Analysis of monitoring results of food microbial pathogenic factors in Zhoushan City from 2017 to 2019

Objective To understand the contamination status of microorganisms and pathogenic factors in 19 kinds of food in Zhoushan City, so as to provide basic data for food safety risk monitoring and early warning. Methods A total of 1 246 food samples were collected from 2017 to 2019 according to the requirements of the national risk monitor manual of food contamination and harmful factors from 2017 to 2019. The samples were tested for food microbial pathogenic factors. Results A total of 243 pathogenic factors were detected and the total detection rate was 19.50% (243/1 246). The detection rate of Salmonella in raw meat was 41.67% (30/72), the detection rate of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in bivalve shellfish was 31.58% (48/152), the detection rate of Anisakid in fresh marine fish was 27.00% (27/100), and the detection rate of Staphylococcus aureus in cold-made pastry was 16.25% (13/80). The detection rate of microorganism and its pathogenic factors in bulk food was higher than that in pre-packaged food. The difference was statistically significant (χ2=92.333, P<0.05). In different sampling locations, the highest detection rate of pathogenic factors was found in farmers’ markets (32.54%, 150/461), followed by online stores (25.44%, 29/114) and small restaurants (23.88%, 16/67). Conclusion From 2017 to 2019, 19 types of food on sale in Zhoushan City were contaminated by microorganisms and pathogenic factors at varying degrees. The contamination of microorganisms and pathogenic factors in take-out meals, raw animal meat and bivalve shellfish products was relatively serious. It is suggested to strengthen hygiene supervision on these types of food to prevent the occurrence of foodborne diseases

High-resolution carbon isotope stratigraphy of the Lower and Middle Ordovician succession of the Yangtze Platform, China

Variation in the relative abundance of the stable carbon isotopes has been widely used to correlate Ordovician marine successions over the past two decades. To date, only a few of studies of Ordovician carbon chemostratigraphy have been conducted in South China. Most of the previous studies in this field have focused on specific time intervals and/or events in the Middle and Upper Ordovician. The Lower and Middle Ordovician of the Yangtze Platform is typically represented by a sedimentary succession dominated by carbonate rocks, which is ideal for studying the carbon chemostratigraphy. Three sections spanning the Nantsinkuan/Lunshan, Fenhsiang, Hunghuayuan, and Dawan/Zitai formations, corresponding to the TremadocianâDapingian in age, have been sampled for high-resolution δ13C chemostratigraphy. Our new δ13C data reveal five tie-points with the potential for global correlation: (1) a positive δ13C excursion in the lower Nantsinkuan Formation within the Tremadocian Rossodus manitouensis Zone; (2) an excursion with two peaks roughly within the late Tremadocian Paltodus âdeltiferâ Zone; (3) a positive δ13C shift in the lower Hunghuayuan Formation, within the early Floian Serratognathus diversus Zone; (4) a gradual positive δ13C shift in the late Floian, ranging from the uppermost S. diversus Zone to the basal Oepikodus evae Zone; (5) a minor negative shift in the lower Dawan/Zitai Formation, within the early Dapingian Baltoniodus triangularis Zone. These excursions are herein used for correlation of the Yangtze Platform strata with successions from South China, North China, the Argentine Precordillera, North America and Baltica. From a palaeogeographical perspective, the Gudongkou, Xiangshuidong and Daling sections represent depositional environments along an inner to outer ramp profile. The δ13C data from these sections show successively heavier (higher) δ13C values with increasing depositional depth, which can be interpreted as due to remineralization of organic carbon within the carbonate rocks formed in the shallow-water environment

Genome-Wide Association Study Reveals Novel Genomic Regions Associated With High Grain Protein Content in Wheat Lines Derived From Wild Emmer Wheat

Grain protein content (GPC) and yield are of two important traits in wheat, but their negative correlation has hampered their simultaneous improvement in conventional breeding. Wild emmer wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. dicoccoides) is an important genetic resource for wheat quality improvement. In this study, we report a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using 13116 DArT-seq markers to characterize GPC in 161 wheat lines derived from wild emmer. Using a general linear model, we identified 141 markers that were significantly associated with GPC, and grouped into 48 QTL regions. Using both general linear model and mixed linear model, we identified four significant markers that were grouped into two novel QTL regions on chromosomes 2BS (QGpc.cd1-2B.1) and 7BL (QGpc.cd1-7B.2). The two QTLs have no negative effects on thousand kernel weight (TKW) and should be useful for simultaneous improvement of GPC and TKW in wheat breeding. Searches of public databases revealed 61 putative candidate/flanking genes related to GPC. The putative proteins of interest were grouped in four main categories: enzymes, kinase proteins, metal transport-related proteins, and disease resistance proteins. The linked markers and associated candidate genes provide essential information for cloning genes related to high GPC and performing marker-assisted breeding in wheat

The Antimicrobial Peptide LJ-hep2 from Lateolabrax japonicus Exerting Activities against Multiple Pathogenic Bacteria and Immune Protection In Vivo

