A prospective pilot study of gut microbiome in cerebral vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

A recent systematic review indicated that gut-microbiota-brain axis contributes to growth and rupture of intracranial aneurysms. However, gaps were detected in the role of intestinal microbiome in cerebral vasospasm (CVS) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). This is the first pilot study aiming to test study feasibility and identify differences in gut microbiota between subjects with and without CVS following aSAH. A prospective nested case-control pilot study with 1:1 matching was conducted recruiting subjects with aSAH: cases with CVS; and controls without CVS based on the clinical picture and structured bedside transcranial Doppler (TCD). Fecal samples for microbiota analyses by means of 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing were collected within the first 96 h after ictus. Operational taxonomic unit tables were constructed, diversity metrics calculated, phylogenetic trees built, and differential abundance analysis (DAA) performed. At baseline, the groups did not differ significantly in basic demographic and aneurysm-related characteristics (p > 0.05). Alpha-diversity (richness and Shannon Index) was significantly reduced in cases of middle cerebral artery (MCA) vasospasm (p < 0.05). In DAA, relative abundance of genus Acidaminococcus was associated with MCA vasospasm (p = 0.00013). Two butyrate-producing genera, Intestinimonas and Butyricimonas, as well as [Clostridium] innocuum group had the strongest negative correlation with the mean blood flow velocity in anterior cerebral arteries (p < 0.01; rho = - 0.63; - 0.57, and - 0.57, respectively). In total, 16 gut microbial genera were identified to correlate with TCD parameters, and two intestinal genera correlated with outcome upon discharge. In this pilot study, we prove study feasibility and present the first preliminary evidence of gut microbiome signature associating with CVS as a significant cause of stroke in subjects with aSAH.

Gut microbiome dynamics and predictive value in hospitalized COVID-19 patients: a comparative analysis of shallow and deep shotgun sequencing.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has led to a wide range of clinical presentations, with respiratory symptoms being common. However, emerging evidence suggests that the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is also affected, with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, a key receptor for SARS-CoV-2, abundantly expressed in the ileum and colon. The virus has been detected in GI tissues and fecal samples, even in cases with negative results of the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in the respiratory tract. GI symptoms have been associated with an increased risk of ICU admission and mortality. The gut microbiome, a complex ecosystem of around 40 trillion bacteria, plays a crucial role in immunological and metabolic pathways. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota, characterized by a loss of beneficial microbes and decreased microbial diversity, has been observed in COVID-19 patients, potentially contributing to disease severity. We conducted a comprehensive gut microbiome study in 204 hospitalized COVID-19 patients using both shallow and deep shotgun sequencing methods. We aimed to track microbiota composition changes induced by hospitalization, link these alterations to clinical procedures (antibiotics administration) and outcomes (ICU referral, survival), and assess the predictive potential of the gut microbiome for COVID-19 prognosis. Shallow shotgun sequencing was evaluated as a cost-effective diagnostic alternative for clinical settings. Our study demonstrated the diverse effects of various combinations of clinical parameters, microbiome profiles, and patient metadata on the precision of outcome prognostication in patients. It indicates that microbiological data possesses greater reliability in forecasting patient outcomes when contrasted with clinical data or metadata. Furthermore, we established that shallow shotgun sequencing presents a viable and cost-effective diagnostic alternative to deep sequencing within clinical environments.

Analysis of the Efficacy of Diet and Short-Term Probiotic Intervention on Depressive Symptoms in Patients after Bariatric Surgery: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo Controlled Pilot Study.

(1) Background: studies have shown that some patients experience mental deterioration after bariatric surgery. (2) Methods: We examined whether the use of probiotics and improved eating habits can improve the mental health of people who suffered from mood disorders after bariatric surgery. We also analyzed patients' mental states, eating habits and microbiota. (3) Results: Depressive symptoms were observed in 45% of 200 bariatric patients. After 5 weeks, we noted an improvement in patients' mental functioning (reduction in BDI and HRSD), but it was not related to the probiotic used. The consumption of vegetables and whole grain cereals increased (DQI-I adequacy), the consumption of simple sugars and SFA decreased (moderation DQI-I), and the consumption of monounsaturated fatty acids increased it. In the feces of patients after RYGB, there was a significantly higher abundance of two members of the Muribaculaceae family, namely Veillonella and Roseburia, while those after SG had more Christensenellaceae R-7 group, Subdoligranulum, Oscillibacter, and UCG-005. (4) Conclusions: the noted differences in the composition of the gut microbiota (RYGB vs. SG) may be one of the determinants of the proper functioning of the gut-brain microbiota axis, although there is currently a need for further research into this topic using a larger group of patients and different probiotic doses.

