• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.153-157
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• 2006

In 2005, average temperature was lower, and average rainfall was less than those of previous year. The diseases of rice, barley, pepper, chinese melon, apple and oriental pear were surveyed. Bacterial blight, bacterial grain rot, and panicle disease of rice, black rot of pear, and white rot and bitter rot of apple were severe. Especially, brown rot of rice occurred four times higher than those of previous year. Panicle blight of rice increased about 3 times, compared with the previous year, presumed that the higher rainy days, rainfall and RH promoted spread of the fungal pathogens to panicles of rice. The diseases of rice leaf blast, sudden wilt syndrome, downy mildew and powdery mildew of chinese melon in plastic greenhouse, and virus diseases of hot pepper occurred distinctly less than those of the previous year. Another diseases surveyed occurred similar or less.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.155-163
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• 2010

The epidemiological study was performed to survey the prevalence of fish pathogens in cultured olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus from 2005 to 2007. In this study, the fish pathogens were detected from 1,528 among 2,238 fish samples collected yearly in 5 sites from February, May, August and November. Annual incidences for three years show a yearly increase and there were 60.6% in 2005, 66.7% in 2006 and 72.3% in 2007, respectively. Seasonal prevalence was 63.5% in February, 67.4% in May, 75.1% in August and 64.4% in November for three years. The detection rates of 6 viral pathogens were 35.6% in 2005, 44.6% in 2006 and 24.4% in 2007 and the peak rate was 55.4% at adult size group (above 41cm). Viral nervous necrosis virus (24.7%) has been the most predominant virus in this investigation, while much lower rates were noted in viral haemorrhagic septicemia virus (10.6%) and red sea bream iridovirus (0.9%).

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.369-377
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• 2010

The epidemiological study was performed to survey the prevalence of fish pathogens of cultured olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus collected in Pohang, Ulsan.Gijang, Keoje and Wando area of Korea from 2005 to 2007. In this study, the fish pathogens were detected from 1,528 among 2,238 fish samples and annual incidences were 60.6% in 2005, 66.7% in 2006 and 72.3% in 2007, respectively. Seasonal prevalence was 63.5% in February, 67.3% in May, 75.1% in August and 64.2% in November for three years. The detection rates of parasites, bacteria or viruses were 36.7%, 32.8% and 31.4%, respectively. 775 cases (34.6%) among 2,238 fish samples showed mixed infection with a different pathogens. The distribution of specific diseases showed that detection rates of diseases occurring the most frequently during the study period were Trichodina spp., (28.2%), viral nervous necrosis virus (24.3%), Vibrio (11.6%), viral hemorrhagic septicaemia virus (10.5%).

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.272-279
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• 2011

Fusarium species are worldwide causal agents of Fusarium head blight (FHB) in cereals such as barley and wheat. Their toxigenic potential is a health risk for both humans and animals. To survey the natural occurrence of FHB and mycotoxins produced by Fusarium, total 126 barley or wheat grains grown in 2009-2010 season in Korea were collected. The incidence of FHB was 30.7% in silage barley, 26.9% in wheat, 20.7% in naked barley, 19.4% in malting barley, 16.4% in unhulled barley. Overall FHB incidence of barley and wheat in 2010 was 23.0% and 10% higher than that of 2009. The incidences and level of deoxynivalenol (DON), nivalenol (NIV), and zearalenone (ZEA) were 34%, 0.89 mg/kg, 84.9%, 1.86 mg/kg, and 10.3%, 0.06 mg/kg respectively. The both levels and incidences of NIV were found to be highest in barley, whereas the level of DON was found to be highest in wheat. Incidences of DON and NIV and the level of NIV in the samples from southern regions of Korea were higher than those from central region, whereas the level of DON from central region was higher than that from southern regions. This is the first paper demonstrating regional difference in natural occurrence of DON and NIV in wheat and barley.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.571-581
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• 2009

