scholarly journals A Microbiome-Driven Approach to Combating Depression During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud A. Ghannoum ◽  
MaryKate Ford ◽  
Robert A. Bonomo ◽  
Ahmed Gamal ◽  
Thomas S. McCormick
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Complementary Approach ◽  
Huge Impact ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Shed Light

The significant stressors brought about and exacerbated by COVID-19 are associated with startling surges in mental health illnesses, specifically those related to depressive disorders. Given the huge impact of depression on society, and an incomplete understanding of impactful therapeutics, we have examined the current literature surrounding the microbiome and gut-brain axis to advance a potential complementary approach to address depression and depressive disorders that have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. While we understand that the impact of the human gut microbiome on emotional health is a newly emerging field and more research needs to be conducted, the current evidence is extremely promising and suggests at least part of the answer to understanding depression in more depth may lie within the microbiome. As a result of these findings, we propose that a microbiome-based holistic approach, which involves carefully annotating the microbiome and potential modification through diet, probiotics, and lifestyle changes, may address depression. This paper's primary purpose is to shed light on the link between the gut microbiome and depression, including the gut-brain axis and propose a holistic approach to microbiome modification, with the ultimate goal of assisting individuals to manage their battle with depression through diet, probiotics, and lifestyle changes, in addition to offering a semblance of hope during these challenging times.

scholarly journals Gut microbial ecology of Xenopus tadpoles across life stages

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thibault Scalvenzi ◽  
Isabelle Clavereau ◽  
Mickaël Bourge ◽  
Nicolas Pollet
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Essential Amino Acids ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Nitrogen Recycling ◽  
16S Rdna Gene ◽  
Microbiome Composition ◽  
Metabolic Interactions ◽  
Molecular Components ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Shed Light

AbstractBackgroundThe microorganism world living in amphibians is still largely under-represented and under-studied in the literature. Among anuran amphibians, African clawed frogs of the Xenopus genus stand as well-characterized models with an in-depth knowledge of their developmental biological processes including their metamorphosis. We used different approaches including flow cytometry and 16s rDNA gene metabarcoding to analyze the succession of microbial communities and their activities across different body habitats of Xenopus tropicalis. We used metagenomic and metatranscriptomic sequencing to evaluate the metabolic capacity of the premetamorphic tadpole’s gut microbiome.ResultsWe analyzed the bacterial components of the Xenopus gut microbiota, the adult gut biogeography, the succession of communities during ontogeny, the impact of the alimentation in shaping the tadpole’s gut bacterial communities, the transmission of skin and fecal bacteria to the eggs. We also identified the most active gut bacteria and their metabolic contribution to tadpole physiology including carbohydrate breakdown, nitrogen recycling, essential amino-acids and vitamin biosynthesis.ConclusionsWe present a comprehensive new microbiome dataset of a laboratory amphibian model. Our data provide evidences that studies on the Xenopus tadpole model can shed light on the interactions between a vertebrate host and its microbiome. We interpret our findings in light of bile acids being key molecular components regulating the gut microbiome composition during amphibian development and metamorphosis. Further studies into the metabolic interactions between amphibian tadpoles and their microbiota during early development and metamorphosis should provide useful information on the evolution of host-microbiota interactions in vertebrates.

scholarly journals 112 Beyond the gut: Systemic effects of the swine gut microbiome

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 63-63
Author(s):  
Andres Gomez
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Systemic Effects ◽  
Swine Production ◽  
Metabolic Markers ◽  
Shotgun Metagenomics ◽  
Animal Development ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The past 10 years have seen a surge of microbiome-related research in swine production systems. In particular, leveraging from advances in molecular biology, bioinformatics and big data analyses, we are now able to characterize the diversity and composition of the trillions of microbes that inhabit the swine intestinal tract—in health, disease, nutrition and animal development. However, determining the impact of the microbiome, beyond the gut, still remains an elusive task. Building from available data on next generation microbiome sequencing (16S rRNA and shotgun metagenomics) and system-wide molecular markers, we present an overview of the current evidence pointing out to systemic effects of the swine gut microbiome. The data show associations between particular microbial taxa and genes, and changes in intestinal architecture, nutrient transport, immune and metabolic markers. Specifically, based on the existing data and our own, we show particular examples of how these associations occur under conditions of stress and nutritional or therapeutic interventions across different stages of animal development. Furthermore, in light of scarce mechanistic evidence on the effect of gut microbes on swine systemic physiology, we propose possible mechanistic insights on gut bacteria modulation of swine systemic responses. Finally, we discuss how strategies to elucidate host-microbe interactions, targeting single or whole microbial communities, can advance translational research in swine production systems based on microbiome science.

