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The main challenge faced by spacecraft is the large temperature difference in its operating environment. Thermal control coatings prepared on spacecraft and instrument surfaces are currently the most efficient ways for heat dissipation and control. In this work, Al2O3-xTiO2 composite coatings with different TiO2 contents were prepared on 7075-Al alloy substrate by supersonic plasma spraying technology. The microstructure, phase composition, mechanical properties, thermal control properties, and corrosion resistances of the coatings were investigated. The raw stock feeds were mainly composed of α-Al2O3 and anatase TiO2, but the coatings were mainly γ-Al2O3 and rutile TiO2. The average Vickers microhardness of the coatings decreased from 1198.9 to 810.4 HV0.2 with the increase of TiO2 contents, but the elastic modulus increased from 158.5 to 244.3 GPa. The thermal control properties of the coatings were promoted with the growth of TiO2 contents, and the absorptance increased from 27.1 to 89.2% with the emittance from 83.7 to 86.5%. The corrosion potential and corrosion resistance of the coating gradually increased with TiO2 content due to its gradually improved hydrophobicity. This work broadens the application boundary of Al2O3-xTiO2 composite coating and provides an innovative idea for material selection of thermal control coatings.

Summary: Genomics studies have detected numerous genetic alterations in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, the functions of these mutations largely remain elusive, partially due to a lack of feasible animal models. Here, we report a convenient platform with CRISPR-Cas9-mediated introduction of genetic alterations and orthotopic transplantation to generate a series of primary ESCC models in mice. With this platform, we validate multiple frequently mutated genes, including EP300, FAT1/2/4, KMT2D, NOTCH2, and TGFBR2, as tumor-suppressor genes in ESCC. Among them, TGFBR2 loss dramatically promotes tumorigenesis and multi-organ metastasis. Paradoxically, TGFBR2 deficiency leads to Smad3 activation, and disruption of Smad3 partially restrains the progression of Tgfbr2-mutated tumors. Drug screening with tumor organoids identifies that pinaverium bromide represses Smad3 activity and restrains Tgfbr2-deficient ESCC. Our studies provide a highly efficient platform to investigate the in vivo functions of ESCC-associated mutations and develop potential treatments for this miserable malignancy.

Enzymatic soybean phospholipids are single-chain fatty acyl phospholipid derivatives produced by the natural degradation of phospholipids by phospholipase enzymes by breaking the ester bond from the 1-position or 2-position, resulting in a mixture of phospholipids enriched in lysophospholipids. An 8-week feeding experiment was conducted to study the effects of enzymatic soybean phospholipid replacing soybean oil on growth performance, glycolipid metabolism and intestinal microflora of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). The experiment was divided into 3 treatment groups with 3 replicates per treatment component. Each net contained 30 fish (Initial weight = 9.14 ± 0.04 g). A diet containing fish oil and soybean oil was used as the control (P0) and ESP replaced 30 % (P30) and 50 % (P50) of soybean oil in the other dietary groups. The results showed that the weight gain rate and protein efficiency ratio; amylase, lipase and trypsin in the intestine; and total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, hexokinase, glucokinase, 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and lipoprotein lipase activities in the liver were higher in the P50 group than in the P0 and P30 groups, while feeding rate, viscerosomatic index; total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the serum and malondialdehyde in the liver were lower than in the P0 group significantly (P < 0.05). The expressions of hormone-sensitive lipase, apolipoprotein A1 and fatty acid synthase in P50 group were higher than those in P0 and P30 groups, and the expressions of lipoprotein lipase, carnitine palmitoyl transferase, adipose triglyceride lipase and apolipoprotein B-100 in P50 group were higher than those in P0 group significantly (P < 0.05). Villi width, villi height and lamina propria thickness in P50 group were higher than those in P0 and P30 group, and lamina propria thickness in P30 group was higher than that in P0 group significantly (P < 0.05). The results of the intestinal flora showed that at the level of phylum, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria increased and that of Tenericutes and Firmicutes decreased in the P50 group compared to the P0 group. At the genus level, the relative abundance of Mycoplasma and Aeromonas decreased, and that of Plesiomonas increased in the P50 group compared to the P0 group. In conclusion, replacement of 50 % soybean oil with ESP significantly promoted the growth of largemouth bass, improved the antioxidant capacity of the organism, promoted carbohydrate utilisation and lipid metabolism, as well as enhanced the stability of the intestinal microflora.

Aiolos (IKZF3), a zinc finger transcription factor, has been identified in various solid tumors. While most research on Aiolos focuses on its role in the hematopoietic system, its expression patterns, mechanisms of action, and biological impacts in lung cancer remain relatively unexplored. This study investigates Aiolos’ role in the proliferation, migration, and invasion of lung cancer cells. Our findings indicate that Aiolos overexpression enhances these cellular processes, suggesting its potential contribution to the advancement of the disease. However, the precise mechanisms underlying these effects require further investigation. Additionally, we identified OTUB1 as a potential Aiolos-interacting protein. OTUB1, a deubiquitinating enzyme, removes ubiquitin chains from target proteins, thereby affecting their stability, function, or localization. Our results suggest that OTUB1 specially bound to Aiolos and reduces its ubiquitination, which may influence Aiolos-related biological functions, including cell migration and invasion. This study highlights the pivotal roles of Aiolos and OTUB1 in lung cancer progression, potentially offering new therapeutic targets.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of artemisinin supplementation to high cottonseed meal (CSM) diet on the growth, lipid metabolism and intestinal microbiota of golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus). Five diets were formulated, including the control (CM, with CSM replacing 16 % of fishmeal) and experimental groups (CA0, CA2, CA4, and CA8, with CSM replacing 36 % of fishmeal and supplemented with 0 %, 0.20 %, 0.40 %, and 0.80 % of artemisinin, respectively). 375 fishes (initial weight 22.45 ± 0.07 g) were randomized into five groups of triplicates each and fed in tanks for 8 weeks. Results indicated that 0.8 % artemisinin improved final weight, weight gain rate and specific growth rate, reduced the serum lipid levels under the condition of 36 % fishmeal replaced with CSM. In the liver, artemisinin supplementation alleviated hepatocyte vacuolization and lipid deposition induced by the high level CSM replacement fishmeal diet, reduced the activity of lipogenesis-related enzymes and increased lipolysis-related enzyme activity. In the intestine, supplementation with 0.8 % artemisinin significantly increased the activities of intestinal digestive enzymes. Supplementation with 0.8 % artemisinin significantly increased the diversity and stability of the intestinal microbiota of the golden pompano, while also reducing the abundance of potentially harmful Vibrio associated with high CSM levels. In conclusion, 0.8 % artemisinin supplementation mitigated the negative effects of high CSM diets on growth, lipid metabolism, and liver health in golden pompano by enhancing lipid metabolism, intestinal digestive enzyme activity, and modulating intestinal microbiota.

