Environmental distribution and genomic characteristics of Solirubrobacter, with proposal of two novel species.

Solirubrobacter spp. were abundant in soil samples collected from deserts and other areas with high UV radiation. In addition, a novel Solirubrobacter species, with strain CPCC 204708T as the type, was isolated and identified from sandy soil sample collected from the Badain Jaran Desert of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region. Strain CPCC 204708T was Gram-stain positive, rod-shaped, non-motile, non-spore-forming, and grew optimally at 28-30°C, pH 7.0-8.0, and in the absence of NaCl. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain CPCC 204708T showed its identity within the genus Solirubrobacter, with highest nucleotide similarities (97.4-98.2%) to other named Solirubrobacter species. Phylogenetic and genomic analyses indicated that the strain was most closely related to Solirubrobacter phytolaccae KCTC 29190T, while represented a distinct species, as confirmed from physiological properties and comparison. The name Solirubrobacter deserti sp. nov. was consequently proposed, with CPCC 204708T (= DSM 105495T = NBRC 112942T) as the type strain. Genomic analyses of the Solirubrobacter spp. also suggested that Solirubrobacter sp. URHD0082 represents a novel species, for which the name Candidatus "Solirubrobacter pratensis" sp. nov. was proposed. Genomic analysis of CPCC 204708T revealed the presence of genes related to its adaptation to the harsh environments of deserts and may also harbor genes functional in plant-microbe interactions. Pan-genomic analysis of available Solirubrobacter spp. confirmed the presence of many of the above genes as core components of Solirubrobacter genomes and suggests they may possess beneficial potential for their associate plant and may be important resources for bioactive compounds.

Corrigendum: Geminicoccus flavidas sp. nov. and Geminicoccus harenae sp. nov., two IAA-producing novel rare bacterial species inhabiting desert biological soil crusts.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1034816.].

Evaluating the performance of four assays for carrier screening of spinal muscular atrophy.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive inherited neuromuscular condition caused by biallelic mutations in the survival of motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. A homozygous deletion of the SMN1 gene accounts for approximately 95-98% of SMA patients. A highly homologous gene survival motor neuron 2 (SMN2) can partially compensate for SMN1 deletion, and its copy number is associated with disease severity. Population-based carrier screening by simultaneous quantification of SMN1 and SMN2 copy numbers is the best method to prevent SMA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, a total of 516 samples were re-tested for the SMN1 copy number by using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), multiplex ligation probe amplification (MLPA), droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis, and PCR-based capillary electrophoresis (PCR/CE) simultaneously. Then, the performance of these methods was compared by using MLPA results as the reference. RESULTS: The results of qPCR, ddPCR, HRM, and PCR/CE in detecting heterozygous deletion of SMN1 exon 7 and the results of ddPCR, HRM, and PCR/CE in detecting ≥2 copies of SMN1 exon7 are totally consistent with those of MLPA. The sensitivity and specificity of qPCR for detection of 2 copies of SMN1 exon 7 were 99.7% and 98.8%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of qPCR for detection of >2 copies of SMN1 exon 7 were 96.3% and 99.8%, respectively. Compared with the MLPA results, the sensitivity and specificity of qPCR and HRM for detection of heterozygous deletion of SMN1 exon 8 were 100% and 100%, respectively. They were 99.4% and 100%, respectively for detection of 2 copies, and 100% and 100%, respectively for detection of >2 copies. The results of PCR/CE in detecting SMN1 exon 8 were consistent with those of MLPA. CONCLUSION: All these four methods show excellent performance in detecting heterozygous deletion of SMN1 exon 7. All PCR/CE results are totally concordant with those of MLPA. As the most cost-effective method, qPCR also shows high sensitivity and specificity in detecting SMN1. Taken together, our study provides useful information to select appropriate methods for SMA carrier screening.

Oriented High Thermal Conductivity Solid-Solid Phase Change Materials for Mid-Temperature Solar-Thermal Energy Storage.

