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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder marked by ovarian dysfunction and metabolic abnormality. This study explores the therapeutic potential of leonurine (SCM-198) in PCOS. Our results show that SCM-198 treatment significantly improved ovarian function, hormone disorders and insulin resistance while reducing granulosa cell ferroptosis. This study provides the first evidence that SCM-198 modulates the gut microbiota composition, increases the abundance of Christensenella minuta , and boosts butyrate levels. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that PCOS patients exhibit granulosa cell ferroptosis and decreased butyrate levels in follicular fluid. Butyrate was shown to alleviate ferroptosis in granulosa cells via the SLC7A11/TXNRD1/GPX4 pathway, as confirmed in vitro with KGN cells. The therapeutic mechanism of SCM-198 in the management of PCOS via the gut microbiota-ovary axis involves the enhancement of gut microbiota and its metabolites. This intervention improves ovarian function and alleviates PCOS symptoms by targeting ferroptosis in granulosa cells. [Display omitted] • SCM-198 alleviates ovarian dysfunction and insulin resistance in PCOS-like mice. • Christensenella minuta and butyric acid are key contributors to the treatment of PCOS. • Butyrate inhibits ferroptosis in granulosa cells through the SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The list of standard abbreviations for JDS is available at adsa.org/jds-abbreviations-24. Nonstandard abbreviations are available in the Notes. Objectives were to evaluate the effects of a multistrain Bacillus -based (Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus pumilus blend) direct-fed microbial (DFM) on production, metabolism, inflammation biomarkers and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) permeability during and following feed restriction (FR) in mid-lactation Holstein cows. Multiparous cows (n = 36; 138 ± 53 DIM) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 dietary treatments: (1) control (CON; 7.5 g/d rice hulls; n = 12), (2) DFM10 (10 g/d Bacillus DFM, 4.9 × 109 cfu/d; n = 12) or 3) DFM15 (15 g/d Bacillus DFM, 7.4 × 109 cfu/d; n = 12). Before study initiation, cows were fed their respective treatments for 32 d. Cows continued to receive treatments during the trial, which consisted of 3 experimental periods (P): P1 (5 d) served as baseline for P2 (5 d), during which all cows were restricted to 40% of P1 DMI, and P3 (5 d), a "recovery" where cows were fed ad libitum. On d 4 of P1 and on d 2 and 5 of P2, GIT permeability was evaluated in vivo using the oral paracellular marker Cr-EDTA. As anticipated, FR decreased milk production, insulin, glucagon, and BUN but increased nonesterified fatty acids. During recovery, DMI rapidly increased on d 1 then subsequently decreased (4.9 kg) on d 2 before returning to baseline, whereas milk yield slowly increased but remained decreased (13%) relative to P1. The DFM10 cows had increased DMI and milk yield relative to DFM15 during P3 (10%). Overall, milk lactose content was increased in DFM cows relative to CON (0.10 percentage units), and DFM10 cows tended to have increased lactose yield relative to CON and DFM15 during P3 (8% and 10%, respectively). No overall treatment differences were observed for other milk composition variables. Circulating glucose was quadratically increased in DFM10 cows compared with CON and DFM15 during FR and recovery. Plasma Cr area under the curve was increased in all cows on d 2 (9%) and 5 (6%) relative to P1. Circulating LPS binding protein (LBP), serum amyloid A (SAA), and haptoglobin (Hp) increased in all cows during P2 compared with baseline (31%, 100%, and 9.0-fold, respectively). Circulating Hp concentrations continued to increase during P3 (274%). Overall, circulating LBP and Hp tended to be increased in DFM15 cows relative to DFM10 (29% and 81%, respectively), but no treatment differences were observed for SAA. Following feed reintroduction during P3, fecal pH initially decreased (0.62 units), but returned to baseline levels whereas fecal starch markedly increased (2.5-fold) and remained increased (82%). Absolute quantities of a fecal Butyryl-CoA CoA transferase (but) gene associated with butyrate synthesis, collected by fecal swab were increased in DFM10 cows compared with CON and DFM15 cows. In summary, FR increased GIT permeability, caused inflammation, and decreased production. Feeding DFM10 increased some key production and metabolism variables and upregulated a molecular biomarker of microbial hindgut butyrate synthesis, while DFM15 appeared to augment immune activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Short chain fatty acid (SCFAs), such as butyrate, have shown promising therapeutic potential due to their immunomodulatory effects, particularly in maintaining immune homeostasis. However, the clinical application of SCFAs is limited by the need for frequent and high oral dosages. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by aberrant activation of peripheral T cells and myeloid cells. In this study, we aimed to deliver butyrate directly to the lymphatics using a polymeric micelle-based butyrate prodrug to induce long-lasting immunomodulatory effects. Notably, negatively charged micelles (Neg-ButM) demonstrated superior efficacy in targeting the lymphatics following subcutaneous (s.c.) administration and were retained in the draining lymph nodes, spleen, and liver for over one month. In the collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA) mouse model of RA, only two s.c. injections of Neg-ButM successfully prevented disease onset and promoted tolerogenic phenotypes in T cells and myeloid cells, both locally and systemically. These results underscore the potential of this strategy in managing inflammatory autoimmune diseases by directly modulating immune responses via lymphatic delivery. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immobilized lipases are biotechnological spotlights as tools to improve and enhance enzyme applicability. Here, lipase from Rhizomucor miehei (RML) was immobilized onto core/shell supports, named poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA/PMMA); poly(methyl methacrylate) copolymerized with divinylbenzene (PMMA- co -DVB/PMMA- co -DVB); and polystyrene copolymerized with divinylbenzene (PS- co -DVB/PS- co -DVB), and on a commercial non-core/shell porous support (polypropylene - Accurel MP 1000). Different enzyme loadings were evaluated (400 U.g−1, 500 U.g−1, 600 U.g−1, 4000 U.g−1, and 6000 U.g−1), and the immobilized biocatalysts were used in hydrolysis (using p -nitrophenyl laurate (p -NPL) and p -nitrophenyl butyrate (p -NPB) as substrates) and in esterification reactions (using oleic acid and ethanol as substrates). The influence of pH, temperature, and buffer concentration in the hydrolysis of p -NPL was also investigated. The immobilized biocatalysts were compared to free RML and/or to commercially immobilized RML (RM-IM) and/or to Novozym 435. RML interacted differently with each support, being RML-PMMA- co -DVB/PMMA- co -DVB and RML-PMMA/PMMA the biocatalysts with the highest enzymatic activities (hydrolytic activity: >400 U.g−1, using p -NPL; esterification activity: 25,532 U.g−1). Immobilization improved the thermal and pH tolerance and buffer concentration tolerance of RML. Both free RML and the immobilized biocatalysts exhibited their maximum activity at pH 7, with the exception of RML-Accurel MP 1000, which displayed optimal performance at pH 9.0. In addition, RML-PS- co -DVB/PS- co -DVB demonstrated increased activity at 70 °C. Notably, RML-PMMA/PMMA and RML-PMMA- co -DVB/PMMA- co -DVB showcased a maximum activity of 120 U/g, and this was achieved at different temperatures, 30°C and 50°C, respectively. This diverse library of immobilized biocatalysts shows promising potential for application in various industrial processes. [Display omitted] • RML was immobilized onto four home-made hydrophobic supports. • The properties of RML biocatalysts were modulated by the immobilization conditions. • The esterification performance surpassed RM-IM and Novozym 435. • The optimal conditions to RML biocatalysts depend of the support used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaerobic fermentation has attracted wide attention to effectively reduce carbon footprint and alleviate potential energy shortages, which is being regarded as a sustainable and promising technology to obtain high biohydrogen production from widespread organic wastes. However, biohydrogen commercial uptake is now dominantly inhibited by the low hydrogen yield and process instability. In this work, Al 2 O 3 /BaFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles (NPs) are successfully applied to anaerobic fermentation for investigating their effects on hydrogen yield, activity of bacteria and microbial community structure. The benefits of Al 2 O 3 /BaFe 2 O 4 NPs with respect to microbial metabolism, reactivity of enzymes and process optimization are systematically researched through batch experiments. In addition, various characterizations are used to verify the physical and chemical properties of Al 2 O 3 /BaFe 2 O 4 NPs. The results show that the activity of hydrogenases and microbe metabolism can be significantly inhibited by excess addition of Al 2 O 3 /BaFe 2 O 4 NPs (150 mg/L and 200 mg/L) while the optimum addition 100 mg/L of Al 2 O 3 /BaFe 2 O 4 NPs can boost the biohydrogen yield by 49% via facilitating microorganism growth and enhancing key enzymatic activities, which indicate that the Al 2 O 3 /BaFe 2 O 4 NPs display a beneficial influence on electron transfer efficiency and process stability. The existence of Fe3+, Al3+and Ba2+ derived from the corrosion of Al 2 O 3 /BaFe 2 O 4 NPs by organic acids synergistically improve the microbial transmembrane transportation and substrate utilization, which contribute to higher conversion rate of glucose into acetate, butyrate and H 2. Meanwhile, the complementary functions of Fe3+ and Al3+ can powerfully shorten the lag phase and promote the glycolysis, which finally accelerate the dark fermentation process. Compared with the control group, Clostridium _ sensu _ stricto _1 is selectively enriched by the addition of Al 2 O 3 /BaFe 2 O 4 NPs, which keep heavily involved in the synthesis of H 2. On balance, this study provides an effective strategy to enhance hydrogen productivity and maintain process stability, which offer the valuable information for the sustainable utilization of sewage sludge. [Display omitted] • Al 2 O 3 /BaFe 2 O 4 NPs are synthesized to enhance H 2 production. • Al 2 O 3 /BaFe 2 O 4 NPs show positive effects on activity of H 2 -producing bacteria. • The addition of Al 2 O 3 /BaFe 2 O 4 NPs can facilitate H 2 -producing bacteria growth. • Humic acids are reduced by addition of Al 2 O 3 /BaFe 2 O 4 NPs. • Firmicutes and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_ 1 are selectively enriched by Al 2 O 3 /BaFe 2 O 4 NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaerobic fermentation for hydrogen production is influenced by various environmental factors that can limit microbial activity. However, machine learning (ML) shows significant potential in explaining the complexity of biological processes. This study focuses on the application of ML in predicting hydrogen production rates (HPR) during anaerobic fermentation of biomass energy. Grey relation analysis was employed to investigate the correlation between operational parameters and HPR. Five ML algorithms, namely decision tree (DT), random forest (RF), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), and K-nearest neighbor (KNN), were utilized in conjunction with operating conditions and digestate characteristics as features, with HPR as the target variable. The evaluation of the models was conducted using mean squared error (MSE) and R squared (R2). Notably, butyrate, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), and volatile suspended solids (VSS) were identified as key factors influencing hydrogen production during sucrose anaerobic fermentation. Among the ML algorithms tested, XGBoost achieved the highest accuracy, with an R2 value of 0.91 and an MSE of 0.0052. [Display omitted] • Machine learning models developed for the anaerobic fermentation hydrogen production process. • XGBoost method is the best model for this process (R2＞0.9). • Grey relation analysis