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Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) is an important regulator of cellular lipid homeostasis and catalyzes the hydrolysis of stored triacylglycerol. We identified and cloned for the first time the full-length cDNA sequence of HSL of the prawn Macrobrachium nipponense De Haan, 1849 [De Haan, 1833–1850] from a hepatopancreas cDNA library. The complete HSL sequence is 3,575 bp and encoded a 785 amino acid peptide with the catalytic core (GXSXG) containing a serine residue. The phylogenetic tree revealed that the gene of HSL of M. nipponense is closely related with that of Penaeus vanmameiBoone, 1931. The tissue distribution showed that the mRNA expression level of HSL in the hepatopancreas was significantly higher than that in other tissues (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the HSL expression in hepatopancreas was upregulated with the increase of dietary lipids but partially inhibited when the ratio of phospholipids was increased in the lipid mixture. These results demonstrate that HSL is involved in the lipid metabolism of M. nipponense and highlights the importance of phospholipids in lipid metabolism.

Background. Cognitive dysfunction after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is very common in elderly patients. Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), as a form of cognitive dysfunction, may affect patients’ short- and long-term recoveries. The identification of meaningful risk factors may help reduce the occurrence of POCD in the future. Objective. Our goal was to retrospectively investigate the risk factors for early POCD in elderly patients undergoing TKA and to further analyze the relationship between the intensity of risk factors and the level of cognitive function. Methods. The related indicators and the Montreal Cognitive Function Assessment Scale (MOCA) scores of 105 elderly patients were collected by searching the electronic case system. According to the postoperative MOCA score, patients were divided into three groups: normal group (group N), mild POCD group (group M), and severe POCD group (group S). SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistical analyses. Results. At baseline, the preoperative MOCA score was significantly different in patients with POCD ( P ≤ 0.001 ), while other baseline indicators were not significantly different. In terms of changes in hemoglobin levels, statistically significant differences were observed between group M, group S, and group N ( P = 0.039 ). Among inflammatory indicators, only postoperative CRP levels showed a statistically significant difference in patients with POCD ( P = 0.041 ). Postoperative pain was also significantly different among the three groups ( P = 0.009 ). The multivariate regression analysis revealed that a low preoperative MOCA score and severe postoperative pain were independent risk factors for mild and severe cognitive impairment, while a high postoperative CRP level was only an independent risk factor for mild cognitive impairment. Conclusions. Our study found that the level of preoperative cognitive function, postoperative CRP level, and postoperative pain were independent risk factors for POCD. Moreover, the levels of preoperative cognitive function and postoperative pain were more strongly correlated with severe POCD than postoperative CRP levels.

In a study on the anti-nutritional effect of dietary fiber, it was noticed that a high-pectin diet (PEC diet) caused growth retardation, hepatic cholestasis, steatosis, fibrosis, and enteritis accompanied by decreased glycocholic acid (GCA) in Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. This study was conducted to investigate the potential alleviating effects of supplementation with GCA. A PEC diet and a diet supplemented with 0.6 g kg

To reveal the impact of dietary fiber (DF) on the bile acid (BA) profiles of fish, yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) were fed a diet containing 300 g kg-1 dextrin (CON diet, control) or pectin (a type of soluble DF, PEC diet) for 7 days, and then the BA profiles were analyzed by UHPLC-MS/MS. A total of 26 individuals of BAs were detected in the fish body, with 8, 10, 14, and 22 individuals of BAs detected in the liver, serum, bile, and hindgut digesta, respectively. The conjugated BAs (CBAs) of fish were dominated by taurine CBAs (TCBAs). The concentrations of free BAs (FBAs) and the value of FBAs/CBAs in the bile of fish fed the PEC diet were nearly 5 and 7 times higher, respectively than those in fish fed the CON diet. The value of glycine CBAs/TCBAs in the liver, serum and bile of fish fed the PEC diet was significantly lower, and in the hindgut digesta was higher than that of fish fed the CON diet (P < 0.05). These results suggested that dietary pectin greatly changed the BA profiles of Pelteobagrus fulvidraco, attributed to inhibition of reabsorption of BAs. Therefore, attention should be paid to the impact on BA homeostasis when replacing fishmeal with DF-rich plant ingredients in the fish diet.

