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Frontiers in Psychiatry 2024Early detection of depression is important for preventing depression-related suicides and reducing the risk of recurrence. This study explored the association between...
INTRODUCTION
Early detection of depression is important for preventing depression-related suicides and reducing the risk of recurrence. This study explored the association between depression and intestinal microbiota and developed a depression risk-estimation method based on this.
METHODS
The intestinal microbiota of Japanese patients with depression (33 males and 35 females) and disease-free controls (246 males and 384 females) in their 20's to 60's were compared by sex using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. A depression-risk estimation method was developed using structural equation modeling.
RESULTS
Intestinal bacteria taxa that differed between depression and control groups were identified based on effect size (absolute value greater than 0.2). was more abundant, while , , _XlVb, and were less abundant in the male depression group compared to the male control group. In the female depression group, , , and were more abundant, whereas and were less abundant compared to the female control group. Several of the intestinal bacterial taxa that were less abundant in depression were associated with butyrate or hydrogen production. Using these depression-associated intestinal bacteria as indicators, risk-estimation models using structural equation modeling for depression were developed. In the risk-estimation models for males and females, the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve were 0.72 and 0.70, respectively, indicating that these models can distinguish between individuals with and without depression.
CONCLUSIONS
This study provides insights into depression etiology and aids in its early detection and treatment.
PubMed: 38863614
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1382175 -
Microbial Pathogenesis Jun 2024Gut bacterial dysbiosis has been linked to several gastrointestinal diseases, including deadly colorectal cancer (CRC), a leading cause of mortality in cancer patients....
Gut bacterial dysbiosis has been linked to several gastrointestinal diseases, including deadly colorectal cancer (CRC), a leading cause of mortality in cancer patients. However, perturbation in gut bacteriome during colon cancer (CC, devoid of colorectal malignancy) remains poorly explored. Here, 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was carried out for fecal DNA samples targeted to hypervariable V3-V4 region by employing MiSeq platform to explore the gut bacterial community shift in CC patients. While alpha diversity indices predicted high species richness and diversity, beta diversity showed marked gut bacterial compositional dissimilarity in CC versus healthy controls (HC, n = 10 each). We observed a significant (p < 0.05, Wilcoxon Rank-Sum test) emergence of low-abundant anaerobic taxa, including Parvimonas and Peptostreptococcus, in addition to Subdoligranulum, Coprococcus, Holdemanella, Solobacterium, Bilophila, Blautia, Dorea, Moryella and several unidentified taxa, mainly affiliated to Firmicutes, in CC patients. In addition, we also traced the emergence of putative probiotic taxon Slackia, belonging to Actinomycetota, in CC patients. The emergence of anaerobic Firmicutes in CC is accompanied by a significant (p < 0.05) decline in the Klebsiella, as determined through linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) and heat tree analyses. Shifts in core microbiome and variation in network correlation were also witnessed. Taken together, this study highlighted a significant and consistent emergence of rare anaerobic Firmicutes suggesting possible anaerobiosis driving gut microbial community shift, which could be exploited in designing diagnostic and therapeutic tools targeted to CC.
PubMed: 38848931
DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2024.106726 -
Brain and Behavior Jun 2024Gut dysbiosis has been established as a characteristic of schizophrenia (SCH). However, the signatures regarding SCH patients with prominent negative symptoms (SCH-N) in...
BACKGROUND
Gut dysbiosis has been established as a characteristic of schizophrenia (SCH). However, the signatures regarding SCH patients with prominent negative symptoms (SCH-N) in young adults have been poorly elucidated.
METHODS
Stool samples were obtained from 30 young adults with SCH-N, 32 SCH patients with prominent positive symptoms (SCH-P) along with 36 healthy controls (HCs). Microbial diversity and composition were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Meanwhile, psychiatric symptoms were assessed by the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS).
RESULTS
There is a significant difference in β-diversity but not α-diversity indexes among the three groups. Moreover, we found a higher abundance of Fusobacteria and Proteobacteria phyla and a lower abundance of Firmicutes phyla in SCH-N when compared with HC. Besides, we identified a diagnostic potential panel comprising six genera (Coprococcus, Monoglobus, Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group, Escherichia-Shigella, Dorea, and Butyricicoccus) that can distinguish SCH-N from HC (area under the curve = 0.939). However, the difference in microbial composition between the SCH-N and SCH-P is much less than that between SCH-N and the HC, and SCH-N and SCH-P cannot be effectively distinguished by gut microbiota.
