Characterization Of Gut Microbiota Research Articles

The synchronized feature of Saururus chinensis and gut microbiota against T2DM, NAFLD, obesity and hypertension via integrated pharmacology

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), obesity (OB) and hypertension (HT) are categorized as metabolic disorders (MDs), which develop independently without distinct borders. Herein, we examined the gut microbiota (GM) and Saururus chinensis (SC) to confirm their therapeutic effects via integrated pharmacology. The overlapping targets from the four diseases were determined to be key protein coding genes. The protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks, and the SC, GM, signalling pathway, target and metabolite (SGSTM) networks were analysed via RPackage. Additionally, molecular docking tests (MDTs) and density functional theory (DFT) analysis were conducted to determine the affinity and stability of the conformer(s). TNF was the main target in the PPI analysis, and equol derived from Lactobacillus paracasei JS1 was the most effective agent for the formation of the TNF complex. The SC agonism (PPAR signalling pathway), and antagonism (neurotrophin signalling pathway) by SC were identified as agonistic bioactives (aromadendrane, stigmasta-5,22-dien-3-ol, 3,6,6-trimethyl-3,4,5,7,8,9-hexahydro-1H-2-benzoxepine, 4α-5α-epoxycholestane and kinic acid), and antagonistic bioactives (STK734327 and piclamilast), respectively, via MDT. Finally, STK734327-MAPK1 was the most favourable conformer according to DFT. Overall, the seven bioactives from SC and equol that can be produced by Lactobacillus paracasei JS1 can exert synergistic effects on these four diseases.

Gut microbiota and inflammatory factor characteristics in major depressive disorder patients with anorexia

BackgroundThis study aimed to explore the gut microbiota and inflammatory factor characteristics in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients with anorexia and to analyze the correlation between gut microbiota and inflammatory factors, anorexia, and HAMD scores.Methods46 MDD patients and 46 healthy controls (HC) were included in the study. The 46 MDD patients were divided into two groups according to whether they had anorexia:20 MDD without anorexia (MDA0 group) and 26 MDD with anorexia (MDA1 group). We used the Hamilton Depression Scale-24 (HAMD-24) to evaluate the depression status of all participants and 16 S ribosomal RNA (16 S rRNA)sequencing to evaluate the composition of the gut microbiota. Inflammatory factors in peripheral blood such as C-reactive protein (CRP) were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Spearman’s correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between gut microbiota and inflammatory factors, HAMD scores, and anorexia.Results1). CRP was significantly higher in the MDA0, MDA1, than HC. 2). An analysis of α-diversity shows: the Simpson and Pielou indices of the HC group are higher than the MDA1 group (P < 0.05). 3). The β-diversity analysis shows differences in the composition of microbial communities between the MDA0, MDA1, and HC group. 4). A correlation analysis showed that Blautia positively correlated with anorexia, HAMD scores, and CRP level, whereas Faecalibacterium, Bacteroides, Roseburia, and Parabacteroides negatively correlated with anorexia, HAMD scores, and CRP level. 5). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn using the differential bacterial genera between MDD patients with or without anorexia as biomarkers to identify whether MDD patients were accompanied with anorexia, and its area under curve (AUC) was 0.85. The ROC curve was drawn using the differential bacterial genera between MDD patients with anorexia and healthy controls as biomarkers to diagnose MDD patients with anorexia, with its AUC was 0.97.ConclusionThis study suggested that MDD patients with anorexia had a distinct gut microbiota compared to healthy individuals, with higher level of CRP. Blautia was more abundant in MDD patients with anorexia and positively correlated with CRP, HAMD scores, and anorexia. The gut microbiota might have influenced MDD and anorexia through the inflammatory factor CRP.

Perturbed maternal microbiota shapes offspring microbiota during early colonization period in mice.

