Metabolic heterogeneity and techno-functional attributes of fermented foods-associated coagulase-negative staphylococci.

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) are one of the most pervasive heterogeneous groups of bacteria which are used as starter/adjunct cultures to enhance the aroma and texture of fermented foods. The organoleptic characteristics of fermented foods rely on disparate metabolic attributes of CNS. Nitrate reductase production from CNS improves sensory characteristics of foods by converting nitrate into nitrite. These bacteria utilize arginine via arginine deiminase pathway in the cytosol, and thus, play effective role in the generation of colour of fermented foods. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp. develop flavour in foods by fermenting carbohydrates, converting amino acids, inducing ß-oxidation of lipids, and secreting esterases. Additionally, the characteristic flavour of foods depends on the proteolytic and lipolytic properties of CNS strains too. Coagulase-negative staphylococci strains have revealed exemplary functional or probiotic traits by showing tolerance to acidic pH and bile, depicting adhesion characteristics, producing exopolysaccharide, and secreting therapeutic bacteriocins. Unfortunately, some CNS strains have shown antibiotics resistance, enterotoxins secretions, biogenic amine productions, haemolytic activities, and biofilm formations, thereby indicated the utilization of CNS on strain-by-strain basis. This review sheds light not only on the metabolic heterogeneity and techno-functional traits but also the safety and pathogenic aspects of fermented foods-associated CNS strains.

The life and times of yeasts in traditional food fermentations.

Yeasts are eukaryotic microorganisms which have a long history in the biotechnology of food production, as they have been used since centuries in bread-making or in the production of alcoholic beverages such as wines or beers. Relative to this importance, a lot of research has been devoted to the study of yeasts involved in making these important products. The role of yeasts in other fermentations in association with other microorganisms - mainly lactic acid bacteria - has been relatively less studied, and often it is not clear if yeasts occurring in such fermentations are contaminants with no role in the fermentation, spoilage microorganisms or whether they actually serve a technological or functional purpose. Some knowledge is available for yeasts used as starter cultures in fermented raw sausages or in the production of acid curd cheeses. This review aimed to summarize the current knowledge on the taxonomy, the presence and potential functional or technological roles of yeasts in traditional fermented plant, dairy, fish and meat fermentations.

Consumer motivations toward buying local rice: The case of northern Iranian consumers.

This research had two purposes. The first aim was to identify Iranian and Non-Iranian rice consumers based on demographic characteristics and examine difference of these features with buying behaviors. The second purpose of study was to investigate consumer's motivation to buy local rice in Iran. The sample were 1500 people (men and women). The data was collected by using questionnaire based on a face-to-face survey. Chi-square, confirmatory factor analysis, and multiple linear regression were applied to assess collected data by a questionnaire survey. Regarding Iranian local rice buyers, 884 people buy local rice. Chi-square test showed that there is a significant difference between gender, having children, and marital status in buying local rice. Habitual Iranian local rice buyers include: female (51%), people who are more than 45 years old (51%), people with children (63%), people who are living urban (61%), married people (48%) and individuals that their monthly income is between 321.5 and 625 Dollars (53%). Regarding non-Iranian rice buyers, 616 people buy it. Also there is a significant difference between gender, location, marital status, and income in buying local rice. For considering consumers motivation toward buying local rice the econometrical model is used. Model had three aspects including; quality aspects (taste, good appearance), economic aspects (price, convenience, consumer's ethnocentrism), and safety aspects (health, not using pesticides and environment protection) and seven subset. The results of analysis indicated that quality aspects, economic aspects and safety aspects have positive effects on buying Iranian local rice. Also, indicative variables including; taste, good appearance, price, convenience, consumer's ethnocentrism, health, not using pesticides and environment have significant effects on buying it.

Probiotic Characterization of LAB isolated from Sourdough and Different Traditional Dairy Products Using Biochemical, Molecular and Computational Approaches.

The aim of this study was to identify and isolate lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from indigenous sourdough and dairy samples in Iran, and to assess their probiotic properties in vitro. A total of 560 potential LAB isolates were examined, and 87 demonstrated high survival rates in artificial gastrointestinal fluids without hemolytic activity. The selected isolates exhibited significant auto-aggregation (18.35 to 79.42%) and co-aggregation abilities (20.16 to 71.26%). Additionally, the isolates displayed varying degrees of cell surface hydrophobicity (12.32 to 76.24%). Results indicated that 19 LAB isolates had cholesterol assimilation rates exceeding 30%. Moreover, forty strains tested negative for all twelve assessed pathogenic genes and exhibited good adhesion to human intestinal epithelial cells (13.47 to 49.12%). Furthermore, 24 isolates formed strong biofilms, 29 formed moderate biofilms, and 23 formed weak biofilms. Except for isolates ABRIIFBI-8, ABRIIFBI-16, ABRIIFBI-23, ABRIIFBI-43, ABRIIFBI-56, and ABRIIFBI-62, most isolates were capable of producing exopolysaccharides. Consequently, LAB strains naturally occurring in sourdough and traditional dairy samples were suggested as potential probiotic candidates for incorporation into functional foods.

