Search

Maternal nutrition is one of the main factors regulating the growth and immunity of piglets. This study aimed to investigate the effects of maternal or maternal-offspring supplementation of antibiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics on the immunity of offspring (21, 65, and 125 day-old) in Bama mini-pigs. The results showed that adding antibiotics to maternal diets increased the plasma IFN-γ level of offspring piglets at 21 day-old. Compared with maternal supplementation, maternal-offspring supplementation of antibiotics decreased the IL-10 level in the spleen, probiotics decreased IL-2, IL-10, and TNF-α levels in the ileum, and synbiotics decreased IL-10 and IFN-γ levels in the ileum of offspring piglets. Moreover, maternal-offspring antibiotics supplementation increased the IL-1β level in the ileum, while probiotics supplementation increased the IL-1β level in the spleen of offspring piglets. Maternal antibiotics supplementation increased the TNF-α level in the ileum at 95 day-old compared with maternal probiotics and synbiotics supplementation. Maternal-offspring antibiotics supplementation increased the IL-1β level in the ileum compared with the probiotics supplementation, while synbiotics supplementation increased the IL-6 level in the ileum than the probiotics and antibiotics supplementation at 95 day-old. Moreover, maternal-offspring probiotics supplementation increased the IL-1β level in the spleen of offspring pigs, which was higher than the maternal probiotics supplementation. These findings suggest that the immune function of the offspring piglets varied depending on the specific approach used for probiotics and synbiotics supplementation.

Bama Beach is one of the beaches used as a tourist destination in Baluran National Park. Coral reefs are coastal ecosystems that have high productivity. This research will study the difference primary productivity of coral reef ecosystems at depth 1 - 10 meter. This study was conducted in Bama Beach on January 2023, with descriptive method. The results of this research showed, the influence of depth to Net Primary Productivity (NPP) is 71,4 % and categorized as good. Net Primary Productivity (NPP) at a depth of 1 meter 62,50 - 90,27 mgC/m2/hour; the depth of 5 meter 17,36 - 52,08 mgC/m2/hour and the depth of 10 meter 8,68 - 34,72 mgC/m2/hour. Net Primary Productivity (NPP) highest at a depth 1 meter, so primary productivity decreases with increasing depth.

This study aims to examine the impact of accessibility and destination brand identity on Chinese wellness tourist perceptions. It considers Bama Yao autonomous district’s growth towards longevity tourism and contributes to empirical work on the Chinese wellness tourism market. This quantitative research incorporated a post-positivism paradigm with the non-probability convenience sampling method to collect paper-based questionnaires: a total of 346 were coded for data analysis. The results demonstrated that accessibility positively influenced destination brand identity and tourist perceptions. Equally destination brand identity positively influenced tourist perception. Meanwhile, destination brand identity mediated the relationship between accessibility and tourist perception for wellness tourism destinations. However, the cross-sectional study’s results cannot be generalizable, and the sample may be one of its limitations. The present study provides policymakers and practitioners with the theoretical and practical basis to understand and predict tourists’ perceptions of wellness tourism destinations in China.

