Article
Agronomy
Milena Truba, Jacek Sosnowski
Summary: The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effect of the titanium-based stimulator Tytanit on the fibrous fractions, cellulose, and hemicellulose content of alfalfa and clover cell walls. The results showed that the stimulator altered the fibrous fractions content in plant cell walls, but had no significant effect on Relative Feed Value.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Mary Beth Hall, David R. Mertens
Summary: Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) is commonly used in dairy cattle nutrition, with the most widely reported metric being NDF treated with amylase (aNDF). Among the different methods used, samples ground through a cutting mill yielded higher aNDF% results compared to an abrasion mill. However, statistically significant differences in results do not necessarily imply substantial differences in fiber content.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yunxi Liu, R. A. Leo Elworth, Michael D. Jochum, Kjersti M. Aagaard, Todd J. Treangen
Summary: Contaminant sequences in metagenomic samples can impact interpretation of microbiome studies, especially in low biomass environments. The authors propose a computational approach called Squeegee, which can detect microbial contamination and identify contaminants in publicly available datasets lacking negative controls.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fei Zhao, Zhihao Zhu, Linshan Xie, Feng Luo, Huixia Wang, Yanli Qiu, Weiling Luo, Fang Zhou, Dongxiang Xue, Zhihui Zhang, Tian Hua, Dong Wu, Zhi-Jie Liu, Zhiping Le, Houchao Tao
Summary: Detergents are commonly used in membrane protein studies, but the limited diversity of traditional detergents restricts their applications to structurally distinct proteins. In this study, the authors report the cross-conjugation of two series of monomeric detergents to construct a library of dimeric detergents for a wider range of applications. Optimum detergents were identified through systematic evaluation and hybrid detergents enabled high-quality studies of different proteins. The findings suggest that the use of cross-coupling chemistries can greatly expand the diversity of detergents for future studies on membrane proteins.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
N. Schlau, D. R. Mertens, K. Taysom, D. Taysom
Summary: The results indicate that filter bags had effects on the measurement of aNDF and aNDFom, and inhibited fermentation for some materials.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Hailiang Zhou, Xinyuan Zhao, Wei Li, Shaopeng Hou, Xueliang Min, Yanli Zhu
Summary: This study found that different dietary fiber-to-starch ratios can affect the structure and function of rabbit M cells. A high fiber-low starch diet led to an increase in M cell area, as well as signs of intestinal damage and apoptosis. In contrast, a low fiber-high starch diet caused structural abnormalities in M cells and increased inflammatory factor expression in the appendix.
ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tomoya Nakashima, Yuushou Nakayama, Takeshi Shiono, Ryo Tanaka
Summary: Active species for coordination polymerization are usually generated in situ from transition-metal cations and noncoordinating counteranions. A novel neutral fluoroarylborane activated the catalyst and promoted the polymerization of propylene, resulting in polypropylene with ultrahigh molecular weight.
Article
Microbiology
Ilona A. Ruhl, Andriy Sheremet, Angela Smimova, Christine E. Sharp, Stephen E. Grasby, Marc Strous, Peter F. Dunfield
Summary: Microbial community diversity is correlated with physical environmental stresses. This study investigated bacterial communities in thermal spring sediments and found that both species diversity and metagenomic functional diversity decrease with increasing temperatures. The relationship between the two diversities follows a power function, indicating a quantitatively different manner in which temperature stress limits both taxonomic and functional diversity of microbial communities. The study also highlights the distinct temperature ceilings of various metabolic functions.
Review
Microbiology
Xin Sun, Alvaro Sanchez
Summary: The diversity of microbial ecosystems plays a crucial role in ecological processes and functions. However, the ecological mechanisms that drive microbial diversity are not fully understood. Synthetic ecology experiments, which manipulate the environment in controlled laboratory settings, offer a promising approach to studying these mechanisms. In this review, we provide an overview of recent advancements in using synthetic ecology to investigate microbial biodiversity.
CURRENT OPINION IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
He-Ping Chen, Ikuro Abe
Summary: Prenyltransferase (PTase) enzymes are crucial in natural product biosynthesis by transferring isoprene units to target substrates, resulting in prenylated compounds with enhanced bioactivity. There has been an increasing focus on microbial PTase enzymes in the past two decades for synthetic biology applications, leading to the synthesis of novel prenylated compounds.
