• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7803-7807
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• 2015

Opisthorchis viverrini infection is a serious public health problem in Southeast Asia especially in the northeast and north of Thailand. Therefore, a cross-sectional survey using multistage sampling was conducted from the rural communities of Surin province, Thailand, during September 2013 to July 2014. O. viverrini infection was determined using Kato's thick smear technique. Socio-demographic, information resources, and history data were collected using predesigned semi-structured questionnaires. A total of 510 participants completed interviews and had stools collected. Some 32 (6.47%) participants were infected with O. viverrini. The rate was slightly higehr in males (6.61%) than females (6.32%). High frequencies were found in the age groups 61-70 (19.4%) and 71-80 years (19.4%), those involved in agriculture (10.5%), and in primary school (10.3%). The distribution of high infection was found in Tha Tum (16.7%) and Sankha district (16.7%), followed by Samrong Thap (13.3%), Si Narong (13.33%), and Buachet district (13.33%). Chi-square testing indicated that age (61-70 and 71-80 year old), education (primary school) and occupation (agriculture), were significantly associated with O. viverrini infection (p-value<0.05). Of 72.6% participants who had past histories with stool examination, 17.0% of them had been infected with O. viverrini and 43.2% treated with praziquantel. This finding confirmed that O. viverrini is still a problem in Surin province, Thailand, and therefore, interventions are urgently required for mass treatment and health education implementation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.6175-6179
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• 2012

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are still important to the health of Thai rural residents. IPIs are the cause of many chronic diseases with, for example, opisthorchiasis resulting in progression to cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). This cross-sectional study in a prospective cohort study aimed to examine the prevalence and co-infection of intestinal parasites among Northeastern Thai rural residents, recruited into the Khon Kaen Cohort Study (KKCS), and who were residing in areas of high-risk for developing CCA. On recruitment, subjects had completed questionnaires and provided fecal samples for IPI testing using the formalin ethyl acetate concentration technique. Data on selected general characteristics and the results of the fecal tests were analysed. IPI test results were available for 18,900 of cohort subjects, and 38.50% were found to be positive for one or more types of intestinal parasite. The prevalence of Opisthorchis viverrini (O. viverrini) infection was the highest (45.7%), followed by intestinal flukes (31.9%), intestinal nematodes (17.7%), intestinal protozoa (3.02%), and intestinal cestodes (1.69%). The pattern of different infections was similar in all age groups. According to a mapping analysis, a higher CCA burden was correlated with a higher prevalence of O. viverrini and intestinal flukes and a greater intensity of O. viverrini. Both prevention and control programs against liver fluke and other intestinal parasites are needed and should be delivered simultaneously. We can anticipate that the design of future control and prevention programmes will accommodate a more community-orientated and participatory approach.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.321-326
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• 2001

Contribution of Wolbachia infection to fitness of a species (developmental time, adult life span, fecundity and ovipositional period) was measured in the susceptible and dicofol-resistant strains of two spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, on miniature roses. Based on ftsZPCR assay, Wolbachia infection was confirmed only in the susceptible strain. The susceptible strain had significantly higher fecundity (eggs/female) and shorter developmental times than the resistant strain. Longer adult life span and ovipositional period were observed in the susceptible strain. Fitness differences were appeared to influence dicofol resistance development. Similar measurements were performed with progeny from two reciprocal $F_1$crosses. Similar to other examples of cytoplasmic incompatibility induced by Wolbachia, subsequent cross between uninfected female and infected male spider mites were different from the other combination: a high egg mortality and a male-biased sex ratio. When the intrinsic rate of natural increase was calculated, the cross between uninfected female and infected male spider mites had a significantly lower rate($0.09\pm$0.01) than did the other combination ($0.20\pm$0.01). These results suggest that the dynamic and evolution of the fitness are closely associated with dicofol resistance and Wolbachia infection in the two spotted spider mites.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.37-44
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• 2023

Purpose: To decrease cross-infection, it's essential to analyze the spatial composition of the 'PPE doffing area'. Instead of solely relying on manpower standards, we should focus on responding to infectious diseases within the context of space planning. By doing so, we can lower the risk for healthcare workers' infection and ensure a level of safety in various environmental changes or new manpower input situations. Methods: This analysis is conducted specifically for facilities with negative pressure isolation wards. Additionally, interview surveys to obtain feedback from healthcare workers and incorporate their expertise into the design of the 'PPE doffing area' have been carried. Results: In a PPE doffing area, the standard spaces include a PPE doffing room, a shower room, and a clothing room. Depending on the facility environment or the level of infectious diseases, a Decontamination room or Anteroom can be optionally added. Healthcare workers who remove their PPE in the PPE doffing room should avoid re-entering the Negative pressure room. The shower room is often underutilized. When planning for a future PPE doffing area, an aisle space or passageway must be included even if a shower room is planned. Implications: This study examined the space used by healthcare workers rather than patients, with a focus on infection prevention through architectural planning rather than individual efforts. However, the investigation was limited to facilities that have been converted from general wards to negative pressure isolation wards, so it cannot be generalized to all infectious disease facilities.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.313-319
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• 2016

