Smoking and microbiome in oral, airway, gut and some systemic diseases

Gut virome alterations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the primary causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The gut microbiome, particularly the bacteriome, has been demonstrated to contribute to the progression of COPD. However, the influence of gut virome on the pathogenesis of COPD is rarely studied. Recent advances in viral metagenomics have enabled the rapid discovery of its remarkable role in COPD. In this study, deep metagenomics sequencing of fecal virus-like particles and bacterial 16S rRNA sequencing was performed on 92 subjects from China to characterize alterations of the gut virome in COPD. Lower richness and diversity of the gut virome were observed in the COPD subjects compared with the healthy individuals. Sixty-four viral species, including Clostridium phage, Myoviridae sp., and Synechococcus phage, showed positive relationships with pulmonary ventilation functions and had markedly declined population in COPD subjects. Multiple viral functions, mainly involved in bacterial susceptibility and the interaction between bacteriophages and bacterial hosts, were significantly declined in COPD. In addition, COPD was characterized by weakened viral-bacterial interactions compared with those in the healthy cohort. The gut virome showed diagnostic performance with an area under the curve (AUC) of 88.7%, which indicates the potential diagnostic value of the gut virome for COPD. These results suggest that gut virome may play an important role in the development of COPD. The information can provide a reference for the future investigation of diagnosis, treatment, and in-depth mechanism research of COPD.

IMPORTANCE

Previous studies showed that the bacteriome plays an important role in the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, little is known about the involvement of the gut virome in COPD. Our study explored the disease-specific virome signatures of patients with COPD. We found the diversity and compositions altered of the gut virome in COPD subjects compared with healthy individuals, especially those viral species positively correlated with pulmonary ventilation functions. Additionally, the declined bacterial susceptibility, the interaction between bacteriophages and bacterial hosts, and the weakened viral-bacterial interactions in COPD were observed. The findings also suggested the potential diagnostic value of the gut virome for COPD. The results highlight the significance of gut virome in COPD. The novel strategies for gut virome rectifications may help to restore the balance of gut microecology and represent promising therapeutics for COPD.

Effects of Laurus nobilis Leaf Extract (LAURESH®) on Oral and Gut Microbiota Diversity in Mice

BACKGROUND/AIM

The leaves of Laurus nobilis have been used for culinary purposes for many years and have recently been shown to have beneficial effects on human health by altering microbiota composition. However, the effects of L. nobilis on the diversity of microbiomes in the oral cavity and gut remain unknown. Therefore, in this study, we examined the effects of an extract of L. nobilis on the diversity of microbiomes in the oral cavity and gut in mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into two groups and fed a standard diet (SD) and a standard diet containing 5% LAURESH®, a laurel extract (SDL). After 10 weeks, oral swabs and fecal samples were collected. The bacterial DNA extracted from the oral swabs and feces was used for microbiota analysis using 16S rRNA sequencing. The sequencing data were analyzed using the Quantitative Insights into Microbial Ecology 2 in the DADA2 pipeline and 16S rRNA database.

RESULTS

The α-diversity of the oral microbiome was significantly greater in the SDL group than in the SD group. The β-diversity of the oral microbiome was also significantly different between the groups. Moreover, the taxonomic abundance analysis showed that five bacteria in the gut were significantly different among the groups. Furthermore, the SDL diet increased the abundance of beneficial gut bacteria, such as Akkermansia sp.

CONCLUSION

Increased diversity of the oral microbiome and proportion of Akkermansia sp. in the gut microbiome induced by L. nobilis consumption may benefit oral and gut health.

Relationship between human oral microbiome dysbiosis and neuropsychiatric diseases: An updated overview

The role of the gut-brain axis in mental health disorders has been extensively studied. As the oral cavity is the starting point of the digestive tract, the role that the oral microbiota plays in mental health disorders has gained recent attention. Oral microbiota can enter the bloodstream and trigger inflammatory responses or translocate to the brain through the trigeminal nerve or olfactory system. Hence, the concept of the oral microbiota-brain axis has emerged. Several hypotheses have been suggested that the oral microbiota can enter the gastrointestinal tract and affect the gut-brain axis; however, literature describing oral-brain communication remains limited. This review summarizes the characteristics of oral microbiota and its mechanisms associated with mental health disorders. Through a comprehensive examination of the relationship between oral microbiota and various neuropsychiatric diseases, such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and dementia, this review seeks to identify promising avenues of future research.

Bioactives of the essential oil from the leaves of Eugenia pyriformis Cambess (Myrtaceae) on the effects of tobacco

Introduction

Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed and the main cause of cancer death, usually related to cigarette smoking. Furthermore, the microbiota of people exposed to cigarette smoke can be modified, making it difficult to eliminate opportunistic microorganisms. The leaves of Eugenia pyriformis are a by-product of fruit production and, to date, there have been no studies addressing the antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities.

Objective

Investigate the antimicrobial, Nitric Oxide (NO)-production inhibition, and antiproliferative activities of the essential oil from E. pyriformis leaves and its possible effect on the treatment and prevention of damage caused by tobacco.

Methods

The essential oil (EO) was obtained by hydrodistillation (3 h). Its chemical composition was investigated by GC-MS. It was proposed to investigate antiproliferative activity against human tumor cell lines, namely, breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), lung (NCI-H460), cervical (HeLa), and hepatocellular (HepG2) carcinomas. A non-tumor primary culture from pig liver (PLP2) was also tested. The EO capacity to inhibit nitric oxide (NO) production was evaluated by a lipopolysaccharide stimulated murine macrophage cell line. Antibacterial and antifungal activities against opportunistic pathogens were investigated against seven strains of bacteria and eight fungi.

Results

The results indicated the presence of 23 compounds in the essential oil, the majority were spathulenol (45.63%) and β-caryophyllene oxide (12.72%). Leaf EO provided 50% inhibition of nitric oxide production at a concentration of 92.04 µg mL-1. The EO also demonstrated antiproliferative activity against all human tumor cell lines studied, with GI50 values comprised between 270.86 and 337.25 µg mL-1. The essential oil showed antimicrobial potential against the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes (Murray et al.) Pirie (NCTC 7973) and Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC 13311 (MIC 1870 µg mL-1) and fungi Aspergillus versicolor ATCC 11730, Aspergillus ochraceus ATCC 12066, Penicillium ochrochloron ATCC 90288, Penicillium verrucosum var. cyclopium (Westling) Samson, Stolk & Hadlok (food isolate) (MIC 1870 µg mL-1) and Trichoderma viride Pers. IAM 5061 (1,400 µg mL-1).

Conclusion

The demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and antimicrobial activities in the leaves of E. pyriformis can add value to the production chain of this plant, being a possible option for preventing and combating cancer, including lung cancer.

Lung microbiome: new insights into bronchiectasis' outcome

The present treatments for bronchiectasis, which is defined by pathological dilatation of the airways, are confined to symptom relief and minimizing exacerbations. The condition is becoming more common worldwide. Since the disease's pathophysiology is not entirely well understood, developing novel treatments is critically important. The interplay of chronic infection, inflammation, and compromised mucociliary clearance, which results in structural alterations and the emergence of new infection, is most likely responsible for the progression of bronchiectasis. Other than treating bronchiectasis caused by cystic fibrosis, there are no approved treatments. Understanding the involvement of the microbiome in this disease is crucial, the microbiome is defined as the collective genetic material of all bacteria in an environment. In clinical practice, bacteria in the lungs have been studied using cultures; however, in recent years, researchers use next-generation sequencing methods, such as 16S rRNA sequencing. Although the microbiome in bronchiectasis has not been entirely investigated, what is known about it suggests that Haemophilus, Pseudomonas and Streptococcus dominate the lung bacterial ecosystems, they present significant intraindividual stability and interindividual heterogeneity. Pseudomonas and Haemophilus-dominated microbiomes have been linked to more severe diseases and frequent exacerbations, however additional research is required to fully comprehend the role of microbiome in the evolution of bronchiectasis. This review discusses recent findings on the lung microbiota and its association with bronchiectasis.

Two cosmoses, one universe: a narrative review exploring the gut microbiome's role in the effect of urban risk factors on vascular ageing

In the face of rising global urbanisation, understanding how the associated environment and lifestyle impact public health is a cornerstone for prevention, research, and clinical practice. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with urban risk factors contributing greatly to its burden. The current narrative review adopts an exposome approach to explore the effect of urban-associated physical-chemical factors (such as air pollution) and lifestyle on cardiovascular health and ageing. In addition, we provide new insights into how these urban-related factors alter the gut microbiome, which has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. We focus on vascular ageing, before disease onset, to promote preventative research and practice. We also discuss how urban ecosystems and social factors may interact with these pathways and provide suggestions for future research, precision prevention and management of vascular ageing. Most importantly, future research and decision-making would benefit from adopting an exposome approach and acknowledging the diverse and boundless universe of the microbiome.

