Composition and stability of the vervet monkey milk microbiome

The human milk microbiome is vertically transmitted to offspring during the postnatal period and has emerged as a critical driver of infant immune and metabolic development. Despite this importance in humans, the milk microbiome of nonhuman primates remains largely unexplored. This dearth of comparative work precludes our ability to understand how species‐specific differences in the milk microbiome may differentially drive maternal effects and limits how translational models can be used to understand the role of vertically transmitted milk microbes in human development. Here, we present the first culture‐independent data on the milk microbiome of a nonhuman primate. We collected milk and matched fecal microbiome samples at early and late lactation from a cohort of captive lactating vervet monkeys (N = 15). We found that, similar to humans, the vervet monkey milk microbiome comprises a shared community of taxa that are universally present across individuals. However, unlike in humans, this shared community is dominated by the genera Lactobacillus, Bacteroides, and Prevotella. We also found that, in contrast to previous culture‐dependent studies in humans, the vervet milk microbiome exhibits greater alpha‐diversity than the gut microbiome across lactation. Finally, we did not find support for the translocation of microbes from the gut to the mammary gland within females (i.e., “entero‐mammary pathway”). Taken together, our results show that the vervet monkey milk microbiome is taxonomically diverse, distinct from the gut microbiome, and largely stable. These findings demonstrate that the milk microbiome is a unique substrate that may selectively favor the establishment and persistence of particular microbes across lactation and highlights the need for future experimental studies on the origin of microbes in milk.     

Distribution and characterization of the opioid octapeptide met5-enkephalin-arg6-gly7-leu8 in the gastrointestinal tract of the rat

Summary The distribution and characterization of the opioid octapeptide met⁵-enkephalin-arg⁶-gly⁷-leu⁸ (met⁵-enk-arg⁶-gly⁷-leu⁸) within the gastrointestinal tract of the rat has been determined by immunohistochemistry and radioimmunoassay by use of a newly developed antibody to met⁵-enk-arg⁶-gly⁷-leu⁸. With both techniques, met⁵-enk-arg⁶-gly⁷-leu⁸-immunoreactivity (met⁵-enk-arg⁶-gly⁷-leu⁸IR) was detected in all regions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract except the esophagus. The highest concentration of immunoreactive met⁵-enk-arg⁶-gly⁷-leu⁸ was observed in the colon, while intermediate concentrations were found in the stomach, duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Immunostained somata were observed chiefly in the myenteric plexus; immunostained processes were present primarily in the myenteric plexus and the circular muscle layer. This distribution pattern is similar to that previously observed with antiserum to met⁵-enkephalin-arg⁶-phe⁷ (met⁵-enk-arg⁶phe⁷). Chromatographic analysis of met⁵-enk-arg⁶-gly⁷leu⁸-immunoreactive peptides extracted from the GI tract revealed the presence of an immunoreactive peptide of high molecular weight which accounted for approximately three-quarters of met⁵-enk-arg⁶-gly⁷-leu⁸-IR in both stomach and colon. These findings suggest a role for peptides related to the octapeptide met⁵-enk-arg⁶-gly⁷-leu⁸ in the regulation of GI function.     

Hydrology shapes microbial communities and microbiome-mediated growth of an Everglades tree island species

Plant-associated microbiomes can improve plant fitness by ameliorating environmental stress, providing a promising avenue for improving outplantings during restoration. However, the effects of water management on these microbial communities and their cascading effects on primary producers are unresolved for many imperiled ecosystems. One such habitat, Everglades tree islands, has declined by 54% in some areas, releasing excess nutrients into surrounding wetlands and exacerbating nutrient pollution. We conducted a factorial experiment, manipulating the soil microbiome and hydrological regime experienced by a tree island native, Ficus aurea, to determine how microbiomes impact growth under two hydrological management plans. All plants were watered to simulate natural precipitation, but plants in the “unconstrained” management treatment were allowed to accumulate water above the soil surface, while the “constrained” treatment had a reduced stage to avoid soil submersion. We found significant effects of the microbiomes on overall plant performance and aboveground versus belowground investment; however, these effects depended on hydrological treatment. For instance, microbiomes increased investment in roots relative to aboveground tissues, but these effects were 142% stronger in the constrained compared to unconstrained water regime. Changes in hydrology also resulted in changes in the prokaryotic community composition, including a >20 log₂fold increase in the relative abundance of Rhizobiaceae, and hydrology-shifted microbial composition was linked to changes in plant performance. Our results suggest that differences in hydrological management can have important effects on microbial communities, including taxa often involved in nitrogen cycling, which can in turn impact plant performance.     

