Search Results (5,215)

Inflammatory bowel diseases, comprising Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, represent chronic inflammatory disorders with rising global incidence, underscoring the pivotal role of modifiable environmental factors in disease pathogenesis. Diet and intestinal microbiota have emerged as critical bidirectional therapeutic targets through complex interactions with host immune responses. Epidemiological evidence demonstrates that healthy and high fiber diets reduce disease risk, while ultra-processed foods and inflammatory dietary patterns increase susceptibility. Therapeutic nutritional interventions, including exclusive enteral nutrition, the Crohn’s Disease Exclusion Diet combined with partial enteral nutrition, and the Mediterranean diet can induce and maintain clinical remission while promoting favorable microbiome modifications characterized by the enrichment of butyrate-producing taxa such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Roseburia species, alongside a reduction in pathogenic Proteobacteria. Micronutrient deficiencies affect up to 78% of patients through malabsorption, chronic blood losses, dietary restrictions, and drug–nutrient interactions. Nutritional status significantly impacts surgical outcomes, with preoperative malnutrition and sarcopenia associated with increased postoperative complications, and it reciprocally influences biologic therapy response. Integration of personalized, microbiome-informed dietary strategies as complementary components of comprehensive treatment plans represents a promising therapeutic frontier, requiring multidisciplinary collaboration, rigorous clinical trials with standardized microbiome analyses, and precision nutrition algorithms accounting for disease phenotype, baseline microbial composition, and individual patient characteristics to optimize outcomes and improve quality of life. Full article

The poultry sector plays a crucial role in global food production by meeting the growing demand for affordable, nutritious protein sources. However, it faces significant challenges in providing sustainable and cost-effective nutritional solutions that improve poultry health, performance, and product quality. Recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have the potential to enhance poultry nutrition through the development of precise feeding strategies. AI helps monitor and optimize nutrient intake, thereby boosting feed efficiency, reducing waste, and lowering costs. This article examines how AI-driven innovations may advance the management of poultry feed ingredients, nutrient monitoring, and dietary formulations. By utilizing AI tools such as machine learning algorithms and real-time data analytics, poultry producers can track and assess the nutritional needs of individual birds. This allows for the development of more precise feed formulations tailored to the specific needs of different age groups, breeds, and environmental conditions. These AI technologies help select the best feed ingredients and enable precise adjustments to nutrient composition. This results in healthier birds, better feed conversion rates, and higher-quality poultry products. Additionally, AI advancements help reduce the environmental impact of poultry farming by reducing feed waste and resource consumption. This article highlights how AI-driven insights enhance decision-making, enabling the poultry industry to grow sustainably while promoting animal welfare, increasing efficiency, and producing high-quality poultry products that meet consumer expectations for both sustainability and nutritional value. Full article

In response to the problems of loose soil structure and insufficient water and nutrient retention capacity of sandy bank slopes in arid regions, which constrain vegetation establishment and long-term slope stability, this study focuses on typical sandy soils in arid northwestern China. The desert plant Alhagi sparsifolia, characterized by clonal root sucker reproduction, was selected as the study species to construct and optimize a composite-amended sandy substrate suitable for ecological restoration of bank slopes. Based on an orthogonal experimental design, carboxymethyl cellulose sodium (CMC), straw fibers (SF), and fly ash (FA) were combined at different proportions to assess (i) the vertical distribution of soil water and nutrients in the A. sparsifolia growth habitat, (ii) aggregate structure, (iii) plant trait responses to environmental regulation, and (iv) the shear strength of root–soil composites. The results indicate that when the contents of CMC, SF, and FA were 0.5%, 1.0%, and 5.0%, respectively, the substrate environment promoted a vertically oriented root system with pronounced lateral root development in A. sparsifolia, and the plants adopted an adaptive strategy that balances resource acquisition efficiency and environmental constraints by regulating aboveground growth allocation. This growth pattern reduced the risk of disturbances to slope stability caused by excessive aboveground biomass while maintaining the sand-fixing function of root morphological traits. This study provides a plant functional trait-based regulation strategy for ecological restoration of typical sandy slopes in arid regions, and the proposed composite substrate optimization scheme offers a feasible reference for improving vegetation establishment and substrate performance in sandy habitats. Full article

