Limited Metabolomic Overlap between Commensal Bacteria and Marine Sponge Holobionts Revealed by Large Scale Culturing and Mass Spectrometry-Based Metabolomics: An Undergraduate Laboratory Pedagogical Effort at Georgia Tech.

Sponges are the richest source of bioactive organic small molecules, referred to as natural products, in the marine environment. It is well established that laboratory culturing-resistant symbiotic bacteria residing within the eukaryotic sponge host matrix often synthesize the natural products that are detected in the sponge tissue extracts. However, the contributions of the culturing-amenable commensal bacteria that are also associated with the sponge host to the overall metabolome of the sponge holobiont are not well defined. In this study, we cultured a large library of bacteria from three marine sponges commonly found in the Florida Keys. Metabolomes of isolated bacterial strains and that of the sponge holobiont were compared using mass spectrometry to reveal minimal metabolomic overlap between commensal bacteria and the sponge hosts. We also find that the phylogenetic overlap between cultured commensal bacteria and that of the sponge microbiome is minimal. Despite these observations, the commensal bacteria were found to be a rich resource for novel natural product discovery. Mass spectrometry-based metabolomics provided structural insights into these cryptic natural products. Pedagogic innovation in the form of laboratory curricula development is described which provided undergraduate students with hands-on instruction in microbiology and natural product discovery using metabolomic data mining strategies.

Exploring the connection between dementia and eating, drinking and swallowing difficulty: Findings from home-based semi-structured interviews.

BACKGROUND: Eating, drinking and swallowing (EDS) difficulties are important to identify early. Awareness of EDS changes starts with those living with dementia or their family carers. However, little is known about early identification from the perspective of people with dementia. AIM: The aim of this study was to understand the experience of EDS by people living with dementia in their own home. METHODS: Published evidence pertaining to EDS difficulties in dementia was used to inform an online semi-structured interview guide. Four people living with dementia and a third-sector Empowerment Lead were invited to become co-researchers. People living with dementia and their carers were invited to be interviewed. We enquired about their past and present experiences, and future expected changes in EDS, information needs, opinions on early problem identification, and lifestyle modifications following onset of EDS difficulty. Narrative concepts of heroes and villains in their 'stories' were identified. Responses were subjected to framework analysis informed by narrative enquiry. RESULTS: Seven people living with dementia and five family carers were interviewed. The overarching theme was a 'missed connection' between EDS difficulty and dementia. Where EDS difficulties were identified, 'compensatory changes' and a need for 'access to information' were noted. CONCLUSIONS: The connection between potential EDS difficulties and a dementia diagnosis may not be made, even though EDS changes were recognised by people living with dementia and their family carers. This may be explained by behaviours that mask problems or allow individuals to cope or compensate. Reduced awareness may also be due to inadequate access to information and lack of specialist services. If the connection between dementia and EDS difficulty is missed it could further delay access to support services. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on the subject The prevalence of dementia is increasing and is expected to affect 9% of the population by 2040. EDS difficulties are common in people living with dementia and predispose to poorer outcomes. Better awareness of EDS changes early in the disease process of dementia or at preclinical stages can identify individuals at risk and allow for intervention prior to advanced EDS difficulties developing. What this paper adds to existing knowledge This paper reports the perspective of people living with dementia and family carers and provides insights into experiences of EDS and the challenges faced and identifies commonalities. The connection between potential EDS difficulties and dementia is missed despite various changes reported by both people living with dementia and their family carers, who tend to make compensatory lifestyle changes without support. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? Lack of awareness of the connection between potential EDS difficulties and dementia may arise due to inadequate access to information to support people living with dementia and their family carers. Access to such information is needed and the quality assurance of information from reputable sources is important to people living with dementia. There is a need for greater service user awareness of signs of EDS difficulty and how to access specialist services.

Molecular Mechanisms of Malignant Transformation of Oral Submucous Fibrosis by Different Betel Quid Constituents-Does Fibroblast Senescence Play a Role?

Betel quid (BQ) is a package of mixed constituents that is chewed by more than 600 million people worldwide, particularly in Asia. The formulation of BQ depends on a variety of factors but typically includes areca nut, betel leaf, and slaked lime and may or may not contain tobacco. BQ chewing is strongly associated with the development of potentially malignant and malignant diseases of the mouth such as oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), respectively. We have shown recently that the constituents of BQ vary geographically and that the capacity to induce disease reflects the distinct chemical composition of the BQ. In this review, we examined the diverse chemical constituents of BQ and their putative role in oral carcinogenesis. Four major areca alkaloids-arecoline, arecaidine, guvacoline and guvacine-together with the polyphenols, were identified as being potentially involved in oral carcinogenesis. Further, we propose that fibroblast senescence, which is induced by certain BQ components, may be a key driver of tumour progression in OSMF and OSCC. Our study emphasizes that the characterization of the detrimental or protective effects of specific BQ ingredients may facilitate the development of targeted BQ formulations to prevent and/or treat potentially malignant oral disorders and oral cancer in BQ users.