Diversity of Culturable Bacteria from the Coral Reef Areas in the South China Sea and Their Agar-Degrading Abilities.

The South China Sea (SCS) is abundant in marine microbial resources with high primary productivity, which is crucial for sustaining the coral reef ecosystem and the carbon cycle. Currently, research on the diversity of culturable bacteria in the SCS is relatively extensive, yet the culturable bacteria in coral reefs has been poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed the bacterial community structure of seawater samples among Daya Bay (Fujian Province), Qionghai (Hainan Province), Xisha Islands, and the southern South China Sea based on culturable methods and detected their abilities for agar degradation. There were 441 bacterial strains, belonging to three phyla, five classes, 43 genera, and 101 species, which were isolated by marine agar 2216E (MA; Becton Dickinson). Strains within Gammaproteobacteria were the dominant group, accounting for 89.6% of the total bacterial isolates. To investigate vibrios, which usually correlated with coral health, 348 isolates were obtained from TCBS agar, and all isolates were identified into three phylum, three classes, 14 orders, 25 families, and 48 genera. Strains belonging to the genus Vibrio had the greatest number (294 strains), indicating the high selectivity of TCBS agar for vibrios. Furthermore, nineteen strains were identified as potentially novel species according to the low 16S rRNA gene similarity (<98.65%), and 28 strains (15 species) had agar-degrading ability. These results indicate a high diversity of culturable bacteria in the SCS and a huge possibility to find novel and agar-degrading species. Our study provides valuable microbial resources to maintain the stability of coral ecosystems and investigate their roles in the marine carbon cycle.

Facile aqueous synthesis and comparative evaluation of TiO2-semiconductor and TiO2-metal nanohybrid photocatalysts in antibiotics degradation under visible light.

Advanced oxidation processes using TiO2-based nanomaterials are sustainable technologies that hold great promise for the degradation of many types of pollutants including pharmaceutical residues. A wide variety of heterostructures coupling TiO2 with visible-light active nanomaterials have been explored to shift its photocatalytic properties to harness sun irradiation but a systematic comparison between them is lacking in the current literature. Furthermore, the high number of proposed nanostructures with different size, morphology, and surface area, and the often complex synthesis processes hamper the transition of these materials into commercial and effective solutions for environmental remediation. Herein, we have designed a facile and cost-effective method to synthesize two heterostructured photocatalysts representative of two main families of novel structures proposed, hybrids of TiO2 with metal (Au) and semiconductor (CeO2) nanomaterials. The photocatalysts have been extensively characterized to ensure a good comparability in terms of co-catalyst doping characteristics, morphology and surface area. The photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin and sulfamethoxazole as target pollutants, two antibiotics of high concern polluting water sources, has been evaluated and CeO2/TiO2 exhibited the highest activity, achieving complete antibiotic degradation at very low photocatalyst concentrations. Our study provides new insights into the development of inexpensive heterostructured photocatalysts and suggests that the non-stoichiometry and characteristic d and f electronic orbital configuration of CeO2 have a significantly improved role in the enhancement of the photocatalytic reaction.

Semirigid Highly Conjugated Zirconium-Organic Framework for the Capture of Micropollutants and Solar-Light Photodegradation.

Micro-organic pollutants, particularly organic dyes and personal care products (PPCPs), are widely present in wastewater, and thus pose a serious risk to human health. The capture and solar-light photodegradation of micro-organic pollutants are highly challenging tasks, which require the design and synthesis of microporous materials with specific structures. As we know, organic dyes and PPCPs can be absorbed via π-π* stacking. In this paper, an iron-based metal-organic framework (Fe-UiO-68-terNap) containing semirigid conjugated aromatic ligands is prepared for the capture and solar-light photodegradation of multiple water contaminants. UiO-68-terNap was synthesized based on ternaphthalene with π-π* stacking, which would increase the adsorption capacities of organic micropollutants in wastewater. Additionally, the formation of Fe-O-Zr enhances the charge-separation ability resulting in the successful degradation of micropollutants in 240 min. The novel material has been elucidated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and Fe K-edge XANES, which provide key insights at a molecular level for the design of novel materials for the capture and photodegradation of organic micropollutants.

