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ABSTRACT: The continuous expansion of intestinal stem cells (ISCs) is crucial for maintaining the renewal of the intestinal epithelium, particularly in inflammatory conditions. It remains largely unknown how the internal microbiota repair damage to the internal mucosal barrier. Hence, investigating potential anti-inflammatory probiotics from the intestinal symbolic microbes of broilers and analyzing their mechanism of action to support the intestinal mucosal barrier function can offer novel regulatory tools to alleviate broiler enteritis. In this research, we utilized in vivo broilers plus ex vivo organoids model to thoroughly examine the effectiveness of Lactobacillus reuteri (LR) in protecting the integrity of the intestinal mucosa during lipopolysaccharide-induced (LPS-induced) enteritis in broilers. The findings indicated that LR feeding maintained intestinal morphological and structural integrity, enhanced proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells, and inhibited cell apoptosis and inflammatory response against the deleterious effects triggered by LPS. Simultaneously, LR enhanced ISCs activity and stimulated intestinal epithelial regeneration to protect the intestinal barrier during LPS-induced injury conditions. The coculture system of LR and ileum organoids revealed that LR increased the growth of organoids and attenuated LPS-stimulated damage to organoids. Furthermore, the LPS-induced decrease in ISC activity was rescued by reactivation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling by LR ex vivo and in vivo. This research revealed that LR promoted the expansion of ISCs and intestinal epithelial cell renewal by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, thereby maintaining the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier. This finding provided theoretical support for lactobacillus as a probiotic additive in livestock feed to improve intestinal inflammation and treat intestinal diseases.

Cultivating Suaeda salsa (S. salsa) is a promising strategy for the improvement and development of saline wastelands. However, the absence of a scientifically reasonable water and fertilizer management system has long hindered the large-scale improvement and utilization of saline wastelands. Therefore, we performed field experiments for two consecutive years to investigate the effects of water-nitrogen coupling on biomass, forage quality, salt absorption capacity, soil improvement effect, and economic benefits of S. salsa. The optimal water and nitrogen dosages for multi-objective optimization were determined using multiple regression and spatial analysis methods. Three irrigation levels were established for the experiment based on 0.35 (W1), 0.50 (W2), and 0.65 (W3) of the local ETo (Where ETo denotes the reference evapotranspiration calculated based on the FAO-56 recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization). The three nitrogen application levels were 150 (F1), 250 (F2), and 350 (F3) kg ha−1 in the complete combination design. At the same nitrogen application level, the biomass and economic benefits of the W3 irrigation level were the highest. However, the forage quality, salt absorption capacity, salt reduction, and water productivity at the W3 irrigation level were lower than those at the W2 irrigation level, and the water productivity at the W1 irrigation level was the highest. At the same irrigation level, when the nitrogen application level was F2, the biomass, forage quality, salt absorption, salt reduction, and net profit, all reached their maximum values, and water productivity was the highest at the F3 level. The optimal amount of water and nitrogen applied for each parameter was different, so it was impossible to obtain the highest biomass, forage quality, salt absorption, salt reduction, water productivity, and net profit at the same time. Therefore, multi-objective optimization was needed, the optimal irrigation volume range was 3350.11–3485.97 m3 ha−1, and the nitrogen application rate range was 273.49–326.66 kg ha−1. These findings provide a scientific basis for the large-scale cultivation of S. salsa in extreme arid region, which is helpful for the improvement and utilization of saline-alkali land.

