Characteristics of the composition of intestinal flora in cirrhotic patients with malnutrition / 临床肝胆病杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the characteristics of the composition of intestinal flora and the serum level of endotoxin in cirrhotic patients with malnutrition， and to provide new diagnosis and treatment ideas for improving the nutritional status of patients with liver cirrhosis. MethodsA total of 58 patients with liver cirrhosis who were hospitalized in Department of Gastroenterology， People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou， from March 2021 to November 2022 were enrolled as experimental group （LC group）， and according to the Royal Free Hospital-Nutritional Prioritizing Tool， they were divided into low malnutrition risk group （LC-A group with 28 patients） and moderate/high malnutrition risk group （LC-B group with 30 patients）； 25 individuals who underwent physical examination during the same period of time were enrolled as control group （HC group）. Peripheral blood and feces samples were collected from all subjects. The limulus amebocyte lysate gel method was used to measure the concentration of endotoxin in peripheral blood， and high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were used to investigate the characteristics of intestinal flora. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups； a one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups， and the least significant difference t-test were used for further comparison between two groups. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups， and the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison between multiple groups. The chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. The Spearman test was used for correlation analysis. ResultsThere were significant differences between the three groups in the levels of alanine aminotransferase （H=7.054， P<0.05）， gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase （H=9.644， P<0.05）， albumin （Alb） （F=32.768， P<0.05）， total bilirubin （TBil） （H=20.980， P<0.05）， and serum endotoxin （F=108.672， P<0.05）. There was a significant difference in Chao1 index between the three groups （F=5.110， P=0.008） and between the HC group and the LC-B group （P<0.05）. Compared with the HC group， the LC-A group and the LC-B group had significant reductions in Chao1 index and Shannon index， and there was a significant difference in Chao1 index between the HC group and the LC-B group （P<0.05）. At the phylum level， the intestinal flora in each group was mainly composed of Bacteroidota， Firmicutes， Proteobacteria， and Actinobacteriota， accounting for more than 95% of all phyla， and there was a significant difference in the relative abundance of Firmicutes between the HC group and the LC-B group （P<0.05）. Serum endotoxin was significantly negatively correlated with Ruminococcaceae （r=-0.420， P=0.007）， and spirochete was significantly positively correlated with TBil （r=0.419， P=0.007） and was significantly negatively correlated with Alb （r=-0.492， P=0.001）. ConclusionThere are unique changes in intestinal flora in cirrhotic patients with malnutrition， and differentially expressed flora are associated with endotoxemia. Improving intestinal microecology in liver cirrhosis may help to improve nutritional status.

Insuflación rectal con ozono en infecciones intestinales

Introducción: Las infecciones intestinales se relacionan con trastornos del sistema inmune y de la microbiota intestinal. Pueden ser recurrentes y producir otras alteraciones intestinales y sistémicas, que empeoran con la terapia antimicrobiana. La ozonoterapia ha sido usada en el tratamiento de infecciones intestinales. Objetivos: Recopilar información sobre los efectos biológicos, terapéuticos y la seguridad de la administración del ozono por insuflación rectal en el tratamiento de las infecciones intestinales. Métodos: Para la búsqueda de información se empleó el motor de búsqueda Google Académico. Se consultaron artículos en las bases de datos PubMed y SciELO de la Biblioteca Virtual de Salud. Además, se realizó una búsqueda general en los idiomas español e inglés, a partir de los artículos más relevantes acerca del estudio. Se utilizaron como palabras clave: infecciones, insuflación, microbioma gastrointestinal, ozono como términos más concretos. En el estudio no se aplicó ninguna restricción acerca del ámbito geográfico ni de la edad. Conclusiones: La aplicación rectal de ozono es segura, tiene acciones biológicas y terapéuticas útiles para tratar las infecciones intestinales. Actúa como inmunomodulador y protector de la microbiota intestinal, lo que permite enfrentar esta problemática de salud desde el punto de vista preventivo, curativo y de rehabilitación de los daños causados, tanto por los gérmenes como por los efectos de los antibióticos.

Introduction: Intestinal infections are related to disorders of the immune system and intestinal microbiota. They can be recurrent and produce other intestinal and systemic alterations, which worsen with antimicrobial therapy. Ozone therapy has been used in the treatment of intestinal infections. Objectives: To compile information on the biological, therapeutic effects and safety of the administration of ozone by rectal insufflation in the treatment of intestinal infections. Methods: Google Scholar search engine was used for searching information. Articles were consulted in PubMed and SciELO databases of the Virtual Health Library. In addition, a general search was carried out in Spanish and English, based on the most relevant articles about the study. The keywords used were infections, insufflation, gastrointestinal microbiome, ozone as more specific terms. No restrictions on geographic area or age were applied in the study. Conclusions: The rectal application of ozone is safe, it has useful biological and therapeutic actions to treat intestinal infections, acting as an immunomodulator and protector of the intestinal microbiota, which allows us to face this health problem from a preventive, curative and rehabilitation point of view of the damage caused, both by germs and by the effects of antibiotics.

