Sucrose, Lactose, and Xylitol Exposures Affect Biofilm Formation of Streptococcus mutans

Abstract Objective: To determine the level of biofilm formation of S. mutans after being exposed to 5% sucrose, 8% lactose, or 1% xylitol. Material and Methods: This research was a laboratory-based experimental study with post-test only control group design. S. mutans was grown in test tubes containing tryptose soy broth (TSB) medium supplemented with 1% glucose. They were incubated at 37° C for 24 hours to grow the biofilms. The culture was then exposed to 5% sucrose, 8% lactose or 1% xylitol, incubated for 24 hours at 37° C, and examined using ELISA at a wavelength of 625 nm. The statistical analysis was performed using a one-way analysis of variance followed by the least significant difference test (a=0.05). Results: There were some differences in the biofilm formation of S. mutans after exposure to 5% sucrose, 8% lactose, or 1% xylitol (p<0.05). An LSD test indicated significant differences among the biofilm formations after exposure to 5% sucrose and 8% lactose and between 5% sucrose and 1% xylitol. In comparison, there were no significant differences (p>0.05) between 8% lactose and 1% xylitol. Conclusion: Sucrose, lactose and xylitol can form biofilms and the formation of lactose biofilms is the same as xylitol.

Development of a new protocol for freeze-drying preservation of Pseudoalteromonas nigrifaciens and its protective effect on other marine bacteria

Background: Freeze-drying is known as one of the best methods to preserve bacterial strains. Protectant is the key factor affecting the survival rate of freeze-dried strains. In addition, salinity, bacterial suspension concentration, drying time, and other factors can also affect the survival rate of strains to varying degrees. At present, there are relatively few studies on freeze-drying preservation of marine bacteria. In the present study, we performed the freeze-drying protectant screening and optimized the preservation conditions for Pseudoalteromonas nigrifaciens, which is widely distributed in marine environment. The protective effects of the screened protectants were verified by 18 other marine bacterial strains. Results: The results indicated that the combination of 5.0% (w/v) lactose, 5.0% (w/v) mannitol, 5.0% (w/v) trehalose, 10.0% (w/v) skim milk powder, 0.5% (w/v) ascorbic acid and 0.5% (w/v) gelatin was the best choice for the preservation of P. nigrifaciens. The suggested salinity and concentration of initial cell suspension were 10 g/L NaCl and 1.0 × 109 CFU/mL, respectively. Furthermore, stationary-phase cells were the best choice for the freeze-drying process. The highest survival rate of P. nigrifaciens reached 52.8% when using 5­10% (w/v) skim milk as rehydration medium. Moreover, the other 18 marine strains belonging to Pseudoalteromonas, Vibrio, Photobacterium, Planomicrobium, Edwardsiella, Enterococcus, Bacillus, and Saccharomyces were freezedried under the abovementioned conditions. Their survival rates were 2.3­95.1%. Conclusion: Collectively, our results supported that the protectant mixture and parameters were beneficial for lyophilization of marine bacteria

Rhoifolin regulates oxidative stress and proinflammatory cytokine levels in Freund's adjuvant-induced rheumatoid arthritis via inhibition of NF-κB

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease of knee joints involving pain and inflammation. Rhoifolin is a plant flavonoid known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study was taken to identify the effect of rhoifolin on complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis in the rat model. Treatment with rhoifolin (10 and 20 mg/kg) showed a significant improvement in the overall health parameters such as paw edema and weight loss. This improvement in morphological parameters corroborated the findings with gross morphological changes observed in the histopathological analysis. Rhoifolin treatment also caused a significant decrease in oxidative stress, evident from changes in intracellular levels of glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, malondialdehyde, and superoxide dismutase in the articular cartilage tissue. Moreover, proinflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin(IL)-1β, and IL-6 showed a significant downregulation of gene expression and intracellular protein concentration levels. The NF-κB pathway showed a significant attenuation as evident in the significant reduction in the levels of NF-κB p65 and p-IκB-α. These results indicated that rhoifolin can be a natural therapeutic alternative to the extant regimens, which include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and immunosuppressants. Additionally, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action of rhoifolin was probably mediated by the NF-κB pathway. However, the exact target molecules of this pathway need to be determined in further studies.

