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Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) can result in early liver oxidative damage and abnormal lipid metabolism in neonatal piglets. Ferulic acid (FA), a phenolic compound widely found in plants, has many biological functions, such as anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation. Thus, we explored the effects of dietary FA supplementation on antioxidant capacity and lipid metabolism in newborn piglets with IUGR. In the study, 24 7-day-old piglets were divided into three groups: normal birth weight (NBW), IUGR, and IUGR + FA. The NBW and IUGR groups were fed formula milk as a basal diet, while the IUGR + FA group was fed a basal diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg FA. The trial lasted 21 days. The results showed that IUGR decreased absolute liver weight, increased transaminase activity, reduced antioxidant capacity, and disrupted lipid metabolism in piglets. Dietary FA supplementation enhanced absolute liver weight, reduced serum MDA level and ROS concentrations in serum and liver, markedly increased serum and liver GSH-PX and T-SOD activities, decreased serum HDL-C and LDL-C and liver NEFA, and increased TG content and HL activity in the liver. The mRNA expression related to the Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathway and lipid metabolism in liver were affected by IUGR. Supplementing FA improved the antioxidant capacity of liver by down-regulating Keap1 and up-regulating the mRNA expression of SOD1 and CAT, and regulated lipid metabolism by increasing the mRNA expression level of Fasn, Pparα, LPL, and CD36. In conclusion, the study suggests that FA supplementation can improve antioxidant capacity and alleviate lipid metabolism disorders in IUGR piglets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our knowledge of the difference in maternal and neonatal gut microbiota composition is not fully understood. Using the Bama miniature pig model, the bacterial community in the feces from sows and piglets was analyzed on an IonS5TMXL platform targeting the single-end reads strategy. Results revealed that the maternal and neonatal bacteria profile in the pig model was distinct. Compared with the piglets, sows had higher proportions of bacteria in Spirochetes, Clostridiales, and Spirochaetales (p < 0.10) and had a lower abundance of bacteria in Tyzzerella (p < 0.05) and Alistipes (p < 0.10). Meanwhile, the proportions of bacteria in Oscillibacter and the index of Chao1, Shannon, and observed_species increased in the sows compared with those in the piglets (p < 0.05). Moreover, the abundance of bacteria associated with the human disease was higher (p < 0.05) and the population of bacteria associated with cellular processes was lower (p < 0.05) in the piglets compared with those in the sows. Collectively, the diversity and beneficial bacteria populations in the sow fecal microbiota exhibit more than those in the piglets. This study indicates that maternal fecal microbiota may be a beneficial source of transplanted bacteria to promote healthy function in neonates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Doping metal ions into lead halide perovskites is a promising method to regulate their structural stability and optical properties. In this work, Mn2+/Cr3+ codoped Cs2AgInCl6 double perovskite single crystals (DPSCs) were synthesized using a programmed cooling hydrothermal method. Upon light excitation at 350 nm, the co-doped CAIC:Mn2+,Cr3+ DPSC samples exhibit two photoluminescence (PL) bands with a wide emission switch ranging from orange to NIR. The photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of the NIR emission can be increased to 49.30% by varying the concentration of dopant ions. The high PLQY is attributed to the energy transfer (ET) from selftrapped excitons (STEs) to Mn2+ and Cr3+ dopant ions. The presence of ET was confirmed by analyzing time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) and temperature-dependent PL. Moreover, we determine the ET pathway from STE to Mn2+ ions at low temperatures using temperature-dependent PL spectra. The emission colors of CAIC:Mn2+,Cr3+ DPSCs can be continuously tuned from yellow to orange by controlling temperature. This ET-induced dual emission seems to be governed by thermal activation. A model is proposed to explain the efficient ET processes from the host DPSCs to Mn2+ and Cr3+ dopants, as well as possible ET processes from Mn2+ to Cr3+ ion centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]