Characteristics of the composition of intestinal flora in cirrhotic patients with malnutrition / 临床肝胆病杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the characteristics of the composition of intestinal flora and the serum level of endotoxin in cirrhotic patients with malnutrition， and to provide new diagnosis and treatment ideas for improving the nutritional status of patients with liver cirrhosis. MethodsA total of 58 patients with liver cirrhosis who were hospitalized in Department of Gastroenterology， People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou， from March 2021 to November 2022 were enrolled as experimental group （LC group）， and according to the Royal Free Hospital-Nutritional Prioritizing Tool， they were divided into low malnutrition risk group （LC-A group with 28 patients） and moderate/high malnutrition risk group （LC-B group with 30 patients）； 25 individuals who underwent physical examination during the same period of time were enrolled as control group （HC group）. Peripheral blood and feces samples were collected from all subjects. The limulus amebocyte lysate gel method was used to measure the concentration of endotoxin in peripheral blood， and high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were used to investigate the characteristics of intestinal flora. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups； a one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups， and the least significant difference t-test were used for further comparison between two groups. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups， and the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison between multiple groups. The chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. The Spearman test was used for correlation analysis. ResultsThere were significant differences between the three groups in the levels of alanine aminotransferase （H=7.054， P<0.05）， gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase （H=9.644， P<0.05）， albumin （Alb） （F=32.768， P<0.05）， total bilirubin （TBil） （H=20.980， P<0.05）， and serum endotoxin （F=108.672， P<0.05）. There was a significant difference in Chao1 index between the three groups （F=5.110， P=0.008） and between the HC group and the LC-B group （P<0.05）. Compared with the HC group， the LC-A group and the LC-B group had significant reductions in Chao1 index and Shannon index， and there was a significant difference in Chao1 index between the HC group and the LC-B group （P<0.05）. At the phylum level， the intestinal flora in each group was mainly composed of Bacteroidota， Firmicutes， Proteobacteria， and Actinobacteriota， accounting for more than 95% of all phyla， and there was a significant difference in the relative abundance of Firmicutes between the HC group and the LC-B group （P<0.05）. Serum endotoxin was significantly negatively correlated with Ruminococcaceae （r=-0.420， P=0.007）， and spirochete was significantly positively correlated with TBil （r=0.419， P=0.007） and was significantly negatively correlated with Alb （r=-0.492， P=0.001）. ConclusionThere are unique changes in intestinal flora in cirrhotic patients with malnutrition， and differentially expressed flora are associated with endotoxemia. Improving intestinal microecology in liver cirrhosis may help to improve nutritional status.

Insuflación rectal con ozono en infecciones intestinales / Rectal Insufflation with Ozone in Intestinal Infections

Introducción: Las infecciones intestinales se relacionan con trastornos del sistema inmune y de la microbiota intestinal. Pueden ser recurrentes y producir otras alteraciones intestinales y sistémicas, que empeoran con la terapia antimicrobiana. La ozonoterapia ha sido usada en el tratamiento de infecciones intestinales. Objetivos: Recopilar información sobre los efectos biológicos, terapéuticos y la seguridad de la administración del ozono por insuflación rectal en el tratamiento de las infecciones intestinales. Métodos: Para la búsqueda de información se empleó el motor de búsqueda Google Académico. Se consultaron artículos en las bases de datos PubMed y SciELO de la Biblioteca Virtual de Salud. Además, se realizó una búsqueda general en los idiomas español e inglés, a partir de los artículos más relevantes acerca del estudio. Se utilizaron como palabras clave: infecciones, insuflación, microbioma gastrointestinal, ozono como términos más concretos. En el estudio no se aplicó ninguna restricción acerca del ámbito geográfico ni de la edad. Conclusiones: La aplicación rectal de ozono es segura, tiene acciones biológicas y terapéuticas útiles para tratar las infecciones intestinales. Actúa como inmunomodulador y protector de la microbiota intestinal, lo que permite enfrentar esta problemática de salud desde el punto de vista preventivo, curativo y de rehabilitación de los daños causados, tanto por los gérmenes como por los efectos de los antibióticos(AU)

Introduction: Intestinal infections are related to disorders of the immune system and intestinal microbiota. They can be recurrent and produce other intestinal and systemic alterations, which worsen with antimicrobial therapy. Ozone therapy has been used in the treatment of intestinal infections. Objectives: To compile information on the biological, therapeutic effects and safety of the administration of ozone by rectal insufflation in the treatment of intestinal infections. Methods: Google Scholar search engine was used for searching information. Articles were consulted in PubMed and SciELO databases of the Virtual Health Library. In addition, a general search was carried out in Spanish and English, based on the most relevant articles about the study. The keywords used were infections, insufflation, gastrointestinal microbiome, ozone as more specific terms. No restrictions on geographic area or age were applied in the study. Conclusions: The rectal application of ozone is safe, it has useful biological and therapeutic actions to treat intestinal infections, acting as an immunomodulator and protector of the intestinal microbiota, which allows us to face this health problem from a preventive, curative and rehabilitation point of view of the damage caused, both by germs and by the effects of antibiotics(AU)