The recently emerged Al–Mn–Mg–Sc–Zr alloys were regarded as high-strength Al alloys suitable for high-temperature applications. However, the influence of laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) fabricated anisotropic microstructure on tensile creep performance has not been explored. In this work, we reported an anisotropic tensile creep behavior, which is superior in the vertical specimens than the horizontal counterparts. The tensile creep anisotropy was attributed to the bi-modal microstructure of columnar grains within melt pool and equiaxed grains at melt pool boundary, the “fish-scale” melt pool morphology and the resulted tortuous crack path in the vertical orientation.

Diode-pumped rare gas lasers (DPRGLs) have the potential for high optical conversion efficiency and excellent beam quality, positioning them as promising candidates for directed energy lasers. This study proposes a semi-analytical model for a flowing gas diode-pumped rare gas laser considering the influence of temperature elevation resulting from increased pump power on the output. Furthermore, we explore the relationship between laser output power density and gas temperature with respect to gas flow velocity. The results of numerical simulation agree well with those of Rawlins et al.’s experiment. The model addresses the existing gap in DPRGL dynamic models by incorporating temperature considerations, emphasizing the crucial role of a gas flow device in achieving high-energy laser. With the best set of parameters, the output power of DPRGL reaches 100 kW/cm2, at pumping power density of 300 kW/cm2 and gas flow velocity of 140 m/s. Parameter optimization is helpful for design of a relatively high-power DPRGL system.

Allocation strategy is a way to find problems inside the network, and it is also a way to put problems at the edge of the network. In the central router scheme, each router decides when to transmit data packets and which data packets to reject, and at the same time notifies the host generating network traffic to send the packet number. In the central hosting scheme, the final host monitors the network status and adjusts its behavior accordingly. Ice and snow sports has gradually become a way of entertainment for people, improving their knowledge of physical exercise. Various forms of physical activities have been taken, such as shooting, running, jumping, walking, and dancing, and these exercises are usually general forms of physical exercise. This article is about the dissemination of concepts, methods and techniques of advanced training, scientific research and winter sports training, as well as the study of methods and techniques for the sustainable development of national ice and snow sports, winter sports training, and ice and snow economy.

With global warming, high water temperature events are becoming more frequent in summer. The liver of the largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) is particularly sensitive to heat stress, especially in the rapid growth period with high nutrient concentration. In this experiment, a metabolomic analysis was conducted to reveal how steroidal saponins alleviated high temperature stress in largemouth bass. Fish were divided into three groups, two groups fed the basic diet, the third group fed the experimental diet contained steroidal saponins. After the fish ingested the diets for four weeks, the heat temperature stress test began. The first group fed basic diet without the heat stress (C), and the second group fed basic diet with the heat stress (H), and the third group fed experimental diet containing steroidal saponins with heat stress (HS). After 1-week of heat stress, metabolic analysis showed that high temperature stress mainly affected phospholipid metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, glutathione metabolism and bile metabolism in the fish livers of H group. The expression of genes glutathione peroxidase and heme oxygenase-1 were decreased and the nuclear factor kappa-B activated inflammation in fish feeding in group H. The adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase pathway was activated in the HS group. Compare to the fish in H group, those metabolism observed in fish in HS group were greatly improved, similar to the C group. Thus, steroidal saponins could help relieve the liver burden when largemouth bass facing heat stress in summer.

Gut microbiota can coordinate with different tissues and organs to maintain human health, which derives the concept of the gut-X axis. Conversely, the dysbiosis of gut microbiota leads to the occurrence and development of various diseases, such as neurological diseases, liver diseases, and even cancers. Therefore, the modulation of gut microbiota offers new opportunities in the field of medicines. Antibiotics, probiotics or other treatments might restore unbalanced gut microbiota, which effects do not match what people have expected. Recently, nanomedicines with the high targeting ability and reduced toxicity make them an appreciative choice for relieving disease through targeting gut-X axis. Considering this paradigm-setting trend, the current review summarizes the advancements in gut microbiota and its related nanomedicines. Specifically, this article introduces the immunological effects of gut microbiota, summarizes the gut-X axis-associated diseases, and highlights the nanotherapeutics-mediated treatment via remolding the gut-X axis. Moreover, this review also discusses the challenges in studies related to nanomedicines targeting the gut microbiota and offers the future perspective, thereby aiming at charting a course toward clinic.

