Asperosaponin VI Protects Against Bone Loss Due to Hindlimb Unloading in Skeletally Growing Mice Through Regulating Microbial Dysbiosis Altering the 5-HT Pathway.

Osteoporosis is a complex multifactorial disease that can lead to an increased risk of fracture. However, selective and effective osteoporosis drugs are still lacking. We showed that Asperosaponin VI (AVI) has the implications to be further developed as an alternative supplement for the prevention and treatment of bone loss. AVI has been found to have beneficial effects on metabolic diseases such as bone loss, obesity, and atherosclerosis. Our study was designed to determine the effect and mechanism of action of AVI against bone loss through regulating microbial dysbiosis. A hindlimb unloading mouse model was established to determine the effect of AVI on bone microarchitecture, gut microbiota, and serum metabolites. Eighteen female C57BL/6 J mice were divided into three groups: control, hindlimb unloading with vehicle (HLU), and hindlimb unloading treated with AVI (HLU-AVI, 200 mg/kg/day). AVI was administrated orally for 4 weeks. The results demonstrated that AVI improved the bone microstructure by reversing the decrease in bone volume fraction and trabecular number, and the increase in trabecular separation and structure model index of cancellous bone in hindlimb suspension mice. The results of 16sRNA gene sequencing suggested that the therapeutic effect of AVI on bone loss may be achieved through it regulating the gut microbiota, especially certain specific microorganisms. Combined with the analysis of ELISA, immunohistochemistry, and serum metabolome results, it could be speculated that AVI played an important role in adjusting the balance of bone metabolism by influencing specific flora such as Clostridium and its metabolites to regulate the 5-hydroxytryptophan pathway. The study explored the novel mechanism of AVI against osteoporosis, and has implications for the further development of AVI as an alternative supplement for the prevention and treatment of bone loss.

Impact of microbiota and host immunologic response on the efficacy of anticholinergic treatment for urgency urinary incontinence.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Studies within the past decade have suggested associations among composition of the urinary microbiota, local immune responses, and urinary incontinence symptoms. To investigate these relationships, we evaluated the structure of the urinary microbiome, local inflammatory markers, and patient responses prior to and at 6-weeks after treatment with anticholinergic medication for urgency urinary incontinence (UUI). METHODS: Using a prospective pilot study, we enrolled women who presented with UUI symptoms and were prescribed treatment with anticholinergics. Catheterized urine samples were collected from participants at their baseline and 6-week follow-up visits for microbiological (standard and 16S rRNA gene phylotyping analyses) and cytokine analysis along with the UDI-6 questionnaire and 2-day bladder diary. RESULTS: Patients were Caucasian, post- menopausal, with a median age of 64 and median BMI of 30.1 kg/m2. Among the patients, 75% had UUI symptoms for less than 2 years, but with a frequency of at least a few times a week or every day. Most women were prescribed 10 mg oxybutynin ER daily at enrollment. Patients had varied urinary microbiota by culture and 16S phylotyping, with species of Lactobacillus being the most common, in six samples, in addition to taxa associated with Enterococcus, Staphylococcus, and mixed flora. Cytokine levels showed no differences before and after treatment with anticholinergics, nor correlation with urinary bacteria or microbiome composition. CONCLUSIONS: Our pilot study suggests factors in addition to the urinary microbiome and local immune responses may be involved in patients' response to anticholinergics for UUI.

High-throughput sequencing study of the effect of transabdominal hysterectomy on intestinal flora in patients with uterine fibroids.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the effect of transabdominal hysterectomy on the diversity of the intestinal flora in patients with uterine fibroids. Patients with uterine fibroids were selected from September 2018 to December 2018, in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, and stool specimens were collected from patients before and after surgery. RESULTS: High-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was used to detect the changes in microbial community structure and diversity, and the effects of total hysterectomy on the intestinal flora were further analyzed. Estrogen levels decreased after trans-abdominal hysterectomy. High-throughput sequencing showed that after abdominal hysterectomy, the abundance and diversity of the intestinal flora decreased. The abundance changes were mainly due to Proteobacteria, where their abundance increased. CONCLUSIONS: Trans-abdominal hysterectomy changes the intestinal flora of the body by lowering the level of estrogen in the body, which reduces the diversity and abundance of the intestinal flora.

