Effect of aerobic exercise and particulate matter exposure duration on the diversity of gut microbiota.

Inhalation of ambient particulate matter (PM) can disrupt the gut microbiome, while exercise independently influences the gut microbiome by promoting beneficial bacteria. In this study, we analyzed changes in gut microbial diversity and composition in response to combined interventions of PM exposure and aerobic exercise, extending up to 12 weeks. This investigation was conducted using mice, categorized into five groups: control group (Con), exercise group (EXE), exercise group followed by 3-day exposure to PM (EXE + 3-day PM), particulate matter exposure (PM), and PM exposure with concurrent treadmill exercise (PME). Notably, the PM group exhibited markedly lower alpha diversity and richness compared to the Con group and our analysis of beta diversity revealed significant variations among the intervention groups. Members of the Lachnospiraceae family showed significant enhancement in the exercise intervention groups (EXE and PME) compared to the Con and PM groups. The biomarker Lactobacillus, Coriobacteraceae, and Anaerofustis were enriched in the EXE group, while Desulfovibrionaceae, Mucispirillum schaedleri, Lactococcus and Anaeroplasma were highly enriched in the PM group. Differential abundance analysis revealed that Paraprevotella, Bacteroides, and Blautia were less abundant in the 12-week PM exposure group than in the 3-day PM exposure group. Moreover, both the 3-day and 12-week PM exposure groups exhibited a reduced relative abundance of Bacteroides uniformis, SMB53, and Staphylococcus compared to non-PM exposure groups. These findings will help delineate the possible roles and associations of altered microbiota resulting from the studied interventions, paving the way for future mechanistic research.

Preparation and performance of alumina/epoxy-siloxane composites: A comparative study on thermal- and photo-curing process.

Although epoxy-based composites that consist of inorganic fillers and matrixes are widely used in "conventional" electronic packaging applications due to their excellent insulation and robust properties, they limit their uses in "advanced electronic packaging" which requires enhanced thermal conductivity. However, conventional thermal curing methods for fabrication of epoxy-based composites do not fulfill sufficient thermal conductivity. Herein, we apply photo-induced curing strategy for fabricating alumina-incorporated epoxy-siloxane composites that consist of sol-gel derived siloxane matrix and bimodal sized alumina particles as a thermally conductive filler. We investigate how curing mechanism (thermal- or UV-curing) and varying the ratios of the alumina particles of two different sizes affect the various physical properties. It is found that photo-curing process makes greatly enhanced thermal conductivity, low thermal expansion, and high mechanical robustness compared to thermally-cured composites. As the results, we can achieve significantly enhanced thermal conductivity (>11 W/m K) with high thermal stability and mechanical robustness.

Synergistic Combination of Dual Clays in Multilayered Nanocomposites for Enhanced Flame Retardant Properties.

In an effort to reduce the flammability of synthetic polymeric materials such as cotton fabrics and polyurethane foam (PUF), hybrid nanocoatings are prepared by layer-by-layer assembly. Multilayered nanocomposites of a cationic polyelectrolyte, poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA), are paired with two kinds of clay nanoplatelets, montmorillonite (MMT) and vermiculite (VMT). The physical properties such as thickness and mass and thermal behaviors in clay-based nanocoatings with and without incorporation of tris buffer are compared to assess the effectiveness of amine salts on flame retardant (FR) performances. A PDDA-tris/VMT-MMT system, in which tris buffer is introduced into the cationic PDDA aqueous solution, produces a thicker and heavier coating. Three different systems, including PDDA/MMT, PDDA/VMT-MMT, and PDDA-tris/VMT-MMT, result in conformal coating, retaining the weave structure of the fabrics after being exposed to a vertical and horizontal flame test, while the uncoated sample is completely burned out. The synergistic effects of dual clay-based hybrid nanocoatings are greatly improved by adding amine salts. Cone calorimetry reveals that the PDDA-tris/VMT-MMT-coated PUF eliminates a second peak heat release rate and significantly reduces other FR performances, compared to those obtained from the clay-based multilayer films with no amine salts added. Ten bilayers of PDDA-tris/VMT-MMT (≈250 nm thick) maintain the shape of foam after exposure to a butane torch flame for 12 s. As for practical use of these nanocomposites in real fire disasters, spray-assisted PDDA-tris/VMT-MMT multilayers on woods exhibit high resistance over flammability. Improved fire resistance in PDDA-tris/VMT-MMT is believed to be due to the enhanced char yield through the addition of tris buffer that promotes the deposition of more clay particles while retaining a highly ordered deposition of a densely packed nanobrick wall structure. This work demonstrates the ability to impart significant fire resistance to synthetic polymer materials in a fully renewable nanocoating that uses environmentally benign chemistry.

