Plant viruses traveling without passport

All plant viruses were thought to encode in its genome a movement protein that acts as a "passport," allowing active movement within the host. A new study in PLOS Biology characterizes the first plant virus that can colonize its host without encoding this protein.

Associations of altered leukocyte DDR1 promoter methylation and childhood trauma with bipolar disorder and suicidal behavior in euthymic patients

Altered DNA methylation (DNAm) patterns of discoidin domain receptor 1 (DDR1) have been found in the blood and brain of patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) and the brain of patients with bipolar disorder (BD). Childhood trauma (CT) is associated with changes in DNAm that in turn are related to suicidal behavior (SB) in patients with several psychiatric disorders. Here, using MassARRAY® technology, we studied 128 patients diagnosed with BD in remission and 141 healthy controls (HCs) to compare leukocyte DDR1 promoter DNAm patterns between patients and HCs and between patients with and without SB. Additionally, we investigated whether CT was associated with DDR1 DNAm and mediated SB. We found hypermethylation at DDR1 cg19215110 and cg23953820 sites and hypomethylation at cg14279856 and cg03270204 sites in patients with BD compared to HCs. Logistic regression models showed that hypermethylation of DDR1 cg23953820 but not cg19215110 and CT were risk factors for BD, while cg14279856 and cg03270204 hypomethylation were protective factors. In patients, CT was a risk factor for SB, but DDR1 DNAm, although associated with CT, did not mediate the association of CT with SB. This is the first study demonstrating altered leukocyte DDR1 promoter DNAm in euthymic patients with BD. We conclude that altered DDR1 DNAm may be related to immune and inflammatory mechanisms and could be a potential blood biomarker for the diagnosis and stratification of psychiatric patients.

Quantification of Plant Virus Seed Transmission Rate in Arabidopsis thaliana

More than 25% of all known plant viruses are transmitted through seeds, which makes this mode of dispersal of great importance for plant virus epidemics. Virus detection in seed stocks remains the most frequent approach for seed health testing, but current methods are not always standardized and/or do not allow analyzing large numbers of seeds. Here, we describe a high-throughput method to quantify plant virus seed transmission rate based on classical grow-out tests, which can be applied to widely different viruses and host species.

Further Molecular Diagnosis Determines Lack of Evidence for Real Seed Transmission of Tomato Leaf Curl New Delhi Virus in Cucurbits

Begomoviruses (family Geminiviridae) cause serious diseases in many crop families. Since 2013, the Spanish isolate of tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) has been a limiting factor for cucurbits production in the Mediterranean basin, forcing farmers to adapt new management and control techniques. Although it is well-known that begomoviruses are naturally transmitted by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci, the capacity of these viruses to be vertically transmitted through seeds remains controversial. Clarifying the potential ToLCNDV seed transmission is essential to understand the epidemiology of this threating-for-cucurbits virus and to design appropriate control strategies. We assessed ToLCNDV distribution in the leaves, flowers and seeds of the infected plants of susceptible Cucumis melo accessions and toleration to the infected genotypes of Cucurbita moschata by conventional and quantitative PCR. We analyzed whether the viral particle was transmitted to offspring. We also evaluated ToLCNDV presence in commercial seeds of cucurbits (zucchini (Cucurbita pepo), melon (C. melo), cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)) and in their progenies. As the assayed seedlings remained symptomless, we increased the reliability and accuracy of detection in these samples by searching for replicative forms of ToLCNDV by combining Southern blot hybridization and rolling-circle amplification (RCA). However, integral genomic DNA was not identified in the plants of offspring. Although the seedborne nature of ToLCNDV was confirmed, our results do not support the transmission of this virus from contaminated seeds to progeny.

Cleaning technologies integrated in duct flows for the inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms in indoor environments: A critical review of recent innovations and future challenges

Pathogenic microorganisms are a major concern in indoor environments, particularly in sensitive facilities such as hospitals, due to their potential to cause nosocomial infections. This study evaluates the concentration of airborne bacteria and fungi in the University Hospital Complex of Albacete (Spain), comparing the results with recent literature. Staphylococcus is identified as the most prevalent bacterial genus with a percentage distribution of 35%, while Aspergillus represents the dominant fungal genus at 34%. The lack of high Technology Readiness Levels (TRL 6, TRL 7) for effective indoor air purification requires research efforts to bridge this knowledge gap. A screening of disinfection technologies for pathogenic airborne microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi is conducted. The integration of filtration, irradiation or and (electro)chemical gas treatment systems in duct flows is discussed to enhance the design of the air-conditioning systems for indoor air purification. Concerns over microbial growth have led to recent studies on coating commercial fibrous air filters with antimicrobial particles (silver nanoparticles, iron oxide nanowires) and polymeric materials (polyaniline, polyvinylidene fluoride). Promising alternatives to traditional short-wave UV-C energy for disinfection include LED and Far-UVC irradiation systems. Additionally, research explores the use of TiO2 and TiO2 doped with metals (Ag, Cu, Pt) in filters with photocatalytic properties, enabling the utilization of visible or solar light. Hybrid photocatalysis, combining TiO2 with polymers, carbon nanomaterials, or MXene nanomaterials, enhances the photocatalytic process. Chemical treatment systems such as aerosolization of biocidal agents (benzalkonium chloride, hydrogen peroxide, chlorine dioxide or ozone) with their possible combination with other technologies such as adsorption, filtration or photocatalysis, are also tested for gas disinfection. However, the limited number of studies on the use of electrochemical technology poses a challenge for further investigation into gas-phase oxidant generation, without the formation of harmful by-products, to raise its TRL for effectively inactivating airborne microorganisms in indoor environments.