Dynamics of Active Fluorescent Units (AFU) and Water Activity (aw) Changes in Probiotic Products-Pilot Study.

The flow cytometry method (FCM) is a widely renowned practice increasingly used to assess the microbial viability of probiotic products. Additionally, the measurement of water activity (aw) can be used to confirm the presence of viable cells in probiotic products throughout their shelf lives. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between changes in aw and variations in active fluorescent units (AFU), a unit commonly used in flow cytometry method, during the aging of probiotic products containing freeze-dried bacteria. We controlled the stability of probiotic products for bacterial counts (using ISO 19344 method) and aw levels in commercially available capsules containing freeze-dried bacteria such as Lactobacillus sp. or combinations of Lactobacillus sp. and Bifidobacterium sp. in standard conditions (25 ± 2 °C and 60% relative humidity) over a period of 24 months. During this time, the bacterial contents decreased by 0.12 Log10 in the single-strain product, by 0.16 Log10 in the two-strain product and by 0.26 Log10 in the multi-strain product. With the increase in aw, the number of bacteria decreased but the aw at the end point of the stability study did not exceed 0.15 in each of the three tested products. FCM combined with aw is a prospective analysis that can be used to assess the stability of probiotic products, both for its ability to detect bacterial viability and for practical (analysis time) and economic reasons.

Clinical Trial: Probiotics in Metformin Intolerant Patients with Type 2 Diabetes (ProGasMet).

BACKGROUND: For decades, metformin has been the drug of first choice in the management of type 2 diabetes. However, approximately 2-13% of patients do not tolerate metformin due to gastrointestinal (GI) side effects. Since metformin influences the gut microbiota, we hypothesized that a multi-strain probiotics supplementation would mitigate the gastrointestinal symptoms associated with metformin usage. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-center, cross-over trial (ProGasMet study) assessed the efficacy of a multi-strain probiotic in 37 patients with metformin intolerance. Patients were randomly allocated (1:1) to receive probiotic (PRO-PLA) or placebo (PLA-PRO) at baseline and, after 12 weeks (period 1), they crossed-over to the other treatment arm (period 2). The primary outcome was the reduction of GI adverse events of metformin. RESULTS: 37 out of 82 eligible patients were enrolled in the final analysis of whom 35 completed the 32 weeks study period and 2 patients resigned at visit 5. Regardless of the treatment arm allocation, while on probiotic supplementation, there was a significant reduction of incidence (for the probiotic period in PRO-PLA/PLA-PRO: P = 0.017/P = 0.054), quantity and severity of nausea (P = 0.016/P = 0.024), frequency (P = 0.009/P = 0.015) and severity (P = 0.019/P = 0.005) of abdominal bloating/pain as well as significant improvement in self-assessed tolerability of metformin (P < 0.01/P = 0.005). Moreover, there was significant reduction of incidence of diarrhea while on probiotic supplementation in PRO-PLA treatment arm (P = 0.036). CONCLUSION: A multi-strain probiotic diminishes the incidence of gastrointestinal adverse effects in patients with type 2 diabetes and metformin intolerance.

Combined probiotics with vitamin D3 supplementation improved aerobic performance and gut microbiome composition in mixed martial arts athletes.

Introduction: Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is characterized as an interval sport in which the training program focuses on enhancing both aerobic and anaerobic capacities. Therefore, strategies targeting the intestinal microbiome may be beneficial for MMA athletes. Moreover, vitamin D supplementation may amplify the positive effects of certain bacterial strains. We previously demonstrated that the combined of probiotics and vitamin D3 supplementation improved the lactate utilization ratio, total work, and average power achieved during anaerobic tests in MMA. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether combined probiotic and vitamin D3 ingestion can modify the composition of the gut microbiome and epithelial cell permeability, influence the inflammatory response, and ultimately enhance aerobic capacity. Methods: A 4-week clinical trial was conducted with 23 male MMA athletes randomly assigned to either the probiotic + vitamin D3 (PRO + VIT D) group or the vitamin D3 group (VIT D). The trial employed a double-blind, placebo-controlled design and involved measurements of serum inflammatory markers, gut microbiome composition, epithelial cell permeability, and aerobic performance. Results: After 4-week of supplementation, we found a significantly lower concentration of calprotectin in the PRO + VIT D group (34.79 ± 24.38 mmol/L) compared to the value before (69.50 ± 46.91) supplementation (p = 0.030), augmentation of beta diversity after the intervention in the PRO + VIT D group (p = 0.0005) and an extended time to exhaustion to 559.00 ± 68.99; compared to the value before (496.30 ± 89.98; p = 0.023) after combined probiotic and vitamin D3 supplementation in MMA athletes. No effect was observed in the VIT D group. Conclusion: Our results indicate that combined treatment of probiotics and vitamin D3 may cause alterations in alpha and beta diversity and the composition of the gut microbiota in MMA athletes. We observed an improvement in epithelial cell permeability and an extended time to exhaustion during exercise in MMA athletes following a 4-week combined probiotic and vitamin D3 treatment.

