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This study aimed to evaluate the dietary administration of a blend composed of carvacrol, tannic acid derived from Castanea sativa mill and Glycyrrhiza glabra, medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) glycerides for weanling piglets. An in vitro digestion followed by total phenolic content (TPC) and total antioxidant activity (TAC) assessment was performed before the in vivo application. At weaning, a total of 210 piglets were randomly allocated to two experimental treatments (7 replicates/15 piglets for each replicate). Control group (CTR) was fed a standard basal diet while the treated group (T) was fed the basal diet mixed with 1.500 mg/kg of blend. After in vitro digestion, TPC and TAC evidenced peaks at the end of oral and gastric phases in comparison to the intestinal one in line with the high content of phenolic compound (P < 0.05). Treatment conditioned body weight and average daily gain (P < 0.05), fecal score on 6, 7, and 8 d after weaning (P < 0.05). At 35d, the T group showed a decrease in salivary cortisol compared to CTR (P < 0.05). Duodenum and jejunum sections of T piglets revealed higher villi (P < 0.05), deeper crypts (P < 0.01), and increased V/C ratio (P < 0.01). CTR showed a higher expression of duodenal Occludin (P < 0.05). Jejunal E-cadherin and Occludin were more expressed in T jejunum sections (P < 0.05). Twelve differentially abundant genera were identified in T group caecal samples. Potentially harmful Clostridium sensu stricto 13 was reduced by the treatment (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the tested blend positively affected salivary stress markers and the gut health of weaned piglets.

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BACKGROUND: The gastrointestinal symptom rating scale (GSRS) is a questionnaire in English language which is designed to assess the clinical symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and peptic ulcer disease. This validated scale has questions on around 15 items and has been validated in patients with dyspepsia and IBS. AIM: To translate and validate the English version of the GSRS questionnaire to the Hindi version. METHODS: The purpose of the present work was to create a Hindi version of this questionnaire for use in the Indian population. The process involved various steps as per the World Health Organization methodology including initial forward translation, backward translation, and assessment by an expert committee. Initial pilot testing was followed by testing in healthy and diseased individuals. RESULTS: The Hindi translation was pilot tested in 20 individuals and further validated in healthy controls (n = 30, 15 females) and diseased individuals (n = 72, 27 females). The diseased group included patients with functional dyspepsia and IBS. Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency on the final translated GSRS questionnaire was 0.715 which is considered adequate. Twelve questions significantly differentiated the diseased population from the healthy population (P value < 0.05) in the translated Hindi version of the GSRS. CONCLUSION: The translated Hindi GSRS can be used to evaluate gastrointestinal function in clinical trials and community surveys in Hindi speaking populations.

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Bovine dairy foods provide several essential nutrients. Fermented bovine dairy foods contain additional compounds, increasing their potential to benefit gastrointestinal health. This review explores the effects of dairy consumption on the gut microbiome and symptoms in gastrointestinal disease cohorts. Human subjects with common gastrointestinal diseases (functional gastrointestinal disorders and inflammatory bowel disease) or associated symptoms, and equivalent animal models were included. A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase and Web of Science. The search yielded 3014 studies in total, with 26 meeting inclusion criteria, including 15 human studies (1550 participants) and 11 animal studies (627 subjects). All test foods were fermented bovine dairy products, primarily fermented milk and yogurt. Six studies reported increases in gastrointestinal bacterial alpha diversity, with nine studies reporting increases in relative Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium abundance. Six studies reported increases in beneficial short-chain fatty acids, while three reported decreases. Gastrointestinal symptoms, specifically gut comfort and defecation frequency, improved in 14 human studies. Five animal studies demonstrated reduced colonic damage and improved healing. This review shows fermented bovine dairy consumption may improve gut microbial characteristics and gastrointestinal symptoms in gastrointestinal disease cohorts. Further human intervention studies are needed, expanding test foods and capturing non-self-reported gastrointestinal measures.

