Complexes Based on Zinc and Cadmium for Visible Light-Driven Hydrogen Production.

Photocatalytic water decomposition using solar energy is one of the most effective hydrogen production technologies. The development of a structurally stable photocatalyst for hydrogen production without cocatalysts and photosensitizers remains a great challenge. In this paper, complex photocatalyst compounds 1 and 2 with different crystal structures were designed and obtained by connecting the 4'-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-4,2':6',4″-terpyridine organic ligands with Zn(Ac)2·2H2O and CdCO3. These products were used for photocatalytic hydrogen production separately, and the hydrogen production rates of compounds 1 and 2 were 0.66 mol·mol-1·h-1 and 0.12 mol·mol-1·h-1, respectively, without the addition of any cocatalysts and photosensitizers, and their charge separation and transfer processes were verified by PL, time-resolved PL, and photocurrent. Compound 1 was tested in 6 cycles over 18 h and showed high stability and reproducibility.

Endophyte-mediated enhancement of salt resistance in Arachis hypogaea L. by regulation of osmotic stress and plant defense-related genes.

Introduction: Soil salinization poses a significant environmental challenge affecting plant growth and agricultural sustainability. This study explores the potential of salt-tolerant endophytes to mitigate the adverse effects of soil salinization, emphasizing their impact on the development and resistance of Arachis hypogaea L. (peanuts). Methods: The diversity of culturable plant endophytic bacteria associated with Miscanthus lutarioriparius was investigated. The study focused on the effects of Bacillus tequilensis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Bacillus siamensis on the development and germination of A. hypogaea seeds in pots subjected to high NaCl concentrations (200 mM L-1). Results: Under elevated NaCl concentrations, the inoculation of endophytes significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced seedling germination and increased the activities of enzymes such as Superoxide dismutase, catalase, and polyphenol oxidase, while reducing malondialdehyde and peroxidase levels. Additionally, endophyte inoculation resulted in increased root surface area, plant height, biomass contents, and leaf surface area of peanuts under NaCl stress. Transcriptome data revealed an augmented defense and resistance response induced by the applied endophyte (B. tequilensis, S. epidermidis, and B. siamensis) strain, including upregulation of abiotic stress related mechanisms such as fat metabolism, hormones, and glycosyl inositol phosphorylceramide (Na+ receptor). Na+ receptor under salt stress gate Ca2+ influx channels in plants. Notably, the synthesis of secondary metabolites, especially genes related to terpene and phenylpropanoid pathways, was highly regulated. Conclusion: The inoculated endophytes played a possible role in enhancing salt tolerance in peanuts. Future investigations should explore protein-protein interactions between plants and endophytes to unravel the mechanisms underlying endophyte-mediated salt resistance in plants.

Bacillus velezensis YXDHD1-7 Prevents Early Blight Disease by Promoting Growth and Enhancing Defense Enzyme Activities in Tomato Plants.

Bacillus velezensis is well known as a plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and biocontrol agent. Nevertheless, there are very few reports on the study of B. velezensis on tomato early blight, especially the biocontrol effects among different inoculation concentrations. In this study, an IAA-producing strain, Bacillus velezensis YXDHD1-7 was isolated from the tomato rhizosphere soil, which had the strongest inhibitory effect against Alternaria solani. Inoculation with bacterial suspensions of this strain promoted the growth of tomato seedlings effectively. Furthermore, inoculations at 106, 107, and 108 cfu/mL resulted in control efficacies of 100%, 83.15%, and 69.90%, respectively. Genome sequencing showed that it possesses 22 gene clusters associated with the synthesis of antimicrobial metabolites and genes that are involved in the production of IAA. Furthermore, it may be able to produce spermidine and volatile compounds that also enhance plant growth and defense responses. Our results suggest that strain YXDHD1-7 prevents early blight disease by promoting growth and enhancing the defense enzyme activities in tomato plants. This strain is a promising candidate for an excellent microbial inoculant that can be used to enhance tomato production.

Biological functions of endophytic bacteria in Robinia pseudoacacia 'Hongsen'.

