Hydrogenimonas cancrithermarum sp. nov., a hydrogen- and thiosulfate-oxidizing mesophilic chemolithoautotroph isolated from diffuse-flow fluids on the East Pacific Rise, and an emended description of the genus Hydrogenimonas.

A novel mesophilic, hydrogen- and thiosulfate-oxidizing bacterium, strain ISO32T, was isolated from diffuse-flow hydrothermal fluids from the Crab Spa vent on the East Pacific Rise. Cells of ISO32T were rods, being motile by means of a single polar flagellum. The isolate grew at a temperature range between 30 and 55 °C (optimum, 43 °C), at a pH range between 5.3 and 7.6 (optimum, pH 5.8) and in the presence of 2.0-4.0 % NaCl (optimum, 2.5 %). The isolate was able to grow chemolithoautotrophically with molecular hydrogen, thiosulfate or elemental sulfur as the sole electron donor. Thiosulfate, elemental sulfur, nitrate and molecular oxygen were each used as a sole electron acceptor. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences placed ISO32T in the genus Hydrogenimonas of the class Epsilonproteobacteria, with Hydrogenimonas thermophila EP1-55-1 %T as its closest relative (95.95 % similarity). On the basis of the phylogenetic, physiological and genomic characteristics, it is proposed that the organism represents a novel species within the genus Hydrogenimonas, Hydrogenimonas cancrithermarum sp. nov. The type strain is ISO32T (=JCM 39185T =KCTC 25252T). Furthermore, the genomic properties of members of the genus Hydrogenimonas are distinguished from those of members of other thermophilic genera in the orders Campylobacterales (Nitratiruptor and Nitrosophilus) and Nautiliales (Caminibacter, Nautilia and Lebetimonas), with larger genome sizes and lower 16S rRNA G+C content values. Comprehensive metabolic comparisons based on genomes revealed that genes responsible for the Pta-AckA pathway were observed exclusively in members of mesophilic genera in the order Campylobacterales and of the genus Hydrogenimonas. Our results indicate that the genus Hydrogenimonas contributes to elucidating the evolutionary history of Epsilonproteobacteria in terms of metabolism and transition from a thermophilic to a mesophilic lifestyle.

Genome taxonomy of the genus Neptuniibacter and proposal of Neptuniibacter victor sp. nov. isolated from sea cucumber larvae.

A Gram-staining-negative, oxidase-positive, strictly aerobic rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain PT1T, was isolated from the laboratory-reared larvae of the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus. A phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequences revealed that PT1T was closely related to Neptuniibacter marinus ATR 1.1T (= CECT 8938T = DSM 100783T) and Neptuniibacter caesariensis MED92T (= CECT 7075T = CCUG 52065T) showing 98.2% and 98.1% sequence similarity, respectively. However, the average nucleotide identity (ANI) and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH) values among these three strains were 72.0%-74.8% and 18.3%-19.5% among related Neptuniibacter species, which were below 95% and 70%, respectively, confirming the novel status of PT1T. The average amino acid identity (AAI) values of PT1T showing 74-77% among those strains indicated PT1T is a new species in the genus Neptuniibacter. Based on the genome-based taxonomic approach, Neptuniibacter victor sp. nov. is proposed for PT1T. The type strain is PT1T (JCM 35563T = LMG 32868T).

Nitrosophilus kaiyonis sp. nov., a hydrogen-, sulfur- and thiosulfate-oxidizing chemolithoautotroph within "Campylobacteria" isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent in the Mid-Okinawa Trough.

A novel bacterium, strain MOT50T, was isolated from the chimney structure at the Iheya North field in the Mid-Okinawa Trough. The cells were motile short rods with a single polar flagellum. Growth was observed between 40 and 65 â„ƒ (optimum, 52 â„ƒ), at pH values between 5.0 and 7.1 (optimum, pH 6.1) and in the presence of 2.0-4.0% NaCl (optimum, 2.5%). The isolates utilized molecular hydrogen, thiosulfate, or elemental sulfur as the sole electron donor. Thiosulfate, elemental sulfur, nitrate, and molecular oxygen are utilized as the sole electron acceptor. Ammonium is required as a nitrogen source. Thiosulfate, elemental sulfur, sulfate, or sulfite serves as a sulfur source for growth. The G + C content of the genomic DNA was 28.9%. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain MOT50T belonged to the genus Nitrosophilus of the class "Campylobacteria", and its closest relative was Nitrosophilus labii HRV44T (97.20%). On the basis of the phylogenetic, physiological, and molecular characteristics, it is proposed that the organism represents a novel species within the genus Nitrosophilus, Nitrosophilus kaiyonis sp. nov. The type strain is MOT50T (= JCM 39187T = KCTC 25251T).

[The effect on the shape of color soft contact lens caused by pigments].

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of the pigments in colored soft contact lenses (SCLs) on their shape and physical properties. METHODS: To make a comparison between clear SCLs and colored ones, we used SCLs made of the same materials and the same size and power, and are approved by the Japanese government. The shapes were evaluated in a saline solution by using a CL image viewer, and the sagittal depth was measured. In addition, we made fragments of SCLs and evaluated their shapes. The case we investigated the fitting pattern of the clear SCL was completely different from that of the colored ones on the same eye. Both lenses had the same parameters, were made of the same materials by the same manufacturer. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the sagittal depth between the clear and colored SCLs. When the fragments were made, the shapes of some colored SCLs reversed. This phenomenon was not seen in the clear SCLs. CONCLUSION: The shapes and fitting pattern of colored SCLs sometimes became different from the clear ones. Colored SCLs should be prescribed by ophthalmologists and checked regularly for problems.