Agathobaculum butyriciproducens gen. nov. sp. nov., a strict anaerobic, butyrate-producing gut bacterium isolated from human faeces and reclassification of Eubacterium desmolans as Agathobaculum desmolans comb. nov.

A novel bacterial strain, SR79T, was isolated from a Korean faecal sample and characterized using a polyphasic approach. SR79T was found to be a strictly anaerobic, Gram-stain-positive, non-spore-forming, non-motile, catalase- and oxidase-negative short rod with no flagella. SR79T grew optimally at 37 °C in the presence of 0.5 % (w/v) NaCl at pH 7. The NaCl range for growth was 0-1 % (w/v). The isolate produced butyric acid (>18 mM) as a major end product. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the most closely related type strains were Eubacteriumdesmolans ATCC 43058T and Butyricicoccus pullicaecorum 25-3T (96.4 and 96.0 % similarity, respectively). The DNA G+C content was determined to be 52.9 mol%. The major cellular fatty acids (>10 %) were C16 : 0, C18 : 1cis-9, C19 : 1 cyc 9,10 and C14 : 0. Meso-diaminopimelic acid was present in the cell wall peptidoglycan and the cell wall hydrolysates contained ribose, glucose and galactose. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, phylogenetic analysis, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic characteristics allowed differentiation of SR79T, which represents a novel species of a new genus within the family Ruminococcaceae, for which the name Agathobaculum butyriciproducens gen. nov. sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SR79T (=KCTC 15532T=DSM 100391T). Based on the results of this study, it is also proposed to transfer Eubacteriumdesmolans to this new genus, as Agathobaculum desmolans comb. nov. The type strain of Agathobaculum desmolans is ATCC 43058T (=CCUG 27818T).

Clostridium kogasensis sp. nov., a novel member of the genus Clostridium, isolated from soil under a corroded gas pipeline.

Two bacterial strains, YHK0403(T) and YHK0508, isolated from soil under a corroded gas pipe line, were revealed as Gram-negative, obligately anaerobic, spore-forming and mesophilic bacteria. The cells were rod-shaped and motile by means of peritrichous flagella. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the isolates were members of the genus Clostridium and were the most closely related to Clostridium scatologenes KCTC 5588(T) (95.8% sequence similarity), followed by Clostridium magnum KCTC 15177(T) (95.8%), Clostridium drakei KCTC 5440(T) (95.7%) and Clostridium tyrobutyricum KCTC 5387(T) (94.9%). The G + C contents of the isolates were 29.6 mol%. Peptidoglycan in the cell wall was of the A1γ type with meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major polar lipid was diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), and other minor lipids were revealed as phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), two unknown glycolipids (GL1 and GL2), an unknown aminoglycolipid (NGL), two unknown aminophospholipids (PN1 and PN2) and four unknown phospholipids (PL1 to PL4). Predominant fatty acids were C16:0 and C16:1cis9 DMA. The major end products from glucose fermentation were identified as butyrate (12.2 mmol) and acetate (9.8 mmol). Collectively, the results from a wide range of phenotypic tests, chemotaxonomic tests, and phylogenetic analysis indicated that the two isolates represent novel species of the genus Clostridium, for which the name Clostridium kogasensis sp. nov. (type strain, YHK0403(T) = KCTC 15258(T) = JCM 18719(T)) is proposed.

Myroides injenensis sp. nov., a new member isolated from human urine.

A Gram-negative, yellow-pigmented, rod-shaped bacteria, designated M09-0166(T)and M09-1053 were isolated from human urine samples. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the isolates belong to the Myroides cluster and were closely related to Myroides phaeus DSM 23313(T) (96.3 %), Myroides odoratimimus KCTC 23053(T) (96.1 %), Myroides profundi KCTC 23066(T) (96.0 %), Myroides odoratus KCTC 23054(T) (95.4 %) and Myroides pelagicus KCTC 12661(T) (95.2 %). The major mena quinone was identified as MK-6. The major polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylethanolamine, amino lipids, and several unknown lipids, and the major fatty acids as iso-C15:0 and iso-C17:0 3-OH. Phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data supported the affiliation of the isolates with the genus Myroides and clearly indicated that two isolates represent novel species, for which the name Myroides injenensis sp. nov. (type strain, M09-0166(T) = KCTC 23367(T) = JCM 17451(T)) is proposed.

