Influence of Oral Probiotic Streptococcus salivarius K12 on Ear and Oral Cavity Health in Humans: Systematic Review

Traditionally, probiotics are linked to the good health of the intestine and most clinical studies focus on that field. Evidence of oral probiotic use for ear and oral cavity disease prevention with impact on human health is limited. This work reviews existing studies and literature on Streptococcus salivarius K12 as an oral probiotic and effects of S. salivarius K12 on human ear and oral cavity human health. The studies were accessed via database searches: MEDLINE, PubMed, and Elsevier. The search included/focused on/encompassed publications from 2003 to 2016 with keywords related to K12 Streptococcus salivarius, bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances (BLIS) K12, probiotic K12 salivarius, and K12 probiotic health effects. Only a small amount of studies was identified: the total of 68 studies was identified, 35 of which were relevant after screening, and 9 were included in the final analysis. Very little literature is available about the association/correlation between/connection/interrelation of S. salivarius K12 with/and human ear and oral cavity health. S. salivarius K12 may have a role in reducing the occurrence and/or severity of secretory otitis media (SOM) and also in prevention of streptococcal and viral pharyngotonsillitis in children. Research highlights that S. salivarius K12 has shown promising results in treatment of halitosis, but data are still deficient. Further studies need to be initiated to improve understanding of the association of oral probiotic S. salivarius K12 with human ear and oral cavity health.

Rapid detection of Group B streptococcus directly from vaginal-rectal specimens using liquid swabs and the BD Max GBS assay

OBJECTIVE

We adapted the BD Max GBS assay, an automated platform for the detection of Group B streptococcus (GBS) DNA in vaginal-rectal swab specimens after LIM broth enrichment, to directly detect GBS in specimens collected using cellular foam swabs in Amies liquid medium. We compared the BD Max GBS assay performance to that of enriched culture and the BD GeneOhm StrepB assay.

METHODS

Seventy-two reference vaginal-rectal specimens were employed to determine the limit of GBS detection and the preferred test volume for direct detection of GBS. A total of 304 clinical specimens were then tested by the optimized BD Max GBS assay, both by direct testing and following broth enrichment.

RESULTS

The limit of GBS detection was 75 CFU/mL and the preferred test volume was 100 μL. Of 304 clinical specimens tested, GBS was detected in 62 specimens by enriched culture (20.4%); 61 of these yielded GBS by the BD Max GBS assay when performed directly from the liquid swab (sensitivity 98.4%). All 242 culture-negative specimens also yielded negative results by the BD Max GBS assay (specificity 100%). When this assay was performed following broth enrichment, GBS was detected in all 62 culture-positive specimens (100% sensitivity). The sensitivity and specificity of the BD GeneOhm StrepB assay was 90.3% and 99%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The BD Max GBS assay is highly sensitive, requires minimal technical skill with <2 min required to set-up, and results are available in under 80 min (versus 24-48 h for culture). It is configured for 'on demand' testing and vaginal-rectal specimens can be rapidly screened for GBS without the need for enrichment. The results obtained in this study demonstrate that rapid GBS screening using the BD Max GBS assay at the time of delivery is a viable alternative to the current recommended screening at 35-37 weeks of gestation with pre-enrichment testing methods.

Selective immobilization of Acinetobacter junii on the natural zeolitized tuff in municipal wastewater

The immobilization of desired bacteria onto material was usually performed in synthetic media. The aim of this study was to test the immobilization of phosphate (P)-accumulating bacteria Acinetobacter junii onto natural zeolitized tuff (NZ) in the raw or sterilized municipal wastewater containing the common bacteria Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis and the performance of immobilized A. junii in the same type of wastewater. In the sterilized wastewater which contained the mixture of A. junii, E. coli and E. faecalis, the A. junii was selectively immobilized onto NZ in significantly higher numbers than E. coli and E. faecalis. The A. junii added in the form of bioparticles to the wastewater containing E. coli and E. faecalis, multiplied and removed P from wastewater. The P removal from wastewater was a function of biomass of P-accumulating bacteria and not the amount of NZ or bioparticles used. The performance of A. junii was significantly better in membrane filtered than in autoclaved wastewater. The experiments that were performed in raw non sterilized wastewater showed that A. junii can be successfully immobilized onto NZ in competition with natively present heterotrophic bacteria, retain its metabolic activity and successfully remove P from such water, which makes this technology feasible from biotechnological aspect.

[An interesting case: recovery of a transmurally penetrated abdominal pad by the means of laparoscopy]

Lymphangiomas are rare benign tumors. In most cases, resection is necessary to obtain a precise histopathological analysis. There are capillary, caverous and cystic lymphangiomas. The therapy of choice is a complete excision. Recurrence has been reported after incomplete resection. We present the case of a 45-year-old man with a lymphangioma of the omentum minus and -review the literature.

