PURPOSE: To evaluate current complementary feeding and maternal nutritional knowledge of a multicultural family in Korea. METHODS: Foreign mothers of babies aged 9~24 months, who visited pediatric clinics or attended a meeting on a multicultural family party between December 2010 and April 2011, were asked to fill out questionnaires. Data from 146 questionnaires were analyzed. RESULTS: Complementary food was introduced at 4~7 months in 78% of babies. The following were the sources of information on complementary feeding: friends (34%), relatives (27%), books/magazines (19%), multicultural family educational support center (8%), mass media (4%), and hospitals (3%). The cases of complementary food introduction after 8 months (21% vs. 10%, p<0.001), initial use of commercial food (26% vs. 6%, P<0.001) and initial use of bottle feeding (15% vs. 3%, p<0.001) were more frequent compared to the 2009 Korean survey. Mothers agreeing with the following suggestions were relatively fewer: feeding minced meat from 6~7 months (61%), No mixed cereal powder as complementary food (61%), feeding egg white after 12 months (63%), no adding salt or sugar to the complementary food (64%), bottle weaning before 15~18 months (66%) and considering formula better than soy milk (68%). CONCLUSION: Complementary feeding practices of multicultural families showed many points of improvement compared with the 2009 Korean survey. Pediatricians should make more of an effort to consult with families of multicultural infants about nutrition and complementary feeding. Also, the government and the pediatrics academy need to institute policies to support the nutrition of multicultural infants.
Aged ; Bottle Feeding ; Edible Grain ; Egg White ; Friends ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Mass Media ; Meat ; Mothers ; Pediatrics ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Soy Milk ; Weaning

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify the level of oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OIPN), symptoms, distress, and quality of life (QoL) in gastrointestinal (GI) cancer patients and to identify the factors influencing QoL.METHODS: A total of 123 patients were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Surveys used were the Therapy-Induced Neuropathy Assessment Scale (TNAS) for OIPN, the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI-GI) for general symptoms associated with gastrointestinal cancer and its treatment, a distress thermometer, and the Euro Quality of Life Questionnaire 5-Dimensional Classification (EQ-5D) for QoL.RESULTS: The patients were classified into three groups based on their treatment completion time (current, completed less than one year ago, completed more than one year ago). The scores of MDASI-GI and distress were significantly lower in patients who had completed chemotherapy compared to those who were undergoing treatment (p=.04 and .02 respectively). However, TNAS score was significantly higher in patients who completed chemotherapy less than one year ago than the other two groups (p=.001). In multivariate regression models, the OIPN and distress or general symptoms were identified as factors associated with QoL.CONCLUSION: In this study, we identified the symptoms that are factors related to the QoL in patients with GI cancer. In particular, the symptoms of OIPN are reported at significantly increased levels for patients who have finished chemotherapy less than one year ago, so efforts to prevent and manage the symptoms of OIPN are needed in this timeframe. To improve QoL of patients with GI cancer, continuous attention and care are required not only during the treatment of cancer but also after the completion of treatment.
Classification ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Drug Therapy ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; Humans ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; Quality of Life ; Thermometers

Several outbreaks of Getah virus (GETV) have been reported in horses and pigs, causing large economic losses. However, there have been no reports describing serological survey for GETV in South Korea pigs. The present study conducted serological survey of GETV in South Korean pigs. A total of 670 whole blood samples were collected from domestic pigs. The overall seropositive rate was 26.4%, higher than the rates observed in racehorses in 2013–2014. Preparations for epidemics of novel diseases caused by climate change should include regular serological survey for these diseases, including GETV, and the development of vaccines against novel pathogens.