can assess the degree of correlation of the inputs. • The top three features associated with hydrogen production are Butyrate, ORP, VSS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimization of additives was achieved for hydrogen and butyric acid production modelled through a three-level Box-Behnken Design of the response surface methodology. Seventeen runs were designed with variables of sodium chloride (0.1–5 g/L), sodium thiosulphate (0–200 mg/L) and minerals (Zinc, iron, cupper and nickel (0–0.8 mM). The model fit to a cubic model with a high R2 of 96% and P value of 0.03. Some of the interactive variables have significant effect on butyrate production. The butyrate concentrations were close to the predicted ones. The model showed that higher butyric acid concentrations were observed with low sodium chloride and high sodium thiosulphate and minerals concentrations. Butyrate/Acetate ratios (BA/A), hydrogen production yield and rates increased with mean values of the independent variables. A cumulative hydrogen formation of 155 mL, yield of 2.6 mmol H 2 /mmol lactose, and rate of 3.6 mL/g/h was observed with the highest BA/AA ratio obtained from experiments. [Display omitted] • Box-Behnken design was applied to enhance butyric acid production. • A modified third-order polynomial regression models were developed with high accuracy. • The interactive variables have significant effect on butyric acid production. • The biohydrogen amount produced was the highest among the literature compared. • The highest BA/AA ratio maximizing butyric acid gave a high hydrogen production potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Net energy for lactation (NE L) and metabolizable protein (MP) are the 2 main nutritional forces that drive synthesis of milk components. This study investigated mammary-gland metabolism in dairy cows in response to variations in the supply of NE L and MP. Four Holstein dairy cows were randomly assigned to a 4 × 4 Latin square design, in which each experimental period consisted of 14 d of dietary treatment. The diets provided 2 levels of NE L (low energy, 25.0 Mcal/d vs. high energy, 32.5 Mcal/d) and 2 levels of MP (low protein, 1,266 g/d vs. high protein, 2,254 g/d of protein digestible in the intestine) in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Performance and dry matter intake (DMI) were measured during the last 5 d of each period, and the mammary net balance was measured on d 13 by collecting 6 sets of blood samples from the left carotid artery and left mammary vein. Mammary plasma flow was measured according to the Fick principle for Phe and Tyr. The mammary net balance of carbon equaled the uptake of nutrients expressed as carbon minus the output of lactose, fatty acids (FA) synthesized in the mammary gland, AA of milk protein, and glycerol-3P from triglyceride on d 13. Milk, lactose, fat, and protein yields increased when NE L and MP supplies increased. However, increasing the NE L supply increased FA synthesis more than increasing the protein supply did. In addition, FA secretion increased more than lactose secretion when the NE L supply increased. Increasing the NE L supply increased the left half-udder uptake of all major energy-yielding nutrients by increasing mammary plasma flow. However, nutrient uptake increased more than milk output did, which in turn increased carbon dioxide output. This increase in nutrient oxidation by the mammary gland decreased the mammary efficiency of nutrients utilization when the NE L supply increased. Increasing MP supply tended to increase glucose uptake through mammary clearance and increased mammary AA uptake with no change in mammary plasma flow. In addition, the protein supply did not change the mammary uptake of acetate or β-hydroxybutyrate. The increase in milk-component secretions in response to either NE L or MP supplies occurred through different metabolic adaptations (increase in mammary plasma flow vs. clearances, respectively). These results suggest that the nutrient use by the mammary gland is highly flexible, which helps in maintaining milk and milk-component yields even with limiting nutrient supplies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) by the colonic microbiome has numerous benefits for human health, including maintenance of epithelial barrier function, suppression of colitis, and protection against carcinogenesis. Despite the therapeutic potential, there is currently no optimal approach for elevating the colonic microbiome's synthesis of SCFAs. In this study, poly(D, l -lactide- co -glycolide) (PLGA) was investigated for this application, as it was hypothesised that the colonic microbiota would metabolise PLGA to its lactate monomers, which would promote the resident microbiota's synthesis of SCFAs. Two grades of spray dried PLGA, alongside a lactate bolus control, were screened in an advanced model of the human colon, known as the M-SHIME® system. Whilst the high molecular weight (Mw) grade of PLGA was stable in the presence of the microbiota sourced from three healthy humans, the low Mw PLGA (PLGA 2) was found to be metabolised. This microbial degradation led to sustained release of lactate over 48 h and increased concentrations of the SCFAs propionate and butyrate. Further, microbial synthesis of harmful ammonium was significantly reduced compared to untreated controls. Interestingly, both types of PLGA were found to influence the composition of the luminal and mucosal microbiota in a donor-specific manner. An in vitro model of an inflamed colonic epithelium also showed the polymer to affect the expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory markers, such as interleukins 8 and 10. The findings of this study reveal PLGA's sensitivity to enzymatic metabolism in the gut, which could be harnessed for therapeutic elevation of colonic SCFAs. [Display omitted] • PLGA is susceptible to metabolism by the human gut microbiome. • Digestion of PLGA with Mw 2000–2500 g/mol led to sustained lactate release. • Lactate from PLGA was converted to propionate and butyrate in a colonic model. • PLGA affected the abundance and composition of luminal and mucosal microbiota. • PLGA exerted donor-specific effects on intestinal epithelial cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previously, we used secondary electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (SESI-MS) to investigate the diurnal patterns and signal intensities of exhaled (EX) volatile fatty acids (VFA) of dairy cows. The current study aimed to validate the potential of an exhalomics approach for evaluating rumen fermentation. The experiment was conducted in a switchback design, with 3 periods of 9 d each, including 7 d for adaptation and 2 d for sampling. Four rumen-cannulated original Swiss Brown (Braunvieh) cows were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 diet sequences (ABA or BAB): (A) low starch (LS; 6.31% starch on a dry matter basis) and (B) high starch (HS; 16.2% starch on a dry matter basis). Feeding was once per day at 0830 h. Exhalome (with the GreenFeed System), and rumen samples were collected 8 times to represent every 3 h of a day, and EX-VFA and ruminal (RM)-VFA were analyzed using SESI-MS and HPLC, respectively. Furthermore, the VFA concentration in the gas phase (HR-VFA) was predicted based on RM-VFA and Henry's Law (HR) constants. No interactions were identified between the types of diets (HS vs. LS) and the measurement methods on daily average VFA profiles (RM vs. EX or HR vs. EX), suggesting a consistent performance among the methods. Additionally, when the 3-h interval VFA data from HS and LS diets were analyzed separately, no interactions were observed between methods and time of day, indicating that the relative daily pattern of VFA molar proportions was similar regardless of the VFA measurement method used. The results revealed that the levels of acetate sharply increased immediately after feeding, trailed by an increase in the acetate:propionate ratio and a steady increase for propionate (2 h after feeding the HS diet, 4 h for LS), and butyrate. This change was more pronounced for the HS diet than the LS diet. However, there was no overall diet effect on the VFA molar proportions, although the measurement methods affected the molar proportions. Furthermore, we observed a strong positive correlation between the levels of RM and EX acetate for both diets (HS: r = 0.84; LS: r = 0.85), RM and EX propionate (r = 0.74), and RM and EX acetate:propionate ratio (r = 0.80). Both EX-VFA and RM-VFA exhibited similar responses to feeding and dietary treatments, suggesting that EX-VFA could serve as a useful proxy for characterizing RM-VFA molar proportions to evaluate rumen fermentation. Similar relationships were observed between RM-VFA and HR-VFA. In conclusion, this study underscores the potential of exhalomics as a reliable approach for assessing rumen fermentation. Moving forward, research should further explore the depth of exhalomics in ruminant studies to provide a comprehensive insight into rumen fermentation metabolites, especially across diverse dietary conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of butyl butyrate, medium chain flavored esters by green chemistry is of immense importance to the food industry. In the present work, green synthesis of iron-alginate nanogels is done using a water-in-oil microemulsion method using food-grade oil for immobilization of Candida rugosa lipase (CrL). The morphological characterization of Fe-Alg nanogels was accomplished using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Elongated tube-shaped Fe-Alg showed a hydrodynamic diameter of 100 ± 2 nm and a zeta potential of − 28 ± 4 mV. The nanogels exhibit an immobilization efficiency of 98%. Taguchi design-assisted immobilization of CrL onto Fe-Alg was effective in predicting the maximum response against immobilization parameters (0.7 µgm/ml of substrate, 20 min immobilization, 53⁰ C and pH 8.5). The esterification of butyl butyrate (∼90%) was completed in 6 h, which is confirmed by gas chromatography. The application of food-grade oil in the microemulsion method (water-in-oil) of nanogel synthesis is an attractive improvement for the development of support matrix in enzyme immobilization and ester synthesis. [Display omitted] • Iron-alginate nanogel synthesized using food-grade materials. • Iron-alginate support matrix used for immobilization of Candida rugosa lipase. • Optimization of immobilization parameters by Taguchi method. • Under optimized conditions, the yield of butyl butyrate reached 90%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enzymatic synthesis of flavours, fragrances and food additives compounds have great demand and market value. Benzyl butyrate is commercially important flavour and food additive compound having global use around 100 metric tons/year and widely used in various industrial sectors. However, industrial synthesis of food additive benzyl butyrate is carried out by conventional chemical process which demands for the green biobased sustainable synthetic process. The present work reports steapsin catalyzed synthesis of benzyl butyrate for the first time in supercritical carbon dioxide (Sc-CO 2) reaction medium. All reaction variables are optimized in details to obtain competent conversion of 99% in Sc-CO 2 reaction medium. The developed steapsin catalyzed synthesis in Sc-CO 2 medium offered almost four-fold higher conversion to benzyl butyrate than organic (conventional) solvent. The steapsin biocatalyst was effectually recycled up to five reaction cycles in Sc-CO 2 medium. Moreover, the developed steapsin catalyzed protocol in Sc-CO 2 medium was extended to synthesize different ten industrially significant flavour fragrance compounds that offers 99% conversion and three to five-folds higher conversion than organic medium. Thus, the present steapsin catalyzed protocol offered improved synthesis of various commercially significant flavour compounds in Sc-CO 2. medium. • Steapsin catalyzed synthesis offered 99% conversion to benzyl butyrate in Sc-CO 2 medium. • Benzyl butyrate is vital food additive having global use around100 metric tons/year. • Steapsin offered 4-fold improved (higher) conversion in Sc-CO 2 medium than organic solvent. • The steapsin biocatalyst was effectually recycled up to five cycles in Sc-CO 2 medium. • Protocol applied for synthesis of industrially vital ten food additives with 99% conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human