Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) root extracts affect laying performance, egg quality, serum biochemical parameters and intestinal microbiota in hens.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of yacon root extracts (YREs) on productive performance and health of laying hens. Methods: Six hundred 30-week-old Xiaoshan Chicken layers were divided into 5 groups, control group, antibiotic positive control group, and 3 YREs treatment groups. In a 9-wk feeding experiment, at the end of wk 3, 6 and 9, twenty eggs were collected from each replicate to measure egg qualities. At the end of wk 9, three hen serum samples, and 5 hen cecal content samples were collected from each replicate. Results: Compared to the control group, 0.8%, 1.6% and 2.4% YREs treatments could increase hens' daily feed intake, and YREs supplementation affected daily feed intake in linear manner. YREs did not change egg size, but 0.8% and 2.4% YREs changed egg shape by decreasing the egg shape index and sphericity, and 0.8% YREs tended to improve the eggshell breaking strength. 1.6% YREs might decrease yolk color grade but optimize the pH of thick egg white in fresh egg; moreover, 1.6% and 2.4% YREs might be helpful for eggs to inhibit water loss during storage, and YREs supplementation affected water loss rate in linear manner. 2.4% YREs could decrease the serum lactate dehydrogenases (LDH) level, and YREs supplemental levels linearly affected serum LDH content. Finally, YREs could enrich the diversity of intestinal microbiota of hens fed with 0.8% and be beneficial for the relative abundance of phylum Bacteroidota and Halobacterota; 2.4% YREs might increase the abundance of phylum Actinobacteriota and genus Bifidobacterium, while decrease genus Bacteroides; YREs supplemental levels affected the abundance of phylum Actinobacteriota, and genera Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides in linear manner. Conclusion: Dietary supplementation with YREs could affect egg quality, protect the health of organs and exhibit prebiotic activity.

Effects of Phytosterol Ester Supplementation on Egg Characteristics, Eggshell Ultrastructure, Antioxidant Capacity, Liver Function and Hepatic Metabolites of Laying Hens during Peak Laying Period.

The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effects of dietary Phytosterol Ester (PSE) supplementation on egg characteristics, eggshell ultrastructure, antioxidant capacity, liver function, hepatic metabolites, and its mechanism of action in Hy-Line Brown laying hens during peak laying period. A total of 256 healthy Hy-Line Brown laying hens were randomly allocated into four groups. The hens in the control group were fed a basal diet, while those in the experimental groups were fed a basal diet further supplemented with 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg PSE, respectively. It was found that the addition of 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg PSE to the diets increased egg weight, but decreased egg breaking strength (p < 0.05). The addition of PSEs to the diets increased albumen height and Haugh unit in all experimental groups (p < 0.05). Electron microscopic observation revealed that the mammillary thickness increased significantly at doses of 20 and 40 mg/kg, but the total thickness decreased, and the effective thickness also thinned (p < 0.05). The mammillary width narrowed in all experimental groups (p < 0.001). Dietary supplementation with 40 mg/kg PSE significantly increased egg yolk Phenylalanine, Leucine, and Isoleucine levels (p < 0.05). In untargeted liver metabolomic analyses, L-Phenylalanine increased significantly in all experimental groups. Leucyl-Lysine, Glutamyl-Leucyl-Arginine, and L-Tryptophan increased significantly at doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg (p < 0.05), and L-Tyrosine increased significantly at doses of 10 and 40 mg/kg (p = 0.033). Aspartyl-Isoleucine also increased significantly at a dose of 10 mg/kg (p = 0.044). The concentration of total protein in the liver was significantly higher at doses of 20 and 40 mg/kg than that of the control group, and the concentrations of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly reduced (p < 0.05). The concentration of triglyceride and alkaline phosphatase were significantly reduced in all experimental groups (p < 0.05). Steatosis and hemorrhage in the liver were also improved by observing the H&E-stained sections of the liver. Concerning the antioxidant capacity in the liver, malondialdehyde concentration was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) at a dose of 40 mg/kg. In the ovary, malondialdehyde and nitric oxide concentrations were significantly reduced (p < 0.001). In all the experimental groups, plasma nitric oxide concentration was significantly decreased while superoxide dismutase was significantly increased, and total antioxidant capacity concentration was significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the 10 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg doses. Metabolomics analyses revealed that PSEs play a role in promoting protein synthesis by promoting Aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis and amino acid metabolism, among other pathways. This study showed that the dietary addition of PSEs improved egg characteristics, antioxidant capacity, liver function, and symptoms of fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome in Hy-Line Brown laying hens at peak laying stage. The changes in liver metabolism suggest that the mechanism of action may be related to pathways such as Aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis and amino acid metabolism. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that PSEs are safe and effective dietary additives as an alternative to antibiotics.

