Strain-Specific Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii Strain KBL1027 in Koreans.

Faecalibacterium prausnitzii is one of the most dominant commensal bacteria in the human gut, and certain anti-inflammatory functions have been attributed to a single microbial anti-inflammatory molecule (MAM). Simultaneously, substantial diversity among F. prausnitzii strains is acknowledged, emphasizing the need for strain-level functional studies aimed at developing innovative probiotics. Here, two distinct F. prausnitzii strains, KBL1026 and KBL1027, were isolated from Korean donors, exhibiting notable differences in the relative abundance of F. prausnitzii. Both strains were identified as the core Faecalibacterium amplicon sequence variant (ASV) within the healthy Korean cohort, and their MAM sequences showed a high similarity of 98.6%. However, when a single strain was introduced to mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis, KBL1027 showed the most significant ameliorative effects, including alleviation of colonic inflammation and restoration of gut microbial dysbiosis. Moreover, the supernatant from KBL1027 elevated the secretion of IL-10 cytokine more than that of KBL1026 in mouse bone marrow-derived macrophage (BMDM) cells, suggesting that the strain-specific, anti-inflammatory efficacy of KBL1027 might involve effector compounds other than MAM. Through analysis of the Faecalibacterium pan-genome and comparative genomics, strain-specific functions related to extracellular polysaccharide biosynthesis were identified in KBL1027, which could contribute to the observed morphological disparities. Collectively, our findings highlight the strain-specific, anti-inflammatory functions of F. prausnitzii, even within the same core ASV, emphasizing the influence of their human origin.

Small Bowel Variceal Bleeding in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis Treated with Transarterial Embolization: Case Series.

Small bowel variceal bleeding is a rare cause of gastrointestinal hemorrhage, with clinical manifestations ranging from asymptomatic incidental findings to life-threatening conditions. The diagnosis and management of small bowel bleeding are challenging because of the localization of the lesion and the difficulty of the procedure. Trans-arterial embolization (TAE) is a secure and straightforward method for treating ectopic varices. On the other hand, there have been limited local studies on the outcomes of TAE for patients with small bowel variceal hemorrhage. This paper reports patients diagnosed with small bowel variceal bleeding and treated with TAE.

Clostridium fessum sp. nov., isolated from human faeces.

An obligately anaerobic, Gram-stain-positive and spore-forming strain, SNUG30386T was isolated from a faecal sample of a healthy Korean subject. The strain formed a round ivory-coloured colony and cells were chained rods with tapered ends, approximately 2.0-2.5×0.6-0.8 µm in size. The taxonomic analysis indicated that strain SNUG30386T was within the family Lachnospiraceae. According to the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, the closest species to strain SNUG30386T was Clostridium symbiosum (95.6 %), followed by Enterocloster asparagiformis (94.8 %), Enterocloster clostridioformis (94.8 %) and Enterocloster lavalensis (94.6 %). The evolutionary tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences demonstrated that strain SNUG30386T had split apart at a unique branch point far from other close relatives. Its DNA G+C content was 48.3 mol% calculated from the whole genome sequence. The major cellular fatty acids were C16 : 0 and C14 : 0. Compared to those of the closely related species, strain SNUG30386T showed distinct biochemical activities such as being unable to utilize most of carbon sources except d-glucose and l-arabinose. As a result, based on its unique phylogenetic clade and taxonomic characteristics, we conclude that strain SNUG30386T represents a novel species within the genus Clostridium, for which the name Clostridium fessum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the novel species is SNUG30386T (=KCTC 15633T= JCM 32258T).

Roseburia spp. Abundance Associates with Alcohol Consumption in Humans and Its Administration Ameliorates Alcoholic Fatty Liver in Mice.

