Zingiber officinale promotes autophagy and apoptosis in human oral cancer through the C/EBP homologous protein.

The rhizome of Zingiber officinale (Z. officinale), commonly known as ginger, has been characterized as a potential drug candidate due to its antitumor effects. However, the chemotherapeutic effect of ginger on human oral cancer remains poorly understood. In this study, we examined the effects of an ethanol extract of Z. officinale rhizomes (ZOE) on oral cancer and identified the components responsible for its pharmacological activity. ZOE exerts its inhibitory activity in oral cancer by inducing both autophagy and apoptosis simultaneously. Mechanistically, ZOE-induced autophagy and apoptosis in oral cancer are attributed to the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress response. Additionally, we identified two active components of ZOE, 1-dehydro-6-gingerdione and 8-shogaol, which were sufficient to stimulate autophagy initiation and apoptosis induction by enhancing CHOP expression. These results suggest that ZOE and its two active components induce ROS generation, upregulate CHOP, initiate autophagy and apoptosis, and hold promising therapeutics against human oral cancer.

Apoptotic activity of genipin in human oral squamous cell carcinoma in vitro by regulating STAT3 signaling.

Genipin, a natural compound derived from the fruit of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, was reported to have activity against various cancer types. In this study, we determined the underlying mechanism for genipin-induced cell death in human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The growth-inhibitory effects of genipin in human OSCC cells was examined by the Cell Counting Kit-8 and soft agar assays. The effects of genipin on apoptosis were assessed by nuclear morphological changes by 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining, measurement of the sub-G1 population, and Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide double staining. The underlying mechanism of genipin activity was analyzed by western blot analysis, subcellular fractionation of the nucleus and cytoplasm, immunocytochemistry, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Genipin inhibited the growth of OSCC cells and induced apoptosis, which was mediated by a caspase-dependent pathway. Genipin reduced the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) at Tyr705 and its nuclear localization. Furthermore, inhibition of p-STAT3Tyr705 levels following genipin treatment was required for the reduction of survivin and myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1) expression, leading to apoptotic cell death. The genipin-mediated reduction in survivin and Mcl-1 expression was caused by transcriptional and/or posttranslational regulatory mechanisms. The results provide insight into the regulatory mechanism by which genipin induces apoptotic cell death through the abrogation of nuclear STAT3 phosphorylation and suggest that genipin may represent a potential therapeutic option for the treatment of human OSCC.

Predicting the Risk of Sleep Disorders Using a Machine Learning-Based Simple Questionnaire: Development and Validation Study.

BACKGROUND: Sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea (COMISA), and insomnia are common and can have serious health consequences. However, accurately diagnosing these conditions can be challenging as a result of the underrecognition of these diseases, the time-intensive nature of sleep monitoring necessary for a proper diagnosis, and patients' hesitancy to undergo demanding and costly overnight polysomnography tests. OBJECTIVE: We aim to develop a machine learning algorithm that can accurately predict the risk of OSA, COMISA, and insomnia with a simple set of questions, without the need for a polysomnography test. METHODS: We applied extreme gradient boosting to the data from 2 medical centers (n=4257 from Samsung Medical Center and n=365 from Ewha Womans University Medical Center Seoul Hospital). Features were selected based on feature importance calculated by the Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) method. We applied extreme gradient boosting using selected features to develop a simple questionnaire predicting sleep disorders (SLEEPS). The accuracy of the algorithm was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve. RESULTS: In total, 9 features were selected to construct SLEEPS. SLEEPS showed high accuracy, with an area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of greater than 0.897 for all 3 sleep disorders, and consistent performance across both sets of data. We found that the distinction between COMISA and OSA was critical for accurate prediction. A publicly accessible website was created based on the algorithm that provides predictions for the risk of the 3 sleep disorders and shows how the risk changes with changes in weight or age. CONCLUSIONS: SLEEPS has the potential to improve the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders by providing more accessibility and convenience. The creation of a publicly accessible website based on the algorithm provides a user-friendly tool for assessing the risk of OSA, COMISA, and insomnia.

