Search Results (1,097)

Alternaria brassicicola is a seed-borne pathogen that causes black spot disease in Brassica crops, yet the seed defense mechanisms against this fungus remain poorly understood. Building upon recent reports that highlighted the involvement of indole pathways in seeds infected by Alternaria, this study provides transcriptomic resources to further elucidate the role of these metabolic pathways during the interaction between seeds and fungal pathogens. Using RNA sequencing, we examined the gene expression of glucosinolate-deficient mutant lines (cyp79B2/cyp79B3 and qko) and a camalexin-deficient line (pad3), generating a dataset from 14 samples. These samples were inoculated with Alternaria or water, and collected at 3, 6, and 10 days after sowing to extract total RNA. Sequencing was performed using DNBseq™ technology, followed by bioinformatics analyses with tools such as FastQC (version 0.11.9), multiQC (version 1.13), Venny (version 2.0), Salmon software (version 0.14.1), and R packages DESeq2 (version 1.36.0), ClusterProfiler (version 4.12.6) and ggplot2 (version 3.4.0). By providing this valuable dataset, we aim to contribute to a deeper understanding of seed defense mechanisms against Alternaria, leveraging RNA-seq for various analyses, including differential gene expression and co-expression correlation. This work serves as a foundation for a more comprehensive grasp of the interactions during seed infection and highlights potential targets for enhancing crop protection and management. Full article

Preliminary evidence has showed an emergent serotype O3 (SO3) strain of Vibrio anguillarum to cause mortality in pre-smolt Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) by injection with >10⁵ colony forming units (cfus). Here, we sought to identify the susceptibility of Atlantic salmon post-smolts to this emergent strain by both injection and cohabitation to better understand transmission risk within cultured salmon and possibly between salmon and Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus), where this strain was identified. We identified that although mortality could be induced with a high-dose (>10⁶ cfus) intraperitoneal injection of the emergent SO3 strain (cumulative mortality of 40%), post-smolt Atlantic salmon were highly refractory to a low dose (<10⁶ cfus; cumulative mortality of 3%) or cohabitation exposure (no mortality). A qPCR assay targeting this strain was developed and analytically validated, revealing the limited presence of bacterial DNA in the spleen of low-dose-injected fish (2/36) and no detections in sampled cohabitants (0/70) across three timepoints during the 27-day challenge. These results suggest that although Atlantic salmon can succumb to high-dose artificial infections with V. anguillarum SO3, the risk of natural transmissibility and susceptibility of Atlantic salmon to this emergent strain is anticipated to be low. Full article

The cultures and religious beliefs of Taiwanese indigenous peoples are deeply rooted in ecological protection and environmental ethics. Indigenous peoples emphasize reverence for nature, ecological diversity, sustainable living, resource sharing, and sanctity of nature. Integrating environmental education with indigenous culture can promote biodiversity and ecological conservation while preserving indigenous traditions and fostering sustainable development. This study combined Virtual Reality 360-degree (VR360) technology with indigenous culture to develop a virtual ecological system as a learning tool for environmental education in indigenous elementary schools. The VR360 system simulates the ecological environments of Chichiawan Creek and the Atayal Nanshan Tribe in the mountainous regions of northern Taiwan to provide students with immersive experiences that enhance their learning interest and motivation. Through interactive operations, they can observe the appearance, characteristics, and habitual behaviors of Formosan Landlocked Salmon and other conservation animals to understand the relationship between maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance. The VR360 ecological system enhances learning effectiveness and motivation using low-cost cardboard glasses, making it suitable for promoting indigenous culture and environmental education while reducing the digital divide in remote tribal areas. Full article

In 2021, a prominent increase in mortality was observed in juvenile and subadult cultured chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) on a mariculture farm in Jeollanam-do Province, South Korea. The affected fish displayed distinct symptoms: pale gills, petechial hemorrhages in the muscles, and white nodules on the kidneys. Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) was cultured from some fish samples using fish cell lines. Bacteria were isolated from various fish tissues using kidney disease medium-two (KDM-2) culture medium. By detecting and sequencing the 16S rRNA gene using DNA extracted from the kidneys of the infected fish via PCR, the isolated bacteria were identified as Renibacterium salmoninarum. Histopathological examination primarily focused on hematopoietic tissues of kidneys and revealed clear evidence of severe necrosis and granulomatous changes. Additionally, nuclei with peripherally displaced chromatin were abundant in the kidneys of affected fish. These findings suggest that mass mortality of chum salmon was caused by R. salmoninarum, which induced typical bacterial kidney disease (BKD) symptoms, without IPNV infection. This represents the first outbreak of BKD attributed to R. salmoninarum infection in farmed chum salmon in South Korea. Full article