Escherichia coli K12 does not colonize the gastrointestinal tract of Fischer-344 rats

Summary The colonizing potential ofEscherichia coli K12 containing a vector coding for somidobove (bovine somatotropin) was determined. Treated male and female Fischer-344 rats were given a single oral gavage inoculum of sucrose with/without tetracycline (15 g/ml). Untreated control animals received similar drinking water regimes. All animals survived until termination. There were no clinical signs of toxicity observed and no treatment-related effect upon body weight, food consumption, or efficiency of food utilization. Fresh fecal samples were collected from each rat every 24 h following inoculation and the population of the marked strain was quantitated until no bacterial colonies were observed for two consecutive days. While all inoculated rats were positive at 24 h, by 72 and 96 h all had become negative for the test (marked) strain, as were the corresponding control group throughout the test. The frozen stock of the marked strain used as the positive control demonstrated that the agar plates were selective for the test strain. Fourteen days following inoculation, all groups of rats were killed and the gastrointestinal tracts removed and treated to recover the marked strain. There was no evidence of the marked strain in the gastrointestinal tract of any rat from any group. Thus, theE. coli K12 host/vector system used in this experiment does not colonize the gastrointestinal tract of Fischer-344 rats.     

Bifidobacterium longum supplementation improves age-related delays in fracture repair

Age-related delays in bone repair remains an important clinical issue that can prolong pain and suffering. It is now well established that inflammation increases with aging and that this exacerbated inflammatory response can influence skeletal regeneration. Recently, simple dietary supplementation with beneficial probiotic bacteria has been shown to influence fracture repair in young mice. However, the contribution of the gut microbiota to age-related impairments in fracture healing remains unknown. Here, we sought to determine whether supplementation with a single beneficial probiotic species, Bifidobacterium longum (B. longum), would promote fracture repair in aged (18-month-old) female mice. We found that B. longum supplementation accelerated bony callus formation which improved mechanical properties of the fractured limb. We attribute these pro-regenerative effects of B. longum to preservation of intestinal barrier, dampened systemic inflammation, and maintenance of the microbiota community structure. Moreover, B. longum attenuated many of the fracture-induced systemic pathologies. Our study provides evidence that targeting the gut microbiota using simple dietary approaches can improve fracture healing outcomes and minimize systemic pathologies in the context of aging.     

右美托咪定联合经皮穴位电刺激对混合痔剥扎术后患者肠胃功能及术后疼痛的影响

摘要 目的：探讨右美托咪定联合经皮穴位电刺激对混合痔剥扎术后患者肠胃功能及术后疼痛的影响。方法：选择2022年3月-2022年7月我院行混合痔剥扎术的患者60例,将60例患者随机分为对照组（30例）与观察组（30例）,对照组患者给予右美托咪定镇痛,观察组给予术前经皮穴位电刺激,时间为手术开始前2 min至手术结束,右美托咪定使用方法、剂量同对照组。对比两组患者术前、术后0.5 h、1 h、2 h、3 h的疼痛评分,对比两组患者的术后疼痛疗效,对比两组创面愈合时间、腐肉完全脱落时间、住院时间及胃肠功能恢复情况,对比两组术前、术后的血管活性肠肽、胃动素及胃泌素水平。结果：术前及术后3 h时,两组的疼痛评分对比无统计学意义（P>0.05）;术后0.5 h、1 h、2 h时,观察组的疼痛评分明显较对照组低（P<0.05）。观察组的术后疼痛有效率明显较对照组高,P<0.05。观察组的创面愈合时间、腐肉完全脱落时间及住院时间明显较对照组低（P<0.05）。观察组的肠鸣音恢复时间、术后恶心呕吐发生率及排气时间明显较对照组短（P<0.05）。术前,两组的血管活性肠肽、胃动素及胃泌素水平对比无统计学意义（P>0.05）;术后,两组血管活性肠肽、胃泌素水平升高,胃动素水平降低,且观察组变化幅度明显较对照组低（P<0.05）。结论：右美托咪定联合经皮穴位电刺激可改善混合痔剥扎术后患者肠胃功能及术后疼痛情况。     

