Health Of Organisms Research Articles

Analysis of Microplastics on Digestive and Respiration System of Horse-Eye Jack Fish (Caranx latus) in Coastal Bungus Bay, West Sumatra

Microplastic pollution accumulates in the marine environment, thus impacting the health of marine organisms. The purpose of this study was to analyze and identify the abundance and characteristics of microplastics in Horse-Eye Jack fish (Caranx latus) in coastal Bungus Bay, West Sumatra. Fish samples were taken at three different locations, namely, Sako beach, Caroline Beach, and the east side of Bungus Bay. The average abundance of microplastics in horse-eye Jack fish samples in digestive is 21.63 ± 3.99 particles/fish, and in respiration, 9.23 ± 1.92 particles/fish. The shape identified forms of microplastics are fibers, films, fragments, granules, and foam, and the dominant color of microplastics is red. The most common size of microplastics found was <0.5 mm. FT-IR spectroscopy analysis showed that the polymer types of microplastics found were PE, PVC, PET, and PS. Statistical tests showed differences between the abundance of microplastics in two pathways of microplastic uptake (digestive and respiration), and the sampling location P<0.05. The results showed that microplastics were found in all Horse-Eye Jackfish samples in Bungus Bay, West Sumatra.These findings highlight microplastics' harm to the marine ecosystem and the necessity of managing plastic waste if we hope to avoid future plastic pollution catastrophes

Bioprocess monitoring applications of an innovative ATR-FTIR spectroscopy platform.

Pharmaceutical manufacturing is reliant upon bioprocessing approaches to generate the range of therapeutic products that are available today. The high cost of production, susceptibility to process failure, and requirement to achieve consistent, high-quality product means that process monitoring is paramount during manufacturing. Process analytic technologies (PAT) are key to ensuring high quality product is produced at all stages of development. Spectroscopy-based technologies are well suited as PAT approaches as they are non-destructive and require minimum sample preparation. This study explored the use of a novel attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy platform, which utilises disposable internal reflection elements (IREs), as a method of upstream bioprocess monitoring. The platform was used to characterise organism health and to quantify cellular metabolites in growth media using quantification models to predict glucose and lactic acid levels both singularly and combined. Separation of the healthy and nutrient deficient cells within PC space was clearly apparent, indicating this technique could be used to characterise these classes. For the metabolite quantification, the binary models yielded R 2 values of 0.969 for glucose, 0.976 for lactic acid. When quantifying the metabolites in tandem using a multi-output partial least squares model, the corresponding R 2 value was 0.980. This initial study highlights the suitability of the platform for bioprocess monitoring and paves the way for future in-line developments.

Physiological and immunological assessment of two types of crayfish in aquaculture

Due to the need to develop domestic aquaculture of decapod crustaceans, one of the urgent issues is monitoring the health of these aquatic organisms through the most informative bioindicators — hemolymph indicators. The aim of the study was a comparative physiological and immunological assessment of long-toed (Pontastacus leptodactylus) and Australian red-clawed (Cherax quadricarinatus) river crayfish contained in a closed water use facility. The main hydrochemical parameters generally met the existing requirements. The physiological and immunological condition of crayfish was assessed by hematological and cytochemical analyses. Hemolymph samples were taken in vivo by puncture of the ventral sinus. The total number of hemocytes was determined in the native hemolymph in the Goryaev chamber. The number of cells in five large squares was counted. Lysosomal cationic protein was detected in hemocytes by the cytochemical reaction with bromophenol blue, which we previously modified. Red-clawed crayfish have a significantly 45% higher total number of hemocytes, which indicates its greater immune resistance to pathogens compared with long-toed crayfish. The most significant species differences in the hemogram were noted for agranulocytes (HC I) — in long-fingered crayfish, the indicator is higher with a high confidence coefficient (t). With a high degree of confidence, it is possible to judge a higher proportion of semigranulocytes (HC II) in red-lobed crayfish. The proportion of HC IV of long-fingered crayfish is greater than that of red-clawed crayfish. In red-clawed crayfish, the average cytochemical coefficient of ACC is lower than in long-fingered crayfish. This also confirms its high immune resistance due to the consumption of highly cytotoxic cationic protein in the process of immune protection.

