http://www.mdpi.com/journal/nutrients/special_issues/food-function/ Related Conferences: International Probiotic Conference 2010 - IPC 2010, The Scientific Conference on Probiotics and Prebiotics Date: 15-17th June 2010 Place: Kosice, Slovakia Webpage: www.probiotic-conference.net Contact: Maria Kasmanova, Organizing Secretariat - International Probiotic Conference 2010 Phone: +421 918 707 371 Fax: +421 41 4000 123 E-Mail: info@probiotic-conference.net The conference programme will focus on current advances in the science and research of probiotics, prebiotics and their present and future role in maintaining health and preventing diseases. IPC 2010 aims to highlight evidence-based benefits as proven in clinical trials and scientific experiments. Further to the health effect of probiotics and prebiotics new developments in their selection, identification, production, application and delivery will be discussed. Topical subjects as safety, regulatory issues and claim substantiation will be also addressed by internationally renowned experts from industry and academia. It is the goal of IPC 2010 to further explore the potential of already used and novel probiotics by disseminating latest results and new ways of probiotic research. In addition novel strains, controversial but scientifically solid ideas, approaches, visions will be presented, and worldwide co-operation between scientists and institutions acilitated. Keywords: probiotics; prebiotics; health claims; gastroenterology; intestinal microbiota Food and Function 2009 - International Scientific Conference on Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods Date: 9-11th June 2009 Place: Zilina, Slovakia - Holiday Inn Webpage: http://www.foodandfunction.com/ The conference program will focus on the current advances in the research of nutraceuticals, functional foods and their present and future role in maintaining health and preventing diseases. The conference is a scientific forum for all stakeholders of nutraceuticals, functional foods and enable the interactive exchange of related state-of-the-art knowledge. The pre- and post-conference satellite symposia will be dedicated to the role of fermented foods in maintaining health and the role of probiotics in maintaining gastro-intestinal health.{snippet name="submission_info"} http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/2/6/626/ Low serum concentrations of micronutrients, intestinal abnormalities, and an inflammatory state have been associated with HIV progression. These may be ameliorated by micronutrients, N-acetyl cysteine, probiotics, and prebiotics. This review aims to integrate the evidence from clinical trials of these interventions on the progression of HIV. Vitamin B, C, E, and folic acid have been shown to delay the progression of HIV. Supplementation with selenium, N-acetyl cysteine, probiotics, and prebiotics has considerable potential, but the evidence needs to be further substantiated. Vitamin A, iron, and zinc have been associated with adverse effects and caution is warranted for their use. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/2/6/626/ Wed, 02 Jun 2010 00:00:00 CEST Nutrients 2010-06-02 2 6 Review 626 651 2072-6643 Micronutrients, N-Acetyl Cysteine, Probiotics and Prebiotics, a Review of Effectiveness in Reducing HIV Progression 2010-06-02 doi: 10.3390/nu2060626 Hummelen Hemsworth Reid http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/2/6/611/ New eating habits, actual trends in production and consumption have a health, environmental and social impact. The European Union is fighting diseases characteristic of a modern age, such as obesity, osteoporosis, cancer, diabetes, allergies and dental problems. Developed countries are also faced with problems relating to aging populations, high energy foods, and unbalanced diets. The potential of nutraceuticals/functional foods/food supplements in mitigating health problems, especially in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, is discussed. Certain members of gut microflora (e.g., probiotic/protective strains) play a role in the host health due to its involvement in nutritional, immunologic and physiological functions. The potential mechanisms by which nutraceuticals/functional foods/food supplements may alter a host’s health are also highlighted in this paper. The establishment of novel functional cell models of the GI and analytical tools that allow tests in controlled experiments are highly desired for gut research. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/2/6/611/ Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:00:00 CEST Nutrients 2010-06-01 2 6 Review 611 625 2072-6643 The Role of Functional Foods, Nutraceuticals, and Food Supplements in Intestinal Health 2010-06-01 doi: 10.3390/nu2060611 Cencic Chingwaru http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/2/4/449/ Besides being important in the fermentation of foods and beverages, yeasts have shown numerous beneficial effects on human health. Among these, probiotic effects are the most well known health effects including prevention and treatment of intestinal diseases and immunomodulatory effects. Other beneficial functions of yeasts are improvement of bioavailability of minerals through the hydrolysis of phytate, folate biofortification and detoxification of mycotoxins due to surface binding to the yeast cell wall. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/2/4/449/ Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:00:00 CEST Nutrients 2010-04-01 2 4 Review 449 473 2072-6643 Beneficial Effects of Probiotic and Food Borne Yeasts on Human Health 2010-04-01 doi: 10.3390/nu2040449 Moslehi-Jenabian Lindegaard Jespersen http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/2/3/340/ Equol, one of the main metabolites of daidzein, is a chiral compound with pleiotropic effects on cellular signaling. This property may induce activation/inhibition of the estrogen receptors (ER) a or b, and therefore, explain the beneficial/deleterious effects of equol on estrogen-dependent diseases. With its asymmetric centre at position C-3, equol can exist in two enantiomeric forms (R- and S-equol). To elucidate the yet unclear mechanisms of ER activation/inhibition by equol, we performed a comprehensive analysis of ERa and ERb transactivation by racemic equol, as well as by enantiomerically pure forms. Racemic equol was prepared by catalytic hydrogenation from daidzein and separated into enantiomers by chiral HPLC. The configuration assignment was performed by optical rotatory power measurements. The ER-induced transactivation by R- and S-equol (0.1–10 µM) and 17b-estradiol (E2, 10 nM) was studied using transient transfections of ERa and ERb in CHO, HepG2 and HeLa cell lines. R- and S-equol induce ER transactivation in an opposite fashion according to the cellular context. R-equol and S-equol are more potent in inducing ERa in an AF-2 and AF-1 permissive cell line, respectively. Involvement of ERa transactivation functions (AF-1 and AF-2) in these effects has been examined. Both AF-1 and AF-2 are involved in racemic equol, R-equol and S-equol induced ERa transcriptional activity. These results could be of interest to find a specific ligand modulating ER transactivation and could contribute to explaining the diversity of equol actions in vivo. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/2/3/340/ Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 CET Nutrients 2010-03-15 2 3 Communication 340 354 2072-6643 Comparative Effects of R- and S-equol and Implication of Transactivation Functions (AF-1 and AF-2) in Estrogen Receptor-Induced Transcriptional Activity 2010-03-15 doi: 10.3390/nu2030340 Shinkaruk Carreau Flouriot Bennetau-Pelissero Potier http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/2/3/330/ The functional food industry requires an improvement of probiotic strain stability during storage, especially when they are stored at room temperature. In this study, the viability of freeze-dried Lactobacillus rhamnosus IMC 501® and Lactobacillus paracasei IMC 502® using different protective agents (i.e., glycerine, mannitol, sorbitol, inulin, dextrin, Crystalean®) was determined and compared with semi skimmed milk (SSM) control. No significant differences were observed between the tested protectants and the control (SSM) during storage at refrigerated conditions. During storage at room temperature, only glycerine was found to stabilize viability better than other tested substances. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/2/3/330/ Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 CET Nutrients 2010-03-11 2 3 Article 330 339 2072-6643 Pilot-scale Production and Viability Analysis of Freeze-Dried Probiotic Bacteria Using Different Protective Agents 2010-03-11 doi: 10.3390/nu2030330 Michele Savini Cinzia Cecchini Maria Cristina Verdenelli Stefania Silvi Carla Orpianesi Alberto Cresci http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/2/3/290/ Dental caries and dental plaque are among the most common diseases worldwide, and are caused by a mixture of microorganisms and food debris. Specific types of acid-producing bacteria, especially Streptococcus mutans, colonize the dental surface and cause damage to the hard tooth structure in the presence of fermentable carbohydrates e.g., sucrose and fructose. This paper reviews the link between S. mutans and caries, as well as different simulation models that are available for studying caries. These models offer a valuable approach to study cariogenicity of different substrates as well as colonization of S. mutans. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/2/3/290/ Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 CET Nutrients 2010-03-02 2 3 Review 290 298 2072-6643 Streptococcus mutans, Caries and Simulation Models 2010-03-02 doi: 10.3390/nu2030290 Sofia D. Forssten Marika Björklund Arthur C. Ouwehand