A case-control study on gut microbiota diversity and species composition in obese/overweight children aged 2-6 years in Shanghai / 环境与职业医学

Background Multiple studies have shown a close relationship between changes in gut microbiota composition and obesity, and research results are influenced by factors such as race and geographical location, but there are few studies on children. Objective To analyze the diversity of gut microbiota related to obesity in a population of 2-6 years old, observe the distribution characteristics and species differences of gut microbiota between obese/overweight and normal weight groups, and explore the association betweenobese/overweight and gut microbiota diversity. Methods Fecal samples were collected from 74 children aged 2-6 years in Shanghai, including 18 obese/overweight individuals, 6 males and 12 females (male to female ratio of 1∶2), and 56 normal weight individuals, 18 males and 38 females (male to female ratio is nearly 1∶2). The 16S rDNA was extracted from bacteria in fecal samples, followed by PCR amplification, cDNA construction, and high-throughput sequencing. Naive Bayes algorithm was used to perform taxonomic analysis (phylum, class, order, family, genus, species) and community diversity analysis (Sobs index, Shannon index, Shannoneven index, Coverage index, PD index, and principal co-ordinates analysis) on representative sequences and abundance of amplicon sequence variants (ASV). Wilcoxon rank sum test, P-value multiple test correction, and analysis of similarities were used to test differences between the two groups to obtain information on the distribution characteristics and species differences of intestinal microbiota in children. Results Seventy-four fecal samples were sequenced, and the sequencing results were subjected to quality control and filtering. A total of 4905306 optimized sequences were obtained, resulting in 1860 ASVs. The diversity data analysis of ASVs generated 889 species annotation results at 8 taxonomic levels. The alpha diversity analysis showed that the richness (Sobs index), diversity (Shannon index), evenness (Shannoneven index), and phylogenetic diversity (PD index) of fecal community of the obese/overweight children were increased compared to those of the normal weight children, but there were no statistical differences between the two groups (P>0.05). The beta diversity analysis showed that there was little difference in the composition of microbial species between the two groups, and no significant clustering separation was observed. The results of species composition analysis at phylum, order, family, and genus levels of 74 samples showed a consistent core microbiota structure in the two groups of gut microbiota, but there were differences in microbiota composition. The differences in microbial community composition between the two groups were manifested at the taxonomic levels of order, family, and genus, among which phylum Firmicutes, order Erysipelotrichales, family Erysipelatocyclostridiaceae, genus Erysipelotrichaceae_ UCG-003 and genus Catenibacterium were significantly enriched in the obese/overweight group and contributed significantly to the phenotypic difference of obese/overweight [linear discriminant analysis (LDA)=3.72, P<0.01; LDA=3.29, P<0.05). Phylum Proteobacteria, order Enterobacterales, family Enterobacteriaceae, genus unclassified was significantly enriched in the normal weight group and contributed significantly to the phenotypic difference of normal body weight (LDA=3.93, P<0.05). Conclusion The richness and diversity of gut microbiota in obese/overweight children aged 2-6 years in Shanghai are increased, but there is no difference compared to normal weight children. There is a difference in the composition of gut microbiota between the obese/overweight group and the normal weight group.

Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treatment of Constipation Based on 5-HT Signaling Pathway： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Chronic constipation （CC） is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal diseases. At present， the overall therapeutic effect of CC is still not satisfactory worldwide， which seriously affects the quality of life and social function of patients. The etiology and pathophysiological mechanism of constipation are still unclear. It involves comprehensive factors such as heredity， social psychology， diet， intestinal flora imbalance， intestinal motility disorder， visceral sensitivity change， pelvic floor muscle group dysfunction and enteric nervous system （ENS） disorder. Among them， the abnormal factors of the brain-gut-microbiome axis are particularly significant. The brain-gut-microbiome axis is a complex network of interactions between the intestine and the brain， integrating and coordinating the physiological functions and pathological processes of the gastrointestinal tract. Microorganisms in the intestinal lumen play an important role in it， and can communicate with the intestinal tract and the central nervous system through nerve， endocrine and immune pathways. As a key brain-gut peptide in the regulation pathway of the brain-gut-microbiome axis， 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT） is involved in the regulation of gastrointestinal motility， sensation and secretion. The abnormal conduction of the 5-HT signaling pathway is closely related to the occurrence and development of constipation. Traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） is a unique precious resource in China， which has good curative effects and safety. In recent years， it has received extensive attention in the treatment of constipation. TCM and active ingredients， acupuncture and massage specifically regulate 5-HT signal transmission， so that the expressions of related molecules tend to be suitable for individual disease state levels to effectively improve constipation symptoms， with unique advantages. Therefore， this study used ''constipation''， ''intestinal flora''， ''5-HT''， and ''traditional Chinese medicine'' as the keywords to search PubMed， China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI） and other literature databases. The correlation between 5-HT and constipation as well as brain-gut-microbiome axis and the research progress of TCM intervention in the 5-HT signaling pathway in the treatment of constipation were reviewed in order to explore the potential therapeutic value of 5-HT system in this disease and provide references for subsequent research.

Association of intestinal microecology with the development and progression of autoimmune hepatitis / 临床肝胆病杂志

Autoimmune hepatitis （AIH） is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic liver inflammation， with a gradually increasing incidence rate， and its social and medical burdens cannot be neglected. Intestinal microecology is becoming a research hotspot in the field of autoimmune disease. In recent years， it has been believed that changes in intestinal microecology can cause changes in autoimmune state， microbial metabolites， and intestinal barrier， which is one of the driving factors for the onset of AIH. Early diagnosis and correct treatment can help to improve the prognosis of AIH patients. This article introduces the characteristics of gut microbiota in AIH patients， elaborates on the impact of intestinal microflora imbalance on the pathogenesis of AIH， and briefly describes related treatment regimens from the perspective of intestinal microecology， so as to comprehensively understand and explain the role of intestinal microecology in AIH and the impact of intestinal microecology balance on the pathogenesis， diagnosis， and treatment of AIH.

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.

Recent research on the relationship between pulmonary microbiome and asthma endotypes in children / 中国当代儿科杂志

Bronchial asthma is not considered a singular disease, but rather a collection of syndromes with multiple phenotypes and mechanisms that involve various signaling pathways. It typically emerges during the preschool years, and its etiology is intricate and diverse. In recent years, the advancement of high-throughput sequencing technology has revealed that early alterations in lung microbiota may be associated with asthma incidence and progression. Moreover, significant variations in lung microbiota have been observed among different airway inflammation profiles, known as asthma endotypes. Hence, a comprehensive understanding of the characteristics of lung microbiota in children with asthma can aid in managing disease progression and improving long-term prognosis. Additionally, such insights may spark novel approaches to diagnosing and treating childhood asthma.

Association between liver fibrosis and gut microbiota based on "harmonizing liver and spleen" / 临床肝胆病杂志

Liver fibrosis is the leading cause of the morbidity and mortality of liver diseases worldwide and has become one of the key issues in the research on chronic liver diseases among domestic and foreign scholars. An increasing amount of evidence has shown that gut microbiota dysbiosis plays a crucial role in the development and progression of liver fibrosis, and improvement of gut microbiota dysbiosis has become a new target for anti-fibrotic treatment. At present, traditional Chinese medicine has attracted much attention in improving gut microbiota. Studies have shown that "harmonizing liver and spleen" plays an important role in reducing fibrosis degree and delaying the progression of liver fibrosis. Therefore, based on the theory of "harmonizing liver and spleen", the achievements in liver-gut axis and gut microbiota by modern molecular biological techniques can provide a theoretical basis for the treatment of liver fibrosis from "harmonizing liver and spleen" in clinical practice, as well as new directions and ideas for anti-fibrotic treatment with traditional Chinese medicine.

