Objectives Cryptococcus heimaeyensis S20 is found in Antarctica and can produce exopolysaccharides (CHEPS). Here, we explore the anti‐tumour effects of CHEPS on non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and methods Cell viability was assessed by CCK8 and colony formation assays. Flow cytometry was used to analyse the cell cycle, cell apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cell autophagy was detected by EGFP‐LC3 puncta assay, Lyso‐Tracker Red staining and transmission electron microscopy. mRNA and protein levels were analysed by qRT‐PCR and Western blot. Related mechanisms were confirmed using appropriate inhibitors or shRNA. In vitro results were further confirmed by a tumour xenograft study. Results CHEPS inhibited the proliferation of NSCLC cells by inducing S‐ and G2/M‐phase arrest and autophagic cell death, but not apoptosis. CHEPS was less toxic to normal human embryonic lung fibroblasts. CHEPS activated the MAPK pathway in NSCLC cells, and p38 and ERK promoted CHEPS‐induced cell death. Further studies showed that p38 and ERK promoted CHEPS‐induced NSCLC cell autophagy and ERK promoted CHEPS‐induced S‐ and G2/M‐phase arrest. ROS were induced by CHEPS. A ROS scavenger attenuated CHEPS‐induced p38 and ERK activation, autophagy and cell death. Finally, CHEPS reduced orthotopic lung tumour growth without organ‐related toxicity. CHEPS also induced ROS, activated p38 and ERK, and triggered autophagy in vivo. Conclusions CHEPS induces autophagic cell death and S‐ and G2/M‐phase arrest in NSCLC cells via ROS/p38 and ROS/ERK signalling.

Summary In the past decade improved acoustic hard‐ and software have enabled estimations of abundance and distribution patterns of aquatic organism, including non‐intrusive monitoring of fish migrations and behaviour. In this study, a high frequency acoustic camera (DIDSON‐LR, 1.2 MHz, 0.7 MHz) and a portable split‐beam scientific echo sounder (Simrad EY60, 200 kHz) collected acoustic data on 192 and 157 individuals within 24 hr (19–20 April 2011) in the Mituo reach of the Yangtze River, China. Mean fish length estimated from the acoustic camera data was 18.7 ± 5.6 cm, with an average swimming speed of 0.19 ± 0.13 m s−1. The mean fish target strength (TS) produced by the echo sounder was −43.8 ± 4.4 dB, which corresponded to 5.7–119.9 cm fish length when converted by three different TS‐length equations. Average swimming speed was 0.11 ± 0.06 m s−1 from the echo sounder. Compared with the actual fish catch by the three layers of drift gill net in the survey area, the target length indicated by DIDSON was more accurate than the EY60 results, which were highly affected by the choice of TS length equations. It was determined that the two devices used synchronously could estimate fish length effectively to investigate their behaviour and distribution.

AbstractThe fecal microbiome is an integral part of aquatic mammals, like an inner organ. But we know very little about this inner organ of the threatened aquatic species, Yangtze finless porpoise (YFP). Four YFPs were placed into a purse seine for skin ulceration treatment, and this opportunity was taken to nurse the animals closer. In particular, we collected the feces of the YFPs before and after the paired healing and therapeutic treatment, along with samples of their fish diet and water habitat, to explore the changes in their fecal microbiome. Firmicutes (20.9–96.1%), Proteobacteria (3.8–78.7%), Actinobacteria (0.1–35.0%) and Tenericutes (0.8–17.1%) were the most dominant phyla present in the feces. The proportion of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria increased after the treatment. Firmicutes showed a significant decrease, and most potential pathogens were absent, which reflected the administration of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride. Moreover, environmental shifts can also contribute to changes in the fecal microbiome. These results indicate that certain microbial interactions can be affected by environmental shifts, dietary changes and health-care treatments, which can also help maintain the internal environment of YFPs. These findings will inform the future enhanced protection and management of endangered YFPs and other vulnerable aquatic animals.

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