1. |
- Klarin, Bengt, et al.
(author)
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Adhesion of the probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus plantarum 299v onto the gut mucosa in critically ill patients: a randomised open trial.
- 2005
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In: Critical Care. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1364-8535. ; 9:3, s. 285-293
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction To achieve any possible positive effect on the intestinal mucosa cells it is important that probiotics adhere tightly onto the intestinal mucosa. It has been shown in healthy volunteers that Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (Lp 299v) (DSM 9843), a probiotic bacterium, given orally in a fermented oatmeal formula adheres onto the intestinal mucosa, but whether this also occurs in critically ill patients is unknown. Methods After randomisation, nine enterally fed, critically ill patients treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics received an oatmeal formula fermented with Lp 299v throughout their stay in the intensive care unit; eight patients served as controls. Biopsies of the rectal mucosa were made at admission and then twice a week, and the biopsies were analysed blindly. Results Four patients in the control group were colonised with Lp 299v at admission but thereafter all their biopsies were negative (Lp 299v is an ingredient in a common functional food, ProViva(R), in Sweden). Of the treated patients none was colonised at admission but three patients had Lp 299v adhered on the mucosa from the second or third biopsy and in the following samples. Conclusion This study shows that Lp 299v could survive the passage from the stomach to the rectum and was able adhere onto the rectal mucosa also in critically ill, antibiotic-treated patients.
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2. |
- Klarin, Bengt, et al.
(author)
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Lactobacillus plantarum 299v reduces colonisation of Clostridium difficile in critically ill patients treated with antibiotics
- 2008
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In: Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica. - : Wiley. - 0001-5172 .- 1399-6576. ; 52:8, s. 1096-1102
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The incidence of Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) in hospitalised patients is increasing. Critically ill patients are often treated with antibiotics and are at high risk of developing CDAD. Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (Lp299v) has been found to reduce recurrence of CDAD. We investigated intensive care unit (ICU) patients regarding the impact of Lp299v on C. difficile colonisation and on gut permeability and parameters of inflammation and infection in that context. Methods: Twenty-two ICU patients were given a fermented oatmeal gruel containing Lp299v, and 22 received an equivalent product without the bacteria. Faecal samples for analyses of C. difficile and Lp299v were taken at inclusion and then twice a week during the ICU stay. Other cultures were performed on clinical indication. Infection and inflammation parameters were analysed daily. Gut permeability was assessed using a sugar probe technique. Main Results: Colonisation with C. difficile was detected in 19% (4/21) of controls but in none of the Lp299v-treated patients (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Enteral administration of the probiotic bacterium Lp299v to critically ill patients treated with antibiotics reduced colonisation with C. difficile. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN85655545
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3. |
- Klarin, Bengt, et al.
(author)
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Susceptibility to antibiotics in isolates of Lactobacillus plantarum RAPD-type Lp299v, harvested from antibiotic treated, critically ill patients after administration of probiotics.
- 2019
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In: MicrobiologyOpen. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2045-8827. ; 8:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Recultured Lactobacillus plantarum 299v-like strains were tested regarding antibiotic susceptibility, and no decrease was detected. Antibiotics are frequently used to treat patients in intensive care units (ICUs) and are associated with a significant risk of selection of resistant bacterial strains. In particular, it is possible that genetic transfer of antibiotic resistance to the resident gastrointestinal flora, as well as to administered probiotics, may be increased in the ICU setting. The aim of the present investigation was to detect possible changes in antimicrobial susceptibility in reisolates of the probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (Lp299v) given to antibiotic treated, critically ill patients. Lp299v-like strains were identified in cultures of biopsies and fecal samples from 32 patients given the probiotic strain enterally in two previous ICU studies. The patients received a variety of antibiotics. Isolates with the same genomic RAPD profile (RAPD-type) as Lp299v were obtained to enable monitoring of antibiotic susceptibility by E-tests. Forty-two isolates, collected throughout the course of illness, were tested against 22 different antibiotics. No obvious decrease in susceptibility was found for 21 of the tested antibiotics. There was a tendency toward decreased susceptibility to ampicillin. The stable antibiotic susceptibility profiles of the Lp299v-like isolates studied here suggests this probiotic is less likely to acquire resistance when administered to critically ill patients treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics.
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4. |
- Klarin, Bengt, et al.