Effects of fecal microbiota transplantation on metabolic health of DBA mice.

Introduction: Numerous studies have demonstrated that C57BL/6 mice exhibit superior growth rates and overall growth performance compared to DBA mice. To investigate whether this discrepancy in growth performance is linked to the composition of gut microorganisms, we conducted fecal microbiome transplantation (FMT) experiments. Methods: Specifically, we transplanted fecal fluids from adult C57BL/6 mice, high-fat C57BL/6 mice, and Wistar rats into weaned DBA mice (0.2mL/d), and subsequently analyzed their gut contents and gene expression through 16S rRNA sequencing and transcriptome sequencing. During the test period, C57BL/6 mice and Wistar rats were provided with a normal diet, and high-fat C57BL/6 mice were provided with a high-fat diet. Results: The results of our study revealed that mice receiving FMT from all three donor groups exhibited significantly higher daily weight gain and serum triglyceride (TG) levels compared to mice of CK group. 16S rRNA sequensing unveiled substantial differences in the abundance and function of the gut microbiota between the FMT groups and the CK group. Transcriptome analysis revealed a total of 988 differential genes, consisting of 759 up-regulated genes and 187 down-regulated genes, between the three experimental groups and the CK group. Functional Gene Ontology (GO) annotation suggested that these genes were primarily linked to lipid metabolism, coagulation, and immunity. Pearson correlation analysis was performed on the differential genes and clusters, and it revealed significant correlations, mainly related to processes such as fatty acid metabolism, fat digestion and absorption, and cholesterol metabolism. Discussion: In summary, FMT from dominant strains improved the growth performance of DBA mice, including body weight gain, institutional growth, and immune performance. This change may be due to the increase of probiotic content in the intestinal tract by FMT and subsequent alteration of intestinal gene expression. However, the effects of cross-species fecal transplantation on the intestinal flora and gene expression of recipient mice were not significant.

Physicochemical Index Analyses of the Egg White in Blue-Shelled Eggs and Commercial Brown-Shelled Eggs during Storage.

To compare the physical and chemical changes in egg whites during storage, assisting in the evaluation of differences in egg freshness between various chicken breeds, we chose 240 blue-shelled eggs (Blue group) and 240 commercial brown-shelled eggs (Brown group) that 28-week-old hens had laid. In this study, all eggs were stored at 25 °C. The egg weight, egg components' weight and proportion, Haugh Unit value and the contents of S-ovalbumin, ovomucin and lysozyme in the thick albumen (KA) and thin albumen (NA) were measured at eight time points every 3 days until the 21st day of storage. The eggshell, yolk and KA proportions in the Brown group were significantly lower, whereas the NA proportion was significantly higher than that in the Blue group (p < 0.001). The Haugh Unit value and S-ovalbumin in the Brown group were significantly higher, whereas KA ovomucin and NA lysozyme were significantly lower than those in the Blue group (p < 0.001). There existed significant negative correlations between the KA and NA, irrespective of weight or proportion. The Haugh Unit value was significantly positively correlated with lysozyme and ovomucin, but significantly negatively correlated with S-ovalbumin. During storage, the KA weight (proportion), Haugh Unit value, lysozyme and ovomucin decreased, whereas the NA weight (proportion) and S-ovalbumin increased. At each time point, the NA lysozyme in the Brown group was lower than that in the Blue group (p < 0.05). After storage for 6 days, the KA ovomucin in the Brown group began to be lower than that in the Blue group (p < 0.05). The study showed that the weight (proportion) differences in egg components between blue-shelled eggs and commercial brown-shelled eggs are mainly due to the NA. The Haugh Unit value and albumin protein indexes of blue-shelled eggs were better than those of brown-shelled eggs, and showed mild changes during storage, indicating the better storage performance of blue-shelled eggs.

Identification of new drug candidates against Trichomonas gallinae using high-throughput screening.