Environmental exposures, the oral-lung axis and respiratory health: The airway microbiome goes on stage for the personalized management of human lung function

The human respiratory system is constantly exposed to environmental stimuli, sometimes including toxicants, which can trigger dysregulated lung immune responses that lead to respiratory symptoms, impaired lung function and airway diseases. Evidence supports that the microbiome in the lungs has an indispensable role in respiratory health and disease, acting as a local gatekeeper that mediates the interaction between the environmental cues and respiratory health. Moreover, the microbiome in the lungs is intimately intertwined with the oral microbiome through the oral-lung axis. Here, we discuss the intricate three-way relationship between (i) cigarette smoking, which has strong effects on the microbial community structure of the lung; (ii) microbiome dysbiosis and disease in the oral cavity; and (iii) microbiome dysbiosis in the lung and its causal role in patients suffering chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. We highlight exciting outcomes arising from recently established interactions in the airway between environmental exposures, microbiome, metabolites-functional attributes and the host, as well as how these associations have the potential to predict the respiratory health status of the host through an airway microbiome health index. For completion, we argue that incorporating (synthetic) microbial community ecology in our contemporary understanding of lung disease presents challenges and also rises novel opportunities to exploit the oral-lung axis and its microbiome towards innovative airway disease diagnostics, prognostics, patient stratification and microbiota-targeted clinical interventions in the context of current therapies.

Evolution and the critical role of the microbiota in the reduced mental and physical health associated with low socioeconomic status (SES)

The evolution of the gut-microbiota-brain axis in animals reveals that microbial inputs influence metabolism, the regulation of inflammation and the development of organs, including the brain. Inflammatory, neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders are more prevalent in people of low socioeconomic status (SES). Many aspects of low SES reduce exposure to the microbial inputs on which we are in a state of evolved dependence, whereas the lifestyle of wealthy citizens maintains these exposures. This partially explains the health deficit of low SES, so focussing on our evolutionary history and on environmental and lifestyle factors that distort microbial exposures might help to mitigate that deficit. But the human microbiota is complex and we have poor understanding of its functions at the microbial and mechanistic levels, and in the brain. Perhaps its composition is more flexible than the microbiota of animals that have restricted habitats and less diverse diets? These uncertainties are discussed in relation to the encouraging but frustrating results of attempts to treat psychiatric disorders by modulating the microbiota.

Microbial Communities and Functional Genes in Periodontitis and Healthy Controls

BACKGROUND

Periodontitis is a chronic progressive disease and the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Recent studies have shown the impact of oral microbial communities on systemic health and diseases such as cancer, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, hypertension, and Alzheimer's disease. In previous case control studies investigatin the relationship between periodontal disease and the oral microbiota, little attention has been paid to the intersections of these domains.

METHODS

Here, we used high-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing to analyse the differences in the microbial composition in saliva between a group of patients with chronic periodontitis (C; n = 51) and a healthy control group (H; n = 61) and predicted the functional gene composition by Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States.

RESULTS

We found significant alterations in oral microbial diversity between C and H (P = 0.002). Sixteen genera were significantly different between C and H, and 15 of them were enriched in C linear discriminant analysis (LDA > 2). Fifty functional genes were significantly different between C and H, and 34 of them were enriched in C (P < .025).

CONCLUSIONS

Periodontitis is associated with significant changes in the oral microbial community.

The effect of cigarette smoking on the oral microbiota in a South African population using subgingival plaque samples

Disturbances in the oral microbiota may be due to several mechanisms and factors, such as smoking. An imbalance in oral bacteria may result in changes to the innate immune system and the development of periodontal disease. This study aimed to investigate the distribution of oral microbiota in smokers and non-smokers in a South African population using subgingival plaque samples. From the 128 recruited participants, 57 were identified as smokers (serum cotinine: >15 ng/ml). Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequencing demonstrated significant differences between the two groups with a reduced abundance of Actinobacteria in smokers. Fusobacterium and Campylobacter were found in higher abundance, while a lower abundance of Leptotrichia, Actinomyces, Corynebacterium, and Lautropia were observed. This study highlighted significant differences in the oral microbiota of smokers, indicating an abundance of anaerobic gram-negative bacteria. These findings suggest that smoking allows certain oral microorganisms to gain dominance, thereby predisposing individuals to periodontal disease development and progression.

Investigating the Impact of Gut Microbiota on Gout Through Mendelian Randomization

Background

The relationship between gout and gut microbiota has attracted significant attention in current research. However, due to the diverse range of gut microbiota, the specific causal effect on gout remains unclear. This study utilizes Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate the causal relationship between gut microbiota and gout, aiming to elucidate the underlying mechanism of microbiome-mediated gout and provide valuable guidance for clinical prevention and treatment.

Materials and Methods

The largest genome-wide association study meta-analysis conducted by the MiBioGen Consortium (n=18,340) was utilized to perform a two-sample Mendelian randomization investigation on aggregate statistics of intestinal microbiota. Summary statistics for gout were utilized from the data released by EBI. Various methods, including inverse variance weighted, weighted median, weighted model, MR-Egger, and Simple-mode, were employed to assess the causal relationship between gut microbiota and gout. Reverse Mendelian randomization analysis revealed a causal association between bacteria and gout in forward Mendelian randomization analysis. Cochran's Q statistic was used to quantify instrumental variable heterogeneity.

Results

The inverse variance weighted estimation revealed that Rikenellaceae exhibited a slight protective effect on gout, while the presence of Ruminococcaceae UCG_011 is associated with a marginal increase in the risk of gout. According to the reverse Mendelian Randomization results, no significant causal relationship between gout and gut microbiota was observed. No significant heterogeneity of instrumental variables or level pleiotropy was detected.

Conclusion

Our MR analysis revealed a potential causal relationship between the development of gout and specific gut microbiota; however, the causal effect was not robust, and further research is warranted to elucidate its underlying mechanism in gout development. Considering the significant association between diet, gut microbiota, and gout, these findings undoubtedly shed light on the mechanisms of microbiota-mediated gout and provide new insights for translational research on managing and standardizing treatment for this condition.

Cigarette smoke-induced dysbiosis: comparative analysis of lung and intestinal microbiomes in COPD mice and patients

BACKGROUND

The impact of cigarette smoke (CS) on lung diseases and the role of microbiome dysbiosis in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been previously reported; however, the relationships remain unclear.

METHODS

Our research examined the effects of 20-week cigarette smoke (CS) exposure on the lung and intestinal microbiomes in C57BL/6JNarl mice, alongside a comparison with COPD patients' intestinal microbiome data from a public dataset.

RESULTS

The study found that CS exposure significantly decreased forced vital capacity (FVC), thickened airway walls, and induced emphysema. Increased lung damage was observed along with higher lung keratinocyte chemoattractant (KC) levels by CS exposure. Lung microbiome analysis revealed a rise in Actinobacteriota, while intestinal microbiome showed significant diversity changes, indicating dysbiosis. Principal coordinate analysis highlighted distinct intestinal microbiome compositions between control and CS-exposed groups. In the intestinal microbiome, notable decreases in Patescibacteria, Campilobacterota, Defferibacterota, Actinobacteriota, and Desulfobacterota were observed. We also identified correlations between lung function and dysbiosis in both lung and intestinal microbiomes. Lung interleukins, interferon-ɣ, KC, and 8-isoprostane levels were linked to lung microbiome dysbiosis. Notably, dysbiosis patterns in CS-exposed mice were similar to those in COPD patients, particularly of Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage 4 patients. This suggests a systemic impact of CS exposure.

CONCLUSION

In summary, CS exposure induces significant dysbiosis in lung and intestinal microbiomes, correlating with lung function decline and injury. These results align with changes in COPD patients, underscoring the important role of microbiome in smoke-related lung diseases.