Myeloid cell leukemia-1 expression in cancers of the oral cavity: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) family members play important roles in cell survival as well as cell death. The role of myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1), an important member of the Bcl-2 family, is well established in hematopoietic malignancies. However, the association between Mcl-1 and oral cavity, cancers is not clearly defined. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted until June 30, 2021, using four major databases, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase. Medical subject headings keywords for Mcl-1, along with its other identifiers, and head and neck cancers (only oral cavity tumors) were used to evaluate the expression, function, molecular association, and therapeutic approach of Mcl-1 in oral cavity cancers and precancers. FINDINGS: Mcl-1 expression was associated with the progression of oral cavity cancers. The molecular mechanism and pathways of Mcl-1 in oral cavity cancers established via experimental results have been highlighted in this review. Moreover, the various synthetic and naturally derived therapeutic agents targeting Mcl-1 have been documented. NOVELTY/IMPROVEMENT: Based on our present review, Mcl-1 appears to be an effective anticancer target that can be used in the therapeutic management of oral cancers.

Molecular mechanism underlying the apoptotic modulation by ethanol extract of Pseudolarix kaempferi in mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the salivary glands.

BACKGROUND: Pseudolarix kaempferi is a traditional Chinese natural product that possesses the potential cytotoxic effects against cancer. However, the precise molecular mechanism underlying its cytotoxic effects has not yet been completely elucidated. Here, we clarify the mechanism via which the ethanol extract of P. kaempferi (EEPK) leads to cytotoxicity mediated by apoptosis in mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) originating from the salivary glands. METHODS: We investigated the mechanism underlying the anticancer efficacy of EEPK in human MEC in vitro by assessing mitochondrial dysfunction, mRNA levels, and morphological changes in apoptotic cell nuclei as well as by using a cytotoxicity assay, flow cytometric analysis, and western blotting. RESULTS: EEPK inhibited the growth of two human MEC cells and stimulated the induction of caspase-mediated apoptosis that was accompanied by mitochondrial membrane depolarization. Compared with the vehicle control groups, EEPK decreased myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1) expression in both cells whereas it significantly decreased B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) expression in MC3 cells only. The EEPK-induced altered Mcl-1 expression was caused by translational inhibition and proteasomal degradation. Additionally, EEPK significantly increased p-Bcl-2 (Ser70) expression regardless of its total forms by facilitating the activation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway, which exhibited cell context dependency. Nevertheless, JNK activation following EEPK treatment was, at least in part, required for the proapoptotic efficacy of EEPK in both cells. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that EEPK-induced alterations of Mcl-1 inhibition and JNK/Bcl-2 phosphorylation cause apoptosis and provided basic preclinical data for future clinical trials regarding therapy for patients with MEC.

The feasibility of quantitative parameters of lymphoscintigraphy without significant dermal backflow for the evaluation of lymphedema in post-operative patients with breast cancer.

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the potential role of quantitative methods associated with lymphoscintigraphy for the assessment of severity of lymphedema post-operatively in patients with breast cancer who did not show definite dermal backflow activity on the lymphoscintigraphy. METHODS: We evaluated 47 lymphoscintigraphies without dermal backflow in patients with lymphedema who received a mastectomy and axillary dissection or sentinel lymph node dissection for invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast. The quantitative asymmetry indices (QAIs) of both arms were calculated for each axilla, upper arm, forearm, and the whole arm. The QAI was defined as the radiopharmaceutical uptake ratio of the affected side to the unaffected side. Arm circumference was measured at four locations per arm to identify the maximal circumference difference (MCD) between affected and unaffected sides. RESULTS: The total and forearm QAIs of each side arm were significantly higher in the group with above moderate stage lymphedema compared with the mild stage group. Previous radiotherapy also had a significant effect on radiotracer retention expressed as QAI. The MCD was significantly correlated with QAI values of the forearm and the whole arm. The QAI of axillary areas was not significantly correlated with circumferential measurements of the arm. CONCLUSIONS: The QAIs have significant value for the diagnosis and severity of lymphedema and may therefore potentially be used as an objective tool for the assessment of lymphedema.

