Changes in the gut microbiome of patients with esophageal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis based on 16S gene sequencing technology.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal cancer (EC) possesses a high degree of malignancy and exhibits poor therapeutic outcomes and prognosis. However, its pathogenesis remains unclear. With the development of macrogene sequencing technology, changes in the intestinal flora have been found to be highly related to the development of EC, although discrepancies and controversies remain in this research area. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We comprehensively searched the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane's Central Controlled Trials Register and the Scientific Network's database search projects based on systematically reviewed preferred reporting projects and meta-analyses. We used Engauge Digitizer for data extraction and Stata 15.1 for data analysis. In addition, we used the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for grade grading and forest and funnel plots, sensitivity, and Egger and Beggar tests to evaluate the risk of bias. RESULTS: This study included 10 studies that assessed stool, tumor, and nontumor esophageal mucosa (gastroscopy and surgical resection) samples from 527 individuals, including 273 patients with EC and 254 healthy control group. We observed remarkable differences in microbial diversity in EC patients compared to healthy controls. The Chao1 index (46.01 vs. 42.67) was significantly increased in EC patients, whereas the Shannon index (14.90 vs. 19.05), ACE (39.24 vs. 58.47), and OTUs(28.93 vs. 70.10) were significantly lower. At the phylum level, the abundance of Bacteroidetes (37.89 vs. 32.77) increased significantly, whereas that of Firmicutes (37.63 vs. 38.72) decreased significantly; the abundance of Clostridium and Verruciformis increased, while that of Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria decreased to varying degrees. The abundance of Bacteroides (8.60 vs. 15.10) and Streptococcaceae (15.08 vs. 27.05) significantly reduced in EC. CONCLUSIONS: According to our meta-analysis, in patients with EC, the Chao1 index increased, whereas the Shannon and the OTUs decreased. At the phylum level, the abundance of Firmicutes decreased significantly, whereas that of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria increased significantly. At the genus/family level, the abundance of Bacteroidaceae, Prevotellaceae and Streptococcaceae decreased significantly, whereas that of Veillonellaceae increased. This meta-analysis identified changes in gut microbiota in patients with EC; however, its conclusions were inconsistent.

Urban greenspace types and climate factors jointly drive the microbial community structure and co-occurrence network.

The benefits of urban green space are socially widely recognized as a direct link between plant-microbe interactions and the maintenance of biodiversity, community stability, and ecosystem functioning. Nevertheless, there is a lack of knowledge about the factors influencing microbial communities in urban green spaces, especially those related to phyllosphere epiphytes and stem epiphytes. In this study, we analyzed the microbial community assembly in leaf and stem bark samples collected from Square, Road, Campus, and Park. Illumina sequecing of 16S amplicons was performed to characterize microbial diversity and composition. The α-diversity was significantly higher in the bark epiphytic community, compared to the phyllosphere. Moreover, urban greenspaces'type altered the way communities gathered. The main soil and air properties factors of the urban greenhouse (e.g. soil temperature, atmospheric moisture, air temperature) were shaping the characteristics of bacterial communities on the leaf surface and bark epiphytic. In addition, in the co-occurrence network analysis, keystone taxa were not mostly observed in abundant species, which may be necessary to maintain ecosystem functions. Finally, our findings provide a deeper understanding of the ecological dynamics and microbial interactions within plant phyllosphere and stem epiphytes microbiomes.

