Use Of Probiotics Research Articles

The impact of pre-, pro- and synbiotics supplementation in colorectal cancer treatment: a systematic review

The impact of pre-, pro- and synbiotics supplementation in colorectal cancer treatment: a systematic review

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Towards Referral of Probiotics by Pediatricians of Government Hospitals In Faisalabad, Pakistan

Background: The use of probiotics is increasing with time. However, there is limited data available related to the referral and knowledge of pediatricians regarding the use of probiotics. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 196 pediatricians who participated in this study. A well-structured, self-administered questionnaire was distributed among participants to assess their knowledge, attitude, and practices towards probiotics referral. The questionnaire was based on four sections including questions related to socio-demographics, knowledge, attitude, and practices about probiotics’ use and referral. The obtained data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and, the chi-square test in SPSS. Results: The findings indicated that the majority of participants had fair knowledge (57.7%), a positive attitude (69.4%), and good practices (80.1%) towards the referral of probiotics products. The chi-square test results revealed that the gender difference of participants was significantly associated with the knowledge (p-value = 0.042). Whereas, the knowledge of participants did not vary significantly concerning the increase in the working experience (p-value = 0.075). In addition, the attitudes and practices of pediatricians were also found to be non-significantly related to the gender difference and working experience of the participants. Furthermore, a significant correlation was found between the attitude and practices (p-value = 0.019), and between knowledge and practices (p-value = 0.000). Whereas, no significant correlation was found between knowledge and attitude (p-value = 0.197). Conclusion: In conclusion, the majority of the participants in this study had fair knowledge, a positive attitude, and good practices towards the referral of probiotics. Although there are certain limitations to this study, it is the first study that provides insights into the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of pediatricians in Faisalabad, Pakistan. Consequently, it is suggested that additional training programs and healthcare policies should be initiated to further promote the clinical applications of probiotics by enhancing the knowledge of pediatricians as well as other healthcare professionals in the country.

Effect of the Bacillus subtilis BS20 on physiological and immune parameters in mutant mice Muc2–/–

Introduction. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a common pathology that cannot be completely cured and requires lifelong therapy. One of the promising and sparing therapeutic strategies is the use of probiotics. Unlike Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, which represent the basis of most classical probiotics, Bacillus spp. are spore-forming bacteria that contributes to their resistance to the acidic environment of the stomach. It has been shown that the bacteria Bacillus spp. is an effective therapeutic drug for the relief of intestinal diseases with signs of inflammation and bacterial origin. Since the main factors causing IBD are dysbiosis and inflammation, and strains of Bacillus spp. as probiotics can be potential modulators of immunity and influence the intestinal microbiome, it is necessary to search for new strains of probiotic bacteria, including representatives of Bacillus spp., which have an effect on immunity and physiological indicators in experimental models of IBD. The aim of the scientific research — to study the effect of Bacillus subtilis BS20 spores on the physiological and immune parameters of the mutant mouse line Muc2–/–. Research objectives: Investigate survival of Muc2–/– mice, weight, immune parameters (cytokines and immune cells) and amino acid composition of muscles. Materials and methods. Muc2–/– females were fed spores of Bacillus subtilis BS20 in the amount of 109 CFU for 2 months. Analysis of the amino acid composition of the femoral muscle was performed by capillary electrophoresis. The concentration of cytokines in the supernatant was measured using the Magnetic Luminex assay kit. Determination of the number of lymphocytes was performed by flow cytometry. Results. The addition of Bacillus subtilis BS20 to the diet of mice reduced mortality and body weight loss in Muc2–/– females. We found a decrease in interleukin-6 and an increase in interleukin-17 in the descending colon and an increase in B and T helper lymphocytes in the spleen. Conclusion. B. subtilis BS20 improves the general condition of Muc2–/– mutant mice, has an anti-inflammatory and immunostimulating effect, reducing the level of the cytokine interleukin-6 and increasing the percentage of B cells and T helper cells in the spleen.