The brain-gut-microbiota axis in the treatment of neurologic and psychiatric disorders / O eixo microbiota-intestino-cérebro no tratamento de desordens neurológicas e psiquiátricas

Abstract The human gut microbiota is a complex ecosystem made of trillions of microorganisms. The composition can be affected by diet, metabolism, age, geography, stress, seasons, temperature, sleep, and medications. The increasing evidence about the existence of a close and bi-directional correlation between the gut microbiota and the brain indicates that intestinal imbalance may play a vital role in the development, function, and disorders of the central nervous system. The mechanisms of interaction between the gut-microbiota on neuronal activity are widely discussed. Several potential pathways are involved with the brain-gut-microbiota axis, including the vagus nerve, endocrine, immune, and biochemical pathways. Gut dysbiosis has been linked to neurological disorders in different ways that involve activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, imbalance in neurotransmitter release, systemic inflammation, and increase in the permeability of the intestinal and the blood-brain barrier. Mental and neurological diseases have become more prevalent during the coronavirus disease 2019pandemic and are an essential issue in public health globally. Understanding the importance of diagnosing, preventing, and treating dysbiosis is critical because gut microbial imbalance is a significant risk factor for these disorders. This review summarizes evidence demonstrating the influence of gut dysbiosis on mental and neurological disorders.

Resumo A microbiota intestinal humana é um ecossistema complexo feito de trilhões de microrganismos, cuja composição pode ser afetada pela dieta, pelo metabolismo, pela idade, geografia, pelo estresse, pelas estações do ano, pela temperatura, pelo sono e por medicamentos. A crescente evidência sobre a existência de uma correlação estreita e bidirecional entre a microbiota intestinal e o cérebro indica que o desequilíbrio intestinal pode desempenhar um papel vital no desenvolvimento, na função e nos distúrbios do sistema nervoso central. Os mecanismos de interação entre a microbiota intestinal e a atividade neuronal são amplamente discutidos. Várias vias potenciais estão envolvidas com o eixo microbiota-intestino-cérebro, incluindo o nervo vago e as vias endócrinas, imunes e bioquímicas. A disbiose intestinal tem sido associada a distúrbios neurológicos de diferentes maneiras que envolvem a ativação do eixo hipotálamo-hipófise-adrenal, o desequilíbrio na liberação de neurotransmissores, a inflamação sistêmica e o aumento da permeabilidade das barreiras intestinal e hematoencefálica. As doenças mentais e neurológicas tornaram-se mais prevalentes durante a pandemia de coronavirus disease 2019 e são uma questão global essencial na saúde pública. Compreender a importância de diagnosticar, prevenir e tratar a disbiose é fundamental porque o desequilíbrio microbiano intestinal é um fator de risco significativo para esses distúrbios. Esta revisão resume as evidências que demonstram a influência da disbiose intestinal em distúrbios mentais e neurológicos.

Relação entre hábitos alimentares, peso corporal e saúde intestinal em indivíduos adultos / Relationship between eating habits, body weight, and intestinal health in adults

Introdução: A disbiose pode estar relacionada à hábitos alimentares ruins e alterações metabólicas que podem contribuir para o excesso de peso. Objetivo: Avaliar as escolhas alimentares que modulam a microbiota intestinal e a associação entre a saúde intestinal e o peso corporal de indivíduos adultos. Método: Estudo analítico, correlacional-descritivo e transversal realizado com 99 participantes, adultos, de ambos os sexos. Utilizou-se um Questionário Sociodemográfico e de Frequência Alimentar para coletar dados sociodemográficos, peso corporal, altura, frequência de consumo de alimentos fontes de prebióticos e probióticos e o Questionário de Rastreamento Metabólico (QRM), para investigar a saúde intestinal. O estudo ocorreu de forma online, via Google forms, sendo divulgado através das redes sociais (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp). Realizou-se uma análise descritiva dos dados e para associação entre variáveis empregou-se o teste Qui-quadrado de Pearson. Resultados: Do total de participantes, 74,7% eram mulheres. Quanto à classificação do Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC), 60,6% apresentaram eutrofia 24,2% sobrepeso e 9,1% algum grau de obesidade. Os alimentos fontes de probióticos e prebióticos mais consumidos foram queijo, iogurte, leites fermentados e banana, maçã, aveia, respectivamente. Porém, são alimentos que não fazem parte do consumo diário para a maioria dos participantes. Não houve diferença significativa entre a associação com IMC com sexo, escore final do QRM e somatório final dos sintomas gastrointestinais (p=0,76, p=0,29, p=0,70), respectivamente. Conclusão: Nota-se uma baixa frequência de consumo de alimentos que auxiliam na saúde intestinal. No entanto, não foi constatado que o peso corporal exerce influência na composição da microbiota intestinal.

Introducción: La disbiosis puede estar relacionada con malos hábitos alimentarios y alteraciones metabólicas que pueden contribuir al sobrepeso. Objetivo: Evaluar las elecciones alimentarias que modulan la microbiota intestinal y la asociación entre la salud intestinal y el peso corporal en personas adultas. Método: Estudio analítico, correlacional-descriptivo y transversal realizado con 99 personas participantes adultas de ambos sexos. Se utilizó un cuestionario sociodemográfico y de frecuencia alimentaria para recoger datos sociodemográficos, peso corporal, altura, frecuencia de consumo de fuentes alimentarias de prebióticos y probióticos y el Cuestionario de Seguimiento Metabólico para investigar la salud intestinal. El estudio se realizó online, a través de formularios de Google, siendo difundido a través de redes sociales (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp). Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de los datos y para la asociación entre variables se empleó el test Chi-cuadrado de Pearson. Resultados: Del total de participantes, el 74.7 % fueron mujeres. En cuanto a la clasificación del Índice de Masa Corporal, el 60.6 % eran personas eutróficas, el 24.2 % con sobrepeso y el 9.1% personas obesas. Los alimentos fuente de probióticos y prebióticos más consumidos fueron el queso, el yogur, las leches fermentadas, el plátano, la manzana y la avena. Sin embargo, se trata de alimentos que no forman parte del consumo diario de la mayoría de los participantes. No hubo diferencias significativas entre la asociación del Índice de Masa Corporal con el sexo, la puntuación final del Cuestionario de Seguimiento Metabólico y la suma final de síntomas gastrointestinales (p=0.76, p=0.29, p=0.70), respectivamente. Conclusiones: Se observa una baja frecuencia de consumo de alimentos que ayudan a la salud intestinal. Sin embargo, no se encontró que el peso corporal ejerza influencia sobre la composición de la microbiota intestinal.