[Molecular tracing of Biomphalaria straminea in China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the origin of Biomphalaria straminea in China, so as to provide insights into assessment of schistosomiasis mansoni transmission risk and B. straminea control. METHODS: Guanlan River, Dasha River, Shenzhen Reservoir, upper and lower reaches of Kuiyong River, and Xinzhen River in Shenzhen, China, were selected as sampling sites. Ten Biomphalaria samples were collected from each site, and genomic DNA was extracted from Biomphalaria samples. DNA samples were obtained from 15 B. straminea sampled from 5 sampling sites in Minas Gerais State, Pará State, Federal District, Pernambuco State, and Sao Paulo State in Brazil, South America. Cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) and mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) genes were sampled using the above DNA templates, and the amplified products were sequenced. The COI and 16S rRNA gene sequences were downloaded from GenBank, and the sampling sites were acquired. All COI and 16S rRNA gene sequences were aligned and evolutionary trees of B. straminea were created based on COI and 16S rRNA gene sequences to identify the genetic similarity and evolutionary relationship between B. straminea samples from China and South America. RESULTS: A total of 60 COI gene sequences with a length of 529 bp and 3 haplotypes were obtained from B. straminea sampled from China. There were 165 COI gene sequences of B. straminea retrieved from GenBank, and following alignment with the above 60 gene sequences, a total of 33 haplotypes were obtained. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the three haplotypes of B. straminea from China were clustered into one clade, among which the haplotype China11 and three B. straminea samples from Brazil retrieved from GenBank belonged to the same haplotype. Geographical evolution analysis showed that the B. straminea samples from three sampling sites along eastern coasts of Brazil had the same haplotype with China11, and B. straminea samples from other two sampling sites were closely, genetically related to China11. A total of 60 16S rDNA gene sequences with approximately 322 bp in length were amplified from B. straminea in China, with 2 haplotypes identified. A total of 70 16S rDNA gene sequences of B. straminea were captured from GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Biomphalaria snails collected from China were clustered into a clade, and the haplotype China64 and the haplotype 229BS from Brazil shared the same haplotype. The 49 16S rDNA gene sequences of B. straminea from 25 sampling sites in southern Brazil, which were captured from GenBank, were included in the present analysis, and the B. straminea from 3 sampling sites shared the same haplotype with China64 in China. Geographical evolution analysis based on COI and 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that B. straminea sampled from eastern coastal areas of Brazil shared the same haplotypes in two gene fragment sequences with Biomphalaria snails collected from China. CONCLUSIONS: The Biomphalaria snails in China are characterized as B. straminea, which have a low genetic diversity. The Biomphalaria snails in China have a high genetic similarity with B. straminea sampled from eastern coastal areas of Brazil, which may have originated from the eastern coastal areas of Brazil.

Vaginal microbiome dysbiosis as a novel noninvasive biomarker for detection of chronic endometritis in infertile women.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the vaginal microbial signature in women with chronic endometritis (CE) and investigate the potential of vaginal microbiome characterization as a novel diagnostic tools for CE. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted to compare the characteristics of the vaginal microbiome in 98 women who underwent endometrial biopsy for routine clinical inspection of infertility (49 women diagnosed with CE and 49 with non-CE). The vaginal microbiome was analyzed using 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon sequencing. The study included an analysis of diversity, bacterial abundance, and microbial function. In addition, microbial markers were identified, and a CE classifier was developed. RESULTS: The relative abundances of genera, including Bifidobacterium, Prevotella and Gardnerella, were found to be different between the two groups. Analysis of the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways reported differential expression in metabolism-related pathways in the two groups. We identified four microbial markers of CE (Enterobacter, Prevotella, Faecalibacterium, and Phascolarctobacterium) and developed a predictive classifier for diagnosing CE, achieving an area under the curve of 83.26%. CONCLUSION: The results of the current study revealed that, compared with the non-CE controls, patients with CE have a different vaginal microbiota, highlighting the diagnostic significance of the vaginal microbiome as a promising noninvasive biomarker in detecting CE.

Prosthetic valve infective endocarditis caused by Cutibacterium modestum: a case report.

