Six versus four or five cycles of first-line etoposide and platinum-based chemotherapy combined with thoracic radiotherapy in patients with limited-stage small-cell lung cancer: A propensity score-matched analysis of a prospective randomized trial.

OBJECTIVES: The recommended treatment for limited-stage small-cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) is a combination of thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) and etoposide plus cisplatin (EP) chemotherapy, typically administered over 4-6 cycles. Nonetheless, the optimal duration of chemotherapy is still not determined. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of patients with LS-SCLC who received either 6 cycles or 4-5 cycles of EP chemotherapy combined with TRT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective analysis, we utilized data from our prior prospective trial to analyze the outcomes of 265 LS-SCLC patients who received 4-6 courses of EP combined with concurrent accelerated hyperfractionated TRT between 2002 and 2017. Patients were categorized into two groups depending on their number of chemotherapy cycles: 6 or 4-5 cycles. To assess overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), we employed the Kaplan-Meier method after conducting propensity score matching (PSM). RESULTS: Among the 265 LS-SCLC patients, 60 (22.6%) received 6 cycles of EP chemotherapy, while 205 (77.4%) underwent 4-5 cycles. Following PSM (53 patients for each group), the patients in the 6 cycles group exhibited a significant improvement in OS and PFS in comparison to those in the 4-5 cycles group [median OS: 29.8 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 23.6-53.1 months) vs. 22.7 months (95% CI, 20.8-29.1 months), respectively, p = 0.019; median PFS: 17.9 months (95% CI, 13.7-30.5 months) vs. 12.0 months (95% CI, 9.8-14.2 months), respectively, p = 0.006]. The two-year and five-year OS rates were 60.38% and 29.87% in the 6 cycles group, whereas 47.17% and 15.72% in the 4-5 cycles group, respectively. CONCLUSION: Patients diagnosed with LS-SCLC who were treated with EP regimen chemotherapy combined with TRT exhibited notably enhanced survival when administered 6 cycles of chemotherapy, as compared to those who underwent only 4-5 cycles.

Induction immunotherapy plus chemotherapy followed by definitive chemoradiation therapy in locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a propensity-score matched study.

BACKGROUND: For patients with unresectable locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is the current standard treatment; however, the prognosis remains poor. Immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy has demonstrated improved survival outcomes in advanced ESCC. Nevertheless, there is a lack of reports on the role of induction immunotherapy plus chemotherapy prior to CCRT for unresectable locally advanced ESCC. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of induction immunotherapy plus chemotherapy followed by definitive chemoradiotherapy in patients with unresectable locally advanced ESCC. METHODS: This study retrospectively collected clinical data of patients diagnosed with locally advanced ESCC who were treated with radical CCRT between 2017 and 2021 at our institution. The patients were divided into two groups: an induction immunotherapy plus chemotherapy group (induction IC group) or a CCRT group. To assess progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), we employed the Kaplan-Meier method after conducting propensity score matching (PSM). RESULTS: A total of 132 patients with unresectable locally advanced ESCC were included in this study, with 61 (45.26%) patients in the induction IC group and 71 (54.74%) patients in the CCRT group. With a median follow-up of 37.0 months, median PFS and OS were 25.2 and 39.2 months, respectively. The patients in the induction IC group exhibited a significant improvement in PFS and OS in comparison with those in the CCRT group (median PFS: not reached [NR] versus 15.9 months, hazard ratio [HR] 0.526 [95%CI 0.325-0.851], P = 0.0077; median OS: NR versus 25.2 months, HR 0.412 [95%CI 0.236-0.719], P = 0.0012). After PSM (50 pairs), both PFS and OS remained superior in the induction IC group compared to the CCRT group (HR 0.490 [95%CI 0.280-0.858], P = 0.011; HR 0.454 [95%CI 0.246-0.837], P = 0.0093), with 2-year PFS rates of 67.6 and 42.0%, and the 2-year OS rates of 74.6 and 52.0%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that lower tumor stage, concurrent chemotherapy using double agents, and induction immunotherapy plus chemotherapy before CCRT were associated with better prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed for the first time that induction immunotherapy plus chemotherapy followed by CCRT for unresectable locally advanced ESCC provided a survival benefit with manageable safety profile. More prospective clinical studies should be warranted.

