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MSystems Feb 2024Ruminal microbiota is gradually established after birth, while microbiota maturation could be highly diverse because of varied solid dietary accessibility. However, how...
Ruminal microbiota is gradually established after birth, while microbiota maturation could be highly diverse because of varied solid dietary accessibility. However, how the ruminal microbiota accreted from postnatal hay diets alters rumen epithelial development, and how this affects animal health remains largely unknown. Here, neonatal lambs were introduced to starchy corn-soybean starter or corn-soybean starter + alfalfa hay (AH) to investigate the influences of early life ruminal microbiome on rumen epithelial development using integrated 16s rRNA sequencing-metagenome-transcriptome approaches. The results showed that AH introduction elevated average daily weight gain, rumen weight and volume, rumen epithelial papillae length, and rumen muscle layer thickness. Meanwhile, the relative abundance of fibrolytic bacteria ( R-7 group, UCG-001, and ), acetate producer ( and and propionate producer was increased in the rumen content by AH supplementation ( < 0.05). Moreover, AH introduction decreased the relative abundance of total CAZymes, CBM, and GH and increased the abundance of KO genes related to volatile fatty acid (VFA) generation in the rumen content. AH lambs had a higher relative abundance of , , and ( < 0.05), while a lower relative abundance of , , , , , and ( < 0.05) in the rumen epithelial samples. Furthermore, these alterations in ruminal microbial structure and function resulted in ruminal epithelial cell proliferation and development pathways activation. In summary, AH introduction benefited ruminal fiber degradation and VFA generation bacteria colonization and promoted ruminal epithelial development. These findings provide new insights into ruminal microbial-host interactions in the early life.IMPORTANCEWhile it is established that a fiber-rich diet promotes rumen development in lambs, further research is needed to investigate the precise response of rumen microbiota and epithelium to high-quality alfalfa hay. Here, we observed that the inclusion of alfalfa hay led to a discernible alteration in the developmental trajectory of the rumen. Notably, there was a favorable shift in the rumen's volume, morphology, and the development of rumen papillae. Furthermore, ruminal microbial structure and function resulted in ruminal epithelial cell proliferation and development pathways activation, collectively provide compelling evidence supporting the capacity of alfalfa hay to enhance rumen development and health through ruminal micrbiota-host crosstalks. Our findings elucidate the functional response of the rumen to alfalfa hay introduction, providing new insights into strategies for promoting healthy development of the rumen in young ruminants.
Topics: Sheep; Animals; Medicago sativa; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Rumen; Animal Feed; Fatty Acids, Volatile; Sheep, Domestic; Ruminants; Microbiota; Weight Gain
PubMed: 38179946
DOI: 10.1128/msystems.01034-23 -
Journal of Gastroenterology and... Aug 2023Achalasia often presents with chronic food stasis and fermentation in the esophageal lumen, which may lead to alterations of the esophageal microbiome, with associated...
BACKGROUND AND AIM
Achalasia often presents with chronic food stasis and fermentation in the esophageal lumen, which may lead to alterations of the esophageal microbiome, with associated mucosal inflammation and dysplastic changes. The study aims to evaluate the characteristics of the esophageal microbiome in achalasia and changes of the esophageal microbiome before and after peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM).
METHODS
This is a prospective case-control study. This study enrolled patients with achalasia and asymptomatic subjects as control group. Endoscopic brushing for esophageal microbiome collection was performed in all subjects, with additional follow-up endoscopy and brushing 3 months after POEM in achalasia patients. The composition of the esophageal microbiome was determined and compared between (1) achalasia patients and asymptomatic controls and (2) achalasia patients before and after POEM.
RESULTS
Thirty-one achalasia patients (mean age 53.5 ± 16.2 years; male 45.2%) and 15 controls were analyzed. We observed a distinct esophageal microbial community structure in achalasia patients, with increased Firmicutes and decreased Proteobacteria when compared with the control group at the phylum level. The discriminating enriched genera in achalasia patients were Lactobacillus, followed by Megasphaera and Bacteroides, and the amount of Lactobacillus was associated with the severity of achalasia. Twenty patients were re-examined after POEM, and a high prevalence of erosive esophagitis (55%) was noted, alongside an increase in genus Neisseria and decrease in Lactobacillus and Bacteroides.