Background: While Cutibacterium acnes is well known for its potential to cause acne vulgaris, postsurgical infections, and other human infections, few reports have described Cutibacterium modestum infections. Thus, the clinical characteristics of C. modestum as an infectious disease are not well understood. Herein, we describe the characteristics of a case of prosthetic valve infective endocarditis caused by C. modestum. Case summary: An 81-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with fever, general fatigue, and appetite loss. His past medical history included aortic valve replacement surgery and coronary artery bypass grafting for aortic valve stenosis and angina pectoris. Physical examination on admission revealed a body temperature of 39.0°C, blood pressure of 97/68 mmHg, and pulse rate of 101 b.p.m. Transthoracic echocardiography showed no prosthetic valve destruction or malfunction or obvious vegetation adhesion to the prosthetic or other valves. Bacteria initially identified as C. acnes were detected in two sets of anaerobic blood culture bottles collected upon admission. However, as the samples required 111 and 118 h to become blood culture-positive, the possibility of contaminating bacteria was high. Transoesophageal echocardiography revealed vegetation in the artificial valve. Repeated blood culture revealed the same bacteria; thus, contamination was ruled out, and the diagnosis of infective endocarditis was confirmed. Finally, 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing identified the detected bacteria as C. modestum rather than C. acnes. Discussion: Including this case, only two cases of prosthetic valve infective endocarditis caused by C. modestum have been reported, the characteristics of which are still poorly understood.

[Bacterial community diversity in human Demodex mites].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the bacterial community diversity in human Demodex mites, so as to provide insights into unraveling the role of human Demodex mites in them caused infectious diseases. METHODS: From June to July 2023, Demodex mites were collected from the faces of college students in a university in Wuhu City using the adhesive tape method, and the V4 region of 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene of nuclear ribosomal DNA were amplified on an Illumina PE250 high-throughput sequencing platform. Sequencing data were spliced according to the overlapping relations and filtered to yield effective sequences, and operational taxonomic units (OTUs) was clustered. The diversity index of obtained OUTs was analyzed, and the structure of the bacterial community was analyzed at various taxonomic levels. RESULTS: A total of 57 483 valid sequences were obtained using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and 159 OUTs were classified according to similarity. Then, OUTs at a 97% similarity were included for taxonomic analyses, and the bacteria in Demodex mites belonged to 14 phyla, 20 classes, 51 orders, 72 families, and 94 genera. Proteobacteria was the dominant phylum, and Vibrio, Bradyrhizobium and Variovorax were dominant genera. A total of 56 362 valid sequences were obtained using ITS gene sequencing, and 147 OTUs were obtained, which belonged to 5 phyla, 17 classes, 34 orders, 68 families, and 93 genera and were annotated to Ascomycota, Basidiomycota and Chytridiomycota, with Ascomycota as the dominant phylum, and Alternaria alternata, Epicoccum, Penicillium, and Sarocladium as dominant genera. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high diversity in the composition of bacterial communities in human Demodex mites, with multiple types of microorganisms and high species abundance.

Exploring the gut microbiota-hippocampus-metabolites axis dysregulation in sepsis mice.

Background: Sepsis is commonly associated with a sudden impairment of brain function, thus leading to significant rates of illness and mortality. The objective of this research was to integrate microbiome and metabolome to reveal the mechanism of microbiota-hippocampus-metabolites axis dysfunction in a mouse model of sepsis. Methods: A mouse model of sepsis was established via cecal ligation and puncture. The potential associations between the composition of the gut microbiota and metabolites in the hippocampus of mice with sepsis were investigated by combining 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Results: A total of 140 differential metabolites were identified in the hippocampal tissues of mice with sepsis when compared to those of control mice. These differential metabolites in mice with sepsis were not only associated with autophagy and serotonergic synapse, but also involved in the metabolism and synthesis of numerous amino acids. At the phylum level, the abundance of Bacteroidota was increased, while that of Firmicutes (Bacillota) was decreased in mice with sepsis. At the genus level, the abundance of Alistipes was increased, while that of Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group was decreased in mice with sepsis. The Firmicutes (Bacillota)/Bacteroidota (F/B) ratio was decreased in mice with sepsis when compared to that of control mice. Furthermore, the F/B ratio was positively correlated with 5'-methylthioadenosine, PC (18:3(9Z,12Z,15Z)/18:0) and curdione, and negatively correlated with indoxylsulfuric acid, corticosterone, kynurenine and ornithine. Conclusion: Analysis revealed a reduction in the F/B ratio in mice with sepsis, thus contributing to the disturbance of 5'-methylthioadenosine, curdione, PC (18:3(9Z,12Z,15Z)/18:0), corticosterone, ornithine, indoxylsulfuric acid and kynurenine; eventually, these changes led to hippocampus dysfunction. Our findings provide a new direction for the management of sepsis-induced hippocampus dysfunction.

