Analysis and Characterization of Lactobacillus paragasseri and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei: Two Probiotic Bacteria that Can Degrade Intestinal Oxalate in Hyperoxaluric Rats.

In the present study, we characterized the probiotic properties of two commercially available bacterial strains, Lactobacillus paragasseri UBLG-36 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei UBLPC-87, and evaluated their ability to degrade oxalate in vitro and in a hyperoxaluria-induced nephrolithiasis rat model. UBLG-36 harboring two oxalate catabolizing genes, oxalyl coenzyme A decarboxylase (oxc) and formyl coenzyme A transferase (frc), was previously shown to degrade oxalate in vitro effectively. Here, we show that UBLPC-87, lacking both oxc and frc, could still degrade oxalate in vitro. Both these strains harbored several potential putative probiotic genes that may have conferred them the ability to survive in low pH and 0.3% bile, resist antibiotic stress, show antagonistic activity against pathogenic bacteria, and adhere to epithelial cell surfaces. We further evaluated if UBLG-36 and UBLPC-87 could degrade oxalate in vivo and prevent hyperoxaluria-induced nephrolithiasis in rats. We observed that rats treated with 4.5% sodium oxalate (NaOx) developed hyperoxaluria and renal stones. However, when pre-treated with UBLG-36 or UBLPC-87 before administering 4.5% NaOx, the rats were protected against several pathophysiological manifestations of hyperoxaluria. Compared to the hyperoxaluric rats, the probiotic pre-treated rats showed reduced urinary excretion of oxalate and urea (p < 0.05), decreased serum blood urea nitrogen and creatinine (p < 0.05), alleviated stone formation and renal histological damage, and an overall decrease in renal tissue oxalate and calcium content (p < 0.05). Taken together, both UBLG-36 and UBLPC-87 are effective oxalate catabolizing probiotics capable of preventing hyperoxaluria and alleviating renal damage associated with nephrolithiasis.

Alterations in honey bee gut microorganisms caused by Nosema spp. and pest control methods.

BACKGROUND: Honey bees are associated with gut microorganisms essential for their nutrition and health. The composition of the microbial community can be used as a biological health indicator and is characterized using biomarker fatty acids. Commonly, gut microorganisms are exposed to pathogens and to an array of chemical and biological pest control methods. RESULTS: We found a strong negative effect on microbial gut community composition when exposed to the bee pest control chemicals oxytetracycline, oxalic acid and imidacloprid, and when inoculated with the bee pest Nosema spp. and the potential bee pest biocontrol agent Lactobacillus plantarum. Results from the in vitro test with bee pest chemicals showed a differential response of Lactobacillus spp. At the community level, some taxonomic groups were more affected depending on treatment, but sharp changes in the microbial structure were caused by compounds generally considered as bee safe. CONCLUSION: Our results show that pests such as Nosema spp. and pest control methods alter the composition of bee gut microorganisms, which may have severe consequences for pathogen defense, physiology and general honey bee health. In addition, L. plantarum has potential as a biocontrol agent against Nosema spp. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

[Prevention of nephrolithiasis: a review]. / Prevenzione della nefrolitiasi: una review.

Nephrolithiasis is a very common condition, with a prevalence of about 8% in the general population. Genetic as well as environmental factors are thought to contribute to its pathogenesis. Environmental and especially dietary factors are important in primary as well as in secondary prevention. We review the relevant literature of factors associated with an increased risk of stones that might be object of medical prevention for nephrolithiasis.

Biodegradation of oxalic acid from spinach using cereal radicles.

A high level of oxalate intake constitutes a health risk for infants and metabolically disposed adults. Spinach, acclaimed for its many health benefits, is among the vegetables richest in oxalate. Blanching reduces oxalate unsatisfactorily and unspecifically. An alternative, biological method is proposed on the basis of rye seedlings or radicles (also barley and wheat) containing an oxalate-specific oxalate oxidase by nature. Dissolved oxalate (0.25 mM) was rapidly degraded in the presence of radicles (e.g., 70% within 100 min). With commercial deep-frozen spinach, near-complete degradation of soluble oxalate was achieved at pH 3.5. The total level of oxalate was reduced by half. Similarly high rates occurred from 18 to 35 degrees C. Even at 55 degrees C appreciable rates were observed. The seedling as a whole is effective, too, and enrichment with cereal-specific healthy components would occur. Removal of oxalate from other vegetables, juices, cycled process waters, or feeds is conceivable with fresh or heat-dried cereal seedlings or radicles.

An evaluation of the acceptability as forage of some nutritive and antinutritive components and of the dry matter degradation profiles of five species of Ficus.

The suitability of five species of Ficus, F. mucoso, F. thonningii, F. polita, F. religiosa and F. benjamina, for feeding ruminant livestock was studied. The nutritive and antinutritive components were determined and the acceptability of the forages to livestock was assessed using a cafeteria method in 8 adult small ruminants. Also, the degradation potential of the dry matter of the five Ficus species was investigated using 3 fistulated sheep. The crude protein (CP) content of the Ficus species varied significantly (p < 0.05), ranging from 130 to 180 g/kg DM. The content of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) also varied significantly (p < 0.05), ranging from 650 to 710 g/kg DM. The organic matter (OM) contents did not differ significantly (p > 0.05), having a mean value of 916 g/kg DM. The concentrations of tannin, saponin, phytic acid and oxalic acid were low. The acceptability of the forage was similar for four of the species but poor for F. polita. The extent of DM degradation varied significant among the Ficus species, the ranking order being F. benjamina > F. thonningii > F. mucoso > F. religiosa > F. polita.

Purpuric irritant contact dermatitis induced by Agave americana.

The sap of Agave americana, a popular ornamental plant, may cause irritant contact dermatitis. This rare eruption is typically vesiculopapular; however, a new purpuric variant with evidence of leukocytoclastic vasculitis has recently been reported. We report an additional case of a purpuric eruption associated with severe constitutional symptoms further supporting a possible vasculitic component. Both cases resulted from direct exposure to sap propelled by a chainsaw. We speculate that oxalic acid crystals, which are recognized systemic toxins, are embedded in the skin with resulting oxalism, which may result in vascular damage.

Murine local lymph node assay for predictive testing of allergenicity: two irritants caused significant proliferation.

The murine local lymph node assay is a method for predictive testing of contact allergenicity, but its ability to discriminate between allergens and irritants has been questioned. To explain some of the conflicting results with irritants, the proliferation induced by methyl salicylate and nonanoic acid, both considered to be non-sensitisers, was further investigated. Both substances showed a dose--response relationship and clearly positive results when tested at higher concentrations (> or = 50%) and would thus be classified as potential sensitisers according to the present criteria for a positive assay result. In the case of methyl salicylate, the use of either dimethyl formamide or methyl ethyl ketone as vehicle did not significantly influence the results. The negative results obtained for methyl salicylate in some earlier reports were probably due to testing at too low concentrations. The proliferation induced by irritants such as methyl salicylate and nonanoic acid and inter alia sodium dodecyl sulfate, Triton X-100, oxalic acid, chloroform/methanol (2:1) must be better recognized and elucidated before the assay can be generally accepted as a predictive test method.