• The Korean Journal of Medicine
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• v.99 no.1
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• pp.50-56
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• 2024

Nocardiosis is uncommon. Immunocompromising conditions predispose individuals to pulmonary and disseminated nocardiosis of the brain, skin, and subcutaneous tissues. The most common pathogens are Nocardia cyriacigeorgica, Nocardia nova, and Nocardia farcinica. The speciation of Nocardia to determine antimicrobial susceptibility is difficult using traditional biochemical methods. Here, we report the case of a 73-year-old man with chronic obstructive lung disease who developed a rapidly progressing intramuscular abscess around the left hip and thigh. Within 3 days, the lesions progressed to an epidural abscess at the L4 to S1 level. Although he was treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics and extensive incision and drainage, he died of rapidly progressive respiratory failure. Nocardia abscessus (N. abscessus) was identified in pus samples using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). This case shows that the diagnosis of an intramuscular abscess caused by N. abscessus is challenging and that using MALDI-TOF MS may facilitate the diagnosis and ensure appropriate treatment.

• Journal of Korean Medical Ki-Gong Academy
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.236-261
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• 2009

'Jeom-hyeol-gigong(點穴氣功)' gives a drill, Gi(氣) as a place to jam. This pathogen(邪氣) is removed. Given the low places and supplement it energy to flow up the well is the cure. This is an internal organ and muscular Gi allows a natural flow. Blood, one that moves and guides Gi is Gi I still feel that it makes any blood, making you feel good in life is flowing with vitality. Gi driving our whole body, while supplying vital energy and blood circulation, helping to defend the body is functioning. 'Jeom-hyeol-gigong' principle of Gi where the blockages to flow naturally energy is to let the flow. Aura of the voluntary and proactive action will be to have healthy bodies. Gi as a whole-body blood circulation leading to the cells in each tissue to supply energy and nutrients to every cell as the original principles of free activities that will maximize your life. Gi to prevent the three causes Internal causes: 5 greed and 7 emotions External causes: climate, food, pathogens, stress, etc. The internal nor the external causes: internal and external factors that cause the complex elements, incorrect position of the bone caused by an imbalance Heart disease will be police officers and raise their resistance to disease than the body, what jung-gi(正氣) have to develop. Beneficial to human body's resistance to raise the jung-gi people young-gi(營氣) and wi-gi(衛氣) should be enhanced. If the form is perfectly possible, Gi cycle itself should not have to breathe. Abdominal diagnosis 'bok-su-ap-an-beop(伏手壓按法)', 'sam-ji-tam-an-beop(三指探按法)' hands are like this, which outlined five viscera in order to understand the problem, the lower side of the clavicle (lung), the pit of stomach (Heart), both the lower ribs (liver), navel below (kidney) can be diagnosed at such areas. In each area of the skin, abdominal muscle tension, aching, or pressing a fuss about, beating the ruling of the state and the problem is a clue. And mo-hyeol(募穴) and certain Acupressure group, the chest, back, belly, so that scattered around each' book 'of the problem can be found. This is also the target of such a diagnosis, such as shape, color of skin, muscle Mostly the scope of the pitch in the cervical spine is broad across the hips. sugi(手氣) method that 'an method(按法) and 'ma method(摩法), bak method(拍法) is.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.444-454
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• 2017

There are many ongoing studies of infectious diseases as the major factor responsible for global declining of the amphibian population. Although some point out the amphibian rearing facilities like frog farms as one of the important sources of harboring and spreading amphibian infectious pathogens in the wild, there have been few related studies in South Korea. In this study, we investigated the bacterial and fungal colonies on the skin and in the internal organs of frogs and tadpoles collected inside and outside of Dybowski's brown frog farms in Inje, Goesan, and Gongju to compare the difference according to the region and between inside and outside the farm. We also intended to classify the bacteria collected from the tadpoles into species by analyzing 16s rDNA gene sequences. The result showed that the number of bacterial colonies found in the skin and gut of frogs and the number of fungal colonies found in the skin and liver of frogs collected in Goesan was significantly greater than those in the frogs in Inje. However, there was no difference between the frogs collected inside and outside of farms in both regions. In the case of tadpoles, the number of fungal colonies in the tadpoles collected from Gongju was greater than that in the tadpoles collected from Inje. The comparison of inside and outside frog farms showed that there were more bacterial colonies on the skin of the tadpoles collected from inside than outside the frog farm in Inje and more bacterial colonies in the organs of the tadpoles collected from outside than inside the farm in Gongju. The frogs with higher condition factor (body weight/snout-vent length*100) showed fewer bacterial colonies on the skin and fewer fungal colonies in the heart, but there were no significant relationships in tadpoles. We identified the total of 15 genera and four phyla of bacteria, but the difference according to regions and between inside and outside farm was not evident. The result of this study indicates that the different conditions according to the locality of farm and between inside and outside farm cause the difference in the population sizes of bacterial and fungal colonies and that it can affect the overall health condition of Dybowski's brown frogs in the farm. Moreover, the result suggests that effective disease control in the facility is greatly necessary to ensure successful operation of amphibian rearing facility and to prevent the possible spread of diseases from the facility to the wild.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.61-65
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• 2018

