Enhanced lignin degradation by Irpex lacteus through expanded sterilization further improved the fermentation quality and microbial community during the silage preservation process.

Traditional autoclaving, slow degradation rate and preservation of biomass treated by fungi are the main factors restricting biological treatment. In our previous studies, strains with high efficiency and selective lignin degradation ability were obtained. To further solve the limiting factors of biological treatment, this paper proposed a composite treatment technology, which could replace autoclaves for fungal treatment and improve the preservation and utilization of fungal-pretreated straw. The autoclaved and expanded buckwheat straw were, respectively, degraded by Irpex lacteus for 14 days (CIL, EIL), followed by ensiling of raw materials (CK) and biodegraded straw of CIL and EIL samples with Lactobacillus plantarum for different days, respectively (CP, CIP, EIP). An expansion led to lactic acid bacteria, mold, and yeast of the samples below the detection line, and aerobic bacteria was significantly reduced, indicating a positive sterilization effect. Expansion before I. lacteus significantly enhanced lignin selective degradation by about 6%, and the absolute content of natural detergent solute was about 5% higher than that of the CIL. Moreover, EIL decreased pH by producing higher organic acids. The combination treatment created favorable conditions for ensiling. During ensiling, EIP silage produced high lactic acid about 26.83 g/kg DM and the highest acetic acid about 22.35 g/kg DM, and the pH value could be stable at 4.50. Expansion before I. lacteus optimized the microbial community for ensiling, resulting in EIP silage co-dominated by Lactobacillus, Pediococcus and Weissella, whereas only Lactobacillus was always dominant in CP and CIP silage. Clavispora gradually replaced Irpex in EIP silage, which potentially promoted lactic acid bacteria growth and acetic acid production. In vitro gas production (IVGP) in EIL was increased by 30% relative to CK and was higher than 24% in CIL. The role of expansion was more significant after ensiling, the IVGP in EIP was increased by 22% relative to CP, while that in CIP silage was only increased by 9%. Silage of fungal-treated samples reduced methane emissions by 28% to 31%. The study demonstrated that expansion provides advantages for fungal colonization and delignification, and further improves the microbial community and fermentation quality for silage, enhancing the nutrition and utilization value. This has practical application value for scaling up biological treatment and preserving the fungal-treated lignocellulose.

Insights into the phage community structure and potential function in silage fermentation.

The virus that infects bacteria known as phage, plays a crucial role in the biogeochemical cycling of nutrients. However, the community structure and potential functions of phages in silage fermentation remain largely unexplored. In this study, we utilized viral metagenomics (viromics) to investigate the types, lifestyles, functions, and nutrient utilization patterns of phages in silage. Our findings indicated a high prevalence of annotated phages belonging to Caudovirales and Geplafuvirales, as well as unclassified phages in silage. The predominant host types for these phages were Campylobacterales and Enterobacterales. Virulent phages dominated the silage environment due to their broader range of hosts and enhanced survival capabilities. All identified phages present in silage were found to be non-pathogenic. Although temperate and virulent phages carried distinct genes associated with nutrient cycling processes, the shared genes (prsA) involved in carbon metabolism underscore the potential significance of phages in regulating carbon metabolism in silage. Overall, our findings provide a valuable foundation for further exploring the complex interactions between phages and microorganisms in regulating silage fermentation quality.

Preoperative risk factors and cumulative incidence of temporary ileostomy non-closure after sphincter-preserving surgery for rectal cancer: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Temporary ileostomy (TI) has proven effective in reducing the severity of anastomotic leakage after rectal cancer surgery; however, some ileostomies fail to reverse over time, leading to conversion into a permanent stoma (PS). In this study, we aimed to investigate the preoperative risk factors and cumulative incidence of TI non-closure after sphincter-preserving surgery for rectal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a meta-analysis after searching the Embase, Web of Science, PubMed, and MEDLINE databases from their inception until November 2023. We collected all published studies on the risk factors related to TI non-closure after sphincter-preserving surgery for rectal cancer. RESULTS: A total of 1610 studies were retrieved, and 13 studies were included for meta-analysis, comprising 3026 patients. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the identified risk factors included older age (p = 0.03), especially > 65 years of age (p = 0.03), male sex (p = 0.009), American Society of Anesthesiologists score ≥ 3 (p = 0.004), comorbidity (p = 0.001), and distant metastasis (p < 0.001). Body mass index, preoperative hemoglobin, preoperative albumin, preoperative carcinoma embryonic antigen, tumor location, neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, smoking, history of abdominal surgery, and open surgery did not significantly change the risk of TI non-closure. CONCLUSION: We identified five preoperative risk factors for TI non-closure after sphincter-preserving surgery for rectal cancer. This information enables surgeons to identify high-risk groups before surgery, inform patients about the possibility of PS in advance, and consider performing protective colostomy or Hartmann surgery.