gut harbors a diverse community of commensal bacteria that contribute to the digestion of dietary fibers. Previous studies have focused on butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid, as the primary fuel for colonic epithelial cells due to its efficient oxidation and generation of ATP. The high turnover of the colonic epithelium requires additional carbon sources for synthetic processes such as DNA, RNA, proteins, and lipids, which cannot be fulfilled solely by butyrate. Glucose, a universal carbon source for mammalian cells, can be obtained from the blood circulation and may also be generated from microbial metabolism in the gut. Detailed exploration of the production and role of various colonic microbial metabolites in the energy and carbon metabolism of colonocytes challenges the prevailing notion that butyrate is the exclusive preferred fuel. Human gut bacteria produce metabolites that support energy and carbon metabolism of colonic epithelial cells. While butyrate is commonly considered the primary fuel, it alone cannot meet all the carbon requirements for cellular synthetic functions. Glucose, delivered via circulation or microbial metabolism, serves as a universal carbon source for synthetic processes like DNA, RNA, protein, and lipid production. Detailed knowledge of epithelial carbon and energy metabolism is particularly relevant for epithelial regeneration in digestive and metabolic diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease and type 2 diabetes. Here, we review the production and role of different colonic microbial metabolites in energy and carbon metabolism of colonocytes, also critically evaluating the common perception that butyrate is the preferred fuel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dark fermentation is attracting great attention due to some capabilities such as wastewater treatment and biofuel production. In this study, the performance of different machine learning algorithms, including Bagging-Extreme Gradient Boosting (BagXGBoost), Categorical Boosting (CatBoost), K Nearest Neighborhood (KNN), Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM), and Decision Trees (DT) in the prediction of biohydrogen production from wastewater during dark fermentation is investigated. Effect of parameters Ni, Fe, biomass, pH, chemical oxygen demand (COD), HRT, acetate, ethanol, butyrate, and acetate/butyrate ratio as inputs were considered for the model development. A databank with 208 data points was culled from the literature. For the validation of the proposed models, various statistical criteria were determined. CatBoost and BagXGBoost exhibited superior performance in predicting fermentative hydrogen (H 2) production. Shapley additive explanations were used for relative analysis, revealing the highest absolute SHAP values of 1.1, 1, and 0.07 for COD, nickel, and butyrate, respectively, highlighting their significance in H 2 production. The insights gained from this study can contribute to further optimization of the dark biohydrogen fermentation process. [Display omitted] • H 2 generation from wastewater through the dark fermentation process was modeled. • CatBoost, LightGBM, BagXGBoost, KNN and DT models were used for modeling. • Ni, Fe, biomass, pH, COD, HRT, acetate, ethanol, butyrate were used as model inputs. • The CatBoost algorithm showed the best performance to estimate fermentative hydrogen. • Ni, COD and butyrate are highlighted through relevancy analysis employing SHAP values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incomplete milking (IM) is one way of mitigating the negative energy balance (NEB) that is characteristic for early lactation and may increase the risk for disease. Our objectives were to test the effects of IM in early lactation on energy balance (EB), metabolic status, udder health, and subsequent performance. To facilitate the practical application, an automated system was used to remove the milking clusters once a predefined amount of milk is withdrawn. Forty-six Holstein cows were equally allocated to either the treatment (TRT, starting on 8 d in milk) or the control group (CON; conventional cluster removal at milk flow rate <0.3 kg/min). Milk removal in the TRT group was limited to the individual cow's milk yield 1 d before IM started and held constant for 14 d. Thereafter, all cows were conventionally milked and records related to EB, performance, and udder health were continued up to 15 wk of lactation. During the 14 d of IM, on average 11.1% less milk was obtained from the TRT cows than from the CON cows. Thereafter, milk yield increased in the TRT group, eliminating the group difference throughout the remaining observation period until wk 15 of lactation. The TRT cows tended to have less dry matter intake and also water intake than the CON cows. The extent of the NEB and the circulating concentrations of fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate, insulin-like growth factor-1, and leptin mostly did not differ between the groups. The IM did not affect body condition. Udder health was maintained over the entire observation period in all cows. Our results demonstrate the applicability of the automated cluster removal for limiting milk withdrawal to a defined amount in early lactation. However, it remains to be determined whether the absent effect on energy metabolism was due to the relatively stable energy status of the cows or to the relatively mild IM setting used herein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, perovskite-structured LaNi 0.5 Fe 0.5 O 3 nanoparticles (NPs) are successfully synthesized to explore influence of addition amounts on biohydrogen yield. The great potential advantages to improve the biohydrogen production under mesophilic and thermophilic dark fermentation are systematically investigated by a series of experiments. The characterization of physicochemical properties of LaNi 0.5 Fe 0.5 O 3 NPs are summarized and analyzed. The highest biohydrogen yield 262.55 mL/g of mesophilic dark fermentation is obtained at 100 mg/L LaNi 0.5 Fe 0.5 O 3 NPs group while under thermophilic condition, the maximum of biohydrogen production is only 182.13 mL/g with 200 mg/L LaNi 0.5 Fe 0.5 O 3 supplementation, which are higher 50.7% and 91.0% than that of corresponding control groups, respectively. The analysis of soluble microbial products (SMPs) suggests that LaNi 0.5 Fe 0.5 O 3 NPs can observably enhance the butyrate-type metabolic pathway, being consistent with the raising abundance of Clostridium butyricum in mesophilic fermentation. The extracellular polymer content is significantly increased with appropriate addition of LaNi 0.5 Fe 0.5 O 3 NPs. The results reveal that the moderate amount of LaNi 0.5 Fe 0.5 O 3 NPs can even optimize the microbial community structure by increasing the abundance of Clostridium sensu stricto 1 under mesophilic fermentation and Clostridium sensu stricto 7 as well as Longonea under thermophilic fermentation. Eventually, it can be affirmatively concluded that the application of LaNi 0.5 Fe 0.5 O 3 NPs to dark fermentation contributes to more biohydrogen yield with moderate amounts under both mesophilic and thermophilic conditions. The innovative work of nickel doped lanthanum-iron oxide nanoparticles provides an effective strategy to take the fully advantage of Fe and Ni element for biohydrogen yield. [Display omitted] • Perovskite-structured LaNi 0.5 Fe 0.5 O 3 NPs are successfully fabricated to enhance biohydrogen yield. • Biohydrogen yield is significantly increased in both fermentation system modified by LaNi 0.5 Fe 0.5 O 3 NPs. • Butyrate-type metabolic pathway is selectively strengthened for more biohydrogen production by LaNi 0.5 Fe 0.5 O 3 NPs. • Microbial diversity and hydrogenase activity are greatly improved by the addition of LaNi 0.5 Fe 0.5 O 3 NPs. • LaNi 0.5 Fe 0.5 O 3 NPs can optimize microbial community composition toward hydrogen-producing species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives were to evaluate the effects of Bacillus subtilis PB6 (BSP) on gastrointestinal tract permeability, metabolism, inflammation, and production parameters in periparturient Holstein cows. Multiparous cows (n = 48) were stratified by previous 305-d mature equivalent milk yield and parity and assigned to 1 of 2 top-dressed dietary treatments 21 d before expected calving through 63 DIM: (1) control (CON; 13 g/d calcium carbonate; n = 24) or (2) BSP (13 g/d BSP; CLOSTAT, Kemin Industries, Des Moines, IA; n = 24). Gastrointestinal tract permeability was evaluated in vivo using the oral paracellular marker chromium (Cr)-EDTA. Effects of treatment, time, and treatment × time were assessed using PROC MIXED of SAS version 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc.). Prepartum dry matter intake (DMI) was unaffected by treatment; however, BSP supplementation decreased postpartum DMI relative to CON (0.7 kg). Milk yield, energy-corrected milk (ECM), fat-corrected milk (FCM), and solids-corrected milk (SCM) increased in BSP cows compared with CON (1.6, 1.8, 1.6, and 1.5 kg, respectively). Decreased DMI and increased production collectively improved feed efficiency of milk yield, ECM, FCM, and SCM for BSP cows (6, 5, 5, and 5%, respectively). No treatment differences were observed for concentrations of milk fat, protein, total solids, somatic cell count, somatic cell score, body weight, or body condition score. Milk urea nitrogen concentrations decreased (5%), whereas milk protein and lactose yield increased (5 and 2%, respectively) with BSP supplementation. Prepartum fecal pH did not differ among treatments; conversely, postpartum fecal pH was increased with BSP supplementation (0.09 pH units). Prepartum fecal dry matter percentage, starch, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, and ethanol did not differ among treatments. Postpartum concentrations of the aforementioned fecal parameters were also unaffected by treatment, but fecal propionic acid concentration was decreased (24%) in BSP cows relative to CON. Circulating glucose, nonesterified fatty acids, l -lactate, and insulin were similar between treatments both pre- and postpartum. Prepartum β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) did not differ between treatments, but postpartum BSP supplementation decreased (21%) circulating BHB relative to CON. Regardless of treatment, inflammatory markers (serum amyloid A and haptoglobin) peaked immediately following parturition and progressively decreased with time, but this pattern was not influenced by treatment. Postpartum lipopolysaccharide binding protein tended to be decreased on d 3 in BSP relative to CON cows (19%). Neither treatment nor time affected Cr-EDTA area under the curve. In summary, supplementing BSP had no detectable effects prepartum, but increased key postpartum production parameters. Bacillus subtilis PB6 consistently increased postpartum fecal pH and decreased fecal propionate concentrations but did not appear to have an effect on gastrointestinal tract permeability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When ketosis occurs, supraphysiological concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) display lipotoxicity and are closely related to the occurrence of hepatic lipid accumulation, oxidative stress, and inflammation, resulting in hepatic damage and exacerbating the progression of ketosis. However, the mechanism of these lipotoxic effects caused by high concentrations of NEFA in ketosis is still unclear. Cluster antigen 36 (CD36), a fatty acid transporter, plays a vital role in the development of hepatic pathological injury in nonruminants. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate whether CD36 plays a role in NEFA-induced hepatic lipotoxicity in dairy cows with clinical ketosis. Liver tissue and blood samples were collected from healthy (n = 10) and clinically ketotic (n = 10) cows at 3 to 15 d in milk. In addition, hepatocytes isolated from healthy calves were treated with 0, 0.6, 1.2, or 2.4 m M NEFA for 12 h; or infected with CD36 expressing adenovirus or CD36 silencing small interfering RNA for 48 h and then treated with 1.2 m M NEFA for 12 h. Compared with healthy cows, clinically ketotic cows had greater concentrations of serum NEFA and β-hydroxybutyrate and activities of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase but lower serum glucose. In addition, dairy cows with clinical ketosis displayed excessive hepatic lipid accumulation. More importantly, these alterations were accompanied by an increased abundance of hepatic CD36. In the cell culture model, exogenous NEFA (0, 0.6, 1.2, or 2.4 m M) treatment could dose-dependently increase the abundance of CD36. Meanwhile, NEFA (1.2 m M) increased the content of triacylglycerol, reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde, and decreased the activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase. Moreover, NEFA upregulated phosphorylation levels of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and the inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB) α, along with the upregulation of protein abundance of NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) and caspase-1, and mRNA abundance of IL1B , IL6 , and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFA). These alterations induced by NEFA in bovine hepatocytes were associated with increased lipid accumulation, oxidative stress and inflammation, which could be further aggravated by CD36 overexpression. Conversely, silencing CD36 attenuated these NEFA-induced detriments. Overall, these data suggest that CD36 may be a potential therapeutic target for NEFA-induced hepatic lipid accumulation, oxidative stress, and inflammation in dairy cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of continuous butyrate administration in dairy calves' liquid diet considering diarrhea, metabolic profile, gastrointestinal development, and corporal growth. Immediately after birth, calves were randomly allocated into 2 groups of 62 calves (50 females and 12 males), with access to water and a solid feed ad libitum. The butyrate group (BG) received 4 g/d of sodium butyrate (Admix Easy, Adisseo) diluted in the whole milk, and the control group (CG) received whole milk with no supplementation. Sodium butyrate was administered from d 1 of life until the weaning at 90 d. Feces consistency was assessed daily for the first 30 d of life and characterized by scores from 0 to 4 (0 and 1 for normal, and 2, 3, and 4 for abnormal feces). Diarrhea was diagnosed when the animals had abnormal feces and fever. Morbidity, recurrence, mortality, and lethality data were recorded and compared between the groups. Average daily gain (ADG) and corporal growth (body weight, thoracic perimeter, height at the withers, and croup width) were evaluated weekly, from the first day to d 30, and later at 45, 60, and 90 d of life. Blood samples were taken weekly for up to 30 d to determine the circulating levels of total calcium, phosphorus, chloride, bicarbonate, glucose, β-hydroxybutyrate, and nonesterified fatty acids. The males were euthanized at 15 (n = 6 per group) and 30 d (n = 6 per group) for morphometric, histological, and gene expression analysis of the gastrointestinal tract. The results showed that the BG had a lower rate of morbidity (BG = 30% vs. CG = 50%) and recurrence (BG = 26.7% vs. CG = 60%) of diarrhea than the CG. In addition, the BG had abnormal feces for a shorter period (BG = 4.64 ± 0.47 d vs. CG = 8.6 ± 0.65 d). The ADG tended to be higher in BG than CG up to 30 and 60 d. Metabolic evaluations showed the lowest levels of glucose and highest levels of nonesterified fatty acids in BG. On d 30 of life, rumen papillae length, papilla area, duodenum villus length, and crypt depth were higher in BG than in CG. The duodenal gene expression at 30 d showed that animals with diarrhea episodes that did not receive butyrate had the highest levels of transcripts for the LCT and GLP2 genes. In addition, in different ways, both butyrate and neonatal diarrhea affected the gene expression of IGF1 , SLC5A1 , and AQP3. These results allow us to conclude that continuous supplementation with sodium butyrate improves gastrointestinal development, reduces the occurrence of diarrhea, and makes clinical conditions milder with faster recovery, favoring a higher ADG in the first 30 and 60 d of life. Based on these results, we conclude that sodium butyrate can be indicated for liquid diet supplementation to accelerate gastrointestinal tract development and prevent severe cases of neonatal diarrhea, tending to improve average daily gain until weaning. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gut microbiota is closely associated with the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) in which Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) was found to induce cancer resistance to chemotherapeutics. To relieve F. nucleatum -induced drug resistance, herein, we found that short-chain fatty acid butyrate can inhibit the growth, enrichment and adhesion of F. nucleatum in colorectal cancer tissues by downregulating the expression of adhesion-associated outer membrane proteins, including RadD, FomA, and FadA, to reduce the colonization and invasion of F. nucleatum and relieve the chemoresistance induced by F. nucleatum. Leveraging the killing effect of butyrate on F. nucleatum , sodium butyrate (NaBu) was encapsulated in liposomes or prepared as NaBu tablets with Eudragit S100 coating and administered by intravenous injection or oral administration, respectively. Interestingly, both intravenous administration of NaBu liposomes and oral delivery of NaBu tablets could effectively inhibit the proliferation of F. nucleatum and significantly improve the therapeutic efficacy of oxaliplatin in mice with subcutaneous colorectal tumors, orthotopic colorectal tumors and even spontaneously formed colorectal tumors. Thus, our work provides a simple but effective formulation of NaBu to relieve F. nucleatum -induced chemoresistance, exhibiting ideal clinical application prospects. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to quantify the effects of supplementing transition dairy cows with a low inclusion dry glycerol product in the pre- and postpartum periods on feed intake, metabolic markers, and milk yield and components. Multiparous Holstein dairy cows (n = 60) were enrolled in a 2-by-2 factorial design study. Starting 21 d before expected parturition, cows individually received a dry cow diet with (1) 250 g/d glycerol product supplementation [66% pure glycerol (United States Pharmacopeia grade); GLY], or (2) no supplementation (CON) mixed to their total mixed ration. After parturition, cows, again, were individually assigned to either GLY, or (2) no supplementation (CON) to their partial mixed ration for the first 21 d in milk (DIM). Cows were milked by an automated milking system and offered a target of 5.4 kg DM/d pellet (23% of target total dry matter intake, DMI) in the automated milking system and followed for 42 d into lactation. Blood samples were collected 6.3 ± 3.47 d before calving for all blood measures and 3, 7, 10, and 14 DIM for analysis of glucose and β-hydroxybutyrate, as well as 3 and 7 DIM for nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) and haptoglobin. Initial dry cow body weight (BW), calf birth weight, previous 305-d milk, and month of parturition were used as covariates in the statistical model. Cows supplemented with GLY prepartum lost less BW and consumed more DMI pre- and postpartum, as well as had lower postpartum blood β-hydroxybutyrate and NEFA concentrations compared with those fed the CON treatment prepartum. Cows supplemented with GLY postpartum had lesser DMI in the first 42 DIM than cows fed CON postpartum, but also had reduced blood NEFA concentrations, odds of a high haptoglobin test, odds of a low blood glucose test, and lesser preformed fatty acid concentrations and yields in their milk. Cows supplemented glycerol both pre- and postpartum lost the least total BW from −21 to 21 DIM. No treatment effects were detected for milk yield; however, cows receiving GLY postpartum had lower milk fat. Overall, glycerol supplementation during the transition period, particularly during the 21 d before calving, was associated with markers of improved metabolic status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to investigate the role of Na+ on ruminal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) absorption and barrier function when isolated ruminal epithelium was exposed to high and low pH ex vivo. Nine Holstein steer calves (322 ± 50.9 kg of body weight) consuming 7.05 ± 1.5 kg dry matter of a total mixed ration were euthanized and ruminal tissue was collected from the caudal-dorsal blind sac. Tissues were mounted between 2 halves of Ussing chambers (3.14 cm2) and exposed to buffers that contained low (10 m M) or high (140 m M) Na+ with low (6.2) or high (7.4) mucosal pH. The same buffer solutions were used on the serosal side except that pH was maintained at 7.4. Buffers used to evaluate SCFA uptake contained bicarbonate to determine total uptake or excluded bicarbonate and included nitrate to determine noninhibitable uptake. Bicarbonate-dependent uptake was calculated as the difference between the total and noninhibitable uptake. Acetate (25 m M) and butyrate (25 m M) were spiked with 2-3H-acetate and 1-14C-butyrate, respectively, and were then added to the mucosal side, incubated for 1 min, and tissues were analyzed to evaluate rates of SCFA uptake. Tissue conductance (G t) and the mucosal-to-serosal flux of 1-3H-mannitol were used to assess barrier function. There were no Na+ × pH interactions for butyrate or acetate uptake. Decreasing mucosal pH from 7.4 to 6.2 increased total acetate and butyrate uptake, and bicarbonate-dependent acetate uptake. Flux of 1-3H-mannitol was not affected by treatment. However, high Na+ concentration reduced G t and prevented an increase in G t from flux period 1 to flux period 2. The results of this study indicate that although providing more Na+ to the ruminal epithelium does not affect SCFA uptake or mannitol flux, it may help stabilize tissue integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The causes of variation in the milk mineral profile of dairy cattle during the first phase of lactation were studied under the hypothesis that the milk mineral profile partially reflects the animals' metabolic status. Correlations between the minerals and the main milk constituents (i.e., protein, fat, and lactose percentages), and their associations with the cows' metabolic status indicators were explored. The metabolic status indicators (MET) that we used were blood energy-protein metabolites [nonesterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), glucose, cholesterol, creatinine, and urea], and liver ultrasound measurements (predicted triacylglycerol liver content, portal vein area, portal vein diameter and liver depth). Milk and blood samples, and ultrasound measurements were taken from 295 Holstein cows belonging to 2 herds and in the first 120 d in milk (DIM). Milk mineral contents were determined by ICP-OES; these were considered the response variable and analyzed through a mixed model which included DIM, parity, milk yield, and MET as fixed effects, and the herd/date as a random effect. The MET traits were divided in tertiles. The results showed that milk protein was positively associated with body condition score (BCS) and glucose, and negatively associated with BHB blood content; milk fat was positively associated with BHB content; milk lactose was positively associated with BCS; and Ca, P, K and S were the minerals with the greatest number of associations with the cows' energy indicators, particularly BCS, predicted triacylglycerol liver content, glucose, BHB and urea. We conclude that the protein, fat, lactose, and mineral contents of milk partially reflect the metabolic adaptation of cows during lactation and within 120 DIM. Variations in the milk mineral profile were consistent with changes in the major milk constituents and the metabolic status of cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enzymatic biotransformation of terpenic alcohols allows the selective production of new compounds with improved bioactivity. However, few studies are performed using enzymes mainly immobilized on natural material. In this context, Candida antarctica lipase B (CAL-B) was immobilized on lignin extracted from cashew apple bagasse conjugated with magnetic nanoparticles, and used in the synthesis of citronellyl butyrate. The immobilization process took place predominantly by adsorption and interfacial activation, followed by covalent bonds. The enzymatic load of 5 mg PROTEIN /g SUPPORT was chosen because it generated a catalyst (Lig-MNPs_CALB) with the highest catalytic activity (12.6 U/g) and yield of 71.5%. Lig-MNPs_CALB maintained 65% of its activity after 96 h of