• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.270-281
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• 2019

Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of the magnesium (Mg)-enriched formula vs. control formula in constipated infants. Methods: An open-label, interventional, and the comparator-controlled study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the Mg-enriched formula in formula-fed infants ${\leq}6$ months old presenting with functional constipation according to modified Rome IV criteria. Infants were randomized 1:1 to intervention or control formula for 30 days. Parents recorded stool consistency (hard, normal, or watery) and frequency on days 1-7 and 23-29. Physicians recorded patient baseline characteristics and performed the clinical examination at the time of three patient visits (baseline, day 8, and 30). Results: Of the 286 recruited infants, 143 received the Mg-rich formula and 142 received the control formula. After 7 days, significantly more infants had stools with normal consistency with the Mg-rich formula compared to the infants fed with the control formula (81.8% vs. 41.1%; p<0.001). The number of infants passing one or more stools per day was increased at day 7 in the Mg-rich formula group (86.7% vs. 68.2%; p<0.001). At days 7 and 29, >25% of infants responded completely to the Mg-rich formula compared to <5% of infants fed with the control formula (p<0.001). Parents of infants in the Mg-rich formula group were very satisfied with the treatment (80.8% vs. 10.2%), with the majority willing to continue treatment after 30 days (97.9% vs. 52.6%; p<0.001). Conclusion: The Mg-rich formula significantly improved stool consistency and frequency compared to the control formula in constipated infants.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제43권2호
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• pp.229-236
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• 2022

Objective: Jowiseunggi-tang (JWSGT) is a traditional herbal medicine commonly used for purgative activity in constipation. This study evaluates JWSGT for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation (OIC), the most common and debilitating gastrointestinal effect of opioid use. Methods: A 64-year-old man with floor of mouth cancer was hospitalized for OIC, and JWSGT was administered orally twice a day for 10 days, along with acupuncture, moxibustion, and cupping. The primary outcome measures were defecation type according to the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) and the frequency of bowel movements. The Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) were used as secondary measures. Results: After three days of JWSGT administration, spontaneous bowel movements were observed two to three times per week with improved BSFS from type 2 to 4. A reduction in BFI score (8.7 to 2.0) and an increase in FACT-G score (44.3 to 59.0) suggested an improvement in fatigue level and quality of life. Conclusion: This is the first report to assess the efficacy of JWSGT for the management of OIC in patients with cancer, and JWSGT may be an effective option to improve symptoms and quality of life in this group.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제60권1호
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• pp.51-56
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• 2022

Global efforts to identify groups at high risk for schistosomiasis have mainly concentrated on identifying their geographical distribution. Investigations on the socioeconomic characteristics of high-risk groups are relatively scarce. This study aimed to explore the associations between schistosomiasis among students and their parents' occupations. A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted targeting 105,167 students in 1,772 primary schools across Sudan in 2017. From these students, 100,726 urine and 96,634 stool samples were collected to test for Schistosoma haematobium and S. mansoni infection. A multi-level mixed effect analysis was used with age and sex as fixed factors, and school as a random factor. The odd ratios (ORs) of practicing open defecation among farmers' children were almost 5 times higher than their counterparts whose parents were government officials (OR=4.97, 95% confidence intervals (CIs): 4.57-5.42, P<0.001). The ORs of contacting water bodies for watering livestock among farmers' children were more than 4 times higher than those of children whose parents were government officials (OR=4.59, 95% CIs: 4.02-5.24, P<0.001). This study shows that schistosomiasis represents a disease of poverty and that farmers' children constituted a high-risk group.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• 제26권5호
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• pp.249-265
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• 2023

Purpose: Infant regurgitation is associated with other functional gastrointestinal disorders and signs and symptoms that have a major impact on the quality of life of infants and their families. This study evaluated the safety, tolerance, and real-world effectiveness of an anti-regurgitation formula containing locust bean gum (LBG), prebiotics, and postbiotics to alleviate digestive symptoms beyond regurgitation. Methods: This 3-month study involved infants with regurgitation requiring the prescription of an anti-regurgitation formula according to usual clinical practice. Outcomes included evaluation of the evolution of stool consistency and frequency; occurrence of colic, constipation, and diarrhea; and assessment of regurgitation severity. Infant crying, parental assessment of infant well-being, and parental satisfaction with the stool consistency were also evaluated. Results: In total, 190 infants (average age: 1.9±1.1 months) were included. After three months, stool frequency and consistency remained within the normal physiological range, with 82.7% of infants passing one or two stools per day and 90.4% passing loose or formed stools. There was no significant increase in the number of infants with diarrhea, whereas a decrease was observed in the number of infants with constipation after 1 month (p=0.001) and with colic after both 1 and 3 months (p<0.001). Regurgitation severity and crying decreased and parental satisfaction with stool consistency, formula acceptability, infant well-being, and sleep quality increased. Monitoring of adverse events did not reveal any safety concerns. Conclusion: Formulas containing LBG, prebiotics, and postbiotics were well tolerated and provided an effective strategy for managing infant regurgitation and gastrointestinal discomfort.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제61권2호
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• pp.216-224
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• 2023

