Shifting hierarchy of the conjunctival florae in the patients employed a long-time topical fluoroquinolone

AIM:To observe the shifting hierarchy of the conjunctival florae in the patients who employed a long-time topical fluoroquinolone and characterize the consequent variations of their antibiotic sensitivity and virulence.METHODS:A total of 143 eyes(143 patients)who suffered from the non-infectious corneal ulcer and topically used fluoroquinolone more than 2 wk were enrolled as the fluoroquinolone eye.The untreated fellow eye was considered as the contralateral eye.Seventy-five healthy subjects were selected as the control.The culture positivity and strains of the isolated conjunctival florae were observed.Their antibiotic susceptibility and expression of the virulence-related genes were detected.RESULTS:Florae were recovered from 84.0%,37.1%,and 57.3%of the conjunctival swabs in the control,fluoroquinolone eye,and contralateral eye,respectively.The most frequently isolated microorganisms were Staphylococcus epidermidis(34.9%)in the control,followed by Staphylococcus aureus(17.5%),Staphylococcus saprophyticus(14.3%),Micrococcus(9.5%),Propionibacterium acnes(7.9%).However,those orderly ranks shifted to Staphylococcus aureus(34.0%),Propionibacterium acnes(20.8%),Candida albicans(17.0%),Pseudomonas aeruginosa(9.4%)in the fluoroquinolone eye.A growing number of the fluoroquinolone-resistant florae survived in the fluoroquinolone eye,accompanied by an increased expression of the virulence-related genes.CONCLUSION:A long-time topical fluoroquinolone leads to a shifting hierarchy of the conjunctival florae,accompanied by the consequent variations of the antibiotic sensitivity and virulence.

The gut-eye axis:from brain neurodegenerative diseases to age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration is a serious neurodegenerative disease of the retina that significantly impacts vision.Unfortunately,the specific pathogenesis remains unclear,and effective early treatment options are consequently lacking.The microbiome is defined as a large ecosystem of microorganisms living within and coexisting with a host.The intestinal microbiome undergoes dynamic changes owing to age,diet,genetics,and other factors.Such dysregulation of the intestinal flora can disrupt the microecological balance,resulting in immunological and metabolic dysfunction in the host,and affecting the development of many diseases.In recent decades,significant evidence has indicated that the intestinal flora also influences systems outside of the digestive tract,including the brain.Indeed,several studies have demonstrated the critical role of the gut-brain axis in the development of brain neurodegenerative diseases,including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.Similarly,the role of the“gut-eye axis”has been confirmed to play a role in the pathogenesis of many ocular disorders.Moreover,age-related macular degeneration and many brain neurodegenerative diseases have been shown to share several risk factors and to exhibit comparable etiologies.As such,the intestinal flora may play an important role in age-related macular degeneration.Given the above context,the present review aims to clarify the gut-brain and gut-eye connections,assess the effect of intestinal flora and metabolites on age-related macular degeneration,and identify potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic strategies.Currently,direct research on the role of intestinal flora in age-related macular degeneration is still relatively limited,while studies focusing solely on intestinal flora are insufficient to fully elucidate its functional role in age-related macular degeneration.Organ-on-a-chip technology has shown promise in clarifying the gut-eye interactions,while integrating analysis of the intestinal flora with research on metabolites through metabolomics and other techniques is crucial for understanding their potential mechanisms.

