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843100.9706A quaternary ammonium salt grafted tannin-based flocculant boosts the conjugative transfer of plasmid-born antibiotic resistance genes: The nonnegligible side of their flocculation-sterilization properties. This study developed dual-function tannin-based flocculants, namely tannin-graft-acrylamide-diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (TGCC-A/TGCC-C), endowed with enhanced flocculation-sterilization properties. The impacts of these flocculants on proliferation and transformation of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) among bacteria during the flocculation-deposition process were examined. TGCC-A/TGCC-C exhibited remarkable flocculation capacities towards both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, encompassing a logarithmic range of initial cell density (10(8)-10(9) CFU/mL) and a broad pH spectrum (pH 2-11). The grafted quaternary ammonium salt groups played pivotal parts in flocculation through charge neutralization and bridging mechanisms, concurrently contributing to sterilization by disrupting cellular membranes. The correlation between flocculation and sterilization entails a sequential progression, where an excess of TGCC, initially employed for flocculation, is subsequently consumed for sterilization purposes. The frequencies of ARGs conjugative transfer were enhanced in bacterial flocs across all TGCC treatments, stemming from augmented bacterial aggregation and cell membrane permeability, elicited stress response, and up-regulated genes encoding plasmid transfer. These findings underscore the indispensable role of flocculation-sterilization effects in mediating the propagation of ARGs, consequently providing substantial support for the scientific evaluation of the environmental risks associated with flocculants in the context of ARGs dissemination during the treatment of raw water featuring high bacterial density.202337619725
793510.9701Removal of antibiotic resistance genes by Cl(2)-UV process: Direct UV damage outweighs free radicals in effectiveness. Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) pose significant environmental health problems and have become a major global concern. This study investigated the efficacy and mechanism of the Cl(2)-UV process (chlorine followed by UV irradiation) for removing ARGs in various forms. The Cl(2)-UV process caused irreversible damage to nearly all ARB at typical disinfectant dosages. In solutions containing only extracellular ARGs (eARGs), the Cl₂-UV process achieved over 99.0 % degradation of eARGs. When both eARGs and intracellular ARGs (iARGs) were present, the process reached a 97.2 % removal rate for iARGs. While the abundance of eARGs initially increased due to the release of iARGs from lysed cells during pre-chlorination, subsequent UV irradiation rapidly degraded the released eARGs, restoring their abundance to near-initial levels by the end of the Cl₂-UV process. Analysis of the roles in degrading eARGs and iARGs during the Cl(2)-UV process revealed that UV, rather than free radicals, was the dominant factor causing ARG damage. Pre-chlorination enhanced direct UV damage to eARGs and iARGs by altering plasmid conformation and promoting efficient damage to high UV-absorbing cellular components. Furthermore, no further natural transformation of residual ARGs occurred following the Cl(2)-UV treatment. This study demonstrated strong evidence for the effectiveness of the Cl(2)-UV process in controlling antibiotic resistance.202540048777
783420.9699Elimination of representative antibiotic-resistant bacteria, antibiotic resistance genes and ciprofloxacin from water via photoactivation of periodate using FeS(2). The propagation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) induced by the release of antibiotics poses great threats to ecological safety and human health. In this study, periodate (PI)/FeS(2)/simulated sunlight (SSL) system was employed to remove representative ARB, ARGs and antibiotics in water. 1 × 10(7) CFU mL(-1) of gentamycin-resistant Escherichia coli was effectively disinfected below limit of detection in PI/FeS(2)/SSL system under different water matrix and in real water samples. Sulfadiazine-resistant Pseudomonas and Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis could also be efficiently sterilized. Theoretical calculation showed that (110) facet was the most reactive facet on FeS(2) to activate PI for the generation of reactive species (·OH, ·O(2)(-), h(+) and Fe(IV)=O) to damage cell membrane and intracellular enzyme defense system. Both intracellular and extracellular ARGs could be degraded and the expression levels of multidrug resistance-related genes were downregulated during the disinfection process. Thus, horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of ARB was inhibited. Moreover, PI/FeS(2)/SSL system could disinfect ARB in a continuous flow reactor and in an enlarged reactor under natural sunlight irradiation. PI/FeS(2)/SSL system could also effectively degrade the HGT-promoting antibiotic (ciprofloxacin) via hydroxylation and ring cleavage process. Overall, PI/FeS(2)/SSL exhibited great promise for the elimination of antibiotic resistance from water.202438917629
