Synthesis and import of GDP-l-fucose into the Golgi affect plant-water relations.

Land plants evolved multiple adaptations to restrict transpiration. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not sufficiently understood. We used an ozone-sensitivity forward genetics approach to identify Arabidopsis thaliana mutants impaired in gas exchange regulation. High water loss from detached leaves and impaired decrease of leaf conductance in response to multiple stomata-closing stimuli were identified in a mutant of MURUS1 (MUR1), an enzyme required for GDP-l-fucose biosynthesis. High water loss observed in mur1 was independent from stomatal movements and instead could be linked to metabolic defects. Plants defective in import of GDP-l-Fuc into the Golgi apparatus phenocopied the high water loss of mur1 mutants, linking this phenotype to Golgi-localized fucosylation events. However, impaired fucosylation of xyloglucan, N-linked glycans, and arabinogalactan proteins did not explain the aberrant water loss of mur1 mutants. Partial reversion of mur1 water loss phenotype by borate supplementation and high water loss observed in boron uptake mutants link mur1 gas exchange phenotypes to pleiotropic consequences of l-fucose and boron deficiency, which in turn affect mechanical and morphological properties of stomatal complexes and whole-plant physiology. Our work emphasizes the impact of fucose metabolism and boron uptake on plant-water relations.

Pollen of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.): Illumina-based de novo sequencing and differential transcript expression upon elevated NO2/O3.

Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) is a highly allergenic annual ruderal plant and native to Northern America, but now also spreading across Europe. Air pollution and climate change will not only affect plant growth, pollen production and duration of the whole pollen season, but also the amount of allergenic encoding transcripts and proteins of the pollen. The objective of this study was to get a better understanding of transcriptional changes in ragweed pollen upon NO2 and O3 fumigation. This will also contribute to a systems biology approach to understand the reaction of the allergenic pollen to air pollution and climate change. Ragweed plants were grown in climate chambers under controlled conditions and fumigated with enhanced levels of NO2 and O3. Illumina sequencing and de novo assembly revealed significant differentially expressed transcripts, belonging to different gene ontology (GO) terms that were grouped into biological process and molecular function. Transcript levels of the known Amb a ragweed encoding allergens were clearly up-regulated under elevated NO2, whereas the amount of allergen encoding transcripts was more variable under elevated O3 conditions. Moreover transcripts encoding allergen known from other plants could be identified. The transcriptional changes in ragweed pollen upon elevated NO2 fumigation indicates that air pollution will alter the transcriptome of the pollen. The changed levels of allergenic encoding transcripts may have an influence on the total allergenic potential of ragweed pollen.

Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.): allergenicity and molecular characterization of pollen after plant exposure to elevated NO2.

Ragweed pollen is the main cause of allergenic diseases in Northern America, and the weed has become a spreading neophyte in Europe. Climate change and air pollution are speculated to affect the allergenic potential of pollen. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of NO2 , a major air pollutant, under controlled conditions, on the allergenicity of ragweed pollen. Ragweed was exposed to different levels of NO2 throughout the entire growing season, and its pollen further analysed. Spectroscopic analysis showed increased outer cell wall polymers and decreased amounts of pectin. Proteome studies using two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry indicated increased amounts of several Amb a 1 isoforms and of another allergen with great homology to enolase Hev b 9 from rubber tree. Analysis of protein S-nitrosylation identified nitrosylated proteins in pollen from both conditions, including Amb a 1 isoforms. However, elevated NO2 significantly enhanced the overall nitrosylation. Finally, we demonstrated increased overall pollen allergenicity by immunoblotting using ragweed antisera, showing a significantly higher allergenicity for Amb a 1. The data highlight a direct influence of elevated NO2 on the increased allergenicity of ragweed pollen and a direct correlation with an increased risk for human health.

Pollen-derived adenosine is a necessary cofactor for ragweed allergy.

