. The goal of this study is to evaluate the reliability and validity of the TEMPS-A-SV in Korean mood disorder patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional retrospective study, a total of 715 patients (267 patients with major depressive disorder, 94 patients with bipolar disorder I, and 354 patients with bipolar disorder II) completed the Korean TEMPS-A-SV. Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega were used to assess the reliability. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was also performed. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to examine associations between the five temperaments. The difference in five temperament scores between the gender or diagnosis groups was analyzed, and the correlation between five temperament scores and age was tested. RESULTS: The Korean TEMPS-A-SV displayed good internal consistency (α = 0.65-0.88, ω = 0.66-0.9) and significant correlations between the subscales except one (the correlation between hyperthymic and anxious). Using EFA, a two-factor structure was produced: Factor I (cyclothymic, depressive, irritable, and anxious) and Factor II (hyperthymic). The cyclothymic temperament score differed by gender and the anxious temperament score was significantly correlated with age. All the temperaments, except for irritable temperament, showed significant differences between diagnosis groups. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the results show that the TEMPS-A-SV is a reliable and valid measurement that can be used for estimating Koreans' affective temperaments. However, more research is required on affective temperaments and associated characteristics in people with mood disorders.

Duganella dendranthematis sp. nov. and Massilia forsythiae sp. nov., isolated from flowers.

Two aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, motile, mesophilic, rod-shaped and catalase-positive bacterial strains designated AF9R3T and GN2-R2T were isolated from flowers collected in the Republic of Korea. Strain AF9R3T grew at 4-33 °C, pH 4.0-9.0 and with 0-1 % NaCl (w/v), and strain GN2-R2T grew at 10-33 °C, pH 4.0-9.0 and with 0-1 % NaCl (w/v). Phylogenetic analysis on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strains AF9R3T and GN2-R2T belonged to the genera Duganella and Massilia, respectively, showing high sequence similarity to Duganella levis CY42WT (99.4 %) and Massilia putida 6 NM-7T (98.0 %), respectively. Both strains contained summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c) and C16 : 0 as the major fatty acids, and ubiquinone Q-8 as the predominant quinone. Strain AF9R3T had diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine, and strain GN2-R2T comprised diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified phospholipid as the major polar lipids. Orthologous average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values of strain AF9R3T to its closest relative D. levis CY42WT were 92.6 and 56.5 %, and those of strain GN2-R2T to its closest relative M. putida 6 NM-7T were 81.4 and 24.8 %. Based on genotypic and phenotypic data, strains AF9R3T and GN2-R2T are considered to represent novel species of the genus Duganella and Massilia, respectively, for which the names Duganella dendranthematis sp. nov. (type strain AF9R3T=KACC 21258T=NBRC 114510T) and Massilia forsythiae sp. nov. (type strain GN2-R2T=KACC 21261T=NBRC 114511T) have been proposed.

Chryseobacterium oryzae sp. nov. and Chryseobacterium suipulveris sp. nov., isolated from Andong sikhye and pigpen dust, respectively.

Two Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, mesophilic, rod-shaped bacteria, ADR-1T and SC2-2T, were isolated from Andong sikhye and dust in a pigpen, respectively. The phylogenetic tree on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strains ADR-1T and SC2-2T were members of the genus Chryseobacterium and revealed the highest sequence similarities to Chryseobacterium binzhouense LM2T (97.6 %) and Chryseobacterium koreense Chj707T (94.9 %), respectively. Phylogenomic treeing using 92 core genes clearly indicated that strain ADR-1T clustered with Chryseobacterium echinoideorum CC-CZW010T, Chryseobacterium binzhouense LM2T and Chryseobacterium taihuense CGMCC 1.10941T, and strain SC2-2T formed a compact cluster with Chryseobacterium koreense CCUG 49689T. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) and orthologous average nucleotide identity (ANI) values of strain ADR-1T with the closely related species of the genus Chryseobacterium were ≤24.4 % and ≤80.7 %, and those of strain SC2-2T were ≤24.0 % and ≤77.8 %, respectively, which are well below the cut-off values of species discrimination (>70 % dDDH and >95-96 % ANI). The only respiratory quinone in both strains was menaquinone 6. The polar lipid profile of strain ADR-1T comprised phosphatidylethanolamine, four unidentified aminolipids and three unidentified lipids, while strain SC2-2T contained phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids, one unidentified aminophospholipid and five unidentified polar lipids. The major fatty acids (>10 %) of strain ADR-1T were iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 9 (iso-C17 : 1 ω9c and/or C16 : 0 10-methyl), iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c), and those of strain SC2-2T were iso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. On the basis of the results of phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses, strains ADR-1T and SC2-2T represent two distinct novel species in the genus Chryseobacterium, for which the names Chryseobacterium oryzae sp. nov. (type strain ADR-1T=KACC 19311T=NBRC 113104T) and Chryseobacterium suipulveris sp. nov. (type strain SC2-2T=KACC 19313T=NBRC 113106T) are proposed.

