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Zearalenone (ZEN) contamination in cereals poses a serious threat to human and animal health, yet existing rapid test methods still suffer from poor stability and low sensitivity. The studied sensor reduces inspection time while enabling applications for on-site grain inspection. Specifically, a ZEN detector that can sensitively detect ZEN content in grains was developed. Ion implantation is an effective method for modifying screen-printed electrodes (SPEs). Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs; 5–10 nm) were uniformly implanted using screen-printed electrodes as a catalytic oxidation medium to generate an electrochemical sensor. The surface structure of the modified electrode was characterized using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results showed that differential pulse voltammetry had good linear electrochemical response to ZEN at 10 ng/kg to 10 mg/kg, with a detection limit of 1.1 ng/kg. We used AuNP-SPE sensors to detect ZEN in grain samples such as maize and oats.

Knowledge regarding the combined toxicity mechanism of bisphenol compounds and microplastics (MPs) on organisms remains limited. In this study, we first developed an accurate and sensitive method to simultaneously quantify two bisphenol compounds and evaluate their accumulation and tissue distribution after co-exposure with MPs in zebrafish. Then, we determined the bioaccumulation potential of bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol S (BPS) in adult zebrafish in the absence and presence of MPs. Bisphenol compounds were found to accumulate in different tissues of zebrafish, with BPS showing lower accumulation levels compared to BPA. Importantly, we discovered that the presence of MPs could exacerbate the accumulation of bisphenol compounds in biological tissues. These findings highlight the enhanced bioavailability and risk posed by the co-exposure of bisphenol compounds and MPs, underscoring the need for further investigation into their combined environmental and biological health impacts.

A wide range of research has illustrated that carotenoids play a key role in human health through their versatile beneficial biological functions. Traditionally, the majority dietary sources of carotenoids for humans are obtained from vegetables and fruits, however, the contribution of animal-derived foods has attracted more interest in recent years. Livestock products such as eggs, meat, and milk have been considered as the appropriate and unique carriers for the deposition of carotenoids. In addition, with the enrichment of carotenoids, the nutritional quality of these animal-origin foods would be improved as well as the economic value. Here, we offer an overview covering aspects including the physicochemical properties of carotenoids, the situation of carotenoids fortified in livestock products, and the pathways that lead to the deposition of carotenoids in livestock products. The summary of these important nutrients in livestock products will provide references for animal husbandry and human health.

The emergence of safe and functional eggs for consumer acceptance has gained focus. The production of carotenoid-enriched eggs has received attention due to its multifunctional biological properties. Nutritional modification of laying hens’ diet can be a strategy to produce such eggs. This review presents the chemistry of carotenoids in nature and eggs, the accumulation process of carotenoids into eggs, and the functions of carotenoids in eggs. Our findings showed that carotenoids can be deposited into the egg and contribute to improving its nutritive value. The biosynthesis, chemical structure, and metabolism pathways of carotenoids lead to the deposition of carotenoids into eggs in their original or metabolized forms. Also, some factors modulate the efficiency of carotenoids in fowls before accumulation into eggs. Carotenoid-enriched eggs may be promising, ensuring the availability of highly nutritive eggs. However, further studies are still needed to comprehend the full metabolism process and the extensive functions of carotenoids in eggs.