Integrating lipidomics and gut microbiota to study the anti-hyperlipidemia effect of Sargentodoxae Caulis extract

Background:Sargentodoxae Caulis(SC)is the vine stem of Sargentodoxa Cuneata(Oliv.)Rehd.&E.H.Wilson in C.S.Sargent,and it in traditional Chinese medicine has been known for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis as recorded in the ancient book“Illustrated Classics of Materia Medica”.It has been used effectively to treat blood stasis too in modern clinical practice.However,the anti-hyperlipidemia effect of SC is not fully understood.This paper aims at exploring the use of SC stems to improve the balance of blood lipids in the body,and its new role in treating hyperlipidemia.Methods:The effects of SC extract on hyperlipidemia were explored by combining lipidomics and gut microbiota.Secondly,we explored the potential mechanism of SC in treating hyperlipidemia by pathway analysis.Results:The results showed that the stem extract of SC could restore the physiological and biochemical indices of hyperlipidemia in mice,as well as repair the morphological and structural damage to tissues.Compared to the Model group,the SC extract significantly reduced the liver index,epididymal fat index,and Lee’s index.It also significantly decreased serum levels of total cholesterol,triglycerides,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma(PPAR-γ),D-lactate,and free fatty acids,while significantly increasing the relative content of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha(PPAR-α).These changes were statistically significant.Non-targeted lipidomics,based on LC-MS,were utilized to investigate the lipid metabolism characteristics in serum,liver,and epididymal fat of the subjects.It was observed that,compared to the blank group,the Model group exhibited significant changes primarily in glycerol lipids and glycerophospholipids.The treatment group also displayed alterations in these lipids.A total of 38,81,and 27 differential lipids were identified in serum,liver,and epididymal fat samples,respectively.Among these,14 common differential lipids were found in both serum and liver samples,and their KEGG enrichment pathways were largely consistent.Among them,the sphingolipid signaling pathway and the glycerophospholipid metabolic pathway were identified as key metabolic pathways that were regulated.Our gut microbiota analysis revealed that SC diminishes the abundance of Actinobacteria by altering the cecal flora in mice.Conclusion:This alteration leads to the downregulation of genes involved in triglyceride metabolism,which in turn changes lipid processing and reduces triglyceride levels.Consequently,SC effectively combats hyperlipidemia.Notably,SC impacts key metabolic pathways,including the sphingolipid signaling and glycerophospholipid metabolism.These findings underscore SC’s therapeutic potential,positioning it as a promising alternative for reducing the health risks associated with hyperlipidemia.

Analysis of the anti-T2DM components in dichloromethane fraction of Schisandra sphenanthera and its mechanism

Background:The type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)pharmacodynamic study of various parts of Schisandra sphenanthera was conducted in the previous stage,and it was found that dichloromethane extracted part(SDP)had a significant hypoglycemic effect.Therefore,the components of SDP were analyzed,and the specific mechanism of its anti-T2DM was explored.Methods:We used a high-fat,high-sugar diet in combination with streptozotocin to induce a T2DM rat model,and the model rats were divided into two groups according to body weight and blood glucose.Triglyceride,oral glucose tolerance test,fasting blood glucose,low density lipoprotein cholesterol,superoxide dismutase,insulin,glycated hemoglobin,total cholesterol,nonesterified free fatty acids,alanine aminotransferase,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,aspartate aminotransferase,malondialdehyde,and glutathione peroxidase were measured,organ indices were calculated,and pathological sections of pancreas and liver were observed.The 16S rRNA V3–V4 region of intestinal flora was sequenced to explore the effect of SDP on biochemical indicators and intestinal flora.Based on the above indicators,the anti-T2DM mechanism of SDP in Schisandra sphenanthera was analyzed.Results:After six weeks of administration,the biochemical indices of diabetic rats were diminished compared to the control group.And SDP could significantly increase the gut microbialα-diversity index,resulting in significant changes in the flora of T2DM rats,with increased richness and diversity,reduced harmful flora,and significantly back-regulated the levels of acetic acid,propionic acid,and butyric acid.Conclusion:SDP can improve the symptoms associated with elevated blood glucose,dyslipidemia,elevated fasting insulin levels,and damaged glucose tolerance in rats.SDP against T2DM may be through the control of intestinal flora to normalize and exert anti-diabetic effect;its main active components may be lignans and terpenoids.