Machine learning-based prediction models affecting the recovery of postoperative bowel function for patients undergoing colorectal surgeries

PurposeThe debate surrounding factors influencing postoperative flatus and defecation in patients undergoing colorectal resection prompted this study. Our objective was to identify independent risk factors and develop prediction models for postoperative bowel function in patients undergoing colorectal surgeries.MethodsA retrospective analysis of medical records was conducted for patients who undergoing colorectal surgeries at Peking University People’s Hospital from January 2015 to October 2021. Machine learning algorithms were employed to identify risk factors and construct prediction models for the time of the first postoperative flatus and defecation. The prediction models were evaluated using sensitivity, specificity, the Youden index, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) through logistic regression, random forest, Naïve Bayes, and extreme gradient boosting algorithms.ResultsThe study included 1358 patients for postoperative flatus timing analysis and 1430 patients for postoperative defecation timing analysis between January 2015 and December 2020 as part of the training phase. Additionally, a validation set comprised 200 patients who undergoing colorectal surgeries from January to October 2021. The logistic regression prediction model exhibited the highest AUC (0.78) for predicting the timing of the first postoperative flatus. Identified independent risk factors influencing the time of first postoperative flatus were Age (p < 0.01), oral laxatives for bowel preparation (p = 0.01), probiotics (p = 0.02), oral antibiotics for bowel preparation (p = 0.02), duration of operation (p = 0.02), postoperative fortified antibiotics (p = 0.02), and time of first postoperative feeding (p < 0.01). Furthermore, logistic regression achieved an AUC of 0.72 for predicting the time of first postoperative defecation, with age (p < 0.01), oral antibiotics for bowel preparation (p = 0.01), probiotics (p = 0.01), and time of first postoperative feeding (p < 0.01) identified as independent risk factors.ConclusionsThe study suggests that he use of probiotics and early recovery of diet may enhance the recovery of bowel function in patients undergoing colorectal surgeries. Among the various analytical methods used, logistic regression emerged as the most effective approach for predicting the timing of the first postoperative flatus and defecation in this patient population.

Corrigendum: Comparative microbiome analysis of beef cattle, the feedyard environment, and airborne particulate matter as a function of probiotic and antibiotic use, and change in pen environment

Corrigendum: Comparative microbiome analysis of beef cattle, the feedyard environment, and airborne particulate matter as a function of probiotic and antibiotic use, and change in pen environment

Use of probiotics in children as prophylaxis for the development of atopic dermatitis: systematic review

Use of probiotics in children as prophylaxis for the development of atopic dermatitis: systematic review

Clinical Efficacy of Use of Probiotics in Children with Acute Watery Diarrhea

watery diarrhea in children aged 6 months to 5 years, at H.H Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan Hospital/Combined Military Hospital, Muzaffarabad. Methodology: The Randomized Controlled Trial was done at Pediatric department, H.H Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan Hospital/CMH, Muzaffarabad from January 2020 to December 2021. All patients aged 6 months to 5 years with acute watery diarrhea who present with severe, minimal, or no dehydration within the first five days of illness were included. Children meeting the inclusion criteria were consecutively enrolled and randomly assigned to either the study group (ORS plus oral administration of Saccharomyces Boulardii) or the control group (ORS alone). From day 1 to day 5, the quantity and consistency of feces were counted. On day 5, clinical effectiveness was indicated by 3 stools or fewer per day. SPSS version 26 was used for data analysis. Results: Of 252 patients, a significant mean difference of number of stools and consistency was observed on day 3, day 4, and day 5 (p:&lt;0.005). A significant association of efficacy was observed with probiotic group (p: 0.021). After adjustment for other covariates, efficacy was 2.37 times higher among children who were in probiotic group as compared to control group (OR 2.37, 95% CI 1.07-5.24, p: 0.033). The efficacy was 3.23 times higher among children with age ?3 years than children with age &gt;3 years (aOR 3.23, 95% CI 1.32-7.91, p: 0.010). The efficacy was 94% lower among children without dehydration (aOR 0.06, 95% CI 0.01-0.52, p: 0.011) and 91% lower among children with some dehydration (aOR: 0.09, 95% CI 0.01-0.77, p: 0.028). Conclusion: The efficacy of probiotics was observed to be higher in treatment of acute watery diarrhea in hospitalized children. Probiotics, when used as an adjunct to standard therapy, may be beneficial in reducing the severity and duration of diarrhea, potentially leading to improved clinical outcomes.