Recent studies have highlighted the impact of disrupted maternal gut microbiota on the colonization of offspring gut microbiota, with implications for offspring developmental trajectories. The extent to which offspring inherit the characteristics of altered maternal gut microbiota remains elusive. In this study, we employed a mouse model where maternal gut microbiota disruption was induced using non-absorbable antibiotics. Systematic chronological analyses of dam fecal samples, offspring luminal content, and offspring gut tissue samples revealed a notable congruence between offspring gut microbiota profiles and those of the perturbed maternal gut microbiota, highlighting the profound influence of maternal microbiota on early-life colonization of offspring gut microbiota. Nonetheless, certain dominant bacterial genera in maternal microbiota did not transfer to the offspring, indicating a bacterial taxonomy-dependent mechanism in the inheritance of maternal gut microbiota. Our results embody the vertical transmission dynamics of disrupted maternal gut microbiota in an animal model, where the gut microbiota of an offspring closely mirrors the gut microbiota of its mother.

Characteristics of Gut Microbiota in Rosacea Patients—A Cross-Sectional, Controlled Pilot Study

Background: Recent studies have suggested a possible connection between rosacea and patients’ gut microbiota. Objective: To investigate the differences in fecal microbial profiles between patients with rosacea and healthy controls. Methods: Gut microbiota of 54 rosacea patients (RP) were analyzed using MiSeq 16S rRNA sequencing. Enterotypes, the Firmicutes/Bacteroides (F/B) ratio, the significance of alpha and beta diversity, and differential abundance analysis (DAA) were calculated and compared with age- and gender-matched controls (CP, n = 50). Results: Significant changes in the enterotypes and F/B ratio were observed between the RP and CP (p = 0.017 and p = 0.002, respectively). The RP showed a decreased microbial richness and diversity compared to the CP (Shannon p = 0.012, inverse Simpson p = 0.034). Beta diversity also differed between both groups (PERMANOVA, p = 0.006). Fourteen significantly different taxa were detected according to DAA. Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (coef. −0.0800, p = 0.008), Lachnoospiraceae ND 3007 group sp. (coef. −0.073, p &lt; 0.001), and Ruminococcaceae (coef. −0.072, p = 0.015) were significantly decreased; Oscillobacter sp. (coef. 0.023, p = 0.031), Flavonifractor plautii (coef. 0.011, p = 0.037), and Ruminococccaceae UBA 1819 (coef. 0.010, p = 0.031) were significantly increased in the RP compared to the CP. Conclusion: Significant alterations in gut microbiota were present in the RP. Taxonomic shifts and reduced richness and diversity were observed when compared to the CP. Larger prospective studies are needed to investigate correlations with clinical features and to translate these findings into future therapeutic approaches.

Characterization of gut microbiota in patients with stage 3-4 chronic kidney disease: a retrospective cohort study.

Multiple factors, such as dietary patterns, pharmaceutical interventions, and exposure to harmful substances, possess the capacity to influence gut microbiota composition. Gut microbiota dysbiosis has emerged as a significant contributor to the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its associated complications. By comprehending the intricacies of the intestinal microbiota, this research endeavor holds the potential to offer novel perspectives on potential strategies for mitigating CKD progression. In this retrospective analysis, we assessed gut microbiota composition in CKD patients. Fecal samples were collected from a cohort of 44 patients with stage 3-4 CKD, alongside a control group consisting of 132 healthy volunteers. Subsequently, 16s rDNA sequencing was conducted to examine the composition of the gut microbiota. Our findings revealed significant alterations in the diversity of intestinal microbiota in fecal samples between patients with stage 3-4 CKD and healthy subjects. Among the 475 bacterial genera, 164 were shared, while 242 dominant genera were exclusive to healthy subjects and 69 to CKD stages 3-4 samples. Notably, healthy volunteers exhibited a prevalence of intestinal Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, whereas stage 3-4 CKD patients displayed higher abundance of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. The presence of uncultured Coprobacillus sp. notably contributed to distinguishing between the two groups. ROC curve analysis identified distinct microbiota with superior diagnostic efficacy for discriminating stage 3-4 CKD patients from healthy individuals. Metabolic pathway analysis revealed differing dominant pathways between the two groups-the NADH dehydrogenase pathway in healthy individuals and the phosphate acetyltransferase pathway in stage 3-4 CKD patients. Moreover, the CKD cohort displayed a higher proportion of Gram-negative bacteria and facultative anaerobes. In conclusion, our study underscores the profound influence of gut microbiota dysbiosis on CKD progression. The distinct microbial profiles observed in CKD patients highlight the potential efficacy of microbiota-based interventions in mitigating CKD advancement.

