Description of Fuscovulum ytuae sp. nov, a facultative autotroph isolated from the intertidalite of Yangma island, China.

In this study, we reported a Gram-stain-negative, ovoid to rod-shaped, atrichous, and facultative anaerobe bacteria strain named YMD61T, which was isolated from the intertidal sediment of Yangma island, China. Growth of strain YMD61T occurred at 10.0-45.0 °C (optimum, 30.0 °C), pH 7.0-10.0 (optimum, 8.0) and with 0-3.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2.0%). Phylogenetic tree analysis based on 16 S rRNA gene or genomic sequence indicated that strain YMD61T belonged to the genus Fuscovulum and was closely related to Fuscovulum blasticum ATCC 33,485T (96.6% sequence similarity). Genomic analysis indicated that strain YMD61T contains a circular chromosome of 3,895,730 bp with DNA G + C content of 63.3%. The genomic functional analysis indicated that strain YMD61T is a novel sulfur-metabolizing bacteria, which is capable of fixing carbon through an autotrophic pathway by integrating the processes of photosynthesis and sulfur oxidation. The predominant respiratory quinone of YMD61T was ubiquinone-10 (Q-10). The polar lipids of YMD61T contained phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, five unidentified lipids, unidentified aminolipid and unidentified aminophospholipid. The major fatty acids of strain YMD61T contained C18:1ω7c 11-methyl and summed feature 8 (C18:1 ω 7c or/and C18:1 ω 6c). Phylogenetic, physiological, biochemical and morphological analyses suggested that strain YMD61T represents a novel species of the genus Fuscovulum, and the name Fuscovulum ytuae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YMD61T (= MCCC 1K08483T = KCTC 43,537T).

Fontisubflavum oceani gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from the deep-sea cold seep water of South China Sea.

In this study, we report a Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, atrichous and aerobic bacterial strain named CSW1921T, which was isolated from the deep-sea water of a cold seep in South China Sea. Growth of strain CSW1921T occurred at 10.0-35.0 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 5.0-10.0 (optimum, pH 8.0-9.0) and with 0-9.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 1.0-2.0 %). Phylogenetic tree analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence or the genomic sequence indicated that strain CSW1921T belonged to the family Rhodobacteraceae and was closely related to Rhodophyticola porphyridii MA-7-27T (97.5 % sequence similarity). Genomic analysis indicated that strain CSW1921T contains a circular chromosome of 3 592 879 bp with G+C content of 60.5 mol%. The predominant respiratory quinone of CSW1921T was ubiquinone-10. The polar lipids of CSW1921T contained phosphatidylglycerol, three unidentified aminolipids, two unidentified phospholipids and two unidentified lipids. The major fatty acids of strain CSW1921T contained C16 : 0, C18 : 1 ω7c 11-methyl and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c). The average nucleotide identity, DNA-DNA hybridization and average amino acid identity values between strain CSW1921T and members of its related species were 68.02-69.08 %, 12.7-12.9 % and 46.87-48.08 %, respectively, which were lower than the recommended threshold values for bacterial species or genus delineation. Phylogenetic, physiological, biochemical and morphological analyses suggested that strain CSW1921T represents a novel genus and a novel species of the family Rhodobacteraceae, and the name Fontisubflavum oceani gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain CSW1921T (=MCCC 1K08371T=KCTC 92834T).

Tropicibacter oceani sp. nov., a novel sulfur-metabolizing bacteria isolated from the intertidal zone sediment of Chinese Yellow Sea.

