Photoionization cross sections measurements of the excited states of lutetium and ytterbium in the near threshold region.

In this work, the threshold photoionization cross sections from the excited states of lutetium and ytterbium atoms were investigated by the laser pump-probe scheme under the condition of saturated resonant excitation. We obtained the resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization spectra of the lutetium and ytterbium atoms of the lanthanide metals in the range of 307.50-312.50 nm and 265.00-269.00 nm, respectively; the photoionization cross sections of the 5d6s(1D)6p(2D05/2) and 5d6s(3D)6p(2P01/2) states of lutetium and the 4f13(2F0)5d6s2(J = 1) states of ytterbium above threshold regions (0.4-1.6 eV) were measured, and measured values ranged from 2.3 ± 0.2 to 17.7 ± 1.5 Mb.

Kinetics Controlled Perovskite Crystallization for High Performance Solar Cells.

The power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of perovskite solar cells have recently developed rapidly compared to crystalline silicon solar cells. To have an effective way to control the crystallization of perovskite thin films is the key for achieving good device performance. However, a paradox in perovskite crystallization is from the mismatch between nucleation and Oswald ripening. Usually, the large numbers of nucleation sites tend to weak Oswald ripening. Here, we proposed a new mechanism to promote the formation of nucleation sites by reducing surface energy from 44.9 mN/m to 36.1 mN/m, to spontaneously accelerate the later Oswald ripening process by improving the grain solubility through the elastic modulus regulation. The ripening rate is increased from 2.37 Åm ⋅ s-1 to 4.61 Åm ⋅ s-1 during annealing. Finally, the solar cells derived from the optimized films showed significantly improved PCE from 23.14 % to 25.32 %. The long-term stability tests show excellent thermal stability (the optimized device without encapsulation maintaining 82 % of its initial PCE after 800 h aging at 85 °C) and an improved light stability under illumination. This work provides a new method, the elastic modulus regulation, to enhance the ripening process.

High-fibre diets regulate antioxidative capacity and promote intestinal health by regulating bacterial microbiota in growing pigs.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of a high-fibre diet on growth performance, nutrients digestibility, intestinal health, and intestinal microbiota composition of growing pigs. Twelve healthy "Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire" castrates (49 ± 1.35 kg) were randomly divided into two groups with six replicates and one pig per replicate. The two diet treatments were fed the basal diet (CON) based on corn and soybean meal and high fibre diet (HF) respectively. The nutritional levels of the two treatments were the same. The experiment lasted 28 days. The results showed that the addition of 16% wheat bran fibre to the diet of growing pigs did not affect growth performance (p > 0.05). Compared with the CON, contents of isobutyric and butyric acid, GSH-PX and T-AOC in serum were increased in the HF. It decreased the gross energy digestibility and acetic acid content in feces of growing pigs (p < 0.05), the contents of GSH-PX and T-AOC in serum. It decreased the gross energy digestibility and acetic acid content in feces of growing pigs (p < 0.05). Compared with the CON, the Shannon, and Chao1 indexes of the HF were increased (p < 0.05). At the phylum level, the abundance of g_Lactobacillus increased in the HF (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis showed that a total of 18 microbial genera were correlated with antioxidant capacity and volatile fatty acid levels (p < 0.05). In summary, this study showed that adding 16% wheat bran to the diet of growing pigs had no effect on growth performance but helped to improve the richness and stability of intestinal microbiota, promote posterior intestinal fermentation and increase serum antioxidant capacity.

Effects of soluble glucomannan and insoluble cellulose treatment on mucin secretion and mucin glycosylation-related gene expression in the colons of mice.

