Dietary fulvic acid supplementation improves the growth performance and immune response of sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicas).

The present study aims to explore the effects of dietary fulvic acid (FA) supplementation on the growth performance, digestive enzyme activity and immune response of sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicas). FA was used to replace 0 (control), 0.1, 0.5 and 1 g cellulose in the basic diet of sea cucumber to formulate four experimental feeds with equivalent nitrogen and energy denoted as F0, F0.1, F0.3 and F1, respectively. No significant differences were observed in the survival rate among all groups (P > 0.05). Results show that the body weight gain rate, specific growth rate, intestinal trypsin, amylase and lipase activities, serum superoxide dismutase, catalase, lysozyme, alkaline and acid phosphatase activities and disease resistance ability against the pathogen, Vibrio splendidus of the sea cucumbers fed with FA-containing diets were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). The optimum dose of dietary FA supplementation required for the maximum growth of sea cucumber was 0.54 g/kg. Therefore, dietary FA supplementation to the feed of sea cucumber can significantly improve its growth performance immune response.

Dietary chitosan modulates the growth performance, body composition and nonspecific immunity of juvenile yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco).

This study investigated the effects of feeding different concentrations of chitosan on the growth performance, body composition and non-specific immune function of juvenile yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco). Four kinds of experimental diets were respectively prepared by adding 0 (control group), 5, 10 and 15 g/kg of chitosan to the basal feed and fed to juvenile yellow catfish for 8 weeks. Results show that the body weight gain rate, specific growth rate, survival rate, body protein content, serum superoxide dismutase activity, catalase activity, glutathione peroxidise activity, lysozyme activity and disease resistance ability against Aeromonas hydrophila of the experimental group with chitosan added to its diet were significantly higher than those of the control group optimally by 36.22 %, 14.37 %, 9.46 %, 8.97 %, 50.89 %, 33.15 %, 21.52 %, 40.80 %, 41.09 %, and 79.71 %, respectively (P < 0.05). No significant differences in feed efficiency among all groups (P > 0.05) were observed. The optimum dose of dietary chitosan required for the maximum growth of juvenile yellow catfish was 8.95 g/kg. Therefore, adding an appropriate amount of chitosan (8.95 g/kg) to the feed of yellow catfish can significantly improve its growth performance, ameliorate body composition and enhance its non-specific immunity.

The growth performance, body composition and nonspecific immunity of white shrimps (Litopenaeus vannamei) affected by dietary Astragalus membranaceus polysaccharide.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Astragalus membranaceus polysaccharide (AMP) on the growth performance, body composition and non-specific immune index of white shrimps (Litopenaeus vannamei). AMP was used to replace 0 (control), 10, 30, and 50 g kg-1 of the cellulose in the basic diet to formulate four kinds of test feeds. Sixplicate groups of shrimps with an average weight of 0.51 ± 0.03 g were fed with one of diets four times daily. Dietary 50 and 30 g kg-1 of AMP increased body weight gain, feed efficiency, body protein, superoxide dismutase activity, catalase activity, acid phosphatase activity, lysozyme, disease resistance ability against Vibrio alginolyticus and decreased body lipid level of shrimps compared with those of the control group. However, a high level of AMP (50 g kg-1) did not improve the efficiency of AMP on the growth performance, body composition and non-specific immune index of shrimps further compared to moderate level of AMP (30 g kg-1). The results demonstrated that AMP with appropriate dose could promote the growth of shrimps and improve their disease resistance.

A new fluorescent probe for sensing of biothiols and screening of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.

A new N2O-type BODIPY probe (LF-Bop) has been proposed for the selective and sensitive detection of biologically relevant small molecular thiols. This detection is based on the Michael addition reaction between the thiol and nitrostyrene groups in the probe, which decreases the quenching effect from the nitro group, thus resulting in the recovery of the deep-red fluorescence from the BODIPY structure. The results show that LF-Bop is able to detect all tested free thiols through a fluorescence turn-on assay. The lowest limit of detection (LOD) for glutathione was found to be down to nanomolar levels (220 nM). Based on this probe, we have developed a new fluorescence assay for the screening of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. In total, 11 natural and synthetic alkaloids have been evaluated. Both experimental measurements and theoretical molecular docking results reveal that both natural berberine and its synthetic derivative dihydroberberine are potential inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase.

