A reassessment of the PROPATRIA study and its implications for probiotic therapy.

The PROPATRIA (Probiotics in Pancreatitis Trial) study was a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial that aimed to reduce infectious complications in patients with predicted severe acute pancreatitis by the enteral use of a multispecies probiotic preparation. An unprecedented 24 of 152 patients (16%) in the group receiving probiotics died versus 9 of 144 (6%) in the placebo group. This high mortality rate in the probiotic-treated group contrasts strongly with observations from a previous smaller study and from our observations regarding the effects of abundant intestinal lactobacilli in patients with short small bowel (SSB) syndrome.

Microbial mito-pathogens: fact or fiction?

Mitochondria are bacteria-like semi-autonomous intracellular organelles that function as the powerhouses of eukaryotic cells. Inactivation or destruction of these organelles may have far-reaching consequences regarding the viability of the cells and thus of tissues, organs and finally even the body. Since mitochondria resemble (degenerated) bacteria, we have extrapolated from both cytological and microbiological facts the existence of various (kinds of) mitochondrion-specific microbial pathogens, i.

Microbial proteinase inside human cells as anti-mitochondrial activity: a new virulence factor in infectious diseases?

Both bacteria and fungi produce extracellular proteinases since they need aminoacids for optimal reproduction. This may also occur inside host cells. Viral proteinases are produced during propagation inside host cells to supply amino acids for rapid synthesis of viral proteins, and/or to split poly-protein molecules into single protein molecules, e.

What of apoptosis is important: the decay process or the causative origin?

Apoptosis is defined as the process of ''programmed cell death'' (PCD), during which many cells simultaneously die from within along a very orderly pattern. PCD is as intrinsic for cells as mitosis and is involved in both degenerative and developmental processes of organs and organisms. The pattern of apoptotic cell decay is caused by the total cellular content.

Stem cells from residual IVF-embryos - Continuation of life justifies isolation.

Embryonic stem cells are undifferentiated pluripotent cells that can indefinitely grow in vitro. They are derived from the inner mass of early embryos. Because of their ability to differentiate into all three embryonic germ layers, and finally into specialized somatic cell types, human embryonic stem cells represent important material for studying developmental biology and cell replacement therapy.

Increased hepatic gluconeogenesis: the secret of Lance Armstrong's success.

Enormous amounts of lactic acid are produced during endurance sport by muscle cells. This metabolite is thought responsible for the muscle pain and the fatigue during sport. Its internal removal from the body by enzymatic conversion depends mainly on the capacity of the hepatic gluconeogenesis that converts lactic acid to glucose.

How to prevent 'half-bastard' progeny? or An alternative for three-parent babies: two-parent babies through transplantation of sperm mitochondria.

Body development and activity depend on the level of internal energy generation. Therefore, unaffected, optimally active mitochondria are indispensable in a healthy and vital body. A mutation in the DNA of the semi-autonomous mitochondria (mtDNA) may cause an inheritable insufficiency that is due to decreased energy generation needed for adequate development.

Arguments for a lower carbohydrate-higher fat diet in patients with a short small bowel.

Short small bowel patients suffer from malabsorption due to a strongly reduced small bowel surface. These patients usually get a high caloric high carbohydrate-low fat diet at oral or enteral feeding. At several points our studies demonstrate that the effect of this formula is doubtful.