In this study, a medicinal herbal plant, Cinnamomum cassia, was extracted by three different methods using water, methanol, or ethanol. For anti-helicobacter activity screening, inhibitory zone tests as an in vitro assay were performed respectively with the extracting compounds. As the result of inhibitory zone test, Cinnamomum cassia extract exhibited strong anti-helicobacter activity. In addition, we performed a comparison of the antibacterial activities according to the extracting methods of Cinnamomum cassia against Helicobacter pylori. The 70% ethanol-extracted compound exhibited stronger anti-helicobacter activity than the compounds extracted with water or methanol. These results indicate that it can be used for treatment against H. pylori infection and protected against H. pylori-induced pathology using 70% ethanol-extracted Cinnamomum cassia.

The previous studies of p16^INK4a, pRb, p53, and Ki-67 expression suggested that these markers may be preferentially expressed in cervical neoplasms. The purpose of this study was to assess the expression and the clinical significance of p16^INK4a, pRb, p53, and Ki-67 proteins in cervical lesions. We obtained 106 cases with various categories of cervical squamous mucosa, including squamous cell carcinoma (n=35), cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) II/III (n=26), CIN I (n=10), squamous metaplasia (n=15), and normal squamous mucosa (n=20). Immunohistochemical staining was performed for p16INK4a, pRb, p53, and Ki-67 proteins in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue sections of the uterine cervix. Evaluation of immunohistochemical staining was based on the frequencies of expression and the mean immunoreactivity scores (IS) in each diagnostic category. p16INK4a positive sotaining was observed in 26 of 35 cases (74.3%) of squamous cell carcinoma, in 16 of 26 cases (61.5%) of CIN II/III, in six of 10 cases (60%) of CIN I, in nine of 15 cases (60%) of squamous metaplasia, and negative in normal squamous mucosa. pRb expression was detected in all diagnostic categories; however, the proportion of pRb positive cells was relatively decreased in CIN II/III (38.5%) and squamous cell carcinomas (51.4%), compared to normal squamous epithelium (90%) and squamous metaplasia (73.3%). No significant differences in expression of p53 were observed in any diagnostic categories. Ki-67 expression was increased in squamous cell carcinoma (37.1%), CIN II/ III (42.3%), and CIN I (40%), but negative in squamous metaplasia and normal mucosa. In 35 cases of squamous cell carcinomas, multivariate analysis revealed no differences in p^INK4a, pRb, p53, and Ki-67 expression according to the age of the patient, lymph node metastasis and clinical stage. In conclusion, the combined use of p16^INK4a and Ki-67 immunoreactivity could improve the diagnostic specificity of squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

Inter-breed and individual variations in thoracic conformation often resulted in incorrect diagnosis during interpretation of canine thoracic radiographs. Therefore, it may be helpful to build a collection of normal thoracic radiographs of different breeds for useful reference. The aim of this study is to establish a normal canine thoracic radiograph database according to breed, age, and body weight. Medical records and thoracic radiographs of Veterinary Medical Center, Chungbuk National University were reviewed retrospectively. Normal thoracic radiographs of 170 dogs out of 640 patients who had thoracic radiographs were obtained. In 170 normal dogs, Maltese, Shih-tzu, Yorkshire Terriers, and Miniature Poodle were the most prevalent breeds, with 90 dogs. In this study, the normal canine thoracic radiograph database was established in the four breeds; it can be used as normal references for interpretation of canine thoracic radiographs.

The aim of this study was to investigate the morphological development of fungiform papillae in native Korean goats by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Tongues were removed from fetuses on days 120 and 150 of gestation and from juveniles on days 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 after birth. The sizes of fungiform papillae in the newborn were 225.0-250.0 μm, the weaning period of 60-day-old goats was 271-294 μm and the maturing period of 180-day-old goats was 385-398 μm, respectively. The primordia of fungiform papillae had the typical feature of a mushroom shape in a 120-day-old fetus. In a 150-day-old fetus (neonate), fungiform papillae had features similar to those of the adult form and showed a gradual increase in size with slight morphological changes until 150-day-old goats. Microridges, microplicae, and micropits were well developed on the epithelial surface of lingual papillae from 60 to 150-day-old goats. The results obtained in this study might provide some basic data on the mechanisms that control the morphogenesis and development of the lingual papillae in ruminants.

This study was performed to investigate the anti-obesity and anti-lipidemic ability of linalool (LL) in ApoE deficient mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Mice were divided into four experimental groups of eight each. Mice in the control group received a basic diet and oral repeated dose of the vehicle only for 12 weeks; mice in the HFD group received a HFD and oral repeated dose of the vehicle only for 12 weeks; and the HFD&LL25 and HFD&LL50 groups received a HFD and oral repeated dose of LL 25 and 50 mg/kg/day for 12 weeks, respectively. Mice in the HFD group showed a significant increase in body weight, spleen weight, and adipose tissue weight, compared with the control group. An increase in the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities, total cholesterol (T-CHO), triglyceride (TG), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol was also observed in the HFD group. Histopathological examinations showed severe liver injuries, characterized by extensive fatty changes and hepatocyte degeneration/necrosis. On the contrary, oral administration with LL resulted in significantly improved HFD-induced obesity and hyperlipidemia, indicated by a decrease in adipose tissue weight, T-CHO, TG, and histopathological lesions. The results indicate that LL suppressed HFD-induced obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, and hepatic steatosis, suggesting that LL might be a promising adjuvant therapy for treatment of these metabolic disorders related to corpulence.

