Salsuginimonas clara gen. nov., sp. nov., a member of the family Pseudoalteromonadaceae isolated from a brackish river.

A bacterial strain designated LSN-49 was isolated from a brackish river in Taiwan and characterized using a polyphasic taxonomy approach. Cells of strain LSN-49 were Gram-staining-negative, aerobic, poly-β-hydroxybutyrate accumulating, motile by means of a monopolar flagellum, non-spore forming, straight rods and formed shiny and translucent colonies. Growth occurred at 20-40 °C (optimum, 25-30 °C), at pH 6-10 (optimum, pH 7-8) and with 0-3 % (w/v) NaCl [optimum, 0-1 % (w/v)].

Hymenobacter gummosus sp. nov., isolated from a spring.

Strain ANT-18, isolated from a water sample taken from the Longtoushan Spring in Taiwan, was characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Cells of strain ANT-18 were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile by gliding rods that were surrounded by a thick capsule and it formed pink colonies. Growth occurred at 20-37 °C (optimum, 25 °C), at pH 6-8 (optimum, pH 7) and with 0-1 % NaCl (w/; optimum, 0 %).

Videodermoscopy as a novel tool for dermatologic education.

Dermoscopy is used as an adjunct to clinical examination in the diagnosis of skin lesions, including melanoma. Videodermoscopy, which allows for the concurrent examination of dermoscopic features at high magnification by instructors and trainees, may serve as a useful educational tool during bedside instruction. This article presents images of common cutaneous lesions taken with a standard optical dermatoscope and a videodermatoscope to highlight the potential educational advantages conferred by videodermoscopy.

Very-Low-Density Lipoprotein of Metabolic Syndrome Modulates Gap Junctions and Slows Cardiac Conduction.

Very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) is a hallmark of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and each manifestation of MetS is related to atrial fibrillation (AF) risks. Slowed atrial conduction is a mechanism of AF in MetS. We hypothesized that VLDL can modulate and reduce atrial gap junctions.

Flavobacterium dispersum sp. nov., isolated from a freshwater spring.

A novel bacterial strain MVW-23 was isolated from a freshwater spring in Taiwan. The strain was Gram-staining-negative, strictly aerobic, motile by gliding, rod-shaped and formed translucent yellow colonies. Optimal growth occurred at 20-30 °C, pH 7.

Regulation of mitochondrial bioenergetics by the non-canonical roles of mitochondrial dynamics proteins in the heart.

Recent advancement in mitochondrial research has significantly extended our knowledge on the role and regulation of mitochondria in health and disease. One important breakthrough is the delineation of how mitochondrial morphological changes, termed mitochondrial dynamics, are coupled to the bioenergetics and signaling functions of mitochondria. In general, it is believed that fusion leads to an increased mitochondrial respiration efficiency and resistance to stress-induced dysfunction while fission does the contrary.

Association between retinal vein occlusion and an increased risk of acute myocardial infarction: A nationwide population-based follow-up study.

Objective: To investigate a possible association between retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and an increased risk of developing acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Design: A population-based retrospective cohort study using the entire population of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) from 1st January, 2001 to 31st December, 2013.

Methods: A total of 37921 subjects with RVO were enrolled in the RVO group, and 113763 subjects without RVO were enrolled in the comparison group.

Endozoicomonas acroporae sp. nov., isolated from Acropora coral.

Strain Acr-14, isolated from Acropora coral, was characterized by using a polyphasic taxonomy approach. Cells of strain Acr-14 were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, poly-β-hydroxybutyrate-accumulating, rod-shaped and formed creamy white colonies. Optimal growth occurred at 30 °C, pH 7 and in the presence of 2 % NaCl.

Cellvibrio zantedeschiae sp. nov., isolated from the roots of Zantedeschia aethiopica.

A bacterial strain, designated TPY-10T, was isolated from calla lily roots in Taiwan and characterized by using a polyphasic taxonomy approach. Cells of strain TPY-10T were Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, motile and creamy white rods. Growth occurred at 15-35 °C (optimum, 25-30 °C), at pH 6-7 (optimum, pH 6) and with 0-1 % NaCl (optimum, 0 %).

Novosphingobium ipomoeae sp. nov., isolated from a water convolvulus field.

A bacterial strain designated Tese-5T was isolated from a water convolvulus field in Taiwan and characterized using the polyphasic taxonomic approach. Strain Tese-5T was an aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterium and formed bright yellow coloured colonies. Strain Tese-5T grew at 15-35 °C (optimum, 30 °C), with 0-1.

Hymenobacter pallidus sp. nov., isolated from a freshwater fish culture pond.

A bacterial strain designated LYH-12T was isolated from a freshwater fish culture pond in Taiwan, ROC and characterized by taking a polyphasic taxonomy approach. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain LYH-12T belonged to the genus Hymenobacter and was most closely related to Hymenobacter xinjiangensis X2-1gT and Hymenobacter rigui WPCB131T with a sequence similarity of 96.6 % and less than 96.

Paracoccus mangrovi sp. nov., isolated from a mangrove.

A bacterial strain, designated gyp-1T, was isolated from a mangrove in Taiwan and characterized using the polyphasic taxonomic approach. Cells of gyp-1T were Gram-staining-negative, aerobic, poly-β-hydroxybutyrate-accumulating, non-motile, coccoid or short-rod-shaped and formed cream-coloured colonies. Growth occurred at 15-37 °C (optimum, 25-30 °C), at pH 5.

