Probiotic bacteria exhibit a variety of properties, which are unique to a particular strain. Lactobacillus acidophilus-SDC 2012, 2013 are new strains isolated from Korean infants' feces. The potential utility of Lactobacillus acidophilus-SDC 2012, 2013 in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was studied. Forty IBS patients were randomized into a placebo (n = 20) and probiotics group (n = 20). Four weeks of treatment with L. acidophilus-SDC 2012, 2013 was associated with a reduced score for abdominal pain or discomfort compared to the baseline (P = 0.011). The percent reduction in abdominal pain or discomfort exceeded the placebo scores by more than 20% (23.8 and 0.2% for probiotics and placebo, respectively, P = 0.003). There was a significant difference in the proportion of responders between the probiotics and placebo groups (P = 0.011). There was no drop out or adverse events for either group during the study period. Lactobacillus acidophilus-SDC 2012, 2013 appeared to have a beneficial effect in patients with IBS. Further studies are warranted.

Chronic hyperglycemia is toxic to pancreatic ␤-cells, impairing cellular functioning as observed in type 2 diabetes; however, the mechanism underlying ␤-cell dysfunction and the resulting apoptosis via glucose toxicity are not fully characterized. Here, using MIN6N8 cells, a mouse pancreatic ␤-cell line, we show that chronic exposure to high glucose increases cell death mediated by Bax oligomerization, cytochrome C release, and caspase-3 activation. During apoptosis, glucokinase (GCK) expression decreases in high-glucose-treated cells, concomitant with a decrease in cellular ATP production and insulin secretion. Moreover, exposure to a chronically high dose of glucose decreases interactions between GCK and mitochondria with an increase in Bax binding to mitochondria and cytochrome C release. These events are prevented by GCK overexpression, and phosphorylation of proapoptotic Bad proteins in GCK-overexpressing cells is prolonged compared with Neo-transfected cells. Similar results are obtained using primary islet cells. Collectively, these data demonstrate that ␤-cell apoptosis from exposure to chronic high glucose occurs in relation to lowered GCK expression and reduced association with mitochondria. Our results show that this may be one mechanism by which glucose is toxic to ␤-cells and suggests a novel approach to prevent and treat diabetes by manipulating Bax-and GCK-controlled signaling to promote apoptosis or proliferation. Diabetes 54:2602-2611, 2005

Prevalence of adenoma in subjects aged 40-49 years was higher than in previous studies. Male sex and current smoking habits along with a family history of colorectal cancer were associated with advanced adenoma in this age group.

The surveillance interval for low-risk patients could be extended beyond 5 years. Colonoscopic surveillance should be targeted to high-risk patients, and 3-year follow-up after initial polypectomy may be appropriate.

The features of heterogeneous echotexture, internal echogenic foci in scattered-dot pattern, and a hypoechoic rim or posterior shadowing itself could be discriminative ultrasonographic criteria for differentiating pilomatricomas from other subcutaneous tumors.

Expression of adiponectin decreases with obesity and insulin resistance. At present, the mechanisms responsible for negatively regulating adiponectin expression in adipocytes are poorly understood. In this investigation, we analyzed the effects of 5 serial deletion constructs on the murine adiponectin promoter. Here, we identified the repressor region located between ؊472 and ؊313 bp of the promoter. Removal of the putative nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFATs) binding site increased the promoter activity, and overexpression of NFATc4 reduced the promoter activity. Treatment with the calcium ionophore A23187, an activator of NFAT, reduced mRNA as well as promoter activity. The binding of NFATc4 to the promoter was associated with increased recruitment of histone deacetylase 1 and reduced acetylation of histone H3 at the promoter site. In addition, binding of activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) to the putative activator protein-1 site located adjacent to the NFAT binding site also repressed the promoter activity. Treatment with thapsigargin, an inducer of ATF3, reduced both mRNA and promoter activity. Importantly, the binding activities of NFATc4 and ATF3, increased significantly in white adipose tissues of ob/ob and db/db mice compared with controls. Taken together, this study demonstrates for the first time that NFATc4 and ATF3 function as negative regulators of adiponectin gene expression, which may play critical roles in downregulating adiponectin expression in obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Background/AimsThe incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is increasing in Korea. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between GERD symptoms and dietary factors in Korea.MethodsFrom January 2007 to April 2008, 162 subjects were enrolled (81 in GERD group and 81 in control group). They were asked to complete the questionnaires about GERD symptoms and dietary habits. The symptom severity score was recorded by visual analogue scale.ResultsSubjects with overweight or obesity had an increased risk for GERD (OR, 2.52; 95% CI, 1.18-5.39). Irregular dietary intake was one of the risk factors for GERD (OR, 2.33; 95% CI, 1.11-4.89). Acid regurgitation was the most suffering (2.85 ± 2.95 by visual analogue scale) and frequent reflux-related symptom (57.5%) in GERD. Noodles (OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.12-1.34), spicy foods (OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.02-1.16), fatty meals (OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.09-1.33), sweets (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.00-2.02), alcohol (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.03-1.31), breads (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.01-1.34), carbonated drinks (OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.04-2.74) and caffeinated drinks (OR,1.41; 95% CI, 1.15-1.73) were associated with symptom aggravation in GERD. Among the investigated noodles, ramen (instant noodle) caused reflux-related symptoms most frequently (52.4%).ConclusionsWe found that noodles, spicy foods, fatty meals, sweets, alcohol, breads, carbonated drinks and caffeinated drinks were associated with reflux-related symptoms.

AIM:To determine the prevalence and risk factors o f w o r k-r e l a t e d m u s c u l o s k e l e t a l d i s o r d e r s i n gastrointestinal endoscopists in Korea. METHODS: A survey of musculoskeletal symptoms, using a self-administered questionnaire, was conducted on 55 endoscopists practicing in general hospitals or health promotion centers. RESULTS: Forty-nine (89.1%) endoscopists reported musculoskeletal pain on at least one anatomic location and 37 (67.3%) endoscopists complained of pain at rest. Twenty-six (47.3%) endoscopists had severe musculoskeletal pain defined as a visual analogue score greater than 5.5. Factors related to the development of severe pain were (1) standing position during upper endoscopy, (2) specific posture/ habit during endoscopic procedures, and (3) multiple symptomatic areas. Finger pain was more common in beginners, whereas shoulder pain was more common in experienced endoscopists. Sixteen percent of symptomatic endoscopists have modified their practice or reduced the number of endoscopic examinations. Only a few symptomatic endoscopists had sought professional consultation with related specialists. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in endoscopists is very high. The location of pain was different between beginners and experienced endoscopists. Measures for the prevention and a d e q u a t e m a n a g e m e n t o f e n d o s c o p y-r e l a t e d musculoskeletal symptoms are necessary.