scholarly journals Improving the Gut Microbiota with Probiotics and Faecal Microbiota Transplantation

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 1111-1124
Author(s):  
Yogita M. Patil ◽  
Rajashree B. Patwardhan ◽  
Pragati S. Abhyankar
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Health Benefit ◽  
Local Environment ◽  
Living System ◽  
H2o2 Production ◽  
Faecal Microbiota ◽  
Medical Emergencies ◽  
Treatment Of Obesity ◽  
Faecal Bacteria ◽  
Stool Transplant

Probiotics are “live strains of strictly selected microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host”. After birth, our intestine is colonized by microbes like Escherichia coli, Clostridium spp., Streptococcus spp., Lactobacillus spp., Bacteroides spp., and Bifidobacterium spp. Our intestine is an extremely complex living system that participates in the protection of host through a strong defence against external aggregations. The microbial ecosystem of the intestine includes many native species of Bacteroides and Firmicutes that permanently colonize the gastrointestinal tract. The composition of flora changes over time depending upon diet and medical emergencies which leads to the diseased condition. Probiotics exert their mode of action by altering the local environment of the gut by competing with the pathogens, bacteriocins production, H2O2 production etc. Obesity is one of the major health problems and is considered as the most prevalent form of inappropriate nutrition. Probiotics like Lactobacillus Sp., Bifidobacterium Sp., Streptococcus Sp. are successfully used in the treatment of obesity proved in clinical trials. Faecal microbiota transplant (FMT), also known as a stool transplant, is the process of transplantation of Faecal bacteria from a healthy donor into a recipient’s gut to restore normal flora in the recipient. The therapeutic principle on which FMT works is microbes and their functions and metabolites produced by them which are used to treat a variety of diseases. The present review focuses on the role of gastrointestinal microbiome, probiotic selection criteria, their applications and FMT to treat diseases.

scholarly journals Quantitative differences in intestinal Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in obese Indian children

2009 ◽  
Vol 103 (3) ◽  
pp. 335-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramadass Balamurugan ◽  
Gemlyn George ◽  
Jayakanthan Kabeerdoss ◽  
Jancy Hepsiba ◽  
Aarthy M. S. Chandragunasekaran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Normal Weight ◽  
Obese Children ◽  
Faecal Microbiota ◽  
Dietary Survey ◽  
Indian Children ◽  
Faecalibacterium Prausnitzii ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Diet Recall ◽  
Faecal Bacteria

Gut bacteria contribute to energy conservation in man through their ability to ferment unabsorbed carbohydrate. The present study examined the composition of predominant faecal microbiota in obese and non-obese children. The participants (n 28) aged 11–14 years provided fresh faecal samples and completed a dietary survey consisting of 24 h diet recall and a FFQ of commonly used foods taken over the previous 3 months. Faecal bacteria were quantitated by real-time PCR using primers targeted at 16S rDNA. Of the participants, fifteen (seven female) were obese, with median BMI-for-age at the 99th percentile (range 97 to>99) while thirteen participants (seven female) were normal weight, with median BMI-for age being at the 50th percentile (range 1–85). Consumption of energy, carbohydrates, fat and protein was not significantly different between the obese and non-obese participants. There was no significant difference between the two groups in faecal levels of Bacteroides–Prevotella, Bifidobacterium species, Lactobacillus acidophilus group or Eubacterium rectale. Levels of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii were significantly higher in obese children than in non-obese participants (P = 0·0253). We concluded that the finding of increased numbers of F. prausnitzii in the faeces of obese children in south India adds to the growing information on alterations in faecal microbiota in obesity.

Restoration of coastal dunes breached by pipeline landfalls in north-east Scotland

1989 ◽  
Vol 96 ◽  
pp. 231-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Ritchie ◽  
C. H. Gimingham
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Sand Dunes ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Local Environment ◽  
Coastal Dunes ◽  
Sandy Beaches ◽  
Dune System ◽  
Surface Stability ◽  
North East ◽  
Marram Grass