784830.9697Simultaneous Removal of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria, Antibiotic Resistance Genes, and Micropollutants by FeS(2)@GO-Based Heterogeneous Photo-Fenton Process. The co-occurrence of various chemical and biological contaminants of emerging concerns has hindered the application of water recycling. This study aims to develop a heterogeneous photo-Fenton treatment by fabricating nano pyrite (FeS(2)) on graphene oxide (FeS(2)@GO) to simultaneously remove antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB), antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and micropollutants (MPs). A facile and solvothermal process was used to synthesize new pyrite-based composites. The GO coated layer forms a strong chemical bond with nano pyrite, which enables to prevent the oxidation and photocorrosion of pyrite and promote the transfer of charge carriers. Low reagent doses of FeS(2)@GO catalyst (0.25 mg/L) and H(2)O(2) (1.0 mM) were found to be efficient for removing 6-log of ARB and 7-log of extracellular ARG (e-ARG) after 30 and 7.5 min treatment, respectively, in synthetic wastewater. Bacterial regrowth was not observed even after a two-day incubation. Moreover, four recalcitrant MPs (sulfamethoxazole, carbamazepine, diclofenac, and mecoprop at an environmentally relevant concentration of 10 μg/L each) were completely removed after 10 min of treatment. The stable and recyclable composite generated more reactive species, including hydroxyl radicals (HO(•)), superoxide radicals (O(2)(• -)), singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)). These findings highlight that the synthesized FeS(2)@GO catalyst is a promising heterogeneous photo-Fenton catalyst for the removal of emerging contaminants.202235759741
678840.9695Release and Constancy of an Antibiotic Resistance Gene in Seawater under Grazing Stress by Ciliates and Heterotrophic Nanoflagellates. Extracellular DNA (exDNA) is released from bacterial cells through various processes. The antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) coded on exDNA may be horizontally transferred among bacterial communities by natural transformation. We quantitated the released/leaked tetracycline resistance gene, tet(M) over time under grazing stress by ciliates and heterotrophic nanoflagellates (HNFs), and found that extracellular tet(M) (ex-tetM) increased with bacterial grazing. Separate microcosms containing tet(M)-possessing bacteria with ciliates or HNFs were prepared. The copy number of ex-tetM in seawater in the ciliate microcosm rapidly increased until 3 d after the incubation, whereas that in the HNF microcosm showed a slower increase until 20 d. The copy number of ex-tetM was stable in both cases throughout the incubation period, suggesting that extracellular ARGs are preserved in the environment, even in the presence of grazers. Additionally, ARGs in bacterial cells were constant in the presence of grazers. These results suggest that ARGs are not rapidly extinguished in a marine environment under grazing stress.201728592722
782850.9695Simultaneous elimination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes by different Fe-N co-doped biochars activating peroxymonosulfate: The key role of pyridine-N and Fe-N sites. The coexistence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) in the environment poses a potential threat to public health. In our study, we have developed a novel advanced oxidation process for simultaneously removing ARGs and ARB by two types of iron and nitrogen-doped biochar derived from rice straw (FeN-RBC) and sludge (FeN-SBC). All viable ARB (approximately 10(8) CFU mL(-1)) was inactivated in the FeN-RBC/ peroxymonosulfate (PMS) system within 40 min and did not regrow after 48 h even in real water samples. Flow cytometry identified 96.7 % of dead cells in the FeN-RBC/PMS system, which verified the complete inactivation of ARB. Thorough disinfection of ARB was associated with the disruption of cell membranes and intracellular enzymes related to the antioxidant system. Whereas live bacteria (approximately 200 CFU mL(-1)) remained after FeN-SBC/PMS treatment. Intracellular and extracellular ARGs (tetA and tetB) were efficiently degraded in the FeN-RBC/PMS system. The production of active species, primarily •OH, SO(4)(•-) and Fe (IV), as well as electron transfer, were essential to the effective disinfection of FeN-RBC/PMS. In comparison with FeN-SBC, the better catalytic performance of FeN-RBC was mainly ascribed to its higher amount of pyridine-N and Fe(0), and more reactive active sites (such as CO group and Fe-N sites). Density functional theory calculations indicated the greater adsorption energy and Bader charge, more stable Fe-O bond, more easily broken OO bond in FeN-RBC/PMS, which demonstrated the stronger electron transfer capacity between FeN-RBC and PMS. To encapsulate, our study provided an efficient and dependable method for the simultaneous elimination of ARGs and ARB in water.202438669989
