Gut microbiome changes have been associated with several human diseases, but the molecular and functional details underlying these associations remain largely unknown. Here, we performed a meta-analysis of small molecule biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) in metagenomic samples of the gut microbiome from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients and matched healthy subjects and identified two Clostridia-derived BGCs that are significantly associated with Crohn's disease (CD), a main IBD type. Using synthetic biology, we discovered and solved the structures of six fatty acid amides as the products of the CD-enriched BGCs, which we subsequently detected in fecal samples from IBD patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground/objective: There is strong evidence that the tripartite interaction between glucose homeostasis, gut microbiota, and the host immune system plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We reported previously that peanut shell extract (PSE) improves mitochondrial function in db/db mice by suppressing oxidative stress and inflammation in the liver, brain, and white adipose tissue. This study evaluated the impacts of PSE supplementation on glucose homeostasis, liver histology, intestinal microbiome composition, and the innate immune response in diabetic mice.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDespite evidence linking the gut microbiome to neuropathic pain (NP), it is not known if altering gut microbiota can alleviate NP via the microbiome-gut-brain axis. This study examined if healthy gut microbiota of sham male rats (Sham+V) and dysbiotic gut microbiota of NP rats (spinal nerve ligation: NP, SNL+V) can be disrupted and restored, respectively, via fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) from the opposite group [Sham+(SNL-FMT) and SNL+(Sham-FMT), respectively]. All groups received FMT daily for two weeks, followed by three weeks without FMT.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStudent engagement is one of the critical issues in science classes. This commentary explores the value of storytelling in microbiology education and student engagement. It is a result of an undergraduate exercise, where students were asked to draft short stories on pandemics before the COVID-19 pandemic (i.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction have been implicated in the progression of neuropathic pain (NP) but can be mitigated by supplementation with gingerol-enriched ginger (GEG). However, the exact benefits of GEG for each sex in treating neuroinflammation and mitochondrial homeostasis in different brain regions and the colon remain to be determined.
Objective: Evaluate the effects of GEG on emotional/affective pain and spontaneous pain behaviors, neuroinflammation, as well as mitochondria homeostasis in the amygdala, frontal cortex, hippocampus, and colon of male and female rats in the spinal nerve ligation (SNL) NP model.
Versatility in carbon source utilization is a major contributor to niche adaptation in . Malonate is among the abundant carbon sources in the lung airways, yet it is understudied. Recently, we characterized how malonate impacts quorum sensing regulation, antibiotic resistance, and virulence factor production in .
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEsophageal granular cell tumors (GCTs) are rare mesenchymal neoplasms that originate from the Schwann cells of the neural sheath in the esophageal wall. Esophageal GCTs represent approximately 2% of all GCTs. Most cases of esophageal GCT occur in adults with few cases reported in pediatric patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground/aim: This study examined the effects of tocotrienols (TT) in conjunction with statin on glucose homeostasis, bone microstructure, gut microbiome, and systemic and liver inflammatory markers in obese C57BL/6J mice.
Materials And Methods: Forty male C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and assigned into four groups in a 2 (no statin vs. 120 mg statin/kg diet)×2 (no TT vs.
Emerging evidence shows that the gut microbiota plays an important role in neuropathic pain (NP) via the gut-brain axis. Male rats were divided into sham, spinal nerve ligation (SNL), SNL + 200 mg GEG/kg BW (GEG200), and SNL + 600 mg GEG/kg BW (GEG600) for 5 weeks. The dosages of 200 and 600 mg GEG/kg BW for rats correspond to 45 g and 135 g raw ginger for human daily consumption, respectively.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis case demonstrated the complex pathophysiology of DRESS syndrome presenting with latent human herpes virus infection reactivation due to exposure to sulfasalazine and/or hydroxychloroquine. Patients who do not initially fulfill the diagnostic criteria on admission may evolve and eventually fulfill the criteria. Steroid dose tapering is required to prevent flaring.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEndoscopic ultrasound-guided choledochoduodenostomy (EUS-CD) has become a feasible alternative technique in cases of malignant bile duct obstruction, especially when the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is not feasible or has failed. In the case of duodenal obstruction, when a duodenal stent has been initially placed, performing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography could be quite difficult with a low success rate. Thus, EUS-CD could be a good alternative.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUnlabelled: Versatility in carbon source utilization assists in its adaptation to various niches. Recently, we characterized the role of malonate, an understudied carbon source, in quorum sensing regulation, antibiotic resistance, and virulence factor production in . These results indicate that global responses to malonate metabolism remain to be uncovered.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Myocardial injury has been described in coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19). Few studies have reported cardiovascular imaging data with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and electrocardiography (ECG) findings in COVID-19 patients, and their correlation with mortality.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study that included COVID-19 patients from March 2020 through February 2021 who had TTE and ECG during hospital admission.
