Effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides supplemented to high soybean meal diet on immunity and hepatic health of spotted sea bass Lateolabrax maculatus.

High soybean meal diet (HSBMD) decreased the immunity and damaged the liver health of spotted sea bass; in this study, Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) was added to HSBMD to explore its effects on the immunity and liver health. The diet with 44% fish meal content was designed as a blank control. On this basis, soybean meal was used to replace 50% fish meal as HSBMD, and LBP was added in HSBMD in gradient (1.0, 1.5, 2.0 g/kg) as the experimental diet. 225-tailed spotted sea bass with initial body weight of 44.52 ± 0.24 g were randomly divided into 5 groups and fed the corresponding diet for 52 days, respectively. The results show that: after ingestion of HSBMD, the immunity of spotted sea bass decreased slightly and hepatic tissue was severely damaged. And the addition of LBP significantly improved the immune capacity and protected the hepatic health. Specifically, the activities of serum lysozyme (LZM), immunoglobulin M (IgM), liver acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) were increased, and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities were significantly decreased, and hepatic morphology was improved. In the analysis of transcriptome results, it was found that toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) and toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) were down-regulated in toll-like receptor signaling pathway. And LBP may protect hepatic health by regulating Glycolysis/Gluconeogenesis, Insulin signaling pathway, Steroid biosynthesis and other glucolipid-related pathways. In conclusion, the addition of LBP in HSBMD can improve the immunity and protect the hepatic health of spotted sea bass, and its mechanism may be related to glucose and lipid metabolism.

Effects of Mulberry Leaf Extract on the Liver Function of Juvenile Spotted Sea Bass (Lateolabrax maculatus).

In order to explore the effect of mulberry leaf extract (ELM) on the liver function of spotted sea bass, 360 fish with healthy constitution (average body weight 9.00 ± 0.02 g) were selected and randomly divided into six groups with three repetitions, and six groups of fish were randomly placed into 18 test tanks (200 L) with 20 fish per tank for the 52-day feeding test. Every day, the fish were fed the experimental feed with different concentrations (0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 g/kg) to the level of apparent satiation, with a crude protein content of 48.0% and a crude fat content of 8.6%. And the water temperature was maintained at 25-28°C with a salinity of 0.5%-1‰. After feeding, five fish were randomly selected to collect their livers and serum for detection of indicators. The results showed that, compared with the control group, ELM significantly increased the activities of lipase (LPS) and trypsin (TRS) in the liver, and reached the highest level when the amount of ELM added was 6 g/kg (P < 0.05). ELM significantly increased the activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) involved in the metabolic process in liver tissue, and GOT activity reached the highest when ELM was added at 9 g/kg, and LDH activity reached the highest when ELM was added at 15 g/kg (P < 0.05). ELM had no significant effect on liver antioxidant enzymes (P > 0.05), but the content of malondialdehyde was significantly reduced (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, ELM significantly increased the activities of AKP and ACP in the liver, and the AKP activity reached the highest when the ELM addition amount was 3 g/kg, and the ACP activity reached the highest when the ELM addition amount was 9 g/kg (P < 0.05). Through comparative transcriptomic analysis, it was indicated that ELM enhanced the hepatic lipids and carbohydrates metabolism ability, as manifested in the upregulation of expression of phosphatidate phosphatase, glucuronosyltransferase, inositol oxygenase, carbonic anhydrase, and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 2. ELM can also increase the expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1, ATP-dependent RNA helicase and C-X-C motif chemokine 9 involved in the immune process. The above results show that the ELM can enhance the digestion, metabolism, and immunity of the liver by increasing the activity of digestive enzymes, metabolic enzymes, and the expression of metabolism and immune regulation genes. This study provides a theoretical basis for the application of ELM in the cultivation of spotted sea bass by exploring the effect of ELM on the liver function of spotted sea bass.

Effect of Supplementation of Chlorogenic Acid to High-Fat Diet on Growth, Lipid Metabolism, Intestinal and Hepatic Histology, and Gut Microbiota of Spotted Sea Bass (Lateolabrax maculatus).

