Improving feed intake and rumen fermentation in lambs using mixed-dimensional attapulgite clay to adsorb naturally occurring mycotoxins.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of including a mixed-dimensional attapulgite clay (MDA) into a naturally moldly diet for Hu lambs. Fifty male Hu lambs with similar initial body weight (28.24 ±â€…1.80 kg) were randomly allocated into five dietary treatments: a basal diet containing naturally occurring mycotoxins with 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 kg/t MDA, and basal diet with a commercial mycotoxin adsorbent Solis with montmorillonite as the major component at 1 kg/t. Both MDA and Solis increased average daily gain (ADG) and dry matter intake (DMI; P ≤ 0.004), and there was no difference in growth performance between MDA and Solis (P ≥ 0.26). The final body weight, DMI, and ADG were linearly increased with increasing MDA supplementation (P < 0.01). Lambs treated with both MDA and Solis demonstrated greater apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), and energy compared with the control group (P ≤ 0.03), and there were no differences in nutrient digestibilities between MDA and Solis (P ≥ 0.38). Digestibility of CP was linearly increased with the increasing MDA supplementation (P = 0.01). Neither MDA nor Solis affected rumen total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) concentration (P ≥ 0.39), but decreased the acetate-to-propionate ratio and molar proportion of n-butyrate (P ≤ 0.01), and MDA also increased the concentration of ammonia (P = 0.003). Besides, increasing MDA supplementation linearly reduced the acetate-to-propionate ratio and molar proportion of n-butyrate (P = 0.01), but linearly and quadratically increased the concentration of ammonia (P ≥ 0.003). These results showed that the incorporation of MDA into a naturally moldy diet of Hu lambs yielded comparable results to the Solis product, with higher growth performance and nutrient digestibility but lower acetate-to-propionate ratio observed. In conclusion, including ≥ 1 kg/t of MDA in high mycotoxin risk diets for growing lambs improves feed intake and rumen fermentation.

The issue of mycotoxin-contaminated animal feed has consistently presented a significant challenge in relation to animal health and production. The mixed-dimensional attapulgite clay (MDA) has been proven effective in binding polar mycotoxins such as aflatoxin, while also effectively adsorbing hydrophobic or weakly polar mycotoxins such as zearalenone (ZEN) and ochratoxin. Therefore, this study was undertaken to assess the impact of MDA inclusion in mycotoxin-contaminated diets on performance and rumen fermentation variables in lambs. The results indicated that MDA not only significantly improved the growth performance and nutrient digestibility of Hu lambs but also enhanced the molar proportion of propionate and ammonia concentration, and reduced the acetate to propionate ratio and the molar proportion of n-butyrate.

Rice-fish coculture without phosphorus addition improves paddy soil nitrogen availability by shaping ammonia-oxidizing archaea and bacteria in subtropical regions of South China.

Rice-fish coculture (RFC), as a traditional agricultural strategy in China, can optimally utilize the scarce resource, especially in subtropical regions where phosphorus (P) deficiency limits agricultural production. However, ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB) are involved in the ammonia oxidation, but it remains uncertain whether their community compositions are related to the RFC combined with and without P addition that improves soil nitrogen (N) use efficiency. Here, a microcosm experiment was conducted to assess the impacts of RFC combined with and without inorganic P (0 and 50 mg P kg-1 as KH2PO4) addition on AOA and AOB community diversities, enzyme activities and N availability. The results showed that RFC significantly increased available N content without P addition compared with P addition. Moreover, RFC significantly increased urease activity and AOA shannon diversity, and reduced NAG activity and AOB shannon diversity without P addition, respectively. Higher diversity of AOA compared with that of AOB causes greater competition for resources and energy within their habitats, thereby resulting in lower network complexity. Our findings indicated that the abundances of AOA and AOB are influenced through the introduction of fish and/or P availability, of which AOB is linked to N availability. Overall, RFC could improve paddy soil N availability without P addition in subtropical region, which provides a scientific reference for promoting the practices that reduce N fertilizer application in RFC.

