The chromosome-scale genome assembly, annotation and evolution of Rhododendron henanense subsp. lingbaoense.

Rhododendron henanense subsp. lingbaoense (hereafter referred to as R. henanense) is an endemic species naturally distributed in the Henan province, China, with high horticultural, ornamental and medicinal value. Herein, we report a de novo genome assembly for R. henanense using a combination of PacBio long read and Illumina short read sequencing technologies. In total, we assembled 634.07 Mb with a contig N50 of 2.5 Mb, representing ~96.93% of the estimated genome size. By applying Hi-C data, 13 pseudochromosomes of R. henanense genome were assembled, covering ~98.21% of the genome assembly. The genome was composed of ~65.76% repetitive sequences and 31,098 protein-coding genes, 88.77% of which could be functionally annotated. Rhododendron henanense displayed a high level of synteny with other Rhododendron species from the Hymenanthes subgenus. Our data also suggests that R. henanense genes related to stress responses have undergone expansion, which may underly the unique abiotic and biotic stress resistance of the species. This alpine Rhododendron chromosome-scale genome assembly provides fundamental molecular resources for germplasm conservation, breeding efforts, evolutionary studies, and elucidating the unique biological characteristics of R. henanense.

Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of Rhododendron henanense subsp. lingbaoense Fang.

Rhododendron henanense subsp. lingbaoense is endemic in China. The cpDNA of R. henanense subsp. lingbaoense is a typical quadripartite structure with a length of 208,015 bp, including a large single-copy region of 110,593 bp and a small single-copy region of 2606 bp separated by a pair of identical inverted repeat regions of 47,408 bp each. The chloroplast genome contains 119 genes, including 86 protein-coding genes, four ribosomal RNA genes, and 29 transfer RNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis of R. henanense subsp. lingbaoense showed a relatively close relationship with Rhododendron delavayi.

[Occurrence and Spatial Distribution of Volatile Organic Compounds in Urban Drinking Water Distribution Systems].

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the urban drinking water distribution systems for two coastal cities (S City and L City) in China were analyzed. Health risk assessments of VOCs detected in tap water were performed, and the distribution characteristics of VOCs in the tap water pipe network were also investigated. Among 47 target VOCs, 16 compounds were detected, of which 11 were detected in both S City and L City. Halogenated hydrocarbons were the most commonly detected VOCs, with trihalomethanes (including bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane, and bromoform) having the highest detection frequencies (92%-100%). With the exception of bromodichloromethane and dibromochloromethane, the maximum concentrations of detected VOCs in both cities complied with the relevant limits regulated by the standards for drinking water quality (GB 5749-2006). For bromodichloromethane and dibromochloromethane, not only did their concentrations exceed the standard limits of GB 5749-2006 (60 µg·L-1 for bromodichloromethane and 100 µg·L-1 for dibromochloromethane), but their lifetime cancer risks (LCR) were estimated at unacceptable levels (>10-4). Therefore, these two compounds should be given sufficient attention or be classified as priority control pollutants in municipal water supply networks. In addition, the spatial distribution of eight VOCs with high detection frequencies (>90%) in the tap water pipe network of S City was investigated. The concentrations of VOCs (excluding toluene) in this urban drinking water distribution system gradually decreased with increasing distance from the drinking water treatment plant.

Fictibacillus iocasae sp. nov., isolated from the deep-sea sediment in Pacmanus, Manus Basin.

A novel bacterium, designed strain S38T, was isolated from the deep-sea sediment of Pacmanus hydrothermal field in Manus Basin. The isolate was gram-positive, aerobic, motile, and was defined by endospore-forming rods. Strain S38T grew at 16-38 °C, pH 6-8, and in the presence of 0-7% (w/v) NaCl. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence, S38T was grouped into the genus Fictibacillus and was most closely related to Fictibacillus phosphorivorans CCM 8426T (97.8%), Fictibacillus nanhaiensis DSM 23009T (97.8%), Fictibacillus halophilus DSM 100124T (97.7%), and Fictibacillus barbaricus DSM 14730T (97.5%). The diagnostic diamino acid of the cell wall was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major fatty acids were iso-C15:0 and anteiso-C15:0. MK-7 was the predominant respiratory quinone and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylethanolamine were the major polar lipids. The genomic DNA G + C content was 46.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis, DNA-DNA relatedness, and phenotypic characteristics supported that strain S38T represents a novel species within the genus Fictibacillus, for which the name Fictibacillus iocasae sp. nov. was proposed. The type strain is S38T (= KCTC 33865T = DSM 104298T = CGMCC 1.16031T).

