Regression analysis of nasal shape from juvenile to adult ages for forensic facial reconstruction.

The nose is a prominent feature for facial recognition and reconstruction. To investigate the relationship of the nasal shape with the piriform aperture in Korean adults and juveniles, we performed regression analysis. By regression analysis, prediction equations for nasal shape were obtained in relation to the shape of the piriform aperture considering sex and age groups. Three-dimensional skull and face models, rendered from computed tomography images, were assessed (331 males and 334 females). Juveniles (<20 years) were divided into three age groups according to the development of the dentition. Adults were divided into three age groups of two decades each, according to their age. To measure the nasal area, nine landmarks and nine measurements were chosen, while seven landmarks and five measurements were selected to measure the piriform aperture area. Four measurements were defined to explain the direct relationship between the nasal aperture and nasal shape. First, descriptive statistical analyses were performed according to sex and age groups. Subsequently, the correlation of nasal soft tissue measurements with piriform measurements was analyzed. Last, we performed a linear regression analysis of the measurements with higher correlations, considering sex and age groups as variables. Prediction equations were used to estimate the nasal bridge length, height, protrusion, and width. Equations considering sex and age groups showed better explanation ability. Measurements related to the height of the nasal bridge presented improvement. This study may assist in the more accurate approximation of nasal shape in facial reconstruction.

Effect of knowledgebase transition of a clinical decision support system on medication order and alert patterns in an emergency department.

A knowledgebase (KB) transition of a clinical decision support (CDS) system occurred at the study site. The transition was made from one commercial database to another, provided by a different vendor. The change was applied to all medications in the institute. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of KB transition on medication-related orders and alert patterns in an emergency department (ED). Data of patients, medication-related orders and alerts, and physicians in the ED from January 2018 to December 2020 were analyzed in this study. A set of definitions was set to define orders, alerts, and alert overrides. Changes in order and alert patterns before and after the conversion, which took place in May 2019, were assessed. Overall, 101,450 patients visited the ED, and 1325 physicians made 829,474 prescription orders to patients during visit and at discharge. Alert rates (alert count divided by order count) for periods A and B were 12.6% and 14.1%, and override rates (alert override count divided by alert count) were 60.8% and 67.4%, respectively. Of the 296 drugs that were used more than 100 times during each period, 64.5% of the drugs had an increase in alert rate after the transition. Changes in alert rates were tested using chi-squared test and Fisher's exact test. We found that the CDS system knowledgebase transition was associated with a significant change in alert patterns at the medication level in the ED. Careful consideration is advised when such a transition is performed.

Validation of London Atlas for forensic age estimation in Koreans by comparing with Lee's and Willems' methods.

This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the applicability of the London Atlas for age estimation in the Korean population by comparing with Lee's and Willems' methods. Dental ages of 475 orthopantomographs from Korean individuals aged 4-15 years (mean 10.32 ± 3.31 years) were estimated using the London Atlas, Lee's and Willems' methods. Correlation between dental and chronological age was determined using Pearson's correlation coefficient, and the statistical difference between dental and chronological age was analyzed using a paired t-test. The bias (mean differences), mean absolute error, and root mean square error between dental and chronological age, stratified by age groups and estimation methods, were calculated. Differences in bias and absolute error between sexes were scrutinized using an independent-samples t-test. Age estimates of the three tested methods were combined and compared to those of each individual method. The London Atlas and Willems methods resulted in overestimations, whereas the Lee method led to an underestimation on the entire sample. The overall accuracy was observed in the order of Lee's method, the London Atlas, and Willems' method. The London Atlas demonstrated superior consistency of estimation performance across age groups and no significant differences in estimation performance between sexes. The combination of estimates from the London Atlas and Lee's method resulted in an enhancement in bias and accuracy. We conclude that the London Atlas, due to its bias and accuracy comparable to Lee's and Willems' methods, is applicable for forensic practice in the Korean population.

Dental characteristics on panoramic radiographs as parameters for non-invasive age estimation: a pilot study.

