Cellular differentiation into hyphae and spores in halophilic archaea.

Several groups of bacteria have complex life cycles involving cellular differentiation and multicellular structures. For example, actinobacteria of the genus Streptomyces form multicellular vegetative hyphae, aerial hyphae, and spores. However, similar life cycles have not yet been described for archaea. Here, we show that several haloarchaea of the family Halobacteriaceae display a life cycle resembling that of Streptomyces bacteria. Strain YIM 93972 (isolated from a salt marsh) undergoes cellular differentiation into mycelia and spores. Other closely related strains are also able to form mycelia, and comparative genomic analyses point to gene signatures (apparent gain or loss of certain genes) that are shared by members of this clade within the Halobacteriaceae. Genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of non-differentiating mutants suggest that a Cdc48-family ATPase might be involved in cellular differentiation in strain YIM 93972. Additionally, a gene encoding a putative oligopeptide transporter from YIM 93972 can restore the ability to form hyphae in a Streptomyces coelicolor mutant that carries a deletion in a homologous gene cluster (bldKA-bldKE), suggesting functional equivalence. We propose strain YIM 93972 as representative of a new species in a new genus within the family Halobacteriaceae, for which the name Actinoarchaeum halophilum gen. nov., sp. nov. is herewith proposed. Our demonstration of a complex life cycle in a group of haloarchaea adds a new dimension to our understanding of the biological diversity and environmental adaptation of archaea.

[Precise marking method assisted modified circumcision with a disposable foreskin circumcision device-Preliminary experience and report of 41 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the safety, feasibility, and technical points of the improved circumcision procedure assisted by a precise marking method circumcision device. METHOD: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 41 cases of modified foreskin circumcision using precise marking method in the urology department of our hospital from February 2021 to January 2023 as the observation group, and 60 cases of traditional foreskin circumcision assisted by traditional foreskin circumcision during the same period as the control group. Compare and analyze indicators such as the distance from the anastomotic margin to the coronal sulcus, postoperative erectile tension, edema, hematoma, postoperative infection, and the presence of sexual intercourse pain between two groups of patients. The number of patients in the observation group who experienced erectile tension at 3 months after surgery was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05), and the number of patients with sexual pain was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). The distance from the incision edge to the coronal sulcus was closer to 0.5 cm in the observation group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared with traditional circumcision, the precise marking method assisted by a modified circumcision device can more accurately control the position of the cutting edge, reduce the incidence of postoperative erectile tension and sexual pain, and is a feasible and safe surgical method.

Phytoactinopolyspora halotolerans sp. nov., a halotolerant actinobacterium isolated from a saline soil in Xinjiang, northwest of China.

A novel aerobic, Gram-positive, non-motile halotolerant actinobacterium, designated strain YIM 96448T, was isolated from a saline soil sample collected from the south bank of Aiding Lake in Xinjiang Province, northwest China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain YIM 96448T is closely related to Phytoactinopolyspora endophytica EGI 60009T (98.0%) and Phytoactinopolyspora alkaliphila EGI 80629T (97.0%). Optimum growth of the strain was observed at 28-37 °C, pH 7-9 and in the presence of 5-8% NaCl (w/v). The respiratory quinone of strain YIM 96448T was determined to be MK-9(H4). The major fatty acids (>10%) were identified as anteiso-C15:0, iso-C16:0, anteiso-C17:0 and summed feature 4 (iso-C17:1 I and/or anteiso-C17:1B). The polar lipid profile was found to consist of diphosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified aminophospholipid, phosphatidylglycerol, two phosphatidylinositol mannosides, three unidentified phosphoglycolipids and four unidentified phospholipids. The DNA G+C content was determined to be 68.7 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analysis, strain YIM 96448T should be classified as a novel species in the genus Phytoactinopolyspora, for which the name Phytoactinopolyspora halotolerans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 96448T (=CCTCC AB 2017055T = KCTC 39924T).

Gracilibacillus aidingensis sp. nov., a novel moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from Aiding salt lake.

A novel Gram-positive, aerobe, moderately halophilic bacterium was isolated from saline soil of Aiding lake in Xinjiang, north-west of China, designated strain YIM 98001T. Cells were rod-shaped, motile and grew at 5-20% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 10%), pH 6-10 (optimum pH 7.0) and 4-45 °C (optimum 37 °C). The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso C15:0, anteiso C17:0, iso C15:0. The predominant respiratory quinone was MK-7. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphoglycolipid were the major polar lipids. Meso-diaminopimelic acid was the diagnostic diamino acid of the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The G+C content was 36.46 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the strain belongs to the family Bacillaceae, with the highest sequence similarity to the type strain Gracilibacillus thailandensis TP2-8T (96.84%), followed by Gracilibacillus saliphilus YIM 91119T (96.78%) and Gracilibacillus ureilyticus MF38T (96.57%), thus confirming the affiliation of strain YIM 98001T to the genus Gracilibacillus. The polyphasic approach indicates that strain YIM 98001T represents a novel species of the genus Gracilibacillus, for which the name Gracilibacillus aidingensis is proposed. The type strain is YIM 98001T (=KCTC 42683T = DSMZ 104330T).

Olivibacter flavus sp. nov., a novel endophytic bacterium isolated from the root of Camellia sinensis.

A novel Gram-negative rod, endophytic bacterium, designated strain TMCC 8258T, was isolated from the root of Camellia sinensis collected from Puer, south-west China. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the strain belongs to the family Sphingobacteriaceae and a neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree suggested that strain TMCC 8258T formed a cluster with the type strain of Olivibacter ginsengisoli (showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 95.8%). Chemotaxonomic data [major fatty acid iso-C15:0, summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω7c and/or C16:1 ω6c), iso-C17:0 3-OH and major respiratory quinone MK-7] confirmed the affiliation of strain TMCC 8258T to the genus Olivibacter. The G + C content was 39.1 mol %. The results of the phylogenetic analysis, together with the physiological, morphological and biochemical tests, suggested that strain TMCC 8258T should be classified as representing a novel species of the genus Olivibacter, for which the name Olivibacter flavus is proposed. The type strain is TMCC 8258T (=CGMCC 1.16141 = KCTC 42683).