• Animal cells and systems
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.165-170
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• 2008

Cuticular hydrocarbons(CHCs) of the epicuticle wax layer are so far used to differentiate the insects in species and subspecies levels. In this study, four species of malaria vectors(genus Anopheles) were collected from various localities in southern Iran. Twenty specimens of each species were randomly selected and one epicuticular extract was prepared of every five specimens. FID-GC profiles of the extracts did not show any qualitative difference. Using significant difference of CHC mass at retention time(RT) 39.6, the two species of An. sacharovi and An. fluviatilis could be distinguished. Similarly, the two species of An. superpictus & An. sacharovi and An. dthali & An. sacharovi were differentiated by their CHC level at RT 28.5. An. sacharovi was distinguished by integratable peaks at RTs 29.7, 30.6, 30.7, 31 and 32.6 while the other three species just indicated trace peaks at the same RTs. Similarly, An. dthali could be known by an integratable peak at RT 26.2 while An. fluviatilis and An. superpictus indicated trace peaks at the same RT. Integratable peaks and traces at RTs 27.4 and 28.5 were respectively used to differentiate An. superpictus from An. fluviatilis. Lastly, CHC trace amount of An. superpictus at RT 39.6 is another indicator to distinguish it from An. fluviatilis with an integratable peak at the same RT. In harmony with other studies worldwide we hereby report that quantitative analysis of CHCs was successfully applied to differentiate the four Anopheles species of southern Iran.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.721-726
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• 2006

Mosquitoes are carriers of malaria and encephalitis. This study performed for eco-friendly control of mosquitos by using genus Acorus. Several solvents were used for the extraction of genus Acorus; water, ethanol, and methanol. Grinded leaves and roots were also included. Acorus extracts killed mosquito larvae and the ethanol extract showed the best result. Autoclaved Acorus water needed long time to kill mosquito larvae. $LT_{50}$ of 1 % Acorus calamus decoction was 13.6 hrs and 1 % autoclaved Acorus water was 53.6 hrs. $LT_{50}$ of 0.05% Acorus calamus rhizome powder was 28.5 hrs. $LT_{50}$ of 0.5% Acorus calamus leaf powder was 10.8 hrs. $LT_{50}$ of 0.1 % Acorus calamus decoction was 63.4 hrs and 0.1 % Acorus calamus ethanol extracts was 48.6 hrs and 0.1% Acorus calamus methanol extracts was 53.9 hrs. $LT_{50}$ of 0.4% Acorus gramineus decoction was 45.5 hrs, 0.4% ethanol extracts was 10.9 hrs, 0.4% methanol extracts was 10.2 hrs. $LT_{50}$ of ethanol extracts was shorter than other extracts. Acorus calamus rhizome powder could be used for the eco-friendly control of the mosquito larvae.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.694-700
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• 2001

Synthetic pyrethroids are analysis of a natural chemical moiety, pyrethrin derived from the pyrethrum plant Chrysanthemum. The natural pyrethrin structure has been modified to be highly lipophilic and photostable, creating an effective pesticide and resulting in an increased presence in the environment. Worldwide, they are commonly used insecticides against ticks, mites, mosquitoes, and as treatment for human head lice and scabies. Therefore, human exposure to their compounds in extensive. Several studies on the effects of pyrethroids on thyroid hormone regulation, estrogen and androgen function have been reported and yet little has been done try assess their potential hormonal activities. Among humans, a pyrethroid compound was suggested to be the causal agent for gynecomastia in a group of Haitian men. The reports suggest that some pyrethroid compounds are capable of disrupting endocrine function. Therefore, we examined estrogenic/antiestrogenic potential of three pyrethroid insecticides, that is permethrin, allethrin and fenvalerate in human breast cancer cell and action mechanism mediated by the estrogen receptor. Fenvalerate showed weak estrogenic activity but aallethrin and permethrin showed no effect. In combination with high levels (10$^{-10}$ M, 10$^{-11}$ M) of 17$\beta$-estradiol and three synthetic pyrethroids inhibited cert proliferations in MCF7-BUS cell by 17$\beta$-estradiol. Whereas, fenvalerate increased cell proliferative activity at lower level of estradiol (10$^{-12}$ M, 10$^{-13}$ M). The relative affinities to the estrogen receptor were observed by allethrin and permethrin treatment, but not by fenvalerate. These results indicated that some of pyrethroid insecticides may modulate estrogen functions in human breast cancer cell. The action mechanisms of estrogen receptor mediated antiestrogenicity by allethrin and permethrin were postulated.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.125-132
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• 2003

