Molecular cloning, tissue expression pattern, responses to different fatty acids and potential functions of lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 1 (LPCAT1) in large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea).

In farmed fish, diets rich in palm oil have been observed to promote abnormal lipid build-up in the liver, subsequently leading to physiological harm and disease onset. Emerging research suggests that integrating phospholipids into the feed could serve as a potent countermeasure against hepatic impairments induced by vegetable oil consumption. Phosphatidylcholine is the most abundant type among phospholipids. In the metabolic processes of mammal, lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 1 (LPCAT1), crucial for phosphatidylcholine remodeling, demonstrates a marked affinity towards palmitic acid (PA). Nonetheless, aspects concerning the cloning, tissue-specific distribution, and affinity of the LPCAT1 gene to diverse oil sources have yet to be elucidated in the large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea). Within the scope of this study, we successfully isolated and cloned the cDNA of the LPCAT1 gene from the large yellow croaker. Subsequent analysis revealed distinct gene expression patterns of LPCAT1 across ten different tissues of the species. The fully sequenced coding DNA sequence (CDS) of LPCAT1 spans 1503 bp and encodes a sequence of 500 amino acids. Comparative sequence alignment indicates that LPCAT1 shares a 69.75 % amino acid similarity with its counterparts in other species. Although LPCAT1 manifests across various tissues of the large yellow croaker, its predominance is markedly evident in the liver and gills. Furthermore, post exposure of the large yellow croaker's hepatocytes to varied fatty acids, PA has a strong response to LPCAT1. Upon the addition of appropriate lysolecithin to palm oil feed, the mRNA expression of LPCAT1 in the liver cells of the large yellow croaker showed significant variations compared to other subtypes. Concurrently, the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory genes il-1ß, il-6, il-8, tnf-α and ifn-γ in the liver tissue of the large yellow croaker decreased. Interestingly, they exhibit the same trend of change. In conclusion, we have cloned the LPCAT1 gene on fish successfully and find the augmented gene response of LPCAT1 in hepatocytes under PA treatment first. The results of this study suggest that LPCAT1 may be associated with liver inflammation in fish and offer new insights into mitigating liver diseases in fish caused by palm oil feed.

Effectiveness of dyadic sensory art therapies for People with dementia and their caregivers:A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The need for dyadic intervention is enhanced with increasing numbers of older adults with dementia. Studies have shown that sensory art therapies are essential for dementia patients and their caregivers. The effects of dyadic sensory art therapies for people with dementia and their caregivers require further exploration. OBJECTIVES: This review aimed to assess the efficacy of dyadic sensory art therapies on neuropsychiatric symptoms and mental function for dementia patients, caregiver burden and psychological state for caregivers, dyad relationship quality for dyads, and evaluate the potential effects of dyadic sensory art therapies on quality of life for both dementia patients and caregivers. METHODS: An electronic literature search of the PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO and three Chinese databases (CNKI, Wanfang and CBM) was conducted up to November 2022. Two reviewers (SZ and QG) worked independently to identify relevant studies. Risk of bias was assessed by the Cochrane's and Joanna Briggs Institute's tool. Meta-analyses were conducted using RevMan software 5.4. RESULTS: This systematic review included 15 studies (7 RCTs and 8 quasi-experimental studies). The meta-analysis showed that dyadic sensory art therapies significantly ameliorated neuropsychiatric symptoms (SMD = -0.90, 95% CI -1.61 to -0.20, P = .01), caregiver burden (SMD = -0.75; 95% CI -1.03 to -0.47; P < .001). No significant improvements were found in caregiver depression and quality of life for both patients and caregivers. CONCLUSIONS: Dyadic sensory art therapies are generally effective at ameliorating neuropsychiatric symptoms, and caregiver burden. Future studies are encouraged to design large-scale randomized controlled trials with high-quality study to examine and confirm the effectiveness of dyadic sensory art therapies for these dyads composed of dementia patients and their caregivers. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD 42023393577; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023393577.

Application of the wholebrain calculation interactive framework to map whole-brain neural connectivity networks.

The aim of this work was to develop a simple and feasible method of mapping the neural network topology of the mouse brain. Wild-type C57BL/6 J mice (n = 10) aged 8-10 weeks were injected with the cholera toxin subunit B (CTB) tracer in the anterior (NAcCA) and posterior (NAcCP) parts of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) core and in the medial (NAcSM) and lateral (NAcSL) parts of the NAc shell. The labeled neurons were reconstructed using the WholeBrain Calculation Interactive Framework. The NAcCA receives neuronal projections from the olfactory areas (OLF) and isocortex; the thalamus and isocortex project more fibers to the NAcSL, and the hypothalamus send more fiber projections to the NAcSM. Cell resolution can be automatically annotated, analyzed, and visualized using the WholeBrain Calculation Interactive Framework, making large-scale mapping of mouse brains at cellular and subcellular resolutions easier and more accurate.

ZnCl2 treatment improves nutrient quality and Zn accumulation in peanut seeds and sprouts.

Peanut is a popular food due to its high nutrient content. The effects of ZnCl2 on peanut seed germination, fatty acid and sugar contents, vitamin biosynthesis, antioxidant content, and Zn assimilation were evaluated in this study. Treatment with ZnCl2 significantly improved the germination rate, enhanced reactive oxygen species production and reduced the content of total fatty acids in peanut seed and sprout. However, ZnCl2 treatment did not reduce total sugar or total protein relative to the control. Germination promoted the biosynthesis of phenolics and resveratrol and increased the antioxidant capacity, as evaluated by Fe3+ reducing power and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging ability, especially under Zn stress conditions. The vitamin content decreased in the following order among treatments: germinated seeds with ZnCl2 treatment > germinated seeds without ZnCl2 treatment > dormant seeds. Interestingly, Zn content was approximately five times higher in the germinated ZnCl2-treated seeds compared to in the untreated germinated seeds and the dormant seeds. The results of this study provide a new method for producing healthy foods with enhanced vitamin content and antioxidant capacity.