scholarly journals Contradictory Results in Microbiome Science Exemplified by Recent Drosophila Research

mBio ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela E. Douglas
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Published Evidence ◽  
Genotype Variation ◽  
Host Health ◽  
Drosophila Research ◽  
Developmental Rates ◽  
Surprising Discovery

ABSTRACT The bacterium Lactobacillus plantarum is prevalent in animal guts and is widely regarded as beneficial and probiotic. D. Fast et al. (mBio 9:e01114-18, 2018, https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.01114-18) make the surprising discovery that L. plantarum reduces the life span of Drosophila melanogaster and link this effect with the loss and weakened proliferation of stem cells in the Drosophila gut. These results are apparently at odds with published evidence for beneficial effects of L. plantarum, especially promoting high developmental rates and stimulating stem cell proliferation in young Drosophila. The among-study discrepancies highlight the context dependence of many effects of gut microbes on host health, likely influenced by host age and genotype, variation among bacterial strains, and diet. The diversity of results offers an opportunity to elucidate a fundamental mechanism(s) and the circumstances that dictate whether gut bacteria have positive or negative effects on host health. These studies also reinforce the value of Drosophila as an emerging model system for probiotic science.

scholarly journals Cross-Feeding among Probiotic Bacterial Strains on Prebiotic Inulin Involves the Extracellularexo-Inulinase ofLactobacillus paracaseiStrain W20

2018 ◽  
Vol 84 (21) ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus C. L. Boger ◽  
Alicia Lammerts van Bueren ◽  
Lubbert Dijkhuizen
Keyword(s):  
Degradation Products ◽  
Lactobacillus Paracasei ◽  
Transport Systems ◽  
Glycoside Hydrolase Family ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Human Gut ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Probiotic Lactobacilli

ABSTRACTProbiotic gut bacteria employ specific metabolic pathways to degrade dietary carbohydrates beyond the capabilities of their human host. Here, we report how individual commercial probiotic strains degrade prebiotic (inulin type) fructans. First, a structural analysis of commercial fructose oligosaccharide-inulin samples was performed. These β-(2-1)-fructans differ in termination by either glucose (GF) or fructose (FF) residues, with a broad variation in the degrees of polymerization (DPs). The growth of individual probiotic bacteria on short-chain inulin (sc-inulin) (Frutafit CLR), a β-(2-1)-fructan (DP 2 to DP 40), was studied.Lactobacillus salivariusW57 and other bacteria grew relatively poorly on sc-inulin, with only fractions of DP 3 and DP 5 utilized, reflecting uptake via specific transport systems followed by intracellular metabolism.Lactobacillus paracaseisubsp.paracaseiW20 completely used all sc-inulin components, employing an extracellularexo-inulinase enzyme (glycoside hydrolase family GH32 [LpGH32], also found in other strains of this species); the purified enzyme converted high-DP compounds into fructose, sucrose, 1-kestose, and F2 (inulobiose). The cocultivation ofL. salivariusW57 andL. paracaseiW20 on sc-inulin resulted in cross-feeding of the former by the latter, supported by this extracellularexo-inulinase. The extent of cross-feeding depended on the type of fructan, i.e., the GF type (clearly stimulating) versus the FF type (relatively low stimulus), and on fructan chain length, since relatively low-DP β-(2-1)-fructans contain a relatively high content of GF-type molecules, thus resulting in higher concentrations of GF-type DP 2 to DP 3 degradation products. The results provide an example of howin vivocross-feeding on prebiotic β-(2-1)-fructans may occur among probiotic lactobacilli.IMPORTANCEThe human gut microbial community is associated strongly with host physiology and human diseases. This observation has prompted research on pre- and probiotics, two concepts enabling specific changes in the composition of the human gut microbiome that result in beneficial effects for the host. Here, we show how fructooligosaccharide-inulin prebiotics are fermented by commercial probiotic bacterial strains involving specific sets of enzymes and transporters. Cross-feeding strains such asLactobacillus paracaseiW20 may thus act as keystone strains in the degradation of prebiotic inulin in the human gut, and this strain–exo-inulinase combination may be used in commercialLactobacillus-inulin synbiotics.

scholarly journals A sense of belonging helps! The alleviating effect of national identification on burnout among diplomats