Bioconcentration, oxidative stress and molecular mechanism of the toxic effect of acetamiprid exposure on Xenopus laevis tadpoles

Acetamiprid is a neonicotinoid commonly detected in aquatic ecosystems, with residual concentrations of up to 0.41 mg/L in surface water, posing a threat to the health of nontarget aquatic organisms. However, studies on the potential toxicity and underlying mechanisms of action of acetamiprid on nontarget aquatic organisms are limited. This study investigated the acute and short-term toxicity of acetamiprid to Xenopus laevis tadpoles. A 96-h acute toxicity test determined the LC50 of acetamiprid to be 32.1 mg/L. After 28 days of exposure to 1/10 and 1/100 LC50 concentrations, tadpole samples were collected for bioconcentration elimination analysis, biochemical analyses, transcriptomics, and metabolomics studies to comprehensively evaluate the toxic effects of acetamiprid and its underlying mechanisms. The results, indicating bioconcentration factors (BCFs) < 1, suggest that acetamiprid has a low bioconcentration in tadpoles. Additionally, oxidative stress was observed in treated Xenopus laevis tadpoles. Transcriptomic and nontargeted metabolomic analyses identified 979 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 95 differentially metabolites in the 0.321 mg/L group. The integrated analysis revealed that disruption of purine and amino acid metabolic pathways potentially accounts for acetamiprid-induced toxic effects in tadpoles. The disruptive effects of acetamiprid on valine, leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis; and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis metabolic pathways in tadpoles were validated through targeted metabolomics analysis. These findings are crucial for assessing the risk of acetamiprid to nontarget aquatic organisms.

Investigation of the effects of nanoplastic polyethylene terephthalate on environmental toxicology using model Drosophila melanogaster

Plastic pollution has become a major environmental concern, and various plastic polymers are used daily. A study was conducted to examine the toxic effects of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) nanoplastics (NPLs) on Drosophila melanogaster. We have successfully synthesized PET NPLs and characterized using DLS, Zeta potential, TEM, HRTEM, SAED, XRD, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy to gain crucial insights into the structure and properties. We fed PET NPLs to Drosophila to assess toxicity. ROS was quantified using DCFH-DA and NBT, and the nuclear degradation was checked by DAPI staining. Quantification of protein and activity of antioxidant enzymes like SOD, catalase depicted the adverse consequences of PET NPLs exposure. The dorsal side of the abdomens, eyes, and wings were also defective when phenotypically analyzed. These results substantiate the genotoxic and cytotoxic impact of nanoplastics. Notably, behavioral observations encompassing larval crawling and climbing of adults exhibit normal patterns, excluding the presence of neurotoxicity. Adult Drosophila showed decreased survivability, and fat accumulation enhanced body weight. These findings contribute to unraveling the intricate mechanisms underlying nanoplastic toxicity and emphasize its potential repercussions for organismal health and ecological equilibrium.

The Role of Nitrate Supply in Bioactive Compound Synthesis and Antioxidant Activity in the Cultivation of Porphyra linearis (Rhodophyta, Bangiales) for Future Cosmeceutical and Bioremediation Applications.

Porphyra sensu lato has economic importance for food and pharmaceutical industries due to its significant physiological activities resulting from its bioactive compounds (BACs). This study aimed to determine the optimal nitrate dosage required in short-term cultivation to achieve substantial BAC production. A nitrate experiment using varied concentrations (0 to 6.5 mM) revealed optimal nitrate uptake at 0.5 mM in the first two days and at 3 and 5 mM in the last five days. Polyphenols and carbohydrates showed no differences between treatments, while soluble proteins peaked at 1.5 and 3 mM. Total mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) were highest in algae incubated at 5 and 6.5 mM, and the highest antioxidant activity was observed in the 5 mM, potentially related to the MAAs amount. Total carbon and sulfur did not differ between treatments, while nitrogen decreased at higher nitrate. This discovery highlights the nuanced role of nitrate in algal physiology, suggesting that biological and chemical responses to nitrate supplementation can optimize an organism's health and its commercially significant bioactive potential. Furthermore, given its ability to absorb high doses of nitrate, this alga can be cultivated in eutrophic zones or even in out-/indoor tanks, becoming an excellent option for integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) and bioremediation.

Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei 2004 improves health and lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans

Recent research has highlighted the importance of the gut microbiome in regulating aging, and probiotics are interventions that can promote gut health. In this study, we surveyed several novel lactic acid bacteria to examine their beneficial effect on organismal health and lifespan in C. elegans. We found that animals fed some lactic acid bacteria, including L. acidophilus 1244 and L. paracasei subsp. paracasei 2004, grew healthy. Supplementation with the lactic acid bacterial strains L. acidophilus 1244 or L. paracasei subsp. paracasei 2004 significantly improved health, including food consumption, motility, and resistance to oxidative stressor, hydrogen peroxide. Our RNA-seq analysis showed that supplementation with L. paracasei subsp. paracasei 2004 significantly increased the expression of daf-16, a C. elegans FoxO homolog, as well as genes related to the stress response. Furthermore, daf-16 deletion inhibited the longevity effect of L. paracasei subsp. paracasei 2004 supplementation. Our results suggest that L. paracasei subsp. paracasei 2004 improves health and lifespan in a DAF-16-dependent manner.

Risk analysis for groundwater intakes based on the example of neonicotinoids

Neonicotinoids are a class of broad-spectrum insecticides that are dominant in the world market. They are widely distributed in the environment. Understanding the sources, distribution, and fate of these contaminants is critical to mitigating their effects and maintaining the health of aquatic ecosystems. Contamination of surface and groundwater by neonicotinoids has become a widespread problem worldwide, requiring comprehensive action to accurately determine the mechanisms behind the migration of these pesticides, their properties, and their adverse effects on the environment. A new approach to risk analysis for groundwater intake contamination with emerging contaminants was proposed. It was conducted on the example of four neonicotinoids (acetamiprid, clothianidin, thiamethoxam, and imidacloprid) in relation to groundwater accessed by a hypothetical groundwater intake, based on data obtained in laboratory tests using a dynamic method (column experiments). The results of the risk analysis conducted have shown that in this case study the use of acetamiprid and thiamethoxam for agricultural purposes poses an acceptable risk, and does not pose a risk to the quality of groundwater extracted from the intake for food purposes. Consequently, it does not pose a risk to the health and life of humans and other organisms depending on that water. The opposite situation is observed for clothianidin and imidacloprid, which pose a higher risk of groundwater contamination. For higher maximum concentration of neonicotinoids used in the risk analysis, the concentration of clothianidin and imidacloprid in the groundwater intake significantly (from several to several hundred thousand times) exceeds the maximum permissible levels for drinking water (<0.1 μg/L). This risk exists even if the insecticides containing these pesticides are used according to the information sheet provided by the manufacturer (lower maximum concentration), which results in exceeding the maximum permissible levels for drinking water from several to several hundred times.

Brain-muscle communication prevents muscle aging by maintaining daily physiology.

A molecular clock network is crucial for daily physiology and maintaining organismal health. We examined the interactions and importance of intratissue clock networks in muscle tissue maintenance. In arrhythmic mice showing premature aging, we created a basic clock module involving a central and a peripheral (muscle) clock. Reconstituting the brain-muscle clock network is sufficient to preserve fundamental daily homeostatic functions and prevent premature muscle aging. However, achieving whole muscle physiology requires contributions from other peripheral clocks. Mechanistically, the muscle peripheral clock acts as a gatekeeper, selectively suppressing detrimental signals from the central clock while integrating important muscle homeostatic functions. Our research reveals the interplay between the central and peripheral clocks in daily muscle function and underscores the impact of eating patterns on these interactions.

