Gut microbial communities are likely remodeled in tandem with accumulated physiological decline during aging, yet there is limited understanding of gut microbiome variation in advanced age. Here, we performed a metagenomics-based enterotype analysis in a geographically homogeneous cohort of 367 enrolled Chinese individuals between the ages of 60 and 94 years, with the goal of characterizing the gut microbiome of elderly individuals and identifying factors linked to enterotype variations. In addition to two adult-like enterotypes dominated by Bacteroides (ET-Bacteroides) and Prevotella (ET-Prevotella), we identified a novel enterotype dominated by Escherichia (ET-Escherichia), whose prevalence increased in advanced age. Our data demonstrated that age explained more of the variance in the gut microbiome than previously identified factors such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or diet. We characterized the distinct taxonomic and functional profiles of ET-Escherichia, and found the strongest cohesion and highest robustness of the microbial co-occurrence network in this enterotype, as well as the lowest species diversity. In addition, we carried out a series of correlation analyses and co-abundance network analyses, which showed that several factors were likely linked to the overabundance of Escherichia members, including advanced age, vegetable intake, and fruit intake. Overall, our data revealed an enterotype variation characterized by Escherichia enrichment in the elderly population. Considering the different age distribution of each enterotype, these findings provide new insights into the changes that occur in the gut microbiome with age and highlight the importance of microbiome-based stratification of elderly individuals.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Bacteroides ; China ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/microbiology* ; Escherichia coli/classification* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics* ; Metagenomics ; East Asian People

Objective To analyze the bone metabolism in hospitalized patients with Graves disease and the changes after 131I therapy.Methods The differences of bone metabolism were analyzed between 315 patients with Graves disease and 300 normal controls in a case-control study.The changes in bone turnover markers and BMD levels before and one year after 131I therapy were observed in 60 patients.Results Compared to normal control,bone turnover markers were markly higher and BMD levels were lower in patients with Graves disease.The level of thyroid hormones were positively related to bone turnover markers,while negatively related to total hip BMD (Z-score).But there was no linear relationship with lumbarand femoral neck BMD (Z-score).After one year of 131I therapy,bone turnover markers were markly lower than that before treatment,while BMD levels were partly higher than that before treatment.Conclusions In Graves disease patients,bone turnover markers were generally increased,while BMD levels decreased compared with normal people.After 131I therapy,along with the improvement of thyrotoxicosis,the high bone turnover rate can be suppressed,and BMD can partly recover.

[Summary] Dyslipidemia after organ transplantation is one of the important risk factors of postoperative cardiovascular disease and graft dysfunction. There are many factors that result in postoperative dyslipidemia. However, the factors influencing serum lipid levels are changing with the development of organ transplantation. In this article the effects of different anti-rejection drugs such as cyclosporine, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus, rapamycin ( sirolimus ) , corticosteroids, and monoclonal antibody on dyslipidemia after organ transplantation were summarized in different eras.

[Summary] Interleukin-2 receptor antagonist (IL-2Ra,ie,basiliximab and daclizumab),a new antibody agent,is widely employed in lowering the risk of acute rejection after organ transplantation,but it meanwhile causes increasing concerns on the effect it exerts on glucose metabolism in transplant recipients,and so far the exact effect still remains controversial.New onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT) is one of the most influential metabolic complications affecting graft survival and patients' long-term outcomes.Some of the current researches indicate that IL2Ra may improve glucose metabolism in the transplant recipients,some show just the opposite,yet others show no effects.Hence further investigations focusing this aspect are needed.