Hermetia illucens larvae as a potential dietary protein source altered the microbiota and modulated mucosal immune status in the colon of finishing pigs

Background: Insects, such as Hermetia illucens larvae, are rich in chitin and proteins, and represent a suitable feed ingredient replacement for animals. However, little is known about the effect of administering H. illucens larvae on intestinal microbiota, bacterial metabolite profiles, and mucosal immune status in animals. This study aimed to investigate the effects of administering H. illucens larvae on colonic microbiota and bacterial metabolites production in finishing pigs. Seventy-two crossbred(Duroc × Landrace × Large White) female pigs(initial body weight, 76.0 ± 0.52 kg) were randomly allocated to three different dietary treatments: a control diet(Control group) and two diets corresponding to 4%(H1 group) and 8%(H2 group) H. illucens larvae inclusion levels, respectively. Each treatment consisted of eight pens(replicates), with three pigs per pen. After 46 days of feeding, eight pigs per treatment(n =8) were slaughtered, and the colonic digesta and mucosa were collected for microbial composition and microbial fermentation products, and genes expression analyses.Results: The results showed that the H1 diet significantly increased the abundance of Lactobacillus,Pseudobutyrivibrio, Roseburia, and Faecalibacterium compared with those in the control group(P < 0.05), with a decrease in the abundance of Streptococcus. The numbers of Lactobacillus, Roseburia, and Clostridium cluster XIVa were significantly greater in the H1 group than in the control group(P < 0.05). Meanwhile, H2 diet increased the number of Clostridium cluster XIVa compared with the control group(P < 0.05). For colonic metabolites, total short chain fatty acids, butyrate, and isobutyrate concentrations were significantly higher in the H1 group than those in the control group(P < 0.05);the H1 treatment caused a striking decrease in protein fermentation compared with the control group, as the concentrations of total amines, cadaverine, tryptamine, phenol, p-cresol, and skatole were significantly lower(P < 0.05). Additionally, H2 diet also increased butyrate concentration compared with control group(P < 0.05), while decreased the concentrations of phenol, p-cresol, and skatole(P < 0.05). Pigs in the H1 group down-regulated the expression of TLR-4 and pro-inflammatory cytokines(IFN-γ) compared with pigs in the control group(P < 0.05), and up-regulated anti-inflammatory cytokine(IL-10) and intestinal barrier genes(ZO-1, occludin, and mucin-1). H2 diet up-regulated the expression of ZO-1 compared with control group(P < 0.05). Furthermore, the changes in the colonic mucosal gene expression were associated with changes in the bacterial composition and their metabolites.Conclusions: Collectively, dietary inclusion of Hermetia illucens larvae may enhance mucosal immune homeostasis of pigs via altering bacterial composition and their metabolites. These findings provide a new perspective on insect meal as a sustainable protein source rich in nutrient ingredients for swine.

Different dietary starch sources alter the carcass traits, meat quality, and the profile of muscle amino acid and fatty acid in finishing pigs

Background: With increasing health awareness among consumers, the demand for healthier, tastier, higher quality and nutritional value pork is increasing. It has been shown that different dietary starch sources can alter the carcass traits and meat quality. However, research on the effects of different starch sources with clear different amylose/amylopectin ratio on the amino acid and fatty acid composition in Longissimus thoracis(L. thoracis) muscle of pigs is limited. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different dietary starch sources on carcass traits, meat quality, muscle amino acid and fatty acid composition, and the mRNA expression levels of genes involved in lipid metabolism and muscle fiber characteristics in finishing pigs. A total of 72 Duroc × Landrace × Large White barrows were randomly allocated to 3 different dietary treatment groups with 8 replicate pens/group and 3 pigs per pen.Tapioca starch(TS), corn starch(CS), and pea starch(PS), with amylose/amylopectin ratio of 0.11, 0.25, and 0.44,respectively, were used as their dietary starch sources for 40 days.Results: Results showed that the PS diet significantly increased(P < 0.05) the final body weight, average daily gain,loin-eye area, and fat-free lean index compared with the TS diet, but significantly decreased(P < 0.05) the feed to gain ratio and backfat thickness. Compared with the TS diet, PS diet also increased(P < 0.05) the pH45 min, marbling scores, the content of intramuscular fat and inosine monophosphate in the L. thoracis, and decreased(P < 0.05) the drip loss and shear force. In addition, compared with the TS diet, PS diet increased(P < 0.05) the proportions of flavor amino acids, DHA, EPA, and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid(PUFA) in the L. thoracis compared with TS diet,but decreased(P < 0.05) the ratio of n-6/n-3 PUFA. Furthermore, compared with the TS diet, PS diet also upregulated(P < 0.05) the lipogenic genes(FAS, LPL, SCD, ACCα) and myosin heavy-chain(MyHC)-IIa mRNA expression levels compared with the TS diet, but downregulated(P < 0.05) the CPT1 B and MyHC-IIb mRNA levels.Conclusions: In conclusion, these results provided compelling evidence that the different dietary starch source altered the carcass traits, meat flavor and quality in finishing pigs, and consumption of a diet with higher amylose/amylopectin ratio results in the production of a healthy, higher quality, and nutritional value pork.

计算宣传下基于F-V模型的社交机器人“5D”宣传策略研究——以战争情境中的推特文本为例

计算宣传时代,社交机器人在社交媒体舆论操纵与引导中的应用为国际宣传提供了新范式。本文以“契合度验证”模型(Fitness-Validation Model)和“5D”宣传策略为理论基础,选取推特中关于俄乌冲突的四个话题下的3506条社交机器人推文作为分析对象,研究发现俄乌双方的社交机器人为实现说服或劝阻的舆论干扰目的,采取了通过提示有利内容推动受众认同建构的误导(Deceive)策略、转移话题焦点促成态度契合的转移(Divert)策略、提供对冲信息引导新思维建构的中断(Disrupt)策略、调动感情共振促成态度认同的引诱(Decoy)策略以及通过强势提供信息以扰乱既有信息环境的干扰(Disturb)策略五种宣传策略类型。本研究通过透析冲突背景下社交机器人的宣传策略与规律,为我国把握新技术加持下的网络舆论战新形态、有效应对复杂严峻的国际舆论环境具有重要的前瞻意义。