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A. Kyriacou
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University, Kallithea 176 76, Greece

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Review
Published: 02 March 2021 in Food & Function
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Oral supplementation with beta-glucans demonstrates health-promoting properties, such as the prophylactic effect against the occurrence and severity of upper respiratory tract infections, primarily through the potentiation of the immune system.

ACS Style

Marigoula Vlassopoulou; Mary Yannakoulia; Vasiliki Pletsa; Georgios I. Zervakis; Adamantini Kyriacou. Effects of fungal beta-glucans on health – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Food & Function 2021, 12, 3366 -3380.

AMA Style

Marigoula Vlassopoulou, Mary Yannakoulia, Vasiliki Pletsa, Georgios I. Zervakis, Adamantini Kyriacou. Effects of fungal beta-glucans on health – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Food & Function. 2021; 12 (8):3366-3380.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Marigoula Vlassopoulou; Mary Yannakoulia; Vasiliki Pletsa; Georgios I. Zervakis; Adamantini Kyriacou. 2021. "Effects of fungal beta-glucans on health – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials." Food & Function 12, no. 8: 3366-3380.

Paper
Published: 05 January 2021 in Food & Function
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Beta-glucan rich mushrooms may exert beneficial in vitro effects on bone physiology by alterations in the gut microbiota and/or SCFAs.

ACS Style

Evangelia N. Kerezoudi; Evdokia K. Mitsou; Katerina Gioti; Eirini Terzi; Ifigeneia Avgousti; Alexandra Panagiotou; Georgios Koutrotsios; Georgios I. Zervakis; Konstantinos C. Mountzouris; Roxane Tenta; Adamantini Kyriacou. Fermentation of Pleurotus ostreatus and Ganoderma lucidum mushrooms and their extracts by the gut microbiota of healthy and osteopenic women: potential prebiotic effect and impact of mushroom fermentation products on human osteoblasts. Food & Function 2021, 12, 1529 -1546.

AMA Style

Evangelia N. Kerezoudi, Evdokia K. Mitsou, Katerina Gioti, Eirini Terzi, Ifigeneia Avgousti, Alexandra Panagiotou, Georgios Koutrotsios, Georgios I. Zervakis, Konstantinos C. Mountzouris, Roxane Tenta, Adamantini Kyriacou. Fermentation of Pleurotus ostreatus and Ganoderma lucidum mushrooms and their extracts by the gut microbiota of healthy and osteopenic women: potential prebiotic effect and impact of mushroom fermentation products on human osteoblasts. Food & Function. 2021; 12 (4):1529-1546.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Evangelia N. Kerezoudi; Evdokia K. Mitsou; Katerina Gioti; Eirini Terzi; Ifigeneia Avgousti; Alexandra Panagiotou; Georgios Koutrotsios; Georgios I. Zervakis; Konstantinos C. Mountzouris; Roxane Tenta; Adamantini Kyriacou. 2021. "Fermentation of Pleurotus ostreatus and Ganoderma lucidum mushrooms and their extracts by the gut microbiota of healthy and osteopenic women: potential prebiotic effect and impact of mushroom fermentation products on human osteoblasts." Food & Function 12, no. 4: 1529-1546.

Journal article
Published: 18 June 2020 in Molecules
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Alterations of gut microbiota are evident during the aging process. Prebiotics may restore the gut microbial balance, with β-glucans emerging as prebiotic candidates. This study aimed to investigate the impact of edible mushrooms rich in β-glucans on the gut microbiota composition and metabolites by using in vitro static batch culture fermentations and fecal inocula from elderly donors (n = 8). Pleurotus ostreatus, P. eryngii, Hericium erinaceus and Cyclocybe cylindracea mushrooms derived from various substrates were examined. Gut microbiota composition (quantitative PCR (qPCR)) and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs; gas chromatography (GC)) were determined during the 24-h fermentation. P. eryngii induced a strong lactogenic effect, while P. ostreatus and C. cylindracea induced a significant bifidogenic effect (p for all

ACS Style

Evdokia K. Mitsou; Georgia Saxami; Emmanuela Stamoulou; Evangelia Kerezoudi; Eirini Terzi; Georgios Koutrotsios; Georgios Bekiaris; Georgios I. Zervakis; Konstantinos C. Mountzouris; Vasiliki Pletsa; Adamantini Kyriacou. Effects of Rich in Β-Glucans Edible Mushrooms on Aging Gut Microbiota Characteristics: An In Vitro Study. Molecules 2020, 25, 2806 .

AMA Style

Evdokia K. Mitsou, Georgia Saxami, Emmanuela Stamoulou, Evangelia Kerezoudi, Eirini Terzi, Georgios Koutrotsios, Georgios Bekiaris, Georgios I. Zervakis, Konstantinos C. Mountzouris, Vasiliki Pletsa, Adamantini Kyriacou. Effects of Rich in Β-Glucans Edible Mushrooms on Aging Gut Microbiota Characteristics: An In Vitro Study. Molecules. 2020; 25 (12):2806.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Evdokia K. Mitsou; Georgia Saxami; Emmanuela Stamoulou; Evangelia Kerezoudi; Eirini Terzi; Georgios Koutrotsios; Georgios Bekiaris; Georgios I. Zervakis; Konstantinos C. Mountzouris; Vasiliki Pletsa; Adamantini Kyriacou. 2020. "Effects of Rich in Β-Glucans Edible Mushrooms on Aging Gut Microbiota Characteristics: An In Vitro Study." Molecules 25, no. 12: 2806.