A multi-omics approach to investigate characteristics of gut microbiota and metabolites in hypertension and diabetic nephropathy SPF rat models.

Imbalance in intestinal microbiota caused by microbial species and proportions or metabolites derived from microbes are associated with hypertension, as well as diabetic nephropathy. However, the involvement of the intestinal microbiota and metabolites in hypertension and diabetic nephropathy comorbidities (HDN) remains to be elucidated. We investigated the effects of intestinal microbiota on HDN in a rat model and determined the abundance of the intestinal microbiota using 16S rRNA sequencing. Changes in fecal and serum metabolites were analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results showed abundance of Proteobacteria and Verrucomicrobia was substantially higher, whereas that of Bacteroidetes was significant lower in the HDN group than in the sham group. Akkermansia, Bacteroides, Blautia, Turicibacter, Lactobacillus, Romboutsia, and Fusicatenibacter were the most abundant, and Prevotella, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, and Prevotella_9 were the least abundant in the HDN group. Further analysis with bile acid metabolites in serum showed that Blautia was negatively correlated with taurochenodeoxycholic acid, taurocholic acid, positively correlated with cholic acid and glycocholic acid in serum. These findings suggest that the gut microbiota and metabolites in feces and serum substantially differed between the HDN and sham groups. The F/B ratio was higher in the HDN group than in the sham group. Blautia is potentially associated with HDN that correlated with differentially expressed bile acid metabolites, which might regulate the pathogenesis of HDN via the microorganism-gut-metabolite axis.

The impact of exercise on the gut microbiota in middle-aged amateur serious runners: a comparative study.

Exercise, health, and the gut microbiota (GM) are strongly correlated. Research indicates that professional athletes, especially ultra-marathon runners, have unique GM characteristics. However, more research has focused on elite athletes, with little attention given to amateur sports enthusiasts, especially those in the middle-aged population. Therefore, this study focuses on the impact of long-term running on the composition and potential functions of the GM in middle-aged individuals. We compared the GM of 25 middle-aged serious runnerswith 22 sedentary healthy controls who had minimal exercise habitsusing 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Additionally, we assessed dietary habits using a food frequency questionnaire. Statistical analysis indicates that there is no significant difference in dietary patterns between the control group and serious runners. Diversity analysis results indicate that there is no significant difference in α diversity between the two groups of GM, but there is a significant difference in β diversity. Analysis of the composition of GM reveals that Ruminococcus and Coprococcus are significantly enriched in serious runners, whereas Bacteroides, Lachnoclostridium, and Lachnospira are enriched in the control group. Differential analysis of functional pathway prediction results reveals significant differences in the functional metabolism levels of GM between serious runners and the control group. Further correlation analysis results indicate that this difference may be closely related to variations in GM. In conclusion, our results suggest that long-term exercise can lead to changes in the composition of the GM. These changes have the potential to impact the overall health of the individual by influencing metabolic regulation.

Gut bacterial and fungal dysbiosis in tuberculosis patients

BackgroundRecent studies have more focused on gut microbial alteration in tuberculosis (TB) patients. However, no detailed study on gut fungi modification has been reported till now. So, current research explores the characteristics of gut microbiota (bacteria)- and mycobiota (fungi)-dysbiosis in TB patients and also assesses the correlation between the gut microbiome and serum cytokines. It may help to screen the potential diagnostic biomarker for TB.ResultsThe results show that the alpha diversity of the gut microbiome (including bacteria and fungi) decreased and altered the gut microbiome composition of TB patients. The bacterial genera Bacteroides and Prevotella were significantly increased, and Blautia and Bifidobacterium decreased in the TB patients group. The fungi genus Saccharomyces was increased while decreased levels of Aspergillus in TB patients. It indicates that gut microbial equilibrium between bacteria and fungi has been altered in TB patients. The fungal-to-bacterial species ratio was significantly decreased, and the bacterial-fungal trans-kingdom interactions have been reduced in TB patients. A set model including Bacteroides, Blautia, Eubacterium_hallii_group, Apiotrichum, Penicillium, and Saccharomyces may provide a better TB diagnostics option than using single bacterial or fungi sets. Also, gut microbial dysbiosis has a strong correlation with the alteration of IL-17 and IFN-γ.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that TB patients exhibit the gut bacterial and fungal dysbiosis. In the clinics, some gut microbes may be considered as potential biomarkers for auxiliary TB diagnosis.

