Effects of commercial apple varieties on human gut microbiota composition and metabolic output using an in vitro colonic model

Apples are a rich source of polyphenols and fiber. A major proportion of apple polyphenols escape absorption in the small intestine and together with non-digestible polysaccharides reach the colon, where they can serve as substrates for bacterial fermentation. Animal studies suggest a synergistic interaction between apple polyphenols and the soluble fiber pectin; however, the effects of whole apples on human gut microbiota are less extensively studied. Three commercial apple varieties-Renetta Canada, Golden Delicious and Pink Lady-were digested and fermented in vitro using a batch culture colonic model (pH 5.5-6.0, 37 °C) inoculated with feces from three healthy donors. Inulin and cellulose were used as a readily and a poorly fermentable plant fiber, respectively. Fecal microbiota composition was measured by 16S rRNA gene Illumina MiSeq sequencing (V3-V4 region) and Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization. Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and polyphenol microbial metabolites were determined. The three apple varieties significantly changed bacterial diversity, increased Actinobacteria relative abundance, acetate, propionate and total SCFAs (p < 0.05). Renetta Canada and Golden Delicious significantly decreased Bacteroidetes abundance and increased Proteobacteria proportion and bifidobacteria population (p < 0.05). Renetta Canada also increased Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, butyrate levels and polyphenol microbial metabolites (p < 0.05). Together, these data suggest that apples, particularly Renetta Canada, can induce substantial changes in microbiota composition and metabolic activity in vitro, which could be associated with potential benefits to human health. Human intervention studies are necessary to confirm these data and potential beneficial effects

Computer assisted training for robotic surgery

description of a virtual reality simulator for robotic surger

Improving the development of surgical skills with virtual fixtures in simulation

This paper focuses on the use of virtual fixtures to improve the learning of basic skills for laparoscopic surgery. Five virtual fixtures are defined, integrated into a virtual surgical simulator and used to define an experimental setup based on a trajectory following task. 46 subjects among surgeons and residents underwent a training session based on the proposed setup. Their performance has been logged and used to identify the effect of virtual fixtures on the learning curve from the point of view of accuracy and completion time. Virtual fixtures prove to be effective in improving the learning and affect differently accuracy and completion time. This suggests the possibility to tailor virtual fixtures on the specific task requirements.Peer Reviewe

Improving the development of surgical skills with virtual fixtures in simulation

This paper focuses on the use of virtual fixtures to improve the learning of basic skills for laparoscopic surgery. Five virtual fixtures are defined, integrated into a virtual surgical simulator and used to define an experimental setup based on a trajectory following task. 46 subjects among surgeons and residents underwent a training session based on the proposed setup. Their performance has been logged and used to identify the effect of virtual fixtures on the learning curve from the point of view of accuracy and completion time. Virtual fixtures prove to be effective in improving the learning and affect differently accuracy and completion time. This suggests the possibility to tailor virtual fixtures on the specific task requirements.Peer Reviewe

Automated Surgical Task Execution: the Needle Insertion Case

The paper describes a robot control and coordination framework for the automation of surgical tasks. In the proposed framework, surgeons do not interact with robots by means of teleoperation, but they are supported by autonomous robotic assistants. Such robots perform basic surgical actions by combining sensing, dexterity and cognitive capabilities. The goal is achieved thanks to rigorous assessment of surgical requirements, formal specification of robotic system behavior, including multiple arm coordination and human/system interaction, and control software development with state-of-the-art componentbased technologies. The paper presents an experimental setup composed of two robots operating on a US-compatible phantom, demonstrating the feasibility of the approach