Survival is an old trait in animal breeding, yet commonly neglected nowadays for its simple binary records and low levels of heritability in aquaculture species. These traits however, can provide valuable field data when selecting for robustness in genetic improvement programs. In the current study, linear multivariate animal model (LMA) was used for the genetic analysis of survival records from two-year classes (BL2019 and BL2020) of white-leg shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) breeding lines with a total number of 52, 248 individuals from 481 fullsib families recorded for data collection. During grow-out test period, 10 day intervals of survival data were considered as independent traits. Two survival definitions, binary survivability (S) and continuous survival in days (SL), were used for the genetic analysis of survival records to investigate; i) whether adding more survival time information could improve estimation of genetic parameters; ii) the trajectory of survival heritability across time, and iii) patterns of genetic correlations of survival traits across time. Levels of heritability estimates for both S and SL were low (0.005 to 0.076), while heritability for survival day number was found to be similar with that of binary records at each observation time and were highly genetically correlated (rg >0.8). Heritability estimates of body weight (BW) for BL2019 and BL2020 were 0.486 and 0.373, respectively. Trajectories of survival heritability across time showed a gradual increase across the grow-out test period but slowed or reached a plateau during the later grow-out test period. Genetic correlations among survival traits in the grow-out tests were moderate to high, and the closer the times were between estimates, the higher were their genetic correlations. In contrast, genetic correlations between both survival traits and body weight were low but positive. Here we provide the first report of the trajectory of heritability estimates for survival traits across time in aquaculture. Results will be useful for developing robust improved white-leg shrimp culture strains in selective breeding programs based on field survival data.

To investigate the effects of dietary carbohydrate/lipid (CHO: L) ratios on non-specific immune responses, antioxidant capacity, and expression of TLR-MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway-related genes of red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). Four isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets containing different CHO: L ratios were formulated. The results showed that the group with a CHO: L ratio of 5.94 had better growth performance (P 0.05). The highest T-AOC, CAT, and SOD activities and the lowest MDA content in hemolymph and hepatopancreas were observed in the group with a CHO: L ratio of 5.94 (P 0.05). The lowest activities of ALT, AST, ACP, AKP, and ALB in the hemolymph were observed in CHO: L ratio 5.94 group (P 0.05), while the highest LZM activity, TP, and GLB content were observed in CHO: L 5.94 group (P 0.05). The highest mRNA expression levels of tlr3, myd88, and mapk3, and the lowest mRNA expression levels of nf-kb α, nf-kb β, nf-kb p105, and traf6 were observed in the CHO: L of 5.94 group (P 0.05). The highest mRNA expression levels of immune-related genes were observed in the CHO: L of 5.94 group (P 0.05). Overall, these results indicated that the optimum dietary CHO: L ratio is vital in promoting growth and enhancing antioxidants and immunity to maintain red swamp crayfish's intestinal and hepatopancreas health status. In conclusion, the diets with a CHO:L ratio of 5.94 (approximately 36.23% carbohydrate and 6.10% lipid) is optimal for juvenile red swamp crayfish's physiological condition and health status.

To reveal the impact of dietary fiber (DF) on the bile acid (BA) profiles of fish, yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) were fed diet containing 300 g kg-1 dextrin (CON diet, control) or pectin (a type of soluble DF, PEC diet) for 7 days, and then the BA profiles were analyzed by UHPLC-MS/MS. A total of 26 individuals of BAs were detected in the fish body, with 8, 10, 14, and 22 individuals of BAs were detected in the liver, serum, bile and hindgut digesta, respectively. The conjugated BAs (CBAs) of fish were dominated by taurine-CBAs (TCBAs). The concentrations of free BAs (FBAs) and the values of FBAs/CBAs in the bile of fish fed the PEC diet were nearly 5 and 7 times higher, respectively, than those in fish fed the CON diet. The values of glycine-CBAs/TCBAs in the liver, serum and bile of fish fed the PEC diet were significantly lower, and in the hindgut digesta was higher than that of fish fed the CON diet (P Pelteobagrus fulvidraco, attributed to inhibition of reabsorption of BAs. Therefore, attention should be paid to the impact to BA homeostasis when replacing fishmeal with DF-rich plant ingredients in the fish diet.

