In memory of Perry L. McCarty, seminal founder of Environmental Biotechnology

Perry L.McCarty passed away on June 4,at the age of 91.He was a revered leader in Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology.Dr.Perry L.McCarty passed away peacefully and with his family on June 4,2023.Perry was a world leader in Environmental Engineering,with special emphasis on Environmental Biotechnology,in which we form partnerships with microbial communities that provide services to make human society more sustainable.I was one of Perry’s Ph.D.students,and we worked together on research,service,and publishing throughout my career.I have deep and personal knowledge of how Perry and his students developed the fundamental principles that have allowed Environmental Biotechnology to flourish and advance humans’sustainability.

Unravelling the role of the combined effect of metallic charge transfer channel and SiO_(x) overlayer in the Zr/Si-Fe_(2)O_(3):Au:SiO_(x) nanorod arrays to boost photoelectrochemical water splitting

Hematite(α-Fe_(2)O_(3)) based photoanodes have been extensively studied due to various intriguing features that make them viable candidates for a photoelectrochemical(PEC) water splitting photoanode.Herein,we propose a Zr-doped Fe_(2)O_(3) photoanode decorated with facilely spin-coated Au nanoparticles(NPs) and microwave-assisted attached Si co-doping in conjunction with a SiO_(x) overlayer that displayed a remarkable photocurrent density of 2.01 mA/cm^(2) at 1.23 V vs.RHE.The kinetic dynamics at the photoelectrode/-electrolyte interface was examined by employing systematic electrochemical investigations.The Au NPs played a dual role in increasing PEC water splitting.First,the Schottky interface that was formed between Au NPs and Zr-Fe_(2)O_(3) lectrode ensured the prevention of electron flow from the photoanode to the metal,increasing the number of available charges as well as suppressing surface charge recombination.Second,Au extracted photoholes from the bulk of the Zr-Fe_(2)O_(3) and transported them to the outer SiO_(x) overlayer,while the SiO_(x) overlayer efficiently collected the photoholes and promoted the hole injection into the electrolyte.Further,Si co-doping enhanced bulk conductivity by reducing bulk charge transfer resistance and improving charge carrier density.This study outlines a technique to design a metallic charge transfer path with an overlayer for solar energy conversion.

基于元分析揭示全球尺度下反硝化反应器中基质材料对硝态氮去除的显著影响

反硝化生物反应器(DNBR)被广泛用于减少农业废水中过量的硝酸盐。其性能取决于基质的物理和化学性质。在以前的研究中,已经对一部分常见基质做了总结。然而,很少有研究尝试确定基质类型在硝酸盐去除中起作用的一般模式。本研究利用从63篇同行评审文章中收集的数据总结了41种基质类型,包括219个独立DNBR单元。基质分为四类:(1)天然碳(NC),如木屑;(2)非天然碳(NNC),如可生物降解聚合物[如聚己内酯(PCL)和废品(如纸板)];(3)无机材料(IM),如非碳材料(如氧化铁);(4)复合材料(MM),如上述材料的混合物。通过对硝酸盐去除速率[NRR,氮去除(g·m^(-3)·d^(-1))]和硝酸盐去除效率(NRE,%)的元分析,对这些材料进行比较和评估。本文综合阐述了基质效果(NRR和NRE)、潜在机理、污染交换和成本分析。我们的分析表明,木屑和玉米芯是NC中最具成本效益的基质。对比所有参与研究的基质,我们建议将MM作为最优基质,尤其是具有很大的改进空间的基于木屑和玉米芯的基质。该分析有助于优化DNBR的设计,以满足使用者对环境、经济和实用的需求。

Naringenin suppresses NLRP3 inflammasome activation via the mRNA-208a signaling pathway in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction

Objective:To investigate the cardioprotective effect of naringenin against isoproterenol(ISO)-induced cardiotoxicity in rats.Methods:Rats were divided into five groups:the normal group,the ISO group(85 mg/kg b.w.);the ISO+naringenin(50 mg/kg b.w.)group,the ISO+naringenin(100 mg/kg b.w.)group and the ISO+propranolol(10 mg/kg b.w.)group.Plasma creatine kinase-MB(CK-MB),cardiac troponin T,lactate dehydrogenase,brain natriuretic peptide(BNP),and IL-10,as well as cardiac transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and malondialdehyde(MDA)were examined.In addition,NLRP3 and mRNA-208a expressions were evaluated by RT-PCR analysis.Histopathological examination was also performed to assess cardiac damages.Results:Naringenin treatment significantly decreased plasma lactate dehydrogenase,CK-MB,cardiac troponin T,BNP,and IL-10,as well as cardiac TGF-β1,VEGF,and MDA while increasing p-Akt and superoxide dismutase in ISO-administered rats.It also reduced NLRP3 and mRNA-208a gene expression levels.Furthermore,naringenin improved ISO-induced cardiac damage.Conclusions:Naringenin attenuates myocardial dysfunction in ISO-treated rats by decreasing oxidative stress and increasing cardiac endogenous antioxidant system,which may be modulated partly by improvement of NLRP3 and mRNA-208a gene expression.

The Potential Efficacy of Glycyrrhizic Acid and Its Nanostructure Against Brown Rot of Peach fruits

Production of peaches(Prunus persica(L.)Batsch)for both local market and export is increasing each year in Egypt.Brown rot disease,caused by Monilinia laxa and Monilinia fructigena,is considered one of the most important postharvest rots affecting peaches in Egypt and economic losses are increasing.Antifungal activity of glycyrrhizic acid nanoparticles(GA-NPs)and glycyrrhizic acid(GA)at 0.2 and 0.4 mmol/L was investigated as a control for both these brown rot pathogens on peach fruits in both in vitro and in vivo studies.In the in vitro studies,GA-NPs were the most effective as shown by the ability to decrease linear growth of both brown rot pathogens in potato dextrose agar(PDA)amended with 0.4 mmol/L GA-NPs.Micrographs of M.fructigena exposed to 0.4 mmol/LGA showed mycelial deformations,nodule formation,detachment of the cell wall,shrinkage and inhomogeneous cytoplasmic materials with large vacuoles.Mycelium of M.laxa exposed to 0.4 mmol/LGA-NPs resulted in thinner and distorted hyphae,nodule formation,cell wall thinning,and swellings.The GANPs and GA treatments improved fruit quality by maintaining firmness and total soluble solids(TSS).GA-NPs were more effective in decreasing decay incidence than their bulk material.The 0.4 mmol/L GA-NPs completely inhibited the disease on naturally infected peach fruits for both seasons of 2018 and 2019.Furthermore,0.4 mmol/L GA-NPs reduced the disease incidence in inoculated fruits by 95(M.laxa)and 88%(M.fructigena)in 2018 season and 96(M.laxa)and 85%(M.fructigena)in 2019 season.In conclusion,GA-NPs could enhance the resistance of peaches against brown rot caused by M.laxa and M.fructigena.

Stage-specific treatment of colorectal cancer: A microRNA-nanocomposite approach

Colorectal cancer(CRC)is among the leading causes of cancer mortality.The lifetime risk of developing CRC is about 5%in adult males and females.CRC is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage,and at this point therapy has a limited impact on cure rates and long-term survival.Novel and/or improved CRC therapeutic options are needed.The involvement of microRNAs(miRNAs)in cancer development has been reported,and their regulation in many oncogenic pathways suggests their potent tumor suppressor action.Although miRNAs provide a promising therapeutic approach for cancer,challenges such as biodegradation,specificity,stability and toxicity,impede their progression into clinical trials.Nanotechnology strategies offer diverse advantages for the use of miRNAs for CRC-targeted delivery and therapy.The merits of using nanocarriers for targeted delivery of miRNA-formulations are presented herein to highlight the role they can play in miRNA-based CRC therapy by targeting different stages of the disease.