A {Cu6}-added polyoxometalate cluster-organic framework: synthesis, structure and application as a solid support for enzyme immobilization.

A new two-dimensional {Cu6}-added polyoxometalate cluster-organic framework (Cu-POMCOF) was prepared by a hydrothermal method from lacunary polyoxoanions and was applied as a solid support for immobilizing MP-11 and Cyt c. The biocomposite complex exhibits higher stability and catalytic activity than the original free enzyme.

The Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Homophyllia bowerbanki (Scleractinia, Lobophylliidae): The First Sequence for the Genus Homophyllia.

Reef-building coral species of the order Scleractinia play an important role in shallow tropical seas by providing an environmental base for the ecosystem. The molecular data of complete mitochondrial genome have become an important source for evaluating phylogenetic and evolutionary studies of Scleractinia. Here, the complete mitogenome of Homophyllia bowerbanki (Milne Edwards and Haime, 1857), collected from Nansha Islands of the South China Sea, was sequenced for the first time through a next-generation sequencing method. H. bowerbanki is the first species of its genus for which the mitogenome was sequenced. This mitogenome was 18,154 bp in size and included two transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), and two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs). It showed a similar gene structure and gene order to the other typical scleractinians. All 17 genes were encoded on the H strand and the total GC content was 33.86% in mitogenome. Phylogenetic analysis (maximum likelihood tree method) showed that H. bowerbanki belonged to the "Robust" clade and clustered together with other two species in the family Lobophylliidae based on 13 PCGs. The mitogenome can provide significant molecular information to clarify the evolutionary and phylogenetic relationships between stony corals and to facilitate their taxonomic classification; it can also support coral species monitoring and conservation efforts.

Polyoxometalate-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks as the Solid Support to Immobilize MP-11 Enzyme for Enhancing Thermal and Recyclable Stability.

The immobilization of enzymes has received much attention. Metal-organic framework (MOF) as the adsorbent for enzyme encapsulation provides an effective strategy. However, the encapsulation efficacy is not dependent solely on the specific surface area. Though leading into appropriate substrate with negative charge would enhance the encapsulation efficacy. Polyoxometalates (POMs) as the electron sponge would donate electrons without any structural change. In this study, Keggin-type phosphotungstic acid (PW12) was encapsulated in Zirconium metal-organic framework (PW12@UiO-67) as a heterogeneous adsorbent for the encapsulation of enzyme. Our following data proved that this composite cluster could enhance the adsorption of enzyme and the stability of MP-11 was then significantly improved after immobilization.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Montiporavietnamensis (Scleractinia, Acroporidae).

Montiporavietnamensis Veron, 2000 (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Scleractinia, Acroporidae) is an uncommon, but distinctive species of stony coral. The complete mitochondrial genome of M.vietnamensis was sequenced in this study for the first time, based on 32 pairs of primers newly designed according to seven species in the family Acroporidae. The mitogenome of M.vietnamensis has a circular form and is 17,885 bp long, including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 tRNA (tRNAMet, tRNATrp), 2 rRNA genes and a putative control-region. The base composition of the complete mitogenome was 24.8% A, 14.2% C, 24.2% G and 36.8% T, with a higher AT content (61.6%) than GC content (38.4%). Based on 13 protein-coding genes, a Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic analysis showed that M.vietnamensis is clustered in the genus Montipora which belongs to the family Acroporidae. More stony coral species should be sequenced for basic molecular information and to help confirm the taxonomic status and evolutionary relationships of Scleractinia in the future.

Complete mitochondrial genome sequences of Physogyralichtensteini (Milne Edwards & Haime, 1851) and Plerogyrasinuosa (Dana, 1846) (Scleractinia, Plerogyridae): characterisation and phylogenetic analysis.

In this study, the whole mitochondrial genomes of Physogyralichtensteini and Plerogyrasinuosa have been sequenced for the first time. The length of their assembled mitogenome sequences were 17,286 bp and 17,586 bp, respectively, both including 13 protein-coding genes, two tRNAs, and two rRNAs. Their mitogenomes offered no distinct structure and their gene order were the same as other typical scleractinians. Based on 13 protein-coding genes, a maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis showed that Physogyralichtensteini and Plerogyrasinuosa are clustered in the family Plerogyridae, which belongs to the "Robust" clade. The 13 tandem mitogenome PCG sequences used in this research can provide important molecular information to clarify the evolutionary relationships amongst stony corals, especially at the family level. On the other hand, more advanced markers and more species need to be used in the future to confirm the evolutionary relationships of all the scleractinians.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the Turbinaria bifrons (Scleractinia, Dendrophylliidae).