Lower Mitochondrial Genome Turnover and Greater Mutation Frequency in Skeletal Muscle of Aged Compared to Adult OKC-HET Rats

Mitochondrial genomic integrity, which is supported by processes such as replication, repair, and turnover, is critical in supporting metabolism and organismal health. Accumulation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations contributes to mitochondrial and whole-tissue dysfunction, which lead to chronic diseases including sarcopenia. The underlying mechanisms that promote generation and age-related accumulation of mtDNA mutations are unclear. mtDNA mutants may have a replicative advantage over wild-type mtDNA that propagates the accumulation of mtDNA mutations with age. However, there is limited in vivo data regarding effects of age on mtDNA replication, particularly in skeletal muscle. We hypothesized mtDNA synthesis rates would increase with age as mutation burden increased in skeletal muscle in both male and female rats. Methods: We measured mtDNA synthesis over 14 days using the stable isotope tracer deuterium oxide (D2O) and assessed mtDNA copy number and mutation deletion frequency using digital PCR in quadriceps muscle of 9- and 26 month-old (mo) male and female OKC-HET rats, which have heterogenous mtDNA backgrounds. Results: There were no differences in mtDNA copy number between sexes or ages. However, 26 month-od rats had lower rates of mtDNA synthesis compared to 9 month-old rats (9 mo: 0.509 ± 0.009 %/day, 26 month: 0.371 ± 0.048 %/day; p=0.0024) and greater mtDNA half-lives (9 mo: 132 ± 1.79 days, 216 ± 25.63 days; p=0.0009). Concomitant with lower mtDNA synthesis, 26 month-old rats had greater (p=0.003) mtDNA deletion mutation frequency (2.023e-004 ± 7.18e-005) than 9 month-old rats (9.310e-005 ± 2.404e-005). 26 month-old female rats (1.309e-004 ± 2.386e-005) had a lower (p=0.008) mutation burden than male rats (2.74e-004 ± 4.484e-005). Conclusion: Contrary to our hypothesis, mtDNA synthesis declined with age as mutation burden increased in the quadriceps. Because mtDNA copy number was not different between ages, while synthesis decreased, mtDNA turnover declined with age. Altogether, these results suggest lower mtDNA turnover rates may contribute to age-related mtDNA mutation burden. Future studies should test how modulating mtDNA turnover affects mutation frequency and mitochondrial function. This study was supported by funding from NIH grants R21AG072137 and 5T32AG052363-04. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

What comes next in glycobiology

Glycans, with their variable compositions and highly dynamic conformations, vastly expand the heterogeneity of whatever factor or cell they are attached to. These properties make them crucial contributors to biological function and organismal health and also very difficult to study. That may be changing as we look to the future of glycobiology.

Biochemical state of brain-liver axis of rats under restraint-induced stress and 2-oxoglutarate impact

Environmental factors play a significant role in affecting the overall health of organisms, with stress being a notable contributor. The process of urbanization and globalization in modern society introduces additional stressors, exacerbating population health issues. Consequently, there is a need for thorough examination, analysis, and exploration of strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of stress. 2-Oxoglutarate, an essential intracellular metabolite and mediator with metabolite trophic properties, emerges as a promising candidate for intervention. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the combined impact of restraint-induced stress and 2-oxoglutarate on the oxidative-reducing balance, antioxidant system effectiveness, and the functional status of the liver and brain in rats. Restraint-induced stress was found to elevate oxidative stress levels, as evidenced by increased concentrations of malonic dialdehyde and oxidative-modified proteins, particularly in the brain. Additionally, signs of lactic acidosis were observed in the liver, indicating physiological changes in response to stress. Furthermore, restraint-induced stress significantly altered bioenergy components, with decreased superoxide dismutase activity and increased cytochrome C concentration, potentially indicating mitochondrial dysfunction and increased membrane permeability. The incorporation of a 2% solution of 2-oxoglutarate into the diet demonstrated a reduction in malonic dialdehyde and carbonylated protein formation, leading to more effective restoration of oxidative-reducing balance in the brain compared to the liver. Additionally, normalization of the lactate/pyruvate concentration ratio and decreased lactate dehydrogenase activity, alongside elevated alanine aminotransferase levels, suggested a decrease in oxidative stress in the liver. Moreover, exogenous 2-oxoglutarate exhibited a positive effect on superoxide dismutase activity and cytochrome C concentration, indicating a reduction in oxidative tension in the liver and progressive mitochondrial function recovery. Based on these findings, exogenous 2-oxoglutarate emerges as a promising metabolitotrope and adaptogen for managing oxidative stress and improving mitochondrial function.