BACKGROUND: Fiber added to the diet can promote intestinal mucin secretion, relieve intestinal inflammation, and enhance the intestinal barrier function. Glycosylation is the key to mucin function. However, there are few studies on the correlation between dietary fiber and mucin glycosylation, especially two kinds of dietary fiber with different solubility. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of soluble glucomannan (GM) and insoluble cellulose (CL) treatment on mucin secretion and mucin glycosylation-related gene expression in the colons of mice. RESULTS: The GM group significantly increased the goblet cell number, crypt depth, and the expression of mucin 2 (Muc2) and mucin 3a (Muc3a) genes in the colon. At the same time, the analysis of the colon transcriptome showed that the GM group changed the expression of genes related to the mucin glycosylation process, and the GM group up-regulated the expression of Gcnt3, Gcnt4, St3gal1, Galnt13, and B3gnt6 genes involved in the O-glycosylation process. Similarly, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis showed that differentially glycosylated genes in the GM group were mainly related to the biosynthesis of mucin type O-glycans, while the genes in the CL group were related to the biosynthesis of various types of N-glycans. The correlation analysis between colonic microbes and differentially glycosylated genes also showed that the abundance of Alistipes in the GM group was significantly associated with the expression of Gcnt3, a key glycosylation gene. CONCLUSION: Glucomannan treatment was more favorable for colonic Muc2 and Muc3a secretion and mucin O-glycosylation gene expression. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Compound organic acid could improve the growth performance, immunity and antioxidant properties, and intestinal health by altering the microbiota profile of weaned piglets.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of compound organic acid (COA) and chlortetracycline (CTC) on serum biochemical parameters, intestinal health, and growth performance of weaned piglets. Twenty-four piglets (24 d of age) were randomly allocated into three treatments with eight replicate pens (one piglet per pen). Feed the basal diet or a diet containing 3,000 mg/kg COA or 75 mg/kg CTC, respectively. Results showed that both COA and CTC significantly increased average daily gain and reduced diarrhea rates (P < 0.05). They also upregulated serum total antioxidant capacity and downregulated serum interleukin (IL-10) levels (P < 0.05), increased crude protein digestibility and propionic acid concentration in the colon, and decreased spermidine and putrescine contents (P < 0.05). Intestinal microbiota analysis revealed that both COA and CTC increased the Shannon and Chao1 index and decreased the relative abundance of Blautia and Roseburia, but increased the relative abundance of Clostridium-sensu-stricto-1. Correlation analysis indicated that Clostridium-sensu-stricto-1 may be closely related to inflammation levels and microbial metabolites in piglets. Based on the results, COA may be a potential substitute for CTC to reduce antibiotic use and biogenic amine emission while improving piglet growth and intestinal health.

Weaned piglets face challenges due to their underdeveloped digestive system, resulting in high gastrointestinal tract pH and insufficient enzyme secretion. To address this issue, we found supplementing piglet diets with 3,000 mg/kg of compound organic acid positively impacted the immune and antioxidant levels of piglets, promoted their intestinal health, improved nutrient digestibility, and enhanced their overall growth performance. These benefits were attributed to the regulation of intestinal microbiota by the compound organic acid. By improving piglet health and growth, this research offers a potential solution to the challenges of piglet weaning stress.

Peridynamic modeling of nonlinear surface acoustic waves propagating in orthotropic materials.

Due to the elastic nonlinearity of the material, high-amplitude surface acoustic waves undergo nonlinear evolution during propagation and may lead to material failure. To enable the acoustical quantification of material nonlinearity and strength, a comprehensive understanding of this nonlinear evolution is necessary. This paper presents a novel ordinary state-based nonlinear peridynamic model for the analysis of the nonlinear propagation of surface acoustic waves and brittle fracture in anisotropic elastic media. The relationship between seven peridynamic constants and second- and third-order elastic constants is established. The capability of the developed peridynamic model has been demonstrated by predicting surface strain profiles of surface acoustic waves after propagating in the silicon (111) plane and the 〈112¯ã€‰ direction. On this basis, the nonlinear wave-induced spatially localized dynamic fracture is also studied. The numerical results reproduce the main features of nonlinear surface acoustic waves and fracture observed in experiments.

Applications and prospects of functional oligosaccharides in pig nutrition: A review.

Oligosaccharides are low molecular weight carbohydrates between monosaccharides and polysaccharides, which consist of 2 to 20 monosaccharides linked by glycosidic bonds. They have the effects of promoting growth, regulating immunity, improving the structure of intestinal flora, and are anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. With the comprehensive implementation of the antibiotic prohibition policy in China, oligosaccharides as new green feed additive have been paid more attention. Oligosaccharides can be divided into the following 2 categories according to their digestive characteristics: one is easy to be absorbed by the intestine, called common oligosaccharides, such as sucrose and maltose oligosaccharide; the other is difficult to be absorbed by the intestine and has special physiological functions, called functional oligosaccharides. The common functional oligosaccharides include mannan oligosaccharides (MOS), fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), chitosan oligosaccharides (COS), xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) and so on. In this paper, we review the types and sources of functional oligosaccharides, their application in pig nutrition, and the factors limiting their efficacy in recent years. This review provides the theoretical basis for further research of functional oligosaccharides, and the future application of alternative antibiotics in pig industry.