ABSTRACT: In this study, we evaluated the enrichment efficiency of lutein in eggs and its function in preventing fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS) in aged laying hens. Five groups of laying hens (65 wk old) were fed basal diets supplemented with 0, 30, 60, 90, or 120 mg/kg of lutein. The supplementation period lasted 12 wk followed by 2 wk of lutein depletion in feed. The results revealed that lutein efficiently enriched the egg yolks and improved their color with a significant increase in relative redness (P < 0.001). Lutein accumulation increased in the egg yolk until day 10, then depletion reached a minimum level after 14 d. Overall, zeaxanthin content in all the groups was similar throughout the experimental period. However, triglycerides and total cholesterol were significantly decreased in the liver (P < 0.05) but not significantly different in the serum (P > 0.05). In the serum, the lipid metabolism enzyme acetyl-CoA synthetase was significantly reduced (P < 0.05), whereas dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 was not significantly different (P > 0.05), and there was no statistical difference of either enzyme in the liver (P > 0.05). Regarding oxidation and inflammation-related indexes, malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factors alpha, interleukin-6, and interleukin-1 beta were decreased, whereas superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity increased in the liver (P < 0.001). The function of lutein for the same indexes in serum was limited. It was concluded that lutein efficiently enriched the egg yolk of old laying hens to improve their color and reached the highest level on day 10 without being subject to a significant conversion into zeaxanthin. At the same time, lutein prevented liver steatosis in aged laying hens by exerting strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions, but also through the modulation of lipid metabolism, which may contribute to reducing the incidence of FLHS in poultry.

Oxidative stress causes gut dysfunction and is a contributing factor in several intestinal disorders. Intestinal epithelial cell survival is essential for maintaining human and animal health under oxidative stress. 18beta-Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) is known to have multiple beneficial effects, including antioxidant activity; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms have not been well established. Thus, the present study evaluated the therapeutic effects of GA on H2O2-induced oxidative stress in intestinal porcine epithelial cells. The results showed that pretreatment with GA (100 nM for 16 h) significantly increased the levels of several antioxidant enzymes and reduced corresponding intracellular levels of reactive oxidative species and malondialdehyde. GA inhibited cell apoptosis via activating the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway, as confirmed by RNA sequencing. Further analyses demonstrated that GA upregulated the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt and the protein level of B cell lymphoma 2, whereas it downregulated Cytochrome c and tumor suppressor protein p53 levels. Moreover, molecular docking analysis predicted the binding of GA to Vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor 1, a primary membrane receptor, to activate the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Collectively, these results revealed that GA protected against H2O2-induced oxidative damage and cell apoptosis via activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, suggesting the potential therapeutic use of GA to alleviate oxidative stress in humans/animals.

Silkie chicken, an important chicken breed with high medicinal and nutritional value, has a long history of being used as a dietary supplement in China. However, the compounds with health-promoting effects in Silkie chickens remain unclear. In the present study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of metabolic and lipidomic profiles to identify the characteristic bioactive compounds in Silkie chickens, using a common chicken breed as control. The results showed that the levels of 13 metabolites including estradiol, four lipid subclasses including cardiolipin (CL), eight lipid molecules, and three fatty acids including docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6) were significantly increased in Silkie chickens, which have physiological activities such as resisting chronic diseases and improving cognition. These characteristic bioactive compounds have effects on meat quality characteristics, including improving its water-holding capacity and umami taste and increasing the content of aromatic compounds and phenols. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the two chicken breeds revealed the regulatory network for these characteristic bioactive compounds. Fifteen DEGs, including HSD17B1, are involved in the synthesis of characteristic metabolites. Eleven DEGs, including ELOVL2, were involved in the synthesis and transport of characteristic lipids and fatty acids. In summary, we identified characteristic bioactive compounds in Silkie chickens, and analyzed their effects on meat quality characteristics. This study provided important insight into Silkie chicken meat as a functional food.