exposure at 50 °C and 73% after 60 days stored at 4 °C. In the synthesis of citronellyl butyrate by CAL-B in both forms, the optimal esterification conditions were 50 °C, 1:1 molar ratio (alcohol:acid), 10 mg PROTEIN /mL and 200 RPM. The esterification yield was higher in the process catalyzed by Lig-MNPs_CALB (96.4%) compared to catalyzed by free CAL-B (55%) at 24 h, and the Lig-MNPs_CALB maintained its activity for 10 cycles. Also, the antibacterial activity of citronellol in its esterified form has been improved, and citronellyl butyrate showed antifungal activity. [Display omitted] • Lignin was extracted from cashew apple bagasse, magnetized and used as support. • The immobilization using 5 mg/g protein load provided a good yield and a catalyst with high activity. • The biocatalyst showed operational stability and it was thermally stable. • The esterification conditions were optimized with yields more than 95% • Citronellyl butyrate showed an outstanding antibacterial activity than citronellol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generating hydrogen gas (H 2) using the dark fermentation method has attracted much attention due to its lower energy requirement and environmental friendliness. However, producing a high yield of bio-H 2 is as challenging as ever due to low energy conversion by microorganisms. In this respect, the advancement of genome editing tools including the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-Cas technology could overcome the established maximum ceiling of product yield. To date, CRISPR-Cas systems, particularly those based on Type II CRISPR-Cas9 and Type V CRISPR-Cas12, are widely used in manipulating novel bacteria to improve the yield of specific biofuel. However, studies using the CRISPR-Cas technology for improving bio-H 2 production remain scarce. Understanding the metabolic pathways of Clostridium spp. is essential for using the CRISPR-Cas technology Thus, this review highlighted the state-of-the-art in CRISPR-Cas systems for bacterial genome editing while paying attention to bioprocess optimization strategies for modulating the biohydrogen production. • Cas9, Cas12 and endogenous CRISPR-Cas can be used for genome editing in Clostridium. • Template vectors for easy deliveries of CRISPR-Cas components in Clostridium spp. • Overexpress butyrate and knockout acetate production pathway improve H 2 production. • Simultaneous repression of solvent and lactate pathway for efficient H 2 production. • Modulation of lignocellulose and sugar utilization genes to improve H 2 production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extent to which a nutrition-related disorder such as ketosis alters the ruminal microbiota or whether microbiota composition is related to ketosis and potential associations with host metabolism is unknown. We aimed to evaluate variations occurring in the ruminal microbiota of ketotic and nonketotic cows in the early postpartum period, and how those changes may affect the risk of developing the disease. Data on milk yield, dry matter intake (DMI), body condition score, and blood β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentrations at 21 d postpartum were used to select 27 cows, which were assigned (n = 9 per group) to a clinical ketotic (CK, 4.10 ± 0.72 mmol BHB/L, DMI 11.61 ± 0.49 kg/d, ruminal pH 7.55 ± 0.07), subclinical ketotic (SK, 1.36 ± 0.12 mmol BHB/L, DMI 15.24 ± 0.34 kg/d, ruminal pH 7.58 ± 0.08), or control (NK, 0.88 ± 0.14 mmol BHB/L, DMI 16.74 ± 0.67/d, ruminal pH 7.61 ± 0.03) group. Cows averaged 3.6 ± 0.5 lactations and a body condition score of 3.11 ± 0.34 at the time of sampling. After blood serum collection for metabolomics analysis (1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectra), 150 mL of ruminal digesta was collected from each cow using an esophageal tube, paired-end (2 × 300 bp) sequencing of isolated DNA from ruminal digesta was performed via Illumina MiSeq, and sequencing data were analyzed using QIIME2 (v 2020.6) to measure the ruminal microbiota composition and relative abundance. Spearman correlation coefficients were used to evaluate relationships between relative abundance of bacterial genera and concentrations of serum metabolites. There were more than 200 genera, with approximately 30 being significant between NK and CK cows. Succinivibrionaceae UCG 1 taxa decreased in CK compared with NK cows. Christensenellaceae (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.6), Ruminococcaceae (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.6), Lachnospiraceae (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.5), and Prevotellaceae (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.6) genera were more abundant in the CK group and were highly positively correlated with plasma BHB. Metagenomic analysis indicated a high abundance of predicted functions related to metabolism (37.7%), genetic information processing (33.4%), and Brite hierarchies (16.3%) in the CK group. The 2 most important metabolic pathways for butyrate and propionate production were enriched in CK cows, suggesting increased production of acetyl coenzyme A and butyrate and decreased production of propionate. Overall, the combined data suggested that microbial populations may be related to ketosis by affecting short-chain fatty acid metabolism and BHB accumulation even in cows with adequate feed intake in the early postpartum period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The concentration of food waste saccharified residue greatly affected VFA production. • The highest n -butyrate proportion accounted for 90.00% of VFAs. • Chain elongation contributed to 43.93% of carbons of produced n -butyrate. • Microbial analysis verified chain elongation from lactate for n -butyrate production. In this study, food waste saccharified residue was used to produce volatile fatty acids (VFAs), and the effects of substrate concentration on VFA production, VFA composition, acidogenic efficiency, microbial community, and carbon transfer were investigated. Interestingly, chain elongation from acetate to n -butyrate played an important role with a substrate concentration of 200 g/L in the acidogenesis process. Results showed that 200 g/L was a suitable substrate concentration for both VFA and n -butyrate production, the highest VFA production, and n -butyrate composition were 280.87 mg COD/g vS and more than 90.00 %, respectively, and VFA/SCOD reached 82.39 %. Microbial analysis showed that Clostridium_Sensu_Stricto_12 promoted n -butyrate production by chain elongation. Carbon transfer analysis indicated that chain elongation made a contribution of 43.93 % to n -butyrate production. Totally 38.47 % of organic matter in food waste saccharified residue was further utilized. This study provides a new way for n -butyrate production with waste recycling and low cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypocalcemia induced by immune activation is a conserved response across mammalian species; however, administration of Ca is discouraged in other species as it is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Early postpartum cows experience a decrease in circulating Ca concentration following acute inflammation. Corrective Ca therapy during the transition period, particularly in dairy cows experiencing acute disease, is common practice. However, the effect of Ca administration on the inflammatory response during acute immune activation is unknown. Our objective was to compare the clinical, inflammatory, and metabolic response to an intravenous (IV) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge between postpartum cows infused, or not, with IV Ca to maintain eucalcemia. Cows (n = 14, 8 ± 1 d in milk) were enrolled in a matched-pair randomized controlled design to receive IV Ca (IVCa) or sterile 0.9% NaCl (CTRL) during an IV LPS challenge (0.040 or 0.045 µg of LPS/kg of body weight over 1 h). Ionized Ca (iCa) was monitored cow-side, and IV Ca infusion was adjusted in a eucalcemic clamp for 12 h following the start of LPS infusion. Cows were monitored during the 24 h following challenge and serial blood samples were collected to quantify concentrations of glucose, β-hydroxybutyrate, nonesterified fatty acids, urea nitrogen, cytokines, acute-phase proteins, and cortisol. Blood iCa concentration decreased to 0.87 ± 0.03 m M in CTRL during challenge, and by design, iCa concentration was maintained within 3% of baseline in IVCa. Body temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate were monitored for 24 h following the start of challenge and did not differ between groups. A treatment × time interaction was identified such that serum cortisol concentrations increased in both groups at 2 h but decreased to a greater extent at 6 h in IVCa compared with CTRL. Rumination time (min/h) over the first 12 h following challenge was greater in IVCa, but total rumination time in the 24 h following challenge did not differ from CTRL. Serum glucose and nonesterified fatty acid concentrations decreased, and β-hydroxybutyrate and urea nitrogen concentrations increased over time, but did not differ between groups. Acute leukopenia occurred in both groups at 4 h before leukocytosis was observed at 24 h with total white blood cell counts returning to baseline within 72 h. Plasma concentrations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) increased within 1 h following the start of challenge and did not differ between groups. Serum haptoglobin and serum amyloid A concentrations increased within the 24 h following challenge and were elevated through 72 h but did not differ between groups. Eucalcemia during the acute systemic inflammatory response did not alter the TNF or IL-10 cytokine response, or the acute-phase protein SAA and haptoglobin response in this LPS challenge model; however, eucalcemia was associated with a more rapid decline in cortisol response and greater rumination time in the first 12 h following challenge. We did not find evidence that eucalcemia exacerbated the inflammatory response in early postpartum cows, but Ca administration may alter the clinical response to acute systemic inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multicenter observational study to evaluate genome-wide association was conducted in early-lactation Holstein cows (n = 293) from 36 herds in Canada, the USA, and Australia. Phenotypic observations included rumen metabolome, acidosis risk, ruminal bacterial taxa, and milk composition and yield measures. Diets ranged from pasture supplemented with concentrates to total mixed rations (nonfiber carbohydrates = 17 to 47, and neutral detergent fiber = 27 to 58% of dry matter). Rumen samples were collected <3 h after feeding and analyzed for pH, ammonia, d - and l -lactate, volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations, and abundance of bacterial phyla and families. Eigenvectors were produced using cluster and discriminant analyses from a combination of pH and ammonia, d -lactate, and VFA concentrations, and were used to estimate the probability of the risk of ruminal acidosis based on proximity to the centroid of 3 clusters, termed high (24.0% of cows), medium (24.2%), and low risk (51.8%) for acidosis. DNA of sufficient quality was successfully extracted from whole blood (218 cows) or hair (65 cows) collected simultaneously with the rumen samples and sequenced using the Geneseek Genomic Profiler Bovine 150K Illumina SNPchip. Genome-wide association used an additive model and linear regression with principal component analysis (PCA) population stratification and a Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. Population structure was visualized using PCA plots. Single genomic markers were associated with milk protein percent and the center logged ratio abundance of the phyla Chloroflexi , SR1 , and Spirochaetes , and tended to be associated with milk fat yield, rumen acetate, butyrate, and isovalerate concentrations and with the probability of being in the low-risk acidosis group. More than one genomic marker was associated or tended to be associated with rumen isobutyrate and caproate concentrations, and the center log ratio of the phyla Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes and center log ratio of the families Prevotellaceae , BS11 , S24-7 , Acidaminococcaceae , Carnobacteriaceae , Lactobacillaceae , Leuconostocaceae , and Streptococcaceae. The provisional NTN4 gene, involved in several functions, had pleiotropy with 10 bacterial families, the