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Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were successfully synthesized by different extracts of Lavandula stoechas, which have an antibacterial effect on pathogenic strains, such as Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. Among them, AgNPs-E4 that synthesized by EtOAc extract (E4) have greater antibacterial activity than that by other extracts. The highest inhibition zone diameter (18.6 mm) appeared in C. albicans, at a dosage of 1,000 ppm AgNPs-E4. It was identified as optimal antibacterial AgNPs, which are spherical in shape with an average size at 35.5 nm and maximum absorbance peak at 525 nm. The combined use of penicillin G and AgNPs-E4 exhibited a significant synergistic inhibition effect on the growth of C. albicans, which could produce a maximum inhibition zone of about 21.0 mm. Synergism between antibiotics and AgNPs-E4 was greater than the sum of their individual effects on pathogenic strains. Also, vancomycin, tetracycline, and AgNPs-E4 have slight or no inhibition effect on Escherichia coli. But combined use of the above antibiotics and AgNPs-E4 could exhibit antibacterial activity against E. coli, and the inhibition zone achieved 14.5 and 12.6 mm, respectively, suggesting combined use was able to realize antibacterial effect from nonexistence to pass into existence. HPLC analysis revealed polyphenols were the main compositions of EtOAc extract (E4), such as oleanolic fruit-12-en-3-ol, 19-hydroxyl wusu ester, and lanolin-8-en-3-alcohol. These polyphenols might be particularly useful for the synthesis of antibacterial AgNPs. Therefore, AgNPs synthesized by EtOAc extract of L. stoechas have potential value as antimicrobial agents and also enhance the antibacterial activity of antibiotics by combined use.

Chemical investigation of Paxillus involutus (Batsch) Fr. led to the isolation of a pair of new enantiomers (E)-5-(4-methoxy-2-oxo-2H-pyran-6-yl)pent-4-en-1-yl 2-hydroxypropanoate (1a/1b) along wit...

Wild edible mushrooms are important as a source of nutraceuticals and for the discovery of bioactive metabolites as pharmaceuticals. In this work, 10 rare 2,5-diarylcyclopentenone derivatives were isolated from the wild edible mushroom Paxillus involutus (Batsch) Fr., including eight novel compounds termed involutenone A-H (1-8) and two previously identified compounds (9-10). Their structures were established using high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy and 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance data. The absolute configurations of compounds 1-3 and 6-8 were assigned based on the comparison of the experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism data. The antioxidant activities of 1-8 were tested through DPPH free radical scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging, and superoxide anion radical scavenging assays. Compounds 3, 5, 6, and 7 demonstrated significant antioxidant activity compared to the positive control (tert-butylhydroquinone). These compounds could be effective natural antioxidants with considerable pharmaceutical value.

Exogenous elicitors can influence accumulation of triterpenoids by regulating FPS (farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase) in Inonotus obliquus, such as birch bark (BB), birch rhizosphere soil (BS), Frankia alni (FA), and Rhizobium indigoferae (RI). Among them, the highest yield of biomass (15.6 mg/mL) could be detected by treatment with RI at 2 µg/mL for 10 d, about 2.1-fold of the control. Results showed the significant effect of elicitors on accumulation of triterpenoids by regulating FPS expression level. RI stimulated mycelium to achieve the highest accumulation of triterpenoids about 48.2 mg/g, which was about over 4-fold of the control (9.5 mg/g). Its effect on FPS expression level was greater than that of others, which was about over 10-fold of the control. However, accumulation of triterpenoids and FPS expression level were clearly down-regulated under treatment with BS. In addition, two endogenous factors (H2O2 and NO) in I. obliquus could affect accumulation of triterpenoids by regulating FPS expression level. Effect of RI on H2O2 and NO contents were higher than that of others, about 3.5-fold of the control. The minimum value of H2O2 content was detected by treatment with BS for 10 d, which was about 0.5-fold of the control. RI that assist with CAT (catalase) and SNP (sodium nitroprusside dehydrate) could stimulate triterpenoid contents to achieve highest accumulation, which was about 5.5-fold of the control. Fluctuation of H2O2 and NO content seems to play a pivotal role in accumulation of triterpenoids by regulating FPS expression level.

A Gram-stain positive, motile, aerobic and rod-shaped strain (MIC A30T) was isolated from river sediment in Yuantouzhu park, Wuxi City, China. Growth occurred at 20–40 °C, at pH 6.0–9.0 and at 0–5.0% NaCl. Strain MIC A30T was moderately related to Arthrobacter liuii CGMCC 1.12778T (97.9%), Arthrobacter pokkaliiT (97.9%) and Arthrobacter globiformis NBRC 12137T (96.7%) by 16S rRNA analysis. The DNA–DNA relatedness values between strain MIC A30T and these reference strains were below 30%. The DNA G+C content was 63.1 mol%. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) and genome-to-genome distance (GGD) values between strain MIC A30T and A. liuii CGMCC 1.12778T were 60.34% and 29.39%, respectively. Quinone was identified as MK-9(H2). Major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. Major fatty acids were iso-C15:0, anteiso-C15:0 and anteiso-C17:0. Whole-cell sugars were galactose, mannose and rhamnose. The cell wall peptidoglycan contained A4α peptidoglycan type with lysine as the diagnostic diamino acid. Based on several taxonomic results, strain MIC A30T is identified as a novel species in genus Arthrobacter, whose name is proposed as Arthrobacter sedimenti sp. nov. The type strain is MIC A30T (= KACC 19599T = CGMCC 1.13474T).

In this study, biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by using Eurotium cristatum, isolated from Fuzhuan brick-tea and its antibacterial activity has been demonstrated. AgNPs were characterized at 425 nm as maximum absorbance peak by ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry. The images of transmission electron microscopy revealed that AgNPs are spherical shape with at 15–20 nm in size. The X-ray diffraction pattern corresponding to planes (111), (200), (220), (311), and (222) demonstrated the crystalline nature of AgNPs. Fourier transform infrared spectrum showed that functional groups involved in reduction of silver ions to metal nanoparticles. For antibacterial application, AgNPs showed antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, and Bacillus subtilis. It also acted synergistically with various antibiotics to inhibit growth of pathogenic strains, which produced an effect greater than the sum of their individual effects. For neomycin with no resistance to C. albicans, it combined with AgNPs, which had significant synergistic effect against C. albicans, with maximum inhibitory zone at 20.9 mm, which was 2.5-fold greater than that of AgNPs alone (8.2 mm). Other antibiotics combined with AgNPs also existed similar synergistic effect. Therefore, AgNPs-synthesized by E. cristatum could enhance antibacterial activity in combination with antibiotics against pathogenic strains through synergistic effects. It might provide a new strategy for treatment of resistant bacteria.

Using agro-residues in bioreactors to produce mushrooms is an important component of eco-agriculture. Here, we tested the cultivation of Lentinula edodes with corn cob (CC) and corn straw (CS), and then evaluated the resulting enzyme activities, agronomic traits, textures and nutrient compositions of mushrooms. Laccase (T1 formula, 3.26 g U−1) and carboxymethyl cellulase (T3 formula, 1.01 g U−1) activities were the highest at the time for a complete substrate colonization stage (TCSC), while acidic xylanase activity was the highest (CK formula, 4.05 g U−1) in the mushroom block to color-turned (TMBCT) stage. The biological efficiency of growth on the T6 formula was 8.82% higher than growth on the CK formula, wherein the low C/N ratio of the substrate had an obvious negative effect on yield while the mass ratio of pileus (MRP) of fruiting bodies did not change with mixed substrates. No significant differences were observed in mineral composition for CK formulas, but corn crop waste (CCW) formulas exhibited more optimal nutritional contents. A formula containing more corn cob and sawdust (SD) (sum of at least 70%) as the substrate can produce fruiting bodies with good hardness. These results indicate that the use of corn cobs as the main ingredient, mixed with sawdust and corn straw to grow L. edodes provides a more efficient use of agro-residues for growth. Thus, mixed agro-residue formulas have exceptional advantages in texture, nutrition of fruiting bodies, and yields.