Oral microbiome dysbiosis among cigarette smokers and smokeless tobacco users compared to non-users

Tobacco use significantly influences the oral microbiome. However, less is known about how different tobacco products specifically impact the oral microbiome over time. To address this knowledge gap, we characterized the oral microbiome of cigarette users, smokeless tobacco users, and non-users over 4 months (four time points). Buccal swab and saliva samples (n = 611) were collected from 85 participants. DNA was extracted from all samples and sequencing was carried out on an Illumina MiSeq, targeting the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Cigarette and smokeless tobacco users had more diverse oral bacterial communities, including a higher relative abundance of Firmicutes and a lower relative abundance of Proteobacteria, when compared to non-users. Non-users had a higher relative abundance of Actinomyces, Granulicatella, Haemophilus, Neisseria, Oribacterium, Prevotella, Pseudomonas, Rothia, and Veillonella in buccal swab samples, compared to tobacco users. While the most abundant bacterial genera were relatively constant over time, some species demonstrated significant shifts in relative abundance between the first and last time points. In addition, some opportunistic pathogens were detected among tobacco users including Neisseria subflava, Bulleidia moorei and Porphyromonas endodontalis. Overall, our results provide a more holistic understanding of the structure of oral bacterial communities in tobacco users compared to non-users.

Factors associated with irritable bowel syndrome and Helicobacter pylori infection: public knowledge and awareness of signs and symptoms

OBJECTIVE

To investigate factors related to the risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or Helicobacter pylori infection.

METHODS

This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study analysed the responses from participants that completed an online questionnaire, which asked about their knowledge of the causes and risk factors associated with IBS and H. pylori infection.

RESULTS

The study analysed responses from 230 participants: 181 females (of 227 participants; 79.7%) and 190 aged 18-40 years (of 228; 83.3%). Of the 230 participants, 40 (17.4%) had been diagnosed by a physician with IBS and 57 (24.8%) had been diagnosed with H. pylori infection. Of 226 participants, 93 (41.2%) had self-medicated with antibiotics in the past 6 months for various reasons. The overall mean ± SD knowledge score about IBS and H. pylori infection for the study cohort (n = 230) was 35.8 ± 19.2%. Wald χ2-test analysis demonstrated that chronic diseases, antibiotic use and having an endoscopy were significantly associated with developing IBS. Male sex and chronic diseases were significantly associated with H. pylori infection. Logistic regression analysis showed no relationship between IBS and H. Pylori infection.

CONCLUSION

Chronic diseases was the only risk factor common for IBS and H. pylori infection.

Acidovorax temperans skews neutrophil maturation and polarizes Th17 cells to promote lung adenocarcinoma development

Change within the intratumoral microbiome is a common feature in lung and other cancers and may influence inflammation and immunity in the tumor microenvironment, affecting growth and metastases. We previously characterized the lung cancer microbiome in patients and identified Acidovorax temperans as enriched in tumors. Here, we instilled A. temperans in an animal model driven by mutant K-ras and Tp53. This revealed A. temperans accelerates tumor development and burden through infiltration of proinflammatory cells. Neutrophils exposed to A. temperans displayed a mature, pro-tumorigenic phenotype with increased cytokine signaling, with a global shift away from IL-1β signaling. Neutrophil to monocyte and macrophage signaling upregulated MHC II to activate CD4+ T cells, polarizing them to an IL-17A+ phenotype detectable in CD4+ and γδ populations (T17). These T17 cells shared a common gene expression program predictive of poor survival in human LUAD. These data indicate bacterial exposure promotes tumor growth by modulating inflammation.

Composition of the sputum bacterial microbiome of patients with different pathomorphological forms of non-small-cell lung cancer

Recent studies have shown that the bacterial microbiome of the respiratory tract influences the development of lung cancer. Changes in the composition of the microbiome are observed in patients with chronic inflammatory processes. Such microbiome changes may include the occurrence of bacteria that cause oxidative stress and that are capable of causing genome damage in the cells of the host organism directly and indirectly. To date, the composition of the respiratory microbiome in patients with various histological variants of lung cancer has not been studied. In the present study, we determined the taxonomic composition of the sputum microbiome of 52 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, 52 patients with lung adenocarcinoma and 52 healthy control donors, using next-generation sequencing (NGS) on the V3-V4 region of the bacterial gene encoding 16S rRNA. The sputum microbiomes of patients with different histological types of lung cancer and controls did not show significant differences in terms of the species richness index (Shannon); however, the patients differed from the controls in terms of evenness index (Pielou). The structures of bacterial communities (beta diversity) in the adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma groups were also similar; however, when analyzed according to the matrix constructed by the Bray-Curtis method, there were differences between patients with squamous cell carcinoma and healthy subjects, but not between those with adenocarcinoma and controls. Using the LEFse method it was possible to identify an increase in the content of Bacillota (Streptococcus and Bacillus) and Actinomycetota (Rothia) in the sputum of patients with squamous cell carcinoma when compared with samples from patients with adenocarcinoma. There were no differences in the content of bacteria between the samples of patients with adenocarcinoma and the control ones. The content of representatives of the genera Streptococcus, Bacillus, Peptostreptococcus (phylum Bacillota), Prevotella, Macellibacteroides (phylum Bacteroidota), Rothia (phylum Actinomycetota) and Actinobacillus (phylum Pseudomonadota) was increased in the microbiome of sputum samples from patients with squamous cell carcinoma, compared with the control. Thus, the sputum bacterial microbiome of patients with different histological types of non-small-cell lung cancer has significant differences. Further research should be devoted to the search for microbiome biomarkers of lung cancer at the level of bacterial species using whole-genome sequencing.

The implication of microbiome in lungs cancer: mechanisms and strategies of cancer growth, diagnosis and therapy

Available evidence illustrates that microbiome is a promising target for the study of growth, diagnosis and therapy of various types of cancer. Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer death worldwide. The relationship of microbiota and their products with diverse pathologic conditions has been getting large attention. The novel research suggests that the microbiome plays an important role in the growth and progression of lung cancer. The lung microbiome plays a crucial role in maintaining mucosal immunity and synchronizing the stability between tolerance and inflammation. Alteration in microbiome is identified as a critical player in the progression of lung cancer and negatively impacts the patient. Studies suggest that healthy microbiome is essential for effective therapy. Various clinical trials and research are focusing on enhancing the treatment efficacy by altering the microbiome. The regulation of microbiota will provide innovative and promising treatment strategies for the maintenance of host homeostasis and the prevention of lung cancer in lung cancer patients. In the current review article, we presented the latest progress about the involvement of microbiome in the growth and diagnosis of lung cancer. Furthermore, we also assessed the therapeutic status of the microbiome for the management and treatment of lung cancer.

Characteristics of the oral and gastric microbiome in patients with early-stage intramucosal esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Oral microbiome dysbacteriosis has been reported to be associated with the pathogenesis of advanced esophageal cancer. However, few studies investigated the potential role of oral and gastric microbiota in early-stage intramucosal esophageal squamous carcinoma (EIESC).

METHOD

A total of 104 samples were collected from 31 patients with EIESC and 21 healthy controls. The compositions of oral and gastric microbiota were analyzed using 16 S rRNA V3-V4 amplicon sequencing. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis was performed to assess taxonomic differences between groups. The correlation between oral microbiota and clinicopathological factors was evaluated using Spearman correlation analysis. Additionally, co-occurrence networks were established and random forest models were utilized to identify significant microbial biomarkers for distinguishing between the EIESC and control groups.

RESULTS

A total of 292 oral genera and 223 species were identified in both EIESC and healthy controls. Six oral genera were remarkably enriched in EIESC groups, including the genera Porphyromonas, Shigella, Subdoligranulum, Leptotrichia, Paludibacter, and Odoribacter. LEfSe analysis identified genera Porphyromonas and Leptotrichia with LDA scores > 3. In the random forest model, Porphyromonas endodontalis ranked the top microbial biomarker to differentiate EIESC from controls. The elimination rate of Porphyromonas endodontalis from the oral cavity to the stomach was also dramatically decreased in the EIESC group than controls. In the microbial co-occurrence network, Porphyromonas endodontalis was positively correlated with Prevotella tannerae and Prevotella intermedia and was negatively correlated with Veillonella dispar.

CONCLUSION

Our study potentially indicates that the dysbacteriosis of both the oral and gastric microbiome was associated with EIESC. Larger scale studies and experimental animal models are urgently needed to confirm the possible role of microbial dysbacteriosis in the pathogenesis of EIESC. (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry Center, ChiCTR2200063464, Registered 07 September 2022, https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=178563).

