An exploratory double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study to assess the efficacy of CitruSlim on body composition and lipid parameters in obese individuals

The prevalence of obesity in developing and developed countries has been well recognized, and the worldwide obesity rates have nearly tripled since 1975, according to the World Health Organization. CitruSlim, a standardized product containing a blend of Citrus bergamia and Eurycoma longifolia, can reduce cortisol, cholesterol, triglycerides, and hyperglycemia. These properties can contribute to reduction in body weight or body mass index (BMI) in obese patients. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of CitruSlim in body weight management in obese individuals, and the results were compared with that of placebo. A total of 97 participants were allocated, randomized, and treated with CitruSlim high-dose (HD, 400 mg), CitruSlim low-dose (LD, 200 mg), and placebo for 112 days. At the end of the study, CitruSlim HD and CitruSlim LD significantly reduced BMI compared to the placebo group and were well tolerated; however, it did not improve parameters associated with dyslipidemia and metabolic disturbances. The study findings suggested that CitruSlim was effective in reducing body weight in obese patients.

Gpr126 domains control different cellular mechanisms of ventricular chamber development

Introduction

Trabeculation is a crucial process during ventricular chamber development which describes the protrusion of cardiomyocytes into the lumen of the ventricular chamber to form complex muscular structures called trabeculae. Defects in this process results in various human diseases such as left ventricular non compaction cardiomyopathies and other congenital heart defects. Several cellular mechanisms have been identified underlying trabeculation including tension heterogeneity induced cardiomyocyte selection, depolarization and delamination. However, the molecular mechanisms governing trabeculation are still poorly understood.

Purpose

Previously, we have shown that Gpr126 is required for trabeculation and heart development in mice and zebrafish. Gpr126 is an adhesion G-protein coupled receptor which is autoproteolytically cleaved into an N-terminal fragment (NTF) and a C-terminal fragment (CTF). Here, we show that NTF and CTF control different cellular processes during trabeculation.

Methods and results

In-vivo confocal images of hearts of CTF-depleted mutants gpr126st49 (expressing NTF) revealed a multilayered ventricular wall lacking any trabecular projections, which is in contrast to our previous results obtained with morpholinos suggesting that the NTF is sufficient for proper heart development in zebrafish. A molecular characterization of gpr126st49 mutants showed that cardiomyocytes in the multilayer fail to depolarize and relocalize N-cadherin from the lateral to the basal side, indicating that the cardiomyocytes in the multi-layered wall fail to attain a trabecular identity. In addition, these mutants showed significantly upregulated myocardial notch expression, which is known to prevent cardiomyocytes from attaining a trabecular identity. These data suggest that CTF is required for proper formation of trabeculae. We analyzed the full length-depleted mutant gpr126stl47 for trabeculation defects and observed that 17% of gpr126stl47 maternal zygotic mutants exhibited complete absence of trabeculation and 27% hypotrabeculation. Analysis of these mutants revealed that instead of being specifically localized at the junctions, N-cadherin was mainly distributed to the apical and basal side in the compact layer cardiomyocytes. This indicates that the NTF is required for maintaining the cell-cell adhesion in the compact wall. Finally, overexpression of gpr126 in the absence of Erbb2 signaling and blood flow / -or contractility failed to cause multilayering suggesting that Gpr126 is part of the well-established Erbb2 signaling cascade controlling trabeculation.

Conclusion

Collectively, our data support a model with domain-specific functions of Gpr126 in ventricular chamber development, where the NTF of Gpr126 is required for maintaining the compact wall integrity at the onset of trabeculation by maintaining cell-cell junctions, while the CTF helps in providing trabecular identity to cardiomyocytes through modulation of myocardial notch activity.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – EU funding. Main funding source(s): DFG

Acrolein but not its metabolite, 3-Hydroxypropylmercapturic acid (3HPMA), activates vascular transient receptor potential Ankyrin-1 (TRPA1): Physiological to toxicological implications

