In this study, the best EMI SE of CuS-PAN and Cu(x)S-PAN composit

In this study, the best EMI SE of CuS-PAN and Cu(x)S-PAN composites were about 27-30 dB and 15-17 dB respectively, as the cupric ion concentration was 0.24 M. The volume PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor clinical trial resistivity of CuS-PAN composite was about 1000 times lower than that of Cu(x)S-PAN composite and lowest volume resistivity of CuS-PAN composites was 0.012 Omega cm, as the cupric ion concentration was 0.24 M. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 118: 936-942, 2010″
“Rectal etodolac-Poloxamer gel systems composed of Poloxamer and bioadhesive polymers were developed and evaluated. Hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, poly)vinyl) pyrrolidone, methyl cellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose,

and carbopol were examined as mucoadhesive polymers. The characteristics of the rectal gels differed according to the properties of mucoadhesive polymers. The physicochemical properties such as gelation temperature, gel strength, and bioadhesive force of various formulations were investigated. The analysis of release mechanism showed that the release of etodolac was proportional to the square root of time, indicating that etodolac might be released from the suppositories by Fickian diffusion. The

anti-inflammatory effect of etodolac-Poloxamer gel system was also studied in rats. Moreover, liquid suppository of etodolac did not cause any morphological damage to the rectal tissues. These results suggested that in situ gelling liquid suppository with BKM120 purchase etodolac and mucoadhesive polymer was a physically Nepicastat purchase safe, convenient, and effective rectal dosage form for etodolac.”
“Recent trends in energy conversion mechanisms have demonstrated the abilities of electrostrictive polymers for converting mechanical vibrations into electricity. In particular, such materials present advantageous features

such as high productivity, high flexibility, and processability. Hence, the application of these materials for energy harvesting purposes has been of significant interest over the last few years. The purpose of this paper consists in evaluating the energy scavenging abilities of electrostrictive terpolymer composite filled with 1 vol % carbon black poly (vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene-chlorofluoroethylene). For fair comparison, a new figure of merit taking into account the intrinsic parameters of the material is introduced. This figure of merit equals the squared product of the electric field-related electrostrictive coefficient by the Young modulus, divided by the permittivity, relating the electric energy density per cycle per squared strain magnitude and squared bias electric field. Based on this criterion, it is demonstrated that the carbon-filled terpolymer outperforms other investigated compositions, exhibiting a figure of merit as high as 30 mJ cm(-3) (m/m)(-2) (V/mu m)(-2) cycle(-1), which is 2000 times higher than pure polyurethane.

6, 3 0, and

5 1%, respectively; they were highly homogene

6, 3.0, and

5.1%, respectively; they were highly homogeneous, and a compact morphological structure was obtained. The extraction capacities of prometryn, tetracycline, and propranolol with corresponding MW-coated fibers were approximately 10.4, 3.9, and 3.3 times as much as those with the nonimprinted polymer (NIP)-coated fibers, respectively, and the selectivity factors of prometryn, tetracycline, and propranolol MIP coatings for the template molecules and structural analogues were 2.2-10.4, 2.2-3.9, and 1.3-3.3, respectively, in comparison with the corresponding NIP coatings. In comparison with commercial polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene coatings that were approximately 3 times thicker, the extracted amounts of prometryn, tetracycline, and propranolol were 4.2, 12.3, and 7.7 times higher with prometryn, tetracycline, and propranolol this website MIP coatings, respectively. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 120: 1266-1277, 2011″
“Epilepsy has been associated with increased

risk of suicide; however, few studies have examined the relationship between epilepsy and suicidal behavior. The aims of this study were to evaluate the frequency of suicidal behavior in people with epilepsy and to identify characteristics that are associated with suicidal ideation in epilepsy. Of 171 people with epilepsy identified in a previous survey, 139 were included. A structured interview was conducted, and a second psychiatric evaluation was scheduled for https://www.selleckchem.com/products/bb-94.html those who agreed. The frequencies of suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts during lifetime were Autophagy Compound Library 36.7, 18.2, and 12.1%, respectively. The following conditions were strongly associated with suicidal thoughts; anxiety (OR = 3.3, 95% CI = 1.4-7.5, P = 0.001), depression (OR = 4.8, 95% Cl = 1.9-12.5, P = 0.001), and two or more standardized psychiatric diagnoses (OR = 21.6, 95% CI = 4.4-105.9, P < 0.0001). Although specific characteristics of epilepsy were found to be related to suicidal thoughts, psychiatric diseases also play an essential role. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“The binding

