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Cell Host & Microbe May 2023Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is highly effective in preventing recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (rCDI). However, the mechanisms underpinning its... (Review)
Review
Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is highly effective in preventing recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (rCDI). However, the mechanisms underpinning its clinical efficacy are incompletely understood. Herein, we provide an overview of rCDI pathogenesis followed by a discussion of potential mechanisms of action focusing on the current understanding of trans-kingdom microbial, metabolic, immunological, and epigenetic mechanisms. We then outline the current research gaps and offer methodological recommendations for future studies to elevate the quality of research and advance knowledge translation. By combining interventional trials with multiomics technology and host and environmental factors, analyzing longitudinally collected biospecimens will generate results that can be validated with animal and other models. Collectively, this will confirm causality and improve translation, ultimately to develop targeted therapies to replace FMT.
Topics: Animals; Fecal Microbiota Transplantation; Clostridioides difficile; Clostridium Infections; Treatment Outcome; Recurrence
PubMed: 37167952
DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2023.03.019 -
Neuroinformatics Jan 2022In January 2016, the Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital (The Neuro) declared itself an Open Science organization. This vision extends beyond efforts by individual...
In January 2016, the Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital (The Neuro) declared itself an Open Science organization. This vision extends beyond efforts by individual scientists seeking to release individual datasets, software tools, or building platforms that provide for the free dissemination of such information. It involves multiple stakeholders and an infrastructure that considers governance, ethics, computational resourcing, physical design, workflows, training, education, and intra-institutional reporting structures. The C-BIG repository was built in response as The Neuro's institutional biospecimen and clinical data repository, and collects biospecimens as well as clinical, imaging, and genetic data from patients with neurological disease and healthy controls. It is aimed at helping scientific investigators, in both academia and industry, advance our understanding of neurological diseases and accelerate the development of treatments. As many neurological diseases are quite rare, they present several challenges to researchers due to their small patient populations. Overcoming these challenges required the aggregation of datasets from various projects and locations. The C-BIG repository achieves this goal and stands as a scalable working model for institutions to collect, track, curate, archive, and disseminate multimodal data from patients. In November 2020, a Registered Access layer was made available to the wider research community at https://cbigr-open.loris.ca , and in May 2021 fully open data will be released to complement the Registered Access data. This article outlines many of the aspects of The Neuro's transition to Open Science by describing the data to be released, C-BIG's full capabilities, and the design aspects that were implemented for effective data sharing.
Topics: Humans; Information Dissemination; Software
PubMed: 34003431
DOI: 10.1007/s12021-021-09516-9 -
Biomarkers in Medicine Oct 2022Salivary bioscience is noteworthy in its history, as well as in the breadth and scope of its impact. The minimally invasive nature of sampling oral fluid allows for... (Review)
Review
Salivary bioscience is noteworthy in its history, as well as in the breadth and scope of its impact. The minimally invasive nature of sampling oral fluid allows for evaluation of individual and intra-individual change in biological processes in ways and settings not possible with traditional biospecimens. The range of measurements is expansive (e.g., DNA, hormones, cytokines, antibodies) and modern technologies enable simultaneous multisystem assessment from a singlet specimen. Used in combination with modern multivariate analytical models, the capacity to repeatedly assess multisystem and level measurements collected from the same individual over time enable operationalization, testing and refinement of complex biobehavioral models. This review describes the emerging narrative of salivary bioscience, and aims to inform and reveal opportunity for innovation and discovery.
PubMed: 36625208
DOI: 10.2217/bmm-2022-0452 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2022The West China Hospital of Sichuan University collaborated with regional medical consortia in Sichuan Province to launch a natural population cohort study (NPCS) to... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
The West China Hospital of Sichuan University collaborated with regional medical consortia in Sichuan Province to launch a natural population cohort study (NPCS) to investigate the health status of residents and collect public health data in southwest China.
METHODS
Up to 80,000 participants will be enrolled by the NPCS from 11 regional medical consortia over five years. Individuals are invited to visit one of 11 participating medical consortia to fill out questionnaires, receive a free health exam, and donate biospecimens upon enrolment. All participating medical facilities adhered to standard operating procedures for collecting and processing biospecimens to ensure uniformity (serum, lithium heparinized plasma, ethylene diamine tetraacetie acid plasma, and buffy coat). The Electronic Data Capture System, Picture Archiving and Communication System, Laboratory Information Management System, Biospecimen Quality Control System, Biobank Information Management System, and will be used to sort and classify clinical indices, imaging data, laboratory parameters, pre-analytical variables, and biospecimen information, respectively. All quality assurance and quality control procedures in the NPCS biobank adhered to the "DAIDS Guidelines for Good Clinical Laboratory Practice Standards". This project will integrate high-dimensional multi-omics data, laboratory data, clinical data, questionnaire data, and environmental risk factors.