phyla Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes , and butyrate. The ATP2CA1 gene, involved in the ATPase secretory pathway for Ca2+ transport, overlapped for the families Prevotellaceae , S24-7 , and Streptococcaceae , the phylum Bacteroidetes , and isobutyrate. No genomic markers were associated with milk yield, fat percentage, protein yield, total solids, energy-corrected milk, somatic cell count, rumen pH, ammonia, propionate, valerate, total VFA, and d -, l -, or total lactate concentrations, or probability of being in the high- or medium-risk acidosis groups. Genome-wide associations with the rumen metabolome, microbial taxa, and milk composition were present across a wide geographical and management range of herds, suggesting the existence of markers for the rumen environment but not for acidosis susceptibility. The variation in pathogenesis of ruminal acidosis in the small population of cattle in the high risk for acidosis group and the dynamic nature of the rumen as cows cycle through a bout of acidosis may have precluded the identification of markers for acidosis susceptibility. Despite a limited sample size, this study provides evidence of interactions between the mammalian genome, the rumen metabolome, ruminal bacteria, and milk protein percentage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to evaluate the seasonal effect on the metabolomic profile of the ovarian follicle in Italian Mediterranean buffalo to unravel the causes of the reduced competence during the non-breeding season (NBS). Samples of follicular fluid, follicular cells, cumulus cells and oocytes were collected from abattoir-derived ovaries during breeding season (BS) and NBS and analyzed by 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. The Orthogonal Projections to Latent Structures of the Discriminant Analysis showed clear separation into seasonal classes and Variable Importance in Projection method identified differentially abundant metabolites between seasons. Seasonal differences were recorded in metabolite content in all analyzed components suggesting that the decreased oocyte competence during NBS may be linked to alteration of several metabolic pathways. The pathway enrichment analysis revealed that differences in the metabolites between the seasons were linked to glutathione, energy generating and amino acid metabolism and phospholipid biosynthesis. The current work allows the identification of potential positive competence markers in the follicular fluid as glutathione, glutamate, lactate and choline, and negative markers like leucine, isoleucine and β-hydroxybutyrate. These results form a major basis to develop potential strategies to optimize the follicular environment and the IVM medium to improve the competence of oocytes during the NBS. • Buffalo ovarian metabolomes was analyzed by 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. • Seasonal changes in metabolites were observed in the follicle components. • Several metabolic pathways are altered during the NBS. • Seasonal differences in metabolites may affect oocyte competence. • Potential markers of oocyte competence were identified in the FF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Butanol toxicity, oxygen sensitivity, and high substrate cost limit wider applications of the traditional Clostridium acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation. In this study, a wild-type Clostridium beijerinckii strain was partnered with an engineered Escherichia coli strain to improve the ABE fermentation through a co-culture. Butanol and butyrate produced by C. beijerinckii were converted into butyl butyrate – a product that can be in situ removed to reduce product toxicity – by expressing a CoA transferase and an alcohol acyltransferase in E. coli. When integrated with a pretreatment technology and using commercial cellulase, the co-culture produced 1280 mg/L butyl butyrate from rice straw in bioreactors, without the need of maintaining a strict anaerobic condition. As a process harnessing both the genetic tractability of E. coli and the superior acid- and alcohol-producing ability of Clostridium , this co-culture fermentation will be useful in producing valuable esters from low-cost waste streams. [Display omitted] • E. coli was engineered to express a CoA transferase and an alcohol acyltransferase. • Butyl butyrate was produced by the co-culture from lignocellulosic biomass. • Aerobic co-culture of E. coli and Clostridium was achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Difluoroamination and esterification reactions were utilized for the preparation of NF 2 -analogs of 2,2,2-trinitroethyl 4,4,4-trinitrobutanoate with replacing one or two nitro groups. Difluoroamino products possess promising properties as ingredients of metallized energetic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Longan (Dimocarpus longan) is a precious subtropical fruit with high nutritional value. The somatic embryogenesis (SE) affects the quality and yield of fruit. Apart from clonal propagation, SE has extensive applications in genetic improvement and mutation. Thus, understanding the molecular basis of embryogenesis in longan will help to develop strategies for mass production of quality planting material. Lysine acetylation (Kac) plays an important role in diverse cellular processes, but limited knowledge is available regarding acetylation modifications in plant early SE. In this study, the proteome and acetylome of longan embryogenic callus (ECs) and globular embryos (GEs) were investigated. In total, 7232 proteins and 14,597 Kac sites were identified, and this resulted in the discovery of 1178 differentially expressed proteins and 669 differentially expressed acetylated proteins. KEGG and GO analysis showed that glucose metabolism, carbon metabolism, fatty acid degradation, and oxidative phosphorylation pathways were influenced by Kac modification. Furthermore, sodium butyrate (Sb, a deacetylase inhibitor) led to reduced the proliferation and delayed the differentiation of ECs by regulating the homeostasis of reactive oxygen species (ROS) andindole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Our study provides a comprehensive proteomic and acetylomic analysis to aid in understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in early SE, representing a potential tool for genetic improvement of longan. • Kac is involved in the early regulation of longan embryogenesis with various regulatory pathways. • Sodium butyrate led to reduced the proliferation and delayed the differentiation of ECs by regulating the homeostasis of ROS and IAA. • Carbon metabolism, fatty acid degradation, and oxidative phosphorylation pathways were mainly influenced by Kac. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This discourse attempts to capture a few important dimensions of gut physiology like microbial homeostasis, short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, occludin expression, and gut permeability in post-natal life of mice those received arsenic only during pre-natal life. Adult Balb/c mice were fed with 4 ppm arsenic trioxide in drinking water during breeding and gestation. After the birth of the pups, the arsenic water was withdrawn and replaced with clean drinking water. The pups were allowed to grow for 28 days (pAs-mice) and age matched Balb/c mice which were never exposed to arsenic served as control The pAs-mice showed a striking reduction in Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio coupled with a decrease in tight junction protein, occludin resulting in an increase in gut permeability, increased infiltration of inflammatory cells in the colon and decrease in common SCFAs in which butyrate reduction was quite prominent in fecal samples as compared to normal control. The above phenotypes of pAs-mice were mostly reversed by supplementing 5% sodium butyrate (w/w) with food from 21st to 28th day. The ability of butyrate in enhancing occludin expression, in particular, was dissected further. As miR122 causes degradation of Occludin mRNA, we transiently overexpressed miR122 by injecting appropriate plasmids and showed reversal of butyrate effects in pAs-mice. Thus, pre-natal arsenic exposure orchestrates variety of effects by decreasing butyrate in pAs-mice leading to increased permeability due to reduced occludin expression. Our research adds a new dimension to our understanding that pre-natal arsenic exposure imprints in post-natal life while there was no further arsenic exposure. • Prenatal Arsenic exposure decreases prevalence of butyrate producing bacteria and butyrate production in the gut. • Lack of butyrate production in the gut is responsible for increased permeability and decreased occludin expression. • Oral supplementation with butyrate reverses the prenatal arsenic induced changes in the gut. • Butyrate increases Occludin gene expression by downregulating miR122 in the gut. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of alternative disease treatment and prevention strategies has received considerable attention in recent years due to frequent epizootic outbreaks in modern intensive aquaculture. Poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a biopolymer synthesized by some bacteria with potential immunostimulatory effects. This study analyzed the potential of PHB as an immunomodulator in juvenile Nile tilapia utilizing in vitro and in vivo approaches. Head-kidney-derived macrophage production of intra- and extra-cellular superoxide anion exhibited significant linear and quadratic relationships with graded doses (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 and 8.0 mM) of a PHB precursor, 3-hydroxybutryate (3HB). Additionally, lyophilized PHB-synthesizing bacteria, Zobellella denitrificans (ZD1), were supplemented to a practical basal diet for Nile tilapia (36% crude protein and 6% crude lipid) to produce five isonitrogenous and isolipidic experimental diets containing PHB in five stepwise increments (0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0% of dry-diet weight). After termination of the feeding trial, Nile tilapia exhibited dose-dependent linear and quadratic relationships in percentage weight gain, as well as feed efficiency, protein conversion efficiency, and hepatosomatic index. Finally, PHB-supplemented diets did significantly modulate intestinal microbiota composition. In conclusion, Nile tilapia exhibited enhanced growth parameters, condition factors, immunological responses, and intestinal microbiota modulation when fed PHB, with the optimal inclusion level determined to be 1% of dry diet. • Nile tilapia head-kidney-derived leukocytes exhibited significantly increased respiratory burst when graded doses of 3-hydroxybutryate were added in vitro. • Juvenile Nile tilapia exhibited significant dose-dependent enhancements of percentage weight gain, FE, and PCE when supplemented with ZD1-derived PHB. • An optimal inclusion of supplemented ZD1-dervived PHB was determined to be 1.0% of dry diet based on growth responses of juvenile Nile tilapia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Short-chain fatty acid butyrate has been reported to be involved in regulating glycolipid metabolism. However, the effects of butyrate on nutrient metabolism remained unclear in crustaceans. A 9-week experiment was used to investigate the impact of sodium butyrate (NaB) on nutrient metabolism, digestive enzyme activity, and hepatopancreas health of mud crab Scylla paramamosain. A total of 144 crabs (10.56 ± 0.16 g) were fed four diets in triplicate (12 crabs per replicate), including control, 0.05% NaB, 0.10% NaB and 0.20% NaB, respectively. The results indicated that the crabs fed the 0.20% NaB exhibited better percent weight growth and molting rate than those of the control group (P < 0.05). And dietary supplementation of 0.20% NaB enhanced the hepatopancreas lipase activity (P < 0.05), but did not affect amylase and trypsin activity (P > 0.05). Dietary 0.20% NaB increased markedly the triglyceride and total cholesterol content in serum and lipids in hepatopancreas (P < 0.05). The transcriptional levels of lipid synthesis (fas , g6pd and 6pgd) were markedly upregulated (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, those of lipolysis (cptI , cptII , aco1 and aco3) were downregulated when crabs fed the 0.20% NaB (P < 0.05). In addition, the 0.20% NaB treatment remarkedly increased muscle protein deposition by activating the TOR signaling pathway and increasing