Functional genomics provides insights into the role of Propionibacterium freudenreichii ssp. shermanii JS in cheese ripening.

Propionibacterium freudenreichii is a commercially important bacterium that is essential for the development of the characteristic eyes and flavor of Swiss-type cheeses. These bacteria grow actively and produce large quantities of flavor compounds during cheese ripening at warm temperatures but also appear to contribute to the aroma development during the subsequent cold storage of cheese. Here, we advance our understanding of the role of P.

Advances in tribological testing of artificial joint biomaterials using multidirectional pin-on-disk testers.

The introduction of numerous formulations of Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), which is widely used as a bearing material in orthopedic implants, necessitated screening of bearing couples to identify promising iterations for expensive joint simulations. Pin-on-disk (POD) testers capable of multidirectional sliding can correctly rank formulations of UHMWPE with respect to their predictive in vivo wear behavior. However, there are still uncertainties regarding POD test parameters for facilitating clinically relevant wear mechanisms of UHMWPE.

Quantitative strain-specific detection of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in human faecal samples by real-time PCR.

Aims: To develop a strain-specific rapid assay for identification and quantification of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in human faecal samples.

Methods And Results: A unique random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) band of the L. rhamnosus GG strain was isolated and sequenced.

In school-aged children a combination of galacto-oligosaccharides and Lactobacillus GG increases bifidobacteria more than Lactobacillus GG on its own.

The aim of this study was to compare a combination of Lactobacillus GG (LGG) and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) with LGG on its own, and their effects on the intestinal microbiota in school-aged children. The randomized, double-blinded, crossover study comprised 30 healthy children. There were two 3-week study periods with a 4-week wash-out period in between.

The effect of ageing with and without non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on gastrointestinal microbiology and immunology.

Elderly individuals are more susceptible to gastrointestinal problems such as constipation than young adults. Furthermore, the common use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) among the elderly is known to further increase such gastrointestinal ailments. To describe the specific changes in elderly, intestinal microbes, their metabolites and immune markers were measured from faecal samples obtained from fifty-five elderly individuals (aged 68-88 years), using either NSAID or not, and fourteen young adults (aged 21-39 years).

Effects of anti-Helicobacter pylori treatment and probiotic supplementation on intestinal microbiota.

The aims of this study were (i) to evaluate the effect of recommended antimicrobial treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection, consisting of clarithromycin, amoxicillin and lansoprazole, on intestinal microbiota and (ii) to determine the ability of a probiotic combination containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, L. rhamnosus LC705, Propionibacterium freudenreichii ssp. shermanii JS and Bifidobacterium breve Bb99 to prevent treatment-induced alterations in the intestinal microbiota.

Probiotic supplementation improves tolerance to Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy--a placebo-controlled, double-blind randomized pilot study.

Background: H. pylori is the major cause of chronic gastritis, and a risk factor for peptic ulcer and gastric cancer.

Aim: To investigate the effect of probiotic supplementation on the tolerance and efficacy of H.

Wear simulation of total hip prostheses with polyethylene against CoCr, alumina and diamond-like carbon.

The wear of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene acetabular cups was studied with a new biaxial hip wear simulator using diluted calf serum as a lubricant. The cups had been packed and gamma-irradiated in argon. The cups were articulated against two established types of femoral head, alumina and CoCr, and one experimental type, CoCr coated with diamond-like carbon (DLC).

Wear simulation of UHMWPE for total hip replacement with a multidirectional motion pin-on-disk device: effects of counterface material, contact area, and lubricant.

The wear of nonirradiated ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) was studied with a circularly translating pin-on-disk (CTPOD) device. With this simple device, the wear of the acetabular cup is simulated. Two shapes of a polyethylene pin were used: flat wear faces of 3.

Type of motion and lubricant in wear simulation of polyethylene acetabular cup.

The wear of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, the most commonly used bearing material in prosthetic joints, is often substantial, posing a significant clinical problem. For a long time, there has been a need for simple but still realistic wear test devices for prosthetic joint materials. The wear factors produced by earlier reciprocating and unidirectionally rotating wear test devices for polyethylene are typically two orders of magnitude too low, both in water and in serum lubrication.