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The potential harm to environmental and human health caused by antibiotic abuse has attracted widespread concern. In this study, the effects of the initial biomass ratio of Chlorella vulgaris and Ganoderma lucidum on the basic properties (sphericity, diameter, and color), growth, and photosynthetic performance of microalgae-fungi symbionts were analyzed. The effect and mechanism of tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) removal were investigated. Optimal removal was obtained at a 10:1 ratio (microalgae/fungi) with a 5 mm diameter symbiont. Under these conditions, the chlorophyll a concentration was 186.49 ± 17.81 μg L−1, and maximum removal efficiencies for total phosphorus, total nitrogen, chemical oxygen demand, and TC in wastewater were 84.68% ± 8.13%, 82.96% ± 8.12%, 81.77% ± 7.68%, and 94.57% ± 5.14%, respectively. These results provide important theoretical guidance for treatment applications for antibiotic-containing wastewater. [Display omitted] • Microalgae-fungi symbionts presents superior nutrients and TCs removal capacities. • The maximum TCs removal efficiencies were 94.35 ± 5.73%. • The removal performance was affected by the diameter of pellets. • The optimal diameter of pellets was 5 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated the ability of microalgae to remove biogas slurry nutrients and upgrade biogas simultaneously under various light-emitting diode light intensities. Three green algae, namely, Scenedesmus obliquus , Chlorella sp., and Selenastrum bibraianum , were selected and cultivated in photobioreactor bags. The capacity of each microalga to reduce the chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) of wastes was investigated. The growth rate and CO 2 uptake of each microalga were also examined. Compared with S. bibraianum , S. obliquus and Chlorella sp. showed better combined results and were more suitable for simultaneous biogas upgrading and biogas effluent nutrient reduction. Results showed that the best results for biogas slurry nutrient reduction, CO 2 removal, and upgrade effects were obtained from the treatment under moderate light intensity (150–170 μmol m −2 s −1 ) for S. obliquus . The highest reduction values of COD, TN, TP, dry weight, and CH 4 concentration obtained were 93.08% ± 4.62%, 84.12% ± 4.37%, 86.76% ± 4.58%, 465.31 ± 19.44 mg L −1 , and 94.41 ± 3.16 (v/v), respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The three microalgal strains were cultivated, namely, Chlorella vulgaris , Scenedesmus obliquus , and Neochloris oleoabundans , by applying mixed light-emitting diode wavelength treatments to biogas slurry in a photobioreactor bag. This study aims to compare the growth and nutrient removal efficiency of the algae and determine their roles for biogas upgrading. At red:blue = 5:5, S. obliquus and C. vulgaris efficiently removed COD and TP, respectively. S. obliquus demonstrated high N removal efficiency at red:blue = 7:3. The same strain significantly improved removal capacity for all nutrients compared with C. vulgaris and N. oleoabundans , particularly at red:blue = 5:5, 7:3, and 3:7. For biogas upgrade, CH 4 contents were higher than 75% (v/v) for all strains. The algae exhibited particularly good CH 4 enrichment at red:blue = 7:3, 5:5. Results show that microalgal biomass production offers real opportunities for addressing issues, such as nutrient reduction, CO 2 removal, and biogas enrichment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Cell fate acquisition is heavily influenced by direct interactions between master regulators and tissue-specific enhancers. However, it remains unclear how lineage-specifying transcription factors, which are often expressed in both progenitor and mature cell populations, influence cell differentiation. Using in vivo mouse liver development as a model, we identified thousands of enhancers that are bound by the master regulators HNF4A and FOXA2 in a differentiation-dependent manner, subject to chromatin remodeling, and associated with differentially expressed target genes. Enhancers exclusively occupied in the embryo were found to be responsive to developmentally regulated TEAD2 and coactivator YAP1. Our data suggest that Hippo signaling may affect hepatocyte differentiation by influencing HNF4A and FOXA2 interactions with temporal enhancers. In summary, transcription factor-enhancer interactions are not only tissue specific but also differentiation dependent, which is an important consideration for researchers studying cancer biology or mammalian development and/or using transformed cell lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Biogas upgrading and digestate nutrient reduction could be simultaneously achieved. [•] Red was the optimal light for biogas upgrading and digestate nutrient reduction. [•] The optimal light intensity range was between 1200 and 1600μmolm−2 s−1. [•] The CH4 content attained the highest value of 92.74±3.56% (v/v). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Introduction: Choline radiotracers are widely used for clinical PET diagnosis in oncology. [11C]Choline finds particular utility in the imaging of brain and prostate tumor metabolic status, where 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (‘FDG’) shows high background uptake. More recently we have extended the clinical utility of [11C]choline to breast cancer where radiotracer uptake correlates with tumor aggressiveness (grade). In the present study, a new choline analog, [18F]fluoro-[1,2-2H4]choline, was synthesized and evaluated as a potential PET imaging probe. Methods: [18F]Fluorocholine, [18F]fluoro-[1-2H2]choline and [18F]fluoro-[1,2-2H4]choline were synthesized by alkylation of the relevant precursor with [18F]fluorobromomethane or [18F]fluoromethyl tosylate. Radiosynthesis of [18F]fluoromethyl tosylate required extensive modification of the existing method. [18F]Fluorocholine and [18F]fluoro-[1,2-2H4]choline were then subjected to in vitro oxidative stability analysis in a chemical oxidation model