Journal article
Published: 14 October 2019 in Beneficial Microbes
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We aimed to evaluate colonisation patterns of Akkermansia muciniphila in a Greek adult population and to investigate model-adjusted associations of A. muciniphila with host adiposity and cardiometabolic markers. Participants (n=125) underwent anthropometric, dietary, physical activity and lifestyle evaluation. Blood sampling for determination of blood lipid indices, glucose metabolism, adiponectin, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), inflammation and oxidative stress parameters was also performed. Stool A. muciniphila presence and levels were determined by quantitative PCR and subjects were grouped based on bimodal distribution of levels (Low vs High). A. muciniphila was detected in 88.6% of participants. Overweight/obese (OW/OB) subjects were more prone in low bimodal levels of A. muciniphila compared to normal-weight (NW) individuals (58.75 vs 27.59%, P=0.004), with a 4-time greater likelihood after multi-adjusted logistic regression analysis (P=0.016). Levels of A. muciniphila were negatively associated with total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC/HDL-C) ratio (log10:-0.009±0.004, P=0.033), whereas detection of this bacterium was negatively associated with both TC/HDL-C ratio (log10: -0.049±0.023, P=0.036) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/HDL-C ratio (-0.407±0.176, P=0.023). Furthermore, low bimodal levels of A. muciniphila were positively associated with fasting blood glucose (log10: 0.018±0.009, P=0.037). In terms of inflammation markers, levels of A. muciniphila were positively associated with soluble cluster of differentiation-14 (sCD14) (log10: 0.012±0.004, P=0.003) and faecal detection of this bacterium had a positive association with anti-inflammatory interleukin 10 levels (log10: 0.325±0.131, P=0.015). In addition, A. muciniphila levels were positively associated with total adiponectin (log10: 0.046±0.015, P=0.002), whereas low bimodal levels of A. muciniphila had an inverse relationship with this blood marker (log10: -0.131±0.053, P=0.016). In conclusion, we confirmed the previously reported association of A. muciniphila with metabolic health for the first time in a Greek urban population; furthermore, we shed some light to novel atherosclerotic risk markers with rather unexplored connections with A. muciniphila colonisation patterns in human subjects.

ACS Style

E.K. Mitsou; M. Detopoulou; A. Kakali; E. Fragopoulou; T. Nomikos; S. Antonopoulou; D.B. Panagiotakos; A. Kyriacou. Mining possible associations of faecal A. muciniphila colonisation patterns with host adiposity and cardiometabolic markers in an adult population. Beneficial Microbes 2019, 10, 741 -749.

AMA Style

E.K. Mitsou, M. Detopoulou, A. Kakali, E. Fragopoulou, T. Nomikos, S. Antonopoulou, D.B. Panagiotakos, A. Kyriacou. Mining possible associations of faecal A. muciniphila colonisation patterns with host adiposity and cardiometabolic markers in an adult population. Beneficial Microbes. 2019; 10 (7):741-749.

Chicago/Turabian Style

E.K. Mitsou; M. Detopoulou; A. Kakali; E. Fragopoulou; T. Nomikos; S. Antonopoulou; D.B. Panagiotakos; A. Kyriacou. 2019. "Mining possible associations of faecal A. muciniphila colonisation patterns with host adiposity and cardiometabolic markers in an adult population." Beneficial Microbes 10, no. 7: 741-749.

Journal article
Published: 26 July 2018 in Sustainability
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Composting is considered an effective treatment option to eliminate or substantially reduce potential hazards relating to the recycling of sewage sludge (SS) on land. The variation of four major types of hazards (heavy metals, instability, pathogenic potential and antibiotic resistance) was studied during laboratory-scale composting of two mixtures of sludge and green waste (1:1 and 1:2 v/v). The heavy metal content of the final compost was governed by the initial contamination of SS, with the bulking agent ratio having practically no effect. The composts would meet the heavy metal standards of the United States of America (USA) and the European Union member states, but would fail the most stringent of them. A higher ratio of bulking agent led to a higher stabilisation rate, nitrogen retention and final degree of stability. A good level of sanitisation was achieved for both mixtures, despite the relatively low temperatures attained in the laboratory system. The antibiotic resistance was limited among the E. coli strains examined, but its occurrence was more frequent among the Enterococcus spp. strains. The type of antibiotics against which resistance was mainly detected indicates that this might not be acquired, thus, not posing a serious epidemiological risk through the land application of the SS derived composts.

ACS Style

Konstantia-Ekaterini Lasaridi; Thrassyvoulos Manios; Stamatis Stamatiadis; Christina Chroni; Adamantini Kyriacou. The Evaluation of Hazards to Man and the Environment during the Composting of Sewage Sludge. Sustainability 2018, 10, 2618 .

