Search Results (945)

Natural enemies commonly probe larval bodies and frass with their antennae for prey hunting. However, the attractants to natural enemies emitted directly from hosts and host-associated tissues remained largely unknown. Here, we used two generalist noctuid species, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) and Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith), along with the larval endoparasitoid Microplitis mediator (Haliday) to address the question. Extracts of larval frass of both the noctuid species were strongly attractive to M. mediator females when hosts were fed either maize, cotton, soybean leaves, or an artificial diet without leaf tissues. By using a combination of electrophysiological measurements and behavioral tests, we found that the attractiveness of frass mainly relied on a volatile compound ethyl palmitate. The compound was likely to be a by-product of host digestion involving gut bacteria because an antibiotic supplement in diets reduced the production of the compound in frass and led to the decreased attractiveness of frass to the parasitoids. In contrast, extracts of the larval bodies of both the noctuid species appeared to be less attractive to the parasitoids than their respective fecal extracts, independently of types of food supplied to the larvae. Altogether, larval frass of the two noctuid species was likely to be more important than their bodies in attracting the endoparasitoid species, and the main attractant of frass was probably one of the common metabolites of digestion involving gut microbes, and its emission is likely to be independent of host plant species. Full article

Blastocystis spp. is an enteric protist that is present worldwide. Despite being discovered a century ago, there is still much to be learned about its pathogenicity and transmission. Different subtypes (ST) of Blastocystis spp. have been identified in various hosts, including humans, birds, and insects, and there is potential for zoonotic transmission through contact between humans and animals. The prevalence of Blastocystis spp. in humans and macaques in Singapore was understudied, and the findings revealed a significant prevalence of the parasite, with rates of 90% and 100% observed in each respective Macaca fascicularis population 1 and 2, with main subtypes (ST1, ST2, ST3, and ST5). Using metagenomics, the different subtypes of Blastocystis spp. (comprising ST2, ST3, and ST17) were identified in a healthy Singaporean cohort. Additionally, seven incidental findings of Blastocystis spp. were discovered in human patients with other gut parasites, including two ST1, two ST2, two ST3, and one ST8. Several factors such as diet or reverse zoonotic transmission are suggested to play a role in Blastocystis sp. subtype distribution. Full article

Urban wildlife conservation is emerging as a critical component of sustainable city ecosystems. Rather than simply increasing tree abundance or species richness, conservation management should focus on key species. In this research, Xishan Forest Park in Beijing was chosen as a case study. Our aim was to identify keystone taxa critical for avian foraging and nesting during the breeding season. We performed a network analysis linking bird species, their diets, and nest plants. Dietary components were detected using DNA metabarcoding conducted with avian fecal samples. Nest plants were identified via transect surveys. Two indices of the network, degree and weighted mean degree, were calculated to evaluate the importance of the dietary and nest plant species. We identified 13 bird host species from 107 fecal samples and 14 bird species from 107 nest observations. Based on the degree indices, fruit trees Morus and Prunus were detected as key food sources, exhibiting both the highest degree (degree = 9, 9) and weighted mean degree (lnwMD = 5.21, 4.63). Robinia pseudoacacia provided predominant nesting sites, with a predominant degree of 7. A few taxa, such as Styphnolobium japonicum and Rhamnus parvifolia, served dual ecological significance as both essential food sources and nesting substrates. Scrublands, as a unique habitat type, provided nesting sites and food for small-bodied birds. Therefore, targeted management interventions are recommended to sustain or enhance these keystone resource species and to maintain the multi-layered vertical vegetation structure to preserve the diverse habitats of birds. Full article

Background: Dyslipidemia and schistosomiasis are major public health challenges, particularly in endemic regions where their coexistence may influence host metabolism and immune responses. This study aimed to evaluate visceral adipose tissue (AT) remodeling in a murine model of acute Schistosoma mansoni infection combined with diet-induced dyslipidemia. Methodology: Female Swiss Webster mice were fed either a standard or high-fat diet (HFD) for 29 weeks and infected with S. mansoni at week 20. Nine weeks after infection, biochemical, morphometric, histopathological, and immunological analyses were performed. Results: The HFD promoted weight gain and dyslipidemia, while S. mansoni infection alone did not alter lipid profiles but partially mitigated the metabolic effects of the HFD. Morphometric analysis revealed adipocyte hypertrophy and reduced cell number in HFD-fed animals. In HFD-fed infected mice, infection partially reversed hypertrophy, suggesting a modulatory effect on AT remodeling. Histopathological examinations showed that while a HFD induced mild inflammation, infection led to intense leukocyte infiltration, hyperemia, and plasma cell degeneration. Peritoneal lavage confirmed a proinflammatory immune profile. Conclusions: These findings indicate that the interaction between a HFD and S. mansoni infection exacerbates adipose tissue inflammation and metabolic alterations, highlighting the complex interplay between parasitic infection, diet, and immune-metabolic regulation. Full article

