• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.45-49
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• 2015

Seeds of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Olgeurumil) were infected with Penicillium sp. at mean infection rate of 83%. Penicillium sp. was detected in endosperm with bran but not in embryo. Gaseous chlorine dioxide ($ClO_2$) effectively inhibited growth of Penicillium sp. at concentration of 5 to $20{\mu}g/ml$. As treatment duration was extended from 1 to 3 h, growth of Penicillium sp. was completely suppressed even at $10{\mu}g/ml$. There was no significant reduction in the incidence of Penicillium sp. at 30% relative humidity (RH). However, the incidence of Penicillium sp. was 27.7% at 50% RH, further those were 3.5% and 0.2% at 70% and 80% RH, respectively. Seed germination was not affected by $ClO_2$ treatment at all the RH conditions. Water-soaked seeds (30% seed moisture content) showed a drastic reduction in the incidence of Penicillium sp. when treated at more than $10{\mu}g/ml$ of $ClO_2$. The incidences of Penicillium sp. were 3.3, 1.8 and 1.2% at 10, 15 and $20{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. The incidence of Penicillium sp. in dry seeds with 9.7% seed moisture content did not reduce when treated with 5 and $10{\mu}g/ml$ at 50% RH although it tended to decrease as $ClO_2$ concentration increased to $20{\mu}g/ml$. Seed germination was not affected by $ClO_2$ treatment at the tested concentrations. These results indicated that gaseous $ClO_2$ was effective disinfectant to wheat seeds infected with Penicillium sp. and that the effectiveness of $ClO_2$ strongly increased when moisture content around or inside of the seed was increased.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.169-175
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• 2015

The relationship between anti-Plasmodium vivax circumsporozoite protein (CSP) antibody levels and the prevalence of malaria in epidemic areas of South Korea was evaluated. Blood samples were collected from inhabitants of Gimpo-si (city), Paju-si, and Yeoncheon-gun (county) in Gyeonggi-do (province), as well as Cheorwon-gun in Gangwon-do from November to December 2004. Microscopic examinations were used to identify malaria parasites. ELISA was used to quantitate anti-circumsporozoite protein (CSP) antibodies against P. vivax. A total of 1,774 blood samples were collected. The overall CSP-ELISA-positive rate was 7.7% (n=139). The annual parasite incidences (APIs) in these areas gradually decreased from 2004 to 2005 (1.09 and 0.80, respectively). The positive rate in Gimpo (10.4%, 44/425) was the highest identified by CSP-ELISA. The highest API was found in Yeoncheon, followed by Cheorwon, Paju, and Gimpo in both years. The positive rates of CSP-ELISA were closely related to the APIs in the study areas. These results suggest that seroepidemiological studies based on CSP may be helpful in estimating the malaria prevalence in certain areas. In addition, this assay can be used to establish and evaluate malaria control and eradication programs in affected areas.

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.103-108
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• 2022

In 2021,the incidence of newly notified tuberculosis in Jeju Province decreased by 23.0% compared to that in the previous year. This was the largest decline among the 18 municipalities studied. This study aimed to examine trends in the incidence of tuberculosis among different age and sex groups in Jeju Province between 2017 and 2021. This study observed the number of new cases in the annual report from 2017 to 2021, published by the Jeju Center for Infectious Diseases Control and Prevention. The average annual percentage change (AAPC; %) was calculated to determine the trend in crude incidence rates over the past 5 years by sex and age. While a P-value of <0.1 was considered marginally significant, aP-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. The AAPC of all age groups in Jeju Province had negative values. In men,there was a statistically significant decrease in ages 30-34, 40-44, 45-49, and 50-54 years and a marginally significant decrease in ages 35-59, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 75-79, and ≥80 years. In women, a statistically significant decrease was observed among patients aged 30-34, 35-39, and ≥80 years, and a marginally significant decrease was observed among patients aged 45-49, 50-54, 60-64, 65-69, and 75-79 years. A statistically significant decrease in tuberculosis was observed among patients in their 30s and 40s, and elderly patients aged ≥80 years comprised the group vulnerable to tuberculosis. Based on these findings, tuberculosis prevention and screening programs conducted in Jeju Province were effective.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.86-95
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• 2024

Background: This study aimed to investigate the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the development of major mental disorders in patients visiting a university hospital. Methods: The study participants were patients with COVID-19 (n=5,006) and those without COVID-19 (n=367,162) registered in the database of Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital and standardized with the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership Common Data Model. Data on major mental disorders that developed in both groups over the 5-year follow-up period were extracted using the FeederNet computer program. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the incidence of major mental disorders. Results: The incidences of dementia and sleep, anxiety, and depressive disorders were significantly higher in the COVID-19 group than in the control group. The incidence rates per 1,000 patient years in the COVID-19 group vs. the control group were 12.71 vs. 3.76 for dementia, 17.42 vs. 7.91 for sleep disorders, 6.15 vs. 3.41 for anxiety disorders, and 8.30 vs. 5.78 for depressive disorders. There was no significant difference in the incidence of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder between the two groups. COVID-19 infection increased the risk of mental disorders in the following order: dementia (HR, 3.49; 95% CI, 2.45-4.98), sleep disorders (HR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.76-2.91), anxiety disorders (HR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.25-2.84), and depressive disorders (HR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.09-2.15). Conclusion: This study showed that the major mental disorders associated with COVID-19 were dementia and sleep, anxiety, and depressive disorders.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.187-192
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• 2009

