Fermented foods and probiotics: An approach to lactose intolerance.

The aim of this review was to present various topics related to lactose intolerance with special attention given to the role of fermented foods and probiotics in alleviating gastrointestinal symptoms. Lactose intolerance is a common digestive problem in which the human body is unable to digest lactose, known as milk sugar. Lactose intolerance can either be hereditary or a consequence of intestinal diseases. Recent work has demonstrated that fermented dairy products and probiotics can modify the metabolic activities of colonic microbiota and may alleviate the symptoms of lactose intolerance. We suggest that, lactose free dairy products could be recommended as alternatives for the alleviation of lactose intolerance and for the promotion of human health and wellness.

Neuroprotector Effect of Daily 8-Minutes of High-Intensity Interval Training in Rat Aß1-42 Alzheimer Disease Model.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder, and amyloid peptide plays a central role in its pathogenesis. Physical training contributes as a beneficial adaptation to AD. However, these effects may be underestimated because much of the literature used fixed training prescription variables (intensity and volume) throughout the protocol. Moreover, researchers poorly understand whether chronic high-intensity interval training (HIIT) exerts similar effects on the brain tissue of individuals with AD. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the effect of 8 minutes of HIIT with incremental overload in an AD model. METHODS: Forty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: an untrained Sham group, Sham trained group, Aß1-42 (Alzheimer's) untrained group, and Aß1-42 (Alzheimer's) trained group (n=10 rats per group). Animals underwent stereotactic surgery and received a hippocampal injection of Aß1-42 or a saline solution. Seven days after surgery, two weeks of treadmill adaptation followed by a maximal running test (MRT) was performed. Then, animals were subjected to eight weeks of HIIT. Rats were sacrificed 24 h after the behavioral tests (open field and Morris water maze), hippocampal tissue was extracted to analyze the redox balance and BDNF/TrkB pathway, and neuritic plaques (NP) were detected by evaluating silver impregnation. RESULTS: The AD trained group presented a physical capacity amelioration every two weeks and locomotor, learning, and memory improvements (p<0.05). These effects were accompanied by increased CAT and SOD levels, followed by decreased lipid peroxidation (p<0.05). Furthermore, increased activation of the BDNF/TrkB (p<0.05) pathway and decreased NP was observed. CONCLUSION: Based on these results, MRT was essential for an excellent chronic training protocol prescription and overload adjustment. Therefore, 8 minutes of HIIT daily for 8 weeks may reduce behavioral deficits by promoting a positive redox balance and increased activity of the BDNF/TrkB pathway that may contribute to NP attenuation.

The chemopreventive activity of butyrate-containing structured lipids in experimental rat hepatocarcinogenesis.

SCOPE: Emerging evidence indicates that the use of bioactive food components is a promising strategy to prevent the development of liver cancer. The goal of this study was to examine the chemopreventive effect of butyrate-containing structured lipids (STLs) produced by an enzymatic interesterification of tributyrin and flaxseed oil on rat hepatocarcinogenesis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Male Wistar rats were subjected to a classic "resistant hepatocyte" model of liver carcinogenesis and treated with STLs, tributyrin or flaxseed oil during the initial phases of hepatocarcinogenesis. Treatment with STLs and tributyrin strongly inhibited the development of preneoplastic liver lesions. The chemopreventive activity of tributyrin was associated with the induction of apoptosis and reduction of the expression of major activated hepatocarcinogenesis-related oncogenes. Treatment with STLs caused substantially greater inhibitory effects than tributyrin on oncogene expression. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that the tumor-suppressing activity of butyrate-containing STLs is associated with its ability to prevent and inhibit activation of major hepatocarcinogenesis-related oncogenes. Enrichment of histone H3K9me3 and H3K27me3 at the promoter of Myc and Ccnd1 genes may be related to the inhibitory effect on oncogene expression in the livers of STL-treated rats.

