Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM is a probiotic bacterium that has been produced commercially since 1972. The complete genome is 1,993,564 nt and devoid of plasmids. The average GC content is 34.71% with 1,864 predicted ORFs, of which 72.5% were functionally classified. Nine phage-related integrases were predicted, but no complete prophages were found. However, three unique regions designated as potential autonomous units (PAUs) were identified. These units resemble a unique structure and bear characteristics of both plasmids and phages. Analysis of the three PAUs revealed the presence of two R͞M systems and a prophage maintenance system killer protein. A spacers interspersed direct repeat locus containing 32 nearly perfect 29-bp repeats was discovered and may provide a unique molecular signature for this organism. In silico analyses predicted 17 transposase genes and a chromosomal locus for lactacin B, a class II bacteriocin. Several mucus-and fibronectin-binding proteins, implicated in adhesion to human intestinal cells, were also identified. Gene clusters for transport of a diverse group of carbohydrates, including fructooligosaccharides and raffinose, were present and often accompanied by transcriptional regulators of the lacI family. For protein degradation and peptide utilization, the organism encoded 20 putative peptidases, homologs for PrtP and PrtM, and two complete oligopeptide transport systems. Nine two-component regulatory systems were predicted, some associated with determinants implicated in bacteriocin production and acid tolerance. Collectively, these features within the genome sequence of L. acidophilus are likely to contribute to the organisms' gastric survival and promote interactions with the intestinal mucosa and microbiota.adhesion ͉ stress response ͉ proteolytic system ͉ sugar metabolism ͉ in silico analysis

Since the first systematic study of the significance of post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) in closed head injury, by , the findings of other studies have been consistent and in general agreement. A recent review (Smith, 1961) of investigations of the diagnostic and prognostic significance of duration of disturbed consciousness following closed head injury showed that all studies which had employed a definitive scale with absolute intervals had reported positive correlations between the length of PTA and the incidence of neurological signs and symptoms. In addition to providing confirmation of Russell's original findings, the range of clinical features whose incidence showed positive correlations has been extended considerably.The purpose of the present paper is f our \ x=r eq-\ fold:1. To define limitations and sources of ambiguity in the use of PTA as an index of severity of brain damage. 2. To present a preliminary report of significant representative findings in a study of 1,766 cases of closed head injury. 3. To define some of the factors influencing the sensitivity of PTA as demonstrated by dif¬ ferentiations of the population. 4. To illustrate the use of PTA as a means for differentiating organic and nonorganic sequelae of closed head injury and other significant im¬ plications. Definition of PTA In most cases of head injury, one of the immediate sequelae of trauma is a disturb¬ ance of consciousness. The degree of dis¬ turbance may vary from deep coma to a slight reduction in alertness. The duration of disturbance is the length of the interval during which current events have not been stored. Although this interval was originally referred to as the loss of full consciousness by Russell (1932), it is now generally ree-

Bacterial strain-specific induction of Foxp3(+) T regulatory cells in vivo is associated with protection from respiratory and oral allergy.

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EXPERIMENTAL concussion is a condition well known from the early investigations of Kocher [1901], Duret [1920], Polis [1894] and, more recently, Miller [1927 to be associated with a cessation of respiration and rise of blood pressure, of duration corresponding to the intensity of the blow. Re-investigation of the phenomenon in cats under nembutal anaesthesia confirms its appearance in severe degree, and ability to result in death, without macroscopic lesions of the brain stem. It is further established that the phenomenon can be elicited in the decerebrate animal, and corresponds with a passing depression of all bulbar reflexes (corneal, pinna reflexes, etc.). The respiratory centre is the most sensitive to percussion. Acceleration in movement resulting from the blow is the essential factor in the stimulus, for if the head is prevented from moving when struck the phenomenon fails to occur. Momentary deformity of the skull, and stimulation of superficial structures, therefore appear to play no part. An instant acceleration of the head from zero to 23 feet per second (or reverse deceleration) is the minimal stimulus for the cat. It is slightly higher for the macaque monkey. Labyrinthine stimulation likewise appears to have slight if any part in the phenomenon, for it is obtained after section of both eighth nerves. Rise of intracranial pressure does not accompany the phenomenon, though it is possible under certain circumstances to reproduce a similar effect by a shock-like rise of intracranial pressure alone.The nervous effect of a blow is thus considered to be due to the physical acceleration directly transmitted to each and every centre.

We have developed a novel molecular methodology that utilizes stool samples containing intact sloughed epithelial cells to quantify intestinal gene expression profiles in the developing human neonate. Since nutrition exerts a major role in regulating neonatal intestinal development and function, our goal was to identify gene sets (combinations) that are differentially regulated in response to infant feeding. For this purpose, fecal mRNA was isolated from exclusively breast-fed (n = 12) and formula-fed (n = 10) infants at 3 mo of age. Linear discriminant analysis was successfully used to identify the single genes and the two- to three-gene combinations that best distinguish the feeding groups. In addition, putative "master" regulatory genes were identified using coefficient of determination analysis. These results support our premise that mRNA isolated from stool has value in terms of characterizing the epigenetic mechanisms underlying the developmentally regulated transcriptional activation/repression of genes known to modulate gastrointestinal function. As larger data sets become available, this methodology can be extended to validation and, ultimately, identification of the main nutritional components that modulate intestinal maturation and function.

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