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In order to establish clinical experience and objective indicators for managing them, this paper investigated the rating scales of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Wilson's disease cases, and reviewed the quality standards necessary for the development of the rating scale. In order to manage this in the gut microbiome analysis platform, we intend to implement a consensus algorithm by providing a consensus algorithm proposal based on clinical experience and a rating scale setting function in the analysis platform.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of exercise and diet on mental status, insulin signaling pathway, serotonin synthesis, and microbiome in high-fat-induced obesity mice. Before the start of this experiment, obesity groups made obese mice by administering a high-fat diet containing 60% fat for 12 weeks. In the obesity with exercise group, after a high-fat diet for 12 weeks, exercise was performed with high-fat diet for 8 weeks. In the obesity with diet group, a high-fat diet for 12 weeks followed by a normal diet for 8 weeks. Depression and anxiety were determined by open field test and elevated plus maze test. Immunohistochemistry for tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) in the dorsal raphe, western blot analysis for phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-ATK), total AKT (t-AKT), phosphorylated phosphoinositide 3-kinase (p-PI3K), and total PI3K (t-PI3K) in the hippocampus were performed. Analysis of microbiome was also conducted. Obesity-induced depression and anx-iety status, suppressed ratio of p-AKT/t-AKT and p-PI3K/t-PI3K, and in-hibited TPH synthesis. Exercise and diet improved depression and anxi-ety status, activated p-AKT/t-AKT and p-PI3K/t-PI3K, and increased TPH synthesis. Exercise and diet improved depression and anxiety sta-tus by increasing the insulin signaling pathway and promoting serotonin production. These effects of exercise and diet were almost similar. In addition, exercise and diet regulated the composition of gut microbiota.

스케일링 수행 후 치주 상태 평가에 있어 구강 마이크로바이옴 분석의 타당성과 효과성을 평가하는 것을 목 적으로 하였다. 연구대상자는 총 15명이 선정되었으며, 치면세균막지수(PI), 치주낭 깊이(PD), 치은 출혈 지수 (mSBI), 치석 지수(CI) 등 치주 측정하였다. 스케일링 전·후 타액을 채취하여 구강 마이크로바이옴 분포를 정량 분석 하였다. 초기 및 중등도 치주염 환자에서 스케일링 전·후에 유의미한 차이를 보였으며, 스케일링 수행 후 치주질환과 관련된 병원성세균 Aggregatibacter, Porphyromonas, Tannerella, Treponema, Prevotella, Fusobacterium의 변 화가 확인되었다. 특히 치주 병원균으로 알려진 Tannerella forsythia와 Fusobacterium nucleatum은 치주 치료 후 유의미하게 감소하였다. 본 연구는 스케일링 중재 후 치주질환 개선 평가를 위한 객관적이고 정량적인 바이오마커로 서 치주질환 관련 세균의 정량 분석을 활용할 것을 제안한다.

This study aimed to evaluate the validity and effectiveness of oral microbiome analysis in assessing periodontal status following scaling intervention. A total of 15 participants were selected, and periodontal measurements were taken, including Plaque Index (PI), Periodontal Pocket Depth (PD), Modified Sulcus Bleeding Index (mSBI), and Calculus Index (CI). Saliva was collected before and after scaling to perform quantitative analysis of the oral microbiome distribution. Significant differences were observed before and after scaling in patients with initial and moderate periodontitis, and changes in pathogenic bacteria associated with periodontal disease such as Aggregatibacter, Porphyromonas, Tannerella, Treponema, Prevotella, and Fusobacterium were identified after scaling. This study proposes utilizing quantitative analysis of bacteria related to periodontal disease as an objective and quantitative biomarker for evaluating improvements in periodontal disease after scaling intervention.