The brain-gut-microbiota axis in the treatment of neurologic and psychiatric disorders / O eixo microbiota-intestino-cérebro no tratamento de desordens neurológicas e psiquiátricas

Abstract The human gut microbiota is a complex ecosystem made of trillions of microorganisms. The composition can be affected by diet, metabolism, age, geography, stress, seasons, temperature, sleep, and medications. The increasing evidence about the existence of a close and bi-directional correlation between the gut microbiota and the brain indicates that intestinal imbalance may play a vital role in the development, function, and disorders of the central nervous system. The mechanisms of interaction between the gut-microbiota on neuronal activity are widely discussed. Several potential pathways are involved with the brain-gut-microbiota axis, including the vagus nerve, endocrine, immune, and biochemical pathways. Gut dysbiosis has been linked to neurological disorders in different ways that involve activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, imbalance in neurotransmitter release, systemic inflammation, and increase in the permeability of the intestinal and the blood-brain barrier. Mental and neurological diseases have become more prevalent during the coronavirus disease 2019pandemic and are an essential issue in public health globally. Understanding the importance of diagnosing, preventing, and treating dysbiosis is critical because gut microbial imbalance is a significant risk factor for these disorders. This review summarizes evidence demonstrating the influence of gut dysbiosis on mental and neurological disorders.

Resumo A microbiota intestinal humana é um ecossistema complexo feito de trilhões de microrganismos, cuja composição pode ser afetada pela dieta, pelo metabolismo, pela idade, geografia, pelo estresse, pelas estações do ano, pela temperatura, pelo sono e por medicamentos. A crescente evidência sobre a existência de uma correlação estreita e bidirecional entre a microbiota intestinal e o cérebro indica que o desequilíbrio intestinal pode desempenhar um papel vital no desenvolvimento, na função e nos distúrbios do sistema nervoso central. Os mecanismos de interação entre a microbiota intestinal e a atividade neuronal são amplamente discutidos. Várias vias potenciais estão envolvidas com o eixo microbiota-intestino-cérebro, incluindo o nervo vago e as vias endócrinas, imunes e bioquímicas. A disbiose intestinal tem sido associada a distúrbios neurológicos de diferentes maneiras que envolvem a ativação do eixo hipotálamo-hipófise-adrenal, o desequilíbrio na liberação de neurotransmissores, a inflamação sistêmica e o aumento da permeabilidade das barreiras intestinal e hematoencefálica. As doenças mentais e neurológicas tornaram-se mais prevalentes durante a pandemia de coronavirus disease 2019 e são uma questão global essencial na saúde pública. Compreender a importância de diagnosticar, prevenir e tratar a disbiose é fundamental porque o desequilíbrio microbiano intestinal é um fator de risco significativo para esses distúrbios. Esta revisão resume as evidências que demonstram a influência da disbiose intestinal em distúrbios mentais e neurológicos.

Relação entre hábitos alimentares, peso corporal e saúde intestinal em indivíduos adultos / Relationship between eating habits, body weight, and intestinal health in adults

Introdução: A disbiose pode estar relacionada à hábitos alimentares ruins e alterações metabólicas que podem contribuir para o excesso de peso. Objetivo: Avaliar as escolhas alimentares que modulam a microbiota intestinal e a associação entre a saúde intestinal e o peso corporal de indivíduos adultos. Método: Estudo analítico, correlacional-descritivo e transversal realizado com 99 participantes, adultos, de ambos os sexos. Utilizou-se um Questionário Sociodemográfico e de Frequência Alimentar para coletar dados sociodemográficos, peso corporal, altura, frequência de consumo de alimentos fontes de prebióticos e probióticos e o Questionário de Rastreamento Metabólico (QRM), para investigar a saúde intestinal. O estudo ocorreu de forma online, via Google forms, sendo divulgado através das redes sociais (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp). Realizou-se uma análise descritiva dos dados e para associação entre variáveis empregou-se o teste Qui-quadrado de Pearson. Resultados: Do total de participantes, 74,7% eram mulheres. Quanto à classificação do Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC), 60,6% apresentaram eutrofia 24,2% sobrepeso e 9,1% algum grau de obesidade. Os alimentos fontes de probióticos e prebióticos mais consumidos foram queijo, iogurte, leites fermentados e banana, maçã, aveia, respectivamente. Porém, são alimentos que não fazem parte do consumo diário para a maioria dos participantes. Não houve diferença significativa entre a associação com IMC com sexo, escore final do QRM e somatório final dos sintomas gastrointestinais (p=0,76, p=0,29, p=0,70), respectivamente. Conclusão: Nota-se uma baixa frequência de consumo de alimentos que auxiliam na saúde intestinal. No entanto, não foi constatado que o peso corporal exerce influência na composição da microbiota intestinal.

