Search Results (1,489)

Background/Objectives: Emerging evidence suggests that hippocampal neuroinflammation (HNF) drives cognitive decline via dysregulation of the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Corylus heterophylla Fisch. male flower extract (CFE), a flavonoid-rich by-product of hazelnut processing, presents a promising yet unexplored neuroprotective candidate. This study investigated the preventive effects and mechanisms of CFE against HNF-induced cognitive decline. Methods: In the present study, mice were pretreated with CFE (200 mg/kg) before the Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration. Cognitive function, inflammation, core pathology, neuroplasticity, gut microbiota and serum metabolites were assessed. The chemical composition of CFE was analyzed by UHPLC-MS and its direct immunomodulatory effects were investigated in BV2 cells. Results: Behavioral assessments demonstrated significant therapeutic efficacy. This was evidenced by the recovery from hippocampal damage, accompanied by reduced levels of core pathological markers (Aβ1–42, Tau, p-Tau (Ser404), GSK-3β), decreased expression of pro-inflammatory mediators including IL-33, elevated levels of neurotrophic factors (BDNF and MAP2), and attenuated abnormal activation of astrocytes and microglia. The 16S rRNA analysis confirmed that CFE ameliorated gut microbial dysbiosis. Notably, CFE significantly increased the relative abundance of Muribaculaceae and Lachnospiraceae, while significantly decreased Staphylococcus and Helicobacter. Metabolomics revealed enhanced levels of α-linolenic acid (ALA), serotonin (5-HT) and acetic acid, which correlated positively with Muribaculaceae and Lachnospiraceae. Phytochemical analysis identified luteolin and kaempferol as the predominant flavonoids in CFE. In BV2 cells, CFE, luteolin and kaempferol shifted microglial polarization from the M1 phenotype toward the M2 phenotype. Conclusions: CFE alleviated HNF-induced cognitive decline by regulating microbiota-gut-brain axis and microglial M1/M2 polarization. Full article

This study describes the results of integrative analysis of cyanobacterial communities in waterbodies of Moscow, Russia. 16S rRNA V3–V4 metabarcoding and light microscopy are implemented to investigate the diversity, abundance, and distribution of cyanobacteria, including the representatives of potentially toxigenic taxa—Anabaena, Aphanizomenon, Dolichospermum, Microcystis, and Planktothrix. High convergence is observed between microscopy and metabarcoding data for dominant genera, including Microcystis and Planktothrix. Sequence verification reveals total (100%) similarity between previously isolated toxigenic strains (e.g., Microcystis aeruginosa CBMC403m and CBMC523m) and corresponding highly abundant ASVs. In addition, current study ascertains the efficiency of metabarcoding for detection of rare cyanobacterial taxa missed by microscopy. We hereby acknowledge the limitations of V3–V4 16S rRNA-based metabarcoding approach for region species-level resolution and distinguishing potentially toxigenic taxa of cyanobacteria. At the same time, our findings validate metabarcoding as a rapid and reliable tool for monitoring of CyanoHABs in urban water ecosystems. Full article

