Insight into the Postbiotic Potential of the Autochthonous Bacteriocin-Producing Enterococcus faecium BGZLM1-5 in the Reduction in the Abundance of Listeria monocytogenes ATCC19111 in a Milk Model

This study aimed to explore the probiogenomic characteristics of artisanal bacteriocin-producing Enterococcus faecium BGZLM1-5 and its potential application in reducing Listeria monocytogenes in a milk model. The BGZLM1-5 strain was isolated from raw cow's milk from households in the Zlatar Mountain region. The whole genome sequencing approach and bioinformatics analyses reveal that the strain BGZLM1-5 is non-pathogenic to humans. Bacteriocin-containing supernatant was thermally stable and antimicrobial activity retained 75% of the initial activity compared with that of the control after treatment at 90 °C for 30 min. Antimicrobial activity maintained relative stability at pH 3-11 and retained 62.5% of the initial activity compared with that of the control after treatment at pH 1, 2, and 12. The highest activity of the partially purified bacteriocin was obtained after precipitation at 40% saturation with ammonium sulfate and further purification by mixing with chloroform. Applying 3% and 5% (v/v) of the bacteriocin-containing supernatant and 0.5% (v/v) of the partially purified bacteriocin decreased the viable number of L. monocytogenes ATCC19111 after three days of milk storage by 23.5%, 63.5%, and 58.9%, respectively.

Ancient Wheat Varieties and Sourdough Fermentation as a Tool to Increase Bioaccessibility of Phenolics and Antioxidant Capacity of Bread

This study aimed to determine the impact of ancient wheat varieties (emmer, spelt and khorasan) and spontaneous sourdough fermentation on the bioaccessibility of total phenolic content (TPC) and the DPPH antioxidant capacity evolution during breadmaking and in vitro digestion. Sourdough and yeast-fermented modern wheat breads were used as controls. After 6 h of fermentation, the total titrable acidity of the sourdough increased from 139 to 167%. The wheat variety, type of fermentation and processing affected TPC, antioxidant activity and bioaccessibility. Antioxidant activity and TPC were reduced by dough mixing, increased after sourdough fermentation and slightly decreased or remained the same after baking. Although wheat flour had the highest TPC, the modeling of TPC kinetic revealed that emmer and spelt sourdough exhibited a higher bound phenolics release rate due to the higher acidity, which contributed to increased phenolics solubility. Although wheat bread, both before and after digestion, had the lowest TPC, especially the one prepared with yeast, high TPC bioaccessibilities and antioxidant activities after the digestion suggested that, except phenolics, digestion process improved the release of additional compounds with different bioaccessibility and biological activity. The results of this study proved that the application of sourdough fermentation can increase the potential of ancient wheats in the developing of functional bakery products.

Predictors of health-related quality of life in Serbian patients with head and neck cancer

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to identify predictors of the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in patients with head and neck cancers (HNCs).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In total, 345 patients with HNCs were interviewed. A self-report questionnaire was administered to collect data about demographic characteristics, health status, smoking, alcohol consumption habits, and HRQoL. It were used the EORTC Instruments - Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30-questions (QLQ-C30), Quality of Life Questionnaire - Head and Neck Module 35-questions (QLQ-H&N 35) and OHIP-14 instrument for HRQoL assessments. Clinical information and treatment data were collected from medical records.

RESULTS

Five groups of HRQoL predictors were identified: demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral, psychophysical, and clinical/treatment. These HRQoL predictors had a strong (i.e., age, level of social support and social contact, level of education, depression, fatigue, presence of gastrostomy, comorbidities, and use of pain medications and supplements), a moderate (i.e., marital status, smoking, sexuality problems, time since diagnosis, presence of tracheostomy, and side effects outcomes of radio and chemotherapy) and a small impact (i.e., employment/financial difficulties, tumor site and stage, and surgical procedure).

CONCLUSIONS

Study identified nineteen predictors that had significant, moderate and small impact on the HRQoL of patients with HNCs. Some of the predictors, like levels of social support and social contact, depression, and comorbidities could be targets for innervations to improve HRQoL.

The effect of centrally administered ghrelin on pituitary ACTH cells and circulating ACTH and corticosterone in rats

Ghrelin is a brain-gut peptide known for its growth hormone (GH)-releasing and appetite-inducing activities. This natural GH secretagogue (GHS) was originally purified from rat stomach, but it is expressed widely in different tissues where it may have endocrine and paracrine effects. The central effects of ghrelin on adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) cells, ACTH release and subsequent corticosterone release from adrenal glands remains to be clarified. The aim of this study was to specifically determine the morphological features of ACTH-producing pituicytes and blood concentration of ACTH and corticosterone after central administration of ghrelin. Five doses of rat ghrelin or PBS (n=10 per group) were injected every 24 h (1 microg of ghrelin in 5 muL PBS), into the lateral cerebral ventricle of male rats. Results showed that ghrelin increased (p<0.05) absolute and relative pituitary weights compared to controls (58% and 41% respectively). Morphometric parameters, i.e. the volume of the ACTH cells, nuclear volume, and volume density were all increased (p<0.05), by 17%, 6% and 13%, respectively, 2 h after the last ghrelin treatment. Ghrelin increased circulating concentrations of ACTH and corticosterone (p<0.05) by 62% and 66%, respectively. The data provide clear documentation that intracerebroventricular ghrelin stimulates ACTH cell hypertrophy and proliferation, and promotes ACTH and corticosterone release. Determining the role of ghrelin in physiological stress responses and whether control of the peptide's activity would be useful for prevention and/or treatment of stress-induced diseases remain important research goals.