Mechanic study based on untargeted metabolomics of Pi-pa-run-fei-tang on pepper combined with ammonia induced chronic cough model mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Pi-pa-run-fei-tang (PPRFT), a traditional Chinese medicine formula with long-standing history, demonstrated beneficial effect on chronic cough. However, the mechanism underlying efficacy unclear. In current research, we explored the impact and molecular mechanism of chronic cough mouse stimulating with capsaicin combined with ammonia. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the metabolic modulating effects, and potential mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effect of PPRFT in chronic cough. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chronic cough mouse models were created by stimulating mice by capsaicin combined with ammonia. Number of coughs and cough latency within 2 min were recorded. With lung tissue and serum samples collected for histopathology, metabolomics, RT-qPCR, immunohistochemistry, and WB analysis. Lymphocytes were isolated and flow cytometric assays were conducted to evaluate the differentiation between Th17 and Treg cell among CD4+ cells. RESULTS: Results indicated that PPRFT obviously reduced the number of coughs, prolonged cough latency, reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and lung tissues damage, and decreased the serum level of IL-6, IL-1ß, TNF-α, and IL-17 while increasing IL-10 levels. Notably, PPRFT suppressed Th17 cell divergence and promoted Treg cell divergence. Furthermore, serum metabolomic assays showed that 46 metabolites differed significantly between group, with 35 pathways involved. Moreover, mRNA levels of IL-6, NF-κB, IL-17, RORγT, JAK2, STAT3, PI3K and AKT in lung tissues remarkably reduced and mRNA levels of IL-10 and FOXP3 were elevated after PPRFT pretreatment. Additionally, PPRFT treatments decreased the protein levels of IL-6, NF-κB, IL-17, RORγT, p-JAK2, p-STAT3, p-PI3K, and p-AKT and increased the protein levels of IL-10 and FOXP3, but no significantly effects to the levels on JAK2, STAT3, PI3K, and AKT in the lungs. CONCLUSION: Conclusively, our result suggested the effect with PPRFT on chronic cough may be mediated through IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 and PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway, which regulate the differentiation between Th17 and Treg cell. This beneficial effect of PPRFT in capsaicin and ammonia-stimulated chronic cough mice indicates its potential application in treating chronic cough.

Dietary sulfated polysaccharides extracted from Caulerpa sp. and Padina sp. modulated physiological performance, antibacterial activity and ammonia challenge test in juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

Nowadays, the use of seaweed derivatives in aquaculture has drawn attention for their potential as an immunostimulant and growth promotor. The sulfated polysaccharide extracted (SPE ) from green (Caulerpa sp.; SPC) and brown (Padina sp.; SPP) seaweeds with two concentrations (0.05% and 0.1%); nominated in four groups: SPC0.05 , SPC0.1 , SPP0.05 , SPP0.1 and control group (free of SPE ) were used for juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) diet. Fish (N: 150; 8.5 ± 0.2 g) were selected aleatory distributed in 15 circular tanks (triplicate for the group) and fed test diets for 56 days. The outcomes revealed that the supplementation of SPE up to 1 g kg-1 failed to show significant differences in the organosomatic indices as compared to the control group. The most inferior protein value of dress-out fish composition was observed in the fish fed the control diet, which was statistically lower than the SCP0.1 group (p < 0.05), while no significant difference was observed in other macronutrient composition among the treatments. Total monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) had lower trend in the carcass of fish fed SPE supplemented diets, so that lowest MUFA were observed in SPC0.05 group (p < 0.05; 25.22 ± 4.29%). The lowest value of docosahexaenoic acid was observed in the control diet compared to the SPE -supplemented diets (p < 0.05). The serum alternative complement pathway levels in all treatments tend to promote compared to the control treatment. A similar trend was observed for lysozyme activity. According to the results, the superoxide dismutase (SOD) value were highest in SPC0.05 and SPC0.1 compared to the other treatments (p < 0.05), while a further elevation of the SPE Padina sp. extracted level (SPP0.1 ) leads to a decrease in SOD value. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances of plasma was indicated not to influence by sulfated polysaccharide extracts in the refrigerated storage. The lowest serum stress indicators were observed in fish fed SPP0.05 group postchallenge test. Taken together, our outcomes revealed that SPE of two species of seaweeds bestows benefits in some of the immunity and antioxidant system. Also, notable elevations in HUFA were observed in juvenile rainbow trout fed supplemented with SPE .

Oxygen affinity and light intensity induced robust phosphorus removal and fragile ammonia removal in a non-aerated bacteria-algae system.