The effects of maternal exercise on hippocampal neurogenesis, syn-aptic protein expression, and gut microbiome composition in the off-spring of older females were investigated. Male offspring from female C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups: offspring of young female group (CON), offspring of exercised young female group, offspring of advanced-age female group (AMA), and offspring of exercised ad-vanced-age female group (AMA+EX). The exercised group received 8 weeks of treadmill training before and during pregnancy. Male off-spring were assessed at 4 weeks of age. Hippocampal neurogenesis was assessed by 5-bromo-2’-deoxyuridine/neuronal double immunoflu-orescence staining. Expression of synaptic plasticity-related proteins, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95), was analyzed by Western blot. Gut microbi-ome composition and diversity were assessed using 16S rRNA se-quencing of fecal samples. Offspring born to AMA females had signifi-cantly reduced hippocampal neurogenesis and lower expression levels of BDNF and PSD-95 compared to the CON group. In the AMA+EX group, maternal treadmill exercise significantly improved these deficits, restoring both neurogenesis and synaptic protein expression. In con-trast, gut microbiota analysis showed that microbial richness and alpha diversity were reduced in the offspring of exercised females, despite the relatively high diversity in the CON and AMA groups, especially in the AMA+EX group. Older mothers impair hippocampal neurogenesis and synaptic protein expression in offspring, and alter gut microbial diversi-ty. Maternal exercise may alleviate age-related neurodevelopmental disorders, but may also reduce microbial diversity in the offspring’s gut.

Aging is associated with declines in memory function and significant change in gut microbiota. In this study, we investigated how exercise affects age-related memory decline and inflammation, and gut microbi-ota diversity. Bl6 mice were divided into control, control and exercise, old, and old and exercise groups. Treadmill exercise was performed once a day, 5 days a week for 8 consecutive weeks. Short-term memo-ry was assessed using step-through test and spatial learning memory was assessed using Morris water maze task. Enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay was performed for the proinflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6, in the hippocampus. West-ern blot analysis was conducted for the neurotrophic factors, brain- derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tyrosine kinase B (TrkB), in the hippocampus. In addition, fecal samples were collected for sequencing and metagenomic analysis. Old rats showed decline in short-term mem-ory and spatial learning memory. Increment of TNF-α and IL-6 concen-tration with decrement of BDNF and TrkB expression were observed in the old rats. Decreased diversity of gut microbiota composition and de-creased beneficial gut microbiota were found in the old rats. However, treadmill exercise improved short-term memory, decreased TNF-α and IL-6 concentration, and increased BDNF and TrkB expression in the old rats. Treadmill exercise also increased the diversity of gut microbiota composition and affected the increase of beneficial gut microbiota in the old rats. In conclusion, treadmill exercise reduced age-related in-flammatory markers and effectively improved memory decline while enhancing the diversity and abundance of beneficial gut microbiota.

In this study, we investigated the microbial community of oyster mushrooms at different growth stages at the species level. Gram-positive bacteria were predominant in the presterilized medium. On the other hand, Gram-negative bacteria were predominant in the culture-completed medium, post-harvest medium, and fruiting bodies. In addition, Pseudomonas tolaasii, which is known to cause disease in mushrooms, was confirmed in the cultured medium, post-harvest medium, and fruiting bodies, and it was determined that the mycelium culture stage was contaminated, and the reason why no disease occurred was Sphingobacterium psychroaquaticum. It was confirmed that this was because the growth of Pseudomonas tolaasii was suppressed by producing a component called tolacin. As a result of confirming the diversity of microorganisms, it was confirmed that the presterilization medium contains a variety of microorganisms compared to other growth stages, and the diversity decreases in the order of culture completion medium, fruiting body, and post-harvest medium. showed a trend. As a result of microbial similarity analysis, it was confirmed that the cultured medium and the post-harvest medium showed similar microbial communities, and in the case of fruiting bodies, there were some similarities but overall differences.

