Exploring the application of Corynebacterium glutamicum single cell protein in the diet of flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus): effects on growth performance, digestive enzymes activity and gut microbiota

The capacity of utilising a single cell protein (SCP) ingredient coming from Corynebacterium glutamicum was assessed on adult grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) reared in captive conditions. The experiment was carried out using triplicate groups of grey mullet of 68 g average initial body weight. Three diets, SCP0, SCP10 and SCP20 with increasing inclusion of SCP (0%, 10% and 20%) in substitution of soybean, poultry and fish meal were formulated to contain 30% protein, 10% fat and 18.5 Mj/kg feed of digestible energy. After 113 days, fish fed SCP diets presented significantly lower growth performance and a significant lower activity of the alkaline proteases and aminopeptidases compared to fish fed diet without SCP inclusion. Gut microbiota appeared modulated by SCP inclusion being dominated at the phylum level by Fusobacteria in fish fed SCP0 (51.1%), while in fish fed SCP10 (67.3%) and SCP20 (53.2%) Proteobacteria was dominant. Data evinces a deficiency in the protein utilisation as a cause of the poor growth performance in fish fed the SCP diets. A hypothesis has been proposed that an incomplete SCP cell-wall lysis accounts for this outcome because of the particular organisation of the digestive system of grey mullet (which lack of an acidic stomach digestion) and the failing in the development of a functional gizzard (no access to sand in captive conditions). Even though the outcomes of this research were quite unexpected, they will improve our knowledge on the digestive system of flathead grey mullet and provide some theoretical basis for an improved development of low FM and SBM aquafeed for the species.This research was undertaken as a part of the FEAMP 2014-2020 project, action 3A. Pilot project for the application of techniques and methods aimed at the enhancement and diversification of fish products from Valliculture financed by Emilia Romagna region. Analyses of digestive enzymes conducted at IRTA were supported by the ACUISOST project funded by the Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación from the Spanish Government and EU Next Generation funds (PRTR).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A united statement of the global chiropractic research community against the pseudoscientific claim that chiropractic care boosts immunity.

BACKGROUND: In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the International Chiropractors Association (ICA) posted reports claiming that chiropractic care can impact the immune system. These claims clash with recommendations from the World Health Organization and World Federation of Chiropractic. We discuss the scientific validity of the claims made in these ICA reports. MAIN BODY: We reviewed the two reports posted by the ICA on their website on March 20 and March 28, 2020. We explored the method used to develop the claim that chiropractic adjustments impact the immune system and discuss the scientific merit of that claim. We provide a response to the ICA reports and explain why this claim lacks scientific credibility and is dangerous to the public. More than 150 researchers from 11 countries reviewed and endorsed our response. CONCLUSION: In their reports, the ICA provided no valid clinical scientific evidence that chiropractic care can impact the immune system. We call on regulatory authorities and professional leaders to take robust political and regulatory action against those claiming that chiropractic adjustments have a clinical impact on the immune system

CD47 fusion protein targets CD172a+ cells in Crohn’s disease and dampens the production of IL-1β and TNF

In mice, the transfer of CD172a(+) (SIRP-α) dendritic cells (DCs) elicits T cell–driven colitis, whereas treatment with CD47-Fc protein, a CD172a-binding agent, confers protection. The aim of this study was to elucidate the nature and functional properties of human CD172a(+) DCs in chronic intestinal inflammation. Here, we show that CD172a(+)CD11c(+) cells accumulate in the mesenteric lymph nodes (mLNs) and inflamed intestinal mucosa in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD). These cells are distinct from resident DCs and may coexpress markers typically associated with monocyte-derived inflammatory DCs such as CD14 and/or DC-SIGN, E-Cadherin, and/or CX(3)CR1. Spontaneous IL-1β and TNF production by HLA-DR(+) cells in CD tissues is restricted to those expressing CD172a. An avidity-improved CD47 fusion protein (CD47-Var1) suppresses the release of a wide array of inflammatory cytokines by CD172a(+) cells, which may include HLA-DR(−)CD172a(+) neutrophils, in inflamed colonic explant cultures and impairs the ability of HLA-DR(+)CD172a(+) cells to activate memory Th17 but not Th1 responses in mLNs. In conclusion, targeting CD172a(+) cells may represent novel therapeutic perspectives for patients with CD

Der Teutoburger Wald bei Iburg

vorgel. von Karl AndréeZugl.: Göttingen, Univ., Diss., 190

Assessment of heavy metal bioavailability using Escherichia coli zntAp::lux and copAp::lux-based biosensors

International audienc

Toxigenic algae and associated phycotoxins in two coastal embayments in the Ebro Delta (NW Mediterranean)

Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) surveillance is complicated by high diversity of species and associated phycotoxins. Such species-level information on taxonomic affiliations and on cell abundance and toxin content is, however, crucial for effective monitoring, especially of aquaculture and fisheries areas. The aim addressed in this study was to determine putative HAB taxa and related phycotoxins in plankton from aquaculture sites in the Ebro Delta, NW Mediterranean. The comparative geographical distribution of potentially harmful plankton taxa was established by weekly field sampling throughout the water column during late spring–early summer over two years at key stations in Alfacs and Fangar embayments within the Ebro Delta. Core results included not only confirmed identification of HAB taxa that are common for the time period and geographical area, but also provided evidence of potentially new taxa. At least 25 HAB taxa were identified to species level, and an additional six genera were confirmed, by morphological criteria under light microscopy and/or by molecular genetics approaches involving qPCR and next generation DNA pyrosequencing. In particular, new insights were gained by the inclusion of molecular techniques, which focused attention on the HAB genera Alexandrium, Karlodinium, and Pseudo-nitzschia. Noteworthy is the discovery of Azadinium sp., a potentially new HAB species for this area, and Gymnodinium catenatum or Gymnodinium impudicum by means of light microscopy. In addition, significant amounts of the neurotoxin domoic acid (DA) were found for the first time in phytoplankton samples in the Ebro Delta. While the presence of the known DA-producing diatom genus Pseudo-nitzschia was confirmed in corresponding samples, the maximal toxin concentration did not coincide with highest cell abundances of the genus and the responsible species could not be identified. Combined findings of microscopic and molecular detection approaches underline the need for a synoptic strategy for HAB monitoring, which integrates the respective advantages and compensates for limitations of individual methods