Description of Solvent-Extractable Chemicals in Thermal Receipts and Toxicological Assessment of Bisphenol S and Diphenyl Sulfone.

Research on thermal receipts has previously focused on the toxic effects of dermal exposure from the most publicized developers (e.g., bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol S (BPS)), while no studies have reported on the other solvent-extractable compounds therein. Diphenyl sulfone (DPS) is a sensitizer added to thermal receipts, but little is known about DPS concentrations in receipts or potential toxicity. Here, we quantified BPA, BPS, and DPS concentrations and tentatively identified the solvent-extractable compounds of thermal receipts collected from three South Dakota (USA) cities during 2016-2017. An immortalized chicken hepatic cell line, cultured as 3D spheroids, was used to screen effects of DPS, BPS, and 17ß estradiol (E2; 0.1-1000 µM) on cell viability and gene expression changes. These chemicals elicited limited cytotoxicity with LC50 values ranging from 113 to 143 µM, and induced dysregulation in genes associated with lipid and bile acid homeostasis. Taken together, this study generated novel information on solvent-extractable chemicals from thermal receipts and toxicity data for DPS.

Fluctibacter corallii gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from the coral Montipora capitata on a reef in Kane'ohe Bay, O'ahu, Hawai'i, reclassification of Aestuariibacter halophilus as Fluctibacter halophilus comb. nov., and Paraglaciecola oceanifecundans as a later heterotypic synonym of Paraglaciecola agarilytica.

Strain AA17T was isolated from an apparently healthy fragment of Montipora capitata coral from the reef surrounding Moku o Lo'e in Kane'ohe Bay, O'ahu, Hawai'i, USA, and was taxonomically evaluated using a polyphasic approach. Comparison of a partial 16S rRNA gene sequence found that strain AA17T shared the greatest similarity with Aestuariibacter halophilus JC2043T (96.6%), and phylogenies based on 16S rRNA gene sequences grouped strain AA17T with members of the Aliiglaciecola, Aestuariibacter, Lacimicrobium, Marisediminitalea, Planctobacterium, and Saliniradius genera. To more precisely infer the taxonomy of strain AA17T, a phylogenomic analysis was conducted and indicated that strain AA17T formed a monophyletic clade with A. halophilus JC2043T, divergent from Aestuariibacter salexigens JC2042T and other related genera. As a result of monophyly and multiple genomic metrics of genus demarcation, strain AA17T and A. halophilus JC2043T comprise a distinct genus for which the name Fluctibacter gen. nov. is proposed. Based on a polyphasic characterisation and identifying differences in genomic and taxonomic data, strain AA17T represents a novel species, for which the name Fluctibacter corallii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is AA17T (= LMG 32603 T = NCTC 14664T). This work also supports the reclassification of A. halophilus as Fluctibacter halophilus comb. nov., which is the type species of the Fluctibacter genus. Genomic analyses also support the reclassification of Paraglaciecola oceanifecundans as a later heterotypic synonym of Paraglaciecola agarilytica.

Assessing Curcumin Uptake and Clearance and Their Influence on Superoxide Dismutase Activity in Drosophila melanogaster.

While normal levels of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) are required for proper organismal function, increased levels result in oxidative stress. Oxidative stress may be managed via the scavenging activities of antioxidants (e.g., curcumin) and the action of enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD). In this work, the uptake and clearance of dietary curcuminoids (consisting of curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin) was assessed in Drosophila melanogaster larvae following chronic or acute exposure. High levels of curcuminoid uptake and loss were observed within a few hours and leveled off within eight hours post treatment onset. The addition or removal of curcuminoids from media resulted in corresponding changes in SOD activity, and the involvement of each of the three SOD genes was assessed for their contribution to total SOD activity. Taken together, these data provide insight into the uptake and clearance dynamics of curcuminoids and indicate that, while SOD activity generally increases following curcuminoid treatment, the individual SOD genes appear to contribute differently to this response.

Complete genome of Vibrio japonicus strain JCM 31412 T and assessment of the Nereis clade of the genus Vibrio.

