Characterization and potential lipid-lowering effects of lactic acid bacteria isolated from cats.

Introduction: This study aimed to study the characterization and the potential lipid-lowering effects of new isolated lactic acid bacteria from the feces of healthy adult cats. Methods: We collected 85 cat fecal samples, isolated, screening lactic acid bacteria strains from samples, and investigated their in vitro and in vivo biological properties. Results: A total of 221 lactic acid bacteria strains were isolated from 85 cat fecal samples. Sixteen strains with calcium dissolution rings greater than 1 mm were identified and selected for further characterization. Three lactic acid bacteria strains, Lactobacillus plantarum L-27-2, Pediococcus lactis L-14-1, and Enterococcus faecium, were identified as showing the most promising rates of cholesterol degradation (greater than 20%) and bacteriostatic radius (over 15 mm). These three strains exhibited robust growth and adherence to epithelial cells, along with adaptability to low pH (greater than 70%) and high bile salt conditions (greater than 60%), and remarkable cholesterol degradation and anti-pathogen activity. Sixteen mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) from 4 to 8 weeks of age, while a control group of the same size received a normal diet (ND). At 8 weeks of age, serum, feces and adipose tissue were collected. The results showed that, compared with mice fed an HFD diet alone, all mice fed an HFD diet plus lactic acid bacteria could decrease weight gain. P < 0.05 and the pathological changes of adipose tissue were alleviated. In addition, mice fed L-14-1 and F203 showed abdominal fat accumulation decreased (P < 0.05). Mice fed L-27-2 showed serum and liver triglyceride (TG) decreased (P < 0.05) and mice fed F203 showed serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increased (P < 0.01). mice fed L-27-2 and L-14-1 showed inflammatory cytokines (IL-6) was decreased (P < 0.01) Analysis of the fecal microbiota of mice fed these three lactic acid bacteria strains revealed alterations in the gut microbial community. There were common changes in intestinal microbes in mice fed these three lactic acid bacteria: (1) Bacteroides decreased; (2) Myxococcus increased; (3) Lachnoclostridium decreased. The microbes mentioned are all part of the core intestinal flora. Discussion: This study provided three potential lactic acid bacteria for alleviating animal obesity and inflammation.

Colonization, spread and persistence of Salmonella (Typhimurium, Infantis and Reading) in internal organs of broilers.

Transfer of Salmonella to internal organs of broilers over a 35 d grow-out period was evaluated. A total of 360 one-day old chicks were placed in 18 floor pens of 3 groups with 6 replicate pens each. On d 0, broilers were orally challenged with a cocktail of Salmonella (equal population of marked serovars; nalidixic acid-resistant S. Typhimurium, rifampicin-resistant S. Infantis, and kanamycin-resistant S. Reading) to have 3 groups: L (low; ∼2 log CFU/bird); M (medium; ∼5 log CFU/bird); and H (High; ∼8 log CFU/bird). On d 2, 7 and 35, 4 birds/pen were euthanized and ceca, liver, and spleen samples were collected aseptically. Gizzard samples (4/pen) were collected on d 35. The concentration of Salmonella in liver and spleen were transformed to binary outcomes (positive and negative) and fitted in glm function of R using cecal Salmonella concentrations (log CFU/g) and inoculation doses (L, M, and H) as inputs. On d 2, H group showed greater (P ≤ 0.05) cecal colonization of all 3 serovars compared to L and M groups. However, M group showed greater (P ≤ 0.05) colonization of all 3 serovars in the liver and spleen compared to L group. Salmonella colonization increased linearly in the ceca and quadratically in the liver and spleen with increasing challenge dose (P ≤ 0.05). On d 35, L group had greater (P ≤ 0.05) S. Infantis colonization in the ceca and liver compared to M and H groups (P ≤ 0.05). Moreover, within each group on d 35, the concentration of S. Reading was greater than those of S. Typhimurium and S. Infantis for all 3 doses in the ceca and high dose in the liver and gizzard (P ≤ 0.05). Salmonella colonization diminished in the ceca, liver, and spleen during grow-out from d 0 to d 35 (P ≤ 0.05). On d 35, birds challenged with different doses of Salmonella cocktail showed a similar total Salmonella spp. population in the ceca (ca. 3.14 log CFU/g), liver (ca. 0.54 log CFU/g), spleen (ca. 0.31 log CFU/g), and gizzard (ca. 0.42 log CFU/g). Estimates from the fitted logistic model showed that one log CFU/g increase in cecal Salmonella concentration will result in an increase in relative risk of liver and spleen being Salmonella-positive by 4.02 and 3.40 times (P ≤ 0.01), respectively. Broilers from H or M group had a lower risk (28 and 23%) of being Salmonella-positive in the liver compared to the L group when the cecal Salmonella concentration is the same (P ≤ 0.05). Oral challenge of broilers with Salmonella spp. with various doses resulted in linear or quadratic increases in Salmonella colonization in the internal organs during early age and these populations decreased during grow-out (d 35). This research can provide guidance on practices to effectively mitigate the risk of Salmonella from chicken parts and enhance public health.