CONCLUSION
The composition of gut microbiota was changed in the patients with SCH-N, which may help in further understanding of pathogenesis in young adults with SCH-N.
Topics: Humans; Schizophrenia; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Male; Young Adult; Female; Adult; Feces; Dysbiosis
PubMed: 38841824
DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3579 -
Journal of Water and Health May 2024Municipal water supply through truck-to-cistern systems is common in northern Canada. Household satisfaction and concerns about water services likely impact user...
Municipal water supply through truck-to-cistern systems is common in northern Canada. Household satisfaction and concerns about water services likely impact user preferences and practices. This case study explores household perspectives and challenges with regard to domestic access to water in a decentralized truck-to-cistern system. A case study was conducted in the Northern Village of Kangiqsualujjuaq, Nunavik (Quebec, Canada). A paper-based questionnaire was completed by 65 households (one quarter of the population). Many households (37%) reported not drinking tap water from the truck-to-cistern system. Chlorine taste was a frequently reported concern, with those households being significantly less likely to drink water directly from the tap ( = 0.002). Similarly, households that reported a water shortage in the previous week (i.e., no water from the tap at least once) (33%) were more likely to express dissatisfaction with delivered water quantity ( = 0.395, = 0.004). Interestingly, 77% of households preferred using alternative drinking water sources for drinking purposes, such as public tap at the water treatment plant, natural sources or bottled water. The study underscores the importance of considering household perspectives to mitigate the risks associated with service disruptions and the use of alternative sources for drinking purposes.
Topics: Drinking Water; Water Supply; Humans; Quebec; Family Characteristics; Surveys and Questionnaires; Female; Male; Motor Vehicles; Middle Aged; Adult
PubMed: 38822460
DOI: 10.2166/wh.2024.246 -
BioRxiv : the Preprint Server For... May 2024Oyster reefs are invaluable ecosystems that provide a wide array of critical ecosystem services, including water filtration, coastal protection, and habitat provision...
Oyster reefs are invaluable ecosystems that provide a wide array of critical ecosystem services, including water filtration, coastal protection, and habitat provision for various marine species. However, these essential habitats face escalating threats from climate change and anthropogenic stressors. To combat these challenges, numerous oyster restoration initiatives have been undertaken, representing a global effort to preserve and restore these vital ecosystems. A significant, yet poorly understood, component of oyster reefs is the microbial communities. These communities account for a substantial proportion of marine reefs and are pivotal in driving key biogeochemical processes. Particularly, the environmental microbiome plays a crucial role in supporting the health and resilience of oyster populations. In our study, we sought to shed light on the microbiome within oyster reef ecosystems by characterizing the abundance, and diversity of microorganisms in the soil, biofilm, and oysters in 4 sites using a combinatorial approach to identify differentially abundant microbes by sample type and by sampling location. Our investigation revealed distinct microbial taxa in oysters, sediment and biofilm. The maximum Shannon Index indicated a slightly increased diversity in Heron's Head (5.47), followed by Brickyard park (5.35), Dunphy Park (5.17) and Point Pinole (4.85). This is likely to be driven by significantly higher oyster mortality observed at Point Pinole during routine monitoring and restoration efforts. Interestingly and were positively associated with the biofilm. Yet we have limited understanding of their beneficial and/or detrimental implications to oyster growth and survival. By unraveling the intricate relationships in microbial composition across an oyster reef, our study contributes to advancing the knowledge needed to support effective oyster reef conservation and restoration efforts.
