Microbulbifer magnicolonia sp. nov., isolated from sediment of tidal flat located in Zhoushan, China.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile with flagella and rod- or ovoid-shaped bacterium, designated GG15T, was isolated from tidal flat sediment sampled in Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province. Strain GG15T grew at 20-40 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 5.5-9.5 (optimum, pH 7.0-8.0) and with 1.0-10.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 1.5 %). Colony diameters ranged from 1 to 3 mm within the first week, reaching a maximum of 6-7 mm after 15 days of cultivation. Strain GG15T exhibited highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Microbulbifer taiwanensis CCM 7856T (98.1 %), with similarity to other species within the genus Microbulbifer ranging from 97.8 to 93.8 %. Similarity values to other genera were below 93.8 %. Strain GG15T exhibited positive activity for ß-glucosidase, trypsin and chymotrypsin, whereas the reference strain showed negative activity. Chemotaxonomic analyses indicated that strain GG15T contained Q-8 as the sole respiratory quinone, C16 : 0 (9.1 %), iso-C15 : 0 (30.9 %) and iso-C11 : 0 3-OH (7.2 %) as the predominant fatty acids, and phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, three unidentified lipids, four unidentified glycolipids, one unidentified phospholipid, two unidentified aminolipids and two unidentified aminophospholipids as the main polar lipids. The genome of strain GG15T was 4 307 641 bp long, comprising 3861 protein-coding genes. The G+C content of strain GG15T was 61.5 mol% based on its genomic sequence. Strain GG15T showed low digital DNA-DNA hybridization (<70 %) and average nucleotide identity values (<95 %) with other Microbulbifer species. As a result, a novel species within the genus Microbulbifer, named Microbulbifer magnicolonia sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is GG15T (MCCC 1K08802T=KCTC 8210T).

Draconibacterium aestuarii sp.nov., a Glycolipid-Producing Bacterium Isolated from Tidal Flat Sediment and Emended Description of the Genus Draconibacterium.

A facultatively anaerobic, Gram-negative, curved rod-shaped bacterium (4.0-17.0 µm long, 0.6-0.9 µm wide), designated Z1-6T, was obtained from tidal flat sediment collected from YueAo village in Zhoushan, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China. Strain Z1-6T occurred at 15-45 °C (optimum 28-32 °C), pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum 7.0-7.5), and in the presence of 1-5% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 1-2%). The strain contained iso-C15:0 and antesio-C15:0 as the major fatty acids. An unsaturated menaquinone with seven isoprene units (MK-7) was the predominant respiratory quinone. The polar lipids included phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), one aminophospholipid (APL), two phospholipids (PL1 and PL2), three glycolipids (GL1, GL2, and GL3), and two unidentified lipids (L1 and L2). The genomic DNA G+C content of strain Z1-6T was 39.2%, and the genome size was 6.4 Mb. The strain showed the highest average nucleotide identity (ANI) value of 73.5-74.6%, digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) value of 19.3-20%, average amino acid identity (AAI) value of 72.0-73.1% with the members of genus Draconibacterium. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and genome revealed that strain Z1-6T formed a distinct branch in the clade of the genus Draconibacterium. Based on the phenotypic, phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic analyses and genomic data, strain Z1-6T represents a novel species of the genus Draconibacterium, for which the name Draconibacterium aestuarii sp. nov. (The type strain Z1-6T = MCCC 1K07533T = KCTC 92310T) is proposed.

Marinobacter albus sp. nov., Isolated from Sand Sediment in a Coastal Intertidal Zone.

