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Freshwater mussels are essential for the integrity of freshwater ecosystems but numbers of these organisms are declining rapidly at regional and global scales. The phylogenetic and biogeographic aspects of the rich unionoid fauna of the Indo-Burma region are becoming increasingly well understood. Guangxi is part of the Chinese portion of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot but regional studies of the freshwater mussel diversity are scarce. In this study, we report a new genus and species of freshwater mussel from Guangxi, China. Genetic datasets including three genes (COI, 16S rRNA and 28S rRNA) and complete maternal mitogenomes were compiled to infer the phylogenetic history of the group. Molecular phylogenetic analyses showed that the new species formed a monophyletic group and was closely related to Obovalis and Ptychorhynchus in the tribe Gonideini of the subfamily Gonideinae. Morphological and molecular evidence supported that these specimens represent an undescribed genus and species that we describe as Postolata guangxiensis gen. nov., sp. nov. The discovery of this new taxon adds to the known level of endemism of freshwater mussels in Guangxi and a detailed survey of uncharted areas should reveal new diversity in the future. We also suggest that complete mitogenomes or even genome-scale nuclear data should be used for phylogenetic reconstructions when proposing major taxonomic changes. ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:76FC5A1D-7507-4F26-A12C-EC08AB333274

The genus Cuneopsis Simpson, 1900 comprises seven valid species, and Cuneopsis celtiformis (Heude, 1874) is the type species of this genus. Previous phylogenetic studies using complete mitochondrial genomes showed that Cuneopsis was not monophyletic, but the result was hampered by incomplete species sampling and lack of the type species of this genus. In this study, we collected C. celtiformis from the type locality and determined its complete maternal mitochondrial genome. This mitogenome is 15,922 bp in length and contains 14 protein-coding genes (including one F-orf), two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and 1 putative control region. Our mitochondrial phylogenomic analysis confirms that currently recognized genus Cuneopsis is polyphyletic, and C. celtiformis is the closest to C. heudei with high maximum likelihood bootstrap support value. Comprehensive sampling of all Cuneopsis species is needed for phylogenetic analysis to erect new genera in future studies.

Angiosperms have become the dominant terrestrial plant group by diversifying for ~145 million years into a broad range of environments. During the course of evolution, numerous morphological innovations arose, often preceded by whole genome duplications (WGD). The mustard family (Brassicaceae), a successful angiosperm clade with ~4000 species, has been diversifying into many evolutionary lineages for more than 30 million years. Here we develop a species inventory, analyze morphological variation, and present a maternal, plastome-based genus-level phylogeny. We show that increased morphological disparity, despite an apparent absence of clade-specific morphological innovations, is found in tribes with WGDs or diversification rate shifts. Both are important processes in Brassicaceae, resulting in an overall high net diversification rate. Character states show frequent and independent gain and loss, and form varying combinations. Therefore, Brassicaceae pave the way to concepts of phylogenetic genome-wide association studies to analyze the evolution of morphological form and function., As one of the most successful angiosperm clades with ~4000 species, the mustard family has been diversifying into many evolutionary lineages. Here, the authors construct plastid-based phylogeny and show nested whole-genome duplications coincide with diversification and high morphological disparity.

Background Thiazide diuretics reduce the risk of recurrent kidney calculi in patients with kidney calculi or hypercalciuria. However, whether thiazide diuretics can definitely prevent recurrent kidney calculi remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the effect and safety of thiazide diuretics on recurrent kidney calculi. Methods The PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases were systematically searched using the keywords thiazide diuretics and kidney calculi to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The primary outcome was the incidence of recurrent kidney calculi, and the secondary outcome was the 24-h urinary calcium level. The pooled risk ratio (RR), risk difference (RD), standardized mean difference (SMD), and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. The evidence quality was graded using the GRADE criteria, and recommendations for recurrent kidney calculus prevention using thiazide diuretics were reassessed. Results Eight RCTs involving 571 patients were included. The pooled RR for the incidence of kidney calculi in the thiazide diuretic groups was 0.44 (95% CI 0.33–0.58, P P P Conclusions Long-term use of thiazide diuretics reduces the incidence of recurrent renal calculi and 24-h urinary calcium level. However, the benefits are insufficient, and the evidence quality is low. Considering the adverse effects, poor patient compliance, and economic burden of long-term medication, their use in preventing recurrent kidney calculi is not recommended.

