Effect of Carbohydrates on the Gut Microbiome

The microbiome within the gut is directly linked to biological processes within a person, influencing factors such as metabolism, signaling pathways, and available nutrients. Long term dieting is known to alter ecological conditions within the gut, allowing certain types of microbes to flourish. Therefore, the overall health of an individual is ultimately influenced by shifts in the microbial community state caused by persistent dieting. This study investigates the connection between diet and the microbiome and draws an understanding of how common carbohydrates in food can affect bacterial composition. Using KBase software, anaerobic bacterial growth was investigated for bacteria subject to a defined media with distinct sugars. Common bacteria found in young children were studied as microbiome development begins post-partum. The results show that only certain carbohydrates have a crucial impact on bacterial growth while others are inert. In future studies, it is recommended that co-cultures of bacteria are studied in the sugar additive media to determine relative abundance and how different bacterial strains can dominate one another

L’analyse des traits de la bipolarité des étudiants des écoles artistiques et polytechniques

Background. The aim of the research was to assess the prevalence of the bipolar spectrum features among students of a variety of faculties, by dividing them arbitrarily into ‘art’ or ‘technology’ cohorts. Material and methods. 120 subjects were examined, including 57 students of arts, and 63 students of technology. The tools used included a basic socio-demographic questionnaire and the Hirschfeld Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ). Results. The bipolar spectrum features (as identified by the MDQ responses) were significantly more prevalent among the students of arts, as compared to the students of technology (28.2% vs. 4.8%, p≤0.001; OR=7.8; CI 95%: 2.13–28.51; p≤0.01). Moreover, in comparison to the students of technology, the students of arts were more likely to: 1) report mood patterns of intermittent ‘highs’ and ‘lows’ (49.1% vs. 15.9%, p≤0.0001; OR=5.11; CI 95%: 2.18–11.99; p≤0.001); 2) seek for psychiatric or psychological support (12.3% vs. 1.5%; p≤0.05; OR=5.2; CI 95%: 1.79–15.21; p≤0.01); 3) have a history of utilisation of psychotropic medications (31% vs. 7.9%, p≤0.001; OR = 8.7; CI 95%: 1.03–72.9; p≤0.05). They were also more likely to use psychoactive substances (other than alcohol). Conclusions. The considerable prevalence of the bipolarity features (as measured by the MDQ), combined with higher prevalence of intermittent periods of elevated or depressed mood, higher likelihood of seeking for psychiatric or psychological treatment, and higher prevalence of using psychoactive medications/substances in the cohort of the students of arts indicate a significant association between artistic talents and creativity, and the bipolar spectrum disorders