Effect of Zinc Amino Acid Complexes on Growth Performance, Tissue Zinc Concentration, and Muscle Development of Broilers.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of zinc amino acid complexes on growth performance, tissue zinc concentration, and muscle development in broilers. A total of 504 day-old male arbor acres broilers were randomly divided into seven treatments (fed with a basal diet or a basal diet supplemented with 120 mg kg-1 Zn as ZnSO4, 30, 60, 90 or 120 mg kg-1 Zn as ZnN, or 30 mg kg-1 Zn as ZnA separately). Each group had six replicates, with 12 birds per replicate. The results showed that the addition of 60 mg kg-1 ZnN significantly increased (P < 0.05) the average daily gain (ADG) and breast muscle percentage of broilers. Zinc concentration of ZnN and ZnA added groups were higher than (P < 0.05) that in the Zn sulfate group under the same addition dose. Except for the 30 mg kg-1 ZnN group, the muscle fiber diameter and cross-sectional area (CSA) were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the ZnN addition groups. Compared with the basal diet group, adding ZnN significantly increased (P < 0.05) the expression of MTOR, MYOD, and MYOG at day 21 and decreased (P < 0.05) the expression of Atrogin-1. The expression levels of AKT, MTOR, P70S6K, and MYOD were increased at day 42, while the expression levels of MuRF1 and Atrogin-1 were decreased. Adhesion, backbone regulation of actin, MAPK, mTOR, and AMPK were significantly enriched as indicated by KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. In conclusion, zinc amino acid complexes could improve growth performance, tissue zinc concentration, and regulate breast muscle development.

Magnolol supplementation alleviates diquat-induced oxidative stress via PI3K-Akt in broiler chickens.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of magnolol on the oxidative parameters and jejunum injury induced by diquat in broiler chickens. This test adopts a 2 × 2 factors design, a total of 288 one-day-old male AA broiler chicks randomly allocated to four groups, consisting of six replicates of 12 birds each, which was then denoted as CON group, diquat (DIQ) group (16 mg/kg BW diquat was injected into birds at the age of 21 days), magnolol (MAG) group (basic bird diet supplemented with 300 mg/kg magnolol), and MAG + DIQ group. At 21 days of age, broilers in the DIQ group and the MAG + DIQ group were intraperitoneally injected with 16 mg/kg BW diquat. Results showed that diet supplementing with MAG could alleviate the decrease of ADG to a certain extent after exposure to DIQ. Addition of magnolol to the diet alleviated the decrease of ADG during injection, antioxidant enzymes, and gene expression and increased the markers of oxidative damage induced by diquat induction. Magnolol supplement reversed the increase of apoptotic cells in the diquat-induced chicken jejunum. RNA sequencing showed that PI3K-Akt, calcium, and NF-kappa B signaling pathways were the main enrichment pathways between the DIQ group and the MAG + DIQ group. Our findings revealed that magnolol may improve antioxidant enzyme activity and expression of related genes through the PI3K-Akt pathway to alleviate oxidative stress.

A Novel Hexokinases Inhibitor Based on Molecularly Imprinted Polymer for Combined Starvation and Enhanced Photothermal Therapy of Malignant Tumors.

The heat tolerance of tumor cells induced by heat shock proteins (HSPs) is the major factor that seriously hinders further application of PTT, as it can lead to tumor inflammation, invasion, and even recurrence. Therefore, new strategies to inhibit HSPs expression are essential to improve the antitumor efficacy of PTT. Here, we prepared a novel nanoparticle inhibitor by synthesizing molecularly imprinted polymers with a high imprinting factor (3.1) on the Prussian Blue surface (PB@MIP) for combined tumor starvation and photothermal therapy. Owing to using hexokinase (HK) epitopes as the template, the imprinted polymers could inhibit the catalytic activity of HK to interfere with glucose metabolism by specifically recognizing its active sites and then achieve starvation therapy by restricting ATP supply. Meanwhile, MIP-mediated starvation downregulated the ATP-dependent expression of HSPs and then sensitized tumors to hyperthermia, ultimately improving the therapeutic effect of PTT. As the inhibitory effect of PB@MIP on HK activity, more than 99% of the mice tumors were eliminated by starvation therapy and enhanced PTT.

