• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.701-707
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• 2012

Immune stress is the loss of immune homeostasis caused by external forces. The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the effects of immune stress on the growth performance, small intestinal enzymes and peristalsis rate, and mRNA expression of nutrient transporters in broiler chickens. Four hundred and thirty-two 1-d-old broilers (Cobb500) were randomly assigned to four groups for treatment; each group included nine cages with 12 birds per cage. Group 1 = no vaccine (NV); Group 2 = conventional vaccine (CV); group 3 = lipopolysaccharide (LPS)+conventional vaccine (LPS); group 4 = cyclophosphamide (CYP)+conventional vaccine (CYP). The results demonstrated that immune stress by LPS and CYP reduced body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), small intestine peristalsis rate and sIgA content in small intestinal digesta (p<0.05). However, the feed conversion ratio (FCR) remained unchanged during the feeding period. LPS and CYP increased intestinal enzyme activity, relative expression of SGLT-1, CaBP-D28k and L-FABP mRNAs (p<0.05). LPS and CYP injection had a negative effect on the growth performance of healthy broiler chickens. The present study demonstrated that NV and CV could improve growth performance while enzyme activity in small intestine and relative expression of nutrient transporter mRNA of NV and CV were decreased in the conditions of a controlled rational feeding environment. It is generally recommended that broilers only need to be vaccinated for the diseases to which they might be exposed.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.301-304
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• 2018

Rodents are important reservoirs of diseases affecting people and livestock, and are major sources of parasite contamination of agricultural products. We surveyed the infection status of intestinal helminths in 2 species of field mice, Apodemus agrarius and A. peninsulae, captured in the agricultural fields of Gangwon-do and Chungcheongnam-do, Korea. Total 83 mice (57 A. agrarius and 26 A. peninsulae) were collected in 2 surveyed areas, and the intestines of each mouse were opened with scissors, and then intestinal contents were examined with microscope. Total 6 species of intestinal helminth were detected in 61 (73.5%) out of 83 mice examined. Four species of nematode, i.e., Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, Aspiculuris tetraptera, Heterakis spp. and ascarid, were found in 40 (48.2%), 14 (16.9%), 11 (13.3%) and 13 (15.7%) mice respectively. One species of cestode, Hymenolepis diminuta and 1 unidentified egg were also detected in the intestines of 14 (16.9%) and 1 (1.2%) mice, respectively. Conclusively, this study identified 5 helminth species in the gastrointestinal tracts of wild rodents captured in some areas in central and northern Korea, and N. brasiliensis was the most prevalent (dominant) species rather than zoonotic ones.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1291-1300
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• 2018

Objective: This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary crude protein (CP) level and exogenous protease supplementation on growth performance, serum metabolites, carcass traits, small intestinal morphology and endogenous protease activity in broiler chickens reared under a tropical climate. Methods: A total of 480 day-old male broiler chicks were randomly assigned to eight dietary treatments in a $4{\times}2$ factorial arrangement. The main effects were CP level (21.0%, 19.7%, 18.5%, or 17.2% from 1 to 21 days and 19.0%, 17.9%, 16.7%, or 15.6% from 22 to 35 days) and protease enzyme supplementation (0 ppm or 500 ppm). All experimental diets were fortified with synthetic feed-grade lysine, methionine, threonine and tryptophan to provide the minimum amino acid recommended levels for Cobb 500. Results: Reducing dietary CP linearly reduced (p<0.05) growth performance, serum albumin, total protein, and carcass traits and increased (p<0.05) serum triglycerides and abdominal fat. There was no consistent effect of reducing dietary CP on morphological parameters of the intestine and on the pancreatic and intestinal endogenous protease activity (p>0.05). Protease supplementation improved (p<0.05) feed conversion ratio, body weight gain, carcass yield and intestinal absorptive surface area. Conclusion: Protease supplementation, as measured by growth performance, intestinal morphology and carcass yield, may alleviate the detrimental effects of low protein diets in broiler chickens.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.77-83
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• 2001