A Gram-stain-negative bacterium with a rod-to-ovoid shape, named strain M216T, was isolated from sand sediment from the coastal intertidal zone of Huludao, Liaoning Province, China. Growth was observed at 8-40 °C (optimal, 30 °C), pH 5.5-9.5 (optimal, pH 6.5) and 0.5-14.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimal, 6%). Strain M216T possessed ubiquinone-9 as its sole respiratory quinone and phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified aminophosphoglycolipid, one unidentified aminophospholipid, two unidentified phosphoglycolipids, three unidentified phospholipids and three unidentified glycolipids as the main polar lipids. C12:0, C16:0, C12:0 3-OH, C16:1 ω9c, C18:1 ω9c and summed features 3 (C16:1 ω7c and/or C16:1 ω6c) were the major fatty acids (> 5%). The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain M216T exhibited high similarity to those of 'Marinobacter arenosus' CAU 1620T and Marinobacter adhaerens HP15T (99.3% and 98.5%, respectively) and less than 98.5% similarity to those of the other type strains. The ANI and dDDH values between the strain M216T and 'Marinobacter arenosus' CAU 1620T were 87.4% and 33.3%, respectively; these values were the highest among the other type strains but lower than the species threshold. The G+C content of strain M216T was 58.3%. Genomic analysis revealed that strain M216T harbors the major CAZymes of GH13, GH23, GH73, and PL5, which are responsible for polysaccharide degradation and the potential ability to reduce nitrate to ammonia. Through phenotypic, genotypic, and chemotaxonomic analyses, we proposed the name Marinobacter albus sp. nov., a novel species in the genus Marinobacter, with its type strain M216T (= MCCC 1K08600T = KCTC 82894T).

Aestuariibaculum lutulentum sp. nov., a marine bacterium isolated from coastal sediment in Beihai.

A Gram-stain negative, strictly aerobic, and rod-shaped bacterium, designated as strain L182T, was isolated from coastal sediment in Beihai, Guangxi Province, PR China. Colonies of strain L182T were yellow, 2 mm in diameter, round, opaque, smooth and convex after incubation on marine ager at 30 °C for 3 days. Cells were catalase-positive but oxidase-negative. Growth of strain L182T was observed at 4-40 °C (optimum, 25 °C), pH 5.5-10.0 (optimum, pH 5.5-8.0) and with 0-6% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0.5-4.0%). The G + C content based on the genome sequence was 36.0%. The only respiratory quinone was MK-6. The main polar lipids included phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified aminophospholipid, one unidentified glycolipids, four unidentified aminolipids and six unidentified lipids. The major fatty acids (> 10%) were iso-C15:0, iso-C15:1 G and iso-C17:0 3-OH. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain L182T and Aestuariibaculum suncheonense SC17T was 98.2%, and the similarities with other type strains of the genus Aestuariibaculum were 96.1-97.2%. The average nucleotide identity and in silicon DNA-DNA hybridization values between the strain L182T and its closely related Aestuariibaculum species were 80.8-85.2% and 22.0-29.5%. According to the above results, Aestuariibaculum lutulentum sp. nov. was proposed as a novel species. The type strain is L182T (= MCCC 1K08065T = KCTC 92530T).

Robiginitalea aestuariiviva sp. nov. isolated from sediment of tidal flat located in Zhejiang, PR China.

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic and rod- to coccoid-shaped bacterium, designated as strain M366T, was isolated from coastal sediment of Jiaoshanjiao, Zhejiang Province, PR China (121°54' E 29 °38' N). The draft genome of strain M366T was 3 225 479 bp long (with 55.6 mol% G+C content) and assembled into four contigs. The N50 value was 563 270 bp and the genomic completeness and contamination were estimated to be 99.34 and 0.05 %, respectively. Colonies of strain M366T were yellow-orange, 1 mm in diameter, round, opaque, smooth and convex after incubation on marine agar at 30 °C for 3 days. Cells were catalase-positive but oxidase-negative. Strain M366T was observed to grow at 20-40 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 5.5-9.0 (optimum, pH 6.5-7.0) and with 0.5-8.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2.5 %). Strain M366T shown highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 98.1 % to Robiginitalea sediminis O458T, 95.6-95.9 % to other type strains of the genus Robiginitalea and below 93 % to other genera. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain M366T and its closely related Robiginitalea species were 71.1-75.9 % and 17.5-19.0 %. Menaquinone-6 was the only respiratory quinone. The major fatty acids (>10 %) were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 1 (iso-C15 : 1 h and/or C13 : 0 3-OH). The main polar lipids included phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified phospholipid, two unidentified aminophospholipid, one unidentified glycolipid and five unidentified lipids. According to the above results, Robiginitalea aestuariiviva sp. nov. is proposed and the type strain is M366T (=KCTC 92866T=MCCC 1K04524T=CGMCC 1.61708T).