A review on side effect management of second-generation antipsychotics to treat schizophrenia: a drug safety perspective.

INTRODUCTION: Effective side effects management present a challenge in antipsychotic treatment with second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs). In recent years, most of the commonly used SGAs, except for clozapine, have been shown to differ only slightly in their effectiveness, but considerably regarding perceived side effects, safety profiles, and compatibility to preexisting medical conditions. AREAS COVERED: The current state of available evidence on side-effect management in SGA treatment of patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) is reviewed. In addition, current guideline recommendations are summarized, highlighting evidence gaps. EXPERT OPINION: SGA safety and side effects needs to be considered in treatment planning. Shared decision-making assistants (SDMA) can support patients, practitioners and relatives to orient their decisions toward avoiding side effects relevant to patients' adherence. Alongside general measures like psychosocial and psychotherapeutic care, switching to better tolerated SGAs can be considered a relatively safe strategy. By contrast, novel meta-analytical evidence emphasizes that dose reduction of SGAs can statistically increase the risk of relapse and other unfavorable outcomes. Further, depending on the type and severity of SGA-related side effects, specific treatments can be used to alleviate induced side effects (e.g. add-on metformin to reduce weight-gain). Finally, discontinuation should be reserved for acute emergencies.

[Antiarrhythmic drugs in the present day]. / Antiarrhythmika in der heutigen Zeit.

Cardiac arrhythmias cause a significant proportion of hospitalizations and physician contacts worldwide. By using antiarrhythmic drugs, cardiac arrhythmias can be effectively treated and the frequency of recurrences reduced. Atrial fibrillation and heart failure represent diseases in which antiarrhythmic drugs are more often used on a long-term basis. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the most common antiarrhythmic drugs and their uses as well as to provide recommendations for adequate handling and use, especially in the outpatient setting. In addition to long-term use, some antiarrhythmic drugs are also administered for the acute management of supraventricular or ventricular tachycardia. Relevant contraindications, side effects and interactions must be considered, meaning that patients should be followed up when using these potent drugs. This article shows in detail what to consider when using antiarrhythmic drugs in order to ensure not only effective but also safe treatment.

Challenges of current treatment and exploring the future prospects of nanoformulations for treatment of atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a predominant and deteriorating chronic inflammation of the skin, categorized by a burning sensation and eczematous lesions in diverse portions of the body. The treatment of AD is exclusively focused to limit the itching, reduce inflammation, and repair the breached barrier of the skin. Several therapeutic agents for the treatment and management of AD have been reported and are in use in clinics. However, the topical treatment of AD has been an unswerving challenge for the medical fraternity owing to the impaired skin barrier function in this chronic skin condition. To surmount the problems of conventional drug delivery systems, numerous nanotechnology-based formulations are emerging as alternative new modalities for AD. Latter enhances the bioavailability and delivery to the target disease site, improves drug permeation and therapeutic efficacy with reduced systemic and off-target side effects, and thus improves patient health and promotes compliance. This review aims to describe the various pathophysiological events involved in the occurrence of AD, current challenges in treatment, evidence of molecular markers of AD and its management, combinatorial treatment options, and the intervention of nanotechnology-based formulations for AD therapeutics.

Osteoporosis and Fragility Fractures: currently available pharmacological options and future directions.

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, with a consequent increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture. The average lifetime risk of a 50-year-old woman to suffer a fracture of the spine, hip, proximal humerus, or distal forearm has been estimated at close to 50%. In general, pharmacological treatment is recommended in patients who suffered a fragility fracture because their risk of suffering a subsequent fracture is increased dramatically. Therefore, many guidelines recommend pharmacological treatment in patients without a prevalent fracture if their fracture probability is comparable to or higher than that of a person of the same age with a prevalent fracture. The present review aims to highlight currently available pharmacological treatment options and their antifracture efficacy including safety aspects. Drug classes discussed comprise bisphosphonates, selective estrogen receptor modulators, parathyroid hormone peptides and derivatives, humanized monoclonal antibodies, and estrogens and gestagens and their combinations. Furthermore, a brief glimpse is provided into a potentially promising treatment option that involves mesenchymal stem cells.

Characterization of indigenous coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from Chinese spontaneously fermented meat products.