Introducción: La disbiosis puede estar relacionada con malos hábitos alimentarios y alteraciones metabólicas que pueden contribuir al sobrepeso. Objetivo: Evaluar las elecciones alimentarias que modulan la microbiota intestinal y la asociación entre la salud intestinal y el peso corporal en personas adultas. Método: Estudio analítico, correlacional-descriptivo y transversal realizado con 99 personas participantes adultas de ambos sexos. Se utilizó un cuestionario sociodemográfico y de frecuencia alimentaria para recoger datos sociodemográficos, peso corporal, altura, frecuencia de consumo de fuentes alimentarias de prebióticos y probióticos y el Cuestionario de Seguimiento Metabólico para investigar la salud intestinal. El estudio se realizó online, a través de formularios de Google, siendo difundido a través de redes sociales (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp). Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de los datos y para la asociación entre variables se empleó el test Chi-cuadrado de Pearson. Resultados: Del total de participantes, el 74.7 % fueron mujeres. En cuanto a la clasificación del Índice de Masa Corporal, el 60.6 % eran personas eutróficas, el 24.2 % con sobrepeso y el 9.1% personas obesas. Los alimentos fuente de probióticos y prebióticos más consumidos fueron el queso, el yogur, las leches fermentadas, el plátano, la manzana y la avena. Sin embargo, se trata de alimentos que no forman parte del consumo diario de la mayoría de los participantes. No hubo diferencias significativas entre la asociación del Índice de Masa Corporal con el sexo, la puntuación final del Cuestionario de Seguimiento Metabólico y la suma final de síntomas gastrointestinales (p=0.76, p=0.29, p=0.70), respectivamente. Conclusiones: Se observa una baja frecuencia de consumo de alimentos que ayudan a la salud intestinal. Sin embargo, no se encontró que el peso corporal ejerza influencia sobre la composición de la microbiota intestinal.

Introduction: Dysbiosis may be related to poor eating habits and metabolic changes that can contribute to being overweight. Objective: To evaluate the food choices that modulate the gut microbiota and the association between gut health and body weight in adult individuals. Method: Analytical, correlational-descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted with 99 adult participants of both sexes. A Sociodemographic and Food Frequency Questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic data, body weight, height, and frequency of consumption of food sources of prebiotics and probiotics; and the Metabolic Tracking Questionnaire was applied to investigate gut health. The study took place online, via Google Forms, and was disseminated through social media (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp). A descriptive analysis of the data was performed and for association between variables, the Pearson's Chi-square test was used. Results: Of the total number of participants, 74.7% were women. As for the classification of Body Mass Index, 60.6% were eutrophic, 24.2% were overweight, and 9.1% were somewhat obese. The most consumed probiotic and prebiotic food sources were cheese, yogurt, fermented kinds of milk; and banana, apple, and oatmeal, respectively. However, these are foods that are not part of the daily consumption for most participants. There was no significant difference between the association of the Body Mass Index with the sex of the participants or the final Metabolic Tracking Questionnaire score and the final sum of gastrointestinal symptoms (p=0.76, p=0.29, p=0.70). Conclusion: A low frequency of consumption of foods that aid intestinal health is noted. However, body weight was not found to influence the composition of the gut microbiota.

Use of probiotics in patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis: a randomized clinical trial / Uso de probióticos em pacientes com doença renal crônica em hemodiálise: um ensaio clínico randomizado

ABSTRACT Introduction: Supplementation with probiotics for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) may be associated with decreased systemic inflammation. Objective: To assess the impact of oral supplementation with probiotics for patients with CKD on hemodialysis. Method: This double-blind randomized clinical trial included 70 patients on hemodialysis; 32 were given oral supplementation with probiotics and 38 were in the placebo group. Blood samples were collected at the start of the study and patients were given oral supplementation with probiotics or placebo for three months. The probiotic supplement comprised four strains of encapsulated Gram-positive bacteria: Lactobacillus Plantarum A87, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium bifidum A218 and Bifidobacterium longum A101. Patients were given one capsule per day for 3 months. Blood samples were taken throughout the study to check for inflammatory biomarkers. Non-traditional biomarkers Syndecan-1, IFN-y, NGAL, and cystatin C were measured using an ELISA kit, along with biochemical parameters CRP, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, PTH, GPT, hematocrit, hemoglobin, glucose, and urea. Results: Patients given supplementation with probiotics had significant decreases in serum levels of syndecan-1 (239 ± 113 to 184 ± 106 ng/mL, p = 0.005); blood glucose levels also decreased significantly (162 ± 112 to 146 ± 74 mg/dL, p = 0.02). Conclusion: Administration of probiotics to patients with advanced CKD was associated with decreases in syndecan-1 and blood glucose levels, indicating potential improvements in metabolism and decreased systemic inflammation.