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From Italian physician Hieronymus Mercurialis's contention that the stomach was 'the king of the belly', to its promotion by the end of the nineteenth century to the 'monarch of humanity' in patent medicine, to Byron Robinson's discovery of the enteric nervous system in 1907 (a mesh of neural connectivity that led him to dub the gut 'the second brain'), there has historically been a longstanding awareness of the expansive reach of the gut in the functions of the body. In the nineteenth century, the authority of the gut and its allyship with the brain became a focus for writers thinking about the intersections of illness and 'modern life'. In medical texts, domestic health manuals, patent medicine, and fiction, the electric telegraph in particular became a way of envisaging what we would now call the 'gut-brain axis'. The telegraphic metaphor enabled a view of digestion as not simply a mechanical or chemical process, but one that was understood in terms of time, space, and communication. However, such a framework also suggested problems of connection that were common to both systems, emphasising not only the healthy body's quasi-telegraphic networks but also its vulnerability to delay, disruption, and pathological incoherence. This article will explore the use of telegraphic technologies as proxies for theorising gastric connection and more broadly the concept of 'gastric time' as a key conceit for understanding digestion as a process that was and is subject to the idiosyncrasies of bodily rhythms.

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(1) Background: In a metabolomics analysis conducted to investigate the mechanisms behind the growth-promoting effects of probiotics in broilers, ß-alanine was found to be significantly elevated. This led to the hypothesis that ß-alanine could also contribute to growth-promoting effects in infected broilers. (2) Methods: An in vitro culture system was developed to assess ß-alanine's impact on proinflammatory cytokine response in chicken macrophage cells, gut integrity in chicken intestinal epithelial cells, and muscle differentiation in quail muscle cells and primary chicken embryonic muscle cells. In vivo animal feeding studies were then conducted to investigate the effects of dietary ß-alanine on various disease parameters in Eimeria maxima-infected broiler chickens. (3) Results: In vitro, ß-alanine treatment significantly decreased the gene expression of cytokines in chicken macrophage cells and increased occuldin expression in chicken intestinal epithelial cells. Dietary ß-alanine increased the body weight of chickens following Eimeria maxima infection in the H-ALA group. Dietary ß-alanine also suppressed cytokines and increased JAM-2 and occludin expression in the H-ALA group compared to the infected group without ß-alanine supplementation. (4) Conclusions: These results strongly support the positive effects of dietary ß-alanine on intestinal immune responses and gut barrier function in broiler chickens infected with Eimeria maxima.

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Considerable research has been conducted into the efficacy of individual probiotics in broiler production, however information on the most effective combinations of synergistic Bacillus probiotic is lacking. This study investigated the impact of different Bacillus strain combinations in broiler chickens, as well as in vitro enzyme production. In experiment one, a total of 576 Ross 308 broilers at 1 d old were grown for 21 d across 6 treatments of maize-soybean diets (n = 12 pens per treatment) to compare three different strain combinations (formulation 1 [F1]: 3 strains Bacillus amyloliquefaciens; F2: Bacillus coagulans and 2 strains B. amyloliquefaciens; F3: B. coagulans, Bacillus licheniformis and 2 strains B. amyloliquefaciens; F5: Bacillus subtilis, B. licheniformis and 2 strains B. amyloliquefaciens), positive control (PC), and a negative control antibiotic treatment group (NC). In Exp. 2, a total of 360 one-day-old ROSS308 broilers were used to test five treatments (n = 9) including PC, NC, F1 and F5 (selected from Exp. 1), and F4 (Bacillus pumilis and 2 strains B. amyloliquefaciens) in a maize-soybean diet. B. amyloliquefaciens F1 demonstrated a significant improvement in feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to F2 at d 14 (1.49 vs 2.10; P = 0.038) and the body weight (BW) at d 21 (847.0 g vs 787.4 g) compared to other combinations (P = 0.027). The FCR at d 21 tended to be lower in birds fed F1 (1.46 vs 1.66) compared to the control (P = 0.068). Probiotic treatments had significantly improved nutrient digestibility compared to the PC and NC. Also, probiotic treatments supported the growth of Streptococcus, a common commensal genus and reduced the abundance of genera that correlated with low weight gain such as Akkermansia. Experiment two revealed that F4 improved FCR (P < 0.001) and BW at 28 d (P = 0.014). In vitro testing showed a high production of protease and amylase by Bacillus. Thus, the addition of Bacillus probiotics, particularly containing B. amyloliquefaciens strains and Bacillus pumilus, into the diet of broiler chickens improves production performance, nutrient digestibility, and allows the proliferation of beneficial gut microbiota.

