The purpose of present study was to investigate the antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli isolated from healthy animals in all provinces of the Republic of Korea. A total of 2,085 E. coli strains isolated from 11,336 fecal samples of healthy animals during 2010-2012 were examined for antimicrobial resistance. Comparison of average resistance rate through the years revealed that tetracycline (47.0% and 76.1%) and streptomycin resistance (42.6% and 64.6%) was most frequently observed in cattle and pigs, respectively. Whereas, in chicken isolates, resistance against nalidixic acid (90.9%) was highest among the antimicrobials tested. Percentage of E. coli that showed multidrug resistance (resistance against ${\geq}$ three subclasses of antimicrobial agents) was 17.6% (151/860) in cattle, 69.4% (506/729) in pigs, and 86.1% (427/496) in chickens. Overall, the rates of resistance are apparently different between animal species and, in particular, resistance was less prevalent in cattle than in pigs and chickens. In conclusion, this study showed higher prevalence of resistance in commensal E. coli strains to antimicrobial agents in Korean livestock and highlighted the urgent need for measures to regulate the abuse of antimicrobial agents.

Jeotgal (salted seafood) has been one of major fermented foods in Korea for long time. Although there are many studies about Jeotgal in various aspects of food, its immunological importance on hosts has not been elucidated yet. In this study, we investigated if several bacteria isolated from Jeotgal may modulate the function of dendritic cells (DCs), powerful antigen-presenting cells equipped with special immunological capabilities. 4 Jeotgal bacteria were selected as representatives and used for experiments. To treat viable DCs, those bacteria were killed at $60^{\circ}C$ for 30 min. The viability of DCs treated with Jeotgal bacteria was verified and two isolates significantly induced high production of interleukin-12, a representative cell-mediated cytokine of DCs. Surface activation and maturation markers (MHC class II, CD40, CD86) of DCs were analyzed by flow cytometer. In addition, the treated DCs showed significantly high lymphocyte stimulatory capability compared to control DCs based on allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions. These observations suggest that Jeotgal isolates can function as immunostimulating bacteria in hosts, like Lactobacillus. Taken together, these experimental evidences may broaden the use of Jeotgal isolates in immunological fields in addition to as a fermented food.

Q-fever is a vector-borne (Coxiella [C.] burnetii) zoonotic disease that is an increasing public health concern. To date, some research about Q-fever prevalence in dairy herds and human patients has been reported in Korea, but information about Korean native cattle is scarce. To measure the prevalence rates of C. burnetii in Korean native cattle, a total of 1,095 bovine serum samples collected during 2010~2013 were analyzed with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Sixty-eight heads of cattle were diagnosed as positive and while 19 heads were suspected (positive rate = 6.2%). Interestingly, Jeju province had a seropositivity rate six times greater than that of other provinces (18.9% vs. 3.2%). High seroprevalence might be caused by wide distribution of ticks in Jeju province compared to other regions. Based on these data, extensive monitoring of C. burnetii infection in cattle, tick distribution, and climate changes is required.

A nationwide survey on radiation safety management in Korean animal hospitals was conducted. By 2013, 53 radiation generators were registered as veterinary medical devices (41 X-ray generators and 12 computed tomography scanners). Additionally there were six approved laboratories for radiation equipment and protection facility, and five approved laboratories for radiation exposure of employees, respectively. By March 2013, 2,030 out of 3,829 animal hospitals operated radiation-generating devices. Among these devices, 389 (19.2%) out of 2,030 were not labeled with the model name and 746 (36.7%) were not labeled with production dates. Thus, most veterinary X-ray generators were outdated (42.6%) and needed replacements. When periodic inspections of 2,018 animal hospitals were performed after revision of the Veterinarians Act in 2011, the hospitals were found to be equipped with appropriate radiation generators and protection facilities. Among 2,545 employees exposed to radiation at the hospitals, 93.9% were veterinarians, 4.3% were animal nurse technicians, and 18% held other positions. Among 169 employees supervised by administrators, none of those had a weekly maximum operating load that exceeded $10mA{\cdot}min$. This study suggests that the radiation safety management system of animal hospitals was general good.

Bacterial infection of the uterus in Hanwoo can kill embryos. Therefore, many antibiotics have been used to treat this infection in the uterus of repeat breeders. Incorrect use of antibiotics has led to resistance in bacteria. Natural compounds have used as substitutes for antibiotics because they are safe and have very mild side effects. This study was conducted to examine the antimicrobial effects of five extracts from medicinal plants including Humulus japonicas (Hj), Phelledendron amurense (Pa), Viola mandshurica (Vm), Carthamus tinctorius (Ct), and Chelidoni herba (Ch) on bacteria isolated from the uterus of Hanwoo using the paper disc diffusion method. Hj and Pa extracts had potent antimicrobial effects against Staphylococcus lentus, Streptococcus infantarius subsp. coli, and Bacillus pumilus. Pa had the greatest antimicrobial effect among the five medicinal plants and was effective against 19 types of bacteria from bovine uterus. Compared to Pa, Hj showed weaker antimicrobial effects on all the bacteria tested except Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Vm, Ct, and Ch also showed weak antimicrobial effects on the tested bacteria. The results obtained suggest that Hj and Pa are natural compounds suitable for treating bacterial infection in repeat breeders and improving conception rates of Hanwoo.

