Impact of Gluten-Friendly Bread on the Metabolism and Function of In Vitro Gut Microbiota in Healthy Human and Coeliac Subjects.

The main aim of this paper was to assess the in vitro response of healthy and coeliac human faecal microbiota to gluten-friendly bread (GFB). Thus, GFB and control bread (CB) were fermented with faecal microbiota in pH-controlled batch cultures. The effects on the major groups of microbiota were monitored over 48 h incubations by fluorescence in situ hybridisation.

Neurocysticercosis as a cause of epilepsy and seizures in two community-based studies in a cysticercosis-endemic region in Peru.

Background: The prevalence of epilepsy added to inadequate treatment results in chronic morbidity and considerable mortality in poor populations. Neurocysticercosis (NCC), a helminthic disease of the central nervous system, is a leading cause of seizures and epilepsy in most of the world.

Methods: Taking advantage of a cysticercosis elimination program, we performed two community-based cross-sectional studies between 2006 and 2007 in 58 rural communities (population 20,610) to assess the prevalence and characteristics of epilepsy and epileptic seizures in this endemic region.

Nasal versus oronasal mask in home mechanical ventilation: the preference of patients as a strategy for choosing the interface.

Introduction: In home mechanical ventilation (HMV), the mask is a key factor for patient comfort and therapeutic adherence. There is no evidence on the best strategy for choosing the mask in HMV.

Objective: To explore patient preference when prescribing the mask for HMV treatment and assess its relationship with effectiveness.

Nocturnal home pulse oximetry: variability and clinical implications in home mechanical ventilation.

Background: Nocturnal home pulse oximetry (NHPO) provides information by measuring a series of variables: time spent with SaO(2) <90% expressed as percentage (T90) or in minutes (Tm90), mean SaO(2) (MnS), and lowest SaO(2) (LwS.) The presence of significant nocturnal desaturation has been proposed as a parameter in decision making with regard to initiating home mechanical ventilation (HMV) or monitoring HMV effectiveness. However, there is limited information on the possible variability of the test, and this could influence the interpretation of results.