Catalase (CAT) can eliminate oxygen radicals, but it is unclear whether exogenous CAT can protect chickens against deoxynivalenol (DON)-induced oxidative stress. This study aimed to investigate the effects of supplemental CAT on antioxidant property and gut microbiota in DON-exposed broilers. A total of 144 one-day-old Lingnan yellow-feathered male broilers were randomly divided into three groups (six replicates/group): control, DON group, and DON + CAT (DONC) group. The control and DON group received a diet without and with DON contamination, respectively, while the DONC group received a DON-contaminated diet with 200 U/kg CAT added. Parameter analysis was performed on d 21. The results showed that DON-induced liver enlargement (p < 0.05) was blocked by CAT addition, which also normalized the increases (p < 0.05) in hepatic oxidative metabolites contents and caspase-9 expression. Additionally, CAT addition increased (p < 0.05) the jejunal CAT and GSH-Px activities coupled with T-AOC in DON-exposed broilers, as well as the normalized DON-induced reductions (p < 0.05) of jejunal villus height (VH) and its ratio for crypt depth. There was a difference (p < 0.05) in gut microbiota among groups. The DON group was enriched (p < 0.05) with some harmful bacteria (e.g., Proteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Enterobacteriales, Enterobacteriaceae, and Escherichia/Shigella) that elicited negative correlations (p < 0.05) with jejunal CAT activity, and VH. DONC group was differentially enriched (p < 0.05) with certain beneficial bacteria (e.g., Acidobacteriota, Anaerofustis, and Anaerotruncus) that could benefit intestinal antioxidation and morphology. In conclusion, supplemental CAT alleviates DON-induced oxidative stress and intestinal damage in broilers, which can be associated with its ability to improve gut microbiota, aside from its direct oxygen radical-scavenging activity.

Yolk–shell magnetic hollow mesoporous silica nanospheres were synthesized in one-step via electrostatic self-assembly for controlled release in diagnosis and therapy.

Near-field direct-writing electrospinning technology can be used to produce ordered micro/nanofiber membrane dressings. The application of this technology can simply realize the control of dressing porosity, compound different functional substances, and adjust their distribution, thus improving the defects of common dressings such as insufficient breathability, poor moisture retention performance, and single function. Herein, a novel multifunctional wound dressing was prepared to utilize near-field direct-writing electrospinning technology, in which calf skin collagen type I (CSC-I) and polycaprolactone (PCL) were used as the composite matrix, Hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) as the solvent, and erythromycin (ERY) as an anti-infective drug component. The results show that the micro/nanofiber membranes prepared by near-field direct-writing electrospinning technology can all present a complete mesh structure, excellent thermal stability, and good moisturizing properties. Moreover, the composite fiber membrane loaded with ERY not only had obvious antibacterial properties against E. coli and S. thermophilus but also a better slow-release function of drugs (it is rare to have both in traditional wound dressings). Therefore, this experimental design can provide relevant theories and an experimental foundation for preparing a new type of medical dressing with drug loading and has good guiding significance for the application and promotion of near-field direct-writing electrospinning in medical dressings.

Objective: This study was aimed to explore the efficacy of combination of endo-xylanase (Xyn) and xylan-debranching enzymes (arabinofuranosidase, Afd and feruloyl esterase, FE) in improving utilization of bran in piglet diet.Methods: In vitro experiments were firstly conducted to examine the enzymological properties of Xyn, Afd, and FE, concurrent with their effect on degradation of arabinoxylan (Abx) in bran. In vivo experiment was then implemented by allocating two hundred and seventy 35-d-old postweaning piglets into 3 groups (6 replicates/group), which received bran-containing diet supplemented with Xyn (1,600 U/kg) or its combination with Afd (0.8 U/kg) and FE (4 U/kg) or without enzyme.Results: Both Xyn, Afd, and FE are relatively stable against the changes in temperature and pH value. Combining Xyn with Afd and FE had a superiority (p<0.05) over Xyn alone and its combination with Afd or FE in promoting (p<0.05) degradation of Abx in different brans. Combined treatment with Xyn, Afd, and FE was more beneficial than Xyn alone to induce increasing trends (p<0.10) of average daily gain, final body weight and feed efficiency of piglets fed bran-containing diet. Moreover, combination of Xyn, Afd, and FE showed advantages (p<0.05) over Xyn alone in causing reductions (p<0.05) in diarrhea rate and cecal pH value, concurrent with increases (p<0.05) in cecal and colonic acetic acid and total volatile fatty acid concentrations, as well as cecal butyric acid concentration of piglets fed bran-containing diet.Conclusion: Combining Xyn with Afd and FE was more beneficial than Xyn alone in promoting degradation of Abx in bran, along with growth performance and intestinal volatile fatty acid profile of piglets received bran-containing diet. Thereby, combination of Xyn, Afd, and FE had a superior efficacy relative to Xyn alone in improving application of cereal bran in piglet diet.

This study was conducted to investigate the protective effects of xylooligosaccharide (XOS) on the growth performance and intestinal health of broilers challenged by avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC). A total of 144 newly hatched male Lingnan yellow-feathered broilers were randomly divided into three groups (six replicates/group): a control (CON) group, an APEC group and an XOS group (APEC-challenged broilers supplemented with 1600 mg/kg XOS). Birds in the APEC and XOS groups were orally challenged with APEC from 7 to 12 d of age. Growth performance and intestinal health-related parameters were determined on d 13 and 17. The reductions (p < 0.05) in final body weight, average daily gain and elevation (p < 0.05) in intestinal APEC colonization in challenged broilers were counteracted by the XOS addition, which also alleviated the APEC-induced reductions (p < 0.05) in jejunal goblet cell count and density in broilers on d 17. Supplementing with XOS increased (p < 0.05) jejunal villus height and crypt depth, coupled with occludin and zonula occluden-1 expression, on d 17, and diminished the change (p < 0.05) in the jejunal inflammatory cytokine expression profile in a time-dependent manner. Moreover, cecal counts of total bacteria and Lactobacillus in challenged broilers were augmented (p < 0.05) by the XOS addition, which also mitigated APEC-induced reductions (p < 0.05) in cecal acetate, butyrate and valerate concentrations in broilers on d 13 or 17. Supplementing with XOS blocked the increases (p < 0.05) in the expression of cecal E. coli virulence genes relA and ompR on d 13 along with the expression of fimH and csgA on d 17. XOS alleviated APEC-induced growth retardation and intestinal disruption in broilers partially by restraining the intestinal colonization of APEC. Furthermore, the improvements in cecal microbiota and fermentation pattern, along with attenuation of cecal E. coli virulence resulting from XOS supplementation, could also support the maintenance of intestinal health in APEC-challenged broilers.