Preparation of Bispecific IgY-scFvs Inhibition Adherences of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (K88 and F18) to Porcine IPEC-J2 Cell.

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains are significant contributors to postweaning diarrhea in piglets. Of the ETEC causing diarrhea, K88 and F18 accounted for 92.7%. Despite the prevalence of ETEC K88 and F18, there is currently no effective vaccine available due to the diversity of these strains. This study presents an innovative approach by isolating chicken-derived single-chain variable fragment antibodies (scFvs) specific to K88 and F18 fimbrial antigens from chickens immunized against these ETEC virulence factors. These scFvs effectively inhibited adhesion of K88 and F18 to porcine intestinal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2), with the inhibitory effect demonstrating a dose-dependent increase. Furthermore, a bispecific scFv was designed and expressed in Pichia pastoris. This engineered construct displayed remarkable potency; at a concentration of 25.08 µg, it significantly reduced the adhesion rate of ETEC strains to IPEC-J2 cells by 72.10% and 69.11% when challenged with either K88 or F18 alone. Even in the presence of both antigens, the adhesion rate was notably decreased by 57.92%. By targeting and impeding the initial adhesion step of ETEC pathogenesis, this antibody-based intervention holds promise as a potential alternative to antibiotics, thereby mitigating the risks associated with antibiotic resistance and residual drug contamination in livestock production. Overall, this study lays the groundwork for the development of innovative treatments against ETEC infections in piglets.

Simultaneous detection of glycinin and ß-conglycinin in processed soybean products by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with stable isotope-labeled standard peptides.

Glycinin and ß-conglycinin are the two main allergic proteins in soybean. Due to their complex structures and lack of protein standards, it is difficult to achieve quantitative determination of these proteins in soybeans. In this study, an HPLC-MS/MS method was developed for the simultaneous determination of five subunits of glycinin (G1, G2, G3, G4, and G5) and three subunits of ß-conglycinin (α, α', and ß) in processed soybean products based on 8 specific peptides and their stable isotope-labeled peptides. Here, each specific peptide was derived from one of the above 8 subunits. When soy protein was extracted and digested with trypsin, 8 specific peptides, and corresponding stable isotope-labeled peptides were analyzed by HPLC-MS/MS. The linear range for the specific peptides was between 3.2 and 1000 ng/mL (R2 > 0.9955). The recoveries of added peptides ranged from 83.4% to 117.8%, and the intra-day precisions (% CV) were below 17.4%. The limit of quantification of each subunit of glycinin and ß-conglycinin in processed soybean products (in terms of protein amount) was between 15.1 and 156.1 g/g. This method was successfully applied to the analysis of 8 subunits of glycinin and ß-conglycinin in 68 different processed soybean products, which provides technical support for processed product quality evaluation and monitoring soybean processing technology.

Blocked conversion of Lactobacillus johnsonii derived acetate to butyrate mediates copper-induced epithelial barrier damage in a pig model.

BACKGROUND: High-copper diets have been widely used to promote growth performance of pigs, but excess copper supplementation can also produce negative effects on ecosystem stability and organism health. High-copper supplementation can damage the intestinal barrier and disturb the gut microbiome community. However, the specific relationship between high-copper-induced intestinal damage and gut microbiota or its metabolites is unclear. OBJECTIVE: Using fecal microbiota transplantation and metagenomic sequencing, responses of colonic microbiota to a high-copper diet was profiled. In addition, via comparison of specific bacteria and its metabolites rescue, we investigated a network of bacteria-metabolite interactions involving conversion of specific metabolites as a key mechanism linked to copper-induced damage of the colon. RESULTS: High copper induced colonic damage, Lactobacillus extinction, and reduction of SCFA (acetate and butyrate) concentrations in pigs. LefSe analysis and q-PCR results confirmed the extinction of L. johnsonii. In addition, transplanting copper-rich fecal microbiota to ABX mice reproduced the gut characteristics of the pig donors. Then, L. johnsonii rescue could restore decreased SCFAs (mainly acetate and butyrate) and colonic barrier damage including thinner mucus layer, reduced colon length, and tight junction protein dysfunction. Given that acetate and butyrate concentrations exhibited a positive correlation with L. johnsonii abundance, we investigated how L. johnsonii exerted its effects by supplementing acetate and butyrate. L. johnsonii and butyrate administration but not acetate could correct the damaged colonic barrier. Acetate administration had no effects on butyrate concentration, indicating blocked conversion from acetate to butyrate. Furthermore, L. johnsonii rescue enriched a series of genera with butyrate-producing ability, mainly Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group. CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, we reveal the microbiota-mediated mechanism of high-copper-induced colonic damage in piglets. A high-copper diet can induce extinction of L. johnsonii which leads to colonic barrier damage and loss of SCFA production. Re-establishment of L. johnsonii normalizes the SCFA-producing pathway and restores colonic barrier function. Mechanistically, Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group mediated conversion of acetate produced by L. johnsonii to butyrate is indispensable in the protection of colonic barrier function. Collectively, these findings provide a feasible mitigation strategy for gut damage caused by high-copper diets. Video Abstract.

