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Probiotic Use in Mothers Limits Eczema in Their Babies

(20.07.2010) Mothers who drank milk with a probiotic supplement during and after pregnancy were able to cut the incidence of eczema in their children by almost half, a new study published in the British Journal of Dermatology has shown.

The randomized, double-blind study, conducted by researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), compared mothers who drank one glass of probiotic milk a day to women who were given a placebo. Use of the probiotic milk – which the mothers drank beginning at week 36 in their pregnancy up through to three months after birth -- reduced the incidence of eczema by 40 percent in children up to age two, the researchers found. The study is a part of a larger research project at the university called the Prevention of Allergy Among Children in Trondheim, or PACT, an ongoing population-based intervention study in Norway focused on childhood allergy.

Random sample of pregnant womenResearchers followed 415 pregnant women and their children from pregnancy until the children were two years old. The participants were randomly selected among pregnant women in Trondheim - and then randomly divided into two groups, one of which was given milk with probiotics, and the other a placebo milk. Mothers in the study did not know whether they were given the probiotic milk or the placebo milk.

“The taste of both products was similar, and the milk was delivered in unmarked milk cartons. This means that neither the participants in the study or the researchers knew who had received probiotic milk or placebo milk,” says NTNU researcher Torbjørn Øien, one of the scientists involved in the study. “We can therefore say with great certainty that it was the probiotic bacteria alone that caused the difference in the incidence of eczema between the two groups.”

Eczema incidence lower, or less severeThe children were checked for eczema throughout the period, as well as for asthma and allergy at age two. Afterwards, the incidence of asthma, eczema and allergy was compared in the two groups.

“The results showed that probiotic bacteria reduced the incidence of eczema in children up to age two years by 40 percent. And the kids in ‘probiotics group’ who did have eczema, had less severe cases,” explains Christian Kvikne Dotterud, a student in the Medical Student Research Programme at the Department of Community Medicine at NTNU.

The study did not show any effect from the probiotic milk on asthma or allergies, however.

More research on allergic diseasesDotterud and his research colleagues have started a follow-up study of the children to see if they find any preventive effect on allergic diseases, especially asthma, when children have reached six years old.

“Our study is the first to show that certain probiotic bacteria given to the mother during pregnancy and breast-feeding prevents eczema,” says Dotterud.

Previous studies have shown that ingestion of some probiotics by children may prevent eczema, but this is the first study to show a preventative effect when the mother alone consumed the probiotics.

Via breast milk“In Norway, there has been some skepticism about giving infants probiotics. Therefore, it is preferable that mothers take probiotics, not children,” he said. Probiotics are generally considered safe for healthy people.

To participate in the study mothers had to have planned to breastfeed their children.“We believe that probiotic bacteria affects breast milk composition in a positive way,” Dotterud said.

The study was sponsored by Tine SA, which produced and distributed the milk used in the study. Tine SA is s Norway's largest producer, distributor and exporter of dairy products, and is a cooperative owned by 15,084 Norwegian dairy farmers. Tine SA had no role in the study designs, data collection or data analysis.

The results of the study have been published in the journal The British Journal of Dermatology. The article is entitled: Probiotics in pregnant women to prevent allergic disease: a randomised, double-blind trial [Epub ahead of print]

Why the increase in asthma and allergies in Norway?PACT, the Prevention of Allergy Among Children in Trondheim study - was started in 2000 as a primary prevention, controlled study to look at measures that might reduce the increase in the incidence of asthma and allergies that has been recorded in Norway in recent decades.It is an ongoing population-based intervention study in Norway focused on the impacts on childhood allergy of systematic and structure interventions to reduce tobacco exposure, increase the consumption of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and reduce indoor dampness.

What are probiotics?Probiotics are live lactic acid bacteria which can be added to food and drink. In contrast to common lactic acid bacteria used in the acidification of products such as milk and yogurt, probiotic bacteria have the ability to survive through the acidic stomach environment and settle temporarily in the intestine. The probiotic lactic acid bacteria have a natural place in the digestive system, where they strengthen normal intestinal flora and are good for the body.

What kind of probiotic milk did the scientists use?Researchers used the Norwegian product Biola from Tine SA. There are wide variations in terms of how well the strains in the probiotic products on the market have been documented. Biola contains LGG ®, the probiotic bacteria that are currently the most extensively studied in the world. Biola product used in the study also contains Lactobacillus acidophilus (La-5) and Bifidobacterium lactis (Bb-12). These also have documented health effects, albeit less extensive than LGG ®. There is reason to believe that it is beneficial for your health to consume a variety of bacterial strains with documented efficacy, rather than unilateral influence of only one bacterial strain.

What is LGG ®?LGG ® (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG) is the probiotic bacteria strain that has been the most studied and researched in terms of human health effects. It has been shown that LGG ® contributes to good gut function and a stronger defense against unwanted bacteria and viruses in the stomach. At present there are more than 500 published articles on LGG ® in international journals and more than 30 doctoral theses have been completed on LGG’s ® effect on health. More than 40 countries in different parts of the world market products with LGG ®.