A short-term analysis of the modification process of the plaque microbial community before and after treatment in children with S-ECC / 口腔疾病防治

Objective @# To explore from the perspective of microorganisms the changes in plaque microbial community of children with severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) before and 3 months after dental treatment. Meanwhile to show the effect of treatment on the maintenance of long- term caries-free state. @*Methods@# S-ECC children completed dental treatment under general anesthesia. We collected plaque from caries-free dental surfaces before treatment (caries, C) and at the postoperative follow-up review time points of 7 days (C-7D), 1 month (C-1 M), and 3 months (C-3 M). We included caries-free children (caries free, CF) as the control group to analyze the dynamic modification process of the plaque microbial community in the short-term pre- and postdental treatment.@*Results@#Species clustering analysis showed that the compositions of the microbial communities of the S-ECC and CF groups were highly similar. The α diversity index was not statistically significant (P>0.05). From the analysis of the relative abundance, Leptotrichia spp. and Aggregatibacter spp. decreased after treatment compared with before treatment (P<0.05). Streptococcus sanguinis in the C-7D group increased compared with that in the C group and gradually decreased within 3 months. Veillonella spp., Actinomyces spp., Allprevotella spp., Capnocytophaga spp., and Streptococcus mutans differed between the C and CF groups (P<0.05), Streptococcus mutans did not differ significantly between the C-7D and C-1 M groups and the CF group after treatment, while C-3 M showed an increase compared with the CF group (P<0.01). @*Conclusion@#The rapid change in the structure of the flora of children with S-ECC after treatment. The plaque microbial community structure in a caries-free state gradually starts to be established 1-3 months after treatment. There is a "core microbiota" in the oral plaque community that jointly maintains microecological stability. Veillonella spp., Allprevotella spp. and Streptococcus mutans have potential as possible microbial markers.

Treatment of primary biliary cholangitis by targeting intestinal flora / 临床肝胆病杂志

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a progressive cholestatic liver disease targeting biliary epithelial cells, and the concept of "treating diseases by intervening with the gut" has become a research hotspot in recent years. In the future, probiotics may be used to improve the abundance and distribution of intestinal flora, reshape the intestinal microenvironment, and intervene against the progression of PBC. This article reviews the gut microbiota and the clinical application of probiotics, so as to provide ideas for finding new treatment strategies for PBC.

Construction of a caries diagnosis model based on microbiome novelty score / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#This study aimed to analyze the bacteria in dental caries and establish an optimized dental-ca-ries diagnosis model based on 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) data of oral flora.@*METHODS@#We searched the public databa-ses of microbiomes including NCBI, MG-RAST, EMBL-EBI, and QIITA and collected data involved in the relevant research on human oral microbiomes worldwide. The samples in the caries dataset (1 703) were compared with healthy ones (20 540) by using the microbial search engine (MSE) to obtain the microbiome novelty score (MNS) and construct a caries diagnosis model based on this index. Nonparametric multivariate ANOVA was used to analyze and compare the impact of different host factors on the oral flora MNS, and the model was optimized by controlling related factors. Finally, the effect of the model was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.@*RESULTS@#1) The oral microbiota distribution obviously differed among people with various oral-health statuses, and the species richness and species diversity index decreased. 2) ROC curve was used to evaluate the caries data set, and the area under ROC curve was AUC=0.67. 3) Among the five hosts' factors including caries status, country, age, decayed missing filled tooth (DMFT) indices, and sampling site displayed the strongest effect on MNS of samples (P=0.001). 4) The AUC of the model was 0.87, 0.74, 0.74, and 0.75 in high caries, medium caries, low caries samples in Chinese children, and mixed dental plaque samples after controlling host factors, respectively.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The model based on the analysis of 16S rRNA data of oral flora had good diagnostic efficiency.

