• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.155-164
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• 2022

This study was conducted for safety evaluation on 130 pet food products, which are distributed in Gwangju, South Korea. The microbial contamination part and the usage of food additives part were mainly investigated. The five microorganisms that we tested were total viable cell counts (TVC), Coliforms, Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., pathogenic Escherichia coli and there were 15 products that exceed the microbial criteria or detected food poisoning bacteria. Specifically, Coliforms (13 products, 10%), TVC (9 products, 6.9%), Salmonella spp. (2 products, 1.5%), and E. coli (2 products, 1.5%) were followed. On the other hand, food additives such as preservatives, antioxidants and sodium nitrite were detected in 61 products. Among the preservatives, sorbic acid and benzoic acid were detected in 58 (44.6%) products. In antioxidants, Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) was detected in 3 (2.3%) products. In addition, preservatives and antioxidants were detected in 8 of 20 products labeled as 'additive-free'. Microbial contamination tended to occur mainly in small-scale individual homemade feed stores, while food additives were all detected in pet shops and supermarkets. Currently, the criteria for microorganisms and food additives for pet foods are insufficient in Korea. So, it is necessary to establish detailed feed standards and specifications for companion animals.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.34-45
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• 2024

Companion animals are increasingly being recognized as members of society in outdoor public spaces. However, the presence of dogs in cities has become a subject of conflict between pet owners and non-pet owners, causing problems in terms of hygiene and noise. This study was conducted to analyze public complaint data using the keywords 'dog,' 'pet,' and 'puppy' through text mining techniques to identify the causes of conflicts in outdoor public spaces related to dogs and to identify key issues. The main findings of the study are as follows. First, the majority of dog-related complaints were related to the use of outdoor public spaces. Second, different types of outdoor public spaces have different spatial issues. Third, there were a total of four topics of dog-related complaints: 'Requesting a dog playground', 'Raising safety issues related to animals', 'Using facilities other than dog-only areas', and 'Requesting increased park management and enforcement related to pet tickets'. This study analyzed the perceptions of citizens surrounding pets at a time when the creation and use of public spaces related to pets are expanding. In particular, it is significant in that it applied a new method of collecting public opinions by adopting complaint data that clearly presents problems and requests.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.425-432
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• 2010

Staphylococcus intermedius is a common cause of otitis externa, pyoderma, and wound infections in companion animals. Although S. intermedius infections are rare in humans, it is zoonotic, with several case reports describing fatal human infections. Presently, we sought to isolate S. intermedius strains from various sources at animal hospitals nationwide in Korea, examine their antibiotic susceptibilities, and determine the possibility of horizontal transmission between animals and humans. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (pFGE) was used to compare the mecA gene in S. intermedius strains from humans, animals, and the environment in animal hospitals. A total of 119 S. intermedius strains were isolated from 529 samples. Using the disk diffusion method, over 90% of the isolates were found to be susceptible to cephalothin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, vancomycin, imipenem, nitroflurantoin, and amikacin, whereas 97.5% and 98.3% of the isolates were resistant to penicillin and ampicillin, respectively. Among the 39 S. intermedius strains harboring mecA, similar PFGE patterns were observed between seven isolates from an animal, two isolates from veterinary staff, and the environment in one animal hospital, and single isolates from an animal and a veterinarian at another hospital. This result suggests the possibility of horizontal transmission of S. intermedius containing mecA between humans, animals, and the environment in animal hospitals and also emphasizes on the importance of S. intermedius with mecA as a possible emerging threat to public health.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.58 no.5
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• pp.487-492
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• 2020

