The Description of Pseudoalteromonas apostichopi sp. nov., Vibrio apostichopi sp. nov., and Marinobacter apostichopi sp. nov. from the Fertilized Eggs and Larvae of Apostichopus japonicus.

Three novel bacterial strains, FE4, FE10, and LA51, which are phylogenetically affiliated to the genera Pseudoalteromonas, Vibrio, or Marinobacter, respectively, isolated from fertilized eggs and juveniles of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus were characterized by a genome-based taxonomical approach including multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) combined with classical phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characterizations. A molecular network reconstructed on the basis of nucleotide sequences of four phylogenetic maker protein genes revealed that the strains FE4, FE10, and LA51 were closely related to Pseudoalteromonas shioyasakiensis, Vibrio lentus, and Marinobacter similis, respectively. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) comparisons against phylogenetically related species to FE4, FE10, and LA51 demonstrated that each newly described strain could not be identified as any previously described species within each genus showing < 95% ANI: 91.

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.

Anthocyanin Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Various Berries Cultivated in Korea.

This study examined the anthocyanin composition and antioxidant activity of various berries cultivated in Korea: blueberry, crowberry, Korean black raspberry, mulberry, and strawberry. The anthocyanins in berries were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, and each component was quantitatively analyzed. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of berries was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical-scavenging, 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical cation decolorization, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), and ferric ion reducing antioxidant (FRAP) assays.

Evaluation of a training program for counselors in contraception and prevention of STIs and a website-based support system.

In Japan, the incidences of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are increasing among young people. To address these issues, we initiated the following steps: 1) processes supporting contraception and prevention of STIs were created for counseling and construction of an algorithm for that process; 2) a system was developed using a website to support the program for training counselors, and provide practical support during and after the training; and 3) a program for the counselor was developed and is being evaluated. The counseling process was visualized by an algorithm notion method developed by Tsuru et al.