Advancing sustainable wastewater management: A comprehensive review of nutrient recovery products and their applications.

Wastewater serves as a vital resource for sustainable fertilizer production, particularly in the recovery of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). This comprehensive study explores the recovery chain, from technology to final product reuse. Biomass growth is the most cost-effective method, valorizing up to 95 % of nutrients, although facing safety concerns. Various techniques enable the recovery of 100 % P and up to 99 % N, but challenges arise during the final product crystallization due to the high solubility of ammonium salts. Among these techniques, chemical precipitation and ammonia stripping/ absorption have achieved full commercialization, with estimated recovery costs of 6.0-10.0 EUR kgP-1 and 4.4-4.8 £ kgN-1, respectively. Multiple technologies integrating biomass thermo-chemical processing and P and/or N have also reached technology readiness level TRL = 9. However, due to maturing regulatory of waste-derived products, not all of their products are commercially available. The non-homogenous nature of wastewater introduces impurities into nutrient recovery products. While calcium and iron impurities may impact product bioavailability, some full-scale P recovery technologies deliver products containing this admixture. Recovered mineral nutrient forms have shown up to 60 % higher yield biomass growth compared to synthetic fertilizers. Life cycle assessment studies confirm the positive environmental outcomes of nutrient recycling from wastewater to agricultural applications. Integration of novel technologies may increase wastewater treatment costs by a few percent, but this can be offset through renewable energy utilization and the sale of recovered products. Moreover, simultaneous nutrient recovery and energy production via bio-electrochemical processes contributes to carbon neutrality achieving. Interdisciplinary cooperation is essential to offset both energy and chemicals inputs, increase their cos-efficiency and optimize technologies and understand the nutrient release patterns of wastewater-derived products on various crops. Addressing non-technological factors, such as legal and financial support, infrastructure redesign, and market-readiness, is crucial for successfully implementation and securing the global food production.

Phylogenomics and biogeographical diversification of Collabieae (Orchidaceae) and its implication in the reconstruction of the dynamic history of Asian evergreen broadleaved forests.

The tribe Collabieae (Epidendroideae, Orchidaceae) comprises approximately 500 species. Generic delimitation within Collabieae are confusing and phylogenetic interrelationships within the Collabieae have not been well resolved. Plastid genomes and nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences were used to estimate the phylogenetic relationships, ancestral ranges, and diversification rates of Collabieae. The results showed that Collabieae was subdivided into nine clades with high support. We proposed to combine Ancistrochilus and Pachystoma into Spathoglottis, merge Collabium and Chrysoglossum into Diglyphosa, and separate Pilophyllum and Hancockia as distinctive genera. The diversification of the nine clades of Collabieae might be associated with the uplift of the Himalayas during the Late Oligocene/Early Miocene. The enhanced East Asian summer monsoon in the Late Miocene may have promoted the rapid diversification of Collabieae at a sustained high diversification rate. The increased size of terrestrial pseudobulbs may be one of the drivers of Collabieae diversification. Our results suggest that the establishment and development of evergreen broadleaved forests facilitated the diversification of Collabieae.

Single-cell RNA sequencing and ATAC sequencing identify novel biomarkers for bicuspid aortic valve-associated thoracic aortic aneurysm.

Introduction: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most prevalent congenital cardiovascular defect and known to cause thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs). To improve our understanding of BAV pathogenesis, we characterized the cellular composition of BAV tissues and identified molecular changes in each cell population. Methods: Tissue samples from two patients with BAV and two heart transplant donors were analyzed using single-cell RNA sequencing, assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing, and weighted gene coexpression network analysis for differential gene analysis. TAA-related changes were evaluated by comparing the proportion of each cell type and gene expression profiles between TAA and control tissues. Further, by combining our single-cell RNA sequencing data with publicly available data from genome-wide association studies, we determined critical genes for BAV. Results: We found 20 cell subpopulations in TAA tissues, including multiple subtypes of smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, macrophages, and T lymphocytes. This result suggested that these cells play multiple functional roles in BAV development. Several differentially expressed genes, including CD9, FHL1y, HSP90AA1, GAS6, PALLD, and ACTA2, were identified. Discussion: We believe that this comprehensive assessment of the cellular composition of TAA tissues and the insights into altered gene expression patterns can facilitate identification of novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for BAV-associated TAA.