Uso de disacáridos y carbón activado para preservar consorcios de bacterias ruminales celulolíticas liofilizadas / Use of disaccharides and activated carbon to preserve cellulolytic ruminal bacterial consortiums lyophilized

RESUMEN Objetivo. Determinar la fermentación in vitro de consorcios bacterianos ruminales celulolíticos (CBC) conservados por liofilización usando carbón activado, maltosa y lactosa como preservadores. Materiales y métodos. Un CBC se aisló de fluido ruminal de una búfala de agua en medios selectivos celulolíticos. Los CBC se liofilizaron con carbón activado (CA), lactosa (LA) o maltosa (MA) como preservadores y sin preservador (SP). El diseño experimental fue completamente al azar para medir biogás a diferentes intervalos de tiempo; así como, un diseño completamente al azar con arreglo factorial 4x3, los factores fueron preservadores (SP, CA, LA y MA) y tiempo de fermentación (24, 48 y 72 h) para pH, nitrógeno amoniacal (N-NH3), degradación de materia seca (DMS) y de fibra detergente neutro (DFDN), actividad enzimática celulasas y la población de bacterias totales. Resultados. LA produjo mayor biogás acumulado a las 72 h y parcial a partir de las 12 h (p≤0.05). SP no mostró diferencias (p>0.05) en celulasas, conteo de bacterias total, DMS y DFDN en los tiempos de fermentación evaluados con el resto de los preservadores. Conclusiones. La producción de biogás parcial y acumulada, el aumento en la tasa de degradación de 8.3 y 91.1 % en la DMS y DFDN de las 24 a 72 h (p≤0.05) con el preservador LA, muestran que la lactosa puede usarse como preservador de bacterias celulolíticas ruminales.

ABSTRACT Objective. To determine in vitro fermentation of cellulolytic ruminal bacterial consortia (CBC) preserved by lyophilization using activated carbon, maltose and lactose as preservatives. Materials and methods. A CBC was isolated from the ruminal fluid of a female water buffalo in selective cellulolytic media. The CBC were lyophilized without preservative (SP), activated carbon (CA), lactose (LA) o maltose (MA) as preservatives. The experimental design was completely random to measure biogas at different time intervals; as well as completely random with 4x3 factorial arrangement, factors were preservative [SP, CA, LA and MA] and fermentation time (24, 48 and 72 h) for pH, ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N), dry matter degradation (DMD), neutral detergent fiber degradation (NDFD), enzymatic activity cellulases and total bacteria population. Results. LA produced higher accumulated biogas at 72 h and partial biogas after 12 h (p≤0.05). SP did not show differences (p>0.05) in cellulases, total bacteria population, DMD and NDFD in the fermentation times evaluated with the rest of the preservative. Conclusions. The production of partial and accumulated biogas, the increase in the degradation rate of 8.3 and 91.1% in the DMD and NDFD from 24 to 72 h (p≤0.05) in the LA preservative, show that lactose can be used as a preservative of ruminal cellulolytic bacteria.

Low FODMAPs diet for functional abdominal pain disorders in children: critical review of current knowledge / Dieta com baixo teor de FODMAPs para distúrbios de dor abdominal funcional em crianças: revisão crítica do conhecimento atual

ABSTRACT Objective: This narrative review aimed to provide practitioners a synthesis of the current knowledge on the role of a low Fermentable Oligosaccharides Disaccharides Monosaccharides and Polyols diet in reducing symptoms associated with functional abdominal pain disorders in children. This review is focused on the pathophysiology, efficacy and criticism of low Fermentable Oligosaccharides Disaccharides Monosaccharides and Polyols diet in children. Sources: Cochrane Database, Pubmed and Embase were searched using specific terms for Fermentable Oligosaccharides Disaccharides Monosaccharides and Polyols diet interventions and functional abdominal pain disorders. Summary of the findings: In children, only one Randomized Control Trial and one open-label study reported positive results of low Fermentable Oligosaccharides Disaccharides Monosaccharides and Polyols diet; one Randomized Control Trial showed exacerbation of symptoms with fructans in children with Irritable Bowel Syndrome; no effect was found for the lactose-free diet whilst fructose-restricted diets were effective in 5/6 studies. Conclusions: In children there are few trials evaluating low Fermentable Oligosaccharides Disaccharides Monosaccharides and Polyols in functional abdominal pain disorders, with encouraging data on the therapeutic efficacy particularly of fructose-restricted diet. Additional efforts are still needed to fill this research gap and clarify the most efficient way for tailoring dietary restrictions based on the patient's tolerance and/or identification of potential biomarkers of low Fermentable Oligosaccharides Disaccharides Monosaccharides and Polyols efficacy, to maintain nutritional adequacy and to simplify the adherence to diet by labeling Fermentable Oligosaccharides Disaccharides Monosaccharides and Polyols content in commercial products.