Hepcidin is widely present in many kinds of fish and is an important innate immune factor. A variety of HAMP2-type hepcidins have strong antimicrobial activity and immunomodulatory functions and are expected to be developed as substitutes for antibiotics. In this study, the antimicrobial activity of Hepc2 from Japanese seabass (Lateolabrax japonicus) (designated as LJ-hep2) was investigated using its recombinant precursor protein (rLJ-hep2) expressed in Pichia pastoris and a chemically synthesized mature peptide (LJ-hep2(66&ndash;86)). The results showed that both rLJ-hep2 and synthetic LJ-hep2(66&ndash;86) displayed broad antimicrobial spectrum with potent activity against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, and fungi. Especially, LJ-hep2(66&ndash;86) had stronger antimicrobial activity and exhibited potent activity against several clinically isolated multidrug-resistant bacteria, including Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterococcus faecium. Moreover, LJ-hep2(66&ndash;86) exerted rapid bactericidal kinetic (killed tested bacteria within 2 h), induced significant morphological changes and promoted agglutination of E. coli, P. aeruginosa and Aeromonas hydrophila. The activity of LJ-hep2(66&ndash;86) against E. coli, P. aeruginosa and A. hydrophila was stable and remained active when heated for 30 min. In addition, LJ-hep2(66&ndash;86) exhibited no cytotoxicity to the mammalian cell line HEK293T and fish cell lines (EPC and ZF4). In vivo study showed that LJ-hep2(66&ndash;86) could improve the survival rate of marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma) by about 40% under the challenge of A. hydrophila, indicating its immunoprotective function. Taken together, both rLJ-hep2 and LJ-hep2(66&ndash;86) have good prospects to be used as potential antimicrobial agents in aquaculture and medicine in the future

Identification and Molecular Characterization of the CAMTA Gene Family in Solanaceae with a Focus on the Expression Analysis of Eggplant Genes under Cold Stress

Calmodulin-binding transcription activator (CAMTA) is an important calmodulin-binding protein with a conserved structure in eukaryotes which is widely involved in plant stress response, growth and development, hormone signal transduction, and other biological processes. Although CAMTA genes have been identified and characterized in many plant species, a systematic and comprehensive analysis of CAMTA genes in the Solanaceae genome is performed for the first time in this study. A total of 28 CAMTA genes were identified using bioinformatics tools, and the biochemical/physicochemical properties of these proteins were investigated. CAMTA genes were categorized into three major groups according to phylogenetic analysis. Tissue-expression profiles indicated divergent spatiotemporal expression patterns of SmCAMTAs. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis of SmCAMTA genes showed that exposure to cold induced differential expression of many eggplant CAMTA genes. Yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescent complementary assays suggested an interaction between SmCAMTA2 and SmERF1, promoting the transcription of the cold key factor SmCBF2, which may be an important mechanism for plant cold resistance. In summary, our results provide essential information for further functional research on Solanaceae family genes, and possibly other plant families, in the determination of the development of plants

Multifunctional Drugs-Loaded Carbomol Hydrogel Promotes Diabetic Wound Healing via Antimicrobial and Immunoregulation

Diabetic wound healing poses a significant clinical dilemma. Bacterial infection and immune dysregulation are the predominant reasons. However, conventional wound dressings with a single treatment approach often limit therapeutic efficacy and continue working with difficulty. These limitations cause high treatment failure for diabetic wounds. In this study, we developed a multiple drug-loaded carbomer hydrogel containing Que/Van/Rif (QVR-CBMG) for the simultaneous treatment of infection and immune dysregulation. Honeycomb-like QVR-CBMG hydrogel exhibits excellent abilities to eliminate bacterial infection and biofilms in vitro. Moreover, QVR-CBMG hydrogel possesses an immunomodulatory capacity via affecting the Sirt3/SOD2 signaling pathway to promote M2 macrophages. Furthermore, QVR-CBMG hydrogel effectively promotes wound healing in diabetic rats through several mechanisms. The multidrug-loaded wound dressing not only eliminates bacterial infection and facilitated angiogenesis but also promotes collagen deposition and remodulates the local immune microenvironment in the areas of wounds. In summary, this synthetic strategy to eliminate infection and regulate immune disorders has potential translational value for the prevention and management of diabetic wounds

The record of early Silurian climate changes from South China and Baltica based on integrated conodont biostratigraphy and isotope chemostratigraphy

New conodont and stable isotope data are presented from the classical Baizitian section in the Yanbian County of Sichuan Province, South China. The Telychian to Sheinwoodian strata were sampled and studied for carbon isotope stratigraphy and conodont biostratigraphy. The paired δ13Ccarb and δ13Corg data reveal a pronounced positive excursion, the Manitowoc carbon isotope excursion (Manitowoc CIE, ‘Manitowoc Excursion’) spanning the upper Pterospathodus eopennatus Zone and the lower Pterospathodus amorphognathoides amorphognathoides Superzone, with an increase of ca. 2‰ in δ13Ccarb and ca. 5‰ in δ13Corg. Well-bracketed by conodont biostratigraphy, the Manitowoc CIE is an essential tie-point for correlation between the Baizitian succession and the Telychian strata of Baltica and Laurentia. Our new δ13Ccarb and δ13Corg data imply that the carbon isotope excursion previously recognized as the ‘Ireviken Excursion’ (Early Sheinwoodian Carbon Isotope Excursion) at Baizitian should be revised as being the Manitowoc CIE. The Δ13C data presented in this study further suggest a slight concurrent drop of atmospheric CO2, and thus add evidence for a perturbation of the global carbon cycle during the middle Telychian. Based on the combined information from the conodont apatite oxygen isotope records from Estonia and the significant stratigraphic gaps recognized at the Baizitian section, we propose that the latter stratigraphic gaps should correlate with the Telychian Valgu and the early Sheinwoodian glaciation