Alkalete Many More Times More Effective Than Tums or Maalox

July 17, 2010

Alkalete Proven Stronger than OTC Anti-Acids

by MissiSmith

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ALKALETE™ Proven Stronger than OTC Ant-AcidsSalt Lake City, Utah – July 1, 2010 Yoli, Inc., and pH Sciences Holdings, Inc., partners in thedevelopment and promotion of the patented Alkalete nutritional supplement announced theresults of a comparative study of alkalizing agents conducted by Pacific Testing Laboratories.The study tested the acid neutralizing strength of two well-known alkalizing agents – TUMS®and Maalox® – compared to Alkalete.Alkalete is a patented alkalizing composition of minerals recognized by the U.S. Food and DrugAdministration as a new dietary ingredient – a designation of product uniformity and safety.Yoli uses Alkalete in a range of products because it is a strong, safe, uniform, ingredient withsuperior body alkalization effect, which is proven to improve energy and vitality for activelifestyles.Pacific Testing Laboratories, an independent testing lab in Seattle, WA, measured the quantityof three alkalizing agents needed to raise the pH of 150ml of an HCl (hydrochloric acid) solutionfrom an initial 2.0 pH to 6.0 pH. This standard laboratory bench test is used to comparativelymeasure the strength of alkalizing agents.David Matteson, co-founder of pH Sciences, said, “Many Yoli distributors have asked me howdoes Alkalete compare to other antacids and alkalizing agents in the market. I thought thissimple study would be useful to understand how unique this patented formulation truly is. Theresults are phenomenal, and clearly demonstrate Alkalete’s superior acid buffering strength.”The study’s results showed that Alkalete’s power to neutralize acid is:• 12 times stronger than TUMS, and• 17 times stronger than Maalox in neutralizing acid.This is particularly impressive since, as Robert Burns, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, observed,“As impressive as these results are, I think this study actually understates the alkalizationpower of Alkalete. Because of Alkalete’s unique manufacturing process, it releases itsalkalization strength very slowly. Therefore, I believe that we’re only seeing a fraction of itstrue strength.”Bobby Jones, co-founder and Chief Logistics Officer of Yoli, commented, “Calls from Yolicustomers and distributors pour into Yoli headquarters daily confirming what we already knewfrom these studies; people feel better on Alkalete. It’s a powerful, all natural, acid neutralizerthat doesn’t have all the chemicals and fillers of other products.”Matteson added, “Lay chemists sometimes compare the ingredients in Alkalete with TUMS.The ingredients in TUMS and Alkalete are similar. However, this study confirms the patentedformulation for Alkalete is much more powerful than any OTC antacid or alkalizing agent on themarket.”Corey Citron, co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Yoli, stated, “Focusing in on just theacid neutralizing benefits alone, Yoli could build a hundred million dollar brand. This is just oneof the many benefits of Alkalete. Critics agree that Alkalete is a product with true viral potentialand those entrepreneurs who recognize this have the opportunity to witness a businessexplosion like nothing they’ve ever seen.”Yoli, Inc, is a leading distributor of nutritional supplements and healthy beverages. Yolidistributes its products exclusively through direct sales/network marketing independentdistributors. pH Science Holdings, Inc. is a life sciences company with world-class technology tomanage biological pH levels for better health and improved performance.

Go here for more information on Alkalete and its sister product Alka-Plex



Research Study Shows Curcumin May Aid in Early Detection of Alzheimer's Disease


Hallmark Alzheimer's Disease Changes Found in Retinas of Humans and Imaged in Live Animals

Media Contact: Sandy VanTelephone: 808.526.1708 or 800.880.2397E-mail: sandy@prpacific.com

HALLMARK ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE CHANGES FOUND IN RETINAS OF HUMANSAND IMAGED IN LIVE ANIMALS

Scientists discovered characteristic amyloid plaques in retinas from Alzheimer’s disease patients and opused a noninvasivetical imaging technique to detect retinal plaques in live laboratory mice, suggesting the possibility of early noninvasive diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease

LOS ANGELES (June 24, 2010) – The nerve cell-damaging plaque that builds up in the brain with Alzheimer’s disease also builds up in the retinas of the eyes – and it shows up there earlier, leading to the prospect that noninvasive optical imaging of the eyes could lead to earlier diagnosis, intervention and monitoring of the disease, according to new research.

Scientists discovered characteristic amyloid plaques in retinas from deceased Alzheimer’s disease patients and used a noninvasive optical imaging technique to detect retinal plaques in live laboratory mice genetically modified to model the human disease. The combined results suggest the possibility that noninvasive retinal imaging may be helpful in early diagnosis of the disease.

The research was conducted by a team of scientists at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in collaboration with colleagues from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel and the University of Southern California. Results were published online June 13 in the journal NeuroImage, and related findings will be presented July 13 at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease. Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating condition that is becoming more prevalent worldwide as the babyboom generation advances into its senior years, but there is no conclusive, noninvasive way to diagnose it. Previous studies have suggested that changes in the brain may begin years or even decades beforesymptoms occur – emphasizing the need for earlier, reliable detection for early therapeutic intervention to achieve effective remedy. The new study suggests the possibility of monitoring Alzheimer’s disease through a simple retinal imaging approach.

Abnormal deposits in the brain called beta-amyloid plaques, which damage cells and interrupt cell-to-cell communications, are recognized as a hallmark sign of the disease. However, because existing noninvasive brain-imaging technologies cannot provide sufficient detail about these changes, the most definitive diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease comes after an autopsy.

The research team considered the retina a better target for noninvasive imaging of Alzheimer’s disease because it is readily accessible and, unlike other components of the eye, it is part of the central nervous system, having a direct connection and thus many similarities with the brain. Previous studies have documented non-specific visual disturbances, eye disorders and certain types of retinal abnormalities occurring with Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions, but this is the first to identify human retinal plaque deposits that could provide a specific diagnostic marker of Alzheimer’s disease.

Among the new findings:1) In lab tests, plaques in the retinas of mice genetically modified to model Alzheimer’s disease could be detected at a very early, pre-symptomatic stage – before the plaque appeared in the brain.2) A high-resolution, noninvasive optical imaging approach was developed to monitor individual betaamyloid plaques in the retinas of live mice. The system is based on a harmless specific marker and the adaptation of an existing optical system used to examine rodent eyes.3) The research team used a fluorescent compound called curcumin to label and detect retinal plaques. This is believed to be the first use of curcumin as an imaging agent to detect Alzheimer’s disease-related plaques in the retinas of live animals. Curcumin, a natural component of the spice turmeric, binds to beta-amyloid plaques and makes them visible when viewed microscopically. In the Cedars-Sinai research, curcumin injected into the bloodstream of live mice crossed the bloodretinal barrier and specifically bound to the retinal plaques, allowing them to be viewed in high resolution with a noninvasive procedure.4) Observations from multiple genetically engineered mouse models of Alzheimer’s diseasedemonstrated a correlation between retinal plaques and brain plaques as disease progressed.5) In the laboratory mice, a unique immune system-based therapy that reduces the amount of plaques in the brain also reduced plaque load in the retina to the same extent, suggesting that the retina could faithfully represent the brain in assessing response to therapy.6) Beta-amyloid plaques were identified in retinal samples from human patients who had died from Alzheimer’s disease, and their features correlated with the diagnosed stage of the disease. Importantly, plaques were clearly detected not only in patients who definitely had the disease, but also in the retinas of some people who were suspected of having early-stage Alzheimer’s disease based on clinical diagnosis and microscopic examination of brain tissue after death.

