Swimming Ability Research Articles

Endurance of leg muscle strength and endurance of arm muscle strength to the ability of swimming speed 200 meters breaststroke

The lack of breaststroke swimming ability among athletes has led to a decline in breaststroke swimming performance in the Solok city swimming association. This problem is thought to be related to the low endurance of leg and arm muscles to the swimming speed of 200 meters breaststroke. This correlational study aims to reveal the contribution of leg muscle endurance, arm muscles, and the joint contribution of both to swimming speed 200 meters breaststroke in athletes coaching achievements in the Solok city swimming association. This study involved 25 swimming athletes in Solok city, with total sampling technique. Data on leg muscle strength endurance was measured through the squat jump test, arm muscle strength endurance through the push up test, and swimming speed through the 200 meter breaststroke swimming test. Data were analyzed using simple and multiple correlations with a significant level of α = 0.05, and the contribution was calculated by the formula r² x 100%. The results of data analysis showed that leg muscle strength endurance contributed 74.65%, while arm muscle strength endurance contributed 70.06%. The combination of both contributed 74.99% to the ability of 200 meters breaststroke swimming speed of athletes coaching achievements in swimming associations in Solok city.

Traits related to distributional range shifts of marine fishes.

In the context of global change, reviewing the relationships between marine fish traits and their range shifts is required to (1) identify ecological generalizations regarding the influence of traits on range shifts at a global scale and (2) investigate the rationale behind trait inclusion in models describing those relationships. We systematically searched for studies on marine fish assemblages that identified distributional shifts and analyzed the relationship between fish traits and these shifts. We reviewed 29 papers and identified 11 shift type characterizations and 41 traits, noting significant variation in measurement methods and model types used to describe their relationships. We identified global trait redundancies in the relationship between fish traits and latitudinal range shifts. These trends are related to the fishes' latitudinal range, trophic level, water column habitat, body size, size-at-settlement, growth rate, and larval swimming ability. The first four traits, along with fish bottom habitat, biogeographic affinity, diet, and thermal affinity, also showed significant relationships across four ways to characterize horizontal range shifts of fish species. The significance of these traits suggests their relevance in range shifting, regardless of the analyses conducted, biogeographic realm, and range shift type. However, trait redundancies require further consideration, mainly because some traits show opposing relationships in different studies, and important biogeographic research gaps limit global generalizations about the trait-range shift relationship. Half of the studies analyzed provided a rationale for 23 out of 41 traits. We also provide guidelines for future work to better understand the influence of traits on fish range shifts.

Can air nanobubbles improve the swim bladder inflation in developing European perch? A pilot study of advanced water treatment.

Swim bladder inflation (SBI) is a fundamental step in larval development for both physostome and physoclist fish species. Failure of the SBI triggers higher energy expenditures of the individual, which negatively affects swimming ability, growth rate, feeding efficiency, susceptibility to predation, and survival rate. In aquaculture, the SBI failure is caused by different factors including: (a) water contamination with oil increasing the surface water tension and preventing the larvae from gulping air bubbles for inflation, and (b) bacterial aerocystitis of the swim bladder caused by gulped organic debris. Hence, novel and effective water treatment technologies such as nanobubbles can be employed in aquaculture to reduce the risk of low SBI. In the present study, we compared conventional water treatment, i.e. surface spray combined with skimmers with air nanobubbles either alone or in combination, on the SBI of European perch larvae. In the control, no water treatment technology was employed. All treatments showed higher SBI efficiency compared to the control. The control group showed the lowest percentage of swim bladder-inflated individuals associated with low body weight (BW). The highest BW and SBI efficiency was recorded with the combination of surface skimmer, spray, and nanobubbles. The current study offers the first investigation of the nanobubbles' effect on SBI promotion in larvae of European perch and gives motivation for future optimizations.

Effects of MDA-19 on Zebrafish Larval Behavior: Perspectives From Neurodevelopment, Oxidative Stress, and Metabolomics.

