Influence of feeding habits in the endocrine pancreas of insectivore bat Pteronotus personatus and nectarivore bat Anoura geoffroyi: A comparative stereological and immunohistochemical study

Pteronotus personatus as an insectivore bat and has a diet that consists of a high protein diet, whereas the diet of Anoura geoffroyi, a predominantly nectarivore bat, is rich in simple sugars like sucrose, glucose and fructose. Considering that diet influences the activation of different pathways, which may influence morphological adaptations in the gastrointestinal system, the aim of this study was to compare the morphology of the endocrine pancreas in P. personatus and A. geoffroyi. For this, histological, stereological and immunohistochemical methods were used. In P. personatus, the average diameter of the pancreatic islet was 40.47 μm ± 13.94, while in A. geoffroyi was 88.16 μm ± 36.40. The total number of pancreatic islets in P. personatus was 26150 ± 2346 and in A. geoffroyi was 15970 ± 1666. In P. personatus, the volume density of the pancreatic islets was 3.4%± 2.6, whereas in A. geoffroyi the volume density was 6.1% ± 3.7. In addition, the immunodensity of the α, β and δ cells, in P. personatus was 25.8% ± 11.9, 35.5% ± 13.5, 3.9% ± 0.7, respectively, and in A. geoffroyi was 33.10% ± 12.7, 55.08% ± 7.4, 6.2% ± 4.6, respectively. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate differences in the pancreatic weight/body, weight ratio, diameter and volume density of pancreatic islets and in immunodensity of the β and α cells between both species, which have different dietary habits.     

Synthesis,biological evaluation and molecular docking studies of chromone hydrazone derivatives as α-glucosidase inhibitors

A series of chromone hydrazone derivatives 4a–4p have been synthesized, characterized by ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR and evaluated for their in vitro α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Out of these tested compounds, six (4a, 4b, 4d, 4j, 4o and 4p) displayed potent α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ values in the range of 20.1 ± 0.19 μM to 45.7 ± 0.23 μM, as compared to the standard drug acarbose (IC₅₀ = 817.38 ± 6.27 μM). Among this series, compound 4d (IC₅₀ = 20.1 ± 0.19 μM) with 4-sulfonamide substitution at phenyl part of hydrazide was found to be the most active compound. Lineweaver-Burk plot analysis indicated that compound 4d is a non-competitive inhibitor of α-glucosidase. The binding interactions of the most active analogs were confirmed through molecular docking studies. Docking studies showed 4d are interacting with the residues Glu-276, Asp-214, Asp-349 and Arg-439 through hydrogen bonds, arene-anion and arene-cation interactions. In summary, our studies shown that these chromone hydrazone derivatives are a new class of α-glucosidase inhibitors.     

Accuracy evaluation of distance inverse square law in determining virtual electron source location in Siemens Primus linac

Aim

The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of the inverse square law (ISL) method for determining location of virtual electron source (S_Vir) in Siemens Primus linac.

Early life conditions,reproductive and sexuality-related life history outcomes among human males: A systematic review and meta-analysis

In order to investigate the association between early life conditions and reproductive and sexuality-related life history outcomes among men, we conducted a meta-analysis that compiled the results of 198 articles. A total of 331 effect sizes drawn from 573 samples were included. The meta-analysis revealed that low family socioeconomic status was associated with early sexual debut (r = 0.07), early first birth (r = 0.14), and early marriage (r = 0.03). There was no significant association between family socioeconomic status and pubertal timing or number of sexual partners. Parental absence was associated with early sexual debut (r = ? 0.12), greater number of sexual partners (r = ? 0.19), early first birth (r = ? 0.14), and early marriage (r = ? 0.13). There was no significant association between parental absence and pubertal timing. Small body size before puberty was associated with delayed pubertal timing (r = ? 0.10). There was no significant association between adult body size and number of offspring, and between body size at birth and pubertal timing. Small adult body size, greater number of siblings, and older parents were associated with non-heterosexual orientation (rs = 0.12, 0.03, and 0.03 respectively). Factors such as sampling procedure, data collection method, and age cut-off used to measure family structure change influenced the association between some predictors (e.g., family socioeconomic status) and outcomes (e.g., first birth). The findings are discussed in relation to the utility of life history theory for understanding human male reproductive and sexuality-related outcomes.     

