• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.63-68
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• 2013

Objectives: Several evidence has been suggested that the circadian gene variants contribute to the pathogenesis of seasonal affective disorder. In this study, we aimed to investigate the polymorphism in RORA (Retinoid-related orphan receptor A) gene in relation to seasonal variations among healthy young adults in Seoul, Korea. Methods: A total of 507 young healthy adult subjects were recruited by advertisement. Seasonal variations were assessed by the Seasonality Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ). Single-nucleotide polymorphism in the RORA rs11071547 gene was genotyped by PCR in 507 individuals. Considering summer type as confounding factor, we conducted analysis 478 subjects except 29 subjects of summer type. The Chi-square test was conducted to compare differences between groups of seasonals and non-seasonals. Association between genotypes and Global Seasonality Score (GSS) were tested using ANCOVA (Analysis of covariance). Results: In this sample, the prevalence of SAD was 12.1% (winter type 9.3%, summer type 2.8%). There is no significant difference in genotyping distribution of RORA rs11071547 between groups of seasonals and non-seasonals. Global seasonality score (GSS) and scores of all subscales except body weight and appetite were not significantly different between the group with C allele homozygote and the group with T allele homozygote and heterozygote (p-value 0.138). Scores of body weight and appetite were significantly higher in group with C allele homozygotes. Conclusion: These results suggest that RORA gene polymorphism play a role in seasonal variations in appetite and body weight and is associated with susceptibility to seasonal affective disorder in some degree in the population studied.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• 제47권3호
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• pp.147-152
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• 2015

The seasonal pattern of larvae, nymph and adult life stages for three tick species were studied for April-October, 2014. Haemaphysalis longicornis (610), Haemaphysalis flava (296) and Ixodes nipponensis (15) were collected from Pocheon by the dragging and flagging method. H.longicornis (254), H.flava (345) and I.nipponensis (15) were collected from Cheolwon in the same way. H.longicornis adults peaked in June while nymphs were more frequently collected from April through June. In contrast, H.longicornis larvae were collected only in September and October. H.flava adults were collected in April, September, and October while nymphs were collected from April through October. The nymphs peaked in April in Pocheon while May was the peak in Cheolwon. Larvae of H.longicornis and H.flava were collected only in September and October. I.nipponensis adults and nymphs were more frequently collected in April, while the larvae were not collected during that period. Collecting ticks by the dragging and flagging method provides estimates of population densities for life stages of the selected species and the associated disease risk. These results can be used to predict seasonal population densities of ticks and the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.219-227
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• 2023

Lettuce is one of the most consumed vegetables worldwide. However, it has potential risks associated with pathogenic bacterial contamination because it is usually consumed raw. In this study, we investigated the changes in the bacterial community on lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) in Chungcheong-do, South Korea, and the prevalence of foodborne pathogens on lettuce in different seasons using 16S rRNA gene-based sequencing. Our data revealed that the Shannon diversity index showed the same tendency in term of the number of OTUs, with the index being greatest for summer samples in comparison to other seasons. Moreover, the microbial communities were significantly different between the four seasons. The relative abundance of Actinobacteriota varied according to the season. Family Micrococcaceae was most dominant in all samples except summer, and Rhizobiaceae was predominant in the microbiome of the summer sample. At the genus level, the relative abundance of Bacillus was greatest in spring samples, whereas Pseudomonas was greatest in winter samples. Potential pathogens, such as Staphylococcus and Clostridium, were detected with low relative abundance in all lettuce samples. We also performed metagenome shotgun sequencing analysis on the selected summer and winter samples, which were expected to be contaminated with foodborne pathogens, to support 16S rRNA gene-based sequencing dataset. Moreover, we could detect seasonal biomarkers and microbial association networks of microbiota on lettuce samples. Our results suggest that seasonal characteristics of lettuce microbial communities, which include diverse potential pathogens, can be used as basic data for food safety management to predict and prevent future outbreaks.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.68-83
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• 2010

