• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.303-314
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• 2000

In order to evaluate prevalence and perception on the intestinal trematodes of inhabitants at Docho-island, Shinan-gun, Chollanam-do, a questionnaire survey for the epidemiological study and stool examination for the detection of the eggs of the trematodes were done on 224 individuals at the island from January to February, 2000. The results were as follows: 1. Egg positive rate of the intestinal trematodes was 21.0%. 2. The egg positive rate has revealed significantly higher in the elderly over age 70 than other ages, higher in seashore villagers than inland ones, and higher in persons who had a rural and/or marine ph than persons with other jobs, respectively(P<0.05). 3. The egg positive rate of alcoholic drinkers was higher than non-alcoholic persons, and the rate was also higher in smokers than non-smokers. It was statistically significant(P<0.05). 4. The egg positive rate was shown to be significantly higher in inhabitants who ate raw mullet that was well known to be the source of infection with the intestinal trematodes than people who did not eat the raw marine fishes(P<0.01). 5. The egg positive rate was also significantly higher in humans who had the complaints of frequent abdominal pain and diarrhea than healthy people(P<0.05). In conclusion, the prevalence of intestinal trematodes at the island located in the south and west area in Korea was too high to eradicate the parasitic infections. So a special program is necessary for the control of the trematode infections in many adjacent islands at Chollanamdo.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.2228-2236
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• 2017

During menopausal transition, the imbalance of estrogen causes body weight gain. Although gut microbiome dysbiosis has been reported in postmenopausal obesity, it is not clear whether there is any difference in the microbiome profile between dietary-induced obesity and postmenopausal obesity. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed intestinal samples from ovariectomized mice and compared them with those of mice with high-fat diet-induced obesity. To further evaluate the presence of menopause-specific bacteria-gene interactions, we also analyzed the liver transcriptome. Investigation of the 16S rRNA V3-V4 region amplicon sequence profile revealed that menopausal obesity and dietary obesity resulted in similar gut microbiome structures. However, Bifidobacterium animalis was exclusively observed in the ovariectomized mice, which indicated that menopausal obesity resulted in a different intestinal microbiome than dietary obesity. Additionally, several bacterial taxa (Dorea species, Akkermansia muciniphila, and Desulfovibrio species) were found when the ovariectomized mice were treated with a high-fat diet. A significant correlation between the above-mentioned menopause-specific bacteria and the genes for female hormone metabolism was also observed, suggesting the possibility of bacteria-gene interactions in menopausal obesity. Our findings revealed the characteristics of the intestinal microbiome in menopausal obesity in the mouse model, which is very similar to the dietary obesity microbiome but having its own diagnostic bacteria.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.8.1-8.12
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• 2023

Background: Intestinal parasites in livestock cause huge economic setbacks. Moreover, these parasites can threaten human health when also present in companion animals. Objectives: The study examined the prevalence and burden of intestinal parasites among roaming/migrating animals (goats, sheep, cattle, and dogs) to provide insights into the risk of potential human parasitic infections. Methods: A total of 1,741 fecal samples from goats (n = 920), sheep (n = 335), cattle (n = 230) and dogs (n = 256) were obtained randomly across 18 local government areas in Edo State, Nigeria. The parasite samples were recovered and identified under a microscope. Molecular tools were used to identify Toxocara spp. Results: Eighteen different parasites were isolated. Among the different groups of parasites observed, nematodes occurred the most, followed by protozoans. Among nematodes, Haemonchus was most prevalent in goats (28.04%) and sheep (29.85%), while Strongyloides (10.86%) and Bunostomum (8.69%) were relatively high in cattle. Strongyloides (3.9%), hookworm (3.9%), and Toxocara (3.12%) were the predominant parasites in dogs. For protozoan parasites, Eimeria was most common in all 4 animal hosts. Several goats (2.39%) and sheep (2.38%) tested positive for Fasciola spp. Molecular analysis confirmed Toxocara canis in dogs for the first time in Nigeria. Conclusions: The major parasites recovered from these roaming/migrating animals have zoonotic potentials that can threaten human health.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.155-173
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• 2011

Humans have and hold 100 trillion intestinal bacteria that are essential for health. For millions of years human-microorganisms interaction has co-evolved, and maintained close symbiotic relationship. Gut bacteria contributes to human health and metabolism, and humans provides the optimum nutrition-rich environment for bacteria. What is the mechanism of the host distinguishing the intestinal bacteria as its cohabiting partner and what kind of benefits does the gut microbiota provide the human are the fundamental questions to be asked and solved in order to make human life a higher quality. This review explains the physiological relationship and mutualism between the host and gut microorganism, and highlights the potential therapeutic approach for treating diseases, maintaining and improving health based on these correlations.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.37-47
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• 2009