Ferruginibacter albus sp. nov., isolated from a mountain soil, and Mucilaginibacter robiniae sp. nov., isolated from a black locust flower, Robinia pseudoacacia.

Two bacterial strains, designated KIS38-8T and F39-2T, were isolated from a mountain soil sample and a black locust flower (Robinia pseudoacacia) in Republic of Korea, respectively. The phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain KIS38-8T was classified into the genus Ferruginibacter with the highest sequence similarity to Ferruginibacter lapsinanis HU1-HG42T (96.6 %), and strain F39-2T was grouped into the genus Mucilaginibacter with the highest sequence similarity to Mucilaginibacter daejeonensis Jip 10T (97.6 %). Orthologous average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain KIS38-8T and closely related Ferruginibacter strains were less than 72 and 19 %, respectively, while those values between strain F39-2T and closely related Mucilaginibacter strains were less than 73 and 21 %, respectively. The DNA G+C contents of strain KIS38-8T and F39-2T were 36.4 and 41.4 mol%, respectively. On the basis of the phenotypic and genotypic evidence, strains KIS38-8T and F39-2T are considered to represent novel species of the genus Ferruginibacter and Mucilaginibacter, respectively, for which the names Ferruginibacter albus sp. nov. (type strain KIS38-8T=KACC 17328T=NBRC 113101T) and Mucilaginibacter robiniae sp. nov. (type strain F39-2T=KACC 19733T=JCM 33062T) have been proposed.

Re-Identification of Aspergillus Subgenus Nidulantes Strains and Description of Three Unrecorded Species From Korea.

Aspergillus subgenus Nidulantes with nine section forms the second largest subgenus of the fungi that comes under the genus Aspergillus. Species in this group of fungi are important as they are reported to play several important roles in the environment including influencing air quality in confined spaces, food spoilage, production of mycotoxins as well as in human pathogenicity. In the present study, 53 strains of Aspergillus subgenus Nidulantes (section: Nidulantes & Usti) isolated from Korea and preserved at the Korean Agricultural Culture Collection (KACC) were subjected to re-identification by using a combined dataset of partial ß-tubulin (BenA), Calmodulin (CaM) gene sequences as well as their morphological data. We confirmed 14 species from 53 isolates in Korea. Of them, eleven species were reported in Korea previously (A. amoenus, A. baeticus, A. calidoustus, A. creber, A. insuetus, A. jensenii, A. nidulans, A. protuberus, A. sydowii, A. tabacinus and A. unguis), and three species (A. griseoaurantiacus, A. puulaauensis and A. sublatus) were previously unreported from Korea. We detailed the characteristic features of these three species, that remain unexplored in Korea.

Molecular characterization of Fusarium venenatum-based microbial protein in animal models of obesity using multi-omics analysis.

Microbial protein, produced by fermentation of Fusarium venenatum is a promising candidate alternative protein source. Previous study has demonstrated its ability to improve hyperlipidemia in rats, yet the related mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential of F. venenatum as an alternative protein source and its impact on lipid metabolism using multi-omics analysis. Initial experiments with Caenorhabditis elegans revealed that F. venenatum enhanced longevity, improved immune responses, and reduced lipid metabolism by downregulating fat synthesis-related genes. Subsequently, we conducted experiments with mice on a high-fat diet to confirm the anti-obesity effects of F. venenatum. The groups fed F. venenatum showed improved lipid profiles and reduced hepatic fat accumulation. Furthermore, fecal metabolomic analysis showed higher excretion of primary bile acid and cholesterol in the groups fed F. venenatum which might lead to a decrease in lipid digestion and hepatic fat accumulation. Collectively, this series of experiments revealed the potential of F. venenatum as a sustainable alternative protein and its application as an anti-obesity supplement.

Re-identification of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Species Complex Isolates in Korea and Their Host Plants.

The Colletotrichum gloeosporioides species complex includes many phytopathogenic species, causing anthracnose disease on a wide range of host plants and appearing to be globally distributed. Seventy-one Colletotrichum isolates in the complex from different plants and geographic regions in Korea were preserved in the Korean Agricultural Culture Collection (KACC). Most of them had been identified based on hosts and morphological features, this could lead to inaccurate species names. Therefore, the KACC isolates were re-identified using DNA sequence analyses of six loci, comprising internal transcribed spacer, gapdh, chs-1, his3, act, and tub2 in this study. Based on the combined phylogenetic analysis, KACC strains were assigned to 12 known species and three new species candidates. The detected species are C. siamense (n = 20), C. fructicola (n = 19), C. gloeosporioides (n = 9), C. aenigma (n = 5), C. camelliae (n = 3), C. temperatum (n = 3), C. musae (n = 2), C. theobromicola (n = 2), C. viniferum (n = 2), C. alatae (n = 1), C. jiangxiense (n = 1), and C. yulongense (n = 1). Of these, C. jiangxiense, C. temperatum, C. theobromicola and C. yulongense are unrecorded species in Korea. Host plant comparisons showed that 27 fungus-host associations are newly reported in the country. However, plant-fungus interactions need to be investigated by pathogenicity tests.