Search Results (1,975)

This study evaluated the effects of dietary potassium diformate supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, gastrointestinal pH, jejunal morphology, digestive enzyme activity, and antioxidant status of weaned piglets in a 28-day trial. Twenty-four weaned piglets were selected and, after a 4-day adaptation period, randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups (n = 6). The dietary treatments included a control diet (basal diet) and 3 diets supplemented with 0.6%, 1.2%, or 1.8% potassium diformate in the basal diet. The results indicated that the feed conversion ratio (FCR) of piglets was reduced by all three potassium diformate supplementation levels compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the FCR was decreased in piglets fed the 1.8% potassium diformate-supplemented diet compared to those fed the 1.2% potassium diformate-supplemented diet (p < 0.05). Piglets fed the three potassium diformate-supplemented diets exhibited higher apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter and crude protein than the control group (p < 0.05). The 1.8% potassium diformate groups also showed increased ATTD of calcium and phosphorus compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Supplementation with 1.2% or 1.8% potassium diformate reduced the digesta pH in the proximal stomach, distal stomach, and duodenum, while increased jejunal villus height (VH), VH/crypt depth (VH/CD) ratio, and catalase and total superoxide dismutase activities in the jejunal mucosa compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The 1.2% potassium diformate group showed higher α-amylase activity than the control group (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed that FCR negatively correlated with ATTD of dry matter, crude protein, calcium, phosphorus, and jejunal VH, while positively correlating with digesta pH in the proximal stomach (p < 0.05). The ATTD of dry matter negatively correlated with digesta pH in the proximal stomach, distal stomach, and duodenum, and positively correlated with jejunal VH/CD ratio and catalase activity (p < 0.05). The ATTD of crude protein negatively correlated with digesta pH in the proximal stomach, distal stomach, and duodenum (p < 0.05). Collectively, dietary supplementation with 1.8% potassium diformate reduced FCR of weaned piglets, which was associated with enhanced nutrient digestibility, reduced pH in the anterior gastrointestinal tract, and improved jejunal morphology. Full article

Schizochytrium is often added to feed to enhance the growth and health of farmed animals, yet research on its effects on amphibians remains relatively scarce. Here, this study investigated the effects of dietary Schizochytrium meal on growth, metamorphosis, intermediate metabolism, and intestinal health of bullfrogs. Six compound feeds (S0–S5) containing different gradients of Schizochytrium meal (0.00, 2.00, 5.00, 10.00, 15.00, and 20.00 g/kg diets) were formulated. After 90 days, the S4 group (15.00 g/kg) exhibited significantly superior growth performance, with the weight gain rate (WGR) increasing by up to 23.78% compared to the control (S0). Metamorphosis rate (MR) peaked at 23.33% in the S4 group. The enzyme activities of digestion (amylase (AMS), lipase (LPS), protease), brush border membrane (Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase, alkaline phosphatase (AKP), γ-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT), creatine kinase (CK), and antioxidation (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT)), as well as microvilli length and mucosal epithelial cell height in the intestine were the highest in the S4 group. Intestinal microbial diversity (Ace index) significantly increased by 41.28% in the S4 group, which also promoted beneficial bacteria. Key genes related to the GH-IGF-1 axis, metabolism, and intestinal barrier function were significantly upregulated with increasing Schizochytrium levels up to 15.00 g/kg, whereas pro-inflammatory genes showed an opposite trend. Overall, dietary supplementation with Schizochytrium meal at 15.00 g/kg promotes growth, metamorphosis, and intestinal health in bullfrog tadpoles by modulating the GH-IGF-1 axis, enhancing digestion and absorption, and improving intestinal integrity. Optimal Schizochytrium meal levels were identified as 13.27 g/kg. Full article

