• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• 제25권5호
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• pp.396-405
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• 2022

Purpose: This study evaluated the predictive role of fecal calprotectin (FC) measured at an early stage of treatment for monitoring clinical remission (CR) after six months and endoscopic remission (ER) after one year of treatment in pediatric Crohn's disease (CD). Methods: This retrospective study included 45 patients who simultaneously underwent ileocolonoscopy and FC testing during follow-up. FC levels were measured before and after six weeks of treatment. CR was assessed after six months of treatment using Pediatric Crohn' s Disease Activity Index and acute-phase reactants. ER was assessed after one year using the Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn's Disease. Results: Twenty-nine (64.4%) patients used oral prednisolone for remission induction and 16 (35.6%) patients used anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Thirty (66.7%) patients achieved CR, while 24 (53.3%) achieved ER. The FC level measured after six weeks of treatment could predict CR (χ²=9.15, p=0.0025) and ER (χ²=12.31, p=0.0004). The δFC could predict CR (χ²=7.91, p=0.0049), but not ER (χ²=1.85, p=0.1738). With a threshold of ≤950.4 ㎍/g, FC at week six could predict CR with 76.7% sensitivity and 73.3% specificity. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.769 (standard error 0.0773, p=0.0005). The same threshold predicted ER with 87.5% sensitivity and 71.4% specificity. The AUC was 0.774 (standard error 0.074, p=0.0002). Conclusion: FC assay at an early stage of treatment can be used as a surrogate marker to predict CR and mucosal healing in pediatric CD.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.465-472
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• 2018

Our aim was to determine the detection rate of respiratory viruses (RVs) in feces of patients with acute viral respiratory infection (AVRI) and the detection rate of diarrheal viruses (DVs) in nasopharyngeal samples from patients with acute viral gastroenteritis. The relationships between the presence of fecal RVs or nasopharyngeal DVs and their impacts on the clinical severity were also investigated. A total of 144 fecal specimens were collected from AVRI patients and 95 nasopharyngeal specimens were collected from acute viral gastroenteritis patients. Clinical characteristics and laboratory profiles were compared between subgroups on the basis of the presence or absence of virus in the specimens. The detection rate of RVs in feces was 17.4% (25/144), whereas the detection rate for viruses identical to the respiratory pathogen was 10.4% (identical group, 15/144). Within the identical group, adenovirus (86.7%, 13/15) was most commonly found. Patients in the identical group showed statistically higher values for C-reactive protein, mean age, increased frequency of vomiting, and decreased frequency of chest film involvement and cough (p < 0.05). The detection rate of nasopharyngeal DVs among acute viral gastroenteritis patients was 19.0% (18/95), and in the identical group it was 15.8% (15/95). Norovirus group II and enteric adenovirus were the major pathogens detected in the identical group. There were no significant differences in clinical characteristics and laboratory profiles between the subgroups. In conclusion, the major pathogens of fecal RV and nasopharyngeal DV were adenovirus and norovirus group II, respectively. However, their relationship with the clinical symptoms or disease severity is unclear.

• 한국식품영양학회지
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• 제31권5호
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• pp.640-646
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• 2018

Cassia obtusifolia L. is commonly used as medicinal foods to treat gastrointestinal disease in many countries. This study evaluated the anti-constipation effects of ethanolic extract of Cassia obtusifolia L. in rats with loperamide-induced constipation. Diffferent concentrations of ethanolic extract of Cassia obtusifolia L. (0, 10, 250, and 500 mg/kg) was administered to rat orally once daily for 3 weeks following loperamide treatment. Six-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats (N=25) were randomly divided into five groups: normal control and experimental groups and injected loperamide intraperitoneally to induce constipation in the latter four experimental groups. Following the induction of loperamide-induced constipation, a marked decrease was observed in the fecal weight and water content discharged for over 1 week and intestinal transit time while an increase was observed in the number of fecal pellets remaining in the colonic lumen as compared with the normal control group. These conditions were significantly alleviated following the administration of the two doses (250 and 500 mg/kg) of ethanolic extract of Cassia obtusifolia L. when compared to the loperamide-treated (constipation control) group. More specifically, the number of fecal pellets in the colon was 3, 5, 4, 2.8, and 1.2 in the five groups, respectively and the corresponding GIT ratio was 70.77, 56.59, 58.67, 66.81, and 72.10%, respectively. The fecal water content, transit distance, and GIT ratio in the high-dose treatment group were significantly higher than that in the medium-dose treatment group, but a significant decrease in the number of fecal pellets in the colon. In conclusion, the Cassia obtusifolia L. extract is suggested to have beneficial effects as a therapeutic and preventive strategy to alleviate constipation and to relieve the symptoms of constipation such as pain, flatulence, distention, bloating, and unpleasant taste.