The novel probiotic preparation based on Lactobacillus spp. mixture on the intestinal bacterial community structure of Cherry Valley duck.

The development and utilization of probiotics have many environmental benefits when they are used to replace antibiotics in animal production. In this study, intestinal lactic acid bacteria were isolated from the intestines of Cherry Valley ducks. Probiotic lactic acid bacterial strains were screened for antibacterial activity and tolerance to produce a Lactobacillus spp. mixture. The effects of the compound on the growth performance and intestinal flora of Cherry Valley ducks were studied. Based on the results of the antibacterial activity and tolerance tests, the highly active strains Lactobacillus casei 1.2435, L. salivarius L621, and L. salivarius L4 from the intestines of Cherry Valley ducks were selected. The optimum ratio of L. casei 1.2435, L. salivarius L621, and L. salivarius L4 was 1:1:2, the amount of inoculum used was 1%, and the fermentation time was 14h. In vivo experiments showed that compared with the control group, the relative abundances of intestinal Lactobacillus and Blautia were significantly increased in the experimental group fed the lactobacilli compound (P < 0.05); the relative abundances of Parabacteroides, [Ruminococcus]_torques_group, and Enterococcus were significantly reduced (P < 0.05), and the growth and development of the dominant intestinal flora were promoted in the Cherry Valley ducks. This study will provide more opportunities for Cherry Valley ducks to choose microecological agents for green and healthy breeding.

PSV-8 Development of genetically engineered microbes as probiotics to enhance ruminant productivity

Abstract Alternatives to antibiotics (especially metaphylactic use of antibiotics in livestock) are critically needed to ensure animal and human health while meeting the increasing food demand of the growing human population. One of the proposed alternatives to antibiotic use that is gaining momentum is the use of probiotics or direct-fed microbials (DFMs), which are live microbes that have specialized functions that improve gastrointestinal health and performance. However, to date, most probiotics or DFMs tested as alternative to antibiotics to reduce pathogen colonization have shown limited effectiveness with inconsistent results. This is due to the fact that only, generally accepted as safe (GRAS) bacterial strains are being used as DFMs or probiotics in the animal industry. However, metagenome studies have clearly shown the presence of unique biosynthetic gene clusters and other beneficial genes within gut environments in livestock species in non-GRAS organisms. As such, with advances in gene editing techniques, tools are now available to strategically integrate beneficial genes found in non-GRAS approved microbial strains into GRAS approved strains to develop genetically engineered microbes with beneficial functions. As a first step towards developing genetically engineered microbes to improve animal health and performance, we engineered a biosynthetic gene cassette identified from rumen microbes into GRAS approved Bacillus strains. We utilized chasis-independent recombinase-assisted genome engineering (CRAGE) and random transposon mutagenesis to insert biosynthetic genes into GRAS approved strains. Furthermore, we performed functional screening experiments to identify strains containing the engineered gene cassette and confirmed using sequencing. This approach can be used to engineer beneficial genes and generate personalized probiotics to improve animal health and productivity.

Update on the Role of the Microbiome in Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Abstract Purpose of Review Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common yet complex and heterogeneous inflammatory condition of the paranasal sinuses that is likely caused by a combination of infectious and inflammatory factors. The role of the microbiome in the pathogenesis of CRS remains poorly defined. The purpose of this review is to examine the role of the microbiome in CRS and evaluate current and emerging therapies that may alter the sinonasal microbiome. Recent Findings There are complex interactions among the various microorganisms that make up the sinonasal microbiome with a growing body of evidence that increased microbial biodiversity may be protective against the development of CRS and patients with improved biodiversity may have better treatment outcomes. Topical and systemic antimicrobials, intranasal corticosteroids, and surgery have demonstrated transient changes to the microbiome without significant change in symptoms. The use of probiotics and bacteriophages remain areas of active investigation regarding alterations to the sinonasal microbiome. Summary CRS seems to be associated with decreased sinonasal microbial diversity, but whether this is the cause of CRS or a downstream effect remains unclear. Additional evaluation into the role of the microbiome on CRS and the impact of therapies that may yet alter the microbiome are necessary.