RESUMO Objetivo: Nos últimos anos, foram feitos esforços consideráveis para esclarecer o papel da dieta com baixo teor de oligossacarídeos fermentáveis, dissacarídeos, monossacarídeos e polióis (FODMAPs) para o tratamento de distúrbios gastrintestinais funcionais (DGIFs). Esta revisão narrativa teve como objetivo fornecer aos profissionais uma síntese do conhecimento atual sobre o papel de uma dieta com baixo teor de FODMAPs (BFM) na redução dos sintomas associados a distúrbios funcionais de dor abdominal (DFDA) em crianças. Esta revisão está focada na fisiopatologia, eficácia e crítica da dieta BFM em crianças. Fontes: O banco de dados Cochrane, Pubmed e Embase foram pesquisados com o uso dos termos específicos para intervenções na dieta FODMAP e DFDA. Resumo dos achados: Em crianças, apenas um estudo controlado randomizado e um estudo aberto relataram resultados positivos da dieta BFM; um estudo controlado randomizado mostrou exacerbação dos sintomas com frutanos em crianças com síndrome do intestino irritável; nenhum efeito foi encontrado para a dieta livre de lactose, enquanto dietas com restrição de frutose foram eficazes em 5/6 estudos. Conclusões: Existem poucos estudos que avaliam BFM em DFDA em crianças, com dados encorajadores sobre a eficácia terapêutica, particularmente de dietas com restrição de frutose. Esforços adicionais ainda são necessários para preencher essa lacuna de pesquisa e esclarecer a maneira mais eficiente de adaptar as restrições dietéticas com base na tolerância do paciente e/ou identificação de biomarcadores potenciais de eficácia da BFM, para manter a adequação nutricional e simplificar a adesão à dieta, ao incluir informações sobre conteúdo de FODMAPs em rótulos de produtos comerciais.

Consumo de mono, di, oligo sacáridos y polioles fermentables (FODMAPs), una nueva fuente de sintomatología gastrointestinal / Fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPS)

An increasing number of children and adults are currently suffering symptoms due to FODMAP (Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols) consumption. These carbohydrates are poorly digested in the human gastrointestinal tract, exerting an osmotic effect in the small intestine. In the colon, they become substrates to the microbiota. Microbial fermentation explains symptoms such as abdominal distention (postprandial fullness), bloating and flatulence, abdominal pain and loose feces or diarrhea. There are no standardized methods to measure them in daily clinical work. Daily tolerance and the no-effect doses are unclear. How to diagnose and treat FODMAP associated symptoms is also controversial. In this review, we aim to define FODMAP, their associated symptoms and the current techniques for assessing them. The low-FODMAP diet is described and how to implement it.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome / 대한소화기학회지

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder. Its diagnosis is based on symptoms, and the Rome IV criteria are recognized as the gold diagnostic standard. The Korean Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (KSNM) recently updated their clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of IBS, which were last issued in 2011. In this updated edition, the KSNM defines IBS as a chronic, recurrent symptom complex that includes abdominal pain or discomfort, changes in bowel habits, and bloating for at least 6 months, which is somewhat broader than the previous definition. Four major topics have been changed in the up-dated version in-line with the results of recent studies, that is, colonoscopy; a diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols; probiotics; and rifaximin. Herein, we review the 2017 revised edition of the KSNM with respect to recommended clinical practice guidelines for IBS and compare these with other guidelines.