食物-能源-水钮带关系研究能否与农业创新保持同步?

1.Introduction,The interconnection among food-energy-water(FEW)systems in meeting societal demands is broadly acknowledged[1].Similarly,competitive or synergistic allocations of water and energy resources for agricultural production,manufacturing,and human consumption are understood,and their economic impacts can be predicted[2].Far less appreciated and understood are the outcomes of the FEW nexus in response to operation changes in agricultural practices and the associated technological innovations for future generations[3,4].Also,the inter-scale and feedback effects of emerging technology-driven resource reallocation and decision-making on FEW systems are largely unknown.For example,how do the agroeconomic feedbacks of intelligent technologies influence the FEW nexus of agricultural production under environmental and demographic changes?How does the necessary water allocation for powering non-powered dams and pumped-storage hydropower generation influence agricultural production and municipal water supply maintenance?How do solar and wind energy farms influence land use for agriculture and the rural economy?

转铜/锌超氧化物歧化酶和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶基因马铃薯的耐氧化和耐盐性研究(英文)

高盐等逆境可以加剧植物体内活性氧的产生,进而引起植物细胞死亡。为开发抗逆境作物,以置于氧化诱导型启动子下定位于叶绿体的转铜/锌超氧化物歧化酶(Cu/ZnSOD)和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶基因(APX)马铃薯为材料,研究了其对MV和NaCl所引起的氧化胁迫的耐受性。结果表明, MV胁迫下,转基因马铃薯叶片膜的相对电导率明显低于对照; NaCl胁迫下,其叶绿素含量高于对照。在含NaCl的培养基上,转基因幼苗生根率明显大于对照。另外,NaCl胁迫下转基因马铃薯叶片的SOD和APX酶活性显著高于对照,与其耐盐性的提高相一致。这些研究表明,转入Cu/ZnSOD和APX基因的马铃薯清除活性氧的能力增强,抗逆性得到提高。采用氧化诱导型启动子调控下的SOD和APX两个基因协同作用,使外源基因只有在逆境胁迫时才特异性表达,增强转基因植株的抗逆效果,为培育抗逆经济作物开阔了思路。

一种加工型马铃薯品种的农杆菌转化体系研究(英文)

大西洋马铃薯是经济价值很高的炸片型加工品种,逆境胁迫下,易产生褐变、空心等问题,影响加工品质。为获取抗逆境胁迫的优质转基因新品种,采用根癌农杆菌介导法,以大西洋马铃薯的茎段为外植体,建立了快速,简便,高效的遗传转化体系。从共培养到转化植株获得只需7 ～8周,转化频率达80%。结果表明茎段是较好的转化受体,硫代硫酸银可以有效促进不定芽分化并提高再生频率。PCR、Southern杂交分析证明外源基因已经成功整合到马铃薯再生植株的基因组中。该转化体系为大量开发转基因马铃薯植株,进而筛选优质的马铃薯炸片加工型新品种奠定基础。

新加坡最大回用水处理厂污水短程硝化厌氧氨氧化脱氮工艺

总结了新加坡樟宜回用水处理厂4次采样的结果,该厂日处理城市污水80万t.在好氧区很好地实现了部分硝化和亚硝酸盐积累,其中好氧氨氧化率平均为72.2%,亚硝酸盐积累率平均为76.0%.在缺氧区氨氮和亚硝酸盐得到了同步去除(厌氧氨氧化).物料衡算结果表明:初沉池的出水总氮的37.5%是通过自养脱氮去除,27.1%是通过传统的硝化/反硝化脱氮去除,其余部分总氮则存在于活性污泥和出水中.微生物和动力学研究表明:短悬浮或游离的厌氧氨氧化菌可存在于污泥龄较短的污水处理系统.最后从出水氮质量浓度、pH、碱度、曝气能耗及反应器容积等方面,将樟宜回用水处理厂的分段进水活性污泥法工艺与新加坡其他3个回用水处理厂的MEL/LE工艺进行了对比分析.