Comparison of NSAID patch given as monotherapy and NSAID patch in combination with transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation, a heating pad, or topical capsaicin in the treatment of patients with myofascial pain syndrome of the upper trapezius: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: This study compared the therapeutic effect of monotherapy with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) patch vs an NSAID patch combined with transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS), a heating pad, or topical capsaicin in the treatment of patients with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) of the upper trapezius. DESIGN: A randomized, single-blind, controlled study of combination therapy for patients with MPS was performed. METHODS: Ninety-nine patients were randomly assigned to one of four different self-management methods for treatment: NSAID patch (N = 25), NSAID patch + TENS (N = 24), NSAID patch + heating pad (N = 25), and NSAID patch + topical capsaicin (N = 25). The NSAID patch used in this study was a ketoprofen patch. All treatment groups were observed for 2 weeks, and the numeric rating scale (NRS) pain score, cervical active range of motion, pressure pain threshold, and Neck Disability Index were assessed. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the NSAID patch alone group and the three combination therapy groups with respect to decrease in NRS score from baseline (day 0) to each period of observation. In covariate analysis, although there was no difference among the groups in most of the periods, the data at day 14 indicated a trend (P = 0.057). There were no significant differences in the other variables. CONCLUSIONS: We did not observe a statistical difference in improvements to the clinical variables among the four different methods. However, further studies regarding the effectiveness of a mixture of topical capsaicin and ketoprofen in patients with MPS should be considered.

Clostridium vulturis sp. nov., isolated from the intestine of the cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus).

A Gram-stain positive, strict anaerobe, spore-forming, motile rod-shaped bacterial strain with peritrichous flagella, designated YMB-57(T), was isolated from the intestine of a cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus) in Korea. Strain YMB-57(T) was found to show optimal growth at 37 °C, pH 7.5 and 1.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain YMB-57(T) belongs to the genus Clostridium and is most closely related to the type strains of Clostridium subterminale (96.9 % sequence similarity), Clostridium thiosulfatireducens (96.7 %) and Clostridium sulfidigenes (96.6 %). The main fermentation end-products identified following growth in PYG medium were acetate, butyrate, ethanol, propanol, carbon dioxide and hydrogen. Peptone was converted to ethanol, and butanol, whereas glucose was fermented to ethanol. The major cellular fatty acids were identified as C16:0, C18:1 ω9c, and C18:1 ω9c DMA and the DNA G+C content was determined to be 34.0 mol%. Phenotypic and phylogenetic differences indicate that strain YMB-57(T) is distinct from other Clostridium species. It is proposed that strain YMB-57(T) be classified as the type strain of a novel species of the genus Clostridium, with the name Clostridium vulturis sp. nov. The type strain is YMB-57(T) (=KCTC 15114(T) = JCM 17998(T)).

What drives researcher preferences for chemical compounds? Evidence from conjoint analysis.

We investigated the attributes and attribute levels that affect researcher preferences for chemical compounds. We conducted a conjoint analysis on survey data of Korean researchers using chemical compounds from the Korean Chemical Bank (KCB). The analysis estimated the part-worth utility for each attribute's level, calculated relative importance of attributes, and classified user segmentation with different patterns. The results show that the structure database offers the highest part-worth utility to researchers, followed by high new functionality, price, screening service, and drug action data provided only by the KCB. Notably, researchers view the offer of a structured database and high new functionality as more important than other attributes in decision-making about research and development of chemical compounds. Furthermore, the results of segmentation analysis demonstrated that researchers have distinct usage patterns of chemical compounds: researchers consider structure database and high new functionality in cluster 1; and high new functionality and price in cluster 2, to be the most appealing. We discussed some policy and strategic implications based on the findings of this study and proposed some limitations.

Changes in acetylcholine receptor function induce shifts in muscle fiber type composition.

AChRepsilon(-/-) mice lack epsilon-subunits of the acetylcholine receptor and thus fail to express adult-type receptors. The expression of fetal-type receptors throughout postnatal life alters postsynaptic signal transduction and causes a fast-to-slow fiber type transition, both in slow-twitch soleus muscle and in fast-twitch extensor digitorum longus muscle. In comparison to wild-type muscle, the proportion of type 1 slow fibers is significantly increased (6%), whereas the proportion of fast fibers is reduced (in soleus, type 2A by 12%, and in extensor digitorum longus, type 2B/2D by 10%). The increased levels of troponin I(slow) transcripts clearly support a fast-to-slow fiber type transition. Shifts of protein and transcript levels are not restricted to 'myogenic' genes but also affect 'synaptogenic' genes. Clear increases are observed for acetylcholine receptor alpha-subunits and the postsynaptically located utrophin. Although the fast-to-slow fiber type transition appears to occur in a coordinated manner in both muscle types, muscle-specific differences are retained. Most prominently, the differential expression level of the synaptic regulator MuSK is significantly lower in extensor digitorum muscle than in soleus muscle. The results show a new quality in muscle plasticity, in that changes in the functional properties of endplate receptors modulate the contractile properties of skeletal muscles. Muscle thus represents a self-matching system that adjusts contractile properties and synaptic function to variable functional demands.

Involvement of corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 2 beta in differentiation of dopaminergic MN9D cells.

Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) mediates various responses to stress through CRF receptors 1 and 2. CRF receptor 2 has two forms, 2alpha and 2beta each of which appears to have distinct roles. Here we used dopaminergic neuron-derived MN9D cells to investigate the function of CRF receptor 2 in dopamine neurons. We found that n-butyrate, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, induced MN9D cell differentiation and increased gene expression of all CRF receptors. CRF receptor 2beta was minimally expressed in MN9D cells; however, its expression dramatically increased during differentiation. CRF receptor 2beta expression levels appeared to correlate with neurite outgrowth, suggesting CRF receptor 2beta involvement in neuronal differentiation. To validate this statement, we made a CRF receptor 2beta-overexpressing MN9D/CRFR2 beta stable cell line. This cell line showed robust neurite outgrowth and GAP43 overexpression, together with MEK and ERK activation, suggesting MN9D cell neuronal differentiation. From these results, we conclude that CRF receptor 2beta plays an important role in MN9D cell differentiation by activating the MEK/ERK signaling pathway.

