A Review on Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Clinical Application of Tinospora sinensis (Lour.) Merr.

Tinospora sinensis (T. sinensis), whose Tibetan name is "Lezhe", as a traditional medicine, is widely distributed in China, India and Sri Lanka. It is used for the treatment of rheumatic arthralgia, sciatica, lumbar muscle strain and bruises. Research over the previous decades indicated that T. sinensis mainly contains terpenes, lignans, alkaloids, phenol glycosides and other chemical components. A wide range of pharmacologic activities such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, immunosuppressive, anti-aging, anti-radiation, anti-leishmania and liver protection have been reported. However, the scholar's research on the pharmacodynamic material basis of T. sinensis is relatively weak. Data regarding many aspects such as links between the traditional uses and bioactivities, pharmacokinetics, and quality control standard of active compositions is still limited and need more attention. This review reports a total of 241 compounds, the ethnopharmacology and clinical application of T. sinensis, covering the literature which were searched by multiple databases including Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, CNKI and other literature sources from 1996 to date, with a view to provide a systematic and insightful reference and lays a foundation and inspiration for the application and further in-depth research of T. sinensis resources.

[Analysis of metabolites in simulated gastric fluid of Saposhnikoviae Radix polysaccharides].

To fully understand whether Saposhnikoviae Radix polysaccharides(SP) can be metabolized in gastric fluid and the meta-bolic behavior, this study systematically analyzed the metabolites in simulated gastric fluid of SP by high-performance liquid chromatography-ion trap time-of-flight mass spectrometry(HPLC-IT-TOF-MS) technology in combination with zebrafish immune activity evaluation. Based on the obtained accurate relative molecular mass, chromatographic retention behavior, MS fragmentation patterns, refe-rence standards, and relevant literature reports, 19 metabolites were analyzed and identified. Among them, five monosaccharides and 14 oligosaccharides were generated as metabolites. Several reducing sugars, including mannose, glucose, rhamnose, and xylose, were accurately identified in the gastric fluid metabolites. Zebrafish pharmacological evaluation results indicated that SP maintained good immune activity after gastric fluid metabolism, with the most significant increase in immune cell density observed at W3(simulated gastric fluid metabolism for 2 hours). Among the gastric fluid metabolites, M1 and M3(Hex-Hex-Man) may be most closely related to pharmacological activity and could be further studied as potential active fragments.

The complete mitochondrial genome and gene rearrangements in a gall wasp species, Dryocosmus liui (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea: Cynipidae).

Mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) have been widely used in comparative and evolutionary genomics, molecular evolution, phylogenetics, and population genetics, but very limited information is available for the family Cynipidae. In this report, we describe the mitogenome of Dryocosmus liui Pang, Su et Zhu, providing the first complete mitogenomic data for a cynipid gall wasp species. The mitogenome of D. liui is 16,819 bp in length, and contains the typical set of 37 genes. Two control regions were detected, with the second being a perfect inverted repeat of the major portion of the first. Gene rearrangements were found in transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, protein-coding genes (PCGs) and ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, compared with the putative ancestral mitogenome. Similar to two other Cynipidae species with mitogenome data available, D. liui has a novel tRNA gene cluster trnL1-trnI-trnL2-trnW-trnM-trnQ between nad1 and nad2. Phylogenetic analysis based on sequences of PCGs and rRNA genes with D. liui included obtained topologies identical to previous studies supporting the a relationship of (Cynipoidea , (Platygastroidea, Proctotrupoidea)) within the monophyletic Proctotrupomorpha and (Cynipidae, Figitidae), Ibaliidae) within the Cynipoidea.

Four new diastereoisomeric neolignan glycosides from the root bark of Lycium chinense Miller. and their α-glucosidase inhibitory activity.

Four new diastereoisomeric neolignan glycosides (1-4) along with nine known lignan glycosides (5-13) were isolated from the root bark of Lycium chinense Mill. Their structures with absolute configurations were elucidated on the basis of NMR spectroscopy, ECD, Mo2(OAc)4-induced ECD spectra, enzymatic hydrolysis and acid hydrolysis. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Compounds 8 and 13 exhibited moderate inhibitory activities against α-glucosidase with IC50 values of 26.82 ± 2.71 and 43.14 ± 2.81 µg/mL.

Pangenomic analysis of Wolbachia provides insight into the evolution of host adaptation and cytoplasmic incompatibility factor genes.

