Anti-Colitic Effect of an Exopolysaccharide Fraction from KFT-18 on Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis through Suppression of Inflammatory Mediators.

We previously reported the immunostimulatory effect of an exopolysaccharide fraction from KFT18 (PE-EPS), a lactic acid bacterium, in macrophages and primary splenocytes, as well as in cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed mice. In this study, the anti-colitic activity of PE-EPS was investigated in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis animal model. PE-EPS relieved DSS-induced colitis symptoms, such as stool blood, decreased colon length, crypt disruption, and mucus layer edema.

Toxin gene profiles, genetic diversity, antimicrobial resistance, and coagulase type of from cream-filled bakery products.

We determined the toxin gene profile, toxin production, antibiotic resistance coagulase serotype, and genetic diversity of 42 coagulase-positive (CPS) isolates collected from 1,464 cream-filled bakery products in Korea. Among the CPS isolates, 37 (88.1%) produced enterotoxin genes in combination with another toxin; 26 (61.

Antimicrobial susceptibility and serotyping of isolated from ready-to-eat seafood and food processing environments in Korea.

We examined antimicrobial susceptibility and serotypes of 33 isolates collected from ready-to-eat seafood and food processing environments. The isolated strains belonged to the 1/2b (73%), 4b (15%), and 1/2a (12%) serotypes; 11 of the obtained environmental swab samples belonged to the 1/2b serogroup. Antimicrobial resistance to benzyl penicillin (100%), clindamycin (100%), oxacillin (100%), ampicillin (97%), and tetracycline (18%) was detected, and 27/33 isolates (82%) showed resistance to four antibiotics and 6/33 (18%) were resistant to five.

Adult Patients with Congenital Muscular Torticollis Treated with Bipolar Release: Report of 31 Cases.

Objective: We assessed the surgical results of bipolar release in 31 adult patients with uncorrected congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) and more than 12 months of follow-up.

Methods: Thirty-one patients underwent a bipolar release of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) and were retrospectively analyzed. The mean follow-up period was 14.

Pneumocephalus and Pneumorrhachis due to a Subarachnoid Pleural Fistula That Developed after Thoracic Spine Surgery.

Development of a communication between the spinal subarachnoid space and the pleural space after thoracic spine surgery is uncommon. Subarachnoid pleural fistula (SAPF), a distressing condition, involves cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Here we report an unusual case of SAPF, occurring after thoracic spine surgery, that was further complicated by pneumocephalus and pneumorrhachis postthoracentesis, which was performed for unilateral pleural effusion.

Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum FH185 on the Reduction of Adipocyte Size and Gut Microbial Changes in Mice with Diet-induced Obesity.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum FH185 on the reduction of adipocyte size and gut microbial changes in mice with diet-induced obesity. The strain was found to have a lipase inhibitory activity of 70.09±2.

Screening and Characterization of Lactic Acid Bacteria Strains with Anti-inflammatory Activities through in vitro and Caenorhabditis elegans Model Testing.

The present study was conducted to screen candidate probiotic strains for anti-inflammatory activity. Initially, a nitric oxide (NO) assay was used to test selected candidate probiotic strains for anti-inflammatory activity in cultures of the murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7.

Gamma-linolenic acid inhibits hepatic PAI-1 expression by inhibiting p38 MAPK-dependent activator protein and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis pathway.

Fibrosis is induced by the excessive and abnormal deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) with various growth factors in tissues. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), plays a role in inducing apoptosis, modulates fibrosis, and ECM accumulation. Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) plays an important role in the development hepatic fibrosis.

A groove technique for securing an electrode connector on the cranial bone: case analysis of efficacy.

Objective: A groove technique for securing an electrode connector was described as an alternative surgical technique in deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery to avoid electrode connector-related complications, such as skin erosion, infection, and migration.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 109 patients undergoing one of two techniques; the standard technique (52 patients using 104 electrodes) and the groove technique (57 patients using 109 electrodes) for securing the electrode connector in DBS surgery, regardless of patient disease. In the standard percutaneous tunneling technique, the connector was placed on the vertex of the cranial surface.

Selection and characterization of Cheonggukjang (fast fermented soybean paste)-originated bacterial strains with a high level of S-adenosyl-L-methionine production and probiotics efficacy.

This study was executed to develop probiotics producing S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe), a methyl group donor in the 5-methyltetrahydrofolate methylation reaction in animal cells. SAMe is an essential substance in the synthesis, activation, and metabolism of hormones, neurotransmitters, nucleic acids, phospholipids, and cell membranes of animals. SAMe is also known as a nutritional supplement for improving human brain function.

Pyrosequencing analysis of microbiota reveals that lactic acid bacteria are dominant in Korean flat fish fermented food, gajami-sikhae.

