Excess dietary Lys reduces feed intake, stimulates jejunal CCK secretion and alters essential and non‑essential blood AA profile in pigs

Background Commercial diets are frequently formulated to meet or exceed nutrient levels including those of lim-iting essential amino acids(AA)covering potential individual variations within the herd.However,the provision of dietary excess of AA,such as Lys,may lead to reduced appetite and growth in pigs.The mechanisms modulat-ing these responses have not been extensively investigated.This study evaluated the effect of Lys dietary excesses on performance and satiety biomarkers in post weaning pigs.Methods Twenty-four pigs aged 21 d and weighing 6.81±0.12kg(mean±SEM)were individually housed and offered 1 of 4 dietary treatments for 3weeks:a diet containing a standardized ileal digestible Lys reaching 100%(T0),120%(T1),150%(T2)or 200%(T3)of the NRC(2012)requirements.At the end of the experiment,blood samples from the cephalic vein of the T0 and T3 groups were obtained for AA analysis.In addition,primary intestinal cultures from T0 pigs were used,following their humane killing,to evaluate the effect of Lys on gut hormone secretion and AA sensors gene expression under ex vivo conditions.Results Feed intake was linearly reduced(P<0.001)and the weight gain to feed ratio reduced(P<0.10)with increased dietary levels of Lys during the third-and first-week post weaning,respectively.Cholecystokinin con-centration(P<0.05)and the metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 and the solute carrier family 7 member 2(P<0.10)gene expression was enhanced in proximal jejunum tissues incubated with Lys at 20mmol/L when compared to the control(Lys 0mmol/L).Plasma Lys and Glu(P<0.05)concentration increased in the T3 compared to T0 pigs.In contrast,plasma levels of His,Val,Thr,Leu(P<0.05)and Gln(P<0.10)were lower in T3 than T0 pigs.Conclusion The present results confirm that excess dietary Lys inhibits hunger in pigs.Moreover,the results provide evidence of pre-and post-absorptive mechanisms modulating these responses.Lys dietary excesses should be nar-rowed,when possible,to avoid negative effects of the AA on appetite in pigs.

Serum anti‑blood type IgG/IgM binding and cytotoxicity to pig PBMC and RBC

Objective: TO investigate the killing differences of human blood group antibodies IgG and IgM on PBMC and RBC in peripheral blood of genetically modified pigs, and provide theoretical basis for the selection of pig blood group for clinical application of porcine xenotransplantation. Methods: Serum samples were collected from 20 healthy subjects, 20 patients with end‑stage renal disease and 20 brain dead organ donors, and divided into 4 groups on the basis of ABO blood group (A: n=20;B: n=17;AB: n=7;O: n=16). Flow cytometry was used to detect antibody binding or complement dependent cytotoxicity test (CDC) between human serum and O blood group Wild‑type (WT), α1, 3‑galactosyltransferase gene‑knockout(GTKO), cytidine monophosphate‑N‑acetylneuraminic acid hydroxylase gene‑knockout (GTKO/β4GalNT2KO), β‑1, 4N‑acetylgalactosaminyltransferase gene‑knockout(GTKO/CMAHKO) and mononuclear cells (PBMC) and red blood cells (RBC) of Triple knockout (TKO/hCD55) porcine peripheral blood, respectively. Results: There was no significant difference in binding and killing of human serum antibodies with blood group A, B, AB and O on PBMC of WT pigs, GTKO pigs, GTKO/β4GalNT2KO pigs, GTKO/CMAHKO pigs and TKO/hCD55 pigs, respectively. There was no significant difference in RBC binding with RBC of WT pig, GTKO pig, GTKO/β4GalNT2KO pig, GTKO/CMAHKO pig and TKO/hCD55 pig. Conclusion: The selection of recipients of pigs with type O blood group can be done without considering blood group.