Understanding the formation mechanism of the flavor compounds in stinky tofu brine is crucial for controlling the flavor quality of Changsha stinky tofu. Dynamic changes in associated bacteria, enzymes, and differential metabolites in the metabolic pathway of aromatic amino acids in brine were investigated. Results showed that phenol (0.39～89.96 μg/mL), p-cresol (0.19～389.62 μg/mL), indole (1.14～242.97 μg/mL), 3-methylindole (0.14～3.00 μg/mL) were the key flavor substances of brine. The main associated bacteria Clostridiales bacterium SYSU GA17129, Aneurinibacillus aneurinilyticus, and Anaerosalibacter massiliensis were significantly positively correlated with key flavor substances (P 0.05). The main associated enzymes were transaminase, decarboxylase, and lyase. In summary, phenol and p-cresol were formed by the metabolism of tyrosine and phenylalanine through five reaction chains, and indole and 3-methylindole were formed by the metabolism of tryptophan through one and three reaction chains, respectively.

A novel magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer adsorbing material was successfully synthesized to detect ribavirin in animal feedstuff. Molecularly imprinted polymer was prepared through surface polymerization by using ribavirin as template molecule, methyl methacrylate, and γ-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxy silane functionalized magnetic mesoporous silica as bifunctional monomers, and ethylene diglycidyl ether as crosslinking agent. The prepared magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy. Static and dynamic adsorption experiments and selective adsorption analysis were performed to evaluate the adsorption and selectivity of magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer. Different experiments were conducted to optimize the magnetic solid-phase extraction conditions. Under optimal experimental conditions, a magnetic molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography method was successfully developed for ribavirin detection. The established method achieved a satisfactory linear range of 0.20-50 mg/L (R2 > 0.99) and a low detection limit (0.081 mg/kg). An average recovery of 92-105% with relative standard deviation of

Background and Aims Whole-genome duplication (WGD) events are considered important driving forces of diversification. At least 11 out of 52 Brassicaceae tribes had independent mesopolyploid WGDs followed by diploidization processes. However, the association between mesopolyploidy and subsequent diversification is equivocal. Herein we show the results from a family-wide diversification analysis on Brassicaceae, and elaborate on the hypothesis that polyploidization per se is a fundamental driver in Brassicaceae evolution. Methods We established a time-calibrated chronogram based on whole plastid genomes comprising representative Brassicaceae taxa and published data spanning the entire Rosidae clade. This allowed us to set multiple calibration points and anchored various Brassicaceae taxa for subsequent downstream analyses. All major splits among Brassicaceae lineages were used in BEAST analyses of 48 individually analysed tribes comprising 2101 taxa in total using the internal transcribed spacers of nuclear ribosomal DNA. Diversification patterns were investigated on these tribe-wide chronograms using BAMM and were compared with family-wide data on genome size variation and species richness. Key Results Brassicaceae diverged 29.9 million years ago (Mya) during the Oligocene, and the majority of tribes started diversification in the Miocene with an average crown group age of about 12.5 Mya. This matches the cooling phase right after the Mid Miocene climatic optimum. Significant rate shifts were detected in 12 out of 52 tribes during the Mio- and Pliocene, decoupled from preceding mesopolyploid WGDs. Among the various factors analysed, the combined effect of tribal crown group age and net diversification rate (speciation minus extinction) is likely to explain sufficiently species richness across Brassicaceae tribes. Conclusions The onset of the evolutionary splits among tribes took place under cooler and drier conditions. Pleistocene glacial cycles may have contributed to the maintenance of high diversification rates. Rate shifts are not consistently associated with mesopolyploid WGD. We propose, therefore, that WGDs in general serve as a constant ‘pump’ for continuous and high species diversification.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are environmental chemicals that are formed due to incomplete combustion of the organic matters, or during heat treatment of the food. The objectives of the present study were first to estimate levels of the 15-priority PAHs in the edible vegetable oil (corn oil, sunflower oil, olive oil, and canola oil) collected from Egypt. Furthermore, the effect of heat treatment on the formation of PAHs in the canola oil was further examined. In addition, dietary intakes and cancer risk among Egyptian consumers were additionally calculated. The achieved results indicated presence of 15-priority PAHs in all examined oil samples. Canola oil had the highest residual concentrations of PAHs compared with the other tested oil species. Heat treatment of canola oil led to a drastic increase in the formed B[a]P (316.55%), total 2-PAHs (322.47%), total 4-PAHs (297.42%), total 8-PAHs (285.26%), and total 15-PAHs (443.32%), respectively. The incremental lifetime cancer risk among the Egyptian population is considered safe when was calculated for all examined oil samples.

