BACKGROUND/AIMS: Probiotics are expected to confer benefits on patients with constipation, but how probiotics act on constipated patients with variable stool consistencies remains unclear. We investigated the effect of Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (LcS) on constipation-related symptoms, especially stool consistency, of constipated patients. METHODS: Constipated patients meeting the Rome III criteria were divided into 3 groups according to the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS): hard (hard stool [HS], BSFS < 3), normal (normal stool [NS], ≤ 3 BSFS ≤ 4), and soft (soft stool [SS], 4 < BSFS ≤ 5) stools. Subjects in each group consumed a probiotic beverage containing 1010 colony-forming units of LcS daily for 28 days. RESULTS: LcS intervention significantly alleviated constipation-related symptoms and increased defecation frequency in all subjects. Four weeks of LcS supplementation softened the hard stools in HS, hardened the soft stools in SS, and did not alter the ideal stool consistency in NS. The short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations were highest in SS, followed by NS and HS. LcS intervention increased the stool SCFA levels in HS but reduced or did not alter the levels in NS and SS. LcS intervention increased the Pseudobutyrivibrio and Roseburia abundances in HS and decreased the Pseudobutyrivibrio abundance in SS. CONCLUSIONS: LcS supplementation improved the constipation-related symptoms in constipated subjects. Differences in baseline stool consistency could result in different anti-constipation effects of LcS intervention. LcS balanced the stool consistency—softened the HS and hardened the SS. These effects could be associated with modulation of the gut microbiota and SCFA production.
Beverages ; China ; Constipation ; Defecation ; Fatty Acids, Volatile ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Humans ; Lactobacillus casei ; Lactobacillus ; Probiotics ; Stem Cells

[Objective]To provide reference and beneficial assistance for the construction of contemporary medical ethics through studying the inherent requirements of Neo Confucianism in the Song and Ming dynasties,revealing its shaping role in the internal drive of medical ethics,the path of medical ethics cultivation,the goals of medical ethics and medical ethics ideas.[Methods]Systematically review the relevant discussions and moral practices of medical ethics by physicians under the influence of Neo Confucianism in the Song and Ming dynasties.Examine the shaping methods and processes of traditional Chinese medicine medical ethics in ancient China,study the core content of internal drive of medical ethics,key requirements of medical ethics cultivation path,practical approaches to medical ethics goals and fundamental principles of medical ethics thought.[Results]After the Song Dynasty,traditional Chinese medicine ethics was a value system centered on Neo Confucianism.Under the infiltration of Neo Confucianism's ideas such as"understanding benevolenc""filial piety is the foundation of benevolence""understanding the body and applying it""the concept of reason desire",ancient Chinese medicine gradually formed moral emotions such as"promoting oneself and others""knowing medicine for filial piety""practicing practical skills""benefiting the world and living people".[Conclusion]Ancient medical ethics still shine with the radiance of human nature in today's society.By setting a moral example,it guides medical personnel to form a moral standard of"medicine is benevolent"and"not seeking benefits,disregarding achievements".Neo Confucianism still has a positive guiding role today.Injecting the ideas of"benevolence""filial piety""practical application""rational desire"into the contemporary medical ethics construction system can help to build a new era of medical ethics system and promote the achievement of the strategic goal"Healthy China".

With the deepening of population aging， the number of disabled and semi-disabled elderly individuals continues to increase， and the ethical care issues of mental health services for the disabled elderly are becoming increasingly prominent. When examining ethical issues， the concept of the “holistic view of traditional Chinese medicine” from ancient Chinese traditional culture was explored. While applying theories from the holistic view of traditional Chinese medicine， such as “the unity of form and spirit” and “the integration of form and spirit，” emphasis should be placed on the organic integration of psychology and physiology. The mental health status of the disabled elderly can be comprehensively improved by addressing both internal and external environmental factors. In response to the current situation of mental health services for the disabled elderly， ethical care should be provided for the mental health services of the disabled elderly， focusing on the value of subjectivity， difference， and continuity in ethical care， thereby improving the mental health status of the disabled elderly.