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Dysfunctional processing of fear memory may be involved in the pathophysiology of fear of cancer recurrence (FCR), which is cited as the major unmet psychological need of cancer survivors. Emerging evidence has shown that the microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis affects depressive and anxiety disorders, and chemotherapy-associated psychological distress. We therefore hypothesized that the gut microbiota is associated with FCR in cancer survivors.This cross-sectional study enrolled women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer who were not currently undergoing chemotherapy. Fecal samples were obtained to assess the gut microbiota. FCR grade was assessed using the Concerns About Recurrence Scale (CARS).Mean age of the participants (n = 126) was 58 years; 47% had stage I disease. Multiple regression analysis with adjustment for possible confounders showed that the relative abundance of the Bacteroides genus (beta = 0.180, p = 0.03) was significantly and directly associated with FCR. In the 57 participants with a history of chemotherapy, higher FCR was associated with lower microbial diversity (p = 0.04), lower relative abundance of Firmicutes (p = 0.03) and higher relative abundance of Bacteroidetes (p = 0.04) at the phylum level, and higher relative abundance of Bacteroides (p 0.01) and lower relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae.g (p = 0.03) and Ruminococcus (p = 0.02) at the genus level.Our findings provide the first evidence of an association between the gut microbiota and FCR and suggest that chemotherapy-induced changes in gut microbiota can influence FCR. Further studies should examine the effects of the gut microbiota on FCR using a prospective design.

A recent meta-analysis found that probiotics have moderate-to-large beneficial effects on depressive symptoms in patients with psychiatric disorders. However, it remains unclear how the baseline gut microbiota before probiotic administration influences the host’s response to probiotics. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether the predicted functional profile of the gut microbiota influences the effectiveness of probiotic treatment in patients with schizophrenia. A total of 29 patients with schizophrenia consumed Bifidobacterium breve A-1 (synonym B. breve MCC1274) for 4 weeks. We considered patients who showed a 25% or more reduction in the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale total score at 4 weeks from baseline to be “responders” and those who did not to be “non-responders”. We predicted the gut microbial functional genes based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and applied the linear discriminant analysis effect size method to determine the gut microbial functional genes most likely to explain the differences between responders and non-responders at baseline. The results showed that lipid and energy metabolism was elevated at baseline in responders (n = 12) compared to non-responders (n = 17). These findings highlight the importance of assessing the gut microbial functional genes at baseline before probiotic therapy initiation in patients with psychiatric disorders.

Bifidobacteria are one of the most abundant bacterial groups in the infant gut microbiota and are closely associated with infant health and can potentially affect health in later life. However, the details regarding the source of bifidobacteria have yet to be completely elucidated. This study aimed to assess neonatal oral fluid (OF) as a transmission route for bifidobacteria to the infant gut during delivery. Neonatal OF and infant feces (IF) were collected immediately and one month after birth from 15 healthy vaginally delivered newborns. Bifidobacterium strains were isolated from OF and IF samples, and the similarity of strains between the OF-IF pairs was evaluated based on the average nucleotide identity (ANI) value. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing results revealed the presence of Bifidobacteriaceae at >1% relative abundance in all OF samples. Bifidobacterium strains were isolated from OF (9/15) and IF (11/15) samples, and those sharing high genomic homology (ANI values >99.5%) between the neonatal OF and IF samples were present in one-third of the OF-IF pairs. The results of this study indicate that viable bifidobacteria are present in neonatal OF and that OF at birth is a possible transmission route of bifidobacteria to the infant gut.