Resumo Introdução: A suplementação com probióticos na doença renal crônica (DRC) pode estar associada à redução do processo inflamatório sistêmico. Objetivo: Avaliar a suplementação oral com probióticos em pacientes com DRC em hemodiálise. Método: Ensaio clínico, duplo cego, randomizado com 70 pacientes em hemodiálise, sendo 32 do grupo que recebeu o suplemento de probióticos e 38 do grupo placebo. Inicialmente ocorreu a coleta de sangue e suplementação oral com probióticos ou placebo durante três meses. O suplemento probiótico foi composto pela combinação de 4 cepas de bactérias Gram-positivas encapsuladas: Lactobacillus Plantarum A87, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium bifidum A218 e Bifidobacterium longum A101, sendo 1 cápsula do suplemento ao dia, durante 3 meses. Após esse período foram feitas novas coletas de sangue para dosagem dos biomarcadores inflamatórios. Foram analisados os biomarcadores não tradicionais: Syndecan-1, IFN-y, NGAL e cistatina C pelo método ELISA, e os seguintes parâmetros bioquímicos: PCR, cálcio, fósforo, potássio, PTH, TGP, hematócrito, hemoglobina, glicose e ureia. Resultados: Os pacientes que receberam suplemento tiveram diminuição significativa dos níveis séricos de syndecan-1 (de 239 ± 113 para 184 ± 106 ng/mL, p = 0,005). Outro parâmetro que diminuiu significativamente nos pacientes que receberam suplemento foi a glicemia (de 162 ± 112 para 146 ± 74 mg/dL, p = 0,02). Conclusão: O uso de probióticos na DRC avançada esteve associado à redução dos níveis de syndecan-1 e glicemia, sinalizando possível melhora no metabolismo e redução do processo inflamatório sistêmico.

Ocular conjunctival microbiome profiling in dry eye disease: A case control pilot study

Purpose: Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) or dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disease that results in discomfort, visual disturbance, and tear film instability with potential damage to the ocular surface. A pilot study was undertaken to determine if there were any major substantial differences in the ocular microbiome in DED patients versus healthy controls. Methods: The bacterial communities residing in the conjunctiva of patients with DED (n = 4) and healthy controls (n = 4) were assessed by 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing of the V4–V5 region. Results: The phyla Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes were most dominant and accounted for 97% and 94.5% of all bacterial sequences in patients and controls, respectively. At the genus level, 27 bacterial genera were found with more than two?fold difference between patients and controls. Four of these – Acinetobacter, Corynebacterium, Lactobacillus, and Pseudomonas spp. – dominated the ocular microbiome of all subjects, but were proportionately lower in DED (16.5%) compared to controls (37.7%). Several bacterial genera were found to be unique in DED (34) and controls (24). Conclusion: This pilot study is an attempt to profile the ocular microbiome in patients with DED that demonstrated a higher concentration of microbial DNA compared to controls, with Firmicutes phyla dominating the bacterial population in patients with DED.

Tear film microbiome in Sjogren’s and non-Sjogren’s aqueous deficiency dry eye

Purpose: To understand the bacterial microbiome changes associated with Sjogren’s syndrome (SS) and non?Sjogren’s syndrome (NSS) aqueous?deficient dry eyes compared to healthy eyes. Methods: Bacterial microbiome was generated from the deoxyribonucleic acid of tear film samples in healthy (n = 33), SS (n = 17), and NSS (n = 28) individuals. Sequencing of the V3?V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was performed on the Illumina HiSeq2500 platform. Quantitative Insights Into Microbial Ecology (QIIME) pipeline was used to assign taxa to sequences. Statistical analysis was performed in R to assess the alpha diversity and beta diversity indices. Significant changes between the healthy, SS, and NSS cohorts were depicted by principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), differential abundance, and network analysis. Results: Tear microbiome was generated in healthy, SS, and NSS samples. Phyla Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes showed significant changes in SS and NSS compared to healthy. Genera Lactobacillus and Bacillus were predominantly present in all samples. PCoA and heat map analysis showed distinct clusters for SS and NSS from the healthy cohort. Genera Prevotella, Coriobacteriaceae UCG?003, Enterococcus, Streptomyces, Rhodobacter, Ezakiella, and Microbacterium significantly increased in abundance in SS and NSS compared to a healthy cohort. Bacteria–bacteria interaction in SS, NSS, and healthy cohorts was predicted by CoNet network analysis. This analysis predicted a major hub of interaction for the pro?inflammatory bacterium Prevotella in the SS and NSS cohorts. Conclusion: The results of the study indicate significant changes in the phyla and genera in SS and NSS compared to healthy. Both discriminative analysis and network analysis indicated a possible association of predominant pro?inflammatory bacteria with SS and NSS.