Phthalate acid esters (PAEs) with superior performance are widely used. However, the long-term intake of PAEs seriously damages the human body. In this work, a novel type of magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer (mMIP) was synthesized and coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS) for the selective separation and determination of 15 PAEs in milk powder samples. Key mMIP variables, i.e. (1) NaCl dosage, (2) eluent type and amount, (3) extraction and elution time), and (4) reusability, were investigated to determine the optimal magnetic solid phase extraction conditions. Results revealed that the mMIPs had good recognition specificity for the template molecules. Under the optimized conditions, 15 PAEs were successfully separated and analyzed by GC/MS. Results showed a good linearity in the range of 0.05–10.0 μg/mL for different PAEs’ concentration. The detection limit was 0.2–0.8 μg/kg, the average recovery was 83.0%–104%, and the relative standard deviation was 2.4 %–8.6% (n = 5). This new sample and rapid pretreatment method was successfully applied to the monitoring of trace plasticizing agent residues in milk powder.

A novel magnetic plasticizer molecularly imprinted polymer adsorbing material (MIP@mSiO2 -β-CD@Fe3 O4 ) was successfully synthesized for the determination of six phthalic acid esters in water, milk, and wine samples. The molecularly imprinted polymers were prepared via precipitation polymerization and a surface molecular imprinting technique, using a cyclodextrin-modified magnetic meso-porous material (mSiO2 -β-CD@Fe3 O4 ) as a magnetic supporter, dibutyl phthalate and butyl benzyl phthalate as the dual template molecules, methacrylic acid as the functional monomer, and ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate as the cross-linking agent. The polymers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, IR spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction. Thermogravimetric analysis and static and dynamic adsorption experiments were carried out to assay its stability and selectivity. Under optimal experimental conditions, a magnetic solid-phase extraction with MIP@mSiO2 -β-CD@Fe3 O4 coupled to gas chromatography and mass spectrometry method was successfully developed for the determination of phthalic acid esters. The established method achieved a good linear range of 0.10∼8.00 μg/mL (R > 0.99) and a low detection limit within the range of 1.0∼5.0 μg/L. An average recovery rate of 80.2∼103% with relative standard deviation < 6.7% was obtained upon the application of the developed method to detect phthalic acid esters in actual aqueous samples.

As a basis for future investigations of evolutionary trajectories and biosynthetic mechanisms underlying variations in glucosinolate structures, we screened members of the crucifer tribe Cardamineae by HPLC-MS/MS, isolated and identified glucosinolates by NMR, searched the literature for previous data for the tribe, and collected HPLC-MS/MS data for nearly all glucosinolates known from the tribe as well as some related structures (70 in total). This is a considerable proportion of the approximately 142 currently documented natural glucosinolates. Calibration with authentic references allowed distinction (or elucidation) of isomers in many cases, such as distinction of β-hydroxyls, methylthios, methylsulfinyls and methylsulfonyls. A mechanism for fragmentation of secondary β-hydroxyls in MS was elucidated, and two novel glucosinolates were discovered: 2-hydroxy-3-methylpentylglucosinolate in roots of Cardamine pratensis and 2-hydroxy-8-(methylsulfinyl)octylglucosinolate in seeds of Rorippa amphibia. A large number of glucosinolates (ca. 54 with high structural certainty and a further 28 or more suggested from tandem MS), representing a wide structural variation, is documented from the tribe. This included glucosinolates apparently derived from Met, Phe, Trp, Val/Leu, Ile and higher homologues. Normal side chain elongation and side chain decoration by oxidation or methylation was observed, as well as rare abnormal side chain decoration (hydroxylation of aliphatics at the δ rather than β-position). Some species had diverse profiles, e.g. R. amphibia and C. pratensis (19 and 16 individual glucosinolates, respectively), comparable to total diversity in literature reports of Armoracia rusticana (17?), Barbarea vulgaris (20–24), and Rorippa indica (>20?). The ancestor or the tribe would appear to have used Trp, Met, and homoPhe as glucosinolate precursor amino acids, and to exhibit oxidation of thio to sulfinyl, formation of alkenyls, β-hydroxylation of aliphatic chains and hydroxylation and methylation of indole glucosinolates. Two hotspots of apparent biochemical innovation and loss were identified: C. pratensis and the genus Barbarea. Diversity in other species mainly included structures also known from other crucifers. In addition to a role of gene duplication, two contrasting genetic/biochemical mechanisms for evolution of such combined diversity and redundancy are discussed: (i) involvement of widespread genes with expression varying during evolution, and (ii) mutational changes in substrate specificities of CYP79F and GS-OH enzymes.