Probiotics, enzymes, organic acids, oligosaccharides, antioxidants, and other functional materials are actively being explored as alternatives to antibiotics. Probiotics include live beneficial microorganisms that colonize the intestinal tract and competitively inhibit attachment and growth of harmful microbes. Probiotics also increase feed efficiency by assisting in nutrient absorption and digestion. The current study was conducted in order to evaluate the effect of a new probiotic, CS-A, as a dietary supplement of a fermented product on growth performance, feed intake, and feed conversion efficiency in broiler chickens, and to evaluate its value as an alternative for antibiotics used as a feed additive. Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of CS-A were investigated in vitro and the in vivo effects of a constant concentration of supplemented CS-A on growth rate and feed efficiency were evaluated. In addition, the safety of CS-A was assessed by examination of common symptoms and mortality. Determination of minimal inhibitory concentration revealed an excellent antibacterial effect of CS-A. Cytotoxicity was low and anti-inflammatory effects were achieved at the effective concentration of CS-A. Supplementation with 0.1% CS-A resulted in a feed efficiency score of 1.84 in broilers, compared to 2.00 in the control group. There were no adverse clinical findings, necropsy findings, hematology, and altered serum biochemistry parameters, and no mortality. Thus, it is concluded that CS-A is safe and effective as a feed additive.

Expression of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) in the early phase of hepatocarcinogenesis induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) was investigated. At 14 days of age, 60 ICR mice were divided into two groups and treated with saline (group 1) or DEN (group 2, 10 mg/kg of body weight, i.p. injection), and were sacrificed at 6 h and 1, 2, 3, 7, and 28 days after treatment with saline or DEN. During necropsy, half of the liver from saline- or DEN-treated mice was processed for histopathological examination and immunohistochemical staining of EpCAM and apoptosis. The remaining liver tissue was snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen for RNA extraction and analysis of EpCAM mRNA expression. Immunohistochemical examination showed that EpCAM expression was detected only in a small number of hepatocytes from saline-treated mice and its expression was detected in bile duct cells and round cells around portal areas, as well as hepatocytes in the livers of DEN-treated mice. In addition, multiple apoptotic cells were found in the livers of mice treated with DEN. EpCAM mRNA expression was significantly higher in DEN-treated mice at 1, 7, and 28 days compared to saline-treated mice at 6 h (P<0.01). Taken together, EpCAM expression and apoptosis were increased in liver by DEN treatment.

Proteinuric conditions demonstrate structural and compositional changes of the foot processes and slit diaphragms between podocytes. β-Catenin in podocytes serves as an adapter protein anchoring P-cadherin of slit diaphragms to actin filaments of the podocyte cytoskeleton. To investigate the effect of ginseng total saponin (GTS) on pathologic changes of podocyte P-cadherin/β-catenin unit induced by diabetic conditions, we cultured mouse podocytes under: 1) normal glucose (5 mM, = control); 2) high glucose (HG, 30 mM); 3) advanced glycosylation end products (AGE)-added; or 4) HG plus AGE-added conditions and treated with GTS. In confocal imaging, β-catenin colocalized with P-cadherin predominantly at intercellular junction area. However, diabetic conditions relocalized and concentrated both molecules at perinuclear cytoplasmic area. In Western blotting, diabetic conditions, especially HG plus AGE-added condition, also decreased cellular β-catenin protein levels at 6, 24, and 48 hours. GTS improved such quantitative and qualitative changes of β-catenin. These findings imply that HG plus AGE have an influence on the redistribution and amount of P-cadherin/ β-catenin unit of podocytes, which can be reversed by GTS.

Competitive ELISA methods were used to measure the level of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) from urine in 1008 Korean adults. Subjects were selected by random sampling in all areas of Korea, except Cheju-do. The recovery rate of AFM1 using this method was 105% (73-124%). The geometric mean of urinary AFM1 in all subjects was 3.43 pg/mL (3.67 ng/g creatinine). The level of AFM1 in males was statistically higher, compared with female subjects. However, the levels of AFM1 did not differ according to age. Subjects in Chungbuk-do showed the highest urinary AFM1 concentration, whereas subjects in Kyeongnam-do showed the lowest concentration. Assuming an excretion rate of 5%, this AFM1 excretion corresponds to approximately 0.1 microgram/day in Korean adults.

A five-month-old female pomeranian dog (weighing 0.95 kg) with a history of cyanosis, exercise intolerance, and delayed growth presented to Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Gyeongsang National University. Findings on diagnostic imaging studies showed a dextropositioned and over-riding aorta, pulmonic stenosis, ventricular septal defect, right ventricular hypertrophy, and atrial septal defect. Based on the diagnostic findings, the dog was diagnosed as a case of tetralogy of Fallot with atrial septal defect (pentalogy of Fallot).

A 10-year-old intact female Cocker Spaniel weighing 15.3 kg presented with dysbasia. The dog had hyperglycemia and glucosuria at presentation. Neurological examination and magnetic resonance imaging on the following day indicated the onset of cervical disk disease. Four days later, the patient returned due to sudden vomiting and anorexia with severe dehydration. Abnormal laboratory findings included severe hyperglycemia with ketonuria. Plasma progesterone concentration was very high at presentation. She was hospitalized for critical care, and insulin administration with fluid therapy was initiated. Mean blood glucose concentration showed a gradual decline, and hyperglycemia with glucosuria disappeared four days after initiation of insulin therapy. This case demonstrated that high plasma progesterone concentration during diestrus can contribute to development of diabetes mellitus in intact female dogs.