Proceso de atención de enfermería en el cuidado al paciente COVID-19 / Nursing process of care in patient care COVID-19 / Processo de cuidados de enfermagem no cuidado ao paciente COVID-19

El microbiota intestinal se encuentra constituida por más un millón de microorganismos entre los cuales las bacterias son de mayor prevalencia. Esta microbiota depende directamente de la localización exacta a lo largo del tubo digestivo, siendo la porción del colon la que alberga la mayor cantidad del microorganismo de la flora. El microbiota de la piel guarda relación directa con el microbiota del intestino por los diversos mecanismos existentes en la formación de la misma. El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar el uso de probióticos y prebióticos en tratamiento de patología cutáneas y la relación entre la microbiota intestinal y enfermedades de la piel. Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica narrativa de la literatura científica de la relación del microbiota intestinal en patologías cutáneas. Se concluyó que el uso de probióticos y prebióticos juegan un papel importante en enfermedad cutáneas es especial de tipo inflamatoria.

The intestinal microbiota is constituted by more than one million microorganisms among which bacteria are the most prevalent. This microbiota is directly dependent on the exact location along the digestive tract, with the colon portion harboring the largest amount of the microorganism flora. The skin microbiota is directly related to the gut microbiota by the various mechanisms involved in its formation. The aim of the present study was to analyze the use of probiotics and prebiotics in the treatment of skin pathology and the relationship between the intestinal microbiota and skin diseases. A narrative bibliographic review of the scientific literature on the relationship between the intestinal microbiota and skin pathologies was carried out. It was concluded that the use of probiotics and prebiotics play an important role in skin diseases, especially inflammatory ones.

A microbiota intestinal é formada por mais de um milhão de microorganismos entre os quais as bactérias são as mais prevalentes. Esta microbiota depende diretamente da localização exata ao longo do trato gastrointestinal, sendo que a porção de cólon abriga a maior quantidade da flora de microorganismos. A microbiota da pele está diretamente relacionada à microbiota intestinal pelos diversos mecanismos envolvidos em sua formação. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o uso de probióticos e prebióticos no tratamento da patologia da pele e a relação entre a microbiota intestinal e as doenças de pele. Foi realizada uma revisão narrativa da literatura científica sobre a relação entre microbiota intestinal e patologias da pele. Concluiu-se que o uso de probióticos e prebióticos desempenha um papel importante nas doenças de pele, especialmente nas doenças inflamatórias da pele.

Quantification and Diversity of Cultivated Bacteria in Root Endosphere and Rhizosphere of Bamboo Species Fargesia nitida in Association with the Tree Succession

Fargesia nitida is a cold-resistant evergreen bamboo and is a pioneer plant in the secondary succession after the native trees were destroyed in the eastern Tibetan Plateau. However, little is known about the effects of this plant on soil conditions and about its microbiomes. Aiming at learning the interactions among the soil characteristics, the plants and the microbes in relation to the plant succession, a study on cultivated microbes associated with the rhizocompartments of F. nitida was performed in the present study to reveal the preference of this plant to the root associated microbes, in comparison with that associated with the successive spruce (Picea asperata Mast.) trees. The results demonstrated that growth of F. nitida could improve the soil nutrient contents, especially increasing total nitrogen, NH4+-N, total carbon, and microbial biomass carbon, and maintained more soil bacteria than the successive spruce trees. Based upon the study of F. nitida root-associated cultivated microbial community, the nutrient improvement in F. nitida growing soils might be from the root endophytic bacteria, which presented greater abundance (3.8, 1.7, and 12.6 folds) than that of bacteria in its rhizosphere, root zone soil, and spruce root zone soil, respectively. Pseudomonas members, especially species related to P. baetica and P. vancouverensis, were strongly selected by F. nitida as root endophytes.

Research progress in characteristics of intestinal flora and intestinal flora-targeted therapeutic methods in patients with spinal cord injury / 中华创伤杂志

Patients with spinal cord injury is associated with seriously affected gastrointestinal function and imbalance of intestinal flora, leading to increased inflammation of spinal cord nerves. With the proposal of the theory of gut microbiota-gut-brain axis in recent years, the regulatory role of gut microbiota in the central nervous system and gastrointestinal system has gradually attracted attention. Although a considerable number of studies have focused on the effects of intestinal flora characteristics on spinal cord nerve function repair in patients with spinal cord injury from different perspectives, there are numerous research models for treating spinal cord injury with intestinal flora as intervention targets and remains a lack of unified and effective clinical treatment methods. In this paper, the authors review the research progress in characteristics of intestinal microflora and intestinal microflora-targeted therapeutic methods in patients with spinal cord injury, hoping to provide a reference for the clinical treatment and basic research of spinal cord injury.

The role of antibiotics in the treatment of Crohn′s disease / 中国医师杂志

Crohn′s disease (CD) is a chronic, progressive and destructive inflammatory disease affecting the entire digestive tract. Changes in the intestinal microbiota, particularly a decrease in gut microbiome diversity, are thought to be associated with chronic intestinal inflammation of CD. As for the mechanism of antibiotics in CD treatment, some scholars believe that antibiotics can affect the course of disease by reducing the concentration of intestinal bacteria and changing the composition of intestinal microbiota. Different antibiotics, including ciprofloxacin, metronidazole and rifaximin, have been proved to have certain therapeutic effect on some patients with CD in clinical practice, but there are still limitations in the use of antibiotics.In this review, the relationship between intestinal flora and the incidence of CD and the application of antibiotics in CD were reviewed, providing reference and help for the standardized application of antibiotics in CD.