This study investigates the anti-obesity and antidiabetic potential of P. palmata extracts produced through sequential enzymatic and alkaline treatments. Among the treatment groups, the extract treated solely with Alcalase^® (Alc) demonstrated the highest protein content (10.11 ± 0.15%) and degree of hydrolysis (30.36 ± 0.77%), significantly outperforming other treatments (p < 0.05). The Alc extract also exhibited superior inhibitory activity against porcine pancreatic lipase and α-amylase, achieving the lowest IC₅₀ for lipase (2.29 ± 0.87 mg.mL⁻¹) and showing significant enzyme inhibition across all tested concentrations (p < 0.05). Ultrafiltration of the Alc extract revealed that peptide fractions < 1 kDa and 1–3 kDa were most effective in enzyme inhibition, with IC₅₀ values of 3.25–3.55 mg.mL⁻¹ for both lipase and α-amylase. Peptides were identified via LC-MS/MS analysis and database searching using SequestHT, resulting in 536 sequences, of which bioinformatic screening yielded 51 non-toxic, non-allergenic candidates (PeptideRanker score > 0.6); four of these contained known inhibitory motifs for lipase and α-amylase. Molecular docking confirmed strong binding affinities between these peptides and their respective enzymes, supporting their potential as natural enzyme inhibitors. These findings indicate the functional food potential of Alcalase^®-derived P. palmata peptides for managing obesity and type 2 diabetes. Full article

A significant quantity of agro-industrial waste is generated globally across various agricultural sectors and food industries. Composed primarily of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin—known as lignocellulosic materials—this waste holds significant potential and can be repurposed as a nutrient-rich substrate for mushroom cultivation. Therefore, mushroom cultivation can be regarded as a promising biotechnological approach for the reduction and valorization of agro-industrial waste. This investigation is the first to explore the utilization of agro-industrial waste- and by-products for the cultivation of Epicoccum nigrum for the production of extracts with valuable biological activities. The logistic curve and autocatalytic growth models were applied to study the kinetics of the growth process on wheat bran, sunflower cake, wheat straw, pine sawdust, and steam-distilled lavender straw substrates. Through mathematical modeling, the optimal composition of a nutrient medium containing the selected substrates was determined and successfully validated in experimental conditions. Biologically active water extracts were obtained after solid-state cultivation with α-amylase and cellulase activity up to 10.6 ± 0.6 U/mL and 0.52 ± 0.03 U/g, respectively. The extracts exhibited antimicrobial activity against fungal strains from six different species, and the most susceptible was the phytopathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.156–0.313 mg/mL. Full article

Background: Inhibiting α-glucosidase and α-amylase is a well-established strategy for managing postprandial hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, the adverse effects of current α-glucosidase inhibitors (α-GIs) underscore the need for safer alternatives. Methods: This study introduces an efficient, metal-free, and environmentally friendly protocol for the selective, high-yield synthesis of 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazoles. The reaction between o-phenylenediamine and various aromatic aldehydes proceeds smoothly in water at room temperature, using cost-effective and eco-friendly catalysts such as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) or salicylic acid (SA). The methodology exhibits broad versatility, enabled by the use of different o-phenylenediamines and a wide range of aromatic and heteroaromatic aldehydes. Results: Selected compounds were assessed for their inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase and α-amylase. While all exhibited low α-amylase inhibition, several showed significant α-glucosidase inhibition, with compounds 8s (IC₅₀ = 0.39 ± 0.04 μM), 8k (IC₅₀ = 7.4 ± 1.6 μM) and 8r (IC₅₀ = 13.8 ± 2.7 μM) emerging as the most promising candidates. Notably, none of these compounds affected Caco-2 cell viability at concentrations up to 30 μM. Additionally, compounds 8r and 8s exhibited antioxidant properties, which may be relevant in counteracting the excessive production of free radicals associated with diabetes. Preliminary molecular docking and 500 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were carried out on compounds 3k, 8i, 8k, and 8p–8s to support and interpret the experimental biological findings qualitatively. Full article