Short-chain fatty acid-butyric acid ameliorates granulosa cells inflammation through regulating METTL3-mediated N6-methyladenosine modification of FOSL2 in polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine and metabolic disorder characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation. Previous studies have demonstrated that the gut microbiome can affect the host tissue cells' mRNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modifications. This study aimed to understand the role of intestinal flora in ovarian cells inflammation by regulating mRNA m6A modification particularly the inflammatory state in PCOS. The gut microbiome composition of PCOS and Control groups was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing, and the short chain fatty acids were detected in patients' serum by mass spectrometry methods. The level of butyric acid was found to be decreased in the serum of the obese PCOS group (FAT) compared to other groups, and this was correlated with increased Streptococcaceae and decreased Rikenellaceae based on the Spearman's rank test. Additionally, we identified FOSL2 as a potential METTL3 target using RNA-seq and MeRIP-seq methodologies. Cellular experiments demonstrated that the addition of butyric acid led to a decrease in FOSL2 m6A methylation levels and mRNA expression by suppressing the expression of METTL3, an m6A methyltransferase. Additionally, NLRP3 protein expression and the expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) were downregulated in KGN cells. Butyric acid supplementation in obese PCOS mice improved ovarian function and decreased the expression of local inflammatory factors in the ovary. Taken together, the correlation between the gut microbiome and PCOS may unveil crucial mechanisms for the role of specific gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of PCOS. Furthermore, butyric acid may present new prospects for future PCOS treatments.

Distribution and sources of fluvial pollen in the middle reaches of the Yellow River in China and their relationship with vegetation and land use.

Understanding the processes determining the composition of alluvial pollen assemblages and its relationship with watershed vegetation is a prerequisite for alluvial palynological study. Palynological analysis of a total of 45 river water samples collected from the middle reaches of the Yellow River and its major tributaries, identifies the distribution patterns, possible sources of pollen and relationship with the catchment vegetation. The results reveal that the pollen assemblages in the middle reaches of the Yellow River is dominated by herbaceous taxa, and the pollen is mainly derived from fluvial sources. Higher concentrations of the pollen tend to occur in the southern part of the study area. The Luo River is the main source of tree pollen in the Wei River Basin, while the Sanchuan River and Xinshui River are the main sources of tree pollen in the mainstream of the Yellow River. Herbaceous pollen mainly originates from the flood plain, and from channel bars and point bars, and there is no obvious relationship between herbaceous pollen and tributary inputs. The relative proportions of the various land use classes in the middle reaches of the Yellow River can be ordered as follows: grassland (GL) > cultivated land (CL) > forest (FO) > shrubland (SH) > water (WA). The herbaceous pollen of the Huangfuchuan River and Kuye River are closely related to the coverage of GL; cereal pollen is not fully representative of the CL coverage in the watershed; and the pollen of woody plants is extremely over-represented compared to the coverage of FO and SH in the watershed. Our results provide basic information about the sources of fluvial pollen and its indicative significance in the lower Yellow River and they are also potentially applicable to other major river basins.

