Gut Microbiome Regulation of Autophagic Flux and Neurodegenerative Disease Risks

The gut microbiome-brain axis exerts considerable influence on the development and regulation of the central nervous system. Numerous pathways have been identified by which the gut microbiome communicates with the brain, falling largely into the two broad categories of neuronal innervation and immune-mediated mechanisms. We describe an additional route by which intestinal microbiology could mediate modifiable risk for neuropathology and neurodegeneration in particular. Autophagy, a ubiquitous cellular process involved in the prevention of cell damage and maintenance of effective cellular function, acts to clear and recycle cellular debris. In doing so, autophagy prevents the accumulation of toxic proteins and the development of neuroinflammation, both common features of dementia. Levels of autophagy are influenced by a range of extrinsic exposures, including nutrient deprivation, infection, and hypoxia. These relationships between exposures and rates of autophagy are likely to be mediated, as least in part, by the gut microbiome. For example, the suppression of histone acetylation by microbiome-derived short-chain fatty acids appears to be a major contributor to upregulation of autophagic function. We discuss the potential contribution of the microbiome-autophagy axis to neurological health and examine the potential of exploiting this link to predict and prevent neurodegenerative diseases.

Carcass traits, blood parameters and meat composition of quail and pigeon available in Bangladesh

Common poultry birds like chicken, duck, quail and pigeon meat is gaining interest due to their genetic potentiality and management factors as well as special characters of their meat and egg. With a view to considers consumers demand, promising alternative bird farming and meat quality research, an attempt was undertaken to conduct a preliminary study to compare carcass characteristics, blood parameter, intestinal microbiology and meat composition of quail and pigeon of Bangladesh. The result revealed that, carcass traits, hematological parameters and intestinal microbiology did differ between quail and pigeon (P<0.05). The meat proximate composition data indicated that moisture and ether extract content did differ (P<0.05), however, crude protein and ash content did not differ between quail and pigeon (P>0.05). Thus, the preliminary study suggested that farmers can easily rear quail and pigeon for consumption of meat, however, further detail study can ensure detail physiological aspects and meat quality parameters of quail and pigeon.

Effect of Age on the Immune and Visceral Organ Weights and Cecal Traits in Modern Broilers

This study aimed to determine the effect of age on the immune and visceral organ weights and cecal traits in modern broilers. 200 male Ross® 308 broilers were randomly selected, then 20 broilers were slaughtered every day (up to 10 days old) after six hours of fasting. All the organs measured had a progressive increase in absolute weight as the days progressed, apart from the spleen, which decreased its absolute weight on day 5, even though on day 10 it showed the highest values. Moreover, the small intestine relative weight increased from the fourth to the ninth day and was correlated (p ≤ 0.05) with the relative weight of the proventriculus, gizzard, small intestine, and cecum, although without statistical association with the of the heart. There was a correlation between the cecum relative weight and the cecal lactic acid bacteria, and between the primary lymphoid organs. The pH (from 5.74 to 7.40) and cecal lactic acid bacteria (from 6.11 to 8.79 log 10 CFU/g) changed according to the age of the broilers. The results could contribute to the understanding of the physiology and intestinal microbiology of the first 10 days old of modern broilers, which is crucial to improve the genetic expression of these animals.

Digestive Tract Diseases and Infection: Intestinal Microbiology

Human digestive tract is one of the most important and vulnerable organ of the human functions. The digestive tract is formed of several anatomic sites which cooperate during digestive activities: those multiple anatomic sites possess microbiologic characteristics and each is capable to undergo pathologic conditions. In normal conditions, a natural bacterial flora is present in the digestive tract and constitutes a source of maturation of immune systems: Lactobacilli, Bifidobacterium lactis, Enterobacteriaceae, Esherichia coli, Proteus spp, anaerobes, are normal inhabitants of the gut.

Productivity and technological qualities of pork when using biological drugs

In world practice biologically active drugs are widely used at different technological stages of rearing pigs, poultry and cattle. Special attention should be paid to bio-grugs obtained not as a result of chemical synthesis, but isolated from organs and tissues of healthy animals. Restoration of normal intestinal microflora of the animal is the basis of the concept of probiotics. Currently, probiotics are considered as endogenous intestinal microflora most often belonging to the group of lactobacilli, streptococci or bifidobacteria or as specific growth factors for them. Probiotics are selected according to certain criteria based on scientific knowledge of the physiology of intestinal microbiology, as well as animal nutrition. The purpose of the work was to study the effect of biological products on resistance, reproductive, fattening and meat productivity of pigs, on the quality of whole-muscle and fine-structured pork products; to develop a method of application of duodenum extract in combination with probiotics to increase the productivity of pigs. Studies on the effect of extracts derived from endocrine cells of the intestine, in combination with probiotics on the productivity of pigs of Large White breed and the quality of pork, as well as studied the effect of duodenins and probiotics in different concentrations on the protective properties of animal blood have been carried out. New methods of application of extracts of endocrine cells of intestines and probiotics for increase of meat productivity of animals and quality of pork have been offered. The use of bio-drugs increased the livability of young animals in all experimental groups from 1st to 4st by 3,51; 6,05; 4,95 and 5,90 %, respectively. There was an advantage in the amount of revenue from the sale of products of all experimental groups over the control one.

EAGEN and UEG: A Long-Term Partnership with a Focus on Education

EAGEN is one of the 7 founding sisters and an ordinary member society of UEG. EAGEN members have contributed significantly to the development of UEG in leading positions within UEG. The significant impact of UEG board members on science, education, and organization of European gastroenterology is demonstrated by the remarkable list of EAGEN board members who have received major UEG awards or prizes. The focus of EAGEN within UEG has been on postgraduate education. In this function, EAGEN has developed educational formats which after their establishment were handed over to UEG. EAGEN has established itself as an important provider of education in gastroenterology including pancreatic-biliary diseases, GI oncology, endoscopic procedures, nutrition, and intestinal microbiology. EAGEN has the goal to identify educational needs, fill existing gaps in medical education, and advance the quality of education. To fulfill these tasks, EAGEN is in close cooperation with the UEG education committee and UEG member societies. EAGEN puts a focus on reduction of pan-European health inequalities, provision of equal opportunity, promotion of young talent, and improvement of clinical standards and guidelines.