Colon microbiota and metabolite potential impact on tail fat deposition of Altay sheep.

Tail fat deposition of Altay sheep not only increased the cost of feeding but also reduced the economic value of meat. Currently, because artificial tail removal and gene modification methods cannot solve this problem, it is maybe to consider reducing tail fat deposition from the path of intestinal microbiota and metabolite. We measured body weight and tail fat weight, collected the serum for hormone detection by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and collected colon contents to 16S rRNA sequence and liquid chromotography with mass spectrometry detection to obtain colon microbiota and metabolite information, from 12 3-month-old and 6-month-old Altay sheep. Subsequently, we analyzed the correlation between colon microbiota and tail fat weight, hormones, and metabolites, respectively. We identified that the tail fat deposition of Altay sheep increased significantly with the increase of age and body weight, and the main microbiota that changed were Verrucomicrobia, Cyanobacteria, Akkermansia, Bacteroides, Phocaeicola, Escherichia-Shigella, and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1. The results indicated that the diversities of metabolites in the colon contents of 3-months old and 6-months old were mainly reflected in phosphocholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) in the lipid metabolism pathway. The correlations analyzed showed that Verrucomicrobia, Chlamydiae, Akkermansia, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005, Bacteroides, and Phocaeicola were negatively correlated with tail fat deposition. Verrucomicrobia, Akkermansia, and Bacteroides were negatively correlated with growth hormone (GH). Verrucomicrobia was positively correlated with L-a-lysophosphatidylserine and PE(18:1(9Z)/0:0). Our results showed that tail fat deposition of Altay sheep was probably correlated with the abundance of Verrucomicrobia, Akkermansia, Bacteroides of colon microbiota, PC, PE of metabolites, and GH of serum. IMPORTANCE: Excessive tail fat deposition of Altay sheep caused great economic losses, and the current research results could not solve this problem well. Now, our research speculates that the tail fat deposition of Aletay sheep may be related to the abundance of Verrucomicrobia, Akkermansia, Bacteroides, metabolites phosphocholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and growth hormone of serum. Further investigation of the interaction mechanism between these microbiota or metabolites and tail fat deposition is helpful in reducing tail fat deposition of Altay sheep and increasing the economic benefits of breeding farms.

Effects of inulin on fecal microbiota and specific immunity in cats.

Inulin has potential benefits for alleviating intestinal stress syndrome, constipation, and immunomodulation. However, its effects on cat gastrointestinal tract remain unexplored. Eight healthy adult British short-haired cat were administered 50 mg/kg/d inulin with a basal diet for 21 days, while fecal samples were collected to measure indole and 3-methylindole levels, immune index detection, and fecal microbial diversity on days 0, 7, 14, and 21. The results showed that adding inulin to the diet of cat could cause the increase of sIgA on day 14 (P < 0.05) and enhance their immune performance. In addition, it will also affect the fecal microbiota of the cat. Collinsella abundance was significantly increased, which could indulge ursodeoxycholic acid production. Feeding inulin had no significant effect on the levels of indole and 3-methylindole (P > 0.05). The above results showed that inulin supplementation in cat diet could improve cat health by enhancing immunity and increasing intestinal beneficial flora.

Research progress on the PEGylation of therapeutic proteins and peptides (TPPs).

