Search Results (164)

An alternative fish feed (ALT) replacing 50% of the fishmeal with poultry byproduct meal and insect meal and total fish oil with microalgae, poultry, and salmon byproducts oils was tested for 300 days on 900 gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) with an initial body weight of 17.1 ± 1.8 g (mean ± SD) of unselected (REF) and selected (HG) genotypes. Using in situ, histochemistry, and immunohistochemistry techniques, we assessed the immune response by characterizing IgT and IgM immunoglobulins, CD3ε⁺ T lymphocytes, and eosinophilic granular cells (EGCs) along the digestive system. IgT mRNA⁺ cells were concentrated in the second part of the digestive tract, while IgM⁺ predominated in the first and occasionally showed intraepithelial localization. CD3ε⁺ and EGCs were most prominent in the midgut. The diet affected IgT and IgM mRNA⁺ cells mainly in the initial part of the digestive tract. For CD3ε⁺, the diet only affected the initial and final parts, while the ALT diet increased EGC abundance across the middle compartments. Genetic selection had minimal effect on IgT⁺ and CD3ε⁺ cells, affecting only the first compartments. The REF group showed higher IgM⁺ cell abundance in specific regions, while EGCs differed between genotypes, favoring anterior accumulation in HG and ileocecal abundance in the REF group. Full article

The batch, repeated batch and fed-batch cultivation strategies, in stirred tank bioreactors, were evaluated to maximize biomass production and the cells’ desulfurization activity (CDA) of Rhodococcus qingshengii IGTS8. The batch culture reached 2.62 g DCW/L biomass, with a productivity of 0.03 g DCW·L⁻¹·h⁻¹ and only 26% glycerol consumption. The repeated batch strategy reduced cultivation time during the first cycle, increasing biomass production by 15%, with 30% glycerol consumed and productivity 2.3 times higher than the batch process; however, subsequent cycles showed no further improvement. CDA peaked early in both modes but declined to 12–13 U/mg DCW by the end of the exponential growth phase. Fed-batch cultivation achieved 8.35 g DCW/L with 87% glycerol consumption, resulting in a threefold increase in volumetric productivity and a 1.7-fold higher specific growth rate compared with the batch mode. CDA remained stable during the fed-batch process and was approximately 40% higher compared with the batch and repeated batch processes. The fed-batch culture was used directly in a two-phase bubble column bioreactor for the desulfurization of dibenzothiophene (DBT), 4-methyl-dibenzothiophene (4-MDBT) and their mixture. The complete desulfurization of 1.4 mM DBT was achieved at a rate of 21.6 mmol DBT/kg DCW/h, while 0.9 mM 4-MDBT was fully converted but at a 2.5-fold lower rate. The simultaneous conversion of the DBT/4-MDBT mixture showed reduced efficiencies of 59.6% and 41.2%, respectively. Full article

The ciliate parasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis poses significant threats to grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) aquaculture. However, the limited understanding of host microbiota shifts and immune responses hinders effective control strategies. This study integrated analyses of host pathological indices, immune response and skin/gill/gut microbiota shifts after I. multifiliis infection. A histopathological examination identified gill and fin tissues embedded with I. multifiliis, accompanied by epithelial necrosis, and inflammatory cell infiltration. Biochemical profiling revealed marked elevations in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), urea (UREA), and creatinine (CREA) levels, indicating impaired hepatic and renal function. Quantitative RT-PCR analyses demonstrated the up-regulation of mucosal immune gene IgT and pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α while increasing the trend of systemic immune gene IgM. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed significant reductions in skin microbiota diversity. At the genus level, opportunistic pathogens Aeromonas and Vibrio proliferated in the intestine, whereas Flavobacterium and Candidatus Megaira increased in the skin and gills. Correlation analyses identified positive associations between Aeromonas/Vibrio abundance and host phenotype, contrasting with negative correlations observed for Sphingomonas, Acinetobacter, and Leifsonia. These findings demonstrate that I. multifiliis infection induces host microbiome dysbiosis and potentially opportunistic bacterial infections. This investigation advances our understanding of tripartite host–microbiota–parasite interactions and supports microbial community-based parasitosis control in fish culture. Full article