Toxoplasmosis is caused by an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite; Toxoplasma gondii, which is one of the most important zoonotic parasite worldwide. In dogs, the sexual reproductive cycle of T. gondii is lacking, and the animals are not widely consumed as food, but they are vital in the mechanical transmission of the parasite. However, there is no present data on the exposure of stray dogs to T. gondii in Malaysia. The objective of this serological survey was to determine the prevalence of T. gondii antibodies (IgG) and associated factors in stray dogs in East and West Malaysia. Antibodies to T. gondii were determined in serum samples from 222 stray dogs from 6 different states in East and West Malaysia (Peninsular Malaysia) using an Indirect ELISA. The seroprevalence for T. gondii was 23.4% (Confidence interval: CI 17.8-29.2%). Stray dogs from Selangor and Kuala Lumpur had the highest seroprevalence (32.4%; CI 13.2-45.5%) and lowest in those from Penang and Kedah (12.5%; CI 1.3-23.5%). Gender and breed were not associated with T. gondii seropositivity. However, adult dogs were more likely to be seropositive for T. gondii (OR=2.89; CI 1.1-7.7) compared with younger dogs. These results revealed that T. gondii is prevalent in stray dogs in the studied areas in Malaysia, and indicative of the level of environmental contamination of this parasite especially in urban areas.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.85-90
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• 2015

In this study, we investigated the number of categories of veterinary medical devices registered by Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (QIA) by 2013. We also analyzed the sales of the veterinary medical devices reported from Korea Animal Health Product Association (KAHPA) from 2011 to 2013. The registration rate of veterinary medical devices has sharply increased since 2008, and a total of 495 categories from 141 companies were registered by the end of 2013. The multi-frequency products registered for companion animals were ultrasound imaging system, x-ray system, microchip & reader, telemetry system transmitter, and hematology analyzer. The veterinary medical devices for farm animals include marker, artificial insemination catheter, injector, and ultrasound imaging system. Of these products, the multi-frequency products dominated on the veterinary medical devices market. The market size of 223 (45.0%) veterinary medical devices was estimated to be approximately 20.6 billion Won in 2013; the proportion of domestic products and imports was 56% to 44%; the proportion of domestic demand and export was 82% to 18%, respectively. This study suggested that the registration and sales of the veterinary medical devices have gradually increased as the demand of health care services got bigger in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.209-214
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• 2017

Wild raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides koreensis) may play a role transmitting several pathogens to humans and pet animals. Information concerning the incidence of rabies, canine distemper virus (CDV), canine parvovirus (CPV), canine adenovirus type 2 (CAdV-2), canine parainfluenza virus type 5 (CPIV-5), and canine herpesvirus (CHV) is needed in wild raccoon dogs. In total, 62 brain samples of raccoon dogs were examined for rabies virus (RABV) and CDV, and 49 lung samples were screened for CDV, CAdV-2, CPIV-5, and CHV. No RABV, CAdV-2, CPIV-5, or CHV was identified, but nine CDV antigens (8.1%, 9/111) were detected. Moreover, 174 serum samples from wild raccoon dogs were screened for antibodies against the five major viral pathogens. The overall sero-surveillance against CDV, CPV, CAdV-2, CPIV-5, and CHV in wild raccoon dogs was 60.3%, 52.9%, 59.8%, 23.6%, and 10.3%, respectively. Comparisons of the sero-surveillance of the five pathogens showed that raccoon dogs of Gyeonggi province have slightly higher sero-positive rates against CDV, CPV, and CHV than those of Gangwon province. These results indicate high incidences of CDV, CPV, and CAdV-2 in wild raccoon dogs of two Korean provinces and a latent risk of pathogen transmission to companion and domestic animals.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.601-606
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• 2023

The edible sweetener aspartame is formed from the synthesis of asparagine, one of the amino acids, and phenylalanine. It is a protein ingredient that produces sweetness 200 times higher than sucrose, and is used as a diet product because it is a substance that can replace sugar. Although the effects on animals and humans have been well studied, no studies have been conducted on plant metabolism. In this study, the effect of aspartame metabolism was tested using germinated onion, bean sprouts, and Kalanchoe. The three types of plants with germinated roots showed rapid growth in the early stage of treatment with 1mM aspartame, and showed a nutrient supply effect due to the effect of amino acids, which are constituents. However, when treated for 4 weeks, symptoms similar to lateral roots appear in the form of lignification in onions, the effect of quickly withering is seen in bean sprouts, and senescence of roots appears in 12-week-old Kalanchoe. All of them show accelerated aging after the growth phase. This shows that, among the two amino acids, asparagine is related to auxin generation that induces rapid growth, and it is thought to be the result of lignification due to the effect of phenylalanine.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.12.1-12.10
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• 2024