ABSTRACT: β-Carotene, because it is the precursor of vitamin A and has versatile biological roles, has been applied as a feed additive in the poultry industry for a long time. In this study, we investigated the deposition and bioconversion of β-carotene in laying hens. A total of 600 Hy-line brown laying hens at 40 wk of age were randomly divided into 5 dietary treatments, each group's dietary supplemental levels of β-carotene were 0, 15, 30, 60, 120 mg/kg feed, and the vitamin A levels were all 8,000 IU/kg. After 14-wk trial, samples were collected, then carotenoids and different forms of vitamin A were detected using the novel method developed by our laboratory. We found that dietary β-carotene treatment had no significant effects on laying hens’ production performance and egg quality (P > 0.05), except the yolk color. The deposition of β-carotene in the body gradually increased (P < 0.01) with the supplemental dose, whereas the contents of lutein and zeaxanthin decreased (P < 0.05). When the β-carotene supplemental level was above 30 mg/kg in the diet, the different forms of vitamin A in in serum, liver, ovary, and yolks were increased compared to the control group (P < 0.05). However, these indicators decreased when the additional dose was 120 mg/kg. Moreover, the mRNA levels of the genes involved in β-carotene absorption, bioconversion, and negative feedback regulation in duodenal mucosa and liver were upregulated after long-term feeding (P < 0.05). Histological staining of the ovaries indicated that the deposition of β-carotene led to a lower rate of follicle atresia (P < 0.05), and this positive effects may be related to the antioxidant function of β-carotene, which caused a reduction of oxidation products in the ovary (P < 0.05). Altogether, β-carotene could accumulate in laying hens intactly and exert its biological functions in tissue. Meanwhile, a part of β-carotene could also be converted into vitamin A but this bioconversion has an upper limit and negative feedback regulation.

Abstract Background Growth-promoting antibiotics have been banned by law in the livestock and poultry breeding industry in many countries. Various alternatives to antibiotics have been investigated for using in livestock. Epimedium (EM) is an herb rich in flavonoids that has many beneficial effects on animals. Therefore, this study was planned to explore the potential of EM as a new alternative antibiotic product in animal feed. Methods A total of 720 1-day-old male broilers (Arbor Acres Plus) were randomly divided into six groups and fed basal diet (normal control; NC), basal diet supplemented with antibiotic (75 mg/kg chlortetracycline; CTC), and basal diet supplemented with 100, 200, 400 or 800 mg/kg EM extract for 6 weeks (EM100, EM200, EM400 and EM800 groups). The growth performance at weeks 3 and 6 was measured. Serum, intestinal tissue and feces were collected to assay for antioxidant indexes, intestinal permeability, lactic acid and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) profiles, microbial composition, and expression of intestinal barrier genes. Results The average daily feed intake in CTC group at 1–21 d was significantly higher than that in the NC group, and had no statistical difference with EM groups. Compared with NC group, average daily gain in CTC and EM200 groups increased significantly at 1–21 and 1–42 d. Compared with NC group, EM200 and EM400 groups had significantly decreased levels of lipopolysaccharide and D-lactic acid in serum throughout the study. The concentrations of lactic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid and SCFAs in feces of birds fed 200 mg/kg EM diet were significantly higher than those fed chlortetracycline. The dietary supplementation of chlortetracycline and 200 mg/kg EM significantly increased ileal expression of SOD1, Claudin-1 and ZO-1 genes. Dietary supplemented with 200 mg/kg EM increased the relative abundances of g_NK4A214_group and Lactobacillus in the jejunal, while the relative abundances of Microbacterium, Kitasatospora, Bacteroides in the jejunal and Gallibacterium in the ileum decreased. Conclusion Supplementation with 200 mg/kg EM extract improved the composition of intestinal microbiota by regulating the core bacterial genus Lactobacillus, and increased the concentration of beneficial metabolites lactic acid and SCFAs in the flora, thereby improving the antioxidant capacity and intestinal permeability, enhancing the function of tight junction proteins. These beneficial effects improved the growth performance of broilers. Graphical Abstract