Bioaerosols are a major source of airborne microbial contamination in intensive poultry production systems. Their concentration and community structure can profoundly influence animal health, public health, and the overall safety of the farming environment. However, the dynamic characteristics of bacterial aerosols in enclosed poultry houses during winter remain insufficiently studied. Using Taihang chickens as a model, this study investigated three key production stages—brooding (15 days), growing (60 days), and laying (150 days)—under winter cage-rearing conditions. A six-stage Andersen sampler was employed alongside culture-dependent enumeration and 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing to analyze variations in bacterial aerosol concentration, particle size distribution, and community succession patterns. The results revealed a significant increase in the concentration of culturable airborne bacteria with bird age, rising from 8.98 × 10³ colony-forming unit (CFU)/m³ to 2.89 × 10⁴ CFU/m³ (p < 0.001). The particle size distribution progressively shifted from larger, settleable particles (≥4.7 μm) toward smaller, respirable particles (<4.7 μm). Microbial sequencing indicated a continuous increase in bacterial alpha diversity across the three stages (Chao1 and Shannon indices, p < 0.05), while beta diversity exhibited stage-specific clustering, reflecting clear differences in community assembly. The composition of dominant bacterial genera transitioned from potentially pathogenic taxa such as Acinetobacter and Corynebacterium during the brooding stage to a greater abundance of beneficial genera, including Bacteroides, Lactobacillus, and Ruminococcus, in later stages. This shift suggests a potential ecological link between aerosolized bacterial communities and host development, possibly related to the aerosolization of gut microbiota. Notably, several zoonotic bacterial species were detected in the poultry house air, indicating potential public health and occupational exposure risks under winter confinement conditions. This study is the first to elucidate the ecological succession patterns of airborne bacterial aerosols in Taihang chicken houses across different growth stages during winter. The findings provide a scientific basis for optimizing winter ventilation strategies, implementing stage-specific environmental controls, and reducing pathogen transmission and occupational hazards. Full article

Growing evidence highlights the links between diabetic neuropathy (DNP), gut dysbiosis, mitochondrial dysfunction and neuroinflammation in colon and bone microstructure deterioration. Geranylgeraniol (GG) shows neuroprotective and osteoprotective capacity. Our study examines GG’s effects on pain-associated behaviors, glucose homeostasis, gut microbiota, mitochondrial homeostasis, and bone microstructure in DNP rats. We randomly assigned 27 male Sprague Dawley rats to three groups (n = 8–10/group): a control group (regular low-fat diet), a DNP group (high-fat diet + a single dose of 35 mg/kg streptozotocin), and a GG-treated DNP group (a single dose of 35 mg/kg streptozotocin + GG at 800 mg/kg in diet) for 6 weeks. Nocifensive response was assessed via the von Frey test and an open field test, and the elevated plus maze was used to assess anxio-depressive behaviors. The mRNA expression levels of tight junction protein, mitochondrial homeostasis, and neuroinflammation were measured in the colon using qRT-PCR. We collected fecal samples for microbiota composition analysis with 16S rRNA gene sequencing and analyzed by QIIME 2. All other data were analyzed via one-way ANOVA followed by post hoc Tukey’s multiple comparison. p < 0.05 was defined as statistical significance. Our study showed GG’s ability to mitigate mechanical hypersensitivity and anxio-depressive behavior in rats with DNP. GG supplementation did not improve glucose homeostasis (i.e., glucose intolerance, insulin sensitivity, pancreatic β-cell dysfunction) and bone microstructure. GG increased alpha-diversity without changing microbial abundance. DNP rats exhibited elevated Clostridium sensu stricto and reduced Eubacterium coprostanoligenes, Lachnospiraceae, Oscillospiraceae, and Peptococcaceae compared with controls. GG did not reverse DNP-induced gut dysbiosis but increased colonic claudin-3 (tight junction), MFN1 (mitochondria fusion), and TFAM (mitochondria biogenesis), while reducing FIS1 (mitochondria fission), GFAP (glial activation), P62 and PINK1 (mitophagy), and TNFα (inflammation). Functionally, GG reduced pain behaviors, improved intestinal integrity and mitochondrial homeostasis, increased alpha-diversity, and suppressed neuroinflammation, but did not improve glucose homeostasis or bone microstructure in obese DNP rats. Full article