Dual quantum dot nanobeads-based fluorescence-linked immunosorbent assay for simultaneous detection of aflatoxin B1 and zearalenone in feedstuffs.

A novel dual quantum dot nanobeads-based fluorescence-linked immunosorbent assay (QBs-FLISA) was successfully developed for simultaneously detecting aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and zearalenone (ZEN) in feedstuffs. Dual CdSe/ZnS quantum dot nanobeads with different diameters that emit red and green fluorescence were conjugated with anti-AFB1 and anti-ZEN monoclonal antibodies to prepare fluorescent probes, which greatly enhance analytical performance. Under the optimal conditions, the limits of detection for AFB1 and ZEN were 9.3 and 102.1 pg mL-1, respectively. The recoveries ranged from 82.50% to 116.21% with relative standard deviation less than 11.3%. Compared with traditional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, detection sensitivities of AFB1 and ZEN using QBs-FLISA were increased 20 and 5 folds, respectively. In addition, results of feedstuff samples analyzed by QBs-FLISA and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry showed a good agreement (R2 = 0.99).

Excellent Carbonation Behavior of Rankinite Prepared by Calcining the C-S-H: Potential Recycling of Waste Concrete Powders for Prefabricated Building Products.

Pure rankinite (C3S2) was prepared by calcining a C-S-H gel precursor at a temperature of 1300 °C. The carbonation hardening behavior of the resulting rankinite was revealed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive spectrum (EDS). The results indicate that the pure rankinite can be easily prepared at a lower temperature. The cubic compressive strengths of the resulting rankinite samples reach a value of 62.5 MPa after 24 h of carbonation curing. The main carbonation products formed during the carbonation process are crystalline calcite, vaterite and highly polymerized amorphous silica gels. The formed carbonation products fill the pores and bind to each other, creating a dense microstructure, which contributes to the excellent mechanical strength. These results provide a novel insight into potential recycling of waste concrete powders for prefabricated building products with lower CO2 emissions.

Metal pollution in Huayuan River in Hunan Province in China by manganese sulphate waste residue.

The Huayuan River in Hunan Province in China is subject to ongoing mining activity with Mn extraction. In this study, the level and environmental significance of metals (including Mn, Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni and Fe) concentrations in the surface water and river sediments have been investigated along a 187 km reach of the Huayuan River. Using the X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis, we analyzed the characterization of metals in manganese sulphate waste residue (MSWR) deposited along the bank of Huayuan River. The speciation of metals in both sediment and MSWR was established using the BCR-three step sequential extraction procedure. In the water samples, the average concentrations of Mn, Cd and Pb exceeded the acceptable concentrations for drinking water in the WHO Guidelines for drinking water quality, Vol. 1, Recommendations, Geneva (2004) and Chinese (GB 5749-2006) guidelines, respectively. The average concentrations of Mn, Cd, Pb and Zn in the river sediments were found to be considerably higher than the corresponding world average shale values. The percentages of Cd (31.4%), Mn (31.1%), Zn (12.8%) and Pb (8.1%) associated with exchangeable and weak acid fraction in the sediments were higher than other metals. Mn (5.81%), Zn (0.208%), Pb (0.0292%) and Cd (0.0113%) were identified in MSWR by XRF analysis. The percentages of Mn, Cd, Zn and Pb associated with the exchangeable and weak acid soluble fraction in MSWR were 41.9%, 31.1%, 23.8% and 9.8%, respectively. The peak solute and sediment-bound metal concentrations were found at the sites of MSWR deposited along the bank of Huayuan River. The results suggested that MSWR deposited along the bank may have a closely relation with the metal pollution of Huayuan River. The results obtained may be useful to assess both short and long-term environmental impact of the MSWR deposited activities and support decisions for a future remediation of this river.

[Effects of sinomenine on NO/nNOS system in cerebellum and spinal cord of morphine-dependent and withdrawal mice].

To explore the effect of sinomenine on the nitric oxide (NO)/neural nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) system in the cerebellum and spinal cord of morphine-dependent and morphine-withdrawal Kunming mice, mice were subjected to injection of morphine with an increasing dose for 5 d, and then were treated with sinomenine (40 mg/kg, i.p.) for another 5 d. Naloxone was used to develop acute withdrawal, and the withdrawal syndromes, including teeth chattering, twisting, straightening, sneezing and ptosis, were investigated. nNOS mRNA expressions in the cerebellum and spinal cord were determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. nNOS activity and NO level were determined by the chemistry-colorimetry and nitrate reductase-reduction, respectively. The results obtained were as follows: (1) Sinomenine restored the decrease in body weight and alleviated the signs of morphine-withdrawal in mice. (2) Sinomenine also reduced the increases in nNOS mRNA expression and nNOS activity resulting from morphine-dependence, and simultaneously attenuated the high level of NO in both tissues following morphine-withdrawal. (3) Administration of sinomenine alone did not develop physical dependence in mice. The results obtained indicate that sinomenine may attenuate morphine addiction and significantly alleviate morphine-withdrawal symptoms, and the mechanism may be associated with the effect of sinomenine on the NO/nNOS system in the cerebellum and spinal cord.