capacity of bile salts by lentil flours produced from two varieties, Blaze and Laird and their protein concentrates and hydrolysates were studied. Sodium cholate, sodium deoxycholate, sodium taurocholate, sodium glycocholate and sodium chenodeoxycholate were tested individually, and their binding interactions with the lentil products were analyzed using the Trinity Biotech Bile Acids Kit 450-10 and compared to cholestyramine. All tested samples bound the bile salts investigated, and the amount of bile salts bound (>70%) was sometimes greater than that bound by cholestyramine. Overall, there were no major differences in the bile salt binding capacities of similar samples prepared from the two varieties of lentil.


“Strangulation colic often leads to surgery We aimed to d


“Strangulation colic often leads to surgery. We aimed to document the molecular response in the non-resected intestine in these horses using quantitative Western blot analysis, and immunohistochemistry. The expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha AZD1208 molecular weight (HIFI alpha) was investigated together with two molecular pathways initiated after protein destruction: proteasome degradation

via ubiquitin chain formation and protein restoration via molecular chaperones such as inducible heat shock protein 70 (HSP70). In addition, the expression of c-fos and c-jun could indicate an early proinflammatory response. Ubiquitin, HSP70, c-jun and c-fos protein levels did not differ between the control and colic samples nor were they related to the clinical outcome in case of strangulation colic. However, the

immunohistochemical distribution of several of these proteins (ubiquitin, HSP70 and c-jun) differed significantly between colic and control samples. The elevated presence of ubiquitin in the enterocytes’ nucleus, of HSP70 in the smooth muscle cells’ nucleus and of c-jun in enteric neurons suggest protective and degenerative pathways are activated in the apparently healthy non-resected tissue in case of strangulation obstruction, perhaps providing a molecular and morphological basis for the development of complications like post-operative ileus. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Background: The 14-item Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM) Version 1.4 is a reliable and valid instrument selleck chemicals to assess patients’ satisfaction with medication, providing scores on four scales – side effects, effectiveness, convenience and global satisfaction. In naturalistic studies, administering the TSQM with the side effects domain could provoke the physician to assess the presence or absence of adverse events in a way

that is clinically atypical, carrying the potential to interfere with routine medical care. As a result, an abbreviated 9-item TSQM (TSQM-9), derived from the TSQM Version 1.4 but without the five items of the side effects domain was created. In this study, an interactive voice response system (IVRS)-administered TSQM-9 was psychometrically evaluated among patients taking antihypertensive medication.

Methods: NSC 19893 A total of 3,387 subjects were invited to participate in the study from an online panel who self-reported taking a prescribed antihypertensive medication. The subjects were asked to complete the IVRS-administered TSQM-9 at the start of the study, along with the modified Morisky scale, and again within 7 to 14 days. Standard psychometric analyses were conducted; including Cronbach’s alpha, intraclass correlation coefficients, structural equation modeling, Spearman correlation coefficients and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).


“Restless legs syndrome (RLS)


“Restless legs syndrome (RLS) selleck chemical has been frequently reported in association with peripheral neuropathy, and it is especially frequent in some forms of polyneuropathy with preferential involvement of small sensory fibers. Here, we describe a patient with multifocal motor neuropathy, who developed RLS during the course of the disease. Our findings support the notion that RLS may develop in the context of immune-mediated neuropathies and it should be specifically investigated even in those patients with preferentially or exclusive motor involvement.”
“Background: Ontologies are rapidly becoming a necessity for the design of efficient

information technology tools, especially databases, because they permit the organization of stored data using logical rules and

defined terms that are understood by both humans and machines. This has as consequence both an enhanced usage and interoperability of databases and related resources. It is hoped that IDOMAL, the ontology of malaria will prove a valuable instrument when implemented in both malaria research and control measures.

