• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.51-55
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• 2020

A 23-year-old Korean woman with a residence history in Kenya and Malawi for about 2 years presented with gross hematuria for 1 month. Blood tests were within normal range except eosinophilia. Asymmetrically diffuse wall thickening and calcification were observed at the urinary bladder on CT. Multiple erythematous nodular lesions were observed in the cystoscopy and transurethral resection was done. Numerous eggs of Schistosoma haematobium with granulomatous inflammation were observed in the submucosal layer of the bladder. The patient was diagnosed with schistosomiasis-related cystitis and treated with praziquantel (40 mg/kg/day) twice before and after transurethral resection. This case suggests that S. haematobium infection should be considered as a cause of hematuria in Korea when the patient had a history of traveling endemic areas of schistosomiasis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.70 no.4
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• pp.338-341
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• 2011

Hydatid disease is caused by the larval stage of taenia $Echinococcus$, which endemic in the Mediterranean region. Recently, the prevalence of the disease has increased worldwide due to an increase in the frequency of travel and immigration. As the infested larvae migrate through the bloodstream, the final destination is most commonly the liver or lungs; direct pleural invasion is very rare. A 50-year-old diabetic Korean man presented with an incidentally noted 2 cm right pleural nodule. On follow up imaging after three months, its size had increased. To confirm the diagnosis of the lesion, surgical excision was performed. Histopathological examination showed the diagnosis of a hydatid cyst. The patient had no history of overseas travel, but lives in an urban area where many foreign workers from endemic countries reside. This is the first reported case of primary pleural hydatid disease in a non-endemic country.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.45 no.2 s.142
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• pp.139-144
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• 2007

We investigated a small-scale serological survey to screen tissue-parasitic helminthiases of North Koreans as one of research programs for re-unification of Korea. Soil-transmitted helminthiases were found highly prevalent among North Korean residents at the border with China. ELISA using 4 tissue-parasitic helminth antigens was applied to 137 residents living in Cheongjin-shi, Hamgyeongbuk-do, North Korea and 133 female refugees in South Korea in 2004-2005. Among a total of 270 samples, 31 (11.5%), 25 (9.3%), and 11 (4.1%) were positive for specific IgG antibodies to antigens of Clonorchis sinensis, Taenia solium metacestode, and sparganum, respectively. The overall positive rate was 21.5%; 38.2% in males and 15.8% in females. The present finding suggests that tissue parasites, such as C. sinensis, T. solium metacestode and sparganum are highly prevalent in some limited areas of North Korea. These foodborne tissue-parasitic helminthiases should be considered for future control measures of parasitic diseases in North Korea.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.109-114
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• 2021

Veronica nakaiana Ohwi (Plantaginaceae) is an endemic taxon on Ulleungdo Island, Korea. We report the second complete chloroplast genome sequence of V. nakaiana. Its genome size is 152,319 bp in length, comprising a large single-copy of 83,195 bp, a small single-copy of 17,702 bp, and a pair of inverted repeat regions of 25,711 bp. The complete genome contains 115 genes, including 51 protein-coding genes, four rRNA genes, and 31 tRNA genes. When comparing the two chloroplast genomes of V. nakaiana, 11 variable sites are recognized: seven SNPs and four indels. Two substitutions in the coding regions are recognized: rpoC2 (synonymous substitution) and rpl22 (nonsynonymous substitution). In nine noncoding regions, one is in the tRNA gene (trnK-UUU), one is in the intron of atpF, and seven are in the intergenic spacers (trnH-GUG~psbA, trnK-UUU, rps16~trnQ-UUG, trnC-GCA~petN, psbZ~trnG-GCC, ycf3~trnS-GGA, ycf4~cemA, and psbB~psbT). The data provide the level of genetic variation in V. nakaiana. This result will be a useful resource to formulate conservation strategies for V. nakaiana, which is a rare endemic species in Korea.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2020.12a
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• pp.60-60
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• 2020

To establish in vitro axillary bud culture conditions of Echinosophora koreensis Nakai, one of Korean endemic endangered species famous for beautiful flowers, we tested the influence of plant growth regulators (PGRs) in shooting and rooting stage from in vitro plants. In shoot multiplication, addition of 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) to the media induced 2.5 to 3 shoots per bud during 4 weeks of culture. And media including 0.5 mg L^-1 thidiazuron (TDZ) produced 3 to 4 shoots per bud. However, zeatin and isopentenyl adenine (2-ip) were not successful to increase shoot number, and the combination treatments of BA with other PGRs were also not effective. Shoots were smaller than 2 cm in length, in most of the treatments. In rooting, naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) treatments in the range of 0.5 to 4.0 mg L^-1 appeared to increase rooting rate by 10% to 60% approximately when compared with the control but roots developed with callus clusters. Indole butyric acid (IBA) addition had little effect on rooting (below 10%), while some roots were longer than in NAA treatments and some shoots were longer on high IBA concentrations (4.0 to 8.0 mg L^-1). It is suggested that micropropagation is a highly applicable and promising to multiplication and conservation of rare and endangered endemic species.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.29-40
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• 2024

