A Menu for Microbes: Unraveling Appetite Regulation and Weight Dynamics Through the Microbiota-Brain Connection Across the Lifespan.

Appetite, as the internal drive for food intake, is often dysregulated in a broad spectrum of conditions associated with over- and under-nutrition across the lifespan. Appetite regulation is a complex, integrative process comprising psychological and behavioral events, peripheral and metabolic inputs, and central neurotransmitter and metabolic interactions. The microbiota-gut-brain axis has emerged as a critical mediator of multiple physiological processes, including energy metabolism, brain function, and behavior.

The impact of exposure to green or bluespace on dietary intake and food choices among adults-A systematic literature review.

Extensive research has shown that spending time in natural greenspaces has a positive impact on health. However, there is limited evidence regarding potential factors that may influence these effects. This review aimed to assess the strength of the evidence and potential impact of exposure to green and bluespaces on dietary outcomes in adults.

Probiotics in Health Care: A Critical Appraisal.

Consumption of probiotic products continues to increase, perhaps driven by an interest in gut health. However, the field is filled with controversy, inconsistencies, misuse of terminology, and poor communication. While the probiotic concept is biologically plausible and in some cases mechanistically well established, extrapolation of preclinical results to humans has seldom been proven in well-conducted clinical trials.

Social anxiety disorder-associated gut microbiota increases social fear.

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a crippling psychiatric disorder characterized by intense fear or anxiety in social situations and their avoidance. However, the underlying biology of SAD is unclear and better treatments are needed. Recently, the gut microbiota has emerged as a key regulator of both brain and behaviour, especially those related to social function.

'Good, honest food': older adults' and healthcare professionals' perspectives of dietary influences and food preferences in older age in Ireland.

Background: This study aimed to explore older adults' and healthcare professionals' (HCPs) perceptions of dietary influences and food preferences in older age.

Methods: The research design was phenomenological qualitative description. Semistructured one-to-one interviews and focus groups were held separately with community-dwelling older adults and HCPs involved in care of the older person in Ireland.

Impact of Gut Recolonization on Liver Regeneration: Hepatic Matrisome Gene Expression after Partial Hepatectomy in Mice.

The hepatic matrisome is involved in the remodeling phase of liver regeneration. As the gut microbiota has been implicated in liver regeneration, we investigated its role in liver regeneration focusing on gene expression of the hepatic matrisome after partial hepatectomy (PHx) in germ-free (GF) mice, and in GF mice reconstituted with normal gut microbiota (XGF). Liver mass restoration, hepatocyte proliferation, and immune response were assessed following 70% PHx.

Assessment of short-read shotgun sequencing and microbiome analysis of faecal samples to discriminate between equol producers and non-producers.

Among the isoflavones and isoflavone-derived metabolites, equol, which in the human gut is synthesised from daidzein by minority bacterial populations, shows the strongest estrogenic and antioxidant activity. The beneficial effects on human health of isoflavone consumption might be partially or indeed totally attributable to this equol. Although some of the bacterial strains involved in its formation have been identified, the interplay between the composition and functionality of the gut microbiota and equol producer phenotype has hardly been studied.

Older adults and healthcare professionals have limited awareness of the link between the Mediterranean diet and the gut microbiome for healthy aging.

Objectives: Strategies to improve the gut microbiome through consuming an improved diet, including adopting the Mediterranean Diet (MD), may promote healthy aging. We explored older adults' and healthcare professionals' (HCPs) perspectives of the MD, gut health, and microbiome for their role in healthy aging.

Design: Phenomenological qualitative.

Inflammation, Lifestyle Factors, and the Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis: Relevance to Depression and Antidepressant Action.

Depression is considered a major public health concern, where existing pharmacological treatments are not equally effective across all patients. The pathogenesis of depression involves the interaction of complex biological components, such as the immune system and the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Adjunctive lifestyle-oriented approaches for depression, including physical exercise and special diets are promising therapeutic options when combined with traditional antidepressants.

On the association between circulating biomarkers and atherosclerotic calcification in a cohort of arterial disease participants.

Background And Aims: Atherosclerotic calcification is a powerful predictor of cardiovascular disease. This study aims to determine whether circulating levels of a local/systemic calcification inhibitor or a marker of bone formation correlate with measures of coronary or extracoronary calcification.

Methods And Results: Clinical computed tomography (CT) was performed on 64 arterial disease participants undergoing carotid and lower extremity endarterectomy.

Functional and Phylogenetic Diversity of BSH and PVA Enzymes.

Bile salt hydrolase (BSH) and penicillin V acylase (PVA) are related enzymes that are classified as choloylglycine hydrolases (CGH). BSH enzymes have attracted significant interest for their ability to modulate the composition of the bile acid pool, alter bile acid signaling events mediated by the host bile acid receptors FXR and TGR5 and influence cholesterol homeostasis in the host, while PVA enzymes have been widely utilised in an industrial capacity in the production of semi-synthetic antibiotics. The similarities between BSH and PVA enzymes suggest common evolution of these enzymes and shared mechanisms for substrate binding and catalysis.

Generation of Nonpolar Deletion Mutants in Listeria monocytogenes Using the "SOEing" Method.

The ability to manipulate chromosomally encoded genes is a fundamental biological tool for the analysis of gene function. Here, we provide in greater depth a protocol for the creation of nonpolar unlabelled gene deletions in Listeria monocytogenes that are facilitated by the splicing overlap extension PCR technique. For mutagenesis in L.

Diet influences the functions of the human intestinal microbiome.

