Tsung-Meng Wu

Red coloring determines the commercial value of blood parrot cichlids (Vieja melanurus × Amphilophus citrinellus). While synthetic astaxanthin (SA) is commonly used to improve hue, its expensive cost has prompted the quest for more sustainable alternatives. This 60-day study looked at shrimp waste extract (SWE) as a dietary supplement for color improvement. Fish were assigned to five diets: basal control (G1, 0 mg/kg SA: 0 mg/kg SWE), SWE alone (G2, 0 mg/kg SA: 7.7 mg/kg SWE), high SA (G3, 90 mg/kg SA: 0 mg/kg SWE), moderate SA (G4, 45 mg/kg SA: 0 mg/kg SWE), and mixed SA with SWE (G5, 45 mg/kg SA: 7.7 mg/kg SWE). Growth and CIELAB skin pigmentation were evaluated. Growth performance was consistent across all treatments. Colorimetric study found that while the SWE alone (G2) significantly improved pigmentation compared to the control, it was less effective than the high-SA diet. However, incorporating SWE into the moderate-SA diet (G5) resulted in a promising complementary response. Despite having half the SA concentration, G5 achieved pigmentation that was comparable or superior to the G3 diet by the end of the feeding trial. These data revealed that, while SWE has lower independent activity, it is an effective complementary additive for shortening the feeding period required to achieve a similar redness. Finally, SWE enables the partial substitution of synthetic astaxanthin, providing a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable nutritional strategy for the ornamental aquaculture business.

Excessive drinking or even alcoholism poses noticeable health risks to society, and investigating ways to improve alcohol metabolism may be a potential strategy to address this public health issue. The aim of this study was to explore the efficacy of freshwater clam aqueous extract (CE) in promoting alcohol metabolism and to further elucidate its potential mechanism. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: (1) control group (C); (2) vehicle group (V), which was given a single dose of 2 g/kg bw ethanol; (3) low-dose CE group (CEL), which was given ethanol and 128 mg/kg bw CE; and (4) high-dose CE group (CEH), which was given ethanol and 256 mg/kg bw CE. Blood was drawn from the tails of the rats at 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 h after alcohol administration, and serum samples were collected. The results showed that compared with the V group, oral administration of CE reduced the ethanol concentration in the serum of the rats, with the area under the serum ethanol curve (AUC) of the CEH group decreased by 32.6%, exhibiting a significant difference (p < 0.05). Moreover, the high-dose CE (CEH) treatment significantly increased the activities of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the liver of the rats by 41.5%, 42.4%, 40.6%, and 34.6%, respectively, compared with those in group V (p < 0.05). The Western blot results indicated that CE reduced the expression of ethanol-induced inflammation-related proteins COX-2, iNOS, and TNF-α in the liver by 66.4%, 90.6%, and 41.4%, respectively. In conclusion, it can be inferred that CE can help reduce the ethanol concentration in the serum of rats fed with alcohol, and its possible mechanism is to promote the metabolism of ethanol by increasing the activities of ADH and ALDH and the antioxidant capacity in the liver.

Excessive drinking or even alcoholism brings noticeable health risks to society, and how to improve alcohol metabolism may be a potential strategy to advance this public issue. The aim of this study was to explore the efficacy of freshwater clam aqueous extract (CE) in promoting alcohol metabolism and to further elucidate its potent mechanism. The male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: (1) Control group (C); (2) Vehicle group (V), which was given a single dose of 2 g/kg bw ethanol; (3) Low-dose CE group (CEL), which was given ethanol and 128 mg/ kg bw CE; (4) High-dose CE group (CEH), which was given ethanol and 256 mg/ kg bw CE. Blood was drawn from the tails of the rats at 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 h after alcohol administration, and serum samples were collected. The results showed that compared with the V group, oral administration of CE reduced the ethanol concentration in the serum of rats, among which the CEH exhibited a significant difference (p<0.05). Moreover, high-dose of CE (CEH) treatment significantly increased the activities of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the liver of rats (p<0.05). The results of western blot indicated that CE could reduce the expression of ethanol-induced inflammation-related proteins COX-2, iNOS and TNF-α in the liver. In conclusion, it can be inferred that the CE can effectively reduce the ethanol concentration in the serum of rats fed with alcohol, and its possible mechanism is to promote the metabolism of ethanol by increasing the activity of ADH and ALDH and antioxidant capacity in the liver.