Seagrass bed has an important role for biota in waters. The existence of fish in seagrass is influenced by other ecosystems close to seagrass, such as mangroves and coral reefs. This study focuses on fish associated with seagrass in Bama Beach. The data include seagrass coverage and the number of fish for the Diversity, Uniformity, and Dominance. The study was carried out on March 15 to 20, 2018 using the Underwater Visual Census. Results show that seagrass cover was highest in seagrass stations near mangroves (62,66%), while at stations near coral reefs was 37,66. The composition of fish associated with seagrass near mangroves was 361 individuals, while near reefs was 1.454 individuals. The values of diversity, uniformity, and dominance of fish associated with seagrass near mangroves are 2,62; 0,88; and 0,09 respectively while those associated with coral reefs have values of 2,93; 0,85; and 0,06. Family Aulostomidae was dominant in the morning at the station near mangroves, and in the afternoon was dominated by Apogonidae. At the station near coral reefs, the Family Pomacentridae was dominant both in the morning and afternoon. The seagrass conditions in this study are in the healthy category with quite diverse fishes. The level of fish diversity in seagrass was influenced by habitats associated with seagrasses than seagrass cover levels. The condition of Bama Beach as a conservation area is quite good, but the activity of tourists around the coastline must be monitored to maintain the environment.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is responsible for causing fatal watery diarrhea in piglets, resulting in significant economic losses within the pig farming industry. Although vaccination is currently employed as a preventive measure, certain vaccines do not provide complete protection against PEDV field strains. Probiotics present a promising alternative due to their ability to regulate intestinal flora, enhance host immunity, and improve resistance against pathogenic microorganisms. We isolated six lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from the fecal microorganisms of Bama pigs, compared to Limosilactobacillus mucosae DSM13345 of the same genus in which Limosilactobacillus mucosae G01 (L. mucosae G01) proved to have a potent anti-PEDV effect. In a comprehensive manner, L. mucosae G01 significantly augmented the phosphorylation of IRF3 in IPEC-J2 cells, resulting in the induction of interferons (IFN α, IFN β, IFN λ1, and IFN λ3) and subsequent upregulation of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) (MX1, MX2, OAS1, and ZAP) in a dose-dependent fashion, consequently leading to the mitigation of PEDV replication. These findings underscore the promising prospects of L. mucosae G01 as a naturally derived substitute for combating PEDV and other enteric coronavirus infections.

Acute large hemispheric infarction (ALHI) is an overwhelming emergency with a great challenge of gastrointestinal dysfunction clinically. Here, we initially proposed delayed bowel movements as the clinical phenotype of strike to gut-brain axis (GBA) in ALHI patients by epidemiological analysis of 499 acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. 1H NMR-based metabolomics revealed that AIS markedly altered plasma global metabolic profiling of patients compared with healthy controls. Risk factors of strike on GBA were the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ≥ 5 and stroke onset time ≤ 24 h. As a result, first defecating time after admission to the hospital ≥2 days could be considered as a potential risk factor for strike on GBA. Subsequently, the ALHI Bama miniature (BM) pig model with acute symptomatic seizure was successfully established by ligation of the left ascending pharyngeal artery combined with local air injection. Clinical phenotypes of brain necrosis such as hemiplegia were examined with brain diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and pathological diagnosis. In addition to global brain injury and inflammation, we also found that ALHI induced marked alterations of intestinal barrier integrity, the gut microbial community, and microbiota-derived metabolites including serotonin and neurotransmitters in both plasma and multiple brain tissues of BM pigs. These findings revealed that microbiota-gut-brain axis highly contributed to the occurrence and development of ALHI.

Context and background Women's empowerment and access to land are key issues in countries where agriculture plays a major role in the national economy. Goals and Objectives: This study assesses the influence of agricultural development initiatives on women's empowerment and their right of access to land in Burkina Faso: the case of the Bama plain. Methodology: The present study uses data collected from 230 people in the rural commune of Bama, including 130 women and 100 men, using the simple random sampling method. Results: Descriptive statistics were used to process the information. Our findings show that women do not have easy access to land in the commune of Bama. Furthermore, the gender promotion policy implemented in Burkina Faso and the intervention of government projects and technical and financial partners have forced village communities to grant land use rights to women in order to carry out their activities. Comparative analysis of the effect of these interventions has shown that decision-making in the households of women who have benefited from the projects has improved compared to women who have not benefited from these projects. We recommend that politicians encourage the implementation of program projects in rural areas where women's empowerment is still a challenge.