The dental characteristics created by acquired dental treatments can be used as age estimators. This pilot study aimed to analyze the correlation between the number of teeth observed for dental characteristics and chronological age and to develop new non-invasive age estimation models. Dental features on panoramic radiographs (420 radiographs of subjects aged 20-89 years) were classified and coded. The correlation between the number of teeth for each selected code (codes V, X, T, F, P, and L) and age was observed, and multiple regression was performed to analyze the relationship between them. Eleven regression models with various combinations of dental sextants were presented. The model with the data from both sides of the posterior teeth on both jaws showed the best performance (root mean square error of 14.78 years and an adjusted R2 of 0.461). The model with all teeth was the second-best. Based on these results, we confirmed statistically significant correlations between certain dental features and chronological age. We also observed that some regression models performed sufficiently well to be used as adjunctive methods in forensic practice. These results provide valuable information for the design and performance of future full-scale studies.

Factors Influencing Postmortem Catecholamine Level and Its Correlations With Agony Time and Cause of Death in Medicolegal Autopsy.

BACKGROUND: Catecholamines consisting of epinephrine (EP), norepinephrine (NE), and dopamine (DA) are known as a class of chemical neurotransmitters and hormones essential for regulation of physiological processes including stress responses. Many researchers have tried to establish a relationship between postmortem catecholamine level and agony time or underlying cause of death. However, relevant studies have yielded debatable results. This study was performed to determine characteristics of catecholamine distribution in postmortem specimens with various influencing factors and to assess relationships of postmortem catecholamine levels with agony time and cause of death. METHODS: A total of 114 autopsy cases were analyzed for catecholamine levels and EP/NE ratios in femoral blood, heart blood, and urine specimens. Postmortem catecholamine levels according to sex, age, medical treatments (cardiopulmonary resuscitation [CPR] and EP injection), postmortem interval (PMI), agonal period, manner of death, and cause of death were evaluated. RESULTS: Close mutual relationships were noted among femoral and heart blood catecholamine levels. There was no correlation between blood and urine catecholamine levels. Catecholamine levels showed no significant differences according to sex, age, or manner of death. Heart EP and heart EP/NE ratio were significantly higher in the group with CPR. Femoral DA, heart EP, heart NE, heart DA, and urine DA were significantly increased in the group with EP injection. Urine NE and urine DA showed significant differences among PMI groups, with both increased over PMI. In correlation analysis, femoral DA and urine NE displayed weak correlations with PMI. Regarding agony time, femoral and heart DA were significantly increased in long agony group compared to those in the short agony group. With regard to the cause of death, multiple comparison analysis for major categories (natural death, injury, intoxication, asphyxia, drowning, and fire death) revealed a significant increase of femoral NE in asphyxia in comparison with injury. In subgroup analysis for the group without EP injection, femoral NE (P = 0.048), femoral DA (P = 0.039), and heart EP (P = 0.021) showed significant differences between PMI groups. CONCLUSION: Results of this study have important implications for understanding postmortem catecholamine distribution and their mutual associations, influences of clinical and demographic factors, and relationships with agony time and cause of death in Korean population. Although comprehensive demonstration of catecholamine level as stress index was not possible in the present study, the assessment of postmortem catecholamine levels could be used as a supportive tool in classification of agonal status and differential diagnosis of the cause of death in particular cases. Further investigation is needed on this issue.

Evaluation of four criteria in assessing third molar maturity for age estimation in Koreans.

Third molar maturity is one of the major criteria for estimating human age. This study aimed to determine the most suitable third molar maturity criteria for age estimation in Koreans. The correlation between chronological age and the Demirjian, Köhler, Liversidge, and Thevissen criteria was evaluated using 900 panoramic radiographs of patients aged 15-23 years. The four criteria were applied separately to measure third molar maturity on the same radiograph. The concordance rates between third molars within the same jaw and between jaws were calculated and tested using a paired t-test. Regression was performed to observe the relationship between age and the evaluated stages for each tested criterion. The Demirjian standard showed the lowest root mean square error (1.29 years for males, 1.30 years for females) and highest adjusted R 2 (0.753 for males, 0.739 for females) values; however, the differences of the values derived from other criteria were minute. In addition, the symmetry (within the same jaw) and asymmetry (between the upper and lower jaws) of third molar development, which was confirmed in previous Korean studies, was observed only in the Demirjian and Liversidge criteria. Based on the results, we can conclude that all four tested criteria are suitable for age estimation in Koreans. However, the Demirjian and Liversidge criteria can be recommended from the perspective of accurate reflection of the developmental patterns. Further research is necessary to determine whether the results of this study are consistently observed in other populations.

Validation of data mining models by comparing with conventional methods for dental age estimation in Korean juveniles and young adults.

