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Frontiers in Oncology 2023Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the sixth most common type of cancer, with more than half a million new cases annually. This review focuses on the role of oral dysbiosis... (Review)
Review
Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the sixth most common type of cancer, with more than half a million new cases annually. This review focuses on the role of oral dysbiosis and HPV infection in HNCs, presenting the involved taxons, molecular effectors and pathways, as well as the HPV-associated particularities of genetic and epigenetic changes and of the tumor microenvironment occurred in different stages of tumor development. Oral dysbiosis is associated with the evolution of HNCs, through multiple mechanisms such as inflammation, genotoxins release, modulation of the innate and acquired immune response, carcinogens and anticarcinogens production, generation of oxidative stress, induction of mutations. Thus, novel microbiome-derived biomarkers and interventions could significantly contribute to achieving the desideratum of personalized management of oncologic patients, regarding both early diagnosis and treatment. The results reported by different studies are not always congruent regarding the variations in the abundance of different taxons in HNCs. However, there is a consistent reporting of a higher abundance of Gram-negative species such as , which are probably responsible of chronic inflammation and modulation of tumor microenvironment. is the dominant fungi found in oral carcinoma being also associated with shorter survival rate. Specific microbial signatures (e.g., and ) have been associated with later stages and larger tumor, suggesting their potential to be used as biomarkers for tumor stratification and prognosis. On the other hand, increased abundance of is associated with a reduced risk of HNC. Microbiome could also provide biomarkers for differentiating between oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers as well as between HPV-positive and HPV-negative tumors. Ongoing clinical trials aim to validate non-invasive tests for microbiome-derived biomarkers detection in oral and throat cancers, especially within high-risk populations. Oro-pharyngeal dysbiosis could also impact the HNCs therapy and associated side-effects of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. HPV-positive tumors harbor fewer mutations, as well as different DNA methylation pattern and tumor microenvironment. Therefore, elucidation of the molecular mechanisms by which oral microbiota and HPV infection influence the HNC initiation and progression, screening for HPV infection and vaccination against HPV, adopting a good oral hygiene, and preventing oral dysbiosis are important tools for advancing in the battle with this public health global challenge.
PubMed: 38179168
DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1273516 -
Infectious Disorders Drug Targets 2024
Background: Infections caused by anaerobic bacteria occur frequently and can be serious and life-threatening. Anaerobes are a rare cause of community-acquired... (Review)
Review
Background: Infections caused by anaerobic bacteria occur frequently and can be serious and life-threatening. Anaerobes are a rare cause of community-acquired pneumonia with Streptococcus pneumonia and respiratory viruses being the most frequently detected pathogens. We, herein, report a case of parapneumonic effusion with empyema in a patient without risk factors for aspiration pneumonia. This case presents an opportunity to discuss an unusual case of community-acquired empyema secondary to anaerobic infection in a patient without the common risk factors for aspiration.
Case Presentation: A 59-year-old male patient without significant past medical history apart from a twenty-five-year history of smoking presented due to left flank pain and shortness of breath. Findings of a complicated parapneumonic effusion were found on imaging, resulting in surgical decortication and prolonged antibiotic therapy.
Discussion: Parapneumonic effusions and empyema are relatively common complications of pneumonia. It is important to note that the incidence of anaerobic empyema has been on the rise due to more modern culturing techniques.
Conclusion: This case highlights an unusual presentation of community-acquired empyema secondary to anaerobes without any risk factors for aspiration pneumonia. Therefore, clinicians should consider the possibility of anaerobic coverage in the treatment of community-acquired empyema in the appropriate setting.
.Topics: Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Community-Acquired Infections; Peptostreptococcus; Fusobacterium; Empyema, Pleural; Empyema; Fusobacterium Infections; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections
PubMed: 38178665
DOI: 10.2174/0118715265255809231107100450 -
Nature Cell Biology Jan 2024The gut microbiota play a pivotal role in human health. Emerging evidence indicates that gut microbes participate in the progression of tumorigenesis through the...