782960.9693Insights into capture-inactivation/oxidation of antibiotic resistance bacteria and cell-free antibiotic resistance genes from waters using flexibly-functionalized microbubbles. The spread of antibiotic resistance in the aquatic environment severely threatens the public health and ecological security. This study investigated simultaneously capturing and inactivating/oxidizing the antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and cell-free antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in waters by flexibly-functionalized microbubbles. The microbubbles were obtained by surface-modifying the bubbles with coagulant (named as coagulative colloidal gas aphrons, CCGAs) and further encapsulating ozone in the gas core (named as coagulative colloidal ozone aphrons, CCOAs). CCGAs removed 92.4-97.5% of the sulfamethoxazole-resistant bacteria in the presence of dissolved organic matter (DOM), and the log reduction of cell-free ARGs (particularly, those encoded in plasmid) reached 1.86-3.30. The ozone release from CCOAs led to efficient in-situ oxidation: 91.2% of ARB were membrane-damaged and inactivated. In the municipal wastewater matrix, the removal of ARB increased whilst that of cell-free ARGs decreased by CCGAs with the DOM content increasing. The ozone encapsulation into CCGAs reinforced the bubble performance. The predominant capture mechanism should be electrostatic attraction between bubbles and ARB (or cell-free ARGs), and DOM enhanced the sweeping and bridging effect. The functionalized microbubble technology can be a promising and effective barrier for ARB and cell-free ARGs with shortened retention time, lessened chemical doses and simplified treatment unit.202235063836
785670.9691Boosting Low-Dose Ferrate(VI) Activation by Layered FeOCl for the Efficient Removal of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Antibiotic Resistance Genes via Enhancing Fe(IV)/Fe(V) Generation. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in aquatic environments pose threats to ecosystem safety and human health, which could not be efficiently removed by conventional disinfection techniques. Herein, layered FeOCl with coordinatively unsaturated Fe sites were fabricated and used to activate Fe(VI) for the efficient ARB/ARG removal in the present study. We found that highly reactive Fe(IV)/Fe(V) intermediates were generated in the FeOCl/Fe(VI) system, rapidly disinfecting 1 × 10(7) CFU mL(-1) ARB to below the limit of detection within only 6 min. Via the combination of in situ characterization and theoretical calculations, we revealed that Fe(VI) was preferentially adsorbed onto Fe sites on the (010) plane of FeOCl and subsequently activated to produce reactive Fe(IV)/Fe(V) through direct electron transfer. Meanwhile, O(2)(•-) generated from O(2) activation on the FeOCl surface enhanced Fe(VI) conversion to Fe(IV)/Fe(V). During the disinfection process, intracellular/extracellular ARGs and DNA bases were simultaneously degraded, inhibiting the potential horizontal gene transfer process. The FeOCl/Fe(VI) system could effectively disinfect ARB under complex water matrices and in real water samples including tap water, lake water, and groundwater. When integrated into a continuous-flow reactor, the FeOCl/Fe(VI) system with excellent stability successively disinfected ARB. Overall, the FeOCl/Fe(VI) system showed great promise for eliminating ARB/ARGs from water.202540739812
785880.9689Photocatalytic Reactive Ultrafiltration Membrane for Removal of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria and Antibiotic Resistance Genes from Wastewater Effluent. Biological wastewater treatment is not effective in removal of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). In this study, we fabricated a photocatalytic reactive membrane by functionalizing polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) ultrafiltration (UF) membrane with titanium oxide (TiO(2)) nanoparticles for the removal of ARB and ARGs from a secondary wastewater effluent. The TiO(2)-modified PVDF membrane provided complete retention of ARB and effective photocatalytic degradation of ARGs and integrons. Specifically, the total removal efficiency of ARGs (i.e., plasmid-mediated floR, sul1, and sul2) with TiO(2)-modified PVDF membrane reached ∼98% after exposure to UV irradiation. Photocatalytic degradation of ARGs located in the genome was found to be more efficient than those located in plasmid. Excellent removal of integrons (i.e., intI1, intI2, and intI3) after UV treatment indicated that the horizontal transfer potential of ARGs was effectively controlled by the TiO(2) photocatalytic reaction. We also evaluated the antifouling properties of the TiO(2)-UF membrane to demonstrate its potential application in wastewater treatment.201829984583