Ammonia is the main harmful environmental substance affecting fish culture. The liver is the immune and metabolic organ of fish, and its physiological homeostasis will affect the health of the organism. In this study, healthy golden pompano Trachinotus ovatus juveniles were exposed to 5 mg/L (A5) and 10 mg/L (A10) ammonia-N stress for 7 days and then the variation characteristics of the physiological homeostasis of the liver were analyzed at multiple biological levels. After ammonia stress, the liver showed obvious morphological changes and stress responses. Specifically, the oxidative stress indexes, such as the activities of the anti-superoxide anion generation capacity (ASC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), were elevated in the A5 and A10 groups, while the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and glutathione (GSH) content were disturbed; the relative expression levels of the Nrf2 and NQO1 genes were increased in the A10 group, while the expressions of the Keap1 and HO1 were decreased in the A5 and A10 groups. Ferroptosis related genes, such as the relative expressions of NOX1, NCOA4, and FPN1 were increased in the A5 and A10 groups, PTGS2 and FTH1 were decreased in the A5 group but elevated in the A10 group, and p53, GPx4, SLC7A11, and NFS1 were only increased in the A10 group. Inflammation related genes, such as TNFα, IL1β, and IL8 relative expression levels, were increased in the A10 group, IL10 was increased in the A5 and A10 groups, while TGFβ was decreased in the A5 group but increased in the A10 group. Immune related genes, such as the expression levels of IgM and IgT, were increased in the A5 group but decreased in the A10 group. The integrated biomarker responses revealed that the hepatotoxicity of ammonia was concentration-dependent, and there was a high correlation between oxidative stress, ferroptosis, inflammation, and immune function changes. These results reveal the hepatotoxicity of ammonia stress on T. ovatus. Full article

Background/Objectives: Dietary manipulation with carbohydrate restriction has been extensively investigated in diabetes prevention programmes. Carbohydrate (CHO) quality, rather than quantity, is associated with various metabolic outcomes. Few studies examined the fibre/CHO ratio on lipid profiles, liver fat and insulin resistance in individuals with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Methods: In this comprehensive cross-sectional study, we evaluated the association of carbohydrate-related nutritional factors with metabolic parameters in a cohort of 177 Hong Kong Chinese with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). The subjects underwent a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with measurement of plasma C-peptide and lipid profiles, body composition, transient elastography, and three-day food records. The fibre/CHO ratio is calculated by dividing fibre intake by total carbohydrate intake (in grams). Results: The median (IQR) age of the study cohort was 60 (54–62) with a mean ± SD BMI of 26.7 ± 3.9 kg/m², and 40.7% were female. A higher carbohydrate quality, measured as fibre/CHO ratio, was inversely correlated with triglycerides (r = −0.305, p < 0.001) and positively correlated with High-density lipoproteins cholesterol (HDL-C) (r = 0.354, p < 0.001). These associations remained significant after adjusting for age, gender, lipid-lowering drugs, total calorie, macronutrient and sugar intake, physical activity and sodium/potassium ratio. Blood pressure, liver fat and insulin resistance were also associated with the fibre/CHO ratio after the adjustment of these confounding factors. Consuming more than 5.5 g of fibre per 100 g carbohydrate was associated with lower serum triglycerides. Conclusions: Our results highlight the potential for using the fibre/CHO ratio as a metric for daily carbohydrate quality and the importance of addressing both carbohydrate quality and quantity in designing dietary interventions to reduce cardiometabolic risk. Full article

The mitochondrial genome of Spartina alterniflora, an invasive species with significant ecological and economic impacts, was analyzed to provide a theoretical basis for understanding its phylogenetic relationships and molecular biology. Mitochondrial genome sequences of S. alterniflora and 23 related species from NCBI were utilized for bioinformatics and comparative genomic analyses. A sliding window analysis identified three genes (rps2, atp9, and nad6) as potential DNA barcodes for species identification. Intracellular gene transfer (IGT) events between mitochondrial and chloroplast genome were detected, highlighting the dynamic nature of genomic evolution. A selective pressure analysis revealed that most protein-coding genes (PCGs) underwent purifying selection (K_a/K_s < 1), while the nad2 and ccmB genes showed signs of positive selection pressure (K_a/K_s > 1), indicating their role in adaptation. A phylogenetic analysis demonstrated a close relationship between S. alterniflora and Eleusine indica, supported by a collinearity analysis, which suggests environmental convergence. This study provides novel insights into the structural and evolutionary characteristics of the S. alterniflora mitochondrial genome, offering valuable genomic resources for future research on invasive species management and evolutionary biology. Full article