In this study, we reported a Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, atrichous, and aerobic bacterial strain named YMD87T, which was isolated from the intertidal zone sediment of Chinese Yellow Sea. Growth of strain YMD87T occurred at 10.0-40.0 °C (optimum, 25-30 °C), pH 4.0-12.0 (optimum, 8.0) and with 0-6.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0.0-2.0%). Phylogenetic tree analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain YMD87T belonged to the genus Tropicibacter and was closely related to Tropicibacter alexandrii LMIT003T (97.2% sequence similarity). Genomic analysis indicated that strain YMD87T contains a circular chromosome of 3,932,460 bp with G + C content of 63.8% and three circular plasmids of 116,492 bp, 49,209 bp and 49,673 bp, with G + C content of 64.3%. Genomic functional analysis revealed that strain YMD87T is potential a novel sulfur-metabolizing bacteria. The predominant respiratory quinone of YMD87T was ubiquinone-10 (Q-10). The major polar lipids of YMD87T contained phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, five unidentified lipids, five unidentified phospholipids, phosphatidylcholine, unidentified glycolipid and five unidentified aminolipids. The major fatty acids of strain YMD87T contained C12:1 3-OH, C16:0, and summed feature 8 (C18:1 ω7c or/and C18:1 ω6c). Phylogenetic, physiological, biochemical and morphological analyses suggested that strain YMD87T represents a novel species of the genus Tropicibacter, and the name Tropicibacter oceani sp. nov is proposed. The type strain is YMD87T (= MCCC 1K08473T = KCTC 92856 T).

Comparative Evaluation of Standard RT-PCR Assays and Commercial Real-Time RT-PCR Kits for Detection of Lassa Virus.

Lassa virus (LASV) is a causative agent of hemorrhagic fever epidemic in West Africa. In recent years, it has been transmitted several times to North America, Europe, and Asia. Standard reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and real-time RT-PCR are extensively used for early detection of LASV. However, the high nucleotide diversity of LASV strains complicates the development of appropriate diagnostic assays. Here, we analyzed LASV diversity clustered with geographic location and evaluated the specificity and sensitivity of two standard RT-PCR methods (GPC RT-PCR/1994 and 2007) and four commercial real-time RT-PCR kits (namely, Da an, Mabsky, Bioperfectus, and ZJ) to detect six representative LASV lineages using in vitro synthesized RNA templates. The results showed that the GPC RT-PCR/2007 assay had better sensitivity compared to the GPC RT-PCR/1994 assay. The Mabsky and ZJ kits were able to detect all RNA templates of six LASV lineages. Contrastingly, the Bioperfectus and Da an kits failed to detect lineages IV and V/VI. The limit of detection for lineage I with the Da an, Bioperfectus, and ZJ kits were significantly higher than that of the Mabsky kit at an RNA concentration of 1 × 1010 to 1 × 1011 copies/mL. The Bioperfectus and Da an kits detected lineages II and III at an RNA concentration of 1 × 109 copies/mL, higher than that of the other kits. In conclusion, the GPC RT-PCR/2007 assay and the Mabsky kit were suitable assays for the detection of LASV strains based on good analytical sensitivity and specificity. IMPORTANCE Lassa virus (LASV) is a significant human pathogen causing hemorrhagic fever in West Africa. Increased traveling around the world raises the risk of imported cases to other countries. The high nucleotide diversity of LASV strains clustered with geographic location complicates the development of appropriate diagnostic assays. In this study, we showed that the GPC reverse transcription (RT)-PCR/2007 assay and the Mabsky kit are suitable for detecting most LASV strains. Future assays for molecular detection of LASV should be based on specific countries/regions along with new variants.

Conditionally designed luminescent DNA crystals doped by Ln3+(Eu3+/Tb3+) complexes or fluorescent proteins with smart drug sensing property.

In this work, a designed porous DNA crystal with high intrinsic biocompatibility was used as the scaffold material to load fluorescent guest molecules to detect anti-cancer drugs. It is shown here that the synthesized crystals have the characteristics consistent with the designed large solvent channels, and can therefore accommodate guest molecules such as fluorescent proteins that cannot be accommodated by less porous crystals. Eu(TTA)3phen and Tb(acac)3phen lanthanide complexes were individually noncovalently loaded into the porous crystals, resulting in hybrid luminescent DNA crystals. Emodin, an anti-cancer, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory drug, was found to quench lanthanide complexes in solution or in crystals. Notably, emodin is the active ingredient of Lianhua Qingwen Capsule, an anti-COVID-19 drug candidate. Therefore, the porous DNA crystals reported here have potential applications as a biocompatible and theranostic delivery biomaterial for functional macromolecules.

A new species of Plagiotrochus from China (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini) galling on Quercus glauce (Fagaceae).

