Inflammation due to ocular surface homeostasis imbalance caused by pterygia: tear lymphotoxin-alpha study and a literature review.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the pterygium ocular surface state, and compare with healthy eyes and dry eyes. To investigate the inflammation due to pterygia growth by tear Lymphotoxin-alpha (LT α) test. DESIGN: Prospective, single-center study. PARTICIPANTS: 400 patients, divided into 100 pterygium group, 100 mild dry eye group, 100 moderate dry eye group, and 100 age-and sex-matched normal controls. METHODS: The non-invasive break-up time (NIBUT), tear meniscus height (TMH) test, corneal fluorescein staining (CFS), meibomian gland loss score (MGs), and lipid layer thickness (LLT) were evaluated in all patients. Pterygium status and ocular status in the pterygium group were collected. The tear LT α test was conducted in the pterygium patients group. RESULT: Pterygium can affect the ocular surface, leading to decreased tear film stability. The TMH, NIBUT, CFS, MGs, and lipid layer thickness can provide insights into this phenomenon. The presence of pterygium can change the structure and condition of the ocular surface. Tear LT α testing shows an abnormal decrease in LT α levels in pterygium patients. This indicates an immune-inflammation microenvironment that causes tissue repair deficiency. CONCLUSION: The dry eye triggered by the growth of pterygium may originate from the tear film instability due to pterygia. As an inflammatory index, LT α in the development of pterygium and the aggravation of dry eye patients can indicate that the ocular surface is in different inflammatory states. Future tear testing in LT α may be a potential indicator to assess the inflammatory status of the dry eye.

Evaluation of lymphotoxin-alpha in pterygium and diagnostic value in active and inactive pterygium states.

To explore the correlation between tear LT-a, pterygium status, and dry eye indicators. We established a diagnostic model to evaluate active pterygium. A retrospective study was conducted between June 2021 and June 2023 on 172 patients, comprising 108 men and 64 women. The study analyzed LT-a and various ocular parameters in all participants. The data was collected using Excel software and analyzed using SPSS 25.0 statistical software and Medcalc. We made a nomogram diagnostic model to different diagnosed the state of pterygium. This study found that pterygium has progressive eye surface damage during the active state. There was no significant difference in dry eye indicators between the two groups. However, the concentration of LT-a in the active group was significantly lower than that in the inactive group (P < 0.001). We observed that increased pterygium grade corresponded to a worse ocular surface condition. In addition, LT-a was significantly positively correlated with disease duration, but negatively correlated with age, pterygium size, active pterygium state, and LLT value. The optimal intercept value for evaluating active pterygium in Lt-a was ≤ 0.49 dg/ml. We screened three variables for evaluating active pterygium through Single and Multiple regression analysis: LT-a grading, pterygium size, and congestion score. Finally, we made a reliable diagnostic nomogram model. Pterygium development triggers immune inflammation. Our model based on LT-a identifies active pterygium for personalized treatment options and new research directions.

The clinicopathological analysis of ocular and orbit tumors in southeast of China.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe the clinicopathologic characteristics of ocular surface and orbit tumors in the Southeast of China and explore the method to differentiate the benign and malignant masses. Materials and methods: 3468 patients undergoing mass resection from January 2015 to December 2020 were selected as observation subjects and were classified into benign and malignant masses according to postoperative pathology. The clinicopathologic characteristics were collected, including gender, age, pathological tissue signs, and pathological signs. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis of independent risk factors of malignant mass was applied to establish a diagnostic model and the efficacy was evaluated by the subject working characteristics (ROC) curve. Results: Benign tumors accounted for 91.5% of all cases, and malignant tumors accounted for 8.5%. The most common ocular benign tumors were nevi (24.2%), granuloma (17.1%), and cysts (16.4%). The most common ocular malignant tumors were malignant lymphoma (32.1%) and Basal cell carcinoma (20.2%). As for the histologic origin, melanocytic origin was on the list with 819 (23.6%), mesenchymal 661 (19.1%), epithelial 568 (16.3%), cystic 521 (15.0%), skin adnexal 110 (3.1%), lymphoid 94 (2.8%), and Neural 25(0.8%). Based on the gender, age, tumor location, and the pathological tissue image feature (including differentiation, structural atypia, covering epithelial, keratosis, nest structure/distribution, nuclear atypia, cytoplasmic change and nuclear division), the diagnostic model had predictive value to differentiate the benign and malignant masses. Conclusion: Most ocular surface and orbit tumors are benign. Tumor diagnosis is relative to the patient's age, gender, tumor location, and pathologic characteristics. We generated a satisfactory diagnostic model to differential diagnosis of benign and malignant masses.