Clostridium brassicae sp. nov., A Strictly Anaerobic Bacterium Isolated from High-Salt Industrial Wastewater.

An obligately anaerobic, Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium (1.8-5.5 µm long, 0.6-0.9 µm wide), designated ZC22-4T, was isolated from a pickle-processing wastewater treatment plant in Zhejiang province, P.R. China. Strain ZC22-4T grows optimally at 37-40 °C and pH 7.0 in the presence of 1% (w/v) NaCl or 2.0% (w/v) sea salts. It contained C16:0 (25.9%), C14:0 (13.6%), and C16:1 cis 9 (10.6%) as the dominant cellular fatty acid (> 10%). Polar lipids include phosphatidylglycerol (PG), diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), one unidentified phospholipid (PL), two unidentified glycolipids (GL), three unidentified amino phosphoglycolipids (APGL1-3), one unidentified aminoglycolipid (AGL), and one unidentified lipid (L). The genomic DNA G + C content of ZC22-4T was 28.7%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain ZC22-4T belonged to the genus Clostridium and formed a clade with the most closely related Clostridium aestuarii HY-45-18T (96.3%), Clostridium ganghwense HY-42-06T (95.9%). The average nucleotide identity and DNA-DNA hybridization values among the genomes of strain ZC22-4T and C. aestuarii HY-45-18T and C. ganghwense HY-42-06T were 75.7% and 77.3%, 21.7% and 23.0%, respectively. Based on the phenotypic, phylogenetic, and genetic data, strain ZC22-4T represents a novel species in the Clostridium cluster I, for which the name Clostridium brassicae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ZC22-4T (= MCCC 1K07510T = JCM 35370T).

Sarcopenia as a predictor of mortality in women with breast cancer: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. Recently, studies have been published with inconsistent findings regarding whether sarcopenia is a risk factor for mortality in breast cancer patients. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to systematically assess and quantify sarcopenia as a risk factor for mortality in breast cancer patients. METHODS: In a systematic literature review of PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane CENTRAL Library, we searched for observational studies written in English (from database inception until April 30, 2019) that reported an association between sarcopenia and breast cancer in women who were 18 years or older. RESULTS: A total of six studies (5497 participants) were included in this meta-analysis. Breast cancer patients with sarcopenia were associated with a significantly higher risk of mortality, compared to breast cancer patients without sarcopenia (pooled HR-hazard ratio = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.25-2.33, I2 = 59.1%). In addition, the results of age subgroup analysis showed that participants younger than 55 years with sarcopenia had a lower risk of mortality than participants aged 55 years and older with sarcopenia (pooled HR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.24-1.72 versus pooled HR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.05-3.78), whereas both have an increased risk of mortality compared to non-sarcopenic patients. Subgroup analyses regarding stage at diagnosis revealed an increased risk of mortality in non-metastatic patients compared to participants without sarcopenia (pooled HR = 1.91, 95% CI: 1.32-2.78), whereas the association was not significant in metastatic breast cancer patients. Other subgroup analyses were performed using different follow-up periods (> 5 years versus ≤5 years) and the results were different (pooled HR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.23-2.65 versus pooled HR = 1.70, 95% CI: 0.80-3.62). CONCLUSIONS: The present study found that sarcopenia is a risk factor for mortality among female early breast cancer patients. It is imperative that more research into specific interventions aimed at treating sarcopenia be conducted in the near future in order to provide evidence which could lead to decreased mortality rates in breast cancer patients.