Volvariella volvacea, with high commercial, nutritional and medicinal value, is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions. The effects of supplementation on mushroom yield has been studied. We showed that the optimal application of sodium acetate (NaAc) was spray application of a 0.08% concentration during the substrate mixing stage which could increase yields by up to 89.16% and enhance the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose and hemicellulose from the substrate. For most enzymes tested maximum activity occurred during the fruiting body growth and development stage, which led to degradation of the substrate, increasing the available nutrients for mycelial propagation and fruiting body growth and development. Meanwhile, NaAc also significantly increased the indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) content in the early fruiting body development stage of V. volvacea, It was observed that IAA promotes not only plant primordium differentiation; but also the primordium differentiation of edible fungi. Furthermore, treatments with three acetate salts had an increase of yield by 30.22% on average. The mechanisms by which NaAc application may improve the yield of V. volvacea are discussed.

The identification of reliable indicators in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is critical for tumor prognosis. Tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) are the major component of non-tumor stromal cells in TME and have increasingly been recognized as a predictive biomarker for lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) prognosis. Here, we report the development of a prognosis model for LUAD using three immune-related genes (IRGs) detected in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) which potentially regulate TAMs in TME. In 497 LUAD patients, higher immune scores conferred better overall survival (OS). We identified 93 hub IRGs out of 234 for further prognostic significance. Among them, three IRGs (BTK, Cd1c, and S100P) were proved to be closely correlated to the prognosis of patients with LUAD. Moreover, the immune risk score (IRS) based on the gene expression level of the three IRGs was an independent prognostic factor for OS. Higher IRS predicted lower OS, higher mortality and worse tumor stage. With a good predictive ability [area under the ROC curve (AUC) in TCGA = 0.701, AUC in GEO = 0.722], the IRS contributed to a good risk stratification ability of the nomogram. Immunologically, the three IRGs were related to M1 macrophages and NK cell subsets in TME. Interestingly, by characterizing these immune components in situ we found that S100P is a driver for tumor cells to induce TAM migration and M2 polarization in the immunosuppressive tumor niche. We identified the key genes driving TAM migration and transformation and elucidated the immune landscape of LUAD. The data suggest that IRGs from TME have the potential to become indicators for estimating cancer prognosis and guiding individualized treatment.

“Hongtuozhusun” (Phallus rubrovolvatus) is an important edible and medicinal mushroom endemic to Southwest China. However, yellow rot disease is a severe disease of P. rubrovolvatus that occurs extensively in Guizhou Province. It has caused major economic losses and hinders the development of the P. rubrovolvatus industry. In this study, 28 microorganism strains were isolated from diseased fruiting bodies of P. rubrovolvatus at various stages, two of which were confirmed to be pathogenic based on Koch’s postulates. These two strains are introduced herein as Saccharomycopsisphalluae sp. nov. based on morphological, physiological, and molecular analysis. We reported a high-quality de novo sequencing and assembly of the S. phalluae genome using single-molecule real-time sequencing technology. The whole genome was approximately 14.148 Mb with a G+C content of 43.55%. Genome assembly generated 8 contigs with an N50 length of 1,822,654 bp. The genome comprised 5966 annotated protein-coding genes. This is the first report of mushroom disease caused by Saccharomycopsis species. We expect that the information on genome properties, particularly in pathogenicity-related genes, assist in developing effective control measures in order to prevent severe losses and make amendments in management strategies.

Considering the inhomogeneity of plastisphere and surrounding soil, it is plausible that the microbial community colonizing it also varies, affecting soil services and sustainability. Herein, we analyzed the soil and film residue from fifty-five plastic-mulching croplands in the subtropical areas of China. Based on the outcomes of this analysis, we explored the diversity and functions of the associated bacterial communities. Alpha-diversity and phylogenetic diversity of the plastisphere bacterial community was significantly lower than the surrounding soil. The average net relatedness and net nearest taxa indices of samples were less than zero. Four phyla and twenty genera were enriched in the plastisphere compared to the surrounding soil. Ecological networks of the plastisphere community showed multiple nodes, but fewer interactions, and the members of Bradyrhizobium, Rhodospirillaceae, and Bacillus were indicated as the hub species. Predicted pathways related to human disease, as well as the metabolisms of cofactors, vitamins, amino acids, and xenobiotic biodegradation, were reinforced in the plastisphere, and meanwhile, accompanied by an increase in abundance of genes related to carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles. These results demonstrated the diversity and functions of the plastisphere microbiome and highlighted the necessity for exploring the ecological and health risks of plastic residue in croplands.

Wild mushrooms are an important source of secondary metabolites possessing a broad range of biological activities. In this study, eight new compounds, named furanopaxin A–F (1–6), deoxybisinvolutone (7), and coumarinvol (8) along with two known compounds were isolated from fruiting bodies of the wild mushroom Paxillus involutus (Batsch) Fr. Their structures were established based on HR-ESI-MS and 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data. The results of hypoglycemic assays indicated that compounds 5–8 possessed significant α-glucosidase inhibitory activities, with IC50 values ranging from 14.65 ± 1.68 to 47.55 ± 1.47 μM, and each compound could enhance glucose consumption in insulin-resistance HepG2 cells. Further analysis by molecular docking implied that compounds 5–8 could interact with the amino acid residues of α-glucosidase, supporting the hypoglycemic activity of the compounds.

Since 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS- CoV-2) causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has infected ten millions of people across the globe, and massive mutations in virus genome have occurred during the rapid spread of this novel coronavirus. Variance in protein sequence might lead to change in protein structure and interaction, then further affect the viral physiological characteristics, which could bring tremendous influence on the pandemic. In this study, we investigated 20 non-synonymous mutations in SARS-CoV-2 genome which incidence rates were all ≥1% as of September 1st, 2020, then modeled and analyzed the mutant protein structures. The results showed that four types of mutations caused dramatic changes in protein structures (RMSD ≥5.0 A), which were Q57H and G251V in open reading frames 3a (ORF3a), S194L and R203K/G204R in nucleocapsid (N). Next, we found that these mutations also affected the binding affinity of intraviral protein interactions. In addition, the hot spots within these docking mutant complexes were altered, among which the mutation Q57H was involved in both Orf3a-S and Orf3a-Orf8 protein interactions. Besides, these mutations were widely distributed all over the world, and their occurrences fluctuated as time went on. Notably, the incidences of R203K/G204R in N and Q57H in Orf3a were both over 50% in some countries. Overall, our findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2 mutations could change viral protein structure, binding affinity and hot spots of the interface, thereby might have impacts on SARS-CoV-2 transmission, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Titanium-based coagulation has proved to be effective for algae-laden micro-polluted water purification processes. However, the influence of algae inclusion in surface water treatment by titanium coagulation is barely reported. This study reports the influence of both Microcystis aeruginosa and Microcystis wesenbergii in surface water during polytitanium coagulation. Jar tests were performed to evaluate coagulation performance using both algae-free (controlled) and algae-laden water samples, and floc properties were studied using a laser diffraction particle size analyzer for online monitoring. Results show that polytitanium coagulation can be highly effective in algae separation, removing up to 98% from surface water. Additionally, the presence of algae enhanced organic matter removal by up to 30% compared to controlled water containing only organic matter. Polytitanium coagulation achieved significant removal of fluorescent organic materials and organic matter with a wide range of molecular weight distribution (693–4945 Da) even in the presence of algae species in surface water. The presence of algae cells and/or algal organic matter is likely to function as an additional coagulant or flocculation aid, assisting polytitanium coagulation through adsorption and bridging effects. Although the dominant coagulation mechanisms with polytitanium coagulant were influenced by the coagulant dosage and initial solution pH, algae species in surface water could enhance the charge neutralization capability of the polytitanium coagulant. Algae-rich flocs were also more prone to breakage with strength factors approximately 10% lower than those of algae-free flocs. Loose structure of the flocs will require careful handling of the flocs during coagulation-sedimentation-filtration processes. [Figure not available: see fulltext.].

