The gastrointestinal (GIT) microbiota, which plays a crucial role in human health, is influenced by a number of factors including diet. Consumption of specific dietary ingredients, such as dietary ...fibers and prebiotics, is an avenue by which the microbiota can be positively modulated. These substances may also reduce serum cholesterol levels through various mechanisms. Interest has increased in methods of reducing blood cholesterol level, because dyslipidemia is recognized as a contributory risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases. Several drugs have been developed for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia; however, undesirable side effects were observed, which have caused concerns about their long-term therapeutic use. Alternatively, many nonpharmacological approaches were tested to reduce elevated serum cholesterol levels. Dietary fibers and prebiotics have particularly beneficial effects on the GIT microbiome, and can also reduce serum cholesterol level through various mechanisms. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are potentially capable of synthesizing different polysaccharides,
e.g.
exopolysaccharides (EPS), which may play a role as prebiotics. LAB-based EPS have the potential to affect the gastrointestinal microbiome and reduce cholesterol. However, as dietary fibers comprise a complex group of substances with remarkably diverse structures, properties, and impacts, EPS also differ greatly and show a multitude of beneficial health effects. This review discusses the current knowledge related to the effects of dietary fibers and prebiotics on the human GIT microbiome, the prebiotic properties of EPS produced by LAB, and the health-promoting benefits of these polymers with special emphasis being given to cholesterol lowering.
Lactic acid bacteria (LAB)-based exopolysaccharides (EPS) potentially have prebiotic properties and could be natural alternatives for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia.
Theories of reconstructive memory have long been influenced by investigations of false recognition errors, in which old/new judgements are compromised by spontaneous activation of associated but ...nonpresented concepts. Recent evidence similarly suggests that reconstructive memory processes (so-called memory integration) also support positive learning behaviors, such as inferential reasoning. Despite prevailing hypotheses, the question of whether a common integration process underlies these seemingly disparate mnemonic outcomes is not well understood. To address this question, young adults, recruited from two institutions, completed the Deese–Roediger–McDermott (Deese,
Journal of Experimental Psychology, 58,
17–22,
1959
; Roediger & McDermott,
Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition
,
21
(4), 803–814,
1995
) and Bransford and Franks (
Cognitive Psychology, 2
, 331–350,
1971
) false recognition paradigms, as well as an inferential paradigm (Varga & Bauer,
Memory & Cognition, 45
, 1014–1027,
2017b
), all of which depend on integration of related information in memory. Across two experiments, the well-established tasks were adapted such that successful memory integration resulted in the same negative outcome (i.e., false recognition; Experiment 1) or positive outcome (i.e., inferential reasoning; Experiment 2). By capturing variability in item-to-item responding within and among tasks for each person, a common memory integration process was found to elicit positive and negative consequences in paradigms that required the combination of individual units to construct a composite understanding, but only when memory for directly learned and novel, integrated items were modeled together. Furthermore, linking task-related behavior to academic performance revealed that a greater propensity to integrate factual information (but not arbitrary materials) was related to higher SAT scores. Together, these results provide evidence for domain-general and domain-specific reconstructive mechanisms and their role in supporting educational success beyond the laboratory.
The ability to generate new knowledge depends on integration of separate information. For example, in one episode an individual may learn that apple seeds are called pips. In a separate episode, the ...individual may then learn that pips contain cyanide. Integration of the related facts in memory may then support derivation of the new knowledge that apple seeds contain cyanide. Past studies show that adults form relational memories that represent the commonalities among discrete events, and that such integrated representation supports the ability to infer new knowledge. Although these integrated representations are thought to result from linking separate memories to the same neuronal ensemble, the neural mechanisms that underlie formation of such linkages are not well understood. Here we examined whether self-derivation of new, integrated knowledge was supported by oscillatory coherence, a means of linking discrete neuronal ensembles. Cortical alpha coherence was greater when adults encoded new facts that could be integrated with existing knowledge, relative to encoding unrelated facts, particularly in participants who showed better performance on the subsequent test of knowledge generation via fact integration. In high performers, posterior alpha amplitude was also modulated by delta phase, a form of cross-frequency coupling previously implicated in coordinating information stored widely throughout the cortex. Examination of the timing and topography of these respective signatures suggested that these oscillatory dynamics work in concert to encode and represent new knowledge with respect to prior knowledge that is reactivated, thus revealing fundamental mechanisms through which related memories are linked into integrated knowledge structures.
