• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.663-667
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• 2013

Free-grazing ducks play a major role in the rural economy of Eastern Asia in the form of egg and meat production. In Thailand, the geographical location, tropical climate conditions and wetland areas of the country are suitable for their husbandry. These environmental factors also favor growth, multiplication, development, survival, and spread of duck parasites. In this study, a total of 90 free-grazing ducks from northern, central, and northeastern regions of Thailand were examined for intestinal helminth parasites, with special emphasis on zoonotic echinostomes. Of these, 51 (56.7%) were infected by one or more species of zoonotic echinostomes, Echinostoma revolutum, Echinoparyphium recurvatum, and Hypoderaeum conoideum. Echinostomes found were identified using morphological criteria when possible. ITS2 sequences were used to identify juvenile and incomplete worms. The prevalence of infection was relatively high in each region, namely, north, central, and northeast region was 63.2%, 54.5%, and 55.3%, respectively. The intensity of infection ranged up to 49 worms/infected duck. Free-grazing ducks clearly play an important role in the life cycle maintenance, spread, and transmission of these medically important echinostomes in Thailand.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.341-345
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• 2016

Background: Colorectal polyps are common in Thailand, particularly in the northeastern region. The present study aimed to determine any correlation between Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis and colorectal polyps in the Thai population. Materials and Methods: A total of 303 patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy with colonoscopy for investigation of chronic abdominal pain participated in this study from November 2014 to October 2015. A diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori associated gastritis was made if the bacteria were seen on histopathological examination and a rapid urease test was positive. Colorectal polyps were confirmed by histological examination of colorectal biopsies. Patient demographic data were analyzed for correlations. Results: The prevalence of colorectal polyps was 77 (25.4%), lesions being found more frequently in Helicobacter pylori infected patients than non-infected subjects [38.4% vs. 12.5%; Odds Ratio (OR) (95% CI): 2.26 (1.32 - 3.86), p < 0.01]. Patients with Helicobacter pylori - associated gastritis were at high risk of having adenomas featuring dysplasia [OR (95% CI): 1.15 (1.16 - 7.99); P = 0.02]. There was no varaition in location of polyps, age group, sex and gastric lesions with respect to Helicobacter pylori status. Conclusions: This study showed that Helicobacter pylori associated gastritis is associated with an increased risk of colorectal polyps, especially adenomas with dysplasia in the Thai population. Patients with Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis may benefit from concurrent colonoscopy for diagnosis of colorectal polyps as a preventive and early treatment for colorectal cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.4401-4408
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• 2015

Background: Cancer is a primary source of concern in Thailand and other countries around the world, including the Asian-Pacific region. Evidence supports that an important contributing cause of cancer and other chronic illnesses such as stroke, diabetes, and hypertension is excessive alcohol consumption. Studies conducted in Thailand reveal a worrisome rise in the number of new and regular drinkers in communities. Therefore, actions for primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of problem drinking are necessary. In recent years nurses in North East Thailand have been developing and implementing the Khon Kaen Family Health Nursing model to embed disease prevention in communities through the actions of family health nurses and local family health leaders. Aim: The aim of this qualitative research was to better understand the experiences of the local family health leaders using this model and to synthesize lessons learned. Materials and Methods: As part of a participatory action research approach involving analysis of focus group discussions and individual interviews, the experiences of 45 family health leaders were synthesized. Results: Four main themes were identified, namely: i) Family first: role modeling beginning at the personal and family level. ii) Local leverage: using village community forums to reduce alcohol drinking. iii) Gentle growth: making the first step and treading gently; and iv) Respect, Redemption, Rehabilitation: valuing the person to re-integrate them in the village society. Conclusions: As alcohol consumption in the village declined significantly following the prevention program, these findings illuminate how low-tech integrated prevention approaches may be very useful, particularly in rural communities. The lessons learned may have relevance not only in Thailand but in other countries seeking to prevent and mitigate behavior that conduces to diseases such as cancer.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.149-159
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• 2010

This paper analyzes data on the composition, status, diversity, and distribution pattern of invasive forest undergrowth in a protected area (Khadimnagar National Park) of Northeastern Bangladesh. Assessment was done by means of stratified random sampling to diversify the invasive forest undergrowth species. For vegetation survey, 45 plots were taken randomly in ($2m{\times}2m$) circular plot from three topographical regions namely top of the hill, middle slope and plain land (15 plots from each region) and a total of 715 individuals, 22 invasive species belonging to 17 families were recorded from the study site. Among invasive species, shrubs constitute 10 species, herbs 9 species, and vines 3 species respectively. Mass number of invasive undergrowth species was grows in plain land (45.45%) followed by middle slope (31.82%). Based on the survey, invasive undergrowth plants of study areas were also categorized into three degrees of invasiveness e.g., highly invasive, moderately invasive and potentially invasive. Herbs, shrubs, and vines constitute the highest density at Chromolaema odorata (Linn.) King. (1.09), relative density at Chromolaema odorata (Linn.) King. 6.85%; highest and lowest frequency was calculated at Cassia alata L. (64.44%) and Diplazium esculentum (24.44%); for relative frequency the highest was Cassia alata L., which occupies 6.64%. Determination of the abundance of the different species revealed that Cassia alata L., constitutes (3.36) followed by Pteris cretica Wilsonii (3.14) of the area. The presence of invasive undergrowth species always reduced the number of associated species. Therefore, an extensive in-depth long-term investigation, proper policy formulation and management interventions and further study and continuous monitoring on their impacts need to be triggered targeting the control of the invasive undergrowth species of this protected area. In this aspect, national and international organization could help to conserve its biodiversity.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.32 no.2B
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• pp.103-111
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• 2012

