Evaluation of the functional efficacy of an antioxidative probiotic in healthy volunteers

BACKGROUND: In persons without clinical symptom it is difficult to assess an impact of probiotics regarding its effect on health. We evaluated the functional efficacy of the probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3 in healthy volunteers by measuring the influence of two different formulations on intestinal lactoflora, fecal recovery of the probiotic strain and oxidative stress markers of blood and urine after 3 weeks consumption. METHODS: Two 3-week healthy volunteer trials were performed. Open placebo controlled (OPC) study participants (n = 21) consumed either goat milk or by L. fermentum ME-3 fermented goat milk (daily dose 11.8 log CFU (Colony Forming Units). Double blind randomised placebo controlled (DBRP) study participants (n = 24) received either capsules with L. fermentum ME-3 (daily of dose 9.2 CFU) or placebo capsules. The faecal lactoflora composition, faecal ME-3 recovery, effect of the consumption on intestinal lactoflora, and oxidative stress markers of blood (total antioxidative activity; total antioxidative status and glutathione red-ox ratio) was measured. RESULTS: ME-3 was well tolerated and a significant increase in total faecal lactobacilli yet no predominance of ME-3 was detected in all study groups. Faecal recovery of ME-3 was documented by molecular methods only in fermented milk group, however the significant improvement of blood TAA (Total Antioxidative Activity) and TAS (Total Antioxidative Status) indices was seen both in case of fermented goat milk and capsules", yet glutathione re-ox ratio values decreased only in case of fermented by ME-3 goat milk. CONCLUSION: The functional efficacy of both consumed formulations of an antioxidative probiotic L. fermentum ME-3 is proved by the increase of the intestinal lactobacilli counts providing putative defence against enteric infections and by reduction of the oxidative stress indices of blood and urine of healthy volunteers. In non-diseased host the probiotic health claims can be assessed by improvement of some measurable laboratory indices of well-established physiological functions of host, e.g. markers of antioxidative defence system

3EG J2016+3657: Confirming an EGRET Blazar Behind the Galactic Plane

We recently identified the blazar-like radio source G74.87+1.22 (B2013+370) as the counterpart of the high-energy gamma-ray source 3EG J2016+3657 in the Galactic plane. However, since most blazar identifications of EGRET sources are only probabilistic in quality even at high Galactic latitude, and since there also exists a population of unidentified Galactic EGRET sources, we sought to obtain additional evidence to support our assertion that 3EG J2016+3657 is a blazar. These new observations consist of a complete set of classifications for the 14 brightest ROSAT X-ray sources in the error circle, of which B2013+370 remains the most likely source of the gamma-rays. We also obtained further optical photometry of B2013+370 itself which shows that it is variable, providing additional evidence of its blazar nature. Interestingly, this field contains, in addition to the blazar, the plerionic supernova remnant CTB 87, which is too distant to be the EGRET source, and three newly discovered cataclysmic variables, all five of these X-ray sources falling within 16' of each other. This illustrates the daunting problem of obtaining complete identifications of EGRET sources in the Galactic plane.Comment: 16 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journa

Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Renal Patients and Healthy Subjects

The first goal of this study was to measure the oxidative stress (OS) and relate it to lipoprotein variables in 35 renal patients before dialysis (CKD), 37 on hemodialysis (HD) and 63 healthy subjects. The method for OS was based on the ratio of cholesteryl esters (CE) containing C18/C16 fatty acids (R2) measured by gas chromatography (GC) which is a simple, direct, rapid and reliable procedure. The second goal was to investigate and identify a triacylglycerol peak on GC, referred to as TG48 (48 represents the sum of the three fatty acids carbon chain lengths) which was markedly increased in renal patients compared to healthy controls. We measured TG48 in patients and controls. Mass spectrometry (MS) and MS twice in tandem were used to analyze the fatty acid composition of TG48. MS showed that TG48 was abundant in saturated fatty acids (SFAs) that were known for their pro-inflammatory property. TG48 was significantly and inversely correlated with OS. Renal patients were characterized by higher OS and inflammation than healthy subjects. Inflammation correlated strongly with TG, VLDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein (apo) C-III and apoC-III bound to apoB-containing lipoproteins, but not with either total cholesterol or LDL-cholesterol

Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3 – an antimicrobial and antioxidative probiotic

The paper lays out the short scientific history and characteristics of the new probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum strain ME-3 DSM-14241, elaborated according to the regulations of WHO/FAO (2002). L. fermentum ME-3 is a unique strain of Lactobacillus species, having at the same time the antimicrobial and physiologically effective antioxidative properties and expressing health-promoting characteristics if consumed. Tartu University has patented this strain in Estonia (priority June 2001, patent in 2006), Russia (patent in 2006) and the USA (patent in 2007). The paper describes the process of the identification and molecular typing of this probiotic strain of human origin, its deposition in an international culture collection, and its safety assessment by laboratory tests and testing on experimental animals and volunteers. It has been established that L. fermentum strain ME-3 has double functional properties: antimicrobial activity against intestinal pathogens and high total antioxidative activity (TAA) and total antioxidative status (TAS) of intact cells and lysates, and it is characterized by a complete glutathione system: synthesis, uptake and redox turnover. The functional efficacy of the antimicrobial and antioxidative probiotic has been proven by the eradication of salmonellas and the reduction of liver and spleen granulomas in Salmonella Typhimurium-infected mice treated with the combination of ofloxacin and L. fermentum strain ME-3. Using capsules or foodstuffs enriched with L. fermentum ME-3, different clinical study designs (including double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover studies) and different subjects (healthy volunteers, allergic patients and those recovering from a stroke), it has been shown that this probiotic increased the antioxidative activity of sera and improved the composition of the low-density lipid particles (LDL) and post-prandial lipids as well as oxidative stress status, thus demonstrating a remarkable anti-atherogenic effect. The elaboration of the probiotic L. fermentum strain ME-3 has drawn on wide international cooperative research and has taken more than 12 years altogether. The new ME-3 probiotic-containing products have been successfully marketed and sold in Baltic countries and Finland

