Chenggui Zhang

This study evaluated the feasibility of replacing fishmeal with American cockroach residue in diets for juvenile Carassius auratus red var. and examined its effects on growth performance, nutrient utilisation, metabolic status, antioxidant capacity, immune function and intestinal morphology. Five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated by replacing fishmeal with American cockroach residue at 0% (Diet 1), 20% (Diet 2), 40% (Diet 3), 60% (Diet 4) and 80% (Diet 5). Juvenile fish with an average initial body weight of approximately 7 g were fed for 70 days. No significant differences in FBW, WGR or SGR were observed among dietary groups ( P > 0.05), although fish in the Diet 4 group showed numerically the highest values. Replacement levels of 20–40% increased selected hepatic and intestinal digestive enzyme activities ( ). Serum triglyceride and total cholesterol concentrations were numerically highest in the Diet 4 group, although no significant differences were detected among dietary treatments, while intestinal morphological alterations were observed when fishmeal replacement exceeded 40%. Fish fed Diet 3 showed higher total antioxidant capacity and total superoxide dismutase activity than those fed Diet 1 ( ). Hepatic ACP activity was higher in Diet 4 than in Diets 1 and 5, while intestinal ALP activity was highest in Diet 4 ( P < 0.05). American cockroach residue can partially replace fishmeal in diets for juvenile C. auratus red var. Considering growth, digestive capacity, antioxidant capacity, immune function, metabolic responses and intestinal health, a replacement level of 20–40% appears more suitable for practical application.

This study evaluated the efficacy of post-extraction American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) residue (PAR) as a dietary feed ingredient on the growth performance, antioxidant defense, and whole-body amino acid profile of juvenile black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus). A total of 300 juvenile black carp (initial weight 17.19 ± 0.20 g) were fed five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets for 64 days. PAR was supplemented at inclusion levels of 0% (control), 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% (corresponding to progressive reductions in dietary fishmeal). The results showed that fish fed the diet with 5% PAR inclusion maintained growth performance and feed conversion efficiency comparable to those of the control group (p > 0.05). Thus, 5% PAR did not significantly improve growth performance, but it did not impair growth under the present experimental conditions. Moreover, 5% PAR supplementation significantly increased hepatic catalase activity and was associated with numerically higher values of several other antioxidant- and immune-related indices. PAR inclusion also increased whole-body glycine deposition, whereas high inclusion levels reduced whole-body methionine content and crude protein deposition. Dietary PAR inclusion at higher levels, especially 20%, was associated with a possible reduction in feed utilization, altered organ indices, altered serum glucose levels, suppressed hepatic transaminase activities, and changes in digestive enzyme activities. However, these responses should be interpreted as the combined outcome of ingredient substitution, amino acid imbalance, altered lipid source, possible essential fatty acid changes, chitin/fiber-like fractions, and metabolic burden, rather than as effects of chitin alone. In conclusion, 5% PAR may be a suitable practical inclusion level for juvenile black carp under the present experimental conditions, whereas excessive inclusion should be used with caution and may require amino acid balancing, improved processing, and further evaluation of dietary gross energy, fatty acid profile, and chitin content.