Sourdough fermentation, driven by the biochemical activity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), presents a scientifically promising approach to addressing nutritional limitations in cereal-based staples. This review critically examines both the underlying mechanisms by which LAB enhance the nutritional profile of sourdough and the translational challenges in realizing these benefits. Key improvements explored include enhanced mineral bioavailability (e.g., up to 90% phytate reduction), improved protein digestibility, an attenuated glycemic response (GI ≈ 54 vs. ≈75 for conventional bread), and the generation of bioactive compounds. While in vitro and animal studies extensively demonstrate LAB’s potential to reshape nutrient profiles (e.g., phytate hydrolysis improving iron absorption, proteolysis releasing bioactive peptides), translating these effects into consistent human health outcomes proves complex. Significant challenges hinder this transition from laboratory to diet, including the limited bioavailability of LAB-derived metabolites, high strain variability, and sensitivity to fermentation conditions. Furthermore, interactions with the food matrix and host-specific factors, such as gut microbiota composition, contribute to inconsistent findings. This review highlights methodological gaps, particularly reliance on in vitro or animal models, and the lack of long-term, effective human trials. Although LAB hold significant promise for nutritional improvements in sourdough, translating these findings to validated human benefits necessitates continued efforts in mechanism-driven strain optimization, the standardization of fermentation processes, and rigorous human studies. Full article

Projections indicate that the global urban population is anticipated to reach 67.2% by 2050, accompanied by a threefold increase in urban built-up areas worldwide. Urbanization has profoundly transformed Earth’s natural environment, notably characterized by the drastic reduction and fragmentation of wildlife habitats. These changes contribute to local species extinction, leading to biodiversity loss and profoundly impacting ecological processes and regional sustainable development. However, within urban settings, certain ‘generalist’ species demonstrate survival capabilities contingent upon phenotypic plasticity. The co-evolution of gut microbiota with their hosts emerges as a key driver of this phenotypic plasticity. The presence of diverse gut microbiota constitutes a crucial adaptive mechanism essential for enabling hosts to adjust to rapid environmental shifts. This review comprehensively explores amniote gut microbial changes in the context of urbanization, examining potential drivers of these changes (including diet and environmental pollutants) and their potential consequences for host health (such as physiology, metabolism, immune function, and susceptibility to infectious and non-infectious diseases). Ultimately, the implications of the gut microbiome are highlighted for elucidating key issues in ecology and evolution. This understanding is expected to enhance our comprehension of species adaptation in the Anthropocene. Full article

The recent identification of early-onset mutational signatures with geographic variations by Diaz-Gay et al. is a significant finding, since early-onset colorectal cancer has emerged as an alarming public health challenge in the past two decades, and the pathomechanism remains unclear. Environmental risk factors, including lifestyle and diet, are highly suspected. The identification of colibactin from Escherichia coli as a potential pathogenic source is a major step forward in addressing this public health challenge. Therefore, the following opinion manuscript aims to outline the likely onset of the pathomechanism and the critical role of acquired Piezo2 channelopathy in early-onset colorectal cancer, which skews proton availability and proton motive force regulation toward E. coli within the microbiota–host symbiotic relationship. In addition, the colibactin produced by the pks island of E. coli induces host DNA damage, which likely interacts at the level of Wnt signaling with Piezo2 channelopathy-induced pathological remodeling. This transcriptional dysregulation eventually leads to tumorigenesis of colorectal cancer. Mechanotransduction converts external physical cues to inner chemical and biological ones. Correspondingly, the proposed quantum mechanical free-energy-stimulated ultrafast proton-coupled tunneling, initiated by Piezo2, seems to be the principal and essential underlying novel oscillatory signaling that could be lost in colorectal cancer onset. Hence, Piezo2 channelopathy not only contributes to cancer initiation and impaired circadian regulation, including the proposed hippocampal ultradian clock, but also to proliferation and metastasis. Full article