Cardiac memory (t-wave memory) after ablation of posteroseptal accessory pathway

BACKGROUND

Cardiac memory is a phenomenon characterized by transient T-wave abnormalities occurring during normal sinus rhythm, after a period of altered ventricular depolarization, where the T-wave vector has the same direction as the vector of the previously altered QRS complex (T-wave inversion). It is a form of electrical remodelling of the ventricular, where the T-wave follows ("remembers") a previously altered QRS vector.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Over a 5-year period (2002-2006), 525 consecutive patients underwent electrophysiological study. One hundred and one patients underwent ablation of the atrioventricular reentry tachycardia (AVRT) with an accessory pathway (AP). Forty-two of them were without delta wave on the electrocardiogram (concealed accessory pathway), and 58 patients had an open form of accessory pathways, with delta wave on EKG (Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome) and only one patient had an accessory pathway between the right atrium and right bundle branch (Mahaim form). According to the location of the accessory pathway, 17 patients (29.3 %) had an accessory pathway in the right posteroseptal region. There was the highest percentage of the appearance of inversion of the T-wave in patients with this position of accessory pathway. T-wave changes were followed in the frontal plane (leads II, III, and aVF). Electrocardiogram (ECG) signs of cardiac memory were present in 16 of 17 (94.1 %) patients within one day after the ablation. The post-ablation T-wave vector had the same direction as the vector of the pre-excited QRS complex (and delta wave) creating inferior T-wave inversions. There was no correlation between the number or duration of energy applications and the extent of cardiac memory post ablation. A majority (90% of cases) of ECGs recorded 3 months after the procedure showed complete or almost complete normalization. None of the patients with T-wave inversion after ablation had a recurrence of preexcitation or tachycardia during the follow-up period of 12 +/- 4 months.

CONCLUSIONS

T-wave inversion in leads II, III and aVF with the disappearance of the delta wave after ablation of the accessory pathway in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (accessory pathway in the right posteroseptal region of the heart), is the most powerful marker of successful ablation.

Radiofrequency current catheter ablation of accessory atrioventricular pathways

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a radiofrequency catheter ablation in the patients with the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia involving a concealed accessory atrio ventricular connection.

METHODS AND RESULTS

During a 45 month period (1st January 2002 until 30th September 2005) 373 consecutive patients underwent electrophysiological study in our electrophysiological lab at the Institute for Heart Diseases. Of all the patients 171 (45.8%) were ablated for junction depend tachycardia. Ninety-five patients had undergone ablation of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT), atrioventricular reentry tachycardia (AVRT) with accessory pathway (AP) 76 patients. Ablation of the atrioventricular node (AVN) was performed in 59 patients, because of uncontrolled atrial fibrillation with implantation of pacemakers. Ablation was successful in 206 patients (89.3%), partial successful was achieved in 21 patient (9.4%), and no successful only in 3 patients (1.3%). Ablation successful outcome rate was 98.7% (without clinical supraventricular arrhythmia in the follow up period until September 2005). There was a need for performing a re-do ablation in 11 patients (4.8%). A complication occurred in 8 patients, 4.9% (only one major complication, complete atrioventricular block with narrow QRS complex in the AVNRT group). In the group with accessory pathways (atrio ventricular reentry tachycardia (AVRT), there were 76 patients, 28 without delta way on the electrocardiogram (concealed accessory pathways), 47 patients were with open form of accessory pathways, with delta way on EKG (Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome) and only in one patient with accessory pathway between right atrio and right bundle branch (Mahaim form of concealed accessory pathway). In two patients with AVRT, another circle movement tachycardia was found after the ablation of the accessory pathways, bystander arrhythmia of AVNRT:

CONCLUSIONS

The success and safety of catheter accessory pathway ablation is so great that we recommend this nonpharmacological approach as an initial option to any patient with AVRT who has recurrent symptomatic arrhythmias.

Spectroscopic analysis of desiccation-induced alterations of the chlorophyllide transformation pathway in etiolated barley leaves

Effects of water deficit on the chlorophyllide (Chlide) transformation pathway were studied in etiolated barley (Hordeum vulgare) leaves by analyzing absorption spectra and 77-K fluorescence spectra deconvoluted in components. Chlide transformations were examined in dehydrated leaves exposed to a 35-ms saturating flash triggering protochlorophyllide (Pchlide) and Chlide transformation processes. During the 90 min following the flash, we found that dehydration induced modifications of Chlide transformations, but no effect on Pchlide phototransformation into Chlide was observed. During this time, content of NADPH-Pchlide oxydoreductase in leaves did not change. Chlide transformation process in dehydrated leaves was characterized by the alteration of the Shibata shift process, by the appearance of a new Chlide species emitting at 692 nm, and by the favored formation of Chl(ide) A(668)F(676). The formation of Chl(ide) A(668)F(676), so-called "free Chlide," was probably induced by disaggregation of highly aggregated Chlide complexes. Here, we offer evidence for the alteration of photoactive Pchlide regeneration process, which may be caused by the desiccation-induced inhibition of Pchlide synthesis.