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Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are increasingly recognized as pervasive environmental contaminants, primarily from their extensive application in flame retardants and plasticizers. Despite their widespread presence, the intricacies of OPE bioaccumulation within aquatic ecosystems remain poorly understood, particularly the environmental determinants influencing their distribution and the bioaccumulation dynamics across aquatic food chains. Here we show that water temperature plays a crucial role in modulating the dispersion of OPE in the aquatic environment of Poyang Lake. We quantified OPE concentrations across various matrices, uncovering levels ranging from 0.198 to 912.622 ng L−1 in water, 0.013–493.36 ng per g dry weight (dw) in sediment, 0.026–41.92 ng per g wet weight (ww) in plankton, 0.13–2100.72 ng per g dw in benthic invertebrates, and 0.31–3956.49 ng per g dw in wild fish, highlighting a pronounced bioaccumulation gradient. Notably, the intestines emerged as the principal site for OPE absorption, displaying the highest concentrations among the seven tissues examined. Among the various OPEs, tris(chloroethyl) phosphate was distinguished by its significant bioaccumulation potential within the aquatic food web, suggesting a need for heightened scrutiny. The propensity for OPE accumulation was markedly higher in benthic invertebrates than wild fish, indicating a differential vulnerability within aquatic biota. This study lays a foundational basis for the risk assessment of OPEs as emerging contaminants and underscores the imperative to prioritize the examination of bioaccumulation effects, particularly in benthic invertebrates, to inform future environmental safeguarding strategies.

Abstract Background Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is a diploid perennial temperate legume with 14 chromosomes (2n = 14) native to Europe and West Asia, with high nutritional and economic value. It is a very important forage grass and is widely grown in marine climates, such as the United States and Sweden. Genetic research and molecular breeding are limited by the lack of high-quality reference genomes. In this study, we used Illumina, PacBio HiFi, and Hi-C to obtain a high-quality chromosome-scale red clover genome and used genome annotation results to analyze evolutionary relationships among related species. Results The red clover genome obtained by PacBio HiFi assembly sequencing was 423 M. The assembly quality was the highest among legume genome assemblies published to date. The contig N50 was 13 Mb, scaffold N50 was 55 Mb, and BUSCO completeness was 97.9%, accounting for 92.8% of the predicted genome. Genome annotation revealed 44,588 gene models with high confidence and 52.81% repetitive elements in red clover genome. Based on a comparison of genome annotation results, red clover was closely related to Trifolium medium and distantly related to Glycine max, Vigna radiata, Medicago truncatula, and Cicer arietinum among legumes. Analyses of gene family expansions and contractions and forward gene selection revealed gene families and genes related to environmental stress resistance and energy metabolism. Conclusions We report a high-quality de novo genome assembly for the red clover at the chromosome level, with a substantial improvement in assembly quality over those of previously published red clover genomes. These annotated gene models can provide an important resource for molecular genetic breeding and legume evolution studies. Furthermore, we analyzed the evolutionary relationships among red clover and closely related species, providing a basis for evolutionary studies of clover leaf and legumes, genomics analyses of forage grass, the improvement of agronomic traits.

Abstract Background Paspalum notatum ‘Flugge’ is a diploid with 20 chromosomes (2n = 20) multi-purpose subtropical herb native to South America and has a high ecological significance. It is currently widely planted in tropical and subtropical regions. Despite the gene pool of P. notatum ‘Flugge’ being unearthed to a large extent in the past decade, no details about the genomic information of relevant species in Paspalum have been reported. In this study, the complete genome information of P. notatum was established and annotated through sequencing and de novo assembly of its genome. Results The latest PacBio third-generation HiFi assembly and sequencing revealed that the genome size of P. notatum ‘Flugge’ is 541 M. The assembly result is the higher index among the genomes of the gramineous family published so far, with a contig N50 = 52Mbp, scaffold N50 = 49Mbp, and BUSCOs = 98.1%, accounting for 98.5% of the estimated genome. Genome annotation revealed 36,511 high-confidence gene models, thus providing an important resource for future molecular breeding and evolutionary research. A comparison of the genome annotation results of P. notatum ‘Flugge’ with other closely related species revealed that it had a close relationship with Zea mays but not close compared to Brachypodium distachyon, Setaria viridis, Oryza sativa, Puccinellia tenuiflora, Echinochloa crusgalli. An analysis of the expansion and contraction of gene families suggested that P. notatum ‘Flugge’ contains gene families associated with environmental resistance, increased reproductive ability, and molecular evolution, which explained its excellent agronomic traits. Conclusion This study is the first to report the high-quality chromosome-scale-based genome of P. notatum ‘Flugge’ assembled using the latest PacBio third-generation HiFi sequencing reads. The study provides an excellent genetic resource bank for gramineous crops and invaluable perspectives regarding the evolution of gramineous plants.

Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are widespread in various environmental media, and can disrupt thyroid endocrine signaling pathways. Mechanisms by which OPEs disrupt thyroid hormone (TH) signal transduction are not fully understood. Here, we present in vivo-in vitro-in silico evidence establishing OPEs as environmental THs competitively entering the brain to inhibit growth of zebrafish via multiple signaling pathways. OPEs can bind to transthyretin (TTR) and thyroxine-binding globulin, thereby affecting the transport of TH in the blood, and to the brain by TTR through the blood–brain barrier. When GH3 cells were exposed to OPEs, cell proliferation was significantly inhibited given that OPEs are competitive inhibitors of TH. Cresyl diphenyl phosphate was shown to be an effective antagonist of TH. Chronic exposure to OPEs significantly inhibited the growth of zebrafish by interfering with thyroperoxidase and thyroglobulin to inhibit TH synthesis. Based on comparisons of modulations of gene expression with the Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes databases, signaling pathways related to thyroid endocrine functions, such as receptor–ligand binding and regulation of hormone levels, were identified as being affected by exposure to OPEs. Effects were also associated with the biosynthesis and metabolism of lipids, and neuroactive ligand–receptor interactions. These findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms by which OPEs disrupt thyroid pathways in zebrafish.

There is currently international interest in applying DNA barcoding as a tool for plant species discrimination and identification. In this study, we evaluated the utility of four candidate plant DNA barcoding regions [rbcL, matK, trnL-F, and internal transcribed spacer (ITS)] in seven genera of Gramineae including Agropyron, Bromus, Elymus, Elytrigia, Festuca, Leymus, and Lolium. Fourteen accessions were analyzed, and matK and ITS showed the highest species, subspecies, and variety discriminatory power, each resolving 11 accessions. Species discrimination using rbcL and trnL-F was lower, resolving 7 and 8 accessions, respectively. Subspecies and variety discrimination using rbcL and trnL-F could not identify 4 accessions of Agropyron. A technical system can be established using the proposed DNA barcode to rapidly and reliably identify the seven genera of Gramineae. This study serves as a “useful reference” for identifying the genetic diversity of grass germplasm resources. DNA barcoding can be utilized to uncover the relatives of different species within the same family or between different families. It can also be used to determine the related groups of important herbage, turfgrass, and crops and provide crucial background information for discovering excellent genes and improving existing crop varieties.

With the ban on brominated flame retardants (BFRs), organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) were used as substitutes generally as flame retardants, lubricants, plasticizers, and so on. Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) is a common OPFR and has been widely detected in different environmental compartments such as the atmosphere, dust, water, sediment, and soil. At elevated levels, TCEP can cause adverse health effects on humans and aquatic life. The present study aimed to use bibliometrics analysis of the important research about TCEP and assess the risk of TCEP to aquatic life through a comprehensive meta-data analysis of available secondary data on its toxic effects and exposure levels. The results showed that toxicity and environmental occurrence and concentration are research hot spots. Meanwhile, given the relatively high detection rates and high concentrations of TCEP in some freshwaters, the ecological risk of TCEP to freshwater organisms should not be ignored. This result of the present study could provide data support and references for the risk assessment and environmental management for such new emerging contaminants.

