• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제55권5호
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• pp.465-472
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• 2017

Recent trends of malaria in Thailand illustrate an increasing proportion of Plasmodium vivax, indicating the importance of P. vivax as a major causative agent of malaria. P. vivax malaria is usually considered a benign disease so the knowledge of this parasite has been limited, especially the genetic diversity and genetic structure of isolates from different endemic areas. The aim of this study was to examine the population genetics and structure of P. vivax isolates from 4 provinces with different malaria endemic settings in Thailand using 6 microsatellite markers. Total 234 blood samples from P. vivax mono-infected patients were collected. Strong genetic diversity was observed across all study sites; the expected heterozygosity values ranged from 0.5871 to 0.9033. Genetic variability in this study divided P. vivax population into 3 clusters; first was P. vivax isolates from Mae Hong Son and Kanchanaburi Provinces located on the western part of Thailand; second, Yala isolates from the south; and third, Chanthaburi isolates from the east. P. vivax isolates from patients having parasite clearance time (PCT) longer than 24 hr after the first dose of chloroquine treatment had higher diversity when compared with those having PCT within 24 hr. This study revealed a clear evidence of different population structure of P. vivax from different malaria endemic areas of Thailand. The findings provide beneficial information to malaria control programme as it is a useful tool to track the source of infections and current malaria control efforts.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.131-142
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• 1990

The selective toxicity of lead was tested in central catecholaminergic nervous system of postnatally lead exposed rats. Three groups of animals were prepared; 1) rats exposed to low dose of lead (0.05%PbAc); 2) rats exposed to high dose of lead(0.2%PbAc); 3) age-matched normal control rats. At2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks of age brain and body weight gain, and lead concentrations in brain tissues were measured. At the same ages tyrosine hydroxylase and Na-K ATPase activities were measured in the 4 brain areas of each animal. Body weight gain was decreased after 6 weeks of age in rats exposed to high dose of lead. Concentrations of lead in whole brain tissues were increased from 0.37 to 0.83 (ng/mg wet tissue) in these animals. in lead exposed rats, tyrosine hydroxylase activities were higher but Na-K ATPase activities were lower than those of age-matched control animals. Brain areas where tyrosine hydroxylase activities were detected without concomitant changes of Na-K ATPase activities were pons-medulla (2 weeks of age) and telencephalon (6 weeks of age) in rats exposed to low dose of lead, and those in rats exposed to high dose of lead were midbrain (4 and 6 weeks of age). These data indicate that catecholaminergic nervous system in the brain areas described above could selectively be affected by lead.

• 제어로봇시스템학회논문지
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• 제22권11호
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• pp.967-976
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• 2016

This paper presents a 3D carrier-smoothed GNSS/DR (Global Navigation Satellite System/Dead Reckoning) integrated system for precise ground-vehicle trajectory estimation. For precise DR navigation on sloping roads, the AHRS (Attitude Heading Reference System) methodology is employed. By combining the integrated carrier phase of GNSS and DR sensor measurements, a vehicle trajectory with an accuracy of less than 20cm is obtained even when cycle slip or change of visibility occur. In order to supplement the weak GNSS environment with DR successfully, the DR sensor is precisely compensated for using GNSS Doppler measurements when GNSS visibility is good. By integrating a multi-GNSS receiver with low-cost IMU, a precise 3D navigation system for land vehicles is proposed in this paper. For real-time implementation, a decoupled Kalman filter is employed in the integrated system. Through field experiments, the performance of the proposed system is verified in various road environments, including sloping roads, good-visibility areas, high multi-path areas, and under-ground parking areas.

• 보건교육건강증진학회지
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.117-127
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• 2009

Objectives: The primary objective of the study is to analyze the utilization patterns of provincial patients discharged from hospitals located in Seoul area. Methods: For the analysis, the study employed the nationwide data on 'Survey of Injured Patients Discharged from Hospitals' conducted by KCDC (Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). The statistical methodology used in the measurement model is a logistic regression model. Results: The study has three major findings. First, compared to other disease groups, the discharged on both 'neoplasm(cancer)' and 'congenital malformation, deformity and chromosomal abnormalities' disease groups are more likely to utilize hospitals in Seoul area. Second, as for 'neoplasm(cancer)' disease group, patients with 'bones and articular cartilage' areas are more likely to utilize hospitals in Seoul area. Finally, Hospitals with more than 1,000 beds was primary factor in selecting Seoul-based hospitals by the discharged in provincial areas. Conclusion: In sum, the study showed that patients in provincial areas are more likely to utilize hospitals located in Seoul area regardless of the severity of their cases. Local authority, therefore, is required to monitor local hospitals on regular basis, as well as support them to establish specialized medical centers by providing human and physical resources.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제54권2호
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• pp.215-219
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• 2016

