• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.310-320
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• 2005

A membrane-based oligonucleotide array was used to detect predominant bacterial species in human fecal samples. Digoxygenin-labeled 16S rDNA probes were generated by PCR from DNA that had been extracted from fecal samples or slurries. These probes were hybridized to an array of 120 oligonucleotides with sequences specific for 40 different bacterial species commonly found in human feces, followed by color development using an alkaline phosphatase-conjugated antibody and NBT /BCIP. Twenty of the species were detected by this method, but E. coli, which was present at $\~$1 $\times 10$^5$ CFU per gram feces, was not detected. To improve the sensitivity of this assay, reverse transcriptase-PCR was used to generate probes from RNA extracted from fecal cultures. Coupled with a chemiluminescence detection method, this approach lowered the detection limit for E. coli from $\~1$ $\times 10$^6$ to ${\leq}$ 1 $\times 10$^5$ These results indicate that the membrane-array method with reverse transcriptase-PCR and chemiluminescence detection can simultaneously identify bacterial species present in fecal samples at cell concentrations as low as${\leq}$ 1 $\times 10$^5$ CFU per gram.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.488-497
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• 2012

A DNA barcode based on 648 bp of cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene aims to build species-specific libraries for animal groups. However, it is hard to recover full-length (648 bp) barcode gene from environmental fecal samples due to DNA degradation. In this study, we designed a new primer set (K_Bird), which amplifies a 226 bp fragment targeted an inner position of full-length COI barcode based on 102 species of Korean birds to improve amplification success, and we attempted to identify bird species from 39 avian fecal samples collected during 4 months from Jinan, South Korea. Simultaneously, we conducted a dietary analysis using a universal DNA mini-barcode (Uni_Minibar) from same fecal samples. In silico analysis on newly designed mini-barcode represented that genetic distances were 0.5% in species and 9.1% in genera. Intraspecific variations of 149 species out of 174 species (86%) between Korea and North America were within the threshold (5.3% threshold in this study). From environmental fecal samples collected in Jinan, we identified seven avian species, which have high similarity (99-100%) with registered COI sequences in GenBank. Eight kinds of prey species, such as moth, spider, fly, and dragonfly, were identified in dietary analysis. We suppose that our strategy applying mini-barcode for environmental fecal samples, might be a useful and convenient tool for species identification and dietary analysis for birds.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.395-402
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• 2020

A total of 60 growing pigs (25.50 ± 1.63 kg) were used in a 6-week trial to investigate the effects of diet supplementation with brewer's yeast (Saccharmyces cerevisiae) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and fecal score of growing pigs. Pigs were randomly allocated to one of two dietary treatments [six replications (five pigs·pen^-1)] according to initial body weight. The dietary treatments included: 1) control, basal diet (CON); 2) basal diet supplemented with 1% brewer's yeast. Dietary supplementation with brewer's yeast showed significant improvement in body weight (BW) at weeks 4 and 6; the average daily gain (ADG) and gain : feed ratio (G/F) was higher during week 4 and overall compared with CON (p < 0.05). Brewer's yeast supplementation in the diet had no significant on the nutrient digestibility. There was no significant difference in the fecal score of CON and brewer's yeast supplementation in the diet. In conclusion, the results indicate that dietary supplementation with brewer's yeast can improve growth performance in growing pigs. The results showed that supplementation of brewer's yeast in the diet of growing pigs had a positive effect on the ADG in growing pigs, but no significant effect on nutrient digestibility and fecal score when supplemented with brewer's yeast in the diet of growing pigs.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.564-567
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• 2001

The fecal ${\beta}-glucuronidase$ activity of patients with colon cancer and healthy controls were measured to determine the relationship between the fluctuation of intestinal bacterial ${\beta}-glucuronidase$ and colon cancer. The fecal ${\beta}-glucuronidase$ activity of patients with colon cancer was 1.7 times higher than that of the healthy controls. However, when these fecal specimens were sonicated, the enzyme activity of patients with colon cancer was 12.1 times higher than that of the healthy controls. The fecal ${\beta}-glucuronidase$ activity of human Intestinal bacteria was drastically induced by its substrate or the bile secreted after a subcutaneous injection of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) and benzo[a]pyrene into rats. DMH-and benzo[a]pyrene-treated biles induced ${\beta}-glucuronidase$ activity in the human intestinal microflora by approximately 1.5- and 2.3-fold, respectively. They also induced ${\beta}-glucuronidase$ in E. coli HGU-3, which is a ${\beta}-glucuronidase$-producing bacterium from the human intestine. D-saccharic acid 1,4-lactone similarly inhibited fecal ${\beta}-glucuronidase$ in several patients with colon cancer in addition to the healthy controls. This suggests that potent ${\beta}-glucuronidase$ activity is a prime factor in the etiology of colon cancer.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.229-237
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• 2019

The influence of dietary supplementation with a yeast culture on growth performance, fecal score and nutrient digestibility was evaluated in weaned pigs in a 6-week feeding trial. A total of 50 weaning pigs with an initial average body weight (BW) of $7.46{\pm}1.60kg$ were randomly allotted into 1 of 2 dietary treatments according to the initial BW. There were 5 replicate pens in each treatment with 5 pigs per pen. The dietary treatments were as follows: 1) control, basal diet (CON) and 2) 0.10% yeast culture, basal diet supplemented with 0.1% yeast culture (YC). The average daily feed intake was significantly improved with the dietary supplementation of the yeast culture compared with the control during phases 1 and 3. Overall (0 to 6 weeks), dietary supplementation with the 0.1% yeast culture had a significant effect on the feed conversion ratio (FCR). There was no significant difference in the fecal score between the CON and YC dietary treatments. In addition, no difference in the apparent total tract digestibility was observed between the CON and YC dietary treatments. Collectively, the results of this study indicate that dietary supplementation of 0.1% yeast only improved the feed intake of weaning pigs; however, yeast culture supplementation did not affect the average daily gain, feed efficiency, total tract digestibility of dry matter, and nitrogen and energy levels as well as the fecal scores.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.45-53
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• 2021

Purpose: We aimed to compare the prevalence rates and associated symptoms of constipation and fecal incontinence in children and young adults and evaluate how these patient groups cope with these disorders. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in which 212 children (8-17 years) and 149 young adults (18-29 years) from the general Dutch population completed a questionnaire about defecation disorders. Results: Constipation occurred in 15.6% of children and 22.8% of young adults (p=0.55), while the prevalence of fecal incontinence was comparable between groups (7%, p=0.91). The symptoms associated with constipation occurred as often in children as in young adults, while most fecal incontinence symptoms occurred more often in young adults. Approximately 43% of children had constipation for more than 5 years, while 26% of young adults experienced constipation since childhood. Only 27% of constipated children and 21% of constipated young adults received treatment (mostly laxatives). For fecal incontinence, 13% of children and 36% of young adults received treatment (mostly antidiarrheal medications or incontinence pads). Conclusion: In contrast to the general belief, the prevalence of defecation disorders and associated symptoms seem to be comparable in children and young adults. Only a few people with defecation disorders receive adequate treatment.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.201-207
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• 2021

This study evaluated the influence of enzyme mixture supplementation on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and fecal score of growing pigs. A total of 72 pigs with an initial body weight of 20.23 ± 1.46 kg were randomly assigned to two treatments consisting of a basal diet and the basal diet supplemented with 0.5% enzyme mixture. During a 19-day trial, no significant difference was observed in the body weight (BW) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) of the pigs. However, a gradual increase in the average daily gain (ADG) was observed during the period from day 14 to day 19 and the overall period in pigs fed a diet supplemented with the 0.5% enzyme mixture (p < 0.10) as compared to the pigs that were fed the control diet. From days 4 to 14 and in the overall experiment, a gradual increase in the feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p < 0.10) was observed with the inclusion of 0.5% enzyme mixture supplementation. The nutrient digestibility of dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N), and energy were not affected by enzyme mixture supplementation. In addition, dietary supplementation with the enzyme mixture had no significant effects on the fecal score of growing pigs. In summary, supplementation with the enzyme mixture had beneficial effects on the ADG performance but failed to have a significant effect on growth performance (BW), nutrient digestibility, and fecal score.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.23-31
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• 2022

As a herbal supplement, Dioscorea batatas Decne (DBD) presents potent antioxidant activity and diverse health benefits. In the present study, functions of a 30 kDa glycoprotein isolated from DBD (hereafter, DBD glycoprotein) in the regulation of feed efficiency and fecal malodor in mice were explored. DBD glycoprotein produced protective effect against cytotoxicity induced by the ecotoxicological endocrine-disrupting substance bisphenol A in gastrointestinal epithelial HT-29 cells. To investigate its potential roles in the regulation of feed efficiency and fecal malodor, mice were administered an oral injection of DBD glycoprotein for 2 weeks. Compared with the control values, the weight of internal organs (liver, heart, kidney, and spleen) and levels of glutamate pyruvate transaminase, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, and lactic dehydrogenase were not significantly changed during DBD glycoprotein administration for 2 weeks. Interestingly, DBD glycoprotein improved feed efficiency and reduced hydrogen sulfide concentration without altering the ammonia level in mouse feces. Collectively, these results indicate that DBD glycoprotein is a functional agent that exerts gastrointestinal protective effects against ecotoxicological substances, improves feed efficiency, and reduces fecal malodor.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.66 no.2
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• pp.425-437
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• 2024

Exercise plays an important role in regulating energy homeostasis, which affects the diversity of the intestinal microbial community in humans and animals. To the best of the authors' knowledge, few studies have reported the associations between horse gut microbiota along with their predicted metabolic activities and the athletic ability of Jeju horses and Thoroughbreds living in Korea. This study was conducted to investigate the association between the gut microbiota and athletic performance in horses. This study sequenced the V3 and V4 hypervariable regions of the partial 16S rRNA genes obtained from racehorse fecal samples and compared the fecal microbiota between high- and low-performance Jeju horses and Thoroughbreds. Forty-nine fecal samples were divided into four groups: high-performance Jeju horses (HJ, n = 13), low-performance Jeju horses (LJ, n = 17), high-performance Thoroughbreds (HT, n = 9), and low-performance Thoroughbreds (LT, n = 10). The high-performance horse groups had a higher diversity of the bacterial community than the low-performance horse groups. Two common functional metabolic activities of the hindgut microbiota (i.e., tryptophan and succinate syntheses) were observed between the low-performance horse groups, indicating dysbiosis of gut microbiota and fatigue from exercise. On the other hand, high-performance horse groups showed enriched production of polyamines, butyrate, and vitamin K. The racing performance may be associated with the composition of the intestinal microbiota of Jeju horses and Thoroughbreds in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.349-356
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• 2023

Garlic powder (GP) was supplemented in the diet to assess the growth efficiency, nutritional retention, and fecal score of growing pigs. In total, 80 growing pigs ([Yorkshire × Landrace] × Duroc) were arbitrarily allotted (22.04 ± 0.56 kg primary average body weight) to two different trial groups with eight repetitions (three males and two females) in each pen for the 42-day trial. The dietary treatment consisted of control (CON, basal diet), which included 0.2% GP (TRT1). Growing pigs fed the GP diet exhibited an increase (p < 0.05) in body weight on day 42 and a lower (p < 0.05) overall feed conversion ratio compared to the CON pigs; however, the average daily gain and feed intake showed no difference (p > 0.05). Additionally, nutrient utilization of dry matter was greater (p < 0.05) in the GP-supplemented diet group than in the CON group. The feeding methods did not adversely affect the nitrogen and energy utilization and the fecal score significantly (p > 0.05). In summary, growing pigs fed the GP diet showed increased growth and nutritional utilization, and no adverse impact on the fecal score; thus, it could be utilized as a stimulant for improved growth performance.