PubMed: 38798377
DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.15.594453 -
Microbial Pathogenesis Jul 2024Recent research has revealed that alterations of the gut microbiome (GM) play a comprehensive role in the pathophysiology of HF. However, findings in this field remain... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Recent research has revealed that alterations of the gut microbiome (GM) play a comprehensive role in the pathophysiology of HF. However, findings in this field remain controversial. In this study, we focus on differences in GM diversity and abundance between HF patients and non-HF people, based on previous 16 S ribosomal RNA (16rRNA) gene sequencing. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Ovid databases using the keyword "Heart failure" and "Gastrointestinal Microbiome". A significant decrease in alpha diversity was observed in the HF patients (Chao1, I = 87.5 %, p < 0.001; Shannon index, I = 62.8 %, p = 0.021). At the phylum level, the HF group exhibited higher abundances of Proteobacteria (I = 92.0 %, p = 0.004) and Actinobacteria (I = 82.5 %, p = 0.010), while Bacteroidetes (I = 45.1 %, p = 0.017) and F/B ratio (I = 0.0 %, p<0.001) were lower. The Firmicutes showed a decreasing trend but did not reach statistical significance (I = 82.3 %, p = 0.127). At the genus level, the relative abundances of Streptococcus, Bacteroides, Alistipes, Bifidobacterium, Escherichia-Shigella, Enterococcus and Klebsiella were increased in the HF group, whereas Ruminococcus, Faecalibacterium, Dorea and Megamona exhibited decreased relative abundances. Dialister, Blautia and Prevotella showed decreasing trends but without statistical significance. This observational meta-analysis suggests that GM changes are associated with HF, manifesting as alterations in GM abundance, disruptions in the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) bacteria, and an increase in trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) producing bacteria.
Topics: Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Heart Failure; Bacteria; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Proteobacteria; Bacteroidetes
PubMed: 38788811
DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2024.106647 -
Microbial Genomics May 2024The genus (family , phylum ) includes only one cultivated species so far, isolated from human faeces and capable of deglycosylating dietary polyphenols and degrading...
The genus (family , phylum ) includes only one cultivated species so far, isolated from human faeces and capable of deglycosylating dietary polyphenols and degrading flavonoid aglycones. Another human intestinal strain not taxonomically resolved at that time was recently genome-sequenced. We analysed the genome of this novel isolate, designated , and showed its ability to deglycosylate -coupled flavone and xanthone glucosides and -coupled flavonoid glycosides. Most of the resulting aglycones were further degraded to the corresponding phenolic acids. Including the recently sequenced genome of and ten faecal metagenome-assembled genomes assigned to the genus , we performed a comparative genome analysis and searched for genes encoding potential -glycosidases and other polyphenol-converting enzymes. According to genome data and physiological characterization, the core metabolism of strains is based on a fermentative lifestyle with butyrate production and hydrogen evolution. Both and encode a flavonoid -glycosidase, a flavone reductase, a flavanone/flavanonol-cleaving reductase and a phloretin hydrolase. Several gene clusters encode enzymes similar to those of the flavonoid -deglycosylation system of strain PUE (DgpBC), while separately located genes encode putative polyphenol-glucoside oxidases (DgpA) required for -deglycosylation. The diversity of and gene clusters might explain the broad -glycoside substrate spectrum of and . The other genomes encode only a few potential flavonoid-converting enzymes. Our results indicate that several species are well-equipped to deglycosylate and degrade dietary plant polyphenols and might inhabit a corresponding, specific niche in the gut.
Topics: Humans; Polyphenols; Flavonoids; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Genome, Bacterial; Genomics; Flavones; Glycosides; Phylogeny; Feces; Glycosylation; Xanthones
PubMed: 38785231
DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001245 -
Frontiers in Pediatrics 2024Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders that is characterized by core features in social communication impairment and...
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders that is characterized by core features in social communication impairment and restricted, repetitive sensory-motor behaviors. This study aimed to further investigate the utilization of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in children with ASD, both with and without gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, evaluate the effect of FMT and analyze the alterations in bacterial and fungal composition within the gut microbiota.
METHODS
A total of 38 children diagnosed with ASD participated in the study and underwent oral lyophilized FMT treatment. The dosage of the FMT treatment was determined based on a ratio of 1 g of donor stool per 1 kg of recipient body weight, with a frequency of once every 4 weeks for a total of 12 weeks. In addition, 30 healthy controls (HC) were included in the analysis. The clinical efficacy of FMT was evaluated, while the composition of fecal bacteria and fungi was determined using 16S rRNA and ITS gene sequencing methods.