T-Cell Repertoire Analysis in the Conjunctiva of Murine Dry Eye Model.

Purpose: Dry eye is closely related to the activation and proliferation of immune cells, especially T cells. However, the determination of the preferential T-cell clonotypes is technically challenging. This study aimed to investigate the characterization of T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire in the conjunctiva during dry eye. Methods: A desiccating stress animal model was established using C57/BL6 mice (8-10 weeks, female). After 7 days of stress stimulation, the slit-lamp image and Oregon-green-dextran staining were used to evaluate the ocular surface injury. Periodic acid-Schiff staining was used to measure the number of goblet cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect the activation and proliferation of T cells in the conjunctiva and cervical lymph nodes. Next-generation sequencing was used to detect the αß TCR repertoire of the conjunctiva. Results: The αß TCR diversity increased significantly in the dry eye group, including the higher CDR3 amino acid length, marked gene usage on TCR V and J gene segments, extensive V(D)J recombination, and distinct CDR3 aa motifs. More important, several T-cell clonotypes were uniquely identified in dry eye. Furthermore, these perturbed rearrangements were reversed after glucocorticoid administration. Conclusions: A comprehensive analysis of the αß TCR repertoire in the conjunctiva of the dry eye mouse model was performed. Data in this study contributed significantly to the research on dry eye pathogenesis by demonstrating the TCR gene distribution and disease-specific TCR signatures. This study further provided some potential predictive T-cell biomarkers for future studies.

Higher Pelvic Incidence Was Associated with a Higher Risk of Sagittal Malposition of Femoral Component and Poor Outcomes of Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis.

Spine-pelvis-lower extremity sagittal alignment is regarded as a global sagittal balance. Currently, there are few studies evaluating the pelvic and femoral sagittal alignment during total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This retrospective study aims to elucidate how pelvic and femoral sagittal alignment affect clinical outcomes of primary TKA for osteoarthritis (OA) and determine the proper range of femoral sagittal alignment. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), including the Knee Society Score (KSS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC), and patient satisfaction scores, and clinician-reported outcomes (CROs), including range of motion (ROM) and pelvic and femoral sagittal parameters, of 67 cases were evaluated (89 knees) before and 1 year after TKA. The angle between the distal femur anterior cortex line and flange of the femoral component (FC) was defined as the α angle. Correlations between the α angle and PROM and CRO were investigated using multivariate and secondary regression analyses. Patients were further divided into four cohorts (A, B, C, and D) according to the α angle, and comparisons of their postoperative PROM and ROM scores were performed. Postoperative PROM and ROM scores improved significantly compared with the preoperative scores (p < 0.01). Only the α angle was significantly associated with postoperative knee extension among all PROM and CRO indexes (p = 0.001). Secondary regression demonstrated a convex upward function, and the scores were the highest at α angles of 0.57, 0.96, and -1.42 degrees for postoperative KSS, satisfaction, and range of knee extension, respectively (p < 0.01). However, the concave upward degree was the lowest at an α angle of 0.33 degrees for pelvic incidence (p < 0.001). Bonferroni's paired comparisons indicated that postoperative KSS and satisfaction of the cohort B (0 degrees ≤ α angle ≤ 3 degrees) were better than those of other cohorts (p < 0.0125). The results indicate that surgeons should pay more attention to the sagittal alignment of FC in patients with increased pelvic incidence, the distal femoral anterior cortex is recommended as an anatomic landmark, and 0 to 3 degrees might be "safe zones" of the sagittal flexion of FC in TKA. This study reflects the level of evidence III.

