Modulation of the fecal microflora profile and immune function by a novel trans-galactooligosaccharide mixture (B-GOS) in healthy elderly volunteers

Background: Aging is associated with reduced numbers of beneficial colonic bifidobacteria and impaired immunity. Galactooligosaccharides (GOSs) stimulate the growth of bifidobacteria in younger adults, but little is known about their effects in the elderly and their immunomodulatory capacity. Objective: We assessed the effect of a prebiotic GOS mixture (B-GOS) on immune function and fecal microflora composition in healthy elderly subjects. Design: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, 44 elderly subjects were randomly assigned to receive either a placebo or the B-GOS treatment (5.5 g/d). Subjects consumed the treatments for 10 wk, and then went through a 4-wk washout period, before switching to the other treatment for the final 10 wk. Blood and fecal samples were collected at the beginning, middle (5 wk), and end of the test period. Predominant bacterial groups were quantified, and phagocytosis, natural killer (NK) cell activity, cytokine production, plasma cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol were measured. Results: B-GOS significantly increased the numbers of beneficial bacteria, especially bifidobacteria, at the expense of less beneficial groups compared with the baseline and placebo. Significant increases in phagocytosis, NK cell activity, and the production of antiinflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) and significant reduction in the production of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1 beta , and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) were also observed. B-GOS exerted no effects on total cholesterol or HDL-cholesterol production, however. Conclusions: B-GOS administration to healthy elderly persons resulted in positive effects on both the microflora composition and the immune response. Therefore, B-GOS may be a useful dietary candidate for the enhancement of gastrointestinal health and immune function in elderly persons. Am J Clin Nutr 2008; 88: 1438-46.

Molecular identification and anti-pathogenic activities of putative probiotic bacteria isolated from faeces of healthy elderly individuals

One hundred and nine lactic acid bacterial strains (56 bifidobacteria-like and 53 lactobacilli-like) were isolated from faecal samples donated by healthy elderly individuals (>65 years old). Isolates were identified to species level by phenotypic analysis (by API) and by 16S rDNA sequencing. Eleven species of Lactobacillus and six species of Bifidobacterium were identified. The most frequently isolated lactobacillus was L. fermentum and the most frequently isolated bifidobacterium was closely related to B. infantis by 16S rDNA sequence alignment. The isolates were characterized for their antimicrobial activity against Clostridium difficile, enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), verocytotoxigenic E. coli (VTEC) and Campylobacter jejuni. The lactobacilli displayed variations in their antimicrobial activity with few strains showing inhibitory activity against all pathogens. The bifidobacteria displayed higher levels of inhibitory activity against C. jejuni and Cl. difficile than against the E. coli strains. Keywords: Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, elderly, gastrointestinal microbiota, inhibition, Clostridium difficile, enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), verocytotoxigenic E. coli (VTEC), Campylobacter jejuni.

Democracy and identity: educating the student voice

Considering the role of student voice in music education in connection with the role of music in identity formation. A report on a small-scale study.

Cancellation of siren noise from two way voice communications inside emergency vehicles

Sirens used by police, fire and paramedic vehicles have been designed so that they can be heard over large distances, but unfortunately the siren noise enters the vehicle and corrupts intelligibility of voice communications from the emergency vehicle to the control room. Often the siren needs to be turned off to enable the control room to hear what is being said. This paper discusses a siren noise filter system that is capable of removing the siren noise picked up by the two-way radio microphone inside the vehicle. The removal of the siren noise improves the response time for emergency vehicles and thus save lives. To date, the system has been trialed within a fire tender in a non-emergency situation, with good results.

Cancellation of siren noise from two-way voice communication inside emergency vehicles

The development of an adaptive filter system, capable of reducing significantly the effect of siren noise within the cab of an emergency vehicle, is described. The system is capable of removing the siren noise picked up by the radio microphone inside the vehicle, without degrading the wanted voice signal, thus allowing the siren to be used at all times.

Nutritional status and clinical outcome in elderly female surgical orthopaedic patients

The possible relationship between nutritional status and clinical outcome following orthopaedic hip surgery was investigated. The nutritional status of 60 elderly female patients admitted for elective total hip replacement (THR) and emergency fractured neck of femur surgery (FNF) was measured over time. Specific measures of clinical outcome, including well-being and functional status, were monitored during hospital stay and at 4, 8 and 26 weeks following discharge. Patients were allocated to a high nutritional risk group where any three of the following were less than the 5th percentile value: serum albumin, haemoglobin, triceps skinfold thickness, mid-upper arm muscle circumference and body weight. Using this definition, malnutrition was present in 4% of THR patients and 41% of FNF patients. It was found that the high risk patients had significantly longer convalescence periods, (median stay27.5 days compared with 0 days, P < 0.0009), and a greater proportion were dependent upon walking frames at 6 months (46% compared with 11%, P < 0.01). Fifty percent of the high risk patients had been living independently prior to admission, in contrast only 29% had returned to their homes at 6 months after discharge. The results indicate an apparent link between clinical outcome and nutritional status based upon the allocation procedure employed, which has the potential for ensuring cost-effective nutritional intervention.