Since 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has infected ten millions of people across the globe, and massive mutations in virus genome have occurred during the rapid spread of this novel coronavirus. Variance in protein sequence might lead to change in protein structure and interaction, then further affect the viral physiological characteristics, which could bring tremendous influence on the pandemic. In this study, we investigated 18 non-synonymous mutations in SARS-CoV-2 genome which incidence rates were all ≥1% as of July 15th, 2020, then modeled the mutated protein structures and compared them with the reference ones. The results showed that four types of mutations could cause dramatic changes in protein structures (RMSD ≥5.0 Å), which were Q57H and G251V in open reading frames 3a (ORF3a), S194L and R203K/G204R in nucleocapsid (N). Next, we found that these mutations could affect the binding affinity of intraviral protein interactions. In addition, the hot spots within these docking complexes were altered, among which the mutation Q57H was involved in both Orf3a-Orf8 and Orf3a-S protein interactions. Besides, these mutations were widely distributed all over the world, and their occurrences fluctuated as time went on. Notably, the incidences of R203K/G204R in N and Q57H in Orf3a were both over 50% in some countries. Overall, our findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2 mutations can change viral protein structure, binding affinity and hot spots of the interface, thereby may have impacts on SARS-CoV-2 transmission, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND Sarcoidosis (SARC) is a multisystem inflammatory disease of unknown etiology and pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Both of these diseases affect lungs and lymph nodes and share similar clinical manifestations. However, the underlying mechanisms for the similarities and differences in genetic characteristics of SARC and PTB remain unclear. MATERIAL AND METHODS Three datasets (GSE16538, GSE20050, and GSE19314) were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in SARC and PTB were identified using GEO2R online analyzer and Venn diagram software. Functional enrichment analysis was performed using Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) and R packages. Two protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed using Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes database, and module analysis was performed using Cytoscape. Hub genes were identified using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS We identified 228 DEGs, including 56 common SARC-PTB DEGs (enriched in interferon-gamma-mediated signaling, response to gamma radiation, and immune response) and 172 SARC-only DEGs (enriched in immune response, cellular calcium ion homeostasis, and dendritic cell chemotaxis). Potential biomarkers for SARC included CBX5, BCL11B, and GPR18. CONCLUSIONS We identified potential biomarkers that can be used as candidates for diagnosis and/or treatment of patients with SARC.

Chrysanthemum is frequently attacked by aphids, which greatly hinders the growth and ornamental value of this plant species. WRKY transcription factors play an important role in the response to biotic stresses such as pathogen and insect stresses. Here, chrysanthemum CmWRKY53 was cloned, and its expression was induced by aphid infestation. To verify the role of CmWRKY53 in resistance to aphids, CmWRKY53 transgenic chrysanthemum was generated. CmWRKY53 was found to mediate the susceptibility of chrysanthemum to aphids. The expression levels of secondary metabolite biosynthesis genes, such as peroxidase- and polyphenol oxidase-encoding genes, decreased in CmWRKY53-overexpressing (CmWRKY53-Oe) plants but dramatically increased in chimeric dominant repressor (CmWRKY53-SRDX) plants, suggesting that CmWRKY53 contributes to the susceptibility of chrysanthemum to aphids, possibly due to its role in the regulation of secondary metabolites.

Eha is a virulence regulator in Edwardsiella tarda (E. tarda). The present study examined how Eha regulated its target genes to affect the bacterial survival within the cells. We constructed the reporter a pGEX-4T-ehaflag plasmid expressing Eha tagged at its C terminus with the flag epitope, and introduced the plasmid into an eha mutant ET13 strain, and obtained a Cehaflag strain. The expression and activity of an EhaFlag fusion protein restored the survival of the Cehaflag as the wild type in macrophages by Western blotting and intracellular survival experiments. We used a monoclonal anti-Flag antibody to precipitate EhaFlag-DNA complexes using chromatic immunoprecipitation (ChIP). We then designed primers based on the differentially-expressed genes identified from RNA-sequencing, and identified ten Eha-interacting genes by qPCR. We amplified the promoter regions of the ten genes and the eha gene from ET13 strain by PCR, constructed pBD-PtargetlacZ and pBD-PehalacZ plasmids. The eha gene directly and positively regulated these target genes, and be negatively auto-regulated by Eha in E. tarda, as determined by comparing their β-Galactosidase activities. These target genes were distributed in the categories involved in the bacterial growth, movement and resistance to H2O2 or acid. We further constructed a ETATCC_RS15225 mutant (△dcuA1), a ETATCC_ RS14855 mutant (△flgK) anda ETATCC_RS07650 mutant (ΔtnaA), and a partial complementary strains of △eha-tnaA and △eha-flgK and the complementary strains of CΔflgK and CΔtnaA. The ETATCC_RS15225 gene probably encoded a transporter protein DcuA1 at outer membrane with SDS-PAGE and RT-PCR. The ETATCC _RS14855 gene probably encoded FlgK protein and affected the bacterial motility. The ETATCC_RS07650 gene encoded Tryptophanase, which affected the bacterial survival within macrophages. With the assistance of these above strains, our results showed that the eha gene was able to regulate the ETATCC_RS15225 gene to express its outer membrane protein DcuA1, the ETATCC _RS14855 gene to control the flagellar motility and the ETATCC_RS07650 to affect the bacterial survival within macrophages. With the combination of other functions of above three genes, our results suggested that Eha directly regulates the target genes to affect E. tarda to survive within the cells.

Blue light is an important environmental factor that induces mushroom primordium differentiation and fruiting body development. Although blue-light treatment has been applied for the production of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus), the blue-light response mechanisms of P. ostreatus still remain unclear. In the present study, we exposed the primordium of P. ostreatus to blue-light, red-light, and dark conditions for 7 days. Subsequently, comparative transcriptomics analysis of the stipe, pileus, and gill under the three light conditions was performed to reveal the gene expression response mechanism of P. ostreatus to blue light and red light. The results showed that blue light enhanced the growth and development of all the three organs of P. ostreatus, especially the pileus. In contrast, red light slightly (non-significantly) inhibited pileus growth. When compared with red-light and dark treatments, blue-light treatment significantly upregulated gene expression involved in glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, the pentose phosphate pathway and the peroxisome in the pileus, but not in the gill or stipe. Most of the glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathway genes were upregulated in the pileus by blue light. When compared with dark treatment, red-light treatment downregulated the expression of many respiration metabolism genes in the pileus. These results revealed that blue light enhanced the activation of glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathway, whereas red light weakened glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathway activation. The conclusion can be drawn that blue light improved P. ostreatus fruiting body (particularly, the pileus) growth rate via enhancement of glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathway.

A Gram-staining-positive, aerobic, rod-shaped (201802YP6T) bacteria was isolated from soil, Northeast of China. Growth occurred at 10–40 °C (optimum 25–30 °C), at pH 6.0–8.0 (optimum 7.0) and at 0–2% NaCl. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the nearest phylogenetic neighbors of strain 201802YP6T were identified as Bhargavaea cecembensis DSE10T (99.52%), Bhargavaea beijingensis ge10T (99.45%), Bhargavaea indica KJW98T (99.45%), Bhargavaea ullalensis ZMA19T (98.81%), and Bhargavaea ginsengi ge14T (98.76%). Levels of similarity among strain 201802YP6T and other Bhargavaea species were lower than 98.76%. GyrB amino acid sequence-based analysis supported the phylogenetic position and also distinguished strain 201802YP6T from the other species of the genus Bhargavaea. DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain 201802YP6T and B. cecembensis, B. beijingensis, B. indica, B. ullalensis, B. ginsengi were 43.5%, 43%, 32.5%, 30.5% and 20.4%, respectively. The DNA G + C content of strain 201802YP6T was 51.23 mol%. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) of the draft genome was 87.04% to B. cecembensis DSE10T. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, glycolipids, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidyllipid. The predominant menaquinone was MK-8. The major fatty acids were iso-C15:0 (39.91%), anteiso-C15:0 (28.86%), anteiso-C17:0 (6.30%) and C16:0 (6.13%). On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis, chemotaxonomic data, physiological characteristics and DNA–DNA hybridization data, strain 201802YP6T represents a novel species of the genus Bhargavaea, for which the name Bhargavaea changchunensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 201802YP6T (= CGMCC 1.13508T = KCTC 33975T).

A Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, motile, rod- or cocci-shaped bacterium with flagella bacterium (THG-T63T) was isolated from freshwater mud. Growth occurred at 10–40 °C (optimum, 28–35 °C), at pH 6–8 (optimum, 7) and at 0–6 % NaCl (optimum, 2 %). Based on 16S rRNA sequence analysis, the nearest phylogenetic neighbours of strain THG-T63T were identified as Nocardioides panacisoli KCTC 19470T (97.5 %), Nocardioides caeni KCTC 19600T (96.4 %), Nocardioides humi KCTC 19265T (96.3 %), Nocardioides kongjuensis KCTC 19054T (96.1 %) and Nocardioides nitrophenolicus KCTC 457BPT (96.1 %). 16S rRNA sequence similarities among strain THG-T63T and other species were lower than 96.0 %. The polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and one unidentified phospholipid. The quinone system was composed of MK-8 (H4). The major fatty acids were C16 : 0, C17 : 1 ω6c, C17 : 1 ω8c, C18 : 0 10-methyl, C18 : 1 ω9c and iso-C16 : 0. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained ll-2,6-diaminopimelic acid. The DNA G+C content of strain THG-T63T was 74.6 mol%. Strain THG-T63T exhibited levels of DNA–DNA relatedness of 20–44 % to the type strains of phylogenetically related Nocardioides species and could be differentiated from these species based on differences in phenotypic characteristics. On the basis of the data presented here, strain THG-T63T represents a novel species of the genus Nocardioides , for which the name Nocardioides pelophilus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-T63T(=KACC 19192T=CGMCC 4.7388T).

© 2018 Water Environment Federation. All rights reserved. The present study was carried out in Luoma Lake, a shallow lake in temperate eastern China. Based on a two-year study, the dynamics of phytoplankton functional groups and influencing factors were analyzed. A total of 178 taxa were identified and sorted into 20 codons, according to the phytoplankton functional group classification. In order to find the environmental factors driving phytoplankton variations, fifteen groups were analyzed in detail using redundancy analysis. Groups P (Fragilaria crotonensis), X2 (Chlamydomonas globosa, C. microsphaera and Chroomonas acuta), and MP (Navicula rotaeana) were dominant during low temperature periods, whereas groups X2, S1 (Pseudanabaena limnetica), and W1 (Euglena sp.) were dominant during high temperature periods. Water temperature, total phosphorus, and ammonium were the significant driving factors explaining phytoplankton succession. Furthermore, total phosphorus and ammonium could be broadly used in risk management for potential algal blooms in Luoma Lake. Water Environ. Res., 90, 510 (2018).

A Gram-stain positive, aerobic, non-motile, endospore-forming and rod-shaped strain (THG-NT9T) was isolated from a green tea sample. Growth occurred at 20–45 °C (optimum 28–35 °C), at pH 6.0–8.0 (optimum 7.0) and at 0–2.0% NaCl (optimum 0%). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the near phylogenetic neighbours of strain THG-NT9T were identified as Scopulibacillus daqui DSM 28236T (98.6%), Scopulibacillus darangshiensis DSM 19377T (97.4%), Pullulanibacillus pueri CGMCC 1.12777T (96.7%) and Pullulanibacillus camelliae CGMCC 1.15371T (96.3%). The DNA G + C content of strain THG-NT9T was determined to be 47.5 mol %. DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain THG-NT9T and S. daqui DSM 28236T, S. darangshiensis DSM 19377T, P. pueri CGMCC 1.12777T, P. camelliae CGMCC 1.15371T and Pullulanibacillus naganoensis DSM 10191T were 41.3 ± 0.1 (39.4 ± 0.4% reciprocal analysis), 39.1 ± 0.1 (37.3 ± 0.1%), 21.4 ± 0.7 (20.1 ± 0.3%), 20.7 ± 0.1 (20.1 ± 0.4%) and 12.1 ± 0.2% (8.3 ± 0.2%). The polar lipids were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and three unidentified lipids. The quinone was identified as MK-7. The major fatty acids were C18:3 ω7c, iso-C15:0, iso-C16:0, iso-C17:0 and anteiso-C17:0. The cell wall type was determined to be A1γ peptidoglycan with meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid plus alanine and glutamic acid and glucose as the cell wall sugar. On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis, chemotaxonomic data, physiological characteristics, and DNA–DNA hybridization data, strain THG-NT9T represents a novel species of the genus Scopulibacillus, for which the name Scopulibacillus cellulosilyticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-NT9T (= KCTC 33918T = CGMCC 1.16305T).

A Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, non-motile and short-rod-shaped actinobacterium, designated THG-T121T, was isolated from forest soil. Growth occurred at 10–40 °C (optimum 28–30 °C), at pH 6–8 (optimum 7) and at 0–4 % NaCl (optimum 1 %). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the nearest phylogenetic neighbours of strain THG-T121T were identified as Actinotalea ferrariae KCTC 29134T (97.9 %), Actinotalea fermentans KCTC 3251T (97.3 %), Cellulomonas carbonis KCTC 19824T (97.2 %). 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities among strain THG-T121T and other recognized species were lower than 97.0 %. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, two phosphatidylinositol mannosides, one unidentified phospholipid, three unidentified glycolipids and one unidentified lipid. The isoprenoid quinone was menaquinone (MK-10(H4)). The major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 1 A, C16 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0. The whole-cell sugars of strain THG-T121T were rhamnose, ribose, mannose and glucose. The peptidoglycan type of strain THG-T121T is A4β, containing l-Orn–D-Ser–L-Asp. The DNA G+C content of strain THG-T121T was 72.4 mol%. DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain THG-T121T and A. ferrariae KCTC 29134T, A. fermentans KCTC 3251T and C. carbonis KCTC 19824T were 30.2 % (27.3 %, reciprocal analysis), 28.4 %, (17.3 %) and 16.9 %, (9.3 %), respectively. On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis, chemotaxonomic data, physiological characteristics and DNA–DNA hybridization data, strain THG-T121T represents a novel species of the genus Actinotalea , for which the name Actinotalea solisilvae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-T121T (=KACC 19191T=CGMCC 4.7389T).

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped, catalase-positive and oxidase-positive bacteria (THG-T61T), was isolated from rhizosphere of Hibiscus syriacus. Growth occurred at 10–37 °C (optimum 25–30 °C), at pH 5.0–9.0 (optimum 7.0) and in the presence of 0–2.0 % NaCl (optimum without NaCl supplement). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the nearest phylogenetic neighbours of strain THG-T61T were identified as Sphingomonas ginsengisoli KCTC 12630T (97.9 %), Sphingomonas jaspsi DSM 18422T (97.8 %), Sphingomonas astaxanthinifaciens NBRC 102146T (97.4 %), Sphingomonas sediminicola KCTC 12629T (97.2 %), ‘ Sphingomonas swuensis’ KCTC 12336 (97.1 %) and Sphingomonas daechungensis KCTC 23718T (96.9 %). The isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone-10 (Q-10). The major fatty acids were C16 : 0, C17 : 1 ω6c, summed feature 4 (iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c) and summed feature 7 (C18 : 1 ω7c, C18 : 1 ω9t and/or C18 : 1 ω12t). The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, sphingoglycolipid, one unidentified lipid, one unidentified phospholipid, one unidentified glycolipid and one unidentified phosphoglycolipid. The polyamine was homospermidine. The DNA G+C content of strain THG-T61T was 65.6 mol%. The DNA–DNA relatedness values between strain THG-T61T and its closest reference strains were less than 49.2 %, which is lower than the threshold value of 70 %. Therefore, strain THG-T61T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingomonas , for which the name Sphingomonas rhizophila sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-T61T (=KACC 19189T=CCTCC AB 2016245T).