[Helicobacter pylori infection and a decrease in the pH of gastric juice as a possible cause of bleeding in erosive gastritis]

INTRODUCTION

Bleeding erosive gastritis and ulcer disease are the most common causes of bleeding from the upper parts of the alimentary tract. Over the period of the last 10 years there has been an increased number of patients where Helicobacter pylori is mentioned as the possible cause of infection. At the same time in this group of patients pH values were decreased. During our research we wanted to examine the influence of local pH value and Helicobacter pylori infection on the occurrence of bleeding erosive gastritis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

During this research we examined two groups of patients. The following parameters were examined within these two groups of patients: 1. presence of Helicobacter pylori infection; 2. histopathologic changes in mucus; 3. there were 57 patients with a bleeding form of gastritis of unknown etiology, whereas the second group consisted of 351 patients with non-bleeding form of gastritis. We examined the localization: 4. local pH.

RESULTS

The presence of Helicobacter pylori infection is statistically significantly higher in the group of patients with bleeding gastritis, when compared to the non-bleeding group (72%:57%). Within the Helicobacter positive patients the most common change of mucose (over 90%) is active chronic gastritis. The presence of erosions and histopathological changes characteristic for Helicobacter pylori infection coincides with colonization of Helicobacter in the antrum. The pathogenetic action of bacteria in antrum decreases the local pH. Therefore the lowest value of local pH occurred in the group of bleeding Helicobacter pylori positive gastritis (1.72).

DISCUSSION

Results of this research helped us in treatment of helicobacter pylori positive patients making a risk group for development of recurrent bleeding. We accomplished therapeutical effect in 80% of patients by using a three component eradication therapeutic protocol for helicobacter pylori. Within the group of patients who have been cured, regression of histopathological changes occurred and increase of local pH took place. In the group with persistent infection we have come across with high percentage of recurrent bleeding (37.5%).

CONCLUSION

In our opinion helicobaceter pylori infection and decrease of local pH, which take place during the reaction of mucose on the presence of infection, are very aggressive factors which can cause bleeding erosions.

[Risk factors in the development of bleeding peptic ulcer]

INTRODUCTION

Gastric or duodenal peptic ulcer is the most common cause of bleeding from upper parts of the alimentary tract. Although there is a great number of these patients in the clinical practice, there are some contradictory characteristics in regard to the age of patient, localization of ulcer, the diameter of ulcer and Helicobacter pylori infection as possible risk factors in development of bleeding peptic ulcer. The aim of this work is evaluation of risk factors in our patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

During this research we examened two groups of patients: a) first group consisted of patients with acute gastric or duodenal bleeding peptic ulcer, b) the second group consisted of patients without peptic ulcer bleeding. In both groups of patients we examined the most common risk factors for development of bleeding. This research took place in the Clinic for Surgery "Dr Dragisa Misović" in the period from January to December 1997.

RESULTS

In both groups we had male predominance. Patients with bleeding peptic ulcers are statistically older when compared with the non-bleeding group (52.2 +/- 7.3:65.3 +/- 8.1). In both groups the anterior wall of the duodenum is the most common localization. In the group of bleeding ulcers we had high frequency of patients with localization of ulcers in the back wall of the duodenal bulb (20%). In this group of patients there was a high percentage of penetrating ulcers (62.5%) with active arterial bleeding (Forrest I a). Ulcers on the front wall of duodenal bulb and in small bend of stomach, as most common (over 50%), gave small peptic ulcers (under l cm) with capillary bleeding (oozing-Forrest I b) without haemodynamic complications. The presence of Helicobacter pylori infection is statistically significantly higher in the group of patients with bleeding peptic ulcers.

DISCUSSION

The age of patients and localization of ulcer are very important and well known risk factors for development of bleeding peptic ulcer. However, in the last ten years Helicobacter pylori infection has become one of the most important risk factors. All Helicobacter pylori positive patients were treated with three component eradicational therapy for Helicobacter pylori. In this way we restricted the number of recurrent bleeding.

CONCLUSION

In our opinion the age of patient, localization of ulcer, diameter and Helicobacter pylori infection are very important risk factors for development of bleeding peptic ulcer.

The diffuse and macular atrophic dermatosis. A precocious and progressive light degenerative condition

Two brothers with the "diffuse and macular atrophic dermatosis" making a total of 4 patients are reported. The familial occurrence, numerous large "peau citréine" plaques situated on the dorsum of the upper trunk and congenital phimosis with superficial atrophy of glans penis, represent and additional features reported. The light and electron microscopic findings of the least affected site on the arm, of a "peau citréine" and of an erythemoscleroatrophic plaque, none previously studied, have been reported. Among other items, it was also found that the elastic stain-positive globe-like structures found in an unusually large number throughout the edematous upper dermis represent more advancely transformed "Civatte bodies" containing epidermal filamentous cell material.

[Multiple, continuous and progressive fibromatosis (author's transl)]

Fibromatoses--a subgroup within the group formed by various disorders of fibroblastic origin--have been reviewed. The existence of cases which defy an easy classification has been pointed out. The case of a patient, aged 44, in whom multiple, continuous and progressive tumours, some with considerable invagination, have kept appearing since the age of 10, has been reported.