Coffee is the second most widely traded commodity worldwide. This makes the management and valorization of waste generated during its production and brewing of considerable importance. Spent coffee grounds (SCG), the residue remaining after coffee brewing, account for approximately seven million tons of waste produced annually. Due to their nutrient-rich composition, SCG have significant potential for reuse in various sectors. This review briefly examines SCG’s applications as nutritional additives and flavoring agents in the food industry; as sorbent materials for removing chemical contaminants from water and air; as UV-protective and hydrating ingredients in cosmetics; and as a source of bioactive compounds with health-promoting properties in the pharmaceutical industry. Full article

Phaeodactylum tricornutum is one of the most well-characterized microalgae and serves as a pivotal model diatom in global carbon fixation and the mediation of biogeochemical cycling of essential nutrients. Over the past few decades, the availability of a complete genome assembly, coupled with the development of robust DNA manipulation tools and efficient DNA delivery methodologies, has established P. tricornutum as a promising photosynthetic chassis for the sustainable bioproduction of high-value compounds, including fucoxanthin and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). This review systematically summarizes the research progress in the strain improvement toolkit of P. tricornutum, encompassing both genetic and non-genetic engineering strategies. It elaborates on the types and applications of its representative bioactive products, as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying key synthetic pathways. Additionally, this work synthesizes the research findings on the optimization of critical cultivation conditions (e.g., light, temperature, and nutrient composition) that modulate the growth and product synthesis of P. tricornutum. On this basis, the challenges encountered by P. tricornutum in industrial applications are proposed for further discussion, aiming to provide a reference for in-depth exploration of related research directions and facilitate the expansion of its application scope in the field of biomanufacturing. Full article

Phyllostachys edulis (P. edulis) expansion threatens the structure and function of subtropical forests. Yet, how it impacts soil microbial diversity and network topology has not been fully explored. Herein, a typical transect of P. edulis expansion into Machilus thunbergii (M. thunbergii) forests was selected. Soil samples (0–10 cm) were collected along the transect from three typical vegetation types: P. edulis forest (BF), mixed P. edulis and M. thunbergii forest (BBLF), and M. thunbergii forest (BLF). Subsequently, soil physicochemical properties and microbial diversity were analyzed to elucidate the mechanisms by which P. edulis encroachment affects soil microbial diversity and its network topological characteristics. Results showed that P. edulis expansion increased soil pH and total phosphorus (TP), yet decreased soil water content (SWC), total carbon (TC), and total nitrogen (TN). Additionally, P. edulis expansion enhanced the Shannon and Simpson diversity indices of soil bacteria, while fungal diversity showed a V-shaped pattern, with the lowest in BBLF. Moreover, microbial community composition shifted significantly, with the relative abundances of Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, Basidiomycota, and Mortierellomycota increasing, whereas those of Acidobacteria, Firmicutes, Verrucomicrobia, and Ascomycota were decreasing. Network analysis revealed that P. edulis expansion shifted bacterial networks from cooperative-dominated interactions to a balance of competition and cooperation, while fungal networks formed core-taxa-dominated structures. Overall, our findings clarify that P. edulis expansion reshapes soil nutrient conditions to regulate microbial diversity, composition, and interaction networks, providing critical insights into the belowground ecological effects of P. edulis invasion into subtropical forests. Full article

The study aims to investigate the skin microbiome composition of Yaks and the effects of different dietary nutrient levels on the skin microbiome diversity and metabolites. A total of 19 healthy Tianzhu White Yaks at two age stages (2.5 and 4.5 years old) were selected and fed either a high-energy diet (n = 9) or a low-energy diet (n = 10). After 90 days of feeding, skin microbiota and skin tissue metabolites were detected using 16S rRNA sequencing and LC-MS/MS untargeted metabolomics, respectively. The results showed: (1) the phyla Firmicutes, Actinobacteriota, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes exhibited relatively high abundances in the skin of yaks, and the total abundance of these four phyla reached as high as 99.3%. Alpha diversity analysis indicated that the alpha diversity index of yak skin microbiota was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the low-energy nutritional level group than in the high-energy nutritional level group in yaks of both 2.5 and 4.5 years of age. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) revealed a distinct separation of all skin microbiota samples into two clusters: the high-energy (H) and low-energy (L) groups. (2) A total of 114 differentially expressed metabolites were screened across both groups, significantly enriched (p < 0.05) in pathways including synaptic vesicle trafficking and glycerophospholipid metabolism; (3) Correlation analysis between microbiota and metabolites revealed significant positive correlations (p < 0.01) between Psychrobacter and choline, and between Corynebacterium and palmitic acid. In conclusion, A low-energy diet increases skin microbial diversity, which is beneficial for maintaining community stability; In contrast, a high-energy diet enriches bacterial genera such as Corynebacterium and Psychrobacter, enhancing functions related to antibacterial activity and barrier protection. Full article

Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) is an important source of nutrition for humans, providing essential nutrients such as protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Its cultivation is highly attractive to flower-visiting insects, which find abundant nectar and a moderate amount of pollen grains. This study aimed to characterize the taxonomic diversity and composition of flower-visiting insect communities in buckwheat crops across two sites in Chitwan district, Nepal and to assess whether temperature and relative humidity influence community structure. We further quantified the contribution of insect pollination to buckwheat yield by comparing pollinator-excluded plots (net-covered) with open-pollinated plots. In addition, we estimated the economic value of insect-mediated pollination and the nutritional contribution of buckwheat production on a per capita basis. Data were analyzed using non-metric multidimensional scaling, permutational multivariate analysis of variance, similarity percentage analysis, and (generalized) linear mixed-effects models. We found significant differences in flower-visiting insect community composition between the two study sites, independent of temperature and relative humidity, with twelve taxa contributing most to this dissimilarity. Open-pollinated plots exhibited higher buckwheat yields than pollinator-excluded plots, highlighting the importance of insect visitation for crop production. Despite the presence of managed Apis species, we recorded frequent visitation by flies and solitary bees, indicating that these taxa are likely important contributors to buckwheat pollination at local scales. Similarly, insect-mediated pollination significantly increased buckwheat production, and its absence would result in substantial economic losses of USD 2.6 million and reduced nutritional contributions, highlighting the vulnerability of buckwheat-based food security for the Nepalese communities due to pollinator decline. Full article

Thai black-boned chickens, a native genetic resource valued for their dark-pigmented meat and blood with reputed functional properties, generally exhibit slower growth than commercial broilers. The potential for selective breeding to enhance growth performance while maintaining their unique nutritional and functional characteristics remains unclear. We compared growth performance and nutritional profiles of breast meat and blood between a genetically selected line and an unselected control, and evaluated sex and tissue effects. Two lines were reared under identical management (n = 200 chicks). Body weight (BW) was recorded from hatch to 16 wk; average daily gain (ADG) and breast circumference (BrC) were calculated at 0–4, 0–8, 0–12, and 0–16 wk and at 8, 12, and 16 wk, respectively. At 16 wk, 48 birds (12/sex/line) were sampled for proximate nutrients and amino acids in breast meat and whole blood. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA. The selected line outperformed the unselected line across all growth traits. Mixed-sex BW rose from 33.10 g at hatch to 1456.21 g at 16 wk versus 30.26 g to 1228.81 g in controls (18–19% higher at market age). ADG was greater in the selected line at every interval (14.27 vs. 11.24 g/day at 0–16 wk), with the largest advantage during 12–16 wk. BrC was consistently larger in genetically selected line (average 26.98 vs. 24.81 cm at 16 wk). Sex dimorphism was evident, with males showing the greatest response. Nutrient analyses showed higher total energy and fat contents in selected breast meat, whereas blood cholesterol and minerals (Na, Ca, Fe) levels were lower, particularly in the unselected line. Amino-acid profiling revealed higher concentrations of key essential amino acids (lysine, threonine, Branched-Chain Amino Acids; BCAAs) and major non-essentials (glutamic, aspartic acids) in the breast muscle of the selected line; most amino acids were greater in muscle than blood, with significant line × tissue interactions. Genetic selection substantially improved growth rate, breast development, and nutritional quality of breast meat while altering mineral and cholesterol distribution between tissues. These gains support selective breeding as a practical strategy to enhance productivity and functional values in black-boned chickens. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of supplementing methionine to a low-protein diet on nutrient digestibility, nitrogen (N) metabolism, growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, fur quality, and intestinal microbiota composition in blue foxes (Vulpes lagopus) during the fur-growing period. Fifty 17-week-old blue foxes were randomly allocated to five experimental groups (n = 10 per group). The control group received a diet containing 28% crude protein (CP), while the experimental groups were fed a 22% CP diet supplemented with 0%, 0.35%, 0.55%, or 0.75% methionine on a dry matter (DM) basis, designated as M0, M1, M2, and M3, respectively. Results demonstrated that the final body weight (FW), total weight gain (TW), and average daily gain (ADG) of the M3 group were comparable to the control group (p > 0.05). Methionine supplementation significantly enhanced fur quality and stimulated hair follicle development (p < 0.05). Although the reduction in dietary protein level led to decreased N intake and fecal N excretion, the M2 and M3 groups exhibited significantly higher N retention compared to the control, M0, and M1 groups (p < 0.05). Regarding nutrient digestibility, the M2 and M3 groups showed higher DM digestibility (p < 0.05), while the M3 group maintained organic matter (OM) digestibility comparable to the control group (p > 0.05). The highest CP digestibility was observed in the M3 group (p < 0.05). Additionally, ether extract (EE) digestibility was significantly improved in the methionine-supplemented groups (M1–M3) relative to the control (p < 0.05). Serum analysis revealed dose-dependent increases in total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) concentrations in the M2 and M3 groups. Conversely, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were elevated in these groups compared to the control and M0 groups (p < 0.05). Liver function parameters were also significantly improved in the M2 and M3 groups (p < 0.05). Furthermore, methionine supplementation enhanced the diversity and richness of the intestinal microbiota and altered its composition at the phylum and genus levels. In conclusion, supplementing low-protein diets with methionine can maintain growth performance, improve fur quality, enhance nutrient utilization efficiency, and support intestinal microbiota homeostasis in blue foxes. The optimal supplementation level is 0.75%, resulting in a total dietary methionine concentration of 1.1% on a DM basis. Full article

