***TASK*** the task is to summarize an input biomedical literature in six sentences 
    ***INPUT*** the input is a biomedical literature 
    ***OUTPUT*** the output is the summary of an input biomedical literature in six sentences 
    ***DOCUMENTATION*** 
    ***EXAMPLES*** 
    Input: The ability of probiotics to improve bowel habits or transit time has been shown in healthy population s. Additional data are required to support the use of specific probiotics to improve gastrointestinal ( GI ) well-being . The present study was design ed to investigate the effect of consuming fermented milk ( FM ) on GI well-being , digestive symptoms and health-related quality of life ( HRQoL ) amongst women without diagnosed GI disorders . In this double-blind , controlled , parallel- design study , subjects were r and omised to ingest daily either 2 x 125 g FM containing Bifidobacterium lactis DN-173 010 and yoghurt strains or a control non-fermented dairy product for 4 weeks followed by a 4-week wash-out period . GI well-being and digestive symptoms were assessed weekly . HRQoL was measured every 4 weeks . Data were analysed using analysis of covariance and logistic regression , correcting for baseline values on the full analysis set population of 197 women ( aged 18 - 60 years ) . The percentage of women reporting an improvement in their GI well-being was significantly ( P < 0.01 ) higher in the FM group v. the control group ( OR 1.69 ; 95 % CI 1.17 , 2.45 ) . A significantly ( P < 0.05 ) more pronounced decrease in the composite score of digestive symptoms was observed in the FM group when comparing with the control group ( least squares mean - 0.57 ; 95 % CI - 1.12 , - 0.02 ) . Among HRQoL dimensions , the digestive comfort score was significantly ( P < 0.05 ) improved in the FM group compared with the control group . The present study showed that the daily consumption of a specific FM is able to improve GI well-being and digestive symptoms in adult women without GI disorders AIM To investigate the effect of a fermented milk containing Bifidobacterium lactis DN-173010 and yogurt strains ( BIO(R ) ) on adult women with constipation in Beijing . METHODS A total of 135 adult females with constipation were r and omly allocated to consume for 2 wk either 100 g of the test fermented milk or 100 g of an acidified milk containing non-living bacteria ( control ) .  Stool frequency , defecation condition scores , stool consistency and food intake were recorded at baseline and after 1 and 2 wk in an intention-to-treat population of 126 subjects . In parallel , safety evaluation parameters were performed . RESULTS At baseline , no differences were found between groups . Following consumption of test product , stool frequency was significantly increased after 1 wk ( 3.5 + /- 1.5 vs 2.4 + /- 0.6 , P < 0.01 ) and 2 wk ( 4.1 + /- 1.7 vs 2.4 + /- 0.6 , P < 0.01 ) , vs baseline . Similarly , after 1 and 2 wk , of test product consumption , defecation condition ( 1.1 + /- 0.9 vs 1.9 + /- 1.2 , P < 0.01 and 0.8 + /- 1.0 vs 1.9 + /- 1.2 , P < 0.01 , respectively ) and stool consistency ( 1.0 + /- 0.8 vs 1.5 + /- 1.1 , P < 0.01 and 0.6 + /- 0.8 vs 1.5 + /- 1.1 , P < 0.01 , respectively ) were significantly improved . Compared with the control group , stool frequency was also significantly increased ( 3.5 + /- 1.5 vs 2.5 + /- 0.9 , P < 0.01 and 4.1 + /- 1.7 vs 2.6 + /- 1.0 , P < 0.01 , respectively ) , and defecation condition ( 1.1 + /- 0.9 vs 1.6 + /- 1.1 , P < 0.01 and 0.8 + /- 1.0 vs 1.6 + /- 1.1 , P < 0.01 , respectively ) and stool consistency ( 1.0 + /- 0.8 vs 1.4 + /- 1.0 , P < 0.05 and 0.6 + /- 0.8 vs 1.3 + /- 1.0 , P < 0.01 , respectively ) significantly decreased after 1 and 2 wk of product consumption . During the same period , food intake did not change between the two groups , and safety parameters of the subjects were within normal ranges . CONCLUSION This study suggests a beneficial effect of a fermented milk containing B. lactis DN-173010 on stool frequency , defecation condition and stool consistency in adult women with constipation constipated women after 1 and 2 wk of consumption The healthy action of probiotics is not only due to their nutritional properties and their influence on the gastrointestinal environment , but also to their action on the