Methods: The OBOEdit2 software was used for the construction of the ontology. IDOMAL is based on the Basic Formal Ontology (BFO) and follows the rules set by the OBO Foundry consortium.

Results: The first version of the malaria ontology covers both clinical and epidemiological aspects of the disease, as well as disease and this website vector biology. IDOMAL is meant to later become the nucleation site for a much larger ontology of vector borne diseases, which will itself be an extension of a large ontology of infectious diseases (IDO). The latter is currently being developed in the frame of a large international collaborative effort.

Conclusions:

IDOMAL, already freely available in its first version, will form part of a suite of ontologies that will be used to drive IT tools and databases specifically constructed to help control malaria and, later, other vector-borne diseases. This suite already consists of the ontology described here as well as the one on insecticide resistance that has been available for see more some time. Additional components are being developed and introduced into IDOMAL.”
“Kleine-Levin syndrome and menstrual-related hypersomnia are rare idiopathic sleep disorders occurring primarily in adolescence. They are characterized by intermittent periods of excessive sleepiness, cognitive disturbances, and behavioral abnormalities. In both, the etiology remains unknown but autoinmune, hormonal, infectious, and inflammatory mechanisms have been proposed. The authors describe, for the first time, the association of Kleine-Levin syndrome and menstrual-related hypersomnia in 2 adolescent siblings who shared the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) loci DQB1*0501. The same haplotype has been associated with sleepwalking and with rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder.

Treatment with astaxantine and BOA delayed the pick of ethylene p

Treatment with astaxantine and BOA delayed the pick of ethylene production by fruits. The content selleck chemicals of PGIP was correlated with intensity of ethylene production. The infection of fruits with phytopathogenic microorganisms lowered as the result of the inhibition of pathogen PG. The dynamics of PGIP activity in fruits suggests its important role in the processes of ripening.”
“Objective: Tonsillar hypertrophy cells appear to have an altered lipid metabolism as evidenced by modulated inflammatory cytokines that affect tissue lipid metabolism. The aim

of this study was to investigate differences in tissue fat composition between obstructive sleep apnea (USA) and recurrent

infective tonsillitis (RT) in children.

Methods: Tonsillar tissues were collected Stem Cells & Wnt inhibitor from 114 patients with USA and 92 patients with RT, aged 410 years, during tonsillectomy. The tissue lipid extracts were analyzed by gas liquid chromatography for a comprehensive fatty acid profile.

Results: In the tonsillitis tissue, the levels of palmitoleic acid (16:1n-7; P = 0.002) and oleic acid (18:1n-9; P = 0.003) were higher, and the level of stearic acid (18:0; P = 0.004) was lower than that in the hyperplastic tonsillar tissue. Overall, tonsillar tissue of patients with RT had a significant increase in the total monounsaturated fatty acids (+9.9%; P < 0.001) and the fatty acid desaturation index (+20.5%; P < 0.001). Furthermore, oleic acid content of tonsillar tissue was positively correlated with

BMI (r = 0.20, P = 0.004), snoring (r = 0.16, P = 0.022) and hypertrophy grade (r = 0.18, P = 0.023), which remain significant in the subgroup analysis by hypertrophy type.

Conclusions: The change in the fatty acid composition may be regarded as an indicator of altered lipid metabolism occurring in vivo during human tonsillar hypertrophy, which might selleck compound be linked to the severity or type of the tissue damage. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Background: Patients with disabling pain and loss of shoulder function with associated proximal humeral bone loss following shoulder arthroplasty have limited reliable treatment options. Our objective was to report the results, obtained as part of a prospective outcomes study, of the use of a reverse shoulder prosthesis-allograft composite in these patients.

Methods: Between 2002 and 2005, 353 patients treated with a reverse shoulder prosthesis were enrolled in a prospective cohort study. Twenty-five patients received, in addition, a proximal humeral allograft for the management of severe proximal humeral bone loss, and they comprise the study group. The average bone loss measured 53.6 mm (range, 34.5 to 150.3 mm).