Clostridium autoethanogenum protein (CAP) is a new single-cell protein source originating from inactivated bacteria. An in vitro digestion experiment and an 8-wk growth experiment were conducted to evaluate the molecular weight distribution of the CAP hydrolysate, and the effects of dietary CAP levels on the growth performance, plasma parameters, hepatic and intestinal health, and the diversity of gut-adherent microbiota of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). The fish (initial body weight of 47.99 ± 0.01 g) were fed diets where CAP gradually replaced 0% (CAP0), 12.5% (CAP12.5), 25% (CAP25), 37.5% (CAP37.5) and 50% (CAP50) of low-temperature steam dried anchovy fish meal (LTFM) in the diet. Results showed that the content of peptides below 1,000 Da in the CAP hydrolysate (0.56 mg/mL) was higher than that of the LTFM hydrolysate (0.48 mg/mL). Dietary CAP inclusion had no negative effect on growth performance, while whole-body lipid content significantly reduced in the CAP25 and CAP50 groups (P

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different protein ingredients on the physical quality of extruded pellets. Five experimental diets were based on five formulations using fish meal (FM), poultry by-product meal (PBM), and three novel protein ingredients, yellow mealworm (YM), Clostridium ethanolic protein (CAP), and Chlorella variabilis (high protein strain, CV), mixed with wheat flour in a 7:3 ratio. The results showed that the CAP had the highest content of water absorption index and the lowest value of crude lipid. The pellets containing CAP had the lowest water solubility while having the highest expansion ratio. The CV had the highest values of crude lipid and pasting properties (peak viscosity and final viscosity). The feed containing CV had the highest hydration time. The PBM had the highest content of crude lipid and produced pellets with the lowest expansion ratio and floatability. The FM and YM had similar physiochemical properties and the qualities of pellets containing both were also similar. The extruded pellets produced with CAP had the highest pore area and porosity, while extruded pellets containing PBM had a smallest pore area and porosity. Furthermore, the pore area and porosity of extruded pellets containing CV were significantly lower than that of the CAP, FM, and YM groups, and had thicker pore wall structures (P

Melanin as a natural pigment widely exists in animals, plants, fungi and bacteria. In vivo and in vitro tests have proven that melanin has a variety of health-promoting effects, such as antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities, hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effect, liver and gastrointestinal tract protection effect. Melanin can be extracted from animal and plant by-products or produced by microbial fermentation, involving five extraction and purification methods, with their own positive and negative aspects. Melanin can be added to a variety of foods as natural colorant and preservative, with high safety and almost no toxicity. This article focuses on melanin’s source classification, health benefits, extraction technology and applications in food products to explore the potential of it as a functional food ingredient.

Suitable protein sources are essential requirements for piglet growth and health. Typically, intestinal microbiota co-develops with the host and impact its physiology, which make it more plastic to dietary protein sources at early stages. However, the effects of fermented soybean meal (FSB) and fish meal (FM) on foregut and hindgut microbiota, and their relationship with nutrient digestion and host health remain unclear. In this study, we identified interactions between ileac and colonic microbiota which were reshaped by FSB and FM, and assessed host digestibility and host health in a piglet model. Eighteen weaned piglets (mean weight = 8.58 ± 0.44 kg) were divided into three dietary treatments, with six replicates/treatment. The level of dietary protein was 16%, with FSB, FM, and a mixture of fermented soybean meal and fish meal (MFSM) applied as protein sources. During days 1–14 and 1–28, diets containing MFSM generated higher piglet body weight and average daily gain, but lower feed to weight gain ratios when compared with the FM diet (P < 0.05). Piglets in MFSM and FM groups had lower apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of crude protein (CP) compared with the FSB group (P < 0.05). Serum immunoglobulins (IgM and IgG) in MFSM and FM groups were significantly higher on day 28, but serum cytokines (interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α) were significantly lower than the FSB group on days 14 and 28 (P < 0.05). When compared with FSB and FM groups, dietary MFSM significantly increased colonic acetic acid and butyric acid levels (P < 0.05). Compared with the FM and MFSM groups, the FSB diet increased the relative abundance of ileac Lactobacillus and f_Lactobacillaceae, which were significant positively correlated with CP ATTD (P < 0.05). Compared with the FSB group, the relative abundance of f_Peptostreptococcaceae and Romboutsia in MFSM or FM groups were increased and were significant positively correlated with total carbohydrate (TC) ATTD (P < 0.05). Piglets fed FSB had higher α-diversity in colonic microbiota when compared with other groups (P < 0.05). The relative abundance of colonic unidentified_Clostridiales and Romboutsia in MFSM and FSB groups were significantly higher than in the FM group (P < 0.05). Dietary MFSM or FM increased the relative abundance of colonic Streptococcaceae and Streptococcus, but decreased the relative abundance of Christensenellaceae when compared with the FSB group (P < 0.05). These bacteria showed a significantly positive correlation with serum cytokine and immunoglobulin levels (P < 0.05). Therefore, dietary FSB improved CP digestibility by increasing the relative abundance of ileac f_Lactobacillaceae and Lactobacillus, while dietary MFSM benefited TC digestibility by increasing f_Peptostreptococcaceae and Romboutsia. Dietary MFSM and FM enhanced immunoglobulin secretion by increasing colonic f_Streptococcaceae and Streptococcus prevalence, while dietary FSB promoted cytokine production by increasing microbiota diversity and Romboutsia and Christensenellaceae. Our data provide a theoretical dietary basis for young animals using plant and animal protein sources.

