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“Probiotics have been proposed as modulators of gut inflammation, especially in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In order to be able to use them in these clinical conditions, their capacity to modulate immune responses towards other stimuli or microorganisms has

to be thoroughly understood. In the present study, three different potentially probiotic strains, Bifidobacterium breve (NumRes 204), Lactobacillus rhamnosus (NumRes1) and Lactobacillus casei (DN-114 001), have been studied for their potential to modulate responses to stimulation with pure pattern-recognition PF-04929113 in vivo receptor (PRR) ligands or to the gut commensal fungus Candida albicans. Cytokine production induced by PRR ligands or C. albicans was assessed in conditions of simultaneous stimulation or preincubation of primary immune cells with Bifidobacterium or Lactobacillus spp. Results indicate that simultaneous stimulation leads to potentiation of IL-1 beta and IL-6 production, while the TNF alpha and IFN-gamma production was inhibited. In settings of pre-incubation with these potentially probiotic strains, lower production of TNF alpha was observed in the presence of B. breve. Moreover, C. albicans-induced IL-17 production was decreased after pre-incubation with both Bifidobacterium or Lactobacillus probiotic strains. Whereas C. albicans induced

cytokines are dampened by the tested probiotic strains, TNF alpha and IL-6 production by pure pattern-recognition receptor ligands are Protein Tyrosine Kinase inhibitor potentiated. Interestingly, an important role of Toll-like receptor 9 signalling that PLX4032 mouse involves JNK kinase in the modulatory effects of these probiotic strains has been identified. In conclusion, specific probiotic

strains exhibit cross-tolerance effects towards other inflammatory stimuli, especially C. albicans, which might have beneficial effects on gut inflammation. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Objectives. The objectives of this study were to analyse the total socio-economic impact of RA in Sweden during the period 1990-2010 and to analyse possible changes in costs during this period. The period was deliberately chosen to cover 10 years before and 10 years after the introduction of biologic drugs.\n\nMethods. A prevalence-based cost-of-illness study was conducted based on data from national and regional registries.\n\nResults. There was a decrease in the utilization of RA-related inpatient care as well as sick leave and disability pension during 1990-2010 in Sweden. Total costs for RA are presented in current prices as well as inflation-adjusted with the consumer price index (CPI) and a healthcare price index. The total fixed cost of RA was Euro454 million in 1990, adjusted to the price level of 2010 with the CPI. This cost increased to Euro600 million in 2010 and the increase was mainly due to the substantially increasing costs for pharmaceuticals.