Effects of different starch diets on growth performance, intestinal health and faecal microbiota of growing pigs.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different starch source diets on growth performance, intestinal health, and, microbiota of growing pigs. Eighteen healthy "Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire" pigs (50 ± 0.61 kg, Castrated boar) were randomly divided into three groups with six replicates and one pig per replicate. The pigs in the three treatments were fed diets prepared with cassava flour (CF), rice bran (RB) and sorghum flour (SF), respectively, and the nutritional levels of the three treatments were the same. The experiment lasted for 28 days. The results showed that pigs in the RB group had significantly increased average daily gain (ADG, p < 0.05) compared with pigs in CF and SF groups. Compared with pigs in the CF group, the final body weight (FBW) of growing pigs in the RB group was increased and the ratio of feed to gain (F: G) was decreased (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between FBW and F: G between the SF group and the other two groups. Compared with the CF group, the RB group significantly increased the jejunum amylase activity (p < 0.05), and there was no significant difference between the SF group and the other two groups. Compared with growing pigs in the CF group and SF group, the duodenal villus height and villus height/crypt depth ratio of growing pigs in the RB group were significantly increased (p < 0.05). The concentrations of acetic acid, propionic acid, and total VFA in the colon and caecum of piglets in the SF group were significantly increased (p < 0.05) compared to piglets in CF and RB groups, and there was no significant difference between the CF group and RB group. Compared with the RB group, caecal butyric acid concentration was significantly increased in SF and CF groups (p < 0.05). Seven dominant phyla were identified at the phylum level, among which Firmicutes, Bacteroidota and Spirochaetota were dominant phyla, accounting for 74.18%, 14.87% and 6.56% of the RB group respectively. Cassava flour group accounted for 80.22%, 9.64% and 3.71%; Accounting for 65.33%, 17.34% and 13.07% of the SF group. Through the comparative analysis of microbial differences among the treatment groups, it was found that at the phylum level, compared with the SF group, the abundance of Synergistota in the diet of the CF group and the diet of the RB group was significantly increased (p < 0.05). The abundance decreased significantly (p < 0.05). The quantity of Desulfobacterota in the RB group was significantly higher than that in the CF group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, compared with sorghum starch and cassava starch, RB starch can improve the activity of digestive enzymes and villus height in the small intestine of growing pigs and promote the growth of pigs by protecting the intestinal health of growing pigs.

Effects of low protein diet with a balanced amino acid pattern on growth performance, meat quality and cecal microflora of finishing pigs.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of low protein diets balanced with four amino acids on growth performance, meat quality and cecal microflora of finishing pigs. Fifty-four healthy hybrid barrows (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) with an average body weight of 70.12 ± 4.03 kg were randomly assigned to one of the three dietary treatments with six replicate pens per treatment (three barrows per pen). The three dietary treatments included a normal protein diet (NP), a low protein diet (LP) and a very low protein diet (VLP). RESULTS: The average daily gain, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio of pigs were not significantly changed with the LP and VLP diets compared to the NP diet (P > 0.05). The water holding capacity and shear force of longissimus dorsi muscle were decreased, whereas the intramuscular fat content of the longissimus dorsi muscle was increased (P < 0.05) in pigs fed with the LP and VLP diets compared to the NP diet. The contents of saturated fatty acids in muscle were decreased (P < 0.05), whereas the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids in muscle was increased (P < 0.01) with the VLP diet compared to the NP diet. The contents of histamine, spermidine, spermine and tyramine of muscle were decreased with the VLP diet compared to the NP diet (P < 0.05). The relative abundance of Turicibacter, Terrisporobacter, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 and UCG-005 was higher (P < 0.05), whereas the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and Streptococcus was lower (P < 0.05) in pigs fed with the LP and VLP diets compared to the NP diet. Based on the correlation of cecal microbiota and cecal biogenic amine, the contents of tyramine, spermidine and histamine were negatively correlated with the abundance of Terrisporobacter (P < 0.01) and the content of histamine was positively correlated with the abundance of Lactobacillus (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Balanced with four essential amino acids, the VLP diet with crude protein levels decreased by > 4% increased the intramuscular fat content, changed the fatty acid and amino acid composition of longissimus dorsi muscle and the profile of cecum microbiota, and reduced the content of cecum bioamine, with no negative effect on the growth performance of pigs. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of the Partial Substitution of Corn with Wheat or Barley on the Growth Performance, Blood Antioxidant Capacity, Intestinal Health and Fecal Microbial Composition of Growing Pigs.