Trichomonas gallinae is a protozoan parasite that is the causative agent of trichomoniasis, and infects captive and wild bird species throughout the world. Although metronidazole has been the drug of choice against trichomoniasis for decades, most Trichomonas gallinae strains have developed resistance. Therefore, drugs with new modes of action or targets are urgently needed. Here, we report the development and application of a cell-based CCK-8 method for the high-throughput screening and identification of new inhibitors of Trichomonas gallinae as a beginning point for the development of new treatments for trichomoniasis. We performed the high-throughput screening of 173 anti-parasitic compounds, and found 16 compounds that were potentially effective against Trichomonas gallinae. By measuring the median inhibitory concentration (IC50) and median cytotoxic concentration (CC50), we identified 3 potentially safe and effective compounds against Trichomonas gallinae: anisomycin, fumagillin, and MG132. In conclusion, this research successfully established a high-throughput screening method for compounds and identified 3 new safe and effective compounds against Trichomonas gallinae, providing a new treatment scheme for trichomoniasis.

Integrated Analysis of Gut Microbiome and Liver Metabolome to Evaluate the Effects of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation on Lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine-Induced Acute Liver Injury in Mice.

Acute liver failure (ALF) refers to the occurrence of massive hepatocyte necrosis in a short time, with multiple complications, including inflammatory response, hepatic encephalopathy, and multiple organ failure. Additionally, effective therapies for ALF are lacking. There exists a relationship between the human intestinal microbiota and liver, so intestinal microbiota modulation may be a strategy for therapy of hepatic diseases. In previous studies, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from fit donors has been used to modulate intestinal microbiota widely. Here, we established a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/D-galactosamine (D-gal) induced ALF to explore the preventive and therapeutic effects of FMT, and its mechanism of action. We found that FMT decreased hepatic aminotransferase activity and serum total bilirubin levels, and decreased hepatic pro-inflammatory cytokines in LPS/D-gal challenged mice (p < 0.05). Moreover, FMT gavage ameliorated LPS/D-gal induced liver apoptosis and markedly reduced cleaved caspase-3 levels, and improved histopathological features of the liver. FMT gavage also restored LPS/D-gal-evoked gut microbiota dysbiosis by modifying the colonic microbial composition, improving the abundance of unclassified_o_Bacteroidales (p < 0.001), norank_f_Muribaculaceae (p < 0.001), and Prevotellaceae_UCG-001 (p < 0.001), while reducing that of Lactobacillus (p < 0.05) and unclassified_f_Lachnospiraceae (p < 0.05). Metabolomics analysis revealed that FMT significantly altered LPS/D-gal induced disordered liver metabolites. Pearson's correlation revealed strong correlations between microbiota composition and liver metabolites. Our findings suggest that FMT ameliorate ALF by modulating gut microbiota and liver metabolism, and can used as a potential preventive and therapeutic strategy for ALF.

1,3-dichloro-2-propanol caused lipid droplets accumulation by suppressing neutral lipases via BMAL1 in hepatocytes.

Circadian rhythm regulates body physiology and metabolism to adapt to the external environment. 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol (1,3-DCP) is a food pollutant formed during food processing. Our study explored whether toxicity of 1,3-DCP was related to circadian rhythm. We discovered that 1,3-DCP caused lipid droplets (LDs) accumulation via suppression of neutral lipases ATGL and HSL in mice liver and HepG2 cells. Meanwhile, 1,3-DCP caused rhythmic disruption of key circadian rhythm molecules BMAL1/CLOCK at protein and mRNA levels in HepG2 cells. Studies have shown that BMAL1 regulates PPARα by binding to the promoter E-box. 1,3-DCP inhibited PPARα expression. A PPARα activator WY-14643 up-regulated ATGL and HSL expression. BMAL1 overexpression up-regulated PPARα, ATGL and HSL expression. WY-14643 or BMAL1 overexpression attenuated 1,3-DCP-caused LDs accumulation in HepG2 cells. The results revealed that 1,3-DCP caused LDs accumulation by neutral lipases suppression via inhibiting key circadian rhythm protein BMAL1, indicating that circadian rhythm can be related to the regulation of LDs accumulation caused by 1,3-DCP.

Identification of nitrogen pollution sources and transport transformation processes in groundwater of different landforms using C, H, N, and O isotope techniques: an example from the lower Weihe River.

