Identification and Safety Assessment of Enterococcus casseliflavus KB1733 Isolated from Traditional Japanese Pickle Based on Whole-Genome Sequencing Analysis and Preclinical Toxicity Studies.

The present study involves the precise identification and safety evaluation of Enterococcus casseliflavus KB1733, previously identified using 16S rRNA analysis, through whole-genome sequencing, phenotypic analysis, and preclinical toxicity studies. Analyses based on the genome sequencing data confirm the identity of KB1733 as E. casseliflavus and show that the genes related to vancomycin resistance are only present on the chromosome, while no virulence factor genes are present on the chromosome or plasmid. Phenotypic analyses of antibiotic resistance and hemolytic activity also indicated no safety concerns. A bacterial reverse mutation test showed there was no increase in revertant colonies of heat-killed KB1733. An acute toxicity test employing heat-killed KB1733 at a dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight in rats resulted in no deaths and no weight gain or other abnormalities in the general condition of the animals, with renal depression foci and renal cysts only occurring at the same frequency as in the control. Taking the background data into consideration, the effects on the kidneys observed in the current study were not caused by KB1733. Our findings suggest that KB1733 is non-pathogenic to humans/animals, although further studies involving repeated oral toxicity tests and/or clinical tests are required.

Clusters in Infant Environmental Factors Influence School-Age Children's Vegetable Preferences in Japan.

It remains unclear how the various environmental factors are combined in practice to influence vegetable preferences in school-aged children. This study aimed to clarify the environmental factors during infancy and their association with vegetable preference in school-aged children. To find clusters of early childhood environmental factors, we conducted a factor analysis on 58 items related to early childhood environmental factors and a k-means cluster analysis using the factors obtained. The association of the extracted factors and clusters with vegetable preferences was assessed by multiple regression analysis. Twelve factors relating to vegetable eating, cooking and harvesting experience, and parental attitudes were extracted by factor analysis. Three clusters, "low awareness of experiences", "high awareness" and "low positive encouragement", were then extracted. In the multiple regression analysis, all 12 factors were found to be associated with vegetable preferences. Furthermore, it was found that the "high awareness" group had a significantly higher score for vegetable preference than the "low awareness of experiences" group (ß = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.37-0.74). Thus, the study found that environmental factors during infancy, in isolation and combination, influenced vegetable preferences in school-aged children. Assessing the combination of various environmental factors during infancy may contribute to a better understanding of future vegetable preferences.

Definition of a Dietary Pattern Expressing the Intake of Vegetables and Fruits and Its Association with Intestinal Microbiota.

Daily dietary habits directly or indirectly influence the intestinal microbiota, and the resulting changes in its composition and metabolic activity alter the health conditions of the host. Although many studies have analyzed the association between individual nutrients/food items and intestinal microbiota, the assessment of the diet and intestinal microbiota from a macroscopic perspective has not yet been performed in Japan. Therefore, we focused on vegetables and fruits and aimed to identify dietary patterns of high intake of these foods and to examine their relationship with the intestinal microbiota. This cross-sectional study included 1019 healthy individuals aged ≥20 years in a rural area in northern Japan. Six dietary patterns were detected by factor analysis using the brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire (BDHQ) data to identify the "vege pattern", which was the dietary pattern rich in vegetables and fruits. Permutational multivariate analysis of variance revealed changes in ß-diversity according to dietary patterns. In multivariable-adjusted models, the adherence to the vege pattern was positively correlated with α-diversity. This is the first study to reveal a correlation between intestinal microbiota and dietary habits rich in vegetables and fruits in a rural area of Japan.

Neoxanthin is undetectable in human blood after ingestion of fresh young spinach leaf.

In a previous study, we demonstrated that the carotenoid neoxanthin was contained in young leafy vegetables including spinach and showed a fat accumulation inhibitory effect in vitro. To evaluate the bioavailability of neoxanthin, a raw young spinach leaf (100 g day-1 for 4 weeks) intake test was performed on 14 participants (36.5 ± 8.0 years; male:female ratio = 9:5). Neoxanthin, neochrome, ß-carotene, and lutein concentration in the spinach and blood of participants (before and after the test) was measured using high performance liquid chromatography. Neither neoxanthin nor neochrome was detected in the blood samples, whereas ß-carotene and lutein concentration significantly increased (1.4- and 1.9-fold, respectively) during testing. Neoxanthin bioavailability in humans is low; thus, it is unlikely to have a fat accumulation inhibitory effect in vivo, contrary to the result in vitro. Ingesting the leafy vegetables raw can help maintain high neoxanthin levels, but it is not beneficial for neoxanthin bioavailability.