Weedy rice (Oryza sativa L.) occurred sympatrically with other weeds and the rice crop in Malaysian rice granaries. We conducted field surveys in 2006-2008 seasons in 7 farm blocks of Selangor's North West Project, Malaysia to enlist the new biotypes of weedy rice (NBWR) and assess their spatio-temporal pattern of distribution based on quantitative and dispersion indices. No less than 16 accessions of NBWR were identified based on their special traits, viz. panicle type, pericarp colour, presence or absence of awn, seed type and degree of grain shattering. The NBWR accessions exhibited a combination of morphological traits from open panicle, grain with awns, red pericarp, short grain type, and degrees of grain shattering. Others mimic commercial rices with close panicle, awnless grains, white pericarp, long or short grain-type. Invariably, the NBWRs mimic and stand as tall as cultivated rice namely MR219, MR220, or MR235 and these NBWR accessions stand among equals morphologically vis-a-vis the commercial rice varieties. Most accessions displayed varying degrees of grain shattering in excess of 50%, except Acc9 and Acc12. The seasonal dynamics of on the prevalence of dominant NBWR accessions were also displaying significant differences among farm blocks. While Bagan Terap farm block, for example, did not record any measurable changes in the dominant NBWR accessions over seasons, the Sungai Leman farm block recorded measurable season-mediated changes in the dominant NBWR accessions. Sungai Leman started with NBWR Acc3, Acc4, Acc5, Acc7, Acc8, and Acc12 in season 1 of 2006/2007, but no measurable records of Acc3 and Acc5 were shown in season 2 of 2007. In season 3 of 2007/2008, only Acc8 and Acc12 prevailed in the farm block. In Sawah Sempadan farm block, season 3 of 2007/2008 showed much reduced prevalence of NBWRs leaving only Acc8 and Acc12. Most accessions registered clump or under-dispersed spatial distribution pattern based on quantitative indices: variance-to-mean ratio (VMR) and Lloyd's patchiness values. The dynamics on the extent of infestation and prevalence of dominant NBWR accessions registered both season- and farm-block mediated differences. Most accessions showed VMR >1 thus indicative of having a clump or clustered spatial distribution, as exemplified by Acc3, Acc4, Acc7, Acc8 and Acc12 in all farm blocks throughout three seasons. Some accessions have either random or uniform distribution in a few farm blocks. The Acc8 has the highest population counts based on important value index, followed by Acc12, and both were the most dominant accession while Sawah Sempadan was the worst farm block infested by NBWR compared to other farm blocks. These results were discussed in relation with the current agronomic and weed management practices, water availability and extension services in the granary.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.313-320
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate association with gross lesions and causative pathogens of porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC) including porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), swine influenza virus (SIV), Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (MH), Pasteurella multocida (PM), Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP), Haemophilus parasuis (HP) in slaughtered pigs. A total of 1,200 lung samples were collected randomly from slaughtered pigs in Korea during August of 2010 through July of 2011. The gross lesions were classified according to the six stages (0, 1~10, 11~20, 21~30, 31~40 and ${\geq}41$, unit=%) and 48 samples from each stage were selected to detect viral and bacterial pathogens. The results according to the six stages were 100 (8.3%), 259 (21.6%), 326 (27.2%), 213 (17.8%), 144 (12.0%) and 158 (13.2%) cases, respectively. Prevalence of pneumonia according to season was 87.0~96.7% and the highest prevalence was in spring. In detection of pathogens by PCR, 53 samples were not detected any causative pathogens of PRDC. PCV2, PRRSV, SIV, MH, PM, APP serotype 2, APP serotype 5 and HP were positive in 45.5%, 12.5%, 10.4%, 60.1%, 1.7%, 13.9%, 12.2% and 15.6%, respectively. In co-infection, PCV2-MH was the most detected causative pathogens of PRDC. The detection rate of PCV2 and PRRSV was the highest in spring, of SIV, MH and HP was in winter. The detection rate of APP-2 and APP-5 had no seasonal prevalence. The more severe gross lesions increased, the higher the detection rate showed.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.155-163
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• 2010

The epidemiological study was performed to survey the prevalence of fish pathogens in cultured olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus from 2005 to 2007. In this study, the fish pathogens were detected from 1,528 among 2,238 fish samples collected yearly in 5 sites from February, May, August and November. Annual incidences for three years show a yearly increase and there were 60.6% in 2005, 66.7% in 2006 and 72.3% in 2007, respectively. Seasonal prevalence was 63.5% in February, 67.4% in May, 75.1% in August and 64.4% in November for three years. The detection rates of 6 viral pathogens were 35.6% in 2005, 44.6% in 2006 and 24.4% in 2007 and the peak rate was 55.4% at adult size group (above 41cm). Viral nervous necrosis virus (24.7%) has been the most predominant virus in this investigation, while much lower rates were noted in viral haemorrhagic septicemia virus (10.6%) and red sea bream iridovirus (0.9%).

