Effects of different ratios of soluble to insoluble dietary fiber on growth performance and intestinal health of piglets

This study investigated the impact of different ratios of soluble to insoluble dietary fiber(SDF:IDF)for-mulations by sugar beet pulp(SBP)supplementation on piglet growth performance,nutrient di-gestibility,immune function,intestinal morphology,intestinal microbiota and intestinal health.A total of 60 crossbred piglets(Duroc ×[Landrace × Yorkshire])at 40 d old with body weight of 10.0±0.3 kg were randomly assigned to 5 treatments with 6 replicates per treatment and 2 piglets per replicate in a 21-d trial.The dietary treatments included a corn-soybean meal diet(0％SBP supplementation;CON),and diets supplemented with 2％,4％,6％,and 8％SBP,representing different SDF:IDF ratios at 10.16％,13.53％,16.79％,19.86％,and 24.81％,respectively.The results indicated that the 8％SBP treatment had a negative effect on feed-to-gain ratio(linear,P=0.009)compared with the CON treatment(P=0.021).The apparent total tract digestibility(ATTD)of crude protein was lower in treatments supplemented with SBP(P=0.002)and showed a linear decrease(P=0.001),while the ATTD of IDF showed a linear increase(P=0.037)in four SBP treatments compared to the CON treatment.The 4％SBP treatment increased serum concentrations of triglyceride(quadratic,P=0.019)and K(linear,P=0.037),and decreased alanine transaminase concentration(quadratic,P=0.015)compared with the CON treatment.The concentrations of Cit,Cys,Ile,Leu,Orn,Arg,taurine,urea,1-methylhistidine,α-aminoadipic acid,α-aminobutyric acid and cystathionine in the 4％SBP treatment were highest among all treatments(P＜0.05).The serum concentrations of interleukin-6,interleukin-8,interleukin-10,transforming growth factor-β,and tumor necrosis factor-α in the 6％SBP treatment were higher than those in the CON treatment(P＜0.05),which also increased mucin-2 and G protein-coupled receptor 41 mRNA expression(P＜0.05)in colonic mucosa compared with the CON treatment and improved the intestinal barrier function.Diets containing more than 19.86％SDF:IDF could impair the intestinal health in piglets when SBP was used as the SDF source.Supplementing nursery piglet diets with 16.79％to 19.86％SDF:IDF is recommended for improving intestinal barrier function,increasing short-chain fatty acids concentra-tions,and improving intestinal microbiota composition.     

Can urban green space cure homesickness? Case study on China poverty alleviation migrants in Anshun,Guizhou

With the implement of China's ex-situ poverty alleviation resettlement (ESPAR) policy, nearly 10 million rural population have relocated with a better living condition in a short period of time, most of which have migrated to urban areas. The living environment and lifestyle of the poverty alleviation migrants (PAMs) have undergone dramatic changes, the resulting mental health problems may seriously affect their social integration and well-being. In particular, homesickness is a prevalent mental problem among the PAMs that demand prompt attention. Research indicates that longing for natural environment is one of the major causes of homesickness among rural out-migrants. As the main natural environment in cities, urban green space has been proven by numerous studies to have a positive effect on residents' mental health in various aspects, including reducing anxiety, relieving fatigue, and fostering perseverance. However, few studies have focused on the influence of urban green space on the mental health of the PAMs, especially on alleviating their homesickness syndrome. Using the data collected from interviews and questionnaire survey in the PAMs’ resettlement sites in Anshun, Guizhou, which has undertaken a heavy poverty alleviation task, this study examined the relationship between the physical activity, environment, function of urban green space, and the severity of PAMs’ homesickness, meanwhile paying attention to the impacts caused by different socio-demographic characteristics. The results show that urban green space is strongly associated with alleviating PAMs’ homesickness, and that all three factors play a positive role. Neighborhood green space is used the most, but suburban green space seems to provide better alleviation of homesickness. This study sheds lights on the critical role of urban green space for promoting PAMs' mental health, and aims to provide scientific reference to the planning and improvement for future migrant resettlements and urban green space.