Isolation of bacteria from fermented food and grass carp intestine and their efficiencies in improving nutrient value of soybean meal in solid state fermentation

Background: Soybean meal is an excellent and cost-effective protein source; however, its usage is limited in the piglet due to the presence of anti-nutritional factors and the antigens glycinin and β-conglycinin. The objective of the current study was to screen and select for bacteria that can be efficiently adopted to ferment soybean meal in order to solve this problem.Results: Bacteria were isolated from fermented soy foods and the grass carp intestine, and strains selected for high protease, cellulase and amylase activities. The isolated bacteria were characterized as Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis and Bacilus amyloliquefacien, respectively. Fermentation with food-derived Isolate-2 and fish-derived F-9 increased crude protein content by 5.32% and 8.27%, respectively; improved the amino acid profile by increasing certain essential amino acids, broke down larger soy protein to 35 k Da and under, eliminated antigenicity against glycinin and β-conglycinin, and removed raffinose and stachyose in the soybean meal following a 24-h fermentation.Conclusions: Our results suggest these two B. amyloliquefaciens bacteria can efficiently solid state ferment soybean meal and ultimately produce a more utilizable food source for growing healthy piglets.

Abscisic acid and jasmonic acid are involved in drought priming-induced tolerance to drought in wheat

Drought stress is a limiting factor for wheat production and food security.Drought priming has been shown to increase drought tolerance in wheat.However,the underlying mechanisms are unknown.In the present study,the genes encoding the biosynthesis and metabolism of abscisic acid(ABA)and jasmonic acid(JA),as well as genes involved in the ABA and JA signaling pathways were up-regulated by drought priming.Endogenous concentrations of JA and ABA increased following drought priming.The interplay between JA and ABA in plant responses to drought priming was further investigated using inhibitors of ABA and JA biosynthesis.Application of fluridone(FLU)or nordihydroguaiaretic acid(NDGA)to primed plants resulted in lower chlorophyll-fluorescence parameters and activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase,and higher cell membrane damage,compared to primed plants(PD)under drought stress.NDGA+ABA,but not FLU+JA,restored priming-induced tolerance,as indicated by a finding of no significant difference from PD under drought stress.Under drought priming,NDGA induced the suppression of ABA accumulation,while FLU did not affect JA accumulation.These results were consistent with the expression of genes involved in the biosynthesis of ABA and JA.They suggest that ABA and JA are required for priming-induced drought tolerance in wheat,with JA acting upstream of ABA.

Alisol B 23-acetate-induced HepG2 hepatoma cell death through mTOR signaling-initiated G_1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis: A quantitative proteomic study

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the molecular events in alisol B 23-acetate(ABA) cytotoxic activity against a liver cancer cell line.Methods: First, we employed a quantitative proteomics approach based on stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture(SILAC) to identify the different proteins expressed in HepG2 liver cancer cells upon exposure to ABA. Next, bioinformatics analyses through DAVID and STRING on-line tools were used to predict the pathways involved. Finally, we applied functional validation including cell cycle analysis and Western blotting for apoptosis and mTOR pathway-related proteins to confirm the bioinformatics predictions.Results: We identified 330 different proteins with the SILAC-based quantitative proteomics approach. The bioinformatics analysis and the functional validation revealed that the mTOR pathway, ribosome biogenesis, cell cycle, and apoptosis pathways were differentially regulated by ABA. G1 cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and mTOR inhibition were confirmed.Conclusions: ABA, a potential mTOR inhibitor, induces the disruption of ribosomal biogenesis. It also affects the mTOR-MRP axis to cause G1 cell cycle arrest and finally leads to cancer cell apoptosis.