Polysaccharides derived from green algae have garnered significant attention owing to their distinctive structural characteristics and biological activities. In particular, sulfated polysaccharides from these algae represent a promising frontier in the discovery of novel therapeutic agents. In this present study, a sulfated galactan from Caulerpa taxifolia, designated SGC, was obtained by dilute alkali extraction and chromatographic purification. On the basis of chemical and spectroscopic analyses, the backbone of SGC was constituted by a backbone of →3)-β-d-Galp-(1→ with sulfate substitution at the C-2 and a branch on C-6. The side chains contained →6)-β-d-Galp(2SO₄)-(1→, →6)-β-d-Galp(3OMe)-(1→ and →3)-β-d-Galp(4,6-Pyr)-(1→ units. SGC possessed strong hypoglycemic activity in vitro, as evaluated by an assay of α-amylase inhibition. The anti-diabetic activity of SGC in vivo was further investigated using T2DM mice induced by high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin. The results indicated that SGC markedly restored body weight, reduced fasting blood glucose and possessed a significant glucose-regulating effect. Furthermore, SGC effectively increased insulin sensitivity and mitigated insulin resistance. Additionally, SGC effectively regulated lipid metabolism and alleviated oxidative stress. Notably, SGC ameliorated liver and pancreas damage induced by high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin. The investigation demonstrates that SGC is a unique sulfated galactan and has potential as a novel anti-diabetic agent. Full article

This work studies the underexplored potential of Ilex guayusa and demonstrates the influence of geographical (locations: A, B, C) and ontogenetic (young: 0; old: 2) factors on its biochemical profile. The total phenolic content (TPC) was consistently higher than the total flavonoid content (TFC) in all samples, with the highest values for site B: B2 for TPC (77.91 μg GAE/mg extract) and B0 for TFC (6.77 μg QE/mg extract). GC–MS identified 29 metabolites, and clustering analysis grouped samples B and C as rich in phenols and flavonoids, while site A was richer in alcohols, aldehydes, and hydrocarbons. Antioxidant potential was demonstrated, with B2 being the most active in ABTS (TEAC value of 0.3885 (mg/g dw)), whereas A2 and C2 showed the strongest activity in DPPH (0.0968 and 0.1850 (mg/g dw), respectively). No sample exhibited hemolysis and α-amylase inhibition; however, α-glucosidase inhibition was observed with the best activity for B0 (IC₅₀ = 68.05 µg/mL). Molecular docking, ADME, and correlation analyses indicated that B0 had the highest TFC, DPPH, and α-glucosidase inhibition values, while B2 showed the highest TPC and ABTS activity. Overall, the promising antioxidant and hypoglycemic activity combined with low toxicity highlights and expands the therapeutic and applicative potential of the species. Full article

Sauce-flavor Daqu is the solid-state fermentation starter for sauce-flavor Baijiu. Its microbial community influences flavor formation, yet links between community change, process conditions, and flavor development during high-temperature fermentation remain unclear. We investigated Daqu fermentation by integrating high-throughput sequencing, monitoring of physicochemical parameters, and analysis of volatile compounds. Fermentation temperature showed three phases: rapid rise, fluctuating plateau, and gradual decline. High temperatures were associated with increased thermophilic microbes such as Bacillus and Thermoascus and with higher levels of reducing sugars and amino acid nitrogen; amylase, protease, and other hydrolase activities were detected. Bacterial composition varied more than fungal composition; Firmicutes and Ascomycota were the dominant phyla, and Bacillus and Thermoascus were abundant genera. Canonical correspondence analysis associated reducing sugars, acidity, and moisture with early community shifts, and amino acid nitrogen with later shifts; reducing sugars and moisture showed the strongest associations. Filamentous fungi and Bacillus correlated with pyrazine-type compounds. These results link microbial composition, process parameters, and flavor profiles, and may inform the standardization and mechanization of Daqu production. Full article