Although a link between the gut microbiota and alcohol-related liver diseases (ALDs) has previously been suggested, the causative effects of specific taxa and their functions have not been fully investigated to date. Here, we analyze the gut microbiota of 410 fecal samples from 212 Korean twins by using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scales to adjust for host genetics. This analysis revealed a strong association between low AUDIT scores and the abundance of the butyrate-producing genus Roseburia. When Roseburia spp. are administered to ALD murine models, both hepatic steatosis and inflammation significantly improve regardless of bacterial viability. Specifically, the flagellin of R. intestinalis, possibly through Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) recognition, recovers gut barrier integrity through upregulation of the tight junction protein Occludin and helps to restore the gut microbiota through elevated expression of IL-22 and REG3γ. Our study demonstrates that Roseburia spp. improve the gut ecosystem and prevent leaky gut, leading to ameliorated ALDs.

Administration of Lactobacillus fermentum KBL375 Causes Taxonomic and Functional Changes in Gut Microbiota Leading to Improvement of Atopic Dermatitis.

Gut microbiota play an important role in immune responses and energy metabolism. In this study, we evaluated whether administration of Lactobacillus fermentum (L. fermentum) KBL375 isolated from healthy Korean feces improves the atopic dermatitis using the house dust mite (Dermatophagoides farinae)-induced atopic dermatitis (AD) mouse model. Administration of L. fermentum KBL375 significantly decreased dermatitis score, ear and dorsal thickness, and serum immunoglobulin E level in AD-induced mice. Significant reductions in mast cells and eosinophils were discovered in skin tissues from L. fermentum KBL375-treated mice. T helper 2 cell-related cytokines interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IL-31 significantly decreased, and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 or transforming growth factor-ß increased in skin tissues from L. fermentum KBL375-treated mice. In addition to phenotypic changes in skin tissues, L. fermentum KBL375 treatment induced an increase in the CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ cell population in mesenteric lymph nodes. Taxonomic and functional analyses of gut microbiota showed significantly higher cecum bacterial diversities and abundances including genus Bilophila, Dorea, and Dehalobacterium in L. fermentum KBL375-treated mice. Metabolic analysis of the cecum also showed significant changes in the levels of various amino acids including methionine, phenylalanine, serine, and tyrosine, as well as short chain fatty acids such as acetate, butyrate, and propionate in AD-induced mice due to L. fermentum KBL375 treatment. These altered metabolites in AD-induced mice returned to the levels similar to those in control mice when treated with L. fermentum KBL375. Therefore, L. fermentum KBL375 could be useful for AD treatment by modulating the immune system and inducing various metabolites.

Faecalibacillus intestinalis gen. nov., sp. nov. and Faecalibacillus faecis sp. nov., isolated from human faeces.

Two long-rod-shaped, Gram-stain-positive, obligately anaerobic and non-spore-forming strains, SNUG30099T and SNUG30370T, were isolated from faecal samples of healthy Korean subjects. The strains formed circular ivory-coloured colonies on Brain-heart infusion medium supplemented with 0.5% Difco yeast extract (YBHI) agar and cells were approximately 3.5-4.5×0.3-0.4 µm in size. Taxonomic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences distinguished the strains from other species within the family Erysipelotrichaceae. The closest relative of strains SNUG30099T and SNUG30370T was Longibaculum muris (92.9 % and 93.6 % similarity, respectively), followed by Clostridium saccharogumia (92.3 % and 92.2 %). Phylogenetic inference also divided the strains into a unique branch that differed from other related strains that belong to the family Erysipelotrichaceae. DNA G+C contents based on the whole genome sequences of strains SNUG30099T and SNUG30370T were 29.2 and 30.2 mol%, respectively. Both novel strains possessed meso-diaminopimelic acid as the peptidoglycan, and phosphatidylethanolamine was observed as one of the major polar lipids. The major cellular fatty acid composition was different from those of other related taxa. In addition, the profile of biochemical activities advocated that the strains have distinct characteristics in comparison to other strains. Taken together, a novel genus, named Faecalibacillus gen. nov., is proposed, which includes the type species Faecalibacillus intestinalis sp. nov. for strain SNUG30099T and Faecalibacillus faecis sp. nov. for strain SNUG30370T. The type strains of these novel species are SNUG30099T (=KCTC 15631T=JCM 32256T) and SNUG30370T (=KCTC 15632T=JCM 32257T).

