Impact of Carbohydrates on the Aggregation of Probiotic Bacteria

Probiotic bacteria can be beneficial to the gastrointestinal tract in the human body in numerous ways. Autoaggregation may play a key role in allowing probiotics to prevent pathogenic organisms from colonizing the intestinal system. Currently, scientific research does not account for the extent in which the autoaggregation capacities of probiotics may be influenced by carbohydrates. In this experiment, nine carbohydrate sources, including those with prebiotic qualities, were applied to eighteen strains of bacteria of the Lactobacillus genus. The experiment evaluated the autoaggregation abilities of the lactobacilli strains exposed to the carbohydrate treatments. Generally, no carbohydrates stimulated the autoaggregation of most strains of lactobacilli. However, experimental results confirmed the rapid autoaggregation of Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 exposed to treatments of 2’-fucosyllactose. These experimental results are relevant in understanding how carbohydrates may indirectly impact how probiotics can prevent pathogens from colonizing the gastrointestinal tract within the human body.Ope

Initial Assessment of Potential Relationships Between Plant Communities and the Soil Microbiome in Closed Forest and Longleaf Pine Restoration Sites.

Longleaf pine is an endangered ecosystem characterized by high levels of biodiversity. Our study took place in the Sheffield Wildlife Management Area located in the Piedmont ecoregion of Georgia in Paulding County. Fifty plots of 10 x 30 m2 were setup on south or north facing slopes, some in covered forest, and some in an area actively being restored for the longleaf pine. All trees above 1.37 m were identified and had their diameter measured, and species diversity, relative density, dominance, and frequency were determined. Herbaceous plant cover percentages were recorded in select plots. Soil samples were also collected in sterile plastic tubes in six of the above-mentioned plots, at the center and 10 m above and below the central point of each plot. Plant species diversity was slightly higher in south facing compared to north facing slopes, and the soil microbiome suggests high levels of bacterial diversity and differences in fungal microbiome among plots. Our aim is to begin to determine potential associations between below and above-ground communities

The effect of consumption volume on profile and liking of oral nutritional supplements of varied sweetness: sequential profiling and boredom tests

Oral nutrition supplements (ONS) are routinely prescribed to those with, or at risk of, malnutrition. Previous research identified poor compliance due to taste and sweetness. This paper investigates taste and hedonic liking of ONS, of varying sweetness and metallic levels, over consumption volume; an important consideration as patients are prescribed large volumes of ONS daily. A sequential descriptive profile was developed to determine the perception of sensory attributes over repeat consumption of ONS. Changes in liking of ONS following repeat consumption were characterised by a boredom test. Certain flavour (metallic taste, soya milk flavour) and mouthfeel (mouthdrying, mouthcoating) attributes built up over increased consumption volume (p 0.002). Hedonic liking data from two cohorts, healthy older volunteers (n = 32, median age 73) and patients (n = 28, median age 85), suggested such build-up was disliked. Efforts made to improve the palatability of ONS must take account of the build up of taste and mouthfeel characteristics over increased consumption volume

The Center on Civic Literacy

poster abstractThe Center for Civic Literacy at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis was established to address the public deficit in constitutional and civic knowledge. It will be the nation’s first research center devoted to studying what our citizens do and do not know about their representative republic. Self-government in a democratic state requires a civically educated citizenry. There is ample evidence that Americans, on average, are civically illiterate. Only 36 percent of Americans can correctly name the three branches of government (Annenberg Public Policy Center, 2007). Fewer than half of 12th grade students can describe the meaning of federalism (NAEP, 2006). Newsweek recently asked 1,000 U.S. citizens to take the official citizenship test; seventy-three percent couldn’t say why we fought the Cold War, 44 percent were unable to define the Bill of Rights, and 94 percent were unable to list the correct number of Constitutional amendments (Romano, 2011). Surveys such as these, as well as the few formal studies that have been completed on civics, point to an alarming “civics recession” (Quigley, 2011). Annenberg Public Policy Center. 2007. “Annenberg Public Policy Center Judicial Survey.” http://www.annenbergpublicpolicy.org/Downloads/20071017_JudicialSurvey/Survey_Questions_10-17-2007.pdf (May 30, 2011). National Assessment of Educational Progress. 2006. “NAEP – Civics 2006: The Nation’s Report Card.” http://nationsreportcare.gov/civics_2006/ (May 30, 2011) Romano, Andrew. “How Dumb Are We?” The Daily Beast. Newsweek/Daily Beast, 20 Mar. 2011. Web. http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2011/03/20/how-dumb-are-we.html Quigley, Charles. “National Assessment Governing Board – Newsroom – Press Releases –2010 NAEP Civics Report – Charles N. Quigley’s Statement.” National Assessment Governing Board. Web. 27 Mar. 2012. http://www.nagb.org/civics/statement-quigley.htm The Center for Civic Literacy’s poster presentation highlights three things: 1. The current deficit in research and understanding of civic literacy 2. The intersection of civic literacy and civic engagement 3. The research agenda devised through our potential partnerships and National Advisory Committe