Introduction: The genus Wolbachia provides a typical example of intracellular bacteria that infect the germline of arthropods and filarial nematodes worldwide. Their importance as biological regulators of invertebrates, so it is particularly important to study the evolution, divergence and host adaptation of these bacteria at the genome-wide level. Methods: Here, we used publicly available Wolbachia genomes to reconstruct their evolutionary history and explore their adaptation under host selection. Results: Our findings indicate that segmental and single-gene duplications, such as DNA methylase, bZIP transcription factor, heat shock protein 90, in single monophyletic Wolbachia lineages (including supergroups A and B) may be responsible for improving the ability to adapt to a broad host range in arthropod-infecting strains. In contrast to A strains, high genetic diversity and rapidly evolving gene families occur in B strains, which may promote the ability of supergroup B strains to adapt to new hosts and their large-scale spreading. In addition, we hypothesize that there might have been two independent horizontal transfer events of cif genes in two sublineages of supergroup A strains. Interestingly, during the independent evolution of supergroup A and B strains, the rapid evolution of cif genes in supergroup B strains resulted in the loss of their functional domain, reflected in a possible decrease in the proportion of induced cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) strains. Discussion: This present study highlights for reconstructing of evolutionary history, addressing host adaptation-related evolution and exploring the origin and divergence of CI genes in each Wolbachia supergroup. Our results thus not only provide a basis for further exploring the evolutionary history of Wolbachia adaptation under host selection but also reveal a new research direction for studying the molecular regulation of Wolbachia- induced cytoplasmic incompatibility.

[Two new monoterpenoid indole alkaloids from hook-bearing branches of Uncaria sessilifructus].

The present study investigated the chemical constituents from Uncaria sessilifructus and their neuroprotective activities. The compounds were separated and purified from the 90% ethanol extract of U. sessilifructus by various chromatographic methods, including silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and semi-preparative HPLC. Seven compounds were obtained, and their structures were identified as uncanidine J(1), uncanidine K(2), 17-O-ethylhirsutine(3), tetrahydroalstonine(4), akuammigine(5), hirsutine(6), and hirsuteine(7) by physicochemical properties and various spectral techniques, including UV, IR, MS, and NMR. Compounds 1 and 2 are two new compounds. Compound 3 is a new natural product, and compound 4 was isolated from U. sessilifructus for the first time. In addition, the isolated compounds were evaluated for their neuroprotective effects on oxygen and glucose deprivation/reoxygenation(OGD/R) injury in primary cortical neurons in rats. The results showed that compounds 1-7 had different degrees of protective effects on OGD/R injury. The EC_(50) values of compounds 2-4 were(0.17±0.03),(1.70±0.38), and(1.79±0.23) µmol·L~(-1), respectively.

High Levels of Multiple Phage WO Infections and Its Evolutionary Dynamics Associated With Wolbachia-Infected Butterflies.

Wolbachia is a maternally inherited bacterium that is widely distributed among arthropods, in which it manipulates the reproduction of its hosts. Phage WO is the only bacteriophage known to infect Wolbachia, and may provide benefit to its host or arthropods. We screened for the presence of phage WO in Wolbachia-infected butterfly species for the first time, to investigate their diversity and evolutionary dynamics. All Wolbachia-infected butterfly species, including members of the families Hesperiidae, Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae, Papilionidae, and Pieridae, were found to harbor phage WO. Interestingly, 84% of 19 butterfly species, which were infected with a single Wolbachia strain harbored high levels of multiple phage types (ranging from 3 to 17 types), another three species harbored one or two phage types. For Wolbachia strains (ST-41, ST-19, ST-125 and ST-374) shared among various butterfly species, their host insects all harbored multiple phage types, while two Wolbachia strains (ST-297 and ST-wPcau) were found to infect one butterfly species, whose insect hosts harbored a single phage type, suggesting that horizontal transfer of Wolbachia between insects increased the likelihood of exposure to phages, resulting in increased phage genetic diversity. Twelve horizontal transmission events of phage WO were found, which shared common phage WO types among different Wolbachia strains associated with butterflies. Most horizontal transfer events involved different Wolbachia supergroups (A and B). Horizontal acquisition of phage WO might also occur between eukaryotes without Wolbachia transfer. Furthermore, 22 putative recombination events were identified in 13 of 16 butterfly species which harbored multiple phage types. These results showed that horizontal transfer of Wolbachia caused it to be exposed to the phage gene pool, and that horizontal transmission of phage WO, as well as intragenic recombination were important dynamics for phage WO genome evolution, which effectively promoted the high level of phage WO diversity associated with butterflies.