The impact of SOX4-activated CTHRC1 transcriptional activity regulating DNA damage repair on cisplatin resistance in lung adenocarcinoma.

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the predominant subtype within the spectrum of lung malignancies. CTHRC1 has a pro-oncogenic role in various cancers. Here, we observed the upregulation of CTHRC1 in LUAD, but its role in cisplatin resistance in LUAD remains unclear. Bioinformatics analysis was employed to detect CTHRC1 and SRY-related HMG-box 4 (SOX4) expression in LUAD. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis predicted the enriched pathways related to CTHRC1. JASPAR and MotifMap databases predicted upstream transcription factors of CTHRC1. Pearson analysis was conducted to analyze the correlation between genes of interest. The interaction and binding relationship between CTHRC1 and SOX4 were validated through dual-luciferase and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction determined the expression of CTHRC1 and SOX4 genes. CCK-8 was performed to assess cell viability and calculate IC50 value. Flow cytometry examined the cell cycle. Comet assay and western blot assessed DNA damage. CTHRC1 and SOX4 were upregulated in LUAD. CTHRC1 exhibited higher expression in cisplatin-resistant A549 cells compared to cisplatin-sensitive A549 cells. Knockdown of CTHRC1 enhanced DNA damage during cisplatin treatment and increased the sensitivity of LUAD cells to cisplatin. Additionally, SOX4 modulated DNA damage repair (DDR) by activating CTHRC1 transcriptional activity, promoting cisplatin resistance in LUAD cells. SOX4 regulated DDR by activating CTHRC1, thereby enhancing cisplatin resistance in LUAD cells. The finding provides a novel approach to address clinical cisplatin resistance in LUAD, with CTHRC1 possibly serving as a candidate for targeted therapies in addressing cisplatin resistance within LUAD.

Clinical Outcomes of Ileostomy Closure during versus after Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients with Rectal Cancer.

Background: Protective ileostomy can effectively prevent severe anastomotic leakage after rectal cancer surgery; however, the optimal timing for ileostomy closure during adjuvant chemotherapy remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the safety and long-term outcomes of early ileostomy closure during adjuvant chemotherapy. Method: Patients who underwent laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery combined with protective ileostomy and adjuvant chemotherapy between April 2017 and April 2021 were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were divided into an early closure group during chemotherapy (group A) and a late closure group after chemotherapy (group B). Results: A total of 215 patients were included in this study, with 115 in group A and 100 in group B. There were no significant differences in demographic and clinical characteristics between the two groups. In group A, durations of stoma status (p < 0.001) and low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) (p < 0.001) were shorter, and rectal stenosis (p=0.036) and stoma-related complications (p=0.007), especially stoma stenosis (p=0.041), were less common. However, compliance with chemotherapy was worse (p=0.009). There were no significant differences in operative time, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative complications, incidence and severity of LARS, disease-free survival, or overall survival between groups. Conclusion: Early ileostomy closure can effectively reduce the duration of stoma status, duration of LARS, rectal stenosis, and stoma-related complications while not affecting surgical complications and oncological outcomes. Ileostomy closure should not be delayed because of adjuvant chemotherapy. However, follow-up should be strengthened to increase compliance and integrity with chemotherapy.

