The effects of the addition of 0–3.0 wt% α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) and γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD) on the quality of wheat flour as well as the texture and the aging of prebaked bread were evaluated. The addition of α-CD and γ-CD increased the ability of wheat flour to absorb water and shortened the times of dough formation and stabilization. Amylase activity slightly increased after using 2.0 and 3.0 wt% of α-CD and γ-CD, respectively. Moreover, the addition of α-CD and γ-CD increased the fermentation height and gas retention ability of dough. Dough samples containing 2.0 wt% α-CD and 3.0 wt% γ-CD showed the highest fermentation heights and gas retention volumes, respectively. Dough gas production increased with the addition of γ-CD. Gas production by dough samples containing more than 2.0 wt% α-CD exceeded that by samples in the control group. The results of the texture crumb of bread and specific volume tests revealed that the addition of 2.0 wt% α-CD and 3.0 wt% γ-CD reduced bread hardness and increased bread elasticity, resilience, and specific volume. The optimal α-CD and γ-CD contents were identified as 2.0 wt% and 3.0 wt%, respectively. The addition of 2.0 wt% α-CD and 3.0 wt% γ-CD delayed the aging of prebaked bread and reduced the hardness of prebaked bread during different weeks of storage, which may be due to decreasing the melting enthalpy of starch crystals. This work elucidated the mechanisms underlying the effects of CD addition on prebaked bread quality.

2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT) is a common environmental pollutant, and was classified as a group 2B human carcinogenic compound by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. This study determined the toxic effects of 2,4-DNT exposure on zebrafish at the embryo-larvae stage, in terms of organ morphogenesis and the expression pattern of selected target genes related to lipid metabolism and oxygen transportation. The results showed that the 120-h post-fertilization LC₅₀ of 2,4-DNT was 9.59 mg/L with a 95% confidence interval of 8.89–10.44 mg/L. The larvae treated with 2,4-DNT showed toxic symptoms including smaller body, less skin pigment production, yolk malabsorption, and disordered liver development. Further studies on the expression of genes related to lipid transport and metabolism, and respiration indicated that they were significantly affected by 2,4-DNT. It is concluded that 2,4-DNT exposure perturbed liver development and yolk absorption in early-life zebrafish, and disturbed the lipid metabolism /oxygen transport gene expression.

In the present study, we investigated the age, growth, and reproductive characteristics of Euchiloglanis davidi, a species of Sisoridae fishes, from the Yalong River, China. Fish samples were collected from the tributaries of the middle and lower Yalong River in May 2013 and December 2015. Their standard length ranged from 67 to 190 mm, and the total weight ranged from 3.42 to 75.06 g. The age and growth pattern of E. davidi were determined using the vertebra. Furthermore, the sampled fish were categorized into 10 age groups (1–10 years old): the maximum age was 10 years and 9 years for male and female fish, respectively. The relationship between the standard length and weight was expressed as W = 6.744 × 10⁻⁵ L^2.653, and the t-test showed allometric growth. The growth of E. davidi was defined by the von Bertalanffy growth function, described as L_t = 260.8(1−e^{−0.104(t+1.942)}), W_t = 173.5(1−e^{−0.104(t+1.942)})^2.653, respectively. The growth inflection point was observed at 7.44 years, with corresponding length and weight values of 162.50 mm and 49.46 g. The fecundity ranged from 105 to 352 eggs, with an average of 205 eggs. The relative fecundity of weight (F_W) ranged from 2.90 to 8.98 eggs/g, and the relative fecundity of length (F_L) ranged from 0.71 to 2.11 eggs/mm. Altogether, these characteristics of slow growth and low fecundity demonstrated the vulnerability of E. davidi to exploitation in the middle and lower reaches of the Yalong River.

Spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV) poses a major threat to aquaculture industry, triggering severe economic losses and substantial damage to fish health. Effective antiviral therapeutic approaches are currently insufficient in aquaculture, highlighting an urgent demand for viable intervention strategies. This study assessed the antiviral and immunomodulatory potential of Houttuynia cordata against SVCV in common carp. Combined cellular and in vivo fish experiments demonstrated that Houttuynia cordata markedly suppresses SVCV replication, reduces viral titer, and enhances disease resistance of carp. The extract appears to suppress RARα-A, upregulate IFN-1/CXCL11, and recruit T lymphocytes via CXCL11, thereby enhancing innate and adaptive immunity against SVCV. Experimental results indicate that Houttuynia cordata alleviates hemorrhagic symptoms induced by SVCV infection. Dietary supplementation with this herb realizes dual functions of viral suppression and immune regulation for carp aquaculture. The findings provide a practical prevention and control strategy against SVCV infection and offer novel insights for research on green antiviral agents. Furthermore, this study verifies the potential value of Houttuynia cordata in improving biological safety and facilitating sustainable development of aquaculture, laying a solid foundation for the development of eco-friendly antiviral preparations.