RESULTS
Median age of the 38 children with ASD was 7 years. Among these children, 84.2% (32 of 38) were boys and 81.6% (31 of 38) exhibited GI symptoms, with indigestion, constipation and diarrhea being the most common symptoms. Sample collections and assessments were conducted at baseline (week 0), post-treatment (week 12) and follow-up (week 20). At the end of the follow-up phase after FMT treatment, the autism behavior checklist (ABC) scores decreased by 23% from baseline, and there was a 10% reduction in scores on the childhood autism rating scale (CARS), a 6% reduction in scores on the social responsiveness scale (SRS) and a 10% reduction in scores on the sleep disturbance scale for children (SDSC). In addition, short-term adverse events observed included vomiting and fever in 2 participants, which were self-limiting and resolved within 24 h, and no long-term adverse events were observed. Although there was no significant difference in alpha and beta diversity in children with ASD before and after FMT therapy, the FMT treatment resulted in alterations in the relative abundances of various bacterial and fungal genera in the samples of ASD patients. Comparisons between children with ASD and healthy controls (HC) revealed statistically significant differences in microbial abundance before and after FMT. , , and were more abundant in children with ASD than in HC, while were less abundant. After FMT treatment, levels of , and decreased, while levels of increased. Moreover, the increased abundances of and were negatively correlated with the scores of ASD core symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS
Oral lyophilized FMT could improve GI and ASD related symptoms, as well as sleep disturbances, and alter the gut bacterial and fungal microbiota composition in children with ASD.
CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION
Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2200055943. Registered 28 January 2022, www.chictr.org.cn.
PubMed: 38783921
DOI: 10.3389/fped.2024.1369823 -
Open Research Europe 2023Farmers, veterinarians and other animal health managers in the livestock sector are currently missing sufficient information on prevalence and burden of contagious...
Farmers, veterinarians and other animal health managers in the livestock sector are currently missing sufficient information on prevalence and burden of contagious endemic animal diseases. They need adequate tools for risk assessment and prioritization of control measures for these diseases. The DECIDE project develops data-driven decision-support tools, which present (i) robust and early signals of disease emergence and options for diagnostic confirmation; and (ii) options for controlling the disease along with their implications in terms of disease spread, economic burden and animal welfare. DECIDE focuses on respiratory and gastro-intestinal syndromes in the three most important terrestrial livestock species (pigs, poultry, cattle) and on reduced growth and mortality in two of the most important aquaculture species (salmon and trout). For each of these, we (i) identify the stakeholder needs; (ii) determine the burden of disease and costs of control measures; (iii) develop data sharing frameworks based on federated data access and meta-information sharing; (iv) build multivariate and multi-level models for creating early warning systems; and (v) rank interventions based on multiple criteria. Together, all of this forms decision-support tools to be integrated in existing farm management systems wherever possible and to be evaluated in several pilot implementations in farms across Europe. The results of DECIDE lead to improved use of surveillance data and evidence-based decisions on disease control. Improved disease control is essential for a sustainable food chain in Europe with increased animal health and welfare and that protects human health.
PubMed: 38778904
DOI: 10.12688/openreseurope.15988.1 -
Journal of Microbiology and... Jun 2024Human gut bacterium sp. MRG-IFC3 is unique in that it is capable of metabolizing puerarin, an isoflavone -glycoside, whereas it shows broad substrate glycosidase...
Human gut bacterium sp. MRG-IFC3 is unique in that it is capable of metabolizing puerarin, an isoflavone -glycoside, whereas it shows broad substrate glycosidase activity for the various flavonoid -glycosides. To address the question on the substrate specificity, as well as biochemical characteristics, cell-free biotransformation of flavonoid glycosides was performed under various conditions. The results showed that there are two different enzyme systems responsible for the metabolism of flavonoid -glycosides and -glycosides in the MRG-IFC3 strain. The system responsible for the conversion of puerarin was inducible and comprised of two enzymes. One enzyme oxidizes puerarin to 3"-oxo-puerarin and the other enzyme converts 3"-oxo-puearin to daidzein. The second enzyme was only active toward 3"-oxo-puerarin. The activity of puerarin conversion to daidzein was enhanced in the presence of Mn and NAD. It was concluded that the puerarin -deglycosylation by sp. MRG-IFC3 possibly adopts the same biochemical mechanism as the strain PUE, a species of .
Topics: Biotransformation; Isoflavones; Humans; Flavonoids; Glycosides; Substrate Specificity; Gastrointestinal Microbiome
PubMed: 38754995
DOI: 10.4014/jmb.2403.03058