Advances in urinary tract and intestinal microbiome related to bladder cancer / 现代泌尿外科杂志

Bladder cancer is one of the most common urinary tumors, and human urinary tract has been proved to be non-sterile. The significance of urinary tract flora in pathophysiology and treatment of urothelial carcinoma remains to be studied. Meanwhile, intestinal flora has also become an important clinical factor, which has been proved to play a variety of roles in body metabolism, local and systemic inflammation and immunity. Microorganisms can affect the clinical course of cancer, efficacy of chemotherapy and immunotherapy drugs, bioavailability and side effects. This review will explore the relationship between bladder cancer and urinary tract and intestinal microbiome, and explore reliable disease predictors, prognostic indicators and therapeutic targets through a better understanding of the interaction between the microbiome and tumor cells.

Changes in intestinal microbiota and application of probiotics in patients with acute pancreatitis / 临床肝胆病杂志

Intestinal microbiota is the most complex and important microecosystem in the human body， and gut microbiota dysbiosis is closely associated with the development and progression of acute pancreatitis. Targeted regulation of intestinal microecology in assisting the treatment of acute pancreatitis has attracted more attention in recent years. This article describes the changes in intestinal microbiota and related mechanisms in patients with acute pancreatitis， summarizes the current research status of the use of probiotics， points out the research direction of probiotics as the adjuvant treatment regime， and proposes a new method for predicting the dominant flora in patients with acute pancreatitis， in order to bring new ideas for the treatment of acute pancreatitis.

Gut-liver axis： Intestinal microbial homeostasis and hepatocellular carcinoma / 临床肝胆病杂志

Intestinal microbiota plays an important role in maintaining liver metabolic homeostasis and affects the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by participating in bile acid metabolism. Gut-liver axis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of liver diseases， and it might be one of the effective methods to prevent the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by correcting intestinal ecological imbalance to restore normal bile acid level. This article summarizes the mechanism of bile acid receptor affecting hepatocellular carcinoma and the latest therapeutic targets， in order to provide a reference for the early prevention and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Characteristics of vaginal microbiota in pregnant women with premature rupture of membranes and establishment of prediction model / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective:To study the characteristics of vaginal microbiota in pregnant women with premature rupture of membranes (PROM) and to establish prediction models for PROM.Methods:This study involved 35 women with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), 180 with term premature rupture of membranes (TPROM) and 255 term birth cases without premature rupture of membranes (TBWPROM, control group). The V3-V4 hypervariable region sequences in the vaginal samples collected at 16-28 weeks of gestation were detected by 16S rRNA gene next-generation sequencing. The differences in Alpha and Beta diversity, and the attributes and metabolic function prediction of each recognized species among the three groups were analyzed. Subsequently, a random forest model was used to establish the prediction models for PROM using vaginal microbiota species and environmental risk factors.Results:Compared with the control group, the Alpha diversity of the PPROM group was higher (Observed features, P=0.022; Faith_pd index, P=0.024) and Beta diversity was also significantly different (Unweighted UniFrac, P=0.010; Jaccard index, P=0.008). In PPROM cases, Megasphaera genomosp. typeⅠ was significantly increased ( P=0.017) and Lactobacillus mulieris was significantly decreased ( P=0.003). In the patients with TPROM, Megasphaera was significantly increased ( P=0.009) and Lactobacillus mulieris was significantly decreased ( P=0.002). In terms of functional pathways, sulfur oxidation ( P=0.021), methanogenesis from acetate ( P=0.036), L-histidine biosynthesis ( P=0.009), adenosylcobalamin biosynthesis ( P=0.041) and fucose degradation ( P=0.001) were significantly increased in patients with PPROM; L-histidine biosynthesis ( P<0.001) and fucose degradation ( P=0.030) were significantly increased in patients with TPROM. The prediction models were established using the random forest model with vaginal microbiota species and environmental risk factors and the prediction model for PPROM performed well [AUC: 0.739 (95%CI: 0.609-0.869), sensitivity: 0.928, specificity: 0.659, positive predictive value: 0.750, negative predictive value: 0.906], which had a certain reference value. Conclusions:Vaginal microbiota might be related to the development and progression of PROM. Studying the differences in vaginal microbiota might provide a new idea for the prevention and treatment of PROM. Functional prediction provided a direction for further research on the mechanism of PROM. The established prediction model could prevent the occurrence of PPROM and promote maternal and infant health.

