Hyperoxaluria due to endogenously synthesized and exogenously ingested oxalates is a leading cause of recurrent oxalate stone formations. Even though, humans largely rely on gut microbiota for oxalate homeostasis, hyperoxaluria associated gut microbiota features remain largely unknown. Based on 16S rRNA gene amplicons, targeted metagenomic sequencing of formyl-CoA transferase (frc) gene and qPCR assay, we demonstrate a selective enrichment of Oxalate Metabolizing Bacterial Species (OMBS) in hyperoxaluria condition. Interestingly, higher than usual concentration of oxalate was found inhibitory to many gut microbes, including Oxalobacter formigenes, a well-characterized OMBS. In addition a concomitant enrichment of acid tolerant pathobionts in recurrent stone sufferers is observed. Further, specific enzymes participating in oxalate metabolism are found augmented in stone endures. Additionally, hyperoxaluria driven dysbiosis was found to be associated with oxalate content, stone episodes and colonization pattern of Oxalobacter formigenes. Thus, we rationalize the first in-depth surveillance of OMBS in the human gut and their association with hyperoxaluria. Our findings can be utilized in the treatment of hyperoxaluria associated recurrent stone episodes.

Analyses across all three domains of life are necessary to advance our understanding of taxonomic dysbiosis in human diseases. In the present study, we assessed gut microbiota (eubacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes) of recurrent oxalate kidney stone suffers to explore the extent of trans-domain and functional species dysbiosis inside the gut. Trans-domain taxonomic composition, active oxalate metabolizer and butyrate-producing diversity were explored by utilizing frc-, but-, and buk- functional gene amplicon analysis. Operational taxonomic units (OTUs) level analyses confound with the observation that dysbiosis in gut microbiota is not just limited to eubacteria species, but also to other domains like archaea and eukaryotes. We found that some of healthy eubacterial population retained together with Oxalobacter formigenes and Lactobacillus plantarum colonization in disease condition (p < 0.001 & FDR = 0.05). Interestingly, trans-domain species diversity has been less shared and dysgenic taxa augmentation was found to be higher. Oxalate metabolizing bacterial species (OMBS) and butyrate-producing eubacteria species were found to be decreased in Oxalobacter non-colonizers; and Prevotella and Ruminococcus species which may contribute to oxalate metabolism and butyrate synthesis as well. Our study underscores fact that microbial dysbiosis is not limited to eubacteria only hence suggest the necessity of the trans-domain surveillance in metabolic diseases for intervention studies.

Probiotic Lactobacillus species offer various health benefits, thus have been employed in treatment and prevention of various diseases. Due to the differences in the isolation source and the site of action, most of the lactobacilli tested in-vitro for probiotics properties fail to extend similar effects in-vivo. Consequently, the search of autochthonous, efficacious and probably population specific probiotics is a high priority in the probiotics research. In this regards, whole genome sequencing of as many Lactobacillus as possible will help to deepen our understanding of biology and their health effects. Here, we provide the genomic insights of two coherent oxalic acid tolerant Lactobacillus species (E2C2 and E2C5) isolated from two different healthy human gut flora. These two isolates were found to have higher tolerance towards oxalic acid (300 mM sodium oxalate). The draft genome of strain E2C2 consists of 3,603,563 bp with 3289 protein-coding genes, 94 RNA genes, and 43.99% GC content, while E2C5 contained 3,615,168 bp, 3293 coding genes (93.4% of the total genes), 95 RNA genes and 43.97% GC content. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis followed by in silico DNA-DNA hybridization studies, both the strains were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum belonging to family Lactobacillaceae within the phylum Firmicutes. Both the strains were genomically identical, sharing 99.99% CDS that showed 112 SNPs. Both the strains also exhibited deconjugation activity for the bile salts while genome analysis revealed that the L. plantarum strains E2C2 and E2C5 also have the ability to produce vitamins, biotin, alpha- and beta- glucosidase suggesting potential probiotic activities of the isolates. The description presented here is based on the draft genomes of strains E2C2 and E2C5 which are submitted to GenBank under the accession numbers LSST00000000.1 and LTCD00000000.1, respectively.

Objective: In the present communication, development and validation of reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography method have been carried out for estimation of oxalate content in the urine of human volunteers with recurrent kidney stone disease and healthy status. Methods:The analysis of oxalic acid has been carried out on KYA TECH HiQ Sil C18HS column using a mobile phase of methanol: 0.001 N acetic acid in water (50:50, v/v) with a flow rate of 1 ml/min and detection wavelength, 237 nm.Results: Analysis of oxalate content was carried out using single point calibration method with retention at 2.705 min with good resolution parameters. Urine sample collected from kidney stone patients and healthy volunteers over the period of 24 h were analyzed and it has been found that concentration of oxalate in healthy volunteers is less than 12 µg/ml whereas that in case of kidney stone patients is in the range of 39-151 µg/ml and this data can be utilized for further interpretations about oxalate content in healthy and kidney stone diseased volunteers. This method was validated as per united states food and drug administration (USFDA) guidelines by the study of accuracy, precision, linearity, range, selectivity, the lower limit of quantitation, extraction recovery studies and stability studies for determining oxalate content in the urine of human volunteers. As relative standard deviations of oxalate content estimated are less than 5 percent, the method can be claimed accurate, precise, sensitive and selective for determining oxalate content in the urine of human volunteers. Conclusion:The results are satisfactory, proving the effectiveness of the method for analysis of oxalate content from other biological fluids with few optimizations.

Background The presence of an extra testis is referred to as polyorchidism and is a rare congenital anomaly. There are with less than 200 cases reported, globally. It carries with it, a risk of malignancy making astute diagnosis and follow-up important. The management protocol of polyorchidism is ambiguous with factors such as age of the patient, location, size and anatomical organization of the testicular system playing an important role. Case presentation A 28-year-old male who presented with a non- tender scrotal swelling which on clinical and sonographic examination was diagnosed to be a case of triorchidism (the most common type of polyorchidism). Type 2 polyorchidism with normal epididymis and vas deference was observed. The case was conservatively managed and regular follow-up was advised. Conclusion Polyorchidism is a rare congenital anomaly. Patients with Polyorchidism can be conservatively managed. The reproductive potential and possible concomitant symptoms and complications including cryptorchidism, inguinal hernia and torsion will affect the management strategy. However, if the supernumerary testis is suspected of undergoing neoplastic transformation, it should be resected.