AMA Style

Konstantia-Ekaterini Lasaridi, Thrassyvoulos Manios, Stamatis Stamatiadis, Christina Chroni, Adamantini Kyriacou. The Evaluation of Hazards to Man and the Environment during the Composting of Sewage Sludge. Sustainability. 2018; 10 (8):2618.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Konstantia-Ekaterini Lasaridi; Thrassyvoulos Manios; Stamatis Stamatiadis; Christina Chroni; Adamantini Kyriacou. 2018. "The Evaluation of Hazards to Man and the Environment during the Composting of Sewage Sludge." Sustainability 10, no. 8: 2618.

Journal article
Published: 28 June 2017 in British Journal of Nutrition
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This study aimed to explore the potential associations of adherence to the Mediterranean diet with gut microbiota characteristics and gastrointestinal symptomatology in an adult population. Other long-term dietary habits (e.g. consumption of snacks and junk food or stimulant intake) were also evaluated in terms of the gut microbiota profile. Participants (n 120) underwent anthropometric, dietary, physical activity and lifestyle evaluation. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed using a Mediterranean diet score, the MedDietScore, and subjects were classified into three tertiles according to individual adherence scoring. Gut microbiota composition was determined using quantitative PCR and plate-count techniques, and faecal SCFA were analysed using GC. Gastrointestinal symptoms were also evaluated. Participants with a high adherence to the Mediterranean diet had lower Escherichia coli counts (P=0·022), a higher bifidobacteria:E. coli ratio (P=0·025), increased levels and prevalence of Candida albicans (P=0·039 and P=0·050, respectively), greater molar ratio of acetate (P=0·009), higher defaecation frequency (P=0·028) and a more pronounced gastrointestinal symptomatology compared with those reporting low adherence. A lower molar ratio of valerate was also observed in the case of high adherence to the Mediterranean diet compared with the other two tertiles (Pfor trend=0·005). Positive correlations of MedDietScore with gastrointestinal symptoms, faecal moisture, total bacteria, bifidobacteria:E. coli ratio, relative share of Bacteroides, C. albicans and total SCFA, as well as negative associations with cultivable E. coli levels and valerate were indicated. Fast food consumption was characterised by suppressed representation of lactobacilli and butyrate-producing bacteria. In conclusion, our findings support a link between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and gut microbiota characteristics.

ACS Style

Evdokia K. Mitsou; Aimilia Kakali; Smaragdi Antonopoulou; Konstantinos Mountzouris; Mary Yannakoulia; Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos; Adamantini Kyriacou. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with the gut microbiota pattern and gastrointestinal characteristics in an adult population. British Journal of Nutrition 2017, 117, 1645 -1655.

AMA Style

Evdokia K. Mitsou, Aimilia Kakali, Smaragdi Antonopoulou, Konstantinos Mountzouris, Mary Yannakoulia, Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos, Adamantini Kyriacou. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with the gut microbiota pattern and gastrointestinal characteristics in an adult population. British Journal of Nutrition. 2017; 117 (12):1645-1655.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Evdokia K. Mitsou; Aimilia Kakali; Smaragdi Antonopoulou; Konstantinos Mountzouris; Mary Yannakoulia; Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos; Adamantini Kyriacou. 2017. "Adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with the gut microbiota pattern and gastrointestinal characteristics in an adult population." British Journal of Nutrition 117, no. 12: 1645-1655.

Randomized controlled trial
Published: 04 April 2016 in Nutrition and Cancer
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The aim of the study was to determine the effect of β-glucan on the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of polypectomized patient's fecal water (FW). Polypectomized volunteers (n = 69) were randomly assigned to consume bread with or without β-glucan, for 3 months. FW was collected at the beginning (t = 0), the 30th and 90th day and 2 wk after the intervention. Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity were estimated on Caco-2 cells, using trypan blue exclusion test and comet assay, respectively. Gastrointestinal symptoms were recorded and subjects kept a 3-day food diary at baseline and after completion. Trypan blue exclusion test revealed cell survival of approximately 87% after incubation with FW. The FW samples showed 49% genotoxicity at the baseline. Genotoxicity in the intervention group decreased during the trial reaching statistical significance on the 90th day compared to control. An increase was noticed 2 wk after the trial, but it still remained significantly lower compared to control. Group-specific analysis for β-glucan also revealed significant decrease in the genotoxicity on the 90th day compared to baseline. β-glucan ingestion in polypectomized patients significantly decreased the genotoxicity of their FW. Our findings suggest that β-glucan consumption could possibly provide protection against colon cancer development.

ACS Style

Katja T. Turunen; Vasiliki Pletsa; Panagiotis Georgiadis; John K. Triantafillidis; Dimitrios Karamanolis; Adamantini Kyriacou. Impact of β-glucan on the Fecal Water Genotoxicity of Polypectomized Patients. Nutrition and Cancer 2016, 68, 560 -567.