Continuous monocropping of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) often leads to soil degradation and yield decline, commonly referred to as continuous cropping obstacles (CCOs), which are closely linked to changes in soil physicochemical properties and microbial communities. Biochar has been widely used as a soil amendment to improve soil quality and microbial activity and is considered a potential strategy for alleviating CCOs. Understanding the effects of biochar on soil bacteria and metabolites under field conditions is essential, as it provides insights into its practical effectiveness in reducing CCOs and improving soil health in cassava cultivation systems. In this study, a field experiment was conducted in a continuous cassava system to investigate the effects of a single biochar application rate on soil bacterial diversity, community composition, and metabolite profiles in both rhizosphere and bulk soils. High-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing and UHPLC–MS/MS-based non-targeted metabolomics were employed to analyze soil bacterial and metabolic patterns. Biochar was associated with increased α-diversity in rhizosphere soil and distinct shifts in β-diversity. Biochar increased the relative abundance of Chloroflexi and Actinobacteriota in the bulk soil, while Cyanobacteria and Nitrospirota were more abundant in the rhizosphere. Network analysis revealed the compartment-specific differences after biochar application, with higher network complexity in the rhizosphere and lower complexity in the bulk soil relative to the control. Metabolomic profiling identified 402 metabolites in positive ion mode and 357 in negative ion mode. In the rhizosphere, biochar-treated soil exhibited higher relative abundances of alkaloids (e.g., trigonelline, berberine, vincristine) and flavonoids (e.g., catechin, naringin, rutin, and taxifolin), which are commonly linked to plant stress responses. In the bulk soil, biochar application resulted in lower levels of several anthropogenic organic compounds (e.g., monobutyl phthalate, terephthalic acid, and p–toluenesulfonic acid). These findings provide preliminary field evidence that biochar application can lead to compartment-specific changes in soil bacterial communities and metabolite profiles. Such changes are closely related to soil quality and nutrient cycling, pointing to a possible role of biochar in mitigating soil degradation under continuous cassava cultivation. Full article

Damage caused by Brassicogethes aeneus primarily affects the reproductive organs of rapeseed, disrupting fertilization and often leading to premature pod opening. In addition to direct yield loss, it is hypothesized that injury to generative tissues may also alter seed nutrient composition, particularly the unsaturated fatty acid profile, which is a key determinant of rapeseed quality. To assess this indirect effect, field experiments were conducted in 2024–2025, and seed samples were collected after ripening. The study aimed to evaluate pest-induced variation in nutrient content under different insecticide treatments. Alongside an untreated control, two active substances were tested: a systemic insecticide (acetamiprid) and a combined formulation of acetamiprid and lambda-cyhalothrin. Our results demonstrated that the widely used active insecticides are not effective against B. aeneus adults. Checking the fatty acid (FA) profile, within saturated FAs, the proportion of palmitic acid (C16:0) was the highest in the control; the single and combined pesticide treatments were characterized by increasing LA (C18:2n6) and ALA (C18:3n3) levels, in which both FAs exhibited a linear pattern with the single and combined treatments. In MUFAs, the most important finding was the negligible level of erucic acid (C22:1n9) below the detection limit. Oleic acid (C18:1n9) proportion was generally high (~50) and significantly decreased in treated groups. Oil quality affection highlights the importance of effective pest management to maintain the nutritional and technological value of rapeseed, as shifts in the n6:n3 ratio and thrombogenic index reflect stress responses rather than agronomic benefits. Full article