The growth performance, body composition and nonspecific immunity of Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) affected by chitosan.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary chitosan on the growth performance, body composition and non-specific immunity of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Chitosan were added to the basic diet to formulate five kinds of test feeds (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 g kg-1). The diets containing 4 g kg-1 chitosan increased body weight gain, feed conversion rate, specific growth rate, body protein, superoxide dismutase activity, catalase activity, lysozyme, disease resistance ability against Aeromonas hydrophila and decreased hepatopancrease lipid levels, plasma total cholesterol, plasma triacylglycerol, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase of tilapias compared with those of the control group. However, a high level of chitosan (8 g kg-1) decreased its efficiency compared to moderate level of chitosan (4 g kg-1). The results demonstrated that chitosan could promote the growth of tilapias and improve their disease resistance against A. hydrophila.

Effect of Opuntia dillenii polysaccharide on gelling properties of Trichiurus lepturus myobrilar protein.

In this study, the effects of Opuntia dillenii polysaccharide (ODP) at different concentrations (1%, 3% and 5% wet materials) on the gel properties of Trichiurus lepturus myofibrillar proteins were investigated. ODP was prepared by hot water extraction, consisted of arabinose, xylose, fructose, glucose, galacturonic acid and rhamnose and its molecular weight was 106 kDa. The addition of ODP increased the water holding capacity, sulfhydryl content adhesiveness, cohesiveness, elasticity and overall likeness of T. lepturus myofibrillar proteins gel. However, a high dose (5% wet materials) of ODP could not further increase or decrease its efficiency compared with moderate dose (3% wet materials). Consequently, the addition of ODP increased the gel properties of T. lepturus myofibrillar protein gel and could be used as a myofibrillar protein gel supplement.

Extending shelf-life of fresh-cut potato with cactus Opuntia dillenii polysaccharide-based edible coatings.

Cactus Opuntia dillenii polysaccharide (ODP) exhibits antibacterial and antioxidant activities and can form semipermeable coatings. This study explored on extending the shelf-life of fresh-cut potato with ODP-based edible coatings. Fresh-cut potatoes were treated with ODP solutions of different concentrations (0.5%, 1% and 1.5%) and stored at 5 °C for 5 d. Treatment with ODP-based edible coatings effectively suppressed browning, microbial growth and respiration rate and inhibited weight loss and total sugar formation during storage at 5 °C compared with the control (p < 0.05). Based on the efficiency of ODP-based edible coatings, 1% was considered the optimum dose for preservation of fresh-cut potatoes. Results demonstrated that treatment with ODP-based edible coatings may be a practical method for extending the shelf-life of fresh-cut potatoes.

The growth performance and nonspecific immunity of loach Paramisgurnus dabryanus as affected by dietary ß-1,3-glucan.

Four diets supplemented with three different levels of ß-1,3-glucan (0.5, 1, and 2 g kg-1) were formulated and tested for growth, intestine digestive-enzyme activities, PO, SOD and GPx activities and erythrocytes number, phagocytic percentage of erythrocytes and lysozyme activity and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila of loach Paramisgurnus dabryanus. A diet without any ß-1,3-glucan served as the control. After 60 days of feeding, the growth performance, intestine digestive-enzyme activities, nonspecific immunity, and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila of P. dabryanus were higher than those of the control when the loaches P. dabryanus were fed with ß-1,3-glucan-containing diets. Results revealed that dietary ß-1,3-glucan can improve the growth performance, intestine digestive-enzyme activities, PO, SOD and GPx activities and erythrocytes number, phagocytic percentage of erythrocytes and lysozyme activity and resistance of loaches P. dabryanus and can thus be used as their diet supplement.

Effect of dietary Astragalus membranaceus polysaccharide on the growth performance and immunity of juvenile broilers.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary Astragalus membranaceus polysaccharide (AMP) supplementation on the growth performance and immunity of juvenile broilers. High-performance liquid chromatography spectrum and sugar composition analysis indicated that AMP is a heteropolysaccharide with a molecular weight of 11,078 Da and consists of glucose, galactose, rhamnose, and arabinose. Four diets supplemented with four different levels of AMP (0, 0.5, 1, and 2 g kg-1) were formulated and tested for their effects on the growth performance and immunity of juvenile broilers. After 6 wk of feeding, the juvenile broilers fed with AMP-containing diets exhibited higher body weight gains; the activities of digestive enzymes (amylase, lipase, and protease), superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase; and serum IgG, IgM, and IgA levels; and lower malondialdehyde level than the control. However, excessive AMP dose (>1 g kg-1) could not improve its efficiency further. Results indicate that dietary administration of AMP can improve the growth performance and immune responses of juvenile broilers.