Molecular transformation of dissolved organic matter in manganese ore-mediated constructed wetlands for fresh leachate treatment.

The organic matter (OM) and nitrogen in Fresh leachate (FL) from waste compression sites pose environmental and health risks. Even though the constructed wetland (CW) can efficiently remove these pollutants, the molecular-level transformations of dissolved OM (DOM) in FL remain uncertain. This study reports the molecular dynamics of DOM and nitrogen removal during FL treatment in CWs. Two lab-scale vertical-flow CW systems were employed: one using only sand as substrates (act as a control, CW-C) and the other employing an equal mixture of manganese ore powder and sand (experimental, CW-M). Over 488 days of operation, CW-M exhibited significantly higher removal rates for chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N), and dissolved organic matter (represented by dissolved organic carbon, DOC) at 98.2 ± 2.5%, 99.2 ± 1.4%, and 97.9 ± 1.9%, respectively, in contrast to CW-C (92.8 ± 6.8%, 77.1 ± 28.1%, and 74.7 ± 9.5%). The three-dimensional fluorescence excitation-emission matrix (3D-EEM) and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) analyses unveiled that the influent DOM was predominantly composed of readily biodegradable protein-like substances with high carbon content and low unsaturation. Throughout treatment, it led to the degradation of low O/C and high H/C compounds, resulting in the formation of DOM with higher unsaturation and aromaticity, resembling humic-like substances. CW-M showcased a distinct DOM composition, characterized by lower carbon content yet higher unsaturation and aromaticity than CW-C. The study also identified the presence of Gammaproteobacteria, reported as Mn-oxidizing bacteria with significantly higher abundance in the upper and middle layers of CW-M, facilitating manganese cycling and improving DOM removal. Key pathways contributing to DOM removal encompassed adsorption, catalytic oxidation by manganese oxides, and microbial degradation. This study offers novel insights into DOM transformation and removal from FL during CW treatment, which will facilitate better design and enhanced performance.

Theoretical Analysis of Thermophysical Properties of 3D Carbon/Epoxy Braided Composites with Varying Temperature.

A three-dimensional helix geometry unit cell is established to simulate the complex spatial configuration of 3D braided composites. Initially, different types of yarn factors, such as yarn path, cross-sectional shape, properties, and braid direction, are explained. Then, the multiphase finite element method is used to develop a new theoretical calculation procedure based on the unit cell for predicting the impacts of environmental temperature on the thermophysical properties of 3D four-direction carbon/epoxy braided composites. The changing rule and distribution characteristics of the thermophysical properties for 3D four-direction carbon/epoxy braided composites are obtained at temperatures ranging from room temperature to 200 °C. The influences of environmental temperature on the coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) and the coefficients of thermal conduction (CTC) are evaluated, by which some important conclusions are drawn. A comparison is conducted between theoretical and experimental results, revealing that variations in temperature exert a notable influence on the thermophysical characteristics of 3D four-directional carbon/epoxy braided composites. The theoretical calculation procedure is an effective tool for the mechanical property analysis of composite materials with complex geometries.

Pregnancy outcomes in infertile patients with endometrial hyperplasia with or without atypia undergoing in vitro fertilization: the early-follicular long protocol is superior to midluteal long protocol.

