Impact of long-term feeding a high level of Spirulina combined with enzymes on growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality in broiler chickens.

This study evaluates the effect of prolonged feeding with a high inclusion level of Spirulina, combined with peptidases, on broiler chicken's growth performance, digesta viscosity, carcass attributes and meat quality. The experiment involved 120 male broilers divided into 40 battery brooders, each housing 3 birds. Post 7-day acclimatisation with a corn and soybean-based diet, the birds were provided with one of four diets: a corn and soybean meal-based diet (CON), a mix incorporating 15% Spirulina (SP), a Spirulina-rich mix supplemented with 0.025% of commercial VemoZyme® P (SPV), or a Spirulina-rich mix supplemented with 0.10% of porcine pancreatin (SPP). The CON group had higher body weight and weight gain (p < 0.001) and a lower feed conversion ratio (p < 0.001) from day 7-21, compared to the Spirulina-fed groups. Spirulina-fed chickens significantly increased ileum viscosity (p < 0.05). Spirulina also elevated the weight (p < 0.05) of the duodenum and the length (p < 0.001) of the entire gastrointestinal tract compared to CON. Breast and thigh muscles from Spirulina-fed broilers displayed higher values of yellowness (b*) (p < 0.001), pigments (p < 0.05), and n-3 PUFA (p < 0.01), while n-6/n-3 ratio (p < 0.001) and α-tocopherol (p < 0.001) decreased relative to the CON. In conclusion, the introduction of a high level of Spirulina into broiler diets for an extended duration, has the potential to diminish birds' growth performance, possibly due to increased digesta viscosity. However, it does enhance the nutritional quality of the meat.

The Integration of Information Technology in the Management and Organization of Nursing Care in a Hospital Environment: A Scoping Review.

The adoption of health technologies is occurring on an unprecedented scale, with enormous potential to improve the health of populations. In this context, information technology (IT) in nursing has emerged with a focus on quality and safety of care for the benefit of the patient. There is insufficient reliable evidence demonstrating how the integration of IT in nursing care influences methodologies for managing and organizing care in terms of structure and care practice, justifying a scoping review that synthesizes the knowledge produced so far. Online databases were used to identify papers published in 2012-2023, from which we selected nine publications that used information technology in the nursing care processes. The participants were hospital nurses and nurse managers. The results show that the integration of IT in healthcare organizations impacts the management and organization of nursing care, and changes in structure, process reorganization, management, training, and the development of nurses' skills. To minimize this impact, the organizational structure must be prepared for a cultural change, with well-defined and communicated policies and procedures, and strong leadership. Within the teams, the importance of process reorganization, continuous training, and skill development emerges, thus enhancing the integration of IT into practice environments in conjunction with care.

Improving protein extraction and peptide production from Chlorella vulgaris using combined mechanical/physical and enzymatic pre-treatments.

Chlorella vulgaris is a microalga rich in proteins with potential applications in food and feed industries. However, the presence of a cellulose-containing cell wall, which is a major barrier to protein extraction, together with fibroproteinaceous complexes, limits the bioaccessibility of nutritional and bioactive proteins and peptides from C. vulgaris biomass. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of different mechanical/physical pre-treatments (bead milling, extrusion, freeze-drying, heating, microwave and sonication) combined or not with enzymatic treatments (commercial trypsin and pancreatin) on protein extraction and peptide formation from a C. vulgaris suspension. The amount of total protein and peptides released to the supernatant was quantified by Bradford and o-phthaldialdehyde assays, respectively. Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to analyse the extracted protein fractions. The results showed that extrusion caused a 3-fold increase in total peptides (p < 0.001) compared to no-pretreatment, and trypsin increased peptides formed in bead-milled (p = 0.020) and freeze-dried (p = 0.021) microalga relative to those pre-treatments alone. Some pre-treatments, such as bead milling and microwave, were effective in releasing specific protein fractions, particularly those from 32 to 40 kDa (up to 1.2-fold), compared to control. Pancreatin combined with bead milling decreased 32 to 40 kDa- and 26 kDa-protein fractions (p < 0.010) compared with the sole use of mechanical treatment, whereas the same enzyme mixture associated with microwave produced a similar result for 26 kDa-protein fraction (p = 0.023). Pancreatin also effectively reduced the total protein fraction released after pre-treatment with sonication (p = 0.013). These findings suggest that combining different pre-treatments and enzymatic treatments could improve protein extraction from C. vulgaris biomass, providing a useful approach for the development of sustainable protein sources. The present results highlight the need for further studies to assess the efficacy of extrusion in improving the bioaccessibility of C. vulgaris proteins in monogastric animals' diets.

