[Absorption of Ammonium by Three Substrates Materials in Constructed Wetland System].

The adsorption characteristics of ammonia nitrogen for constructed wetland were studied with ceramsite, quartz sand, and gravel. The material was characterized using scanning electron microscopy and a BET-specific surface area analyzer. It was found that the surface of ceramide was coarser than that of quartz sand and gravel, and the internal pores were more developed. The specific surface area of ceramide (18.97 m2·g-1) was higher than that of quartz sand and gravel. In the pure ammonia nitrogen solution and Grade I B standard for the wastewater treatment plant effluent ammonia nitrogen solution of the effluent from the simulated sewage plant, the adsorption capacity of the three substrates was as follows:ceramsite > gravel > quartz sand. The saturated adsorption capacity (63.55 m2·g-1) of ceramides was the highest in the mixed solution. The adsorption process of ammonia nitrogen by ceramides accorded with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model (R2 of 0.99 in the pure ammonia nitrogen solution and 0.98 in the mixed solution). The Freundlich and Langmuir models were used to fit the isothermal adsorption results in a pure ammonia nitrogen solution. It was found that the Freundlich model described the adsorption characteristics of the ceramics more accurately than the Langmuir model (R2=0.93), indicating that the adsorption of ammonia nitrogen by the ceramics was multilayer adsorption. In conclusion, the adsorption capacity of ceramide was strong, and the adsorption capacity of ceramide in the mixed solution was 31% higher than that in the pure ammonia nitrogen solution, which was suitable to be used as the matrix filler of constructed wetland.

Preparation and characterization of carboxymethyl chitosan/pullulan composite film incorporated with eugenol and its application in the preservation of chilled meat.

To solve the problem of easy spoilage of chilled meat during storage, we fabricated a novel composite film using carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS)/pullulan (Pul)/eugenol (E) by casting method. The results showed that the mechanical properties of the films were better when the CMCS/Pul ratio was 2.5/2.5. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results showed that intermolecular hydrogen bonds were formed among E, CMCS, and Pul, which was consistent with the rheological test results. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images showed that eugenol was well dispersed in the CMCS/Pul matrix. The addition of eugenol significantly increased the antibacterial properties and antioxidant properties. Moreover, when 5% eugenol was added, the water vapor permeability (WVP) of the film reduced to 2.41 × 10-11 g/m·s·Pa. Finally, the freshness of the chilled meat wrapped with the eugenol-containing composite film was prolonged, thereby offering a potential alternative to synthetic materials.

The Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio Is Positively Correlated with Aggression in Schizophrenia.

To find biomarkers to assess the risk of aggression, we looked at the association between aggression and levels of body inflammation in patients with schizophrenia. The Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS) score was used to divide the aggressive (n = 72) and nonaggressive (n = 141) groups. The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) is a tool for determining the severity of a patient's condition. After measuring the number of inflammatory cells in the peripheral blood, the platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and monocyte-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) were estimated. We investigated the relationship between aggressive behavior, bodily inflammation, and BPRS. Before therapy, the aggressive group's BPRS score, white blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil count, monocyte count, NLR, and MLR were considerably more significant than the nonaggressive group's. After therapy, statistically significant variations in total BPRS score and neutrophil count between the two groups. According to correlation analysis before and after treatment, aggressive behavior was positively connected with neutrophil count, NLR, and BPRS score. The presence of aggressive behavior in schizophrenic patients indicates the severity of the disorder to some degree. NLR can be used as an objective biomarker to quickly assess the risk of aggression in schizophrenic patients.

Black blooms-induced adaptive responses of sulfate reduction bacteria in a shallow freshwater lake.