A new species of Andricus Hartig, 1840 (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae) from China, with references to DNA taxonomy and Wolbachia infection.

In the present paper, a new species of cynipid gall wasp, Andricuselodeoides Liu & Pang, is described from several provinces in southern China. The new species is closely related to the recently redescribed A.mairei (Kieffer, 1906). In addition to differences in adult and gall morphology, the new species is also readily separated by COI sequences, with a 6.2-8.9% genetic distance between populations of the new species and those of A.mairei. A contrasting difference in sex ratios was also observed between the two species, with A.elodeoides extremely female-biased (95.5-97.8% female) while A.mairei male-biased to more balanced (5.4-43.5% female). PCR screening for Wolbachia infection further revealed contrasting infection rates between populations of A.elodeoides and A.mairei: the Wolbachia infection rate was 0% in A.elodeoides and 100% in A.mairei. Cytoplasmic incompatibility induced by Wolbachia is proposed as a potential mechanism of speciation of the sympatric A.elodeoides and A.mairei.

Design and Testing of Effective Primers for Amplification of the orf7 Gene of Phage WO Associated with Andricus hakonensis.

Phage WO was first characterized in Wolbachia, an obligate intracellular Rickettsiales known for its ability to regulate the reproduction of arthropod hosts. In this paper, we focus on the study of virus diversity in Andricus hakonensis and the development of highly effective primers. Based on the existing Wolbachia genome sequence, we designed primers (WO-TF and WO-TR) to amplify the full-length orf7 gene of phage WO. Surprisingly, sequencing results showed a high abundance of other phage WO groups in A. hakonensis, in addition to the four groups previously identified. The results also showed that A. hakonensis contained most of the known types of orf7 genes (I, III, IV, V and VI) and the level of diversity of harbored phage WO was very high. Therefore, we speculated that existing primers were not specific enough and that new primers for the detection of phage WO were needed. Based on the existing orf7 gene sequence, we designed specific detection primers (WO-SUF and WO-SUR). Sequencing results showed that the primers effectively amplified all known types of phage WO. In addition to amplifying most of the known sequences, we also detected some new genotypes in A. hakonensis using the new primers. Importantly, all phage WO groups could be efficiently detected. Combined with the results of previous studies, our results suggest that A. hakonensis contains the largest number of phage types (up to 36 types). This study is novel in that it provides practical molecular evidence supporting base deletions, in addition to gene mutations and genetic recombination, as an important cause of phage WO diversity.

A Case of Intragenic Recombination Dramatically Impacting the Phage WO Genetic Diversity in Gall Wasps.

The phage WO was characterized in Wolbachia, a strictly intracellular bacterium causing several reproductive alterations in its arthropod hosts. This study aimed to screen the presence of Wolbachia and phage WO in 15 gall wasp species from six provinces of southern China to investigate their diversity and prevalence patterns. A high incidence of Wolbachia infection was determined in the gall wasp species, with an infection rate of 86.7% (13/15). Moreover, seven species had double or multiple infections. All Wolbachia-infected gall wasp species were found to harbor phage WO. The gall wasp species infected with a single Wolbachia strain were found to harbor a single phage WO type. On the contrary, almost all species with double or multiple Wolbachia infections harbored a high level of phage WO diversity (ranging from three to 27 types). Six horizontal transfer events of phage WO in Wolbachia were found to be associated with gall wasps, which shared identical orf7 sequences among their respective accomplices. The transfer potentially took place through gall inducers and associated inquilines infected with or without Wolbachia. Furthermore, 10 putative recombination events were identified from Andricus hakonensis and Andricus sp2, which harbored multiple phage WO types, suggesting that intragenic recombination was the important evolutionary force, which effectively promoted the high level of phage WO diversity associated with gall wasps.

[Effects of PES and 2,4-DCP on the Extracellular Polymeric Substances and Microbial Community of Anaerobic Granular Sludge].

