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New Chinese Medical Journal Review elucidates the association between inflammatory bowel disease and Helicobacter pylori

Researchers have found a negative correlation between Helicobacter pylori infection and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) prevalence, suggesting the bacterium may protect against IBD. This is supported by studies showing improved gut microbiota diversity and increased abundance of beneficial bacteria in H. pylori-infected individuals.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeLiterature review·DateJun 14, 2022

The gut microbiome as a health compass

Researchers developed a machine learning model to predict NAFLD development based on gut microbiome data, showing 90% of subjects who developed the disease had subtle differences in their samples. The model combines easily measurable information from blood and microbiome data with high accuracy.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute -·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 9, 2022

Humans pass on gut microbes to wildlife living in cities

A recent study published in eLife found that wildlife living in urban environments have picked up some gut bugs from humans, leading to a 'humanization' of their microbiota. The researchers analyzed gut microbiomes in distantly related vertebrates from urban and rural areas and discovered significant differences between the two.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·DateMay 31, 2022

Drug resistance molecule can spread though bacterial 'communities'

A new study by the University of Exeter found that antibiotic-resistant plasmid molecules can spread quickly through bacterial communities, making them more resistant to antibiotics. This raises concerns about the potential for antimicrobial resistance to spread in environmental settings and impact human health.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 26, 2022

Bacteria make a beeline to escape tight spaces

Researchers observed that bacteria change their swimming behavior to avoid getting stuck in confined spaces. In open areas, bacteria meander without discernible pattern, but upon entry into tight spaces, they straighten their paths to escape, suggesting physical features like walls and corners serve as crucial cues.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalBiophysical Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 2, 2022

A type of virus present in the gut microbiota is associated with better cognitive ability in humans, mice and flies

A study published in Cell Host & Microbe found that individuals with more Caudovirales in their gut microbiota performed better at executive processes and verbal memory, while those with higher levels of Microviridae deteriorated in brain's executive abilities. Dairy products may be a possible means of acquiring Caudovirales.

SourceUniversitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona·JournalCell Host & Microbe·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 21, 2022

Scientists characterize the imbalanced gut bacteria of patients with myocardial infarction, angina and heart failure

Researchers analyzed the gut microbiome of 1,241 middle-aged individuals and found that about half of the bacterial species were modified by drug treatment, while 75% of disturbances occurred in early stages of overweight and type 2 diabetes. The study suggests that an imbalanced gut microbiome may play a role in heart disease development

Living in a microbial world: The healthy oral microbiome contributes to jaw bone health by influencing immune cell interactions with bone cells

A recent study found that a subset of immune cells within the alveolar bone marrow were activated by the presence of commensal oral microbes, leading to increased osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and bone loss. Reducing the burden of commensal microbes through oral antiseptic rinses can help protect against alveolar bone loss.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalJCI Insight·DateFeb 16, 2022

Human microbiome research excludes developing world

A new study found that almost half of all publicly available human microbiome samples come from the US, despite it representing only 4.3% of global population. This raises concerns about the applicability of future microbiome-based medical treatments to countries with limited resources.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 15, 2022

Smoke screen: Analysis of saliva from long-term cannabis smokers identifies disruptions in the healthy oral microbiome that may lead to brain disorders

A study found that long-term cannabis smokers have increased levels of Actinomyces meyeri in their saliva, which correlates with the length of cannabis use. This bacterium was shown to decrease activity and increase beta-amyloid production in mice, suggesting a link between oral microbiome disruption and brain health.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalEBioMedicine·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 6, 2021

Are pandemic-related stressors increasing young women’s vulnerability to STIs?

A recent study published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology found a significant increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among girls and young women in western Kenya, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers attribute this rise to increased stress-related changes in the vaginal microbiome.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 2, 2021

COVID-19 testing kits also can measure oral microbiome in saliva

A Rutgers study found that COVID-19 saliva testing kits with a preservative can accurately measure the oral microbiome, which may lead to new treatments for lung health in people with COVID-19. The study collected saliva samples from participants and compared their ability to measure microbes before and after COVID-19 infection.

SourceRutgers University·Journalnpj Biofilms and Microbiomes·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2021

Cystic fibrosis faithfully modeled in a human Lung Airway Chip

Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute have developed a microfluidic Organ Chip device that accurately models cystic fibrosis lung airway pathology. The model replicates key pathological hallmarks, including mucus layer changes and inflammatory responses, providing a comprehensive preclinical human model for investigating new therapies.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalJournal of Cystic Fibrosis·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 19, 2021

Dartmouth study reveals new insights into how the infant microbiome impacts early childhood behavior in boys and girls

A new Dartmouth-led study found a direct association between the infant microbiome and early childhood behavioral health, with sex-specific differences. The study characterized the species of microbes present in each participant's gut and their functions, establishing that microbiome changes occur before behavioral changes.

SourceThe Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth·JournalPediatric Research·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 4, 2021

CHOP researchers develop coating for endotracheal tubes that releases antimicrobial peptides

Researchers created a polymer coating that releases Lasioglossin-III, an AMP with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, targeting specific infectious bacteria and preventing airway complications. The coating demonstrated significant antibacterial activity and prevented bacterial adherence to the tube.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalThe Laryngoscope·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2021

Prehistoric microbiome and transition to agriculture

Reconstruction of ancient oral microbiomes from the Upper Paleolithic to the Neolithic Periods in Southern Europe reveals a significant expansion of microbial species with the transition to agriculture. The studies sequenced ancient DNA from dental calculus, finding a dominant Anaerolineaceae species that diversified geographically.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 26, 2021

HKUST researchers unlock the micro-molecular physiochemical mechanism of dental plaque formation

The research findings reveal that a novel microbial small molecule from Streptococcus mutans promotes biofilm formation via an unprecedented physicochemical mechanism. This discovery highlights the significance of secondary metabolism in mediating critical processes related to dental caries development.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateMar 16, 2021