BACKGROUND: Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) is a strong elicitor of allergic airway inflammation with worldwide increasing prevalence. Various components of ragweed pollen are thought to play a role in the development of allergic responses. The aim of this study was to identify critical factors for allergenicity of ragweed pollen in a physiological model of allergic airway inflammation. METHODS: Aqueous ragweed pollen extract, the low molecular weight fraction or the major allergen Amb a 1 was instilled intranasally on 1-11 consecutive days, and allergic airway inflammation was evaluated by bronchoalveolar lavage, lung histology, serology, gene expression in lung tissue, and measurement of lung function. Pollen-derived adenosine was removed from the extract enzymatically to analyze its role in ragweed-induced allergy. Migration of human neutrophils and eosinophils toward supernatants of ragweed-stimulated bronchial epithelial cells was analyzed. RESULTS: Instillation of ragweed pollen extract, but not of the major allergen or the low molecular weight fraction, induced specific IgG1 , pulmonary infiltration with inflammatory cells, a Th2-associated cytokine signature in pulmonary tissue, and impaired lung function. Adenosine aggravated ragweed-induced allergic lung inflammation. In vitro, human neutrophils and eosinophils migrated toward supernatants of bronchial epithelial cells stimulated with ragweed extract only if adenosine was present. CONCLUSIONS: Pollen-derived adenosine is a critical factor in ragweed-pollen-induced allergic airway inflammation. Future studies aim at therapeutic strategies to control these allergen-independent pathways.

Concentration of hinokinin, phenolic acids and flavonols in leaves and stems of Hydrocotyle leucocephala is differently influenced by PAR and ecologically relevant UV-B level.

We examined the effects of ambient, non-stressing ultraviolet (UV)-B (280-315nm) level combined with different intensities of photosynthetic active radiation (PAR, 400-700nm) on the accumulation of the lignan (-)-hinokinin, in leaves and stems of Hydrocotyle leucocephala. Plants were exposed in sun simulators under almost natural irradiance and climatic conditions to one of four light regimes, i.e. two PAR intensities (906 and 516µmolm(-2)s(-1)) including or excluding UV-B radiation (0 and 0.4Wm(-2)). Besides hinokinin, we identified three chlorogenic acid isomers, one other phenolic acid, 12 quercetin, and five kaempferol derivatives in the H. leucocephala extracts. Hinokinin was most abundant in the stems, and its accumulation was slightly enhanced under UV-B exposure. We therefore assume that hinokinin contributes to cell wall stabilization and consequently to a higher resistance of the plant to environmental factors. Quercetin derivatives increasingly accumulated under UV-B and high PAR exposure at the expense of kaempferols and chlorogenic acids, which was apparently related to its ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species. In general, the concentration of the constituents depended on the plant organ, the leaf age, the light regimes, and the duration of exposure. The distribution pattern of the compounds within the examined organs was not influenced by the treatments. Based on the chemical composition of the extracts a principal component analysis (PCA) enabled a clear separation of the plant organs and harvesting dates. Younger leaves mostly contained higher phenylpropanoid concentrations than older leaves. Nevertheless, more pronounced effects of the light regimes were detected in older leaves. As assessed, in many cases the individual compounds responded differently to the PAR/UV-B combinations, even within the same phenylpropanoid class. Since this is the first report on the influence of light conditions on the accumulation of lignans in herbaceous plants, it opens many perspectives for a more precise elucidation of all involved biochemical and molecular processes.

Post-hoc comparison of vitamin D status at three timepoints during pregnancy demonstrates lower risk of preterm birth with higher vitamin D closer to delivery.