Epimedium (EM), also known as barrenwort, is a traditional medicinal plant rich in isopentenyl flavonols, which have beneficial biological activities and can improve human and animal health, but its mechanism is still unclear. In this study, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS) were used to analyse the main components of EM, and isopentenyl flavonols such as Epimedin A, B, and C as well as Icariin were the major components of EM. Meanwhile, broilers were selected as model animals to illuminate the mechanism of Epimedium isopentenyl flavonols (EMIE) on gut health. The results showed that supplementation with 200 mg/kg EM improved the immune response, increased cecum short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and lactate concentrations, and improved nutrient digestibility in broilers. In addition, 16S rRNA sequencing showed that EMIE altered the composition of cecal microbiome, increasing the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria (Candidatus Soleaferrea and Lachbospiraceae NC2004 group and Butyricioccus) and reducing that of harmful bacteria (UBA1819, Negativibacillus, and Eisenbergiella). Metabolomic analysis identified 48 differential metabolites, of which Erosnin and Tyrosyl-Tryptophan were identified as core biomarkers. Erosnin and tyrosyl-tryptophan are potential biomarkers to evaluate the effects of EMIE. This shows that EMIE may regulate the cecum microbiota through Butyricicoccus, with changes in the relative abundance of the genera Eisenbergiella and Un. Peptostreptococcaceae affecting the serum metabolite levels of the host. EMIE is an excellent health product, and dietary isopentenyl flavonols, as bioactive components, can improve health by altering the microbiota structure and the plasma metabolite profiles. This study provides the scientific basis for the future application of EM in diets.

Abstract Background α-Tocopherol is one of the most important vitamin E components present in plant. α-Tocopherol is a potent antioxidant, which can deactivate photoproduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and prevent lipids from oxidation when plants suffer drought stress. γ-Tocopherol methyltransferase (γ-TMT) catalyzes the formation of α-tocopherol in the tocopherol biosynthetic pathway. Our previous studies showed that over-expression of γ-TMT gene can increase the accumulation of α-tocopherol in alfalfa (Medicago sativa). However, whether these transgenic plants confer increased drought tolerance and the underlying mechanism are still unknown. Results In the present study, we further evaluate transgenic alfalfa lines, and found that over-expression of MsTMT led to an increase in α-tocopherol and total tocopherol level in the transgenic lines compared with the control plant. It was revealed that drought tolerance of the transgenic alfalfa was remarkably increased, with alleviated oxidative damage and accumulation of more osmolytic substances. The stomatal development in transgenic plants was significantly inhibited on both sides of leaves, which may be resulted from the repression of MsSPCHLESS (MsSPCH) gene. The reduced stomatal density of transgenic plants contributes to a lower stomatal conductance and higher water use efficiency (WUE). Moreover, both RNA-seq and qRT-PCR analyses indicate that regulatory mechanism of MsTMT in drought involved in both ABA-dependent and ABA-independent pathways. Conclusion Our results suggest that MsTMT gene plays a positive role in regulating alfalfa response to PEG-simulated drought stress, which might involve complex mechanisms, including ROS scavenging system, stomatal development and multiple phytohormone signaling pathways. This study will broaden our view on the function of γ-TMT gene and provide new strategy for genetic engineering in alfalfa breeding.