Unusual subdural empyema in a homeless patient diagnosed by molecular approach: a case report.

BACKGROUND: We report a case of subdural empyema in a homeless patient caused by Bartonella quintana. B. quintana is a facultative intracellular bacteria for which bacterial growth is fastidious. The molecular biology approach has been a real help in establishing the diagnosis. CASE REPORT: A 59-years old homeless patient, with a history of chronic alcohol abuse, was brought to the emergency department with a massive subdural empyema. Extensive microbiological evaluation didn't reveal any pathogen in the pus collected before antibiotic treatment. B. quintana was detected in the pus from the empyema using a 16S rRNA-based PCR. Histology of intraoperative samples was consistent with the diagnosis and a serological assay was positive. The patient responded well to a treatment that included craniectomy with drainage of the loculated pus, total removal of the infected capsule and a combination of antibiotics. CONCLUSION: This unique case of B. quintana-related empyema illustrates the risk of secondary infection of subdural hematoma with B. quintana since such infections have recently reemerged, predominantly among the homeless populations. Patients with subdural empyema in at-risk populations should be systematically evaluated for B. quintana with an appropriate diagnostic approach involving molecular biology.

Upper and lower respiratory tract microbiota in horses: bacterial communities associated with health and mild asthma (inflammatory airway disease) and effects of dexamethasone.

BACKGROUND: The microbial composition of the equine respiratory tract, and differences due to mild equine asthma (also called Inflammatory Airway Disease (IAD)) have not been reported. The primary treatment for control of IAD in horses are corticosteroids. The objectives were to characterize the upper and lower respiratory tract microbiota associated with respiratory health and IAD, and to investigate the effects of dexamethasone on these bacterial communities using high throughput sequencing. RESULTS: The respiratory microbiota of horses was dominated by four major phyla, Proteobacteria (43.85%), Actinobacteria (21.63%), Firmicutes (16.82%), and Bacteroidetes (13.24%). Fifty genera had a relative abundance > 0.1%, with Sphingomonas and Pantoea being the most abundant. The upper and lower respiratory tract microbiota differed in healthy horses, with a decrease in richness in the lower airways, and 2 OTUs that differed in abundance. There was a separation between bacterial communities in the lower respiratory tract of healthy and IAD horses; 6 OTUs in the tracheal community had different abundance with disease status, with Streptococcus being increased in IAD horses. Treatment with dexamethasone had an effect on the lower respiratory tract microbiota of both heathy and IAD horses, with 8 OTUs increasing in abundance (including Streptococcus) and 1 OTU decreasing. CONCLUSIONS: The lower respiratory tract microbiota differed between healthy and IAD horses. Further research on the role of Streptococcus in IAD is warranted. Dexamethasone treatment affected the lower respiratory tract microbiota, which suggests that control of bacterial overgrowth in IAD horses treated with dexamethasone could be part of the treatment strategy.

Influence of ethnic origin on the clinical characteristics and intestinal flora of irritable bowel syndrome: a prospective study between Han and Tibetan patients.

Background: Few studies have focused on the clinical characteristics and intestinal flora of Tibetan patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The study aimed to compare the difference of between Tibetan and Han patients with IBS. Methods: Patients who met inclusion and exclusion criteria were divided into the Tibet and Han groups. A simplified Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS)-based questionnaire was used to assess the IBS severity. Fecal samples from all subjects were collected for the analysis of gut microbiota using 16sRNA Illumina sequencing. Results: No significant difference was found in the total symptom scores between two groups. However, Tibetans with IBS are more prone to bloating than Hans (17.41% vs 9.09%, p < 0.001). A profit shift in the gut microbiota was shown between the two groups. The ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes was significantly lower in the Tibet group than in the Han group (2.954 ± 0.78 vs 8.23 ± 2.04, p = 0.004). In the Tibet group, the level of the genus Blautia decreased significantly compared to the Han group, and there was a significant negative correlation between the level of Blautia and the bloating scores (Pearson r = -0.33, p = 0.025). Conclusion: The characteristics of Tibetan patients differ from those of Han patients with IBS, not only in terms of the clinical symptoms, but also in the characteristics of intestinal flora. Tibetans with IBS are more prone to bloating, which might be due to the different gut microbiota. The genus Blautia may play a role in this mechanism.