Upgrading CO_(2) into acetate on Bi_(2)O_(3)@carbon felt integrated electrode via coupling electrocatalysis with microbial synthesis

Upgrading of atmospheric CO_(2) into high-value-added acetate using renewable electricity via electrocatalysis solely remains a great challenge.Here,inspired by microbial synthesis via biocatalysts,we present a coupled system to produce acetate from CO_(2) by bridging inorganic electrocatalysis with microbial synthesis through formate intermediates.A 3D Bi_(2)O_(3)@CF integrated electrode with an ice-sugar gourd shape was fabricated via a straightforward hydrothermal synthesis strategy,wherein Bi_(2)O_(3) microspheres were decorated on carbon fibers.This ice-sugar gourd-shaped architecture endows electrodes with multiple structural advantages,including synergistic contribution,high mass transport capability,high structural stability,and large surface area.Consequently,the resultant Bi_(2)O_(3)@CF exhibited a maximum Faradic efficiency of 92.4%at−1.23 V versus Ag/AgCl for formate generation in 0.5 M KHCO_(3),exceeding that of Bi_(2)O_(3)/CF prepared using a conventional electrode preparation strategy.Benefiting from the high formate selectivity,unique architecture,and good biocompatibility,the Bi_(2)O_(3)@CF electrode attached with enriched CO_(2)-fixing electroautotrophs served as a biocathode.As a result,a considerable acetate yield rate of 0.269±0.009 g L^(−1) day^(−1)(a total acetate yield of 3.77±0.12 g L^(−1) during 14-day operation)was achieved in the electrochemical–microbial system equipped with Bi_(2)O_(3)@CF.

Bio-inspired high-efficiency photosystem by synergistic effects of core-shell structured Au@CdS nanoparticles and their engineered location on{001}facets of SrTiO_(3)nanocrystals

Natural photosynthesis,which provides a green and high-efficiency energy conversion path by spatial separation of photogenerated carriers through combined actions of molecules ingeniously arranged in an efficient solar nanospace,highlights the importance of rational nanostructure design to realize artificial high-efficiency photosystem.Inspired by these unique features,we constructed a high-efficiency ternary photosystem by selectively decorating the{001}facets of 18-facet SrTiO_(3)with Au@CdS photosensitizers via a green photo-assisted method.Benefiting from the dual-facilitated charge carriers transportation in core-shell structured Au@CdS heterojunction and well-faceted 18-facet SrTiO_(3)nanocrystal,such a photo-catalyst could realize the effective spatial separation of photogenerated electrons and holes.As expected,the 18-facet SrTiO_(3)/Au@CdS photocatalyst exhibits superior activity in visible-light-driven photocatalytic hydrogen evolution(4.61 mmol h^(−1)g^(−1)),166%improvement in comparison with randomly deposited Au@CdS(1.73 mmol h^(−1)g^(−1)).This work offers new insight into the development of green and high-efficiency photocatalytic systems based on the rational nanostructure design by crystal facet engineering.

Lifecycle carbon footprint and cost assessment for coal-to-liquid coupled with carbon capture,storage,and utilization technology in China

Thecoal-to-liquidcoupledwithcarbon capture,utilization,and storage technology has the potential to reduce CO_(2)emissions,but its carbon footprint and cost assessment are still insufficient.In this paper,coal mining to oil production is taken as a life cycle to evaluate the carbon footprint and levelized costs of direct-coal-toliquid and indirect-coal-to-liquid coupled with the carbon capture utilization and storage technology under three scenarios:non capture,process capture,process and public capture throughout the life cycle.The results show that,first,the coupling carbon capture utilization and storage technology can reduce CO_(2)footprint by 28%-57%from 5.91 t CO_(2)/t:oil of direct-coal-to-liquid and 24%-49%from 7.10 t CO_(2)/t:oil of indirect-coal-to-liquid.Next,the levelized cost of direct-coal-to-liquid is 648-1027$/t of oil,whereas that of indirect-coal-to-liquid is 653-1065$/t of oil.When coupled with the carbon capture utilization and storage technology,the levelized cost of direct-coalto-liquid is 285-1364$/t of oil,compared to 1101-9793/t of oil for indirect-coal-to-liquid.Finally,sensitivity analysis shows that CO_(2)transportation distance has the greatest impact on carbon footprint,while coal price and initial investment cost significantly affect the levelized cost ofcoal-to-liquid.