Oncological features and prognosis of colorectal cancer in human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Due to the prolonged life expectancy and increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) among patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, the prognosis and pathological features of CRC in HIV-positive patients require examination. AIM: To compare the differences in oncological features, surgical safety, and prognosis between patients with and without HIV infection who have CRC at the same tumor stage and site. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we collected data from HIV-positive and -negative patients who underwent radical resection for CRC. Using random stratified sampling, 24 HIV-positive and 363 HIV-negative patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma after radical resection were selected. Using propensity score matching, we selected 72 patients, matched 1:2 (HIV-positive:negative = 24:48). Differences in basic characteristics, HIV acquisition, perioperative serological indicators, surgical safety, oncological features, and long-term prognosis were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Fewer patients with HIV infection underwent chemotherapy compared to patients without. HIV-positive patients had fewer preoperative and postoperative leukocytes, fewer preoperative lymphocytes, lower carcinoembryonic antigen levels, more intraoperative blood loss, more metastatic lymph nodes, higher node stage, higher tumor node metastasis stage, shorter overall survival, and shorter progression-free survival compared to patients who were HIV-negative. CONCLUSION: Compared with CRC patients who are HIV-negative, patients with HIV infection have more metastatic lymph nodes and worse long-term survival after surgery. Standard treatment options for HIV-positive patients with CRC should be explored.

Effectiveness and safety of self-pulling and latter transection reconstruction in totally laparoscopic right hemicolectomy.

Background: Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy is a standard treatment modality for right colon cancer. However, performing intracorporeal anastomosis (IA) for totally laparoscopic right hemicolectomy (TLRH) remains a challenge for some surgeons. To simplify IA in TLRH we used self-pulling and latter transection (SPLT) reconstruction in TLRH, and compared this procedure with overlap IA and laparoscopy-assisted right hemicolectomy (LARH) in order to evaluate its safety and effectiveness. Methods: Patients with right colon cancer who underwent SPLT-TLRH, TLRH with overlap IA or LARH between July 2019 and June 2023 were evaluated retrospectively. Basic information, oncological features, perioperative outcomes, and postoperative complications were compared between groups. Results: In total, 188 patients with right colon cancer that underwent SPLT-TLRH (n = 60), TLRH(n=21) or LARH (n = 107) were included in the study. No patient required conversion to open surgery. The operation time in SPLT-TLRH group was significantly shorter than that in TLRH group (P<0.05). Compared with LARH group, SPLT-TLRH group had significantly longer distal margins, shorter skin incisions (P < 0.001), time to first flatus, time to first defecation, and postoperative hospital stays (P<0.05). Conclusion: We introduced SPLT to TLRH. The SPLT-TLRH group demonstrated better short-term outcomes. Therefore, we believe that SPLT reconstruction is effective and safe in TLRH for right colon cancer, and can simplify reconstruction.

Dietary Paper Mulberry Silage Supplementation Improves the Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Meat Quality of Yangzhou Goose.

There have been few investigations into the health benefits and meat quality of supplementing Yangzhou geese with paper mulberry silage. One hundred and twenty 28-day-old Yangzhou geese were selected for the experiment and randomly divided into two groups: a control group (CON) and a paper mulberry silage group (PM), with six replicates in each group. The experiment lasted for a total of 6 weeks. The experiment found that compared with CON, PM had a promoting effect on the average daily weight gain of Yangzhou geese (p = 0.056). Sensory and nutritional analysis of breast muscles revealed a decrease in a* value (p < 0.05) and an increase in protein content (p < 0.05) following PM treatment. Through untargeted metabolomics analysis of breast muscle samples, it was found that 11 different metabolites, including guanidinoacetic acid and other substances, had a positive effect on amino acid metabolism and lipid antioxidant pathways of PM treatment. Overall, the strategy of feeding Yangzhou geese with paper mulberry silage is feasible, which can improve the sensory quality and nutritional value of goose meat. The experiment provides basic data for the application form of goose breeding, so exploring the impact of substances within paper mulberry on goose meat should be focused on in the future.