Exposure to endocrine disruptor substances will alter the function of the endocrine system and then cause adverse effects on human health. Among these endocrine disrupting chemicals, hexestrol, nonylphenol, and bisphenol A are most commonly used worldwide. In this study, we aim to develop a simple, rapid, and efficient analytical method for the simultaneous determination of trace hexestrol, nonylphenol, and bisphenol A in lake water and milk samples. A magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer-assisted magnetic solid-phase extraction technique was applied. The magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer was prepared and characterized by electron scanning microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Subsequently, different experiments were conducted to optimize the magnetic solid-phase extraction conditions. High-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection was employed to determine hexestrol, nonylphenol, and bisphenol A. Limits of detection of the developed method were from 0.1 to 0.3 μg L−1 and spiked recoveries ranged from 89.9 to 102.5%, with a relative standard deviation of

Background Excessive or improper use of organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) may adversely affect human health through the food chain. In the present study, a simple, rapid and effective analytical method was successfully established and used for the determination of OPPs quinalphos and its analogs in different food samples. Results Under the optimized experimental conditions, five OPPs (quinalphos, triazophos, parathion, fenthion and chlorpyrifos-methyl) exhibit a good linearity within a range of 0.02 to 2.0 μg mL-1 . The detection limit range was 3.0 to 10.0 μg L-1 (signal-to-noise ratio = 3). The method was successfully used to detect and quantify the residues of quinalphos and its analogs in tomato, cabbage, barley and water samples; all spiked samples gave satisfactory recovery rates for the target analytes of between 82% and 98%, with a relative SD of 3.6% to 7.8%. Conclusion The results obtained show that the proposed method is an accurate, rapid and reliable sample pre-treatment method with respect to giving a good enrichment factor and detection limit for determining quinalphos pesticide residues in different food samples. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Pyrene is one of the major polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons formed during heat treatment of meat and in car exhausts; however, few studies have investigated pyrene-induced adverse effects on human cell lines. This study aimed at the investigation of pyrene-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative damage in human liver HepG2 cells at environmentally relevant concentrations. Pyrene-induced changes in mRNA expression of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes (XMEs), xenobiotic transporters, antioxidant enzymes, and inflammatory markers were investigated using real-time PCR. As a protection trial, the ameliorative effects of lycopene, a carotenoid abundantly found in tomato, were investigated. The possible mechanisms behind such effects were examined via studying the co exposure effects of pyrene and lycopene on regulatory elements including the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Air) and elytroid 2-related factor 2 (RF). The achieved results indicated that pyrene caused significant cytotoxicity at 50 n, with a clear production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a dose-dependent manner. Pyrene upregulated mRNA expression of phase I enzymes including CYP1A1, 1A2, and CYP1B1 and inflammatory markers including TNFα and Cox2. However, pyrene significantly downregulated phase II enzymes, xenobiotic transporters, and antioxidant enzymes. Interestingly, lycopene significantly reduced pyrene-induced cytotoxicity and ROS production. Moreover, lycopene upregulated detoxification and antioxidant enzymes, probably via its regulatory effects on Air- and RF-dependent pathways.

Stylommatophora is a main clade of Gastropoda that encompasses approximately 112 gastropod families and may exceed a total of 30,000 species. Twenty-four complete stylommatophoran mitogenomes have been sequenced to date, yet our understanding of mitochondrial evolution in stylommatophorans is still in its infancy. To further expand the set of available mitogenomes, we sequenced the mitogenome of Meghimatium bilineatum (Arionoidea: Philomycidae), a widespread land slug in East Asia. This is the first report on a mitogenome of the superfamily Arionoidea, and indeed on a terrestrial slug. The mitogenome of Meghimatium bilineatum comprises 13,972 bp and exhibits a novel, highly distinctive gene arrangement among the Stylommatophora. Phylogenetic reconstructions based on the sequences of all protein-coding genes consistently recovered Meghimatium bilineatum as sister-group of the Succineidae. A phylogenetic reconstruction based on gene order, however, suggested a highly divergent tree topology, which is less credible when taking into account prior knowledge of stylommatophoran relationships. Our CREx (Common interval Rearrangement Explorer) analysis suggested that three successive events of tandem duplication random loss (TDRL) best explain the evolutionary process of gene order rearrangement in Meghimatium bilineatum from an ancestral stylommatophoran mitogenome. The present example offers new insights into the mechanisms of mitogenome rearrangements in gastropods at large and into the usefulness of mitogenomic gene order as a phylogenetic marker.

Size fractionation and chemical composition of municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) fly ash were investigated. And the leaching efficiency of heavy metals was contrastively studied using toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP), European standard protocol (EN12457-2), sequential extraction procedure (SEP) and physiologically based extraction test (PBET) for different size-fractionated fly ash. The results indicated that the main compositing elements of fly ash were Ca, Si, Al, Mg, Fe, Na, K. 58.7% of fly ash particles were in the range of 38-106 μm and the amount in the150 μm particle-size fraction accounted for more than 90% of in total, Cu, Pb and Cd mainly existed in the residual form with a minor amount of exchange fraction for any size-fractioned fly ash particles. TCLP result showed that leaching amounts of Zn, Cu and Pb, except for As and V, firstly increased and then decreased with the reduction of particle size. The leaching amount of Zn reached the highest value of 547 mg·kg

