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Adoptive transfer of ex vivo expanded tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have produced long-term response in metastatic cancers. TILs have traditionally been expanded from surgically resected specimens. Ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy (CNB) is an alternative method that avoids the morbidity of surgery and have added benefits which may include patients not amenable to surgery as well as the potential to produce TILs from multiple lesions in the same patient. We assessed the ability to produce and expand TILs from primary triple-negative breast cancer tumors from CNB (n=7) and demonstrate comparable expansion, phenotype and cytokine secretion after phorbol myristate acetate-ionomycin stimulation to TILs expanded from surgery (n=6). T cell Receptor clonality and diversity were also comparable between the two cohorts throughout the TIL culture. CNB is a safe and feasible method to obtain tumor tissue for TIL generation in patients with triple-negative breast cancer., (Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Olive oil, essential ingredient of the Mediterranean diet, is attracting a growing interest due to increasing evidence on its beneficial effects on human health. This study investigated whether extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) possess prebiotic properties. Twenty different monovarietal EVOO samples from 5 Marche region cultivars (Italy) were studied. The prebiotic activity of EVOOs was assessed monitoring the selective stimulation of gut bacterial species and the short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production, using an in vitro fermentation system. All EVOOs selectively stimulated Lactobacillus spp., with a stronger activity than that observed in the inulin fermentation (positive control). Also, the bifidobacteria population increased; this bifidogenic stimulation was of EVOOs from Raggia cultivar. SCFAs appeared significantly higher after 24 h in all EVOO fermentations than in the control. Acetic and propionic acids production was particularly stimulated. Overall, most of the investigated EVOOs had a potential prebiotic activity, similar or stronger than inulin.

Many environmental aspects influence the preservation of a beneficial microbiome in dogs, and gut dysbiosis occurs when imbalances in the intestinal ecosystem cause functional changes in the microbial populations. The authors evaluated the effects of two specific commercial dietary supplements: a combination of a postbiotic and prebiotics (Microbiotal cane ® ) and a probiotic product (NBF 1 ® ) recommended for counteracting intestinal dysbiosis in dogs, on the gut canine microbiota composition and its metabolic activities (production of short-chain fatty acids). The investigation was performed using an in vitro fermentation system inoculated with dog fecal samples. Microbiotal cane ® promoted a more immediate increase in Lactobacillus spp. after the first 6 h of fermentation, whereas NBF 1 ® promoted the increase at the end of the process only. The two supplements supported an increase in the Bifidobacterium spp. counts only after 24 h. The in vitro abilities of Microbiotal cane ® and NBF 1 ® to increase selectively beneficial bacterial groups producing acetic, propionic, and butyric acids suggest a possible positive effect on the canine gut microbiota, even if further in vivo studies are needed to confirm the beneficial effects on the intestinal health.

Background and Aim: In recent decades, obesity prevalence has reached epidemic proportions and considering the pivotal role of gut microbiota (GM) in the regulation of energy balance, alternative non-pharmacological approaches involving probiotics' administration have been proposed. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum IMC 510® supplementation on anthropometric and biochemical parameters, GM composition and functionality, and gastrointestinal and general symptoms of overweight/obese subjects., Methods: Forty overweight/obese subjects were randomly assigned to daily consume the probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum IMC 510® or placebo for 3 months. Before and after the administration period, anthropometric and biochemical parameters, self-administered questionnaires, and plasma and stool samples were obtained from each participant. The GM characterization was performed with 16S rRNA sequencing, while fecal short (SCFAs) and medium (MCFAs) chain fatty acids were analyzed with a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry protocol., Results: Compared to placebo, probiotic supplementation determined a significant decrease in body weight, BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, and blood glucose. Moreover, probiotic administration produced a significant decrease of the genera Hafnia-Obesumbacterium and Romboutsia and an increase of Succiniclasticum spp.; conversely, placebo administration resulted in the decrease of Actinomycetaceae and an increase of both Alloprevotella spp. and of the levels of pro-inflammatory hexanoic and heptanoic acids., Conclusion: Thanks to its effect in increasing some beneficial gut bacteria and lowering effects on waist circumference, fasting glucose levels and gastrointestinal symptoms of obese subjects, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum IMC 510® supplementation could represent a future and encouraging strategy for the prevention or treatment of obesity., Competing Interests: MMC and MCV were employed by Synbiotec S.r.l. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Pagliai, Coman, Baldi, Dinu, Nannini, Russo, Curini, Colombini, Lotti, Pallecchi, Di Gloria, Bartolucci, Ramazzotti, Verdenelli, Sofi and Amedei.)