As the global energy crisis intensifies, the development of solar energy has become a vital area of focus for many nations. The utilization of phase change materials (PCMs) for photothermal energy storage in the medium temperature range holds great potential for various applications, but their conventional forms face several challenges. For instance, the longitudinal thermal conductivity of photothermal PCMs is inadequate for effective heat storage on the photothermal conversion surface, and there is a risk of leakage due to repeated solid-liquid phase transitions. Here, we report a solid-solid phase change material, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (TRIS), which has a phase change temperature of 132 °C in the medium temperature range, enabling high-grade and stable solar energy storage. To overcome the low thermal conductivity problem, we propose a large-scale production of oriented high thermal conductivity composites by compressing a mixture of TRIS and expanded graphite (EG) using the pressure induction method to create in-plane highly thermally conductive channels. Remarkably, the resulting phase change composites (PCCs) exhibit a directional thermal conductivity of 21.3 W/(m·K). Furthermore, the high phase change temperature (132 °C) and large phase change entropy (213.47 J/g) enable a large-capacity high-grade thermal energy to be used. The developed PCCs, when combined with selected photo-absorbers, exhibit efficient integration of solar-thermal conversion and storage. Additionally, we also demonstrated a solar-thermoelectric generator device with an energy output of 93.1 W/m2, which is close to the power of photovoltaic systems. Overall, this work provides a technological route to the large-scale fabrication of mid-temperature solar energy storage materials with high thermal conductivity, high phase change enthalpy, and no risk of leakage, and also offers a potential alternative to photovoltaic technology.

Pangenome analysis of the genus Herbiconiux and proposal of four new species associated with Chinese medicinal plants.

Five Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, non-motile actinobacterial strains designated as CPCC 205763T, CPCC 203386T, CPCC 205716T, CPCC 203406T, and CPCC 203407 were obtained from different ecosystems associated with four kinds of Chinese traditional medicinal plants. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of these five strains showed closely related to members of the genus Herbiconiux of the family Microbacteriaceae, with the highest similarities of 97.4-99.7% to the four validly named species of Herbiconiux. In the phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and the core genome, these isolates clustered into the clade of the genus Herbiconiux within the lineage of the family Microbacteriaceae. The overall genome relatedness indexes (values of ANI and dDDH) and the phenotypic properties (morphological, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics) of these isolates, readily supported to affiliate them to the genus Herbiconiux, representing four novel species, with the isolates CPCC 203406T and CPCC 203407 being classified in the same species. For which the names Herbiconiux aconitum sp. nov. (type strain CPCC 205763T = I19A-01430T = CGMCC 1.60067T), Herbiconiux daphne sp. nov. (type strain CPCC 203386T = I10A-01569T = DSM 24546T = KCTC 19839T), Herbiconiux gentiana sp. nov. (type strain CPCC 205716T = I21A-01427T = CGMCC 1.60064T), and Herbiconiux oxytropis sp. nov. (type strain CPCC 203406T = I10A-02268T = DSM 24549T = KCTC 19840T) were proposed, respectively. In the genomes of these five strains, the putative encoding genes for amidase, endoglucanase, phosphatase, and superoxidative dismutase were retrieved, which were classified as biosynthetic genes/gene-clusters regarding plant growth-promotion (PGP) functions. The positive results from IAA-producing, cellulose-degrading and anti-oxidation experiments further approved their potential PGP bio-functions. Pangenome analysis of the genus Herbiconiux supported the polyphasic taxonomy results and confirmed their bio-function potential.

Atrial inflammation and microvascular thrombogenicity are increased in deceased COVID-19 patients.

BACKGROUND: Histopathological studies have shown inflammation, cardiomyocyte injury, and microvascular thrombosis in the ventricular myocardium of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, although atrial dysfunction is common in COVID-19, little is known about histopathological changes in the atria of the heart. We therefore analyzed inflammation, cardiomyocyte injury, and microvascular thrombogenicity in the atria of deceased patients with COVID-19. METHODS: Atrial tissue was obtained from autopsied COVID-19 (n=16) patients and control patients (n=10) and analyzed using immunohistochemistry. The infiltration of CD45+ leukocytes, CD3+ T lymphocytes, CD68+ macrophages, MPO+ neutrophils, and Tryptase+ mast cells were quantified as well as cardiomyocyte damage and microvascular thrombosis. In addition, Tissue Factor (TF) and Factor XII (FXII) were quantified as markers of microvascular thrombogenicity. RESULTS: The numbers of lymphocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils were significantly increased in the atrial myocardium and epicardial atrial adipose tissue of COVID-19 patients compared with the control group. This was accompanied by dispersed cardiomyocyte injury, the occasional presence of microvascular thrombosis, and an increased presence of TF and FXII in the microvascular endothelium. CONCLUSIONS: Severe COVID-19 induces inflammation, cardiomyocyte injury, and microvascular thrombosis in the atria of the heart.