The hidden threat: Environmental toxins and their effects on gut microbiota

The human gut microbiota (GM), which consists of a complex and diverse ecosystem of bacteria, plays a vital role in overall wellness. However, the delicate balance of this intricate system is being compromised by the widespread presence of environmental toxins. The intricate connection between contaminants in the environment and human well-being has garnered significant attention in recent times. Although many environmental pollutants and their toxicity have been identified and studied in laboratory settings and animal models, there is insufficient data concerning their relevance to human physiology. Consequently, research on the toxicity of environmental toxins in GM has gained prominence in recent years. Various factors, such as air pollution, chemicals, heavy metals, and pesticides, have a detrimental impact on the composition and functioning of the GM. This comprehensive review aims to comprehend the toxic effects of numerous environmental pollutants, including antibiotics, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, heavy metals, and pesticides, on GM by examining recent research findings. The current analysis concludes that different types of environmental toxins can lead to GM dysbiosis and have various potential adverse effects on the well-being of animals. We investigate the alterations to the GM composition induced by contaminants and their impact on overall well-being, providing a fresh perspective on research related to pollutant exposure.

Advances in the relationship between periodontopathogens and respiratory diseases (Review)

Periodontitis is a common chronic inflammatory and destructive disease in the mouth and is considered to be associated with systemic diseases. Accumulating evidence has suggested that periodontitis is a risk factor for pulmonary diseases such as pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19) and lung cancer. The presence of common periodontal pathogens has been detected in samples from a variety of pulmonary diseases. Periodontal pathogens can be involved in lung diseases by promoting the adhesion and invasion of respiratory pathogens, regulating the apoptosis of respiratory epithelium and inducing overexpression of mucin and disrupting the balance of immune systemin respiratory epithelium cells. Additionally, measures to control plaque and maintain the health of periodontal tissue can decrease the incidence of respiratory adverse events. This evidence suggests a close association between periodontitis and pulmonary diseases. The present study aimed to review the clinical association between periodontitis and pneumonia, COPD, asthma, COVID‑19 and lung cancer, and propose a possible mechanism and potential role of periodontal pathogens in linking periodontal disease and lung disease. This could provide a direction for further research on the association between periodontitis and lung disease and provide novel ideas for the clinical diagnosis and treatment management of these two diseases.

Deciphering the impact of microbial interactions on COPD exacerbation: An in-depth analysis of the lung microbiome

In microbiome studies, the diversity and types of microbes have been extensively explored; however, the significance of microbial ecology is equally paramount. The comprehension of metabolic interactions among the wide array of microorganisms in the lung microbiota is indispensable for understanding chronic pulmonary disease and for the development of potent treatments. In this investigation, metabolic networks were simulated, and ecological theory was employed to assess the diagnosis of COPD, subsequently suggesting innovative treatment strategies for COPD exacerbation. Lung sputum 16S rRNA paired-end data from 112 COPD patients were utilized, and a supervised machine-learning algorithm was applied to identify taxa associated with sex and mortality. Subsequently, an OTU table with Greengenes 99 % dataset was generated. Finally, the interactions between bacterial species were analyzed using a simulated metabolic network. A total of 1781 OTUs and 1740 bacteria at the genus level were identified. We employed an additional dataset to validate our analyses. Notably, among the more abundant genera, Pseudomonas was detected in females, while Lactobacillus was detected in males. Additionally, a decrease in bacterial diversity was observed during COPD exacerbation, and mortality was associated with the high abundance of the Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas genera. Moreover, an increase in Proteobacteria abundance was observed during COPD exacerbations. In contrast, COPD patients exhibited decreased levels of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. Significant connections between microbial ecology and bacterial diversity in COPD patients were discovered, highlighting the critical role of microbial ecology in the understanding of COPD. Through the simulation of metabolic interactions among bacteria, the observed dysbiosis in COPD was elucidated. Furthermore, the prominence of anaerobic bacteria in COPD patients was revealed to be influenced by parasitic relationships. These findings have the potential to contribute to improved clinical management strategies for COPD patients.

Bibliometric analysis of intestinal microbiota and lung diseases

Background

Increasing evidence suggests a close association between the intestinal microbiome and the respiratory system, drawing attention to studying the gut-lung axis. This research employs bibliometric methods to conduct a visual analysis of literature in the field of intestinal microbiota and lung diseases over the past two decades. It offers scientific foundations for research directions and critical issues in this field.

Methods

We retrieved all articles on intestinal microbiota and lung diseases from the SCI-Expanded of WoSCC on October 25, 2023. The analysis included original articles and reviews published in English from 2011 to 2023. We utilized Python, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace to analyze the retrieved data visually.

Results

A total of 794 publications were analyzed. China ranked first in the number of publications, while the United States had the highest citations and H-index. Jian Wang was the most prolific author. Zhejiang University was the institution with the highest number of publications. Frontiers in Microbiology was the journal with the most publications. Author keywords appearing more than 100 times included "intestinal microbiota/microbiome", "microbiota/microbiome", and "gut-lung axis".

Conclusion

The correlation and underlying mechanisms between intestinal microbiota and lung diseases, including asthma, COPD, lung cancer, and respiratory infections, remain hot topics in research. However, understanding the mechanisms involving the gut-lung axis is still in its infancy and requires further elucidation.

Oro-Respiratory Dysbiosis and Its Modulatory Effect on Lung Mucosal Toxicity during Exposure or Co-Exposure to Carbon Nanotubes and Cigarette Smoke

The oro-respiratory microbiome is impacted by inhalable exposures such as smoking and has been associated with respiratory health conditions. However, the effect of emerging toxicants, particularly engineered nanoparticles, alone or in co-exposure with smoking, is poorly understood. Here, we investigated the impact of sub-chronic exposure to carbon nanotube (CNT) particles, cigarette smoke extract (CSE), and their combination. The oral, nasal, and lung microbiomes were characterized using 16S rRNA-based metagenomics. The exposures caused the following shifts in lung microbiota: CNT led to a change from Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes and Tenericutes; CSE caused a shift from Proteobacteria to Bacteroidetes; and co-exposure (CNT+CSE) had a mixed effect, maintaining higher numbers of Bacteroidetes (due to the CNT effect) and Tenericutes (due to the CSE effect) compared to the control group. Oral microbiome analysis revealed an abundance of the following genera: Acinetobacter (CNT), Staphylococcus, Aggregatibacter, Allobaculum, and Streptococcus (CSE), and Alkalibacterium (CNT+CSE). These proinflammatory microbial shifts correlated with changes in the relative expression of lung mucosal homeostasis/defense proteins, viz., aquaporin 1 (AQP-1), surfactant protein A (SP-A), mucin 5b (MUC5B), and IgA. Microbiota depletion reversed these perturbations, albeit to a varying extent, confirming the modulatory role of oro-respiratory dysbiosis in lung mucosal toxicity. This is the first demonstration of specific oro-respiratory microbiome constituents as potential modifiers of toxicant effects in exposed lungs.

The Role of Mitochondrial Quality Control in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of morbidity, mortality, and health care use worldwide with heterogeneous pathogenesis. Mitochondria, the powerhouses of cells responsible for oxidative phosphorylation and energy production, play essential roles in intracellular material metabolism, natural immunity, and cell death regulation. Therefore, it is crucial to address the urgent need for fine-tuning the regulation of mitochondrial quality to combat COPD effectively. Mitochondrial quality control (MQC) mainly refers to the selective removal of damaged or aging mitochondria and the generation of new mitochondria, which involves mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial dynamics, mitophagy, etc. Mounting evidence suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction is a crucial contributor to the development and progression of COPD. This article mainly reviews the effects of MQC on COPD as well as their specific regulatory mechanisms. Finally, the therapeutic approaches of COPD via MQC are also illustrated.

What Makes the Gut-Lung Axis Working? From the Perspective of Microbiota and Traditional Chinese Medicine

Background

An increasing number of studies have proved that gut microbiota is involved in the occurrence and development of various lung diseases and can interact with the diseased lung. The concept of the gut-lung axis (GLA) provides a new idea for the subsequent clinical treatment of lung diseases through human microbiota. This review aims to summarize the microbiota in the lung and gut and the interaction between them from the perspectives of traditional Chinese medicine and modern medicine.

Method

We conducted a literature search by using the search terms "GLA," "gut microbiota," "spleen," and "Chinese medicine" in the databases PubMed, Web of Science, and CNKI. We then explored the mechanism of action of the gut-lung axis from traditional Chinese medicine and modern medicine.

Results

The lung and gut microbiota enable the GLA to function through immune regulation, while metabolites of the gut microbiota also play an important role. The spleen can improve the gut microbiota to achieve the regulation of the GLA.

Conclusion

Improving the gut microbiota through qi supplementation and spleen fortification provides a new approach to the clinical treatment of lung diseases by regulating the GLA. Currently, our understanding of the GLA is limited, and more research is needed to explain its working principle.

