• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.43-47
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• 2019

Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV), Apple stem pitting virus (ASPV), Apple stem grooving virus (ASGV), and Apple scar skin viroid (ASSVd) are economically important viruses that infect pear tree species worldwide. To evaluate the prevalence of these viruses in Korea, we investigated infection degree of three viruses and one viroid for the commercial nursery trees of the pear cultivars, Niitaka, Chuwhang, Wonwhang, and Whasan in 2017 and 2018. The results showed that the infection ratio of ACLSV, ASPV, ASGV, and ASSVd for the scion of pear cultivar Niitaka was 10%, 45%, 77%, and 50%, respectively. From the scion of pear cultivar Chuwhang, infection ratios of ASPV, ASGV, and ASSVd were found to be 70%, 50%, and 60%, respectively. From the scion of pear cultivar Whasan, infection ratios of ACLSV, ASPV, ASGV and ASSVd were found to be 40%, 60%, 93%, and 20%, respectively. From the root stock of pear cultivar Wonwhang, infection ratios of ACLSV, ASPV, ASGV, and ASSVd showed 28%, 57%, 100%, and 14%, respectively. ASGV had the highest recorded infection rate, and ACLSV was characterized by the lowest infection rate. The mixed infection ratio of Niitaka, Chuwhang, Whasan, and Wonwhang was 45%, 60%, 70%, and 85%, respectively.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.750-758
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• 2018

Influenza virus infection is a zoonosis that has great socioeconomic effects worldwide. Influenza infection induces respiratory symptoms, while the influenza virus can infect brain and leave central nervous system sequelae. As children are more vulnerable to infection, they are at risk of long-term neurological effects once their brains are infected. We previously demonstrated that functional changes in hippocampal neurons were observed in mice recovered from neonatal influenza infection. In this study, we investigated changes in myelination properties that could affect neural dysfunction. Mice were infected with the influenza virus on postnatal day 5. Tissues were harvested from recovered mice 21-days post-infection. The expression levels for myelin basic protein (MBP) were determined, and immunohistochemical staining and transmission electron microscopy were performed. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses showed that mRNA and protein expressions increased in the hippocampus and cerebellum of recovered mice. Increased MBP-staining signal was observed in the recovered mouse brain. By calculating the relative thickness of myelin sheath in relation to nerve fiber diameter (G-ratio) from electron photomicrographs, an increased G-ratio was observed in both the hippocampus and cerebellum of recovered mice. Influenza infection in oligodendrocyte-enriched primary brain cell cultures showed that proinflammatory cytokines may induce MBP upregulation. These results suggested that increased MBP expression could be a compensatory change related to hypomyelination, which may underlie neural dysfunction in recovered mice. In summary, the present results demonstrate that influenza infection during the neonatal period affects myelination and further induces functional changes in influenza-recovered mouse brain.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.9
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• pp.840-844
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• 2010

Purpose: Microalbuminuria is defined as increased urinary albumin excretion (30-300 mg/day) or microalbumin/creatinine ratio (30-300 mg/g) in a spot urine sample. Although microalbuminuria is a predictor of clinical nephropathy and cardiomyopathy, few studies have investigated microalbuminuria in children with urinary tract infection (UTI). Therefore, we compared the spot urine microalbumin/creatinine ratio in pediatric UTI patients with that of control subjects. Methods: We investigated the correlation between the ratio in children with UTI and age, height, weight, blood pressure, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), hematuria, vesicoureteral reflux, renal parenchymal defect, and renal scar, and its predictability for UTI complications. Results: We studied 66 patients (42 boys, 24 girls) and 52 healthy children (24 boys, 28 girls). The mean microalbumin/creatinine ratio in UTI patients was statistically significantly increased compared to the control group ($340.04{\pm}321.36mg/g$ vs. $225.68{\pm}154.61mg/g$, $P$=0.0141). The mean value of spot urine microalbumin/creatinine ratio ($384.70{\pm}342.22mg/g$ vs. $264.92{\pm}158.13mg/g$, $P$=0.0341) in 1-23 months age patient group showed statistically significant increase compared to control group. Microalbumin/creatinine ratio showed negative correlation to age (r=-0.29, $P$=0.0167), body surface area (BSA) (r=-0.29, $P$=0.0173) and GFR (r=-0.26, $P$=0.0343). The presence of hematuria ($P$=0.0169) was found to be correlated. Conclusion: The spot urine microalbumin/creatinine ratio in children with UTI was significantly greater than that in normal children, and it was positively correlated with GFR. This ratio is a potential prescreening and prognostic marker in UTI patients. Further studies are required to validate the predictability of microalbuminuria in pediatric UTI patients.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.59 no.5
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• pp.492-497
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• 2016