Decomposing cyanobacterial bloom-induced black blooms been seen as an issue in the management of freshwater ecosystems, but its effect on sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in shallow freshwater lakes is not clear. The objective of this study is to present an in-depth investigation of black bloom effects on the activities and composition of SRB, as well as the interactions between SRB and other bacteria. Water and surface sediments samples were collected from a shallow freshwater lake during black and non-black blooms. Sulfate reduction rates (SRRs) in the water column were determined from the linear regression of sulfate depletion with time. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reactions (qPCRs), targeting the dsrA gene and Illumina sequencing of 16S rDNA, were used to estimate the SRB population and SRB community structures, respectively. Our data indicate that although a higher abundance of SRB was responsible for the higher SRR in the bottom water (34.09 ±â€¯2.37 nmol mL-1 day-1) than in the surface water (14.57 ±â€¯2.91 nmol mL-1 day-1) during black blooms, cell-specific sulfate reduction rates (csSRRs) in the distinct water layers were not significantly different (P = 0.95), with the value of approximately 0.017 fmol cell-1 day-1. Additionally, Desulfomicrobium and Desulfovibrio were the two main genera of SRB in the water column during black bloom season, while Desulfobulbus, Desulfobacca and Desulfatiglans genera were identified in the sediments of both the black and non-black blooms in genera pools. Each SRB genus preferentially associated with bacteria for specific functions in the bacterial co-occurrence network, regardless of whether black booms occurred or not. These results extend our knowledge on the importance of SRB during black blooms and the adaptation of SRB to environmental changes in freshwater lakes.

Development of a flow cytometry-based plating-free system for strain engineering in industrial fungi.

Recent technical advances regarding filamentous fungi have accelerated the engineering of fungal-based production and benefited basic science. However, challenges still remain and limit the speed of fungal applications. For example, high-throughput technologies tailored to filamentous fungi are not yet commonly available for genetic modification. The currently used fungal genetic manipulations are time-consuming and laborious. Here, we developed a flow cytometry-based plating-free system to directly screen and isolate the transformed protoplasts in industrial fungi Myceliophthora thermophila and Aspergillus niger. This system combines genetic engineering via the 2A peptide and the CRISPR-Cas9 system, strain screening by flow cytometry, and direct sorting of colonies for deep-well-plate incubation and phenotypic analysis while avoiding culturing transformed protoplasts in plates, colony picking, conidiation, and cultivation. As a proof of concept, we successfully applied this system to generate the glucoamylase-hyperproducing strains MtYM6 and AnLM3 in M. thermophila and A. niger, respectively. Notably, the protein secretion level and enzyme activities in MtYM6 were 17.3- and 25.1-fold higher than in the host strain. Overall, these findings suggest that the flow cytometry-based plating-free system can be a convenient and efficient tool for strain engineering in fungal biotechnology. We expect this system to facilitate improvements of filamentous fungal strains for industrial applications. KEY POINTS: • Development of a flow cytometry-based plating-free (FCPF) system is presented. • Application of FCPF system in M. thermophila and A. niger for glucoamylase platform. • Hyper-produced strains MtYM6 and AnLM3 for glucoamylase production are generated.

[Effects of retention density on growth, biomass, and economic benefit of Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation]. / 保留密度对杉木人工林生长和生物量及经济效益的影响.

We examined the effects of retention density on plant DBH (diameter at breast height), height, volume growth, stand biomass, and stand economic benefit of Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation by Pingxiang, Guangxi Province. Four treatments of different retention density were set up a 14-year middle-aged Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation, 500, 750 and 1000 trees·hm-2, with stand without thinning as the control (1500 trees·hm-2). Results showed that DBH (20.55 cm), increment in height (15.70 m), and large-diameter timber volume (18.31 m3·hm-2) of the C. lanceolata plantation were the highest in 500 trees·hm-2 treatment. The volume of living trees was the highest in the control (199.63 m3·hm-2), which was significantly higher than that in 500 and 750 trees·hm-2. The biomass of arbor layer and ecosystem, as well as the economic benefit differed significantly across the treatments, with arborous biomass (90.72 t·hm-2), ecosystem biomass (94.97 t·hm-2), and economic benefit (1.184×105 yuan·hm-2) of 1000 trees·hm-2 treatment being significantly higher than others. Reducing stand retention density increased the DBH, plant height, timber diameter, proportion of large diameter timber, average volume and biomass of single timber, but it did not enhance the volume of living trees. The retention density of 1000 trees·hm-2 was the optimum for middle-aged C. lanceolata plantation. Compared with the control, it significantly increased the total stand volume, arbor biomass, ecosystem biomass, and economic benefit by 2.3%, 5.7%, 4.7%, and 5.8%, respectively.

