Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jorge Lopez-Tello, Zoe Schofield, Raymond Kiu, Matthew J. Dalby, Douwe van Sinderen, Gwenaelle Le Gall, Amanda N. Sferruzzi-Perri, Lindsay J. Hall
Summary: This study demonstrates that the bacterium Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003, a key member of the maternal gut microbiota, modulates maternal body adaptations, placental structure, and nutrient transporter capacity, with implications for fetal metabolism and growth.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Ville M. Koistinen, Maria Hedberg, Lin Shi, Anders Johansson, Otto Savolainen, Marko Lehtonen, Anna-Marja Aura, Kati Hanhineva, Rikard Landberg
Summary: This study used metabolomics to identify seven microbial metabolites commonly produced during fermentation and found that a mixture of these metabolites exhibited stronger inhibition against bacteria compared to individual compounds. The results suggest that metabolites produced by LAB may modulate local microbial ecology through synergistic effects.
MOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Federico Fontanta, Giulia Alessandri, Chiara Tarracchini, Massimiliano Giovanni Bianchi, Sonia Mirjam Rizzo, Leonardo Mancabelli, Gabriele Andrea Lugli, Chiara Argentini, Laura Maria Vergna, Rosaria Anzalone, Giulia Longhi, Alice Viappiani, Giuseppe Taurino, Martina Chiu, Francesca Turroni, Ovidio Bussolati, Douwe van Sinderen, Christian Milani, Marco Ventura
Summary: The genomic era has generated a vast amount of genetic data in bacterial taxonomy, but there is currently no established approach to reliably identify reference strains. In this study, a comprehensive multi-omics approach was developed, using the Bifidobacterium genus as a test case, to identify the optimal reference strains.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Chiara Argentini, Leonardo Mancabelli, Giulia Alessandri, Chiara Tarracchini, Margherita Barbetti, Luca Carnevali, Giulia Longhi, Alice Viappiani, Rosaria Anzalone, Christian Milani, Andrea Sgoifo, Douwe van Sinderen, Marco Ventura, Francesca Turroni
Summary: The first microbial colonizers of the infant gut are members of the genus Bifidobacterium, which exhibit different activities beneficial to their host. However, Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (AMC), the most commonly prescribed antibiotic during infancy, can reduce the diversity of gut microbiota. This study investigated the potential positive effects of AMC-resistant bifidobacterial strains in maintaining the diversity of gut microbiota during AMC treatment.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Ayako Watanabe, Yukine Teragaki, Yasuyuki Kitaura, Takumi Tochio
Summary: 1-kestose is the smallest component of fructooligosaccharides and has significant bifidogenic effects. However, there is a lack of in vivo studies on the synergistic effects of 1-kestose and Bifidobacterium longum in the gut. We demonstrate the synergistic impact of this combination in mice by using an appropriate monitoring regimen.
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL FOODS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Applied
Na Zhang, Mingliang Jin, Kaiming Wang, Zhihong Zhang, Nagendra P. Shah, Hua Wei
Summary: The human intestine contains abundant nutrients and a complex microbiota that play crucial roles in overall health. Deprivation of microbiota-accessible carbohydrates (MACs) in the gut leads to bacterial diversity loss, disruption of intestinal barrier function, and inflammatory diseases. Functional oligosaccharides, acting as prebiotics, have important effects on intestinal health through their fermentation in the gut, promoting the production of short-chain fatty acids, and regulating the gut microbiota.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Jiacui Shang, Shuo Yang, Xiangchen Meng
Summary: The composition of the microbiome in the early stages of life plays a crucial role in the health of developing infants, and human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) are important regulators in maintaining a healthy gut microbiota. This study analyzed the gut microbiota of 1-month-old breastfed infants in Jining and Harbin, China, as well as the HMO profiles in maternal breast milk. The results showed significant differences in the abundance of certain HMO between the two groups, and Bifidobacterium was found to be the predominant microbial species in both groups. Correlation analyses suggested that HMO are beneficial for the development of the gut microbiota in young infants, and the abundance of Bifidobacterium indicates their ability to efficiently utilize HMO for maintaining gut microflora homeostasis. Breast milk-derived HMO were found to be critical for shaping the gut microbiota in breastfed infants.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Silvia Saturio, Alicja M. Nogacka, Marta Suarez, Nuria Fernandez, Laura Mantecon, Leonardo Mancabelli, Christian Milani, Marco Ventura, Clara G. De Los Reyes-Gavilan, Gonzalo Solis, Silvia Arboleya, Miguel Gueimonde
Summary: The establishment of the gut microbiota is influenced by factors such as gestational age, delivery mode, and infant feeding habits, leading to qualitative and quantitative changes in the bifidobacterial population. Understanding the impact of perinatal factors on the gut microbiota, especially at low taxonomic levels, is crucial for the development of rational strategies for promoting a healthy early microbiota development. The study provides insights for selecting the most suitable Bifidobacterium species for different groups of neonates and developing bifidobacteria-based products.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Zhenhui Chen, Xingyu Leng, Fan Zhou, Wei Shen, Hongnan Zhang, Qinfei Yu, Xiaojing Meng, Hongying Fan, Min Qin
Summary: This study isolated a lead (Pb2+)-resistant Lacticaseibacillus casei strain from the infant gut microbiota and confirmed its probiotic properties. The results from the mouse model showed that this strain effectively reduced Pb2+ levels in the blood, alleviated Pb2+ enrichment in bone and brain tissues, and helped recover intestinal and brain damage. Additionally, it improved the antioxidant index in liver and kidney tissues, and increased the diversity of the offspring's intestinal microbiota.