To clarify functionality of depolymerized alginate obtained by hydrolysis of alginate through a heating process at $121^{\circ}C$ on gastrointestinal physiology, the effects of a depolymerized alginate on fecal microflora and the intestinal environment were studied in rats. Rats were fed with diets containing 1, 5 and $10\%$ of each depolymerized alginate (HAG-10, HAG-50 and HAG-100) and alginate for 35 days, Among 20 species of authentic intestinal bacteria, Bacteroides ovatus showed the abilities to ferment HAG-10 HAG-50, HAG-100 and alginate, The 1, 5 and $10\%$ of HAG-50 and $1\%$ of alginate diets resulted in the increased ratio of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus to total bacteria, while the 5 and $10\%$ alginate diets decreased in feces of rats, significantly (p<0.01). These results suggested that $5\%$ HAG-50 diets contribute to an improvement of intestinal microflora in rats.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.81-87
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• 2008

Alkaline reduced water (ARW) has been used for drinking widely in several countries of Asia. The safety and clinical effects of ARW has been reported including anti-oxidative effect and intestinal abnormal fermentation. To confirm the effect of ARW on DSS-induced acute inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) mouse model, we observed the length of total large intestine and the histopathological changes after supplying mineral induced-ARW (MARW) for 2 weeks and oral administration of 4% DSS (dextran sulfate sodium). As the result, the length of total large intestine and the disease scores by macro and microscopical access in the ARWsupplied group showed no significant differences compared with those in the control group. This result suggests that the supply of ARW for 2 weeks exerted no effect on amelioration in the DSS-induced acute IBD model. However, in consideration of the effect of ARW on the improvement of intestinal environment and gastrointestinal disease, this result seems that acute IBD animal model is not suitable or the period of ARW supply is not enough to prove the effect of ARW. The ameliorative effect of ARW on the intestinal abnormal fermentation has been confirmed by some researchers, but the precise mechanism also remain unclear. In conclusion, although MARW had no effect on the DSS-induced acute experimental colitis model, further studies on the verification of the effects of ARW by using other intestinal disease model and by long-term supply of ARW will be required. Also, It needs to clear the mechanism of ARW on the intestinal environment.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.313-320
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• 2014

The study was conducted to investigate the role of vitamin E in the high altitude hypoxia-induced damage to the intestinal barrier in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control (Control), high altitude hypoxia (HH), and high altitude hypoxia + vitamin E (250 mg/kg $BW^*d$) (HV) groups. After the third day, the HH and HV groups were placed in a hypobaric chamber at a stimulated elevation of 7000 m for 5 days. The rats in the HV group were given vitamin E by gavage daily for 8 days. The other rats were given equal volume saline. The results showed that high altitude hypoxia caused the enlargement of heart, liver, lung and kidney, and intestinal villi damage. Supplementation with vitamin E significantly alleviated hypoxia-caused damage to the main organs including intestine, increased the serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) (p< 0.05), diamino oxidase (DAO) (p< 0.01) levels, and decreased the serum levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) (p< 0.01), interleukin-4 (IL-4) (p<0.001), interferon-gamma ($IFN-{\gamma}$) (p<0.01) and malondialdehyde (MDA) (p<0.001), and decreased the serum erythropoietin (EPO) activity (p<0.05). Administration of vitamin E significantly increased the S-IgA (p<0.001) in ileum and significantly improved the expression levels of occludin and $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$, and decreased the expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha and 2 alpha ($HIF-1{\alpha}$ and $HIF-2{\alpha}$), Toll-like receptors (TLR4), P-$I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ and nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ p65(NF-${\kappa}B$ P65) in ileum compared to the HH group. This study suggested that vitamin E protectis from intestinal injury caused by high altitude hypoxia environment. These effects may be related to the HIF and TLR4/NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling pathway.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.523-532
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• 2017

A field survey studying intestinal parasites in humans and microbial pathogen contamination at environment was performed in a Laotian rural village to identify potential risks for disease outbreaks. A parasitological investigation was conducted in Ban Lak Sip village, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR involving fecal samples from 305 inhabitants as well as water samples taken from 3 sites of the local stream. Water analysis indicated the presence of several enteric pathogens, i.e., Aeromonas spp., Vibrio spp., E. coli H7, E. coli O157: H7, verocytotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC), Shigella spp., and enteric adenovirus. The level of microbial pathogens contamination was associated with human activity, with greater levels of contamination found at the downstream site compared to the site at the village and upstream, respectively. Regarding intestinal parasites, the prevalence of helminth and protozoan infections were 68.9% and 27.2%, respectively. Eight helminth taxa were identified in fecal samples, i.e., 2 tapeworm species (Taenia sp. and Hymenolepis diminuta), 1 trematode (Opisthorchis sp.), and 5 nematodes (Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Strongyloides stercoralis, trichostrongylids, and hookworms). Six species of intestinal protists were identified, i.e., Blastocystis hominis, Cyclospora spp., Endolimax nana, Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar, Entamoeba coli, and Giardia lamblia. Questionnaires and interviews were also conducted to determine risk factors of infection. These analyses together with a prevailing infection level suggested that most of villagers were exposed to parasites in a similar degree due to limited socio-economic differences and sharing of similar practices. Limited access to effective public health facilities is also a significant contributing factor.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.1290-1298
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• 2017