The effects of polyether sulfone (PES) microplastics and 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) on the loosely-bound extracellular polymeric substances (LB-EPS) and tightly-bound EPS (TB-EPS) of anaerobic granular sludge were investigated. In addition, high-throughput sequencing technology was used to analyze the changes in the microbial community and gene functions in the anaerobic granular sludge. The results revealed that the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal rates of the 2,4-DCP and PES+2,4-DCP experimental groups were 35% and 37%, which were 57% and 55% lower than that of the blank control group, while the COD removal rates of the PES experimental group remained around 90%. After the addition of the PES microplastics and 2,4-DCP, the protein and polysaccharide contents in the LB-EPS decreased compared with the control group, and the polysaccharide content in TB-EPS increased the least. In presence of the PES microplastics and 2,4-DCP, the activity of coenzyme F420 was inhibited. Through high-throughput sequencing, the microbial richness and diversity of the anaerobic granular sludge in the experimental group were reduced with the addition of the PES microplastics or 2,4-DCP. In the control group and the experimental group, the dominant bacteria at the phylum level were Proteobacteria (13.45%-44.47%), Firmicutes (6.86%-21.67%), and Actinobacteria (3.16%-18.11%). The abundance of ß-Proteobacteria in the PES+2,4-DCP experimental group was reduced by 15.28%, while the abundance of γ-Proteobacteria increased by 28.44% compared with the control group. Based on the phylogenetic investigation of the communities using the reconstruction of unobserved states (PICRUSt) analysis, it was found that in the experimental group with the PES microplastics or 2,4-DCP, the genes related to the sludge energy metabolism function were 0.25%-0.72% more than the control group; therefore, the abundance of genes related to the transport function group decreased significantly.

A new species of Periclistus Foerster, 1869 from China and review of the tribe Diastrophini (Hymenoptera, Cynipoidea, Cynipidae).

A new species of cynipid gall wasps, Periclistus orientalis Pang, Liu & Zhu, sp. nov., is herein described from Hunan, China in the tribe Diastrophini (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea: Cynipidae). The phylogenetic relationship between Periclistus and all the other Diastrophini genera, except the recently described XestophanopsisPujade-Villar et al., 2019, was analyzed using a fragment of the mitochondrial COI gene and a fragment of the nuclear 28S gene. A taxonomic key to the known genera of Diastrophini and an updated taxonomic key to the known Eastern Palearctic species of Periclistus were provided. In addition, an updated checklist of the known species of the genus from the world is given.

[Effects of Magnetic Fe3O4 Nanoparticles on the Characteristics of Anaerobic Granular Sludge and Its Interior Microbial Community].

In this study, the effects of magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) on soluble microbial products (SMP), loosely bound extracellular polymeric substances (LB-EPS), and tightly bound extracellular polymeric substances (TB-EPS) in anaerobic granular sludge were examined. In addition, the anaerobic granular sludge interior microbial community dynamics were investigated using high-throughput sequencing. The results demonstrated that the removal rate of COD was 83.6% after long-term exposure in the experimental reactor, namely, the anaerobic reactor containing Fe3O4 NPs. It was reduced by 5.7% in comparison with the removal rate in the control reactor. The total amount of TB-EPS in anaerobic granular sludge in the experimental and control reactors was 178.20 mg·g-1 and 138.24 mg·g-1, respectively, while the total amount of SMP in anaerobic granular sludge was 34.88 mg·L-1 and 27.44 mg·L-1, respectively. With regard to the LB-EPS in anaerobic granular sludge in the experimental reactor, the peak of humic acid disappeared and the peak intensity of coenzyme F420 decreased slightly using excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectra. In terms of the microbial community dynamics in the experimental reactor, the abundance of Methanobacterium was greatly augmented from 76.15% to 86.76%; whereas, the abundance of Methanothrix decreased from 17.1% to 7.51%. This indicated that Methanothrix was more sensitive to Fe3O4 NPs. Moreover, the changes in bacterial communities were evident:①the abundance of Proteobacteria dropped from 66.44% to 47.16%; ② the abundance of Actinobacteria grew from 8.97% to 17.33%; and ③ the abundance of Bacteroidetes increased from 8.07% to 17.74%. The increasing abundance of Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes plays a positive role in the anaerobic hydrolysis of organic matter.

Discovery of a new species of Dryocosmus Giraud, 1859 (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini) on Castanopsis tibetana from China.

A new gall wasp species, Dryocosmus liui Pang, Su et Zhu n. sp., is described from Hunan Province, China. The new species forms integral galls on branches of Castanopsis tibetana Hance. The results of morphological comparison, pair-wise genetic distance of mtDNA COI, and phylogenetic analysis based on COI gene sequences did not support treating Chilaspis and Dryocosmus as separate genera. Our results also provided new evidence supporting the notion that the Nearctic Dryocosmus species may represent a lineage distinct from the Old World species of the genus.

[Efficiency and Microecology of a Soil Infiltration System with High Hydraulic Loading for the Treatment of Swine Wastewater].