NOX2 and NOX5 are increased in cardiac microvascular endothelium of deceased COVID-19 patients.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac injury and inflammation are common findings in COVID-19 patients. Autopsy studies have revealed cardiac microvascular endothelial damage and thrombosis in COVID-19 patients, indicative of microvascular dysfunction in which reactive oxygen species (ROS) may play a role. We explored whether the ROS producing proteins NOX2, NOX4 and NOX5 are involved in COVID-19-induced cardio-microvascular endothelial dysfunction. METHODS: Heart tissue were taken from the left (LV) and right (RV) ventricle of COVID-19 patients (n = 15) and the LV of controls (n = 14) at autopsy. The NOX2-, NOX4-, NOX5- and Nitrotyrosine (NT)-positive intramyocardial blood vessels fractions were quantitatively analyzed using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The LV NOX2+, NOX5+ and NT+ blood vessels fractions in COVID-19 patients were significantly higher than in controls. The fraction of NOX4+ blood vessels in COVID-19 patients was comparable with controls. In COVID-19 patients, the fractions of NOX2+, NOX5+ and NT+ vessels did not differ significantly between the LV and RV, and correlated positively between LV and RV in case of NOX5 (r = 0.710; p = 0.006). A negative correlation between NOX5 and NOX2 (r = -0.591; p = 0.029) and between NOX5 and disease time (r = -0.576; p = 0.034) was noted in the LV of COVID-19 patients. CONCLUSION: We show the induction of NOX2 and NOX5 in the cardiac microvascular endothelium in COVID-19 patients, which may contribute to the previously observed cardio-microvascular dysfunction in COVID-19 patients. The exact roles of these NOXes in pathogenesis of COVID-19 however remain to be elucidated.

Corrigendum: Pangenome analysis of the genus Herbiconiux and proposal of four new species associated with Chinese medicinal plants.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1119226.].

The clinical and neuroelectrophysiological characteristics of patients with sudden unexpected death in epilepsy / 中华神经科杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical and electrophysiological characteristics of patients with sudden unexpected death of epilepsy (SUDEP).Methods:Using "epilepsy" as the keyword, the relevant cases entered from October 2011 to March 2012 were searched in the database of the Electroencephalogram (EEG) Monitoring Center, Xijing Hospital, the Air Force Military Medical University. Telephone follow-up was conducted for all confirmed epilepsy patients, and for the death cases confirmed by telephone follow-up, the patients identified as consistent with SUDEP diagnosis were included in this study based on their past medical history, clinical data, death details, etc, and their clinical and neuroelectrophysiological characteristics were summarized and analyzed.Results:Among the 1 232 patients who underwent 24-hour video-EEG monitoring during the study period, 354 patients were successfully followed up by telephone interview, of whom 17 patients were died (4.8%), 12 individuals met the diagnosis of SUDEP (7 men, 5 women). The duration of the disease in 9 patients exceeded 10 years. Eight cases presented with focal-bilateral tonic clonic seizures. Nine patients were treated with anti-seizure drug monotherapy. All the 24-hour video EEG of 12 patients were abnormal. There were 8 occasions when the EEG occipital α background rhythm slowed down compared with the standard frequency of peers or was dominated by slow waves. Interictal epileptic discharge (IED) located in temporal lobe were found in 12 EEG records, of which 9 EEG records were found with frontal IED. One of the 12 cases received 24-hour video EEG twice within 6 years, and his EEG background rhythm was significantly slower and the IED region was expanded compared with the first EEG record. At the third year after reexamination of EEG, SUDEP developed in this patient.Conclusions:SUDEP patients have a long course of disease and bilateral tonic-clonic seizure. The interictal EEG shows occipital slow α activity and temporofrontal epileptiform discharges, which may increase the risk of SUDEP.