(author)
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Use of the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum 299 to reduce pathogenic bacteria in the oropharynx of intubated patients : a randomised controlled open pilot study
- 2008
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In: Critical Care. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1364-8535 .- 1466-609X. ; 12:6, s. R136-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is usually caused by aspiration of pathogenic bacteria from the oropharynx. Oral decontamination with antiseptics, such as chlorhexidine (CHX) or antibiotics, has been used as prophylaxis against this complication. We hypothesised that the probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus plantarum 299 (Lp299) would be as efficient as CHX in reducing the pathogenic bacterial load in the oropharynx of tracheally intubated, mechanically ventilated, critically ill patients. METHODS: Fifty critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation were randomised to either oral mechanical cleansing followed by washing with 0.1% CHX solution or to the same cleansing procedure followed by oral application of an emulsion of Lp299. Samples for microbiological analyses were taken from the oropharynx and trachea at inclusion and at defined intervals thereafter. RESULTS: Potentially pathogenic bacteria that were not present at inclusion were identified in oropharyngeal samples from eight of the patients treated with Lp299 and 13 of those treated with CHX (p = 0.13). Analysis of tracheal samples yielded similar results. Lp299 was recovered from the oropharynx of all patients in the Lp299 group. CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot study, we found no difference between the effect of Lp299 and CHX used in oral care procedures, when we examined the effects of those agents on colonisation of potentially pathogenic bacteria in the oropharynx of intubated, mechanically ventilated patients.
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5. |
- Molin, Elin, et al.
(author)
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Experimental yield study of bifacial PV modules in Nordic conditions
- 2018
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In: IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics. - : IEEE-INST ELECTRICAL ELECTRONICS ENGINEERS INC. - 2156-3381 .- 2156-3403. ; 8:6, s. 1457-1463
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study reports on the first full-year field study in Sweden using bifacial photovoltaic modules. The two test sites are located on flat roofs with a low albedo of 0.05 in Linköping (58 °N) and were studied from December 2016 to November 2017. Site 1 has monofacial and bifacial modules with a 40° tilt facing south, which is optimal for annual energy yield for monofacial modules at this location. Site 2 has monofacial 40° tilt south-facing modules and bifacial vertical east–west orientated modules. The annual bifacial energy gain (BG E ) was 5% at site 1 and 1% at site 2 for albedo 0.05. The difference in power temperature coefficients between bifacial and monofacial modules was estimated to influence BG E by +0.4 and +0.1 percentage points on site 1 and 2, respectively. A higher albedo could be investigated on a sunny day with fresh snow for the bifacial east–west modules. The specific yield was 7.57 kWh/kW p , which was a yield increase of 48% compared with tar paper at similar solar conditions.
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6. |
- Adams, Robin, et al.
(author)
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What is the word for 'Engineering' in Swedish : Swedish students conceptions of their discipline
- 2007
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Engineering education in Sweden – as in the rest of the world – is experiencing a decline in student interest. There are concerns about the ways in which students think about engineering education, why they join an academic programme in engineering, and why they persist in their studies. In this context the aims of the Nationellt ämnesdidaktiskt Centrum för Teknikutbildning i Studenternas Sammanhang project (CeTUSS) is to investigate the student experience and to identify and support a continuing network of interested researchers, as well as in building capacity for disciplinary pedagogic investigation. The Stepping Stones project brings together these interests in a multi-researcher, multi-institutional study that investigates how tudents and academic staff perceive engineering in Sweden and in Swedish education. The first results of that project are reported here. As this study is situated uniquely in Swedish education, it allows for exploration of “a Swedish perspective” on conceptions of engineering. The Stepping Stones project was based on a model of research capacity-building previously instantiated in the USA and Australia (Fincher & Tenenberg, 2006).
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7. |
- Adawi, Diya, et al.
(author)
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Safety of the probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum DSM 9843 (strain 299v) in an endocarditis animal model
- 2002
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In: Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0891-060X .- 1651-2235. ; 14:1, s. 50-53
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: Lactobacilli are often considered to be beneficial or non-pathogenic to man, with small numbers of human infections being reported, including septicemia and infective endocarditis. To verify the safety of Lactobacillus plantarum DSM 9843 (=strain 299v) administration, we used a well-known endocarditis animal model. Design: Experimental study using Sprague-Dawley rats. Setting: University Hospital, Sweden. Interventions: A catheter was passed down the right common carotid artery into the lumen of the left ventricle. The catheter was tied in place and the neck incision was closed. After 48 h, 0.5 ml of a bacterial suspension was injected through the tail vein. In the endocarditis control we inoculated Staphylococcus lugdunesis CCUG 25349T (T = type strain) and L. plantarum 299v was injected in the blood in L. plantarum group. Main outcome measures: Rats were sacrificed 96 h later and samples were taken from the heart, blood and catheter for bacterial culture and Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) evaluation. Results: L. plantarum 299v was injected in the blood but no lactobacilli were found in the heart, blood or catheter after 96 h. RAPD evaluation showed that S. lugdunesis CCUG 25349T was isolated from both blood and heart. Conclusion: The results showed that L. plantarum 299v has no role in the tested endocarditis animal model, which indicates the safety of L. plantarum 299v.
