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Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of feeding starch sugar by-products (SSBs) on in situ disappearance rate, performance, and carcass characteristics of Hanwoo steers in the late finishing stage.Methods: To determine the in situ disappearance rate, nylon bags filled with 5 g of SSB were inserted into the ventral sac of two cannulated Holsteins cows and incubated for 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, and 48 h. A total of 30 Hanwoo steers were fed the experimental diets, which were basal diet (control) and 7% SSB on an as-fed basis (4.35% dry matter [DM]), formulated according to requirements of the Korean Feeding Standard for Hanwoo. The experiment was conducted over 80 days using a completely randomized block design.Results: Soluble fraction a of DM and organic matter (OM) was 44.20% and 64.60% DM, fraction b was 23.00% and 19.40% DM, and c values (the rate of degradation of fraction b) were 0.04 and 0.04/h, respectively. The effective degradability of DM at rumen solid outflow rates of 0.02, 0.05, and 0.08/h was 59.83, 54.75, and 52.16, respectively, and for OM was 77.78, 73.52, and 71.34, respectively. Initial and final body weight, average daily gain, DM intake, and gain:feed did not differ significantly between control and SSB groups during the entire experimental period. Carcass traits of Hanwoo steers with SSB supplementation were not significantly different between treatments except for dressing percentage, which was greater with SSB treatment. The content of saturated fatty acid (SFA) was greater and that of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) was lower in the SSB group than in the control group. The ratio of UFA to SFA was significantly lower in the SSB group than in the control group.Conclusion: A total mixed ration containing less than 4.0% DM of SSBs can be used in Hanwoo steers without a decrease in productivity and carcass traits.

Objective Despite the fracture risk associated with both antidepressant (AD) medication and benzodiazepines (BDZs), they are commonly prescribed simultaneously. However, studies elucidating the effects of concurrent use of BDZs and ADs on the risk fracture are scant. The objective of this study was to evaluate the risk of fracture associated with concurrent use of BDZs in AD users, using a self-controlled case-series analysis. Methods A self-controlled case-series analysis, in which the participants act as their own control, was conducted using the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort database (2002–2015). We studied AD users who were prescribed BDZs and diagnosed with a fracture. The risk periods were subdivided into consecutive periods (1–30, 31–60, and > 60 days) after receiving a BDZ. A 2-week pre-exposure period and a 2-week post-exposure period were also included. The incidence rate ratio (IRR) was estimated after adjusting for age and use of co-medications. Results A total of 3020 patients were identified during the study period. There was an increased fracture risk in the first 30 days following BDZ use (IRR: 1.88, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.66–2.12), in the 31–60-day period (1.73, 95% CI 1.48–2.02), and beyond the 60-day period (IRR: 1.68, 95% CI 1.47–1.91). The risks of fracture were greater in men and older patients. Conclusion The concomitant use of BDZs and ADs was related to a significant increase in fracture risk. AD users should be aware of the fracture risk with concomitant BDZ use, especially for first-time BDZ users and for elderly patients.

Older patients with stroke have poor functional prognosis compared to younger patients. Patients with stroke who have severe white matter (WM) lesions have been reported to have swallowing problems. The aim of this study was to determine whether the location of WM lesions affects swallowing function in older patients with mild stroke. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 88 patients aged > 65 years who had a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of ≤ 5 and who underwent videofluoroscopic swallowing examination after their first stroke. Participants were divided into three groups according to the involvement of corticobulbar tract (CBT) as follows: group I, no involvement of CBT; group II, involvement of CBT in one hemisphere; and group III, involvement of CBT in both hemispheres. Linear regression analysis showed that pharyngeal transit time tended to increase according to the involvement of CBT in WM lesion (p = 0.043). In addition, inadequate laryngeal elevation was related to the involvement of CBT (p = 0.016). Early spillage, inadequate laryngeal elevation, and penetration could also be predicted by Fazekas grade. Accordingly, the location of WM lesions can be regarded as a potential predictive factor for dysphagia. Moreover, in patients with WM lesions involving CBT, detailed evaluation of dysphagia is required.