Introduction: Endophytes and their host plants have co-evolved for a very long time. This relationship has led to the general recognition of endophytes as a particular class of microbial resources. R. pseudoacacia 'Hongsen' is drought- and barren-resistant species that can be grown in both the north and south of China, efficiently addresses the ecological issues caused by China's 'southern eucalyptus and northern poplar. Up to date, cultured-dependent studies are available for the R. pseudoacacia nitrogen-fixing and other endophytes. Therefore, the present research studied the R. pseudoacacia 'Hongsen,' microbiome in detail by high-throughput sequencing and culture dependant. Methods: This study examined microbial species and functional diversity in Robinia pseudoacacia 'Hongsen' using culture-dependent (isolation) and culture-independent techniques. Results: A total of 210 isolates were isolated from R. pseudoacacia 'Hongsen.' These isolates were clustered into 16 groups by the In Situ PCR (IS-PCR) fingerprinting patterns. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of the representative strain of each group revealed that these groups belonged to 16 species of 8 genera, demonstrating the diversity of endophytes in R. pseudoacacia 'Hongsen'. 'Bacillus is the most prevalent genus among all the endophytic bacteria. High-throughput sequencing of endophytic bacteria from R. pseudoacacia 'Hongsen' of the plant and the rhizosphere soil bacteria showed that the bacterial populations of soil near the root, leaf, and rhizosphere differed significantly. The microbial abundance decreased in the endophytes as compared to the rhizosphere. We observed a similar community structure of roots and leaves. With and without root nodules, Mesorhizobium sp. was significantly different in R. pseudoacacia 'Hongsen' plant. Discussion: It was predicted that R. pseudoacacia 'Hongsen' plant endophytic bacteria would play a significant role in the metabolic process, such as carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, membrane transport, and energy metabolism.

Rhizobium rhizophilum sp. nov., an indole acetic acid-producing bacterium isolated from rape (Brassica napus L.) rhizosphere soil.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped and indole acetic acid-producing strain, designated 7209-2T, was isolated from rhizosphere of rape (Brassica napus L.) grown in the Yakeshi City, Inner Mongolia, PR China. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain 7209-2T belongs to the genus Rhizobium and is closely related to Rhizobium rosettiformans W3T, Rhizobium ipomoeae shin9-1T and Rhizobium wuzhouense W44T with sequence similarities of 98.2, 98.1 and 97.9 %, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on concatenated housekeeping recA and atpD gene sequences showed that strain 7209-2T formed a group together with R. wuzhouense W44T and R. rosettiformans W3T, with sequences similarities of 92.6 and 91.1 %, respectively. The genome size of strain 7209-2T was 5.25 Mb, comprising 5027 predicted genes with a DNA G+C content of 61.2 mol%. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization comparisons among 7209-2T and reference strains for the most closely related species showed values below the accepted threshold for species discrimination. The major fatty acids of strain 7209-2T were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c and/or C18 : 1 ω6c) and summed feature 2 (C12 : 0 aldehyde and/or unknown 10.953) . The major polar lipids were found to consist of phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and an unidentified aminophospholipid. The predominant ubiquinone was identified as quinone 10. Based on all the above results, strain 7209-2T represents a novel species of the genus Rhizobium, for which the name Rhizobium rhizophilum sp. nov. is proposed with 7209-2T (=CGMCC 1.15691T=DSM 103161T) as the type strain.

Magnetically separable Fe-MIL-88B_NH2 carbonaceous nanocomposites for efficient removal of sulfamethoxazole from aqueous solutions.

Extensive exposure to antibiotics could potentially be harmful to the environment and human health. The development of effective and convenient technologies to remove residual antibiotics from water is imperative. Herein, we successfully developed a facile method via pyrolysis of Fe-MIL-88B_NH2 to synthesize magnetic nanocomposites (MNC) as potential adsorbents, which exhibited cluster-shape structure and excellent magnetic response. Magnetic nanocomposites carbonized at 700 °C showed high efficiency for sulfamethoxazole (SMX) adsorption (73.53 mg/g). Some experimental conditions including solution pH, ionic strength, coexisting ions and SMX concentration were systematically investigated. The adsorption isotherm and kinetic followed Langmuir and the pseudo-second-order models, and the adsorption process was dependent on the solution pH. The adsorption mechanism hypothesis was pore filling effect, π-π EDA and electrostatic interactions. Moreover, MNC-700 exhibited good reusability and magnetic separation properties, being reused six times without significant loss in adsorption capacity.