Carrimycin in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia combined with pulmonary tuberculosis: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is prevalent in immunocompromised populations, including patients with hematologic malignancies, human immunodeficiency virus infections, and chronic diseases. Effective treatment for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) combined with PTB is lacking. These patients show an extremely poor prognosis. Therefore, studies should establish efficient treatment options to improve patient survival and prognosis. CASE SUMMARY: A 60-year-old male with pain in the right side of his chest and a fever for 4 d visited the outpatient department of our hospital. Peripheral blood smear revealed 54% blasts. Following bone marrow examinations, variant APL with TNRC18-RARA fusion gene was diagnosed. Chest computed tomography scan showed bilateral pneumonitis with bilateral pleural effusions, partial atelectasis in the lower lobes of both lungs, and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid gene X-Pert test was positive, indicative of PTB. Carrimycin, ethambutol (EMB), and isoniazid (INH) were administered since he could not receive chemotherapy as the WBC count decreased continuously. After one week of treatment with carrimycin, the patient recovered from fever and received chemotherapy. Chemotherapy was very effective and his white blood cells counts got back to normal. After being given five months with rifampin, EMB and INH and chemotherapy, the patient showed complete remission from pneumonia and APL. CONCLUSION: We report a case of PTB treated successfully with carrimycin with APL that requires chemotherapy.

Characterization of phyllosphere endophytic lactic acid bacteria reveals a potential novel route to enhance silage fermentation quality.

The naturally attached phyllosphere microbiota play a crucial role in plant-derived fermentation, but the structure and function of phyllosphere endophytes remain largely unidentified. Here, we reveal the diversity, specificity, and functionality of phyllosphere endophytes in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) through combining typical microbial culture, high-throughput sequencing, and genomic comparative analysis. In comparison to phyllosphere bacteria (PB), the fermentation of alfalfa solely with endophytes (EN) enhances the fermentation characteristics, primarily due to the dominance of specific lactic acid bacteria (LAB) such as Lactiplantibacillus, Weissella, and Pediococcus. The inoculant with selected endophytic LAB strains also enhances the fermentation quality compared to epiphytic LAB treatment. Especially, one key endophytic LAB named Pediococcus pentosaceus EN5 shows enrichment of genes related to the mannose phosphotransferase system (Man-PTS) and carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes and higher utilization of carbohydrates. Representing phyllosphere, endophytic LAB shows great potential of promoting ensiling and provides a novel direction for developing microbial inoculant.

Risk factors for anastomotic stenosis after radical resection of rectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Radical resection of rectal cancer is a safe and effective treatment, but there remain several complications related to anastomosis. We aimed to assess the risk factors and incidence of rectal anastomotic stenosis (AS) after rectal cancer resection. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis after searching PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Medline databases from inception until May 2023. Data are reported as the combined odds ratio (OR) for categorical variables and the weighted mean difference (WMD) for continuous variables. Six hundred and fifty-nine studies were retrieved, nine (3031 patients) of which were included in the meta-analysis. Young age (WMD = -3.09, P = 0.0002), male sex (OR = 1.53, P = 0.0002), smoking (OR = 1.54, P = 0.009), radiotherapy (OR = 2.34, P = 0.0002), protective stoma (OR = 2.88, P = 0.007), intersphincteric resection surgery (OR = 6.28, P = 0.05), anastomotic fistula (OR = 3.72, P = 0.003), and anastomotic distance (WMD = -3.11, P = 0.0006) were identified as factors that increased the risk of AS, while staple (OR = 0.39, P < 0.001) was a protective factor. The incidence of AS after rectal cancer resection was approximately 17% (95% CI: 13%-21%). We identified eight risk factors and one protective factor associated with AS after rectal cancer resection. These factors may be combined in future studies to develop a more comprehensive and accurate prediction model related to AS after rectal cancer resection.

Synergistic effects of ferulic acid esterase-producing lactic acid bacteria, cellulase and xylanase on the fermentation characteristics, fibre and nitrogen components and microbial community structure of Broussonetia papyrifera during ensiling.

