Effective risk assessment and control of environmental antibiotic resistance depend on comprehensive information about antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and their microbial hosts. Advances in sequencing technologies and bioinformatics have enabled the identification of ARG hosts using metagenome-assembled contigs and genomes. However, these approaches often suffer from information loss and require extensive computational resources. Here we introduce a bioinformatic strategy that identifies ARG hosts by prescreening ARG-like reads (ALRs) directly from total metagenomic datasets. This ALR-based method offers several advantages: (1) it enables the detection of low-abundance ARG hosts with higher accuracy in complex environments; (2) it establishes a direct relationship between the abundance of ARGs and their hosts; and (3) it reduces computation time by approximately 44–96% compared to strategies relying on assembled contigs and genomes. We applied our ALR-based strategy alongside two traditional methods to investigate a typical human-impacted environment. The results were consistent across all methods, revealing that ARGs are predominantly carried by Gammaproteobacteria and Bacilli, and their distribution patterns may indicate the impact of wastewater discharge on coastal resistome. Our strategy provides rapid and accurate identification of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, offering valuable insights for the high-throughput surveillance of environmental antibiotic resistance. This study further expands our knowledge of ARG-related risk management in future.
Fluid–rock interactions involving chemical dissolution, mechanical erosion, and multiphase flow are central to a wide range of geological and engineering processes, yet they remain poorly understood due to the lack of integrated in situ observation tools. Existing methods often compromise between spatial resolution and temporal dynamics. Here, we develop a real-rock microfluidic platform that enables simultaneous visualization and quantification of erosion dynamics in multiphase reactive systems. The platform integrates fluorescence microscopy, micro-particle image velocimetry, and ion chromatography to monitor the coupled evolution of solid–liquid–gas interfaces and flow velocity fields at micrometer-scale resolution. Microfluidic chips fabricated directly from limestone preserve natural mineral heterogeneity, and the platform enables direct observation of rock surface evolution and multiphase flow behavior. This facilitates decoupled analysis of chemical dissolution and mechanical erosion—two processes often difficult to isolate in traditional systems. Using this system, we investigate erosion during acid–rock interactions and identify a transition between two regimes—transport-limited and reaction-limited—controlled by CO2 bubble mobility. In the transport-limited regime, immobile bubbles confine flow to thin films, enhancing dissolution and particle detachment. In the reaction-limited regime, surface-adhered bubbles shield reactive areas and reduce shear stress, suppressing erosion. We derive scaling laws that distinguish chemical and mechanical erosion rates and validate a theoretical model for the critical Péclet number marking the regime transition. This study advances understanding of erosion under multiphase flow and introduces a versatile experimental framework for probing pore-scale reactive transport. The platform can be extended to other rock types and fluids, offering a powerful tool for studying geochemical, physical, and biological processes in complex subsurface environments.
Salt crystallization within micro-fractures poses a significant challenge in shale gas production by impeding gas diffusion. This study investigates the real-time behavior of gas flow-induced salt crystallization within a visualized micro-fracture network. Observations reveal that salt crystals initially propagate along the fracture surface before exhibiting perpendicular growth. Crystal nucleation during the saturation stage occurs within a few seconds, while subsequent growth in the supersaturated stage takes approximately 15–20 s. Gas flow drives the evaporation of immobile water, leading to salt precipitation. Furthermore, increasing gas flow rate and decreasing solution salinity are found to accelerate crystal growth. To mitigate plugging damage caused by salt crystallization, controlling pressure differences and solution salinity is crucial.