Dietary essential oils improves the growth performance, antioxidant properties and intestinal permeability by inhibiting bacterial proliferation, and altering the gut microbiota of yellow-feather broilers.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the antibacterial effects of essential oils (EO) in vitro and the influence of EO on growth performance, intestinal morphology and oxidation resistance and cecal microflora of yellow-feathered broilers. A total of 720 one-day-old male yellow feather broilers were randomly assigned into 4 treatments with 6 replicate cages of 30 broilers each. The groups were as follows: CON group (basal diet), EO200 group (basal diet + 200 mg/kg EO), EO400 group (basal diet + 400 mg/kg EO), and EO600 group (basal diet + 600 mg/kg EO). The experiment lasted for 48 d. Results showed that the growth and biofilm formation of avian pathogenic E. coli O78 and Salmonella pullorum were limited by adding EO to the diet (P < 0.05). Besides, birds fed with EO had greater (P < 0.05) average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), and body weight (BW) during d 1 to 21, 22 to 42, and 1 to 48 and lower (P < 0.05) feed: gain (F:G) than those fed with basal diet during d 22 to 42 and 1 to 48. Moreover, the activity of antioxidant enzyme and the intestinal permeability were improved in the EO400 and EO600 groups rather than the CON group on d 21 (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in cecal microbial composition and enrichment of metabolic pathways of birds among all groups by 16S-based sequencing. In summary, some dose of EO improved bacteriostatic ability, antioxidant ability, and intestinal health of broilers which contributed to the growth performance improvement of yellow-feathered broilers, which can be a promising antibiotic alternative for improving poultry production.

Rust triggers rapid reduction of Cr6+ by red phosphorus: The importance of electronic transfer medium of Fe3.

Red phosphorus (P) is one of the metalloid materials, with five external electrons, it should be an excellent electron donor. However, the activity of red P to reduce Cr6+ is limited. Due to electrostatic repulsion, it is difficult for the electrons on the red P to transfer to the chromate anion (Cr6+). Interestingly, we found that Fe3+ derived from rust, waste iron or Fe3+ reagents can be used as the electron transport medium to solve the electron transport obstacles between red P and Cr6+. As a result, the reduction of Cr6+ by red P/rust system takes only 20 min, which is far lower than the 140 min of red P. The reduction rate of Cr6+ in the red P/rust system is about 12.3 times that of red P. The reaction mechanism is that red P is not easy to access chromate anions but can easily adsorb Fe3+. The adsorbed Fe3+ will be reduced to Fe2+ by red P, and the regenerated Fe2+ will diffuse into the solution to rapidly reduce Cr6+. Therefore, this work provides an alternative waste iron reuse pathway and also sheds light on the important role of electron medium in reduction reaction.

Protective effect and possible mechanism of arctiin on broilers challenged by Salmonella pullorum.

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of dietary arctiin (ARC) supplementation (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) on the growth performance and immune response of broilers after a Salmonella pullorum (S. pullorum) challenge, and we conducted in vitro antibacterial test to explore the bacteriostatic mechanism of ARC. The in vivo trial was randomly assigned to six groups: noninfected control (NC) group and positive control (PC) group received a basal diet; TET group, received a basal diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg chlortetracycline; ARC100, ARC200, and ARC400 groups received a basal diet containing 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg ARC, respectively. From days 14 to 16, all birds (except the NC group) were infected with 1 mL (1 × 108 CFU per mL) fresh S. pullorum culture by oral gavage per day. In vivo results showed that dietary supplementation of 200 mg/kg ARC significantly increased average daily gain (P < 0.05) and decreased feed-to-gain ratio of broilers vs. the PC group during days 15 to 28 after being challenged with S. pullorum (P < 0.05). The jejunal crypt depth (CD) was decreased by supplementing 100 or 200 mg/kg ARC in diets compared with PC birds at day 19 (P < 0.05). The jejunal villi height (VH) was increased by supplementing 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg ARC in diets compared with PC birds at day 28 (P < 0.05). Besides, dietary supplementation of 200 mg/kg ARC increased the jejunal VH to CD ratio than the PC group both at days 19 and 28 (P < 0.05). Notably, the broilers had lower serum lipopolysaccharide and diamine oxidase levels in the ARC100 and ARC200 groups at day 28 than those in the PC group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, in comparison to PC birds, the birds in ARC groups (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) had higher serum contents of IgM and IL-10, and the birds in the ARC200 group had higher serum contents of IgA at day 19 (P < 0.05). At day 28, the birds in ARC groups (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) had lower serum contents of IL-8, and the birds in the ARC200 group had lower serum contents of IFN-γ compared with PC birds (P < 0.05). The in vitro experiment showed that ARC significantly inhibited the biofilm formation and adhesion of S. pullorum (P < 0.05). Metabonomics analysis revealed that ARC can restrain the formation of the biofilm by affecting a variety of metabolic pathways of S. pullorum. Therefore, dietary supplementation of 200 mg/kg ARC might be a potential way to substitute antibiotics to control S. pullorum infection in broilers.