The swine wastewater after treated with an anaerobic reactor was used to investigate the removal efficiency of COD, ammonia nitrogen, and total nitrogen in an ecological high hydraulic loading soil infiltration system. Meanwhile, the microbial community structure and the contents of the catalase, urease, and nitrate reductase were analyzed. The results showed that with the hydraulic load of 11 cm·d-1 and the influent COD concentration of 700 mg·L-1, the removal rate of COD was 78.8%, 63.0%, and 92.6%for the first land infiltration column, the secondary land infiltration column, and the total system, respectively. When the hydraulic load increased to 22 cm·d-1; the total removal rate of COD was also above 90.0%. The system was more significant for ammonia nitrogen removal. The removal rate of ammonia nitrogen reached approximately 99%. The contents of catalase were 1.899, 0.990, and 0.323 mL·g-1 at the upper, middle, and bottom sections of the system, respectively. The organic matter in the swine wastewater was removed at the upper and middle of the system. On the secondary soil infiltration system, the content of nitrate reductase was 3.453, 3.831, and 1.971 mL·g-1, respectively. Denitrification mainly occurred in the upper and middle of the secondary soil infiltration system. Gram Negative and Gram Positive bacteria were given priority in the soil infiltration system. Especially, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Actinomycetes dominated the secondary soil infiltration system. The system provides a guarantee for the removal of the refractory organic compounds from the swine wastewater.

[Efficiency of Aerobic Co-composting of Urban Sludge and Chinese Medicinal Herbal Residues].

With Chinese medicinal herbal residues and municipal sludge as raw materials for co-composting experiment, the effect of the material ratio and addition time of Chinese medicinal herbal residues on the composting efficiency were investigated, including the change of the temperature, organic matter, ammonia nitrogen, and activity of protease. The best composting conditions were determined based on the results. The experimental results showed that the temperature of the pile was raised in the presence of 60 g Chinese medicinal herbal residues as carbon source and 300 g municipal sludge, the ammonia volatilization was reduced and the activity of protease was improved. The ammonia volatilization was reduced by 35.9% and the activity of protease was increased by 80.5% in 15 d, respectively. Especially, in the early stage, addition of Chinese medicinal herbal residues as conditioner could increase the organic matter degradation. Thus, the composting process was accelerated. Changes in the UV-visible and fluorescence characteristics of dissolved organic matter (DOM) during the co-composting process were discussed. The treatment with Chinese medicinal herbal residues improved the maturity of the compost. Moreover, phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) method was used to estimate the microbial community structure changes. It showed that the number of microbial community such as fungi and Gram negative bacteria increased with addition of Chinese medicinal herbal residues.

New gall wasp species attacking chestnut trees: Dryocosmus zhuili n. sp. (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) on Castanea henryi from southeastern China.

A new gall wasp species, Dryocosmus zhuili Liu et Zhu, is herein described from the southeastern Fujian province of China. The new species induces galls on trees of Henry's chestnut, Castanea henryi, which is also a native host for the notorious Oriental chestnut gall wasp (OCGW, Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu). D. zhuili overlaps with OCGW in emergence time and induces galls morphologically similar to that of OCGW on similar plant parts. In a previous study, we reported considerable divergence between mtDNA CO1 (mitochondrial DNA Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) sequences of these wasps and the true OCGW wasps and suggested the existence of a cryptic species. Herein, we confirm the identity of the new species based on morphological and biological differences and provide a formal description. Although the new species is relatively easily separated from OCGW on basis of morphology, field identification involving the two species can still be problematic because of their small body size, highly similar gall morphology, and other life history traits. We further discussed the potential of the new species to be a pest for the chestnut industry and the consequences of accidental introduction of this species into nonnative areas, especially with regard to the bisexual reproduction mode of the new species in contrast to the parthenogenetic reproduction mode of OCGW.

[Preparation bimetallic heterogeneous Fenton-like catalyst as sepiolite supported and its surface chemical characterization].

