Fucoidan Improves Growth, Digestive Tract Maturation, and Gut Microbiota in Large Yellow Croaker (Larimichthys crocea) Larvae.

The early life period is considered an essential period for gut microbial colonization. Manipulating gut microbiota interventions during early life periods has been proven to be a promising method to boost healthy growth. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of dietary fucoidan (Fuc) on the growth, digestive tract maturation, and gut microbiota of large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) larvae. Four diets were formulated with different levels of Fuc (0.00%, 0.50%, 1.00%, and 2.00%). Results showed that dietary Fuc significantly improved the growth performance of larvae. Meanwhile, dietary Fuc promoted digestive tract maturation. Dietary 1.00% Fuc significantly improved intestinal morphology. Dietary Fuc upregulated the expression of intestinal cell proliferation and differentiation related-genes and intestinal barrier related-genes. Dietary 2.00% Fuc significantly increased the activities of brush border membranes enzymes and lipase while inhibiting α-amylase. Furthermore, dietary Fuc maintained healthy intestinal micro-ecology. In detail, dietary 1.00% and 2.00% Fuc altered the overall structure of the gut microbiota and increased the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes while decreasing the relative abundance of opportunistic pathogens and facultative anaerobe. In conclusion, appropriate dietary Fuc (1.00-2.00%) could improve the growth of large yellow croaker larvae by promoting digestive tract maturation and maintaining an ideal intestinal micro-ecology.

Effects of supplemental ferulic acid (FA) on survival, growth performance, digestive enzyme activities, antioxidant capacity and lipid metabolism of large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) larvae.

A 30-day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of supplemental ferulic acid (FA) on survival, growth performance, digestive enzyme activities, antioxidant capacity and lipid metabolism of the large yellow croaker larvae (initial weight: 2.58 ± 0.30 mg). Four isonitrogenous and isolipidic micro-diets were formulated with graded levels of FA (0, 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg) and fed to the experimental larvae seven times daily. Results showed that larvae fed the diet with 40 mg/kg FA had significantly higher survival rate, while the specific growth rate was higher in larvae fed diets with 40 and 80 mg/kg FA than the control group (P < 0.05). Activities of trypsin in pancreatic segments (PS) and intestinal segments, lipase in PS and alkaline phosphatase in brush border membrane were significantly increased by supplementation of FA compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Supplementation of FA significantly increased activities of total superoxide dismutase and catalase, and reduced the malondialdehyde content compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, activities of lysozyme, total nitric oxide synthase and nitric oxide content were significantly improved by supplemental FA in diets. Furthermore, supplementation of 40 mg/kg FA reduced the triglyceride content in larval visceral mass probably through down-regulating expression of lipogenesis-related genes (scd1, fas and dgat2) and up-regulating expression of lipid catabolism-related genes (aco, cpt-1 and hl). In conclusion, appropriate supplementation of 40 mg/kg FA could improve the survival and growth performance of large yellow croaker larvae through increasing digestive function, antioxidant capacity and promoting lipid metabolism.

Nutritional programming of large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) larvae by dietary vegetable oil: effects on growth performance, lipid metabolism and antioxidant capacity.

The nutritional status experienced in the early development of life plays a vital role in the long-term metabolic state of the individual, which is known as nutritional programming. The present study investigated the long-term effects of vegetable oil (VO) nutritional programming during the early life of large yellow croaker. First, larvae were fed either a fish oil (FO) diet or a VO diet for 30 d. Subsequently, under the same conditions, all fish were fed a commercial diet for 90 d and thereafter challenged with an FO or VO diet for 30 d. The results showed that growth performance was significantly lower in larvae fed the VO diet than in those in fed the FO diet in the stimulus phase. Notably, VO nutritional history fish showed lower levels of liver lipids liver total triglycerides and serum nonesterified free fatty acids than the FO nutritional history fish when juveniles were challenged with the VO diet, which was consistent with the expression of lipogenesis-related genes and proteins. Moreover, the VO nutritional history fish showed lower liver damage and higher antioxidant capacity than FO nutritional history fish when challenged with the VO diet. In summary, this study showed that a short VO stimulus during the early life stage of large yellow croaker, had a long-term effect on lipid metabolism and the antioxidant system. Specifically, VO nutritional programming had a positive effect on alleviating abnormal lipid deposition on the liver, liver damage, and the reduction of hepatic antioxidant capacity caused by a VO diet.