AMA Style

Katja T. Turunen, Vasiliki Pletsa, Panagiotis Georgiadis, John K. Triantafillidis, Dimitrios Karamanolis, Adamantini Kyriacou. Impact of β-glucan on the Fecal Water Genotoxicity of Polypectomized Patients. Nutrition and Cancer. 2016; 68 (4):560-567.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Katja T. Turunen; Vasiliki Pletsa; Panagiotis Georgiadis; John K. Triantafillidis; Dimitrios Karamanolis; Adamantini Kyriacou. 2016. "Impact of β-glucan on the Fecal Water Genotoxicity of Polypectomized Patients." Nutrition and Cancer 68, no. 4: 560-567.

Journal article
Published: 01 December 2012 in Microbial Drug Resistance
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Enterococci are among the first lactic acid bacteria to colonize the neonatal gastrointestinal tract, but they are also characterized as significant nosocomial pathogens. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of antibiotic resistance in enterococci isolated from neonates' gut microbiota as well as the presence of genetic determinants encoding for certain antibiotic resistance traits. A total of 263 fecal samples derived from 97 infants were collected on day 4, 30, and 90 after delivery. Enterococcus faecalis was the most frequently identified species (54.6%) followed by E. faecium, while E. casseliflavus/E. flavescens and E. gallinarum were also traced. The isolates were examined for their resistance to 12 antibiotics. Rifampicin resistance was the highest observed (53.2%), followed by resistance to tetracycline (42.0%), erythromycin (35.7%), and vancomycin (11.2%). Multiresistant strains were highly prevalent. Only intrinsic vancomycin resistance (vanC1 and vanC2/C3) was traced. The ermB gene was detected in 49 out of 96 erythromycin-resistant isolates, while tet genes were detected in 51 out of 113 tetracycline-resistant strains, with tet(L) being the most frequently observed. In conclusion, antibiotic-resistant enterococci are already established in the fecal microbiota of healthy neonates, from the first days of an infant's life.

ACS Style

Ekaterini I. Kirtzalidou; Evdokia K. Mitsou; Paraskevi Pramateftaki; Adamantini Kyriacou. Screening Fecal Enterococci from Greek Healthy Infants for Susceptibility to Antimicrobial Agents. Microbial Drug Resistance 2012, 18, 578 -585.

AMA Style

Ekaterini I. Kirtzalidou, Evdokia K. Mitsou, Paraskevi Pramateftaki, Adamantini Kyriacou. Screening Fecal Enterococci from Greek Healthy Infants for Susceptibility to Antimicrobial Agents. Microbial Drug Resistance. 2012; 18 (6):578-585.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ekaterini I. Kirtzalidou; Evdokia K. Mitsou; Paraskevi Pramateftaki; Adamantini Kyriacou. 2012. "Screening Fecal Enterococci from Greek Healthy Infants for Susceptibility to Antimicrobial Agents." Microbial Drug Resistance 18, no. 6: 578-585.

Journal article
Published: 31 December 2011 in Anaerobe
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Lactobacilli are believed to be beneficial for the human hosts and are currently being evaluated as potentially probiotic bacteria. In this study, Lactobacillus strains were isolated from infant faeces and were examined in vitro for potential probiotic properties. Faecal specimens from 63 healthy, full-term infants were collected at 4, 30 and 90 days after delivery. Seventy-four Lactobacillus strains were isolated and one or more different phenotypes from each infant (n = 44) were selected for further testing. The bacterial isolates were identified mainly as L. gasseri, L. crispatus, Lactobacillus paracasei, L. salivarius, L. fermentum after amplification and sequencing of 16s rRNA gene. The strains were examined for acid and bile tolerance, adhesion to Caco-2 cells, antibiotic susceptibility and antimicrobial activity against selected enteric pathogens. The great majority of the isolated lactobacilli were susceptible to ampicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, tetracycline, erythromycin, cephalothin, chloramphenicol and rifampicin. Resistance to vancomycin or bacitracin was detected to 34% of the strains. Twenty strains out of forty-four exhibited significant tolerance to bile salts. Those strains were subsequently tested for resistance to low pH conditions (pH 2 and 3). Interestingly, 85% (17 strains) of the tested lactobacilli remained unaffected at pH 3 after 3 h of incubation, 6 strains were found resistant at pH 2 after 1.5 h and only 2 strains found resistant after 3 h of incubation. Two of the strains were able to adhere to Caco-2 cells. In conclusion, two isolates fulfilled the in vitro probiotic criteria and are good candidates for further in vivo evaluation.

ACS Style

E. Kirtzalidou; P. Pramateftaki; M. Kotsou; A. Kyriacou. Screening for lactobacilli with probiotic properties in the infant gut microbiota. Anaerobe 2011, 17, 440 -443.

AMA Style

E. Kirtzalidou, P. Pramateftaki, M. Kotsou, A. Kyriacou. Screening for lactobacilli with probiotic properties in the infant gut microbiota. Anaerobe. 2011; 17 (6):440-443.

Chicago/Turabian Style

E. Kirtzalidou; P. Pramateftaki; M. Kotsou; A. Kyriacou. 2011. "Screening for lactobacilli with probiotic properties in the infant gut microbiota." Anaerobe 17, no. 6: 440-443.

