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Different resource allocation in a bacillus subtilis population displaying bimodal motility

Syvertsson, S. (author), Wang, B. (author), Staal, J. (author), Gao, Y. (author), Kort, R. (author), Hamoen, L.W. (author)

To cope with sudden changes in their environment, bacteria can use a bet-hedging strategy by dividing the population into cells with different properties. This so-called bimodal or bistable cellular differentiation is generally controlled by positive feedback regulation of transcriptional activators. Due to the continuous increase in cell volume...

article 2021

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Aflatoxins: Occurrence, exposure, and binding to lactobacillus species from the gut microbiota of rural ugandan children

Wacoo, A.P. (author), Atukunda, P. (author), Muhoozi, G. (author), Braster, M. (author), Wagner, M. (author), van den Broek, T.J. (author), Sybesma, W. (author), Westerberg, A.C. (author), Iversen, P.O (author), Kort, R. (author)

article 2020

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Child development growth and microbiota Follow-up of a randomized education trial in Uganda

Atukunda, P. (author), Muhoozi, G.K.M. (author), van den Broek, T.J. (author), Kort, R. (author), Diep, L.M. (author), Kaaya, A.N. (author), Iversen, P.O. (author), Westerberg, A.C. (author)

Background Undernutrition impairs child development outcomes and growth. In this follow-up study of an open cluster-randomized intervention trial we examined the effects of an education package delivered to mothers in rural Uganda on their children's development, growth and gut microbiota at 36 months of age. Methods The parental trial included...

article 2019

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Probiotic Enrichment and Reduction of Aflatoxins in a Traditional African Maize-Based Fermented Food

Wacoo, A.P. (author), Mukisa, I.M. (author), Meeme, R. (author), Byakika, S. (author), Wendiro, D. (author), Sybesma, W. (author), Kort, R. (author)

Fermentation of food products can be used for the delivery of probiotic bacteria and means of food detoxification, provided that probiotics are able to grow, and toxins are reduced in raw materials with minimal effects on consumer acceptability. This study evaluated probiotic enrichment and detoxification of kwete, a commonly consumed...

article 2019

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Een praktische gids voor probiotica ter preventie van antibiotica-gerelateerde diarree in Nederland [A practical guide for probiotics applied to the case of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in the Netherlands]

Agamennone, V. (author), Krul, C.A.M. (author), Rijkers, G. (author), Kort, R. (author)

BACKGROUND Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) is a side-effect frequently associated with the use of broad spectrum antibiotics. Although a number of clinical studies show that co-administration of specific probiotics reduces the risk for AAD, there is still unclarity among healthcare professionals on the recommendation of probiotic products....

article 2019

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Comparative genomics of human Lactobacillus crispatus isolates reveals genes for glycosylation and glycogen degradation: Implications for in vivo dominance of the vaginal microbiota

van der Veer, C. (author), Hertzberger, R.Y. (author), Bruisten, S.M. (author), Tytgat, H.L.P. (author), Swanenburg, J. (author), de Kat Angelino-Bart, A. (author), Schuren, F. (author), Molenaar, D. (author), Reid, G. (author), de Vries, H. (author), Kort, R. (author)

Background: A vaginal microbiota dominated by lactobacilli (particularly Lactobacillus crispatus) is associated with vaginal health, whereas a vaginal microbiota not dominated by lactobacilli is considered dysbiotic. Here we investigated whether L. crispatus strains isolated from the vaginal tract of women with Lactobacillus-dominated vaginal...

article 2019

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Bacterial community dynamics in lait caillé, a traditional product of spontaneous fermentation from Senegal

Groenenboom, A.E. (author), Parker, M.E. (author), de Vries, A. (author), de Groot, S. (author), Zobrist, S. (author), Mansen, K. (author), Milani, P. (author), Kort, R. (author), Smid, E.J. (author), Schoustra, S.E. (author)

Spontaneously fermented food products contain a complex, natural microbial community with potential probiotic activity. The addition of a health-promoting, probiotic bacterium to these products ensures the delivery of that probiotic activity to consumers. Here, we assess the microbial community of a traditional Senegalese milk product produced...

article 2019

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A practical guide for probiotics applied to the case of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in The Netherlands

Agamennone, V. (author), Krul, C.A.M. (author), Rijkers, G. (author), Kort, R. (author)

Background Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) is a side-effect frequently associated with the use of broad spectrum antibiotics. Although a number of clinical studies show that co-administration of specific probiotics reduces the risk for AAD, there is still unclarity among healthcare professionals on the recommendation of probiotic products....

article 2018

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Promising prebiotic candidate established by evaluation of lactitol, lactulose, raffinose, and oligofructose for maintenance of a Lactobacillus-dominated vaginal microbiota

Collins, S.L. (author), McMillan, A. (author), Seney, S. (author), van der Veer, C. (author), Kort, R. (author), Sumarah, M.W. (author), Reid, G. (author)

Perturbations to the vaginal microbiota can lead to dysbiosis, including bacterial vaginosis (BV), which affects a large portion of the female population. In a healthy state, the vaginal microbiota is characterized by low diversity and colonization by Lactobacillus spp., whereas in BV, these species are displaced by a highly diverse population...

article 2018

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Feasibility of a novel on-site detection method for aflatoxin in maize flour from markets and selected households in Kampala, Uganda

Wacoo, A.P. (author), Wendiro, D. (author), Nanyonga, S. (author), Hawumba, J.F. (author), Sybesma, W. (author), Kort, R. (author)

