Effects of microencapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum LIP-1 on the gut microbiota of hyperlipidaemic rats.

The in vivo effects of administering free and microencapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum LIP-1 cells (2·0×109 colony-forming units/d) were evaluated in high-fat-diet-induced hyperlipidaemic rats. Results from real-time quantitative PCR targeting to LIP-1 cells showed a higher colon colonisation count of LIP-1 in the rats receiving microencapsulated cells compared with free cells (P<0·05). Moreover, the microencapsulated LIP-1 treatment resulted in a more obvious lipid-lowering effect (P<0·05). Meanwhile, their faecal samples had significantly less lipopolysaccharide-producing bacteria (especially Bilophila, Sutterella and Oscillibacter) and mucosa-damaging bacteria (Bilophila and Akkermansia muciniphila), whereas significantly more SCFA-producing bacteria (P<0·05) (namely Lactobacillus, Alloprevotella, Coprococcus, Eubacterium and Ruminococcus) and bacteria that potentially possessed bile salt hydrolase activity (Bacteroides, Clostridium, Eubacterium and Lactobacillus), and other beneficial bacteria (Alistipes and Turicibacter). Further, Spearman's correlation analysis showed significant correlations between some of the modulated gut bacteria and the serum lipid levels. These results together confirm that microcapsulation enhanced the colon colonisation of LIP-1 cells, which subsequently exhibited more pronounced effects in improving the gut microbiota composition of hyperlipidaemic rats and lipid reduction.

The developmental regulation of glutamate receptor-mediated calcium signaling in primary cultured rat hippocampal neurons.

We have studied the developmental changes of glutamate-induced calcium (Ca²âº) response in primary cultured hippocampal neurons at three different stages of cultures, 3, 7-8, and 14-16 days in vitro (DIV), using fura-2 single-cell digital micro-fluorimetry. We found that glutamate-induced Ca²âº signaling was altered during development, and that two different ionotropic glutamate receptors, α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate receptors (AMPARs) and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs), were differently involved in the modulation of calcium response at different stages of neuronal culture. In the stages of culture at 3 and 8 DIV, glutamate-induced Ca²âº influx was mostly because of AMPAR activation and subsequent opening of voltage-dependent calcium channels, as Ca²âº response can be largely reduced by 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX) and by nifedipine. In the advanced culture (14-17 DIV), glutamate-induced Ca²âº response was less sensitive to 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione and nifedipine. Furthermore, AMPA-induced Ca²âº response increased in a time-dependent manner during the cultures of 3-8 DIV and then reduced in the advanced culture of 14-17 DIV. NMDA-induced Ca²âº influx increased in a time-dependent manner, with a marked increase in the advanced culture (14-17 DIV). These results suggest that glutamate-induced Ca²âº signaling switched from AMPA-voltage-dependent calcium channel to NMDA-calcium signaling during development.

A study on voiding pattern of newborns with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the difference of voiding pattern between newborns with and those without hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). METHODS: Forty hospitalized newborns aged 4-21 days were included in this study. Twenty-one were preterm newborns with HIE, and the remaining 19 preterm newborns were without HIE. The voided volume, postvoid residual (PVR) volume, consciousness at voiding, voiding time, voiding frequency, and quantity of intake milk and liquid within 4 hours from 8 am-12 pm were recorded. The liquid intake was the same in both groups according to standard protocol. The diaper weight difference before and after voiding was defined as voided volume. The PVR volume was determined by ultrasound. The state of consciousness at voiding was monitored by electroencephalography. RESULTS: Voided volume and rate of consciousness at voiding was significant lower in newborns with HIE compared with the control group ([10.8 ± 6.5 mL, 16.3 ± 17.1%] vs [14.1 ± 7.1 mL, 57.1 ± 21.0%], P <.05, respectively), whereas PVR volume and voiding frequency were significant higher ([1.6 ± 1.0 mL, 4.0 ± 1.1 times] vs [1.2 ± 0.9 mL, 3.2 ± 0.9 times] per 4 hours, P <.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: The differences in voiding pattern supported the concept that the higher centers of the central nervous system were involved in the control of voiding. HIE had a significant effect on voiding pattern of preterm newborn.