Perturbations in gut microbiota composition in osteoporosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Osteoporosis (OP) is a chronic bone metabolic disease, which causes a great social and economic burden. The gut microbiota (GM) has become a recent topic of interest in the role of many disease states. Changes in the GM are correlated with the maintenance of bone mass and bone quality. However, research results in this field remain highly controversial. We performed a mate-analysis to explore and compare the alterations of GM in OP patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), we comprehensively searched the databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP, CBM, and Wanfang. In addition, we applied the Stata 17.0 software for data analysis. Bias controls were evaluated with the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS), funnel plot analysis, and Egger's and Begg's tests. RESULTS: This research ultimately considered 16 studies, which included the fecal GM data of 2340 people (664 with OP and 1676 healthy controls). The pooled estimate showed an increase of borderline significance on ACE index in patients with OP compared with control participants (SMD = 1.05; 95% CI 0.00-2.10; P = 0.05). There were no significant differences in Chao1, Shannon and Simpson indices. At the phylum level, no significant differences were observed between the OP patients and HCs in the overall analysis. At the genus level, the relative abundance of Blautia presented a decrease of borderline significance between OP and the control group (SMD = - 0.32, 95% CI - 0.65 to - 0.00, P = 0.05). CONCLUSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that patients with OP may exhibit dysbiosis in their gut microbiota, characterized by a reduction in certain anti-inflammatory butyrate-producing bacteria and an enrichment of pro-inflammatory bacterial populations.

A comparison between full-length 16S rRNA Oxford nanopore sequencing and Illumina V3-V4 16S rRNA sequencing in head and neck cancer tissues.

Describing the microbial community within the tumour has been a key aspect in understanding the pathophysiology of the tumour microenvironment. In head and neck cancer (HNC), most studies on tissue samples have only performed 16S rRNA short-read sequencing (SRS) on V3-V5 region. SRS is mostly limited to genus level identification. In this study, we compared full-length 16S rRNA long-read sequencing (FL-ONT) from Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) to V3-V4 Illumina SRS (V3V4-Illumina) in 26 HNC tumour tissues. Further validation was also performed using culture-based methods in 16 bacterial isolates obtained from 4 patients using MALDI-TOF MS. We observed similar alpha diversity indexes between FL-ONT and V3V4-Illumina. However, beta-diversity was significantly different between techniques (PERMANOVA - R2 = 0.131, p < 0.0001). At higher taxonomic levels (Phylum to Family), all metrics were more similar among sequencing techniques, while lower taxonomy displayed more discrepancies. At higher taxonomic levels, correlation in relative abundance from FL-ONT and V3V4-Illumina were higher, while this correlation decreased at lower levels. Finally, FL-ONT was able to identify more isolates at the species level that were identified using MALDI-TOF MS (75% vs. 18.8%). FL-ONT was able to identify lower taxonomic levels at a better resolution as compared to V3V4-Illumina 16S rRNA sequencing.

Unveiling the gut microbiota and metabolite profiles in guinea pigs with form deprivation myopia through 16S rRNA gene sequencing and untargeted metabolomics.

Aim: The aim of this study was to confirm the presence of the form deprivation myopia (FDM) guinea pig eye-gut axis and investigate the relationship between serum vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), lipopolysaccharides (LPS), specific gut microbiota and their metabolites. Method: 20 specific-pathogen-free (SPF) guinea pigs were divided into the FDM and the control(Con) group. Following model induction, serum levels of VIP and LPS were quantified. A combination of 16S ribosomal ribosomal Ribonucleic Acid (rRNA) gene sequencing, non-targeted metabolomics and bioinformatics analysis were employed to identify disparities in gut microbiota and metabolites between the two groups of guinea pigs. Result: Compared to the control group, FDM guinea pigs exhibited a significant trend towards myopia, along with significantly elevated concentrations of LPS and VIP (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, Ruminococcus_albus emerged as the predominant bacterial community enriched in FDM (p < 0.05), and demonstrated positive correlations with 10 metabolites, including l-Glutamic acid, Additionally, Ruminococcus_albus exhibited positive correlations with VIP and LPS levels (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The findings suggest that the Ruminococcus_Albus and glutamate metabolic pathways play a significant role in myopia development, leading to concurrent alterations in serum VIP and LPS levels in FDM guinea pigs. This underscores the potential of specific gut microbiota and their metabolites as pivotal biomarkers involved in the pathogenesis of myopia.