Gut flora in multiple sclerosis:implications for pathogenesis and treatment

Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disorder chara cterized by inflammation,demyelination,and neurodegeneration in the central nervous system.Although current first-line therapies can help manage symptoms and slow down disease progression,there is no cure for multiple sclerosis.The gut-brain axis refers to complex communications between the gut flo ra and the immune,nervous,and endocrine systems,which bridges the functions of the gut and the brain.Disruptions in the gut flora,termed dys biosis,can lead to systemic inflammation,leaky gut syndrome,and increased susceptibility to infections.The pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis involves a combination of genetic and environmental factors,and gut flora may play a pivotal role in regulating immune responses related to multiple scle rosis.To develop more effective therapies for multiple scle rosis,we should further uncover the disease processes involved in multiple sclerosis and gain a better understanding of the gut-brain axis.This review provides an overview of the role of the gut flora in multiple scle rosis.

How to fill the biodiversity data gap:Is it better to invest in fieldwork or curation?

Data gaps and biases are two important issues that affect the quality of biodiversity information and downstream results.Understanding how best to fill existing gaps and account for biases is necessary to improve our current information most effectively.Two current main approaches for obtaining and improving data include(1)curation of biological collections,and(2)fieldwork.However,the comparative effectiveness of these approaches in improving biodiversity data remains little explored.We used the Flora de Bogota project to study the magnitude of change in species richness,spatial coverage,and sample coverage of plant records based on curation versus fieldwork.The process of curation resulted in a decrease in species richness(synonym and error removal),but it significantly increased the number of records per species.Fieldwork contributed to a slight increase in species richness,via accumulation of new records.Additionally,curation led to increases in spatial coverage,species observed by locality,the number of plant records by species,and localities by species compared to fieldwork.Overall,curationwas more efficient in producing new information compared to fieldwork,mainly because of the large number of records available in herbaria.We recommend intensive curatorial work as the first step in increasing biodiversity data quality and quantity,to identify bias and gaps at the regional scale that can then be targeted with fieldwork.The stepwise strategy would enable fieldwork to be planned more costeffectively given the limited resources for biodiversity exploration and characterization.

Xylooligosaccharides Alleviate Inflammatory Dermatoses and Related Depression-Like Behaviors in Atopic Dermatitis Mice Induced by 2,4-Dinitrofluorobenzene

Objective:To investigate the influence of xylooligosaccharides on skin inflammation,behavioral characteristics,neurotransmitters,and gut flora in a mouse model of atopic dermatitis(AD)induced by 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene(DNFB).Methods:The AD mouse model was created by administration of DNFB for 14 consecutive days.The scoring atopic dermatitis index,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),histopathology,and immunohistochemical analyses were used to assess inflammation and depression-like behaviors.Furthermore,high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to determine the composition of fecal microbiota.Results:Xylooligosaccharides treatment reduced the number of scratches and skin thickness,mast cell infiltration and the levels of immunoglobulin(Ig)E and T-helper cytokines compared with the AD model group.Meanwhile,xylooligosaccharides treatment reduced the immobility time of mice in the forced swimming test and increased the total movement distance and movement distance in the center area in the open-field test.Furthermore,5-hydroxytryptamine and dopamine expression in the brain was increased following xylooligosaccharides treatment.Using network pharmacology,Gene Ontology analysis showed that the targets were mainly enriched in phosphatase binding and the regulation of leukocyte differentiation,which ameliorated AD mainly through the hypoxia inducible factor-1 and phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase-protein kinase B pathways.16S rRNA gene sequencing,diversity indices,and gut microbial taxonomic composition analysis showed DNFB-induced changes in intestinal microbiota diversity in AD mice.Comparative analysis indicated that xylooligosaccharides intake improved the gut microbiome by dramatically enhancing the concentration of Lactobacillus while decreasing the concentration of Bacteroides in mice.Conclusion:Xylooligosaccharides reduce inflammatory dermatosis and related depression-like behaviors via regulating intestinal homeostasis,having medicinal value as a nutritional and functional ingredient.