Pullorosis caused by Salmonella pullorum (S. pullorum) is a severe contagious disease and could cause great economic loss to the poultry industry. Antibiotics are usually used to control pullorosis, while prolonged use of antibiotics has led to the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacterial strains. Therefore, it is necessary to find safer and more effective alternatives to substitute antibiotics. In this study, we established a model of S. pullorum infection in broilers and conducted in vitro antibacterial test to explore the preventive effect and mechanisms of dietary arctiin (ARC) supplementation on S. pullorum infection in broilers. The results showed that ARC could not only improve the immune function of infected broilers by regulating the immune system but also directly inhibit the invasion of S. pullorum to broilers by inhibiting the formation and adhesion rate of S. pullorum biofilm. Dietary supplementation of 200 mg/kg ARC might be a potential way to substitute antibiotics to control S. pullorum infection in broilers.

Chaos Adaptive Particle Swarm for Physical Exercise Health Assessment.

Particle crowd algorithmic rule is a mayor examination hotspot in the authentic optimization algorithmic rule respond. Based on the PSO algorithmic rule to make optimal the RBFNN example, an amended order of nonlinear adaptable laziness power supported on the contest of population variegation is intended to extend the fixedness of population unlikeness performance and hunt capabilities to preclude the algorithmic rule from dripping into a topical extreme point prematurely, thereby further improving the prophecy correctness. Simulation experience shows that the amended PSO-RBFNN standard has open advantageous in the fixedness and sharp convergency of the prognosis proceed. In fashion to reprove the justness of reverse kinematics of robots with composite make and supercilious degrees of liberty, an amended adaptative suffix abound optimization (IAPSO) is spoken. First, the motoric equality of the 6-DOF strength-example avaricious robot design is established by the amended DH (Denavit-Hartenberg) argument course; second, on the base of the existent morsel abound algorithmic rule, the population Manhattan ceremoniousness is interested to lead the maneuver condition of the population in aqiqiy measure. And bound the adaptative lore substitute accordingly to the dissimilar maneuver possession and then adopt distinct site and hurry update modes; lastly, the fitness province with handicap substitute is present to trial the honest-prick and extended course transposition of the robot mold, and the delusion is not joint product major than 0.005 rad. The feint inference shows that the established kinematics shape is chasten, and the amended algorithmic program captures into recital the nicety, uniqueness, and velocity of the inverted resolution of the existent PSO algorithmic program, as well as higher deliverance truths. We conduct an experiment on the Brazilian jiu-jitsu. The results have clearly shown the advantage of our method.

The effects of magnolol supplementation on growth performance, meat quality, oxidative capacity, and intestinal microbiota in broilers.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of magnolol (MAG) on growth performance, meat quality, oxidative capacity, and intestinal microbiota in the yellow-feather broilers. A total of 360 one-day-old male yellow-feather broiler chicks were allocated into 5 groups of 6 replicates and 12 chickens per replicate, were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0 (Control group, CON), 100, 200, 300, or 400 mg/kg MAG for 51 d. The results showed that dietary supplementation with 200 and 300 mg/kg MAG increased the average daily gain (ADG) but decreased feed to gain ratio (F/G) during the overall periods (P < 0.05). Dietary MAG increased significantly the redness value (a∗) of the breast muscle (P < 0.05), and decreased the water loss rate and shear force of the breast meat (P < 0.05). MAG supplement reduced the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and increased the glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) levels in breast muscle and jejunum. PCR analysis showed that MAG increased the levels of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), NAD(P)H/quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), glutathione-S transferase (GST), glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC), glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit (GCLM), and SOD expressions (P < 0.05). Analysis of differential enrichment of gut microbiota found that Faecalibacterium in the cecum of MAG supplemented broilers increased, and Coprobacillus has decreased (P < 0.05). In conclusion, MAG improved growth performance, meat quality of the broilers and antioxidant capacity, and modulated gut microbiota homeostasis.