There have been observational reports that maternal vitamin D status at baseline and not closest to delivery is a better predictor of pregnancy outcomes, suggesting that a cascade of events is set into motion that is not modifiable by vitamin D supplementation during later pregnancy. To address this issue, in this exploratory post-hoc analysis using correlation and logistic regression, we sought to measure the strength of the association between serum 25(OH)D concentrations at 3 timepoints during pregnancy: baseline, 1st trimester (<16 weeks); 2nd trimester (16-26 weeks); and 3rd trimester (≥27 weeks) and preterm birth. It was hypothesized that the 25(OH)D value closest to delivery would be most significantly associated with preterm birth. To accomplish this objective, the datasets from NICHD (n=333) and Thrasher Research Fund (n=154) vitamin D supplementation pregnancy studies were combined. The results of this analysis were that 25(OH)D values closer to delivery were more strongly correlated with gestational age at delivery than earlier values: 1st trimester: r=0.11 (p=0.02); 2nd trimester: r=0.08 (p=0.09); and 3rd trimester: r=0.15 (p=0.001). When logistic regression was performed with preterm birth (<37 weeks) as the outcome and 25(OH)D quartiles as the predictor variable, adjusting for study and participant race/ethnicity, as with the correlation analysis, the measurements closer to delivery were more significantly associated and had a higher magnitude of effect. That is, at baseline, those who had serum concentrations <50nmol/L (20ng/mL) had 3.3 times of odds of a preterm birth compared to those with serum concentrations ≥100nmol/L (40ng/mL; p=0.27). At 2nd trimester, the odds were 2.0 fold (p=0.21) and at the end of pregnancy, the odds were 3.8 fold (p=0.01). The major findings from this exploratory analysis were: (1) maternal vitamin D status closest to delivery date was more significantly associated with preterm birth, suggesting that later intervention as a rescue treatment may positively impact the risk of preterm delivery, and (2) a serum concentration of 100nmol/L (40ng/mL) in the 3rd trimester was associated with a 47% reduction in preterm births. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled '17th Vitamin D Workshop'.

Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) pollen allergenicity: SuperSAGE transcriptomic analysis upon elevated CO2 and drought stress.

BACKGROUND: Pollen of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) is a main cause of allergic diseases in Northern America. The weed has recently become spreading as a neophyte in Europe, while climate change may also affect the growth of the plant and additionally may also influence pollen allergenicity. To gain better insight in the molecular mechanisms in the development of ragweed pollen and its allergenic proteins under global change scenarios, we generated SuperSAGE libraries to identify differentially expressed transcripts. RESULTS: Ragweed plants were grown in a greenhouse under 380 ppm CO2 and under elevated level of CO2 (700 ppm). In addition, drought experiments under both CO2 concentrations were performed. The pollen viability was not altered under elevated CO2, whereas drought stress decreased its viability. Increased levels of individual flavonoid metabolites were found under elevated CO2 and/or drought. Total RNA was isolated from ragweed pollen, exposed to the four mentioned scenarios and four SuperSAGE libraries were constructed. The library dataset included 236,942 unique sequences, showing overlapping as well as clear differently expressed sequence tags (ESTs). The analysis targeted ESTs known in Ambrosia, as well as in pollen of other plants. Among the identified ESTs, those encoding allergenic ragweed proteins (Amb a) increased under elevated CO2 and drought stress. In addition, ESTs encoding allergenic proteins in other plants were also identified. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of changes in the transcriptome of ragweed pollen upon CO2 and drought stress using SuperSAGE indicates that under global change scenarios the pollen transcriptome was altered, and impacts the allergenic potential of ragweed pollen.

Ecologically relevant UV-B dose combined with high PAR intensity distinctly affect plant growth and accumulation of secondary metabolites in leaves of Centella asiatica L. Urban.

We investigated the effects of environmentally relevant dose of ultraviolet (UV)-B and photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) on saponin accumulation in leaves on the example of Centella asiatica L. Urban. For this purpose, plants were exposed to one of four light regimes i.e., two PAR intensities with or without UV-B radiation. The experiment was conducted in technically complex sun simulators under almost natural irradiance and climatic conditions. As observed, UV-B radiation increased herb and leaf production as well as the content of epidermal flavonols, which was monitored by non-destructive fluorescence measurements. Specific fluorescence indices also indicate an increase in the content of anthocyanins under high PAR; this increase was likewise observed for the saponin concentrations. In contrast, UV-B radiation had no distinct effects on saponin and sapogenin concentrations. Our findings suggest that besides flavonoids, also saponins were accumulated under high PAR protecting the plant from oxidative damage. Furthermore, glycosylation of sapogenins seems to be important either for the protective function and/or for compartmentalization of the compounds. Moreover, our study revealed that younger leaves contain higher amounts of saponins, while in older leaves the sapogenins were the most abundant constituents. Concluding, our results proof that ambient dose of UV-B and high PAR intensity distinctly affect the accumulation of flavonoids and saponins, enabling the plant tissue to adapt to the light conditions.