Association of Plasma Lipopolysaccharide-Binding Protein Concentration with Dietary Factors, Gut Microbiota, and Health Status in the Japanese General Adult Population: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The influx of intestinal bacteria-derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into the blood has attracted attention as a cause of diseases. The aim of this study is investigating the associations between the influx of LPS, dietary factors, gut microbiota, and health status in the general adult population. Food/nutrient intake, gut microbiota, health status and plasma LPS-binding protein (LBP; LPS exposure indicator) were measured in 896 residents (58.1% female, mean age 54.7 years) of the rural Iwaki district of Japan, and each correlation was analyzed. As the results, plasma LBP concentration correlated with physical (right/left arms' muscle mass [ß = -0.02, -0.03]), renal (plasma renin activity [ß = 0.27], urine albumin creatinine ratio [ß = 0.50]), adrenal cortical (cortisol [ß = 0.14]), and thyroid function (free thyroxine [ß = 0.05]), iron metabolism (serum iron [ß = -0.14]), and markers of lifestyle-related diseases (all Qs < 0.20). Plasma LBP concentration were mainly negatively correlated with vegetables/their nutrients intake (all ßs ≤ -0.004, Qs < 0.20). Plasma LBP concentration was positively correlated with the proportion of Prevotella (ß = 0.32), Megamonas (ß = 0.56), and Streptococcus (ß = 0.65); and negatively correlated with Roseburia (ß = -0.57) (all Qs < 0.20). Dietary factors correlated with plasma LBP concentration correlated with positively (all ßs ≥ 0.07) or negatively (all ßs ≤ -0.07) the proportion of these bacteria (all Qs < 0.20). Our results suggested that plasma LBP concentration in the Japanese general adult population was associated with various health issues, and that dietary habit was associated with plasma LBP concentration in relation to the intestinal bacteria.

Dietary patterns before and during pregnancy and small for gestational age in Japan: a prospective birth cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Although small for gestational age (SGA) is a serious problem worldwide, the association of dietary patterns before and during pregnancy with SGA risk is unclear. We evaluated this association among Japanese pregnant women using three methods: reduced rank regression (RRR) and partial least squares (PLS), methods for extracting dietary patterns that can explain the variation of response variables, and principal component analysis (PCA), a method for extracting dietary patterns of the population. METHODS: Between July 2013 and March 2017, 22,493 pregnant women were recruited to the Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Birth and Three-Generation Cohort Study, a population-based prospective birth cohort study in Japan. Information on dietary intake was obtained using food frequency questionnaires, and dietary patterns were extracted using RRR, PLS, and PCA. Information on birth weight was obtained from obstetric records, and the birth weight SD score and SGA were defined by the method of the Japan Pediatric Society. The associations of dietary patterns with birth weight SD score and SGA risk were investigated using multiple linear regression and multiple logistic regression, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 17,728 mother-child pairs were included. The birth weight SD score was 0.15 ± 0.96, and the prevalence of SGA was 6.3%. The dietary patterns extracted by RRR and PLS were similar and characterized by a high intake of cereals and fruits and a low intake of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in both pre- to early pregnancy and from early to mid-pregnancy. Higher adoption of the RRR and PLS patterns in both periods was associated with an increased birth weight SD score and lower risk of SGA. In contrast, the PCA1 pattern was not associated with birth weight SD score or SGA risk in either period. Although the PCA2 pattern was associated with increased birth weight SD score from early to mid-pregnancy, no other associations with birth weight SD score or SGA risk were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The dietary pattern with a high intake of cereals and fruits and a low intake of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages before and during pregnancy was associated with a decreased SGA risk in Japan.

Enterococcus casseliflavus KB1733 Isolated from a Traditional Japanese Pickle Induces Interferon-Lambda Production in Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells.