Introduction: Dysbiosis may be related to poor eating habits and metabolic changes that can contribute to being overweight. Objective: To evaluate the food choices that modulate the gut microbiota and the association between gut health and body weight in adult individuals. Method: Analytical, correlational-descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted with 99 adult participants of both sexes. A Sociodemographic and Food Frequency Questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic data, body weight, height, and frequency of consumption of food sources of prebiotics and probiotics; and the Metabolic Tracking Questionnaire was applied to investigate gut health. The study took place online, via Google Forms, and was disseminated through social media (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp). A descriptive analysis of the data was performed and for association between variables, the Pearson's Chi-square test was used. Results: Of the total number of participants, 74.7% were women. As for the classification of Body Mass Index, 60.6% were eutrophic, 24.2% were overweight, and 9.1% were somewhat obese. The most consumed probiotic and prebiotic food sources were cheese, yogurt, fermented kinds of milk; and banana, apple, and oatmeal, respectively. However, these are foods that are not part of the daily consumption for most participants. There was no significant difference between the association of the Body Mass Index with the sex of the participants or the final Metabolic Tracking Questionnaire score and the final sum of gastrointestinal symptoms (p=0.76, p=0.29, p=0.70). Conclusion: A low frequency of consumption of foods that aid intestinal health is noted. However, body weight was not found to influence the composition of the gut microbiota.

Use of probiotics in patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis: a randomized clinical trial / Uso de probióticos em pacientes com doença renal crônica em hemodiálise: um ensaio clínico randomizado

ABSTRACT Introduction: Supplementation with probiotics for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) may be associated with decreased systemic inflammation. Objective: To assess the impact of oral supplementation with probiotics for patients with CKD on hemodialysis. Method: This double-blind randomized clinical trial included 70 patients on hemodialysis; 32 were given oral supplementation with probiotics and 38 were in the placebo group. Blood samples were collected at the start of the study and patients were given oral supplementation with probiotics or placebo for three months. The probiotic supplement comprised four strains of encapsulated Gram-positive bacteria: Lactobacillus Plantarum A87, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium bifidum A218 and Bifidobacterium longum A101. Patients were given one capsule per day for 3 months. Blood samples were taken throughout the study to check for inflammatory biomarkers. Non-traditional biomarkers Syndecan-1, IFN-y, NGAL, and cystatin C were measured using an ELISA kit, along with biochemical parameters CRP, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, PTH, GPT, hematocrit, hemoglobin, glucose, and urea. Results: Patients given supplementation with probiotics had significant decreases in serum levels of syndecan-1 (239 ± 113 to 184 ± 106 ng/mL, p = 0.005); blood glucose levels also decreased significantly (162 ± 112 to 146 ± 74 mg/dL, p = 0.02). Conclusion: Administration of probiotics to patients with advanced CKD was associated with decreases in syndecan-1 and blood glucose levels, indicating potential improvements in metabolism and decreased systemic inflammation.

Resumo Introdução: A suplementação com probióticos na doença renal crônica (DRC) pode estar associada à redução do processo inflamatório sistêmico. Objetivo: Avaliar a suplementação oral com probióticos em pacientes com DRC em hemodiálise. Método: Ensaio clínico, duplo cego, randomizado com 70 pacientes em hemodiálise, sendo 32 do grupo que recebeu o suplemento de probióticos e 38 do grupo placebo. Inicialmente ocorreu a coleta de sangue e suplementação oral com probióticos ou placebo durante três meses. O suplemento probiótico foi composto pela combinação de 4 cepas de bactérias Gram-positivas encapsuladas: Lactobacillus Plantarum A87, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium bifidum A218 e Bifidobacterium longum A101, sendo 1 cápsula do suplemento ao dia, durante 3 meses. Após esse período foram feitas novas coletas de sangue para dosagem dos biomarcadores inflamatórios. Foram analisados os biomarcadores não tradicionais: Syndecan-1, IFN-y, NGAL e cistatina C pelo método ELISA, e os seguintes parâmetros bioquímicos: PCR, cálcio, fósforo, potássio, PTH, TGP, hematócrito, hemoglobina, glicose e ureia. Resultados: Os pacientes que receberam suplemento tiveram diminuição significativa dos níveis séricos de syndecan-1 (de 239 ± 113 para 184 ± 106 ng/mL, p = 0,005). Outro parâmetro que diminuiu significativamente nos pacientes que receberam suplemento foi a glicemia (de 162 ± 112 para 146 ± 74 mg/dL, p = 0,02). Conclusão: O uso de probióticos na DRC avançada esteve associado à redução dos níveis de syndecan-1 e glicemia, sinalizando possível melhora no metabolismo e redução do processo inflamatório sistêmico.