Molecular and immunological characterization of ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) pollen after exposure of the plants to elevated ozone over a whole growing season.

Climate change and air pollution, including ozone is known to affect plants and might also influence the ragweed pollen, known to carry strong allergens. We compared the transcriptome of ragweed pollen produced under ambient and elevated ozone by 454-sequencing. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was carried out for the major ragweed allergen Amb a 1. Pollen surface was examined by scanning electron microscopy and attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and phenolics were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Elevated ozone had no influence on the pollen size, shape, surface structure or amount of phenolics. ATR-FTIR indicated increased pectin-like material in the exine. Transcriptomic analyses showed changes in expressed-sequence tags (ESTs), including allergens. However, ELISA indicated no significantly increased amounts of Amb a 1 under elevated ozone concentrations. The data highlight a direct influence of ozone on the exine components and transcript level of allergens. As the total protein amount of Amb a 1 was not altered, a direct correlation to an increased risk to human health could not be derived. Additional, the 454-sequencing contributes to the identification of stress-related transcripts in mature pollen that could be grouped into distinct gene ontology terms.

Whole linted cottonseed as a forage substitute: fiber effectiveness and digestion kinetics.

Six ruminally and duodenally cannulated Holstein cows were used in a 6 x 6 Latin square design to 1) evaluate the potential interaction in effectiveness of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) from whole cottonseed (WCS) when it was substituted for forage NDF (FNDF) and fed with ground (G) or steam-flaked (SF) corn and 2) to determine whether the kinetic properties of NDF digestion further clarify the effectiveness of WCS. The six dietary treatments were: forage control with G corn (21% FNDF), 5% WCS with G or SF corn (18% FNDF), 10% WCS with G or SF corn (15% FNDF), and 15% WCS with G corn (12% FNDF). Based on chewing activity, the NDF from WCS was estimated to be 84% (SE = 36%) as effective as alfalfa silage NDF. Decreasing passage and digestion rates of potentially digestible NDF with increasing WCS increased the evacuated pool size of ruminal DM, apparently explaining the similar ruminal mat consistency among treatments. Measures of effectiveness ofWCS treatments did not interact with corn source. Fluid dilution rate was estimated based on a two-compartment model describing Co dilution, but no treatment differences were detected. There was a strong linear bias for estimates of ruminal NDF digestibility based on a single compartment model using the digestion rate of potentially digestible NDF and the passage rate of either indigestible NDF or digestible NDF when compared with NDF digestibility calculated using duodenal flows. Although further verification is needed, these digestion and passage kinetics help explain why WCS are effective at stimulating chewing during eating and rumination.

[Acupuncture in diseases of the locomotor system. Status of research and clinical applications]. / Akupunktur bei Erkrankungen des Bewegungsapparates. Stand der Forschung und Situation der klinischen Anwendung.

Acupuncture has been used for over 2000 years for a wide variety of complaints with minimal side effects. Based on the experience in Chinese medicine and the anticipated positive effects, acupuncture has been widely accepted in Western medicine as well. Some clinical evidence supports the efficacy of acupuncture treatment, but randomized controlled trials have been conducted for only a few of all possible locomotive disorder indications, and the results have been equivocal. Other indications have not yet been systematically studied, and application is based on clinical experience and consensus among practitioners. One of the outcomes on which consensus appears to exist is that 10-20 sessions are generally necessary, and that initial improvement can be expected to occur by the 10th treatment. Rigorous trials should be conducted to improve clinical validity and provide scientific proof of the efficacy of acupuncture. Clinical trials like the German Acupuncture Trials (gerac), funded by the German health insurance companies, have been launched with the aim of furthering knowledge in this area.

Influence of acid-citrate-dextrose anticoagulant on blood quality in retransfusion systems after total knee arthroplasty.