The association between lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and their immunostimulatory effects has attracted considerable attention; however, it remains unclear whether LAB can induce interferon-lambdas (IFN-λs) in human epithelial cells under conditions that do not mimic infection. In this study, we first employed a reporter assay to screen for a potential strain capable of inducing IFN-λ3 among 135 LAB strains derived from traditional Japanese pickles. Next, we assessed the strain's ability to induce the expression of IFN-λ genes and interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), and to produce IFN-λs. As a result, we screened and isolated Enterococcus casseliflavus KB1733 (KB1733) as a potential strain capable of inducing IFN-λ3 expression. Furthermore, we clarified that KB1733 induced the expression of IFN-λ genes and ISGs related to antiviral functions, and that KB1733 induced IFN-λ1 and -λ3 expression in a dose-dependent manner up to 10 µg/mL. In addition, KB1733 significantly increased IFN-λ1 production compared to Enterococcus casseliflavus JCM8723T, which belongs to the same genera and species as KB1733. In conclusion, we isolated a unique LAB strain from traditional Japanese pickles that is capable of stimulating IFN-λ production, although further study is needed to investigate how KB1733 protects against viruses in mice and humans.

Fruit and vegetable consumption before and during pregnancy and developmental delays in offspring aged 2 years in Japan.

The association between fruit and vegetable consumption before and during pregnancy and offspring's physical growth has been well reported, but no study has focused on offspring's neurological development. We aimed to explore the association between maternal fruit and vegetable consumption before and during pregnancy and developmental delays in their offspring aged 2 years. Between July 2013 and March 2017, 23 406 women were recruited for the Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Birth and Three-Generation Cohort Study. Fruit and vegetable consumption was calculated using FFQ, and offspring's developmental delays were evaluated by the Ages & Stages Questionnaires, Third Edition (ASQ-3) for infants aged 2 years. Finally, 10 420 women and 10 543 infants were included in the analysis. Totally, 14·9 % of children had developmental delay when screened using the ASQ-3. Women in the highest quartile of vegetable consumption from pre-pregnancy to early pregnancy and from early to mid-pregnancy had lower odds of offspring's developmental delays (OR 0·74; 95 % CI 0·63, 0·89 and OR 0·70; 95 % CI 0·59, 0·84, respectively) than women in the lowest quartile. Women in the highest quartile of fruit consumption from early to mid-pregnancy had lower odds of offspring's developmental delays (OR 0·78; 95 % CI 0·66, 0·92) than women in the lowest quartile. In conclusion, high fruit and vegetable consumption before and during pregnancy was associated with a lower risk of developmental delays in offspring aged 2 years.

Grain consumption before and during pregnancy and birth weight in Japan: the Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Birth and Three-Generation Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Studies have reported the effects of grain consumption on human health, but the association between maternal grain consumption before and during pregnancy and birth weight remains unclear. We evaluated the association between maternal grain consumption before and during pregnancy and birth weight/low birth weight (LBW). SUBJECTS/METHODS: Grain consumption was calculated using two semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires (FFQs). The two FFQs evaluated consumption from pre- to early pregnancy and then from early to mid-pregnancy, respectively. Information concerning birth weight was obtained from birth records, and multivariable analyses for birth weight and LBW risk were conducted after adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: In total, 17,610 pregnant women (age, 31.8 ± 4.9 years; smoked during pregnancy, 16.1%; gestation period, 38.5 ± 2.5 weeks; first childbirth, 45.5%) and their singleton and term new-borns (birth weight, 3061.8 ± 354.1 g; LBW, 5.4%) were included in the analysis. Women in the highest quartile of grain consumption from pre- to early pregnancy had heavier new-borns (ß = 22.3; 95% confidence interval (CI): 5.8-38.9) but did not have a significantly lower LBW risk (odds ratio [OR]: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.71-1.07) than women in the lowest quartile. Women in the highest quartile of grain consumption from early to mid-pregnancy also had heavier new-borns (ß = 24.1; 95% CI: 7.1-41.1) but did not have a significantly lower LBW risk (OR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.69-1.05) than women in the lowest quartile. CONCLUSIONS: Grain consumption before and during pregnancy was positively associated with birth weight.