Relationship between intestinal microbiota heterogeneity and acquired myasthenia in septic mice / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between intestinal microbiota heterogeneity and acquired myasthenia in septic mice.Methods:Eighty SPF healthy male C57BL/6 mice, weighing 18-20 g, aged 6-8 weeks, were included. Forty mice were selected to prepare a sepsis model by intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 10 mg/kg. Sepsis-sensitive mice (state of dying or even death within 24 h after developing the model) and sepsis-resistant mice (survival for 7 days and recovery) were screened. The feces from donor mice were collected to make fecal bacteria fluid. Forty mice were selected and divided into 4 groups ( n=10 each) by the random number table method: control group (C group), antibiotic group (ABX group), resistant group (Res group), and sensitive group (Sen group). Group C received no treatment. In ABX group, compound antibiotics were given by intragastric gavage once a day for 5 consecutive days. In Res group, the fecal solution from sepsis-resistant mice 150 μl was given by gavage once a day for 3 consecutive days starting from 5 days after gavage administration of compound antibiotics, and then LPS 15 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected. In Sen group, the fecal solution from sepsis-sensitive mice was given by gavage for 3 days (using the same method as previously described in Res group) starting from 5 days after gavage administration of compound antibiotics, and then LPS 15 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected. The severity of sepsis was assessed and scored at 24 h after developing the model. The four limb grip strength was measured after fecal bacteria transplantation and at 24 h after developing the sepsis model. The Compound Muscle Action Potential (CMAP) of the gastrocnemius was measured at 24 h after developing the sepsis model. Then blood samples were collected for determination of the levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The tissues of anterior tibial muscle and gastrocnemius muscle were obtained for determination of the expression of muscle-specific ring finger protein 1 (MuRF-1) and muscle atrophy box F protein (MAFbx) by Western blot. The diameter and cross-sectional area of gastrocnemius muscle fibers were measured after HE staining. The feces of mice were collected at 3 days after fecal bacteria transplantation, and DNA was extracted from mouse fecal samples for 16S rDNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics analysis. Results:Compared with C group, the score for severity of sepsis was significantly increased, the four limb grip strength was decreased after developing the sepsis model, the serum IL-6 concentration was increased, and the diameter and cross-sectional area of gastnemius muscle fibers were decreased ( P<0.05), and no statistically significant changes were found in the other parameters in Res group, and no statistically significant changes were found in the indexes mentioned above in ABX group ( P>0.05). Compared with C group and Res group, the score for severity of sepsis was significantly increased, the four limb grip strength was decreased, the latency of CMAP was prolonged, and the amplitude of CMAP was decreased, the serum concentrations of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α were increased, the diameter and cross-sectional area of gastrocnemius muscle fibers were decreased, and the expression of MuRF-1 and MAFbx in anterior tibial muscle was up-regulated after developing the sepsis model in Sen group ( P<0.05). 16S rDNA sequencing of intestinal flora: Compared with Sen group, no significant change was found in Chao1 index, Good-coverage index and Simpson index in Res group ( P>0.05), Shannon index was increased ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in β diversity in Res group ( P>0.05). LDA analysis showed that f_Akkermarisiaceae, o_Verrucomicrobiales, g_Akmansia, c_Verrucomicrobiae and p_Verrucomicrobiota were significantly enriched in Sen group, and g_Enterococcus and f_Enterococcaceae were significantly enriched in Res group ( P<0.05). Nontargeted metabolic analysis: The metabolite profiles in Res group and Sen group suggested that the model was well developed (R2Y>Q2Y). Compared with Sen group, 90 metabolites was significantly up-regulated and 88 down-regulated, significantly up-regulated metabolic substances including vitamin K1, gamma-tocopherol, and taurine in Res group ( P<0.05). The differential metabolite KEGG enrichment pathway included 2-oxocarboxylic acid metabolism and ubiquinone and other terpenoid-quinone biosynthesis ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Intestinal flora heterogeneity may be involved in the pathogenesis of acquired myasthenia in septic mice.

Research progress in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease by regulating brain-gut-microbiome axis with "Sanjiao" acupuncture method / 中华老年医学杂志

Recent studies have found that the brain-gut-microbiome axis(BGMA)is closely related to the occurrence and development of Alzheimer's disease(AD). BGMA can affect AD in various aspects such as neuro-immune regulation and intestinal microflora, and is a potential new target for the treatment of AD.The "Sanjiao" acupuncture method is proposed by professor Han Jingxian, a famous Chinese medicine practitioner, based on his theory of "dysfunction of Qi activity of Sanjiao leads to aging" , and has been widely used in the treatment of AD and other age-related diseases in clinical practice.This article reviews the theory of "dysfunction of Qi activity of Sanjiao leads to aging" and the relationship between the "Sanjiao" acupuncture method and BGMA, with the hope that the "San Jiao" acupuncture method can become a new target for treatment of AD in the future.