785490.9689Removal of antibiotic resistant bacteria and plasmid-encoded antibiotic resistance genes in water by ozonation and electro-peroxone process. The electro-peroxone (EP) process is an electricity-based oxidation process enabled by electrochemically generating hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) from cathodic oxygen (O(2)) reduction during ozonation. In this study, the removal of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and plasmid-encoded antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) during groundwater treatment by ozonation alone and the EP process was compared. Owing to the H(2)O(2)-promoted ozone (O(3)) conversion to hydroxyl radicals (•OH), higher •OH exposures, but lower O(3) exposures were obtained during the EP process than ozonation alone. This opposite change of O(3) and •OH exposures decreases the efficiency of ARB inactivation and ARG degradation moderately during the EP process compared with ozonation alone. These results suggest that regarding ARB inactivation and ARG degradation, the reduction of O(3) exposures may not be fully counterbalanced by the rise of •OH exposures when changing ozonation to the EP process. However, due to the rise of •OH exposure, plasmid DNA was more effectively cleaved to shorter fragments during the EP process than ozonation alone, which may decrease the risks of natural transformation of ARGs. These findings highlight that the influence of the EP process on ARB and ARG inactivation needs to be considered when implementing this process in water treatment.202336738938
8603100.9688Ketoprofen promotes the conjugative transfer of antibiotic resistance among antibiotic resistant bacteria in natural aqueous environments. The emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance in the environment pose a serious threat to global public health. It is acknowledged that non-antibiotic stresses, including disinfectants, pharmaceuticals and organic pollutants, play a crucial role in horizontal transmission of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Despite the widespread presence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), notably in surface water, their contributions to the transfer of ARGs have not been systematically explored. Furthermore, previous studies have primarily concentrated on model strains to investigate whether contaminants promote the conjugative transfer of ARGs, leaving the mechanisms of ARG transmission among antibiotic resistant bacteria in natural aqueous environments under the selective pressures of non-antibiotic contaminants remains unclear. In this study, the Escherichia coli (E. coli) K12 carrying RP4 plasmid was used as the donor strain, indigenous strain Aeromonas veronii containing rifampicin resistance genes in Taihu Lake, and E. coli HB101 were used as receptor strains to establish inter-genus and intra-genus conjugative transfer systems, examining the conjugative transfer frequency under the stress of ketoprofen. The results indicated that ketoprofen accelerated the environmental spread of ARGs through several mechanisms. Ketoprofen promoted cell-to-cell contact by increasing cell surface hydrophobicity and reducing cell surface charge, thereby mitigating cell-to-cell repulsion. Furthermore, ketoprofen induced increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, activated the DNA damage-induced response (SOS), and enhanced cell membrane permeability, facilitating ARG transmission in intra-genus and inter-genus systems. The upregulation of outer membrane proteins, oxidative stress, SOS response, mating pair formation (Mpf) system, and DNA transfer and replication (Dtr) system related genes, as well as the inhibition of global regulatory genes, all contributed to higher transfer efficiency under ketoprofen treatment. These findings served as an early warning for a comprehensive assessment of the roles of NSAIDs in the spread of antibiotic resistance in natural aqueous environments.202439103039
