Draft Genome Sequences of Two Strains of Bifidobacterium dentium Isolated from a Crude Fecal Extract Used for Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in the Republic of Korea.

We present the draft genome sequences of two strains isolated from a fecal extract for fecal microbiota transplantation at a hospital in the Republic of Korea. Phylogenetic and functional analyses were performed to understand the physiological characteristics and functions of spp. in the human intestine.

Isolation and characterization of five novel probiotic strains from Korean infant and children faeces.

Probiotics are dietary supplements containing viable, non-pathogenic microorganisms that interact with the gastrointestinal microflora and directly with the immune system. The possible health effects of probiotics include modulating the immune system and exerting antibacterial, anticancer, and anti-mutagenic effects. The purpose of this study was to isolate, identify, and characterize novel strains of probiotics from the faeces of Korean infants.

Characterization of the fecal microbiota differs between age groups in Koreans.

Background/aims: Tens of trillions of microorganisms constitute the gut microbiota of the human body. The microbiota plays a critical role in maintaining host immunity and metabolism. Analyses of the gut microbial composition in Korea are limited to a few studies consisting of small sample sizes.

Metformin Facilitates Amyloid-β Generation by β- and γ-Secretases via Autophagy Activation.

The evidence of strong pathological associations between type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease (AD) has increased in recent years. Contrary to suggestions that anti-diabetes drugs may have potential for treating AD, we demonstrate here that the insulin sensitizing anti-diabetes drug metformin (Glucophage®) increased the generation of amyloid-β (Aβ), one of the major pathological hallmarks of AD, by promoting β- and γ-secretase-mediated cleavage of amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP) in SH-SY5Y cells. In addition, we show that metformin caused autophagosome accumulation in Tg6799 AD model mice.

Disruption of blood-brain barrier in Alzheimer disease pathogenesis.

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) regulates transport of various molecules and maintains brain homeostasis. Perturbed intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis and BBB damage have been implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease (AD). Although receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is known to mediate Aβ transcytosis across the BBB, molecular mechanisms underlying Aβ-RAGE interaction-induced BBB alterations are largely unknown.

Aβ₁₋₄₂-RAGE interaction disrupts tight junctions of the blood-brain barrier via Ca²⁺-calcineurin signaling.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB), which is formed by adherens and tight junctions (TJs) of endothelial cells, maintains homeostasis of the brain. Disrupted intracellular Ca²⁺ homeostasis and breakdown of the BBB have been implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is known to interact with amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) and mediate Aβ transport across the BBB, contributing to the deposition of Aβ in the brain.

Intracellular amyloid-β accumulation in calcium-binding protein-deficient neurons leads to amyloid-β plaque formation in animal model of Alzheimer's disease.

One of the major hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the extracellular deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) as senile plaques in specific brain regions. Clearly, an understanding of the cellular processes underlying Aβ deposition is a crucial issue in the field of AD research. Recent studies have found that accumulation of intraneuronal Aβ (iAβ) is associated with synaptic deficits, neuronal death, and cognitive dysfunction in AD patients.

Isolation and characterization of postnatal stem cells from human dental tissues.

It was reported that postnatal stem cells are present in adult tissues such as bone marrow, liver, muscle, dental pulp, and periodontal ligament. We isolated postnatal stem cells from human dental tissues such as dental pulp (DPSC), periodontal ligament (PDLSC), periapical follicle (PAFSC), and the surrounding mandibular bone marrow (MBMSC) to ascertain their properties. Immunocytochemistry proved the existence of stem cells in these cell populations using STRO-1 as a stem cell marker.