A new gall wasp species, Plagiotrochus hepingensis sp. n. is described from Hunan Province, China that forms integral galls on the central vein on the abaxial leaf blade surface of Quercus (Cyclobalanopsis) glauca (Fagaceae). The morphological characters of the new species are described and photographed and data on the diagnosis, distribution, and biology are given. Additionally, a specific region of the COI gene was amplified using the primers HCO-2198 and LCO-1490 and compared for both the new species and Plagiotrochus masudai Ide, Wachi Abe.

Stable Fluorescence of Eu3+ Complex Nanostructures Beneath a Protein Skin for Potential Biometric Recognition.

We designed and realized highly fluorescent nanostructures composed of Eu3+ complexes under a protein coating. The nanostructured material, confirmed by photo-induced force microscopy (PiFM), includes a bottom fluorescent layer and an upper protein layer. The bottom fluorescent layer includes Eu3+ that is coordinated by 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) and oleic acid (O). The complete complexes (OEu3+Phen) formed higher-order structures with diameter 40-150 nm. Distinctive nanoscale striations reminiscent of fingerprints were observed with a high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM). Stable fluorescence was increased by the addition of Eu3+ coordinated by Phen and 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTA), and confirmed by fluorescence spectroscopy. A satisfactory result was the observation of red Eu3+ complex emission through a protein coating layer with a fluorescence microscope. Lanthanide nanostructures of these types might ultimately prove useful for biometric applications in the context of human and non-human tissues. The significant innovations of this work include: (1) the structural set-up of the fluorescence image embedded under protein "skin"; and (2) dual confirmations of nanotopography and unique nanofingerprints under PiFM and under TEM, respectively.

Psychrosphaera ytuae sp. nov., isolated from the deep-sea cold seep sediment of South China Sea.

In this study, we report a Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, non-pigmented, motile and aerobic bacterium named strain MTZ26T, which was isolated from deep-sea sediment sampled at a cold seep in the South China Sea. Growth of strain MTZ26T occurred at 4-40 °C (optimum, 25-30 °C), pH 6.0-10.0 (optimum, 7.0-8.0) and with 1.0-11.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 6.0-8.0 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain MTZ26T belonged to the genus Psychrosphaera and was closely related to Psychrosphaera aestuarii PSC101T (97.5 % sequence similarity) and Psychrosphaera haliotis KDW4T (97.5 %). Genomic analysis indicated that strain MTZ26T contains a circular chromosome of 3 331 814 bp with G+C content of 42.2 mol%. The predominant respiratory quinone of MTZ26T was ubiquinone-8. The polar lipids of MTZ26T contained phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminophospholipid and one unidentified phospholipid. The major fatty acids of strain MTZ26T contained C15:0, C16:0, C17:0, C17 : 1 ω8c, C10 : 0 3-OH, C11 : 0 3-OH, C15 : 1 ω8c and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c or/and C18 : 1 ω6c). Results of phylogenetic, physiological, biochemical and morphological analyses suggested that strain MTZ26T represents a novel species of the genus Psychrosphaera, and the name Psychrosphaera ytuae sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain MTZ26T (=MCCC 1K05568T=JCM 34321T).

Enhanced Immune Response Improves Resistance to Cadmium Stress in Triploid Crucian Carp.

Previous research has indicated that triploid crucian carp (3n fish) have preferential resistance to cadmium (Cd) compared to Carassius auratas red var. (2n fish). In this article, comparative research is further conducted between the 2n and 3n fish in terms of the immune response to Cd-induced stress. Exposure to 9 mg/L Cd for 96 h changed the hepatic function indexes remarkably in the 2n fish, but not in the 3n fish. In the serum of Cd-treated 2n fish, the levels of alanine amino transferase, aspartate aminotransferase, adenosine deaminase, and total bilirubin significantly increased, while the levels of total protein, albumin, lysozyme, and anti-superoxide anion radicals decreased demonstrating hepatotoxicity. By analysis of transcriptome profiles, many immune-related pathways were found to be involved in the response of 3n fish to the Cd-induced stress. Expression levels of the immune genes, including the interleukin genes, tumor necrosis factor super family member genes, chemokine gene, toll-like receptor gene, and inflammatory marker cyclooxygenase 2 gene were significantly enhanced in the hepatopancreas of the Cd-treated 3n fish. In contrast, the expression levels of these genes decreased in the 2n fish. This research provides a theoretical basis for polyploid fish breeding and is helpful for the ecological restoration of water due to pollution.

