Dual-doping for enhancing chemical stability of functional anionic units in sulfide for high-performance all-solid-state lithium batteries

The sulfide-based solid-state electrolytes(SEs)reactivity toward moisture and Li-metal are huge barriers that impede their large-scale manufactu ring and applications in all-solid-state lithium batteries(ASSLBs).Herein,we proposed an Al and O dual-doped strategy for Li_(3)PS_(4)SE to regulate the chemical/electrochemical stability of anionic PS_(4)^(3-)tetrahedra to mitigate structural hydrolysis and parasitic reactions at the SE/Li interface.The optimized Li_(3.08)A_(10.04)P_(0.96)S_(3.92)O_(0.08)SE presents the highestσLi+of 3.27 mS cm^(-1),which is~6.8 times higher than the pristine Li_(3)PS_(4)and excellently inhibits the structural hydrolysis for~25 min@25%humidity at RT.DFT calculations confirmed that the enhanced chemical stability was revealed to the intrinsically stable entities,e.g.,POS33-units.Moreover,Li_(3.08)Al_(0.04)P_(0.96)S_(3.92)O_(0.08)SE cycled stably in Li//Li symmetric cell over 1000 h@0.1 mA cm^(-2)/0.1 mA h cm^(-2),could be revealed to Li-Al alloy and Li_(2)Oat SE/Li interface impeding the growth of Li-dendrites during cycling.Resultantly,LNO@LCO/Li_(3.08)Al_(0.04)P_(0.96)S_(3.92)O_(0.08)/Li-In cell delivered initial discharge capacities of 129.8 mA h g^(-1)and 83.74%capacity retention over 300 cycles@0.2 C at RT.Moreover,the Li_(3.08)Al_(0.04)P_(0.96)S_(3.92)O_(0.08)SE presented>90%capacity retention over 200 and 300 cycles when the cell was tested with LiNi_(0.8)Co_(0.15)Al_(0.05)O_(2)(NCA)cathode material vs.5 and 10 mg cm^(-2)@RT.

Dietary Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract improves laying performance by altering serum metabolic profiles and gut bacteria in aged laying hens

The leaves of Eucommia ulmoides are rich in bioactive constituents that have potential gastrointestinal benefits for animals.In aged laying hens,intestinal health issues contribute to a significant decline in egg-laying capacity during intermediate and later stages.It remains unclear whether E.ulmoides leaf extract(ELE)can improve intestinal health and enhance egg production in elderly laying hens,and the underlying mechanisms are yet to be elucidated.Therefore,we conducted a study with 480 laying hens(65 weeks old)randomly allocated into four groups:a control group fed with the basal diet,and three treatment groups supplemented with 500,1,000,and 2,000 mg/kg of ELE,respectively.The primary active constituents of ELE include flavonoids,polysaccharides,terpenoids,and phenolic acids.Dietary supplementation with ELE at 1,000 mg/kg(ELE1000)significantly improved laying performance and egg quality compared to the other groups.ELE1000 stimulated the maturation of intestinal epithelial cells,increased villus height,and reduced crypt depth.It also influenced the levels of proteins associated with tight junctions(claudin-1 and claudin-2)and intestinal inflammatory factors(IL-6,IL-1β,and IL-2)in different intestinal sections.Integrative analysis of serum metabolomics and gut microbiota revealed that ELE1000 improved nutrient metabolism by modulating amino acid and ubiquinone biosynthesis and influenced the abundance of intestinal microbiota by enriching pivotal genera such as Bacteroides and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group.We identified 15 metabolites significantly correlated with both gut microbiota and laying performance,e.g.,DL-methionine sulfoxide,THJ2201 N-valerate metabolite,tetracarbonic acid,etc.In conclusion,ELE1000 improved laying performance in elderly laying hens by affecting intestinal morphology,barrier function,microbiota,and serum metabolite profiles.These findings suggest that ELE can be a beneficial feed additive for extending the peak producing period in aged laying hens.