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ling Eleanor Zhang ◽  
Jakob Lauring ◽  
Ting Liu
Keyword(s):  
National Identity ◽  
Host Country ◽  
Career Satisfaction ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the interplay between burnout, national identity and career satisfaction among diplomats. In particular, the authors focus on the roles of home and host country identification as an emotional resource for overcoming the negative effects of job-related burnout.Design/methodology/approachSurvey responses from 123 diplomats were used to assess the moderating role of home and host country identification on the relationship between burnout and career satisfaction.FindingsVarious combinations of high or low home or host country identification were tested, and the findings suggest that the negative effect of burnout on career satisfaction is reduced for those individuals that have high identification with both the home and the host country, while this is not the case for other combinations. This points to the beneficial effects of dual national identifications even for diplomats – a group that would normally be expected to identify strongly with the home country alone.Originality/valueNo existing study that the authors know of has explored the relationship between burnout, national identity and career satisfaction among diplomats or other types of expatriates. This is unfortunate because a better understanding of national identity could guide practitioners in finding ways to reduce the negative consequences of burnout in international organizations.

The More Control, the Better?

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeeyun Oh ◽  
Mun-Young Chung ◽  
Sangyong Han
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Design ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Story Structure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High User ◽  
User Control ◽  
Rigorous Research ◽  
Control Versus ◽  
The Media ◽  
The Impact

Despite of the popularity of interactive movie trailers, rigorous research on one of the most apparent features of these interfaces – the level of user control – has been scarce. This study explored the effects of user control on users’ immersion and enjoyment of the movie trailers, moderated by the content type. We conducted a 2 (high user control versus low user control) × 2 (drama film trailer versus documentary film trailer) mixed-design factorial experiment. The results showed that the level of user control over movie trailer interfaces decreased users’ immersion when the trailer had an element of traditional story structure, such as a drama film trailer. Participants in the high user control condition answered that they were less fascinated with, absorbed in, focused on, mentally involved with, and emotionally affected by the movie trailer than participants in the low user control condition only with the drama movie trailer. The negative effects of user control on the level of immersion for the drama trailer translated into users’ enjoyment. The impact of user control over interfaces on immersion and enjoyment varies depending on the nature of the media content, which suggests a possible trade-off between the level of user control and entertainment outcomes.

Diabetes and Heart Failure: Is it Hyperglycemia or Hyperinsulinemia?

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 148-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Triantafyllos Didangelos ◽  
Konstantinos Kantartzis
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Insulin Treatment ◽  
Close Association ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Appropriate Treatment ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Treatment Of Diabetes

The cardiac effects of exogenously administered insulin for the treatment of diabetes (DM) have recently attracted much attention. In particular, it has been questioned whether insulin is the appropriate treatment for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and heart failure. While several old and some new studies suggested that insulin treatment has beneficial effects on the heart, recent observational studies indicate associations of insulin treatment with an increased risk of developing or worsening of pre-existing heart failure and higher mortality rates. However, there is actually little evidence that the associations of insulin administration with any adverse outcomes are causal. On the other hand, insulin clearly causes weight gain and may also cause serious episodes of hypoglycemia. Moreover, excess of insulin (hyperinsulinemia), as often seen with the use of injected insulin, seems to predispose to inflammation, hypertension, dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, heart failure, and arrhythmias. Nevertheless, it should be stressed that most of the data concerning the effects of insulin on cardiac function derive from in vitro studies with isolated animal hearts. Therefore, the relevance of the findings of such studies for humans should be considered with caution. In the present review, we summarize the existing data about the potential positive and negative effects of insulin on the heart and attempt to answer the question whether any adverse effects of insulin or the consequences of hyperglycemia are more important and may provide a better explanation of the close association of DM with heart failure.

Microencapsulation: A Prospective to Protect Probiotics

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 891-899 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wissam Zam
Keyword(s):  
Gastrointestinal Tract ◽  
Food Industry ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Probiotic Bacteria ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Host Health ◽  
Resistant Strains ◽  
Selection Of

Probiotics are viable microorganisms widely used for their claimed beneficial effects on the host health. A wide number of researchers proved that the intake of probiotic bacteria has numerous health benefits which created a big market of probiotic foods worldwide. The biggest challenge in the development of these products is to maintain the viability of bacterial cells during the storage of the product as well as throughout the gastrointestinal tract transit after consumption, so that the claimed health benefits can be delivered to the consumer. Different approaches have been proposed for increasing the resistance of these sensitive microorganisms, including the selection of resistant strains, incorporation of micronutrients, and most recently the use of microencapsulation techniques. Microencapsulation has resulted in enhancing the viability of these microorganisms which allows its wide use in the food industry. In this review, the most common techniques used for microencapsulation of probiotics will be presented, as well as the most usual microcapsule shell materials.

scholarly journals Can Ultrasound Therapy Be an Environmental-Friendly Alternative to Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment?