Objectives: The objective of the study was to infection control by analyzing the influence of working environment on infection control activities in the dental hygienists. Methods: The cross-sectional study was based on a survey on a total of 377 dental hygienists working in dental settings. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship of general characteristics and infection control activities. All statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS for Windows version 20.0, and p<0.05 was considered to be significant. Results: Predictive powers(=Adjusted $R^2$ of the investigated factors such as operation room, sterilization disinfection laundry, dental unit waterline, staff individual, infection control system, personal protective equipment, medical waste, hand hygiene, oral surgical procedures, clinical contact surfaces were adjusted $R^2=0.394$, 0.306, 0.277, 0.244, 0.241, 0.177, 0.165,, 0.154, 0.134, 0.124 respectively. Conclusions: In order to enhance infection control activities, the program development and implementation for the aseptic procedure is very important. The program should include periodic reinforcement of infection control education and regular monitoring of infection control activities.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.95-104
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the trends and characteristics of infection-related patient safety incident reporting before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Korea, and to provide basic data for preventing infection-related patient safety incidents and improving their management. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of secondary national data (Patient Safety Reporting Data) was conducted. In total, 517 infection-related patient safety incidents reported from 2018 to 2021 were analyzed. Changes in the number of reports before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and differences in variables related to infection-related patient safety incidents were analyzed using the chi-square test and independent t-test in SPSS 29.0. Results: This study found that infection-related patient safety incidents decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to before the pandemic. Furthermore, incident-related characteristics, such as the type of healthcare organization, severity of harm, and post-incident actions, changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: The many changes in the infection control system and practices during the COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to a decrease in the reporting of infection-related patient safety incidents. It is hoped that longitudinal studies on patient safety incidents related to the pandemic and analytical studies on factors influencing patient safety incidents will continue to be conducted to prevent and improve patient safety incidents.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.365-373
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• 2023

Purpose: In the context of COVID-19, studies evaluating the adherence of dentists and dental students to infection control are relevant due to their high occupational exposure and risk, as well as their responsibility for disseminating information and good practices. This study evaluated the adherence of dentists and dental students to infection control in the oral radiology field in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic on different continents. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional observational study involved individuals who performed intraoral radiographic examinations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Questionnaire on Infection Control in Oral Radiology was administered virtually using a Google Form. Participants from different continents(the Americas, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Oceania) were recruited. Data were subjected to descriptive analysis and simple and multiple binary regression (5%). Results: There were 582 valid answers, and 68.73% of the participants were from the Americas, 18.90% from Europe, and 12.37% from Asia. The median score for infection control protocols was 94 points for dental students and 104 points for dentists, and participants below the median were considered to have low adherence to infection control in oral radiology. Low access to infection control was found for 53.0% of dentists in the Americas, 34.0% from Europe, and 26.9% from Asia. Conclusion: The adherence to infection control protocols in oral radiology was low even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results may help improve the awareness of students and professionals, since oral radiology routines have the potential for transmitting COVID-19.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.1589-1593
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• 2016

Opisthorchis viverrini (OV) liver flukes are common parasites found in central and southern Laos and constitute a major public health problem in the country. Laos people continue to have the habit of extensively consuming raw or half-cooked fish which are intermediate hosts. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with OV infection in the population of Thakek district, Khammouane Province. This cross-sectional analytic study covered 237 subjects who filled out structured questionnaires. Fecal examination for OV infection was performed by Kato's thick smear method. Data analysis was carried out using STATA Version 10.0. Multiple logistic regression was applied. The results showed that the infection rate of OV was 54.8%. Factors associated with OV infections were gender, a habit of defecation in fields and raw fish (goi bplaa dip) consumption. Opisthorchiasis and associated cholangiocarcinoma development thus appear to remain as important concerns in Laos.

• Current Optics and Photonics
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• v.3 no.6
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• pp.571-576
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• 2019

The morphological changes of anthracnose (fungus) -infected tomato seeds have been studied to identify the infection and characterize its effect. Full-field optical coherence tomography (FF-OCT) has been utilized as a nondestructive but efficient modality for visualizing the effects of fungal infection. The cross-sectional images extracted from a stack of en face FF-OCT images showed significant changes with infection in the seed structure. First of all, the seed coat disappeared with the infection. The thickness of the seed coat of a healthy seed was measured as 28.2 ㎛, with a standard deviation of 1.2 ㎛. However, for infected seeds the gap between surface and endosperm was not appreciably observed. In addition, the measurements confirmed that the dryness of seeds did not affect the internal seed structure. The reconstructed three-dimensional (3D) image revealed that the permeability of the seed coat, which plays the vital role of protecting the seed, is also affected by the infection. These results suggest that FF-OCT has good potential for the identification of fungus-infected tomato seeds, and for many other tasks in agriculture.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 2004

ClpP is a stress-inducible protein and proteolytic subunit of the ATP-dependent Clp protease in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Although its physiological roles in bacterial virulence were widely studied in various organsims, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, until now the immunological effect has not been investigated. Here, we have examined the cross reactivity of S. pneumoniae ClpP antibody with other organisms's cell lysate proteins. Although the protein sequence of S. pneumoniae ClpP was highly conserved among various organisms including human, the antibody rasised by S. pneumoniae ClpP was not cross-reacted with other organism's cell lysates, which were Saccharomyces cerevisiae , human lung A549 cell, Bacillus subtilis, Pseuomonas aeruginosa, E. coli, and Salmonella typhi. It was only reacted with S. pneumoniae and Lato-bacillus thermophilus. Thus we examined the immunoprotective effect of ClpP by immunizing mice with the purified ClpP. The mean survival time of mouse was significantly increased with the ClpP immunization. These results suggest that S. pneumoniae ClpP could be used as a vaccine candidate for prevention of S. pneumoniae infection.