The irregular lifestyle of airline crew members, wide/adverse job-related exposures, and the impact of temporary hypoxia on gut microbiota well-being have increased concern about the daily recommended dose of certain nutrients among flight crew. The aim of this study was to determine if daily consumption of a SYNBIO ® probiotics-elderberry extract supplement (ACTIVE) may contribute to the well-being of flight attendants. Forty healthy crew members enrolled in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study consumed one ACTIVE capsule/day or placebo for 30 days. Bowel well-being, health-related quality of life, and gastrointestinal tolerance were assessed by validated questionnaires. Saliva and fecal samples were analyzed to determine secretory immunoglobulin-A (sIgA) levels and to characterize gut microbiota composition, respectively. ACTIVE subjects presented a physiological improvement and a statistically significant higher Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWBI) global score compared to PLACEBO subjects. The ACTIVE subjects showed significantly increased levels of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria compared to the PLACEBO group, while a significant increase in lactobacilli and a significant reduction in Enterobacteriaceae were registered when compared with the beginning of supplementation, confirming the persistence of probiotics in the gastrointestinal tract and the direct antagonism and competitive exclusion effects. Additionally, sIgA levels were significantly higher in the ACTIVE group compared to the baseline and to the PLACEBO group at the end of supplementation. The ACTIVE supplementation might be beneficial to airline crew members, improving their physiological state, their immune defenses, and the strength and efficiency of their gastrointestinal tract when responding to stressful conditions.

The physiological changes associated with ageing contribute to the incidence of diseases, morbidity, and mortality. For modern society, it is essential to find solutions to improve elderly people's health and quality of life. Among promising strategies, the PROBIOSENIOR project proposed a daily six-month supplementation with new probiotic functional foods and nutraceuticals. The aim of this work was to evaluate the modulating effects of the probiotic diet on inflammatory markers and nutritional status. Ninety-seven elderly volunteers were randomly assigned to either a placebo-diet group or a probiotic-diet group (SYNBIO ® ). Faeces, urine, and blood samples were collected before and after the supplementation to determine serum cytokines, biogenic amines, and inflammation markers. Comparing the results obtained before and after the intervention, probiotic supplementations significantly decreased the TNF-α circulating levels and significantly increased those of IGF-1. Biogenic-amine levels showed high variability, with significant variation only for histamine that decreased after the probiotic supplementation. The supplementation influenced the serum concentration of some crucial cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, and MIP-1α) that significantly decreased in the probiotic group. In addition, the Mini Nutritional Assessment questionnaire revealed that the probiotic-supplemented group had a significant improvement in nutritional status. In conclusion, the PROBIOSENIOR project demonstrated how SYNBIO ® supplementation may positively influence some nutritional and inflammatory parameters in the elderly.

A healthy vaginal microbiota is Lactobacillus-dominated. Several factors can interfere with the state of balance leading to dysbiosis, such as vaginal infections caused by bacteria and Candida species. The present single-arm, uncontrolled open-label study aimed to evaluate the ability of the SYNBIO ® probiotic combination, taken as an oral formulation, to contribute to vaginal health. Thirty pre-menopausal participants were included in the study. Participants were instructed for daily oral intake of SYNBIO ® probiotic capsules for 15 days. Vaginal swabs were collected at baseline (T0), 15 days after the start of the treatment (T1), and 7 days after the end of the treatment (T2). Amsel criteria, Nugent score, and vaginal pH were evaluated at each sampling time. In addition, the participants' quality of life was assessed by the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. The administration of SYNBIO ® once daily for 15 days resulted in a substantial improvement in the vaginal flora in terms of an increase in lactobacilli and a decrease in enterococci, staphylococci, Gardnerella spp., and Candida spp. According to the results, statistically significant changes in leucorrhoea, itching, and vulvo-vaginal erythema/edema as well as a decrease in all the Amsel criteria were recorded. The oral consumption of SYNBIO ® demonstrated enhanced benefits for vaginal health.