Increased risk of a herpes zoster attack in patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer.

This study aimed to examine the association of herpes zoster (HZ) with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) use among patients with prostate cancer (PC), using a population-based data set. The study sample for this study was retrieved from the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2005. We selected 877 patients with PC who had received ADT as the study group, while 849 patients with PC who had not received ADT served as the comparison group.

Cellvibrio fontiphilus sp. nov., isolated from a spring.

A bacterial strain, designated MVW-40T, was isolated from Maolin Spring in Taiwan and characterized using a polyphasic taxonomy approach. Cells of strain MVW-40T were Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, motile by a single polar flagellum and bright yellow-pigmented rods with pointed ends. Growth occurred at 15-40 °C (optimum, 20-30 °C), at pH 6-9 (optimum, pH 6) and with 0-2 % NaCl (optimum, 0 %).

Endophthalmitis.

Endophthalmitis is a rare but severe form of ocular inflammation due to infection of the intraocular cavity that can lead to irreversible visual loss if not treated properly and timely. It can be classified as exogenous or endogenous based on the transmission route of the infectious source. Exogenous endophthalmitis occurs when infecting organisms gain entry into the eye via direct inoculation, while endogenous endophthalmitis occurs when infectious agents hematogenously spread into the eye from a distant focus of infection.

Novosphingobium fontis sp. nov., isolated from a spring.

A bacterial strain designated STM-14T was isolated from a spring in Taiwan and characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Strain STM-14T was a Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, poly-β-hydroxybutyrate-accumulating, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterium and formed cream-coloured colonies. Strain STM-14T grew at 15-37 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 5.

Early Response to Ranibizumab Is Associated with 12-Month Outcome in Diabetic Macular Edema after Prior Macular Laser Therapy.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of ranibizumab in persistent or recurrent diabetic macular edema (DME) after previous laser therapy.

Methods: This prospective, interventional study consisted of a 3-month period of scheduled ranibizumab treatment followed by a 9-month period of pro re nata treatment.

Results: A total of 21 eyes (18 patients) were included.

Puzihella rosea gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel member of the family Microbacteriaceae isolated from freshwater.

Two Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, pink, curved, rod-shaped, non-motile bacterial strains, designated MI-28T and SKY-11, were isolated from freshwater samples taken from a river and fish pond, respectively. Based on characterization using a polyphasic approach, the two strains showed highly similar phenotypic, physiological and genetic profiles. They demonstrated 99.

The different modes of binding of the dust mite allergens, Der f 7 and Der p 7, on a monoclonal antibody WH9 contribute to the differential reactivity.

Background: Der f 7 and Der p 7 are important house dust mite allergens. An IgE-binding inhibition monoclonal antibody WH9 reacts ten folds stronger against Der p 7 than to Der f 7. The purpose of this study is to identify the antigenic determinant(s) and the structural basis of Der f 7 recognize by WH9.

Limited Role of Random Skin Biopsy in the Diagnosis of Intravascular Lymphoma in Adult Patients with Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis.

Background/aims: This study examined the role of random normal skin biopsy in the diagnosis of intravascular lymphoma (IVL) in adult Western patients with clinically diagnosed hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH).

Methods: In a retrospective chart review study, we analyzed a total of 59 skin biopsies that were performed to diagnose IVL in 21 adult patients with HLH seen at Stanford Hospital between 2004 and 2016.

Results: Out of the 59 skin biopsies, 42 were taken from clinically normal-appearing skin and 17 from clinically abnormal-appearing skin.

Brief Report: Nonfatal Overdose Events Among Persons Who Inject Drugs: Findings From Seven National HIV Behavioral Surveillance Cities 2009 & 2012.

The rate of drug and opioid overdose deaths in the United States has more than tripled over the past 15 years. The ability to conduct public health surveillance on nonfatal overdoses is limited. The current study used National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) data to estimate recent and lifetime history of nonfatal overdose events in persons who inject drugs in 7 cities.

Outcomes of 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy for acute postoperative endophthalmitis.

Background: To report our 3-year experience of 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy (TSV) for acute postoperative endophthalmitis at a tertiary referral center in southern Taiwan.

Methods: This retrospective chart review study included 19 patients with acute postoperative endophthalmitis who underwent 23-gauge TSV from January 2011 to January 2015 at Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan. Bacterial and fungal cultures from aqueous samples, vitreous samples, or both were performed.

Paenibacillus lacus sp. nov., isolated from a water reservoir.

A bacterial strain, designated Agd-32T, was isolated from a water sample taken from the Agongdian Reservoir in Taiwan and characterized using a polyphasic taxonomy approach. Cells of strain Agd-32T were Gram-stain-variable, aerobic, motile by means of peritrichous flagella, endospore-forming, rod-shaped and surrounded by a thick capsule. Strain Agd-32T contained anteiso-C15 : 0 and C16 : 0 as the predominant fatty acids.

Directed motion from particle size oscillations inside an asymmetric channel.

The motion of a spherical Brownian particle in an asymmetric periodic channel is considered. Under an external periodic stimulus, the particle switches between two states with different particle radius, every half-period. Using Brownian dynamics simulations, we show that the particle size oscillation, combined with the asymmetry of the channel, induces a drift along the channel axis, directed towards the steeper wall of the channel.