Successful Treatment of Disseminated Nocardiosis by Rapid Identification of the Organism via Genetic Analysis in a Leukemia Patient Undergoing Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Nocardia infections have been reported to occur in immunocompromised patients. Early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention are especially important for disseminated nocardiosis because of its high mortality rate. A case of disseminated nocardiosis after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, which was promptly treated after identification of the organism by genetic analysis, is presented. A 43-year-old man was diagnosed with T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia and underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Subsequently, during long-term prednisolone administration for chronic graft-versus-host disease, he developed mass lesions throughout his body at 1033 days after transplantation. Pus culture and genetic testing of the parotid mass showed Nocardia farcinica, which improved with treatment with sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, and imipenem cilastatin, and there has been no recurrence. When multiple mass lesions occur after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and the diagnosis is difficult, disseminated nocardiosis should be included in the differential diagnosis, and appropriate laboratory testing and treatment should be performed.

Distinctive subgingival microbial signatures in older adults with different levels of cognitive function.

AIM: To examine association between subgingival microbial signatures and levels of cognitive impairment in older adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analysed subgingival plaque samples and 16S ribosomal RNA sequences for microbiota among 165 participants (normal controls [NCs]: 40, subjective cognitive decline [SCD]: 40, mild cognitive impairment [MCI]: 49 and dementia: 36). RESULTS: The bacterial richness was lower among individuals with worse cognitive function, and subgingival microbial communities differed significantly among the four groups. Declining cognitive function was associated with decreasing relative abundance of genera Capnocytophaga, Saccharibacteria_genera_incertae_sedis, Lautropia and Granulicatella, and increasing abundance of genus Porphyromonas. Moreover, there were differentially abundant genera among the groups. Random forest model based on subgingival microbiota could distinguish between cognitive impairment and NC (AUC = 0.933, 95% confidence interval 0.873-0.992). Significant correlations were observed between oral microbiota and sex, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score and Mini-Mental State Examination score. Partial correlation analysis showed that Leptotrichia and Burkholderia were closely negatively associated with the MoCA score after adjusting for multiple covariates. Gene function was not significantly different between SCD and NC groups, whereas three homozygous genes were altered in MCI patients and two in dementia patients. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to demonstrate an association between the composition, function and metabolic pathways of subgingival microbiota and different levels of cognitive function among older individuals. Future cohort studies should assess its diagnostic usefulness for cognitive impairment.

Bt-Modified Transgenic Rice May Shift the Composition and Diversity of Rhizosphere Microbiota.

Plants significantly shape root-associated microbiota, making rhizosphere microbes useful environmental indicator organisms for safety assessment. Here, we report the pyrosequencing of the bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA in rhizosphere soil samples collected from transgenic cry1Ab/cry1Ac Bt rice Huahui No. 1 (GM crop) and its parental counterpart, Minghui63. We identified a total of 2579 quantifiable bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Many treatment-enriched microbial OTUs were identified, including 14 NonGM-enriched OTUs and 10 GM-enriched OTUs. OTUs belonging to the phyla Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, Firmicutes, Nitrospirae, Chlorobi and GN04 were identified as statistically different in abundance between GM and the other two treatments. Compared with the different impacts of different rice varieties on microbiota, the impact of rice planting on microbiota is more obvious. Furthermore, Huahui No. 1 transgenic Bt rice had a greater impact on the rhizosphere bacterial communities than Minghui63. Early developmental stages of the transgenic Bt rice had a significant impact on many Bacillaceae communities. Soil chemical properties were not significantly altered by the presence of transgenic Bt rice. The peak concentration level of Bt protein products was detected during the seedling stage of transgenic Bt rice, which may be an intriguing factor for bacterial diversity variations. Based on these findings, we conclude that transgenic Bt rice has a significant impact on root-associated bacteria. This information may be leveraged in future environmental safety assessments of transgenic Bt rice varieties.

