Simultaneous Analysis of Imidazole Dipeptides, Constituent Amino Acids, and Taurine in Meats Using the Highly Sensitive Labeling Reagent l-FDVDA and PBr Column.

Imidazole dipeptides (IDPs) are found in the skeletal muscles and brains of various animals, and they exhibit unique functions like antioxidant and antiaging properties. Despite their importance, the metabolic mechanisms and physiological roles of IDPs remain unclear. Herein, we propose a method for the simultaneous analysis of IDPs, their constituent amino acids, and taurine, which are difficult to separate using conventional labeling reagents or columns, using liquid chromatography-single quadrupole mass spectrometry with PBr column and our highly sensitive labeling reagent, 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrophenyl-5-l-valine-,-dimethylethylenediamineamide (l-FDVDA).

L-amino acid oxidase-1 is involved in the gut-liver axis by regulating 5-aminolevulinic acid production in mice.

L-amino acid oxidase (LAAO) is a metabolic enzyme that converts L-amino acids into ketoacids, ammonia, and hydrogen peroxide (HO). The generated HO has previously been shown to have antibacterial and gut microbiota-modulatory properties in LAO1 knock-out (KO) mice. Since most microbial metabolites reach the liver through the portal vein, we examined gut-liver interactions in LAO1 KO mice.

Evaluation of post-colostrum ingestion changes in the protein composition of peripheral blood of newborn piglets: A pilot study.

Putatively, colostral proteins are partly absorbed and transferred to blood circulation in newborn piglets, which suggests that colostrum ingestion alters the protein composition of their blood. Here, we conducted a pilot study to estimate the changes in the protein composition of piglet blood. Plasma collected from piglets pre- and post-ingestion of colostrum (PreC and PostC) was analyzed by shotgun proteomics.

Influence of ventral fixation techniques on atlantoaxial joint fusion in canine models with dens partial resection.

We evaluated the completeness of bony fusion of the atlantoaxial joint (AAJ) through polymethylmethacrylate fixation (PMF) and atlantoaxial plate fixation (APF) using six canine models with dens partial resection. In both groups, the hydroxyapatite content at the AAJ was measured up to 7 months postoperatively using quantitative computed tomography. Histological assessment revealed fibrous fusion in the PMF group.

Fusobacterium nucleatum impedes remission of colitis in a mouse model.

The role of Fusobacterium nucleatum, often associated with intestinal diseases, in the remission of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis was investigated. Female mice were divided into groups DC (DSS control) and DF (DSS + F. nucleatum).

Eosinophilic Leukaemia and Systemic Mycobacterium marinum Infection in an African Pygmy Hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris).

A two-year-old male African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) presented with lethargy and anorexia. Ultrasonographic and radiographic examinations revealed splenomegaly and pneumonia, respectively. Prominent leucocytosis, consisting mainly of large atypical eosinophils, was observed in a peripheral blood smear.

Consecutive intra-gingival injections of lipopolysaccharide and butyric acid to mice induce abnormal behavior and changes in cytokine concentrations.

Background: Periodontopathic bacteria such as Porphyromonas gingivalis produce several metabolites, including lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and n-butyric acid (BA). Past work suggested that periodontal infection may cause cognitive impairment in mice.

Aims: To elucidate the mechanisms by which metabolites such as LPS and BA, resulting from Porphyromonas gingivalis activity, induce immunological and physiological abnormalities in mice.

Effects of dietary intake of heat-inactivated Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 on stress-induced behavioral and molecular changes in a subchronic and mild social defeat stress mouse model.

The intestinal ecosystem is involved in the pathogenesis of mood disorders such as depression. Intestinal microbes can affect the central nervous system through the gut-brain axis, which raises the possibility of using probiotics for preventing depression. In this study, we examined the effect of heat-inactivated Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 (CP2305) in a subchronic and mild social defeat stress (sCSDS) mouse model.