Comparison between Polymerase Chain Reaction and Blood Culture for Diagnosis of Neonatal Sepsis.

Neonatal sepsis can be defined as any systemic bacterial infection confirmed by a positive blood culture in the first month of life. This study evaluated the polymerase chain reaction as the diagnostic approach to identify neonatal sepsis instead of blood culture. In this study, 85 blood specimens were collected from 85 patients with suspected septicemia; ages ranged between 1 to 28 days from both sexes (53 males and 32 females) from November 2014 to March 2015. From each neonate, a minimum of 1-3 ml of blood was collected by standard sterile procedures, 2 ml for blood culture, while 1 ml was used for DNA extraction. A minimum of 2 ml of blood is taken through venipuncture and injected into two or more "blood bottles" with specific media for aerobic and anaerobic organisms. The blood is collected using an aseptic technique. The recorded data showed that the bacterial culture was positive in 7.06% of patients versus 92.9%, revealing a negative bacterial culture. The most common types of bacteria isolated were three isolates of Klebsiella spp. (50.0%), followed by one isolate of Staphylococcus aureus (16.67%), one E. coli (16.67%) isolate, and one Enterobacter spp. (16.67%) isolate. Finally, molecular detection for bacterial sepsis was done using specific primers (16 sRNA, rpoB and its). It was found that 16 sRNA genes were present in 20% of samples, and rpoB gene was present in (18.8%). While its gene used for the detection of fungi revealed negative results in all samples.

Variations of earthworm gut bacterial community composition and metabolic functions in coastal upland soil along a 700-year reclamation chronosequence.

Most ecosystem functions attributed to earthworms are mediated by their internal microbiomes, and these are sensitive to disturbances in the external environment. However, few studies have focused on the response of the earthworm gut microbiome to soil chronosequence. Here, we used 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing and high-throughput quantitative PCR to investigate the variations in bacterial communities and functional gene abundance in earthworm (Lumbricina sp.) guts and upland soils under 700 years of cultivation. Our results indicated that 700 years of upland cultivation significantly shaped bacterial communities and increased functional traits of microbes in earthworm guts, which were more sensitive to cultivation age compared to the surrounding soils. The earthworm gut bacterial community changed rapidly over the first 300 years of cultivation and then changed slowly in the following centuries. Along with the cultivation age, we also observed that the earthworm gut microbiota was successive towards a copiotrophic strategy (e.g., Xanthobacteraceae, Nocardioidaceae, Hyphomicrobiaceae, and Bacillaceae) and higher potential functions (e.g., ureC, nirS, nosZ, phoD, and pqqC). Furthermore, canonical correspondence analysis further revealed that soil pH, C:N ratio, soil organic carbon, and total nitrogen were key abiotic drivers shaping earthworm gut bacterial communities. Taken together, this study reveals the succession of bacterial communities and potential functions in earthworm guts within 700 years of upland cultivation, which may provide a broader space for us to rationally exploit and utilize the interactions between soil and earthworm gut microbiotas to benefit the soil nutrient cycling process.

Caulobacter and Novosphingobium in tumor tissues are associated with colorectal cancer outcomes.

Diversity and composition of the gut microbiome are associated with cancer patient outcomes including colorectal cancer (CRC). A growing number of evidence indicates that Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) in CRC tissue is associated with worse survival. However, few studies have further analyzed the differences in bacteria in tumor tissues of different patients depending on the survival time of CRC patients. Therefore, there is a need to further explore the bacterial differences in tumor tissues of patients with different prognoses and to identify key bacteria for analysis. Here, we sought to compare the differences in tumor microbiome between patients with long-term survival (LS) longer than 3 years or 4 and 5 years and patients with short-term survival (SS) in the present study cohort. We found that there were significant differences in tumor microbiome between the LS and SS and two bacteria-Caulobacter and Novosphingobium-that are present in all of the three groups. Furthermore, by analyzing bacteria in different clinical features, we also found that lower levels of microbiome (Caulobacter and Novosphingobium) have long-term survival and modulating microbiome in tumor tissue may provide an alternative way to predict the prognosis of CRC patients.

