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An R-phycoerythrin (R-PE) was isolated by gel filtrations on Sepharose CL-4B and Sephadex G-150 from the phycobiliprotein extract of the marine red macroalga Polysiphonia urceolata Grev and further purified by ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow. The purified R-PE showed three absorption peaks at 498 nm, 538 nm, 566 nm and one fluorescent emission maximum at 577 nm. Although the R-PE showed a single band on the examination by native PAGE, it exhibited two very close bands at pH about 4.7 in native isoelectric focusing (IEF). Polypeptide analysis of the R-PE demonstrated that it contained four chromophore-carrying subunits, α18.2, β20.6, γ31.6 (γ'), γ34.6 (γ), and no colorless polypeptide; its subunit composition was 6α18.2:6β20.6:1 γ31.6:2γ34.6. The α and β subunits were distributed within a acidic pH range from 5.0 to 6.0 in denaturing IEF and the γ subunits were in a basic pH range from 7.6 to 8.1. These results reveal that the prepared R-PE may exist in two hexamers of γ (αβ)3 γ (αβ)3γ' and γ (αβ)3 γ'(αβ)3 γ and that the R-PE participate in the rod domain assembly of P. urceolata phycobilisomes by stacking each of its trimer (αβ)3 face-to-face with the aid of one γ subunit (γ or γ').

Immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as pembrolizumab, have demonstrated substantial therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of cancer. However, immune-related adverse events, including myasthenia gravis (MG), present significant clinical challenges. This study presents the case of a 75-year-old male patient who developed generalized acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive MG following the first infusion of pembrolizumab for cholangiocarcinoma. The patient’s symptoms rapidly progressed to an impending myasthenic crisis (MGFA Class IVB) within 20 days of pembrolizumab administration. Eculizumab was used as a rescue therapy due to the unavailability of conventional treatments, resulting in rapid and significant symptom relief, with sustained improvement during maintenance therapy. The use of eculizumab as rescue therapy presents a viable treatment option for pembrolizumab-induced MG, owing to its rapid therapeutic effects.

Understanding spatiotemporal patterns of fish density and their environmental drivers is critical for managing river–lake ecosystems, yet dynamic interactions in heterogeneous habitats remain poorly quantified. This study combined hydroacoustic surveys, spatial autocorrelation analysis (Moran’s I), and generalized additive models (GAMs) to investigate seasonal and spatial fish distribution, aggregation characteristics, and regulatory mechanisms in China’s Zhelin Reservoir. The results reveal pronounced seasonal fluctuations, with summer fish density peaking at 13.70 ± 0.91 ind./1000 m3 and declining to 1.95 ± 0.13 ind./1000 m3 in winter. Spatial heterogeneity was evident, with the Xiuhe region sustaining the highest density (15.69 ± 1.09 ind./1000 m3) and persistent hotspots in upstream bays. Transient high-density clusters (90–99% confidence) near the Zhelin Dam during summer suggested thermal or hydrodynamic disturbances. GAM analysis (R2adj = 0.712, 78.5% deviance explained) identified seasonal transitions (12.26% variance), water depth (16.54%), conductivity (13.75%), and dissolved oxygen (13.29%) as dominant drivers, with nonlinear responses to depth and bimodal patterns for conductivity/oxygen. These findings demonstrate that hydrological seasonality and habitat heterogeneity jointly govern fish aggregation, underscoring the ecological priority of Xiuhe and upstream bays as core habitats. This study provides a mechanistic framework for guiding reservoir management, including targeted conservation, dam operation adjustments to mitigate hydrodynamic impacts, and integrated strategies for balancing hydrological and ecological needs in similar ecosystems.

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is an autoimmune disorder mediated by NMDAR antibodies, typically manifesting as behavioral complaints, psychosis, seizures, movement disorders, hypoventilation, and autonomic dysfunction. In recent years, the predisposing factors and pathophysiological mechanisms of anti-NMDAR encephalitis have been tried to be clarified. It has been recognized that an overlap may be observed between anti-NMDAR encephalitis and inflammatory demyelinating disease. However, anti-NMDAR encephalitis is rarely associated with multiple sclerosis. Here, we describe a Chinese female patient diagnosed with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis who developed anti-NMDAR encephalitis. Further, we discuss the previously reported literature.

Inflammatory bowel disease remains a significant challenge in clinical settings. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of sea cucumber ovum hydrolysates (SCH) in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model. SCH, defined by its elevated stability and solubility, with a molecular weight below 1000 Da, significantly alleviated DSS-induced colitis, as evidenced by enhanced splenic index, reduced colonic damage, and diminished serum pro-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, macrogenomic analysis demonstrated that SCH increased beneficial gut microbes and decreased pro-inflammatory bacteria. Furthermore, metabolomic analysis of colonic tissues identified elevated levels of anti-inflammatory metabolites, such as Phenyllactate, 2-Hydroxyglutarate, and L-Aspartic acid, in colitis mice after oral administration of SCH. In conclusion, SCH represents a promising candidate for the treatment of colitis.

This study delves into the ecological implications of diverse fishery patterns on aquatic ecosystems, centering on environmental parameters, species richness, and nutrient dynamics. Using the ecological fishery management model of Yangming Lake as a case, it evaluates its influence on water quality improvement, species diversity promotion, and ecosystem stability maintenance. From 2018 to 2022, the Shannon–Wiener index in Yangming Lake increased by 17.34%, and water quality significantly improved, with phytoplankton biomass decreasing by 95.5%, total nitrogen content dropping by 33.69%, and permanganate index declining by 30.75%. Although ecological fisheries demonstrate certain effectiveness in tackling invasive species, further in-depth research is needed. This study emphasizes the importance of striking a balance between fishery development and ecological protection, in line with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s “blue transformation” strategy. Our findings offer valuable insights for sustainable fisheries development and highlight the necessity of customized management strategies to protect biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. Future research will focus on exploring the long-term ecological effects of ecological fisheries and the role of native carnivorous fish in controlling invasive species.