Development and evaluation of myofunctional therapy support program (MTSP) based on self-efficacy theory for patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to determine the impact of myofunctional therapy support program (MTSP) based on self-efficacy theory compared to no support during myofunctional therapy (MT) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). METHODS: Thirty-one patients with OSA were randomized into two groups: 12 weeks of treatment with the MTSP developed in this study (experimental group) and one education session of MT (control group). Patients were evaluated at the beginning and the end of the study using questionnaires (self-efficacy scale, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, snoring intensity and frequency, dry mouth) and polysomnography. RESULTS: The control (n = 15) and experimental (n = 16) groups had similar results for all variables at study entry. The control group showed no significant change in any variables during the study period. In contrast, the experimental group showed a significant increase in self-efficacy 61.38 ± 9.50 to 65.56 ± 10.89 (p = 0.020) and a significant decrease in apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) 19.51 ± 11.41 to 14.11 ± 9.13 (p = 0.039), daytime sleepiness 9.88 ± 3.84 to 7.56 ± 3.42 (p = 0.028), snoring intensity 5.57 ± 3.13 to 4.44 ± 2.68 (p = 0.008), and dry mouth 6.44 ± 3.14 to 3.63 ± 2.33 (p = 0.005), compared to the baseline. No significant change in lowest SaO2 (p = 0.969), sleep quality (p = 0.307), and snoring frequency (p = 0.321) during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: The intensive and interactive intervention of MTSP improved the self-efficacy of OSA patients, and consequently, resulted in sign and symptom relief, such as AHI, daytime sleepiness, snoring and dry mouth. The MTSP was dedicated to the nurse practitioner to improve the way to dispense the MT. This research has implications for the successful treatment of OSA.

The Role of Anterior Thalamic Deep Brain Stimulation as an Alternative Therapy in Patients with Previously Failed Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Refractory Epilepsy.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has provided new treatment options for refractory epilepsy; however, treatment outcomes of DBS in refractory epilepsy patients previously treated with vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) have not been clarified. Herein, treatment outcomes of DBS of the anterior nucleus of the thalamus (ANT-DBS) in patients who had previously experienced VNS failure are reported. Seven patients who had previously experienced VNS failure underwent ANT-DBS device implantation. VNS was turned off before DBS device implantation. Monthly seizure counts starting from baseline to 12-18 months after DBS were analyzed. Five (71.3%) of the 7 patients experienced a >50% reduction of seizure counts after DBS; 1 responder reached a seizure-free status after DBS therapy. Of the 2 nonresponders, 1 subject showed improvement in seizure strength and duration, which lessened the impact of the seizures on the patient's quality of life. This is the first study in which favorable outcomes of ANT-DBS surgery were observed in individual patients with refractory epilepsy who had not responded to prior VNS. Further studies with a larger number of subjects and longer follow-up period are needed to confirm the feasibility of ANT-DBS in patients who have previously experienced VNS failure.

Pseudolaric Acid B Induces Growth Inhibition and Caspase-Dependent Apoptosis on Head and Neck Cancer Cell lines through Death Receptor 5.

Pseudolaric Acid B (PAB), diterpenoid isolated from the root bark of Pseudolarix kaempferi Gordon tree (Pinaceae), exhibits an anti-proliferative and apoptotic activity in various cancer cell lines but to date, the effects of PAB on head and neck cancer (HNC) cell lines remain to be elucidated. In this study, we showed that PAB significantly inhibited the viability and caspase-dependent apoptosis in HN22 cell line. PAB-induced apoptosis is through inducing death receptor 5 (DR5) together with the increase in the expression of cleaved caspase-8. It also inhibited the proliferations and induced apoptosis through DR5 in other three HNC cell lines (HSC3, Ca9.22, and HSC4). Extending our in vitro findings, we found that ethanol extract of Pseudolarix kaempferi (2.5 mg/kg/day) reduced tumor growth in a xenograft model bearing HN22 cell line without any change in body weight. DR5 were also found to be increased in tumors tissue of PAB-treated mice without any apparent histopathological changes in liver or kidney tissues. Taken together, PAB may be a potential lead compound for chemotherapeutic agents against head and neck cancer.

Pseudobizionia ponticola gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from seawater.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile and ovoid or rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated MM-14T, was isolated from seawater sampled from the Yellow Sea in the Republic of Korea and its taxonomic position was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Strain MM-14T grew optimally at 30 °C and in the presence of approximately 2.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain MM-14T clustered with the type strain of Hanstruepera neustonica. The novel strain exhibited a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity value of 96.06 % to the type strain of H. neustonica, but higher 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values (96.13-96.69 %) to the type strains of Bizionia echini, Bizionia hallyeonensis and Bizionia psychrotolerans. Strain MM-14T contained MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified lipid and one unidentified aminolipid. The DNA G+C content of strain MM-14T was 34.6 mol%. The phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic data and other phenotypic properties revealed that strain MM-14T constitutes a new genus and species within the family Flavobacteriaceae of the phylum Bacteroidetes, for which the name Pseudobizionia ponticola gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Pseudobizionia ponticola is MM-14T (=KACC 19434T=KCTC 62139T=NBRC 113019T).