As global regulations on synthetic cannabinoids tighten, illicit vendors increasingly turn to new structures of synthetic cannabinoids to evade legal scrutiny. MDA-19, a novel synthetic cannabinoid, exhibited significant agonistic effects on type 2 cannabinoid receptors invivo and showed emerging trends of abuse in illicit markets. However, research on the toxicological effects of MDA-19 remains scarce. In this study, we examined the effects of MDA-19 on neurodevelopment, behavior, oxidative stress, and metabolomics by exposing zebrafish embryos to MDA-19 solutions with concentrations of 1, 10, and 20 mg/L over 5 days. Results revealed that exposure to 10 and 20 mg/L of MDA-19 accelerated hatching in zebrafish embryos but led to reduced body length without affecting mortality or malformation. Furthermore, exposure to all concentrations of MDA-19 resulted in diminished swimming ability and reduced activity time in zebrafish. Transgenic zebrafish (hb9-GFP) exposed to MDA-19 exhibited impaired development of spinal motor neurons. Notably, exposure to 20 mg/L MDA-19 increased the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in zebrafish and elevated the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), while the levels of the lipid oxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) remained unaffected. Nontargeted metabolomics analyses showed that MDA-19 interfered with multiple metabolic pathways affecting energy metabolism, such as alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism; the citric acid cycle (TCA cycle), pantothenate, and coenzyme A biosynthesis; and purine metabolism. In conclusion, the present study provided the essential evidence for the neurotoxic effects of MDA-19, which was associated with impaired neurodevelopment, dysregulation of oxidative stress homeostasis, and altered energy metabolism.

Evaluating zooplankton species diversity using environmental DNA and bulk-DNA metabarcoding in the Ulleung Basin of the Southeastern Korean Peninsula in the summer

Accurately investigating the composition of zooplankton species is crucial for monitoring changes in marine ecosystems and assessing biodiversity. In this study, we utilized bulk DNA and environmental DNA metabarcoding in the Ulleung Basin, known for its high zooplankton species diversity among the seas surrounding the Korean Peninsula. Genomic DNA extracted from samples collected during three summer seasons in the survey area was analyzed using high-throughput sequencing of the cytochrome c oxidase I barcode region. We identified 350 species, which were three to six times more than those identified by traditional morphological methods. Furthermore, we observed significant differences in species composition and diversity between bulk DNA and eDNA samples. Notably, eDNA metabarcoding effectively detected species with high swimming ability and those that were difficult to capture using traditional sampling methods. This study underscores the significant impact of sampling methods on research outcomes in zooplankton species diversity studies and highlights the importance of integrating different sampling techniques. Specifically, it suggests the need for the active adoption of non-invasive methods, such as eDNA metabarcoding, for the comprehensive monitoring of diverse biological groups in marine ecosystems.

Swimming Proficiency and Self-reported Mental Health Outcomes in Chinese Individuals

This researh examines the relationship between swimming proficiency and self-reported mental health outcomes in Chinese adults, considering different demographic variables. A descriptive-correlational research technique was used to recruit a varied sample from various areas and backgrounds in China. Systematic surveys evaluated swimming proficiency in multiple aspects, such as water confidence, breath control, body positioning, propulsion, coordination, and safety awareness. Additionally, self-reported mental health outcomes were measured, including emotional well-being, life satisfaction, self-esteem, sense of purpose, resilience, and social connectivity. The findings suggest that respondents usually have high confidence and proficiency in swimming abilities. However, there needs to be more understanding of safety measures, highlighting the need to enhance education on recognizing hazards and following safety procedures. Although respondents were skilled swimmers, they said that participating in swimming activities did not substantially impact their mental well-being, self-esteem, sense of purpose, resilience, or social connectivity. Nevertheless, a significant correlation between swimming proficiency and mental health outcomes was established, indicating that enhancing swimming abilities might benefit mental well-being. The study revealed many primary obstacles to participation in swimming, such as financial limitations, cultural and societal expectations, difficulties in accessing facilities, safety and health worries, and educational and psychological hindrances. The obstacles differ across different demographic groups, emphasizing the need for focused solutions.

