High purity galacto-oligosaccharides enhance specific Bifidobacterium species and their metabolic activity in the mouse gut microbiome

Prebiotics are selectively fermented ingredients that result in specific changes in the composition and/or activity of the gastrointestinal microbiota, thus conferring benefit(s) upon the host health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of a β (1–4) galacto-oligosaccharides formulation consisting of 90% pure GOS (GOS90), on the composition and activity of the mouse gut microbiota. Germ-free mice were colonized with microbiota from four pathogen-free wt 129 mice donors (SPF), and stools were collected during a feeding trial in which GOS90 was delivered orally for 14 days. Pyrosequencing of 16S rDNA amplicons showed that Bifidobacterium and specific Lactobacillus, Bacteroides and Clostridiales were more prevalent in GOS90-fed mice after 14 days, although the prebiotic impact on Bifidobacterium varied among individual mice. Prebiotic feeding also resulted in decreased abundance of Bacteroidales, Helicobacter and Clostridium. High-throughput quantitative PCR showed an increased abundance of Bifidobacterium adolescentis, B. pseudocatenulatum, B. lactis and B. gallicum in the prebiotic-fed mice. Control female mice showed a higher diversity (Phylogenetic Diversity PD = 15.1 ± 3.4 in stools and PD = 13.0 ± 0.6 in intestinal contents) than control males (PD = 7.8 ± 1.6 in stool samples and PD = 9.5 ± 1.0 in intestinal contents). GOS90 did not modify inflammatory biomarkers (IL-6, IL-12, IL-1β, IFN-γ and TNF-α). Decreased butyrate, acetate and lactate concentrations in stools of prebiotic fed mice suggested an increase in colonic absorption and reduced excretion. Overall, our results demonstrate that GOS90 is capable of modulating the intestinal microbiome resulting in expansion of the probiome (autochtonous commensal intestinal bacteria considered to have a beneficial influence on health)

Gut Microbiome and Colorectal Adenomas

The trillions of bacteria that naturally reside in the human gut collectively constitute the complex system known the gut microbiome, a vital player for the host’s homeostasis and health. However, there is mounting evidence that dysbiosis, a state of pathological imbalance in the gut microbiome is present in many disease states. In this review, we present recent insights concerning the gut microbiome’s contribution to the development of colorectal adenomas and the subsequent progression to colorectal cancer (CRC). In the United States alone, CRC is the second leading cause of cancer deaths. As a result, there is a high interest in identifying risk factors for adenomas, which are intermediate precursors to CRC. Recent research on CRC and the microbiome suggest that modulation of the gut bacterial composition and structure may be useful in preventing adenomas and CRC. We highlight the known risk factors for colorectal adenomas and the potential mechanisms by which microbial dysbiosis may contribute to the etiology of CRC. We also underscore novel findings from recent studies on the gut microbiota and colorectal adenomas along with current knowledge gaps. Understanding the microbiome may provide promising new directions towards novel diagnostic tools, biomarkers, and therapeutic interventions for CRC

Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) is not an independent biomarker of colorectal adenoma risk

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Inflammation and its associated pathologies are increasingly suggested as risk factors for colorectal cancer (CRC) development. Previous research from our group has shown that increased levels of circulating, pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNFα promote colorectal adenoma risk. Emerging data in mice and humans suggest that Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 (SOCS3) may act as a tumor suppressor in the intestine, and decreased SOCS3 expression may promote CRC. As SOCS3 has been shown to inhibit the actions of IL-6 and TNFα in the intestine, we hypothesized that decreased SOCS3 expression in normal mucosa may predispose to adenomas and thus increase risk for CRC.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>We examined SOCS3 mRNA levels in normal mucosa biopsies of 322 screening colonoscopy patients (93 with adenoma and 229 without adenoma) using real-time qRT-PCR. Logistic regression analysis was used to generate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals to determine if low SOCS3 expression was associated with adenoma status. Median SOCS3 values did not differ between patients with or without adenoma. Logistic regression analysis showed no association (unadjusted or adjusted for age and sex) between SOCS3 and colorectal adenomas.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Low SOCS3 mRNA expression is not an independent biomarker of colorectal adenoma risk in the normal mucosa. SOCS3 silencing likely occurs later in CRC progression.</p

