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BMC Microbiology May 2024Spontaneous fermentation of cereals like millet involves a diverse population of microbes from various sources, including raw materials, processing equipment, fermenting...
Spontaneous fermentation of cereals like millet involves a diverse population of microbes from various sources, including raw materials, processing equipment, fermenting receptacles, and the environment. Here, we present data on the predominant microbial species and their succession at each stage of the Hausa koko production process from five regions of Ghana. The isolates were enumerated using selective media, purified, and phenotypically characterised. The LAB isolates were further characterised by 16S rRNA Sanger sequencing, typed using (GTG) repetitive-PCR, and whole genome sequencing, while 28S rRNA Sanger sequencing was performed for yeast identification. The pH of the millet grains ranged from mean values of 6.02-6.53 to 3.51-3.99 in the final product, depending on the processors. The mean LAB and yeast counts increased during fermentation then fell to final counts of log 2.77-3.95 CFU/g for LAB and log 2.10-2.98 CFU/g for yeast in Hausa koko samples. At the various processing stages, the counts of LAB and yeast revealed significant variations (p < 0.0001). The species of LAB identified in this study were Limosilactobacillus pontis, Pediococcus acidilactici, Limosilactobacillus fermentum, Limosilactobacillus reuteri, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Schleiferilactobacillus harbinensis, and Weissella confusa. The yeasts were Saccharomyces cf. cerevisiae/paradoxus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Pichia kudriavzevii, Clavispora lusitaniae and Candida tropicalis. The identification and sequencing of these novel isolates and how they change during the fermentation process will pave the way for future controlled fermentation, safer starter cultures, and identifying optimal stages for starter culture addition or nutritional interventions. These LAB and yeast species are linked to many indigenous African fermented foods, potentially acting as probiotics in some cases. This result serves as the basis for further studies into the technological and probiotic potential of these Hausa koko microorganisms.
Topics: Fermentation; Ghana; Yeasts; Food Microbiology; Fermented Foods; Millets; Lactobacillales; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Phylogeny; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Edible Grain
PubMed: 38745280
DOI: 10.1186/s12866-024-03317-1 -
Life (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2023Alterations in cerebral glucose metabolism can be indicative of both normal and pathological aging processes. In this retrospective study, we evaluated global and...
Alterations in cerebral glucose metabolism can be indicative of both normal and pathological aging processes. In this retrospective study, we evaluated global and regional neurological glucose metabolism in 73 healthy individuals (mean age: 35.8 ± 13.1 years; 82.5% female) using 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). This population exhibited a low prevalence of comorbidities associated with cerebrovascular risk factors. We utilized F-FDG-PET/CT imaging and quantitative regional analysis to assess cerebral glucose metabolism. A statistically significant negative correlation was found between age and the global standardized uptake value mean (SUVmean) of FDG uptake ( = 0.000795), indicating a decrease in whole-brain glucose metabolism with aging. Furthermore, region-specific analysis identified significant correlations in four cerebral regions, with positive correlations in the basis pontis, cerebellar hemisphere, and cerebellum and a negative correlation in the lateral orbital gyrus. These results were further confirmed via linear regression analysis. Our findings reveal a nuanced understanding of how aging affects glucose metabolism in the brain, providing insight into normal neurology. The study underscores the utility of F-FDG-PET/CT as a sensitive tool in monitoring these metabolic changes, highlighting its potential for the early detection of neurological diseases and disorders related to aging.
PubMed: 37895426
DOI: 10.3390/life13102044 -
Journal of Neurological Surgery. Part... Apr 2024Emotional lability (EL), the uncontrollable and unmotivated expression of emotion, is a rare and distressing symptom of brainstem compression. In published case...
Emotional lability (EL), the uncontrollable and unmotivated expression of emotion, is a rare and distressing symptom of brainstem compression. In published case reports, EL from an extra-axial posterior fossa tumor was alleviated by tumor resection. The primary aim herein was to radiographically establish the degree of compression from mass lesions onto brainstem structures. Secondarily, we compared changes in patient-reported quality of life (QOL) pre- and postoperatively. A retrospective review of posterior fossa tumors treated between 2002 and 2018 at Vancouver General Hospital revealed 11 patients with confirmed EL. Each case was matched to three controls. A lateral brainstem compression scale characterized mass effect at the level of the medulla, pons, and midbrain in preoperative axial T2-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging (FLAIR MRI) scans. Compression and clinical variables were compared between patient groups. Short Form-36 version 1 health surveys were retrospectively obtained from patient charts to compare pre- versus postoperative changes in survey scores between EL and control patients. EL symptoms ceased postoperatively for all EL patients. EL tumors exert greater compression onto the pons ( = 0.03) and EL patients more commonly have cerebellar findings preoperatively ( = 0.003). Patients with EL-causing tumors experienced greater improvement postoperatively in "Health Change" ( = 0.05), which was maintained over time. Findings suggest that compression onto the pons inhibits control over involuntary, stereotyped expression of emotion. This adds to evidence that EL may be attributed to cerebellum deafferentation from cortical and limbic structures through the basis pontis, leading to impaired modulation of emotional response. QOL results augment benefits of offering patients EL-alleviating tumor resection surgery.
PubMed: 38449579
DOI: 10.1055/a-2028-6373 -
Radiology Case Reports Aug 2023We reported a case of Wallerian degeneration of the unilateral middle cerebellar peduncle (MCP) that developed after ipsilateral paramedian lower pontine infarction. The...
We reported a case of Wallerian degeneration of the unilateral middle cerebellar peduncle (MCP) that developed after ipsilateral paramedian lower pontine infarction. The patient was a 70-year-old woman with right hemiparesis and dysarthria. Using a 3-Tesla scanner, cranial magnetic resonance imaging was performed, and an infarct was found at the left paramedian lower pons. Seven months later, an abnormal signal was found at the central portion of the left MCP, indicative of Wallerian degeneration of the pontocerebellar tract (PCT). There was no abnormality at the contralateral MCP. Usually, Wallerian degeneration of the bilateral MCPs may develop after unilateral paramedian pontine infarction, because bilateral PCTs cross each other at the midline of the basis pontis. In the present case, however, Wallerian degeneration was found at only the ipsilateral MCP. The contralateral PCT was not affected because the PCT runs in the craniocaudal direction, and our patient had a lower pontine infarct. The location of the pontine infarct (affected PCT) and the Wallerian degeneration of the side of the MCP were well correlated.
PubMed: 37388256
DOI: 10.1016/j.radcr.2023.05.033