Biosorption characteristics of unicellular green alga Chlorella sorokiniana immobilized in loofa sponge for removal of Cr(Ⅲ)

Loofa sponge （LS） immobilized biomass of Chlorella sorokiniana （LSIBCS）, isolated from industrial wastewater, was investigated as a new biosorbent for the removal of Cr（Ⅲ） from aqueous solution. A comparison of the biosorption of Cr（Ⅲ） by LSIBCS and free biomass of C. sorokiniana （FBCS） from 10-300 mg Cr（Ⅲ）/L aqueous solutions showed an increase in uptake of 17.79% when the microalgal biomass was immobilized onto loofa sponge. Maximum biosorption capacity for LSIBCS and FBCS was found to be 69.26 and 58.80 mg Cr（Ⅲ）/g biosorbent, respectively, whereas the amount of Cr（Ⅲ） ions adsorbed onto naked LS was 4.97 mg/g. The kinetics of Cr（Ⅲ） biosorption was extremely rapid and equilibrium was established in about 15 and 20 min by LSIBCS and FBCS, respectively. The biosorption equilibrium was well defined by Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. The biosorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second order kinetic model. The biosorption was found to be pH dependent and the maximum sorption occurred at the solution pH 4.0. Desorption studies showed that 98% of the adsorbed Cr（Ⅲ） could be desorbed with 0.1 mol/L HNO3, while other desorbing agents were less effective in the order： EDTA 〉 H2SO4 〉 CH3COOH 〉 HCl. The regenerated LSIBCS retained 92.68% of the initial Cr（Ⅲ） binding capacity up to five cycles of reuse in continuous flow-fixed bed columns. The study revealed that LSIBCS could be used as an effective biosorbent for the removal of Cr（Ⅲ） from wastewater.

Detection,isolation,and identification of cadmium-resistant bacteria based on PCR-DGGE

This study focused on the screening of cadmium-resistant bacterial strains from Pb-Zn tailing. We investigated the diversity of microbial community inhabiting Dong-san-cha Pb-Zn tailing in Beijing, China, by polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis （DGGE） of 16S rRNA gene of bacterial strain, and found two dominant strains in the DGGE profile. Using special culture media, we isolated two strong cadmium-resistant bacterial strains. On the basis of morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics, BIOLOG, and 16S rDNA sequencing, the two strains were identified as Bacillus cereus and Enterobacter cloacae. Minimal inhibitory concentrations （MICs） of heavy metals for the bacteria were determined. E. cloacae showed higher MIC values for heavy metals and a larger range of antibiotic resistance than B. cereus.

Bacterial diversity in soils around a lead and zinc mine

Five samples of soil collected from a lead and zinc mine were used to assess the effect of combined contamination of heavy metals on soil bacterial communities using a polyphasic approach including characterization of isolates by culture method, community level catabolic profiling in BIOLOG GN microplates, and genetic community fingerprinting by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of 16S rDNA fragments amplified by PCR from community DNA （PCR-DGGE）. The structure of the bacterial community was affected to a certain extent by heavy metals. The PCR-DGGE analysis of 16S rRNA genes showed that there were significant differences in the structure of the microbial community among the soil samples, which were related to the contamination levels. The number of bacteria and the number of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis （DGGE） bands in the soils increased with increasing distance from the lead and zinc mine tailing, whereas the concentration of lead （Pb） and cadmium （Cd） was decreased. Heavily polluted soils could be characterized by a community that differs from those of lightly polluted soils in richness and structure of dominating bacterial populations. The clustering analysis of the DGGE profiles showed that the bacteria in all the five samples of soil belonged to three clusters. The data from the BIOLOG analysis also showed the same result. This study showed that heavy metal contamination decreased both the biomass and diversity of the bacterial community in soil.

