Numerical analysis of a grating embedded bidirectional integrated optical coupler pressure sensor.

A numerical analysis of a grating embedded bidirectional optical coupled waveguide structure is presented for the first time, to our knowledge. A finite difference method (FDM) based scheme is devised to extract the allowed eigen TE and TM modes of the structure. Sensing characteristics of the grating employed between two high refractive index couplers are then explored. The influence of strain on the composite structure is numerically analyzed for better understanding of guiding phenomena. A numerical method based on a three-point central finite difference scheme with proper boundary conditions at the point of discontinuity is developed. For an accurate sensitivity analysis, a large number of mesh points (N=1000) are used in the FDM algorithm, while the whole analysis is done on MATLAB software. To the best of the authors' knowledge, Bragg grating sensitivities of individual TE and TM modes have been estimated for the first time. It is found that higher order TE and TM modes show improved sensitivity performance. The physics behind the improved sensitivity of the proposed structure is correlated with existing cases. The proposed technique is based on effective refractive index theory, and hence it is easy to implement. This work can be easily extended to obtain temperature, humidity, and vibration sensitivities of other novel structures.

Big Data, Predictive Analytics, and Quality Improvement in Kidney Transplantation: A Proof of Concept.

We sought proof of concept of a Big Data Solution incorporating longitudinal structured and unstructured patient-level data from electronic health records (EHR) to predict graft loss (GL) and mortality. For a quality improvement initiative, GL and mortality prediction models were constructed using baseline and follow-up data (0-90 days posttransplant; structured and unstructured for 1-year models; data up to 1 year for 3-year models) on adult solitary kidney transplant recipients transplanted during 2007-2015 as follows: Model 1: United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) data; Model 2: UNOS & Transplant Database (Tx Database) data; Model 3: UNOS, Tx Database & EHR comorbidity data; and Model 4: UNOS, Tx Database, EHR data, Posttransplant trajectory data, and unstructured data. A 10% 3-year GL rate was observed among 891 patients (2007-2015). Layering of data sources improved model performance; Model 1: area under the curve (AUC), 0.66; (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.60, 0.72); Model 2: AUC, 0.68; (95% CI: 0.61-0.74); Model 3: AUC, 0.72; (95% CI: 0.66-077); Model 4: AUC, 0.84, (95 % CI: 0.79-0.89). One-year GL (AUC, 0.87; Model 4) and 3-year mortality (AUC, 0.84; Model 4) models performed similarly. A Big Data approach significantly adds efficacy to GL and mortality prediction models and is EHR deployable to optimize outcomes.

Aquipuribacter nitratireducens sp. nov., isolated from a soil sample of a mud volcano.

A novel Gram-stain-positive, coccoid, non-motile bacterium, designated strain AMV4T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from a mud volcano located in the Andaman Islands, India. The colony was pale orange. Strain AMV4T was positive for oxidase, aesculinase, lysine decarboxylase and ornithine decarboxylase activities and negative for amylase, catalase, cellulase, protease, urease and lipase activities. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain AMV4T was a member of the order Actinomycetales and was closely related to Aquipuribacter hungaricus with a sequence similarity of 97.13% (pairwise alignment). Phylogenetic analyses showed that strain AMV4T clustered with Aquipuribacter hungaricus and was distantly related to the other genera of the family Intrasporangiaceae. DNA-DNA hybridization between strains AMV4T and Aquipuribacter hungaricus IV-75T showed a relatedness of 28%. The predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 (6.9%), anteiso-C15 : 0 (25.3%), C16 : 0 (12.9%), anteiso-C16 : 0 (5.6%), C18 : 1ω9c (19.8%) and C18 : 3ω6,9,12c (9.1%). The diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan of strain AMV4T was meso-diaminopimelic acid. Strain AMV4T contained MK-10(H4) as the predominant respiratory quinone. The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified glycolipid, two unidentified phospholipids and five unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content of strain AMV4T was 74.3 mol%. Based on data from this taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach, it is proposed that strain AMV4T represents a novel species of the genus Aquipuribacter, with the suggested name Aquipuribacter nitratireducens sp. nov. The type strain is AMV4T ( = CCUG 58430T = DSM 22863T = NBRC 107137T).