Structural characteristics of gut microbiota in longevity from Changshou town, Hubei, China

The gut microbiota (GM) and its potential functions play a crucial role in maintaining host health and longevity. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential relationship between GM and longevity. We collected fecal samples from 92 healthy volunteers (middle-aged and elderly: 43–79 years old; longevity: ≥ 90 years old) from Changshou Town, Zhongxiang City, Hubei, China. In addition, we collected samples from 30 healthy middle-aged and elderly controls (aged 51–70 years) from Wuhan, Hubei. The 16S rDNA V3 + V4 region of the fecal samples was sequenced using high-throughput sequencing technology. Diversity analysis results showed that the elderly group with longevity and the elderly group with low body mass index (BMI) exhibited higher α diversity. However, no significant difference was observed in β diversity. The results of the microbiome composition indicate that Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidota are the core phyla in all groups. Compared to younger elderly individuals, Akkermansia and Lactobacillus are significantly enriched in the long-lived elderly group, while Megamonas is significantly reduced. In addition, a high abundance of Akkermansia is a significant characteristic of elderly populations with low BMI values. Furthermore, the functional prediction results showed that the elderly longevity group had higher abilities in short-chain fatty acid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and xenobiotic biodegradation. Taken together, our study provides characteristic information on GM in the long-lived elderly population in Changshou Town. This study can serve as a valuable addition to the current research on age-related GM.Key points• The gut microbiota of elderly individuals with longevity and low BMI exhibit higher alpha diversity• Gut microbiota diversity did not differ significantly between genders in the elderly population• Several potentially beneficial bacteria (e.g., Akkermansia and Lactobacillus) are enriched in long-lived individuals

Oral-gut microbial transmission promotes diabetic coronary heart disease

BackgroundDiabetes is a predominant driver of coronary artery disease worldwide. This study aims to unravel the distinct characteristics of oral and gut microbiota in diabetic coronary heart disease (DCHD). Simultaneously, we aim to establish a causal link between the diabetes-driven oral-gut microbiota axis and increased susceptibility to diabetic myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury (MIRI).MethodsWe comprehensively investigated the microbial landscape in the oral and gut microbiota in DCHD using a discovery cohort (n = 183) and a validation chohort (n = 68). Systematically obtained oral (tongue-coating) and fecal specimens were subjected to metagenomic sequencing and qPCR analysis, respectively, to holistically characterize the microbial consortia. Next, we induced diabetic MIRI by administering streptozotocin to C57BL/6 mice and subsequently investigated the potential mechanisms of the oral-gut microbiota axis through antibiotic pre-treatment followed by gavage with specific bacterial strains (Fusobacterium nucleatum or fecal microbiota from DCHD patients) to C57BL/6 mice.ResultsSpecific microbial signatures such as oral Fusobacterium nucleatum and gut Lactobacillus, Eubacterium, and Roseburia faecis, were identified as potential microbial biomarkers in DCHD. We further validated that oral Fusobacterium nucleatum and gut Lactobacillus are increased in DCHD patients, with a positive correlation between the two. Experimental evidence revealed that in hyperglycemic mice, augmented Fusobacterium nucleatum levels in the oral cavity were accompanied by an imbalance in the oral-gut axis, characterized by an increased coexistence of Fusobacterium nucleatum and Lactobacillus, along with elevated cardiac miRNA-21 and a greater extent of myocardial damage indicated by TTC, HE, TUNEL staining, all of which contributed to exacerbated MIRI.ConclusionOur findings not only uncover dysregulation of the oral-gut microbiota axis in diabetes patients but also highlight the pivotal intermediary role of the increased abundance of oral F. nucleatum and gut Lactobacillus in exacerbating MIRI. Targeting the oral-gut microbiota axis emerges as a potent strategy for preventing and treating DCHD. Oral-gut microbial transmission constitutes an intermediate mechanism by which diabetes influences myocardial injury, offering new insights into preventing acute events in diabetic patients with coronary heart disease.Graphic

Exploring of gut microbiota features in dyslipidemia and chronic coronary syndrome patients undergoing coronary angiography.

Chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) has a high mortality rate, and dyslipidemia is a major risk factor. Atherosclerosis, a cause of CCS, is influenced by gut microbiota dysbiosis and its metabolites. The objective of this study was to study the diversity and composition of gut microbiota and related clinical parameters among CCS patients undergoing coronary angiography and dyslipidemia patients in comparison to healthy volunteers in Thailand. CCS patients had more risk factors and higher inflammatory markers, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) than others. The alpha diversity was lower in dyslipidemia and CCS patients than in the healthy group. A significant difference in the composition of gut microbiota was observed among the three groups. The relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Fusobacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, Prevotella, and Streptococcus was significantly increased while Roseburia, Ruminococcus, and Faecalibacterium were lower in CCS patients. In CCS patients, Lachnospiraceae, Peptostreptococcaceae, and Pediococcus were positively correlated with hs-CRP. In dyslipidemia patients, Megasphaera was strongly positively correlated with triglyceride (TG) level and negatively correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). The modification of gut microbiota was associated with changes in clinical parameters involved in the development of coronary artery disease (CAD) in CCS patients.

Characteristics of gut microbiota and its correlation with hs-CRP and somatic symptoms in first-episode treatment-naive major depressive disorder

ObjectiveMost patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) have somatic symptoms, but little studies pay attention in the microbial-inflammatory mechanisms of these somatic symptoms. Our study aimed to investigate alterations in gut microbiota and its correlation with inflammatory marker levels and somatic symptoms in first-episode treatment-naive MDD. MethodsSubjects contained 160 MDD patients and 101 healthy controls (HCs). MDD patients were divided into MDD with somatic symptoms group (MDDS) and MDD without somatic symptoms group (MDDN) based on Somatic Self-rating Scale (SSS). 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing were performed to analyze the composition of the fecal microbiota. The inflammatory factors were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Correlation among the altered gut microbiota, inflammatory factor and severity of clinical symptoms were analysized. ResultsRelative to HCs, MDD patients had higher levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) as well as disordered α-diversity and β-diversity of gut microbiota. Linear discriminant effect size (LEfSe) analysis showed that MDD patients had higher proportions of Bifidobacterium, Blautia, Haemophilus and lower proportions of Bacteroides, Faecalibacterium, Roseburia, Dialister, Sutterella, Parabacteroides, Bordetella, and Phascolarctobacterium from the genus aspect. Furthermore, correlation analysis showed Bacteroides and Roseburia had negative correlations with the hs-CRP, HAMD-24, the total and factor scores of SSS in all participants. Further, compared with MDDN, the Pielous evenness was higher in MDDS. Random Forest (RF) analysis showed 20 most important genera discriminating MDD-S and MDDN, HCs. The ROC analysis showed that the AUC was 0.90 and 0.81 combining these genera respectively. ConclusionOur study manifested MDD patients showed disordered gut microbiota and elevated hs-CRP levels, and altered gut microbiota was closely associated with hs-CRP, depressive symptoms, and somatic symptoms.

Microbial Disruptions in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Comparative Analysis.

The fecal microbiota was studied in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and the characteristics of gut microbiota were compared among patients with different subtypes and stages of IBD, aiming to identify the gut microbiota associated with IBD. Fecal samples were collected from 41 IBD patients (18 patients with ulcerative colitis [UC] and 23 patients with Crohn's disease [CD]) in the Department of Gastroenterology of East China Hospital, Fudan University between January 2021 and January 2022. In addition, fecal samples were collected from 20 healthy volunteers. The fecal microbiota was subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequencing, followed by bioinformatics analysis. There was significant difference in the fecal microbiota between IBD patients and controls. The abundance and diversity of fecal microbiota in the IBD patients were significantly lower than in controls. The relative abundance of Subdoligranulum, Ruminococcus, Anaerostipes and Lachnospira was reduced markedly in the IBD patients. As compared to controls, the relative abundance of Streptococcus increased dramatically in the UC patients. The relative abundance of Lachnoclostridium, Fusobacterium, Cloacibacillus and Erysipelatoclostridium significantly increased in the CD patients. As compared to CD patients, the relative abundance of Alistipes was reduced markedly in the UC patients; the relative abundance of Faecalibacterium, Roseburia and Haemophilus was reduced dramatically in the CD patients. In addition, significant difference was also noted in the fecal microflora between patients with active IBD and those with IBD in remission period. In active IBD patients, the relative abundance of Roseburia, Coprococcus and Ruminiclostridium was reduced significantly. There is intestinal microbiota imbalance in IBD patients, and the abundance of Roseburia, Coprococcus and Ruminiclostridium is reduced significantly in the active period of IBD, which may be related to the active IBD.

