No abstract

The human gut is one of the most complex ecosystems, composed of 1013-1014 microorganisms which play an important role in human health. In addition, some food products contain live bacteria which transit through our gastrointestinal tract and could exert beneficial effects on our health (known as probiotic effect). Among the numerous proposed health benefits attributed to commensal and probiotic bacteria, their capacity to interact with the host immune system is now well demonstrated. Currently, the use of recombinant lactic acid bacteria to deliver compounds of health interest is gaining importance as an extension of the probiotic concept. This review summarizes some of the recent findings and perspectives in the study of the crosstalk of both commensal and probiotic bacteria with the human host as well as the latest studies in recombinant commensal and probiotic bacteria. Our aim is to highlight the potential roles of recombinant bacteria in this ecosystem.

Objectives This study introduced new concepts and measures to identify food deserts. Methods Physical and economic access to supermarkets were estimated for five low-income groups in Seattle-King County. Physical access was measured using GIS to delineate service areas around each supermarket based on a 10-minute travel duration by four modes: walking, bicycling, riding transit, or driving. Economic access was assessed by stratifying supermarkets into low-, medium-, and high-cost types. Combining income and access criteria generated multiple ways to estimate food deserts. Results The five low-income group definitions yielded total vulnerable populations ranging from 4 to 33% of the County’s population. Almost all of the vulnerable populations lived within a 10-minute drive or bus ride of a low- or medium-cost supermarket. Yet a high of only 34% of the vulnerable populations had the option of walking to any supermarket, and a low of 3% did so to a low-cost supermarket. Conclusions The criteria used to define low-income status and access to supermarkets greatly affect estimates of populations living in food deserts. Measures of access to food must include travel duration and mode, and supermarket food costs.

No abstract