Low-Dose Interleukin-2 Altered Gut Microbiota and Ameliorated Collagen-Induced Arthritis.

PURPOSE: Low-dose interleukin-2 (ld-IL-2) has been shown to regulate the balance between effector T and regulatory T (Treg) cells and has been used in several clinical trials to treat autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, we investigated the effects of ld-IL-2 on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice. METHODS: Arthritis severity in CIA mice was measured using the arthritis index (AI), radiographs, and hematoxylin and eosin staining. Cytokines were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Gut microbiota alterations and short-chain fatty acid production were analyzed through 16S rRNA sequencing and gas chromatography. RESULTS: The AI scores of CIA mice treated with ld-IL-2 were significantly lower compared to the model group, which significantly reduced the severity of arthritis. Ld-IL-2 also altered the gut microbiota in CIA mice. The diversity, composition, and dominant species of gut microbiota were altered by ld-IL-2 treatment. Ld-IL-2 also increased short-chain fatty acid levels. There was a strong correlation between ld-IL-2 treatment and improved gut microbiota. CONCLUSION: Ld-IL-2 significantly ameliorated joint inflammation and bone damage and improved gut microbial dysbiosis in CIA, indicating that it may be a promising therapy for RA patients.

Oral microbiota in oropharyngeal cancers: Friend or foe?

Oral microbiome is a complex population of micro-organisms, which by cross-talking with the local immune system, plays a major role in the immune homeostasis of the oral cavity, further contributing in the physiology of the gastro-intestinal microbiota. Understanding their involvement in the onset and pathogenesis of oropharyngeal cancers is paramount, despite very few reports deal with the fundamental role exerted by oral microbiota disorders, such as dysbiosis and impairment in the oral microbiome composition as causative factors in the development of oropharyngeal tumors. Current research, via metabolomic or meta-transcriptomic analyses, is wondering how this complex microbial population regulates the immune homeostasis in oral and pharyngeal mucosa and whether changes in bacterial composition may give insights on the role of oral microbiome in the development of oropharyngeal tumors, so to prevent their occurrence.

Effect of intrapartum antibiotics on the intestinal microbiota of infants: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: The use of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) has become common practice in obstetric medicine and is used in up to 40% of deliveries. Despite its benefits, the risks associated with exposing large numbers of infants to antibiotics, especially long-term effects on health through changes in the microbiota, remain unclear. This systematic review summarises studies that have investigated the effect of IAP on the intestinal microbiota of infants. METHODS: A systematic search in Ovid MEDLINE was used to identify original studies that investigated the effect of IAP on the intestinal microbiota in infants. Studies were excluded if: they included preterm infants, the antibiotic regimen was not specified, antibiotics were used for indications other than prophylaxis, probiotics were given to mothers or infants, or antibiotics were given to infants. RESULTS: We identified six studies, which investigated a total of 272 infants and included 502 stool samples collected up to 3 months of age. In all the studies, IAP was given for group B streptococcus (GBS) colonisation. Infants who were exposed to GBS IAP had a lower bacterial diversity, a lower relative abundance of Actinobacteria, especially Bifidobacteriaceae, and a larger relative abundance of Proteobacteria in their intestinal microbiota compared with non-exposed infants. Conflicting results were reported for the phyla Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. CONCLUSIONS: GBS IAP has profound effects on the intestinal microbiota of infants by diminishing beneficial commensals. Such changes during the early-life 'critical window' during which the intestinal microbiota and the immune response develop concurrently may have an important influence on immune development. The potential long-term adverse consequences of this on the health of children warrant further investigation.

High altitude as a possible factor for dysbiosis of salivary microbiome in orthodontic patients.