Colony formation of Phaeocystis globosa: A case study of evolutionary strategy for competitive adaptation.

Some algae possess a multi-morphic life cycle, either in the form of free-living solitary cells or colonies which constantly occur in algal blooms. Though colony formation seems to consume extra energy and materials, many algae tend to outbreak in form of colonies. Here, we hypothesized that colony formation is a selected evolutionary strategy to improve population competitiveness and environmental adaptation. To test the hypothesis, different sizes of colonies and solitary cells in a natural bloom of Phaeocystis globosa were investigated. The large colony showed a relatively low oxidant stress level, a nutrient trap effect, and high nutrient use efficiency. The colonial nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations were about 5-10 times higher than solitary cell phycosphere and cellular nutrient allocation decreased with the enlargement of the colonial diameter following the economies of scale law. These features provide the colony with monopolistic competence and could function as an evolutionary strategy for competitive adaptation.

Mendelian randomization study on the causal effects of systemic lupus erythematosus on major depressive disorder.

The vast majority of epidemiological studies suggested a link between systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the causality for SLE on the risk of MDD remained unknown due to confounding factors or reverse causality. Herein, we investigated the causality between SLE and MDD in those of European ancestry by a Mendelian randomization (MR) approach. Summary genetic data of cases with SLE/MDD were derived from independent largest public genome-wide association study. Forty-six single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with SLE were used as instrumental variables. The main causal inference was carried out using the MRE-IVW method. Additional, reverse-direction MR and multivariable MR analyses were further performed. Result indicated that SLE was causally associated with a lower risk of MDD (using the MRE-IVW method, odds ratio [OR] = 0.983, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.974-0.991, p = 1.18 × 10-4). Complementary analysis found no heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy. Multivariate MR analysis yielded consistent results (OR = 0.981; 95% CI = 0.969-0.993; p = 2.75 × 10-3). Reverse-direction MR analysis suggested non-causal relationship of MDD on the risk of SLE (using the IVW method, OR = 0.846, 95% CI = 0.345-2.072; p = 0.714). Thus, this is the first study providing evidence of potential causal links between SLE and MDD and further related research is needed.

Effects of Sodium Hyaluronate Eye Drops With or Without Preservatives on Ocular Surface Bacterial Microbiota.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the composition and diversity of bacterial communities on the ocular surface before and after the intervention with sodium hyaluronate eye drops (with or without preservatives) using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. METHODS: Sixteen healthy adults were randomly divided into two groups and treated with sodium hyaluronate eye drops with or without preservatives for 2 weeks. The individuals used the same artificial tears in both eyes. The microbial samples from the conjunctival sac of each participant were collected at baseline and 2 weeks after intervention. The diversity and taxonomic differences among different groups before and after intervention were compared by sequencing the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. RESULTS: The similarity in the binocular microbial community was high in 1 of the 16 volunteers (Bray-Curtis dissimilarity score < 0.3). At the genus level, 11 bacteria were detected in all samples with an average relative abundance of more than 1%. The bacterial community changed significantly after the use of sodium hyaluronate eye drops (with or without preservatives), whether within individuals or between individuals in different groups (P < 0.05, PERMANOVA). Different dosage forms of sodium hyaluronate eye drops significantly decreased the relative abundance of Flavobacterium caeni and Deinococcus antarcticus, respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Healthy people had a rich diversity of the bacterial microbiota on the ocular surface, but the bacterial communities between the eyes were not completely similar. Irrespective of containing benzalkonium chloride (BAC), sodium hyaluronate eye drops can change the bacterial community on the ocular surface.

Crosslinking-Induced Corneal Endothelium Dysfunction and Its Protection by Topical Ripasudil Treatment.

