Exploring the Application Potential of Aquaculture Sewage Treatment of Pseudomonas chengduensis Strain WD211 Based on Its Complete Genome.

Pseudomonas chengduensis is a new species of Pseudomonas discovered in 2014, and currently, there is a scarcity of research on this bacterium. The P. chengduensis strain WD211 was isolated from a fish pond. This study investigated the purification capability and environmental adaptability of strain WD211 in wastewater and described the basic features and functional genes of its complete genome. According to the results, the sewage treated with strain WD211 showed a decrease in concentration of 18.12% in total nitrogen, 89.39% in NH4+, 62.16% in NO3-, 79.97% in total phosphorus, and 71.41% in COD after 24 h. Strain WD211 is able to survive in a pH range of 6-11. It shows resistance to 7% sodium chloride and different types of antibiotics. Genomic analysis showed that strain WD211 may remove nitrogen and phosphorus through the metabolic pathway of nitrogen assimilation and phosphorus accumulation, and that it can promote organic decomposition through oxygenase. Strain WD211 possesses genes for producing betaine, trehalose, and sodium ion transport, which provide it with salt tolerance. It also has genes for antibiotic efflux and multiple oxidases, which give it antibiotic resistance. This study contributes to the understanding of the sewage treatment ability and potential applications of P. chengduensis.

Unusual 5/5 fused bicyclosesquiterpenoids from Eupatorium adenophorum.

The chemical analysis on the aerial sections of Eupatorium adenophorum Spreng. resulted in the identification of four unprecedented 5/5 fused bicyclosesquiterpenoids, eupatorid A (1), and its analogues named eupatorester A-C (2-4) using various chromatographic techniques. Their structures were unambiguously confirmed by detailed spectroscopic investigations (including 1D, 2D-NMR and HRMS), and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The anti-inflammatory activities, in vitro tumor growth inhibitory activities and antibacterial activities of these compounds were evaluated.

Pre-sowing seed treatment with kinetin and calcium mitigates salt induced inhibition of seed germination and seedling growth of choysum (Brassica rapa var. parachinensis).

In recent years, improving plants' resistance towards abiotic stresses with exogenous application of plant growth regulators and nutrients has emerged as a matter of great interest. The present study assessed the potential roles of kinetin (Kn, 0.2 mM) and calcium (Ca, 2 mM) in mitigating the salt (200 mM NaCl) induced inhibitory effects on seed germination and growth of choysum seedlings. The results indicated that NaCl stress significantly reduced the seed germination percentage (42.6%), germination potential (42.0%), germination index (52.1%), seedling vigor index (65.2%), and declined the fresh weight (43.8%), dry weight (52.2%), radicle length (37.2%), and plumule length (41.2%) of germinated seeds, compared to control treatment. The delayed germination and decrease in seedling growth were positively correlated with salinity-induced hormonal imbalance, ion toxicity, and oxidative stress. However, Kn and Ca pretreatment partially mitigated the adverse effects of NaCl stress, evident by early germination and enhanced seedling growth. Kn and Ca effectively increased the accumulation of proline, soluble protein, and soluble sugars, and upregulated the activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase that significantly reduced the production of malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and superoxide anions in germinating seeds, thereby minimizing the NaCl-induced oxidative damages. Moreover, Kn and Ca pretreatment counteracted the NaCl-induced ionic toxicity by decreasing Na+ and increasing K+ contents and maintained a balanced Na+/K+ ratio in radicles and plumules of choysum seeds. Additionally, Kn and Ca under NaCl stress enhanced hormonal regulation by decreasing the ABA levels with a concomitant increase of GAs (especially GA4) levels and promoted early germination. Remarkably, the co-application of Kn and Ca was most effective by completely counteracting the inhibitory effects of NaCl and maintaining seed germination kinetics, seedling growth, and biochemical parameters almost similar to that in the stress-free control treatment. These results demonstrate that supplementation of Kn and Ca on choysum seeds is an effective chemical strategy regulating the various physiological and biochemical responses that would result in better germination and growth of seeds under stress conditions.

Dietary supplementation with daidzein and Chinese herbs, independently and combined, improves laying performance, egg quality and plasma hormone levels of post-peak laying hens.