Acrolein, an electrophilic α,β-unsaturated aldehyde, is present in foods and beverages, and is a product of incomplete combustion, and thus, reaches high ppm levels in tobacco smoke and structural fires. Exposure to acrolein is linked with cardiopulmonary toxicity and cardiovascular disease risk. The hypothesis of this study is the direct effects of acrolein in isolated murine blood vessels (aorta and superior mesenteric artery, SMA) are transient receptor potential ankyrin-1 (TRPA1) dependent. Using isometric myography, isolated aorta and SMA were exposed to increasing levels of acrolein. Acrolein inhibited phenylephrine (PE)-induced contractions (approximately 90%) in aorta and SMA of male and female mice in a concentration-dependent (0.01-100 μM) manner. The major metabolite of acrolein, 3-hydroxypropylmercapturic acid (3HPMA), also relaxed PE-precontracted SMA. As the SMA was 20× more sensitive to acrolein than aorta (SMA EC50 0.8 ± 0.2 μM; aorta EC50 > 29.4 ± 4.4 μM), the mechanisms of acrolein-induced relaxation were studied in SMA. The potency of acrolein-induced relaxation was inhibited significantly by: 1) mechanically-impaired endothelium; 2) Nω-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME); 3) guanylyl cyclase (GC) inhibitor (ODQ); and, 4) a TRPA1 antagonist (A967079). TRPA1 positive immunofluorescence was present in the endothelium. Compared with other known TRPA1 agonists, including allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), cinnamaldehyde, crotonaldehyde, and formaldehyde, acrolein stimulated a more potent TRPA1-dependent relaxation. Acrolein, at high concentration [100 μM], induced tension oscillations (spasms) independent of TRPA1 in precontracted SMA but not in aorta. In conclusion, acrolein is vasorelaxant at low levels (physiological) yet vasotoxic at high levels (toxicological).

Boosting Job Satisfaction Through Emotional Intelligence: A Study on Health Care Professionals

Emotional intelligence (EI) is possibly one of the most studied psychological factors of the twenty-first century. EI is very much relevant in service industry particularly in management, academics, life sciences or psychology. The purpose of the empirical study is to test the relationship between the defined constructs of EI and job satisfaction ( JS) amongst health care professionals of Delhi NCR region of India. It further tried to understand whether gender moderates the EI and JS relationship. Structured survey was used to solicit response from 260 health care professionals comprising doctors and nurses belonging to different hospitals of Delhi NCR region. Standardised instruments were used to assess the data. Linear and moderated regression were used to test hypotheses developed. The findings suggest that EI constructs significantly impact the level of JS among health care professionals. The result of moderated regression suggested that the relationship of EI and JS is significantly moderated by gender. The construct of EI is relevant in providing high quality health care service delivery to the patients.

Capsimax Increases Resting Energy Expenditure in Males Under Fasting State: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled, Cross-Over Study

Objectives

Obesity is caused by an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure. Resting energy expenditure (REE) represents the calories burned at rest and accounts for > 60% of total energy expenditure. Energy expenditure plays an important role in obesity development, hence an increase in REE could facilitate body weight reduction. Capsaicinoids, extracted from capsicum annuum have been known to increase metabolism, lipolysis & induce satiety. The study objective was to evaluate the effects of Capsimax™ on REE and thermal sensation.

Methods

This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, cross-over study. Efficacy analysis included subsets of 17 males and 7 females who received single dose of Capsimax™ 100 mg (2 mg total capsaicinoids) and placebo in a cross-over fashion with washout period of 3–6 days as per randomization schedule. REE was measured using Cosmed Q-NRG by

indirect calorimetry. Secondary objectives were Area under curve (AUC) for REE, VO2, VCO2 & subject's innate thermal sensation using American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) scale. REE, VO2, VCO2, ASHRAE scale were evaluated at 0 (pre-dose), 1, 2, 3 & 4 hours and additional measures for ASHRAE scale at 0.5 & 1.5 hours post-dose. Safety was assessed throughout the study with measurements of ECG, blood pressure, pulse rate, body temperature & adverse event occurrences.