PROBIOTICS AND ANTIMICROBIAL PROTEINS
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Ayako Watanabe, Takumi Tochio, Yoshihiro Kadota, Motoki Takahashi, Yasuyuki Kitaura, Hirohito Ishikawa, Takanori Yasutake, Masahiro Nakano, Hiroe Shinohara, Toru Kudo, Yuichiro Nishimoto, Yoshinori Mizuguchi, Akihito Endo, Yoshiharu Shimomura
Summary: The research demonstrated that supplementation with 1-kestose prebiotics may potentially ameliorate insulin resistance in overweight individuals by modulating the gut microbiota.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aja Badgeley, Hina Anwar, Karan Modi, Paige Murphy, Ashakumary Lakshmikuttyamma
Summary: Studies have shown that probiotics, particularly Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, induce anti-cancer action and decrease cancer-producing microorganisms. Gut microbes not only enhance the action of chemotherapy drugs but also reduce the side effects of these medications.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-REVIEWS ON CANCER
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Porntipha Vitheejongjaroen, Anongnard Kasorn, Narathip Puttarat, Fabien Loison, Malai Taweechotipatr
Summary: The results of this study suggest that B. animalis MSMC83 has a beneficial role in alleviating oxidative stress in rats by increasing the expression of antioxidant enzymes and reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines. It also restores microbiota diversity after D-galactose injection.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Amanda Cuevas-Sierra, Fermin I. Milagro, Paula Aranaz, Jose Alfredo Martinez, Jose I. Riezu-Boj
Summary: The consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) may have varying effects on gut microbiota composition in women and men, leading to changes in the abundance of certain bacteria. This study highlights the importance of considering sex differences in the impact of UPFs on microbiota diversity and profile.
Article
Microbiology
Romina Diaz, Alexis Torres-Miranda, Guillermo Orellana, Daniel Garrido
Summary: This study compares genomic data of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum from different sources, revealing variable adaptations to carbohydrate consumption and the presence of glycosyl hydrolases in certain infant and adult genomes for human milk oligosaccharide use. Predictive genomic analysis demonstrates the potential of B. longum M12 to utilize fucosylated HMOs.
Article
Microbiology
Qiong Jia, Xue Yu, Yanmei Chang, Yanxia You, Zekun Chen, Ying Wang, Bin Liu, Lijun Chen, Defu Ma, Yan Xing, Xiaomei Tong
Summary: Gut microbiota in preterm infants varies depending on gestational age. Alpha diversity of meconium decreases with increasing gestational age. Moderate to late preterm infants have the highest alpha diversity after 1 year. Opportunistic pathogens and probiotics show different colonization patterns in different gestational age groups.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Michele Tinazzi, Mirta Fiorio, Alfredo Berardelli, Bruno Bonetti, Domenico Marco Bonifati, Alessandro Burlina, Annachiara Cagnin, Francesca Calabria, Maurizio Corbetta, Pietro Cortelli, Bruno Giometto, Silvia Vittoria Guidoni, Leonardo Lopiano, Gianluigi Mancardi, Fabio Marchioretto, Maria Pellegrini, Francesco Teatini, Gioacchino Tedeschi, Lucia Tesolin, Emanuele Turinese, Mario Zappia, Angela Marotta
Summary: The study investigated Italian neurologists' knowledge and clinical experience in managing patients with Functional Neurological Disorders (FND). Results showed that neurologists preferred using the term FND over other psychological or descriptive terms when communicating with patients, and were more inclined to refer patients to psychologists rather than psychiatrists. Some believed in the usefulness of physiotherapy and psychiatric interventions, while others thought patients may simulate their symptoms. Overall, the study suggests that understanding of scientific advances in FND is somewhat lacking, and there is a need for professional education to improve patient management.
JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Experimental
Angela Marotta, Miriam Braga, Cantor Tarperi, Kristina Skroce, Mirta Fiorio
Summary: Physical exercise can bias attention towards positive or negative emotions, and the impact varies with age. Younger adults showed attentional bias towards anger after a half-marathon, while older adults showed a bias away from anger, indicating potential differences in emotional regulation processes based on age.