Pepper powdery mildew, Leveillula taurica is one of the most important pathogens of pepper in the greenhouses and fields in Korea and is becoming a worldwide disease. These experiments were carried out to investigate the optimal germination, disease development conditions, disease incidence and effective inoculation methods of pepper powdery mildew. The incidence of powdery mildew was investigated throughout the country based on the major pepper growing areas in 2009. The average rate of infected leaves ranged from 15.3% to 81.8% in greenhouses and fields. Powdery mildew incidences were more severe in greenhouses than those of fields. The optimal temperature for conidial germination was $25^{\circ}C$ and showed the highest germination at 6 hs after treatment. The range of temperature for germination was $10^{\circ}C$ to $35^{\circ}C$. Temperature of greater than $30^{\circ}C$ and below $20^{\circ}C$ affected the abnormal germination and germ tube elongation. The optimal relative humidity for germination and germ tube elongation was 85% and germination increased as relative humidity increased. Disease development started 8 days after inoculation and showed the highest disease severity at 15 days in greenhouse and field regardless of varieties. Among three different inoculation methods tested the spore dropping method was better than touching with infected leaves and spraying with spore suspension. However, the method has limitation in mass inoculation due to the amount of time consumed.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.783-789
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• 2002

Purpose : We evaluated the epidemiologic characteristics and incidence of coronary artery sequele of children with KD according to treatment. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed 506 medical records of children with KD, who were admitted at Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital from Jan. 1987 to Dec. 2000. Results : The mean annual incidence was $36.1{\pm}11.1$ cases per year. There was a slightly higher occurrence in summer with no significant difference in monthly incidence. The mean age was $2.4{\pm}1.7$ years and 450 children(88.9%) were below four years of age. The male to female ratio was 1.7 : 1. When the 345 cases between 1987 and 1994 were divided into three groups according to treatment, incidences of the coronary abnormality(above grade II) of aspirin-treated(54 cases; 15.6%), divided-intravenous immunoglobulin(IVIG) treated($400-500mg/day{\times}4-5days$, 224 cases; 64.9%), and one-dose IVIG treated(2.0 g/day, 67 cases; 19.5%) groups were 8.3%, 6.0%, and 7.5%, respectively. Between 1995 and 2000, 143 cases were treated with only one-dose IVIG and 21 cases(14.7%) showed coronary artery abnormalities(grade I, 15 cases; grade II, two cases; and grade III, four cases). Among the 143 cases, 22 cases(15.1%) were retreated with IVIG and/or steroid pulse therapy. The incidence of coronary artery abnormality in this group was 50.0%. Incidences of cases in recurrence and among siblings were 0.6% and 0.4% respectively. There was no fatal case. Conclusion : In Daejeon, Korea, the epidemiologic feature of KD showed slight annual variations without monthly differences. The incidence of coronary abnormality with one-dose IVIG therapy was 14.7%. The nonresponse of this therapy was 15.1% with a coronary abnormality of 50.0%.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.12
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• pp.1320-1323
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• 2008

Purpose : The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiologic status of Kawasaki disease (KD) in infants ${\leq}6months$ of age. Methods : For the epidemiologic study of KD in Korea, data from 22,674 KD patients were collected from 1997 to 2005 on a 3-year basis by a retrospective survey. From this survey, data of 1,739 KD patients ${\leq}6months$ of age were analyzed and compared with those of KD patients >6 months of age. Results : A total of 1,739 patients ${\leq}6months$ of age, including 1,088 males and 651 females, represented 7.7% of total KD patients. These subjects included 22 patients aged <1 month, 171 patients aged 1-2 months, 304 patients aged 2-3 months, 407 patients aged 3-4 months, 372 patients aged 4-5 months, and 463 patients aged 5-6 months. Their mean age of onset was 4.3 months, and the male-to-female ratio was 1.67:1. Incidences of coronary arterial (CA) abnormalities (21.0% versus 18.7%) and CA aneurysms (4.7% versus 3.1%) detected by echocardiography showed differences between patients with KD younger and older than 6 months, respectively. Conclusion : Comparison of data from KD patients >6 months old with data from 1,739 KD patients ${\leq}6months$ old showed significantly higher incidences of CA abnormalities and CA aneurysms in the younger patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.416-424
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• 2005

