National Institutes of Health

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The horizontal dissemination of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) poses a significant threat to public health. In this study, we investigated the presence and transferability of a tet(X4)-positive IncX1 plasmid in an atypical Escherichia coli isolate, GX-3-49. Genomic analysis revealed that GX-3-49 is markedly distinct from conventional E. coli, characterized by a reduced gene repertoire, fewer toxin genes, and a distinct phylogenetic lineage.

Background: Existing fluorescent probes for nickel ions (Ni2+) are inadequate for in vivo monitoring of Ni2+ release kinetics and deep-tissue tracing of nickel alloy implants intended for clinical use. Therefore, in this study, a sequentially activated DNA nanomachine (18S-Zyme-tFNA) was developed for in vivo imaging of cytoplasmic Ni2+. Results: The 18S-Zyme-tFNA utilizes a Ni2+-dependent DNAzyme as its core recognition module.

Cite Display options Display options Format AbstractPubMedPMID Abstract Nanoplastic toxicity is typically assessed using pristine particles under simplified laboratory conditions, despite growing evidence that environmental transformations can substantially alter particle behaviour and biological effects. Here, we investigated how water type influences the particle state and toxicity of polyethylene terephthalate nanoplastics (PET-NPs) in the freshwater zooplankton Daphnia magna.

Cite Display options Display options Format AbstractPubMedPMID Abstract Simultaneous nitrification-denitrification (SND) is a promising process for low C/N wastewater treatment. A hybrid activated sludge-membrane aerated biofilm reactor (H-MABR) capable of achieving two‑stage SND was developed and exhibited satisfactory nitrogen removal performance; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

Cite Display options Display options Format AbstractPubMedPMID Abstract Organophosphonates are persistent anthropogenic phosphorus compounds because of their stable carbon-phosphorus bonds. Whether such compounds can be oxidatively converted to inorganic phosphate at dynamic air-water interfaces remains poorly understood. Here, using 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP) as a model organophosphonate, we show its stepwise oxidation in charged water microdroplets under mild conditions.

Petroleum hydrocarbon contamination poses dual environmental challenges: direct ecosystem pollution and indirect exacerbation of greenhouse gas emissions via microbial mineralization, while natural carbon fixation pathways (e.g., the RuBisCO-mediated Calvin cycle) are insufficient at offsetting CO₂ release due to RuBisCO's inherent catalytic limitations.

Cite Display options Display options Format AbstractPubMedPMID Abstract Ecological restoration in arid and semi-arid regions plays a vital role in maintaining regional carbon balance under global change. Although water management and vegetation composition regulate soil carbon cycling, their combined effects on greenhouse gas source/sink dynamics in sandy ecosystems and the underlying microbial mechanisms remain unclear.

Cite Display options Display options Format AbstractPubMedPMID Abstract In situ assimilation of off-gases (H2/CO2) into liquid metabolites during anaerobic fermentation presents a promising approach to maximize waste biomass valorization. However, mechanisms governing the interaction between microbial carbon fixation and chain elongation (CE) through headspace dynamics remain unclear.

Cite Display options Display options Format AbstractPubMedPMID Abstract This study aims to identify eco-friendly essential oils (EOs) with dual antifungal and anti-mycotoxigenic activity against Fusarium graminearum, a destructive cereal pathogen associated with yield loss and deoxynivalenol (DON) contamination, compare their bioactivity and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.