Sustainable integrated process for cogeneration of oxidants for VOCs removal

This study upgrades the sustainability of environmental electrochemical technologies with a novel approach consisting of the in-situ cogeneration and use of two important oxidants, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and Caro's acid (H2SO5), manufactured with the same innovative cell. This reactor was equipped with a gas diffusion electrode (GDE) to generate cathodically H2O2, from oxygen reduction reaction, a boron doped diamond (BDD) electrode to obtain H2SO5, via anodic oxidation of dilute sulfuric acid, and a proton exchange membrane to separate the anodic and the cathodic compartment, preventing the scavenging effect of the interaction of oxidants. A special design of the inlet helps this cell to reach simultaneous efficiencies as high as 99% for H2O2 formation and 19.7% for Caro's acid formation, which means that the cogeneration reaches efficiencies over 100% in the uses of electric current to produce oxidants. The two oxidants' streams produced were used with different configurations for the degradation of three volatile organic compounds (benzene, toluene, and xylene) in a batch reactor equipped with a UVC-lamp. Among different alternatives studied, the combination H2SO5/H2O2 under UVC irradiation showed the best results in terms of degradation efficiency, demonstrating important synergisms as compared to the bare technologies.

Advanced oxidation and a metrological strategy based on CLC-MS for the removal of pharmaceuticals from pore & surface water

In this work, it is studied the photolysis, electrolysis, and photo-electrolysis of a mixture of pharmaceutics (sulfadiazine, naproxen, diclofenac, ketoprofen and ibuprofen) contained in two very different types of real water matrices (obtained from surface and porewater reservoirs), trying to clarify the role of the matrix on the degradation of the pollutants. To do this, a new metrological approach was also developed for screening of pharmaceuticals in waters by capillary liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (CLC-MS). This allows the detection at concentrations lower than 10 ng mL^-1. Results obtained in the degradation tests demonstrate that inorganic composition of the water matrix directly influences on the efficiency of the drugs removal by the different EAOPs and better degradation results were obtained for experiments carried out with surface water. The most recalcitrant drug studied was ibuprofen for all processes evaluated, while diclofenac and ketoprofen were found to be the easiest drugs for being degraded. Photo-electrolysis was found to be more efficient than photolysis and electrolysis, and the increase in the current density was found to attain a slight improvement in the removal although with an associated huge increase in the energy consumption. The main reaction pathways for each drug and technology were also proposed.

When plants are Trojan horses for viruses

This article is a Commentary on Verhoeven et al. (2023), pp. 1146–1153.

Understanding the influence of the bioaerosol source on the distribution of airborne bacteria in hospital indoor air

The composition and concentration of airborne microorganisms in hospital indoor air has been reported to contain airborne bacteria and fungi concentrations ranged 10¹-10³ CFU/m³ in inpatients facilities which mostly exceed recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO). In this work, a deeper knowledge of the performance of airborne microorganisms would allow improving the designs of the air-conditioning installations to restrict hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). A solution containing Escherichia coli (E. coli) as a model of airborne bacteria was nebulized using the Collison nebulizer to simulate bioaerosols in various hospital areas such as patients' rooms or bathrooms. Results showed that the bioaerosol source had a significant influence on the airborne bacteria concentrations since 4.00 10², 6.84 10³ and 1.39 10⁴ CFU mL^-1 were monitored during the aerosolization for 10 min of urine, saliva and urban wastewater, respectively. These results may be explained considering the quite narrow distribution profile of drop sizes around 1.10-1.29 μm obtained for urban wastewater, with much vaster distribution profiles during the aerosolization of urine or saliva. The airborne bacteria concentration may increase up to 10⁷ CFU mL^-1 for longer sampling times and higher aerosolization pressures, causing several cell damages. The cell membrane damage index (I_D) can vary from 0 to 1, depending on the genomic DNA releases from bacteria. In fact, the I_D of E. coli was more than two times higher (0.33 vs. 0.72) when increasing the pressure of air flow was applied from 1 to 2 bar. Finally, the ventilation air flow also affected the distribution of bioaerosols due to its direct relationship with the relative humidity of indoor air. Specifically, the airborne bacteria concentration diminished almost below 3-logs by applying more than 10 L min^-1 during the aerosolization of urine due to their inactivation by an increase in their osmotic pressure.

Enhancement of the Green H2 Production by Using TiO2 Composite Polybenzimidazole Membranes

This study reports the hydrogen production using TiO₂ based composite polybenzimidazole membranes through the SO₂ depolarized electrolysis that requires lower energy input than the direct water electrolysis. Composite membranes prepared and studied in this work showed very promising results in terms of proton conductivity, chemical stability, and crossover. Thus, a reduction in SO₂ crossover was observed with the increase of the concentration of TiO₂, obtaining reductions as high as 42% with the 3.0 wt% TiO₂-PBI membrane at 120 °C. Higher hydrogen production rates and Faradaic efficiencies were achieved by all the composite membranes, with an optimum for the 1.0 wt% TiO₂-PBI membrane (with this membrane, the production of hydrogen increased a 53% at 110 °C and a 49% at 120 °C as compared with the standard PBI membrane), demonstrated the benefit of the use of composite membranes with respect to the standard one for green hydrogen production.