Results

In males, CapsimaxTM consumption significantly increased (p < 0.05) the change in REE at 1 hr (+90.19 ± 36.99 kcal Vs -92.97 ± 35.95 kcal), 2 hr (+77.17 ± 35.12 kcal Vs -41.90 ± 35.12 kcal), 3 hr (+48.47 ± 38.60 kcal Vs −51.74 ± 37.69 kcal) & 4 hr (+30.17 ± 40.37 kcal Vs −43.88 ± 40.37 kcal) as compared to placebo. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were also seen for AUC0–2 REE, VO2 at 1, 2 & 3 hrs and VCO2 at 3 hrs for CapsimaxTM versus placebo.  Although not significantly different, subject's in CapsimaxTM group showed higher feelings of warmth at all time points post dose based on ASHRAE score versus placebo. No significant differences were observed for any of the endpoints in females. No safety issues or adverse events were seen.

Conclusions

Our study findings demonstrate that CapsimaxTM supplementation increases REE in males and may represent a useful nutritional strategy to help weight management efforts.

Funding Sources

OmniActive Health Technologies Ltd.

Hypnosis and progressive muscle relaxation for anxiolysis and pain control during extraction procedure in 8-12-year-old children: a randomized control trial

Introduction

Hypnosis (H) and Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) have proven to be effective in a variety of medical settings; there is a paucity of their practical application in paediatric dentistry. The study aimed to comparatively evaluate the role of H and PMR on anxiety, heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation (SPO₂), blood pressure (BP), pain, and analgesic requirement during extraction in children.

Materials and methods

Sixty children aged 8–12 years undergoing primary molar extractions were randomly allocated to three groups—H, PMR, and control (C). The anxiety (proposed Visual Facial Anxiety scale), HR, and SPO₂ were measured pre/post-operatively with/without interventions (H, PMR, C) at 4 intervals. The BP and pain (Wong-Baker faces pain scale) were recorded pre- and post-operatively. Need for analgesic post-operatively was assessed.

Results

Statistically significant reduction in anxiety was noted post-extraction in H (0.30 ± 0.80), PMR (0.50 ± 0.69) (p < 0.001*). HR showed a statistically significant drop after H, PMR application. (p < 0.001*) No significant difference in SPO₂ was noted in the three groups (p > 0.05). Pain control was well achieved using H (85%), PMR (70%); BP was well-regulated in the H, PMR compared to C group (p < 0.001*). Need for analgesics was reduced in H (45%), PMR (50%) versus C (100%). Both techniques H, PMR were comparable in all measures.

Conclusion

Hypnosis and PMR are effective techniques for anxiolysis and pain control in paediatric dental patients.

Helicobacter pylori infection in non-ulcer dyspepsia: A cross-sectional study

Background

Helicobacter pylori infection has been known to be associated with dyspepsia for more than two decades; however, studies on this topic in India are limited. This study was carried out to estimate the Helicobacter pylori infection rates in non-ulcer dyspepsia.

Methods

Helicobacter pylori infection rates detected by rapid urease test (RUT) positivity were analyzed in 235 patients presenting to a tertiary care center with dyspepsia having no evidence of peptic ulcer disease on esophagogastroduodenoscopy.

Results

In this study, the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection diagnosed by the RUT was found to be 40.85%. Gender-based prevalence was found to be 40.14% and 41.93% for men and women, respectively. The highest prevalence was found in the age group of 30-39 years. The most common area of involvement was the isolated antrum of the stomach as seen in 93 patients.

Conclusion

This study shows a modest RUT positivity rate for Helicobacter pylori infection with the commonest site of involvement being the antrum of the stomach. Further studies will be needed to assess the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in the community to analyze the extent of infection.

Whole-genome screen identifies diverse pathways that negatively regulate ciliogenesis

We performed a high-throughput whole-genome RNAi screen to identify novel inhibitors of ciliogenesis in normal and basal breast cancer cells. Our screen uncovered a previously undisclosed, extensive network of genes linking integrin signaling and cellular adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM) with inhibition of ciliation in both normal and cancer cells. Surprisingly, a cohort of genes encoding ECM proteins was also identified. We characterized several ciliation inhibitory genes and showed that their silencing was accompanied by altered cytoskeletal organization and induction of ciliation, which restricts cell growth and migration in normal and breast cancer cells. Conversely, supplying an integrin ligand, vitronectin, to the ECM rescued the enhanced ciliation observed on silencing this gene. Aberrant ciliation could also be suppressed through hyperactivation of the YAP/TAZ pathway, indicating a potential mechanistic basis for our findings. Our findings suggest an unanticipated reciprocal relationship between ciliation and cellular adhesion to the ECM and provide a resource that could vastly expand our understanding of controls involving “outside-in” and “inside-out” signaling that restrain cilium assembly.