BACKGROUND: The high fibre content of whole plants of Broussonetia papyrifera limits its efficient utilization. Ferulic acid esterase (FAE), in combination with xylanase, can effectively cleave the lignin-carbohydrate complex, promoting the function of cellulase. However, little is known about the impact of these additives on silage. To effectively utilize natural woody plant resources, FAE-producing Lactiplantibacillus plantarum RO395, xylanase (XY) and cellulase (CE) were used to investigate the dynamic fermentation characteristics, fibre and nitrogen components and microbial community structure during B. papyrifera ensiling. RESULTS: Broussonetia papyrifera was either not treated (CK) or treated with FAE-producing lactic acid bacteria (LP), CE, XY, LP + CE, LP + XY or LP + CE + XY for 3, 7, 15, 30 or 60 days, respectively. In comparison with those in the CK treatment, the L. plantarum and enzyme treatments (LP + CE, LP + XY and LP + XY + CE), especially the LP + XY + CE treatment, significantly increased the lactic acid concentration and decreased the pH and the contents of acid detergent insoluble protein and NH3 -N (P < 0.05). Enzyme addition improved the degradation efficiency of lignocellulose, and a synergistic effect was observed after enzyme treatment in combination with LP; in addition, the lowest acid detergent fibre, neutral detergent fibre, hemicellulose and cellulose contents were detected after the LP + CE + XY treatment (P < 0.05). Moreover, CE, XY and LP additions significantly improved the microbial community structure, increased the relative abundance of Lactiplantibacillus and Firmicutes, and effectively inhibited undesirable bacterial (Enterobacter) growth during ensiling. CONCLUSION: FAE-producing L. plantarum and the two tested enzymes exhibited synergistic effects on improving the quality of silage, which indicates that this combination can serve as an efficient method for improved B. papyrifera silage utilization. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Silage preparation and sustainable livestock production of natural woody plant.

As the global population increases and the economy grows rapidly, the demand for livestock products such as meat, egg and milk continue to increase. The shortage of feed in livestock production is a worldwide problem restricting the development of the animal industry. Natural woody plants are widely distributed and have a huge biomass yield. The fresh leaves and branches of some woody plants are rich in nutrients such as proteins, amino acids, vitamins and minerals and can be used to produce storage feed such as silage for livestock. Therefore, the development and utilization of natural woody plants for clean fermented feed is important for the sustainable production of livestock product. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the research progress, current status and development prospects of forageable natural woody plant feed resources. The nutritional composition and uses of natural woody plants, the main factors affecting the fermentation of woody plant silage and the interaction mechanism between microbial co-occurrence network and secondary metabolite are reviewed. Various preparation technologies for clean fermentation of woody plant silage were summarized comprehensively, which provided a sustainable production mode for improving the production efficiency of livestock and producing high-quality livestock product. Therefore, woody plants play an increasingly important role as a potential natural feed resource in alleviating feed shortage and promoting sustainable development of livestock product.

Exploring the rumen microbiota of Hu lambs in response to diet with paper mulberry.

Paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera), as a new woody forage with high-protein characteristic, is being widely used in ruminant feeding. However, little is known about the comprehensive microbiota picture of whole ruminal niches (liquid, solid, and epithelium) under paper mulberry diet. To gain a better understanding of feeding paper mulberry on the rumen microbiota, the effects of fresh paper mulberry, paper mulberry silage, or a conventional high-protein alfalfa silage on rumen fermentation products and microbiota in rumen niches of Hu lambs were studied. Forty-five Hu lambs were randomly divided into 3 treatments with 15 replicates in each treatment. No significant difference was observed among treatments in the average daily gain (ADG). The fresh paper mulberry treatment had lower (P < 0.05) pH and higher (P < 0.05) total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) compared with silage treatments, but the fermentation parameters did not show significant differences between paper mulberry silage and alfalfa silage treatments. The Shannon index did not show a significant difference (P < 0.05) among treatments except between fresh paper mulberry and alfalfa silage treatment in rumen epithelial niches. Butyrivibrio and Treponema were the predominant genera in the rumen epithelial fraction, while Prevotella and Rikenellaceae_RC9 dominated in both rumen liquid and solid fractions. These results indicated the paper mulberry supplement did not have distinct impact on the microbial diversity and growth performance compared with alfalfa silage, especially for paper mulberry silage, which might help us develop an alternative animal feeding strategy of replacing alfalfa with paper mulberry. KEY POINTS: • Feeding paper mulberry silage did not show significant impact on the growth performance compared with alfalfa silage treatment. • Feeding fresh paper mulberry reduced rumen pH value and increased total volatile fatty acid. • The microbial diversity did not show significant difference among treatments.