hemolymph amino acid content (P < 0.05). The pyruvate and lactic acid contents in the hepatopancreas of crab-fed dietary NaB were highly increased compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Besides, dietary 0.20% NaB markedly decreased the glucose content of serum and hepatopancreas, upregulated the glycolysis (gk , hk , pk , pfk and pdh) and gluconeogenesis-related (pepck , pc and G6pase) mRNA expression levels (P < 0.05). The 0.20% NaB supplementation could upregulate the mRNA expression of antioxidant capacity and increase immune capacity (P < 0.05). No tubule injury in the hepatopancreas was observed in the 0.20% NaB group. The serum AST and ALT content were significantly reduced when crabs fed the 0.20% NaB (P < 0.05). To sum up, supplementation of NaB in the diet increased digestive enzyme activity, promoted protein and lipid deposition, activated glucose utilization and enhanced hepatopancreas health of S. paramamosain , ultimately improving the growth performance. [Display omitted] • Sodium butyrate had positive effects on growth performance of Scylla paramamosain. • 0.20% NaB supplementation enhanced digestive enzyme activity of S. paramamosain. • 0.20% NaB promoted lipid accumulation of hepatopancreas and protein deposition of muscle in S. paramamosain. • 0.20% NaB activated glycolysis and gluconeogenesis to supply energy for S. paramamosain. • NaB can improve hepatopancreas health of S. paramamosain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Whey protein and casein in IFs have synergistic action on colonic physiology and microbiota. • Serum metabolites related to microbiota (polyamines) and tryptophan metabolism were changed. • Ideal whey and non-micellar caseins would improve health benefits of IFs. Despite the WHO recommendations in favor of breastfeeding, most infants receive infant formulas (IFs), which are complex matrices involving numerous ingredients and processing steps. Our aim was to understand the impact of the quality of the protein ingredient in IFs on gut microbiota and physiology, blood metabolites and brain gene expression. Three IFs were produced using whey proteins (WPs) from cheese whey (IF-A) or ideal whey (IFs-C and -D) and caseins, either in a micellar form (IFs-A and -C) or partly in a non-micellar form (IF-D). Twenty-four Yucatan minipiglets received one of the IFs from 2- to 21-days of age. The piglets were then euthanized 84 min postprandially. Blood, ileal and colonic digesta and tissues, the liver and the hypothalamus were sampled. Gut microbiota composition and activity, the expression of intestinal and brain genes involved in barrier, immune, endocrine, nutrient carrier and neuronal functions and serum metabolite levels were determined. Intestinal paracellular permeability was assessed with an ex vivo Ussing chamber. The data were analyzed using multifactorial and univariate analyses. The colon was the main site to be physiologically affected by the quality of the dairy protein ingredients used in IFs. Colonic paracellular permeability was significantly higher in IF-D-fed piglets than in those receiving IFs-A and -C, in line with the expression of genes encoding tight junction proteins (OCLN, CLDN3 and CLDN4). IF-D up-regulated the colonic expression of genes involved in the immune function (SOCS3, PIGR and TNFα) when compared to IF-A. Although intestinal α- and β-diversities did not significantly differ among IFs, some specific differences were observed, such as the abundances of Campylobacterota phylum and Bacteroides genera and fecal butyrate production, which were increased with IFs-C and -D versus IF-A. The kynurenine pathway was favored in piglets fed IF-D compared to IF-A, based on colonic gene expression and serum metabolites. In addition, levels of some serum metabolites, particularly putrescine, spermidine and spermine, were higher in piglets fed IF-D than IFs-A and -C. Overall, IF-D, which combined ideal WPs and some non-micellar caseins, appeared to differ most from IF-A in terms of its physiological consequences, suggesting that both WP and casein ingredient quality may mediate the physiological properties of IFs, probably through changes to the colonic microbiota composition and activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Butyrate is primarily produced by gut bacteria fermenting dietary fibers. • Butyrate acts as an inhibitor of HDAC and through GPCR-mediated signaling pathways. • The efficacy of obesity is still being studied due to a lack of human trials. • It may improve intestinal health, energy metabolism, and obesity challenges. • Its gut-brain axis and microbiome effects show its function in host physiology. Butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid, is a crucial product of gut microbial fermentation with significant implications for various metabolic and physiological processes. Dietary sources of butyrate are limited, primarily derived from the fermentation of dietary fibers by butyrate-producing gut bacteria. Butyrate exerts its effects primarily as a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor and through signaling pathways involving G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Its diverse benefits include promoting gut health, enhancing energy metabolism, and potentially alleviating complications associated with obesity. However, the exact role of butyrate in obesity is still under investigation, with a limited number of human trials necessitating further research to determine its efficacy and safety profile. Moreover, butyrate impact on the gut-brain axis and its modulation of microbiome effect on behavior highlight its broader importance in regulating host physiology. A thorough understanding of the metabolic pathways and mechanisms of butyrate is essential for developing targeted interventions for metabolic disorders. Continued research is crucial to fully realize its therapeutic potential and optimize its clinical applications in human health. In summary, this review illuminates the multifaceted role of butyrate as a potential mediator of obesity and related metabolic changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Butyric acid, a pivotal short-chain fatty acid in rumen digestion, profoundly influences animal digestive and locomotor systems. Extensive research indicates its direct or indirect involvement in the growth and development of muscle and fat cells. However, the impact of butyric acid on the proliferation and differentiation of bovine skeletal muscle satellite cells (SMSCs) remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of butyrate on SMSCs proliferation and differentiation. After isolating, SMSCs were subjected to varying concentrations of sodium butyrate (NaB) during the proliferation and differentiation stages. Optimal treatment conditions (1 mM NaB for 2 days) were determined based on proliferative force, cell viability, and mRNA expression of proliferation and differentiation marker genes. Transcriptome sequencing was employed to screen for differential gene expression between 1 mM NaB-treated and untreated groups during SMSCs differentiation. Results indicated that lower NaB concentrations (≤1.0 mM) inhibited proliferation while promoting differentiation and apoptosis after a 2-day treatment. Conversely, higher NaB concentrations (≥2.0 mM) suppressed proliferation and differentiation and induced apoptosis. Transcriptome sequencing revealed differential expression of genes(ND1, ND3, CYTB, COX2, ATP6, MYOZ2, MYOZ3, MYBPC1 and ATP6V0A4 ,etc.) were associated with SMSCs differentiation and energy metabolism, enriching pathways such as Oxidative phosphorylation, MAPK, and Wnt signaling. These findings offer valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying butyrate regulation of bovine SMSCs proliferation and differentiation, as well as muscle fiber type conversion in the future study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Butyrate reduces intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) pyroptosis in Crohn's disease through the cGAS-STING-NLRP3 axis. • Both in vivo and in vitro studies demonstrate the protective effects of butyrate on IECs pyroptosis. • Activation of the cGAS-STING pathway reverses the protective effects of butyrate. • The interaction between STING and NLRP3 is a key mechanism underlying butyrate's therapeutic action. Butyrate can strengthen the intestinal epithelial barrier. However, the mechanisms by which butyrate affects intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) pyroptosis in Crohn's disease (CD) remain unclear. In this study, we collected colonic biopsy samples from CD patients and healthy controls to assess pyroptosis levels. Our findings indicated elevated expression of pyroptosis markers in CD patients, alongside distinct morphological evidence of pyroptosis in IECs. We further investigated the effects of tributyrin on pyroptosis and the cGAS-STING pathway in a trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis rat model. Tributyrin significantly mitigated intestinal inflammation, reduced pathological progression, and inhibited pyroptosis and cGAS-STING pathway activation in the colitis rat model. Similarly, in an in vitro model of IECs pyroptosis, sodium butyrate inhibited pyroptosis and cGAS-STING pathway activation in HT-29 cells. Co-treatment with a cGAS-STING pathway activator and butyrate demonstrated that the activator reversed the inhibitory effects of butyrate on pyroptosis and cGAS-STING pathway activation in both the colitis rat model and HT-29 cells. Mechanistically, the cGAS-STING pathway was found to interact with NLRP3. Taken together, butyrate may mitigate intestinal inflammation in CD by suppressing cGAS-STING-NLRP3 axis-mediated IECs pyroptosis. These findings offer new insights into potential therapeutic strategies for managing CD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saccharomyces cerevisiae accumulates glycogen, a hyperbranched glucose polymer with multiple bio-functionalities. In this study, mutants of S. cerevisiae that accumulate excessive amounts of glycogen were developed through UV mutagenesis. From over 30,000 mutants, the mutant strain CEY1, which exhibited the highest glycogen production, was selected using iodine vapor screening. The glycogen structures of wild type (WT) and CEY1 were analyzed and found to be relatively similar in molecular weight, hydrodynamic diameter, and side-chain distribution. The glycogen from CEY1 contained long branches (DP >12) 23.6 % greater than those in Escherichia coli TBP38. In addition, WT and CEY1 glycogen showed 32 %–34 % digestibility, which is significantly lower than E. coli glycogen. The glycogen content in dried CEY1 cells was increased to 21.7 % during laboratory-scale fed-batch fermentation. Glycogen with a homogeneous structure was accumulated to 17.5 % (w /w dried cell), and the total glucan content was increased by 33.2 % during large-scale fed-batch fermentation. In a mouse model, a diet containing 30 % CEY1 increased the production of butyrate and populations of beneficial bacteria, including Bacteroides and Parabacteroides. Therefore, glycogen from CEY1 exhibits a distinct structure from other polysaccharides, with notably slow and low digestibility, thereby indicating its potential application as a dietary supplement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This 42-d study evaluated the effects of phytase, calcium butyrate (CB), and bacitracin methylene disalicylate 50 (BMD) on broiler performance, processing yields, and nutrient digestibility. Ross YPM x 708 male broilers (2,880 total) were distributed in 72 floor pens and assigned to 1 of 9 treatments (8 replicates/treatment) on d of hatch. This experiment was a 2 × 4 + 1 factorial arrangement, including 2 phytase concentrations (500 or 1,500 FTU/kg), 4 microbiota modulating feed additive groups (MMFA ; none, CB (0.5 g/kg of diet), BMD (55 mg/kg of diet), or both CB and BMD), and a negative control without feed additives. Broiler performance (d 14, 28, and 42), apparent ileal nutrient digestibility (d 28 and 42), and processing yields (d 43) were determined. Day 14 BW increased with BMD inclusion compared to CB and no MMFA in the 1,500 FTU/kg group but BW were similar between all MMFA combined with 500 FTU/kg (P ≤ 0.05). Supplementing BMD increased d 28 BW and reduced d 1 to 28 feed conversion ratio compared to CB and no MMFA (main effect, P ≤ 0.05). Day 42 BW varied depending on dietary phytase concentrations. When diets