Proceso de atención de enfermería en el cuidado al paciente COVID-19 / Nursing process of care in patient care COVID-19 / Processo de cuidados de enfermagem no cuidado ao paciente COVID-19

El microbiota intestinal se encuentra constituida por más un millón de microorganismos entre los cuales las bacterias son de mayor prevalencia. Esta microbiota depende directamente de la localización exacta a lo largo del tubo digestivo, siendo la porción del colon la que alberga la mayor cantidad del microorganismo de la flora. El microbiota de la piel guarda relación directa con el microbiota del intestino por los diversos mecanismos existentes en la formación de la misma. El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar el uso de probióticos y prebióticos en tratamiento de patología cutáneas y la relación entre la microbiota intestinal y enfermedades de la piel. Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica narrativa de la literatura científica de la relación del microbiota intestinal en patologías cutáneas. Se concluyó que el uso de probióticos y prebióticos juegan un papel importante en enfermedad cutáneas es especial de tipo inflamatoria.

The intestinal microbiota is constituted by more than one million microorganisms among which bacteria are the most prevalent. This microbiota is directly dependent on the exact location along the digestive tract, with the colon portion harboring the largest amount of the microorganism flora. The skin microbiota is directly related to the gut microbiota by the various mechanisms involved in its formation. The aim of the present study was to analyze the use of probiotics and prebiotics in the treatment of skin pathology and the relationship between the intestinal microbiota and skin diseases. A narrative bibliographic review of the scientific literature on the relationship between the intestinal microbiota and skin pathologies was carried out. It was concluded that the use of probiotics and prebiotics play an important role in skin diseases, especially inflammatory ones.

A microbiota intestinal é formada por mais de um milhão de microorganismos entre os quais as bactérias são as mais prevalentes. Esta microbiota depende diretamente da localização exata ao longo do trato gastrointestinal, sendo que a porção de cólon abriga a maior quantidade da flora de microorganismos. A microbiota da pele está diretamente relacionada à microbiota intestinal pelos diversos mecanismos envolvidos em sua formação. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o uso de probióticos e prebióticos no tratamento da patologia da pele e a relação entre a microbiota intestinal e as doenças de pele. Foi realizada uma revisão narrativa da literatura científica sobre a relação entre microbiota intestinal e patologias da pele. Concluiu-se que o uso de probióticos e prebióticos desempenha um papel importante nas doenças de pele, especialmente nas doenças inflamatórias da pele.

Ocular conjunctival microbiome profiling in dry eye disease: A case control pilot study

Purpose: Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) or dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disease that results in discomfort, visual disturbance, and tear film instability with potential damage to the ocular surface. A pilot study was undertaken to determine if there were any major substantial differences in the ocular microbiome in DED patients versus healthy controls. Methods: The bacterial communities residing in the conjunctiva of patients with DED (n = 4) and healthy controls (n = 4) were assessed by 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing of the V4–V5 region. Results: The phyla Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes were most dominant and accounted for 97% and 94.5% of all bacterial sequences in patients and controls, respectively. At the genus level, 27 bacterial genera were found with more than two?fold difference between patients and controls. Four of these – Acinetobacter, Corynebacterium, Lactobacillus, and Pseudomonas spp. – dominated the ocular microbiome of all subjects, but were proportionately lower in DED (16.5%) compared to controls (37.7%). Several bacterial genera were found to be unique in DED (34) and controls (24). Conclusion: This pilot study is an attempt to profile the ocular microbiome in patients with DED that demonstrated a higher concentration of microbial DNA compared to controls, with Firmicutes phyla dominating the bacterial population in patients with DED.

Tear film microbiome in Sjogren’s and non-Sjogren’s aqueous deficiency dry eye

Purpose: To understand the bacterial microbiome changes associated with Sjogren’s syndrome (SS) and non?Sjogren’s syndrome (NSS) aqueous?deficient dry eyes compared to healthy eyes. Methods: Bacterial microbiome was generated from the deoxyribonucleic acid of tear film samples in healthy (n = 33), SS (n = 17), and NSS (n = 28) individuals. Sequencing of the V3?V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was performed on the Illumina HiSeq2500 platform. Quantitative Insights Into Microbial Ecology (QIIME) pipeline was used to assign taxa to sequences. Statistical analysis was performed in R to assess the alpha diversity and beta diversity indices. Significant changes between the healthy, SS, and NSS cohorts were depicted by principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), differential abundance, and network analysis. Results: Tear microbiome was generated in healthy, SS, and NSS samples. Phyla Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes showed significant changes in SS and NSS compared to healthy. Genera Lactobacillus and Bacillus were predominantly present in all samples. PCoA and heat map analysis showed distinct clusters for SS and NSS from the healthy cohort. Genera Prevotella, Coriobacteriaceae UCG?003, Enterococcus, Streptomyces, Rhodobacter, Ezakiella, and Microbacterium significantly increased in abundance in SS and NSS compared to a healthy cohort. Bacteria–bacteria interaction in SS, NSS, and healthy cohorts was predicted by CoNet network analysis. This analysis predicted a major hub of interaction for the pro?inflammatory bacterium Prevotella in the SS and NSS cohorts. Conclusion: The results of the study indicate significant changes in the phyla and genera in SS and NSS compared to healthy. Both discriminative analysis and network analysis indicated a possible association of predominant pro?inflammatory bacteria with SS and NSS.