Together, the results offer the first evidence for the existence of Alzheimer’s-specific plaques in the retina of human patients and the ability to detect individual plaques in live mouse models, creating a strong basis for future research building on these findings. According to the authors, these studies establish the potential of direct retinal beta-amyloid plaque imaging in live subjects as a tool for early Alzheimer’s disease diagnosisand prognosis, as well as assessment of therapies.

Specialists in neurosurgery, ophthalmology, imaging systems, neuroimmunology, pathology, neurology and biomedical engineering collaborated on these studies, which were conducted at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center by scientists from Cedars-Sinai, the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, and the University of Southern California.

The journal article’s first authors are Maya Koronyo-Hamaoui, Ph.D., a research scientist and assistant professor of neurosurgery at Cedars-Sinai’s Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute and a principal investigator in the Neuroimmunology Laboratory at Cedars-Sinai; and Yosef Koronyo, M.Sc., LL.B., a research associate in the departments of Surgery and Neurosurgery at Cedars-Sinai. Senior authors are Michal Schwartz, Ph.D., visiting professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at Cedars-Sinai, and the Ilze and Maurice Professorial Chair of Neuroimmunology at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel; and Daniel L. Farkas, Ph.D., professor of surgery and biomedical sciences and director of the Minimally Invasive Surgical Technologies Institute at Cedars-Sinai.

The work was supported by the Marciano Family Foundation, the Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute, the U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, the National Eye Institute, the Winnick Family Foundation, and a National Institute on Aging grant to the University of Southern California Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.

Combining Fruit Juice and Other Nutrients with Probiotics Shows Promising Results

Danisco supports science of probiotic juices

By Stephen Daniells, 14-Jun-2010

Antioxidant-rich fruit juices can support probiotics, say new findings from Danisco that support the potential of juices to offer an interesting alternative to dairy-based products.

Levels of the company’s Howaru strains were unchanged after formulation in a juice containing extracts of grape seed and green tea extract, and vitamin C, according to findings published in the Journal of Food Science.

Researchers from Victoria University in Australia, Danisco France and Danisco USA tested Howaru Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001, Howaru Bifidobacterium lactis HN001, and Lactobacillus paracasei LPC 37 in juice fortified with a variety of antioxidants. Results showed that the Bifidobacterium strain showed good viability after six weeks of storage, with 89 per cent of the bacteria still viable.

The antioxidant ingredients “may promote a more favourable environment for probiotic bacteria and may prove useful in developing a new and novel fruit juice based functional foods”, they wrote.

Commenting on the significance of the findings, Peggy Steele, global business director, Health & Nutrition, BioActives for Danisco told NutraIngredients: “These findings show that there are ingredients that can be added to juice to improve stability. It plays an important role in achieving required probiotic dose in the product throughout shelf life."

From dairy to fruit

Yogurts and fermented dairy drinks have long been considered an ideal vehicle for delivering probiotic bacteria to the human gastroinstestinal tract, which explains the widespread use of probiotic cultures in dairy products but adding probiotics to juices is more complex.

The Explosive Use of Probiotics in Functional Foods

Probiotics Pioneer Discusses Strain Selection2010-06-23 - UAS Laboratories

The global probiotic market is expected to exceed $32 billion by 2014. Probiotic use has increased exponentially and probiotics can be found in a wide range of foods, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. The consumer is presented with a dilemma when making probiotic choices. Dr. S.K. Dash, a pioneer in probiotics, provided a roadmap for probiotic selection.

Probiotic Strain Selection

Probiotic selection begins with the strain. A probiotic strain should be identified by genus, species and strain. The World Health Organization recommends all strains should be deposited in an internationally recognized culture collection. There are a number of tests available to provide knowledge of the strains and their mechanism of action. In vitro testing should be substantiated by human trials. Currently used in vitro tests include:

· Resistance to gastric acidity

· Bile acid resistance

· Adherence to mucus and/or human epithelial cell and cell lines

· Antimicrobial activity against potentially pathogenic bacteria

· Ability to reduce pathogen adhesion to surfaces

· Bile salt hydrolase activity

· Resistance to spermicides

Demonstrated Health Benefits

Probiotic strains used in foods and supplements should provide health benefits such as:

· Colonization of the intestinal, respiratory and urogenital tracts

· Cholesterol metabolism

· Metabolism of lactose, the absorption of calcium and synthesis of vitamins

· Reduction of yeast and vaginal infections

· Reduction of digestive problems like constipation and diarrheal diseases

· Production of natural antibiotics, lactic acid, enzymes, vitamins and hydrogen peroxide

· Inhibition of pathogenic microorganisms by production of antibiotic-like substances, lowering pH by producing lactic acid, production of hydrogen peroxide, decreasing detox potential and consuming available nutrients

Probiotic Safety

Many consumers realize that probiotics are more important than multivitamins. With the growing popularity of probiotics, more companies are getting into the business and using Non-GRAS probiotic strains, making undocumented health claims and making misleading shelf-stability claims. Probiotic strains such as Lactobacillus species, Bifidobacterium species and Streptococcus species have a long history of safe use and are Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS). Other microorganisms may be problematic and should have toxicological testing prior to use as a probiotic. Soil based organisms and spores claimed as probiotics must have safety data. Safety studies include – taxonomy, in vitro tests, animal feeding trials, human trials, genome sequence.