The intestinal microbiota, an invisible organ supporting a host’s survival, has essential roles in metabolism, immunity, growth, and development. Due to the influence of the intestinal microbiota on the biology of an organism, application of such data to wildlife conservation has gained interest. While there is a standard protocol for studying the human intestinal microbiota, an equivalent one for wildlife is still under development. A major challenge is sampling the intestinal microbiota in an effective, unbiased way. Faecal samples are a popular proxy of the intestinal microbiota because collection is non-invasive, convenient, and allows for longitudinal sampling. Yet, it is unclear whether the faecal microbiota is representative of the intestinal microbiota. In amphibians, research on sampling methodology is limited. In this study, we first characterise and compare microbiota (small intestine, large intestine, faeces) of two Hong Kong stream-dwelling frog species: the Lesser Spiny Frog (Quasipaa exilispinosa) and the Hong Kong Cascade Frog (Amolops hongkongensis). We found that both species have similar dominant phyla and families, but diverge in terms of the dominant genera. Second, we assess the performance of faecal microbiota in representing the intestinal microbiota in these two species. By comparing the microbiota between three sample types (small intestine, large intestine, and faeces), we found (1) that microbiota of small and large intestine differs significantly, (2) that faeces are not an appropriate proxy of both intestinal sections, and (3) a set of microbial taxa that significantly differ between sample type. Our study raises caution on equating faecal and intestinal microbiota. The use of faeces can avoid sacrifice an animal, but researchers should avoid over-extrapolation and interpret results carefully.

국내 건강기능식품 시장은 2022년 시장 규모가 6조 원을 넘어섰으며 매년 꾸준히 상승 중이다. 코로나19 팬데믹으로 인해 자신에게 적합한 건강기능식품을 직접 구매하는 셀프메디케이션 소비자들이 증가하였으며 이를 위한 맞춤형 건강기능식품이 국내 시장에 도입되기 시작했다. 본 연구는 최근 급변하고 있는 헬스케어 시장에서 건강기능식품의 새로운 마케팅전략으로 큐레이션 서비스에 주목하고 있다. 이를 위해 국내 기업들의 다양한 사례들을 분석하고 소비자 인터뷰를 통해 맞춤형 건강기능식품에 대한 그들의 생각을 확인하였다. 이 과정에서 건강기능식품 큐레이션 서비스 제공 단계를 헬스케어 데이터 – 분석 및 진단 – 큐레이션 서비스의 3단계로 구분하고 각 사례들의 특성과 문제점들을 파악하였다. 또한 이러한 내용분석과 함께 소비자 인터뷰를 통해 관련된 시사점들을 도출하였다. 현재 국내 건강기능식품 시장은 맞춤 소비에 대한 욕구 증가, 디지털 헬스케어로의 변화, 마이크로바이옴 관련 기술과 시장의 성장 등 여러 환경 변화에 직면하고 있다. 본 연구결과를 토대로 디지털 헬스케어 시대를 맞아 맞춤형 건강기능식품 시장의 발전과 성장을 기대해 본다.

The domestic health functional food market exceeded KRW 6 trillion in 2022 and is steadily rising every year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of self-medication consumers who directly purchase health functional foods suitable for them has increased, and customized health functional foods have begun to be introduced into the domestic market. This study focuses on curation services as a new marketing strategy for health functional foods in the recent rapidly changing healthcare market. To this end, various cases of domestic companies were analyzed and their thoughts on customized health functional foods were confirmed through consumer interviews. In this process, the stages of providing health functional food curation services were divided into three stages: healthcare data, analysis and diagnosis, and curation services, and the characteristics and problems of each case were identified. In addition, related implications were derived through consumer interviews along with this content analysis. Currently, the domestic health functional food market is facing various environmental changes such as an increase in desire for customized consumption, a change to digital healthcare, and the growth of microbiomerelated technologies and markets. Based on the results of this study, we look forward to the development and growth of the customized health functional food market in the era of digital healthcare.

This study attempted to investigate the association between changes in the intestinal environment and the brain using a model that received aerobic exercise and microbiome transplantation. All mice were fed a diet containing 60% fat. For the obesity with nonexercise microbiome transplantation group, feces from donors that did not undergo exercise were administered. For the obesity with exercise microbiome trans-plantation group, feces from donors who underwent exercise were ad-ministered. Treadmill exercise started 16 weeks after the intake of the high fat feeding and continued for 24 weeks. The short-term memory and spatial learning memory were determined by step-down avoidance test and Morris water maze task, immunohistochemistry for glial fibril-lary acidic protein, western blot analysis for brain-derived neurotrophic factor and tropomyosin receptor kinase B were performed in the hippo-campus. Exercise was the most effective way to reduce obesity, im-prove memory function, suppress inflammation, and increase brain-de-rived neurotrophic factor expression. Intestinal microbiota transplanta-tion was the second most effective after exercise. However, there was no significant difference in the fecal microbiota transplant group ac-cording to whether or not exercise was performed.