Quantification and Diversity of Cultivated Bacteria in Root Endosphere and Rhizosphere of Bamboo Species Fargesia nitida in Association with the Tree Succession

Fargesia nitida is a cold-resistant evergreen bamboo and is a pioneer plant in the secondary succession after the native trees were destroyed in the eastern Tibetan Plateau. However, little is known about the effects of this plant on soil conditions and about its microbiomes. Aiming at learning the interactions among the soil characteristics, the plants and the microbes in relation to the plant succession, a study on cultivated microbes associated with the rhizocompartments of F. nitida was performed in the present study to reveal the preference of this plant to the root associated microbes, in comparison with that associated with the successive spruce (Picea asperata Mast.) trees. The results demonstrated that growth of F. nitida could improve the soil nutrient contents, especially increasing total nitrogen, NH4+-N, total carbon, and microbial biomass carbon, and maintained more soil bacteria than the successive spruce trees. Based upon the study of F. nitida root-associated cultivated microbial community, the nutrient improvement in F. nitida growing soils might be from the root endophytic bacteria, which presented greater abundance (3.8, 1.7, and 12.6 folds) than that of bacteria in its rhizosphere, root zone soil, and spruce root zone soil, respectively. Pseudomonas members, especially species related to P. baetica and P. vancouverensis, were strongly selected by F. nitida as root endophytes.

O impacto da pandemia da covid-19 na microbiota intestinal do lactente / The impact of the covid-19 pandemic on the infant gut microbiota / El impacto de la pandemia de covid-19 en la microbiota intestinal del lactante

A COVID-19 resultou em milhares de óbitos e até o presente momento assola diversos pacientes com as suas implicações. Uma das consequências da doença foi o isolamento social, realizado por quase todos os países, o que configurou a alteração de diversos padrões de convivência e principalmente de exposição a outros agentes não patogênicos e patogênicos essenciais para o desenvolvimento da microbiota. Com isso, o seguinte projeto tem como objetivo a descrição dos impactos da pandemia da COVID-19 na microbiota intestinal de lactentes do período pandêmico e as consequências geradas no sistema imunológico imaturo, prejudicando seu desenvolvimento e maturação. A metodologia consiste na análise e seleção de artigos científicos publicados nos últimos 10 anos com auxílio de Descritores em Ciências da Saúde (DeCS) específicos nas línguas inglesa e portuguesa para o tema da pesquisa, sendo a combinação dos descritores feita por meio de operadores booleanos. Conclui-se que a composição da microbiota intestinal é iniciada intraútero e influenciada pela via de parto, contato pele a pele após o nascimento e pela presença da amamentação materna. A modificação das práticas durante a pandemia da COVID-19, pode alterar a microbiologia neonatal, assim como impactar na maturação do sistema imunológico do lactente, predispondo futuramente à doenças gastrointestinais, metabólicas e atópicas, como asma.

COVID-19 has resulted in thousands of deaths and until now is affecting many patients with its implications. One of the consequences of the disease was social isolation, carried out by almost all countries, which resulted in changes in different patterns of coexistence and mainly exposure to other non-pathogenic and pathogenic agents essential for the development of the microbiota. Therefore, the following project aims to describe the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the microbiota of infants during the pandemic period and the consequences generated on the immature immune system, damaging its development and maturation and relating microbiology, essentially intestinal, throughout the project. The methodology consists of the analysis and selection of scientific articles published in the last 10 years with the help of specific Health Sciences Descriptors in English and Portuguese for the research topic, with the combination of descriptors made using Boolean operators. It is concluded that the composition of the intestinal microbiota begins in utero and is influenced by the mode of delivery, skin-to- skin contact after birth, and the presence of maternal breastfeeding. Modifying practices during the COVID-19 pandemic may alter neonatal microbiology and impact the maturation of the infant's immune system, potentially predisposing them to future gastrointestinal, metabolic, and atopic diseases such as asthma.

El COVID-19 ha provocado miles de muertes y todavía afecta a muchos pacientes con sus implicaciones. Una de las consecuencias de la enfermedad fue el aislamiento social, llevado a cabo por casi todos los países, que resultó en cambios en diferentes patrones de convivencia y principalmente exposición a otros agentes patógenos y no patógenos esenciales para el desarrollo de la microbiota. Com eso, el siguiente proyecto tiene como objetivo describir los impactos de la pandemia de COVID-19 en la microbiota de los lactantes durante el periodo pandémico y las consecuencias generadas sobre el sistema inmunológico inmaduro, perjudicando su desarrollo y maduración y relacionando la microbiología, fundamentalmente intestinal, a lo largo del proyecto. La metodología consiste en el análisis y selección de artículos científicos publicados en los últimos 10 años con la ayuda de Descriptores en Ciencias de la Salud específicos en inglés y portugués para el tema de investigación, con la combinación de descriptores realizada mediante operadores booleanos. Se concluye que la composición de la microbiota intestinal comienza intraútero y está influenciada por la vía de parto, el contacto piel a piel después del nacimiento y la presencia de la lactancia materna. La modificación de las prácticas durante la pandemia de COVID-19 puede alterar la microbiología neonatal y afectar la maduración del sistema inmunológico del lactante, predisponiéndolo potencialmente a enfermedades gastrointestinales, metabólicas y atópicas en el futuro, como la asma.