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 2715
Author(s):  
Rodica Ana Ungur ◽  
Viorela Mihaela Ciortea ◽  
Laszlo Irsay ◽  
Alina Deniza Ciubean ◽  
Bogdana Adriana Năsui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ultrasound Therapy ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Knee Oa ◽  
Environmental Friendly ◽  
Chemical Pollutants ◽  
Osteoarthritis Treatment ◽  
Inflammatory Drugs ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
And Function

The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most used drugs in knee OA (osteoarthritis) treatment. Despite their efficiency in pain and inflammation alleviation, NSAIDs accumulate in the environment as chemical pollutants and have numerous genetic, morphologic, and functional negative effects on plants and animals. Ultrasound (US) therapy can improve pain, inflammation, and function in knee OA, without impact on environment, and with supplementary metabolic beneficial effects on cartilage compared to NSAIDs. These features recommend US therapy as alternative for NSAIDs use in knee OA treatment.

scholarly journals CeO2 Nanoparticle-Containing Polymers for Biomedical Applications: A Review

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 924
Author(s):  
Alexander B. Shcherbakov ◽  
Vladimir V. Reukov ◽  
Alexander V. Yakimansky ◽  
Elena L. Krasnopeeva ◽  
Olga S. Ivanova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Metal Oxide Nanoparticles ◽  
Polymeric Materials ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
New Horizons ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Advanced Composite ◽  
Unique Material ◽  
Biomedical Polymers ◽  
Biomedical Potential

The development of advanced composite biomaterials combining the versatility and biodegradability of polymers and the unique characteristics of metal oxide nanoparticles unveils new horizons in emerging biomedical applications, including tissue regeneration, drug delivery and gene therapy, theranostics and medical imaging. Nanocrystalline cerium(IV) oxide, or nanoceria, stands out from a crowd of other metal oxides as being a truly unique material, showing great potential in biomedicine due to its low systemic toxicity and numerous beneficial effects on living systems. The combination of nanoceria with new generations of biomedical polymers, such as PolyHEMA (poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)-based hydrogels, electrospun nanofibrous polycaprolactone or natural-based chitosan or cellulose, helps to expand the prospective area of applications by facilitating their bioavailability and averting potential negative effects. This review describes recent advances in biomedical polymeric material practices, highlights up-to-the-minute cerium oxide nanoparticle applications, as well as polymer-nanoceria composites, and aims to address the question: how can nanoceria enhance the biomedical potential of modern polymeric materials?

scholarly journals N-acetyl-L-cysteine Improves the Developmental Competence of Bovine Oocytes and Embryos Cultured In Vitro by Attenuating Oxidative Damage and Apoptosis

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 860
Author(s):  
Wu-Sheng Sun ◽  
Hoon Jang ◽  
Mi-Ryung Park ◽  
Keon Bong Oh ◽  
Haesun Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Developmental Rates ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Bovine Oocytes ◽  
Dose Dependent

Oxidative stress has been suggested to negatively affect oocyte and embryo quality and developmental competence, resulting in failure to reach full term. In this study, we investigated the effect of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), a cell-permeating antioxidant, on developmental competence and the quality of oocytes and embryos upon supplementation (0.1–10 mM) in maturation and culture medium in vitro using slaughterhouse-derived oocytes and embryos. The results show that treating oocytes with 1.0 mM NAC for 8 h during in vitro maturation attenuated the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) (p < 0.05) and upregulated intracellular glutathione levels (p < 0.01) in oocytes. Interestingly, we found that NAC affects early embryonic development, not only in a dose-dependent, but also in a stage-specific, manner. Significantly (p < 0.05) decreased cleavage rates (90.25% vs. 81.46%) were observed during the early stage (days 0–2), while significantly (p < 0.05) increased developmental rates (38.20% vs. 44.46%) were observed during the later stage (from day 3) of embryonic development. In particular, NAC supplementation decreased the proportion of apoptotic blastomeres significantly (p < 0.05), resulting in enhanced hatching capability and developmental rates during the in vitro culture of embryos. Taken together, our results suggest that NAC supplementation has beneficial effects on bovine oocytes and embryos through the prevention of apoptosis and the elimination of oxygen free radicals during maturation and culture in vitro.