Teeth are known to be the most accurate age indicators of human body and are frequently applied in forensic age estimation. We aimed to validate data mining-based dental age estimation, by comparing the accuracy of the estimation and classification performance of 18-year thresholds with conventional methods and with data mining-based age estimation. A total of 2657 panoramic radiographs were collected from Koreans and Japanese populations aged 15 to 23 years. They were subdivided into a training and internal test set of 900 radiographs each from Koreans, and an external test set of 857 radiographs from Japanese. We compared the accuracy and classification performance of the test sets from conventional methods with those from the data mining models. The accuracy of the conventional method with the internal test set was slightly higher than that of the data mining models, with a slight difference (mean absolute error < 0.21 years, root mean square error < 0.24 years). The classification performance of the 18-year threshold was also similar between the conventional method and the data mining models. Thus, conventional methods can be replaced by data mining models in forensic age estimation using second and third molar maturity of Korean juveniles and young adults.

Accuracy of age estimation and assessment of the 18-year threshold based on second and third molar maturity in Koreans and Japanese.

This study aimed to validate Lee's age estimation method and assess the 18-year threshold in Korean and Japanese populations. We evaluated the maxillary and mandibular second (M2) and third molars (M3) in 2657 orthopantomograms of the Korean and Japanese populations aged 15-23 years (19.47±2.62 years for Koreans, 19.31±2.60 years for Japanese), using Demirjian's criteria. Dental age was estimated, and correlations between chronological and dental ages were analyzed. Classification performance was calculated based on the 18-year threshold. The relationship between developmental stage and chronologic age was analyzed using multiple linear regression. Our results revealed that Lee's method was appropriate for estimation in the Korean population. When the Lee's method was applied to the Japanese population, a lower value of correlation coefficients between estimated and chronological age, and lower specificity were observed. Population differences were observed predominantly in the stages of root development (stages F and G) of M2s and M3s in both jaws and more frequently in females than in males. In the multiple linear regression between developmental stage and chronological age, lower values of adjusted r2 were observed in the Japanese population than in the Koreans. In conclusion, the Lee's method derived from the Korean population data might be unsuitable for Japanese juveniles and adolescents. To support the findings of this study, future studies with samples from multiple institutions should be conducted. Future studies with larger sample sizes are also warranted to improve the accuracy of dental age estimation and confirm the developmental pattern of teeth in the Japanese population.

The applicability of Willems' and Lee's dental age estimation methods for Japanese children and the comparison with the Korean population.

This study aimed to examine the applicability of Willems' and Lee's methods in a Japanese population and to find the differences in teeth development between Japanese and Korean children by comparing the accuracy of their estimated age using the two methods. The developmental status of the lower left permanent teeth in 1,475 orthopantomograms of Japanese children were evaluated based on Demirjian's criteria, and the ages were estimated using Willems' and Lee's methods. The errors in estimated ages were calculated and compared with equivalent Korean population data. The accuracy of both methods for estimating the age of the Japanese population was similar to that in the Korean population except for that of Lee's method used in Japanese males. The results showed that there might be differences in teeth development between the Japanese and Korean boys. To increase the accuracy of the dental age estimation, the method that is derived from their own population data should be applied in forensic practice.

Assessment of Bacterial Communities Within the Biofilm of Bladder Calculi in the Neurogenic Bladder Rat Model Following Spinal Cord Injury.

PURPOSE: To develop a rat model of bladder calculi in the neurogenic bladder following spinal cord injury (SCI) and assess bacterial communities within the biofilm of bladder calculi using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). METHODS: The silk tied to a small segment of the Teflon IV catheter was implanted through the urethra into the bladder of rats with SCI induced by T9 laminectomy. After 6 months, the rats were sacrificed and their bladder calculi were collected by opening the bladders through the low-midline incision. Genomic DNA was extracted from the biofilm of bladder calculi followed by DGGE to obtain bacterial DNA. The DNA sequences were compared and analyzed using BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) to identify bacteria. RESULTS: After placing silk nidus in the bladder for 6 months, all 6 rats developed bladder calculi. According to DGGE analysis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most dominant strain, while Clostridium sp. and Lactobacillus sp. were relatively dominant strains within the biofilm of bladder calculi in the rats with SCI. CONCLUSION: DGGE analysis showed various microorganisms in the biofilm of calculi arising from a neurogenic bladder rat model. This research design can be the basis for clinical studies and may be applied to calculi in patients with neurogenic bladder following SCI.