The study investigated the impact of chlorogenic acid (CGA) supplementation in a high-fat diet (HFD) on growth, lipid metabolism, intestinal and hepatic histology, as well as gut microbiota in spotted sea bass. A total of 540 fish were fed six experimental diets, including a normal fat diet (NFD), a high-fat diet (HFD), and HFD supplemented with 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg/kg CGA (named HFD1, HFD2, HFD3, and HFD4, respectively) for 7 weeks. The results showed that HFD feeding increased growth and hepatic lipid deposition compared to that in the NFD group. Inclusion of 300 mg/kg CGA in HFD decreased the HFD-induced hyperlipemia (p < 0.05). Additionally, compared to the HFD group, the HFD4 group showed significant reductions in serum aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels as well as hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) content, while also improving liver total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) (p < 0.05). In the CGA-containing groups, hepatocytes were arranged more neatly than those in the HFD group, and there was a reduction in lipid deposition and hemolysis in the liver. Supplementation of CGA had effects on intestinal structure including an increase in mucosal thickness, as well as villus number and width. The diversity of intestinal flora in the CGA-containing groups was higher than those in the HFD group, and supplementation of 200 mg/kg CGA significantly increased the abundance of intestinal bacteria (p < 0.05). HFD4 feeding increased the intestinal Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes ratio and decreased the abundance of Vibrio. The highest value abundance of Actinobacteriota was found in the HFD2 group. Overall, HFD caused negative effects, and supplementation of 200-400 mg/kg CGA to HFD improved fat deposition, lipid metabolic disorders and liver and gut histology, and increased gut bacterial diversity in spotted sea bass.

Effects of dietary Clostridium butyricum on the growth performance, digestion, and intestinal health of spotted sea bass (Lateolabrax maculatus).

Clostridium butyricum (CB) is known to promote growth, enhance immunity, promote digestion, and improve intestinal health. In this study, we investigated the effects of CB in the feed on growth performance, digestion, and intestinal health of juvenile spotted sea bass. To provide a theoretical basis for the development and application of CB in the feed of spotted sea bass, a total of 450 spotted sea bass with an initial body weight of (9.58 ± 0.05) g were randomly divided into six groups. Gradient levels with 0, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, and 0.5% of CB (1×109 cfu/g) were supplemented into diets, designated as CC, CB1, CB2, CB3, CB4, and CB5, respectively. Each group was fed for 54 days. Our results suggest that dietary 0.2% and 0.3% of CB can significantly increase the weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) of spotted sea bass. The addition of CB significantly increased intestinal amylase activity, intestinal villus length, intestinal villus width, and intestinal muscle thickness. Similarly, CB supplementation increased the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-8 (IL-8). Sequence analysis of the bacterial 16S rDNA region showed that dietary CB altered the intestinal microbiota profile of juvenile spotted sea bass, increasing the dominant bacteria in the intestine and decreasing the harmful bacteria. Overall, dietary addition of CB can improve growth performance, enhance intestinal immunity, improve intestinal flora structure, and comprehensively improve the health of spotted sea bass.

Effects of heat stress on physiological parameters, biochemical parameters and expression of heat stress protein gene in Lateolabraxmaculatus.

With global warming and the increasing frequency of extreme heat, we have to consider the heat tolerance of fish to sudden high temperatures. This study investigated the effects of high temperature (32 °C) on physiology and biochemistry and heat shock proteins (HSPs) gene of spotted sea bass (Lateolabrax maculatus). The spotted sea bass (14.7 ± 1.54 g) temporarily cultured at 26 °C was directly transferred to the 32 °C high temperature group, and the gill morphology, liver antioxidant activity, respiratory metabolism related enzyme activity and the expression of five HSP70 family members genes were measured at 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h. The results showed that 32 °C had damage effect on gill tissue and antioxidant system, and the damage degree increased with high temperature. Respiratory rate and malondialdehyde increased gradually with the continuous heat stress. Superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity increased briefly and then decreased continuously. Succinate dehydrogenase decreased to the lowest value at 24 h and then continued to increase. Lactate dehydrogenase decreased continuously; the expression of HSP70 increased rapidly and then decreased. These results indicated that the antioxidant system and HSP70 were activated under heat stress condition and provided protection to the body, but with the continuous high temperature, the protective effect was limited, and the fish body was irreversibly damaged. It is necessary to pay close attention to the temperature change in the production practice of spotted sea bass to reduce the influence caused by high temperature.

