The University of Suwon

Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori ) is a major pathogen that colonizes the human gastric surface and induces chronic inflammation and mucosal damage, leading to various gastric diseases. This study examined the gastroprotective effects of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei HP7 in an H. pylori -infected animal model. Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups: normal control, H. pylori -infected control (HP), H. pylori -infected group treated with live L. paracasei HP7 for 4 weeks (L-HP7), and H. pylori -infected group treated with heat-killed L. paracasei HP7 for 4 weeks (HK-HP7). The results showed that serum histamine and gastrin levels, as well as gastric mucosal inflammatory cytokine mRNA levels, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18, interferon gamma, and tumor necrosis factor alpha, were significantly reduced in both the L-HP7 and HK-HP7 groups. Histopathological scoring of hematoxylin & eosin-stained gastric mucosal tissues also showed significant improvements in both groups. Serum anti- H. pylori immunoglobulin G (IgG) and CCK2R mRNA levels decreased in the L-HP7 group, whereas MUC1 mRNA levels increased. Collectively, these findings indicate that L. paracasei HP7, in both live and heat-killed forms, protects gastric surface epithelial and mucosal cells and alleviates inflammatory status by reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. L. paracasei HP7 may serve as a promising adjunct to antibiotics in the management of H. pylori -associated diseases.

Objectives: This study investigated differences in dietary habits, lifestyle patterns, and feeding- related developmental issues among Korean preschool children based on their parents’ levels of growth concern, and examined the associations between parental growth concern and children’s eating behaviors.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with parents of children aged 1–5 years residing in Gyeonggi Province, Korea. Participants were classified into high, moderate, and low growth concern groups using the children’s dietary screening test. Data were collected on the children’s anthropometric status, lifestyle routines, dietary intake patterns, eating behaviors, and mealtime media exposure.Results: Children in the high growth concern group showed a higher prevalence of underweight; irregular sleep and mealtime routines; and more frequent eating difficulties, including picky eating, slow eating, and oral processing problems. Mealtime media exposure was associated with lower fruit and vegetable intake and higher consumption of processed and sugar-rich foods. Higher parental growth concern did not correlate with healthier dietary or lifestyle outcomes.Conclusion: Preschool children’s dietary behaviors and routines differed according to the parents’ levels of growth concern. Higher levels of parental concern were associated with increased feeding difficulties and greater mealtime media exposure. These findings suggest that excessive concern may contribute to maladaptive eating patterns in children. Evidence- based parental guidance and structured nutrition education are essential to promote healthy growth and eating behaviors during early childhood.

Farmers are exposed to various risks due to the nature of the agricultural environment, and occupational injuries occur consistently. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the characteristics and predictors of major non-fatal occupational injuries among farmers by analysing incidents of non-fatal occupational injuries resulting in at least 1 day off work using the Korean Agricultural Workers’ Occupational Disease and Injury Survey data. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify the predictors of agricultural occupational injuries, and the results indicated that the risk for non-fatal injuries was higher among older individuals, individuals with pre-existing physical limitations and individuals who use agricultural machinery. The predictors were generally similar for most types of non-fatal injuries. By type of injuries, the risk for trip or slip was higher among women than men. The risk for injuries caused by excessive force or motion was higher among farmers doing rice farming, which is substantially mechanised, than field crop farmers or livestock farmers. The risk of falling from a height was higher among male orchard and greenhouse farmers. The risk of solo farm vehicle crash was higher among male farmers, older farmers, rice farmers, farmers with pre-existing physical limitations and farmers using agricultural machinery. The findings of this study may be useful for developing tailored policies and supportive projects for the Korean farmer population.