Clonorchis sinensis is currently the most important parasite affecting public health problems in the Republic of Korea. We investigated the prevalence of C. sinensis infection among residents living along 5 major rivers in Korea. A total of 42,562 individual stool samples were collected from 37 localities and examined using the formalin-ether sedimentation technique. Helminth eggs were detected in 4,052 (9.5%) residents and 3,586 (8.4%) were infected with C. sinensis. The egg positive rate of C. sinensis in Nakdong, Seomjin, Geum, Yeongsan, and Han River was 11.7%, 9.9%, 6.5%, 3.1%, and 1.0%, respectively. The overall prevalence of clonorchiasis by sex was 11.2% in males and 6.2% in females. The age-prevalence was the highest in the 50-59 years band. It has been reconfirmed that the endemicity of clonorchiasis is higher in southern areas of Korea, especially along Nakdong and Seomjin Rivers. A combination of continuous control programs with health education initiatives is urgently required in these highly endemic areas of clonorchiasis in Korea.

• 정신신체의학
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• 제4권2호
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• pp.226-244
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• 1996

This study was designed to evaluate the social support network of schizophrenic patients. 64 schizophrenic patients being treated as out-door patient were compared with 30 neurotic control patients. Schizophrenics were divided into positive, subpositive, subnegative and negative subgroups by present symptom and social network of both schizophrenics and control group were evaluated. The results are as follows: 1) Social network of schizophrenics was smaller than that of control group. Size of social network of schizophrenics was 10.6 and that of control group was 23.5. 2) In both kin and nonkin, social network of schizophrenics was smaller than that of control group. Of the kin, schizophrenics were more supported by wife or husband, father, and mother, but were less supported by brother, son and other relatives. 3) There was no difference in the kin or nonkin or total supporters between the four subgroups of schizophrenics. But, subgroup of schizophrenics which was divided as having negative symptom had smaller network than control group in active formal and informal supporters. 4) When divided into 4 support areas, schizophrenics was remarkably less supported in emotional, instrumental and appraisal support area than control group, but there was no difference in the informational support areas. 5) Compared with control group, schizophrenics more often mentioned parent and ten often mentioned nonkin supporter as the one that is most important to him. 6) Schizophrenics had smaller cluster and less leisure activity than control group. Subgroup of schizophrenics who was divided as having negative symptom had less frequency of leisure activity than other subgroups.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.163-169
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• 2012

Purpose: The present study was designed to investigate the effect of trunk control training on the labile surface on relative impulse and balance in stroke patients. Methods: A total of 21 participants were assigned to an experimental group (n=11) or a control group (n=10). In addition to conventional therapy, the experimental group received trunk control training on the swiss ball; 20 minutes, 4 times a week, for 8 weeks. Balance ability was evaluated by FRT (functional reaching test) and TUG (time up and go). In addition relative impulse in 6 areas of the foot (hallux, 1st metatarsal head, 2~3 metatasal head, 4~5 metatasal head, mid foot and heel) were measured using the F-scan system to evaluate locomotion ability during gait. Results: Significant differences in the relative impulse were observed in the areas of the 2~3 metatasal head during gait after exercise in both the control group and experimental group (p<0.05). Also, a significant increase was seen in the hallux after exercise in the experimental group (p<0.05), but no such significant increase was seen in the control group (p>0.05). Significant differences were observed in FRT and TUG in the experimental group but no such significant increase was observed in the control group (p>0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that trunk control training on labile surface improves the balance in stroke patients and has a positive effect on locomotion ability.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제60권3호
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• pp.187-193
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• 2022

The positive rate of Clonorchis sinensis is the highest among intestinal parasites in the Republic of Korea (Korea). More than 1.2 million people were at risk of C. sinensis infection in Korea in 2012. An intensive control program is being implemented for residents of the 5 major river basins to reduce helminthic infections, including C. sinensis infection. This study evaluated the continuous intensive control program for parasitic diseases including clonorchiasis in areas near the 5 major river basins in Korea over the past 10 years (2011-2020). A total of 335,020 fecal samples (one sample per resident) prepared by the modified sedimentation technic were microscopically examined. Those who expelled helminth eggs were treated with anthelmintics through local health centers and re-examined 3 months later. The overall positive rate of helminths egg was 7.1%. The annual positive rates were dramatically decreased from 14.4% (2011) to 5.9% (2020). The egg positive rate was highest in C. sinensis (5.3%), followed by heterophyid flukes (1.5%) and Trichuris trichiura (0.2%). The prevalence of C. sinensis was significantly higher in males (7.6%) than in females (3.7%), and the highest in the 50-59 years (7.0%) age group. Our results are beneficial to establish prevention and control policies against helminthiases including clonorchiasis in endemic areas in this country.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.153-174
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• 1995