Kidney transplant access in the Southeastern United States: the need for a top-down transformation.

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) and poverty are highly prevalent conditions in the Southeastern United States. The American Southeast also has some of the lowest attainments of health status among its constituents. Transplantation rates are particularly low in the Southeast compared with other regions of the United States. These low kidney transplantation rates in the Southeast likely reflect poor access to medical care. This disproportionate lack of access to medical care among ESRD patients in the Southeast reflects the convergence and interaction of socioeconomic and biologic forces at the patient level interacting with the financial and organizational structure of the health-care system. Improving kidney transplant access in the Southeast will take disruptive political, financial and health system changes whose scope transcends transplant centers and dialysis units.

Risk factors for retransplant kidney recipients: relisting and outcomes from patients' primary transplant.

As of November 2013, 14.5% of the waitlist for a donor kidney comprised patients awaiting a retransplant. We performed a retrospective cohort study of 11,698 adult solitary kidney recipients using national Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients data transplanted between 2002 and 2011. The aim was to investigate whether outcomes from patients' initial transplants are significant risk factors for patients' repeat transplants or for likelihood of relisting after a failed primary transplant. Retransplant recipients were more likely to be treated for acute rejection [adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.26 (1.07-1.48), p = 0.0053] or hospitalized (AOR = 1.19, 95% CI 1.08-1.31, p = 0.0005) within a year of retransplantation if these outcomes were experienced within a year of primary transplant. Delayed graft function following primary transplants was associated with 35% increased likelihood of recurrence (AOR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.18-1.54, p < 0.0001). An increase in 1-year GFR after primary transplant was associated with GFR 1 year postretransplant (ß = 6.82, p < 0.0001), and retransplant graft failure was inversely associated with 1-year primary transplant GFR (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.71-0.76 per 10 mL/min/1.73 m(2) ). A decreased likelihood for relisting was associated with hospitalization and higher GFR following primary transplantation. The increasing numbers of individuals requiring retransplants highlights the importance of incorporating prior transplant outcomes data to better inform relisting decisions and prognosticating retransplant outcomes.

Rhodovulum mangrovi sp. nov., a phototrophic alphaproteobacterium isolated from a mangrove forest sediment sample.

A novel Gram-staining-negative, purple non-sulfur bacterium, strain AK41(T), was isolated from a sediment sample collected from Coringa mangrove forest, Andhra Pradesh, India. A red-brownish-coloured culture was obtained on modified Pfennig medium after enrichment with 2 % NaCl and 0.3 % pyruvate under 2000 lx illumination. Individual cells were ovoid-rod-shaped and non-motile. Bacteriochlorophyll a and carotenoids of the spheroidene series were present as photosynthetic pigments. Strain AK41(T) was halophilic and grew photoheterotrophically with a number of organic compounds as carbon sources and electron donors. It was unable to grow photoautotrophically. It did not utilize sulfide or thiosulfate as electron donors. The fatty acids were found to be dominated by C16 : 0 and C18 : 1ω7c. Strain AK41(T) contained phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, an unknown aminolipid and four unknown lipids as polar lipids. Q-10 was the predominant respiratory quinone. The DNA G+C content of strain AK41(T) was 68.9 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain AK41(T) was a member of the genus Rhodovulum and was closely related to Rhodovulum sulfidophilum, with 96.0 % similarity to the type strain; the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the type strains of other species of the genus Rhodovulum was 93.9-95.8 %. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that strain AK41(T) clustered with the type strains of Rhodovulum marinum, Rdv. kholense, Rdv. sulfidophilum and Rdv. visakhapatnamense with sequence similarity of 95.9-96.2 %. Based on data from the current study, strain AK41(T) is proposed to represent a novel species of the genus Rhodovulum, for which the name Rhodovulum mangrovi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Rhodovulum mangrovi is AK41(T) ( = MTCC 11825(T) = JCM 19220(T)).

