Introduction: Different steaming durations dramatically alter the structure of Polygonatum cyrtonema polysaccharides (PCPs). This study aimed to compare characteristics of digestion, absorption, and fermentation by gut microbiota across four representative PCPs from different steaming durations (0, 4, 8, and 12 h), each with unique molecular weights and monosaccharide profiles.Methods: Chemical composition of the four PCPs was analyzed. Digestibility was evaluated using an in vitro saliva-gastrointestinal digestion model. Absorption characteristics were assessed with a Caco-2 monolayer model, and impacts on gut microbiota composition and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels were analyzed using in vitro fermentation with human gut microbiota.Results: Longer steaming durations altered the chemical profiles of PCPs, reducing carbohydrate content (84.87–49.58%) and increasing levels of uronic acid (13.99–19.61%), protein (1.07–5.43%), and polyphenols (0.05–2.75%). Four PCPs were unaffected by saliva digestion but showed enhanced gastrointestinal digestibility, with reducing sugar content rising from 4.06% (P0) to 38.5% (P12). The four PCPs showed varying absorption characteristics, with P0 having the highest permeability coefficient value of 9.59 × 10⁻⁸ cm/s. However, all PCPs exhibited poor permeability, favoring gut microbiota fermentation. The four PCPs altered gut microbiota composition and elevated SCFA production, but levels declined progressively with longer steaming durations. All PCPs significantly increased the abundance of Bacteroidota, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteriota, making them the dominant bacterial phyla. Additionally, all PCPs significantly increased the abundance of Bifidobacterium, Prevotella, and Faecalibacterium compared to the control group, which, along with Bacteroides, became the dominant microbiota. Increasing the steaming duration led to a reduction in Prevotella levels, with PCPs from raw rhizomes showing the highest relative abundance at 24.90%. PCPs from moderately steamed rhizomes (4 h) led to a significant rise in Faecalibacterium (7.73%) among four PCPs. P8 and P12, derived from extensively steamed rhizomes (≥8 h), exhibited similar gut microbiota compositions, with significantly higher relative abundances of Bacteroides (20.23–20.30%) and Bifidobacterium (21.05–21.51%) compared to P0 and P4.Discussion: This research highlights the importance of adjusting steaming durations to maximize the probiotic potential of P. cyrtonema polysaccharides, enhancing their effectiveness in modulating gut microbiota and SCFA levels.

Crassostrea angulata, a major shellfish cultivated in Southern China, has experienced a notable surge in commercial value in recent years. Understanding the molecular mechanisms governing their reproductive processes holds significant implications for advancing aquaculture practices. In this study, we cloned the orphan nuclear receptor gene, Fushi Tarazu transcription factor 1 (FTZ-F1), of C. angulata and investigated its functional role in the gonadal development. The full-length cDNA of FTZ-F1 spans 2357 bp and encodes a protein sequence of 530 amino acids. Notably, the amino acid sequence of FTZ-F1 in C. angulata shares remarkable similarity with its homologues in other species, particularly in the DNA-binding region (>90%) and ligand-binding region (>44%). In C. angulata, the highest expression level of FTZ-F1 was observed in the ovary, exhibiting more than a 200-fold increase during the maturation stage compared to the initiation stage (P < 0.001). Specifically, FTZ-F1 was mainly expressed in the follicular cells surrounding the oocytes of C. angulata. Upon inhibiting FTZ-F1 gene expression in C. angulata through RNA interference (RNAi), a substantial reduction in the expression of genes involved in the synthesis of sex steroids in the gonads, including 3β-HSD, Cyp17, and follistatin, was observed. In addition, estradiol (E₂) and testosterone (T) levels also showed a decrease upon FTZ-F1 silencing, resulting in a delayed gonadal development. These results indicate that FTZ-F1 acts as a steroidogenic factor, participating in the synthesis and regulation of steroid hormones and thus playing an important role in the reproductive and endocrine systems within oysters.

Corrigendum: Various Steaming Durations Alter Digestion, Absorption, and Fermentation by Human Gut Microbiota: Outcomes of Polygonatum Cyrtonema Hua PolysaccharidesWeijing Wu 1,2,3, Yanling Wang 1, Ping Yi 1, Xufeng Su 1, Yan Mi 1,Lanlan Wu 1 and Qianglai Tan 1*1 Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen, China, 2 Engineering Research Center of Natural Cosmeceuticals College of Fujian Province, Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen, China, 3 Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Food Microbiology and Enzyme Engineering, Xiamen, China* Correspondence: tanqianglai@xmmc.edu.cnKeywords: Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua polysaccharides, steaming, saliva-gastrointestinal digestion, absorption, in vitro fermentation, gut microbiotaCorrigendum on: Various Steaming Durations Alter Digestion, Absorption, and Fermentation by Human Gut Microbiota: Outcomes of Polygonatum Cyrtonema Hua PolysaccharideBy Wu, W., Wang, Y., Yi, P., Su, X., Mi, Y., Wu, L., & Tan, Q. (2024). Various steaming durations alter digestion, absorption, and fermentation by human gut microbiota outcomes of Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua polysaccharides. Front. Nutr., 11, 1466781. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1466781 Error in Figure/TableIn the published article, there was an error in [Figure 4] as published. [The issue with Figure 4 arose during the proofing process. Due to an input error, the updated version of Figure 5 was incorrectly labeled as Figure 4, causing a duplication of Figures 4 and 5.] The corrected [Figure 4] and its caption [Dynamic changes in pH, carbohydrate, and uronic acid levels during in vitro fermentation of PCPs. (A) pH value changes over time. (B) Total carbohydrate content dynamics. (C) Carbohydrate consumption during fermentation. (D) Changes in reducing sugar contents. (E) Total uronic acid content dynamics. (F) Uronic acid consumption over time the different letters represent the statistical differences at p < 0.05 among different PCPs groups at same fermentation point] appear below. The authors apologize for this error and state that this does not change the scientific conclusions of the article in any way. The original article has been updated.

With the ability to cross placental barriers in their hosts, strains of Gram-positive Enterococcus faecalis can exhibit either beneficial or harmful properties. However, the mechanisms underlying these effects have yet to be determined. A comparative transcriptomic analysis of human placental trophoblasts in response to pathogenic or probiotic E. faecalis was performed in order to investigate the molecular basis of different traits. Results indicated that both E. faecalis Symbioflor 1 and V583 could pass through the placental barrier in vitro with similar levels of invasion ability. In total, 2353 (1369 upregulated and 984 downregulated) and 2351 (1233 upregulated and 1118 downregulated) DEGs were identified in Symbioflor 1 and V583, respectively. Furthermore, 1074 (671 upregulated and 403 downregulated) and 1072 (535 upregulated and 537 downregulated) DEGs were only identified in Symbioflor 1 and V583 treatment groups, respectively. KEGG analysis showed that 6 and 9 signaling pathways were associated with interactions between Symbioflor 1 and V583. GO analysis revealed that these DEGs were mainly related to cellular and metabolic processes and biological regulation. However, 28 and 44 DEGs were classified into terms associated with placental and embryonic development in Symbioflor 1 and V583 treatment groups, respectively. Notably, 9 and 25 unique DEGs were identified only in Symbioflor 1 and V583 treatment groups, respectively. A large proportion of transcriptional responses differed when compared between pathogenic and probiotic E. faecalis interaction, and several unique DEGs and signal pathways were identified in the two different groups. These data enhance our understanding of how different traits can be affected by pathogenic and probiotic E. faecalis and the mechanisms underlying these effects.