The preventive effect and mechanisms of adsorbent supplementation in low concentration aflatoxin B1 contaminated diet on subclinical symptom and histological lesions of broilers.

This study aimed to investigate the subclinical symptom and histological lesions of 21-day-old and 42-day-old broilers exposure to low concentration aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), and the preventive effect with adsorbent (Toxo-MX) supplementation. A total of 576 one-day-old Arbor Acres broilers were randomly allotted into 6 treatments 8 replicates and 12 birds per cage, fed with 0 ppb, 60 ppb and 120 ppb AFB1 contamination diet with or without Toxo-MX supplementation. Results showed both 60 ppb and 120 ppb AFB1 contamination significantly reduced growth performance in 21-day-old broilers (P < 0.05), but not in 42-day-old broilers (P > 0.05), however, AFB1 contamination in diet caused a higher feed to gain ratio (P < 0.05). Broilers of 21-day-old exposure to 60 ppb and 120 ppb AFB1 increased mRNA expression of hepatic inflammatory cytokines, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity (P < 0.05), 42-day-old broilers showed a same change in 120 ppb but not in 60 ppb of AFB1 contamination (P < 0.05). mRNA expressions of clauding-1, Zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), and occludin decreased, but Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 increased in 21-day-old broilers exposure to 60 ppb and 120 ppb AFB1 (P < 0.05), broilers of 42-day-old resisted on intestinal aflatoxicosis impairment against 60 ppb AFB1 contamination (P < 0.05), but not in 120 ppb (P < 0.05). Toxo-MX supplementation significantly reversed the detrimental effects on growth performance in both age broilers and reduced the accelerated feed to gain ratio caused by AFB1 (P < 0.05). Intestinal mRNA expression of tight junction and apoptotic genes in both age broilers were recovered by Toxo-MX supplementation (P < 0.05). However, Toxo-MX did not restore the accelerated expression of hepatic inflammation cytokines and SOD, GSH-Px in 120ppb AFB1 group (P < 0.05). The data demonstrated that diet supplementation with Toxo-MX reversed the detrimental effect on growth performance and intestine in broilers exposure to 60 ppb and 120 ppb AFB1. However, did not completely recovered hepatic inflammation induced by AFB1.

Removal of phosphorus in wastewater by sinusoidal alternating current coagulation: performance and mechanism.

The effects of initial total phosphorus (TP) concentration, current density, conductivity and initial pH value on the removal rate of TP and energy consumption, as well as the behaviour and mechanism of phosphorus removal, were investigated by sinusoidal alternating current coagulation (SACC). The flocs produced by SACC were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy FTIR and X-ray photo electron spectroscopy. The thermodynamic and kinetic behaviours of phosphorus removal by iron sol adsorption were also studied in detail. In a self-made SACC reactor equipped with five sets of parallel iron electrodes spacing 10 mm, the removal rate of TP reached 90.9% for a pH 7.0 wastewater with 5 mg dm-3 TP (κ = 800 µS cm-1) after being treated for 60 min by applying 2.12 mA cm-2 sinusoidal alternating current. Compared with direct current coagulation (DCC), SACC exhibits a higher removal efficiency of phosphorus due to the stronger adsorption of the produced flocs. It was found that the adsorption in the SACC process follows pseudo-second-order kinetic with the involvement of the intra-particle model. The adsorption of iron sol to phosphorus was an endothermic and spontaneous process, and its adsorption behaviour can be characterized with Langmuir and Redlich-Peterson isothermal adsorption models. SACC may be employed for the treatment of more complex wastewater combined with biological and/or electrochemical techniques.

Melatonin attenuates prostatic inflammation and pelvic pain via Sirt1-dependent inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome in an EAP mouse model.