Seasonal fluctuations in density of mosquito species were investigated at two cow sheds near to a large, reedy marsh with fairly polluted brackish water near the coast of Yongam-ri, Cheongryang-myon, Ulsan, Korea. Female mosquitoes were collected biweekly using Nozawa light traps from March to September, from 1999 to 2001. On average, 4,416.1, 5,505.9 and 6,863.8 females per trap night were collected from 10 species in 5 genera in 1999, 2000 and 2001, respectively. Among them, An. sinensis was most abundant (53.4% in species ratio), followed by Cx. tritaeniorhynchus (43.0%), Cx. inatomii (1.6%), Ochlerotatus dorsalis (1.3%) and Cx. pipiens pallens (0.5%). A malaria vector, An. sinensis and a Japanese encephalitis vector, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus were collected 3,663.3 females and 3,142.5 females per trap night from June to September for the years, respectively. According to the biweekly population changes at the area, Cx. inatomii which was dominant species in 1997, was the most abundant in the early July during 1999-2001.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.334-343
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• 2014

The number of malaria cases has been undulating for the past 10 years in Korea since the reemergence of malaria in early 1990's. Considering the spatial variations of malaria incidence across the northmost border areas near the demilitarized zone (DMZ), the occurrence of the disease seems to be influenced by the natural and human environment in the region. Malaria is an infectious disease that is transmitted to humans by the bites of vector-mosquitoes that carry malaria parasites, and its incidence rate depends on specific climatic and sociodemographic factors. This study found that the spatial characteristics of malaria incidence have varied depending on relative proportions of mosquito habitats, distance between mosquito habitats and human residence, the physical and sociodemographic environments of the city by urbanization, and local topography.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.1120-1125
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• 2022

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), the causative agent of Japanese encephalitis (JE), is an importantly zoonotic, vector-borne virus widely prevalent in Asia. Although JE has been well controlled in China, its prevalence remains a huge threat to the pig industry as well as human health. Herein, we report on our molecular and serological investigations of JEV among pigs from different regions in Hunan Province of China from 2019 to 2021. Collectively, 19.27% (583/3026, 95% Confidential Interval (CI) 17.86-20.68) of sampled pigs were positive for JEV IgG antibody as revealed by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the seroprevalence of JEV among pigs was significantly associated with the development stage and breeding scale (p < 0.01). Meanwhile, 10.99% (42/382, 95% CI 7.86-14.13) of tissue samples of pigs with suspected clinical symptoms of JE and 23.44% (15/64, 95% CI 13.06-33.82) of mosquito batches were JEV-positive via reverse polymerase chain reaction. In addition, the complete E gene sequences of 14 JEV strains identified in this study were amplified and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all 14 JEV strains belonged to genotype I-b and displayed a distinct genetic relationship to the present JEV vaccine strain (SA14-14-2). In conclusion, our results revealed not only the severe prevalence of JEV in Hunan Province, but also that JEV I-b might be the predominant genotype in Hunan Province, suggesting therefore that effective measures for JE control are urgently needed.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.595-605
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• 2021