Dieta baja en oligosacáridos, disacáridos, monosacáridos y polioles fermentables y calidad de vida en pacientes con síndrome de intestino irritable en Colombia / Diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols, and quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome in Colombia

Resumen Introducción. Cada vez hay más información sobre la efectividad de una dieta baja en oligosacáridos, disacáridos, monosacáridos y polioles fermentables (Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols, FODMAP) en pacientes con síndrome de intestino irritable. Sin embargo, no hay estudios que estimen la eficacia de esta estrategia en nuestro medio. Objetivo. Determinar el efecto de una dieta baja en FODMAP en la calidad de vida y en la intensidad de los síntomas en pacientes con síndrome de intestino irritable en Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Se recopiló información clínica y demográfica de todos los pacientes en el momento de su inclusión; después, un encuestador entrenado utilizó la encuesta Irritable Bowel Syndrome Quality of Life (IBS-QoL) para estimar la calidad de vida de los pacientes. La intensidad de los síntomas se evaluó mediante una escala visual, antes y después del inicio de la dieta baja en FODMAP. Resultados. La muestra final incluyó a 50 personas. Se observó una reducción significativa de todos los síntomas (reducción promedio de todas las escalas: 19,8 mm; IC95%: 16,2-23,4 mm; p<0,001), y un incremento en todas las escalas de la IBS-QoL, incluida la de resumen global de la encuesta (14,7 puntos; IC95%: 9,4-20,1; p<0,001). El sexo, la edad, el índice de masa corporal, el estado socioeconómico y el régimen de salud, no se asociaron con la mejoría de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud. Conclusión. La dieta supervisada y baja en FODMAP disminuyó los síntomas y mejoró la calidad de vida en pacientes con síndrome de intestino irritable. Es necesario hacer estudios controlados sobre otros factores ligados a la evolución del síndrome para confirmar estos resultados.

Abstract Introduction: A growing body of evidence has pointed out the effectiveness of a diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. However, there are no local studies to estimate the effects of this strategy on the symptoms and the health-related quality of life in these patients in Colombia or Latin America. Objective: To determine the effect of a diet low in FODMAP on the quality of life and the severity of symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome in Colombia. Materials and methods: We collected clinical and demographic information of all patients at the time of inclusion. Immediately afterwards, a trained interviewer applied the IBS-QoL survey to estimate the quality of life of patients. Then, we evaluated the intensity of the symptoms using an analogue visual scale, before and after the diet low in FODMAP. Results: We included 50 subjects in the final analysis. We observed an increase in all the IBS-QoL scales (average increase in overall summary: 14.7 points, 95% CI: 9.4 to 20.1; p<0.001) and a significant reduction in all symptoms (-19.8 mm; 95% CI: 23.4 mm 16.2 mm; p<0.001). Sex, age, body mass index, socioeconomic status and the health care provider were not associated with the improvement in the health-related quality of life. Conclusion: A low diet in FODMAP reduced symptoms and improved quality of life in Colombian patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Controlled studies taking into account other factors linked to the severity of irritable bowel syndrome are required.

Use of Dietary Management in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Results of a Survey of Over 1500 United States Gastroenterologists

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Dietary therapy is increasingly used to manage gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We aim to gauge United States gastroenterologists’ perceptions of dietary therapies for IBS. METHODS: We distributed a 22-question survey to members of the American College of Gastroenterology. The survey was developed by gastroenterologists and survey methodologists. We collected information pertaining to demographics, providers’ interpretation of their patients’ views on dietary therapy, and gastroenterologists’ perceptions on dietary therapy, and nutritional counseling in IBS. RESULTS: One thousand five hundred and sixty-two (14%) surveys were collected. Nearly 60% of participants reported that patients commonly associate food with GI symptoms. IBS patients most commonly use a trial and error approach followed by a lactose-free and gluten-free diet, and rarely use a low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP) diet on their own. Over half of providers recommend diet therapy to > 75% of IBS patients and most commonly recommend a low FODMAP diet. Only 21% of gastroenterologists commonly refer IBS patients to registered dietitians, and only 30% use GI dietitians. Female providers were more likely than males to recommend dietary changes as the primary mode of therapy (OR, 1.43 [1.09–1.88]; P = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Our national survey identified enthusiasm for diet treatment of IBS. While patients infrequently tried a low FODMAP diet on their own, GI providers commonly recommended this diet. Only a minority of GI providers refer their IBS patients to a registered dietitian for nutrition counseling and few refer patients to dietitians with specialized GI training. Female providers were more enthusiastic about diet therapies than males.