A streamlined workflow for a fast and cost-effective count of tyndallized probiotics using flow cytometry.

The use of dead probiotics and their cellular metabolites seems to exhibit immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties, providing protection against pathogens. These inanimate microorganisms, often referred to as tyndallized or heat-killed bacteria, are a new class of probiotics employed in clinical practice. Safety concerns regarding the extensive use of live microbial cells have increased interest in inactivated bacteria, as they could eliminate shelf-life problems and reduce the risks of microbial translocation and infection. Culture-dependent methods are not suitable for the quality assessment of these products, and alternative methods are needed for their quantification. To date, bacterial counting chambers and microscopy have been used for tyndallized bacteria enumeration, but no alternative validated methods are now available for commercial release. The aim of the present study is to design a new method for the qualitative and quantitative determination of tyndallized bacterial cells using flow cytometric technology. Using a live/dead viability assay based on two nucleic acid stains, thiazole orange (TO) and propidium iodide (PI), we optimized a workflow to evaluate bacterial viability beyond the reproduction capacity that provides information about the structural properties and metabolic activities of probiotics on FACSVerse without using beads as a reference. The data obtained in this study represent the first analytical application that works effectively both on viable and non-viable cells. The results provided consistent evidence, and different samples were analyzed using the same staining protocol and acquisition settings. No significant discrepancies were highlighted between the declared specification of commercial strain and the analytical data obtained. For the first time, flow cytometry was used for counting tyndallized bacterial cells as a quality control assessment in probiotic production. This aspect becomes important if applied to medical devices where we cannot boast metabolic but only mechanical activities.

Metabolic Status Influences Probiotic Efficacy for Depression-PRO-DEMET Randomized Clinical Trial Results.

Probiotics may represent a safe and easy-to-use treatment option for depression or its metabolic comorbidities. However, it is not known whether metabolic features can influence the efficacy of probiotics treatments for depression. This trial involved a parallel-group, prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled design. In total, 116 participants with depression received a probiotic preparation containing Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell®-52 and Bifidobacterium longum Rosell®-175 or placebo over 60 days. The psychometric data were assessed longitudinally at five time-points. Data for blood pressure, body weight, waist circumference, complete blood count, serum levels of C-reactive protein, cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting glucose were measured at the beginning of the intervention period. There was no advantage of probiotics usage over placebo in the depression score overall (PRO vs. PLC: F(1.92) = 0.58; p = 0.45). However, we found a higher rate of minimum clinically important differences in patients supplemented with probiotics than those allocated to placebo generally (74.5 vs. 53.5%; X2(1,n = 94) = 4.53; p = 0.03; NNT = 4.03), as well as in the antidepressant-treated subgroup. Moreover, we found that the more advanced the pre-intervention metabolic abnormalities (such as overweight, excessive central adipose tissue, and liver steatosis), the lower the improvements in psychometric scores. A higher baseline stress level was correlated with better improvements. The current probiotic formulations may only be used as complementary treatments for depressive disorders. Metabolic abnormalities may require more complex treatments. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04756544.

Network meta-analysis of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics for the treatment of chronic constipation in adults.