The sustainable utilization of co-products derived from the salmon processing industry is crucial for enhancing the viability and decreasing the environmental footprint of both capture and aquaculture operations. Salmon (Salmo salar) is one of the most consumed fish worldwide and a major species produced in aquaculture. As such, significant quantities of salmon co-products are produced in pre-commercialization processing/steaking procedures. The present study characterized a specific co-product derived from the processing of salmon: minced salmon heads. More specifically, this work aimed to reveal the nutritional profile of this co-product, with a special focus on its lipid content, including thoroughly profiling fatty acids and fully appraising the composition in complex lipids (polar lipids and triglycerides) for the first time. The antioxidant potential of lipid extracts from this salmon co-product was also studied in order to bioprospect lipid functional properties and possibly unveil new pathways for added-value applications. Our analysis indicated that these minced salmon heads are exceptionally rich in lipids. Oleic acid is the most prevalent fatty acid in this co-product, followed by palmitic acid, stearic acid, and linoleic acid. Moreover, relevant lipid indexes inferred from the fatty acid composition of this co-product revealed good nutritional traits. Lipidome analysis revealed that triglycerides were clearly the predominant lipid class present in this co-product while phospholipids, as well as ceramides, were also present, although in minimal quantities. The bioprospecting of antioxidant activity in the lipid extracts of the minced salmon heads revealed limited results. Given the high concentration of triglycerides, minced salmon heads can constitute a valuable resource for industrial applications from the production of fish oil to biodiesel (as triglycerides can be easily converted into fatty acid methyl esters), as well as possible ingredients for cosmetics, capitalizing on their alluring emollient properties. Overall, the valorization of minced salmon heads, major co-products derived from the processing of one of the most intensively farmed fish in the world, not only offers economic benefits but also contributes to the sustainability of the salmon processing industry by reducing waste and promoting a more efficient use of marine bioresources. Full article

Primary osteoporosis is closely linked to hormone deficiency, which disrupts the balance of bone remodeling. It affects postmenopausal women but also significantly impacts older men. Estrogen can promote the production of osteoprotegerin, a decoy receptor for RANKL, thereby preventing RANKL from activating osteoclasts. Furthermore, estrogen promotes osteoblast survival and function via activation of the Wnt signaling pathway. Likewise, androgens play a critical role in bone metabolism, primarily through their conversion to estrogen in men. Estrogen deficiency accelerates bone resorption through a rise in pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α) and RANKL, which promote osteoclastogenesis. In the classic genomic pathway, estrogen binds to estrogen receptors in the cytoplasm, forming a complex that migrates to the nucleus and binds to estrogen response elements on DNA, regulating gene transcription. Androgens can be defined as high-affinity ligands for the androgen receptor; their combination can serve as a ligand-inducible transcription factor. Hormone replacement therapy has shown promise but comes with associated risks and side effects. In contrast, the non-genomic pathway involves rapid signaling cascades initiated at the cell membrane, influencing cellular functions without directly altering gene expression. Therefore, the ligand-independent actions and rapid signaling pathways of estrogen and androgen receptors can be harnessed to develop new drugs that provide bone protection without the side effects of traditional hormone therapies. To manage primary osteoporosis, other pharmacological treatments (bisphosphonates, teriparatide, RANKL inhibitors, sclerostin inhibitors, SERMs, and calcitonin salmon) can ameliorate osteoporosis and improve BMD via actions on different pathways. Non-pharmacological treatments include nutritional support and exercise, as well as the dietary intake of antioxidants and natural products. The current study reviews the processes of bone remodeling, hormone actions, hormone receptor status, and therapeutic targets of primary osteoporosis. However, many detailed cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying primary osteoporosis seem complicated and unexplored and warrant further investigation. Full article

Osteoarthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by the degeneration of joint cartilage and underlying bone, resulting in pain, swelling, and reduced mobility. This study evaluates the efficacy of salmon nasal cartilage-derived proteoglycans in mitigating osteoarthritis symptoms and investigates the underlying molecular mechanisms. This study employed a rat model of osteoarthritis induced by monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) injection. The rats were orally administered salmon nasal cartilage-derived proteoglycans or ibuprofen. Key aspects of osteoarthritis pathology, including impaired exercise ability, inflammation, extracellular matrix degradation, and chondrocyte apoptosis, were assessed using histological analysis, micro-CT, treadmill testing, serum assays, and mRNA/protein expression studies. The MIA injection caused significant cartilage damage, reduced bone mineral density, and impaired exercise ability. Additionally, it elevated serum levels of prostaglandin E2 and nitric oxide, increased the mRNA and protein levels of inflammation-related factors, and activated apoptosis signaling pathways in cartilage. Treatment with salmon nasal cartilage-derived proteoglycans significantly improved cartilage morphology and mineralization, reduced inflammation, and inhibited apoptosis signaling pathways, with effects comparable to those observed with ibuprofen treatment. These findings highlight the potential of salmon nasal cartilage-derived proteoglycans as a therapeutic agent for managing osteoarthritis by effectively reducing inflammation, preventing cartilage degradation, and inhibiting chondrocyte apoptosis. Full article