using potassium permanganate and an enzymatic model using choline oxidase. The two radiotracers, together with the corresponding di-deuterated compound, [18F]fluoro-[1-2H2]choline, were then evaluated in vivo in a time-course biodistribution study in HCT-116 tumor-bearing mice. Results: Alkylation with [18F]fluoromethyl tosylate proved to be the most reliable radiosynthetic route. Stability models indicate that [18F]fluoro-[1,2-2H4]choline possesses increased chemical and enzymatic (choline oxidase) oxidative stability relative to [18F]fluorocholine. The distribution of the three radiotracers, [18F]fluorocholine, [18F]fluoro-[1-2H2]choline and [18F]fluoro-[1,2-2H4]choline, showed a similar uptake profile in most organs. Crucially, tumor uptake of [18F]fluoro-[1,2-2H4]choline was significantly increased at late time points compared to [18F]fluorocholine and [18F]fluoro-[1-2H2]choline. Conclusions: Stability analysis and biodistribution suggest that [18F]fluoro-[1,2-2H4]choline warrants further in vivo investigation as a PET probe of choline metabolism. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Microbial processes within the rhizosphere of constructed wetlands are crucial to wastewater treatment, but the relation between microbial community diversity in rhizosphere, plant growth and water quality are unclear at present. The effects of plant growth, water C:N:P ratio and their interaction on microbial diversity in the rhizosphere were studied in synthetic wastewater in planted and unplanted wetlands during three different seasons. The physiological profile of microbial community-level in each wetland was assessed using substrate utilization patterns gathered via BIOLOG™ ECO plates. Plant had a significant effect on AWCD parameter, since the planted wetlands usually had a higher the total microbial activity than the unplanted over the study period. The Shannon, Simpson and McIntosh indices in the planted wetlands were apparently higher than those in the unplanted wetlands under any C:N:P ratio influent condition especially in summer. It was also shown that the unplanted wetlands have a greater shift of the interstitial microbial community than the planted at different seasons, since plant rhizospheres produce a more ecologically stable system in order to resist against shifts in microbial community composition in response to C:N:P ratio change in wastewater. Principal component analysis and clustering analysis indicated that influent C:N:P ratio would induce similar microbial species in the planted wetlands and detach them from the unplanted wetlands. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Two S-[18F]fluoroalkylated diarylguanidines were synthesized and evaluated in vitro as potential tracers for imaging of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) with positron emission tomography (PET). [18F]1 and [18F]10 were synthesized by [18F]fluoroethylation and [18F]fluoromethylation of the thiol precursor 6, respectively. [18F]1 is a promising candidate NMDAR PET tracer, with low nanomolar affinity for the NMDA PCP-site, high selectivity and moderate lipophilicity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• The pelletization conditions of C. vulgaris with G. lucidum were optimized. • Biogas slurry purification and biogas upgrading were successfully achieved. • The optimal red/blue light wavelength ratio was 5:5. • Nutrient removal efficiencies were more than 89%. • The highest CO 2 removal efficiency was 74.26% by fungi-assisted microalgae pellets. The fungi-assisted microalgae pellets were cultivated to simultaneously purify biogas slurry and biogas. Results demonstrated that the optimized culture conditions for the pellets were at the shaking speed of 160 rpm, initial inoculum concentration of 1.0 × 106 spores L−1 for microalgal cells, fungi/algae ratio of 1:10, mixed medium/simulated biogas slurry ratio of 3:7 incubated at a light intensity of 200 μmol m−2 s−1. Moreover, biogas slurry purification and biogas upgrading were successfully achieved by co-cultivation of fungi-assisted microalgae pellets at mixed light wavelength of red:blue of 5:5. The highest removal efficiency of COD, TN, TP and CO 2 were 92.17 ± 5.28%, 89.83 ± 4.36%, 90.31 ± 4.69% and 74.26 ± 3.14%, respectively. These results will provide a theoretical foundation for large-scale biogas slurry purification and biogas upgrading using fungi-assisted microalgal pellets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a cooperative algal-bacterial system that efficiently upgrade biogas, simultaneously reduce the biogas slurry nutrient, and exhibits high biomass productivity, was developed. The method about removing H 2 S and CO 2 from biogas by three microalgal strains ( Chlorella vulgaris , Scenedesmus obliquus , and Neochloris oleoabundans ) mixed with activated sludge using biogas slurry as nutrient medium. A CO 2 concentration of 45% (v/v) was considered optimum to support CO 2 and H 2 S removals of 74.11%–80.57% and 99.04%–99.42%, respectively. At the CO 2 concentration of 45%–55%, the mixed culture containing S. obliquus and C. vulgaris efficiently removed COD (chemical oxygen demand) and TP (total phosphorus), respectively. The mixed culture containing S. obliquus demonstrated high N removal efficiency at CO 2 concentration of 45%. Biomass productivity increased at increasing CO 2 concentration in a certain range, with a maximum of 0.177 g L −1 d −1 at CO 2 concentration of 45% (v/v) for the mixed culture containing S. obliquus , whereas the C, N, and P biomass contents remained constant at 46.73%–52.31%, 7.59%–9.08%, and 0.91%–1.08%, respectively. This study showed the potential of the combination of alga and bacteria to serve as a treatment for nutrient removal and biogas upgrading in algal-bacterial processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed at co-encapsulating borage seed oil (BSO)- and peppermint oil (PO) blends in ultrasound-assisted complex nanoparticles stabilized by soy protein isolate (SPI) and purity gum ultra (PGU) in different ratios: SPI/PGU-1:0 (NP 1), 