Texas College

Dietary fiber (DF) in poultry nutrition was once viewed mainly as an anti-nutritional factor that reduced energy density and nutrient digestibility. Current research shows DF can play important functional roles in gut health, nutrient utilization, and overall performance when its type and inclusion level are carefully managed. Fiber fractions differ widely in chemical composition and physical properties such as solubility, water-holding capacity, and water-binding capacity. These factors influence digesta viscosity, passage rate, microbial fermentation, and satiety, making precise fiber characterization critical for effective diet formulation. Traditional methods like crude fiber analysis underestimate total fiber and miss key soluble fractions. Modern approaches, including total dietary fiber analysis and near-infrared spectroscopy allow for better quantification of both insoluble and soluble components and support incorporation into real-time feed formulation. By understanding and targeting specific non-starch polysaccharides or oligosaccharides, nutritionists can promote beneficial fermentation, encourage short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, and minimize undesirable protein fermentation or pathogen growth. Dietary fiber also supports intestinal barrier function by stimulating gut development, increasing villus height, and fueling epithelial cells through SCFAs. However, poorly balanced fiber can impair nutrient absorption, increase maintenance energy needs, or elevate digesta viscosity, particularly in young birds. Monitoring gut health is now possible by using biomarkers as tools to evaluate intestinal integrity, inflammation, and microbial balance as we investigate the impact of dietary fiber, but further work is needed to standardize these measures and account for flock variability When properly applied, DF can enhance feed efficiency, improve welfare by reducing hunger-driven behaviors, support reproductive performance, and strengthen disease resilience. A data-driven, precision approach combining accurate fiber analysis, enzyme supplementation, microbiome profiling, and non-invasive gut health biomarkers offers the greatest potential to optimize both productivity and sustainability in poultry systems. The purpose of this symposium was to stimulate discussion and enhance understanding of dietary fiber and its potential benefits in improving poultry production. This paper provides an overview of each contributing author's role in the symposium. Dr. Caitlin Evans addressed the challenges associated with current fiber nomenclature and emphasized the need to improve analytical methods and overall understanding of fiber. She brings strong credibility to this topic as a Technical Manager for Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Feed Milling Engineer at AB Vista, and as a Ph.D. graduate of Kansas State University. Dr. Amy Petry shared her expertise on the impact of fiber in swine nutrition and how these findings can be applied to poultry. She is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Animal Sciences at the University of Missouri, where her research focuses on improving fiber utilization and its effects on energy efficiency and animal health. Dr. Tim Johnson, Professor in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Minnesota, highlighted the importance of understanding the poultry microbiome and its role in developing strategies to enhance bird performance. Dr. Mike Kogut contributed his expertise as a Research Microbiologist and Lead Scientist with the Food and Feed Safety Research Unit at the Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center. Finally, Dr. Carrie Walk, Head of Research at AB Vista, along with Dr. Tara York, AB Vista's Technical Director for North America, integrated the key themes of the symposium, connecting the presented research and practical applications.

Stroke triggers a rapid and complex immune response that is not yet fully understood, especially within hours after an ischemic infarct. Our previous study in stroke patients revealed a significant increase in interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) immediately (hyperacute) and downstream of the ischemic ictus, within the arterial compartment. The present study investigated the source, inciting factors, and role of IFN-γ in a preclinical murine model. Stroke was produced using transient middle cerebral artery occlusion, and immune cells within the arterial vasculature distal to the occlusion (pre- and post-occlusion) were characterized using flow cytometry. Compared with the control samples, the post-occlusion samples presented an increase in IFN-γ+ and CD69+ cells, whereas no significant increase was detected in IL17+, IL4+, and CD25+ cells. Further analysis of the IFN-γ+ population revealed two novel attributes. First, interrogation of the identity of these IFN-γ+ cells revealed that the increase in IFN-γ production was largely driven by CD14+ myeloid cells in the post-occlusion sample, with negligible contributions from other canonical IFN-γ-producing cells (CD4, CD8, NK). Second, the IFN-γ+ cells exhibited two distinct clusters, an IFN-γlow and an IFN-γhi population. Further analysis revealed that the IFN-γ low population was largely composed of CD14+ myeloid cells, whereas the IFN-γhi population was dominated by CD4+ T-cells. To explore the conditions driving IFN-γ production, an in vitro ischemia model involving oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) was employed. Co-culturing of naïve splenocytes with OGD-treated CNS cells and OGD-derived supernatant resulted in a significant increase in IFN-γ+CD14+ cells, as compared to normoxic controls, an effect that coincided with marked loss of DAPI+ and NeuN+DAPI+ cells in mixed cortical (neuronal and glial) cultures. In summary, this study identified intra-arterial CD14+ myeloid cells as novel early sources of IFN-γ in the hyperacute phase of stroke, a role traditionally attributed to adaptive immune cells. Using in vivo and in vitro ischemia models, the findings reveal that injury-associated signals from CNS cells are sufficient to directly induce IFN-γ production in CD14+ myeloid cells, redefining early stroke immunopathology and uncovering a potential target for timely immunomodulation.