The prevalence and influencing factors in anxiety in medical workers fighting COVID-19 in China: a cross-sectional survey.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2 virus) has been sustained in China since December 2019, and has become a pandemic. The mental health of frontline medical staff is a concern. In this study, we aimed to identify the factors influencing medical worker anxiety in China during the COVID-19 outbreak. We conducted a cross-sectional study to estimate the prevalence of anxiety among medical staff in China from 10 February 2020 to 20 February 2020 using the Zung Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) to assess anxiety, with the criteria of normal (⩽49), mild (50-59), moderate (60-70) and severe anxiety (⩾70). We used multivariable linear regression to determine the factors (e.g. having direct contact when treating infected patients, being a medical staff worker from Hubei province, being a suspect case) for anxiety. We also used adjusted models to confirm independent factors for anxiety after adjusting for gender, age, education and marital status. Of 512 medical staff in China, 164 (32.03%) had had direct contact treating infected patients. The prevalence of anxiety was 12.5%, with 53 workers suffering from mild (10.35%), seven workers suffering from moderate (1.36%) and four workers suffering from severe anxiety (0.78%). After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics (gender, age, education and marital status), medical staff who had had direct contact treating infected patients experienced higher anxiety scores than those who had not had direct contact (ß value = 2.33, confidence interval (CI) 0.65-4.00; P = 0.0068). A similar trend was observed in medical staff from Hubei province, compared with those from other parts of China (ß value = 3.67, CI 1.44-5.89; P = 0.0013). The most important variable was suspect cases with high anxiety scores, compared to non-suspect cases (ß value = 4.44, CI 1.55-7.33; P = 0.0028). In this survey of hospital medical workers during the COVID-19 outbreak in China, we found that study participants experienced anxiety symptoms, especially those who had direct clinical contact with infected patients; as did those in the worst affected areas, including Hubei province; and those who were suspect cases. Governments and healthcare authorities should proactively implement appropriate psychological intervention programmes, to prevent, alleviate or treat increased anxiety.

Polyphasic taxonomic characterisation of a novel strain as Pararhizobium haloflavum sp. nov., isolated from soil samples near a sewage treatment tank.

A Gram-stain negative, aerobic, motile and ovoid- to rod-shaped bacteria strain, designated XC0140T, was isolated from soil samples near the sewage treatment tank of a chemical factory in Zhejiang Province, China, and subjected to polyphasic taxonomic investigation. Strain XC0140T grew at 10-37 °C and pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, 35 °C and pH 7.5) and with 0-17% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 1%). According to phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain XC0140T was assigned to the genus Pararhizobium with high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 95.97% to "Pararhizobium helanshanense CCNWQTX14T", followed by Pararhizobium sphaerophysae CCNWGS0238T (95.95%). Chemotaxonomic analysis showed that strain XC0140T contains ubiquinone-10 as the predominant respiratory quinone and possessed summed feature 8 (comprising C18: 1 ω7c and/or ω6c), 11-methyl C18:1 ω7c, C18: 0 and C16: 0 as predominant forms of fatty acids. The polar lipids of strain XC0140T consisted of seven phospholipids (PL), two aminolipids (AL), one glycolipid (GL) and three unidentified lipids (L1, L2 and L3). The DNA G+C content was 62.7 mol%. Based on the polyphasic taxonomic characterization, strain XC0140T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Pararhizobium, for which the name Pararhizobium haloflavum sp. nov. is proposed. (type strain XC0140T = MCCC 1K03228T = KCTC 52582T).

Haloimpatiens lingqiaonensis gen. nov., sp. nov., an anaerobic bacterium isolated from paper-mill wastewater.

An anaerobic bacterium, strain ZC-CMC3T, was isolated from a wastewater sample in Zhejiang, China. Cells were Gram-stain-positive, peritrichous, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped (0.6-1.2 × 2.9-5.1 µm) and catalase- and oxidase-negative. Strain ZC-CMC3T was able to grow at 25-48 °C (optimum 43 °C) and pH 5.5-8.0 (optimum pH 7.0). The NaCl concentration range for growth was 0-3 % (w/v) (optimum 0 %). The major polar lipids of the isolate were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, several phospholipids and glycolipids. Main fermentation products from PYG medium were formate, acetate, lactate and ethanol. Substrates which could be utilized were peptone, tryptone, yeast extract and beef extract. No respiratory quinone was detected. The main fatty acids were C14 : 0, C16 : 0, C16 : 1cis 7 and C16 : 1cis 9. The DNA G+C content was 30.0 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the isolate belonged to the family Clostridiaceae. Phylogenetically, the most closely related species were Oceanirhabdus sediminicola NH-JN4T (92.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Clostridium tepidiprofundi SG 508T (92.6 %). On the basis of phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic characteristics, strain ZC-CMC3T represents a novel species of a new genus in the family Clostridiaceae, for which the name Haloimpatiens lingqiaonensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is ZC-CMC3T ( = KCTC 15321T = JCM 19210T = CCTCC AB 2013104T).