Temporal variations in the gut microbial diversity in response to high-fat diet and exercise.

High-fat diet-induced obesity is a pandemic caused by an inactive lifestyle and increased consumption of Western diets and is a major risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. In contrast, exercise can positively influence gut microbial diversity and is linked to a decreased inflammatory state. To understand the gut microbial variations associated with exercise and high-fat diet over time, we conducted a longitudinal study to examine the effect of covariates on gut microbial diversity and composition. Young mice were divided into four groups: Chow-diet (CHD), high-fat diet (HFD), high-fat diet + exercise (HFX), and exercise only (EXE) and underwent experimental intervention for 12 weeks. Fecal samples at week 0 and 12 were collected for DNA extraction, followed by 16S library preparation and sequencing. Data were analyzed using QIIME 2, R and MicrobiomeAnalyst. The Bacteroidetes-to-Firmicutes ratio decreased fivefold in the HFD and HFX groups compared to that in the CHD and EXE groups and increased in the EXE group over time. Alpha diversity was significantly increased in the EXE group longitudinally (p < 0.02), whereas diversity (Shannon, Faith's PD, and Fisher) and richness (ACE) was significantly reduced in the HFD (p < 0.005) and HFX (p < 0.03) groups over time. Beta diversity, based on the Jaccard, Bray-Curtis, and unweighted UniFrac distance metrics, was significant among the groups. Prevotella, Paraprevotella, Candidatus arthromitus, Lactobacillus salivarius, L. reuteri, Roseburia, Bacteroides uniformis, Sutterella, and Corynebacterium were differentially abundant in the chow-diet groups (CHD and EXE). Exercise significantly reduced the proportion of taxa characteristic of a high-fat diet, including Butyricimonas, Ruminococcus gnavus, and Mucispirillum schaedleri. Diet, age, and exercise significantly contributed to explaining the bacterial community structure and diversity in the gut microbiota. Modulating the gut microbiota and maintaining its stability can lead to targeted microbiome therapies to manage chronic and recurrent diseases and infections.

Activity and safety of eltrombopag in combination with cyclosporin A as first­line treatment of adults with severe aplastic anaemia (SOAR): a phase 2, single-arm study.

BACKGROUND: Antithymocyte globulin (ATG)-based immunosuppression is standard in front-line treatment for people with severe aplastic anaemia without a histocompatible donor or who are 40 years or older. However, ATG requires in-hospital administration, is associated with infusion-related toxicities and has limited availability worldwide. In this study, we investigated the activity and safety of an ATG-free regimen of eltrombopag with cyclosporin A as a potential treatment for patients with severe aplastic anaemia who might not have access to or cannot tolerate horse-ATG. METHODS: SOAR was a multicentre, single-arm phase 2 trial investigating eltrombopag and cyclosporin in adult (≥18 years) patients with severe aplastic anaemia who were treatment-naive and had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of less than 2. Participants were recruited from 20 hospitals in ten countries. Eltrombopag was initiated at 150 mg (100 mg in patients of Asian ethnicity) and cyclosporin at 10 mg/kg per day (adjusted to a trough of 200-400 µg/L) orally from day 1 to 6 months. The primary outcome was an overall haematological response rate by 6 months in the intention-to-treat population. This is the final report of the primary analysis period. The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02998645, and has been completed. FINDINGS: 54 patients were enrolled between May 11, 2017, and March 23, 2020. 34 (63%) patients were male and 20 (37%) were female. 22 (41%) were Asian, 22 (41%) were White, one (2%) was Native American or Alaska Native, one (2%) was Black or African American, and eight (15%) were other race or ethnicity. 35 patients (65%) completed 6 months of treatment with eltrombopag and cyclosporin and six (11%) completed the cyclosporin tapering period up to month 24. Overall haematological response rate by month 6 of treatment was 46% (25 of 54; 95% CI 33-60). The most reported adverse events were increased serum bilirubin (in 22 patients [41%]), nausea (16 [30%]), increased alanine aminotransferase concentration (12 [22%]), and diarrhoea (12 [22%]). Eight patients died on-treatment, but no deaths were considered related to the treatment. INTERPRETATION: Eltrombopag and cyclosporin was active as front-line treatment of severe aplastic anaemia, with no unexpected safety concerns. This approach might be beneficial where horse-ATG is not available or not tolerated. FUNDING: Novartis Pharmaceuticals.