Berries vs. Disease: Revenge of the Phytochemicals

Secondary metabolites and phytochemicals in plant-based diets are known to possess properties that inhibit the development of several diseases including a variety of cancers of the aerodigestive tract. Berries are currently of high interest to researchers due to their high dietary source of phytochemicals. Black raspberries (BRB), Rubus occidentalis, are of special interest due to their rich and diverse composition of phytochemicals. In this review, we present the most up-to-date preclinical and clinical data involving berries and their phytochemicals in the chemoprevention of a variety of cancers and diseases. BRBs possess a variety of health benefits including anti-proliferative properties, anti-inflammatory activity, activation of pro-cell-death pathways, modulation of the immune response, microbiome modulation, reduction in oxidative stress, and many more. However, little has been done in both preclinical and clinical settings on the effects of BRB administration in combination with other cancer therapies currently available for patients. With the high potential for BRBs as chemopreventive agents, there is a need to investigate their potential in combination with other treatments to improve therapeutic efficacy.

Establishing associated risk factors, including fungal and parasitic infections among Malaysians living with schizophrenia

The aetiology of schizophrenia is multifactorial, and the identification of its risk factors are scarce and highly variable. A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the risk factors associated with schizophrenia among Malaysian sub-population. A total of 120 individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia (SZ) and 180 non-schizophrenic (NS) individuals participated in a questionnaire-based survey. Data of complete questionnaire responses obtained from 91 SZ and 120 NS participants were used in statistical analyses. Stool samples were obtained from the participants and screened for gut parasites and fungi using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The median age were 46 years (interquartile range (IQR) 37 to 60 years) and 35 years (IQR 24 to 47.75 years) for SZ and NS respectively. Multivariable binary logistic regression showed that the factors associated with increased risk of SZ were age, sex, unemployment, presence of other chronic ailment, smoking, and high dairy consumption per week. These factors, except sex, were positively associated with the severity of SZ. Breastfed at infancy as well as vitamin and supplement consumption showed a protective effect against SZ. After data clean-up, fungal or parasitic infections were found in 98% (39/42). of SZ participants and 6.1% (3/49) of NS participants. Our findings identified non-modifiable risk factors (age and sex) and modifiable lifestyle-related risk factors (unemployment, presence of other chronic ailment, smoking, and high dairy consumption per week) associated with SZ and implicate the need for medical attention in preventing fungal and parasitic infections in SZ.

Using machine learning methods to analyze the association between urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and chronic bowel disorders in American adults

The etiology of chronic bowel disorders is multifaceted, with environmental exposure to harmful substances potentially playing a significant role in their pathogenesis. However, research on the correlation between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and chronic bowel disorders remains limited. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted in 2009-2010, we investigated the relationship between 9 PAHs and chronic diarrhea and constipation in U.S. adults. We employed unsupervised methods such as clustering and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to identify participants with similar exposure patterns. Additionally, we used supervised learning techniques, namely weighted quantile sum (WQS) and Bayesian kernel machine (BKMR) regressions, to assess the association between PAHs and the occurrence of chronic diarrhea and chronic constipation. PCA identified three principal components in the unsupervised analysis, explaining 86.5% of the total PAH variability. The first component displayed a mild association with chronic diarrhea, but no correlation with chronic constipation. Participants were divided into three clusters via K-means clustering, based on PAH concentrations. Clusters with higher PAH exposure demonstrated an increased odds ratio for chronic diarrhea, but no meaningful connection with chronic constipation. In the supervised analysis, the WQS regression underscored a positive relationship between the PAH mixture and chronic diarrhea, with three PAHs significantly impacting the mixture effect. The mixture index showed no correlation with chronic constipation. BKMR analysis illustrated a positive trend in the impact of four specific PAHs on chronic diarrhea, given other metabolites were fixed at their 50th percentiles. Our results suggest a clear association between higher PAH exposure and an increased risk of chronic diarrhea, but not chronic constipation. It also underscores the potential role of specific PAHs in contributing to the risk of chronic diarrhea.

Potential systemic effects of acquired CFTR dysfunction in COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by airflow limitation, respiratory symptoms, inflammation of the airways, and systemic manifestations of the disease. Genetic susceptibility and environmental factors are important in the development of the disease, particularly exposure to cigarette smoke which is the most notable risk factor. Mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene are the cause of cystic fibrosis (CF), which shares several pathophysiological pulmonary features with COPD, including airway obstruction, chronic airway inflammation and bacterial colonization; in addition, both diseases also present systemic defects leading to comorbidities such as pancreatic, gastrointestinal, and bone-related diseases. In patients with COPD, systemic CFTR dysfunction can be acquired by cigarette smoking, inflammation, and infection. This dysfunction is, on average, about half of that found in CF. Herein we review the literature focusing on acquired CFTR dysfunction and the potential role in the pathogenesis of comorbidities associated with COPD and chronic bronchitis.

The Complex Role of the Microbiome in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Development and Progression

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the relationship between microorganisms in the surrounding environment and cancer cells. While the tumor microenvironment predominantly comprises cancer cells, stromal cells, and immune cells, emerging research highlights the significant contributions of microbial cells to tumor development and progression. Although the impact of the gut microbiome on treatment response in lung cancer is well established, recent investigations indicate complex roles of lung microbiota in lung cancer. This article focuses on recent findings on the human lung microbiome and its impacts in cancer development and progression. We delve into the characteristics of the lung microbiome and its influence on lung cancer development. Additionally, we explore the characteristics of the intratumoral microbiome, the metabolic interactions between lung tumor cells, and how microorganism-produced metabolites can contribute to cancer progression. Furthermore, we provide a comprehensive review of the current literature on the lung microbiome and its implications for the metastatic potential of tumor cells. Additionally, this review discusses the potential for therapeutic modulation of the microbiome to establish lung cancer prevention strategies and optimize lung cancer treatment.

Gut dysbiosis-related thrombosis in inflammatory bowel disease: Potential disease mechanisms and emerging therapeutic strategies

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have an increased risk of developing venous thromboembolic events, which have a considerable impact on morbidity and mortality. Chronic inflammation plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of thrombotic events in patients with IBD. However, many unresolved questions remain, particularly regarding the mechanisms that determine the persistent inflammatory state independent of disease activity. This review explored the role of gut microbiota dysbiosis and intestinal barrier dysfunction, which are considered distinctive features of IBD, in determining pro-thrombotic tendencies. Gut-derived endotoxemia due to the translocation of bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from the intestine to the bloodstream and the bacterial metabolite trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) are the most important molecules involved in gut dysbiosis-related thrombosis. The pathogenic prothrombotic pathways linked to LPS and TMAO have been discussed. Finally, we present emerging therapeutic approaches that can help reduce LPS-mediated endotoxemia and TMAO, such as restoring intestinal eubiosis, normalizing intestinal barrier function, and counterbalancing the effects of LPS and TMAO.

Characterization of patients receiving surgical versus non-surgical treatment for infective endocarditis in West Virginia

BACKGROUND

Infective endocarditis (IE) has increased in rural states such as West Virginia (WV) with high injection drug use. IE is medically managed with antimicrobial treatment alone or combined with surgical treatment. This study aimed to characterize the predictors associated with surgical treatment and rates of inpatient mortality and readmission among IE patients in WV's rural centers.

METHODS

This retrospective review of electronic health records includes all adults hospitalized for IE at major rural tertiary cardiovascular centers in WV during 2014-2018. Descriptive statistics were presented on demographics, history of injection drug use, clinical characteristics, and hospital utilization by surgery status, and multivariable logistic regression examined the association of surgery with key predictor variables, generating odds ratios (OR).

RESULTS

Of the 780 patients with IE, 38% had surgery, with a 26-fold increase in patients undergoing surgery between 2014-2018. Comparing surgery and non-surgery patients revealed significant differences. Surgery patients were significantly younger (median age 35.6 vs. 40.5 years; p<0.001); had higher rates of drug use history (80% vs. 65%; p<0.001), psychiatric disorders (57% vs. 31%; p<0.001), and readmissions (18% vs.12%; p = 0.015). Surgery patients had lower rates of discharge against medical advice (11% vs.17%; p = 0.028) and in-hospital mortality (5% vs.12%; p<0.001). In the multivariable logistic regression, surgery was associated with injection drug use (OR: 1.9; 95% CI:1.09-3. 3), indications for surgery (OR: 1.68; 95% CI:1.48-1.91), left-sided IE (OR: 2.14; 95%CI:1.43-3.19) and later years (OR:3.75; 95%CI:2.5-5.72).