Purpose: This study aimed to screen biomarkers to predict the efficacy of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) blockade immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant therapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods: In the first stage of the study, the baseline concentrations of 40 tumor-related chemokines in the serum samples of 50 patients were measured to screen for possible biomarkers. We investigated whether the baseline concentration of the selected chemokine was related to the therapeutic outcomes and tumor microenvironment states of patients treated with the therapy. In the second stage, the reliability of the selected biomarkers was retested in 34 patients. Results: The baseline concentration of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) was negatively correlated with disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients treated with the therapy. In addition, a low baseline expression level of MIF is related to a better tumor microenvironment for the treatment of ESCC. A secondary finding was that effective treatment decreased the serum concentration of MIF. Conclusion: Baseline MIF levels were negatively correlated with neoadjuvant therapy efficacy. Thus, MIF may serve as a predictive biomarker for this therapy. The accuracy of the prediction could be improved if the serum concentration of MIF is measured again after the patient received several weeks of treatment.

Summary: Atherosclerosis, a leading health concern, stems from the dynamic involvement of immune cells in vascular plaques. Despite its significance, the interplay between chromatin remodeling and transcriptional regulation in plaque macrophages is understudied. We discovered the reduced expression of Baf60a, a component of the switch/sucrose non-fermentable (SWI/SNF) chromatin remodeling complex, in macrophages from advanced plaques. Myeloid-specific Baf60a deletion compromised mitochondrial integrity and heightened adhesion, apoptosis, and plaque development. BAF60a preserves mitochondrial energy homeostasis under pro-atherogenic stimuli by retaining nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1) accessibility at critical genes. Overexpression of BAF60a rescued mitochondrial dysfunction in an NRF1-dependent manner. This study illuminates the BAF60a-NRF1 axis as a mitochondrial function modulator in atherosclerosis, proposing the rejuvenation of perturbed chromatin remodeling machinery as a potential therapeutic target.

As a major invasive species in coastal China, Spartina alterniflora (S. alterniflora) has seriously threatened the ecological functions of coastal wetlands. Based on multisource high-precision geospatial data obtained by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the shape and distribution of S. alterniflora patches were extracted and analysed by using object-oriented classification and the landscape pattern index in this study. Considering microtopographic variations, the trend-surface subregions were delimited. In this way, we examined the relationship between S. alterniflora distribution and expansion and the variation in microtopography and tidal hydrology in the early invasion stage. The results showed that the microtopography silted up acceleration from land to sea, and the inundation time was reduced significantly in the study area for 2020–2022. In 2020, the average area of S. alterniflora patches showed a decreasing trend from land to sea. The distribution of patches on both sides of the sea and land was relatively concentrated and dispersed in the middle. By 2022, S. alterniflora presented a rapid expansion, with the total area expanding from 8488.57 m2 to 18470.72 m2. With the variation in microtopography, the characteristics of S. alterniflora patch expansion presented regional differences: Due to the small microtopographic and tidal hydrological variations, the patches fluctuated outwards slightly (average variation distance was 0.93 m) near the dike. The patches in the seaside front area had an annular expansion, and the expansion speed positively correlated with the area of the original patch. In the central region, the small patches merged and filled to form an S. alterniflora belt, while a large number of new small patches appeared. In general, the heterogeneous environment formed by microtopographic variations was conducive to the colonization and growth of S. alterniflora, but the excessive slope could inhibit expansion. This study will provide a theoretical basis for coastal ecological management and rapid control of S. alterniflora expansion.

The high cost and carbon footprint of conventional alkali activator (sodium silicate) limit the wide-scale adaptation of alkali-activated materials. During the production of sodium silicate(SS), carbonate and silicate need to be calcined at 1400 °C, which is not environmentally friendly. In order to improve the sustainability of the activator, 10% SS was reduced in this paper. The effect alternative silicon sources (ASS) on the mechanical properties of alkali-activated carbon steel slag (CSS) prepared at room temperature were studied when the modulus is 0.5 and 1.0, and the mechanism of silicon source substitution was discussed by means of microscopic characterization. The substitution amount of ASS was 10% of the total CSS amount. ASS included waste glass powder (WGP), rice husk ash (RHA), diatomaceous earth (DE), diatomaceous earth analytical reagent (DEAR), and silica fume (SF). Microscopic characterization methods included X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetry and differential thermogravimetry (TG-DTG), and scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS). The results show that the effect of ASS depended on the structure of SiQn, and is affected by the initial modulus of the activator. The compressive strengths of the low modulus samples are lower than that of the high modulus samples, while the effect of silicon source substitution is the opposite. However, the effect of SF is less affected by the initial modulus, and the 90d compressive strength of low modulus and high modulus differed by only 8%. 10% SF substitution can save at least 48.28% of industrial SS. SF is an economic and effective ASS, which can provide a better ecological choice for the production of alkali-activated CSS cementitious materials.

Artemisinin is an active ingredient extracted from the Chinese medicine Artemisia carvifolia. The experiment investigated the effects of dietary artemisinin on growth performance, intestinal digestive enzyme activity and flora, antioxidant capacity, immune-related gene expression of Coral trout (Plectropomus leopardus). The 450 fish with an initial weight of 9.40 ± 0.04 g were randomly divided into 5 groups of 3 replicates and fed in 500 m3 fiberglass tank for 9 weeks. Five iso-nitrogenous (50% crude protein) and iso-lipidic (10% crude lipid) diets were formulated by supplementing various mass fractions of artemisinin (C0 0% as control; C0.2 0.20%, C0.4 0.40%, C0.8 0.80%, and C1.2 1.20%). The results showed that the C0.2 had the highest weight gain rate (WGR) compared to the others (P