Effects of Particulate Matter Inhalation during Exercise on Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Function in Mouse Skeletal Muscle.

Particulate matter (PM) has deleterious consequences not only on the respiratory system but also on essential human organs, such as the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and liver. However, the effects of PM inhalation on skeletal muscles have yet to be sufficiently elucidated. Female C57BL/6 or mt-Keima transgenic mice were randomly assigned to one of the following four groups: control (CON), PM exposure alone (PM), treadmill exercise (EX), or PM exposure and exercise (PME). Mice in the three-treatment group were subjected to treadmill running (20 m/min, 90 min/day for 1 week) and/or exposure to PM (100 µg/m3). The PM was found to exacerbate oxidative stress and inflammation, both at rest and during exercise, as assessed by the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, manganese-superoxide dismutase activity, and the glutathione/oxidized glutathione ratio. Furthermore, we detected significant increases in the levels of in vivo mitophagy, particularly in the PM group. Compared with the EX group, a significant reduction in the level of mitochondrial DNA was recorded in the PME group. Moreover, PM resulted in a reduction in cytochrome c oxidase activity and an increase in hydrogen peroxide generation. However, exposure to PM had no significant effect on mitochondrial respiration. Collectively, our findings in this study indicate that PM has adverse effects concerning both oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in skeletal muscle and mitochondria, both at rest and during exercise.

Tetragonally Packed Inverted Cylindrical Microdomains from Binary Block Copolymer Blends with Enhanced Hydrogen Bonding.

Hexagonally packed (HEX) cylindrical microdomains can be obtained through the self-assembly of block copolymers (BCPs) with a moderately asymmetric volume fraction of one block (f), resulting in the formation of minor cylinders. However, for next-generation lithography and high-density memory devices, it is desirable to obtain densely and tetragonally packed inverted cylindrical microdomains, which are composed of the major block in the minor matrix. The inverted cylinders differ from conventional HEX cylinders, which consist of the minor block in the matrix of the major block. In this study, we achieved this objective by utilizing a binary blend of a polystyrene-b-poly(4-vinylpyridine) copolymer (S4VP) and polystyrene-b-poly(4-hydroxystyrene) copolymer (SHS), where the P4VP block exhibited a strong hydrogen bonding interaction with the PHS block. By carefully controlling the molecular weight ratio of S4VP and SHS as well as the blend composition, we successfully observed tetragonally packed inverted PS cylinders with a square cross-section at a volume fraction of PS of 0.69.

New Ternary Blend Strategy Based on a Vertically Self-Assembled Passivation Layer Enabling Efficient and Photostable Inverted Organic Solar Cells.

Herein, a new ternary strategy to fabricate efficient and photostable inverted organic photovoltaics (OPVs) is introduced by combining a bulk heterojunction (BHJ) blend and a fullerene self-assembled monolayer (C60 -SAM). Time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry - analysis reveals that the ternary blend is vertically phase separated with the C60 -SAM at the bottom and the BHJ on top. The average power conversion efficiency - of OPVs based on the ternary system is improved from 14.9% to 15.6% by C60 -SAM addition, mostly due to increased current density (Jsc ) and fill factor -. It is found that the C60 -SAM encourages the BHJ to make more face-on molecular orientation because grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering - data show an increased face-on/edge-on orientation ratio in the ternary blend. Light-intensity dependent Jsc data and charge carrier lifetime analysis indicate suppressed bimolecular recombination and a longer charge carrier lifetime in the ternary system, resulting in the enhancement of OPV performance. Moreover, it is demonstrated that device photostability in the ternary blend is enhanced due to the vertically self-assembled C60 -SAM that successfully passivates the ZnO surface and protects BHJ layer from the UV-induced photocatalytic reactions of the ZnO. These results suggest a new perspective to improve both performance and photostability of OPVs using a facial ternary method.