본 배경 : 질염은 항생제를 복용하는 방식으로 치료를 하고 있으며, 이러한 항생제의 지속적인 치료는 내성을 유발할 수 있다. 연구 방법 : Lactic acid bacteria 2종에 에센셜 오일을 이용한 항균 활성을 보고자 한다. SE(Grapefruit Seed Extract), eucalyptus, tea tree, clove bud oil, cinnamon oil, lemongrass oil, thyme oil, ginger oil을 일정 비율로 넣어 배양 후, 병원성 미생물- E. coli, C. albicans와 Lactic acid bacteria은 균주에 맞는 배지를 사용하여 균 수를 측정 하였다. 결과 : Essential oil 7종과 GSE가 병원성 미생물에 억제 효과가 있으며, 병원성균(E. coli, C. albicans)에 대한 Grapefruit seed extract(GSE)의 억제농도를 확인하였다, 병원성균은 억제하고 Lactic acid bacteria는 억제하지 않는 배합비도 확인하였다(GSE 농도가 200ppm에서 Eucalyptus globulus(EG) oil 50㎕와 Melaleuca alternifolia oil(Tea tree oil, TTO) 50㎕(pH 5.0, 5.5, 6.0)). 결론 : 본 실험에서 Essential oil은 다양한 항균 활성 가지고 있어 항생제 대안으 로도 생각할 수 있으며, 장기 항생제 치료환자에 대한 보조 항균제로서도 유용할 것으로 생각된다.

Objectives: Antibiotics help treat Vaginitis, and prolonged usage of antibiotics can lead to resistance. Methods: This study investigates the antimicrobial activity of two types of lactic acid bacteria using essential oils. After cultivation by adding grapefruit seed extract (GSE), eucalyptus, tea tree, clove bud, cinnamon, lemongrass, thyme, and ginger oils in a specific ratio, pathogenic microorganisms, namely E. coli, C. albicans, and lactic acid bacteria were released. The number of bacteria was measured using a medium suitable for the strains. Results: The essential oils and GSE inhibited pathogenic microorganisms, and the inhibitory concentration of GSE against pathogenic bacteria (E. coli, C. albicans) was confirmed. The non-inhibitory mixing ratio was also confirmed (50 μl of eucalyptus globulus (EG) oil and 50 μl of melaleuca alternifolia oil (tea tree oil, TTO) at 200 ppm GSE (pH 5.0, 5.5, 6.0)). Conclusion: Essential oils can be considered as an alternative to antibiotics because of their antibacterial properties. They are useful as auxiliary antibacterial agents for patients under long-term antibiotic treatment.

The gastrointestinal tract is a complex ecosystem that contains a large number of microorganisms with different metabolic capacities. Modulation of the gut microbiome can improve the growth and promote health in pigs. Crosstalk between the host, diet, and the gut microbiome can influence the health of the host, potentially through the production of several metabolites with various functions. Short-chain and branched-chain fatty acids, secondary bile acids, polyamines, indoles, and phenolic compounds are metabolites produced by the gut microbiome. The gut microbiome can also produce neurotransmitters (such as γ-aminobutyric acid, catecholamines, and serotonin), their precursors, and vitamins. Several studies in pigs have demonstrated the importance of the gut microbiome and its metabolites in improving growth performance and feed efficiency, alleviating stress, and providing protection from pathogens. The use of probiotics is one of the strategies employed to target the gut microbiome of pigs. Promising results have been published on the use of probiotics in optimizing pig production. This review focuses on the role of gut microbiome-derived metabolites in the performance of pigs and the effects of probiotics on altering the levels of these metabolites.