The gajami-sikhae, traditional Korean cuisine fermented with flat fish, samples were collected from eight different manufacturers (GS1-GS8). We employed pyrosequencing method to analyze the bacterial communities of the gajami-sikhae samples. Family- and genus-level analyses indicated that the bacterial community compositions of GS3 and GS6 were distinct from those of the rest.

Spongiivirga citrea gen. nov., sp. nov., a new marine bacterium of the family Flavobacteriaceae isolated from a marine sponge.

A Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, lemon-yellow pigmented, non-motile, rod-shaped strain designated A7G-39(T) was isolated from a yellow coloured marine sponge (Tethya sp.). Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the new strain represented a member of the family Flavobacteriaceae of the phylum Bacteroidetes and that it showed highest sequence similarity (94.

Bifidobacterium faecale sp. nov., isolated from human faeces.

A novel strain, designated strain CU3-7(T), was isolated from faeces of a two-week-old baby. The isolate was Gram-staining-positive, anaerobic and rod-shaped. Results from 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain CU3-7(T) was phylogenetically affiliated with members of the genus Bifidobacterium.

Hemangiopericytoma of the posterior fossa: a case report and review of the literature.

Intracranial hemangiopericytoma is unusual, and those occurring in the posterior fossa is extremely rare; we report such a rare case of hemangiopericytoma of the posterior fossa. The radiologic findings and gross characteristics of hemangiopericytomas are sometimes quite similar to those of meningiomas. Although extremely rare, the operator should be aware of the existence of this disorder to dexterously manage the aggressive nature and high vascular tendency of hemangiopericytomas.

Selection and Characteristics of Fermented Salted Seafood (jeotgal)-Originated Strains with Excellent S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) Production and Probiotics Efficacy.

This study is executed to develop probiotics which produce S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM), a methyl group donor of the 5-methyltetrahydrofolate methylation reaction within the animal cell. SAM is an essential substance for the synthesis, activation, and metabolism of hormones, neurotransmitters, nucleic acids, phospholipids, and cell membranes of animals. The SAM is also known as a nutritional supplement to improve brain functions of the human.

Pyrosequencing-based analysis of the bacterial community during fermentation of Alaska pollock sikhae: traditional Korean seafood.

We analyzed the bacterial community of Alaska pollock sikhae, a traditional Korean food made by natural fermentation with Alaska pollock, utilizing pyrosequencing. We fermented the Alaska pollock sikhae at two different temperatures (10°C and 20°C). Before fermentations, the bacterial community was varied.

Deep Brain Stimulation of the Globus Pallidus in a 7-Year-Old Girl with DYT1 Generalized Dystonia.

The experience of pediatric deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the globus pallidus internus (GPi) in the treatment of early-onset DYT1 generalized dystonia is still limited. Here, we report the surgical experience of bilateral GPi-DBS under general anesthesia by using microelectrode recording in a 7-year-old girl with early-onset DYT1 generalized dystonia. Excellent improvement of her dystonia without neurological complications was achieved.

Outcome of pallidal deep brain stimulation in meige syndrome.

Objective: Meige syndrome is the combination of blepharospasm and oromandibular dystonia. We assessed the surgical results of bilateral globus pallidus internus (GPi) deep brain stimulation (DBS) in patients with medically refractory Meige syndrome.

Methods: Eleven patients were retrospectively analyzed with follow-ups of more than 12 months.

Pallidal deep brain stimulation in primary cervical dystonia with phasic type : clinical outcome and postoperative course.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze in detail the relationship between outcome and time course of effect in medically refractory primary cervical dystonia (CD) with phasic type that was treated by bilateral globus pallidus internus (Gpi) deep brain stimulation (DBS).

Methods: Six patients underwent bilateral implantation of DBS into the Gpi under the guide of microelectrode recording and were followed for 18.7 +/- 11.

Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic area for dystonic tremor.

The stereotactic surgical target for dystonic tremor is the subject of ongoing debate. Targeting the subthalamic area using deep brain stimulation has been regaining interest as a therapy for various types of involuntary movements. We describe the efficacy of stimulation of the subthalamic area in a patient with intractable dystonic tremor.

Percutaneous balloon compression of trigeminal ganglion for the treatment of idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia : experience in 50 patients.

Objective: We assessed the surgical results of percutaneous balloon compression in 50 patients with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia.

Methods: Fifty patients with follow-up period of more than 12 months were retrospectively analyzed. The mean follow-up period was 42 months (range, 12-82).

[Re6Te8(CN)6][(Ir(CO)(PPh3)2)6](OTf)2 : a new Re6 cluster-supported iridium(I) compound.

A new hexanuclear rhenium cluster encapsulated by six iridium complexes, [Re6Te8(CN)6][(Ir(CO)(PPh3)2)6](OTf)2 (3), which is effective in catalyzing the hydrogenation of p-CH3C6H4C[triple bond]CH to p-CH3C6H4CH=CH2 has been prepared.