A solid-phase microextraction probe was prepared on the surface of a stainless-steel wire through molecular sol-gel imprinting technology using chlorpyrifos as a template molecule, tetraethoxysilane as a sol-gel precursor, and acrylamide and β-cyclodextrin as functional monomers. The polymer was characterized by infrared spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy. Moreover, the selectivity and the parameters including the type and volume of the extraction solvents, ionic strength, pH, temperature, extraction time, stirring speed, and desorption time affecting extraction performance were evaluated. Under the optimum solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography conditions, the linear ranges were 0.25-25.0 μg/L for chlorpyrifos, quinalphos, triazophos, pirimiphos-methyl, and chlorpyrifos-methyl with the correlation coefficient above 0.99. The detection limits (S/N = 3) were in the range of 0.02-0.07 μg/L and the RSDs were

The Yangtze River Basin in China is one of the global hotspots of freshwater mussel (order Unionida) diversity with 68 nominal species. Few studies have tested the validity of these nominal species. Some taxa from the Yangtze unionid fauna have not been adequately examined using molecular data and well-positioned phylogenetically with respect to the global Unionida. We evaluated species boundaries of Chinese freshwater mussels, and disentangled their phylogenetic relationships within the context of the global freshwater mussels based on the multi-locus data and complete mitochondrial genomes. Moreover, we produced the time-calibrated phylogeny of Unionida and explored patterns of diversification. COI barcode data suggested the existence of 41 phylogenetic distinct species from our sampled 40 nominal taxa inhabiting the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses on three loci (COI, 16S, and 28S) and complete mitochondrial genomes showed that the subfamily Unioninae sensu stricto was paraphyletic, and the subfamily Anodontinae should be subsumed under Unioninae. In addition, we described two new tribes (Aculamprotulini tribe nov. and Lepidodesmini tribe nov.) in the subfamily Unioninae and one new genus (Parvasolenaia gen. nov.) in the subfamily Gonideinae. Molecular dating analysis suggested freshwater mussels diversified at 346.1 Mya (HPD = 286.6–409.9). The global diversification rate for Unionida was estimated to be 0.025 species/Myr. Our study found only a single well-supported rate shift in Unionida diversification, occurring at the base of the subfamily Ambleminae. The evolution of active host-attraction may have triggered the burst of speciation in Ambleminae, and the environment and geography of the Mississippi River Basin likely sustained this radiation.

Radix plicatula is broadly distributed in China, as well as Russia. It is one of the intermediate hosts of Fasciola species which leads to the spread of fascioliasis. Here, we first described the complete mitochondrial genome of R. plicatula. The mitogenome is 13,751 bp in length, containing 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, and 2 rRNA genes. The contents of each base are 30.7% A, 39.6% T, 15.7% G, and 13.9% C. The sequence is AT rich (70.3%). Mitochondrial phylogenomic analysis showed that R. plicatula is close to R. auricularia.

Guaiacol, a potent volatile compound, has proven to be responsible for the distinct medicinal off-flavor in spoiled apple juice produced by Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris. In this study, the artificial sensing system electronic nose (e-nose) was employed to detect this off-flavor compound in apple juice, using GC–MS and test panel evaluation as reference, as well as water as a comparative medium. Principle component analysis and linear discriminant analysis were employed to evaluate the capacity of e-nose for guaiacol detection in both media. A loadings analysis was used to examine the sensors' chemometric discrimination. Multiple regression analysis was applied to investigate the potential relationship between the concentration of guaiacol and the e-nose response. The detection limit based on e-nose for guaiacol in apple juice was 0.25–0.5 mg/L. For comparison, a 12-member test panel evaluation found an aroma detection threshold of 1.50 mg/L in apple juice, and the GC–MS detection limit for guaiacol in apple juice was determined to be 0.4 μg/L. In summary, the e-nose was capable of detecting guaiacol in apple juice, with significantly higher sensitivity than the test panel evaluation. This information should be useful for developing instrumental sensory detection techniques for rapid scanning of potential medicinal off-flavor in Alicyclobacillus-spoiled apple juice prior to consumer perception.

