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Hong Kong oyster (Crassostrea hongkongensis) is one of the main species of economic shellfish cultivated in the coastal areas of southern China. The cultivation of this shellfish may be adversely impacted by Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a harmful pathogenic bacterium for many mariculture species, as it usually exists on the surface of Hong Kong oysters. Although previous studies have discovered that oysters rely on non-specific immune system to fight pathogen invasion, the genes corresponding to the complex immune system against Vibrio is still not fully elucidated. Therefore, we conducted a transcriptome analysis on the gill from Hong Kong oysters at two time points (i.e., 12 h and 24 h after V. parahaemolyticus or PBS challenge) to identify potential immune genes against V. parahaemolyticus infection. A total of 61779 unigenes with the average length of 1221 bp were obtained, and the annotation information of 39917 unigenes were obtained from Nr, SwissProt, KEGG and COG/KOG. After a pairwise comparison between V. parahaemolyticus or PBS challenge at the two time points, three groups of differentially expressed genes induced by V. parahaemolyticus were captured and analyzed. GO and KEGG analyses showed that multiple immune-related genes played an important role in pathogen infection, including HSP70, PCDP3 and TLR4. Furthermore, genes annotation indicated that LITAF, TNFSF10, Duox2 and big defensin family are also involved in immune regulation. Our study provides a reference for further exploration the molecular mechanism that defenses the pathogen infection regarding the identified immune-related genes in Hong Kong oysters.

Land use and cover change (LUCC) has a non-negligible impact on both carbon emissions and carbon sinks. Based on the analysis of land use dynamics in Shandong Province, this study simulates land use changes in Shandong Province in 2030 under the Natural Development Scenario (NDS) and Sustainable Development Scenario (SDS), classifies the risk level of carbon emissions in Shandong Province using the Land Use Carbon Emission (LUCE) risk indexes, and compares the differences between the risk level regions under NDS and SDS. This study shows that under the influence of LUCC, the carbon emissions in Shandong province increased significantly, from 90.5591 million tons in 2000 to 493.538 million tons in 2020, with urban land being the main source of carbon emissions, which increased from 90.0757 million tons in 2000 to 490.139 million tons in 2020. The main source of the increase in urban land was cropland. The LUCE was positively correlated with urban land area. The LUCE of SDS was 7.2423 million tons less than that of NDS. From 2000 to 2020, the risk areas of LUCE in Shandong province were mainly no-risk and mild-risk areas. The number of moderate-risk areas and high-risk areas of SDS was less than that of NDS. The rational organization of land use is important for Shandong Province to achieve low-carbon development.

Current evidence suggests that liver fibrosis is reversible even at late stages. Pyroptosis is reportedly regulated by classical and non-classical pathways and is also involved in the activation of the human hepatic stellate cell line LX2. This study sought to identify regulatory pathways that pyroptosis of HSC during AngII-ROS-induced HSC activation and provides novel insights for anti-fibrosis therapy by targeting HSC.All experiments were conducted in HSC-LX2. The expressions of α-SMA, NLRP3, Caspases-1, -4, -5, ASC and GSDMD-N were detected in HSC-LX2 cells induced with AngII by Western blot and qRT-PCR. CCK8 was used to detect cell proliferation and activity. 2'-7'dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) was used to measure ROS generation. An LDH assay kit was used to detect LDH released from damaged cells, and ELISA was used to quantify IL-18 and IL-1β levels.After AngII stimulation, HSC-LX2 cell viability, ROS, LDH, IL-18, and IL-1β were increased compared with Control group. At the same time, the protein and mRNA levels of α-SMA, NLRP3, Caspases-1, -4, -5, ASC and GSDMD-N were increased. In addition, after NAC and NSA treatment, LDH, IL-18 and IL-1β levels and the protein and mRNA expression of α-SMA, Caspases-4 and -5, and GSDMD-N were decreased.HSC-LX2 pyroptosis induced by AngII-ROS is mediated by the classical pathway involving NLRP3/Caspase-1 and the non-classical pathway involving Caspases-4 and -5. Our results provide compelling evidence that AngII could activate Caspases-4 and -5 by producing ROS.

Meng, Zhijun, Huan Gao, Tao Li, Peng Ge, Yixiao Xu, and Binghong Gao. Effects of eight weeks altitude training on the aerobic capacity and microcirculation function in trained rowers. High Alt Med ...

