Traditionally, pathologists examine tissue slides under a microscope to find pathological lesions, and have the burden of finding the lesions among so many histopathology slides. Furthermore, inconsistency of diagnoses results differ corresponding to training among researchers. Therefore, accumulated research experience has led to the use of novel tools for increasing accuracy and consistency of diagnoses. With rapid transition from analog to digital methods and new developments in digital pathology, it is possible to use whole slide imaging (WSI) by scanning glass slides. Artificial intelligence (AI), including machine learning and deep learning using WSI, is starting to be applied to automatically classify and count microscope images, and this method has been expanded to include the field of medical image analysis. This review aims to define current trends toward AI application in the biomedical area, especially in the field of toxicopathology, outline current future business trends, and discuss multiple issues of diagnosis, quantification, three-dimensional reconstruction, molecular pathological research, and the future direction of AI in toxicopathology. Big data systems including a large amount of welldefined toxicopathological information will be highly useful for accuracy and corrections of diagnoses. In addition, the need for critical peer review is profound in the continuing educational process. Taken together, it is highly promising that AI model based on big data in the toxicopathological field could classify, detect, and segment pathological lesions in numerous organs of experimental animals and could help explain various biological mechanisms. This promising approach will provide an accurate and fast analysis of tissue structure and biological pathways using AI algorithms and big data.

Celecoxib, a cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 selective inhibitor, was approved as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), and this therapeutic application has been expanded to several other diseases, including colon cancer. Notably, a treatment strategy combining the use of celecoxib and radiation therapy has been employed for improving the control of local cancers. In this study, we examined the effect of celecoxib on irradiation-induced intestinal damage. The twenty four mice (BALB/c) were divided into four groups; 1) sham-irradiated control group, 2) celecoxib-treated group, 3) irradiated group, and 4) celecoxib-treated irradiation group. Mice were orally administered celecoxib at a dose of 25 mg/kg in a 0.1 mL volume, daily for 4 days after irradiation exposure (10 Gy). Then, histological examinations of the jejunal villous height, crypt survival, and crypt size were performed. The expression of COX-2 after administration of celecoxib in irradiated mice was examined by employing immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and qPCR analysis. The jejunal villi height and the crypt survival were reduced in the irradiation group compared with the sham-irradiated group. Celecoxib treatment in irradiation mice even more decreased those indicators. Crypt size was increased in the radiation group compared to the sham-irradiated control group, whereas the size was decreased in the celecoxibtreated irradiation group compared with the group exposed to the radiation injury. COX-2 expression was detected in the crypt of the small intestine, and COX-2 expression was increased in the crypt lesion following radiation exposure. However, COX-2 expression was reduced in the celecoxib-treated irradiation group. Therefore, in the present study, we confirmed that celecoxib treatment after irradiation aggravated the irradiation-induced intestinal damage. These results suggest that a caution need to be administered when celecoxib treatment is performed in combination with radiation therapy for cancer treatment.

Rabies is a zoonotic disease that is caused by rabies virus and transmitted only in mammals. Domestic dogs are the most common reservoir of the virus, which is associated with more than 99% human deaths caused by dog-mediated rabies in the world. Rabies is one of the most fatal diseases, but it is fully preventable in animals by vaccination. Serological test of rabies virus antibody for samples collected from dogs and cats in Seoul during 2017–2019 was carried out in this study. To investigate antibody seroprevalence of rabies virus for dogs and cats, 2,769 serum samples were taken from 2,408 dogs and 361 cats in various regions of Seoul during 2017– 2019. Antibodies to rabies virus were detected by an indirect ELISA. Of 2,769 tested animal sera, 934 (33.7%) were positive; 886 (36.8%) of 2408 dogs and 48 (13.3%) of 361 cats. Of 990 companion animals, 547 (55.3%) was positive and 387 (21.8%) of 1779 stray animals was positive. These results indicate that antibody seroprevalence to rabies virus is still not enough to prevent rabies and rabies vaccination is required to enhance the antibody seroprevalence for rabies. To improve the situation, much public awareness and policy is needed to prevent the rabies. In addition, reducing stray animals and keeping companion animals from contact with wild animals are indispensable for the prevention of rabies.

Developments in cancer therapies and diagnostic techniques have improved the long-term survival of cancer patients. Certain cancer treatments, such as radiotherapy, often harm normal tissue as well as the specifically targeted cancer cells. High doses of radiation induce bone loss. This study investigated the effects of pentoxifylline (PTX) on radiation-induced bone loss in C3H/HeN mice. C3H/HeN mice were divided into sham and irradiation (3 Gy, gamma-ray, IR) groups. The irradiated mice were treated for 12 weeks with vehicle, PTX (p.o.) or PTX (s.c.). Grip strength, uterus weight, serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) level were measured. Tibiae were analyzed using micro-computed tomography. There were no significant differences in the degree of grip strength, body weight and uterine weight between IR group and PTX-treated group. Treatment of PTX significantly preserved trabecular bone volume, trabecular number, trabecular separation and bone mineral density of proximal tibia metaphysic. The administration of PTX lowered serum TRAP in IR mice, suggesting that PTX can reduce the bone resorptive rate in mice. Our experimental data support the protective role of PTX against bone loss in irradiated mice. Based on the findings of this study, development of PTXbased treatments is anticipated to address bone loss after radiotherapy. Prospective dose escalation studies are required to determine the appropriate dosage of PTX.