Randomized controlled trial
Published: 16 April 2011 in Anaerobe
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Beta-glucans are polysaccharides present in the cell walls of higher plants, in the seeds of some cereals, and certain yeasts and fungi also produce them. It is suggested that they exhibit, among many other health benefits, protective effects against carcinogenesis in the colon, but there is not enough human data to support this. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of barley-derived beta-glucan in the gut microbiota of polypectomized patients. Subjects were randomly assigned to consume 125 g of bread per day with beta-glucan (3 g/d), or without (placebo group), for 3 months. Thirty-three polypectomized men and women (mean age 57.6 years) were recruited into the study, but only 20 completed. Subjects did not consume any probiotics, prebiotics or antibiotics 2 months prior the intervention, or during the study. Stool samples were collected at baseline, on days 30 and 90 of intervention, as well as 2 weeks after the intervention, for enumeration of total aerobes and anaerobes, coliforms, E. coli, enterococci, Bacteroides spp., Clostridium perfringens, bifidobacteria, lactobacilli and Candida spp. Faecal bacterial enzyme activity (beta-glucuronidase and beta-glucosidase), pH, faecal moisture and the concentration of volatile fatty acids in the faeces were measured. Gastrointestinal symptoms were also recorded. Overall, no significant differences were observed in bacterial viable counts between the two feeding groups. Group specific analysis for β-glucan group revealed significantly decreased total coliform counts on the 30th day of the trial compared to the baseline (p = 0.041). Clostridium perfringens concentration increased without reaching statistical significance, on the 30th day, while it decreased significantly on the 90th day of the intervention compared to the 30th day (p = 0.016). An increase was noted in the molar ratio of acetate on the 90th day of the trial compared to placebo (p = 0.018). The molar ratio of butyrate presented a trend to increase on the 30th day, which decreased (p = 0.013) on the 90th day and then increase 2 weeks after the intervention (p = 0.017) compared to placebo. A decrease was recorded in the β-glucan group in the bloating and abdominal pain score after the 30th day of the intervention (Day 30–37) compared to placebo. During β-glucan administration we did not observe any changes on beta-glucuronidase or beta-glucosidase activity, faecal pH, or on faecal moisture.

ACS Style

K. Turunen; E. Tsouvelakidou; Tz. Nomikos; K.C. Mountzouris; D. Karamanolis; J. Triantafillidis; A. Kyriacou. Impact of beta-glucan on the faecal microbiota of polypectomized patients: A pilot study. Anaerobe 2011, 17, 403 -406.

AMA Style

K. Turunen, E. Tsouvelakidou, Tz. Nomikos, K.C. Mountzouris, D. Karamanolis, J. Triantafillidis, A. Kyriacou. Impact of beta-glucan on the faecal microbiota of polypectomized patients: A pilot study. Anaerobe. 2011; 17 (6):403-406.

Chicago/Turabian Style

K. Turunen; E. Tsouvelakidou; Tz. Nomikos; K.C. Mountzouris; D. Karamanolis; J. Triantafillidis; A. Kyriacou. 2011. "Impact of beta-glucan on the faecal microbiota of polypectomized patients: A pilot study." Anaerobe 17, no. 6: 403-406.

Randomized controlled trial
Published: 16 April 2011 in Anaerobe
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Banana is a widely consumed fruit, which contains considerable amounts of potential prebiotic indigestible carbohydrates. In our randomised, controlled trial we aimed to evaluate the in vivo prebiotic effect of banana consumption on faecal microbiota. Thirty-four healthy women participated in the study, having Body Mass Index (BMI) 24–30 kg/m2, age 19–45 years, without history of gastrointestinal disease and no antibiotic and other medication use two months prior the initiation and during the study. All women were asked to maintain their usual dietary habits for 60 days and they were randomly assigned to consume twice a day a pre-meal snack, either one medium banana, or one cup of banana-flavoured drink or one cup of water (control group). Stool samples were collected at baseline, on days 30 and 60 of intervention for enumeration of total anaerobes, bifidobacteria and lactobacilli by plate count techniques, as well as for pH and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) measurement. Gastrointestinal symptoms were also recorded. Mean bifidobacterial levels were increased only in the banana group both at 30 and 60 days of intervention, but this change did not reach a statistical significance. No significant overall differences in the total concentrations and molar ratios of SCFAs were detected according to dietary intervention. Analysis of the gastrointestinal symptoms records revealed significantly lower bloating levels in the banana group, compared to controls, at 26–35 days (p = 0.009) and 51–60 days (p = 0.010). Banana consumption had also no adverse effects on evacuation patterns. We concluded that daily consumption of bananas is a well-tolerated eating behaviour, which may induce bifidogenesis in healthy women experiencing body weight problems.

ACS Style

E.K. Mitsou; E. Kougia; Tz. Nomikos; M. Yannakoulia; K.C. Mountzouris; A. Kyriacou. Effect of banana consumption on faecal microbiota: A randomised, controlled trial. Anaerobe 2011, 17, 384 -387.

AMA Style

E.K. Mitsou, E. Kougia, Tz. Nomikos, M. Yannakoulia, K.C. Mountzouris, A. Kyriacou. Effect of banana consumption on faecal microbiota: A randomised, controlled trial. Anaerobe. 2011; 17 (6):384-387.

