Recent studies have shown an increased abundance of Sphingomonas paucimobilis, an aerobic, Gram-negative bacterium with a distinctive cell envelope rich in glycosphingolipids, within the gut microbiome of individuals with Alzheimer Disease (AD). However, the fact that S. paucimobilis is a well-known pathogen associated with nosocomial infections presents a significant challenge in investigating whether its presence in the gut microbiome is detrimental or beneficial, particularly in the context of AD. This study examines the impact of S. paucimobilis-derived extracellular vesicles (Spa-EV) on Aβ-induced pathology in cellular and animal models of AD. Microarray analysis reveals that Spa-EV treatment modulates Aβ42-induced alterations in gene expression in both HT22 neuronal cells and BV2 microglia cells. Among the genes significantly affected by SpaEV, notable examples include Bdnf, Nt3/4, and Trkb, which are key players of neurotrophic signaling; Pgc1α, an upstream regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis; Mecp2 and Sirt1, epigenetic factors that regulate numerous gene expressions; and Il1β, Tnfα, and Nfκb-p65, which are associated with neuroinflammation. Remarkably, Spa-EV effectively reverses Aβ42-induced alteration in the expression of these genes through the upregulation of Mecp2. Furthermore, administration of Spa-EV in Tg-APP/PS1 mice restores the reduced expression of neurotrophic factors, Pgc1α, MeCP2, and Sirt1, while suppressing the increased expression of proinflammatory genes in the brain. Our results indicate that Spa-EV has the potential to reverse Aβ-induced dysregulation of gene expression in neuronal and microglial cells. These alterations encompass those essential for neurotrophic signaling and neuronal plasticity, mitochondrial function, and the regulation of inflammatory processes.

Recent studies have shown an increased abundance of Sphingomonas paucimobilis, an aerobic, Gram-negative bacterium with a distinctive cell envelope rich in glycosphingolipids, within the gut microbiome of individuals with Alzheimer Disease (AD). However, the fact that S. paucimobilis is a well-known pathogen associated with nosocomial infections presents a significant challenge in investigating whether its presence in the gut microbiome is detrimental or beneficial, particularly in the context of AD. This study examines the impact of S. paucimobilis-derived extracellular vesicles (Spa-EV) on Aβ-induced pathology in cellular and animal models of AD. Microarray analysis reveals that Spa-EV treatment modulates Aβ42-induced alterations in gene expression in both HT22 neuronal cells and BV2 microglia cells. Among the genes significantly affected by SpaEV, notable examples include Bdnf, Nt3/4, and Trkb, which are key players of neurotrophic signaling; Pgc1α, an upstream regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis; Mecp2 and Sirt1, epigenetic factors that regulate numerous gene expressions; and Il1β, Tnfα, and Nfκb-p65, which are associated with neuroinflammation. Remarkably, Spa-EV effectively reverses Aβ42-induced alteration in the expression of these genes through the upregulation of Mecp2. Furthermore, administration of Spa-EV in Tg-APP/PS1 mice restores the reduced expression of neurotrophic factors, Pgc1α, MeCP2, and Sirt1, while suppressing the increased expression of proinflammatory genes in the brain. Our results indicate that Spa-EV has the potential to reverse Aβ-induced dysregulation of gene expression in neuronal and microglial cells. These alterations encompass those essential for neurotrophic signaling and neuronal plasticity, mitochondrial function, and the regulation of inflammatory processes.

Recent studies have shown an increased abundance of Sphingomonas paucimobilis, an aerobic, Gram-negative bacterium with a distinctive cell envelope rich in glycosphingolipids, within the gut microbiome of individuals with Alzheimer Disease (AD). However, the fact that S. paucimobilis is a well-known pathogen associated with nosocomial infections presents a significant challenge in investigating whether its presence in the gut microbiome is detrimental or beneficial, particularly in the context of AD. This study examines the impact of S. paucimobilis-derived extracellular vesicles (Spa-EV) on Aβ-induced pathology in cellular and animal models of AD. Microarray analysis reveals that Spa-EV treatment modulates Aβ42-induced alterations in gene expression in both HT22 neuronal cells and BV2 microglia cells. Among the genes significantly affected by SpaEV, notable examples include Bdnf, Nt3/4, and Trkb, which are key players of neurotrophic signaling; Pgc1α, an upstream regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis; Mecp2 and Sirt1, epigenetic factors that regulate numerous gene expressions; and Il1β, Tnfα, and Nfκb-p65, which are associated with neuroinflammation. Remarkably, Spa-EV effectively reverses Aβ42-induced alteration in the expression of these genes through the upregulation of Mecp2. Furthermore, administration of Spa-EV in Tg-APP/PS1 mice restores the reduced expression of neurotrophic factors, Pgc1α, MeCP2, and Sirt1, while suppressing the increased expression of proinflammatory genes in the brain. Our results indicate that Spa-EV has the potential to reverse Aβ-induced dysregulation of gene expression in neuronal and microglial cells. These alterations encompass those essential for neurotrophic signaling and neuronal plasticity, mitochondrial function, and the regulation of inflammatory processes.