献血者HBVs基因变异的生物信息学分析

目的分析HBV DNA+/HBsAg-献血者的传染性指标、S区基因序列突变情况及生物信息学特征变化。方法通过PCR方法筛查出1份HBV DNA+/HBsAg-的标本,应用酶联免疫和化学发光方法检测该标本乙肝病毒5项指标,对该标本HBVs区基因片段测序并分析变异情况,应用分析软件对所测序列进行生物信息学分析。结果该标本HBV DNA+、HBsAg-、HBsAb+、HBeAg+、HBeAb-、HBcAb+;HBVs区基因序列内发生氨基酸单位点突变(P151L),空间结构发生改变。结论HBVs区基因序列空间结构改变,可能是导致检测结果出现血清学HBsAg-/HBsAb+/HBV DNA+的原因。

S-100β CysC和NF-κB对急性缺血性脑卒中患者静脉溶栓后出血转化的预测价值

目的 探讨急性缺血性脑卒中(AIS)外周血中S-100β、CysC和NF-κB水平对静脉溶栓后出血转化的影响及预测价值。方法 收集2019-03—2022-03接受溶栓治疗的AIS患者140例,根据溶栓后24 h是否发生出血转化(HT)将患者分为非HT组(n=112)和HT组(n=28)。比较2组一般临床资料,采用多因Logistic回归分析影响HT发生的危险因素,受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线评估S-100β、CysC和NF-κB预测HT发生的价值。结果 HT组与非HT组相比,患者年龄、发病至溶栓时间、房颤、TOAST分型、C反应蛋白、凝血酶原时间、S-100β、CysC、NF-κB、白质高信号和脑微出血等均有统计学差异(P<0.05)。Logistic多因素回归分析显示,房颤、S-100β、CysC和NF-κB为影响HT发生的危险因素。S-100β、CysC和NF-κB预测AIS患者静脉溶栓后出血转化的曲线下面积分别为0.915(0.902~0.923)、0.874(0.856~0.882)和0.789(0.771~0.796),均具有一定的预测价值。结论 S-100β、CysC和NF-κB为AIS患者静脉溶栓后HT发生的危险因素,对HT发生具有一定的预测价值。

Detection and Analysis of Routine Blood Indexes in Guike Pig

[Objectives] In this study,routine blood indexes of Guike pig were detected to clarify quantity variation and morphology distribution of different functional cells（ red blood cells,white blood cells and platelets）,thus providing reference data for immunological evaluation and disease resistance research of Guike pig. [Methods] Blood samples were collected from forty-four 49-day-old healthy Guike pigs（ 22 males and 22 females） once a week for seven consecutive weeks to detect routine blood indexes,and the results were compared with routine blood indexes of Landrace pig and Enshi black pig. [Results]Among red blood cell indexes of Guike pig at different day ages,red blood cell count（ RBC） and hemoglobin count（ HGB） both reached the lowest levels（ 6. 85 × 10^12/L and 97. 1 g/L）at 70 days of age,which were significantly lower than the corresponding indexes at 49,56,63,84 and 91 days of age（ P 〈 0. 05,similarly hereinafter）; mean corpuscular hemoglobin（ MCH） and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration（ MCHC） demonstrated basically the same variation pattern,which both reached the lowest levels（ 15. 11 pg and 275. 70 g/L） at 70 days of age and reached the highest levels（ 16. 40 pg and 314. 30 g/L） at 91 days of age; hematocrit（ HCT）,mean corpuscular volume（ MCV） and red blood cell distribution width（ RDW） exhibited relatively stable changes with no significant differences among different day ages（ P 〉 0. 05,similarly hereinafter）. Among white blood cell indexes of Guike pig at different day ages,white blood cell count（ WBC） reached the lowest level（ 13. 71 × 10^9/L） at 63 days of age and reached the highest level（ 17. 52 × 10^9/L） at 84 days of age,with significant differences; neutrophil count（ NEUT）reached the lowest level（ 3. 61 × 10^9/L） at 70 days of age,which was significantly lower than that at 49,56 and 77 days of age; lymphocyte count（ LYMPH） exhibited relatively stable changes and was not significantly affected by the increase in day age. Among platelet indexes of Guike pig at different day ages,platelet count（ PLT）,thrombocytocrit（ PCT） and platelet volume distribution width（ PDW） exhibited relatively stable changes among different day ages,which were not significantly affected by the increase in day age. Compared to 35-day-old Landrace pig and 5-month-old Enshi black pig,most routine blood indexes of Guike pig were similar to or ranged between those of Landrace pig and Enshi black pig except HCT,mean platelet volume（ MPV）,PCT and PDW. [Conclusions]Guike pig has a certain uniqueness in routine blood indexes,which has developed a stable immune system at 49-91 days of age.