Organic Thermoelectric Nanocomposites Assembled via Spraying Layer-by-Layer Method.

Thermoelectric (TE) materials have been considered as a promising energy harvesting technology for sustainably providing power to electronic devices. In particular, organic-based TE materials that consist of conducting polymers and carbon nanofillers make a large variety of applications. In this work, we develop organic TE nanocomposites via successive spraying of intrinsically conductive polymers such as polyaniline (PANi) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxy- thiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and carbon nanofillers, and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT). It is found that the growth rate of the layer-by-layer (LbL) thin films, which comprise a PANi/SWNT-PEDOT:PSS repeating sequence, made by the spraying method is greater than that of the same ones assembled by traditional dip coating. The surface structure of multilayer thin films constructed by the spraying approach show excellent coverage of highly networked individual and bundled SWNT, which is similarly to what is observed when carbon nanotubes-based LbL assemblies are formed by classic dipping. The multilayer thin films via the spray-assisted LbL process exhibit significantly improved TE performances. A 20-bilayer PANi/SWNT-PEDOT:PSS thin film (~90 nm thick) yields an electrical conductivity of 14.3 S/cm and Seebeck coefficient of 76 µV/K. These two values translate to a power factor of 8.2 µW/m·K2, which is 9 times as large as the same films fabricated by a classic immersion process. We believe that this LbL spraying method will open up many opportunities in developing multifunctional thin films for large-scaled industrial use due to rapid processing and the ease with which it is applied.

Clinical Significance of bZIP In-Frame CEBPA-Mutated Normal Karyotype Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the characteristics of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (CEBPA) mutations and the significance of a basic leucine zipper in-frame mutation (bZIPin-f) of CEBPA in patients with acute myeloid leukemia with a normal karyotype. Materials and Methods: Based on updated knowledge of CEBPA mutations, we conducted next-generation sequencing analyses in a previously established real-world cohort. RESULTS: Among 78 of a total of 395 patients (19.7%), 50 had bZIPin-f CEBPA, and 28 had non-bZIPin-f CEBPA. In the multivariate analysis, patients with NPM1mut, those with bZIPin-f CEBPA, and those who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) had favorable overall survival (OS), but FLT3-ITDmut was a poor prognostic indicator. For relapse-free survival (RFS) and cumulative incidence of relapse, bZIPin-f CEBPA, and allo-HCT were associated with favorable outcomes; FLT3-ITDpos was associated with worse outcomes. In the CEBPA double-mutated group (CEBPAdm), bZIPin-f CEBPA was associated with superior outcomes in terms of OS (p=0.007) and RFS (p=0.007) compared with non-bZIPin-f CEBPA. Of 50 patients with bZIPin-f CEBPA, 36 patients had at least one mutation. When grouped by the presence of mutations in chromatic/DNA modifiers (C), cohesion complex (C), and splicing genes (S) (CCS mutations), CCS-mutated bZIPin-f CEBPA was associated with poor OS (p=0.044; hazard ratio [HR], 2.419) and a trend in inferior RFS (p=0.186; HR, 1.838). CONCLUSION: Only bZIPin-f CEBPA was associated with favorable outcomes in patients with CEBPAdm. However, some mutations accompanying bZIPin-f CEBPA showed inferior OS; thus, further studies with larger numbers of patients are required for clear conclusions of the significance of bZIPin-f CEBPA.

Facile Fabrication of Titanium Nitride Nanoring Broad-Band Absorbers in the Visible to Near-Infrared by Shadow Sphere Lithography.

Plasmonic broad-band absorbers have received much attention because of their high absorption and potential applications for light-absorbing devices such as thermophotovoltaics, solar energy harvesting, and thermal emitters. However, the fabrication of complex structures in a large area and thermostability remains a great challenge. Here, we report a titanium nitride nanoring broad-band absorber that has over 95% average absorption in the visible and near-infrared regions (400-900 nm). Nanoring structures in a large area (inch2) are fabricated by shadow sphere lithography, which can innovatively increase fabrication efficiency. The nanoring absorber showed over 2.3 times higher-temperature increases than flat film under the irradiation of light. These large-scale and broad-band absorbers have potential applications for solar energy conversion devices such as thermophotovoltaics and photothermal devices.