Background: Although in vitro fertilization (IVF) in infertile patients with endometrial hyperplasia is common after drug treatment, the pregnancy outcomes are often unsatisfactory. Till date, no studies have reported the outcome of patients with endometrial hyperplasia treated using early-follicular long (EL) protocol and midluteal long (ML) protocol. Objective: To evaluate the pregnancy outcomes and disease prognosis of patients with endometrial hyperplasia with or without atypia undergoing IVF treatment with EL protocol or ML protocol. Methods: This was a retrospective study in university-affiliated reproductive medical center. A total of 138 patients with endometrial hyperplasia undergoing IVF treatment were included to compare the pregnancy outcomes and disease prognosis between EL and ML protocols. We further matched 276 patients with normal endometrium to compare the pregnancy outcomes between patients with endometrial hyperplasia and patients with normal endometrium under different controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) protocol. Results: In patients with endometrial hyperplasia, the clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) and live birth rate (LBR) were significantly higher in EL protocol than in ML protocol (61.8% vs. 43.5%, P=0.032; 50.0% vs. 30.6%, P= 0.022). In the ML protocol, patients with endometrial hyperplasia had significantly lower CPR and LBR than those with normal endometrium (43.5% vs. 59.7%, P=0.037; 30.6% vs. 49.2%, P=0.016). While in the EL protocol, they achieved similar CPR and LBR as patients with normal endometrium (61.8% vs. 69.7%, P=0.232; 50.0% vs. 59.9%, P=0.156). In patients with endometrial hyperplasia, COS protocol was an independent factor affecting clinical pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.479; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.154-5.327) and live birth (adjusted OR 2.730; 95% CI 1.249-5.966). After 1-10 years of follow-up, no significant difference was found in the recurrence rate of endometrial lesions between both treatment groups. Conclusions: For patients with endometrial hyperplasia undergoing IVF treatment, the EL protocol is superior to ML protocol, and in the EL protocol, they can achieve similar pregnancy outcomes as patients with normal endometrium.

Potassium diformate alleviated inflammation of IPEC-J2 cells infected with EHEC.

Potassium diformate (KDF) is a kind of formate, which possesses the advantages of antimicrobial activity, growth promotion and preventing diarrhea in weaned piglets. However, the researches of KDF in animal production mostly focused on apparent indexes such as growth performance and the mechanisms of KDF on intestinal health have not been reported. Thus, porcine small intestinal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2) infected with Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) was used to investigate the role of KDF on alleviating intestinal inflammation in this study. The 0.125 mg/mL KDF treated IPEC-J2 cells for 6 h and IPEC-J2 cells challenged with 5 × 107 CFU/mL EHEC for 4 h were confirmed as the optimum concentration and time for the following experiment. The subsequent experiment was divided into four groups: control group (CON), EHEC group, KDF group, KDF+EHEC group. The results showed that KDF increased the cell viability and the gene expression levels of SGLT3 and TGF-ß, while decreased the content of IL-1ß compared with the CON group. The cell viability and the gene expressions of SGLT1, SGLT3, GLUT2, Claudin-1, Occludin and TGF-ß, and the protein expression of ZO-1 in EHEC group were lower than those in CON group, whereas the gene expressions of IL-1ß, TNF, IL-8 and TLR4, and the level of phosphorylation NF-кB protein were increased. Pretreatment with KDF reduced the content of IgM and IL-1ß, the gene expressions of IL-1ß, TNF, IL-8 and TLR4 and the level of phosphorylation NF-кB protein, and increased the gene expression of TGF-ß and the protein expression of Occludin in IPEC-J2 cells infected EHEC. In conclusion, 0.125 mg/mL KDF on IPEC-J2 cells for 6 h had the beneficial effects on ameliorating the intestinal inflammation because of reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines and enhanced anti-inflammatory cytokines through regulating NF-кB signaling pathway under the EHEC challenge.

Organelle Genomes of Epipogium roseum Provide Insight into the Evolution of Mycoheterotrophic Orchids.

Epipogium roseum, commonly known as one of the ghost orchids due to its rarity and almost transparent color, is a non-photosynthetic and fully mycoheterotrophic plant. Given its special nutritional strategies and evolutionary significance, the mitogenome was first characterized, and three plastomes sampled from Asia were assembled. The plastomes were found to be the smallest among Orchidaceae, with lengths ranging from 18,339 to 19,047 bp, and exhibited high sequence variety. For the mitogenome, a total of 414,552 bp in length, comprising 26 circular chromosomes, were identified. A total of 54 genes, including 38 protein-coding genes, 13 tRNA genes, and 3 rRNA genes, were annotated. Multiple repeat sequences spanning a length of 203,423 bp (45.47%) were discovered. Intriguingly, six plastid regions via intracellular gene transfer and four plastid regions via horizontal gene transfer to the mitogenome were observed. The phylogenomics, incorporating 90 plastomes and 56 mitogenomes, consistently revealed the sister relationship of Epipogium and Gastrodia, with a bootstrap percentage of 100%. These findings shed light on the organelle evolution of Orchidaceae and non-photosynthetic plants.