This experiment aimed to investigate the effects of wheat and barley substitution for corn on growth performance, blood antioxidant capacity, intestinal health and fecal microbial composition in growing pigs. Eighteen healthy "Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire" pigs (50 ± 0.85 kg) were randomly divided into three groups with six replicates and one pig per replicate. The three treatment groups were fed the basal diet (CON) based on corn and soybean meal, respectively, and the experimental group diet was partially replaced by wheat (WH) and barley (BL), respectively. The nutritional levels of the three treatments were the same. The experiment lasted 28 days. Wheat and barley partially replacing corn had no significant effects on growing pigs' growth performance, blood antioxidant capacity and nutrient digestibility (p > 0.05). Compared with CON and BL, WH significantly increased the duodenal villus height and villus height/crypt depth ratio of growing pigs (p < 0.05). Compared with CON, WH and BL significantly increased the contents of butyric acid, propionic acid and total volatile fatty acid (VFA) in the cecum and colonic digesta of growing pigs (p < 0.05). In addition, the abundance of Turicibacter, Escherichia-Shigella and other harmful bacteria in barley and wheat diet groups were significantly decreased at the genus level (p < 0.05). The abundance of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Prevotella and Roseburia increased significantly (p < 0.05). In conclusion, barley and wheat partially replacing corn as energy feedstuffs does not affect the growth performance of pigs but can regulate intestinal flora and promote intestinal health.

Effects of xylanase on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, serum metabolites, and fecal microbiota in growing pigs fed wheat-soybean meal-based diets.

This experiment investigated the effects of xylanase on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, serum metabolites, and fecal microbiota in growing pigs fed wheat-soybean meal-based diets. Seventy-two crossbred pigs (Duroc × [Landrace × Large White]) pigs (body weight of 23.30 ± 1.51 kg) were allotted two treatments with six pens per treatment and six pigs per pen. The diets were a wheat-soybean meal-based diet (Control group) and a wheat-soybean meal-based diet supplemented with 500 U/kg xylanases (XYL group). The experiment was divided into two periods (phase 1: days 1 to 35 and phase 2: days 36 to 70). Xylanase improved G:F during phase 1 and the entire experiment (P < 0.05) and tended to improve G:F during phase 2 (P = 0.09). Compared with the control group, pigs in the XYL group had greater apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and gross energy on days 35 and 70 (P < 0.05) and had greater apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids (histidine, lysine, methionine, and serine) on day 70 (P < 0.05). The fecal microbiota in the XYL group contained greater abundances of g_Terrisporobacter, g_Lactobacillus, g_Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, and g_Romboutsia than the Control group on day 70. Xylanase increased the fecal Lactobacillus populations on day 35 (P < 0.05). On days 35 and 70, xylanase reduced the fecal E. coli populations (P < 0.05). Supplementing xylanase to wheat-soybean meal-based diets collectively improved fecal microbiota, and nutrient digestibility, thereby improving growth performance in growing pigs.

The potentiality of wheat on nutritive value is not fully realized because of the presence of (NSP). The arabinoxylan in the wheat represents about 70% of the total NSP, which may bring about the encapsulation of nutrients and increase digesta viscosity. In this experiment, we found that a wheat­soybean meal-based diet supplemented with 500 U/kg xylanases could improve the fecal microbiota and nutrient digestibility, thereby improving growth performance in growing pigs.

Adsorption of deoxynivalenol by APTS-TEOS modified eggshell powder.

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is widely contaminated in foods and feeds, which greatly threatens human and animal health. Due to its stable physicochemical properties, DON can be hardly eliminated by heating or ultraviolet radiation. In the present study, the biowaste eggshells were firstly modified into effective DON adsorbents, which are ATPS (triethoxysilane) + TEOS (aminopropyl triethoxysilane) modified 500 °C/700 °C-calcined eggshell powders under acetic/propionic acid-catalyzation (500-CSAE, 500-CSPE, 700-CSAE, 700-CSPE). The adsorption rates of DON on the raw eggshell powder, 500-CSAE, 500-CSPE, 700-CSAE, and 700-CSPE in acidity-adjusted buffer solution were 14.6%, 53.0%, 47.8%, 29.9%, and 31.2%, respectively. Characteristic analysis implied that the mesopore structures and enriched Si-OH groups in the modified eggshell powders are involved in DON adsorption. Besides, 500-CSAE, 500-CSPE, and 700-CSPE were verified to numerically alleviate the viability loss of IPEC-J2 cells caused by DON. In conclusion, the novel modified eggshell powders exhibit great application prospects for DON control in foods and feeds.