Non-aerated bacteria-algae system gaining O2 through photosynthesis presents an alternative for costly mechanical aeration. This study investigated oxygen supply and performance of nutrients removal at low and high light intensity (LL and HL). The results showed that P removal was high and robust (LL 97 ± 1.8 %, HL 95 % ± 2.9 %), while NH4+-N removal fluctuated dramatically (LL 66 ± 14.7 %, HL 84 ± 8.6 %). Oxygen generated at illumination of 200 µmol m-2 s-1, 6 h was sufficient to sustain aerobic phase for 2.25 g/L MLSS. However, O2 produced by algae was preferentially captured in the order of heterotrophic bacteria (HB), ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB), nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB). Oxygen affinity coupled with light intensity led to NOB suppression with stable nitrite accumulation ratio of 57 %. Free nitrous acid (FNA) and light stimulated the abundance of denitrifying polyphosphate accumulating organism (DPAO) of Flavobacterium, but with declined P-accumulating metabolism (PAM) of P release, P/C, K/P and Mg/P ratios. Flavobacterium and cyanobacteria Leptolyngbya, along with biologically induced CaP in extracellular polymeric substances was the key to robust P removal. AOB of Ellin6067 and DPAO of Flavobacteria offer a promising scenario for partial nitrification-denitrifying phosphorus removal.

Transition to glycerol phenylbutyrate for the management of urea cycle disorders: clinical experiences.

BACKGROUND: Urea cycle disorders (UCDs) are a group of rare inborn diseases caused by a deficiency in one of the six enzymes or one of the two transporters involved in the urea cycle. The most common biochemical feature is elevated blood ammonia levels, which can be toxic at high levels, especially to the brain and may manifest as encephalopathy if left untreated. Glycerol phenylbutyrate (GPB) is currently approved for use in the USA and Europe for patients of all ages with UCD who cannot be managed with protein restriction and/or amino acid supplementation alone. This article presents the author's experience in different exemplary settings and depicts the most efficient management of UCDs with GPB. CASE PRESENTATION: Six patient histories are described. 4 had OCT, one citrullinemia, and one argininosuccinic aciduria. Treatment with GPB was started between 2 days and 14 years of age. Before GPB, one patient had not been treated, 4 had received sodium phenylbutyrate (NaPB), and one Na benzoate. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, treatment with GPB was followed by a relevant metabolic improvement, resulting in better therapeutic compliance, reduced hospitalization, and improved quality of life.

α-lipoic acid ameliorates hepatotoxicity induced by chronic ammonia toxicity in crucian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) by alleviating oxidative stress, inflammation and inhibiting ERS pathway.

High environment ammonia (HEA) poses a deadly threat to aquatic animals and indirectly impacts human healthy life, while nutritional regulation can alleviate chronic ammonia toxicity. α-lipoic acid exhibits antioxidative effects in both aqueous and lipid environments, mitigating cellular and tissue damage caused by oxidative stress by aiding in the neutralization of free radicals (reactive oxygen species). Hence, investigating its potential as an effective antioxidant and its protective mechanisms against chronic ammonia stress in crucian carp is highly valuable. Experimental fish (initial weight 20.47 ± 1.68 g) were fed diets supplemented with or without 0.1% α-lipoic acid followed by a chronic ammonia exposure (10 mg/L) for 42 days. The results revealed that chronic ammonia stress affected growth (weight gain rate, specific growth rate, and feed conversion rate), leading to oxidative stress (decreased the activities of antioxidant enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase; decreased total antioxidant capacity), increased lipid peroxidation (accumulation of malondialdehyde), immune suppression (decreased contents of nonspecific immune enzymes AKP and ACP, 50% hemolytic complement, and decrease of immunoglobulin M), impaired ammonia metabolism (reduced contents of Glu, GS, GSH, and Gln), imbalance of expression of induced antioxidant-related genes (downregulation of Cu/Zu SOD, CAT, Nrf2, and HO-1; upregulation of GST and Keap1), induction of pro-apoptotic molecules (transcription of BAX, Caspase3, and Caspase9), downregulation of anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 expression, and induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress (upregulation of IRE1, PERK, and ATF6 expression). The results suggested that the supplementation of α-lipoic acid could effectively induce humoral immunity, alleviate oxidative stress injury and endoplasmic reticulum stress, and ultimately alleviate liver injury induced by ammonia poisoning (50-60% reduction). This provides theoretical basis for revealing the toxicity of long-term ammonia stress and provides new insights into the anti-ammonia toxicity mechanism of α-lipoic acid.

New insight into pectic fractions of cell wall: Impact of extraction on pectin structure and in vitro gut fermentation.