Dose effects of lacosamide as add-on therapy for partial-onset seizure in adult.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the dose effects of lacosamide on the efficacy and safety as adjunctive therapy for partial-onset seizure in adults. We searched online databases such as Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Online Library, and Clinicaltrial.gov for randomized control trials. A meta-analysis was performed on RevMan 5.3 software. Four randomized control trials with 1855 patients out of 310 citations and 30 registered trials were identified. 400 mg/d was more effective than 200 mg/d [RR 1.23 (95 % CI 1.05-1.45), P = 0.01], but the 600 mg/d didn't show more benefit than 400 mg/d [RR 1.01 (95 % CI 0.81-1.27), P = 0.90]. Increasing the dosage led to higher incidence of quitting the medication because of adverse events [400 vs. 200 mg/d RR 2.17 (95 % CI 1.15-4.11), P = 0.02; 600 vs. 400 mg/d RR 1.55 (95 % CI 1.12-2.15), P = 0.009]. Incidence of serious adverse events did not occur with the increase of dose [400 vs. 200 mg/d RR 1.26 (95 % CI 0.50-3.20), P = 0.62], [600 vs. 400 mg/d RR 0.52 (95 % CI 0.21-1.30), P = 0.16]. A dose of 400 mg/d resulted in a higher chance of dizziness [RR 1.50 (95 % CI 1.02-2.20), P = 0.04], vomiting [RR 1.73 (95 % CI 1.03-2.90), P = 0.04], and diplopia [RR 1.98 (95 % CI 1.19-3.30), P = 0.008] than that of 200 mg/d. 400 mg/d is the optimal dose for efficacy. The dose of 200 mg/d has the best safety for less occurrence of adverse events and less quitting. Current evidence suggests that a dose of 600 mg/d is unnecessary, except for particular reasons.

Maribacter thermophilus sp. nov., isolated from an algal bloom in an intertidal zone, and emended description of the genus Maribacter.

A novel facultatively anaerobic, Gram-stain-negative bacterium, designated strain HT7-2(T), was isolated from Ulva prolifera collected from the intertidal zone of Qingdao sea area, China, during its bloom. Cells were rod-shaped (1.9-3.5×0.4-0.6 µm), non-sporulating and motile by gliding. Strain HT7-2(T) was able to grow at 4-50 °C (optimum 40-42 °C), pH 5.5-8.5 (optimum pH 7.0), 0-8 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 2-3 %) and 0.5-10 % (w/v) sea salts (optimum 2.5 %). The genomic DNA G+C content was 38.8 mol%. The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain HT7-2(T) belonged to the genus Maribacter with sequence similarity values of 94.5-96.6 %, and was most closely related to Maribacter aestuarii GY20(T) (96.6%). Chemotaxonomic analysis showed that the main isoprenoid quinone was MK-6 and the major fatty acids were iso-C15:0 and unknown equivalent chain-length 13.565. The polar lipids of strain HT7-2(T) consisted of one phosphatidylethanolamine, four unidentified lipids and one unidentified aminolipid. On the basis of the phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain HT7-2(T) ( =CGMCC 1.12207(T) =JCM 18466(T)) is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Maribacter, for which the name Maribacter thermophilus sp. nov. is proposed. An emended description of the genus Maribacter is also proposed.

[Protective effects of levetiracetam and simvastatin on pilocarpine-induced epilepsy in rat models].