Introduction The present study evaluated oxidative stress indicators in plasma of beef calves supplemented with a rumen-protected methionine (L0 = receiving ration top-dressed with a ground corn carrier, L1 = receiving ration top-dressed with 10.0 g of rumen-protected methionine supplement in a ground corn carrier, L2 = receiving ration top-dressed with 20.0 g of rumen-protected methionine supplement in a ground corn carrier) and administered lipopolysaccharide (LPS). An additional objective evaluated the effect of LPS on plasma metabolites. Methods Following an initial feeding period (40 d), steers (n = 32; 379 kg ± 30.7) were intravenously administered LPS (0.25 μg/kg BW). Blood was collected via jugular catheter at -2, 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48 h relative to LPS administration (0 h). Plasma was analyzed for amino acid (AA) concentrations, ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS), and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Metabolomic analysis occurred for control cattle at -2, 2, and 8 h. Results and discussion Plasma AA asparginine and methionine were increased with supplementation ( P < 0.01). The greatest FRAP values were observed at -2, 0, 2, 36, and 48 h ( P < 0.001). At 6 and 8 h, FRAP decreased to their lowest values ( P < 0.001). Amount of TBARS increased at 2 h but declined at 4h ( P < 0.001). A treatment × time interaction occurred for ROS ( P < 0.001). At 2 h, ROS was greatest in L0 cattle, least in L2, and intermediate in L1 but declined at 4 h in all treatments ( P < 0.001). Values peaked at 6 h for L1 and L2 cattle, followed by a decline at 8 h ( P < 0.001). Values for L0 cattle were similar from 4 to 6 h ( P = 0.371) but increased at 8 h ( P < 0.001). Finally, L0 plasma metabolites present at -2 h segregated from those present at 2 and 8 h ( P < 0.05). Differences were primarily driven by taurocholic acid, LysoPE, butyric acid, acitretin, and tauromuricholic acid. These data demonstrate that LPS may alter oxidative stress indicators and plasma metabolites. However, methionine supplementation may mitigate oxidative stress.

Anecdotal reports about smoking that might prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection inspire the search for nicotine and its pyrolysis products as inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (MPro). This effort leads to the discovery of 3-vinylpyridine as an MPro inhibitor. 3-Vinylpyridine resembles part of nirmatrelvir in binding to MPro but does not involve a critical interaction with residue E166, whose mutation has led to resistance to nirmatrelvir. Integration of the two molecules, followed by a medicinal chemistry campaign, produces several molecules with better in vitro potency than nirmatrelvir. Two lead molecules, YR-C-136 and SR-B-103, display better pharmacokinetic characteristics than nirmatrelvir in virus-challenged male mice and much better antiviral efficacy in virus-challenged female mice. Both molecules maintain high potency in inhibiting the nirmatrelvir-resistant MPro (E166V/L50F) variant. They also exhibit a broad and highly potent antiviral spectrum against most pathogenic coronaviruses. With high in vivo potency, both molecules are potentially standalone pan-antivirals for coronaviruses and may serve as countermeasures for future coronavirus outbreaks.

Abstract College students face multiple stressors that increase vulnerability to mental health challenges and risky substance use, including simultaneous polysubstance use (using multiple substances at once), which poses significant health risks. This study examined the relationship between polysubstance use and depressive symptoms among a quota‑based sample of college students. Data from 2155 students who reported past-year alcohol use were analyzed using multivariable linear regression. Measures included self-reported indices of past-month alcohol, cannabis, and non-prescribed stimulant use (individually and simultaneously); depressive symptoms; and adverse childhood experiences. Cannabis and stimulant use were associated with higher depressive symptoms ( p < 0.01). Alcohol-stimulant polysubstance use was associated with depressive symptoms ( p < 0.05), while alcohol-cannabis was not ( p > 0.05). Adverse childhood experiences remained a significant correlate of depressive symptoms across all models. Findings underscore the need for campus mental health prevention and intervention efforts addressing polysubstance use and incorporating trauma-informed strategies for early childhood adversity.

