IL-6 expression-suppressing Lactobacillus reuteri strains alleviate gut microbiota-induced anxiety and depression in mice.

Fecal microbiota transplantation from patients with depression/inflammatory bowel disease (PDI) causes depression with gut inflammation in mice. Here, we investigated the effects of six Lactobacillus reuteri strains on brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF), serotonin, and interleukin (IL)-6 expression in neuronal or macrophage cells and PDI fecal microbiota-cultured microbiota (PcM)-induced depression in mice. Of these strains, L6 most potently increased BDNF and serotonin levels in corticosterone-stimulated SH-SY5Y and PC12 cells, followed by L3.

Effect of patient-related factors on hospitalization service satisfaction and recommendation intention of medical institutions in Korea.

Objective: This study examined the factors that influence the 'Overall Satisfaction' and 'Intention to Recommend' of medical institutions used using the Korea Medical Service Experience Survey (2019-2021).

Data Sources: This study used the data of Medical Service Experience Survey in Korea. The data collected for data analysis were from 2019 to 2021 (Medical service period: 2018.

Glucosylceramide synthase regulates adipo-osteogenic differentiation through synergistic activation of PPARγ with GlcCer.

Dysregulation of the adipo-osteogenic differentiation balance of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which are common progenitor cells of adipocytes and osteoblasts, has been associated with many pathophysiologic diseases, such as obesity, osteopenia, and osteoporosis. Growing evidence suggests that lipid metabolism is crucial for maintaining stem cell homeostasis and cell differentiation; however, the detailed underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that glucosylceramide (GlcCer) and its synthase, glucosylceramide synthase (GCS), are key determinants of MSC differentiation into adipocytes or osteoblasts.

Ultrathin Atomic Layer-Deposited CeO Overlayer for High-Performance Fuel Cell Electrodes.

Obtaining a catalyst with high activity and thermal stability is essential for high-performance energy conversion devices operating at an elevated temperature. Herein, the design and fabrication of a heterogeneous catalyst with an ultrathin CeO overlayer via atomic layer deposition (ALD) on Pt electrodes for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (LT-SOFCs) is reported. The cell with a CeO-overcoated (five ALD cycles) Pt cathode shows lower activation resistance by 50% after a 10 h operation and higher thermal stability by a factor of 2 compared with the cell with a Pt-only cathode, which is known to be the best single catalyst at 450 °C.

Atomic layer deposited high-k dielectric on graphene by functionalization through atmospheric plasma treatment.

Atomic layer-deposited (ALD) dielectric films on graphene usually show noncontinuous and rough morphology owing to the inert surface of graphene. Here, we demonstrate the deposition of thin and uniform ALD ZrO films with no seed layer on chemical vapor-deposited graphene functionalized by atmospheric oxygen plasma treatment. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the ALD ZrO films were highly crystalline, despite a low ALD temperature of 150 °C.

Development of a Spoke Type Torque Sensor Using Painting Carbon Nanotube Strain Sensors.

This study reports a hub-spoke type joint torque sensor involving strain gauges made of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). We developed the novel joint torque sensor for robots by means of MWCNT/epoxy strain sensors (0.8 wt%, gauge factor 2) to overcome the limits of conventional foil strain gauges.

Miss rate of colorectal neoplastic polyps and risk factors for missed polyps in consecutive colonoscopies.

Background/aims: Colonoscopic polypectomy is the best diagnostic and therapeutic tool to detect and prevent colorectal neoplasms. However, previous studies have reported that 17% to 28% of colorectal polyps are missed during colonoscopy. We investigated the miss rate of neoplastic polyps and the factors associated with missed polyps from quality-adjusted consecutive colonoscopies.

Perianal Abscess and Proctitis by Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) can at times cause invasive infections, especially in patients with diabetes mellitus and a history of alcohol abuse. A 61-year-old man with diabetes mellitus and a history of alcohol abuse presented with abdominal and anal pain for two weeks.

[Efficacy of bisacodyl given as part of a polyethylene glycol-based bowel preparation prior to colonoscopy in hospitalized patients: a prospective ramdomized trial].

Background/aims: Inpatient status can cause inadequate bowel preparation. The majority of previous studies regarding bowel preparation have focused on comparing the effects of different purgative regimens in outpatients. However, data on bowel preparation for inpatients are lacking.

Trends in scale and structure of Korea's health expenditure over last three decades (1980-2009): financing, functions and providers.

This paper introduces statistics related to the size and composition of Korea's total health expenditure. The figures produced were tailored to the OECD's system of health accounts. Korea's total health expenditure in 2009 was estimated at 73.

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Misdiagnosed as an Acute ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Without significant coronary artery stenosis, ischemic electrocardiographic change including ST segment elevation, segmental wall motion abnormality and elevated serum cardiac-specific markers (creatine kinase-MB, Troponin-T) may develop after central nervous system injuries such as subarachnoid, intracranial or subdural hemorrhage. Misdiagnosing these patients as acute myocardial infarction may result in catastrophic outcomes. By reporting a case of a 55-year old female with subarachnoid hemorrhage mimicking acute ST elevation myocardial infarction, we hope to underline that careful attention of neurologic abnormality is critical in making better prognosis.

Combined influence of insulin resistance, overweight/obesity, and fatty liver as risk factors for type 2 diabetes.

Objective: There is dissociation between insulin resistance, overweight/obesity, and fatty liver as risk factors for type 2 diabetes, suggesting that different mechanisms are involved. Our aim was to 1) quantify risk of incident diabetes at follow-up with different combinations of these risk factors at baseline and 2) determine whether each is an independent risk factor for diabetes.

Research Design And Methods: We examined 12,853 subjects without diabetes from a South Korean occupational cohort, and insulin resistance (IR) (homeostasis model assessment-IR ≥75th centile, ≥2.