Triboelectric Nanogenerators: Enhancing Performance by Increasing the Charge-Generating Layer Compressibility.

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have received significant attention for next-generation wearable electronics due to their simple device structure and low cost. Although the performance of TENGs is intimately tied to compressibility effects in the charge-generating layer, achieving high compressibility with conventional elastomers is challenging because molecular entanglements place a lower bound on the softness of cross-linked networks. Here, we demonstrate that bottlebrush elastomers are efficient charge-generating layers that improve the output performance of TENGs, including voltage, current, and surface potential, by minimizing entanglements and decreasing the compressive modulus (E). For example, a cross-linked bottlebrush with poly(dimethylsiloxane) side chains yielded TENGs with an output voltage (120 V) more than two times larger than a linear PDMS network (55 V). In conclusion, this study highlights the advantage of designing new charge-generating layers with improved compressibility to enhance TENG performance.

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation can overcome the adverse prognosis indicated by secondary-type mutations in de novo acute myeloid leukemia.

Secondary-type mutations (STMs), namely SRSF2, SF3B1, U2AF1, ZRSR2, ASXL1, EZH2, BCOR, and STAG2, are more frequently detected in secondary acute myeloid leukemia (AML) than in de novo AML. Whether de novo AML with STMs should be differently managed is, however, unclear. In 394 patients diagnosed with de novo AML who had a normal karyotype, the genetic profiling via targeted deep sequencing of 45 genes revealed 59 patients carrying STMs (STM+). The STM+ group showed shorter overall survival (OS) than the STM- group (5-year OS, 15.3 vs. 31.0%) (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.975, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.446-2.699, p < 0.001). Among the 40 STM+ patients who achieved CR, those who received allogeneic HCT (n = 15) showed better OS (5-year OS, 40.0 vs. 12.0%) (HR: 0.423, 95% CI: 0.184-0.975, p = 0.043) and relapse-free survival (5-year, 40.0 vs. 8.0%) (HR: 0.438, 95% CI: 0.189-1.015, p = 0.054) than those who received consolidation chemotherapy only. The cumulative incidence of relapse was lower in the patients who received allogeneic HCT (5-year, 33.3 vs. 60.0%) (HR: 0.288, 95% CI: 0.111-0.746, p = 0.011), and non-relapse mortality was similar between the two groups (p = 0.935). In conclusion, STM is an independent prognostic factor for adverse outcomes in AML that can be overcome by allogeneic HCT.

Self-assembled pagoda-like nanostructure-induced vertically stacked split-ring resonators for polarization-sensitive dichroic responses.

Stacked split-ring resonators (SSRR) arrays exhibiting polarization-sensitive dichroic responses in both visible and near-infrared wavelengths are realized over a centimeter-scale large area. The SSRR arrays are derived from pagoda-like nanorods fabricated from the self-assembly of a lamellae-forming polystyrene-b-poly (methyl methacrylate) copolymer (PS-b-PMMA) confined in cylindrical pores of anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) template. Along the nanorod direction, PS and PMMA nanodomains were alternately stacked with the same distance. Silver crescents and semi-hemispherical covers, which are essential for SSRR with the polarization sensitivity, were obliquely deposited on the single side of the nanorod after removing the AAO template and reactive-ion etching treatment. These sophisticated nanoscale architectures made by bottom-up fabrication can be applied to structural color, optical anti-counterfeiting, and commercial optical components in a large area.

Early diagnosis of Gaucher disease in Korean patients with unexplained splenomegaly: a multicenter observational study.