In this study, the complete mitogenome sequence of the stony coral, Turbinaria bifrons Brüggemann, 1877, has been decoded for the first time by next-generation sequencing (NGS) and genome assembly. The assembled mitogenome was 18,880 bp in length, contained 13 protein coding genes, 2 transfer RNAs, and 2 ribosomal RNAs. The complete mitogenome of T. bifrons showing 97.09% identities to Tubastraea tagusensis. The complete mitogenome provides essential and important DNA molecular data for further phylogenetic and evolutionary analysis for coral phylogeny.

Complete mitochondrial DNA sequence of the Psammocora profundacella (Scleractinia, Psammocoridae): mitogenome characterisation and phylogenetic implications.

Complete mitochondrial DNA sequence data have played a significant role in phylogenetic and evolutionary studies of scleractinian corals. In this study, the complete mitogenome of Psammocora profundacella Gardiner, 1898, collected from Guangdong Province, China, was sequenced by next-generation sequencing for the first time. Psammocora profundacella is the first species for which a mitogenome has been sequenced in the family Psammocoridae. The length of its assembled mitogenome sequence was 16,274 bp, including 13 protein-coding genes, two tRNAs and two rRNAs. Its gene content and gene order were consistent with the other Scleractinia species. All genes were encoded on the H strand and the GC content of the mitochondrial genome was 30.49%. Gene content and order were consistent with the other Scleractinia species. Based on 13 protein-coding genes, Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic analysis showed that P. profundacella belongs to the "Robust" clade. Mitochondrial genome data provide important molecular information for understanding the phylogeny of stony corals. More variable markers and additional species should be sequenced to confirm the evolutionary relationships of Scleractinia in the future.

The Harvest of a Lateral Segment of Costal Cartilage for Treating Nasal Deformities.

BACKGROUND: Although costal cartilage has many uses and is a reliable source of cartilage for rhinoplasty procedures, donor-site complications may arise with conventional harvesting techniques. The present report reports a novel technique of harvesting costal cartilage using a specially designed scalpel and studies the use of the harvested cartilage in the reconstruction of secondary nasal deformities in patients with cleft lips. METHODS: Ten patients (7 females and 3 males) with nasal deformities secondary to cleft lip underwent rhinoplasty using this new technique at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, China, between May 2011 and December 2013. Clinical outcomes were evaluated with a follow-up period of 6 to 30 months. RESULTS: The new technique successfully corrected primary nasal deformities, including flat nasal tip, short columella, flaring alae, and asymmetrical nostrils. Surgeons and patients assessed the outcome to be either good or satisfactory. Patients experienced transient discomfort at the wound site but there were no major complications (such as wound infection, dehiscence, exposure, graft extrusion, and pulmonary involvement). CONCLUSIONS: The novel technique can harvest a lateral segment of costal cartilage for use in the reconstruction of nasal deformities secondary to cleft lip in a one-stage procedure, with minimal donor-site morbidity.

Relationships of interleukin-17 polymorphisms with recurrent aphthous ulcer risk in a Han Chinese population.

OBJECTIVE: Interleukin (IL)-17 is a multifunctional cytokine with important roles in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. This case-control study explored the relationships of IL-17A rs2275913 and IL-17F rs763780 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with recurrent aphthous ulcer (RAU) morbidity and severity. METHODS: IL-17A rs2275913 and IL-17F rs763780 SNPs were measured in 125 patients with RAU and 116 healthy control participants. The genotype distributions, disease risks, and relationships with RAU severity were analyzed. RESULTS: RAU risk was associated with rs2275913 after adjustment for age, body mass index, sex, smoking status, and drinking status (AA vs. GG: odds ratio [OR], 2.759; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.381-5.512; A allele vs. G allele: OR, 1.783; 95% CI, 1.242-2.560). TC and CC genotypes in rs763780, and the corresponding C allele, demonstrated greater prevalence among patients with RAU, compared with the TT genotype (TC vs. TT, OR: 1.895; 95% CI: 1.088-3.301; CC vs. TT, OR: 4.080, 95% CI: 1.079-15.425; C allele vs. T allele, OR: 1.969, 95% CI: 1.257-3.083). Serum IL-17 concentrations were also higher in patients with RAU than in control participants. These concentrations were associated with IL-17 polymorphisms. CONCLUSIONS: IL-17 polymorphisms might be associated with greater risk of RAU pathogenesis.