Occurrence of Salmonella Enteric Serovar Typhi Antibodies among Blood Donors in Ghana

Background: Donated blood contaminated with S. Typhi can cause post-transfusion sepsis. This study aimed to determine the correlation between some risk factors of typhoid fever and seroprevalence of antibodies against S. Typhi among blood donors. Methodology: Following informed consent, socio-demographic and information on risk factors of typhoid infection was obtained using pre-structured questionnaires from 400 apparently healthy blood donors at the Tema General Hospital. Blood was also collected for serology and cultured for identification of pathogens by standard bacteriological method. Results: Blood culture did not reveal any S. Typhi isolate out of the tested 400 (348 males and 52 females) samples from apparently healthy blood donors. However, IgM and IgG antibody seroprevalence of 9.3% and 3.5% were detected. Age group of 17 - 24 years was the highest risk group, persons with a history of typhoid infection, and sources of drinking water were major risk factors for typhoid infection. It was also observed that prevalence of IgM was highest among new donors (62.2%), but lower in donors with a history of 1 to 3 blood donations (32.4%) and least among regular donors (>3 donations (5.4%)). In addition, typhoid prevention awareness and typhoid knowledge (knowledge about typhoid transmission) among the donors were poor (4.3% and 5.9% respectively). Conclusions: This study has shown an overall seroprevalence of 9% and 3.5% for IgM and IgG antibodies respectively among blood donors in the Tema area in Ghana. We advocate for the mandatory screening of donor units intended for transfusion for S. Typhi. Furthermore, there is an urgent need for the health education of all persons in Ghana on preventive measures and the spread of S. Typhi.

Assessment of the Acute Effects of DEE （Diesel Exhaust Emitted） on Blood Parameters in Guinea Pigs Cavia porcellus

The acute （15 minutes-4 hours） effects of exposure to the inhaled DEE （diesel exhaust emitted） on blood parameters of Guinea pigs Cavia porcellus were assessed via CBC （complete blood count） as an indicator using an automated blood analyzer machines （Cell DYN 1700）. The results showed significant changes in some parameters in comparison with control animals started as early as 15 minutes and intensified by the continuous exposure time, leading to significant increase （p 〈 0.05） in the number of both WBC （white blood cells）, PLT （blood platelets） and decrease in numbers of RBC （red blood corpuscles） while hemoglobin percentages （Hb%） showed an insignificant （p 〉 0.05） fluctuating rhythm. The percentages of both Neutrophil and Lymphocyt recorded a significant increase （p 〈 0.05） 1 hour post-exposure to the DEE while other WBCs showed less changes. It is concluded that blood components are so sensitive to DEE and do respond quicker to inhaled pollutants via changes in some components of WBC% but decrease in RBC% and the likelihood of blood clotting due to increase in blood platelets. These results indicate the acute toxic risks of the exposure to DEE of mechanics and technicians who work in vicinity of DEE sources or/and spend most daily hours in semi closed areas.