Azotobacter bryophylli sp. nov., isolated from the succulent plant Bryophyllum pinnatum.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, nitrogen-fixing bacterium, designated strain L461T, was isolated from leaves of Bryophyllum pinnatum growing at the South China Agricultural University. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated it as a member of the genus Azotobacter closely related to Azotobacter beijerinckii JCM 20725T (97.82 % similarity) and Azotobacter chroococcum ATCC 9043T (97.34 %). Its major fatty acid components were C16 : 1 ω9c and C16 : 0. Its predominant isoprenoid quinone was Q-9. Its major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, aminophospholipid, phospholipid and one unknown lipid. Its DNA G+C content was 64.9 mol% (Tm). DNA-DNA relatedness values between strain L461T and the reference strains of A. beijerinckii and A. chroococcum were 46.43 and 28.23 %, respectively. Biological and biochemical tests, protein patterns, genomic DNA fingerprinting, and comparison of cellular fatty acids distinguished strain L461T from the closely related Azotobacter species. Based on these data, the novel species Azotobacter bryophylli sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain L461T (=KCTC 62195T=GDMCC 1.1250T).

Paenibacillus bryophyllum sp. nov., a nitrogen-fixing species isolated from Bryophyllum pinnatum.

A nitrogen-fixing, endospore-forming bacterium, designated strain L201T was isolated from the leaves of Bryophyllum pinnatum growing in South China Agricultural University. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain L201T is affiliated with the genus Paenibacillus, and closely related to Paenibacillus albidus Q4-3T (97.4%), Paenibacillus odorifer DSM 15391T (97.3%) and Paenibacillus borealis DSM 13188T (97.2%). The main fatty acids components was anteiso-C15:0 (48.1%). The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The major polar lipids were found to be diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. The G+C content of strain L201T was 43.9%. DNA-DNA relatedness between L201T and the reference strain was 29.8%. Biological and biochemical tests, protein patterns, genomic DNA fingerprinting and comparison of cellular fatty acids distinguished strain L201T from the closely related Paenibacillus species. Based on these data, the novel species Paenibacillus bryophyllum sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain L201T(= KCTC 33951 T = GDMCC 1.1251 T).

Rhizobium wuzhouense sp. nov., isolated from roots of Oryza officinalis.

Three bacterial isolates, designated W44T, W15 and W11, were isolated from the root of Oryza officinalis grown in Wuzhou, China. These isolates were Gram-negative, aerobic, motile and rod-shaped; demonstrated cellulase and urea activities; and formed cream-coloured colonies. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the similarities between strain W44T and strains W15 and W11 were 100 %; all of them belonged to the genus Rhizobium and had the highest sequence similarity to Rhizobium rosettiformans W3T (98.7 %), followed by Rhizobium ipomoeae shin9-1T (98.2 %). Sequencing of housekeeping genes (recA, atpD, rpoB and glnA) of the novel isolates revealed similarities to members of established Rhizobium species to be less than 94.3 %. The values of DNA-DNA hybridization between strain W44T and the reference strains (R. rosettiformans W3T and R. ipomoeae shin9-1T) were 41.3 and 29.2 %, respectively. The major cellular fatty acid of strain W44T was summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω9t and/or C18 : 1ω9c and/or C18 : 1ω7c). The polar lipid profile of strain W44T consisted of phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, two unidentified lipids and two unidentified aminophospholipids. The G+C content of strain W44T was 62.4 mol%. In nodulation tests, none of the three strains could induce nodule formation in Glycine max, Phaseolus vulgaris or Medicago sativa. The nodulation gene (nodA), nitrogenase reductase gene (nifH) and virulence gene (virC) were not detected by PCR in these strains. Based on the above results and phenotypic features, a novel species, Rhizobium wuzhouense sp. nov., is proposed, with strain W44T (=CCTCC AB 2017179T=GDMCC 1.1257T=KCTC 62194T) as the type strain.