Recent studies have shown an increased abundance of Sphingomonas paucimobilis, an aerobic, Gram-negative bacterium with a distinctive cell envelope rich in glycosphingolipids, within the gut microbiome of individuals with Alzheimer Disease (AD). However, the fact that S. paucimobilis is a well-known pathogen associated with nosocomial infections presents a significant challenge in investigating whether its presence in the gut microbiome is detrimental or beneficial, particularly in the context of AD. This study examines the impact of S. paucimobilis-derived extracellular vesicles (Spa-EV) on Aβ-induced pathology in cellular and animal models of AD. Microarray analysis reveals that Spa-EV treatment modulates Aβ42-induced alterations in gene expression in both HT22 neuronal cells and BV2 microglia cells. Among the genes significantly affected by SpaEV, notable examples include Bdnf, Nt3/4, and Trkb, which are key players of neurotrophic signaling; Pgc1α, an upstream regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis; Mecp2 and Sirt1, epigenetic factors that regulate numerous gene expressions; and Il1β, Tnfα, and Nfκb-p65, which are associated with neuroinflammation. Remarkably, Spa-EV effectively reverses Aβ42-induced alteration in the expression of these genes through the upregulation of Mecp2. Furthermore, administration of Spa-EV in Tg-APP/PS1 mice restores the reduced expression of neurotrophic factors, Pgc1α, MeCP2, and Sirt1, while suppressing the increased expression of proinflammatory genes in the brain. Our results indicate that Spa-EV has the potential to reverse Aβ-induced dysregulation of gene expression in neuronal and microglial cells. These alterations encompass those essential for neurotrophic signaling and neuronal plasticity, mitochondrial function, and the regulation of inflammatory processes.

Objective: Dysphagia is a common clinical condition characterized by difficulty in swallowing. It is sub-classified into oropharyngeal dysphagia, which refers to problems in the mouth and pharynx, and esophageal dysphagia, which refers to problems in the esophageal body and esophagogastric junction. Dysphagia can have a significant negative impact one’s physical health and quality of life as its severity increases. Therefore, proper assessment and management of dysphagia are critical for improving swallowing function and preventing complications. Thus a guideline was developed to provide evidence-based recommendations for assessment and management in patients with dysphagia. Methods: Nineteen key questions on dysphagia were developed. These questions dealt with various aspects of problems related to dysphagia, including assessment, management, and complications. A literature search for relevant articles was conducted using Pubmed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and one domestic database of KoreaMed, until April 2021. The level of evidence and recommendation grade were established according to the Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology. Results: Early screening and assessment of videofluoroscopic swallowing were recommended for assessing the presence of dysphagia. Therapeutic methods, such as tongue and pharyngeal muscle strengthening exercises and neuromuscular electrical stimulation with swallowing therapy, were effective in improving swallowing function and quality of life in patients with dysphagia. Nutritional intervention and an oral care program were also recommended. Conclusion This guideline presents recommendations for the assessment and management of patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia, including rehabilitative strategies.