SYNTHETIC AND SYSTEMS BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Stella Agradi, Paola Cremonesi, Laura Menchetti, Claudia Balzaretti, Marco Severgnini, Federica Riva, Bianca Castiglioni, Susanna Draghi, Alessia Di Giancamillo, Marta Castrica, Daniele Vigo, Silvia Clotilde Modina, Valentina Serra, Alda Quattrone, Elisa Angelucci, Grazia Pastorelli, Giulio Curone, Gabriele Brecchia
Summary: BC is a nutraceutical that can modulate intestinal microbiota. This study investigates the effects of BC diet supplementation on luminal and mucosa-associated microbiota in the jejunum, caecum, and colon of rabbits. Significant differences were found in the microbial composition of the three groups, especially in the caecum and colon of the 2.5% BC group. A functional prediction has revealed several altered pathways in BC groups, with particular reference to amino acids and lactose metabolism. Findings suggest that BC supplementation could positively affect the intestinal microbiota.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Charles F. Delwiche
Summary: A newly discovered cyanobacterium has been cultured and its genome sequenced, revealing insights into the evolutionary origins of oxygenic photosynthesis. The bacterium's lineage is over a billion years old and was found to be growing in close association with a tropical, non-vascular plant.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Weijian Jiang, Wen Yi, Lei Zhou
Summary: A combination of fibre reinforcement technology and microbial curing technology using basalt fibres and denitrifying bacteria was applied to conduct microbial curing tests. The effects of fibre on soil consolidation strength and toughness were analyzed through tests, and the stability of the reinforced slope was examined through numerical simulation. The results indicate that (1) basalt fibre can effectively improve the brittle damage characteristics of microbially consolidated soil while increasing its compressive and shear strength, (2) fibre dosing and length have significant effects on the mechanical properties of the consolidated soil, (3) the appropriate amount of basalt fibre can promote the generation of calcium carbonate, and (4) microbial reinforcement reduces the plastic strain area and maximum equivalent plastic stress by 65 kPa.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Xue Bai, Yu Shi, Lipeng Tang, Li Chen, Huimei Fan, Haoding Wang, Jie Wang, Xianbo Jia, Shiyi Chen, Songjia Lai
Summary: Heat stress can impair the immune system of rabbits, induce oxidative stress, and cause various complications. This study found that heat stress significantly increased serum levels of IgG and T-AOC, while decreasing TNF-alpha and IL-10 levels. Analysis of the rabbit fecal microbiome and metabolomics revealed significant differences in microbial composition and metabolic pathways between the heat stress and control groups.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Alfred Burian, Daisy Pinn, Ignacio Peralta-Maraver, Michael Sweet, Quentin Mauvisseau, Ozge Eyice, Mark Bulling, Till Roethig, Pavel Kratina
Summary: Experimental manipulation of protozoan predation pressure in activated sludge communities had strong and positive effects on bacterial diversity components, with responses leveling off at higher predation pressure levels. While predator intensity positively impacted taxa richness, predator diversity had mixed effects on bacterial diversity. Reduction in top-down control by predators negatively affected taxa associated with treatment efficiency, particularly nitrogen removal. The study highlights distinct mechanisms linking protozoan predation with bacterial diversity and community composition in activated sludge communities.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Naroa Goikoetxea-Usandizaga, Marina Serrano-Macia, Teresa C. Delgado, Jorge Simon, David Fernandez Ramos, Diego Barriales, Maria E. Cornide, Monica Jimenez, Marina Perez-Redondo, Sofia Lachiondo-Ortega, Ruben Rodriguez-Agudo, Maider Bizkarguenaga, Juan Diego Zalamea, Samuel T. Pasco, Daniel Caballero-Diaz, Benedetta Alfano, Miren Bravo, Irene Gonzalez-Recio, Maria Mercado-Gomez, Claudia Gil-Pitarch, Jon Mabe, Jordi Gracia-Sancho, Leticia Abecia, Oscar Lorenzo, Paloma Martin-Sanz, Nicola G. A. Abrescia, Guadalupe Sabio, Mercedes Rincon, Juan Anguita, Eduardo Minambres, Cesar Martin, Marina Berenguer, Isabel Fabregat, Marta Casado, Carmen Peralta, Marta Varela-Rey, Maria Luz Martinez-Chantar
Summary: Boosting mitochondrial activity by silencing MCJ could be a protective approach, especially in metabolically compromised organs susceptible to IRI, promoting liver regeneration and reducing cell death.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Zahia Amanzougarene, Manuel Fondevila
Summary: This study investigated the effects of different types of mineral clays on ruminant diets with different concentrate-to-forage ratios. The results showed that adding zeolite can stabilize the rumen environment, while adding bentonite or sepiolite may reduce ruminal microbial fermentation.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Maria Juarez-Fernandez, Naroa Goikoetxea-Usandizaga, David Porras, Maria Victoria Garcia-Mediavilla, Miren Bravo, Marina Serrano-Macia, Jorge Simon, Teresa C. Delgado, Sofia Lachiondo-Ortega, Susana Martinez-Florez, Oscar Lorenzo, Mercedes Rincon, Marta Varela-Rey, Leticia Abecia, Hector Rodriguez, Juan Anguita, Esther Nistal, Maria Luz Martinez-Chantar, Sonia Sanchez-Campos
Summary: This study provides evidence for the relevance of the interaction between mitochondria and microbiota in NASH and identifies targeting this interaction as a valuable therapeutic approach.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
G. Fondevila, M. Fondevila
Summary: Insect production for animal feeding is gaining more attention globally. The level of dietary protein plays a crucial role in overall production and feeding costs. A growth trial was conducted with Tenebrio molitor larvae using substrate feeds based on wheat grain and barley straw with increasing levels of soybean meal. The results suggest that an increase in dietary protein content might not be necessary to optimize larval growth, and a lower protein content of 100 g/kg could improve economic results by reducing feeding costs.