Cambios en la microbiota durante el embarazo: revisión narrativa / Changes in the microbiota during pregnancy: a narrative review

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la evidencia científica de los cambios en la microbiota durante el embarazo. METODOLOGÍA: Revisión de la bibliografía publicada entre el 2013 y el 2022 efectuada mediante la búsqueda de artículos científicos escritos en español e inglés resguardados en las bases de datos bibliográficas NICE, CENETEC-SALUD, BIREME y Portal OMS, OPS, Portal de Evidencias de la Biblioteca Virtual de Salud - BVS, LILACS, BIREME, EVIPNET, PubMed y Cochrane. La selección de artículos se basó en los descriptores: microbiota; embarazo-pregnancy; microbiota, gut microbiome, fetus-feto; microbiota, placenta; microbiota, combinadas entre sí con el operador boleano "and". RESULTADOS: Se identificaron 3038 posibles artículos y 137 se encontraron adecuados para el objetivo de la revisión en virtud de estar relacionados directamente con el embarazo y la microbiota. Se revisaron estudios transversales, ensayos, revisiones, cohortes, casos y controles, revisiones sistemáticas o matanálisis. CONCLUSIONES: La microbiota se encuentra en diversos tejidos u órganos que anteriormente se creían estériles durante el embarazo. Se sugiere que todos los cambios que implica esta etapa pueden influir en la microbiota de la madre y el feto. A pesar de las crecientes investigaciones en el área aún quedan preguntas por contestar para ayudar a solucionar el enigma de los cambios en la diversidad en las diferentes complicaciones del embarazo y saber si los probióticos tendrían efecto o no en la disminución del riesgo a padecerlas.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the scientific evidence on changes in the microbiota during pregnancy. METHODOLOGY: A review of the literature published between 2013 and 2022 was carried out through the search of scientific articles in Spanish and English in the bibliographic databases NICE, CENETEC-SALUD, BIREME AND PORTAL WHO, PAHO, Portal of Evidence of the Virtual Health Library - BVS, LILACS, BIREME, EVIPNET, PUBMED and COCHRANE. The selection of articles was based on the descriptors: Microbiota, pregnancy, Gut microbiome, Fetus-Microbiota, Placenta - Microbiota, combined with each other with the Boolean "and". RESULTS: A total of 3,038 possible articles were identified and 137 were found suitable for the objective of the review because they were directly related to pregnancy and microbiota. Cross-sectional studies, trials, reviews, cohorts, case-controls, systematic review, or meta-analysis were reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: Microbiota has been found in various tissues or organs that were previously believed to be sterile during pregnancy, and with this, it is suggested that all the changes that this stage entails can influence the maternal and fetal microbiota. However, despite the growing research in the area, there are still questions to be resolved to help solve the enigma of the changes in diversity in the different complications of pregnancy and whether the use of probiotics would influence reducing the risk to present them.

Biofilm dysbiosis and caries activity: a surface or an individual issue?

Abstract Objective This study aimed to analyze the functional profile of supragingival biofilm from sound (CAs), active (CAa), and inactive (CAi) enamel caries lesions from caries-active individuals to provide insights into the diversity of biological processes regarding biofilm dysbiosis. Methodology A metatranscriptome analysis was performed in biofilm samples collected from five caries-active individuals. Total RNA was extracted, and the microbial cDNAs were obtained and sequenced (Illumina HiSeq3000). Trimmed data were submitted to the SqueezeMeta pipeline in the co-assembly mode for functional analysis and further differential gene expression analysis (DESeq2). Results Bioinformatics analysis of mRNAs revealed a similar functional profile related to all analyzed conditions (CAa, CAi, and CAs). However, active and inactive surfaces share up-regulated genes (gtsA; qrtT; tqsA; pimB; EPHX1) related to virulence traits that were not overrepresented in sound surfaces. From a functional perspective, what matters most is the individual carious status rather than the surface condition. Therefore, pooling samples from various sites can be carried out using naturally developed oral biofilms but should preferably include carious surfaces. Conclusion Metatranscriptome data from subjects with caries activity have shown that biofilms from sound, arrested, and active lesions are similar in composition and function.

Heavy metal resistance in the Yanomami and Tunapuco microbiome

BACKGROUND The Amazon Region hosts invaluable and unique biodiversity as well as mineral resources. Consequently, large illegal and artisanal gold mining areas exist in indigenous territories. Mercury has been used in gold mining, and some has been released into the environment and atmosphere, primarily affecting indigenous people such as the Yanomami. In addition, other heavy metals have been associated with gold mining and other metal-dispersing activities in the region. OBJECTIVE Investigate the gut microbiome of two semi-isolated groups from the Amazon, focusing on metal resistance. METHODS Metagenomic data from the Yanomami and Tunapuco gut microbiome were assembled into contigs, and their putative proteins were searched against a database of metal resistance proteins. FINDINGS Proteins associated with mercury resistance were exclusive in the Yanomami, while proteins associated with silver resistance were exclusive in the Tunapuco. Both groups share 77 non-redundant metal resistance (MR) proteins, mostly associated with multi-MR and operons with potential resistance to arsenic, nickel, zinc, copper, copper/silver, and cobalt/nickel. Although both groups harbour operons related to copper resistance, only the Tunapuco group had the pco operon. CONCLUSION The Yanomami and Tunapuco gut microbiome shows that these people have been exposed directly or indirectly to distinct scenarios concerning heavy metals.