5-Aminosalicylic acid attenuates allergen-induced airway inflammation and oxidative stress in asthma.

Pro-inflammatory cytokines regulate the magnitude of allergic reactions during asthma. Tumor necrosis factor--alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) play a crucial role in aggravating the inflammatory conditions during allergic asthma. In addition, oxidative stress contributes to the pathogenesis of asthma by altering the physiological condition resulting in the development of status asthmaticus. Anti-inflammatory corticosteroids are being widely used for treating allergic asthma. In the present study 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), a salicylic acid derivative, was evaluated, in vivo for its potential to suppress TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-13 using ovalbumin (OVA) induced allergic asthma in Balb/C mice. Oral administration of 65, 130 and 195 mg/kg 5-ASA significantly reduced the OVA induced total and differential leucocyte count, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-13, nitrite, nitrate, MDA, MPO and TPL levels in the lung lavage samples. Collectively, these findings suggest that 5-ASA is a potent immunomodulator and suppresses key Th2 cytokines production and oxidative stress in OVA-induced asthma.

Aliiglaciecola coringensis sp. nov., isolated from a water sample collected from mangrove forest in Coringa, Andhra Pradesh, India.

A Gram-negative, rod shaped, motile, aerobic bacterium, designated as strain AK49(T) was isolated from a water sample from a mangrove forest in Coringa village, Andhra Pradesh, India. Strain AK49(T) was observed to form yellow coloured, smooth, circular, convex colonies on marine agar, with entire margins. Cells of strain AK49(T) are 0.5-1.0 µm wide and 1.5-3.5 µm long. Growth was observed at 25-37 °C (optimum 30 °C), 2-6 % NaCl (optimum 2 %) and pH 6-8 (optimum 7). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain AK49(T) is closely related to two species recently reclassified as members of the genus Aliiglaciecola: Aliiglaciecola lipolytica JCM 15139(T) (sequence similarity 95.43 %) and Aliiglaciecola litoralis JCM 15896(T) (sequence similarity 96.91 %). The major cellular fatty acids of strain AK49(T) were found to include C16:0, C18:1ω7c and summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c/C15:0 iso-2-OH). The polar lipid content of cell membrane was found to include phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified aminolipid, an unidentified lipid and an unidentified glycolipid. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain AK49(T) was determined to be 41.9 mol%. Based on the taxonomic methods, including chemotaxonomic, phenotypic and phylogenetic approaches, strain AK49(T) is described here as a novel species belonging to the genus Aliiglaciecola, for which the name Aliiglaciecola coringensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Aliiglaciecola coringensis sp. nov. is AK49(T) (=MTCC 12003(T )= JCM19197(T)).

Combined intestine and kidney transplantation in a patient with encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis: case report.

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a rare but devastating complication of peritoneal dialysis characterized by fibrosis and calcification of the intestine that, in severe cases, can progress to intestinal failure and total parenteral nutrition dependency. Medical and surgical interventions carry a poor prognosis in these patients. We describe a case of a 36-year-old female with end-stage kidney disease and severe EPS not amenable to surgical intervention who underwent a combined intestinal and kidney transplantation. At 3 years posttransplantation, the patient has normal intestinal and kidney function. This represents, to our knowledge, the first report of severe EPS and end-stage kidney disease treated with a combined transplant.

The association of center performance evaluations and kidney transplant volume in the United States.

Report cards evaluating transplant center performance have received significant attention in recent years corresponding with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issue of the 2007 Conditions of Participation. Our primary aim was to evaluate the association of report card evaluations with transplant center volume. We utilized data from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) along with six consecutive program-specific reports from January 2007 to July 2009 for adult kidney transplant centers. Among 203 centers, 46 (23%) were low performing (LP) with statistically significantly lower than expected 1-year graft or patient survival at least once during the study period. Among LP centers, there was a mean decline in transplant volume of 22.4 cases compared to a mean increase of 7.8 transplants among other centers (p = 0.001). Changes in volume between LP and other centers were significant for living, standard and expanded criteria deceased donor (ECD) transplants. LPs had a reduction in use of donors with extended cold ischemia time (p = 0.04) and private pay recipients (p = 0.03). Centers without low performance evaluations were more likely to increase the proportion of overall transplants that were ECDs relative to other centers (p = 0.04). Findings indicate a significant association between reduced kidney transplant volume and low performance report card evaluations.