Clade-based taxonomy has become a recognised means of classifying members of the family Vibrionaceae. A multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) approach based on eight housekeeping genes can be used to infer phylogenetic relationships, which then groups species into monophyletic clades. Recent work on the Vibrionaceae clades added newly described species and updated existing relationships; the Nereis clade currently includes Vibrio nereis and Vibrio hepatarius. A publication characterising Vibrio japonicus as a novel species placed it within the Nereis clade, but this strain was not included in a recently published taxonomic update because a genome sequence was not available for phylogenetic assessment. To resolve this discrepancy and assess the taxonomic position of V. japonicus within the updated clades, we sequenced the complete genome of V. japonicus JCM 31412 T and conducted phylogenetic and genomic analyses of this clade. Vibrio japonicus remains within the Nereis clade and phylogenomic, average nucleotide identity (ANI), and average amino acid identity (AAI) analyses confirm this relationship. Additional genomic assessments on all Nereis clade members found gene clusters and inferred functionalities shared among the species. This work represents the first complete genome of a member of the Nereis clade and updates the clade-based taxonomy of the Vibrionaceae family.

Vibrio tetraodonis subsp. pristinus subsp. nov., isolated from the coral Acropora cytherea at Palmyra Atoll, and creation and emended description of Vibrio tetraodonis subsp. tetraodonis subsp. nov.

Strain OCN044T was isolated from the homogenised tissue and mucus of an apparently healthy Acropora cytherea coral fragment collected from the western reef terrace of Palmyra Atoll in the Northern Line Islands and was taxonomically evaluated with a polyphasic approach. The morphological and chemotaxonomic properties are consistent with characteristics of the genus Vibrio: Gram-stain-negative rods, oxidase- and catalase-positive, and motile by means of a polar flagellum. Strain OCN044T can be differentiated as a novel subspecies based on 21 differences among chemotaxonomic features (e.g., fatty acids percentages for C12:0 and C18:1 ω7c), enzymatic activities (e.g., DNase and cystine arylamidase), and carbon sources utilized (e.g., L-xylose and D-melezitose) from its nearest genetic relative. Phylogenetic analysis and genomic comparisons show close evolutionary relatedness to Vibrio tetraodonis A511T but the overall genomic relatedness indices identify strain OCN044T as a distinct subspecies. Based on a polyphasic characterisation, differences in genomic and taxonomic data, strain OCN044T represents a novel subspecies of V. tetraodonis A511T, for which the name Vibrio tetraodonis subsp. pristinus subsp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is OCN044T (= LMG 31895T = DSM 111778T).

Draft Genome Sequence of Aestuariibacter halophilus Type Strain JC2043.

Aestuariibacter halophilus strain JC2043, a Gram-negative gammaproteobacterium, is often used as a reference organism for assigning taxonomy within the family Alteromonadaceae. Isolates of this species have also been investigated for compound degradation (e.g., phthalates and oil) and biofilm association. Presented here is the draft genome sequence of A. halophilus strain JC2043.

Draft Genome Sequence of the Planctobacterium marinum Type Strain K7.

Planctobacterium marinum strain K7 is a Gram-negative gammaproteobacterium of the Alteromonadaceae family and is the sole type strain in the genus Planctobacterium. Presented here is the draft whole-genome sequence of P. marinum strain K7.

Assessing the influence of curcumin in sex-specific oxidative stress, survival and behavior in Drosophila melanogaster.

Oxidative stress, which occurs from an imbalance of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) and both endogenous and exogenous antioxidants, promotes aging and underlies sex-specific differences in longevity and susceptibility to age-related neurodegeneration. Recent evidence suggests that curcumin, a yellow pigment derived from turmeric and shown to exhibit antioxidant properties as a RONS scavenger, influences the regulation of genetic elements in endogenous antioxidant pathways. To investigate the role of curcumin in sex-specific in vivo responses to oxidative stress, Drosophila were reared on media supplemented with 0.25, 2.5 or 25 mmol l-1 curcuminoids (consisting of curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin) and resistance to oxidative stress and neural parameters were assessed. High levels of curcuminoids exhibited two sex-specific effects: protection from hydrogen peroxide as an oxidative stressor and alterations in turning rate in an open field. Taken together, these results suggest that the influence of curcuminoids as antioxidants probably relies on changes in gene expression and that sexual dimorphism exists in the in vivo response to curcuminoids.