Jannaschia confluentis sp. nov., isolated from the junction between the ocean and a freshwater spring.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile and ovoid or rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated JSSK-16T, was isolated from the place where the ocean and a freshwater spring meet at Jeju Island, South Korea. Strain JSSK-16T grew optimally at 30 °C, at pH 6.5-8.0 and in the presence of 2.0-4.0 % (w/v) NaCl. The neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain JSSK-16T joined the clade comprising the type strains of Jannaschia species. Strain JSSK-16T exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 97.5 and 97.1 % to the type strains of Jannaschia donghaensis and Jannaschia faecimaris, respectively, and of 94.1-96.6 % to the type strains of the other Jannaschia species. Strain JSSK-16T contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and C18 : 1ω7c, 11-methyl C18 : 1ω7c and C18 : 0 as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids detected in strain JSSK-16T were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. The DNA G+C content of strain JSSK-16T was 68.8 mol% and its DNA-DNA relatedness values with the type strains of J. donghaensis and J. faecimaris were 18 and 12, respectively. Differential phenotypic properties, together with its phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, revealed that strain JSSK-16T is separated from recognized species of the genus Jannaschia. On the basis of the data presented, strain JSSK-16T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Jannaschia, for which the name Jannaschia confluentis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSSK-16T (=KACC 19436T=KCTC 62137T=NBRC 113018T).

Flavobacterium sediminilitoris sp. nov., isolated from a tidal flat.

A Gram-stain-negative, facultatively aerobic, motile-by-gliding, non-flagellated and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated YSM-43T, was isolated from a tidal flat in Yeosu on the South Sea in the Republic of Korea. Strain YSM-43T grew optimally at 30 °C and in the presence of 1.0-2.0 % (w/v) NaCl. A neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain YSM-43T fell within the clade comprising type strains of Flavobacterium species, clustering with the type strains of Flavobacterium jejuense and Flavobacterium jumunjinense. It exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 97.20 and 97.15 % to the type strains of F. jejuense and F. jumunjinense, respectively, and of less than 96.59 % to the type strains of the other Flavobacterium species. Strain YSM-43T contained menaquinone-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, iso-C15 : 1 G and iso-C15 : 0 3-OH as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and one unidentified lipid. The DNA G+C content of strain YSM-43T was 29.8 mol% and its DNA-DNA relatedness values with type strains of F. jejuense and F. jumunjinense were 13 and 11 %, respectively. The differential phenotypic properties, together with the phylogenetic and genetic data, revealed that strain YSM-43T is separate from other recognized species of the genus Flavobacterium. On the basis of the data presented, strain YSM-43T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacteriumsediminilitoris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YSM-43T (=KACC 19435T=KCTC 62142T=NBRC 113020T).

Tenacibaculum insulae sp. nov., isolated from a tidal flat.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming bacterial strain, designated JDTF-31T, was isolated from a tidal flat in Jindo, a South Korean island. Strain JDTF-31T grew optimally at 25 °C and in the presence of 2.0 % (w/v) NaCl. The neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain JDTF-31T fell within the cluster comprising the type strains of Tenacibaculum species, joining the type strain of Tenacibaculum soleae. The novel strain exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 98.3, 97.8 and 97.1 % to the type strains of T. soleae, Tenacibaculum haliotisand Tenacibaculum ovolyticum, respectively, and of 94.2-96.8 % to the type strains of the other Tenacibaculum species. Strain JDTF-31T contained MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0 3-OH as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids of strain JDTF-31T were phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified lipid and one unidentified aminophospholipid. The DNA G+C content of strain JDTF-31T was 31.3 mol% and its DNA-DNA relatedness values with the type strains of T. soleae, T. haliotis and T. ovolyticum were 16-27 %. The differential phenotypic properties, together with its phylogenetic and genetic data, revealed that strain JDTF-31T is separated from other recognized species of the genus Tenacibaculum. On the basis of the data presented, strain JDTF-31T represents a novel species of the genus Tenacibaculum, for which the name Tenacibaculuminsulae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JDTF-31T (=KCTC 52749T=NBRC 112783T).