Comparison of the fecal microbiota of two monogastric herbivorous and five omnivorous mammals.

Fecal microbiota in seven different monogastric animal species, elephant, horse, human, marmoset, mouse, pig and, rat were compared using the same analytical protocol of 16S rRNA metagenome. Fecal microbiota in herbivores showed higher alpha diversity than omnivores except for pigs. Additionally, principal coordinate analysis based on weighted UniFrac distance demonstrated that herbivores and pigs clustered together, whereas other animal species were separately aggregated.

Shiga toxin 2eB-transgenic lettuce vaccine is effective in protecting weaned piglets from edema disease caused by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli infection.

Porcine edema disease (ED) is a toxemia that is caused by enteric infection with Shiga toxin 2e (Stx2e)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and is associated with high mortality. Since ED occurs most frequently during the weaning period, preweaning vaccination of newborn piglets is required. We developed stx2eB-transgenic lettuce as an oral vaccine candidate against ED and examined its protective efficacy using a piglet STEC infection model.

Stimulation of murine cell-mediated immunity by dietary administration of a cell preparation of strain KH-2 and its possible activity against tumour development in mice.

It is well known that dietary lactic acid bacteria (LAB) stimulate cell-mediated immunity such as natural killer (NK) activity in mice. Here, we aimed to assay the immunomodulatory effects of a cell preparation of strain KH-2 (CPEF). We further evaluated the possibility of antitumour activity caused by CPEF administration, because NK cells actively participate in the prevention of tumour formation.

Hippocampal metabolism of amino acids by L-amino acid oxidase is involved in fear learning and memory.

Amino acids participate directly and indirectly in many important biochemical functions in the brain. We focused on one amino acid metabolic enzyme, L-amino acid oxidase (LAO), and investigated the importance of LAO in brain function using LAO1 knockout (KO) mice. Compared to wild-type mice, LAO1 KO mice exhibited impaired fear learning and memory function in a passive avoidance test.

Gene expression profiles of CD4/CD8 double-positive T cells in porcine peripheral blood.

A characteristic subset of T cells, known as double positive T cells (DPTC) and expressing both cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) and CD8, is observed in porcine peripheral blood. Previous studies suggested that DPTC might be memory cells. However, detailed phenotypes and functions of DPTC are yet to be fully elucidated and thus, the relatedness of DPTC with memory phenotypes remains unclear.

Generation of anti-porcine CD69 monoclonal antibodies and their usefulness to evaluate early activation of cellular immunity by flow cytometric analysis.

T cell-mediated cellular immunity and humoral immunity are equally important for the prevention of diseases. To assess activation of human and mouse cellular immunity, early activation markers of lymphocytes are often used in flow cytometry targeting expression of CD69 molecules. Response of humoral immunity against infection or vaccination has been well investigated in pigs, but that of cellular immunity has been largely neglected due to lack of direct evaluation tools.

A preliminary study of gut dysbiosis in children with food allergy.

Gut microbiota of food allergic children was analyzed by high throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Signs of gut dysbiosis, which is likely associated with gut inflammation, was observed in children with food allergies. For example, decreased abundance of genus Akkermansia but increased abundance of Veillonella was found in children with food allergy in comparison with healthy control children.

Fructo-oligosaccharide-Induced Transient Increases in Cecal Immunoglobulin A Concentrations in Rats Are Associated with Mucosal Inflammation in Response to Increased Gut Permeability.

The mechanism underlying transient increases in immunoglobulin (Ig) A concentrations in the cecal contents of rats fed fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) is unclear. This study was designed to test whether increased IgA concentrations represent one aspect of the inflammatory response to increased permeability induced by FOS in the cecum. Seven-week-old male Wistar rats were fed a fiber-free semipurified diet (FFP) with or without supplemental FOS (60 g/kg diet) for 9 or 58 d [experiment (expt.

Improved porcine model for Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli infection by deprivation of colostrum feeding in newborn piglets.

