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The gut microbiomes association towards a favorable health profile is a rapidly emerging active area of research. This randomized, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled study elucidates the impact of prebiotic partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) dietary fiber on the relative abundance of the gut microbiomes (16S rRNA gene sequencing) and their significant correlation with fecal defecation characteristics among healthy male athletes. Subjects followed a daily six grams dietary intake of either PHGG or placebo for four weeks, following a three weeks washout period, subjects followed another four weeks of crossover alternative administration. Fecal defecation characteristics were assessed using a questionnaire along with quality of life (QOL) questions. The results demonstrated that genus level alteration in gastrointestinal microbiomes relative abundance was correlated to representative changes in fecal defecation characteristics, especially in reduction of diarrhea (P = 0.035) and fecal excretory feeling (P = 0.038). The PHGG intake led to a significant increase in phylum Actinobacterium (P = 0.04), along with a significant decrease in Bacteroidetes (P = 0.036). Also, a trending decrease in Firmicutes (P = 0.09) was noticed. At genus level, a significant alteration in the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium (P = 0.047) and Clostridium subcluster XI (P = 0.044) were observed with PHGG intake compared with placebo. Reduction in diarrhea was associated with the relative abundance of phylum Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and genera Bacteroides/Prevotella ratio for the PHGG intervention compared to placebo. In summary, the finding reveals that even at relatively low dosage, intake of prebiotic PHGG dietary fiber modulates gastrointestinal microbiomes, and thus improves gut health.

We report the first documented case of pancreatic metastasis from a gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the stomach. A 42-year-old Japanese man presented with severe abdominal discomfort. Computed tomography of the abdomen showed a huge heterogeneous mass consisting of cystic and solid components in the left upper abdomen. 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography revealed high tracer uptake in the abdominal mass. After total gastrectomy with lymphnodectomy was performed, a hard mass was palpated in the pancreatic tail. The pancreatic tumor was also resected under the therapeutic strategy. Histological examinations of the resected gastric and pancreatic specimens revealed that both tumors consisted of uniform spindle cells with a fascicular growth pattern and were immunohistochemically positive for CD34 and CD117/KIT. Gene sequencing analysis of DNA from each tumor revealed an identical deletion of 21 nucleotides in exon 11 of the gene KIT. On the basis of these results, we concluded that the pancreatic tumor was a metastatic tumor from the gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the stomach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Daily consumption of PHGG improves gastrointestinal health of healthy athletes. • PHGG intake results in diarrhea reduction and improves and improves lifestyle quality. • PHGG fiber diet is critical for microbiota of subjects with exercise rich lifestyle. • PHGG lowers abundance of harmful bacteria and increases energy recovery in athletes. The gut microbiomes association towards a favorable health profile is a rapidly emerging active area of research. This randomized, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled study elucidates the impact of prebiotic partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) dietary fiber on the relative abundance of the gut microbiomes (16S rRNA gene sequencing) and their significant correlation with fecal defecation characteristics among healthy male athletes. Subjects followed a daily six grams dietary intake of either PHGG or placebo for four weeks, following a three weeks washout period, subjects followed another four weeks of crossover alternative administration. Fecal defecation characteristics were assessed using a questionnaire along with quality of life (QOL) questions. The results demonstrated that genus level alteration in gastrointestinal microbiomes relative abundance was correlated to representative changes in fecal defecation characteristics, especially in reduction of diarrhea (P = 0.035) and fecal excretory feeling (P = 0.038). The PHGG intake led to a significant increase in phylum Actinobacterium (P = 0.04), along with a significant decrease in Bacteroidetes (P = 0.036). Also, a trending decrease in Firmicutes (P = 0.09) was noticed. At genus level, a significant alteration in the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium (P = 0.047) and Clostridium subcluster XI (P = 0.044) were observed with PHGG intake compared with placebo. Reduction in diarrhea was associated with the relative abundance of phylum Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and genera Bacteroides/Prevotella ratio for the PHGG intervention compared to placebo. In summary, the finding reveals that even at relatively low dosage, intake of prebiotic PHGG dietary fiber modulates gastrointestinal microbiomes, and thus improves gut health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]