Enhancing soil vapor extraction with EKSF for the removal of HCHs

This paper evaluates the combination of electrokinetic soil flushing (EKSF) with soil vapor extraction (SVE) for the removal of four hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers contained in a real matrix. Results demonstrate that the combination of EKSF and SVE can be positive, but it is required the application of high electric fields (3 V cm^-1) in order to promote a higher temperature in the system, which improves the volatilization of the HCH contained in the system. Electrokinetic transport is also enhanced with the application of higher electric gradients, but these transport processes are slower than the volatilization processes, which are the primary in this system. Hence collection of species in the electrolyte wells is negligible as compared to the compound dragged with air by the SVE but the temperature increase demonstrates a good performance. Combination of EKSF with SVE can efficiently exhaust the four HCH isomers reaching a removal of more than 90% after 15 days of treatment (20% more than values attained by SVE) but it is required the application of high electric fields to promote a higher temperature in the system (to improve the volatilization) and EK transport (to improve the dragging). 1-D transport model can be easily used to estimate the average pore water velocity and the effective diffusion of each compound under the different experimental conditions tested.

Disinfection of polymicrobial urines by electrochemical oxidation: Removal of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes

In this work, data obtained from the University Hospital Complex of Albacete (Spain) were selected as a case study to carry out the disinfection experiments. To do this, different configurations of electrochemical reactors were tested for the disinfection of complex urines. Results showed that 4-6 logs bacterial removal were achieved for every bacterium tested when working with a microfluidic flow-through reactor after 180 min (0.423 Ah dm^-3). The MIKROZON® cell reached a total disinfection after 60 min (1.212 Ah dm^-3), causing severe damages induced in the cell walls observed in SEM images. The concentration profiles of the electrogenerated disinfectants in solution could explain the differences observed. Additionally, a mean decrease in the ARGs concentration ranked as follows: bla_KPC (4.18-logs) > bla_TEM (3.96-logs) > ermB (3.23-logs) using the MIKROZON® cell. This electro-ozonizer could be considered as a suitable alternative to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance spread. Hence, this study provides an insight into different electrochemical reactors for the disinfection of complex hospital urine matrices and contributes to reduce the spread of antibiotic resistance through the elimination of ARGs. A topic of great importance nowadays that needs to be further studied.

Electrochemical Production of Hydrogen Peroxide in Perchloric Acid Supporting Electrolytes for the Synthesis of Chlorine Dioxide

This work focuses on the electrochemical production of hydrogen peroxide in supporting electrolytes containing perchlorate ions for being used as a reagent in the reduction of chlorates to produce chlorine dioxide, as a first step in the manufacture of portable ClO₂ production devices. This study evaluates the effect of the current density, pressure, and temperature on the production of hydrogen peroxide, and concentrations over 400 mg L^-1 are reached. The average rate for the formation of hydrogen peroxide is 9.85 mg h^-1, and the effect of increasing electrolyte concentration (3.0 and 30.0 g L^-1 perchloric acid), intensity, and pressure results in values of, respectively, -2.99, -4.49, and +7.73 mg h^-1. During the manufacturing process, hydrogen peroxide is decomposed through two mechanisms. The average destruction rate is 1.93 mg h^-1, and the effects of the three factors results in values of, respectively, +0.07, +0.11, and -0.12 mg h^-1. Solutions of this hydrogen peroxide produced electrochemically in a perchloric acid aqueous electrolyte were used to reduce chlorates in strongly acidic media and produce chlorine dioxide. Conversions of around 100% were obtained, demonstrating that this electrochemical product can be used efficiently to reduce chlorates to chlorine dioxide.

Carotenoid fortification of zucchini fruits using a viral RNA vector

BACKGROUND

Carotenoids are health-promoting metabolites in livestock and human diets. Some important crops have been genetically modified to increase their content. Although the usefulness of transgenic plants to alleviate nutritional deficiencies is obvious, their social acceptance has been controversial.

RESULTS

Here, we demonstrate an alternative biotechnological strategy for carotenoid fortification of edible fruits in which no transgenic DNA is involved. A viral RNA vector derived from Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) was modified to express a bacterial phytoene synthase (crtB), and inoculated to zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) leaves nurturing pollinated flowers. After the viral vector moved to the developing fruit and expressed crtB, the rind and flesh of the fruits developed yellow-orange rather than green color. Metabolite analyses showed a substantial enrichment in health-promoting carotenoids, such as α- and β-carotene (provitamin A), lutein and phytoene, in both rind and flesh.

CONCLUSION

Although this strategy is perhaps not free from controversy due to the use of genetically modified viral RNA, our work does demonstrate the possibility of metabolically fortifying edible fruits using an approach in which no transgenes are involved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Adapting the low-cost pre-disinfection column PREDICO for simultaneous softening and disinfection of pore water

In previous works, a low-cost predisinfection column that combined coagulation-flocculation and GAC filtration was proposed for combination with electrodisinfection in the successful treatment of highly faecal polluted surface water. In this work, this column is adapted for the treatment of pore water by transforming the coagulation chamber into a chemical reactor with lime and replacing the GAC of the filter with ion exchange resins. This adapted system can soften water, remove nitrate and condition water for very efficient electrochemical disinfection, where 4 logs and 3 logs in the removal of E. coli and P. aeruginosa, respectively, were reached using commercial electrochemical cells, i.e., CabECO ® or MIKROZON®. The availability and low cost of the technology are strong points for usage in poor areas of developing countries.

