A Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Impact of a Novel Probiotic and Nutraceutical Supplement on Pruritic Dermatitis and the Gut Microbiota in Privately Owned Dogs.

Pruritic dermatitis (PD) is a common presentation of canine allergic skin diseases, with diversity in severity and treatment response due to complex etiopathogenesis. Evidence suggests the gut microbiota (GM) may contribute to the development of canine allergies. A 10-week double-blind randomized controlled trial evaluated a novel probiotic and nutraceutical blend (PNB) on clinical signs of skin allergy, health measures, and the GM of privately owned self-reported pruritic dogs.

Photothermal self-floating aerogels based on chitosan functionalized with polydopamine and carbon nanotubes for removal of arsenic from wastewater.

Although wastewater disposal in evaporation ponds may be a cost-effective strategy for wastewater management, it overlooks water recycling and can possibly pose significant threats to the surrounding environment. The development of photothermal materials with functional groups capable of adsorbing toxic contaminants offers a promising opportunity for detoxification and potentially solar-driven recycling of wastewater disposed in evaporation ponds. In this study, ultralight aerogels based on chitosan (Ch), a natural biodegradable polymer, functionalized with mussel-inspired polydopamine (PDA) and carbon nanotubes (CNT) were fabricated through a facile approach and examined for the removal of arsenic from water.

Dietary enrichment of resistant starches or fibers differentially alter the feline fecal microbiome and metabolite profile.

Background: Cats are strict carnivores but possess a complex gastrointestinal (GI) microbial community that actively ferments dietary substrates that are not digested and reach the colon. The GI microbiota responses to dietary inclusion of resistant starches versus fibers have not been tested in cats. Thus, our objective was to evaluate the effects of diets enriched in resistant starch or fibers on the fecal characteristics, microbiome, and metabolite profiles of cats.

Longitudinal fecal microbiome and metabolite data demonstrate rapid shifts and subsequent stabilization after an abrupt dietary change in healthy adult dogs.

Background: Diet has a large influence on gut microbiota diversity and function. Although previous studies have investigated the effect of dietary interventions on the gut microbiome, longitudinal changes in the gut microbiome, microbial functions, and metabolite profiles post dietary interventions have been underexplored. How long these outcomes require to reach a steady-state, how they relate to one another, and their impact on host physiological changes are largely unknown.

Apparent total tract nutrient digestibility and metabolizable energy estimation in commercial fresh and extruded dry kibble dog foods.

Commercial fresh cooked foods have started gaining popularity among American dog owners in recent years. However, nutrient digestibility and the estimation of metabolizable energy (ME) of commercial fresh dog foods remain inadequately understood, even though both measures are critical to provide the intended calories for the target animal. In this preliminary study, different cohorts of normal-weight dogs were fed one of five test diets of comparable macronutrient composition: a chicken-based extruded dry kibble diet ( = 12), and chicken- ( = 12), beef- ( = 6), pork- ( = 6), or turkey-based fresh food ( = 6) for 10 d.