The combined application performance of CPC and CB in shrimp diet is rarely explored. This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of Clostridium butyricum (CB) on the body composition, digestive enzyme activity, antioxidant and immunity related genes expression and intestinal microbiota of Litopenaeus vannamei fed a replacing fishmeal with cottonseed protein concentrate (CPC) diet. Six diets were formulated with PC group (containing 30% fishmeal), NC and NCB1–4 groups (diet replacing 30% fishmeal protein with CPC), in which NCB1–4 groups were supplemented with 0.03% (3 ×108 CFU/kg), 0.12% (1.2 ×109 CFU/kg), 0.48% (4.8 ×109 CFU/kg) and 1.92% (1.92 ×1010 CFU/kg) CB, respectively. Healthy shrimp were randomly divided into 6 groups for an 8-week feeding trial. The CB antibacterial tests in vitro showed that the CB could inhibit the growth of Vibrio harveyi and V. parahaemolyticus, and has good thermal stability and tolerance to protease, catalase and ultraviolet irradiation. In feeding trial, the crude protein of NCB4 was significantly increased and the crude lipid in NCB3 and NCB4 group were significantly decreased (P

Ru nanoparticles doped and supported by Mo oxide (Ru/Mo oxide NPs) were synthesized via an in situ co-precipitation strategy for hydrogen production via hydrolysis of ammonia borane (AB). The optimized Ru0.9Mo0.1 catalyst composition exhibited a total turnover frequency (TOF) value of 514.8 molH2 (molRu0.9Mo0.1)−1 min−1 at room temperature. Systematic characterization of the catalysts unveiled the dual role of Mo oxide in regulating the structure and catalytic performance of Ru NPs. This work provides a new approach for the design of Ru-based nanocatalysts toward hydrolysis of AB for H2 harvest.

To study the dietary prebiotic role of Sulfate-Based alginate polysaccharide (SAP) in cottonseed protein concentrate-based diets, six iso-nitrogenous and iso-lipid feeds were prepared to feed grouper, including a fishmeal control group (FM) was set at 50% fishmeal level, on this basis 5 groups replacing 50% fishmeal protein with cottonseed protein concentrate and supplementing sulfate-based alginate polysaccharide 0%, 1%, 2%, 3% and 4% (SAP0, SAP1, SAP2, SAP3 and SAP4 groups). The healthy and vigorous grouper (initial weight = 8.63 ± 0.01 g) were selected and randomly divided into 6 treatment groups in triplicates (30 fish in each repetition). The feeding experiment was conducted for 8 weeks, followed by a one-week Vibrio harveyi challenge. The experimental results showed that the weight gain and specific growth rate reached the significant maximums in SAP2 and SAP3 groups (P

Oxidized fish oil, as a harmful ingredient in feed, has a negative impact on aquatic animals. But the effect of oxidized fish oil on hybrid grouper (♀ Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × ♂ Epinephelus lanceolatus), especially the intestinal flora, is not yet understood. In the current study, a 65-day raising experiment with diets containing 0 g/kg, 30 g/kg, 60 g/kg, and 90 g/kg oxidized fish oil was performed (called as R, L, M and H group respectively) to investigate the effects of oxidized fish oil on growth performance, whole body composition, serum biochemical index, intestinal digestive enzyme activities and microbiome composition in juvenile hybrid grouper. Oxidized fish oil inhibited growth performance of pearl gentian grouper. The Moisture, crude protein, and ash content in whole body increased as increasing dietary oxidized fish oil content. The vitamin E content and antioxidant enzyme activity in serum including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were significantly increased as the oxidized fish oil in the diet increased, but malondialdehyde (MDA) content in serum was significantly decreased. Meanwhile, the D-Lactate (D-LA) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) content in serum was promoted by oxidized fish oil, but interleukin-6 (IL-6) content was suppressed. Moreover, the intestinal digestive enzyme activities were promoted by oxidized fish oil. The oxidized fish oil reduced alpha diversity of intestinal bacteria. At the same time, oxidized fish oil changed the structure of grouper intestinal flora according to beta diversity and line discriminant analysis (LDA) effect size. In conclusion, oxidized fish oil inhibited growth performance, changed the composition of the body and caused oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, but it promoted the secretion of digestive enzymes in the intestine. More importantly, oxidized fish oil reduced the diversity of intestinal flora and changed the structure of intestinal flora.

Lacking of microscopic insight into quantitative nucleation and growth kinetics analysis, the effect of temperature on particle size in wet chemical synthesis of metal nanoparticles is still not fully understood. Firstly, we investigated the influence of temperature on the nucleation kinetics constant k1 and growth kinetics constant k2. Based on the microscopic quantitative kinetics analysis, the influence of temperature on size of nanoparticles was discussed and concluded in detail. In order to test and verify the conclusions, synthesis of AgNPs under sufficient and insufficient Ag+ precursors respectively was carried out. Temperature exhibits different effect on the size of nanoparticles under sufficient and insufficient Ag+ precursors due to its impressively different influence on the nucleation kinetics constant k1 and growth kinetics constant k2. It is the first time to discuss the effect of temperature on size of nanoparticles in detail based on the microscopic quantitative kinetics analysis. Our work provides useful deep insight into microscopic kinetics analysis of the effect of temperature on size distribution of AgNPs. Keywords: Microscopic kinetics, AgNPs, Nucleation, Growth, Particle size

This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation of ESTAQUA® yeast culture (YC) on the growth, immunity, intestinal microbiota, and disease-resistance against Vibrio harveyi in hybrid grouper (♀Epinephelus fuscoguttatus×♂E. lanceolatus) at 0% (C0), 2% (N1), and 4% (N2). After 8 weeks of the feeding trial, the results indicated that the survival rate (SR), weight gain rate (WGR), and specific growth rate (SGR) of hybrid grouper were significantly higher in the N1 (2%) and N2 (4%) group than those in the control group (P