Inorganic arsenic (iAs), which predominantly occurs as arsenite (As³⁺) and arsenate (As⁵⁺) in natural water, is primarily accumulated by seaweed in marine environments. However, the detailed mechanisms through which As³⁺ and As⁵⁺ affect the physiological processes of these organisms remain largely unknown. This study focused on evaluating the toxicological effects of As³⁺ and As⁵⁺ on the seaweed Sarcodia suae. Exposure to As³⁺ and As⁵⁺ resulted in IC₅₀ values of 401.5 ± 9.4 μg L⁻¹ and 975.8 ± 13 μg L⁻¹, respectively. Morphological alterations and a reduction in phycoerythrin content were observed, particularly under As³⁺ exposure, with increased lipid peroxidation as evidenced by higher malondialdehyde levels. Exposure to As³⁺ also elevated the production of superoxide radicals, while decreasing hydrogen peroxide levels specifically in the presence of As³⁺. The induction of antioxidative enzyme activities, namely superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and ascorbate peroxidase was observed, signaling an adaptive response to iAs-induced oxidative stress. Moreover, levels of the antioxidants ascorbate and glutathione were elevated post-exposure, especially in response to As³⁺. Additionally, bioaccumulation of arsenic was significantly higher in the As³⁺ compared to As⁵⁺. Collectively, the data suggest that As³⁺ imposes greater adverse effects and oxidative stress to S. suae, which responds by adjusting its antioxidative defense mechanisms to mitigate oxidative stress.

Microsorum pteropus ‘Windeløv’ is a water fern from Asia commonly used in aquarium landscapes. This study aimed to develop a mass production method through the induction of green globular bodies (GGBs) from leaf explants of M. pteropus. Surface sterilization was performed on adventitious buds on the fronds of M. pteropus ‘Windeløv’ as explants. The results showed that the optimal explant disinfection condition was 1% sodium hypochlorite solution for 20 min, achieving a successful rate of 87.5 ± 9.6%. The most effective GGB induction was achieved with MS medium supplemented with 5.0 mg/L of NAA (1-Naphthaleneaceticacid) and 0.5 mg/L of 6-BA (6-benzylaminopurine), producing the highest number and size of GGBs, with a mean value of 4.0 ± 0.8 GGBs per explant and a diameter of 2.45 ± 0.61 mm after 8 weeks of culture. The regeneration of multiple sporophytes from the GGBs was only observed under hormone-free MS medium, with a mean value of 34.2 ± 7.3 sporophytes per GGB after 6 weeks of culture. Subsequently, rootless and separated sporophytes could be directly transplanted into the aquarium with a 100% survival rate.

Pumpkins (Cucurbita moschata), valued for their nutritional, medicinal, and economic significance, face threats from Meloidogyne incognita, a critical plant-parasitic nematode. This study extensively examines the impact of M. incognita on the growth, physiological, and biochemical responses of C. moschata. We demonstrate that M. incognita infection leads to significant growth impairment in C. moschata, evidenced by reduced plant height and biomass, along with the significant development of nematode-induced galls. Concurrently, a pronounced oxidative stress response was observed, characterized by elevated levels of hydrogen peroxide and a significant increase in antioxidant defense mechanisms, including the upregulation of key antioxidative enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, catalase, and peroxidase) and the accumulation of glutathione. These responses highlight a dynamic interaction between the plant and the nematode, wherein C. moschata activates a robust antioxidant defense to mitigate the oxidative stress induced by nematode infection. Despite these defenses, the persistence of growth impairment underscores the challenge posed by M. incognita to the agricultural production of C. moschata. Our findings contribute to the understanding of plant–nematode interactions, paving the way for the development of strategies aimed at enhancing resistance in Cucurbitaceae crops against nematode pests, thus supporting sustainable agricultural practices.

The shark-derived single-domain antibody VNAR (variable domain of new antigen receptor) has many advantageous features that make the VNAR suitable for improving current monoclonal antibody therapy deficiencies or disease diagnosis methods. In order to discover more VNARs, it is necessary to improve the efficiency of the isolation process. This research aims to enhance the VNAR discovery platform by dual displaying the semi-synthetic VNAR library and green fluorescent protein tag on the yeast surface. The GFP tag can be used to determine the degree of VNAR expression. The diversity of the semi-synthetic VNAR library constructed in this study is verified to be 1.97 × 10⁹ by next-generation sequencing (NGS). We conveniently screened VNARs against the feline neonatal Fc receptor or feline infectious peritonitis virus nucleocapsid protein by sequential MACS and FACS. To find more diverse VNARs, we analyzed the NGS data of VNAR CDR3 genes before and after biopanning. By comparing the frequency change of each sequence, we found that the amplification factor of sequences was increased by biopanning. Four VNAR candidates selected by the high-frequency and high-amplification factor criteria showed an antigen-binding ability. The results demonstrate that biopanning from a yeast surface displaying a semi-synthetic VNAR library followed by the NGS assay can generate antigen binders rapidly without the need for shark rearing and long-term immunization.