Can oral microbiome predict low birth weight infant delivery?

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify the oral microbiota factors contributing to low birth weight (LBW) in Chinese pregnant women and develop a prediction model using machine learning. METHODS: A nested case-control study was conducted in a prospective cohort of 580 Chinese pregnant women, with 23 LBW cases and 23 healthy delivery controls matched for age and smoking habit. Saliva samples were collected at early and late pregnancy, and microbiome profiles were analyzed through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. RESULTS: The relative abundance of Streptococcus was over-represented (median 0.259 vs. 0.116) and Saccharibacteria_TM7 was under-represented (median 0.033 vs. 0.068) in the LBW case group than in controls (p < 0.001, p = 0.015 respectively). Ten species were identified as microbiome biomarkers of LBW by LEfSe analysis, which included 7 species within the genus of Streptococcus or as part of 'nutritionally variant streptococci' (NVS), 2 species of opportunistic pathogen Leptotrichia buccalis and Gemella sanguinis (all LDA score>3.5) as risk biomarkers, and one species of Saccharibacteria TM7 as a beneficial biomarker (LDA= -4.5). The machine-learning model based on these 10 distinguished oral microbiota species could predict LBW, with an accuracy of 82 %, sensitivity of 91 %, and specificity of 73 % (AUC-ROC score 0.89, 95 % CI: 0.75-1.0). Results of α-diversity showed that mothers who delivered LBW infants had less stable salivary microbiota construction throughout pregnancy than the control group (measured by Shannon, p = 0.048; and Pielou's, p = 0.021), however the microbiome diversity did not improve the prediction accuracy of LBW. CONCLUSIONS: A machine-learning oral microbiome model shows promise in predicting low-birth-weight delivery. Even in cases where oral health is not significantly compromised, opportunistic pathogens or rarer taxa associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes can still be identified in the oral cavity. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study highlights the potential complexity of the relationship between oral microbiome and pregnancy outcomes, indicating that mechanisms underlying the association between oral microbiota and adverse pregnancy outcomes may involve complex interactions between host factors, microbiota, and systemic conditions. Using machine learning to develop a predictive model based on specific oral microbiota biomarkers provides a potential for personalized medicine approaches. Future prediction models should incorporate clinical metadata to be clinically useful for improving maternal and child health.

[Comparison of the microbiota diversity between autogenous and anautogenous Culex pipiens pallens].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the microbiota composition and diversity between autogenous and anautogenous Culex pipiens pallens, so as to provide insights into unraveling the pathogenesis of autogeny in Cx. pipiens pallens. METHODS: Autogenous and anautogenous adult Cx. pipiens pallens samples were collected at 25 ℃, and the hypervariable regions of the microbial 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene was sequenced on the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 sequencing platform. The microbiota abundance and diversity were evaluated using the alpha diversity index, and the difference in the microbiota structure was examined using the beta diversity index. The microbiota with significant differences in the abundance between autogenous and anautogenous adult Cx. pipiens pallens samples was identified using the linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe). RESULTS: The microbiota in autogenous and anautogenous Cx. pipiens pallens samples belonged to 18 phyla, 28 classes, 70 orders, 113 families, and 170 genera, and the dominant phyla included Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and so on. At the genus level, Wolbachia was a common dominant genus, and the relative abundance was (77.6 ± 11.3)% in autogenous Cx. pipiens pallens samples and (47.5 ± 8.5)% in anautogenous mosquito samples, while Faecalibaculum (0.4% ± 0.1%), Dubosiella (0.5% ± 0.0%) and Massilia (0.5% ± 0.1%) were specific species in autogenous Cx. pipiens pallens samples. Alpha diversity analysis showed that higher Chao1 index and ACE index in autogenous Cx. pipiens pallens samples than in anautogenous samples (both P values > 0.05), and lower Shannon index (P > 0.05) and Simpson index (P < 0.05) in autogenous Cx. pipiens pallens samples than in anautogenous samples. LEfSe analysis showed a total of 48 significantly different taxa between autogenous and anautogenous Cx. pipiens pallens samples (all P values < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant difference in the microbiota diversity between autogenous and anautogenous Cx. pipiens pallens.