Background/Objectives: Environmental stressors, including spaceflight and altered gravity, can negatively affect the symbiotic relationship between the gut microbiome and host health. Dietary prebiotics, which alter components of the gut microbiome, show promise as an effective way to mitigate the negative impacts of stressor exposure. It remains unknown, however, if the stress-protective effects of consuming dietary prebiotics will extend to chronic altered-gravity exposure. Methods: Forty female C57BL/6 mice consumed either a control diet or a prebiotic diet containing galactooligosaccharides (GOS) and polydextrose (PDX) for 4 weeks, after which half of the mice were exposed to 3 times the gravitational force of Earth (3g) for an additional 4 weeks. Fecal microbiome samples were collected weekly for 8 weeks, sequenced, and analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Terminal physiological endpoints, including immune and red blood cell characteristics, were collected at the end of the study. Results: The results demonstrate that dietary prebiotic consumption altered the gut microbial community structure through changes to β-diversity and multiple genera across time. In addition, consuming dietary prebiotics reduced the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and increased red blood cell distribution width (RDW-CV). Importantly, the prebiotic diet prevented the impacts of altered-gravity on β-diversity and the bloom of problematic genera, such as Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 and Turicibacter. Furthermore, several prebiotic diet-induced genera-level changes were significantly associated with several host physiological changes induced by 3g exposure. Conclusions: These data demonstrate that the stress-protective potential of consuming dietary prebiotics extends to environmental stressors such as altered gravity, and, potentially, spaceflight. Full article

The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in maintaining the host’s metabolism and can influence the host’s productivity. Both dietary composition and gender have distinct effects on the composition of the gut microbiota. Therefore, to investigate the differences in the structure and function of the gut microbiota between female and male goats, we analyzed their fecal microbiota and metabolites when fed a 10% crude protein diet at four different energy levels—7.01, 8.33, 9.66, and 10.98 MJ/kg DM. Four non-pregnant female and four male Leizhou goats (all 8 months of age) were used in the experiment, with an average body weight of 10.3 ± 0.8 kg for females and 13.6 ± 1.1 kg for males (mean ± SD). The animals were assigned to two separate 4 × 4 Latin square designs according to their gender, each consisting of four treatments and four 28-day periods, including 25 days of a dietary adaptation period and 3 days of fecal sample collection per period. The data were analyzed using the SAS statistical package and Pearson’s correlation analysis. The dominant phyla for all samples were Firmicutes and Bacteroidota, regardless of dietary energy levels or gender. Among fecal bacteria, unclassified_f_Lachnospiraceae was the dominant genus in the female goats, and Oscillospiraceae_UCG-005 was the dominant genus in the male goats. The relative abundance of unclassified_f_Lachnospiraceae (p < 0.001), Bacteroides (p = 0.007), norank_f_Ruminococcaceae (p = 0.024), Mediterraneibacter (p = 0.001), and norank_f_Muribaculaceae (p = 0.008) was greater in the female goats than in the male goats. In contrast, the relative abundance of Oscillospiraceae_UCG-005 (p < 0.001), Ruminococcus (p = 0.035), Monoglobus (p = 0.006), Oscillospiraceae-NK4A214_group (p = 0.008), norank_f_F082 (p < 0.001), and Prevotellaceae_UCG-003 (p < 0.001) was lower in the female goats than in the male goats. The volcano plot showed that there were 153, 171, 171, and 183 differential metabolites between the female and male goats at dietary energy levels of 7.01, 8.33, 9.66, and 10.98 MJ/kg DM, respectively. Numerous correlations were observed between differential metabolites and microflora genera. We concluded that the non-pregnant female and male goats exhibited distinct metabolic abilities when consuming a 10% crude protein diet at four different energy levels. Interestingly, in the female and male goats, the fecal microbiota also showed some differing responses to the energy levels. These results provide a gender-based reference for formulating low-protein dietary strategies for 8-month-old Leizhou goats. Full article

Background/Objectives: An increasing number of apparently healthy individuals are adhering to a gluten-free lifestyle without any underlying medical indications, although the evidence for the health benefits in these individuals remains unclear. Although it has already been shown that a low- or gluten-free diet alters the gut microbiota, few studies have examined the effects of this diet on healthy subjects. Therefore, our aim was to evaluate whether and how a prolonged low-gluten diet impacts gut microbiota composition and function in healthy adults, bearing in mind its intimate link to the host’s health. Methods: Forty healthy volunteers habitually consuming a gluten-containing diet (HGD, high-gluten diet) were included in a randomised control trial consisting of two successive 8-week dietary intervention periods on a low-gluten diet (LGD). After each 8-week period, gut microbiota composition was assessed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, molecular quantification by qPCR, and a cultural approach, while its metabolic capacity was evaluated through measuring faecal fermentative metabolites by ¹H NMR. Results: A prolonged period of LGD for 16 weeks reduced gut microbiota richness and decreased the relative abundance of bacterial species with previously reported potential health benefits such as Akkermansia muciniphila and Bifidobacterium sp. A decrease in certain plant cell wall polysaccharide-degrading species was also observed. While there was no major modification affecting the main short-chain fatty acid profiles, the concentration of the intermediate metabolite, ethanol, was increased in faecal samples. Conclusions: A 16-week LGD significantly altered both composition and metabolic production of the gut microbiota in healthy individuals, towards a more dysbiotic profile previously linked to adverse effects on the host’s health. Therefore, the evaluation of longer-term LDG would consolidate these results and enable a more in-depth examination of its impact on the host’s physiology, immunity, and metabolism. Full article

