Probiotic-fermented milk is commonly used to maintain intestinal health. However, the effects of heat-treated fermented milk, which does not contain live microorganisms, on intestinal function are ...not yet fully understood. This study aimed to investigate whether heat-treated Lactobacillus helveticus CP790-fermented milk affects fecal microbiota and gut health as a “postbiotic”. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in healthy Japanese individuals aged 20–59 years with a tendency toward constipation. Participants consumed 100 mL of either the test beverage (n = 60) or placebo beverage (n = 60) for four weeks. The test beverages were prepared with heat-treated CP790-fermented milk, while the placebo beverages were prepared with nonfermented milk flavored with lactic acid. Fecal samples were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Constipation symptoms were assessed using defecation logs and the Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptoms (PAC-SYM) questionnaire. Mood state was also assessed using the Profile of Mood States 2 (POMS2) questionnaire to explore its potential as a “psychobiotic”. Desulfobacterota were significantly decreased by CP790-fermented milk intake. PICRUSt2 analysis predicted a decrease in the proportion of genes involved in the sulfate reduction pathway following the consumption of CP790-fermented milk. The CP790-fermented milk intervention significantly improved stool consistency and straining during defecation. These improvements were correlated with a decrease in Desulfobacterota. After the intervention, overall mood, expressed as total mood disturbance, and depression–dejection were significantly better in the CP790 group than in the placebo group. These results suggest that the intake of CP790-fermented milk could be effective in modulating gut microbiota and improving constipation symptoms and mood states.
Recent studies suggest that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) activation ameliorates metabolic disorders, including dyslipidemia. To identify an effective PPAR agonist, we screened ...the in vitro PPARα/γ activation ability of organic solvent extracts from food-oriented bacterial strains belonging to 5 genera and 32 species, including lactic acid bacteria, and of these, Lactobacillus amylovorus CP1563 demonstrated the highest PPARα/γ agonist activity. We also found that physical fragmentation of the strain could substitute organic solvent extraction for the expression of CP1563 activity in vitro. For functional food manufacturing, we selected the fragmented CP1563 and conducted subsequent animal experiments. In an obese mouse model, we found that treatment with fragmented CP1563 for 12 weeks decreased the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and triglyceride in plasma, significantly decreased the atherosclerosis index, and increased the plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol level. Thus, we conclude that fragmented CP1563 may be a candidate for the prevention and treatment of dyslipidemia.
Mechanically strong all-cellulose composites are very attractive in the terms of fully bio-based and bio-degradable materials. Unidirectional flax-based all-cellulose composites are prepared via ...facile room-temperature impregnation with an ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium acetate. To determine the optimal processing conditions, the kinetics of flax dissolution in this solvent is first studied using optical microscopy. Composite morphology, crystallinity, density, the volume fraction of cellulose II and tensile properties are investigated, indicating that flax dissolution should be within certain limits. On the one hand, the amount of cellulose II formed through dissolution and coagulation should be high enough to "fuse" flax fibers, resulting in a density increase. On the other hand, only the surface layer of the fibers should be dissolved to maintain the strength provided by the inner secondary layer and avoid a detrimental decrease in crystallinity. The highest Young's modulus and strength, 10.1 GPa and 151.3 MPa, respectively, are obtained with a crystallinity of 43% and 20 vol% of cellulose II.
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•Top long-distance runners daily took heat-inactivated Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305.•CP2305 intake lightened fatigue and improved mental state in the athletes.•CP2305 intake increased ...α- and β-diversities of fecal microbiota.•CP2305 intake corrected altered-expression of mitochondrial function-related genes.
The heat-inactivated, enteric-colonizing Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 (CP2305) ameliorates psychological stress-related symptoms. In this study, we examined effects of CP2305 on top athletes experiencing physical and mental stresses. Forty-nine male university Ekiden (long distance relay race) runners daily took the CP2305-containing beverage for 12 weeks during training for and competing in All-Japan university championships. The CP2305 intake significantly facilitated recovery from fatigue and relieved anxiety and depressive mood, compared with placebo intake. The CP2305 intake significantly prevented the training-induced reduction of hemoglobin and facilitated exercise-induced increase in serum growth hormone levels. The CP2305 intake significantly increased the alpha- and beta-diversities of fecal microbiota, and the compositions of Bifidobacterium and Faecalibacterium. Gene expression profiling of peripheral blood leukocytes indicated that CP2305 prevented the stress-induced changes in the expression of genes related to mitochondrial functions. Our results suggest that daily intake of paraprobiotic CP2305 may be beneficial to athletes facing stressful situations.
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•Effects of Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 on premenstrual symptoms were investigated.•CP2305 tablets reduced self-reporting of “depressed mood” by healthy young women.•Water ...retention-related symptoms unchanged with CP2305 but reduced in placebo group.•CP2305 tablets affect changes in salivary reproductive hormones in the luteal phase.
Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 (CP2305) ameliorates stress-induced symptoms in young adults. In this study, we evaluated the effects of CP2305 on the premenstrual symptoms of healthy young women. Fifty-six women ingested CP2305 or placebo tablets over the course of six menstrual cycles. The CP2305 group reported fewer premenstrual symptoms than the placebo group, particularly psychological symptoms, such as depressed mood and anxiety. Whereas water retention-related physical symptom scores, such as those for breast tenderness and swelling, were reduced in the placebo group, they remained unchanged in the CP2305 group. In addition, significant differences were observed in the changes from baseline levels of salivary estradiol and progesterone in the luteal phase between the two groups, resulting in sustained elevated levels of reproductive hormones in the CP2305 group. Therefore, daily intake of CP2305 tablets might improve the premenstrual psychological symptoms of healthy young women in association with changes in reproductive hormone levels.
•Paraprobiotic Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 improved stress and sleep quality.•CP2305 intake lowered salivary cortisol concentrations.•Parasympathetic nerve activity was dominant after CP2305 ...intake.•CP2305 intake improved the bowel habits of subjects suffering from chronic stress.•CP2305 intake suppressed the expression of stress-responsive miRNAs.
Administration of Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 for 4weeks improved stress-associated behaviours in healthy young adults and clinical symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. The present study was designed to confirm the stress-relieving effects of heat-inactivated, washed CP2305 (paraprobiotic CP2305) on 69 sixth-year medical students (40 males and 29 females) preparing to take the national examination for medical practitioners. Administration of the paraprobiotic CP2305 for 12weeks significantly improved sleep quality assessed by both the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and a one-channel sleep electroencephalogram during the pre-examination period compared with that of the placebo administration. The paraprobiotic CP2305 administration also prevented increases in basal salivary cortisol release and expression of stress-responsive microRNAs (miR-144 and miR-144∗). In addition to the improvement in parasympathetic nerve activity, the paraprobiotic CP2305 normalized the bowel habits under the stressful conditions. Based on these results, we propose that paraprobiotic CP2305 may be used as a para-psychobiotic.
•Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 (CP2305) intake ameliorated stress-related symptoms.•CP2305 intake lowered salivary cortisol concentrations.•CP2305 intake improved the intestinal microbiota composition ...that was affected by stress.•CP2305 intake recovered the expression of EIF2-related genes that were suppressed by stress.
Increasing recognition of the interaction between the brain and gut microbiota has spurred interest in the efficacy of probiotics on stress-related behaviours. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 (CP2305) on mental and physical states in healthy male students enrolled in a cadaver dissection course in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover-designed trial. Daily administration of CP2305 for 4weeks significantly improved anxiety, depressive mood and global sleep quality compared with placebo. CP2305 also suppressed salivary cortisol release. In the faecal microbiota, CP2305 suppressed the growth of Enterobacteriaceae. Differential changes in gene expression in peripheral blood leukocytes during the administration period were observed between the placebo and CP2305 groups. Eukaryotic initiation factor 2-related genes were down-regulated only in the placebo group. Thus, the ingestion of CP2305 may have beneficial effects on stress-associated behaviours.
All-cellulose composites (ACCs) were prepared from filter paper via partial dissolution in the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, and material tensile properties were investigated ...using various approaches. One is based on data directly taken from a tensile testing machine, and the other uses two-cameras stereovision with digital image correlation (DIC) technique. In the latter case, virtual extensometer with different locations on the sample and averaging over sample surface were tested. Nominal and true stress–strain dependences were built and Young's modulus, tensile strength, elongation at maximal stress and toughness were evaluated as a function of ACC density. A minor difference was observed for the stress–strain dependences derived from different approaches which use the DIC technique, most probably because of low ACC deformation. However, the results reveal that the nominal stress–strain curve from DIC is significantly different from that which is directly derived from the data provided by machine sensors thus strongly impacting Young’s modulus and elongation at break values. This study provides an insight into the evaluation of the mechanical properties of ACCs.
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The production of cellulose-based textile fibers with high toughness is vital for extending the longevity and thus developing a sustainable textile industry by reducing the global burden of ...microplastics. This study presented strategies to improve fiber toughness by tuning spinneret geometries. Experimental studies were conducted by spinning with different spinneret geometries and measuring the mechanical and structural properties of the spun fibers. In addition, numerical simulation tools were used to better understand the effects of spinneret geometry. The altering parameters of the spinneret geometries were the capillary diameters D, the angle of the entry cone into the spinning capillary, and the ratio of capillary length to diameter L/D. The highest fiber toughness could be achieved at a capillary aspect ratio of 1 to 2. The obtained maximum fiber toughness was 93 MPa with a tensile strength of 60 cN/tex and a concomitant elongation of 16.5%. For these fiber properties, a 13 wt% solution of a high-purity pulp with higher viscosity in DBNHOAc was spun into a 1.3 dtex fiber using a D100 spinneret with a capillary of 1:1 length/diameter and an entrance angle of 8°. It was noticeable that the microvoid orientations decreased almost linearly with increasing toughness of the fibers. The morphologies of the fibers were similar regardless of the spinneret geometries and the raw materials used in the spinning process. In summary, by modulating the spinneret geometries, Ioncell fibers obtained high toughness that have the potential to replace synthetic fibers.
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