Carbonaceous particulate matter promotes the horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes.

There is growing concern about the transfer of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in airborne particulate matter. In this study, we investigated the effects of various types of carbonaceous particulate matter (CPM) on the transfer of ARGs . The results showed that CPM promoted the transfer of ARGs, which was related to the concentration and particle size.

[Regulative effect of active components of Cistanche deserticola on intestinal dysbacteriosis induced by antibiotics in mice].

To study the effects of Cistanche deserticola and its active components Cistanche deserticola polysaccharide and Echinacoside on intestinal flora of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) mice. Forty-eight Balb/c mice were randomly divided into control (Con) group, AAD Group, inulin (Inu) group, Cistanche deserticola (RCR) group, Cistanche deserticola polysaccharide (RCRDT) group and Echinacoside (Ech) group with 8 mice in each group. The diarrhea model of mice was induced by intragastric administration of lincomycin hydrochloride(3 g/kg) for 7 days, and then treated by intragastric administration of INU(5 g/kg), RCR(5 g/kg), RCRDT(200 mg/kg) and ECH (60 mg/kg),0.

Simulated Gastric Acid Promotes the Horizontal Transfer of Multidrug Resistance Genes across Bacteria in the Gastrointestinal Tract at Elevated pH Levels.

The assessment of factors that can promote the transmission of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) across bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract is in great demand to understand the occurrence of infections related to antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) in humans. However, whether acid-resistant enteric bacteria can promote ARG transmission in gastric fluid under high-pH conditions remains unknown. This study assessed the effects of simulated gastric fluid (SGF) at different pH levels on the RP4 plasmid-mediated conjugative transfer of ARGs.

Predicting the concentrations of enteric viruses in urban rivers running through the city center via an artificial neural network.

Viral waterborne diseases are widespread in cities due largely to the occurrence of enteric viruses in urban rivers, which pose a significant concern to human health. Yet, the application of rapid detection technology for enteric viruses in environmental water remains undeveloped globally. Here, multiple linear regression (MLR) modeling and artificial neural network (ANN) modeling, which used frequently measured physicochemical parameters in river water, were constructed to predict the concentration of enteric viruses including human enteroviruses (EnVs), rotaviruses (HRVs), astroviruses (AstVs), noroviruses GⅡ (HuNoVs GⅡ), and adenoviruses (HAdVs) in rivers.

Visual Detection of using Combined CRISPR/Cas12a and Recombinase Polymerase Amplification.

Objective: To establish an ultra-sensitive, ultra-fast, visible detection method for (VP)

Methods: We established a new method for detecting the and genes of VP using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 12a (CRISPR/Cas12a) combined with recombinase polymerase amplification and visual detection (CRISPR/Cas12a-VD).

Results: CRISPR/Cas12a-VD accurately detected target DNA at concentrations as low as 10 M (single molecule detection) within 30 min without cross-reactivity against other bacteria. When detecting pure cultures of VP, the consistency of results reached 100% compared with real-time PCR.

Antibiotic resistance genes in gut of breast-fed neonates born by caesarean section originate from breast milk and hospital ward air.

The human gut is a reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Even in the absence of antibiotics, ARGs are present in large quantities in faeces of adults, children and even newborns. However, where and when ARGs are acquired remains unclear, as does the types of ARGs acquired.

Spatial behavior and source tracking of extracellular antibiotic resistance genes in a chlorinated drinking water distribution system.

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are receiving increasing concerns due to the antibiotic resistance crisis. Nevertheless, little is known about the spatial behavior and sources of extracellular ARGs (eARGs) in the chlorinated drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs). Here, tap water was continuously collected to reveal the occurrence of both eARGs and intracellular ARGs (iARGs) along a chlorinated DWDS.

[Effects of Chlorine Dioxide Disinfection on the Profile of the Super Antibiotic Resistance Genes in a Wastewater Treatment Plant].