A hyperspectral detection model for permeability coefficient of debris flow fine-grained sediments, Southwestern China

Fine-grained sediments are Quaternary sediments with grain sizes of not more than 2 mm.They startfirst when meeting water,their stability is related to the initial water volume triggering debrisflow,and thus plays an important role in debrisflow hazards early warning.The permeability coefficient is the inter-controlled factor offine-grained sediment stability.However,there is no hyperspectral model for detecting thefine-grained sediment permeability coefficient in large areas,which seriously affects the progress of debrisflow hazards early warning.Therefore,it is of great significance to establish a hyperspectral detection model for the permeability coefficient offine-grained sediments.Taking Beichuan County,Southwestern China as the case,a permeability coefficient hyperspectral detection model was established.The results show that eight bands are sensitive to the permeability coefficient with correlation coefficient(R)of 0.6343.T-test on the model shows that P-a values for sensitive bands are all less than 0.05,indicating the established model has a good prediction ability with a precision of 85.83%.These sensitive bands also indicate the spectral characteristics of the permeability coefficient.Therefore,it provides a scientific basis forfine-grained sediment stability detection in large areas and lays a theoretical foundation for debrisflow hazards’early warning.

Heat stress-induced mucosal barrier dysfunction is potentially associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis in pigs

Heat stress(HS)can be detrimental to the gut health of swine.Many negative outcomes induced by HS are increasingly recognized as including modulation of intestinal microbiota.In turn,the intestinal microbiota is a unique ecosystem playing a critical role in mediating the host stress response.Therefore,we aimed to characterize gut microbiota of pigs’exposure to short-term HS,to explore a possible link between the intestinal microbiota and HS-related changes,including serum cytokines,oxidation status,and intestinal epithelial barrier function.Our findings showed that HS led to intestinal morphological and integrity changes(villus height,serum diamine oxidase[DAO],serum D-lactate and the relative expressions of tight junction proteins),reduction of serum cytokines(interleukin[IL]-8,IL-12,interferongamma[IFN-g]),and antioxidant activity(higher glutathione[GSH]and malondialdehyde[MDA]content,and lower superoxide dismutase[SOD]).Also,16S rRNA sequencing analysis revealed that although there was no difference in microbial a-diversity,some HS-associated composition differences were revealed in the ileum and cecum,which partly led to an imbalance in the production of short-chain fatty acids including propionate acid and valerate acid.Relevance networks revealed that HS-derived changes in bacterial genera and microbial metabolites,such as Chlamydia,Lactobacillus,Succinivibrio,Bifidobacterium,Lachnoclostridium,and propionic acid,were correlated with oxidative stress,intestinal barrier dysfunction,and inflammation in pigs.Collectively,our observations suggest that intestinal damage induced by HS is probably partly related to the gut microbiota dysbiosis,though the underlying mechanism remains to be fully elucidated.

Chronic heat stress induces the disorder of gut transport and immune function associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress in growing pigs

Although high temperatures influence gut health,data on underlying mechanisms remains scant.Using a pig model,this study performed a global analysis on how chronic heat stress affects the transport and immune function of the gut through transcriptome,proteome,microbial diversity and flow cytometry.A total of 27 pigs with similar body weights were assigned into 3 groups,control(Con)group(23℃),chronic heat stressed(HS)group(33°C),and pair-fed(PF)group,in a controlled environment for 21 days.Our results showed that pigs in the HS group had reduced growth performance and diminished height of ileal villi(P<0.01).Transcriptome and proteome analyses demonstrated notable modification of expression of nutrients and ion transport-related transporters and gut mechanical barrier-related genes by chronic heart stress(P<0.05),suggesting damage of transport functions and the gut barrier.Chronic heat stress-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress also increased the synthesis of misfolded proteins,leading to upregulation of misfolded protein degradation and synthesis,as well as vesicle transport disorder(P<0.05).Energy supply processes were enhanced in the mitochondrion(P<0.05)to maintain biological processes with high energy demands.Furthermore,chronic heat stress activated complement cascade response-related genes and proteins in the gut mucosa(P<0.05).Our flow cytometry assays showed that the proportion of gut lymphocytes(CD4^(+)T cells,T cells,B cells in Peyer’s patch lymphocytes and CD4^(+)CD25^(+)T cells in intraepithelial lymphocytes)were significantly altered in the HS group pigs(P<0.05).In addition,the occurrence of gut microbial dysbiosis in the HS group pigs was characterized by increased potential pathogens(e.g.,Asteroleplasma,Shuttleworthia,Mycoplasma)and suppression of beneficial bacteria(e.g.,Coprococcus and Aeriscardovia),which are associated with gut immune function.Altogether,our data demonstrated that chronic heat stress induced gut transport and immune function disorder associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress in growing pigs.

