Characterization of Marinilongibacter aquaticus gen. nov., sp. nov., a unique marine bacterium harboring four CRISPR-Cas systems in the phylum Bacteroidota.

A novel bacterium, designated YYF0007T, was isolated from an agar-degrading co-culture. The strain was found harboring four CRISPR-Cas systems of two classes in the chromosome and subsequently subjected to a study on polyphasic taxonomy. Pairwise analyses of the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain YYF0007T had highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (92.2%) to Jiulongibacter sediminis JN-14-9T. The phylogenomic trees based on the 16S rRNA gene and 269 single-copy orthologous gene clusters (OCs) indicated that strain YYF0007T should be recognized as a novel genus of the family Spirosomaceae. The cells were Gramstain-negative, nonmotile, strictly aerobic, and straight long rods with no flagellum. Optimum growth occurred at 28°C and pH 7.0 with the presence of NaCl concentration 1.0-3.0% (w/v). The strain showed oxidase and catalase activities. The major fatty acids were C16:1ω5c, iso-C15:0 and summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c and/or C16:1ω6c). The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The complete genome size was 4.64 Mb with a DNA G + C content of 44.4%. Further typing of CRISPR-Cas systems in the family Spirosomaceae and the phylum Bacteroidota indicated that it was remarkable for strain YYF0007T featured by such a set of CRISPR-Cas systems. This trait highlights the applications of strain YYF-0007T in studies on the evolutionary dynamics and bacterial autoimmunity of CRISPR-Cas system as a potential model. The name Marinilongibacter aquaticus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed, and the type strain is YYF0007T (= MCCC 1K06017T = GDMCC 1.2428T = JCM 34683T).

Disseminated infection by Fusarium solani in acute lymphocytic leukemia: A case report.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the rate of immunosuppressed patients has increased rapidly. Invasive fungal infections usually occur in these patients, especially those who have had hematological malignances and received chemotherapy. Fusariosis is a rare pathogenic fungus, it can lead to severely invasive Fusarium infections. Along with the increased rate of immune compromised patients, the incidence of invasive Fusarium infections has also increased from the past few years. Early diagnosis and therapy are important to prevent further development to a more aggressive or disseminated infection. CASE SUMMARY: We report a case of a 19-year-old male acute B-lymphocytic leukemia patient with fungal infection in the skin, eyeball, and knee joint during the course of chemotherapy. We performed skin biopsy, microbial cultivation, and molecular biological identification, and the pathogenic fungus was finally confirmed to be Fusarium solani. The patient was treated with oral 200 mg voriconazole twice daily intravenous administration of 100 mg liposomal amphotericin B once daily, and surgical debridement. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor was administered to expedite neutrophil recovery. The disseminated Fusarium solani infection eventually resolved, and there was no recurrence at the 3 mo follow-up. CONCLUSION: Our case illustrates the early detection and successful intervention of a systemic invasive Fusarium infection. These are important to prevent progression to a more aggressive infection. Disseminate Fusarium infection requires the systemic use of antifungal agents and immunotherapy. Localized infection likely benefits from surgical debridement and the use of topical antifungal agents.

Mycobacterium abscessus infection after facial injection of argireline: A case report.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of infection with Mycobacterium abscessus (M. abscessus) has increased in recent years. This increase is partly associated with invasive cosmetic procedures. CASE SUMMARY: The purpose of this case summary is to increase clinicians' awareness of M. abscessus infection and reduce mycobacterial infection caused by cosmetic procedures. We report the case of a 45-year-old woman who received acetyl hexapeptide-8 (argireline) injections in the forehead and temples, and erythema, nodules, and abscesses appeared at the injection sites after one week. The pus specimens were examined by microbiological culture and confirmed to be positive for M. abscessus. Clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily and moxifloxacin 400 mg once daily were administered for 5 mo and the lesions gradually subsided. CONCLUSION: We report here for the first time a case of infection with M. abscessus after argireline injection. This condition is easily misdiagnosed as a common bacterial infection. Microbiological examinations are helpful for diagnosis and standardized cosmetic procedures can prevent infection with M. abscessus.

Sonic hedgehog protects cortical neurons against oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress is one of the most important pathological mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases and ischemia. Recent studies have indicated that the sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway is involved in these diseases, but the underlying mechanisms remains elusive. Here we report that the SHH pathway was activated in primary cultured cortical neurons after exposure to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). H2O2 treatment decreased the cell viability of neurons, and inhibition of endogenous SHH signaling exacerbated its neurotoxicity. Activation of SHH signaling protected neurons from H2O2-induced apoptosis and increased the cell viability while those effects were partially reversed by blocking SHH signals. Exogenous SHH increased the activities of Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) in H2O2-treated neurons and decreased production of Malondialdehyde (MDA). It also promoted expression of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 and inhibited expression of pro-apoptotic gene Bax. Activation of SHH signals upregulated both Neurotrophic factors vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Pretreatment with SHH inhibited the activation of ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinases) signals induced by H2O2. Our findings demonstrate that activation of SHH signaling protects cortical neurons against oxidative stress and suggest a potential role of SHH for the clinic treatments of brain ischemia and neurodegenerative disorders.