Cow regrouping associated with pen move events (PME) within a dairy farm disrupts the social dynamics of cows in the herd and affects cow behavior and performance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of PME and cow move group size on rumination time (RT; min/d), milk yield (MY; kg/d), and water intake (WI; L/d) of dairy cows up to 5 d postmove. A retrospective study was conducted on an organic dairy farm in central Texas, which consisted of 5,420 independent cow move events collected from 1,130 crossbred dairy cows. Cow-related variables were retrieved from herd management software, daily RT and WI were retrieved from sensor boluses, and daily MY was retrieved from milk meters on the farm. Statistical analyses were conducted in R using repeated measures in a mixed-effects model controlled for stage of lactation, temperature-humidity index, and parity, with cow as a random effect. We identified a 3-way interaction effect between parity, stage of lactation, and day since the pen move on RT. During early lactation, the reduction in RT was more pronounced in primiparous cows on d 2 to d 5 post-PME compared with d 1. In multiparous cows, during the dry period, RT was significantly reduced compared with d 1. Similarly, MY decreased during early lactation in multiparous cows and during late lactation in primiparous cows. A parity by stage of lactation by day 3-way interaction was observed in WI, with decreased WI in primiparous cows during early lactation after PME. In contrast, WI increased in multiparous cows in the dry period and mid lactation. Furthermore, WI, RT, and MY were also affected by the size of the cow move groups (single, small, or large) and varied across different parities; primiparous cows moved in larger groups showed a 10% drop in RT compared with a 6% drop in multiparous cows moved in large groups. Compared with primiparous cows, multiparous cows experienced a more pronounced decline in MY when moved in small or large groups, along with a significant reduction in WI in the large-group moves. We demonstrate that daily RT, MY, and WI are affected by PME, with the effect dependent on the parity of the cows and the size of the cow move group.

As populations increase, water quality is increasingly affected by failing septic systems that introduce harmful fecal bacteria (e.g., E. coli) into watersheds. Septic system owners play a vital role in reducing the impact of such bacteria. Therefore, our study aimed to examine factors that influence septic system owners' decisions to improve septic system maintenance and protect watershed health in the Attoyac Bayou, located in East Texas. Using the theory of planned behavior, we addressed three research questions: (1) What are the characteristics of septic systems within the Attoyac Bayou watershed?; (2) How have septic system owners in the Attoyac Bayou watershed maintained their systems?; and (3) How do attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control predict septic system maintenance behaviors? We sent a questionnaire to septic system owners in the Attoyac Bayou watershed that included questions about septic system characteristics, maintenance histories, and owners' perceived norms, controls, attitudes, and intentions about septic systems. We found most septic systems in Attoyac Bayou are older conventional models with many owners lacking service contracts and reporting various times since the last pump out or inspection. While septic system owners generally demonstrate positive attitudes and confidence toward maintenance, our results revealed that attitude accounts for the greatest variance in maintenance behavior, with social norms and perceived behavioral control being less influential. Therefore, we recommend targeted messaging and interventions to reinforce positive attitudes, enhance perceived behavioral control, and promote consistent maintenance behaviors.

Clostridioides difficile is a highly methylated organism within the gut microbiome that is responsible for Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), a common disease that is mediated by toxins production from the bacterium. C. difficile infection is ten times more common in chemotherapy patients than the average patient, but the reasons for this disparity are unclear. Conditioning chemotherapy (CC), an integral part of cancer treatments, has the ability to induce methylation changes in many cell types. We posit that CC induces methylation changes within C. difficile that may promote toxin production and consequently CDI. To test our hypothesis, we sought to identify the epigenetic changes, particularly methylation changes, within C. difficile isolates before and after chemotherapy and within isolates that express toxin and isolates that do not. After stool sampling, we isolated C. difficile by culture then sequenced and created a hybrid assembly of each isolate using nanopore long read sequencing and Illumina short read sequencing. Bioinformatics tools such as Dorado and Samtools were used to basecall and determine methylation states, while Unicycler was used for genome assembly. Methylartist was then used for data visualization. Genome-wide methylation profiling revealed distinct epigenetic signatures in Clostridioides difficile associated with toxin expression and chemotherapy exposure. Whole-genome 6mA analysis demonstrated significant differences between toxin-positive and toxin-negative isolates, with prominent methylation changes in tcdA and tcdE, while selected sporulation genes were unmethylated in toxin-negative strains. Chemotherapy was associated with a significant shift in global 6mA methylation patterns. Targeted 5mC analysis of the pathogenicity locus revealed reduced methylation around tcdB and across multiple toxin genes following chemotherapy, whereas sporulation genes remained unaffected. These findings indicate chemotherapy-associated epigenetic remodeling of toxin-associated loci in C. difficile.