JOURNAL OF INSECTS AS FOOD AND FEED
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Alejandro Belanche, Sergio Diago, Manuel Fondevila
Summary: This study evaluates the effects of supplementing piglets with a fish oil product rich in mono-and diglycerides during the post-weaning period. Results showed that supplementing with 15 g/kg of FOMG improved piglet growth, feed intake, animal health, and gut microbiota composition.
ANIMAL FEED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Irene Gonzalez-Recio, Jorge Simon, Naroa Goikoetxea-Usandizaga, Marina Serrano-Macia, Maria Mercado-Gomez, Ruben Rodriguez-Agudo, Sofia Lachiondo-Ortega, Claudia Gil-Pitarch, Carmen Fernandez-Rodriguez, Donatello Castellana, Maria U. Latasa, Leticia Abecia, Juan Anguita, Teresa C. Delgado, Paula Iruzubieta, Javier Crespo, Serge Hardy, Petar D. Petrov, Ramiro Jover, Matias A. Avila, Cesar Martin, Ute Schaeper, Michel L. Tremblay, James W. Dear, Steven Masson, Misti Vanette McCain, Helen L. Reeves, Raul J. Andrade, M. Isabel Lucena, Daniela Buccella, Luis Alfonso Martinez-Cruz, Maria L. Martinez-Chantar
Summary: This study reveals that serum Mg2+ levels decrease in patients with drug induced liver injury (DILI) and animal models of acetaminophen overdose. The authors suggest that targeting the Mg2+ transporter Cyclin M4 could be a potential therapeutic strategy for acetaminophen overdose induced liver injury. The findings demonstrate the importance of magnesium in liver function and identify Cyclin M4 as a key player in the disturbance of magnesium homeostasis in the liver under acetaminophen overdose.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Ana Gordo, Belen Hernando, Jesus Artajona, Manuel Fondevila
Summary: Ensiling whole plant maize is a commonly used method for preserving forage for feeding dairy cows. The length of ensiling and the processing method can affect the fermentation and digestibility of maize silage. It was found that a longer ensiling length increased the starch availability, while dehydration and pelleting increased the pH and reduced methane concentration. Overall, extending the length of ensiling and processing by dehydration or pelleting can improve the nutritive value and reduce greenhouse gas emissions of maize silage.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Naroa Goikoetxea-Usandizaga, Miren Bravo, Leire Egia-Mendikute, Leticia Abecia, Marina Serrano-Macia, Rocio G. Urdinguio, Marc Clos-Garcia, Ruben Rodriguez-Agudo, Raquel Araujo-Legido, Lucia Lopez-Bermudo, Teresa C. Delgado, Sofia Lachiondo-Ortega, Irene Gonzalez-Recio, Claudia Gil-Pitarch, Ainize Pena-Cearra, Jorge Simon, Raquel Benede-Ubieto, Silvia Arino, Jose M. Herranz, Mikel Azkargorta, Julio Salazar-Bermeo, Nuria Marti, Marta Varela-Rey, Juan M. Falcon-Perez, Oscar Lorenzo, Ruben Nogueiras, Felix Elortza, Yulia A. Nevzorova, Francisco J. Cubero, Domingo Saura, Luis Alfonso Martinez-Cruz, Guadalupe Sabio, Asis Palazon, Pau Sancho-Bru, Natalia Elguezabal, Mario F. Fraga, Matias A. Avila, Ramon Bataller, Jose J. G. Marin, Franz Martin, Maria Luz Martinez-Chantar
Summary: Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), accounting for 70% of liver-related deaths in Europe, has no effective approved therapies. However, targeting methylation-controlled J protein (MCJ) may help in recovering mitochondrial fitness without collateral oxidative damage. Liver-specific MCJ silencing can prevent major ALD hallmarks, such as mitochondrial dysfunction, steatosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress, improving lipid metabolism and liver injury.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Pablo G. Toral, Leticia Abecia, Gonzalo Hervas, David R. Yanez-Ruiz, Pilar Frutos
Summary: This study used metabolomics to investigate the differences between high-feed efficient and low-feed efficient lactating ewes, finding that amino acid metabolism plays a significant role in feed efficiency.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Victoria Pena-Delgado, Melissa Carvajal-Serna, Manuel Fondevila, Maria A. Martin-Cabrejas, Yolanda Aguilera, Gerardo Alvarez-Rivera, Jose A. Abecia, Adriana Casao, Rosaura Perez-Pe