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• 제13권3호
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• pp.43-53
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• 2009

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and the relationship between hypertension and the grades of 'Yang-Saeng'(health promotion methods in oriental medicine) in hypertension group and control group of Hong-Cheon county in Korea. Methods : To accomplish the purpose, we analyzed the Hong-Cheon survey data which was collected from 1,739 subjects from october 1. 2006 to October 20. 2006. Results : Hypertension group marked lower mentality score($21.0{\pm}3.7$) than that of control group($21.8{\pm}3.2$). (p<0.05) Hypertension group marked higher grades in the other Yang-Saeng categories{Eating($31.6{\pm}5.0$ ; $29.9{\pm}4.9$), Daily life($31.5{\pm}4.3$ ; $30.6{\pm}4.2$), Seasonal life($29.1{\pm}3.4$ ; $28.3{\pm}3.1$), Sexual behavior($13.9{\pm}2.3$ ; $13.5{\pm}2.1$)}. (p<0.05) Conclusion : The result of this study suggest that mental program could be needed more during operating health promotion program for hypertension group.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제10권4호
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• pp.439-443
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• 1997

A total of 135 freshwater fish samples (Oreochromis spp. <85> and Clarias lazera <50>) were collected from different localities (shops and fish markets) in Alexandria Province-Egypt and examined for the presence of parasitic larval stages. The obtained data found the overall mean of the infestation with encysted metacercariae was 71.1% in the examined fish. The rates of infestation with encysted metacercariae were 72.9% and 68.0% in the examined Oreochromis spp. and Clarias lazera, respectively. The highest prevalence of the encysted metacercariae was found in summer (81.8%) in case of Oreochromis spp. and in winter (92.3%) in case of Clarias lazera, all these seasonal differences are statistically significant. The rate of infestation of encysted metacercariae in the anterior third, middle third and posterior third of Oreochromis spp. was found to be 82.3%, 74.2% and 95.2%, respectively, while 88.2%, 88.2% and 91.2%, respectively, in Clarias lazera. Moreover, the rate of infestation of encysted metacercariae in eyes, gills, liver, kidney and branchial cavity of Oreochromis spp. was 91.9%, 70.9%, 20.9%, 46.8% and 32.2%, respectively. In Clarias lazera the infestation rate was found to be 47.1%, 70.6%, 8.8% and 38.2% in the gills, liver, spleen and kidney, respectively. The zoonotic and public health importance of the encysted metacercariae are causes severe visceral pain, abdominal discomfort, intermittent bloody diarrhoea and colic after consumption of inadequately cooked fish especially Tilapia spp. (Oreochromis spp.).

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.155-164
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• 2007

This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of canine heartworm infections, canine brucellosis and hematologic values from 153 free roaming dogs in the area of Gwangju city from March to November 2006. Nineteen (12.4%) of 153 samples tested with modified Knott's technique showed positive reaction for microfilariae. Polymerase chain reaction using specific primers for D immitis amplified the expected product from all samples of 19 microfilaremic canine blood samples as determined by the modified Knott's test for microfilariae. The seasonal infection rates of microfilariae were higher in the spring season (10/19, 52.6%) than in the other seasons. The major hematological findings in microfilaremic dogs were mild leukocytosis and mild monocytosis. A total of 100 dogs randomly selected from 153 free roaming dogs were negative for canine brucellosis by serological test using immunochromatographic antibody test kit.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• 제44권4호
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• pp.199-204
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• 2012

The purpose of this study is to examine the population density of the mosquito species, and to provide the basic data related to vector mosquitoes to manage the possible epidemic diseases. During a 4-year investigation (2001, 2002, 2004, and 2006), we collected the specimens of the mosquitoes at pier no. 1, 3 and 5 of Busan port with light traps from sunset until the next day morning from April to October each year. Through the research, we collected 5,985 mosquito specimens in total and found 7 mosquito species belonging to 3 genera. A total of 1,575, 1,473, 1,478 and 1,459 mosquito specimens were collected in 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2006, respectively. Among them, 5,568 (93.0%) specimens were Culex pipiens pallens, the West Nile virus infection vector, which showed the highest density among the specimens. The population densities of the other species were: 295(4.9%) Culex tritaeniorhynchus, 94(1.5%) Aedes togoi, 12(0.3%) Aedes albopictus, 10(0.2%) Anopheles sinensis, 4(0.1%) Aedes vexans nipponii, 2(0.1%) Culex inatomii. The monthly abundance of mosquitoes from July through September showed the highest values. Although it was a general mosquito monitoring study, this study could provide a base for securing the statistical data on spreading epidemic diseases by people infected outside Korea.