Background and Objectives: Recent guidelines from the Korean Thyroid Association have proposed a threshold of 6.8 mIU/L for diagnosing subclinical hypothyroidism based on local research findings. However, due to the lack of standardization/harmonization, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) testing yields varying results across different reagent manufacturers. Hence, the use of uniform reference intervals is challenging. We aimed to establish assay-specific Korean reference interval for TSH. Materials and Methods: We performed duplicate measurements on 100 serum samples with varying TSH concentrations (0-23 mIU/L) using eight different TSH reagents including Alinity I TSH (Abbott), Access TSH (Beckman Coulter), Elecsys TSH (Roche), TSH3UL (Siemens),TSH IRMA (Beckman Coulter), TSH1 RIA (Brahms), TSH IRMA TUBE II (Riakey), Turbo TSH IRMA (Izotop).Correlation and simple linear regression analyses were conducted among 8 reagents with Roche as the reference. Results The correlation coefficient for each reagent was notably high at 0.99. Through regression analysis, TSH values equivalent to the 6.8 mIU/L (Roche) were determined for each reagent as follows: Abbott 5.2 mIU/L, Beckman 6.5 mIU/L, Siemens 6.9 mIU/L, Beckman-Radioimmunoassay 7.4 mIU/L, Brahms 5.7 mIU/L, Riakey 5.3 mIU/L, Izotop 6.0 mIU/L. Conclusion: Given the observed differences in TSH values associated with different reagents, it is imperative to consider these differences when interpreting results within various clinical contexts and adapting them to clinical practice.

Objective: Subjective pain is experienced differently by each patient; therefore, modalities that can objectify subjective symptoms are useful. Electrophysiology tests and infrared (IR) thermography can present subjective symptoms in an objective manner. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of electrophysiology tests and IR thermography in patients with intradural extramedullary (IDEM) schwannoma and statistically analyze the results to verify the positive relationship between the subjective neurologic symptoms and test results. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data from 23 patients, pathologically confirmed to have IDEM spinal schwannoma after surgery between January 2012 and December 2020. All patients were preoperatively examined using IR thermography and an electrophysiology test. IR thermography was conducted again week after operation. The IR thermography results were classified as either positive or negative. Results: Radiculopathy symptoms were reported in 16 cases and myelopathy in 7 cases. Among the radiculopathy patients, 9 out of 16 (56.2%) showed positive electrophysiology test results. Among the myelopathy patients, 2 out of 7 (28.5%) showed positive electrophysiology test results. In the radiculopathy group, 15 out of 16 (93.7%) patients showed positive IR thermography results. In the myelopathy group, 2 out of 7 (28.5%) patients showed positive IR thermography results. The correlation between the IR thermography and electrophysiology test was analyzed. In the radiculopathy group, positive electrophysiology test result was obtained in 8 out of 15 (53.5%) patients with positive IR thermography result. Conclusion In patients with IDEM schwannoma presenting radiculopathy symptoms, IR thermography is a complementary tool to objectify the neurological symptoms.

Desmoid fibromatosis is a locally aggressive myofibroblastic neoplasm. In this study, we report a case of desmoid fibromatosis in the paraspinal muscle that was misdiagnosed as intramuscular schwannoma through incisional biopsy at another hospital. We performed total excision of the mass lesion with a clear margin. We found that for an accurate diagnosis, magnetic resonance imaging, incisional biopsy and excisional biopsy were required.

This case report presents a rare case of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) caused by spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH). The cause and prognosis of CVT can vary;CVT caused by SIH is uncommon and difficult to diagnose and treat. In this case, magnetic resonance imaging myelography showed definite cerebrospinal fluid leakage, and the patient's symptoms did not improve after conventional treatment. Furthermore, subdural hematoma occurred, causing mental deterioration; however, it improved dramatically after the blood patch procedure and burr hole drainage, which was performed after early cessation of anticoagulant therapy.

Purpose: This study was conducted to assess the efficacy of prophylactic gingival grafting in the mandibular anterior labial area for preventing orthodontically induced gingival recession. Methods: Eight mongrel dogs received gingival graft surgery at the first (I1) and third (I3) mandibular incisors on both sides based on the following group allocation: AT group (autogenous connective tissue graft on I1), AT-control group (contralateral side in the AT group), CM group (xenogeneic cross-linked collagen matrix graft on I3) and CM-control group (contralateral side in the CM group). At 4 weeks after surgery, 6 incisors were splinted and proclined for 4 weeks, followed by 16 weeks of retention. At 24 weeks after surgery, casts were made and compared with those made before surgery, and radiographic and histomorphometric analyses were performed. Results: Despite the proclination of the incisal tip (by approximately 3 mm), labial gingival recession did not occur. The labial gingiva was thicker in the AT group (1.85±0.50 mm vs.1.76±0.45 mm, P>0.05) and CM group (1.90±0.33 mm vs. 1.79±0.20 mm, P>0.05) than in their respective control groups. Conclusions The level of the labial gingival margin did not change following labial proclination of incisors in dogs. Both the AT and CM groups showed enhanced gingival thickness.