Copper is an essential mineral for pigs, thus it is used as a feed additive in the forms of copper sulfate. Therefore, this study aimed at characterizing the fecal microbiota shifts in pigs as fed by different forms of copper supplementation. 40 growing pigs aged 73 ± 1 days with an average weight of 30.22 ± 1.92kg were randomly divided into 5 groups. The control group (CON) fed with basal diet, while treatment groups were fed a basal diet supplemented with 100 ppm/kg of copper sulfate (CuSO4), Cu-glycine complex (CuGly), Cu-amino acid complex (CuAA), and Cu-hydroxy(4methylthio)butanoate chelate complex (CuHMB) for 28 days of trial, respectively. The data presented the comparison between inorganic and organic copper supplementation through gut microbiota in growing pigs. Alpha and Beta diversity anaylsis resulted in copper supplementation did shifted gut microbioal community structure. At the phylum level, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were the most abundant phyla at all times regardless of treatment. At the genus level, the relative abundances of Prevotella, Lactobacillus, Megasphaera, and SMB53 of the CuGly and CuHMB groups were significantly higher than those of copper sulfate and basal diet groups. Overall, this study may provide the potential role of organic copper replacing inorganic copper, resulting in increased beneficial bacteria in the pig gut.

The gut microbiome of cattle suppresses pathogens and aids host immunity. However, the gut microbiome of newborn calves is still developing; therefore, diarrhea caused by pathogen infection is common. Rapid changes in the gut microbiome due to diarrhea have a significant impact on the health and growth of calves. Until recently, there have been few studies on the changes in the gut microbiome following infection with major digestive pathogens that cause diarrhea in Hanwoo (Korean indigenous cattle) calves. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify viral digestive pathogens that cause severe diarrhea in Hanwoo calves. Seven normal calves without diarrhea and eight calves with diarrhea were selected, and their feces were collected to analyze pathogens and the gut microbiome. Bovine rotavirus (BRV) and bovine coronavirus (BCoV) were detected in the feces of the calves with diarrhea. There was no significant difference in the alpha diversity of the microbiome between normal calves and calves infected with viruses; however, a significant decrease in NPShannon and Shannon indices and a significant increase in Simpson index were observed in calves infected with BRV compared to calves infected with BCoV. In addition, beta diversity of the microbiome differed distinctly between normal calves and calves infected with BRV or BCoV. At the class level, BRV infection increased Gammaproteobacteria and Actinobacteria, whereas BCoV infection increased Clostridia and decreased Bacilli. In addition, the abundance of Lactobacillus was significantly reduced upon infection with BRV and BCoV. In this study, we confirmed the differences in the gut microbiome based on viral pathogens causing diarrhea in Hanwoo calves. The results of pathogen-targeting research are expected to be helpful in preventing common pathogens in calves.

Particulate matter (PM) produced in pig houses may contain microbes which can spread by airborne transmission, and PM and microbes in PM adversely affect human and animal health. To investigate the microbiome in PM from pig houses, nine PM samples were collected in summer 2020 inside and outside of pig houses located in Jangseong-gun, Jeollanam- do Province, Korea, comprising three PM samples from within a nursery pig house (I-NPH), three samples from within a finishing pig house (I-FPH), and three samples from outside of the pig houses (O-PH). Microbiomes were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Firmicutes was the most dominant phylum and accounted for 64.8%?97.5% of total sequences in all the samples, followed by Proteobacteria (1.4%?21.8%) and Bacteroidetes (0.3%?13.7%). In total, 31 genera were represented by > 0.3% of all sequences, and only Lactobacillus, Turicibacter, and Aerococcus differed significantly among the three PM sample types. All three genera were more abundant in the I-FPH samples than in the O-PH samples. Alpha diversity indices did not differ significantly among the three PM types, and a principal coordinate analysis suggested that overall microbial communities were similar across PM types. The concentration of PM did not significantly differ among the three PM types, and no significant correlation of PM concentration with the abundance of any potential pathogen was observed. The present study demonstrates that microbial composition in PM inside and outside of pig houses is similar, indicating that most microbe-containing PM inside pig houses leaks to the outside from where it, along with microbe-containing PM on the outside, may re-enter the pig houses. Our results may provide useful insights regarding strategies to mitigate potential risk associated with pig farming PM and pathogens in PM.