The Association of Infection with Delirium in the Post-Operative Period after Elective CABG Surgery.

Delirium is one of the most common complications of coronary artery by-pass graft (CABG) surgery. The identification of patients at increased risk of delirium and the implementation of preventive measures to reduce the risk of postoperative delirium is necessary to improve treatment outcomes after CABG. The aim of this study was to assess the association between postoperative delirium and postoperative infection and 10-year mortality in patients undergoing CABG surgery. This is a retrospective, observational cohort study of patients undergoing planned on-pump CABG between April 2010 and December 2012. We analysed a group of 3098 patients operated on in our cardiac surgery centre, from whom we selected a cohort of patients undergoing planned CABG surgery. All patients were assessed for postoperative infection, such as pneumonia, bloodstream infections (BSIs) and surgical site infections (SSIs). Patients who experienced postoperative delirium were significantly more likely to have infection (7.4% vs. 22%; p = 0.0037). As regards particular types of infection, significant differences were only found for pneumonia and sternal SSIs. Patients who experienced postoperative delirium had significantly lower 5-year (p = 0.0136) and 10-year (p = 0.0134) survival. Postoperative delirium significantly increases long-term mortality in patients undergoing CABG surgery. Pneumonia and sternal SSIs significantly increase the risk of postoperative delirium in cardiac surgery patients.

Multispecies probiotic affects fecal short-chain fatty acids in postmenopausal women with obesity: A post hoc analysis of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

OBJECTIVES: Probiotics are known to regulate host metabolism. The aim of this study was to assess whether interventions with a multi-strain probiotic formula affect fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). METHODS: The analysis was carried out in 56 obese, postmenopausal women randomized to three groups: probiotic dose 2.5 × 109 CFU/d (n = 18; lower probiotic dose [LPD]), 1 × 1010 CFU/d (n = 18; higher probiotic dose [HPD]), or placebo (n = 20). RESULTS: An increase in three SCFA fecal concentrations in the HPD group was observed: acetic acid (C2; effect [E] = 1.72, SE = 0.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.28-3.16; P = 0.019), butyric acid (C4; E = 0.98, SE = 0.46; 95% CI, 0.08-1.88; P = 0.033), and valeric acid (C5; E = 0.68, SE = 0.23; 95% CI, 0.23-1.12; P = 0.003). The mediation analysis showed that the decrease in uric acid under HPD may be transmitted through the elevation of C5 content. Multi-strain probiotic increases the SCFA content in the stool in a dose-dependent manner, which may diminish some cardiovascular risk factors because of a reduction in blood uric acid levels. CONCLUSION: Assessing long-term health benefits requires further research, including assessment of blood SCFA concentrations and multiomic and mechanistic approaches.

Impact of Post-Operative Infection after CABG on Long-Term Survival.

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is one of the most common cardiac surgical procedures. It is commonly known that post-operative infection has a negative impact on the patient's short-term treatment outcomes and long-term prognosis. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of perioperative infection on 5-year and 10-year survival in patients undergoing elective on-pump CABG surgery. The present prospective observational study was carried out between 1 July 2010 and 31 August 2012 among patients undergoing cardiac surgery at our centre. Infections were identified according to the ECDC definitions. We initially assessed the incidence of infection and its relationship with the parameters analysed. We then analysed the effect of particular parameters, including infection, on 5-year and 10-year survival after surgery. We also analysed the impact of particular types of infection on the risk of death within the period analysed. The significant risk factors for reduced survival were age (HR 1.05, CI 1.02-1.07), peripheral artery disease (HR 1.99, CI 1.28-3.10), reduced LVEF after surgery (HR 0.96, CI 0.94-0.99), post-operative myocardial infarction (HR 1.45, CI 1.05-2.02) and infection (HR 3.10, CI 2.20-4.28). We found a strong relationship between post-operative infections and 5-year and 10-year mortality in patients undergoing CABG. Pneumonia and BSI were the only types of infection that were found to have a significant impact on increased long-term mortality after CABG surgery.