Two new Cu-based borate catalysts with cubic supramolecular cages for efficient catalytic hydrogen evolution.

Focusing on renewable energy, we are devoted to developping efficient, robust and low cost water reduction catalysts (WRCs). Two new Cu-based borate catalysts, namely H2Na2K2[(µ4-O)Cu4@B20O32(OH)8]·21H2O (1) and H2Rb1.6K2.4[(µ4-O)Cu4@B20O32 (OH)8]·15H2O (2), with cubic supramolecular cages were synthesized under a hydrothermal condition. Moreover, new copper complexes were applied as water reduction catalysts (WRCs) in the presence of [Ir(ppy)2(dtbbpy)][PF6] as photosensitizer and triethanolamine (TEOA) as the sacrificial electron donor. Nevertheless, the main active place is attributed to the centre of Borates [(µ4-O)Cu4@B20O32(OH)8], and the atomic radius of the counter cation would be the critical factor of the photocatalytic activity. Increasing the atomic radius from the Na atom to the Rb atom, causes the photocatalytic activity to decrease efficiently. The experimental results match well with the density functional theory (DFT) conclusion. It is noteworthy to mention that our research not only enriches the Cu-based borate chemistry, but also investigates the photocatalytic activity of Cu-based borates. This would guide us through the borate synthesis and to develop their applications toward energy and the environment.

Anchoring zero valence single atoms of nickel and iron on graphdiyne for hydrogen evolution.

Electrocatalysis by atomic catalysts is a major focus of chemical and energy conversion effort. Although transition-metal-based bulk electrocatalysts for electrochemical application on energy conversion processes have been reported frequently, anchoring the stable transition-metal atoms (e.g. nickel and iron) still remains a practical challenge. Here we report a strategy for fabrication of ACs comprising only isolated nickel/iron atoms anchored on graphdiyne. Our findings identify the very narrow size distributions of both nickel (1.23 Å) and iron (1.02 Å), typical sizes of single-atom nickel and iron. The precision of this method motivates us to develop a general approach in the field of single-atom transition-metal catalysis. Such atomic catalysts have high catalytic activity and stability for hydrogen evolution reactions.

Synthesis and Properties of 2D Carbon-Graphdiyne.

Graphdiyne (GDY) is a flat material comprising sp2- and sp-hybridized carbon atoms with high degrees of π conjugation that features uniformly distributed pores. It is interesting not only from a structural point of view but also from the perspective of its electronic, chemical, mechanical, and magnetic properties. We have developed an in situ homocoupling reaction of hexaethynylbenzene on Cu foil for the fabrication of large-area ordered films of graphdiyne. These films are uniform and composed of graphdiyne multilayers. The conductivity of graphdiyne films, calculated at 2.52 × 10-4 S m-1, is comparable to that of Si, suggesting excellent semiconducting properties. Through morphology-controlled syntheses, we have prepared several well-defined graphdiyne structures (e.g., nanotubes, nanowires, and nanowalls) having distinct properties. The graphdiyne nanotube arrays and graphdiyne nanowalls exhibited excellent field emission performance, higher than that of some other semiconductors such as graphite and carbon nanotubes. These structures have several promising applications, for example, as energy storage materials and as anode materials in batteries. The unique atomic arrangement and electronic structure of graphdiyne also inspired us to use it to develop highly efficient catalysts; indeed, its low reduction potential and highly conjugated electronic structure allow graphdiyne to be used as a reducing agent and stabilizer for the electroless deposition of highly dispersed and surfactant-free Pd clusters. GDY-based three-dimensional (3D) nanoarchitectures featuring well-defined porous network structures can function as highly active cathodes for H2 evolution. Heteroatom-doped GDY structures are excellent metal-free electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Its excellent electrocatalytic activity and inexpensive, convenient, and scalable preparation make GDY a promising candidate for practical and efficient energy applications; indeed, we have explored the application of GDY as a highly efficient lithium storage material and have elucidated the method through which lithium storage occurs in multilayer GDY. Lithium-ion batteries featuring GDY-based electrodes display excellent electrochemical performance, including high specific capacity, outstanding rate performance, and long cycle life. We have also explored the application of GDY in energy conversion and found that it exhibits excellent conductivity. In this Account, we summarize the relationships between the functions of graphdiyne and its well-defined nanostructures. Our results suggest that GDY is a novel 2D carbon material possessing many attractive properties. It can be designed into new nanostructures and materials across a range of compositions, sizes, shapes, and functionalities and can be applied in the fields of electronics, optics, energy, and optoelectronics.