immune system . The aim of the present study was to determine if 6 weeks of probiotic intake would be able to modulate the immune system in women who had recently delivered and were breast-feeding . The design consisted of a r and omised , controlled and double-blind nutritional intervention study with parallel groups with a sample size of 104 women . The main variable is the T helper type 1/T helper type 2 ( Th1/Th2 ) profile determined by measuring interferon-gamma ( Th1 ) and IL-4 ( Th2 ) values in peripheral blood by flow cytometry . The modifications of cytokines were evaluated in maternal milk by cytometric bead array in a flow cytometer and ELISA at three stages of breast-feeding : colostrum , early milk ( 10 d ) and mature milk ( 45 d ) . Additionally , the anthropometry and infectious and allergic episodes in the newborn were followed up throughout the first 6 months of life . After the consumption of milk fermented with Lactobacillus casei during the puerperium , we observed a nonsignificant increase in T and B lymphocytes and a significant increase in natural killer cells . A decrease in the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha in maternal milk and fewer gastrointestinal disturbances were also observed in the breast-fed child of the mothers who consumed L. casei . The intake of milk fermented with L. casei during the lactation period modestly contributes to the modulation of the mother 's immunological response after delivery and decreases the incidence of gastrointestinal episodes in the breast-fed child OBJECTIVE To study the gut flora in infants who received fermented milk containing Lactobacillus casei and Streptococcus termophilus  and its effect on secretory immunoglobulin levels . MATERIAL AND METHODS An experimental , r and omized , prospect i ve , parallel group study was carried out . Thirty-five infants were included ( 18 in the treatment group and 17 in the control group ) with a mean age of 2 years ( SD : 0.6 years ; range : 1 - 3 years ) . The experimental group received both fermented milk ( 0.5 l/day ) containing L. casei and S. termophilus for 6 weeks and st and ard cow 's milk for the following 6 weeks . The control group received st and ard cow 's milk ( 0.5 l/day ) for 12 weeks . Secretory IgA levels in saliva were evaluated in the experimental group at the start of the study ( baseline levels ) and 6 weeks later . In both groups , stools were collected to study gut flora at 0 , 6 and 12 week . RESULTS Secretory IgA levels significantly increased ( p = 0.0063 ) from a mean baseline value of 2.5 mg/dl to a mean of 3.4 mg/dl at 6 weeks . Gram-negative aerobic flora were decreased in the experimental group after 6 weeks compared with the control group ( p = 0.0203 ) . The number of infants with Lactobacillus spp in their gut flora was greater in the experimental group than in the control group at week 6 and this difference was statistically significant ( p = 0.028 ) at week 12 . Conclusion The present study provides evidence of L. casei survival in the gastrointestinal tract and of its effect of increasing secretory BACKGROUND Habitual smoking significantly reduces natural killer ( NK ) cell activity . To clarify whether the intake of fermented milk containing lactic acid bacteria restores NK cell activity in habitual smokers , we conducted a placebo-controlled double-blind test . METHODS Ninety-nine subjects with smoking habits were r and omly divided into two groups and daily for 3 weeks were given fermented milk containing Lactobacillus casei or placebo .  NK cell activity in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells ( PBMNC ) was determined before and after the intake . Average number of cigarettes smoked and number of cigarettes that the subjects smoked before giving blood after getting up on the inspection day were asked , and these data were used to adjust the influence of smoking on NK cell activity . RESULTS NK cell activity in individuals was inversely correlated to numbers of cigarettes smoked . Averaged NK cell activity adjusted by the numbers of cigarettes was significantly higher in individuals drinking fermented milk containing L. casei than those drinking a placebo . However , the proportion of NK cells was not different between individuals drinking either