Although the prevalence of interracial marriages in Korea is increasing, little is known regarding the pregnancy outcomes of interracial couples. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in pregnancy outcomes between Korean and interracial Korean-foreign couples. Data for infants born in 2011 and 2012 were obtained from the national birth registry of the Korean Statistical Office. The couples were subdivided into Korean father-Korean mother, Korean father-foreign mother, and foreign father-Korean mother groups. Pregnancy outcomes included neonates with low birth weight (< 2,500 g) and those with high birth weight (> 4,000 g). In 2010 and 2011, 888,447 Korean father-Korean mother, 36,024 Korean father-foreign mother, and 4,955 foreign father-Korean mother neonates were delivered in Korea. After adjustment for parental age, educational level, parity, gestational age at delivery, and neonatal sex, the birth weights were found to be different between groups, with the highest number of foreign father-Korean mother and lowest number of Korean father-foreign mother pregnancies. Based on multivariate logistic regression analysis, the risk of low and large birth weights was higher in the Korean father-foreign mother and foreign father-Korean mother groups, respectively, compared with that in the Korean father-Korean mother group. There are significant differences in pregnancy outcomes including birth weights between Korean and interracial Korean-foreign couples.
Birth Weight ; Family Characteristics* ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Korea* ; Logistic Models ; Marriage ; Mothers ; Parents ; Parity ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome* ; Pregnancy* ; Prevalence

Emerging evidence has suggested that the gut microbiota contribute to brain dysfunction, including pathological symptoms of Alzheimer disease (AD). Microbiota secrete membrane vesicles, also called extracellular vesicles (EVs), which contain bacterial genomic DNA fragments and other molecules and are distributed throughout the host body, including blood. In the present study, we investigated whether bacteria-derived EVs in blood are useful for metagenome analysis in an AD mouse model. Sequence readings of variable regions of 16S rRNA genes prepared from blood EVs in Tg-APP/PS1 mice allowed us to identify over 3,200 operational taxonomic units corresponding to gut microbiota reported in previous studies. Further analysis revealed a distinctive microbiota landscape in Tg-APP/PS1 mice, with a dramatic alteration in specific microbiota at all taxonomy levels examined. Specifically, at the phylum level, the occupancy of p_Firmicutes increased, while the occupancy of p_Proteobacteria and p_Bacteroidetes moderately decreased in Tg-APP/PS1 mice. At the genus level, the occupancy of g_Aerococcus, g_Jeotgalicoccus, g_Blautia, g_Pseudomonas and unclassified members of f_Clostridiale and f_Ruminococcaceae increased, while the occupancy of g_Lactobacillus, unclassified members of f_S24-7, and g_Corynebacterium decreased in Tg-APP/PS1 mice. A number of genus members were detected in Tg-APP/PS1 mice, but not in wild-type mice, while other genus members were detected in wild-type mice, but lost in Tg-APP/PS1 mice. The results of the present study suggest that the bodily microbiota profile is altered in Tg-APP/PS1 mice, and that blood EVs are useful for the metagenome analysis of bodily microbiota in AD.
Alzheimer Disease* ; Animals ; Brain ; Classification ; DNA ; Extracellular Vesicles ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Genes, rRNA ; Membranes* ; Metagenome* ; Metagenomics ; Mice* ; Microbiota* ; Reading

The eye irritation potential of drug candidates or pharmaceutical ingredients should be evaluated if there is a possibility of ocular exposure. Traditionally, the ocular irritation has been evaluated by the rabbit Draize test. However, rabbit eyes are more sensitive to irritants than human eyes, therefore substantial level of false positives are unavoidable. To resolve this species difference, several three-dimensional human corneal epithelial (HCE) models have been developed as alternative eye irritation test methods. Recently, we introduced a new HCE model, MCTT HCETM which is reconstructed with non-transformed human corneal cells from limbal tissues. Here, we examined if MCTT HCETM can be employed to evaluate eye irritation potential of solid substances. Through optimization of washing method and exposure time, treatment time was established as 10 min and washing procedure was set up as 4 times of washing with 10 mL of PBS and shaking in 30 mL of PBS in a beaker. With the established eye irritation test protocol, 11 solid substances (5 non-irritants, 6 irritants) were evaluated which demonstrated an excellent predictive capacity (100% accuracy, 100% specificity and 100% sensitivity). We also compared the performance of our test method with rabbit Draize test results and in vitro cytotoxicity test with 2D human corneal epithelial cell lines.
Cornea* ; Epithelial Cells ; Humans ; Irritants ; Sensitivity and Specificity