With the rapid advancement of genetic and protein engineering, proteins and peptides have emerged as promising drug molecules for therapeutic applications. Consequently, there has been a growing interest in the field of chemical modification technology to address challenges associated with their clinical use, including rapid clearance from circulation, immunogenicity, physical and chemical instabilities (such as aggregation, adsorption, deamination, clipping, oxidation, etc.), and enzymatic degradation. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) modification offers an effective solution to these issues due to its favorable properties. This review presents recent progress in the development and application of PEGylated therapeutic proteins and peptides (TPPs). For this purpose, firstly, the physical and chemical properties as well as classification of PEG and its derivatives are described. Subsequently, a detailed summary is provided on the main sites of PEGylated TPPs and the factors that influence their PEGylation. Furthermore, notable instances of PEG-modified TPPs (including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), interferon, asparaginase and antibodies) are highlighted. Finally, we propose the chemical modification of TPPs with PEG, followed by an analysis of the current development status and future prospects of PEGylated TPPs. This work provides a comprehensive literature review in this promising field while facilitating researchers in utilizing PEG polymers to modify TPPs for disease treatment.

Aflatoxin B1 Impairs Bone Mineralization in Broiler Chickens.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a ubiquitous mycotoxin in corn-based animal feed, particularly in tropical regions, impairs liver function, induces oxidative stress and disrupts cellular pathways, potentially worsening bone health in modern broilers. A 19-day experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding increasing levels of AFB1-contaminated feed (<2, 75-80, 150, 230-260 and 520-560 ppb) on bone mineralization markers in broilers (n = 360). While growth performance remained unaffected up to Day 19, significant reductions in tibial bone ash content were observed at levels exceeding 260 ppb. Micro-computed tomography results showed that AFB1 levels at 560 ppb significantly decreased trabecular bone mineral content and density, with a tendency for reduced connectivity density in femur metaphysis. Moreover, AFB1 above 230 ppb reduced the bone volume and tissue volume of the cortical bone of femur. Even at levels above 75 ppb, AFB1 exposure significantly downregulated the jejunal mRNA expressions of the vitamin D receptor and calcium and phosphorus transporters. It can be concluded that AFB1 at levels higher than 230 ppb negatively affects bone health by impairing bone mineralization via disruption of the vitamin D receptor and calcium and phosphorus homeostasis, potentially contributing to bone health issues in broilers.

Noncrystalline Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks Tethered with Ionic Liquids as Catalysts for CO2 Conversion into Cyclic Carbonates.

Noncrystalline zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) tethered with ionic liquids (ILs) were successfully employed as catalysts for mild CO2 conversion into cyclic carbonates for the first time. Notably, noncrystalline ZIFs exhibit outstanding catalytic performance in terms of activity, stability, and substrate suitability. Z3 was obtained through the simultaneous incorporation of a boronic acid group and ILs into its ZIF framework and exhibited a superior catalytic activity. A reaction mechanism for the propylene oxide-CO2 cycloaddition has been proposed, which integrates experimental findings with density functional theory calculations. The results indicate that zinc, ILs, and boronic acid play crucial roles in achieving high activity. Zinc and ILs are identified as key contributors to epoxide activation and ring opening, while boronic acid plays a crucial role in stabilizing the turnover frequency-determining transition states. The simplicity of this ZIF synthesis approach, combined with the high activity, stability, and versatility of the products, facilitates practical and efficient conversion of CO2 and epoxides into cyclic carbonates.

Self-Promoted Hydroxyl Radical Releasing Magnetic Zn@Fe Particles.

Semiconductor photocatalysts, such as TiO2 and ZnO, have garnered significant attention for their ability to generate hydroxyl radicals, offering various practical applications. However, the reliance on UV light to facilitate electron-hole separation for hydroxyl radical production poses limitations. In this study, a novel approach is presented utilizing Zn@Fe core/shell particles capable of generating hydroxyl radicals without external energy input. The generation process involves electron donation from Zn to O2 , resulting in the formation of radical species . O2 - /H2 O2 , followed by Fe-catalyzed conversion of H2 O2 into hydroxyl radicals through the Fenton reaction. The release of . OH imparts good antimicrobial and antiviral properties to the Zn@Fe particles. Furthermore, the inclusion of Fe confers magnetic properties to the material. This dual functionality holds promise for diverse potential applications for the Zn@Fe particles.