Soil microbial co-occurrence networks become less connected with soil development in a high Arctic glacier foreland succession.

Classically, ecologists have considered that biota becomes more integrated and interdependent with ecosystem development in primary successional environments. However, recent work on soil microbial communities suggests that there may in fact be no change in network integration over successional time series. Here, we performed a test of this principle by identifying network-level topological features of the soil microbial co-occurrence networks in the primary successional foreland environment of the retreating high-Arctic glacier of Midtre Lovénbreen, Svalbard. Soil was sampled at sites along the foreland of inferred ages 10-90 years since deglaciation. DNA was extracted and amplicon sequenced for 16 s rRNA genes for bacteria and ITS1 region for fungi. Despite the chronologically-related soil pH decline and organic C/N accumulation, analysis on network-level topological features showed network integration did not change with inferred chronological ages, whereas network integration declined with decreasing pH and increasing total organic carbon (TOC) - both factors that can be viewed as an indicator of soil development. We also found that bacteria played a greater role in the network structure than fungi, with all keystone species in the microbial co-occurrence network being bacteria species. Both number and relative abundance of the keystone species were significantly higher when soil pH increased or TOC decreased. It appears that in the more extreme and less productive conditions of early primary succession, integration between members of soil biota into consortia may play a greater role in niche adaptation and survival. Our finding also emphasizes that ecosystem development is not simply a product of time but is influenced by locally heterogeneous factors.

Pedobacter riviphilus sp. nov., isolated from stream sediment.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile by gliding, rod-shaped and pink-coloured bacterium, designated strain SW-16T, was isolated from the sediment of small stream in the Republic of Korea. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain SW-16T formed a lineage within the genus Pedobacter of the family Sphingobacteriaceae. Phylogenetic analysis also showed that strain SW-16T was most closely related to Pedobacter soli 15-51T (98.0% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Pedobacter humicola R135T (97.5%), Pedobacter suwonensis 15-52T (97.4%), Pedobacter sandarakinus DS-27T (97.0%) and Pedobacter kyungheensis THG-T17T (97.0%). Growth was observed at 10-37 °C (optimum at 30 °C), pH 6-8 (optimum at pH 7) and with 0-2.0 % NaCl (optimum at 0%). The major fatty acids of the bacterial strain were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1 ω7c). The predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone-7 and the major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified amino lipids, one unidentified phospholipid and three unidentified lipids. The genome size of strain SW-16T was 5.8 Mbp and the G+C content was 38.5 mol%. Based on the results of phenotypic, genomic and phylogenetic analyses, strain SW-16T represents a novel species of the genus Pedobacter, for which the name Pedobacter riviphilus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SW-16T (=KEMB 1602-396T=KCTC 82079T=JCM 34181T).

Comamonas suwonensis sp. nov., isolated from stream water in the Republic of Korea.

A novel bacterial strain, EJ-4T, isolated from stream water collected at Seo-ho in Suwon, Republic of Korea, was characterized based on a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain EJ-4T belonged to the genus Comamonas. The isolate is Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, aerobic, rod-shaped and forms pale yellow colonies on trypticase soy agar. The optimal growth of this strain was observed aerobically at 30 °C, pH 7 and 0.5 % NaCl. The major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c; 39.7 %) and C16 : 0 (32.0 %). The G+C content of strain EJ-4T was 58.4mol %. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain EJ-4T and Comamoas testosteroni were 91.8 and 31.2 %, respectively. The major polar lipids detected in the isolate were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone-8. Based on the results of polyphasic taxonomic analysis of strain EJ-4T, we describe a novel species of the genus Comamonas, for which the name Comamonas suwonensis sp. nov. has been proposed, with EJ-4T (=KCTC 82074T=JCM 34179T=KEMB 1602-279T) as the type strain.

Elevation-related climatic factors dominate soil free-living nematode communities and their co-occurrence patterns on Mt. Halla, South Korea.