Effects of dietary trehalose on the growth performance and nonspecific immunity of white shrimps (Litopenaeus vannamei).

This study aimed to investigate the effects of trehalose on the growth performance and nonspecific immunity of white shrimps (Litopenaeus vannamei). The shrimps were randomly divided into four groups, i.e. control group fed with normal commercial diet and three treatment groups fed with trehalose-containing diets (0.5, 1 and 1.5 g kg-1) and experimental diets during a 12-week breeding experiment. Oral trehalose administration significantly improved the body weight; food efficiency; survival rate; phenoloxidase activity; superoxide dismutase activity; glutathione peroxidase level; total haemocyte count; hyaline, semigranular and granular cell numbers; and disease resistance against Vibrio alginolyticus relative to those of the control group (p < 0.05). However, a high level (1.5 g kg-1) of trehalose supplement did not further increase the efficiency compared with the moderate dose (1 g kg-1). Results indicated that trehalose exerted immunostimulatory effects on Pacific white shrimps (L. vannamei) and may be used as a diet supplement for the crustaceans.

Stimulating effects of polysaccharide from Angelica sinensis on the nonspecific immunity of white shrimps (Litopenaeus vannamei).

Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) was prepared by hot water extraction. Then, high-performance liquid chromatography and ion chromatography analyses were conducted, and the results indicated that ASP is a heteropolysaccharide, has a molecular mass of 82,000 Da and consists of arabinose, galactose and glucose (molar ratio of 6:1:1). The effects of ASP on the nonspecific immunity of white shrimps (Litopenaeus vannamei) were investigated by feeding them with ASP-containing diets (0.5, 1 and 1.5 g/kg) during a 12-week breeding experiment. Oral ASP administration significantly improved the survival rate, phenoloxidase activity, superoxide dismutase activity, glutathione peroxidase level, disease resistance against V. alginolyticus, total haemocyte count and number of hyaline cells, semigranular cells and granular cells (p < .05). ASP exhibits immunostimulatory effects on Pacific white shrimps (L. vannamei) and may thus be used as a diet supplement for them.

Effects of glutathione on the survival, growth performance and non-specific immunity of white shrimps (Litopenaeus vannamei).

Reduced glutathione (GSH) is the most abundant non-enzymatic antioxidant present in mammalian cells and the main intracellular defence mechanism against oxidative stress. This study investigated the effects of GSH on survival rate, mean body gain weight, feed efficiency (FE), phenoloxidase (PO) activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity, GSH peroxidase (GPx) and susceptibility to Vibrio alginolyticus when Pacific white shrimps (Litopenaeus vannamei) were fed with GSH-containing diets. GSH was added to diets at 0.10, 0.20 and 0.30 g/kg during the eight-week breeding experiment. Oral administration of GSH had significantly increased mean body weight gain, FE, PO activity, SOD activity, ACP activity, AKP activity, GPx activity and susceptibility to V. alginolyticus compared with those of the control group (p < .05). Results indicate that GSH exerts both growth-promoting and immunostimulatory effects on Pacific white shrimps (L. vannamei).

Production of pullulan from raw potato starch hydrolysates by a new strain of Auerobasidium pullulans.

In the present study, hydrolysis of potato starch with marine cold-adapted α-amylase and pullulan production from the hydrolysates by a new strain of Auerobasidium pullulans isolated from sea mud were conducted. The hydrolysis conditions were optimized as follows: reaction time 2h, pH 6.5, temperature 20°C, and α-amylase amount 12 U/g. Under these optimum hydrolysis conditions, the DE value of the potato starch hydrolysates reached to 49.56. The potato starch hydrolysates consist of glucose, maltose, isomaltose, maltotriose, and trace of other maltooligosaccharides with degree of polymerization ranged 4-7. The maximum production of pullulan at 96 h from the hydrolysate of potato starch was 36.17 g/L, which was higher than those obtained from glucose (22.07 g/L, p<0.05) and sucrose (31.42 g/L, p<0.05). Analysis of the high performance liquid chromatography of the hydrolysates of the pullulan product with pullulanase indicated that the main composition is maltotriose, thus confirming the pullulan structure of this pullulan product.