Genetic characterization of human adenoviruses in patients using metagenomic next-generation sequencing in Hubei, China, from 2018 to 2019.

Objectives: This study aimed to characterize the genomic epidemiology of human adenoviruses (HAdVs) in Hubei, China, using metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS). Methods: In total, 25 HAdV-positive samples collected from 21 pediatric patients were sequenced and subjected to mNGS using the NextSeq 550 and GenoLab M sequencing platforms. The metagenomic data were assembled de novo for molecular typing, phylogenetic and recombination analyzes. Results: We assembled 50 HAdV genomes, 88% (22/25) genomes from GenoLab M, and 84% (21/25) genomes from NextSeq 550 have perfect alignments to reference genomes with greater than 90%. The most fully assembled 25 genomes were categorized into 7 HAdV genotypes, the most abundant of which were HAdV-B3 (9/25) and HAdV-C2 (6/25). Phylogenetic analyzes revealed that the newly isolated HAdV-B3 strains diverged into separate clusters according to their genotypes. Vigilance is needed that HAdV-B3 isolates have begun to form new distinct clusters. High nucleotide identity was observed in the whole genome level within the same HAdV genotypes, while marked differences of three capsid genes across HAdV genotypes were noted. The high nucleotide diversity regions were concordant with the reported hypervariable regions. Further, three recombinant strains were identified: S64 and S71 originated from the parental strains HAdV-B14 and HAdV-B11, and S28 originated from HAdV-C1, HAdV-C5, and HAdV-CBJ113. GenoLab M and NextSeq 550 showed comparable performance with respect to data yield, duplication rate, human ratio, and assembly completeness. Conclusion: The sequencing quality and assembly accuracy showed that mNGS assembled genomes can be used for subsequently HAdV genotyping and genomic characterization. The high nucleotide diversity of capsid genes and high frequency of recombination events has highlighted the necessity for HAdV epidemiological surveillance in China.

Anti-Müllerian Hormone Accelerates Pathological Process of Insulin Resistance in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Patients.

Insulin resistance (IR) is one of the most common features of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is related to obesity. Whether increased anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels in PCOS are involved in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance remains unclear. We investigated serum levels of leptin and AMH along with basic clinical and metabolic parameters in 114 PCOS patients and 181 non-PCOS women. PCOS patients presented higher fasting blood glucose, insulin concentrations and Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) in addition to body mass index (BMI), lipids profiles and hormone levels. HOMA-IR showed a positive correlation with BMI, AMH, leptin, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c) levels. Interestingly, AMH is strongly positively correlated with HOMA-IR and insulin concentrations for 1st and 2nd hours of glucose treatment after fasting. Among PCOS women with BMI≥25 kg/m2, high AMH level group showed an increased HOMA-IR when compared to normal AMH level. However, among PCOS women with normal BMI, women with high AMH presented an elevated fasting insulin levels but not HOMA-IR when compared to normal AMH group. In vitro treatment of isolated islet cells with high concentration of leptin (200 ng/ml) or high leptin plus high concentration of AMH (1 ng/ml) significantly enhanced insulin secretion. Importantly, co-treatment of AMH plus leptin upregulates the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, caspase-3, and caspase-8 after incubating with a high level of glucose. These results suggest that AMH may involve in the pathological process of pancreatic ß-cells in obese PCOS women.

Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm: Progress in Cell Origin, Molecular Biology, Diagnostic Criteria and Therapeutic Approaches.

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare hematological malignancy characterized by recurrent skin nodules, an aggressive clinical course with rapid involvement of hematological organs, and a poor prognosis with poor overall survival. BPDCN is derived from plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and its pathogenesis is unclear. The tumor cells show aberrant expression of CD4, CD56, interleukin-3 receptor alpha chain (CD123), blood dendritic cell antigen 2 (BDCA 2/CD303), blood dendritic cell antigen 4 (BDCA4) and transcription factor (E protein) E2-2 (TCF4). The best treatment drugs are based on experience by adopting those used for either leukemia or lymphoma. Relapse with drug resistance generally occurs quickly. Stem cell transplantation after the first complete remission is recommended and tagraxofusp is the first targeted therapy. In this review, we summarize the differentiation of BPDCN from its cell origin, its connection with normal pDCs, clinical characteristics, genetic mutations and advances in treatment of BPDCN. This review provides insights into the mechanisms of and new therapeutic approaches for BPDCN.