To know if small changes in rearing water temperature and density affect the number of bacterial and fungal colonies in metamorphosed frogs, Dybowski's frog tadpoles were reared from Gosner 25-26 stages at either low ($1^{\circ}C$ low to ambient water temperature), ambient, or high ($1^{\circ}C$ high) water temperature (each 15 tadpoles in 20 L water) condition and at either low (10 tadpoles/20 L water), medium (20 tadpoles), or high (30 tadpoles) density condition. Immediately after metamorphosis, we sampled bacteria and fungi from skin, liver, and heart of six metamorphosed frogs, randomly selected for each treatment group. After separate incubation of bacteria and fungi on 3M Petrifilm plates, we counted the number of bacterial and fungal colonies appeared on the plates and compared the numbers among the temperature and density treatment groups. For temperature treatment, high-temperature group had fewer bacterial colonies, while low-temperature group had more fungal colonies than the other two groups. For density treatment, low-density group had fewer bacterial colonies than the other two groups, but the number of fungal colonies were not different among the groups. Our results suggest that small increased rearing water temperature and lowered rearing density could potentially reduce pathogens in farming frogs.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.355-362
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• 2017

The 4 viruses, the Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV), Apple stem pitting virus (ASPV), Apple stem grooving virus (ASGV), and Apple mosaic virus (ApMV) and 1 viroid, Apple scar skin viroid (ASSVd) are known major viral pathogens of apple trees in Korea. Infection degree of the 5 viral pathogens in the commercial nursery trees of major apple cultivars, 'Hongro', 'Fuji' and bud mutation of 'Fuji' was investigated. Infection ratio of the ACLSV, ASPV and ASGV for scion of an apple cultivar 'Hongro' were 100%, 81.3% and 100%, respectively. On the other hand, no infection for either ApMV and ASSVd detected. For the root stock of the cultivar, infection ratio of ACLSV, ASPV and ASGV showed 87.5%, 81.3% and 100% as well as ApMV and ASSVd were 12.5% and 6.3%, respectively. From the scion of apple cultivars 'Fuji' and bud mutation of 'Fuji', infection ratio of ACLSV, ASPV and ASGV showed 86.7%, 86.7% and 100%, respectively. Whereas, no infection for either ApMV or ASSVd detected. From the root stock of the cultivars, infection ratio of ACLSV, ASPV and ASGV showed 86.7%, 93.3% and 93.3% as well as ApMV and ASSVd were 12.5% and 6.3%, respectively. Result of our study indicates that most of commercial nursery apple trees were supplied with multiple infections by apple viruses causing potential losses for apple growers and, henceforth, agricultural policy for supply of the virus-free trees should be employed as soon as possible.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.281-285
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• 2015

This study was conducted to examine changes in the fungal community on fallen leaves of pear by treatment with lime sulfur. Although the lime sulfur could reduce the primary inoculum of several pathogens on spring season, the effect of lime sulfur has not been well determined scientifically. Fallen leaves infected by pear diseases in pear orchards in Naju were collected and treated with lime sulfur or water as a control. To determine the fungal diversity from each treatment, rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions were analyzed after extraction of fungal genomic DNA from lime sulfur-treated or water-treated fallen leaves, respectively. The most common fungal species were Ascomycota and Basidiomycota in both treated leaves. However, the population dynamics of several fungal species including Alternari sp., Cladosporium sp., and Phomopsis sp., which are known as pear pathogens for skin sooty dapple disease, were quite different from each treated leaves. These results indicated that lime sulfur treatment led to changes of fungal communities on pear fallen leaves and could be applicable as a dormant spray.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.149-154
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• 2016

Although an association of Kawasaki disease (KD) with infectious agents has been suggested, none have been proven to cause KD. In this case study, we present a case of KD with concurrent onset of influenza and Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) infections. A 27-month-old boy presented with prolonged fever, cough, and rhinorrhea. During the initial testing, influenza A infection was identified, and he was treated with oseltamivir. Despite the antiviral therapy, the fever persisted, and he had cervical lymph node enlargement, bilateral conjunctival injection, fissured red lips, strawberry tongue, and erythematous skin lesions on the Bacillus Calmette-$Gu{\acute{e}}rin$ vaccination site. Thus, the patient was diagnosed with KD and was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). The result of the initial antimycoplasma immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody testing and was positive, and an increased IgM titer from baseline was found in a repeat test. We reviewed the hypotheses on pathogens known to be associated with KD and the etiology of KD. Based on our findings, we suspect that symptoms of KD and coronary artery lesions can occur from various infections besides those caused by Mycoplasma species and influenza viruses.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.102-112
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• 2024