OBJECTIVE: TO determine neuroprotective properties of levetiracetam and simvastatin using rats with pilocaroine-induced epilepsy. METHODS: Epileptic rat models were randomly divided into 4 groups, each being exposed to saline, simvastatin, levetiracetam, or levetiracetam + simvastatin. Brain tissues of the rats were examined. Nissl staining was used to determine pilocarpine-induced neuronal loss in CA1 and CA3 of hippocampus. Western blot was used to detect calpain-1 expression of hippocampus. RESULTS: Severe cell death was found 24 h after seizures, with a level significantly higher than the controls. Compared with the saline-treated cells, simvastatin did not decrease severe cell death (P>0.05), but levetiracetam and levetiracetam+simvastatin decreased severe cell death 24 h after seizures (P<0.05). No significant differences were found between those treated with levetiracetam and those with levetiracetam+simvastatin. Compared with controls, overexpressed calpain-1 was found in the rats 24 h after seizures, which indicates that calpain-1 may be involved in the pathophysiological mechanisms of epilepsy. Compared with those treated with pilocarpine + saline, simvastatin, levetiracetam and levetiracetam + simvastatin reduced the level of calpain-1 24 h after seizures (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Levetiracetam, not simvastatin, possesses neuroprotective properties, through changing calpain-1 expression levels. But levetiracetam plus simvastatin treatment does not have advantages over the choice of monotherapy. Simvastain does not possess neuroprotective properties at the early stage of epilepsy.

Cardiac Resolvin D2 ameliorates sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy via inhibiting Caspase-11/GSDMD dependent pyroptosis.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy (SICM) is common complication in septic patients with a high mortality and is characterized by an abnormal inflammation response, which was precisely regulated by endogenous specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs). However, the metabolic changes of cardiac SPMs during SICM and the roles of SPMs subset in the development of SICM remain unknown. METHODS: In this work, the SPMs concentration was assessed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) of SICM mice and SICM patients. The cardiac function was measured by echocardiography after the treatment of a SPMs subset, termed Resolvin D2 (RvD2). Caspase-11-/-, GSDMD-/- and double deficient (Caspase-11-/-GSDMD-/-) mice were used to clarify the mechanisms of RvD2 in SICM. RESULTS: We found that endogenous cardiac SPMs were disorders and RvD2 was decreased significantly and correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and ß-BNP, cTnT in Lipopolysaccharide/Cecum ligation and puncture (CLP) induced SICM models. Treatment with RvD2 attenuated lethality, cardiac dysfunction and cardiomyocytes death during SICM. Mechanistically, RvD2 alleviated SICM via inhibiting Caspase-11/GSDMD-mediated cardiomyocytes pyroptosis. Finally, the plasma levels of RvD2 were also decreased and significantly correlated with IL-1ß, ß-BNP, cTnT and LVEF in patients with SICM. Of note, plasma RvD2 level is indicator of SICM patients from healthy controls or sepsis patients. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that decreased cardiac RvD2 may involve in the pathogenesis of SICM. In addition, treatment with RvD2 represents a novel therapeutic strategy for SICM by inhibiting cardiomyocytes pyroptosis.

Efficient pulmonary lymphatic drainage is necessary for inflammation resolution in ARDS.

The lymphatic vasculature is the natural pathway for the resolution of inflammation, yet the role of pulmonary lymphatic drainage function in sepsis-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains poorly characterized. In this study, indocyanine green-near infrared lymphatic living imaging was performed to examine pulmonary lymphatic drainage function in septic mouse models. We found that the pulmonary lymphatic drainage was impaired owing to the damaged lymphatic structure in sepsis-induced ARDS. Moreover, prior lymphatic defects by blocking vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) worsened sepsis-induced lymphatic dysfunction and inflammation. Posttreatment with vascular endothelial growth factor-C (Cys156Ser) (VEGF-C156S), a ligand of VEGFR-3, ameliorated lymphatic drainage by rejuvenating lymphatics to reduce the pulmonary edema and promote draining of pulmonary macrophages and neutrophils to pretracheal lymph nodes. Meanwhile, VEGF-C156S posttreatment reversed sepsis-inhibited CC chemokine ligand 21 (CCL21), which colocalizes with pulmonary lymphatic vessels. Furthermore, the advantages of VEGF-C156S on the drainage of inflammatory cells and edema fluid were abolished by blocking VEGFR-3 or CCL21. These results suggest that efficient pulmonary lymphatic drainage is necessary for inflammation resolution in ARDS. Our findings offer a therapeutic approach to sepsis-induced ARDS by promoting lymphatic drainage function.