Apple juice beverage spoilage spawned by Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris can cause sensory defect by production of medicinal off-flavor, which could hardly be noticed in the early stage and would lead to the consumer complaints and, consequently, the economic and image loss of the manufacturers. Thus, it is necessary to detect the contamination at early stage in case of serious converse effect. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of an electronic nose (e-nose) in tandem with chemometric analysis as online, rapid screening technique for detection of the spoilage in apple juice beverage, using test panel evaluation as reference, as well as to predict the spoilage status of apple juice beverage based on the response to the specific volatiles in it. Coupled to linear discriminant analysis (LDA), e-nose could discern the contaminated beverage after 4 h, corresponding to the bacterial number of 200 cfu/mL, the level at which the test panel could not yet diagnose the spoilage, indicating that the signals of e-nose could be applied as early indicators for the onset of spoilage. Sensors 2, 6, 7, and 8 were determined to be quite sensitive to the alteration of flavor in apple juice beverage and had played the most important part in discrimination. Furthermore, based on the response of e-nose, A. acidoterrestris counts in unknown samples could be well predicted by established partial least squares (PLS) regression model with a high relation of 0.95. Based on these results, e-nose can be employed as a powerful tool for quick and reliable analysis of the flavor in apple juice beverages during processing or on the shelf to implement rapid routine inspection as well as realize the early detection of potential spoilage caused by A. acidoterrestris.

Turkish Warty cabbage, Bunias orientalis L. (Brassicaceae) is a perennial herb known for its 250 years of invasion history into Europe and worldwide temperate regions. Putative centers of origin were debated to be located in Turkey, the Caucasus or Eastern Europe. Based on the genetic variation from the nuclear and plastid genomes, we identified two major gene pools in the Caucasian-Irano-Turanian region and close to the Northern Caucasus, respectively. These gene pools are old and started to diverge and expand approximately 930 kya in the Caucasus. Pleistocene glaciation and deglaciation cycles favoured later expansion of a European gene pool 230 kya, which was effectively separated from the Caucasian-Irano-Turanian gene pool. Although the European gene pool is genetically less diverse, it has largely served as source for colonization of Western and Northern Europe in modern times with rare observations of genetic contributions from the Caucasian-Irano-Turanian gene pool such as in North-East America. This study largely utilized herbarium material to take advantage of a biodiversity treasure trove providing biological material and also giving access to detailed collection information.

The family Margaritiferidae encompasses 12 valid species, which are distributed widely but disjunctively in the Northern Hemisphere. A lack of a well resolved and temporally calibrated phylogenetic framework of Margaritiferidae has made it difficult to discuss the evolutionary pattern and process. Phylogenetic relationships between five major clades, which were revealed in earlier studies, remain elusive and unresolved. Lamprotula rochechouartii has long been classified within the family Unionidae based on shell morphology, but our preliminary molecular study on this species made us hypothesize that it has an affinity with margaritiferids. Hence, five loci (COI, 16S, 18S, 28S and histone H3) were used to investigate the phylogenetic position of L. rochechouartii and intra-familial relationships within Margaritiferidae using various partitioning strategies. Moreover, two mitochondrial genomes were newly obtained to further resolve and validate the five-clade relationships within Margaritiferidae in a broad view of Unionoida evolution. Both five-gene and mitogenome datasets strongly advocated treating Lamprotula rochechouartii as Margaritifera rochechouartii comb. nov. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses using partitioned five-gene dataset resulted in various topologies, but five well-supported clades were obtained. The most probable cladistic relationships generated by five-gene dataset analyses were identical to subsequent whole mitogenome analyses except the position of M. monodonta. M. rochechouartii and M. laosensis had a well-supported sister relationship and formed a basal clade splitting from the rest of the family. Based on six reliable fossils, crown age of the extant Margaritiferidae was estimated during the Late Cretaceous at 88.3 Ma (95% HPD = 66.2–117.4). But we hypothesized a much earlier origin of this family due to the Permian stem age (mean = 257 Ma, 95% HPD = 230.0–296.0) and a high extinction rate in the whole order. Biogeographic scenarios supported a Laurasian origin of extant Margaritiferidae during the Late Cretaceous, and suggested that Asian margaritiferids may have had two origins, having either Asia (M. rochechouartii, M. laosensis) or North America (M. dahurica, M. laevis, and M. middendorffi) as ancestral. The newly added Margaritiferidae species M. rochechouartii expands our recognized distribution range of modern margaritiferids. Our results indicate that whole mitogenome sequences can be used to reconstruct robust phylogenetic relationships for freshwater mussels, especially with the help of adding M-type mitogenomes.

Methanogens are important environmental microbial and play an important role in the nature of the carbon-cycling, its unique physiological characteristics and metabolic mechanisms make it play an indispensable role in environmental protection and energy field. At present, known methane biosynthesis has three pathways: acetic acid, H/CO2, methyl compound as the substrates generate methane through different reaction. Ecological factor affecting methanogens are mainly temperature, pH value, redox potential, etc. In this paper, we carry on analyzing the research progress of the methanogens species, its physiological characteristics, metabolic pathway, ecological factor and industrial application, and propose methods and the thinking of study to improve methane gas production by adjusting the ecological factor as the control factor.