Effects of Immobilized Antimicrobial Peptides on Growth Performance, Serum Biochemical Index, Inflammatory Factors, Intestinal Morphology, and Microbial Community in Weaning Pigs.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of immobilized antimicrobial peptides on growth performance, serum biochemical index, inflammatory factors, intestinal morphology, and microbial community of weaning piglets. A total of 21 weaning piglets [Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire)] with initial body weight (7.64 ± 0.65 kg) were randomly allocated to one of three treatments with seven replicates (one pig per replicate) per treatment according to sex and weight in randomized complete block design. Pigs in the three treatments were fed corn-soybean meal-based diet (CON), corn-soybean meal based diet + flavomycin (25 mg/kg) + quinone (50 mg/kg) (AB), and corn-soybean meal based diet + 1,000 mg/kg immobilized antimicrobial peptides (IAMPs), respectively. The experiment lasted for 28 days, including early stage (0-14 days) and late stage (15-28 days). The results showed the following: (1) compared with the CON group, the average daily gain in the whole experimental time (p < 0.05) was significantly increased, and the diarrhea rate of weaning piglets was decreased (p < 0.01) in the IAMPs group; (2) compared with the CON group, the concentrations of serum IgM and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the IAMPs group were significantly higher than the CON and AB groups (p < 0.01); (3) compared with CON group, the concentrations of serum interleukin (IL)-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF-ß) were significantly increased (p < 0.05), and the concentration of IL-12 was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in the IAMPs group; (4) compared with CON group, the concentrations of serum endotoxin and D-lactate of piglets were significantly reduced (p < 0.05), and the relative expression of ZO-1 and occludin in the jejunum of piglets were significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the IAMPs group; (5) compared with the CON group, the villus height of the duodenum and jejunum of weaning piglets in IAMPs and AB groups was significantly increased (p < 0.05); and (6) compared with CON group, the relative abundance of Escherichia-Shigella in the colon and cecal digesta was decreased. In summary, the addition of 1,000 mg/kg immobilized antimicrobial peptides in the diet effectively relieved weaning stress by showing improved growth performance, antioxidant and immune capacity, intestinal morphology, and microorganisms.

Allicin Improves Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Function and Prevents LPS-Induced Barrier Damages of Intestinal Epithelial Cell Monolayers.

Gut barrier disruption is the initial pathogenesis of various diseases. We previously reported that dietary allicin improves tight junction proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum stressed jejunum. However, whether the allicin benefits the gut barrier within mycotoxin or endotoxin exposure is unknown. In the present study, IPEC-J2 cell monolayers within or without deoxynivalenol (DON) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenges were employed to investigate the effects of allicin on intestinal barrier function and explore the potential mechanisms. Results clarified that allicin at 2 µg/mL increased the viability, whereas the allicin higher than 10 µg/mL lowered the viability of IPEC-J2 cells via inhibiting cell proliferation. Besides, allicin increased trans-epithelial electric resistance (TEER), decreased paracellular permeability, and enhanced ZO-1 integrity of the IPEC-J2 cell monolayers. Finally, allicin supplementation prevented the LPS-induced barrier damages via activating Nrf2/HO-1 pathway-dependent antioxidant system. In conclusion, the present study strongly confirmed allicin as an effective nutrient to improve intestinal barrier function and prevent bacterial endotoxin-induced barrier damages.

Comparative Effects of Compound Enzyme and Antibiotics on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Blood Biochemical Index, and Intestinal Health in Weaned Pigs.