This study examined the protective impact of tributyrin on heat-stressed Taihe silky fowls, providing insight into oxidative status, inflammatory response, and mucosal barrier function. Three hundred chicks were randomly assigned to 6 treatments: control (CON, 24 ± 1 °C) fed with basal diet and 5 heat stress (HS) treatments (34 ± 1 °C for 8 h/d) fed with basal diet containing 0, 0.04, 0.08, 0.16, and 0.32% tributyrin. Heat stress elevated serum malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), D-lactate, and diamine oxidase levels, and decreased total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), interleukin 4 (IL-4), interleukin 10 (IL-10), and immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels (p < 0.05). Compared with HS treatment, tributyrin reversed these serum changes (p < 0.05). Moreover, HS elevated jejunal and ileal MDA content and IL-1β mRNA abundance, decreased GSH-Px activity, villus height (VH), VH: crypt depth ratio, and mRNA abundance of IL-10, occludin, and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), and decreased cecal butyrate content (p < 0.05). Compared with HS treatment, tributyrin reduced jejunal and ileal MDA content and IL-1β mRNA abundance, increased GSH-Px activity, VH, and mRNA abundance of IL-4, IL-10, occludin, and ZO-1, and increased cecal butyrate content (p < 0.05). In conclusion, tributyrin enhanced antioxidant capacity, attenuated inflammatory responses, increased cecal butyrate content, and improved intestinal morphology and mucosal barrier function in cyclic heat-stressed Taihe silky fowls. Full article

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the development of diverse vaccine platforms, including mRNA, adenoviral vector, and protein subunit vaccines. Given the growing evidence that the gut microbiome modulates vaccine-induced immunity, this study compared the effects of a protein subunit vaccine (NVX-CoV2373), an mRNA vaccine (BNT162b2), and an adenoviral vector vaccine (ChAdOx1) on gut microbiome diversity following booster vaccination. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study involving 35 healthy adults who received an NVX-CoV2373 booster. Stool and blood samples were collected before vaccination and three weeks afterward. Gut microbiome profiles were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and the results were compared with our previous cohorts who received BNT162b2 or ChAdOx1 vaccines. Results: The NVX-CoV2373 booster was associated with a significant increase in the Shannon diversity index (p = 0.027), indicating enhanced alpha diversity. This finding contrasts with the decrease or absence of significant short-term change observed following repeated administrations of adenoviral vector and mRNA vaccines, respectively. Notably, NVX-CoV2373 vaccination was accompanied by an increased relative abundance of beneficial taxa such as Bacteroides fragilis and a decrease in Prevotella bivia. In comparison, repeated ChAdOx1 doses resulted in a sustained reduction in alpha diversity, whereas BNT162b2 showed a transient post-booster rise followed by a long-term decline in species richness. Conclusions: In the booster setting, the protein subunit vaccine NVX-CoV2373 exerted a distinct and favorable effect on gut microbiome diversity, increasing alpha diversity in contrast to the patterns observed with mRNA and adenoviral vector booster vaccines. Full article

Kentucky bluegrass powdery mildew, caused by the fungus Blumeria graminis f. sp. poae, is a destructive disease affecting Poa pratensis L. In this study, endophytic bacteria were isolated from the resistant Kentucky bluegrass cultivar ‘Taihang’. Employing a combination of conidia germination inhibition assays and control efficacy tests, the biocontrol endophytic bacterial strains were screened. The impact of inoculation with the powdery mildew pathogen and biocontrol endophytic bacteria on the difference in endophytic bacterial community in the leaves of Kentucky bluegrass were studied via Illumina Miseq high-throughput 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing technology. A total of 18 endophytic bacterial isolates were obtained from ‘Taihang’, belonging to 3 phyla: Proteobacteria (3 isolates), Actinobacteria (6 isolates), and Firmicutes (9 isolates). The conidia germination assay revealed that isolates 6213 (Bacillus sp.) and 718 (Neobacillus sp.) exhibited the strongest inhibitory against Blumeria graminis f. sp. poae, with inhibition rate exceeding 80%. Isolate 718 exhibited superior control efficacy over strain 6213. A concentration of 10⁹ colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL) was the most effective in suppressing powdery mildew on Kentucky bluegrass. The abundance of Proteobacteria on Kentucky bluegrass after the application of isolate 718 may enhance the resistance of Kentucky bluegrass to powdery mildew, and the dominant endophytic bacterial communities were Burkholderiales, Burkholderiaceae and Cupriavidus, indicating that the application of isolate 718 modulated the plant’s response to powdery mildew infection. These results demonstrate that isolate 718 enhanced the resistance of Kentucky bluegrass against powdery mildew by reshaping the endophytic bacterial community within the leaves. These findings provide molecular insights into plant−pathogen−endophytic bacteria interactions and support the development of sustainable strategies, eco-friendly strategies for plant diseases management. Full article