Nitrogen pollution in groundwater is an environmental issue of global concern. Identifying nitrogen pollution sources and determining migration and transformation processes are the major ways to prevent and control nitrogen pollution in the groundwater on a regional scale. In this study, groundwater in the lower Wei River was investigated by combining multi-isotope tracing techniques with the SIAR hybrid model (source resolution) to trace the nitrate sources and their contribution rate to nitrogen pollution in groundwater of different geomorphological units, considering types of geomorphology as the units. The multi-isotope tracing technique allows dynamic analysis of nitrate sources, and the combination of this technology can improve the accuracy of nitrogen source traceability. The results indicated that the pH of the water bodies in the study area ranged from 6.83 to 8.01, which is neutral and weakly alkaline. The nitrogen pollution was mainly due to nitrates. The significant factors affecting nitrogen migration in groundwater are the geomorphological type, the chemical characteristics of the groundwater, and the age of the groundwater. Nitrogen migration and transformation processes in the study area were dominated by nitrification, and sources of nitrate pollution were mainly animal manure and domestic sewage (32.6%), followed by atmospheric deposition (26.8%), soil nitrogen (20.9%), and chemical fertilizer (19.7%). The main sources of nitrate in groundwater from river flats, alluvial plains, and loess tableland were animal manure and domestic sewage (43.7%), animal manure and domestic sewage (59.1%), and atmospheric deposition (55.5%), respectively. The result is mainly related to the different structural characteristics of various geomorphic units and the intensity of human activities. This study can provide a theoretical basis for the relevant agencies to develop plans to combat groundwater pollution.

Interaction mechanism between nitrogen conversion and the microbial community in the hydrodynamic heterogeneous interaction zone.

To study the inorganic nitrogen in the process of interaction of river and groundwater and the changes in the microbial community, a vertical simulation device was used to simulate groundwater recharge to river water (upwelling) and river water recharge to groundwater (downwelling). The inorganic nitrogen concentrations in the soil and water solution as well as the characteristics of the microbial community were assessed to determine the inorganic nitrogen transformation and microbial community response in the heterogeneous interaction zone under hydrodynamic action, and the interaction mechanism between nitrogen transformation and the microbial community in the interaction zone was revealed. The removal rates of NO3--N in the simulated solution reached 99.1% and 99.3% under the two fluid-groundwater conversion modes, and the prolonged hydraulic retention time (HRT) of the oxidization-reduction layer in the fine clay area and the high organic matter content made the inorganic nitrogen transformation process dominated by microorganisms more complete. The denitrification during upwelling, dominated by denitrifying bacteria in Sphingomonas, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, and Arthrobacter, was stronger than that during downwelling. Dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA), controlled by some aerobic bacteria in Pseudomonas, Bacillus, and Desulfovibrio, was more intense in downflow mode than upflow mode.

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) infection in Hebei Province from 2016 to 2019: a retrospective study.

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is the primary causative agent of porcine circovirus-associated diseases in swine, the most common of which are postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) and porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS). To investigate the prevalence and genetic diversity of PCV2 in Hebei Province, Northern China, from 2016 to 2019, a total of 448 suspected cases of PCV2 infection were studied, and 179 samples were positive for PCV2. A pathological and histopathological examination suggested PCV2 to be cause of the observed lesions. Phylogenetic analysis showed that four genotypes were prevalent in Hebei Province: PCV2a, 2b, 2d, and 2e. Analysis of PCV2 strains using RDP4 and SimPlot showed that there were genetic recombination events among PCV2 strains in Hebei Province. A total of 3284 serum samples were screened by ELISA, and the positive rate of PCV2 antibodies was 73.9% (2428/3284). This study provides a scientific reference for the prevention and treatment of PCV2 in Hebei Province.