To compare the outcomes associated with the use of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics for the treatment of chronic constipation in adults. We searched eight electronic databases from database inception to July 11, 2023, to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that report efficacy and safety for the treatment of chronic constipation. The risk of bias in the included RCTs was evaluated according to the Cochrane tool, and the certainty of the evidence was assessed using the Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis framework. The analysis was conducted using R version 4.3.0. Out of the 37 RCTs, a total of 21 different types of interventions were reported, involving 3,903 patients. This NMA demonstrated that both prebiotics and synbiotics resulted in an increase in frequency of stool movements per week. Compared to placebo, lactulose (Mean difference [MD] = 3.39, 95% Confdence interval [CI] [1.13, 5.65], moderate certainty), mix2 (consisting of Lactulose and Bacillus coagulans) (MD = 3.63, 95% CI [1.37, 5.89], moderate certainty), mix6 (consisting of Lactulose and Bifidobacterium coagulans) (MD = 4.30, 95% CI [1.04, 7.54], low certainty), and mix7 (consisting of Lactulose, Bifidobacterium subtilis, and Enterococcus faecium) (MD = 4.58, 95% CI [1.35, 7.78], moderate certainty) exhibited a significant effect. Notably, mix7 demonstrated the highest probability of being the most effective intervention (94.8%). Furthermore, when compared to L. plantarum, four probiotics and two synbiotics showed significant advantages in the Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptoms (PAC-SYM) score. L. reuteri (MD = -13.74, 95% CI [-22.20, -4.66], very low certainty) exhibited a significant effect in improving the Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (PAC-QoL) score. In terms of safety, there were no statistically significant differences between the intervention and control groups in all adverse event analyses. Moderate to very low evidence supports the use of lactulose and synbiotics to increase the number of weekly stool movements in patients, particularly highlighting the significant impact of synbiotics in increasing the number of weekly stool movements in patients with constipation. The use of L. paracasei showed improvements in PAC-SYM scores, while L. reuteri demonstrated enhancements in PAC-QoL scores.

Features of the effect of a probiotic, containing Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium on the intestinal microbiota and clinical symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome

Background. One of the important links in the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a change in the composition of the microbiota, and therefore, the use of probiotics in complex therapy can be considered as a pathogenetic treatment of this functional disease. Aim. To study the effectiveness of probiotic use on the composition of the intestinal microbiota and the dynamics of symptoms in patients with IBS with predominance of diarrhea (IBS-D) or constipation (IBS-C). Materials and methods. 10 patients with IBS-D and 7 patients with IBS-C who took a probiotic for 28 days, which included: Lactobacillus acidophilus 1.25×109 CFU, Bifidobacterium lactis – 1.25×109 CFU, Lactobacillus paracasei – 1.25×109 CFU, Lactobacillus rhamnosus – 1.25×109 CFU. The dynamics of symptoms was assessed using the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale, and the composition of the microbiota before and after taking the probiotic was analyzed by sequencing 16S pRNA of stool samples. Results. In both groups, we found a statistically significant decrease in the level of Proteobacteria and an increase in Firmicutes. In patients with IBS-C, there was a decrease in Negativicutes, which, on the contrary, increased in patients with IBS-D. Shannon's diversity index in patients with IBS-C was statistically significantly lower than in patients with IBS-D 1.55 vs 2.74 (p=0.1). Against the background of the application, there was an increase in microbial diversity in patients with IBS-D, it increased to 3.01, and in patients with IBS-C to 2.68. Against the background of changes in the microbiota, there was a positive dynamics of disease symptoms against the background of taking probiotics. Conclusion. The results obtained reflect the positive effect of probiotics in patients with IBS-D and IBS-C, which makes it possible to clarify the role of microbiota in the development of IBS and recommend their use as part of complex therapy for this disease.

Modulation of the Immune System Mechanisms using Probiotic Bacteria in Allergic Diseases: Focus on Allergic Retinitis and Food Allergies.

Allergic illnesses occur when an organism's immune system is excessively responsive to certain antigens, such as those that are presented in the environment. Some people suffer from a wide range of immune system-related illnesses including allergic rhinitis, asthma, food allergies, hay fever, and even anaphylaxis. Immunotherapy and medications are frequently used to treat allergic disorders. The use of probiotics in bacteriotherapy has lately gained interest. Probiotics are essential to human health by modulating the gut microbiota in some ways. Due to probiotics' immunomodulatory properties present in the gut microbiota of all animals, including humans, these bacterial strains can prevent a wide variety of allergic disorders. Probiotic treatment helps allergy patients by decreasing inflammatory cytokines and enhancing intestinal permeability, which is important in the battle against allergy. By altering the balance of Th1 and Th2 immune responses in the intestinal mucosa, probiotics can heal allergic disorders. Numerous studies have shown a correlation between probiotics and a reduced risk of allergy disorders. A wide range of allergic disorders, including atopic dermatitis, asthma, allergic retinitis and food allergies has been proven to benefit from probiotic bacteria. Therefore, the use of probiotics in the treatment of allergic diseases offers a promising perspective. Considering that probiotic intervention in the treatment of diseases is a relatively new field of study, more studies in this regard seem necessary.