Effects of urban-induced mutations on ecology, evolution and health.

Increasing evidence suggests that urbanization is associated with higher mutation rates, which can affect the health and evolution of organisms that inhabit cities. Elevated pollution levels in urban areas can induce DNA damage, leading to de novo mutations. Studies on mutations induced by urban pollution are most prevalent in humans and microorganisms, whereas studies of non-human eukaryotes are rare, even though increased mutation rates have the potential to affect organisms and their populations in contemporary time. Our Perspective explores how higher mutation rates in urban environments could impact the fitness, ecology and evolution of populations. Most mutations will be neutral or deleterious, and higher mutation rates associated with elevated pollution in urban populations can increase the risk of cancer in humans and potentially other species. We highlight the potential for urban-driven increased deleterious mutational loads in some organisms, which could lead to a decline in population growth of a wide diversity of organisms. Although beneficial mutations are expected to be rare, we argue that higher mutation rates in urban areas could influence adaptive evolution, especially in organisms with short generation times. Finally, we explore avenues for future research to better understand the effects of urban-induced mutations on the fitness, ecology and evolution of city-dwelling organisms.

Repeated release of cerium oxide nanoparticles altered algal responses: Growth, photosynthesis, and photosynthetic gene expression

The expanding production of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) can eventually cause their increased release into and presence in aquatic ecosystems, potentially threatening the health of aquatic organisms and the stability of the ecological environment. Generally, ENMs are repeatedly released into real-world aquatic environments in relatively low concentrations, potentially affecting photosynthesis in primary producers such as algae. However, knowledge regarding the effects of repeated exposure to ENMs on algal photosynthesis is still lacking. Herein, the physiological responses of the freshwater algae Chlorella vulgaris following single and repeated exposures to cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) were investigated at 10 mg/L, with a focus on photosynthesis. The results showed that repeated exposures triggered increased photosynthetic pigment contents, oxidative stress levels, decreased photosynthetic performance, and lower biomass in C. vulgaris compared to a single exposure. Photosynthesis-related genes (i.e., petA, petB, psaA, atpB, and rbcL) were found to be upregulated following repeated exposures. Particularly for petB, repeated rather than single exposure treatment significantly upregulated its expression levels by 2.92–10.24-fold compared to unexposed controls. Furthermore, increased exposure times could aggravate the interaction between CeO2 NPs and algae, elevating 8.13%, 12.13%, and 20.51% Ce distribution on the algal cell surface or intracellularly, compared to a single exposure. This study is the first to investigate the effects of ENM exposure times on algal photosynthesis, providing new insights into the assessment of the risks these materials pose to real-world aquatic environments.