0:1 (NP 2), 1:1 (NP 3), 1:3 (NP 4), and 3:1 (NP 5). The BSO- and PO-loaded SPI/PGU complex nanoparticles (BP-loaded SPNPs) coded as NP 4 (SPI-PGU-1:3) revealed a zeta potential of −33.27 mV, a PDI of 0.14, and the highest encapsulation efficiency (81.38 %). The main interactions observed among SPI, PGU, BSO, PO, and a blend of BSO and PO, as determined by FTIR and molecular docking, involved hydrophobic effects, electrostatic attraction, and H-bonding. These interactions played crucial roles in the production of BP-loaded SPNPs. XRD results validated the alterations in the structure of BP-loaded SPNPs caused by varying proportions of SPI and PGU. The thermal capacity of BP-loaded SPNPs (NP 4), as determined by TGA, exhibited the lowest amount of weight loss compared to other BP-loaded SPNPs. Morphological results revealed that NP 4 and NP 5 exhibited a spherical surface and two distinguishable layers, indicating successful coating of PGU onto the droplet surface. In addition, BP-loaded SPNPs (NP 4) exhibited a higher antioxidant effect due to their improved progressive release and prolonged release of co-encapsulated BSO and PO during in vitro digestion. The comprehensive investigation of the co-encapsulation of BSO and PO in complex nanoparticles, dietary supplements, and double-layered emulsified systems provides valuable insights into the development of functional foods. [Display omitted] • For the first time, BSO and PO were successfully co-encapsulated within SPI-PGU stabilized nanoparticles (BP-SPNPs). • Hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds influenced the binding mechanism between SPI and PGU. • Concentrations of PGU significantly influenced particle properties, oxidative stability, and encapsulation efficiency. • BP-SPNPs containing SPI-PGU-1:3 exhibited a prolonged release of co-encapsulated BSO and PO during in vitro digestion. • For co-encapsulation purposes, BP-SPNPs proved to be an efficient co-delivery vehicle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Introduces a novel wide-range performance adaptation method (WPAM) for aero-engine map calibration, enhancing the accuracy of component-level models (CLMs). • Utilizes adaptation factor surfaces to precisely adjust operating points on speed lines, surpassing limitations of current calibration techniques. • Calculates adaptation factors based on both steady-state and transient measurements using the Levenberg-Marquardt method, ensuring comprehensive calibration. • Constructs adaptation factor surfaces using the moving least squares method, facilitating modification of component maps in spool speed and β -value directions. • Validates the proposed method through simulation of engines with distinct maps, demonstrating significant improvements in CLM accuracy under steady-state and transient conditions. • Proven applicability to degraded engines and variable geometry engines, with robustness in handling measurement data with noise. High-fidelity component-level models (CLMs) are essential for aero-engine performance modeling, monitoring, and diagnosis, relying heavily on precise component maps. Inaccuracies in these maps can cause significant deviations between predicted and actual measurements. This study introduces a novel wide-range performance adaptation method (WPAM) utilizing adaptation factor surfaces, enabling precise adjustment of speed line operating points. The adaptation factors for the component maps are calculated based on both steady-state and transient measurements using the Levenberg-Marquardt method, with transient adaptation calculations converted into a steady-state solution. Adaptation factor surfaces are constructed using the moving least squares method to modify component maps in both spool speed and β -value directions. Validated on two engines with distinct maps, WPAM significantly enhances CLM accuracy under steady-state and transient conditions, considering multidimensional engine and CLM map discrepancies. It is applicable to degraded and variable geometry engines, exhibiting robustness in handling noisy measurement data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The growth and photosynthetic activities of strains were promoted by phytohormone. • Algae-bacteria-fungi symbiotic system achieved the highest purification efficiency. • Pollutant removal efficiency in the biogas slurry was higher than 86%. • The removal efficiency of carbon dioxide from biogas was higher than 76%. • Under optimal conditions, economic efficiency can be increased by about 150%. The low grade of biogas and the difficulty of treating biogas slurry are the two major bottlenecks limiting the sustainable development of the fermentation engineering. This study investigates the potential role of microalgae-microbial symbiosis and phytohormones in solving this challenge. Chlorella microalgae were combined with endophytic bacteria (S395-2) and Clonostachys fungus to construct symbiotic systems. Growth, photosynthetic activity, and carbon dioxide and pollutant removal out of biogas slurry and biogas were analyzed under treatment with three different phytohormones (cytokinin, synthetic strigolactones (GR24), natural strigolactones). The Chlorella -S395-2- Clonostachys symbiont achieved the highest purification efficiency under GR24 induction, with removal efficiency exceeding 86% for chemical oxygen demand, total phosphorous, and total nitrogen, as well as over 76% for CO 2. Economic efficiency can be increased by about 150%. The positive correlation between treatment effectiveness and co-culture performance suggests a promising avenue for developing symbiotic systems for biogas slurry treatment and biogas upgrading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Prepared ultrasound-assisted sodium caseinate-inulin-soy protein isolate composites. • The stable composites effectively encapsulated Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. • Encapsulated L. plantarum had enhanced viability for eight weeks of storage at 4 °C. • Encapsulated L. plantarum had higher thermal (63 °C), gastric, and H 2 O 2 