PURPOSE: To investigate the changes of corneal endothelium under different crosslinking conditions and the protective effect of ripasudil. METHODS: Corneal crosslinking groups were infiltrated with riboflavin and subsequently irradiated with 0.54 J/cm2 or 1.08 J/cm2 UVA, while noncrosslinking groups included neither UVA nor riboflavin treatment, only 1.08 J/cm2 UVA and only riboflavin treatment. Corneal opacity, variations in corneal endothelial cells, and corneal thickness of all groups were observed by slit lamp, in vivo confocal microscopy, and optical coherence tomography. Immunofluorescence staining and scanning electron microscopy were performed to evaluate changes in the structure and function of the corneal endothelium. The mice that received a corneal crosslinking dose of 1.08 J/cm2 were instilled with ripasudil to explore its protective effect on the corneal endothelium. RESULTS: Treatment with UVA and riboflavin caused an increase in corneal opacity and corneal thickness and decreased endothelial cell density. Furthermore, treatment with UVA and riboflavin caused endothelial cell DNA damage and destroyed the tight junction and pump function of the endothelium, while riboflavin or the same dose of UVA alone did not affect the endothelium. Ripasudil reduced DNA damage in endothelial cells, increased the density of cells, and protected the endothelium's integrity and function. CONCLUSION: Riboflavin combined with UVA can damage the corneal endothelium's normal functioning. The corneal endothelium's wound healing is dose-dependent, and the ROCK inhibitor ripasudil maintains the endothelium's pump and barrier functions.

Causal relationship between educational attainment and the risk of rheumatoid arthritis: a Mendelian randomization study.

BACKGROUND: Educational attainment is moderately heritable and inversely associated with the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. However, the causality from educational attainment on rheumatoid arthritis remained unknown. Here, we aimed to determine whether educational attainment is causally associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by using Mendelian randomization (MR) approach. METHODS: Summary statistics data for RA were obtained from an available, published meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) that included 14,361 RA cases and 43,923 controls of European ancestry. The instrumental variables for educational attainment were obtained from a GWAS meta-analysis that included over 1 million individuals (N = 1,131,881) of European ancestry. MR analyses were mainly performed using the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method. Sensitivity analyses were further performed to test the robustness of the association using the weighted median method, MR-Egger, Cochran Q test, "leave-one-out" analysis and MR-PRESSO test. RESULTS: A total of 387 SNPs were employed as instrumental variables in our MR analysis. Genetically predicted higher educational attainment was associated with a significantly lower risk of RA using the IVW method (odds ratio [OR] = 0.42, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.34-0.52; p = 1.78 × 10- 14). The weighted median method and MR Egger regression analysis yielded consistent results. The effect estimate remained robust after the outlier variants and SNPs (associated with the confounding factors) were excluded. "Leave-one-out" analysis confirmed the stability of our results. Additionally, the results suggested the absence of the horizontal pleiotropy. CONCLUSIONS: The MR analysis supported a potential inverse causative relationship between educational attainment and the risk of RA.

Palleronia sediminis sp. nov. and Flavivirga algicola sp. nov., two marine bacteria isolated from offshore areas near Weihai.

Two bacterial strains, designated SS33T and Y03T, were isolated from marine sediment and marine red alga collected on the coast of Weihai, PR China. Based on the results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain SS33T was found to be closely related to Primorskyibacter marinus PX7T, Pelagivirga dicentrarchi YLY04T, Palleronia marisminoris DSM 26347T and Maribius pontilimi GH1-23T with 94.8, 94.6, 94.5 and 94.5 % sequence similarity; strain Y03T was found to be closest to Flavivirga aquimarina EC2D5T, Flavivirga eckloniae ECD14T and Flavivirga amylovorans JC2681T with 96.4, 96.1 and 96.0 % sequence similarity. Strain SS33T grew at 4-37 °C (optimum, 33 °C), at pH 6.0-9.5 (optimum, pH 7.5-8.0) and in the presence of 0-10 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 3.0 %). Chemotaxonomic analysis of strain SS33T showed that the predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10. The major fatty acids (>10.0 %) included C18 : 1 ω7c and C16 : 0. The major polar lipids included phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, one unidentified phospholipid, one unidentified glycolipid, one unidentified polar lipid and two unidentified aminolipids. Strain Y03T grew at 15-40 °C (optimum, 28 °C), at pH 6.5-8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and in the presence of 0.5-9.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2.0%). Chemotaxonomic analysis showed that the predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6. The major fatty acids (>10.0 %) included iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and iso-C15 : 0 3-OH. The major polar lipids included phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified phospholipid, one unidentified aminolipid and four unidentified polar lipids. Based on the polyphasic data, strain SS33T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Palleronia, for which the name Palleronia sediminis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain SS33T (=KCTC 62986T=MCCC 1H00387T). Strain Y03T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Flavivirga, for which the name Flavivirga algicola sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain Y03T (=KCTC 72001T=MCCC 1H00386T).