Microbiological and chemical quality of a traditional salted-fermented fish (Hout-Kasef) product of Jazan Region,Saudi Arabia

The Hout-Kasef is traditional salted fermented fish product of natural fermentation of salted mullet fish of coastal area of Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. The present study was carried out to investigate the microbiological and chemical characteristic of Hout-Kasef. A total of twenty-four salted fish samples were purchased from fish market in Jazan and Abu-Arish at different times of the year. The microbial studies of salted-fermented fish revealed a total bacterial count ranging from 2.81 to 4.72 Log₁₀ CFU/g, yeast and mold counts ranging from 0.48 to 3.14 Log₁₀ CFU/g, total staphylococci count 2.71–3.85 Log₁₀ CFU/g, halophile bacteria count 3.26–5.14 Log₁₀ CFU/g, and coliforms count <1 Log₁₀ CFU/g. However, pathogenic bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes, Vibrio spp., Campylobacter spp. and Yersinia species were not detected. The major bacteria species isolated and identified from the salted fermented fish were Bacillus Subtilus, Bacillus mycoides, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus pumilus, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus hominis, Staphylococcus xylosus, Staphylococcus saprophticus and Staphylococcus cahnii subsp cahnii. The chemical analysis of salted fermented fish showed high content of moisture (47.96%), protein (25.71%), ash (19.6%) and salt (15.19%) but low contents of lipid (7.25%). The salted-fermented fish also showed high level of total volatile basic nitrogen (78.86 mg/100 gm sample) and thiobarbutric acid number (32.32 mg malonaldehyde/kg) with a pH value of pH 6.3. Finally, this study showed the presence of gram positive and gram negative bacteria in the fish product. The predominant microorganisms found were Bacillus and Staphylococcus spp. The fish product had high content of salt and TVB-N levels.     

Evaluation of effect of high frequency electromagnetic field on growth and antibiotic sensitivity of bacteria

This study was aimed to evaluate the impact of high frequency electromagnetic fields (HF-EMF at 900 and 1800 MHz) on DNA, growth rate and antibiotic susceptibility of S. aureus, S. epidermidis, and P. aeruginosa. In this study, bacteria were exposed to 900 and 1800 MHz for 2 h and then inoculated to new medium when their growth rate and antibiotic susceptibility were evaluated. Results for the study of bacterial DNA unsuccessful to appearance any difference exposed and non-exposed S. aureus and S. epidermidis. Exposure of S. epidermidis and S. aureus to electromagnetic fields mostly produced no statistically significant decrease in bacterial growth, except for S. aureus when exposure to 900 MHz at 12 h. Exposure of P. aeruginosa to electromagnetic fields at 900 MHz however, lead to a significant reduction in growth rate, while 1800 MHz had insignificant effect. With the exception of S. aureus, treated with amoxicillin (30 µg) and exposed to electromagnetic fields, radiation treatment had no significant effect on bacterial sensitivity to antibiotics.     

Preliminary SAR and biological evaluation of antitubercular triazolothiadiazine derivatives against drug-susceptible and drug-resistant Mtb strains

Following up the SAR study of triazolothiadiazoles for their antitubercular activities targeting Mt SD in our previous study, on the principle of scaffold hopping, the C3 and C6 positions of triazolothiadiazine were examined systematically to define a preliminary structure–activity relationship (SAR) with respect to biological activity. This study herein highlights the potential of two highly potent advanced leads 6c-3, 6g-3 and several other compounds with comparable potencies as promising new candidates for the treatment of TB (6c-3, MIC-H37Rv = 0.25 μg/mL; MIC-MDRTB = 2.0 μg/mL; MIC-RDRTB = 0.25 μg/mL; Mt SD-IC₅₀ = 86.39 μg/mL; and 6g-3, MIC-H37Rv = 1.0 μg/mL; MIC-MDRTB = 4.0 μg/mL; MIC-RDRTB = 2.0 μg/mL; Mt SD-IC₅₀ = 73.57 μg/mL). Compounds 6c-3 and 6g-3 possessed a para-nitro phenyl at the 6 position showed low Vero and HepG2 cells toxicity, turning out to be two excellent lead candidates for preclinical trials. In addition, in vitro Mt SD inhibitory assay indicates that Mt SD is at least one of the targets for their antitubercular activity. Thus, they may turn out to be promising multidrug-resistance-reversing agents.     

