The role of short-chain fatty acids in Clostridioides difficile infection: A review.

Clostridioides difficile is a Gram-positive, obligate anaerobic, spore-producing intestinal opportunistic pathogen. CDI outbreaks in Europe and the Americas in recent years are a major health concern. Intestinal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are an important energy source for colonic epithelial cells, and the roles of SCFAs in reducing intestinal inflammation, inhibiting intestinal tumors, and regulating gut microbial homeostasis are being actively researched. Furthermore, SCFAs attenuate CDI or directly inhibit C. difficile growth through different pathways in vivo and in vitro. This review assesses the role of SCFAs in CDI and discusses the potential use of these molecules as therapeutic targets for CDI.

Mental health and psychosocial problems among laboratory technicians in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Hebei, China.

Objective: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, an increased mental burden has been widely reported among medical health workers such as physicians and nurses. However, data on laboratory technicians exposed to COVID-19 have rarely been published. The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of psychological symptoms among laboratory technicians and analyze potential risk factors associated with these symptoms. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was performed via the Wenjuanxing platform (a professional online questionnaire platform) (https://www.wjx.cn/mobile/statnew.aspx) to investigate the mental health of laboratory technicians during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hebei, China from October 4, 2021, to November 3, 2021. The online questionnaire included demographic and occupational characteristics data of responders, and the Symptom Check List-90-Revised (SCL90-R)was used to quantify the magnitude of psychological symptoms among laboratory technicians. Participants' demographic and occupational characteristics were analyzed using descriptive statistical analyses. Chi-square tests were applied to compare the severity of each symptom between two or more groups. A binary logistic regression model was developed to identify the predictors of laboratory technicians' mental health in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and outcomes are presented as odds ratios and 95% confidence interval. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 21 (SPSS, New Orchard Road, Armonk, New York, USA). Results: A total of 3081 valid questionnaires were collected. Of these 3081 participants, 338 (11.0%) reported a total SCL90-R score >160, which indicated positive psychological symptoms. Among the 338 participants who reported psychological problems, most of them were mild symptoms. Several factors associated with mental health problems in laboratory technicians during COVID-19 were found, which include a history of physical and/or psychological problems (all 10 symptoms p < 0.001), more than 10 years of work experience (depression symptoms: OR = 2.350, p = 0.024; anxiety symptoms: OR = 2.642, p = 0.038), frontline work (depression symptoms: OR = 1.761, p = 0.001; anxiety symptoms: OR = 2.619, p < 0.001; hostility symptoms: OR = 1.913, p = 0.001), participant in more than 3 times large-scale SARS-CoV-2 screenings and more than 36 h per week in SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid testing. Conclusion: A portion of laboratory technicians reported experiencing varying levels of psychological burden. During the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple interventions should be developed and implemented to address existing psychosocial challenges and promote the mental health of laboratory technicians.

Prevalence and molecular characterization of Clostridioides difficile infection in China over the past 5 years: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to provide an overview of the prevalence and molecular characteristics of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in China in the past 5 years. METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. Nine databases were searched for relevant studies published between January 2017 and February 2022. The Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool was used to assess the quality of included studies, and R software version 4.1.3 was used for data analysis. Funnel plots and Egger regression tests were also performed to assess publication bias. RESULTS: A total of 50 studies were included in the analysis. The pooled prevalence of CDI in China was 11.4% (2696/26,852). The main circulating C. difficile strains in southern China were ST54, ST3, and ST37, consistent with the overall situation in China. However, the most prevalent genotype in northern China was ST2, which was previously underappreciated. CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, increased awareness and management of CDI is necessary to reduce the prevalence of CDI in China.