The gallbladder and vermiform appendix influence the assemblage of intestinal microorganisms

Surgical procedures for the symptomatic removal of the gallbladder and the vermiform appendix have been posited to adversely shift the assemblage of the intestinal microbiome increasing the risk of disease. The associated mechanisms have been linked with dysbiosis of the gut microbiota. Cholecystectomy causes changes of bile acid compositions and bile secretion patterns as bile acids interact with the intestinal microbiota in a bidirectional capacity. An appendectomy precludes the further recolonization of the proximal colon with a commensal biofilm that could maintain a stable intestinal microbiome. Epidemiological studies indicate that there is an increased risk of disease rather than causality following a cholecystectomy and appendectomy. This narrative review summarizes studies that report on the role that bile salts and the appendix, contribute to the assemblage of the intestinal microbiome in health and disease.

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A randomised crossover study investigating the effects of galacto-oligosaccharides on the faecal microbiota in men and women over 50 years of age

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114511004697 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 107 (10) ◽

pp. 1466-1475 ◽

Cited By ~ 93

Author(s):

Gemma E. Walton ◽

Ellen G. H. M. van den Heuvel ◽

Marit H. W. Kosters ◽

Robert A. Rastall ◽

Kieran M. Tuohy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Proximal Colon ◽

Faecal Microbiota ◽

Double Blind ◽

Men And Women ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Faecal Samples ◽

Risk Of Disease ◽

Butyrate Production

Faecal microbial changes associated with ageing include reduced bifidobacteria numbers. These changes coincide with an increased risk of disease development. Prebiotics have been observed to increase bifidobacteria numbers within humans. The present study aimed to determine if prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) could benefit a population of men and women of 50 years and above, through modulation of faecal microbiota, fermentation characteristics and faecal water genotoxicity. A total of thirty-seven volunteers completed this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial. The treatments – juice containing 4 g GOS and placebo – were consumed twice daily for 3 weeks, preceded by 3-week washout periods. To study the effect of GOS on different large bowel regions, three-stage continuous culture systems were conducted in parallel using faecal inocula from three volunteers. Faecal samples were microbially enumerated by quantitative PCR.In vivo, following GOS intervention, bifidobacteria were significantly more compared to post-placebo (P = 0·02). Accordingly, GOS supplementation had a bifidogenic effect in allin vitrosystem vessels. Furthermore, in vessel 1 (similar to the proximal colon), GOS fermentation led to more lactobacilli and increased butyrate. No changes in faecal water genotoxicity were observed. To conclude, GOS supplementation significantly increased bifidobacteria numbersin vivoandin vitro. Increased butyrate production and elevated bifidobacteria numbers may constitute beneficial modulation of the gut microbiota in a maturing population.

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The vermiform appendix: an immunological organ sustaining a microbiome inoculum

Clinical Science ◽

10.1042/cs20180956 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 133 (1) ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Luis Vitetta ◽

Jiezhong Chen ◽

Stephen Clarke

Keyword(s):

Lamina Propria ◽

B Lymphocyte ◽

Plasma Cells ◽

Immunoglobulin A ◽

Vermiform Appendix ◽

Lymphoid Follicle ◽

Proximal Colon ◽

Intestinal Microbiome ◽

Short Term ◽

Intestinal Epithelia

AbstractThe hominoid vermiform appendix has been characterized as a diverticulum of the caecum and describes an entity at the juxtaposition of the colon in the confluence of tanias. The independent development of the lymphoid follicle centres of the appendix is progressed at birth in the presence of the intestinal commensal microbiome, an obligatory prompt for the diversification of intestinal and extra-intestinal mucosal immunological tissue. In the vermiform appendix, this activity is centred on further developing the inventory of primary antibodies and the maturation of T- and B-lymphocyte cells in the follicles within the lymphoid tissue. Furthermore, the columnar epithelia, enterocytes and goblet cells comprise the complement of cells that occupy the lamina propria and muscularis mucosae of the vermiform appendix’s mucosa, while macrophages and an abundance of immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin G generating plasma cells seed the lamina propria. Intraepithelial immune cells consisting predominantly of specific CD8+ T regulatory lymphocytes occupy sites in the appendix analogous to those present in the intestinal epithelia of the caecal colon. The complement of bacterial genera concealed in the vermiform appendix is posited extant as a biofilm inoculum of the intestinal commensal microbiome. This facilitates re-inoculation of the proximal colon and to a lesser degree the terminal ilium post an intestinal perturbation such as occurs with daily lifestyle stressors, dietary choices and the short-term administration of antibiotics rather than an infectious fulminant colitis. A plausible appreciation results of the importance of multiple immunological aspects of a healthy vermiform appendix and the provision of a commensal biofilm to the gut that repairs a dysbiotic microbiome contributing to balancing intestinal pro- and anti-inflammatory activity for maintaining homeostasis in the gut. Since the composition of the gut microbiome can vary over the short-term and long-term, it is plausible that the appendix inoculum may be instrumental in maintaining the intestinal microbiome.