Intestinal microbiota is an important factor in the development of immune defense mechanisms in the human body. Treatments with anticancer agents, such as 5-Fluorouracil, Cisplatin, and Oxaliplatin, significantly change the temporal stability and environment of intestinal bacterial flora. The anticancer treatment chemotherapy often depresses the immune system and induces side effects, such as diarrhea. This study investigated the effects anticancer agents have on the intestinal microbial ecosystems of patients with gastric cancer. An exploration of the diversity and temporal stability of the dominant bacteria was undertaken using a DGGE with the 16S rDNA gene. Researchers collected stool samples from patients zero, two and eight weeks after the patients started chemotherapy. After the treatment with anticancer agents, the bacteria strains Sphingomonas paucimobilis, Lactobacillus gasseri, Parabacteroides distasonis and Enterobacter sp. increased. This study focused on the survival of the beneficial microorganisms Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in the intestines of cancer patients. The administration of antigastric cancer agents significantly decreased Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium populations and only moderately affected the main bacterial groups in the patients' intestinal ecosystems. The results showed the versatility of a cultivation independent-PCR DGGE analysis regarding the visual monitoring of ecological diversity and anticancer agent-induced changes in patients' complex intestinal microbial ecosystems.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.598-604
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• 1995

The contents in large intestine of Sprague Dawley rats fed polygalae radix(Polygala tennuifolia), onion(Allium cepa) and mugwort(Artemisia asiatica)-supplemented diets for 14 days were analysed for changes of major intestinal microflora, activities of ${\beta}-glucosidase\;and\;{\beta}-glucuronidase$ and amounts of putrefactive products such as indole and volatile basic nitrogen. The rats having ingested $5%{\sim}10%$ mugwort water or ethanol extract-supplemented diets showed a significant increase in intestinal bifido-bacteria and a decrease in clostridia and E. coli (p<0.05). And 10% onion juice group also showed a similar beneficial microflora change. In 5% mugwort powder-supplemented group, ${\beta}-glucosidase\;and\;{\beta}-glucuronidase$ activities in the intestinal contents were lowered, but the changes were not significant. Indole contents and pH in this group were significantly low compared with that of control (p<0.05). However, the activities of ${\beta}-glucosidase$ in 5% polygalae radix water extract and 10% onion juice-supplemented group and ${\beta}-glucuronidase\;in\;5%{\sim}10%$ mugwort water and ethanol extract-supplemented group were significantly higher than those of control (p<0.05). The intestinal indole contents of rats were significantly increased by feeding diet with water extract of polygalae radix and ethanol extract of mugwort which had brought comparatively large amount of protein in intestine (p<0.05). However, polygalae radix, onion, and mugwort-supplemented group had no effect on volatile basic nitrogen.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.31-35
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• 2000

This study was investigated to observe Lactobacillus spp. population of poultry digestive organ, duodenum, ilium, cecum and colon by growing steps and to select of valuable lactobacilli as probiotics. Two strains of male broiler commercial chickens, Hybrid and Ross, were used to evaluate population of Lactobacillus spp. in intestinal tracts. Three strains of Lactobacillus were identified, and bile salts environment. The number of lactovacilli was the lowest in duodenum compared to other intestinal tracts which had similar population. Population of Lactobacillus was maintained constantly regardless growing steps after one week of age. Identification of Lactobacillus from cecum resulted in L.reuteri BC5, L. crispatus BC7, L.reuteri BC9. All strains was depressed in pH 1 and 2, although two strains could survive for one hour at pH 2. And they could survive at pH 4 for 4hours. In bile salts tolerance, L.reuteri BC5, L.crispatus BC7 were maintained for 2 hours, but the growth reduced from 2hours. Growth of L.reuteri BC9 was increased continuously. In conclusion, Lactobacillus of intestinal tracts were established at first week, and maintained constant population. They were influenced on severe acidic condition and bile salts. Cecal Lactobacillus has different growth charcteristics by strains.