Objective : Decompressive craniectomy is an effective therapy to relieve high intracranial pressure after acute brain damage. However, the optimal timing for cranioplasty after decompression is still controversial. Many authors reported that early cranioplasty may contribute to improve the cerebral blood flow and brain metabolism. However, despite all the advantages, there always remains a concern that early cranioplasty may increase the chance of infection. The purpose of this retrospective study is to investigate whether the early cranioplasty increase the infection rate. We also evaluated the risk factors of infection following cranioplasty. Methods : We retrospectively examined the results of 131 patients who underwent cranioplasty in our institution between January 2008 and June 2015. We divided them into early (${\leq}90days$) and late (>90 days after craniectomy) groups. We examined the risk factors of infection after cranioplasty. We analyzed the infection rate between two groups. Results : There were more male patients (62%) than female (38%). The mean age was 49 years. Infection occurred in 17 patients (13%) after cranioplasty. The infection rate of early cranioplasty was lower than that of late cranioplasty (7% vs. 20%; p=0.02). Early cranioplasty, non-metal allograft materials, re-operation before cranioplasty and younger age were the significant factors in the infection rate after cranioplasty (p<0.05). Especially allograft was a significant risk factor of infection (odds ratio, 12.4; 95% confidence interval, 3.24-47.33; p<0.01). Younger age was also a significant risk factor of infection after cranioplasty by multivariable analysis (odds ratio, 0.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.96-0.99; p=0.02). Conclusion : Early cranioplasty did not increase the infection rate in this study. The use of non-metal allograft materials influenced a more important role in infection in cranioplasty. Actually, timing itself was not a significant risk factor in multivariate analysis. So the early cranioplasty may bring better outcomes in cognitive functions or wound without raising the infection rate.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.38.1-38.12
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• 2023

Background: Poor disease management and irregular vector control could predispose sheltered animals to disease such as feline Bartonella infection, a vector-borne zoonotic disease primarily caused by Bartonella henselae. Objectives: This study investigated the status of Bartonella infection in cats from eight (n = 8) shelters by molecular and serological approaches, profiling the CD4:CD8 ratio and the risk factors associated with Bartonella infection in shelter cats. Methods: Bartonella deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was detected through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer gene, followed by DNA sequencing. Bartonella IgM and IgG antibody titre, CD4 and CD8 profiles were detected using indirect immunofluorescence assay and flow cytometric analysis, respectively. Results: B. henselae was detected through PCR and sequencing in 1.0% (1/101) oral swab and 2.0% (1/50) cat fleas, while another 3/50 cat fleas carried B. clarridgeiae. Only 18/101 cats were seronegative against B. henselae, whereas 30.7% (31/101) cats were positive for both IgM and IgG, 8% (18/101) cats had IgM, and 33.7% (34/101) cats had IgG antibody only. None of the eight shelters sampled had Bartonella antibody-free cats. Although abnormal CD4:CD8 ratio was observed in 48/83 seropositive cats, flea infestation was the only significant risk factor observed in this study. Conclusions: The present study provides the first comparison on the Bartonella spp. antigen, antibody status and CD4:CD8 ratio among shelter cats. The high B. henselae seropositivity among shelter cats presumably due to significant flea infestation triggers an alarm of whether the infection could go undetectable and its potential transmission to humans.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.42-46
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• 2018

Purpose: We investigated whether the white blood cell (WBC) count to hemoglobin (Hgb) level ratio is correlated with the presence of cortical defects on dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal scan in children with febrile urinary tract infection (UTI). Methods: We examined 95 children who were consecutively admitted to our hospital with their first episode of febrile UTI. Blood tests (C-reactive protein [CRP], WBC, Hgb] were performed. All enrolled children underwent DMSA scanning during admission. Data were compared between children with positive and negative DMSA results. The correlations between WBC to Hgb ratio and the presence of cortical defects on DMSA scan, and between WBC to Hgb ratio and CRP level were analyzed using the Pearson chi-squared test. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate whether WBC to Hgb ratio could predict the cortical defects on DMSA scan in children with febrile UTI. Results: The WBC to Hgb ratio was significantly higher in children with positive DMSA results than in those with negative DMSA results; positively correlated with the presence of cortical defects on DMSA scan and CRP; and was a significant factor for predicting the presence of cortical defects on DMSA scan. Conclusion: The WBC to Hgb ratio may predict the presence of cortical defects on acute DMSA scans in children with febrile UTI.

