ABSTRACT
This review is aimed to explore the health beneficial effects of probiotics which are live microorganisms that provide a positive health influence on humans when taken in sufficient quantity. Lactic acid bacteria, bifidobacteria, and yeast are frequently used as probiotics. These health-beneficial bacteria could compete with pathogens and modulate the gut microbiota, and exhibit immunomodulatory, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, and anti-cancer activities which are discussed in this review. Moreover, recent studies showed that probiotics could neutralize COVID-19 infections. Hence, probiotics have become an alternative to several drugs including antibiotics. In addition, probiotic efficacy also depends on the delivery system as the delivery agents help the bacteria to survive in the harsh environment of the human gut. Considering these health benefits of probiotics, now it has been applied to different food materials which are designated as functional food. This review explored a portrait of the beneficial effects of probiotics on human health.Copyright © 2022 The Author(s)
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The dominant respiratory feature of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is arterial hypoxaemia, greatly exceeding abnormalities in pulmonary mechanics. Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) analysis helps to find out respiratory, metabolic acidosis and alkalosis. Aim: To evaluate the blood gas levels among critically ill COVID-19 positive patients admitted in Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Materials and Methods: A retrospective, observational study was conducted. Data of ABG analysis {pH, PaO2 (partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood), PaCO2 (partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood) and bicarbonate (HCO3)} in 314 adult COVID-19 positive cases were obtained from ICU records. All critically ill COVID-19 patients those who were admitted in ICU and age more than 15 years of age were included in this study. Data were analysed and Pearson correlation test was applied for statistical significance. Results: Among the study subjects, 234 (74.5%) were male. Most affected age group was 51-60 years among males and above 60 years among females. Most common ABG finding was high pH indicating alkalosis, found among 183 (58.3%) patients. Acidosis was rare and seen in only 19 (6.0%) patients. A total of 174 (55.4%) patients developed respiratory alkalosis with low PaCo2. Hypoxaemia was found in 144 (45.9%) patients. High HCO3, indicating metabolic alkalosis, was seen in 144 (45.9%) patients. Statistically significant correlation was found between PaCO2 and pH (person correlation coefficient (r) =-0.153, p=0.007) and PaCO2 and HCO3 standard (r=0.185, p=0.001). Conclusion: ABG should be done in all COVID-19 patients during admission. A regular interval monitoring of ABG can help in early identification of respiratory damage, silent hypoxia and cytokine storm and with early detection many lives can be saved with early initiation of management.