resistance. • Hydrogels having L. plantarum capsules were viscously soft without sedimentation. Probiotics are subjected to various edible coatings, especially proteins and polysaccharides, which serve as the predominant wall materials, with ultrasound, a sustainable green technology. Herein, sodium caseinate, inulin, and soy protein isolate composites were produced using multi-frequency ultrasound and utilized to encapsulate Lactiplantibacillus plantarum to enhance its storage, thermal, and gastrointestinal viability. The physicochemical analyses revealed that the composites with 5 % soy protein isolate treated with ultrasound at 50 kHz exhibited enough repulsion forces to maintain stability, pH resistance, and the ability to encapsulate larger particles and possessed the highest encapsulation efficiency (95.95 %). The structural analyses showed changes in the composite structure at C C, C H, C O, and amino acid residual levels. Rheology, texture, and water-holding capacity demonstrated the production of soft hydrogels with mild chewing and gummy properties, carried the microcapsules without coagulation or sedimentation. Moreover, the viability attributes of L. plantarum evinced superior encapsulation, protecting them for at least eight weeks and against heat (63 °C), reactive oxidative species (H 2 O 2), and GI conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The growth and photosynthetic activities were promoted by phytohormone. • C. ellipsoidea -S395-2- C. rosea improved antibiotic removal efficiencies. • The antibiotic removal efficiency was affected by phytohormone type. • The best phytohormone type and concentrations was GR24 and 10−9 M. • The maximum removal efficiency of TC was higher than 99 %. This study examined the removal of typical antibiotics from simulated swine wastewater. Microalgae-bacteria/fungi symbioses were constructed using Chlorella ellipsoidea , endophytic bacteria (S395-2), and Clonostachys rosea as biomaterials. The growth, photosynthetic performance, and removal of three types of antibiotics (tetracyclines, sulfonamides, and quinolones) induced by four phytohormones were analyzed in each system. The results showed that all four phytohormones effectively improved the tolerance of symbiotic strains against antibiotic stress; strigolactones (GR24) achieved the best performance. At 10−9 M, GR24 achieved the best removal of antibiotics by C. elliptica + S395-2 + C. rosea symbiosis. The average removals of tetracycline, sulfonamide, and quinolone by this system reached 96.2–99.4 %, 75.2–81.1 %, and 66.8–69.9 %, respectively. The results of this study help to develop appropriate bio enhancement strategies as well as design and operate algal-bacterial-fungal symbiotic processes for the treatment of antibiotics-containing wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • C. vulgaris -S395-2- C. rosea for aquaculture wastewater treatment were proposed. • Gibberellins enhances the attenuation of studied aquaculture pollutants. • Pollutant attenuation showed a high fungus strains dependence. • The maximum OTC removal efficiencies were 98.29 % ± 1.15 %. This study assessed the effect of gibberellins (GAs) concentrations on antibiotic and nutrient removal using diverse microalgal-bacterial-fungal consortia. Five systems (Chlorella vulgaris , T1; C. vulgaris + S395-2 + Clonostachys rosea, T2; C. vulgaris + S395-2 + Ganoderma lucidum , T3; C. vulgaris + S395-2 + Pleurotus pulmonarius , T4; and C. vulgaris + S395-2, T5) were established, and optimal conditions and effective symbiosis were applied to improve antibiotic and nutrient removal. Consortium growth was T2 > T3 > T5 > T4 > T1, while GA impact ranked 50 mg L–1 > 20 mg L–1 > 80 mg L–1 > 0 mg L–1. After 7 days at 50 mg L–1 GAs, total nitrogen (TN), NH 4 -N, NO 3 -N, and total phosphorous (TP) removal reached 85.97 %, 78.08 %, 86.59 %, and 94.39 %, respectively. Florfenicol, oxytetracycline hydrochloride, ofloxacin, and sulfamethoxazole removal efficiencies were 67.77 %, 98.29 %, 90.47 %, and 94.92 %, respectively. These findings highlight GAs' significant role in enhancing antibiotic and nutrient removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Sediments in pond become reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes. • ARGs are significantly affected by the breeding period of aquaculture farms. • Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes were potential dominant hosts of ARGs. • Aquaculture farms spreading ARGs into rural community aquatic environments. This study examined the profiles of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in water and sediments from one large-scale freshwater pond farming system. A qPCR array was used to quantify ARGs (16S, Tetx, Tetw, TetG, Intll, and Sull) and microbial community structure was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. A large number of ARGs (2 8 8) were detected. The ARG richness of the sediments was significantly higher than that of water and an average of 15 more genes were detected (p < 0.01). Sediment samples showed significantly higher taxonomic diversity and higher abundance of Gammaproteobacteria , Betaproteobacteria , and Flavobacteria. A significant correlation was observed between antibiotic resistance genes and breeding periods. The taxonomic diversity of the samples in ponds was significantly higher than that in ditch samples (p < 0.05), suggesting that pond farming systems could act as a local reservoir to spread ARGs into aquatic environments of rural communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • C. vulgaris -S395-2- C. rosea presents superior antibiotics removal capacities. • The maximum TCs removal efficiencies were 97.0 ± 2.8 %. • The induction of GAs enhanced the antibiotics purification of the algal system. • The optimal GAs concentration was 50 mg/L. To develop and characterize novel antibiotics removal biomaterial technology, we constructed three different bacteria-microalgae-fungi consortiums containing Chlorella vulgaris (C. vulgaris), endophytic bacterium, Clonostachys rosea (C. rosea), Ganoderma lucidum , and Pleurotus pulmonarius. The results showed that under treatment with 50 mg/L of gibberellins (GAs), the three bacteria-microalgae-fungi symbionts had maximal growth rates (0.317 ± 0.030 d-1) and the highest removal efficiency for seven different antibiotics. Among them, C. vulgaris -endophytic bacterium- C. rosea symbiont had the best performance, with antibiotics removal efficiencies of 96.0 ± 1.4 %, 91.1 ± 7.9 %, 48.7 ± 5.1 %, 34.6 ± 2.9 %, 61.0 ± 5.5 %, 63.7 ± 5.6 %, and 54.3 ± 4.9 % for tetracycline hydrochloride, oxytetracycline hydrochloride, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, sulfadiazine, sulfamethazine, and sulfamethoxazole, respectively. Overall, the present study demonstrates that 50 mg/L GAs enhances biomass production and antibiotics removal efficiency of bacteria-microalgae-fungi symbionts, providing a framework for future antibiotics-containing wastewater treatment using three-phase symbionts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Release of nanoparticles into the aquatic environment will inevitably influence the behavior and toxicities of other existing pollutants. In the present study, 10 mg/L of nano-ZnO (diameter 20–30 nm) was used to evaluate its impacts on cadmium (Cd) toxicity on duckweed Lemna minor based on IC 50 values and four biological parameters including percent inhibition of growth rate (I r), ratio of chlorophyll/pheophytin (D665/D665a), antioxidant enzymes, and H+-ATPase. Results of the 96-h IC 50 values of Cd with or without nano-ZnO indicate no additional toxicological effects of nano-ZnO to plants. Further examinations using two Cd concentrations (0.1 and 1 mg/L) showed that nano-ZnO did not influence the inhibitory effect of 0.1 mg/L Cd, but significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the stress of 1 mg/L Cd to the duckweed. The index D665/D665a reflected that the toxic effect of 1 mg/L Cd was significantly (P < 0.05) suppressed by nano-ZnO. H+-ATPase was also sensitive to reveal the protective effects of nano-ZnO on the duckweed under Cd exposure. However, the responses of the antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT failed to reflect the effects of nano-ZnO on Cd toxicity. Hysteretic addition of nano-ZnO for 24 h showed that the protective effects of nano-ZnO were weakened. Our results suggest that the adsorption of Cd to nano-ZnO may result in lower Cd uptake by L. minor , thus reducing its toxicity. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Nano-ZnO reduced the stress of 1 mg/L Cd to the duckweed. • D665/D665a and H+-ATPase were useful to reflect the effects of nano-ZnO on Cd. • Hysteretic exposure to nano-ZnO decreased the inhibition effect of Cd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Three treatment technologies (mono-cultivation of microalgae, co-cultivation of microalgae with fungi or activated sludge) including two selected strains Chlorella vulgaris (C. vulgaris) and Scenedesmus obliquus (S. obliquus) were cultivated in the piggery wastewater (PWW) with different COD concentration of 800–2000 mg L−1. The effect of different COD concentration on pollutant removal of PWW, CO 2 removal of raw biogas and the optimum strategy selection with light/dark ratio of 12 h:12 h was investigated. The results showed that co-cultivation of microalgae with activated sludge exhibited better performance than with fungi or mono-cultivation. The medium COD level of 1200 mg L−1 was proved to be the optimal dilution. The highest removal efficiencies of COD, TN, TP and CO 2 were attained in co-cultivation of C. vulgaris with activated sludge mode under diluted COD of 1200 mg L−1, which were 79.86 ± 6.11%, 80.23 ± 6.31%, 89.37 ± 6.58% and 63.48 ± 4.27%, respectively, with the highest CH 4 content of 83.24 ± 3.84%, and the heavy metal lower than the threshold of 0.6 mg L−1. The results confirmed the superiority of cultivation of microalgae with activated sludge in PWW for removal of nutrients, heavy metals and simultaneous biogas upgrading at reduced cost. Highlights • COD of 1200 mg L−1 was the optimal for nutrient removal and biogas upgrading. • The highest CO 2 remove efficiency was 63.48% by C. vulgaris -activated sludge. • Zn and Copper were efficiently removed at COD concentration of 1600 mg L−1. • Co-cultivation of C. vulgaris with activated sludge performed economically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Clonostachys rosea extracted from soil was used as a highly efficient biomaterial. • Algal-bacterial-fungal symbionts presents superior antibiotics removal capacities. • The maximum OTC removal efficiency was 99.35 ± 0.47%. • The removal performance was affected by concentration and type of the antibiotics. • The optimal antibiotic treatment concentration was 0.25 mg L−1. Antibiotic misuse are potentially harmful to the environment and human health. Four algal symbionts were constructed using Chlorella vulgaris , endophytic bacterium and Clonostachys rosea (C. rosea) as the biomaterials. The growth, photosynthetic activity, and antibiotic removal efficiency of symbiont under different initial antibiotic concentrations was analyzed. The results showed that the microalgae-bacteria-fungi symbiont had a maximum growth rate of 0.307 ± 0.030 d−1 and achieved 99.35 ± 0.47%, 81.06 ± 7.83%, and 79.15 ± 7.26% removal of oxytetracycline (OTC), sulfadimethazine (SM2), and ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (CPFX), respectively, at an initial antibiotic concentration of 0.25 mg/L. C. rosea has always existed as a biocontrol fungus. In this study, it was innovatively used to construct algal symbionts and used for antibiotic wastewater treatment with a high efficiency. The results contribute to the development of appropriate bioaugmentation strategies and the design of an algal symbiont process for the treatment of antibiotic-containing wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Non-invasive prenatal aneuploidy testing (NIPT) by next-generation sequencing of circulating cell-free DNA in maternal plasma relies on chromosomal