Cross-talk between Myc and p53 in B-cell lymphomas.

Myc and p53 proteins are closely associated with many physiological cellular functions, including immune response and lymphocyte survival, and are expressed in the lymphoid organs, which are sites for the development and activation of B-cell malignancies. Genetic alterations and other mechanisms resulting in constitutive activation, rearrangement, or mutation of MYC and TP53 contribute to the development of lymphomas, progression and therapy resistance by gene dysregulation, activation of downstream anti-apoptotic pathways, and unfavorable microenvironment interactions. The cross-talk between the Myc and p53 proteins contributes to the inferior prognosis in many types of B-cell lymphomas. In this review, we present the physiological roles of Myc and p53 proteins, and recent advances in understanding the pathological roles of Myc, p53, and their cross-talk in lymphoid neoplasms. In addition, we highlight clinical trials of novel agents that directly or indirectly inhibit Myc and/or p53 protein functions and their signaling pathways. Although, to date, these trials have failed to overcome drug resistance, the new results have highlighted the clinical efficiency of targeting diverse mechanisms of action with the goal of optimizing novel therapeutic opportunities to eradicate lymphoma cells.

Reduced Intellectual Ability in Offspring of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome: A Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), a complication of ovarian stimulation, has various adverse effects on both pregnant women and their offspring. However, whether OHSS will affect intellectual ability in offspring is still unknown. METHODS: We recruited 86 Chinese children born to OHSS women and 172 children conceived with non-OHSS In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) in this cohort study. Their intellectual ability was assessed according to the Revised Chinese Version of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (C-WISC). Verbal Intelligence Quotient (VIQ), Performance Intelligence Quotient (PIQ), and Full Intelligence Quotient (FIQ) were calculated. The investigation was registered in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-SOC-16009555). FINDINGS: OHSS offspring scored less on C-WISC (mean (standard deviation [SD]): (VIQ=92.7 (14.7), PIQ=108.9 (13.1), FIQ=100.6 (13.4)) compared with non-OHSS IVF offspring (VIQ=100.1 (13.2), PIQ=113.7 (10.8), FIQ=107.4 (11.5)). The prevalence of low IQ (<80) children was 4.7 times higher in OHSS offspring compared with non-OHSS offspring. Maternal estradiol level on hCG administration day was negatively associated with FIQ in offspring. INTERPRETATION: OHSS offspring displayed reduced intellectual ability. Prenatal estradiol exposure might be involved in underlying mechanism.

XCI-escaping gene KDM5C contributes to ovarian development via downregulating miR-320a.

Mechanisms underlying female gonadal dysgenesis remain unclarified and relatively unstudied. Whether X-chromosome inactivation (XCI)-escaping genes and microRNAs (miRNAs) contribute to this condition is currently unknown. We compared 45,X Turner Syndrome women with 46,XX normal women, and investigated differentially expressed miRNAs in Turner Syndrome through plasma miRNA sequencing. We found that miR-320a was consistently upregulated not only in 45,X plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), but also in 45,X fetal gonadal tissues. The levels of miR-320a in PBMCs from 45,X, 46,XX, 46,XY, and 47,XXY human subjects were inversely related to the expression levels of XCI-escaping gene KDM5C in PBMCs. In vitro models indicated that KDM5C suppressed miR-320a transcription by directly binding to the promoter of miR-320a to prevent histone methylation. In addition, we demonstrated that KITLG, an essential gene for ovarian development and primordial germ cell survival, was a direct target of miR-320a and that it was downregulated in 45,X fetal gonadal tissues. In conclusion, we demonstrated that downregulation of miR-320a by the XCI-escaping gene KDM5C contributed to ovarian development by targeting KITLG.

Maternal High Estradiol Exposure is Associated with Elevated Thyroxine and Pax8 in Mouse Offspring.