BACKGROUND: External stressors such as high altitude and low oxygen are known to affect the human microbiome, and in light of the increased occurrence of dental caries and periodontitis in orthodontic patients, the effect of high altitude and the altered oral environment in orthodontic patients on the oral salivary microbiome was researched. MATERIALS & METHODS: 31 orthodontic patients from high altitude, Aseer region and 25 orthodontic patients, residing at sea level, as controls were included. DNA isolation was done from the saliva collected from the study participants. V3 area of 16s RNA was targeted by universal primers through PCR to decipher the salivary microbiome in both the groups. RESULTS: A total of 11 genera belonging to 4 phyla of bacteria were identified in both groups. The most abundant microbiome at the phylum level was: Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes Proteobacteria, and Cyanobacteria. The salivary microbiome was more diverse in sea level controls compared to that of the orthodontic patients at high altitude wherein the presence of only two main phyla: Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were seen. The controls revealed Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Cyanobacteria. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the study suggest that the biodiversity of the salivary microbiome is severely perturbed under the cumulative influences of high altitude and presence of fixed orthodontic appliance. Under these circumstances, a strict and meticulous oral hygiene regimen should be recommended and followed to avoid harmful effects on the periodontal tissues.

Microbial Diversity and Nutritional Properties of Persian "Yellow Curd" (Kashk Zard), a Promising Functional Fermented Food.

"Yellow curd" (YC) is one of the most popular homemade Persian fermented foods and is consumed by many people. Notwithstanding, no studies are available to date on its nutritional and microbiological composition. In this study, we examined YC samples obtained from different local markets of Sistan and Baluchestan province, Iran. The results of the chemical analyses revealed a homogenous content of protein (13.71% ± 1.07), lipids (4.09% ± 0.73), and carbohydrates (61% ± 2.13) among the samples. By comparing the average mineral content of YC with yogurt, many relevant differences were detected. Apart from the calcium content, which was similar on average to that of YC, all other minerals tested are present in higher amounts in YC than in yogurt. The analysis of the main sugars present (i.e., lactose, galactose and glucose) highlighted relevant differences among samples, indicating that different YC samples contain natural strains with different capabilities to metabolize sugars. The concentration of galactose in YC samples should be taken into consideration by galactose intolerant people. From the microbiological perspective, the metagenomics analysis revealed that lactic acid bacteria, and particularly the genera Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, and Streptococcus, were dominant in YC. The information provided shows that YC is an interesting base for the preparation of novel functional foods with a good content of beneficial bacteria.

The microbiomes of adenoid and middle ear in children with otitis media with effusion and hypertrophy from a tertiary hospital in China.

INTRODUCTION: Otitis media with effusion (OME) is one of the most common pediatric diseases worldwide. Several studies have analyzed the diversity of the microbiomes found in the middle ear effusions (MEEs) of populations from developed countries. However, no microbiological studies of MEEs from Chinese children with OME have been reported. This study investigated the middle ear and adenoid microbiological profiles of children with OME, and compared the microbial flora of the adenoid between children with and without otitis media. METHODS: MEEs and adenoid swabs were acquired from 15 children undergoing ventilation tube insertion and adenoidectomy. Adenoid swabs from 15 patients with no ear disease were used as controls. Samples were analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing. Operational taxonomic units (OTUs) abundance information were normalized. Alpha diversity analyses were used to assess the richness and diversity of the microbial community for each sample. Beta diversity analyses were used to determine the inter-group variability between microbiome structure. RESULTS: Based on the mean relative abundance, the MEEs were dominated by Haemophilus (14.75%), Staphylococcus (9.37%) and Halomonas (7.85%), and the bacterial compositions of the adenoids in the OME groups were dominated by Haemophilus (21.87%), Streptococcus (19.65%), and Neisseria (5.8%). The bacterial compositions in the adenoids of the controls were dominated by Haemophilus (15.96%), Streptococcus (13.33%), and Moraxella (12.28%). Alpha diversity analyses showed that there were no significant differences in microbiome richness or diversity between the middle ear effusions (TM) and adenoids (TA) of OME subjects. Adenoid samples from OME patients (TA) and control patients (CA) were also similar. Beta diversity analyses showed that the microbiomes of the adenoids in OME patients were also similar to that of controls. However, the microbiome structure of middle ear effusions was dissimilar to those of the adenoids in OME patients according to beta diversity analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirmed the microbial diversity of MEEs among Chinese children. However, the dissimilar microbiome composition between samples taken from the surface of the adenoids and from the middle ear effusions challenges the conventional theory that the adenoid serves as a microbial reservoir in children with otitis media with effusion.