In sub-Saharan Africa, there is a high demand for affordable and accessible methods for on-site detection of aflatoxins for appropriate food safety management. In this study, we validated an electrochemical immunosensor device by the on-site detection of 60 maize flour samples from six markets and 72 samples from households in Kampala. The...

article 2018

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The probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus for alleviation of helicobacter pylori-associated gastric pathology in East Africa

Westerik, N. (author), Reid, G. (author), Sybesma, W. (author), Kort, R. (author)

The probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) can play a role in establishing a harmless relationship with Helicobacter pylori and reduce gastric pathology in East African populations. H. pylori has the ability to inhabit the surface of the mucous layer of the human stomach and duodenum. In the developing world, an estimated 51% of the...

article 2018

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Lactobacillus rhamnosus probiotic food as a tool for empowerment across the value chain in Africa

Westerik, N. (author), Kort, R. (author), Sybesma, W. (author), Reid, G. (author)

Perhaps by serendipity, but Lactobacillus rhamnosus has emerged from the 1980s as the most researched probiotic species. The many attributes of the two main probiotic strains of the species, L. rhamnosus GG and GR-1, have made them suitable for applications to developing countries in Africa and beyond. Their use with a Streptococcus thermophilus...

article 2018

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Naturally fermented milk from northern Senegal: Bacterial community composition and probiotic enrichment with lactobacillus rhamnosus

Parker, M. (author), Zobrist, S. (author), Donahue, C. (author), Edick, C. (author), Mansen, K. (author), Nadjari, M.H.Z. (author), Heerikhuisen, M. (author), Sybesma, W. (author), Molenaar, D. (author), Diallo, A.M. (author), Milani, P. (author), Kort, R. (author)

A variety of foods fermented with lactic acid bacteria serve as dietary staples in many African communities; yet, their bacterial profiles are poorly characterized. The integration of health-promoting probiotics into naturally fermented milk products could make a profound impact on human health. Here, we characterize the bacterial community...

article 2018

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Novel Production Protocol for Small-scale Manufacture of Probiotic Fermented Foods (video article)

Westerik, N. (author), Wacoo, A.P. (author), Sybesma1, W. (author), Kort, R. (author)

A novel dried bacterial consortium of Lactobacillus rhamnosus yoba 2012 and Streptococcus thermophilus C106 is cultured in 1 L of milk. This fresh starter can be used for the production of fermented milk and other fermented foods either at home or at small-scale in rural settings. For the fresh starter, 1 L of milk is pasteurized in a pan that...

article 2016

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Molecular assessment of bacterial vaginosis by Lactobacillus abundance and species diversity

Dols, J.A.M. (author), Molenaar, D. (author), van der Helm, J.J. (author), Caspers, M.P.M. (author), de Kat Angelino-Bart, A. (author), Schuren, F.H.J. (author), Speksnijder, A.G.C.L. (author), Westerhoff, H.V. (author), Richardus, J.H. (author), Boon, M.E. (author), Reid, G. (author), de Vries, H.J.C. (author), Kort, R. (author)

Background: To date, women are most often diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis (BV) using microscopy based Nugent scoring or Amsel criteria. However, the accuracy is less than optimal. The aim of the present study was to confirm the identity of known BV-associated composition profiles and evaluate indicators for BV using three molecular methods....

article 2016

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Draft genome sequences of four thermophilic spore formers isolated from a dairyprocessing environment

Caspers, M.P.M. (author), Boekhorst, J. (author), Jong, A. (author), Kort, R. (author), Groot, M.N. (author), Abee, T. (author)

article 2016

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Locally sourced probiotics, the next opportunity for developing countries?

Sybesma, W. (author), Kort, R. (author), Lee, Y.K. (author)

We describe factors promoting the exploration of locally sourced probiotics, targeting local populations to balance human needs and market opportunities. This would be particularly beneficial for people in developing countries, who generally lack access to affordable probiotics and are often exposed to poor hygiene conditions, toxic compounds,...

article 2015

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A novel consortium of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Streptococcus thermophilus for increased access to functional fermented foods

Kort, R. (author), Westerik, N. (author), Mariela Serrano, L. (author), Douillard, F.P. (author), Gottstein, W. (author), Mukisa, I.M. (author), Tuijn, C.J. (author), Basten, L. (author), Hafkamp, B. (author), Meijer, W.C. (author), Teusink, B. (author), Vos, W.M. (author), Reid, G. (author), Sybesma, W. (author)

Background: The lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG is the most studied probiotic bacterium with proven health benefits upon oral intake, including the alleviation of diarrhea. The mission of the Yoba for Life foundation is to provide impoverished communities in Africa increased access to Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG under the name...

article 2015

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Development of a locally sustainable functional food based on mutandabota, a traditional food in southern Africa

Mpofu, A. (author), Linnemann, A.R. (author), Sybesma, W. (author), Kort, R. (author), Nout, M.J.R. (author), Smid, E.J. (author)

A probiotic dairy product was developed on the basis of a traditional dish called mutandabota to enable resource-poor populations in southern Africa to benefit from a functional food. Mutandabota is widely consumed in rural southern Africa, making it an ideal food matrix to carry probiotics. First, a process to produce probiotic mutandabota was...

article 2014

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Personalized therapy with probiotics from the host by TripleA

Kort, R. (author)

article 2014