Photoelectrocatalytic treatment of levofloxacin using Ti/MMO/ZnO electrode

Here, the antibiotic levofloxacin (LFX) widely used and detected in the environment was degraded by photoelectrolysis using a new electrode based on zinc oxide (ZnO) and a mixture of mixed oxides of ruthenium and titanium (MMO). The influence of the potential and irradiation of UV light was investigated in the photostability of the Ti/MMO/ZnO electrode and in the degradation of the antibiotic. The experiments were conducted at different pH values (5.0, 7.0 and 9.0) in sodium sulfate solution in a glass reactor with central lighting. It was observed that the new Ti/MMO/ZnO electrode has good stability under light irradiation and potential, presenting excellent photocurrent and high photoactivity in LFX photoelectrolysis. The removal efficiency of the compound was directly related to the formation of oxidizing species in solution, the photo-generated charges on the electrode and the electrostatic characteristics of the molecule. The mineralization rate, the formation of reaction intermediates and short chain carboxylic acids (acetic, maleic, oxalic and oxamic acid), in addition to the formation of N-mineral species (NO₃^- and NH₄⁺) was dependent on the pH of the solution and the investigated processes: photoelectrolysis was more efficient than photolysis, which, in turn, was more efficient than electrolysis. The synergistic effect and the high rate of degradation of LFX after 4.0 h of treatment (100%) observed in photoelectrolysis at alkaline pH, was associated with the high stability of the Ti/MMO/ZnO electrode at this pH, the photoactivation of sulfate ions and the ease generation of oxidizing radicals, such as OH.

A review on disinfection technologies for controlling the antibiotic resistance spread

The occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) in water bodies poses a sanitary and environmental risk. These ARB and other mobile genetic elements can be easily spread from hospital facilities, the point in which, for sure, they are more concentrated. For this reason, novel clean and efficient technologies are being developed for allowing to remove these ARB and other mobile genetic elements before their uncontrolled spread. In this paper, a review on the recent knowledge about the state of the art of the main disinfection technologies to control the antibiotic resistance spread from natural water, wastewater, and hospital wastewater (including urine matrices) is reported. These technologies involve not only conventional processes, but also the recent advances on advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), including electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs). This review summarizes the state of the art on the applicability of these technologies and also focuses on the description of the disinfection mechanisms by each technology, highlighting the promising impact of EAOPs on the remediation of this important environmental and health problem.

Scale-up of electrokinetic permeable reactive barriers for the removal of organochlorine herbicide from spiked soils

This work aims to shed light on the scale-up a combined electrokinetic soil flushing process (EKSF) with permeable reactive barriers (PRB) for the treatment of soil spiked with clopyralid. To do this, remediation tests at lab (3.45 L), bench (175 L) and pilot (1400 L) scales have been carried out. The PRB selected was made of soil merged with particles of zero valent iron (ZVI) and granular activated carbon (GAC). Results show that PRB-EKSF involved electrokinetic transport and dehalogenation as the main mechanisms, while adsorption on GAC was not as relevant as initially expected. Clopyralid was not detected in the electrolyte wells and only in the pilot scale, significant amounts of clopyralid remained in the soil after 600 h of operation. Picolinic acid was the main dehalogenated product detected in the soil after treatment and mobilized by electro-osmosis, mostly to the cathodic well. The transport of volatile compounds into the atmosphere was promoted at pilot scale because of the larger soil surface exposed to the atmosphere and the electrical heating caused by ohmic losses and the larger interelectrode gap.

Cobalt mediated electro-scrubbers for the degradation of gaseous perchloroethylene

This work focuses on the treatment of gaseous perchloroethylene (PCE) using electro-scrubbing with diamond electrodes and cobalt mediators. PCE was obtained by direct desorption from an aqueous solution containing 150 mg L^-1, trying to a real pollution case. The electro-scrubber consisted of a packed absorption column connected with an undivided electrochemical cell. Diamond anodes supported on two different substrates (tantalum and silicon) were used and the results indicated that Ta/BDD was more successful in the production of Co (III) species and in the degradation of PCE. Three experimental systems were studied for comparison purposes: absorbent free of Co (III) precursors, absorbent containing Co (III) precursors, and absorbent containing Co (III) precursors undergoing previous electrolysis to the electro-scrubbing to facilitate the accumulation of oxidants. The most successful option was the last, confirming the important role of mediated electrochemical processes in the degradation of PCE. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) were found as the primary reaction products and ethyl chloroacetate esters were also identified. A comprehensive mechanism of the processes happening inside electro-scrubber is proposed.