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Clinical Features, Management, and Molecular Characteristics of Familial Small Bowel Neuroendocrine Tumors

Frontiers in Endocrinology ◽

10.3389/fendo.2021.622693 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

James Y. Lim ◽

Rodney F. Pommier

Keyword(s):

Small Bowel ◽

Patient Outcomes ◽

Clinical Features ◽

Neuroendocrine Tumors ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Genetic Mutations ◽

Molecular Characteristics ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Risk Of Disease

Small bowel neuroendocrine tumors are rare tumors with an increasing incidence over the last several decades. Early detection remains challenging because patients commonly develop symptoms late in the disease course, often after the tumors have metastasized. Although these tumors were thought to arise from sporadic genetic mutations, large epidemiological studies strongly support genetic predisposition and increased risk of disease in affected families. Recent studies of familial small bowel neuroendocrine tumors have identified several novel genetic mutations. Screening for familial small bowel neuroendocrine tumors can lead to earlier diagnosis and improved patient outcomes. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge of molecular changes seen in familial small bowel neuroendocrine tumors, identify clinical features specific to familial disease, and provide strategies for screening and treatment.

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Epidemiological Trends in Attempted Suicide in Adolescents and Young Adults Between 1996 and 2004

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910.30.3.115 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 30 (3) ◽

pp. 115-119 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Stephanie De Munck ◽

Gwendolyn Portzky ◽

Kees Van Heeringen

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Attempted Suicide ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Adolescents And Young Adults ◽

University Hospital ◽

International Studies ◽

Suicide Attempters ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Epidemiological Trends

Background: Notwithstanding the epidemiological studies indicating an increased risk of attempted suicide among adolescents and young adults, there is a scarcity of international studies that examine long-term epidemiological trends in rates and characteristics of this vulnerable group. Aims: This article describes the results of a 9-year monitoring study of suicide attempts in adolescents and young adults referred to the Accident and Emergency Department of the Gent University Hospital (Belgium). Methods: Between January 1996 and December 2004, trends, sociodemographic, and methodrelated characteristics of suicide attempts were assessed by a psychiatrist on data sheets. Results: Attempted suicide rates declined from 1996 to 2001 and then rose until 2004, but did not exceed previous rates. During the 9 years of monitoring, there was a preponderance of female suicide attempters, except for 1997. Rates of attempts and of fatal suicide were negatively correlated. Significantly more males than females deliberately injured themselves. Younger attempters, especially females, significantly more often poisoned themselves with analgesics. In nearly one in five attempts, alcohol was used in combination with other methods, and alcohol intake was more commonly observed in older suicide attempters. Nearly half of the adolescents were identified as repeaters. Conclusions: The results of this study warrant further monitoring of trends and characteristics of young suicide attempters.

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Evaluating of the association between ABO blood groups and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Iraqi patients

Egyptian Journal of Medical Human Genetics ◽

10.1186/s43042-020-00097-x ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ali H. Ad’hiah ◽

Risala H. Allami ◽

Raghdan H. Mohsin ◽

Maha H. Abdullah ◽

Ali J. R. AL-Sa’ady ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Groups ◽

Abo Blood Groups ◽

Risk Of Death ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Fluorescence Probing ◽

Group A ◽

Risk Of Disease ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

Polymorphic System ◽

Made In

Abstract Background Susceptibility to the pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has recently been associated with ABO blood groups in patients of different ethnicities. This study sought to understand the genetic association of this polymorphic system with risk of disease in Iraqi patients. Two outcomes of COVID-19, recovery and death, were also explored. ABO blood groups were determined in 300 hospitalized COVID-19 Iraqi patients (159 under therapy, 104 recovered, and 37 deceased) and 595 healthy blood donors. The detection kit for 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) RNA (PCR-Fluorescence Probing) was used in the diagnosis of disease. Results Mean age was significantly increased in patients compared to controls (49.8 ± 11.7 vs. 28.9 ± 6.6 years; p < 0.001). A similar observation was made in recovered (42.1 ± 10.4 vs. 28.9 ± 6.6 years; p < 0.001) and deceased (53.6 ± 9.7 vs. 28.9 ± 6.6 years; p < 0.001) cases. The mean age was also significantly increased in deceased cases compared to recovered cases (53.6 ± 9.7 vs. 42.1 ± 10.4 years; p < 0.001). There were gender-dependent differences in COVID-19 prevalence. The percentage of COVID-19 was higher in males than in females (all cases: 59.7 vs. 40.3%; recovered cases: 55.8 vs. 44.2%). Such male-gender preponderance was more pronounced in deceased cases (67.6 vs. 32.4%). Logistic regression analysis revealed that groups AB and B + AB were significantly associated with increased risk to develop COVID-19 (OR = 3.10; 95% CI 1.59–6.05; pc = 0.007 and OR = 2.16; 95% CI 1.28–3.63; pc = 0.028, respectively). No ABO-associated risk was observed in recovered cases. On the contrary, groups A (OR = 14.60; 95% CI 2.85–74.88; pc = 0.007), AB (OR = 12.92; 95% CI 2.11–79.29; pc = 0.042), A + AB (OR = 14.67; 95% CI 2.98–72.33; pc = 0.007), and A + B + AB (OR = 9.67; 95% CI 2.02–46.24; pc = 0.035) were associated with increased risk of death in deceased cases. Conclusions The findings of this study suggest that group AB may be a susceptibility biomarker for COVID-19, while group A may be associated with increased risk of death.