Role of Ozone Hole on Life on Earth and Countermeasures

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the protection of the ozone layer and the extensive effects of the hole diffusion on the life on Earth. First, the ozone layer is a layer in the atmosphere that absorbs ultraviolet radiation from the sun and protects life on earth from ultraviolet damage. UV radiation is destructive to living organisms and can cause health problems such as skin cancer, eye damage and even genetic mutations. Therefore, the existence and health of the ozone layer is directly related to the survival and health of organisms on Earth. Next, we will study the formation and diffusion of the ozone hole. The hole in the ozone layer is caused by the destruction of the ozone layer caused by human activities such as the release of chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCS). When these destructive factors enter the atmosphere and are irradiated by ultraviolet light, they break down into active free radicals, which destroy ozone molecules. Over time, these destructive factors accumulate in the atmosphere, causing the ozone layer to gradually thin and eventually form the ozone hole. Finally, we will discuss in detail the effects of these ozone holes on life on Earth. The existence of the ozone hole allows ultraviolet radiation to reach the Earth's surface, posing a direct threat to living organisms. Studies have shown that UV radiation can cause problems such as stunted plant growth, death of Marine life, and skin damage to animals. In addition, ultraviolet light can accelerate the Earth's climate change, causing more extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts and storms, which will have a broader and far-reaching impact on Earth's life. Through the discussion in this paper, we can clearly understand the impact of the ozone hole diffusion on the earth's organisms. In order to protect our home and biodiversity, we must take active measures to reduce the damage of human activities to the atmosphere in order to maintain a healthy and stable ozone layer. This requires our global efforts to take scientific and effective measures to solve this problem. Only in this way can we ensure that life on Earth can continue to live healthy and safe on the blue planet.

An Intricate Network Involving the Argonaute ALG-1 Modulates Organismal Resistance to Oxidative Stress

Cellular response to redox imbalance is crucial for organismal health. microRNAs are implicated in stress responses. ALG-1, the C. elegans ortholog of human AGO2, plays an essential role in microRNA processing and function. Here we investigated the mechanisms governing ALG-1 expression in C. elegans and the players controlling lifespan and stress resistance downstream of ALG-1. We show that upregulation of ALG-1 is a shared feature in conditions linked to increased longevity (e.g., germline-deficient glp-1 mutants). ALG-1 knockdown reduces lifespan and oxidative stress resistance, while overexpression enhances survival against pro-oxidant agents but not heat or reductive stress. R02D3.7 represses alg-1 expression, impacting oxidative stress resistance at least in part via ALG-1. microRNAs upregulated in glp-1 mutants (miR-87-3p, miR-230-3p, and miR-235-3p) can target genes in the protein disulfide isomerase pathway and protect against oxidative stress. This study unveils a tightly regulated network involving transcription factors and microRNAs which controls organisms’ ability to withstand oxidative stress.

Ketamine induces insomnia-like symptom of zebrafish at environmentally relevant concentrations by mediating GABAergic synapse.

Although the stimulative effects on the normal behaviors of fish posed by ketamine (KET) were well-studied, the adverse effects on the behavioral functions induced by KET at nighttime were unknown. Here, we used zebrafish larvae as a model exposed to KET (10, 50, 100, and 250 ng/L) at environmental levels for 21 days. The behavioral functions at nighttime, morphological changes during exposure stage, and alterations on the associated genes transcriptional levels of fish were determined. The difficultly initiating sleep was found in the fish exposed to KET, while the sleep duration of the animals was at the normal levels in exposure groups. The significant suppressions of the developmentally relevant genes, including bmp2, bmp4, and pth2ra were consistent with the developmental abnormalities of fish found in exposure groups. Moreover, the expression of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor increased and melatonin (MTN) receptor decreased while the levels of GABA and MTN remained unchanged after exposure, by gene expression analysis and molecular docking. In addition, the transcriptional expression of apoptotic genes, including tp53, aifm1, and casp6, was significantly upregulated by KET. After a 7-day recovery, the insomnia-like behaviors (shorter sleep duration) were observed in zebrafish from the 250 ng/L-KET group. Accordingly, the adverse outcome pathway framework of KET was constructed by prognostic assessment of zebrafish larvae. This study suggested that the adverse outcomes of KET on the sleep health of organisms at environmentally relevant concentrations should be concerned.