Purpose : To find the risk factors associated with coronory artery lesions, non-responsiveness to intravenous immunoglobulin(IVIG) treatment, and recurrences in Kawasaki disease patients. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed 1,000 Kawasaki disease patients who were admitted to Yonsei University Medical Center from September 1990 to December 2003. We compared between responder and non-responder groups to IVIG treatment as well as between relapsed and non-relapsed groups, and as to the relapsed group, we also compared variables between patients in their first and second attack states. Finally, factors associated with longer-fever duration from disease onset were evaluated. Results : Longer fever durations before and after IVIG treatment, male sex, lower Hgb and Hct level, higher WBC count and segmented WBC proportion, and higher CRP and Harada's score were related with coronary artery lesions. Non-responsiveness was related to higher WBC count, segmented WBC proportion, CRP, SGPT, Harada's score, and pyuria. Moderate-to-severe coronary artery dilatations and recurrences were more commonly seen among the non-responder group. No significant predictive factors for recurrence were found. In the relapsed group, lower WBC count, CRP, and shorter fever duration from disease onset were observed in their second attack state. Fever duration from disease onset showed positive correlation with WBC count, CRP, and Harada's score and negative correlation with Hgb levels. Conclusion : Higher WBC count, CRP, and higher Harada's score were related to both higher incidences of coronary artery lesions and non-responsiveness to IVIG treatment, and these factors were also related with longer fever duration. Non-responders to IVIG treatment showed higher recurrence rate and more moderate-to-severe coronary artery dilatations than responders.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.16
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• pp.6825-6830
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• 2015

Opisthorchis viverrini is remains a public health problem in Thailand, particularly in the northeast and north regions which have the highest incidences of chonalgiocarcinoma (CCA). O. viverrini causes the disease opithorchiasis, and its has been classified as a group 1 biological carcinogen. Humans, dogs, and cats become infected with O. viverrini by ingesting raw or undercooked fish containing infective metacercariae. The first human cases of O. viverrini infection were reported in Thailand 100 years ago, and it's still a problem at the community level. Based on data for the year 2009, more than 6 million people were infected with O. viverrini. Associated medical care and loss of wages in Thailand costs about $120 million annually. This review highlights the current status of O. viverrini infection in communities of Thailand through active surveillance for the five years period from 2010 and 2015. A total of 17 community-based surveys were conducted, most in the northeast region. Some 7 surveys demonstrated a high prevalence over 20%, and the highest was 45.7%. Most commonly infection was found in age group of 35 years and older, males, and agricultural workers. Although, the national prevalence may be decreasing but the results show that the O. viverrini infection is still high in communities of the northeast region. Therefore, the focus in populations living in northeast Thailand should be screening of infection and changing their eating behavior.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.131-138
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• 1974

The author has conducted survey on the status of physical growth and morbidity of the children for christian children's fund programme, as a means of collecting basic data for the anticipated establishment of a health planning. A total 345 children aged 9 to 16 underwent C.C.F. programme while as a control, a total of 480 children of same ages from the middle-class school children in Jeonju area was also studied. As results of survey conducted for a period of one month (form July 1 to 31, 1974) on a total 429 children in 347 households living in Jeonju area. I. Socio-economic background 1. By educational status of the children, 39.9 per cent of the total children was attending at primary school, 33.8 per cent in middle school and 15.6 per cent in high school. 2. The greatest proportion or 28.8 per cent of the household head were engaged in labor, 17.9 per cent in peddler and 13.2 per cent in retail. 3. As for the living standard of the households, low class constitued 90.1 per cent, middle and high classes only 9.9 per cent. 4. 39.5 per cent of the households had their own house, 39.1 per cent lived in rent deposit house or rooms and 14.6 per cent in monthly rented house and rooms. II. Physical growth and nutritional status 1. The growth of children for C.C.F. programme in terms of height was found to be slightly smaller than the school children. The ages frm 9 to 16 corespond to the 'secondary growth and replenishment period and this period was regarded to be the one most affected by environmental and nutritional factors of all the other periods of growth and developmet. 2. The body weight of the children for C.C.F. presented a quite different pattern from that of the school children. The above findings appeared thin-and-long stature from the famillies with higher living standard while those from the household with low standard of living had a short-and-plump one. 3. According to the values of Rohrer's index, the children of C.C.F carried a higher degree of 'replenishment' than the children in Jeonju area and adolesecence comes later for the girls under C.C.F. programme. III. Morbidity 1. The monthly prevalence rate was 110.0 per thousand persons for the children under C.C.F. programme. 2. The total number of case was classified by timing of the incidence as follws. 40.0 per cent was constituted by diseases carried over from tile previous month and 60.0 per cent by new incidences. 3. The diseases were broken down by W.H.O. disease classification into the greatest proportion or 39.1 per thousand person constituted by disease of the digestive system.