This experiment examined the separate and combined effects of daidzein (Da) and Chinese herbs (CH) on laying performance and egg quality of post-peak laying hens. Additionally, we explored potential mechanisms of action for these 2 additives by examining plasma hormone levels. After 4 wk of acclimation to caging, 60-week-old Hyline Brown hens (360) were selected and randomly divided into 4 groups with 6 replicates and 15 chickens per replicate. The following 4 dietary groups were utilized: 1) control group (basal diet); 2) Da group (basal diet + 0.03 kg/t DA); 3) CH group (basal diet +0.6 kg/t CH); 4) Da + CH group (basal diet + 0.03 kg/t Da + 0.6 kg/t CH). Data were analyzed in a completely randomized design with a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Egg production and FCR treatment averages were analyzed in the following 3 phases: wk 1-4, 5-8, and 1-8 of treatment administration. Results revealed that Da increased egg production but decreased FCR (P < 0.05) for wk 1-8 and especially during wk 5-8 (P < 0.05). CH decreased FCR in wk 1-4 and 5-8 (P < 0.05), but increased egg production only during wk 5-8 (P < 0.05). Da increased Haugh units (P < 0.05) on wk 4 and 8; CH increased Haugh units (P < 0.05) but decreased yolk ratio (P < 0.05) on wk 4 and 8. Da increased the plasma levels of T3, PROG, FSH, LH and E2 (P < 0.05); CH increased the plasma level of T3 (P < 0.05). Additionally, Da x CH interactions existed for albumen height, Haugh units, albumen ratio and the level of T3 on wk 8 (P < 0.05), indicating that the combination of Da and CH was more effective than administration of either of these dietary components independently. In conclusion, Da and CH, both independently and in combination, increase laying performance, egg quality and plasma hormones levels in post-peak laying hens. Therefore, these treatments may be able to provide prolonged economic benefits to aged laying hens.

Jasmonic acid-mediated enhanced regulation of oxidative, glyoxalase defense system and reduced chromium uptake contributes to alleviation of chromium (VI) toxicity in choysum (Brassica parachinensis L.).

The cultivation of leafy vegetables on metal contaminated soil embodies a serious threat to yield and quality. In the present study, the potential role of exogenous jasmonic acid (JA; 0, 5, 10, and 20 µM) on mitigating chromium toxicity (Cr; 0, 150, and 300 µM) was investigated in choysum (Brassica parachinensis L.). With exposure to increasing Cr stress levels, a dose-dependent decline in growth, photosynthesis, and physio-biochemical attributes of choysum plants was observed. An increase in Cr levels also resulted in oxidative stress closely associated with higher lipoxygenase activity (LOX), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) generation, lipid peroxidation (MDA), and methylglyoxal (MG) levels. Exogenous application of JA alleviated the Cr-induced phytotoxic effects on photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange parameters, and restored growth of choysum plants. While exposed to Cr stress, JA supplementation induced plant defense system via enhanced regulation of antioxidant enzymes, ascorbate and glutathione pool, and the glyoxalase system enzymes. The coordinated regulation of antioxidant and glyoxalase systems expressively suppressed the oxidative and carbonyl stress at both Cr stress levels. More importantly, JA restored the mineral nutrient contents, restricted Cr uptake, and accumulation in roots and shoots of choysum plants when compared to the only Cr-stressed plants. Overall, the application of JA2 treatment (10 µM JA) was more effective and counteracted the detrimental effects of 150 µM Cr stress by restoring the growth and physio-biochemical attributes to the level of control plants, while partially mitigated the detrimental effects of 300 µM Cr stress. Hence, JA application might be considered as an effective approach for minimizing Cr uptake and its detrimental effects in choysum plants grown on contaminated soils.

Evaluation of nutrient removal efficiency and microbial enzyme activity in a baffled subsurface-flow constructed wetland system.

In this study, the enzyme activities and their relationships to domestic wastewater purification are investigated in four different types of subsurface-flow constructed wetlands (CWs), namely the traditional horizontal subsurface-flow, horizontal baffled subsurface-flow, vertical baffled subsurface-flow, and composite baffled subsurface-flow CWs. Results showed that the urease activity in the composite baffled subsurface-flow CW was significantly higher than in the other three CWs, while the phosphatase activity in the vertical baffled subsurface-flow CW were higher than in the other three CWs. There were significant and very significant correlations between the activities of urease and the removal rates of TN and NH4(+)-N for the horizontal baffled flow, horizontal subsurface flow, and composite baffled subsurface flow CWs. This study suggests that the activity of urease in the root zones of those three CWs is an important indicator for N purification from wastewaters.