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Intermittent fasting (IF) is an increasingly popular dietary approach involving alternating fasting and eating periods. This review aims to summarize the growing body of literature demonstrating that IF is a potential nutritional practice that involves alternating periods of fasting and eating and the numerous benefits of IF, especially in the modulation of healthy gut microbiota. The positive impact of intermittent fasting on gut microbiota not only promotes gastrointestinal health but also has far-reaching effects on critical systems throughout the body. Additionally, the evidence presented in this review highlights the significant preventive and therapeutic effects of intermittent fasting on a wide range of disorders. This includes reducing the risk of diabetes, and neurological disorders, alleviating obesity, and enhancing the functioning of the liver, ultimately contributing to the maintenance of metabolic equilibrium. Perhaps most notably, these effects play a substantial role in preventing diabetes, a global health concern of increasing significance. This comprehensive investigation delves into the scientific foundations of intermittent fasting's impact on gut microbiota and its implications for averting chronic diseases, providing valuable insights for future research and therapeutic applications.

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Brewery by-products are recognised as suitable rearing substrates for Hermetia illucens, better known as black soldier fly (BSF) but information about the impact of different ratios of brewer's spent grains (BSG) and brewer's spent yeast (BSY) are still scarce. This study evaluated the effects of BSG-BSY-based diets on BSF larval growth, survival, bioconversion efficiency, nutritional profile, and microbiota and mycobiota. A total of 3 000 6-day-old BSF larvae were allotted to five dietary treatments (six replicate boxes/diet, 100 larvae/box): (i) BSY2.5 (25 g/kg of BSY+975 g/kg of BSG), (ii) BSY5 (50 g/kg of BSY+950 g/kg of BSG), (iii) BSY7.5 (75 g/kg of BSY+925 g/kg of BSG), (iv) BSY10 (100 g/kg of BSY+900 g/kg of BSG), and (v) control (Gainesville diet). Larval weight and substrate pH were recorded every 4 days. At the end of the trial (5% of prepupae), bioconversion efficiency corrected for residue (BER), reduction rate (RR), and waste reduction index (WRI) were calculated, and the larval proximate composition, microbiota and mycobiota characterised. At 10 and 14 days of age, BSY7.5 and BSY10 larvae displayed higher weight than BSY2.5 and BSY5 (P < 0.05), with BSY10 larvae showing the highest weight among the BSG-BSY-based diets at the end of the trial (P < 0.05). The BSY7.5 and BSY10 larvae also displayed a better BER than BSY2.5 and BSY5 (P < 0.01), whereas similar RR, WRI, survival and development time, as well as pH, were, however, observed among the BSG-BSY-based diets (P > 0.05). The BSY10 larvae displayed lower ether extract content than the other BSG-BSY-based diets (P > 0.001). The use of BSG-BSY-based diets did not influence the alpha diversity of larval microbiota and mycobiota (P > 0.05), but a specific microbial signature was identified per each dietary treatment (Porphyromonadaceae [BSY5], Sphingomonas [BSY7.5], Bacillus [BSY10] and Ruminococcus and Myroides [BSG-BSY-based diets]; P < 0.05). Co-occurrence and co-exclusion analysis also showed that Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pichia excluded and favoured, respectively, the presence of Streptomyces and Fluviicola, while Clavispora lusitaniae was associated with Myroides (P < 0.05). In conclusion, BSG-BSY-based diets are suitable for rearing HI in terms of larval performance, nutritional profile, and microbiota and mycobiota, with 7.5 and 10% of BSY inclusion levels being able to improve larval growth and bioconversion efficiency.