Helicobacter pylori causes gastric dysbacteriosis in chronic gastritis patients.

Gastric mucosal samples were procured and underwent the sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) via Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology to explore the impact of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection on the composition of gastric flora in chronic gastritis (CG) patients. In the results, the operational taxonomic unit (OTU) analysis revealed an overlap of 5706 OTUs shared between the two groups. The top 5 abundance ranking (TOP5) phyla comprised Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Epsilonbacteraeota, while the TOP5 genus was Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Helicobacter, Bacteroides, Klebsiella, and Pseudomonas. In the metabolic pathways at the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG)_L3 level, conspicuous variations across seven functions were observed between the H. pylori-positive (HP_Pos) and H. pylori-negative (HP_Neg) groups. Subsequently, functional gene enrichment in KEGG pathways was further validated through animal experimentation. In contrast to the mice in the HP_Neg group, those infected with H. pylori manifested an infiltration of inflammatory cells, an augmentation in gastric acid secretion, and conspicuously elevated scores regarding gastric activity, along with heightened levels of malondialdehyde. In conclusion, CG patients infected with H. pylori displayed a disorder in gastric flora, furnishing a theoretical basis for the prophylaxis of H. pylori infection and its associated pathogenic ramifications.

Characteristics and prognostic value of gut microbiota in follicular lymphoma.

The pathogenesis and progression of follicular lymphoma (FL) depends on immune evasion mechanisms. The gut microbiota has been reported to be associated with the development and outcome of several human diseases by modulating host immunity. Thus, the present study investigated the characteristics and prognostic value of the gut microbiota in FL. Fecal samples from treatment-naïve patients with FL (n=28) and healthy controls (n=18) were prospectively collected. The gut microbiota diversity and composition were examined by 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing. The results demonstrated that patients with FL had distinct microbiota compositions. The relative abundance of the Ruminococcaceae family was significantly increased in patients with FL (P=0.01). Furthermore, a high level of Ruminococcus was identified as a strong indicator of tumor burden (P=0.001), and was related to the FL International Prognostic Index score and serum lactate dehydrogenase levels. The present results indicated an association between the gut microbiota and FL prognosis. Findings from the present study may provide a rational foundation for further investigation of the role of gut microbiota in lymphoma management.

Molecular characterisation of Amblyomma integrum circulating in southern India.

Amblyomma integrum is a large gooseberry sized longirostrate tick (when fully repleted) found in India and Sri Lanka. In Kerala (India), this tick is commonly found in the forest and its fringe areas frequently infesting deer and hence it is locally known as "maan chellu / maanunny" (deer tick). In the present study, molecular characterisation and phylogenetic analysis of A. integrum collected from the area grazed by the sambar deer (Rusa unicolor) of Kerala, south India was performed using three molecular markers viz., the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI), mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA, and nuclear 18S ribosomal RNA genes. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene showed better resolving ability for elucidating the evolutionary relationship of A. integrum and identified two distinct clades, viz., A and B. The Tamil Nadu isolates of south India and Marayoor isolate 1 (from Idukki district of Kerala bordering with Tamil Nadu) belonged to clade A. Majority of Wayanad isolates from Kerala, occupied clade B. The intraspecific genetic distance among the A. integrum species ranged from 0.00 to 13.34%. Between clades A and B, the genetic distance observed was 11.49%. The clade B isolates were genetically close to A. geoemydae (GD: 1.22%). Morphological variations between the clades included darker exoskeletal coloration in clade A and distinct differences in the shape of basis capitulum. Further analysis using Assemble Species by Automatic Partitioning (ASAP) and Generalized Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC) provided additional insights. Assemble Species by Automatic Partitioning (ASAP) identified 26 Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs) at a threshold distance of 5.38%, supporting the species partition of A. integrum clade B. Generalized Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC) analysis retained the same species complex (A. integrum-geoemydae Complex) inferred from the ASAP analyses. It could be inferred from the present study that the A. integrum clades A and B could be two different putative pseudocryptic species.