Background/Objectives: Bioactive peptides derived from animal venoms, toxins, and secretions demonstrate considerable pharmacological potential for use in the management of diabetes mellitus—a highly prevalent metabolic disorder of substantial global health significance. This integrative review systematically evaluated the current evidence regarding the pharmacological mechanisms underlying the antidiabetic properties of these bioactive peptides. Methods: This study was guided by the research question “What are the mechanisms of action of peptides derived from animal venoms in modulating parameters associated with diabetes?” developed using the PECo framework. A comprehensive literature search was executed across Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science, focusing on studies from the last five years. Out of 190 identified articles, 17 satisfied the inclusion criteria. Results: Twenty-eight distinct peptides were characterized, exhibiting structural diversity with 7–115 amino acid residues and molecular weights of 900–13,000 Da. These compounds were sourced from venomous taxa including sea anemones, marine snails, spiders, centipedes, scorpions, and snakes. Their antidiabetic mechanisms encompassed glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonism, insulin receptor activation, potassium channel inhibition, glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) upregulation, and α-amylase inhibition. Sequence analyses revealed substantial homology among peptides with analogous mechanisms—notably Con-Ins and ILP-Ap04, plus SpTx1 and SsTx-4—suggesting that structural determinants underlie their functional characteristics. Toxicological evaluations of nine peptides demonstrated low-toxicity profiles despite originating from toxic venom, crucial for therapeutic development. Conclusions: These peptides exhibited exceptional pharmacological potency with effective doses in nanogram-to-nanomole per kilogram ranges. Collectively, our findings underscore the therapeutic potential of venom-derived peptides as innovative candidates for use in diabetes management. Full article

The parturition season of grazing Tibetan ewes spans from October to March, a period that exacerbates the adverse impacts of nutrient-deficient herbage on milk yield, body condition, and postpartum recovery. To alleviate the weight loss of ewes during the cold seasons, we provided concentrate supplements at four levels (dry matter (DM) basis), 260 g (C1), 440 g (C2), 520 g (C3), and 610 g (C4), alongside a basal diet of grazed pasture. A total of 96 multiparous Tibetan ewes (third parity, body weight: 45.17 ± 3.69 kg (body weight (BW) were enrolled within 12–18 h postpartum and randomly allocated to four dietary groups (n = 24 ewes per group). We measured growth performance, ruminal histomorphology, fermentation parameters, and digestive enzymes. A multi-omics technique (16S rRNA gene sequencing and RNA-seq) was employed to investigate the mechanisms underlying alterations in ruminal function. The results showed that increasing the concentrate level decreased body weight loss and increased average dry matter intake (p < 0.05). Rumen morphology was significantly altered: papilla width and muscle layer thickness were greatest in the C4 group, whereas submucosal thickness was highest in the C1 group (p < 0.05). Cellulase activity was lowest in the C1 group (p < 0.05). Papilla width of lactating Tibetan ewes in the C4 group was higher (p < 0.05) than that in the C1 and C3 groups. Concentrate supplementation altered ruminal microbiota composition and diversity. Each group exhibited a distinct microbial signature: the C1 group was characterized by Lachnospiraceae_XPB1014_group, Candidatus_Omnitrophus, Paenibacillus, and unclassified_Oligoflexaceae; the C2 group was enriched in Papillibacter, Anaerovibrio, V9D2013_group, and unclassified_Peptococcaceae; the C3 group was characterized by unclassified_Bacteroidales_RF16_group; and the C4 group was characterized by Ruminococcus, Pseudobutyrivibrio, and Mitsuokella (p < 0.05). Transcriptomic analysis identified differentially expressed genes (TRPA1, EPHB1, GATA3, C4, ABCG2, THBS4, and TNFRSF11B) that are predominantly involved in immune regulation, signal transduction, and nutrient digestion. The results of Spearman correlation analysis showed that Anaerovibrio was negatively correlated with propionate (r = −0.565, p < 0.05). However, it was positively correlated with the ratio of acetate and propionate (r = 0.579, p < 0.05). Moreover, Lachnospiraceae_XPB1014_group was negatively correlated with cellulase (r = −0.699, p < 0.05) and α-amylase (r = −0.514, p < 0.05). These findings suggest that the increasing concentrate supplementation alleviates body weight loss in lactating Tibetan sheep by orchestrating improvements in rumen histomorphology, digestive function, altering bacteria composition, and ruminal immune and modulating host epithelial gene expression. Full article