Complete genome sequence of Kosakonia oryzae type strain Ola 51T.

Strain Ola 51T (=LMG 24251T = CGMCC 1.7012T) is the type strain of the species Kosakonia oryzae and was isolated from surface-sterilized roots of the wild rice species Oryza latifolia grown in Guangdong, China. Here we summarize the features of the strain Ola 51T and describe its complete genome sequence. The genome contains one circular chromosome of 5,303,342 nucleotides with 54.01% GC content, 4773 protein-coding genes, 16 rRNA genes, 76 tRNA genes, 13 ncRNA genes, 48 pseudo genes, and 1 CRISPR array.

Genetic diversity of endophytic diazotrophs of the wild rice, Oryza alta and identification of the new diazotroph, Acinetobacter oryzae sp. nov.

Thirty-three endophytic diazotrophs were isolated from surface-sterilized leaves, stem, and roots of wild rice Oryza alta. The SDS-PAGE profile of total protein and insertion sequence-based polymerase chain reaction (IS-PCR) fingerprinting grouped the isolates into four clusters (I-IV). The 16S rRNA gene sequence homology of the representative strains B21, B31, B1, and B23 of clusters I, II, III, and IV were assigned to Pseudomonas oleovorans (99.2% similarity), Burkholderia fungorum (99.4% similarity), Enterobacter cloacae (98.9% similarity), and Acinetobacter johnsonii (98.4% similarity), respectively. The results showed wide genetic diversity of the putative diazotrophic strains of the wild rice, O. alta, and the strains of cluster IV are the first report of nitrogen-fixing Acinetobacter species. The cell size, phenotypic characters, total protein profile, genomic DNA fingerprinting, DNA-DNA hybridization, and antibiotic resistance differentiated strain B23(T) from its closest relatives A. johnsonii LMG999(T) and Acinetobacter haemolyticus LMG996(T). The DNA-DNA hybridization also distinguished the strain B23(T) from the closely related Acinetobacter species. Based on these data, a novel species, Acinetobacter oryzae sp. nov., and strain B23(T) (=LMG25575(T) = CGMCC1.10689(T)) as the type strain were proposed.

Enterobacter oryzae sp. nov., a nitrogen-fixing bacterium isolated from the wild rice species Oryza latifolia.

Twelve facultatively anaerobic, endophytic diazotrophs were isolated from surface-sterilized roots of the wild rice species Oryza latifolia and characterized by phenotypic and molecular methods. Six isolates were grouped together as group A by phenotypic characters, and this grouping was confirmed by SDS-PAGE whole-cell protein patterns and insertion sequence-based PCR (IS-PCR) methods. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that group A, represented by strain Ola 51(T), is closely related to Enterobacter radicincitans D5/23(T) (98.9 % similarity, except that E. radicincitans D5/23(T) has a 70 bp insertion) and Enterobacter cloacae (98.0 % similarity to the type strain). rpoB gene sequence analysis also showed strain Ola 51(T) has the highest sequence similarity to E. radicincitans DSM 16656(T) (98.3 %), but supported the distinct position. Biological and biochemical tests, protein patterns, genomic DNA fingerprinting, antibiotic resistance and comparison of cellular fatty acids showed differences among group A, E. radicincitans DSM 16656(T) and E. cloacae ATCC 13047(T). DNA-DNA hybridization distinguished strain Ola 51(T) from closely phylogenetically related Enterobacter species. Based on these data, the novel species Enterobacter oryzae sp. nov. is proposed, with strain Ola 51(T) (=LMG 24251(T) =CGMCC 1.7012(T)) as the type strain.

[Diversity of associated nitrogen-fixing bacteria isolated from the pioneer plants-Vetiver zizanioides].