Review of the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Korea, 2017 Revised Edition / 대한소화기학회지

This guidance is an updated version of the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) guidelines based on evidence-based medicine. IBS is a common chronic gastrointestinal syndrome that occurs in approximately 10% of the population and causes chronic abdominal pain as well as bowel habit changes, such as stool frequency or consistency. The final diagnosis of IBS is based on the exclusion of organic diseases that would explain the symptoms and the absence of endoscopic abnormalities. IBS can reduce the quality of life and cause a major disease burden, such as repeated examinations and continuous drug use, by mistaking organic diseases including malignancy. The major changes are as follows: 1) when to perform a colonoscopy under the impression of IBS; 2) effect of a low-fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyol diet; 3) impact of probiotics in IBS; and 4) role of antibiotics in IBS. The Korean Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility recently updated these guidelines to support physicians for qualified medical services and reduce the socioeconomic burden of IBS.

The m-rna, expression of serca2 and ncx1 in the process of pharmacological cell protection in experimental acute pancreatitis induced by taurocholate / Expressão do rna-m, da serca2 e do ncx1 no processo de proteção celular farmacológica na pancreatite aguda experimental induzida por taurocolato

ABSTRACT Background: Intracellular calcium overload is known to be a precipitating factor of pancreatic cell injury in acute pancreatitis (AP). Intracellular calcium homeostasis depends of Plasmatic Membrane Calcium ATPase (PMCA), Sarcoplasmic Endothelial Reticulum Calcium ATPase 2 (SERCA 2) and the Sodium Calcium Exchanger (NCX1). The antioxidant melatonin (Mel) and Trisulfate Disaccharide (TD) that accelerates NCX1 action could reduce the cell damage determined by the AP. Aim: To evaluate m-RNA expressions of SERCA2 and NCX1 in acute pancreatitis induced by sodium taurocholate in Wistar rats pre-treated with melatonin and/or TD. Methods: Wistar rats were divided in groups: 1) without AP; 2) AP without pre-treatment; 3) AP and Melatonin; 4) AP and TD; 5) AP and Melatonin associated to TD. Pancreatic tissue samples were collected for detection of SERCA2 and NCX1 m-R NA levels by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Increased m-RNA expression of SERCA2 in the melatonin treated group, without increase of m-RNA expression of the NCX1. The TD did not affect levels of SERCA2 and NCX1 m-RNA expressions. The combined melatonin and TD treatment reduced the m-RNA expression of SERCA2. Conclusions: The effect of melatonin is restricted to increased m-RNA expression of SERCA2. Although TD does not affect gene expression, its action in accelerating calcium exchanger function can explain the slightest expression of SERCA2 m-RNA when associated with Melatonin, perhaps by a joint action of drugs with different and but possibly complementary mechanisms.

RESUMO Racional: A lesão celular da pancreatite aguda (PA) envolve sobrecarga de cálcio, regulada pela atividade da Cálcio ATPase de membrana (PMCA), Cálcio ATPase do Retículo (SERCA2) e pelo Trocador Sódio Cálcio (NCX1). A melatonina (antioxidante) e o Dissacarídeo Trissulfatado (acelerador do NCX1) poderiam reduzir a lesão celular na PA. Objetivo: Avaliar a expressão do RNAm da SERCA2 e NCX1 em modelo animal de pancreatite aguda tratados com melatonina e/ou dissacarídeo trissulfatado (DT). Método: Ratos Wistar foram divididos em grupos: 1) sem pancreatite aguda; 2) com pancreatite aguda por taurocolato; 3) PA e Melatonina; 4) PA e DT; 5) PA e Melatonina com DT. Amostras de tecido foram colhidas para detecção dos níveis de RNAm da SERCA2 e NCX1 por PCR. Resultados: Houve aumento da expressão do RNAm da SERCA2 no grupo com PA tratados com Melatonina, porém sem aumento de expressão do NCX1. O DT não afetou os níveis de SERCA2 e NCX1. O tratamento conjunto com Melatonina e DT diminuiu a expressão da SERCA2. Conclusões: O efeito da Melatonina é restrito ao aumento da expressão da SERCA2. O DT não tem ação na expressão gênica, porém sua ação na aceleração do trocador na retirada do cálcio pode explicar a menor expressão da SERCA2 quando associado à Melatonina, pela ação conjunta de drogas com mecanismos diferentes e possivelmente complementares.