Correlation of gut microorganisms and non-volatile flavor substances provides new insights for breeding Scylla paramamosain

The farming of Scylla paramamosain with specific flavors has a higher commercial value,and the flavors are related to the integrated farming environment and non-volatile flavor substances,while the survival environment is one of the important ways to source gut microorganisms in the organism.In this study,the levels of dominant taxa in the gut flora of S.paramamosain from Mong Cai,Vietnam(VN),Taishan City,Guangdong Province(TS)of China,and Ninghai County,Ningbo City(NB)Zhejiang Province of China converged with those of S.paramamosain from Sanmen County,Ningbo City(CK 1,CK 2,and CK 3)at 28 d of domestication.The top 15 genera with the highest abundance of VN,TS,and NB gut flora were the same as CK 1,CK 2,and CK 3,but with different percentages,and gradually converged to CK 1,CK 2,and CK 3,respectively,at 28 d of domestication.Correlation between intestinal flora and non-volatile flavor substances in the hepatopancreas at the percentage level of relative abundance of bacterial genera found that above 28 d of domestication,Muribaculaceae,Psychrilyobacter,Clostridia_vadinBB 60_group,Halarcobacter Carboxylicivirga,Sediminispirochaeta may be the most important genera affecting flavor amino acids of VN.Sediminispirochaeta,Carboxylicivirga,Halarcobacter,Photobacterium,ZOR 0006,Psychrilyobacter,and Pseudomonas may be the most important genera affecting flavor amino acids of NB.Sediminispirochaeta,Carboxylicivirga,Halarcobacter,Photobacterium,ZOR 0006,Vibrio,and Sphingomonas may be the most important genera affecting flavor amino acids of TS.These results show that the intestinal flora structure of crabs from different areas were domesticated in the same area for at least 28 d before they converged to that of the domesticated crab,and the most important genera affecting the flavor amino acids of TS,VN,and NB were also identified.The results of this study provide a reference and basis for the technique of directional cultivation of the flavor quality of the crab.

Damage on intestinal barrier function and microbial detoxification of deoxynivalenol:A review

Deoxynivalenol(DON)is a mycotoxin that is produced by various species of Fusarium and is ubiquitous in food and feed.At low concentrations,it can cause metabolic disorders in animals and humans and,at high concentrations,it can lead to pathological changes in the body.The impact of DON on human/animal health and animal productivity has thus attracted a great deal of attention around the world.DON causes severe damage to the intestine,including compromised intestinal barrier,mucosal damage,weakened immune function,and alterations in gut microbiota composition.These effects exacerbate intestinal infections and inflammation in livestock and poultry,posing adverse effects on overall health.Furthermore,research into biological methods for DON detoxification is a crucial avenue for future studies.This includes the utilization of adsorption,enzymatic degradation,and other biological approaches to mitigate DON's impact,offering new strategies for prevention and treatment of DON-induced diseases.Future research will focus on identifying highly efficient detoxifying microorganisms or enzymes to reduce DON levels in food and feed,thereby mitigating its risks to both animals and human health.

Effect of dietary supplement of inactivated Lactobacillus plantarum Ep-M 17 on growth performance,immune response,disease resistance,and intestinal microbiota in Penaeus vannamei