The Discrimination and Characterization of Volatile Organic Compounds in Different Areas of <i>Zanthoxylum bungeanum</i> Pericarps and Leaves by HS-GC-IMS and HS-SPME-GC-MS

The pericarps of Zanthoxylum bungeanum (ZBP) and leaves of Zanthoxylum bungeanum (ZBL) are popular spices in China, and they have pharmacological activities as well. In this experiment, the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of the pericarps of Zanthoxylum bungeanum in Sichuan (SJ) and its leaves (SJY) and the pericarps of Zanthoxylum bungeanum in Shaanxi (SHJ) and its leaves (SHJY) were analyzed by headspace-gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS) and headspace solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS). The fingerprint of HS-GC-IMS and the heat maps of HS-SPME-GC-MS were established. Principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were performed. The results showed that a total of 95 components were identified, 62 components identified by HS-SPME-GC-MS and 40 components identified by HS-GC-IMS, of which 7 were the same. The analysis found that SJ and SHJ were obviously distinguished, while SJY and SHJY were not. There were considerably fewer VOCs in the leaves than in the pericarps. In the characterization of the VOCs of ZBL and ZBP, the flavor of ZBP was more acrid and stronger, while the flavor of ZBL was lighter and slightly acrid. Thirteen and eleven differential markers were identified by HS-GC-IMS and HS-SPME-GC-MS, respectively. This is helpful in distinguishing between SHJ and SJ, which contributes to their quality evaluation

Genome-Wide Investigation and Functional Verification of the ZIP Family Transporters in Wild Emmer Wheat

The zinc/iron-regulated transporter-like protein (ZIP) family has a crucial role in Zn homeostasis of plants. Although the ZIP genes have been systematically studied in many plant species, the significance of this family in wild emmer wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. dicoccoides) is not yet well understood. In this study, a genome-wide investigation of ZIPs genes based on the wild emmer reference genome was conducted, and 33 TdZIP genes were identified. Protein structure analysis revealed that TdZIP proteins had 1 to 13 transmembrane (TM) domains and most of them were predicted to be located on the plasma membrane. These TdZIPs can be classified into three clades in a phylogenetic tree. They were annotated as being involved in inorganic ion transport and metabolism. Cis-acting analysis showed that several elements were involved in hormone, stresses, grain-filling, and plant development. Expression pattern analysis indicated that TdZIP genes were highly expressed in different tissues. TdZIP genes showed different expression patterns in response to Zn deficiency and that 11 genes were significantly induced in either roots or both roots and shoots of Zn-deficient plants. Yeast complementation analysis showed that TdZIP1A-3, TdZIP6B-1, TdZIP6B-2, TdZIP7A-3, and TdZIP7B-2 have the capacity to transport Zn. Overexpression of TdZIP6B-1 in rice showed increased Zn concentration in roots compared with wild-type plants. The expression levels of TdZIP6B-1 in transgenic rice were upregulated in normal Zn concentration compared to that of no Zn. This work provides a comprehensive understanding of the ZIP gene family in wild emmer wheat and paves the way for future functional analysis and genetic improvement of Zn deficiency tolerance in wheat

Genome-Wide Survey and Functional Verification of the NAC Transcription Factor Family in Wild Emmer Wheat

The NAC transcription factor (TF) family is one of the largest TF families in plants, which has been widely reported in rice, maize and common wheat. However, the significance of the NAC TF family in wild emmer wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. dicoccoides) is not yet well understood. In this study, a genome-wide investigation of NAC genes was conducted in the wild emmer genome and 249 NAC family members (TdNACs) were identified. The results showed that all of these genes contained NAM/NAC-conserved domains and most of them were predicted to be located on the nucleus. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these 249 TdNACs can be classified into seven clades, which are likely to be involved in the regulation of grain protein content, starch synthesis and response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Expression pattern analysis revealed that TdNACs were highly expressed in different wheat tissues such as grain, root, leaves and shoots. We found that TdNAC8470 was phylogenetically close to NAC genes that regulate either grain protein or starch accumulation. Overexpression of TdNAC8470 in rice showed increased grain starch concentration but decreased grain Fe, Zn and Mn contents compared with wild-type plants. Protein interaction analysis indicated that TdNAC8470 might interact with granule-bound starch synthase 1 (TdGBSS1) to regulate grain starch accumulation. Our work provides a comprehensive understanding of the NAC TFs family in wild emmer wheat and establishes the way for future functional analysis and genetic improvement of increasing grain starch content in wheat