The relationship of platelet distribution width with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in peritoneal dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major complication in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Previous studies have demonstrated that platelet distribution width (PDW) is associated with cardiovascular events in hemodialysis (HD) patients. In this study, we hypothesized that elevated PDW can predict all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in PD patients. METHODS: We recruited PD patients for a single-center retrospective cohort study from 1 January 2007, to 30 June 2020. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were made to determine the PDW cutoff value for predicting all-cause mortality. The propensity score matching (PSM) method was used to improve the equilibrium between groups. The relation of PDW with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality was analyzed by Cox proportional hazards models. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) models were used to determine whether there was a linear relationship between PDW and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. RESULTS: A total of 720 PD patients were screened, and 426 PD patients were enrolled after PSM. After adjusting for confounders, Cox proportional hazards models showed that the PDW value was positively correlated with the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality (HR = 1.162, 95% CI 1.057-1.278, p = 0.002 and HR = 1.200, 95% CI 1.041-1.382, p = 0.012). The adjusted RCS analysis further showed that the relationship of PDW with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality was linear (p for nonlinearly = 0.143 and 0.062). CONCLUSION: Elevated PDW is independently associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in PD patients.

The Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum on the Fecal Microbiota, Short Chain Fatty Acids, Odorous Substances, and Blood Biochemical Indices of Cats.

Lactobacilli have played an important role in the gut health of pets. The aim of this research was to study the effects of isolated Lactobacilli (named L11) on the immune, nutrient metabolism, and gut health of cats. Twelve healthy adult cats were randomly assigned into two groups, the control group (CONTROL, n = 6, without any probiotics product) and the treatment group (probiotics, n = 6, L11 109 CFU/kg feed), while using the same dry diet. On day 28, blood and fecal samples were collected, and the blood biochemical indices, fecal microbiota, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), immunological parameters, and odorous substances were separately tested. The triglyceride of the blood was decreased after using L11 (p < 0.05), which could probably alleviate the occurrence of cat obesity to some extent. The sIgA of the feces was increased by 30.1% (p < 0.05), which could enhance the cat's immunity. The abundance of Bifidobacteria was increased after using L11 (p < 0.05), and the indole and 3-methylindole of the feces were both reduced compared with the control group; 3-methylindole was especially reduced by 67.3% (p < 0.05), which showed that L11 could also improve the intestinal state of cats. Therefore, this research shows that L11 could be a good choice to improve the gut health and immune functions of cats, and it is probably related to the lipid mechanism of cats.

A deep-red xanthene-based highly sensitive fluorescent probe for detection of hypochlorite.

As an oxidant, deodorant and bleaching agent, the hypochlorous acid (HClO) and hypochlorite (ClO- ) are widely used in corrosion inhibitors, textile dyes, pharmaceutical intermediates and in our daily lives. However, excess usage or aberrant accumulation of ClO- leads to tissue damage or some diseases and even cancer. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a fluorescent probe that specifically identifies ClO- . In this article, we synthesized a deep-red xanthene-based fluorescent probe (XA-CN). The strong electron deficient group dicyano endows the probe XA-CN deep-red fluorescent emission with high solubility, selectivity and sensitivity for ClO- detection. Studies showed that the probe demonstrated turn-off fluorescence (643 nm) at the presence of ClO- in dimethylsulfoxide/phosphate-buffered saline 1:1 (pH 9) solution with a limit of detection of 1.64 µM. Detection mechanism investigation revealed that the electron deficient group -CN and the hydroxyl group was oxidized into aldehyde or carbonyl groups at the presence of ClO- , resulting ultraviolet-visible absorption of the probe blue shifted and turned-off fluorescence. Furthermore, XA-CN was successfully used for the detection of ClO- in tap water samples.

Degradation of deoxynivalenol by a microbial consortia C1 from duck intestine.

