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Journal of Occupational Health 2023Prolonged and constant stress from work often leads to numerous adverse health effects. In recent years, interest in probiotics, living microorganisms that can benefit... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Prolonged and constant stress from work often leads to numerous adverse health effects. In recent years, interest in probiotics, living microorganisms that can benefit their host when consumed in adequate amounts, to aid health and well-being has increased. This scoping review is to systematically evaluate the current state of science on the effects of probiotic supplements on health, stress, and stress-related symptoms among working adults in occupational settings.
METHODS
We performed a systematic scoping review following the Arksey and O'Malley Framework. Studies that examined the effects of probiotics on workers' health and stress-related indicators/outcomes in occupational settings were included. A comprehensive search was performed from November 2021 to January 2022 using MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsychInfo, Scopus, and Embase.
RESULTS
A total of 14 papers met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Probiotics consisted primarily of Lactobacillus and/or Bifidobacterium strains in various forms and doses. Three out of eight studies reported statistical differences in inflammatory markers or stress hormone levels between probiotic and placebo groups. Three of six reported reduced respiratory tract infection incidents in the probiotic groups and three out of four studies reported no differences in anxiety and depression between groups. Lastly, three studies found that absenteeism and presentism were lower in probiotic groups compared with placebo groups.
CONCLUSION
The potential benefits of probiotics exist; however, the measurements of outcomes, the types of probiotics used, and the characteristics of the intervention varied across studies. Further research is needed focusing on probiotics' direct and indirect mechanisms of action on the stress response and the standardization of strains and dosing.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Occupational Health; Probiotics; Lactobacillus; Absenteeism; Anxiety
PubMed: 37218068
DOI: 10.1002/1348-9585.12404 -
Microorganisms Mar 2023In Africa, ticks continue to be a major hindrance to the improvement of the livestock industry due to tick-borne pathogens that include , and species. A systemic... (Review)
Review
In Africa, ticks continue to be a major hindrance to the improvement of the livestock industry due to tick-borne pathogens that include , and species. A systemic review and meta-analysis were conducted here and highlighted the distribution and prevalence of these tick-borne pathogens in African ticks. Relevant publications were searched in five electronic databases and selected using inclusion/exclusion criteria, resulting in 138 and 78 papers included in the qualitative and quantitative analysis, respectively. Most of the studies focused on (38 studies), followed by (27 studies), (20 studies) and (17 studies). A meta-analysis of proportions was performed using the random-effects model. The highest prevalence was obtained for spp. (18.39%; 95% CI: 14.23-22.85%), (13.47%; 95% CI: 2.76-28.69%), (11.28%; 95% CI: 1.77-25.89%), (12.75%; 95% CI: 4.06-24.35%), (6.37%; 95% CI: 3.97-9.16%) and (4.3%; 95% CI: 0.04-12.66%). The prevalence of was low (0%; 95% CI: 0-0.25%), with higher prevalence for spp. (27.02%; 95% CI: 10.83-46.03%) and -like endosymbionts (70.47%; 95% CI: 27-99.82%). The effect of the tick genera, tick species, country and other variables were identified and highlighted the epidemiology of ticks in the heartwater; affinity of each species for different tick genera; dominant distribution of , and -like endosymbionts in ticks and a low distribution of in African hard ticks.
PubMed: 36985288
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11030714 -
Microorganisms May 2023Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been increasingly studied in the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) population. However, most studies have focused on the adult... (Review)
Review
Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been increasingly studied in the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) population. However, most studies have focused on the adult population, and the safety and efficacy of FMT in a pediatric population is less well understood. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigates the safety and efficacy of FMT in a pediatric IBD population. A comprehensive literature search of publications published prior to 30 June 2022 was undertaken. Safety data, IBD-related outcomes, and microbiome analysis were obtained from these studies when accessible. Individual estimates of each study were pooled, and sensitivity analysis was conducted. Eleven studies satisfied our eligibility criteria. The calculated pooled rate of adverse events was 29% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 15.0%, 44.0%; < 0.001; I2 = 89.0%, Q = 94.53), and the calculated pooled rate of serious adverse events was 10% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.0%, 14.0%; = 0.28; I2 = 18.0%, Q = 9.79). One month after FMT, clinical response was achieved in 20/34 (58.8%) pediatric IBD patients, clinical remission was achieved in 22/34 (64.7%), and both clinical response and remission were achieved in 15/34 (44.1%) pediatric IBD patients. FMT can be a safe and effective treatment in the pediatric IBD population and may demonstrate improved safety and efficacy in the pediatric population compared to the adult population. However, our results are limited by a lack of established protocol as well as long-term follow-up for FMT in a pediatric IBD population.
