Lactose is a disaccharide consisting of a glucose and a galactose. Milk is a sole source of lactose in natural food. Lactase hydrolyzes lactose into glucose and galactose, which are absorbed in the intestine and utilized by the body. After weaning, lactase activity declines. Therefore, the majority of adults have hypolactasia. The prevalence is above 50% in South America, Africa, and Asia. A significant amount of lactose is consumed as cow milk-based food products. However, it has no special nutritional importance for adults, and it is suspected as a dietary risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) and ovarian cancer. The aim of this study is to review the evidence and to propose possible mechanisms regarding the relations between lactose intake and CHD and ovarian cancer. Epidemiological studies support the connection of lactose and CHD. Although several mechanisms for elucidation of this connection have been suggested, calcium theory is the most plausible. Galactose is known to be toxic to ovary. Galactose has been suggested to induce ovarian cancer through hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. Some epidemiological data support this but others do not. Consumption of lactose or galactose can induce CHD and ovarian cancer; however, more research will be needed in order to determine the relation between lactose and these diseases.

The objectives of the current study were to evaluate the therapeutic effect of dioctahedral smectite (smectite) against calf diarrhea caused by pathogenic E. coli and/or Salmonella typhimurium. In this study, 20 calves (aged 2~3 months) with diarrhea were used for evaluation of the efficacy of smectite on calf diarrhea with 20% smectite suspension in PBS. Calves received 10 ml smectite suspension three times per day after feeding, and fecal samples were collected at the gate of treatment and on the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth day after administration. On the fifth day after treatment with smectite suspension, the diarrhea index showed a significant decrease in the treated group, compared to the control group (P<0.001). The number of pathogenic E. coli in feces of the treated group was significantly decreased, compared to each control group from the second day after treatment (P<0.001), and that of Salmonella typhimurium was significantly decreased from the first day after treatment (P<0.05). According to the results of the current study, 20% smectite suspension had a therapeutic effect on diarrhea caused by E. coli and/or Salmonella in calves.

Iron is an essential trace element for normal functions of the body. Restriction of iron availability directly limits erythropoiesis. The objective of this experiment was to compare the bioavailability of iron nanoparticles (Fe-NPs) with iron-microparticles (Fe-MPs) in anemic mice. There were four experimental groups, including the normal control group, iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) group, Fe-NPs group, and Fe-MPs group. Animals in the normal group fed on an adequate iron-containing diet (45 ppm Fe). Meanwhile, animals in the other three groups fed on a low Fe diet (4.5 ppm Fe) for seven weeks. Double deionized water was supplied as drinking water ad libitum. After feeding for three weeks with the low Fe diet, animals in the Fe-NPs and Fe-MPs groups received oral administration of Fe-NPs or Fe-MPs at a daily dose of 40 mg/kg for four weeks. The IDA group showed markedly decreased red blood cell (RBC) count, hematocrit (Hct), and hemoglobin (Hb) values compared with the normal group throughout the experimental periods. Treatments with Fe-NPs or Fe-MPs for four weeks resulted in restoration of the decreased RBC count and hematological values similar to normal values. The Fe-NPs group showed faster restoration in values than Fe-MPs with passage of time. The iron contents of the upper small intestine in the Fe-NPs and Fe-MPs groups were higher than in the normal group at weeks 2 and 4. Treatment with Fe-NPs and Fe-MPs resulted in a significant increase in hepatic iron contents and lipid peroxidation, compared with the IDA group with passage of time. The iron contents in liver and ferritin deposits in spleen were identified in the Fe-NPs and Fe-MPs groups, similar to the normal group. These results indicate that oral administration of both Fe-NPs and Fe-MPs can result in recovery from anemia and Fe-NPs is more absorbable and available in the body than Fe-MPs.

Antibiotic resistant salmonellosis has shown a recent increase, making treatment of patients with Salmonella infections difficult. This study analyzed changes in the species, serogroups, and antimicrobial susceptibility of enteric pathogens isolated from stool specimens during a period of eight years from 2003 to 2010 in a tertiary hospital. In total, 237 pathogens (1.9%) were isolated from 12,289 stool specimens, comprising 50.6% NTS and 49% Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Serogroups D, B, and C Salmonella were isolated most frequently, in that order. Of the Salmonella, 49% of the isolates were ampicillin resistant and this rate for serogroups B, C, and D Salmonella was 56.8, 64.7, and 43.5%, respectively. Overall, the rates of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (SXT), chloramphenicol (CM), and ciprofloxacin resistance were 11.0, 22.0, and 0%, respectively. Two cefotaxime-resistant Salmonella were isolated in 2010. All of the V. parahaemolyticus were susceptible to SXT, CM, and tetracycline. In conclusion, NTS and V. parahaemolyticus were the major enteric pathogens isolated from stool during the eight years examined, and the rate of Salmonella resistance to antimicrobial agents showed a significant increase. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing is mandatory for proper treatment of patients with Salmonella spp. infection.

To identify subspecies and stocks of minke whale meats purchased from Korean markets during 2005-2007, we first obtained their complete sequences of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b and control region sequences, and compared these sequences to the corresponding sequences of the common minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), obtained from GenBank. From analyses with partial cytochrome b sequences (383 bp) and non-coding, partial control region sequences (463 bp), Korean mink whale meats are identified as products from the North Pacific minke whale (B. a. scammoni). In addition, the sequences of the partial control region from these meats showed G at site no. 298 and G or A at site no. 463, and the meats appeared to originate from the J stock within this subspecies. Thus, because the J stock has been protected since 1986, implementation of strict regulation measures to reduce their accidental fisheries by catch seems urgent. In addition, B. a. scammoni is distinct from B. a. acutorostrata, with an average Jukes-Cantor distance of 2.21% in the complete control region sequence analysis (935 bp) and 1.31% in the complete cytochrome b gene sequence analysis; the current results support the current subspecies classification, although further sequencing analyses with nuclear genes are necessary.