BACKGROUND: Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a common male genitourinary system disease. As a neuroendocrine hormone, melatonin possesses a variety of biological functions, among which its anti-inflammatory effects have recently drawn substantial attention. The purpose of the current research was to study the effect of melatonin on CP/CPPS and the underlying mechanisms using a mouse model of experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP). METHODS: The EAP mouse model was successfully established by subcutaneously injecting a mixture of prostate antigen and complete Freund's adjuvant. On Day 42, hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to evaluate the histological appearance of prostate tissues. Chronic pelvic pain development was assessed by suprapubic allodynia. The levels of inflammation-related cytokines, such as interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-17, and IL-1ß, were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Then, we explored the anti-inflammatory effects of melatonin on CP/CPPS by Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining, by measuring the expression of silent information regulator 1 (Sirt1) and NLRP3 inflammasome-related proteins in EAP mice. RESULTS: The EAP model mice exhibited severe diffuse leukocyte infiltration and significantly increased pelvic pain compared to the control mice. In the melatonin treatment group, the histological appearance of the prostate tissues, pelvic pain development, and the levels of proinflammatory cytokines were significantly alleviated compared to the EAP + dimethyl sulfoxide group. Furthermore, we found that the protective effects of melatonin were achieved through activation of the Sirt1 pathway and downregulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that melatonin could attenuate prostate inflammation and pelvic pain by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasomes signaling pathway through the activation of Sirt1 in mice with EAP, and these efforts should provide a promising therapeutic strategy for CP/CPPS.

Honokiol Alleviates High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity of Mice by Inhibiting Adipogenesis and Promoting White Adipose Tissue Browning.

Honokiol (HON) is one of the main biological active components of the traditional Chinese medicine Magnolia officinalis and has many health benefits. The aim of this study was to investigate whether HON could alleviate obesity in mice by inhibiting adipogenesis and promoting the browning of white adipose tissue (WAT). C57BL/6 mice were divided into five groups and fed with a normal diet (ND), high-fat diet (HFD), or HFD supplemented with 200 (H200), 400 (H400), or 800 (H800) mg/kg BW HON for 8 weeks. The results showed that the mice fed HFD plus HON had lower body fat ratios (BFRs) and smaller adipocyte diameters in the epididymal WAT compared with those of the HFD group. With a proteomics analysis, the HON group upregulated 30 proteins and downregulated 98 proteins in the epididymal WAT of mice, and the steroid O-acyltransferase 1 (SOAT1) was screened as a key protein. The HON supplement prevented HFD-induced adipogenesis by reduced the mRNA and protein expression of SOAT1 and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-α (C/EBPα), suggesting that SOAT1 might play an important role in regulating adipogenesis. Moreover, HON treatment increased the expression of proteins related to the classical pathways of energy and lipid metabolism, such as AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), and promoted the browning of epididymal WAT by upregulation of the protein expression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in the HFD mice. In conclusion, these results suggest that HON supplements could prevent increases in body fat for HFD mice by suppressing adipogenesis and promoting WAT browning.

[Study on time-toxicity relationship and mechanism of Gardeniae Fructus extract on hepatoxicity in rats based on proteomics].

To study the time-toxicity relationship and mechanism of Gardeniae Fructus extract on the hepatoxicity in rats. Rats were randomly divided into C group(0 day), D5 group(5 days), D12 group(12 days), D19 group(19 days), and D26 group(7 days recovery after 19 days of administration). The rats in normal group received normal saline through intragastric administration, and the rats in other groups received 10 g·kg~(-1 )Gardeniae Fructus extract through intragastric administration. After the final administration, the livers were collected. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the histopathological changes in the liver tissue. Total liver proteins were extracted for proteomic analysis, detected by the Nano-ESI liquid-mass spectrometry system and identified by Protein Disco-very software. SIEVE software was used for relative quantitative and qualitative analysis of proteins. The protein-protein interaction network was constructed based on STRING. Cytoscape software was used for cluster analysis of differential proteins. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG) database was used to perform enrichment signal pathway analysis. Pearson correlation analysis was performed for the screened differential protein expression and liver pathology degree score. The results showed that the severity of liver injury in D5, D12 and D19 groups was significantly higher than that in group C. The degree of liver damage in D5 group was slightly higher than that in D12 and D19 groups, with no significant difference between group D26 and group C. Totally 147 key differential proteins have been screened out by proteomics and mainly formed 6 clusters, involving in drug metabolism pathways, retinol metabolism pathways, proteasomes, amino acid biosynthesis pathways, and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathways. The results of Pearson correlation analysis indicated that differential protein expressions had a certain temporal relationship with the change of liver pathological degree. The above results indicated that the severity of liver damage caused by Gardeniae Fructus extract did not increase with time and would recover after drug with drawal. The above pathways may be related to the mechanism of liver injury induced by Gardeniae Fructus extract.