Identification and antimicrobial resistance of members from the Enterobacteriaceae family isolated from canaries (Serinus canaria) / Identificação e resistência antimicrobiana de membros da família Enterobacteriaceae isolados de canários (Serinus canaria)

The Enterobacteriaceae family contains potentially zoonotic bacteria, and their presence in canaries is often reported, though the current status of these in bird flocks is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the most common genera of enterobacteria from canaries (Serinus canaria) and their antimicrobial resistance profiles. From February to June of 2013, a total of 387 cloacal swab samples from eight domiciliary breeding locations of Fortaleza city, Brazil, were collected and 58 necropsies were performed in canaries, which belonged to the Laboratory of Ornithological Studies. The samples were submitted to microbiological procedure using buffered peptone water and MacConkey agar. Colonies were selected according to their morphological characteristics on selective agar and submitted for biochemical identification and antimicrobial susceptibility. A total of 61 isolates were obtained, of which 42 were from cloacal swabs and 19 from necropsies. The most isolated bacteria was Escherichia coli with twenty five strains, followed by fourteen Klebsiellaspp., twelve Enterobacterspp., seven Pantoea agglomerans, two Serratiaspp. and one Proteus mirabilis. The antimicrobial to which the strains presented most resistance was sulfonamides with 55.7%, followed by ampicillin with 54.1% and tetracycline with 39.3%. The total of multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDR) was 34 (55.7%). In conclusion, canaries harbor members of the Enterobacteriaceae family and common strains present a high antimicrobial resistance rate, with a high frequency of MDR bacteria.

A família Enterobacteriaceae possui bactérias com potencial zoonótico e a presença destas bactérias em canários é relatada na literatura, porém a realidade dos plantéis de criadores de canários é desconhecida. Portanto, este trabalho teve como objetivo isolar enterobactérias de canários belga (Serinus canarius) com o intuito de conhecer os gêneros mais comuns nestas aves e suas respectivas resistências a antimicrobianos. De fevereiro a junho de 2013 foram coletadas 387 amostras de swabs cloacais de canários de oito propriedades da cidade de Fortaleza, Brasil e de 58 necropsias de aves do acervo próprio do Laboratório de Estudos Ornitológicos. As amostras foram submetidas a isolamento microbiológico utilizando-se água peptonada e ágar MacConkey. As colônias foram selecionadas de acordo com suas características morfológicas nas placas, submetidas à tipificação bioquímica para identificação e ao teste de sensibilidade a antimicrobianos. Foram isoladas 61 cepas, sendo 42 de suabes cloacais e 19 de necropsias. A bactéria mais isolada foi Escherichia coli com vinte e cinco cepas, seguida por catorze Klebsiella spp., doze Enterobacter spp., sete Pantoea agglomerans, duas Serratiaspp. e uma cepa de Proteus mirabilis. As cepas apresentaram maior resistência a sulfonamidas com 55,7%, seguidas por ampicilina com 54,1% e tetraciclina com 39,3%. Além disso, o total de cepas resistentes a múltiplas drogas (RMD) foi 34 (55,7%). Portanto, conclui-se que os canários albergam enterobactérias e que as cepas apresentam alto índice de resistência a antimicrobianos, com alta frequência de cepas RMD.

Influence of whitening and regular dentifrices on orthodontic clear ligature color stability.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effect of brushing orthodontic clear ligatures with a whitening dentifrice containing a blue pigment (Close Up White Now, Unilever, London, UK) on their color stability, when exposed to a staining agent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ligatures from 3M Unitek (Monrovia, CA, USA) and Morelli (Sorocaba, SP, Brazil) were tested. Baseline color measurements were performed and nonstained groups (control) were stored in distilled water whereas test groups were exposed for 1 hour daily to red wine. Specimens were brushed daily using regular or whitening dentifrice. Color measurements were repeated after 7, 14, 21, and 28 days using a spectrophotometer based on the CIE L*a*b* system. RESULTS: Decreased luminosity (CIE L*), increased red discoloration (CIE a* axis), and increased yellow discoloration (CIE b* axis) were generally observed for ligatures exposed to the staining agent. Color variation was generally lower in specimens brushed with regular dentifrice, but ligatures brushed with whitening dentifrice were generally less red and less yellow than regular dentifrice. The whitening dentifrice led to blue discoloration trend, with visually detectable differences particularly apparent according to storage condition and ligature brand. CONCLUSIONS: The whitening dentifrice containing blue pigment did not improve the ligature color stability, but it decreased yellow discoloration and increased a blue coloration. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The use of a whitening dentifrice containing blue pigment during orthodontic treatment might decrease the yellow discoloration of elastic ligatures.