Xylan is one of the main non‐starch polysaccharides (NSPs) in cottonseed meal. This study aimed to evaluate the anti‐nutrition effect of xylan and to better understand cottonseed meal as a feed ingredient for the Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis. A diet containing 280 g/kg fishmeal without cottonseed meal or xylan was formulated as a control (FM diet). A second diet (XYL diet) was supplemented with 53.3 g/kg xylan according to its amount in the third diet, the cottonseed meal diet (CSM diet), which was formulated to include 400 g/kg cottonseed meal. The last diet (CSM + XYLase diet) included 400 g/kg xylanase hydrolysed cottonseed meal, in which most xylan was hydrolysed. Diets were isonitrogenous (370 g/kg crude protein) and isoenergetic (17.58 KJ/g) and were randomly fed to 12 tanks of crabs for 8 weeks. Results showed that no difference was detected among groups in growth performance, serum biochemical index, or digestive and metabolism enzyme activity (p > 0.05). The apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of dry matter was FM > XYL > CSM + XYLase > CSM (p

The present study aims to assess the anti‐nutritional effect of pectin and to better understand rapeseed meal (RSM) as a feed ingredient for Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis. A semipurified diet containing 280 g/kg fish meal was formulated as a control diet (DF). A second diet (DP) was supplemented with 26.7 g/kg pectin; the amount was estimated to be equal to that in the third diet (DR), which was formulated to include 400 g/kg RSM. Another diet (DRPₐₛₑ) was supplemented with 12 g/kg pectinase based on DR in which pectin was degraded by pectinase. The diets were randomly fed to twelve tanks of the crab for 8 weeks. Compared with the crabs fed DF, the specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of dry matter and protein, activity of aspartate transaminase (AST) and trypsin (TP), and high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) in the serum decreased significantly in the crabs fed DR; the ADC of dry matter, activity of AST and serum HDL decreased significantly in the crabs fed Dₚ, but they were higher than in the crabs fed DR. Compared with the crabs fed DR, the ADC of dry matter, activity of AST and TP, and serum HDL increased significantly in the crabs fed DRPₐₛₑ. The mRNA expression activity of both Es‐pl44 and Es‐pp1 was DF < DP < DRPₐₛₑ < DR. These results indicate that pectin contributed to low utilization of RSM in Chinese mitten crab.

Seed production can be improved if genetic selection is applied to key reproductive traits when a substantial amount additive genetic variation is present that can be exploited in a selective breeding program. Despite the commercial importance of reproductive traits to the seed production sector currently, few quantitative genetic studies have been conducted to address these traits in farmed penaeid shrimp culture lines. Here, we investigated genetic parameters for a number of key reproductive traits that directly impact nauplii production in Pacific white shrimp (P. vannamei) hatcheries in China. Our objectives were to determine the additive genetic variance associated with reproductive traits, and to anticipate any potential impacts on reproductive performance when selecting for increased body weight by assessing genetic correlations between post-spawning body weight and specific female reproductive traits. Data were collected on 595 females from 78 full-sib families over 30 days, with a total of 1,113 spawning events recorded. Traits studied included: body weight after spawning (WAS), number of eggs per spawn (NE), number of nauplii per spawn (NN), egg hatching rate per spawn (HR), number of eggs produced relative to female weight (g) (FE), and spawn frequency over 30 days (SF). Estimated heritability was high for WAS (h2 = 0.64 ± 0.10) and moderate for NE (0.26 ± 0.07), NN (0.18 ± 0.06), and SF (0.15 ± 0.06), respectively. In contrast, h2 for HR (0.04 ± 0.03) and FE (0.05 ± 0.04) were low. The genetic correlations between growth trait (WAS) with NE, NN and SF were 0.93 ± 0.10, 0.84 ± 0.10, and 0.57 ± 0.18, respectively. While the genetic correlation between WAS and HR was low (0.02 ± 0.33), a negative genetic correlation was found between WAS and FE (−0.50 ± 0.27). Overall, we concluded that it is possible to improve the key female reproductive traits (i.e. NE, NN, and SF) in cultured white shrimp lines via genetic selection, but not for HR or FE. The genetic relationship between the growth trait and reproductive traits predicts that selection on fast growth would increase the production in the seed sector, with little or no compromise on the eggs quality.

The inorganic hydrated salt has a potential application in thermal energy management as the phase change material. High thermal response rate and high thermal energy storage are the needs for the application. In order to prevent the leakage of inorganic hydrated salt, which is usually encapsulated in a porous matrix. Expanded graphite has been demonstrated as the effective matrix for phase change materials to ensure a high thermal response rate. In this work, modified expanded graphite proceeded with hydrophilic modification by forming SiO2 with different sizes and Na2HPO4·12H2O was encapsulated into the modified expanded graphite pores. Thermal energy storage mainly depends on the encapsulation ratio of phase change materials. This rule was confirmed by the porosity test and X-ray diffraction characterization. SiO2 particles and salt hydrates in pores of the modified expanded graphite were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The high latent heat of the composite phase change material reaches 224 J/g.

