Hybridization alters red deer gut microbiome and metabolites.

The host genes play a crucial role in shaping the composition and structure of the gut microbiome. Red deer is listed as an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and its pilose antlers have good medicinal value. Hybridization can lead to heterosis, resulting in increased pilose antler production and growth performance in hybrid deer. However, the role of the gut microbiome in hybrid deer remains largely unknown. In this study, alpha and beta diversity analysis showed that hybridization altered the composition and structure of the gut microbiome of the offspring, with the composition and structure of the hybrid offspring being more similar to those of the paternal parents. Interestingly, the LefSe differential analysis showed that there were some significantly enriched gut microbiome in the paternal parents (such as g_Prevotellaceae UCG-003, f_Bacteroidales RF16 group; Ambiguous_taxa, etc.) and the maternal parents (including g_Alistipes, g_Anaerosporobacter, etc.), which remained significantly enriched in the hybrid offspring. Additionally, the hybrid offspring exhibited a significant advantage over the parental strains, particularly in taxa that can produce short-chain fatty acids, such as g_Prevotellaceae UCG-003, g_Roseburia, g_Succinivibrio, and g_Lachnospiraceae UCG-006. Similar to bacterial transmission, metagenomic analysis showed that some signaling pathways related to pilose antler growth ("Wnt signaling pathway," "PI3K Akt signaling pathway," "MAPK signaling pathway") were also enriched in hybrid red deer after hybridization. Furthermore, metabolomic analysis revealed that compared with the paternal and maternal parents, the hybrid offspring exhibited significant enrichment in metabolites related to "Steroid hormone biosynthesis," "Tryptophan metabolism," "Valine, leucine and isoleucine metabolism," and "Vitamin B metabolism." Notably, the metagenomic analysis also showed that these metabolic pathways were significantly enriched in hybrid deer. Finally, a correlation analysis between the gut microbiome and metabolites revealed a significant positive correlation between the enriched taxa in hybrid deer, including the Bacteroidales RF16 group, Prevotellaceae, and Succinivibrio, and metabolites, such as 7α-hydroxytestosterone, L-kynurenine, indole, L-isoleucine, and riboflavin. The study contributes valuable data toward understanding the role of the gut microbiome from red deer in hybridization and provides reference data for further screening potential probiotics and performing microbial-assisted breeding that promotes the growth of red deer pilose antlers and bodies, development, and immunity.

Pseudomonas-associated bacteria play a key role in obtaining nutrition from bamboo for the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca).

Gut microbiota plays a vital role in obtaining nutrition from bamboo for giant pandas. However, low cellulase activity has been observed in the panda's gut. Besides, no specific pathway has been implicated in lignin digestion by gut microbiota of pandas. Therefore, the mechanism by which they obtain nutrients is still controversial. It is necessary to elucidate the precise pathways employed by gut microbiota of pandas to degrade lignin. Here, the metabolic pathways for lignin degradation in pandas were explored by comparing 209 metagenomic sequencing data from wild species with different feeding habits. Lignin degradation central pathways, including beta-ketoadipate and homogentisate pathway, were enriched in the gut of wild bamboo-eating pandas. The gut microbiome of wild bamboo-eating specialists was enriched with genes from pathways implicated in degrading ferulate and p-coumarate into acetyl-CoA and succinyl-CoA, which can potentially provide the raw materials for metabolism in pandas. Specifically, Pseudomonas, as the most dominant gut bacteria genus, was found to be the main bacteria to provide genes involved in lignin or lignin derivative degradation. Herein, three Pseudomonas-associated strains isolated from the feces of wild pandas showed the laccase, lignin peroxidase, and manganese peroxidase activity and extracellular lignin degradation ability in vitro. A potential mechanism for pandas to obtain nutrition from bamboo was proposed based on the results. This study provides novel insights into the adaptive evolution of pandas from the perspective of lignin metabolism. IMPORTANCE: Although giant pandas only feed on bamboo, the mechanism of lignin digestion in pandas is unclear. Here, the metabolic pathways for lignin degradation in wild pandas were explored by comparing gut metagenomic from species with different feeding habits. Results showed that lignin degradation central pathways, including beta-ketoadipate and homogentisate pathway, were enriched in the gut of wild bamboo-eating pandas. Genes from pathways involved in degrading ferulate and p-coumarate via beta-ketoadipate pathway were also enriched in bamboo-eating pandas. The final products of the above process, such as acetyl-CoA, can potentially provide the raw materials for metabolism in pandas. Specifically, Pseudomonas, as the most dominant gut bacteria genus, mainly provides genes involved in lignin degradation. Herein, Pseudomonas-associated strains isolated from the feces of pandas could degrade extracellular lignin. These findings suggest that gut microbiome of pandas is crucial in obtaining nutrition from lignin via Pseudomonas, as the main lignin-degrading bacteria.

Microbial species from multiple maternal body sites shape the developing giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) cub gut microbiome.

The gut microbiome of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) plays a vital role in nutrient acquisition from its specialized bamboo diet. Giant panda cubs harbour significantly different gut microbiota during their growth and development when feeding on milk before switching to bamboo. The fetal gut is sterile, and following birth, mother-to-infant microbial transmission has been implicated as a seeding source for the infant gut microbiota. Details of this transmission in giant pandas remain unclear. In this study, faecal samples were collected from seven panda mother-cub pairs when the cubs were 4-16 months old. Additional samples from the cubs' diet, soil and drinking water, and multiple body sites of the mothers were collected. Bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequencing and shotgun metagenomic sequencing were performed to determine the source and potential transmission routes of the cub gut microbiome. Source tracking analysis showed that maternal vagina, milk and faeces were the primary contributory sources of microbes, shaping the cub gut microbiome. Bacterial species from maternal faeces persisted the longest in the cub gut. Bacterial species in the diet contributed to the microbial community. Metagenomics analysis indicated that the predicted metabolic pathways of the gut microbiome also varied at different growth stages. Gut colonization with bacteria from various body sites of the mothers provides a foundational microbial community that is beneficial in fulfilling the evolving dietary needs of the cubs. This study suggests that mother-to-cub transmission is indispensable in shaping the gut microbiome of the developing panda cub.

Managing prior approval for site-of-service referrals: an algorithmic approach.

OBJECTIVES: Many payers and health care providers are either currently using or considering use of prior authorization schemes to redirect patient care away from hospital outpatient departments toward free-standing ambulatory surgical centers owing to the payment differential between these facilities. In this work we work with a medium size payer to develop and lay out a process for analysis of claims data that allows payers to conservatively estimate potential savings from such policies based on their specific case mix and provider network. STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed payment information for a medium-sized managed care organization to identify movable cases that can reduce costs, estimate potential savings, and recommend implementation policy alternatives. METHODS: We analyze payment data, including all professional and institutional fees over a 15-month period. A rules-based algorithm was developed to identify episodes of care with at least one alternate site for each episode, and potential savings from a site-of-service policy. RESULTS: Data on 64,884 episodes of care were identified as possible instances that could be subject to the policy. Of those, 7,679 were found to be attractive candidates for movement. Total projected savings was approximately $8.2 million, or over $1,000 per case. CONCLUSIONS: Instituting a site-of-service policy can produce meaningful savings for small and medium payers. Tailoring the policy to the specific patient and provider population can increase the efficacy of such policies in comparison to policies previously established by other payers.