Optimization of Chelation Process for Complex Microelement Iron Supplement Derived from Pig Blood by Response Surface Methodology

[Objectives]This study aimed to optimize the chelation process for complex microelement iron supplement derived from pig blood by response surface methodology.[Methods]On the basis of single-factor test,p H value,concentration of polypeptide solution and volume ratio of polypeptide solution to FeCl_2 solution were selected as influencing factors with Fe(II)chelation rate as the indicator for Box-Behnken central composite experimental design with three factors and three levels.The effects of three factors on the response value were analyzed by response surface methodology.[Results]The optimized chelation process for complex microelement iron supplement derived from pig blood by response surface methodology was as follows:pH 5.40,polypeptide solution concentration 2.27%,volume ratio of polypeptide solution to FeCl_2 solution 2.16∶1.Under this condition,the predictive Fe(II)chelation rate of iron supplement was 79.37%,while the actual value was 79.41%.[Conclusions]The optimized process may provide new thoughts for the development and utilization of complex microelement iron supplement derived from pig blood.

长期冷冻对ELISA法检测血浆标本中HBsAg结果的影响

目的评价献血者HBsAg阳性血液标本在-20°C冻存8年后ELISA法HBsAg检测的结果,评估血站目前留样保存方式的有效性。方法收集本站2014年5月—2015年3月100份经HBsAg ELISA检测阳性的献血者血浆标本,冻存在-20°C冰箱,于2023年解冻标本并通过同种方法再次检测。结果100份血浆标本的HBsAg再检定性结果均为阳性,再检符合率100%,冻存后S/CO值降低明显(27.52 vs 19.03,P<0.05)。结论长期冻存会使HBsAg ELISA检测S/CO值下降,但不影响阳性定性结果。

The relationship of tension and blood flow of the expanded pedicled fasciocutaneous flap in pig

Objective To evaluate the effect of wound closure tension on the blood flow of the expanded pedicled fasciocutaneous flap,so as to find the best tension for the blood supply of the flap.Methods 8 piglets,aged 9-12 months,were used.On

脐动脉血流S/D值联合孕妇血清CX3CL1 HIF-1α对胎儿窘迫的诊断价值

目的探讨脐动脉血流收缩期末最大血流速度/舒张期末最大血流速度(S/D)、血清趋化因子C-X3-C配体1(CX3CL1)、血清缺氧诱导因子-1α(HIF-1α)对胎儿窘迫(FD)的诊断价值。方法选取2020年5月至2022年5月在青岛市妇女儿童医院妇产科分娩且出现FD的128例孕妇为研究对象(FD组),根据新生儿Apgar评分将FD孕妇分为轻度窘迫组74例和重度窘迫组54例,另取同期在本院定期产检并分娩的健康且未出现FD的孕妇78例为正常组;超声检测FD孕妇脐动脉血流S/D值;ELISA法检测FD孕妇血清CX3CL1、HIF-1α水平;Pearson法分析FD孕妇血清CX3CL1、HIF-1α水平与脐动脉血流S/D值的相关性;受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析血清CX3CL1、HIF-1α水平及脐动脉血流S/D值对胎儿重度窘迫的诊断价值。结果FD组孕妇脐动脉血流阻力指数(RI)、搏动指数(PI)、S/D值、血清CX3CL1及HIF-1α水平均显著高于正常组(P<0.05),重度窘迫组孕妇RI值、PI值、S/D值、血清CX3CL1及HIF-1α水平均高于轻度窘迫组(P<0.05)。FD组血清CX3CL1、HIF-1α与脐动脉血流S/D值均呈正相关(r=0.531、0.489,P<0.05)。脐动脉血流S/D值、血清CX3CL1、HIF-1α以及3项联合诊断胎儿重度窘迫的AUC分别为0.870、0.802、0.731、0.941,联合诊断的灵敏度为87.04%,特异度为90.54%,3项联合优于脐动脉血流S/D值、血清CX3CL1、HIF-1α各自单独诊断(Z3项联合-S/D=2.775、Z3项联合-CX3CL1=3.998、Z3项联合-HIF-1α=4.925,P均<0.05)。结论FD孕妇脐动脉血流S/D值、血清CX3CL1、HIF-1α水平均上升,且血清CX3CL1、HIF-1α水平与脐动脉血流S/D值均呈正相关,3项联合对诊断胎儿重度窘迫有更高的价值。