• Plant Disease and Agriculture
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.30-36
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• 1995

Infection rate of witches'-broom disease (WB) was observed yearly in transplanted jujube seedlings for 7 years. Seedlings of‘Hongan’grafted either on the rootstock from seed (RS) or on the rootstock from rooting (RR) were planted in separate farms. Occurrence of the disease was determined 4 years after transplanting with the witches'-broom symptom. Only 1 seedling of RS was infected with WB, while 56 seedlings of RR showed WB. Yearly infection rates of WB were observed in several varieties of jujube including‘Boeun’,‘Keumsung’,‘Moodeung’,‘Bokjo’,‘Koori’(10 trees for each in Cheongjoo), and‘Hongan’(165 trees in Boeun). In most varieties, WB first appeared in the third year from transplanting, and in the seventh year, more than 80% of the total tree showed WB. The yearly infection rate of newly infected trees was almost. stable during the first years. However, the ratio sharply increased from the sixth year. The accumulated infection rate of WB increased double, year by year from the third to seventh year. Between Cheongjoo and Boeun, no difference in infection rates was found.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.445-450
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• 2023

Background: The impact of COVID-19 infection on workers' work function persists even after the acute phase of the infection. We studied this phenomenon in Japanese workers. Methods: We conducted a one-year prospective cohort study online, starting with a baseline survey in December 2020. We tracked workers without baseline work functioning impairment and incorporated data from 14,421 eligible individuals into the analysis. We estimated the incidence rate ratio for new onset of work functioning impairment due to COVID-19 infection during follow-up, using mixed-effects Poisson regression analysis with robust variance. Results: Participants reporting infection between January and December 2021 showed a significantly higher incidence of new work functioning impairment (adjusted incidence rate ratio: 2.18, 95% confidence interval: 1.75-2.71, p < 0.001). The formality of the recuperation environment correlated with a higher risk of work functioning deterioration in infected individuals (p for trend <0.001). Conclusion: COVID-19-infected workers may continue to experience work difficulties due to persistent, post-acute infection symptoms. Companies and society must urgently provide rehabilitation and social support for people with persistent symptoms, recognizing that COVID-19 is not just a transient acute infection.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.34-39
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• 2001

Background and Objectives： Deep neck infections, which affect soft tissues and fascial compartments of the head and neck and their contents, have decreased after the develop ment of chemotherapeutic agents and antibiotics. However they may still result in significant morbidity and mortality despite the use of chemotherapeutic agents and antibiotics. Materials and Methods : A retrospective study was performed on 66 deep neck infections in patients admitted for diagnosis and treatment at Asan medical center from June 1994 to December 2000. Results : Age of the patients varied from 1 to 86-year-old and sex ratio of male to female was 1.2：1. Most frequently involved site was submandibular space (21.2%). Most common cause of infection was dental disease (28.8%). The isolated pathogenic organisms were Streptococcus species in 19 cases, Staphylococcus species in 7 cases, Klebsiella in 5 cases, mixed infection of Staphylococcus and Klebsiella in 3 cases and a case of Corynebacterium. 51 cases were treated surgically, 15 cases were medically. Mean duration of admission was 9.6 days in cases of single space infection, 17.5 days in multiple spaces, 8.1 days when the infection resulted in cellulitis, 13.4 days in abscess, 7.9 days when the infection treated medically and 13.4 days when treated surgically. Conclusion Early diagnosis and treatment is important to manage deep neck infection and the duration of admission was increased when the infection involved multiple spaces.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.704-717
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• 2013

This study aims to provide basic data for management and prevention of infection damage by Oak wilt disease through mapping method of status with infected level in damaged area of Bukhansan National Park. Survey was carried out in the distributed area of oak trees with mapping unit of polygon of actual vegetation and mapped of infection ratio and infection index applying weight according to infected level. Infection ratio of oak trees in Bukhansan National Park was 58.5%, and lightly damaged ratio was 29.6%, half of the damaged ratio was 16.1%, seriously damaged ratio was 8.8% and withered ratio was 4.1%. It was serious to be infected from Beomgol ridge in Wondobong district to Hyeongjaebong in Jeongrung district. Although the infected ratio of the western part of Songchu district, Sanseong district and Gugi district centering main ridge of Bukhansan National Park was low, it of ridge and main valley was high. Infection index of hardly damaged area was 39.1% of whole area, and slightly damaged area was 41.0%, half of the damaged area was 16.1%, seriously damaged area was 3.3% and alarmed withering area was 0.4%. Infection index was high around Musugol valley in Dobong district and Jaunbong, and it of Bohyunbong of Jeongrung district and the part of Hyojari valley of Sanseong district was serious. Predicted numbers of the trees affected Oak wilt disease compared to the distributed area of oak trees was 1,585,937 trees among 2,709,147 trees of Quercus spp. 352,931 trees among the 306,161 trees of oak were infected in Woi district, the most seriously infected area and 53,141 trees among the 145,747 trees of oak was infected in Gugi district, the most slightly infected area.