Deoxynivalenol (DON), one of the most widespread mycotoxins in food and feed, poses a persistent health threat to humans and farm animals, and is difficult to eliminate. The utilization of the biotransformation mechanism by microorganisms to detoxify DON is a promising strategy. Although individual strains are capable of DON degradation, their isolation and purification are challenging and time-consuming. Recently, the microbial consortia concept has been proposed, owing to their ability to perform more complex tasks and are more tolerant to environmental changes than individual strains or species. In this study, the novel microbial consortia C1 that could efficiently convert DON to de-epoxy DON (DOM-1) was screened from the cecum contents of ducks. After 24 h anaerobic incubation, 100 µg/ml DON was completely degraded by C1. In vitro, C1 can effectively degrade DON in corn steep liquor (CSL) with an efficiency of 49.44% within 14 days. Furthermore, C1 effectively alleviated the DON poisoning in mice. After C1 treatment, the serum DON level decreased by 40.39%, and the reduction in serum total protein and albumin levels were mitigated. Additionally, C1 is effective in protecting the mouse liver against 5 mg/kg DON. These findings suggest that C1 could be a promising DON biological detoxifier and provide novel microbial resources for preventing DON contamination.

RNA-Seq analysis of long non-coding RNA in human intestinal epithelial cells infected by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli.

BACKGROUND: The Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infects animals and induces acute intestinal inflammation. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are known to play crucial roles in modulating inflammation response. However, it is not clear whether lncRNAs are involved in STEC-induced inflammation. METHODS AND RESULTS: To understand the association of lncRNAs with STEC infection, we used RNA-seq technology to analyze the profiles of lncRNAs in Mock-infected and STEC-infected human intestinal epithelial cells (HIECs). We detected a total of 702 lncRNAs differentially expressed by STEC infection. 583 differentially expressed lncRNAs acted as competitive microRNAs (miRNAs) binding elements in regulating the gene expression involved in TNF signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and apoptosis pathways. We analyzed 3 targeted genes, TRADD, TRAF1 and TGFB2, which were differentially regulated by mRNA-miRNA-lncRNA interaction network, potentially involved in the inflammatory and apoptotic response to STEC infection. Functional analysis of up/downstream genes associated with differentially expressed lncRNAs revealed their role in adheres junction and endocytosis. We also used the qRT-PCR technique to validate 8 randomly selected differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs in STEC-infected HIECs. CONCLUSION: Our results, for the first time, revealed differentially expressed lncRNAs induced by STEC infection of HIECs. The results will help investigate the molecular mechanisms for the inflammatory responses induced by STEC.

Preparation of Tough and Adhesive PVA/P(AM-AMPS)/Glycerol/Laponite/Na2SO4 Organohydrogels for All-Solid-State Supercapacitors and Self-Powered Wearable Strain Sensors.

Hydrogel electrolytes are ideal for flexible wearable electronic devices because of their high ionic conductivity, flexibility, and biocompatibility. However, some problems, such as poor mechanical properties, low conductivity, and lack of adhesivity, are encountered in the process of hydrogel preparation and application, which restrict the further development of hydrogel electrolytes. In this study, PVA was used as the first network, and P(AM-co-AMPS) as the second network to prepare a double-network hydrogel electrolyte. Laponite and Na2SO4 were introduced into the hydrogel during hydrogel formation as the nanofiller and salt with the salting-out effect to enhance its mechanical properties. The hydrogel electrolyte with high toughness (1663 kJ·m-3), adhesivity (77 kPa), and ionic conductivity (1.7 S·m-1) was obtained. In addition, the hydrogel electrolyte also has excellent antifatigue performance. In the 10 consecutive tensile cycles, the tensile strength does not decay. Due to the high adhesivity of the hydrogel electrolyte, a symmetrical all-solid-state supercapacitor was assembled with a tight interface between the hydrogel electrolyte and the AC/CNT composite electrode. The supercapacitor has a high specific capacitance of 186.1 mF·cm-2 at the current density of 1 mA·cm-2. In addition, the capacitor has good flexibility and can withstand bending at various angles. The hydrogel electrolyte also has excellent strain sensing performance, with an ultrafast tensile response time (0.17 s) and high sensitivity factor (GF = 10.01). Finally, the self-powered sensor system composed of a supercapacitor as the power supply device and hydrogel electrolyte as the sensing part was obtained and applied to human motion monitoring, which provides a potential application in the integrated flexible electronic system.

Redox Active Zn@MOFs as Spontaneous Reactive Oxygen Species Releasing Antimicrobials.