Probiotic blends should be comprised of GRAS strains. Multi-strain and multi-species probiotics should have improved functionality vs. a single strain. Undocumented high potency probiotics that are multi-strain or multi-species should not be used in formulations. The effects of probiotics are strain-specific, condition-specific and dose-specific.

The industry is undergoing a massive focus on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). Probiotics should be produced in facilities with GMP certification. Considerations for probiotic manufacturing include defined quality control procedures that:

· Identify genus, species and strains and viable microorganisms for every batch manufactured

· Test the viability of microorganisms at manufacturing and expiration date

· Test for pathogens and heavy metals

· Test for contamination of probiotic products

WHO and IPA have provided guidelines on what must be included on supplements and foods containing probiotics. These guidelines are very specific and should be included on every product.

Dr. S.K. Dash

Dr. S.K. Dash is a pioneer in the field of probiotics. He is currently the president of UAS Laboratories, Vice President and Scientific Advisor of the International Probiotics Association, Adjunct Professor at South Dakota State University and University of Minnesota. Dr. Dash served as former Director of Food and Drug of South Dakota and Chairman of the Probiotic Committee. He is the author of numerous books and articles on probiotics and is a frequent speaker. In 1979, Dr. Dash founded UAS Laboratories, Inc., a premier probiotic company in Minneapolis, MN, (USA) which has been a source of probiotic raw materials, probiotic branded and private label products. (www.uaslabs.com)


Florativia, the First Prebiotic Together With a Probiotic!

Revolutionary Packaging Establishes Optimal Environment for Beneficial Effects to Metabolic Health.New York City, N.Y., June 17, 2010 — Biotivia Bioceuticals, the leading developer and distributor of nutraceutical supplements and nutraceutical-enriched skin care treatments, today announced the launch of Florativia, the world’s first supplement combining both prebiotics and probiotics in one innovative Twist ‘n Shake bottle. Florativia contains an extraordinary 16 billion friendly bacteria that, working together, create the optimal environment in digestive tract for inhibiting pathogens and other toxin inducing bacteria, supporting the body’s natural metabolic functions and restoring the balance of good bacteria often destroyed by antibiotics, alcohol and tobacco.

The revolutionary product is based on scientific findings that prebiotics provide the ideal environment in the intestines for probiotics to flourish and provide metabolic benefits. The two work hand in glove to produce beneficial health effects.

Traditionally, probiotics and prebiotics could not be offered in one product because their combination had a neutralizing effect on both agents, diminishing or eliminating their value entirely - until now. Florativia is the first US manufacturer to offer a unique new packaging technology which separates the prebiotics from the probiotics until the time of consumption. This process ensures quality and freshness, while maintaining the potency of both agents.

When properly administered, the combination of prebiotics and probiotics has been linked to the alleviation of chronic intestinal inflammatory diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome, as well as the prevention and treatment of certain forms of digestive issues, urogenital infections and atopic diseases.

“The traditional thinking as always been that probiotics and prebiotics could not be combined because they would cancel each other out,” explained Biotivia founder and CEO James Betz. “But we pride ourselves on not being satisfied with traditional ways of doing things and this is once again the proof of our innovative approach to health supplements. With Florativia, we are offering the most potent probiotic therapy available over the counter today, simply because we solved the problem that has stopped other firms from combining pre and probiotics in one stable daily use container. The implications of this are simply astounding.” You would not buy a car without wheels, why buy a probiotic without the critical prebiotics?

Florativia is the by-product of 20 months of intensive research and development with Biotivia’s specialist research partners in Italy. The product also contains essential vitamins and minerals, chamomile and green tea.” Our greatest commitment has always been to the health and well being of our customers,” continued Betz. “And often, that means not taking “no” or “impossible” for an answer. Florativia is just the latest way we are demonstrating that ethos, and we look forward to new and existing customers benefiting from our continued progress in this area.”

Florativia, along with Biotivia’s extensive catalog of Resveratrol-based nutraceutical and skin care therapy products, are available at http://www.biotivia.com/florativia.html and through select retail outlets.

About Biotivia Bioceuticals

Biotivia was established in 1992 in Vienna, Austria as a supplier of natural raw materials and botanicals to the supplement and functional food industries and to researchers and scientific institutions worldwide.

The company evolved into one of the world’s leading developers and suppliers of potent vitamin supplements and skin care therapies, with most of their products centering around concentrated use of Resveratrol, the wildly popular red wine extract attributed to longevity and other beneficial effects.

Biotivia presently has US offices in New York, Los Angeles, Kansas City and international offices in the UK, Spain, Austria, Denmark, Italy, Germany, Singapore, Xi’an China and Mumbai India.

The company presently supplies researchers, physicians and scientists employed at Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Georgetown, The Albert Einstein Medical Center, University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, the University of California, and many others with research-grade bioceuticals.

Transmax and Bioforte are being studied by several major universities as a possible treatment for a variety of conditions that seriously impair the health and well being of millions of people around the world.

Biotivia’s Resveratrol products, Transmax and Bioforte have been independently assessed by Consumer Labs, the leading American quality watchdog, and came out as both ‘most potent’ and ‘best value’.

All of Biotivia’s supplements are also certified Vegan by the American Vegetarian Association.