Porcine edema disease (ED) is a toxemia caused by enteric infection with Shiga toxin 2e (Stx2e)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). ED occurs most frequently during the weaning period and is manifested as emaciation associated with high mortality. In our experimental infection with a specific STEC strain, we failed to cause the suppression of weight gain in piglets, which is a typical symptom of ED, in two consecutive experiments.

Expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in murine small intestine during postnatal development.

The important role played by the gut microbiota in host immunity is mediated, in part, through toll-like receptors (TLRs). We evaluated the postnatal changes in expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in the murine small intestine and assessed how expression is influenced by gut microbiota. The expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in the murine small intestine was highly dynamic during development.

A preliminary investigation on the relationship between gut microbiota and gene expressions in peripheral mononuclear cells of infants with autism spectrum disorders.

Fecal and blood samples of infants with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and healthy infants were analyzed to investigate the association of altered gut microbiota and ASD development. 16S rRNA gene-based sequencing found that, unlike those of healthy infants, feces of ASD infants had significantly higher and lower abundance of genera Faecalibacterium and Blautia, respectively. Moreover, DNA microarray analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) detected more highly than low expressed genes in ASD infants than in healthy infants.

Orally Administered Salacia reticulata Extract Reduces H1N1 Influenza Clinical Symptoms in Murine Lung Tissues Putatively Due to Enhanced Natural Killer Cell Activity.

Influenza is a major cause of respiratory tract infection. Although most cases do not require further hospitalization, influenza periodically causes epidemics in humans that can potentially infect and kill millions of people. To countermeasure this threat, new vaccines need to be developed annually to match emerging influenza viral strains with increased resistance to existing vaccines.

Dietary administration of probiotics to sows and/or their neonates improves the reproductive performance, incidence of post-weaning diarrhea and histopathological parameters in the intestine of weaned piglets.

Probiotics have gained considerable attention with respect to their beneficial effects on livestock performance and health. The most significant effects of probiotics on the gut microbiota and the host animals take place when they are included in diets during particularly stressful periods such as weaning and/or at the beginning of the lactation period. The probiotics Bacillus mesentericus strain TO-A at 1 × 10  colony forming units (CFU)/g, Clostridium butyricum strain TO-A at 1 × 10  CFU/g and Enterococcus faecalis strain T-110 at 1 × 10  CFU/g were used.

Weaning Markedly Affects Transcriptome Profiles and Peyer's Patch Development in Piglet Ileum.

Transcriptome analyses were conducted on the ileal mucosa of 14- to 35-day-old piglets to investigate postnatal gut development during suckling and postweaning. The transcriptome profiles of 14-day-old suckling piglets showed a considerably higher number of differentially expressed genes than did those of 21-, 28-, and 35-day olds, indicating an intensive gut development during the first 14-21 postnatal days. In addition, the analysis of biological pathways indicated that Chemotaxis Leucocyte chemotaxis was the most significantly affected pathway in suckling piglets between 14 and 21 days of age.

Effect of monensin withdrawal on rumen fermentation, methanogenesis and microbial populations in cattle.

This study was designed to obtain information on the residual influence of dietary monensin on ruminant fermentation, methanogenesis and bacterial population. Three ruminally cannulated crossbreed heifers (14 months old, 363 ± 11 kg) were fed Italian ryegrass straw and concentrate supplemented with monensin for 21 days before sampling. Rumen fluid samples were collected for analysis of short chain fatty acid (SCFA) profiles, monensin concentration, methanogens and rumen bacterial density.

High-sensitivity detection of short-chain fatty acids in porcine ileal, cecal, portal and abdominal blood by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), such as acetate, propionate and n-butyrate, are the main end-products of fermentation in the large intestine. SCFA are rapidly absorbed from the large intestinal mucosa to provide energy to the host. In this study, high-sensitivity detection of SCFA was demonstrated in blood using the gas chromatometry with mass spectrometry (GC-MS).