Biocrusts (biological soil crusts) are a living consortium of microbes that form a protective cover on many dryland soil and rock surfaces and provide important ecological functions in ecosystems. Characterising biocrust microbial communities is an important step in understanding their functional traits. Our aims were to explore the composition, diversity, and ecological function of the microbial community in two types of biocrusts in the Mu Us Sandland, China. High-throughput sequencing (Illumina MiSeq) and Functional Annotation of Prokaryotic Taxa (FAPROTAX) were used to analyze the soil bacterial and fungal communities in two types of biocrusts and their potential functions. In our study we showed that the richness and diversity of bacterial and fungal communities was significantly different between the lichen and moss biocrusts based on high-throughput sequencing. Dominant bacteria in lichen biocrusts (68.0%) were Actinomycetes, Cyanobacteria, and Proteobacteria, with 59.9% in moss biocrusts. In lichen crusts the dominant phylum of fungi was mainly Ascomycota. Microcoleus (11.1%) and Exophiala (7.4%) lichen crusts, while the dominant genus in moss crusts was RB41 (5.2%). The top three factors that were correlated with both bacterial and fungal community structures were pH, soil dissolved organic carbon, and soil organic carbon. Further analysis by FAPROTAX corroborated that the function of the bacterial community in two types of biocrusts was quite different. The relative abundances of metabolic functions in moss crusts, such as chemoheterotrophy, ureolysis, aromatic compound degradation, and nitrate reduction, were significantly higher than those in lichen crusts, however, the relative abundances of cyanobacteria, oxygenic photoautotrophy, photoautotrophy, and phototrophy were significantly lower (P < 0.05). Together, our results showed that the taxonomic and metabolic diversity, including specific species, have significant effects on the biocrusts types and their functional traits. This study provides a theoretical basis for elements of the soil microbiome restoration that may influence the establishment of plant communities.

Alternative method should be found to solve the ammonia accumulation in anaerobic digestion. Herein, electrode-dependent ammonium oxidation was successfully achieved in anaerobic single-chambered microbial electrolysis cells (MECs)under different low C/N ratios (0, 1, and 1.5), with an applied voltage of 0.6 V as well as an initial NH4+-N and NO3–-N concentration of 500 and 300 mg/L. The nitrogen removal performance of MECs and the controls indicated that applying a voltage stimulated nitrogen removal under low C/N ratios of 0, 1, and 1.5. However, the remaining organic carbon in MEC with a relatively higher C/N ratio of 3 inhibited the ammonium oxidation. Current changes and cyclic voltammetry demonstrated that the bioanode with several bioelectrochemical activities could promote ammonium oxidation. The dominant genera Truepera, Aquamicrobium, Nitrosomonas, Arenimonas, Comamonas, and Cryobacterium enriched on both electrodes could be the key functional taxa in MECs with C/N ratios of 0, 1, and 1.5. The remaining sodium acetate in MEC with C/N ratio of 3 inhibits microbial community structure and relative abundance, which may adversely affected nitrogen removal. Further caculation showed that nitrogen balance was essentially achieved, while electron balance was disrupted since electrons may be consumed through NO3−-N recycle and cell synthesis, and finally caused low coulombic efficiency.

This study examined the performances of Acorus calamus, Pontederia cordata, and Alisma plantagoaquatica in removing nitrogen (N) from farmland wastewater. P. cordata showed the fastest rate of N removal, followed by A. plantagoaquatica, whereas that of A. calamus was slowest. P. cordata and A. plantagoaquatica achieving a greater rate of TN reduction in soil than that by A. calamus. A. plantagoaquatica demonstrated the highest N adsorption capacity, 32.6% and 392.1% higher than that of P. cordata and A. calamus, respectively. The higher potential nitrification and denitrification rate, and abundance of functional genes in the P. cordata microcosm resulted in a stronger process of nitrification–denitrification, which accounted for 65.99% of TN loss. Plant uptake and nitrification–denitrification were responsible for 50.06% and 49.94% of TN removed within the A. plantagoaquatica. Nitrification-denitrification accounted for 86.35% of TN loss in A. calamus. These findings helped to insight into N removal mechanisms in different plants.

There is growing public concern about the global expansion of harmful algal bloom species (HABs), with dinoflagellate microalgae comprising the major portion of the harmful taxa. These motile, unicellular organisms have a lifecycle involving sexual reproduction and resting cyst formation whereby cysts can germinate from sediments and 'seed' planktonic populations. Thus, investigation of dinoflagellate cyst (dinocyst) distribution in sediments can provide significant insights into HAB dynamics and contribute to indices of habitat quality. Species composition and abundance of dinocysts in relation to sediment characteristics were studied at 18 stations in two densely populated temperate Australian estuaries, Sydney Harbour (Parramatta River/Port Jackson; PS) and Botany Bay (including Georges River; GB). Eighteen dinocyst taxa were identified, dominated by Protoceratium reticulatum and Gonyaulax sp.1 in the PS estuary, together with Archaeperidinium minutum and Gonyaulax sp.1 in the GB estuary. Cysts of Alexandrium catenella, which is one of the causative species of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), were also detected in both estuaries. Out of the measured sediment characteristics (TOC, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, Ni, Zn and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), TOC was the parameter explaining most of the variation in dinocyst assemblages and was positively correlated to most of the heavy metals. Given the significant relationship between sediment TOC and dinocyst abundance and heavy metal concentrations, this study suggests that sediment TOC could be broadly used in risk management for potential development of algal blooms and sediment contamination in these estuaries.

A Gram-negative, aerobic, non-motile, long rods or coccoid without flagellum strain, designated THG-YS3.2.7T, was isolated from therhizosphere soil of a Mugunghwa flower collected from Kyung Hee University, Yongin, South Korea. Growth occurred at 10–40 °C (optimum 28–37 °C), at pH 6–8 (optimum 7) and at 0–5 % NaCl (optimum 1 %). The predominant ubiquinone was ubiquinone 8 (Q-8). The major cellular fatty acids were C10 : 0, C10 : 0 3OH, C16 : 0, C17 : 0, C17 : 0 cyclo, C18 : 0, C18 : 3 ω6c (6,9,12), summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c and/or C18 : 1 ω6c). The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylcholine (PC). The DNA G+C content of strain THG-YS3.2.7T was 69.4 mol%. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the nearest phylogenetic neighbours of strain THG-YS3.2.7T were identified as Ramlibacter henchirensis DSM 14656T (97.92 %), Ramlibacter tataouinensis DSM 14655T (97.90 %), Ramlibacter solisilvae KACC 17567T (97.04 %). DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain THG-YS3.2.7T and R. henchirensis DSM 14656T, R. tataouinensis DSM 14655T, R. solisilvae KACC 17567T were 32.5±1.5, 43.1±1.1, 42.8±1.1 %, respectively. On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis, chemotaxonomic data, physiological characteristics and DNA–DNA hybridization data, strain THG-YS3.2.7T represent a novel species of the genus Ramlibacter , for which the name Ramlibacter rhizophilus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-YS3.2.7T (=KCTC 52083T=CCTCC AB 2015357T).

A Gram-stain positive, aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterium (THG-T1.18T) was isolated from desert soil. Growth occurred at 20–35 °C (optimum 28–30 °C), at pH 5–7 (optimum 7) and at 0–4 % NaCl (optimum 0–1 %). Based on 16S rRNA sequence analysis, the nearest phylogenetic neighbours of strain THG-T1.18T were identified as Chryseomicrobium amylolyticum DSM 23442T (96.6 %), Chryseomicrobium imtechense JCM 16573T (96.3 %) and Chryseomicrobium aureum KACC 17219T (96.1 %). The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, two unidentified aminolipids and one unidentified glycolipid. The quinone system was composed of MK-7, MK-8 and MK-6. The major fatty acids were iso C15 : 0 and anteiso C15 : 0. The type of peptidoglycan was A4β, containing of l-Orn–D-Glu. The DNA G+C content of strain THG-T1.18T was 50.4 mol%. DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain THG-T1.18T and C. amylolyticum DSM 23442T, C. imtechense JCM 16573T, C. aureum KACC 17219T were 24.7 % (20.1 % reciprocal analysis), 19.5 % (16.1 %) and 10.4 % (6.7 %) respectively. On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis, chemotaxonomic data, physiological characteristics and DNA–DNA hybridization data, strain THG-T1.18T represents a novel species of the genus Chryseomicrobium , for which the name Chryseomicrobium deserti sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-T1.18T (=KACC 18929T=CCTCC AB 2016179T).

A Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, non-motile, short-rod shaped actinobacterium, designated THG-T2.14T, was isolated from soil sampled from the rhizosphere of mugunghwa. Growth occurred at 10–40 °C (optimum 30 °C), at pH 5.0–10.0 (optimum 7.0) and at 0–7.0 % NaCl (optimum 3.0 %). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the nearest phylogenetic neighbours of strain THG-T2.14T were identified as Microbacterium yannicii DSM 23203T (98.8 %), Microbacterium trichothecenolyticum DSM 8608T (98.8 %), Microbacterium arthrosphaerae DSM 22421T (98.7 %) and Microbacterium jejuense KACC 17124T (98.4 %). The major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified lipid, two unidentified phospholipids and two unidentified phosphoglycolipids. The menaquinones were MK-12, and MK-13. The major polyamine was spermidine. The peptidoglycan contained ornithine, alanine, glycine, homoserine and glutamic acid. The diagnostic diamino acid was ornithine. The acyl type of the muramic acid was glycolyl. The whole-cell sugars were rhamnose, ribose, galactose, arabinose, xylose and glucose. The DNA G+C content of strain THG-T2.14T was 71.2 mol%. The DNA–DNA relatedness between strain THG-T2.14T and its closest reference strains were significantly lower than the threshold value of 70 %. On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis, chemotaxonomic data, physiological characteristics and DNA–DNA hybridization data, strain THG-T2.14T represents a novel species of the genus Microbacterium , for which the name Microbacterium hibisci sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-T2.14T (=KACC 18931T=CCTCC AB 2016180T).

A Gram-stain-positive, pink-pigmented, coccus-shaped, strictly aerobic, non-motile bacterium, strain THG-AG1.5T, was isolated from rhizosphere of Hibiscus syriacus L. (Mugunghwa flower) located in Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea. The isolated strain grew optimally at 25–30 °C, at pH 6.0–7.5 and in the presence of additional 0–1.5 % (w/v) NaCl. Strain THG-AG1.5T exhibited tolerance to UV radiation (>1500 J m−2) and to gamma radiation (>12 kGy). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons, strain THG-AG1.5T was closely related to Deinococcus daejeonensis MJ27T (98.03 %), Deinococcus radiotolerans C1T (97.61 %) and Deinococcus grandis DSM 3963T (97.32 %). The genomic DNA G+C content of strain THG-AG1.5T was 74.8 mol%. The DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain THG-AG1.5T and its closest phylogenetically neighbours were below 63.0 %. The peptidoglycan amino acids were alanine, valine, glutamic acid, glycine, ornithine, lysine and aspartic acid. Strain THG-AG1.5T contained ribose, mannose and glucose as whole-cell-wall sugars and menaquinone-8 (MK-8) as the only isoprenoid quinone. The major component in the polyamine pattern was spermidine. The major polar lipids of strain THG-AG1.5T were a phosphoglycolipid, six unidentified glycolipids and an unidentified aminophospholipid. The major fatty acids were identified as iso-C15 : 0, C15 : 1ω6c, C16 : 0, iso-C17 : 0, C17 : 0, C18 : 0 and summed feature 3. On the basis of our polyphasic taxonomy study, strain THG-AG1.5T represents a novel species within the genus Deinococcus , for which the name Deinococcus hibisci sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-AG1.5T (=KACC 18850T=CCTCC AB 2016078T).

A Gram-positive, aerobic, non-motile, rod-shapeds, catalase-positive, and oxidase-negative strain, designated Y49T, was isolated from sewage collected from Jilin Agricultural University, China. It grew at 20-40°C (optimum at 30°C), at pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum at 7.0) and at 0-1.0% sodium chloride (optimum at 0%). The major isoprenoid quinone was menaquinone-8 (MK-8) and the polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, four unidentified lipids, and two unidentified aminolipids. The peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The cell-wall sugars were galactose, arabinose, and glucose. The fatty acids were C9:0, C16:0, C16:1 ω9c, C17:1 ω9c, C18:3 ω6c (6,9,12), C18:1 ω9c, and C18:0. The DNA G+C content was 51.4 mol%. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the nearest phylogenetic neighbors of strain Y49T were Corynebacterium efficiens DSM 44549T (97.5%), Corynebacterium callunae DSM 20147T (97.2%), Corynebacterium deserti GIMN 1.010T (96.8%), Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13032T (96.4%), and other species belonging to this genus (92.3-95.4%). The DNA-DNA relatedness value between strain Y49T and C. efficiens DSM 44549T, C. callunae DSM 20147T, C. deserti GIMN1.010T, and C. glutamicum ATCC 13032T was 25.5±2.0%, 21.1±1.0%, 16.5±0.5%, and 13.5±0.9%, respectively. Based on the phylogenetic analysis, chemotaxonomic data, physiological characteristics and DNA-DNA hybridization data, strain Y49T represents a novel species of the genus Corynebacterium, for which the name Corynebacterium defluvii sp nov. is proposed. The type strain is Y49T (= KCTC 39731T =CGMCC 1.15506T).

The immunization effect of Eurotium cristatum isolated from Fuzhuan brick-tea was evaluated. Ethyl acetate extraction (E2) had an increasing effect on T cell subset proportions. And then four compounds (physcion, echinulin, catenarin and emodin) were isolated from E. cristatum. The immunization effect of echinulin was observed through determining T cell subsets’ percentage, DNA synthesis and cytokine levels. It suggested that the immunization effect of compounds might work in relation to its structure. In addition, echinulin accelerated protein of p65, IκBα upregulation and nuclear translocation of p65 by the NF-κB signaling pathway. The result showed that the immunization effect of echinulin is closely related to the activation of NF-κB activity. Meanwhile echinulin increased transcript levels of p65 and IκBα in T cells at 200 μM (middle dosages group). It demonstrated that the immunization effection of echinulin on T cells is enhanced by activating NF-κB signaling pathway.

Largely due to the heterogeneity of environmental parameters and the logistical difficulty of moving photosynthetic equipment in the paddy fields, effective measurement of lowland rice photosynthesis is still a challenge. In this study, we showed that measuring detached rice leaves in the laboratory can not effectively represent the parameters measured in situ. We further described a new indoor facility, high-efficiency all-weather photosynthetic measurement system (HAPS), and the associated measurement protocol to enable whole-weather measurement of photosynthetic parameters of rice grown in the paddy fields. Using HAPS, we can conduct photosynthetic measurements with a time span much longer than that appropriate for the outdoor measurements. Comparative study shows that photosynthetic parameters obtained with the new protocol can effectively represent the parameters in the fields. There was much less standard deviation for measurements using HAPS compared to the outdoor measurements, no matter for technical replications of each recording or for biological replications of each leaf position. This new facility and protocol enables rice photosynthetic physiology studies to be less tough but more efficient, and provides a potential option for large scale studies of rice leaf photosynthesis.

The “replacing wood by grass” project can partially resolve the conflict between mushroom production and balancing the ecosystem, while promoting agricultural economic sustainability. Pleurotus pulmonarius is an economically important edible and medicinal mushroom, which is traditionally produced using a substrate consisting of sawdust and cottonseed hulls, supplemented with wheat bran. A simplex lattice design was applied to systemically optimize the cultivation of P. pulmonarius using agro-residues as the main substrate to replace sawdust and cottonseed hulls. The effects of differing amounts of wheat straw, corn straw, and soybean straw on the variables of yield, mycelial growth rate, stipe length, pileus length, pileus width, and time to harvest were demonstrated. Results indicated that a mix of wheat straw, corn straw, and soybean straw may have significantly positive effects on each of these variables. The high yield comprehensive formula was then optimized to include 40.4% wheat straw, 20.3% corn straw, 18.3% soybean straw, combined with 20.0% wheat bran, and 1.0% light CaCO3 (C/N = 42.50). The biological efficiency was 15.2% greater than that of the control. Most encouraging was the indication that the high yield comprehensive formula may shorten the time to reach the reproductive stage by 6 days, compared with the control. Based on the results of this study, agro-residues may be used as a suitable substitution for sawdust and cottonseed hulls as the main cultivation substrates of P. pulmonarius. These results provide a theoretical basis for the “replacing wood by grass” project on edible mushroom cultivation.