An UHPLC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of quercetin 3-O-rutinoside, kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside, isorhamnetin 3-O-rutinoside, bilobalide and ligustrazine in rat plasma, and its application to pharmacokinetic study of Xingxiong injection / 中国天然药物

The present study was designed to develop and validate a rapid, sensitive, and reliable ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method for the simultaneous determination of five major active constituents in the traditional Chinese medicinal preparation Xingxiong injection (XXI) in rat plasma, including quercetin 3-O-rutinoside (QCR), kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside (KFR), isorhamnetin 3-O-rutinoside (ISR), bilobalide (BB), and ligustrazine (LGT). The plasma samples were pretreated by protein precipitation with acetonitrile. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a Waters Symmetry C analytical column (2.1 mm × 100 mm, 3.5 μm) with a mobile phase of 0.1% aqueous formic acid (A)-acetonitrile (B). Quantitation of the five bioactive constituents was achieved. Naringin was used as the internal standard (IS). All the calibration curves showed good linearity (r > 0.996) over the concentration range, with the lowest limit of quantification (LLOQ) between 2-18 ng·mL. The intra- and inter-day accuracy and precision of the analytes were both within acceptable limits. Moreover, satisfactory extraction recoveries (90.92%-104.03%) were obtained by protein precipitation. The validated method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of XXI in rats after intravenous administration at three doses. The pharmacokinetic parameters of the five compounds varied in a dose-dependent manner within the tested dosage range. The present study was the first report of pharmacokinetic study for XXI.

Soluble carbohydrate content variation in Sanionia uncinata and Polytrichastrum alpinum, two Antarctic mosses with contrasting desiccation capacities

BACKGROUND: Cryptogamic vegetation dominates the ice-free areas along the Antarctic Peninsula. The two mosses Sanionia uncinata and Polytrichastrum alpinum inhabit soils with contrasting water availability. Sanionia uncinata grows in soil with continuous water supply, while P. alpinum grows in sandy, non-flooded soils. Desiccation and rehydration experiments were carried out to test for differences in the rate of water loss and uptake, with non-structural carbohydrates analysed to test their role in these processes. RESULTS: Individual plants of S. uncinata lost water 60 % faster than P. alpinum; however, clumps of S. uncinata took longer to dry than those of P. alpinum (11 vs. 5 h, respectively). In contrast, rehydration took less than 10 min for both mosses. Total non-structural carbohydrate content was higher in P. alpinum than in S. uncinata, but sugar levels changed more in P. alpinum during desiccation and rehydration (60-50 %) when compared to S. uncinata. We report the presence of galactinol (a precursor of the raffinose family) for the first time in P. alpinum. Galactinol was present at higher amounts than all other non-structural sugars. CONCLUSIONS: Individual plants of S. uncinata were not able to retain water for long periods but by growing and forming carpets, this species can retain water the longest. In contrast individual P. alpinum plants required more time to lose water than S. uncinata, but as moss cushions they suffered desiccation faster than the later. On the other hand, both species rehydrated very quickly. We found that when both mosses lost 50 % of their water, carbohydrates content remained stable and the plants did not accumulate non-structural carbohydrates during the desiccation prosses as usually occurs in vascular plants. The raffinose family oligosaccarides decreased during desiccation, and increased during rehydration, suggesting they function as osmoprotectors.

Evaluation and Management of Hepatic Encephalopathy: Current Status and Future Directions

Hepatic encephalopathy is a spectrum of neurocognitive manifestations often seen in patients with liver injury or rarely in patients with portosystemic shunting without liver injury. It can be divided into minimal (covert) hepatic encephalopathy and overt hepatic encephalopathy, depending on the severity. Patients with hepatic encephalopathy have compromised clinical outcomes, decreased quality of life, and increased healthcare utilization, often resulting in a heavy financial and personal burden on caregivers. The diagnosis remains largely clinical, with the exclusion of possible other causes for the altered mental status. Current treatment strategies include nonabsorbable disaccharides and antibiotics. This review will focus on the diagnosis, management and clinical impact of hepatic encephalopathy.

