Six novel gliding, heterotrophic, Gram-negative, yellow-pigmented, aerobic, oxidase- and catalase-positive bacteria were isolated from the green alga Ulva fenestrata, sea water and a bottom sediment sample collected in the Gulf of Peter the Great, Sea of Japan. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the strains studied were members of the family Flavobacteriaceae. On the basis of their phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, genotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, the novel bacteria have been assigned to the new genus Maribacter gen. nov., as Maribacter sedimenticola sp. nov., Maribacter orientalis sp. nov., Maribacter aquivivus sp. nov. and Maribacter ulvicola sp. nov., with the type strains KMM 3903T (=KCTC 12966T=CCUG 47098T), KMM 3947T (=KCTC 12967T=CCUG 48008T), KMM 3949T (=KCTC 12968T=CCUG 48009T) and KMM 3951T (=KCTC 12969T=DSM 15366T), respectively.

An actinobacterial strain was isolated from marine sediment taken from the Troitsa Bay of the Gulf of Peter the Great, East Siberian Sea, and subjected to a taxonomic investigation. The isolate, designated KMM 3905T, was Gram-positive, aerobic, non-motile and coccoid. The strain tolerated up to 15 % NaCl in growth media, although its presence was not essential for growth. Chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties of the strain were consistent with its classification in the genus Kocuria. The strain formed an independent phylogenetic line in the 16S rRNA gene tree encompassed by members of Kocuria. Comparison of phenotypic characteristics also supported its assignment to a novel species within Kocuria. The name Kocuria marina sp. nov. (type strain KMM 3905T = KCTC 9943T) is proposed for this halotolerant actinobacterium from the marine environment.

Three strains of the marine, gliding, pigmented, facultatively anaerobic, heterotrophic, Gram-negative bacteria were isolated from the green algae Acrosiphonia sonderi (Kütz) Kornm and Ulva fenestrata Ruprecht inhabiting the Sea of Japan. 16S rDNA sequence analysis indicated that the strains were members of the family Flavobacteriaceae, in which they occupied separate lineages. The predominant cellular fatty acids were i15 : 0, a15 : 0, i15 : 1, 15 : 0, 15 : 1ω6c, i15 : 0 3-OH and i17 : 0 3-OH. The DNA base compositions were 31–33 mol% G+C. Based on the phenotypic, genotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analyses, the novel bacteria should be placed in a novel taxon as Algibacter lectus gen. nov., sp. nov. with type strain KMM 3902T (=KCTC 12103T=DSM 15365T).

Akkermansia muciniphila is widely considered a next-generation beneficial microbe. This bacterium resides in the mucus layer of its host and regulates intestinal homeostasis and intestinal barrier integrity by affecting host signaling pathways. However, it remains unknown how the expression of genes encoding extracellular proteins is regulated in response to dynamic mucosal environments. In this study, we elucidated the effect of mucin on the gene expression and probiotic traits of A. muciniphila . Transcriptome analysis showed that the genes encoding most mucin-degrading enzymes were significantly upregulated in the presence of mucin. By contrast, most genes involved in glycolysis and energy metabolic pathways were upregulated under mucin-depleted conditions. Interestingly, the absence of mucin resulted in the upregulation of 79 genes encoding secreted protein candidates, including Amuc-1100 as well as members of major protein secretion systems. These transcript level changes were consistent with the fact that administration of A. muciniphila grown under mucin-depleted conditions to high-fat diet-induced diabetic mice reduced obesity and improved intestinal barrier integrity more efficiently than administration of A. muciniphila grown under mucin-containing conditions. In conclusion, mucin content in the growth medium plays a critical role in the improvement by A. muciniphila of high-fat diet-induced obesity, intestinal inflammation, and compromised intestinal barrier integrity related to a decrease in goblet cell density. Our findings suggest the depletion of animal-derived mucin in growth medium as a novel principle for the development of A. muciniphila for human therapeutics.

Five hundred four fecal specimens, collected between 2004 and 2006 from young children with acute diarrhea, were screened for rotavirus by ELISA with VP6-specific antibody. Of these samples, 394 (78.2%) were confirmed as group A rotavirus and they underwent G-and P typing using a combination of ELISA, RT-PCR, and sequence analysis methods. The dominant circulating G serotype was G1 (35.6%) followed by G3 (26.4%), G4 (14.7%), and G2 (11.9%). There was a low prevalence of G9 (1.0%) and of unusual G type rotavirus, in particular, G12 (0.5%) and G8 (0.3%). Of the P genotype rotavirus in circulation, P[8] (53.0%) was most common followed by P and G8P[8] were also found. Owing to the recent emergence of G8 and G12 rotavirus, the findings from this study are important since they provide new information concerning the local and global spread of rotavirus genotypes.