A Gram-negative, motile, aerobic, and rod-shaped strain (MIC 1.5T) was isolated from soil in Changguangxi national wetland park. Growth occurred at 20–45 °C, at pH 6.0–8.0, and at 0–4.0% NaCl. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain MIC 1.5T was related to were identified as Luteimonas dalianensis CGMCC 1.12191T (95.3%), Luteimonas padinae DSM 101536T (94.5%), Luteimonas huabeiensis DSM 26429T (94.1%), and Luteimonas mephitis DSM 12574T (92.5%). The DNA-DNA relatedness values between strain MIC 1.5T , and these strains were well below 31%. The polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, and diphosphatidylglycerol. The DNA G+C content of strain MIC 1.5T was 66.3 mol%. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) and genome-to-genome distance (GGD) values between strain MIC 1.5T and L. dalianensis CGMCC 1.12191T were 65.39% and 29.52%, respectively. The quinone was identified as Q-8. The major fatty acids were iso-C15:0, iso-C15:0 3OH, and iso-C17:0 3OH and summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c and/or iso-C15:0 2-OH). Based on the phylogenetic, physiological, and chemotaxonomic results, strain MIC 1.5T represents a novel species of the genus Luteimonas, for which the name Luteimonas cellulosilyticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MIC 1.5T (= KACC 19469T = CCTCC AB 2017256T).

Disposable syringes were used in a novel point-of-care visual test for detecting pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella typhimurium). Hybrid nanoflowers composed of platinum nanoparticles and concanavalin A (Pt-nanoflowers) were prepared through a one-pot reaction and were found to be viable catalase mimics. They catalyze the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to generate O2. When used as labels in immunoassays, they integrate both the functions of biological recognition and signal amplification. The disposable syringe pressure readout was combined with Pt-nanoflower signal conversion and successfully applied to a visual bacteria detection scheme. Both Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella typhimurium can be quantified with detection limits of as low as 15 and 7 CFU·mL−1, respectively.

To analyze three row orientations (south-north, east-west, southwestern 20°) and two row spacings ('65 + 65', '160 + 40'), we investigated the effect of row orientation and planting pattern on photosynthetic performance, physiological and biochemical indicators related to the aging of leaves. Results revealed that during maturity stage, in north-south and east-west, the initial fluorescence (Fo) at '65 + 65' were higher than those under'160 + 40'; the maximum quantum yield of PS2 photochemistry(ΦP0), basal quantum yield of non-photochemical processes in PS2(ΦN0)of the lower leaves and photosynthetic rate of the upper and ear leaves under'160 + 40'were higher than those under'65 + 65'. The polyphenoloxidase (POD) activities of leaves at different positions under '160 + 40' were higher than that under'65 + 65', while the malondialdehyde (MDA) content was lower. The photosynthesis rate, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity of leaves at different positions under southwestern 20° '160 + 40' were higher than others. Whilst MDA content '160 + 40' were lower. Therefore, in De Hui City, Jilin Province, southwestern 20° '160 + 40' delayed leaf senescence at the late stage of growth of maize, as well as the effect of increasing maize yield was most obvious.

Polytitanium coagulants have been recently developed and have received wide attention due to both strong coagulation capability and sludge recycling to produce valuable by-products, titanium dioxide (TiO2). This study reports the performance of coagulation with emerging polytitanium salts, polytitanium chloride (PTC) and polytitanium sulfate (PTS), for the treatment of two common cyanobacteria (Microcystis aeruginosa, MA and Microcystis wesenbergii, MW)-laden surface water, which has been barely reported. Of particular concern is the coagulant dosage and solution pH dependence of polytitanium coagulation, which are the main parameters influencing coagulation efficiency. The influence of basicity (B) of PTC and PTS on coagulation performance was simultaneously included. Results show the optimized B value of 1.5 with coagulant dosage of 30 mg/L and initial solution pH between 7–9 for both PTC and PTS coagulation, wherein obvious advantage of PTC was observed over PTS regardless of MA- or MW-laden surface water treatment. The PTC coagulation could achieve almost complete removal of algae (about 99.0 %) with synergic removal of organic matter with high-efficiency. Both PTC and PTS were more capable at alkaline solution pH conditions for turbidity and algae removal through sweep flocculation, while satisfied removal of the humic acid-representative organic matters was observed at acidic to neutral pH conditions by charge neutralization. Satisfied flocculation zones were determined according to synergic removal of algae, turbidity and organic matters, with most of the satisfied points distributed at solution pH 7–9 conditions. This study will provide theoretical basis and facilitate wide application of the polytitanium coagulation for algae-loaded surface water treatment.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, long rods with no flagellum strain, designated THG-YS3.2.1T, was isolated from rhizosphere soil of mugunghwa, collected from Kyung Hee University, Yongin, South Korea. Growth occurred at 10−40 °C (optimum 28 °C), at pH 6.0−8.0 (optimum pH 7.0) and with 0−1.0 % NaCl (optimum 1.0 %). The predominant menaquinone was menaquinone-7 (MK-7). The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C12 : 0, iso-C14 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G, anteiso-C15 : 1 A, C15 : 0 2-OH, C16 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, C16 : 0 3-OH, iso-C16 : 0 3-OH, iso-C16 : 1 G, C17 : 0 2-OH, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, C17 : 1ω6c, C18 : 3ω6c (6, 9, 12), C18 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylmethylethanolamine), phosphatidylethanolamine, five unidentified aminolipids and three unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content of strain THG-YS3.2.1T was 45.3 mol%. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the nearest phylogenetic neighbours of strain THG-YS3.2.1T were Niastella populi KCTC 22560T (98.7 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Niastella gongjuensis KACC 17399T (96.9 %), Niastella vici KCTC 42474T (96.2 %), Niastella yeongjuensis KACC 11466T (95.5 %) and Niastella koreensis KACC 11465T (95.1 %). DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain THG-YS3.2.1T and N. populi KCTC 22560T, N. gongjuensis KACC 17399T, N . vici KCTC 42474T, N. yeongjuensis KACC 11466T and N. koreensis KACC 11465Twere 55.8±1.0, 39.5±0.5, 35.2±0.1, 17.6±0.3 and 12.5±1.2 %, respectively. On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis, chemotaxonomic data, physiological characteristics and DNA−DNA hybridization data, strain THG-YS3.2.1T represents a novel species of the genus Niastella , for which the name Niastella hibisci sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-YS3.2.1T (=KCTC 52084T=CCTCC AB 2015356T).

A farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase gene was cloned from Inonotus obliquus, designated IOFPS. The IOFPS cDNA contained an open reading frame (ORF) of 972 bps, encoding a protein of 324 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence of IOFPS revealed moderate homology with that of other fungi, and contained four conserved domains. Phylogenetic analysis showed that IOFPS belonged to the basidiomycete group. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis indicated that the IOFPS gene was successfully expressed in a yeast recombinant cell. Enzyme catalytic experiments were carried out with purified protein (IOFPS protein), which was isolated and purified from recombinant yeast cells. The special hydrolysis product (farnesol) was then detected by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS). These results indicated that the cloned cDNA encoded a farnesyl diphosphate synthase and the IOFPS protein maintained catalytic activity in vitro.

A Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, rod-shaped, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative bacterium, designated YIM CS25T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from Turpan desert in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, north-western China. The isolate grew at 15-40 °C, at pH 6.0-8.0 and with 0-6 % (w/v) NaCl. The phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain YIM CS25T belonged to the genus Arthrobacter and was closely related to Arthrobacter halodurans JSM 078085T (95.89 % similarity). The peptidoglycan type contained lysine, alanine and glutamic acid. The major whole-cell sugars were galactose, glucose and ribose. The isolate contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol as the major polar lipids and MK-9 (H2) as the predominant menaquinone. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 1ω9c. The genomic DNA G+C content was 68.3 mol%. On the basis of phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic analysis, strain YIM CS25T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Arthrobacter, for which the name Arthrobacter deserti sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM CS25T ( = KCTC 39544T = CGMCC 1.15091T).