Relationship of environmental exposure temperature and temperature extremes on sperm DNA fragmentation index in men with different BMI values and the indirect effect of DNA fragmentation index on semen parameters.

Prior studies have established a significant correlation between the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and infertility. Additionally, certain investigations suggest that environmental exposure may serve as an etiological factor impacting semen quality. This study aimed to explore the impact of season, ambient temperature, and weather extremes on the DFI of sperm, along with other relevant parameters. Furthermore, it sought to assess how ambient temperature affects the DFI of sperm and other semen parameters in populations with varying BMI values. Additionally, the study analyzed the transient indirect effect of DFI on sperm parameters. This retrospective study analyzed semen samples from 11,877 men, selected based on female factor considerations, spanning from January 2016 to December 2021. Participants were grouped according to the season of semen collection. The results showed that samples collected in summer had a lower semen volume and sperm motility, while those collected in autumn had a lower DFI. We analyzed the exposure-response ratio between environmental exposure temperature and semen parameters using a generalized additive model. Results showed that the curve of the exposure-response relationship was U-shaped or inverted U-shaped; when the air temperature exposure was below the threshold, for each degree of temperature increase, the total sperm motility, sperm concentration, and progressive motility increased by 0.16 %, 0.29 × 10 (Levine, 1999)/ml and 0.14 %, respectively, while the DFI and inactivity rate decreased by 0.078 % and 0.15 %, respectively. When the air temperature exposure exceeded the threshold, for each degree of temperature increase, the sperm concentration, total sperm motility, semen volume and progressive motility decreased by 0.42 × 10 (Levine, 1999)/ml, 0.11 %, 0.0078 ml and 0.15 %, respectively, while the DFI and inactivity rate increased by 0.13 % and 0.12 %, respectively. Extremely cold weather during spermatogenesis was positively correlated with DFI, and extremely hot weather was negatively correlated with sperm motility. Subgroup analysis revealed that individuals classified as overweight / obese exhibited more pronounced changes in sperm parameters and the DFI in response to variations in environmental exposure temperature compared to those with a normal BMI. In the analysis of the relationship between DFI and sperm parameters, the results showed an inverted U-shape relationship between DFI and semen volume, and a negative correlation between DFI and sperm concentration and sperm motility. And we found that ambient temperature affects sperm parameters through DFI at low as well as average temperatures, whereas at high temperatures this indirect effect is no longer present.

Assessing grassland cultural ecosystem services supply and demand for promoting the sustainable realization of grassland cultural values.

Grasslands deliver essential provisioning and regulatory ecosystem services, concomitantly with indispensable cultural services that merit profound consideration. However, grassland cultural ecosystem services (GCES) face a conspicuous knowledge lacuna due to the lack of a unified research framework and quantitative methodology. This study endeavors to fill this gap by quantifying the potential supply and actual demand of GCES, concurrently scrutinizing spatial congruencies and disparities between GCES supply and demand in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (IMAR), China. To achieve this, we integrated social survey data, Point of Interest (POI) data, social media data, the Social Values for Ecosystem Services (SolVES) model and GIS Getis-Ord Gi* statistical analysis. Our analysis unveiled grid-scale spatial patterns of GCES supply and demand, furnishing a nuanced high-low ranking of GCES. It transpired that scenic travel holds the highest potential supply of GCES with a high-value area proportion of 46.0 %, while grassland recuperation ranks the lowest. Notably, road accessibility emerged as the most crucial factor influencing GCES patterns. Furthermore, we observed a substantial misalignment in the GCES supply-demand relationship, with 65.99 % of IMAR experiencing excess supply compared to demand and only 20.66 % achieving equilibrium. At a 95 % significance level, hot spots (excess supply) and cold spots (excess demand) accounted for 26.03 % and 22 %, respectively. We propose targeted suggestions that regions with oversupply of GCES should channel efforts toward augmenting road accessibility, whereas regions grappling with excess demand should prioritize the judicious allocation of resources to avert surpassing the environmental carrying capacity. Our study furnished insights for decision-makers to formulate sustainable development plans pertaining to grassland culture.