scholarly journals 70 Assessing the Evidence of Micronutrients on Depression among Children and Adolescents: An Evidence Gap Map

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. e29-e29
Author(s):  
Susan Campisi ◽  
Clare Zasowski ◽  
Shailja Shah ◽  
Ashka Shah ◽  
Glyneva Bradley-Ridout ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Full Text ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Public Health Intervention ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Control Series ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Globally, depression is one of the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents. There is some evidence indicating that nutrition may have the ability to prevent, treat and/or influence the severity of depression. Nutritional interventions may broaden the efficacy of treatment options since they are lower in cost, easily accessible and associated with fewer side effects. This may be of particular importance in many low and middle-income countries where micronutrient deficiencies are common and supplementation may be a cost-effective public health intervention. Before determining the role nutrition interventions play in psychiatry, current research needs a unified direction for the development of effective clinical and population treatments. To be resourceful in this task, evidence gap maps (EGM), which employ a systematic approach to mapping and reporting the current evidence, are of particular usefulness. Objectives The aim of this EGM is to offer insight into the potential role of micronutrients in depression treatment and prevention, highlight important gaps in the literature where knowledge is scarce or non-existent, and assist in prioritizing future primary research. It also provides a structured and accessible guide for users to identify the possible efficacy of specific nutrients on depression among those 6-19 years of age. Design/Methods We conducted a comprehensive database search of all primary and secondary literature assessing the impact of micronutrients on depression-related outcomes such as unipolar depression, major depressive disorders, dysthymia, acute depression, and mood disorders among those 6-19 years of age. Studies from any setting that assessed the impact of interventions or deficiencies of micronutrients — vitamins and minerals — on depression were included in the EGM. Based upon current literature, the most potentially impactful micronutrients on depression included Vitamins B, C, A, D and E, as well as minerals such as calcium, copper, chromium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphate, potassium, selenium, and zinc. Abstracts and full-text articles were dual-screened on the basis of predefined eligibility criteria. Key characteristics of the included publications were extracted. All extracted data was visualized in an evidence matrix. Results Our searches identified 7,479 unique citations. After the full-text screening, 30 publications were included in this EGM representing a total of 17,906 participants (58.8% female). Some studies included more than one age range with more reports being among those greater than 10 years of age. About 45% of included studies focused on early adolescents (10-14 years), 35% on late adolescents (15-19 years) and about 20% on children aged 6-9 years. Among studies including adolescents, most studies [n= 22 (73%)] were conducted among boys and girls, seven studies (23.3%) focused exclusively on girls and only one (3%) study targeted only boys. Over half of the evidence was cross-sectional, while the other half was composed of cohort studies, randomized controlled trials and case-control/series studies. Vitamin D (n=8), zinc (n=7), iron (n= 5), folate (n=5), Vitamin A (n=2), and Vitamin B (B1, B12) (n=4) were the most studied micronutrients. There were two studies on magnesium while one study each on Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and copper (some studies examined multiple micronutrients). We did not identify research conducted on any other micronutrients suspected to impact depression. Conclusion To our knowledge, this EGM is the first review to map current evidence regarding micronutrients and depression in this age demographic. Currently, there is insufficient evidence to support recommendations for micronutrient supplementation in the management of depression among those 6-19 years of age. More longitudinal studies and trials are needed to confirm a role for micronutrients in the etiology and treatment of depression among children and adolescents.

scholarly journals Sustainable Development in Rural Areas of Mexico through Beekeeping

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (08) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuliana Vinci ◽  
Mattia Rapa ◽  
Federico Roscioli
Keyword(s):  
Social Cohesion ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Rural Families ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Economic Security ◽  
International Projects ◽  
Huge Impact ◽  
The Impact