Our previous study found that feeding with Lactobacillus plantarum Ep-M17 could effectively affect the growth performance,immune response,and gut microbiota of Penaeus vannamei.However,high temperature and pressure during feed pelletizing is the main problem that can lead to a decrease in the activity of probiotics or cause their inactivation.Further investigation needs to investigate whether inactivated Ep-M17 can exert similar effects as live Ep-M17.Therefore,we evaluated the effects of inactivated L.plantarum Ep-M17 on growth performance,immune response,disease resistance,and gut microbiota in P.vannamei.Results show that adding inactivated Ep-M17 to the feed also promoted body weight gain and increased relative immune protection in shrimp.Also,histological examination revealed that the administration of inactivated Ep-M17 led to improvements in the density and distribution of microvilli in the intestines and enhancements in the abundance of B and R cells in the hepatopancreas.Additionally,the inactivated Ep-M17 supplementation resulted in increased activity levels of nutrient immune-related enzymes in both the shrimp hepatopancreas and intestines.Moreover,it stimulated the expression of Lvlec,PEN-3a,Crustin,LGBP,Lysozyme,and proPo genes in both the hepatopancreas and intestines.Furthermore,the inactivated Ep-M17 also increased bacterial diversity in the gut of shrimp and promoted the abundance of specific flora,facilitating the host organism’s metabolism and immunity to improve the disease resistance of shrimp.Therefore,supplementation of inactivated L.plantarum Ep-M17 in shrimp diets can exert similar effects as live L.plantarum Ep-M17 effectively improving growth performance,gut microbiota,immune response,and disease resistance in P.vannamei.

Cut stumps vs broken stumps:Does it make any difference in the maintenance of plant and lichen biodiversity in Central European mountain forests?

Fxcessive forest exploitation significantly contributes to land degradation and the creation of human-made deadwood.Stumps are sometimes ignored in studies on the biodiversity of coarse woody debris.We investigated whether the type of stump,i.e.broken stumps(naturally created)and cut stumps(formed during forestry operations)had an impact on the species composition and species diversity as well as due to this fact they can be characterized by plant indicators.The research covered 728 spruce stumps(287 broken and 441 cut stumps)that were inhabited by lichens,liverworts,mosses and vascular plants in mountain forest belt(Karkonosze Mts.,Poland).The following types of microhabitats were included in the research:the upper surface and the lateral surface of a stump with both bark and wood.There are statistically significant compositional differences between the two types of stumps,which was demonstrated by ordination analyses and indicator species analysis.According to the generalized linear models,the probability of occurrence increases in cut stumps in case of liverworts and vascular plants and also along the decomposition stages.The generalized linear mixed-effects model showed that there was a higher species richness of liverworts,mosses and vascular plants on the cut stumps and less drier but the reverse situation was in lichens.The generalized additive models for their cover showed similar trends.Almost all of the taxonomic groups were affected by altitude both in terms of species composition and total cover on the stumps.We concluded that cut stumps are an important type of deadwood for biodiversity and provide a convenient habitat,especially for many lichens and bryophytes.

Anemarsaponin B mitigates acute pancreatitis damage in mice through apoptosis reduction and MAPK pathway modulation