Investigating the long-term response of plateau vegetation productivity to extreme climate: insights from a case study in Qinghai Province, China.

Over the past three decades, there has been a significant global climate change characterized by an increase in the intensity and frequency of extreme climate events. The vegetation status in Qinghai Province has undergone substantial changes, which are more pronounced than other regions in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. However, a clear understanding of the response characteristics of plateau vegetation to extreme climate events is currently lacking. In this study, we investigated the response of net primary productivity (NPP) to different forms of extreme climate events across regions characterized by varying levels of aridity and elevation gradients. Specifically, we observed a significant increase in NPP in relatively arid regions. Our findings indicate that, in relatively arid regions, single episodes of high-intensity precipitation have a pronounced positive effect (higher correlation) on NPP. Furthermore, in high-elevation regions (4000-6000 m), both the intensity and frequency of precipitation events are crucial factors for the increase in regional NPP. However, continuous precipitation can have significant negative impacts on certain areas within relatively wet regions. Regarding temperature, a reduction in the number of frost days within a year has been shown to lead to a significant increase in NPP in arid regions. This reduction allows vegetation growth rate to increase in regions where it was limited by low temperatures. Vegetation conditions in drought-poor regions are expected to continue to improve as extreme precipitation intensifies and extreme low-temperature events decrease.

Methane emission from water level fluctuation zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir: Seasonal variation and microbial mechanism.

Periodic and significant water level fluctuations within the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) create a complex water level fluctuation zone (WLFZ) that can significantly influence greenhouse gas emissions. However, the scarcity of comprehensive studies investigating long-term monitoring and analysis of CH4 flux patterns and underlying mechanisms concerning water level variations, environmental characteristics, and microbial communities has limited our understanding. This study conducted a four-year monitoring campaign to examine in situ CH4 emissions from three representative sampling sites. Results indicated that the CH4 flux remained relatively stable at lower water levels, specifically at the control site (S1). However, water level fluctuations significantly influenced CH4 emissions at the sampling sites situated within the WLFZ. Notably, the highest CH4 flux of 0.252 ± 0.089 mg/(m2·h) was observed during the drying period (June to August), while the lowest CH4 flux of 0.048 ± 0.026 mg/(m2·h) was recorded during the flooding period. Moreover, CH4 emissions through the water-air interface surpassed those through the soil-air interface. The CH4 flux positively correlated with organic carbon, temperature, and soil moisture. The relative abundance of methane metabolism microorganisms peaked during the drying period and decreased during the impounding and flooding periods. The primary methanogenesis pathway was hydrogenotrophic, whereas methanotrophic processes were mainly aerobic, with Ca. Methylomirabilis governing the anaerobic methanotrophic process. Overall, the current findings serve as crucial theoretical references for understanding CH4 emissions and carbon metabolism processes within WLFZ environments.

Effective protection: the embryonic development and clinical outcomes of emergency vitrification of 1246 oocytes and Day 0-Day 5 embryos in a natural disaster.

