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•Quantitative analysis is used to evaluate the removal of microplastics in global WWTPs.•The filter-based technologies perform better microplastics removal efficiency.•Mechanisms of ...critical treatment technologies in microplastics removal are summarized.•An average of 7.2 billion day−1 microplastics entered the river from WWTPs.•Specific microplastics shall be highlighted besides the common microplastics.
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are considered to be the main sources of microplastic contaminants in the aquatic environment, and an in-depth understanding of the behavior of microplastics among the critical treatment technologies in WWTPs is urgently needed. In this paper, the characteristics and removal of microplastics in 38 WWTPs in 11 countries worldwide were reviewed. The abundance of microplastics in the influent, effluent, and sludge was compared. Then, based on existing data, the removal efficiency of microplastics in critical treatment technologies were compared by quantitative analysis. Particularly, detailed mechanisms of critical treatment technologies including primary settling treatment with flocculation, bioreactor system, advanced oxidation and membrane filtration were discussed. Thereafter, the abundance load and ecological hazard of the microplastics discharged from WWTPs into the aquatic and soil environments were summarized. The abundance of microplastics in the influent ranged from 0.28 particles L−1 to 3.14 × 104 particles L−1, while that in the effluent ranged from 0.01 particles L−1 to 2.97 × 102 particles L−1. The microplastic abundance in the sludge within the range of 4.40 × 103–2.40 × 105 particles kg−1. In addition, there are still 5.00 × 105–1.39 × 1010 microplastic particles discharged into the aquatic environment each day Moreover, among the critical treatment technologies, the quantitative analysis revealed that filter-based treatment technologies exhibited the best microplastics removal efficiency. Fibers and microplastics with large particle sizes (0.5–5 mm) were easily separated by primary settling. Polyethene and small-particle size microplastics (<0.5 mm) were easily trapped by bacteria in the activated sludge of bioreactor system. The negative impact of microplastics from wastewater treatment plant was worthy of attention. Moreover, unknown transformation products of microplastics and their corresponding toxicity need in-depth research.
Probiotics have evoked great interest in the past years for their beneficial effects. The aim of this study was to investigate whether
overexpression promotes the stress resistance of
L-ZS9. Here we ...show that overexpression of
gene increased the production of autoinducer-2 (AI-2, quorum sensing signal molecule) by
L-ZS9. At the same time, overexpression of
promoted heat-, bile salt-resistance and biofilm formation of the strain. RNAseq results indicated that multiple genes encoding transporters, membrane proteins, and transcriptional regulator were regulated by
. These results reveal a new role for LuxS in promoting stress resistance and biofilm formation of probiotic starter.
Currently, regolith-hosted rare earth element (REE) deposits in South China are the major source of global REEs, particularly heavy REEs (HREEs). This type of REE resource contains abundant movable, ...bioavailable, and ion-exchangeable REEs and may act as an environmental hazard; however, little is known regarding REEs in soils from areas with abundant deposits. Here, we investigated the REEs in the soil, surface water and crops, collected from Meizhou City, Guangdong Province, South China, as a representative region with abundant regolith-hosted REEs. Mean REE concentration (ΣREE) in the soil (318 μg g−1) exceeded the local soil background (169 μg g−1). The LREE/HREE ratio ranged from 2.04 to 69.4 in soil samples, suggesting the enrichment of light REEs (LREEs) compared with HREEs. Most soil samples exhibited positive Ce anomalies and negative Eu anomalies. The highest ΣREE (1162 μg g−1) was detected in forest land, followed by garden land (793 μg g−1) and paddy field (519 μg g−1). According to the correlation analysis, pH as well as soil organic matter (SOM), Fe, and Mn content contributed to REE enrichment, while SOM and Mn content affected REE fractionation. REE enrichment in soil may be related to natural sources (e.g., parent materials) and anthropogenic activities (e.g., fertilizer application and coal combustion). The REE contamination of surface water was not serious. However, ΣREE in crops (7.08 μg g−1·dw) indicated that these elements migrate from soils to plants, producing potential adverse effects on crops and humans. These findings shed new light on the geochemical behavior of REEs in the environments with abundant regolith-hosted REEs and can serve as a reference to prevent and control REE contamination.