Chicago/Turabian Style

E.K. Mitsou; E. Kougia; Tz. Nomikos; M. Yannakoulia; K.C. Mountzouris; A. Kyriacou. 2011. "Effect of banana consumption on faecal microbiota: A randomised, controlled trial." Anaerobe 17, no. 6: 384-387.

Randomized controlled trial
Published: 31 October 2009 in International Journal of Food Microbiology
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In this randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical study we aimed to evaluate the in vivo prebiotic effects of a functional food containing short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (sc-FOS) and Sideritis euboea extract on human faecal microflora. Sixty-four healthy volunteers 26 men and 38 women (age range: 22-51) were assigned to consume daily a jelly containing 5 g sc-FOS and 0.3 g S.euboea extract or a placebo for 30 d. Stool samples were collected prior to the study on day 15 and 30 of intervention and 2 weeks after. Enumeration of faecal bacteria was performed by plate count techniques. Gastrointestinal side effects were recorded during the treatment period. Data demonstrated a significant bifidogenic effect of the experimental jelly compared to the placebo after 15 [9.54+/-0.83 vs. 8.57+/-1.91 log(10)CFU (colony forming units)/g faeces P=0.001] and 30 d of consumption (9.34+/-1.04 vs. 8.57+/-1.98 log(10)CFU/g faeces P=0.027) and significant higher bifidobacterial levels in the sc-FOS+extract group 2 weeks after the end of intervention (9.33+/-0.61 vs. 8.79+/-0.93 log(10)CFU/g faeces P=0.015). A trend for greater flatulence was detected after 15 d of functional food ingestion with no further differences in gastrointestinal symptoms. In conclusion the daily intake of a jelly containing sc-FOS and S.euboea extract is well-tolerated and demonstrated significant bifidogenic properties in healthy volunteers consuming their usual diets.

ACS Style

Evdokia K. Mitsou; Katja Turunen; Panagiotis Anapliotis; Dimitra Zisi; Vasilis Spiliotis; Adamantini Kyriacou. Impact of a jelly containing short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides and Sideritis euboea extract on human faecal microbiota. International Journal of Food Microbiology 2009, 135, 112 -117.

AMA Style

Evdokia K. Mitsou, Katja Turunen, Panagiotis Anapliotis, Dimitra Zisi, Vasilis Spiliotis, Adamantini Kyriacou. Impact of a jelly containing short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides and Sideritis euboea extract on human faecal microbiota. International Journal of Food Microbiology. 2009; 135 (2):112-117.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Evdokia K. Mitsou; Katja Turunen; Panagiotis Anapliotis; Dimitra Zisi; Vasilis Spiliotis; Adamantini Kyriacou. 2009. "Impact of a jelly containing short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides and Sideritis euboea extract on human faecal microbiota." International Journal of Food Microbiology 135, no. 2: 112-117.

Journal article
Published: 31 May 2009 in Waste Management
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Windrow composting of source-separated biowaste was studied in a pilot plant in Crete, with regard to abiotic factors, gas concentration in the pile and succession of functional microbial groups. The pH, C/N ratio and VS content, as well as the O2 and CO2 concentration, correlated well with composting time, indicating typical composting behaviour. Most of the microbial groups examined exhibited their highest counts towards the end of the thermophilic phase, with declining trends thereafter. The population of total mesophilic and thermophilic bacteria increased during the mild thermophilic phase and followed the temperature decline thereafter. Results on these microbial groups and fungi indicate that the timing of the thermophilic stage in the composting process, in addition to the peak temperature and duration of the stage, affects the microbial succession. Escherichia coli were detected for over 2 months of processing, in spite of the high temperatures achieved; only after about 3 months of composting did its population decline below the detection limit.

ACS Style

Christina Chroni; Adamantini Kyriacou; Irene Georgaki; Thrassyvoulos Manios; Maria Kotsou; Katia Lasaridi. Microbial characterization during composting of biowaste. Waste Management 2009, 29, 1520 -1525.

AMA Style

Christina Chroni, Adamantini Kyriacou, Irene Georgaki, Thrassyvoulos Manios, Maria Kotsou, Katia Lasaridi. Microbial characterization during composting of biowaste. Waste Management. 2009; 29 (5):1520-1525.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Christina Chroni; Adamantini Kyriacou; Irene Georgaki; Thrassyvoulos Manios; Maria Kotsou; Katia Lasaridi. 2009. "Microbial characterization during composting of biowaste." Waste Management 29, no. 5: 1520-1525.

Journal article
Published: 01 March 2009 in Child: Care, Health and Development
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Hygienic conditions in primary schools are a major concern for both governmental organizations and families. Particularly, the occurrence of faecal indicators on children's hands and various school surfaces has been associated with increased risk of diarrhoeal diseases. The presence of faecal streptococci on environmental surfaces and children's hands and the possible correlation with socio-economic factors were examined.Overall, 1956 samples from hands and 1470 samples from surfaces were collected from 20 primary schools in Heraklion, Crete, Greece.Faecal streptococci were found at 52.9% of children's hands and at 16.7% of other surfaces. Children, who had parents with the highest education level (>12 years), had the lowest percentage (48.8%) of faecal contamination on their hands. Furthermore, boys exhibited higher levels of hands contamination compared with girls. Among the environmental surfaces examined, the school canteen reception was the most contaminated area.High faecal contamination was detected in primary schools in the examined region. Children's hands were highly infected (52.9%), while boys exhibited higher levels of contamination. The educational level of parents correlated well with the contamination of children's hands.