Hemodialysis Removes Uremic Toxins That Alter the Biological Actions of Endothelial Cells

Chronic kidney disease is linked to systemic inflammation and to an increased risk of ischemic heart disease and atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction associates with hypertension and vascular disease in the presence of chronic kidney disease but the mechanisms that regulate the activation of the endothelium at the early stages of the disease, before systemic inflammation is established remain obscure. In the present study we investigated the effect of serum derived from patients with chronic kidney disease either before or after hemodialysis on the activation of human endothelial cells in vitro, as an attempt to define the overall effect of uremic toxins at the early stages of endothelial dysfunction. Our results argue that uremic toxins alter the biological actions of endothelial cells and the remodelling of the extracellular matrix before signs of systemic inflammatory responses are observed. This study further elucidates the early events of endothelial dysfunction during toxic uremia conditions allowing more complete understanding of the molecular events as well as their sequence during progressive renal failure

Internet of Things (IoT) Monitoring and Control for Smart Heating and Cooling in a Residential Building

With building sector accounting for 40% of current total energy utilization, notably within heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, the imperative to mitigate this challenge is evident. To address this issue and curtail energy usage in the sector, researchers are exploring various tools. One promising approach is leveraging the Internet of Things (IoT) to optimize energy usage during heating and cooling of buildings. This work specifically investigated an IoT-based system for monitoring and controlling heating and cooling in Canadian residential housing. The simulation focused on a house from the Canadian Centre for Housing Technology, evaluated during the fall season using two control strategies responding to outside air temperature conditions and additionally introducing time-oriented temperature in the house. The results demonstrated that the house could consistently maintain a desired comfort level, irrespective of the outdoor conditions. Moreover, the developed IoT system accurately determined whether heating or cooling was required, efficiently avoiding simultaneous usage of both systems to prevent energy wastage. A comparison between the two control strategies revealed that the enhanced one exhibited significant improvement in energy consumption compared to the previous approach. Specifically, during fall, the IoT-based system using the improved control strategy demonstrated an average of 21% and 30% lower energy consumption for heating and cooling modes, respectively. Clearly, adopting wise control strategies proved to be an effective means of reducing energy consumption. In conclusion, this simulation effectively demonstrated the potential of IoT in monitoring and controlling household temperatures, leading to reduced energy consumption. However, it is recommended further field measurement is necessary to quantify the energy reductions when implementing this method for smart home HVAC systems

Optimal Design and Cost Analysis of Microgrid Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems with Hydrogen Production and Storage and Battery

Concern about controlling climate change, and recognition of the urgent need to reduce the quantum of greenhouse gases emitted worldwide, has kindled interest in alternative sources of energy. Particular attention is currently on microgrid (MG) hybrid renewable energy systems. This work has been undertaken to appraise the viability of applying MGs with both hydrogen production and storage, and battery options to supply electricity for off-grid applications. Simulation models were created in HOMER platform to analyze and optimize the performance of the considered configurations for an off-grid residential building in Canada. Two distinct system arrangements were assessed, which comprised of photovoltaic (PV) panels, wind turbines (WTs), fuel cells (FCs), electrolysers, hydrogen tanks, battery storage, diesel generators, converters, and controllers. The outcomes demonstrated that both systems are viable selections. Furthermore, it was proven that the MG battery-based system is the better arrangement for the household considered that results to the minimum levelized cost of energy (COE) and a renewable fraction (RF) of 0.36/kWh and 82.2%, respectively, compared to the hydrogen-based one, which has a COE and an RF of 0.57/kWh and 70.1%, respectively. With increasing recognition of, and interest in hydrogen technology, it is hoped that advances and discoveries in this beneficial technology will naturally be made, leading to significant reductions in the present costliness of operating the system

Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems with Hydrogen and Battery Storage Options for Stand-Alone Residential Building Application in Canada

As the world moves definitively towards cleaner energy and deploys resources to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, greater interest in the potential for implementing hybrid renewable energy systems (HRES) has been ignited. This study aims to investigate the technical and economic feasibility of using an HRES with hydrogen and battery storage alternatives to provide electricity for remote household use. Dynamic simulation models were developed in HOMER Pro 3.15 software to simulate and optimize the performance of the proposed microgrid (MG) systems. Two different system configurations were simulated, which consisted of various components and systems, including solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, diesel generators, hydrogen production and storage systems, and battery storage. These MG configurations were simulated and optimized for a stand-alone household in Canada. The simulation results proved that both PV-hydrogen-diesel and PV-battery-diesel systems are viable solutions for MG applications. Moreover, the results indicated that the configuration with hydrogen storage was less economical than that which utilised conventional, mature battery storage. Diesel generators played a vital role in providing backup energy to the system s, which enhanced their reliability, an important factor particularly during the harsh Canadian winter months when the electrical load was highest. It should be mentioned that it is expected that when development in hydrogen technology is further advanced and deployed in the near future, the hydrogen-based MG system cost will likely drop significantly