CONCLUSIONS
The altered esophageal microenvironment in achalasia leads to dysbiosis with a high abundance of genus Lactobacillus. Increased Neisseria and decreased Lactobacillus were observed after POEM. The long-term effect of microbial changes warrants further study.
Topics: Humans; Male; Adult; Middle Aged; Aged; Esophageal Achalasia; Pilot Projects; Esophageal Sphincter, Lower; Case-Control Studies; Natural Orifice Endoscopic Surgery; Myotomy; Treatment Outcome; Esophagoscopy
PubMed: 37078564
DOI: 10.1111/jgh.16192 -
BMC Microbiology Nov 2023The interplay among cigarette smoking status, oral microbiota, and cardiometabolic health is poorly understood. We aimed to examine the association of cigarette smoking...
The interplay among cigarette smoking status, oral microbiota, and cardiometabolic health is poorly understood. We aimed to examine the association of cigarette smoking status with oral microbiota and to assess the association of the identified microbial features with cardiometabolic risk factors in a Chinese population. This study included 587 participants within the Central China Cohort, including 111 smokers and 476 non-smokers, and their oral microbiota was profiled by 16S rRNA sequencing. Both oral microbial alpha- and beta-diversity were distinct between smokers and non-smokers (p < 0.05). With adjustment for sociodemographics, alcohol and tea drinking, tooth brushing frequency, and body mass index, the relative abundance of nine genera and 26 pathways, including the genus Megasphaera and two pathways involved in inositol degradation which have potentially adverse effects on cardiometabolic health, was significantly different between two groups (FDR q < 0.20). Multiple microbial features related to cigarette smoking were found to partly mediate the associations of cigarette smoking with serum triglycerides and C-reactive protein levels (p-mediation < 0.05). In conclusion, cigarette smoking status may have impacts on the oral microbial features, which may partially mediate the associations of cigarette smoking and cardiometabolic health.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Bacteria; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cigarette Smoking; East Asian People; Microbiota; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Mouth
PubMed: 37978427
DOI: 10.1186/s12866-023-03061-y -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2023As a potential antibiotic alternative, macleaya cordata extract (MCE) has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. This study was conducted to...
Microbiome-transcriptome analysis reveals that dietary supplementation with macleaya cordata extract alters multiple immune pathways with minimal impact on microbial structure.
BACKGROUND
As a potential antibiotic alternative, macleaya cordata extract (MCE) has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. This study was conducted to assess the impact of MCE supplementation on the gut microbiota and its interplay with the host in young goats. Thirty female black goats with similar body weight (5.63 ± 0.30 kg) were selected and randomly allotted into one of three diets: a control diet (Control), a control diet with antibiotics (Antibiotics, 21 mg/kg/day vancomycin and 42 mg/kg/day neomycin), and a control diet with MCE (MCE, 3.75% w/w premix).
RESULTS
Principal coordinate analysis of the microbial community showed that samples of Antibiotic clustered separately from both Control and MCE ( < 0.001). The random forest analysis revealed that, in comparison to the Control group, the impact of Antibiotics on the microbiota structure was more pronounced than that of MCE (number of featured microbiota, 13 in Antibiotics and >6 in MCE). In addition, the pathways of significant enrichment either from DEGs between Antibiotics and Control or from DEGs between MCE and Control were almost identical, including Th17 cell differentiation, butanoate metabolism, T-cell receptor signaling pathway, intestinal immune network for IgA production, antigen processing and presentation, and ABC transporters. Furthermore, an integrative analysis indicated that significant positive correlations ( < 0.05) were observed between and the featured biomarkers , , , and in the MCE group. Conversely, several significant negative correlations ( < 0.05) were identified between and the featured biomarkers , , , , , , , , , and in the Antibiotics group.
CONCLUSION
Collectively, the analysis of microbiome-transcriptome data revealed that dietary supplementation with MCE produced significant alterations in multiple immune pathways, while having minimal impact on the microbial structure.