Analysing the Impact of Spirulina Intake Levels on Performance Parameters, Blood Health Markers and Carcass Traits of Broiler Chickens.

This systematic review examines the impact of varying Spirulina (Limnospira platensis) intake levels on broiler chickens, focusing on growth performance, blood health markers and carcass traits. The data revealed cumulative Spirulina intakes from 3.13 g to 521 g per bird (total feed consumed multiplied by its proportion in the diet) establish a cubic relationship between dosage and growth outcomes. Initial benefits peak and diminish with increased intake, with the optimal threshold for growth performance identified at 45 g per bird. Lower intakes between 14 g and 29 g per bird enhance blood health markers, improving lipid profiles and antioxidant capacity. Similarly, cumulative intakes of 14 g to 37 g per bird optimise meat quality, resulting in better dressing percentages, breast and thigh yields and meat tenderness while minimizing undesirable traits like abdominal fat and cooking loss. These findings underscore the importance of precisely calibrated Spirulina supplementation strategies to maximise growth, health and meat quality benefits while avoiding adverse effects at higher doses. Future research should focus on identifying optimal dosage and duration, assessing long-term implications, elucidating mechanisms of action and ensuring safety and regulatory compliance. Comparative studies with other feed additives could further establish Spirulina's effectiveness and economic viability in poultry production.

Family Support, Resilience, and Life Goals of Young People in Residential Care.

Establishing goals for young people in residential care (RC) is a gap in the literature, especially in terms of the relationship between family support and resilience. The literature suggests that RC is associated with the breakdown of family relationships, so the possibility of the family playing a positive role in establishing life goals for young people is reduced. However, family support in the context of organization and stability can be assumed to be a protective factor for the formulation of life goals and contribute to the resilient development of young people. This study aimed to analyze the role of family support in the process of setting goals for young people in RC, as well as to analyze the potential mediating role of resilience in the previous association. The sample included 124 young people aged between 12 and 23 years living in RC. The results point to a positive association between family support (autonomy) and the planning of life goals and verify the total mediating effect of resilience in this association. The results are discussed considering attachment theory and the role of the family in the adaptive development of young people. This study's findings provide important indications for developing future interventions.

What lies underneath: Comparison among beach litter in the underwater bathing area and exposed beach.

The standard techniques for monitoring beach litter focus on the litter that is accumulated on beaches. Therefore, the underwater bathing area is usually overlooked. Our study aims to start the discussion about the litter in the bathing area, an important connection between the exposed beach and the ocean. We aimed to compare sampling methodologies between the underwater bathing area and the exposed beach. We highlighted litter's similarities and differences regarding the amount, material, possible sources, and interaction with the biota. We also performed a brand audit on the underwater bathing area litter. In the underwater region, 106 items were collected while 1706 items were collected from the exposed beach region. Plastic was the dominant type of material in both sites, exposed beach (89.92 %) and bathing area (83.96 %). The litter's possible source was different. In the underwater bathing area was more related to food packages (couscous, rice). On the other hand, litter on the exposed beach was associated with beach use (single-use plastic such as plastic cups). The brand audit identified 21 companies, whereby most brands were Brazilian and food-related. Regarding interactions with the biota, the litter in the bathing area had more bio-fouling (87.73 %) than the litter collected on the exposed beach (10.00 %). Information about bathing area litter can be useful to draw different management strategies. Due to the differences in litter types and behavior between the two sites, the same mitigation strategies might not be equally efficient.

The Role of Social Support and Sleep Quality in the Psychological Well-Being of Nurses and Doctors.