The gut microbiota play a pivotal role in human health. Emerging evidence indicates that gut microbes participate in the progression of tumorigenesis through the generation of carcinogenic metabolites. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is largely unknown. In the present study we show that a tryptophan metabolite derived from Peptostreptococcus anaerobius, trans-3-indoleacrylic acid (IDA), facilitates colorectal carcinogenesis. Mechanistically, IDA acts as an endogenous ligand of an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) to transcriptionally upregulate the expression of ALDH1A3 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family member A3), which utilizes retinal as a substrate to generate NADH, essential for ferroptosis-suppressor protein 1(FSP1)-mediated synthesis of reduced coenzyme Q10. Loss of AHR or ALDH1A3 largely abrogates IDA-promoted tumour development both in vitro and in vivo. It is interesting that P. anaerobius is significantly enriched in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). IDA treatment or implantation of P. anaerobius promotes CRC progression in both xenograft model and Apc mice. Together, our findings demonstrate that targeting the IDA-AHR-ALDH1A3 axis should be promising for ferroptosis-related CRC treatment.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Mice; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Ferroptosis; Carcinogenesis; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Colorectal Neoplasms
PubMed: 38168770
DOI: 10.1038/s41556-023-01314-6 -
MSystems Jan 2024Drug addiction can seriously damage human physical and mental health, while detoxification is a long and difficult process. Although studies have reported changes in the...
Drug addiction can seriously damage human physical and mental health, while detoxification is a long and difficult process. Although studies have reported changes in the oral microbiome of methamphetamine (METH) users, the role that the microbiome plays in the process of drug addiction is still unknown. This study aims to explore the function of the microbiome based on analysis of the variations in the oral microbiome and metabolome of METH users. We performed the 16S rRNA sequencing analysis based on the oral saliva samples collected from 278 METH users and 105 healthy controls (CTL). In addition, the untargeted metabolomic profiling was conducted based on 220 samples. Compared to the CTL group, alpha diversity was reduced in the group of METH users and the relative abundances of and were significantly increased, while the relative abundances of and were significantly decreased. Variations were also detected in oral metabolic pathways, including enhanced tryptophan metabolism, lysine biosynthesis, purine metabolism, and steroid biosynthesis. Conversely, the metabolic pathways of porphyrin metabolism, glutathione metabolism, and pentose phosphate were significantly reduced. It was speculated that four key microbial taxa, i.e., , , , and , could be involved in the toxicity and addiction mechanisms of METH by affecting the above metabolic pathways. It was found that with the increase of drug use years, the content of tryptamine associated with neuropsychiatric disorders was gradually increased. Our study provides novel insights into exploring the toxic damage and addiction mechanisms underlying the METH addiction.IMPORTANCEIt was found that with the increase of drug use years, the content of tryptamine associated with neuropsychiatric disorders gradually increased. The prediction models based on oral microbiome and metabolome could effectively predict the methamphetamine (METH) smoking. Our study provides novel insights into the exploration of the molecular mechanisms regulating the toxic damage and addiction of METH as well as new ideas for early prevention and treatment strategies of METH addiction.
Topics: Humans; Methamphetamine; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Amphetamine-Related Disorders; Metabolome; Microbiota; Tryptamines
PubMed: 38112416
DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00991-23 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2023The existing diagnostic methods of epilepsy such as history collection and electroencephalogram have great limitations in practice, so more reliable and less difficult...
BACKGROUND
The existing diagnostic methods of epilepsy such as history collection and electroencephalogram have great limitations in practice, so more reliable and less difficult diagnostic methods are needed.
METHODS
By characterizing oral microbiota in patients diagnosed with epilepsy (EPs) and patients whose seizures were under control (EPRs), we sought to discover biomarkers for different disease states. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed on 480 tongue swabs [157 EPs, 22 EPRs, and 301 healthy controls (HCs)].
RESULTS
Compared with normal individuals, patients with epilepsy exhibit increased alpha diversity in their oral microbiota, and the oral microbial communities of the two groups demonstrate significant beta diversity differences. EPs exhibit a significant increase in the abundance of 26 genera, including , , and , while the abundance of 14 genera, including , , and , is significantly reduced. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of oral microbial markers in the training cohort and validation cohort was 98.85% and 97.23%, respectively. Importantly, the AUC of the biomarker set achieved 92.44% of additional independent validation sets. In addition, EPRs also have their own unique oral community.