Causal Relationship Between Parathyroid Hormone and the Risk of Osteoarthritis: A Mendelian Randomization Study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated an inverse association between parathyroid hormone (PTH) and the risk of osteoarthritis (OA). However, it remains unknown whether such association reflects causality. We aimed to apply a Mendelian randomization (MR) approach to investigate the causal association between PTH and OA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a two-sample MR analysis using summary statistics from 13 cohorts (PTH, N = 29,155) and a recent genome-wide association study meta-analysis (OA, N = 455,221) by the UK Biobank and Arthritis Research UK OA Genetics (arcOGEN). MR analyses were carried out mainly using the inverse-variance-weighted method. Sensitivity analyses were performed to test the robustness of the associations using the weighted median method, the MR-Egger method, and "leave-one-out" analysis. Analyses were performed again to test whether the associations remained statistically significant after excluding any outlier variants that were detected using the MR-PRESSO (Mendelian Randomization Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier) test. RESULTS: Five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected as instrumental variables at the genome-wide significance threshold (p < 5 × 10-8). The causal effect between PTH and OA was genetically predicted using the inverse-variance-weighted method (odds ratio = 0.67, 95% confidence interval: 0.50-0.90; p = 0.008). This result was borne out using the weighted median method (odds ratio = 0.73, 95% confidence interval: 0.60-0.90; p = 0.004). The causality remained robust after discarding the outlier variants as well as SNPs associated with confounding factors. CONCLUSION: MR analysis supported a potential causative relationship between decreased serum circulating PTH and a higher risk of hip and knee OA.

Aquimarina algicola sp. nov., isolated from the surface of a marine red alga.

A bacterial strain, designated M625T, was isolated from the surface of a marine red alga. Phylogenetic trees were reconstructed based on the 16S rRNA gene and RpoB protein sequences, which indicated that the strain belongs to the genus Aquimarina within the family Flavobacteriaceae. Strain M625T showed high sequence similarities to A. aggregata RZW4-3-2 T (95.7%), A. seongsanensis CBA3208T (95.3%) and A. versatilis CBA3207T (95.0%). The AAI and POCP values between strain M625T and A. muelleri DSM 19832 T were 71.8% and 57.9% respectively. The dDDH and ANI values between strain M625T and A. aggregata were 19.5% and 74.6% respectively. The strain was Gram-stain negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile and long rod-shaped, and positive for hydrolysis of starch, cellulose, alginate, DNA and Tween 20. The dominant respiratory quinone was MK-6. The major fatty acids were iso-C15:0, iso-C17:0 3-OH, and iso-C15:1 G, and the polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified phospholipid, two unidentified aminolipids, and seven unidentified lipids. Based on the polyphasic comparisons, strain M625T is proposed to represent a novel species within the genus Aquimarina, for which the name Aquimarina algicola sp. nov. (type strain M625T = MCCC 1H00399T = KCTC 72685 T) was proposed.