The remaining three patients had Klinefelter

The remaining three patients had Klinefelter BLZ945 datasheet syndrome and did not undergo testicular biopsy. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of different indexes for discrimination between obstructive and nonobstructive

azoospermia. Cases of obstructive azoospermia were further classified according to obstructive causes.

Results: Seminal tract abnormalities were more common in obstructive (92.2% [59 of 64 patients]) than in nonobstructive (2.8% [one of 36 patients]; P < .001) azoospermia. Testicular volume was significantly larger for obstructive (median, 16.0 mL; range, 8.4-27.5 mL) than for nonobstructive (median, 8.6 mL; range, 0.9-21.0 mL; P < .001) azoospermia. The area under the ROC curve

for discrimination between the groups through combined assessment of the seminal tract and testicular volume at scrotal and transrectal US was 0.96. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for combined assessment in discriminating between obstructive and buy Flavopiridol nonobstructive azoospermia were 95.3% (61 of 64 patients), 97.2% (35 of 36), and 96.0% (96 of 100), respectively.

Conclusion: Scrotal US and transrectal US are effective imaging modalities for distinguishing obstructive from nonobstructive azoospermia and can provide meaningful diagnostic information for determining the etiologic classification of obstructive azoospermia. (C) RSNA, 2010″
“Extensive investigations on industrial multicrystalline silicon solar cells have shown that, for standard 1 Omega cm material, acid-etched texturization, and in absence of strong ohmic shunts, there are three different types of breakdown appearing in different reverse bias ranges. Between -4 and -9 V there is early breakdown (type 1), which is due to Al contamination of the surface. Between -9 and -13 V defect-induced breakdown (type 2) dominates, which is due to metal-containing P005091 clinical trial precipitates lying within recombination-active grain boundaries. Beyond -13 V we may find in addition avalanche breakdown (type 3) at etch pits, which is characterized by a steep slope of the I-V characteristic,

avalanche carrier multiplication by impact ionization, and a negative temperature coefficient of the reverse current. If instead of acid-etching alkaline-etching is used, all these breakdown classes also appear, but their onset voltage is enlarged by several volts. Also for cells made from upgraded metallurgical grade material these classes can be distinguished. However, due to the higher net doping concentration of this material, their onset voltage is considerably reduced here. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3562200]“
“One-dimensional nanostructures of polyaniline (PANI) doped with (1S)-(+)-10-camphorsulfonic acid (D-CSA) alone and with NiCl2 as a codopant were synthesized via in situ polymerization. PANI nanofibers with diameters of about 200 nm were formed when PANI was doped with D-CSA only.

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC; 5%, 6%, and 7% w/w) and Carb

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC; 5%, 6%, and 7% w/w) and Carbopol 934 (1% w/w) hydrogels containing DFS-CS microspheres equivalent to 1% w/w active drug

were prepared. The physicochemical characterization revealed that all hydrogels had a suitable pH for rectal application DMXAA chemical structure (6.5-7.4). The consistency of HPMC hydrogels showed direct proportionality to the concentration of the gelling agent, while carbopol 934 gel showed its difficulty for rectal administration. Farrow’s constant for all hydrogels were greater than one indicating pseudoplastic flow. In vitro drug release from the mucoadhesive hydrogel formulations showed a controlled drug release pattern, reaching 34.6-39.7% after 6 h. The kinetic analysis of the release data revealed that zero-order was the prominent release mechanism. The beta-catenin activation mucoadhesion time of 7% w/w HPMC hydrogel was 330 min, allowing the loaded microspheres to be attached to the surface of rectal mucosa. Histopathological examination demonstrated the lowest irritant response to the hydrogel loaded with DFS-CS microspheres in response to other forms of the drug.”
“Photosensitization of singlet oxygen generation in porous silicon (PSi) was investigated by simultaneous measurements of the photoluminescence (PL) of silicon nanocrystals