CONCLUSION

This study characterizes the predictors associated with surgical treatment and rates of inpatient mortality and readmission among IE patients across rural WV. The decision to perform cardiac surgery on IE patients is complex. Results with increased injection drug use-associated IE emphasize the importance of comprehensive care by a multidisciplinary team for optimal management of patients with IE.

Smoking and salivary microbiota: a cross-sectional analysis of an Italian alpine population

The oral microbiota plays an important role in the exogenous nitrate reduction pathway and is associated with heart and periodontal disease and cigarette smoking. We describe smoking-related changes in oral microbiota composition and resulting potential metabolic pathway changes that may explain smoking-related changes in disease risk. We analyzed health information and salivary microbiota composition among 1601 Cooperative Health Research in South Tyrol participants collected 2017-2018. Salivary microbiota taxa were assigned from amplicon sequences of the 16S-V4 rRNA and used to describe microbiota composition and predict metabolic pathways. Aerobic taxa relative abundance decreased with daily smoking intensity and increased with years since cessation, as did inferred nitrate reduction. Former smokers tended to be more similar to Never smokers than to Current smokers, especially those who had quit for longer than 5 years. Cigarette smoking has a consistent, generalizable association on oral microbiota composition and predicted metabolic pathways, some of which associate in a dose-dependent fashion. Smokers who quit for longer than 5 years tend to have salivary microbiota profiles comparable to never smokers.

The Link between Periodontal Disease and Asthma: How Do These Two Diseases Affect Each Other?

A growing body of evidence suggests that the effects of poor oral hygiene extend beyond the oral cavity and are associated with a variety of systemic diseases, including asthma. Asthma, which results in symptoms of cough, wheezing, and dyspnoea, and is characterized by airflow limitation with variability and (partial or complete) reversibility, is amongst the most prevalent respiratory diseases with approximately 262 million patients worldwide, and its prevalence and disease burden is on the increase. While asthma can occur at a young age, it can also develop later in life and affects a variety of age groups. Both of these diseases have a chronic course, and various researchers have suggested a link between the two. In this article, we aim to provide a literature review focusing on the association between the two diseases. The results demonstrate that medications (primarily, inhaler medicine), hypoxia induced by asthma, and the breathing behaviour of patients potentially trigger periodontal disease. In contrast, oral periodontopathogenic microorganisms and the inflammatory mediators produced by them may be involved in the onset and/or exacerbation of asthma. Common contributing factors, such as smoking, gastro-oesophageal reflux, and type-2 inflammation, should also be considered when evaluating the relationship between the two diseases.

Oh my gut! Is the microbial origin of neurodegenerative diseases real?

There is no cure or effective treatment for neurodegenerative protein conformational diseases (PCDs), such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's diseases, mainly because the etiology of these diseases remains elusive. Recent data suggest that unique changes in the gut microbial composition are associated with these ailments; however, our current understanding of the bacterial role in the pathogenesis of PCDs is hindered by the complexity of the microbial communities associated with specific microbiomes, such as the gut, oral, or vaginal microbiota. The composition of these specific microbiomes is regarded as a unique fingerprint affected by factors such as infections, diet, lifestyle, and antibiotics. All of these factors also affect the severity of neurodegenerative diseases. The majority of studies that reveal microbial contribution are correlational, and various models, including worm, fly, and mouse, are being utilized to decipher the role of individual microbes that may affect disease onset and progression. Recent evidence from across model organisms and humans shows a positive correlation between the presence of gram-negative enteropathogenic bacteria and the pathogenesis of PCDs. While these correlational studies do not provide a mechanistic explanation, they do reveal contributing bacterial species and provide an important basis for further investigation. One of the lurking concerns related to the microbial contribution to PCDs is the increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance and poor antibiotic stewardship, which ultimately select for proteotoxic bacteria, especially the gram-negative species that are known for intrinsic resistance. In this review, we summarize what is known about individual microbial contribution to PCDs and the potential impact of increasing antimicrobial resistance.

Respiratory Tract Oncobiome in Lung Carcinogenesis: Where Are We Now?

The importance of microbiota in developing and treating diseases, including lung cancer (LC), is becoming increasingly recognized. Studies have shown differences in microorganism populations in the upper and lower respiratory tracts of patients with lung cancer compared to healthy individuals, indicating a link between dysbiosis and lung cancer. However, it is not only important to identify "which bacteria are present" but also to understand "how" they affect lung carcinogenesis. The interactions between the host and lung microbiota are complex, and our knowledge of this relationship is limited. This review presents research findings on the bacterial lung microbiota and discusses the mechanisms by which lung-dwelling microorganisms may directly or indirectly contribute to the development of lung cancer. These mechanisms include influences on the host immune system regulation and the local immune microenvironment, the regulation of oncogenic signaling pathways in epithelial cells (causing cell cycle disorders, mutagenesis, and DNA damage), and lastly, the MAMPs-mediated path involving the effects of bacteriocins, TLRs signaling induction, and TNF release. A better understanding of lung microbiota's role in lung tumor pathology could lead to identifying new diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers and developing personalized therapeutic management for lung cancer patients.

Tobacco Smoke Exposure and Gastrointestinal Problems Among US Children

This study examined the association between home tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) status and gastrointestinal problems in the past 12 months among US children. We conducted a secondary analysis of the 2018-2019 National Survey of Children's Health cross-sectional data including 20 149 children aged 4 to 10 years. Weighted logistic regression models unadjusted and adjusted for child and family covariates were fitted. Overall, 12.3% of children had home thirdhand smoke (THS) exposure only and 1.8% had home secondhand smoke (SHS) and THS exposure. Unadjusted (odds ratio [OR] = 1.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.32-2.20) and adjusted (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.14-1.99) logistic regression results indicated that relative to children with no home TSE, children with home THS exposure only were at increased odds of having frequent or chronic difficulty with gastrointestinal problems over the past 12 months. Interventions are critically needed to promote smoking cessation among household members who live with children in order to reduce levels of SHS and THS in their homes.

General anesthesia alters the diversity and composition of the lung microbiota in rat

BACKGROUND

The lung microbiome plays a crucial role in human health and disease. Extensive studies have demonstrated that the disturbance of the lung microbiome influences immune response, cognition, and behavior. The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of general anesthetics on lung microbiome.

METHODS

Eight-week-old male SD rats received a continuous intravenous infusion of propofol or inhalation of isoflurane for 4 h. 16S rRNA gene amplification from BALF samples was used to investigate the changes in the lung microbiome after interventions. We further performed neurobehavioral assessments to find the differential strains' association with behavior disorder after isoflurane anesthesia.

RESULTS

The absolute and relative quantitation of 16S rRNA sequencing data showed that isoflurane altered the diversity and abundance of the lung microbiome in rats more than propofol. Elusimicrobia increased significantly in the isoflurane group. Both EPM and OFT results showed that rats exhibited depression-like behaviors after inhalation of isoflurane. In addition, significant differences were found in the COG/KO/MetaCyc/KEGG pathway enrichment analyses among the groups.

CONCLUSION

Continuous inhalation of isoflurane changed the diversity and composition of the lung microbiota in rats, resulting in post-anesthesia depression.

Effect of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol and benzo[a]pyrene exposure on the development of metabolic syndrome in mice

AIM

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS), a cluster of serious medical conditions that raise the risk of lung cancer, has increased worldwide. Tobacco smoking (TS) potentially increases the risk of developing MetS. Despite the potential association of MetS with lung cancer, preclinical models that mimic human diseases, including TS-induced MetS, are limited. Here we evaluated the impact of exposure to tobacco smoke condensate (TSC) and two representative tobacco carcinogens, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNK) and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), on MetS development in mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

FVB/N or C57BL/6 mice were exposed to vehicle, TSC, or NNK and BaP (NB) twice weekly for 5 months. The serum levels of total cholesterol (TCHO), triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), blood glucose, and metabolites, along with glucose tolerance and body weight, were measured.

KEY FINDINGS

Compared with those of vehicle-treated mice, mice with TSC or NB exposure displayed major phenotypes associated with MetS, including increased serum levels of TCHO, triglycerides, and fasting and basal blood glucose and decreased glucose tolerance, and serum levels of HDL. These MetS-associated changes were found in both FVB/N and C57BL/6 mice that were susceptible or resistant to carcinogen-induced tumorigenesis, respectively, indicating that tumor formation is not involved in the TSC- or NB-mediated MetS. Moreover, oleic acid and palmitoleic acid, which are known to be associated with MetS, were significantly upregulated in the serum of TSC- or NB-treated mice compared with those in vehicle-treated mice.

SIGNIFICANCE

Both TSC and NB caused detrimental health problems, leading to the development of MetS in experimental mice.