• 농업과학연구
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• 제48권3호
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• pp.447-454
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• 2021

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different copper sources (inorganic and organic) on the growth performance, fecal copper excretion, intestinal morphology, and health in growing pigs. A total of 40 growing pigs (30.22 ± 1.92 kg) were randomly assigned to 5 dietary treatments: a basal control diet (CON), 4 experimental diets supplemented with either copper sulfate (CuSO₄), Cu-glycine complex (CuGly), Cu-amino acid complex (CuAA), or Cu-hydroxy-4-methylthio butanoate chelate complex (CuHMB) at 100 ppm, respectively. At the end of the study (28 days), fecal and blood samples were collected, and the pigs were slaughtered to determine the intestinal morphology. During the 28 days of the experimental period, pigs fed the inorganic and organic copper showed a higher average daily gain (p < 0.01) and gain feed ratio (p < 0.01). There were no differences in mineral concentrations of the serum; however, the copper concentration of the feces was lower (p < 0.01) in the CuAA and CuHMB groups. The intestinal morphology and blood profiles did not significantly differ between the groups. In conclusion, the organic copper sources (CuAA and CuHMB) can be used as a growth promoter to replace the CuSO₄ without any negative effects on health in growing pigs and to reduce fecal copper excretion.

• 한국수산과학회지
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• 제51권6호
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• pp.697-703
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• 2018

In 2017, total coliform (TC), fecal coliform (FC) and fecal Streptococci (FS) bacteria were examined in seawater samples collected at coastal sites on Jeju Island (Aewol as a control, Namwon, and Daejeong) and at Pohang (Yeongil as a control, Guryongpo-North, and Guryongpo-South) to examine the correlations between the density of fish farms and distributions of the indicator bacteria. Only a few TC, FC, and FS colonies were detected in all of the samples obtained from Jeju Island. Of note, 2,000 and 1,000 CFU of FS $100mL^{-1}$ were detected in samples from Guryongpo-South in June and August, respectively. Although the total area of approved fish farms located within 5 km of the sampling point at Guryongpo-South is 5-16 times smaller than in other regions, the number of indicator bacteria was highest in this region. Therefore, microbiological pollution in the Guryongpo-South region might be due to sources other than the effluent released from nearby fish farms.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.169-173
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• 2017

Perianal Crohn's disease is a major problem that impair quality of life. This article reviews the current surgical treatment of Crohn's perianal fistula. Fistulotomy and loose seton are commonly used surgical methods for treatment of perianal Crohn's disease. Mucosal advancement flap and fibrin glue are used in this treatment, despite a lake of controlled trials. Fecal diversion is disturbingly high in complicated complex perianal fistula in Crohn's disease. Ligation of intersphincteric fistula and autologous or allogenic stem cells are new surgical procedures for treatment of Crohn's disease that need further studies. Treatment success might be improved by multimodal treatment and new surgical and medical treatment options.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제52권3호
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• pp.181-187
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• 2020

분변 칼프로텍틴(fecal calprotectin, FC)은 염증성 장질환의(inflammatory bowl disease, IBD)의 감별진단을 위한 표지자(marker)로 이용되고 있다. 또한 FC는 세균에 의한 분해가 어려워 실온에서도 1주일 정도 안정적으로 유지되며 대변 내에 균일하게 분포한다는 장점으로 치료효과의 판정과 재발을 에측하는 표지자로 활발히 연구되고 있다. 본 연구는 30~80대까지의 제주 거주 건강한 성인 남녀를 대상으로 하였다. 전체 건강대상군(N=45)의 FC 농도 범위는 0~545.9 ㎍/g로 아주 넓게 분포하였다. 건강한 성인들의 FC농도는 연령에 따라 유의한 차이를 보임을 알 수 있었으며 3개의 연령군 중에서 평균연령이 80.6세인 70세 이상의 연령군의 FC농도는 평균연령이 44세인 50세 미만의 연령군의 FC농도인 15.88 ㎍/g에 비해 약 10배 이상의 농도인 160.3 ㎍/g을 보였고 평균연령이 59.6세의 경우에도 50세 미만 연령층에 비해 2배 이상 농도인 35.46 ㎍/g 보여 연령과 FC 농도 간에는 유의한 상관관계를 보였다. 결론적으로 FC검사가 비침습적이며 비용 효과적이고 객관적인 IBD검사의 marker로 이용되기 위해서는 연령에 따른 정교한 cut-off 값이 필요하며 본 연구 결과가 IBD의 감별진단을 위한 기초자료를 제공할 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.369-376
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• 2019