The unique flavour contribution of higher alcohols in alcoholic beverages has received growing attention; however, there is a dearth of information on their in vivo metabolic kinetics. In this study, the composition and content of higher alcohols in different alcoholic beverages from Chinese Baijiu and Lujiu were studied via in vivo analysis using Bama pigs to elucidate the mechanisms for intoxication of alcohol in vitro and in drinkers. Direct injection combined with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to accurately quantify a total of 14 higher alcohols in five alcoholic beverages. Based on the external standard method, a total content of 289.37–938.33 mg/L was detected, mainly 1-butanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, 1-hexanol, 2-methyl-1-propanol and 2-butanol. Then, headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and solid-phase extraction (SPE) combined with GC-MS analysis strategy, respectively, were adopted to continuously monitor the changes in the concentrations of ethanol and 11 higher alcohols in the blood within 24 h after gavage of different alcoholic beverages, and the key pharmacokinetic parameters were analysed. The peak concentration (Cmax) and area under curve (AUC) of blood higher alcohols were significantly lower than those of ethanol (p < 0.05), accompanied by a later peak time (Tmax) and a larger apparent clearance rate (CL_F), and there were certain differences between the same higher alcohols in different alcoholic beverages and between different higher alcohols in the same alcoholic beverage. This work provides valuable insights into the metabolism of alcoholic beverages.

IntroductionThere are complex interactions between host and gut microbes during weaning, many of the mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Previous research mainly focuses on commercial pigs, whereas limited information has been known about the host and gut microbe interactions in miniature pigs.MethodsTo address the issue in Bama miniature piglets that were weaned 30 days after birth, we collected samples on days 25 and 36 for metabolomics, transcriptomics, and microgenomics analysis.Results and discussionThe average daily weight gain of piglets during weaning was only 58.1% and 40.6% of that during 0-25 days and 36-60 days. Metabolomic results identified 61 significantly different metabolites (SDMs), of which, the most significantly increased and decreased SDMs after weaning were ectoine and taurocholate, respectively, indicating the occurrence of inflammation. Metagenomic analysis identified 30 significantly different microbes before and after weaning. Bacteria related to decreasing intestinal inflammation, such as Megasphaera, Alistipes and Bifidobacterium, were enriched before weaning. While bacteria related to infection such as Chlamydia, Clostridium, Clostridioides, and Blautia were enriched after weaning. The carbohydrate enzymes CBM91, CBM13, GH51_1, and GH94 increase after weaning, which may contribute to the digestion of complex plant fibers. Furthermore, we found the composition of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) changed during weaning. Transcriptomic analysis identified 147 significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The upregulated genes after weaning were enriched in immune response categories, whereas downregulated genes were enriched in protein degradation. Combining multi-omics data, we identified significant positive correlations between gene MZB1, genera Alistipes and metabolite stachydrine, which involve anti-inflammatory functions. The reduced abundance of bacteria Dialister after weaning had strong correlations with the decreased 2-AGPE metabolite and the downregulated expression of RHBDF1 gene. Altogether, the multi-omics study reflects dietary changes and gut inflammation during weaning, highlighting complex interactions between gut microbes, host genes and metabolites.”

Objective Screw loosening is a common complication of internal fixation of pedicle screw. Therefore, the development of a pedicle screw with low loosening rate and high biosafety is of great clinical significance. This study aimed to investigate whether the application of a porous scaffold structure can improve the stability of pedicle screws by comparing the biomechanical properties of novel porous scaffold core pedicle screws (PSCPSs) with those of hollow lateral hole pedicle screws (HLHPSs) in a porcine lumbar spine. Methods Thirty‐two pedicle screws of both types were implanted bilaterally into the L1–4 vertebrae of four Bama pigs, with our newly designed PSCPSs on the right and HLHPSs on the left. All the Bama pigs were sacrificed 16 weeks postoperatively, and the lumbar spine was freed into individual vertebrae. Biomechanical properties of both the pedicle screws were evaluated using pull‐out tests, as well as cyclic bending and pull‐out tests, while the mechanical properties were assessed using three‐point bending tests. The data generated were statistically analyzed using paired‐sample t‐tests and two independent sample t‐tests. Results We found that the maximal pull‐out forces before and after cyclic bending of the PSCPSs (1161.50 ± 337.98 N and 1075.25 ± 223.33 N) were significantly higher than those of the HLHPSs (948.38 ± 194.32 N and 807.13 ± 242.75 N) (p 0.05 and p > 0.05, respectively). Additionally, both screws buckled rather than broke in the three‐point bending tests, with no statistically significant differences between the maximal bending load and modulus of elasticity of the two screws (p > 0.05 and p > 0.05, respectively). Conclusions Compared with the HLHPSs, the PSCPSs have greater pull‐out resistance and better fatigue tolerance with appropriate mechanical properties. Therefore, PSCPSs theoretically have significant potential for clinical applications in reducing the incidence of loosening after pedicle screw implantation.