Enhancement of UV disinfection of urine matrixes by electrochemical oxidation

This work focuses on the removal of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) contained in hospital urines by UV disinfection enhanced by electrochemical oxidation to overcome the limitations of both single processes in the disinfection of this type of effluents. UV disinfection, electrolysis, and photoelectrolysis of synthetic hospital urine intensified with K. pneumoniae were studied. The influence of the current density and the anode material was assessed on the disinfection performance of combined processes and the resulting synergies and/or antagonisms of coupling both technologies were also evaluated. Results show that the population of bacteria contained in hospital urine is only reduced by 3 orders of magnitude during UV disinfection. Electrolysis leads to complete disinfection of hospital urine when working at 50 A m^-2 using Boron Doped Diamond (BDD) and Mixed Metal Oxides (MMO) as anodes. The coupling of electrolysis to the UV disinfection process leads to the highest disinfection rates, attaining a complete removal of ARB for all the current densities and anode materials tested. The use of MMO anodes leads to higher synergies than BDD electrodes. Results confirm that UV disinfection can be enhanced by electrolysis for the removal of ARB in urine, considering both technical and economic aspects.

Resistant Sources and Genetic Control of Resistance to ToLCNDV in Cucumber

Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) is a severe threat for cucurbit production worldwide. Resistance has been reported in several crops, but at present, there are no described accessions with resistance to ToLCNDV in cucumber (Cucumis sativus). C. sativus var. sativus accessions were mechanically inoculated with ToLCNDV and screened for resistance, by scoring symptom severity, tissue printing, and PCR (conventional and quantitative). Severe symptoms and high load of viral DNA were found in plants of a nuclear collection of Spanish landraces and in accessions of C. sativus from different geographical origins. Three Indian accessions (CGN23089, CGN23423, and CGN23633) were highly resistant to the mechanical inoculation, as well as all plants of their progenies obtained by selfing. To study the inheritance of the resistance to ToLCNDV, plants of the CGN23089 accession were crossed with the susceptible accession BGV011742, and F₁ hybrids were used to construct segregating populations (F₂ and backcrosses), which were mechanically inoculated and evaluated for symptom development and viral load by qPCR. The analysis of the genetic control fit with a recessive monogenic inheritance model, and after genotyping with SNPs distributed along the C. sativus genome, a QTL associated with ToLCNDV resistance was identified in chromosome 2 of cucumber.

RNA-Seq Transcriptome Analysis Provides Candidate Genes for Resistance to Tomato Leaf Curl New Delhi Virus in Melon

Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) emerged in the Mediterranean Basin in 2012 as the first DNA bipartite begomovirus (Geminiviridae family), causing severe yield and economic losses in cucurbit crops. A major resistance locus was identified in the wild melon accession WM-7 (Cucumis melo kachri group), but the mechanisms involved in the resistant response remained unknown. In this work, we used RNA-sequencing to identify disease-associated genes that are differentially expressed in the course of ToLCNDV infection and could contribute to resistance. Transcriptomes of the resistant WM-7 genotype and the susceptible cultivar Piñonet Piel de Sapo (PS) (C. melo ibericus group) in ToLCNDV and mock inoculated plants were compared at four time points during infection (0, 3, 6, and 12 days post inoculation). Different gene expression patterns were observed over time in the resistant and susceptible genotypes in comparison to their respective controls. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in ToLCNDV-infected plants were classified using gene ontology (GO) terms, and genes of the categories transcription, DNA replication, and helicase activity were downregulated in WM-7 but upregulated in PS, suggesting that reduced activity of these functions reduces ToLCNDV replication and intercellular spread and thereby contributes to resistance. DEGs involved in the jasmonic acid signaling pathway, photosynthesis, RNA silencing, transmembrane, and sugar transporters entail adverse consequences for systemic infection in the resistant genotype, and lead to susceptibility in PS. The expression levels of selected candidate genes were validated by qRT-PCR to corroborate their differential expression upon ToLCNDV infection in resistant and susceptible melon. Furthermore, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) with an effect on structural functionality of DEGs linked to the main QTLs for ToLCNDV resistance have been identified. The obtained results pinpoint cellular functions and candidate genes that are differentially expressed in a resistant and susceptible melon line in response to ToLCNDV, an information of great relevance for breeding ToLCNDV-resistant melon cultivars.

EDIL3 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition and paclitaxel resistance through its interaction with integrin αVβ3 in cancer cells

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has recently been associated with tumor progression, metastasis, and chemotherapy resistance in several tumor types. We performed a differential gene expression analysis comparing paclitaxel-resistant vs. paclitaxel-sensitive breast cancer cells that showed the upregulation of EDIL3 (EGF Like Repeats and Discoidin I Like Domains Protein 3). This gene codifies an extracellular matrix protein that has been identified as a novel regulator of EMT, so we studied its role in tumor progression and paclitaxel response. Our results demonstrated that EDIL3 expression levels were increased in paclitaxel-resistant breast and prostate cancer cells, and in subsets of high-grade breast and prostate tumors. Moreover, we observed that EDIL3 modulated the expression of EMT markers and this was impaired by cilengitide, which blocks the EDIL3-integrin αVβ3 interaction. EDIL3 knockdown reverted EMT and sensitized cells to paclitaxel. In contrast, EDIL3 overexpression or the culture of cells in the presence of EDIL3-enriched medium induced EMT and paclitaxel resistance. Adding cilengitide resensitized these cells to paclitaxel treatment. In summary, EDIL3 may contribute to EMT and paclitaxel resistance through autocrine or paracrine signaling in cancer cells. Blockade of EDIL3-integrin αVβ3 interaction by cilengitide restores sensitivity to paclitaxel and reverts EMT in paclitaxel-resistant cancer cells. Combinations of cilengitide and taxanes could be beneficial in the treatment of subsets of breast and prostate cancers.