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of inflammatory biomarkers in acute infectious diarrhea among children. Methods: Clinical parameters including fever, bacterial and viral etiology based on stool culture and multiplex polymerase chain reaction, and nine biomarkers including C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and leukocytes in blood and calprotectin, lactoferrin, myeloperoxidase, polymorphonuclear elastase, leukocytes, and occult blood in feces were evaluated in children who were hospitalized due to acute diarrhea without underlying disease. Results: A total of 62 patients were included. Among these patients, 33 had fever, 18 showed bacterial infections, and 40 patients were infected with 43 viruses. Of all the biomarkers, CRP was significantly correlated with fever (p<0.001). CRP, ESR, calprotectin, lactoferrin, myeloperoxidase, fecal leukocytes, and occult blood were significantly associated with infection with bacterial pathogens (p<0.001, p=0.04, p=0.03, p=0.003, p=0.02, p=0.03, p=0.002, respectively). The combination of CRP and fecal lactoferrin at their best cut-off values (13.7 mg/L and $22.8{\mu}g/mL$, respectively) yielded a sensitivity of 72.2%, and a specificity of 95.5% for bacterial etiology compared with their individual use. Conclusion: Blood CRP is a useful diagnostic marker for both fever and bacterial etiology in acute pediatric diarrhea. The combination of CRP and fecal lactoferrin yields better diagnostic capability for bacterial etiology than their use alone for acute diarrhea in children without underlying gastrointestinal disease.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• 제48권2호
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• pp.163-172
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• 2024

Background: Fruit bats are natural carriers of Nipah virus (NiV). The primary objective of this study is to identify potential reservoir species in a selected geographic regions. It is necessary to determine an accurate species identification of the associated reservoir bat species distributed in a specific region. Results: In this study, we collected 20 different bat specimens from the NiV-prone area of the Kushtia district. Among these, 14 were tissue samples (BT-1-14) and six were fecal samples (BF-1-6). We used the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b, one of the most abundant and frequently used genetic markers, for polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing. Out of the 20 samples, 12 tissue samples and 2 fecal samples were successfully amplified and sequenced. However, two tissue samples and four fecal samples yielded chimeric sequences, rendering them unsuitable for annotation. The sequences of the successfully amplified samples were compared to those deposited in the National Center for Biotechnology Information database using basic local alignment search tool to identify the bat specimen collected. The study identified six different bat species using both morphological and genetic data, which may carriers of the NiV. Conclusions: Our results suggest that additional research should be conducted to gather more information on fruit bats from different localities across the country. The study contributes to the establishment of appropriate measures for NiV carrying disease control and management.

• 한국자원식물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국자원식물학회 2018년도 추계학술대회
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• pp.120-120
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• 2018

Intestinal microbiota is strongly connected to health of host. It has been reported that not only metabolic disease like diabetes and obesity, but psychological diseases are affected by composition of intestinal microbiota. To figure it out the importance of the composition and relationship between disease and microbiota, intensive researches have done with human and experimental animals. But, the composition of the intestinal microbiota could be affected by several factors such as experimental environments, feeding, water, and bedding. As a result, the data from each experimental group might be diverse. It also affects experiments about biological activities of plant materials. In this study, mouse intestinal bacteria were isolated from fresh feces and identified by 16S rRNA gene to use in biological activities of natural medicines. The fecal supernatant was anaerobically incubated at $37^{\circ}C$ for 48 hours. Colonies were picked up separately and incubated again in same condition to increase quantity to analyze and stock. The bacteria strains were listed up and could be used for many researches including biological activities of plant materials and change in composition of intestinal bacteria itself.