• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.2675-2680
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• 2014

Background: To investigate differentiated thyroid cancer risk factors in natives of French Polynesia is of interest because of the very high incidence of this cancer in the archipelago. Materials and Methods: To assess the role of various potential risk factors of thyroid cancer in the natives of French Polynesia we performed a case-control study. The study included almost all the French Polynesians diagnosed with differentiated thyroid carcinoma between 1981 and 2003 (n=229) and 373 French Polynesian control individuals from the general population without cancer. Results: Thyroid radiation dose received from nuclear fallout before the age of 15, a personal history of neck or/and head medical irradiation, obesity, tallness, large number of children, an artificial menopause, a familial history of thyroid cancer, a low dietary iodine intake, and having a spring as the main source of drinking water were found to be significant risk factors. No roles of smoking habits, alcohol consumption, iodine containing drugs, and exposure to pesticides were evidenced. Conclusions: Except for smoking, differentiated thyroid carcinoma risk factors in natives of French Polynesia are similar to those in other populations. Our finding on the role of having a spring as a drinking water origin is coherent with some other studies and could be due to geological factors.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2010

Swine influenza virus (SIV) or swine-origin influenza virus (S-OIV) is endemic in swine, and classified into influenza A and influenza C but not influenza B. Swine influenza A includes H1N1, H1N2, H3N1, H3N2 and H2N3 subtypes. Infection of SIV occurs in only swine and that of S-OIV is rare in human. What human can be infected with S-OIV is called as zoonotic swine flu. Pandemic 2009 swine influenza H1N1 virus (2009 H1N1) was emerged in Mexico, America and Canada and spread worldwide. The triple-reassortant H1N1 resulting from antigenic drift was contained with HA, NA and PB1 of human or swine influenza virus, PB2 and PA polymerase of avian influenza virus, and M, NP and NS of swine influenza virus, The 2009 H1N1 enables to transmit to human and swine. The symptoms and signs in human infected with 2009 H1N1 virus are fever, cough and sore throat, pneumonia as well as diarrhea and vomiting. Co-infection with other viruses and bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae can occur high mortality in high-risk population. 2009 H1N1 virus was easily differentiated from seasonal flu by real time RT-PCR which contributed rapid and confirmed diagnosis. The 2009 H1N1 virus was treated with NA inhibitors such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) but not with adamantanes such as amantadine and rimantadine. Evolution of influenza virus has continued in various hosts. Development of a more effective vaccine against influenza prototypes is needed to protect new influenza infection such as H5 and H7 subtypes to infect to multi-organ and cause high pathogenicity.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.40.3-40.3
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• 2019

There is growing evidence for the dependence of Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) luminosities on the environments. The origin of this correlation, however, is under debate. In order to explore the physical origin of the trend in detail, we analyze SN Ia light-curves by combining a sample of 1231 SNe Ia over a wide redshift range (0.01 < z < 1.37) in various SN surveys and employing two independent light-curve fitters of SALT2 and MLCS2k2. Although SALT2 is the most widely used fitter in the SN community, MLCS2k2 has a novelty in the context of an investigation of the luminosity evolution of SNe Ia. For this reason we use both fitters and analyze them separately. We also determine a stellar mass and a star formation rate (SFR) for a sample of ~600 host galaxies. In addition, because recent low-redshift studies suggest that this dependence manifests itself most strongly when using the local SFR at the SN location, we introduce a new method to infer the local environments by restricting the SN Ia sample in globally star-forming host galaxies to a low-mass host galaxy subset (${\leq}10^{10}M_{\odot}$). We find that SNe Ia in low-mass and star-forming host galaxies are fainter than those in high-mass and passive hosts, after light-curve corrections. Especially, for the first time in host studies, we show that SNe Ia in locally star-forming environments are $0.081{\pm}0.018$ mag fainter ($4.5{\sigma}$) than those in locally passive environments from the sample including SNe at the high-redshift range. Considering the significant difference in the mean stellar population age between these environments, the result would suggest that the origin of the environmental dependence is the luminosity evolution of SNe Ia.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.172-182
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• 2022