Abstract Background Hundreds of single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites have been found to be potential genetic markers of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, SNPs related to T2DM in minipigs have been less reported. This study aimed to screen the T2DM‐susceptible candidate SNP loci in Bama minipigs so as to improve the success rate of the minipig T2DM model. Methods The genomic DNAs of three Bama minipigs with T2DM, six sibling low‐susceptibility minipigs with T2DM, and three normal control minipigs were compared by whole‐genome sequencing. The T2DM Bama minipig‐specific loci were obtained, and their functions were annotated. Meanwhile, the Biomart software was used to perform homology alignment with T2DM‐related loci obtained from the human genome‐wide association study to screen candidate SNP markers for T2DM in Bama miniature pigs. Results Whole‐genome resequencing detected 6960 specific loci in the minipigs with T2DM, and 13 loci corresponding to 9 diabetes‐related genes were selected. Further, a set of 122 specific loci in 69 orthologous genes of human T2DM candidate genes were obtained in the pigs. Collectively, a batch of T2DM‐susceptible candidate SNP markers in Bama minipigs, covering 16 genes and 135 loci, was established. Conclusions Whole‐genome sequencing and comparative genomics analysis of the orthologous genes in pigs that corresponded to the human T2DM‐related variant loci successfully screened out T2DM‐susceptible candidate markers in Bama miniature pigs. Using these loci to predict the susceptibility of the pigs before constructing an animal model of T2DM may help to establish an ideal animal model.

Abstract Background Atherosclerosis is a chronic cardiovascular disease of great concern. However, it is difficult to establish a direct connection between conventional small animal models and clinical practice. The pig's genome, physiology, and anatomy reflect human biology better than other laboratory animals, which is crucial for studying the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Methods We used whole‐genome sequencing data from nine Bama minipigs to perform a genome‐wide linkage analysis, and further used bioinformatic tools to filter and identify underlying candidate genes. Candidate gene function prediction was performed using the online prediction tool STRING 12.0. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to detect the expression of proteins encoded by candidate genes. Results We mapped differential single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to genes and obtained a total of 102 differential genes, then we used GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis to identify four candidate genes, including SLA‐1, SLA‐2, SLA‐3, and TAP2. nsSNPs cause changes in the primary and tertiary structures of SLA‐I and TAP2 proteins, the primary structures of these two proteins have undergone amino acid changes, and the tertiary structures also show slight changes. In addition, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence results showed that the expression changes of TAP2 protein in coronary arteries showed a trend of increasing from the middle layer to the inner layer. Conclusions We have identified SLA‐I and TAP2 as potential susceptibility genes of atherosclerosis, highlighting the importance of antigen processing and immune response in atherogenesis.

