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Given the known dysbiosis of gut microflora in inflammatory bowel disease, there has been great enthusiasm about the potential for fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) as a treatment. This editorial accompanies a prospective series of five patients with ulcerative colitis who underwent FMT, but did not achieve remission. I discuss the important observations from this study and point out that the lack of clinical efficacy and observed side effects warrant caution in the ongoing pursuit of this treatment option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on various approaches on how to engineer Salmonella bacteria, which has the ability to penetrate and destroy tumors from inside out. David Bermudes and colleagues from California have introduced an enzyme to Salmonella and exposed it to mutagenic chemicals and isolated strains that grow in tumor cells. Moreover, the bacteria were enhanced by some researchers with amino such as extra bacterial toxins, which convert harmless compounds into toxic drugs.

The article offers news briefs related to the chemical engineering industry. Scientists at the University of Colorado-Boulder are exploring ways to use and transplant human microbes for the treatment of several disease from obesity to diabetes. Researchers at the University of Calcutta in India has discovered that eggshell membranes are capable of absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The automobile giants GM and Nissan has partnered for a battery recycling initiative.

Abdominal pain is common in the general population and, in patients with irritable bowel syndrome, is attributed to visceral hypersensitivity. We found that oral administration of specific Lactobacillus strains induced the expression of μ-opioid and cannabinoid receptors in intestinal epithelial cells, and mediated analgesic functions in the gut—similar to the effects of morphine. These results suggest that the microbiology of the intestinal tract influences our visceral perception, and suggest new approaches for the treament of abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food-associated Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (Lpb. plantarum) strains, previously classified as Lactobacillus plantarum, are a promising strategy to face intestinal inflammatory diseases. Our study was aimed at clarifying the protective role of food-borne Lpb. plantarum against inflammatory damage by testing the scavenging microbial ability both in selected strains and in co-incubation with normal mucosa intestinal cells (NCM460). Here, we show that Lpb. plantarum endure high levels of induced oxidative stress through partially neutralizing reactive oxygen species (ROS), whereas they elicit their production when co-cultured with NCM460. Moreover, pre-treatment with food-borne Lpb. plantarum significantly reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-17F and IL-23 levels in inflamed NCM460 cells. Our results suggest that food-vehicled Lpb. plantarum strains might reduce inflammatory response in intestinal cells by directly modulating local ROS production and by triggering the IL-23/IL-17 axis with future perspectives on health benefits in the gut derived by the consumption of functional foods enriched with selected strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comments on the use engineered bacteria for cancer control. Investigation on non-pathogenic anaerobic bacteria in hypoxic region of tumors for therapeutic purposes; Use of combination bacteriolytic therapy (COBALT) as strategy for war against cancer; Considerations on the use of COBALT.

Discusses the effectiveness of foods and dietary supplements called probiotics in preventing common disorders. Commercially available probiotic microbes; Effectiveness of probiotics for relieving vaginal infections; Effectiveness of probiotics in reducing the risk of coronary artery disease.

This Medical News article discusses early clinical trials of beneficial bacteria therapy for eczema, or atopic dermatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author discusses the study of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). The author explains the findings of the study which highlight the site differences the fact the microbiomes are dynamic. The author claims that the study showed the imperfect state of testing for C difficile and the need to determine whether even microbial politics might be local.

The article reports on stool banks that provide stool preparations to hospitals for use in fecal microbiota transplants (FMT), a medical procedure to restore the normal microbial balance in a patient's gut with a dose of stool from healthy volunteers. Topics discussed include the Netherlands Donor Feces Bank (NDFB), the problem of regulating the banks' products and companies' development of gut microbiome replacements.

The article presents a study on the effectiveness and safety of fecal transplant in the treatment of immunocompromised as non-immunocompromised patients for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Topics covered include the findings of the study which show that most (IBD) patients seem to tolerate (FMT) and could be cured of their CDI with FMT.