Effectiveness and safety of self-pulling and latter transected reconstruction in totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy: a comparison with laparoscopic-assisted total gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: In some earlier studies, self-pulling and later transection (SPLT) esophagojejunostomy (E-J) was incorporated into total laparoscopic total gastrectomy (TLTG) procedures. Its effectiveness and safety, however, remain unknown. This study compared (SPLT)-E-J in TLTG with conventional E-J in laparoscopic-assisted total gastrectomy (LATG) in order to assess the short-term safety and efficacy of (SPLT)-E-J in TLTG. METHODS: This research analyzed patients with gastric cancer who received SPLT-TLTG or LATG between January 2019 and December 2021 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. Baseline data and postoperative short-term surgical outcomes were obtained retrospectively and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 83 patients who underwent SPLT-TLTG (n = 40, 48.2%) or LATG (n = 43, 51.8%) were included in this study. There were no differences between the two groups in terms of patient demographics or tumor characteristics. No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of operation time, intraoperative blood loss, harvested lymph nodes, postoperative complications, postoperative decrease in hemoglobin and albumin levels, or postoperative hospital stay. Five and seven patients experienced short-term postoperative complications in the SPLT-TLTG and LATG groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: SPLT-TLTG is a dependable and safe surgical method for the treatment of gastric cancer. Its short-term outcomes were similar to those of conventional E-J in LATG and had advantages regarding surgical incision and simplification of reconstruction.

Effects of Oat Bran Addition on the Growth Performance and Intestinal Health of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Exposed to Copper Ions.

This study investigated the effects of the oat bran addition on the growth performance and intestinal health of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) exposed to copper ions. Four groups of diets containing 0%, 5%, 10%, and 20% oat bran were fed to Nile tilapia for four weeks. The results showed that oat bran had a dose-dependent effect on the growth performance of Nile tilapia. The addition of oat bran can increase the relative abundance of Delftia, which is capable of degrading heavy metals in the intestinal tract and alleviating the intestinal damage caused by copper ion stress. Compared to the control group, the 5% oat bran group had an increased intestinal antioxidant capacity. The relative gene expression of proinflammatory factors (NF-κB, IL-1ß) was significantly downregulated in the 5% oat bran group (P < 0.05), and the relative gene expression of anti-inflammatory factors (TGF-ß), HIF-1α, occludin, and claudin was significantly upregulated (P < 0.05). In conclusion, we suggest that 5% oat bran should be added to the diet to improve the growth performance of Nile tilapia and alleviate the negative effects of copper ion stress on intestinal health.

Spotlight on porphyrins: Classifications, mechanisms and medical applications.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and sonodynamic therapy (SDT) are non-invasive treatment methods with obvious inhibitory effect on tumors and have few side effects, which have been widely concerned and explored by researchers. Sensitizer is the main factor in determining the therapeutic effect of PDT and SDT. Porphyrins, a group of organic compounds widespread in nature, can be activated by light or ultrasound and produce reactive oxygen species. Therefore, porphyrins as sensitizers in PDT have been widely explored and investigated for many years. Herein, we summarize the classical porphyrin compounds and their applications and mechanisms in PDT and SDT. The application of porphyrin in clinical diagnosis and imaging is also discussed. In conclusion, porphyrins have good application prospects in disease treatment as an important part of PDT or SDT, and in clinical diagnosis and imaging.

Expansion Improved the Physical and Chemical Properties and In Vitro Rumen Digestibility of Buckwheat Straw.