A Resilience Analysis of a Medical Mask Supply Chain during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Simulation Modeling Approach.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe consequences such as long-term disruptions and ripple effects on regional and global supply chains. In this paper, firstly, we design simulation models using AnyLogistix to investigate and predict the pandemic's short-term and long-term disruptions on a medical mask supply chain. Then, the Green Field Analysis experiments are used to locate the backup facilities and optimize their inventory levels. Finally, risk analysis experiments are carried out to verify the resilience of the redesigned mask supply chain. Our major research findings include the following. First, when the pandemic spreads to the downstream of the supply chain, the duration of the downstream facilities disruption plays a critical role in the supply chain operation and performance. Second, adding backup facilities and optimizing their inventory levels are effective in responding to the pandemic. Overall, this paper provides insights for predicting the impacts of the pandemic on the medical mask supply chain. The results of this study can be used to redesign a medical mask supply chain to be more resilient and flexible.

Effects of dietary eucommia ulmoides leaf extract on growth performance, expression of feeding-related genes, activities of digestive enzymes, antioxidant capacity, immunity and cytokines expression of large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) larvae.

A 30-d feeding trial was conducted to investigate effects of dietary eucommia ulmoides leaf extract (ELE) on growth performance, activities of digestive enzymes, antioxidant capacity, immunity, expression of inflammatory factors and feeding-related genes of large yellow croaker larvae. Five micro-diets were formulated with supplementation of 0 g kg-1 (the control), 5 g kg-1 (0·5 %), 10 g kg-1 (1·0 %) and 20 g kg-1 (2·0 %) of ELE, respectively. Results showed that the best growth performance was found in larvae fed the diet with 1·0 % ELE. Furthermore, ELE supplementation significantly increased the npy expression at 1·0 % dosage, while increased ghrelin in larvae at 0·5 % dosages. The activity of leucine aminopeptidase in larvae fed the diet with 1·0 % ELE was significantly higher than the control, while alkaline phosphatase was significantly upregulated in larvae fed the diet with 2·0 % ELE. A clear increase in total antioxidant capacity in larvae fed the diet with 1·0 % ELE was observed, whereas catalase activity was significantly higher in 1·0 % and 2·0 % ELE supplementation compared with the control. Larvae fed the diet with 1·0 % ELE had a significantly higher activities of lysozyme, total nitric oxide synthase and nitric oxide content than the control. Moreover, transcriptional levels of cox-2, il-1ß and il-6 were remarkably downregulated by the supplementation of 0·5-1·0 % ELE. This study demonstrated that the supplementation of 1·0 % ELE in diet could increase the growth performance of large yellow croaker larvae probably by promoting expression of feeding-related genes, enhancing antioxidant capacity and immunity and inhibiting expression of inflammatory factors.

Early Life Intervention Using Probiotic Clostridium butyricum Improves Intestinal Development, Immune Response, and Gut Microbiota in Large Yellow Croaker (Larimichthys crocea) Larvae.

Marine fish larvae are vulnerable during the early life period. The early intervention using probiotics may be a promising method to improve growth of fish larvae. In this study, a 30-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of early life intervention using probiotic Clostridium butyricum (CB) on growth performance, intestinal development, immune response and gut microbiota of large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) larvae. Four isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated with the supplementation of four different levels of CB (5 × 109 CFU g-1), 0.00% (Control), 0.10% (CB1), 0.20% (CB2), and 0.40% (CB3). Results showed that larvae fed diets with CB had significant higher final length than the control group. Meanwhile, larvae fed the diet with 0.10% CB had significant higher final weight and specific growth rate (SGR) than the control group. However, no significant difference in survival rate was observed among dietary treatments. CB supplementation significantly increased the height of intestinal villus and the length of intestinal enterocyte. Similarly, CB supplementation significantly increased the expression of tight zonula occludens-2 (zo-2) and ornithine decarboxylase (odc) than the control group. Larvae fed the diet with 0.20% CB had significant higher lipase and leucine-aminopeptidase (LAP) activity than the control group. Moreover, CB supplementation significantly improved immune enzyme activities than the control group. Sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA V4-5 region indicated that dietary CB altered intestinal microbiota profile and decreased intestinal microbial diversities of larvae. CB supplementation could effectively increase the abundance of CB, and decrease the abundance of some potential pathogenic bacteria in larval gut. These results revealed that early life intervention using 0.10-0.20% CB could promote growth of large yellow croaker larvae probably through promoting intestinal development, improving immune enzyme activities and modulating gut microbiota.

Dietary Allicin Improved the Survival and Growth of Large Yellow Croaker (Larimichthys crocea) Larvae via Promoting Intestinal Development, Alleviating Inflammation and Enhancing Appetite.

A 30-day feeding experiment was conducted to investigate effects of dietary allicin on survival, growth, antioxidant capacity, innate immunity and expression of inflammatory and appetite related genes in large yellow croaker larvae. Four iso-nitrogenous (53% crude protein) and iso-lipidic (19% crude lipid) diets were formulated via supplementing graded levels of allicin (0.0 (the control), 0.005, 0.01, and 0.02% dry diet, respectively). Results showed that, among dietary treatments, larvae fed the diet with 0.005% allicin had the highest survival rate (SR) (P < 0.05), while larvae fed the diet with 0.01% allicin had the highest specific growth rate (SGR) (P < 0.05). Activities of α-amylase in both pancreatic (PS) and intestine segments (IS) of larvae fed the diet with 0.01% allicin were significantly lower than that in the control (P < 0.05). On the other hand, the supplementation of 0.01% allicin in diets significantly increased activities of alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) in the intestinal brush border membrane (BBM) of larvae than the control (P < 0.05), indicating the promoting roles of allicin on fish larval intestinal development. Moreover, compared to the control, both the nitric oxide (NO) content and the activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) were significantly up-regulated in larvae fed the diet with 0.005% allicin, and catalase (CAT) were significantly upregulated in larvae fed the diet with 0.02% allicin (P < 0.05). Transcriptional levels of pro-inflammatory genes including cyclooxygenase-2 (cox-2), interleukin-1ß (il-1ß) and interleukin-6 (il-6) significantly decreased with increasing allicin, compared to the control. The expression of appetite genes including npy, ghrelin and leptin significantly increased with the prolonged fasting period, and dietary allicin supplementation significantly increased the transcriptional level of neuropeptide Y (npy) at 0.01%, while increased the transcriptional level of leptin in larvae at 0.02% dosages (P < 0.05). These results showed that the supplementation of 0.005% - 0.01% allicin in diets could improve the survival and growth of large yellow croaker larvae probably by promoting intestinal development, alleviating inflammation and enhancing appetite.

Preparation of a porous graphene oxide/alkali lignin aerogel composite and its adsorption properties for methylene blue.

Herein, a three-dimensional porous graphene oxide/alkali lignin aerogel composite was prepared by a simple green method, and its adsorption performance for methylene blue (MB) in water was studied. The graphene oxide/alkali lignin aerogel composite (GO-AL aerogel) was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy and the BET surface area. The adsorption kinetics study showed that the adsorption process conformed to the second-order kinetic model and this process was chemical adsorption. It was also found that intraparticle diffusion was not the only rate control step in the adsorption process. The adsorption isotherm study showed that the adsorption process conforms to the Langmuir isotherm adsorption model and the process was a single layer adsorption. The maximum adsorption capacity of MB on GO-AL aerogel was 1185.98 mg/g, at 303 K. Adsorption thermodynamics studies showed that adsorption process was a spontaneous endothermic process and the disorder increased during the adsorption process. Overall, this study indicated the GO-AL aerogel could be an eco-friendly, cost-effective and recyclable adsorbent for the removal of dyes from water.