The article presents a case report on the successful treatment of chronic Pouchitis using fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). Topics covered include FMT being a novel therapy for transferring normal intestinal flora from a healthy donor to a patient with a medical condition that is potentially caused by disrupted homeostasis of intestinal microbiota or dysbiosis and the results showing that pouchitis symptoms and quality of life improved through FMT.

The article reports on a survey that uses social networks to examine the knowledge and acceptability of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) in Mexico. Topics discussed include the effect of FMT on the microbiota balance, the efficacy of FMT as compared to vancomycin and the common adverse effects of FMT. The absence of information on stool donation among the general population is noted.

The article discusses the therapeutic use of bacteria on human beings and analyzes various studies on the subject. Topics related to bacteriotherapy including the use of processed human faeces, prebiotics, and human milk are discussed. Details are given about the role of human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) in an infant's gut and the transfer of maternal microbiota to the infant.

A correction to the article "Bacteriophage Procurement for Therapeutic Purposes" by B. Weber-Dabrowska and colleagues published in a 2016 issue of the journal "Frontiers in Microbiology" is presented.

The article focuses on bacteria called probiotics, which live in human intestines and are used for health improvement. The author discusses which organisms are probiotics, their functions, and clinical application in terms of health benefits. Special attention is paid to viral bacteria's significance for the immune system as well as recommended dose of oral administration.

The author argues in favor of the manipulation of the gut bacteria called microbiota as a therapeutic tool for diabetes mellitus (DM). He believes that the products of the gut bacteria may produce the rise in insulin resistance, which is the first step in the development of type 2 diabetes. He describes two potential therapeutic tools influenced by the gut microbiota.

The article offers information on Recurrent Clostridium difficile infection in persons with Aids and fecal microbiota therapy for it. It mentions that fecal microbiota therapy works by restoring the natural microbiota of the recipient. It further discusses the procedure of this therapy and case of two persons of age 48 years with Aids who received antiretroviral therapy and they got infected with Clostridium difficile infection.

The author reflects on the study of childhood allergy treatment with gut microbes. The author mentions that animal studies confirm that microbes are important for the development of immune regulation and gut microbiota has essential role for both human health and disease. The author suggests further studies of microbial ecosystem which will reveal knowledge that might deeply affect treatment and prevention of diseases related to childhood allergy.

In this article, the author discusses the molecular mechanisms of probiotic action. The author cites the study of E. M. Fernandez and colleagues which links a bacterial effector molecule with an anti-inflammatory host response in mice and provides supporting evidence for the said mechanism. The author states that the report by Fernandez and colleagues leave questions on issues including the NOD2 mutations in the host, strain specificity of Lactobacillus salivarius, and gram-positive elements.

The article offers updates related to product developments and innovations in science and medicine. William Bentley and Robert E. Fischell devised the concept of bacterial dirigibles which uses bacteria to fight diseases. Scientists in Brazil have developed the use of nanofibres from fruits such as pineapple to make automotive plastics stronger and lighter. U.S. scientists introduced a new material with an ingredient that is potential in improving the strength of plastic food packaging.

The article discusses the partnering agreement that Pfizer has established with Auxilium Pharmaceuticals for the biologic Xiaflex. This comes after Pfizer purchased Wyeth in January 2009. This is exemplary of the ways in which many large pharmaceutical companies are attempting to avoid losses of revenue due to patent expirations on major products. Xiaflex is a bacterial collagenase based on a combination of subtypes of collagenase enzyme derived from the bacterium Clostridium histolyticum that will net Auxilium $410 million. Biotechnology analyst of Cowen & Co. Eric Schmidt provides quotes.

The article presents a medical research on the therapy for Crohn's disease (CD). The study describe three patients with long-duration CD who experienced disease flares while receiving remission maintenance therapy with 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) and balsalazide or mesalamine. Findings of the study suggest that reducing antigenic bacteria levels and promoting growth of healthy bacteria may provide an effective therapeutic strategy for long-term remission maintenance in patients with CD.