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has led to a decline in restaurant visits, which in turn has changed the decision-making process of consumers. This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing visit intention during the COVID-19 endemic by employing the expanded theory of planned behavior. A total of 291 samples were collected through an online survey for the analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis, correlation analysis, and structural equation path analysis were performed on the collected data using the Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) statistical program. The findings of the study revealed the positive effects of attitude and perceived behavioral control and the negative effects of subjective norms on desire. Second, desire played a mediating role between antecedent variables (attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control) and the visit intention. These findings are meaningful in that they expand the theory of planned behavior during the COVID-19 endemic based on factors that affect visit intention.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.161-165
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• 2010

Echinococcus granulosus, an intestinal tapeworm of dogs and other canids, infects humans in its larval stage and causes human echinococcosis or hydatid disease. In the Republic of Korea, 31 parasite-proven human echinococcosis cases have been reported, most of which were imported from the Middle East. We recently examined a 61-year-old Korean man who had a large cystic mass in his liver. ELISA was negative for tissue parasitic infections, including echinococcosis, cysticercosis, paragonimiasis, and sparganosis. The patient underwent surgery to remove the cyst, and the resected cyst was processed histopathologically for microscopic examinations. In sectioned cyst tissue, necrotizing protoscolices with disintegrated hooklets of E. granulosus were found. In some areas, only freed, fragmented hooklets were detected. The patient had traveled to western and central Europe in 1996, and had no other history of overseas travel. We report our patient as a hepatic echinococcosis case which was probably imported from Europe.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.80-89
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• 1982

In order to observe the endemic status of Clonrchis sinensis infection in Samrangjin eup, Milyang gun, Kyongsang nam do, a total number of 294 stool specimens were collected from the inhabitants who lived in the basin of the Nakdong river. The specimens were examined by cellophane thick smear technique and Stoll's egg dilution technique during the period from May to June 1983. The epidemiological status was analysed statistically by the regression equation and catalytic curv with the results obtained from this area. The results are as follows : 1) The infestation rate of Clonorchis sinensis in 294 was 49.0%. 2) No remarkable difference was observed between male (52.5%) and female (44.8%). 3) Average E.P.G. by Stoll's egg dilution technique in this area was 9,597. 4) The degree of the intensity of Clonorchis infection by E.P.G. count was distributed as 10.5% in very heavy infection, 14.7% in heavy infection, 47.4% in moderate infection, and 29.3% in light infection. 5) The intensity of endemicity in this area was represented with the regression equation calculated with the cumulative percentages of E.P.G. counts. Regression equation was y=3.40+1.23 log x and Cs. $D._{50}$ was 19.99. 6) The two stage catalytic model was applied and the calculation lead to the equation $y=1296(e^{-0.008t}-e^{-0.035t})$ ; a=0.035 > b=0.008 in this surveyed area. 7) Other helminthic infection rate in this area was 7.1% in A. lumbricoides, 9.5% in T. trichiura and 4.1% in E. vermicularis respectively.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.297-305
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• 2003

Fish fauna of mountain streams in the Jirisan National Park area of S. Korea (total area: 440.45 $\textrm{km}^2$, height: 1,915 m) was investigated at 33 sites from May 1997 to September 1999. A total of 4,670 individuals of fishes were collected and classified into 30 species and 12 families. Zacco temmincki (relative abundance (RA), 63.9%) was found to be the most abundant inhabitant. Subdominant species were Pungtungia hem (RA 6.2%), Zacco platypus (RA 6.1 %) and Coreoleusiscus splendidus (RA 4.8%). Among the total species, 13 species were identified as the Korean endemic species (7 families, 17.2% of 802 individuals). Dominant Korean endemic species was C. splendidus (relative abundance endemics (RAE), 27.8%). Superiors were Coreoperca heizi (RAE 21.8%) and Liobagrus mediadiposalis (RAE 19.8%). One exotic species (Oncorhynchus mykiss, a site and 5 ind.) and translated species (Hypmesus niponensis, two sites and 174 ind.) were collected in this survey. The proportion of Korean endemic species in the park (43.3%) was higher than the average of Korean Peninsular (25.9%). From this study, we conclude that the Jirisan National Park area in Korea would be very important for fish diversity and conservation, especially for the Korean endemic and endangered species.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.17-22
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• 2008

Rats develop strong resistance to re-infection and super-infection by Clonorchis sinensis. The present study investigated the antibodies present in the sera and bile juice of rats that were primary infected and re-infected with C. sinensis. The serum level of specific IgG antibodies, which were elevated 2 wk of the primary infection, peaked at 4 wk and subsequently remained unchanged even during re-infection. The total IgE level in serum increased slowly from 388 ng / ml to 3,426 ng / ml beginning 2 wk after the primary infection, and remained high up to 8 wk but dropped to a normal level (259 ng / ml) after treatment. In resistant re-infected rats, the serum IgE level increased rapidly and peaked within 1 wk, whereas no increase was observed in immunosuppressed rats. The serum level of specific IgA antibodies was elevated beginning 1 wk after infection, and decreased 4 wk after treatment. The total bile IgA level unchanged during the primary infection but increased in treated and re-infected rats. The elevated levels of serum IgE and bile IgA indicate that these immunoglobulins may be correlated with the development of resistance to re-infection by C. sinensis in rats.