Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) primarily infects dogs, which are the main host reservoir, causing severe gastrointestinal disease associated with immunosuppression. The present study was conducted in Thessaly, Greece and aimed to identify risk and environmental factors associated with CPV-2 infection in diarrheic dogs. Fecal samples were collected from 116 dogs presenting diarrhea and were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of CPV-2 DNA. Supplementary data regarding clinical symptoms, individual features, management factors and medical history were also gathered for each animal during clinical evaluation.  https://www.selleckchem.com/peptide/box5.html  Sixty-eight diarrheic dogs were found to be positive for the virus DNA in their feces. Statistical analysis revealed that CPV-2 DNA was less likely to be detected in senior dogs, while working dogs, namely hounds and shepherds, had higher odds to be positive for the virus. Livestock density and land uses, specifically the categories of discontinuous urban fabric and of human population density, were identified as significant environmental parameters associated with CPV-2 infection by using Geographical Information System (GIS) together with the Ecological Niche Model (ENM). This is the first description of the environmental variables associated with the presence of CPV-2 DNA in dogs' feces in Greece.The COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic is posing a threat to communities and healthcare systems worldwide. Malnutrition, in all its forms, may negatively impact the susceptibility and severity of SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) infection in both children and older adults. Both undernutrition and obesity have been evoked as conditions associated with a higher susceptibility to the infection and poor prognosis. In turn, the COVID-19 infection may worsen the nutritional status through highly catabolic conditions, exposing individuals to the risk of malnutrition, muscle wasting, and nutritional deficiencies. Accordingly, the relationship between malnutrition and COVID-19 is likely to be bidirectional. Furthermore, the modification of nutritional behaviors and physical activity, required to limit the spread of the virus, are posing a challenge to health at both the extremes of life. Thus far, even the most advanced healthcare systems have failed to address the alarming consequences of malnutrition posed by this pandemic. If not properly addressed, we may run the risk that new and old generations will experience the consequences of COVID-19 related malnutrition.The prevalence of varicella is especially high among children in the age group of 4-6 years in South Korea, regardless of vaccination. We investigated the immune status of healthy children enrolled in day-care centers and compared pre- and post-vaccination immunity. Antibody titers were measured using a glycoprotein enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (gpEIA) kit, and the seroconversion rate was assessed using a fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen (FAMA) test. Among 541 vaccinated children, 109 (20.1%) had breakthrough varicella. However, 13 (72.2%) of the 18 unvaccinated children had a history of varicella. The gpEIA geometric mean titers (GMTs) of pre- and 5 weeks post-vaccination in 1-year-old children were 14.7 and 72 mIU/mL, respectively, and the FAMA seroconversion rate was 91.1%. The gpEIA GMTs of 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-year-old children were 104.1, 133.8, 223.5, 364.1, and 353.0 mIU/mL, respectively. Even though the gpEIA GMT increased with age, the pattern of gpEIA titer distribution in 4- to 6-year-old vaccinees without varicella history represented both waning immunity and natural boosting immunity. These results suggest that some vaccinees are vulnerable to varicella infection. Therefore, it is necessary to consider a two-dose varicella vaccine regimen in South Korea.Periodontal disease is a major public health issue, and various periodontal therapies have been performed to regenerate periodontal tissues. The periodontium is a complex structure composed of specialized tissues that support the teeth, and most periodontal surgeries are invasive procedures, including a resection of the gingiva or the alveolar bone. The periodontal wound healing process is slightly different from cutaneous wound healing and is similar to fetal healing, being almost scar-free. The aim of this review article is to provide an overview of periodontal wound healing and discuss various surgical and pharmaceutical approaches to achieve stable wound healing and improve the treatment outcomes. In addition, detrimental and limiting factors that induce a compromised prognosis are discussed, along with the perspective and future direction for successful periodontal tissue regeneration.Various peptides and their derivatives have been reported to exhibit antimicrobial activities. Although these activities have been examined against microorganisms, novel methods have recently emerged for conjugation of the biomaterials to improve their activities. Here, we prepared CKR12-PLGA, in which CKR12 (a mutated fragment of human cathelicidin peptide, LL-37) was conjugated with poly (lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA), and compared the antimicrobial and antifungal activities of the conjugated peptide with those of FK13 (a small fragment of LL-37) and CKR12 alone. The prepared CKR12-PLGA was characterized by dynamic light scattering and measurement of the zeta potential, critical micellar concentration, and antimicrobial activities of the fragments and conjugate. Although CKR12 showed higher antibacterial activities than FK13 against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, the antifungal activity of CKR12 was lower than that of FK13. CKR12-PLGA showed higher antibacterial activities against S. aureus and E. coli and higher antifungal activity against Candida albicans compared to those of FK13. Additionally, CKR12-PLGA showed no hemolytic activity in erythrocytes, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy suggested that CKR12-PLGA killed and disrupted the surface structure of microbial cells. Conjugation of antimicrobial peptide fragment analogues was a successful approach for obtaining increased microbial activity with minimized cytotoxicity.