红细胞比容、血流S/D比值及同型半胱氨酸在妊娠期糖尿病患者中的表达及对妊娠结局的影响

目的探究红细胞比容、血流S/D比值及同型半胱氨酸在妊娠期糖尿病患者中的表达及对妊娠结局的影响。方法选取我院2021年1月~2023年1月纳入的86例妊娠期糖尿病患者为研究组,另外选取同时期86例妊娠期健康孕妇作为对照组,分别对两组孕妇以及研究组不同疾病严重程度孕妇之间的红细胞比容、血流S/D比值、同型半胱氨酸表达水平进行比较,观察记录两组孕妇不良妊娠结局的发生情况。结果研究组孕妇的红细胞比容明显低于对照组,血流S/D比值及同型半胱氨酸表达水平均明显高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);轻度、中度、重度妊娠期糖尿病患者的红细胞比容、血流S/D比值及同型半胱氨酸水平存在明显差异,且随着疾病严重程度的增高,红细胞比容越低,血流S/D比值及同型半胱氨酸水平越高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);研究组孕妇的不良妊娠结局总发生率明显高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论红细胞比容、血流S/D比值及同型半胱氨酸在妊娠期糖尿病患者中的表达水平异于健康孕妇,同时还与孕妇的妊娠结局存在一定的关联,血流S/D比值及同型半胱氨酸较高水平的表达与红细胞比容较低的情况增加了妊娠期糖尿病孕妇不良妊娠结局的发生率。

Isolation,Screening and Identification of High-temperature Cellulolytic Microbes in Pig Manure

[Objective] The research aimed to lay the foundation for high-efficiency biological degradation microbial inoculums. [Method] under the 60℃ temperature the cellulolytic microbes in pig manure were isolated and determined the CMCase and Fpase,then proceeded the 16S rRNA gene analysis. [Result]The results showed that:BC1 and BC3 strains characterized higher carboxymethyl cellulose enzyme activity and higher filter paper activity,but their difference was small,then the 16S rDNA sequence of BC1 and BC3 strains were related to pseudomonas sp. (98% and 99% similarities,respectively).[Conclusion] the experiment laid foundation for high-efficiency biological heating agent.

The potential of genetically-engineered pigs in providing an alternative source of organs and cells for transplantation

There is a critical shortage of organs, cells, and corneas from deceased human donors worldwide. There are also shortages of human blood for transfusion. A potential solution to all of these problems is the transplantation of organs, cells, and corneas from a readily available animal species, such as the pig, and the transfusion of red blood cells from pigs into humans. However, to achieve these ends, major immunologic and other barriers have to be overcome. Considerable progress has been made in this respect by the genetic modification of pigs to protect their tissues from the primate immune response and to correct several molecular incompatibilities that exist between pig and primate. These have included knockout of genes responsible for the expression of major antigenic targets for primate natural anti-pig antibodies, insertion of human complement- and coagulation-regulatory transgenes, and knockdown of swine leukocyte antigens that stimulate the primate＇s adaptive immune response. As a result of these manipulations, the administration of novel immunosuppressive agents, and other innovations, pig hearts have now functioned in baboons for 6-8 months, pig islets have maintained normoglycemia in diabetic monkeys for 〉 1 year, and pig corneas have maintained transparency for several months. Clinical trials of pig islet trans- plantation are already in progress. Future developments will involve further genetic manipulations of the organ- source pig, with most of the genes that are likely to be beneficial already identified.

LARGELY IMPROVED BLOOD COMPATIBILITY OF POLYURETHANE BY BLENDING WITH FLUORINATED PHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINE POLYURETHANE

The improvement of biocompatibility of polyurethanes was investigated.The results demonstrate that the blood compatibility of polyurethanes can be further improved by just simply mixing with the fluorinated phosphatidylcholine poly(carbonate urethane)s(FPCPCUs).The solution blending was done by mixing poly(ether urethane)(PEU)with FPCPCU in different compositions.An increased blood compatibility of the blend films was observed with the increase of FPCPCU content,and when FPCPCU content reached to 40 wt%(40F...