Pseudomaribius aestuariivivens gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from a tidal flat sediment.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile and ovoid or rod-shaped bacterial strain, DBTF-15T, was isolated from a tidal flat sediment on the Yellow Sea in South Korea. Strain DBTF-15T grew optimally at 25-30 °C, at pH 7.0-8.0 and in the presence of 2.0 % (w/v) NaCl. The phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain DBTF-15T joined the cluster comprising the type strains of species of the genus Palleronia. Strain DBTF-15T exhibited higher 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values to the type strains (96.5-96.7 %) of Maribius pelagius and Maribius salinus than to those (94.6-96.1 %) of the three species of the genus Palleronia. It exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of less than 93.9 % to the type strains of the other recognized species. Strain DBTF-15T contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and C18 : 1ω7c as the major fatty acid. The major polar lipids of strain DBTF-15T were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol and one unidentified aminolipid. The DNA G+C content of strain DBTF-15T was 68.7 mol%. The chemotaxonomic data and other differential phenotypic properties made it possible to distinguish strain DBTF-15T from the genera Maribius and Palleronia. On the basis of the data presented, strain DBTF-15T constitutes a novel genus and species within the class Alphaproteobacteria, for which the name Pseudomaribius aestuariivivens gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DBTF-15T (=KACC 19431T=NBRC 113039T).

Validation of the Korean Munich Chronotype Questionnaire.

PURPOSE: The Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ) assesses actual sleep-wake timing and has advantages compared to prior chronotype questionnaires in that it differentiates sleep-wake patterns between work days and free days and uses corrected mid-sleep time on free days after correcting for accumulated sleep debt over the week to categorize chronotype. The current study, we validated the Korean version of the MCTQ. METHODS: In this study, 310 participants (mean age = 27.09 ± 5.64; 78.1% females) completed the Korean version of the MCTQ. RESULTS: MCTQ parameters were significantly correlated with MEQ (Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire) scores (│r│ ≥ 0.48), and test-retest reliability was ≥ 0.72. Cutoff scores of 2.5%, which correlated to 2.36 and 8.57 mid-sleep times in our sample, showed the best convergence with MEQ when categorizing chronotype. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that the MCTQ is a useful questionnaire in assessing chronotype in young adults.

Altererythrobacter aquaemixtae sp. nov., isolated from the junction between the ocean and a freshwater spring.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile and ovoid or rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated JSSK-8T, was isolated from the place where the ocean and a freshwater spring meet at Jeju Island, South Korea. Strain JSSK-8T grew optimally at pH 7.0-8.0, at 30 °C and in the presence of 2.0 % (w/v) NaCl. In a neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain JSSK-8T fell within the clade comprising the type strains of species of the genus Altererythrobacter. Strain JSSK-8T exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 97.7 and 97.2 % to the type strains of Altererythrobacteraestiaquae and Altererythrobacterluteolus, respectively, and of 93.5-96.2 % to the type strains of the other species of the genus Altererythrobacter. Strain JSSK-8T contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and C18 : 1ω7c, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c), C17 : 1ω6c, C16 : 0 and 11-methyl C18 : 1ω7c as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids detected in strain JSSK-8T were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and sphingoglycolipid. The DNA G+C content of strain JSSK-8T was 59.0 mol%, and its mean DNA-DNA relatedness values with the type strains of A. aestiaquae and A. luteolus were 13 and 16 %, respectively. Differential phenotypic properties, together with the phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, revealed that strain JSSK-8T is separated from recognized species of the genus Altererythrobacter. On the basis of the data presented, strain JSSK-8T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Altererythrobacter, for which the name Altererythrobacter aquaemixtae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSSK-8T (=KCTC 52763T=NBRC 112764T).

Loktanella acticola sp. nov., isolated from seawater.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile and coccoid, ovoid or rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated OISW-6T, was isolated from seawater near Oido, a South Korean island, and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Strain OISW-6T grew optimally at 25 °C, at pH 7.0-8.0 and in the presence of 2.0-3.0 % (w/v) NaCl. The phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain OISW-6T fell within the clade comprising the type strains of Loktanella species. Strain OISW-6T exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 97.0-98.9 % to Loktanellamaricola, Loktanellatamlensis, Loktanellarosea, Loktanellamaritima, Loktanellasediminilitoris and Loktanellalitorea, and of 94.0-96.3 % to the type strains of the other Loktanella species. Strain OISW-6T contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and C18 : 1ω7c as the major fatty acid. The major polar lipids detected in strain OISW-6T were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol and one unidentified aminolipid. The DNA G+C content of strain OISW-6T was 57.3 mol% and its DNA-DNA relatedness values with the type strains of the six phylogenetically closely related Loktanella species were 8-25 %. Differential phenotypic properties, together with its phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, revealed that strain OISW-6T is separated from recognized species of the genus Loktanella. On the basis of the data presented, strain OISW-6T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Loktanella, for which the name Loktanellaacticola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is OISW-6T (=KCTC 52837T=NBRC 112781T).

