• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.7-12
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• 2011

The crash cushion has drawn a great attention because of its versatility, efficiency and simplicity in reducing the mortality and damages from traffic accidents. However, the existing cushion systems are high priced or have limited functions. The purpose of the study was to devise an improved crash cushion which can offer higher safety compared to the available ones at present. In addition, the conformity of the cushion with the facility standards was assessed through computer simulation for collision with vehicles. The novel cushion system adopts the used tires as shock absorber, which can not only secure cushioning effect but also reduce the production cost. Moreover, it is highly durable and easy to maintain and repair the damaged parts. According to the simulation using BARRIER VII program, the novel cushion system showed PHD of 17.4 g and 10.1 g for a frontal collision and a side collision, respectively. Based on the results, it could be concluded that the novel cushion system met the test standards in the guideline for road safety facility installation and management.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.240-250
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• 2023

The genus Anisakis is among the most significant parasites to public health, as it causes anisakiasis, a parasitic infection in humans resulting from consuming raw or undercooked seafood. Although the infection status of Anisakis in second intermediate hosts, such as marine fishes and cephalopods, and humans have been severally reported in Korea, no information about the definitive host in Korean waters is available. In 2014, 2 adult gastric nematodes were collected from a common minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) found in the East Sea, Korea. These worms were identified as A. simplex sensu stricto (s.s.) by comparing the mitochondrial COX2 marker with previously deposited sequences. Phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses of A. simplex (s.s.) worldwide revealed 2 distinct populations: the Pacific population and the European waters population. This is the first report on adult Anisakis and its definitive host species in Korea. Further studies on Anisakis infection in other cetacean species and marine mammals in Korean seas are warranted.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.298-303
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• 2023

This study aimed to describe a rare case of gnathostomiasis in the vocal cord. A 54-yearold Chinese woman living in Korea visited with a chief complaint of voice change at the outpatient department of otorhinolaryngology in Hallym Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University on August 2, 2021. She had eaten raw conger a few weeks before the voice change developed, but her medical history and physical examinations demonstrated neither gastrointestinal symptoms nor other health problems. A round and red cystic lesion, recognized in the anterior part of the right vocal cord, was removed using forceps and scissors through laryngeal microsurgery. The histopathological specimen of the cyst revealed 3 cross-sections of a nematode larva in the lumen of the cyst wall composed of inflammatory cells and fibrotic tissues. They differ in diameter, from 190 ㎛ to 235 ㎛. They showed characteristic cuticular layers with tegumental spines, somatic muscle layers, and gastrointestinal tracts such as the esophagus and intestine. Notably, intestinal sections consisted of 27-28 lining cells containing 0-4 nuclei per cell. We tentatively identified the nematode larva recovered from the vocal cord cystic lesion as the thirdstage larva of Gnathostoma, probably G. nipponicum or G. hispidum, based on the sectional morphologies.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.72-77
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• 2023

Human babesiosis is a tick-borne disease induced by the genus Babesia and has been significantly reported in the Republic of Korea. This report shows the cases of 2 patients with human babesiosis who traveled to the USA in 2019. The 2 patients experienced fever and had travel histories to babesiosis-endemic regions. The diagnoses of both cases were verified by the identification of Babesia-infected red blood cells on blood smears. One patient was found to be infected with Babesia microti using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for 18S rRNA, which discovered the phylogenetic link to the B. microti strain endemic in the USA. The 2 patients recovered from fever with subsequent hemoparasite clearance. Babesiosis could be diagnosed in anyone with histories of travel to babesiosis-endemic countries and tick bites. Furthermore, Babesia-specific PCR is required for determining geno-and phenotypic characteristics.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.78-83
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• 2023

The use of an effective antimalarial drug is the cornerstone of malaria control. However, the development and spread of resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains have placed the global eradication of malaria in serious jeopardy. Molecular marker analysis constitutes the hallmark of the monitoring of Plasmodium drug-resistance. This study included 96 P. falciparum PCR-positive samples from southern Somalia. The P. falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter gene had high frequencies of K76T, A220S, Q271E, N326S, and R371I point mutations. The N86Y and Y184F mutant alleles of the P. falciparum multidrug resistance 1 gene were present in 84.7 and 62.4% of the isolates, respectively. No mutation was found in the P. falciparum Kelch-13 gene. This study revealed that chloroquine resistance markers are present at high frequencies, while the parasite remains sensitive to artemisinin (ART). The continuous monitoring of ART-resistant markers and in vitro susceptibility testing are strongly recommended to track resistant strains in real time.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.89-93
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• 2023

Parasite infection rates estimated by examining ancient coprolites can provide insights into parasitism in Joseon society. Using newly discovered Joseon period cases is essential to regularly update the parasite infection rates and reinforce the reliability of our previous estimations. In the present study, we investigated parasite infections in Joseon coprolites newly isolated from the cities of Euijeongbu, Gumi, and Wonju. We then updated the overall parasite infection rates of Joseon period samples (n= 30) as follows: 86.7% (26/30) for Trichuris trichiura, 56.7% (17/30) for Ascaris lumbricoides, 30.0% (9/30) for Clonorchis sinensis, and 30.0% (9/30) for Paragonimus westermani. The parasite infection rates in the Joseon society, estimated through coprolite examination, were very similar to those determined previously despite the addition of new cases to the existing data pool.

