• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.331-342
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• 2024

Rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) has excellent physical and mechanical properties and is one of the most widely used species in Southeast Asia. However, it has poor resistance to subterranean termite attacks due to its high sugar and starch contents. The objective of this study was to evaluate the termite resistance of experimental wood-plastic composite (WPC) panels manufactured from rubberwood flour, polyethylene terephthalate, and silica in three different weight ratios (1/2/7, 1/3/6, and 1/4/5). The panels were exposed to Coptotermes curvignathus subterranean termites in a no-choice test under laboratory conditions based on Indonesian standards. Solid rubberwood used as control samples presented poor resistance, exhibiting 23.1% weight loss due to subterranean termite attack, as indicated by low termite mortality and high wood weight loss. In contrast, the WPC samples demonstrated extreme resistance, with weight loss ranging from 0.19% to 0.23%. Based on the findings of this study, the high termite mortality and overall low mass loss of the samples indicate that such manufactured panels could provide a high level of protection with regard to Indonesian standards.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.76.1-76.13
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• 2020

Background: The predominant infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) strains detected in chickens in Malaysia are the Malaysian variant (MV) and QX-like, which are associated with respiratory distress, nephropathy, and high mortality. On the other hand, the antigenic relatedness and efficacy of IBV vaccines against these 2 field IBV strains are not well characterized. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the antigen relatedness and efficacy of different IB vaccine strains against a challenge with MV and QX-like strains. Methods: The antigen relatedness and the ability of different IB vaccine strains in conferring protection against MV and QX-like were assessed based on the clinical signs, macroscopic lesions, and ciliary activity. Results: The MV strain IBS037A/2014 showed minor antigenic subtype differences with the vaccine virus Mass H120 and 4/91 strains but showed major antigenic subtype differences with the K2 strain. The Malaysian QX-like strain IBS130/2015 showed major antigenic subtype differences with the MV strain IBS037A/2014 and the vaccine strains except for K2. Chickens vaccinated once with Mass (H120) or with non-Mass (4/91 and K2) developed antibody responses with the highest antibody titer detected in the groups vaccinated with H120 and 4/91. The mean ciliary activities of the vaccinated chickens were between 56 to 59% and 48 to 52% in chickens challenged with IBS037A/2014 and IBS130/2015, respectively. The vaccinated and challenged birds showed mild to severe lesions in the lungs and kidneys. Conclusions: Despite the minor antigenic subtype differences, a single inoculation with Mass or non-Mass vaccines could not protect against the MV IBS037A/2014 and QX-like IBS130/2015.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.270-274
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• 2008

Objective : The purpose of this study was to report the morbidity, mortality, angiographic results, and merits of elective coiling of unruptured intracranial aneurysms. Methods : Ninety-six unruptured aneurysms in 92 patients were electively treated with detachable coils. Eighty-one of these aneurysms were located in the anterior circulation, and 15 were located in the posterior circulation. Thirty-six aneurysms were treated in the presence of previously ruptured aneurysms that had already undergone operation. Nine unruptured aneurysms presented with symptoms of mass effect. The remaining 51 aneurysms were incidentally discovered in patients with other cerebral diseases and in individuals undergoing routine health maintenance. Angiographic and clinical outcomes and procedure-related complications were analyzed. Results : Eight procedure-related untoward events (8.3%) occurred during surgery or within procedure-related hospitalization, including thromboembolism, sac perforation, and coil migration. Permanent procedural morbidity was 2.2%; there was no mortality. Complete occlusion was achieved in 73 (76%) aneurysms, neck remnant occlusion in 18 (18.7%) aneurysms, and incomplete occlusion in five (5.2%) aneurysms, Recanalization occurred in 8 (15.4%) of 52 coiled aneurysms that were available for follow-up conventional angiography or magnetic resonance angiography over a mean period of 13.3 months. No ruptures occurred during the follow-up period (12-79 months). Conclusion : Endovascular coil surgery for patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms is characterized by low procedural mortality and morbidity and has advantages in patients with poor general health, cerebral infarction, posterior circulation aneurysms, aneurysms of the proximal internal cerebral artery, and unruptured aneurysms associated with ruptured aneurysm. For the management of unruptured aneurysms, endovascular coil surgery is considered an attractive alterative option.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.1761-1767
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• 2015