Cyclopes, the smallest of all known anteaters, has an insectivorous diet and is arboreal, rarely descending to the ground. There are scarce reports on diseases and pathogenic agents affecting this taxon. Hemopathogens are pathogenic agents that inhabit the blood of various vertebrate species. Protozoa such as Trypanosoma spp., Leishmania spp., Hepatozoon spp., and members of the order Piroplasmida, as well as hemoplasmas and Rickettsial bacteria of the genera Anaplasma and Ehrlichia, are among the most important in this group. The transmission of these pathogens generally occurs through arthropod vectors, which act as intermediate hosts. In addition, infections caused by hemopathogens can have adverse effects on host health, contributing to population declines in susceptible species. This study investigated infection by protozoa and hemotropic bacteria in blood samples from free-ranging silky anteaters from Brazil, Peru, and Colombia using molecular detection methods. Sixteen samples were obtained during expeditions conducted in these countries. DNA was extracted from blood samples, and PCR assays were performed to detect parasites from the order Piroplasmida, Hepatozoon spp., trypanosomatid agents including Leishmania spp., Trypanosoma evansi, T. cruzi, and T. vivax, as well as hemotropic bacteria of the genera Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, and Mycoplasma sp. Nucleotide sequencing was performed on positive samples. Of the total samples analyzed, 62.5% (10/16) tested positive for hemotropic Mycoplasma, 50% (8/16) for T. evansi, and 6.2% (1/16) for T. cruzi. There is a significant gap in knowledge regarding the diversity of hemopathogens affecting the genus Cyclopes, and future studies are needed to understand how these infections may impact the health of individuals. Full article

Background: The gut microbiota is increasingly recognized as a key modulator in obesity management, influencing host energy balance, lipid metabolism, and inflammatory pathways. With obesity prevalence continuing to rise globally, dietary interventions that promote beneficial microbial shifts are essential for enhancing weight loss outcomes and long-term health. Objective: This study investigated the effects of the multicomponent Weight Loss Maintenance 3 Phases Program (WLM3P), which integrates caloric restriction, a high-protein low-carbohydrate diet, time-restricted eating (10h TRE), dietary supplementation (prebiotics and phytochemicals), and digital app-based support on gut microbiota composition compared to a standard low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) in adults with obesity. The analysis focused exclusively on the 6-month weight loss period corresponding to Phases 1 and 2 of the WLM3P intervention. Methods: In this sub-analysis of a randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04192357), 58 adults with obesity (BMI 30.0–39.9 kg/m²) were randomized to the WLM3P (n = 29) or LCD (n = 29) groups. Stool samples were collected at baseline and 6 months for 16S rRNA sequencing. Alpha and beta diversity were assessed, and genus-level differential abundance was determined using EdgeR and LEfSe. Associations between microbial taxa and clinical outcomes were evaluated using regression models. Results: After 6-month, the WLM3P group showed a significant increase in alpha diversity (p = 0.03) and a significant change in beta diversity (p < 0.01), while no significant changes were observed in the LCD group. Differential abundance analysis revealed specific microbial signatures in WLM3P participants, including increased levels of Faecalibacterium. Notably, higher Faecalibacterium abundance was associated with greater reductions in fat mass (kg, %) and visceral adiposity (cm²) in the WLM3P group compared to LCD (p < 0.01). Conclusions: These findings suggest a potential microbiota-mediated mechanism in weight loss, where Faecalibacterium may enhance fat reduction effectiveness in the context of the WLM3P intervention. Full article

