Browsing by Author "Ramay, Hena R."
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Item Open Access Divergent maturational patterns of the infant bacterial and fungal gut microbiome in the first year of life are associated with inter-kingdom community dynamics and infant nutrition(2024-02-07) Mercer, Emily M.; Ramay, Hena R.; Moossavi, Shirin; Laforest-Lapointe, Isabelle; Reyna, Myrtha E.; Becker, Allan B.; Simons, Elinor; Mandhane, Piush J.; Turvey, Stuart E.; Moraes, Theo J.; Sears, Malcolm R.; Subbarao, Padmaja; Azad, Meghan B.; Arrieta, Marie-ClaireAbstract Background The gut microbiome undergoes primary ecological succession over the course of early life before achieving ecosystem stability around 3 years of age. These maturational patterns have been well-characterized for bacteria, but limited descriptions exist for other microbiota members, such as fungi. Further, our current understanding of the prevalence of different patterns of bacterial and fungal microbiome maturation and how inter-kingdom dynamics influence early-life microbiome establishment is limited. Results We examined individual shifts in bacterial and fungal alpha diversity from 3 to 12 months of age in 100 infants from the CHILD Cohort Study. We identified divergent patterns of gut bacterial or fungal microbiome maturation in over 40% of infants, which were characterized by differences in community composition, inter-kingdom dynamics, and microbe-derived metabolites in urine, suggestive of alterations in the timing of ecosystem transitions. Known microbiome-modifying factors, such as formula feeding and delivery by C-section, were associated with atypical bacterial, but not fungal, microbiome maturation patterns. Instead, fungal microbiome maturation was influenced by prenatal exposure to artificially sweetened beverages and the bacterial microbiome, emphasizing the importance of inter-kingdom dynamics in early-life colonization patterns. Conclusions These findings highlight the ecological and environmental factors underlying atypical patterns of microbiome maturation in infants, and the need to incorporate multi-kingdom and individual-level perspectives in microbiome research to improve our understandings of gut microbiome maturation patterns in early life and how they relate to host health. Video AbstractItem Open Access Divergent maturational patterns of the infant bacterial and fungal gut microbiome in the first year of life are associated with inter-kingdom community dynamics and infant nutrition(2024-02-07) Mercer, Emily M.; Ramay, Hena R.; Moossavi, Shirin; Laforest-Lapointe, Isabelle; Reyna, Myrtha E.; Becker, Allan B.; Simons, Elinor; Mandhane, Piush J.; Turvey, Stuart E.; Moraes, Theo J.; Sears, Malcolm R.; Subbarao, Padmaja; Azad, Meghan B.; Arrieta, Marie-ClaireAbstract Background The gut microbiome undergoes primary ecological succession over the course of early life before achieving ecosystem stability around 3 years of age. These maturational patterns have been well-characterized for bacteria, but limited descriptions exist for other microbiota members, such as fungi. Further, our current understanding of the prevalence of different patterns of bacterial and fungal microbiome maturation and how inter-kingdom dynamics influence early-life microbiome establishment is limited. Results We examined individual shifts in bacterial and fungal alpha diversity from 3 to 12 months of age in 100 infants from the CHILD Cohort Study. We identified divergent patterns of gut bacterial or fungal microbiome maturation in over 40% of infants, which were characterized by differences in community composition, inter-kingdom dynamics, and microbe-derived metabolites in urine, suggestive of alterations in the timing of ecosystem transitions. Known microbiome-modifying factors, such as formula feeding and delivery by C-section, were associated with atypical bacterial, but not fungal, microbiome maturation patterns. Instead, fungal microbiome maturation was influenced by prenatal exposure to artificially sweetened beverages and the bacterial microbiome, emphasizing the importance of inter-kingdom dynamics in early-life colonization patterns. Conclusions These findings highlight the ecological and environmental factors underlying atypical patterns of microbiome maturation in infants, and the need to incorporate multi-kingdom and individual-level perspectives in microbiome research to improve our understandings of gut microbiome maturation patterns in early life and how they relate to host health. Video AbstractItem Open Access Isha yoga practices, vegan diet, and participation in Samyama meditation retreat: impact on the gut microbiome & metabolome – a non-randomized trial(2023-04-05) Raman, Maitreyi; Vishnubhotla, Ramana; Ramay, Hena R.; Gonçalves, Maria C. B.; Shin, Andrea S.; Pawale, Dhanashri; Subramaniam, Balachundhar; Sadhasivam, SenthilkumarAbstract Background Growing evidence suggests a role for gut bacteria and their metabolites in host-signaling responses along the gut-brain axis which may impact mental health. Meditation is increasingly utilized to combat stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms. However, its impact on the microbiome remains unclear. This study observes the effects of preparation and participation in an advanced meditation program (Samyama) implemented with a vegan diet including 50% raw foods, on gut microbiome and metabolites profiles. Methods There were 288 subjects for this study. Stool samples were collected at 3-time points for meditators and household controls. Meditators prepared for 2 months for the Samyama, incorporating daily yoga and meditation practices with a vegan diet including 50% raw foods. Subjects were requested to submit stool samples for 3 time points – 2 months before Samyama (T1), right before Samyama (T2), and 3 months following Samyama (T3). 16 s rRNA sequencing was used to study participants' microbiome. Alpha and beta diversities along with short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) were assessed. Metabolomics were performed on a mass spectrometer coupled to a UHLPC system and analyzed by El-MAVEN software. Results Alpha diversity showed no significant differences between meditators and controls, while beta diversity showed significant changes (padj = 0.001) after Samyama in meditators’ microbiota composition. After the preparation phase, changes in branched short-chain fatty acids, higher levels of iso-valerate (padj = 0.02) and iso-buytrate (padj = 0.019) were observed at T2 in meditators. Other metabolites were also observed to have changed in meditators at timepoint T2. Conclusion This study examined the impact of an advanced meditation program combined with a vegan diet on the gut microbiome. There was an increase in beneficial bacteria even three months after the completion of the Samyama program. Further study is warranted to validate current observations and investigate the significance and mechanisms of action related to diet, meditation, and microbial composition and function, on psychological processes, including mood. Trial registration Registration number: NCT04366544 ; Registered on 29/04/2020.