The influenza virus is an important respiratory risk affecting humans, and effective treatments are needed. Some oriental medicines are currently applied for treatment of common colds as well as influenza infection. Previous studies have reported that the therapeutic properties of MA-128 are effective for treatment of psoriasis antiasthmatic and atopic dermatitis. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic properties of the novel herbal medicine, MA-128, for treatment of influenza virus infection by oral administration. MA-128 is an active natural biological compound from herbal-marine origin. The results showed that oral administration of MA-128 in mice could confer a survival benefit against Type A influenza virus infection. Daily oral administration of MA-128 resulted in delayed death in infected mice for three days against mouse adapted H3N2 (A/Philippines/2/82). However, it protected more than 60% of mice from lethal infection of 2009 pandemic H1N1 (A/Korea/CJ01/2009) influenza virus. In addition, lung viral titers were significantly reduced at seven days post infection (~100 times) compared with mock-treated mice and viruses were cleared at 9 dpi only in the MA-128 treated groups. This study demonstrated the potential of the novel herbal medicine, MA-128, as an herbal remedy against influenza A viruses.

Human natural killer (NK) cells are major players in innate immune response. The functions of these cells as a scavenger of cancer cells are enhanced by cytokines such as interleukin-2 (IL-2), which play an important role in immune response in both tumors and virally infected cells. Liver cancer has a high incidence rate and is a major cause of death in Korea. We provide evidence that human NK cells inhibit tumor growth of the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line SNU-354. NK cells were cultured with human IL-2 for 14 days, yielding an enriched NK cell population containing 35% CD8+ cells, 6% CD4+ cells, and 51% CD16+ /CD56+ cells. Intravenous injection of NK cells at doses from 2.5 to 10 million cells/mouse was administered once per week in a nude mouse model that retains human liver tumor induced by implantation of SNU-354 cells. The results showed that human NK cells were recruited within tumor tissue and inhibited SNU-354 tumor growth by 32%, 58%, and 65%. The current data suggest the potential for use of NK cell-based immunotherapy for treatment of human liver cancer.

This study was conducted in order to investigate the effects of Acer tegmentosum Maxim. extract (ATE) in prevention of liver injury. After oral administration of ATE to SD rats, liver injuries were induced by treatment with CCl₄, galactosamine, or ethionine. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), triglyceride, and cholesterols in blood were used as indicators of liver damage. When acute hepatitis was induced by CCl₄ or galactosamine, ATE-fed rats showed a lower level of AST and ALT in plasma than ATE-unfed rats. In the case of ethionine-induced fatty liver, triglyceride levels in plasma were reduced in ATE-fed rats, compared with ATE-unfed rats. These results indicate that Acer tegmentosum Maxim. extract protected against hepatic failure.

A series of novel diaryl ether analogs possessing gallate moiety were synthesized and NF-κB inhibitory activity and cytotoxicity were evaluated. NF-κB luciferase activities in prostate LNCaP and colon cancer HCT116 cells showed that 2a, 2c, 2d, 2g, and 2i had potent to moderate inhibitory activities. In addition, 2a exerted more potent cytotoxicity than the reference compound, obovatol, against prostate (LNCaP and PC-3) and colon cancer (HCT116 and SW620) cells.

Malignant transformation of mature cystic teratoma (MCT) is rare. Sarcomatoid carcinoma is a neoplasm comprising malignant mesenchymal cells and a conventional carcinomatous area. Here, we report on a case of sarcomatoid carcinoma arising from an MCT in the left ovary of a 45-year-old female. A unilocular cyst consistent with MCT was observed; however, a nodule within the cyst was confirmed from the resected ovary. Microscopically, the nodule showed both squamous cell carcinoma and pleomorphic sarcomatous components admixing with each other. Lining epithelial cells at the periphery of the main tumor showed squamous metaplasia. When a sarcomatous component is observed in the ovary tumor, it is important to find a squamous cell component, either benign or malignant.

A four-year-old thoroughbred male horse (450 kg) who behaved in an aggressive manner toward people and other horses was referred to undergo castration surgery at the Equine Hospital, Jangsu Stud Farm and Training Center, Korea Racing Authority. Castration was performed by a closed technique using sedation (detomidine 10 mg IV) and regional anaesthesia (lidocaine) on a line 1 cm from the median raphe while the horse was standing. Incisions were made through the scrotal skin, tunica dartos, and scrotal fascia for each testis parallel to the median raphe, which was approximately 10 cm long. The testis, still capsulated by the parietal vaginal tunic, was grasped and the scrotal fascia was stripped upward from the parietal vaginal tunic using dry gauze. Then the parietal vaginal tunic, cremaster muscle, and spermatic cord were emasculated. The surgical area was disinfected without suturing. An anti-inflammatory drug (phenylbutazone) and antibiotics (benzylpenicillin + dihydrostreptomycin) were prescribed for seven days following surgery. Mild swelling and hemorrhage were observed around the region of surgery on the first day following the operation. Seven days later, no swelling or hemorrhage was observed, while formation of granulation tissue was observed in the scrotum, indicating a normal healing process.

Four small breed dogs presented with various clinical signs, including seizures. Dual-phase computed tomography (CT) angiography of the abdominal region showed early enhancement of the venous system during the arterial phase. This finding is considered a classic indication of hepatic arteriovenous fistula in CT angiography. This case report presents the clinical and diagnostic findings of hepatic arteriovenous fistula in four small breed dogs.