ACS Style

A. Kyriacou; S. Drakopoulou; I. Georgaki; Michalis Fountoulakis; E. Mitsou; K. E. Lasaridi; Y. Manios; Thrassyvoulos Manios. Screening for faecal contamination in primary schools in Crete, Greece. Child: Care, Health and Development 2009, 35, 159 -163.

AMA Style

A. Kyriacou, S. Drakopoulou, I. Georgaki, Michalis Fountoulakis, E. Mitsou, K. E. Lasaridi, Y. Manios, Thrassyvoulos Manios. Screening for faecal contamination in primary schools in Crete, Greece. Child: Care, Health and Development. 2009; 35 (2):159-163.

Chicago/Turabian Style

A. Kyriacou; S. Drakopoulou; I. Georgaki; Michalis Fountoulakis; E. Mitsou; K. E. Lasaridi; Y. Manios; Thrassyvoulos Manios. 2009. "Screening for faecal contamination in primary schools in Crete, Greece." Child: Care, Health and Development 35, no. 2: 159-163.

Comparative study
Published: 01 April 2008 in Letters in Applied Microbiology
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The aim of this study was to develop a novel strategy that permits the independent amplification of internal amplification control (IAC) and target sequence using the same set of primers, to improve the sensitivity of diagnostic PCR assays. The method described here is a Salmonella specific PCR test targeting the quorum sensing gene sdiA. It is based on a large size difference between the IAC and the target and consequently on their different extension time. The results indicate the enhanced sensitivity of this test when compared with the competitive IAC strategy. This is demonstrated through parallel testing of artificially contaminated human faecal samples. Utilizing this method, the concentration of the IAC, which often leads to false negative results if the target is present in extremely low concentration owing to competition, does not constitute a critical parameter for the detection limit of a PCR assay. To our knowledge, this is the first report of using extension time as a critical parameter for the sensitivity of a PCR test. A different approach for the construction of an IAC, based on inverse PCR, has also been introduced.

ACS Style

I. Oikonomou; K. Halatsi; A. Kyriacou. Selective PCR: a novel internal amplification control strategy for enhanced sensitivity in Salmonella diagnosis. Letters in Applied Microbiology 2008, 46, 456 -461.

AMA Style

I. Oikonomou, K. Halatsi, A. Kyriacou. Selective PCR: a novel internal amplification control strategy for enhanced sensitivity in Salmonella diagnosis. Letters in Applied Microbiology. 2008; 46 (4):456-461.

Chicago/Turabian Style

I. Oikonomou; K. Halatsi; A. Kyriacou. 2008. "Selective PCR: a novel internal amplification control strategy for enhanced sensitivity in Salmonella diagnosis." Letters in Applied Microbiology 46, no. 4: 456-461.

Original articles
Published: 14 February 2008 in Food Biotechnology
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Lactobacillus isolates from infant feces were identified and investigated in vitro for their probiotic properties. The isolates belonged to the species L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus, L. paracasei subsp. paracasei, L. fermentum, L. delbrueckii subsp. delbrueckii, L. cellobiosus, L. plantarum, L. brevis and L. crispatus. The strains were examined for acid and bile tolerance, adhesion to Caco-2 cells, antibiotic susceptibility and antimicrobial activity against selected enteric pathogens. According to the obtained results, a L. deblueckii subsp. delbrueckii strain was found to exhibit probiotic properties. Other strains from L. paracasei subsp. paracasei and L. fermentum group also could be further investigated as potential probiotic candidates.

ACS Style

Maria G. Kotsou; Evdokia K. Mitsou; Ioannis G. Oikonomou; Adamantini A. Kyriacou. In VitroAssessment of Probiotic Properties ofLactobacillusStrains from Infant Gut Microflora. Food Biotechnology 2008, 22, 1 -17.

AMA Style

Maria G. Kotsou, Evdokia K. Mitsou, Ioannis G. Oikonomou, Adamantini A. Kyriacou. In VitroAssessment of Probiotic Properties ofLactobacillusStrains from Infant Gut Microflora. Food Biotechnology. 2008; 22 (1):1-17.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Maria G. Kotsou; Evdokia K. Mitsou; Ioannis G. Oikonomou; Adamantini A. Kyriacou. 2008. "In VitroAssessment of Probiotic Properties ofLactobacillusStrains from Infant Gut Microflora." Food Biotechnology 22, no. 1: 1-17.