This study was conducted to develop a highly digestible fermented foods for senior dogs through fermentation of protein ingredients. A total of 9 strains of starter culture (Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. fermentum, L. alimentarius, L. brevis, L. plantarum, L. reuteri, L. sakei, Pediococcus acidilactici, P. pentosaceus) were selected considering various fermentation parameters on high-protein ingredients based on previous studies. Six high-protein ingredients (duck meal, fish meal, chicken meat, egg yolk, bovine bone meal, soybean meal) mainly used for dog foods were fermented with the selected 9 strains. The fermentation efficiency of these ingredients was investigated by measuring pH and ammonia nitrogen. In consideration of economic efficiency, solid fermentation with a moisture content of 50% was performed for short-term period at 37°C for 24 hours. Dog foods containing these fermented ingredients were manufactured to measure in vitro dry matter and pepsin digestibility. As a result, the fermentation effect was best when duck meal, fish meal, and chicken meat were inoculated with Lactobacillus reuteri (ΔpH; -0.42 ~ 0.43, ΔNH3-N conc.; 0.335 ~ 1.354g/L), bovine bone meal with Lactobacillus acidophilus (ΔpH; -0.48, ΔNH3-N conc.; 1.350g/L), egg yolk with Pediococcus acidilactici (ΔpH; 0.16, ΔNH3-N conc.; 0.586g/L), and soybean meal with Lactobacillus alimentarius (ΔpH; -1.65, ΔNH3-N conc.; 0.158g/L). Overall, the digestibilities of fermented foods were higher (P < 0.05) than those of non-fermented foods in in vitro dry matter and pepsin digestibility. The above results could be used as basic data for the development of foods to improve digestibility of senior dogs by fermenting high-protein ingredients.

Graphical abstract, Highlights • The experiments with military working dogs (MWDs) as a special case were carried out. • Osteoarthritis is a common inflammatory disease in MWDs. • We evaluated a mixture of natural botanicals as a dietary supplement. • This supplementation had positive effects on hematological and serological values. • Results provided support for the development of a feed supplement for MWDs., The health of military working dogs (MWDs) deployed with Korean troops is of prime importance. The aim of our study was to investigate the hematologic and serologic status of Korean MWDs given natural botanical supplements. To do this, 11 natural botanicals were selected based on relevant references and combined to supplement MWDs. Throughout the 16-week experimental periods, there was no significant difference in body weights of individual dogs. The Hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), and Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) values were slightly higher in the group given the supplement. On the other hand, the Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) values were slightly lower. Changes in platelet, lymphocyte, and basophil counts were observed in the supplemented group. The median serum IL-6 level did not differ significantly between the supplemented and control groups. However, the mean serum C-reactive protein (CRP) value increased significantly from the start of supplementation to 8 weeks, and then decreased at 16 weeks. Taken together, our result suggests that the health condition of most MWDs supplemented with natural botanicals was gradually improved. Thus, this study may provide support for the development of a feed supplement for MWDs using natural botanicals.

Purpose To assess the performance of model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) technique for evaluation of coronary artery stents on coronary CT angiography (CCTA). Materials and Methods Twenty-two patients with coronary stent implantation who underwent CCTA were retrospectively enrolled for comparison of image quality between filtered back projection (FBP), adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) and MBIR. In each data set, image noise was measured as the standard deviation of the measured attenuation units within circular regions of interest in the ascending aorta (AA) and left main coronary artery (LM). To objectively assess the noise and blooming artifacts in coronary stent, we additionally measured the standard deviation of the measured attenuation and intra-luminal stent diameters of total 35 stents with dedicated software. Results All image noise measured in the AA (all p < 0.001), LM (p < 0.001, p = 0.001) and coronary stent (all p < 0.001) were significantly lower with MBIR in comparison to those with FBP or ASIR. Intraluminal stent diameter was significantly higher with MBIR, as compared with ASIR or FBP (p < 0.001, p = 0.001). Conclusion MBIR can reduce image noise and blooming artifact from the stent, leading to better in-stent assessment in patients with coronary artery stent.