• Proceedings of the Korea Information Processing Society Conference
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• 2011.04a
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• pp.179-182
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• 2011

복약기는 개인의 건강 증진 및 질병 예방을 위한 개인건강기기(Personal Health Device: PHD) 중 하나로 정해진 스케줄에 따라 약을 배출하는 기기이다. 복약기를 통해 수집되는 복약자의 복약상태(복약 여부, 복약 횟수 등)는 의료진 및 보호자에게 복약자를 관리하기 위한 중요한 정보가 될 수 있으므로 모니터링 서버에게 실시간 전송하여 의료진 및 보호자가 분석할 수 있도록 하는 것이 바람직하다. 이에 본 논문에서는 복약기 내에 탑재되어 사용자의 복약상태를 원격 모니터링 서버에게 실시간 전송하는 복약상태 전송 에이전트를 제안한다. 복약상태 전송 에이전트는 단말기 관리에 관한 산업계 표준인 Open Mobile Alliance(OMA) Device Management(DM) 프로토콜에 따라 복약 상태 메시지를 생성 및 전송한다. 복약 상태 메시지를 수신하는 모니터링 서버로는 OMA DM 기반의 상용 서버를 사용하였다. 이는 추후 본 논문의 복약상태 전송 에이전트를 확장하여 복약기 원격 관리 용도로 적용하기 위함이다. 본 논문에서는 제안된 복약상태 전송 에이전트의 구현 결과 및 모니터링 서버와 연동성 검증 결과를 제시한다. 검증 결과 제안된 에이전트는 복약기로부터 복약상태를 수집한 후 OMA DM 프로토콜에 따라 복약상태를 정상적으로 전송함을 알 수 있었다. 즉, 본 논문의 복약상태 전송 에이전트는 복약상태의 원격 전송뿐 만 아니라, OMA DM 을 준수하는 기존의 모바일 단말기 관리 서버들을 복약상태 모니터링 서버로 활용할 수 있다는 장점이 있다.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.147-153
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• 2023

Lampung is a malaria-endemic region in Indonesia with an annual parasite incidence of 0.06 per 1,000 population. The socio-demographic factors, clinical conditions, and artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) types might affect parasite clearance and parasite density. This study aims to investigate factors that influence parasite clearance and parasite density in malaria patients. A retrospective analytic observational and a cross-sectional approach was used to conduct this study. A total of 66 malaria patients were examined to investigate parasite density and clearance, socio-demographic profiles, clinical conditions, and ACT types. To analyze data, univariate, bivariate, and multivariate tests were used. Age (P=0.045; r=0.238) and ACT type (P=0.021; r=0.273) were the only variables that had a significant correlation with parasite clearance. Age (P=0.003; r=0.345) had a significant correlation with parasite density. The most influential factors related to parasite clearance were the ACT type (dihydroartemisinin piperaquine) (P=0.017; odds ratio (OR) 0.109; 95.0% confidence interval (CI), 0.018-0.675) and age (P=0.030; OR 0.132; 95.0% CI, 0.021-0.823). Age (P=0.046; OR 0.320; 0.105-0.978, 95.0% CI) was the most significant variable associated with parasite density.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.127-137
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• 2023

Bovine trypanosomiasis is a significant health concern for livestock intensification in Côte d'Ivoire. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and distribution of pathogenic trypanosomes and identify the most infected cattle breed in northern Côte d'Ivoire. We examined 700 cattle and found that polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was more sensitive (12.3%) than microscopic observation (5.6%). Among the trypanosome species detected in naturally infected cattle, Trypanosoma vivax was 7.3%, Trypanosoma simiae tsavo was 6.7%, and Trypanosoma congolense was 0.4%. The overall prevalence of trypanosome infection in all cattle breeds was 12.3%, while the prevalence in individual breeds was 14.8%, 7.3%, 10.6%, and 12.3% for N'Dama, Baoule, Zebu, and Mere breed, respectively. The infected animals had low packed cell volume, influencing the prevalence. Our findings indicate that bovine trypanosomes are prevalent in Côte d'Ivoire, and their prevalence varies by region and breed. These pathogens include T. vivax, T. simiae tsavo, and T. congolense.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.194-197
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• 2023

Ascaris lumbricoides causes one of the most common soil-transmitted helminthiases globally. The worms mostly infect the human small intestine and elicit negligible or nonspecific symptoms, but there are reports of extraintestinal ectopic ascariasis. We describe a rare case of biliary ascariasis mistaken for biliary stent in a 72-year-old female patient with a history of liver resection. She visited our outpatient clinic complaining of right upper quadrant pain and fever for the past week. She had previously undergone left lateral sectionectomy for recurrent biliary and intrahepatic duct stones 2 years ago. Besides mildly elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase levels, her liver function tests were normal. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography revealed a linear filling defect closely resembling an internal stent from the common bile duct to the right intrahepatic bile duct. A live female A. lumbricoides adult worm was removed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Despite a significant decrease of the ascariasis prevalence in Korea, cases of biliary ascariasis are still occasionally reported. In this study, a additional case of biliary ascariasis, which was radiologically misdiagnosed as the biliary stent, was described in a hepatic resection patient by the worm recovery with ERCP in Korea.