A holistic approach that includes social cohesion, accessibility to means of production, policies and nutritional education is widely recognized as needed to fight food insecurity in the world. By investigating the surprising achievements of the Heifer International projects in the rural areas of Mexican states such as Veracruz and Chiapas, this article advances the theory of a multiplier effect given by beekeeping if inserted in a wider food and economic security project. Beekeeping is not only functional as integrator of family income in rural families, but it also provides a healthy sugar source, environmental sensitisation, women empowerment, social cohesion and lots of sub-products for healthcare and cosmetics. Such a huge impact on families has, in fact, to be added to the general positive impact of beekeeping on biodiversity and climate change. The introduction gives a review of the concept of food and economic security for rural families. The second part portraits the complexity and inequality of Mexico in both its economic and nutritional environment. In the last part the Heifer International project structure and goals are explained, followed by an analysis of the data collected as well as an illustration of the impact of this project over the economy, the society and the environment.

scholarly journals Systemic instruction of cell-mediated immunity by the intestinal microbiome

F1000Research ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 1910 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Grainger ◽  
Rufus Daw ◽  
Kelly Wemyss
Keyword(s):  
Immune Responses ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Intestinal Microbiome ◽  
Epithelial Barrier ◽  
Cell Mediated Immunity ◽  
Cancer Therapies ◽  
Gastrointestinal Microbiome ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Shed Light

Recent research has shed light on the plethora of mechanisms by which the gastrointestinal commensal microbiome can influence the local immune response in the gut (in particular, the impact of the immune system on epithelial barrier homeostasis and ensuring microbial diversity). However, an area that is much less well explored but of tremendous therapeutic interest is the impact the gut microbiome has on systemic cell-mediated immune responses. In this commentary, we highlight some key studies that are beginning to broadly examine the different mechanisms by which the gastrointestinal microbiome can impact the systemic immune compartment. Specifically, we discuss the effects of the gut microbiome on lymphocyte polarisation and trafficking, tailoring of resident immune cells in the liver, and output of circulating immune cells from the bone marrow. Finally, we explore contexts in which this new understanding of long-range effects of the gut microbiome can have implications, including cancer therapies and vaccination.

scholarly journals Emerging Evidence of the Gut Microbiome in Chemotherapy: A Clinical Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Byeongsang Oh ◽  
Frances Boyle ◽  
Nick Pavlakis ◽  
Stephen Clarke ◽  
Alex Guminski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Acute Myeloid

Increasing evidence suggests that the gut microbiome is associated with both cancer chemotherapy (CTX) outcomes and adverse events (AEs). This review examines the relationship between the gut microbiome and CTX as well as the impact of CTX on the gut microbiome. A literature search was conducted in electronic databases Medline, PubMed and ScienceDirect, with searches for “cancer” and “chemotherapy” and “microbiome/microbiota”. The relevant literature was selected for use in this article. Seventeen studies were selected on participants with colorectal cancer (CRC; n=5), Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML; n=3), Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (n=2), breast cancer (BCa; n=1), lung cancer (n=1), ovarian cancer (n=1), liver cancer (n=1), and various other types of cancers (n=3). Seven studies assessed the relationship between the gut microbiome and CTX with faecal samples collected prior to (n=3) and following CTX (n=4) showing that the gut microbiome is associated with both CTX efficacy and toxicity. Ten other prospective studies assessed the impact of CTX during treatment and found that CTX modulates the gut microbiome of people with cancer and that dysbiosis induced by the CTX is related to AEs. CTX adversely impacts the gut microbiome, inducing dysbiosis and is associated with CTX outcomes and AEs. Current evidence provides insights into the gut microbiome for clinicians, cancer survivors and the general public. More research is required to better understand and modify the impact of CTX on the gut microbiome.

scholarly journals The Impact of Microbial Composition on Postprandial Glycaemia and Lipidaemia: A Systematic Review of Current Evidence

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 3887
Author(s):  
Megan L. Wilson ◽  
Ian G. Davies ◽  
Weronika Waraksa ◽  
Sayyed S. Khayyatzadeh ◽  
Maha Al-Asmakh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Cardiometabolic Health ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Microbial Composition ◽  
Current Review ◽  
Microbiome Diversity ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Impact

