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Related Concept Videos

Probiotics01:22

Probiotics

296
Probiotics are live, non-pathogenic microorganisms that confer health benefits by modulating the gut microbiota. The human gastrointestinal tract harbors a complex microbial ecosystem, and the balance of this microbiota is crucial for digestive and systemic health. Among the most extensively studied and utilized probiotics are species formerly classified within the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These organisms not only naturally colonize the human gut but are also consumed through...
296
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

61
The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from...
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Introduction to the Human Microbiota01:22

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

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Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity,...
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Functions of the Gut Microbiota01:18

Functions of the Gut Microbiota

233
The gut microbiota includes trillions of microorganisms that colonize the human gastrointestinal tract, including bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi. This complex ecosystem plays a critical role in maintaining intestinal and systemic health. Most of these microbes inhabit the large intestine, establishing a relatively stable and diverse community that contributes to gut homeostasis through various metabolic, immunological, and protective mechanisms.Dominant bacterial phyla, such as...
233
Anatomy of the Intestines01:23

Anatomy of the Intestines

65.2K
Although digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids may begin in the stomach, it is completed in the intestine. The absorption of nutrients, water, and electrolytes from food and drink also occurs in the intestine. The intestines can be divided into two structurally distinct organs—the small and large intestines.
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the...
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Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

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The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
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An In Vitro Batch-culture Model to Estimate the Effects of Interventional Regimens on Human Fecal Microbiota
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The developing intestinal microbiome: probiotics and prebiotics.

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  • 1Department of Pediatrics/Neonatology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla., USA.

World Review of Nutrition and Dietetics
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The human gut microbiome is crucial for immune and metabolic development, with early-life interactions impacting lifelong health. Interventions like probiotics require careful consideration, especially in preterm infants.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Neonatal Medicine

Background:

  • The human gut microbiota forms a complex 'superorganism' with the host.
  • Early-life microbial interactions are critical for immune and metabolic development, with lifelong health implications.
  • Microbial colonization may begin before birth and influence preterm birth risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of the developing intestinal microbiome in early life.
  • To discuss the role of pro- and prebiotics in preterm infants.
  • To address controversies surrounding probiotic use in neonatal intensive care.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of host-microbe interactions in early development.
  • Analysis of factors influencing infant gut microbiome composition (e.g., mode of delivery, antibiotics).
  • Examination of evidence regarding pro- and prebiotic efficacy and safety in preterm neonates.

Main Results:

  • Host-microbe interactions in early life significantly shape immune and metabolic functions.
  • Perturbations like antibiotics and mode of delivery can have lasting health consequences.
  • Probiotic use in preterm infants, particularly for necrotizing enterocolitis, remains controversial.

Conclusions:

  • The developing intestinal microbiome is a critical factor in infant health.
  • Pro- and prebiotics offer potential for modulating the microbiota but require cautious application.
  • Further research is needed to clarify optimal use of probiotics in vulnerable preterm populations.