Prominent impact of community risk factors on kidney transplant candidate processes and outcomes.

Numerous factors impact patients' health beyond traditional clinical characteristics. We evaluated the association of risk factors in kidney transplant patients' communities with outcomes prior to transplantation. The primary exposure variable was a community risk score (range 0-40) derived from multiple databases and defined by factors including prevalence of comorbidities, access and quality of healthcare, self-reported physical and mental health and socioeconomic status for each U.S. county. We merged data with the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) and utilized risk-adjusted models to evaluate effects of community risk for adult candidates listed 2004-2010 (n = 209 198). Patients in highest risk communities were associated with increased mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] = 1.22, 1.16-1.28), decreased likelihood of living donor transplantation (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.90, 0.85-0.94), increased waitlist removal for health deterioration (AHR = 1.36, 1.22-1.51), decreased likelihood of preemptive listing (AOR = 0.85, 0.81-0.88), increased likelihood of inactive listing (AOR = 1.49, 1.43-1.55) and increased likelihood of listing for expanded criteria donor kidneys (AHR = 1.19, 1.15-1.24). Associations persisted with adjustment for rural-urban location; furthermore the independent effects of rural-urban location were largely eliminated with adjustment for community risk. Average community risk varied widely by region and transplant center (median = 21, range 5-37). Community risks are powerful factors associated with processes of care and outcomes for transplant candidates and may be important considerations for developing effective interventions and measuring quality of care of transplant centers.

Association of metabolic syndrome with kidney function and histology in living kidney donors.

The selection of living kidney donors is based on a formal evaluation of the state of health. However, this spectrum of health includes subtle metabolic derangements that can cluster as metabolic syndrome. We studied the association of metabolic syndrome with kidney function and histology in 410 donors from 2005 to 2012, of whom 178 donors were systematically followed after donation since 2009. Metabolic syndrome was defined as per the NCEP ATPIII criteria, but using a BMI > 25 kg/m(2) instead of waist circumference. Following donation, donors received counseling on lifestyle modification. Metabolic syndrome was present in 50 (12.2%) donors. Donors with metabolic syndrome were more likely to have chronic histological changes on implant biopsies than donors with no metabolic syndrome (29.0% vs. 9.3%, p < 0.001). This finding was associated with impaired kidney function recovery following donation. At last follow-up, reversal of metabolic syndrome was observed in 57.1% of donors with predonation metabolic syndrome, while only 10.8% of donors developed de novo metabolic syndrome (p < 0.001). In conclusion, metabolic syndrome in donors is associated with chronic histological changes, and nephrectomy in these donors was associated with subsequent protracted recovery of kidney function. Importantly, weight loss led to improvement of most abnormalities that define metabolic syndrome.

Flavobacterium nitratireducens sp. nov., an amylolytic bacterium of the family Flavobacteriaceae isolated from coastal surface seawater.

A novel Gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile bacterium, designated strain N1(T), was isolated from a marine water sample collected from the sea shore, Bay of Bengal, Visakhapatnam, India. The strain was positive for starch hydrolysis, nitrate reduction and ornithine decarboxylase activities and negative for citrate utilization, urease, oxidase, catalase and DNase activities. The predominant fatty acids were C16 : 0 3-OH, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, anteiso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0, C15 : 0 3-OH, and C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH (summed feature 3). Strain N1(T) contained menaquinone 6 (MK-6) as the sole respiratory quinone. The only polyamine was homospermidine and the major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), three unidentified aminolipids (AL1-AL3) and two unidentified lipids (L1, L2). The DNA G+C content of the strain was 36.3 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain N1(T) was a member of the genus Flavobacterium and closely related to Flavobacterium resistens with pairwise sequence similarity of 96.5 %. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain N1(T) clustered with Flavobacterium glycines and Flavobacterium daejeonense with a distance of 4.8 and 6.0 % (95.2 and 94.0 % similarity), respectively. Based on the phenotypic characteristics and on phylogenetic inference, strain N1(T) represents a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium nitratireducens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is N1(T) ( = MTCC 11155(T) = JCM 17678(T)).