Background: Gaucher disease (GD) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by excessive accumulation of glucosylceramide in multiple organs. This study was performed to determine the detection rate of GD in a selected patient population with unexplained splenomegaly in Korea. Methods: This was a multicenter, observational study conducted at 18 sites in Korea between December 2016 and February 2020. Adult patients with unexplained splenomegaly were enrolled and tested for ß-glucosidase enzyme activity on dried blood spots (DBS) and in peripheral blood leukocytes. Mutation analysis was performed if the test was positive or indeterminate for the enzyme assay. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients with GD in patients with unexplained splenomegaly. Results: A total of 352 patients were enrolled in this study (male patients, 199; mean age, 48.42 yr). Amongst them, 14.77% of patients had concomitant hepatomegaly. The most common sign related to GD was splenomegaly (100%), followed by thrombocytopenia (44.32%) and, anemia (40.91%). The ß-glucosidase activity assay on DBS and peripheral leukocytes showed abnormal results in sixteen and six patients, respectively. Eight patients were tested for the mutation, seven of whom were negative and one patient showed a positive mutation analysis result. One female patient who presented with splenomegaly and thrombocytopenia was diagnosed with type 1 GD. The detection rate of GD was 0.2841% (exact 95% CI, 0.0072‒1.5726). Conclusion: The detection rate of GD in probable high-risk patients in Korea was lower than expected. However, the role of hemato-oncologists is still important in the diagnosis of GD.

Siloxane Hybrid Material-Encapsulated Highly Robust Flexible µLEDs for Biocompatible Lighting Applications.

Flexible micro-light-emitting diodes (f-µLEDs) have been regarded as an attractive light source for the next-generation human-machine interfaces, thanks to their noticeable optoelectronic performances. However, when it comes to their practical utilizations fulfilling industrial standards, there have been unsolved reliability and durability issues of the f-µLEDs, despite previous developments in the high-performance f-µLEDs for various applications. Herein, highly robust flexible µLEDs (f-HµLEDs) with 20 × 20 arrays, which are realized by a siloxane-based organic-inorganic hybrid material (SHM), are reported. The f-HµLEDs are created by combining the f-µLED fabrication process with SHM synthesis procedures (i.e., sol-gel reaction and successive photocuring). The outstanding mechanical, thermal, and environmental stabilities of our f-HµLEDs are confirmed by a host of experimental and theoretical examinations, including a bending fatigue test (105 bending/unbending cycles), a lifetime accelerated stress test (85 °C and 85% relative humidity), and finite element method simulations. Eventually, to demonstrate the potential of our f-HµLEDs for practical applications of flexible displays and/or biomedical devices, their white light emission due to quantum dot-based color conversion of blue light emitted by GaN-based f-HµLEDs is demonstrated, and the biocompatibility of our f-HµLEDs is confirmed via cytotoxicity and cell proliferation tests with muscle, bone, and neuron cell lines. As far as we can tell, this work is the first demonstration of the flexible µLED encapsulation platform based on the SHM, which proved its mechanical, thermal, and environmental stabilities and biocompatibility, enabling us to envisage biomedical and/or flexible display applications using our f-HµLEDs.

Diet Is a Stronger Covariate than Exercise in Determining Gut Microbial Richness and Diversity.

Obesity is a common metabolic disorder caused by a sedentary lifestyle, and a high-fat and a high-glucose diet in the form of fast foods. High-fat diet-induced obesity is a major cause of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, whereas exercise and physical activity can ameliorate these disorders. Moreover, exercise and the gut microbiota are known to be interconnected, since exercise can increase the gut microbial diversity and contribute to the beneficial health effects. In this context, we analyzed the effect of diet and exercise on the gut microbiota of mice, by next-generation sequencing of the bacterial V4 region of 16S rRNA. Briefly, mice were divided into four groups: chow-diet (CD), high-fat diet (HFD), high-fat diet + exercise (HFX), and exercise-only (EX). The mice underwent treadmill exercise and diet intervention for 8 weeks, followed by the collection of their feces and DNA extraction for sequencing. The data were analyzed using the QIIME 2 bioinformatics platform and R software to assess their gut microbial composition, richness, and diversity. The Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes ratio was found to be decreased manifold in the HFD and HFX groups compared to the CD and EX groups. The gut microbial richness was comparatively lower in the HFD and HFX groups and higher in the CD and EX groups (ACE, Chao1, and observed OTUs). However, the Shannon alpha diversity index was higher in the HFD and HFX groups than in the CD and EX groups. The beta diversity based on Jaccard, Bray-Curtis, and weighted UniFrac distance metrics was significant among the groups, as measured by PERMANOVA. Paraprevotella, Desulfovibrio, and Lactococcus were the differentially abundant/present genera based on the intervention groups and in addition to these three bacteria, Butyricimonas and Desulfovibrio C21c20 were differentially abundant/present based on diet. Hence, diet significantly contributed to the majority of the changes in the gut microbiota.