Our previous studies have shown that maternal high estradiol (E2) environment increased the risk of thyroid dysfunction in offspring. However, the mechanism involved remains unexplored. To evaluate the thyroid function of offspring after high E2 exposure and to explore the underlying mechanism, we established a high E2 mouse model of early pregnancy, and detected thyroid hormones of their offspring. In thyroids of offspring, the expressions of Tg, Nis, Tpo, Pax8, and Titf1 and CpG island methylation status of Pax8 and genes involved in methylation were analyzed. We found that thyroxine (T4) and FT4 levels of offspring were obviously increased in the high-E2 group, especially in females. In both 3- and 8-week-old offspring of the high-E2 group, Pax8 was significantly up-regulated in thyroid glands, accompanied by the abnormal CpG island methylation status in the promoter region. Furthermore, Dnmt3a and Mbd1 were obviously down-regulated in thyroids of the high E2 group. Besides, the disturbance of thyroid function in females was more severe than that in males, implying that the effects were related to gender. In summary, our study indicated that maternal high E2 exposure disturbed the thyroid function of offspring through the dysregulation and abnormal DNA methylation of Pax8.

IGFBP1 Involved in the Decreased Birth Weight Due to Fetal High Estrogen Exposure in Mice.

Our previous study indicated that maternal high-estrogen environment in the first trimester is correlated with increased risks of low birth weight (LBW) and adult diseases. The present study aimed to establish an animal model to confirm such an effect in mice, and to further explore the mechanism involved. A mouse model with high estradiol (E2) exposure during early pregnancy was established, and the birth weight, growth after birth, and expression levels of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 (IGFBP1) of pups were examined. Meanwhile, IGFBP1 expression after treatment of E2 was examined in a HepG2 hepatoma cell line. We found that after exposure to a high-E2 environment the weight of the pups decreased significantly, not only before but also after birth. Meanwhile, both mRNA and protein expressions of IGFBP1 were elevated in placenta and liver tissues. Furthermore, the level of IGFBP1 in the HepG2 cell line was elevated by the treatment of E2, whereas this effect was blocked by estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182780. In summary, maternal high estrogen up-regulates expression of IGFBP1 in placenta and fetal livers, which contributes to LBW and decreases body weight in offspring.

High Maternal Serum Estradiol Levels Induce Dyslipidemia in Human Newborns via a Hepatic HMGCR Estrogen Response Element.

UNLABELLED: While the intrauterine environment is essential for the health of offspring, the impact of high maternal serum estradiol (E2) on lipid metabolism in offspring and the mechanisms are unknown. We found that ovarian stimulation (OS) could result in high E2 levels in women throughout pregnancy. Strikingly, their newborns showed elevated total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels that were positively related with E2 in newborns. In vitro, E2 dose-dependently stimulated TC and LDL-C secretion, and increased expression of the cholesterol synthesis rate-limiting enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR) in HepG2 cells and mouse fetal hepatocytes. In vivo, high maternal E2 was detected and fetal livers also showed significantly higher HMGCR expression in an OS mouse model. Notably, an estrogen response element (ERE) was identified in the HMGCR promoter, indicating that high maternal serum E2 could up-regulate HMGCR expression in fetal hepatocytes via an ERE that in turn induces elevated levels of TC and LDL-C in offspring. CONCLUSION: OS can induce a high maternal E2 environment, which up-regulates HMGCR expression in fetal hepatocytes via an ERE in the promoter, and induces elevated levels of TC and LDL-C in newborns that may be related to increased risk of metabolic disease in adulthood.

The association between polymorphism of INSR and polycystic ovary syndrome: a meta-analysis.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common gynecological endocrine disorder. The genetic background is believed to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of PCOS. In recent years, the role of insulin receptor (INSR) polymorphisms in PCOS predisposition has attracted much attention. We performed a meta-analysis to investigate the association between the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of INSR and PCOS. Published literature from Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL was retrieved up until 7 August 2014. A total of 20 case-control studies including 23,845 controls and 17,460 PCOS cases with an average Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale (NOS) score of 6.75 were analyzed. Ninety-eight SNPs distributed in 23 exons and the flanking regions of INSR were investigated, among which 17 SNPs were found to be associated with PCOS. Three SNPs detected in more than three studies were selected for further analyses. Twelve studies including 1158 controls and 1264 PCOS cases entered the analysis of rs1799817, but no significant association was found for every genotype (p > 0.05). Further subgroup stratification by ethnicity and weight did not lead to discovery of significant correlation (p > 0.05). For rs2059806, four studies including 442 controls and 524 PCOS cases were qualified for meta-analysis, and no significant association with PCOS was found for any genotype (p > 0.05). Four studies including 12,830 controls and 11,683 PCOS cases investigated the correlation between rs2059807 and PCOS, and five of the six cohorts indicated a significant impact. Our current meta-analysis suggests no significant correlation between rs1799817/rs2059806 SNPs and susceptibility of PCOS, while rs2059807 could be a promising candidate SNP that might be involved in the susceptibility of PCOS.