A Long Noncoding RNA Signature That Predicts Pathological Complete Remission Rate Sensitively in Neoadjuvant Treatment of Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND: Mounting evidence suggests that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are closely related to pathological complete response (pCR) in neoadjuvant treatment of breast cancer. Here, we construct lncRNA associated models to predict pCR rate. METHODS: LncRNA expression profiles of breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus by repurposing existing microarray data. The prediction model was firstly built by analyzing the correlation between pCR and lncRNA expression in the discovery dataset GSE 25066 (n = 488). Another three independent datasets, GSE20194 (n = 278), GSE20271 (n = 178), and GSE22093 (n = 97), were integrated as the validation cohort to assess the prediction efficiency. RESULTS: A novel lncRNA signature (LRS) consisting of 36 lncRNAs was identified. Based on this LRS, patients with NAC treatment were divided into two groups: LRS-high group and LRS-low group, with positive correlation of pCR rate in the discovery dataset. In the validation cohort, univariate and multivariate analyses both demonstrated that high LRS was associated with higher pCR rate. Subgroup analysis confirmed that this model performed well in luminal B [odds ratio (OR) = 5.4; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.7-10.8; P = 1.47e-06], HER2-enriched (OR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.1-5.7; P = .029), and basal-like (OR = 5.5; 95% CI = 2.3-16.2; P = 5.32e-04) subtypes. Compared with other preexisting prediction models, LRS demonstrated better performance with higher area under the curve. Functional annotation analysis suggested that lncRNAs in this signature were mainly involved in cancer proliferation process. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that our lncRNA signature was sensitive to predict pCR rate in the neoadjuvant treatment of breast cancer, which deserves further evaluation.     

Distribution characteristics and factors influencing the ecosystem in western Hubei

Western Hubei is the most concentrated area of forest resources in Hubei Province, and the knowledge of the distribution characteristics of ecosystem carbon density is important to understand the regional characteristics of carbon density and its mechanism of formation. Carbon density and factors influencing different layers in the ecosystem were studied by using field data. The average carbon density of ecosystems in western Hubei was 159.05 t/hm²; the carbon density of different forest types in descending order was Abies fargesii forests (362.25 t/hm²), mixed broadleaf-conifer forests (154.13 t/hm²), broad-leaved forests (146.09 t/hm²), and coniferous forests (135.76 t/hm²), and ecosystem carbon density increased with increasing age. The carbon density of the arborous layer, shrub layer, and soil layer of A. fargesii forests was significant higher than that of the other forests (P < 0.05), indicating the carbon storage per unit area of A. fargesii forests, which grow at higher elevations, was the greatest. The carbon density in arborous layers of broad-leaved forests, mixed broadleaf-conifer forests, and coniferous forests was 39.29 t/hm², 48.99 t/hm², and 48.39 t/hm², respectively. Those of the soil layer were 102.96 t/hm², 100.97 t/hm², and 82.37 t/hm², respectively, and there were no significant differences among them. Among the three forest types, carbon density in the litter layer was greater than that of the shrub layer, which indicated the litter layer plays an important role in carbon storage. The carbon density of mixed broadleaf-conifer forests was greatest, excluding A. fargesii forests, in medium (58.71 t/hm²) and mature forests (79.66 t/hm²). Thus, the carbon sink of mixed broadleaf-conifer forests had more potential than the others at the medium and mature forest stage. The soil layer carbon density in different forests constituted 60.67—70.48% of the entire ecosystem, and was 1.70—2.62 times greater than that of the arborous layer. There are many factors influencing ecosystem carbon density, which result from the interaction of environmental and topographical factors. The main explanatory variables of carbon density of the region were altitude, precipitation, and canopy density. The vegetation and soil layer carbon density increased as altitude increased, and the rate of change for every vertical 100 m was 1.3 t/hm² and 1.9 t/hm², respectively (P < 0.05). Although the annual average precipitation only affected the carbon density of the vegetation, it increased to 4 t/hm² (P < 0.01) when average precipitation was >100 mm.     