Topics: Female; Animals; Plant Extracts; Microbiota; Papaveraceae; Gene Expression Profiling; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Dietary Supplements; Biomarkers; Goats
PubMed: 37842002
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1264550 -
Veterinary Medicine and Science Sep 2023The objective of the experiment was to investigate the effect of a mixture of direct-fed microbial (DFM) on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, milk yield and...
BACKGROUND
The objective of the experiment was to investigate the effect of a mixture of direct-fed microbial (DFM) on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, milk yield and composition, milk fatty acid and blood parameter in crossbred mid-lactating cows.
METHODS
Twenty-four crossbred Holstein cows (body weight = 650±15 kg; days in milk = 100±20; daily milk yield = 25±3 kg) were used in a completely randomized design with three treatments: (1) CON, without DFM; (2) LS, inoculation with Lactobacillus fermentum (4.5 × 10 CFU/day) plus Saccharomyces cerevisiae (1.4×10 CFU/day); and (3) LSM, inoculation with LS plus Megasphaera elsdenii (4.5 × 10 CFU/day). All animals received the same ration with 45.7% forage and 54.3% concentrate.
RESULTS
Results showed that the highest feed intake was observed in treatments LS and LSM (p = 0.02). Compared with the CON, milk production, 4% fat-corrected milk, energy-corrected milk, fat (kg/day), protein (kg/day) and lactose (kg/day), FE and percent of fat were increased (p<0.05) by LSM, but unaffected by LS. Also, compared with the CON, both LS and LSM increased antioxidant activity (p<0.05). The concentration of C18:2c n-6 increased significantly in treatment LSM compared with the CON (p = 0.003). The concentration of C20:0 increased significantly in treatment LS compared with the CON (p = 0.004). The highest concentrations of insulin, glucose, triglyceride and cholesterol were observed by LSM (p<0.05). Compared with the CON, both LS and LSM increased blood monocyte, neutrophil, eosinophil and basophil (p<0.05), and blood lymphocyte was increased (p = 0.02) only by LSM.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of the research showed that the use of DFMs had no effect on the digestibility, microbial load and the major part of fatty acids in milk. However, it improved feed intake, milk yield and antioxidant activity of milk and also increased the milk concentration of C18:2 n-6.
Topics: Female; Cattle; Animals; Milk; Fatty Acids; Lactation; Antioxidants; Diet; Digestion; Animal Feed; Dietary Supplements
PubMed: 37417715
DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1180 -
Journal of Food Protection Sep 2023Feedlot cattle commonly shed the foodborne pathogen Escherichia coli O157:H7 in their feces. Megasphaera elsdenii (ME), a lactic acid-utilizing bacterium, is commonly...
Feedlot cattle commonly shed the foodborne pathogen Escherichia coli O157:H7 in their feces. Megasphaera elsdenii (ME), a lactic acid-utilizing bacterium, is commonly administered to cattle to avoid lactate accumulation in the rumen and to control ruminal acidosis. The impact of administering ME on foodborne pathogen prevalence, specifically E. coli O157:H7, has not been explored. The purpose of this study was to quantify E. coli O157:H7 prevalence in finishing cattle administered ME. Cattle (n = 448) were assigned to treatments in a randomized complete block design with repeated measurements over two sampling periods. Treatments were arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial containing: ruminally protected lysine (RPL; included for a complementary study) fed at 0% or 0.45% of diet dry matter; with or without ME. Freeze-dried ME was administered as an oral drench (1 × 10 CFU/steer on day one) and then top dressed onto basal diets (1 × 10 CFU/steer) daily thereafter. Rectoanal mucosal swabs (RAMS) were obtained from animals before harvest to determine the E. coli O157:H7 prevalence. The inclusion of RPL (P = 0.2136) and ME (P = 0.5012) did not impact E. coli O157:H7 prevalence, and RPL was not included in any significant interactions (P > 0.05). A significant interaction was observed between ME and sampling period (P = 0.0323), indicating that the effect of ME on E. coli O157:H7 prevalence varied over the sampling period. A diet containing ME reduced the odds of E. coli O157:H7 prevalence by 50% during sampling period 1 (8.0% and 14.7% for cattle with and without ME, respectively) and increased the odds by 23% during sampling period 2 (10.8% and 8.9% for cattle with and without ME, respectively). Administering ME in cattle diets did not impact E. coli O157:H7 in feedlot cattle. This is the first study to investigate the use of ME as a preharvest food safety intervention in cattle, and additional research is necessary to determine the efficacy.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Male; Animal Feed; Cattle Diseases; Colony Count, Microbial; Escherichia coli Infections; Escherichia coli O157; Feces; Megasphaera elsdenii; Prevalence; Probiotics; Sheep
PubMed: 37479183
DOI: 10.1016/j.jfp.2023.100133 -
Proceedings. Biological Sciences May 2024The early Ediacaran Weng'an biota (Doushantuo Formation, South China) provides a rare window onto the period of Earth history in which molecular timescales have inferred...