Living environments long-term after the Great East Japan Earthquake and nutritional intake among recent mothers.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although large-scale natural disasters and the resultant changes in living environments worsen dietary habits among adults immediately after the disasters, whether this association remains for a long period is unclear. This is particularly important for recent mothers because lactating women require additional nutrition for milk production. Thus, we investigated the association of living environments with dietary habits and nutritional intake of recent mothers between four and seven years after the Great East Japan Earthquake (11th March, 2011). METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed 8,551 mothers who participated to the Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Birth and Three-Generation Cohort Study. Living environments were characterized into four categories: "same home before the earthquake", "rental housing", "reconstructed home", and "acquaintance's home". Dietary habits and nutritional intake were evaluated using a food frequency questionnaire answered 12 months after their deliveries (the questionnaire was answered between March 2015 and July 2018). RESULTS: Multiple linear regression analyses demonstrated that mothers in 'rental housing' or 'reconstructed home' had a significantly lower intake of almost all nutrients or certain nutrients, respectively, compared with those residing in 'same home before the earthquake'. However, fewer significant differences were detected between the nutritional intake of the mothers lodging in an 'acquaintance's home' and that of those living in 'same home before the earthquake'. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that living environments long-term after largescale disasters are associated with dietary habits and nutritional intake among recent mothers.

Effects of Heat-Killed Levilactobacillus brevis KB290 in Combination with ß-Carotene on Influenza Virus Infection in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Influenza, a seasonal acute respiratory disease caused primarily by the influenza virus A or B, manifests with severe symptoms leading to considerable morbidity and mortality and is a major concern worldwide. Therefore, effective preventive measures against it are required. The aim of this trial was to evaluate the preventive effects of heat-killed Levilactobacillus brevis KB290 (KB290) in combination with ß-carotene (ßC) on influenza virus infections in healthy Japanese subjects aged between 20 and 59 y throughout the winter season. We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial from 16 December 2019 to 8 March 2020, comparing KB290 + ßC beverage with placebo beverage. The primary endpoint was the incidence of influenza based on a doctor's certificate. The incidence of influenza was not significantly different between the two groups. However, the subgroup analysis showed a significant difference between the two groups (influenza incidence: the KB290 + ßC group 1.9%, and the placebo group 3.9%) in the subgroup of subjects aged ˂40 y, but not in the subgroup of subjects aged ≥40 y. The results of this trial suggest that the combination of KB290 and ßC might be a possible candidate supplement for protection against the seasonal influenza virus infection in humans aged <40 y, although further clinical studies are needed to confirm the concrete preventive effect of this combination on influenza.

Neoxanthin in young vegetable leaves prevents fat accumulation in differentiated adipocytes.

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of young leaves on fat accumulation in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. A potent preventive effect on fat accumulation was observed in fractions of young leaves of spinach, beet, and arugula extracted with a low-polarity solvent (hexane:acetone:ethanol:toluene = 10:6:7:6). This effect was seemingly associated with the leaf carotenoid content, including lutein, ß-carotene, and neoxanthin. Among these, only neoxanthin, with the characteristic structure of 5,6-monoepoxide and an allenic bond, significantly prevented fat accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. The preventive effect and carotenoid content, including neoxanthin, of these young leaves did not differ from those of the corresponding adult leaves. Therefore, our study demonstrated that young vegetable leaves, such as spinach, beet, and arugula leaves, contained neoxanthin, which prevented fat accumulation in adipocytes in vitro. In the future, the effectiveness of such young leaves and neoxanthin should be investigated in vivo.

Short Communication: Oral Administration of Heat-killed Lactobacillus brevis KB290 in Combination with Retinoic Acid Provides Protection against Influenza Virus Infection in Mice.

Influenza virus type A (IAV) is a seasonal acute respiratory disease virus with severe symptoms, and an effective preventive measure is required. Despite many reports describing the potentially protective effects of lactic acid bacteria, few studies have investigated the effects of nutritional supplement combinations. This study reports the effect of the combined intake of heat-killed Lactobacillus brevis KB290 (KB290) and vitamin A (VA) on mice challenged with a sublethal dose of IAV. For 2 weeks, five groups of mice were fed either placebo, KB290, VA, or a combination of KB290 and VA (KB290+VA). After subsequent IAV challenge, bodyweight and general health were monitored for up to 2 weeks. Viral titres were determined in the lungs of animal subgroups euthanised at days 3, 7, and 14 after IAV challenge. A significant loss was observed in the bodyweights of IAV-infected animals from day 1 post-IAV challenge, whereas the mice fed KB290+VA did not lose any weight after IAV infection, indicating successful protection from the infection. Additionally, mice in the KB290+VA group showed the highest reduction in lung viral titres. In conclusion, the combination of KB290 and VA could be a useful food supplement relevant for protection against seasonal influenza virus infection in humans.