The enantioselective adsorption, degradation, and transformation of flumequine (FLU) enantiomers in sediment were investigated to elucidate the enantioselective environmental behaviors. The results of adsorption test showed that stereoselective differences of FLU enantiomers in sediment samples and the adsorbing capacity of S-(−)-FLU and R-(+)-FLU are higher than the racemate, and the pH values of the sediment determined the adsorption capacity. Enantioselective degradation behaviors were found under nonsterilized conditions and followed pseudo-first-order kinetic. The R-(+)-FLU was preferentially degraded, and there was significant enantioselectivity of the degradation of FLU. It can be concluded that the microorganism was the main reason for the stereoselective degradation in sediments. The physicochemical property of sediments, such as pH value and organic matter content, can affect the degradation rate of FLU. In addition, the process of transformation of FLU enantiomers in water-sediment system had enantioselective behavior, and R-(+)-FLU was preferential transformed. Meanwhile, the main metabolites of FLU in the sediment were decarboxylate and dihydroxylation products. This study contributes the evidence of comprehensively assessing the fate and risk of chiral FLU antibiotic and enantioselective behavior in the environment.

Metabolic fatty liver disease caused by high-starch diet restricted the intensive and sustainable development of carnivorous fish such as largemouth bass. In this study, the combination liver proteomic and lipidomic approach was employed to investigate the key signaling pathways and identify the critical biomarkers of fatty liver in largemouth bass. Joint analysis of the correlated differential proteins and lipids revealed nine common metabolic pathways; it was determined that FABP1 were significantly up-regulated in terms of transporting more triglycerides into the liver, while ABCA1 and VDAC1 proteins were significantly down-regulated in terms of preventing the transport of lipids and cholesterol out of the liver, leading to triglyceride accumulation in hepatocyte, eventually resulting in metabolic fatty liver disease. The results indicate that FABP1, ABCA1 and VDAC1 could be potential biomarkers for treating metabolic fatty liver disease of largemouth bass.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the influence of geographical region and lactation stage on the fatty acid composition, vitamin A content and oxidative stability of milk from Holstein cows and to determine the relationship between milk fat components and milk stability. Fatty acids composition (C10:0, C11:0, C12:0, C13:0, C14:1, C18:0, C18:2 cis-9, trans-11, γ-C18:3, α-C18:3, C20:0, C20:1 and C22:0), vitamin A and oxidative stability were differed between region, but were not affected by stage of lactation. Differences in milk composition could be related to region differences because the use of grass-based forage and altitude condition in four regions. The oxidation stability of milk was closely related to monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and all-trans-retinol. MUFA were negatively correlated with superoxide dismutase (r = −0.207). All-trans-retinol was positively correlated with total antioxidant capacity value (0.208), and negatively correlated with thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (r = −0.265). These findings may be used to assess and improve milk quality of china.