Clinical significance of microbiota changes under the influence of psychotropic drugs. An updated narrative review.

Relationship between drugs and microbiota is bilateral. Proper composition thus function of microbiota is a key to some medications used in modern medicine. However, there is also the other side of the coin. Pharmacotherapeutic agents can modify the microbiota significantly, which consequently affects its function. A recently published study showed that nearly 25% of drugs administered to humans have antimicrobial effects. Multiple antidepressants are antimicrobials,. and antibiotics with proven antidepressant effects do exist. On the other hand, antibiotics (e.g., isoniaside, minocycline) confer mental phenotype changes, and adverse effects caused by some antibiotics include neurological and psychological symptoms which further supports the hypothesis that intestinal microbiota may affect the function of the central nervous system. Here we gathered comprehensively data on drugs used in psychiatry regarding their antimicrobial properties. We believe our data has strong implications for the treatment of psychiatric entities. Nevertheless the study of ours highlights the need for more well-designed trials aimed at analysis of gut microbiota function.

Toll-like receptor polymorphisms (TLR2 and TLR4) association with the risk of infectious complications in cardiac surgery patients.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative infection is a common healthcare-associated problem, and unfortunately, a serious complication in cardiac surgery patients. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are crucial in activating non-specific immunity mechanisms and integrating elements of the immune system, due to interactions between specific and non-specific responses. OBJECTIVES: In this study, the association of TLR2 or TLR4 with the risk of postoperative infections in cardiac surgery patients undergoing a coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures was investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our research was carried out on a cohort of 299 consecutive adult patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) who underwent a planned CABG procedure. These patients were monitored for the presence of a postoperative infection over a 30-day observation period. All patients were investigated for 2 TLR2 gene mutations - R753Q (rs5743708) and T16934A (rs4696482), and 2 polymorphisms of the TLR4 gene - D299G (rs4986790) and T399I (rs4986791). The final stage of the study was an evaluation of the hypothetical association between TLR2 and TLR4 gene variances and postoperative infections in patients undergoing CAGB procedures. RESULTS: The prevalence of infections in the final cohort was 15.3% (46/299). The most common infections were surgical site infections, which were diagnosed in 21 patients (45.6%), bloodstream infections in 15 patients (32.6%) and pneumonia in 10 patients (21.8%). Logistic regression demonstrated that the presence of the AG+GG of D299G (rs4986790) and CT+TT of T399I (rs4986791) variants was related to a higher incidence of infection in patients undergoing CAGB procedures. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first study of its kind to demonstrate that TLR2 and TLR4 mutations affect the risk of post-CABG infections. Being a carrier of the AG+GG of D299G (rs4986790) or CT+TT of T399I (rs4986791), TLR4 variants constitute a postoperative risk factor for infection in patients undergoing CAGB procedures.

Gut microbiota alterations in stable outpatients with schizophrenia: findings from a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: The pathogenesis of schizophrenia is multidimensional and intensively studied. The gut-brain axis disturbances might play a significant role in the development of schizophrenia. METHODS: We compared the gut microbiota of 53 individuals with schizophrenia and 58 healthy controls, using the 16S rRNA sequencing method. Individuals with schizophrenia were assessed using the following scales: the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia, the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale and the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status. RESULTS: No significant between-group differences in α-diversity measures were observed. Increased abundance of Lactobacillales (order level), Bacilli (class level) and Actinobacteriota (phylum level) were found in individuals with schizophrenia regardless of potential confounding factors, and using two independent analytical approaches (the distance-based redundancy analysis and the generalised linear model analysis). Additionally, significant correlations between various bacterial taxa (the Bacteroidia class, the Actinobacteriota phylum, the Bacteroidota phylum, the Coriobacteriales order and the Coriobacteria class) and clinical manifestation (the severity of negative symptoms, performance of language abilities, social and occupational functioning) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates that gut microbiota alterations are present in European patients with schizophrenia. The abundance of certain bacterial taxa might be associated with the severity of negative symptoms, cognitive performance and general functioning. Nonetheless, additional studies are needed before the translation of our results into clinical practice.