Functional configurability is highly desired for flexible electronics to serve ever-changing and diverse application scenarios. In complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) logic circuits, functional configurations can be achieved at the most basic device level by modulating the P/N polarity of the field-effect transistors. The intrinsic ambipolarity of low-dimensional materials provides the possibility of configuring the polarity of the constructed transistors by selectively injecting carriers on demand with proper methodologies. In this study, we propose a strategy based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs), with the initial devices functioning as conventional p-type thin film transistors (TFTs), that achieves polarity configuration through reversible electrostatic doping by applying and removing a polymer doping layer on the channel area covered with a Y2O3 passivation layer. This method exhibits favorable characteristics, including high performance comparable to those of conventional devices under normal operation conditions, good P/N symmetry, large-scale uniformity, nonvolatile features, and robust stability. The resultant configurable TFTs facilitate the construction of a CMOS inverter with a rail-to-rail output and a high voltage gain exceeding 40. Basic circuit components such as diodes, rectifiers, and logic gates are constructed with reconfigurable functionalities. To illustrate its potential, we designed a reconfigurable CMOS circuit module that can be optionally programmed into four different functions─NAND, NOR, XOR, and XNOR, which can serve as a building block for constructing more complex reconfigurable integrated circuits, applicable in fields such as hardware security and adaptive monitoring.
Fe(II)-catalyzed ferrihydrite (Fh) transformation is a critical process in biogeochemical cycling and contributes to paleoenvironmental reconstruction, yet the underlying mechanisms by which organic matter modulates these transformations remain poorly understood. This study elucidates how four common carboxylic ligands (acetate, oxalate, malonate and citrate), representing mono-, di- and tri-carboxylic types, regulate each step of Fe(II)-catalyzed Fh transformation, ultimately shaping transformation kinetics, and product phases. Batch transformation experiments under anoxic conditions at pH 7.0 were conducted to monitor Fe(II) speciation and intermediate labile Fe(III) (Fe(III)labile) accumulation over time, and the temporal evolution of mineral phases, morphologies, and particle sizes was investigated using powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. By decoupling individual reaction step, we revealed the distinct effects of these ligands on Fe(II) adsorption on Fh, Fe(II)-Fh interfacial electron transfer (IET), and the repolymerization of Fe(III)labile into secondary minerals. The mono-carboxylic ligand acetate exhibits minimal influence on these reaction steps within the studied concentration range (0.4–2 mM). Di-carboxylic ligands (malonate and oxalate, 0.2–1 mM) reduce Fe(II) adsorption, with stronger inhibition at higher concentrations, while citrate uniquely enhances Fe(II) adsorption by forming ternary surface complexes. These results indicate that the multi-carboxylic ligands, in contrast to mono-carboxylic acetate with negligible effect, exhibit dual, concentration-dependent effects on Fe(II)-catalyzed Fh transformation: at low concentrations, they primarily enhance the electron-donating capacity of surface-associated Fe(II), thereby accelerating Fe(III)labile accumulation through promoted Fe(II)-Fh IET. As ligand concentration increases, their inhibition of Fe(III)labile repolymerization becomes dominant, markedly suppressing the consumption and nucleation of Fe(III)labile. Moreover, these inhibitory effects are more pronounced for ligands with more carboxyl groups. Notably, the strong linear correlation between effective (uncomplexed) Fe(III)labile concentrations and secondary mineral formation rates demonstrates that carboxylic ligands primarily regulate Fh transformation by modulating the availability of Fe(III)labile for nucleation, with the concept of “effective” Fe(III)labile, as refined in this study, offering a more precise mechanistic and quantitative descriptor of the reactive Fe(III) pool that remains available for nucleation despite partial complexation by carboxylic ligands. Although both are dicarboxylic ligands, malonate and oxalate differentially direct Fh transformation by altering the surface free energy and nucleation barriers of lepidocrocite and goethite through distinct adsorption structures, thus shaping their morphologies, particle sizes, and relative proportions. This study offers new mechanistic insight into how carboxylic ligands regulate Fe(II)-catalyzed Fh transformation, enhancing understanding of iron mineral-organic matter interactions and their implications for iron cycling and mineral evolution in natural environments.
Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has become a promising technology for enhancing the efficacy of radiotherapy (RT) in cancer treatment and repairing the subsequent side effects. This review summarizes the current research on the combination of CAP and RT, focusing on its radiosensitizing effect, the ability to repair radiation-induced injury, and the challenges and solutions in the clinical application and promotion of this direction. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) produced by CAP increase the sensitivity of tumor cells to radiation and reduce the damage of radiation to normal cells, thus improving the effects and safety of RT. In addition, CAP has been proven to promote the repair of radiation-induced skin damage, especially radiation dermatitis (RDs), a common side effect of RT that currently lacks effective treatment options. By alleviating RD and enhancing tissue regeneration, CAP provides a new treatment method for managing the adverse reactions of RT. Although it has broad prospects, some challenges hinder the wide application of CAP in clinical settings, including limited penetration depth, the lack of standardized dosimetry, and the intricate nature of its underlying molecular mechanisms. In addition, the standardization of CAP equipment, precise parameter control strategies, and long-term safety issues require further investigation. This review emphasizes the necessity of continuous exploration to improve the role of CAP in RT and provides insights for the development of more effective and safer cancer treatment methods.
Despite its critical role in regulating the global climate and carbon cycle, the evolution of deep Pacific circulation has not been fully deciphered during the last glacial cycle. The effect of deep Pacific hydrographic change (e.g. oxygenation and circulation) on atmospheric CO2 variation is still uncertain. Here, we study redox-sensitive elements including V-U-Mn and benthic foraminiferal δ13C at the HYIV2015-B9 site in the southern South China Sea (SCS) to reconstruct the oxygenation and δ13C signals of water masses during the last glacial cycle. The intra-basin benthic foraminiferal δ13C gradient suggests enhanced stratification of the deep Pacific during the glacial compared to the interglacial, implying sluggish abyssal Pacific overturning. This is consistent with weak Pacific Deep Water (PDW) ventilation, as indicated by high contents of authigenic V and U, and low authigenic Mn. The inferred sluggish abyssal Pacific overturning is probably associated with less transport of Lower Circumpolar Deep Water, facilitating the expansion of respired carbon storage in the glacial deep Pacific. Meanwhile, the atmospheric CO2 rise is closely related to active abyssal Pacific overturning since late MIS 5, particularly when considering the impact of Southern Ocean upwelling modulated by Earth's obliquity. Overall, our data indicate the critical role of abyssal Pacific overturning in the carbon cycle, revealing the potential pathway for deep carbon dioxide outgassing in the North Pacific.
OBJECTIVES: Patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) exhibit variability in response to anti-VEGF therapy. This study aimed to analyse the aqueous humour proteomic profiles of PCV patients and provide preliminary insights for the identification of biomarkers associated with anti-VEGF drug responsiveness. METHODS: PCV patients who were treatment-naïve or untreated for more than 3 months were prospectively recruited from two hospitals in Beijing and Tianjin. Based on the relative changes in central macular thickness (ΔCMT/baseline-CMT) before and after anti-VEGF treatment, the PCV patients were divided into a good response (GR) group (≤-25%) and a poor response (PR) group (>-25%). Aqueous humour proteomics was performed by the Data-independent Acquisition-Mass Spectrometry (DIA-MS) method, and differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) analysis between the different PCV groups and the control group was conducted. Key DEPs were selected for preliminary validation in the aqueous humour using the Luminex method retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 31 PCV patients (31 eyes) were included, 13 in the GR group and 18 in the PR group. A total of 414 DEPs were identified, including 36 significantly upregulated proteins, such as G protein regulatory factor 10 (RGS10), podocin (PODN) and epidermal growth factor (EGF), and 32 downregulated proteins, including RAB11FIP4 (Rab11 family-interacting protein 4), α-synuclein (SNCA), haemoglobin subunit δ (HBD) and interleukin 6 (IL6). Compared to the cataract control group (10 eyes), 134 proteins were significantly upregulated, and 72 were downregulated. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that the GR and PR groups differ in terms of cell communication, and cell signal transduction. Protein-protein interaction analysis revealed interactions between EGF and various DEPs. Validation of aqueous humour proteins using the Luminex method revealed that changes in the levels of EGF were associated with the anti-VEGF treatment response in PCV patients. CONCLUSIONS: PCV patients with good or poor anti-VEGF responses exhibit distinct aqueous humour proteomic profiles. Aqueous EGF may serve as a biomarker for the 'precise treatment' of PCV.