In-vitro antimicrobial activity of marine actinobacteria against multidrug resistance Staphylococcus aureus

Objective:To investigate the antibacterial aclivily of marine actinobacteria against multidrug resistance Staphylococcus aureus(MDRSA).Methods:Fifty one actinobacterial strains were isolated from salt pans soil,costal area in Kothapattanam,Ongole,Andhra Pradesh.Primary screening was done using cross-streak method against MDRSA.The bioaclive compounds are extracted from efficient actinobacteria using solvent extraction.The antimicrobial activity of crude and solvent extracts was perfomied using Kirby-Bauer method.MIC for ethyl acetate extract was determined by modified agar well diffusion method.The potent actinobacteria are identified using Nonomura key,Shirling and Gottlieb 1966 with Bergey's manual of determinative bacteriology.Results:Among the fifty one isolates screened for antibacterial activity,SRB25were found efficient against MDRSA.The ethyl acetate extracts showed high inhibition against test organism.MIC test was performed with the ethyl acetate extract against MDRSA and found to be 1 000μg/mL.The isolaled actinobacteria are identified as Streptomyces sp with the help of Nonomura key.Conclusions:The current investigation reveals that the marine actinobacteria from salt pan environment can be able to produce new drug molecules against drug resistant microorganisms.

Design of 16S rRNA gene primers for 454 pyrosequencing of the human foregut microbiome

AIM:To design and validate broad-range 16S rRNA primers for use in high throughput sequencing to classify bacteria isolated from the human foregut microbiome.METHODS:A foregut microbiome dataset was constructed using 16S rRNA gene sequences obtained from oral,esophageal,and gastric microbiomes produced by Sanger sequencing in previous studies represented by 219 bacterial species.Candidate primers evaluated were from the European rRNA database.To assess the effect of sequence length on accuracy of classification,16S rRNA genes of various lengths were created by trimming the full length sequences.Sequences spanning various hypervariable regions were selected to simulate the amplicons that would be obtained using possible primer pairs.The sequences were compared with full length 16S rRNA genes for accuracy in taxonomic classification using online software at the Ribosomal Database Project (RDP).The universality of the primer set was evaluated using the RDP 16S rRNA database which is comprised of 433 306 16S rRNA genes,represented by 36 phyla.RESULTS:Truncation to 100 nucleotides(nt)downstream from the position corresponding to base 28 in the Escherichia coli 16S rRNA gene caused misclassification of 87(39.7%)of the 219 sequences,compared with misclassification of only 29(13.2%)sequences with truncation to 350 nt.Among 350-nt sequence reads within various regions of the 16S rRNA gene,the reverse read of an amplicon generated using the 343F/798R primers had the least(8.2%)effect on classification.In comparison,truncation to 900 nt mimicking single pass Sanger reads misclassified 5.0%of the 219 sequences.The 343F/798R amplicon accurately assigned 91.8%of the 219 sequences at the species level.Weighted by abundance of the species in the esophageal dataset,the 343F/798R amplicon yielded similar classification accuracy without a significant loss in species coverage(92%).Modification of the 343F/798R primers to 347F/803R increased their universality among foregut species.Assuming that a typicalpolymerase chain reaction can tolerate 2 mismatches between a primer and a template,the modified 347F and 803R primers should be able to anneal 98%and 99.6%of all 16S rRNA genes in the RDP database.CONCLUSION:347F/803R is the most suitable pair of primers for classification of foregut 16S rRNA genes but also possess universality suitable for analyses of other complex microbiomes.