CONCLUSION
This study describes the characterization of the oral microbiome in EP and EPR and demonstrates the potential of the specific microbiome as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for epilepsy.
PubMed: 38107849
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1277022 -
Synthetic and Systems Biotechnology Dec 2023is an anaerobic bacterium, which has been found selectively en-riched in the fecal and mucosal microbiota of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Emerging evidence suggest...
is an anaerobic bacterium, which has been found selectively en-riched in the fecal and mucosal microbiota of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Emerging evidence suggest may contribute to the development of CRC in human. In this study, we designed a multi-epitope chimeric vaccine against PCWBR2, a recently identified adhesin that interacts directly with colon cell lines by binding α2/β1 integrin frequently overexpressed in human CRC tumors and cell lines. Immunoinformatics tools predicted six cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitopes, five helper T lymphocyte epitopes, and six linear B lymphocyte epitopes. The predicted epitopes were joined with AAY or GPGPG linkers and a previously reported TLR4 agonist was added to the vaccine construct's N terminal as an adjuvant using EAAAK linkers and the order of epitopes was optimized. Further analysis revealed that the vaccine construct possesses satisfactory antigenicity, allergenicity, solubility, physicochemical properties, adjuvant-TLR4 molecular docking, and immune profile characteristics. Our study provided a promising design for vaccines against .
PubMed: 38099061
DOI: 10.1016/j.synbio.2023.11.004 -
International Journal of Clinical... Sep 2023Microorganisms induce a variety of infections and diseases in the human body and are largely ubiquitous in the nature of the contamination, directly, or indirectly...
To Evaluate and Compare the Antimicrobial Efficacy of Various Disinfecting Agents on K-file against Gram-positive and Gram-negative Bacteria of Endodontic Origin: An Study.
INTRODUCTION
Microorganisms induce a variety of infections and diseases in the human body and are largely ubiquitous in the nature of the contamination, directly, or indirectly leading to transmission of infectious agents. A substantial number of bacterial species have been identified as inhabitants of the oral cavity. Infection control is a major topic of concern in medical and dental healthcare settings.
AIM
To evaluate the disinfecting ability of various herbal extracts on sterilization of endodontic files against endodontic pathogens.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study was conducted in three phases to evaluate the disinfecting ability of tea tree, , eucalyptus, and oil on sterilization of endodontic files against , β, specie and .
RESULTS
Colony-forming units (CFU) of all tested bacteria among group I (tea tree oil) were found to be significantly lower than that among group II ( oil), group III (eucalyptus oil), and group IV ( oil), respectively.
CONCLUSION
The antimicrobial activity among all the essential oils was found to be maximum for tea tree oil, followed in descending order by , eucalyptus, and oils. Hence, the incorporation of these herbs in dental practice will prove to be a valuable adjunct in dental treatment.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Herbs have also been long used in various endodontic medicaments and dressings with obtundent and soothing effects and exhibited a great microbial inhibition potential against the tested endodontic pathogens.
HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE
Opi K, Dhinsa K, Tripathi AM, To Evaluate and Compare the Antimicrobial Efficacy of Various Disinfecting Agents on K-file against Gram-positive and Gram-negative Bacteria of Endodontic Origin: An Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(S-2):S161-S167.
PubMed: 38078027
DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10005-2646 -
BMC Biology Dec 2023Berberine (BBR) is a commonly used anti-intestinal inflammation drug, and its anti-cancer activity has been found recently. BBR can intervene and control malignant...
BACKGROUND
Berberine (BBR) is a commonly used anti-intestinal inflammation drug, and its anti-cancer activity has been found recently. BBR can intervene and control malignant colorectal cancer (CRC) through intestinal microbes, but the direct molecular target and related mechanism are unclear. This study aimed to identify the target of BBR and dissect related mechanisms against the occurrence and development of CRC from the perspective of intestinal microorganisms.
RESULTS
Here, we found that BBR inhibits the growth of several CRC-driving bacteria, especially Peptostreptococcus anaerobius. By using a biotin-conjugated BBR derivative, we identified the protein FtfL (formate tetrahydrofolate ligase), a key enzyme in C1 metabolism, is the molecular target of BBR in P. anaerobius. BBR exhibits strong binding affinity and potent inhibition on FtfL. Based on this, we determined the crystal structure of PaFtfL (P. anaerobius FtfL)-BBR complex and found that BBR can not only interfere with the conformational flexibility of PaFtfL tetramer by wedging the tetramer interface but also compete with its substrate ATP for binding within the active center. In addition, the enzymatic activities of FtfL homologous proteins in human tumor cells can also be inhibited by BBR.