RESULTS
An estimated 2,240,000 aliquots of the sample will be stored by the end of the study. These samples are linked with comprehensively collected clinical indices, imaging data, and laboratory parameters. Big data analysis can be implemented to create predictive algorithms, explore pathogenesis mechanisms, uncover potential biomarkers, and provide information on public health.
CONCLUSIONS
NPCS will provide an integrative approach to research risk factors and pathogenesis of major chronic or endemic diseases in Sichuan Province and provide key scientific evidence to support the formulation of health management policies in China.
Topics: Humans; Biological Specimen Banks; Cohort Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires; Biomarkers; China
PubMed: 36530701
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.996169 -
BMJ Open Dec 2022Obtaining ecologically valid biological samples is critical for understanding respiratory effects of tobacco use, but can be burdensome. In two diverse samples, we... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
OBJECTIVE
Obtaining ecologically valid biological samples is critical for understanding respiratory effects of tobacco use, but can be burdensome. In two diverse samples, we examined feasibility and acceptability of studying pulmonary function and respiratory health entirely remotely.
DESIGN
Observational feasibility and acceptability study.
SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS
Adults age 18-25 (Biomedical Respiratory Effects Associated through Habitual Use of E-Cigarettes [BREATHE] Study) and 21-65 (Adult IQOS Respiratory [AIRS] Study) recruited from previous research studies and advertisements in Southern California, USA (BREATHE (AIRS): N=77 (N=31) completed baseline, n=64 (n=20) completed feasibility and acceptability measures). Shared inclusion criteria for the two studies were ownership of a smartphone, willingness to download applications and English fluency. In addition, BREATHE participants reported one of three tobacco use patterns. AIRS participants smoked daily and were willing to use a heated tobacco product. Exclusion criteria were medical contraindications.
INTERVENTIONS
A 4-week study consisted of five virtual study visits, twice daily ecological momentary assessment diaries and spirometry assessments, and weekly Nasal Epithelial Lining Fluid and saliva collection. All study visits were conducted via video conference; study materials and biospecimens were exchanged via mail. Participants reported feasibility and acceptability of daily diaries, breath tests, biospecimen collection and shipments.
MEASURES
Surveys assessed perceptions of timing and overall experience of daily diaries and breath tests, difficulty of and overall experience with biospecimen collection, and experience sending and receiving shipments.
RESULTS
Most participants evaluated daily diaries and breath tests as manageable (62.5%-95.0%) and likeable (54.7%-70.0%). Breath tests were frequently described as 'interesting' (55.0%-57.8%) and 'easy' (25.0%-48.4%). Most participants reported that biospecimen collection was easy (50.0%-85.0%), and that shipments were easy to send (87.5%-95.0%), receive (95.3%-95.0%) and schedule (56.3%-60.0%). No participants received shipments in poor condition.
CONCLUSIONS
Remote research procedures may be feasible and acceptable to facilitate tobacco research studies, potentially resulting in more diverse samples of participants and more generalisable research results.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Adolescent; Young Adult; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Feasibility Studies; Tobacco Use; Respiratory System; Nicotiana; Tobacco Products
PubMed: 36456013
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065962 -
Oral Diseases Mar 2020Growing evidence indicates that oral health and brain health are interconnected. Declining cognition and dementia coincide with lack of self-preservation, including oral... (Review)
Review
Growing evidence indicates that oral health and brain health are interconnected. Declining cognition and dementia coincide with lack of self-preservation, including oral hygiene. The oral microbiota plays an important role in maintaining oral health. Emerging evidence suggests a link between oral dysbiosis and cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer's disease. This review showcases the recent advances connecting oral health and cognitive function during aging and the potential utility of oral-derived biospecimens to inform on brain health. Collectively, experimental findings indicate that the connection between oral health and cognition cannot be underestimated; moreover, oral biospecimens are abundant and readily obtainable without invasive procedures, which may help inform on cognitive health.
Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Cognition; Cognitive Dysfunction; Dementia; Disease Progression; Humans; Microbiota; Mouth; Oral Health
PubMed: 31541581
DOI: 10.1111/odi.13201 -
Nature Reviews. Neurology Feb 2021From the interruption of clinical trials by shelter-in-place orders to the challenges involved in safely collecting biofluid samples, drug development for neurological... (Review)
Review
From the interruption of clinical trials by shelter-in-place orders to the challenges involved in safely collecting biofluid samples, drug development for neurological disease was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic this year. However, the field has responded with innovative solutions, and 2021 could see the therapeutic pipeline flowing again.