Social support enhances the development of adaptive strategies to cope with difficulties, which may affect psychological well-being. Sleep quality has been highlighted as having a relevant role in psychological well-being. The present study aimed to analyse the role of social support and sleep quality in the psychological well-being of health professionals (nurses and doctors) compared to the general population. The sample comprised 466 adults aged between 18 and 75 (M = 43.4; SD = 10.8), of which 272 were the general population and 194 nurses and doctors. Data were collected through a Sociodemographic Questionnaire, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Psychological Well-Being Manifestation Measure Scale. Nurses presented less balance (also doctors), sociability and happiness than other professionals. Less significant sociability was observed in nurses compared with doctors. The results also allowed us to observe the positive role of social support from significant others on social involvement and sociability and the positive role of the family in self-esteem. Social support from friends played a positive role in all dimensions of psychological well-being. Males had a higher prevalence of psychological well-being. Other professionals and sleep quality show high levels of psychological well-being in all dimensions. Data discussion highlights the role of social support, sleep, and sex and the implications of health professions (nurses and doctors) on psychological well-being.

Piglets performance, nutrient digestibility and gut health in response to feeding Ulva lactuca seaweed supplemented with a recombinant ulvan lyase or a commercial carbohydrase mixture.

Ulva lactuca, a green seaweed, may be an alternative source of nutrients and bioactive compounds for weaned piglets. However, it has a recalcitrant cell wall rich in a sulphated polysaccharide - ulvan - that is indigestible to monogastrics. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary incorporation of 7% U. lactuca, combined with carbohydrases supplementation (commercial carbohydrase mixture or recombinant ulvan lyase), on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and gut health parameters (morphology and microbiota) of weaned piglets. The experiment was conducted over 14 days using 40 weaned piglets randomly allocated to one of four experimental diets: a control diet based on wheat-maize-soybean meal, a diet with 7% U. lactuca replacing the control diet (UL), a diet with UL supplemented with 0.005% Rovabio® Excel AP, and a diet with UL supplemented with 0.01% of a recombinant ulvan lyase. The dietary treatments had no major effects on growth performance, nitrogen balance and gut content variables, as well as histological measurements. Contrarily, dry matter and organic matter digestibility decreased with dietary seaweed inclusion, while hemicellulose digestibility increased, suggesting a high fermentability of this cell wall fraction independently of carbohydrases supplementation. Some beneficial microbial populations increased as a consequence of enzymatic supplementation (e.g., Prevotella), while seaweed diets as a whole led to an increased abundance of Shuttleworthia, Anaeroplasma and Lachnospiraceae_NK3A20_group, all related with a healthier gut. It also decreased Lactobacillus when compared to controls, which is possibly related to increased bioavailability of seaweed zinc. This study indicates that, under these experimental conditions, up to 7% dietary U. lactuca has no detrimental effect on piglet growth, despite decreasing acid detergent fibre digestibility. Carbohydrases supplementation of Ulva diets is not required at this incorporation level.

Impact of Production Systems on the Levels of Vitamin E, ß-Carotene, and Cholesterol in the Liver of Cattle Raised in the Eastern Amazon.

The nutritional composition of bovine liver, particularly in terms of vitamins E, ß-carotene, and cholesterol concentration, is significantly influenced by the cattle-rearing system and diet. This study aimed to elucidate the impact of four predominant cattle-rearing systems in the Eastern Amazon region on the vitamin E, ß-carotene content, and cholesterol levels in bovine liver during the rainy season. Liver-tissue samples were collected from 48 cattle, with twelve specimens representing each rearing system. The systems encompassed two native pastures located in flood-prone areas, cultivated pastures on upland terrain and a confinement-rearing system. Our findings indicate that, when considering all rearing systems collectively, there were no significant differences in the levels of vitamins and cholesterol in the liver tissues (p > 0.05). However, a marked disparity in cholesterol levels emerged when comparing intensive rearing systems to extensive ones, with the former demonstrating notably higher concentrations (p = 0.01). Additionally, the intensive rearing system was associated with elevated levels of ß-carotene (p < 0.01), α-tocopherol (p = 0.01), and ß-tocopherol (p = 0.01) relative to the extensive systems. No significant variations were observed amongst the different extensive systems (p > 0.05). These results suggest that, while all rearing systems yielded liver tissues with typical concentrations of vitamins and cholesterol, the intensive rearing system led to a higher accumulation of certain vitamin compounds. This study highlights the substantial nutritional implications of different cattle-rearing systems in the Eastern Amazon and provides valuable insights for developing dietary strategies to optimize the nutritional quality of bovine liver. Therefore, the generated results are groundbreaking in the Eastern Amazon, Brazil, and inspire the development of new research projects to address other demands in this field and achieve additional outcomes.