Nutrients in leaching solution play an important role in removal of iron impurities from kaolin when using dissimilatory Fe(III)-reducing bacteria (DIRB). However, the effect of organic acids, complexing agents and heavy metals on Fe leaching from kaolin when added to the leaching solution was not well understood and was investigated in this study. The results showed that the removal of iron impurities increased in the presence of oxalic acid in the leaching solution where the removal of iron reached 3.76 mg Fe g clay−1. In contrast, acetic and salicylic acids inhibited or ceased microbial growth. Furthermore, iron dissolution was enhanced by nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), while the addition of EDTA to the solution medium had little impact on iron reduction. The reduction of Fe(III) was completely inhibited by the addition of 0.08 g L−1 Cu(II) to the solution, while dissolved iron was enhanced by the addition of Mn(II) and Fe(II). Low concentrations of Fe(III) caused a slight decline in iron reduction, but reduction of Fe(III) was significantly inhibited at an initial Fe(III) concentration of 0.08 g L−1. Fourier transform infrared analysis (FTIR) and differential thermal analysis–thermogravimetry (DTA–TG) techniques were used to characterize kaolin before and after bioleaching demonstrating that there was no major change in structural composition or physicochemical properties.

In order to evaluate the effect and mechanism of the mulberry leaf alkaloid, flavones, and polysaccharide intervention on diabetes, the overall metabolite profiling characteristics for the plasma of diabetic mouse was performed by using an ultra-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS). The 8 potential biomarkers were found in diabetic mice plasma based on the data of MS/MS characteristics obtained from the UPLC-OrbitrapMS analysis, which mainly involved in sphingolipids, amino acid metabolic pathway. The principal component analysis showed that the normal group and model group were obviously distinguished and implied that metabolic disturbance was happened in diabetic mice plasma. The extracts of mulberry leaf flavonoids, polysaccharide, alkaloid had exhibited the effects of callback function for diabetic mice through regulating the amino acid metabolism and sphingolipid metabolism.

Alicyclobacillus spp. are heat-resistant, acid-tolerant spore-forming bacteria that could survive in commercial pasteurized fruit juice and cause spoilage along with the production of medical, phenolic, or antiseptic off-flavor, with or without visible sediment. As spoilage poses a great challenge to fruit juice industry, the aim of the present paper has been twofold. Firstly, to explore various identification, detection, and control approaches that have been applied in order to prevent possible contamination, thus summarizing the characteristics of spoilage spawned by Alicyclobacillus spp. since the first relevant juice spoilage was reported. Secondly, to provide useful information to the juice producers by critically reviewing both conventional and novel detection technologies targeting either the organisms of Alicyclobacillus spp. or the off-flavors caused and by encouraging the study and application of novel preservation procedures of fruit juices, such as high pressure, multiple hurdles, and alternative natural antibiotics.

Direct application of active protein in practical food system suffers from the major disadvantage of protein inactivation caused by food components and environmental factors. This study is the first to encapsulate water-soluble protein into hydrophobic polystyrene (PS) polymer via emulsion electrospinning technique based on green chemical L-limonene to achieve sustained release of protein. Core–shell nanostructure with elongated domains was observed in electrospun fibers. In vitro release profiles suggest that a sustained release of protein was achieved. The increased release rate with PS molecular weight reveals that the release of protein could be well tuned by tailoring polymeric molecular weight, which is possibly attributed to the association of release rate with fiber inner structure and protein distribution in matrix. These results demonstrate that an excellent protein delivery system could be obtained via emulsion electrospinning based on green chemical for the application in antimicrobial packaging and filtration in food industry. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41811.

Mastigeulota kiangsinensis is an endemic and widespread land snail in China. The complete mitochondrial genome of M. kiangsinensis was first determined using long PCR reactions and primer walking method (accession number KM083123). The genome has a length of 14,029 bp, containing 37 typical mitochondrial genes (13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes and 2 rRNA genes). The base composition of the whole heavy strand is A 29.48%, T 37.92%, C 14.38% and G 18.22%. Gene order of M. kiangsinensis is identical to Euhadra herklotsi, but gene rearrangements are found compared with other mitochondrial genomes described in Stylommatophora. tRNAThr is located in COIII, which has not been found in other helicoids so far. This new complete mitochondrial genome can be the basic data for further studies on mitogenome comparison, molecular taxonomy and phylogenetic analysis in land snails and Molluscs at large.