Synthesis of Bicyclic Isothiazoles through an Intramolecular Rhodium-Catalyzed Transannulation of Cyanothiadiazoles.

An intramolecular rhodium-catalyzed transannulation of readily available cyanothiadiazoles containing an ester, amide, or ether as a linker is described. It provides a wide range of bicyclic isothiazoles in good to excellent yields together with the release of molecular nitrogen. These results indicate that the carbon atom in the α-thiavinyl carbene is nucleophilic and that the sulfur atom is electrophilic.

Synthesis of Imidazopyridines via Copper-Catalyzed, Formal Aza-[3 + 2] Cycloaddition Reaction of Pyridine Derivatives with α-Diazo Oxime Ethers.

The Cu-catalyzed, formal aza-[3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of pyridine derivatives with α-diazo oxime ethers in trifluoroethanol was used to synthesize imidazopyridines via the release of molecular nitrogen and elimination of alcohol. These methods enabled modular synthesis of a wide range of N-heterobicyclic compounds such as imidazopyridazines, imidazopyrimidines, and imidazopyrazines with an α-imino Cu-carbenoid generated from the α-diazo oxime ethers and copper.

Merdimonas faecis gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from human faeces.

A strictly anaerobic Gram-stain-positive, non-motile and non-spore-forming bacterial strain, BR31T, was isolated from a faecal sample of a healthy human. Bacterial colonies were ivory-coloured on GAM agar and composed of rod-shaped cells with rounded ends approximately 1.4-2.1×0.5-0.6 µm in size. According to comparative analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain BR31T formed a distinct phylogenetic lineage that reflects a new genus within Clostridium cluster XIVa in the family Lachnospiraceae, with highest similarity to Eubacterium contortum DSM 3982T (94.6 %). The DNA G+C content was calculated to be 47.0 mol% from whole genome sequencing. Predicted genes associated with synthesis of teichuronic acid, polyamines, polar lipids and diaminopimelic acid were detected. The peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and the main polar lipid detected was phosphatidylglycerol. The major metabolic end product of glucose was acetic acid, which was in agreement with those of most members of the family. However, the profile of major cellular fatty acids (C16 : 0, C14 : 0, summed feature 4 and C13 : 0) and overall enzyme activity demonstrated phenotypic differentiation of strain BR31T from other closely related genera. Thus, based on distinct phenotypic, phylogenetic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain BR31T is considered to represent a novel species of a new genus, for which the name Merdimonas faecis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Merdimonas faecis is BR31T (=KCTC 15482T=JCM 30748T).

Synthesis of Isothiazole via the Rhodium-Catalyzed Transannulation of 1,2,3-Thiadiazoles with Nitriles.

A synthetic method for obtaining a wide variety of isothiazoles by the Rh-catalyzed transannulation of 1,2,3-thiadiazoles with alkyl, aryl, and heteroaryl nitriles, which proceeds via an α-thiavinyl Rh-carbenoid intermediate, was developed. The results suggest that during its reaction with nitriles, the α-thiavinyl carbene acts as an umpolung 1,3-dipole equivalent, in contrast to its behavior during its reaction with alkynes. The developed method was successfully employed to synthesize pentaoligomeric arylene compounds consisting of three benzene and two isothiazole rings.

Sellimonas intestinalis gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from human faeces.