Impact of rearing systems in the Eastern Amazon on cholesterol, ß-carotene and vitamin E homologues in steer.

Introduction: The quality of meat, with a focus on compounds important for human health, is directly related to the rearing systems in which the animals are produced. The search for a balanced diet, with an emphasis on low cholesterol and adequate levels of vitamins, aligns with society's emphasis on healthy eating, directly correlated with the importance of the offer made by producers for the cattle's diet. Objective and methodology: The objective was to verify the impact of different rearing systems, in the Eastern Amazon, during the rainy season, on the concentrations of vitamins (A, E) and cholesterol in the muscle (Longissimus lumborum) of crossbred Nelore cattle, castrated, aged between 24 and 36 months, and weighing between 410 and 628 kg. Twelve animals, from each of the three pasture rearing systems: native pasture in flooded areas of Monte Alegre; native pasture in a flooded area of Santa Cruz do Arari; and pasture cultivated on dry land in São Miguel do Guamá, all located in Pará, Brazil-were sampled in commercial slaughterhouses. Results: A notable influence was observed in the concentrations of ß-carotene (p < 0.01), α-Tocopherol (p = 0.02), ß-Tocopherol (p < 0.01) and the combined sum of ß-Tocotrienol and γ-Tocopherol (p < 0.01), as well as δ-Tocopherol (p < 0.01) when contrasting extensive with intensive systems (confinement). However, there was a difference in the content of vitamins and cholesterol between the isolated extensive systems, or between the four rearing systems (p > 0.05). Extensive systems, mainly in Monte Alegre, demonstrated greater amounts of α-Tocopherol and δ-Tocopherol. Conclusion: On the other hand, the intensive system exhibited higher levels of other investigated compounds, clarifying the nutritional variations generated by different livestock rearing practices in the region. Therefore, the results obtained are innovative in the Eastern Amazon, Brazil, in addition to inspiring the development of new research to meet other demands in this field, and achieve additional results, such as determining which meat, coming from cattle in production systems in the country, presents the better compositional quality of vitamins and lipids.

Effects of high dietary inclusion of Arthrospira platensis, either extruded or supplemented with a super-dosing multi-enzyme mixture, on broiler growth performance and major meat quality parameters.

BACKGROUND: This investigation assessed the effects of high dietary inclusion of Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) on broiler chicken growth performance, meat quality and nutritional attributes. For this, 120 male broiler chicks were housed in 40 battery brooders (three birds per brooder). Initially, for 14 days, a standard corn and soybean meal diet was administered. Subsequently, from days 14 to 35, chicks were assigned to one of the four dietary treatments (n = 10 per treatment): (1) control diet (CTR); (2) diet with 15% Spirulina (SP); (3) diet with 15% extruded Spirulina (SPE); and (4) diet with 15% Spirulina plus a super-dosing enzymes supplement (0.20% pancreatin extract and 0.01% lysozyme) (SPM). RESULTS: Throughout the experimental period, both SP and SPM diets resulted in decreased final body weight and body weight gain compared to control (p < 0.001), with the SPE diet showing comparable results to CTR. The SPE diet prompted an increase in average daily feed intake (p = 0.026). However, all microalga treatments increased the feed conversion ratio compared to CTR. Dietary inclusion of Spirulina notably increased intestinal content viscosity (p < 0.010), which was mitigated by the SPM diet. Spirulina supplementation led to lower pH levels in breast meat 24 h post-mortem and heightened the b* colour value in both breast and thigh meats (p < 0.010). Furthermore, Spirulina contributed to an increased accumulation of total carotenoids, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and saturated fatty acids (SFA), while diminishing n-6 PUFA, thus altering the n-6/n-3 and PUFA/SFA ratios favourably (p < 0.001). However, it also reduced zinc concentration in breast meat (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that high Spirulina levels in broiler diets impair growth due to increased intestinal viscosity, and that extrusion pre-treatment mitigates this effect. Despite reducing digesta viscosity, a super-dosing enzyme mix did not improve growth. Data also indicates that Spirulina enriches meat with antioxidants and n-3 PUFA but reduces α-tocopherol and increases saturated fats. Reduced zinc content in meat suggests the need for Spirulina biofortification to maintain its nutritional value.