Disorders in soybean seed-filling can lead to wrinkled seeds, affecting yield and quality. Previous studies have demonstrated that some soybean cultivars from Jiamusi, Heilongjiang Province (cold-temperate continental monsoon, ~3.5 °C mean annual temperature, ~530 mm precipitation) exhibit seed-filling disorders when cultivated in Shenyang, Liaoning Province (mid-temperate semi-humid continental monsoon, ~8.3 °C, ~610 mm). However, the causes and regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, Henong 76 (a soybean cultivar with seeds less prone to wrinkling) and Heihe 43 (a soybean cultivar with seeds prone to wrinkling) were used as experimental materials. They were sown simultaneously in Jiamusi and Shenyang, respectively, to explore the causes of seed-filling disorders in Heihe 43. The results indicated that there were significant differences in the contents of soluble sugars and starch, as well as in the activities of sucrose synthase and invertase, between the seeds of Henong 76 and Heihe 43 grown in Shenyang. However, no significant differences were found between them in Jiamusi. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses suggested that genes related to controlling starch hydrolysis (isoamylase, α-amylase, and glycogen phosphorylase) and sucrose synthesis and decomposition (sucrose synthase, invertase, glucose-6-phosphate isomerase, and phosphoglucomutase) in Heihe 43 were upregulated in Shenyang. In contrast, genes regulating plant hormone signal transduction (auxin, gibberellin, abscisic acid, and cytokinin) were generally downregulated. These changes led to differences in metabolites, resulting in the occurrence of seed-filling disorders. Furthermore, we analyzed the climatic conditions of the two cultivars during the soybean seed-filling period. The results indicated that high temperature might be the primary meteorological factor contributing to the occurrence of seed-filling disorders. All results indicated that the insufficient accumulation of sugars in seeds due to exposure to high temperatures during the seed-filling period is the primary cause of the prone-to-wrinkling phenomenon of the Heihe 43 cultivar under the ecological conditions of Shenyang. Full article

Background: Dental phobia significantly impairs treatment adherence and oral health–related quality of life. While intravenous sedation (IVS) is commonly used to manage anxiety, interest in non-pharmacological alternatives is increasing. Visual color stimuli are known to affect emotional processing and autonomic nervous system activity. This study investigated whether brief exposure to colored goggles (translucent, green, blue, red) influenced physiological and psychological stress markers in patients with dental phobia undergoing IVS. Methods: Twenty patients with dental phobia (CMDAS ≥ 20) participated in a within-subject repeated measures design, experiencing all four color conditions in randomized order via Latin square. Salivary alpha-amylase (sAA), heart rate (HR), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores for pain and satisfaction were measured at four time points. The Friedman test, followed by Wilcoxon signed-rank tests with Bonferroni correction, was used to compare conditions. Results: Prior to peripheral intravenous cannulation (PIC), green goggle exposure significantly reduced median sAA levels compared to the translucent control (p = 0.009). HR was lower in the green and blue conditions than in the red, although not significantly. VAS pain scores were significantly reduced under green and blue conditions; satisfaction scores remained uniformly high across all conditions. Red did not worsen stress responses compared to the control and may promote increased engagement. Conclusions: Cool color stimuli—particularly green and blue—may attenuate acute stress responses in patients with dental phobia prior to PIC. Incorporating such visual cues into preoperative environments may serve as a simple, non-invasive adjunct to managing dental anxiety. Full article

Soil salinization is one of the most important factors limiting the sustainable development of global agriculture. As the core driving force of the soil carbon cycle, soil-carbon-metabolism-related enzyme activity is very important for soil ecological balance and fertility enhancement. To explore the spatial and temporal variation characteristics and coupling mechanisms of soil water, salt, nutrients and enzyme activities in different salinized wheat fields in the Yellow River Delta, field experiments were conducted in Dongying City, Shandong Province. The results showed that the soil moisture content of the low-salt wheat field was higher and that the salt content of three wheat fields was concentrated in the 0–20 cm and 80–100 cm soil layers. Here, soil nutrients and enzyme activities are concentrated in the 0–20 cm topsoil, with significant differences in different degrees among salinized wheat fields at the different growth stages of wheat. Overall, invertase activity (S-SC) and amylase activity (S-AL) presented a trend of low salt > high salt > medium salt, while cellulase activity (S-CL) presented a trend of medium salt > low salt > high salt. Redundancy analysis showed that available potassium (AK) (67.6%) and electric conductivity (EC) (21.2%) in the low-salinity wheat field, total nitrogen (TN) (48.6%) and AK (28.8%) in the medium-salinity wheat field, and EC (67%) and soil organic matter (SOM) (19%) in the high-salinity wheat field contributed the most to soil enzyme activity. This study provides a theoretical basis for the management and sustainable development of different salinized wheat fields in the Yellow River Delta. Full article