Evolving Advances in the Cosmetic Use of Probiotics and Postbiotics: Health, Regulatory and Marketing Aspects.

Ongoing development in cosmetics is increasingly making use of probiotics, which are defined as "live microorganisms with health-enhancing properties mediated through ingestion or topical application to the host". The observation that several bacterial strains augment normal processes of healthy tissue maintenance, particularly for the skin, has opened up new avenues for the use of bacterial strains in cosmetics. A principal feature of such "cosmeceuticals" is an application of increasing insight into the biochemical nature of the skin's normal microbial flora, also called its microbiome. The opportunity of manipulating the skin microbiome to address various skin disorders has revealed novel routes for treatment. The skin microbiome manipulation approaches to address various skin disorders include skin microbiome transplantation, skin bacteriotherapy, and prebiotic stimulation. Research in this field has revealed that medical outcome-targeted manipulation of skin microbiome bacterial strain makeup may significantly increase skin health and appearance. Commercial availability of probiotic skincare products is rapidly expanding worldwide due to satisfactory laboratory results and public perception of probiotics as being intrinsically more wholesome than other bioactive substances, such as synthetics. Major outcomes of probiotic use include a significant reduction in skin wrinkling, acne and other conditions adversely affecting skin appearance and healthy function. Moreover, probiotics may additionally promote normal skin hydration, resulting in a vibrant and lustrous appearance. Nevertheless, significant technical challenges remain for the full optimization of probiotics in cosmetic products. This article summarizes the evolving nature of this field and explores current probiotic research initiatives, along with regulatory aspects and significant challenges in the manufacturing of cosmetics in the context of market expansion for these products.

Probiotics Show Promise as a Novel Natural Treatment for Neurological Disorders.

Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms shown to improve human health when consumed regularly and in sufficient quantities. Numerous health benefits can be attained by possessing important metabolites with nutritional and medicinal qualities. It has been shown through scientific research that these living microbial consortiums can influence a variety of mental health outcomes, including but not limited to anxiety, depression, cognitive processes, stress responses, and behavioral patterns. Selected strains of bacteria and yeasts control how the central nervous system (CNS) communicates with the gut-brain axis (GBA) through neuronal, humoral, and metabolic pathways to ease mood. Psychobiotics are substances that can affect the digestive system as well as mood and anxiety. There is scant evidence to validate the beneficial effects of psychiatric drugs in treating neurological diseases or disorders. The therapeutic method of research into psychobiotics opens exciting prospects for the future of the field of development. This review compiles the current evidence available in the scientific literature on the use of probiotics to influence neurological disorders.

Selenium-enriched Bifidobacterium Longum DD98 significantly improves the efficacy of Mesalazine and Cyclosporin A in colitis mice

The incidence of ulcerative colitis (UC) is increasing worldwide and therapeutic drugs for UC are limited. Improvement of microbiome composition with the use of probiotics has the potential to increase the therapeutic index of UC drugs. Several lines of evidence suggested that Bifidobacterium significantly improve colitis by restoring the altered gut microbiota in DSS-treated mice, however the adjuvant effect of Bifidobacterium with UC drugs remains unknown. In this study, we tested the adjuvant potential of probiotic selenium-enriched Bifidobacterium Longum DD98 (SeDD98) on Mesalazine and Cyclosporin A (CsA) two medications used in the treatment of UC. We found that SeDD98 significantly improved the efficacy of Mesalazine and CsA in UC. The combination of SeDD98 and CsA showed the strongest efficacy in decreasing colitis histological scores, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Next we demonstrated that the combination of SeDD98 and CsA shifted the gut microbiota composition and increased with higher alpha diversity as well as beneficial bacteria such as Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014 and Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136. In parallel, we assessed if the adjuvant of SeDD98 with CsA had an impact on CsA-induced kidney injury which represents one of the major side effects. We found that SeDD98 significantly improved CsA nephrotoxicity in UC mice. We then validated this observation using chronic kidney disease (CKD) mice induced by CsA administration. These results demonstrated that SeDD98 in combination with CsA was associated with increased efficacy and reduced nephrotoxicity altogether, providing the scientific basis for the adjuvant therapy of probiotics in UC.