Precise combinations of probiotics can be useful in dog nutrition, treatment and care. Also, host specificity must be considered in order to increase the effectiveness of probiotics. In this study, Lactobacillus acidophilus HY7032 and Lactobacillus reuteri HY7506 were used, which were isolated from feces of healthy dogs through the verification of pH, bile salt tolerance, and antibacterial activity. In addition, the selected strains were confirmed for activity in immune cells. Briefly, L. acidophilus HY7032 and L. reuteri HY7506 enhanced oxidative burst and phagocytosis of innate immune cell activities in peripheral blood. In addition, beagle were administered vancomycin 50 mg and polymyxin B 100 KU for 7 days, and then 107 CFU of L. acidophilus HY7032 and L. reuteri HY7506 were orally administered for 3 weeks to confirm the effect of improving hair quality. Also, compared with the placebo group, the health improvement effect including stool pattern were confirmed. These results imply that the microflora imbalance caused by antibiotics can be gradually improved through the intake of probiotics. Through this study, it was confirmed that L. acidophilus HY7032 and L. reuteri HY7506 are good probiotics that contribute to the welfare and health of companion animals and have the effect of improving hair quality.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the toxic effect of cadmium sulfate (Cds) on planarians (Dugesia japonica), and the suitability of planarians as an alternative animal model for toxicity studies. Planarians were exposed to varying concentrations of experimental solutions containing 0.1–25 mg/L Cds, and incubated for 1, 3, and 5 hrs. Motility, seizure-like behaviors (c-like, head-bop, snake-like, and screw-like) and regeneration ability of the amputated fragment were subsequently evaluated. Results showed decreased motility with increasing concentrations of Cds (p<0.05), with the lowest motility being observed at the highest concentration of 25 mg/L Cds. Results also indicate that seizure-like behavior patterns were significantly affected by increments in the Cds concentrations, especially the c-like and head-bop behaviors were notably increased. Compared to the control, the regeneration ability of the planarians was decreased in the experimental solutions containing Cds. Planarians exposed to Cds showed either delayed eye formation or no eye regeneration during incubation. Moreover, increased concentrations of Cds resulted in failure to regenerate and death of the planarians. In conclusion, this study confirm that the heavy metal Cds exerts a toxic effect on planarians. Furthermore, the performances of the planarians in the experimental period exhibit their suitability as an alternative animal model for toxicity studies.

The content of harmful materials was investigated for coffee beans sold in Daejeon. Total 79 samples were analysed and 213 residual pesticides and 2 heavy metals were analysed simultaneously by GC-MS/MS, GC-NPD, GC-ECD, LC-MS/MS and ICP-MS. The instrumental method was validated with limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), the linearity of standard curves. LOD of the residual pesticides was between 0.0003 to 0.0021 mg/kg, LOQ of the residual pesticides was between 0.0008 to 0.0064 mg/kg. LOD of the heavy metals was between 0.0077 to 0.0079 μg/kg, LOQ of the heavy metals was between 0.0233 to 0.0239 μg/kg. The linearity correlation coefficient for the calibration curve was between 0.9929 to 0.9999 and the recovery rate was between 95.4% to 106.1%. According to the monitoring of residual pesticides and heavy metals, no pesticide was detected in all coffee bean samples. 88.6% (70 samples) of analysed total 79 coffee beans contained at least 1 heavy metal but there was no sample which exceeded the maximum residual limit. Risk assessment was also carried out based on the content of heavy metals detected in coffee beans. The carcinogenic risk assessment to heavy metals showed that all cancer-risk (CR) values were below 10–6 and it meant that the CR due to heavy metals intake was evaluated as safe. The non-carcinogenic risk assessment to heavy metals showed that all hazard index (HI) were below 1, which was considered acceptable at the current level of exposure. The %PTWI values of lead and cadmium for 55 roasted coffee bean samples were 0.09% and 0.04% respectively, compared with the reference values. This results indicate that there is almost no health risk from heavy metal intake through the consumption of coffee beans in circulation in Daejeon.

A one-year-old, intact male Maltese was referred with dehydration, anorexia, and marked hyperglycemia. The dog had been managed due to meningoencephalitis of unknown etiology (MUE) for three months. The dog had been treated with long-term prednisolone administration. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) was identified based on the blood chemistry and venous gas analyses, and intensive treatments including insulin administration were initiated. On further examinations, there was no any other disease that contributed to the occurrence of DKA. Insulin resistance resulted from the administration of prednisolone was highly suspected, but the agent could not be tapered due to managing MUE. Following resolution of DKA, the dog was discharged with life-long insulin and prednisolone therapy. Over the next two years, the dog continued to be routinely re-evaluated and was managed with permanent insulin therapy (0.8–1.4 units/kg SC 12 hourly) and medications including prednisolone (0.4–1.1 mg/kg PO 12 hourly). Because MUE severely progressed, the dog was euthanized by owner’s request. Histopathologic examination of pancreas obtained by post-mortem revealed that both endo- and exocrine pancreas was within normal limit. The case described herein showed the risk of ketoacidosis as well as hyperglycemia after long-term prednisolone administration in a dog without pancreatic islet pathology.