•High REE levels were detected in soils from areas with abundant ion-adsorbed REEs.•REEs migrate from soils and are accumulated in crops.•REE enrichment is related to pH and soil organic matter, Fe, and Mn content.•REE fractionation is positively correlated to soil organic matter and Mn content.
Fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (FAHFAs) are recently discovered lipids with antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory effects. We have developed an ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography ...(UPLC) coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (MS) method for comprehensive profiling and quantification of FAHFAs. Through optimization of the chromatographic conditions, most FAHFA isomers can be efficiently separated and quantified in 29 min with excellent peak shape and good robustness. UPLC coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight (Q-TOF) MS was used for identification of FAHFAs based on the high-resolution
m
/
z
values and the fragmentation rules. Sixty-four FAHFAs, belonging to 17 different families, were identified in white adipose tissue (WAT) of golden hamsters. Nine of the 17 FAHFA family members were newly discovered in this work, and linoleic acid and linolenic acid were newly found fatty acid moieties of FAHFAs. The total number of FAHFAs identified from WAT in this work is far larger than that in any previously reported work. The parameters (precursor ions, product ions, and collision energy) of the 64 FAHFAs identified in golden hamster WAT by UPLC/Q-TOF-MS were further used in UPLC coupled with triple-quadrupole (QQQ) MS for quantification in multiple reaction monitoring mode. Finally, this newly developed UPLC/QQQ-MS method was used for the quantification of FAHFAs in hamster WAT attached to epididymis, kidney, intestine, and inguen to explore the disturbance of the levels of WAT FAHFAs in the pathological state of hyperlipidemia. The regulation effects of fenofibrate on the levels of WAT FAHFAs were also investigated. The results show that fenofibrate therapy can increase the concentration of FAHFAs in WAT.
Graphical abstract
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•Type 2 diabetic rats models were induced by HFD and low-dose streptozotocin.•The anti-diabetic effects of Bifidobacterium animalis 01 had been investigated.•Bifidobacterium animalis ...01 ameliorated the T2DM liver injuries.•The anti-diabetic mechanisms of Bifidobacterium. animalis 01 were proposed.
The anti-diabetic effects of Bifidobacterium animalis 01 and its potential mechanisms were investigated. Male SD rats were given a high-fat chow diet with low-dose streptozotocin (30 mg/kg BW) to induce T2DM. The supplements with B. animalis 01 were given in a pre- and post-treatment method. Oral administration of B. animalis 01 decreased food and water intake, blood glucose concentration, and glycosylated hemoglobin level. Treatment with B. animalis 01 improved OGTT, HOMA-IR, lipid profiles, representative cytokines, and liver injury markers in the serum. B. animalis 01 also exhibited hepatoprotective effects by reducing hepatic tissues injuries, increasing the glycogen levels, and improving the antioxidant indexes. Furthermore, B. animalis 01 treatment showed beneficial influence on the gene expressions of hepatic glucose metabolism and IRS/PI3K/AKT pathway. Moreover, B. animalis 01 administration positively regulated hepatic Keap1/Nrf2 pathway. The results suggested that the hepatic protective effect of B. animalis 01 against diabetes attributed to IRS/PI3K/AKT and Keap1/Nrf2 signaling activation.
It is important to profile steroids in many physiological and pathological processes. Recently, hair has been used for the long-term measurement of endogenous steroid hormones. Analyzing hair has ...advantages of being noninvasive and time sequential compared with other bio-specimens. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) techniques have been widely used over the past decades; however, it is challenging to profile estrogens in hair by LC-MS, and more comprehensive steroid profiling is required. In this paper, an ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method was developed to simultaneously profile 28 multifunctional steroids, including corticosteroids (
n
= 6), estrogens (
n
= 13), androgens (
n
= 5) and progestogens (
n
= 4), in human scalp hair in a single run. To optimize the sample preparation procedure, we evaluated extraction time, post-incubation purification and hair fragment length; 30 mg hair samples were washed with hexane, cut into 5 mm pieces and incubated in methanol for 18 h at 25 °C. Methanol extraction derivatized using Girard P and dansyl chloride reagent was analyzed within 25 min using an automated injection program combined with a diverter valve switch and step analysis (AIDSA). The method was well validated in terms of linearity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), precision, accuracy, matrix effect and recovery, and was successfully applied to a steroid profile from male and female hairs. Significant differences were observed between genders. In addition, steroids showed a declining trend from the proximal to more distal hair segments; thus, care should be taken when obtaining hair samples for analysis to account for this difference in steroid levels along the length of hair.