The present study compared leptin, adiponectin, and thyroid hormone concentrations in normal and obese dogs, and evaluated the association between leptin and adiponectin concentrations and thyroid function. The serum leptin, adiponectin, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), total thyroxine (tT4), free thyroxine (fT4), triiodothyronine (T3), and cortisol concentrations were measured in 18 normal dogs (body condition score [BCS]: 4-5/9) and 16 obese dogs (BCS: 8-9/9). Leptin and T3 concentrations were higher in the obese group than the normal weight group (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). In both groups, the T3 and leptin concentrations were correlated (r = 0.370, p < 0.05), as were the TSH and fT4 and adiponectin concentrations (r = -0.373, p < 0.05 and r = 0.369, p < 0.05, respectively). In the normal weight group, the TSH and fT4 concentrations were correlated with the adiponectin concentrations (r = -0.528, p < 0.05 and r = 0.482, p < 0.05, respectively). The results of the present study suggest that leptin and T3 concentrations are significantly higher in obese dogs than normal weight dogs, and the serum T3 and leptin concentrations are positively correlated.

Garlic and mugwort have long been used in traditional medicine to prevent various diseases. Several in vitro studies have reported protective efficacies of garlic and mugwort in cases of gastric cancer. In the present study, we investigated the cancer preventive effects of garlic and mugwort mixture extract (GME) in a Helicobacter (H.) pylori-associated gastric carcinogenesis mouse model. To induce gastric cancer, C57BL/6 mice were treated with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea and H. pylori. Various concentrations of GME (0, 100, 500, and 1,000 ppm) were then fed to the mice for 38 weeks, after which the tumor tissues were examined for histopathology, mucin histochemistry and ${\beta}$-catenin. The incidence of gastric tumors was significantly lower in the highest dose GME-treated mice (46.7%) than control mice (85.7%) (p < 0.05). The multiplicity and size of tumors were also significantly reduced by GME feeding in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.01). Furthermore, GME suppressed the H. pylori-associated chronic inflammation measured by histologic grading of H. pylori density, chronic gastritis, glandular atrophy and intestinal metaplasia in non-tumorous gastric mucosae. Our data suggest that GME suppresses gastric tumorigenesis via suppression of H. pylori-associated chronic inflammation.

This study investigated the anatomy of the nutrient foramen (NF) in German Shepherds by recording the number, site, position, and direction of penetration of the nutrient canal (NC) in the humerus, radius, and ulna of 50 individuals. The site index of the nutrient foramen (SI) was calculated as the ratio of the length to the NF site from the proximal end to the greatest length of the bone. The NF diameter was measured using different sized needles. Most humeri had only one NF on the caudal surface, particularly on the lateral supracondylar crest, or distal cranial surface. All radii had one NF, usually on the caudal surface, while most ulnae had one NF located on either the cranial or lateral surfaces. The SI and NF diameters were 58.0~59.5% and 0.73~0.78 mm in the humerus, 30.4~30.9% and 0.74~0.76 mm in the radius, and 29.3~29.8% and 0.67~0.68 mm in the ulna, respectively. With the exception of the relatively proximal NF of the radius, the direction of penetration followed Berard's rule. This study provides novel information on the location and diameter of the NF and direction of the NC in the long bones of the pectoral limb of German Shepherds.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) strains responsible for recent outbreaks in the United States have been occurring in Mainland Korea since late 2013. Over the past 10 years, PEDV outbreaks have not been reported on Jeju Island. However, in late March of 2014, PEDV re-emerged on Jeju Island and was found to be genetically identical to PEDV strains currently circulating in Mainland Korea. The present study was conducted to provide a better understanding of the epidemiology of PEDV and more effective preventive measures against PED.

This study evaluated the antibacterial effects of a mixture of Sophorae radix and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer (1 : 1) ethanol extracts (SGE) on mice infected with Streptococcus (S.) pyogenes. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration of SGE necessary for antibacterial effects against S. pyogenes were $20{\mu}g/mL$. Based on the time-kill curves for S. pyogenes, SGE was effective at $4{\times}$ MIC after 16 h. On Day 12 after challenge, the survival rate of mice treated with 2.0 mg/kg SGE was 60%. In conclusion, SGE had potent in vitro and in vivo antibacterial activities against S. pyogenes.

A 2-year old castrated male Alaskan malamute was referred with primary complaints of marked anemia, hemeglobinuria and depression. Laboratory tests revealed canine babesiois with severe anemia. The dog was treated by blood transfusion and beneril (diminazene aceturate, 3.5 mg/kg IM). Two days after Beneril injection, the dog suddenly showed ataxia progressing to paresis. MRI revealed irregularly diffused lesions in the cerebellum. The case was tentatively diagnosed as cerebellar encephalopathy caused by diminazene toxicity. The dog successfully recovered following steroid therapy.