This study aimed to create Pickering emulsions with varying oil fractions and assess the impact of ultrasonic treatment on the properties of Whey Protein Isolates (WPIs). At 640 W for 30 min, ultrasound reduced WPI aggregate size, raised zeta potential, and improved foaming, emulsifying, and water-holding capacities. FTIR analysis showed structural changes, while fluorescence and hydrophobicity increased, indicating tertiary structure alterations. This suggests that sonication efficiently modifies WPI functionality. Under ideal conditions, φ = 80 emulsions were most stable, with no foaming or phase separation. Laser scanning revealed well-organized emulsions at φ = 80. This study provides a reference for modifying and utilizing WPI.

The concurrence of anti-contactin 1 (CNTN1) antibody-associated chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and membranous nephropathy (MN) has previously been reported in the literature. CIDP with autoantibodies against paranodal proteins are defined as autoimmune nodopathies (AN) in the latest research. In view of the unclear relationship between CIDP and MN, we performed a case study and literature review to investigate the clinical characteristics of anti-CNTN antibody-associated AN with MN. We detected antibodies against NF155, NF186, CNTN1, CNTN2, CASPR1 and PLA2R in blood samples of a patient with clinically manifested MN and concomitant peripheral neuropathy double immunofluorescence staining and conducted a quantitative measurement of anti-PLA2R IgG antibodies enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Case reports of anti-CNTN1 antibody-associated AN, anti-CNTN1 antibody-associated AN with MN, and CIDP with MN were retrieved through a literature search for a comparative analysis of clinical characteristics. The cases were grouped according to the chronological order of CIDP and MN onset for the comparison of clinical characteristics. A 57-year-old man with anti-PLA2R positive MN was admitted to the hospital due to limb numbness, weakness, and proprioceptive sensory disorder. He was diagnosed with anti-CNTN1 antibody-associated AN and recovered well after immunotherapy. Our literature search returned 22 cases of CIDP with MN that occurred before, after, or concurrently with CIDP. Good responses were achieved with early single-agent or combination immunotherapy, but eight out of the 22 patients with CIDP and concomitant MN ultimately developed different motor sequelae. Five patients had anti-CNTN1 antibody-associated AN with MN. Among these patients, males accounted for the majority of cases (male:female=4:1), the mean age at onset was late (60.2 ± 15.7 years, range 43-78 years), and 40% had acute to subacute onset. Clinical manifestations included sensory-motor neuropathy, sensory ataxia caused by proprioceptive impairment, and elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein levels. The age at onset of CIDP with MN was earlier than that of anti-CNTN1 antibody-associated AN. MN may occur before, after or concurrently with CIDP. The early detection and isotyping of anti-CNTN1 and anti-PLA2R antibodies and the monitoring of isotype switching may be essential for suspected CIDP patients.

The qualities of precooked foods can be significantly changed by the microorganisms produced during room temperature storage. This work assessed the effects of different antibacterial treatments (CK, without any treatment; microwave treatment, MS; microwave treatment and biological preservatives, MSBP) on the physicochemical properties and microbial communities of precooked crayfish tails during room temperature storage. Only the combination of microwave sterilization and biological preservatives significantly inhibited spoilage, as evidenced by the total viable count (4.15 log CFU/g) after 3 days of room temperature storage, which satisfied the transit time of most logistics companies in China. Changes in pH and TVB-N were also significantly inhibited in the MSBP group compared with those in the CK and MS groups. More than 30 new volatile compounds were produced in the CK groups during room temperature storage. However, in the MSBP groups, the volatile compounds were almost unchanged. The correlations between the microbial composition and volatile compounds suggested that specific bacterial species with metabolic activities related to amino acid, energy, cofactor, and vitamin metabolism, as well as xenobiotics biodegradation and metabolism, were responsible for the changes in volatile compounds. These bacteria included Psychrobacter, Arthrobacter, Facklamia, Leucobacter, Corynebacterium, Erysipelothrix, Devosia, Dietzia, and Acidovorax. Overall, our findings provide a foundation for the development of strategies to inhibit spoilage in precooked crayfish tails stored at room temperature.

Phycobilisomes were prepared from a marine red macroalga Polysiphonia urceolata (P. urceolata) by sucrose step-gradient ultracentrifugation. From the prepared phycobilisomes, an R-phycocyanin was isolated by gel filtration on Sephadex G-150 and then purified by ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow and native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) performed in neutral buffer systems. The purified R-phycocyanins showed not only a homogeneous trimer of 136 kDa in gel filtration and a single band in native PAGE, but also exhibited one band at about pH 5.7 in native isoelectric focusing (IEF). By a gradient SDS-PAGE the purified R-phycocyanin was determined to contain one α subunit of 17.5 kDa (α (17.5)) and two β subunits of 21.3 kDa and 22.6 kDa (β (21.3) and β (22.6)). The analysis from denaturing isoelectric focusing and two-dimension PAGE demonstrated that α (17.5), β (21.3) and β (22.6) had their pIs of 6.4, 5.3 and 5.4, respectively. Furthermore, mass spectroscopy analysis of β (21.3) and β (22.6) by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry demonstrated the two β subunits had differences in peptide mass fingerprinting. These results revealed that the prepared R-phycocyanins were composed of one α and two β subunits. and , which have a structural foundation to show their pIs too close for them to be definitely resolved by native IEF, are postulated to be the most possible trimeric forms of the R-phycocyanins prepared from the phycobilisomes of P. urceolata.