Aquaponic systems are made up of hydroponic beds and recycled aquaculture systems. The significant elements that determine how effectively an aquaponic system operates are the nitrogen cycle (nitrification) and the phosphorus cycle (phosphate). Because some research indicates that aquaponics systems are primarily deficient in phosphorus, phosphate-enriched nutrients were added to raise the phosphorus levels. During an eight-week experimental period, the effects of water quality parameters and microbiology, animal and plant growth performance, chlorophyll compounds in lettuce, and the bacterial community were analyzed. Phosphate concentration (1.604 ± 1.933 mg L⁻¹) and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) (1.19 × 10² ± 1.30 CFU mL⁻¹) give significant positive reactions to the added nutrients. However, the prawn survival rate (17.00 ± 0.63%) showed a significantly negative response to nutrition modification containing phosphate, and the percentage of bacterial pathogens became more dominant (pathogen 40.51%; N_bacteria 35.05%; probiotics 24.44%). This study shows that adding phosphate increases phosphorus levels in an aquaponics system and changes the microbial community and species growth performance.

Anthropogenic climate change is known to be an increased stress that affects aquatic animal behavior and physiological alternations, which can induce the animal’s death. In order to known whether the extracted acetyl-xylogalactan function on the regulation of the external high temperature induced death, we first selected the mammalian cell line “RAW 264.7” used in the previous experiment to evaluate the extracted acetyl-xylogalactan function. We aimed to evaluate the effects of the acetyl-xylogalactan on the RAW 264.7 macrophages and Nile Tilapia stress factor expression under the heat environment. In the in vitro cell observation, we assessed the cell survival, phagocytic activity, intracellular Ca²⁺ level, mitochondria potential exchange, apoptotic assay findings, galactosidase activity, RNA-seq by NGS and real-time polymerase chain reaction (QPCR) expression. In the in vivo Nile Tilapia observation aimed to evaluate the blood biochemical indicator, brain metabolites exchange and the liver morphology. In our evaluation of RAW 264.7 macrophages, the RNA sequencing and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was shown to upregulate the expression of the anti-apoptosis Cflar gene and downregulate the expression of the apoptosis factors Ddit3 and Hyou1 to protect macrophages under heat stress. We already knew the extracted acetyl-xylogalactan function on the mammalian “RAW 264.7” system. Following, we used the aquatic Nile Tilapia model as the anthropogenic climate change high temperature experiment. After feeding the Nile Tilapia with the acetyl-xylogalactan, it was found to reduce the brain arachidonic acid (AA) production, which is related to the NF-κB-induced apoptosis mechanism. Combined with the in vitro and in vivo findings, the acetyl-xylogalactan was able to reduce the heat induced cell or tissue stress.

Sarcodia suieae acetyl-xylogalactan was reported to induce macrophage polarisation, and could positively regulate macrophage activation. In this study, we evaluated the effect of Sarcodia suieae acetyl-xylogalactan on the Nile tilapia. First, we assessed the influence of acetyl-xylogalactan on the survival, glucose uptake, and phagocytic activity of tilapia head kidney (THK) melanomacrophage, and observed increased proliferation of these cells in the MTT assay after 12 and 24 h of treatment. Glucose uptake increased in THK melanomacrophage treated with 20 and 30 μg acetyl-xylogalactan for 24 h. Their phagocytic activity was positively enhanced following exposure to acetyl-xylogalactan. Nile tilapia were fed with acetyl-xylogalactan for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, Nile tilapia were sacrificed, and the lipopolysaccharide-induced liver and head-kidney apoptosis was examined under reducing conditions in comparison with controls. The phagocytic activities of liver and head-kidney cells were enhanced after 4 weeks of feeding. Blood biochemical analysis revealed a reduction in glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) levels after 4 weeks of feeding. Combined with in vitro and in vivo experiments results, the extracted S. suieae acetyl-xylogalactan could directly induce THK melanomacrophage proliferation, glucose uptake, and phagocytic activity. Acetyl-xylogalactan was able to induce Nile tilapia liver and head-kidney resident macrophage activity, and reduced LPS-induced liver and head-kidney cell apoptosis. S. suieae acetyl-xylogalactan may modulate Nile tilapia macrophage activation by polarising them into M1 macrophages to improve the Nile tilapia nonspecific immune response.