SynopsisSix major oil and natural gas pipelines make landfalls on the coastline of north-east Scotland. Four land at St Fergus, one at Cruden Bay and one at Shandwick. The Cruden Bay line dates from 1973: at St Fergus landfalls were made in 1975, 1976 and 1984: and at Shandwick in 1979. With the exception of the Shandwick landfall, the pipelines cross relatively wide sandy beaches with associated dune ridges. All the pipelines were laid using a simple trenching technique whereby a beach trench was dug and a large V-shaped cut made through the main foredune ridge and interior backslope, inner dunes or slack environments. All these landforms were replaced quickly by backfilling. Thereafter, physical devices such as nets, brushwood, sand trapping fences and bitumen sprays ensured surface stability. Equally important was a replanting programme which had two main components: – hand-planted marram grass and agriculturally seeded grass mixtures. Topsoil was added, fertiliser was applied and other cultivation practices were used.Since 1973, several surveys of the progress and success of these restoration procedures have been made. On the whole, landform stability has been very satisfactory. Re-vegetation has met with mixed success, especially with regard to those changes which could be described as the gradual re-invasion of natural or local plant associations to replace the artificially planted species. Various lengths of time have ensued, and in some examples the rate and pattern of re-vegetation have been examined by means of periodic sampling. This has made possible reasonable assessments of the influence of local environment factors on the ability of sown species to establish and create a sward, the extent to which they persist over a period of years, and the ability of native species from the neighbouring dune system to re-invade and compete successfully in the developing turf. Standard methods have been used for planting marram grass to stabilise the steeper seaward sand slopes, but these are reviewed in the light of results of recent experimental studies of various planting techniques. The possibilities for exploiting these findings in the rehabilitation of any future pipeline crossings of dunes are considered. Since slightly different re-vegetation procedures were adopted in the several dune crossings under review, it is also possible to comment on the optimum solutions to restoration problems of this kind which are associated with mature coastal sand dunes.

scholarly journals Low serum enterolactone concentration is associated with low colonicLactobacillus–Enterococcuscounts in men but is not affected by a synbiotic mixture in a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over intervention study

2013 ◽  
Vol 111 (2) ◽  
pp. 301-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reetta Holma ◽  
Riina A. Kekkonen ◽  
Katja Hatakka ◽  
Tuija Poussa ◽  
Heikki Vapaatalo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intervention Study ◽  
Interquartile Range ◽  
Faecal Microbiota ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Colony Forming Units ◽  
Faecal Bacteria ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Low Serum

The aims of the present study were to assess the possible differences in faecal microbiota between men with a low serum enterolactone concentration and those with a high concentration, and to investigate the impact of a synbiotic mixture on serum enterolactone concentration in men with a low concentration. We compared faecal microbiota between ten men with the lowest serum enterolactone concentration and ten men with the highest concentration at recruitment (n84). Furthermore, we carried out a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over intervention study (6-week intervention periods and 4-week washout period) to investigate the impact of a synbiotic mixture (twoLactobacillusstrains, oneBifidobacteriumstrain, onePropionibacteriumstrain and galacto-oligosaccharides (32 g/l)) on serum enterolactone concentration in fifty-two men who had a concentration < 20 nmol/l. Serum sensitive C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration was measured at the end of the first intervention period. Men with a low serum enterolactone concentration when compared with those with a high concentration had less faecal bacteria, especially those belonging to theLactobacillus–Enterococcusgroup (median 8·2 (interquartile range 7·8–8·4) log10colony-forming units/gv.median 8·8 (interquartile range 8·5–8·9) log10colony-forming units/g,P= 0·009). The synbiotic mixture that was used did not have a significant effect on serum enterolactone (synbioticv.placebo ratio 0·96 (95 % CI 0·76, 1·22),P= 0·724) or serum sensitive CRP (synbioticv.placebo ratio 0·99 (95 % CI 0·74, 1·33),P= 0·954) concentration. Men with a low serum enterolactone concentration harbour less colonic bacteria, especially those belonging to theLactobacillus–Enterococcusgroup. A synbiotic mixture does not increase serum enterolactone concentration.

scholarly journals Is It Time to Use Probiotics to Prevent or Treat Obesity?