Pectic polysaccharides modulate gut fermentation ability, which is determined by structural characteristics. In this work, apple pectins were extracted by HCl (HAEP), NaOH (AEP), cellulase (EAEP), and in parallel cell wall pectic fractions were sequentially extracted by water (WEP), chelator (CEP) and NaOH (NEP). The aim is to comprehensively compare the impact of extraction on pectin structure and gut fermentation behavior. Results showed that high content of galacturonic acid (90.65 mol%) and large molecular weight (675 kg/mol) were detected in the HAEP. Molecular morphology of the HAEP presented high linearity, while AEP, EAEP and WEP exhibited compact filamentous structures with highly branched patterns. The AEP was characterized by high yield (33.1 g/100 g d.b.), moderate molecular weight (304 kg/mol) and large extent of rhamnogalacturonan-I region (24.88 %) with low degree of branching (1.77). After in vitro simulated gut fermentation for 24 h, total content of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) generated with the AEP supplement increased to 36.8 mmol/L, followed by EAEP, HAEP and WEP (25.2, 24.2 and 20.3 mmol/L, respectively). Meanwhile, WEP simultaneously produced the highest ammonia content (22.4 mmol/L). This investigation suggests that the fermentation of AEP produces more beneficial SCFA and less ammonia, thus indicating a better gut fermentation property.

Effects of cashew nut shell extract supplementation on production, rumen fermentation, metabolism, and inflammatory biomarkers in transition dairy cows.

Cashew nut shell extract (CNSE) is a byproduct of the cashew nut industry, containing bioactive compounds that alter rumen fermentation patterns. Therefore, study objectives were to evaluate the effects of CNSE (59% anacardic acid and 18% cardol) on production, rumen fermentation variables, metabolism, and inflammation in transition dairy cows. A total of 51 multiparous Holstein cows were used in a randomized design and assigned to treatment based on their previous 305-d mature equivalent milk and parity. Cows were assigned to 1 of 2 treatments 21 d before expected calving: (1) CON (control diet; n = 17) or (2) CNSE-5.0 (control diet and 5.0 g/d CNSE granule [containing 50% CNSE]; n = 34). Following parturition, 17 cows (preselected at initial treatment assignment) from the CNSE-5.0 treatment were reallocated into a third treatment group: CNSE-2.5 (control diet and 2.5 g/d CNSE granule; n = 17), resulting in 3 total treatments postpartum: (1) CON, (2) CNSE-2.5, and (3) CNSE-5.0. Prepartum rumen pH was unaltered by treatment; however, postpartum rumen pH was increased (0.31 units) in CNSE cows relative to CON. Prepartum rumen ammonia N concentration tended to be decreased (34%) in CNSE-5.0 cows compared with CON, and there tended to be a quadratic effect on postpartum ammonia N, as it was decreased in CNSE-2.5 compared with CON and CNSE-5.0. Prepartum dry matter intake (DMI) was unaffected by treatment; however, postpartum DMI was increased (8%) in CNSE cows relative to CON. No treatment differences were observed in pre- or postpartum digestibility measurements. Milk and protein yields from cows fed CNSE tended to be increased (6% and 7%, respectively) relative to CON. No treatment differences were detected for energy-corrected milk, feed efficiency, body weight, body condition score, energy balance, milk composition, milk urea nitrogen, or somatic cell count. Prepartum fecal pH decreased (0.12 units) in CNSE-5.0 cows relative to CON cows but was similar between treatments postpartum. Supplementing CNSE did not affect prepartum glucose, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), or insulin. However, prepartum circulating blood urea nitrogen tended to be decreased and glucagon was decreased in CNSE-5.0 cows compared with CON (9 and 20%, respectively). Additionally, CNSE supplementation decreased glucose and insulin concentrations postpartum relative to CON cows (6% and 20%, respectively). Quadratic effects were detected for postpartum circulating NEFA and BHB such that their levels were increased in CNSE-2.5 cows relative to CON and CNSE-5.0. Pre- and postpartum circulating serum amyloid A, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, and haptoglobin were unaffected by treatment. Overall, CNSE influenced some key rumen fermentation variables, altered postabsorptive metabolism, and increased production parameters in transition dairy cows.

Metabolomics analysis reveals changes related to pseudocyst formation induced by iron depletion in Trichomonas vaginalis.