Characterization of novel sequence type 12531 and O8:H7 serotype carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli with strong swimming and intestinal epithelial cell barrier migration abilities.

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae have become widely prevalent globally because of antibiotic misuse and the spread of drug-resistant plasmids, where carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli (CREC) is one of the most common and prevalent pathogens. Furthermore, E. coli has been identified as a member of normal gut flora and does not cause disease under normal circumstances. However, certain strains of E. coli, due to the expression of virulence genes, can cause severe intestinal and extra-intestinal infections. Therefore, clinically, drug resistance and pathogenic E. coli strains are significantly challenging to treat. In this study, a novel CREC strain DC8855 was isolated from the ascites of a patient with intestinal perforation, identified as a novel sequence type 12531 (ST12531) and an unreported serotype O8:H7. It was revealed that the resistance of ST12531 CREC was predominantly conferred by an IncFII(K) plasmid carrying blaNDM-4. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis indicated that this is the first discovery of such plasmids in China and the first identification in E. coli. Moreover, regarding virulence, the swimming assays, qRT-PCR, and in vitro intestinal barrier model indicated that DC8855 had significantly higher motility, flagella gene expression, and intestinal epithelial cell barrier migration ability than the other sequence types CREC strains (ST167 and ST410). In conclusion, this study identified novel CREC which was multidrug resistant as well as enteropathogenic and therefore requires continuous monitoring.

A typology of potential hydraulic barriers to adult salmon migration in a bedrock river

Adult Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) in the Fraser River, British Columbia, can die trying to retrace and ascend the river network to their natal spawning grounds due to hydraulic barriers, where encounter velocities exceed swim speeds of adult salmon. We evaluated river hydraulics, river morphology, and swimming ability to better understand these potential hydraulic barriers. A 375 km centerline velocity survey of the Fraser Canyon identified 22 high velocity locations where the distribution of velocity within the reach could produce a hydraulic barrier. We identified and studied three flow types associated with these 22 high velocity locations: 1) plunging flows, 2) rapids, and 3) overfalls, using drone footage at various discharges to examine flow structure and compare surface velocities with swimming modes. Complex flow within the major hydraulic features highlight the spatial locations requiring anaerobic swimming and areas of potential recovery that change with discharge. This approach can be used to improve the understanding of fish migration limits in a natural river system and aid in future mitigation.

Establishment of a dexamethasone-induced zebrafish skeletal muscle atrophy model and exploration of its mechanisms

BackgroundSkeletal muscle atrophy is one of the main side effects of high-dose or continuous use of glucocorticoids (such as dexamethasone). However, there are limited studies on dexamethasone-induced skeletal muscle atrophy in zebrafish and even fewer explorations of the underlying molecular mechanisms. This study aimed to construct a model of dexamethasone-induced skeletal muscle atrophy in zebrafish and to investigate the molecular mechanisms. MethodsZebrafish soaked in 0.01 % dexamethasone solution for 10 days. Loli Track (Denmark) and Loligo Swimming Respirometer were used to observe the effect of dexamethasone on swimming ability. The effects of dexamethasone on zebrafish skeletal muscle were observed by Transmission electron microscopy, H&E, and wheat germ agglutinin techniques. Enriched genes and signaling pathways were analyzed using Transcriptome sequencing. Further, the levels of mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum-related proteins were examined to investigate possible mechanisms. Results0.01 % dexamethasone reduced zebrafish skeletal muscle mass (p < 0.05), myofibre size and cross-sectional area (p < 0.001), and increased protein degradation (ubiquitination and autophagy) (p < 0.05). In addition, 0.01 % dexamethasone reduced the swimming ability of zebrafish, as evidenced by the reluctance to move, fewer movement trajectories, decreased total distance traveled (p < 0.001), average velocity of movement (p < 0.001), oxygen consumption (p < 0.001), critical swimming speed (p < 0.01) and increased exhaustive swimming time (p < 0.001). Further, 0.01 % dexamethasone-induced mitochondrial dysfunction (decreased mitochondrial biogenesis, disturbs kinetic homeostasis, increased autophagy) and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Conclusions0.01 % dexamethasone induces skeletal muscle atrophy and impairs the swimming ability of zebrafish through mitochondrial dysfunction and endoplasmic reticulum stress.