STERIPLEX Health Care Now EPA Approved

Powered by the leading silver technology utilized by Total Silver®, STERIPLEX® Health Care is now the most powerful Sporicide/ Sterilant ever approved by the EPA.As germs like MRSA, C. diff. and anthrax become increasingly life-threatening, the war on superbugs continues as biotechnology companies from around the world race to produce products that kill germs effectively, without harming people or the environment. And while consumers become ever more aware of product safety, harsh chemical disinfectants are out; safe and effective is definitely in.STERIPLEX® Health Care (HC) is a revolutionary new Sterilant/Sporicide, which has recently received Federal EPA Registration. A paradigm shift in infection control STERIPLEX® Health Care sets new standards, killing spores in a tiny fraction of the time of competing products while remaining safe to people and the environment. Independent GLP certified laboratories have verified that STERIPLEX® Health Care destroys the most virulent pathogens including C. sporogenes and B. subtilis spores 10 to 32 times faster than other sterilant brands. With never before seen kill times, these results are truly remarkable as virulent spores are truly some of the toughest germs to kill. A sporicide will typically destroy all other germ species as well.And just how safe is safe? STERIPLEX® Health Care is completely non-toxic, non-corrosive, non-flammable and 100% biodegradable. STERIPLEX® Health Care can safely be used as a not critical care instrument soak and to disinfect all hard surfaces. Competing sterilants have performance problems and/or serious corrosion and toxic side effects. For example, Glutaraldehyde is a widely used sterilant in medical facilities, but it is highly toxic. Because of its many adverse side effects, Glutaraldehyde was banned in Great Britain several years ago. Chlorine-based products are extremely corrosive and harmful if inhaled or swallowed. Alcohol-based products, which offer only modest antimicrobial performance, disintegrate plastics and are harmful if inhaled or swallowed.Now consider that the new spore testing benchmarks required by the EPA to achieve sterilant (sporicidal) registration are far more rigorous today than the testing required of previously approved chemical sporicides. The new EPA spore testing protocols required STERIPLEX® Health Care to be tested against spore concentrations of nominally 100 times previous testing levels. Even so, STERIPLEX® Health Care passed all testing in record times. EPA Registration #84545-5 was issued to sBioMed™ November 2, 2009.STERIPLEX® HEALTH CARE is registered as a broad spectrum Sterilant/Sporicide, Tuberculocide, and Bactericide.While the current EPA registration of STERIPLEX® HEALTH CARE designates use as a hard surface sterilant, future applications of the safe STERIPLEX® technologies could include uses in state-of-the-art disinfection products for hospitals, schools, food processing, and antimicrobial cleaning products and even topical surgical prep and burn center treatments.Seven U.S. patents have already been issued to sBioMed® and seven more U.S. patents are being processed for issuance. All patents have been filed globally.


Oragenics, Inc. Announces New Probiotic Mint to Improve Dental Health

Oragenics is Scheduled to Sell Its Acclaimed Probiotic Oral Care Product EvoraPlus™ Through Some Of The Country’s Biggest Mass Retailers during 2010

Oragenics Also Positions Company’s Probiotic Technology For Domestic And International Licensing And Private Label Distribution Deals With Major Global Pharmaceutical And Personal Care Companies For Immediate ReleaseAlachua, FL (Date) – Oragenics, Inc. (OTCBB: ORNI www.oragenics.com) heads into the close of 2009 with an extensive array of high-profile retail companies that are slated to launch its core EvoraPlus™ and Teddy’s Pride™ brands in 2010. The fourth quarter has seen the mass retail launch of Oragenics’ flagship EvoraPlus and Teddy’s Pride in A&P Supermarkets and Pathmark, which together account for nearly 1,000 locations across the country.EvoraPlus will make its debut in several major mass retailers through the second quarter of 2010, leading off in early January with Hannaford Supermarkets’ pharmacies covering Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont and Sweet Bay Supermarkets covering Florida. Following the Hannaford and Sweetbay launches, EvoraPlus and Teddy’s Pride is scheduled to be rolled-out by a number of top national retailers throughout the first half of the year. As previously mentioned in its 10-Q filing for the third quarter of 2009, the Company received written confirmation that EvoraPlus would be carried by one of the country’s largest mass drug store chains. As a result, the Company anticipates that this will place its EvoraPlus in over 7,000 locations nationwide. At present, this roll-out is scheduled for March 2010. Oragenics has also received verbal confirmation that a second national drug store chain has decided to include EvoraPlus in its upcoming planagram, which should place Oragenics' products in several thousand additional stores during the first half of the year. Concurrently with the retail distribution of its core product lines, Oragenics has started negotiations with several leading domestic and international consumer products, pharmaceutical and personal care manufacturers and distributors aimed at licensing the Company’s patented probiotic technology ProBiora3™ for integration into personal care and pet products, for the private labeling of Oragenics’ ProBiora3-based products, and for establishing in-country distribution agreements on behalf of EvoraPlus and Teddy’s Pride.

The media has taken notice of Oragenics and its innovative probiotic oral care products. The Company and its core products have been featured several times on FOX television newscasts and the popular PBS series National Medical Report with Hugh Downs. More than 800 newspapers have discussed EvoraPlus in their editorial section and hundreds of health-oriented websites and grassroots ‘blogs’ have prominently featured both EvoraPlus and Teddy’s Pride with unanimous positive reviews and ‘recommendations to purchase’. Oragenics and its product line is scheduled to be featured on The Balancing Act, an award-winning talk and magazine show reaching 96 million homes that airs weekday mornings on Lifetime Channel during the months of January and February.Mr. David Hirsch, President and CEO of Oragenics, Inc. has stated: “We are extremely pleased with the progress we have made in executing our retail strategy through the fourth quarter of 2009 and we continue to remain optimistic about our prospects for 2010.”Developed by Dr. Jeffrey Hillman, D.M.D., Ph.D., and Chief Scientific Officer at Oragenics, Inc., EvoraPlus is the result of more than 25 years of research, which began at the Harvard-affiliated Forsyth Institute in Boston and continued at Oragenics. Through his research, Dr. Hillman found three strains of beneficial bacteria that help maintain an optimal balance of beneficial bacteria in the mouth, naming the patent-pending blend ProBiora3™, the active ingredient in EvoraPlus. 100% natural, EvoraPlus is made in the USA in an FDA registered and GMP certified facility ensuring both the highest quality ingredients and complete integrity. For more information on Oragenics and its products, please reference www.oragenics.com, www.evoraplus.com, teddyspride.com and www.probiora3.com.


$50,000.00 Awarded for Probiotics Research!