Background: Despite the rise in the number of domestic indoor climbing gyms, there is a lack of specific hygiene standards and research on the holds installed in them. Holds can act as vectors for microbial transmission through the hands, posing a risk of infectious diseases, especially with damaged skin. Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the contamination level and species of microorganisms on holds according to the management methods practiced in indoor climbing gyms and identify effective strategies for reducing microbial contamination. Methods: We investigated factors that may influence microbial contamination of holds, including hold management methods, user information, and hygiene management at three climbing gyms in Seoul. A total of 72 holds were sampled, 18 for each management method of brushing, high-pressure washing, and ethanol disinfection. Samples were cultured on LB and blood agar at 37℃ for 48 hours to calculate CFUs. PCR assay targeting 16S rRNA was carried out to identify microorganisms. Dunn-Bonferroni was employed to see the microbial reduction effect of the management method and the difference in microbial contamination by management method and climbing gym. Results: As a result of microbial identification, microorganisms such as Bacillus, Staphylococcus, and Micrococcus, which were derived from various environments such as skin and soil, were discovered on the surface of the climbing hold. Among the discovered microorganisms, some species had potential pathogenic properties that could cause food poisoning, gastrointestinal disease, bacteremia, and sepsis. All hold management methods were effective in reducing microorganisms (p<0.05), with ethanol disinfection being the most effective (p<0.001). Conclusions: Our results indicate that there are potential pathogens on holds that demand thorough management for microbial prevention. Proposed methods include regular brushing and ethanol disinfection in addition to high-pressure washing with long cycles, which are the existing forms of hold management. Further studies on shoe management are advised to curb soil-derived microorganisms.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.423-432
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• 2018

This study was performed to develop a new natural antimicrobial materials by analyzing the effect of extracts obtained from Ten Lauraceae Species on the inhibitory activity against Propionibacterium acnes. The plant materials were collected from Wando and Jeju islands, and the antimicrobial activity of the crude extracts was examined by the agar diffusion method with different part (i.e., leaf and branch), solvents (i.e., distilled water, 80% ethanol, and 100% methanol) and at different ultrasonic extracting times (i.e., 15, 30, and 45 minutes). The control agents used were synthetic antimicrobials, methylparaben and phenoxyethanol, at concentrations of 0.4, 1, 2, and 4 mg/disc. Altogether, extracts of 10 species used in the study showed inhibitory activity, which confirmed their antimicrobial action against acnes. Among these, leaves of Laurus nobilis L. which was extracted in 80% ethanol for 45 min showed the largest clear zone (19.8 mm). Leaves of L. nobilis L., showing highest antimicrobial activities among 10 species, were successively reextracted with n-hexane, chloroform, ethylacetate and n-butanol. As a results, in all fractions except butanol, clear zone above 10 mm were formed. The ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest inhibitory activity (13.3 mm) and the inhibitory activity was significantly higher than that of crude extract (10.2 mm) and phenoxyethanol as a control (12.5 mm).

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.516-522
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• 2017

Background Implant-based breast reconstruction is being performed more frequently, and implants are associated with an increased risk of infection. We reviewed the clinical features of cases of implant infection and investigated the risk factors for breast device salvage failure. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 771 patients who underwent implant-based breast reconstruction between January 2010 and December 2016. Age, body mass index, chemotherapy history, radiation exposure, and smoking history were assessed as potential risk factors for postoperative infection. We also evaluated the presence and onset of infection symptoms, wound culture pathogens, and other complications, including seroma, hematoma, and mastectomy skin necrosis. Additionally, we examined the mastectomy type, the use of acellular dermal matrix, the presence of an underlying disease such as hypertension or diabetes, and axillary node dissection. Results The total infection rate was 4.99% (58 of 1,163 cases) and the total salvage rate was 58.6% (34 of 58). The postoperative duration to closed suction drain removal was significantly different between the cellulitis and implant removal groups. Staphylococcus aureus infection was most frequently found, with methicillin resistance in 37.5% of the cases of explantation. Explantation after infection was performed more often in patients who had undergone 2-stage expander/implant reconstruction than in those who had undergone direct-to-implant reconstruction. Conclusions Preventing infection is essential in implant-based breast reconstruction. The high salvage rate argues against early implant removal. However, when infection is due to methicillin-resistant S. aureus and the patient's clinical symptoms do not improve, surgeons should consider implant removal.