Comparison of gene mutation spectra in younger and older Chinese acute myeloid leukemia patients and its prognostic value.

Differences in the gene mutation spectra of younger and older Chinese adult AML patients and the prognostic significance of these differentially presented gene mutations are rarely reported. One hundred and thirteen newly diagnosed Chinese adults with AML, divided into groups of younger and older patients, were enrolled in this study. Bone marrow samples from the patients were analyzed using targeted next-generation sequencing with a panel of 141 genes. Ninety-eight mutated genes were detected and the top 10 mutated genes were KMT2D, FLT3, FAT1, ASXL1, NRAS, DNMT3A, RELN, TET2, JAK2, and KRAS. The top five functional groups were the tyrosine kinase pathway, transcription factors, DNA methylation, chromatin modifiers, and the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. Younger patients exhibited higher incidences of KMT2D (33.8% vs 10.4%, P = 0.004) and KRAS (15.4% vs 2.1%, P = 0.042) mutations than older patients; whereas, older patients harbored more SRSF2 (20.8% vs 0%, P = 0.002), transcription factor (85.4% vs 67.7%, P = 0.031), DNA methylation (58.3% vs 36.9%, P = 0.024), and RNA splicing (31.3% vs 12.3%, P = 0.013) mutations than younger patients. Moreover, patients with SRSF2 mutations exhibited a lower rate of overall survival (P < 0.001) and relapse-free survival (P < 0.001) than patients carrying wild-type SRSF2. In conclusion, rarely reported KMT2D, FAT1, and RELN mutations were detected at high frequencies in our cohort. The gene mutation spectrum of older patients was different to that of younger patients. Moreover, older patients harbored more SRSF2 mutations, which predicted lower rates of overall and relapse-free survival.

Liraglutide protects palmitate-induced INS-1 cell injury by enhancing autophagy mediated via FoxO1.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by insulin resistance and a progressive loss in mass and function of pancreatic ß-cells. In T2DM, lipotoxicity leads to ß-cells dysfunction and decreases its number. Autophagy serves a crucial role in maintaining the normal islet architecture and the function of ß-cells. Moreover, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and its analogs have beneficial roles in pancreatic ß-cells. However, the protective effects of GLP-1 agents on palmitate (PA)-induced pancreatic ß-cells and their underlying mechanisms are not fully elucidated. Forkhead box O1 (FoxO1) can prevent pancreatic ß-cells from apoptosis. Whether GLP-1 protects against PA-induced ß-cells injury via FoxO1 remains unknown. The present study exposed INS-1 cells to PA to establish a T2DM injury model. Cell viability was evaluated using a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, and apoptosis was determined via western blotting. Furthermore, autophagy was examined using western blotting, immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy. Silencing FoxO1 was used to inhibit the activities of FoxO1. The results suggested that the GLP-1 analog liraglutide enhanced the cell viability, inhibited the protein expression of cleaved caspase-3 and increased the expression levels of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain3 (LC3) II/I, and FoxO1 in INS-1 cells. The autophagy inhibitor chloroquine inhibited the protective effects of liraglutide on INS-1 cells. Silencing of FoxO1 decreased the expression levels of LC3-II and attenuated the protection of liraglutide on the viability of INS-1 cells. In conclusion, the results indicated that liraglutide ameliorated the PA-induced islet ß-cells injury via the upregulation of autophagy-mediated by FoxO1.

First report of the Old World leafhopper genus Olidiana McKamey (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Coelidiinae) from Pakistan with description of a new species.

The genus Olidiana McKamey, 2006 is reported for the first time from Pakistan based on the new species Olidiana pakistanica sp. nov. Photographic illustrations and a description are provided for the habitus and male genitalia of this new species. A partial mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene (COI) sequence is also provided.

Transcriptome Profile Changes Associated With Heat Shock Reaction in the Entomopathogenic Nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae.

The entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae has been used for control of soil insects. However, S. carpocapse is sensitive to environmental factors, particularly temperature. We studied an S. carpocapse group that was shocked with high temperature. We also studied the transcriptome-level responses associated with temperature stress using a BGIseq sequencing platform. We de novo assembled the reads from the treatment and control groups into one transcriptome consisting of 43.9 and 42.9 million clean reads, respectively. Based on the genome database, we aligned the clean reads to the Nr, Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases and analyzed the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Compared with the control, the heat-shocked group had significant differential expression of the heat shock protein (HSP) family, antioxidase [glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)], monooxygenase (P450), and transcription factor genes (DAF-16 and DAF-2). These DEGs were demonstrated to be part of the Longevity pathway and insulin/insulin-like signaling pathway. The results revealed the potential mechanisms, at the transcriptional level, of S. carpocapsae under thermal stress.

One new genus and three new species in the leafhopper tribe Coelidiini from the Neotropical Region (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae, Coelidiinae).

One new leafhopper genus Paracodilia gen. n. with one new species P.geniculata sp. n., and two other new species in different genera, Bolivielaexpanda and Armaturolidiasymmetrica spp. n., are described in the tribe Coelidiini (Cicadellidae: Coelidiinae) from the Neotropical region. Photographs and illustrations are provided.

Four new species of tribe Coelidiini (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Coelidiinae) from the Afrotropical Region.

Three new species from Republic of the Congo, Brasura sinistra, B. piscinura and Tialidia hama spp. nov., and one new species Limentinus declinatus sp. nov. from Madagascar are described and illustrated in this paper.

Five new species of the leafhopper genus Thagria Melichar (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Coelidiinae) from China.

Five new species of genus Thagria are described, illustrated and photographed: T. gansuensis sp. nov., T. menglana sp. nov., T. melanoloma sp. nov., T. incurvata sp. nov., and T. crena sp. nov.

Dynamics of a caged imidazolium cation-toward understanding the order-disorder phase transition and the switchable dielectric constant.

A molecular compass-like behaviour is found in a perovskite-type cage compound (HIm)2[KCo(CN)6] (HIm = imidazolium cation). The dynamic changes in the HIm cation from the static to rotating state along with the rearrangement of the host cage result in switchable and anisotropic dielectric constants.

Switching Dielectric Constant Near Room Temperature in a Molecular Crystal.

The organic salt bis(2-chloroethyl)amine hydrochloride shows a sharp switching of its dielectric constant at 320 K. The switching property originates from the dynamic changes of the (2-chloroethyl)ammonium cation between frozen and motional states, corresponding to a structural phase transition.

An organic-inorganic hybrid compound containing imidazolium cations and a one-dimensional lithium hexacyanidocobaltate-based anionic framework.

An organic-inorganic hybrid compound, catena-poly[bis(3H-imidazol-1-ium) [[tetracyanido-κ(4)C-cobalt(III)]-µ-cyanido-κ(2)C:N-[diaqualithium(I)]-µ-cyanido-κ(2)N:C]], {(C3H5N2)2[CoLi(CN)6(H2O)2]}n, was synthesized by the reaction of Li3[Co(CN)6] with imidazolium chloride in aqueous solution. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c (data collected at 273 K). In the crystal structure, neighbouring [Co(CN)6](3-) anionic units are linked by Li(+) cations through the cyanide groups in a trans mode, forming a one-dimensional zigzag chain structure extending along the c axis. A three-dimensional supramolecular network is formed through hydrogen-bonding interactions and is further stabilized by weak CN···π interactions between the cyanide groups and the imidazolium cations.

Uniaxial movements of a metal-cyanide framework switched by weak interactions through dehydration and rehydration.

A metal-cyanide framework undergoes a dehydration-rehydration triggered reversible single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation. The resulting accordion-like contraction-expansion corresponds to a size change along the c axis as much as 24 %. This anisotropic response arises from the cooperativity among the water molecules, K ions, and CN groups between the unique two-dimensional bimetallic layers through weak interactions of hydrogen bonds and electrostatic (ionic) interactions. The key role of the water molecules in the dehydration-rehydration process is revealed by solid-state (1)H NMR spectroscopy and dielectric measurements.