Research on complete mitochondrial genomes can help in understanding the molecular evolution and phylogenetic relationships of various species. In this study, the complete mitogenome of Hua aristarchorum was characterized to supplement the limited mitogenomic information on the genus Hua. Three distinct assembly methods, GetOrganelle, NovoPlasty and SPAdes, were used to ensure reliable assembly. The 15,691 bp mitogenome contains 37 genes and an AT-rich region. Notably, the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COX1) gene, commonly used for species identification, appears to be slow-evolving and less variable, which may suggest the inclusion of rapidly evolving genes (NADH dehydrogenase subunit 6 [ND6] or NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 [ND2]) as markers in diagnostic, detection, and population genetic studies of Cerithioidea. Moreover, we identified the unreliability of annotations (e.g., the absence of annotations for NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4L [ND4L] in NC_037771) and potential misidentifications (NC_023364) in public databases, which indicate that data from public databases should be manually curated in future research. Phylogenetic analyses of Cerithioidea based on different datasets generated identical trees using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods. The results confirm that Semisulcospiridae is closely related to Pleuroceridae. The sequences of Semisulcospiridae clustered into three clades, of which H. aristarchorum is one; H. aristarchorum is sister to the other two clades. The findings of this study will contribute to a better understanding of the characteristics of the H. aristarchorum mitogenome and the phylogenetic relationships of Semisulcospiridae. The inclusion of further mitochondrial genome sequences will improve knowledge of the phylogeny and origin of Cerithioidea.

ABSTRACT: Sexual dimorphism in poultry, especially in Muscovy ducks, is a proven phenomenon characterized by significant differences in body weight, growth patterns, and gene expression between male and female individuals. However, there is a dearth of research on the candidate genes and mechanisms underlying these weight differences. We selected 301 Muscovy ducks and recorded their weekly body weights from birth. We utilized 3 non-linear growth models (Logistic, Bertalanffy, and Gompertz) to fit the growth curve of Muscovy ducks, it was found that the logistic model was the most suitable model for describing the growth curve of Muscovy ducks. The results from the logistic model showed that the inflection point of male Muscovy ducks occurred at a later age, and they had a heavier mature body weight than female Muscovy ducks. At 10 wk of age, we collected Muscovy duck breast muscle tissues for transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq). To exclude the impact of weight difference, 185 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), such as PPAR, FABP3, PLIN1, and FOXO1, were screened. These DEGs were predominantly enriched in terms related to mitochondria, lipids, and nucleic acids. In addition, the gut microbiota has the ability to influence host physiology through the regulation of multiple processes, including playing a crucial role in host muscle growth and development. We randomly selected male and female Muscovy ducks for 16S rRNA sequencing analysis of their cecal microbiota. The results showed that there were significant differences in the composition of cecal microbiota between male and female Muscovy ducks. At the genus level, the relative abundance of Enterenecus and CAG_269 were lower in males compared to females, while Lawsonibacter, Parabacteroides_B, Streptococcus, UBA2658, Caccousia, and Butyricimonas were higher in males than in females. In summary, this study provides a scientific theoretical basis for revealing the different growth patterns of male and female Muscovy ducks, and offers explanations from both the molecular level and microbiological perspectives.

ABSTRACT: Coccidiosis, a protozoan disease that substantially impacts poultry production, is characterized by an intracellular parasite. The study utilized 48 one-day-old Horro chickens, randomly divided into the infected (I) and control (C) groups. The challenge group of chickens were administered Eimeria maxima oocysts via oral gavage at 21-days-old, and each chicken received 2 mL containing 7×104 sporulated oocysts. The total RNAs of chicken jejunum and cecum tissues were isolated from three samples, each from I and C groups. Our study aimed to understand the host immune-parasite interactions and compare immune response mRNA profiles in chicken jejunum and cecum tissues at 4 and 7 days postinfection with Eimeria maxima. The results showed that 823 up- and 737 down-regulated differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs) in jejunum at 4 d infection and control (J4I vs. J4C), and 710 up- and 368 down-regulated DEmRNAs in jejunum at 7 days infection and control (J7I vs. J7C) were identified. In addition, DEmRNAs in cecum tissue, 1424 up- and 1930 down-regulated genes in cecum at 4 days infection and control (C4I vs. C4C), and 77 up- and 191 down-regulated genes in cecum at 7 days infection and control (C7I vs. C7C) were detected. The crucial DEmRNAs, including SLC7A5, IL1R2, GLDC, ITGB6, ADAMTS4, IL1RAP, TNFRSF11B, IMPG2, WNT9A, and FOXF1, played pivotal roles in the immune response during Eimeria maxima infection of chicken jejunum. In addition, the potential detection of FSTL3, RBP7, CCL20, DPP4, PRKG2, TFPI2, and CDKN1A in the cecum during the host immune response against Eimeria maxima infection is particularly noteworthy. Furthermore, our functional enrichment analysis revealed the primary involvement of DEmRNAs in small molecule metabolic process, immune response function, inflammatory response, and toll-like receptor 10 signaling pathway in the jejunum at 4 and 7 days postinfection. Similarly, in the cecum, DEmRNAs at 4 and 7 days postinfection were enriched in processes related to oxidative stress response and immune responses. Our findings provide new insights and contribute significantly to the field of poultry production and parasitology.