Color stability of five orthodontic clear elastic ligatures.

AIM: In this study the color stability of five commercially available orthodontic clear elastic ligatures daily exposed to a staining agent (red wine) was investigated. METHODS: The commercial brands tested were 3M Unitek, Abzil, American Orthodontics, Dentsply GAC, and Morelli. Baseline color readings (Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage [CIE] L*a*b* parameters) of 20 ligatures for each brand were carried out using a spectrophotometer. The ligatures were divided in two groups (n = 10): one group remained immersed in distilled water (control) throughout the period, while the other group was daily exposed to red wine (1 hour of immersion). Immersion media were daily renewed. Successive color readings were carried out after 7, 14, 21, and 28 days, and the chromatic variations calculated. Color variation data were analyzed by two-way repeated measures analysis of variance and Student-Newman-Keuls test (P < .05). RESULTS: Storage in water increased staining until 14 days, and color receded after this period, irrespective of the brand. After 28 days of immersion in water, no significant difference among the commercial brands was observed. For the groups exposed to red wine, a significant increase in staining over the course of time was detected, irrespective of the brand. Ligatures from GAC and Morelli showed higher staining than the other materials, irrespective of the evaluation time. Ligatures from 3M Unitek and American generally showed lower pigmentation than the other brands. CONCLUSION: Exposure to a staining agent, cumulative exposure time, and commercial brand are factors that influence the color stability of clear elastic ligatures.

Fatty acid profile, trans-octadecenoic, α-linolenic and conjugated linoleic acid contents differing in certified organic and conventional probiotic fermented milks.

Development of dairy organic probiotic fermented products is of great interest as they associate ecological practices and benefits of probiotic bacteria. As organic management practices of cow milk production allow modification of the fatty acid composition of milk (as compared to conventional milk), we studied the influence of the type of milk on some characteristics of fermented milks, such as acidification kinetics, bacterial counts and fatty acid content. Conventional and organic probiotic fermented milks were produced using Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 in co-culture with Streptococcus thermophilus TA040 and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus LB340. The use of organic milk led to a higher acidification rate and cultivability of Lactobacillus bulgaricus. Fatty acids profile of organic fermented milks showed higher amounts of trans-octadecenoic acid (C18:1, 1.6 times) and polyunsaturated fatty acids, including cis-9 trans-11, C18:2 conjugated linoleic (CLA-1.4 times), and α-linolenic acids (ALA-1.6 times), as compared to conventional fermented milks. These higher levels were the result of both initial percentage in the milk and increase during acidification, with no further modification during storage. Finally, use of bifidobacteria slightly increased CLA relative content in the conventional fermented milks, after 7 days of storage at 4°C, whereas no difference was seen in organic fermented milks.

Cyanide toxicity and interference with diet selection in quail (Coturnix coturnix).

