Circadian rhythm disruption is increasingly considered an environmental risk factor for the development and exacerbation of inflammatory bowel disease. We have reported in a previous study that nychthemeral dysregulation is associated with an increase in intestinal barrier permeability and inflammation in mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. To investigate the effect of circadian rhythm disruption on the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota (GM). Sixty male C57BL/6J mice were divided initially to two groups, the shifted group (n=30) exposed to circadian shifts for three months and the non-shifted group (n=30) under a normal light-dark cycle. The mice of the shifted group were cyclically housed for five days under the normal 12:12 hour light-dark cycle followed by another five days under reversed light-dark cycle. At the end of the three months a colitis was induced by 2 % DSS given in the drinking water of 30 mice. Animals were then divided into four groups (n=15 per group), sham group non-shifted (Sham-NS), sham group shifted (Sham-S) and DSS non-shifted (DSS-NS) and DSS shifted (DSS-S). Fecal samples were collected from rectal content to investigate changes in GM composition by DNA extraction followed by high-throughput sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. The mouse GM was dominated by three phyla: Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria. The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio decreased in mice with induced colitis. The richness and diversity of the GM were reduced in the colitis group, especially in the group with inverted circadian rhythm. Moreover, GM composition was also modified in the inverted circadian rhythm group, with an increase in Alloprevotella, Turicibacter, Bacteroides and Streptococcus genera. Circadian rhythm inversion exacerbates GM dysbiosis to a less rich and diversified extent in a DSS-induced colitis model. These findings shows a possible interplay between circadian rhythm disruption, GM dynamics, and colitis pathogenesis.

Background/Objectives: Physician-scientists are crucial in bridging gaps in medical knowledge and improving clinical care. Training for physician-scientists is critical in developing research skills and fostering advancements in healthcare. However, the number of physician-scientists is declining due to various challenges. This study aims to explore these challenges, identify solutions, and promote the integration of research into the medical profession and education. Methods: A nationally representative structured survey was conducted among physicians and residents at one of Lebanon’s central university hospitals to explore the perceptions, challenges, and outlook of physician-scientists. Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) was used to further explore relationships among the key variables. Results: A total of 78 physicians and residents agreed to participate. The study underscores the importance of medical research, particularly clinical, in improving care and advancing science. MCA analysis highlighted distinct clusters of challenges including time constraints, limited funding, and balancing clinical duties with research commitments. Strategies to overcome these hurdles and better integrate research into medical education are proposed, emphasizing the importance of securing grants, institutional support, and early research integration into the medical curriculum. A positive association between physicians’ evaluation of research, their active practice, and encouragement of students, is highlighted. Conclusions: The study emphasizes the importance of medical research in improving care and advancing knowledge, identifies barriers to its integration into medical education, and proposes solutions. The perception of research's value positively influences its incorporation into practice and teaching, underlining the need for greater support for physician-scientists.