Objectives: Lepidium meyenii Walpers (LMW), a high-altitude plant, is known to stimulate hormone release, counteract neurodegeneration, and protect against oxidative stress. Saliva is vital for oral health, and reduced production leads to xerostomia, often caused by aging, radiation, or Sjögren’s syndrome. Key pathological features include mesenchymal fibrosis and acinar atrophy, largely regulated by the TGF-β1 pathway. Current treatments are limited, with many patients relying on artificial saliva. Developing therapies to restore salivary function could offer significant benefits. Methods: In this study, we assessed the protective effects of LMW extract (LMWE) in irradiated C57BL/6J mice and TGF-β1-treated rat parotid acinar cells (Par-C10) using histological, molecular, bioenergetic, and 3D organoid analyses to evaluate salivary gland regeneration and lineage-specific differentiation. Results: LMWE significantly restored gland weight, shortened secretion lag time, and increased amylase activity in irradiated mice. Histological and molecular analyses showed reduced acinar atrophy and fibrosis, preservation of epithelial polarity, and upregulation of Mist1, AQP5, and amylase. In vitro, LMWE protected Par-C10 cells from TGF-β1-induced senescence, preserved mitochondrial membrane potential, and improved epithelial barrier function. In 3D organoid cultures of Par-C10 cells embedded in matrix, (1E,4Z)-1-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) penta-1,4-dien-3-one (DHPPD) and (Z)-N-phenyldodec-2-enamide (E4Z-PD)-selectively enhanced acinar and ductal lineage differentiation, respectively. Conclusions: These results suggest that LMWE promotes salivary gland regeneration through antioxidative and lineage-specific mechanisms and may represent a safe and effective therapeutic strategy for xerostomia. Full article

In recent years, in response to the demand for the livestock industry to enhance cattle production performance, scholarly inquiries have centered on elucidating the underlying mechanisms by which feed additives modulate rumen microenvironment and metabolic efficacy, thereby facilitating nutrient absorption and augmenting production performance in cattle. This study was undertaken to evaluate the impacts of surfactant polyacrylamide (PAM) supplementation on digestive processes, metabolic dynamics, and ruminal digestive enzyme activities in cattle. Four ruminally cannulated crossbred cows (~3 years, 350 kg, non-pregnant/lactating) were utilized in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. The animals were fed a basal diet supplemented with polyacrylamide (PAM) at concentrations of 0, 1.0, 2.0, and 6.0 g/kg across four 22-day experimental periods, each consisting of a 16-day adaptation phase and a 6-day sampling phase. Supplementation with polyacrylamide (PAM) at levels ranging from 1.0 to 6.0 g/kg of diet significantly increased voluntary dry matter intake (VFI) in cattle by a maximum of 13.7% (p < 0.05), with peak effects at 2.0 g/kg. The digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, cellulose, and energy was significantly improved (p < 0.05 to p < 0.01), reaching maximum increases by 12.6%, 12.8%, 17.5%, and 11.7%, respectively. Nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus retention increased substantially (p < 0.01 to p < 0.05), with calcium retention showing the highest improvement (55.7%). Rumen cellulase activities (endocellulase, exocellulase, cellobiase, and xylanase) were significantly enhanced (p < 0.01), peaking at 37.3% for cellobiase. However, pectase, amylase, and protease activities remained unaffected. Optimal benefits were observed at 2.0 g/kg PAM, highlighting its potential to improve feed efficiency and nutrient utilization in cattle. Full article