Characterization of subsp. isolated from a spotted seal () (Pinnipedia: Phocidae) stranded in Korea.

Introduction: subsp. (PDD) is an emerging marine bacterial pathogen that infects marine animals and humans, causing fatal necrotizing fasciitis and histamine fish poisoning. Despite its clinical and ecological importance, the microbiological and genomic characteristics of PDD remain largely unknown.

Dysregulation of bile acid metabolism in patients with colorectal cancer.

Bile acid (BA) metabolism and signaling may influence cancer risk. We investigated differences in circulating BA composition between healthy controls and patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and assessed the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in CRC cell lines exposed to chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA). BA, C4, and fibroblast growth factor-19 (FGF19) concentrations in serum samples from 70 controls and 133 patients with CRC were analyzed.

[Seoul Consensus on Clinical Practice Guidelines for Functional Constipation].

Chronic constipation is one of the most common digestive diseases encountered in clinical practice. Constipation manifests as a variety of symptoms, such as infrequent bowel movements, hard stools, feeling of incomplete evacuation, straining at defecation, a sense of anorectal blockage during defecation, and use of digital maneuvers to assist defecation. During the diagnosis of chronic constipation, the Bristol Stool Form Scale, colonoscopy, and a digital rectal examination are useful for objective symptom evaluation and differential diagnosis of secondary constipation.

Real-world Application of the Chicago Classification Version 4.0 for Esophageal Manometry: Asian Multicenter Study.

Background/aims: The Chicago classification version 4.0 (CC v4.0) proposes a standardized high-resolution manometry protocol for more sophisticated diagnosis of esophageal motility disorders.

Current Practices in Histological Diagnosis and Management of Asymptomatic Gastric Subepithelial Lesions: A Multicenter Survey in Korea.

Objectives: Gastric subepithelial lesions (SELs) are elevated lesions covered by normal mucosa often detected during esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Because of its submucosal location, accurate diagnosis through biopsy is challenging. We conducted a nationwide survey to identify differences in clinical practices across healthcare institutions with varying medical resources in Korea.

Current understanding of the / complex and its bacteriophages in ruminants: a review.

/ complex (SBSEC) comprises eight (sub)species, with several opportunistic pathogenic members. These SBSEC species are associated with metabolic disorders in ruminants, resulting in economic losses to the global livestock industry. Moreover, the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in SBSEC strains, particularly against commonly used antibiotics, poses serious concerns to the livestock industry.

Association between Esophageal Baseline Impedance Levels and Reflux Parameters Suggesting Defensive Mechanisms.

Introduction: Ambulatory multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH (MII-pH) monitoring and high-resolution esophageal manometry (HRM) are commonly performed to objectively assess pathologic reflux and understand the pathomechanism in individuals with reflux symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between novel MII-pH parameters and other metrics in patients experiencing refractory reflux symptoms.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients with persistent reflux symptoms, who underwent both HRM and MII-pH assessments.

Korean Registry on the Current Management of (K-Hp-Reg): Interim Analysis of Adherence to the Revised Evidence-Based Guidelines for First-Line Treatment.

Background/aims: The Korean guidelines for treatment were revised in 2020, however, the extent of adherence to these guidelines in clinical practice remains unclear. Herein, we initiated a prospective, nationwide, multicenter registry study in 2021 to evaluate the current management of infection in Korea.

Methods: This interim report describes the adherence to the revised guidelines and their impact on first-line eradication rates.

Characterization of Broad Spectrum Bacteriophage vB ESM-pEJ01 and Its Antimicrobial Efficacy Against Shiga Toxin-Producing in Green Juice.

Shiga toxin-producing (STEC) infections have increased in humans, animals, and the food industry, with ready-to-eat (RTE) food products being particularly susceptible to contamination. The prevalence of multidrug-resistant strains has rendered the current control strategies insufficient to effectively control STEC infections. Herein, we characterized the newly isolated STEC phage vB_ESM-pEJ01, a polyvalent phage capable of infecting and species, and assessed its efficacy in reducing STEC in vitro and food matrices.