Neuropeptide S Counteracts Paradoxical Sleep Deprivation-Induced Anxiety-Like Behavior and Sleep Disturbances.

Disturbed sleep is a common subjective complaint among individuals with anxiety disorders. Sleep deprivation increases general and specific anxiety symptoms among healthy individuals. The amygdala is critical for regulating anxiety and also involved in mediating the effects of emotions on sleep. Neuropeptide S (NPS) and NPS receptors (NPSR) are reported as a novel endogenous arousal and anxiolytic system, but it is unclear yet whether this system is involved in anxiety-like behavior and sleep caused by sleep deprivation, and how it plays anxiolytic effect underlying the comorbid condition. In the present study, we demonstrate that paradoxical sleep deprivation (PSD) induced by modified multiple platform method (MMPM) for 24 h caused anxiety-like behavior, a prolonged sleep latency and subsequent paradoxical sleep (PS) rebound accompanied by an increase in electroencephalogram (EEG) theta (4.5-8.5 Hz) activities across light and dark phase in rats. The increase of PS after PSD was due to an increase of episode number during light phase and both episode number and duration during dark phase. Central action of NPS (1 nmol) attenuated PSD-induced anxiety-like behavior, and altered PSD-induced sleep-wake disturbances through increasing wakefulness, and suppressing PS and EEG theta activities. The reduction in PS time following NPS administration during light phase was because of a decreased episode number. Furthermore, sleep amount in 24 h in PSD rats given NPS was lesser than that given saline. PSD significantly enhanced NPSR mRNA expression level in the amygdala. NPS remarkably increased the number of Fos-ir neurons in the basolateral amygdala (BLA), the central amygdala (CeA) and medial amygdala (MeA). The majority of Fos-ir neurons induced by NPS also expressed NPSR. These results suggest that NPSR upregulation in the amygdala is presumably related to the PSD-induced anxiety-like behavior and sleep disturbances, and that NPS counteracts PSD-induced anxiety-like behavior and sleep disturbances possibly through activating the neurons bearing NPSR in the amygdala. In addition, the little sleep increase in PSD rats treated with NPS suggests that NPS can function as an anxiolytic without causing a subsequent sleep rebound.

Bacillus iocasae sp. nov., isolated from Pacmanus hydrothermal field, Manus Basin.

A novel bacterial strain S36T was isolated from the deep-sea sediment collected from Pacmanus hydrothermal field, Manus Basin. The strain was Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, rod-shaped, endospore-forming, and motile. It was able to grow at 16-50 °C, pH 6.0-10.0, and in the presence of 0-11 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain S36T was a member of genus Bacillus and shares the highest sequence identity with Bacillus herbersteinensis D-1,5aT (97.0 %). The value of DNA-DNA hybridization between strain S36T and B. herbersteinensis D-1,5aT was 22.8 %. The cell wall diagnostic diamino acid of strain S36T was meso-diaminopimelic acid and the polar lipid profile of strain S36T contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylethanolamine. The predominant respiratory quinine was MK-7. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain S36T was 43.0 mol%. On the basis of phylogenetic analysis, DNA-DNA hybridization, and phenotypic characteristics, it was concluded that strain S36T represents a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus iocasae sp. nov. was proposed. The type strain is S36T (=KCTC 33864T=DSM 104297T=CGMCC 1.16030T).

A comparative study revealed first insights into the diversity and metabolisms of the microbial communities in the sediments of Pacmanus and Desmos hydrothermal fields.