Gut microbes programme their metabolism to suit intestinal conditions and convert dietary components into a panel of small molecules that ultimately affect host physiology. To unveil what is behind the effects of key dietary components on microbial functions and the way they modulate host-microbe interaction, we used for the first time a multi-omic approach that goes behind the mere gut phylogenetic composition and provides an overall picture of the functional repertoire in 27 fecal samples from omnivorous, vegan and vegetarian volunteers. Based on our data, vegan and vegetarian diets were associated to the highest abundance of microbial genes/proteins responsible for cell motility, carbohydrate- and protein-hydrolyzing enzymes, transport systems and the synthesis of essential amino acids and vitamins.

Short-chain fatty acids and microbiota metabolites attenuate ghrelin receptor signaling.

The gastrointestinal microbiota is emerging as a unique and inexhaustible source for metabolites with potential to modulate G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). The ghrelin receptor [growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR)-1a] is a GPCR expressed throughout both the gut and the brain and plays a crucial role in maintaining energy balance, metabolism, and the central modulation of food intake, motivation, reward, and mood. To date, few studies have investigated the potential of the gastrointestinal microbiota and its metabolites to modulate GPCR signaling.

Therapeutically relevant engraftment of a CRISPR-Cas9-edited HSC-enriched population with HbF reactivation in nonhuman primates.

Reactivation of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is being pursued as a treatment strategy for hemoglobinopathies. Here, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) edited with the CRISPR-Cas9 nuclease platform to recapitulate naturally occurring mutations identified in individuals who express increased amounts of HbF, a condition known as hereditary persistence of HbF. CRISPR-Cas9 treatment and transplantation of HSPCs purified on the basis of surface expression of the CD34 receptor in a nonhuman primate (NHP) autologous transplantation model resulted in up to 30% engraftment of gene-edited cells for >1 year.

The effect of a probiotic blend on gastrointestinal symptoms in constipated patients: a double blind, randomised, placebo controlled 2-week trial.

Selected strains of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria are known to ameliorate constipation-related symptoms and have previously shown efficacy on digestive health. In this clinical trial, the safety and effectiveness of a probiotic blend containing lactobacilli and bifidobacteria were evaluated in adults with self-reported bloating and functional constipation. Constipation was diagnosed by the Rome III criteria.

genotype influences the gut microbiome structure and function in humans and mice: relevance for Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology.

Apolipoprotein E () genotype is the strongest prevalent genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Numerous studies have provided insights into the pathologic mechanisms. However, a comprehensive understanding of the impact of genotype on microflora speciation and metabolism is completely lacking.

Potentially modifiable determinants of malnutrition in older adults: A systematic review.

Background & Aims: Malnutrition in older adults results in significant personal, social, and economic burden. To combat this complex, multifactorial issue, evidence-based knowledge is needed on the modifiable determinants of malnutrition. Systematic reviews of prospective studies are lacking in this area; therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to investigate the modifiable determinants of malnutrition in older adults.

The impact of sarcopenia and myosteatosis on postoperative outcomes in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a relatively common disorder with significant associated morbidity. Sarcopenia and myosteatosis are associated with adverse postoperative outcomes. This study investigated outcomes in IBD patients undergoing surgical resection relative to the presence of sarcopenia and myosteatosis.

Vitamin K status and inflammation are associated with cognition in older Irish adults.

Studies have shown associations between reduced vitamin K status and poor cognitive function. However, despite this apparent link, direct studies measuring cognitive function, vitamin K status and inflammation are lacking. In the current study, The ELDERMET cohort was investigated to identify associations between cognition, vitamin K status and inflammation.

A Dairy-Derived Ghrelinergic Hydrolysate Modulates Food Intake In Vivo.

Recent times have seen an increasing move towards harnessing the health-promoting benefits of food and dietary constituents while providing scientific evidence to substantiate their claims. In particular, the potential for bioactive protein hydrolysates and peptides to enhance health in conjunction with conventional pharmaceutical therapy is being investigated. Dairy-derived proteins have been shown to contain bioactive peptide sequences with various purported health benefits, with effects ranging from the digestive system to cardiovascular circulation, the immune system and the central nervous system.

The rumen microbiome: a crucial consideration when optimising milk and meat production and nitrogen utilisation efficiency.

Methane is generated in the foregut of all ruminant animals by the microorganisms present. Dietary manipulation is regarded as the most effective and most convenient way to reduce methane emissions (and in turn energy loss in the animal) and increase nitrogen utilization efficiency. This review examines the impact of diet on bovine rumen function and outlines what is known about the rumen microbiome.

Altered Schaedler flora mice: A defined microbiota animal model to study the microbiota-gut-brain axis.

Despite considerable attention, the mechanisms by which the microbiota affect brain function and host behaviour via the gut-brain axis remain undefined. Identifying microbe-specific pathways that influence neuronal function and bi-directional communication between the gut microbiota and the host central nervous system is challenging due to the extreme microbial diversity in the gut of conventionally-reared mice. Herein, we describe the use of the altered Schaedler flora (ASF) mouse model as an alternative to conventionally-reared and germ-free animals.

Differential functional selectivity and downstream signaling bias of ghrelin receptor antagonists and inverse agonists.

The ghrelin receptor [growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR)-1a] represents a promising pharmacologic target for the treatment of metabolic disorders, including obesity and cachexia, via central appetite modulation. The GHSR-1a has a complex pharmacology, highlighted by G-protein-dependent and -independent downstream signaling pathways and high basal constitutive activity. The functional selectivity and signaling bias of many GHSR-1a-specific ligands has not been fully characterized.