This experiment aims to explore the effects of compound enzyme preparation substituting chlortetracycline on growth performance, serum immune markers, and antioxidant capacity and intestinal health in weaned piglets. A total of twenty-four 28-day-old "Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire" weaned piglets with an average initial weight of 7.25 ± 0.25 kg were randomly divided into three groups according to their body weight, with eight replicates in each group and one pig in each replicate. The three dietary treatments were basal diet (CON), basal diet + 1,000 mg/kg compound enzyme preparation (cellulase 4,000 IU/g, α-amylase 1,000 IU/g, ß-glucanase 150 IU/g, and neutral protease 3,000 IU/g, CE), and basal diet + 75 mg/kg chlortetracycline (CTC). The animal experiment lasted for 28 days and was divided into two stages: the early stage (0-14 days) and the late stage (15-28 days). The results showed that (1) compared with the CON, the CE and CTC significantly increased the ADG of weaned piglets during the early and whole period of experiment (p < 0.05), decreased the F:G in the whole experiment period (p < 0.05), and diarrhea rate in the early stage (p < 0.01). (2) Compared with the CON, the apparent total tract digestibility of ADF and NDF was significantly increased in pigs fed the CE diet in the early and late stages of experiment (p < 0.05) with no significant difference compared with the CTC. (3) Compared with the CON, the concentrations of serum IgA and SOD in weaned piglets were significantly increased in the CE group in the early stage of the experiment (p < 0.05). (4) Compared with the CON group, the acetic acid, propionic acid, and total VFA contents in cecum and colon segments were elevated in the CE group (p < 0.05) with no significant difference compared with the CTC. (5) Compared with the CON group, the villus height of duodenum and jejunum and the ratio of villus height to recess depth of ileum were increased in the CE and CTC group (p < 0.05). (6) Compared with the CON group, the abundance of Lactobacillus significantly increased (p < 0.01) while the abundance of Escherichia coli decreased in the CE group and CTC group (p < 0.01). In conclusion, CE preparation instead of CTC can significantly improve the nutrient digestibility, the immunity, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal health of pigs, which may contribute to the improved growth performance of piglets.

4-Phenylbutyric acid accelerates rehabilitation of barrier function in IPEC-J2 cell monolayer model.

As the first line of defence against pathogens and endotoxins crossing the intestine-blood barrier, the intestinal epithelial barrier plays a determinant role in pigs' health and growth. 4-Phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA), an aromatic fatty acid, was reported to benefit homeostasis of endoplasmic reticulum and protein synthesis. However, whether 4-PBA affects intestinal epithelial barrier function in pigs is unknown. This study aimed to explore the effects of 4-PBA on the intestinal barrier function, using in vitro models of well-differentiated intestinal porcine epithelial cell (IPEC-J2) monolayers in the transwell plates. Cell monolayers with or without 4-PBA (1.0 mmol/L) treatment were challenged with physical scratch, deoxynivalenol (DON, 2.0 µg/mL, 48 h), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 5.0 µg/mL, 48 h), respectively. Transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (FD-4) permeability were measured to indicate barrier integrity and permeability. Real-time PCR and Western blot were conducted to determine relative gene and protein expressions of tight junction proteins. As expected, physical scratch, DON, and LPS challenges decreased TEER and increased FD-4 permeability. 4-PBA treatment accelerated cell mitigation and rehabilitation of the physical scratch-damaged intestinal epithelial barrier but did not alleviate DON or LPS induced barrier damage. However, once 48-h DON and LPS challenges were removed, rehabilitation of the epithelial barrier function of IPEC-J2 monolayer was accelerated by the 4-PBA treatment. Also, the relative gene and protein expressions of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), occludin, and claudin-1 were further upregulated by the 4-PBA treatment during the barrier rehabilitation. Taken together, 4-PBA accelerated the IPEC-J2 cell monolayer barrier recovering from physical scratch, DON-, and LPS-induced damage, via enhancing cell mitigation and expressions of tight junction proteins.

Fermented Cottonseed Meal as a Partial Replacement for Soybean Meal Could Improve the Growth Performance, Immunity and Antioxidant Properties, and Nutrient Digestibility by Altering the Gut Microbiota Profile of Weaned Piglets.