The effects of chlorogenic acid (CGA) on intestinal histomorphology, barrier integrity, antioxidant parameters, and gut microbiota in heat-stressed rabbits were assessed in this study. One hundred and twenty weaned New Zealand rabbits were assigned to three groups: control (CON) at 25 ± 1 °C, heat stress (HS) at 35 ± 1 °C, and HS with CGA supplementation (HS + CGA) at 35 ± 1 °C. Rabbits in the CON and HS groups were fed a basic diet, while those in the HS + CGA group receive the basic diet added with 800 mg/kg CGA. HS induced intestinal oxidative stress, impaired intestinal morphology and barrier function, and altered the gut microbiota. CGA supplementation mitigated HS-induced increases in serum diamine oxidase and D-lactate levels, and intestinal malondialdehyde content (p < 0.05), and countered HS-induced reductions in intestinal superoxide dismutase activity, villus height/crypt depth ratio, and claudin-1 and ZO-1 mRNA expressions (p < 0.05). In addition, HS decreased the abundances of Akkermansia and uncultured_bacterium_g__Akkermansia and increased the Firmicutes/Bacteroidota ratio and uncultured_bacterium_g__unclassified_o_Clostridia_UCG-014 abundance as well as the abundance of bacterial functions related to animal_parasites_or_symbionts and human_pathogens_all. HS-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis was significantly restored by CGA supplementation. The findings indicated that dietary 800 mg/kg CGA supplementation effectively safeguarded intestinal health in rabbits under high temperatures. Full article

Intestinal health is critical for nutrient absorption and disease resistance in cultured fish. Yet, the effects of dietary Eucalyptus-derived biochar on the gut of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) remain largely unexplored. This study evaluated whether supplementing diets with Eucalyptus biochar c profiles. In a 56-day feeding trial, M. salmoides were offered a standard diet containing either 0% (control) or graded levels of biochar. Juvenile fish (initial body weight 13.34 g) were randomly distributed into six groups with three replicates each (30 fish per replicate). Six extruded diets were formulated with 0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, 20.0, or 40.0 g kg⁻¹ of biochar, designated G0 through G5. Biochar had no significant effects on villus length, muscle layer thickness, villus width, or the activities of trypsin, amylase, and lipase, though goblet cell number was significantly higher in G5. mRNA expression of Claudin-3 and IL-10 was significantly upregulated in G1–G4, while IL-1β was significantly downregulated in G4 and G5, and TNF-α expression was reduced in G2 and G3. 16S rDNA sequencing showed increasing trends in the relative abundance of Firmicutes (43% to 49.17%) and Lactococcus (0% to 1.10%) in G3, accompanied by decreases in Proteobacteria and Klebsiella. Metabolomic analysis indicated significant upregulation of taurochenodeoxycholic acid-7-sulfate, apigenin, genistein, baicalein, taurocholic acid-3-sulfate, taurochenodeoxycholic acid-3-sulfate, and arginylmethionine in G3, whereas etoxazole and soyasaponin were significantly reduced. Dietary inclusion of 10 g kg⁻¹ Eucalyptus biochar improved intestinal health in largemouth bass by shaping the gut microbiota, promoting isoflavone biosynthesis and bile acid and amino acid metabolism, inhibiting the NF-κB pathway, and reinforcing the intestinal barrier. Full article