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of two types of active triple-layer films containing curcumin on the shelf-life of salmon fillets. One film (Film A) contained pure curcumin dissolved in lemongrass essential oil, while the other (Film B) incorporated curcumin from Curcuma longa extract dissolved in citral. The impact of these active films on the preservation of salmon fillets quality and safety was studied by analyzing factors such as color parameters, sensory evaluation, lipid oxidation, and biogenic amines. Despite good active properties measured in vitro, both films harmed the sensory quality and color of salmon. However, the incorporation of active ingredients in biopolymer films has shown the potential to inhibit biogenic amine formation. The findings pave the way for future research to explore the synergistic effects of combining various natural extracts with active packaging films. Full article

This study examines the in vitro effects of a soluble protein hydrolysate (SPH) derived from Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) on incretin receptor activity and pancreatic islet cell protection to explore the mechanisms underlying SPH’s observed benefits on weight loss and metabolic health in overweight individuals. SPH demonstrated a dose-dependent enhancement of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) receptor activity, with significant increases of 2.4-fold (p < 0.05) and 2.6-fold (p < 0.01) at 10 mg/mL, respectively, compared to the control. Pancreatic islet cell assays showed a substantial proliferation effect, with up to a 57% increase at 50 µL/well, indicating potential protective properties against inflammation-induced cell loss. Notably, the smallest SPH peptide fraction (<1000 Da) exhibited GLP-1 agonist activity comparable to semaglutide, a widely used therapeutic agent, underscoring SPH’s potential efficacy in modulating metabolic pathways. These results suggest that SPH not only enhances key incretin signaling but also promotes islet cell health, positioning it as a promising dietary intervention to improve age-related metabolic health, including the weight gain and underlying adverse metabolic changes frequently encountered through the menopause. Full article

Background/Objectives: Healthcare-associated infections involving surgical sites, skin trauma, and devices penetrating the skin are a frequent source of increased expense, hospitalization periods, and adverse outcomes. Medical adhesives are often employed to help protect compromised skin from infection and to secure medical devices, but adhesives can become contaminated by pathogens, exposing wounds, surgical sites, and medical devices to colonization. We aimed to incorporate ceragenins, a class of antimicrobial agents, into silicone- and polyacrylate-based adhesives with the goal of reducing adhesive contamination and subsequent infections. Methods: Three adhesives were developed and evaluated for the release of ceragenins, antimicrobial efficacy, adhesive strength, and dermal irritation. Results: Elution profiles over two weeks showed a high initial release followed by steady, long-term release. Standard microbial challenges of the adhesives by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, or Candida albicans demonstrated microbial reduction for 6 to 68 days. Lap shear adhesive strength was not reduced for polyacrylate adhesives containing ceragenins, and no dermal irritation was observed in an in vivo model. Conclusions: Ceragenin-containing adhesive materials appear well suited for prevention of bacterial and fungal infections associated with medical devices and bandages. Full article

The monitoring of species in a habitat is important to ensure biological diversity. Environmental DNA (eDNA) can infer the presence–absence of species and enable rapid action to avoid threatening factors in ecosystems in the case of non-indigenous species. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays for molecular amplification are rapidly gaining popularity in species detection, but LAMP remains an underutilized method for eDNA-based monitoring practices. The most effective combination for successful species monitoring may be the collection of eDNA or biological traces collected by nanofiltration followed by LAMP-based species detection initiatives. Here, we used LAMP analysis to detect the eDNA of Esox lucius (Northern Pike), Anguilla anguilla (European Eel), and Salmo salar (Atlantic Salmon) in Borre Lake and in the Drammen River. The selection of species is based on the categories of regionally invasive species, endangered species, and species of least concern. Two target genes were considered for each species and LAMP primers were designed. Our study showed that LAMP is an effective tool for discovering specific fish eDNA (analysis) to maintain aquatic ecosystems. Full article