Analysis on the pharyngeal microbiota in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux disease

Abstract Objective(s): In this study, the laryngopharynx microbiome alterations were characterized after proton pump inhibitor treatment in patients with Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease (LPRD) and healthy people. The potential outcome-predictive biomarker was explored. Methods: Patients with LPRD and healthy controls were enrolled. The composition of their laryngopharynx microbiota was analyzed both by traditional plate count of the main bacterial groups and PCR amplification followed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. Shannon-Wiener index and evenness index based on Dice index were used to assess the bacterial diversity. Droplet digital PCR was used to determine the total bacterial RNA and relative abundance of Klebsiella oxytoca. Receiver operating characteristic curve was plotted to explore the potential of Klebsiella oxytoca as an outcome-predictive biomarker. Results: A total of 29 LPRD cases and 28 healthy subjects were enrolled. The composition of the laryngopharynx microbiota was almost similar, except Klebsiella oxytoca. The cluster analysis showed that the similarity between healthy and treatment-effective groups, as well as pretreatment and treatment-invalid groups, was close. Statistical analysis showed that there were differences in the diversity index and richness among the healthy, treatment-effective, pretreatment and treatment-invalid groups. The abundance of Klebsiella oxytoca in the treatment-effective LPRD group was lower than that of the treatment-invalid LPRD group. The abundance of Klebsiella oxytoca can distinguish treatment-effective and -invalid groups (AUC = 0.859) with a sensitivity of 77.78% and specificity of 90.91%. Conclusion: There were differences in the diversity of cecal contents microbial community between treatment-invalid and treatment-effective LPRD groups. Klebsiella oxytoca has potential to distinguish treatment outcomes. Level of evidence: How common is the problem? Level 1. Is this diagnostic or monitoring test accurate? (Diagnosis) Level 4. What will happen if we do not add a therapy? (Prognosis) Level 5. Does this intervention help? (Treatment Benefits) Level 4. What are the COMMON harms? (Treatment Harms) Level 4. What are the RARE harms? (Treatment Harms) Level 4. Is this (early detection) test worthwhile?(Screening) Level 4.

Parkinson's Disease: A Multisystem Disorder / 神经科学通报·英文版

The way sporadic Parkinson's disease (PD) is perceived has undergone drastic changes in recent decades. For a long time, PD was considered a brain disease characterized by motor disturbances; however, the identification of several risk factors and the hypothesis that PD has a gastrointestinal onset have shed additional light. Today, after recognition of prodromal non-motor symptoms and the pathological processes driving their evolution, there is a greater understanding of the involvement of other organ systems. For this reason, PD is increasingly seen as a multiorgan and multisystemic pathology that arises from the interaction of susceptible genetic factors with a challenging environment during aging-related decline.

Construction of a caries diagnosis model based on microbiome novelty score / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#This study aimed to analyze the bacteria in dental caries and establish an optimized dental-ca-ries diagnosis model based on 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) data of oral flora.@*METHODS@#We searched the public databa-ses of microbiomes including NCBI, MG-RAST, EMBL-EBI, and QIITA and collected data involved in the relevant research on human oral microbiomes worldwide. The samples in the caries dataset (1 703) were compared with healthy ones (20 540) by using the microbial search engine (MSE) to obtain the microbiome novelty score (MNS) and construct a caries diagnosis model based on this index. Nonparametric multivariate ANOVA was used to analyze and compare the impact of different host factors on the oral flora MNS, and the model was optimized by controlling related factors. Finally, the effect of the model was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.@*RESULTS@#1) The oral microbiota distribution obviously differed among people with various oral-health statuses, and the species richness and species diversity index decreased. 2) ROC curve was used to evaluate the caries data set, and the area under ROC curve was AUC=0.67. 3) Among the five hosts' factors including caries status, country, age, decayed missing filled tooth (DMFT) indices, and sampling site displayed the strongest effect on MNS of samples (P=0.001). 4) The AUC of the model was 0.87, 0.74, 0.74, and 0.75 in high caries, medium caries, low caries samples in Chinese children, and mixed dental plaque samples after controlling host factors, respectively.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The model based on the analysis of 16S rRNA data of oral flora had good diagnostic efficiency.

A preliminary study of fecal microbiota transplantation alleviating inhibition of radiation-induced hippocampal neurogenesis in mice / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the effects of whole brain irradiation (WBI) and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) on hippocampal neurogenesis and the composition of gut microbiota in mice.Methods:Forty specific pathogen free ICR male mice (8-week-old, weighed 30 g) were divided into four groups by simple random sample method: control group (group C), radiation group (group R), group C+FMT and group R+FMT, 10 in each group. Animal models were established by WBI at a dose of 10 Gy by 4 MeV electron beam. In group C+FMT and group R+FMT, mice were gavaged with normal fecal bacteria suspension on day 2 post-irradiation, while those in group C and group R were gavaged with phosphate buffered saline as alternative. Hippocampal tissues and feces in four groups were collected on day 15 post-irradiation. 16S rRNA sequencing was used to detect the species and abundance of fecal flora. BrdU +/NeuN + immunofluorescence staining was performed to observe the neurogenesis in hippocampus of mice. Results:WBI and FMT had no effect on survival rate and body weight of mice. WBI induced the inhibition of hippocampal neurogenesis and flora disorder. The quantity of Bacteroideae and Rumen bacteria was increased by 28.6% and 102.9%, whereas that of Lactobacillus was significantly decreased by 70.6% ( P<0.05). FMT regulated the abundance of bacteria. The abundance of Enterobacteriaceae was significantly declined by 65.1% ( P=0.028), while that of Lactobacillus was increased by 58.2% ( P=0.015). FMT also promoted hippocampal neurogenesis to some extent after WBI. Conclusions:This preliminary study demonstrates that FMT alleviates the inhibition of hippocampal neurogenesis and flora disorder induced by WBI in mice. Ionizing radiation directly acting on the whole brain of mice indirectly disturbs the composition of gut microbiota, which in turn affects the degree of hippocampal neurogenesis in the brain of mice. There is a bidirectional interaction between gut microbiota and brain.

