Cholecystokinin octapeptide antagonizes apoptosis in human retinal pigment epithelial cells

Although cholecystokinin octapeptide-8 is important for neurological function, its neuroprotective properties remain unclear. We speculated that cholecystokinin octapeptide-8 can protect human retinal pigment epithelial cells against oxidative injury. In this study, retinal pigment epithelial cells were treated with peroxynitrite to induce oxidative stress. Peroxynitrite triggered apoptosis in these cells, and increased the expression of Fas-associated death domain, Bax, caspase-8 and Bcl-2. These changes were suppressed by treatment with cholecystokinin octapeptide-8. These results suggest that cholecystokinin octapeptide-8 can protect human retinal pigment epithelial cells against apoptosis induced by peroxynitrite.

Antibacterial and antibiofi lm activity of peptide PvGBP2 against pathogenic bacteria that contaminate Auricularia auricular culture bags

Bacteria contamination in Auricularia auricular culture bags reduces yield and increases the risk of food safety.In this study,5 species of bacteria,mainly gram-positive bacteria including three species of Bacillus spp.,Arthrobacter arilaitensis and Staphylococcus warneri,were isolated and identifi ed from bacteria-contaminated A.auricular culture bags.An in silico predicted antimicrobial peptide from theβ-1,3-glucan-binding protein sequence of Penaeus vannamei,designated Pv GBP2(FLKLGRKSRYGMLKL),was screened and its antibacterial effect and mechanism of action on the isolated Bacillus spp.explored.The minimal inhibitory concentrations(MIC)of Pv GBP2 on Bacillus spp.were 15.6–31.25μg/m L.Peptide Pv GBP2 could inhibit Bacillus subtilis in A.auricular culture bags to maintain growth and yield of A.auricular.Transmission electron microscopy(TEM)revealed that Pv GBP2 kills bacteria by perforating the cell wall,destroying membrane integrity and resulting in the leakage of intracellular solutes.In addition,Pv GBP2 inhibits biofi lm formation by B.subtilis by 90.6%at 1×MIC.Thus,peptide Pv GBP2 could be potentially applied as an antibacterial agent to control bacterial infection of A.auricular cultivation and the spread of foodborne pathogens.

Myo-inositol accelerates the metamorphosis from megalopa to crablet of Scylla paramamosain by modulating cuticle decomposition and reconstruction

The mud crab Scylla paramamosain is a key species in China due to its high nutritional value and great economic worth and has grown in popularity.Myo-inositol can modulate versatile physiological functions in aquatic animals.In the present study,S.paramamosain megalopa were given graded concentrations of myo-inositol(0,1,2,4,and 8 ppm)by water immersion to explore how their metamorphosis would be affected.The results showed that supplementing with myo-inositol remarkably increased transformation and survival rate from megalopa to crablet by at least 1.16 and 1.26 times,respectively.To decipher the molecular mechanism of how myo-inositol increases metamorphosis and survival rate,we further performed transcriptome-based gene expression profiling of both megalopa and crablet treated with myo-inositol.The integrative transcriptome analyses predicted that the differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were significantly enriched in chitinase activity,structural constituent of cuticle,and chitin binding,which are associated with the decomposition and reconstruction of cuticle.qPCR results confirmed that myo-inositol mediated gene expression levels of the above cuticle-related pathways.Considering the importance of the cuticle in exoskeleton formation and molting,it can be concluded that myo-inositol-induced changes in the cuticle decomposition and reconstruction might have accelerated the transformation from megalopa to crablet of S.paramamosain.Besides,numerous DEGs were significantly enriched in protein digestion and absorption,amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism.It implies that myo-inositol may improve survival by regulating energy or nutrient absorption.Additionally,the accelerated metamorphosis by myo-inositol may improve survival from megalopa to crablet of S.paramamosain.Overall,this study will provide the first insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms by which myo-inositol increases metamorphosis and survival.

Environmental,social,and economic assessment of energy utilization of crop residue in China

This paper aims to discuss an environmental, social, and economic analysis of energy utilization of crop residues from life cycle perspectives in China. The methodologies employed to achieve this objective are environmental life cycle assessment (E-LCA), life cycle cost (LCC), and social life cycle assessment (S-LCA). Five scenarios are developed based on the conversion technologies and final bioenergy products. The system boundaries include crop residue collection, transportation, pre-treatment, and conversion process. The replaced amounts of energy are also taken into account in the E-LCA analysis. The functional unit is defined as 1 MJ of energy produced. Eight impact categories are considered besides climate change in E-LCA. The investment capital cost and salary cost are collected and compared in the life cycle of the scenarios. Three stakeholders and several subcategories are considered in the S-LCA analysis defined by UNEP/SETAS guidelines. The results show that the energy utilization of crop residue has carbon emission factors of 0.09–0.18 kg (CO2 eq per 1 MJ), and presents a net carbon emissions reduction of 0.03–0.15 kg (CO2 eq per 1 MJ) compared with the convectional electricity or petrol, but the other impacts should be paid attention to in the biomass energy scenarios. The energy utilization of crop residues can bring economic benefit to local communities and the society, but the working conditions of local workers need to be improved in future biomass energy development.