The hard texture and poor palatability of straw are important factors that hinder its application in feed. Expansion is a technology that can improve the utilization of biomass, but few studies have comprehensively revealed how to change physicochemical characteristics to improve nutritional value. In this study, mechanical and chemical methods were combined to study the texture properties, rheological properties, and physicochemical structures of straw, and its utilization value was evaluated by in vitro rumen digestion. Expansion caused hemicellulose degradation, cellulose separation, and lignin redistribution, resulting in a decrease in crystallinity. The hardness and chewiness of expanded straw were reduced by 55% to 66%, significantly improving palatability. The compressive stress could be reduced by 54-73%, and the relaxation elasticity was reduced by 5% when expanded straw was compressed. The compression deformation of expanded straw was doubled compared to feedstock, and the compacting degree was improved. Expanded straw significantly improved digestibility and gas production efficiency, which was due to the pore structure increasing the attachment of rumen microorganisms; besides that, the reduction of the internal structural force of the straw reduced energy consumption during digestion. The lignin content decreased by 10%, the hardness decreased further in secondary expansion, but the digestibility did not improve significantly.

Effect of cellulase and lactic acid bacteria on the fermentation quality, carbohydrate conversion, and microbial community of ensiling oat with different moisture contents.

Oat (Avena sativa L.) is one of the most widely cultivated crops used as forage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of cellulase and Lactobacillus plantarum interactions with different moisture contents on oat ensiling. Oats with three moisture contents were treated with nothing (C), cellulase (CE), lactic acid bacteria (LP), or CE+LP and ensiled for 30 and 60 days. Compared with the control, LP and CE treatments increased crude protein and lactic acid concentrations and reduced the pH and ammonia nitrogen/total nitrogen (NH3-N/TN) ratios of silages. The addition of CE improved lignocellulosic degradation, compared with approximately 67% (LD) and 81% moisture content (HD) ensiling, CE (CE, CE+LP) ensiling in the approximately 75% moisture content (MD) group retained higher water-soluble carbohydrate, glucose, sucrose and fructose concents. The LP and CE inoculations significantly reduced the microbial community diversity, and lower values for the observed species, ACE, Chao1, and Shannon indices compared with CK-treated samples. Additives inhibited the growth of unfavorable bacteria (such as Clostridium) and increased the abundances of lactic acid bacteria (LAB); the maximum increases in the Lactiplantibacillus abundance were obtained in the LP- and CE+LP-treated samples, improving the microbial community structure in silage. In summary, adding LP and CE effectively improved the oat fermentation quality, and better performances in ensiling oat and lignocellulose degradation were obtained with LP and CE combinations, especially for the MD group of silages that were ensiled for 60 days. The addition of CE and LP at the appropriate moisture content might be helpful for producing high-quality oat silage, and also provide a simple and feasible method to enhance the effects of bacteria and enzymes.

Effectiveness and safety of self-pulling and latter transected Roux-en-Y reconstruction in totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy.

Background: Self-pulling and latter transection (SPLT) reconstruction has been applied in total laparoscopic total gastrectomy and BI reconstruction (known as Delta SPLT) in total laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (TLDG) in some previous studies. This approach can reduce the technical difficulty of the surgery as well as the quantity of cartridges required, with manageable safety. Here, we used SPLT to complete Roux-en-Y reconstruction in TLDG and evaluated the safety and effectiveness of this novel method by comparing it with conventional Roux-en-Y reconstruction in laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG). Methods: Patients with gastric cancer who underwent SPLT-TLDG or LADG between June 2019 and September 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Baseline information and postoperative short-term surgical outcomes of the two groups were compared. Results: A total of 114 patients with gastric cancer were included in the study. Patients underwent SPLT-TLDG (n = 73, 64.0%) or LADG (n = 41, 36.0%). No patient underwent open surgery. There were no differences in patient demographics or tumor characteristics between the two groups. The mean intraoperative blood loss was 47.1 ± 34.3 ml in the SPLT-TLDG group, which was significantly less than that in the LADG group (P = 0.022). There were no significant differences in operation time, harvested lymph nodes, time to first flatus, time to liquid intake, or postoperative hospital stay between the two groups. Nine and five patients had short-term postoperative complications in the SPLT-TLDG and LADG groups, respectively. Conclusion: We introduced a self-pulling and latter transected Roux-en-Y reconstruction (SPLT-RY) for use in TLDG. We showed that SPLT-RY reconstruction in TLDG is a safe and feasible surgical method in terms of short-term surgical outcomes and has the advantages of simplifying the reconstruction.