The influence of acid-citrate-dextrose (ACD) anticoagulant on the blood quality was assessed in this prospective, randomized, controlled study. The clinical consequences with regard to retransfusion of drainage blood following total knee arthroplasty were evaluated. After total knee arthroplasty, retransfusion was performed utilizing a "SureTrans" retransfusion system in 81 patients. In 42 of them, blood was collected adding an ACD anticoagulant (group A), while in the remaining 39 patients blood was collected without any additives (group B). Blood losses were retransfused over a 6-h period after attaching the retransfusion system to the patient of either group. Blood samples of the 6-h blood collection were taken and analysed for several blood quality parameters. Significant differences were found in the platelet count (61,200+/-16,700 microl(-1) in group A versus 70,100+/-21,600 microl(-1) in group B, p=0.042), the lactate concentration (4.09+/-0.86 mmol/l vs 4.82+/-0.83 mmol/l, p<0.001), the pH (6.96+/-0.10 vs 7.18+/-0.06, p<0.001), as well as the protein content (5.44+/-0.57 g/dl vs 5.85+/-0.43 g/dl, p<0.001). These observed significant differences were, however, of no clinical relevance to the patients' treatment. Hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), erythrocyte count, leukocyte count, concentration of free hemoglobin in the blood plasma (fHb), potassium concentration, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), serotonin concentration, triglyceride concentration, free fatty acid concentration, and interleukin-6 concentration did not differ significantly. This study indicates that the blood quality in retransfusion systems is not substantially influenced by adding ACD anticoagulant.

[Acupuncture in the treatment of locomotive disorders - status of research and situation regarding clinical application]. / Akupunktur bei Erkrankungen des Bewegungsapparates. Stand der Forschung und Situation der klinischen Anwendung.

Acupuncture has been used for over 2000 years for a wide variety of complaints with minimal side effects. Based on the experience in Chinese medicine and the anticipated positive effects, acupuncture has been widely accepted in Western medicine as well. Some clinical evidence supports the efficacy of acupuncture treatment, but randomized controlled trials have been conducted for only a few of all possible locomotive disorder indications, and the results have been equivocal. Other indications have not yet been systematically studied, and application is based on clinical experience and consensus among practitioners. One of the outcomes on which consensus appears to exist is that 10-20 sessions are generally necessary, and that initial improvement can be expected to occur by the 10th treatment. Rigorous trials should be conducted to improve clinical validity and provide scientific proof of the efficacy of acupuncture. Clinical trials like the German Acupuncture Trials (gerac), funded by the German health insurance companies, have been launched with the aim of furthering knowledge in this area.

Increased interleukin-6 in collected drainage blood after total knee arthroplasty: an association with febrile reactions during retransfusion.

We determined interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations in collected shed drainage blood intended for retransfusion in a prospective study in 81 patients after total knee replacement. We found large increases in IL-6 levels, averaging 6.5 (SD 3.9) ng/mL, in shed blood collected in the first 6 postoperative hours. 3 patients had febrile reactions after collected blood was retransfused. The IL-6 levels in the drainage blood of these patients were very high (9.6-13.4 ng/mL). In the blood collected after 6 hours, IL-6 concentrations increased to 47 (SD 33) ng/mL (p < 0.001). These results suggest a relation between increased interleukin-6 concentrations in shed drainage blood and the occurrence of febrile reactions after retransfusion of such blood.

Ultrastructure and composition of asteroid bodies.

PURPOSE: Asteroid hyalosis is a disease of the vitreous, characterized by brilliant reflecting particles, termed asteroid bodies, which are surrounded by a tightly adhering network of fibrils. The composition and mode of formation of asteroid bodies is not yet understood in detail. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ultrastructure of asteroid bodies and to identify the intrinsic inorganic and organic components that contribute to the nature and development of asteroid bodies. METHODS: Electron energy loss spectroscopy and energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy were used for the elemental analysis of asteroid bodies. The ultrastructural localization of glycosaminoglycans was investigated, using lectin and antibody conjugates in conjunction with transmission electron microscopy and epifluorescence microscopy. Anionic sites of glycosaminoglycans were detected with 15 nm cationic colloidal gold at low pH, applied as a postembedding technique. Ultrastructural details of asteroid bodies were documented using fast Fourier transform analysis of zero-loss filtered images. RESULTS: Element mapping of asteroid bodies by electron spectroscopic imaging revealed a homogeneous distribution of calcium, phosphorus, and oxygen. The electron energy loss spectra of these elements showed details similar to those found for hydroxyapatite. Additionally, high contrast and sensitivity against a calcium-specific chelator highlighted the crystalline, apatite-like nature of asteroid bodies. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed the presence of chondroitin-6-sulfate at the periphery of asteroid bodies, which is in agreement with the ultrastructural colocalization of anionic sites. Fast Fourier transform analysis revealed that each 7-nm periodicity of asteroid lamellar stacks is divided by a fine, parallel-oriented line, separating each 7-nm layer into two halves of 3.5-nm thickness. Carbohydrates specific for hyaluronic acid were observed by lectin-gold labeling to be part of the inner matrix of asteroid bodies. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate the structural and elemental similarity of asteroid bodies with hydroxyapatite. Proteoglycans and their glycosaminoglycan side chains are implicated in playing a role in regulating the biomineralization process.