ratio (chr ratio ) measurements to detect aneuploid values that depart from euploid ratios. Diagnostic performances are known to depend on the fraction of fetal DNA ( FF ) present in maternal plasma, although how this translates into specific quantitative changes in specificity/positive predictive values and which other variables might also be important is not well understood. Design & methods To explore this issue, theoretical relationships between FF and various measures of diagnostic performances were assessed for a range of parameter values. Empirical data from three NIPT assays were then used to validate theoretical calculations. Results For a given positivity threshold, dramatic changes in specificity and positive predictive values (PPV) as a function of both FF and the coefficient of variation (CV) of the chr ratio measurement were observed. Theoretically predicted and observed chr ratio z-scores agreed closely, confirming the determinant impact of small changes in both FF and chr ratio CV. Conclusions Evaluation of NIPT assay performances therefore requires knowledge of the FF distribution in the population in which the test is intended to be used and, in particular, of the precise value of the assay chr ratio CV for each chromosome or genomic region of interest. Laboratories offering NIPT testing should carefully measure these parameters to ensure test reliability and clinical usefulness in interpreting individual patients' results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wide application and unique properties of graphene oxide (GO) make it to interact with other pollutants and subsequently alter their behavior and toxicity. We evaluated the influences of GO at different concentrations (1 and 5 mg/L) on copper (Cu) stress in duckweed ( Lemna minor L.) GO below a concentration of 5 mg/L showed no adverse effects on L. minor . The addition of Cu above 10 μM represented a stress condition, which was evidenced by various parameters such as frond number, percent inhibition of growth rate ( I r ), total chlorophyll content, dry weight, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD). When L. minor was simultaneously exposed to GO and Cu, especially at a GO concentration of 5 mg/L and a Cu level above 10 μM, the increase of I r and decrease of chlorophyll content were inhibited, suggesting that the Cu stress was diminished in the presence of GO. The addition of Cu alone, ranging between 5 and 20 μM, increased Cu, B, Mn, Fe, Co, and Zn uptake, but decreased P uptake. Our results suggest that GO can lessen Cu stress in L. minor via Cu adsorption, thereby protecting the plants from the damaging effects of high Cu concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microalgae-based technology has attracted increasing attention due to its high efficiency for simultaneous purification of anaerobic digestion slurry and the enhanced purity of biogas. For realizing high nutrients/CO 2 removal efficiencies, a Chlorella vulgaris − Ganoderma lucidum −endophytic bacteria symbiont was constructed in the current work. The symbiotic system displayed complementary effects and co-metabolism of Chlorella vulgaris and Ganoderma lucidum /endophytic bacteria, in which Ganoderma lucidum /endophytic bacteria could stimulate the growth of symbiont. Moreover, the compounds produced from the photosynthesis of microalgae were beneficial to the growth of Ganoderma lucidum and endophytic bacteria. The results suggested that the constructed Chlorella vulgaris − Ganoderma lucidum −endophytic bacteria symbiont displayed the best photosynthetic performance with the addition of 10−9 M GR24 under a mixed wavelength ratio (red:blue) of 5:5 and a light/dark cycle of 14-h:10-h. Meanwhile, the highest nutrients/CO 2 removal efficiencies were obtained under the abovementioned optimal conditions, and had values of 84.09 ± 8.12%, 83.57 ± 8.12%, 85.19 ± 7.97% and 69.34 ± 6.62% for chemical oxygen demand, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and CO 2 , respectively. The work provides a theoretical foundation for future scale-up of wastewater treatment and enhancement of biogas upgrading, especially in terms of co-culture of microalgae with bacteria/fungi and light control strategies. [Display omitted] • Co-cultivation of C. vulgaris , G. lucidum , and endophytic bacteria was applied. • The light/dark cycle of 14 h: 10 h facilitated the growth of consortia. • Removal rates of chemical oxygen demand and total phosphorus were more than 82%. • The highest removal rate of CO 2 exceeded 69%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microalgae-based technologies were studied for nutrient removal in biogas slurry and biogas upgrading in the photobioreactors constitute, which were cost-effective, environment-friendly alternatives to conventional physical-chemical methods. The effects of CO 2 concentration on nutrient removal and biogas upgrade using Chlorella vulgaris monocultivation, Ganoderma lucidum-Chlorella vulgaris cocultivation and activated sludge -Chlorella vulgaris cocultivation were investigated. Besides, the influences of three ratios of red to blue light wavelength on nutrient removal and biogas upgrading were also investigated. The results showed that optimum biogas slurry nutrient reduction could be achieved by Ganoderma lucidum-Chlorella vulgaris cocultivation using the pelletization method. The optimal ratio of red to blue light wavelength for nutrient removal and biogas upgrading was 5:5, resulting to maximal mean removal efficiencies of 86.08± 6.27%, 85.69± 6.34%, 86.17± 6.13%, and 79.11 ± 5.97% for chemical oxygen demand, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and CO 2 , respectively. The results will provide a reference for simultaneously purifying wastewater and upgrading biogas using microalgae-based technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to purify biogas slurry and biogas simultaneously, three different fungi, Pleurotus geesteranus ( P. geesteranus ), Ganoderma lucidum ( G. lucidum ), and Pleurotus ostreatus ( P. ostreatus ) were pelletized with