Graphical Abstract
The workflow of the estabished UHPLC-MS/MS method
SUMMARY
Species belonging to the order Ranunculales have attracted much attention because of their phylogenetic position as a sister group to all other eudicot lineages and their ability to produce ...unique yet diverse benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs). The Papaveraceae family in Ranunculales is often used as a model system for studying BIA biosynthesis. Here, we report the chromosome‐level genome assembly of Corydalis tomentella, a species of Fumarioideae, one of the two subfamilies of Papaveraceae. Based on comparisons of sequenced Ranunculalean species, we present clear evidence of a shared whole‐genome duplication (WGD) event that has occurred before the divergence of Ranunculales but after its divergence from other eudicot lineages. The C. tomentella genome enabled us to integrate isotopic labeling and comparative genomics to reconstruct the BIA biosynthetic pathway for both sanguinarine biosynthesis shared by papaveraceous species and the cavidine biosynthesis that is specific to Corydalis. Also, our comparative analysis revealed that gene duplications, especially tandem gene duplications, underlie the diversification of BIA biosynthetic pathways in Ranunculales. In particular, tandemly duplicated berberine bridge enzyme‐like genes appear to be involved in cavidine biosynthesis. In conclusion, our study of the C. tomentella genome provides important insights into the occurrence of WGDs during the early evolution of eudicots, as well as into the evolution of BIA biosynthesis in Ranunculales.
Significance Statement
Here, we report the chromosome‐level genome of Corydalis tomentella and present a shared whole‐genome duplication event of Ranunculales, differing from the paleohexaploidy event of core eudicots. The genome enabled us to reconstruct the BIA biosynthetic pathway for both sanguinarine biosynthesis shared by papaveraceous species and the cavidine biosynthesis that is specific to Corydalis.
Biofilms help bacteria survive under adverse conditions, and the quorum sensing (QS) system plays an important role in regulating their activities. Quorum sensing inhibitors (QSIs) have great ...potential to inhibit pathogenic biofilm formation and are considered possible replacements for antibiotics; however, further investigation is required to understand the mechanisms of action of QSIs and to avoid inhibitory effects on beneficial bacteria.
L-ZS9, isolated from fermented sausage, is a bacteriocin-producing bacteria that shows potential to be a probiotic starter. Since exogenous autoinducer-2 (AI-2) promoted biofilm formation of the strain, expression of genes involved in AI-2 production was determined in
L-ZS9, especially the key gene
. D-Ribose was used to inhibit biofilm formation because of its AI-2 inhibitory activity. Twenty-seven differentially expressed proteins were identified by comparative proteomic analysis following D-ribose treatment and were functionally classified into six groups. Real-time quantitative PCR showed that AI-2 had a counteractive effect on transcription of the genes
, and
. Over-expression of the
, and
genes promoted biofilm formation of
L-ZS9, while over-expression of the
and
genes inhibited biofilm formation. In conclusion, D-ribose inhibited biofilm formation of
L-ZS9 by regulating multiple genes involved in the glycolytic pathway, extracellular DNA degradation and transcription, and translation. This research provides a new mechanism of QSI regulation of biofilm formation of
and offers a valuable reference for QSI application in the future.