Gastric emptying, postprandial blood pressure, glycaemia and splanchnic flow in Parkinson's disease

AIM: To determine gastric emptying, blood pressure, mesenteric artery blood flow, and blood glucose responses to oral glucose in Parkinson’s disease.METHODS: Twenty-one subjects (13 M, 8 F; age 64.2 ± 1.6 years) with mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease (Hoehn and Yahr score 1.4 ± 0.1, duration of known disease 6.3 ± 0.9 years) consumed a 75 g glucose drink, labelled with 20 MBq 99mTc-calcium phytate. Gastric emptying was quantified with scintigraphy, blood pressure and heart rate with an automated device, superior mesenteric artery blood flow by Doppler ultrasonography and blood glucose by glucometer for 180 min. Autonomic nerve function was evaluated with cardiovascular reflex tests and upper gastrointestinal symptoms by questionnaire.RESULTS: The mean gastric half-emptying time was 106 ± 9.1 min, gastric emptying was abnormally delayed in 3 subjects (14%). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure fell (P < 0.001) and mesenteric blood flow and blood glucose (P < 0.001 for both) increased, following the drink. Three subjects (14%) had definite autonomic neuropathy and 8 (38%) had postprandial hypotension. There were no significant relationships between changes in blood pressure, heart rate or mesenteric artery blood flow with gastric emptying. Gastric emptying was related to the score for autonomic nerve function (R = 0.55, P < 0.01). There was an inverse relationship between the blood glucose at t = 30 min (R = -0.52, P < 0.05), while the blood glucose at t = 180 min was related directly (R = 0.49, P < 0.05), with gastric emptying.CONCLUSION: In mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease, gastric emptying is related to autonomic dysfunction and a determinant of the glycaemic response to oral glucose.

Emotion processing in Parkinson's disease: a blood oxygenation level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging study

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia are the major symptoms of the disease. These motor impairments are often accompanied by affective and emotional dysfunctions which have been largely studied over the last decade. The aim of this study was to investigate emotional processing organization in the brain of patients with Parkinson's disease and to explore whether there are differences between recognition of different types of emotions in Parkinson's disease. We examined 18 patients with Parkinson's disease(8 men, 10 women) with no history of neurological or psychiatric comorbidities. All these patients underwent identical brain blood oxygenation level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging for emotion evaluation. Blood oxygenation level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging results revealed that the occipito-temporal cortices, insula, orbitofrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and parietal cortex which are involved in emotion processing, were activated during the functional control. Additionally, positive emotions activate larger volumes of the same anatomical entities than neutral and negative emotions. Results also revealed that Parkinson's disease associated with emotional disorders are increasingly recognized as disabling as classic motor symptoms. These findings help clinical physicians to recognize the emotional dysfunction of patients with Parkinson's disease.

Correlations of PCBs, DIOXIN, and PBDE with TSH in Children's Blood in Areas of Computer E-waste Recycling

Objective To study correlations of polychlorinated biphenyls （PCBs）, DIOXIN, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers （PBDE） with thyroid stimulating hormone（TSH） in children, and assess the impact on children＇s health. Methods Three hundred and sixty nine children aged from 6 to 8, including 195 from Luqiao, the computer E‐waste recycling area, and 174 from Longyou, the control area, were selected for this investigation to elucidate the correlation of PCBs, DIOXIN, and PBDE with TSH in children’s blood samples. The children had a physical examination and their blood levels of PCBs, DIOXIN, PBDE, and TSH were detected after sample collection. Results In the E‐waste recycling area, the contents of PCBs, PBDE, DIOXIN, and TSH in the blood samples of children were 484.00±84.86 ng·g ‐1 lipid weight, 664.28±262.38 ng·g ‐1 lipid weight, 26.00±19.58 ng·g ‐1 lipid weight and 1.88±0.42 μIU/mL （serum） respectively, while in the control area, the PCBs, PBDE, DIOXIN, and TSH contents were 255.38±95 ng·g ‐1 lipid weight, 375.81±262.43 ng·g ‐1 lipid weight, 39.64±31.86 ng·g ‐1 lipid weight, and 3.31±1.04 μIU/mL respectively. Conclusion The health status of children in the control area are better than that in the contaminated area. Among children who are exposed to persistent organic pollutants, the pollutant content increases significantly in their serum, and the distribution of TSH levels in their bodies are also affected.