Effects of propofol and remifentanil in different TCI sequences on hypotension during induction of general anesthesia in hypertensive patients / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the effect of propofol and remifentanil in different target-controlled infusion(TCI) sequences on hypotension during induction of general anesthesia in hypertensive patients.Methods:A total of 132 patients with hypertension of both sexes, aged 50-75 yr, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classificationⅡ or Ⅲ, with body mass index of 18-30 kg/m 2, scheduled for elective tracheal intubation under general anesthesia, were divided into 3 groups( n=44 each) using a random number table method: group C, PR group and RP group. In group C, propofol(target effect-site concentration 5 μg/ml) and remifentanil(target effect-site concentration 5 ng/ml) were simultaneously given by TCI. Propofol was given by TCI followed by TCI of remifentanil in PR group. Remifentanil was given by TCI followed by TCI of propofol in RP group. The development of hypotension was observed within 10 min after induction of general anesthesia, and the consumption of propofol, remifentanil and ephedrine, time of loss of consciousness, time of tracheal intubation and adverse reactions during the perioperative period were recorded. Results:Compared with group C, the incidence of hypotension during induction was significantly decreased, the consumption of propofol and ephedrine was decreased, and the BIS value was increased when consciousness disappeared, the time of loss of consciousness and time of tracheal intubation were prolonged, the BIS value was increased at loss of consciousness in PR group, and the consumption of ephedrine was significantly decreased, and the time of loss of consciousness and time of tracheal intubation were prolonged in RP group( P<0.05). Compared with PR group, the consumption of ephedrine was significantly decreased, and the time of loss of consciousness was prolonged in RP group( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of responses to tracheal intubation, injection pain, bucking, inhibition ratio, postoperative delirium, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and intraoperative awareness during induction among the three groups( P>0.05). Conclusions:TCI of remifentanil followed by TCI of propofol can decrease the development of hypotension during induction of general anesthesia in hypertensive patients.

Application of active learning mode based on mind mapping in the teaching of major disaster rescue and medical service support / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Objective:To explore the effect and value of the active learning mode based on mind mapping in the teaching of medical service support for major disasters.Methods:A total of 90 undergraduate students of 2016 Clinical Medicine of Naval Medical University were randomly selected as research objects, and they were randomly divided into observation group and control group. The 45 students in the control group used the traditional teaching mode, and the 45 students in the observation group used the mind mapping-based active learning mode for major disaster rescue and medical survice. The teaching time of the two groups was 12 h. The theoretical examination of knowledge and practical skills of the two groups of students were compared after teaching, and the students' satisfaction with the application of mind mapping-based teaching model in the teaching of medical service support for major disaster rescue was investigated. EmpowerStats and R softwares were used for t test and Chi-square test. Results:There were 24 males and 21 females in the observation group, with an average age of (21.40±0.69) years old. There were 22 males and 23 females, with an average age of (21.71±0.55) years old. The theoretical performance of the observation group (91.38±4.37) was significantly higher than that of the control group (84.91±3.98) ( P<0.001), and the practical skill performance of the observation group (92.98±3.24) was significantly higher than that of the control group (87.38±3.80) ( P<0.001). At the same time, the students' satisfaction with teaching effect in the observation group was 82.2% (37/45), which was significantly higher than that in the control group (37.8%, 17/45). Conclusion:The active learning mode based on mind mapping focuses on cultivating students' independent learning, interactive exploration and clinical thinking ability, and has a broad application prospect in the teaching of medical service support for major disasters.