Impact of high Spirulina diet, extruded or supplemented with enzymes, on blood cells, systemic metabolites, and hepatic lipid and mineral profiles of broiler chickens.

The impact of 15% dietary inclusion of Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) in broiler chickens was explored, focusing on blood cellular components, systemic metabolites and hepatic lipid and mineral composition. From days 14 to 35 of age, 120 broiler chickens were divided and allocated into four dietary treatments: a standard corn and soybean meal-based diet (control), a 15% Spirulina diet, a 15% extruded Spirulina diet, and a 15% Spirulina diet super-dosed with an enzyme blend (0.20% porcine pancreatin plus 0.01% lysozyme). The haematological analysis revealed no significant deviations (p > 0.05) in blood cell counts across treatments, suggesting that high Spirulina inclusion maintains haematological balance. The systemic metabolic assessment indicated an enhanced antioxidant capacity in birds on Spirulina diets (p < 0.001), pointing toward a potential reduction in oxidative stress. However, the study noted a detrimental impact on growth performance metrics, such as final body weight and feed conversion ratio (both p < 0.001), in the Spirulina-fed treatments, with the super-dosed enzyme blend supplementation failing to alleviate these effects but with extrusion mitigating them. Regarding hepatic composition, birds on extruded Spirulina and enzyme-supplemented diets showed a notable increase in n-3 fatty acids (EPA, DPA, DHA) (p < 0.001), leading to an improved n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio (p < 0.001). Despite this positive shift, a reduction in total hepatic lipids (p = 0.003) was observed without a significant change in cholesterol levels. Our findings underscore the need for further exploration into the optimal inclusion levels, processing methods and potential enzymatic enhancements of Spirulina in broiler diets. Ultimately, this research aims to strike a balance between promoting health benefits and maintaining optimal growth performance in poultry nutrition.

Effect of Cumulative Spirulina Intake on Broiler Meat Quality, Nutritional and Health-Related Attributes.

This work aimed to assess how different cumulative levels of Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) intake influence individual broiler meat quality parameters, nutritional value and health-related traits. The data analysed showed varying cumulative Spirulina intake levels, ranging from 3.46 to 521 g/bird, with large changes in meat traits. The key findings indicate that Spirulina intake significantly enhances meat colour, primarily due to its rich carotenoid content. However, this enhancement shows a saturation effect at higher intake levels, where additional Spirulina does not further improve the colour. Regarding the meat nutritional profile, Spirulina increases beneficial n - 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and reduces lipid oxidation. These effects on meat, however, are not linear and become more complex at higher microalga intake levels. Regarding meat sensory attributes, moderate Spirulina levels positively influence flavour and texture. Still, higher levels may lead to changes not universally preferred by meat consumers, highlighting the need for balanced Spirulina inclusion in diets. Optimal Spirulina cumulative intake levels must be identified to balance meat's nutritional benefits with consumer preferences. Additionally, ensuring Spirulina's purity and adherence to regulatory standards is essential for consumer safety and market access. These findings provide valuable insights for poultry nutritionists and the food industry, emphasising the necessity of a balanced approach to Spirulina's incorporation in poultry diets.

Case Study: Rosai-Dorfman Disease and Its Multifaceted Aspects.

Rosai-Dorfman Disease (RDD) is a rare non-Langerhans histiocytosis, usually self-limited and presenting with massive, painless, bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy, with or without constitutional symptoms. Extranodal disease is frequently present, and may happen in the absence of lymph node involvement, symptomatology and differential diagnosis will depend on the site affected and fatal cases may occur. The authors present two cases of Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD), diagnosed through immunohistochemistry, with different progressions, one with complete remission and one culminating in death, highlighting the variety of presentations and the diagnostic difficulty. RDD is a rare condition with clinical presentations similar to several diseases, and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of lymphadenopathy with extranodal lesions.

Estrogen contamination increases vulnerability of amphibians to the deadly chytrid fungus.