In this study, the spatial distribution characteristics of nine alkylphenols (APs) in the Yongding River and Beiyun River were analyzed. The differences in the concentrations and spatial distribution patterns of nine APs were systematically evaluated using principal component analysis (PCA). The relationships between the concentration distribution patterns and the risks associated with nine APs were investigated under various categories of land use conditions in the region. The results demonstrated that the APs were widely present in both rivers, and the pollution risks associated with the APs were more severe in the Yongding River than in the Beiyun River. The results show that the contamination risks associated with 4-NP were the most serious in the two rivers, with detection percentages of 100% and 96.3%, respectively. In the Yongding River, the APs showed a tendency of low concentration levels in the upper reaches and high levels in the middle and lower regions. Meanwhile, the overall concentration levels of the APs in the Beiyun River were relatively high. However, despite the differences between the upper and middle regions of the Yongding River, the distribution pattern of the APs in the Beiyun River was basically stable. The concentration levels and risk quotient of the APs were negatively correlated with the vegetation cover land use type and positively correlated with the cropland and unused land use types within 500 m, 1 km, and 2 km. The purpose of this study was to provide theoretical data support and a basis for AP pollution risk evaluations in the Yongding River and Beiyun River.

A total of 34 antibiotics from five major classes of antibiotics, including macrolides, sulfonamides, quinolones, tetracyclines and chloramphenicol, were considered as contaminants, considering the Yellow River Estuary as the study area. The distribution, sources and ecological risks of typical antibiotics in the Yellow River Estuary were investigated using an optimized solid-phase extraction pre-treatment and an Agilent 6410B tandem triple-quadrupole liquid chromatography–mass spectrometer for antibiotic detection. The results show that antibiotics were widely present in the water bodies of the Yellow River Estuary, with 14 antibiotics detected to varying degrees, including a high detection rate for lincomycin hydrochloride. Farming wastewater and domestic sewage were the primary sources of antibiotics in the Yellow River Estuary. The distribution characteristics of antibiotics in the study area were linked to the development of farming and social activities. The ecological risk evaluation of 14 antibiotics in the Yellow River Estuary watershed showed that clarithromycin and doxycycline hydrochloride were present at medium-risk levels, and lincomycin hydrochloride, sulfamethoxazole, methomyl, oxifloxacin, enrofloxacin, sulfadiazine, roxithromycin, sulfapyridine, sulfadiazine and ciprofloxacin were present at low-risk levels in the samples collected from water bodies of the Yellow River Estuary. This study provides novel, beneficial information for the assessment of the ecological risk presented by antibiotics in the Yellow River Estuary water bodies and provides a scientific basis for future antibiotic pollution control in the Yellow River Basin.

Background and Aim: As living standards improve and consumption patterns shift, the market for goose meat continues to grow because of its exceptional dietary quality and distinctive flavor. The composition and content of amino acids are critical for determining the nutritional value and flavor of meat. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional value and flavor of 10 Chinese native geese germplasms based on their amino acid content and composition. Materials and Methods: A total of 568 geese from 10 Chinese native geese germplasms reared under identical conditions were slaughtered at 10 weeks of age. The pectoralis and thigh muscles (thighs) were collected to determine the amino acid content using an amino acid analyzer. Subsequently, diversity, variance, cluster, and principal component analyses were performed to identify superior germplasm with improved nutrition and flavor. Results: The results revealed 17 amino acids in goose meat, with Glutamate and Aspartate being the most abundant. The amino acid scores of goose meat exceeded the values recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization. The Shannon–Wiener Diversity Index (1.72–2.07) indicated a high degree of diversity in amino acid content among geese germplasms. The pectoralis exhibited significantly higher amino acid content (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01) than the thigh, except for the essential amino acids to total amino acids ratio (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). The 10 germplasms were categorized into four clusters, with Wanxi (WX) and Taizhou (TZ) geese grouped in Cluster I, displaying significantly higher nutritional value and flavor (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01) than other germplasms. Conclusion: Germplasms with superior nutritional value and flavor (WX and TZ) were identified among 10 Chinese native geese germplasms, providing valuable insights for the conservation of existing germplasms and the cultivation of new goose breeds with improved meat quality.