Genotoxic Effects of PAH Containing Sludge Extracts in Chinese Hamster Ovary Cell Cultures

Objective Many studies have been conducted in order to evaluate the genotoxicity of chemicals and waste materials, which utilized in vivo test protocols. The use of animals for routine toxicity testing is now questioned by a growing segment of society. Methods Keeping the above fact in mind, we have conducted in the present study the genotoxicity evaluation of oily sludge samples generated from a petroleum refinery and petrochemical industry and ETP sludge from petroleum refinery using DNA damage, chromosomal aberration, p53 protein induction and apoptosis in short term in vitro mammalian Chinese Hamster Ovary cell cultures. Results It is evident from the results that the oily sludge compounds derived from petroleum refinery and petrochemical industry could cause DNA damage, chromosomal aberration, p53 protein accumulation and apoptotic cell death on exposure to oily sludge extracts in the presence of metabolic activation system (S-9 mix), however, ETP sludge extract could not cause significant genotoxicity in comparison to oily sludge extract and negative control. Conclusion The effect may be attributed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons present in the samples as evidenced from GC-MS.

Protective Effect of Distillate and Redistillate of Cow’s Urine in Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes Challenged With Established Genotoxic Chemicals

Objective From the ancient period cow’urine has been used as a medicine. In Veda, cow’urine was compared to the nectar. In Susrut, several medicinal properties of cow’ urine have been mentioned and are known to cause weight loss, reversal of certain cardiac and kidney problems, indigestion, stomach ache, edema, etc. However, the literature and scripture did not mention the antigenotoxic properties of cow’urine. Methods In the present investigation, the antigenotoxic/ antioxidant properties of cow’ urine distillate and redistillate were studied in vitro. The antioxidant status and volatile fatty acid levels were determined. Actinomycin-D (0.1ol/L) and hydrogen peroxide (150 mol/L) were used for inducing DNA strand break with 0.1% DMSO as negative control. Dose for the antigenotoxic effect of cow’ urine was chosen from the dose response study carried out earlier. Results Both actinomycin-D and H2O2 caused statistically significant DNA unwinding of 80% & 75% respectively (P<0.001) as revealed by fluorimetric analysis of DNA unwinding (FADU), and the damage could be protected with the redistilled cow urine distillate (1, 50 & 100 ) in simultaneous treatment with genotoxic chemicals. Conclusion The redistillate of cowurine was found to possess total antioxidant status of around 2.6 mmol, contributed mainly by volatile fatty acids (1500 mg/L) as revealed by the GC-MS studies. These fatty acids and other antioxidants might cause the observed protective effects.

Molecular characterization of bacterial community in aerobic granular sludge stressed by pentachlorophenol

To characterize the effects of pentachlorophenol (PCP) on the performance and microbial community of aerobic granular sludge in sequencing batch reactor (SBR), the web-based terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) and real-time PCR (RT- PCR) techniques were used to explore the bacterial community structure. When PCP increased from 0 to 50 mg/L, the COD removal rate changed little, while the ammonia removal rate dropped from 100% to 64.9%. The results of molecular characterization showed t...

Antioxidant activity of newly discovered lineage of marine actinobacteria

Objective:To investigate the antioxidant activity of marine actinobacteria.Methods:The content of total phenolics,the level of antioxidant potential by DPPH radical scavenging activity,metal chelating activity,FRAP method,βcarotene assay and NO scavenging activity in extract were determined.Results:In all the methods the extract exhibited good scavenging activity except NO scavenging activity.The IC50 values of marine actinobacteria extract on DPPH radical were found to be 41.09μg/mL.The zone of color retention was 12 mm inβ-carotene bleaching assay. DNA protective efficiency of the extracts was also studied using UV- photolysed H2O2-driven oxidative damage to pBR322.HPLC analysis identified some of the major phenolic compounds in extracts,which might he responsible for the antioxidant potential and cyto-protection.It showed a 100%cytotoxic effect in brine shrimp lethality assay within 10 mins.The novel actinobacteria was identified as Streptomyces LK-3（JF710608） through I6S rDNA Sequencing.Conclusions:The results obtained suggest that the extracts bear anti-cancer metabolites and could be considered as a potential source for anti-cancer drug development.