Awardees for the 2009 Young Investigator Grant for Probiotics Research Announced

ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Probiotics Council (GPC), a committee established in 2004 by DANONE and Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd., announced the two recipients of the annual Young Investigator Grant for Probiotics Research (YIGPRO) today. The program was created to identify young rising stars who will continue to contribute to the advancement of probiotics and gastrointestinal microbiota research in the United States. This year, the grant focus is on the role of probiotics in health and disease.

Glynis L. Kolling, PhD, an Instructor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health at the University of Virginia was selected for her research proposal, "The Influence of Novel Oligopeptides Produced by Transgenic Bacteria on Intestinal Injury Due to C. difficile Infection." After certain inflammatory conditions, drug treatments, or infections, human gut microbiota can become unbalanced. This research will focus on creating a bacterial delivery system that will promote intestinal repair and restore the balance of normal microbiota. Dr. Kolling's work could help patients who experience antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) after receiving antibiotic treatment.

The other grant will be awarded to Xinhua Chen, PhD, who is an Instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. His proposal is titled "Protective Role of Baker's Yeast in Colonic Inflammation and Cancer." This study could make an important contribution in understanding the mechanisms by which yeast, which has been used for centuries for the production of fermented foods, may prove to be preventative or therapeutic in fighting intestinal inflammation and colon cancer. The GI tract has an extremely complicated ecosystem and Dr. Chen's work should contribute to the growing understanding of the mechanisms on how probiotics work in GI disorders.

The Global Probiotics Council (GPC) was extremely pleased with the outstanding quality of the applications received for the second year of this grant. A rigorous review and evaluation of all the applications was provided by the U.S. Probiotics Scientific Board Selection Committee, which is comprised of W. Allan Walker, MD, Conrad Taff Professor of Nutrition at Harvard Medical School, Mary Ellen Sanders, PhD, Executive Director, International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP), Richard Guerrant, MD, Director, Center for Global Health, University of Virginia School of Medicine and Balfour Sartor, MD, Distinguished Professor of Medicine, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "We were very impressed with the high caliber of science in the applications received," said Dr. Walker, Chair of the Committee.

The GPC, established by DANONE and Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd. is committed to raising awareness of probiotics and their health benefits through science-based education. The Young Investigator Grant for Probiotics Research was created in 2008 to stimulate innovative research relevant to the field of gastrointestinal microbiota, to support young investigators in the United States, to attract them into the field of probiotics, and to provide preliminary data for future funding from NIH and other funding sources. The global advancement in this growing research field is a key to understanding how probiotic food might contribute to good health in all ages.

"Each year, promising new evidence on the benefits of probiotics on human health continues to emerge," said Sven Thormahlen, Executive Vice President R&D, Danone Research. "We hope the two young investigators will advance our knowledge in the growing field of probiotics and provide insight to better understanding the full potential of 'friendly' microorganisms and the mechanisms in which they promote human health."

"We are very pleased with the direction and success of this program. We hope this grant will continue to increase interest and raise awareness of probiotics among young researchers in the United States," says Mr. Yoshihiro Kawabata, Senior Managing Director, Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd.

The Global Probiotics Council will provide $50,000 over the course of one year to both Drs. Chen and Kolling and their respective institutions.

Additional details and future announcements on the Young Investigator Grant for Probiotics Research program can be found at www.probioticsresearch.com.

The Global Probiotics Council (GPC) was established in 2004 through a collaborative agreement between DANONE and Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd. The role of the GPC is to promote and/or advance probiotics in the world, through means such as:

1. Raising awareness of probiotics and their health benefits through science-based education and dissemination of information to health care professionals and the public; 2. Communicating with government bodies, and other relevant interest groups; and 3. Building relationships with leading researchers and research institutions and supporting collaboration research in the area of probiotics and intestinal microbiota.

GPC activities began with the establishment of the Probiotics Scientific Board in the United States. The Young Investigator Grant for Probiotics Research program was established to meet these goals by contributing to the advancement of probiotics study in the United States.

DANONE is the world's leading producer of yogurt products. These products are sold under the DANNON and DANONE brand names. Since its foundation, DANONE has built its business on product offerings which combine health benefits and taste. DANONE RESEARCH is the organization responsible for all DANONE R&D activities (1200 employees worldwide). Its mission is to formulate DANONE products with health benefits based on scientific evidence. It also studies the effects of food on health and aims to continuously improve the nutritional profile of DANONE products worldwide.

Probiotic research is a key expertise of DANONE RESEARCH. Over the past 90 years, DANONE has amassed a collection of approximately 3,500 lactic bacteria strains or "cultures." In addition to taste and texture, some of these cultures provide probiotic health properties. Such is the case of Bifidobacterium animalis DN 173 010, used to produce Activia, and Lactobacillus casei DN 114 001, used to produce DanActive. Because this culture collection holds considerable potential for product innovation, DANONE RESEARCH using state-of-the-art technologies such as genomics and robotics to select the probiotic bacteria of the future is carefully studying it. For more information, please visit www.danone.com/?lang=en, www.danone.com/en/research-innovations.html, www.dannon.com.

Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is the world's pioneer in probiotics by introducing the first single shot probiotics drink, Yakult((R)), in 1935. Founded by microbiologist Dr. Minoru Shirota, Yakult((R)) contains high amounts of its signature strain, Lactobacillus casei Shirota. Yakult is committed to researching the endless applications for probiotics and the role of intestinal bacteria in human health around the world. The company has established two science institutes to support its efforts: one in Japan (Yakult Central Institute for Microbiological Research) and one in Europe (Yakult Honsha European Research Center for Microbiology ESV). Since developing its overseas network in 1964, Yakult has expanded its business to 32 countries and regions. In addition to producing the internationally recognized probiotic beverage, Yakult is also accredited in the pharmaceutical field for its development of Campto Injection (Camptosar), the first-line drug for colorectal cancer in the U.S. Yakult U.S.A. Inc., the subsidiary of Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd., is stationed in Torrance, CA. For more information, please visit http://www.yakult.co.jp/english, http://www.yakult.co.jp/institute, http://www.yakultusa.com .

