Synbiotics

The purpose of this study is to determine whether a modified formulation and daily intake schedule of SBD111 results in similar levels of probiotic microbes in the gut compared with the currently used formulation. SBD111 is a food made of probiotic microbes (bacteria and yeast) and prebiotic dietary fibers (a form of fiber obtained from diet). SBD111 is a medical food used for the dietary management of postmenopausal bone loss.SBD111 was previously found to be safe and well tolerated in a human clinical safety study and a clinical efficacy study. Study participation will include a screening virtual visit, periodic remote questionnaires and check-in calls, and three at-home stool swab sample collections. Eligible participants will be assigned to one of two SBD111 study groups evaluating different formulations and dosing schedules. Each day for a 28-day period, they will take (i) two capsules once daily or (ii) two capsules twice daily (morning and evening), depending on the study group assigned. Investigators will collect demographic information and will ask questions related to dietary intake, bowel habits, and health history. Upon enrollment into the study, participants will receive six at-home stool sample collection kits, two each for baseline, Week 1, and Week 4 analysis. Samples will be collected at home and mailed to a Sōlaria Biō for analysis of the bacterial community that lives in the intestine (the gut microbiome). During the study, participants will also be asked to complete brief questionnaires related to gastrointestinal symptoms, cognitive function, well-being, and sleep. On days 7 and 28 of the study, they will be asked to complete a brief adherence questionnaire and discuss any adverse (negative) events. All participants will receive compensation in the form of gift cards for completing study procedures and returning stool samples. Participants will receive a $50.00 gift card after completing the Week 1 study procedures and after receipt of the mailed baseline and Day 7 stool swab samples. Participants will receive a $150.00 gift card after completing the Week 4 study procedures and after receipt of the mailed Week 4 stool swab sample.

Prematurity remains the main cause of death and serious health problems in new-borns. Besides the need for hospitalization and medical interventions in the first weeks or months of the new-borns' life, prematurity can cause long-lasting health problems (e.g. multiple hospital admissions, developmental delay, learning difficulties, motor delay, hearing or eye problems, ...). Moreover, prematurity places an enormous economic burden on the society. Aside from the medical problems and the financial cost, the emotional stress and psychological impact on the parents, siblings and other family members should not be underestimated. Previous preterm delivery (before 37 weeks of pregnancy) increases the risk for recurrent preterm delivery in a subsequent pregnancy. Therefore, these women should be considered as 'high risk' for preterm birth. Infections ascending from the vagina may be an important cause of preterm delivery in certain cases. Some women have an abnormal vaginal microbiome and are therefore at risk for infections and preterm birth. On the other hand, the vaginal flora is more stable and resistant to infections in healthy pregnant women who deliver at term (after 37 weeks of gestation). Synbiotics are a mixture containing probiotics and prebiotics. Probiotics are living bacteria with potential beneficial effects that can be used safely in pregnancy, while prebiotics are consumed by the bacteria. It is known that probiotics, when used for a long period of time, can maintain a healthy and stable vaginal flora that may protect against infections. In this study, pregnant patients with a history of preterm birth will be included in the first trimester of pregnancy to start with synbiotics or placebo. The investigators will examine the effect of synbiotics on the vaginal flora and on the pregnancy duration. The hypothesis is that synbiotics, when started early in the pregnancy, can change the disturbed vaginal flora into a stable micro-environment.

This study aims to investigate the impact of probiotics and synbiotics on the nutritional status of patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESRD) who are undergoing hemodialysis. ESRD patients often face challenges such as poor nutritional status, increased risk of infections, and imbalances in gut microbiota. These challenges are made worse by the frequent use of medications, dietary restrictions, and the hemodialysis process itself, which can disturb the gut's natural bacteria balance. Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide health benefits when taken in adequate amounts, while synbiotics are a combination of probiotics and prebiotics (substances that promote the growth of beneficial bacteria). The goal of this study is to explore whether supplementing ESRD patients with probiotics or synbiotics can improve their nutritional health, including aspects like body mass index (BMI), skin fold thickness, and protein metabolism. The study will involve 60 patients from a hemodialysis center in Mansoura, Egypt. Patients will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: one group will receive probiotics, another will receive synbiotics, and the third group will act as a control (no treatment). The study will evaluate changes in nutritional markers and other health parameters before and after six months of supplementation. This study hopes to provide insights into new, cost-effective interventions for improving the health of patients undergoing long-term dialysis treatment by addressing the question of whether these supplements can improve the nutritional status of hemodialysis patients.