BACKGROUND: Iron is an essential element for cellular functions, such as energy metabolism. Trichomonas vaginalis, a human urogenital tract pathogen, is capable of surviving in the environment without sufficient iron supplementation. Pseudocysts (cyst-like structures) are an environmentally tolerated stage of this parasite while encountering undesired conditions, including iron deficiency. We previously demonstrated that iron deficiency induces more active glycolysis but a drastic downregulation of hydrogenosomal energy metabolic enzymes. Therefore, the metabolic direction of the end product of glycolysis is still controversial. METHODS: In the present work, we conducted an LC‒MS-based metabolomics analysis to obtain accurate insights into the enzymatic events of T. vaginalis under iron-depleted (ID) conditions. RESULTS: First, we showed the possible digestion of glycogen, cellulose polymerization, and accumulation of raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs). Second, a medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA), capric acid, was elevated, whereas most detected C18 fatty acids were reduced significantly. Third, amino acids were mostly reduced, especially alanine, glutamate, and serine. Thirty-three dipeptides showed significant accumulation in ID cells, which was probably associated with the decrease in amino acids. Our results indicated that glycogen was metabolized as the carbon source, and the structural component cellulose was synthesized at same time. The decrease in C18 fatty acids implied possible incorporation in the membranous compartment for pseudocyst formation. The decrease in amino acids accompanied by an increase in dipeptides implied incomplete proteolysis. These enzymatic reactions (alanine dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, and threonine dehydratase) were likely involved in ammonia release. CONCLUSION: These findings highlighted the possible glycogen utilization, cellulose biosynthesis, and fatty acid incorporation in pseudocyst formation as well as NO precursor ammonia production induced by iron-depleted stress.

Simultaneous removal of phosphate, calcium, and ammonia nitrogen in a hydrogel immobilized reactor with bentonite/lanthanum/PVA based on microbial induced calcium precipitation.

In recent years, it is urgent to solve nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in domestic wastewater. The target strain Pseudomonas sp. Y1 was immobilized using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix coupled with bentonite and lanthanum (La), respectively, to fabricate four hydrogel materials that used to construct bioreactors. The optimal operating parameters and dephosphorization mechanism were discussed, and the effects of hydrogel materials and different loads on the performance of the bioreactor were contrastively analyzed. The results manifested that when the hydraulic retention time (HRT) was 6.0 h, the C/N was 6.0, and the Ca2+ concentration was 100.0 mg L-1, the bioreactors had the best heterotrophic nitrification-aerobic denitrification (HNAD) and biomineralization capacity, and the maximum removal efficiencies of Ca2+, PO43--P, and NH4+-N were 82.57, 99.17, and 89.08%, respectively. The operation data indicated that the addition of bentonite significantly promoted HNAD, and the bioreactor had stronger dephosphorization ability in the presence of La. The main phosphorous removal mechanisms were confirmed to be adsorption and co-precipitation. Finally, high-throughput sequencing results indicated that Pseudomonas accounted for the paramount proportion in the bioreactor, and the prediction of functional genes indicated that the C/N of 6.0 is more favorable for the expression of nitrogen removal-related functional genes in the bioreactor system. This study highlights the superiority of microbial induced calcium precipitation (MICP) combined with PVA hydrogel, and provides a theoretical basis for simultaneous nitrogen and phosphate removal of wastewater.

Effect of replacing cottonseed meal with canola meal on growth performance, blood metabolites, thyroid function, and ruminal parameters of growing lambs.

The objective was to clarify the impact of replacing cottonseed meal with canola meal (CM) on growth performance, blood metabolites, thyroxin function, and ruminal parameters of growing lambs. Twenty-four growing Barki male lambs (4-5 months of age) were assigned randomly into four equal groups (6 lambs each). Four dietary treatments were the control group with 0% CM (CON) and three experimental groups where CM replaced 25% (CN1), 50% (CN2), and 75% (CN3) of cottonseed meal. There were no dietary effects (P > 0.05) on the lambs' feed intake, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio of the lambs. The dietary CM linearly decreased the concentrations of serum total proteins (P = 0.003), albumin (P = 0.010), globulin (P = 0.011), AST (P = 0.041), and urea (P = 0.001) in growing lambs. The levels of ALT and creatinine, however, were not significantly affected by dietary treatments (P > 0.05). Furthermore, serum triiodothyronine, thyroxine, and electrolyte concentrations were similar (P > 0.05) in different dietary groups. Dietary treatments significantly affected the values of ruminal pH and ammonia at 0 h (P = 0.003 and 0.048, respectively) and 3 h (P = 0.033 and P = 0.006, respectively) postfeeding. The CN3 group showed significantly higher concentrations of ruminal ammonia at 0 and 3 h postfeeding. Furthermore, dietary CM (CN3) significantly reduced the ruminal pH values at 0 and 3 h postfeeding. Meanwhile, dietary treatments did not affect the concentration of total VFAs in the ruminal fluid. In conclusion, CM can replace the cottonseed meal (up to 75%) in lamb diets without compromising their growth performance, thyroid function, and ruminal fermentation parameters.