Cellulase-assisted extraction and antioxidant activity of the polysaccharides from garlic.

In the present study, the polysaccharides were prepared from garlic by using a cellulase-assisted extraction method and the antioxidant activity of garlic polysaccharides (GPs) was evaluated. To improve the yield of GPs, the influences of the several factors such as extraction time, temperature, pH, and cellulase amount on the extraction efficiency were studied. The optimal conditions for extraction of GPs were determined as follows: time, 80 min; temperature, 45 °C; pH, 5; cellulase amount, 8000 U/g. Under the optimised extraction conditions, the yield of GPS reached up to 35.34%. The GPs product exhibited strong antioxidant activity including hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, 2,2-diphenyl-ß-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity, and reducing power. The results suggest that the GPs could be used as potential antioxidants.

Preparation of peach gum polysaccharides using hydrogen peroxide.

Most polysaccharides cannot dissolve in water but can be hydrolysed using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to yield a water-soluble product. This study presents a method of preparing water-soluble polysaccharides from peach gum by hydrolysis using H2O2. Extraction was monitored by the recovery rate. Factors affecting the hydrolysis of peach gum were investigated, and the optimum hydrolysis conditions were determined as follows: time, 8 h; temperature, 55°C; H2O2 concentration, 4% (v/v); and NaOH concentration, 2.0 M. The hydrolysates were filtered, neutralised with HCl, concentrated to ∼20% (w/v), precipitated with 5 volumes of ethanol, freeze-dried, and ground to yield a water soluble and white powder. The polysaccharide content of the product was 97.8%, and the yield was 83.6% (w/w).

Comparing the treatment effectiveness of body acupuncture and auricular acupuncture in preoperative anxiety treatment.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative anxiety has become more frequent in preoperative patients and can bring negative impact on operation outcomes. Many studies have reported the effect of body acupuncture in reducing anxiety syndromes. The aim of this study is to compare the treatment effect of body acupuncture and auricular acupuncture in preoperative patients with preoperative anxiety. METHODS: Thirty five elective ambulatory surgery patients were selected in the randomized and blinded trial. Subjects were randomly categorized in two intervention groups, the body acupuncture group who received acupuncture in the special points of body, and the auricular acupuncture group who received ear acupuncture. Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) was used before and after the study. RESULTS: For the auricular acupuncture group, the mean score of SAS was 57.57 ± 8.22 before the intervention and 46.32 ± 6.37 afterward. For the body acupuncture group, the SAS score was 55.39 ± 5.41 and 44.82 ± 6.76 before and after the intervention, respectively. For both groups, the difference between pre- and post-treatment scores reached the significant level (p = 0.00). CONCLUSIONS: Both auricular and body acupuncture treatment methods were effective in decreasing anxiety in preoperative patients.

Fish consumption and the risk of gastric cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer is the fourth most frequently occurring malignancy after lung, breast, and colorectal cancer, and the second most common cause of death from cancer worldwide. Epidemiologic studies have examined the possible association between fish consumption and gastric cancer, but the results were inconclusive. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the association between fish intake and the risk of gastric cancer. METHODS: PubMed was searched for studies published in English-language journals from 1991 through 2009. We identified 17 epidemiologic studies (15 case-control and 2 cohort studies) that included relative risks (RRs) or odds ratios (ORs) estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the relationship between gastric cancer and fish consumption. Data were extracted using standardized data forms. Summary RRs or ORs for the highest versus non/lowest fish consumption levels were calculated using random-effects model. Heterogeneity among studies was examined using Q and I2 statistics. RESULTS: In this study, 5,323 cases of gastric cancer and over 130,000 non-cases were included. The combined results from all studies indicated that the association between high fish consumption and reduced gastric cancer risk was not statistically insignificant (RR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.71-1.07). CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence indicated that the association between fish consumption and risk of gastric cancer remains unclear.