Capsaicin is a widespread spice known for its analgesic qualities. Although a comprehensive body of evidence suggests pleiotropic benefits of capsaicin, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-proliferative, metabolic, or cardioprotective effects, it is frequently avoided due to reported digestive side-effects. As the gut bacterial profile is strongly linked to diet and capsaicin displays modulatory effects on gut microbiota, a new hypothesis has recently emerged about its possible applicability against widespread pathologies, such as metabolic and inflammatory diseases. The present review explores the capsaicin–microbiota crosstalk and capsaicin effect on dysbiosis, and illustrates the intimate mechanisms that underlie its action in preventing the onset or development of pathologies like obesity, diabetes, or inflammatory bowel diseases. A possible antimicrobial property of capsaicin, mediated by the beneficial alteration of microbiota, is also discussed. However, as data are coming mostly from experimental models, caution is needed in translating these findings to humans.

Melatonin is a pineal indolamine, allegedly known as a circadian rhythm regulator, and an antioxidative and immunomodulatory molecule. In both experimental and clinical trials, melatonin has been shown to have positive effects in various pathologies, as a modulator of important biochemical pathways including inflammation, oxidative stress, cell injury, apoptosis, and energy metabolism. The gut represents one of melatonin’s most abundant extra pineal sources, with a 400-times-higher concentration than the pineal gland. The importance of the gut microbial community—namely, the gut microbiota, in multiple critical functions of the organism— has been extensively studied throughout time, and its imbalance has been associated with a variety of human pathologies. Recent studies highlight a possible gut microbiota-modulating role of melatonin, with possible implications for the treatment of these pathologies. Consequently, melatonin might prove to be a valuable and versatile therapeutic agent, as it is well known to elicit positive functions on the microbiota in many dysbiosis-associated conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, chronodisruption-induced dysbiosis, obesity, and neuropsychiatric disorders. This review intends to lay the basis for a deeper comprehension of melatonin, gut microbiota, and host-health subtle interactions.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) represents one of the most frequent chronic illnesses affecting children. The early diagnosis of this disease is crucial, as it plays a key role in preventing the development of a life-threatening acute complication: diabetic ketoacidosis. The etiopathogenetic role of viral infections has long been suggested and emerging data are pointing towards a complex bidirectional relationship between diabetes and COVID-19. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence and severity of new T1DM cases in children in Romania. We analyzed the differences between a group of 312 patients diagnosed with T1DM in the period 2003–2019 and a group of 147 children diagnosed during the pandemic. The data were investigated using statistical analysis of a series of relevant variables. The total number of newly diagnosed T1DM increased by 30.08% in the period March 2020–February 2021 compared to the previous years. The patients in the pandemic group had a higher mean age at the onset of T1DM, were less frequently living in an urban area, and presented a higher mean value of HbA1c. Diabetic ketoacidosis at the onset of T1DM was 67.40% more frequent, and a higher percentage of these patients presented with a severe form. The duration of T1DM symptoms did not differ significantly between the two groups. A number of 8 patients associated SARS-CoV-2 infection at the time of T1DM diagnosis.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a major healthcare concern having a rising incidence, especially in pediatric patients who are more susceptible to infections. The aim of our study was to analyze the bacterial species isolated from patients admitted to our tertiary hospital and their AMR profiles. We conducted a retrospective observational study by examining the bacterial cultures collected from pediatric patients admitted to our hospital over a period of one year. We identified the most common bacterial species from 1445 clinical isolates and their AMR patterns using standard microbiological techniques. Our analysis revealed that the most frequently isolated bacterial species were Escherichia coli (23.73%), Staphylococcus aureus (15.64%), Klebsiella species (12.04%), and Pseudomonas species (9.96%). Additionally, these species exhibited varying levels of resistance to commonly used antibiotics. Notably, we observed high rates of resistance among Gram-negative bacteria, including extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species. Among Gram-positive bacteria, we observed a high level of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Our findings highlight the urgent need for effective antibiotic management programs and infection control measures to address the rising incidence of AMR in pediatric hospitals. Further research is needed to identify the mechanisms of resistance in these bacterial species and to develop new strategies for preventing and treating infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria in pediatric patients.

Acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, although presenting less severe forms of the disease in children, seems to play a role in the development of other conditions, including type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). After the beginning of the pandemic, an increase in the number of T1DM pediatric patients was observed in several countries, thus leading to many questions about the complex relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and T1DM. Our study aimed to highlight possible correlations between SARS-CoV-2 serology and T1DM onset. Therefore, we performed an observational retrospective cohort study that included 158 children diagnosed with T1DM in the period April 2021–April 2022. The presence or absence of SARS-CoV-2 and T1DM-specific antibodies and other laboratory findings were assessed. In the group of patients with positive SARS-CoV-2 serology, a higher percentage had detectable IA-2A antibodies, more children were positive for all three islet autoantibodies determined (GADA, ICA, and IA-2A), and a higher mean HbA1c value was found. No difference existed between the two groups regarding DKA presence and severity. A lower C-peptide level was found in the patients presenting diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at T1DM onset. When compared to a group of patients diagnosed before the pandemic, an increased incidence of both DKA and severe DKA, as well as a higher age at diagnosis and higher levels of HbA1c were present in our study group. These findings have important implications for the ongoing monitoring and management of children with T1DM after the COVID-19 pandemic and highlight the need for further research to better understand the complex relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and T1DM.