Controlling the Interface Areas of Organic/Inorganic Semiconductor Heterojunction Nanowires for High-Performance Diodes.

A new method of in situ electrically induced self-assembly technology combined with electrochemical deposition has been developed for the controllable preparation of organic/inorganic core/shell semiconductor heterojunction nanowire arrays. The size of the interface of the heterojunction nanowire can be tuned by the growing parameter. The heterojunction nanowires of graphdiyne/CuS with core/shell structure showed the strong dependence of rectification ratio and perfect diode performance on the size of the interface. It will be a new way for controlling the structures and properties of one-dimensional heterojunction nanomaterials.

A method for controlling the synthesis of stable twisted two-dimensional conjugated molecules.

Thermodynamic stabilization (π-electron delocalization through effective conjugation) and kinetic stabilization (blocking the most-reactive sites) are important considerations when designing stable polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons displaying tunable optoelectronic properties. Here, we demonstrate an efficient method for preparing a series of stable two-dimensional (2D) twisted dibenzoterrylene-acenes. We investigated their electronic structures and geometries in the ground state through various experiments assisted by calculations using density functional theory. We find that the length of the acene has a clear effect on the photophysical, electrochemical, and magnetic properties. These molecules exhibit tunable ground-state structures, in which a stable open-shell quintet tetraradical can be transferred to triplet diradicals. Such compounds are promising candidates for use in nonlinear optics, field effect transistors and organic spintronics; furthermore, they may enable broader applications of 2D small organic molecules in high-performance electronic and optical devices.

An alternative to the classical α-arylation: the transfer of an intact 2-iodoaryl from ArI(O2CCF3)2.

The α-arylation of carbonyl compounds is generally accomplished under basic conditions, both under metal catalysis and via aryl transfer from the diaryl λ(3)-iodanes. Here, we describe an alternative metal-free α-arylation using ArI(O2CCF3)2 as the source of a 2-iodoaryl group. The reaction is applicable to activated ketones, such as α-cyanoketones, and works with substituted aryliodanes. This formal C-H functionalization reaction is thought to proceed through a [3,3] rearrangement of an iodonium enolate. The final α-(2-iodoaryl)ketones are versatile synthetic building blocks.

ß-Carotene as a membrane antioxidant probed by cholesterol-anchored daidzein.

ß-Carotene is found to be more effective as an antioxidant in phosphatidylcholine (PC) liposomes when protecting against hydrophilic radicals compared to lipophilic radicals, as measured by the rate of formation of conjugated dienes. Daidzein alone is without effect, but decreases the antioxidative effect of ß-carotene for hydrophilic initiation and increases the effect for lipophilic initiation. The newly synthesized 7-cholesterylglycol daidzein has the opposite effect for ß-carotene as antioxidant, with a strong enhancement for hydrophilic initiation and a slight decrease for lipophilic initiation. Redistributing ß-carotene to membrane surfaces by cholesterol-anchoring of daidzein enhances protection against aqueous radicals significantly at the expense of protection against lipid-derived radicals. Anchoring of daidzein to cholesterol is concluded to be useful as a mechanistic tool for controlling antioxidant distribution in membranes sensitive to radical damage, as supported by quantum mechanical calculation within the density function theory and further supported by fluorescence probes and fluorescence polarization probes.