• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.165-169
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• 2008

Microphallus species occur primarily as intestinal parasites of birds and mammals, and metacercariae of a new species belonging to this genus have been discovered from the crab, Macrophthalmus dilatatus, in the Republic of Korea. The metacercaria of this fluke was round with 2 thick walls, and the excysted one had mature genital organs. The adult flukes recovered from experimentally infected chicks had numerous intrauterine eggs, well-developed pars prostatica, widely bifurcating ceca, and prominent uterine bulge. After observing internal structures, it was concluded that this species is different from any other known Microphallus spp. Based on the morphology of metacercariae and adult flukes, we describe this specimen as a new species, Microphallus koreana n. sp.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.111-126
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• 2024

Korean bamboo forests encompass 22,067 hectares and are dominated by Phyllostachys species. These forests serve as vital ecosystems, providing nourishment and habitat for diverse flora, fauna, and microorganisms. Among these inhabitants, various fungal species have been documented worldwide, displaying ecological roles as saprobes, parasites, and symbionts within or outside the bamboo host. However, a comprehensive study of bambusicolous fungi within the Korean bamboo ecosystem remains a critical gap in our knowledge. In this study, we conducted an extensive survey of bamboo materials collected from various bamboo forests and subsequently undertook fungal isolation. Primary identification of bambusicolous fungi was achieved through analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. As a result, we identified seven previously unrecorded bambusicolous fungal species (Fusarium bambusarum, Fusicolla violacea, Macroconia gigas, Neopestalotiopsis camelliae-oleiferae, Neopestalotiopsis iberica, Neopestalotiopsis longiappendiculata, and Thyridium punctulatum). Phylogenetic analysis using protein-coding genes appropriate for each taxon and morphological observation were conducted to ensure accurate identification. This study contributes to our understanding of fungal diversity within bamboo forests in Korea.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.1-22
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• 2002

Purpose : This Study was conducted to evaluate clinical characteristic of children with recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) and to be classified by its six subtype in the Oriental Pediatric Text Book and to find out relationship of western classification. Methods : Patients who visited Dong-Eui Oriental Medical hospital from August, 2001 to October, 2002 due to RAP were included. According to questionnaire and history taking, RAP was classified by its six subtype based on Oriental medical theory. Results : 1. Patients with RAP were more internalized, have a close relation with their parents, and have strong desires of success, but social intercourse is low. 2. 76% of Patients have a less desire to eat and 67% of Patients have a diarrhea or constipation. 3. According to questionnaire, first abdominal pain was their $3{\sim}5$ ages most, cause of occurrence was more 'eating cold foods' most, time of AP (abdominal pain) was $1{\sim}2$ hours after eating and no characteristic most, site of AP was the umbilicus most, shape of AP was impotent pain most, cause of reduce pain was abdominal massage and defection most. 4. frequency of RAP's type, AP caused by diet(食積腹痛) is 45.5%, AP caused by cold(寒腹痛) is 29.1%, AP caused by cold in internal organs of deficiency(臟腑虛冷腹痛) is 12.7%, stagnation of qi and stasis of blood(氣滯血瘀腹痛) is 10.9%, AP caused by internal diet and external cold(內食外寒腹痛) is 1.8%. There is no AP caused by parasites(蟲腹痛). 5. During clinical classifications of RAP, cause of occurrence was most important cause of reduce pian, defection practice was helpful for diagnosis, but shape of AP, site of AP was not helpful. 6. With relationship of Oriental classification and western classification, AP caused by diet is similar to dysmotilitylike dyspepsia and irriTable bowel syndrome. AP caused by cold is similar to irriTable bowel syndrome. AP caused by cold in internal organs of deficiency is similar to unspecified dyspepsia. stagnation of qi and stasis of blood and AP caused by internal diet and external cold is not like to western classification. Conclusion : RAP in Childhood is most occurred by food and cold. there is few AP caused by stagnation of qi and stasis of blood and internal diet and external cold. So the study on subclassification and clinical Manifestations of RAP in Childhood is more performed.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.501-505
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• 2014

