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The effects of diets fermented with compound probiotics, namely Lactobacillus acidophilus, Limosilactobacillus reuteri and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, on the growth performance, physiological and biochemical indexes, fatty acid composition and intestinal health of juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) were investigated. Three hundred healthy juvenile M. salmoides (5.29 ± 0.02 g) were selected and randomly divided into two groups with triplicates for each. The basic diet was set as the control group (CON), and fermentation of the basic diet with a mixed bacterial solution (1.8 × 109 cfu/mL, L. acidophilus:L. reuteri:L. plantarum = 1:1:1) was set as the fermentation group (FER). Fish were hand fed to satiation for 56 days and two-thirds of the culture water was renewed every 3 days. The results showed that feed intake of fish in the FER group was significantly lowered, thereby increasing feed efficiency (FE) and protein efficiency (PER) (p < 0.05). Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity was significantly decreased, and catalase (CAT) activity was significantly increased in the FER group (p < 0.05). The liver superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) was significantly enhanced, and intestinal trypsin was significantly increased in the FER group (p < 0.05). Being fed with the fermentation diet significantly increased the content of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and the n-3/n-6 PUFAs ratios in the liver (p < 0.05). Intestinal histology showed that villus height and width of the intestine and the number of goblet cells were significantly increased in the FER group (p < 0.05). Those fed with fermentation diets had limited diversity of gut microbiota. Compared to the CON group, the relative abundance of Aeromonas decreased significantly (p < 0.05), while the relative abundance of Fusobacteria, Cetobacteria and Lactobacillusis in FER increased greatly in the gut microbiota of the FER group. In conclusion, fermented feed with the three probiotics effectively improved the feed utilization and antioxidant capacity, promoted digestion and absorption of dietary protein, improved the ability of synthesize DHA and n-3 PUFAs in the liver and reduced the abundance of pathogenic bacteria in the gut. Therefore, the present research provided a new way of co-fermented feed with three probiotics for the aquaculture of M. salmoides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MPs) have been given considerable attention due to their risk to aquatic organisms in marine environments. In this study, MPs' abundance and their potential correlation with environmental factors were investigated from 26 sites in Daya Bay, South China Sea. The results showed that the abundance of MPs was 1.8–13.87 items/L in surface water and 190–823 items/kg (dry weight) in sediment. The most abundant shape of MPs in both water and sediment was fiber, the most abundant particle size was 0.5–1 mm and the most abundant color was transparent. In addition, the most common polymer type of MPs was polyethylene terephthalate (PET), followed by rayon (RY), polypropylene (PP), cellulose (CL) and polyethylene (PE). The abundance of MPs in sediment was significantly correlated with sediment organic N and C (p < 0.05), while that in surface water had no significant correlation with the environmental factors except dissolved oxygen (p > 0.05). A factor analysis showed that MPs in sediment might share similar sources with organic N and C, which were mainly from the autochthonous sedimentation of marine organisms, and MPs might sediment jointly with organic matter. In summary, this study reflects on MP pollution and the potential correlation with environmental factors, providing essential data for governmental agencies to formulate microplastic pollution control policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive activation and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is the most critical factor in liver fibrosis. Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) is berry-bearing with potential health benefits. Here, we reported the inhibitory effects of cranberry phytochemicals (CPS) on HSC activation and liver fibrogenesis. The results showed that CPS reduced cell viability and inhibited the TGFβ/Smad signaling pathway of HSCs in vitro. The therapeutic effects of CPS on HSC activation were further linked to the amelioration of CCl 4 -induced liver fibrosis in rats. CPS treatment reduced liver fibrosis, revived liver function (HYP, MDA, ALB, ALP, ALT, AST, and TBIL), and decreased inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α) in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the expression levels of the TGFβ/Smad signaling pathway related genes, including TGF-β1, Smad2/3, p-Smad2/3, Col1α1, and α-SMA, were down-regulated by CPS. It is suggested that CPS may inhibit HSC activation and liver fibrosis by reducing the expression of inflammatory cytokines and inhibiting the TGFβ/Smad signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is believed to be a potent method for biofilm treatments. However, undesired damage to normal cells may be caused due to the nonselective nature of PDT. Therefore, targeted PDT is preferred on one hand to enhance antimicrobial effects and on the other hand to reduce cytotoxicity to normal cells. For this purpose, novel bacteria‐targeted photosensitizer delivery micelles are fabricated, taking advantage of α‐cyclodextrin (α‐CD)/polyethylene glycol (PEG) supramolecular assembly. Hydrophilic antimicrobial peptide (AMP) Magainin I is covalently bound with PEG, working as a bacterial targeting group as well as the stabilizing shell of the supramolecular micelles. Photosensitizer Chlorin e6 (Ce6) is grafted onto α‐CD. The micelles exhibit excellent bacterial targeting effects. Compared to α‐CD‐Ce6, the supramolecular micelles possess enhanced biofilm killing ability against Gram (−) Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms and Gram (+) methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) biofilms while reducing cytotoxicity to NIH/3T3 model cells. A bacteria‐targeted supramolecular photosensitizer delivery vehicle is developed for biofilm ablation. Bacterial targeting ability is endowed by antimicrobial peptide (AMP) Magainin I, and the combination of AMP with photosensitizer is achieved by host–guest interaction between AMP‐PEG and α‐CD‐Ce6. The vehicle exhibits enhanced biofilm killing ability as well as reduced cytotoxicity to mammalian cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]