Topics: COVID-19; Clinical Trials as Topic; Communicable Disease Control; Drug Development; Humans; Nervous System Diseases
PubMed: 33340023
DOI: 10.1038/s41582-020-00445-w -
Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Dec 2021In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, research institutions across the globe have modified their operations in ways that have limited or eliminated the amount of... (Review)
Review
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, research institutions across the globe have modified their operations in ways that have limited or eliminated the amount of permissible in-person research interaction. In order to prevent the loss of important developmentally-timed data during the pandemic, researchers have quickly pivoted and developed innovative methods for remote assessment of research participants. In this manuscript, we describe methods developed for remote assessment of a parent child cohort with a focus on examining the perinatal environment, behavioral and biological indicators of child neurobehavioral development, parent-child interaction, as well as parent and child mental and physical health. We include recommendations relevant to adapting in-laboratory assessments for remote data collection and conclude with a description of the successful dissemination of the methods to eight research sites across the United States, each of whom are involved in Phase 1 of the HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study. These remote methods were born out of pandemic-related necessity; however, they have much wider applicability and may offer advantages over in-laboratory neurodevelopmental assessments.
Topics: COVID-19; Cohort Studies; Female; Humans; Pandemics; Parents; Pregnancy; SARS-CoV-2; United States
PubMed: 34601346
DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2021.101015 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2020Biobanks have become integral to improving population health. We are in a new era in medicine as patients, health professionals, and researchers increasingly collaborate... (Review)
Review
Biobanks have become integral to improving population health. We are in a new era in medicine as patients, health professionals, and researchers increasingly collaborate to gain new knowledge and explore new paradigms for diagnosing and treating disease. Many large-scale biobanking efforts are underway worldwide at the institutional, national, and even international level. When linked with subject data from questionnaires and medical records, biobanks serve as valuable resources in translational research. A biobank must have high quality samples that meet researcher's needs. Biobank laboratory operations require an enormous amount of support-from lab and storage space, information technology expertise, and a laboratory management information system to logistics for sample movement, quality management systems, and appropriate facilities. A paramount metric of success for a biobank is the concept of every biospecimen coming to the repository belongs to a participant who has something to contribute to research for a healthier future. This article will discuss the importance of biorepository operations, specific to the collection and storage of participants materials. Specific focus will be given to maintaining the quality of samples, along with the various levels of support biorepositories need to fulfill their purpose and ensure the integrity of each specimen is maintained.
Topics: Biological Specimen Banks; Humans; Laboratories; Research Personnel; Translational Research, Biomedical
PubMed: 32850593
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.00362 -
Nicotine & Tobacco Research : Official... Jun 2020The changing prevalence and patterns of tobacco use, the advent of novel nicotine delivery devices, and the development of new biomarkers prompted an update of the 2002... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The changing prevalence and patterns of tobacco use, the advent of novel nicotine delivery devices, and the development of new biomarkers prompted an update of the 2002 Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT) report on whether and how to apply biomarker verification for tobacco use and abstinence.
METHODS
The SRNT Treatment Research Network convened a group of investigators with expertise in tobacco biomarkers to update the recommendations of the 2002 SNRT Biochemical Verification Report.
RESULTS
Biochemical verification of tobacco use and abstinence increases scientific rigor and is recommended in clinical trials of smoking cessation, when feasible. Sources, appropriate biospecimens, cutpoints, time of detection windows and analytic methods for carbon monoxide, cotinine (including over the counter tests), total nicotine equivalents, minor tobacco alkaloids, and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol are reviewed, as well as biochemical approaches to distinguishing cigarette smoking from use of electronic nicotine delivery devices (ENDS).
CONCLUSIONS
Recommendations are provided for whether and how to use biochemical verification of tobacco use and abstinence. Guidelines are provided on which biomarkers to use, which biospecimens to use, optimal cutpoints, time windows to detection, and methodology for biochemical verifications. Use of combinations of biomarkers is recommended for assessment of ENDS use.
IMPLICATIONS
Biochemical verification increases scientific rigor, but there are drawbacks that need to be assessed to determine whether the benefits of biochemical verification outweigh the costs, including the cost of the assays, the feasibility of sample collection, the ability to draw clear conclusions based on the duration of abstinence, and the variability of the assay within the study population. This paper provides updated recommendations from the 2002 SRNT report on whether and how to use biochemical markers in determining tobacco use and abstinence.
Topics: Biomarkers; Carbon Monoxide; Cigarette Smoking; Cotinine; Humans; Nicotine; Smoking Cessation; Tobacco Products; United States
PubMed: 31570931
DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntz132