Recipient microbiome-related features predicting metabolic improvement following fecal microbiota transplantation in adults with severe obesity and metabolic syndrome: a secondary analysis of a phase 2 clinical trial.

Microbial-based therapeutics in clinical practice are of considerable interest, and a recent study demonstrated fecal microbial transplantation (FMT) followed by dietary fiber supplements improved glucose homeostasis. Previous evidence suggests that donor and recipient compatibility and FMT protocol are key determinants, but little is known about the involvement of specific recipient factors. Using data from our recent randomized placebo-control phase 2 clinical trial in adults with obesity and metabolic syndrome, we grouped participants that received FMT from one of 4 donors with either fiber supplement into HOMA-IR responders ( = 21) and HOMA-IR non-responders ( = 8).

Opportunities and challenges in upcycling agri-food byproducts to generate insect manure (frass): A literature review.

A range of issues related to sustainability in the agrifood industry have spurred interest in mass production of insects as human food and animal feed alternatives. This rapidly evolving sector addresses several challenges, including the management of food waste or agrifood by-products and the production of alternative animal proteins demonstrating low environmental impacts that improve sector circularity. The mass production of insects on agrifood processing wastes or by-products represents an opportunity to address these challenges.

Mouse mammary tumor virus is implicated in severity of colitis and dysbiosis in the IL-10 mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Following viral infection, genetically manipulated mice lacking immunoregulatory function may develop colitis and dysbiosis in a strain-specific fashion that serves as a model for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We found that one such model of spontaneous colitis, the interleukin (IL)-10 knockout (IL-10) model derived from the SvEv mouse, had evidence of increased Mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) viral RNA expression compared to the SvEv wild type. MMTV is endemic in several mouse strains as an endogenously encoded Betaretrovirus that is passaged as an exogenous agent in breast milk.