This study was conducted to examine the determinant factors for expenditure of the medical insurance program for self-employeds based on the analysis of 1991 'The Medical Insurance Program for Self-Employeds Statistical Yearbook', and also similar yearbooks in the metropolitan and other provinces. The major findings are as follows : We have divided benefits into these four components such as the utilization rate for out-patients, expenses per claim for out-patients as paid by the insurer, utilization rate for in-patients, and the expenses per claim for in-patients as paid by the insurer, in order to examine the determinant factors for it. The results of the study revealed the following findings, in urban areas, the supply of medical care had more influence on the benefits than other demographic and economic variables, while, in county areas, both the supply of medical care and the rate of those aged over 65 affected the provision of benefits. The determinant factors for financial balance of the medical insurance program for self-employeds are, first, the determinant factor for administrative expenses was the number of households. The more the number of households, the less the administrative expenses per the insured. This shows that the economy of scale is being. And so, the administrative district must be taken into consideration in the incorporation of small regional medical societies and should be re-organized for more efficient management. Second, in urban areas, the supply of medical care had more influence on utilization rate and expenses per claim as paid by insurer, and therefore it is necessary to control it. In county areas, the supply of medical care and the rate of those aged over 65 raised the utilization rate and expenses per claim as paid by insurer. For the financial stability of county areas, a common fund for medical care for the aged and expansion of finance stabilization fund would be necessary. But, in county areas, it would be unnecessary to control the supply of medical care because it was much more insufficient than in urban areas. The vitalization of public health facilities must be carried out in county areas, for they reduced benefits. Sice the more insured in a single household, the less the utilization of the medical insurance program, benefits for habilitation at home should be given consideration. The law of majority and the economy of scale were applied here, and therefore the incorporation of regional medical societies must be taken into consideration. In integrating regional medical societies, it would be absolutely necessary to review the structural differences among all regional medical societies, the medical demand of each region, and also the local characteristics of each region.

• 환경생물
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• 제38권1호
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• pp.189-196
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• 2020

모기는 감염병을 매개하는 생물종으로서 인간생활에 불편을 야기하며, 교통 및 운송수단 등의 발달로 인해 새로운 질병 도입 및 질병 매개체의 확산에 대한 우려가 증가하고 있는 실정이다. 환경부 토지피복지도 분류체계와 연계하여 모기가 발생 가능한 서식지 유형을 파악하고, 각각의 서식지 유형 특성에 따라 출현 가능한 모기 종류를 함께 구분하였다. 또한 모기의 생태적 특성을 고려하여, 서식지 유형별로 최적의 방제 방법을 제시하였다. 도심지역은 위생 해충의 발생원이 다양한 서식지가 분포하는 지역으로, 최소 환경 조건만 갖춰진다면 모기가 대량 발생하기 적합한 환경일 것으로 보인다. 발생원이 광범위하기 때문에 유충과 성충 방제를 같이 수행하며, 시민들을 대상으로 방제 교육이나 홍보물을 배부하여 적극적인 방제의식을 함양시키는 것이 효과적일 것으로 판단된다. 농업지역의 경우, 저수지나 늪지, 논 등의 정수역에서 모기 유충의 서식밀도가 높을 것으로 예상되어 천적생물을 이용한 생물학적 방제를 이용하면 개체수를 조절하는 데 유용할 것으로 보인다. 산림지역은 흰줄숲모기(Aedes albopictus)의 주요 서식지로서 무분별한 산림벌채를 최소화하고 인근 거주민을 대상으로 물리적 방제를 실시해야 할 것으로 판단되며, 기타지역은 수생태계를 중심으로 발생 가능한 모기 유충을 방제하기 위해 생물학적 방제와 Bti를 이용한 화학적 방제가 병행되어야 할 것으로 보인다. 본 연구는 서식지를 크게 4가지(도심지역, 농업지역, 산림지역, 기타지역)로 분류하여 모기에게 적합한 서식지를 고찰하였으며, 모기 서식지별로 적합한 방제법을 제시하였다. 모기의 개체수를 보다 효율적으로 조절하고, 하절기 시민들의 불편과 피해를 감소시킬 수 있는 기초자료로 제공할 수 있을 것으로 전망한다.