In several schistosomiasis-endemic countries, the prevalence has remained high in some areas owing to reinfection despite repeated mass drug administration (MDA) interventions; these areas are referred to as persistent hot spots. Identifying hotspots is critical for interrupting transmission. This study aimed to determine an effective means of identifying persistent hot spots. First, we investigated the differences between Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni prevalence among school-aged children (SAC) estimated by a community-based survey, for which local key informants purposively selected communities, and a randomly sampled school-based survey. A total of 6,225 individuals residing in 60 villages in 8 districts of North Kordofan, Blue Nile, or Sennar States, Sudan participated in a community-based survey in March 2018. Additionally, the data of 3,959 students attending 71 schools in the same 8 districts were extracted from a nationwide school-based survey conducted in January 2017. The community-based survey identified 3 districts wherein the prevalence of S. haematobium or S. mansoni infection among SAC was significantly higher than that determined by the randomly sampled school survey (e.g., S. haematobium in the Sennar district: 10.8% vs. 1.1%, P<0.001). At the state level, the prevalence of schistosomiasis among SAC, as determined by the community-based survey, was consistently significantly higher than that determined by the school-based survey. Purposeful selection of villages or schools based on a history of MDA, latrine coverage, open defecation, and the prevalence of bloody urine improved the ability for identifying persistent hot spots.

• 한국축산식품학회지
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.659-673
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• 2023

Compared to infant formula, breast milk is the best source of nutrition for infants; it not only improves the neonatal intestinal function, but also regulates the immune system and gut microbiota composition. However, probiotic-fortified infant formula may further enhance the infant gut environment by overcoming the limitations of traditional infant formula. We investigated the probiotic formula administration for one month by comparing 118 Korean infants into the following three groups: infants in each group fed with breast milk (50), probiotic formula (35), or placebo formula-fed group (33). Probiotic formula improved stool consistency and defecation frequency compared to placebo formula-fed group. The probiotic formula helped maintaining the level of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), which had remarkably decreased over time in placebo formula-fed infants (compared to weeks 0 and 4). Moreover, probiotic formula decreased the acidity of stool and considerably increased the butyrate concentration. Furthermore, the fecal microbiota of each group was evaluated at weeks 0 and 4. The microbial composition was distinct between each groups, and the abundance of health-promoting bacteria increased in the probiotic formula compared to the placebo formula-fed group. In summary, supplementation of probiotic infant formula can help optimize the infant gut environment, microbial composition, and metabolic activity of the microbiota, mimicking those of breast milk.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제44권5호
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• pp.823-829
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• 2023

Objectives: This study reports the case of a patient with right hemiparesis after a left thalamic infarction, in which the patient experienced improved clinical symptoms (hemiparesis, constipation) after treatment with a complex Korean medicine treatment. Methods: A 81-year-old male patient diagnosed with acute left thalamic infarction was treated with daily acupuncture and herbal medicine (Boyanghwanoh-tang-gagam) three times a day. Jowiseunggi-tang extract granules were administered to treat constipation by adjusting the dosage according to the reported symptoms. The patient's clinical course was assessed using changes in Modified Barthel Index (MBI) score, Manual Muscle Testing (MMT) grade, and defecation frequency . Results: The patient's MBI score improved from 35 to 69 and was discharged with the ability to walk under supervision. The MMT grade also improved from 3/4 to 5/5 in the upper/lower extremities. Other clinical symptoms, including constipation, also improved, leading to the discontinuation of magnesium medication. Conclusion: These findings suggest that complex Korean medicine treatments, including herbal medicine and acupuncture, may be an effective treatment for post-stroke hemiplegic patients.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제45권1호
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• pp.111-118
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• 2024