A new tiny fossil penguin from the Late Oligocene of New Zealand and the morphofunctional transition of the penguin wing

ABSTRACT The Late Oligocene is a period of high penguin diversity, following major changes in the marine environment at the Eocene/Oligocene boundary and prior to the emergence of crown penguins in the Miocene. Historically, a large morphological gap existed between the most crownward Platydyptes among the Oligocene penguins from New Zealand and the Early Miocene stem penguins such as Palaeospheniscus from South America. Here we describe a new species that contributes to filling this gap. Pakudyptes hakataramea gen. et sp. nov. is the earliest tiny penguin, overlapping in size with the little penguin Eudyptula minor. Its distinctive combination of a well-developed proximal end of the humerus and an archaic elbow joint provides clues to the evolution of penguin wings. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that penguin wings evolved rapidly from the Late Oligocene to the Early Miocene, together with the acquisition of morphofunctional and hydrodynamical characteristics that enable the excellent swimming ability of modern penguins. As an indicator of aquatic adaptation, bone microanatomy shows a comparable structure to that of Eudyptula. The appearance of the smallest body size and the evolution of modern wings may have led to the ecological diversity of modern penguins, which confirms the importance of Zealandia in penguin evolution.

The Effect of Audiovisual and Demonstration Towards Students Swimming Ability of Navy’s Cadets

This study investigates the learning outcomes of Navy Cadets at Puslatdiksarmil in basic swimming, specifically breaststroke. A quantitative experimental design was used, involving 100 students divided into two groups: an experimental group receiving audiovisual and demonstration (AV-D) instruction and a control group with only demonstration (D). The performance test, based on the correctness of breaststroke technique, measured students' skills before and after treatment. A motivation questionnaire was also used to assess the impact of motivation on swimming ability. Results showed that the experimental group achieved a higher average score (73.16) compared to the control group (66.39). This indicates that AV-D significantly improves learning outcomes. Therefore, incorporating AV-D is recommended to enhance cadets' swimming abilities at Puslatdiksarmil.

Perkembangan Morfologi dan Tingkah Laku Larva Ikan Tuna Sirip Kuning Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares)

The yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) is a pelagic fish with distinct morphological development and behavioral traits. Understanding the early stages of morphology and behavior in yellowfin tuna larvae is crucial for successful cultivation efforts, particularly during the hatchery phase. This study aimed to observe and document the developmental progression and behaviors of yellowfin tuna larvae at the Tuna Laboratory of Balai Besar Riset Budidaya Laut and Penyuluhan Perikanan Gondol, Bali. Yellowfin tuna larvae were reared in 700 L round tanks at a density of 10,000 larvae per tank. Larval rearing was monitored over a period of 13 days, specifically on days 1 (D1), 3 (D3), 5 (D5), 7 (D7), 10 (D10) and 13 (D13) post-hatching. Morphological changes in the larvae were observed over time. On day 1, the larvae were transparent and planktonic, with closed mouths and eyes and the presence of melanophore pigments in their bodies. By day 3, the larvae had opened their mouths and eyes, becoming capable of feeding. The mouth opening measured between 0.34-0.68 mm (90°) and 0.18-0.37 mm (45°) on day 5 post-hatching. As the larvae grew, improvements in swimming ability were noted, correlating with the development of the swim bladder, tail fin, and dorsal fin.

