Probiotics might provide an alternative approach for the control of oral candidiasis. However, studies on the antifungal activity of probiotics in the oral cavity are based on the consumption of yogurt or other dietary products, and there is a necessary to use appropriate biomaterials and specific strains to obtain probiotic formulations targeting local oral administration. In this study, we impregnated gellan gum, a natural biopolymer used as a food-additive, with a probiotic and investigated its antifungal activity against Candida albicans. Lactobacillus paracasei 28.4, a strain recently isolated from the oral cavity of a caries-free individual, was incorporated in several concentrations of gellan gum (0.6% to 1%). All tested concentrations could incorporate L. paracasei cells while maintaining bacterial viability. Probiotic/gellan formulations were stable for 7 days when stored at room temperature or 4°C. Long-term storage of bacteria-impregnated gellan gum was achieved when L. paracasei 28.4 was lyophilized. The probiotic/gellan formulations provided a release of L. paracasei cells over 24 hours that was sufficient to inhibit the growth of C. albicans with effects dependent on the cell concentrations incorporated into gellan gum. The probiotic/gellan formulations also had inhibitory activity against Candida spp. biofilms by reducing the number of Candida spp. cells (p < 0.0001), decreasing the total biomass (p = 0.0003), and impairing hyphae formation (p = 0.0002), compared to the control group which received no treatment. Interestingly, probiotic formulation of 1% w/v gellan gum provided an oral colonization of L. paracasei in mice with approximately 6 log of CFU/mL after 10 days. This formulation inhibited the C. albicans growth (p < 0.0001), prevented the development of candidiasis lesions (p = 0.0013), and suppressed inflammation (p = 0.0006) when compared to the mice not treated in the microscopic analysis of the tongue dorsum. These results indicate that gellan gum is a promising biomaterial and can be used as a carrier system to promote oral colonization for probiotics that prevent oral candidiasis.

Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is one of the main causes of death due to cardiomyopathy and heart failure in Latin American countries. The treatment of Chagas disease is directed at eliminating the parasite, decreasing the probability of cardiomyopathy, and disrupting the disease transmission cycle. Benznidazole (BZ) and nifurtimox (NFX) are recognized as effective drugs for the treatment of Chagas disease by the World Health Organization, but both have high toxicity and limited efficacy, especially in the chronic disease phase. At low doses, aspirin (ASA) has been reported to protect against T. cruzi infection. We evaluated the effectiveness of BZ in combination with ASA at low doses during the acute disease phase and evaluated cardiovascular aspects and cardiac lesions in the chronic phase. ASA treatment prevented the cardiovascular dysfunction (hypertension and tachycardia) and typical cardiac lesions. Moreover, BZ+ASA-treated mice had a smaller cardiac fibrotic area than that in BZ-treated mice. These results were associated with an increase in the number of eosinophils and reticulocytes and level of nitric oxide in the plasma and cardiac tissue of ASA-treated mice relative to respective controls. These effects of ASA and BZ+ASA in chronically infected mice were inhibited by pretreatment with the LXA₄ receptor antagonist, Boc-2, indicating that the protective effects of ASA are mediated by ASA-triggered lipoxin. These results emphasize the importance of exploring new drug combinations for treatments of acute phase of Chagas disease that are beneficial for chronic patients.

BACKGROUND:

In the United States, transgender youth are at especially high risk for HIV infection. Literature regarding HIV prevention strategies for this vulnerable, often-hidden population is scant. Before effective, population-based HIV prevention strategies may be adequately developed, it is necessary to first enhance the contextual understanding of transgender youth HIV risk and experiences with HIV preventive services.

Prospective transfer students can explore the Lehigh Valley Campus virtually during the Transfer Thursday events

The world's largest education research group said it will work to convert much of the annual meeting into a virtual experience for attendees and presenters.

Graham A. Colditz
Jul 1, 1995; 96:29-35
ARTICLES

Philip M. Farrell
Jan 1, 2001; 107:1-13
ARTICLES

G. C. Liggins
Oct 1, 1972; 50:515-525
ARTICLES

Mary Ellen Avery
Jan 1, 1987; 79:26-30
ARTICLES

Cynthia L. Ogden
Jan 1, 2002; 109:45-60
ARTICLES

People find it convenient to use Facebook or other social media accounts to sign up for most new apps and services, but they prefer to use their e-mail address or open a new account if they feel the information in the app is too sensitive, according to a team of researchers.

After two prosecutors recused themselves from investigating Ahmaud Arbery's death, Gregory and Travis McMichael were arrested.

When Penn State Law in University Park transitioned its annual Careers in the Law event to a virtual one due to COVID-19 concerns, Assistant Dean of Career Services Magen Mihok offered the sponsoring firms a choice: to receive a full refund of their registration fee, or to consider a donation to Penn State Law’s Future Fund to support students impacted by COVID-19. The result was a true embodiment of the "We Are" spirit.