Aquatic contaminants and infectious diseases are among the major drivers of global amphibian declines. However, the interaction of these factors is poorly explored and could better explain the amphibian crisis. We exposed males and females of the Brazilian Cururu Toad, Rhinella icterica, to an environmentally relevant concentration of the estrogen 17-alpha-ethinylestradiol (an emerging contaminant) and to the chytrid infection (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis), in their combined and isolated forms, and the ecotoxicity was determined by multiple biomarkers: cutaneous, hematological, cardiac, hepatic, and gonadal analysis. Our results showed that Cururu toads had many physiological alterations in response to the chytrid infection, including the appearance of cutaneous Langerhans's cells, increased blood leukocytes, increased heart contraction force and tachycardia, increased hepatic melanomacrophage cells, which in turn led to gonadal atrophy. The estrogen, in turn, increased the susceptibility of the toads to the chytrid infection (higher Bd loads) and maximized the deleterious effects of the pathogen: reducing leukocytes, decreasing the contraction force, and causing greater tachycardia, increasing hepatic melanomacrophage cells, and leading to greater gonadal atrophy, which were more extreme in females. The exposure to estrogen also revealed important toxicodynamic pathways of this toxicant, as shown by the immunosuppression of exposed animals, and the induction of the first stages of feminization in males, which corroborates that the synthetic estrogen acts as an endocrine disruptor. Such an intricate relationship is unprecedented and reinforces the importance of studying the serious consequences that multiple environmental stressors can cause to aquatic populations.

Integrated transcriptomics and proteomics analysis reveals muscle metabolism effects of dietary Ulva lactuca and ulvan lyase supplementation in weaned piglets.

Seaweeds, including the green Ulva lactuca, can potentially reduce competition between feed, food, and fuel. They can also contribute to the improved development of weaned piglets. However, their indigestible polysaccharides of the cell wall pose a challenge. This can be addressed through carbohydrase supplementation, such as the recombinant ulvan lyase. The objective of our study was to assess the muscle metabolism of weaned piglets fed with 7% U. lactuca and 0.01% ulvan lyase supplementation, using an integrated transcriptomics (RNA-seq) and proteomics (LC-MS) approach. Feeding piglets with seaweed and enzyme supplementation resulted in reduced macronutrient availability, leading to protein degradation through the proteasome (PSMD2), with resulting amino acids being utilized as an energy source (GOT2, IDH3B). Moreover, mineral element accumulation may have contributed to increased oxidative stress, evident from elevated levels of antioxidant proteins like catalase, as a response to maintaining tissue homeostasis. The upregulation of the gene AQP7, associated with the osmotic stress response, further supports these findings. Consequently, an increase in chaperone activity, including HSP90, was required to repair damaged proteins. Our results suggest that enzymatic supplementation may exacerbate the effects observed from feeding U. lactuca alone, potentially due to side effects of cell wall degradation during digestion.

Purification, biochemical characterization, and biotechnological applications of a multifunctional enzyme from the Thermoascus aurantiacus PI3S3 strain.

The filamentous Thermoascus aurantiacus fungus characterized by its thermophilic nature, is recognized as an exceptional producer of various enzymes with biotechnological applications. This study aimed to explore biotechnological applications using polygalacturonase (PG) derived from the Thermoascus aurantiacus PI3S3 strain. PG production was achieved through submerged fermentation and subsequent purification via ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration methods. The crude extract exhibited a diverse spectrum of enzymatic activities including amylase, cellulase, invertase, pectinase, and xylanase. Notably, it demonstrated the ability to hydrolyze sugarcane bagasse biomass, corn residue, and animal feed. The purified PG had a molecular mass of 36 kDa, with optimal activity observed at pH 4.5 and 70 °C. The activation energy (Ea) was calculated as 0.513 kJ mol-1, highlighting activation in the presence of Ca2+. Additionally, it displayed apparent Km, Vmax, and Kcat values of at 0.19 mg mL-1, 273.10 U mL-1, and 168.52 s-1, respectively, for hydrolyzing polygalacturonic acid. This multifunctional PG exhibited activities such as denim biopolishing, apple juice clarification, and demonstrated both endo- and exo-polygalacturonase activities. Furthermore, it displayed versatility by hydrolyzing polygalacturonic acid, carboxymethylcellulose, and xylan. The T. aurantiacus PI3S3 multifunctional polygalacturonase showed heightened activity under acidic pH, elevated temperatures, and in the presence of calcium. Its multifunctional nature distinguished it from other PGs, significantly expanding its potential for diverse biotechnological applications.

JAGGER localization and function are dependent on GPI anchor addition.