Research progress on the relationship between pancreatic exocrine insufficiency and intestinal microbiota in aging individuals / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) refers to insufficient or non-synchronous secretion of trypsin caused by various reasons, resulting in dyspepsia and other symptoms. Intestinal microbiota is a large number of microbiota on the surface of intestinal mucosa. Its main functions include intestinal immune function, forming intestinal biological barrier and participating in the regulation of nutrition and metabolism. Due to aging, some elderly people often have unexplained chronic pancreatic insufficiency, which is often characterized by unexplained weight loss and malnutrition. Several studies have shown that the composition of intestinal microbiota changes significantly with age. This article focuses on aging and its related PEI and then reviews its possible effects on intestinal microbiota, in order to provide a reference basis for individualized prevention and treatment strategies according to the changes of pancreatic exocrine function and microbiota in the elderly.

A preliminary study of fecal microbiota transplantation alleviating inhibition of radiation-induced hippocampal neurogenesis in mice / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the effects of whole brain irradiation (WBI) and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) on hippocampal neurogenesis and the composition of gut microbiota in mice.Methods:Forty specific pathogen free ICR male mice (8-week-old, weighed 30 g) were divided into four groups by simple random sample method: control group (group C), radiation group (group R), group C+FMT and group R+FMT, 10 in each group. Animal models were established by WBI at a dose of 10 Gy by 4 MeV electron beam. In group C+FMT and group R+FMT, mice were gavaged with normal fecal bacteria suspension on day 2 post-irradiation, while those in group C and group R were gavaged with phosphate buffered saline as alternative. Hippocampal tissues and feces in four groups were collected on day 15 post-irradiation. 16S rRNA sequencing was used to detect the species and abundance of fecal flora. BrdU +/NeuN + immunofluorescence staining was performed to observe the neurogenesis in hippocampus of mice. Results:WBI and FMT had no effect on survival rate and body weight of mice. WBI induced the inhibition of hippocampal neurogenesis and flora disorder. The quantity of Bacteroideae and Rumen bacteria was increased by 28.6% and 102.9%, whereas that of Lactobacillus was significantly decreased by 70.6% ( P<0.05). FMT regulated the abundance of bacteria. The abundance of Enterobacteriaceae was significantly declined by 65.1% ( P=0.028), while that of Lactobacillus was increased by 58.2% ( P=0.015). FMT also promoted hippocampal neurogenesis to some extent after WBI. Conclusions:This preliminary study demonstrates that FMT alleviates the inhibition of hippocampal neurogenesis and flora disorder induced by WBI in mice. Ionizing radiation directly acting on the whole brain of mice indirectly disturbs the composition of gut microbiota, which in turn affects the degree of hippocampal neurogenesis in the brain of mice. There is a bidirectional interaction between gut microbiota and brain.

Changes of gut microflora in newly diagnosed IgA nephropathy patients and its correlation with clinical risk factors / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the gut microbiota in newly diagnosed IgA nephropathy patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 1-2 and the association between the gut microbiota and the clinical risk factors of IgA nephropathy.@*METHODS@#Fresh fecal samples were collected from nineteen newly diagnosed IgA nephropathy patients with CKD stages 1-2 and fifteen age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Fecal bacterial DNA was extracted and microbiota composition were characterized using 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) high-throughput sequencing for the V3-V4 region. The Illumina Miseq platform was used to analyze the results of 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing of fecal flora. At the same time, the clinical risk factors of IgA nephropathy patients were collected to investigate the association between the gut microbiota and the clinical risk factors.@*RESULTS@#(1) At the phylum level, the abundance of Bacteroidetes was significantly reduced (P=0.046), and the abundance of Actinobacteria was significantly increased (P=0.001). At the genus level, the abundance of Escherichia-Shigella, Bifidobacte-rium, Dorea and others were significantly increased (P < 0.05). The abundance of Lachnospira, Coprococcus_2 and Sutterella was significantly reduced (P < 0.05). (2) There was no significant difference in the abundance of gut microbiota between the newly diagnosed IgA nephropathy patients and the healthy control group (P>0.05), but there were differences in the structure of the gut microbiota between the two groups. The results of LEfSe analysis showed that there were 16 differential bacteria in the newly diagnosed IgA nephropathy patients and healthy controls. Among them, the abundance of the newly diagnosed IgA nephropathy patients was increased in Enterobacteriales, Actinobacteria, Escherichia-Shigella, etc. The healthy control group was increased in Bacteroidetes and Lachnospira. (3) The result of redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that Bifidobacterium was positively correlated with serum IgA levels, 24-hour urinary protein levels and the presence of hypertension. Lachnoclostridium was positively correlated with the presence of hypertension. Escherichia-Shigella was positively correlated with urine red blood cells account. Bifidobacterium was positively correlated with the proliferation of capillaries. Faecalibacterium was positively correlated with cell/fibrocytic crescents. Ruminococcus_2 was positively correlated with mesangial cell proliferation, glomerular segmental sclerosis and renal tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis.@*CONCLUSION@#The gut microbiota in the newly diagnosed IgA nephropathy patients with CKD stages 1-2 is different from that of the healthy controls. Most importantly, some gut bacteria are related to the clinical risk factors of IgA nephropathy. Further research is needed to understand the potential role of these bacteria in IgA nephropathy.