Microencapsulated Genetically Engineered Lactobacillus plantarum 80 (pCBH1) for Bile Acid Deconjugation and Its Implication in Lowering Cholesterol

Cholesterol is known to be a major risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). Current treatments for elevated blood cholesterol include dietary management, regular exercise, and drug therapy with fibrates, bile acid sequestrants, and statins. Such therapies, however, are often suboptimal and carry a risk for serious side effects. This study shows that microencapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum 80 (pCBH1) cells can efficiently break down and remove bile acids, and establishes a basis for their use in lowering blood serum cholesterol. Results show that microencapsulated LP80 (pCBH1) is able to effectively break down the conjugated bile acids glycodeoxycholic acid (GDCA) and taurodeoxycholic acid (TDCA) with bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activities of 0.19 and 0.08 μmol DCA/mg CDW/h respectively. This article also summarizes the physiological interrelationship between bile acids and cholesterol and predicts the oral doses of microencapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum 80 (pCBH1) cells required for lowering cholesterol

The Accuracy of the Electrocardiogram during Exercise Stress Test Based on Heart Size

BACKGROUND: Multiple studies have shown that the exercise electrocardiogram (ECG) is less accurate for predicting ischemia, especially in women, and there is additional evidence to suggest that heart size may affect its diagnostic accuracy. HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this investigation was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the exercise ECG based on heart size. METHODS: We evaluated 1,011 consecutive patients who were referred for an exercise nuclear stress test. Patients were divided into two groups: small heart size defined as left ventricular end diastolic volume (LVEDV) <65 mL (Group A) and normal heart size defined as LVEDV ≥65 mL (Group B) and associations between ECG outcome (false positive vs. no false positive) and heart size (small vs. normal) were analyzed using the Chi square test for independence, with a Yates continuity correction. LVEDV calculations were performed via a computer-processing algorithm. SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging was used as the gold standard for the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD). RESULTS: Small heart size was found in 142 patients, 123 female and 19 male patients. There was a significant association between ECG outcome and heart size (χ(2) = 4.7, p = 0.03), where smaller hearts were associated with a significantly greater number of false positives. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests a possible explanation for the poor diagnostic accuracy of exercise stress testing, especially in women, as the overwhelming majority of patients with small heart size were women

Artificial cell microcapsules for oral delivery of thalidomide for use in Crohn's disease : design, preparation, and in-vitro analysis

A delivery method for the oral administration of thalidomide for lowering tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNT-alpha), and thus Crohn's disease-related inflammation in the proximal small intestine, using two separate engineered polymer microcapsules is explored in this thesis. Membrane formation of both alginate-polylysine-alginate (APA) and alginate-chitosan (AC) capsules are discussed and thalidomide encapsulation procedures have been described. In-vitro tests have been used to monitor capsule degradation and drug release in a simulated gastrointestinal environment. Also, culture and use of RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells for the simulation of the human intestine is described. Results show two separate methods of drug delivery by the APA and AC capsules. APA capsules release thalidomide in a timed-release fashion whereas AC capsules release the drug in a burst manner. These results implicate the benefits of the use of both capsules to target separate sites along the small intestine. Also the cultured macrophage studies conclude that the proposed encapsulation therapy does indeed lower TNF-alpha levels and could therefore be of benefit for the lowering of inflammation associated with Crohn's disease. However, further animal study is needed before full potential of this approach can be realized

Exploring the importance of teachers' institutional structure on the development of teachers' standards of assessment in Belgium

While a large body of research has focused on the effects of teachers' educational standards and/or expectations of different types of pupils related to pupils' ability, race/ethnicity, gender, and/or social class, there has been much less research on how such standards/expectations are formed by teachers' institutional structure. Previous research on the impact of institutional factors on teachers' pedagogy and curriculum has suggested the usefulness of a particular embedded, ecological model in studying the development of teachers' standards/expectations of pupils. This article uses ethnographic data gathered from one Belgian (Flemish) multicultural vocational and technical education school to illustrate the usefulness of this conceptual framework for studying the development of teachers' standards of assessment of pupils. The conclusion discusses implications for future research on the development of teachers' standards and/or expectations of pupils