Resistance to change and turnover intention: a moderated mediation model of burnout and perceived organizational support

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to study the turnover intention of employees during the phenomenon of resistance to change. The paper examines the mediating role of burnout in the relationship of resistance of change to turnover intention and the moderating role of perceived organizational support in this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical data of the study has been collected via cross-sectional data collection method and include responses from 410 employees. The moderation mediation analysis has been done using the SPSS macro process.

Findings

The paper finds that resistance to change is an antecedent to the turnover intention which often represents employees' voluntary turnover in the future. This relationship of resistance to change and turnover intention is explained by burnout. However, the study establishes perceived organizational support as moderator, and with high POS, strength of this relationship will be reduced.

Originality/value

This paper contributes by examining the burnout as an intervening variable in the relationship of resistance to change and turnover intention and perhaps establishes for the first time the moderating role of perceived organizational support in reducing the influence of resistance to change on turnover intention, since retaining employees is of value to the organization.

Work–life conflict and burnout among working women: a mediated moderated model of support and resilience

Purpose

Using job demand-control-support (JDCS) model as its foundation, the purpose of this paper is to examine the important, but under-explored, relationship between perceptions of work–life conflict and burnout being mediated and moderated by support systems and resilience among female employees in India.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 270 female employees belonging to various sectors such as Information Technology/ Information Technology enabled services, retail, bank and hospitality located in Northern India were surveyed. The study used stratified sampling method for good coverage from different departments of the organizations. The structural equation method was used to test the direct effect, and for the mediation effects, they were tested by the method of indirect effects (Preacher and Hayes, 2004).

Findings

The results supported the hypothesized model that there exists a significant and positive relationship of work–life conflict with burnout, and work–life conflict has a negative association with both family support and organizational support. The findings also supported the hypothesis that family support and organizational support mediate the relationship of work–life conflict and burnout. This analysis expectedly confirmed that resilience not only displayed a negative relationship with burnout but also exhibited a moderated relationship with organizational and family support.

Research limitations/implications

The research design was co-relational and cross-sectional, so inferring causality is not possible. Future research must incorporate a longitudinal design to investigate the causal effects of work–life conflict on employees’ experiences of burnout and whether it gets buffered by availability of workplace support and family support.

Practical implications

It is imperative for the organizations to take substantial steps to reduce job burden and deadline pressure on the female employees, nurture decision autonomy at all levels of hierarchy and encourage amiable relationships of employees with their supervisors and peers based on mutual trust and support.

Originality/value

Although most of the research studies on work–life conflict have been unidirectional, i.e. investigating spillover of work demands on to family domains (Greenhaus and Beutell, 1985; Byrne and Barling, 2017), these conflicts have been found to be bidirectional, meaning thereby that family issues do spill over into work realm (Makela and Suutari, 2011). This study examines both directions of work–life conflict.

Glass ceiling – An illusion or realism? Role of organizational identification and trust on the career satisfaction in Indian organizations

The motivation of the present study is to investigate the association between perceived glass ceiling and career satisfaction among Indian managers. The study examined the impact of glass ceilings at the career satisfaction level of employees mediated by organization identification and organizational trust. The sample for the present study embraces 237 middle level managers representing organizations in Delhi/NCR. For data analysis, descriptive statistics, correlation and regression were used. Results illustrate that a significant and negative relationship is found between glass ceiling and career satisfaction which implies that if employees feel that glass ceiling exists in the organization, their career satisfaction will be less. The results validate that the impact of glass ceiling decreases after introducing the mediating effects of trust and organizational identification on career satisfaction. The subsistence of the glass ceiling in the organizations will indirectly be fortified due to inadequacies in networking, mentoring, flexible working hours and family friendly initiatives. Therefore, modifying the human resource policies and practices and altering the organizational culture and attitudes of executives shall help organizations preserve their extremely able women workforce.

