Expert consensus document: The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) consensus statement on the definition and scope of prebiotics

In December 2016, a panel of experts in microbiology, nutrition and clinical research was convened by the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics to review the definition and scope of prebiotics. Consistent with the original embodiment of prebiotics, but aware of the latest scientific and clinical developments, the panel updated the definition of a prebiotic: a substrate that is selectively utilized by host microorganisms conferring a health benefit. This definition expands the concept of prebiotics to possibly include non-carbohydrate substances, applications to body sites other than the gastrointestinal tract, and diverse categories other than food. The requirement for selective microbiota-mediated mechanisms was retained. Beneficial health effects must be documented for a substance to be considered a prebiotic. The consensus definition applies also to prebiotics for use by animals, in which microbiota-focused strategies to maintain health and prevent disease is as relevant as for humans. Ultimately, the goal of this Consensus Statement is to engender appropriate use of the term ‘prebiotic’ by relevant stakeholders so that consistency and clarity can be achieved in research reports, product marketing and regulatory oversight of the category. To this end, we have reviewed several aspects of prebiotic science including its development, health benefits and legislation

Tomographic imaging of fragmented cortical bone heteroimplant and methylmethacrylate in segmental bone defect of rabbit tibia

PURPOSE: To evaluate the performance of composites consisting of fragmented cortical bone heteroimplant in association with methylmethacrylate preserved in 98% glycerin, in segmental bone defect of rabbit tibia medial metaphysis. METHODS: In this study were used twelve adult New Zealand rabbits, divided into three groups of four animals each: G30 (30 days), G60 (60 days) and G90 (90 days). The bone defects previously created in the tibia were filled with composites and both were evaluated by cone-beam computed tomography, immediately after surgery and after 30, 60, and 90 days. RESULTS: The composites fulfilled and remained in the sites of bone defects in all cases and were not registered signals of infection, migration or rejection. CONCLUSIONS: The implanted composites promoted the bone defects repair without signals of infection and/or rejection. The composites are one more option for bone defects repair

Práticas culturais familiares e o uso de drogas psicoativas pelos adolescentes: reflexão teórica Las prácticas culturales familiares y el uso de drogas por los adolescentes: reflexión teórica Family culture practices and psychoactive drug abuse by adolescents: theoretical reflection

O objetivo deste artigo é refletir acerca da temática das drogas na adolescência e da influência das práticas culturais familiares. A construção da identidade para os adolescentes toma contornos significativos no período da adolescência; nesta, está em jogo um conjunto de fatores que os despertam para uma nova perspectiva de olhar a vida com significados próprios. A família em nossa sociedade constitui sistema básico, com ampla diversidade de valores, formas de organizar o seu modo de vida e exercer funções, como o cuidado à saúde de seus adolescentes. A existência de um conjunto de valores, crenças e práticas familiares constituem o referencial cultural que guia as ações da família. Nestas ações conjuntas encontram-se alguns "vícios familiares", entre os quais o uso das drogas, que corresponde a um problema familiar e social que atinge não somente a saúde física e mental da pessoa que as utiliza, mas toda a sociedade. Apontam-se possibilidades de aculturação de crenças e hábitos mais saudáveis por meio do trabalho individual, realizado com as famílias.<br>Se tiene como objetivo, en este artículo, reflexionar acerca de la temática de las drogas en la adolescencia y la influencia de las prácticas culturales familiares. La construcción de la identidad para las personas jóvenes toma contornos significativos en el periodo de la adolescencia; en esta está en juego un conjunto de factores que despiertan para una nueva perspectiva de mirar la vida con significados propios. La familia en nuestra sociedad constituye sistema básico, con amplia diversidad de valores, formas de organizar su modo de vida y ejercer funciones, como el cuidado a la salud de sus adolescentes. La existencia de un conjunto de valores, creencias y prácticas familiares constituyen el referencial cultural que conduce las acciones de la familia. En estas acciones conjuntas se encuentran algunos "vicios familiares", entre los cuales, el uso de drogas, lo cual corresponde a un problema familiar y social que afecta no solamente la salud física y mental de la persona que la utiliza, pero de toda la sociedad. Se apuntan posibilidades de aculturación de creencias y hábitos más saludables por medio del trabajo individual, realizado con las familias.<br>This article objectifies to reflect on teenage drug abuse as well as the influence of cultural family practices. Identity build-up takes on meaningful outlines in adolescence, when an array of factors is at stake which brings new outlook to life with unique meanings. Family in our society takes up a basic system, with a broad value diversity, organizational ways of living and functioning such as teenagers&#8217; health care. The existence of a set of family values, beliefs and practices take up the cultural background which guides family actions. These actions entail some "bad family habits" such as drug abuse, a social and family problem affecting not only an individual&#8217;s physical and mental health but also society as a whole. Possibilities of introduction of healthier beliefs and habits are pointed out by means of individual work carried out with families