ВЛИЯНИЕ МАЛЫХ ДОБАВОК КАЛЬЦИЯ НА СТРУКТУРУ И СВОЙСТВА СПЛАВА МЛ5 (AZ91)

The influence of calcium additives (from 0,1 to 1,0 wt.%) on the phase composition and the solidus temperature of ML5 magnesium alloy was studied. During the alloy crystallization in the presence of aluminum, calcium forms an intermetallic compound with a variable composition containing Al (53,4–57,4 %), Ca (42,6–42,8 %) and Mg (0,002–3,8 %). As the temperature decreases, this compound degenerates to Al2Ca combination. The impact of calcium on the number of Mg17Al12 and Al2Ca phases as well as its distribution in the structure of the cast and heat-treated ML5 alloy was analyzed. By means of the electron microprobe analysis, it was found that calcium and aluminum were concentrated along the boundaries of the solid magnesium solution. It was shown that satisfactory mechanical properties of magnesium alloys containing calcium could only be acquired by their smelting and casting according to the process preventing metal contamination with rough inclusions. It was found that small calcium additions (up to 1 wt.%) increased combustion temperature and reduced the oxidation of the alloy at elevated temperatures (up to 715 °C). The effect of sulfur hexafluoride on the loss of calcium in flux-free melting was found. Исследовано влияние добавок кальция (от 0,1 до 1,0 мас.%) на фазовый состав и температуру солидуса магниевого сплава МЛ5. Кальций в процессе кристаллизации сплава в присутствии алюминия переходит в интерметаллическое соединение переменного состава, содержащее Al (53,4–57,4 %), Са (42,6–42,8 %), Mg (0,002–3,8 %), которое вырождается с понижением температуры в соединение Al2Ca. Проанализировано влияние кальция на количество фаз Mg17Al12 и Al2Ca и его распределение в структуре литого и термообработанного сплава МЛ5. С помощью микрорентгеноспектрального анализа выявлено, что кальций и алюминий концентрируются по границам твердого магниевого раствора. Показано, что для получения удовлетворительных механических свойств выплавку и заливку магниевых сплавов, содержащих кальций, необходимо проводить по технологическому процессу, предотвращающему загрязнение металла грубыми включениями. Установлено, что малые добавки кальция (до 1 мас.%) повышают температуру возгорания и снижают окисляемость сплава при повышенных температурах (до 715 °С). Определено влияние элегаза на угар кальция в процессе бесфлюсовой плавки.

Glucagon-like peptide-1(7–36) amide is a new incretin/enterogastrone candidate

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/72032/1/j.1365-2362.1991.tb01802.x.pd

Somatostatin 4 regulates growth and modulates gametogenesis in zebrafish

Somatostatin (SST) plays important roles in growth and development. In teleost fishes six SST encoding genes (sst1 to sst6) have been identified although few studies have addressed their function. Here we aim to determine the function of the teleost specific sst4 in the zebrafish. A CRISPR/Cas9 sst4 zebrafish mutant with loss of function (sst4−/−) was produced which grew significantly faster and was heavier at the onset of gonadal maturation than the wild type (WT). Consistent with their faster growth, liver igf1, igf2a and igf2b expression was significantly upregulated in the sst4−/− fish compared to the WT. Histological examination of the ovaries and testis indicated that sst4−/− fish had slightly delayed testicular gametogenesis compared to the WT. Significantly lower expression of igf3, amh, insl3, hsd17b3, hsd11b2, hsd20b, cyp11b and cyp17 was consistently observed in the sst4−/− testis. In contrast, the ovaries had lower expression of igf1, igf2a and cyp19a1a but increased expression of igf2b and hsd20b. The gonadotrophin beta subunits (fshb and lhb) in the brain were downregulated indicating the brain-pituitary-gonadal axis was downregulated in the sst4−/− fish and suggesting that the steroid production is compromised in the maturing gonads. In addition, analysis of sst1 and sst3 mRNA levels in sst4−/− fish suggests a dosage compensation effect of sst1 in the brain and liver. Altogether, the results from the zebrafish sst4−/− line support the idea that sst4 is involved in the regulation of igf signalling, somatic growth and reproduction since steroidogenesis and gametogenesis at pubertal onset were compromised.This research was supported by institutional funds from Shanghai Ocean University and Portuguese national funds from FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology through project UID/Multi/04326/2019.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

SuperSAGE digital expression analysis of differential growth rate in a European sea bass population

One of the goals of the aquaculture industry is to understand and control growth associated traits through selective breeding. In the present study the molecular basis of growth heterogeneity in the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) was addressed. To establish growth heterogeneity in a group of hatchery bred sea bass individuals were tagged and their specific growth rates (SGR) determined at monthly intervals. Gene expression in the brain, liver and white muscle from fish with the most divergent sustained SGR (6 individuals of the first and last quartile) was assessed using SuperSAGE (Serial Analysis Gene Expression) combined with next generation SOLiD4 sequencing. A total of approx. 11 million edited tags (26 bp), on average 2 million tags per SAGE library, that represented 47.071 unique transcripts were identified. Comparison of transcripts in fish with high and low SGR yielded 344, 698 and 601 differently expressed tags (0.01% false discovery rate and 4-fold change) in brain, liver and muscle, respectively. The tags were mapped onto the sea bass genome and approximately one third of the tags could be assigned to annotated genes. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed in liver, muscle and brain intricate gene expression changes in endocrine regulatory pathways involved in growth, metabolic and the stress axis, underlying divergent SGR in sea bass.Funding by the European Commission of the European Union through the Network of Excellence Marine Genomics Europe (contract GOCE-CT-2004-505403) and by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Arginine Vasotocin and Cortisol Co-regulate Vasotocinergic, Isotocinergic, Stress, and Thyroid Pathways in the Gilthead Sea Bream (Sparus aurata)