The genetic diversity of the three major artificially propagated populations of Chinese sucker, an endangered freshwater fish species, was investigated using the sequences of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control regions. Among the 89 individuals tested, 66 variable sites (7.26%) and 10 haplotypes were detected (Haplotype diversity Hd = 0.805, Nucleotide diversity π = 0.0287). In general, genetic diversity was lower in artificially propagated populations than in wild populations. This reduction in genetic diversity may be due to population bottlenecks, genetic drift and human selection. A stepping-stone pattern of gene flow was detected in the populations studied, showing much higher gene flow between neighbouring populations. To increase the genetic diversity, wild lineages should be introduced, and more lineages should be shared among artificially propagated populations.

Doubly uniparental inheritance (DUI) is an exception to the typical maternal inheritance of mitochondrial (mt) DNA in Metazoa, and found only in some bivalves. In species with DUI, there are two highly divergent gender-associated mt genomes: maternal (F) and paternal (M), which transmit independently and show different tissue localization. Solenaia carinatus is an endangered freshwater mussel species exclusive to Poyang Lake basin, China. Anthropogenic events in the watershed greatly threaten the survival of this species. Nevertheless, the taxonomy of S. carinatus based on shell morphology is confusing, and the subfamilial placement of the genus Solenaia remains unclear. In order to clarify the taxonomic status and discuss the phylogenetic implications of family Unionidae, the entire F and M mt genomes of S. carinatus were sequenced and compared with the mt genomes of diverse freshwater mussel species. The complete F and M mt genomes of S. carinatus are 16716 bp and 17102 bp in size, respectively. The F and M mt genomes of S. carinatus diverge by about 40% in nucleotide sequence and 48% in amino acid sequence. Compared to F counterparts, the M genome shows a more compact structure. Different gene arrangements are found in these two gender-associated mt genomes. Among these, the F genome cox2-rrnS gene order is considered to be a genome-level synapomorphy for female lineage of the subfamily Gonideinae. From maternal and paternal mtDNA perspectives, the phylogenetic analyses of Unionoida indicate that S. carinatus belongs to Gonideinae. The F and M clades in freshwater mussels are reciprocal monophyly. The phylogenetic trees advocate the classification of sampled Unionidae species into four subfamilies: Gonideinae, Ambleminae, Anodontinae, and Unioninae, which is supported by the morphological characteristics of glochidia.

To evaluate the use of isothermal RNA amplification assay for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (SAT-TB) in sputum samples.A total of 244 sputum samples from patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and those with other lung diseases were detected by SAT-TB and Lowenstein-Jensen (L-J) culture. The samples with different results between SAT-TB and L-J culture were tested by Mycobacterium tuberculosis PCR fluorescence diagnostic kits. The sensitivity and specificity of SAT-TB were calculated according to the results of L-J culture. The detection rates of SAT-TB and L-J culture were analyzed according to the clinical diagnosis and the difference of the 2 methods were analyzed by chi-square test.With the result of L-J culture as the reference, the sensitivity and the specificity of SAT-TB were 92% (71/77) and 86% (143/167), respectively. The accordance rate of SAT-TB and L-J culture was 88% (214/244). For tuberculosis patients, the detection rate of L-J culture and SAT-TB was 42% (75/177) and 54% (95/177) respectively. The difference between the detection rates of SAT-TB and L-J was significant by chi-square test (χ² = 4.527, P0.05).SAT-TB is a rapid, sensitive and specific method for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in clinical sputum samples.

To evaluate microscopic observation drug susceptibility (MODS) for mycobacterium tuberculosis drug susceptibility in smear-positive sputum.Drug susceptibility of mycobacterium tuberculosis in 275 smear-positive sputum samples collected from TB patients were detected directly by MODS. The susceptibility of seven antimicrobials including streptomycin, isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, levofloxacin, amikacin and capromycin were detected MODS. At the same time the sputum sample were cultured in MGIT 960 tube and the positive isolates were tested for drug susceptibility by MGIT 960 system. The results of MODS were analyzed and compared with that of MGIT 960.Of 275 smear-positive sputum, MODS detected 235 (85.45%). Results of MODS were obtained in a median time of 18 days (5 - 39 d). For the 235 MODS-positive samples, the compliance rates of MODS to MGIT of 7 drugs were 90.21% (212/235), 88.09% (207/235), 93.62% (220/235), 87.23% (205/235), 92.34% (217/235), 88.51% (208/235) and 86.81% (204/235) respectively. The sensitivity of MODS method were 83.33% (90/108), 85.11% (120/141), 90.74% (98/108), 85.71% (78/91), 86.73% (85/98), 76.92% (40/52) and 77.08% (37/48). The specificities of MODS method were 96.06% (122/127), 92.55% (87/94), 96.06% (122/127), 88.19% (127/144), 96.35% (132/137), 91.80% (168/183) and 89.30% (167/187) respectively.MODS is an optimal alternative method for direct and rapid drug susceptibility of sputum with high accuracy in a timely and affordable way in resource-limited settings.