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1613 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Brusaferro ◽  
Rita Cozzali ◽  
Ciriana Orabona ◽  
Anna Biscarini ◽  
Edoardo Farinelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Microbiota Composition ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Obesity Control ◽  
Treatment Of Obesity ◽  
Faecal Bacteria ◽  
Gut Microbiota Composition

In recent years, attention has been given to the role potentially played by gut microbiota in the development of obesity. Several studies have shown that in individuals with obesity, the gut microbiota composition can be significantly different from that of lean individuals, that faecal bacteria can exert a fundamental role in modulating energy metabolism, and that modifications of gut microbiota composition can be associated with increases or reductions of body weight and body mass index. Based on this evidence, manipulation of the gut microbiota with probiotics has been considered a possible method to prevent and treat obesity. However, despite a great amount of data, the use of probiotics to prevent and treat obesity and related problems remains debated. Studies have found that the probiotic effect on body weight and metabolism is strain specific and that only some of the species included in the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera are effective, whereas the use of other strains can be deleterious. However, the dosage, duration of administration, and long-term effects of probiotics administration to prevent overweight and obesity are not known. Further studies are needed before probiotics can be rationally prescribed for the prevention or treatment of obesity. Control of the diet and environmental and life-style factors that favour obesity development remain the best solution to problems related to weight gain.

scholarly journals Resilience of Faecal Microbiota in Stabled Thoroughbred Horses Following Abrupt Dietary Transition between Freshly Cut Pasture and Three Forage-Based Diets

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 2611
Author(s):  
Karlette A. Fernandes ◽  
Chris W. Rogers ◽  
Erica K. Gee ◽  
Sandra Kittelmann ◽  
Charlotte F. Bolwell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Latin Square ◽  
Alpha Diversity ◽  
Diet Group ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Diet Change ◽  
Faecal Microbiota ◽  
Bacterial Phyla ◽  
Dietary Transition ◽  
Relative Abundances ◽  
Faecal Bacteria

The management of competition horses in New Zealand often involves rotations of short periods of stall confinement and concentrate feeding, with periods of time at pasture. Under these systems, horses may undergo abrupt dietary changes, with the incorporation of grains or concentrate feeds to the diet to meet performance needs, or sudden changes in the type of forage fed in response to a lack of fresh or conserved forage. Abrupt changes in dietary management are a risk factor for gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances, potentially due to the negative effects observed on the population of GI microbiota. In the present study, the faecal microbiota of horses was investigated to determine how quickly the bacterial communities; (1) responded to dietary change, and (2) stabilised following abrupt dietary transition. Six Thoroughbred mares were stabled for six weeks, consuming freshly cut pasture (weeks 1, 3 and 5), before being abruptly transitioned to conserved forage-based diets, both offered ad libitum. Intestinal markers were administered to measure digesta transit time immediately before each diet change. The conserved forage-based diets were fed according to a 3 × 3 Latin square design (weeks 2, 4 and 6), and comprised a chopped ensiled forage fed exclusively (Diet FE) or with whole oats (Diet FE + O), and perennial ryegrass hay fed with whole oats (Diet H + O). Faecal samples were collected at regular intervals from each horse following the diet changes. High throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to evaluate the faecal microbiota. There were significant differences in alpha diversity across diets (p < 0.001), and a significant effect of diet on the beta diversity (ANOSIM, p = 0.001), with clustering of samples observed by diet group. There were differences in the bacterial phyla across diets (p < 0.003), with the highest relative abundances observed for Firmicutes (62–64%) in the two diets containing chopped ensiled forage, Bacteroidetes (32–38%) in the pasture diets, and Spirochaetes (17%) in the diet containing hay. Major changes in relative abundances of faecal bacteria appeared to correspond with the cumulative percentage of intestinal markers retrieved in the faeces as the increasing amounts of digesta from each new diet transited the animals. A stable faecal microbiota profile was observed in the samples from 96 h after abrupt transition to the treatment diets containing ensiled chopped forage. The present study confirmed that the diversity and community structure of the faecal bacteria in horses is diet-specific and resilient following dietary transition and emphasised the need to have modern horse feeding management that reflects the ecological niche, particularly by incorporating large proportions of forage into equine diets.

scholarly journals Specification of Modified Jarvis Model Parameterization for Pinus cembra

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1388
Author(s):  
Anna Buchholcerová ◽  
Peter Fleischer ◽  
Dušan Štefánik ◽  
Svetlana Bičárová ◽  
Veronika Lukasová
Keyword(s):  
Stomatal Conductance ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Local Environment ◽  
Coefficient Of Determination ◽  
Pinus Cembra ◽  
United Nations Economic Commission ◽  
Model Parameterization ◽  
Economic Commission ◽  
Optimal Set