Cyanide is a ubiquitous substance in the environment. Most of the cyanide absorbed by an animal is detoxified by enzymatic combination with sulfur, thus the detoxification process imposes a nutritional cost. In mammals, interactions among nutrients and toxics may influence the composition of the diet and food intake, as a function of positive or negative post-ingestive feedback. The present work aimed to describe the toxic effects of cyanide, and to determine whether cyanide interferes with diet selection in quail (Coturnix coturnix). A toxicological study was performed with 27 female quails that were assigned to three groups that received by gavage 0, 1.0 or 3.0mg of KCN/kg/day, for 7 consecutive days. The diet selection trial was conducted with 20 female quails, that had access to two separate rations: a conventional quail ration and the same ration supplemented with 1% NaSO(4). During the toxicological study, clinical signs of poisoning and death occurred in a quail treated with cyanide. Histological changes were found only in animals dosed with cyanide, and these consisted of mild hepatic periportal vacuolation, an increased number of vacuoles in the colloid of the thyroid glands, and spongiosis in the mesencephalon. No clinical signs were found in any quail throughout the diet selection trial. There were no significant differences in food consumption or ration preference. In conclusion, exposure to cyanide promotes damage to the liver and central nervous system in quails. In contrast, the ingestion of sulfur by quail was not affected by exposure to cyanide.

Effect of different prebiotics on the fermentation kinetics, probiotic survival and fatty acids profiles in nonfat symbiotic fermented milk.

The simultaneous effects of different binary co-cultures of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium lactis with Streptococcus thermophilus and of different prebiotics on the production of fermented milk were investigated in this paper. In particular, we determined and compared the kinetics of acidification of milk either as such or supplemented with 4% (w/w) maltodextrin, oligofructose and polydextrose, as well as the probiotic survival, chemical composition (pH, lactose, lactic acid and protein contents), fatty acids profile and conjugate linoleic acid (CLA) content of fermented milk after storage at 4 degrees C for 24 h. Fermented milk quality was strongly influenced both by the co-culture composition and the selected prebiotic. Depending on the co-culture, prebiotic addition to milk influenced to different extent kinetic acidification parameters. All probiotic counts were stimulated by oligofructose and polydextrose, and among these B. lactis always exhibited the highest counts in all supplemented milk samples. Polydextrose addition led to the highest post-acidification. Although the contents of the main fatty acids were only barely influenced, the highest amounts of conjugated linoleic acid (38% higher than in the control) were found in milk fermented by S. thermophilus-L. acidophilus co-culture and supplemented with maltodextrin.

Complicações da pancreatite crônica nos pacientes em acompanhamento ambulatorial / Chronic pancreatitis complications in patients seen at the outpatient clinic

Descrever as complicações apresentadas pelos pacientes portadores de pancreatite crônica em acompanhamento no ambulatório da Clínica de Gastroenterologia do Departamento de Medicina da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo. Casuística e método: Foram analisados, retrospectivamente, após preenchimento de protocolo, dados de 64 pacientes com diagnóstico de pancreatite crônica, no período de 1989 a 2002. O diagnóstico das complicações foi realizado através da revisão da história clínica, dos exames laboratóriais e de imagens: radiografia simples de abdome, ultra-som, tomografia ressonância magnética, endoscopia digestiva alta e ecoendoscopia pancreática. O teste exato de Fisher foi utilizado para analisar os resultados com o objetivo de comparar ambos os sexos em reação à presença de complicações. Resultados: dos 64 pacientes avaliados, 50 (78,10por cento) eram do sexo masculino e 14 (21,87por cento) do feminino. Observou-se que 17 (16,56por cento) pacientes apresentaram complicações, dos quais 14 (82,34por cento) eram homens e três (17,64por cento), mulheres; quanto à faixa etária ,13 (65pr cento) pacientes encontravam-se entre 40 e 50 anos de idade. As complicações observadas foram: pseudocisto em 10 (58,82por cento), ascite em dois (11,76por cento), trombose portoesplênica em dois (11,76por cento), derrame pleural + ascite em um (5,88por cento), ascite + abscesso em um (5,88por cento) e neoplasia + pseudocisto em um (5,88por cento) caso. Conclusão: Nesta casuística, a pancreatite crônica está associadaa uma variedade de complicações, sendo a mais comum a formação do pseudocisto, A idade de maior incidência de complicações está compreendida entre os 40 e 50 anos e não existe diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os sexos