National surveys on the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections have been carried out every 5-7 years since 1971 in the Republic of Korea in order to establish control measures. The present nationwide survey was conducted from June to December 2004. The 10% population sampling data of Population and Housing Census by the Korean government in 2000 was used as the survey population. One sample was selected randomly from each of the 22,858 registered subjects, and a total of 20,541 people were ultimately included in this survey. Fecal examinations were performed by the cellophane thick smear and saturated brine flotation techniques. Pinworm infection was examined by cello-tape anal swab method. This survey also included a questionnaire study for a socioeconomic analysis. The total helminth egg positive rate was 3.7%, and the estimated total positive number among nationwide people was 1,780,000. The rates in urban and rural areas were 3.1% and 6.8%, respectively. As the total egg positive rate in the 6th survey in 1997 was 2.4%, the present survey showed that there was a considerable degree of increase in the prevalence rate of intestinal parasitic infections over the 7-year period following the 6th survey. The largest increases occurred in the egg positive rates of Clonorchis sinensis and heterophyids including Metagonimus yokogawai.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.182-187
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• 1988

Ovariectomy induced hyperphagia was reported in various animal models. It was postulated that hyperphagia resulted in interstinal hypertrophy and hyperplasia. Therefore, this study was performed to compare the food intake and intestinal changes between ovariectomized rats(OVX) and sham operated rats(Sham). Results of this study showed that the food intake and body weight of OVX animal was significantly higher than those of Sham animal. This results confirmed the effect of ovarian hormone on the food intake regulation. Hyperphagia induced by ovariectomy influence the intestinal cell growth and showed hyperplasia determined by protein/DNA ratio. Maltase and alkaline phosphatase activity suggested that the intestinal cell was fully matured in body groups. There were no difference in weight of other organs, such as liver, heart and kindney between two groups.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.453-458
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• 1994

Intestinal microbial flora comprise one third of the large intestinal contents in human. They play a significant effects through beneficial and harmful action on the human health. This is the first study which examined the composition of the microflora of the general population in Korea. Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Eubacterium, Peptostreptococcus, Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus, Clostridium perfringens, total aerobic bacteria and total anaerrobic bacteria were counted using various selective and non-selective media. Among the bacteria studied the number of Bifidobacterium were greatest in breast-fed infants(30-90 days old), whereas Streptocuccus and Bifidobacterium in bottle-fed infants. In 20-40 age group Bacteroides were predominant followed by Bifidobacterium and Eubacterium. In early group(over 65 years old) Bacteroides were predominant followed by Eubacterium and bifidobacterium. The frequency and number of Cl. perfringens were highest in dlderly group. These results confirm that the microfloral pattern in large intestine change during the life cycle of humans.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.201-203
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• 2016

Intestinal rupture caused by small bowel volvulus was diagnosed in a captive 13-year-old male American black bear. The animal presented with decreased appetite, depression, lethargy, and mild abdominal distention for 3 days. The animal was treated with antibiotics, hypermetabolites, and digestive medicine daily; however, it died on the third day of treatment. The clinical symptoms included hemorrhagic ascites, gaseous extension of the small intestine, and intestinal rupture caused by small bowel volvulus. Hemorrhagic signs were observed in the lungs and heart. This is the first case to describe small bowel volvulus in mammals of the family Ursidae.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2000

The effect of levanheptaose produced by levanase from Streptomyces sp. 366L on principle intestinal microflora was investigated. The reaction product, levanheptaose, was used as a carbon source for various intestinal microflora. As a results, Bifidobacterium adolescentis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Eubacterium limosum grew effectively in the in vitro experiment, whereas Clostridium perfringens, E. coli, and Staphylococcus aureus did not. Therefore levanheptaose seems to promote selectively the growth of B. adolescentis and L. acidophilus. In the in vivo experiment, the effect of levanheptaose on the growth of intestinal microflora, $\beta$-fructosidase activity, pH, and butyrate concentration were examined in rats. Apparently, the number of fecal Bifidobacteria, the amount of butyrate, and $\beta$-fructosidase activity were increased, whereas total aerobes and pH were reduced in rats fed by levanheptaose diets, compared with those of control diets. We concluded that those effects may be beneficial in improving gastrointestinal health.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.388-396
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• 2020

Purpose: Impaired intestinal mucosal integrity may affect the gastrointestinal function, especially in relation to nutrition, absorption, and barrier function. The purpose of this study was to measure the prevalence of impaired intestinal mucosal integrity in presumed healthy children aged 1-3 years and assess the effects of zinc, glutamine, fiber, and prebiotic supplementation in them. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 200 children aged 1-3 years in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, Indonesia. A randomized double-blind parallel group method clinical trial was then performed to assess the effects of zinc, glutamine, fiber, and prebiotic supplementation. Results: Elevated calprotectin was found in 91/200 subjects (45.5%) at the onset of the study. After 10 months, 144 subjects completed the study: 72 subjects received the trial formula, whereas the other 72 received the standard formula. A transitory decrease in fecal calprotectin (FC) was observed after 6 months in the subgroup with normal FC levels, who were fed the test formula (p=0.012). Conclusion: The prevalence of impaired intestinal mucosal integrity in this group of Indonesian children aged 1-3 years was high. Supplementation with zinc, glutamine, fiber, and prebiotics during 6 months reduced FC only in those who had low levels at baseline but not in those with impaired integrity.