Wet-type grinder-treated okara modulates gut microbiota composition and attenuates obesity in high-fat-fed mice.

Wet-type grinder (WG) is a nanofiber technology used to atomize dietary fiber-rich materials. WG-treated okara (WGO) exhibits high dispersion and viscosity similar to those of viscous soluble dietary fibers. Here, we studied the effect of WGO supplementation on obesity and gut microbiota composition in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. WGO intake suppressed body weight gain and fat accumulation, improved glucose tolerance, lowered cholesterol levels, and prevented HFD-induced decrease in muscle mass. WGO supplementation also led to cecum enlargement, lower pH, and higher butyrate production. The bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA genes (16S rDNA) were sequenced to determine the gut microbiota composition of the fecal samples. Sequencing of bacterial 16S rDNA revealed that WGO treatment increased the abundance of butyrate producer Ruminococcus and reduced the abundances of Rikenellaceae, Streptococcaceae, and Prevotellaceae, which are related to metabolic diseases. Metabolomics analysis of the plasma of WGO- and cellulose-treated mice were conducted using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Metabolic pathway analysis revealed that the primary bile acid biosynthesis pathway was significantly positively regulated by WGO intake instead of cellulose. These results demonstrate that WG is useful for improving functional properties of okara to prevent metabolic syndromes, including obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia.

Multi-locus sequence analysis of 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haematomacacae' in free-ranging macaques from Thailand suggestive of a closer relationship to hemotropic mycoplasmas in capuchins and potential origin from bats.

Although 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haematomacacae' (formerly known as 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemomacaque') has been reported on extensively in macaques from Thailand, the USA, Japan, and Brazil, its genetic characterization has primarily been restricted to the 16S rRNA sequences with no exploration on multi-locus sequence analysis. The primary goal of this study was to characterize 'Ca. M. haematomacacae' among Thai macaques based on multiple genetic markers. Between April 2018 and November 2021, blood samples were taken from 580 free-ranging macaques (560 Macaca fascicularis and 20 Macaca nemestrina) in 15 locations encompassing 10 provinces throughout Thailand. Using the conventional PCR assay targeting the 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene, 338 out of 580 macaques (58.27 %) tested hemoplasma-positive. Of these, 40 positive samples were further subjected to DNA sequencing, and all were identified as 'Ca. M. haematomacacae'. Subsequently, the partial nucleotide sequences of 23S ribosomal RNA (23S rRNA) and RNase P RNA (rnpB) genes of this particular hemoplasma species were amplified through nested PCR assay. The analysis of multi-locus genetic markers revealed that the 23S rRNA and rnpB sequences exhibited higher levels of genetic diversity than the 16S rRNA sequences. Furthermore, the 16S rRNA analyses demonstrated that 'Ca. M. haematomacacae' infecting Old World monkeys (Macaca spp.) was most closely related to hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. in black-capped capuchins (Sapajus apella) and Marcgrave's capuchins (Sapajus flavius) from Brazil, as well as establishing a common ancestor clade with hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. from the Neotropical bats in Belize and Peru and an Old World bat in Spain. The 23S rRNA analyses likewise evidenced that 'Ca. M. haematomacacae' formed a sister clade with hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. in Neotropical bats from Belize and Panama. Thus, the present findings, based on multi-locus sequence analysis, suggest a potential origin of 'Ca. M. haematomacacae' from Neotropical and Old World bats. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study provided the largest dataset so far of multi-locus genetic sequences of 'Ca. M. haematomacacae' isolated from Thai macaques and enhanced the accuracy of phylogenetic analyses, providing insights into their origins among hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. discovered worldwide.