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to identify clinical and imaging parameters that can be used in differentiation of benign versus malignancy of preoperative FNA diagnosis of Bethesda system IV nodules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed clinical, ultrasonographic, and CT findings of 28 thyroid nodules with Bethesda system IV cytology on FNA, which were proven as follicular or Hurthle cell neoplasms on surgical pathology. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences according to age, sex, and ultrasonographic parameters, including echogenicity, margin, calcification, shape, cystic component, and degree of vascularity and enhancement on CT were observed between benign and malignant follicular neoplasms. Only the lesion size was significantly different (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The size of follicular neoplasm is predictive of malignancy. If a thyroid nodule with the Bethesda IV cytology is larger than 24.5 mm, there will be a greater probability of malignancy.
Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Nodule

Aged ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Bone Density ; Cell Proliferation ; Durapatite ; Estradiol ; Estrogen Receptor alpha ; Estrogens ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Individuality ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Jaw ; Mandible ; Maxilla ; Osteoblasts ; Osteogenesis ; Osteoprotegerin ; Tissue Donors

Incidences of major feline viral diseases provide basic information for preventing viral disease in cats. Despite the growing interest in feline viral diseases, sero-surveillances have been lacking. In this study, we analyzed the diagnoses of feline viral diseases and conducted a sero surveillance of feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), feline calicivirus (FCV), feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1), and feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) in Korean cats. Of the 204 confirmed cases since 2015, the numbers of diagnoses for FPV, FIPV, FCV, feline influenza virus, and FHV-1 were 156, 32, 12, 3, and 1 case, respectively. In total, 200 sera, collected between 2019 and 2021, were screened for the presence of antibodies against FPV, 2 FCVs, FHV-1, and FIPV using a hemagglutination inhibition test and a virus-neutralizing assay (VNA). The overall seropositive rates in cats tested for FPV, the 2 FCVs, FHV-1, and FIPV were 92.5%. 42.0%, 37.0%, 52.0%, and 14.0%, respectively. A low correlation (r = 0.466) was detected between the VNA titers of 2 FCV strains. The highest incidence and seropositive rate of FPV reveal that FPV is circulating in Korean cats. The low r-value between 2 FCVs suggests that a new feline vaccine containing the 2 kinds of FCVs is required.

Background: Mammalian orthoreovirus type 3 (MRV3), which is responsible for gastroenteritis in many mammalian species including pigs, has been isolated from piglets with severe diarrhea. However, the use of pig-derived cells as an infection model for swineMRV3 has rarely been studied. Objectives: This study aims to establish porcine intestinal organoids (PIOs) and examine their susceptibility as an in vitro model for intestinal MRV3 infection. Methods: PIOs were isolated and established from the jejunum of a miniature pig.Established PIOs were characterized using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunofluorescence assays (IFAs) to confirm the expression of small intestine-specific genes and proteins, such as Lgr5, LYZI, Mucin-2, ChgA, and Villin. The monolayered PIOs and threedimensional (3D) PIOs, obtained through their distribution to expose the apical surface, were infected with MRV3 for 2 h, washed with Dulbecco’s phosphate-buffered saline, and observed. Viral infection was confirmed using PCR and IFA. We performed quantitative realtime reverse transcription-PCR to assess changes in viral copy numbers and gene expressions linked to intestinal epithelial genes and antiviral activity. Results: The established PIOs have molecular characteristics of intestinal organoids. Infected PIOs showed delayed proliferation with disruption of structures. In addition, infection with MRV3 altered the gene expression linked to intestinal epithelial cells and antiviral activity, and these effects were observed in both 2D and 3D models. Furthermore, viral copy numbers in the supernatant of both models increased in a time-dependent manner. Conclusions We suggest that PIOs can be an in vitro model to study the infection mechanism of MRV3 in detail, facilitating pharmaceutical development.