Extensimonas vulgaris gen. nov., sp. nov., a member of the family Comamonadaceae.

A novel strain, named S4(T), was obtained from industrial wastewater in Xiaoshan, Zhejiang Province, China. Cells were Gram-negative, neutrophilic and non-spore-forming and moved by means of a polar flagellum. Normal cells were 0.8-0.9 × 1.3-1.9 µm and the cells elongated to 10-25 µm when cultivated at high temperatures. Strain S4(T) grew at 15-50 °C (optimum at 48 °C), pH 5.5-8.5 (optimum 7.0-7.5) and 0-2% (optimum 0.5%) (w/v) NaCl. Ubiquinone-8 was the predominant respiratory quinone. C16:0, summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c and/or iso-C15:0 2-OH) and C17:0 cyclo were the major cellular fatty acids. The major 3-OH fatty acid was C10:0 3-OH. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and an unknown aminoglycolipid. The genomic DNA G+C content was 68.8 mol%. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequences alignment, the most closely related strains were members of the genera Comamonas (94.6-95.6% similarities), Giesbergeria (94.9-95.6%), Acidovorax (94.8-95.4%), Brachymonas (94.1-95.2%) and Macromonas (95.1%). Phylogenetic analysis showed the closest relatives of strain S4(T) were members of the genus Macromonas. Based on phenotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, we suggest that strain S4(T) represents a novel species of a new genus of the family Comamonadaceae, for which the name Extensimonas vulgaris gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Extensimonas vulgaris is S4(T) (=CGMCC 1.10977(T)=JCM 17803(T)).

Salimesophilobacter vulgaris gen. nov., sp. nov., an anaerobic bacterium isolated from paper-mill wastewater.

A novel anaerobic, heterotrophic bacterium, designated strain Zn2(T), was isolated from the wastewater of a paper mill in Zhejiang, China. Cells were gram-type-positive rods, 0.5-0.8 µm wide and 2-4 µm long, and were motile by a lateral flagellum. The ranges of temperature and pH for growth were 10-50 °C and pH 6.0-9.5. Optimal growth occurred at 35 °C and pH 7.3-7.5. The strain did not require NaCl for growth, but its inclusion in the medium improved growth (optimum concentration 6 %). Substrates utilized as sole carbon sources were peptone, tryptone, Casamino acids, D-xylose, salicin, glycerol, formate, acetate and propionate. The main products of carbohydrate fermentation were acetate, formate, propionate and lactate. Elemental sulfur, thiosulfate and Fe(III) were used as electron acceptors, but sulfate, sulfite, nitrate, nitrite and Mn(IV) were not. Growth was inhibited by the addition of 10 µg ampicillin, penicillin, tetracycline or chloramphenicol ml(-1). iso-C15 : 0, C14 : 0, C16 : 0, C16 : 1 cis9 and C18 : 1 cis9 were the major fatty acids. Strain Zn2(T) did not contain any detectable menaquinones or ubiquinones. The main polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, two unknown phospholipids and four unknown glycolipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 37 mol%, as determined by HPLC. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain Zn2(T) was a member of family Clostridiaceae, and was most closely related to the type strains of Geosporobacter subterraneus, Thermotalea metallivorans and Caminicella sporogenes, showing 91.2, 90.3 and 91.1 % sequence similarity, respectively. On the basis of its phenotypic and genotypic properties, strain Zn2(T) is suggested to represent a novel species of a new genus, for which the name Salimesophilobacter vulgaris gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Salimesophilobacter vulgaris is Zn2(T) ( = DSM 24770(T)  = JCM 17796(T)).

Oceanirhabdus sediminicola gen. nov., sp. nov., an anaerobic bacterium isolated from sea sediment.