Cardiovascular dysfunction in offspring of ovarian-hyperstimulated women and effects of estradiol and progesterone: a retrospective cohort study and proteomics analysis.

CONTEXT: The cardiovascular dysfunction in children born with assisted reproductive technologies has been of great concern. However, the association of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), a complication of assisted reproductive technologies, with worse cardiovascular functions and underlying mechanism remains unknown. OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to assess the cardiovascular functions of children born to mothers with OHSS and investigate the underlying regulator(s). DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a retrospective cohort recruited in a university hospital. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: We assessed the cardiovascular functions by Doppler echography in 42 children born to OHSS women, 34 children of mothers with non-OHSS in vitro fertilization, and 48 spontaneously conceived (SC) children (mean age ∼ 4.5 y). Groups were matched for gestational age at delivery and birth weight. An isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation-labeled proteomics analysis was performed with another set of umbilical arteries from OHSS and SC pregnancies (n = 3 for both groups). RESULTS: Children of OHSS mothers showed a significantly decreased mitral ratio of early to late mitral peak velocities, reduced systolic and diastolic diameters of common carotid arteries, and impaired flow-mediated dilation compared with non-OHSS in vitro fertilization and SC children. Intima-media thickness and arterial stiffness indices were similar in the three groups. In the proteomics study, 1640 proteins were identified from OHSS and SC umbilical arteries, and 40 differentially expressed proteins were selected for further analysis. Estradiol and progesterone were identified as activated upstream regulators. CONCLUSIONS: Children born to ovarian-hyperstimulated women displayed cardiovascular dysfunctions. The underlying mechanisms may involve the effects of supraphysiological estradiol and progesterone levels.

Thermus caliditerrae sp. nov., a novel thermophilic species isolated from a geothermal area.

Two thermophilic bacterial strains, designated YIM 77925(T) and YIM 77777, were isolated from two hot springs, one in the Hydrothermal Explosion (Shuirebaozhaqu) area and Frog Mouth Spring in Tengchong county, Yunnan province, south-western China. The taxonomic positions of the two isolates were investigated by a polyphasic approach. Cells of the two strains were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic and rod-shaped. They were able to grow at 50-70 °C, pH 6.0-8.0 and with a NaCl tolerance up to 0.5% (w/v). Colonies are circular, convex, non-transparent and produce yellow pigment. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences comparison clearly demonstrated that strains YIM 77925(T) and YIM 77777 represent members of the genus Thermus, and they also detected low-level similarities of 16S rRNA gene sequences (below 97%) compared with all other species in this genus. Their predominant menaquinone was MK-8. The genomic DNA G+C contents of strains YIM 77925(T) and YIM 77777 were 65.6 mol% and 67.2 mol%, respectively. Based on the results of physiological and biochemical tests and phylogenetic analyses, strains YIM 77925(T) and YIM 77777 could not be classified as representing any species of the genus Thermus with a validly published name. Thus the two strains are considered to represent a novel species of the genus Thermus, for which the name Thermus caliditerrae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 77925(T) ( = DSM 25901(T) = CCTCC 2012061(T)).

Vulcaniibacterium tengchongense gen. nov., sp. nov. isolated from a geothermally heated soil sample, and reclassification of Lysobacter thermophilus Wei et al. 2012 as Vulcaniibacterium thermophilum comb. nov.