Retrospective, dual-centre review of imaging findings in neurosarcoidosis at presentation: prevalence and imaging sub-types

AIM

To assess the prevalence of various imaging manifestations in neurosarcoidosis (NS) patients at presentation and to explore if specific imaging findings may cluster in different sub-groups.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective, dual-institution, systematic imaging review was undertaken of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in 100 consecutive NS patients who presented over a 15-year period. Clustering analysis (k-mode) was performed to evaluate co-occurrence of imaging findings.

RESULTS

Non-enhancing white matter (NEWM) lesions were the most common imaging abnormality (56%), followed by leptomeningeal (47%) and pachymeningeal (32%) involvement. Other common manifestations included cranial nerve involvement (30%), parenchymal granulomas (27%), hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis involvement (26%), and hydrocephalus (14%). Additionally, a higher prevalence of perivascular enhancement (23%), cerebrovascular events (including ischaemic and haemorrhagic events; 17%), and ependymal involvement (20%) were noted than recognised previously. Additional k-mode analysis was performed to explore underlying disease sub-clusters. This was evaluated for clusters varying between two though five (k=2-5). For k=4, the analysis revealed that the imaging findings may possibly be divided into disease sub-sets of four groups, each with varying distribution of imaging manifestations and clinical manifestations.

CONCLUSION

Overall, NEWM lesions and meningeal involvement are the most common imaging manifestations of NS. The prevalence of perivascular enhancement, cerebrovascular events, and ependymal involvement is likely higher than reported previously. Additionally, different imaging findings in NS may cluster together and imaging subtypes in NS possibly exist.

A fixed bed column study of natural and chemically modified Lagerstroemia speciosa bark for removal of synthetic Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solution

The present study evaluates the feasibility of using natural Lagerstroemia speciosa bark (NLSB) and chemically modified Lagerstroemia speciosa bark (CLSB) in removing Cr(VI) from aqueous solution in fixed bed column process. The effect of influent flow rate, bed depth and inlet Cr(VI) ion concentration on the Cr(VI) removal capacity of NLSB and CLSB was investigated. The column exhaustion time increased with increase in bed depth and reverse trend was obtained with increase in flow rate and influent Cr(VI) ion concentration. The Bohart-Adams, Thomas and Yoon-Nelson dynamic models were applied at various studied experimental conditions to predict the breakthrough curve behavior and to determine the characteristics fixed bed column parameters that are very crucial in scale up of the column process for its industrial scale application. Both Thomas and Yoon-Nelson models showed very good agreement with the column data and explained the mechanism of Cr(VI) adsorption by NLSB and CLSB in column process. The high Cr(VI) adsorption capacity and regeneration efficiency of NLSB and CLSB in column suggest its applicability in removal of Cr(VI) present in industrial effluents.

A Randomized Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial Demonstrating Safety & Efficacy of EnXtra® in Healthy Adults

Objective: The present randomized, placebo-controlled study aimed to assess the long-term safety and perceivable mental acuity benefits of EnXtra^® in healthy individuals.Methods: Study participants were administered EnXtra^® with or without caffeine for a period of 12 weeks. The cardiovascular safety was evaluated by assessing change in QT interval, blood pressure and heart rate. Further, other efficacy variables evaluated were change in perceived alertness and calmness by Bond and Lader mood scales, Sleep disturbance by Pittsburgh sleep quality Index and daytime sleepiness by Epworth sleepiness scale.Results: None of the study group showed any significant change in the ECG or haemodynamic parameters as compared to baseline (p > 0.05). Post consumption, alertness and calmness scores were significantly increased in the EnXtra^®, and EnXtra^® plus caffeine group (p < 0.001) as compared to placebo. Daytime sleep scores decreased in the EnXtra^® group however change was not significant. Sleep quality remained undisturbed in all three arms.Conclusion: The findings demonstrated the psychostimulant efficacy of EnXtra^® with no safety concerns on long-term usage.