Fiber types of the intrinsic whisker muscle and whisking behavior.

Some rodent species show rhythmic bouts of vibrissal protractions and retractions, referred to as whisking, that are among the fastest movements performed by mammals. To better understand the muscular basis of whisking, we compared (1) whisker movements of two whisking species (mouse, rat) and a non-whisking species (guinea pig), (2) the muscle fiber composition of intrinsic whisker muscles of whisking and a non-whisking species, and (3) the muscle fiber composition of intrinsic whisker muscles and of selected skeletal muscles. Using high-speed videography, we found that mice, rats, and guinea pigs can generate fast and large-amplitude whisker movements. Guinea pigs do not show bouts of fast, strictly rhythmic whisker movements, and the average speed of their whisker movements is much lower than in mice and rats. Analysis of mRNA expression of myosin heavy chain isoforms, myofibrillar ATPase staining, and antibody labeling indicate that in all three species intrinsic whisker muscles are composed predominantly of type 2B muscle fibers. Intrinsic whisker muscles of mice consisted of type 2B (> or =90%) and type 2D fibers. In rats we observed, in addition to type 2B/2D fibers, approximately 10% of slow type 1 fibers, and in guinea pigs we observed approximately 3% of slow type 1 fibers and 20% of type 2A fibers. Type 2B fibers have high levels of anaerobic glycolytic enzymes providing a rapid source of ATP and high maximum velocity of contraction but are less fatigue resistant than other muscle fiber types. The high percentage of type 2B fibers distinguishes the intrinsic whisker musculature from skeletal muscles and may have evolved for fast scanning of the sensory environment.

Draft Genome Sequence of Bordetella trematum Strain HR18.

The genus Bordetella is reportedly a human or animal pathogen and environmental microbe. We report the draft genome sequence of Bordetella trematum strain HR18, which was isolated from the rumen of Korean native cattle (Hanwoo; Bos taurus coreanae). It is the first genome sequence of a Bordetella sp. isolated from the rumen of cattle.

Induction of clusterin expression by neuronal cell death in Zebrafish.

Clusterin, a protein associated with multiple functions, is expressed in a wide variety of mammalian tissues. Although clusterin is known to be involved in neurodegenerative diseases, ageing, and tumorigenesis, a detailed analysis of the consequences of gain- or loss-of-function approaches has yet to be performed to understand the underlying mechanisms of clusterin functions. Since clusterin levels change in neurological diseases, it is likely that clusterin contributes to cell death and degeneration in general. Zebrafish was investigated as a model system to study human diseases. During development, zebrafish clusterin was expressed in the notochord and nervous system. Embryonic overexpression of clusterin by mRNA microinjection did not affect axis formation, whereas its knock-down by anti-sense morpholino treatment resulted in neuronal cell death. To analyze the function of clusterin in neurodegeneration, a transgenic zebrafish was investigated, in which nitroreductase expression is regulated under the control of a neuron-specific huC promoter which is active between the stages of early neuronal precursors and mature neurons. Nitroreductase turns metronidazole into a cytotoxic agent that induces cell death within 12 h. After metronidazole treatment, transgenic zebrafish showed neuron-specific cell death. Interestingly, we also observed a dramatic induction of clusterin expression in the brain and spinal cord in these fish, suggesting a direct or indirect role of clusterin in neuronal cell death and thus, more generally, in neurodegeneration.

Cellular mechanisms of motor control in the vibrissal system.

In this article we discuss the experimental advantages that the vibrissal motor system offers for analysis of motor control and the specializations of this system related to the unique characteristics of whisker movements. Whisker movements are often rhythmic, fast, and bilateral. Movements of individual whiskers have simple characteristics, whereas, movements of the entire vibrissae array are complex and sophisticated. In the last few years, powerful methods for high precision tracking of whisker movements have become available. The whisker musculature is arranged to permit forward movements of individual whiskers and consists-depending on the species-mainly or exclusively of fast contracting, fast fatigable muscle fibers. Whisker motor neurons are located in the lateral facial nucleus and their cellular properties might contribute to the rhythmicity of whisking. Numerous structures provide input to the lateral facial nucleus, the most mysterious and important one being the putative central pattern generator (CPG). Although recent studies identified candidate structures for the CPG, the precise identity and the functional organization of this structure remains uncertain. The vibrissa motor cortex (VMC) is the largest motor representation in the rodent brain, and recent work has clarified its localization, subdivisions, cytoarchitectonics, and connectivity. Single-cell stimulation experiments in VMC allow determining the cellular basis of cortical motor control with unprecedented precision. The functional significance of whisker movements remains to be determined.