Clinical analysis of diversity of defect repair with supraclavicular island flap after head and neck tumor surgery / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the diversity and clinical effect of supraclavicular island flap in repairing the defect after head and neck tumor surgery. Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 30 patients who received the repair of head and neck defects with supraclavicular island flaps at Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2017 to March 2023. The sites and types of defects, intraoperative blood loss, time of flaps preparation, areas of flaps, survival of the flaps and other complications were recorded. Results:A total of 30 patients were enrolled, including 26 males and 4 females, aged 36-82 years. Among them, 22 patients with hypopharyngeal partial defect were repaired （19 patients with ipsilateral defect and 3 patients with contralateral defect）. In addition, 2 patients were repaired with contralateral pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap around the hypopharynx, the neck skin defect was repaired in 2 patients, the parotid skin defect was repaired in 2 patients, the temporal bone skin defect was repaired in 1 patient, and the cervical esophageal defect was repaired in 1 patient. The average blood loss during the operation was 8 ml, and the average time was 32 min. The flap areas ranged from 5.0 cm×4.0 cm to 20.0 cm×8.0 cm. 27 of 30 flaps survived（90.0%）, and pharyngeal fistula occurred in 6 patients after operation（4 flaps survived after local dressing）. One patient was complicated with venous thrombosis（the flap necrosis after local dressing）. Shoulder and neck functions（lift, internal rotation and abduction） were not significantly affected in 29 patients, and the function of 1 patient with shoulder infection was not affected after treatment. Conclusion:Supraclavicular island flap is a highly vascularized axial fascial flap. It is easy to make, thin, and soft in texture, and can be used to repair different sites and types of postoperative head and neck tumor defects with a low donor site complication rate. Good results in post-operative repair of head and neck tumors are worth promoting.

Prognostic impact of different tumor invasion patterns in the surgical treatment of T3 glottic laryngeal cancer / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the prognostic impact of different tumor invasion patterns in the surgical treatment of T3 glottic laryngeal cancer. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 91 patients with T3 glottic laryngeal cancer. Results:Among the 91 patients, 58 cases （63.7%） had anterior invasion and 33 cases （36.3%） had posterior invasion. The posterior invasion was significantly correlated with invasions of the dorsal plate of cricoid cartilage （P<0.001）, arytenoid cartilage （P= 0.001）, and subglottic region（P = 0.001）. There was no statistical difference in survival outcomes between the total laryngectomy group and the partial laryngectomy group. But in the partial laryngectomy group, the 5-year disease-free survival（DFS） of patients with anterior invasive tumors was better than that of patients with posterior invasion tumors （HR: 4.681, 95%CI 1.337-16.393, P=0.016）, and subglottic invasion was associated with worse loco-regional recurrence-free survival（LRRFS）（HR: 3.931, 95%CI 1.054-14.658, P=0.041）. At the same time, we found that involvement of the dorsal plate of cricoid cartilage was an independent risk factor for postoperative laryngeal stenosis in partial laryngectomy patients （HR:11.67, 95%CI 1.89-71.98,P=0.008）. Conclusion:Compared with total laryngectomy, selected partial laryngectomy can also achieve favorable oncological outcomes. Posterior invasion and subglottic extension are independent prognostic factors for recurrence of partial laryngectomy in T3 glottic laryngeal cancer, and the involvement of the dorsal plate of cricoid cartilage is associated with postoperative laryngeal stenosis. The tumor invasion pattern of laryngeal cancer should be further subdivided in order to select a more individualized treatment plan.

Significance of neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of larynx preservation in locally advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective:To evaluate the clinical significance of neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of larynx preservation in locally advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Methods:Patients with locally advanced HPSCC（cT3-T4aN0-N3M0） were eligible. All received 2 cycles of pembrolizumab combined with docetaxel and platinum neoadjuvant induction therapy. After two cycles, the efficacy was evaluated, followed by radical chemoradiotherapy or surgery and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy according to the efficacy. The primary endpoints were objective response rate（ORR） ，larynx-preservation（LP） rate at 3 months post-treatment and the adverse reactions during neoadjuvant therapy. Results:From December 2021 to December 2022, 10 patients with locally advanced HPSCC（cT3-T4aN0-N3M0） were enrolled. After 2 cycles of the neoadjuvant therapy, 2 patients achieved complete response（CR）, 7 patients achieved partial response（PR）, 1 patient was stable disease（SD）, objective response rate（ORR） was 90%, and disease control rate（DCR） was 100%. 5 patients received radical chemoradiotherapy, 5 patients received surgery and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy, four of them received partial laryngectomy and partial hypopharyngeal resection surgery, and one of them received total laryngectomy and partial hypopharyngeal resection surgery. All patients were able to withstand adverse reactions of neoadjuvant therapy and successfully completed the whole treatment of HPSCC without grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse reactions. There was no recurrence or metastasis during 3-18 months of follow-up. 1 patient died of severe pneumonia 3 months after the completion of radical chemoradiotherapy. At 3 months after treatment, the larynx-preservation rate was 80%. Conclusion:Neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy has good short-term efficacy and the adverse reactions were tolerable. It can improve the larynx-preservation rate of patients with locally advanced HPSCC, thus improving the prognosis and quality of life of patients.