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This study investigated the potential of 2'-Fucosyllactose (2'-FL) and galactooligosaccharides (GOS) combinations as a novel and cost-effective substitute for human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) in promoting gut health and reducing inflammation. In vitro studies using Caco-2 cells showed that 2'-FL and GOS combinations (H1: GOS:2'-FL ratio of 1.8:1; H2: ratio of 3.6:1) reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation by decreasing pro-inflammatory markers, while individual treatments had no significant effects. In a mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis, combined 2'-FL and GOS supplementation alleviated symptoms, improved gut permeability, and enhanced intestinal structure, with the GH1 group (H1 combo with DSS) being the most effective. 2'-FL and GOS combinations also enhanced short-chain fatty acid production in infant fecal batch fermentation and mouse fecal analysis, with GH1 showing the most promising results. GH1 supplementation altered gut microbiota in mice with DSS-induced colitis, promoting microbial diversity and a more balanced Firmicutes to Bacteroidota ratio. Infant formula products (IFPs) containing 2'-FL and GOS combinations (IFP2: 174 mg GOS and 95 mg 2'-FL per 14 g serving, 1.8:1 ratio; IFP3: 174 mg GOS and 48 mg 2'-FL per 14 g serving, 3.6:1 ratio) demonstrated gastrointestinal protective and anti-inflammatory properties in a coculture model of Caco-2 and THP-1 cells. These findings suggest that 2'-FL and GOS combinations have potential applications in advanced infant formulas and supplements to promote gut health and reduce inflammation.

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Recently there has been growing recognition of the productive and protective features of our microbial kin and the crucial role of 'commensal' microbes in supporting and sustaining health. Current microbiological and pharmacological literature is increasingly highlighting the role of maternal gut microbiomes in the long-term health of both mothers and children. Drawing on the information and advice directed towards Australian parents from conception through the first years of a child's life, we consider its messaging about the need to secure for the foetus/future-child an enduring, optimal state of health by managing the maternal microbiome. We argue that this post-Pasteurian trend gives rise to relations of care that are, at once, newly collective and more-than-human-but also disciplinary in ways that position the maternal microbiome as a new site of scrutiny that disproportionately responsibilises and burdens mothers. We notice how microbiome research is used both to reframe motherhood as a form of micro(bial)-management and to maintain motherhood as a medicalised process. The feminist and more-than-human potential that this research can provide is missing in the way these resources are presented to parents.

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Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) refer to a group of disorders with chronic symptoms, such as abdominal pain, dysphagia, dyspepsia, diarrhea, constipation, and bloating. Among these, functional constipation significantly impacts the quality of life and is linked with comorbidities, such as anxiety and depression. The exact pathophysiology remains unclear despite the widespread occurrence. Research suggests that the gut-brain axis plays a role in FGIDs. Disruptions in the bidirectional communication between the brain and gastrointestinal (GI) tract contribute to GI symptoms and mood disturbances. The incomplete understanding of FGID pathophysiology has led to limited treatment options. Traditional treatments often focus on single symptoms and come with side effects, prompting the need for alternative approaches that address both GI and psychological components. Alternative approaches including herbal supplements offer a natural alternative to conventional medicine by promoting regularity and gut health. Abelmoschus esculentus L. or okra has a history of use in traditional medicine. Bioactive compounds such as polysaccharides and fibers found in okra offer gastroprotective benefits. Withania somnifera is a plant commonly referred to as ashwagandha. The plant root has been used for its health-promoting effects. Research supports the use of W. somnifera to help with stress and sleep. Digexin is a herbal supplement combining W. somnifera (ashwagandha) and A. esculentus (okra). It has shown promise in improving both GI regularity and mood by modulating the gut-brain axis. Clinical studies support the potential of a novel herbal supplement that aids in the management of FGIDs. This narrative review looks at FGIDs, etiologies, current treatment, and possible therapeutic supplements to aid in symptom management.

