Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis by Improving Gut Microbial Dysbiosis in Mice Model

Several Bacillus strains exert beneficial effects on the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis and host health. However, whether Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (BA) can improve gut microbial dysbiosis and ameliorate colitis is unknown. Therefore, we conducted the present study to investigate the effects of BA administration on intestinal morphology, inflammatory response, and colonic microbial composition in a mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Results showed that BA administration significantly ameliorated body weight loss, decreased disease activity index, and improved colonic tissue morphology in DSS-treated mice. In addition, levels of immunoglobulins, as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines, were decreased after BA administration. Importantly, colonic microbiota profiling indicated a significant (p < 0.05) difference in beta-diversity between BA-administrated and DSS-treated mice, according to weighted principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) results. The relative abundance of the Firmicutes genus was increased, whereas that of Bacteroidetes was decreased by BA administration. Furthermore, phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states (PICRUSt) analysis showed that the most significantly changed pathways between the four groups of mice were carbohydrate, lipid, and amino acid metabolism. In conclusion, our results showed that BA administration has beneficial effects on DSS-induced colitis, suggesting that this strategy might be useful for the treatment of dysbiosis during ulcerative colitis. Further, the changes in metabolism, especially amino acid metabolism, might contribute to the beneficial effects of BA on the amelioration of DSS-induced colitis

Analysis of Dynamic Characteristics of Low-Floor Train Passing Switch in Facing Direction with Bad Alignment Irregularity Ahead of the Turnout

A low-floor train–turnout coupling dynamic model considering bad alignment irregularity ahead of the turnout was established on the basis of a field test in which the dynamic performances of a low-floor train passing through a no. 6 turnout in a rail transit depot in China had been measured, as well as the line alignment and wheel and rail profiles. There are two types of wheelsets in the low-floor train: integral wheelset and independent wheelset. The model fully considers the coupling effect between the vehicle and the ballast components, and the simulated results are in consistence with measured results in the field test. Based on this, the influences of train speed, the wheel–rail friction coefficient, and the track alignment optimization of the dynamic performance of low-floor trains passing switch in facing direction are analyzed. The main results indicate that eliminating alignment irregularities before the switch can effectively improve the dynamic performance of the integrated wheelset in the switch and the lateral forces of the outer wheels of these two vehicles are reduced by about 80%, the derailment coefficients are reduced by about 70%, the vertical force is reduced by about 10–20% and wheel load is reduced by approximately 30%

Protective Effect of Ginsenoside Rb1 Against Lung Injury Induced by Intestinal Ischemia-Reperfusion in Rats

molecule

Optimum nitrogen fertilization of Calophyllum inophyllum seedlings under greenhouse conditions

A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of nitrogen fertilization on Calophy- llum inophyllum seedlings grown with 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 300, 400 and 600 mg N per seedling according to exponential functions. Seedling height, root collar diameter, leaf area and total biomass increased with increasing fertilization from 0 to 200 mg N per seedling and decreased with further increase in fertilization from 300 to 600 mg N per seedling. The net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2 concentration and transpiration rate of C. inophyllum seedlings showed a unimodal parabolic trend, with peak values of 7.29 mmol·m−2·s−1, 0.071 mol·m−2·s−1, 220 mmol·mol−1 and 1.34 mmol·m−2·s−1, respectively, when the rate of fertilization was 200 mg N per seedling. Photosynthetic gas exchange parameters were significantly different among nitrogen treatments. Based on the critical values of leaf N and P concentration and N/P ratio, the optimum amount of nitrogen of C. inophyllum seedlings was 200–400 mg per seedling for leaf N and P concentration, and 100–400 mg per seedling for N/P ratio. It was concluded that 200–400 mg N per seedling was the most suitable nitrogen range for C. inophyllum seedlings

Microanalysis of wurtzite-GaN single crystals prepared by d.c. arc discharge

Abstract Gallium nitride crystals with definite faces have been fabricated by d.c. arc discharge using gallium and Hz + NH, as starting materials. Transmission electron microscope, selected area diffraction and X-ray diffraction investigation of the as-grown GaN Srystals show thtt the well faceted crystals are single crystalline GaN having a wnrtzite structure with lattice constants a, = 3.18 A and cu = 5.18 A. Both X-ray microanalysis and nano-probe diffraction techniques have been used to determine the composition and microstrnctnre of the samples

Dietary bamboo leaf flavonoids improve quality and microstructure of broiler meat by changing untargeted metabolome

Abstract Background Dietary bamboo leaf flavonoids (BLFs) are rarely used in poultry production, and it is unknown whether they influence meat texture profile, perceived color, or microstructure. Results A total of 720 one-day-old Arbor Acres broilers were supplemented with a basal diet with 20 mg bacitracin/kg, 50 mg BLFs/kg, or 250 mg BLFs/kg or without additions. Data showed that the dietary BLFs significantly (P < 0.05) changed growth performance and the texture profile. In particular, BLFs increased birds’ average daily gain and average daily feed intake, decreased the feed:gain ratio and mortality rate, improved elasticity of breast meat, enhanced the gumminess of breast and leg meat, and decreased the hardness of breast meat. Moreover, a significant (P < 0.05) increase in redness (a*) and chroma (c*) of breast meat and c* and water-holding capacity of leg meat was found in BLF-supplemented broilers compared with control broilers. In addition, BLFs supplementation significantly decreased (P < 0.05) the β-sheet ratio and serum malondialdehyde and increased the β-turn ratio of protein secondary structure, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase of breast meat and total antioxidant capacity and catalase of serum. Based on the analysis of untargeted metabolome, BLFs treatment considerably altered 14 metabolites of the breast meat, including flavonoids, amino acids, and organic acids, as well as phenolic and aromatic compounds. Conclusions Dietary BLFs supplementation could play a beneficial role in improving meat quality and sensory color in the poultry industry by changing protein secondary structures and modulating metabolites

Frequency analysis of representative flood control water level stations in Puyang River

Puyang river basin is located in the north central part of Zhejiang Province, which is one of the most important river basins in Zhejiang Province. The lower reaches of Puyang River are easily influenced by tide in Hangzhou Bay and flood in Qiantang River. When Puyang river floods, it often meets Fuchun River and floods occur at the same time. The flood discharge of Puyang river is blocked and the water level rises and rises, which makes the Puyang River vulnerable to disaster. Water level frequency analysis is the basis of Puyang river planning and flood control plan. The representative flood control water level stations of Puyang River include Zhuji station and wenjiayan station. The frequency analysis of these representative stations is helpful to determine the water level of these key nodes under different frequencies, and to provide basic data for accurate flood control of Puyang River and ensure the safety of flood control