Human originated bacteria, Lactobacillus rhamnosus PL60, produce conjugated linoleic acid and show anti-obesity effects in diet-induced obese mice.
Many previous studies have reported that conjugated linoleic acid could be produced by starter culture bacteria, but the effects of the bacteria were not investigated. Moreover, there was no evidence of the conjugated linoleic acid-producing bacteria having potential health or nutritional effects related to conjugated linoleic acid, including reducing body fat. Here, we investigated the anti-obesity effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus PL60, a human originated bacterium that produces t10, c12-conjugated linoleic acid, on diet-induced obese mice. After 8 weeks of feeding, L. rhamnosus PL60 reduced body weight without reducing energy intake, and caused a significant, specific reduction of white adipose tissue (epididymal and perirenal). Although the size of epididymal adipocytes was not reduced by L. rhamnosus PL60, apoptotic signals and UCP-2 mRNA levels increased in adipose tissue. Liver steatosis, a well known side effect of CLA, was not observed by L. rhamnosus PL60 treatment; on the contrary it seemed to be normalized. Results showed that the amount of conjugated linoleic acid produced by Lactobacillus rhamnosus PL60 was enough to produce an anti-obesity effect.

title: Targeted expression of catalase to mitochondria prevents age-associated reductions in mitochondrial function and insulin resistance.
abstract: Aging-associated muscle insulin resistance has been hypothesized to be due to decreased mitochondrial function, secondary to cumulative free radical damage, leading to increased intramyocellular lipid content. To directly test this hypothesis, we examined both in vivo and in vitro mitochondrial function, intramyocellular lipid content, and insulin action in lean healthy mice with targeted overexpression of the human catalase gene to mitochondria (MCAT mice). Here, we show that MCAT mice are protected from age-induced decrease in muscle mitochondrial function (∼30%), energy metabolism (∼7%), and lipid-induced muscle insulin resistance. This protection from age-induced reduction in mitochondrial function was associated with reduced mitochondrial oxidative damage, preserved mitochondrial respiration and muscle ATP synthesis, and AMP-activated protein kinase-induced mitochondrial biogenesis. Taken together, these data suggest that the preserved mitochondrial function maintained by reducing mitochondrial oxidative damage may prevent age-associated whole-body energy imbalance and muscle insulin resistance.

title: Differential roles of human Dicer-binding proteins TRBP and PACT in small RNA processing
abstract: During RNA interference and related gene regulatory pathways, the endonuclease Dicer cleaves precursor RNA molecules to produce microRNAs (miRNAs) and short interfering RNAs (siRNAs). Human cells encode a single Dicer enzyme that can associate with two different double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-binding proteins, protein activator of PKR (PACT) and trans-activation response RNA-binding protein (TRBP). However, the functional redundancy or differentiation of PACT and TRBP in miRNA and siRNA biogenesis is not well understood. Using a reconstituted system, we show here that PACT and TRBP have distinct effects on Dicer-mediated dsRNA processing. In particular, we found that PACT in complex with Dicer inhibits the processing of pre-siRNA substrates when compared with Dicer and a Dicer–TRBP complex. In addition, PACT and TRBP show non-redundant effects on the production of different-sized miRNAs (isomiRs), which in turn alter target-binding specificities. Experiments using chimeric versions of PACT and TRBP suggest that the two N-terminal RNA-binding domains of each protein confer the observed differences in dsRNA substrate recognition and processing behavior of Dicer–dsRNA-binding protein complexes. These results support the conclusion that in humans, Dicer-associated dsRNA-binding proteins are important regulatory factors that contribute both substrate and cleavage specificity during miRNA and siRNA production.

title: Clinical features of echovirus 6 and 9 infections in children.
abstract: Clinical features of echovirus 6 and 9 infections in children have not been comprehensively evaluated, particularly for sporadic cases.



To describe the clinical features of children with echovirus 6 or 9 infections.



From 2000 to 2008, 199 children with culture-proven echovirus 6 or 9 infections identified in a university-affiliated hospital were included. Data extracted from 174 inpatients were further analyzed.