8556110.9687Bubbles Expand the Dissemination of Antibiotic Resistance in the Aquatic Environment. Antibiotic resistance is a global health challenge, and the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the urgency to understand its airborne transmission. The bursting of bubbles is a fundamental phenomenon in natural and industrial processes, with the potential to encapsulate or adsorb antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB). However, there is no evidence to date for bubble-mediated antibiotic resistance dissemination. Here, we show that bubbles can eject abundant bacteria to the air, form stable biofilms over the air-water interface, and provide opportunities for cell-cell contact that facilitates horizontal gene transfer at and over the air-liquid interface. The extracellular matrix (ECM) on bacteria can increase bubble attachment on biofilms, increase bubble lifetime, and, thus, produce abundant small droplets. We show through single-bubble probe atomic force microscopy and molecular dynamics simulations that hydrophobic interactions with polysaccharides control how the bubble interacts with the ECM. These results highlight the importance of bubbles and its physicochemical interaction with ECM in facilitating antibiotic resistance dissemination and fulfill the framework on antibiotic resistance dissemination.202337379503
7851120.9687Breaking antibiotic resistance: Sunlight-powered calcium peroxide for dual bactericidal and genetic elimination. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and associated antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have emerged as critical waterborne contaminants, posing serious public health risks. This study proposes a disinfection strategy through sunlight powered calcium peroxide (CaO(2)) treatment that simultaneously inactivates ARB and degrades ARGs in aquatic environments. Solar irradiation combined with CaO(2) (3.0 mM) activates dual mechanisms: alkaline-driven microbial inactivation (pH increase from 6.4 to 8.2 within 30 min) and ROS-mediated oxidative damage (ROS: (•)OH, H(2)O(2), (1)O(2) and O(2)(•-)), achieving complete 5-log inactivation of tetracycline and sulfonamides-resistant E. coli (TSRE). ARGs (tetA and sul2) showed 70-80 % reduction in absolute abundance, although the log removal did not exceed 1-log. Compared to sunlight alone, the addition of CaO(2) significantly enhanced disinfection efficiency. Alkaline and ROS-induced oxidative stress caused membrane lipid breakdown, protein denaturation, and suppression of antioxidant enzymes, along with DNA damage, lipid peroxidation, and enzyme inactivation. These effects increased membrane permeability, impaired bacterial recovery by downregulating DNA repair genes, and disrupted cellular integrity, ultimately limiting ARGs persistence. These findings highlight the synergistic effect of alkaline and oxidative stress in effectively inactivating ARB and degrading ARGs, positioning sunlight powered CaO(2) as a promising, highly efficient disinfection strategy for environmental water treatment.202540876436
8557130.9686Efficient inactivation of antibiotic resistant bacteria by iron-modified biochar and persulfate system: Potential for controlling antimicrobial resistance spread and mechanism insights. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical global health threat, further intensified by the widespread dissemination of plasmid-encoded antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), which poses a significant challenge to the "One Health" concept. Persulfate-based advanced oxidation processes (PS-AOPs) have emerged as effective disinfection methods, capable of degrading antibiotics, inactivating bacteria, and eliminating ARGs, whereas their efficacy towards blocking ARGs horizontal transfer remains elusive. This work constructed a series of Fe-modified soybean straw biochar (FeSSB) as persulfate (PS) activators through Fe-modification and temperature regulation. Among the tested systems, FeSSB800/PS achieved complete inactivation of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) with a 7.04-log reduction within 60 min, outperforming others. FeSSB800, featuring the highest exposed-Fe(II) sites, most CO groups, and lowest charge transfer resistance, obtaining optimal PS activation and reactive species generation, which caused irreversible damage to ARB cells and significantly inhibited the transformation and conjugation efficiency of plasmid RP4. The inhibition mechanism is driven by the aggressive action of free radicals, which injure cell envelopes, induce oxidative stress, disrupt ATP synthesis, and alter intercellular adhesion. These findings underscore the potential of PS-AOPs as a promising strategy to mitigate AMR by simultaneously inactivating ARB and impeding ARGs dissemination.202540203758