(nc-Si) and the infrared emission of the (1)Delta-state of oxygen molecules at 1270 nm (0.98 eV) at room temperature. Photodegradation of the nc-Si PL properties was found to correlate with the efficiency of singlet oxygen generation. The quantum efficiency of singlet oxygen generation in PSi was estimated to be about 1%, while the lifetime of singlet oxygen was about fifteen ms. The kinetics of nc-Si PL intensity under cw excitation undergoes a power law dependence with the exponent dependent on the photon energy of luminescence. The experimental results are explained with a model of photodegradation controlled by the diffusion of singlet oxygen molecules in a disordered

structure of porous silicon. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. selleck inhibitor [doi:10.1063/1.3586044]“
“The injection-molded specimens of neat HDPE and the PET/HDPE blends were prepared by conventional injection molding (CIM) and by pressure vibration injection molding (PVIM), respectively. The effect of oscillation pressure and PET phase with different shapes on superstructure and its crystal orientation distribution of injection molded samples were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and two-dimension wide-angle X-ray diffraction techniques (2D-WAXD). Hermans’ orientation functions were determined from the wide-angle X-ray diffraction patterns. With the PET particles added, the shear viscosity of blend increase and crystallization rate of HDPE phase is enhanced.

Ozone-pretreated PTH and PMT films were subjected to UV-light-ind

Ozone-pretreated PTH and PMT films were subjected to UV-light-induced graft copolymerization with different monomers, including poly(ethylene glycol) monomethacrylate, acrylic acid, and glycidyl methacrylate. Surface grafting with the hydrophilic polymers gave rise to more hydrophilic PTH and PMT films. The structure and chemical composition of each copolymer surface were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The surface grafting with the hydrophilic

polymers resulted in a more Dihydrotestosterone supplier hydrophilic PTH film. The dependence of the density of surface grafting and the conductivities of the grafted PTH and PMT films on the ozone pretreatment was also studied. A large amount of the grafted groups at the surface of the PTH and PMT films remained free for further surface modification and functionalization. (c) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012″
“Diabetes mellitus and hypertension frequently coexist in patients with the insulin resistance syndrome (IRS). Patients with both diabetes and hypertension 4EGI-1 nmr typically have widespread endothelial dysfunction, increased oxidative stress, an activated sympathoadrenal system, and an elevated systemic burden of inflammatory mediators. Patients with diabetes and hypertension also have concomitant mixed dyslipidemia and obesity with significant frequency, and are at high risk for

the development of macro- and microvascular disease, congestive heart failure, and nephropathy.

Current data suggest that ACE inhibitors or anglotensin receptor blockers with or without a diuretic are important, if not preferred, initial therapies for the patient with diabetes and hypertension. Other drug classes such as combined alpha-/beta-adrenoceptor antagonists, dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonists (CCAs), and peripheral alpha-adrenoceptor antagonists are also useful therapeutic options in these patients. In order to optimally reduce the risk for cardiovascular events in the patient with diabetes and hypertension, optimal BP control Should be coupled with comprehensive Momelotinib lifestyle modification and aggressive management of dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia.”
“Study Design. Surgically denucleated porcine intervertebral discs (IVD) were injected with BIOSTAT BIOLOGX Fibrin Sealant (FS), and the in vivo effects were assessed over time by histological, biochemical, and mechanical criteria.

Objective. The objectives were to test whether the intradiscal injection of FS stimulates disc healing.

Summary of Background Data. Disc avascularity prevents the deposition of a provisional fibrin scaffold that typically facilitates soft tissue repair. Poor disc wound healing leads to disc damage accumulation and chronic inflammation characterized by overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines and proteolytic enzymes.

Methods.

A total of 130 migraine patients were recruited Of these patient

A total of 130 migraine patients were recruited. Of these patients 106 (81.5%) were misdiagnosed as sinusitis. The mean time delay of migraine diagnosis was (7.75 +/- 6.29, range 1 to 38 years). Chronic migraine was significantly higher (p < 0.02) in misdiagnosed patients than in patients with proper diagnosis. Medication overuse headache (MOH) was reported only

in patients misdiagnosed as sinusitis. The misdiagnosed patients were treated either medically 87.7%, or surgically12.3% without relieve of their symptoms in 84.9% and 76.9% respectively. However, migraine headache improved in 68.9% after proper diagnosis and treatment.