Aims: The aim of this work was to assess the effects of a probiotic diet on well-being of healthy seniors living in boarding and private homes in Marche Region, Italy. In particular, we focused on the modulation of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (HsCRP), intestinal microbiota and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)., Methods and Results: Ninety-seven healthy seniors took part in a double-blind, placebo-controlled feeding study (59 fed probiotics, 38 fed placebo) for 6 months. Each volunteer ingested daily one food product or a dietary supplement enriched with Synbio® blend (Synbiotec Srl, Camerino, Italy) or the placebo (control group). Blood and faecal samples were collected before and at the end of the intervention period to perform biochemical and microbiological analyses. The serum HsCRP difference value after 6 months of treatment was significantly higher in the probiotic group than placebo (p < 0.05). After the intervention, a significant increase in faecal lactobacilli and a bifidobacteria increase in more participants were observed in the probiotic group. The 16S NGS analysis on the probiotic group showed a decreasing trend of Proteobacteria at the end of the treatment and conversely, an increasing trend of Actinobacteria and Verrucomicrobia phyla, to which the increase of Akkermansiaceae and Bifidobacteriaceae contributes at the family level. Finally, total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and butyric acid were significantly higher in the probiotic group at the end of the treatment respect to the beginning., Conclusions: Overall, this study emphasizes the beneficial anti-inflammageing effect of a prolonged diet based on functional foods enriched with Synbio® through the modulation of the intestinal microbiota and the consequent increase in the SCFA production., Significance and Impact of the Study: Synbio® integration in elderly daily diet may be a preventive strategy to support healthy ageing., (© 2022 Society for Applied Microbiology.)

Aims: Probiotic supplementation approach offers the possibility to shape the gut microbiota (GM), enabling the development of innovative formulations able to improve intestinal well-being and consequently the related body weight modulation and energy metabolism. In the present clinical study, a new potential probiotic supplement based on Lactiplantibacillus plantarum IMC 510 was studied for weight management., Methods and Results: Quantitative characterization by qPCR of representative bacterial groups of GM was used to determine the microbiota modulation at different supplementation periods. Furthermore, measurement of the endpoints linked to weight control (body mass index, body weight, waist circumference) was assessed. Specific questionnaires to evaluate the impact on psychological and physiological point of view were performed. Results showed that after 90 days, Lact. plantarum IMC 510 supplementation brought an improvement in endpoints linked to weight control and healthy status, although no significant changes in the microbiota composition were reported for analysed bacterial groups, except for Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp., Conclusions: We concluded that Lact. plantarum IMC 510 supplementation could be an interesting tool for weight management. More studies are needed to understand the impact on GM, for example, evaluating the production of short-chain fatty acids, since their important role in dietary metabolism. Further research is necessary to better elucidate the relationship between GM and overweight and the mechanism of action by which Lact. plantarum IMC 510 modifies body weight., Significance and Impact of the Study: However, these promising outcomes represent a clear advantage of probiotic supplementation and identify a new potential probiotic as a novel and safe therapeutic approach in the obesity prevention and management., (© 2022 Society for Applied Microbiology.)

Considering the increasing consumer demand for vegan and vegetarian health foods, different vegetables have been already exploited to produce non-dairy probiotic foods. In addition to being rich in bioactive compounds, sea fennel ( Crithmum maritimum L.), also known as rock samphire, represents a valuable candidate in the production of probiotic-enriched foods, and, to the authors' knowledge, it has not yet been explored as carrier for probiotics. Hence, the present study was aimed at evaluating the survival of a commercially available probiotic formulation, SYNBIO ® , and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum IMC 509 in an artificially acidified, pasteurized sea fennel preserve in brine during a refrigerated storage of 44 days. Despite slight reductions in the microbial loads, at the end of the storage, both the probiotic formulations showed loads higher than 7.0 Log CFU g -1 of sea fennel or mL -1 of brine, above the recommended administration dose to exert beneficial health effects. Thus, acidified sea fennel sprouts in brine represent a potential vehicle for probiotics delivery to humans.

Aims: The aim of this work was to refine the taxonomy and the functional characterization of publicly available Lactiplantibacillus plantarum complete genomes through a pan-genome analysis. Particular attention was paid in depicting the probiotic potential of each strain., Methods and Results: Complete genome sequence of 127 L. plantarum strains, without detected anomalies, was downloaded from NCBI. Roary analysis of L. plantarum pan-genome identified 1436 core, 414 soft core, 1858 shell and 13,203 cloud genes, highlighting the 'open' nature of L. plantarum pan-genome. Identification and characterization of plasmid content, mobile genetic elements, adaptative immune system and probiotic marker genes (PMGs) revealed unique features across all the L. plantarum strains included in the present study. Considering our updated list of PMGs, we determined that approximatively 70% of the PMGs belongs to the core/soft-core genome., Conclusions: The comparative genomic analysis conducted in this study provide new insights into the genomic content and variability of L. plantarum., Significance and Impact of the Study: This study provides a comprehensive pan-genome analysis of L. plantarum, including the largest number (N = 127) of complete L. plantarum genomes retrieved from publicly available repositories. Our effort aimed to determine a solid reference panel for the future characterization of newly sequenced L. plantarum strains useful as probiotic supplements., (© 2021 The Authors. Journal of Applied Microbiology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society for Applied Microbiology.)