Bacteria play an important role in preventing algal blooms and reducing their harm to the environment. To improve the algicidal activity of Pseudoalteromonas SP48 which had an inhibition effect on dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense, its growth medium and fermentation conditions were optimized for this bacterium. In this study, we used two steps to establish the optimum conditions. First, the proper proportion of medium was selected based on an orthogonal design. Then, the fermentation conditions were further optimized through uniform design in an enlarged 5L bioreactor. To test the algicidal ability of Pseudoalteromonas SP48 under the optimum conditions, algal cell morphology was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). After the orthogonal design, we found that the optimum medium was [0.7% (m/v) tryptone, 0.2% (m/v) soluble starch, 0.2% (m/v) sucrose, 0.1% (m/v) FeSO 4, and 1.2% (m/v) K2 HPO 4] for Pseudoalteromonas SP48 growth. Based on these results, optimum fermentation conditions were further explored in a 5L fermentation cylinder using a uniform design; the influence of variables such as incubation time, carbon type, and rotation speed were tested. The optimal fermentation conditions were fermentation time (42 hr), tryptone (1.1%), seeding volume (1.4 × 1013 cells), and rotation speed (250 r/min). Under these established optimum conditions, the biomass of strain SP48 increased by 79.2% and its lethal dose 50% (LD 50) decreased by 54.0%, respectively. The TEM results showed that compared with the control group, the cell wall and cell membrane of A. tamarense were significantly damaged, and the structure and shape of the organelles were destroyed by algicidal bacteria of Pseudoalteromonas SP48. Overall, our results demonstrate that the optimized culture conditions could significantly enhance the algicidal activity of Pseudoalteromonas SP48 against a harmful dinoflagellate, such as A. tamarense. It will effectively provide a scientific foundation for both production of algicidal substances and HABs control.

The feasibility of a new sludge treatment technology of earthworm constructed wetlands was tested by adding earthworm into the traditional sludge dying reed beds. The dewatering and stabilization effects of the upper layer sludge were tested under different sludge loading rates of 48, 65, 80 kg·(m

The transfer and transformation of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) from scallop Chlamys nobilis to spiny lobster Panulirus stimpsoni were investigated in the present study. The results demonstrate that transfer and transformation of PSP toxins occurred when Panulirus stimpsoni were fed with toxic viscera of Chlamys nobilis, but depurated with non-toxic squids. Additionally, only the lobster hepatopancreas were found to contain PSP, and the toxin profiles were the same with those in the viscera of the scallop, including carbamate toxins (GTX(1-3)), N-sulfocarbamoyl toxins (C(1+2) and B(1)) and decarbamoyl toxins (dcGTX(2+3)). Unlike the lobster, the scallop contained more alpha than beta toxins. After being fed with toxic Chlamys nobili for 6 d, Panulirus stimpsoni selectively accumulated N-sulfocarbamoyl toxins with low toxicity. However, when they were depurated with non-toxic squid, N-sulfocarbamoyl toxins tended to transform into carbamate toxins with higher toxicity. The concentration of dcGTX(2+3) in Panulirus stimpsoni decreased significantly and wasn't detectable after depuration for 6 d, which was likely due to their initial low accumulation of toxins. These results reveal that PSP could be transferred and transformed in Crustaceans along the given food chain under the conditions of laboratory, but there are many questions remained to be solved, and the further studies should be carried out.

To investigate the changes of the endogenous hydrogen sulfide(H2S) system in pulmonary hypertension induced by hypoxic hypercapnia (HHPH) in rats and approach the possible mechanisms.20 SD rats were randomly divided into control group (C) and hypoxic hypercapnia group (HH) (n=10). The changes of hemodynamics and the right ventricle/left ventricle + septum (RV/LV + SP) were measured. The ratio of vessel wall area and total area (WA/TA) of arteriae pulmonalis were observed under lightmicroscope. By using TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and immunocytochemistry techniques, apoptosis index (AI) and expression of Bcl-2, Bax protein in arteriae pulmonalis were tested. Plasma level of H2S and activity of H2S generating enzymes in homogenates of rat lung tissue were evaluated by sensitive modified sulfide electrode method. Cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE) mRNA in lung tissues was determined by RT-PCR.The level of mean pulmonary arterial pressure(mPAP), WA/TA and RV/LV + SP were significantly higher in HH group than those in C group (P0.05 or P0.01). Compared with those in C group, the AI of arteriae pulmonalis in HH group were significantly lower; the expression of Bcl-2 protein increased while that of Bax protein decreased, and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 went up obviously (all P0.01). Plasma level of H2S, the activity of H2S generating enzymes and CSE mRNA in HH group were significantly lower than those in C group (all P0.01). Plasma level of H2S, the activity of H2S generating enzymes, CSE mRNA each was closely positively related to Al while inversely related to mPAP and Bcl-2/Bax (all P0.01).The endogenous hydrogen sulfide system is closely related to pulmonary hypertension induced by hypoxic hypercapnia. The depression of the H2S/CSE system in HHPH may help increase the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax, inhibit apoptosis of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells and finally result in the formation of pulmonary hypertension.

