Podcast
Questions and Answers
What role do short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) play in human health?
What role do short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) play in human health?
Which beneficial bacteria were significantly increased in the polysaccharide group compared to the control group?
Which beneficial bacteria were significantly increased in the polysaccharide group compared to the control group?
Which statement accurately describes the effects of oyster polysaccharides on gut health?
Which statement accurately describes the effects of oyster polysaccharides on gut health?
How do sulfated polysaccharides from Gracilaria Lemaneiformis contribute to gut health?
How do sulfated polysaccharides from Gracilaria Lemaneiformis contribute to gut health?
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What effect do MPs (microbiota-perturbing substances) have on gut microbiota?
What effect do MPs (microbiota-perturbing substances) have on gut microbiota?
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What effect does Lactobacillus Plantarum found in Kimchi have according to a study?
What effect does Lactobacillus Plantarum found in Kimchi have according to a study?
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Which organisms are primarily involved in the fermentation process of Kombucha?
Which organisms are primarily involved in the fermentation process of Kombucha?
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What is the main purpose of vaginal seeding for C-section babies?
What is the main purpose of vaginal seeding for C-section babies?
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What compound produced by Gluconobacter in Kombucha may protect against oxidative stress?
What compound produced by Gluconobacter in Kombucha may protect against oxidative stress?
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What potential risk is associated with vaginal seeding procedures?
What potential risk is associated with vaginal seeding procedures?
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How does the acid produced by bacteria in Kombucha affect pathogenic bacteria?
How does the acid produced by bacteria in Kombucha affect pathogenic bacteria?
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Which of the following describes a potential outcome of administering Kombucha tea in research studies?
Which of the following describes a potential outcome of administering Kombucha tea in research studies?
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Which of the following factors does NOT qualify a mother as a donor for vaginal seeding?
Which of the following factors does NOT qualify a mother as a donor for vaginal seeding?
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What is one primary advantage provided by the collective genomes of microbial symbionts to host animals?
What is one primary advantage provided by the collective genomes of microbial symbionts to host animals?
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Which factor is NOT mentioned as influencing microbial composition and function in the host?
Which factor is NOT mentioned as influencing microbial composition and function in the host?
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How does gut dysbiosis in the elderly affect their health?
How does gut dysbiosis in the elderly affect their health?
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What kind of bacteria is particularly decreased in frail elderly individuals?
What kind of bacteria is particularly decreased in frail elderly individuals?
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Which type of microbial communities flourish in the phyllosphere of plants?
Which type of microbial communities flourish in the phyllosphere of plants?
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What aspect of the microbial ecosystem is characterized by diversity in microbial community profiles between different environments?
What aspect of the microbial ecosystem is characterized by diversity in microbial community profiles between different environments?
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Which of the following is a common characteristic of the microbiota in both plants and fish?
Which of the following is a common characteristic of the microbiota in both plants and fish?
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What structural feature in fish aids microbial colonization?
What structural feature in fish aids microbial colonization?
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Study Notes
Normal Flora
- A diverse microbial flora is associated with the skin and mucous membranes of every human being from shortly after birth until death.
- Normal microbial flora inhabiting the human skin, nails, eyes, oropharynx, genitalia, and gastrointestinal tract are harmless in healthy individuals.
- Normal flora can cause disease in compromised hosts.
- Viruses and parasites are not considered members of the normal microbial flora in humans.
- Gene sequencing helped to identify and classify bacteria based on 16s rRNA and physicochemical properties.
- Microbes aid in nutrition, immune system and neurological development, gut maturation, and pathogen defense.
- The human body contains about 1013 cells, routinely harbors about 1014 bacteria.
- Normal microbial flora is relatively stable, with specific genera populating various body regions during particular periods in an individual's life.
- Microorganisms of the normal flora may aid the host, may harm the host, or may exist as commensals.
- Main factors determining the composition of the normal flora in a body region are pH, temperature, redox potential, and oxygen, water, and nutrient levels.
- Other factors include peristalsis, saliva, lysozyme secretion, and secretion of immunoglobulins.
- Local environment is like a concerto in which one principal instrument usually dominates (e.g., a Gram-positive population (bifidobacteria and lactobacilli) in breastfed infants).
- Breast milk contains unique microbiota, including beneficial, symbiotic, and potential probiotics.
- Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) in breast milk modulate intestinal microbiota and act as prebiotics for beneficial bacteria.
- This beneficial bacterial population is reduced and displaced by Gram-negative bacteria (Enterobacteriaceae) when the baby is bottle-fed.
- The type of liquid diet provided to the infant influences the normal flora control.
- Bovine milk is a significant substitute for human breast milk, with bioactive compounds, including microbiota derived from milk.
- Bovine milk microbiota supports early-life gut development by improving the intestinal microbiota and immune functions.
- The overall energy production and digestion within the body depends on the intactness of the resident communal flora
- Disturbances in the body's bacterial composition can cause various metabolic disorders and other health complications.
- Dominance of methanogens may cause bloating, and high-sugar feed might lead to ruminal acidosis.