More than food: Why restoring the cycle of organic matter in sustainable plant production is essential for the One Health nexus

Abstract One Health professes that the health of organisms is interconnected through the exploitation of planetary resources, trade, and transportation, in particular. The impetus for the emergence of this concept in the early 2000s was knowledge of the epidemiology of zoonotic diseases that put humans at risk to diseases carried by animals. In spite of the intended comprehensiveness of One Health, the place of plant health in this concept is vague, and few issues about plant health are debated in the scientific literature related to One Health. Here, we explore the history of concepts related to One Health in an attempt to understand why there is this schism between the plant sciences and the medical and veterinary sciences beyond the prism of zoonotic diseases. We illustrate the rich history of concepts in the plant sciences concerning the oneness of plants, animals and humans, and the debates about the definition and scope of sustainability that are precursors to One Health. These concepts continue to be foundations for research and development, particularly for food security and food safety. The emergence of these concepts from plant sciences was based on fundamental understanding of the food web – where plants are food for humans and animals whose digestive processes create important resources for plant growth and health. Yet, this latter part of the food web – recycling of manures in particular – was ruptured during modernization of agriculture. We explain how attaining sustainable One Health depends on restoring this part of the food web via soil stewardship, whose principal guarantors are the ensemble of actors in plant production.

Bioactive Feed Ingredients used in Aquaculture: A Review

Food security is a critical concern for nations like India, where poverty affects access to nutritious food for a significant portion of the population. While India has made strides in addressing this issue through agricultural revolutions, evolving demands necessitate a reformation in aquaculture practices. With a global surge in demand for fish and fisheries products due to their nutritional benefits, aquaculture has become pivotal. However, the intensification of aquaculture brings risks such as disease outbreaks and rising costs of essential feed ingredients like fish meal, particularly impacting the shrimp industry. To mitigate these challenges, exploring alternatives like bioactive feed additives sourced from marine and agricultural origins emerges as a promising solution. Marine derivatives such as algae offer nutritional benefits and bioactive compounds, while agri-industrial wastes provide versatile applications, including medicinal plant extracts and plant-based ingredients. Additionally, complex bioactive feed ingredients like probiotics, prebiotics, metabiotics, and phytobiotics show promise for enhancing the health and productivity of cultivated aquatic organisms. Integration of these alternatives into aquaculture practices presents a sustainable approach to improving food security, feeding efficiency, animal health and economic sustainability in India and beyond.

Building an Understanding of Proteostasis in Reproductive Cells: The Impact of Reactive Carbonyl Species on Protein Fate.

Significance: Stringent regulation of protein homeostasis pathways, under both physiological and pathological conditions, is necessary for the maintenance of proteome fidelity and optimal cell functioning. However, when challenged by endogenous or exogenous stressors, these proteostasis pathways can become dysregulated with detrimental consequences for protein fate, cell survival, and overall organism health. Most notably, there are numerous somatic pathologies associated with a loss of proteostatic regulation, including neurodegenerative disorders, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. Recent Advances: Lipid oxidation-derived reactive carbonyl species (RCS), such as 4-hydroxynonenal (4HNE) and malondialdehyde, are relatively underappreciated purveyors of proteostatic dysregulation, which elicit their effects via the nonenzymatic post-translational modification of proteins. Emerging evidence suggests that a subset of germline proteins can serve as substrates for 4HNE modification. Among these, prevalent targets include succinate dehydrogenase, heat shock protein A2 and A-kinase anchor protein 4, all of which are intrinsically associated with fertility. Critical Issues: Despite growing knowledge in this field, the RCS adductomes of spermatozoa and oocytes are yet to be comprehensively investigated. Furthermore, the manner by which RCS-mediated adduction impacts protein fate and drives cellular responses, such as protein aggregation, requires further examination in the germline. Given that RCS-protein adduction has been attributed a role in infertility, there has been sparked research investment into strategies to prevent lipid peroxidation in germ cells. Future Directions: An increased depth of knowledge regarding the mechanisms and substrates of RCS-mediated protein modification in reproductive cells may reveal important targets for the development of novel therapies to improve fertility and pregnancy outcomes for future generations.