Ecotoxicological risk assessment of the novel psychoactive substance Esketamine: Emphasis on fish skeletal, behavioral, and vascular development

Novel psychoactive substances (NPS), such as Esketamine (Esket), often contaminate the aquatic ecosystems following human consumption, raising concerns about the residues and potential ecological hazards to non-target organisms. The study used zebrafish as a model organism to investigate the developmental toxicity and ecotoxicological effects of acute Esket exposure. Our findings demonstrate that exposure to Esket significantly affected the early development and angiogenesis of zebrafish embryos/larvae. The mandible length was significantly decreased, and the angles between the pharyngeal arch cartilages were narrowed compared to the control group (all P < 0.05). Additionally, Esket resulted in a decrease of 47.6–89.8 % in the number of neural crest cells (NCC). Transcriptome analysis indicated altered expression of genes associated with cartilage and osteoblast growth. Moreover, Esket significantly inhibited swimming ability in zebrafish larvae and was accompanied by behavioral abnormalities and molecular alterations in the brain. Potential mechanisms underlying Esket-induced behavioral disorders involve neurotransmitter system impairment, abnormal cartilage development and function, aberrant vascular development, as well as perturbations in oxidative stress and apoptosis signaling pathways. Notably, the dysregulation of skeleton development through the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathway is identified as the primary mechanistic behind Esket-induced behavioral disorder. This study enhances our understanding of Esket's ecotoxicology profile and provides a comprehensive assessment of the environmental risks associated with NPS.

Retrospective evaluation of patients admitted to the emergency department due to drowning

Introduction: Drowning is a preventable process that can result in respiratory failure and death, and often occurs accidentally. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the demographic characteristics and clinical course of the patients admitted to our emergency department in a district neighbouring a lake due to drowning. Methods: Demographic characteristics, time of presentation, swimming ability, accident mechanism, predisposing factors, Glasgow coma scores (GCS), treatment, discharge, hospitalisation decisions, and mortality status of all patients admitted to our emergency department between January 2018 and January 2023 were recorded retrospectively from patient files and the digital automation system. Results: Twenty (66.7%) patients were male and 10 (33.3%) were female; the patients wereaged between 6 months and 59 years, with a mean age of 14.06 years. An analysis of the site of incident revealed that 26 cases (86.6%) drowned in the lake and 4 cases (13.3%) drowned in a water canal. When we analysed the predisposing factors, it was found that one of the cases drowned after an accidental fall while walking on the rocks and one of the cases drowned after having chest pain and syncope. Among the cases with a GCS of 3, 1 of them died in the intensive care unit after 12 hours, 3 of them recovered with tracheostomy sequelae, and the remaining 14 cases died in the emergency department. Mortality was not observed in any of the 12 cases with a GCS of 14 or above. Fourteen cases died in the emergency department, 11 were referred to the intensive care unit, and 5 cases were discharged after emergency department follow-up. When we classified the patients according to Szpilman's clinical classification system, 8 cases were classified as Grade1, 4 cases as Grade 2, 16 cases as Grade 5, and 2 cases as Grade 6. Conclusion: Raising awareness of families with children and increasing the necessary safety measures in water canals in summer months and in lakes is believed to reduce drowning-induced mortality. In addition to preventing drowning cases, providing the public with first aid training for drowning and healthcare professionals with appropriate assessment, intervention, and treatment algorithms may further reduce mortality.

Non-conventional endpoints show higher sulfoxaflor toxicity to Chironomus riparius than conventional endpoints in a multistress environment

Evidence grows that standard toxicity testing might underestimate the environmental risk of neurotoxic insecticides. Behavioural endpoints such as locomotion and mobility have been suggested as sensitive and ecologically relevant additions to the standard tested endpoints. Possible interactive effects of chemicals and additional stressors are typically overlooked in standardised testing. Therefore, we aimed to investigate how concurrent exposure to environmental stressors (increased temperature and predation cues) and a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR)-modulating insecticide (‘sulfoxaflor’) impact Chironomus riparius across a range of conventional and non-conventional endpoints. We used a multifactorial experimental design encompassing three stressors, sulfoxaflor (2.0–110 µg/L), predation risk (presence/absence of predatory cues), and elevated temperature (20 °C and 23 °C), yielding a total of 24 distinct treatment conditions. Additional stressors did not change the sensitivity of C. riparius to sulfoxaflor. To assess potential additive effects, we applied an Independent Action (IA) model to predict the impact on eight endpoints, including conventional endpoints (growth, survival, total emergence, and emergence time) and less conventional endpoints (the size of the adults, swimming abilities and exploration behaviour). For the conventional endpoints, observed effects were either lower than expected or well-predicted by the IA model. In contrast, we found greater than predicted effects of predation cues and temperature in combination with sulfoxaflor on adult size, larval exploration, and swimming behaviour. However, in contrast to the non-conventional endpoints, no conventional endpoints detected interactive effects of the neurotoxic insecticide and the environmental stressors. Acknowledging these interactions, increasing ecological context of ecotoxicological test systems may, therefore, advance environmental risk analysis and interpretation as the safe environmental concentrations of neurotoxic insecticides depend on the context of both the test organism and its environment.