Understanding the spatial distribution of crop roots is crucial for effectively managing crop water and fertilizer. We investigate the effects of water–nitrogen coupling on the water–salt environment and root distribution in the root zone of S. salsa. Three irrigation levels were established, calculated according to 0.35 (W1), 0.50 (W2), and 0.65 (W3) of local ET0. The three nitrogen levels were 150 (N1), 250 (N2), and 350 (N3) kg·hm−2 in a complete combination design. With the augmentation of irrigation water and nitrogen application, the total root weight density of the root system of Suaeda salsa increased from 17.18×10-3 g·cm-3 to 27.91×10-3 g·cm-3. The distribution of soil water suction significantly influences the root distribution of Suaeda salsa in saline soil, causing a transition from a narrow deep type to a wide shallow type. Under the W2 irrigation level, soil water suction ranges from 1485.60 to 1726.59 KPa, which can provide water for S. salsa.it becomes feasible to attain the necessary water and salt environment for the growth and development of S. salsa, resulting in the attainment of maximum biomass, ash content, and salt uptake. No significant differences in the biomass, ash content, and salt uptake of S. salsa was noted between N2 and N3 nitrogen application levels (p > 0.05).The optimal irrigation volume and nitrogen application level were 0.50 ET0 and 250 kg·hm−2, respectively. The results of this study provide a scientific basis for the large-scale planting of S. salsa in extreme arid areas to improve and utilize saline wastelands.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different levels of xylanase supplementation in a wheat-based diet on growth performance, short-chain fatty acids, intestinal health, microbial composition, and serum metabolism. A total of 1200 male chicks were randomly assigned to four wheat-based diet treatments: Group C (adding 0 mg/kg of xylanase), Group L (adding 50 mg/kg of xylanase), Group M (adding 100 mg/kg of xylanase), and Group H (adding 150 mg/kg of xylanase). The experiment lasted for 56 days. The results indicated that Group H broilers experienced a decreased feed-to-gain ratio throughout the study period. Additionally, dietary supplementation with xylanase led to an increase in the physical barrier, as indicated by increased VH and VH/CD in the gut (p < 0.05). Furthermore, levels of D-lactic acid and endotoxin were reduced. Xylanase supplementation also increased the abundance of Muc-2, ZO-1, and Occludin (p < 0.05). Moreover, xylanase supplementation enhanced the activity of sucrase and maltase in the duodenum (p < 0.05), which may be attributable to the upregulation of the abundance of SI and MGA (p < 0.05). Furthermore, xylanase addition promoted propionic acid produced by specific bacteria, such as Phascolarctobacterium, and influenced the microbial composition to some extent, promoting intestinal health. Additionally, 150 mg/kg of xylanase supplementation increased the amino acid, peptide, and carbohydrate content and upregulated the metabolism of amino acids related to histidine, cysteine, methionine, and other pathways (p < 0.05). These findings suggest adequate xylanase supplementation can enhance nutritional digestibility and absorption, improve growth performance, stimulate endogenous enzyme activity, optimize intestinal morphology and barrier function, and positively influence acid-producing bacteria and amino acid metabolic pathways.