Alteromonas aestuariivivens sp. nov., isolated from a tidal flat.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-spore-forming, motile and ovoid or rod-shaped bacterial strain, JDTF-113T, was isolated from a tidal flat in Jindo, an island of South Korea. Strain JDTF-113T grew optimally at 30 °C, at pH 7.0-8.0 and in the presence of 2.0 % (w/v) NaCl. A neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree, based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, revealed that strain JDTF-113T fell within the clade enclosing the type strains of species of the genus Alteromonas. Strain JDTF-113T exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 97.1-98.1 % to the type strains of Alteromonaslipolytica, Alteromonaslitorea, Alteromonasmediterranea, Alteromonasconfluentis, Alteromonas hispanica, Alteromonasgenovensis and Alteromonasmarina, and of 94.8-96.9 % to those of the other species of the genus Alteromonas. Strain JDTF-113T contained Q-8 as the predominant ubiquinone and C16 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) and C18 : 1ω7c as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids of strain JDTF-113T were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and one unidentified glycolipid. The DNA G+C content of strain JDTF-113T was 51.1 mol% and its mean DNA-DNA relatedness values with the type strains of seven closely phylogenetically related species of the genus Alteromonaswere was 10-23 %. The differential phenotypic properties and phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness support strain JDTF-113T being separated from species of the genus Alteromonaswith validly publishednames. On the basis of the data presented, strain JDTF-113T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Alteromonas, for which the name Alteromonas aestuariivivens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JDTF-113T (=KCTC 52655T=NBRC 112708T).

Erythrobacter aquimixticola sp. nov., isolated from the junction between the ocean and a freshwater spring.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile and coccoid, ovoid or rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated JSSK-14T, was isolated from the place where the ocean and a freshwater spring meet at Jeju island, South Korea. Strain JSSK-14T grew optimally at pH 7.0-8.0, at 30 °C and in the presence of 1.0-2.0 % (w/v) NaCl. A neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain JSSK-14T fell within the clade comprising the type strains of species of the genus Erythrobacter. Strain JSSK-14T exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 97.09-98.42 % to the type strains of Erythrobactergangjinensis, Erythrobacteratlanticus and Erythrobacterluteus and of 94.31-96.97 % to the type strains of the other species of the genus Erythrobacter. Strain JSSK-14T contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and C18 : 1ω7c as the major fatty acid. The major polar lipids of strain JSSK-14T were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and sphingoglycolipid. The DNA G+C content of strain JSSK-14T was 63.5 mol%, and its mean DNA-DNA relatedness values with the type strains of Erythrobactergangjinensis, Erythrobacteratlanticus and Erythrobacterluteus were 13-25 %. Differential phenotypic properties, together with the phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, revealed that strain JSSK-14T is separated from recognized species of the genus Erythrobacter. On the basis of the data presented, strain JSSK-14T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Erythrobacter, for which the name Erythrobacter aquimixticola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSSK-14T (=KCTC 52764T=NBRC 112765T).

Umboniibacter caenipelagi sp. nov., isolated from a tidal flat.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, aerobic and ovoid or rod-shaped bacterium, designated SCTF-16T, was isolated from a tidal flat on the Yellow Sea, South Korea. Strain SCTF-16T grew optimally at 30 °C, at pH 7.0-7.5 and in the presence of 2.0 % (w/v) NaCl. In the neighbour-joining, maximum-likelihood and maximum-parsimony phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain SCTF-16T clustered with the type strains of two species of the genus Umboniibacter. Strain SCTF-16T exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 99.6 and 97.1 % to the type strains of Umboniibacterroseus and Umboniibactermarinipuniceus, respectively, and of less than 93.4 % to the type strains of the other recognized species. Strain SCTF-16T contained Q-7 as the predominant ubiquinone and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) and C13 : 0 as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids detected in strain SCTF-16T were phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. The DNA G+C content of strain SCTF-16T was 50.0 mol%, and its mean DNA-DNA relatedness values with the type strains of U. roseus and U. marinipuniceus were 31 and 9 %, respectively. The differential phenotypic properties, together with the phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, revealed that strain SCTF-16T is separated from the two recognized species of the genus Umboniibacter. On the basis of the data presented, strain SCTF-16T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Umboniibacter, for which the name Umboniibacter caenipelagi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SCTF-16T (=KCTC 52628T=NBRC 112760T).