Sphingomonas floccifaciens sp. nov., isolated from subterranean sediment.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, non-sporulating, rod-shaped, orange-pigmented bacterium, designated strain FQM01T, was isolated from a subterranean sediment sample in the Mohe permafrost area, China. Strain FQM01T grew optimally at 25 °C, pH 7.0 and NaCl concentration of 0 % (w/v). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain FQM01T belonged to the genus Sphingomonas. The closest phylogenetic relative was Sphingomonas spermidinifaciens GDMCC 1.657T (97.6 %), followed by Sphingomonas mucosissima DSM 17494T (97.2 %). The DNA G+C content of the isolate was 66.9 mol%. Strain FQM01T contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone, and C18 : 1ω6c and/or C18 : 1ω7c, C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c, C16 : 0, C14 : 0 2-OH and C18 : 1ω7c 11 methyl as the major fatty acids. Major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, sphingoglycolipid and an unidentified glycolipid. Only sym-homospermidine was detected as the polyamine. On the basis of phylogenetic and phenotypic data, strain FQM01T is considered to represent a novel species of Sphingomonas for which the name Sphingomonasfloccifaciens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is FQM01T (=CGMCC 1.15797T=KCTC 52630T).

Sphingorhabdus buctiana sp. nov., isolated from fresh water, and reclassification of Sphingopyxis contaminans as Sphingorhabdus contaminans comb. nov.

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated T5T, was isolated from the Chishui River in Maotai town, Guizhou Province, Southwest of China. Strain T5T was found to grow optimally at pH 9.0 and 25 °C. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain T5T belongs to the family Sphingomonadaceae within the phylum Proteobacteria; the strain T5T clustered with the type strains of Sphingopyxis contaminans, Sphingorhabdus wooponensis and Sphingorhabdus rigui, with which it exhibits 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 96.2-96.9%. The DNA G+C content was 58.5 mol%. The major respiratory quinone was Q-10 and the major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. The major polyamine was homospermidine and the major fatty acids were C18:1 ω7c (37.5%) and C16:1 ω7c (30.1%). On the basis of phylogenetic, phenotypic and genetic data, strain T5T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingorhabdus, for which the name Sphingorhabdus buctiana sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is T5T (= CGMCC 1.12929T = JCM 30114T). It is also proposed that Sphingopyxis contaminans should be reclassified as a member of the genus Sphingorhabdus.

Description of Sphingomonas mohensis sp. nov., Isolated from Sediment.

An aerobic, gram-reaction-negative, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain Z6(T), was isolated from sediment collected at Mohe Basin, China. And its taxonomic position was investigated by applying a polyphasic approach. Growth occurs at 10-45 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 6.0-11.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and in the presence of 0-3.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0 %). The polar lipid profile of strain Z6(T) revealed the presence of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingoglycolipid and two unidentified phospholipids, and the major quinone was Q-10. The major fatty acids were C18:1 ω7c and/or C18:1 ω6c (summed feature 8) and C16:1 ω6c and/or C16:1 ω7c (summed feature 3). The predominant polyamine was homospermidine. The DNA G + C content of strain Z6(T) is 65.2 mol%. On the basis of the polyphasic evidence presented, strain Z6(T) represents a novel species of the genus Sphingomonas, for which the name Sphingomonas mohensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Z6(T) (=CGMCC 1.12891(T) = JCM 19983(T)).

Protective effect of Weikang decoction and partial ingredients on model rat with gastric mucosa ulcer.