An understanding of the knowledges, attitudes and perceptions of different populations is key for public health policy makers. Here, a survey was performed on knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about malaria diagnosis, prevention, control, and treatment. The 407 survey participants included both uninfected inhabitants and patients from 2 cities (Gimpo- and Paju-si) of Northern Gyeonggi-do, known as high-risk areas for vivax malaria. We used community-based study design and non-probability sampling method using the primary data. Association between variables were tested using χ²-tests. In general, the information on malaria reported by the participants in this study was unsystematic and included inaccurate details. The knowledge of malaria symptoms, identified as headache, chills and fever, was high, but the surveyed community lacks knowledge of the specific medications used for malaria treatment, with a large number of respondents having no knowledge of any form of medication. Survey questions with high correct answer rates included questions about easy treatment of malaria in Korea, the high daytime activity of malaria-borne mosquitoes, and the infection risk posed by outdoor activities. However, a large portion of the respondents was unable to provide simple medical and biological information about the disease. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practical behavior of the surveyed community with respect to malaria and the implications reported here could be applicable to other malaria endemic areas in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.677-699
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• 2012

Climate changes may cause substantial changes in spatial patterns and distribution of vector-borne diseases (VBD's), which will result in a significant threat to humans and emerge as an important public health problem that the international society needs to solve. As global warming becomes widespread and the Korean peninsula characterizes subtropical climate, the potentials of climate-driven disease outbreaks and spread rapidly increase with changes in land use, population distributions, and ecological environments. Vector-borne diseases are typically infected by insects such as mosquitoes and ticks, and infected hosts and vectors increased dramatically as the habitat ranges of the VBD agents have been expanded for the past 20 years. Medical geography integrates and processes a wide range of public health data and indicators at both local and regional levels, and ultimately helps researchers identify spatiotemporal mechanism of the diseases determining interactions and relationships between spatial and non-spatial data. Spatial epidemiology is a new and emerging area of medical geography integrating geospatial sciences, environmental sciences, and epidemiology to further uncover human health-environment relationships. An introduction of GIS-based disease monitoring system to the public health surveillance system is among the important future research agenda that medical geography can significantly contribute to. Particularly, real-time monitoring methods, early-warning systems, and spatial forecasting of VBD factors will be key research fields to understand the dynamics of VBD's.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.64-68
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• 2010

The mosquito, Aedes albopictus is important vector of humen phatogen such as dengue fever. And Aedes albopictus has widly distribution in oriental regions. This study was conducted to investigate the biological effects of cooper on the development of the Asian tiger mosquitoes, Aedes albopictus (Skuse). Aedes albopictus was affected with pupation ratios, mortalities, and wing lengths of the 3th and 4th instars by exposure to different concentration $CuCl_2$ (0.0, 2.5, 25.0 and 50.0 ppm) for 24 h and 48 h depending on dose and exposure period. The lowest $LC_{50}$ (median lethal concentration) value of $CuCl_2$ was 18.1 ppm at the 3rd instars for 48 h exposure. The pupation ratio of the larvae exposed at 50.0 ppm for 48 h was 14% which was much lower than those exposed to other treatment groups Changes of adult wing length showed significant decreased by Cu treatment. In conclusion, the most prominent effects of high concentration and longer exposure period were to reduce in the survival and pupation rates of larvae and wing length of Ae. albopictus.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.99-113
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• 2018

Recently, global warming has widened the habitat of mosquitoes and infection chances for mosquito-borne diseases are increasing. Flavivirus is a typical mosquito-borne virus. Flaviviruses with a relatively high frequency of infection in Asian countries include Zika, Dengue, and Japanese encephalitis viruses. Although distinctive diagnosis of flaviviruses is required because the symptoms and therapeutic method differ, there is no diagnostic method that can distinguish them accurately yet. In this study, we propose distinctive diagnosis method of flaviviruses using informations and analysis tools constructed in bioinformatic databases. The envelope protein and non-structural protein 1 which are useful protein for the immuno-diagnostics of three flaviviruses were selected. Their homology was analyzed by multiple sequence alignments and epitope candidates consisting of 10-15 amino acids were selected. Finally two epitopes were suggested to be most useful by immunogenicity analysis and 3D structure prediction. These approaches and results are expected to be great value in the distinctive diagnosis of three flaviviruses with a high frequency of infection in Asian countries.