PubMed: 37317246
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11051272 -
Microorganisms Jul 2022is an emerging, Gram-negative, obligate intracellular pathogen that is transmitted by a tick vector. Human infection ranges from asymptomatic to severe disease that can... (Review)
Review
is an emerging, Gram-negative, obligate intracellular pathogen that is transmitted by a tick vector. Human infection ranges from asymptomatic to severe disease that can present with pancytopenia, multiorgan failure, and death. The aim of this systematic review is to analyze case reports and case series reported over the last two decades in peer-reviewed journals indexed in the Medline/PubMed database according to the PRISMA guidelines. We found 110 unique patients from 88 case reports and series. The most common mode of transmission was tick bite (60.9%), followed by blood transfusion (8.2%). Infection was acquired by blood transfusion in nearly half (42%) of the immunocompromised patients. Most patients reported fever (90%), followed by constitutional (59%) and gastrointestinal symptoms (56%). Rash was present in 17% of patients, much higher than in previous studies. Thrombocytopenia was the most common laboratory abnormality (76%) followed by elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (46%). The diagnosis was most commonly established using whole-blood polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 76% of patients. Coinfection rate was 9.1% and was most commonly isolated in seven patients (6.4%). Doxycycline was used to treat 70% of patients but was only used as an empiric treatment in one-third of patients (33.6%). The overall mortality rate was 5.7%, and one patient died from trauma unrelated to HGA. The mortality rates among immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients were 4.2% ( = 4/95) and 18.2% ( = 2/11), respectively. Four of the six patients who died (66.6%) received appropriate antibiotic therapy. Among these, doxycycline was delayed by more than 48 h in two patients.
PubMed: 35889152
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10071433 -
International Journal of Environmental... Mar 2020The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the effectiveness of various disinfection methods available for stethoscopes. In March 2019, we performed a search...
The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the effectiveness of various disinfection methods available for stethoscopes. In March 2019, we performed a search in PubMed and Scopus using the search terms: "reducing stethoscopes contamination" and "disinfection stethoscopes"; the Mesh terms used in PubMed were "Decontamination/methods" or "Disinfection/methods" and "Stethoscopes/microbiology". Selection criteria were: English language; at least one disinfection method tested. A total of 253 publications were screened. After title, abstract, and full-text analysis, 17 papers were included in the systematic review. Ethanol at 90%, Ethanol-Based Hands Sanitizer (EBHS), triclosan, chlorhexidine, isopropyl alcohol, 66% ethyl alcohol, sodium hypochlorite, and benzalkonium chloride have been proven to lower the presence of bacteria on stethoscopes' surfaces. In addition, alcohol wipes show effective results. A wearable device emitting ultraviolet C by Light-Emitting Diode (LED) resulted efficacious against common microorganisms involved in Healthcare Associated Infections. The cover impregnated with silver ions seemed to be associated with significantly higher colony counts. Instead, copper stethoscopes surface reduced bacterial load. The disinfection of stethoscopes appears to be essential. There are many valid methods available; the choice depends on various factors, such as the cost, availability, and practicality.