Technological, safety-related and volatile properties were analyzed in coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) isolates from Chinese spontaneously fermented meat products. A total of 107 CNS isolates were identified via 16 S rRNA sequencing, and the most recovered species were S. saprophyticus (53.3 %), S. edaphicus (12.1 %), and S. epidermidis (10.3 %). Among them, 58 CNS isolates belonging to 9 species were selected with higher activities of catalase, nitrate reductase, proteolysis, and lipolysis, as well as higher tolerance to stressful environmental conditions. Then, 7 CNS isolates belonging to 4 species were further selected based upon excellent technological characteristics, lack of hemolysis and antibiotic resistance, and a low production of biogenic amines. The volatile profiles of these 7 strains cultivated in pork broth was determined. S. casei No. 1 produced significant amounts of phenethyl alcohol, geraniol, and 3-methyl-butanol. S. xylosus No. 120 produced the highest amount of methyl ketones with the potential to provide dry-cured odor of fermented meats. The volatile profile was highly strain dependent. Several CNS identified in this study have the potential to be used as the starter cultures for fermented meat products.

The Impacts of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum on the Functional Properties of Fermented Foods: A Review of Current Knowledge.

One of the most varied species of lactic acid bacteria is Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (Lb. plantarum), formerly known as Lactobacillus plantarum. It is one of the most common species of bacteria found in foods, probiotics, dairy products, and beverages. Studies related to genomic mapping and gene locations of Lb. plantarum have shown the novel findings of its new strains along with their non-pathogenic or non-antibiotic resistance genes. Safe strains obtained with new technologies are a pioneer in the development of new probiotics and starter cultures for the food industry. However, the safety of Lb. plantarum strains and their bacteriocins should also be confirmed with in vivo studies before being employed as food additives. Many of the Lb. plantarum strains and their bacteriocins are generally safe in terms of antibiotic resistance genes. Thus, they provide a great opportunity for improving the nutritional composition, shelf life, antioxidant activity, flavour properties and antimicrobial activities in the food industry. Moreover, since some Lb. plantarum strains have the ability to reduce undesirable compounds such as aflatoxins, they have potential use in maintaining food safety and preventing food spoilage. This review emphasizes the impacts of Lb. plantarum strains on fermented foods, along with novel approaches to their genomic mapping and safety aspects.

The Development of High-Quality Multispecies Probiotic Formulations: From Bench to Market.

Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. To date, there is an increasing number of commercially available products containing probiotics on the market. Probiotics have been recommended by health care professionals for reasons ranging from their long-term immunomodulatory effects to proven benefits in the management of different health conditions. For probiotic products, there are several important aspects that determine the success rate of the development from bench to market. The aim of this review is to explore how the current knowledge on microbe-microbe and host-microbe interactions can be used to develop high-quality, evidence-based probiotic formulations, specifically probiotic dietary supplements, with a focus on the selection of safe strains with relevant functional properties. In addition, we will highlight aspects of the probiotic manufacturing process that need to be considered during the product development and the subsequent manufacturing process to guarantee consistent efficacy of a probiotic product. For each high-quality probiotic formulation, it is important to screen multiple strains, and select only those strains that show relevant functional properties and that can be considered safe for human consumption. In addition, it is imperative that attention is paid to the product development and manufacturing process, and that safety and quality properties are monitored. Importantly, the beneficial effects of probiotics should be evaluated in product efficacy studies and post-marketing surveys in order to demonstrate their clinical efficacy. All these aspects need to be evaluated and validated during the development of a successful high-quality and ready-to-market probiotic.

Microsponges for dermatological applications: Perspectives and challenges.

Dermatological disorders have a huge psychosocial impact, causing significant impairment of patient's life. Topical therapy plays a pivotal role in management of such disorders. Conventional topical delivery systems result in overmedication/undermedication, leading to adverse effects and reduction in therapeutic efficacy. Consequently, researchers have been striving towards the development of alternative delivery systems for dermatological applications. In the last decade, microsponges emerged as an attractive option for topical delivery. Their characteristic particle size offers enhanced benefits, making them superior to the contemporary microcarriers. The present review furnishes a comprehensive account of state of the art, important factors affecting the performance and mechanism of drug release from topically applied microsponges, along with characterization techniques. Further, a list of marketed products and their applications for common dermatological disorders has been presented. All in all, this paper is an attempt to lay a bibliographic foundation for researchers working in this field and foster further investigations in this arena.