SOURCE Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd.; DANONE


Probiotics May Strengthen the Immune System!


Lallemand puts spotlight on immune-benefits for probioticsBy Stephen Daniells, 14-Oct-2009

Related topics: Probiotics, Research, Probiotics and prebiotics, Gut health, Immune system

Immune health from gut health is not too obscure for consumers, but work needs to be done on identifying the mechanisms involved, said the conclusions from a two-day meeting in Toulouse.

At a recent two-day meeting dedicated to probiotics and immunity, scientists and opinion leaders in immunology, respiratory medicine, paediatrics and gastroenterology met to discuss the role of probiotics and immunity.

When asked by NutraIngredients if the link between gut health and immunity too obscure for consumers, Lallemand’s Isabelle Champié said: “We don’t think so.”

“Awareness has increased in the past several years thanks to big dairy companies and more and more researches are conducted and advertised to prove the efficacy of probiotics in prevention of some diseases involving a low immunity.”

Champié added that most of the company’s in vitro or in vivo trials involve immunity.

“Even if many studies have been done, it seems that research in to [probiotics and immunity] is still in its infancy,” she said. “Immunity itself is always evolving, and a lot of research on mechanisms of actions need to be done.

“One of the messages of our seminar on which clinicians and scientists agreed was that ‘we know that it works but we still don’t know how it works’, we need to have more data on the mechanisms of actions to backup clinical trials. That’s why Lallemand is investing in new cutting edge technologies like Immune microarray,” added Champié.

A DNA microarray specific to immunity has been developed by Institut Rosell and the Biotechnology Research Institute in Montreal. The microarray is reported to study the effects of probiotic bacteria-human cell interactions upon the expression of genes involved in the immune response. In total, 1,354 genes appear on the microarray, said Lallemand.

“The immune microarray will serve as an excellent tool to compare the impact of various probiotic compositions upon immune response and to better understand their action mechanisms in the host, especially when co-challenged with pathogenic bacteria,” said Dr Julie Audy, laboratory manager at Institut Rosell in Canada.

Yvan Boutin from TransBIOtech, Canada echoed Champié’s statements about the mechanisms, noting that while it is now increasingly recognized that probiotics are able to influence the immune response, their modes of action are still poorly understood.

Expert panel conclusions

The two-day meeting was concluded by a panel discussion concerning the use of probiotics in the prevention of infectious diseases. The panel, chaired by Dr Patricia Conway, Professor at the University of New South Wales in Australia, concluded: “The panel was in agreement that probiotics held promise for decreasing a range of diseases in children and adults with applications including geriatrics. It was agreed that all diseases can be considered targets for [Lallemand’s immunity range] ProBioKid since it has intestinal and immune modulating activity and most childhood diseases appear linked in some way and reflect an alteration from the healthy state.

“In addition, the complete safety of ProbioKid was acknowledged and it was concluded that the extended use of ProBioKid as could be needed in countries with long winters was not posing any risks and that benefits would be anticipated.”

New Probiotic Study to Begin!

Press Release

NIH (National Institute of Health) Expands Human Microbiome Project; Funds Sequencing Centers and Disease Projects

The Human Microbiome Project has awarded more than $42 million to expand its exploration of how the trillions of microscopic organisms that live in or on our bodies affect our health, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced today.

The human microbiome is all the microorganisms that reside in or on the human body, as well as all their DNA, or genomes. Launched in 2007 as part of the NIH Common Fund�s Roadmap for Medical Research, the Human Microbiome Project is a $140 million, five-year effort that will produce a resource for researchers who are seeking to use information about the microbiome to improve human health.

"This effort will accelerate our understanding of how our bodies and microorganisms interact to influence health and disease," said Acting NIH Director Raynard S. Kington, M.D., Ph.D. "Examining the differences between the microbiomes of healthy patients and those of patients suffering from a disease promises to change how we diagnose, treat and, ultimately, prevent many health conditions."

In the new round of funding, the Human Microbiome Project will support the work of the large-scale DNA sequencing centers that participated in the initial phase of the project. These centers will work together to sequence at least 400 microbial genomes. Another approximately 500 microbial genomes are already completed or in sequencing pipelines and supported by individual NIH institutes and internationally funded projects. These data will then be used to characterize the microbial communities found in samples taken from healthy human volunteers. These samples are currently being collected by the Human Microbiome Project from five areas of the body: the digestive tract, the mouth, the skin, the nose and the vagina.

The Human Microbiome Project�s large-scale sequencing centers, their principal investigators and approximate funding levels over four years are:

Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, HoustonRichard Gibbs, Ph.D.; $3.7 million

Washington University Genome Sequencing Center, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint LouisGeorge Weinstock, Ph.D.; $16.1 million

The J. Craig Venter Institute, Rockville, Md.,Robert L. Strausberg, Ph.D.; $8.8 millionThis center is being funded through the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The ARRA funds that support this center will provide a much needed investment to spur advances in the understanding of how microorganisms that live in or on our bodies affect our health.

In addition, the Broad Institute of MIT/ Harvard, Cambridge, Mass., which participated in the jumpstart phase of the Human Microbiome Project, is expected to participate in this phase of the project.

The Human Microbiome Project is also funding new pilot demonstration projects by researchers that will sample the microbiomes of healthy volunteers and volunteers with specific diseases over the next year. This will allow researchers to study changes in the microbiome at particular body sites that are healthy or affected by diseases. These studies will use samples collected from seven areas of the body: the digestive tract, the mouth, the skin, the nose, the vagina, the blood and the male urethra.The pilot demonstration projects listed by principal investigator, body site (s), disease focus and approximate funding levels are:

Martin J. Blaser, M.D., New York University School of MedicineSkin: Psoriasis$560,000This study will assess whether changes in the skin microbiome may contribute to psoriasis, an inflammatory skin disease.