Background:Acute pancreatitis(AP),known for its rapid onset and significant incidence and mortality rates,presents a clinical challenge due to the limited availability of effective treatments and preventive measures.Anemarsaponin B(ASB)has emerged as a potential therapeutic agent,demonstrating capabilities in reducing immune inflammation,positioning it as a promising candidate for AP treatment.Methods:We investigated the effects of ASB on AP in mice,induced by caerulein and lipopolysaccharide(LPS).Peripheral blood samples were collected 24 h post-induction with caerulein to assess of key biomarkers including lipase,amylase,TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6,SOD,and GSH-Px.A range of techniques such as immunohistochemistry staining,immunofluorescence staining,Western blotting,and quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction(q-PCR),were employed to measure the expression of critical genes.Additionally,pancreas samples from the mice were harvested for microbiome and metabolome sequencing,with the data analyzed to understand the impact of ASB on AP.Results:Our study revealed that,compared to the sham group,the AP group exhibited significantly higher serum levels of lipase,amylase,and cytokines,while levels of SOD and GSH Px were notably lower.Treatment with ASB led to a substantial decrease in the levels of lipase,amylase,and cytokines,and an increase in SOD and GSH-Px levels.q-PCR analysis of pancreatic histiocytes corroborated these serum findings.Hematoxylin and Eosin(H&E)staining indicated significant alterations in the pathological changes in the pancreas,lungs,and small intestine of the AP model due to ASB.Immunofluorescence assays demonstrated that ASB alleviated the apoptosis of pancreatic histiocytes in the AP model.Western Blot and histological analyses showed that ASB reduced the phosphorylation of TAK,p38,JNK,and ERK proteins,as well as the levels of TRAF6 protein in the AP model.Furthermore,metabolomic and gut microbiota analysis identified 27 differential metabolites and 34 differential species.The combined metabolome and microbiome analysis suggested an association between certain microbes(e.g.,unclassified-Saprospiraceae and unclassified-Micavibrionales)and metabolites(e.g.,LysoPE(0:0/20:0),PC(DiMe(13,5)/PGJ2)),and Heptanoic acid,indicating potential pathways through which ASB may exert its therapeutic effects in AP.Conclusions:ASB exhibits therapeutic efficacy in treating AP induced by caerulein combined with lipopolysaccharide(LPS),primarily through modulating the mitogenactivated protein kinase(MAPK)signaling pathway.This discovery offers fresh perspectives for AP drug development,underscoring the potential of targeting specific cellular pathways.Additionally,the intricate interplay observed between the gut microbiota and metabolites following ASB treatment highlights novel therapeutic targets,suggesting that manipulating the gut microbiome and metabolome could be a viable strategy in AP management.These findings pave the way for further research into comprehensive treatment approaches that incorporate both pharmacological intervention and microbiota modulation.

Assessment of plant diversity of endemic species of the Saharo-Arabian region in Egypt

Savanna, semi-deserts, and hot deserts characterize the Saharo-Arabian region, which includes Morocco, Mauretania, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Palestine, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, southern Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and northern India. Its neighboring regions, the Sudano-Zambezian region belonging to the Paleotropical Kingdom and the Mediterranean and Irano-Turanian regions included in the Holarctic Kingdom, share a large portion of their flora with the Saharo-Arabian region. Despite the widespread acknowledgment of the region's global importance for plant diversity, an up to date list of the Saharo-Arabian endemics is still unavailable. The available data are frequently insufficient or out of date at both the whole global and the national scales. Therefore, the present study aims at screening and verifying the Saharo-Arabian endemic plants and determining the phytogeographical distribution of these taxa in the Egyptian flora. Hence, a preliminary list of 429 Saharo-Arabian endemic plants in Egypt was compiled from the available literature. Indeed, by excluding the species that were recorded in any countries or regions outside the Saharo-Arabian region based on different literature, database reviews, and websites, the present study has reduced this number to 126 taxa belonging to 87 genera and 37 families. Regarding the national geographic distribution, South Sinai is the richest region with 83 endemic species compared with other eight phytogeographic regions in Egypt, followed by the Isthmic Desert(the middle of Sinai Peninsula, 53 taxa). Sahara regional subzone(SS1) distributes all the 126 endemic species, Arabian regional subzone(SS2) owns 79 taxa, and Nubo-Sindian subzone(SS3) distributes only 14 endemics. Seven groups were recognized at the fourth level of classification as a result of the application of the two-way indicator species analysis(TWINSPAN) to the Saharo-Arabian endemic species in Egypt, i.e., Ⅰ Asphodelus refractus group, Ⅱ Agathophora alopecuroides var. papillosa group, Ⅲ Anvillea garcinii group, Ⅳ Reseda muricata group, V Agathophora alopecuroides var. alopecuroides group, Ⅵ Scrophularia deserti group, and Ⅶ Astragalus schimperi group. It's crucial to clearly define the Saharo-Arabian endemics and illustrate an updated verified database of these taxa for a given territory for providing future management plans that support the conservation and sustainable use of these valuable species under current thought-provoking devastating impacts of rapid anthropogenic and climate change in this region.