EGF rs4444903 polymorphism is associated with risk of HCV-related cirrhosis and HBV/HCV-related hepatocellular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The epidermal growth factor (EGF) rs4444903 polymorphism is associated with aberrant expression of EGF, which was a characteristic of cirrhotic liver diseases, induces highly malignant hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Numerous studies have uncovered the association of this polymorphism with the risk of liver disease, but with inconsistent findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Therefore, this meta-analysis was performed to evaluate whether EGF rs4444903 polymorphism conferred susceptibility to liver disease. Totally 18 eligible articles were identified by searching PubMed, Google, CNKI and EMBASE up to December 1, 2020. RESULTS: Our results indicated that there was no significant difference in the minor G allele frequency of rs4444903 polymorphism between HBV/HCV carriers and healthy controls. In other words, EGF rs4444903 polymorphism was not associated with the risk of HBV/HCV. Interestingly, this polymorphism increased the risk of liver cirrhosis in the controls with HCV infection. Additionally, EGF rs4444903 polymorphism is associated with the increased risk of HCC under the five models. Subgroup analysis by ethnicity shows that rs4444903 polymorphism intensifies the risk of HCC among Asians and Caucasians. Strong correlation is also reported in controls with cirrhosis or HCV infection and studies using PCR-RFLP genotyping. CONCLUSIONS: The study supports that EGF rs4444903 polymorphism is a genetic contributor to liver cirrhosis and HCC in the overall population. Nevertheless, this conclusion must be confirmed by larger studies with more diverse ethnic populations.

Psychroflexus maritimus sp. nov., isolated from coastal sediment.

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, non-flagellated, gliding, rod-shaped bacterium, designated C1T was isolated from the coastal sediment of Xiaoshi Island, Weihai, China. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene and the genome sequence of the newly isolated strain revealed that it belonged to the genus Psychroflexus within the family Flavobacteriaceae. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between strain C1T and the type strains of Psychroflexus members ranged from 91.6 to 94.9%. The AAI, POCP, ANI and dDDH values between strain C1T and Psychroflexus torquis ATCC 700755T were 67.0%, 53.1%, 70.5% and 20.2%, respectively. The DNA G+C content was 34.0 mol%. Strain C1T grows optimally at 28-30 â„ƒ, at pH 7.5-8.0 and with 3.0-5.0% (w/v) NaCl, and its colonies were orange-colored, convex and circular on the MA plate. Positive for hydrolysis of Tween 20 and catalase activities. The dominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6, and the major fatty acids were iso-C17:0 3-OH and iso-C15:0. The polar lipids of strain C1T consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine and three unidentified lipids. On the basis of phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data, it is considered that strain C1T represents a novel species within the genus Psychroflexus, for which, the name Psychroflexus maritimus sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is C1T (= MCCC 1H00415T = KCTC 72796T).

Marinicella rhabdoformis sp. nov., isolated from coastal sediment.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, facultative anaerobic bacterium, designated strain 3539T, was isolated from coastal sediment of Weihai, PR China. Optimal growth occurred at 28 °C, pH 7.5-8.0 and in the presence of 3.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Results of phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain 3539T formed a robust clade with members of the genus Marinicella and was closely related to Marinicella litoralis JCM 16154T, Marinicella sediminis F2T and Marinicella pacifica sw153T with 97.7, 96.2 and 95.4 % sequence similarity, respectively. The average amino acid identity, percentage of conserved proteins, average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain 3539T and M. litoralis JCM 16154T were 64.9, 68.3, 72.8 and 18.9 %, respectively. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain 3539T was 42.0 mol%. The dominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-8, and the major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c/C16 : 1 ω6c). The polar lipids of strain 3539T consisted of phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, one unidentified aminophospholipid, one unidentified lipid and three unidentified phospholipids. Based on the combination of phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data, strain 3539T is considered to represent a novel species within the genus Marinicella in he family Alcanivoracaceae, for which the name Marinicella rhabdoformis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the new species is 3539T (=KCTC 72414T=MCCC 1H00388T).

Dokdonia sinensis sp. nov., a flavobacterium isolated from surface seawater.