Chlorella vulgaris ( C. vulgaris ). The results showed that the optimal light wavelength ratio for red:blue was 5:5 for these three different fungi-assisted C. vulgaris , resulting in higher specific growth rate as well as nutrient and CO 2 removal efficiency compared with other ratios. G. lucidum/C. vulgaris was screened as the best fungi-mialgae for biogas slurry purification and biogas upgrading with light/dark ratio of 14 h:10 h, which was also confirmed by the economic efficiency analysis of the energy consumptions. These results will provide a theoretical foundation for large-scale biogas slurry purifying and biogas upgrading using microalgae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro-algal treatment technologies are an efficient and effective method for simultaneous biogas slurry nutrient removal and biogas upgrade. Three treatment technologies were investigated, utilizing different selected strains (mono-cultivation of microalgae, co-cultivation of microalgae with fungi, and co-cultivation of microalgae with activated sludge). Strains were cultivated by using biogas slurry as a nutrient medium in a photo-bio-reactor at various mixed LED treatments. A red: blue LED ratio of 7:3 and 5:5 was considered optimum for co-cultivation of microalgae with either fungi or activated sludge, to support COD and TP removal, with 65.57%–74.29% and 70.83%–76.69% removed, respectively. The system with co-cultivated microalgae and activated sludge, demonstrated high N removal efficiency at a red: blue LED ratio of 5: 5. The most effective light mixture ratios for biogas upgrade were found to be red: blue = 7: 3 and 5: 5, with the highest performance in the co-cultivated microalgae with fungi system, while the optimum red: blue ratio for both biogas slurry nutrient removal and biogas upgrade was 5:5 for the co-cultivation of microalgae with fungi system. The optimal cultivation times for mono-cultivated microalgae, co-cultivated microalgae with fungi and co-cultivated microalgae with activated sludge, were 7 d, 9 d and 8 d, respectively. These results show the high potential for combined strain systems in nutrient removal and biogas upgrading, with algal-fungal symbiotic systems showing significant promise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the effects of 5-Deoxystrigol (5 DS) concentration on the growth characteristics, the photosynthetic performance of different bacterial-microalgae-fungal symbiotic systems, and the simultaneous treatment of biogas slurry and biogas. Suitable 5 DS concentrations enhanced the metabolism and photosynthesis of microalgae in the symbiotic system, leading to the rapid growth and good purification performance of the symbionts. The growth and purification performance of symbiotic systems were affected more by fungal than algae species. Specifically, Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) performed better than Pleurotus ostreatus (P. ostreatus), while Chlorella vulgaris (C. vulgaris) performed better than Scenedesmus obliquus (S. obliquus). The Bacillus licheniformis (B. licheniformis)- C. vulgaris - G. lucidum symbiote exhibited the best purification effectiveness for biogas slurry and biogas, with a removal efficiency of chemical oxygen demand, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and CO 2 of 84.71 ± 8.23%, 83.94 ± 8.21%, 86.48 ± 8.36%, and 68.74 ± 6.36%, respectively, under the recommended 10−11 M 5 DS. Moreover, the purification effectiveness was positively correlated with the growth characteristics and photosynthesis performance of the bacterial-microalgae-fungal co-culture system. The findings of this study will facilitate the wide application and development of symbiotic systems in biogas slurry treatment and biogas upgrading. [Display omitted] • 5 DS (10−11 M) promoted the growth and purification effect of symbiotic systems. • B. licheniformis - C. vulgaris - G. lucidum symbiote showed the best growth performance. • Predominant fungi played a more important role than predominant algae in the strains. • The purification performance of C. vulgaris was better than that of S. obliquus. • Under the optimal treatment, COD, TN, and TP removal rates were higher than 80%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • C. vulgaris - G. lucidum -S395-2 is screened as the best microalgae technology. • The best tested initial COD concentration is 1200 mg/L. • The recommend GR24 concentration is 10−9 M. • The highest removal rate of CO 2 exceeded 69 %. Microalgae-based technologies are promising strategies for efficient wastewater treatment and biogas upgrading. In this study, three types of microalga-fungi/bacteria symbiotic systems stimulated with the strigolactone analog (GR24) were used to simultaneously remove nutrients from treated piggery wastewater and CO 2 from biogas. The effects of initial concentrations of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and GR24 on nutrient removal and biogas upgrading were investigated. When the initial COD concentration was 1200 mg/L, the Chlorella vulgaris – Ganoderma lucidum –endophytic bacteria co-cultivation systems achieved the best photosynthetic performance and microalgae growth. Moreover, under the appropriate COD concentration (1200 mg/L), the highest nutrient/CO 2 removal efficiencies were obtained. In addition, 10−9 M GR24 significantly accelerated nutrient/CO 2 removal efficiencies. These findings provide a theoretical basis for scale-up experiments using microalgae-based technologies [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Algal-bacterial-fungal consortium was preferred. • GR24 concentration of 10−9 M facilitated the growth of consortia. • Photosynthetic performance had influences on TC and nutrients removals. • The highest removal rate of TC exceeded 83 %. A biogas slurry composed of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and antibiotics was generated. Investigations into the nutrient and tetracycline removal performance of four microalgae-based contaminant removal technologies, including Chlorella vulgaris , C. vulgaris co-cultured