Aerial ammonia exposure induces the perturbation of the interorgan ammonia disposal and branched-chain amino acid catabolism in growing pigs

Aerial ammonia exposure leads to tissue damage and metabolic dysfunction.However,it is unclear how different organs are coordinated to defend against aerial ammonia exposure.Twenty-four pigs were randomly divided into 4 groups,exposed to 0,10,25 or 35 mg/m^(3) ammonia respectively for 25 d.After above 25 mg/m^(3) ammonia exposure,decreased aspartate(P=0.016),glutamate(P=0.030)and increased ornithine(P=0.002)were found in the ammonia-removing liver,and after high ammonia(35 mg/m^(3))exposure,glutamine synthetase(GS)expression was increased(P=0.012).An increased glutamate(P=0.004)and decreased glutaminase(GLS)expression(P=0.083)were observed in the lungs after high ammonia exposure.There was also an increasing trend of glutamine in the kidneys after high ammonia exposure(P=0.066).For branched-chain amino acid(BCAA)catabolism,high ammonia exposure increased BCAA content in both the lungs and muscle(P<0.05),whereas below 25 mg/m^(3) ammonia exposure increased BCAA only in the lungs(P<0.05).The expression of BCAA transaminase(BCAT1/2)and dehydrogenase complex(BCKDHA/B and DBT)were inhibited to a varying degree in the liver,lungs and muscle after above 25 mg/m^(3) ammonia exposure,especially high ammonia exposure.The expression of BCKDH complex and glutamate-glutamine metabolism-related genes were highly expressed in the liver,followed by the lungs and muscle(P<0.01),whereas the BCAT2 expression was highest in the lungs(P=0.002).Altogether,low ammonia exposure sufficed to evoke the urea cycle to detoxify ammonia in the liver.The process of ammonia removal in the liver and potential ability of the lungs to detoxify ammonia were enhanced with increasing ammonia.Furthermore,high ammonia exposure impaired the BCAA catabolism and decreased the transcripts of the BCAA catabolism-related enzymes,resulting in high BCAA content in extrahepatic tissues.Therefore,with aerial ammonia increasing,an increased urea cycle and glutamine synthesis were ammonia defensive strategies,and high ammonia exposure impaired the BCAA catabolism.

An Artemisinin Derivative ART1 Induces Ferroptosis by Targeting the HSD17B4 Protein Essential for Lipid Metabolism and Directly Inducing Lipid Peroxidation

Artemisinin and its derivatives,commonly known as antimalarial drugs,have gradually come to be regarded as potential antitumor agents,although their cytotoxic efficacy and mechanisms of action remain to be settled.Herein,we report that an artemisinin analog,ART1,can potently induce ferroptosis in a subset of cancer cell lines.Structure–activity relationship(SAR)analysis reveals that both the endoperoxide moiety and the artemisinin skeleton are required for the antitumor activity of ART1.Aided with ART1-based small-molecule tools,chemical proteomic analysis identified the HSD17B4 protein as a direct target of ART1.HSD17B4 resides in peroxisomes and is an essential enzyme in the catabolism of very-long-chain fatty acids.Our results demonstrate that ART1 initiates ferroptosis through selective oxidation of the fatty acids in peroxisomes by hijacking the HSD17B4 protein without disturbing its enzymatic function,providing a promising mechanism to develop therapeutics for cancer treatment.