Unraveling colorectal cancer prevention:The vitamin D-gut flora-immune system nexus

Colorectal cancer(CRC)is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in the world.Although environmental and genetic factors play a major role in the pathogenesis of CRC,extensive research has suggested that vitamin D may play a pivotal role in the development of CRC.Vitamin D,primarily obtained through sunlight exposure,dietary sources,and supplements,has long been recognized for its essential functions in maintaining health,including immune regulation.This article delves into the intricate relationship between vitamin D,the immune system,gut flora,and the prevention of CRC.It presents a synthesis of epidemiological data,experimental studies,and clinical trials,highlighting the mechanisms by which vitamin D influences immune cell function,cytokine production,and inflammation.By enhancing the immune system’s surveillance and antitumor activity,vitamin D may offer a promising avenue for CRC prevention.Furthermore,this comprehensive review delves into the prospective clinical applications of vitamin D supplementation and delineates the forthcoming avenues of research in this dynamic domain.Additionally,the paper tentatively outlines a spectrum of prophylactic impacts of vitamin D on CRC,emphasizing its significant potential in reducing CRC risk through shedding light on its mechanisms,encompassing antineoplastic mechanisms,influences on the immune system,and modulation of the gut microbiome.

Effect of dietary supplementation with discardednutrient medium of Cordyceps militaris on layingperformance and diversity of intestinal flora in laying hens

The aim of the experiment was to explore the feasibility of discarded nutrient medium of Cordyceps militaris as feed in the production of laying hens. 100 g/kg, 200 g/kg, 300 g/kg of discarded nutrient medium of Cordyceps militaris were added to the basal diet of laying hens. The results showed that the optimal addition of discarded nutrient medium of Cordyceps militaris in the diet of laying hens was 10%. According to the results of measuring the conventional indicators of eggs, the weight of eggs produced by laying hens fed with discarded nutrient medium of Cordyceps militaris was higher than that of laying hens fed with ordinary laying hens. The content of interleukin-1(IL-1) in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group, and the concentration of IL-1 increased by 141.5 pg/mL, which indicated that the application of discarded nutrient medium of Cordyceps militaris effectively improved the immunity of laying hens. The high-throughput analysis of the intestinal contents of the two groups of laying hens showed that the microbial population abundance of the intestinal tract of the experimental group was greater than that of control group, and the application of discarded nutrient medium of Cordyceps militaris increased the diversity of bacteria in the intestinal tract of laying hens. In addition, the sensitivity of some pathogenic bacteria in the intestinal tract of chickens to drugs was also increased, thereby reducing the use of antibiotics. The secondary utilization of discarded nutrient medium of Cordyceps militaris has great development and utilization prospects, which provided a scientific reference and basic theoretical basis for the development of discarded nutrient medium of Cordyceps militaris as feed in the production of laying hens.

The role of intestinal flora on tumorigenesis,progression,and the efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies in colorectal cancer

Intestinal flora affects the maturation of the host immune system,serves as a biomarker and efficacy predictor in the immunotherapy of several cancers,and has an important role in the development of colorectal cancer(CRC).Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies have shown satisfactory results in MSI-H/d MMR CRC but performed poorly in patients with MSS/p MMR CRC.In recent years an increasing number of studies have shown that intestinal flora has an important impact on anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibody efficacy in CRC patients.Preclinical and clinical evidence have suggested that anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibody efficacy can be improved by altering the composition of the intestinal flora in CRC.Herein,we summarize the studies related to the influence of intestinal flora on anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibody efficacy in CRC and discuss the potential underlying mechanism(s).We have focused on the impact of the intestinal flora on the efficacy and safety of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies in CRC and how to better utilize the intestinal flora as an adjuvant to improve the efficacy of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies.In addition,we have provided a basis for the potential of the intestinal flora as a new treatment modality and indicator for determining patient prognosis.