Mariniradius saccharolyticus gen. nov., sp. nov., a member of the family Cyclobacteriaceae isolated from marine aquaculture pond water, and emended descriptions of the genus Aquiflexum and Aquiflexum balticum.

A novel marine, Gram-stain-negative, oxidase- and catalase- positive, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain AK6(T), was isolated from marine aquaculture pond water collected in Andhra Pradesh, India. The fatty acids were dominated by iso-C15:0, iso-C17:1ω9c, iso-C15:1 G, iso-C17:0 3-OH and anteiso-C15:0. Strain AK6(T) contained MK-7 as the sole respiratory quinone and phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminophospholipid, one unidentified phospholipid and seven unidentified lipids as polar lipids. The DNA G+C content of strain AK6(T) was 45.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain AK6(T) formed a distinct branch within the family Cyclobacteriaceae and clustered with Aquiflexum balticum DSM 16537(T) and other members of the family Cyclobacteriaceae. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis confirmed that Aquiflexum balticum DSM 16537(T) was the nearest neighbour, with pairwise sequence similarity of 90.1%, while sequence similarity with the other members of the family was <88.5%. Based on differentiating phenotypic characteristics and phylogenetic inference, strain AK6(T) is proposed as a representative of a new genus and species of the family Cyclobacteriaceae, as Mariniradius saccharolyticus gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain of Mariniradius saccharolyticus is AK6(T) (=MTCC 11279(T)=JCM 17389(T)). Emended descriptions of the genus Aquiflexum and Aquiflexum balticum are also proposed.

Silanimonas mangrovi sp. nov., a member of the family Xanthomonadaceae isolated from mangrove sediment, and emended description of the genus Silanimonas.

A novel Gram-negative, rod-shaped, motile bacterium, designated strain AK13(T), was isolated from a sediment sample collected from mangrove of Namkhana, Sunderbans, West Bengal, India. Strain AK13(T) was positive for oxidase, DNase and lipase activities and negative for catalase, gelatinase, ornithine decarboxylase, lysine decarboxylase, nitrate reductase, aesculinase and urease activities. The fatty acids were dominated by iso-C(11 : 0), iso-C(11 : 0) 3-OH, iso-C(15 : 0), iso-C(16 : 0), iso-C(17 : 1)ω9c and summed feature 3 (C(16 : 1)ω7c and/or iso-C(15 : 0) 2-OH). Strain AK13(T) contained Q-8 as the major respiratory quinone and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylserine, two unidentified aminolipids, one unidentified glycolipid and one unidentified lipid as the polar lipids. The DNA G+C content of strain AK13(T) was 55.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the type strain of Silanimonas lenta, of the family Xanthomonadaceae (phylum Proteobacteria), was the closest neighbour of strain AK13(T), with 95.2 % sequence similarity. Other members of the family showed sequence similarities <94.4 %. Based on the phenotypic characteristics and phylogenetic inference, strain AK13(T) is proposed as a member of a novel species of the genus Silanimonas, Silanimonas mangrovi sp. nov.; the type strain is AK13(T) (= MTCC 11082(T) = DSM 24914(T)). An emended description of the genus Silanimonas is also provided.

Lacinutrix himadriensis sp. nov., a psychrophilic bacterium isolated from a marine sediment, and emended description of the genus Lacinutrix.