To investigate protective effects of polydatin(PD) during lung ischemia/reperfusion in rabbits and its potential mechanisms.Rabbit lung model of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury was constituted in vivo. Thirty rabbits were divided into groups randomly: Control (C), I/R, PD group, respectively. Endotoxin (ET) in plasma was analyzed by End-point Chromogenic Assay, the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) mRNA, nuclear factor (NF)-kappaBp65 mRNA, intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) mRNA were measured by RT-PCR, the morphological changes of lung tissue were observed with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining.There was no significant difference in ET concentration of plasma between groups (all of P0.05). The expression of TLR-4 mRNA, NF-kappaBp65 mRNA and ICAM-1mRNA in I/R group were significantly increased as compared to C group and PD group, while those expressions in PD group were evidently higher than those in C group (all of P0.01). Light microscope showed that the lung pathological injuries in PD group were obviously alleviated as compared to I/R group.PD might have a protective effect on lung ischemia/reperfusion injury by down-regulating TLR4 and NF-kappaB expression, then inhibiting the release of mediators of inflammation as ICAM-1.

To investigate the relationship between the left ventricular function and the expression of P-selectin in the serum and cardiac muscle in hemorrhagic shock resuscitation, and to evaluate the effects of L-arginine (L-Arg) against the harmful effect of P-selectin.Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into 3 equal groups: hemorrhagic shock resuscitation (HS) group (undergoing bloodletting until the mean arterial pressure of 40 mm Hg and then re-infusion of the lost blood), L-Arg treatment group (undergoing bloodletting and then re-infusion with L-Arg simultaneously), and normal control (NC) group (undergoing infusion of normal saline). Cannulation was conducted via left carotid artery into the left ventricular to record left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), and left ventricular +/- dp/dtmax. Serum creatine kinase (CK) was detected by colorimetry. Three hours after the HS the rats were killed with samples of blood and apex of heart collected to detect the P-selectin expression by ELISA and immunohistochemistry. Microscopy was used to observe the expression of P-selectin in the vascular endothelial cells and cardiac muscle cells.The LVSP, maximal rate of LV pressure elevation (+ dp/dtmax), and maximal rate of LV pressure depression (- dp/dtmax) of the HS and L-Arg groups were all significantly lower than those of the NC group (all P0.01). The LVEDP of the HS and L-Arg groups were all higher than that of the NC group (both P0.01). Three hours after resuscitation, the CK levels of the HS and L-Arg groups were significantly higher than that of the NC group (both P0.01), and that of the L-Arg groups was significantly lower than that of the HS group (P0.05), the P-selectin levels of the serum and cardiac muscle cells of the HS and L-Arg groups were all significantly higher than those of the NC group (both P0.01), and those of the L-Arg group were significantly lower than those of the HS group (both P0.05).After hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation P-selectin may play an important role in cardiac injury, L-Arg can inhibit the expression of P-selectin, thus protecting the cardiac function against the harmful effect of P-selectin.

The dynamic transmission and transformation of paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) from the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense to the cladoceran Moina mongolica and subsequently to the larvae of the fish Sciaenops ocellatus were investigated under laboratory conditions. The results showed that PSTs could be transferred to S. ocellatus when they preyed on PST-containing M. mongolica . During the experimental period, A. tamarense , M. mongolica and the digestive glands of the fish larvae contained C 1/2 toxins, and the viscera of S. ocellatus contained neoSTX. The proportion of β toxin (C 2 ) in C 1+2 toxins increased when PSTs were transferred from A. tamarense to M. mongolica , but in the subsequent transfer from M. mongolica to S. ocellatus the proportion of α toxin (C 1 ) increased. During depuration, the contents of C 1 and C 2 toxins in fish larvae decreased with the duration of depuration, but neoSTX remained relatively constant. The present results indicated that, using a cladoceran as the vector, PSTs can be transferred from toxic algae to a high trophic level fish and metabolized in the fish. Future work should address the metabolic characteristics of PSTs in cladocerans and the end result when they are transferred to fishes.