The early Ediacaran Weng'an biota (Doushantuo Formation, South China) provides a rare window onto the period of Earth history in which molecular timescales have inferred the initial phase of crown-metazoan diversification. Interpretation of the embryo-like fossils that dominate the biota remains contentious because they are morphologically simple and so difficult to constrain phylogenetically. from the Weng'an biota is distinguished by spiral internal bodies, allied through development to or and interpreted variously as metazoan embryos, encysting protists, or chlorophycean green algae. Here we show, using X-ray microtomography, that has a single-layered outer envelope and no more than 32 internal cells, often preserving a nucleus and yolk granules. There is no correlation between the extent of spiral development and the number of component cells; rather, the spiral developed with each palintomic stage, associated with cell disaggregation and reorientation. Evidence for envelope thinning and cell loss was observed in all developmental stages, reflecting non-deterministic shedding of gametes or amoebae. The developmental biology of is similar to and , which otherwise exhibit more rounds of palintomy. We reject a crown-metazoan affinity for and all other components of the Weng'an biota, diminishing the probability of crown-metazoan diversification before the early Ediacaran.
Topics: Fossils; Animals; Biological Evolution; China; X-Ray Microtomography; Phylogeny
PubMed: 38808442
DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.0101 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2023Chain elongation technology, which involves fermentation with anaerobic bacteria, has gained attention for converting short and medium chain substrates into valuable and...
INTRODUCTION
Chain elongation technology, which involves fermentation with anaerobic bacteria, has gained attention for converting short and medium chain substrates into valuable and longer-chain products like medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs). In the recent past, the focus of studies with pure chain elongating cultures was on species of other genera, mainly . Recently, other chain elongators have been isolated that deserve further research, such as .
METHODS
In this study, batch studies were performed in bottles with two different media to establish the optimal conditions for growth of : (a) a medium rich in different sources of nitrogen and (b) a medium whose only source of nitrogen is yeast extract. Also, batch bioreactor studies at pH values of 5.8, 6.5 and 7.2 were set up to study the fermentation of lactate (i.e., electron donor) and acetate (i.e., electron acceptor) by .
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Batch bottle studies revealed the yeast extract (YE) containing medium as the most promising in terms of production/cost ratio, producing -caproate rapidly up to 2.62 ± 0.24 g/L. Subsequent bioreactor experiments at pH 5.8, 6.5, and 7.2 confirmed consistent production profiles, yielding C-C fatty acids. A fourth bioreactor experiment at pH 6.5 and doubling both lactate and acetate concentrations enhanced MCFA production, resulting in 3.7 g/L -caproate and 1.5 g/L -caprylate. H and CO production was observed in all fermentations, being especially high under the increased substrate conditions. Overall, this study provides insights into 's behavior in lactate-based chain elongation and highlights optimization potential for improved productivity.
PubMed: 38029098
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1281103 -
Journal of Animal Science and... Oct 2023Global warming leading to heat stress (HS) is becoming a major challenge for broiler production. This study aimed to explore the protective effects of seaweed...