Analysis of correlations between gut microbiota, stool short chain fatty acids, calprotectin and cardiometabolic risk factors in postmenopausal women with obesity: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Microbiota and its metabolites are known to regulate host metabolism. In cross-sectional study conducted in postmenopausal women we aimed to assess whether the microbiota, its metabolites and gut barrier integrity marker are correlated with cardiometabolic risk factors and if microbiota is different between obese and non-obese subjects. METHODS: We analysed the faecal microbiota of 56 obese, postmenopausal women by means of 16S rRNA analysis. Stool short chain fatty acids, calprotectin and anthropometric, physiological and biochemical parameters were correlates to microbiome analyses. RESULTS: Alpha-diversity was inversely correlated with lipopolysaccharide (Rho = - 0.43, FDR P (Q) = 0.004). Bray-Curtis distance based RDA revealed that visceral fat and waist circumference had a significant impact on metabolic potential (P = 0.003). Plasma glucose was positively correlated with the Coriobacteriaceae (Rho = 0.48, Q = 0.004) and its higher taxonomic ranks, up to phylum (Actinobacteria, Rho = 0.46, Q = 0.004). At the metabolic level, the strongest correlation was observed for the visceral fat (Q < 0.15), especially with the DENOVOPURINE2-PWY, PWY-841 and PWY0-162 pathways. Bacterial abundance was correlated with SCFAs, thus some microbiota-glucose relationships may be mediated by propionate, as indicated by the significant average causal mediation effect (ACME): Lachnospiraceae (ACME 1.25, 95%CI (0.10, 2.97), Firmicutes (ACME 1.28, 95%CI (0.23, 3.83)) and Tenericutes (ACME - 0.39, 95%CI (- 0.87, - 0.03)). There were significant differences in the distribution of phyla between this study and Qiita database (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Microbiota composition and metabolic potential are associated with some CMRF and fecal SCFAs concentration in obese postmenopausal women. There is no unequivocal relationship between fecal SCFAs and the marker of intestinal barrier integrity and CMRF. Further studies with appropriately matched control groups are warranted to look for causality between SCFAs and CMRF.

Association between Fecal Microbiota, SCFA, Gut Integrity Markers and Depressive Symptoms in Patients Treated in the Past with Bariatric Surgery-The Cross-Sectional Study.

(1) Background: Depressive symptoms often appear after surgical treatment. (2) Methods: We involved 41 adults who underwent bariatric surgery a minimum of 6 months before the study and had the Beck scale ≥12. We analysed patients' mental state, gut barrier markers, faecal short chain fatty acids, and microbiota. (3) Results: Gut microbiota composition differed significantly among patients undergoing two different types of surgery (F = 1.64, p = 0.00002). Additionally, we discovered an association between short chain fatty acids and the Beck scale (F = 1.22, p = 0.058). The rearrangement of bacterial metabolites may be due to the patients' use of increased dietary protein, with insufficient intake of products containing vegetable fiber (Diet Quality Index (DQI-I )adequacy 22.55 (±3.46) points). (4) Conclusions: Bariatric surgery affects the gut microbiota, which may play an important role in the development of depressive and gastrointestinal symptoms in patients after bariatric surgery. Low fiber consumption and increased levels of faecal isobutyric acid may lead to intestinal inflammation. There is a need for further research on this topic including a larger sample size.

Association studies between chromosomal regions 1q21.3, 5q21.3, 14q21.2 and 17q21.31 and numbers of children in Poland.