Postprandial hyperglycaemia is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Recent studies highlight the role of the gut microbiome in influencing postprandial glycaemic (PPG) and lipidaemic (PPL) responses. The authors of this review sought to address the question: “To what extent does individual gut microbiome diversity and composition contribute to PPG and PPL responses?” CINAHL Plus, PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases were searched from January 2010 to June 2020. Following screening, 22 studies were eligible to be included in the current review. All trials reported analysis of gut microbiome diversity and composition and PPG and/or PPL. Results were reported according to the ‘Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis’ (PRISMA) statement. Individual microbiota structure was found to play a key role in determining postprandial metabolic responses in adults and is attributed to a complex interplay of diet, microbiota composition, and metagenomic activity, which may be predicted by metagenomic analysis. Alterations of gut microbiota, namely relative abundance of bacterial phylum Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria, along with Enterobacteriaceae, were associated with individual variation in postprandial glycaemic response in adults. The findings of the current review present new evidence to support a personalised approach to nutritional recommendations and guidance for optimal health, management, and treatment of common metabolic disorders. In conclusion, personalised nutrition approaches based on individual microbial composition may improve postprandial regulation of glucose and lipids, providing a potential strategy to ameliorate cardiometabolic health outcomes.

It Is More Than Language

2020 ◽  
pp. 79-98
Author(s):  
Dianne Toe ◽  
Louise Paatsch ◽  
Amy Szarkowski
Keyword(s):  
Specific Area ◽  
Cooperative Interaction ◽  
Social And Emotional Development ◽  
Children And Young People ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
The Social ◽  
Pragmatic Skills ◽  
Social Use ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Shed Light

Deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) children who use spoken language face unique challenges when communicating with others who have typical hearing, particularly their peers. In such contexts, the social use of language has been recognized as an area of vulnerability among individuals in this population and has become a focus for research and intervention. The development of pragmatic skills intersects with many aspects of child development, including emotional intelligence and executive function, as well as social and emotional development. While all these areas are important, they are beyond the scope of this chapter, which highlights the impact of pragmatics on the specific area of cognition. Cognitive pragmatics is broadly defined as the study of the mental processes involved in the understanding of meaning in the context of a cooperative interaction. This chapter explores how DHH children and young people construe meaning in the context of conversations and expository interactions with their peers. The chapter aims to examine the role played by the cognitive processes of making inferences and comprehending implicature, within the overall display of pragmatic skills. Further, the authors use this lens in the analysis of interactions between DHH children and their peers in order to shed light on the development of pragmatic skills in children who are DHH.

scholarly journals Impacts of COVID-19 on Animals in Zoos: A Longitudinal Multi-Species Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 130-145
Author(s):  
Ellen Williams ◽  
Anne Carter ◽  
Jessica Rendle ◽  
Samantha J. Ward
Keyword(s):  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Physiological Measures ◽  
Environmental Interactions ◽  
Species Analysis ◽  
Zoo Animals ◽  
Animal Interaction ◽  
Chinese Goral ◽  
Grevy’S Zebra ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Swamp Wallaby

Prolonged and repetitive COVID-19 facility closures have led to an abrupt cessation of visitors within UK and Irish zoos for variable periods since March 2020. This study sought to increase understanding of the impact of closures and reopenings on animal behaviour, thereby broadening understanding of whether zoo animals habituate to visitors. Data were collected from June to August 2020 at two UK facilities on eight species (n = 1 Chinese goral, n = 2 Grevy’s zebra, n = 11 swamp wallaby, n = 2 Rothschild’s giraffe, n = 2 nyala, n = 4 Chapman’s zebra, n = 2 snow leopard and n = 3 Amur leopard). Behaviour change and enclosure use was variable across species but most changes were non-significant. Grevy’s zebra engaged in more comfort behaviour during closure periods than post-closure (p < 0.05). Chinese goral engaged in more environmental interactions during closure periods (p < 0.05). Grevy’s zebra spent longer than would be expected by chance closest to public viewing areas during closure periods (p < 0.008). These results suggest variable impacts of covid-19 closures and reopenings, mirroring human-animal interaction literature. We highlight the potential for some species to take longer to re-habituate to the presence of zoo visitors. As facility closures/reopenings are ongoing, we advocate a longitudinal monitoring approach. Furthermore, we recommend incorporation of physical and physiological measures of welfare where possible, alongside behavioural responses, to enable a holistic approach to answering fundamental questions on whether zoo animals habituate to visitors.

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