목적: 본 연구는 임상에서 종종 마주치는 만성적이고 낫지 않는 항문거근증후군 환자의 한의학적 치료 유용성을 공유하고자 한다. 방법: 14년 전에 치질수술 후에 발생한 항문통증이 개선되지 않고 지속되어 고통스러웠던 47세 남자 환자의 병력과 한의학적 치료 후의 임상적 개선과정을 자세히 제시하였다. 결과: 환자는 평소 건강하였는데, 치질수술 후에 대변을 보면 시작되는 항문통이 발생하였으며, 경우에 따라서는 오전 내내 불편함이 지속되었다. 14년 동안 종종 줄어들기도 하였지만 점진적으로 심해지는 경과를 보였고, 특히 1년 전부터는 더욱 심해졌으나 다양한 치료에도 호전이 없었다. 외국에 거주하는 이유로 한국에 방문하는 기회에 본원에서 한의학적 변증 하에 한약치료 및 약침을 포함하는 침치료와 뜸 치료 후 빠르게 호전되었다. 8주 정도의 치료 후에 NRS 2로 개선되어 만족한 상태로 출국하였다. 결론: 본 증례는 특별한 치료법이 부재하는 만성적이거나 혹은 난치성 항문거근증후군에 대하여 한의학적 치료법이 하나의 훌륭한 치료법일 수 있음을 보여주는 임상 예로서 의미가 있다고 하겠다.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제66권1호
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• pp.178-203
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• 2024

Constipation, which refers to difficulties in defecation and infrequent bowel movement in emptying the gastrointestinal system that ultimately produces hardened fecal matters, is a health concern in livestock and aging animals. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential effects of dairy-isolated lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains to alleviate constipation as an alternative therapeutic intervention for constipation treatment in the aging model. Rats were aged via daily subcutaneous injection of D-galactose (600 mg/body weight [kg]), prior to induction of constipation via oral administration of loperamide hydrochloride (5 mg/body weight [kg]). LAB strains (L. fermentum USM 4189 or L. plantarum USM 4187) were administered daily via oral gavage (1 × 10 Log CFU/day) while the control group received sterile saline. Aged rats as shown with shorter telomere lengths exhibited increased fecal bulk and soften fecal upon administration of LAB strains amid constipation as observed using the Bristol Stool Chart, accompanied by a higher fecal moisture content as compared to the control (p < 0.05). Fecal water-soluble metabolite profiles showed a reduced concentration of threonine upon administration of LAB strains compared to the control (p < 0.05). Histopathological analysis also showed that the administration of LAB strains contributed to a higher colonic goblet cell count as compared to the control (p < 0.05). The present study illustrates the potential of dairy-sourced LAB strains as probiotics to ameliorate the adverse effect of constipation amid aging, and as a potential dietary intervention strategy for dairy foods including yogurt and cheese.

• Clinical Nutrition Research
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• 제11권3호
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• pp.153-158
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• 2022

Critically ill trauma patients generally show good nutritional status upon initial hospitalization. However, they have a high risk of malnutrition due to hyper-metabolism during the acute phase. Hence, suitable nutritional support is essential for the optimal recovery of these patients; therefore, outcomes such as preservation of fat-free mass, maintenance of immune functions, reduction in infectious complications, and prevention of malnutrition can be expected. In this report, we present the experience of a patient subjected to 40 days of nutritional interventions during postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) care. Although the patient was no malnutrition at ICU admission, enteral nutrition (EN) was delayed for > 2 weeks because of several postoperative complications. Subsequently, while receiving parenteral nutrition (PN), the patient displayed persistent hypertriglyceridemia. As a result, his prescription of PN were converted to lipid-free PN. On postoperative day (POD) #19, the patient underwent jejunostomy and started standard EN. A week later, the patient was switched to a high-protein, immune-modulating formula for postoperative wound recovery. Thereafter, PN was stopped, while EN was increased. In addition, because of defecation issues, a fiber-containing formula was administered with previous formula alternately. Despite continuous nutritional intervention, the patient experienced a significant weight loss and muscle mass depletion and was diagnosed with severe malnutrition upon discharge from the ICU. To conclude, this case report highlights the importance of nutrition interventions in critically ill trauma patients with an increased risk of malnutrition, indicating the need to promptly secure an appropriate route of feeding access for active nutritional support of patients in the ICU.