In recent years, rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) have been widely used for malaria detection, primarily because of their simple operation, fast results, and straightforward interpretation. The Asan $EasyTest^{TM}$ Malaria Pf/Pan Ag is one of the most commonly used malaria RDTs in several countries, including Korea and India. In this study, we tested the diagnostic performance of this RDT in Uganda to evaluate its usefulness for field diagnosis of malaria in this country. Microscopic and PCR analyses, and the Asan $EasyTest^{TM}$ Malaria Pf/Pan Ag rapid diagnostic test, were performed on blood samples from 185 individuals with suspected malaria in several villages in Uganda. Compared to the microscopic analysis, the sensitivity of the RDT to detect malaria infection was 95.8% and 83.3% for Plasmodium falciparum and non-P. falciparum, respectively. Although the diagnostic sensitivity of the RDT decreased when parasitemia was ${\leq}500\;parasites/{\mu}l$, it showed 96.8% sensitivity (98.4% for P. falciparum and 93.8% for non-P. falciparum) in blood samples with parasitemia ${\geq}100\;parasites/{\mu}l$. The specificity of the RDT was 97.3% for P. falciparum and 97.3% for non-P. falciparum. These results collectively suggest that the accuracy of the Asan $EasyTest^{TM}$ Malaria Pf/Pan Ag makes it an effective point-of-care diagnostic tool for malaria in Uganda.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.725-732
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• 2016

Plasmodium vivax produces numerous caveola-vesicle complex (CVC) structures beneath the membrane of infected erythrocytes. Recently, a member helical interspersed subtelomeric (PHIST) superfamily protein, $PcyPHIST/CVC-81_{95}$, was identified as CVCs-associated protein in Plasmodium cynomolgi and essential for survival of this parasite. Very little information has been documented to date about $PHIST/CVC-81_{95}$ protein in P. vivax. In this study, the recombinant $PvPHIST/CVC-81_{95}$ N and C termini were expressed, and immunoreactivity was assessed using confirmed vivax malaria patients sera by protein microarray. The subcellular localization of $PvPHIST/CVC-81_{95}$ N and C termini in blood stage parasites was also determined. The antigenicity of recombinant $PvPHIST/CVC-81_{95}$ N and C terminal proteins were analyzed by using serum samples from the Republic of Korea. The results showed that immunoreactivities to these proteins had 61% and 43% sensitivity and 96.9% and 93.8% specificity, respectively. The N terminal of $PvPHIST/CVC-81_{95}$ which contains transmembrane domain and export motif (PEXEL; RxLxE/Q/D) produced CVCs location throughout the erythrocytic-stage parasites. However, no fluorescence was detected with antibodies against C terminal fragment of $PvPHIST/CVC-81_{95}$. These results suggest that the $PvPHIST/CVC-81_{95}$ is localized on the CVCs and may be immunogenic in natural infection of P. vivax.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.419-426
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• 1992

After the virtual eradication of cattle during World War II, Papua New Guinea herds were rebuilt with Shorthorn and Aberdeen Angus cattle from Australia. These, and Red Sindhi and Sahiwal, imported in 1952, were considered unsuitable breeds. In 1954, Department of Agriculture, Stock and Fisheries imported three Brahman bulls and three heifers from Texas and in 1960 began importations of Afrikaner from Queensland. In Central Province, Brahmans were crossed with Angus and at Erap (Morobe) the hottest place in Papua New Guinea, Shorthorns were crossed with Afrikaners. In 1965, Brahman and Brahman-cross were sent to Erap. Records of breeding and growth rates were collected for use in upgrading in cattle of the basis of performance, not pedigree. The data are not ideal for genetic analysis, since no control groups were maintained. Birth weights (BWT), weaning weights (WWT) and calving intervals (CI) were analysed for the period 1969-1978. After exclusion of unsatisfactory data, 2,514 calf records were used, including both breeds from 1969 to 1973, but only Brahman-cross subsequently. Breed mean BWT ranged only from 30.6 to 33.8 kg. As Brahman content increased, BWT decreased and WWT increased; within a genotype, there was a negative maternal effect of high Brahman content on BWT and a positive effect on WWT which ranged from 138 to 174 kg. Afrikaner calves had heavier BWT but lighter WWT. As expected, bulls were heaviest, heifers lightest and mature cows bore and reared heavier calves. Calving interval (405 days, equivalent to 90% calving) was unaffected by breed but 4-year old cows averaged 423 days. Breed differences in BWT and WWT are consistent with the body of literature on performance of Brahmans and Afrikaners. Since cattle tick are not present and internal parasites are insignificant at Erap, the superiority of Brahmans indicates that they were better at utilizing the mediocre quality grazing of the Markham Valley or were more heat tolerant. Performance selection over ten years resulted in the virtual elimination of Afrikaners, with the final genotype approximately 9/16 Brahman, 3/8 Shorthorn and 1/16 Afrikaner.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.336-339
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• 2009