contained 500 FTU/kg, broilers fed both CB and BMD had a higher BW than broilers fed only CB. Whereas when the inclusion of phytase was increased to 1,500 FTU/kg, broilers fed diets with only BMD or both CB and BMD had higher BW than broilers fed diets with no MMFA (P ≤ 0.05). Phytase concentrations at 1,500 FTU/kg increased (P ≤ 0.05) digestibility of fat (main effect, d 42), phosphorus (d 28 and 42), and apparent ileal digestible energy (main effect, d 42) compared to 500 FTU/kg. In this study, dietary BMD improved broiler growth compared to CB and no MMFA. However, these observed differences between CB and BMD were dependent on dietary phytase concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To enhance the production of butanol and its ratio to the total solvent, the impacts of exogenous amino acids supplementation on acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation were studied. With this effort, the highest butanol and total solvent production of 14.18 ± 0.24 g/L and 16.29 ± 0.31 g/L were achieved when 5.0 mg/L of phenylalanine was added at 18 h. Additionally, to explore the physiological reasons for the efficient synthesis of butanol under the optimal condition, the changes of key enzyme activities in the butanol synthesis pathway and the intracellular microenvironment were investigated. The findings show that phenylalanine addition could enhance crude enzyme activities of acetate kinase and butyrate kinase activities, strengthen NADH synthesis and expend more ATP to promote the growth of Clostridium beijerinckii Y10. This study suggests that the method of a tiny amount of amino acid addition was a simple and efficient approach to enhance bio-butanol production, thus providing a new strategy to improve the performance of other similar fermentation. [Display omitted] • The phenylalanine addition was superior to other amino acids in the ABE fermentation process. • The addition of phenylalanine could enhance the key enzyme activities in butanol synthesis pathway. • The level of intracellular ATP and NADH was enhanced due to exogenous phenylalanine addition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fucoidan possesses a variety of biological activities beneficial for human wellness. It is a good candidate for ameliorating obesity and diabetes. However, high-purity fucoidan products are limited due to the co-extraction of impurities i.e. alginate, protein and small molecular substances. In this study, the optimal preparation strategy for high-purity fucoidan from a template brown alga (Saccharina japonica) was screened out by the exploration of key and auxiliary steps. The key step was confirmed as moderate-temperature acid extraction and the auxiliary steps were fixed on ethanol refluxing and ball milling pretreatment. The fucose content of S. japonica fucoidan increased by 7.15 times and the sulfate group content increased by 4.87 times compared with those of fucoidans prepared by classic high-temperature acid extraction. Ball milling-assisted moderate-temperature acid extraction performed great effectiveness and universality in the extraction of high-purity fucoidans derived from four brown algae including S. japonica , Undaria pinnatifida, Sargassum fusiforme, and Fucus vesiculosus. Glycolipid-lowering activities of four fucoidans were confirmed by their interactions with intestinal bile acid, cholesterol micellar, glucose and probiotics including butyrate-producing bacteria, Bacteroides , Bifidobacterium , and Lactobacillus. Our study provided an efficient and universal extraction process for high-purity fucoidan with glycolipid-lowering activity from typical brown algae. [Display omitted] • Optimal preparation strategy for high-purity fucoidan was screened out. • Ball milling-assisted moderate-temperature acid extraction was optimal. • The strategy was effective and universal in extracting brown algal fucoidans. • Brown algal fucoidans exhibited good glycolipid absorption inhibitory activities. • Brown algal fucoidans exhibited good proliferation abilities on probiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monascus -fermented cheese (MC) has earned significant attention in recent years as an innovative dairy product. This study employed SPME-GC-MS, SPME-GC × GC-MS, and HS-GC-IMS to investigate the volatile flavor compounds of MC at four different stages of ripening (MC0d, MC30d, MC60d, and MC90d) to compare the unique attributes of these approaches. A total of 126 compounds were identified in this study, among which SPME-GC × GC-MS detected the highest number of volatile flavor compounds, with 94 compounds detected. A total of 82 volatile flavor compounds were identified by SPME-GC-MS and 34 by HS-GC-IMS. All those methods identified 18 compounds, among which isoamyl acetate, isobutyl butyrate, and isoamyl butyrate were identified for the first time. Partial least squares discrimination analysis (PLS-DA) indicated that all approaches could distinguish the volatile flavor compounds across the MC ripening periods, while HS-GC-IMS exhibited the highest efficacy in differentiating the cheeses. The results indicate that those analytical approaches are mutually beneficial in examining the MC aroma during ripening. Therefore, these methods can be selected and combined according to specific research needs and objectives. • A total of 126 volatile compounds were identified by the three methods in MC. • GC-IMS performs the best in distinguishing MC with different periods in PLS-DA. • First discovery of isoamyl acetate, isobutyl butyrate, and isoamyl butyrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interesterified fat (IF) has been established as a substitute for trans-fat in ultra-processed foods. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that IF increases intestinal barrier permeability and bacterial translocation, but it is still unknown its impacts on the intestinal microbiota. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate if IF modulates the intestinal microbiota and the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) by the intestinal bacteria of male Swiss mice fed control or high-fat diet, with or without IF. Animals were divided into groups that received anormolipidic control diet (10% of calories from lipids) or high-fat diet (45% of calories from lipids) containing unmodified fat or IF, both obtained from palm oil: CT (Control diet); ICT (Interesterified Control diet); HF (High-fat diet); IHF (Interesterified High-fat diet) for eight weeks. Fecal samples were collected directly from the animals' colons for processing. The SCFA production was analyzed by gas chromatography. For microbiota diversity, bioinformatics analysis was carried out. Significant differences in microbiota composition at the phylum level were not observed between diet groups. However, a reduction in abundance of the Lactobacillus and Enterococcus genera, and an increase in the Peptococcus genus were found in high-fat diet groups. Interestingly, in the normolipid diet group with IF (ICT group), the animals showed microbiota composition similar to those found in animals that consumed high-fat diets. These alterations negatively interfered with the production of acetate and butyrate and may influence intestinal homeostasis and compromise metabolism. This study opens important discussions about the physiological impact of IF in health. [Display omitted] • Interesterified fat (IF) leads to distinct variation in microbiota of mice. • Interesterified control diet altered gut microbiota similarly to a high-fat diet. • The concentrations of acetate and butyrate are reduced in the ICT and HF groups. • IF may have some, albeit small, effect on the change in gut microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citric acid-modified starch functions as a resistant starch, while the combined effects of its fine molecular structure and degree of substitution on gut microbiota are not well understood. To this end, citric acid-modified starches with varying degrees of substitution were synthesized from rice starches with distinct molecular structures and their impact on gut microbiota composition and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production was analyzed. Notably, rice starch with a higher degree of substitution significantly reduced acetate production, while promoted butyrate production. Correlation analysis further suggested that amylopectin chains with 12 < DP ≤ 36 and amylose chains with 100 < DP ≤ 500 alter the growth of Faecalibacterium_prausnitzii and Bacteroides_vulgatus , consequentially determining the production of SCFAs. Collectively, these findings indicate that citric acid-modified rice starch with different degrees of substitution can target specific gut bacteria and SCFA production, thus conferring beneficial impact on human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease resulting from abnormal immune response to gut microflora translocating through damaged intestinal barrier. Xylan acetate ester (XylA) can increase colon short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) levels and alleviate kidney disease by inhibiting inflammation through the G protein-coupled receptor pathway. Here, we synthesized and purified XylA, and then the effects and mechanisms of XylA on dextran sodium sulfate-induced UC in mice were investigated. The results showed that in mice, similar to the positive drug 5-aminosalicylic acid, oral administration of XylA significantly alleviated all UC symptoms, including weight loss, diarrhea, and hematochezia. Further mechanism studies revealed that XylA could repair the damaged colon structure and intestinal barrier function by increasing the expression of tight junction protein zonula occludens 1 and occludin, thus reducing LPS penetration. Moreover, XylA could also restrain intestinal inflammation via inhibiting LPS-TLR4 pathway, downregulating M1 macrophage polarization, and reducing proinflammatory cytokines expression, and in vitro cell experiments showed that these effects may be mediated by XylA derived SCFAs, particularly acetates, propionates and butyrates. All these results suggested that XylA may be a potential improving agent for UC treatment, and natural polysaccharides may represent a novel avenue for drug development of UC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alterations in commensal gut microbiota, such as butyrate-producing bacteria and its metabolites, have been linked to stress-related brain disorders, including depression. Herein, we investigated the effect of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (ATCC-27766) administered along with fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and galactooligosaccharides (GOS) in a rat model of treatment-resistant depression (TRD). The behavioral changes related to anxiety-, anhedonia- and despair-like phenotypes were recorded employing elevated plus maze, sucrose-preference test, and forced-swim test, respectively. Rats exposed to unpredictable chronic mild-stress (UCMS) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) injections exhibited a TRD-like phenotype. Six-week administration of F. prausnitzii and FOS + GOS ameliorated TRD-like conditions in rats. This synbiotic treatment also restored the decreased levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate in the fecal samples of TRD rats. Synbiotic-recipient TRD rats displayed an increased abundance of Lactobacillus helveticus , Lactobacillus hamsteri, and Ruminococcus flavefaciens. Moreover, more mucus-producing goblet cells were seen in the colon of synbiotic-treated rats, suggesting improved gut health. The synbiotic treatment effectively modulated neuroinflammation by reducing proinflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, CRP, and IL-6). It normalized the altered levels of key neurotransmitters such as serotonin, gamma-aminobutyric acid, noradrenaline, and dopamine in the hippocampus and/or frontal cortex. The enhanced expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, tryptophan hydroxylase 1, and serotonin transporter-3 (SERT-3), and reduced levels of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO-1) and kynurenine metabolite were observed in the synbiotic-treated group. We suggest that F. prausnitzii and FOS + GOS-loaded synbiotic may reverse the TRD-like symptoms in rats by positively impacting gut health, neuroinflammation, neurotransmitters, and gut microbial composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]