Nano­zinc enhances gene regulation of non­specific immunity and antioxidative status to mitigate multiple stresses in fish.

The toxicity of ammonia surged with arsenic pollution and high temperature (34 °C). As climate change enhances the pollution in water bodies, however, the aquatic animals are drastically affected and extinct from nature. The present investigation aims to mitigate arsenic and ammonia toxicity and high-temperature stress (As + NH3 + T) using zinc nanoparticles (Zn-NPs) in Pangasianodon hypophthalmus. Zn-NPs were synthesized using fisheries waste to developing Zn-NPs diets. The four isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets were formulated and prepared. The diets containing Zn-NPs at 0 (control), 2, 4 and 6 mg kg-1 diets were included. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione-s-transferase (GST) were noticeably improved using Zn-NPs diets in fish reared under with or without stressors. Interestingly, lipid peroxidation was significantly reduced, whereas vitamin C and acetylcholine esterase were enhanced with supplementation of Zn-NPs diets. Immune-related attributes such as total protein, globulin, albumin, myeloperoxidase (MPO), A:G ratio, and NBT were also improved with Zn-NPs at 4 mg kg-1 diet. The immune-related genes such as immunoglobulin (Ig), tumor necrosis factor (TNFα), and interleukin (IL1b) were strengthening in the fish using Zn-NPs diets. Indeed, the gene regulations of growth hormone (GH), growth hormone regulator (GHR1), myostatin (MYST) and somatostatin (SMT) were significantly improved with Zn-NPs diets. Blood glucose, cortisol and HSP 70 gene expressions were significantly upregulated by stressors, whereas the dietary Zn-NPs downregulated the gene expression. Blood profiling (RBC, WBC and Hb) was reduced considerably with stressors (As + NH3 + T), whereas Zn-NPs enhanced the RBC, WBC, and Hb count in fish reread in control or stress conditions. DNA damage-inducible protein gene and DNA damage were significantly reduced using Zn-NPs at 4 mg kg-1 diet. Moreover, the Zn-NPs also enhanced the arsenic detoxification in different fish tissues. The present investigation revealed that Zn-NPs diets mitigate ammonia and arsenic toxicity, and high-temperature stress in P. hypophthalmus.

Sodium butyrate reduces ammonia production in the cecum of laying hens by regulating ammonia-producing bacteria.

Sodium butyrate is a commonly used feed additive and can reduce ammonia (NH3) emissions from laying hens, but the mechanism of this effect is unknown. In this study, the sodium butyrate and cecal content of Lohmann pink laying hens were measured, and in vitro fermentation experiments and NH3-producing bacteria coculture experiments were carried out to explore the relationship between NH3 emissions and its associated microbiota metabolism. Sodium butyrate was found to significantly reduce NH3 emission from the cecal microbial fermentation of Lohmann pink laying hens (P < 0.05). The concentration of NO3--N in the fermentation broth of the sodium butyrate-supplemented group increased significantly, and the concentration of NH4+-N decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Moreover, sodium butyrate significantly reduced the abundance of harmful bacteria and increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria in the cecum. The culturable NH3-producing bacteria consisted mainly of Escherichia and Shigella, such as Escherichia fergusonii, Escherichia marmotae and Shigella flexnerii. Among them, E. fergusonii had the highest potential for NH3 production. The coculture experiment showed that sodium butyrate can significantly downregulate the expression of the lpdA, sdaA, gcvP, gcvH and gcvT genes of E. fergusonii (P < 0.05), thus reducing the NH3 emission produced by the bacteria during metabolism. In general, sodium butyrate regulated NH3-producing bacteria to reduce NH3 production in the cecum of laying hens. These results are of great significance for NH3 emission reduction in the layer breeding industry and for future research.