Chitosan cross-linked graphene oxide/lignosulfonate composite aerogel for enhanced adsorption of methylene blue in water.

Graphene oxide (GO)/polymer composites have received wide interests in adsorption of pollutants in water. However, the use of synthetic polymers and toxic cross-linking agents impacts the environment. Herein, a new GO/lignosulfonate aerogel (GLCA) cross-linked by chitosan was prepared without using any toxic chemicals. Characterizations by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction confirmed the three-dimensional porous structure and diverse functionalities of GLCA. The adsorption performance of GLCA to methylene blue (MB) was investigated by varying pH, dosage, contacting time, temperature and initial concentration. The obtained GLCA could capture MB molecules efficiently and over 99% MB could be removed from a MB solution (100 mg/L). The maximum adsorption capacity of MB onto GLCA was 1023.9 mg/g, higher than other reported GO/polymer composites and activated carbon. Adsorption thermodynamic analysis revealed the adsorption of MB on GLCA was spontaneous and endothermic. The interaction mechanisms involved electrostatic attraction, π-π interaction and hydrogen bond between GLCA and MB. Moreover, GLCA could be regenerated by washing with HCl solution and ethanol for multiple usage. Overall, this study indicated the GLCA could be an eco-friendly, cost-effective and recyclable adsorbent for the removal of dyes from water.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 3-[4-(amino/methylsulfonyl)phenyl]methylene-indolin-2-one derivatives as novel COX-1/2 and 5-LOX inhibitors.

Fourteen new 3-[4-(amino/methylsulfonyl)phenyl]methylene-indolin-2-one derivatives were synthesized. Six compounds displayed potent inhibitory activities against COX-1/2 and 5-LOX with IC(50) in the range of 0.10-9.87 µM. Particularly, 10f exhibited well balanced inhibitory action on these enzymes (IC(50)=0.10-0.56 µM). More importantly, 10f and several other compounds had comparable or stronger anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities, but better gastric tolerability in vivo, as compared with darbufelone mesilate and tenidap sodium. Therefore, our findings may aid in the design of new and safe anti-inflammatory reagents for the intervention of painful inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis at clinic.

Nanogold catalysis-based immunoresonance-scattering spectral assay for trace complement component 3.

BACKGROUND: Complement component 3 (C3) is an essential bridge linking innate immunity and adaptive immunity. We describe an immunonanogold catalytic resonance-scattering (RS) technique for assaying C3 in serum. METHODS: We used nanogold to label goat antihuman C3 antibody to obtain an immunonanogold RS probe for C3. The immune reaction between nanogold-labeled antibodies and antigens was carried out in Na(2)HPO(4)-sodium citrate buffer, pH 5.6, containing polyethylene glycol. After centrifuging the particle suspension, we used RS to monitor the catalytic effect of nanogold-labeled anti-C3 in the supernatant on the chlorauric acid-hydroxylamine (HAuCl(4)-NH(2)OH) particle reaction and used electron microscopy to monitor particle shape. We assayed 36 human serum samples with the immunonanogold catalytic RS assay and immunoturbidimetry. RESULTS: Nanogold-labeled anti-C3 had a marked catalytic effect on the reaction of HAuCl(4) and NH(2)OH to form particles, which exhibit a maximum RS peak at 585 nm. The decrease in RS intensity, DeltaI(RS), of the nanocatalytic system was proportional to C3 concentration from 5.0 to 160.0 ng/L. The detection limit for the C3 assay was 1.52 ng/L. Results obtained with serum samples agreed with those obtained with an immunoturbidimetric method. A linear regression analysis of 28 nonpathologic serum samples revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.960, with mean (SD) slope and intercept values of 0.787 (0.0218) g/L and 0.28 (0.026) g/L C3, respectively. CONCLUSION: The immunonanogold catalytic RS assay showed high sensitivity and good selectivity for measuring C3 in human serum. This method may become useful for diagnosing certain diseases, such as hepatitis.