As one kind of easily available, low cost and long-duration method, the adsorption method procedure has already been applied widely in water treatment for recent years. In this paper, synthesized complex of coffee grounds and attapulgite clay (CG/AC) was designed through hydrothermal reaction and employed for removal of toxic Pb(II) ions. The adsorbent of designed CG/AC was characterized by means of FTIR, XRD and SEM. The results were indicating that CG was loaded well with AC through preparation by combination of hydrothermal synthesis. The Pb(II) adsorption kinetic was well fitted by second order model from the adsorption kinetic experiments. The adsorption reaction reached equilibrium within 60 min and the maximum adsorption capacity was 4.45 mg·g-1 at 25°C. The adsorption isotherm for Pb(II) was better fitted by Langmuir isotherm model. The higher temperature would be beneficial to adsorption of Pb(II) by designed CG/AC and the maximum adsorption capacity could reach up to 6.98 mg·g-1 at 35°C. Thus, CG/AC showed relatively great potential for adsorption capacity of Pb(II) in aqueous solution, which should shed light on its application in wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is highly demanded to steer the charge flow in semiconductor for efficient photocatalytic environmental remediation. Herein, we designed an interfacial contact Ti3C2 MXene/ZnIn2S4 nanosheets (TC/ZISNS) Schottky heterostructure which could greatly enhance photogenerated charge separation of ZnIn2S4 (ZIS). Through TEM and XPS measurement, the strong interface coupling between 2D ZnIn2S4 nanosheets and 2D Ti3C2 MXene were explained, and the formation of Schottky heterostructure was demonstrated by electrochemical method. To investigate the photocatalytic activity of as-prepared samples, the photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) and photocatalytic oxidation degradation tetracycline hydrochloride (TC-H) experiments were carried out. The results showed that the Schottky catalyst (10%-TC/ZISNS) possessed the optimum photocatalytic efficiency. Especially, the apparent rate constant of Cr(VI) reduction with 10%-TC/ZISNS was 3.9 times than that of pure ZIS. The photocatalytic performance of 10%-TC/ZISNS toward degradation rate of TC-H was 1.8 times than that of pure ZIS. Finally, a possible mechanism for great enhancement of visible-light driven photocatalytic activity in the TC/ZISNS system was provided. On the whole, this work provided a new insight on 2D/2D contact Schottky heterostructure for enhancing photocatalytic activity.

During the evolution of aquatic animals, co-evolution between host and microbes has been overlooked. Previous studies have shown that microbes were present in the fertilized egg of fish, but compared with fish, little information is available for crustaceans. High-throughput Illumina Miseq DNA sequencing of the V3-V4 domain of the 16S rRNA gene was used to assess the microbial community composition during different stages of embryonic development in Macrobrachium rosenbergii: fertilized egg stage (OM1), cleavage stage (OM2), blastula stage (OM3), gastrula stage (OM4), egg nauplius stage (OM5), egg metanauplius stage (OM6), protozoea stage (OM7) and zoea stage (OM8). Water samples (WMZ) were also assessed. The results showed that Proteobacteria (82.92%), Bacteroidetes (9.27%), and Actinobacteria (4.49%) were the predominant phylum in the M. rosenbergii embryo. At the genus level, the microbial composition was constantly changing during embryonic development. We concluded that OM3 and OM4 might be the critical stage for transformation of the microbial composition in the M. rosenbergii embryo. The main factor responsible for microbial colonization in the embryo was primarily selective pressure exerted by the shrimp, while the microbial community in the water environment had a lower impact. This study describes bacterial communities in different stages of embryonic development in M. rosenbergii, and the effects of the surrounding environment on microbial colonization. These findings provide valuable information for further studies examining the formation of early intestinal flora in crustaceans.

Congenital cataract is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of eye disorders that causes visual impairment and childhood blindness. The purpose of this study was to identify the genetic defect associated with autosomal dominant congenital perinuclear cataract in a Chinese family. A detailed family history and clinical data of the family were recorded, and candidate gene sequencing was performed to screen for mutation-causing disease in our study. Direct sequencing revealed a c.601G>A (p.E201K) transversion in exon 2 of GJA8. This mutation co-segregated with all affected individuals in the family and was not found in unaffected family members or 100 unrelated controls. The function and mechanism of novel GJA8 point mutation E201K in Chinese patients were then investigated in this study. We found E201K aberrantly located in cytoplasm and prevented its location in the plasma membrane. Induction of E201K expression led to a decrease in cell growth and viability by MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Our study provides important evidence that GJA8 is a disease-causing gene for congenital cataract and that mutation of GJA8 has a potential causative effect.