Currently, little is known about the microbial diversity in the sediments of Pacmanus and Desmos hydrothermal fields in Manus Basin. In this study, Illumina-based sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons and metagenomic analysis were conducted to investigate the microbial populations and metabolic profiles in the sediments from four different regions in Pacmanus and Desmos hydrothermal fields. It was found that Gammaproteobacteria and Thaumarchaeota were the most abundant bacterial and archaeal populations, respectively. The autotrophic prokaryotes in the four communities probably fixed CO2 via four major pathways, i.e. Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle, reductive acetyl-CoA cycle, rTCA cycle, and 3-hydroxypropionate/4-hydroxybutyrate cycle. Ammonia-oxidizing Thaumarchaeota, nitrifiers, denitrifiers, and sulfur oxidizers belonging to the subgroups of Proteobacteria (e.g., alpha, beta, gamma, and epsilon), Nitrospira, and Nitrospina, and sulfate-reducing Desulfobacterales likely played critical roles in nitrogen and sulfur cycling, in which ammonia, sulfur compounds, and hydrogen could be utilized as potential energy sources. These findings revealed new insights into the operational mechanism of the microbial communities associated with Pacmanus and Desmos hydrothermal fields.

Comparative metagenomics reveals insights into the deep-sea adaptation mechanism of the microorganisms in Iheya hydrothermal fields.

In this study, comparative metagenomic analysis was performed to investigate the genetic profiles of the microbial communities inhabiting the sediments surrounding Iheya North and Iheya Ridge hydrothermal fields. Four samples were used, which differed in their distances from hydrothermal vents. The results showed that genes involved in cell surface structure synthesis, polyamine metabolism and homeostasis, osmoadaptation, pH and Na+ homeostasis, and heavy-metal transport were abundant. Pathways for putrescine and spermidine synthesis and transport were identified in the four metagenomes, which possibly participate in the regulation of cytoplasmic pH. Genes involved in the transport of K+ and the biosynthesis of glycine betaine, proline, and trehalose, together with genes encoding mechanosensitive channel of small conductance, were contributors of osmoadaptation. Detection of genes encoding F1Fo-ATPase and cation/proton antiporters indicated critical roles played by pH and sodium homeostasis. Cu2+-exporting and Cd2+/Zn2+-exporting ATPases functioned in the expulsion of toxic metals across cellular membranes. It is noteworthy that the distribution of some genes, such as that encoding cardiolipin synthase, was apparently affected by distance to the vent site. These findings provide insight into microbial adaptation mechanisms in deep-sea sediment environments.

Neuropeptide S facilitates mice olfactory function through activation of cognate receptor-expressing neurons in the olfactory cortex.

Neuropeptide S (NPS) is a newly identified neuromodulator located in the brainstem and regulates various biological functions by selectively activating the NPS receptors (NPSR). High level expression of NPSR mRNA in the olfactory cortex suggests that NPS-NPSR system might be involved in the regulation of olfactory function. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of NPS or co-injection of NPSR antagonist on the olfactory behaviors, food intake, and c-Fos expression in olfactory cortex in mice. In addition, dual-immunofluorescence was employed to identify NPS-induced Fos immunereactive (-ir) neurons that also bear NPSR. NPS (0.1-1 nmol) i.c.v. injection significantly reduced the latency to find the buried food, and increased olfactory differentiation of different odors and the total sniffing time spent in olfactory habituation/dishabituation tasks. NPS facilitated olfactory ability most at the dose of 0.5 nmol, which could be blocked by co-injection of 40 nmol NPSR antagonist [D-Val(5)]NPS. NPS administration dose-dependently inhibited food intake in fasted mice. Ex-vivo c-Fos and NPSR immunohistochemistry in the olfactory cortex revealed that, as compared with vehicle-treated mice, NPS markedly enhanced c-Fos expression in the anterior olfactory nucleus (AON), piriform cortex (Pir), ventral tenia tecta (VTT), the anterior cortical amygdaloid nucleus (ACo) and lateral entorhinal cortex (LEnt). The percentage of Fos-ir neurons that also express NPSR were 88.5% and 98.1% in the AON and Pir, respectively. The present findings demonstrated that NPS, via selective activation of the neurons bearing NPSR in the olfactory cortex, facilitates olfactory function in mice.

