The aim of this study was to find out if selected lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains (antagonistic or nonantagonistic against H. pylori in vitro) would differ in their abilities to modulate the DCs maturation profiles reflected by their phenotype and cytokine expression patterns. Methods. Monocyte-derived DCs maturation was elicited by their direct exposure to the LAB strains of L. rhamnosus 900 or L. paracasei 915 (antagonistic and nonantagonistic to H. pylori, resp.), in the presence or absence of H. pylori strain cagA+. The DCs maturation profile was assessed on the basis of surface markers expression and cytokines production. Results. We observed that the LAB strains and the mixtures of LAB with H. pylori are able to induce mature DCs. At the same time, the L. paracasei 915 leads to high IL-10/IL-12p70 cytokine ratio, in contrast to L. rhamnosus 900. Conclusions. This study showed that the analyzed lactobacilli strains are more potent stimulators of DC maturation than H. pylori. Interestingly from the two chosen LAB strains the antagonistic to H. pylori-L. rhamnosus strain 900 has more proinflammatory and probably antibactericidal properties.

Background The mechanisms of downregulation of protective immunity against Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection strongly depend on dendritic cell (DC)‐induced T‐lymphocyte differentiation pattern. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains can modulate Hp‐induced immunoresponse by changes in DC activation profiles. Here, we want to find out if the LAB‐pulsed DCs will change Hp‐induced T‐cell responsiveness patterns. Materials and Methods The naive peripheral CD4+ T cells were co‐cultured with Hp CagA + pulsed monocyte‐derived DCs (DC/CD4+ T cell) in the presence/absence of the feces‐derived probiotics: antagonistic or non‐antagonistic to Hp (Lactobacillus rhamnosus 900, Lr, Lactobacillus paracasei 915, Lp, respectively), as assessed by the agar slab method. The regulatory T‐cell (Treg) population was assessed by flow cytometry, and IFN‐γ, IL‐12p70, IL‐10, and IL‐17A levels were evaluated by ELISA method. Results The Hp‐pulsed DC/CD4+ T‐cell co‐cultures were characterized by high IL‐10, decreased IL‐12p70 and IFN‐γ levels, and elevated Treg population. In contrast, Lr‐pulsed DC/CD4+ T‐cell co‐cultures expressed low IL‐10, high IL‐12p70 and IFN‐γ levels and declined Treg population; this responsiveness pattern was not changed by Hp. The responsiveness pattern of the Lp/Hp‐pulsed DC/CD4+ T‐cell co‐cultures did not differ from those pulsed with Hp alone. Conclusion In contrast to Lp, Lr probiotic strain overcomes Hp‐mediated immune profile in the DC/T‐cell co‐cultures toward Th1 pattern and limited generation of Tregs in vitro. Lr may therefore be used as a component of anti‐Hp treatment.

The male factor is responsible for infertility in about 35–40% of all cases. Idiopathic oligo- and/or astheno- and/or therato-zoospermia is one of the most common male fertility disorders and remains a significant therapeutic challenge. The primary cause of idiopathic male infertility remains unknown but seems to be associated with oxidative stress. Objective: The use of antioxidative formulation to improve qualitative and quantitative deficiencies in the male gametes. In total, 78 subjects were treated with a combination of 1,725 mg L-carnitine fumarate, 500 mg acetyl-L-carnitine, 90 mg vitamin C, 20 mg coenzyme Q10, 10 mg zinc, 200 µg folic acid, 50 µg selenium, and 1.5 µg vitamin B12 (Proxeed® Plus, Sigma-Tau, Italy) for 6 months; the preparation was taken twice daily from the time idiopathic infertility was diagnosed. Basic seminal parameters were evaluated by a European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) -certified embryologist following the fifth edition of the World Health Organisation (2010) guidelines at three time points: at baseline and 3 and 6 months of treatment. Improvements in semen parameters (differing in terms of dynamics) were evident at 3 months and gradually improved over the 6 months of treatment. Each parameter: sperm concentration, total sperm count, sperm total and progressive motility improved significantly after treatment except for the percentage of sperm of abnormal morphology and ejaculate volume. Proxeed Plus was effective for patients with idiopathic infertility; however, a long treatment period is needed to achieve optimal results.

A total of 270 Pekin ducks were reared for 49 d to determine the effect of feeding a diluted complete commercial wheat grain diet on live weight, feed intake and conversion, carcass, leg bone, and digestive system traits. Different feeding regimes had a significant effect on the body weight of the ducks aged 35 d and the feed conversion ratio in the period between days 22 and 35 of rearing. Dilution of a complete commercial diet with whole wheat grain had no significant influence on the final live weight (day 49), feed intake, and feed conversion ratio during the entire rearing period. Ducks fed a diet with whole wheat grain had a significantly higher dressing percentage after higher percentage of pectoral muscles, skin with subcutaneous fat, abdominal fat, as well as a significantly lower percentage of carcass remainders at the age of 49 d. Dilution of a complete commercial diet with whole wheat grain had no impact on the length of the respective intestinal sections nor on the weight and percentage share of gizzard, liver, heart, and spleen. However, it significantly lowered the fracture strength of the tibiotarsus, and decreased some dimensions of the femur and tibiotarsus.