Tomato Juice Consumption Could Improve Breast Skin Adverse Effects of Radiotherapy in Breast Cancer Patients.

BACKGROUND/AIM: We investigated the beneficial effects of drinking tomato juice (TJ) rich in antioxidant carotenoids on irradiated skin following radiotherapy (RT) in breast cancer patients. PATIENTS/METHODS: Twenty-three patients agreed to drink TJ (160 g/day for six months) after the completion of RT. Early and late adverse events (AEs) of irradiated skin were evaluated according to the Common Terminology Criteria for AEs and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Global Cosmetic Rating System, respectively. RESULTS: With regard to early AEs, acute radiodermatitis of grade 1 was observed in most patients (22/23) at the end of RT. However, the grade of radiodermatitis rapidly changed to 0, 1 month after RT and starting TJ consumption. With regard to late AEs, most patients were in good or excellent dermal condition. CONCLUSION: TJ consumption could help in relieving and recovering from early AEs and decreasing the severity of late AEs of irradiated skin.

Fruit and vegetable consumption before and during pregnancy and birth weight of new-borns in Japan: the Tohoku medical megabank project birth and three-generation cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Associations of fruit and vegetable consumption before and during pregnancy with birth weight of new-borns and the risk of low birth weight (LBW) remain unclear. METHODS: Between July 2013 and March 2017, we recruited 23,406 pregnant women in the Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Birth and Three-Generation Cohort Study (TMM BirThree Cohort Study). Fruit and vegetable consumption before and during pregnancy was calculated using food frequency questionnaires. Information regarding birth weight was obtained from medical records, and LBW was defined as < 2500 g. We used a multivariable linear regression model and a multivariate logistic regression model to assess associations between fruit and vegetable consumption and birth weight/risk of LBW. RESULTS: In total, 17,610 women were included in the analysis. Mean birth weight was 3061.8 ± 354.1 g, and 5.4% of the new-borns had LBW. Compared to women in the lowest quartile of fruit consumption between pre- and early pregnancy, women in the highest quartile had heavier new-borns (ß = 49.4; 95% CI: 34.1-64.7) and lower risk of LBW (OR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.65-0.95). Women in the highest quartile of fruit consumption from early to mid-pregnancy also had heavier new-borns (ß = 32.3; 95% CI: 17.1-47.6), and they tended to have lower risk of LBW (OR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.69-1.01). Results of analysing the association between changes in fruit consumption from pre- to mid-pregnancy and birth outcomes revealed that women with continuous high fruit consumption from pre- to mid-pregnancy had heavier new-borns (ß = 37.6; 95% CI: 25.0-50.3), but they did not have lower risk of LBW (OR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.77-1.06). Associations involving vegetable consumption and birth weight/risk of LBW were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: Fruit consumption before and during pregnancy was positively associated with birth weight of new-borns and negatively associated with risk of LBW.

Expression profile of kalliklectin, a soluble-type mannose receptor, during embryogenesis and early larval development in fugu (Takifugu rubripes).

Kalliklectin is a unique fish-specific lectin, whose sequence is similar to the heavy chain of mammalian plasma kallikrein and coagulation factor XI. In this study, we aimed to evaluate dynamic expression profiles of the lectin gene, during early developmental stages, in fugu, Takifugu rubripes. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed that the kalliklectin gene was not expressed until 14 h post-fertilization (hpf), while the mRNA was detected after 30 hpf. In real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR), the gene was first expressed at 10.5 hpf; then, the expression level increased with a peak at 30 hpf and then gradually decreased. On the other hand, western blotting with specific antibody detected the lectin protein at all tested stages, including the unfertilized egg, which suggests that the lectin detected in the early stages was a maternal factor. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that kalliklectin was localized at the basement membranes of the newly hatched larvae, while the lectin was widely detected in epidermal cells in larva at 5 dph. A 40-kDa lectin was partially purified from unfertilized eggs using mannose-affinity chromatography, and the lectin was determined as kalliklectin by liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (LC/Q-TOF-MS) analysis, which indicated that the lectin is functional in the eggs. The egg lectin can bind to Gram-positive bacterial pathogens of fish, such as Lactococcus garvieae and Streptococcus iniae. We conclude that fugu kalliklectin might be an important immunocomponent, transferred from mother to offspring.