STUDY QUESTION: Can emergency vitrification protect embryos and oocytes during natural disasters or other events that prevent normal practice to achieve satisfactory embryonic development and clinical outcomes at a later time? SUMMARY ANSWER: Emergency vitrification of oocytes and Day 0-Day 5 (D0-D5) embryos during disasters is a safe and effective protective measure. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: When some destructive events such as floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, and other accidents occur, emergency vitrification in embryo laboratories to protect human embryos, oocytes, and sperm is one of the important measures of an IVF emergency plan. However, there are few detailed reports on emergency vitrification in a state of disaster, especially about oocytes and D0 zygotes. Therefore, the effectiveness and safety of emergency vitrification of oocytes and D0-D5 embryos in disaster states are still unclear. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: A retrospective study was made in the Reproductive Medicine Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2018 to November 2022. The record rainstorms in Zhengzhou, China, caused severe flooding, traffic disruptions, and power outages. From 17:30, 20 July 2021 to 17:30, 21 July 2021, 1246 oocytes and D0-D5 embryos of 155 patients were vitrified whilst the laboratory had only an emergency power supply. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: As of 21 December 2021, 1149 emergency vitrified oocytes and D0-D5 embryos of 124 patients underwent frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET). They were divided into the following four groups according to the days of embryo culture in vitro: oocyte group, Day 0-Day 1 (D0-D1) group, Day 2-Day 3 (D2-D3) group, and Day 4-Day 5 (D4-D5) group. Control groups for each were selected from fresh cycle patients who underwent IVF/ICSI from January 2018 to October 2021. Control and emergency vitrification patients were matched on criteria that included age, fertilization method, days of embryonic development, and number and grade of transferred embryos. A total of 493 control patients were randomly selected from the eligible patients and matched with the emergency vitrification groups in a ratio of 4:1. The results of assisted reproduction and follow-up of pregnancy were analyzed. The embryonic development, clinical outcomes, and birth outcomes in each group were statistically analyzed. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: A significant difference was observed in fertilization rate (81% versus 72%, P = 0.022) between the oocyte group and the control group. Significant differences were also observed in the monozygotic twin pregnancy rate (10% versus 0%, P = 0.038) and ectopic pregnancy rate (5% versus 0%, P = 0.039) between the D0-D1 group and the control group. No significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed between vitrified oocytes/D0-D1 embryos/D2-D3 embryos and the control group on the number of high-quality embryos (3.17 ± 3.00 versus 3.84 ± 3.01, P = 0.346; 5.04 ± 3.66 versus 4.56 ± 2.87, P = 0.346; 4.85 ± 5.36 versus 5.04 ± 4.64, P = 0.839), the number of usable blastocysts (1.22 ± 1.78 versus 1.21 ± 2.03, P = 0.981; 2.16 ± 2.26 versus 1.55 ± 2.08, P = 0.090; 2.82 ± 3.23 versus 2.58 ± 3.32, P = 0.706), clinical pregnancy rate (56% versus 57%, P = 0.915; 55% versus 55%, P = 1.000; 40% versus 50%, P = 0.488), miscarriage rate (30% versus 15%, P = 0.496; 5% versus 11%, P = 0.678; 17% versus 20%, P = 1.000), and live birth rate (39% versus 49%, P = 0.460; 53% versus 50%, P = 0.772; 33% versus 40%, P = 0.635). No significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed between the D4-D5 group and the control group on clinical pregnancy rate (40% versus 55%, P = 0.645), miscarriage rate (0% versus 18%, P = 1.000), and live birth rate (40% versus 45%, P = 1.000). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The retrospective study design is a limitation. The timing and extent of natural disasters are unpredictable, so the sample size of vitrified oocytes, zygotes, and embryos is beyond experimental control. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: This study is the first study analyzing embryonic development, clinical outcomes, and birth outcomes of large samples of oocytes, D0 zygotes, and D1-D5 embryos after emergency vitrification under the disaster conditions. The results show that emergency vitrification is a safe and effective protective measure applicable to oocytes and D0-D5 embryos. The embryology laboratories need to be equipped with an emergency uninterrupted power supply capable of delivering for 6-8 h at full load. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant 81871206). The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest. All authors have completed the ICMJE Disclosure form. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: N/A.

Integration of the sulfate reduction and anammox processes for enhancing sustainable nitrogen removal in granular sludge reactors.

The Anammox and Sulfate Reduction Ammonium Oxidation processes were compared in two granular sequencing batch reactors operated for 160 days under anammox conditions. It was hypothesized that increasing the concentration of SO42- may positively influence the rate of N removal under anaerobic conditions and it was tested whether SO42- reduction and anammox occur independently or are related to each other. The cooperation of N-S cycles by increasing the concentration of influent SO42- to 952 mg S/L in the second reactor, a higher ammonium utilization rate and sulfate utilization rate was achieved compared to the first reactor, i.e., 2.1-fold and 15-fold, respectively. Nitrosomonas played the dominant role in the N metabolism, while Thauera - in the S metabolism. This study highlights the benefits of linking the N-S cycles as an effective approach for the treatment of NH4+ and SO42- - rich wastewater, including lower substrate removal cost and reduced energy consumption.

