In this month’s roundup of MDPI Articles Cited in the News, we explore research mentioned in popular global news outlets including BBC News, US News, Euronews, and The Conversation.

Aging Gut-Brain Interactions: Pro-Inflammatory Gut Bacteria Are Elevated in Fecal Samples from Individuals Living with Alzheimer’s Dementia

Published in Geriatrics | Mentioned by BBC News

New research published in Geriatrics and mentioned by the BBC finds a link between gut microbiome composition and the presence of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).

The study carried out by researchers from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, shows how fecal samples taken from older adults with AD contained higher proportions of pro-inflammatory bacteria. Meanwhile, they found significantly lower proportions of ‘good’ bacteria in the samples of adults with AD, compared to those without AD.

Mechanisms behind the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative conditions such as AD is complex, with many factors contributing to the accumulation of amyloid-beta plaques and tau proteins, a key characteristic of AD.

With the study demonstrating the link between AD and poor gut microbiome composition, more research would be required to elucidate its implication in the development of the deleterious condition.

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The Cost of Endometriosis and Chronic Pelvic Pain Burden in New Zealand (Aotearoa): Results from a Nationwide Survey

Published in Women | Mentioned by The Conversation

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, a global observance dedicated to raising awareness of endometriosis. Around 10% of females globally suffer from endometriosis – a painful and debilitating inflammatory condition causing endometrial-like tissue to grow outside of the uterus. It takes a significant length of time to diagnose the condition, sitting at an average of 7 years globally.

The personal and global economic burden of endometriosis is significant. Lack of research and healthcare mismanagement contributes significantly to delays in diagnosis, further exacerbating the financial pressure of disease.

A nationwide survey in New Zealand sought to evaluate the cost of endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain over a 34.5-year working lifespan. The first of its kind study illustrates a robust national cost-of-illness model, showing that a loss of work productivity was the primary cost driver, alongside healthcare costs particularly those with delayed diagnosis.

The macroeconomic burden demonstrated an accumulation costing billions of dollars, with the average of 15.2B comparable to other chronic conditions. The authors state in the study: “the macroeconomic burden (of endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain) ranges from 12.7B to 17.7B international dollars.”

Alongside the significant physical and mental toll caused by endometriosis, the financial burden of the disease presents an important motivating factor for countries, like New Zealand, to invest more resources into research and resources for women’s healthcare.

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Caloric Restriction Enhances Chemotherapy Efficacy and Reshapes Stress Responses in Sarcoma

Published in Cancers | Mentioned by Euronews

A recent study published in Cancers finds that calorie restrictions may enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment which can induce severe side effects and does not always effectively dimmish tumour growth. Combination therapies, comprising of chemotherapy in addition to other drugs, are often used to try and mitigate this issue and boost treatment success.

The study, carried out by researchers from Brazil and Portugal, explores the impact of caloric restriction in mice with sarcoma – a type of soft tissue tumour arising from muscle, fat, nerve, or bone. They found that caloric restriction, in combination with treatment with the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin, resulted in a greater reduction of tumour growth compared to chemotherapy treatment alone.

Furthermore, this combination therapy lowered inflammatory responses demonstrated by a reduction in oxidative stress markers, boosted antioxidant activity, and reduced DNA damage caused by chemotherapy. Therefore, caloric restriction may provide a protective function against off-target side-effects of chemotherapy.

This preliminary and novel study demonstrates the potential value of diet and nutrition in cancer treatment. Repeat experiments and careful evaluation of caloric restriction in human clinical trials are needed to further elucidate these findings.

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Exploring the Impact of Tinnitus on Work Productivity

Published in Brain Sciences | Mentioned by US News

Tinnitus is a debilitating chronic condition characterised by perceived persistence of a high-pitched ringing sound. It effects millions of adults worldwide, sometimes causing a significant impact to other aspects of one’s mental and physical health, as well as to personal and working lives.

A longitudinal study published in Brain Sciences explores the impact of tinnitus particularly on working life, finding that the condition both directly and indirectly has adverse effects on performance and productivity.

The results of the study showed that 11% of the participants reduced their working hours because of tinnitus, while 7% stopped working completely. Furthermore, the results highlighted various difficulties experienced by the participants regarding attention, fatigue, communication, and coping strategies.

The study highlights the need for greater recognition of tinnitus as a disability, thus encouraging better clinical interventions to help employees cope better in the workplace.

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