Human mesenchymal stem cells promote ischemic repairment and angiogenesis of diabetic foot through exosome miRNA-21-5p.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic foot is caused by ischemic disease of lower extremities of diabetic patients, and the effective therapy is very limited. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) based cell therapy had been developed into a new treatment strategy for diabetic foot clinically. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains to be fully addressed. Exosomes (extracellular vesicles) secreted by MSCs may play crucial role in the processes of MSCs mediated inhibition of inflammatory microenvironment as well as pro-angiogenesis of ischemic tissue of diabetic foot. METHODS: Exosomes were isolated from MSCs using ultracentrifugation, and further characterized by the nanoparticle tracking analyzer and flow cytometry. Moreover, RNA sequencing, Western Blot, in vitro cell proliferation, in vivo pro-angiogenesis, as well as ischemic repairment of diabetic foot through rat model were performed to evaluate exosome physiological functions. RESULTS: We found that inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin-6) and vascularcelladhesion molecule-1 induced MSCs to secrete exosomes heterogeneously, including exosome size and quantity. Through RNA sequencing, we defined a new proangiogenic miRNA, miRNA-21-5p. Further knockdown and overexpression of miRNA-21-5p by manipulating MSCs validated the biological activity of exosome miRNA-21-5p, including in vitro cell proliferation, in vivo pro-angiogenesis in Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM) assay, and in vivo pro-angiogenesis experiments (tissue injury and repair) in diabetic rat models. Furthermore, we discovered that exosomemiRNA-21-5p promoted angiogenesis through upregulations of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) as well as activations of serine/threonine kinase (AKT) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Together, our work suggested miRNA-21-5p could be a novel mechanism by which exosomes promote ischemic tissue repair and angiogenesis. Meanwhile, miRNA-21-5p could be potentially developed into a new biomarker for exosomes of MSCs to treat diabetic foot. CONCLUSIONS: miRNA-21-5p is a new biomarker and a novel mechanism by which exosomes promote ischemic tissue repair and angiogenesis of diabetic foot. Our work could not only provide new scientific evidences for revealing pro-angiogenesis mechanism of MSCs, but also eventually benefit MSCs-based clinical therapy for diabetic foot of diabetes patients.

Author Correction: Catestatin attenuates endoplasmic reticulum induced cell apoptosis by activation type 2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor in cardiac ischemia/reperfusion.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

CD4+ T-Cell Endogenous Cystathionine γ Lyase-Hydrogen Sulfide Attenuates Hypertension by Sulfhydrating Liver Kinase B1 to Promote T Regulatory Cell Differentiation and Proliferation.

BACKGROUND: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has antihypertension and anti-inflammatory effects, and its endogenous-generation key enzyme cystathionine γ lyase (CSE) is expressed in CD4+ T cells. However, the role of CD4+ T-cell endogenous CSE/H2S in the development of hypertension is unclear. METHODS: Peripheral blood lymphocytes were isolated from hypertensive patients or spontaneously hypertensive rats, then H2S production and expression of its generation enzymes, cystathionine ß synthase and CSE, were measured to determine the major H2S generation system changes in hypertension. Mice with CSE-specific knockout in T cells (conditional knockout, by CD4cre mice hybridization) and CD4 null mice were generated for investigating the pathophysiological relevance of the CSE/H2S system. RESULTS: In lymphocytes, H2S from CSE, but not cystathionine ß synthase, responded to blood pressure changes, supported by lymphocyte CSE protein changes and a negative correlation between H2S production with systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, but positive correlation with the serum level of interleukin 10 (an anti-inflammatory cytokine). Deletion of CSE in T cells elevated BP (5-8 mm Hg) under the physiological condition and exacerbated angiotensin II-induced hypertension. In keeping with hypertension, mesenteric artery dilation impaired association with arterial inflammation, an effect attributed to reduced immunoinhibitory T regulatory cell (Treg) numbers in the blood and kidney, thus causing excess CD4+ and CD8+ T cell infiltration in perivascular adipose tissues and kidney. CSE knockout CD4+ T cell transfer into CD4 null mice, also showed the similar phenotypes' confirming the role of endogenous CSE/H2S action. Adoptive transfer of Tregs (to conditional knockout mice) reversed hypertension, vascular relaxation impairment, and immunocyte infiltration, which confirmed that conditional knockout-induced hypertension was attributable, in part, to the reduced Treg numbers. Mechanistically, endogenous CSE/H2S promoted Treg differentiation and proliferation by activating AMP-activated protein kinase. In part, it depended on activation of its upstream kinase, liver kinase B1, by sulfhydration to facilitate its substrate binding and phosphorylation. CONCLUSION: The constitutive sulfhydration of liver kinase B1 by CSE-derived H2S activates its target kinase, AMP-activated protein kinase, and promotes Treg differentiation and proliferation, which attenuates the vascular and renal immune-inflammation, thereby preventing hypertension.

Clinical efficacy of Duyiwei capsule in treating gingivitis: A protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: This study will investigate the clinical efficacy of Duyiwei capsule (DYWC) for the treatment of gingivitis. METHODS: Relevant studies will be searched in PUBMED, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, WANGFANG, VIP, CBM, and CNKI from inception to the March 31, 2020 without limitations of language and publication time. All potential randomized controlled trials on the clinical efficacy of DYWC for the treatment of gingivitis will be considered. Two authors will independently perform literature selection, data collection, and study quality assessment. Any disagreements will be solved by a third author through discussion. We will utilize RevMan 5.3 software for statistical analysis. RESULTS: This study will summarize present randomized controlled trials on the efficacy and safety of DYWC for the treatment of gingivitis. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study will provide evidence to show whether DYWC is effective and safety for gingivitis.Systematic review registration: INPLASY202040199.

