Prebiotics are known as components of intestinal microbiota that can improve and maintain human health status by stimulating the growth and activity of the intestinal tract as a method of controlling the intestinal environment. In this study, we examined whether 2’-fucosyllactose (FL) could affect intestinal microbial population and bowel activity. Water content and frequency of mouse feces were increased in the 2’-FL treated group at a high concentration (1,000 mg/kg), with brightness of the color enhanced and physical properties diluted. In addition, intestinal microbial analysis showed that harmful bacteria Clostridium and Staphylococcus strains were decreased and beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus strains were markedly increased in the group treated with a high concentration of 2’-FL compared to those in the control group. These findings suggest that administration of 2’-FL can maintain healthy bowel activity by reducing harmful bacteria population and improving diluted physical properties.

This study aims to construct the basic data of faecal-marking behaviors of Korean native dog breed, Jindo-Gae (Canis lupus familiaris) under the influence of spay and neuter and to estimate the frequency of faecal-marking, especially natural and artificial environments. Faecal-marking rate of female and male dogs are 3.43 : 1. Faecal-marking after urination by male is 13 times higher than female. Ground-scratching after feacal-marking by male is 24 times higher than female. Faecal-marking by jindo-Gae thought to a multiple sign combining visual and chemical elements and their faecal-marking postures are similar. Native dogs shows that a missing link in dog domestication, thus behavioral comparisons between wolves and Korean native dogs are needed.

Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common and often catastrophic disease. Early diagnosis and treatment of PE is im-portant, however, prompt diagnosis is difficult due to nonspecific clinical manifestations. On the other hand, syncope may develop as a presenting symptom of PE, and defecation activity could trigger PE. In Korea, PE associated with defecation has not been previously reported. We report on a case of acute massive PE presenting as defecation syncope in a 26-year-old female with a serous borderline tumor of the ovary.