GOES: GO EMERGENCY SERVICE, ANDROID-BASED SYSTEM AS A LABOR SAVING EFFORT IN REMOTE AREAS WITH NETWORK REACH

Maternal mortality occurs because they do not have access to quality health services, especially emergency health services on time which are motivated by being late in recognizing danger signs, being late in making decisions, being late in reaching health facilities, and being late in getting services at health facilities and influenced by direct causes such as obstetric complications. 90%) is known as the classic triad (bleeding, infection and preeclampsia, or complications during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum that are not handled properly and on time). Many Indonesians live in remote areas, unlike people who live in urban areas, where access is easy to get medical assistance for delivery if they experience contractions and/or during labor, while people who live in remote areas must take a long time and long distances to get health services, so it is undeniable that many still use village shamans or village shamans as the closest alternative to getting assistance during childbirth. The purpose of this program is as an effort to save childbirth in remote areas that can make it easier for people who are far from the facility to get help more quickly during childbirth and are assisted by midwives who are experts in their fields. The method used in this activity is to create a framework where the framework will outline the sequence to be implemented. Based on the results of the activity, using the GOES application makes it very easy to access health services that are fast and appropriate for mothers and babies to more easily get help from medical personnel who are experts in their fields

Polymorphisms in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, intakes of folate and related B vitamins and colorectal cancer : a case-control study in a population with relatively low folate intake

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Distribution and Characteristics of Colonic Diverticula in a United States Screening Population

Colonic diverticula are the most common finding from colonoscopy examinations. Little is known about the distribution of colonic diverticula, which are responsible for symptomatic and costly diverticular disease. We aimed to assess the number, location, and characteristics of colonic diverticula in a large US screening population

Prevalence and patterns of self-reported animal-related injury among veterinarians in metropolitan Kampala

To establish the prevalence, patterns and risk factors of animal-related injuries among veterinarians, self-administered questionnaires were given to 60 veterinarians practicing in metropolitan Kampala. The prevalence of animal-related injuries in metropolitan Kampala was 72% (95%CI, 57~84). Some veterinarians (34%) suffered multiple injuries with a mean and median of 2.1 and 2.0 injuries per veterinarian, respectively. Of a total of 70 self-reported animal related injuries, cattle accounted for 72%, cats for 25%, dogs for 23%, self inoculation for 15% and birds for 13%. Injuries associated with poultry did not require hospital treatment. The upper limb was the most the frequently (68%) injured anatomical body part of veterinarians, and vaccination of animals (25%) was the major activity associated with injury. Animal-related injuries are common among practicing veterinarians in metropolitan Kampala; however, they did not differ significantly based on the veterinarian's gender, experience or risk awareness

Polymorphisms in Methionine Synthase, Methionine Synthase Reductase and Serine Hydroxymethyltransferase, Folate and Alcohol Intake, and Colon Cancer Risk

Background/Aims - We examined associations among folate and alcohol intake, SNPs in genes involved in one-carbon metabolism and colon cancer risk. Methods - Colon cancer cases (294 African Americans and 349 whites) were frequency matched to population controls (437 African Americans and 611 whites) by age, race and sex from 33 North Carolina counties from 1996 to 2000. Folate and alcohol intakes were collected by dietary interview. Five SNPs were genotyped using DNA from whole blood: SHMT C1420T; MTRR A66G; MTR A2756G, and the previously-reported MTHFR C677T and MTHFR A1298C. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using logistic regression. Results - An inverse association was observed for SHMT TT genotype as compared to CC genotype in whites (OR=0.6, 95%CI=0.4, 1.0), but not in African Americans. Inverse associations were observed for high folate intake in individuals carrying 0 or 1 variant allele [OR 0.2 (95%CI 0.06-0.8) for African Americans; OR 0.2 (95%CI 0.1-0.6) for whites] compared to low folate intake. Modest interactions between these SNPs and alcohol or folate intakes were observed. Conclusions - Our results are consistent with other findings and provide needed data on these associations among African Americans

Statistical strategies to improve the efficiency of molecular studies of colorectal cancer prognosis

The evaluation of tumour molecular markers may be beneficial in prognosis and predictive in therapy. We develop a stopping rule approach to assist in the efficient utilisation of resources and samples involved in such evaluations. This approach has application in determining whether a specific molecular marker has sufficient variability to yield meaningful results after the evaluation of molecular markers in the first n patients in a study of sample size N (n⩽N). We evaluated colorectal tumours for mutations (microsatellite instability, K-ras, B-raf, PI3 kinase, and TGFβR-II) by PCR and protein markers (Bcl2, cyclin D1, E-cadherin, hMLH1, ki67, MDM2, and P53) by immunohistochemistry. Using this method, we identified and abandoned potentially uninformative molecular markers in favour of more promising candidates. This approach conserves tissue resources, time, and money, and may be applicable to other studies