Normal Delivery & C-sections
- Studies show that intestinal microbiota composition in vaginally delivered infants differs from those delivered by C-section.
- Infants delivered vaginally obtain microorganisms from the birth canal, mostly anaerobic bacteria; these form the initial infant microbiota.
- The vagina of pregnant women contains a large amount of Lactobacillus which keeps a low pH environment, inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria.
- Microbiota of naturally delivered babies was similar to the vagina microbiota of the mother.
- During vertical transfer, the mother passes vaginal microorganisms.
- High abundance of Bifidobacteria, Bacteroides, Prevotella, and Leptothrix.
- Infants delivered by C-section have initial contact with the hospital environment and the mother's skin.
- Early intestinal microbiota in C-sections is similar to the mother's skin microbiota, with facultative anaerobes like Staphylococcus, Propionibacterium, and Corynebacterium. With a low abundance of Bacteroides and Bifidobacteria.
- Intestinal colonization by Bacteroides is delayed.
- Microbial diversity in C-section babies is lower.
Early-life respiratory tract and gut microbiome
- Early-life microbiome plays an important role in infant health.
- Factors such as mode of delivery, feeding type, and exposure to endotoxins alter the microbiome composition.
- Perturbations in the infant microbiome can affect long-term microbiota composition, possibly determining predisposition to inflammatory diseases (like severe RSV disease).
Normal Flora (Plants and Fish)
- Plant phyllosphere dominated by strict aerobes like Methylobacteriaceae and Sphingomonadaceae.
- Abundance low in plant roots, replaced by facultative anaerobes.
- Plant and fish microbiotas share common facultative anaerobes.
- Plant and fish gut microbiotas feature a thick mucus biofilm.
- Comamonadaceae, Oxalobacteraceae, Flavobacteriaceae are abundant in plant and fish mucus, especially in gill microbiota.
Microbiome Analysis Methods
- High-throughput sequencing (HTS) and analysis methods provide insights into the structures and functions of microbiomes.
- Culturome involves the targeted selection of microbes, providing microbial isolates for quick analysis.
- Amplicon (16S/18S/ITS) methods involve low-biomass requirements, taxonomic resolution to species level, and evaluation of functional potential of uncultured species.
- Metagenomics analyze the collective genomes.
- Metatranscriptomics determine active microbes by analyzing the transcriptomes.
- Metaproteomics examines the expressed proteins, while metabolomics detects the metabolites.
Germ Free Mice Models
- Gnotobiology revolutionized the study of microbiota-host interactions.
- Germ-free mice lack all microorganisms, making them valuable models for studying specific bacterial species' effects.
- GF models offer a completely blank microbial background for studying correlative and causal effects.
- Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) strengthens the use of GF mice in research.
FMT - Microbial Seeding
- FMT involves the administration of fecal matter from healthy donors into the recipient's intestinal tract to change and restore the microbiome.
- FMT is used to treat various inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
- FMT has been shown to suppress intestinal apoptosis, regulate lymphocytes, and increase the abundance of healthy-related microbiota in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Microbiome Connectivity
- Microbiome transfer occurs between environments.
- Mechanisms like vertical (e.g., placental transfer), horizontal, and via aerosols, food, water, and medical applications.
Holo-genomics
- An integrated study, considering not only the host's genomes but also those of their associated microbes, other life forms, and viruses.
- Includes microbiome interactions, metabolic collaborations, vertical inheritance, and mutual symbiosis for holobiont development.
Biomarkers for Gut Microbiota & Health
- SCFAs can be used as biomarkers for gut microbiota health.
- High SCFA levels may indicate beneficial factors related to health.
- Fecal SCFAs are good biomarkers.
- Studies examine the relationship between serum SCFAs and diseases like Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Dietary Fiber and SCFA-producing Bacteria
- Different dietary sources are associated with specific SCFA-producing bacteria.
- Fermentable carbohydrates and resistant starches stimulate SCFA production.
- Various food types support different types of gut communities.
Gut Microbiome Homeostasis & Dysbiosis
- Gut dysbiosis is influenced by different factors and nutrition.
- Dietary changes can dramatically shift gut microbiota composition.
- Several chronic diseases may potentially be related or even caused by gut microbiome dysbiosis.
Mechanisms of Normal Flora Defense
- Components of normal flora defend against invading pathogens.
- Mechanisms include layer formation, waste product inhibition, and stimulation of the immune system.
Immune Effects of SCFAs
- SCFAs affect immune cells like macrophages, neutrophils, and T cells.
- SCFAs potentially influence the expression of anti-microbial protein cathelicidin
SCFAs as Energy Source
- SCFAs are major energy sources for colon cells, providing up to 8% of daily energy in some cases.
- SCFAs might reduce lipolysis, insulin-mediated fat accumulation, and accumulation in adipose and skeletal muscle tissues as seen in some studies.
Other topics covered:
- Various plant and animal microbiomes.
- Diverse methods of microbiome analysis.
- Specific considerations like vaginal seeding.
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