Genome-Wide Identification of the Expansin Gene Family and Its Potential Association with Drought Stress in Moso Bamboo.

Expansins, a group of cell wall-loosening proteins, are involved in cell-wall loosening and cell enlargement in a pH-dependent manner. According to previous study, they were involved in plant growth and abiotic stress responses. However, information on the biological function of the expansin gene in moso bamboo is still limited. In this study, we identified a total of 82 expansin genes in moso bamboo, clustered into four subfamilies (α-expansin (EXPA), ß-expansin (EXPB), expansin-like A (EXLA) and expansin-like B (EXPB)). Subsequently, the molecular structure, chromosomal location and phylogenetic relationship of the expansin genes of Phyllostachys edulis (PeEXs) were further characterized. A total of 14 pairs of tandem duplication genes and 31 pairs of segmented duplication genes were also identified, which may promote the expansion of the expansin gene family. Promoter analysis found many cis-acting elements related to growth and development and stress response, especially abscisic acid response element (ABRE). Expression pattern revealed that most PeEXs have tissue expression specificity. Meanwhile, the expression of some selected PeEXs was significantly upregulated mostly under abscisic acid (ABA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) treatment, which implied that these genes actively respond to expression under abiotic stress. This study provided new insights into the structure, evolution and function prediction of the expansin gene family in moso bamboo.

Influence of bacterial extracellular polymeric substances on the sorption of Zn on γ-alumina: A combination of FTIR and EXAFS studies.

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) isolated from bacteria, are abound of functional groups which can react with metals and consequently influence the immobilization of metals. In this study, we combined with Zn K-edge Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) techniques to study the effects of EPS isolated from Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas putida on Zn sorption on γ-alumina. The results revealed that Zn sorption on aluminum oxide was pH-dependent and significantly influenced by bacterial EPS. At pH 7.5, Zn sorbed on γ-alumina was in the form of Zn-Al layered doubled hydroxide (LDH) precipitates, whereas at pH 5.5, Zn sorbed on γ-alumina was as a Zn-Al bidentate mononuclear surface complex. The amount of sorbed Zn at pH 7.5 was 1.3-3.7 times higher than that at pH 5.5. However, in the presence of 2 g L-1 EPS, regardless of pH conditions and EPS source, Zn + EPS + γ-alumina ternary complex was formed on the surface of γ-alumina, which resulted in decreased Zn sorption (reduced by 8.4-67.8%) at pH 7.5 and enhanced Zn sorption (increased by 10.0-124.7%) at pH 5.5. The FTIR and EXAFS spectra demonstrated that both the carboxyl and phosphoryl moieties of EPS were crucial in this process. These findings highlight EPS effects on Zn interacts with γ-alumina.

Mechanistic understanding of reduced AgNP phytotoxicity induced by extracellular polymeric substances.

A knowledge gap concerning the potential effects of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), a common organic material but highly variable in their composition of microbial origin, on the fate and phytotoxicity of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) still remains. A 48-h root elongation toxicity test showed that AgNP toxicity to wheat Triticum aestivum L. was dramatically alleviated by EPS isolated from Pseudomonas putida, as revealed by 7-59% increase in relative root elongation (RRE), 8-99% increase in root weight, 27-32% decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) content and 11-43% decrease in H2O2 content compared to the treatment with AgNP in the absence of EPS. This was coincident with 7-69% decrease in root Ag concentrations. Our results showed that EPS could protect wheat seedlings from AgNP toxicity by reducing dissolved Ag concentration ([Ag]diss) and by forming AgNP-EPS complex. The FTIR spectra further showed that the amide, carboxyl, and phosphoryl functional groups of EPS were involved in binding with AgNP and/or Ag(+). All these processes worked simultaneously to reduce AgNP bioavailability, and subsequently mitigate AgNP toxicity. These findings highlight the importance of EPS in AgNP biogeochemistry in the terrestrial environment. EPS could be highly useful in developing strategies to counteract the phytotoxicty of metal-based nanoparticles in crops.

Reducing the bioavailability of PCBs in soil to plant by biochars assessed with triolein-embedded cellulose acetate membrane technique.

Coupling with triolein-embedded cellulose acetate membrane (TECAM) technique, hydroxypropyl ß-cyclodextrins (HPCD) extraction method, and the greenhouse pot experiments, the influences of biochars on polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) bioavailability in soil to plant (Brassica chinensis L. and Daucus carota) were investigated. Addition of 2% biochars to soils significantly reduced the uptake of PCBs in plant, especially for di-, tri- and tetra-chlorobiphenyls. PCBs concentrations in the roots of B. chinensis and D. carota were reduced for 61.5-93.7%, and 12.7-62.4%, respectively in the presence of biochars. The kinetic study showed that in the soils amended with/without biochars, PCBs concentrations accumulated in TECAM, as well as in the HPCD extraction solution, followed significant linear relationships with those in plant roots. Application of biochars to soil is a potentially promising method to reduce PCBs bioavailability whereas TECAM technique can be a useful tool to predict the bioavailability of PCBs in soil.

Prevention of postsurgical cauterization-induced peritoneal adhesions by biodegradable and thermosensitive micelles.

Postsurgical peritoneal adhesion is a major concern in clinical practice which causes significant morbidity and mortality. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of biodegradable and injectable thermosensitive poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-PCL-PEG) micelles in preventing postsurgical cauterization-induced peritoneal adhesion. The biodegradable PEG-PCL-PEG copolymer could form nano-sized micelles in water, which instantly turned into a non-flowing gel at body temperature due to micellar aggregation. Moreover, a novel sidewall and cecum cauterization rat model was developed and the micelles were assigned for adhesion prevention tests. The PEG-PCL-PEG micelles could be administered by an ordinary syringe and provided unrestricted coverage of the cauterized peritoneum. The micelles instantly formed a gel in situ at body temperature and the formed gel could adhere to the cauterized sites as a durable barrier during critical time of adhesion formation. All rats from the control group (n = 10) developed score 5 adhesion, whereas, eight out of ten rats in the micelle-treated group showed no adhesion at all. Besides, cauterization-induced adhesion formation, adhesiveness and degradation of micelles, remesothelization of peritoneum, and restoration of cauterized tissue were investigated in detail. Our results thus indicated that, it was feasible to use biodegradable and injectable thermosensitive PEG-PCL-PEG micelles for prevention of peritoneal adhesions after surgery.