Activity of the antimicrobial peptide and thanatin analog S-thanatin on clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae resistant to conventional antibiotics with different structures.

The treatment of infections caused by bacteria resistant to the vast majority of antibiotics is a challenge worldwide. To evaluate the effect of S-thanatin (an analog of thanatin, a cationic antimicrobial peptide isolated from the hemipteran insect Podisus maculiventris) against microbial resistant to antibiotics, we studied its bactericidal kinetics, synergistic effect, resistance, and activity on clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae resistant to conventional antibiotics with different structures. The bactericidal rate of S-thanatin was more than 99% against K. pneumoniae ATCC 700603 when bacterial cultures were monitored for 60 min. The peptide was synergistic with beta-lactam cefepime in most of the clinical MDR isolates tested (7/8). An average value of FIC was 0.3708. No synergy was found between the peptide and amoxicillin, gentamycin, tetracycline, or ciprofloxacin in all bacteria tested. A total of 48 isolates of K. pneumoniae with different resistance spectrum tested was susceptible to S-thanatin. The MICs were 6.25-25 mug/ml. No significant difference in the MICs of S-thanatin between the sensitive isolates and the resistant isolates to single antibiotic was observed (P > 0.05). The resistance of K. pneumoniae ATCC 700603 to S-thanatin was slightly higher, when cultured at sub-inhibitory concentration for 5 days. S-thanatin may be an attractive candidate for developing into an antimicrobial agent.

Gas gangrene without wound: both lower extremities affected simultaneously.

Gas gangrene is a necrotizing soft tissue infection characterized by muscular necrosis and gas formation. It develops quickly and can cause septic shock and death. In adults, gas gangrene used to be a well-known complication of war wounds. Recently, cases of spontaneous or nontraumatic gas gangrene have been reported in both adults and children. We report a case of nontraumatic gas gangrene involving both the lower extremities simultaneously. Pathogenesis of this fatal soft tissue infection is discussed.We also review the diagnosis and treatment aspects of this entity.

Study on tandem repeat sequence variation in sheep mtDNA D-loop region.

The 75-nt-long tandem repeat sequence in the control region of mtDNA of 77 individuals, of which 69 were from different indigenous sheep breeds in China and 8 were from imported breeds, was sequenced and analyzed to investigate the origin and differentiation of Chinese indigenous sheep breeds and also the genetic diversities and relationships among them. A total of 28 variable sites were detected within 309 repeated sequences, among which 7 sites were singleton variable sites with two variants, 1 site was a singleton variable site with three variants, and 20 sites were parsimony informative sites with two variants. A total of 63 haplotypes were sorted from 28 polymorphic sites, among which two main and basic haplotypes, namely, Hap 1 and Hap 3 were present at a much higher proportion, at 12.94% and 30.42%, respectively. It could be inferred that Chinese indigenous sheep breeds originated from two maternal ancestors because of the maternal inheritance characteristics of the mtDNA. Altay sheep and Kazakstan sheep are closely related and do not differentiate significantly. Mongolian sheep and Ujumuqin sheep also share a close relationship. Tibetan sheep, Mongolian sheep, and Ujumuqin sheep have lower genetic diversity than Altay sheep and Kazakstan sheep.

[Growth of heterotrophic bacteria and variation of related parameters in water distribution system in Shanghai].

The growth of heterotrophic bacteria and the variation of some physical chemical parameters were studied in a full-scale water distribution system in Shanghai. The results showed that, in the water distribution system in Shanghai, heterotrophic bacteria fed on organics were the major population in pipe water. With the water supply distance extending, BDOC in water increased and correspondingly both the number of heterotrophic bacteria and turbidity increased. In addition, the changes of different forms of nitrogen showed the existence of nitritification in water, and the amount of nitrite increased along the number of heterotrophic bacteria. Our results also showed that the increase of total phosphorus correlated well with that of heterotrophic bacteria in pipe water.