The relationship among gut microbiota, mitochondrial dysfunction/neuroinflammation, and diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) has received increased attention. Ginger has antidiabetic and analgesic effects because of its anti-inflammatory property. We examined the effects of gingerols-enriched ginger (GEG) supplementation on pain-associated behaviors, gut microbiome composition, and mitochondrial function and neuroinflammation of colon and spinal cord in DNP rats.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChanges in the gut microbiome have been associated with several human diseases, but the molecular and functional details underlying these associations remain largely unknown. Here, we performed a multi-cohort analysis of small molecule biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) in 5,306 metagenomic samples of the gut microbiome from 2,033 Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patients and 833 matched healthy subjects and identified a group of Clostridia-derived BGCs that are significantly associated with IBD. Using synthetic biology, we discovered and solved the structures of six fatty acid amides as the products of the IBD-enriched BGCs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFKey Clinical Messages: Behçet's disease (BD) or syndrome is a chronic, recurrent, multisystem, inflammatory vasculitis disorder with findings of oral aphthous ulcers, genital ulcers, and uveitis. Gastrointestinal (GI) involvement can be the initial presentation as presented in this case.
Abstract: Behçet's disease (BD) or syndrome is a chronic, recurrent, multisystem, inflammatory vasculitis disorder of unknown etiology with classical findings of oral aphthous ulcers, genital ulcers, and ocular involvements including chronic anterior, intermediate, posterior, and even panuveitis.
Gallbladder herniation is a rare phenomenon with risk factors of being female, older age, and previous history of hernias. Imaging modalities can confirm the diagnosis. Cholecystectomy and hernia repair to prevent strangulation may be warranted.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune mucocutaneous disease with an involvement in gastrointestinal tract especially in oral cavity and esophagus. Ulcers can be the initial presentation even before visible mucosal or cutaneous lesions. The presenting symptoms will be in accordance with the affected organ such as throat pain, hoarseness, dysphagia, odynophagia, or even bleeding.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFis a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen that causes high morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF) and immunocompromised patients, including patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), severely burned patients, and patients with surgical wounds. Due to the intrinsic and extrinsic antibiotic resistance mechanisms, the ability to produce several cell-associated and extracellular virulence factors, and the capacity to adapt to several environmental conditions, eradicating within infected patients is difficult. is one of the six multi-drug-resistant pathogens (ESKAPE) considered by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an entire group for which the development of novel antibiotics is urgently needed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCentral diabetes insipidus (DI) is an uncommon condition caused by reduced or lack of vasopressin secretion from the posterior pituitary gland, typically caused by gland destruction. Several other causes for central DI have also been proposed. Here we present a case of transient central DI after discontinuation of vasopressin used for septic shock without evidence of overt pituitary damage in a cystic fibrosis patient.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNatural bioactive compounds are proposed as alternatives in mitigating obesity-associated skeletal muscle dysfunction. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that the combination of geranylgeraniol (GGOH) and green tea polyphenols (GTPs) can alleviate high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced muscle atrophy and alter gut microbiome composition. Male C57BL/6J mice fed an HFD were assigned to four groups (12 mice each) in a 2 (no GGOH vs.
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