Pontibacter mangrovi sp. nov., isolated from mangrove sediment.

A Gram-stain-negative, short-rod-shaped and pink-pigmented bacterial strain (HB172049T) was isolated from mangrove sediment. Cells grew at 10-45 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and with 0.5-9.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2-5 %). Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the isolate had highest sequence similarities to Pontibacter mucosus DSM 100162T (96.5 %) and Pontibacter korlensis X14-1T (96.5 %). The values of average nucleotide identity, average amino acid identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization between the isolate and its close neighbours were, respectively, less than 80.1, 81.7 and 23.2 %. Chemotaxonomic analysis indicated that the sole respiratory quinone was MK-7 and the predominant cellular fatty acids were summed feature 4 and iso-C15 : 0 (42.2 and 24.6 %, respectively). The major polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified glycolipid, one unidentified phospholipid, one unidentified aminophospholipid and two unidentified polar lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 52.6 mol%. Based on polyphasic taxonomic characterization, it is proposed that strain HB172049T belongs to the genus Pontibacter and represents a novel species, for which the name Pontibacter mangrovi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HB172049T (=CGMCC 1.16729T=JCM 33333T).

Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Releasing Capacity of Isothiocyanates from Moringa oleifera Lam.

Moringa oleifera Lam. is rich in phytochemical compounds especially glucosinolates (GSs) and isothiocyanates (ITCs), which are active compounds for cancer chemoprevention benefits of Brassicaceae vegetables. In this study, we determined the total contents of GSs and ITCs and their specific profiles in different Moringa tissues including seeds, stems, leaves and roots. Seeds (seeds with shell and seed kernel) showed significantly higher levels of total GSs and ITCs than that of other Moringa tissues. The hydrogen sulfide (H2S) releasing capacity of total ITCs extracted from different Moringa tissues was determined by lead (II) acetate assay in 24-well plates. The H2S releasing capacity of different Moringa tissues were evaluated and compared. Moringa seeds showed the highest H2S releasing capacity, followed by roots, leaves and stems. Our results suggest that Moringa based foods may exhibit health benefits due to its GSs and ITCs contents that are the precursors for H2S, in addition to the recognized action mechanisms of ITCs.

Workplace social capital and smoking among Chinese male employees: a multi-level, cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: The present study sought to investigate the associations between workplace social capital and smoking status among Chinese male employees. METHODS: A cross sectional study with a two-stage stratified sampling procedure was conducted in Shanghai in 2012. In total, 1603 male workers from 35 workplaces were involved. Workplace social capital was assessed using a validated and psychometrically tested eight-item measure. Multilevel logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore whether individual-level social capital and aggregated workplace-level social capital were associated with smoking. RESULTS: Overall, 54.2% of the subjects smoked currently. After controlling for individual covariates (age, education level, marital status, occupational status and job stress), compared to workers in the highest quartile of individual-level social capital, the prevalence ratios of smoking for workers in the third quartile, second quartile and lowest quartile were 1.26 (95% CI: 1.11-1.38), 1.35 (95% CI: 1.19-1.50) and 1.39 (95% CI: 1.24-1.51) respectively. However, there was no relationship between workplace-level social capital and smoking status. CONCLUSIONS: Higher individual-level social capital was associated with a lower likelihood of smoking among Chinese male employees. By contrast, no clear association was found between workplace-level social capital and smoking. Further longitudinal studies are warranted to examine the possible link between workplace social capital and smoking cessation in Chinese workplaces.

Workplace social capital and mental health among Chinese employees: a multi-level, cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Whereas the majority of previous research on social capital and health has been on residential neighborhoods and communities, the evidence remains sparse on workplace social capital. To address this gap in the literature, we examined the association between workplace social capital and health status among Chinese employees in a large, multi-level, cross-sectional study. METHODS: By employing a two-stage stratified random sampling procedure, 2,796 employees were identified from 35 workplaces in Shanghai during March to November 2012. Workplace social capital was assessed using a validated and psychometrically tested eight-item measure, and the Chinese language version of the WHO-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5) was used to assess mental health. Control variables included sex, age, marital status, education level, occupation status, smoking status, physical activity, and job stress. Multilevel logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore whether individual- and workplace-level social capital was associated with mental health status. RESULTS: In total, 34.9% of workers reported poor mental health (WHO-5<13). After controlling for individual-level socio-demographic and lifestyle variables, compared to workers with the highest quartile of personal social capital, workers with the third, second, and lowest quartiles exhibited 1.39 to 3.54 times greater odds of poor mental health, 1.39 (95% CI: 1.10-1.75), 1.85 (95% CI: 1.38-2.46) and 3.54 (95% CI: 2.73-4.59), respectively. Corresponding odds ratios for workplace-level social capital were 0.95 (95% CI: 0.61-1.49), 1.14 (95% CI: 0.72-1.81) and 1.63 (95% CI: 1.05-2.53) for the third, second, and lowest quartiles, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Higher workplace social capital is associated with lower odds of poor mental health among Chinese employees. Promoting social capital at the workplace may contribute to enhancing employees' mental health in China.