Tea polyphenol (TP) is a kind of natural macromolecular compound present in tea extract with rich biological potential. The purpose of this study was to explore the protective effect of TP on the intestinal immune barrier and the related mechanisms of TP alleviating intestinal injury. Models of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) and primary intestinal epithelial cells treated with TP and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were established. The qPCR and ELISA results showed that TP increased the levels of lysozyme (LZ), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), complement component 3 (C3), complement component 4 (C4), immunoglobulin T (IgT), immunoglobulin D (IgD), and immunoglobulin M (IgM) to activate intestinal immune ability. Molecular docking indicated that TP had a strong interaction with TLR2. Meanwhile, TP alleviated LPS-induced intestinal inflammatory damage as evidenced by reducing the mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, TLR2, MyD88, P65, and IκBα, which were consistent with those of ELISA and Western blotting results. Moreover, the qPCR and Western blotting results revealed TP promoted the levels of tight junction-related proteins (claudins, occludin, and ZOs) and inhibited the phosphorylation of MLC, which showed the opposite trend after LPS treatment. In summary, the present study indicated that TP improved immune ability and inhibited the activation of the TLR2/NF-κB/MLCK pathway to attenuate LPS-induced inflammatory injury in the intestines of common carp. Full article

Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), a prediabetic state, is a known risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). Low-attenuation plaque (LAP) lesions are associated with a high risk of coronary events. We aimed to evaluate high-risk plaque characteristics in LAP lesions between patients with IGT and normal glucose tolerance (NGT) in patients suspected for stable CAD. Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) identified LAP lesions and assessed plaque volumes, burdens, and high-risk plaque features. Glycemic tolerance was stratified using oral glucose tolerance tests. Among 148 patients, 202 LAP lesions were identified, with 93 patients classified as NGT and 55 as IGT. Patients with IGT had a significantly higher prevalence of LAP lesions compared with NGT (p = 0.007). LAP volume was higher in IGT (16.46 ± 12.52 mm³) compared with NGT (12.66 ± 9.72 mm³, p = 0.01), but this association did not persist in multivariate analysis. The LAP burden was greater in IGT (10.79 ± 6.84%) than NGT (8.62 ± 5.93%, p = 0.02), and the napkin-ring sign was more frequent in IGT (12%) versus NGT (5%, p = 0.02); these associations remained significant in multivariate analysis. Patients with IGT had a higher LAP burden and higher frequency of napkin-ring signs. These findings may help explain the common occurrence of prediabetes in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Full article

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in plaque composition and burden between normal glycemic status (NGS) and dysglycemia expressed as impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: Clinically indicated coronary computed tomography angiography was used to evaluate patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). An oral glucose tolerance test was performed to assess glycemic status. Patients were stratified as NGS, IGT, and T2DM. Plaque volumes were quantified using validated software, with further compositional measurements of low-attenuation, non-calcified, and calcified plaque burden. Results: Of 355 patients with suspected CAD, 220 had NGS, 92 were diagnosed with IGT, and 43 with known T2DM. Low-attenuation plaque volume was significantly higher in IGT (209 mm³, p < 0.02) and T2DM (243 mm³, p = 0.005) compared with NGS (166 mm³). Total plaque burden was similar between all groups, but a significantly greater low-attenuation plaque burden was seen in IGT (p = 0.03) and T2DM (p = 0.02) compared with NGS. The multivariate linear regression model adjusted for clinical risk factors showed that patients with IGT had a greater low-attenuation plaque burden compared with those with NGS (p = 0.03). Interestingly, no significant differences in plaque burdens were observed between those with IGT and T2DM in both univariate and multivariate analyses. Conclusions: Dysglycemia, including impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes mellitus, was associated with increased low-attenuation plaque burden compared with normal glycemic status. Patients with IGT demonstrated plaque burden similar to patients with known T2DM, underscoring the need for early metabolic intervention. Full article