Background: The coronavirus problem is an ecological problem stemming from a sudden change in the relationship between parasites and hosts. Ecologists judge organisms that are established out of their original territory as exotic species. Unlike in their original habitat, these exotic species become very aggressive in their newly settled habitat. Coronavirus infection damage was bigger in Europe or the United States than that in the country of its origin, China, and its neighboring countries. Therefore, coronavirus infection damage resembles the damage due to the invasive species. Results: Exotic species are found in places with similar environmental conditions to those of their origin when introduced to other ecological regions. However, there are few ecological ill effects in their place of origin, while the damage is usually severe in the ecological regions in which it is introduced. According to historical records, exotic infectious diseases, such as European smallpox and measles, also showed a similar trend and caused great damage in newly established places. Therefore, it is expected that measures to manage exotic species could be used for the prevention of exotic infectious diseases such as the coronavirus. Conclusions: Prevention comes first in the management of exotic species, and in order to come up with preventive measures, it is important to collect information on the characteristics of related organisms and their preferred environment. In this respect, ecosystem management measures such as exotic species management measures could be used as a reference to prevent and suppress the spread. To put these measures into practice, it is urgently required to establish an international integrated information network for collecting and exchanging information between regions and countries. Furthermore, a systematic ecosystem-management strategy in which natural and human environments could continue sustainable lives in their respective locations may serve as a countermeasure to prevent infectious diseases.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.8
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• pp.1086-1092
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• 2017

Objective: O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) transferase (OGT) catalyzes the addition of O-GlcNAc and GlcNAcylation has extensive crosstalk with phosphorylation to regulate signaling and transcription. Pig OGT is located near the region of chromosome X that affects follicle stimulating hormone level and testes size. The objective of this study was to find the variations of OGT between European and Chinese pigs. Methods: Pigs were tested initially for polymorphism in OGT among European and Chinese pigs by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC). The polymorphism was also determined in an independent population of pigs including European and Chinese Meishan (ME) breeds at the National Institute of Animal Science (NIAS, RDA, Korea). Results: The intron 20 of OGT from European and Chinese pigs was 514 and 233 bp, respectively, in the pigs tested initially. They included 1 White composite (WC) boar and 7 sows ($2Minzu{\times}WC$, $2Duroc\;[DU]{\times}WC$, $2ME{\times}WC$, $1Fengzing{\times}WC$) at USMARC. The 281-bp difference was due to an inserted 276-bp element and GACTT in European pigs. When additional WC and ME boars, the grandparents that were used to generate the $1/2ME{\times}1/2WC$ parents, and the 84 boars of 16 litters from mating of $1/2ME{\times}1/2WC$ parents were analyzed, the breeds of origin of X chromosome quantitative trait locus (QTL) were confirmed. The polymorphism was determined in an independent population of pigs including DU, Landrace, Yorkshire, and ME breeds at NIAS. OGT was placed at position 67 cM on the chromosome X of the USMARC swine linkage map. Conclusion: There was complete concordance with the insertion in European pigs at USMARC and NIAS. This polymorphism could be a useful marker to identify the breed of origin of X chromosome QTL in pigs produced by crossbreeding Chinese and European pigs.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.377-395
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• 1993

Habitat types, community structure and population characteristics of Koelreuteria paniculata were investigated in Mt. Wolak, Chungbuk and Naesokdong, Daegu, which are natural habitats of the species in inland region of Korea, and its origin was discussed. Habitats of Koelreuteria paniculata were classified to 3 types: sand bar formed by the sands flooded in the course of flow of the mountain stream (Type 1). crevice on the rock bed within the mountain stream (Type 2) and crevice of the rock around the edge of mountain stream (Type 3). Most Koelreuteria paniculata communities in Mt. Wolak site were composed of 3 layers of subtree layer, shrub layer and herb layer and that of Daegu site was 4 layers including tree layer. In the floristic composition of the Koelreuteria paniculata community, plants occurring frequently in the wet and open site, such as Zelkova serrata and Fraxinus rhynchoph-vlla showed high frequency. Frequency distribution of diameter at ground surface of Koelreutrria paniculata showed reversed J-shaped type. It was supposed that expansion of Koelreuteria paniculata community in Mt. Wolak site might be accomplished by the flow of the stream. Many saplings capable of becoming a successor of mature trees in Daegu site in near degenerating phase were established on the forest floor of the Koelreuteria paniculata community. From this result, it was supposed that these saplings originated from the seeds dispersed from a seed tree might form the Koelreuteria paniculata community of the next generation. On the other hand, the origin of Koelreutevia paniculata in inland sites was explained by two hypotheses: the one was that Koelreuteria paniculata might be transplanted by human and the other was that the present site might be native habitat of the community.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.131-157
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to examine the difference in depression level of Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese wives who are residing in Korean society. Special focus was taken to compare the differences in terms of the origin of nationality. Guided by the role theory, we analyzed the effect of parental role and work role on depression of foreign wives. Also we considered the social resources, ethnic characteristic that are well-known to be associated with the role performance, in this study. The data came from the sample of 524 foreign wives case (Japanese 35%, Chinese 31%, Vietnamese 34%). The result show us that depression level is different by origin of nationality of foreign wives: Vietnamese wives were more depressed compare to Japanese or Chinese wives. The effects of two social role on depression were significant even if the social resources and ethnicity are considered in the model. However, the strength of the effect of social roles were different by one another: having a job was especially effective to decrease the Chinese wife's depression level, while for the Vietnamese wives, parental role was essential to lower the depression level. In addition, the social determinants of depression were differ by the nationalities of wives. The results imply that the social adaptation process of foreign wife may be varied by the origin of nationality.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.95-101
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• 2015