HA targeted-biodegradable nanocomposites responsive to endogenous and exogenous stimulation for multimodal imaging and chemo-/photothermal therapy.

Multimodal imaging-guided accurate tumor-targeting and efficient synergistic therapy are of great importance for cancer therapy in vitro and in vivo. In this study, a biocompatible, tumor-targeted, on-demand chemo-/photothermal therapeutic nanoplatform (HIDSiGdNPs@PDA-HA) based on hollow mesoporous organic silica nanoparticles (HMONs) was used for bimodal imaging and multi-factor stepwise response for drug release and treatment. Targeted molecule hyaluronic acid (HA) promoted the endocytosis of HIDSiGdNPs@PDA-HA in HeLa cancer cells. The gatekeeper pH-/light-sensitive PDA coating was stimulated by the endogenous tumor acidic microenvironment and exogenous NIR laser to release doxorubicin (DOX). Thereafter, HMONs containing S-S bonds were reduced and degraded by endogenous glutathione (GSH), and the drug was further released rapidly to kill cancer cells. Importantly, the photothermal reagent indocyanine green (ICG) was always retained in the carrier, improving the effectiveness of photothermal therapy. The loaded Gd-doped silicon nanoparticles (SiGdNPs) combined with DOX and ICG led to multi-color fluorescence imaging in vitro and magnetic resonance imaging in vivo to realize targeted diagnosis and track drug distribution. The treatment results of tumor-bearing mice also proved the excellent synergistic therapy. It is believed that the multifunctional nanomaterials with dual mode imaging capability and targeted and controlled collaborative therapy would provide an alternative for accurate diagnosis and efficient treatment.

Effects of dietary inulin during late gestation on sow physiology, farrowing duration and piglet performance.

In this study there was evaluation of effects of dietary inulin during late gestation on sow physiology, farrowing duration and piglet performance. At day 80 of gestation sows were randomly assigned to four groups：basal diet (CON); or basal diet with 0.8 %; 1.6 %; or 2.4 % inulin. The feeding of the diet with 1.6 % inulin resulted in larger weights of the litter at birth a shorter duration of the farrowing period, lesser average birth interval between piglets, lesser number of piglets dead at birth, and fewer piglets/sow dead at birth (P < 0.05). When sows were fed 0.8 % and 1.6 % IN, there was a larger litter weight at weaning, sow average daily feed intake and piglet average daily gain during lactation compared with values for these variables in the CON group (P <  0.05). Additionally, there was an increase in serum concentration of free fatty acid, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol with increasing amounts of inulin in the diet (linear, P <  0.05). Sows fed 1.6 % IN had greater serum concentrations of glucose than those in the CON group (P <  0.05). Furthermore, there was a linear increase in serum activity of total antioxidant capacity, total superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase with increasing amounts of inulin in the diet (P <  0.05). In conclusion, results of the present study indicated feeding inulin during late gestation improved reproductive performance of sows, thus, may be a novel additive for the pig industry in improving efficiency of pork production.