Number of children is an important human trait and studies have indicated associations with single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Aim: to give further evidence for four associations using a large sample of Polish subjects. Data from the POPULOUS genetic database was provided from anonymous, healthy, unrelated, Polish volunteers of both sexes (N = 5760). SNPs (n = 173) studied: (a) 69 from the chromosome 17 H1/H2 inversion; (b) six from 1q21.3, 5q21.3 and 14q21.2; and (c) 98 random negative controls. Zero-inflated negative-binomial regression (z.i.) was performed (0-3 numbers of children per individual (NCI) set as non-events; adjustors: year of birth, sex). Significance level p = 0.05 with Bonferroni correction. Statistically-significant differences (with data from both sexes combined) were obtained from highly-linked inversion SNPs: representative rs12373123 gave means: homozygotes TT: 2.31 NCI (n = 1418); heterozygotes CT: 2.35 NCI (n = 554); homozygotes CC: 2.44 NCI (n = 43) (genotype p = 0.01; TTvs.CC p = 0.004; CTvs.CC p = 0.009). (Male data alone gave similar results.) Recessive modeling indicated that H2-homozygotes had 0.118 more children than H1-homozygotes + heterozygotes (z.i.-count estimates ± standard errors: CT, - 0.508 ± 0.194; TT, - 0.557 ± 0.191). The non-over-dispersed count model detected no interactions: of importance there was no significant interaction with age. No positive results were obtained from negative-control SNPs or (b). Conclusions: association between the H1/H2 inversion and numbers of children (previously reported in Iceland) has been confirmed, albeit using a different statistical model. One limitation is the small amount of data, despite initially ~ 6000 subjects. Causal studies require further investigation.

Analysis of the Influence of Pre-Pregnancy BMI and Weight Gain during Pregnancy on the Weight of Healthy Children during the First 2 Years of Life: A Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Increased pre-pregnancy maternal BMI (pBMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) have been found to increase infants' birthweight and result in the programming of child weight and impact its later weight gain. AIM: To assess the impact of pBMI and GWG on the weight of children from birth to 2 years of age and over the duration of breastfeeding. METHODS: Single Centre observational prospective longitudinal cohort study. Data were collected from medical records, and medical history. The analysis of multiple linear and mixed models was involved. FINDINGS: 20% of females were overweight, while 13% were obese before the pregnancy. An overall model, including gender and smoking, indicated a significant impact of pBMI category on a child's birth mass (p = 0.01). The GWG category affected a child's birth weight (p = 0.018, Effect size 0.41). pBMI did not affect the breastfeeding duration. CONCLUSION: pBMI and GWG correlate with birth weight and weight in neonatal period, however they become insignificant in later childhood. Weight assessment methods among children aged up to two years of age require standardization. Maternal weight before the pregnancy nor the weight gain during the pregnancy do not influence the length of breastfeeding. The biggest limitation was the small sample size and the failure to account for weight gain per trimester of pregnancy. Further research on a larger population should be continued.

No Association between Genetic Variants of the COMT and OPRM1 Genes and Pain Perception among Patients Undergoing Total Hip or Knee Arthroplasty for Primary Osteoarthritis.

Each year approximately 1 million total hip replacements are performed worldwide. The most common indications to choose this procedure are rest pain and pain after activity as well as functional limitations influencing daily activities. Experimental pain is highly variable by individuals, which is partly due to genetics. The aim of the study was to investigate a possible association of the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and µ-opioid receptor (OPRM1) genotypes with pain perception in patients undergoing total hip replacement and total knee replacement taking into account aspects such as age, sex and diabetes. The study included 207 patients (119 females, 88 males, median age 65 years, range 33−77) that qualified for surgical treatment (total hip replacement and knee arthroplasty) due to osteoarthritis. Pain sensitivity measurement was performed using a standard algometer. The genomic DNA was extracted from the buccal cells.. Single locus analysis was conducted using a general linear model. In the study group, we did not find statistically significant genetic associations between variants of COMT and OPRM1 and pain thresholds/pain tolerance. The analysis of subjective pain perception using the visual analog scale did not show any relationship between the OPRM1 rs1799971A>G variant and COMT rs4680, rs4633, rs4818 and rs6269.

Contributing Factors to Sensorimotor Adaptability in Reactive Agility Performance in Youth Athletes.

Sensorimotor adaptability facilitates adjusting behaviour for changing environmental stimuli to maintain appropriate goal-directed motor performance. Its effectiveness is associated with perceptual-cognitive modulation. As the factors affecting it are still not completely known, the aim of our study was therefore to analyse the association between selected variables (demographic, training, anthropometric, genetic) and sensorimotor adaptation in reactive agility tasks in youth team-sport athletes. The study group consisted of 85 youth athletes (aged 12.61 ± 0.98 years). Based on an initial evaluation, participants were divided into faster and slower agility groups. The resultant differences between change of direction speed tests and reactive agility tests provided the REAC-INDEX as a dependent variable. The independent variables were as follows: gender, calendar age, body mass, height, BMI, maturity offset, training status and the BDNF rs6265 polymorphism. Multiple linear regression showed that the maturity offset (ß = 0.269; p = 0.012) and calendar age (ß = -0.411; p < 0.001) significantly contributed to the REAC-INDEX of all participants (R2 = 0.13). In the slower group, the c.196G BDNF allele had a significant influence (ß = -0.140; p = 0.044) on the REAC-INDEX. The best predictive model comprised female gender (ß = 0.799; p < 0.001), maturity offset (ß = -0.586; p < 0.001) and training experience (ß = -0.225; p = 0.009), contributing to 49% of RA variance. Sensorimotor adaptability is mainly dependent on gender and age, and can be improved through systematic sports training. The BDNF rs6265 polymorphism may be considered a contributing factor to SA variability in the initial stages of training, although polymorphism-related differences blurred as the effect of participation in sports training increased.