The Sokolov-Miller Family Financial and Life Skills Center at Penn State has a slate of programming for Financial Literacy Month this April and is offering help to anyone in the University community who is anxious about their financial future.

The Student Activities Office at Penn State Wilkes-Barre typically offers a full slate of activities for students and will continue to do so throughout April — even though the way those activities are delivered may look a little different.

Virtual visits provide opportunities to learn about what Penn State York has to offer. Programming scheduled through May.

Penn State York honored student-athletes during a Zoom presentation with plenty of Penn State pride.

During OM France’s last LinkUp, an interdenominational event for all teens and young adults in the Nantes region, OMers focused on the theme of sexuality.

Penn State researchers have developed a comprehensive online tutor to educate the general public about the science behind COVID-19 and appropriate steps anyone can take to help reduce its transmission.

Want to encourage girls to become professional technologists? Here's how to make sure your girls-in-tech events help them to accurately set their Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) career expectations.

The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA), in partnership with five local housing counseling agencies, is hosting “Keeping Your Home Afloat”, a Statewide Foreclosure Prevention Open House, on Monday, July 22nd from 5:00pm to 7:30pm. Attendees will learn how the Making Home Affordable Program may be able to help them reduce the amount they owe on their mortgage. Homeowners who are “underwater”, or owe more than their homes are worth, are especially encouraged to come get more information about the MHA Program’s Principal Reduction Alternative.

Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) and the Delaware Council of Faith-Based Partnerships will be hosting a free Lunch & Learn on Tuesday, March 3, 2015 in the Carvel State Office Building, 3rd Floor Conference Room, at 820 N. French Street, Wilmington, Delaware.

The first program, focused on Small Business, will be held on May 13.

Sept. 2, 2017 event moved from outdoors on the Dover Green to indoors at The Old State House.

Halloween programs, 18th century trades and William Penn Day among the events to be presented.

Event cancelled due to inclement weather.

Highlights include programs on African-American life at the John Dickinson Plantation in the 18th century, the evolution of black recorded music and African-American archaeology in Delaware.

Highlights include programs on women's suffrage, Harriet Tubman and the female vocalists of the Victor Talking Machine Company.

Highlights include Buena Vista’s First Annual Spring Open House, The Old State House's Coffee-Hour Lecture Series and programs on Delaware's Dutch heritage.

Highlights include Dover Days programs, A Day in Old New Castle and “A Sailor’s Life for Me,” the Zwaanendael Museum’s 7th Annual Maritime Celebration.

Programs on Delaware heroes of the War of 1812, dyeing fabrics 18th-century style, and Separation Day in New Castle to be featured.

Programs on quill-pen writing, Alexander Hamilton and a murder mystery to be featured.

Film screenings, and programs on Sherlock Holmes, and George M. Cohan and Irving Berlin to be featured.

Native-American programming, Chautauqua shows and surviving the London Blitz among activities to be presented.

Programs explore the importance of railroads to America’s economy and way of life, and their impact on Delaware.

Early 1900s music education, the life of Delaware patriot Caesar Rodney and walking tours of St. Peter’s cemetery in Lewes among topics to be explored.

Changes to American society in the early 20th century, grave sites of notable New Castle veterans, and candle-making among topics to be explored.

Highlights include activities celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, early jazz and the Avery’s Rest archaeological site.

Highlights include programs on the Underground Railroad, black recording artists and record labels from the early 20th century, and First African Baptist Church cemeteries in Philadelphia.

Activities honor and celebrate women's lives and historic achievements.

Highlights include programs on the artist who created "His Master's Voice," the bombardment of Lewes and a festival at Fort Christina.

Dover Days, A Day in Old New Castle and the Zwaanendael Maritime Festival among programs to be offered.

Separation Day, Black Music Month Celebration and a historic preservation symposium among programs to be offered.

Programs on Independence Day, baseball Hall-of-Famer William “Judy” Johnson and campfires at the John Dickinson Plantation to be featured.

Sherlock Holmes comes to Delaware, a screening of “How to Train Your Dragon—The Hidden World” and the history of women's suffrage in the First State to be featured.

Chautauqua tent shows, Native-American programming and a historical play on Caesar Rodney among the activities to be presented.

Wilmington, Del. (September 12, 2019) – The Delaware Division of the Arts is pleased to announce several upcoming events featuring 2019 Individual Artist Fellows.  Delaware’s Individual Artist Fellowships recognize artists for their outstanding quality of work and provide monetary awards. Individual Artist Fellows are publicly acknowledged and benefit from the additional exposure to their work.  […]

Programs on America's maritime heritage; Enrico Caruso; and Shakespeare, Poe and Fiends to be featured.

Bayberry candle-making, grave sites of notable New Castle veterans and early recordings of classical music among topics to be explored.