Haploinsufficiency of X-linked intellectual disability gene CASK induces post-transcriptional changes in synaptic and cellular metabolic pathways

Heterozygous mutations in the X-linked gene CASK are associated with intellectual disability, microcephaly, pontocerebellar hypoplasia, optic nerve hypoplasia and partially penetrant seizures in girls. The Cask^+/- heterozygous knockout female mouse phenocopies the human disorder and exhibits postnatal microencephaly, cerebellar hypoplasia and optic nerve hypoplasia. It is not known if Cask^+/- mice also display seizures, nor is known the molecular mechanism by which CASK haploinsufficiency produces the numerous documented phenotypes. 24-h video electroencephalography demonstrates that despite sporadic seizure activity, the overall electrographic patterns remain unaltered in Cask^+/- mice. Additionally, seizure threshold to the commonly used kindling agent, pentylenetetrazol, remains unaltered in Cask^+/- mice, indicating that even in mice the seizure phenotype is only partially penetrant and may have an indirect mechanism. RNA sequencing experiments on Cask^+/- mouse brain uncovers a very limited number of changes, with most differences arising in the transcripts of extracellular matrix proteins and the transcripts of a group of nuclear proteins. In contrast to limited changes at the transcript level, quantitative whole-brain proteomics using iTRAQ quantitative mass-spectrometry reveals major changes in synaptic, metabolic/mitochondrial, cytoskeletal, and protein metabolic pathways. Unbiased protein-protein interaction mapping using affinity chromatography demonstrates that CASK may form complexes with proteins belonging to the same functional groups in which altered protein levels are observed. We discuss the mechanism of the observed changes in the context of known molecular function/s of CASK. Overall, our data indicate that the phenotypic spectrum of female Cask^+/- mice includes sporadic seizures and thus closely parallels that of CASK haploinsufficient girls; the Cask^+/- mouse is thus a face-validated model for CASK-related pathologies. We therefore surmise that CASK haploinsufficiency is likely to affect brain structure and function due to dysregulation of several cellular pathways including synaptic signaling and cellular metabolism.

The relationship between resilience and career satisfaction: Trust, political skills and organizational identification as moderators

The aim of this research was to assess the relationship between resilience and career satisfaction. Individuals feel more satisfied with their choice of career when they are higher on resilience, resulting in higher self-esteem and better health. Such individuals have better control over their work, even in disruptive times. The study was conducted with 272 middle level managers (60% male and 40% female) from 10 private banks in Delhi/NCR India. The research illustrated that resilience has a positive and significant association with career satisfaction, accounting for 41% of variance, and established the moderating roles of trust, political skills and organizational identification in the resilience-/career-satisfaction relationship. Employers could benefit if they engage employees in resilience training programmes that endow them with the ability and tactics to deal with challenges and uncertainty about the future.

Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1 and Bifidobacterium lactis UABla-12 Improve Abdominal Pain Severity and Symptomology in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center study investigated the clinical efficacy of two probiotic strains on abdominal pain severity and symptomology in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Three hundred and thirty adults, aged 18 to 70 years, with IBS according to Rome IV criteria were allocated (1:1:1) to receive placebo, Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1 (1 × 1010 CFU/day) or Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis UABla-12 (1 × 1010 CFU/day) over six weeks. The primary outcome was the change in Abdominal Pain Severity - Numeric Rating Scale (APS-NRS). Over the intervention period, APS-NRS was significantly improved in both probiotic groups vs. placebo in absolute terms (DDS-1: -2.59 ± 2.07, p = 0.001; UABla-12: -1.56 ± 1.83, p = 0.001) and in percentage of significant responders (DDS-1: 52.3%, p < 0.001); UABla-12 (28.2%, p = 0.031). Significant amelioration vs. placebo was observed in IBS Symptom Severity Scale (IBS-SSS) scores for L. acidophilus DDS-1 (-133.4 ± 95.19, p < 0.001) and B. lactis UABla-12 (-104.5 ± 96.08, p < 0.001) groups, including sub-scores related to abdominal pain, abdominal distension, bowel habits and quality of life. Additionally, a significant normalization was observed in stool consistency in both probiotic groups over time and as compared to placebo. In conclusion, L. acidophilus DDS-1 and B. lactis UABla-12 improved abdominal pain and symptom severity scores with a corresponding normalization of bowel habits in adults with IBS.