We demonstrated the benefit of the probiotic strain, Bifidobacterium breve MCC1274 (synonym B. breve A1), at improving cognition in our previous double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study. Analysis of the association of blood parameters changes with the improvement of cognitive function revealed an inverse correlation of HbA1c with total RBANS score amelioration after the study only in the probiotic group (ρ= –0.4218, p = 0.0067). A stratified analysis based on baseline HbA1c with a median value showed a more remarkable benefit by the probiotic supplementation in the higher median subgroup. These data support the mechanism of anti-inflammation in improving cognition by the probiotic strain.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential nutrients demonstrated to have health benefits, such as decreasing the risk of coronary heart disease, improving parameters associated with metabolic syndrome, and decreasing anxiety symptoms and depression risk. Previous intervention studies indicated the association between blood or tissue PUFA levels and the gut microbiota; however, the details remain incompletely elucidated. We conducted a cross-sectional study to examine the association between PUFAs and the gut microbiota among breast cancer survivors. Adults who had been diagnosed with invasive breast cancer more than one year ago and were not currently undergoing chemotherapy were enrolled. Capillary blood and faecal samples were obtained to assess the blood PUFA levels and gut microbiota compositions. The mean age (n=124) was 58.7 years, and 46% of the participants had a history of chemotherapy. Multiple regression analysis controlling for possible confounders indicated that an increased relative abundance of Actinobacteria was significantly associated with increased levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, beta=0.304, q

OBJECTIVES: Dysfunctional processing of fear memory may be involved in the pathophysiology of fear of cancer recurrence (FCR), which is cited as the major unmet psychological need of cancer survivors. Emerging evidence has shown that the microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis affects psychiatric disorders, including depressive and anxiety disorders, which are associated with fear memory (PMID: 29628046). We therefore hypothesized that the gut microbiota is associated with FCR in cancer survivors (PMID: 29628046). METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer who were not currently undergoing chemotherapy. Fecal samples were obtained to assess the gut microbiota. FCR grade was assessed using the Concerns About Recurrence Scale (CARS). RESULTS: Mean age of the participants (n = 126) was 58 years; 47% had stage I disease. Multiple regression analysis with adjustment for possible confounders showed that the relative abundance of the Bacteroides genus (beta = 0.180, P = 0.03) was significantly and directly associated with FCR. In the 57 participants with a history of chemotherapy, higher FCR was associated with lower microbial diversity (P = 0.04), lower relative abundance of Firmicutes (P = 0.03) and higher relative abundance of Bacteroidetes (P = 0.04) at the phylum level, and higher relative abundance of Bacteroides (P

Background: Bifidobacteria are one of the most abundant bacterial groups in the infant gut microbiota and are closely associated with infant health as well as potentially affecting health in later life. The establishment of bifidobacteria in the infant gut occurs from birth and is influenced by factors such as birth mode, type of infant feeding, and antibiotic use. However, the details regarding the source of bifidobacteria have yet to be completely elucidated. This study aimed to assess neonatal oral fluid (OF) as a transmission route for bifidobacteria to the infant gut during delivery. Methods: Neonatal OF and infant fecal (IF) samples were collected immediately and one month after birth from 15 healthy vaginally delivered newborns to analyze the microbiotic composition. Bifidobacterium strains were isolated from OF and IF samples and sequenced using a MiSeq platform to evaluate the similarity of strains between the OF-IF pairs based on the average nucleotide identity (ANI) value of specific genomic coding regions of each strain. Findings: The 16S rRNA gene sequencing results revealed the presence of Bifidobacteriaceae at >1% relative abundance in all OF samples. Bifidobacterium strains were isolated from OF (9/15) and IF samples (11/15), and those sharing high genomic homology (ANI values >99.5%) between the neonatal OF and IF samples were present in one-third of the OF-IF pairs. Interpretation: The results of this study indicate that viable bifidobacteria are present in neonatal OF and that bifidobacteria could reach the infant gut though the oral environment. Funding Statement: Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd. funded this research. Declaration of Interests: K.T., N.K., T.O., E.M., Te.K. and JZ.X are employees of Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd. The remaining authors declare that there are 361 no conflicts of interest. Ethics Approval Statement: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the School of Health and Sports Science, Juntendo University, and informed written consent was obtained from all of the mothers.