Background : Early in November 2002, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) began to spread throughout thirty-two countries around the world. A total of 5,327 cases were reported in China, including 1,755 cases in Hong Kong and 655 in Taiwan. The total number of cases reported from Canada and Singapore was more than 200. The total number of SARS cases world-wide reached 8,437 with incidences. Mortality from SARS is estimated at around 11%. Under the guidance of the World Health Organization (WHO), clinical studies on the use of integrated herbal medicine and western medicine for treating SARS were carried out in China and Hong Kong. The official report suggested that integrated treatment was more effective than western medicine alone in clinical symptoms, lung inflammation, blood oxygen saturation, immunological functions and others. Objective : To overview the treatment principle and the prescriptions according to the regimens and the stages for SARS of the reports, and further to broaden our knowledge of treatment of acute infectious diseases using natural herbal medicine. Methods : We reviewed nine of WHO SARS reports that comprehensively described the principles and methods of treatment and summarized them into eight treatment methods. We analyzed the herbal formulae on the basis of their treatment principles, evaluated them in accordance with warm disease study, listed frequently used herbs, and assessed patent prescriptions and herbal injections that were mentioned in the reports. Results and Conclusion : The reports divided the course of SARS into 3 to 6 stages such as high fever stage, fastigium stage, and convalescent stage. Frequently used herbs were Radix Scutellariae, Radix Paeoniae, Radix Astragali, Semen Armeniacae, Radix Pseudostellariae, Radix Ophiopogonis, and Fructus Schizandrae. Herbal decoctions were the primary method of treatment, while extracts or injections were secondary. Prescriptions were mainly based on the warm disease study. SARS is a viral disease caused by corona virus, and herbal medicine is proven to be effective against it. We believe that evidences and experiences from SARS cases can be a good reference to further researches on acute infectious diseases.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.196-204
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• 2019

Rice panicle blast occurred severely in southern provinces of Korea in 2014. The proportion of panicle blast incidence area to cultivated area of rice were 11.0% and 14.6% in Jeollanam-do and Gyeongsangnam-do, respectively. To identify the causal factors of the outbreak, we investigated weather conditions in August, amount of cultivated area of mainly grown cultivars, and nitrogen contents in plants with different disease incidences in 2014. 'Saenuri,' 'Ilmibyeo,' 'Unkwang,' 'Dongjin 1 ho,' 'Nampyeongbyeo,' and 'Hwangkeumnuri' were mainly grown cultivars. Monthly average of daily air temperature in August 2014 was 3.2℃ and 3.1℃ less than 2018 in Haenam and Miryang, respectively. Rainfall in August 2014 was 70.0% and 42.0% greater than 2018 in Haenam and Miryang, respectively. The numbers of blast warning days in August calculated nationwide using a forecast model for blast infection were higher in 2014 than in 2018, and they were in high level throughout the country in 2014. Nitrogen contents in plant samples from high-incidence plots were significantly higher than those from low-incidence plots. Consequently, excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers was the main factor for the disease outbreak at the level of specific farms, in addition to the collective cultivation of susceptible cultivar, low temperatures and frequent rainfalls in August.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.136-143
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• 2012

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by high blood glucose in the context of insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency. Diabetes is often initially managed by increasing exercise and dietary modification. As the condition progresses, medications may be needed such as oral sulfonylurea or others. Recently, dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP- 4) Inhibitor is new drug which can control blood glucose by increasing the active levels of incretin hormone in the body. However, researches have been carried out for mostly Caucasian and Japanese, not for Koreans at all. Therefore, this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of DPP-4 inhibitor (Sitagliptin, Vildagliptin) in patients with T2DM in Koreans. This study was carried out retrospectively with reviewing of medical records from the 141 patients who received sitagliptin or vildagliptin over 24 week periods from January 2009, to December 2009. Information including demographics, concomitant medication, disease duration, and exercise was evaluated. $HbA_{1c}$, random blood glucose, post prandial 2 hour glucose, blood pressure, AST, ALT, serum creatinine, total cholesterol, triglyceride levels were also collected at baseline and endpoint (at 24 weeks). In each post-treatment group, $HbA_{1c}$, random blood glucose and post prandial 2 hour glucose levels were decreased significantly from baseline in the sitagliptin group (-0.82%, -28.76 mg/dl, -46.65 mg/dl) and vildagliptin group(-1.22%, -27.96 mg/dl, -67.2 mg/dl). Greater $HbA_{1c}$ mean reductions from baseline to 24 weeks were seen in patients with higher baseline values (>7.0%), with shorter disease durations (${\leq}1$ year) compared with those with lower baseline values (<7.0%), with longer disease durations (>1 year) in both sitagliptin and vildagliptin groups. The incidences of hypoglycemia, headache and upper respiratory infection were 0%, 8.7%, 5.8% in sitagliptin group and 2.8%, 8.3%, 6.9% in vildagliptin group. In conclusion, our results showed DPP-4 inhibitor provided similar efficacy compared with sulfonylurea after 24 weeks of treatment and were safer than sulfonylurea in hypoglycemia for Korean T2DM. Also vildagliptin was associated with significant improvement in $HbA_{1c}$ reduction in Korean patient with subgroup (body mass index<25 $kg/m^2$, metformin dose${\geq}$1000 mg, p<0.05) compared to sitagliptin. Therefore, even though DPP-4 inhibitor use for Korean needs to be studied more consistently in the future, DPP-4 inhibitor is a safe and effective drug for Korean T2DM based on our result.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.413-417
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• 2013