BACKGROUND
Global warming leading to heat stress (HS) is becoming a major challenge for broiler production. This study aimed to explore the protective effects of seaweed (Enteromorpha prolifera) polysaccharides (EPS) on the intestinal barrier function, microbial ecology, and performance of broilers under HS. A total of 144 yellow-feathered broilers (male, 56 days old) with 682.59 ± 7.38 g were randomly assigned to 3 groups: 1) TN (thermal neutral zone, 23.6 ± 1.8 °C), 2) HS (heat stress, 33.2 ± 1.5 °C for 10 h/d), and 3) HSE (HS + 0.1% EPS). Each group contained 6 replicates with 8 broilers per replicate. The study was conducted for 4 weeks; feed intake and body weights were measured at the end of weeks 2 and 4. At the end of the feeding trial, small intestine samples were collected for histomorphology, antioxidant, secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) content, apoptosis, gene and protein expression analysis; cecal contents were also collected for microbiota analysis based on 16S rDNA sequencing.
RESULTS
Dietary EPS promoted the average daily gain (ADG) of broilers during 3-4 weeks of HS (P < 0.05). At the end of HS on broilers, the activity of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and the content of sIgA in jejunum were improved by EPS supplementation (P < 0.05). Besides, dietary EPS reduced the epithelial cell apoptosis of jejunum and ileum in heat-stressed broilers (P < 0.05). Addition of EPS in HS group broilers' diet upregulated the relative mRNA expression of Occludin, ZO-1, γ-GCLc and IL-10 of the jejunum (P < 0.05), whereas downregulated the relative mRNA expression of NF-κB p65, TNF-α and IL-1β of the jejunum (P < 0.05). Dietary EPS increased the protein expression of Occludin and ZO-1, whereas it reduced the protein expression of NF-κB p65 and MLCK (P < 0.01) and tended to decrease the protein expression of TNF-α (P = 0.094) in heat-stressed broilers. Furthermore, the proportions of Bacteroides and Oscillospira among the three groups were positively associated with jejunal apoptosis and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression (P < 0.05) and negatively correlated with jejunal Occludin level (P < 0.05). However, the proportions of Lactobacillus, Barnesiella, Subdoligranulum, Megasphaera, Collinsella, and Blautia among the three groups were positively related to ADG (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
EPS can be used as a feed additive in yellow-feathered broilers. It effectively improves growth performance and alleviates HS-induced intestinal injury by relieving inflammatory damage and improving the tight junction proteins expression. These beneficial effects may be related to inhibiting NF-κB/MLCK signaling pathway activation and regulation of cecal microbiota.
PubMed: 37814279
DOI: 10.1186/s40104-023-00932-2 -
Journal of Hazardous Materials May 2024Chlorine-resistant bacteria (CRB) in drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) jeopardize water quality and pose a potential risk to human health. However, the specific...
Chlorine-resistant bacteria (CRB) in drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) jeopardize water quality and pose a potential risk to human health. However, the specific response of CRB to chlorination and chloramination remains uncharacterized. Therefore, we analyzed 16 S rRNA sequencing data from water samples before and after chlorination and chloramination taken between January and December 2020. Proteobacteria and Firmicutes dominated all finished water samples. After chloramination, Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, Methylobacterium, Ralstonia, and Sphingomonas were the dominant CRB, whereas Ralstonia, Bacillus, Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, and Enterococcus were prevalent after chlorination. Over 75% of the CRB e.g. Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, and Enterococcus were shared between the chlorination and chloramination, involving potentially pathogens, such as Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Notably, certain genera such as Faecalibacterium, Geobacter, and Megasphaera were enriched as strong CRB after chloramination, whereas Vogesella, Flavobacterium, Thalassolituus, Pseudoalteromonas, and others were enriched after chlorination according to LEfSe analysis. The shared CRB correlated with temperature, pH, and turbidity, displaying a seasonal pattern with varying sensitivity to chlorination and chloramination in cold and warm seasons. These findings enhance our knowledge of the drinking water microbiome and microbial health risks, thus enabling better infectious disease control through enhanced disinfection strategies in DWTPs.
Topics: Humans; Chlorine; Halogenation; Drinking Water; Halogens; Water Purification; Disinfection; Bacillus; Flavobacterium; Disinfectants; Chloramines; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 38508114
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134075