Gasless submental approach endoscopic removal of thyroglossal cyst / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: To explore the safety and feasibility of gasless submental approach endoscopic removal of thyroglossal cyst. Methods: This work prospectively included the clinical data of 13 patients who underwent the gasless submental approach endoscopic removal of thyroglossal cyst at the Department of Otolaryngology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from August 2021 to February 2022. The operative time, bleeding volumes, postoperative complications, subjective pain levels, satisfaction with incisional scars, neck and facial deformities, and recurrences were prospectively evaluated by visual analogue scale(VAS) score. Results: All of 13 patients were successfully treated using this new technique. The patients had a median age of 38 years, ranging from 24 to 59 years, comprising of 3 males and 10 females. The length of the submental incision was about 3 cm and the median of operation time was 135 minutes. Postoperative complications were minimal. The median volume of blood loss was 10 ml. Surgical site swelling existed in 1 case and dysphagia for more than 1 week occurred in 2 cases. Patients were discharged from the hospital with a median of 3 days after surgery. On a VAS of 0-10 scores, the pain had a median of 2 on the first day after surgery, and the satisfaction with incision scars and neck and facial deformities showed a median of 8 at 6 months after surgery. There were no recurrences during the follow-up period of 9-15 months. Conclusion: Gasless submental approach endoscopic removal of thyroglossal cyst may be a reliable new surgical method that is safe and has cosmetic advantages.

Shinella lacus sp. nov., a novel microcystin-degrading alphaproteobacterium containing the bla carbapenemase gene.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, microcystin-degrading bacterium, designated as CPCC 100929T, was isolated from a fresh water reservoir in Sichuan Province, PR China. This isolate grew well at 4-37 °C and pH 6.0-8.0, with optimal growth at 28-32 °C and pH 7.0, respectively. The major cellular fatty acids were C18:1 ω7c/C18:1 ω6c, C16:0, C18:1 ω7c 11-methyl and C19:0 cyclo ω8c. The predominant respiratory quinone was Q-10. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine were detected in the polar lipids extraction. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain CPCC 100929T was closely related to those of members of the genus Shinella, with the highest similarity of 98.6 % to Shinella zoogloeoides DSM 287T and 97.4-98.4 % with other identified Shinella members. In the phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and the core-genes analysis, strain CPCC 100929T was included within the clade of the genus Shinella. The values of average nucleotide identity (81.4-86.7 %) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (25.4-44.6 %) between strain CPCC 100929T and other Shinella species were all below the thresholds for bacterial species delineation, respectively. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain CPCC 100929T was 63.6 %. The genomic sequence analysis indicated that this species contained genes encoding peroxidase, bla carbapenemase and the key enzyme for microcystin bio degradation, as well as rich carbohydrate-active enzyme coding genes, which might endow the micro-organism with properties to adapt to diverse environments. Based on its phenotypic and genetic properties, we propose that strain CPCC 100929T (=T1A350T=KCTC 72957T) is the type strain of a novel species with the name Shinella lacus sp. nov.

Geminicoccus flavidas sp. nov. and Geminicoccus harenae sp. nov., two IAA-producing novel rare bacterial species inhabiting desert biological soil crusts.