Topics: Aged; Child; Cohort Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Disinfection; Double-Blind Method; Escherichia coli; Humans; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Pilot Projects; Prospective Studies; Staphylococcus aureus; Stethoscopes
PubMed: 32182989
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17061856 -
Microorganisms Jun 2023There is growing evidence indicating that the oral microbiota, specifically certain periodontopathogens such as , may play a role in the development of colorectal cancer... (Review)
Review
There is growing evidence indicating that the oral microbiota, specifically certain periodontopathogens such as , may play a role in the development of colorectal cancer and that it could potentially be used as a biomarker for diagnosing colorectal cancer (CRC). The question beneath this systematic review is whether the development or progression of colorectal cancer can be attributed to the presence of certain oral bacteria, which could be used for discovering non-invasive biomarkers for CRC. This review aims to give an overview of the actual status of published studies regarding the oral pathogens related to colorectal cancer and assess the effectiveness of the oral microbiome derived biomarkers. A systematic literature search was performed using four databases, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Science Direct, on the 3rd and 4th of March 2023. The studies that did not have matching inclusion/exclusion criteria were winnowed out. A total of fourteen studies were included. The risk of bias was performed by using QUADAS-2. After assessing the studies, the general conclusion is that oral microbiota-based biomarkers can become a promising non-invasive tool for detecting CRC, but further research is needed in order to determine the mechanisms of oral dysbiosis in colorectal carcinogenesis.
PubMed: 37375087
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11061586 -
Microorganisms Jun 2020: Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness worldwide affecting almost 70 million individuals. is a widespread pathogen with systematic pathogenicity. This... (Review)
Review
: Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness worldwide affecting almost 70 million individuals. is a widespread pathogen with systematic pathogenicity. This meta-analysis aimed to estimate the contradictory data regarding a potential association between active infection and glaucoma. : A research in MEDLINE/PubMed and Google Scholar was conducted and original studies investigating the relationship between infection and glaucoma were included. Analysis was performed with random effects model. The main outcome was the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) of infection as a risk factor for glaucoma. A parallel analysis studied the role of active infection as indicated by histology and the titer of anti- antibodies. For the anti- antibody titers, weighted mean differences (WMD) were estimated between patients and controls. Fifteen studies were included, with 2664 participants (872 patients with glaucoma and 1792 controls), divided into primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), normal tension glaucoma (NTG) and pseudo-exfoliation glaucoma (PEG). The association between infection and overall glaucoma was significant (OR = 2.08, CI 95% 1.48-2.93) with moderate heterogeneity ( = 61.54%). After stratification by glaucoma subtype, heterogeneity was eliminated in the NTG subgroup. Studies with healthy controls, and controls with anemia yielded very low or no heterogeneity, respectively. Gastric biopsy to document active infection yielded the highest OR (5.4, CI: 3.17-9.2, ) and null heterogeneity. For anti- antibody titers, there was a significant difference in WMD between patients and controls (WMD 15.98 IU/mL; 95% CI: 4.09-27.87; ); values were greater in glaucoma patients, with high heterogeneity (: 93.8%). Meta-regression analysis showed that mean age had a significant impact on glaucoma (). : Active infection may be associated with glaucoma with null heterogeneity, as, beyond histology, quantified by anti- titers and increases with age.
PubMed: 32545826
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8060894 -
Frontiers in Physiology 2022The endotherms, particularly the small mammals living in the polar region and temperate zone, are faced with extreme challenges for maintaining stable core body...
The endotherms, particularly the small mammals living in the polar region and temperate zone, are faced with extreme challenges for maintaining stable core body temperatures in harsh cold winter. The non-hibernating small mammals increase metabolic rate including obligatory thermogenesis (basal/resting metabolic rate, BMR/RMR) and regulatory thermogenesis (mainly nonshivering thermogenesis, NST, in brown adipose tissue and skeletal muscle) to maintain thermal homeostasis in cold conditions. A substantial amount of evidence indicates that the symbiotic gut microbiota are sensitive to air temperature, and play an important function in cold-induced thermoregulation, via bacterial metabolites and byproducts such as short-chain fatty acids and secondary bile acids. Cold signal is sensed by specific thermosensitive transient receptor potential channels (thermo-TRPs), and then norepinephrine (NE) is released from sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and thyroid hormones also increase to induce NST. Meanwhile, these neurotransmitters and hormones can regulate the diversity and compositions of the gut microbiota. Therefore, cold-induced NST is controlled by both Thermo-TRPs-SNS-gut microbiota axis and thyroid-gut microbiota axis. Besides physiological thermoregulation, small mammals also rely on behavioral regulation, such as huddling and coprophagy, to maintain energy and thermal homeostasis, and the gut microbial community is involved in these processes. The present review summarized the recent progress in the gut microbiota and host physiological and behavioral thermoregulation in small mammals for better understanding the evolution and adaption of holobionts (host and symbiotic microorganism). The coevolution of host-microorganism symbionts promotes individual survival, population maintenance, and species coexistence in the ecosystems with complicated, variable environments.