Background: Staphylococcus aureus and S. pseudintermedius are the major etiological agents of staphylococcal infections in humans, livestock, and companion animals. The misuse of antimicrobial drugs has led to the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant Staphylococcus spp., including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP). One novel therapeutic approach against MRSA and MRSP is a peptide nucleic acid (PNA) that can bind to the target nucleotide strands and block expression. Previously, two PNAs conjugated with cell-penetrating peptides (P-PNAs), antisense PNA (ASP)-cmk and ASP-deoD, targeting two essential genes in S. aureus, were constructed, and their antibacterial activities were analyzed. Objectives: This study analyzed the combined antibacterial effects of P-PNAs on S. aureus and S. pseudintermedius clinical isolates. Methods: S. aureus ATCC 29740 cells were treated simultaneously with serially diluted ASP-cmk and ASP-deoD, and the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were measured. The combined P-PNA mixture was then treated with S. aureus and S. pseudintermedius veterinary isolates at the determined MIC, and the antibacterial effect was examined. Results: The combined treatment of two P-PNAs showed higher antibacterial activity than the individual treatments. The MICs of two individual P-PNAs were 20 and 25 µM, whereas that of the combined treatment was 10 µM. The application of a combined treatment to clinical Staphylococcus spp. revealed S. aureus isolates to be resistant to P-PNAs and S. pseudintermedius isolates to be susceptible. Conclusions: These observations highlight the complexity of designing ASPs with high efficacy for potential applications in treating staphylococcal infections in humans and animals.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.203-212
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• 2024

The purpose of this study was to survey by the veterinary hospital Specialists (VHSs) and radiology students (RSs) for radiology curriculum development veterinary hospital (VH), and for veterinary hospital radiological technologists (VHRTs). VHSs were surveyed to regarding the basic information and radiological examination training, radiological examination experience, anatomy physiology, radiation safety management training, radiation biology training. RSs were surveyed to regarding the basic information and career paths, VH awareness, and VH-related department environments. The survey results were quantitatively entered into Excel and then analyzed using the SPSS ver. 26.0. The students were aged by 22.6 years old, and out of 171 students, male and female were 92 and 79 espectively. In employment career paths, 62.6% of all subjects responded that employment prospects at medical institutions were good. Employment prospects outside of medical institutions, VH had the highest number of students. Of the 83 students who responded that they wanted to work at a VH, 64 students liked animals, and 47 students the high potential for advancement. Of the 159 students who responded that there is potential for development of VH, 96.2% responded that it was due to the increase in companion animals. In the VH-related department environment, 94.7% responded that there was no related equipment, and 72.5% responded that the department needed to open animal care courses and 82.5% anatomy and physiology courses. 76.6% responded that they would be willing to take animal-related courses if they were offered. Among the 20 VHSAs, 4 had no experience in radiological examination of animals, 2 VHRTs, and 2 others. There were 7 people who had not received training in animal radiography, and 2 VHRTs had not received training in animal care and animal anatomy and physiology. This study is expected to be helpful in developing a radiology curriculum for VHRTs in the future.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.55-58
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of sea urchin shell powder, used in broiler diet, on Esherichia coli and Salmonella in litter produced by the broilers. A total of 120 broiler chickens were fed 1 of 3 treatment diets (10 chickens per pen) in a randomized block design treatments with 4 replications. Sea urchin shell powder was used in the concentrations of 0.5% and 1% in the basal diets; the control diet was constituted of basal diet. During the 3-week feeding trials, none of the treatments significantly affected the E. coli populations in poultry litter at weeks 0 and 1, nor did they affect the and S. enterica populations at weeks 1 and 3. However, dietary sea urchin shell powder addition affected the population of E. coli at weeks 2 and 3, and that of S. entericaat weeks 0 and 2 (P<0.05). It is therefore concluded that the use of dietary sea urchin shell powder (0.5% and 1%) will be beneficial enough to reduce E. coli, rather than S. enterica in poultry litter over short-term periods.