Summary
Background
Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) often occurs following pancreatic surgery.
Aim
To demonstrate the superior efficacy of pancreatin 25 000 minimicrospheres (Creon 25000 MMS; ...9–15 capsules/day) over placebo in treating PEI after pancreatic resection.
Methods
A 1‐week, double‐blind, randomised, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group, multicentre study with a 1‐year, open‐label extension (OLE). Subjects ≥18 years old with PEI after pancreatic resection, defined as baseline coefficient of fat absorption (CFA) <80%, were randomised to oral pancreatin or placebo (9–15 capsules/day: 3 with main meals, 2 with snacks). In the OLE, all subjects received pancreatin. The primary efficacy measure was least squares mean CFA change from baseline to end of double‐blind treatment (ancova).
Results
All 58 subjects randomised (32 pancreatin, 26 placebo) completed double‐blind treatment and entered the OLE; 51 completed the OLE. The least squares mean CFA change in the double‐blind phase was significantly greater with pancreatin vs. placebo: 21.4% (95% CI: 13.7, 29.2) vs. −4.2% (−12.8, 4.5); difference 25.6% (13.9, 37.3), P < 0.001. The mean ± s.d. CFA increased from 53.6 ± 20.6% at baseline to 78.4 ± 20.7% at OLE end (P < 0.001). Treatment‐emergent adverse events occurred in 37.5% subjects on pancreatin and 26.9% on placebo during double‐blind treatment, with flatulence being the most common (pancreatin 12.5%, placebo 7.7%). Only two subjects discontinued due to treatment‐emergent adverse events, both during the OLE.
Conclusions
This study demonstrates superior efficacy of pancreatin 25 000 over placebo in patients with PEI after pancreatic surgery, measured by change in CFA. Pancreatin was generally well tolerated at the high dose administered (EudraCT registration number: 2005‐004854‐29).
The water–energy–food (WEF) nexus has become a popular, and potentially powerful, frame through which to analyse interactions and interdependencies between these three systems. Though the case for ...transdisciplinary research in this space has been made, the extent of stakeholder engagement in research remains limited with stakeholders most commonly incorporated in research as end-users. Yet, stakeholders interact with nexus issues in a variety of ways, consequently there is much that collaboration might offer to develop nexus research and enhance its application. This paper outlines four aspects of nexus research and considers the value and potential challenges for transdisciplinary research in each. We focus on assessing and visualising nexus systems; understanding governance and capacity building; the importance of scale; and the implications of future change. The paper then proceeds to describe a novel mixed-method study that deeply integrates stakeholder knowledge with insights from multiple disciplines. We argue that mixed-method research designs—in this case orientated around a number of cases studies—are best suited to understanding and addressing real-world nexus challenges, with their inevitable complex, non-linear system characteristics. Moreover, integrating multiple forms of knowledge in the manner described in this paper enables research to assess the potential for, and processes of, scaling-up innovations in the nexus space, to contribute insights to policy and decision making.
The objective of this study was to monitor the viability during storage of Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 (A), Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis BB-12 (B), and Streptococcus thermophilus CHCC ...742/2130 (T) in probiotic cultured dairy foods made from pasteurized camel, cow, goat, and sheep milks fermented by an ABT-type culture. The products manufactured were stored at 4°C for 42d. Microbiological analyses were performed at weekly intervals. Streptococcus thermophilus CHCC 742/2130 was the most numerous culture component in all 4 products both at the beginning and at the end of storage. The viable counts of streptococci showed no significant decline in fermented camel milk throughout the entire storage period. The initial numbers of Lb. acidophilus LA-5 were over 2 orders of magnitude lower than those of Strep. thermophilus CHCC 742/2130. With the progress of time, a slow and constant decrease was observed in lactobacilli counts; however, the final viability percentages of this organism did not differ significantly in the probiotic fermented milks tested. The cultured dairy foods made from cow, sheep, and goat milks had comparable B. animalis ssp. lactis BB-12 counts on d 0, exceeding by approximately 0.5 log10 cycle those in the camel milk-based product. No significant losses occurred in viability of bifidobacteria in fermented camel, cow, and sheep milks during 6wk of refrigerated storage. In conclusion, all 4 varieties of milk proved to be suitable raw materials for the manufacture of ABT-type fermented dairy products that were microbiologically safe and beneficial for human consumption. It was suggested that milk from small ruminants be increasingly used to produce probiotic fermented dairy foods. The development of camel milk-based probiotic cultured milks appears to be even more promising because new markets could thus be conquered. It must be emphasized, however, that further microbiological and sensory studies, technology development activities, and market research are needed before such food products can be successfully commercialized.
