Modulation of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis through colonisation of the gut with Escherichia coli.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neuro-inflammatory autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects young adults. It is characterised by the development of demyelinating lesions and inflammation within the CNS. Although the causes of MS are still elusive, recent work using patient samples and experimental animal models has demonstrated a strong relationship between the gut microbiota and its contribution to CNS inflammation and MS. While there is no cure for MS, alteration of the gut microbiota composition through the use of probiotics is a very promising treatment. However, while most recent works have focused on the use of probiotics to modify pre-existing disease, little is known about its role in protecting from the establishment of MS. In this study, we determined whether colonisation with the probiotic bacterium Escherichia coli strain Nissle 1917 (EcN) could be used as a prophylactic strategy to prevent or alter the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a preclinical model of MS. We found that double gavage (two doses) of EcN before induction of EAE delayed disease onset and decreased disease severity. We also found that EcN-treated mice had decreased amounts of perivascular cuffing, CD4+ T cell infiltration into the CNS, together with significantly decreased absolute numbers of Th1 cells, and reduced activation of microglia. Although further studies are necessary to comprehend the exact protective mechanisms induced, our study supports a promising use of EcN as a probiotic for the prevention of MS.

Estimating milk intake of hospitalized preterm infants who breastfeed.

This study describes the accuracy of clinical indices to estimate the milk intake of breastfed preterm infants. Twenty-nine mother-infant pairs were studied for a total of 39 breastfeeding sessions. Two NICU nurses (RN1 and RN2) and one certified lactation educator (CLE) collected data, each blind to the others' measures. RN1 and RN2 performed test-weights using the Smart Model 20 electronic scale. The CLE observed the breastfeeding and estimated milk intake, using clinical indices of milk transfer. Clinical indices did not provide an accurate estimate of milk intake (r = .48). The mean absolute difference between the test-weights and clinical estimates was 5.79 ml, with a maximal difference of 20 ml. These differences were random in that clinical indices did not consistently over- or underestimate milk intake. None of 17 clinical indices of milk intake significantly lowered the magnitude of error in the clinical estimate. These data suggest that clinical indices cannot serve as a replacement for test-weighing of preterm infants when an accurate estimate of milk intake is necessary.

Safety evaluation of petroleum products using an in vitro eye irritation test battery.

An in vitro eye irritation test battery (IVEye) composed of the EYTEX and Modified Agarose Diffusion Method (MADM) assays was evaluated for use as a predictive, economical screen and/or adjunct for the Draize eye test. EYTEX mimics corneal opacification using a synthetic matrix of proteins that is intended to produce measurable opacity on exposure to chemical irritants in proportion to their ocular irritation potential. MADM is a cytotoxicity-based assay consisting of NCTC clone 929 mouse fibroblasts overlayed with 1% agarose in culture medium. Potential eye irritation is measured macroscopically as the area of decolorization (neutral red release) around the area of chemical application and microscopically as the percentage of cell lysis resulting from chemical application. Of the 70 materials tested in the IVEye for which Draize eye test data also exist, the battery correctly identified 38 materials as non-irritants and 30 as irritants, with two false positives and no false negatives. Non-parametric analysis of the data show the battery to have a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 95% and a predictive value of 94%. The irritation class correlation (equivalence; irritation ranking) between EYTEX alone and the Draize data was 85%. These data support the use of IVEye as an accurate, reproducible and cost-effective in vitro method for identifying the eye irritation potential of petroleum products.