The Interaction between Gut Microbiota and Host Amino Acids Metabolism in Multiple Myeloma.

Although novel therapies have dramatically improved outcomes for multiple myeloma (MM) patients, relapse is inevitable and overall outcomes are heterogeneous. The gut microbiota is becoming increasingly recognized for its influence on host metabolism. To date, evidence has suggested that the gut microbiota contributes to MM, not only via the progressive activities of specific bacteria but also through the influence of the microbiota on host metabolism. Importantly, the abnormal amino acid metabolism, as well as the altered microbiome in MM, is becoming increasingly apparent, as is the influence on MM progression and the therapeutic response. Moreover, the gut-microbiota-host-amino-acid metabolism interaction in the progression of MM has been highlighted. Modulation of the gut microbiota (such as fecal microbiota transplantation, FMT) can be modified, representing a new angle in MM treatment that can improve outcomes. In this review, the relationship between gut microbiota, metabolism, and MM, together with strategies to modulate the microbiota, will be discussed, and some unanswered questions for ongoing and future research will be presented.

Integration of artificial vision with non-visual peripheral cues to guide mobility.

Visual prostheses can improve vision for people with severe vision loss, but low image resolution and lack of peripheral vision limit their effectiveness. To address both problems, we developed a prototype advanced video processing system with a headworn depth camera and feature detection capabilities. We used computer vision algorithms to detect landmarks representing a goal and plan a path towards the goal, while removing unnecessary distractors from the video. If the landmark fell outside the visual prosthesis's field-of-view (20 degrees central vision) but within the camera's field-of-view (70 degrees), we provided vibrational cues to the left or right temple to guide the user in pointing the camera. We evaluated an Argus II retinal prosthesis participant with significant vision loss who could not complete the task (finding a door in a large room) with either his remaining vision or his retinal prosthesis. His success rate improved to 57%, 37.5%, and 100% while requiring 52.3, 83.0, and 58.8 seconds to reach the door using only vibration feedback, retinal prosthesis with modified video, and retinal prosthesis with modified video and vibration feedback, respectively. This case study demonstrates a possible means of augmenting artificial vision. Clinical Relevance- Retinal prostheses can be enhanced by adding computer vision and non-visual cues.