The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 43121 and L. fermentum MF27 on biochemical indices in the serum, cholesterol metabolism in the liver and mucin expression in the gallbladder in lithogenic diet (LD)induced C57BL/6 mice to determine the preventive effects of lactobacilli on gallstone formation. By the end of 4 wk of the experimental period, mice fed on a LD with high-fat and high-cholesterol exhibited higher levels of total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the serum compared to mice fed on control diet or LD with Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 43121 (LD+P1; p<0.05). Cholesterol-lowering effects observed in the LD+P1 and LD with L. fermentum MF27 (LD+P2) groups were associated with reduced expression of 3-hydroxy-3methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase in the liver compared to the LD group (p<0.05). Furthermore, expression of the gel-forming mucin, including MUC5AB and MUC5B, was suppressed in the LD+P1 and LD+P2 groups compared to the LD group (p<0.05). Therefore, steady intake of both L. acidophilus ATCC 43121 and L. fermentum MF27 may have the ability to prevent the formation of cholesterol gallstones in LD-induced C57BL/6 mice.
Purpose: Non-intraocular pressure (IOP) factors such as vascular factors have been identified as contributing to normal tension glaucoma. However, there is not an established range of haemorheological factors considered normal, nor are there standardized tests. In this study, we investigated differences in blood viscosity and haemorheological parameters between patients with normal tension glaucoma (NTG) and normal controls using a new instrument called the BVD-RO1 (BIO-VISCO. Inc., Jeonju, Korea). Methods: Twenty patients with NTG and 20 age-matched normal controls were included in the study. Haemorheological parameters of the venous blood samples, including blood viscosity at the shear rates of 300 (high shear rate) and 1 (low shear rate) s −1were measured using an automated scanning capillary tube viscometer. Results: More hematocrit concentration was detected in the NTG group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, higher blood viscosities at the high (p < 0.01) and low (p < 0.01) shear rates were found in the NTG group. Conclusions: The NTG patients differed in blood viscosity with the control group. This may signify the importance of hemodynamic factors in the pathogenesis of NTG. J Korean Ophthalmol Soc 2015;56(5):753-758
Purpose: To report a case of corneal ulcer caused by Achromobacter xylosoxidans in a farmer. Case summary: A previously healthy 68-year-old man presented with unilateral redness and irritation after his eye was grazed by a cow's tail. The patient had previously been treated in a local clinic for four days without improvement. Bacterial staining, culture, and an antibiotic sensitivity test were performed from a corneal scrape. The cultures revealed growth of A. xylosoxidans. The patient was treated with moxifloxacin and ceftazidime eyedrops. After three months of treatment, the infection was resolved with mild scarring. Conclusions: Although it is a rare pathogen, A. xylosoxidans should be considered as a potential pathogen in patients presenting with corneal ulceration due to trauma from an object contaminated by soil or animal feces and having a slowly progressive disease and localized infiltrate but showing Gram-negative bacilli on smear examination.
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