Birth weight and subsequent weight gain is of critical importance in the survival and performance of piglets on a commercial swine farm setting. Oropharyngeal microbiome could influence immunity, and feeding behavior thus impacting health and weight gain. We used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to profile the composition and predicted metabolic functionality of the oropharyngeal microbiota in 8 piglets (4 with a birthweight ≤ 1.0 kg and 4 with a birthweight ≥ 1.7 kg) at 11, 26, and 63 days of age. We found 9 genera that were significantly associated with average daily gain (ADG) at 11 days (false discovery rate, FDR < 0.05) and 26 days of age (FDR < 0.1), respectively. The microbial functional profile revealed several pathways associated with ADG (FDR < 0.05). Among these, pathways related to degradation of catechols showed a positive association with ADG at 11, 26, and 63 days of age, implying a potential to breakdown the host-derived catecholamines. We also noted that pathways related to the biodegradation of nucleosides and nucleotides increased with ADG during the pre-weaning phase, while those involved in their biosynthesis decreased. Our findings provide insights into the oropharyngeal microbial memberships and metabolic pathways that are involved in a piglet’s weight gain. Thus, providing a basis for the development of strategies aimed at improving weight gain in pigs.

The weaning transition is a critical phase in piglet development, marked by physiological challenges that influence growth and health. Therefore, this study aims to investigate hostmicrobiome interactions during the weaning transition using a multi-omics integrated approach. Fecal samples were collected from piglets on the weaning day (W0), 7 days post-weaning (W7), and 14 days post-weaning (W14). Ileal microbiota, microbial-derived metabolites, and tissue samples (ileum, thymus, and mesenteric lymph nodes) were collected at W0 and W14. Fecal microbiota analysis revealed a more stable community at W14 than at W7, with increased presence of fiber-degrading bacteria, including Prevotella, Treponema, Muribaculaceae, and Lachnospiraceae. The ileal microbiota exhibited an adaptive pattern with increases in Lactobacillus, Clostridium_sensu stricto_1, and Enterobacteriaceae, optimized for solid feed digestion and gut stabilization. Morphological analysis of the ileum showed changes in villus architecture between W0 and W14, including increased crypt depth and villus area and decreased villus width, while villus height and goblet cell counts were numerically higher at W14. Transcriptomic profiling revealed the ileum as the primary site of molecular adaptation, with 506 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in immune response pathways, including viral protein interactions with cytokine and cytokine receptor pathways and T cell receptor signaling. The thymus (158 DEGs) and mesenteric lymph nodes (30 DEGs) exhibited modulation of structural pathways linked to systemic immune development, indicating tissuespecific molecular adaptation. Integrated analysis of the host transcriptome and microbial-derived metabolites revealed upregulated glycerophospholipid and glutathione metabolic pathways in piglets 14 days post-weaning, consistent with modulation of membrane structure, barrier function, and antioxidant defense during gut adaptation. Overall, the multiomics findings provide a comprehensive description of molecular changes associated with weaning adaptation and identify candidate targets for piglet health management during the weaning transition.

In recent decades, a global shift in lifestyle and the ubiquitous consumption of junk foods have led to dysbiosis and other metabolic disorders significantly impacting human health. Recent studies performed on traditional foods have shown several health benefits and have gained the attention of the scientific community towards ethnic foods. In this regard, the consumption of ethnic foods with symbiotic properties is increasing gradually across the globe. Kefir is one such ethnic food with excellent functional properties. It is a unique traditional fermented drink comprised of kefir grains and probiotic microbes. Kefir grains are a gelatinous consortium of casein, milk solids coupled with yeasts, and lactobacilli-rich microbiota embedded in a poly-saccharide matrix. These components act as starters, initiating fermentation when introduced into fresh milk. This beverage bestows a myriad of symbiotic benefits, encompassing improved gut health and preventing several metabolic and other diseases through various biological mechanisms. Despite its millennia-long history, it has recently gained prominence due to emerging biotechnological and nutraceutical applications and researchers’ burgeoning fascination. In this comprehensive review, we endeavour to provide a meticulous elucidation of the most recent advancements concerning kefir, encompassing its production and processing methodologies for both dairy and water kefir. Furthermore, we delve into the intricate mechanisms underlying its functional properties and the health benefits of kefir as a functional fermented beverage.