A Gram-stain-positive and obligately anaerobic bacterial strain, BR72T, forming ivory yellow colonies was isolated from a faecal sample of a healthy Korean woman. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain BR72T belongs to Clostridium cluster XIVa and represents a distinct phyletic line within the family Lachnospiraceae. The most closely related strains were Clostridium nexile DSM 1787T (94.1 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Coprococcus comes ATCC 27758T (93.5 %), Ruminococcus torques ATCC 27756T (93.5 %), Ruminococcus lactaris ATCC 29176T (93.5 %), Clostridium aerotolerans DSM 5434T (93.1 %) and Eubacterium fissicatena DSM 3598T (92.9 %). The DNA G+C content of strain BR72T based on its genome sequence was 45.3 mol%. The major cellular fatty acids were C16 : 0, C14 : 0, and iso-C17 : 1 I and/or anteiso-C17 : 1 B. Acetic acid was produced from glucose fermentation. Other physiological and biochemical comparisons allowed the phenotypic differentiation of strain BR72T from the members of the family Lachnospiraceae. Based on the phylogenetic and phenotypic findings, this strain is considered to represent a novel species of a new genus belonging to the family Lachnospiraceae and the name Sellimonas intestinalis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Sellimonas intestinalis is BR72T ( = KCTC 15479T = JCM 30749T).

Alkenylation of phosphacoumarins via aerobic oxidative Heck reactions and their synthetic application to fluorescent benzophosphacoumarins.

Alkenylation of phosphacoumarins is developed from the reaction of phosphacoumarins with a variety of activated as well as nonactivated alkenes via aerobic oxidative Heck reactions. In addition, 3-alkenylphosphacoumarins undergo an inverse electron demand Diels-Alder reaction (IEDDA) with enamines in situ generated from ketone and pyrrolidine followed by 1,2-elimination and a dehydrogenation, producing fluorescent benzophosphacoumarins.

Burkholderia megalochromosomata sp. nov., isolated from grassland soil.

A Gram-stain negative, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming, obligate aerobic bacterial strain, JC2949(T), was isolated from grassland soil in Gwanak Mountain, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S rRNA sequences, indicated that strain JC2949(T) belongs to the genus Burkholderia, showing highest sequence similarities with Burkholderia grimmiae R27(T) (98.8 %), Burkholderia cordobensis LMG 27620(T) (98.6 %), Burkholderia jiangsuensis MP-1T(T) (98.6 %), Burkholderia zhejiangensis OP-1(T) (98.5 %), Burkholderia humi LMG 22934(T) (97.5 %), Burkholderia terrestris LMG 22937(T) (97.3 %), Burkholderia telluris LMG 22936(T) (97.2 %) and Burkholderia glathei ATCC 29195(T) (97.0 %). The major fatty acids of strain JC2949(T) were C18 : 1ω7c, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) and C16 : 0. Its predominant polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and an unknown amino phospholipid. The dominant isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone Q-8. The pairwise average nucleotide identity values between strain JC2949(T) and the genomes of 30 other species of the genus Burkholderia ranged from 73.4-90.4 %, indicating that the isolate is a novel genomic species within this genus. Based on phenotypic and chemotaxonomic comparisons, it is clear that strain JC2949(T) represents a novel species of the genus Burkholderia. We propose the name for this novel species to be Burkholderia megalochromosomata sp. nov. The type strain is JC2949(T) ( = KACC 17925(T) = JCM 19905(T)).

Synthesis of fluorenes via tandem copper-catalyzed [3 + 2] cycloaddition and rhodium-catalyzed denitrogenative cyclization in a 5-exo mode from 2-ethynylbiaryls and N-sulfonyl azides in one pot.

An efficient synthetic method of fluorenes having an enamine moiety at C-9 methylene bridge is developed from N-sulfonyl-4-biaryl-1,2,3-triazole derivatives via Rh-catalyzed denitrogenative cyclization in a 5-exo mode. Rh-catalyzed denitrogenative cyclization followed by catalytic hydrogenation produces N-tosylaminomethyl-substituted fluorenes in one pot. Moreover, fluorenes are synthesized via tandem Cu-catalyzed [3 + 2] cycloaddition and Rh-catalyzed denitrogenative cyclization in a 5-exo mode starting from 2-ethynylbiaryls and N-sulfonyl azides in one pot.

