Search

The oral microbiomes of 24 healthy adults (50% female; mean age = 24.3) were examined using 16 s ribosomal RNA sequencing and compared between light and heavy drinkers. Beta diversity was related at the trend level to drinking group, and light drinkers had significantly higher abundances of key oral taxa such as Lactobacillales. These preliminary results may offer insight into early effects of heavy drinking on the composition of the oral microbiome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Although Fontan patients have impaired exercise capacity, there is limited data on the ventricular response to exercise (contractile reserve) in this population. We sought to evaluate contractile reserve in Fontan patients using exercise stress echocardiography. Methods: Fontan subjects (n=29) and healthy controls (n=10) presenting for cardiopulmonary exercise test consented for rest and peak exercise echocardiograms. Contractile reserve was defined as the change in systemic ventricle's global longitudinal strain (GLS), free wall strain (FWS) and global circumferential strain (GCS) from rest to peak exercise. Fontan fenestration mean gradient was assessed using Doppler interrogation. The primary exercise measure was percent-predicted maximal oxygen consumption (%mVO2). Results: Fontan subjects had a mean age of 13.3 ± 3.7 years, with a predominance of males (69%). Most had single right ventricles (74%) and patent fenestrations (72%). Average %mVO2 was low at 74.2 ± 25%. Strain parameters were lower in patients than controls at rest and peak exercise. GLS, FWS and GCS strain rate increased significantly from rest to peak exercise in both groups, but the magnitude of increase was significantly less in patients compared to controls. Greater contractile reserve, measured as change in GLS and strain rate, and FWS and strain rate was associated with better mVO2 in patients (Table, Figure). Conclusions: Fontan patients have reduced contractile reserve compared to controls which is associated with impaired aerobic exercise capacity. Therapeutic strategies aimed at increasing contractile reserve may lead to improved exercise performance in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]