Summary: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a phytomelatonin-rich diet on ram sperm quality and seminal plasma composition. The results showed that the diet, including grape pulp, pomegranate and tomato pomaces, increased melatonin levels in seminal plasma, improved sperm viability and morphology, and protected sperm cells against oxidative damage.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ainize Pena-Cearra, Deguang Song, Janire Castelo, Ainhoa Palacios, Jose Luis Lavin, Mikel Azkargorta, Felix Elortza, Miguel Fuertes, Miguel Angel Pascual-Itoiz, Diego Barriales, Itziar Martin-Ruiz, Asier Fullaondo, Ana M. Aransay, Hector Rodriguez, Noah W. Palm, Juan Anguita, Leticia Abecia
Summary: There is potential association between mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The bidirectional interaction between the intestinal microbiota and host mitochondria may affect intestinal inflammation. The study shows that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from MCJ-deficient mice to germ-free mice increases susceptibility to colitis. Furthermore, the study identifies potential microbial signatures associated with complex I deficiency and disease progression.
NPJ BIOFILMS AND MICROBIOMES
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Ainize Pena-Cearra, Janire Castelo, Jose Luis Lavin, Monika Gonzalez-Lopez, Miguel Angel Pascual-Itoiz, Miguel Fuertes, Virginia Gutierrez de Juan, Laura Barcena, Itziar Martin-Ruiz, Aize Pellon, Iratxe Seoane, Diego Barriales, Ainhoa Palacios, Asier Fullaondo, Iago Rodriguez-Lago, Maria L. Martinez-Chantar, Ana M. Aransay, Hector Rodriguez, Juan Anguita, Leticia Abecia
Summary: Anti-TNF therapy is effective in inducing and maintaining remission in intestinal bowel disease. However, a certain percentage of patients do not respond to this therapy. This study suggests that the absence of MCJ, a natural inhibitor of respiratory chain Complex I, leads to changes in gut microbiota, which is a critical determinant of the lack of response in a mouse model of inflammation. The study also highlights the role of macrophage mitochondrial function in the gut ecological niche in affecting the severity of inflammation and the response to current therapies.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Zahia Amanzougarene, Estefania Perez-Calvo, Manuel Fondevila
Summary: The aim of this study was to determine the freezing conditions that can preserve the fermentative capacity of microbial inoculum for in vitro studies in pigs. The results showed that the caecal inoculum from pigs can be successfully preserved by freezing, with no significant differences in gas production, methane, or total SCFA between the frozen and fresh inocula. There was a trend for higher ammonia concentration with the frozen inocula. This study highlights the importance of favorable freezing and thawing conditions for preserving the fermentative capacity of microbial inoculum.
SPANISH JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ainize Pena-Cearra, Miguel Angel Pascual-Itoiz, Jose Luis Lavin, Miguel Fuertes, Itziar Martin-Ruiz, Janire Castelo, Ainhoa Palacios, Diego Barriales, Asier Fullaondo, Ana M. Aransay, Hector Rodriguez, Juan Anguita, Leticia Abecia
Summary: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a complex and chronic disease. This study found that MCJ deficiency leads to increased TACE activity in chronic inflammation, affecting the metabolic adaptation of colon tissue and potentially associated with reduced microbial members associated with inflammation.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carolina Simo, Tiziana Fornari, Monica R. Garcia-Risco, Ainize Pena-Cearra, Leticia Abecia, Juan Anguita, Hector Rodriguez, Virginia Garcia-Canas
Summary: In this study, a novel screening strategy was developed to evaluate the effects of food and natural extract on Klebsiella pneumoniae's TMA production. Oregano and red thyme extracts were found to have the potential to inhibit TMA formation.