fermented milk containing L. casei or the placebo . CONCLUSIONS Intake of fermented milk containing lactic acid bacteria was considered effective for restoring the NK cell activity of habitual smokers A previous study has suggested that Bifidobacterium animalis DN‐173 010 shortens the colonic transit time in women Nine healthy middle-aged and 10 elderly volunteers drank fermented milk containing 4 x 10(10 ) live cells of Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota daily for 3 wk , and their natural killer ( NK ) activity and other immunological functions were examined . In the experiments with middle-aged volunteers , NK activity significantly increased ( P<0.01 ) 3 wk after the start of intake , elevated NK cell activity remained for the next 3 wk , and this effect was particularly prominent in the low-NK-activity individuals . In the experiments with elderly volunteers , NK activity significantly decreased ( P<0.01 ) in the control group 3 wk after the start of intake ; however , the intake of Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota maintained the NK activity . These results suggest that daily intake of Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota provides a positive effect on NK-cell activity BACKGROUND : Constipation is a frustrating symptom affecting 3 % of children worldwide . A fermented dairy product containing Bifidobacterium lactis strain DN-173 010 was effective in increasing stool frequency in constipated women . Our aim was to assess the effects of this product in constipated children . METHODS : In this prospect i ve r and omized , double-blind , controlled trial , 159 constipated children ( defecation frequency < 3 times per week ) were r and omly allocated to receive either a fermented dairy product that contains B lactis DN-173 010 ( n = 79 ) or a control product ( n = 80 ) twice a day for 3 weeks . The primary endpoint was the change in stool frequency from baseline to after 3 weeks of product consumption . Analyses were by intention to treat . RESULTS : Eleven children did not return to any follow-up visit ( 5 in the probiotic group , 6 in the control group ) and were therefore excluded from the final analysis . Thus , 74 children in each group were analyzed . The change in stool frequency from baseline to after 3 weeks of product consumption increased in both groups , but the difference was not statistically significant ( 2.9 ± 3.2 in probiotic group versus 2.6 ± 2.6 in control group , P = .35 ) . There were no serious adverse events . CONCLUSIONS : In constipated children , the fermented dairy product containing B lactis strain DN-173 010 did increase stool frequency , but this increase was comparable in the control group . There is currently not sufficient evidence to recommend fermented dairy products containing B lactis strain DN-173 010 in this category of patients . Future studies should focus on whether a longer period of probiotic products is more effective in children who have a short history of constipation Summary Background A suppressed immune response has been documented in students under examination stress . Aims The current study aim ed to evaluate the effect of milk fermented with yogurt cultures plus Lactobacillus casei DN-114001 ( Actimel ® ) on the immune system of subjects under academic examination stress . Methods University students were allocated to one of two groups , receiving during 6 weeks ( 3 weeks prior to , as well as the 3-week duration of the examination period ) either : a ) a glass of semi-skimmed milk each day ( control group , n=63 ) or b ) two 100mL portions per day of fermented milk ( treatment group , n=73 ) . Anxiety and immunological measurements were monitored at baseline ( Phase 0 ) and study end ( Phase 1 ) . Results The results were expressed as the differences between the data obtained from Phase 0 and Phase 1 . This was calculated by subtracting Phase 1 results from the Phase 0 and it is denominated “ Treatment effect ” . Mean ( ± SE ) anxiety increased significantly ( P<0.05 ) over the 6-week study in all students , from 40.74±2.50 to 61.19±2.64 ( in percent 
    Output:
    
There is insufficient scientific evidence to support the health cl aims made for these products , especially in the case of product containing Lactobacillus casei