There are a variety of microorganisms in the animal intestine, and it has been known that they play important roles in the host such as suppression of potentially pathogenic microorganisms, modulation of the gut immunity. In addition, the gut microbiota and the livestock growth performance have long been known to be related. Therefore, we evaluated the interrelation between the growth performance and the gut microbiome of the pigs from 3 different farms, with pigs of varied ages ready to be supplied to the market. When pigs reached average market weight of 118 kg, the average age of pigs in three different farms were < 180 days, about 190 days, and > 200 days, respectively. Fecal samples were collected from pigs of age of 70 days, 100 days, 130 days, and 160 days. The output data of the 16S rRNA gene sequencing by the Illumina Miseq platform was filtered and analyzed using Quantitative Insights into Microbial Ecology (QIIME)2, and the statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Analysis of Metagenomic Profiles (STAMP). The results of this study showed that the gut microbial communities shifted as pigs aged along with significant difference in the relative abundance of different phyla and genera in different age groups of pigs from each farm. Even though, there was no statistical differences among groups in terms of Chao1, the number of observed operational taxonomic units (OTUs), and the Shannon index, our results showed higher abundances of Bifidobacterium, Clostridium and Lactobacillus in the feces of pigs with rapid growth rate. These results will help us to elucidate important gut microbiota that can affect the growth performance of pigs.

As the number of households that raise dogs and cats is increasing, there is growing interest in animal health. The gut plays an important role in animal health. In particular, the microbiome in the gut is known to affect both the absorption and metabolism of nutrients and the protective functions of the host. Using probiotics on pets has beneficial effects, such as modulating the immune system, helping to reduce stress, protecting against pathogenic bacteria and developing growth performance. The goals of this review are to summarize the relationship between probiotics/the gut microbiome and animal health, to feature technology used for identifying the diversity of microbiota composition of canine and feline microbiota, and to discuss recent reports on probiotics in canines and felines and the safety issues associated with probiotics and the gut microbiome in companion animals.

Weaned piglets are highly susceptible to infections caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), and phytobiotic supplementation has been explored as a potential strategy to prevent or mitigate such infections during the weaning period. However, comprehensive studies on the specific effects of phytobiotics on pig gut health and microbiota composition remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of various phytogenic feed additives (PFAs) on intestinal barrier function and gut microbiota composition in weaned piglets challenged with ETEC. A total of 63 weaned piglets ([Yorkshire × Landrace] × Duroc), 28 days old with an initial body weight of 8.03 ± 0.43 kg, were used in a 21-day trial. Piglets were randomly assigned to one of seven treatment groups: NC, negative control (basal diets without E. coli challenge); PC, positive control (basal diets + E. coli challenge); T1, PC + 0.04 % P1; T2, PC + 0.01 % P2; T3, PC + 0.10 % P3; T4, PC + 0.04 % P4; T5, PC + 0.10 % P5. The five phytobiotic materials were as follows: a bitter citrus extract rich in flavonoids (P1), a microencapsulated blend of thymol and carvacrol (P2), a composite of P1 and P2 (P3), a grape polyphenol-based mixture containing green tea and hops (P4), and a fenugreek seed powder rich in saponins (P5). Piglets in challenged groups were orally inoculated with ETEC at a concentration of 1.2 × 10¹? CFU/mL from days 8 to 10. The results showed that PFA supplementation upregulated the expression of tight junction and mucin-related genes including ZO-1 and MUC3. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, distinct microbial shifts were observed depending on the specific PFA composition. The relative abundances of beneficial genera such as Lactobacillus, Olsenella, and Collinsella increased following PFA supplementation. These genera are known to be associated with short-chain fatty acid production, improved gut health, and increased resistance to pathogens. Additionally, increases in Acinetobacter and Medioterraneibacter, which may be involved in the metabolism of plant-derived compounds, were observed. Collectively, our results suggest that PFAs may enhance gut health and contribute to the stabilization of the intestinal microbiota in weaned piglets.