Sevenband grouper, Epinephelus septemfasciatus, is becoming an important aquaculture species in Korea. However, viral nervous necrosis disease is a large problem causing mass mortality in sevenband grouper aquaculture. Recombinant protein vaccines are one of the best methods to reduce these economic losses. However, the cell-based expression method mainly produces inclusion bodies and requires additional procedures. In this study, we expressed a recombinant viral coat protein of sevenband grouper nervous necrosis virus (NNV) using a cell-free protein synthesis system. The purified recombinant NNV coat protein (rNNV-CP) was injected into sevenband grouper at different doses followed by a NNV challenge. Nonimmunized fish in the first trial (20 μg/fish) began to die 5 days post-challenge and reached 70% cumulative mortality. In contrast, immunized fish also starting dying 5 days postchallenge but lower cumulative mortality (10%) was observed. Cumulative morality in the second trial with different doses (20, 4, and 0.8 μg/fish) was 10%, 40%, and 50%, respectively. These results suggest that rNNV-CP can effectively immunize sevenband grouper depending on the dose administered. This study provides a new approach to develop a recombinant vaccine against NNV infection for sevenband grouper.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.11
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• pp.1536-1543
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• 2013

Proteases produced by Xenorhabdus are known to play a significant role in virulence leading to insect mortality. The present study was undertaken to purify and characterize protease from Xenorhabdus indica, an endosymbiont of nematode Steinernema thermophilum, and to decipher its role in insect mortality and its efficacy to control Helicoverpa armigera. A set of 10 strains of Xenorhabdus isolated from different regions of India were screened for protease activity on the basis of zone of clearing on gelatin agar plates. One potent strain of Xenorhabdus indica was selected for the production of protease, and the highest production (1,552 U/ml) was observed at 15-18 h of incubation at $28^{\circ}C$ in soya casein digest broth. The extracellular protease was purified from culture supernatant using ammonium sulfate precipitation and ion-exchange chromatography. The enzyme was further characterized by SDS-PAGE and zymography, which confirmed the purity of the protein and its molecular mass was found to be ~52 kDa. Further MALDI-TOF/TOF analysis and effect of metal chelating agent 1,10-phenanthrolin study revealed the nature of the purified protease as a secreted alkaline metalloprotease. The bioefficacy of the purified protease was also tested against cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) and resulted in $67.9{\pm}0.64%$ mortality within one week. This purified protease has the potential to be developed as a natural insecticidal agent against a broad range of agriculturally important insects.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.401-408
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• 2016

The present study described the isolation of 2-methylbutyric acid (2-MBA) produced from Bacillus pumilus L1, to subsequently investigate its nematicidal activity for the control of the root-knot nematode. The results showed that 2-MBA could be purified by chromatographic techniques and was identified using nuclear magnetic resonance and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Crude extract and partially purified compounds had a significant effect on the inhibition of egg hatchability and second-stage juvenile (J2) mortality. A dose-dependent effect of 2-MBA was observed for J2 mortality and egg hatchability. Egg hatchability was 69.2%, 59.9%, 32.7%, and 0.0% at 125, 250, 500, and $1000{\mu}g\;mL^{-1}$ of 2-MBA after 4 d of incubation, respectively. Meanwhile, J2 mortality was in the range of 24.4%-100.0% after 2 d of incubation, depending on the concentrations of 2-MBA used. A pot experiment also demonstrated that treatment of B. pumilus L1 culture caused a significant reduction in the number of galls, egg masses, and J2 population than that of the tap water (TW) control. However, as the B. pumilus L1 culture concentration was decreased, the efficacy of nematode control by treatment of B. pumilus L1 culture was reduced compared to that of TW. B. pumilus L1 inoculation at different concentrations also promoted cucumber plant growth. Therefore, our study demonstrated the potential of 2-MBA from B. pumilus L1 as a biocontrol agent against the root-knot nematode and a plant growth promoter for cucumber plants.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2015

In 2009 outbreaks of an emerging disease in shrimp farms were first reported in China. The disease was known as early mortality syndrome (EMS), or acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND). Since 2009, the disease has been spread to Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand and Mexico. The causative agent of the disease was identified as Vibrio parahaemolyticus. It is a common seawater inhabitant bacterium, and the pathogen can sometimes contaminate seafood. The disease has caused mass mortality of cultivated shrimp, and huge economic losses in the countries named above. In order to prevent the introduction and establishment of AHPND, emergency measures, such as strengthening of import conditions and even import bans, were put in place by many other countries. In Korea, on the other hand, there are large quantities of shrimp imports from countries, such as Thailand and Vietnam. Transportation of live and fresh dead shrimp is highly likely, and could be a transmission pathway if the shrimp are sourced from populations in AHPND endemic areas. It is important to recognize that importing countries may provisionally adopt sanitary or phytosanitary measures on the basis of available pertinent information, including that from the relevant international organizations, as well as from sanitary or phytosanitary measures applied by other countries based on "Agreement on Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures". It is pertinent that Korea also takes proper emergent measures to keep out diseases and provide safe seafood.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.5-8
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• 2016