A pangolin-origin SARS-CoV-2-related coronavirus: infectivity, pathogenicity, and cross-protection by preexisting immunity.

Virus spillover remains a major challenge to public health. A panel of SARS-CoV-2-related coronaviruses have been identified in pangolins, while the infectivity and pathogenicity of these pangolin-origin coronaviruses (pCoV) in humans remain largely unknown. Herein, we comprehensively characterized the infectivity and pathogenicity of a recent pCoV isolate (pCoV-GD01) in human cells and human tracheal epithelium organoids and established animal models in comparison with SARS-CoV-2. pCoV-GD01 showed similar infectivity to SARS-CoV-2 in human cells and organoids. Remarkably, intranasal inoculation of pCoV-GD01 caused severe lung pathological damage in hACE2 mice and could transmit among cocaged hamsters. Interestingly, in vitro neutralization assays and animal heterologous challenge experiments demonstrated that preexisting immunity induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination was sufficient to provide at least partial cross-protection against pCoV-GD01 challenge. Our results provide direct evidence supporting pCoV-GD01 as a potential human pathogen and highlight the potential spillover risk.

Population genomic analysis provides evidence of the past success and future potential of South China tiger captive conservation.

BACKGROUND: Among six extant tiger subspecies, the South China tiger (Panthera tigris amoyensis) once was widely distributed but is now the rarest one and extinct in the wild. All living South China tigers are descendants of only two male and four female wild-caught tigers and they survive solely in zoos after 60 years of effective conservation efforts. Inbreeding depression and hybridization with other tiger subspecies were believed to have occurred within the small, captive South China tiger population. It is therefore urgently needed to examine the genomic landscape of existing genetic variation among the South China tigers. RESULTS: In this study, we assembled a high-quality chromosome-level genome using long-read sequences and re-sequenced 29 high-depth genomes of the South China tigers. By combining and comparing our data with the other 40 genomes of six tiger subspecies, we identified two significantly differentiated genomic lineages among the South China tigers, which harbored some rare genetic variants introgressed from other tiger subspecies and thus maintained a moderate genetic diversity. We noticed that the South China tiger had higher FROH values for longer runs of homozygosity (ROH > 1 Mb), an indication of recent inbreeding/founder events. We also observed that the South China tiger had the least frequent homozygous genotypes of both high- and moderate-impact deleterious mutations, and lower mutation loads than both Amur and Sumatran tigers. Altogether, our analyses indicated an effective genetic purging of deleterious mutations in homozygous states from the South China tiger, following its population contraction with a controlled increase in inbreeding based on its pedigree records. CONCLUSIONS: The identification of two unique founder/genomic lineages coupled with active genetic purging of deleterious mutations in homozygous states and the genomic resources generated in our study pave the way for a genomics-informed conservation, following the real-time monitoring and rational exchange of reproductive South China tigers among zoos.

Origin and diversification of a Himalayan orchid genus Pleione.

Pleione is an orchid endemically distributed in high mountain areas across the Hengduan Mountains (HDM), Himalayas, Southeast Asia and South of China. The unique flower shapes, rich colors and immense medicinal importance of Pleione are valuable ornamental and economic resources. However, the phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary history of the genus have not yet been comprehensively resolved. Here, the evolutionary history of Pleione was investigated using single-copy gene single nucleotide polymorphisms and chloroplast genome datasets. The data revealed that Pleione could be divided into five clades. Discordance in topology between the two phylogenetic trees and network and D-statistic analyses indicated the occurrence of reticulate evolution in the genus. The evolution could be attributed to introgression and incomplete lineage sorting. Ancestral area reconstruction suggested that Pleione was originated from the HDM. Uplifting of the HDM drove rapid diversification by creating conditions favoring rapid speciation. This coincided with two periods of consolidation of the Asian monsoon climate, which caused the first rapid diversification of Pleione from 8.87 to 7.83 Mya, and a second rapid diversification started at around 4.05 Mya to Pleistocene. The interaction between Pleione and climate changes, especially the monsoons, led to the current distribution pattern and shaped the dormancy characteristic of the different clades. In addition to revealing the evolutionary relationship of Pleione with orogeny and climate changes, the findings of this study provide insights into the speciation and diversification mechanisms of plants in the East Asian flora.