The peritrophic membrane (PM) is located in the gut of most insects and protects them from invasion by pathogens or toxins ingested during feeding. Peritrophins are a principal component of the PM and contribute to the structure and function of the PM. The PM has also been observed in the gastrointestinal tract of the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis). In this study, full‐length cDNA sequences of two PM genes from E. sinensis were obtained, namely, Es‐peritrophin1 and Es‐peritrophin2, which were 855 bp and 1,611 bp respectively. The deduced proteins were composed of 267 and 468 amino acids and contained 3 and 1 chitin binding domains respectively. Both Es‐peritrophin1 and Es‐peritrophin2 contained a signal peptide sequence at the N terminus, indicating that both proteins were secretory proteins. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Es‐peritrophin1 and Es‐peritrophin2 were divided into the CPAP3‐B and CPAP1‐H branches respectively. Nevertheless, sequence alignment demonstrated that they had lower homology to other known PMs, indicating they were two novel peritrophins. Quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR) analysis showed that both the Es‐peritrophin1 and Es‐peritrophin2 transcript levels were high in the stomach and hindgut and lower in the midgut, indicating that the PM might be assembled locally in E. sinensis. The expression of Es‐peritrophin1 and Es‐peritrophin2 was downregulated by high‐pH stress and Aeromonas hydrophila challenge in the examined tissues except in the hindgut, where the expression of both genes was upregulated by A. hydrophila challenge. These results indicated that Es‐peritrophin1 and Es‐peritrophin2 are two novel peritrophin genes related to immune defence in E. sinensis.

Highlights • Despite the most important role of Penaeus vannamei in shrimp aquaculture, population genetics information for broodstock from either domesticated or wild population is limited; in this paper we report on genetic (microsatellite) variation for this important culture species captured in 36 Chinese breeding lines from 22 hatcheries which is the most comprehensive sampling design to our knowledge. • Microsatellite data analysis successfully resolved different origins of P. vannamei culture stocks used in China that resulted in the detection of four lineages with genetically diverse origins. • Results of the analysis here has provided the foundation and guidelines to develop a base line for genetic improvement program with optimal levels of genetic variation and a relatively low inbreeding coefficient. • We believe that the data presented here clearly demonstrate the utility of accessing genetic resources from a variety of sources (particularly when natural populations are not available) and show this as a viable and necessary first step for developing a base population for pursuing subsequent genetic improvement in alien aquaculture species. Abstract Knowledge about the origins and relative levels of genetic variation available in domesticated strains can be used to develop robust synthetic populations for use in stock improvement programs, in particular, where wild stocks are unavailable or the target species is alien. Here, we undertook a case study of Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) where we utilised neutral molecular genetic variation data, population structure, and genetic relatedness as an initial step towards producing a base line for a long-term family-selection breeding program in China. The objective was to capture and maximise genetic variation in the base population while at the same-time to control inbreeding levels. Genetic diversity in 1162 individuals from 36 breeding lines sourced from 22 hatcheries with domesticated broodstock available in China was assessed using seven microsatellite loci. Genetic diversity levels in the sampled lines were considered to be healthy, with a mean number of alleles (A) 5.85, ranging from 4.00 in B4 to 12.43 in T1, and mean allelic richness (Ar) 4.46, ranging from 3.35 in B4 to 6.69 in T1 breeds. Mean inbreeding coefficient (Fis) was 0.07 among the 36 lines indicating acceptable levels of inbreeding. Genetic differentiation between lines from different hatcheries was moderate, with a mean FST estimate of 0.09 among all pairs of hatchery lines. Bayesian assignment and phylogenetic analyses indicated that hatchery lines in China could be broadly divided into four groups: i) a line from North America (NA1), originally sourced from Mexico (north Sinaloa) and Ecuador, ii) two representatives of the Kona line developed in Hawaii (Oceanic Institute) (NA2,3), iii) a line developed in Thailand (Southeast Asia 1 (SA1)), and iv) a mixed group containing stocks that originated in Latin America (predominantly from Panama and Colombia) (LA; SA2; CN1,2; NA4,5). From these data, we argue that a complete 4 × 4 diallel cross (16 crosses) of the four subpopulations should be trialled in China to develop a base line for a family selection breeding program with optimal levels of genetic variation and a relatively low inbreeding coefficient.