A Meta-analysis of probiotic interventions to mitigate ruminal methane emissions in cattle: implications for sustainable livestock farming

In recent years, the significant impact of ruminants on methane emissions has garnered international attention. While dietary strategies have been implemented to solve this issue, probiotics gained the attention of researchers due to their sustainability. However, it is challenging to ascertain their effectiveness as an extensive range of strains and doses have been reported in the literature. Hence, the objective of this experiment was to perform a meta-analysis of probiotic interventions aiming to reduce ruminal methane emissions from cattle. From 362 articles retrieved from scientific databases, 85 articles were assessed independently by 2 reviewers, and 20 articles representing 49 comparisons were found eligible for meta-analysis. In each study, data such as mean, standard deviation, and sample sizes of both the control and probiotic intervention groups were extracted. The outcomes of interest were methane emission, methane yield, and methane intensity. For the meta-analysis, effect sizes were pooled using a fixed effect or a random effect model depending on the heterogeneity. Afterward, sensitivity analyses were conducted to confirm the robustness of the findings. Overall pooled standardized mean differences (SMD) with their confidence intervals (CIs) did not detect significant differences in methane emission (SMD = -0.04; 95% CI = -0.18 to 0.11; p = 0.632), methane yield (SMD = -0.08; 95% CI = -0.24 to 0.07; p = 0.291), and methane intensity (SMD = -0.22; 95% CI = -0.50 to 0.07; p = 0.129) between cattle supplemented with probiotics and the control group. However, subgroup analyses revealed that multiple-strain bacterial probiotics (SMD = -0.36; 95% CI = -0.62 to -0.11; p = 0.005), specifically the combination of bacteria involved in reductive acetogenesis and propionate production (SMD = -0.71; 95% CI = -1.04 to -0.36; p = 0.001), emerged as better interventions. Likewise, crossbreeds (SMD = -0.48; 95% CI = -0.78 to -0.18; p = 0.001) exhibited a more favorable response to the treatments. Furthermore, meta-regression demonstrated that longer periods of supplementation led to significant reductions in methane emissions (p = 0.001), yield (p = 0.032), and intensity (p = 0.012) effect sizes. Overall, the results of the current study suggest that cattle responses to probiotic interventions are highly dependent on the probiotic category. Therefore, extended trials performed with probiotics containing multiple bacterial strains are showing the most promising results. Ideally, further trials focusing on the use of probiotics to reduce ruminal methane in cattle should be conducted to complete the available literature.

Role of Probiotic Strains in Ensuring Food Safety

Purpose: The general objective of this study was to examine the role of probiotic strains in ensuring food safety. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to the role of probiotic strains in ensuring food safety. Preliminary empirical review revealed that that probiotics offer promising avenues for enhancing microbial safety in food products. Through a comprehensive review of existing literature and empirical studies, researchers found that probiotics exhibited varied but significant antimicrobial activity against foodborne pathogens, thus reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses. The study emphasized the importance of strain-specific evaluation and standardized protocols for assessing probiotic efficacy. Furthermore, interdisciplinary collaborations were identified as crucial for translating scientific findings into practical applications for public health. Overall, the study highlighted the significant potential of probiotic strains in improving food safety outcomes, with further research needed to optimize formulations and address knowledge gaps. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Ecological Theory of Gut Microbiota, Host-Microbiota Mutualism theory and Systems Biology Approach to Gut Microbiome may be used to anchor future studies on probiotic strains in ensuring food safety. The study emphasized advancing understanding of microbial ecology in the gastrointestinal tract, developing evidence-based guidelines for probiotic use, and aligning policies with scientific evidence. Recommendations included investing in research and education initiatives, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, and promoting international cooperation. By integrating ecological principles, developing standardized protocols, and aligning policies with scientific evidence, stakeholders were able to harness the potential of probiotics to enhance food safety and public health, ultimately benefiting consumers worldwide.