This study aimed to explore the effect of 2′-Fucosyllactose (2′-FL) on the gut health of aged mice. The results revealed that 2′-FL intervention effectively improved the intestinal permeability and reduced the serum diamine oxidase (DAO) level in aged mice (p < 0.05); in addition, 2′-FL increased the IgA level and decreased the IgG level (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, 2′-FL reduced the serum levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IFN-γ (p < 0.05). Histopathological analysis indicated that 2′-FL successfully reversed intestinal damage in the jejunum and colon. Additionally, 2′-FL increased the expression of the tight-junction proteins ZO-1 and Claudin-1 both at mRNA and protein levels (p < 0.05), and also down-regulated the expression of pro-inflammatory factors (IL-6, IL-1β) (p < 0.05), and decreased aging-related markers P16^INK4α and P21^Cip1. Furthermore, 16S rRNA results showed that 2′-FL increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria in the gut, such as Lachnospiraceae_UCG-006, norank_f__Muribaculaceae and Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group. In conclusion, 2′-FL effectively improved the intestinal immune health of the aged mice and provided a theoretical basis for its application as a functional component in the treatment of intestinal diseases. Full article

This study explored the efficacy of dietary Fagopyrum dibotrys extract (FDE) in mitigating Escherichia coli O157 (E. coli) infections in broilers. A total of 240 one-day-old male Shengze 901 broilers were randomly allocated to four groups (with 10 broilers per group): CON (basal diet), COLI (basal diet + E. coli challenge), FDE (basal diet + 500 mg/kg FDE), and FDEC (basal diet + 500 mg/kg FDE + E. coli challenge). The results showed that E. coli challenge reduced the average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI), increased the feed conversion ratio (FCR) and cecal E. coli load, impaired the intestinal mucosa, and induced intestinal inflammatory responses (p < 0.05). FDE supplementation improved growth performance, increased duodenal villus height and villus/crypt ratio; reduced serum interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), diamine oxidase (DAO), and endotoxin levels; and lowered cecal E. coli counts (p < 0.05). Molecularly, FDE supplementation upregulated Occludin, Claudin-1, and ZO-1 gene expressions, and downregulated jejunal TLR4 and MyD88 mRNA levels. Microbiome analysis revealed that FDE increased the relative abundance of Faecalibacterium and alleviated the E. coli-induced reduction in Clostridia_UCG-014. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 500 mg/kg FDE could mitigate colibacillosis-related intestinal damage and inflammatory responses. Full article

Procyanidin B1 (PB1), a polyphenol abundant in Cyperus esculentus stems and leaves extract (CELE), exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, though its mechanisms are not fully understood. This study investigated CELE’s effects in chickens and LPS-stimulated HD11 macrophages. Chickens fed CELE showed increased blood levels of SOD, GSH-Px, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10, while MDA decreased. RNA-seq of LPS + PB1 vs. LPS-treated cells identified 696 differentially expressed genes enriched in inflammation and antioxidant pathways. Analysis indicated 120 transcription factors (TFs) may regulate these changes, with FOSL1, HIF1A, and STAT2 significantly downregulated. In HD11 cells, PB1 reduced expression of HIF1A/STAT2-target genes (e.g., HMGA2, EPSTI1), lowered IL-1β, IL-6, and ROS, and shifted macrophage polarization from M1 to M2. PB1’s effects were enhanced by an HIF1A inhibitor but reversed by a STAT2 activator. These findings support PB1 and CELE as potential feed additives for livestock. Full article