Fish oil is an important source of lipid in aquafeeds, but is prone to oxidation. In aquatic species, oxidized fish oil may induce oxidative stress. Although the intestine is an essential nutritional and immunological organ in juvenile hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × Epinephelus lanceolatus), the cause of its oxidative stress remains unknown. In the current research, a 65-day rearing experiment with diets containing 0% (R), 3% (L), 6% (M), or 9% (H) oxidized fish oil was conducted to explore the effects of oxidized fish oil on the antioxidant ability, histology, and transcriptome of the intestine in juvenile hybrid grouper. The concentrations of vitamin E and antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the foregut, midgut, and hindgut decreased significantly with the level of oxidized fish oil in the diet rose, whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration increased. The oxidative stress damaged intestinal tissue structure. In detail, the goblet cell in H group was significantly reduced and the microvilli was depauperated. Compared with group R, the oxidized stress altered the intestinal transcriptome map in H group. A total of 29,360 unigenes had been annotated in all databases. There were 18 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with 12 being up-regulated and 6 being down-regulated. According to the GO enrichment, the functions of differential genes were mostly enriched in primary metabolic process, cellular biosynthetic process, organic substance biosynthetic process, cellular macromolecule metabolic process, and protein metabolic process. There were 2 significant pathways including sulfur metabolism pathways and p53 signaling pathways involving cytochrome c (Cyt2c) gene with a high expression state under oxidative stress. In summary, oxidized fish oil induced intestinal oxidative stress. Meanwhile, oxidative stress was destroying the structure of the gut tissue. Furthermore, oxidative stress altered the intestinal transcriptome map.

Fish oil oxidation can produce harmful substances, but the specific effects of oxidized fish oil on liver function in the hybrid grouper (♀ Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × ♂ Epinephelus lanceolatus) are not yet clear. In the present study, hybrid grouper was fed diets containing 0, 3, 6, or 9% oxidized fish oil (referred to as the control, L, M, and H groups respectively) for 65 days to investigate its effects on liver physiology. Oxidized fish oil significantly decreased protein content in liver (P

Glucose transport across membranes mediated by glucose transporter protein (GLUTs) is a momentous process in tissue glucose metabolism and blood glucose regulation. In this experiment, the glucose transporter 2 of pompano, Trachinotus ovatus (ToGLUT2) was cloned and identified. A 56-day breeding experiment was performed to study the effects of exogenous enzymes supplementation in high carbohydrate diets on the mRNA expression of ToGLUT2. The pompano (38.50 ± 0.50 g) used in this experiment were fed five diets (46% protein, 5.8% lipid), one of which was the control group (non-enzyme) and the remaining four groups were supplemented with four kinds of exogenous enzymes (amylase, glucoamylase, pullulanase and complex enzymes). The experimental results showed that the cDNA full length of 2280 bp, a 3′-UTR of 610 bp, a 5′-UTR of 32 bp, an open reading frame of 1638 bp, and a polypeptide of 546 amino acids are characteristic of ToGLUT2 (GenBank accession No: MK649830). Analysis of the phylogenetic tree revealed that the highest similarity was found between ToGLUT2 and Dicentrarchus labrax GLUT2. The results of qRT-PCR showed that ToGLUT2 gene was ubiquitously observed among tissues tested and was expressed at the highest level in the liver, closely followed by the intestine and brain. However, the poorest expression of ToGLUT2 was detected in the muscle, kidney and heart; the findings indicated that the glucokinase (GK) and 6-phosphofructo kinase − 1 (PFK-1) activities were significantly highest in the high carbohydrate group (H) (P 0.05), and was significantly lower in all other groups (P 0.05). Hence, the activity of digestive enzymes can be improved by the addition of carbohydrase in feed; in terms of serum biochemical parameters, there was no significant difference in glucose concentration for all treatment groups (P > 0.05). Insulin concentration was not significant difference in the pullulanase group (P) compared to the high carbohydrate group (H) (P > 0.05), while it was significantly lower in all other groups (P 0.05). Muscle glycogen was not significantly different in the glucoamylase group (G) compared to the high carbohydrate group (H) (P > 0.05), while it was significantly lower in all other groups (P

With social and economic development and population growth, a series of human activities have intensified the destruction and degradation of muddy coastal wetlands, thus it is necessary to strengthen their protection and restoration. Hydrological connectivity is a basic condition for the existence and restoration of wetland ecosystems. This study selected the northern buffer zone of Yancheng National Nature Reserve (YNNR) as the research area. Combining field survey data with GF-2 remote sensing data, hydrological structure and process connectivity were integrated to evaluate the hydrological connectivity through internal and land-sea aspects. On this basis, the restoration priority area and the easy restoration area were determined by hot spot analysis and minimum unit of restoration. Our results showed that: 1) the hydrological connectivity within the region was great, with most of the total area. Land use types had a greater impact on the hydrological connectivity, and the hydrological connectivity of the farming pond area were generally higher than for farmland; 2) the sea-land hydrological connectivity decreased from the sea to the land, which was vertical with the coastal seawall, but the rate of change varied.; 3) the hydrological connectivity hotspot analysis showed that the site of the level 1 priority restoration was almost the same as the salt water dominant restoration area; the priority level 2 was in the freshwater dominant restoration area, accounting for 8.87% of the area; 4) the easy-to-restore areas were mainly distributed in the priority restoration areas of level 1–3, with an area of 11.7 km2, accounting for 6% of the study area. These research results can provide a better scientific basis for regional muddy wetland restoration planning activities.

