Towards Reliable Methodology: Microbiome Analysis of Fresh Frozen vs. Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Bladder Tissue Samples: A Feasibility Study.

Studies have shown that the human microbiome influences the response to systemic immunotherapy. However, only scarce data exist on the impact of the urinary microbiome on the response rates of bladder cancer (BC) to local instillation therapy. We launched the prospective SILENT-EMPIRE study in 2022 to address this question.

The Gut-Heart Axis: Effects of Intestinal Microbiome Modulation on Cardiovascular Disease-Ready for Therapeutic Interventions?

Recent reports demonstrate an association between distinct bacteria or bacteria-derived metabolites originating from the gut microbiome and the onset or progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This raises the opportunity to modulate the gut microbiome to prevent or treat CVD. To investigate whether intestinal microbiome modulation can prevent or treat CVD, this systematic literature review includes all randomized clinical trials on microbiome modulation and its effects on CVD risk published between August 2018 and August 2023.

Tofacitinib Mitigates the Increased SARS-CoV-2 Infection Susceptibility Caused by an IBD Risk Variant in the PTPN2 Gene.

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, triggered a global pandemic with severe medical and socioeconomic consequences. While fatality rates are higher among the elderly and those with underlying comorbidities, host factors that promote susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe disease are poorly understood. Although individuals with certain autoimmune/inflammatory disorders show increased susceptibility to viral infections, there is incomplete knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility in these diseases.

Impact of Nanoplastic Particles on Macrophage Inflammation and Intestinal Health in a Mouse Model of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background: The increasing presence of plastics in the human diet is raising public concern about the potential risks posed by nanoplastic (NP) particles, which can emerge from the degradation of plastic debris. NP ingestion poses particular risks to individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), as compromised epithelial barriers may facilitate NP translocation.

Methods: In vitro, bone-marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) were exposed to 25 nm polymethacrylate (PMMA) or 50 nm polystyrene (PS) particles to assess morphological changes and alterations in pro- and anti-inflammatory gene expression.

Detection rate of colorectal cancer by routine colonoscopy is comparable in patients aged 45-49 and 50-54 years.

Objectives: Colorectal carcinoma remains one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Colonoscopy screening is most effective for early detection and tumour prevention and is currently recommended in Europe for adults aged over 50 years. However, given that an increasing proportion of patients are diagnosed before the age of 50, we set out to determine the detection rate of colorectal carcinoma in patients younger than 50 years and to determine the best threshold for starting colonoscopy screening.

Longitudinal microbiome investigation throughout prion disease course reveals pre- and symptomatic compositional perturbations linked to short-chain fatty acid metabolism and cognitive impairment in mice.

Commensal intestinal bacteria shape our microbiome and have decisive roles in preserving host metabolic and immune homeostasis. They conspicuously impact disease development and progression, including amyloid-beta (Aβ) and alpha (α)-synuclein pathology in neurodegenerative diseases, conveying the importance of the brain-gut-microbiome axis in such conditions. However, little is known about the longitudinal microbiome landscape and its potential clinical implications in other protein misfolding disorders, such as prion disease.

Microbiota Manipulation as an Emerging Concept in Cancer Therapy.

Background: The human body is colonized by billions of bacteria that provide nutrients to the host, train our immune system, and importantly affect our heath. It has long been suggested that microbes might play a role in tumor pathogenesis; however, compelling evidence was only provided in the past decades when novel detection methods that do not depend on culturing techniques had been developed.

Summary: The microbiome impacts tumor development and anti-tumor therapies on various levels.

[Microbiome: from pathophysiology to clinical application?].

The "microbiome" or the intestinal microbiota is currently in the focus of scientific interest. The number of publications on the topic of the microbiome is increasing every year. In particular, the role of the microbiome in the pathophysiology of various diseases has been studied.

Crosstalk within peripheral blood mononuclear cells mediates anti-inflammatory effects of n-3 PUFA-rich lipid emulsions in parenteral nutrition.

Background And Aims: Parenteral nutrition (PN) rich in n-6 and n-3 long-chain fatty acids is used in clinical practice for nourishing patients who are unable to receive adequate nutrition through their digestive systems. In this study, we compare the effect on inflammation of the commonly used lipid emulsions Omegaven (n-3-rich) and Intralipid (n-6-rich) in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).

Methods: PBMCs were treated with different doses of n-3-rich Omegaven and n-6-rich Intralipid and the immune cells were characterized by flow cytometry.

[Eating disorders - what the gastroenterologist needs to know].

Eating disorders are potentially life-threatening disorders that go along with severe psychiatric and somatic comorbidities. It is expected that the number of patients will dramatically increase in the post COVID-19 pandemic era.Four main eating disorders are mentioned in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 (DSM-5) and the International Classification of Diseases 11 (ICD-11): anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED) und avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).

Spermidine Ameliorates Colitis via Induction of Anti-Inflammatory Macrophages and Prevention of Intestinal Dysbiosis.

Background And Aims: Exacerbated immune activation, intestinal dysbiosis and a disrupted intestinal barrier are common features among inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] patients. The polyamine spermidine, which is naturally present in all living organisms, is an integral component of the human diet, and exerts beneficial effects in human diseases. Here, we investigated whether spermidine treatment ameliorates intestinal inflammation and offers therapeutic potential for IBD treatment.

Evaluation of the effect of tramadol, paracetamol and metamizole on the severity of experimental colitis.

Application of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) is often used to induce experimental colitis. Current state of the art is to refrain from the use of analgesics due to their possible interaction with the model. However, the use of analgesics would be beneficial to reduce the overall constraint imposed on the animals.

Performance of two-dimensional shear wave elastography and transient elastography compared to liver biopsy for staging of liver fibrosis.

Background: Staging of liver fibrosis traditionally relied on liver histology; however, transient elastography (TE) and more recently two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) evolved to noninvasive alternatives. Hence, we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of 2D-SWE assessed by the Canon Aplio i800 ultrasound system using liver biopsy as reference and compared the performance to TE.

Methods: In total, 108 adult patients with chronic liver disease undergoing liver biopsy, 2D-SWE and TE were enrolled prospectively at the University Hospital Zurich.

[Which microbiota-based therapies have proven to be effective today?].

Background: There is increasing interest in the microbiota (this includes bacteria, fungi and viruses) and microbiota-based therapies. The relationship between changes in the composition of the intestinal microbiota and the pathogenesis of various diseases is of specific interest. In particular, the possibilities offered by targeted manipulation of the microbiota composition as specific treatment approaches look promising.

TiO nanoparticles abrogate the protective effect of the Crohn's disease-associated variation within the PTPN22 gene locus.

Objective: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a multifactorial condition driven by genetic and environmental risk factors. A genetic variation in the protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 22 (PTPN22) gene has been associated with autoimmune disorders while protecting from the IBD subtype Crohn's disease. Mice expressing the murine orthologous PTPN22-R619W variant are protected from intestinal inflammation in the model of acute dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis.

Effect of closed and permanent stoma on disease course, psychological well-being and working capacity in Swiss IBD cohort study patients.

Background: Little is known about the impact of ostomy formation in inflammatory bowel disease patients on course of disease, psychological well-being, quality of life and working capacity.

Methods: We analyzed patients over a follow-up of up to 16 years in the Swiss inflammatory bowel disease cohort study (SIBDCS) with prospective data collection. We compared Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease patients with and without ostomy as well as permanent and closed stoma formation before and after surgery, investigating disease activity, psychological wellbeing and working capacity in a case-control design.