CONCLUSIONS
In summary, our study has identified FtfL as a direct target of BBR and uncovered molecular mechanisms involved in the anti-CRC of BBR. BBR interferes with intestinal pathogenic bacteria by targeting FtfLs, suggesting a new means for controlling the occurrence and development of CRC.
Topics: Humans; Berberine; Neoplasms; Intestines; Bacteria
PubMed: 38049785
DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01778-w -
Nutrients Nov 2023gastritis is a common stomach disease with a high global incidence and can potentially develop into gastric cancer. The treatment of gastritis focuses on medication or... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
gastritis is a common stomach disease with a high global incidence and can potentially develop into gastric cancer. The treatment of gastritis focuses on medication or diets based on national guidelines. However, the specific diet that can alleviate gastritis remains largely unknown.
METHODS
we propose a microbiota-directed dietary strategy that investigates potential food factors using microbial exogenous metabolites. Given the current lack of understanding of the repeatable characteristics of gastric microbiota, we conducted a meta-analysis to identify the features of gastric bacteria. Local samples were collected as validation cohorts. Furthermore, RevEcoR was employed to identify bacteria's exogenous metabolites, and FooDB was used to retrieve foods that can target specific bacteria.
RESULTS
Bacteroides, Weissella, Actinomyces, Atopobium, Oribacterium, Peptostreptococcus, and Rothia were biomarkers between superficial gastritis (SG) and atrophic gastritis (AG) (AG_N) without infection, whereas Bacillus, Actinomyces, Cutibacterium, Helicobacter, Novosphingobium, Pseudomonas, and Streptococcus were signatures between SG and AG (AG_P) with infection. According to the exogenous metabolites, adenosyloobalamin, soybean, common wheat, dates, and barley were regarded as potential candidates for AG_N treatment, while gallate was regarded as a candidate for AG_P treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
this study firstly profiled the gastric microbiota of AG and SG with or without and provided a recommended diet for global AG according to exogenous metabolites.
Topics: Humans; Gastritis, Atrophic; Gastritis; Stomach Neoplasms; Helicobacter pylori; Diet; Helicobacter Infections
PubMed: 38004131
DOI: 10.3390/nu15224738 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2023The role of diet in shaping oral microbiota and its potential contribution to the development of periodontal pathogens cannot be understated. This study aimed to explore...
The role of diet in shaping oral microbiota and its potential contribution to the development of periodontal pathogens cannot be understated. This study aimed to explore the correlation between dietary habits and the prevalence of 11 periodontal pathogens among children and adolescents in Oradea, Romania. The identification of these pathogens was performed using the micro-IDent test kit, capable of detecting 11 specific periodontal pathogens. Bacterial sampling was conducted from the crevicular fluid in the morning, prior to brushing, followed by the completion of a brief questionnaire by parents. The questionnaire captured various aspects of the children's eating habits, including meal frequency, consumption of sweets, and hydration levels. The collected samples were dispatched to the laboratory for analysis, which provided insights into the abundance of microorganisms. The study encompassed 60 participants aged between 2 and 18 years, with the majority reported by their parents to have regulated meal timings, frequent sugar intake, and adequate hydration. The findings revealed significant associations between certain dietary factors and the presence of specific periodontal pathogens. Notably, the absence of breastfeeding was linked with the detection of and . Furthermore, frequent consumption of sweets corresponded with the presence of spp., which was particularly observed in individuals consuming sweets 2-3 times a day. Insufficient age-appropriate hydration showed an association with the prevalence of , , and spp. In this sample, it became evident that eating habits and diet influenced the presence of several periodontal pathogens. The lack of breastfeeding was predominantly associated with positive results for and , while inadequate hydration correlated more frequently with the presence of and Moreover, frequent consumption of sweets was linked to the presence of spp.
PubMed: 38002870
DOI: 10.3390/children10111779