This research was conducted to assess the effects of replacing fishmeal (FM) with dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) at various levels (D0 (0 %), D2 (2 %), D4 (4 %), D6 (6 %), D8 (8 %), D12 (12 %), and D16 (16 %)) on the growth, proximate body composition, serum biochemical indices, antioxidant activities, histology, and disease resistance in juvenile Pacific whiteleg shrimp. Forty shrimp per tank were stocked in seven different tanks with three replicates of each treatment group with an initial weight of 0.23 ± 0.00 g. Their respective experimental diets were used to feed shrimp for 56 days. The results showed an enhancement in shrimp fed dietary DDGS (D8) diets on the growth performance, including final weight, weight gain, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, glucose, and total antioxidant capacity in the serum (P < 0.05). Decreased FCR and High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol were observed in shrimp fed DDGS (D8) diets in serum compared to D0. No severe changes and significant differences in villus height and intestinal wall thickness were observed in the shrimp hepatopancreas and mid-gut among treatment groups. Furthermore, disease resistance increased in shrimp fed the DDGS diet, with D8 obtaining the lowest mortality rate, 50.9 %, compared to the control group (D0), 68.3 %. In summary, regarding all the factors, replacing FM with DDGS at D8 (8 %) in the shrimp diet could modulate and cater to overall growth performance, health and immunity, histology and disease resistance in shrimp.

This study conducted an 8-week feeding trial to evaluate the effects of taurine supplementation in a high-carbohydrate diet on the growth performance, plasma biochemical indexes and glucose metabolism of hybrid grouper (♀ Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × ♂ E. lanceolatus). Six iso-nitrogenous (45.94 %) and iso-lipidic (8.71 %) diets were formulated containing 20 % carbohydrates (positive control group, PC) and 30 % carbohydrates (negative control group, NC), and were supplemented with 0.4 % (T1), 0.8 % (T2), 1.2 % (T3) of 1.6 % (T4) taurine on the basis of the PC diet. Five hundred forty fish (initial body weight 12.10 ± 0.30 g) were randomly distributed among the six treatments with triplicate groups of 30 fish in each treatment. The results showed that, compared with the PC, fish fed the NC diet significantly decreased the weight gain rate (WGR) and specific growth rate (SGR), the level of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) in the liver, the activities of trypsin and α-amylase (AMS) in the intestine, and the activity of glucokinase (GK) in the liver. Under taurine supplementation, the highest significant values of WGR and SGR were found at the T3. The optimal taurine requirements in the 30 % carbohydrate diet were found to be 1.31 %, 1.31 % and 1.05 % based on WGR, SGR and feed coefficient rate (FCR), respectively. Compared with the NC, significantly higher activities of intestinal trypsin and AMS were found in the T1-T4. Hybrid grouper fed the T3 diet showed the significantly highest levels of plasma insulin and triglycerides. Significant increase in GK activity in the liver occurred under taurine supplementation above 0.8 %. Hepatocyte oil-red O and hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that 0.4 %∼1.2 % taurine supplementation could release hepatocyte fat deposition and maintain hepatocyte structure. Therefore, taurine enhances intestinal digestive function and regulates glycolipid metabolic to improve the utilization of dietary carbohydrates, thus promoting the growth of hybrid grouper.

The theme of present study was to estimate the alterations on growth performance, antioxidant responses and lipid metabolism in liver of juvenile hybrid grouper (♀ Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × ♂ Epinephelus lanceolatus) fed dietary vitamin E (VE). The 540 fish (initial weight 8.79 ± 0.06 g) were distributed into 18 fiberglass tanks and fed isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets with VE at different levels (11, 43, 98, 193, 404, and 789 mg/kg) for 7 weeks. Results showed that weight gain rate (WGR), specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, and condition factor were significantly improved in fish fed dietary VE levels. The triglyceride levels in serum, and the number and size of lipid droplets and the content of malondialdehyde in the liver of the treatment groups significantly decreased. In addition, dietary VE improved the activities of hepatic antioxidant (catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase, and total antioxidant capacity) and lipid metabolism enzymes (hormone sensitive lipase (HSL)) and regulated the expressions of antioxidant (CAT, hepatic copper/zinc superoxide dismutase, and nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2) and lipid metabolism related genes (HSL, fatty acid synthase, lipoprotein lipase, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ and carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1). The appropriate VE supplementation was assessed at 133.45 mg/kg according to the WGR broken line analysis model. Overall, dietary VE could enhance the antioxidant capacity and reduce the hepatic lipid deposition of hybrid grouper, thereby improving its growth performance.

The effects of adding increasing Zn concentrations to fish feed on the growth performance, antioxidant enzyme activity, disease resistance, and intestinal flora abundance and diversity of hybrid grouper larvae (Epinephelus lanceolatus♂ × Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀) were determined within an 8-week feeding trial period. Zn of graded levels (0 (T0), 20 (T20), 40 (T40), 60 (T60), 80 (T80), 100 (T100) and 150 (T150) mg Zn/kg diet as zinc sulfate) was added to the basal diet and fed to experimental fish with an initial mean weight of 12.00 g.The fish were challenged by Vibrio harveyi for 7 days. Results showed that the survival rate of the dietary Zn groups was obviously higher than that of T0 (P

This study investigated the effects of replacing the fish meal (FM) in a 55 % FM fish feed with cottonseed protein concentrate (CPC) in pearl gentian groupers (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀ × E. lanceolatus♂). Effects on growth and the expression of key genes involved in appetite and hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism Four isoproteic and isolipidic diets were formulated containing 0 %, 6.06 %, 18.18 %, or 30.30 % CPC by replacing 0 % (FM, control), 10 % (CPC10), 30 % (CPC30), and 50 % (CPC50) of the FM in the feed, respectively. Each diet was fed to fish raised in triplicate groups for 56 days. No significant differences in specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, or survival rate were found among dietary treatments. The weight gain in CPC groups was no different than in controls (P < 0.05). Fish fed the CPC50 diet had higher body lipid contents than others (P < 0.05) and the highest activity of hepatic fatty acid synthase, which was significantly higher than in group CPC10 (P < 0.05). The livers of CPC50 fish had significantly higher mRNA expression levels of apolipoprotein B-100, carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), and PPARγ genes compared to other groups except CPC30 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, up to 50 % of the FM in fish feed can be replaced with CPC without adversely affecting the growth and feed utilization of pearl gentian groupers. However, 50 % replacement increased body lipid contents via modulation of hepatic lipid metabolism-related genes and enzyme activity.