A novel gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile, psychrophilic bacterium, designated strain E4-9a(T), was isolated from a marine sediment sample collected at a depth of 276 m from Kongsfjorden, Svalbard, in the Arctic Ocean. The colony colour was golden yellow. Strain E4-9a(T) was positive for amylase activity at 5 °C. The predominant fatty acids were iso-C(15 : 1) G (21.8 %), anteiso-C(15 : 0) (19.1 %), anteiso-C(15 : 1) A (18.6 %), iso-C(15 : 0) (13.8 %) and iso-C(16 : 1) H (6.4 %). Strain E4-9a(T) contained MK-6 as the major respiratory quinone. The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified aminolipids (AL1, AL4 and AL5), an unidentified phospholipid and four unidentified lipids (L1, L4 to L6). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, it was ascertained that the closest related species to E4-9a(T) were Lacinutrix copepodicola, L. algicola and L. mariniflava, with sequence similarity to the respective type strains of 98.5, 96.5 and 95.8 %. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain E4-9a(T) clustered with the type strain of L. copepodicola and with those of L. algicola and L. mariniflava at distances of 1.5 and 4.8 % (98.5 and 95.2 % similarity), respectively. However, DNA-DNA hybridization with L. copepodicola DJ3(T) showed 59 % relatedness with respect to strain E4-9a(T). The DNA G+C content of strain E4-9a(T) was 29 mol%. Based on the results of DNA-DNA hybridization and phenotypic data, it appears that strain E4-9a(T) represents a novel species of the genus Lacinutrix, for which the name Lacinutrix himadriensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is E4-9a(T) ( = CIP 110310(T)  = KCTC 23612(T)).

Winogradskyella psychrotolerans sp. nov., a marine bacterium of the family Flavobacteriaceae isolated from Arctic sediment.

A novel Gram-negative, rod-coccus shaped, non-motile, strain, RS-3(T), was isolated from a sediment sample collected from the marine transect of Kongsfjorden, Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, Arctic. Colonies and broth cultures were yellowish in colour due to the presence of carotenoids. Strain RS-3(T) was positive for oxidase, aesculinase, caseinase, gelatinase and urease activities and negative for amylase, catalase, lipase, lysine decarboxylase, ornithine decarboxylase, DNase and ß-galactosidase activities. The predominant fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 (18.0), anteiso-C15 : 0 (16.8), iso-C15 : 1 G (14.2), anteiso-C15 : 1 A (6.0) and iso-C15 : 0 3-OH (6.8). Strain RS-3(T) contained MK-6 (72.42 %) and MK-7 (27.58 %) as the major respiratory quinones and phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids and two unidentified lipids make up the polar lipid composition. The DNA G+C content of strain RS-3(T) was 34.7±1.2 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that Winogradskyella pacifica and Winogradskyella thalassocola are the most closely related species with sequence similarities to the type strains of these species of 98.5 and 97.7 %, respectively. However, DNA-DNA hybridization with Winogradskyella pacifica KCTC 22997(T) and Winogradskyella thalassocola DSM 15363(T) showed a relatedness of 22 and 42.5 % with respect to strain RS-3(T). Based on the DNA-DNA hybridization values, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics and phylogenetic inference, strain RS-3(T) is proposed as a novel species of the genus Winogradskyella, for which the name Winogradskyella psychrotolerans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Winogradskyella psychrotolerans sp. nov. is RS-3(T) ( = CIP 110154(T) = NBRC 106169(T)). An emended description of the genus Winogradskyella is provided.

Iodobacter arcticus sp. nov., a psychrotolerant bacterium isolated from meltwater stream sediment of an Arctic glacier.

Two novel violet-pigmented, Gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile bacteria, designated strains M4-16(T) and M4-9, were isolated from sediment from an Arctic glacier. The predominant fatty acids of both strains were C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c (summed feature 3), C16 : 0, C14 : 0 and C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c (summed feature 8) and both strains contained ubiquinone-8 as the respiratory quinone. The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified phospholipids and one unidentified aminolipid. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strains M4-16(T) and M4-9 were members of the genus Iodobacter and closely related to Iodobacter fluviatilis ATCC 33051(T) with pairwise sequence similarity of 98.9 %. The DNA-DNA relatedness between strains M4-9 and M4-16(T) was 92.5 %, while strains M4-9 and M4-16(T) had DNA-DNA relatedness values of 21.5 and 18.2 %, respectively, with Iodobacter fluviatilis JCM 9044(T). The RAPD-PCR banding patterns of strains M4-9 and M4-16(T) were similar but differed from that of Iodobacter fluviatilis JCM 9044(T). Based on data from the current polyphasic study, strains M4-16(T) and M4-9 represent a novel species of the genus Iodobacter, for which the name Iodobacter arcticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Iodobacter arcticus is M4-16(T) ( = CIP 1103011(T) = MTCC 11351(T)).