Statistical evaluation of the bioremediation performance of Ochrobactrum thiophenivorans and Sphingomonas melonis bacteria on Imidacloprid insecticide in artificial agricultural field.

BACKGROUND: Pesticides are applied directly on the soil or on the vegetation, and thus, they can reach the receiving environment easily. In this way, environmental damage that stems from pesticides also affects public health and the natural habitat. Pesticides are one of the most harmful pollutant groups in terms of human health, fauna and the environment. They penetrate the application field and the applicator right after the application and start to show adverse effects. METHODS: The bioremediation of the Imidacloprid (C9H10ClN5O2) insecticide, which is used commonly in Mediterranean climate, was compared with some soil bacteria in artificially prepared fields. For this purpose, firstly, it was determined whether the soil samples taken from a field where cotton was cultivated in Adana in Turkey was suitable for bioremediation. Then, the bacteria were isolated from these soils with the 16sRNA method. The enhanced microbial consortia of these isolated bacteria were inoculated to the artificial fields, meanwhile, the recommended concentrations of Imidacloprid were added to these agricultural fields. Imidacloprid, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5) and Total Organic Carbon (TOC) measurements were performed every day for two weeks on the filtrate samples taken from the artificial fields. RESULTS: As a result of the monitoring, it was determined that Ochrobactrum thiophenivorans (Ot) and Sphingomonas melonis (Sm) species and their mixtures could eliminate the Imidacloprid pesticide within two weeks' time. The removal efficiencies were 100% for active ingredient for each bacterium and their mixtures while COD were 97% and 96% for Ot. and Sm., respectively. TOC and BOD5 removal rates were 97% for both types and their mixtures in one or two-week period. Mixture of Ot and Sm shows 98.5% for COD, BOD5 parameters and 97.5% for TOC parameter. CONCLUSIONS: The results that will be obtained will help in the rehabilitation of the receiving environments that are exposed to pesticides in our country and take precautions to avoid the accumulation of pesticides in the body of the humans who are at the top of the food chain.

Composition and Laboratory Correlation of Commercial Probiotics in India.

Objectives Probiotics are defined as live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer health benefits to the host. Probiotics are currently being recommended and considered for many medical conditions. The Asia-Pacific region contributes to more than 40% of the global industry. Quality of commercial probiotics remains a challenge globally and has been a major concern in various countries in Europe, South Africa, Taiwan, India, Pakistan, and the USA. Research from these countries indicate that the contents do not correspond to the label information in terms of identity, viability, number of microorganisms or purity. The objective of this study is to assess the commercial probiotic bacterial contents and their label accuracy in India. No previous research has been done in this area in India, on commercial probiotics that are sold as "pharmaceuticals". Methods A random selection of the most prescribed probiotics for various clinical indications were chosen with a minimum shelf life of 12 months. The probiotics were single and multiple strains and these were evaluated by culture, viable plate count, DNA isolation and targeted metagenomics. Our study is the first step in scrutinizing probiotics in terms of quality and quantity analysis which are used across various age groups for multiple indications. Results Out of the 20 chosen probiotics eight products were single strain and 12 products were multiple strains. These probiotics showed very poor correlation between the declared contents on the pack and lab values in viable cell count colonies, the genus and species strain identification, presence of contaminants and these were confirmed with 16s RNA and next generation sequencing. Conclusion Poor correlation in the quality and quantity of probiotics proves that the label claim and actual claim of these "drugs" show exceptionally poor correlation and raises safety concerns in clinical use, especially in vulnerable age groups such as neonates, children and the elderly. Our study shows that "policing" of these probiotics is essential in protecting these patients who are at risk and ensuring quality control and helping clinicians making the right choice.