Prognostic significance of red blood cell distribution width in gastrointestinal disorders

The red blood cell distribution width(RDW) is a routinely measured and automatically reported blood parameter,which reflects the degree of anisocytosis. Recently,the baseline RDW was found to have clinical significance for assessing clinical outcome and severity of various pathological conditions including cardiovascular diseases,sepsis,cancers,leukemia,renal dysfunction and respiratory diseases. A myriad of factors,most of which ill-defined,have an impact on the red cell population dynamics(i.e.,production,maturation and turnover). A delay in the red blood cell clearance in pathological conditions represents one of the leading determinants of increased anisocytosis. Further study of RDW may reveal new insight into inflammation mechanisms. In this review,we specifically discuss the current literature about the association of RDW in various disease conditions involving the gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary systems. We also present some of the related measurements for their value in predicting clinical outcomes in such conditions. According to our data,RDW was found to be a valuable prognostic index in gastrointestinal disorders along with additional inflammatory biomarkers(i.e.,C reactive protein,erythrocyte sedimentation rate,and platelet count) and current disease severity indices used in clinical practice.

Effects of dietary Hermetia illucens meal inclusion on cecal microbiota and small intestinal mucin dynamics and infiltration with immune cells of weaned piglets

Background: The constant interaction between diet and intestinal barrier has a crucial role in determining gut health in pigs. Hermetia illucens(HI) meal(that represents a promising, alternative feed ingredient for production animals) has recently been demonstrated to influence colonic microbiota, bacterial metabolite profile and mucosal immune status of pigs, but no data about modulation of gut mucin dynamics are currently available. The present study evaluated the effects of dietary HI meal inclusion on the small intestinal mucin composition of piglets, as well as providing insights into the cecal microbiota and the mucosal infiltration with immune cells.Results: A total of 48 weaned piglets were randomly allotted to 3 dietary treatments(control diet [C] and 5% or10% HI meal inclusion [HI5 and HI10], with 4 replicate boxes/treatment and 4 animals/box) and slaughtered after61 days of trial(3 animals/box, 12 piglets/diet). The cecal microbiota assessment by 16 S r RNA amplicon based sequencing showed higher beta diversity in the piglets fed the HI-based diets than the C(P < 0.001). Furthermore,the HI-fed animals showed increased abundance of Blautia, Chlamydia, Coprococcus, Eubacterium, Prevotella,Roseburia, unclassified members of Ruminococcaceae, Ruminococcus and Staphylococcus when compared to the C group(FDR < 0.05). The gut of the piglets fed the HI-based diets showed greater neutral mucin percentage than the C(P < 0.05), with the intestinal neutral mucins of the HI-fed animals being also higher than the sialomucins and the sulfomucins found in the gut of the C group(P < 0.05). Furthermore, the piglets fed the HI-based diets displayed lower histological scores in the jejunum than the other gut segments(ileum [HI5] or ileum and duodenum [HI10], P < 0.05).Conclusions: Dietary HI meal utilization positively influenced the cecal microbiota and the small intestinal mucin dynamics of the piglets in terms of selection of potentially beneficial bacteria and preservation of mature mucin secretory architecture, without determining the development of gut inflammation. These findings further confirm the suitability of including insect meal in swine diets.