The old friends hypothesis: evolution, immunoregulation and essential microbial inputs

In wealthy urbanised societies there have been striking increases in chronic inflammatory disorders such as allergies, autoimmunity and inflammatory bowel diseases. There has also been an increase in the prevalence of individuals with systemically raised levels of inflammatory biomarkers correlating with increased risk of metabolic, cardiovascular and psychiatric problems. These changing disease patterns indicate a broad failure of the mechanisms that should stop the immune system from attacking harmless allergens, components of self or gut contents, and that should terminate inappropriate inflammation. The Old Friends Hypothesis postulates that this broad failure of immunoregulation is due to inadequate exposures to the microorganisms that drive development of the immune system, and drive the expansion of components such as regulatory T cells (Treg) that mediate immunoregulatory mechanisms. An evolutionary approach helps us to identify the organisms on which we are in a state of evolved dependence for this function (Old Friends). The bottom line is that most of the organisms that drive the regulatory arm of the immune system come from our mothers and family and from the natural environment (including animals) and many of these organisms are symbiotic components of a healthy microbiota. Lifestyle changes that are interrupting our exposure to these organisms can now be identified, and many are closely associated with low socioeconomic status (SES) in wealthy countries. These insights will facilitate the development of education, diets and urban planning that can correct the immunoregulatory deficit, while simultaneously reducing other contributory factors such as epithelial damage.

ASSOCIATION OF ORAL MICROBIOTA AND PERIODONTAL DISEASE WITH LUNG CANCER: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

OBJECTIVES

Evidence of oral microbiota perturbations has been accumulated for lung cancers. This review focused on the oral microbiota alterations in population suffering from lung cancer. In addition, we also discussed conflicting data about the association between oral microbiota dysbiosis and risk of lung cancer.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in Medline, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases. The studies evaluated diversity and abundance of oral microbes in healthy and lung cancer individuals as well as association of periodontal disease and pathogens with lung cancer. Of 3559 studies, 28 included studies were performed in qualitative analysis, and 25 studies were used in meta-analyses for quantitative assessment. Heterogeneity was analyzed by using I² and chi-squared Q test statistics. Statistical analyses were performed by using the RevMan 5.4 software.

RESULTS

Compared with the control, lung cancer patients had lower alpha diversity (Shannon: SMD = -0.54; 95% CI, -0.90 to -0.19; P < .01, I2 = 71%). In nested case-control studies, individuals with decreased alpha diversity tended to have an increased risk of lung cancer (observed species: HR = 0.90; 95% CI, 0.85-0.96; P < .01, I2 = 0%; Shannon: HR = 0.89; 95% CI, 0.83-0.95; P < .01, I2 = 0%). Overall, no strong evidence of association of relative abundance with specific oral microbes with lung cancers was found because of inconsistent data. No associations were found between periodontal pathogens and lung cancer risk (red complex: HR = 1.12, 95% CI: 0.42-3.02, P = .82, I2 = 62%; orange complex: HR =1.77, 95% CI: 0.78-3.98, P = .17, I2 = 36%), expect for Fusobacterium nucleatum (HR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.13-4.58, P = .02, I2 = 0%). The positive association of periodontal disease with lung cancer risk was found (HR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.25-2.00, P < .001, I2= 0%) with increase of periodontal diseases severity (HR = 2.39, 95% CI: 1.57-3.66, P < .001, I2 = 0%). However, such association was not found in never-smoker participants (HR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.76-1.31, P = .37, I2= 7%).

CONCLUSIONS

Lower alpha diversity of oral microbiome may be associated with a greater risk of lung cancer and might serve as a predictive signal of lung cancer risk. There was no strong evidence of relative abundance of oral microbial taxa and periodontal pathogens in lung cancer patients. Fusobacterium nucleatum might be a potential microbial candidate of biomarkers in lung cancer. Periodontal disease may be positively associated with lung cancer risk by confounding of smoking, but not an independent risk factor.

Imbalance of gut microbiota is involved in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A review

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common chronic disease characterized by chronic airway inflammation and remodeling, which seriously endangers human health. Recent developments in genomics and metabolomics have revealed the roles of the gut microbiota and its metabolites in COPD. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota directly increases gut permeability, thereby promoting the translocation of pathological bacteria. The gut microbiota and associated metabolites may influence the development and progression of COPD by modulating immunity and inflammation. Furthermore, the systemic hypoxia and oxidative stress that occur in COPD may also be involved in intestinal dysfunction. The cross-talk between the gut and lungs is known as the gut-lung axis; however, an overview of its mechanism is lacking. This review highlights the critical and complex interplay of gut microbiota and immune responses in the gut-lung axis, further explores possible links between the gut and lungs, and summarizes new interventions through diet, probiotics, vitamins, and fecal microbiota transplantation, which are critical to COPD.

Oral microbial communities in children, caregivers, and associations with salivary biomeasures and environmental tobacco smoke exposure

Human oral microbial communities are diverse, with implications for oral and systemic health. Oral microbial communities change over time; thus, it is important to understand how healthy versus dysbiotic oral microbiomes differ, especially within and between families. There is also a need to understand how the oral microbiome composition is changed within an individual including by factors such as environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure, metabolic regulation, inflammation, and antioxidant potential. Using archived saliva samples collected from caregivers and children during a 90-month follow-up assessment in a longitudinal study of child development in the context of rural poverty, we used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to determine the salivary microbiome. A total of 724 saliva samples were available, 448 of which were from caregiver/child dyads, an additional 70 from children and 206 from adults. We compared children's and caregivers' oral microbiomes, performed "stomatotype" analyses, and examined microbial relations with concentrations of salivary markers associated with ETS exposure, metabolic regulation, inflammation, and antioxidant potential (i.e., salivary cotinine, adiponectin, C-reactive protein, and uric acid) assayed from the same biospecimens. Our results indicate that children and caregivers share much of their oral microbiome diversity, but there are distinct differences. Microbiomes from intrafamily individuals are more similar than microbiomes from nonfamily individuals, with child/caregiver dyad explaining 52% of overall microbial variation. Notably, children harbor fewer potential pathogens than caregivers, and participants' microbiomes clustered into two groups, with major differences being driven by Streptococcus spp. Differences in salivary microbiome composition associated with ETS exposure, and taxa associated with salivary analytes representing potential associations between antioxidant potential, metabolic regulation, and the oral microbiome. IMPORTANCE The human oral cavity is a multi-environment habitat that harbors a diversity of microorganisms. This oral microbiome is often transmitted between cohabitating individuals, which may associate oral and systemic health within family members. Furthermore, family social ecology plays a significant role in childhood development, which may be associated with lifelong health outcomes. In this study, we collected saliva from children and their caregivers and used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to characterize their oral microbiomes. We also analyzed salivary biomeasures of environmental tobacco smoke exposure, metabolic regulation, inflammation, and antioxidant potential. We show there are differences in individuals' oral microbiomes mainly due to Streptococcus spp. that family members share much of their microbes, and several bacterial taxa associate with the selected salivary biomeasures. Our results suggest there are large-scale oral microbiome patterns, and there are likely relationships between oral microbiomes and the social ecology of families.

Smoking behavior change and the risk of pneumonia hospitalization among smokers with diabetes mellitus

Smoking patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are at greater risk of developing pneumonia. How smoking behavior changes affect the risk of pneumonia hospitalization, however, remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the association between smoking behavior change and the risk of pneumonia hospitalization in patients with DM. From January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2018, we investigated the association between smoking behavior change and the risk of pneumonia hospitalization in patients with DM. A total of 332,798 adult patients with DM from the Korean National Health Insurance System database who underwent health screening examination between 2009 and 2012, and were smokers at the first health examination were included. During a mean follow-up of 4.89 years, 14,598 (4.39%) incident pneumonia hospitalization cases were identified. Reducers had a slightly increased risk of pneumonia hospitalization (aHR 1.06, 95% CI 1.01-1.10) compared to sustainers. Quitters did not have a significant association with incidence of pneumonia hospitalization. However, increasers had 13% higher risk of pneumonia hospitalization (aHR 1.13, 95% CI 1.07-1.18), regardless of whether initial smoking was light, moderate, or heavy. Our study showed that an increase in smoking intensity was associated with an increased risk of pneumonia hospitalization in people with DM. However, a protective effect of smoking reduction or cessation on pneumonia risk was not demonstrated.