This study is to analyze the spatio-temporal trend of snowfall using 30 years (1980-2010) data for 5 selected heavy snowfall areas (Ulleungdo (a), Northeastern Region (b), Western Taebaek Range Inland Region (c), Northwestern Sobaek Range Inland Region (d) and Southern Coastal Region (e)). The snow depth and snowfall frequency during 30 years showed some decreasing trend in parts of c and d. From the spatial comparison for 2 periods between 1980-2000 (A) and 1990-2010 (B), we could identified that the frequency of advisory for heavy snowfall from A to B decreased in c and d showing clear bounds for some areas in period B. For the average snow depth from A to B, the area d decreased while the area b increased with enlarging the areal range.

• 한국해양학회지
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.271-278
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• 1995

A study of heavy mineral sands in terms of heavy mineral group and concentration has been carried out by analyzing 88 grab samples from the continental shelf off the southeast coast of Korea. Heavy mineral groups seem to be outlined and classified into four regions in the study area: 1) the western region; high concentrations of stable minerals, such as opaque mineral, magnetite, garnet and ZTR, 2) Korean Trough region; moderate concentrations of stable minerals, 3) the eastern region; abundant altered mineral and amphibole with minor of pyroxene concentration, and 4) the northeastern shelf-break region; low concentration of stable minerals with abundant altered minerals. The sedimentologic natures of four major heavy mineral regions (groupings) seem to be influenced by physical, dynamic and hydraulic milieu and also aerial and/or subaqueous weathering processes. It seems to be, further, plausible that shallow marine waves and currents associated with neritic dynamic condition of transgressive sea might be very effective on the concentration and groupings (sorting) of heavy min-erals in the surficial sediments of the continental shelf. The pyroxene-abundant heavy mineral suite (group), in fact, seems to suggest a sediment source from Japanese Islands.

• 한국해양학회지
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.250-261
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• 1995

This study was carried out to investigate the distribution of the benthic polychaetous community in Kamak Bay, in summer of 1993. Polychaetes, the dominant faunal group comprising 74.5% of the total number of fauna, consisted of a total of 84 species with a mean density of 112 indiv.m/SUP -2/. The number of species and density were higher in the mouth area of the bay than in the rest of the bay. The most dominant Polychaete was Tharyx sp.(31.9%), followed by Lumbrineris longifolia (27.5%), Chone sp.(4.5%) and Glycera chirori (4.2%). The correspondence analysis revealed that the study area could be divided into four regions. Northeastern channel and southern mouth region of the bay, named Tharyx-Chone assemblage, sustained higher polychaetous density and species number due to the active water exchange with the outer off-sea, whereas northwestern region of the bay had the poorest polychaetous assemblage in the species number and faunal density owing to the blocking water exchange, high organic enrichment in sediment, and low dissolved oxygen content of bottom water. The central region, named Praxillella-Terebellides assemblage and Gly-cera assemblage, was the transition zone between another two region in species composition.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.27 no.5 s.92
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• pp.345-348
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• 1999

Tricholoma matsutake, an ectomycorrhizal fungus, is the most expensive mushroom at the region of northeastern Asia. Since the mushroom is edible, it is very serious to have a parasitic fungus on the surface of fruit-body. We discovered a necrotrophic mycoparasite of T. matsutake. We tried to illustrate the feature of mycoparasite on T. matsutake in detail, and it was identified as Syzygites megalocarpus.

• Proceedings of the KSRS Conference
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• v.2
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• pp.926-929
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• 2006

Some features of vertical structure of the frontal interaction zone of the warm Kuroshio Current and cold Oyashio Current are known from 1930 from analysis of ship data. Ship data however do not allow carrying out the area detailed survey opposite to satellite infrared (IR) observations which possess by high spatial and temporal resolution. Analysis of NOAA AVHRR IR images demonstrated that process of formation and development of the Kuroshio warm core rings is highly complex. They are formed as a result of development of anticyclonic meanders of the warm Kuroshio waters and spin off them from the current. Joint analysis of thermal infrared images and altimetry data has also indicated that interaction of eddies to the frontal zone plays a crucial role in formation of large eddies moving to the Southern Kuril region.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.231-241
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• 1997

A tracer model was applied in the Far East Asia to investigate the dry deposition rates of air pollutants on Korean Peninsula originated from different countries including China and Japan. Wind direction was chosen to predict the maximum deposition rates and SO$_2$ was chosen as a tracer to estimate the source strength. Model simulation shows that inflow, deposition and airborne ratios of China-originated SO$_2$ were 50%, 8% and 30%, respectively, at most. Also it was found that deposition, outbounded and airborne ratios of Korea-originated SO$_2$ were 15~77%, 8~75%, and 3~30%, respectively Model simulation also shows that inflow, deposition and airborne ratios of Kyushu-originated SO$_2$ were, 30~45%, 8~14％ and 20~25%, respectively. This study shows that tracer model can be applied on the estimation of air pollutants partitioning in regional scale and that more sophisticated modules and schemes can be developed and applied to better predict the transboundary amounts of air pollutants in this region.