with endophytic bacteria, C. vulgaris co-cultured with Ganoderma lucidum , and C. vulgaris co-cultured with G. lucidum and endophytic bacteria, were conducted. The algal-bacterial-fungal consortium with 10−9 M strigolactone (GR24) yielded the maximum growth rate and average daily yield for algae at 0.325 ± 0.03 d−1 and 0.192 ± 0.02 g L−1 d−1, respectively. The highest nutrient/ tetracycline removal efficiencies were 83.28 ± 7.95 % for chemical oxygen demand (COD), 82.62 ± 7.97 % for total nitrogen (TN), 85.15 ± 8.26 % for total phosphorus (TP) and 83.92 ± 7.65 % for tetracycline. Adding an algal-bacterial-fungal consortium with an optimal synthetic analog GR24 concentration is seemingly an encouraging strategy for enhancing pollutant removal by algae, possibly overcoming the challenges of eutrophication and antibiotic pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • C.vulgaris – G.lucidum –S395-2 showed the best photosynthetic performance. • The optimal concentration of GR24 for wastewater and biogas treatment was 10-9 M. • The maximum CO 2 removal efficiency was about 67%. • Removal efficiencies of COD, TN and TP were about 80% under optimum treatment. In this research, the effects of exogenous strigolactone analog (GR24) on the growth rate, daily productivity and photosynthesis of symbiotes of Chlorella vulgaris (C. vulgaris)– Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum)–endophytic bacteria, C. vulgaris – G. lucidum –activated sludge and C. vulgaris – G. lucidum –multi-walled carbon nanotube, and the simultaneous treatment of biogas slurry and biogas were examined. The C. vulgaris – G. lucidum –endophytic bacteria symbiote achieved the best treatment effectiveness for biogas slurry and biogas, with removal efficiencies of chemical oxygen demand, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and CO 2 of 81.4 ± 7.6%, 79.6 ± 7.6%, 82.5 ± 8.2%, and 67.3 ± 6.3% under the optimal GR24 concentration of 10-9 M. Moreover, the treatment effects were positively correlated with growth performance and photosynthesis efficiency of the symbiote. These findings advance the development and application of symbiotic systems in the field of wastewater treatment and biogas upgrading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microalgae-based technology has attracted increasing attention in the purification of digestate and biogas, owing to environmental friendliness and economic viability. However, mono-microalgae cultivation cannot efficiently remove pollutants and CO 2. In this study, an effective approach was used to simultaneously purify digestate and biogas, focusing on the construction of fungal–microalgal associations, optimization of concentration of strigolactone analogue (GR24), evaluation of the growth and photosynthetic performance of symbionts and purification of digestate and biogas. GR24 concentration of 10−9 M and shaking speed of 160 rpm were found to be favorable for the formation of fungal–microalgal pellets. The highest efficiencies with which chemical oxygen demand, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and CO 2 were eliminated were obtained in the cultivation system of fungus Pleurotus geesteranus and microalgae Chlorella vulgaris , resulting in removal rates of 86.17% ± 7.92%, 87.47% ± 8.14%, 85.21% ± 7.69%, and 72.41% ± 6.37%, respectively. Moreover, Pleurotus geesteranus promoted a significant increase in the biomass of Chlorella vulgaris , and the growth performance and photosynthesis of pellets were found to be consistent with the results of pollutant and CO 2 removal efficiencies. Collectively, the findings provide new insights into the simultaneous purification of digestate and biogas by cultivating fungal–microalgal pellets. [Display omitted] • Construction process of microalgae and fungal symbiosis was investigated. • 10−9 M GR24 and shaking speed of 160 rpm were optimal pelletization conditions. • Microalgae cells could embed and attached to the hyphae of fungal pellets. • P. geesteranus/C. vulgaris inducing with 10−9 M GR24 attained the highest biomass. • P. geesteranus/C. vulgaris removed more than 85% of pollutants and 70% of CO 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The maximum CO 2 removal efficiencies were 10−9 M GR24 induction. • The removal performance was affected by the type of microalgae and fungal pellets. • C. vulgaris - G. lucidum -S395-2 showed the best removal performance. • The optimal GR24 concentration was 10−9 M. • GR24 had positive effects on photosynthetic performance of the two treatments. The purification effect of two different microalgae-fungi-bacteria symbiosis technologies on biogas and biogas slurry was studied to determine the best symbiosis treatment technology and the suitable concentration of GR24. The results showed that the purification effect of biogas slurry in Chlorella vulgaris - Ganoderma lucidum -endophytic bacteria (S395–2) symbiont co-culture system was better than that of the biogas slurry in Scenedesmus obliquus-Pleurotus ostreatus -S395–2 symbionts. Following 10–9 M GR24 treatment, Chlorella vulgaris - Ganoderma lucidum -S395–2 symbionts had elevated mean daily production rate and growth rate by 1.92 and 1.46 folds in comparison with blank group. After adjusting the GR24 level within the range of 10–9 M−10−7 M, Ganoderma lucidum -assisted Chlorella vulgaris -S395–2 attained higher maximal removal rates for TN, COD, CO 2 , and TP by 10.78%, 14.62%, 3.86%, and 9.07%, respectively, compared to the rates when GR24 was not added. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A series of novel TSPO ligands based on the tetracyclic class of translocator protein (TSPO) ligands first described by Okubo et al. was synthesised and evaluated as potential positron emitting tomography (PET) ligands for imaging TPSO in vivo. Fluorine-18 labelling of the molecules was achieved using direct radiolabelling or synthon based labelling approaches. Several of the ligands prepared have promising profiles as potential TSPO PET imaging ligands. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]