The leakage of Na2HPO4•12H2O phase-change materials (PCMs) in the liquid state can be prevented by encapsulating them into porous expanded vermiculite (EV) to prepare composite PCMs. The main issues of EV-based composite PCMs are the low thermal conductivity and the crystal water loss of inorganic hydrated salt. Graphene oxide (GO) can help enhance the thermal conductivity of composite PCMs and firmly adsorb water molecules through oxygen groups. The composite orders of GO play an important role in adjusting the thermal properties of composite PCMs because the suitable positions of GO in the stratified structure of EVs would positively influence the PCMs. The Na2HPO4•12H2O/EV composite with GO was prepared in three different orders. Compared with the common method that involves compositing GO in Na2HPO4•12H2O, compositing GO on the hole wall of the EV exhibited a higher thermal conductivity of 0.54 W/m•K and compositing GO out of Na2HPO4•12H2O/EV exhibited better thermal stability, which incurred a weight loss of 4.14% at a high temperature. A thermal energy storage behaviour analysis indicated that GO-modified PCMs show a large heat storage capacity (melting process: 98–126 J/g; solidification process: 56–91 J/g). Two new composite orders positively affected the heat storage of the composite PCMs.

A base population containing broad genetic variation provides a fundamental resource for a successful genetic improvement program. Here, we assess quantitative data on growth traits taken from the base population of Pacific white shrimp. Body weight was scored at two ages (BW1 and BW2) from 2752 and 2452 individuals, representing 89 full-sib families. Estimated heritabilities (h2 ± SE) for BW1, BW2 and survival (S) were 0.52 ± 0.09, 0.44 ± 0.07, and 0.01 ± 0.02, respectively. The genetic correlation between growth traits (BW1 and BW2) was 0.95, a result significantly different from zero. Genetic correlations between survival and body weight were low however, 0.26 (S vs BW1) and 0.18 (S vs BW2), respectively. The SA_1 strain from South Asia showed the best performance for both growth rate and survival in the test tank systems. High heritability estimates for growth traits confirm that a substantial component of additive genetic variance is available for growth in our L. vannamei culture line families in China prior to imposing genetic selection to improve relative productivity.

Green liver syndrome and hepatic steatosis, named “hepatobiliary syndrome” (HBS) in China, was found to appear in fish fed diets with high levels of plant ingredients. Plant ingredients are rich in non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs), and this study was conducted to explore the induction of NSPs on HBS with yellow catfish, Pelteobagrus fulvidraco, as a model fish. Pectin, an important soluble NSP in plant feedstuffs, was included in diets at 0 (FM), 10 g kg−1 (PEC1), 50 g kg−1 (PEC5), 150 g kg−1 (PEC15), and 300 g kg−1 (PEC30), respectively. Fish with an initial mean weight of 9.65 ± 0.08 g were fed the above diets for 56 days. Interval sampling was conducted at 2, 7, 14, 28, and 56 days in fish fed the PEC30 and FM diets. The results showed that in fish fed PEC30 diet, green liver syndrome occurred after 2 days and peaked after 7 days, when the tosstal bile acids (TBA) in the serum and liver were 80 and 3 times higher, respectively, than in fish fed the FM diet. The green liver syndrome was not observed after 28 and 56 days, and the color of the bile became light after 28 days and colorless after 56 days. The expression of LXRa, CYP7A1, and NTCP was upregulated, and CYP8B1 was downregulated in the liver after 7 days, and all these genes were expressed weakly and had much lower expression levels than in fish fed the FM diet after 56 days (P

Non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) are important anti-nutritional factors in plant by-product sources, and the adverse impact of high doses of NSPs on fish physiology has not received sufficient attention. A feeding trial was conducted to investigate the physiological effects of high dietary pectin and cellulose, two NSPs with different water solubilities, on the yellow catfish, Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. A diet with 300 g kg−1 dextrin was used as the control (CON diet). In test diets, dextrin was replaced with 300 g kg−1 pectin (PEC diet), cellulose (CEL diet), or a mixture of pectin and cellulose (1:1, MPC diet). Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of juvenile yellow catfish (5.80 ± 0.20 g). Fish were fed twice daily to apparent satiation for 8 weeks. The growth performance, apparent digestibility coefficients, hepatosomatic index, serum concentration of triglycerides, total cholesterol, total protein, albumin, seroglobulin and the activities of alkaline phosphatase and cholinesterase were significantly decreased in fish fed the PEC diet compared with those in fish fed the CON diet (P