A taxonomic study was carried out on strain SH27T, which was isolated from seawater collected around Xiaoshi Island, PR China. Cells of strain SH27T were Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped, orange-pigmented and grew at 15-37 °C (optimum, 28 °C), at pH 6.0-8.0 (pH 7.0) and in 1.0-7.0 % (w/v) NaCl (2.0-3.0 %). The isolate was positive for catalase, but negative for nitrate reduction, oxidase, indole production and urease. Carotenoid pigment was produced. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene placed strain SH27T in the genus Dokdonia with the closest relative being Dokdonia donghaensis KCTC 12391T, exhibiting 96.7 % 16S rRNA gene pairwise similarity. The results of genomic comparisons, including average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization, showed 72.9 and 19.2 % identity to D. donghaensis KCTC 12391T, respectively. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and two unidentified lipids. Menaquinone-6 was the only respiratory quinone. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 32.9 mol%. On the basis of the phenotypic and phylogenetic data, strain SH27T represents a novel species of the genus Dokdonia, for which the name Dokdonia sinensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain SH27T (MCCC 1H00358T=CCTCC AB 2018323T=KCTC 62962T).

Seonamhaeicola sediminis sp. nov., isolated from marine sediment.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, orange, rod or curved rod, facultatively anaerobic, gliding bacterial strain, designated strain W255T, was isolated from Xiaoshi Island, Weihai, China. The strain W255T grows optimally at a 28 °C, pH 7.5, and 3.0% (w/v) NaCl environment. Its colonies are circular, orange, non-transparent, smooth, and approximately 0.2-0.8 mm in diameter, after being cultured for 72 h on marine agar 2216. Cells of the strain W255T are 0.3-0.8 µm wide and 1.0-4.0 µm long, catalase-positive and oxidase-positive. The major cellular fatty acids are iso-C15:0, iso-C15:1 G, and iso-C15:0 3-OH. The sole respiratory quinone is MK-6. The major polar lipids include phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified amino lipid, one amino glycolipid, and two unidentified lipids (L1 and L2). The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain W255T has the highest similarities with the type strain of the type species of the genus Seonamhaeicola, S. aphaedonensis KCTC 32578T (97.2%), and moderate with 'S. acroporae' KCTC 62713T (96.5%), S. algicola Gy8T (95.4%) and S. marinus B011T (94.5%). The ANI and dDDH values between strain W255T and S. aphaedonensis KCTC 32578T are 86.6% and 31.3%, respectively. The genomic DNA G + C content is 33.5 mol%. On the basis of gene annotation, it was observed that strain W255T have the abilities of nitrate reduction and utilizing various carbon sources, suggesting that this strain might be an important participant in the nitrogen cycle and carbon cycle in the marine environment. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analysis, strain W255T has been considered as a novel species of the genus Seonamhaeicola, for which the name Seonamhaeicola sediminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is W255T (= MCCC 1H00377T = KCTC 72085T).

Stress changes of lateral collateral ligament at different knee flexion with or without displaced movements: a 3-dimensional finite element analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To create a 3-dimensional finite element model of knee ligaments and to analyse the stress changes of lateral collateral ligament (LCL) with or without displaced movements at different knee flexion conditions. METHODS: A four-major-ligament contained knee specimen from an adult died of skull injury was prepared for CT scanning with the detectable ligament insertion footprints, locations and orientations precisely marked in advance. The CT scanning images were converted to a 3-dimensional model of the knee with the 3-dimensional reconstruction technique and transformed into finite element model by the software of ANSYS. The model was validated using experimental and numerical results obtained by other scientists. The natural stress changes of LCL at five different knee flexion angles (0 degree, 30 degree, 60 degree, 90 degree, 120 degree) and under various motions of anterior-posterior tibial translation, tibial varus rotation and internal-external tibial rotation were measured. RESULTS: The maximum stress reached to 87%-113% versus natural stress in varus motion at early 30 degree of knee flexions. The stress values were smaller than the peak value of natural stress at 0 degree (knee full extension) when knee bending was over 60 degree of flexion in anterior-posterior tibial translation and internal-external rotation. CONCLUSION: LCL is vulnerable to varus motion in almost all knee bending positions and susceptible to anterior-posterior tibial translation or internal-external rotation at early 30 degree of knee flexions.