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Galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) is a prebiotic isolated from whey. This study evaluated the optimal inclusion rate for improving growth and health performance of neonatal calves. Eighty-eight 2-5-d old Holstein bull calves were blocked by initial BW and randomly allocated to 1 of 4 treatments using a RCBD. Treatments comprised a 22:20 (CP: fat) amino acid balanced milk replacer (MR) with GOS added at the rate of 0 g/d (Control or GOS0), 2 g/d (GOS2), 4 g/d (GOS4), and 8 g/d (GOS8). Calves received 0.283 kg MR in 1.9 L fed 2 x/d for the first 14 d, then increased to 0.42 kg in 2.84 L fed 2x/d through d 35, followed by 0.42 kg MR in 2.84 L fed 1x/d through d 42, followed by weaning. The GOS inclusion rate remained constant as milk volume increased. Calves fed GOS at 2, 4, and 8 g/d demonstrated similar growth performance compared with calves fed GOS0. Calves fed GOS4 demonstrated a carryover effect into post-weaning resulting in a tendency for increased (P < 0.08) BW (82.5, 83.0, 85.3, and 83.1 kg for GOS0, GOS2, GOS4, and GOS8, respectively), BW gains (37.8, 38.2, 41.3 and 38.6 kg), and ADG (687, 696, 751, and 701 g/d). The ADG was increased by 9.3% when feeding calves GOS4 compared with calves fed GOS0. Calf starter DMI was greater at 7 (1.73,1.86, 1.95, and 1.83 kg/d) and 8 (2.34, 2.50, 2.60, 2.49 kg/d) wk of age for calves fed GOS4 compared with calves fed GOS0 with remaining treatments being intermediate and similar. Feed conversion (0.552, 0.529, 0.563, 0.545 kg/kg) was greater for calves fed GOS0 and GOS4 g/d compared with calves fed GOS2 with calves fed GOS8 being intermediate and similar. Body frame gains were similar for calves fed all GOS inclusion rates. A treatment by week interaction at wk 2 indicated that calves fed GOS2 demonstrated greater fecal score = 0 d than calves fed the remaining treatments, indicating less scours. In conclusion, supplementing GOS to a milk replacer at 4 g/d fed to neonatal calves improved growth performance without compromising health conditions.

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Different yeast strains benefit postweaning piglets by promoting intestinal health. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a yeast mixture containing Kluyveromyces marxianus fragilis, Pichia guilliermondii, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Vetoquinol italia s.r.l., Italy) on gut health parameters and growth performance traits of weaned piglets. Forty-eight postweaning castrated male piglets (27 ± 1.7 days, 7.19 ± 0.54 kg) were randomly allocated to two homogeneous experimental groups and involved in a 28-day trial. Both the groups received a basal diet with (yeast mixture, YM) or without (control, CTR) the inclusion of 0.8% yeast mixture during weeks 1 and 2, and 0.6% during weeks 3 and 4. Individual BW and box feed intake were determined on days 0, 14, and 28, and average daily gain and Gain:Feed ratio were subsequently calculated for each administration period (0-14, 14-28). Individual faecal samples were collected for microbiota analysis on days 4, 14, 21, and 28, and faecal score was evaluated on the same days. At the end of the trial, 12 piglets for each group were sacrificed, and ileal tissue was sampled for morphological analysis and the evaluation of mucins profile, using Alcian-Blue/Periodic Acid-Shiff (PAS) staining. On ileum samples, dividing and differentiated epithelial cells were also identified using proliferating cell nuclear antigen and alkaline phosphatase expression, respectively. Differences in the means between the experimental groups were determined by ANOVA, while the metataxonomics analyses were performed by sequencing for V3 and V4 hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA gene. Growth performance traits were not different among the two experimental groups when considering the whole trial period, while treated animals showed increased faecal consistency on weeks 1 and 4 (P = 0.036 and 0.021, respectively). Yeast mixture administration increased the abundance of Bifidobacterium (P = 0.006) and Coprococcus 2 (P = 0.015), and decreased Clostridium Sensu Stricto 1 (P = 0.019) at all the considered timepoints. Ileum villous height, villous width, and crypt depth were significantly increased by yeast mixture supplementation (P = 0.019; P = 0.013; P = 0.036, respectively), while no differences were observed for the villous:crypt ratio among the groups. The mucin profile showed no differences among experimental groups for acid and neutral glycoconjugates. However, a higher presence of PAS-positive mucins was highlighted in the villi of YM piglets (P < 0.001) compared to CTR. Overall, the administration of a yeast mixture to postweaning piglets showed positive effects on gut health when compared to piglets not receiving the tested product, improving beneficial genera and intestinal morphology.