Genetic Variations of GWAS-Identified Genes and Neuroblastoma Susceptibility: a Replication Study in Southern Chinese Children

Neuroblastoma is one of the most commonly diagnosed solid cancers for children, and genetic factors may play a critical role in neuroblastoma development. Previous genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified nine genes associated with neuroblastoma susceptibility in Caucasians. To determine whether genetic variations in these genes are also associated with neuroblastoma susceptibility in Southern Chinese children, we genotyped 25 polymorphisms within these genes by the TaqMan method in 256 cases and 531 controls. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the strength of the associations. We performed a meta-analysis to further evaluate the associations. Furthermore, we calculated the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curves (AUC) to assess which gene/genes may better predict neuroblastoma risk. We confirmed that CASC15 rs6939340 A > G, rs4712653 T > C, rs9295536 C > A, LIN28B rs221634 A > T, and LMO1 rs110419 A > G were associated with significantly altered neuroblastoma susceptibility. We also confirmed that rs6939340 A > G (G versus A: OR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.13-1.50) and rs110419 G > A (A versus G: OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.19-1.58) were associated with increased neuroblastoma risk for all subjects. We also found that the combination of polymorphisms in CASC15, LIN28B, and LMO1 may be used to predict neuroblastoma risk (AUC = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.59-0.67). Overall, we verified five GWAS-identified polymorphisms that were associated with neuroblastoma susceptibility alteration for Southern Chinese population; however, these results need further validation in studies with larger sample sizes.     

Design,synthesis, and bioactivities of novel oxadiazole-substituted pyrazole oximes

A series of novel pyrazole oxime derivatives containing a substituted oxadiazole group were designed and synthesized. The bioassay results indicated that some title compounds displayed good acaricidal and insecticidal activities against Tetranychus cinnabarinus, Aphis medicaginis, Oriental armyworm, and Nilaparvata lugens. Especially, compounds 7a, 7b, and 7c had 80%, 90%, and 90% insecticidal activities against A. medicaginis at 20 μg/mL, respectively. Interestingly, some of the designed compounds displayed wonderful fungicidal activities in vivo against cucumber Pseudoperonospora cubensis. Furthermore, compounds 7a (EC₅₀ = 4.97 μg/mL) and 7h (EC₅₀ = 0.51 μg/mL) showed excellent fungicidal activity against P. cubensis comparable or better than that of the control Pyraclostrobin (EC₅₀ = 4.59 μg/mL).     

A rapid,simple and sensitive loop-mediated isothermal amplification method to detect Anaplasma bovis in sheep and goats samples

A loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique has been widely used in detecting the nucleic acid of various pathogenic bacteria. In this study, a set of four LAMP primers was designed to specifically test Anaplasma bovis. The LAMP assay was performed at 62 °C for 60 min in a water bath. The specificity was confirmed by amplifying A. bovis isolate, while no cross reaction was observed with other five pathogens (Anaplasma bovis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Theileria luwenshuni, Babesia motasi and Schistosoma japonicum). The sensitivity of LAMP was 5 × 10⁰ copies/μL, 100 times more than that of conventional PCR (5 × 10² copies/μL). Of 120 blood DNA extracted from sheep and goats field samples, 81 (67.5%), 22 (18.3%) and 43 (35.8%) were positively detected by LAMP, conventional PCR and nested PCR, respectively. The findings indicated that the developed LAMP assay is a new convenient tool for rapid and cost-effective detection of A. bovis.     

DMRFusion: A differentially methylated region detection tool based on the ranked fusion method

DNA methylation is an important epigenetic modification involved in many biological processes and diseases. Computational analysis of differentially methylated regions (DMRs) could explore the underlying reasons of methylation. DMRFusion is presented as a useful tool for comprehensive DNA methylation analysis of DMRs on methylation sequencing data. This tool is designed base on the integration of several ranking methods; Information gain, Between versus within Class scatter ratio, Fisher ratio, Z-score and Welch's t-test. In this study, DMRFusion on reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) data in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cancer displayed 30 nominated regions and CpG sites with a maximum methylation difference detected in the hypermethylation DMRs. We realized that DMRFusion is able to process methylation sequencing data in an efficient and accurate manner and to provide annotation and visualization for DMRs with high fold difference score (p-value and FDR < 0.05 and type I error: 0.04).     