The rapid development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among infectious pathogens has become a major threat and challenge in healthcare systems globally. A strategy distinct from minimizing the overuse of antimicrobials involves the development of novel antimicrobials with a mode of action that prevents the development of AMR microbial strains. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are formed as a natural byproduct of the cellular aerobic metabolism. However, it becomes pathological when ROS is produced at excessive levels. Exploiting this phenomenon, research on redox-active bactericides has been demonstrated to be beneficial. Materials that release ROS via photodynamic, thermodynamic, and photocatalytic interventions have been developed as nanomedicines and are used in various applications. However, these materials require external stimuli for ROS release to be effective as biocides. In this paper, we report novel zinc-based metal organic framework (Zn@MOF) particles that promote the spontaneous release of active ROS species. The synthesized Zn@MOF spontaneously releases superoxide anions and hydrogen peroxide, exhibiting a potent antimicrobial efficacy against various microbes. Zn@MOF-incorporated plastic films and coatings show excellent, long-lasting antimicrobial potency even under continuous microbial challenge and an aging process. These disinfecting surfaces maintain their antimicrobial properties even after 500× surface wipes. Zn@MOF is also biocompatible and safe on the skin, illustrating its broad potential applications in medical technology and consumer care applications.

Influence of peroxyacetic acid concentration, temperature, pH, and treatment time on antimicrobial efficacy against Salmonella on chicken wings.

Peroxyacetic acid (PAA) is commonly used during poultry processing to reduce the prevalence of Salmonella on carcasses and parts. Wash solutions containing PAA are used at varying concentrations during processing and processors use internally validated practices that best suit the needs of the individual establishment. This study was conducted to determine how temperature, pH, and contact time in combination with PAA concentration can affect the survival of Salmonella on poultry. The effectiveness of PAA in reducing the population of Salmonella on chicken wings was dependent on the concentration and temperature of the PAA solutions. The pH or contact time had no effects (P > 0.05) on total Salmonella or Salmonella Infantis reduction (log CFU/mL). Treatment with 0 ppm PAA at 27°C did not reduce (P > 0.05) total Salmonella or Salmonella Infantis compared to the inoculated, untreated control; in contrast, treatment at 4°C and 0 ppm PAA reduced (P < 0.05) total Salmonella and Salmonella Infantis. Treatments applied at 4°C significantly reduced (P < 0.05) total Salmonella at 50, 200, and 500 ppm PAA, compared to treatment at 27°C among the same PAA concentration. The population of Salmonella Infantis was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) at 4°C with 0, 50, 200, 500, and 1,000 ppm PAA among the same PAA concentration, compared to treatment at 27°C. Treatment conditions, such as temperature, can impact the effectiveness of PAA used as an antimicrobial treatment during poultry processing, and the results from this study can provide useful insights that could assist poultry processors to effectively incorporate PAA into antimicrobial intervention systems.

Fucoxanthin ameliorates endoplasmic reticulum stress and inhibits apoptosis and alleviates intervertebral disc degeneration in rats by upregulating Sirt1.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and apoptosis of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells are considered to be the main pathological factors of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Fucoxanthin (FX), a marine carotenoid extracted from microalgae, has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of FX on NP cells induced by oxidative stress and its molecular mechanism. Primary NP cells of the lumbar vertebrae of rats were extracted and tested in vitro. qRT-PCR, western blot, immunofluorescence, and TUNEL staining were used to detect apoptosis, ERS, extracellular matrix (ECM), and Sirt1-related pathways. In vivo experiments, the recovery of IDD rats was determined by X-ray, hematoxylin and eosin, Safranin-O/Fast Green, Alcian staining, and immunohistochemistry. Our study showed that oxidative stress induced ERS, apoptosis, and ECM degradation in NP cells. After the use of FX, the expression of Sirt1 was up-regulated, the activation of PERK-eIF2α-ATF4-CHOP was decreased, and apoptosis and ECM degradation were decreased. At the same time, FX improved the degree of disc degeneration in rats in vivo. Our study demonstrates the effect of FX on improving IDD in vivo and in vitro, suggesting that FX may be a potential drug for the treatment of IDD.