Standardization of the Agar Plate Method for Bacteriophage Production.

The growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, highlights the urgent need for alternative treatments such as bacteriophage (phage) therapy. Phage therapy offers a targeted approach to combat bacterial infections, particularly those resistant to conventional antibiotics. This study aimed to standardize an agar plate method for high-mix, low-volume phage production, suitable for personalized phage therapy.

Exosome-based targeted delivery of NF-κB ameliorates age-related neuroinflammation in the aged mouse brain.

Neuroinflammation, a significant contributor to various neurodegenerative diseases, is strongly associated with the aging process; however, to date, no efficacious treatments for neuroinflammation have been developed. In aged mouse brains, the number of infiltrating immune cells increases, and the key transcription factor associated with increased chemokine levels is nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Exosomes are potent therapeutics or drug delivery vehicles for various materials, including proteins and regulatory genes, to target cells.

Adoptive Transfer of CX3CR1-Transduced Tregs Homing to the Forebrain in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Neuroinflammation and 3xTg Alzheimer's Disease Models.

CX3CR1-transduced regulatory T cells (Tregs) have shown potential in reducing neuroinflammation by targeting microglial activation. Reactive microglia are implicated in neurological disorders, and CX3CR1-CX3CL1 signaling modulates microglial activity. The ability of CX3CR1-transduced Tregs to inhibit LPS-induced neuroinflammation was assessed in animal models.

Biological and genomic characterization of the novel bacteriophage vB_VpM-pA2SJ1, which infects Vibrio parahaemolyticus associated with acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a major seafood-borne zoonotic pathogen that causes gastroenteritis in humans and acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) in shrimp. In this study, we isolated and characterized Vibrio phage vB_VpM-pA2SJ1, which infects clinical and AHPND-associated strains of V. parahaemolyticus.

Neurocognitive Characteristics of Patients Who Visited a Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic Requesting Treatment for Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

Objective: This study investigated the neurocognitive characteristics of patients who visited an outpatient clinic requesting diagnosis and treatment for adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Methods: The patients' electronic medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Neurocognitive test results were compared using Student's t-test according to their chief complaint, depressive symptoms, childhood history, and intelligence quotient (IQ).

[Diagnosis of Chronic Constipation].

Patients with chronic constipation (CC) usually complain of mild to severe symptoms, including hard or lumpy stools, straining, a sense of incomplete evacuation after a bowel movement, a feeling of anorectal blockage, the need for digital maneuver to assist defecation, or reduced stool frequency. In clinical practice, healthcare providers need to check for 'alarm features' indicative of a colonic malignancy, such as bloody stools, anemia, unexplained weight loss, or new-onset symptoms after 50 years of age. In the Seoul Consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic constipation, the Bristol stool form scale, colonoscopy, and digital rectal examination are useful for objectively evaluating the symptoms and making a differential diagnosis of the secondary cause of constipation.

Sulforaphane Inhibits IL-1β-Induced IL-6 by Suppressing ROS Production, AP-1, and STAT3 in Colorectal Cancer HT-29 Cells.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) stands as a major cause of cancer-related mortality globally, accounting for approximately 881,000 deaths each year. Traditional approaches such as chemotherapy and surgery have been the primary treatment modalities, yet the outcomes for patients with metastatic CRC are often unsatisfactory. Recent research has focused on targeting the pathways involved in oxidative stress, inflammation, and metastasis to enhance the survival of CRC patients.

Blocking Microglial Proliferation by CSF-1R Inhibitor Does Not Alter the Neuroprotective Effects of Adoptive Regulatory T Cells in 3xTg Alzheimer's Disease Mice.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that causes cognitive impairment. Neuroinflammation induced by activated microglia exacerbates AD. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play roles in limiting neuroinflammation by converting microglial polarization.