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Brewer's dried yeast has a high nutritional value and has long been utilized by the animal feed industry as a source of protein, B-complex vitamins, and minerals. Brewer's dried yeast is also rich in bioactive compounds and may thereby be used as a functional ingredient, providing benefits beyond that of its nutrient content. Canola meal is a high-fiber ingredient that also has unique properties, especially when it is wetted and dried using a proprietary drying system that creates a "functionalized" canola meal. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of a yeast-enriched functionalized canola meal (FCM) on apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) and the fecal quality, metabolite concentrations, and microbiota populations, and immune function of healthy adult dogs. Twelve adult female beagles (body weight [BW] = 7.6 ±â€…0.7 kg; age = 5.8 ±â€…1.3) were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 28-d periods. Each experimental period consisted of a 22-d adaptation phase, 5 d of total and fresh fecal collection, and blood collection on the last day. To start, all dogs were fed a basal diet to maintain BW for 14 d. Following fecal and blood collections at baseline (-1 d) to confirm health status, experimental periods began testing the following dietary treatments using a Latin square design experiment: 1) FCM only (no yeast inclusion), 2) FCM + low yeast dose, 3) FCM + medium yeast dose, and 4) FCM + high yeast dose. All treatments were top-dressed onto the basal diet at a rate estimated to be 1% of daily intake (as-is basis). Statistical analysis was performed using the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS with the main effect of treatment and the random effect of dog. Significance was declared at P ≤ 0.05, and trends reported if 0.05 < P ≤ 0.10. Supplementation with yeast-enriched FCM had no significant effect on the ATTD of macronutrients or energy or the fecal characteristics, metabolite concentrations, and microbiota populations of dogs. Additionally, no significant differences were observed in circulating immune cell counts or response to Toll-like receptor agonists among treatments. Our results suggest that the yeast-enriched FCM could be included in canine diets without negatively affecting stool quality, fecal metabolite concentrations, or ATTD. Further research is necessary to determine the effective dose of yeast-enriched FCM, potential mechanisms of action, and other potential implications it has on canine health.

Brewer's dried yeast has a high nutritional value and has long been utilized by the animal feed industry as a source of protein, B-complex vitamins, and minerals. Because yeast is rich in polyphenols, mannanoligosaccharides, and ß-glucans, it may also be used as a functional ingredient, providing benefits beyond that of its nutrient content. Canola meal is a high-fiber ingredient that also has unique properties, especially when it is wetted and dried using a proprietary drying system that creates a "functionalized" canola meal. In this experiment, functionalized canola meal was enriched with different levels of brewer's dried yeast, then fed to dogs to evaluate its effects on nutrient digestibility, stool characteristics, microbiota populations, and immunity. The results showed that the yeast-enriched functionalized canola meal had no impact on nutrient digestibility or fecal characteristics. Additionally, no differences were observed in immune cell counts or immune cell activation after challenge. In conclusion, yeast-enriched functionalized canola meal may be supplemented in canine diets without negatively affecting stool quality, fecal metabolite concentrations, or digestibility. Further research is necessary to determine the effective dose of yeast-enriched functionalized canola meal, potential mechanisms of action, and other potential implications it has on canine health.