The Genetic Variants in the Renin-Angiotensin System and the Risk of Heart Failure in Polish Patients.

(1) Background: Heart failure (HF) is a complex disease and one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the world. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may contribute to the pathogenesis of HF. (2) Aim: To investigate the association of RAS key genetic variants, rs5051 (A-6G) in the gene encoding angiotensinogen (AGT), rs4646994 (I/D) in the gene for angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE), and rs5186 (A1166C) in the gene encoding type 1 receptor for angiotensin II (AGTR1), with the HF risk in the cohort of Polish patients. (3) Methods: The study group consisted of 415 patients that were diagnosed with HF, while the control group comprised of 152 healthy individuals. Genomic DNA were extracted from blood and genotyping was carried out using either PCR or PCR-RFLP for ACE or AGT and AGTR1 variants, respectively. (4) Results: No association has been found between the I/D ACE and heart failure. The HF risk was significantly higher for AG AGT heterozygotes (overdominance: AG versus AA + GG) and for carriers of the G AGT allele in codominant and dominant modes of inheritance. However, the risk of HF was significantly lower in the carriers of at least one C AGTR1 allele (AC or CC genotypes) or in AC AGTR1 heterozygotes (overdominant mode). There was a significant relationship for AGT and HF patients in NYHA Class I-II for whom the risk was higher for the carriers of the G allele, and for the AG heterozygotes. There was also a significant interaction between heterozygote advantage of AGT and BMI increasing the risk for HF. (5) Conclusion: Our results suggest that the A(-6)G AGT polymorphism may be associated with HF in the Polish population and the HF risk seems to be modulated by the A1166C AGTR1 polymorphism.

Treatment With Multi-Species Probiotics Changes the Functions, Not the Composition of Gut Microbiota in Postmenopausal Women With Obesity: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

Probiotics are known to regulate host metabolism. In randomized controlled trial we aimed to assess whether interventions with probiotic containing following strains: Bifidobacterium bifidum W23, Bifidobacterium lactis W51, Bifidobacterium lactis W52, Lactobacillus acidophilus W37, Levilactobacillus brevis W63, Lacticaseibacillus casei W56, Ligilactobacillus salivarius W24, Lactococcus lactis W19, and Lactococcus lactis W58 affect gut microbiota to promote metabolic effects. By 16S rRNA sequencing we analyzed the fecal microbiota of 56 obese, postmenopausal women randomized into three groups: (1) probiotic dose 2.5 × 109 CFU/day (n = 18), (2) 1 × 1010 CFU/day (n = 18), or (3) placebo (n = 20). In the set of linear mixed-effects models, the interaction between pre- or post-treatment bacterial abundance and time on cardiometabolic parameters was significantly (FDR-adjusted) modified by type of intervention (26 and 19 three-way interactions for the pre-treatment and post-treatment abundance, respectively), indicating the modification of the bio-physiological role of microbiota by probiotics. For example, the unfavorable effects of Erysipelotrichi, Erysipelotrichales, and Erysipelotrichaceae on BMI might be reversed, but the beneficial effect of Betaproteobacteria on BMI was diminished by probiotic treatment. Proinflammatory effect of Bacteroidaceae was alleviated by probiotic administration. However, probiotics did not affect the microbiota composition, and none of the baseline microbiota-related features could predict therapeutic response as defined by cluster analysis. Conclusions: Probiotic intervention alters the influence of microbiota on biochemical, physiological and immunological parameters, but it does not affect diversity and taxonomic composition. Baseline microbiota is not a predictor of therapeutic response to a multispecies probiotic. Further multi-omic and mechanistic studies performed on the bigger cohort of patients are needed to elucidate the cardiometabolic effect of investigated probiotics in postmenopausal obesity.