Purpose: This phase II study was undertaken to determine the efficacy and safety of Loubo$^{(R)}$ (Lobaplatin) in combination with pemetrexed in treating patients with metastatic breast cancer who failed to respond to anthracycline or taxanes. Patients and Methods: Metastatic breast cancer cases who had previously received an anthracycline and a taxane in either adjuvant or metastatic settings, were enrolled. All patients were recruited from Jiangsu Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, and were treated with Loubo$^{(R)}$ (Lobaplatin) 35 $mg/m^2$ (intravenous; on day 1) and pemetrexed 500 $mg/m^2$ (intravenous; on day 1) every 21 days. Efficacy and side effects were evaluated after at least two cycles of chemotherapy. Results: All eligible 19 patients completed at least 2 cycles of chemotherapy with pemetrexed and lobaplatin, and were evaluable. Overall, 3 (15.8%) patients achieved partial response, 11 (57.9%) stable disease, 5 (26.3%) progression of disease, with no complete remission. Response rate was 15.8%, disease control rate was 42.1%. The median survival time was 10.3 months. Neutrophil suppression occurred in 36.8% of patients who had grade 2 toxicity, and 26.3% had grade 3, 26.4% had grade 4. Thrombocytopenia was encountered as follows: 21.1% grade 2, 15.8% grade 3 and 5.5% grade 4. Incidences of anemia were 10.5% in grade 2, 5.3% grade 3 and 0% grade 4. Only 5.3% of patients required packed red blood cell transfusion. Grade 3 digestive tract toxicity occurred in 5.5% of patients. Other toxicities included elevated transaminase,oral mucositis and skin rashes. Conclusions: The regimen of lobaplatin and pemetrexed is modestly active in metastatic breast cancer patients who failed anthracycline or taxanes, and the toxicity profile suggesting that the doses of chemotherapy should be further modified.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.1677-1680
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• 2013

Background: Areas of Iran have among the highest incidences of esophageal cancer in the world. Definitive chemo-radiotherapy (DCRT) is used for locally advanced esophageal cancer and for inoperable tumors asan alternative to surgical treatment. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in North-West Iran 2006-2011, including 267 consecutive patients with non-metastatic esophageal cancer. Eligible inoperable patients were treated with DCRT or definitive radiotherapy (DRT) alone. Radiotherapy (RT) was delivered at 1.8-2 Gy/day for five consecutive days in a given week. Chemotherapy (CT) consisted of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. Results: The median survival was 12.7 months with 1, 3 and 5 year survival rates of 55%, 18% and 11%, respectively. On univariate analysis, relations with age at diagnosis (p=0.015), N-stage (p=0.04), total dose of RT (p=0.001), fraction (p<0.001), Gap status (p=0.025), chemotherapeutic regimens (P=0.027), and 5-Fu $Mg/m^2$ (P=0.004) were apparent. Comparing DCRT to DRT, there was a significant difference in survival. Multivariate analysis was performed for comparison between DCRT and DRT showed significant association with age group ${\geq}65$ to <65 (P=0.02; OR: 1.46), the total RT dose (Gy) ${\geq}50$ to <50 (P=0.01; OR: 0.65) and the fraction group ${\geq}25$ to <25 (P=<0.001; OR: 0.54). Conclusions: The survival rates of esophageal cancer treated with DCRT in North West of Iran is poor; therefore, early detection and improved treatment methods, with clinical trials are a high priority.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.sup3
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• pp.33-37
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• 2016

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, including in Iran. Variations in its incidence rate among geographical areas are due to various contributing factors. Since there has been a lack of studies on this topic in our country, the present spatial analysis of skin cancer incidence in Iran in 2009 was conducted using data from the cancer registry system for the country. The reported incidences of the disease were standardized on the basis of the World Health Organization population and the direct method. Then the data were inserted into the GIS software, and finally, using the analysis of hot spots (Getis-Ord Gi), high-risk areas were drawn. Provinces that were 1.9 SD higher or lower than the national average were considered hot spots or cold spots, with significance at the level of 0.05. In 2009, a total of 9,964 cases of skin cancer occurred, 3,696 in women and 6,268 in men (standardized incidence rates of 15.8 and 22.6, respectively). The results of the study showed that in men and women, the disease demonstrated high incidence in the central provinces and desert regions. In women, Yazd Province and in men, Qom Province had significant hot spots (p <0.05). While Isfahan, Markazi, Tehran and Kurdistan provinces were expected to be hot spots, the differences from the national average were not significant at the 0.05 level. As well, the provinces of Sistan Va Baluchistan, Kerman, and Hormozgan were identified as cold or low-risk disease regions (p <0.05). The central provinces of the country due to hot weather conditions, more solar radiation, and closer vicinity to the central desert of Iran demonstrated higher incidence rates for skin cancer, so further epidemiological studies into the etiology and early detection are essential in these areas.