Age ranged from 4 days to 15 years with a mean of 4.7 years. 123 (62%) were male. The disease spectrums were similar for echovirus 6 (n=100) and 9 (n=74) infections, with aseptic meningitis (49% and 51%, respectively) being the most common syndrome, followed by meningismus, upper respiratory tract infection, pneumonia, and herpangina. All 174 inpatients had fever but the duration of fever was significantly longer in patient with echovirus 9 infection than those with echovirus 6 infections (6.0 days vs. 3.8 days, p<0.001). The rate of leukocytosis (leukocyte count>15,000/μL) were significantly higher in patients with echovirus 6 infections than those with echovirus 9 infection (p<0.001). One neonate with echovirus 6 infection died from hepatic necrosis with coagulopathy, and one infant with echovirus 6 infection and one child with echovirus 9 infection died from brain involvement. Two children had long-term sequelae of seizure disorder. The remaining 169 children (97%) recovered uneventfully.



For children with echovirus 6 or 9 infections requiring hospitalization, aseptic meningitis was the most common manifestation and fatal outcome or long-term sequel, though rare, might occur.

title: Fibrosarcoma of the ovary arising in a fibrothecomatous tumor with minor sex cord elements. A Case report and review of the literature.
abstract: We report the case of a 69-year-old woman who presented with postmenopausal bleeding. Endometrial curettings showed complex atypical hyperplasia with focal well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. A computed tomographic scan of the abdomen revealed a right ovarian mass. Histologically, the right ovarian tumor was a fibrothecoma with minor sex cord elements showing focal fibrosarcomatous change. Fibrosarcoma of the ovary is a rare tumor that is considered to arise de novo or secondary to benign fibromatous tumors. Fibrothecoma of the ovary with minor sex cord elements is also a rare entity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a fibrosarcoma arising in a fibrothecoma with minor sex cord elements.

title: TRBP alters human precursor microRNA processing in vitro.
abstract: MicroRNAs play central roles in controlling gene expression in human cells. Sequencing data show that many miRNAs are produced at different levels and as multiple isoforms that can vary in length at their 5' or 3' ends, but the biogenesis and functional significance of these RNAs are largely unknown. We show here that the human trans-activation response (TAR) RNA binding protein (TRBP), a known molecular partner of the miRNA processing enzyme Dicer, changes the rates of pre-miRNA cleavage in an RNA-structure-specific manner. Furthermore, TRBP can trigger the generation of iso-miRNAs (isomiRs) that are longer than the canonical sequence by one nucleotide. We show that this change in miRNA processing site can alter guide strand selection, resulting in preferential silencing of a different mRNA target. These results implicate TRBP as a key regulator of miRNA processing and targeting in humans.

title: Comparing upper gastrointestinal X-ray and endoscopy for gastric cancer diagnosis in Korea.
abstract: To compare the cost and accuracy of upper gastrointestinal (GI) X-ray and upper endoscopy for diagnosis of gastric cancer using data from the 2002-2004 Korean National Cancer Screening Program (NCSP).



The study population included 1,503,646 participants in the 2002-2004 stomach cancer screening program who underwent upper GI X-ray or endoscopy. The accuracy of screening was defined as the probability of detecting gastric cancer. We calculated the probability by merging data from the NCSP and the Korea Central Cancer Registry. We estimated the direct costs of the medical examination and the tests for upper GI X-ray, upper endoscopy, and biopsy.



The probability of detecting gastric cancer via upper endoscopy was 2.9-fold higher than via upper GI X-ray. The unit costs of screening using upper GI X-ray and upper endoscopy were $32.67 and $34.89, respectively. In 2008, the estimated cost of identifying one case of gastric cancer was $53,094.64 using upper GI X-ray and $16,900.43 using upper endoscopy. The cost to detect one case of gastric cancer was the same for upper GI X-ray and upper endoscopy at a cost ratio of 1:3.7.



Upper endoscopy is slightly more costly to perform, but the cost to detect one case of gastric cancer is lower.