Research question Do gut microbiota associate with the ovulatory cycle in women showing normogonadotrophic anovulation? In humans, the gut microbiota affects diverse physiological functions and dysbiosis (microbial imbalance) may lead to pathological syndromes. However, there is comparatively little information on the relevance of gut microbiota to reproductive functions in women. Here, a group of women with idiopathic chronic anovulation were examined, who do not exhibit any apparent endocrinological disorder, as they are suitable for investigating the relationship between intestinal bacteria and ovulatory disorders. Design A prospective observational cohort study was performed on two groups of women who did not exhibit apparent endocrinological disorders but showed either irregular menstrual cycles (IMC group) or normal menstrual cycles (controls). The bacterial composition of faeces from rectal swabs from the women was analysed using next-generation sequencing based on bacterial 16SrRNA genes. Results A metagenomic analysis indicated that the two groups of women had significant differences in 28 bacterial taxa in their faeces. Prevotella-enriched microbiomes were more abundant in the IMC group, whereas Clostridiales, Ruminococcus and Lachnospiraceae (butyrate-producing bacteria) were present at lower levels in the IMC group. Conclusions Distinctive subpopulations of intestinal microbiota were identified in women with unexplained chronic anovulation. The results indicate that gut microbiota could be associated with ovarian functions.

Norovirus (NoV) is known to cause acute gastroenteritis in children worldwide. Although reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) method is considered to be the "gold standard" for diagnosis of this viral infection, it requires skillful personnel and well-equipped laboratory. In this study, a rapid and easily performable diagnostic kit was developed using immunochromatographic method with rabbit polyclonal antibodies raised against recombinant virus-like particles (rVLPs) of most prevalent genotypes, genogroup II genotypes 3 and 4. This kit was evaluated for reactivity to rVLPs and detection of natural viruses in stool samples collected from children with diarrhea in comparison to the results obtained by RT-PCR. In the prospective assessment, the kit showed agreement rate of 84.1%, sensitivity of 69.8% and specificity of 93.7%. Genotyping of the RT-PCR positive samples by sequence analysis revealed that some heterogeneous genotypes were also detected while some in homogeneous genotypes occasionally showed false negative records resulting in lower sensitivity. No cross-reactivity with other common viral pathogens was observed. Taken together with the result of the detection limit of viral load as small as approximately 10(6-7)copies/g of stool, the current immunochromatography test is justified for screening for NoV infection with simple laboratory support.

Chronic multielectrode recording has become a widely used technique in the past twenty years, and there are multiple standardized methods. As for recording with high-density array, the most common method in macaque monkeys is to use a subdural array with fixed electrodes. In this study, we utilized the electrode array with independently maneuverable electrodes arranged in high-density, which was originally designed for use on small animals, and redesigned it for use on macaque monkeys while maintaining the virtues of maneuverability and high-density. We successfully recorded single and multiunit activities from up to 49 channels in the V1 and inferior temporal (IT) cortex of macaque monkeys. The main change in the surgical procedure was to remove a 5 mm diameter area of dura mater. The main changes in the design were (1) to have a constricted layer of heavy silicone oil at the interface with the animal to isolate the electrical circuit from the cerebrospinal fluid, and (2) to have a fluid draining system that can shunt any potential postsurgical subcranial exudate to the extracranial space.

An immunochromatography (IC) assay for rapid detection of norovirus (NoV) was evaluated with fecal samples collected from children who suffered from acute gastroenteritis during the winter season of 2007-2008 in Japan. A total of 75 fecal specimens were tested for NoV by the newly developed IC kit and by a gold standard RT-PCR method. The sensitivity, specificity, and agreement of this IC kit were 75.4%, 100%, and 80%, respectively. In addition, phylogenetic analysis revealed that the majority of NoV circulating in Japan during 2007-2008 belonged to the new variant GII/4 2006b genetic cluster. It was demonstrated that the IC kit evaluated in this study could detect these new variant NoV strains, which emerged recently in Japan. Therefore, it is suggested that this NoV IC kit could be used as an alternative method for the screening of NoV in fecal specimens, especially during the season of acute gastroenteritis outbreak.