Background: Cervical cancer continues to pose a considerable challenge to global health, necessitating innovative approaches for improved diagnostics and personalized treatment strategies. Prior investigations have suggested that plasma proteins may play a role in the pathogenesis of cervical cancer; however, these studies do not confirm a causal relationship. To address this gap, conducted a large-scale Mendelian randomization (MR) study of the plasma proteome. Methods: We performed a two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis involving 4,907 plasma proteins, utilizing publicly accessible genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics, to examine the causal association between the plasma proteome and the risk of cervical cancer. Analytical methods included inverse variance weighting (IVW), weighted median, MR-Egger regression, and simple and weighted models. Additionally, we performed sensitivity analyses to evaluate heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy through Cochran's Q test, MR-Egger intercept, MR-PRESSO test, and leave-one-out analysis. We also applied false discovery rate (FDR) correction to the results of all IVW methods to identify the plasma proteins most strongly associated with cervical cancer. Finally, we enriched the most relevant plasma protein genes using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) analyses and GeneMANIA to identify disease-related pathways. Results: According to the IVW method, seven plasma proteins are significantly associated with cervical cancer risk ( P < 0.05). Specifically, six proteins demonstrated protective factors: DEFB135 (OR = 0.201, 95% CI = 0.082–0.492, P < 0.001), FGL2 (OR = 0.104, 95% CI = 0.032–0.338, P < 0.001), FTMT (OR = 0.612, 95% CI = 0.465–0.804, P < 0.001), PDIA4 (OR = 0.088, 95% CI = 0.026–0.295, P < 0.001), SPHK2 (OR = 0.102, 95% CI = 0.030–0.350, P < 0.001), and TMED2 (OR = 0.045, 95% CI = 0.008–0.246, P < 0.001). In contrast, RACGAP1 (OR = 1.755, 95% CI = 1.286–2.395, P < 0.001) was identified as a risk factor. Reverse MR analysis revealed no significant evidence of reverse causation ( P > 0.05) between cervical cancer and these plasma proteins. Functional enrichment analysis identified several biologically relevant pathways potentially involved in cervical cancer pathogenesis, including the establishment of organelle localization, regulation of oxidoreductase activity, Ferroptosis, and Porphyrin metabolism. Conclusion: These findings suggest that DEFB135, FGL2, FTMT, PDIA4, SPHK2, and TMED2 may protect against cervical cancer, while RACGAP1 may represent a potential risk factor. The identified tumor markers provide mechanistic insights into the molecular basis of cervical cancer and warrant further investigation in functional studies.

Background: Periplaneta americana grease (PAG), a lipid-rich fraction with documented wound-repair properties, remains challenging. This study aimed to develop a stable and patient-friendly film-forming agent (PAP) from PAG for topical wound management. Methods: The chemical profile of PAG was characterized with GC-MS. The formulation was optimized via single-factor and orthogonal experimental design. Comprehensive physicochemical characterization was performed. A vehicle control (film without PAG) was used to isolate PAG’s bioactive effects. In vitro, antioxidant (DPPH/ABTS assays) and antibacterial activity were evaluated. In vivo efficacy was assessed using a murine full-thickness wound model (mice, 150 µL applied 3 times daily for 10 days), with bFGF and Kangfuxin solution as positive controls. Histological analysis was conducted on healed tissue. Results: GC-MS revealed PAG’s complex composition, rich in sterols, terpenoids, and heterocyclic compounds. The optimized PAP formed a uniform, flexible film with suitable mechanical strength and shear-thinning rheology. PAP showed significant antioxidant activity and selective antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. In the wound model, PAP treatment significantly accelerated wound closure, achieving a 98.2% healing rate by day 10, comparable to positive controls and significantly superior to the vehicle control. Histology demonstrated enhanced re-epithelialization, reduced inflammation, and improved collagen organization. Conclusions: PAP was successfully formulated into a multifunctional film-forming agent that addresses key barriers to healing—infection, oxidative stress, and tissue regeneration. The results demonstrate its potential as an innovative therapeutic strategy for wound care.

Objective: To observe the cytotoxic effects of the Blaps rynchopetera Fairmaire (BRF) ethyl acetate extract on the human ovarian carcinoma cell line SKOV3. Methods: SKOV3 cells were exposed to 0 μg/mL (control), 5 μg/mL, 10 μg/mL, 25 μg/mL, 50 μg/mL, or 100 μg/mL BRF ethyl acetate extract for 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 36 h, or 48 h. SKOV3 cell viability was evaluated using a cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. β-catenin, cyclin D1, and p21 protein levels were detected via Western blotting. Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and CD34 protein was detected via immunohistochemistry. Results: BRF ethyl acetate extract inhibited the viability of SKOV3 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The IC50 of the BRF ethyl acetate extract for SKOV3 cells was 13.07 μg/mL. The cell viability was lowest after exposure to the BRF ethyl acetate extract for 48 h. β-catenin, cyclin D1, and p21 protein levels decreased in a time-dependent manner and were lowest after exposure to the 10 μg/mL BRF ethyl acetate extract. VEGF and CD34 protein staining intensity and the number of positive cells were the lowest after exposure to the 10 μg/mL BRF ethyl acetate extract. Conclusions: BRF ethyl acetate extract may exert antitumor effects on ovarian cancer by suppressing tumor cell proliferation and angiogenesis.