Enhancing nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in crop plants is an important breeding target to reduce excessive use of chemical fertilizers, with substantial benefits to farmers and the environment. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), allocation of more NO3 (-) to shoots was associated with higher NUE; however, the commonality of this process across plant species have not been sufficiently studied. Two Brassica napus genotypes were identified with high and low NUE. We found that activities of V-ATPase and V-PPase, the two tonoplast proton-pumps, were significantly lower in roots of the high-NUE genotype (Xiangyou15) than in the low-NUE genotype (814); and consequently, less vacuolar NO3 (-) was retained in roots of Xiangyou15. Moreover, NO3 (-) concentration in xylem sap, [(15)N] shoot:root (S:R) and [NO3 (-)] S:R ratios were significantly higher in Xiangyou15. BnNRT1.5 expression was higher in roots of Xiangyou15 compared with 814, while BnNRT1.8 expression was lower. In both B. napus treated with proton pump inhibitors or Arabidopsis mutants impaired in proton pump activity, vacuolar sequestration capacity (VSC) of NO3 (-) in roots substantially decreased. Expression of NRT1.5 was up-regulated, but NRT1.8 was down-regulated, driving greater NO3 (-) long-distance transport from roots to shoots. NUE in Arabidopsis mutants impaired in proton pumps was also significantly higher than in the wild type col-0. Taken together, these data suggest that decrease in VSC of NO3 (-) in roots will enhance transport to shoot and essentially contribute to higher NUE by promoting NO3 (-) allocation to aerial parts, likely through coordinated regulation of NRT1.5 and NRT1.8.

Copper-free click chemistry has been used to graft quaternized poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (QPA) modified with azide to the quantum dots (QDs) derived with dibenzocyclooctynes (DBCO). The success of the quaternary ammonium polymer-modified QDs was confirmed by ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (UV-Vis), fluorescence spectroscopy, zeta (ζ) potential, size distribution, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The QPA-modified QDs exhibited properties of selective recognition and killing of bacteria. The novelty of this study lies in fact that the synthesis method of the antimicrobial QPA-modified QDs is simple. Moreover, from another standpoint, QPA-modified QDs simultaneously possess abilities of selective recognition and killing of bacteria over mammalian cells, which is very different from the currently designed multifunctional antimicrobial systems composed of complicated systematic compositions.

The cellular heterogeneity of tumors has played important roles in various tumor-related research areas and applications such as the cellular biology, metastasis and clinical diagnosis of tumors. Although several microfluidics-based single-cell separation and analysis techniques have been used in research into the cellular heterogeneity of tumors, further investigation is still required for studying the effect of the biomechanical (e.g., size and deformability) heterogeneity of cells on their biological characteristics (e.g., drug resistance and tumor-initiating features). Here, we established an integrated microfluidic platform for the construction of single-cell arrays and analysis of drug resistance. Using this device, high-throughput single-cell arrays could be easily obtained according to the biomechanical (size and deformability) heterogeneity of cells. To demonstrate the capability of the microfluidic platform, a proof-of-concept experiment was implemented by determining the vincristine resistance of single glioblastoma cells with different biomechanical properties. The results indicated that the biomechanics of tumor cells had significant implications for cell drug resistance; that is, small and/or more deformable tumor cells had higher drug resistance than large and/or less deformable tumor cells. This device provides a new approach for the isolation of single cells according to the different biomechanical properties of cells. Also, it possesses practical potential for studies of tumors on a single-cell level.

Adequate amount of essential plant nutrients and plant density are vital factors influencing the productivity of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.). Field experiments were conducted in southern China to study the influence of different fertilizing levels and planting densities on the seed yield, chlorophyll content and some growth traits of winter oilseed rape. Five fertilizing levels and six planting densities were set in a randomized block design. The tested planting densities were D1, D2, D3, D4, D5 and D6 with 7.5 × 104, 15 × 104, 22.5 × 104, 30 × 104, 37.5 × 104 and 45 × 104 plants ha−1, respectively. The tested fertilizing levels were F0 (control without fertilization), F1 (N = 60, P2O5 = 30, K2O = 52.5, S = 3.75, B =0.3 kg ha−1), F2 (N = 120, P2O5 = 60, K2O = 105, S = 7.50, B =0.60 kg ha−1), F3 (N = 180, P2O5 = 90, K2O = 157.5, S = 11.25, B =0.90 kg ha−1) and F4 (N = 240, P2O5 = 120, K2O = 210, S = 15, B =1.20 kg ha−1). The results showed that there were close relationships between the seed yield and fertilizing levels × planting densities. Below the fertilization level of F2, the seed yield increased as the planting density increased. Application of F3 caused a seed yield decline when the planting density surpassed 37.5 × 104 plants ha−1. The tested fertilizing levels caused remarkable increases in the seed yield but the plant density had little effects. The highest seed yield (2487 kg ha−1) was recorded in F4D3 followed by F4D1 (2308 kg ha−1), F4D5 (2303 kg ha−1) and F3D6 (2302 kg ha−1); while the minimum yield was obtained from the unfertilized soil treatments. The current research paper highlighted the importance of balanced N, P, K, S and B application under the different plant densities in winter oilseed rape. The individual growth of plants compensated the low plant density, but increasing the fertilization rates caused remarkable increases in the oilseed rape, suggesting that optimum nutrients rates are a critical factor in seed yield production.

Oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) is a crucial source of edible oil and livestock feeding, and is a promising biofuel crop. The increasing demand for oilseed rape requires strategies to increase yield while retaining quality. Field experiments were performed in southern China to evaluate the impacts of fertiliser level and planting density on dry matter accumulation, seed oil and protein content (%) and yield (per ha), oil quality, and the profitability of oilseed rape. Fertiliser treatments contained nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulfur (S) and boron (B) at four increasing rates, compared with nil fertiliser, and there were six planting densities (range 7.5–45 × 104 plants ha–1). Dry matter accumulation significantly (P < 0.05) increased in response to increasing plant population and fertiliser level, whereas harvest index decreased, suggesting that increasing the production of oilseed rape is limited to improvement of population quality. Seed oil and protein contents were significantly affected by fertiliser level rather than planting density. Increasing the fertiliser rate increased seed protein content, simultaneously slightly decreasing oil content. Glucosinolate content of rapeseed slightly decreased with increasing fertiliser but erucic and oleic acid contents were not affected, indicating that increasing the fertiliser rate might not reduce oilseed rape quality. Manipulation of fertiliser level was more effective than altering planting density for increasing seed oil and protein yields. Highest seed oil and protein yields resulted from the highest fertiliser application of 240 kg N, 52.4 kg P, 174.3 kg K, 15 kg S and 1.2 kg B ha–1, under a planting density of 22.5 × 104 plants ha–1. Maximum economic gain occurred with the two highest fertiliser levels, whereas planting density has no significant effect on profitability. A balanced application of NPKSB fertilisers should be employed with direct-sowing cultivation of oilseed rape, aimed at building a suitable population structure that balances plant population density and individual growth.

A limited number of studies have indicated an association between isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase 2 (IARS2) and tumorigenesis. We evaluated IARS2 protein expression in lung tumor tissues and paired non-tumor tissues. We found higher IARS2 expression in the tumor tissues, which was associated with the late Tumor and Node stages of the Tumor, Node, Metastasis staging system. Silencing IARS2 inhibited the activity of A549 and H1299 cells, resulting in G0/G1 stasis of A549 cells and mitochondrial apoptosis. IARS2 silencing was also found to inhibit NSCLC tumor growth in nude mice. Complementary DNA microarray analysis revealed 742 differentially expressed genes (507 upregulated and 235 downregulated) in IARS2-silenced A549 cells compared to controls. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis of the differential expression data suggested that multiple pathways are associated with IARS2 silencing in NSCLC cells; upstream analysis predicted the activation or inhibition of transcriptional regulators. Correlation analysis revealed that AKT and MTOR activities were significantly inhibited in IARS2-silenced cells, but were partially restored by the AKT-stimulating agent SC79. IARS2 appears to regulate lung cancer cell proliferation via the AKT/MTOR pathway. Our results help clarify the complex roles of IARS2 in tumorigenesis and suggest that it may be a novel regulator of lung cancer development.