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The objective of this study was to determine the effects that increasing doses of encapsulated butyric acid and zinc (BZ) have on feedlot steer growth performance, rumen morphometrics and small intestine histology (data not statistically analyzed), dietary net energy utilization, and carcass characteristics. Steers [n = 272; shrunk body weight (BW) = 360 kg ±â€…74 kg] were assigned to dietary treatments [0 (CON), 1, 2, or 3 g BZ/kg diet dry matter] in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with pen (n = 32 total; n = 8 per treatment) as experimental unit. Pens were blocked by cattle source and location within the feedyard. Cattle were fed until visually assessed to have 1.27 cm rib-fat and were shipped for harvest at a commercial beef abattoir. Carcass and liver health data were recorded. A subset of steers (n = 8 total; n = 2 per treatment) was harvested at the SDSU Meat Laboratory to collect empty body measurements, rumen samples for morphometric analysis, and duodenal and ileal samples for histological analysis to provide context to feeding trial outcomes. Feedlot growth performance data was calculated on a carcass-adjusted basis: hot carcass weight (HCW)/0.625. Data were analyzed as a RCBD with fixed effects of BZ inclusion level and block was considered a random effect; pre-planned contrasts for CON vs. BZ, plus linear, and quadratic responses were tested. No differences (P ≥ 0.11) were observed for final BW, dry matter intake, average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion efficiency (G:F), performance calculated dietary net energy, HCW, ribeye area, rib-fat thickness, marbling score, estimated empty body fat, or distribution of USDA yield grade (YG) 1, 3, 4, 5, and USDA quality grade among treatments. A tendency (P = 0.10) was observed for CON vs. BZ for calculated YG. Tendencies were detected for USDA YG 2 carcass distribution (linear; P = 0.07) and for normal and abscessed liver prevalence (quadratic; P = 0.08). Dressed yield tended to be greater (P = 0.08) for BZ vs. CON and increased with dose (linear; P = 0.05). Receiving period shrunk BW, ADG, and G:F was improved (P ≤ 0.02) for BZ-supplemented steers compared to CON. Data from this study suggests that the addition of BZ to feedlot finishing diets to improve receiving period growth performance and decreasing the prevalence of abscessed livers should be further investigated.

Encapsulating butyric acid and zinc (BZ) can allow a timed release through the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) which can potentially improve rumen and intestinal epithelial health, as well as improve growth performance and carcass characteristics of cattle. We conducted a study to determine how increasing dietary inclusion of BZ affects feedlot steer growth performance, GIT health, and carcass traits. Four inclusion levels were tested in this experiment: 0, 1, 2, and 3 g BZ/kg diet (dry matter basis). Inclusion of BZ improved growth performance during the initial 28 d receiving period but did not alter growth performance for the cumulative feeding period. Only minor differences were observed for GIT health markers and carcass traits for steers supplemented BZ compared to non-supplemented steers. However, the prevalence of liver abscesses was quadratically affected by an increasing dose of BZ where 0 and 3 g BZ/kg had the highest prevalence and 1 and 2 g BZ/kg had the lowest prevalence. These data indicate that the use of BZ may be beneficial during the dietary adaptation period, and growth performance benefits may persist through the finishing period.

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This study investigated the influence of supplementing with jack beans on jejunal morphology, cecal short-chain fatty acids production, gene expression both of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and tight junctions. Four treatment groups including 288 Indian River chicks that were one day old were randomized at random. While the treatment groups received jack bean supplementation at levels of 5 %, 10 %, and 15 %, the control group (0 %) was given a basal diet. For 11-35 days, each treatment consisted of 8 pens with 9 birds each. Supplementing with jack beans significantly enhanced butyrate production (P < 0.001), while at 10 % supplementation did not differ from control. Villus height (VH) and the ratio (VH:CD) were significantly (P < 0.001) increased by dietary treatments, while villus width (VW) and crypt depth (CD) were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased. TLR-3, TNF-a, and IL-6 were all significantly (P < 0.001) increased by dietary supplementation. However, at 15 %, TLR-3 and IL-6 were same with control. IL-18 was significantly (P < 0.05) decreased at 15 %. IL-10 decreased significantly (P < 0.001), but at 10 % same with control. At 5 and 10 %, IL-13 increased significantly (P < 0.001), whereas dietary treatments decreased at 15 % compared to control. Although ZO1 decreased significantly (P < 0.001) and OLCN increased significantly (P < 0.001), both ZO1 and OCLN were not significantly different from the control at 15 %. Dietary treatments significantly (P < 0.001) increased CLDN1 but did not differ from the control at 10 %. JAM2 decreased significantly (P < 0.001) with dietary treatments. In conclusion, jack bean supplementation may increase broiler chicken performance and intestinal health due to butyrate production. It may affect intestinal morphology and integrity by upregulating a tight junction protein gene. Jack beans also impacted jejunum immune responses and inflammatory cytokine gene expression.