Nematodes play vital roles in soil ecosystems. To understand how their communities and coexistence patterns change along the elevation as well as to determine the best explanatory factors underlying these changes, we investigated free-living soil nematodes on Mt. Halla, South Korea, using an amplicon sequencing approach targeting the 18S rRNA gene. Our results showed that there was significant variation in the community diversity and composition of soil nematodes in relation to elevation. The network interactions between soil nematodes were more intensive at the lower elevations. Climatic variables were responsible explaining the elevational variation in community composition and co-occurrence pattern of the nematode community. Our study indicated that climatic factors served as the critical environmental filter that influenced not only the community structure but also the potential associations of soil nematodes in the mountain ecosystem of Mt. Halla. These findings enhance the understanding of the community structure and co-occurrence network patterns and mechanisms of soil nematode along elevation, and the response of soil nematodes to climate change on the vertical scale of mountain ecosystems.

Alkanindiges hydrocarboniclasticus sp. nov. Isolated From Crude Oil Contaminated Sands and Emended Description of the Genus Alkanindiges.

The taxonomic position of strain H1T isolated from crude oil contaminated desert sands was determined. Strain H1T was Gram-stain-negative and cocci to short rod-shaped bacterium. It grew at 15-42ºC (optimum, 30-35ºC) and pH 6.5-8.8 (optimum, 7.0-7.5). No added NaCl was required for the growth. The isolate showed 98% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with the Alkanindiges illinoisensis GTI MVAB Hex1T, 95.5% with Alkanindiges hongkongensis HKU9T and < 95.2% with other members of the family Moraxellaceae of the phylum Proteobacteria. C10:0, C10:0 -2OH, C12:0 -3OH, C16:0, C16:0 N alcohol and C16:1ω6c/C16:1ω7c were present as major (5%) fatty acids with minor (< 5%) amounts of C12:0, C14:0, C14:1ω5c and C18:1ω9c in strain H1T. It contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine and unidentified two unidentified lipids. Distinct morphological, physiological, phylogenetic, and genomic differences from the previously described taxa support the classification of strain H1T as a representative of a novel species in the genus Alkanindiges for which the name Alkanindiges hydrocarboniclasticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is H1T (= JCM 31550T = KEMB 2255-480T). Emended description of the genus Alkanindiges is also proposed based on additional characteristics.

Craniofacial anthropometric investigation of relationships between the nose and nasal aperture using 3D computed tomography of Korean subjects.

This study investigated the relationships of morphology and locations of the nose and nasal aperture by using major craniofacial landmarks on the human skull and face for craniofacial reconstruction/approximation of Koreans. In the frontal view, the positions of bony landmarks on the skull, including the nasal aperture, were correlated with the positions of nasal landmarks vertical to the transverse plane. In profile, the positions of bony landmarks on the skull were correlated with the positions of nasal landmarks horizontal to the coronal plane. Overall, 26 of the 76 measurements demonstrated significant correlations between the corresponding landmarks on the nose and nasal aperture. Simple regression equations were produced from the results. This study showed that the nose and nasal aperture are significantly related to each other in terms of their morphology and location in Koreans. The prediction guidelines, produced as regression formulas, can be applied to craniofacial reconstruction/approximation and bio-anthropological research of Korean skulls. The study results can also be used clinically in rhinoplasty and nasal reconstruction surgery.

Occurrence of four waterborne viruses at five typical raw water resources in the Republic of Korea during August 2013 to February 2019.

Waterborne diseases have critical public health issues and socioeconomic relevancy worldwide. Various viral pathogens are ordinarily associated with waterborne diseases. Six-year-surveillance (a total of 20 times) of norovirus, hepatitis A virus, group C rotavirus, and enterovirus was conducted at five raw water sampling sites including two lakes (Lakes Soyang and Juam), Hyundo region of Geum River in Daejeon City, and Guui region of Han River in Seoul Metropolitan City and Moolgeum region of Nakdong River in Gimhae City which are located near two water intake plants. In this study, we routinely investigated virus contamination in water samples through reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and integrated cell culture RT-PCR with high sensitivity and specificity. A total 100 samples were tested. Most of the targeted viruses were found in 32% of the samples and at least one of the indicator bacteria was detected in 65% of these occurrences. Among all the detected viruses, enterovirus was the most prevalent with a detection frequency of 12% and 2.71 MPN/10 L on average, while hepatitis A virus was the least prevalent with a detection frequency of 4%. Nearly all of the analyzed viruses (except for group C rotavirus) were present in samples from Han River (the Guui region), Geum River (the Hyundo region), Lake Juam, and Nakdong River (the Moolgeum region), while group C rotavirus was detected in those from the Guui region. During the six-year sampling period, the targeted waterborne viruses in water samples exhibited seasonal patterns in their occurrence that were different from the indicator bacteria levels in the water samples. The fact that they were detected in the five representative Korean water environments makes it necessary to establish the chemical and biological analysis systems for waterborne viruses and sophisticated management systems.