KEY MESSAGE: GPI anchor addition is important for JAGGER localization and in vivo function. Loss of correct GPI anchor addition in JAGGER, negatively affects its localization and function. In flowering plants, successful double fertilization requires the correct delivery of two sperm cells to the female gametophyte inside the ovule. The delivery of a single pair of sperm cells is achieved by the entrance of a single pollen tube into one female gametophyte. To prevent polyspermy, Arabidopsis ovules avoid the attraction of multiple pollen tubes to one ovule-polytubey block. In Arabidopsis jagger mutants, a significant number of ovules attract more than one pollen tube to an ovule due to an impairment in synergid degeneration. JAGGER encodes a putative arabinogalactan protein which is predicted to be anchored to the plasma membrane by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. Here, we show that JAGGER fused to citrine yellow fluorescent protein (JAGGER-cYFP) is functional and localizes mostly to the periphery of ovule integuments and transmitting tract cells. We further investigated the importance of GPI-anchor addition domains for JAGGER localization and function. Different JAGGER proteins with deletions in predicted ω-site regions and GPI attachment signal domain, expected to compromise the addition of the GPI anchor, led to disruption of JAGGER localization in the cell periphery. All JAGGER proteins with disrupted localization were also not able to rescue the polytubey phenotype, pointing to the importance of GPI-anchor addition to in vivo function of the JAGGER protein.

Microalgae as an Alternative Mineral Source in Poultry Nutrition.

This review explores the potential of microalgae as a sustainable and nutritionally rich alternative for mineral supplementation in poultry diets, addressing both the opportunities and challenges in this emerging field. Poultry nutrition, pivotal to the health and productivity of birds, traditionally relies on inorganic and organic mineral sources which, while effective, raise environmental and economic concerns. Microalgae offer a promising solution with their high contents of essential minerals, proteins, vitamins, and bioactive compounds. This review delves into the nutritional profiles of various microalgae, highlighting their rich contents of minerals which are crucial for physiological processes in poultry. It examines the bioavailability of these minerals and their impact on poultry health and productivity. Furthermore, it evaluates the environmental sustainability of microalgae cultivation and acknowledges the challenges in using microalgae in poultry diets, particularly in terms of the economic viability of large-scale production and the consistency of nutrient composition. It discusses the importance of rigorous safety assessments and regulatory compliance, given the potential risks of toxins and heavy metals. Overall, this analysis aims to provide a clear understanding of the role microalgae could play in poultry nutrition and address sustainability challenges in animal agriculture while also considering future perspectives and advancements needed in this field.

The impact of dietary Laminaria digitata and alginate lyase supplementation on the weaned piglet liver: A comprehensive proteomics and metabolomics approach.

The brown seaweed Laminaria digitata, a novel feedstuff for weaned piglets, has potentially beneficial prebiotic properties. However, its recalcitrant cell wall challenges digestion in monogastrics. Alginate lyase is a promising supplement to mitigate this issue. This study's aim was to investigate the impact of incorporating 10% dietary Laminaria digitata, supplemented with alginate lyase, on the hepatic proteome and metabolome of weaned piglets. These diets introduced minor variations to the metabolome and caused significant shifts in the proteome. Dietary seaweed provided a rich source of n-3 PUFAs that could signal hepatic fatty acid oxidation (FABP, ACADSB and ALDH1B1). This may have affected the oxidative stability of the tissue, requiring an elevated abundance of GST for regulation. The presence of reactive oxygen species likely inflicted protein damage, triggering increased proteolytic activity (LAPTM4B and PSMD4). Alginate lyase supplementation augmented the number of differentially abundant proteins, which included GBE1 and LDHC, contributing to maintain circulating glucose levels by mobilizing glycogen stores and branched-chain amino acids. The enzymatic supplementation with alginate lyase amplified the effects of the seaweed-only diet. An additional filter was employed to test the effect of missing values on the proteomics analysis, which is discussed from a technical perspective. SIGNIFICANCE: Brown seaweeds such as Laminaria digitata have prebiotic and immune-modulatory components, such as laminarin, that can improve weaned piglet health. However, they have recalcitrant cell wall polysaccharides, such as alginate, that can elicit antinutritional effects on the monogastric digestive system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a high level of dietary L. digitata and alginate lyase supplementation on the hepatic metabolism of weaned piglets, using high throughput Omics approaches.