How butyrate has an effect at stomach level?5 answersButyrate, a short-chain fatty acid produced in the gut, exerts significant effects at the stomach level. Research shows that butyrate can inhibit gastric cancer (GC) cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and aerobic glycolysis. Additionally, butyrate has been found to induce apoptosis in human GC cells through a mitochondrial pathway. Moreover, butyrate plays a role in regulating the expression of genes and cell signaling pathways, such as the Wnt/β-catenin/c-Myc signaling pathway, which is crucial in GC growth and aerobic glycolysis inhibition. Furthermore, butyrate's impact extends to the gut microbiota, where it influences energy homeostasis, inflammation, and metabolic health, including glycemia and insulin sensitivity. Overall, butyrate's multifaceted effects make it a promising candidate for therapeutic interventions at the stomach level.
What are the stomach contents of benthosema glaciale?5 answersThe stomach contents of Benthosema glaciale consist mainly of copepods, with a preference for calanoid copepods such as Calanus finmarchicus and Calanus hyperboreus. Other prey items include euphausiids, sergestiid shrimps, and ostracods. Feeding occurs both during the day and at night, with a higher feeding intensity observed during spring and summer. The fish display a diel vertical migration (DVM) behavior, with some individuals migrating to shallower depths during the day and descending to deeper depths at night. The availability of food and light conditions influence the feeding patterns and depth distribution of B. glaciale. The stomachs of B. glaciale often contain little content, which is often digested.
What are the stomach contents of Boreogadus saida?5 answersThe stomach contents of Boreogadus saida, also known as polar cod, include Arctic amphipods, krill, barnacles, fish (presumably eggs and pelagic larvae), parasites, and other prey items. DNA metabarcoding with the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I gene, in combination with visual analysis, allowed for the identification of digested and unidentifiable prey, providing higher taxonomic resolution and revealing new prey items. The diet composition of young polar cod indicates a high importance of sympagic fauna, with the ice-associated amphipod Apherusa glacialis dominating the stomach contents. Additionally, the presence of temperate and boreal prey species such as northern krill, European flounder, and European plaice suggests the advection of boreal taxa into the polar region or ongoing borealisation in the Barents Sea. However, it is important to note that the ingestion of microplastic particles by polar cod is also possible, which may act as a stressor on this ecologically important fish species.
How does the pH of the digestive tract of birds change during digestion?5 answersThe pH of the digestive tract in birds varies along the gastrointestinal tract and is influenced by factors such as the presence/absence of food, season, habitat, and environmental temperature. The pH values are generally slightly higher in germ-free birds compared to conventional birds, with the greatest differences observed in the midintestine area and caeca. Starvation increases the pH of the intestine and decreases the pH of the crop, proventriculus, and rectum. Dietary electrolytes have little effect on the pH of the digestive tract, except for the crop, which is slightly more acidic when CaCl2 is added to the diet. The pH fluctuations in the rumen of birds are influenced by factors such as diet, frequency of eating, and dietary effective neutral detergent fiber (NDF).
How microplastic in oceans affects birds and marine mammals?5 answersMicroplastics in oceans have been found to have negative impacts on birds and marine mammals. Seabirds, such as albatrosses, petrels, and penguins, have been reported to accidentally ingest microplastics, mistaking them for fish or plankton. This can lead to decreased feeding stimuli, causing malnutrition and even death. Marine mammals, including whales and dolphins, are also affected by microplastics through ingestion. The ingestion of microplastics can disrupt nutrient absorption, hinder growth and reproduction, and even lead to death in these animals. Additionally, microplastics can have indirect effects on birds and marine mammals by altering the productivity of marine ecosystems. Experimental studies have shown that microplastics can negatively impact primary and secondary productivity, which can have cascading effects on the food web and ultimately affect the abundance and availability of prey for birds and marine mammals.
What does current research say about feeding wild birds food with capsaicin?3 answersCurrent research suggests that feeding wild birds food with capsaicin can be effective in repelling mammals such as rodents while not affecting birds. Capsaicin, a compound found in chili peppers, produces a burning sensation in mammals but does not have the same effect on birds as they do not have capsaicin sensitive receptors. By treating birdseed with capsaicin or capsaicin derivatives, the feed becomes unpalatable to animals with capsaicin sensitive receptors, such as rodents, while remaining attractive to birds. This method can help repel troublesome mammals and reduce feed contamination by rodents, ultimately reducing the occurrence of Salmonella infection in poultry. Additionally, capsaicin can enhance the nutritional value and vitamin A content of bird food, making it beneficial for birds while rendering it undesirable to predators. Overall, current research suggests that incorporating capsaicin into bird feed can be an effective strategy for managing rodent pests and improving bird health.