Investigation of cryoprotection on the viability of freeze dried probiotics

Aims: The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of various cryoprotective agents on the survival of freezedried probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus. Methodology and results: Investigation was done on the viability and stability of probiotics L. rhamnosus. The effect of different cryoprotective agents (namely, sodium chloride, sucrose, dextran, sorbitol, monosodium glutamate, glycerol, skim milk and skim milk with malt extract) with modified De-Man Rogosa Sharpe (MMRS) medium were examined. Commercial De-Man Rogosa Sharpe (MRS) medium was proved to be more expensive than the modified MRS medium with relatively low yield of probiotics L. rhamnosus. Significantly high viable counts were achieved with monosodium glutamate, skim milk and skim milk with malt extract, with optimum concentration at 0.3% w/v. There was a reduction in cell viability at concentration above 0.5% w/v, which could be attributed to cell shrinkage associated with osmotic pressure changes. The cells were found to be stable at room temperature (28 °C) for eight weeks. A significant growth of probiotics was produced from skim milk. Conclusions: Modified MRS medium with skim milk is suggested for the remarkable growth and yield of probiotic lactobacilli.

Correlation of H2O2 Production of Lactobacillus species with Nugent Scores of Young Nigerian Women.

Aim: To correlate H2O2 production of Lactobacillus species with the Nugent scores of young Nigerian women in order to assess their vaginal health. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Departments of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, Biochemistry and Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine of the University of Lagos, between May and august 2009. Methodology: Ninety- seven isolates of Lactobacillus from eighty-two women without Bacterial vaginosis (BV) and fifteen women with BV were used for the study. BV was diagnosed using Nugent scoring method. Lactobacilli were isolated using MRS agar and categorized into facultative anaerobes and strict anaerobes. Hydrogen peroxide was detected and measured by titration using dilute sulphuric acid and reaction stopped with potassium permanganate. Results: Out of 97 isolates studied, 76 (78%) were facultative anaerobes, while 21 (22%) were strict anaerobes. The facultative anaerobes were obtained from 11 of 15 women with BV and 65 of 82 women without BV. Forty- nine (50.51%) of the 97 isolates produced H2O2. Forty- four of the H2O2 producers were from women without BV while five were from women with BV. Majority (67%) of the strains obtained from women with BV were non-hydrogen peroxide producing. Proportion of H2O2 producing Lactobacillus by Nugent score were 70%, 43% and 33% in negative, intermediate and BV Nugent scores respectively. There was no significant difference between the mean concentrations of H2O2 production in the various Nugent scores. Conclusion: The overall rate of hydrogen peroxide production was low. While the rates of hydrogen peroxide production correlated with Nugent scores, being highest in negative Nugent scores and lowest with BV scores, the concentration of hydrogen peroxide produced had no association with Nugent scores. The Nigerian women studied might have a relatively high susceptibility rate to vaginal infections.

Panorama internacional de la reforma psiquiátrica / International overview of psychiatric reform

Los problemas de salud mental aumentan su incidencia en todo el mundo mientras la psiquiatría atraviesa una crisis que afecta a su propia identidad y a la delimitación del objeto de su trabajo. Después de más de medio siglo de una política desinstitucionalizadora y comunitaria, la globalización neoliberal está llevando a cambios que socavan la atención pública en salud mental, en especial de los trastornos que demandan mayor atención social. Cambios en la responsabilidad del Estado y cambios en el tipo de demanda y en la forma de entender la enfermedad y su tratamiento. Al tiempo, frente a la medicalización de la sociedad que mediatiza la expresión de las necesidades en salud, empiezan a surgir movimientos de usuarios que reclaman autonomía, plena ciudadanía, empoderamiento, recuperación y "abogacía".

There has been an increased incidence of mental health problems around the world while psychiatry is experiencing a crisis that concerns its own identity and the definition of the scope of its work. After more than half a century of deinstitutionalized community policies, neoliberal globalization is leading to changes that undermine public attention on mental health, particularly of the disorders that require greater social attention. There have been changes in the responsibility of the state and changes in the type of demand and in the way of understanding disease and its treatment. At the time, compared to the medicalization of society that mediates the expression of needs in health, user movements are beginning to emerge demanding autonomy, full citizenship, empowerment, recovery and advocacy.