Detection and phylogenetic analysis of porcine circovirus 3 in part of northern China from 2016 to 2018.

Porcine circovirus 3 (PCV3) is a recently identified virus that is associated with reproductive failure, porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome, and multi-systemic inflammation. To investigate the molecular epidemic characteristics and genetic evolution of PCV3 in northern China, a commercial TaqMan-based real-time quantitative PCR kit was used to detect PCV3 in 435 tissue specimens collected from pigs with various clinical signs from 105 different swine farms in northern China. The results showed that 48 out of 105 (45.7%) farms and 97 out of 435 (22.3%) samples tested positive for PCV3. Of the 97 PCV3-positive samples, 80 (82.5%) tested positive for other pathogens. PCV3 was found more frequently in pigs with reproductive failure than in those with other clinical signs. This study is the first to detect PCV3 in Tianjin. The complete genome sequences of six PCV3 isolates and the capsid (Cap) protein gene sequences of 11 isolates were determined. Based on the predicted amino acids at positions 24 and 27 of the Cap protein and their evolutionary relationships, the 17 PCV3 strains obtained from northern China and 49 reference strains downloaded from the GenBank database were divided into four major groups (3a-3d). An analysis of selection pressure and polymorphism indicated that the PCV3 Cap protein seems to be evolving under balancing selection, that the population is in dynamic equilibrium, and that no population expansion occurred during the study period. Our results provide new information about the molecular epidemiology and evolution of PCV3.

Effects of Fermented Tea Residue on Fattening Performance, Meat Quality, Digestive Performance, Serum Antioxidant Capacity, and Intestinal Morphology in Fatteners.

This study investigated the dietary supplementation of tea residue fermented by Bacillus subtilis, Aspergillus niger, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, to explore its effects on growth performance, digestion performance, meat quality, serum antioxidant capacity, and intestinal morphology in pigs bred for rapid growth, also known as fatteners. One hundred and ninety-two healthy "Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire" ternary hybrid pigs (body weight 70 ± 1.0 kg) were randomly divided into four groups according to the feeding test requirements, with four replicates in each group, and 12 fatteners per replicate. The control group (CG) was fed the basal diet. Treatments 1 (T1), 2 (T2), and 3 (T3), comprising ratios of 10%, 15%, and 20% of tea residue were added to the basal diet. The test period was 60 days. The results showed that supplementation of FTR in fatteners' diets increased final body weight (FBW), average daily gain (ADG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the T1 and T2 groups (p < 0.05). Compared with the other groups, the lightness (L*) and pH were significantly affected in the T2 group (p < 0.05). Compared with the CG, dietary supplementation of FTR significantly increased the nutrient digestibility of crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), calcium (Ca), and phosphorus (P), improved the lipase and trypsin activities, and reduced drip loss and the shear force of fatteners (p < 0.05). Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) were significantly increased in the T2 and T3 groups compared with the other groups (p < 0.05). Supplementation of FTR in the jejunum significantly increased the villi height of the T2 group and the ratio of villi height to crypt depth of the FTR groups. Compared with the other two groups, the T2 and T3 groups significantly reduced the ratio of the villous height to crypt depth in the duodenum (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the tea residue after fermentation was shown to have beneficial effects on the fattening performance, digestion performance, meat quality, serum antioxidant capacity, and intestinal morphology of fatteners.

Short hairpin RNAs targeting M and N genes reduce replication of porcine deltacoronavirus in ST cells.

Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) is a recently identified coronavirus that causes intestinal diseases in neonatal piglets with diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, and post-infection mortality of 50-100%. Currently, there are no effective treatments or vaccines available to control PDCoV. To study the potential of RNA interference (RNAi) as a strategy against PDCoV infection, two short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-expressing plasmids (pGenesil-M and pGenesil-N) that targeted the M and N genes of PDCoV were constructed and transfected separately into swine testicular (ST) cells, which were then infected with PDCoV strain HB-BD. The potential of the plasmids to inhibit PDCoV replication was evaluated by cytopathic effect, virus titers, and real-time quantitative RT-PCR assay. The cytopathogenicity assays demonstrated that pGenesil-M and pGenesil-N protected ST cells against pathological changes with high specificity and efficacy. The 50% tissue culture infective dose showed that the PDCoV titers in ST cells treated with pGenesil-M and pGenesil-N were reduced 13.2- and 32.4-fold, respectively. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR also confirmed that the amount of viral RNA in cell cultures pre-transfected with pGenesil-M and pGenesil-N was reduced by 45.8 and 56.1%, respectively. This is believed to be the first report to show that shRNAs targeting the M and N genes of PDCoV exert antiviral effects in vitro, which suggests that RNAi is a promising new strategy against PDCoV infection.

Two novel recombinant porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome viruses belong to sublineage 3.5 originating from sublineage 3.2.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is an agent of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), which causes substantial economic losses to the swine industry. PRRSV displays rapid variation, and five lineages coexist in mainland China. Lineage 3 PRRSVs emerged in mainland China in 2005 and prevailed in southern China after 2010. In the present study, two lineage 3 PRRSV strains, which are named SD110-1608 and SDWH27-1710, were isolated from northern China in 2017. To explore the characteristics and origins of the two strains, we divided lineage 3 into five sublineages (3.1-3.5) based on 146 open reading frame (ORF) 5 sequences. Both strains and the strains isolated from mainland China were classified into sublineage 3.5. Lineage 3 PRRSVs isolated from Taiwan and Hong Kong were classified into sublineages 3.1-3.3 and sublineage 3.4, respectively. Recombination analysis revealed that SD110-1608 and SDWH27-1710 were derived from recombination of QYYZ (major parent strain) and JXA1 (minor parent strain). Sequence alignment showed that SD110-1608 and SDWH27-1710 shared a 36-aa insertion in Nsp2 with QYYZ isolated from Guangdong Province in 2010. Based on the evolutionary relationship among GP2a, GP3, GP4, GP5 and N proteins between sublineages 3.2 (FJ-1) and 3.5 (FJFS), we speculated that sublineage 3.5 (mainland China) originated from sublineage 3.2 (Taiwan, China). This study provides important information regarding the classification and transmission of lineage 3 PRRSVs.

Seroprevalence of porcine bocavirus in pigs in north-central China using a recombinant-NP1-protein-based indirect ELISA.

Porcine bocavirus (PBoV), which belongs the genus Bocaparvovirus, has been identified throughout the world. However, serological methods for detecting anti-PBoV antibodies are presently limited. In the present study, an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (PBoV-rNP1 ELISA) based on a recombinant form of nucleoprotein 1 (NP1) of PBoV was established for investigating the seroprevalence of PBoV in 2025 serum specimens collected in north-central China from 2016 to 2018, and 42.3% of the samples tested positive for anti-PBoV IgG antibodies, indicating that the seroprevalence of PBoV is high in pig populations in China.

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)-induced hepatotoxicity in quail (Coturnix japonica) via suppression of the heat shock response.

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a widespread environmental toxicant that severely impacts agricultural production and animal and human health. Nevertheless, DEHP-induced hepatotoxicity at the molecular level in quail remains unexplored. The heat shock response (HSR), involving heat shock proteins (HSPs) and heat shock transcription factors (HSFs), is a highly conserved molecular response that is triggered by stressors, especially exposure to toxicants. To explore the DEHP-induced hepatotoxicity that occurs via regulation of HSR in birds, female quail were dosed with DEHP by oral gavage (0, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) for 45 days. Based on histopathological analysis, the livers of the DEHP-treated groups exhibited structural alterations of hepatocytes, including mitochondrial swelling, derangement of hepatic plates, inflammatory cell infiltration and adipose degeneration. Ultrastructural evaluation of the livers of DEHP-treated quail revealed swollen mitochondria, partial disappearance of mitochondrial membranes and cristae, nuclear chromatin margination and nuclear condensation. The expression of HSF1 and HSF3 significantly decreased after DEHP exposure. The levels of HSPs (HSP10, HSP25, HSP27, HSP40, HSP47, HSP60, HSP70 and HSP90) were significantly downregulated in the livers of DEHP-treated quail. In this study, we concluded that DEHP exposure resulted in liver function damage and hepatotoxicity by reducing the expression of HSFs and HSPs in quail liver, which inhibited the protective effect of the HSR signaling pathway.