Bamboo lignocellulose degradation by gut symbiotic microbiota of the bamboo snout beetle Cyrtotrachelus buqueti.

BACKGROUND: Gut symbiotic microbiota plays a critical role in nutrient supply, digestion, and absorption. The bamboo snout beetle, Cyrtotrachelus buqueti, a common pest of several bamboo species, exhibits high lignocellulolytic enzyme activity and contains various CAZyme genes. However, to date, no studies have evaluated the role of gut symbiotic microbiota of the snout beetle on bamboo lignocellulose degradation. Therefore, the present study investigated the role of gut symbiotic microbiota of C. buqueti on bamboo lignocellulose degradation. RESULTS: Gut symbiotic microbiota of female (CCJ), male (XCJ), and larvae (YCJ) beetles was used to treat bamboo shoot particles (BSPs) in vitro for 6 days. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed significant destruction of the lignocellulose structure after treatment, which was consistent with the degradation efficiencies of CCJ, XCJ, and YCJ for cellulose (21.11%, 17.58% and 18.74%, respectively); hemicellulose (22.22%, 27.18% and 34.20%, respectively); and lignin (19.83%, 24.30% and 32.97%, respectively). Gut symbiotic microbiota of adult and larvae beetles was then identified using 16sRNA sequencing, which revealed that four microbes: Lactococcus, Serratia, Dysgonomonas and Enterococcus, comprise approximately 84% to 94% of the microbiota. Moreover, the genomes of 45 Lactococcus, 72 Serratia, 86 Enterococcus and 4 Dysgonomonas microbes were used to analyse resident CAZyme genes. These results indicated that gut symbiotic microbiota of adult and larvae C. buqueti is involved in the lignocellulose degradation traits shown by the host. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the gut symbiotic microbiota of C. buqueti participates in bamboo lignocellulose degradation, providing innovative findings for bamboo lignocellulose bioconversion. Furthermore, the results of this study will allow us to further isolate lignocellulose-degrading microbiota for use in bamboo lignocellulose bioconversion.

The direct and indirect association of cervical microbiota with the risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Cervical microbiota composition is associated with cervical HPV infection and CIN severity. Previous studies only assessed the total association between cervical microbiota and HPV infections or CINs, and yet no study reported the direct and indirect associations between cervical microbiota and CINs mediated by HPV infection, respectively. The aim of this study was to investigate the direct and indirect associations between microbiotas and CIN severity. Cervical microbiota of 126 women with CIN 1- (normal cytology and CIN 1) and 40 with CIN 2+ (CIN 2 and CIN 3) were analyzed using Illumina sequencing based on the 16S rRNA gene. HPV was detected using a highly sensitive PCR primer set (SPF1/GP6+). Indirect effects of Pseudomonas stutzeri, Bacteroides fragilis, Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Atopobium vaginae, and Streptococcus agalactiae mediated by HPV infection on CIN status were observed. The directions of the direct and the indirect associations between CIN status and Ps. stutzeri were opposite. The directions of the direct and the indirect associations between CIN status and A. vaginae were the same. B. fragilis, L. delbrueckii, and S. agalactiae only had indirect association with CIN status. In summary, our study provided suggestive evidence that some microbial populations could have direct or indirect effects mediated by affecting HPV infection on CIN progression. Besides HPV infection, microbial community composition possibly plays a role in cervical carcinogenesis.

Actinobacillus ureae: an unusual cause of tree-in-bud pattern in a case of pneumonia on lung computed tomographic scan-first clinical case report and review of the literature from India.

A 62-year-old man with asthma sought care for intermittent fever, cough with expectoration, breathlessness and orthopnoea with grunting. Computed tomography revealed clusters of centrilobular nodules on both sides with a tree-in-bud appearance and mild diffuse bronchial wall thickening. Sputum sample grew pure colonies of Actinobacillus ureae which was confirmed by MALDI-TOF and 16SrRNA gene sequencing. A. ureae may be an additional bacteriologic causative agent of the tree-in-bud pattern on computed tomographic scan.