Gregory A. Buck, Ph.D., Virginia Commonwealth University, RichmondVagina: Bacterial Vaginosis and Sexually Transmitted Diseases$1 millionThis study will look at changes in the vaginal microbiome and its association with environmental factors, diseases and a woman�s genetic makeup.

J. Dennis Fortenberry, M.D., Indiana University Purdue University at IndianapolisMale urethra: Puberty, Sexual Activity and Sexually Transmitted Diseases$820,000Samples will be collected from an ethnically diverse group of male adolescents to characterize the male urethral microbiome and its relation to puberty, sexual activity and sexually transmitted disease.

Claire M. Fraser-Liggett, Ph.D., University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore(two grants)Digestive tract: Obesity$1 millionThis study will sample the gut microbiome from obese and non-obese subjects from the Amish population to uncover associations with metabolism, inflammation, and other traits related to obesity. It will also study the influence of human genetic variation on the composition of the microbiome.

Digestive tract: Crohn�s Disease$1 millionThe relationship between the inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn�s disease, the intestinal microbiome, and bacterial proteins will be explored in samples from pairs of twins with and without the disease.

Ellen Li, M.D., Ph.D., Washington University School of Medicine, Saint LouisDigestive tract: Crohn�s Disease$980,000This study will analyze the intestinal microbiome and disease subjects� genetic factors to uncover relationships with Crohn�s disease, an inflammatory bowel disease.

Huiying Li, Ph.D., University of California, Los AngelesSkin: Acne$990,000The goal of this study is to examine the association between the skin microbiome and acne.

Zhiheng Pei, M.D., Ph.D., New York University School of MedicineMouth and digestive tract: Esophageal Adenocarcinoma$1 millionThis team will sample the oral cavity, esophagus, and stomach to study the relationship of the microbiome from these body sites and esophageal cancer.

Jacques Ravel, Ph.D., University of Maryland School of Medicine, BaltimoreVagina: Bacterial Vaginosis$980,000This study will assess the vaginal microbiome and whether it contributes to the risk of bacterial vaginosis, a condition where harmful bacteria outgrow healthy bacteria. Bacterial vaginosis is a risk factor for pre-term delivery and sexually transmitted diseases.

Julia Segre, Ph.D., National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, Md.Skin and nose: Atopic Dermatitis, Immunodeficiency Syndromes$400,000The goal of this study is to examine the microbiomes of the skin and nose in three groups of patients with an inflammatory skin disease called atopic dermatitis. Researchers will look for associations between microbiomes, genetic factors associated with atopic dermatitis, and whether patients suffer from immunodeficiency syndromes.

Gregory A. Storch, M.D., Washington University School of Medicine, Saint LouisNose, digestive tract and blood: Febrile Illness$950,000This team of investigators will examine if there is a relationship between the immune system and viral microbiome of groups of children who are healthy and those who are sick with illnesses that cause a sudden high fever.

Phillip I. Tarr, M.D., Washington University School of Medicine, Saint LouisDigestive tract: Necrotizing Enterocolitis$1 millionThis group of researchers will examine the potential connection between the intestinal microbiome and the development of necrotizing enterocolitis, a gastrointestinal disorder that can damage the intestine, in premature infants.

James Versalovic, M.D., Ph.D., Baylor College of Medicine, HoustonDigestive tract: Pediatric Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)$750,000This project will examine the composition of the intestinal microbiome and any possible connections with irritable bowel syndrome in children.

Gary D. Wu, M.D., University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, PhiladelphiaDigestive tract, Crohn�s Disease$1.1 millionCrohn�s Disease, a form of inflammatory bowel disease, in children is typically treated with a liquid nutrient diet. It is not known how this treatment works. This team will investigate whether it works by altering the composition of the intestinal microbiome. Partial funding for this project will be provided by NIH�s Office of Dietary Supplements.

Vincent B. Young, M.D., Ph.D., University of Michigan, Ann ArborDigestive tract: Ulcerative Colitis$1 millionSome patients who suffer from ulcerative colitis, a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and sores in the lining of the rectum and colon, are treated with surgical removal of the colon, followed by construction of a pouch to assist the patient with bowel movements. For unknown reasons, some, patients develop inflammation of the pouch, necessitating further surgery. This research will determine whether the composition of the pouch microbiome influences the onset and progression of pouch inflammation.

Each pilot demonstration project will be reviewed after one year to evaluate its progress toward milestones, as well as its ability to demonstrate a definable relationship between a body site microbiome and disease.

In the first phases of the Human Microbiome Project, jumpstart funding was awarded to create a framework and data resources. Funding has also previously been awarded for the development of innovative technologies and computational tools, coordination of data analysis, and an examination of some of the ethical, legal and social implications of human microbiome research.

More information about the Human Microbiome Project is available at www.nihroadmap.nih.gov/hmp/ and www.hmpdacc.org.

An illustration showing the body sites that will be sampled as part of the Human Microbiome Project is available at: http://www.genome.gov/pressDisplay.cfm?photoID=20163.

A high resolution image of the bacteria, Entercoccus faecalis, a microbe that lives in the human gut, is available in color at www.genome.gov/pressDisplay.cfm?photoID=20023, or in black and white at www.genome.gov/pressDisplay.cfm?photoID=20024.

The Human Microbiome Project is part of the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research funded through the NIH Common Fund and is managed by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and National Human Genome Research Institute, and the Office of Strategic Coordination, all part of NIH. The Roadmap is a series of initiatives designed to pursue major opportunities and gaps in biomedical research that no single NIH institute could tackle alone, but which the agency as a whole can address to make the biggest impact possible on the progress of medical research. Additional information about the NIH Roadmap can be found at www.nihroadmap.nih.gov.

he National Institutes of Health (NIH) — The Nation's Medical Research Agency — includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.Some activities described in this release are being funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). More information about NIH�s ARRA grant funding opportunities can be found at http://grants.nih.gov/recovery/. To track the progress of HHS activities funded through the ARRA, visit www.hhs.gov/recovery. To track all federal funds provided through the ARRA, visit www.recovery.gov.


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