AIM: To investigate the protective mechanisms of Weikang (WK) decoction on gastric mucosae. METHODS: Ninety rats were randomly divided into nine groups of 10 each, namely group, model group, group with large WK dosage, group with medium WK dosage, group with small WK dosage, group with herbs of jianpiyiqi (strengthening the spleen and replenishing qi), group with herbs of yangxuehuoxue (invigorating the circulation of and nourishing the blood), group with herbs of qingrejiedu (clearing away the heat-evils and toxic materials), group with colloidal bismuth pectin (CBP) capsules. According to the method adopted by Yang Xuesong, except normal control group, chronic gastric ulcer was induced with 100% acetic acid. On the sixth day after moldmaking, WK decoction was administered, respectively at doses of 20, 10 and 5 g/kg to rats of the WK groups, or the groups with herbs of jianpiyiqi, yangxuehuoxue and qingrejiedu, 10 mL/kg was separately administered to each group every day. For the group with CBP capsules, medicine was dissolved with water and doses 15 times of human therapeutic dose were administered (10 mL/kg solution containing 0.35% CBP). Rats of other groups were fed with physiological saline (10 mL/kg every day). Administration lasted for 16 d. Rats were killed on d 22 after mold making to observe changes of gastric mucosa. The mucus thickness of gastric mucosa surface was measured. Levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in gastric juice, nitric oxide (NO) in gastric tissue, endothelin (ET) in plasma, superoxide dismutase (SOD) in plasma, malondialdehyde (MDA) in plasma and prostaglandin I(2) (PGI(2)) were examined. RESULTS: Compared with control group, ulceration was found in gastric mucosa of model group rats. The mucus thickness of gastric mucosa surface, the levels of EGF, NO, 6-K-PGF(1)alpha and SOD decreased significantly in the model group (EGF: 0.818+/-0.18 vs 2.168+/-0.375, NO: 0.213+/-0.049 vs 0.601+/-0.081, 6-K-PGF(1)alpha: 59.7+/-6.3 vs 96.6+/-8.30, SOD: 128.6+/-15.0 vs 196.6+/-35.3, P<0.01), the levels of ET (179.96+/-37.40 vs 46.64+/-21.20, P<0.01) and MDA (48.2+/-4.5 vs 15.7+/-4.8, P<0.01) increased. Compared with model group, the thickness of regenerative mucosa increased, glandular arrangement was in order, and cystic dilative glands decreased, while the mucus thickness of gastric mucosa surface increased (20 g/kg WK: 51.3+/-2.9 vs 23.2+/-8.4, 10 g/kg WK: 43.3+/-2.9 vs 23.2+/-8.4, 5 g/kg WK: 36.1+/-7.2 vs 23.2+/-8.4, jianpiyiqi: 35.4+/-5.6 vs 23.2+/-8.4, yangxuehuoxue: 33.1+/-8.9 vs 23.2+/-8.4, qingrejiedu: 31.0+/-8.0 vs 23.2+/-8.4 and CBP: 38.2+/-3.5 vs 23.2+/-8.4, P<0.05-0.01). The levels of EGF (20 g/kg WK: 1.364+/-0.12 vs 0.818+/-0.18, 10 g/kg WK: 1.359+/-0.24 vs 0.818+/-0.18, 5 g/kg WK: 1.245+/-0.31 vs 0.818+/-0.18, jianpiyiqi: 1.025+/- 0.45 vs 0.818+/-0.18, yangxuehuoxue: 1.03+/-0.29 vs 0.818+/-0.18, qingrejiedu: 1.02+/-0.47 vs 0.818+/-0.18 and CBP: 1.237+/-0.20 vs 0.818+/-0.18, P<0.05-0.01), NO (20 g/kg WK: 0.480+/-0.026 vs 