COGNITION & EMOTION
(2022)
Article
Anesthesiology
Angela Sandri, Maria Paola Cecchini, Alice Zanini, Riccardo Nocini, Federico Boschi, Giovanni Zanette, Alessandro Marcon, Mirta Fiorio, Michele Tinazzi
Summary: This study found that unpleasant smell and taste stimuli can increase the perception of pain unpleasantness in patients with chronic oral burning pain. This suggests that smell and taste stimuli may have an adverse effect on the affective component of chronic oral burning pain.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PAIN
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Sonia Facchin, Matteo Calgaro, Mattia Pandolfo, Federico Caldart, Matteo Ghisa, Eliana Greco, Eleonora Sattin, Giorgio Valle, Evan Dellon, Nicola Vitulo, Edoardo Vincenzo Savarino
Summary: This study aimed to collect and characterize the microbiome of adult patients with eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) and correlate the findings with disease activity. Preliminary data suggest that salivary metabarcoding analysis in combination with machine learning approaches could become a valid, cheap, non-invasive test to distinguish between EoE and non-EoE patients.
ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Editorial Material
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Sonia Facchin, Matteo Calgaro, Mattia Pandolfo, Federico Caldart, Matteo Ghisa, Nicola Vitulo, Edoardo Vincenzo Savarino
ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Mirta Fiorio, Miriam Braga, Angela Marotta, Bernardo Villa-Sanchez, Mark J. Edwards, Michele Tinazzi, Diletta Barbiani
Summary: Functional neurological disorder (FND) refers to neurological symptoms that cannot be explained by structural neurological causes. The Bayesian predictive coding model suggests that perception relies on top-down cortical predictions to infer sensory information. This model may also apply to placebo and nocebo effects. The relationship between FND and placebo and nocebo effects extends beyond diagnosis and treatment, and shared cognitive, personality, and neuroanatomical factors may be involved. This new perspective offers potential insights into the pathogenesis of FND and the identification of therapeutic targets.
NATURE REVIEWS NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Mattia Pandolfo, Andrea Telatin, Gioele Lazzari, Evelien M. Adriaenssens, Nicola Vitulo
Summary: Bacteriophages, the most abundant biological entities on earth, play a crucial role in controlling bacterial communities through predation and gene transfer. Choosing the best method and interpreting the results can be challenging for new users. MetaPhage, a comprehensive reads-to-report pipeline, simplifies the use of multiple phage miners and generates an exhaustive report. It offers scalability, reproducibility, and easy expansion for future developments in this field.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Cristina Guidetti, Elena Salvini, Maurizio Viri, Francesca Deidda, Angela Amoruso, Annalisa Visciglia, Lorenzo Drago, Matteo Calgaro, Nicola Vitulo, Marco Pane, Anna Claudia Caucino
Summary: This study investigates the effects of probiotics on children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The study finds that probiotics can improve gastrointestinal symptoms, communication skills, maladaptive behaviors, and parental stress levels in ASD patients. Although there were no significant differences in microbial composition between the treatment groups, there were significant differences in beta diversity.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Ilaria A. Di Vico, Jon Stone, Laura Mcwhirter, Marianna Riello, Maria Elisabetta Zanolin, Michela Colombari, Mirta Fiorio, Michele Tinazzi
Summary: This study aimed to examine the failure rate of nonlitigant, non-compensation-seeking FMD patients on three different PVTs and compared their performance to healthy controls and healthy simulators. The results showed that FMD patients had low failure rates on two of the tests, similar to the performance of healthy controls, but significantly different from that of healthy simulators.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Bernardo Villa-Sanchez, Marialuisa Gandolfi, Mehran Emadi Andani, Nicola Vale, Giacomo Rossettini, Federico Polesana, Zoe Menaspa, Nicola Smania, Michele Tinazzi, Mirta Fiorio
Summary: This study explored the effectiveness of using placebo effect to reduce dual-task cost in older adults. The results showed that the dual-task cost was significantly reduced in the placebo group, indicating that the placebo can re-establish the allocation of attentional resources. These findings are significant for the development of cognitive strategies that leverage positive expectations to enhance motor control in older adults.
EXPERIMENTAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Francesca Di Cesare, Matteo Calgaro, Veronica Ghini, Diletta Francesca Squarzanti, Annachiara De Prisco, Annalisa Visciglia, Paola Zanetta, Roberta Rolla, Paola Savoia, Angela Amoruso, Barbara Azzimonti, Nicola Vitulo, Leonardo Tenori, Claudio Luchinat, Marco Pane
Summary: This study investigated the effects of probiotic treatment on the metabolic profiles of human urine and serum using NMR-based metabonomic approach. The results showed significant impacts of probiotics on urinary and serum metabolomes, without altering their phenotypes. The study demonstrated the variations of metabolite levels resulting from different probiotic posologies.
JOURNAL OF PROTEOME RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Matteo Calgaro, Chiara Romualdi, Davide Risso, Nicola Vitulo
Summary: This article presents benchdamic, a Bioconductor package for benchmarking methods for the identification of differentially abundant taxa.