Strategies for improving student swimming skills using training methods and media

Many students find that swimming is a necessary skill, yet many struggle to learn the appropriate form due to inadequate teaching. Learning can happen faster with the right training media, and knowledge of swimming techniques can be improved. Innovative teaching methods and training media are needed to optimise students' mastery of swimming skills. This study is to assess how well proper workout regimens and media can enhance fundamental swimming skills. This study uses an action research design, where three action research cycles are (1) preparation, (2) action, (3) observation, and (4) reflection. If at least 75% of children can perform basic swim movements in a crawling style successfully, then this learning has been successful. This study used a percentage analysis methodology as its analytical method. While at least 75% of students who received a completeness score in swimming during the first cycle showed success in basic crawl style movements, the learning results of students' movements were not in accordance with the success indicators; only 55.55% of students achieved the overall target. The number of students who achieved the goal in the second cycle increased to 32 or 71.11%. At the end of the cycle, 40 students, or 88.89% of students, achieved the overall target. According to the study's findings, the basic swimming ability of adolescent students can be improved by using land exercises and training tools.

Magnetic Control of Soft Microrobots Near Step-Out Frequency: Characterization and Analysis

Magnetically actuated soft microrobots hold promise for biomedical applications that necessitate precise control and adaptability in complex environments. These microrobots can be accurately steered below their step-out frequencies where they exhibit synchronized motion with external magnetic fields. However, the step-out frequencies of soft microrobots have not been investigated yet, as opposed to their rigid counterparts. In this work, we develop an analytic model from the magneto-elastohydrodynamics to establish the relationship between the step-out frequency of soft sperm-like microrobots and their magnetic properties, geometry, wave patterns, and the viscosity of the surrounding medium. We fabricate soft sperm-like microrobots using electrospinning and assess their swimming abilities in mediums with varying viscosities under an oscillating magnetic field. We observe slight variations in wave patterns of the sperm-like microrobots as the actuation frequency changes. Our theoretical model, which analyzes these wave patterns observed without exceeding the step-out threshold, quantitatively agrees with the experimentally measured step-out frequencies. By accurately predicting the step-out frequency, the proposed model lays a foundation for achieving precise control over individual soft microrobots and enabling selective control within a swarm when executing biomedical tasks.

Using Reinforcement Learning to Develop a Novel Gait for a Bio-Robotic California Sea Lion.

While researchers have made notable progress in bio-inspired swimming robot development, a persistent challenge lies in creating propulsive gaits tailored to these robotic systems. The California sea lion achieves its robust swimming abilities through a careful coordination of foreflippers and body segments. In this paper, reinforcement learning (RL) was used to develop a novel sea lion foreflipper gait for a bio-robotic swimmer using a numerically modelled computational representation of the robot. This model integration enabled reinforcement learning to develop desired swimming gaits in the challenging underwater domain. The novel RL gait outperformed the characteristic sea lion foreflipper gait in the simulated underwater domain. When applied to the real-world robot, the RL constructed novel gait performed as well as or better than the characteristic sea lion gait in many factors. This work shows the potential for using complimentary bio-robotic and numerical models with reinforcement learning to enable the development of effective gaits and maneuvers for underwater swimming vehicles.

Enhancing Wound Healing and Anti-Inflammatory Effects by Combination of CIGB-258 and Apolipoprotein A-I against Carboxymethyllysine Toxicity in Zebrafish: Insights into Structural Stabilization and Antioxidant Properties.