Improving the biodegradability of hospital urines polluted with chloramphenicol by the application of electrochemical oxidation

This work focuses on improving the biodegradability of hospital urines polluted with antibiotics by electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs). To do this, chloramphenicol (CAP) has been used as a model compound and the influence of anodic material (Boron Doped Diamond (BDD) and Mixed Metal Oxide (MMO)) and current density (1.25-5 mA cm^-2) on the toxicity and the biodegradability was evaluated. Results show that a complete CAP removal was attained using BDD anodes, being the process more efficient at the lowest current density tested (1.25 mA cm^-2). Conversely, after passing 4 Ah dm^-3, only 35% of CAP removal is reached using MMO anodes, regardless of the current density applied. Furthermore, a kinetic study demonstrated that there is a clear competitive oxidation between the target antibiotic and the organic compounds naturally contained in urine, regardless the current density and the anode material used. During the first stages of the electrolysis, acute toxicity is around 1% EC₅₀ but it increases once CAP and its organic intermediates have been degraded. The formation and accumulation of inorganic oxidants may justify the remaining acute toxicity. This also helps to explain the trend observed in the rapid biodegradability assays. Finally, a 60% of standard biodegradability (Zahn-Wellens test) was achieved which suggests that electrochemical oxidation with BDD anodes could be the most appropriate technology to reduce the hazard of hospital urines at the operating conditions tested.

Testing the use of cells equipped with solid polymer electrolytes for electro-disinfection

This work focuses on disinfection of water using electrolysis with boron doped diamond (BDD) coatings and faces this challenge by comparing the performance of two different cells manufactured by CONDIAS GmbH (Izehoe, Germany): CONDIACELL® ECWP and CabECO cells. They are both equipped with diamond electrodes, but the mechanical design is completely different, varying not only by geometry but also by the flow conditions. ECWP is a flow-through cell with perforated electrodes while the CabECO cell is a zero-gap cell with a proton exchange membrane as a solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) separating the anode and cathode. At 0.02 Ah dm^-3 both cells attain around 3-5 logs pathogen removal, but design and sizing parameters give an advantage to the CabECO: it can minimize the production of chlorates and perchlorates when operating in a single-pass mode, which becomes a really remarkable point. In this paper, we report tests in which we demonstrate this outstanding performance and we also explain the differences observed in the two cells operating with the same water.

How to avoid the formation of hazardous chlorates and perchlorates during electro-disinfection with diamond anodes?

This work focuses on disinfection of water using electrolysis with diamond coatings avoiding or minimizing the formation of hazardous chlorates and perchlorates using a special type of commercial cells designed by CONDIAS (Itzehoe, Germany) in two different sizes: the CabECO and the MIKROZON cells. In these cells, the electrolyte that separates the anode and cathode is a proton exchange membrane. This helps to minimize the production of perchlorate and this behavior is enhanced in the smallest cell for which the very low contact times between the electrodes and the water allows to avoid the production of perchlorates when operating in a single-pass mode, which becomes a really remarkable point. In this paper, we report tests in which we demonstrate this outstanding performance and we also explain the differences observed in the two cells operating with the same water.

Clopyralid degradation by AOPs enhanced with zero valent iron

Four different technologies have been compared (photolysis, ZVI + photolysis, electrolysis and ZVI + electrolysis) regarding the: (1) degradation of clopyralid, (2) extent of its mineralization, (3) formation of by-products and main reaction pathways. Results show that photolysis is the less efficient treatment and it only attains 5 % removal of the pollutant, much less than ZVI, which reaches 45 % removal and that electrolysis, which attains complete removal and 78 % mineralization within 4 h. When ZVI is used as pre-treatment of electrolysis, it was obtained the most efficient technology. The identification of transformation products was carried out for each treatment by LCMS. In total, ten products were identified. Tentative pathways for preferential clopyralid degradation for all processes were proposed. This work draws attention of the synergisms caused by the coupling of techniques involving the treatment of chlorinated compound and sheds light on how the preferential mechanisms of each treatment evaluated occurred.

Improvement of electrochemical oxidation efficiency through combination with adsorption processes

In this work, a three-step process (adsorption-desorption-electrolysis) is evaluated as an interesting approach for the removal of organochlorinated compounds (clopyralid, lindane and perchloroethylene) with different physical properties (solubility and vapor pressure) from low concentrated wastewater. First steps are based on the adsorptive capacity of granular active carbon (GAC) particles to retain organics and on the solvent capacity of methanol to extract them to concentrated solution and regenerate GAC. In the last step of electrolysis with conductive diamond electrodes, the degradation of pesticide is projected, as well as the recovery of methanol. Results show that clopyralid, lindane and PCE are efficiently retained in GAC, although adsorption efficiency depend on pollutant/GAC ratio and physicochemical properties of pollutant. Pretreatment allows the concentration of clopyralid and PCE solutions up to 8 times, but worse results are obtained in case of lindane solutions. Electrolysis of concentrated methanol solution seems to be more efficient than electrolysis of diluted aqueous wastes, mainly in the case of clopyralid. In all cases, electrochemical degradation fits a first order kinetics confirming mixed oxidation mechanisms with diffusion control of the direct processes and mediated oxidation. Results obtained in terms of current efficiency and energy consumption of electrolysis step point out the lower operation cost of concentrated liquid wastes and encourage further works on the development of cost-effective combined processes for the treatment of diluted solutions polluted with polar compounds (such as clopyralid).