Traditional Chinese medicine microbiomics and its research strategies / 中国中药杂志

The tight relationships between microbiome and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)have been widely recognized. New technologies, results, and theories are emerging in the field of microbiomics in recent years with the advances in high-throughput sequencing and multi-omics technologies. Based on the previous research, the present study has proposed the concept of TCM microbiomics(TCMM), which is an interdisciplinary subject aiming at elucidating the functions and applications of microbiome in the areas of herb resources, herb processing, herb storage, and clinical effects by using modern technology of biology, ecology, and informatics. This subject essentially contains the structures, functions, interactions, molecular mechanisms, and application strategies of the microbiome associated with the quality, safety, and efficacy of TCM. Firstly, the development of the TCMM concept was summarized, with the profound understanding of TCMM on the complexity and entirety of microbiome being emphasized. Then, the research contents and applications of TCMM in promoting the sustainable development of herb resources, improving the standardization and diversification of herb fermentation, strengthening the safety of herb storage, and resolving the scientific connotation of theories and clinical efficacy of TCM are reviewed. Finally, the research strategies and methods of TCM microbiomics were elaborated from basic research, application research, and system research. TCMM is expected to promote the integrative development of TCM with frontier science and technology, thereby expanding the depth and scope of TCM study and facilitating TCM modernization.

Modern research progress in external application of traditional Chinese medicine to acupoints / 中国中药杂志

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has a long history and abundant experience in external therapy, which marks human wisdom. In the early history of human, people found that fumigation, coating, and sticking of some tree branches and herb stems can help alleviate scabies and remove parasites in productive labor, which indicates the emergence of external therapy. Pathogen usually enters the body through the surface, so external therapy can be used to treat the disease. External therapy is among the major characteristic of surgery of TCM. As one of the external therapies in TCM, external application to acupoints smooths the zang-fu organs through meridians and collaterals, thereby harmonizing yin and yang. This therapy emerged in the early society, formed the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, improved in the Song and Ming dynasties, and matured in the Qing dynasty. With the efforts of experts in history, it has had a mature theory. According to modern research, it can avoid the first-pass effect of liver and the gastrointestinal irritation and improve the bioavailability of Chinese medicine. Based on the effect of Chinese medicine and the theory of meridian and collateral, it can stimulate the acupoints, exert regulatory effect on acupoints, and give full play to the efficacy of TCM and the interaction of the two. Thereby, it can regulate qi and blood and balance yin and yang, thus being widely used in the treatment of diseases. In this paper, the use of external application to acupoints, the effect on skin immunity, the regulation of neuro-inflammatory mechanism, the relationship between acupoint application and human circulation network, and the development of its dosage form were summarized through literature review. On this basis, this study is expected to lay a foundation for further research.

Mechanism of Learning and Memory Impairment in Rats Exposed to Arsenic and/or Fluoride Based on Microbiome and Metabolome / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

OBJECTIVE@#Arsenic (As) and fluoride (F) are two of the most common elements contaminating groundwater resources. A growing number of studies have found that As and F can cause neurotoxicity in infants and children, leading to cognitive, learning, and memory impairments. However, early biomarkers of learning and memory impairment induced by As and/or F remain unclear. In the present study, the mechanisms by which As and/or F cause learning memory impairment are explored at the multi-omics level (microbiome and metabolome).@*METHODS@#We stablished an SD rats model exposed to arsenic and/or fluoride from intrauterine to adult period.@*RESULTS@#Arsenic and/fluoride exposed groups showed reduced neurobehavioral performance and lesions in the hippocampal CA1 region. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that As and/or F exposure significantly altered the composition and diversity of the gut microbiome，featuring the Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Ruminococcus_1, Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group, [Eubacterium]_xylanophilum_group. Metabolome analysis showed that As and/or F-induced learning and memory impairment may be related to tryptophan, lipoic acid, glutamate, gamma-aminobutyric acidergic (GABAergic) synapse, and arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism. The gut microbiota, metabolites, and learning memory indicators were significantly correlated.@*CONCLUSION@#Learning memory impairment triggered by As and/or F exposure may be mediated by different gut microbes and their associated metabolites.