Overcoming counter-knowledge through telemedicine communication technologies

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (7/8) ◽  
pp. 730-745 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Cegarra-Sanchez ◽  
Juan-Gabriel Cegarra-Navarro ◽  
Anthony Wensley ◽  
Jose Diaz Manzano
Keyword(s):  
Learning Process ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Regional Hospital ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Exploration And Exploitation ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Knowledge acquired from sources of unverified information such as gossip, partial truths or lies, in this paper it is termed as “counter-knowledge.” The purpose of this paper is to explore this topic through an exploration of the links between a Hospital-in-the-Home Units (HHUs) learning process (LP), counter-knowledge, and the utilization of communication technologies. The following two questions are addressed: Does the reduction of counter-knowledge result in the utilization of communication technologies? Does the development of counter-knowledge hinder the LP? Design/methodology/approach This paper examines the relevance of communication technologies to the exploration and exploitation of knowledge for 252 patients of a (HHU) within a Spanish regional hospital. The data collected was analyzed using the PLS-Graph. Findings To HHU managers, this study offers a set of guidelines to assist in their gaining an understanding of the role of counter-knowledge in organizational LPs and the potential contribution of communication technologies. Our findings support the proposition that the negative effects of counter-knowledge can be mitigated by using communication technologies. Originality/value It is argued in this paper that counter-knowledge may play a variety of different roles in the implementation of LPs. Specifically, the assignment of communication technologies to homecare units has given them the means to filter counter-knowledge and prevent users from any possible problems caused by such counter-knowledge.

scholarly journals Ecological Importance of Cross-Feeding of the Intermediate Metabolite 1,2-Propanediol between Bacterial Gut Symbionts

2020 ◽  
Vol 86 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher C. Cheng ◽  
Rebbeca M. Duar ◽  
Xiaoxi Lin ◽  
Maria Elisa Perez-Munoz ◽  
Stephanie Tollenaar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trophic Interactions ◽  
Lactobacillus Reuteri ◽  
Trophic Interaction ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Bifidobacterium Breve ◽  
Gut Symbionts ◽  
Gnotobiotic Mice ◽  
Ecological Importance ◽  
Isogenic Mutants

ABSTRACT Cross-feeding based on the metabolite 1,2-propanediol has been proposed to have an important role in the establishment of trophic interactions among gut symbionts, but its ecological importance has not been empirically established. Here, we show that in vitro growth of Lactobacillus reuteri (syn. Limosilactobacillus reuteri) ATCC PTA 6475 is enhanced through 1,2-propanediol produced by Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003 and Escherichia coli MG1655 from the metabolization of fucose and rhamnose, respectively. Work with isogenic mutants showed that the trophic interaction is dependent on the pduCDE operon in L. reuteri, which encodes the ability to use 1,2-propanediol, and the l-fucose permease (fucP) gene in B. breve, which is required for 1,2-propanediol formation from fucose. Experiments in gnotobiotic mice revealed that, although the pduCDE operon bestows a fitness burden on L. reuteri ATCC PTA 6475 in the mouse digestive tract, the ecological performance of the strain was enhanced in the presence of B. breve UCC2003 and the mucus-degrading species Bifidobacterium bifidum. The use of the respective pduCDE and fucP mutants of L. reuteri and B. breve in the mouse experiments indicated that the trophic interaction was specifically based on 1,2-propanediol. Overall, our work established the ecological importance of cross-feeding relationships based on 1,2-propanediol for the fitness of a bacterial symbiont in the vertebrate gut. IMPORTANCE Through experiments in gnotobiotic mice that employed isogenic mutants of bacterial strains that produce (Bifidobacterium breve) and utilize (Lactobacillus reuteri) 1,2-propanediol, this study provides mechanistic insight into the ecological ramifications of a trophic interaction between gut symbionts. The findings improve our understanding on how cross-feeding influences the competitive fitness of L. reuteri in the vertebrate gut and revealed a putative selective force that shaped the evolution of the species. The findings are relevant since they provide a basis to design rational microbial-based strategies to modulate gut ecosystems, which could employ mixtures of bacterial strains that establish trophic interactions or a personalized approach based on the ability of a resident microbiota to provide resources for the incoming microbe.

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