Pseudomonas silesiensis sp. nov. strain A3T isolated from a biological pesticide sewage treatment plant and analysis of the complete genome sequence

Microorganisms classified in to the Pseudomonas genus are a ubiquitous bacteria inhabiting variety of environmental niches and have been isolated from soil, sediment, water and different parts of higher organisms (plants and animals). Members of this genus are known for their metabolic versatility and are able to utilize different chemical compounds as a source of carbon, nitrogen or phosphorus, which makes them an interesting microorganism for bioremediation or bio-transformation. Moreover, Pseudomonas sp. has been described as a microorganism that can easily adapt to new environmental conditions due to its resistance to the presence of high concentrations of heavy metals or chemical pollution. Here we present the isolation and analysis of Pseudomonas silesiensis sp. nov. strain A3^T isolated from peaty soil used in a biological wastewater treatment plant exploited by a pesticide packaging company. Phylogenetic MLSA analysis of 4 housekeeping genes (16S rRNA, gyrB, rpoD and rpoB), complete genome sequence comparison (ANIb, Tetranucleotide identity, digital DDH), FAME analysis, and other biochemical tests indicate the A3^T strain (type strain PCM 2856^T = DSM 103370^T) differs significantly from the closest relative species and therefore represents a new species within the Pseudomonas genus. Moreover, bioinformatic analysis of the complete sequenced genome showed that it consists of 6,823,539 bp with a 59.58 mol% G + C content and does not contain any additional plasmids. Genome annotation predicted the presence of 6066 genes, of which 5875 are coding proteins and 96 are RNA genes.     

Broad spectrum anti-infective properties of benzisothiazolones and the parallels in their anti-bacterial and anti-fungal effects

Various mono- and bis-benzisothiazolone derivatives were synthesized and screened against different strains of bacteria and fungi in order to understand the effect of multiple electrophilic sulfur atoms and substitution pattern in the immediate vicinity of reactive sulfur. Staphyllococcus aureus-ATCC 7000699, MRSA and S. aureus-ATCC 29213 (Quality Control strain) were more susceptible to this class of compounds, and the most potent derivative 1.15 had MIC₅₀ of 0.4 μg/mL (cf. Gentamicin = 0.78 μg/mL). CLogP value, optimally in the range of 2.5–3.5, appeared to contribute more to the activity than the steric and electronic effects of groups attached at nitrogen. By and large, their anti-fungal activities also followed a similar trend with respect to the structure and CLogP values. The best potency of IC₅₀ = 0.1 μg/mL was shown by N-benzyl derivative (1.7) against Aspergillus fumigatus; it was also potent against Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Sporothrix schenckii, and Candida parapsilosis with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.4 to 1.3 μg/mL. Preliminary studies also showed that this class of compounds have the ability to target malaria parasite with IC₅₀ values in low micromolar range, and improvement of selectivity is possible through structure optimization.     

Association Between Background Parenchymal Enhancement and Pathologic Complete Remission Throughout the Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer Patients

PURPOSE: To retrospectively investigate the quantitative background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) of the contralateral normal breast in patients with unilateral invasive breast cancer throughout multiple monitoring points of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and to further determine whether BPE is associated with tumor response, especially at the early stage of NAC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 90 patients with unilateral breast cancer who then received six or eight cycles of NAC before surgery were analyzed retrospectively. BPE was measured in dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI at baseline and after 2nd, 4th, and 6th NAC, respectively. Correlation between BPE and tumor size was analyzed, and the association between pathologic complete remission (pCR) and BPE was also analyzed. RESULTS: The BPE of contralateral normal breast showed a constant reduction throughout NAC therapy regardless of the menopausal status (P < .001 in all). Both the BPEs and the changes of BPE in each of the three monitoring points were significantly correlated with those in tumor size (P < .05 in all), and the reduction of BPE after 2nd NAC had the largest diagnostic value for pCR (AUC = 0.726, P < .001), particularly in hormonal receptor (HR)-negative patients (OR = 0.243, 95%CI = 0.083 to 0.706, P = .009). CONCLUSION: The BPE of contralateral normal breast had a constant decreased tendency similar to the change of tumor size in NAC. Reduction of BPE at the early stage of NAC was positively associated with pCR, especially in HR-negative status.     