Dysglycemia is a condition preceding diabetes mellitus. The two situations inherent in this condition are called impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). If one of these situations is found in the patient, after the advice of an appropriate diet and physical activity, the addition of nutraceuticals or supplements can be considered, which can stop or delay the progression to diabetes mellitus over time. The purpose was to compile a systematic review about the use of nutraceuticals for treating diabetes and prediabetes and to offer a valuable resource for colleagues working on this crucial subject, thereby improving patient health. The added value of the paper compared to other reviews is that it was written by experts appointed by five different scientific societies dealing with diabetes, nutrition, and complications. Full article

A 45-day feeding study was carried out to assess the immune-stimulatory effects of capsicum oleoresin when added to rainbow trout diets. A total of 450 fish (mean weight: 155.20 ± 1.96 g) were distributed into 400 L tanks (30 fish/tank) across five experimental groups: control (CT, 0%), C7 (0.7%), C14 (1.4%), C21 (2.1%), and C28 (2.8%). Each group consisted of three replicate tanks. At the end of this period, hemato-biochemical parameters, innate immune responses, and immune-related gene expression levels were evaluated, and a histological examination of head kidney and liver sections was conducted. Finally, fish in all groups were challenged with Lactococcus garvieae and observed for an additional 20 days. The results revealed that oleoresin supplementation enhanced the immune responses of the treated fish, which was evidenced by the increased globulin, total protein, respiratory burst activity, and total immunoglobulin levels. The highest expression levels of the il-8, il-1β, TGF-β, and SAA genes was noticed in the C7 group, as compared with the results for the other groups. The IgT gene expression levels were higher in all experimental groups than in the CT group, and this increase was at the highest level in the C28 group. Following the bacterial challenge, all experimental groups displayed higher survival rates compared to that of the CT group. These values were 75.93, 72.22, 46.30, 33.33, and 29.63% in the C7, C14, C21, C28, and CT groups, respectively, with the C7 group displaying the highest survival rate among the groups. The histological examination of liver and head kidney tissues revealed that higher doses (in the C21 and C28 groups) showed an increase in cytoplasmic vacuolization, which causes adverse effects on fish health. However, the C7 group displayed normal histological structure in both tissues. Taken together, the most favorable immune responses were achieved in the C7 group, suggesting that 0.7% oleoresin could be applied to rainbow trout to boost immunity and protect the fish from diseases. Full article

Aeromonas hydrophila causes motile Aeromonas septicemia (MAS), a disease with a high mortality rate in tilapia culture. Feed-based vaccines with the incorporation of inactivated whole-cell bacteria into the feed offer promising tools to control MAS. Currently, the incorporation of genome-free bacteria as bacterial vaccine through the implementation of SimCells^® technology into the feed has become a particular interest. Background/Objectives: This study investigates the efficacy of a feed-based vaccine incorporating genome-free A. hydrophila (FBV-GFAH) against MAS infection in red tilapia. Methods: The vaccine was prepared and delivered at 5% fish body weight for three consecutive days in weeks 0 (prime vaccination) and 2 (first booster vaccination), orally. Throughout a five-week experimental period, the immune-related genes (IL-1β, MHC-II, CD4, IgT, and IgM) expression in the hindgut and head kidney of the fish was determined using RT-qPCR assay. Lysozyme (serum) and overall IgM (serum, gut lavage, and skin mucus) productions were also detected. Results: Fish vaccinated with FBV-GFAH showed a significant (p ≤ 0.05) improvement in relative percent survival compared with unvaccinated fish following bacterial challenge. FBV-GFAH induced the expression of immune-related genes in the hindgut and head kidney, especially after booster vaccination. Furthermore, serum lysozyme activity and overall IgM production in serum, skin mucus, and gut lavage were also significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved in the FBV-GFAH vaccinated fish than the unvaccinated fish. Conclusions: This study showed that FBV-GFAH is a promising feed-based vaccine technology to control MAS in cultured tilapia. Full article

Introduction: Limited studies have explored the impact of cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators on glucose tolerance and insulin secretion in patients with CF, yielding varied results. This study aims to assess alterations in glucose metabolism and insulin secretion over 24 and 52 weeks following CFTR modulator initiation in a cohort of pediatric and adult patients with CF. Materials and Methods: A prospective longitudinal study conducting oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with C-peptide and insulin levels. The insulin secretion rate at 60 min (ISR60) and the insulinogenic index (IGI) were calculated during the first 60 and 30 min of the OGTT, respectively. Glucose metabolism status was categorized as normal (NGT), indeterminate (INDET), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), or cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD). Additionally, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) was performed for 14 days at each visit. We employed a repeated-measures general linear model to assess changes in insulin secretion and CGM metrics, with glucose tolerance status as the between-subjects factor and visit (baseline, 24 and 52 weeks) as the within-subjects factor. Results: The study comprised 25 patients (11 adults and 14 pediatrics). At baseline, 2 patients (8%) had NGT, 8 (32%) had INDET, 10 (40%) had IGT, and 5 (20%) had CFRD. Overall, there were no significant changes in insulin and C-peptide area under the curve (AUC), IGI and DI after 52 weeks. However, we observed an increase in ISR60 among NGT patients (mean change: 1.766; 95% CI: 1.414; 2.118, p < 0.001). Consistently, average glucose exhibited a significant decrease in NGT patients between 24 and 52 weeks (mean change: −5.645; 95% CI: −4.233; −10.866, p = 0.028). Conclusions: Treatment with CFTR modulators potentially enhances insulin secretion in patients with CF NGT. Early initiation of treatment, as evaluated through long-term prospective trials, is essential to further investigate whether decreased glucose control is preventable or reversible. Full article

Background: Impulsivity assessment may serve as a valuable clinical tool in the stratification of suicide risk. Acting without forethought is a crucial feature in the psychopathology of many psychiatric disturbances and corresponds with suicidal ideations, behaviors, and attempts. Methods: We present data on biological and psychological correlates of impulsivity among young adults (n = 47). Psychological analysis included both the self-description questionnaire—Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11)—and neuropsychological behavioral tests, including the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), the Simple Response Time task (SRT), and the Continuous Performance Test (CPT). mRNA and micro-RNA were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Expression levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) mRNA and its regulatory micro RNAs, mir-1-3p, mir-15a-5p, mir-26a-5p, mir-26b-5p, and mir-195-5p, were analyzed using the quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) method. proBDNF and BDNF plasma protein levels were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Significant correlations between BDNF mRNA and mir-15a-5p as well as proBDNF levels and mir-1-3p were detected. proBDNF protein levels correlated with motor and perseverance, while mir-26b correlated with cognitive complexity subdimensions of the BIS-11 scale. Correlations between BDNF, miRNAs, and the results of neuropsychological tests were also detected. Conclusions: The BDNF pathway shows a clinical potential in searching for biomarkers of impulse-control impairment. BDNF-regulatory micro-RNAs are detectable and related to clinical parameters in the studied population, which needs further research. Full article

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with a high risk of chronic degenerative Achilles (AT) and Patellar (PT) tendinopathies and ruptures. Growth factors (GFs) synthesis in diabetics is substantially decreased in human connective tissues, including in tendons. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), which is enriched in GFs, might prove of great help in tendon healing. The aim of the study was to assess whether pre-existent DM or Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT) could influence the clinical outcome in subjects undergoing PRP treatment. Methods: Sixty subjects with diabetes/pre-diabetes and sixty euglycemic controls, matched for sex and age, were enrolled. Patients suffering from proximal insertional PT and mid-portion AT, treated with PRP therapy, were included in the study. To assess the basal status and the efficacy of the therapy after 3 and 6 months, the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment (VISA) questionnaire and the Ultrasound methodology study were used. Patient satisfaction was assessed by means of the Likert Scale. Results: In the population study at 6 months, the mean VISA-score increased (8.92 ± 0.67; p-value < 0.001). The improvement in the diabetic group was less evident compared to the controls (−2.76 ± 0.95; p-value = 0.003). Even though the improvement was poor, it was still significant. MCID analysis revealed that diabetics had higher risk of therapeutic unsuccess. Logistic regression analysis was applied to assess factors associated with unsatisfactory results (Likert-scale) of PRP treatment: AT (O.R.: 3.05; 95%CI: 1.40–6.64; p-value = 0.005), higher BMI values (O.R.: 1.02; 95%CI: 1.01–1.04; p-value = 0.01), and lower VISA score values at baseline (O.R.: 0.95; 95%CI: 0.90–0.99; p-value = 0.04). Conclusions: PRP treatment in AT and PT chronic tendinopathies resulted in less favorable results in subjects with diabetes compared with euglycemic subjects. Moreover, the subjects with PT showed better results than those with AT. Full article