Follow-Up After Cataract Surgery - Comparison of the Practice in Two Institutions with the Aim of Optimize the Routine.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the number of postoperative visits after cataract surgery in two institutions with different routines. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A population-based prospective, observational, cohort study was conducted at two institutions in northern Sweden. All cataract surgery cases during a 1-year period were included. The study group was 1249 cases, who followed the standard routine at the Sunderby clinic, ie, no planned postoperative visit for patients without comorbidity who had uncomplicated surgery. All cases (n=1162) having surgery during the same 1-year period at the Umeå clinic were selected as the control group. The routine in Umeå was a planned postoperative visit for all patients after first eye surgery, and on second eye surgery patients with other ocular comorbidity. RESULTS: A postoperative visit was planned in 44% (555/1249) of the study group and in 83% of all control group cases (966/1162). Significantly less patients in the study group (9% vs 16%; p=0.000036) initiated an unplanned contact. Patients with a distance to the hospital of 70 km or longer were less inclined to seek unplanned care (p=0.016). There was no difference in postoperative outcomes between the patients who initiated contact and those who did not in the study and control hospitals. CONCLUSION: Without compromising patient safety, it is possible to reduce the burden of postoperative visits in cases with uncomplicated cataract surgery. A reduction in the number of visits is obtained only if the standard routine is no planned postoperative visits in uncomplicated cases without ocular comorbidity for both first and second eye surgery.

Nanostim-leadless pacemaker.

Nanostim™ (St. Jude Medical Inc., Saint Paul, MN, USA; now Abbott Medical Inc. Abbott Park, IL, USA) was the first self-contained intracardiac pacemaker to be implanted in a human patient. A total of 1423 Nanostim devices were implanted worldwide between 2013 and 2016 and three clinical trials were initiated. Although the device was recalled in 2016 owing to rare but serious battery failures, the concept of leadless pacing has gained widespread acceptance and is expanding beyond the initial single-chamber devices to dual-chamber systems, biventricular pacing, and combinations with defibrillators. This review describes the design, results from initial clinical trials, and long-term experiences with Nanostim. It discusses the lessons learned from the pioneering device's successes and shortcomings, many of which are valid for leadless pacemakers in general. This article also considers the Nanostim experience in comparison with the early years of clinical use for other pioneering device therapies. Important questions include how to minimize the risk for short-term complications by appropriate operator training and evaluation of suitable patients, what the long-term performance tells us about safety, as well as the necessity and feasibility of device explantation.

ICG-assisted blood vessel detection during stereotactic neurosurgery: simulation study on excitation power limitations due to thermal effects in human brain tissue.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative blood vessel detection based on intraluminal indocyanin-green (ICG) would allow to minimize the risk of blood vessel perforation during stereotactic brain tumor biopsy. For a fiber-based approach compatible with clinical conditions, the maximum tolerable excitation light power was derived from simulations of the thermal heat load on the tissue. METHODS: Using the simulation software LITCIT, the temperature distribution in human brain tissue was calculated as a function of time for realistic single-fiber probes (0.72mm active diameter, numerical aperture 0.35, optional focusing to 0.29mm diameter) and for the optimum ICG excitation wavelength of 785nm. The asymptotic maximum temperature in the simulated tissue region was derived for different radiant fluxes at the distal fiber end. Worst case values were assumed for all other parameters. In addition to homogeneous (normal and tumor) brain tissue with homogeneous blood perfusion, models with localized extra blood vessels incorporated ahead of the distal fiber end were investigated. RESULTS: If one demands that destruction of normal brain tissue must be excluded by limiting the tissue heating to 42°C, then the radiant flux at the distal fiber end must be limited to 33mW with and 43mW without focusing. When considering extra blood vessels of 0.1mm diameter incorporated into homogeneously perfused brain tissue, the tolerable radiant flux is reduced to 22mW with and 32mW without focusing. The threshold value according to legal laser safety regulations for human skin tissue is 28.5mW. CONCLUSIONS: For the envisaged modality of blood vessel detection, light power limits for an application-relevant fiber configuration were determined and found to be roughly consistent with present legal regulations for skin tissue.

Safety measurements for heating of instruments for cardiovascular interventions in magnetic particle imaging (MPI) - first experiences.

Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) has emerged as a new imaging method with the potential of delivering images of high spatial and temporal resolutions and free of ionizing radiation. Recent studies demonstrated the feasibility of differentiation between signal-generating and non-signal-generating devices in Magnetic Particle Spectroscopy (MPS) and visualization of commercially available catheters and guide-wires in MPI itself. Thus, MPI seems to be a promising imaging tool for cardiovascular interventions. Several commercially available catheters and guide-wires were tested in this study regarding heating. Heating behavior was correlated to the spectra generated by the devices and measured by the MPI. The results indicate that each instrument should be tested separately due to the wide spectrum of measured temperature changes of signal-generating instruments, which is up to 85°C in contrast to non-signal-generating devices. Development of higher temperatures seems to be a limitation for the use of these devices in cardiovascular interventions.