Restriction of FODMAP in the management of bloating in irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional bowel disorder. Up to 96% of IBS patients experience bloating, resulting in poor response to conventional therapies and high consultation rates. Many IBS patients report that food triggers symptoms, particularly diets with poorly absorbed, short-chain carbohydrates, and restrict intake of certain foods to control their symptoms. IBS patients are especially susceptible to an attack due to visceral hypersensitivity. An emerging therapeutic strategy excludes fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) from the diet. There is evidence supporting the efficacy of a low FODMAP diet in improving symptoms of bloating in IBS patients. Individualised, structured dietary guidance may benefit those with persistent troublesome symptoms despite traditional therapies. In view of the multifactorial aetiology of the condition, it is probably best to use a multipronged approach, involving combination therapies, to address bloating in IBS patients.

Diet and Nutritional Management in Functional Gastrointestinal Disorder: Irritable Bowel Syndrome / 대한내과학회지

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a multifactorial disorder with the pathogenesis of abnormal gastrointestinal motility, low-grade inflammation, visceral hypersensitivity, communication in the gut-brain axis, and so on. Traditionally, IBS has been treated with dietary and lifestyle modification, fiber supplementation, pharmacological and psychological therapy. Carbohydrates have a range of foods regularly consumed including grains such as rye and wheat, vegetables, fruits, and legumes. Short-chain carbohydrates poorly absorbed exert osmotic effects in the intestinal lumen increasing its water volume, and are rapidly fermented by bacteria with consequent gas production. These effects may be the basis of the beginning of gastrointestinal symptoms. This made the use of lactose-free diets in those with lactose intolerance and of fructose-reduced diets for fructose malabsorption. All dietary poorly absorbed short-chain carbohydrates have similar and additive effects in the intestine, so a concept has been developed to regard them collectively as fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs) and to evaluate a dietary approach that restricts them all. Based on observational and comparative studies and on randomized-controlled trials, FODMAPs trigger gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with IBS. Food choice via the low FODMAP and potentially other dietary strategies is now a realistic and efficacious therapeutic approach for symptoms of IBS. In Korea, the strategy of Korean diet for Korean patients with IBS needs apposite to the Korean cases.

Purification and characterization of cold-adapted beta-agarase from an Antarctic psychrophilic strain

An extracellular β-agarase was purified from Pseudoalteromonas sp. NJ21, a Psychrophilic agar-degrading bacterium isolated from Antarctic Prydz Bay sediments. The purified agarase (Aga21) revealed a single band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, with an apparent molecular weight of 80 kDa. The optimum pH and temperature of the agarase were 8.0 and 30 °C, respectively. However, it maintained as much as 85% of the maximum activities at 10 °C. Significant activation of the agarase was observed in the presence of Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, K⁺; Ca²⁺, Na⁺, Ba²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, Fe²⁺, Sr²⁺ and EDTA inhibited the enzyme activity. The enzymatic hydrolyzed product of agar was characterized as neoagarobiose. Furthermore, this work is the first evidence of cold-adapted agarase in Antarctic psychrophilic bacteria and these results indicate the potential for the Antarctic agarase as a catalyst in medicine, food and cosmetic industries.

Analgesic effects and structural elucidation of two new flavone C-glycosides from Artemisa sacrorum / 中国天然药物

The present study was designed to isolate and characterize the analgesic compounds of Artemisa sacrorum Ledeb. The EtOAc crude extracts from the aerial parts of Artemisa sacrorum Ledeb were separated by chromatography and the structures of new compounds were elucidated based on spectral analyses. Analgesic activities of the isolated compounds were assessed in rats with hot plate test and paw pressure assay. Two new flavone C-glycosides, named as Sacroroside A and B (Compounds 1 and 2) were isolated from the EtOAc crude extract of the aerial parts ofArtemisa sacrorum Ledeb. They showed significant analgesic effects. In conclusion, Compounds 1 and 2 are new natural products, which show significant analgesic effects in a dose-dependent manner.