Improving biotreatability of hazardous effluents combining ZVI, electrolysis and photolysis

In this work, nine types of combination advanced oxidation processes/zero-valent iron (AOP-ZVI) were tested, in order to determine if any of these combinations demonstrate good chances as pretreatment for the biological degradation processes of organochlorinated pollutants. To do this, the changes undergone in the respirometric behavior, toxicity and short-term biodegradability were compared. The three AOPs studied were anodic oxidation with mixed metal oxides anodes (AO-MMO), with boron doped diamond anodes (AO-BDD) and photolysis and they were evaluated in three different modes: without any addition of ZVI, with ZVI-dehalogenation as pre-treatment and with ZVI-dehalogenation simultaneous to the AOP treatment. Clopyralid has been used as a model of chlorinated hydrocarbon pollutant. Results show that technologies proposed can successfully treat wastes polluted with clopyralid and the biological characteristics of the waste are significantly modified by dehalogenating the waste with ZVI, either previously to the treatment or simultaneously to the treatment, being the information provided by the three techniques very important in order to evaluate later combinations of the advanced oxidation technologies with biological treatments.

A Major QTL Located in Chromosome 8 of Cucurbita moschata Is Responsible for Resistance to Tomato Leaf Curl New Delhi Virus

Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) is a bipartite whitefly transmitted begomovirus, responsible since 2013 of severe damages in cucurbit crops in Southeastern Spain. Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) is the most affected species, but melon (Cucumis melo) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus) are also highly damaged by the infection. The virus has spread across Mediterranean basin and European countries, and integrated control measures are not being enough to reduce economic losses. The identification of resistance genes is required to develop resistant cultivars. In this assay, we studied the inheritance of the resistance to ToLCNDV previously identified in two Cucurbita moschata accessions. We generated segregating populations crossing both resistant pumpkins, an American improved cultivar Large Cheese (PI 604506) and an Indian landrace (PI 381814), with a susceptible C. moschata genotype (PI 419083). The analysis of symptoms and viral titers of all populations established the same monogenic recessive genetic control in both resistant accessions, and the allelism tests suggest the occurrence of alleles of the same locus. By genotyping with a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) collection evenly distributed along the C. moschata genome, a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) was identified in chromosome 8 controlling resistance to ToLCNDV. This major QTL was also confirmed in the interspecific C. moschata × C. pepo segregating populations, although C. pepo genetic background affected the resistance level. Molecular markers here identified, linked to the ToLCNDV resistance locus, are highly valuable for zucchini breeding programs, allowing the selection of improved commercial materials. The duplication of the candidate region within the C. moschata genome was studied, and genes with paralogs or single-copy genes were identified. Its synteny with the region of chromosome 17 of the susceptible C. pepo revealed an INDEL including interesting candidate genes. The chromosome 8 candidate region of C. moschata was also syntenic to the region in chromosome 11 of melon, previously described as responsible of ToLCNDV resistance. Common genes in the candidate regions of both cucurbits, with high- or moderate-impact polymorphic SNPs between resistant and susceptible C. moschata accessions, are interesting to study the mechanisms involved in this recessive resistance.

Assessing the performance of electrochemical oxidation using DSA® and BDD anodes in the presence of UVC light

Significance of surface and ground water contamination by synthetic organic compounds has been pointed out in a very high number of papers worldwide, as well as the need of application of treatment technologies capable to assure their complete removal. Among these processes, the electrochemical advanced oxidation is an interesting option, especially when irradiated with UVC light (photo-electrochemical, P-EC) to promote homolysis of electrogenerated oxidants. In this work, the herbicide glyphosate (GLP) was used as model compound and it was electrochemically treated under UVC irradiation in the presence of NaCl and using a DSA® and BDD anodes. Total organic carbon concentration was measured throughout the electrolysis, as well as the concentration of short chain carboxylic acids and inorganic ions (NO3-, PO43-,ClO-, ClO3- and ClO4-). The synergism of the P-EC was more pronounced when using a DSA® electrode, which led to complete GLP mineralization in 1 h (0.52 A h L-1), as also confirmed by the stoichiometric formation of NO3- and PO43- ions, with an energy consumption as low as 1.25 kW h g-1. Unexpectedly, the concentration evolution of oxyhalides for the P-EC process using both anodes, especially for DSA® at 10 mA cm-2, showed the production of ClO3-, whereas detection of ClO4- species was only found when using BDD at 100 mA cm-2 for the electrochemical process. Finally, small amounts of carboxylic acids were detected, including dichloroacetic acid, especially when using a BDD electrode.