The β-barrel assembly machinery (BAM) is a multimeric protein complex responsible for the folding of outer membrane proteins in gram-negative bacteria. It is essential for cell survival and outer membrane integrity. Therefore, it is of impact in the context of antibiotic resistance and can serve as a target for the development of new antibiotics. The interaction between two of its subunits, BamA and BamD, is essential for its function. Here, a FRET-based assay to quantify the affinity between these two proteins in living bacterial cells is presented. The method was applied to identify two interaction hotspots at the binding interface. BamDY184 was identified to significantly contribute to the binding between both proteins through hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding. Additionally, two salt bridges formed between BamDR94, BamDR97, and BamAE127 contributed substantially to the binding of BamA to BamD as well. Two peptides (RFIRLN and VAEYYTER) that mimic the amino acid sequence of BamD around the identified hotspots were shown to inhibit the interaction between BamA and BamD in a dose-dependent manner in the upper micromolar range. These two peptides can potentially act as antibiotic enhancers. This shows that the BamA–BamD interaction site can be addressed for the design of protein–protein interaction inhibitors. Additionally, the method, as presented in this study, can be used for further functional studies on interactions within the BAM complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objectives] This study aimed to determine the effects of maternal addition with probiotics and synbiotics on the muscular amino acid composition and gene expression of offspring Bama mini-pigs. [Methods] A total of 64 pregnant Bama mini-pigs were selected and randomly divided into control (antibiotic-free basal diet), antibiotic (50 g·t-1 virginiamycin), probiotics (200 mL·d-1 probiotic mixture), and synbiotics (500 g xylo-oligosaccharide per ton diet+200 mL·d-1 probiotics mixture) groups, with 16 sows in each group. The sows were raised individually and fed with the corresponding experimental diets during pregnancy and lactation periods. After weaning, two piglets per litter and thirty-two piglets per group were selected and fed a basal diet (eight pens per group, four pigs per pen) . At 65, 95, and 125 days of age, eight pigs per group were selected and biceps femoris (BF) and psoas major (PM) muscles were sampled to determine hydrolyzed amino acid composition and gene expression. [Results] Compared with the control group, the contents of crude protein, Gly, Ser, Ala, Asp, Glu, Pro, and Ile in the BF muscle and Gly, Glu, Ser, and His in the PM muscle increased in the synbiotics group (P<0.05); the expression levels of muscle atrophy F-box protein 32 and myogenin (MyoG) in the BF muscle and myogenic factor 5 (Myf5) in the PM muscle were upregulated in the probiotics group (P<0.05), whereas the expression levels of myosin heavy chain Ⅱb (MyHCⅡb) in the BF muscle and myostatin (MSTN) in the BF and PM muscles were downregulated in the probiotics group (P<0.05); the expression levels of Myf6, myogenic differentiation factor, and MyoG in the BF muscle and Myf5 and MyoG in the PM muscle were upregulated in the synbiotics group (P<0.05), whereas those of MSTN in the BF muscle were downregulated (P<0.05); the expression levels of MyHCⅡx in the BF muscle were downregulated in the probiotics and synbiotics groups (P<0.05); the expression levels of MyHCⅡx in the PM muscle were upregulated whereas MyHCⅠ in the BF muscle and MyHCⅡa in the PM muscle were downregulated in the antibiotic group (P<0.05) . [Conclusions] Maternal addition with probiotics and synbiotics could alter muscular amino acids composition, regulate the expression of genes related to growth factors, upregulate oxidative muscle fiber gene expression, and downregulate glycolytic muscle fiber gene expression, which were beneficial to improving the meat quality of offspring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study endeavors to delve into the intricacies of tourist contentment and proclivities in the realm of ecological health tourism activities within Bama, Guangxi. An exploration of the intricate structural relationships is undertaken, unraveling the quintet of variables encompassing tourists' engagement in Bama's ecological health tourism - namely, the effects of activities, the experiential facet of activities, the pecuniary dimension of activities, coupled with tourist satisfaction and behavioral intent. Employing the methodological framework of constructing a structural equation model, this study leverages IBM SPSS 23.0 software to execute correlation analyses across various variables, including demographic information statistics, reliability and validity metrics. Survey research orbits around the quintet of variables. The findings illuminate that the experiential tapestry woven by tourists partaking in ecological health tourism activities exerts a conspicuously affirmative influence on both their satisfaction and behavioral intentions. Conversely, the financial investment made by tourists in ecologi cal health tourism activities manifests a counteractive impact on their satisfaction and behavioral intentions. Evidently, heightened tourist activity experiences and diminished costs conduce to the facilitation of tourists' aspirations for individualistic tourism activities, thereby enhancing travel satisfaction and behavioral intent. Nevertheless, the potency of tourists' activity effe cts on tourist satisfaction remains suboptimal. Consequently, it is proffered that the propagation of health care paradigms be fortified, coupled with the augmentation of activity experience design. Further, the optimization of cost structures and the enhancement of resource utilization efficiency are recommended, alongside ameliorating activity effects and steering behavioral intent. This comprehensive approach is anticipated to immerse tourists more profoundly into the local ethos of longevity culture, thereby fostering the robust and sustainable evolution of longevity tourism in Bama.