Prevalence and genetic characterization of canine parvoviruses in Korea.

The prevalence of canine parvovirus (CPV) variants in dog was investigated in a total of 51 fecal samples submitted over a 2-year period (2005-2007) in Korea. The CPV VP2 gene was amplified and sequenced from the fecal samples, and the results indicated that of the 51 samples, 49 samples belong to the CPV-2a family, 1 to CPV-2b, and the remaining 1 to CPV-2a variant. The VP2 gene of 20 isolates was sequenced and phylogenetic analysis was conducted.

Genetic characterization of canine rotavirus isolated from a puppy in Korea and experimental reproduction of disease.

Canine rotavirus was isolated from feces of a Korean Jindo dog with mild diarrhea, and the isolate was genetically characterized. Rotaviral antigen was detected in the feces using a commercial rotavirus antigen detection kit and cytopathic effects were observed in a cell line inoculated with the feces. The virus isolate (GC/KS05) was identified as subtype G3P[3] using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Effect of epidermal growth factor against radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis in rats.

Purpose: We tested the efficacy of oral recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) against radiation-induced oral mucositis in a rat model.

Methods And Materials: Each of 35 Sprague-Dawley rats, 7 to 8 weeks of age and weighing 178 +/- 5 grams, was irradiated once in the head region with 25 Gy, using a 4-MV therapeutic linear accelerator at a rate of 2 Gy/min. The irradiated rats were randomly divided into four groups: those receiving no treatment (Group 1), those treated with vehicle only three times per day (Group 2), and those treated with 50 microg/mL (Group 3), or 100 microg/mL (Group 4) rhEGF three times per day.

The effect of various concentrations of human recombinant epidermal growth factor on split-thickness skin wounds.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a potent stimulant of epithelialisation. However, topical application of EGF to achieve facilitated re-epithelialisation in partial thickness wounds has been controversial. A total of 10 pigs, each with eight 4 x 4 cm partial thickness wounds, were treated twice a day for 10 days to observe the effect of human recombinant EGF in concentrations of 0.