Untargeted metabolomics combined with 16S rRNA sequencing reveals the characteristics of intestinal metabolism and gut microbiota in hazelnut Cor a 14-allergic BALB/c mice

Untargeted metabolomics combined with 16S rRNA sequencing reveals the characteristics of intestinal metabolism and gut microbiota in hazelnut Cor a 14-allergic BALB/c mice

A retrospective study of gut microbiota characteristics in a Shanghai elderly cohort of hyperlipidemic patients

Hyperlipidemia significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, and the number of patients is gradually increasing and tends to be younger. The prevalence factors and pathogenesis of hyperlipidemia are the hotspots of current research. Research has shown that abnormal blood lipids are closely related to gut microbiota and dietary habits. We investigated the association between gut microbiota typing and lipid indices in hyperlipidemic patients by 16s rRNA and resolved the differences with gut microbiota in healthy populations, and compared the experimental results using Meta-analysis. The results displayed that the gut microbiota of hyperlipidemic patients could be classified into two enterotypes (Bac and Bla) and there was a significant difference such as Faecalibacterium, Bacteroides, and Agathobacter between the two groups. There was a high similarity in the composition of gut microbiota between Bac enterotype patients and healthy individuals, and the TG levels of the patients in the Bac group were also less different from those of the healthy population. However, the relative abundance of Faecalibacterium and Bacteroides was lower appreciably in patients with Bla enterotypes compared to patients with Bac enterotypes and healthy populations, suggesting that TG levels may influence changes in gut microbiota. Furthermore, the results of Mate-analysis did not reveal a significant correlation between Bacteroides and TG, whereas this study has detected a negative correlation between the abundance of Bacteroides and TG content. And the changes in Faecalibacterium abundance in the gut microbiota of hyperlipidemic patients and healthy people in this cohort population were consistent with the results of Meta-analysis. Therefore, they may be potential strains for the treatment of hyperlipidemia caused by elevated TG.

Fusobacteria alterations are associated with colorectal cancer liver metastasis and a poor prognosis.

Liver metastasis is a major cause of mortality in patients with advanced stages of colorectal cancer (CRC). The gut microbiota has been demonstrated to influence the progression of liver diseases, potentially providing novel perspectives for diagnosis, treatment and research. However, the gut microbial characteristics in CRC with liver metastasis (LM) and with no liver metastasis (NLM) have not yet been fully established. In the present study, high-throughput 16S RNA sequencing technology was employed, in order to examine the gut microbial richness and composition in patients with CRC with LM or NLM. A discovery cohort (cohort 2; LM=18; NLM=36) and a validation cohort (cohort 3; LM=13; NLM=41) were established using fresh feces. In addition, primary carcinoma tissue samples were also analyzed (LM=8 and NLM=10) as a supplementary discovery cohort (cohort 1). The findings of the present study indicated that the intestinal microbiota richness and diversity were increased in the LM group as compared to the NLM group. A significant difference was observed in species composition between the LM and NLM group. In the two discovery cohorts with two different samples, the dominant phyla were consistent, but varied at lower taxonomic levels. Phylum Fusobacteria presented consistent and significant enrichment in LM group in both discovery cohorts. Furthermore, with the application of a random forest model and receiver operator characteristic curve analysis, Fusobacteria was identified as a potential biomarker for LM. Moreover, Fusobacteria was also a poor prognosis factor for survival. Importantly, the findings were reconfirmed in the validation cohort. On the whole, the findings of the present study demonstrated that CRC with LM and NLM exhibit distinct gut microbiota characteristics. Fusobacteria detection thus has potential for use in predicting LM and a poor prognosis of patients with CRC.