Long-Term Monitoring of Noxious Bacteria for Construction of Assurance Management System of Water Resources in Natural Status of the Republic of Korea.

Climate change is expected to affect not only availability and quality of water, the valuable resource of human life on Earth, but also ultimately public health issue. A six-year monitoring (total 20 times) of Escherichia coli O157, Salmonella enterica, Legionella pneumophila, Shigella sonnei, Campylobacter jejuni, and Vibrio cholerae was conducted at five raw water sampling sites including two lakes, Hyundo region (Geum River) and two locations near Water Intake Plants of Han River (Guui region) and Nakdong River (Moolgeum region). A total 100 samples of 40 L water were tested. Most of the targeted bacteria were found in 77% of the samples and at least one of the target bacteria was detected (65%). Among all the detected bacteria, E. coli O157 were the most prevalent with a detection frequency of 22%, while S. sonnei was the least prevalent with a detection frequency of 2%. Nearly all the bacteria (except for S. sonnei) were present in samples from Lake Soyang, Lake Juam, and the Moolgeum region in Nakdong River, while C. jejuni was detected in those from the Guui region in Han River. During the six-year sampling period, individual targeted noxious bacteria in water samples exhibited seasonal patterns in their occurrence that were different from the indicator bacteria levels in the water samples. The fact that they were detected in the five Korea's representative water environments make it necessary to establish the chemical and biological analysis for noxious bacteria and sophisticated management systems in response to climate change.

Pilot plant study on nitrogen and phosphorus removal in marine wastewater by marine sediment with sequencing batch reactor.

Effective biological treatment of marine wastewater is not well-known. Accumulation of nitrogen and phosphorus from land-based effluent is a crucial cause of red-tide in marine systems. The purpose of the study is to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus in marine wastewater with a pilot plant-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) system by using marine sediment as eco-friendly and effective biological materials, and elucidate which bacterial strains in sludge from marine sediment influence the performance of SBR. By applying eco-friendly high efficiency marine sludge (eco-HEMS), the treatment performance was 15 m3 d-1 of treatment amount in 4.5 m3 of the reactor with the average removal efficiency of 89.3% for total nitrogen and 94.9% for total phosphorus at the optimal operation condition in summer. Moreover, the average removal efficiency was 84.0% for total nitrogen and 88.3% for total phosphorus in winter although biological treatment efficiency in winter is generally lower due to bacterial lower activity. These results were revealed by the DNA barcoding analysis of 16s rRNA amplicon sequencing of samples from the sludge in winter. The comparative analysis of the bacterial community composition in sludge at the high efficiency of the system showed the predominant genera Psychromonas (significantly increased to 45.6% relative abundance), Vibrio (13.3%), Gaetbulibacter (5.7%), and Psychroserpens (4.3%) in the 4 week adaptation after adding marine sediment, suggesting that those predominant bacteria influenced the treatment performance in winter.

Analysis of bacterial community using pyrosequencing in semen from patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Although empirical antibacterial treatments are currently recommended for inflammatory chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), physicians cannot verify infections in most cases. Therefore, in this study, the microbiota of semen was investigated via pyrosequencing to obtain evidence underlying infectious disease. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with CP/CPPS (n=17) and healthy volunteers (n=4) participated in the study. Whole DNA was purified from the participants' semen. The DNA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using universal bacterial primers. All semen samples were also cultured using conventional methods. Pyrosequencing analysis of the PCR-amplified DNA was performed. RESULTS: None of the semen samples showed colony formation in conventional bacterial cultures. However, pyrosequencing revealed multiple bacterial genera in all samples, including an abundance of fastidious bacteria. Corynebacterium, Pseudomonas, Sphingomonas, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus were frequently detected nonspecifically in both the patient and control groups. However, Achromobacter, Stenotrophomonas, and Brevibacillus were more frequently found in the CP/CPPS patients. CONCLUSIONS: The identification of various dominant species in the CP/CPPS group other than those reported in previous studies might be helpful for future etiological analysis of CP/CPPS.