Stag beetles are saproxylic insects, essential for decomposing rotten wood and maintaining the carbon cycle. Their gut bacteria contribute significantly to nutrient digestion and energy acquisition, making them crucial for understanding host-microbe interactions. Despite the fungivorous behavior of stag beetle larvae, research on how diet influences gut bacterial diversity remains scarce. Therefore, this study was conducted to compare the diversity and metabolic functions of gut bacteria in Dorcus hopei larvae fed on fungus (Pleurotus geesteranus) and rotten wood diets using high-throughput sequencing technology. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in gut bacterial community composition between two diets, highlighting diet as a key factor shaping bacterial diversity. Additionally, gut bacterial communities varied across larval developmental stages (p < 0.05), indicating the influence of host age. Dominant bacterial phyla included Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria. Bacteroidetes were more abundant in rotten-wood-fed larvae (7.61%) than fungus-fed larvae (0.15%), while Proteobacteria were more abundant in fungus-fed larvae. Functional analysis revealed that rotten-wood-fed larvae were primarily related to carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism, whereas fungus-fed larvae exhibited enhanced membrane transport function. This study enhances the understanding of gut bacterial diversity and functions in stag beetles, providing a theoretical foundation for their conservation and sustainable utilization. Full article

Background/Objectives: Obesity is increasingly recognized as a global health concern due to its association with metabolic disorders and gut microbiota dysbiosis. While probiotics offer promise in regulating gut microbiota and improving host metabolism, strain-specific effects remain underexplored, particularly for canine-derived probiotics. This study aimed to isolate and characterize a novel probiotic strain, Ligilactobacillus animalis LA-1, and evaluate its anti-obesity effects and underlying mechanisms using a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mouse model. Methods: LA-1 was isolated from the feces of a healthy dog and assessed for probiotic potential in vitro, including gastrointestinal tolerance, bile salt hydrolase activity, cholesterol-lowering capacity, and fatty acid absorption. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed either a standard chow diet or an HFD for 16 weeks, with HFD mice receiving oral LA-1 supplementation (2 × 10⁹ CFU/day). Multi-omics analyses, including 16S rRNA gene sequencing, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) quantification, and untargeted liver metabolomics, were employed to investigate the effects of LA-1 on gut microbiota composition, metabolic pathways, and obesity-related phenotypes. Results: LA-1 supplementation significantly alleviated HFD-induced weight gain, hepatic lipid accumulation, and adipose tissue hypertrophy, without affecting food intake. It improved serum lipid profiles, reduced liver injury markers, and partially restored gut microbiota composition, decreasing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and enriching SCFA-producing genera. Total SCFA levels, particularly acetate, propionate, and butyrate, increased following LA-1 treatment. Liver metabolomics revealed that LA-1 modulated pathways involved in lipid and amino acid metabolism, resulting in decreased levels of acetyl-CoA, triglycerides, and bile acids. Conclusions: L. animalis LA-1 exerts anti-obesity effects via gut microbiota modulation, enhanced SCFA production, and hepatic metabolic reprogramming. These findings highlight its potential as a targeted probiotic intervention for obesity and metabolic disorders. Full article

Serious enteric disease caused by seven species of Eimeira continues to cause significant economic damage to the poultry industry. E. acervulina is one of the most widespread strains in farms and has a significant impact on chicken weight loss. Currently, the use of anticoccidial agents to suppress the occurrence of coccidiosis in farms is considerably restricted due to public health and environmental pollution issues. It is important to understand the protective immunity of the host against Eimeria infections with regard to natural products that could be used as alternatives to anticoccidial agents. Berberine chloride is known for its various biological functions, including its anti-parasite activity. However, its impact on intestinal morphology and immune-related activity in broilers infected with Eimeria still remains unclear. The aim of this study is to evaluate the anticoccidial effects of a berberine-based diet in broilers infected with E. acervulina and to monitor the host immune phenomenon using transcriptomic analysis. Administration of berberine to chickens infected with E. acervulina significantly reduced fecal oocyst production and intestinal lesion scores, and increased duodenal villus height, indicating anticoccidial activity and positive effects on intestinal morphology. Transcriptomic analysis of chickens infected with E. acervulina generally observed the down-regulation of metabolism-related genes and the up-regulation of cell integrity-related genes at day 4 post-infection. At day 6 post-infection, an increase in immune-related genes and cellular-homeostasis-related genes was generally observed. Berberine-treated and E. acervulina-infected chickens showed cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction in the second term in a Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis at day 4 post-infection, but not in chickens infected with E. acervulina alone, suggesting host immune changes induced by berberine. These results suggest that berberine, which exhibits anticoccidial effects, may have therapeutic and/or prophylactic potential in protecting the host from infectious and economic-loss-causing diseases, such as Eimeria infection. Full article