7853140.9686Natural pyrite and ascorbic acid co-enhance periodate activation for inactivation of antibiotic resistant bacteria and inhibition of resistance genes transmission: A green disinfection process dominated by singlet oxygen. The transmission of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and the propagation of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) threaten public health security and human health, and greener and more efficient disinfection technologies are expected to be discovered for wastewater treatment. In this study, natural pyrite and ascorbic acid (AA) were proposed as environmental-friendly activator and reductant for periodate (PI) activation to inactivate ARB. The disinfection treatment of PI/pyrite/AA system could inactivate 5.62 log ARB within 30 min, and the lower pH and higher PI and natural pyrite dosage could further boost the disinfection efficiency. The (1)O(2) and SO(4)(•-) were demonstrated to be crucial for the inactivation of ARB in PI/pyrite/AA system. The disinfection process destroyed the morphological structure of ARB, inducing oxidative stress and stimulating the antioxidant system. The PI/pyrite/AA system effectively reduced the intracellular and extracellular DNA concentration and ARGs abundance, inhibiting the propagation of ARGs. The presence of AA facilitated the activation of PI with natural pyrite and significantly increased the concentration of Fe(2+) in solution. The reusability of natural pyrite, the safety of the disinfection by-products and the inhibition of ARB regeneration indicated the application potential of PI/pyrite/AA system in wastewater disinfection.202439038380
7860150.9686Enhanced removal of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes by three-dimensional electrochemical process using MgFe(2)O(4)-loaded biochar as both particle electrode and catalyst for peroxymonosulfate activation. In this study, MgFe(2)O(4)-loaded biochar (MFBC) was used as a three-dimensional particle electrode to active peroxymonosulfate (EC/MFBC/PMS) for the removal of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). The results demonstrated that, under the conditions of 1.0 mM PMS concentration, 0.4 g/L material dosage, 5 V voltage intensity, and MFBC preparation temperature of 600 °C, the EC/MFBC600/PMS system achieved complete inactivation of E. coli DH5α within 5 min and the intracellular sul1 was reduced by 81.5 % after 30 min of the treatment. Compared to EC and PMS alone treatments, the conjugation transfer frequency of sul1 rapidly declined by 92.9 % within 2 min. The cell membrane, proteins, lipids, as well as intracellular and extracellular ARGs in E. coli DH5α were severely damaged by free radicals in solution and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, up-regulation was observed in genes associated with oxidative stress, SOS response and cell membrane permeability in E. coli DH5α, however, no significant changes were observed in functional genes related to gene conjugation and transfer mechanisms. This study would contribute to the underlying of PMS activation by three-dimensional particle electrode, and provide novel insights into the mechanism of ARB inactivation and ARGs degradation under PMS advanced oxidation treatment.202439197284
8554160.9685Nanomaterial-Enhanced Hybrid Disinfection: A Solution to Combat Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria and Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Wastewater. This review explores the potential of nanomaterial-enhanced hybrid disinfection methods as effective strategies for addressing the growing challenge of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in wastewater treatment. By integrating hybrid nanocomposites and nanomaterials, natural biocides such as terpenes, and ultrasonication, this approach significantly enhances disinfection efficiency compared to conventional methods. The review highlights the mechanisms through which hybrid nanocomposites and nanomaterials generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) under blue LED irradiation, effectively disrupting MDR bacteria while improving the efficacy of natural biocides through synergistic interactions. Additionally, the review examines critical operational parameters-such as light intensity, catalyst dosage, and ultrasonication power-that optimize treatment outcomes and ensure the reusability of hybrid nanocomposites and other nanomaterials without significant loss of photocatalytic activity. Furthermore, this hybrid method shows promise in degrading ARGs, thereby addressing both microbial and genetic pollution. Overall, this review underscores the need for innovative wastewater treatment solutions that are efficient, sustainable, and scalable, contributing to the global fight against antimicrobial resistance.202439591087
8492170.9684Promotion effects and mechanisms of molybdenum disulfide on the propagation of antibiotic resistance genes in soil. The rapid development of nanotechnology has aroused considerable attentions toward understanding the effects of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) on the propagation of antibiotic resistance. Molybdenum disulfide (MoS(2)) is an extensively used ENM and poses potential risks associated with environmental exposure; nevertheless, the role of MoS(2) toward antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) transfer remains largely unknown. Herein, it was discovered that MoS(2) nanosheets accelerated the horizontal transfer of RP4 plasmid across Escherichia coli in a dose-dependent manner (0.5-10 mg/L), with the maximum transfer frequency 2.07-fold higher than that of