Characterization of the anti-inflammatory Lactobacillus reuteri BM36301 and its probiotic benefits on aged mice.

Background: The gut microbiota is playing more important roles in host immune regulation than was initially expected. Since many benefits of microbes are highly strain-specific and their mechanistic details remain largely elusive, further identification of new probiotic bacteria with immunoregulatory potentials is of great interest.

Results: We have screened our collection of probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) for their efficacy in modulating host immune response.

Effects of Nominal Differences in Cage Height and Floor Space on the Wellbeing of Rabbits.

The 8th edition of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals recommends a cage height of 16 in. for rabbits, compared with 14 in. in the previous edition.

The Environmental Enrichment Committee.

Both the US Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and the Canadian Council on Animal Care Guide to the Care and Use of Experimental Animals specify that suitable enrichment and social interaction with con-specifics should be considered when planning adequate housing for all laboratory animal species. In response to this dictum, the University of Notre Dame established an Environmental Enrichment Committee to develop, implement and assess an overall enrichment programme that encompasses all species housed at the Freimann Life Science Center. Although many enrichment strategies had been used prior to the formation of the committee, having the facility director formally authorize a committee gave the members credibility with the Principle Investigators, resources for programme development and time allotments for meetings and observations.