Papers
Published: 01 January 2008 in International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition
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A total of 83 dairy products form the Greek market were examined for their bacterial populations and results were compared with the label information. The antibiotic susceptibility of the bacterial isolates was also examined. The status labeling of the yoghurts and the dairy desserts was found insufficient. The 89.8% of the cocci was found susceptible against all the 12 antibiotics examined. Lactobacillus spp. strains exhibited some kind of resistance to one or more antibiotics. The isolates of Lactobacillusdelbrueckii showed resistance to one to four antibiotics, the isolates of Lactobacillus acidophilus were resistant to one to three antibiotics, while the Lactobacillus paracasei strains were resistant to four or five antibiotics. Finally, multi-resistant strains (six to nine antibiotics) were found only among the Lactobacillus rhamnosus strains.

ACS Style

Adamantini Kyriacou; Eirini Tsimpidi; Evagelia Kazantzi; Eudokia Mitsou; Ekaterini Kirtzalidou; Yannis Oikonomou; George Gazis; Maria Kotsou. Microbial content and antibiotic susceptibility of bacterial isolates from yoghurts. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition 2008, 59, 512 -525.

AMA Style

Adamantini Kyriacou, Eirini Tsimpidi, Evagelia Kazantzi, Eudokia Mitsou, Ekaterini Kirtzalidou, Yannis Oikonomou, George Gazis, Maria Kotsou. Microbial content and antibiotic susceptibility of bacterial isolates from yoghurts. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition. 2008; 59 (6):512-525.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Adamantini Kyriacou; Eirini Tsimpidi; Evagelia Kazantzi; Eudokia Mitsou; Ekaterini Kirtzalidou; Yannis Oikonomou; George Gazis; Maria Kotsou. 2008. "Microbial content and antibiotic susceptibility of bacterial isolates from yoghurts." International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition 59, no. 6: 512-525.

Journal article
Published: 01 June 2006 in FEMS Microbiology Letters
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Bacteria communicate with one another and with their host using chemical signalling molecules. This phenomenon is generally described as quorum sensing. A set of primers for PCR detection of Salmonella spp. has been designed using as target the sdiA gene which encodes a signal receptor of the LuxR family. The PCR product (274 bp) was confirmed by sequencing. A number of 81 non-Salmonella strains (representing 24 different species) were tested and gave negative results, while a total of 101 different serotypes of Salmonella (155 strains) tested positive for the presence of the sdiA gene. The sensitivity and specificity of the sdiA-based PCR assay were also checked in artificially contaminated human faecal samples. In this study, we demonstrate that quorum sensing genes can be successfully exploited as diagnostic markers.

ACS Style

Konstantia Halatsi; Ioannis Oikonomou; Maria Lambiri; Georgia Mandilara; Alkiviadis Vatopoulos; Adamantini Kyriacou. PCR detection ofSalmonellaspp. using primers targeting the quorum sensing genesdiA. FEMS Microbiology Letters 2006, 259, 201 -207.

AMA Style

Konstantia Halatsi, Ioannis Oikonomou, Maria Lambiri, Georgia Mandilara, Alkiviadis Vatopoulos, Adamantini Kyriacou. PCR detection ofSalmonellaspp. using primers targeting the quorum sensing genesdiA. FEMS Microbiology Letters. 2006; 259 (2):201-207.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Konstantia Halatsi; Ioannis Oikonomou; Maria Lambiri; Georgia Mandilara; Alkiviadis Vatopoulos; Adamantini Kyriacou. 2006. "PCR detection ofSalmonellaspp. using primers targeting the quorum sensing genesdiA." FEMS Microbiology Letters 259, no. 2: 201-207.

Journal article
Published: 30 July 2004 in Process Biochemistry
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Table olive processing wastewater (TOPW) is unsuitable for disposal at municipal or industrial wastewater treatment plants due to its high organic and phenol content. Aerobic biological treatment using an Aspergillus niger strain in a bubble column bioreactor in combination with chemical oxidation was studied for the management of TOPW to a quality which corresponds to the input standards for wastewater treatment plants (COD<1200 ppm, BOD<500 ppm). After 2 days of biological treatment COD was reduced by 70%, while the total and simple phenolic compounds were decreased by 41 and 85%, respectively. In the chemical treatment step, the effect of different H2O2 concentrations on the patterns of COD and phenol reduction was studied. The main effect of the chemical oxidation step was the elimination of persistent phenolic compounds during the biological treatment of total phenolic compounds. Coagulation with CaO significantly improved the efficiency of the process.

ACS Style

Maria Kotsou; Adamantini Kyriacou; Katia Lasaridi; Georgios Pilidis. Integrated aerobic biological treatment and chemical oxidation with Fenton’s reagent for the processing of green table olive wastewater. Process Biochemistry 2004, 39, 1653 -1660.

AMA Style

Maria Kotsou, Adamantini Kyriacou, Katia Lasaridi, Georgios Pilidis. Integrated aerobic biological treatment and chemical oxidation with Fenton’s reagent for the processing of green table olive wastewater. Process Biochemistry. 2004; 39 (11):1653-1660.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Maria Kotsou; Adamantini Kyriacou; Katia Lasaridi; Georgios Pilidis. 2004. "Integrated aerobic biological treatment and chemical oxidation with Fenton’s reagent for the processing of green table olive wastewater." Process Biochemistry 39, no. 11: 1653-1660.