PubMed: 35480035
DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.888324 -
Microorganisms Nov 2023spp. constitute a significant global threat as a leading cause of foodborne illnesses, with poultry meat as a prominent reservoir for these pathogens. South Korea is... (Review)
Review
spp. constitute a significant global threat as a leading cause of foodborne illnesses, with poultry meat as a prominent reservoir for these pathogens. South Korea is known for its diverse poultry consumption habits, and continuous outbreaks make it a matter of concern to perform a meta-analysis to identify the primary source of contamination. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess and compare the prevalence of in various poultry and meat types while also considering the importance of environmental factors in South Korea. The meta-analysis revealed that duck meat exhibited the highest prevalence of , with a pooled estimate of 70.46% (95% CI: 42.80% to 88.38%), followed by chicken meat at a pooled prevalence of 36.17% (95% CI: 26.44% to 47.91%). Additionally, our analysis highlighted the predominance of and in South Korea. These findings underscore the importance of implementing rigorous food safety measures and establishing robust surveillance programs in the poultry industry to mitigate the risk of -related foodborne illnesses associated with meat consumption in South Korea.
PubMed: 38004735
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11112722 -
Surgery May 2023The aim of this meta-analysis and systematic review was to evaluate the association between intraoperative bile cultures and postoperative complications of patients... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
The aim of this meta-analysis and systematic review was to evaluate the association between intraoperative bile cultures and postoperative complications of patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy.
METHODS
A detailed literature search was performed from January 2015 to July 2022 in PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and EMBASE for related research publications. The data were extracted, screened, and graded independently. An analysis of pooled data was performed, and a risk ratio with corresponding confidence intervals was calculated and summarized.
RESULTS
A total of 8 articles were included with 1,778 pancreaticoduodenectomy patients who had an intraoperative bile culture performed. A systematic review demonstrated that some of the most common organisms isolated in a positive intraoperative bile culture were Enterococcus species, Klebsiella species, and E. coli. Four studies also showed that specific microorganisms were associated with specific postoperative complications (surgical site infection and intra-abdominal abscess). The postoperative complications that were evaluated for an association with a positive intraoperative bile culture were surgical site infections (risk ratio = 2.33, 95% confidence interval [1.47-3.69], P < .01), delayed gastric emptying (risk ratio = 1.23, 95% confidence interval [0.63-2.38], P = n.s.), 90-day mortality (risk ratio = 0.68, 95% confidence interval [0.01-52.76], P = n.s.), postoperative pancreatic hemorrhage (risk ratio = 1.70, 95% confidence interval [0.33-8.74], P = n.s.), intra-abdominal abscess (risk ratio = 1.70, 95% confidence interval [0.38-7.56], P = n.s.), and postoperative pancreatic fistula (risk ratio = 0.97, 95% confidence interval [0.72-1.32], P = n.s.).
CONCLUSION
The cumulative data suggest that a positive intraoperative bile culture has no association with predicting the postoperative complications of delayed gastric emptying, 90-day mortality, postoperative pancreatic hemorrhage, intra-abdominal abscess, or postoperative pancreatic fistula. However, the data also suggest that a positive intraoperative bile culture was associated with a patient developing a surgical site infection.
Topics: Humans; Pancreaticoduodenectomy; Surgical Wound Infection; Pancreatic Fistula; Bile; Gastroparesis; Escherichia coli; Pancreatic Diseases; Postoperative Hemorrhage; Abdominal Abscess; Postoperative Complications
PubMed: 36707272
DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2022.12.012