Background
Hereditary angioedema is a potentially life‐threatening disorder, because edema occurring in the mucosa of the upper airways can lead to suffocation. The management of HAE consists of ...avoiding the triggering factors, prophylaxis, and the acute treatment of edematous episodes. Medical procedures can also provoke edematous attacks, and therefore, short‐term prophylaxis (STP) is recommended before such interventions. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of STP administered before medical procedures.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective analysis before and a prospective survey after establishing the diagnosis in a group of 137 (60 males, 77 females; 20 pediatric and 117 adult) patients with HAE. Both were implemented using questionnaires, patient diaries and hospital charts focusing on medical interventions provoking edematous attack, and the medicinal products (C1‐INH concentrate, tranexamic acid, and danazol) administered for STP.
Results
Comparing surgical interventions performed without pre‐event STP (in 39/89 patients before HAE was diagnosed), or after STP (in 3/55 cases after diagnosis), we found a significant (P < 0.0001, Fisher's exact test) reduction in the number of edematous episodes. Evaluating the efficacy of the drugs administered for STP revealed that C1‐INH concentrate (Berinert®, CSL Behring, Marburg, Germany) was significantly (P = 0.0096, Fisher's exact test) superior to orally administered drugs in reducing the instances of postprocedural edema. None of the medicinal products caused adverse events potentially related to STP.
Conclusions
STP reduces the number of postprocedural edematous episodes. C1‐INH concentrate is safe and effective for prophylaxis. When this agent is not available, danazol is a potential alternative for prophylaxis before elective medical interventions.
Structural and magnetic characterization of isotropic Mn-Al-C bulk samples obtained by spark plasma sintering (SPS) is reported. This technique, to the best of our knowledge, has not been used for ...preparation of Mn-Al-based permanent magnets previously. Transformation from the parent -phase to the ferromagnetic τ-phase occurred on heating in the process of sintering. The phase constitution of the melt-spun precursors and consolidated samples was determined by x-ray diffraction. Magnetic hysteresis loops were recorded using a vibrating sample magnetometer. The compositional dependence of the coercivity, magnetization and density of the sintered materials is analysed. To combine good magnetic properties with proper densification, further optimization of the production parameters is necessary.
Electric explosions of amorphous ribbons (Fe
45
Co
45
Zr
7
B
3
HITPERM, Fe
73.5
Si
15.5
B
7
Nb
3
Cu
1
FINEMET, and bulk amorphous Fe
71.6
Mn
0.6
Si
3.4
C
12.3
B
12.2
) were studied in water and for ...the bulk amorphous alloy in ethylene glycol, in order to study whether the amorphous state can be preserved in the process. Formed products were collected and analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy. Chemical reactions have taken place in large extent between melted and evaporated components of ribbons and the decomposed cooling media. The oxidation reactions removed quickly the glass-forming elements (Zr, B, Si) from the metallic particles. Oxides were formed both on surface of globules and in separate phases from evaporated components. The amorphous state was partly retained in FINEMET, and to a greater extent in bulk amorphous alloy. Chemical interactions were more limited in ethylene glycol and carbon atoms formed from the decomposed coolant contributed to stabilization of amorphous phase.
Graphical abstract
A survey of soft magnetic nanocomposites will be given laying emphasis on different methods and technologies to increase the frequency and high working temperature limit. The eddy current limited ...frequency range can be enhanced by reducing the initial permeability and sample thickness and by increasing the electrical resistivity. Selecting high Curie temperature components and hereby increasing the decoupling temperature can raise the working temperature. For metal–metal type nanocrystalline alloys (known as Finemet and Nanoperm) the effective permeability is reduced by transversal induced anisotropies applying nanocrystalizing heat treatments under magnetic field or mechanical stress. The stress annealed Finemet (with effective permeability as low as 200) was found to be suitable for applications up to 250
°C and 400
kHz. The magnetic field annealing induces comparable high transversal anisotropy in Co doped Finemet only. The newly developed Fe–Fe oxide type electrodeposited multilayers and plasma sprayed bulk amorphous +ZrO composites are promising materials for surface mounted inductive elements applicable up to 1
MHz.
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