The reactive brilliant blue was chosen as the probe pollutant. Fe(NO3)3 concentration, MnSO4 concentration, urea concentration, water bath temperature, calcined temperature and time were as influencing factors, the process parameters of homogeneous precipitation method was optimized for the preparation of bimetallic heterogeneous Fenton-like catalyst as modified sepiolite supported. At the same time, surface chemical characteristics of catalyst were analyzed by SEM, FTIR and XRD. Results showed that: with increasing iron ion concentrations, the active ingredient of the catalyst increased. Adding small amount of manganese ion could inhibit the growth of Fe2O3 diameter and increase the activity of the catalyst. Urea concentration was increased, so that the higher the urea concentration, the higher rate of formation of crystal gains, was conducive to generate small and uniform particles. The optimal conditions were found for preparing bimetallic heterogeneous Fenton-like catalyst by Box-Behnken experiment, which were as follows: concentration of Fe(NO3)3, MnSO4 and urea were 0.18 mol x L(-1), 0.05 mol x L(-1) and 1.0 mol x L(-1), respectively. The dosage of the modified sepiolite was 40 g x L(-1) and water bath temperature was 100 degrees C. Additionally, the catalyst was calcined at 370 degrees C for 3 h. The SEM showed that the sepiolite was an a-type sepiolite, which could be used as a well catalyst support. The infrared spectrum presented the bend vibrations of the Fe-O stretch vibration. The XRD patterns of the catalysts showed the characteristic diffraction peaks of alpha-Fe2O3, and gamma-Fe2O3.

High levels of multiple infections, recombination and horizontal transmission of Wolbachia in the Andricus mukaigawae (Hymenoptera; Cynipidae) communities.

Wolbachia are maternally inherited endosymbiotic bacteria of arthropods and nematodes. In arthropods, they manipulate the reproduction of their hosts to facilitate their own spread in host populations, causing cytoplasmic incompatibility, parthenogenesis induction, feminization of genetic males and male-killing. In this study, we investigated Wolbachia infection and studied wsp (Wolbachia surface protein) sequences in three wasp species associated with the unisexual galls of A. mukaigawae with the aim of determining the transmission mode and the reason for multiple infections of Wolbachia. Frequency of Wolbachia infected populations for A. mukaigawae, Synergus japonicus (inquiline), and Torymus sp. (parasitoid) was 75%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. Multiple Wolbachia infections were detected in A. mukaigawae and S. japonicus, with 5 and 8 Wolbachia strains, respectively. The two host species shared 5 Wolbachia strains and were infected by identical strains in several locations, indicating horizontal transmission of Wolbachia. The transmission potentially takes place through gall tissues, which the larvae of both wasps feed on. Furthermore, three recombination events of Wolbachia were observed: the strains W8, W2 and W6 apparently have derived from W3 and W5a, W6 and W7, W4 and W9, respectively. W8 and W2 and their respective parental strains were detected in S. japonicus. W6 was detected with only one parent (W4) in S. japonicus; W9 was detected in Torymus sp., suggesting horizontal transmission between hosts and parasitoids. In conclusion, our research supports earlier studies that horizontal transmission of Wolbachia, a symbiont of the Rickettsiales order, may be plant-mediated or take place between hosts and parasitoids. Our research provides novel molecular evidence for multiple recombination events of Wolbachia in gall wasp communities. We suggest that genomic recombination and potential plant-mediated horizontal transmission may be attributable to the high levels of multiple Wolbachia infections observed in A. mukaigawae and S. japonicus.

[Biodegradation characteristics of organic pollutants contained in tannery wastewater].

In the batch experiments inoculated with activated sludge from tannery wastewater treatment plant, biodegradation characteristics and kinetics of three tanning agents, naphthalene-2-sulfonic sodium, tannic acid and bayberry tannin, were studied under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. And the aerobic/anaerobic biodegradation laws of real tannery wastewater with respect to COD change were also investigated using the same batch experiments. The results showed aerobic degradation was superior to anaerobic degradation for tanning agent removal and mineralization. The removal rates of naphthalene-2-sulfonic sodium, tannic acid and bayberry tannin by aerobic biodegradation were >90% , >90% and 50% -75% , respectively whereas 10%-40%, >95% and 20% -30%, respectively by anaerobic degradation. In terms of COD removal about tannic acid biodegradation, the removal rates under aerobic and anaerobic conditions were >75% and < 75% ,respectively. The first-order kinetic constants during aerobic biodegradation of tannic acid and bayberry tannin were slightly influenced by initial concentrations while initial concentration had a significant effect on the first-order kinetics rate in the case of naphthalene-2-sulfonic sodium aerobic-biodegradation because naphthalene- 2-sulfonic sodium with initial concentration >or= 70 mg.L-1 was toxic to microorganism leading to a significant decline of kinetic constants. Biodegradation of real tannery wastewater under aerobic and anaerobic conditions represented obvious stage characteristics and the COD concentration had a good linear correlation with reaction time in the phases of fast degradation and slow degradation. The aerobic maximum specific degradation rate wqas 11.6 times higher of anaerobic degradation.