In order to study the effects of chlorine dioxide (ClO) disinfection on the super antibiotic resistance genes (SARGs), the final effluents before and after chlorine dioxide were sampled throughout one year in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The bacteria and extracellular nucleic acid were collected using microporous membrane filtration and nucleic acid adsorption particles, respectively. A total of 9 SARGs was detected through a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).

[Simultaneous determination of three antidepressant drugs in feces by HLPC-MS].

To establish a high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC / MS) method for the simultaneous determination of three antidepressant drugs in feces. Samples were pretreated with n-hexane isopropanol (95:5, v/v). Gradient elution was carried out with mixed liquid of ultrapure water and acetonitrile as mobile phase and separated by Agilent ZORBAX SB-C18 liquid chromatography column (2.

Decreased Antibiotic Susceptibility in Surviving UV Irradition.

Given its excellent performance against the pathogens, UV disinfection has been applied broadly in different fields. However, only limited studies have comprehensively investigated the response of bacteria surviving UV irradiation to the environmental antibiotic stress. Here, we investigated the antibiotic susceptibility of suffering from the UV irradiation.

Contamination sources of the enteric virus in recreational marine water shift in a seasonal pattern.

Human enteric virus occurrence in bathing beaches poses a potential health risk to swimmers. They may come from several sources, but the understanding of the seasonal contribution of contamination sources to virus occurrence is still lacking. Here, the surveillance of human enteric viruses at the First Bathing Beach in Qingdao was performed January-December 2018.

Chlorine disinfection promotes the exchange of antibiotic resistance genes across bacterial genera by natural transformation.

Chlorine disinfection to drinking water plays an important role in preventing and controlling waterborne disease outbreaks globally. Nevertheless, little is known about why it enriches the antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in bacteria after chlorination. Here, ARGs released from killed antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB), and culturable chlorine-injured bacteria produced in the chlorination process as the recipient, were investigated to determine their contribution to the horizontal transfer of ARGs during disinfection treatment.

Putative environmental levels of levofloxacin facilitate the dissemination of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli via plasmid-mediated transformability.

Antibiotic residues in the environment pose a great risk to global public health. They increase antibiotic resistance by enhancing plasmid conjugation among bacteria or mutations within bacterial genomes. However, little is known about whether the putative environmental levels of antibiotics are sufficient to influence plasmid-mediated transformability.

Graphene oxide composites for magnetic solid-phase extraction of twelve quinolones in water samples followed by MALDI-TOF MS.

Antibiotic compounds in natural waters are normally present at low concentrations. In this paper, an easy and highly sensitive screening method using graphene oxide-functionalized magnetic composites (GO@NH@FeO) combined with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was established for twelve quinolone antibiotics. GO@NH@FeO composites were utilized as adsorbents for magnetic solid-phase extraction.

Inactivation of Poliovirus by Ozone and the Impact of Ozone on the Viral Genome.

Objective: To investigate the mechanisms underlying ozone-induced inactivation of poliovirus type 1 (PV1).

Methods: We used cell culture, long-overlapping RT-PCR, and spot hybridization assays to verify and accurately locate the sites of action of ozone that cause PV1 inactivation. We also employed recombinant viral genome RNA infection models to confirm our observations.

QTL mapping and genetic effect of chromosome segment substitution lines with excellent fiber quality from Gossypium hirsutum × Gossypium barbadense.

Chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) are ideal materials for identifying genetic effects. In this study, CSSL MBI7561 with excellent fiber quality that was selected from BCF of CCRI45 (Gossypium hirsutum) × Hai1 (Gossypium barbadense) was used to construct 3 secondary segregating populations with 2 generations (BCF and BCF). Eighty-one polymorphic markers related to 33 chromosome introgressive segments on 18 chromosomes were finally screened using 2292 SSR markers which covered the whole tetraploid cotton genome.

Chlorine injury enhances antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa through over expression of drug efflux pumps.

Adaption to adverse environments plays an important role in bacterial survival and is receiving increasing globe attention now. Here, cultivable chlorine-injured Pseudomonas aeruginosa, produced on the chlorination process, was investigated about their resistance to antibiotics. Then, global transcriptional analyses, quantitative PCR (qPCR) validation and antioxidant enzymes measurement were performed to explore the underlying mechanisms.

