Microbiota from the distal guts of lean and obese adolescents exhibit partial functional redundancy besides clear differences in community structure.

Recent research has disclosed a tight connection between obesity, metabolic gut microbial activities and host health. Obtaining a complete understanding of this relationship remains a major goal. Here, we conducted a comparative metagenomic and metaproteomic investigation of gut microbial communities in faecal samples taken from an obese and a lean adolescent. By analysing the diversity of 16S rDNA amplicons (10% operational phylogenetic units being common), 22 Mbp of consensus metagenome sequences (~70% common) and the expression profiles of 613 distinct proteins (82% common), we found that in the obese gut, the total microbiota was more abundant on the phylum Firmicutes (94.6%) as compared with Bacteroidetes (3.2%), although the metabolically active microbiota clearly behaves in a more homogeneous manner with both contributing equally. The lean gut showed a remarkable shift towards Bacteroidetes (18.9% total 16S rDNA), which become the most active fraction (81% proteins). Although the two gut communities maintained largely similar gene repertoires and functional profiles, improved pili- and flagella-mediated host colonization and improved capacity for both complementary aerobic and anaerobic de novo B(12) synthesis, 1,2-propanediol catabolism (most likely participating in de novo B(12) synthesis) and butyrate production were observed in the obese gut, whereas bacteria from lean gut seem to be more engaged in vitamin B(6) synthesis. Furthermore, this study provides functional evidence that variable combinations of species from different phyla could 'presumptively' fulfil overlapping and/or complementary functional roles required by the host, a scenario where minor bacterial taxa seem to be significant active contributors.

Long life to emotions: emotional response categorisation across the lifespan.

People perceive and organise their social world on the basis of their previous semantic knowledge as well as on the basis of their emotional responses. We tested the hypothesis that emotional response categorisation, namely the tendency to group stimuli on the basis of the emotion they evoke, increases across the lifespan. Young and older adults were asked to categorise target words and either conceptual or emotional response similarity could be used to perform the task. Results showed that older adults were more likely than younger adults to rely on emotional equivalence to categorise stimuli. In addition, current affective state was significantly related to emotional response categorisation. These findings are discussed in relation to recent models that propose a prominent role for emotions in the social life of older adults.

Role of CT imaging in discriminating internal hernia from aspecific abdominal pain following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a single high-volume centre experience.

Internal hernia (IH) represents a delayed complication of the laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) and it is historically difficult to identify preoperatively. Numerous CT signs were considered suggestive of IH but none of them is pathognomonic. In this study, we aim to evaluate the accuracy of CT in diagnosing IH, differentiating from non-specific abdominal pain. This can lead to a way of personalized medicine and improve the outcome of anti-obesity treatments. We retrospectively reviewed CT scans of 50 patients previously subjected to LRYGB procedure, with a clinical suspicion of IH. 3 groups of patients were identified: IH group (21 patients with a surgical confirmed IH), negative group (12 patients in whom IH was not confirmed at surgery), and control group (17 patients who were not surgically explored because of low/no suspicion of IH). We divided CT signs into three groups: "bowel loop signs", "vessel signs", and "venous congestion/stasis signs". The accuracy of CT in detecting IH was tested by comparing each sign, either individually or in combination, with the surgical findings. Statistical analysis showed that "vessel signs" (swirl sign, superior mesenteric vein beaking, mesenteric arteries, and veins branches inversion) present the highest distribution in patients with IH demonstrated at surgery, with a higher accuracy in case of simultaneous presence of two or three signs. CT imaging is highly accurate in diagnosing IH. Despite no single sign being pathognomonic, the combination of two or more signs, especially among the "vessels signs", can suggest the IH, even in pauci-symptomatic patients.

Short-course radiotherapy in elderly women with breast cancer: Comparison by age, comorbidity index and toxicity.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy amongst elderly women. It represents the main cause of mortality for those women and it is steadily increasing. The primary therapeutic approach remains surgery, as in other age groups. The role of radiotherapy following surgery is still debated. The use of hypofractionated schedules is challenging the standard fractionation and has now been considered an advantageous option within this subgroup of patients. Results from randomized controlled trials have not been shown to be inferior to standard fractionation in terms of local recurrence, disease-free survival and overall survival. Acute and late side effects were not increased by hypofractionated regimens. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 60 elderly women treated by hypofractionated radiotherapy after breast conserving surgery were stratified by age. Comorbidities associated compliance and toxicity correlation to age were the first endpoints of the study. Comorbidity associated compliance was calculated by Cumulative Illness Rating Scale Geriatric. RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 15 months overall survival was 100%, without severe late toxicity. No statistical significant differences were found between Cumulative Illness Rating Scale-Geriatric, systemic therapy and toxicity. CONCLUSION: In our experience hypofractioned regimens seem to be safe and reliable in the elderly setting, although longer follow up is needed.