Background/Objectives: Young women are often at risk of vitamin D deficiency, while fatty fish can provide significant amounts of it, which is especially important when no vitamin D skin synthesis is possible due to limited sunshine exposure. This study aimed to analyze the impact of increasing the intake of salmon in various forms (smoked salmon, salmon sausages) on vitamin D status of young women in autumn. Methods: The 8-week intervention involved 120 non-obese women, aged 20–25 years. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: smoked salmon (25 g/day), salmon sausage (100 g/day), or a control group. Both intervention products provided approximately 5 µg of vitamin D daily. Serum concentrations of 25(OH)D as well as vitamin D intakes were assessed pre-, mid-, and post-intervention. Results: The median vitamin D intake at baseline was 2.7–3.4 µg/day and did not differ between the groups (p > 0.05), while during the intervention, it was highest in the smoked salmon group (p < 0.001) and amounted to 7.3 µg/day. While all groups experienced a decrease in 25(OH)D serum concentrations, the decrease was significantly smaller in the salmon sausage group compared to the control group (−4.3 vs. −15.0 nmol/L, p < 0.05), and no significant difference was observed between the smoked salmon and control group after 8 weeks (p > 0.05). Moreover, in the salmon sausage group, the intervention was more effective among participants with an inadequate vitamin D status at baseline (25(OH)D change after the intervention: −3.0 vs. −5.4 nmol/L, p < 0.05; inadequate vs. adequate baseline vitamin D status). Conclusions: Increasing the intake of salmon, and hence of vitamin D, was not enough to maintain the vitamin D status of young women in autumn. It seems that other, not-yet-fully-understood factors, may influence vitamin D absorption and/or metabolism, thereby affecting the outcomes of such interventions indicating that further research is needed. Nevertheless, it may be concluded that increasing salmon sausage intake might aid slow down the natural decline of 25(OH)D in young women in autumn. Full article

Over the years, human impacts have resulted in great losses in riverine biodiversity. Ecosystem restoration could contribute to reversing this trend. Ecosystem restoration, however, involves many actors and perspectives and is, therefore, a complex governance challenge. So far, this governance challenge has been understudied, and it is not clear which governance conditions may contribute to a successful restoration of riverine ecosystems. This paper addresses this knowledge gap by developing an assessment framework that is applied in a critical case study. We first reviewed scientific papers and compiled governance conditions found in an assessment framework. The framework is tested and refined by conducting a case study on the ecosystem restoration process coordinated by the International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine. This process aims to bring back the Atlantic salmon and other species in the basin. Our analysis revealed that despite efforts to reintroduce Atlantic salmon, a self-sustaining population is not present in the basin. Moreover, the governance structure in the basin only meets 13 out of 23 governance conditions. Challenges identified include slow decision-making, ambiguity in responsibilities, and limited financial incentives. Based on our case study, we have refined the framework to tailor it more for future research and policy development. Full article

Parvalbumins are the main source of food allergies in fish meat, with each fish possessing multiple different parvalbumins. The naming convention of these allergens in terms of allergen codes (numbers) is species-specific. Allergen codes for parvalbumin isoallergens and allergen variants are based on sequence identities relative to the first parvalbumin allergen discovered in that particular species. This means that parvalbumins with similar allergen codes, such as catfish Pan h 1.0201 and redfish Seb m 1.0201, are not necessarily the most similar proteins, or encoded by the same gene. Here, we aim to elucidate the molecular basis of parvalbumins. We explain the complicated genetics of fish parvalbumins in an accessible manner for fish allergen researchers. Teleost or modern bony fish, which include most commercial fish species, have varying numbers of up to 22 parvalbumin genes. All have derived from ten parvalbumin genes in their common ancestor. We have named these ten genes “parvalbumin 1-to-10” (PVALB1-to-PVALB10), building on earlier nomenclature established for zebrafish. For duplicated genes, we use variant names such as, for example, “PVALB2A and PVALB2B”. As illustrative examples of our gene identification system, we systematically analyze all parvalbumin genes in two common allergy-inducing species in Japan: red seabream (Pagrus major) and chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta). We also provide gene identifications for known parvalbumin allergens in various fish species. Full article

The substitution of ingredients with Salmonidae, particularly Salmo salar, has led to widespread reports of financial losses and health risks globally, emphasizing the urgent need for the development of a rapid and precise method for species identification. The aim of the present study was to develop a novel method for the rapid screening of Salmonidae ingredients and the accurate detection of S. salar simultaneously using multiplex real-time PCR coupled with melting curve analysis. Specifically, primer sets specific for S. salar and Salmonidae were cross-confirmed. Moreover, the reaction system and conditions of a real-time duplex PCR were optimized, and the proposed methodology was verified, proving that the assay has good specificity and sensitivity. Clear and distinguishable melting peaks, with expected Tm values of around 80 °C (S. salar) and 84 °C (Salmonidae), were observed for twelve products, proving the presence of S. salar. However, four products were not derived from S. salar, but they could have belonged to another species within the Salmonidae family due to the presence of only one specific melting peak at a Tm value of about 84 °C. Therefore, the novel assay in the present study allows for the fast and accurate screening of Salmonidae ingredients and the detection of S. salar simultaneously. Full article