Distribution of KPC-2 producing strains at different sampling sites and with selective pressure applied.

Please refer to Fig 1 for plant configuration and stage abbreviations. The numbers of isolates was represented as the CFUs per 100 μL samples from each sampling site. Species identification of these isolates was determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing (% similarity): Klebsiella spp. (99.3%-99.6% identity to K. oxytoca strain JCM1665); Enterococcus spp. (97.4%-98.5% identity to E. faecium strain gp34); Acinetobacter spp. (98.2%-99.3% identity to A. seohaensis strain SW-100); Escherichia spp. (99.7%-99.9% identity to E. coli O157); Shigella spp. (99.4%-99.8% identity to S. sonnei strain CECT4887); Stenotrophomonas spp. (98.2%-98.8% identity to S. maltophilia R551-3); Wautersiella spp. (97.5%-98.1% identity to Wautersiella sp. MBG55); and Paenibacillus spp. (99.0%-99.2% identity to Paenibacillus sp. 1–9).</p

Process configuration and gene flow (copies per day) through a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in northern China.

The daily abundance of carbapenemase genes is shown above the arrow, and abundance of 16S rRNA genes (in parentheses) are given below the arrow. Abbreviations: RI, raw influent; PCT, primary clarifier tank; AaT, anaerobic tank; AT, anoxic tank; AeT, aerated tank; SCT, second clarifier tank; DU, disinfection unit; FE, final effluent; WS, waste sludge; DS, dewatered sludge.</p

Resistance profiles of KPC-2 for <i>Klebsiella</i> isolates, <i>E</i>.<i>coli</i> J53 harboring <i>bla</i>_KPC-2 gene, and the <i>E</i>.<i>coli</i> J53 recipient strain.

<p>Resistance profiles of KPC-2 for <i>Klebsiella</i> isolates, <i>E</i>.<i>coli</i> J53 harboring <i>bla</i>_KPC-2 gene, and the <i>E</i>.<i>coli</i> J53 recipient strain.</p

The abundance of carbapenemase and 16S rRNA genes and DNA extraction recoveries for each samples from the WWTP.

<p>The abundance of carbapenemase and 16S rRNA genes and DNA extraction recoveries for each samples from the WWTP.</p

PCR primers used in this study.

<p>PCR primers used in this study.</p

Resistance profiles of KPC-2-producing bacteria isolated from the WWTP for key antibiotics.

<p>Resistance profiles of KPC-2-producing bacteria isolated from the WWTP for key antibiotics.</p

Propagation of New Delhi Metallo-β-lactamase Genes (<i>bla</i>_NDM‑1) from a Wastewater Treatment Plant to Its Receiving River

The emergence and spread of NDM-1 (New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-1) are of great concern to public health. Our previous study reported the occurrence and persistence of NDM-1 genes in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). In this study, the occurrence and fate of NDM-1 genes and host bacteria were investigated in a WWTP discharge-receiving river. A considerable level of NDM-1 genes occurred in the receiving river, whereas no NDM-1 genes were detected upstream of the WWTP. This finding together with the DNA sequencing of NDM-1 genes demonstrated that the river NDM-1 is derived from the WWTP. Opportunistic pathogens, like <i>Shigella sonnei</i>, <i>Enterococcus faecium</i>, and <i>Wautersiella falsenii</i>, were isolated from both the receiving water and the WWTP. This study underscores the need to mitigate the release of NDM-1 from WWTPs and indicates that more attention should to be paid to the propagation of these genes to the receiving environment to alleviate their worldwide dissemination

Data_Sheet_1_Exploring antibiotic resistance load in paddy-upland rotation fields amended with commercial organic and chemical/slow release fertilizer.docx

Agricultural fertilization caused the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in agro-ecological environment, which poses a global threat to crop-food safety and human health. However, few studies are known about the influence of different agricultural fertilization modes on antibiotic resistome in the paddy-upland rotation soils. Therefore, we conducted a field experiment to compare the effect of different fertilization (chemical fertilizer, slow release fertilizer and commercial organic fertilizer replacement at various rates) on soil antibiotic resistome in paddy-upland rotation fields. Results revealed that a total of 100 ARG subtypes and 9 mobile genetic elements (MGEs) occurred in paddy-upland rotation soil, among which MDR-ARGs, MLSB-ARGs and tet-ARGs were the dominant resistance determinants. Long-term agricultural fertilization remarkably facilitated the vertical accumulation of ARGs, in particular that blaampC and tetO in relative abundance showed significant enrichment with increasing depth. It’s worth noting that slow release fertilizer significantly increased soil ARGs, when comparable to manure with 20% replacing amount, but chemical fertilizer had only slight impact on soil ARGs. Fertilization modes affected soil microbial communities, mainly concentrated in the surface layer, while the proportion of Proteobacteria with the highest abundance decreased gradually with increasing depth. Furthermore, microbial community and MGEs were further proved to be essential factors in regulating the variability of ARGs of different fertilization modes by structural equation model, and had strong direct influence (λ = 0.61, p < 0.05; λ = 0. 55, p < 0.01). The results provided scientific guidance for reducing the spreading risk of ARGs and control ARG dissemination in agricultural fertilization.</p

Efficient Adsorption of Acetylene over CO₂ in Bioinspired Covalent Organic Frameworks

Rational design of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) to broaden their diversity is highly desirable but challenging due to the limited, expensive, and complex building blocks, especially compared with other easily available porous materials. In this work, we fabricated two novel bioinspired COFs, namely, NUS-71 and NUS-72, using reticular chemistry with ellagic acid and triboronic acid-based building blocks. Both COFs with AB stacking mode exhibit high acetylene (C2H2) adsorption capacity and excellent separation performance for C2H2/CO2 mixtures, which is significant but rarely explored using COFs. The impressive affinities for C2H2 appear to be related to the sandwich structure formed by C2H2 and the host framework via multiple host–guest interactions. This work not only represents a new avenue for the construction of low-cost COFs but also expands the variety of the COF family using natural biochemicals as building blocks for broad application

Covalent Bonding of MXene/Reduced Graphene Oxide Composites for Efficient Electromagnetic Wave Absorption

Due to their high conductivity and unique surface chemical characteristics, MXene and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) have received a great deal of attention in the field of electromagnetic wave absorption (EMA). This study describes the covalent modification of rGO with amino-functionalized MXene to create an electromagnetic absorbent material called MXene-rGO composite. After amidation, an amide bond successfully assembles MXene and rGO. The absorber performs admirably when the mass ratio of MXene to rGO is 1:2 (sample MG-3). With a thickness of 2.7 mm, the best reflection loss (RL) is −47.98 dB at 6.4 GHz. Additionally, the best effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) (RL< −10 dB) is 4.08 GHz (11.84–15.92 GHz) with a 1.4 mm matching thickness. The performance of the EMA can be obtained by adjusting the dielectric parameters and the migration rate of the electrons using the covalent bond as a stable carrier channel. The high dielectric loss, superior impedance matching, and strong attenuation ability contribute to the great absorption performance