Development of a cognitive robotic system for simple surgical tasks

The introduction of robotic surgery within the operating rooms has significantly improved the quality of many surgical procedures. Recently, the research on medical robotic systems focused on increasing the level of autonomy in order to give them the possibility to carry out simple surgical actions autonomously. This paper reports on the development of technologies for introducing automation within the surgical workflow. The results have been obtained during the ongoing FP7 European funded project Intelligent Surgical Robotics (I-SUR). The main goal of the project is to demonstrate that autonomous robotic surgical systems can carry out simple surgical tasks effectively and without major intervention by surgeons. To fulfil this goal, we have developed innovative solutions (both in terms of technologies and algorithms) for the following aspects: fabrication of soft organ models starting from CT images, surgical planning and execution of movement of robot arms in contact with a deformable environment, designing a surgical interface minimizing the cognitive load of the surgeon supervising the actions, intra-operative sensing and reasoning to detect normal transitions and unexpected events. All these technologies have been integrated using a component-based software architecture to control a novel robot designed to perform the surgical actions under study. In this work we provide an overview of our system and report on preliminary results of the automatic execution of needle insertion for the cryoablation of kidney tumours

Ex vivo fecal fermentation of human ileal fluid collected after wild strawberry consumption modulates human microbiome community structure and metabolic output and protects against DNA damage in colonic epithelial cells

17restrictedInternationalBothScope Wild strawberries (Fragaria vesca) are richer in (poly)phenols than common commercial strawberry varieties, e.g., Fragaria × ananassa. (Poly)phenols and their microbiota-derived metabolites are hypothesized to exert bioactivity within the human gut mucosa. To address this, the effects of wild strawberries are investigated with respect to their bioactivity and microbiota-modulating capacity using both in vitro and ex vivo approaches. Methods and Results Ileal fluids collected pre- (0h) and post-consumption (8h) of 225 g wild strawberries by ileostomates (n = 5) and also in vitro digested strawberry varieties (Fragaria vesca and Fragaria × ananassa Duchesne) supernatants are collected. Subsequent fermentation of these supernatants using an in vitro batch culture proximal colon model reveals significant treatment-specific changes in microbiome community structure in terms of alpha but not beta diversity at 24 h. Nutri-kinetic analysis reveals a significant increase in the concentration of gut microbiota catabolites, including 3-(4hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid, 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)propanoic acid, and benzoic acid. Furthermore, post-berry ileal fermentates (24 h) significantly (p < 0.01) decrease DNA damage (% Tail DNA, COMET assay) in both HT29 cells (∼45%) and CCD 841 CoN cells (∼25%) compared to untreated controls. Conclusions Post berry consumption fermentates exhibit increased overall levels of (poly)phenolic metabolites, which retains their bioactivity, reducing DNA damage in colonocytes.restrictedDiotallevi, Camilla; Fontana, Massimiliano; Latimer, Cheryl; Ternan, Nigel G; Pourshahidi, L Kirsty; Lawther, Roger; O'Connor, Gloria; Conterno, Lorenza; Gasperotti, Mattia; Angeli, Andrea; Lotti, Cesare; Bianchi, Martina; Vrhovsek, Urska; Fava, Francesca; Gobbetti, Marco; Gill, Chris I R; Tuohy, Kieran MDiotallevi, C.; Fontana, M.; Latimer, C.; Ternan, N.G.; Pourshahidi, L.K.; Lawther, R.; O'Connor, G.; Conterno, L.; Gasperotti, M.; Angeli, A.; Lotti, C.; Bianchi, M.; Vrhovsek, U.; Fava, F.; Gobbetti, M.; Gill, C.I.R.; Tuohy, K.M

Up-regulating the human intestinal microbiome using whole plant foods, polyphenols, and/or fiber

Whole plant foods, including fruit, vegetables, and whole grain cereals, protect against chronic human diseases such as heart disease and cancer, with fiber and polyphenols thought to contribute significantly. These bioactive food components interact with the gut microbiota, with gut bacteria modifying polyphenol bioavailability and activity, and with fiber, constituting the main energy source for colonic fermentation. This paper discusses the consequences of increasing the consumption of whole plant foods on the gut microbiota and subsequent implications for human health. In humans, whole grain cereals can modify fecal bacterial profiles, increasing relative numbers of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. Polyphenol-rich chocolate and certain fruits have also been shown to increase fecal bifidobacteria. The recent FLAVURS study provides novel information on the impact of high fruit and vegetable diets on the gut microbiota. Increasing whole plant food consumption appears to upregulate beneficial commensal bacteria and may contribute toward the health effects of these foods