The high ambient ozone concentrations cause impairing effects on vegetation leading to plant injuries. The potential ozone uptake to vegetation through open stomata can be quantified using stomatal conductance measurements under the local environmental conditions. This study compares the ozone stomatal conductance to vegetation obtained with a modified Jarvis formula adopted from the Vegetation Manual of United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, and experimental field measurements’ data. The stomatal conductance was measured by a portable photosynthesis and gas exchange analyzer system LiCOR6400. The measurements were performed in the submontane environment of the High Tatra Mountains in Slovakia on Swiss pine (Pinus cembra), as a native species of the local flora. According to previous studies, Swiss pine is considered as an ozone-sensitive species. The modified Jarvis model for the ozone stomatal conductance is compared with the field measurements. The suitable parameterization of the modified Jarvis model for Swiss pine is obtained. The parameterization of stomatal conductance for Swiss pine in the local environment would help understand its specificity and similarity to other conifer species. In the case of using parameterization for a boreal coniferous from the Vegetation Manual of the International Cooperative Programme on Effects of Air Pollution on Natural Vegetation and Crops, validation of the model with the measurements without temperature adjustment of the conifer chamber achieved a coefficient of determination of R2=0.75. This result is not in contradiction with the previous researches. With the optimal set of parameters, obtained in this paper, the Jarvis model reaches R2=0.85. The data suggest that Jarvis-type models with appropriate parameterization are applicable for stomatal conductance estimation for Pinus cembra when the measurements do not modify the temperature regime.

scholarly journals Exotic Snakebites Reported to Pennsylvania Poison Control Centers: Lessons Learned on the Demographics, Clinical Effects, and Treatment of These Cases

Toxins ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 755
Author(s):  
Stephen W. Miller ◽  
Kevin C. Osterhoudt ◽  
Amanda S. Korenoski ◽  
Ketan Patel ◽  
Sakthivel Vaiyapuri
Keyword(s):  
Exotic Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Tissue Injury ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Poison Control ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Unique Challenge ◽  
Poison Control Centers ◽  
Medical Emergencies

Exotic snakebites (i.e. from non-native species) are a rare occurrence, but they present a unique challenge to clinicians treating these patients. Poison control centers are often contacted to assist in the management and care of these medical emergencies. In this study, we analyzed case records of the two Pennsylvania poison control centers from 2004 to 2018 to describe clinical features reported as a result of exotic snakebite envenomation. For the 15-year period reviewed, 18 exotic snakebites were reported with effects ranging from mild local tissue injury to patients who were treated with mechanical ventilation due to respiratory failure. The mean age of the patients was 35 years and males accounted for 83% of the cases. Antivenom, the only specific treatment, was administered in seven of 18 patients within an average of four h of envenomation. The procurement of antivenom against these exotic species may require substantial logistical efforts due to limited stocking of this rarely used treatment. Newer, targeted, small molecule treatments that are being currently investigated may aid in the treatment of snakebites in general. However, people should be cautious when handling these exotic species, and clinicians should be aware of these bites and relevant clinical effects in order to manage these when reported.

scholarly journals Darwin’s naturalization conundrum can be explained by spatial scale

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (20) ◽  
pp. 10904-10910
Author(s):  
Daniel S. Park ◽  
Xiao Feng ◽  
Brian S. Maitner ◽  
Kacey C. Ernst ◽  
Brian J. Enquist
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Biological Invasions ◽  
Spatial Scale ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Environmental Filtering ◽  
Local Environment ◽  
The United States ◽  
Nonnative Species ◽  
Native Flora ◽  
Observation Scale

Darwin proposed two seemingly contradictory hypotheses regarding factors influencing the outcome of biological invasions. He initially posited that nonnative species closely related to native species would be more likely to successfully establish, because they might share adaptations to the local environment (preadaptation hypothesis). However, based on observations that the majority of naturalized plant species in the United States belonged to nonnative genera, he concluded that the lack of competitive exclusion would facilitate the establishment of alien invaders phylogenetically distinct from the native flora (competition-relatedness hypothesis). To date, no consensus has been reached regarding these opposing hypotheses. Here, following Darwin, we use the flora of the United States to examine patterns of taxonomic and phylogenetic relatedness between native and nonnative taxa across thousands of nested locations ranging in size and extent, from local to regional scales. We find that the probability of observing the signature of environmental filtering over that of competition increases with spatial scale. Further, native and nonnative species tended to be less related in warm, humid environments. Our work provides an empirical assessment of the role of observation scale and climate in biological invasions and demonstrates that Darwin’s two opposing hypotheses need not be mutually exclusive.

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