Coastal salt marshes are essential for climate change mitigation due to their high carbon storage capacity, which is influenced by soil type, hydrology, and floristic composition. Over the past century, invasive Phragmites australis has displaced native Sporobolus alterniflorus (formerly Spartina alterniflora) across salt marshes on the Long Island Sound, and it is widely hypothesized that its larger biomass and rapid growth enhance soil carbon sequestration. This study tested that hypothesis by comparing total organic carbon stocks and physical soil properties in two southern Connecticut marshes over multiple seasons. Our results show that mean soil bulk density was significantly higher under P. australis than S. alterniflorus at both locations. However, this did not translate to superior carbon storage. Analysis showed a significant seasonal effect but no significant overall difference in median TOC between species, indicating that P. australis is competitive in total mass only due to its higher soil density. Notably, Levene’s test for homogeneity of variance was significant (p = 0.039), revealing that P. australis creates highly heterogeneous “hot spots” of carbon storage compared to the relatively uniform distribution found in native stands. These findings suggest that while P. australis invasion results in a more physically dense and potentially resilient marsh platform—relevant for surviving sea-level rise and filtering nutrient runoff—it may simultaneously compromise the stability and uniformity of regional carbon sinks. Management strategies should consider these tradeoffs when prioritizing the protection of native S. alterniflorus for consistent carbon sequestration. Full article

Ureides; allantoate, allantoin, and amides; asparagine, and glutamine are the N₂ fixation products in soybean root nodules, and they are transported through xylem vessels. We estimated the transport rates of xylem constituents by multiplying nutrient concentrations by the water flow rate. Nodulated soybean plants were grown with an N-free solution under either 28 °C day/18 °C night or 28 °C day/28 °C night conditions, and diurnal changes in nutrient concentrations in xylem sap and transpiration rate were determined every 2 h. Under both conditions, xylem sap exudation rate and transpiration rate were high in light, and low, but not zero, in darkness. The sum of the xylem sap exudation rate and transpiration rate from detached shoots was almost the same as the water flow rate of intact plants at any time. All the N compounds exhibited a similar pattern: concentrations were high, but transport rates were lower at night. The proportions of N constituents were constant throughout the day and night. The composition and transport rate of xylem sap were not affected by night temperatures, except for cations. The results confirmed that the water flow rate and transport rate of xylem constituents can be estimated using detached roots and detached shoots. Full article

Recycling vineyard pruning residues into compost and vermicompost represents a sustainable strategy to reduce viticulture’s reliance on chemical fertilizers. Nonetheless, their effects on plant performance remain poorly understood. This study evaluated the effect of vine pruning residues compost and vermicompost on the physiological, biochemical, and growth performance of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Touriga Franca, in comparison with mineral fertilization and an unfertilized control. A pot experiment was conducted from April to September 2024 in northern Portugal under Mediterranean climate conditions, using one-year-old grapevines and subjected to four fertilization treatments. Leaf gas exchange, chlorophyll a fluorescence, photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant and osmoprotective metabolites, and shoot and root development were assessed at three sampling dates during the growing season. Organic amendments enhanced photosynthetic performance and root growth relative to the unfertilized control. Vermicompost promoted higher CO₂ assimilation, stomatal conductance, and shoot and root elongation, whereas compost increased intrinsic water use efficiency, photochemical regulation, and root biomass. Biochemical analyses indicated that compost favored protein and carotenoid accumulation, while vermicompost increased proline and later protein levels, alongside reduced phenolic and flavonoid contents. Despite their similar chemical composition, compost and vermicompost induced distinct physiological responses driven by differences in biological activity and nutrient dynamics. These findings demonstrate that pruning-derived organic amendments can match mineral fertilization in supporting grapevine performance while offering additional benefits for stress regulation and sustainable vineyard management. Full article