Ammonia and nutritional therapy in the critically ill: when to worry, when to test and how to treat?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Hyperammonaemia is almost always develops in patients with severe liver failure and this remains the commonest cause of elevated ammonia concentrations in the ICU. Nonhepatic hyperammonaemia in ICU presents diagnostic and management challenges for treating clinicians. Nutritional and metabolic factors play an important role in the cause and management of these complex disorders. RECENT FINDINGS: Nonhepatic hyperammonaemia causes such as drugs, infection and inborn errors of metabolism may be unfamiliar to clinicians and risk being overlooked. Although cirrhotic patients may tolerate marked elevations in ammonia, other causes of acute severe hyperammonaemia may result in fatal cerebral oedema. Any coma of unclear cause should prompt urgent measurement of ammonia and severe elevations warrant immediate protective measures as well as treatments such as renal replacement therapy to avoid life-threatening neurological injury. SUMMARY: The current review explores important clinical considerations, the approach to testing and key treatment principles that may prevent progressive neurological damage and improve outcomes for patients with hyperammonaemia, especially from nonhepatic causes.

Organic Selenium Alleviates Ammonia-Mediated Abnormal Autophagy by Regulating Inflammatory Pathways and the Keap1/Nrf2 Axis in the Hypothalamus of Finishing Pigs.

Ammonia is a significant pollutant in the livestock houses and the atmospheric environment, and excessive ammonia would harm the health of livestock and breeders. Previous studies have shown that ammonia exposure could damage the tissue structure of the nervous system, but the molecular mechanism of ammonia-induced hypothalamus damage was still unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of excessive ammonia in abnormal autophagy of pig hypothalamus and whether selenomethionine would have a mitigating effect on ammonia toxicity. Twenty-four 18-week pigs were randomly divided into four groups: the control group (C group), the selenium group (Se group), the ammonia + selenium group (A + Se group), and the ammonia group (A group). In our study, the expression levels of NF-κB, IL-1ß, iNOS, TNF-α, IKK-α, p-IKK-α, Nrf2, ATG5, ATG 10, ATG 12, LC3 I/II, HSP60, HSP70, and HSP90 were increased after ammonia exposure; meanwhile, IFN-γ, IKB-α, p-IKB-α, Keap1, P62, mTOR, AKT, p-AKT, PI3K, SQSTM, and Beclin1 showed decreasing trends. The results indicated that excessive ammonia inhalation inhibited the AKT/mTOR pathway to acclerated autophagy through oxidative stress-mediated inflammation in the porcine hypothalamus. L-selenomethionine could alleviate hypothalamus injury induced by ammonia exposure.

Identification of different physiological functions within the gills and epipodites of the American lobster: Differences in metabolism, transbranchial transport, and mRNA expression.

Transbranchial transport processes are responsible for the homeostatic regulation of most essential physiological functions in aquatic crustaceans. Due to their widespread use as laboratory models, brachyuran crabs are commonly used to predict how other decapod crustaceans respond to environmental stressors including ocean acidification and warming waters. Non-brachyuran species such as the economically-valuable American lobster, Homarus americanus, possess trichobranchiate gills and epipodites that are known to be anatomically distinct from the phyllobranchiate gills of brachyurans; however, studies have yet to define their potential physiological differences. Our results indicate that the pleuro-, arthro-, and podobranch gills of the lobster are functionally homogenous and similar to the respiratory gills of brachyurans as indicated by equivalent rates of H+Eq., CO2, HCO3-, and ammonia transport and mRNA expression of related transporters and enzymes. The epipodites were found to be functionally distinct, being capable of greater individual rates of H+Eq., CO2, and ammonia transport despite mRNA transcript levels of related transporters and enzymes being only a fraction found in the gills. Collectively, mathematical estimates infer that the gills are responsible for 91% of the lobster's branchial HCO3- accumulation whereas the epipodites are responsible for 66% of branchial ammonia excretion suggesting different mechanisms exist in these tissues. Furthermore, the greater metabolic rate and amino acid catabolism in the epipodites suggest that the tissue much of the CO2 and ammonia excreted by this tissue originates intracellularly rather than systemically. These results provide evidence that non-brachyuran species must be carefully compared to brachyuran models.

Polyphenol-rich Spondias mombin leaf extract abates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion-induced disturbed glutamate-ammonia metabolism and multiorgan toxicity in rats.