Many migraine patients were misdiagnosed as sinusitis. BV-6 order Strict adherence to the diagnostic criteria will prevent the delay in migraine diagnosis and help to prevent chronification of the headache and possible MOH.”
“P>The diffusion of proteins in chloroplast AZD6244 MAPK inhibitor thylakoid membranes is believed to be important for processes including the photosystem-II repair cycle and the regulation of light harvesting. However, to date there is very little direct information on the mobility of thylakoid proteins. We have used fluorescence recovery after photobleaching in a laser-scanning confocal microscope to visualize in real time the exchange of chlorophyll proteins between grana in intact spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) and Arabidopsis chloroplasts.

Most chlorophyll proteins in the grana appear immobile on the 10-min timescale of our measurements. However, a limited population

of chlorophyll proteins (accounting for around www.selleckchem.com/products/azd-1208.html 15% of chlorophyll fluorescence) can exchange between grana on this timescale. In intact, wild-type chloroplasts this mobile population increases significantly after photoinhibition, consistent with a role for protein diffusion in the photosystem-II repair cycle. No such increase in mobility is seen in isolated grana membranes, or in the Arabidopsis stn8 and stn7 stn8 mutants, which lack the protein kinases required for phosphorylation of photosystem II core proteins and light-harvesting complexes. Furthermore, mobility under low-light conditions is significantly lower in stn8 and stn7 stn8 plants than in wild-type Arabidopsis. The changes in protein mobility correlate with changes in the packing density and size of thylakoid protein complexes, as observed by freeze-fracture electron microscopy. We conclude that protein phosphorylation switches the membrane system to a more fluid state, thus facilitating the photosystem-II repair cycle.”
“Purpose: To prospectively determine whether pharmacokinetic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging parameters correlate with histologic mean vessel density (MVD), mean vessel area (MVA), and mean interstitial area (MIA) and whether these parameters enable differentiation of prostate cancer, chronic prostatitis, and normal prostate tissue.

(C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved “
“Levels of tolu

(C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Levels of toluene and other residual solvents were evaluated

in food packaging materials as a preventive action against hazard occurrence in foods via migration and to confirm food safety. Automated headspace sampling and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HS-GC/MS) were used to determine residual solvent levels in the food packaging materials. Correlation coefficients as calibration factors were over 0.999 and relative standard deviations (RSD) of repeatability were below 3.6%. Limits of quantification (LOQ) ranged from 0.001 to 0.01 mg/m(2). The levels of 7 residual solvents including toluene for potential migration from food packaging Selleck Torin 2 materials to food samples were below Korean regulatory limits.”
“Spermatogenesis is a complex mechanism which allows the production of male gametes; it consists of mitotic, meiotic, and differentiation phases. Spermiogenesis is the terminal differentiation process during which haploid round spermatids undergo several biochemical and morphological changes,

including extensive remodelling of chromatin and nuclear shape. Spermiogenesis is under control of endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine factors, like gonadotropins and testosterone. More recently, emerging pieces of evidence are suggesting that, among these factors, estrogens may have a role. To date, this is AZD5153 cost a matter of debate and concern because of the agonistic GSK923295 nmr and antagonistic estrogenic effects that environmental chemicals may have on animal and human with damaging outcome on fertility. In this review, we summarize data which fuel this debate, with a particular attention to our recent results, obtained using type 1 cannabinoid receptor knockout male mice as animal model.”
“Because of its resident microbiota, the human colon is one of the body’s most metabolically active organs. The

use of diet to fortify certain gut flora components is a popular current aspect of functional food sciences and prebiotics have a significant role. Prebiotics are selectively fermented ingredients that allow specific changes, both in the composition and/or activity in the gastrointestinal microbiota that confers benefits upon host well-being and health. Improved techniques for analysis of the gut microflora, new food manufacturing biotechnologies, and increased understanding of the metabolism of prebiotic inulin and oligosaccharides by probiotics are facilitating development. Such developments are leading us to the time when we will be able to rationally develop prebiotics for specific functional properties and health outcomes. Thus, this review will focus on the progress of prebiotics in food science and technology in understanding the important role of prebiotics in health, beginning at the rationale of gut microflora and interactions with prebiotics.