The study investigated the impact of fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM) on growth performance, immunity and antioxidant properties, nutrient digestibility, and gut microbiota of weaned piglets by replacing soybean meal with FCSM in the diet. The experimental piglets were fed with either the soybean meal diet (SBM group) or fermented cottonseed meal diet (FCSM group) for 14days after weaning. The digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), gross energy (GE), amino acids and nitrogen was higher in the FCSM diet than those in the SBM diet (p<0.05). The piglets in the FCSM group showed greater growth performance and lower diarrhea rate than those in the SBM group (p<0.05). The concentration of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and antioxidase, intestinal and hepatic antioxidase were increased and the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the serum was decreased in those piglets in the FCSM group compared to those piglets in the SBM group (p<0.05). The piglets in the FCSM group had a higher concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in their ileum and cecum and a higher Simpson index of ileum than piglets in the SBM group (p<0.05). The relative abundance of Lactobacillus and [Ruminococcus]_torques_group in ileum and Intestinibacter, norank_f_Muribaculaceae, unclassified_o_Lactobacillales and [Eubacterium]_coprostanoligenes_group in cecum were enhanced in piglets fed with the FCSM diet, whereas the relative abundance of Sarcina and Terrisporobacter were increased in piglets fed with the SBM diet. Overall, FCSM replacing SBM improved the growth performance, immunity and antioxidant properties, and nutrient digestibility; possibly via the alterant gut microbiota and its metabolism of weaned piglets. Graphical AbstractFermented cottonseed meal as a partial replacement for soybean meal could improve the growth performance, immunity and antioxidant properties, and nutrient digestibility by altering the gut microbiota profile of weaned piglets. SBM, soybean meal; FCSM, fermented cottonseed meal.

Supplementation With Lycium barbarum Polysaccharides Reduce Obesity in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice by Modulation of Gut Microbiota.

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) have been proved to prevent obesity and modulate gut microbiota. However, the underlying mechanisms of LBPs' regulating lipid metabolism remain entirely unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether LBPs are able to modulate the gut microbiota to prevent obesity. The results showed that oral administration of LBPs alleviated dyslipidemia by decreasing the serum levels of total triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and elevating the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in obese mice. Furthermore, LBP treatment decreased the number and size of adipocytes in epididymal adipose tissues and downregulated the expression of adipogenesis-related genes, including acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1, fatty acid synthase, stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α. 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis showed that LBPs increased the diversity of bacteria, reduced the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, and improved the gut dysbiosis induced by a high-fat diet; for example, LBPs increased the production of short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria Lacticigenium, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, and Butyricicoccus. LBPs treatment also increased the content of fecal short-chain fatty acids, including butyric acid. These findings illustrate that LBPs might be developed as a potential prebiotic to improve lipid metabolism and intestinal diseases.

The nutritional applications of garlic (Allium sativum) as natural feed additives in animals.

Garlic (Allium sativum) is an essential vegetable that has been widely utilized as seasoning, flavoring, culinary and in herbal remedies. Garlic contains several characteristic organosulfur compounds, such as diallyl sulfide, allicin (diallyl thiosulphate), γ-glutamylcysteine, and S-allyl cysteine (alliin) and ajoene, which garlic has beneficial effects on inflammation, oxidative stress markers, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and endothelial function in vitro or in animal model. These bioactive molecules are also playing pivotal role in livestock and fisheries production apart from its application in humans. Supplementation of animal feed with garlic and its related products is consistent with the modern agricultural concept of organic animal husbandry. This review compiles the information describing the effects of feeding garlic and its extracts on selected performance parameters in animals (chicken, rabbits, ruminants, pigs and fish). This review may provide reference for scientists and entrepreneurs to investigate the applications of feeds added with garlic and allicin by-products for the improvement of animal husbandry and aquatic production.

Dietary Inulin Regulated Gut Microbiota and Improved Neonatal Health in a Pregnant Sow Model.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between maternal dietary fiber intake and piglet health. Multiparous sows were randomly assigned to two groups and fed diets without inulin (control group, n = 20) or 1.6% inulin (1.6IN group, n = 20). The results indicate that 1.6IN prevented the prolonged farrowing duration of sows (P < 0.05) and shortened the average piglet birth interval (P < 0.1). In addition, 1.6IN decreased the percentage of the piglet born weak and the percentage of the piglet with hyperthermia after birth (P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, the 1.6IN group had a lower concentration of urea nitrogen in the colostrum, and also prevented diarrhea, increased litter gain, survival rate, and average daily gain for suckling piglets (P < 0.05). Furthermore, 1.6IN decreased the relative abundance of Firmicutes, Cyanobacteria, and Streptococcus; increased the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, Desulfovibrio, Paludibacter, CF231, and Prevotella. Overall, this study showed that maternal fiber nutrition during pregnancy regulated the health of offspring, and the response of the maternal intestinal microbes played an important role in intervening in the phenotype of sows and neonatal piglets.