Characterization and Assessment of Sheep-Origin Probiotic Bacillus licheniformis B63 Strain for Potential Use in Intestinal Health and Disease.

Bacterial diarrhea causes serious losses for the sheep industry. Antibiotic resistance acquired by diarrheal bacteria is still a hurdle in the care of animal health. Thus, it is urgent to develop effective alternatives to antibiotics for controlling bacterial diarrhea. We initially isolated Bacillus spp. from Xinjiang fine wool sheep fecal and determined their properties of hemolysis and tolerance to acid and bile salts to identify potential candidates. Subsequently, we studied the position of a candidate in phylogenetic trees by 16S rRNA sequences and its susceptibility to antibiotics, ability to inhibit diarrheal bacteria, and toxicity, as well as its effects on animal health. Fourteen Bacillus spp. strains were isolated from sheep fecal. We identified the non-hemolysis B63 strain, which exhibited a high tolerance to acid and bile salts. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the B63 strain is a new strain of Bacillus licheniformis. The B. licheniformis B63 strain was prompt to form spores, susceptible to commonly used antibiotics, and able to inhibit diarrhea-associated bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella typhi. Animal studies determined that B. licheniformis B63 at 4 × 108 CFU/mL was non-toxic to mice and SD rats. Supplement with B. licheniformis B63 promoted the body weight gain of mice, reduced the inflammatory interleukin 6, and increased the jejunum villus height of SD rats. The newly isolated, non-hemolysis, spore-forming B. licheniformis B63 strain should be considered an optimal strain for the development of an effective probiotic supplement to control diarrheal diseases and promote the health of sheep and other animals.

Impacts of phytase and coccidial vaccine on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, bone development, and intestinal gene expression of broilers fed a nutrient reduced diet.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate effects of phytase and coccidial vaccine on growth performance, bone ash, bone 3-D microstructure, nutrient digestibility, and gene expression of intestinal biomarkers in broilers fed a regular or nutrient-reduced diet. The experiment was conducted in a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement with 6 replicates per treatment and 10 birds per replicate. Two main factors were coccidial vaccine and dietary treatments. The dietary treatments included: 1) a positive control (PC; normal nutrient levels); 2) a negative control (NC; with a reduction of 0.15% of Ca and avP and 5% of essential amino acid (EAA) and crude protein relative to PC); 3) NC + 500 FTU/kg of phytase; and 4) NC + 1,500 FTU/kg of phytase. No interaction effect of phytase and coccidial vaccine on growth performance, bone ash, and apparent ileal digestibility (AID) was observed. For the main effect, birds fed the NC diet showed lower (P = 0.007) BWG during d 0 to 21 compared to PC birds, whereas supplementing 500 or 1,500 FTU/kg phytase increased BWG to the similar level to the PC. During d 0 to 21, vaccinated birds had a lower (P < 0.001) FI and better (P = 0.045) FCR compared to unvaccinated birds. Birds fed the NC diet resulted a decrease in tibia fat-free dry bone weight (P = 0.012), ash weight (P = 0.005), ash percentage (P < 0.001), and ash concentration (P = 0.019) compared to the PC group at d 21, whereas supplementing phytase at 500 or 1,500 FTU/kg in NC diet was able to improve these bone parameters to the similar level to the PC; however, vaccination did not have any effect on bone ash. Similarly, birds fed with the NC diet showed had significant lower bone microstructure levels including bone volume, bone mineral density, and bone mineral content (P < 0.001), and supplementing phytase at 1,500 FTU/kg improved these parameters. Vaccination improved AID of nitrogen (P < 0.001). Birds from the NC and both phytase supplementation groups had a higher (P = 0.001) AID of Ca compared to the PC. Supplementing phytase at 500 FTU/kg or 1,500 FTU/kg improved (P < 0.001) AID of P compared to the NC. Additionally, the NC had a lower AID of DM than the PC, whereas supplementing phytase at 500 FTU/kg or 1,500 FTU/kg improved DM digestibility (P = 0.0299). In conclusion, supplementation of phytase at 500 or 1,500 FTU/kg improved growth performance, bone mineralization, and nutrient digestibility regardless of vaccination, with a more pronounced effect when supplementing phytase at 1,500 FTU/kg.