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Bile salts of frogs: a new higher bile acid, 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha, 26-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid from the bile Rana plancyi.

The Journal of Lipid Research ◽

10.1016/s0022-2275(20)39805-9 ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

pp. 269-276 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

M Une ◽

N Matsumoto ◽

K Kihira ◽

M Yasuhara ◽

T Kuramoto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bile Acid ◽

Bile Salts ◽

Alpha 7

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Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Carbonylated Proteins from the Striatum and Cortex of Pesticide-Treated Mice

Parkinson s Disease ◽

10.1155/2015/812532 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Christina Coughlan ◽

Douglas I. Walker ◽

Kelly M. Lohr ◽

Jason R. Richardson ◽

Laura M. Saba ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Pesticide Exposure ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Cytoskeletal Proteins ◽

Synaptic Function ◽

Behavioral Alterations ◽

Mechanisms Of Toxicity ◽

Kegg Pathways ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Proteomic Analyses

Epidemiological studies indicate exposures to the herbicide paraquat (PQ) and fungicide maneb (MB) are associated with increased risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Oxidative stress appears to be a premier mechanism that underlies damage to the nigrostriatal dopamine system in PD and pesticide exposure. Enhanced oxidative stress leads to lipid peroxidation and production of reactive aldehydes; therefore, we conducted proteomic analyses to identify carbonylated proteins in the striatum and cortex of pesticide-treated mice in order to elucidate possible mechanisms of toxicity. Male C57BL/6J mice were treated biweekly for 6 weeks with saline, PQ (10 mg/kg), MB (30 mg/kg), or the combination of PQ and MB (PQMB). Treatments resulted in significant behavioral alterations in all treated mice and depleted striatal dopamine in PQMB mice. Distinct differences in 4-hydroxynonenal-modified proteins were observed in the striatum and cortex. Proteomic analyses identified carbonylated proteins and peptides from the cortex and striatum, and pathway analyses revealed significant enrichment in a variety of KEGG pathways. Further analysis showed enrichment in proteins of the actin cytoskeleton in treated samples, but not in saline controls. These data indicate that treatment-related effects on cytoskeletal proteins could alter proper synaptic function, thereby resulting in impaired neuronal function and even neurodegeneration.

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The Genetics of Myelodysplastic Syndromes: Clinical Relevance

Genes ◽

10.3390/genes12081144 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (8) ◽

pp. 1144

Author(s):

Chiara Chiereghin ◽

Erica Travaglino ◽

Matteo Zampini ◽

Elena Saba ◽

Claudia Saitta ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Disease Progression ◽

Myelodysplastic Syndromes ◽

Clinical Relevance ◽

Driver Mutations ◽

Significant Information ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Probability Of Survival ◽

Mutational Status ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Risk Of Disease

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a clonal disease arising from hematopoietic stem cells, that are characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis (leading to peripheral blood cytopenia) and by an increased risk of evolution into acute myeloid leukemia. MDS are driven by a complex combination of genetic mutations that results in heterogeneous clinical phenotype and outcome. Genetic studies have enabled the identification of a set of recurrently mutated genes which are central to the pathogenesis of MDS and can be organized into a limited number of cellular pathways, including RNA splicing (SF3B1, SRSF2, ZRSR2, U2AF1 genes), DNA methylation (TET2, DNMT3A, IDH1/2), transcription regulation (RUNX1), signal transduction (CBL, RAS), DNA repair (TP53), chromatin modification (ASXL1, EZH2), and cohesin complex (STAG2). Few genes are consistently mutated in >10% of patients, whereas a long tail of 40–50 genes are mutated in <5% of cases. At diagnosis, the majority of MDS patients have 2–4 driver mutations and hundreds of background mutations. Reliable genotype/phenotype relationships were described in MDS: SF3B1 mutations are associated with the presence of ring sideroblasts and more recent studies indicate that other splicing mutations (SRSF2, U2AF1) may identify distinct disease categories with specific hematological features. Moreover, gene mutations have been shown to influence the probability of survival and risk of disease progression and mutational status may add significant information to currently available prognostic tools. For instance, SF3B1 mutations are predictors of favourable prognosis, while driver mutations of other genes (such as ASXL1, SRSF2, RUNX1, TP53) are associated with a reduced probability of survival and increased risk of disease progression. In this article, we review the most recent advances in our understanding of the genetic basis of myelodysplastic syndromes and discuss its clinical relevance.

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