[Species richness and influencing factors of aquatic plant in the Kaidu River Basin, Xinjiang, China]. / æ–°ç–†å¼€éƒ½æ²³æµåŸŸæ°´ç”Ÿæ¤ç‰©å¤šæ ·æ€§åŠå ¶å½±å“å› ç´ .

River is a continuous, flowing, unique, and complete ecosystem. Studies on the aquatic macrophyte richness and its influencing factors were important for river ecology study. In this study, species richness, main aquatic plant community types and their quantitative characteristics, and the influencing factors of aquatic macrophyte in the Kaidu River Basin, Xinjiang, were examined by field investigation. We followed the water-energy hypothesis and habitat heterogeneity hypothesis to explain the geographical pattern of species diversity in the basin. The results showed that there were 71 species of aquatic plants belonging to 24 families and 39 genera in the Kaidu River Basin. The aquatic macrophyte communities could be divided into 10 main community types by cluster analysis, among which Phragmites australis association had the highest species richness, and Typha angustifolia association and Ceratophyllum demersum association had the lowest species richness. Shannon index of the aquatic macrophyte community of Kaidu River Basin was significantly negatively correlated with water pH. Simpson index was significantly negatively correlated with pH and longitude, and significantly positively correlated with altitude. The aquatic plant community types in the basin were mainly affected by altitude, water depth, and water temperature. The species diversity changed little in altitude and longtitude. The water-energy dynamic hypothesis and habitat heterogeneity hypothesis together explained 31.4% of the richness patterns of macrophytes, indicating low exploratory power.

Identification and Validation of Reference Genes for RT-qPCR Normalization in Mythimna separata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Mythimna separata is a major agricultural pest with seasonal migrating trait in China. Formation and regulation mechanism of migration behavior has resulted in a large number of fundamental researches involving quantitative studies of gene expression in this species. Using appropriate reference gene is critical in RT-qPCR data normalization. A comprehensive study on the reference genes in M. separata is lacking. In this paper, expression stabilities of ten candidate reference genes were evaluated in M. separata under various biotic and abiotic conditions by employing four different software geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and the comparative ΔCT method. The comprehensive stabilities ranking of these genes were suggested by RefFinder. PKG as a target gene was employed to justify the number of reference genes in four larval tissues and two photoperiod treatments. Results demonstrate that the first three most stable genes were as follows: EF, CypA, and ß-TUB for developmental stages; EF, CypA, and RPL12 for larval tissues; EF, TBP, and ß-TUB for adult tissues. RPL12, ß-TUB, and EF for densities; EF, RPL12, and GAPDH for photoperiod treatments; ß-TUB, EF, and ATPase for temperature treatments. Stable reference gene combinations may reduce bias in normalization. This work provides for the first time a comprehensive list of appropriate reference genes and facilitates future studies on gene function of M. separata.

[Growth responses of Castanopsis hystrix and Pinus massoniana plantations to throughfall reduction in subtropical China.] / 南亚热带红锥和马尾松人工林生长对穿透雨减少的响应.

To better predict and evaluate responses of tree growth and forest productivity to the changes of precipitation pattern and seasonal drought under global climate change scenarios, throughfall reduction experiments including 50% of throughfall and natural rainfall (control) treatments were conducted in Castanopsis hystrix and Pinus massoniana plantations of warm subtropical region over a three-year period (2015-2017). Diameter at breast height (DBH), litterfall production and leaf area index of both plantations were investigated, respectively. The results showed that throughfall reduction resulted in a 31.8% decrease of annual increment of DBH of C. hystrix in 2017 and had no significant impact on that of P. massoniana. Leaf area index under throughfall reduction decreased by 8.8% in C. hystrix plantation and decreased by 7.2% or remained unchanged in P. massoniana plantation. Branch litterfall in 2015 and total litterfall in 2017 of C. hystrix increased by 29.6% and 35.8% by throughfall reduction, but leaf litterfall of other tree species (except for P. massoniana) in P. massoniana plantation declined by 50.7% in 2015, with no significant difference for other litterfall components. In conclusion, throughfall reduction had consequences of drought stress in both C. hystrix and P. massoniana plantations, with inter-annual variation and inter-specific differences.