Background/Objectives: Protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM) is common among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the relationship between PCM and the gut microbiota in patients with IBD remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between PCM and the colonic mucosal microbiota in patients with IBD. Methods: Colonic mucosal samples were obtained from 24 IBD patients with PCM and 24 IBD type-matched patients without PCM. PCM was defined as a body mass index (BMI) < 18.5 kg/m² and/or weight loss of ≥10% within the preceding 6 months. The full-length bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA gene (V1–V9) was sequenced using the PacBio Sequel IIe. Alpha and beta diversity and species-level differential abundance were analyzed, adjusting for age, sex, BMI, and disease type. Results: Among 48 patients (36 Crohn’s disease and 12 ulcerative colitis), diversity indices (Chao1, p = 0.474; Shannon, p = 0.931) and overall composition (Bray–Curtis, p = 0.719) did not differ by PCM status, although microbial composition was associated with age (p = 0.011) and biopsy-site inflammation (p = 0.001). PCM was associated with 12 differentially abundant taxa, including enrichment of Intestinibacter bartlettii and depletion of Bifidobacterium longum, Sphingomonas leidyi, and Clostridium innocuum, along with changes in several previously unclassified species. Conclusions: IBD patients with PCM exhibited shifts in the colonic mucosal microbiota including reduction in Bifidobacterium longum, a well-known probiotic. Further investigations into the role of the microbiota in PCM in IBD patients and the potential beneficial effects of probiotics are warranted. Full article

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) represent the most abundant class of small RNAs in plants, in which the miR159 family demonstrates a high degree of conservation across various plant species and plays a crucial role in regulating anther, silique, and seed development by targeting GAMYB-like. The members of the Fan-miR159 family in cultivated strawberry target not only GAMYB-like genes but also Auxin Response Factor (ARF) family members, which are annotated as “ARF23-like” in the genome. In this study, we firstly analyzed the structural features, evolutionary conservation, and expression patterns of the miR159 family in Fragaria × ananassa. Then, we reannotated the “ARF23-like” genes in cultivated strawberry and found that they actually belong to the “ARF2b” subfamily. Finally, we utilized RT-qPCR and co-transformation experiments to analyze and validate our observation. The results showed the suppression of FaARF2b-2 expression by fan-miR159n and fan-miR159r in both tobacco and strawberry. Moreover, two transcripts of the FaARF2b-2 gene were detected in cultivated strawberry, FaARF2b-2R and FaARF2b-2M. The expression levels of both FaARF2b-2M and FaARF2b-2R increased following the abscisic acid (ABA) treatment, indicating that they may be positively regulated by ABA. In addition, FaARF2b-2M exhibits significantly higher expression levels in the anther compared to FaARF2b-2R, which potentially plays an important role in the male reproductive development. Our findings enhance the understanding of the miR159 family in cultivated strawberry and expand the knowledge regarding its novel targets. Full article

The correct course of DNA replication is crucial to maintaining the integrity of the genome. Any abnormality in this process inevitably leads to replication stress (RS). Hydroxyurea (HU) is a replication stressor widely used to inhibit DNA biosynthesis by depleting the deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) pool. The aim of the study was to examine how the 24-, 48-, and 72 h exposures to 0.75 mM HU affect the localization of fibrillarin (FBL; a highly conserved nucleolar protein and the component of Cajal bodies) and the amount of rRNA transcripts (detected using 5-ethynyl uridine; 5-EU), in root meristem cells of Allium cepa. The consequence of prolonged RS was initially (after 24 h of incubation in HU) a 2-fold increase in 5-EU incorporation into the nucleolus, then (after 48- and 72 h incubations) followed by a gradual decrease in rRNA transcription to a level similar to that of the control. In interphase and in early prophase, both in the control material and during successive periods of incubation of root meristems in HU, the immunofluorescence of FBL accumulated in the fibrillar centers (FCs) of the nucleoli, in the dense fibrillar components (DFC), and in the granular components (GC). In some HU-treated metaphase cells, FBL was localized around the telomeres of the chromosomes, while in telophase, it was found in the fragmented chromosomes. In addition, an increase in the number of Cajal bodies (CBs) was observed during subsequent incubation periods with HU. After 48 and 72 h of treatment with HU, the number of CBs was found to be almost twice that observed in the control series. CBs disappeared in prophase and reappeared in interphase. These results suggest that depending on the duration of RS, changes in the level of rRNA transcription and in the abundance of CBs may correlate with the production of RNP and ribosome biogenesis. Full article