A thermotolerant Gram-staining negative and aerobic bacterium, designated strain YIM 77520(T), was isolated from a geothermally heated soil sample collected at Rehai National Park, Tengchong, Yunnan Province, South-West China. Cells of the strain were found to be rod-shaped and colonies were light beige and circular. The strain was found to grow in the presence of 0-2 % (w/v) total salts (optimum, 0 %), at pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and 25-55 °C (optimum, 45 °C). The only quinone detected was Q-8 and the genomic DNA G+C content was determined to be 66.9 mol%. The major fatty acids (>10 %) were identified as iso-C16:0 and iso-C15:0. The phospholipids were found to consist of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, five unknown phospholipids and three aminophospholipids. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain YIM 77520(T) was found to form a cluster with Lysobacter thermophilus YIM 77875(T) and showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to L. thermophilus YIM 77875(T) (96.0 %). These two strains formed a distinct lineage of the family 'Xanthomonadaceae'. On the basis of the morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, as well as genotypic data, a new genus, Vulcaniibacterium gen. nov. is proposed with Vulcaniibacterium tengchongense sp. nov. as the type species. The type strain of V. tengchongense sp. nov. is strain YIM 77520(T) (=DSM 25623(T) = CCTCC AB 2011152(T)). Furthermore we propose that L. thermophilus Wei et al. 2012 is reclassified in the new genus as Vulcaniibacterium thermophilum comb. nov. (type strain YIM 77875(T) = CCTCC AB 2012064(T) = KCTC 32020(T)) based on polyphasic data.

Paenibacillus frigoriresistens sp. nov., a novel psychrotroph isolated from a peat bog in Heilongjiang, Northern China.

A novel cold-resistant bacterium, designated YIM 016(T), was isolated from a peat bog sample collected from Mohe County, Heilongjiang Province, Northern China and its taxonomic position was investigated using a polyphasic approach. The strain was Gram-positive, aerobic, endospore-forming, motile and rod-shaped. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence clearly revealed that strain YIM 016(T) is a member of the genus Paenibacillus. The strain is closely related to Paenibacillus alginolyticus DSM 5050(T), Paenibacillus chondroitinus DSM 5051(T) and Paenibacillus pocheonensis Gsoil 1138(T) with similarities of 99.0 %, 97.0 % and 96.3 %, respectively. Meanwhile, the low DNA-DNA relatedness levels between strain YIM 016(T) and its closely related phylogenetic neighbours demonstrated that this isolate represents a new genomic species in the genus Paenibacillus. Phenotypic and chemotaxonomic tests showed that growth of strain YIM 016(T) occurred at 4-37 °C, pH 6.0-8.0 and with a NaCl tolerance up to 0.5 % (w/v). The peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, alanine and glutamic acid. The whole-cell hydrolysates mainly contained glucose, galactose and ribose. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7 and the major fatty acids were anteiso-C(15:0) and iso-C(16:0). The DNA G+C content of strain YIM 016(T) was 51.7 mol %. On the basis of phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain YIM 016(T) could be clearly distinguished from other species of the genus Paenibacillus. It is therefore concluded that strain YIM 016(T) represents a novel species in the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus frigoriresistens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 016(T) (= CCTCC AB 2011150(T) = JCM 18141(T)).

Geodermatophilus nigrescens sp. nov., isolated from a dry-hot valley.

A novel actinomycete, designated as strain YIM 75980(T), was isolated from a soil sample collected from a dry-hot river valley in Dongchuan county, Yunnan province, south-west China and was subjected to polyphasic taxonomic characterization. The organism produced circular, smooth, red to black coloured colonies comprising coccoid-shaped cells. Colonies on agar medium lacked mycelia and cells adhered to the agar. Strain YIM 75980(T) contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan and contained galactose, arabinose and glucosamine as the main sugars in the whole-cell hydrolysates. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9 (H(4)) and the major fatty acids were iso-C(15:0), iso-C(16:0) and C(16:0). The DNA G + C content of strain YIM 75980(T) was 73.1 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences clearly showed that strain YIM 75980(T) formed a distinct clade within the genus Geodermatophilus and was closely related to Geodermatophilus obscurus DSM 43160(T) (level of similarity, 97.9%). Furthermore, the result of DNA-DNA hybridization between strain YIM 75980(T) and G. obscurus 43160(T) demonstrated that this isolate represented a different genomic species in the genus Geodermatophilus. Moreover, the physiological and biochemical data showed the differentiation of strain YIM 75980(T) from its closest phylogenetic neighbour. Therefore, it is proposed that strain YIM 75980(T) represents a novel species of the genus Geodermatophilus, for which the name Geodermatophilus nigrescens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 75980(T) (=CCTCC AA 2011015(T) =JCM 18056(T)).