Research progress in characteristics of intestinal flora and intestinal flora-targeted therapeutic methods in patients with spinal cord injury / 中华创伤杂志

Patients with spinal cord injury is associated with seriously affected gastrointestinal function and imbalance of intestinal flora, leading to increased inflammation of spinal cord nerves. With the proposal of the theory of gut microbiota-gut-brain axis in recent years, the regulatory role of gut microbiota in the central nervous system and gastrointestinal system has gradually attracted attention. Although a considerable number of studies have focused on the effects of intestinal flora characteristics on spinal cord nerve function repair in patients with spinal cord injury from different perspectives, there are numerous research models for treating spinal cord injury with intestinal flora as intervention targets and remains a lack of unified and effective clinical treatment methods. In this paper, the authors review the research progress in characteristics of intestinal microflora and intestinal microflora-targeted therapeutic methods in patients with spinal cord injury, hoping to provide a reference for the clinical treatment and basic research of spinal cord injury.

The role of antibiotics in the treatment of Crohn′s disease / 中国医师杂志

Crohn′s disease (CD) is a chronic, progressive and destructive inflammatory disease affecting the entire digestive tract. Changes in the intestinal microbiota, particularly a decrease in gut microbiome diversity, are thought to be associated with chronic intestinal inflammation of CD. As for the mechanism of antibiotics in CD treatment, some scholars believe that antibiotics can affect the course of disease by reducing the concentration of intestinal bacteria and changing the composition of intestinal microbiota. Different antibiotics, including ciprofloxacin, metronidazole and rifaximin, have been proved to have certain therapeutic effect on some patients with CD in clinical practice, but there are still limitations in the use of antibiotics.In this review, the relationship between intestinal flora and the incidence of CD and the application of antibiotics in CD were reviewed, providing reference and help for the standardized application of antibiotics in CD.

Importancia del microbioma en la salud humana y aplicaciones médicas / Importance of the microbiome in human health and medical implications

Recientes investigaciones han relacionado la microbiota intestinal con la salud humana en múltiples aspectos. La evolución de los estilos de vida ha determinado un cambio en la composición de las bacterias intestinales, así como la implicación que la comunidad de estas ejerce sobre la salud. Actualmente, se conoce que la mayoría de las bacterias presentes en el sistema gastrointestinal pertenecen principalmente a los fila Firmicutes y Bacterioidetes, aunque también se encuentran otros grupos tales como proteobacterias y actinobacterias. A medida que se avanza en el tracto gastrointestinal predominan algunos géneros de bacterias. Los efectos de la microbiota pueden ser directos e indirectos, además, dependen de muchos factores tales como la edad de la persona, el grupo etario, la genética del individuo, la dieta y el estilo de vida. Durante los últimos años, la accesibilidad a tecnologías de secuenciación ha permitido tener un acercamiento más estrecho a la microbiota intestinal. Esto, sumado a herramientas bioinformáticas, ha permitido establecer relaciones microbiales entre la cantidad y estructura poblacional y las manifestaciones clínicas en el ser humano. Algunas de las afecciones estudiadas y que tienen relación con la microbiota intestinal son: la obesidad, la diabetes, el cáncer, las enfermedades relacionadas con el cerebro, las enfermedades cardiovasculares y las enfermedades gastrointestinales. De acuerdo con lo mencionado, se hizo una recopilación de información de carácter científico en cuanto a estudios relevantes que describen la relación microbiota-salud humana y casos donde se observa compromiso del organismo, al mismo tiempo que se describen opciones terapéuticas propuestas y un abordaje de perspectivas futuras.

Recent research has linked gut microbiota to human health in multiple ways. The evolution of lifestyles has determined a change in the composition of intestinal bacteria, as well as the implications that they exert on health. Currently, it is known that most of the bacteria present in the gastrointestinal sector belong mainly to the phylum Firmicutes and Bacterioidetes, although there are also other groups such as proteobacteria and actinobacteria. As it progresses through the gastrointestinal tract, some genera of bacteria and species predominate. The effects of the microbiota can be direct and indirect, and also depend on many factors such as the age of the person, the age group, the individual's genetics, diet, and lifestyle. In recent years, accessibility to sequencing technologies has allowed for a closer approach to the intestinal microbiota. This, added to bioinformatic tools has allowed establishing microbial relationships in terms of quantity and population structure with clinical manifestations in humans. Some of the pathologies studied that are related to intestinal microbiota are obesity, diabetes, cancer, brain-related diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and gastrointestinal diseases. A compilation of scientific information is made regarding relevant studies that describe the microbiota-human health relationship, cases where the organism is affected, as well as proposed therapeutic options and an approach to future perspectives