针刺对术后胃肠功能紊乱大鼠胃肠传输功能及脑肠肽的影响

摘要 目的：探讨针刺三里穴、中脘对大鼠胃大部切除术后胃肠传输功能恢复的影响及可能的作用机制。方法：将60只 SD 大鼠随机分为空白组、模型组和针刺组,每组 20 只。造模成功后第3天开始,针刺组进行针刺足三里、中脘,连续治疗14天。于末次针刺结束后,各组记录进食量、体重等;后各组禁食24 h后进行胃残留率和小肠推进率测定,腹主动脉取血测定胃泌素、胃动素、食欲素A及食欲素1型受体。结果：造模前,三组大鼠体重和进食量差异无统计学意义,P>0.05。造模后3天,模型组及针刺组体重和进食量低于空白组,差异有统计学意义,P<0.05。针刺干预后,模型组体重和进食量低于空白组和针刺组,差异有统计学意义,P<0.05。针刺干预后,针刺组大鼠胃残留率、小肠推进率、胃泌素、胃动素、食欲素A及食欲素1型受体高于模型组,差异有统计学意义,P<0.05;模型组胃残留率、小肠推进率、胃泌素、胃动素、食欲素A及食欲素1型受体低于空白组,差异有统计学意义,P<0.05;针刺组与空白组胃残留率、小肠推进率、胃泌素、胃动素、食欲素A及食欲素1型受体差异无统计学意义,P>0.05。结论：针刺胃大部切除术后大鼠足三里穴、中脘穴,改善胃排空和小肠推进功能,促进术后胃肠功能的恢复,其作用机制可能为改变脑肠肽代谢,增加食欲素A水平,激活食欲素1型受体,促进胃泌素、胃动素分泌。     

The effect of thyrotropin releasing hormone and morphine on gastrointestinal transit

The effect of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) alone and in combination with morphine on the gastrointestinal transit was investigated by using the charcoal meal test in mice. The intraperitoneal (IP) administration of TRH decreased the transit when given in a dose of 1.0 mg/kg 10 min prior to the meal. The intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of TRH (10 μg/mouse) also inhibited the transit when given just prior to the charcoal meal. Subcutaneous (SC) administration of morphine (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg) inhibited gastrointestinal transit in a dose dependent manner. When TRH (1, 3 and 10 mg/kg, IP as well as 0.3 μg, ICV) which had no effect on the transit by itself was combined with morphine (10 mg/kg, SC), an enhancement in the inhibition of the transit was observed. TRH-induced inhibition of the transit was antagonized by naloxone (0.1 mg/kg, SC). It is concluded that TRH inhibits gastrointestinal transit in the mouse possibly via the opiate receptor system.     

The distribution and cellular origin of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in the avian gastrointestinal tract and pancreas

Summary The distribution and origins of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in the gut and pancreas of the turkey were studied by radioimmunoassay of tissue extracts and by immunocytochemistry. Several antisera were used that vary in their specificity for different regions of porcine or chicken VIP. Radioimmunoassays using NH₂-terminal specific antisera that react almost equally with porcine and chicken VIP's revealed significant amounts of immunoreactive VIP in extracts of pancreas, brain and all regions of the gastrointestinal tract from crop to colon. Highest concentrations (300pmol/g) were found in the colon muscle, and concentrations were generally low (< 20 pmol/g) in the mucosal layers of the small intestine. After ion exchange chromatography of extracts on CM-Sephadex three immunoreactive forms of VIP were separated corresponding to the three molecular forms previously found in mammalian gut extracts. In immunocytochemical studies nerve fibres were found throughout the gut, and in the pancreas. Immunoreactive nerve cell bodies were also identified in the submucous plexus throughout the gut, but were particularly prominent in the oesophagus and pancreas. It has previously been shown that VIP is a strong stimulant of the flow of pancreatic juice in birds whereas the structurally related hormone secretin, which is known to control the flow of pancreatic juice in mammals, is a weak stimulant. It is proposed that in birds VIP might regulate the pancreas, and other aspects of gut function, as a neurotransmitter or neurohormone.