Morphology and fine organization of the midgut of Gampsocleis gratiosa (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae).

The morphology and ultrastructure of the midgut of Gampsocleis gratiosa (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) was examined by light and electron microscopy. The midgut consists of two bulbous gastric caeca and a tubular ventriculus. The general organization of the gastric caeca is similar to that of the ventriculus. They are composed of a peritrophic membrane, an epithelium, a basal lamina and muscle layer from the inside to outside. Three types of cells were identified: regenerative, principal, and endocrine. Regenerative cells occur in groups (called nidi) at the base of principal cells. Principal cells grow from regenerative cells. Rare endocrine cells are scattered throughout the epithelium. Principal cells exhibit intense secretory activity, and regional differences in their ultrastructure were observed along the entire midgut. The microvilli are longer than those in any other region in the posterior region of the midgut. Lysosomes, multivesicular bodies (MVBs), autophagosomes, abundant Golgi apparatuses and lipid droplets primarily occur in the gastric caeca. Three pathways of secretion (merocrine, apocrine and holocrine) occur within the midgut epithelium, and a distinctive type of apocrine bleb was found in the gastric caeca. Therefore, these gastric caeca may be evolving toward a special type of gland.

[Responses of soil and aggregate-associated organic carbon mineralization to throughfall reduction in a Pinus massoniana plantation.] / 马尾松人工林土壤和团聚体有机碳矿化对穿透雨减少的响应.

To examine the effects of altered precipitation pattern on the mechanism of forest soil carbon (C) emission under climate change scenarios, we established plots with 50% reduction in throughfall in a subtropical Pinus massoniana plantation. The effects of throughfall reduction on the mineralization of both soil and aggregate-associated organic C were quantified by laboratory incubation at constant temperature. The results showed that the cumulative mineralization of organic C in the 1-2 mm aggregates was higher than that in other sizes of aggregates. In the dry and wet seasons, the surface soil water content in the throughfall reduction plots was 82.1% and 82.7% of that in the control, but the mass fractions of 0.106-0.25 mm soil aggregates in the throughfall reduction plots increased by 1.8% and 4.2% than the control, respectively. The throughfall reduction treatment significantly reduced the mineralization rate of labile C pools (k1) of soil and micro-aggregates in the dry season, increased the mineralization rate of recalcitrant C pool (k2) of soil and <1 mm aggregates, and had no significant effects on the cumulative mineralization of soil organic C. Results from the correlation analyses revealed significant and positive correlations between k1 of soil and that of the micro-aggregates and between k2 of soil and that of the 0.25-1 mm aggregates. Under the influence of aggregate structure, water condition and soil organic carbon content, the throughfall reduction suppressed the mineralization of labile organic C while stimulated that of recalcitrant organic C.

Aerobic exercise improves endothelial function and serum adropin levels in obese adolescents independent of body weight loss.

Adropin is a secreted protein that regulates endothelial function. However, adropin levels in obese adolescent patients are currently uncertain. Therefore, we evaluated the association between plasma adropin levels and vascular endothelial function and investigated the effect of aerobic exercise in obese adolescents. A total of 45 obese adolescents and 20 controls (age 16-19 years) were included in our study. The obese adolescents received 12 weeks of aerobic exercise training. Serum adropin was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Vascular reactive hyperemia indexes (RHIs) were obtained using Endo-PAT2000. Adropin levels and RHI were significantly lower in obese adolescents than in normal-weight adolescents. Adropin levels and RHI increased significantly independently of changes in body weight after an exercise intervention (P < 0.01). Pearson correlation analysis revealed that adropin levels positively correlated with HDL-C levels (r = 0.389, P < 0.01) and RHI (r = 0.32, P < 0.01). Multiple linear stepwise regression analysis showed that the insulin resistance index (t = -3.301, P < 0.01) and HDL-C level (t = 2.620, P = 0.011) were independent risk factors of adropin levels. In addition, Δadropin (t = 3.261, P < 0.01) was an independent influencing factor of ΔRHI. Our findings suggest that adropin plays an important role in vascular endothelial function in obese adolescents.