Intestinal flora: New perspective of type 2 diabetes

Diabetes comprises a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia stemming from various factors.Current diabetes management primarily focuses on blood glucose control,yet it is inherently progressive,necessitating increased reliance on exogenous blood glucose control methods over time.Therefore,there is an urgent need to explore novel intervention strategies addressing both diabetes and its complications.The human intestinal microbiota,often referred to as the"second genome",exhibits significant diversity and plays a pivotal role in insulin resistance,glucose and lipid metabolism,and inflammatory response.Notably,Li and Guo have elucidated the involvement of intestinal flora in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)and proposed a novel therapeutic approach targeting intestinal microbes.This advancement enhances our comprehension of the multifaceted and multi-target regulation of T2DM by intestinal microflora,thereby offering fresh avenues for understanding its pathogenesis and clinical management.This letter briefly summarizes the role of intestinal flora in T2DM based on findings from animal experiments and clinical studies.Additionally,it discusses the potential clinical applications and challenges associated with targeting intestinal flora as therapeutic interventions.

Grid System Mapping of Ferula tadshikorum Pimenov (Apiaceae) Distributed in Uzbekistan

This article presents information on the distribution of Ferula tadshikorum Pimenov species in the botanical—geographical region of Uzbekistan, based on data collected from available resources, including international sites, and databases, completed papers and directly conducted field studies. At the same time, under the circumstance that the natural area is directly getting smaller, the necessity and relevance of the thesis work on the evaluation of species’ natural reserves and the evaluation of the modern situations are demonstrated through examples. The Surkhandarya region is considered to have the largest number of plant species in Uzbekistan, and it is also distinguished by the variety of species. According to the location of the botanical-geographical regions of Uzbekistan, the territory of the Surkhandarya region is divided into five botanical-geographical regions (BGR). The 5 × 5 km2 grid system map includes 882 cells. Surkhan-Sherabod (BGR), Baisun (BGR), Sangardak-Topalang (BGR), Babatag (BGR), and Kuhitang (BGR) corresponded to these. Simultaneously, the 5 × 5 km2 grid system map of Uzbekistan’s flora in the Surkhandarya region revealed the presence of F. tadshikorum in 109 indices. On the territory of the region, the botanic-geographic region mainly includes the F. tadshikorum, Babatag (BGR), Baisun (BGR), and Kohitang (BGR) indices. The natural resources of F. tadshikorum in these areas were also analyzed.

Grid System Analysis of Urban Flora of Bukhara City (Uzbekistan)

This article presents information on the study of the flora of Uzbekistan based on grid system mapping. The urban flora of the city of Bukhara was researched in it. As a result of research, the territory of Bukhara city was divided into 85 indexes based on 1 × 1 km2 grid mapping system. The diversity and density of species in the indexes are determined. The influence of anthropogenic factors on the diversity of species in the indexes is determined.

Biliary microbiome and gallstones: A silent friendship

With increasing evidence,the biliary tract and the gallbladder mucosa are no longer considered sterile environments devoid of bacteria.Rather a profound biofilm of resident bacterial flora is associated with the mucosal surface.The bile too harbors a resident flora.It is when a dysbiotic process ensues,that this bac-terial flora either becomes opportunist or is replaced by a pathogenic one that has a strong ability to survive the challenges of the biliary environment.Although once believed a metabolic problem,recent evidence indicates a complex intera-ction between different species of bacteria and gallbladder mucosa and bile which may culminate in calculus formation.The resident microbiota and its several enzymes dictate the type of gallstone by the mere interplay of the constituting type of bacteria in the biofilm,even without any evidence of infection.Dysbiosis is often mediated by either intestinal dysbiosis or less probably by oral dysbiosis.The gallstones,in turn,provide a haven for the resident microbiota in which they can form their own defined niche enriched with the biofilm that can resist the biliary defense mechanisms and survive the hostile biliary environment in the background of biliary stasis and local infection.However,this process of silent friendship is more complex than said,and further research is needed to define the relationship between the two.