Caldimonas meghalayensis sp. nov., a novel thermophilic betaproteobacterium isolated from a hot spring of Meghalaya in northeast India.

While studying the microbial diversity of hot springs of North-east India we isolated a strain AK31T from the Jakrem hot spring of Meghalaya. The strain formed light yellow colonies on nutrient agar and was Gram negative, non spore-forming rods, motile with single polar flagellum. The strain was positive for oxidase and catalase and hydrolysed starch and weakly urea. The predominant cellular fatty acids were C16:0 (34.8 %), C17:0 cyclo (27.1 %), C16:1 ω7c and/or iso-C15:0 2OH (summed feature 3) (9.6 %), C10:0 3OH (8.0 %), C12:0 (5.8 %), C14:0 (5.3 %) and C18:1 ω7c (5.3 %). Strain AK31T contained ubiquinone-8 as the major respiratory quinone and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified phospholipids and one unidentified glycolipid as the polar lipids. The G + C content of the DNA of the strain AK31T was 66.7 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain AK31T was member of the genus Caldimonas and closely related to Caldimonas manganoxidans JCM 10698T and Caldimonas taiwanensis On1T with 96.9 % similarity and with Aquincola tertiaricarbonis L10T and Azohydromonas australica IAM 12664T with 96.5 and 96.4 % similarity respectively. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that the strain AK31T clustered with C. manganoxidans JCM 10698T and C. taiwanensis On1T with a phylogenetic distance of 3.25 %. Based on data from the current polyphasic study, strain AK31T is proposed as a novel species of the genus Caldimonas, for which the name Caldimonas meghalayensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of C. meghalayensis is AK31T (= MTCC 11703T = JCM 18786T).

Marinilabilia nitratireducens sp. nov., a lipolytic bacterium of the family Marinilabiliaceae isolated from marine solar saltern.

A Gram-negative, rod shaped, motile bacterium, was isolated from a marine solar saltern sample collected from Kakinada, India. Strain AK2(T) was determined to be positive for nitrate reduction, catalase, Ala-Phe-Pro-arylamidase, ß-galactosidase, ß-N-acetylglucosaminidase, ß-glucosidase, ß-xylosidase, α-glucosidase, α-galactosidase and phosphatase activities, hydrolysis of aesculin, Tween 20/40/60/80 and urea. It was determined to be negative for oxidase, lysine decarboxylase and ornithine decarboxylase activities and could not hydrolyze agar, casein, gelatin and starch. The predominant fatty acids were identified as iso-C(15:0) (28.2 %), anteiso-C(15:0) (23.2 %), iso-C(13:0) (19.9 %) and iso-C(15:0) 3-OH (13.9 %). Strain AK2(T) was found to contain menaquinone with seven isoprene units (MK-7) as the sole respiratory quinone and phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified phospholipid and three unidentified lipids as polar lipids. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated the strain AK2(T) as a member of the genus Marinilabilia and is closely related to Marinilabilia salmonicolor with pair-wise sequence similarity of 98.2 %. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene revealed that the strain AK2(T) clustered with M. salmonicolor. However, DNA-DNA hybridization with M. salmonicolor JCM 21150(T) showed a relatedness of 48 ± 0.5 % with respect to strain AK2(T). The DNA G+C content of the strain was determined to be 40.2 mol%. Based on the phenotypic characteristics and phylogenetic inference, it is proposed that the strain AK2(T) represents a novel species of the genus Marinilabilia, for which the name Marinilabilia nitratireducens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of M. nitratireducens sp. nov. is AK2(T) (= MTCC 11402(T) = JCM 17679(T)).