Mismatch-based delayed thrombolysis: a meta-analysis

<p><b>Background and Purpose</b>: Clinical benefit from thrombolysis is reduced as stroke onset to treatment time increases. The use of "mismatch" imaging to identify patients for delayed treatment has face validity and has been used in case series and clinical trials. We undertook a meta-analysis of relevant trials to examine whether present evidence supports delayed thrombolysis among patients selected according to mismatch criteria.</p> <p><b>Methods</b>: We collated outcome data for patients who were enrolled after 3 hours of stroke onset in thrombolysis trials and had mismatch on pretreatment imaging. We selected the trials on the basis of a systematic search of the Web of Knowledge. We compared favorable outcome, reperfusion and/or recanalization, mortality, and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage between the thrombolyzed and nonthrombolyzed groups of patients and the probability of a favorable outcome among patients with successful reperfusion and clinical findings for 3 to 6 versus 6 to 9 hours from poststroke onset. Results are expressed as adjusted odds ratios (a-ORs) with 95% CIs. Heterogeneity was explored by test statistics for clinical heterogeneity, I2 (inconsistency), and L’Abbé plot.</p> <p><b>Results</b>: We identified articles describing the DIAS, DIAS II, DEDAS, DEFUSE, and EPITHET trials, giving a total of 502 mismatch patients thrombolyzed beyond 3 hours. The combined a-ORs for favorable outcomes were greater for patients who had successful reperfusion (a-OR=5.2; 95% CI, 3 to 9; I2=0%). Favorable clinical outcome was not significantly improved by thrombolysis (a-OR=1.3; 95% CI, 0.8 to 2.0; I2=20.9%). Odds for reperfusion/recanalization were increased among patients who received thrombolytic therapy (a-OR=3.0; 95% CI, 1.6 to 5.8; I2=25.7%). The combined data showed a significant increase in mortality after thrombolysis (a-OR=2.4; 95% CI, 1.2 to 4.9; I2=0%), but this was not confirmed when we excluded data from desmoteplase doses that were abandoned in clinical development (a-OR=1.6; 95% CI, 0.7 to 3.7; I2=0%). Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage was significantly increased after thrombolysis (a-OR=6.5; 95% CI, 1.2 to 35.4; I2=0%) but not significant after exclusion of abandoned doses of desmoteplase (a-OR=5.4; 95% CI, 0.9 to 31.8; I2=0%).</p> <p><b>Conclusions</b>: Delayed thrombolysis amongst patients selected according to mismatch imaging is associated with increased reperfusion/recanalization. Recanalization/reperfusion is associated with improved outcomes. However, delayed thrombolysis in mismatch patients was not confirmed to improve clinical outcome, although a useful clinical benefit remains possible. Thrombolysis carries a significant risk of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage and possibly increased mortality. Criteria to diagnose mismatch are still evolving. Validation of the mismatch selection paradigm is required with a phase III trial. Pending these results, delayed treatment, even according to mismatch selection, cannot be recommended as part of routine care.</p&gt

Role Of International Research Experiences In The Development Of Women Of Color In Chemistry

As undergraduate students cultivate their scientific knowledge and abilities, several high-impact educational practices such as undergraduate research and global experiences have proven exponentially beneficial for their development and success. Current literature on underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities has focused primarily on the impact of undergraduate research on this subpopulation. However, fewer studies have explored the impact of global research experiences and women of color in international research experiences. Grounded in the theoretical frameworks of Social Cognitive Career Theory, Intersectionality, and Community Cultural Wealth, this present study explored the impact of international undergraduate research experiences on women of color from groups underrepresented in chemistry. We found that, after participating in international research, women of color from historically underrepresented groups (1) were aware of the realities of being a woman and a minority in STEM, (2) had utilized a wealth of cultural capital to navigate the international research experience, (3) had recognized the value of the international research experience on their personal growth, and (4) had recognized the benefits of their international research experience on postundergraduate pursuits. The findings suggest that international research experiences contribute substantially to the holistic development of women of color in scientific disciplines such as chemistry

Pumps and Watering Systems for Managed Beef Grazing (2000)

Water for beef cattle may come from wells, ponds, creeks, springs or public water supplies, although the last of these sources can be too costly for watering a large herd year-round. Wells are a prime source of water at the farmstead. However, cattle on pasture are usually watered from surface sources in Missouri. Keeping the animals from entering the water source will generally maintain higher water quality and result in better livestock production.New 10/00/7M; Reviewed 4/0

Pumps and Watering Systems for Managed Beef Grazing (2007)

Water for beef cattle may come from wells, ponds, creeks, springs or public water supplies, although the last of these sources can be too costly for watering a large herd year-round. Wells are a prime source of water at the farmstead. However, cattle on pasture are usually watered from surface sources in Missouri. Keeping the animals from entering the water source will generally maintain higher water quality and result in better livestock production.Reviewed April 200