the control. Integration of physiological, transcriptomics, and metabolomics analyses demonstrated that SOS response in bacteria was activated by MoS(2) due to the elevation of oxidative damage, accompanied by cell membrane permeabilization. MoS(2) promoted bacterial adhesion and intercellular contact via stimulating the secretion of extracellular polysaccharides. The ATP levels were maximally increased by 305.7 % upon exposure to MoS(2), and the expression of plasmid transfer genes was up-regulated, contributing to the accelerated plasmid conjugation and increased ARG abundance in soil. Our findings highlight the roles of emerging ENMs (e.g., MoS(2)) in ARGs dissemination, which is significant for the safe applications and risk management of ENMs under the development scenarios of nanotechnology.202337062264
7804180.9683Electrochemical flow-through disinfection reduces antibiotic resistance genes and horizontal transfer risk across bacterial species. Antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), as emerging pollutants, are released into environment, increasing the risk of horizontal gene transfer (HGT). However, a limited number of studies quantified the effects of ARB disinfection on the HGT risk. This study investigated the inactivation of E. coli 10667 (sul) and the release and removal of ARGs using an electrochemical flow-through reactor (EFTR). Furthermore, the transfer frequencies and potential mechanisms of HGT after disinfection were explored using non-resistant E. coli GMCC 13373 as the recipient and E. coli DH5α carrying plasmid RP4 as the donor. A threshold of current density (0.25 mA/cm(2)) was observed to destroy cells and release intracellular ARGs (iARGs) to increase extracellular ARGs (eARGs) concentration. The further increase in the current density to 1 mA/cm(2) resulted in the decline of eARGs concentration due to the higher degradation rate of eARGs than the release rate of iARGs. The performance of ARGs degradation and HGT frequency by EFTR were compared with those of conventional disinfection processes, including chlorination and ultraviolet radiation (UV). A higher ARGs degradation (83.46%) was observed by EFTR compared with that under chlorination (10.23%) and UV (27.07%). Accordingly, EFTR reduced the HGT frequency (0.69) of released ARGs into the recipient (Forward transfer), and the value was lower than that by chlorination (2.69) and UV (1.73). Meanwhile, the surviving injured E. coli 10667 (sul) with increased cell permeability was transferred by plasmid RP4 from the donor (Reverse transfer) with a higher frequency of 0.33 by EFTR compared with that under chlorination (0.26) and UV (0.16). In addition, the sul3 gene was the least resistant to EFTR than sul1 and sul2 gene. These findings provide important insights into the mechanism of HGT between the injured E. coli 10667 (sul) and environmental bacteria. EFTR is a promising disinfection technology for preventing the spread of antibiotic resistance.202235085844
8493190.9682Effects and mechanisms of plant growth regulators on horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes through plasmid-mediated conjugation. A vast number of bacteria occur in both soil and plants, with some of them harboring antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). When bacteria congregate on the interface of soil particles or on plant root surfaces, these ARGs can be transferred between bacteria via conjugation, leading to the formation of antibiotic-resistant pathogens that threaten human health. Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are widely used in agricultural production, promoting plant growth and increasing crop yields. However, until now, little information has been known about the effects of PGRs on the horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of ARGs. In this study, with Escherichia coli DH5α (carrying RP4 plasmid with Tet(R), Amp(R), Kan(R)) as the donor and E. coli HB101 as the recipient, a series of diparental conjugation experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of indoleacetic acid (IAA), ethel (ETH) and gibberellin (GA(3)) on HGT of ARGs via plasmid-mediated conjugation. Furthermore, the mechanisms involved were also clarified. The results showed that all three PGRs affected the ARG transfer frequency by inducing the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, changing the cell membrane permeability, and regulating the gene transcription of traA, traL, trfAp, trbBp, kilA, and korA in plasmid RP4. In detail, 50-100 mg⋅L(-1) IAA, 20-50 mg⋅L(-1) ETH and 1500-2500 mg⋅L(-1) GA(3) all significantly promoted the ARG conjugation. This study indicated that widespread use of PGRs in agricultural production could affect the HGT of ARGs via plasmid-mediated conjugation, and the application of reasonable concentrations of PGRs could reduce the ARG transmission in both soil environments and plants.202336720410