In vitro activity of some natural honeys against Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia trophozoites

Considering the potentiality of honey in combating diseases, the present study was carried out aiming to assess the in vitro antiprotozoal activity of several honeys (Ziziphus spina-christi, Acacia nilotica, Acacia seyal, and Cucurbita maxima) against Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia by employing the sub-culture method. All the tested honeys inhibited the growth of trophozoites, and the level of inhibition varied according to the assayed concentrations and incubation times. Acacia seyal honey had completely stopped motility of E. histolytica trophozoites at a concentration ≤ 50 µg/ml after incubation for 72 h. Ziziphus spina-christi, Acacia seyal, and Acacia nilotica honeys had completely inhibited the growth of Giardia lamblia trophozoites at concentration ≤ 200 µg/ml after 72 h. These inhibitory activities were similar to that of Metronidazole? which showed IC₅₀ = 0.27. The mammalian cytotoxicity of these honeys against normal Vero cell line which determined by applying MTT method verified the nontoxicity of the examined honeys. Also the proximate composition of the samples indicated compliance with the natural honey standards. The findings of the study indicate the need for in vivo studies and further investigations to identify active principles with antiprotozoal activities from natural honeys.     

Traveling behavior of a termite in tunnels with different curvatures and base surface roughness

This study focused on understanding the termite traveling behavior. Artificial tunnels with different curvatures and base surface roughness were constructed. Each tunnel was 50 mm in length, with widths of W (W = 2, 3, or 4 mm). The distance between the two ends of the tunnel was D (D = 20, 30, 40, or 50 mm). A higher value of D means a lower curvature. The roughness, R (R = 60, 120, 240 and ∞), was generated by uniformly sanding the substrate with a sanding machine. A higher R value means a finer base surface. The symbol ∞ represents a smooth surface. Time (τ) taken by a termite to pass through the tunnel was measured. τ was longer in tunnels with a smooth surface compared with the tunnels with a rough surface. When W = 2, there was no effect of the roughness on speed. This is because the narrow tunnel width diluted the effects of the smoothness of the surface. When W = 3, τ was statistically shorter for R = 240, than for R = 60 and 120. This suggests that an appropriate surface roughness could positively contribute to the traveling speed.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of a new series of cinnamic acid amide derivatives as potent haemostatic agents containing a 2-aminothiazole substructure

Ten new cinnamic acid derivatives containing a 2-aminothiazole substructure were designed and synthesized. This series of compounds exhibited good thermostabilities as demonstrated by thermogravimetric analysis. In coagulation assays (prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and thrombin time) in vitro, most compounds demonstrated excellent activities to promote blood coagulation. Among the studied series, compounds N1, N4, N5 and W5 exhibited a significant coagulation activity. Further studies indicated that compound N5 (IC₅₀ = 1.87 μmol/L) displayed the most suitable efficacy of promoting platelet aggregation than the clinically used haemostatic drug etamsylate (IC₅₀ = 46.22 μmol/L). Furthermore, the relationship between the functional groups of the compounds and the corresponding blood coagulant activity was explored in this study.     

Lebetimonas natsushimae sp. nov., a novel strictly anaerobic,moderately thermophilic chemoautotroph isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent polychaete nest in the Mid-Okinawa Trough

A moderately thermophilic, strictly anaerobic, chemoautotrophic bacterium, designated strain HS1857^T, was isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent at the Noho site in the Mid-Okinawa Trough. Strain HS1857^T grew between 35 and 63 °C (optimum 55 °C), in the presence of 10–55 g l^?1 NaCl (optimum 25 g l^?1), and pH 5.5–7.1 (optimum 6.4). Growth occurred with molecular hydrogen as the electron donor and elemental sulfur, nitrate, or selenate as the electron acceptors. Formate could serve as an alternative electron donor with nitrate as an electron acceptor. During growth with nitrate as the electron acceptor, strain HS1857^T produced ammonium and formed a biofilm. CO₂ was utilized as the sole carbon source. The G + C content of the genomic DNA was 33.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain HS1857^T is a member of the order Nautiliales, showing a sequence similarity of 95.0% with Lebetimonas acidiphila Pd55^T. The fatty acid composition was similar to that of L. acidiphila, which was dominated by C_18:0 (47.0%) and C_18:1 (23.7%). Based on the genomic, chemotaxonomic, phenotypic characteristics, the name Lebetimonas natsushimae sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is HS1857^T (= NBRC 112478^T = DSM 104102^T).