0.213+/-0.049, 10 g/kg WK: 0.390+/-0.055 vs 0.213+/-0.049, 5 g/kg WK: 0.394+/-0.026 vs 0.213+/-0.049, jianpiyiqi: 0.393+/-0.123 vs 0.213+/-0.049, yangxuehuoxue: 0.463+/-0.077 vs 0.213+/-0.049, qingrejiedu: 0.382+/-0.082 vs 0.213+/-0.049 and CBP: 0.395+/-0.053 vs 0.213+/-0.049, P<0.05-0.01), 6-K-PGF(1)alpha (20 g/kg WK: 86.8+/-7.6 vs 59.7+/-6.3, 10 g/kg WK: 77.9+/-7.0 vs 59.7+/-6.3, 5 g/kg WK: 70.0+/-5.4 vs 59.7+/-6.3, jianpiyiqi: 73.5+/-12.2 vs 59.7+/-6.3, yangxuehuoxue: 65.1+/-5.3 vs 59.7+/-6.3, qingrejiedu: 76.9+/-14.6 vs 59.7+/-6.3, and CBP: 93.7+/-10.7 vs 59.7+/-6.3, P<0.05-0.01) and SOD (20 g/kg WK: 186.4+/-19.9 vs 128.6+/-15.0, 10 g/kg WK: 168.2+/-21.7 vs 128.6+/-15.0, 5 g/kg WK: 155.6+/-21.6 vs 128.6+/-15.0, jianpiyiqi: 168.0+/-85.3 vs 128.6+/-15.0, yangxuehuoxue: 165.0+/-34.0 vs 128.6+/-15.0, qingrejiedu: 168.2+/-24.9 vs 128.6+/-15.0, and CBP: 156.3+/-18.1 vs 128.6+/-15.0, P<0.05-0.01) significantly increased. The levels of ET (20 g/kg WK: 81.30+/-17.20 vs 179.96+/-37.40, 10 g/kg WK: 83.40+/-25.90 vs 179.96+/-37.40, 5 g/kg WK: 93.87+/-20.70 vs 179.96+/-37.40, jianpiyiqi: 130.67+/-43.66 vs 179.96+/-37.40, yangxuehuoxue: 115.88+/-34.09 vs 179.96+/-37.40, qingrejiedu: 108.22+/-36.97 vs 179.96+/-37.40, and CBP: 91.96+/-19.0 vs 179.96+/-37.40, P<0.01) and MDA (20 g/kg WK: 21.6+/-7.4 vs 48.2+/-4.5, 10 g/kg WK: 32.2+/-7.3 vs 48.2+/-4.5, 5 g/kg WK: 34.2+/-6.2 vs 48.2+/-4.5, jianpiyiqi: 34.9+/-13.8 vs 48.2+/-4.5, yangxuehuoxue: 35.5+/-16.7 vs 48.2+/-4.5, qingrejiedu: 42.2+/-17.6 vs 48.2+/-4.5, and CBP: 30.1+/-6.1 vs 48.2+/-4.5, P<0.05-0.01) obviously decreased. The 20 g/kg WK group was better than 10 g/kg (the mucus thickness: 51.3+/-2.9 vs 43.3+/-2.9, NO: 0.480+/-0.026 vs 0.390+/-0.055, SOD: 186.4+/-19.9 vs 168.2+/-21.7, P<0.01) and 5 g/kg (the mucus thickness: 51.3+/-2.9 vs 36.1+/-7.2, NO: 0.480+/-0.026 vs 0.394+/-0.026, SOD: 186.4+/-19.9 vs 155.6+/-21.6, P<0.01) groups and CBP group (the mucus thickness: 51.3+/-2.9 vs 38.2+/-3.5, NO: 0.480+/-0.026 vs 0.395+/-0.053, SOD: 186.4+/-19.9 vs 156.3+/-18.1, P<0.01) in the mucus thickness, NO and SOD levels and better than 10 g/kg (86.8+/-7.6 vs 77.9+/-7.0, P<0.05) and 5 g/kg (86.8+/-7.6 vs 70.0+/-5.4, P<0.05) groups in 6-K-PGF(1)alpha level, 10 g/kg WK group was better than 5 g/kg WK (the mucus thickness: 43.3+/-2.9 vs 36.1+/-7.2, P<0.01, SOD: 168.2+/-21.7 vs 155.6+/-21.6, P<0.05) and CBP groups (the mucus thickness: 43.3+/-2.9 vs 38.2+/-3.5, P<0.01, SOD: 168.2+/-21.7 vs 156.3+/-18.1, P<0.05) in the mucus thickness and SOD level. In compound group, jianpiyiqi group, yangxuehuoxue group, qingrejiedu group, the level of ET was decreased, NO contents were increased in gastric tissue of ulcers in rats. CONCLUSION: WK decoction and separated recipes have significantly protective effect on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury. They can increase the content of EGF in gastric juice, PGI(2) SOD in plasma and NO in gastric tissues, thicken the mucus on the gastric mucosa, and decrease the impairing factor MDA, ET in plasma.