Ameliorative effects and molecular mechanisms of vine tea on western diet-induced NAFLD.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a disease that is prevalent worldwide, and its prevention by dietary administration has recently been considered as an important strategy. In this study, we administered mice with vine tea polyphenol (VTP) extracted from Ampelopsis grossedentata, a Chinese herb, to investigate the preventive effect on western diet (WD)-induced NAFLD. Male C57BL/6N mice were fed either a normal diet (ND) or WD with or without VTP for 12 weeks. The results revealed that VTP supplementation decreased the serum levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, and reduced the accumulation of hepatic lipid droplets caused by WD. Molecular data revealed that VTP enhanced fatty acid oxidation by reactivating the WD-suppressed phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinaseα (AMPKα) and the expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), carnitine palmitoyl transferase IA (CPT1A) and cytochrome P450, family 4, subfamily a1 (CYP4A1). VTP inhibited hepatic lipogenesis by reducing the WD-enhanced level of mature sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1) and fatty acid synthase (FAS). Moreover, VTP activated nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2)-mediated expressions of hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) and quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1), and reduced hepatic TBARS levels to prevent hepatic oxidative stress. On the other hand, VTP also increased intestinal zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) expression and the relative abundance of gut Akkermansia, and reduced the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes. Thus, VTP might prevent WD-induced NAFLD by balancing fatty acid oxidation and lipogenesis, hepatic oxidative stress, and gut microbiome, at least. These results suggest that vine tea, containing a high content of the bioactive compound dihydromyricetin, is a potential food resource for preventing NAFLD.

Melatonin ameliorates the advanced maternal age-associated meiotic defects in oocytes through the SIRT2-dependent H4K16 deacetylation pathway.

It has been widely reported that advanced maternal age impairs oocyte quality. To date, various molecules have been discovered to be involved in this process. However, prevention of fertility issues associated with maternal age is still a challenge. In the present study, we find that both in vitro supplement and in vivo administration of melatonin are capable of alleviating the meiotic phenotypes of aged oocytes, specifically the spindle/chromosome disorganization and aneuploidy generation. Furthermore, we identify SIRT2 as a critical effector mediating the effects of melatonin on meiotic structure in old oocytes. Candidate screening shows that SIRT2-controlled deacetylation of histone H4K16 is essential for maintaining the meiotic apparatus in oocytes. Importantly, non-acetylatable-mimetic mutant H4K16R partially rescues the meiotic deficits in oocytes from reproductive aged mice. In contrast, overexpression of acetylation-mimetic mutant H4K16Q abolishes the beneficial effects of melatonin on the meiotic phenotypes in aged oocytes. To sum up, our data uncover that melatonin alleviates advanced maternal aged-associated meiotic defects in oocytes through the SIRT2-depenendet H4K16 deacetylation pathway.

Magnolol additive improves carcass and meat quality of Linwu ducks by modulating antioxidative status.

Magnolol rich in Magnolia officinalis is a bioactive polyphenolic compound. The aim of this study was to clarify the effects of magnolol additive (MA) on carcass and meat quality, biochemical characteristics and antioxidative capacity of Linwu ducks, by comparing it to that of antibiotic additive (colistin sulphate, CS). A total of 275 49-d-old ducks were randomly assigned to 5 groups with 5 cages of 11 ducks each and fed by the diets supplemented with 0, 100, 200 and 300 mg of MA/kg and 30 mg of CS/kg for 3 weeks, respectively. The results revealed that MA administration not only increased dressed percentage (calculated as a percentage of live weight), percentage of breast muscle, leg muscle and lean meat (calculated as a percentage of eviscerated weight), but also remarkably increased a*45 min and pH45 min of leg muscle. Moreover, MA administration decreased the percentage of abdominal fat (calculated as a percentage of eviscerated weight), 45-min cooking loss, water loss rate of leg muscle, 45-min cooking loss and drip loss of breast muscle at 24 hr and 48 hr. Furthermore, MA administration enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in serum or liver, serum total antioxidant capacity and hepatic reduced glutathione concentration significantly, compared with the basal diet or CS group (p < .05). On the other hand, triglyceride, total cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine contents in serum and liver were significantly increased in Linwu ducks fed with CS, compared with MA groups (p < .05). Taken together, these data demonstrated that magnolol could effectively improve the carcass and meat quality of Linwu ducks by regulating the in vivo antioxidant status and would be a potential candidate to replace antibiotic.