Soluble extracts from carioca beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) affect the gut microbiota and iron related brush border membrane protein expression in vivo (Gallus gallus).

The effect of soluble extracts with putative prebiotic ability extracted from various bean varieties on the intestinal brush border membrane (BBM) iron related proteins, and intestinal bacterial populations were evaluated using the Gallus gallus model and by the intra-amniotic administration procedure. Eight treatment groups [(non-injected; 18 MΩ H2O; 40 mg/mL Inulin; 50 mg/mL BRS Perola (carioca standard); 50 mg/mL BRS Cometa (carioca, Fe biofortified); 50 mg/mL BRS Esteio (black, standard); 50 mg/mL SMN 39 (black, Fe biofortified); 50 mg/mL BRS Artico (white, standard)] were utilized. Tested groups reduced the relative abundance of Clostridium and E. coli compared to the Inulin group (positive control) and they did not affect the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus compared to the negative control (18MΩ H2O). The relative expression of zinc transporter 1, ferroportin and amino peptidase were up-regulated in the BRS Cometa group (Fe-biofortified carioca beans). Results suggest that soluble extracts from carioca beans may improve the iron bioavailability by affecting intestinal bacterial populations, and BBM functionality.

Retrospective Study of Factors Affecting Intrauterine Insemination Pregnancy Outcome: The Impact of Male Habits and Working Environment.

AIMS: This study is aimed at determining the prognostic factors influencing successful pregnancy following intrauterine insemination (IUI). SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 2123 cycles undergone by 871 couples during the period of 5 years (2011-2015) were retrospectively studied. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Each of the factors was compared with pregnancy outcome (PO) using statistical analysis with a confidence interval of 95% in SPSS software version 19. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis method were used to determine the significance of each factor with the PO. RESULTS: Among the various factors included in our study population, male habits (P = 0.004), male occupational environment (P = 0.025), male age (P = 0.002), and female age (P = 0.001) were found to significantly influence the PO following IUI. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that avoiding smoking and alcohol consuming prior and during the IUI treatment along with working in low-heat-generating environment might lead to better success following the treatment.