Burkholderia monticola sp. nov., isolated from mountain soil.

An ivory/yellow, Gram-stain-negative, short-rod-shaped, aerobic bacterial strain, designated JC2948(T), was isolated from a soil sample taken from Gwanak Mountain, Republic of Korea. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain JC2948(T) belongs to the genus Burkholderia. The test strain showed highest sequence similarities to Burkholderia tropica LMG 22274(T) (97.6 %), Burkholderia acidipaludis NBRC 101816(T) (97.5 %), Burkholderia tuberum LMG 21444(T) (97.5 %), Burkholderia sprentiae LMG 27175(T) (97.4 %), Burkholderia terricola LMG 20594(T) (97.3 %) and Burkholderia diazotrophica LMG 26031(T) (97.1 %). Based on average nucleotide identity (ANI) values, the new isolate represents a novel genomic species as it shows less than 90 % ANI values with other closely related species. Also, other phylosiological and biochemical comparisons allowed the phenotypic differentiation of strain JC2948(T) from other members of the genus Burkholderia. Therefore, we suggest that this strain should be classified as the type strain of a novel species of the genus Burkholderia. The name Burkholderia monticola sp. nov. (type strain, JC2948(T) = JCM 19904(T) = KACC 17924(T)) is proposed.

In situ generation of phosphoryl alkylindiums and their synthetic application to arylalkyl phosphonates via palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions.

Phosphoryl alkylindium reagents are generated in situ from the direct insertion of indium with bromoalkyl phosphonates in the presence of CuCl, and their synthetic application to arylalkyl phosphonates is reported via a Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction with tolerance of a diversity of functional groups including ester, ketone, aldehyde, nitrile, nitro, trifluoromethyl, chloride, methoxy, hydroxy, and amino.

Synthesis of pyrroles from terminal alkynes, N-sulfonyl azides, and alkenyl alkyl ethers through 1-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles.

A method for synthesis of substituted pyrroles has been developed. 1-Sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles generated from terminal alkynes gave α-imino rhodium carbene complexes, which when reacted with alkenyl alkyl ethers afforded substituted pyrroles. The method can be efficiently applied to a one-pot sequential reaction starting from terminal alkynes.

Fretibacter rubidus gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from seawater.

A brick-red-coloured, curved-rod-shaped, prostheca-bearing and non-motile bacterial strain, designated JC2236(T), was isolated from a seawater sample of Jeju Island, Republic of Korea. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that this strain belongs to the family Hyphomonadaceae and represents a distinct phyletic line that reflects a novel genus status within a clade containing the genera Litorimonas, Hellea, Robiginitomaculum and Algimonas. The predominant isoprenoid quinone (Q10) and polar lipid profile (phosphatidylglycerol, glucuronopyranosyl diglyceride and monoglycosyl diglyderide) were in line with those of most members of the family. However, the DNA G+C content (49.3 mol%), the abundance of C16 : 0, the requirement of sea salts for growth and absence of cell motility differentiated strain JC2236(T) from other closely related genera. Overall enzyme traits also demonstrated that the novel strain is not closely affiliated with any of the previously described genera. Thus, based on data from the present polyphasic taxonomic study, strain JC2236(T) is considered to represent a novel species of a new genus belonging to the family Hyphomonadaceae, for which the name Fretibacter rubidus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Fretibacter rubidus is JC2236(T) ( = KACC 16935(T) = JCM 15585(T)).

Rhodium-catalyzed oxidative coupling through C-H activation and annulation directed by phosphonamide and phosphinamide groups.

Rhodium-catalyzed oxidative coupling reactions via C-H activation and annulation directed by phosphonamide and phosphinamide groups were developed under aerobic conditions, which produced benzazaphosphole 1-oxides and phosphaisoquinolin-1-oxides.