CIGB-258 is known to exert anti-inflammatory activity via structural stabilization of apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) and functional enhancement of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) against acute toxicity of carboxymethyllysine (CML). The co-presence of CIGB-258 in reconstituted HDL (rHDL) formed larger rHDL particles and enhanced anti-inflammatory activity in a dose-dependent manner of apoA-I:CIGB-258, 1:0, 1:0.1, 1:0.5, and 1:1 of molar ratio, in the synthesis of the rHDL. However, no study has evaluated the enhancement of HDL functionality by the co-presence of lipid-free apoA-I and CIGB-258. The present study was therefore designed to compare the structural stabilization and functional improvement of HDL in the presence of lipid-free apoA-I and CIGB-258 in molar ratios of 1:0, 1:0.1, 1:0.5, and 1:1 within both HDL2 and HDL3. As the concentration of CIGB-258 increased, it effectively inhibited the cupric-ion-induced oxidation of HDL, thereby safeguarding apoA-I from proteolytic degradation. Additionally, the wound-healing activity of zebrafish was significantly (p < 0.01) enhanced by the co-addition of apoA-I:CIGB-258 (1:1) up to 1.6-fold higher than apoA-I alone (1:0) under the presence of CML. ApoA-I:CIGB-258 (1:1) treatment exhibited the lowest apoptosis and production of reactive oxygen species against CML-induced damage in the wound site. Also, an increase in wounded tissue granulation and epidermis thickness was observed with increasing concentration of CIGB-258 during 48 h post-treatment via the healing process. Intraperitoneal injection of apoA-I:CIGB-258 mixture remarkably ameliorated the acute paralysis and restored zebrafish swimming ability impaired by the acute toxicity of CML. The increase of CIGB-258 content, especially co-injection of apoA-I:CIGB-258 (1:1), leads to a significant 2.3-fold (p < 0.001) and 4.1-fold (p < 0.001) higher zebrafish survivability and recovery of swimming ability, respectively, than those of CML-control. In the apoA-I:CIGB-258 (1:1) group, neutrophil infiltration and interleukin (IL)-6 production was lowest in the hepatic tissue with the least cellular damage and apoptosis. Additionally, the group treated with apoA-I:CIGB-258 (1:1) demonstrated the lowest plasma levels of total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG), along with minimal damage to the kidney, ovary, and testicular cells. Conclusively, co-treatment of CIGB-258 with apoA-I effectively mitigated acute inflammation in zebrafish, safeguarded vital organs, structurally stabilized apoA-I, and enhanced HDL functionality.

Effects of Starve and Shelter Availability on the Group Behavior of Two Freshwater Fish Species (Chindongo demasoni and Spinibarbus sinensis).

In complex environments, fish often suffer from reduced physiological functioning due to starvation, which may have a significant effect on their behavioral adaptive strategies to predator attacks. We selected qingbo (Spinibarbus sinensis, which prefers flowing water habitats) and demasone cichlid (Chindongo demasoni, which prefers still water habitats), to investigate the differences in group distribution and dynamics between the two species when faced with a simulated predation attack under different trophic states (fasted for 2 weeks or fed). We chose to conduct our experiments in a six-arm maze that included a central area and six arms of equal length and width and to obtain evidence of how the fish used the various areas of the maze to respond to simulated predation attacks. We found that the two fish species differed in their responses to simulated predation attacks under different trophic states. The group structure of the two species was relatively stable, and the effect of fasting on the qingbo group was not significant, whereas the demasone cichlid group was more susceptible to the effects of fasting, shelter and a simulated predation attack. In an environment with shelter, both species had the same anti-predator strategy and tended to enter the shelter arm to hide after encountering a simulated predation attack. However, differences in the anti-predator strategies of the two species emerged in the no-shelter environment, with the qingbo tending to enter the arm to hide, whereas the demasone cichlid group chose to enter the central area to congregate, and this phenomenon was more pronounced in the fasted group. In conclusion, our research shows that even group-stable fish may shift their anti-predation strategies (i.e., entering a shelter to hide shifts to aggregating in situ into a shoal) when starved and that the worse the swimming ability of the fish, the more affected they are by starvation.