Although accumulating evidence has demonstrated the key roles of enhancers in gene expression regulation, the contribution of genome-wide enhancer-enhancer interactions to developmental decisions remains unclear. Here we explored the cooperative regulation patterns among enhancers to understand their regulatory mechanism. We first filtered robust enhancers in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) through integrating bidirectional transcription, genomic location, and epigenetic modification. Genome-wide enhancer-enhancer interactions were then identified based on enhancer-promoter relationships that were derived from Hi-C data. We further explored the interacting principles of the identified enhancer-enhancer interactions. The results revealed that the observed cooperativity occurred mainly between enhancers distributed within a 1-kb to 10-Mb distance across the genome. In addition, enhancer-enhancer pairs had higher expression correlations than non-interacting pairs. Finally, we identified robust enhancers during human cardiac commitment, and we found that enhancers exhibited strong stage-specific expression patterns. We further inferred the enhancer-enhancer interactions based on RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data in heart development, according to the regulatory principles characterized from Hi-C data. The identified enhancer-enhancer interaction networks (EEINs) presented highly dynamic linkages. Moreover, enhancers cooperatively targeted many marker genes in each developmental stage to regulate stage-specific functions, which contribute to the organization of cell identity in heart development. Our work will increase the understanding of enhancer regulation in human heart development. Keywords: enhancer, eRNA, histone modification, cooperative regulation, heart development, Hi-C, RNA-seq

Six iso-nitrogenous and iso-lipidic experimental diets were formulated to evaluate the effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae extracts, as part of a low fishmeal diet with a complex plant protein source, on the orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides). In positive control group, fishmeal was the only protein source (FM). The negative control group (Y0) was fed low amounts of fishmeal, and plant protein was used as the protein source. The other diets were supplemented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae extract: 1 g/kg (Y1), 2 g/kg (Y2), 5 g/kg (Y5), and 10 g/kg (Y10). The Epinephelus coioides were divided into six groups, with three replicates per group and 30 groupers per replicate. The experiment lasted for 56 days. The results showed that there was no significant difference in weight gain rate and specific growth rate of FM, Y0 and Y2 groups (P > 0.05). In foregut, mucosal folds length in Y2 group was significantly greater than that in Y0, Y1 and Y10 groups (P < 0.05). The muscle thicknesses of foregut in Y2 and Y5 groups were significantly higher than those in other groups (P < 0.05). The muscle thicknesses of midgut and hindgut in Y2 group were significantly higher than those in Y0 group (P < 0.05). IL-1β and TNF-α in Y1 group were significantly downregulated compared with Y0 group (P < 0.05). After Vibrio harveyi challenge, survival rate in Y1 and Y10 groups was significantly greater than that in Y0 group (P < 0.05). These results indicated that compared with the negative control group, the addition of 2 g/kg S. cerevisiae extract could increase the mucosal folds length of the foregut, and the muscle thickness of the entire intestine, and maintain the growth similar to that of the positive control group. Adding S. cerevisiae extract to feed may improve the immune capacity of E. coioides, but the improvement was not obvious under the challenge of V. harveyi.

A feeding trial was carried out to investigate the effects of dietary fermented rice protein (FRP) on growth, digestive and absorption capacities, inflammatory-related gene expression, and intestinal microbiota in juvenile hybrid groupers (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus♂). A fish meal (FM)-based diet was used as a control for comparison with diets in which FM was replaced by FRP at percentages of 10 % (FRP10), 30 % (FRP30), and 50 % (FRP50). Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of fish for 56 days. We observed no significant differences in weight gain rate, specific growth rate, and protein productive value between the FM and FRP10 groups, but significantly lower rates in the FRP30 and FRP50 groups. The activities of the intestinal digestive enzymes (amylase, trypsin, and pepsin) and brush border enzymes (Na+/K+-ATPase, creatine kinase, and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase) were higher in the FRP-containing groups than in the FM group. The expression levels of immune-related genes (TLR22, MyD88, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, and TGF-β1) were all down-regulated in FRP-fed fish. Intestinal microbiota showed no significant differences in alpha diversity among dietary groups. At the genus level, FRP-containing groups had lower relative abundances of Bacteroides and Enterococcus than the FM group. In conclusion, 10 % of the FM protein in the feed can be replaced by FRP without adverse effects on nutritional status. Replacing FM with FRP in the feed suppresses inflammatory function in hybrid groupers. It also has a critical influence on microbial profiles but not on diversity.

In recent years, due to human activities and global climate change, the number and area of waterbird habitats in Yancheng coastal wetlands, a newly established world natural heritage site, have been shrinking, the function of the waterbird habitats has been degraded to varying degrees, and the safety of waterbird populations and habitats has been threatened. Therefore, in this study, waterbird habitat functions at the regional scale were assessed by using spatial principal component analysis (SPCA). According to the load matrix of principal components and the Redundancy analysis (RDA) method, the driving force of habitat function change and the mechanisms of their effects on waterbird guilds and diversity were revealed. The results showed that the areas of the highest and high habitat function grades continued to decline from 1987 to 2019, and the areas of the lowest and low grades of habitat function continued to increase. The overall habitat functions in the waterbird distribution areas were high, but the functional grades within different habitat sites were obviously decreasing. The main driving factors affecting habitat function change in Yancheng coastal wetlands from 1987 to 2019 were habitat types, habitat area, habitat diversity, habitat fragmentation, number of residential areas and reclamation intensity. The effects of these driving factors on the population diversity and distribution of waterbird guilds were different. Finally, countermeasures and suggestions for the functional maintenance and key node restoration of waterbird habitats in Yancheng coastal wetlands were proposed.

