• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.247-254
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• 2017

ELISA has been used for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis, but it is being gradually replaced by a rapid diagnostic test (RDT). We compared and analyzed ELISA and RDT results using the sera collected during 4 consecutive years from residents of Gyodong-do (Island), Incheon-city, Korea. Sera from 921, 993, 940, and 838 adult residents were collected on a yearly basis (2010-2013). ELISA was performed by using a crude extract of T. gondii RH strain antigen and IgG/IgM RDT mounted with recombinant fragment of major surface antigen (SAG1), GST-linker-SAG1A, were applied to the sera. Comparison between groups was analyzed by the Student's t-test. The positive seroprevalence surged from 14.7% (135/921, 2010), 23.1% (231/993, 2011), 23.6% (222/940, 2012), and 32.1% (269/838, 2013) by ELISA. In contrast, RDT showed a more moderate increasing trend from 21.7% (200/921, 2010), 25.5% (253/993, 2011), 28.9% (272/940, 2012) and 33.1% (277/838, 2013). Discrepancies between ELISA and RDT were noted near the cut-off value. At the OD 0.15-0.24 range, RDT could detect 16.1% (169/1051) more positives, which suggests an early or acute toxoplasmosis, but at the OD 0.25-0.34 range, ELISA could detect 35.9% (92/256) more positives of possible chronic infections. Over the OD > 0.35 ELISA and RDT agreed in the majority of the cases. This surge in seroprevalence may be caused by the organic agriculture in addition to eating behavior or increase in pets among Koreans. These facts may be applied on a full-scale national survey using RDT to supplement ELISA to define the characteristics of the infection.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.203-222
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• 2013

The district of Ganghwa-gun in the western coast (Seohae) of the Korea is consisted of several islands, Ganghwa-do, Seokmo-do, Gyodong-do, Jumun-do, Boreum-do, Seogeom-do and Donggeom-do. Since several islands of them were connected to mainland of Korea by bridges, the islands attract a lot of tourists from Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi-do areas. Construction of new roads, pensions, resort areas and restaurants provided economical benefits to local residents while natural vegetation of these islands has deteriorated continuously. Before biodiversity of vascular plants in these regions is damaged seriously by human impacts, it is needed to conserve original vegetation of the islands for restoration and monitoring in the future. Therefore, the primary purpose of the study is to clarify the flora of Donggeom-do, belonging to Ganghwa-gun. From the 15 times of field trips to the island, we have collected a number of vascular plants, 512 taxa in total, including 110 families, 329 genera, 449 species, six subspecies, 52 varieties, four forms and one hybrid. Of 512 taxa investigated, we have identified 12 taxa to be endemic to Korea. Six taxa were endangered or rare species which were designated by the Ministry of Environment and Korea Forest Service, respectively. 25 taxa were recognized as floristic regional indicator species designated specially by the Ministry of Environment. Seven species have shown their northern or southern distributional limit ranges, and 29 taxa were recognized as halophytes. The naturalized plants were identified as 55 taxa, and their naturalization ratio was 10.7%.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.111-115
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• 2008

This study was conducted to distinguish adult morphology of the giant water bug (Lethocerus deyrollei) between over-wintered (OLD) and new-born (NEW) populations using materials collected from Gyodong island in Gyeonggi-do, Korea, as well as individuals reared in the laboratory (LAB population) as a control. As a result, no fundamental differences were found in external body structure between OLD, NEW, and LAB populations. However, marginal area of basal procoxa in ventral prothorax and jointed part of forefemur and foretibia were greatly worn in the OLD population. Mid-claws were shorter than 0.5 times the length of the 2nd mid-tarsus; the membranous margin of hemelytra was greatly worn; and hairs of the 5th abdominal tergum were greatly reduced in the OLD population.