Two Gram-staining negative strains (CPCC 101082T and CPCC 101083T) were isolated from biological sandy soil crusts samples collected from Badain Jaran desert, China. Both isolates were heterotrophic phototroph, could produce indole-3-acetic acid. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of these two strains were closely related to the members of the family Geminicoccaceae, showing high similarities with Geminicoccus roseus DSM 18922T (96.9%) and Arboricoccus pini B29T1T (90.1%), respectively. In phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain CPCC 101082T and CPCC 101083T formed a robust distinct clade with Geminicoccus roseus DSM 18922T within the family Geminicoccaceae, which indicated that these two isolates could be classified into the genus Geminicoccus. The growth of strain CPCC 101082T occurred at 15-42°C and pH 4.0-10.0 (optima at 28-37°C and pH 6.0-8.0). The growth of strain CPCC 101083T occurred at 4-45°C and pH 4.0-10.0 (optima at 25-30°C and pH 6.0-8.0). The major cellular fatty acids of CPCC 101082T and CPCC 101083T contained C18:1 ω7c/C18:1 ω6c, cyclo-C19:0 ω8c, and C16:0. Q-10 was detected as the sole respiratory quinone. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified phospholipid and an unidentified aminolipid were tested in the polar lipids profile. The genomes of the two isolates were characterized as about 5.9 Mbp in size with the G + C content of nearly 68%. The IAA-producing encoding genes were predicated in both genomes. The values of average nucleotide identity were 80.6, 81.2 and 92.4% based on a pairwise comparison of the genomes of strains CPCC 101082T and CPCC 101083T and Geminicoccus roseus DSM 18922T, respectively. On the basis of the genotypic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic characteristics, the strains CPCC 101082T (=NBRC 113513T = KCTC 62853T) and CPCC 101083T (=NBRC 113514T = KCTC 62854T) are proposed to represent two novel species of the genus Geminicoccus with the names Geminicoccus flavidas sp. nov. and Geminicoccus harenae sp. nov.

Boosting the activity and stability via synergistic catalysis of Co nanoparticles and MoC to construct a bifunctional electrocatalyst for high-performance and long-life rechargeable zinc-air batteries.

The high overpotential of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) leading to slow air cathode kinetics is still a major challenge for zinc-air batteries (ZABs), hindering the commercialization of ZABs. With the advantages of cost-effectiveness and feasibility of synthesis at room temperature, zeolite imidazole frameworks (ZIFs) are regarded as advanced precursors. But a majority of ZIF-derived catalysts show only one catalytic activity, which limits their performance in ZABs as well as the cycling stability. In addition, molybdenum carbide (MoC) is recognized as an excellent candidate for renewable energy conversion due to its good chemical resistance and thermal stability. Herein, we report a ZIF-67-derived Co/MoC-NC multiphase doped carbon bifunctional ORR/OER catalyst with multiple active sites for the cathode of ZABs. The synergistic catalysis of Co nanoparticles and MoC nanoparticles in Co/MoC-NC which are embedded in a thin layer of N-doped graphitic carbon and immobilized on N-doped graphitic carbon, respectively, demonstrates superior ORR catalytic performance and durability both under alkaline and acidic conditions (E1/2 = 0.87 V in 1.0 M KOH and E1/2 = 0.76 V in 0.5 M H2SO4). Simultaneously, Co/MoC-NC also exhibits favorable OER performance (10 mA cm-2, η = 320 mV) in 1 M KOH. Furthermore, a remarkable peak-power density of 215.36 mW cm-2 and great cycling stability could be achieved while applying Co/MoC-NC in the cathode of ZABs (over 300 h). This work will provide a viable design concept for designing and synthesizing multifunctional catalysts to construct rechargeable ZABs.

Gill remodeling increases the respiratory surface area of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) under hypoxic stress.

Seasonal changes, diurnal variations, and eutrophication result in periodic hypoxia in fish habitats, thus affecting the success of commercial aquaculture. In this study, the grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) presented moderate hypoxia tolerance; they showed a medium critical oxygen tension during the loss of equilibrium. In response to 7 d of hypoxic exposure, the erythrocyte count and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration significantly increased (p < 0.01). To cope with the hypoxic environment, the grass carp underwent gill remodeling marked by reduction in the interlamellar cell mass (ILCM) and an increase in respiratory surface area. The gill remodeling under hypoxia was enabled by apoptosis induction. Although apoptotic signals were not found on ILCM cells, transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay results indicated that after 1 d of hypoxic exposure, the number of TUNEL-positive cells per lamella increased until 4 d and then began to decrease. Consistent with the results of the TUNEL assay, the mRNA expression of apoptosis-related genes, caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl-2, increased at 1, 4, and 7 d of the hypoxia treatment. In addition, gill remodeling significantly (p < 0.01) decreased the concentration of sodium and chloride ions in the fish serum. These findings provide evidence that grass carps increase their respiratory surface area through gill remodeling by apoptosis in the gill filaments to acclimate to a hypoxic environment. This study expands our understanding of the morphological and physiological changes in grass carp in response to a hypoxic environment; therefore, it could be useful for maintaining grass carp production.