Dietary intake of glucoraphanin during pregnancy and lactation prevents the behavioral abnormalities in the offspring after maternal immune activation.

AIM: Epidemiological data suggest that maternal immune activation (MIA) plays a role in the etiology of neuropsychiatric disorders including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia. However, there is no prophylactic nutrition that can prevent the onset of neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring after MIA. The aim of this study was undertaken to examine whether dietary intake of glucoraphanin (GF: the precursor of a natural anti-inflammatory compound sulforaphane) can prevent the onset of behavioral abnormalities in offspring after MIA. METHODS: One percent of GF food pellet or normal food pellet was given into female mice during pregnancy and lactation (from E5 to P21). Saline (5 mL/kg/d) or poly(I:C) (5 mg/kg/d) was injected into pregnant mice from E12 to E17. Behavioral tests and immunohistochemistry of parvalbumin (PV) were performed in male offspring. RESULTS: Dietary intake of GF during pregnancy and lactation prevented cognitive deficits and social interaction deficits in the juvenile offspring after MIA. Furthermore, dietary intake of GF during pregnancy and lactation prevented cognitive deficits in the adult offspring after MIA. Moreover, dietary intake of GF prevented the reduction of PV immunoreactivity in the medial prefrontal cortex of adult offspring after MIA. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that dietary intake of GF during pregnancy and lactation could prevent behavioral abnormalities in offspring after MIA.

Plasmid-encoded glycosyltransferase operon is responsible for exopolysaccharide production, cell aggregation, and bile resistance in a probiotic strain, Lactobacillus brevis KB290.

We demonstrate here that exopolysaccharide (EPS) production, cell aggregation, and bile resistance in Lactobacillus brevis KB290 are conferred by three eps genes (gtf27, gtf28, and orf29) located on the 42.4-kb plasmid pKB290-1. The predicted products of gtf27 and gtf28 belong to the membrane-bound glycosyltransferase family whereas the orf29 gene product showed homology with the ABC transporter. On in silico analysis, these genes were found to be widely distributed among lactobacilli from publicly available genomes and metagenomes, and their function is not yet elucidated. RT-PCR analysis showed that the eps genes were organised in an operon and their expression was markedly lower in arabinose- and xylose-containing media than in a glucose-containing medium. The three eps genes were cloned and expressed in homologous and heterologous strains. Considerably less EPS was produced by the plasmid-cured KB1802 strain than by the parental KB290 strain, whereas a similar amount was produced by the KB1802 strain expressing the three eps genes. The KB1802 strain expressing gtf27 and gtf28 but not orf29 did not produce EPS. Cell aggregation and bile resistance were also decreased in KB1802 strains but were complemented by eps genes. Moreover, the three eps genes conferred these phenotypes to a Lactobacillus plantarum strain. In conclusion, the three eps genes in pKB290-1 were sufficient for EPS biosynthesis with glucose and N-acetylglucosamine, and were responsible for cell aggregation and bile resistance. We consider these phenotypes to be at least partly responsible for KB290-specific properties.

Risk factors for surgical site infection after stoma closure comparison between pursestring wound closure and conventional linear wound closure: Propensity score matching analysis.

PURPOSE: Stoma closure has been associated with a high rate of surgical site infection (SSI) and the optimal skin closure method is still controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the short-term and long-term outcomes between the conventional linear closure (CC) and the persestring closure (PC) using propensity score matching analysis. METHODS: We analysed the data of 360 patients who underwent stoma closure with CC or PC between January 2000 and December 2014. The propensity score was calculated from age, gender, body mass index, primary disease, type of stoma, diabetes mellitus, history of smoking, steroid use, the American Society of Anesthesiologists score, Prognostic Nutritional Index and modified Glasgow Prognostic Score. RESULTS: There was no difference in operative variables between the two groups. The CC group and the PC group were comparable with regards to overall SSI (25.0 vs. 7.8%; P = 0.007), superficial SSI (21.9 vs. 4.7%; P = 0.003). Significant risk factor for SSI was conventional linear closure (OR, 4.14; 95% CI, 1.448-13.91). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that a pursestring stoma closure leads to less SSI.