Disruptions of Gut Microbiota are Associated with Cognitive Deficit of Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the most prevalent type of dementia. The early change of gut microbiota is a potential biomarker for preclinical AD patients. The study aimed to explore changes in gut microbiota characteristics in preclinical AD patients, including those with Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), and detect the correlation between gut microbiota characteristics and cognitive performances. This study included 117 participants [33 MCI, 54 SCD, and 30 Healthy Controls (HC)]. We collected fresh fecal samples and blood samples from all participants and evaluated their cognitive performance. We analyzed the diversity and structure of gut microbiota in all participants through qPCR, screened characteristic microbial species through machine learning models, and explored the correlations between these species and cognitive performances and serum indicators. Compared to the healthy controls, the structure of gut microbiota in MCI and SCD patients was significantly different. The three characteristic microorganisms, including Bacteroides ovatus, Bifidobacterium adolescentis, and Roseburia inulinivorans, were screened based on the best classification model (HC and MCI) having intergroup differences. Bifidobacterium adolescentis is associated with better performance in multiple cognitive scores and several serum indicators. Roseburia inulinivorans showed negative correlations with the scores of the Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ). The gut microbiota in patients with preclinical AD has significantly changed in terms of composition and richness. Correlations have been discovered between changes in characteristic species and cognitive performances. Gut microbiota alterations have shown promise in affecting AD pathology and cognitive deficit.

The changes of intestinal flora and its relevance with memory Tfh and B cells in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with csDMARDs and csDMARDs + bDMARDs

BackgroundA growing body of experimental and clinical evidence has implicated gut microbiota in the onset and course of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The imbalance of intestinal flora in RA patients may lead to abnormal expression of immune cells and related cytokines. PurposeConventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) and conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs combined with biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs + bDMARDs) are widely used to treat RA, but the characteristics of gut microbiota before and after treatment and their relationship with memory Tfh/B cells and cytokines remain unclear. MethodsStool samples were collected from 50 RA patients and 25 healthy controls (HCs) for 16SrRNA gene sequencing. We examined the proportion of lymphocyte subsets in healthy controls and RA patients. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of related cytokines in serum. The α and β diversity of intestinal flora, and the correlation between intestinal flora and clinical indicators, lymphocyte subsets, cytokines were analyzed. ResultAt the genus level, Ruminococcaceae_Ruminococcus was decreased in the csDMARDs and csDMARDs + bDMARDs treatment group, whereas Faecalibacterium was reduced in the csDMARDs treatment group, compared to untreated group. CD4+CD45RO+CCR7+CXCR5+central memory Tfh cells and CD4+CD45RO+CCR7-CXCR5+effector memory Tfh cells were significantly lower in the csDMARDs + bDMARDs treatment group than in untreated group. CD19+CD27+IgD+pre-switched memory B cells were higher in the csDMARDs and csDMARDs + bDMARDs treatment groups, whereas CD19+CD27+IgD-switched memory B cells were significantly lower than in untreated group. Ruminococcaceae_Ruminococcus was negatively correlated with CD19+CD27+IgD+ pre-switched memory B cells but positively correlated with CD4+CD45RO+CCR7-CXCR5+effector memory Tfh and CD19+CD27+IgD-switched memory B cells in patients with RA treated with DMARDs. ConclusionThe gut microbiota, memory Tfh cells, memory B cells, and cytokines of patients with RA changed significantly under different treatment regimens and had certain correlations with the clinical indicators of RA.

140 High-resolution characterization of the gut microbiota of neonatal dairy calves using full-length 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing

Abstract The gut microbiota has a crucial role in preventing pathogen colonization and training the immune system. An imbalanced gut microbiota tends to induce calf diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration and metabolic acidosis. Therefore, it is urgent to identify critical factors that influence the establishment of gut microbiota in the early stages of development in dairy calves. Most previous research relied on short-read-based partial 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to study calf microbiota, which has limited taxonomic resolution. The aim of our study is to obtain a species-level characterization of calf gut microbiota using long-read based full-length 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and investigate the factors that affect the gut microbiota composition in the early stages of development in dairy calves. We collected fecal samples from the recto-anal junction of 25 Holstein-Angus crossed calves at d 4 and d 14 after birth. The calves were raised in individual outdoor hutches from birth and fed milk replacer twice daily. The gut microbiota was analyzed using full-length 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing on an Oxford Nanopore sequencer. The results revealed that the gut microbial diversity measured by Chao 1 (P &amp;lt; 0.001) and Shannon index (P &amp;lt; 0.001) significantly increased from d 4 to d 14. We identified 15 and 36 core bacterial species (prevalence ≥ 80%) in d 4 and d 14 gut microbiota, respectively, and both stages share 7 bacterial species: Bacteroides fragilis, Butyricicoccus pulicaecorum, Enterocloster bolteae, Escherichia coli, Lachnoclostridium sp YL32, Rumiococcus gnavus and Streptococcus equinus. The calf gut microbiota was dominated by Bacteroides fragilis (18%), Escherichia coli (13%), Ruminococcus gnavus (10%) and Butyricicoccus pulicaecorum (6%) species on d 4, and Megamonas rupellensis (18%) and Fusobacterium varium (6%) species (relative abundance &amp;gt; 5%) on d 14. Notably, we found a significant impact of hutch location on the composition of gut microbiota, particularly on d 4, but the impact was reduced on d 14. Moreover, there were 4 dystocia calves among the 25 calves, which had a significantly lower Shannon index (P = 0.046) compared with 4 paired normal calves of similar age and sex, and location balanced. In conclusion, this study provides a species-level resolution of gut microbiota for neonatal dairy calves and indicates a potential impact of dystocia on early microbiota development. Additionally, calf microbiota composition is influenced by environmental factors, likely the soil microbiota where hutches were located, with a more substantial effect on the microbiota at an earlier age.

The mutual interactions among Helicobacter pylori, chronic gastritis, and the gut microbiota: a population-based study in Jinjiang, Fujian.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a type of bacteria that infects the stomach lining, and it is a major cause of chronic gastritis (CG). H. pylori infection can influence the composition of the gastric microbiota. Additionally, alterations in the gut microbiome have been associated with various health conditions, including gastrointestinal disorders. The dysbiosis in gut microbiota of human is associated with the decreased secretion of gastric acid. Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) and H. pylori infection are also causes of reduced gastric acid secretion. However, the specific details of how H. pylori infection and CG, especially for CAG, influence the gut microbiome can vary and are still an area of ongoing investigation. The incidence of CAG and infection rate of H. pylori has obvious regional characteristics, and Fujian Province in China is a high incidence area of CAG as well as H. pylori infection. We aimed to characterize the microbial changes and find potential diagnostic markers associated with infection of H. pylori as well as CG of subjects in Jinjiang City, Fujian Province, China. Enrollment involved sequencing the 16S rRNA gene in fecal samples from 176 cases, adhering to stringent inclusion and exclusion criteria. For our study, we included healthy volunteers (Normal), individuals with chronic non-atrophic gastritis (CNAG), and those with CAG from Fujian, China. The aim was to assess gut microbiome dysbiosis based on various histopathological features. QIIME and LEfSe analyses were performed. There were 176 cases, comprising 126 individuals who tested negative for H. pylori and 50 who tested positive defined by C14 urea breath tests and histopathological findings in biopsies obtained through endoscopy. CAG was also staged by applying OLGIM system. When merging the outcomes from 16S rRNA gene sequencing results, there were no notable variations in alpha diversity among the following groups: Normal, CNAG, and CAG; OLGIM I and OLGIM II; and H. pylori positive [Hp (+)] and H. pylori negative [Hp (-)] groups. Beta diversity among different groups show significant separation through the NMDS diagrams. LEfSe analyses confirmed 2, 3, and 6 bacterial species were in abundance in the Normal, CNAG, and CAG groups; 26 and 2 species in the OLGIM I and OLGIM II group; 22 significant phylotypes were identified in Hp (+) and Hp (-) group, 21 and 1, respectively; 9 bacterial species exhibited significant differences between individuals with CG who were Hp (+) and those who were Hp (-). The study uncovered notable distinctions in the characteristics of gut microbiota among the following groups: Normal, CNAG, and CAG; OLGIM I and OLGIM II; and Hp (+) and Hp (-) groups. Through the analysis of H. pylori infection in CNAG and CAG groups, we found the gut microbiota characteristics of different group show significant difference because of H. pylori infection. Several bacterial genera could potentially serve as diagnostic markers for H. pylori infection and the progression of CG.