To evaluate the prevalence, clinical relevance, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of extra-capsular ganglia at the gastrocnemius origin and to assess their association with internal derangement and osteoarthritis of the knee.One hundred consecutive knee MRI examinations, obtained within a 6-month period from patients with no history of recent knee trauma, recent injections, inflammatory arthritis, infection, or tumours, were evaluated retrospectively for the presence of ganglia at the gastrocnemius origin. The lesions were divided into two groups: an intra-capsular and an extra-capsular group. Cyst morphology (size, shape, and internal septa), internal derangement of the knee (cartilage lesion, cruciate ligament injury, meniscal tear, and corner injury on MRI, and osteoarthritis of the knee on radiographs) were evaluated. The chi-square, Fisher's exact, and t-tests were used to compare the two groups, in addition to multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis.Thirty-nine ganglia with an extra-capsular location were identified on 100 knee MRI (39 %). Rounded shape and internal septa were more common in the extra-capsular than in the intra-capsular group (p0.001). Frequencies of high-grade cartilage, meniscal tear, and high-grade osteoarthritis significantly differed between the groups (p≤0.038). In multivariate analysis, the only significant association was between high-grade osteoarthritis and the extra-capsular group.Extra-capsular ganglia at the gastrocnemius origin were not uncommon on knee MRI and had features typical of ganglia found at other sites. High-grade osteoarthritis was significantly associated with extra-capsular ganglia.

This research was conducted to grasp the present condition of environmental management relating to Korea detector dogs that performed their duties such as detection and lifesaving. We directly conducted a survey throughout visit to five government agencies. In environmental management case, average length and width of kennels were 1.78 m and 3.50 m, respectively. Types of floor were searched as coating cement, tile, ucrete and concrete. Most of government agencies ventilated kennels using ventilation fan systems with natural ventilation. But there were differences between government agencies in frequencies of the sanitary management items. On the other side, major diseases of the German shepherd breed as a major detector dog were in order of arthritis, measles, earache, and dermatosis. And their daily training time was average 4 hours. Finally, it is thought that these results could be used as a basic data of standard breeding management manual of Korea detector dog.( Key words

Aim To evaluate the efficacy of facet joint injection (FJI) for patients with lumbar central canal stenosis (LCS) in comparison with epidural steroid injection (ESI) in the same individuals. Material and methods Two hundred and fifty-two patients who underwent both FJI and ESI for LCS between January 2014 and December 2014 were considered for enrolment in the study. A radiologist retrospectively conducted a chart review and recorded which injection was chosen as the third injection after sequential injections of FJI and ESI, and why clinicians chose the particular injection method. The response was measured via the use of a five-point satisfaction scale. Results Among 252 patients, only 73 patients were included in the study (the remaining patients did not fulfil the inclusion criteria). Out of 73 patients (mean age, 69.7 years; range, 49∼87 years), 50 patients had received a third injection, 33 patients (66%) underwent FJIs as a third injection. Out of 19 patients who had experienced an ineffective first ESI, 13 (68.4%) patients reported the second FJI as effective. Out of six patients for whom the first FJI had been ineffective, three (50%) patients reported the second ESI as effective. Conclusion FJIs can be administered as an alternative to ESIs in cases of LCS.

There are many types of relatively common soft tissue tumors, including myxoid tumors and benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors (BPNSTs). BPNSTs constitute more than 10% of all benign tumors, while myxoid tumors constitute about 3.2% of all benign tumors and over 11% of all malignant soft tissue tumors (1-5). Myxoid This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Received: July 13, 2015 Revised: September 7, 2015 Accepted: September 11, 2015

Objective To evaluate the association between alpha angle and herniation pit on MRI in asymptomatic hip joints and their associations with demographic variables. Materials and Methods Hip MRI of 185 asymptomatic hip joints of 105 adults (age 18 to 80 years) from September 2011 through December 2012 were retrospectively studied. Alpha angles were measured on oblique axial MR images by 2 observers. Herniation pit was determined by 1 observer. Size measures, prevalence, and statistical analyses were conducted regarding its association with age, gender, laterality (right or left hip). Intra- and inter-observer agreements were determined by intra-class correlation coefficient. Results The prevalence of herniation pit in asymptomatic hips was 21.6%. The range of alpha angle was 27.6-65.0 degrees. Seventeen and 16 out of 185 (9.1% and 8.6%) hip joints showed alpha angle of ≥ 55 degrees in first and second measurement sessions, respectively. There was no association between alpha angle ≥ 55 and presence of herniation pit. There was no association between alpha angle ≥ 55 and the size of herniation pit. Inter-observer agreement of alpha angle was 0.485 between first measurements of first vs. second observer, respectively. Intra-observer agreement of alpha angle was 0.654, respectively. Forty (21.6%) of 185 hip joints (35 of 105 patients, 33.3%) had herniation pit, with no difference according to age, gender, or laterality of hip joint. Conclusion There is no association between alpha angle ≥ 55 degrees and presence of herniation pit or demographic variables.