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8. |
- Biggar, Robert J., et al.
(author)
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Serum YKL-40 and interleukin 6 levels in Hodgkin lymphoma
- 2008
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In: Clinical Cancer Research. - 1078-0432 .- 1557-3265. ; 14:21, s. 6974-8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PURPOSE: Serum levels of the inflammatory markers YKL-40 and interleukin 6 (IL-6) are increased in many conditions, including cancers. We examined serum YKL-40 and IL-6 levels in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma, a tumor with strong immunologic reaction to relatively few tumor cells, especially in nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We analyzed Danish and Swedish patients with incident Hodgkin lymphoma (N=470) and population controls from Denmark (n=245 for YKL-40; n=348 for IL-6). Serum YKL-40 and IL-6 levels were determined by ELISA, and log-transformed data were analyzed by linear regression, adjusting for age and sex. RESULTS: Serum levels of YKL-40 and IL-6 increased in Hodgkin lymphoma patients compared with controls (YKL-40, 3.6-fold; IL-6, 8.3-fold; both, P<0.0001). In pretreatment samples from pretreatment Hodgkin lymphoma patients (n=176), levels were correlated with more advanced stages (P(trend), 0.0001 for YKL-40 and 0.013 for IL-6) and in those with B symptoms; however, levels were similar in nodular sclerosis and mixed cellularity subtypes, by EBV status, and in younger (<45 years old) and older patients. Patients tested soon after treatment onset had significantly lower levels than pretreatment patients; however, even >or=6 months after treatment onset, serum YKL-40 and IL-6 levels remained significantly increased compared with controls. In patients who died (n=12), pretreatment levels for YKL-40 and IL-6 were higher than in survivors, although not statistically significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Serum YKL-40 and IL-6 levels were increased in untreated Hodgkin lymphoma patients and those with more advanced stages but did not differ significantly by Hodgkin lymphoma histology. Following treatment, serum levels were significantly lower.
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9. |
- Bränning, Camilla, et al.
(author)
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Blueberry husks and multi-strain probiotics affect colonic fermentation in rats.
- 2009
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In: British Journal of Nutrition. - 1475-2662. ; 100:1, s. 859-870
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim was to investigate how blueberry husks and/or mixtures of probiotic strains (Lactobacillus crispatus DSM16743, L. gasseri DSM16737 and L. plantarum DSM15313 (LABmix), or Bifidobacterium infantis DSM15159 and DSM15161 (BIFmix)) affect colonic fermentation, caecal counts of lactobacilli, bifidobacteria and Enterobacteriaceae, body weight gain, and blood concentrations of carboxylic acids (CA) and ammonia in rats. Dietary fibres in blueberry husks were fermented to 61 % in colon, and the elevated faecal excretion of fibre and protein contributed to the high faecal bulking capacity (1.3). The caecal pool of CA was higher in rats fed blueberry husks than the fibre-free control (P < 0.05), and the propionic acid proportion was higher in the distal colon than in the control group (P < 0.05). Probiotics lowered the caecal amount of CA when added to blueberry husks (P < 0.001), while the propionic acid proportion was higher with LABmix (P < 0.01) than blueberry husks only. The propionic acid and butyric acid concentrations in blood were higher in rats fed blueberry husks and probiotics than those fed blueberry husks only (P < 0.01), implying that the absorption of these acids was facilitated by the bacteria. The caecal counts of lactobacilli, bifidobacteria and Enterobacteriaceae were lower in rats fed blueberry husks than the control diet (P < 0.05). The body weight gain was partly influenced by the caecal tissue and contents weights, and BIFmix decreased the ammonia concentration in blood (P < 0.05). We conclude that colonic fermentation is differentially affected by dietary fibre and probiotics, which may be of importance when developing foods with certain health effects.
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