Enteromorpha polysaccharide-zinc replacing prophylactic antibiotics contributes to improving gut health of weaned piglets

This research aimed to study whether Enteromorpha polysaccharide-zinc(EP-Zn)can act as an alternative to antibiotics in weaned piglet feeds.Two hundred and twenty-four weaned piglets from 14 pens were randomly assigned into 1 of 2 groups according to their body weight and litter size(7 pens/group).The piglets in the antibiotics group were fed with olaquindox at 400 mg/kg and enduracidin at 800 mg/kg basal diet,and piglets in the EP-Zn group were fed with EP-Zn at 800 mg/kg basal diet.One piglet per pen was selected to collect samples after 14 d of feeding.Results showed that EP-Zn supplementation significantly increased the plasma anti-oxidants level compared with the antibiotics group.However,a nonsignificant difference was observed in growth performance between treatment groups.Additionally,the intestinal tight junction(TJ)protein expression and the histopathologic evaluation data showed that EP-Zn contributed to improving intestinal development.Further,piglets in the EP-Zn group had a lower level of intestinal inflammation-related cytokines including IL-6(P<0.001),IL-8(P<0.05),IL-12(P<0.05)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)(P<0.001),and showed an inhibition of the phosphor-ylation nuclear transcription factor-kappa B(p-NF-kB)(P<0.05)and total NF-kB(P<0.001)level in the jejunal mucosa.Taken together,it is supposed that EP-Zn,to some extent,would be a potent alternative to prophylactic antibiotics in improving the health status of weaned piglets.

Gut microbial profiles and the role in lipid metabolism in Shaziling pigs

Shaziling pig,a Chinese indigenous breed,has been classified as a fatty pig model.However,the gut microbial development and role in lipid metabolism in Shaziling pigs has been rarely reported.Here,we compared the lipid metabolic and microbial profiles at 30,60,90,150,210,and 300 d of age between Shaziling and Yorkshire pigs.Predictably,there were marked differences in the liver lipids(i.e.,cholesterol,glucose,and low-density lipoprotein)and the lipid related expressions(i.e.,SREBP1/2,LXRa/b,DGAT1/2,and FABP1-3)between Shaziling and Yorkshire pigs.Bacteria sequencing in the ileal digesta and mucosa showed that Shaziling pigs had a higher a-diversity and higher abundances of probiotics,such as Lactobacillus johnsonii,Lactobacillus amylovorus,and Clostridium butyricum.Thirty-five differentiated metabolites were further identified in the mucosa between Shaziling and Yorkshire pigs,which were enriched in the carbohydrate,protein,glucose and amino acid metabolism and bile acid biosynthesis.Furthermore,7 differentiated microbial species were markedly correlated with metabolites,indicating the role of gut microbiota in the host metabolism.Next,the role of differentiated L.johnsonii in lipid metabolism was validated in Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire(DLY)pigs and the results showed that L.johnsonii mono-colonization promoted lipid deposition and metabolism by altering gut microbiota(i.e.,Megasphaera elsdenii and L.johnsonii)and DGAT1/DGAT2/CD36-PPARg gene expressions.In conclusion,Shaziling pigs exhibited different metabolic and microbial profiles compared with Yorkshire pigs,which might have contributed to the diverse metabolic phenotypes,and the significant enrichment of L.johnsonii in Shaziling pigs promoted lipid metabolism and obesity of DLY pigs,which provided a novel idea to improve the fat content of lean pigs.

Yeast-based nucleotide supplementation in mother sows modifies the intestinal barrier function and immune response of neonatal pigs

In the present study,we aimed to evaluate the effects of maternal yeast-based nucleotide(YN)sup-plementation on the intestinal immune response and barrier function in neonatal pigs,as well as the diarrhoea rate and growth performance in suckling piglets.Sixty-four late-gestation sows were assigned to the following groups:the CON(fed a basal diet)and YN groups(fed a basal diet with 4 g YN/kg diet).The experiment started on d 85 of gestation and ended on d 20 of lactation.Diarrhoea rate and average daily gain of the piglets were recorded,and samples of blood and intestines from neonatal piglets were collected before they consumed colostrum during farrowing.Compared with the CON group,maternal YN supplementation increased the weaning weight of litter and decreased the diarrhoea rate(P<0.01).In addition,maternal YN supplementation promoted the ileal villus development in the neonates compared with that in the CON group(P<0.01).Maternal YN supplementation also increased the ileal secretory immunoglobulin A(sIgA)level compared with that in the CON group(P<0.05).The real-time PCR results showed that maternal dietary YN supplementation increased the jejunal and ileal expression of interleukin(IL)-17,IL-8,IL-1β,IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-αin the neonates compared with that in the CON group(P<0.05).Overall,maternal nucleotide supplementation improved the villus development and innate immunity of neonatal piglets during late pregnancy.This may be associated with the decrease in diarrhoea and the increase in weaning weight of the litter of suckling piglets.