High-Spatial-Resolution NDVI Reconstruction with GA-ANN.

The normalized differential vegetation index (NDVI) for Landsat is not continuous on the time scale due to the long revisit period and the influence of clouds and cloud shadows, such that the Landsat NDVI needs to be filled in and reconstructed. This study proposed a method based on the genetic algorithm-artificial neural network (GA-ANN) algorithm to reconstruct the Landsat NDVI when it has been affected by clouds, cloud shadows, and uncovered areas by relying on the MODIS characteristics for a wide coverage area. According to the self-validating results of the model test, the RMSE, MAE, and R were 0.0508, 0.0557, and 0.8971, respectively. Compared with the existing research, the reconstruction model based on the GA-ANN algorithm achieved a higher precision than the enhanced spatial and temporal adaptive reflectance fusion model (ESTARFM) and the flexible space-time data fusion algorithm (FSDAF) for complex land use types. The reconstructed method based on the GA-ANN algorithm had a higher root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE). Then, the Sentinel NDVI data were used to verify the accuracy of the results. The validation results showed that the reconstruction method was superior to other methods in the sample plots with complex land use types. Especially on the time scale, the obtained NDVI results had a strong correlation with the Sentinel NDVI data. The correlation coefficient (R) of the GA-ANN algorithm reconstruction's NDVI and the Sentinel NDVI data was more than 0.97 for the land use types of cropland, forest, and grassland. Therefore, the reconstruction model based on the GA-ANN algorithm could effectively fill in the clouds, cloud shadows, and uncovered areas, and produce NDVI long-series data with a high spatial resolution.

Two new bibenzyls from Pleione grandiflora (Rolfe) Rolfe and their antioxidant activity.

Two new bibenzyls (1 and 2) were isolated from the pseudobulbs of Pleione grandiflora (Rolfe) Rolfe along with six known compounds, including isoarundinin I (3), isoarundinin II (4), bulbocodin D (5), batatasin III (6), 5,3'-dihydroxy- 4-(p-hydroxybenzyl)-3-methoxybibenzyl (7) and shancigusin F (8). Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic methods. These compounds showed potent DPPH free radical scavenging effects with IC50 values ranging from 49.72 ± 0.35 µM to 65.41 ± 0.49 µM.

Comparison of Serum Folate between Schizophrenic Patients and Healthy Controls in Chinese Han Adult Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between serum folate and schizophrenia (SZ) risk in the Chinese Han adult population in different papers, a systematic review and metaanalysis were conducted. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched for this meta-analysis on three English databases (PubMed, Embase, and Web of science) and four Chinese databases (CNKI, SinoMed, Wanfang, and CQVIP) on March 27, 2021. INCLUSION CRITERIA: studies provided folate levels in serum of cases and controls as mean and standard deviation. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: subjects were not Chinese Han adult population. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale score was used to assess the risk of bias in the included studies. Standard mean difference (SMD) was used to measure the difference between SZ patients and healthy controls. Subgroup analyses by measurement time, duration, and age were performed, respectively. RESULTS: This meta-analysis included 19 publications involving 1571 SZ cases and 1283 healthy controls. In total studies, the pooled result showed that SZ patients had decreased serum folate levels compared with healthy controls (SMD [95%CI] = -1.37[-1.83,-0.90], PSMD<0.001), and in most of the subgroups, the associations reached decreased significantly; while in the subgroup of drugs use, the association was not reached significantly. CONCLUSION: Dose-response analysis and subgroup analyses by gender were not performed due to the lack of data. Folate deficiency is associated with the patients, and antipsychotic drugs might have positive effects on improving serum folate levels in Chinese Han adult SZ.