Temozolomide (TMZ) is the first-line chemotherapeutic drug for glioblastoma treatment. It can induce O6-methylguanine DNA lesions, lead to prolonged G2–M arrest and ultimately cell death. However, ...the molecular response induced by TMZ has not been fully elucidated. In this study, by integrating quantitative proteomics and metabolomics, we identified protein and metabolite markers that correlate with TMZ treatment and discovered the protein-metabolite regulatory network. A total of 1782 proteins and 56 endogenous metabolites were significantly altered in the brain between sham and tumor groups, 38 metabolites markedly altered in plasma. After TMZ treatment, 251 proteins and 9 metabolites significantly changed in the brain, and 14 metabolites did in plasma. 35 proteins significantly altered by TMZ were further validated by parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) analysis. The multi-omics analysis revealed differential proteins and metabolites were involved in DNA replication, nucleotides degradation, cysteine biosynthesis, and other pathways. Adenosine, sarcosine and adenosine deaminase involved in multiple metabolic pathways may serve as potential biomarkers for TMZ treatment. This is the first report utilizing multi-omics analysis to investigate the global response of proteins and metabolites in glioma by TMZ treatment, and the data can provide a comprehensive insight to understand the mechanism of TMZ.
The study focused on integrating quantitative proteomics and endogenous metabolites profiling of the rat glioma brain in response to chemotherapeutic drug temozolomide treatment, which has not yet been reported. The results showed that the effect of temozolomide on glioma is significant, including DNA replication, nucleotides degradation, cysteine biosynthesis, and synaptogenesis signaling pathway. Our study can provide a comprehensive insight to screen potential targets and biomarkers of glioma as well as to elucidate the mechanism of temozolomide inhibiting tumor growth.
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•Chemotherapeutic drug temozolomide can slow glioma in rat as visualized by MRI.•1782 proteins and 56 metabolites changed significantly in rat brain after glioma model establishment.•Temozolomide can regulate 251 proteins and 9 metabolites affected by glioma.•Multi-omics analysis reveals temozolomide can affect DNA replication, nucleotides degradation, cysteine biosynthesis.•Adenosine, sarcosine and adenosine deaminase may serve as potential biomarkers for TMZ treating glioma.
•An on-line stop-flow heart-cutting 2D-LC was developed.•It offered different separation selectivity and high chromatographic resolution.•2D-LC provided a way for resolving similar structures but ...different polarities.•Fractionation was achieved in the combination of back-flush and direct-flow.
The use of two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC) for quantification studies presents challenges with respect to repeatability, precision, and robustness. The present study used an on-line stop-flow heart-cutting 2D-LC system to determine 12 chemical constituents in tartary buckwheat. A combination of various stationary phases was developed and bridged using two switch valves as the interface. Hydrophilic interaction chromatography was chosen for separation in the first dimension (1D), and mixed mode stationary phases (an amide polar-embedded phase and alkyl-phenyl phase) were used in parallel for separation in the second dimension (2D). The mobile phase comprised acetonitrile and water containing 0.03% aqueous phosphoric acid. The sample was separated into two fractions on the 1D column (HILIC-10 column) using 5% acetonitrile. One fraction, mainly comprising flavonoids, was directly eluted onto the head of 2D column (Polar Advantage II column) and further separated using a linear gradient of 11–23% acetonitrile. The second fraction, containing phenylpropanoid glycosides, was trapped on the 1D column. This retained fraction was back-flushed onto the 2D column (Phenyl-1 column) and separated using a linear gradient of 35–43% acetonitrile. An on-line stop-flow heart-cutting 2D-LC system was successfully developed with column switching and back-flush. This 2D-LC system was validated and was able to simultaneously determine 12 major components in tartary buckwheat: seven flavonoids, four phenylpropanoid glycosides, and N-trans-feruloyltyramine. The system showed good performance with respect to linearity (r>0.996), repeatability (RSD, relative standard deviation<3.4%), intra-day and inter-day precision (RSD<4.6%), recovery (91.2–108%), limit of detection (LOD) (0.05–0.21μg/mL), and limit of quantification (LOQ) (0.10–0.41μg/mL). The on-line stop-flow heart-cutting 2D-LC system offers a potential approach to analyze compounds, which have similar structures but different polarities, in herbal medicines.
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