Time-related changes of collected shed blood in autologous retransfusion after total knee arthroplasty.

A prospective study was done to determine the changes in blood quality parameters of collected drainage blood in retransfusion systems at 6 and 12 h after surgery to verify whether the blood was still suitable for retransfusion purposes for an additional 6 postoperative hours beyond the so far accepted first 6-h time window after surgery. Eighty-one patients received retransfusion within the first 6 h immediately following total knee arthroplasty. Additionally, drainage blood was collected for another 6 h using the same retransfusion system. Samples for laboratory analysis were taken from both the first and second 6-h blood collection interval. Hemoglobin values increased from 9.6 to 10.4 g dl(-1) (p = 0.021). Platelet counts increased from 65,500 to 80,900 microl(-1) (p < 0.001). Leukocyte counts increased from 5,550 to 8,190 1(-1) (p < 0.001). Lactate dehydrogenase (672 U l(-1) during the first vs 651 U l(-1) during the second collection period) and free hemoglobin (71.7 mg dl(-1) vs 67.0 mg dl(-1)) did not change significantly. The potassium concentration decreased slightly from 4.33 to 4.20 mg dl(-1) (p = 0.002). The lactate concentration increased from 4.44 to 7.21 mg dl(-1) (p < 0.001). The pH decreased from 7.07 to 6.94 (p < 0.001). Interleukin-6 concentration increased from 6,500 to 46,500 ng l(-1) (p < 0.001). In this study, we found no relevant difference in most of the drainage blood quality parameters between the first 6-h collection period and the second 6-h collection with regard to its suitability for autologous retransfusion except higher interleukin-6 levels. Due to the higher interleukin concentration, a possible increase in febrile reactions should be taken into account during retransfusion.

Public health issues arising from microbiological and labelling quality of foods and supplements containing probiotic microorganisms.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the accuracy and helpfulness of labelling on products containing probiotic bacteria. DESIGN AND SETTING: 52 such products - 44 from the UK (21 supplements, 15 fermented functional foods, eight 'health-care' products) and eight from continental Europe - have been tested for microbiological content, and results compared to the information available on their labels. Products were stored in the dark at 4 degrees C and analysed before their expiry or sell-by date. Careful note was taken of wording on labels, package inserts, packaging, promotional literature and catalogue descriptions, as applicable. Products were cultured on appropriate bacteriological media, and organisms grown were counted and identified. RESULTS: Bioyoghurts gave no indication of numbers, and only five accurately described their bacterial content; results of culture were usually satisfactory. 'Healthcare' products (mostly intended for the bowel) usually indicated the presence of bacteria, but the numerical content was hard to ascertain, and cultural results fell short of label claims. Supplements were sometimes incorrectly labelled in bacteriological terms, and often contained markedly reduced numbers and/or had extraneous strains and/or strains specified on the label were missing. Products from continental Europe (that were sold for specific medical indications) seemed of a higher microbiological standard. The potential pathogen Enterococcus faecium was found in nine products. The most successful of the new functional foods in Britain now contain probiotics, and probiotic preparations are prominent among the expanding range of nutritional supplements presently available to consumers. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings have public health implications, and suggest that improvements are needed in labelling and quality assurance procedures for products containing probiotic organisms. The presence of the potential pathogen Enterococcus faecium (intentionally or as a contaminant) in some products calls for a review of the value of this species as a probiotic.