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and the feasibility of thyroidectomy for aged (${\geq}75$ years old) thyroid cancer by reviewing postoperative morbidity and pathologic characteristics. Materials & Methods: The clinical records of patients submitted to thyroid operation between 2014 and 2015 with histopathological diagnosis of thyroid cancer were analyzed. Clinical variables included age, gender, preoperative symptom, final pathology, length of stay, comorbidities, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, postoperative complications, and mortality. Results: There were 30 patients aged more than 75 years old, and only one patient passed over with postoperative pneumonia. There were 8 male and 22 female patients. Half of the patients presented with symptoms such as palpable mass (33.3%), voice change (6.7%) and dyspnea (6.7%). The pathologic diagnosis was thyroid cancer in all cases. The median postoperative hospitalization time was 4 days. There was one perioperative mortality case observed in this study. Conclusion: Thyroid surgery in patients 75 years or older can be performed except extensive surgical resection. Aggressive histology and extent of surgery may be an important factor of perioperative mortality and morbidity.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.4681-4688
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• 2016

Objective: Our aim was to estimate whether diabetes mellitus (DM) may be associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality in Japan. Methods: The Japan Collaborative Cohort (JACC) Study is a nationwide prospective study, initiated in 1988, which involves 110,585 subjects (age range: from 40 to 79 years; 46,395 males and 64,190 females). Our present analysis population comprised 96,081 (40,510 men and 55,571 women) who provided details on DM history. The questionnaire also included age, sex, weight, height, family history of CRC, smoking, drinking and exercise habits, and education. Cox proportional-hazard regression was used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR). We used SPSS 21 software to analyze all data. Results: Among the participants with DM, we followed up for 71,174 person-years and 640. deaths from CRC were confirmed; and, among the non-diabetic participants, 785 CRC deaths were identified during 1,499,324 person-years. After adjusting for multivariate confounding factors, such as age, sex, body mass index (BMI), family history of colorectal cancer, smoking habit, drinking habit, physical activity (sports and walking) and education, DM was associated with an increased risk of CRC death (HR 1.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0-2.0). Diabetic women, but not diabetic men, experienced increased mortality from CRC (HR 1.7, 95% CI 1.0-3.0). Conclusion: The risk of CRC mortality is significantly increased in both sexes and women with diabetes, but no significant increase was seen for diabetic men among Japanese.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.1-25
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• 2022

The aquaculture industry has developed rapidly over the last three decades and is an important industry that supplies over 15% of humans' animal protein intake; therefore, there is a need to increase production to meet the continuous demand. The fish cage farms on the southern coast (Kyengsangnam-do and Jeollanam-do) of Korea are critical resources in aquaculture because they account for approximately 90% of the national total fish cage farms by water area ratio. However, the current aquaculture environment is being gradually affected by climate change, which is a global issue, and its effects are expected to intensify in the future. Therefore, it is urgently imperative to accurately evaluate the effects of climate change on South Korean aquaculture industries and to develop social and national strategies to minimize damage to the fishing industry. The damage to fish farmed in cage farms on the southern coast is increasing annually and the leading causes are high and low water temperature and red tides, which are directly or indirectly related to climate change. At present, global warming can provide opportunities for aquaculture industrialization of fish or other novel species, with economic implications. However, despite such opportunities, the influx of new species can also cause problems such as ecological disturbances, increase in the reproduction frequency of microalgae such as red tide, increase in disease incidence, and occurrence and periods of high water temperatures in summer. The scale of farmed fish mortality is increasing due to the complex effects of these factors. Increased damages due to fish mortality not only have severe economic impacts on the aquaculture industry, but the social costs of responding to the damage and follow-up measures also increase. various active responses can reduce the mortality damage in fish farms such as improving the management skills in aquaculture, improved species breeding, efficient food management, disease prevention, proactive responses, and system-wide improvements. This review article analyzes the large-scale mortality cases occurring in fish cage farms on the southern coast of Korea and proposes measures to mitigate mortality and enhance responses to such scenarios.