Hepatitis C virus infection induces endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis in human fetal liver stem cells.

The cellular mechanisms by which hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication might mediate cytopathic effects are controversial and not entirely clear. In this study, we found that blood-borne HCV (bbHCV) infection could lead to endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-stress and mitochondria-related/caspase-dependent apoptosis at the early stages of infection based on use of the highly efficient bbHCV cell culture model established previously. Sections of bbHCV-infected human fetal liver stem cells (hFLSCs) revealed convolution and nonlinear ER, cell vacuolization, swelling of mitochondria, and numerous double membrane vesicles (DMVs).

Transcriptomic and biochemical analysis of upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) and a chromosome segment substitution line from G. hirsutum × G. barbadense in response to Verticillium dahliae infection.

Background: Verticillium wilt (VW), also known as "cotton cancer," is one of the most destructive diseases in global cotton production that seriously impacts fiber yield and quality. Despite numerous attempts, little significant progress has been made in improving the VW resistance of upland cotton. The development of chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) from Gossypium hirsutum × G.

Profiling of intracellular and extracellular antibiotic resistance genes in tap water.

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have gained global attention due to their public health threat. Extracelluar ARGs (eARGs) can result in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance via free-living ARGs in natural environments, where they promote ARB transmission in drinking water distribution systems. However, eARG pollution in tap water has not been well researched.

Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Vaccine Development.

In the twenty-seven years since the discovery of hepatitis C virus (HCV) the majority of individuals exposed to HCV establish a persistent infection, which is a leading cause of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In developed nations, the cure rates of HCV infection could be over 90% with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) regimens, which has made the great progress in global eradication. However, the cost of these treatments is so expensive that the patients in developing nations, where the disease burden is the most severe, could not afford it, which highly restricted its access.

An integrated cell absorption process and quantitative PCR assay for the detection of the infectious virus in water.

Here we developed an integrated cell absorption process and quantitative (reverse transcription) polymerase chain reaction (ICAP-q(RT)PCR) assay to detect infectious viruses, which based on the detection of the viral nucleic acid (RNA or DNA) in the early stage of viral attachment and entry towards cells. The results showed that the poliovirus or adenovirus whose concentration was as low as 0.2 TCID/mL could be detected by ICAP-q(RT)PCR after 4 h incubation.

Chlorine disinfection increases both intracellular and extracellular antibiotic resistance genes in a full-scale wastewater treatment plant.

The emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance has posed a major threat to both human health and environmental ecosystem. Although the disinfection has been proved to be efficient to control the occurrence of pathogens, little effort is dedicated to revealing potential impacts of disinfection on transmission of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), particularly for free-living ARGs in final disinfected effluent of urban wastewater treatment plants (UWWTP). Here, we investigated the effects of chlorine disinfection on the occurrence and concentration of both extracellular ARGs (eARGs) and intracellular ARGs (iARGs) in a full-scale UWWTP over a year.

Comparative transcriptome analysis of cotton fiber development of Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) and Chromosome Segment Substitution Lines from G. hirsutum × G. barbadense.

Background: How to develop new cotton varieties possessing high yield traits of Upland cotton and superior fiber quality traits of Sea Island cotton remains a key task for cotton breeders and researchers. While multiple attempts bring in little significant progresses, the development of Chromosome Segment Substitution Lines (CSSLs) from Gossypium barbadense in G. hirsutum background provided ideal materials for aforementioned breeding purposes in upland cotton improvement.

Aquatic animals promote antibiotic resistance gene dissemination in water via conjugation: Role of different regions within the zebra fish intestinal tract, and impact on fish intestinal microbiota.

The aqueous environment is one of many reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Fish, as important aquatic animals which possess ideal intestinal niches for bacteria to grow and multiply, may ingest antibiotic resistance bacteria from aqueous environment. The fish gut would be a suitable environment for conjugal gene transfer including those encoding antibiotic resistance.