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INTRODUCTION: The gut-brain axis is a bidirectional communication network linking the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system via neuronal, hormonal, and antibody signaling pathways. Central to this connection is gut health, encompassing the balance and functionality of gut microbiota, which significantly impacts on mental and cognitive health. This study investigates the association between gut health and cognitive functioning in adults, highlighting the mechanisms by which gut microbiota influence brain health. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of gut health on adult cognitive performance, with a focus on the processes by which gut microbiota impacts brain health. METHODS: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted in Islamabad from January 2024 to April 2024, involving 140 adult participants. Data were collected using a comprehensive 16-item gut health questionnaire and the cognition self-assessment rating scale (C-SARS). The psychometric properties of these scales were assessed, and the data were analyzed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS, v26; IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Armonk, NY). Analytical and descriptive statistics, including regression, chi-square, independent sample t-tests, and mean and standard deviation, were applied. RESULTS: The study found moderate associations between gut health and cognitive performance, particularly in memory and processing speed (R² = 0.17, ß = -1.9, p = 0.12 for general cognition; R² = 0.01, ß = -0.98, p = 0.02 for memory; R² = 0.03, ß = -0.18, p = 0.03 for processing speed). Gender and marital status differences were significant, with males exhibiting better gut health scores than females (M = 34.1, SD = 3.2 vs. M = 31.2, SD = 3.2, p = 0.00), and singles showing better cognitive performance compared to married individuals (M = 9.4, SD = 5.4 vs. M = 6.5, SD = 3.7, p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: The study highlights significant associations between gut health and cognitive functions, suggesting that gut microbiota composition can influence cognitive performance. Gender and marital status differences underscore the need to consider individual differences in gut-brain axis research. Future studies should replicate these findings in larger samples and explore gut microbiota-targeted interventions for cognitive health enhancement.

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Unconventional protein feeds, characterized by low nutritional value, high variability, and poor palatability, have limited their application in swine production. Fermentation technology holds the key to addressing these shortcomings. Given the ban on antibiotics in China, the inferior quality of imported pig breeds, and long-term dependence on imported soybean, the prospects for fermented unconventional protein feeds are promising. This paper delves into the common types of fermented unconventional protein feeds, factors influencing the fermentation process, the mechanisms by which they enhance swine health, and the challenges and prospects of fermented feeds, offering theoretical insights for the future development of the feed industry.

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Objective: The current study investigated the effects of mulberry 1-deoxynijirimycin (DNJ) on the digestion ability, intestinal morphology, and intestinal barrier of rabbits. Methods: A total of 36 New Zealand White rabbits (male) about 45 days old (mean body weight of 1.05 0.04 kg) were reared and commercial diets were employed, and afterwards divided into three groups (n= 12) with different levels of DNJ extract additive in feed: T0 (0 g/kg), T1 (0.35 g/kg), T2 (0.7 g/kg) for 28 d. Results: The results demonstrated that T2 decreased the average daily gain (ADG) (P < 0.05). T1 and T2 decreased villus height and inflammatory factor levels as compared with T0 (P < 0.05). DNJ significantly decreased the content of valeric acid (P < 0.05). The content of acetic acid, propionic acid, iso butyric acid, iso valeric acid in T1 were higher than those in T0 and T2 (P < 0.05). The content of butyric acid in T2 was lower than it in T0 and T1 (P < 0.05). The content of caproic acid was firstly improved then reduced as the DNJ concentration improved (P < 0.05). T2 significantly increased the abundance of dgA-11_gut_group and Christensenellaceae_R-7_group while decreased Bacteroide and Ralstonia as compared with T0 (P < 0.05). Compared with T0, T1 and T2 significantly improved the gene expression of JAM2, JAM3, mucin4, mucin6 (P < 0.05), T1 significantly decreased the expression of occluding while T2 significantly increased (P < 0.05), T2 significantly increased the expression of claudin1 and claudin2 (P < 0.05). Conclusion: DNJ at high level changed microbiome compositions, inhibited inflammation, and improved intestinal barrier while it decreased the growth performance and shorted villus height in rabbit jejunum by regulating short chain fatty acid (SCFA) compositions in rabbits.