Gluconeogenesis responses was assessed during a short starvation period and subsequent refeeding in Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) previously fed different dietary carbohydrates levels and experienced to a glucose stimuli during early life. The sturgeon larvae were previously fed either a high glucose diet (G) or a low glucose diet (F) from the first feeding to yolk absorption (8 to 12 d post-hatching [dph]). Each group of fish was sub-divided into 2 treatments at 13 dph and was fed either a high-carbohydrate diet (H) or a low carbohydrate diet (L) until 20 wk. In the current study, the fish in 4 groups (GL, FL, GH and FH) were experienced to starvation for 21 d following by re-feeding of their corresponding diets for 21 d. Fish were sampled at postprandial 6 and 24 h before starvation (P6h and P24h), starvation 7, 14 and 21 d (S7, S14 and S21) and 1, 7, 14 and 21 d during refeeding (R1, R7, R14 and R21). Plasma samples during refeeding were taken at P6h at each time point. Glycaemia levels, liver and muscle glycogen contents, activities and mRNA levels of hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes were examined. We found that both dietary carbohydrate levels and early glucose stimuli significantly affected the metabolic responses to starvation and refeeding in Siberian sturgeon (P

A 10-week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary bile acids (BA) on growth, glucose and lipid metabolism, liver histopathology, and the underlying regulation mechanism on AKT/FOXO1 (forkhead box O1) and cAMP/AMPK/SREBP1 (sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1) pathway in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) fed with a high starch diet. Six experimental diets were prepared with BA levels at 0 (B0), 80 (B80), 160 (B160), 240 (B240), 300 (B300), and 600 (B600) mg/kg in a basal diet with 18.7% starch. Each diet was fed to six replicates with 30 fish (6.17 ± 0.03 g) in each tank. The highest weight gain rate (WGR) was observed in B300 group and the optimal level of BA was estimated at 475 mg/kg by a monistic cubic equation regression analysis. Dietary BA inclusion decreased hepatosomatic index (HSI) and hepatic lipid content significantly. The fish in B300 group clearly showed alleviated hepatic fibrosis, but more steatohepatitis symptoms diagnosed with various histopathological and immunofluorescence analysis. 10 out of 12 samples were observed hepatic fibrosis in B0 group while only two fibrosis samples in B300 group. The promoted liver histopathology by dietary BA was related to improved glucose and lipid metabolism. Dietary BA inhibited the expression of G6Pase by activating AKT and reducing FOXO1 transcription, which improved the regulation ability of gluconeogenesis, activated cAMP/AMPK and repressed SREBP1 transcription to inhibit hepatic lipogenesis, which prevented hepatic lipid accumulation. In conclusion, dietary BA enhanced the growth and alleviated liver fibrosis induced by a high starch diet to steatohepatitis/recovery symptom via improving glucose and lipid metabolism, which regulated by AKT/FOXO1 and cAMP/AMPK/SREBP1 pathway in largemouth bass.

Single Ti3C2Tx MXene (MTO) materials are not suitable for electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption due to their high conductivity and impedance mismatch. To address this issue, we ingeniously took advantage of easily oxidized characteristics of Ti3C2Tx MXene to establish structural defects and multiphase engineering in accordion-like TixO2x−1 derived from Ti3C2Tx MXene by a high-temperature hydrogen reduction process for the first time. Phase evolution sequences are revealed to be Ti3C2Tx MXene/anatase TiO2 → Ti3C2Tx MXene/rutile TiO2 → TixO2x−1 (1 ≤ x ≤ 4) during a hydrogen reduction reaction. Benefiting from conductance loss caused by hole motion under the action of an external electric field and heterointerfaces caused by interfacial polarization, the impedance match and EM attenuation capability of accordion-like TixO2x−1 absorbers derived from Ti3C2Tx MXene are superior to that of pristine Ti3C2Tx MXene/TiO2 materials. Additionally, simulated whole radar cross section (RCS) plots in different incident angular of the Ti3C2Tx MXene/rutile TiO2 product are lower than −20 dBm2, and the minimum RCS value can reach −43 dBm2, implying a great potential for practical applications in the EM wave absorption. Moreover, the relationship among charges, defects, interfaces, and EM performances in the accordion-like TixO2x−1 materials is systematically clarified by the energy band theory, which is suitable for the research of other MXene-derived semiconductor absorbing composites.