OBJECTIVE: Vetiver zizanioides is a perennial grass of the Poaceae family, known of its silage, soil and water conservation role. The aim of the study was to collect and identify the resources of the nitrogen-fixing bacteria associated with Vetiver zizanioides. METHODS: Associated nitrogen-fixing bacteria isolated from Vetiver zizanioides were studied by SDS-PAGE whole-cell protein patterns, insert sequence (IS)-PCR finger printing, utilization of sole carbon sources and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. RESULTS: Based on the results of finger printing analysis, protein patterns and biological test, isolates were grouped into 6 clusters, except 4 single strains. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA sequences indicated that isolates belonged to Herbaspirillum frisingense, Enterobacter ludwigii, Pseudacidovorax intermedius, Mitsuaria chitosanitabida, Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Burkholderia vietnamiensis and Enterobacter cloacae. CONCLUSION: The nitrogen fixers associated with Vetiver zizanioides showed great diversity and may have a potential application for the grass forage and agriculture.

Rhizobium oryzae sp. nov., isolated from the wild rice Oryza alta.

During a study of endophytic nitrogen-fixing bacteria present in the wild rice species Oryza alta, eight novel isolates were obtained from surface-sterilized roots and classified in the genus Rhizobium on the basis of almost-complete 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. These strains can nodulate Phaseolus vulgaris and Glycine max. The highly similar protein patterns, DNA fingerprint patterns of insertion sequence-based PCR (IS-PCR) and DNA-DNA hybridizations showed that these novel isolates were members of the same species. The closest phylogenetic relatives of the representative strain Alt 505(T) of the novel group were Rhizobium etli CFN 42(T) and Rhizobium indigoferae CCBAU 71714(T), with 96.2 and 96.0% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, respectively. Low DNA-DNA relatedness with the type strains of R. etli, R. indigoferae, Rhizobium hainanense, Rhizobium mongolense and Rhizobium galegae and differences in IS-PCR fingerprinting patterns, SDS-PAGE of proteins, antibiotic resistance, phenotypic tests and comparison of cellular fatty acids with Rhizobium species indicated that the novel group of isolates were distinct from previously described species. Based on these results, we propose to place them in a novel species, as Rhizobium oryzae sp. nov. The type strain is Alt 505(T) (=LMG 24253(T) =CGMCC 1.7048(T)).

[Surveillance program set for influenza A virus (H1N1) in children in Taiyuan, China, 2005-2006].

OBJECTIVE: To study the epidemic situation and dominant strain of influenza in children with acute respiratory infection (ARI) during Flu season from Oct. 2005 to Mar. 2006 in Taiyuan. METHODS: Madin-darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell culture and hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay were used to isolate and identify type A influenza viruses (H1N1 and H3N2) and B influenza viruses from clinical samples collected from outpatients who visited the Department of Pediatric because of ARI from Oct. 2005 to Mar. 2006. Oct. 2005 and Mar. 2006, we collected 415 blood samples from children and adults to detect the influenza virus antibody titers by HI test to exclude respiratory diseases. RESULTS: 7 strains of H1N1 were isolated from 87 clinical specimens, with a positive rate of H1N1 as 8.04%. Out of 415 blood samples being collected, the positive rates and the geometric mean titer of H1N1 antibody Mar. 2006 were significantly higher in 0-3, 3-7 and 7-18 year-olds than Oct.2005. CONCLUSION: H1N1 epidemic influenza did occur among children in winter and spring of 2005--2006 in Taiyuan city.

Azospirillum melinis sp. nov., a group of diazotrophs isolated from tropical molasses grass.

Fifteen bacterial strains isolated from molasses grass (Melinis minutiflora Beauv.) were identified as nitrogen-fixers by using the acetylene-reduction assay and PCR amplification of nifH gene fragments. These strains were classified as a unique group by insertion sequence-PCR fingerprinting, SDS-PAGE protein patterns, DNA-DNA hybridization, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and morphological characterization. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene indicated that these diazotrophic strains belonged to the genus Azospirillum and were closely related to Azospirillum lipoferum (with 97.5 % similarity). In all the analyses, including in addition phenotypic characterization using Biolog MicroPlates and comparison of cellular fatty acids, this novel group was found to be different from the most closely related species, Azospirillum lipoferum. Based on these data, a novel species, Azospirillum melinis sp. nov., is proposed for these endophytic diazotrophs of M. minutiflora, with TMCY 0552(T) (=CCBAU 5106001(T) = LMG 23364(T) = CGMCC 1.5340(T)) as the type strain.