A phase 2 randomized, placebo-controlled trial of inulin for the prevention of gut pathogen colonization and infection among patients admitted to the intensive care unit for sepsis.

Background: Patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) often have gut colonization with pathogenic bacteria and such colonization is associated with increased risk for death and infection. We conducted a trial to determine whether a prebiotic would improve the gut microbiome to decrease gut pathogen colonization and decrease downstream risk for infection among newly admitted medical ICU patients with sepsis.

Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of adults who were admitted to the medical ICU for sepsis and were receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Taxonomic variability and functional stability across Oregon coastal subsurface microbiomes.

The factors shaping microbial communities in marine subsurface sediments remain poorly understood. Here, we analyzed the microbiome of subsurface sediments within a depth range of 1.6-1.

Recommendations for Integrating Traditional Birth Attendants to Improve Maternal Health Outcomes in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Adverse maternal health outcomes and high rates of maternal mortality continue to disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). With limited access to health facility care, many women in LMICs rely on traditional birth attendants (TBAs) to meet their maternal health needs. While some studies consider the use of TBAs to be problematic, others suggest the integration of TBAs into maternal healthcare to improve health outcomes.