Behavioral and Cognitive Performance Following Exposure to Second-Hand Smoke (SHS) from Tobacco Products Associated with Oxidative-Stress-Induced DNA Damage and Repair and Disruption of the Gut Microbiome

Exposure to second-hand Smoke (SHS) remains prevalent. The underlying mechanisms of how SHS affects the brain require elucidation. We tested the hypothesis that SHS inhalation drives changes in the gut microbiome, impacting behavioral and cognitive performance as well as neuropathology in two-month-old wild-type (WT) mice and mice expressing wild-type human tau, a genetic model pertinent to Alzheimer's disease mice, following chronic SHS exposure (10 months to ~30 mg/m3). SHS exposure impacted the composition of the gut microbiome as well as the biodiversity and evenness of the gut microbiome in a sex-dependent fashion. This variation in the composition and biodiversity of the gut microbiome is also associated with several measures of cognitive performance. These results support the hypothesis that the gut microbiome contributes to the effect of SHS exposure on cognition. The percentage of 8-OHdG-labeled cells in the CA1 region of the hippocampus was also associated with performance in the novel object recognition test, consistent with urine and serum levels of 8-OHdG serving as a biomarker of cognitive performance in humans. We also assessed the effects of SHS on the percentage of p21-labeled cells, an early cellular marker of senescence that is upregulated in bronchial cells after exposure to cigarette smoke. Nuclear staining of p21-labeled cells was more prominent in larger cells of the prefrontal cortex and CA1 hippocampal neurons of SHS-exposed mice than in sham-exposed mice, and there was a significantly greater percentage of labelled cells in the prefrontal cortex and CA1 region of the hippocampus of SHS than air-exposed mice, suggesting that exposure to SHS may result in accelerated brain aging through oxidative-stress-induced injury.

The Footprint of Microbiome in Pediatric Asthma-A Complex Puzzle for a Balanced Development

Considered to be of greater complexity than the human genome itself, the microbiome, the structure of the body made up of trillions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, has proven to play a crucial role in the context of the development of pathological processes in the body, starting from various infections, autoimmune diseases, atopies, and culminating in its involvement in the development of some forms of cancer, a diagnosis that is considered the most disabling for the patient from a psychological point of view. Therefore, being a cornerstone in the understanding and optimal treatment of a multitude of ailments, the body's microbiome has become an intensively studied subject in the scientific literature of the last decade. This review aims to bring the microbiome-asthma correlation up to date by classifying asthmatic patterns, emphasizing the development patterns of the microbiome starting from the perinatal period and the impact of pulmonary dysbiosis on asthmatic symptoms in children. Likewise, the effects of intestinal dysbiosis reflected at the level of homeostasis of the internal environment through the intestine-lung/vital organs axis, the circumstances in which it occurs, but also the main methods of studying bacterial variability used for diagnostic purposes and in research should not be omitted. In conclusion, we draw current and future therapeutic lines worthy of consideration both in obtaining and maintaining remission, as well as in delaying the development of primary acute episodes and preventing future relapses.

Bronchial Microbiota and the Stress Associated with Invasive Diagnostic Tests in Lung Cancer vs. Benign Pulmonary Diseases: A Cross-Sectional Study

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. This study aimed to compare the bronchial microbiota of patients with lung cancer and patients with benign pulmonary diseases undergoing bronchoscopy, and to assess the stress levels associated with invasive diagnostic lung tests. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the "Victor Babes" Hospital for Infectious Diseases and Pulmonology in Timisoara, Romania. A total of 33 patients with histologically diagnosed bronchopulmonary cancer and 33 control patients with benign lung pathologies underwent bronchoscopy. Bronchial microbiota was analyzed by multiplex PCR, culture media, and cytology. Anxiety and depression levels were assessed using the ECOG performance status scale, Karnofsky scale, GAD-7, PHQ-9, and HADS questionnaires. There were no significant differences in the presence of common microbial species between the two groups, except for Acinetobacter spp. Which was identified in 15.2% of patients with lung cancer and 0.0% in the control group, Candida spp. Was more prevalent in the benign group (24.2% vs. 6.1%), and the Parainfluenza virus was detected only in the malignant group (21.1% vs. 0.0%). Cytology results showed a higher prevalence of atypical and tumoral cells in the malignant group (39.4% and 30.0%, respectively), as well as higher lymphocyte levels in the benign group (69.7% vs. 24.2%). Patients with lung cancer had significantly lower performance status on the ECOG scale (2.34 vs. 1.92), lower Karnofsky scores (71.36 vs. 79.43), and higher GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores at the initial evaluation compared to the benign group. At the 90-day follow-up, ECOG and Karnofsky scores remained significantly different from the initial evaluation, but only GAD-7 scores showed a significant difference between the two groups. There were differences in the bronchial microbiota between patients with lung cancer and benign pulmonary diseases, with a higher prevalence of Candida spp. in the benign group and exclusive detection of Acinetobacter spp. and Parainfluenza virus in the malignant group. Patients with lung cancer exhibited higher stress levels, more severe anxiety, and depression symptoms, which persisted during follow-up. Further research is needed to understand the role of bronchial microbiota in lung cancer and the impact of stress on patient outcomes.

Efficacy of the additional use of subgingival air-polishing with erythritol powder in the treatment of periodontitis patients: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Part II: effect on sub-gingival microbiome

OBJECTIVES

To date, scarce evidence exists around the application of subgingival air-polishing during treatment of severe periodontitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on the health-related and periodontitis-related subgingival microbiome of air-polishing during non-surgical treatment of deep bleeding pockets in stage III-IV periodontitis patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty patients with stage III-IV periodontitis were selected, and pockets with probing depth (PD) 5-9 mm and bleeding on probing were selected as experimental sites. All patients underwent a full-mouth session of erythritol powder supragingival air-polishing and ultrasonic instrumentation. Test group received additional subgingival air-polishing at experimental sites. Subgingival microbial samples were taken from the maxillary experimental site showing the deepest PD at baseline. Primary outcome of the first part of the present study was the 3-month change in the number of experimental sites. Additional analysis of periodontal pathogens and other sub-gingival plaque bacteria sampled at one experimental site at baseline and 3 months following treatment was performed through a real-time quantitative PCR microarray.

RESULTS

In the test group, a statistical increase of some health-related species was observed (Abiotropha defectiva, Capnocytophaga sputigena, and Lautropia mirabilis), together with the decrease of pathogens such as of Actinomyces israelii, Catonella morbi, Filifactor alocis, Porphyromonas endodontalis, Sele-nomonas sputigena, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola, and Treponema socranskii. In the control group, statistical significance was found only in the decrease of Filifactor alocis, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema socranskii.

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of erythritol-chlorhexidine powder seems to cause a shift of the periodontal micro-biome toward a more eubiotic condition compared to a conventional treatment. The study was registered on Clinical Trials.gov (NCT04264624).

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Subgingival air-polishing could help re-establishing a eubiotic microbioma in deep bleeding periodontal pockets after initial non-surgical treatment.

Lung and Gut Microbiome in COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The association between lung and gut microbiomes in the pathogenesis of COPD has been recently uncovered. The goal of this study was to discuss the role of the lung and gut microbiomes in COPD pathophysiology. A systematic search of the PubMed database for relevant articles submitted up to June 2022 was performed. We examined the association between the lung and gut microbiome dysbiosis, reflected in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), lung tissue, sputum, and feces samples, and the pathogenesis and progression of COPD. It is evident that the lung and gut microbiomes affect each other and both play a vital role in the pathogenesis of COPD. However, more research needs to be carried out to find the exact associations between microbiome diversity and COPD pathophysiology and exacerbation genesis. Another field that research should focus on is the impact of treatment interventions targeting the human microbiome in preventing COPD genesis and progression.

The Role of the Microbiota in Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer is a major health problem, being the seventh most incidence cancer worldwide. Due to the often-late diagnosis and lack of efficient treatments, the overall 5-year survival is as low as 10%. Therefore, understanding the etiology and the mechanisms that drive the development of this type of cancer could improve the management of patients, increasing the chance of achieving a better clinical outcome. Recently, the microbiome has been studied as a putative etiological factor for esophageal cancer. Nevertheless, the number of studies tackling this issue is low, and the heterogeneity in the study design and data analysis has hindered consistent findings. In this work, we reviewed the current literature on the evaluation of the role of microbiota in the development of esophageal cancer. We analyzed the composition of the normal microbiota and the alterations found in precursor lesions, namely Barrett's esophagus and dysplasia, as well as in esophageal cancer. Additionally, we explored how other environmental factors can modify microbiota and contribute to the development of this neoplasia. Finally, we identify critical aspects to be improved in future studies, with the aim of refining the interpretation of the relationship between the microbiome and esophageal cancer.