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides improve lipid metabolism disorders of spotted sea bass Lateolabrax maculatus induced by high lipid diet.

This experiment explored the effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) on lipid metabolism of spotted sea bass Lateolabrax maculatus. Blank and experimental control diets with 100 and 150 g/kg lipid were designed, respectively, and three dosages of LBP (0.75, 1.00, 1.25 g/kg) were supplemented in the experimental control diet. A total 375 of spotted sea bass (19.33 ± 0.15) g were divided into 5 groups, and were given experimental diets for 56 days, respectively. Results showed fish were induced to lipid metabolism disorders with dietary 150 g/kg lipid intake, which manifested in reduced feeding, oxidative stress, elevated serum lipid, and more severe hepatic damage. Dietary LBP improved the lipid metabolism disorders of fish, as indicated by significant enhancements in weight gain, digestion, superoxide dismutase activity, and decreases in malonaldehyde content, and activity of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. Accordingly, an improvement in the hepatic morphological and expression of lipid metabolism related genes, including FAS, PPAR-α, CPT1 and ATGL, was observed. Nevertheless, no significant variation in serum triglyceride and total cholesterol was observed. Overall, dietary LBP can improve the growth, digestion, antioxidant capacity, and liver health of spotted sea bass, thereby improving the lipid metabolism disorders induced by 150 g/kg dietary lipid intake.

Biocytin-Labeling in Whole-Cell Recording: Electrophysiological and Morphological Properties of Pyramidal Neurons in CYLD-Deficient Mice.

Biocytin, a chemical compound that is an amide formed from the vitamin biotin and the amino acid L-lysine, has been used as a histological dye to stain nerve cells. Electrophysiological activity and morphology are two key characteristics of neurons, but revealing both the electrophysiological and morphological properties of the same neuron is challenging. This article introduces a detailed and easy-to-operate procedure for single-cell labeling in combination with whole-cell patch-clamp recording. Using a recording electrode filled with a biocytin-containing internal solution, we demonstrate the electrophysiological and morphological characteristics of pyramidal (PNs), medial spiny (MSNs) and parvalbumin neurons (PVs) in brain slices, where the electrophysiological and morphological properties of the same individual cell are elucidated. We first introduce a protocol for whole-cell patch-clamp recording in various neurons, coupled with the intracellular diffusion of biocytin delivered by the glass capillary of the recording electrode, followed by a post hoc procedure to reveal the architecture and morphology of biocytin-labeled neurons. An analysis of action potentials (APs) and neuronal morphology, including the dendritic length, number of intersections, and spine density of biocytin-labeled neurons, were performed using ClampFit and Fiji Image (ImageJ), respectively. Next, to take advantage of the techniques introduced above, we uncovered defects in the APs and the dendritic spines of PNs in the primary motor cortex (M1) of deubiquitinase cylindromatosis (CYLD) knock-out (Cyld-/-) mice. In summary, this article provides a detailed methodology for revealing the morphology as well as the electrophysiological activity of a single neuron that will have many applications in neurobiology.

Do Genes Play a Role in the Decoy Effect?

The decoy effect arises when the ratio of choosing B from A and B options is lower than the ratio of choosing B from A, B, and D options, wherein D is dominated by B. This decision pattern is obviously unreasonable but quite common. Previous research suggested that impulsive people have stronger decoy effect. Rs806379, as a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) locus of cannabis receptor 1 gene (CNR1), has significant effect on impulsivity-people of A/A genotype are more impulsive than others. Therefore, rs806379 may relate to the decoy effect, which was tested in this study. Participants (359 Han Chinese college students) finished a task of the decoy effect, in which they made decisions between two or three mobile hard disks with various prices and provided saliva for genotyping. The results revealed the existence of the decoy effect. Furthermore, we found that participants with A/A genotype (251 Han Chinese college students) showed stronger decoy effect than others, when the prices were not high. This is the first attempt to study the decoy effect from a gene perspective. The result shows that even an SNP of a gene can have a significant association with complex human economic decision-making activities.

A rice chloroplast-localized ABC transporter ARG1 modulates cobalt and nickel homeostasis and contributes to photosynthetic capacity.

Transport and homeostasis of transition metals in chloroplasts, which are accurately regulated to ensure supply and to prevent toxicity induced by these metals, are thus crucial for chloroplast function and photosynthetic performance. However, the mechanisms that maintain the balance of transition metals in chloroplasts remain largely unknown. We have characterized an albino-revertible green 1 (arg1) rice mutant. ARG1 encodes an evolutionarily conserved protein belonging to the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter family. Protoplast transfection and immunogold-labelling assays showed that ARG1 is localized in the envelopes and thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts. Measurements of metal contents, metal transport, physiological and transcriptome changes revealed that ARG1 modulates cobalt (Co) and nickel (Ni) transport and homeostasis in chloroplasts to prevent excessive Co and Ni from competing with essential metal cofactors in chlorophyll and metal-binding proteins acting in photosynthesis. Natural allelic variation in ARG1 between indica and temperate japonica subspecies of rice is coupled with their different capabilities for Co transport and Co content within chloroplasts. This variation underpins the different photosynthetic capabilities in these subspecies. Our findings link the function of the ARG1 transporter to photosynthesis, and potentially facilitate breeding of rice cultivars with improved Co homeostasis and consequently improved photosynthetic performance.

Can ODE gene regulatory models neglect time lag or measurement scaling?

MOTIVATION: Many ordinary differential equation (ODE) models have been introduced to replace linear regression models for inferring gene regulatory relationships from time-course gene expression data. But, since the observed data are usually not direct measurements of the gene products or there is an unknown time lag in gene regulation, it is problematic to directly apply traditional ODE models or linear regression models. RESULTS: We introduce a lagged ODE model to infer lagged gene regulatory relationships from time-course measurements, which are modeled as linear transformation of the gene products. A time-course microarray dataset from a yeast cell-cycle study is used for simulation assessment of the methods and real data analysis. The results show that our method, by considering both time lag and measurement scaling, performs much better than other linear and ODE models. It indicates the necessity of explicitly modeling the time lag and measurement scaling in ODE gene regulatory models. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: R code is available at https://www.sta.cuhk.edu.hk/xfan/share/lagODE.zip.

Can Your DNA Influence Your Bet-Placing? The Impact of Cannabinoid Receptor 1 Gene on Gambling Tasks.

Are we placing a bet by ourselves or has our DNA already made the decision for us? Previous research has suggested that some genes related to dopamine or serotonin can influence our non-bet-placing decision-making, but little is known about whether cannabinoid-related genes can impact how much people bet. To investigate this issue, we focused on rs1049353, a single-nucleotide polymorphism of the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CNR1), because it is related to addictive behavior and reward processing. In this study (N = 377), we used a modified Cambridge gambling task to test the effect of rs1049353 polymorphism on how much people bet. We found that participants who are homozygous for C allele placed significantly larger bets than C/T carriers [F(1,371) = 7.805, P = 0.005]. We further studied the gene expression map in human brains and found that the CNR1 gene is overexpressed in striatum, amygdala, and hippocampus. These brain structures are known to underpin reward and risk processing. Our findings suggest that, to some extent, high-level social decision-making even like bet-placing could be influenced by a single genetic locus variation in healthy volunteers. In addition, such effects were likely to be mediated by key brain regions in the reward- and risk-processing networks.

Maximal violation of Bell inequalities under local filtering.

We investigate the behavior of the maximal violations of the CHSH inequality and Vèrtesi's inequality under the local filtering operations. An analytical method has been presented for general two-qubit systems to compute the maximal violation of the CHSH inequality and the lower bound of the maximal violation of Vértesi's inequality over the local filtering operations. We show by examples that there exist quantum states whose non-locality can be revealed after local filtering operation by the Vértesi's inequality instead of the CHSH inequality.

Multi-observable Uncertainty Relations in Product Form of Variances.

We investigate the product form uncertainty relations of variances for n (n ≥ 3) quantum observables. In particular, tight uncertainty relations satisfied by three observables has been derived, which is shown to be better than the ones derived from the strengthened Heisenberg and the generalized Schrödinger uncertainty relations, and some existing uncertainty relation for three spin-half operators. Uncertainty relation of arbitrary number of observables is also derived. As an example, the uncertainty relation satisfied by the eight Gell-Mann matrices is presented.