Conduct research to identify solutions to women’s health issues.These studies will address issues related to metabolism of colorants in cosmetics by bacteria on the skin and the characterization of probiotics for the prevention of TSS and vaginal yeast infections. Probiotics are live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit of the host. TSS is a very rare but potentially fatal illness caused by bacterial toxin. Understanding how probiotics may lead to the prevention of TSS and vaginal yeast infections will reduce the number of these cases, thus advancing the health of women.These studies will address issues related to metabolism of colorants in cosmetics by bacteria on the skin.This study contributed to a sound scientific knowledge basis for determining the safety and toxicity of the colorants in cosmetics used by women and provide data for risk assessment of the metabolism of synthetic azo colorants in cosmetics by human skin microflora.COMPLETEDON TRACKmain1. Identify whether the majority of skin bacteria quickly decolorize the azo dyes and determine whether multiple bacterial azoreductases are likely involved in the reduction of the dyes9/30/2010Completed9/30/2010main2. Identify metabolites of aromatic amines produced by human skin bacteria from azo dyes9/30/2010Completed9/30/2010main3. Evaluate the toxicological effects of azo dyes and their metabolites on the skin bacterium path S. aureus; the most common cause of staph infections which causes toxic shock syndrome9/30/2010Completed9/30/2010main4. Complete the assessment of research findings6/30/2011Completed6/30/2011main5. Develop draft technical report/manuscript/publication9/30/2011Completed9/2/2011main6. Complete the peer review (NCTR and other researchers) of draft technical report, manuscript, and/or publication10/31/2011Completed10/8/2011main7. Obtain NCTR Center Director approval on the draft technical report, manuscript, and/or publication via the document tracking system10/31/2011Completed10/8/2011main8. Submit final technical report, manuscript and/or publication to a scientific journal12/31/2011Completed10/8/2011TSStoxic shock syndromeS. aureusStaphylococcus aureushttp://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/Transparency/track/ucm203296.htmFDA-TRACK NCTR Dashboardhttp://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/Transparency/track/ucm252974.htmFDA-TRACK Research Glossary਍††਍਍਍਍਍਍਍