Purpose: This study used cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) to characterize mandibular molar root and canal morphology and its variability in Belgian and Chilean population samples. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the CBCT images of 515 mandibular molars (257 from Belgium and 258 from Chile). Molars meeting the inclusion criteria were analyzed to determine (1) the number of roots; (2) the root canal configuration; (3) the presence of a curved canal in the cross-sectional image of the distal root in the mandibular first molar and (4) the presence of a C-shaped canal in the second mandibular molar. A descriptive analysis was performed. The association between national origin and the presence of a curved or C-shaped canal was evaluated using the chi-squared test. Results: The most common configurations in the mesial root of both molars were type V and type III. In the distal root, type I canal configuration was the most common. Curvature in the cross-sectional image was found in 25% of the distal canals of the mandibular first molars in the Belgian population, compared to 11% in the Chilean population. The prevalence of C-shaped canals was 10% or less in both populations. Conclusion: In cases of unclear or complex root and canal morphology in the mandibular molars, CBCT imaging might assist endodontic specialists in making an accurate diagnosis and in treatment planning.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.142-149
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• 1977

To use basic data for health planning and evaluation of Kangwha community health project of Yonsei University, a study on death rates and causes of death were investigated in two townships (Naega and Sunwon Myuns) in Kangwha County from April 1, 1975 to March 31, 1977 All death was identified and reported by family health workers who are living in each village and 2 trained public health nurses confirmed the death. The causes of death were investigated by 2 public physicians. Total number of deaths for 2 years was 230 and the followings are brief summary of the study. 1. Age-adjusted crude death rates of study area were 8.69 per 1,000 population in 1975 and 7.18 per 1,000 population in 1976. Age-adjusted crude death rates for male were 9.18 in 1975 and 6.38 in 1976 and for female were 8.33 and 7.80 per 1,000 population 2. Age specific death rate curves by year and sex showed 'U' shapes. 3. Infant and neonatal death rates were 30.08 and 22.56 per 1,000 live births in 1975, and the rates in 1976 were 18.18 and 13.64. 4. The most common cause of death was cerebrovascular disease and average cause specific death rate for the disease was 215.5 per 100,000 population. 5. Four leading causes of death were non-infectious origin; cerebrovascular disease, malignant neoplasms, senility and suicide. Pulmonary tubeculosis and pneumonia occupied 5th and 9th causes of death. 6. Stomach cancer and hepatoma occupied 61.3% of total death due to malignant neoplasms. 7. Most frequent cause of neonatal death was birth injury. Two deaths due to tetanus were found in 1975, but no death due to this disease was found in 1976. 8. About half of deceased received care from physician before death.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.129-139
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• 2016

Study was conducted to investigate tree diversity and its population and regeneration status in homegardens of upper Assam, Northeast India through field study by quadrat method. A total of 154 tree species have been recorded from 135 studied homegardens under 109 genera 53 families. Most of these species (79%) are indigenous to our country, while the rest (21%) arealiens (naturalized and cultivated exotics) by origin. Tree species richness per homegarden varies greatly in different homegardens and is ranged from 5 to 52 tree species with a mean of 22 ($SE{\pm}0.58$). A. malaccensis is the most dominant tree species in the studied homegardens contributed 34% of the total tree density of the documented trees. The tree density is much higher with 4,259 individuals $ha^{-1}$ but, basal area ($36.32m^2ha^{-1}$) is very less. Based on the number of individuals present, very rare species is accounted for 10%, rare species 39%, common species 19%, dominants 14% and predominant species 18% in the present study. The population density of 154 tree species is 4,259 (individuals $ha^{-1}$) for adults (>3.18 cm DBH), 5,902 (individuals $ha^{-1}$) for saplings and 38,164 (individuals $ha^{-1}$) for seedlings. The density of seedlings>saplings>adults represents good regeneration status of tree species in studied homegardens. The population structure study showed that about 8% tree species have good regeneration status, 9% have fair regeneration status, 48% have poor regeneration status and 34% tree species have no regeneration. Study suggests that research and development action is needed to stimulate regeneration of those tree species which having high importance value indices but showing poor or no regeneration. Based on present observation, it can be conclude that homegarden can emerge as an effective means for both economic well-being and biodiversity conservation in upper Assam, Northeast India.