Enhanced electrolytic treatment for the removal of clopyralid and lindane

In this work, it is evaluated the more critical point of a new electrochemical technology for the removal of organic pollutants based on the regeneration of granular active carbon (GAC) (that can be used efficiently to concentrate aqueous wastes) with methanol and in the electrochemical treatment of methanol with conductive diamond electrochemical oxidation (CDEO). The system proposed was studied with lindane and clopyralid. Results show that it is possible the complete removal of the raw pesticides and intermediates formed by electrolyzing these species in methanol media and that both sodium chloride and sodium hydroxide can be used as supporting electrolyte to increase the conductivity of methanol. The cell voltages obtained are quite similar to those obtained during the electrolysis of aqueous wastes. The electrolysis of these dilute solutions does not generate significant concentrations of intermediates and the depletion of the raw pollutant fits well to a pseudo-first order kinetic model. Oxidants capable to oxidize iodide to iodine are produced during the electrolysis in methanol media and they have an important influence on the degradation of the pollutants. The new technology, based on the concentration of the pollutant before electrolysis, allows to remove completely pollutants from soil and soil washing fluids in a more efficient way, although the concentration of pollutant attained and, hence, the efficiency of the overall removal process depends on the adsorption equilibria of the pollutant in aqueous and methanol media.

Sono- and photoelectrocatalytic processes for the removal of ionic liquids based on the 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium cation

In this work, sono- and photoelectrolysis of synthetic wastewaters polluted with the ionic liquids 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (BmimAc) and chloride (BmimCl) were investigated with diamond anodes. The results were compared to those attained by enhancing bare electrolysis with irradiation by UV light or with the application of high-frequency ultrasound (US). Despite its complex heterocyclic structure, the Bmim⁺ cation was successfully depleted with the three technologies that were tested and was mainly transformed into four different organic intermediates, an inorganic nitrogen species and carbon dioxide. Regardless of the technology that was evaluated, removal of the heterocyclic ring is much less efficient (and much slower) than oxidation of the counter ion. In turn, the counter ion influences the rate of removal of the ionic liquid cation. Thus, the electrolysis and photoelectrolysis of BmimAc are much less efficient than sonoelectrolysis, but their differences become much less important in the case of BmimCl. In this later case, the most efficient technology is photoelectrolysis. This result is directly related to the generation of free radicals in the solution by irradiation of the electrochemical system with UV light, which contributes significantly to the removal of Bmim⁺.

Electrolysis with diamond anodes of the effluents of a combined soil washing - ZVI dechlorination process

In this work, a new soil washing process in which Soil-Liquid extraction technology is enhanced by adding iron particles (zero valent iron nanoparticles or granules) was investigated to remove clopyralid from spiked soils. This novel approach can be efficiently used to extract chlorinated hydrocarbons from soil and aims to obtain soil-washing wastes with low content of hazardous chlorinated species. The iron particles used were subsequently removed from the treated soil using magnetic fields. Then, the complete mineralization of the produced soil washing effluents was successfully achieved by applying anodic oxidation with diamond anodes in an electrochemical flow cell. Results demonstrated that, opposite to what it was initially expected, no improvements in the efficiency of the electrochemical process were observed by adding iron particles during the soil washing. This behavior is explained in terms of the lower electrochemical reactivity of the dechlorinated derivatives produced. Although results are not as promising as initially expected, it does not mean a completely negative outcome for the use of ZVI during washing, because the hazardousness of the pollutants is rapidly decreased in the initial stages of the soil-washing, opening the possibility for the combination of this technology with other processes, such as biological treatment.

Electrochemical production of perchlorate as an alternative for the valorization of brines

In this work, the valorization of brines, with concentrations similar to those produced by reverse osmosis or electrodialysis processes, by electrolysis with diamond anodes is evaluated. To do this, synthetic brines made from solutions of NaCl (with target concentrations ranging from 1.0 to 2.0 M and an additional test at 5.0 M) were used as the raw material for the electrochemical production of perchlorate using commercial electrochemical cells equipped with boron-doped diamond (BDD) anodes. The effect of key parameters on the rate and efficiency of perchlorate production was evaluated. The results show that it is possible to transform more than 80% of the initial chloride concentration into perchlorate, with current efficiencies higher than 70% regardless of the initial concentration of sodium chloride contained in the brine. Moreover, it was observed that both hypochlorite and chlorate were produced almost simultaneously at the beginning of electrolysis, while perchlorate was only produced when a certain value of applied electric charge was passed through the system. The results obtained were essentially independent of the concentration of NaCl, as the high concentrations used in this study avoided mass transfer limitations. Moreover, the specific energy cost of perchlorate production was estimated to range from 26.14 kWh kg^-1 (for 2.0 M and 1000 A m^-2) to 56.10 kWh kg^-1 (for 1.0 M and 2000 A m^-2). According to the results obtained, the electrochemical production of perchlorate by BDD electrochemical oxidation stands out as a promising novel technology for the valorization of the brine produced in reverse osmosis or electrodialysis processes.

Techno-economic analysis of the scale-up process of electrochemically-assisted soil remediation

This work presents a techno-economic study of the scaling-up of the electrochemically-assisted soil remediation (EASR) process of polluted soil. Four scales have been selected for the study: laboratory, bench, pilot and prototype, with a capacity of treating a volume of soil of 1 × 10^-4, 2 × 10^-3, 0.11 and 21.76 m³, respectively. This study analyses the technical information produced by studies carried out at each scale, and informs about the fixed costs (construction of the electrokinetic remediation reactor, installation of auxiliary services and purchase of analytical equipment) and variable costs (start-up, operation and dismantling of the test) derived from running a test at each of the evaluated scales. The information discussed in based on the experience gained with many evaluations carried out over the last decade at these scales. This information can provide useful guidance for developing a scaling-up of the EASR for many researchers starting on the evaluation of this important environmental remediation technology.