A novel anaerobic bacterium, designated NH-JN4(T) was isolated from a sediment sample collected in the South China Sea. Cells were Gram-stain-positive, spore-forming, peritrichous and rod-shaped (0.5-1.2×2.2-7 µm). The temperature and pH ranges for growth were 22-42 °C and pH 6.0-8.5. Optimal growth occurred at 34-38 °C and pH 6.5-7.0. The NaCl concentration range for growth was 0.5-6 % (w/v) with an optimum of 2.5 %. Catalase and oxidase were not produced. Substrates which could be utilized were peptone, tryptone, yeast extract, beef extract and glycine. Main fermentation products from PYG medium were formate, acetate, butyrate and ethanol. Strain NH-JN4(T) could utilize sodium sulfite as an electron acceptor. No respiratory quinone was detected. The predominant fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and C16 : 0 DMA. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and glycolipids. The DNA G+C content was 35.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain NH-JN4(T) was a member of family Clostridiaceae, and was most closely related to Clostridium limosum ATCC 25620(T), Clostridium proteolyticum DSM 3090(T), Clostridium histolyticum ATCC 19401(T) and Clostridium tepidiprofundi SG 508(T), showing 94.0, 93.0, 92.9 and 92.3 % sequence similarity, respectively. On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic properties, strain NH-JN4(T) represents a novel species of a new genus in the family Clostridiaceae, for which the name Oceanirhabdus sediminicola gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is NH-JN4(T) ( = JCM 18501(T) = CCTCC AB 2013103(T) = KCTC 15322(T)).

Interaction Between Blood Vasculatures and Lymphatic Vasculatures During Inflammation.

Physiological activity cannot be regulated without the blood and lymphatic vasculatures, which play complementary roles in maintaining the body's homeostasis and immune responses. Inflammation is the body's initial response to pathological injury and is responsible for protecting the body, removing damaged tissues, and restoring and maintaining homeostasis in the body. A growing number of researches have shown that blood and lymphatic vessels play an essential role in a variety of inflammatory diseases. In the inflammatory state, the permeability of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels is altered, and angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis subsequently occur. The blood vascular and lymphatic vascular systems interact to determine the development or resolution of inflammation. In this review, we discuss the changes that occur in the blood vascular and lymphatic vascular systems of several organs during inflammation, describe the different scenarios of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis at different sites of inflammation, and demonstrate the prospect of targeting the blood vasculature and lymphatic vasculature systems to limit the development of inflammation and promote the resolution of inflammation in inflammatory diseases.

Exercise combined with administration of adipose-derived stem cells ameliorates neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury.

Experimental studies have shown that exercise and human adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) play positive roles in spinal cord injury (SCI). However, whether ADSCs and/or exercise have a positive effect on SCI-induced neuropathic pain is still unclear. Thus, there is a need to explore the effects of exercise combined with administration of ADSCs on neuropathic pain after SCI. In this study, a thoracic 11 (T11) SCI contusion model was established in adult C57BL/6 mice. Exercise was initiated from 7 days post-injury and continued to 28 days post-injury, and approximately 1 × 105 ADSCs were transplanted into the T11 spinal cord lesion site immediately after SCI. Motor function and neuropathic pain-related behaviors were assessed weekly using the Basso Mouse Scale, von Frey filament test, Hargreaves method, and cold plate test. Histological studies (Eriochrome cyanine staining and immunohistochemistry) were performed at the end of the experiment (28 days post-injury). Exercise combined with administration of ADSCs partially improved early motor function (7, 14, and 21 days post-injury), mechanical allodynia, mechanical hypoalgesia, thermal hyperalgesia, and thermal hypoalgesia. Administration of ADSCs reduced white and gray matter loss at the lesion site. In addition, fewer microglia and astrocytes (as identified by expression of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 and glial fibrillary acidic protein, respectively) were present in the lumbar dorsal horn in the SCI + ADSCs and SCI + exercise + ADSCs groups compared with the sham group. Our findings suggest that exercise combined with administration of ADSCs is beneficial for the early recovery of motor function and could partially ameliorate SCI-induced neuropathic pain.