In teleosts, a complex interaction between several endocrine axes modulates physiological functions related to metabolism, stress, and osmoregulation. Although many studies in fish underline the interconnection between the hypothalamic– pituitary–interrenal (HPI) and hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid (HPT) endocrine axes, their relationship with the vasotocinergic and isotocinergic systems remains unknown. The aim of the present study is therefore to shed light on the potential cross-regulations between HPT, HPI, and the vasotocinergic and isotocinergic axes in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) at hypothalamic, hypophyseal, and plasma levels. Sea breams were administered with intraperitoneal slow-release implants containing different doses of vasotocin (the active peptide in vasotocinergic system) or cortisol (the last component of HPI axis). Plasma osmolality was higher in active neuropeptides vasotocin (Avt)- treated fish, indicating an osmoregulatory function of this hormone. Low concentrations of Avt increased hypothalamic arginine vasotocin precursor (avt) mRNA levels and increased Avt storage in the pituitary. Avt treatment down-regulated hypothalamic arginine vasotocin receptor v1a-type (avtrv1a), suggesting a negative paracrine coregulation of the HPI axis due to the close location of avtrv1a and adrenocorticotropin hormone (Acth) cells in the anterior pituitary. Furthermore, the up-regulation observed in arginine vasotocin receptor v2-type (avtrv2) suggests their involvement in metabolic and cortisol-related pathways in the hypothalamus. The decrease in isotocin (It) pituitary storage and the up-regulation of it receptor, observed in the Avt-treated group, reinforce the idea of an interconnection between the vasotocinergic and isotocinergic systems. Cortisol and Avt administration each inhibited the HPI axis, down-regulating crh gene expression in the absence of variations in corticotropin releasing hormone binding protein (crhbp). Finally, both hormonal treatments activated the HPT axis via upregulation of trh and down-regulation of thrb. Our results provide evidence for strong interactions among the Avt/It, HPI, and HPT axes of marine teleosts, particularly at the hypothalamic level

Different expressions of trypsin and chymotrypsin in relation to growth in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)

The expressions of trypsin and chymotrypsin in the pyloric caeca of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) were studied in three experiments. Two internal (trypsin phenotypes, life stages) and three common external factors (starvation, feeding, temperatures) influencing growth rates were varied. Growth was stimulated by increased temperature and higher feeding rate, and it was depressed during starvation. The interaction between trypsin phenotype and start-feeding temperature affected specific activity of trypsin, but not of chymotrypsin. Trypsin specific activity and the activity ratio of trypsin to chymotrypsin (T/C ratio) increased when growth was promoted. Chymotrypsin specific activity, on the other hand, increased when there was a reduction in growth rate whereas fish with higher growth had higher chymotrypsin specific activity resulting in lower T/C ratio value. During a rapid growth phase, trypsin specific activity did not correlate with chymotrypsin specific activity. On the other hand, a relationship between specific activities of trypsin and chymotrypsin could be observed when growth declined, such as during food deprivation. Trypsin is the sensitive key protease under conditions favouring growth and genetically and environmentally affected, while chymotrypsin plays a major role when growth is limited or depressed. Trypsin specific activity and the T/C ratio value are shown to be important factors in the digestion process affecting growth rate, and could be applicable as indicators for growth studies of fish in captive cultures and in the wild, especially when food consumption rate cannot be measured

The Gut Microbiome and Aquatic Toxicology: An Emerging Concept for Environmental Health

The microbiome plays an essential role in the health and onset of diseases in all animals, including humans. The microbiome has emerged as a central theme in environmental toxicology, as microbes interact with the host immune system in addition to its role in chemical detoxification. Pathophysiological changes in the gastrointestinal tissue caused by ingested chemicals, and metabolites generated from microbial biodegradation, can lead to systemic adverse effects. This critical review dissects what we know about the impacts of environmental contaminants on the microbiome of aquatic species, with special emphasis on the gut microbiome. We highlight some of the known major gut epithelium proteins in vertebrate hosts that are targets for chemical perturbation, proteins that also directly cross‐talk with the microbiome. These proteins may act as molecular initiators for altered gut function, and we propose a general framework for an adverse outcome pathway that considers gut dysbiosis as a major contributing factor to adverse apical endpoints. We present two case studies, nanomaterials and hydrocarbons with special emphasis on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, to illustrate how investigations into the microbiome can improve understanding of adverse outcomes. Lastly, we present strategies to functionally relate chemical‐induced gut dysbiosis with adverse outcomes, as this is required to demonstrate cause‐effect relationships. Further investigations into the toxicant‐microbiome relationship may prove to be a major breakthrough for improving animal and human health. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserve