• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.240-244
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• 2006

To develop a health-aid preparation of Chinese yam (Dioscorea batatas Decne), lactic acid fermentation was attempted using a mixed starter comprising of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus thermophilus, and Bifidobacterium bifidus. The anaerobic fermentation of a 5% Chinese yam flour suspension gave a uniform suspension of pH 4.35, containing $7.76{\times}10^6 CFU/mL$ lactic acid bacteria (LAB), and which was found to be acceptable to the panel from a sensory assessment. During the administration of the lactic acid fermented (LAF) Chinese yam to Sprague Dawley rats for 6 weeks, a smaller body weight gain, but greater excretion of feces were observed, implying the creation of a healthy gastrointestine on the administration of LAF Chinese yam, which was also confirmed by the gastrointestinal motility of the feed in rats fed on LAF Chinese yam. The constipation induced by loperamide was further suppressed in a rat group fed on a LAF Chinese yam diet, which was qualified from healthy gastrointestinal flora established by LAB. A serochemical analysis revealed a slight improvement in the blood glucose, neutral lipid and total cholesterol concentrations on administration of LAF Chinese yam, suggesting LAF Chinese yam could be served as a healthy-aid preparation, even for hyperglycemia or hyperlipidemia patients.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.348-353
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• 2006

In this study, a 40% ethanol extract of Chinese yam flour (Dioscoreae rhizoma), containing $177{\pm}58{\mu}g/mL$ of dioscin, was tested in order to evaluate its pharmacological effects on the gastrointestinal tracts of Sprague-Dawley rats. Via the ingestion of the Chinese yam extract, the secretion of gastric acid was suppressed in the rats, and gastrointestinal motility increased by as much as 10%. The fecal quantity of rats fed on the Chinese yam extract also increased, by more than 40% as compared with that of the controls. The Chinese yam extract was found not to affect the growth of normal intestinal bacteria. However, a great deal of lactose-fermenting bacteria was observed in the fecal samples of rats fed for 6 weeks on 2% Chinese yam extract. This finding would appear to suggest that Chinese yam extract not only induces an improvement in digestive capability, but also affects the conversion of some intestinal flora to helpful bacteria. Our serochemical analyses indicated that serum glucose, neutral lipid, and total cholesterol levels were reduced to some degree by long-term feeding on Chinese yam extract. This finding bolsters the notion that Chinese yam extract may prove helpful as a digestion-aiding agent for patients suffering from hyperglycemia or hyperlipidemia.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 1988

A Study was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding Lactobacillus casei YS on the growing performance and gastrointestinal flora of the suckling piglets, which were delivered from 2 heads of three-way crossbred(Landrace$\times$Large White$\times$Duroc) pigs, for 4 weeks. The results from the present study was summarized as follows. Average body weight gains of feeding group was slightly better than that of control group and diarrhea was prevented by successive 7 days feeding. Population levels of lactic acid bacteria were maintained about 107 colony forming unit(cfu) per gram of the contents in both feeding and control group at upper parts of small intestine. In this part, coliform count was greatly reduced in (ceding group but not in control group. pH values of the intestinal contents were gradually decreased especially at the upper part of alimentary track of feeding group. Among lactic acid bacteria, L. salivarius, L. cases and L. fermentum were found most predominant strains in feeding group, Wheareas L. salivarius, L. acidophilus and L. cunts in control group. In the other hand, Escherichia coli recovered from scouring pigs were resistant to the drug such as streptomycin, ampicillin and sensitive to gentamycin and neomycin in vitro test.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.125-137
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• 2003

Bifidobacteria are normal inhabitants of the human gastrointestinal tract throughout lift, starting just days after birth, and are one of several predominant species of the colonic microflora, along with Peptostreptococcus, Eubacteria, Clostridia, and Bacteroides. Bifidobacteria differ from lactic acid bacteria in that they produce not only lactic acid but also acetic acid as major fermentation products. The classification of bifidobacteria has changed numerous times since they were discovered in 1899 in the feces of breast-fed infants. Since 1994, three additional species have been included in the list (B. lactis, B. inopinatum, and B. denticolens), with a current total of 32 species. A variety of probiotic effects of bifidobacteria are currently being investigated. Research reports suggests several potential probiotic advantages, in particular antimicrobial effects, immune-modulation reduction of the cancer risk, and modulation of gastrointestinal flora. As technological challenges related to viability and enumeration are being overcome, milks fermented with these anaerobic microorganisms(alone or in combination with lactic acid bacteria) are more able to provide consistently satisfying with large numbers of viable microorganisms. Over 70 products containing bifidobacteria are currently offered around the world, including fermented milks, cheese, buttermilk frozen desserts, candy, and pharmaceutical preparations.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.1227-1235
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• 2007

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) provide several potential health and nutritional benefits, including improving the nutritional value of food, controlling serum cholesterol levels, and controlling some types of cancer. Numerous in vitro, in vivo, human, and epidemiological studies have provided evidence of the chemopreventive effects of LAB on colon, bladder, liver, breast, and gastric cancers. These effects act via diverse mechanisms, including alteration of the gastrointestinal micro flora, enhancement of the host's immune response, and antioxidative and antiproliferative activities. This review discusses the recent progresses on the chemopreventive effects of LAB on specific cancer types and the underlying molecular mechanisms.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.401-409
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• 2004

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of a complex Lactobacilli preparation on performance, resistance to E. coli infection and gut microbial flora of weaning pigs. In exp. 1, twelve pigs (7.65$\pm$1.10 kg BW), weaned at 28 d, were randomly allotted into 2 groups and placed in individual metabolic cages. During the first 7 d, one group of pigs was provided ad libitum access to water containing $10^5$ colony forming units (CFU) Lactobacilli per ml and the control group was provided tap water. The Lactobacilli preparation included Lactobacillus gasseri, L. reuteri, L. acidophilus and L. fermentum, which were isolated from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract mucosa of weaning pigs. On d 8, 20 ml of $10^8$ CFU/ml E. coli solution (serovars K99, K88 and 987P at the ratio of 1:1:1) was orally administered to each pig. Diarrhea scores and diarrhea incidence were recorded from d 7 to 14. On d 14, pigs were euthanized and digesta and mucosa from the stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum and colon were sampled using aseptic technique to determine microflora by culturing bacteria in selective medium. The results showed that Lactobacilli treatment significantly decreased E. coli and aerobe counts (p<0.01) but increased Lactobacilli and anaerobe counts (p<0.01) in digesta and mucosa of most sections of the GI tract. A 66 and 69.1% decrease in diarrhea index and diarrhea incidence, respectively, was observed in the Lactobacilli treated group. In exp. 2, Thirty-six crossbred Duroc$\times$Landrace$\times$Yorkshire piglets, weaned at 28$\pm$2 days, were selected and randomly allocated into 2 groups. There were 18 piglets in each group, 3 piglets in one pen and 6 replicates in each treatment with 3 pens of barrow and 3 pens of female piglet in each treatment. Piglets had ad libitum access to feed and water. The initial body weight of piglet was 7.65$\pm$1.09 kg. Dietary treatments included a non-medicated basal diet with Lactobacilli ($10^5$ CFU/g diet) or carbadox (60 mg/kg) as control. On d 21, six pigs per group (one pig per pen) were euthanized. Ileal digesta was collected to determine apparent amino acid digestibility. Microflora content was determined similarly to exp.1. The results showed that Lactobacilli treatment significantly improved average daily feed intake (ADFI) of pigs compared to carbadox (p<0.05) during the first 2 wks after weaning and average daily gain (ADG) and ADFI increased significantly (p<0.05) from d 8 to 14. Nitrogen and total phosphorus digestibility also increased (p<0.05). Bacterial counts were similar to exp. 1. The results indicate that the complex Lactobacilli preparation improved performance for 2 wks after weaning, enhanced resistance to E. coli infection, and improved microbial balance in the GI tract.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.799-806
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• 2006

Fungi cause a number of plant and animal diseases. Because fungi are more chemically and genetically similar to animals than other organisms, this makes fungal diseases very difficult to treat. Human fungal infections are uncommon in normally healthy persons, being confined to conditions such as candidiasis (thrush) and dermatophyte skin infections such as athlete's foot. However, in the immunocompromised host, a variety of normally mild or nonpathogenic fungi can cause potentially fatal infections. Furthermore, the relative ease with which people can now visit 'exotic' countries provides the means for unusual fungal infections to be imported into this country. Fungal infections or mycoses are classified depending on the degree of tissue involvement and mode of entry into the host. These are Cutaneous, Subcutaneous, Systemic, and Opportunistic. As listed above, in superficial mycoses infection is localised to the skin, the hair, and the nails. An example is 'ringworm' or 'tinea', an infection of the skin by a dermatophyte. Ringworm refers to the characteristic central clearing that often occurs in dermatophyte infections of the skin. Dermatophyte members of the genera Trycophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton are responsible for the disease. Tinea can infect various sites of the body, including the scalp (tinea capitis), the beard (tinea barbae) the foot (tinea pedis: 'athlete's foot') and the groin (tinea cruris). All occur in the United Kingdom although tinea infections, other than pedis, are now rare. Candids albicans is a yeast causing candidiasis or 'thrush' in humans. As a superficial mycoses, candidiasis typically infects the mouth or vagina. C. albicans is part of the normal flora of the vagina and gastrointestinal tract and is termed a 'commensal' However, during times of ill health or impaired immunity the balance can alter and the organism multiplies to cause disease. Antibiotic treatment can also alter the normal bacterial flora allowing C. albicans to flourish. If we study mycoses of the orient medicine, we can improve the medical skills about mycoses.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.110-114
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• 1996

Spontaneous gastric perforation is an important but rare cause of gastrointestinal perforation in neonates. Just over 200 cases have been reported in the literatures. In spite of recent surgical advances in its managements, mortality rate has been reported as high as 25-50%. Because of physiologic differences, immature immune mechanisms, variations in gastrointestinal flora and poor localization of perforation, a neonate with gastric perforation is at high risk. The pathogenesis is greatly debated. Five patients with spontaneous neonatal gastric perforation who were operated upon at the Department of Pediatric Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital from 1980 to 1993 were reviewed. Four patients were male and one female. The first indication of perforation was 1 day to 6 days of life. All of 5 perforations were located along the greater curvature of the stomach. The size of perforation ranged from 2 cm to 10 cm. Debridement and primary closure were performed in all patients. The operative mortality was 40%(2 of 5). The cause of perforation was not identified in all cases. Prematurity and necrotizing enterocolitis, synchronous or metachronous, were thought to he crucial prognostic factors. Earlier recognition and surgical intervention are necessary to reduce morbidity and mortality.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.447-451
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• 2008

This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of Helicobacter spp. in privately owned pet dog's oral cavity samples (saliva, dental plaque, vomitus) and fecal samples in Korea and to evaluate the potential route for transmission. Total 100 patients dogs attending one Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital were examined by Helicobacter genus-specific PCR assay and these dogs were divided into two groups whether they had gastrointestinal signs (vomiting, nausea and diarrhea) or not. The total detection rate of Helicobacter spp. by PCR in saliva, dental plaque and fecal samples was 23%, 1% and 68% respectively. The difference of prevalence with regarding the gastrointestinal sings was not significant. In vomitus, two of seven samples had positive results. These results suggested that Helicobacter spp. are present in the oral cavity although they were present in very low number and are not like to be normal oral flora of the oral cavity and Helicobacter spp. in dogs could be transmitted through oral-oral, gastrooral and fecal-oral route.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.163-170
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• 2020

Background: Gut microflora contributes to the nutritional metabolism of the host and to strengthen its immune system. However, if the intestinal barrier function of the living body is destroyed by radiation exposure, the intestinal bacteria harm the health of the host and cause sepsis. Therefore, this study aims to trace short-term radiation-induced changes in the mouse gut microflora-dominant bacterial genus, and analyze the degree of intestinal epithelial damage. Materials and Methods: Mice were irradiated with 0, 2, 4, 8 Gy X-rays, and the gut microflora and intestinal epithelial changes were analyzed 72 hours later. Five representative genera of Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes were analyzed in fecal samples, and the intestine was pathologically analyzed by Hematoxylin-Eosin and Alcian blue staining. In addition, DNA fragmentation was evaluated by the TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Results and Discussion: The small intestine showed shortened villi and reduced number of goblet cells upon 8 Gy irradiation. The large intestine epithelium showed no significant morphological changes, but the number of goblet cells were reduced in a radiation dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the small intestinal epithelium of 8 Gy-irradiated mice showed significant DNA damaged, whereas the large intestine epithelium was damaged in a dose-dependent manner. Overall, the large intestine epithelium showed less recovery potential upon radiation exposure than the small intestinal epithelium. Analysis of the intestinal flora revealed fluctuations in lactic acid bacteria excretion after irradiation regardless of the morphological changes of intestinal epithelium. Altogether, it became clear that radiation exposure could cause an immediate change of their excretion. Conclusion: This study revealed changes in the intestinal epithelium and intestinal microbiota that may pave the way for the identification of novel biomarkers of radiation-induced gastrointestinal disorders and develop new therapeutic strategies to treat patients with acute radiation syndrome.