Introduction: This study investigated the protective properties of Spondias mombin leaf extract (SML), in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) mediated toxicity in the brain, liver, and kidney of male Wistar rats. Materials and methods: Animals were subjected to 30 min of bilateral common carotid artery occlusion followed by 24 h of reperfusion (BCCAO/R). The animals were divided into sham, I/R, and I/R treated with SML (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) or quercetin (20 mg/kg) groups. Animals were sacrificed after 24 h of reperfusion and markers of organ toxicity (urea creatinine, glutamine synthetase (GS), glutaminase (GA), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), acetylcholinesterase (AChE)) were measured in the brain regions (cortex, striatum, and hippocampus), liver, and kidney. Results and discussion: BCCAO/R significantly (p < 0.0001) inhibited the glutamate-glutamine cycle and mediated toxicity in the cerebral cortex, striatum, hippocampus, liver, and kidney of rats. Post-treatment with SML significantly (p < 0.0001) reversed glutamate-glutamine cycle inhibition and ameliorated cerebrohepatorenal toxicity in ischemic rats. Conclusion: Cerebral I/R significantly mediated cerebral, hepatic, and renal toxicity through the inhibition of glutamate-ammonia detoxification in rats, and SML protected against this post-ischemic glutamate-ammonia mediated multiorgan toxicity.

Impact of environmental factors on the ammonia-oxidizing and denitrifying microbial community and functional genes along soil profiles from different ecologically degraded areas in the Siding mine.

Ammonia oxidizers (ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB amoA) and ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA amoA)) and denitrifiers (encoded by nirS, nirK and nosZ) in the soil nitrogen cycle exist in a variety of natural ecosystems. However, little is known about the contribution of these five N-related functional genes to nitrification and denitrification in the soil profile in severely ecologically degraded areas. Therefore, in the present study, the abundance, diversity and community composition of AOA, AOB, nirS, nirK and nosZ were investigated in the soil profiles of different ecologically degraded areas in the Siding mine. The results indicated that, at the phylum level, the dominant archaea were Crenarchaeota and Thaumarchaeota and the dominant bacteria were Proteobacteria. Heavy metal contents had a great impact on AOA amoA, nirS and nirK gene abundances. AOA amoA contributed more during the ammonia oxidation process and was better adapted for survival in heavy metal-contaminated environments. In addition to heavy metals, the soil organic matter (SOM) content and C/N ratio had strong effects on the AOA and AOB community diversity and structure. In addition, variations in the net ammonification and nitrification rates were proportional to AOA amoA abundance along the soil profile. The soil C/N ratio, soil available phosphorus content and soil moisture influenced the denitrification process. Both soil available phosphorus and moisture were more strongly related to nosZ than to nirS and nirK. In addition, nosZ presented a higher correlation with the nosZ/(nirS + nirK) ratio. Moreover, nosZ/(nirS + nirK) was the key functional gene group that drove the major processes for NH4+-N and NO3--N transformation. This study demonstrated the role and importance of soil property impacts on N-related microbes in the soil profile and provided a better understanding of the role and importance of N-related functional genes and their contribution to soil nitrification and denitrification processes in highly degraded areas in the Siding mine.

Novel electro-assisted micro-aerobic cathode biological technology induces oxidative demethylation of N, N-dimethylformamide for efficient ammonification of refractory membrane-making wastewater.

Recalcitrant and toxicological membrane-making wastewater displays negative impacts on environment, and this is difficult to treat efficiently using conventional hydrolytic acidification. In this study, a novel electro-assisted biological reactor with micro-aerobic cathode (EABR-MAC) was developed to improve the biodegradation and ammonification of N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF) in membrane-making wastewater, and the metabolic mechanism using metagenomic sequencing as comprehensively illustrated. The results showed that EABR-MAC significantly improved the ammonification of refractory organonitrogen and promoted DMF oxidative degradation by driving the electron transferred to the cathode. Additionally, the inhibition rates of oxygen uptake rate and nitrification in EABR-MAC were both lower under different cathode aeration frequency conditions. Microbial community analysis indicated that the functional fermentation bacteria and exoelectrogens, which were correlated with COD removal, ammonification, and detoxification, were significantly enriched upon electrostimulation, and the positive biological connections increased to form highly connected communities instead of competition. The functional genes revealed that EABR-MAC forcefully intervened with the metabolic pathway, so that DMF converted to formamide and ammonia by oxidative demethylation and formamide hydrolysis. The results of this study provide a promising strategy for efficient conversion of organonitrogen into ammonia nitrogen, and offer a new insight into the effects of electrostimulation on microbial metabolism.