A 4-year-old, neutered male Shih-tzu dog weighing 5.4 kg was referred due to anorexia and chronic coughing. Based on history, physical examination, laboratory tests, radiographic findings, echocardiography, and bronchoscopic examination, the dog was diagnosed as tracheobronchial foreign body. The foreign body was steamed rice debris, which was removed by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) with vacuum suction of bronchoscopy. Bacterial and fungal culture of collected BAL fluid was negative. Baermann test for lungs parasites also was negative. The dog was treated with bronchodilator, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory agent, and mucolytics for 7 days. Appetite increased and coughing sign was clearly improved after removal of foreign body and medical therapy. This case report describes that bronchoscopic techniques are available for the evaluation and management of airway foreign bodies.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Oriental Medical Informatics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.69-145
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• 2011

Characteristics Regarding Xiang Yao (Hyang Yag) Jiu Ji Fang Life Saving Local Botanical prescriptions in Medical Research Xiang Yao Jiu Ji Fang is Korea's most ancient extant medical manuscript. It was first published between 1232 and 1251 during the Goguryeo period (Gao Zong) by the (Jianghuadao Da Cang Du Jian) Great Storage Depository Under Capital Supervision. The entire work is divided into three scrolls named the front, middle and back parts. There is also an appendix titled Fangzhong Xiang Yao Mu Cao Bu 'Catalogue of Medicines in the Local Botanicals prescriptions' in one volume. The contents comprise discussion of internal medicine diseases, external medicine diseases, commentaries on sexually transmitted diseases, diseases caused by parasites and bugs, diseases of the five orifices, gynecological diseases and pediatric diseases, in all totaling fifty three types of disease. The prescriptions record 180 types of xiangyao or hyang yag-local botanicals representing the beginning of an independent Korean path of development. Owing to the development during the Goguryeo period of medical material left to us by history, investigation and research in the area of hyang yag local botanicals has bequeathed us methods used in the contemporary period. Through the related comprehensive annotated explanatory notes and documents, much analysis and discussion is taking shape.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.207-214
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• 2005

We report on the diagnosis, pathology, and taxonomy of Perkinsus sp. infection in Manila clams (Ruditapes philippinarum) from Korean waters. Amplimers were designed from internal portions of the non-transcribed spacer (NTS) of P. atlanticus for molecular diagnosis of Perkinsus infection. PCR-based identification methods and an in situ hybridization assay were developed for detection of Perkinsus sp. in live tissues as well as in histological preparations. Hybridization signals were observed around the nucleus of trophozoites. Positive results from PCR and in situ hybridization indicated that Korean Perkinsus sp. is genetically identical with P. atlanticus reported in Europe, which is currently synonymous with P. olseni reported from Australia. Microscopic morphological features of different lift stages of Perkinsus sp. appeared very similar to those of P. atlanticus. Severely infected clams often exhibited white nodules on their mantles and gills as a consequence of inflammation. In lightly to moderately infected clams, Perkinsus sp. was mainly found in gill tissues, whereas the protozoan parasites were found in digestive tracts, gonadal tissues, and foot tissues of heavily infected clams. It is likely that the gills are the portal of the infection and that P. olseni spreads to other tissues as the infection advances. In conclusion, by considering the taxonomic priority of P. olseni, Korean Perkinsus sp. is accepted as P. olseni. P. olseni appears to be common on tidal flats on the western and southern Korean coasts and is considered to be a pathogen capable of causing mass mortality of clams.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.703-710
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• 2016

The trichomonad species Tritrichomonas foetus and Pentatrichomonas hominis were recently detected in the feces of dogs with diarrhea. However, little information is available on the prevalence and pathogenicity of these parasites in the canine population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and molecular characterization of trichomonads infecting pet dogs in Anhui and Zhejiang provinces, east China. In total, 315 pet dogs, with or without diarrhea, from 7 pet hospitals were included in this epidemiological survey. Microscopy and PCR detected P. hominis in 19.7% (62/315) and 31.4% (99/315) of fecal samples, respectively. T. foetus infection was detected in 0% (0/315) of samples with microscopy and in 0.6% (2/315) with PCR. The prevalence of P. hominis was significantly higher in young dogs (${\leq}12months$) than in adult dogs (>12 months), and was significantly higher in diarrheic dogs (50.6%) than in non-diarrheic dogs (24.3%; P<0.05). Infection with T. foetus did not correlate with any risk factors evaluated in this study. A sequence analysis of the P. hominis PCR products showed minor allelic variations between our sequences and those of P. hominis strains from other hosts in different parts of the world. Type CC1 was the most common strain in dogs in east China. The internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1)-5.8S rRNA gene sequences from the 2 T. foetus isolates detected in this study displayed 100% identity and were homologous to the sequences of other strains isolated from domestic cats in other countries.