Six iso-nitrogenous and iso-lipid experimental diets were formulated to evaluate growth performance, intestinal digestive enzyme activity and the transcript expression of nutrition utilization related genes of the pacific white prawn, Litopenaeus vannamei (initial average body weight: 0.45 ± 0.01 g). The positive control group (LP) contains the 250.0 g/kg fish meal (FM) and 0 g/kg yeast hydrolysate (YH), negative control group (HP) contains the 150.0 g/kg FM and 0 g/kg YH. The 25, 50, 75, and 100 g/kg FM were replaced by plant proteins in the PY1, PY2, PY3 and PY4 groups, respectively, and 30 g/kg YH was supplemented. At the end of the 56-day feeding trial, there were no significantly difference in weight gain rate and specific growth rate between LP and PY1 (P > 0.05). The protein efficiency rate in PY1 was significantly lower than that in LP (P

The objective of the present study was to assess the effects of substituting fishmeal (FM) with peanut meal (PNM) on growth performance, immunity, and intestinal microbiota in juvenile hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂). Hybrid grouper (initial weight 16.85 ± 0.02 g) were fed diets (isonitrogenous and isolipidic) with PNM replacement rates of 0% (FM), 10 % (PNM10), 20 % (PNM20), 30 % (PNM30), 40 % (PNM40) and 50 % (PNM50) FM protein, respectively. The growth trial lasted for a 10-week period. The results showed that FM replaced by PNM had no significant effect on the growth performance, feed utilisation, somatic indices, and whole-body composition of hybrid grouper (P > 0.05). Acid phosphatase first became more active and then less active with the increased replacement level (P > 0.05), while the activities of lysozyme and the contents of immunoglobulin M in the intestine were significantly enhanced (P 0.05). The mRNA expression of epinecidin and hepcidin in the PNM40 and PNM50 groups was significantly lower than in the FM group (P

An 8-week feeding experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (n-3 HUFAs) on growth performance, fatty acid profiles, hematological characteristics and hepatopancreatic histology in juvenile Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) (initial average weight, 0.14 ± 0.01 g). Six isoproteic and isolipidic diets were formulated with graded levels of n-3 HUFA (0.24, 0.53, 0.86, 1.25, 1.58 and 1.97 % of dry matter), and the 0.24 % group was used as control group. The results revealed that shrimp fed the diet containing 0.86 % n-3 HUFA had highest weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR), and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) showed the minimum at the same level. Shrimp muscle fatty acid profiles reflected that of diet. The contents of triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in serum decreased along with n-3 HUFA levels increasing. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in hepatopancreas was highest significantly at the level of 0.86 % n-3 HUFA group than that in other groups. The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in hepatopancreas increased with the increasing of n-3 HUFA levels, which reached the maximum value in 1.97 % group and was significantly higher than that in control group. The levels of n-3 HUFA could obviously affect on the cell morphology and lipid deposition in hepatopancreas of L. vannamei. Results of this study suggested that shrimp fed moderate dietary n-3 HUFA could enhance growth, feed utilization, antioxidant capacity and reduces excess lipid deposition.

Cottonseed meal (CSM) was evaluated as a protein source for partial replacement of soybean meal (SBM) with iron supplementation in diets of juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei. In the control diet (D0), SBM protein was replaced with increasing dietary levels of CSM (0 %, 9.2 %, 15.2 %, 21.3 %, 27.4 %, and 30.4 %) at 0 %, 30 %, 50 %, 70 %, 90 %, and 100 % levels (D0 to D100, respectively) with ferrous sulfate supplementation at level of 0 %, 0.04 %, 0.08 %, 0.1 % and 0.12 %, respectively. An eight-week feeding trial was conducted on shrimp (0.383 ± 0.000 g). Up to 90 % of SBM could be replaced with CSM without causing a significant decrease (P

Arginine (Arg) as an important substrate for protein metabolism and endocrine influences on fish health directly. To evaluate the effect of dietary Arg on these endocrine and immunity of juvenile orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides), an experiment adding Arg with 0.00, 0.30, 0.60, 0.90, 1.20, 1.50, and 1.80% in seven diets was conducted. Dietary Arg levels reached 2.13 (Diet 1), 2.42 (Diet 2), 2.71 (Diet 3), 2.95 (Diet 4), 3.20 (Diet 5), 3.48 (Diet 6) and 3.74% (Diet 7), respectively. Each treatment was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 30 fish (7.52 ± 0.02 g) each tank. The present results indicated that different Arg levels of diets were no significant effects on the fish survival rate of each groups (P > 0.05) after 8 weeks feeding experiment. The highest weight gain and specific growth rate were found in Diet 4, and significantly higher than the other groups (P

Cdc7 is a conserved serine/threonine kinase essential for the initiation of DNA replication, likely by activating the MCM DNA helicase at the G1- to S-phase transition. Cdc7 kinase activity requires association with its regulatory subunit Dbf4/activator of S-phase kinase. Cdc7-Dbf4 is also downstream of the conserved Ataxia telangectasia and RAD3-related kinase that responds to stalled replication forks or DNA damage. In this study, we found that Cdc7 protein was very low or undetectable in normal tissues and cell lines but had increased expression in ∼50% of the 62 human tumor cell lines we examined. Most cell lines with increased Cdc7 protein levels also had increased Dbf4 abundance, and some tumor cell lines had extra copies of the DBF4 gene. A high expression of Cdc7 protein was also detected in primary breast, colon, and lung tumors but not in the matched normal tissues. We also found a high correlation between p53 loss and increased CDC7 and DBF4 expression in primary breast cancers (P = 3.6 × 10−9 and 1.8 × 10−10, respectively) and in the cancer cell lines we studied. Therefore, increased Cdc7-Dbf4 abundance may be a common occurrence in human malignancies.