• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.1146-1153
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• 2024

The increasing economic losses associated with growth retardation caused by Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP), a microsporidian parasite infecting penaeid shrimp, require effective monitoring. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-1 region, the non-coding region of ribosomal clusters between 18S and 5.8S rRNA genes, is widely used in phylogenetic studies due to its high variability. In this study, the ITS-1 region sequence (~600-bp) of EHP was first identified, and primers for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting that sequence were designed. A newly developed nested-PCR method successfully detected the EHP in various shrimp (Penaeus vannamei and P. monodon) and related samples, including water and feces collected from Indonesia, Thailand, South Korea, India, and Malaysia. The primers did not cross-react with other hosts and pathogens, and this PCR assay is more sensitive than existing PCR detection methods targeting the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) and spore wall protein (SWP) genes. Phylogenetic analysis based on the ITS-1 sequences indicated that the Indonesian strain was distinct (86.2% nucleotide sequence identity) from other strains collected from Thailand and South Korea, and also showed the internal diversity among Thailand (N = 7, divided into four branches) and South Korean (N = 5, divided into two branches) samples. The results revealed the ability of the ITS-1 region to determine the genetic diversity of EHP from different geographical origins.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.75-86
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• 2002

This study was conducted to investigate the changes in patients and medical services before and after the Separation of Prescription and Dispensing in Health Center. For the purpose of this study, prescription data of 5,890 prescribed patients in March 2000(before the Separation of Prescription and Dispensing) and 3,496 prescribed patients in March 2001(after the Separation) in 4 Health Centers located in Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gyeongsangnam-do were collected. For investigation of the change of character of prescribed patients and the disease, sex, age, chief diagnosis, the hind of medical insurance, days of visit, days of prescription were investigated by using National Health Insurance claim data. And for investigation of change of prescription, prescribed drugs per each claim, the use rate of antibiotics, injection, and high-price antiphlogistic drug were investigated for acute respiratory disease and musculoskeletal disease. The major results were as follows: For the changes of prescribed patients of each disease, patients with acute respiratory disease were decreased by 49.7% after the Separation of Prescription and Dispensing than before the Separation of Prescription and Dispensing and patients with hypertension(18.1%), patients with musculoskeletal disease(70.5%), patients with diabetes(8.5%), patients with digestive organ disease(71.2%), patients with chronic respiratory disease(76.4%) were decreased. But patients with urethritis were increased by 66.7%. The mean Health Center visited days of prescribed patients decreased significantly after the Separation of Prescription and Dispensing than before in both male and female(p<0.01) and in health insurance patients(p<0.01). For the each of the disease, hypertension, diabetes, musculoskeletal disease decreased. The mean prescribed days increased after the Separation of Prescription and Dispensing than before(p<0.01). According to the kine of disease, the mean prescribed days increased after the Separation of Prescription and Dispensing than before in all the diseases except the urethritis(p<0.01). For acute respiratory diseases, number of prescribed drugs per each claim decreased significantly after the Separation of Prescription and Dispensing(4.7 drugs) than before(4.9 drugs) and the prescription rate of injection decreased significantly from 63.8% to 7.70%, and the prescription rate of antibiotics decreased significantly from 337% to 19.1%(p<0.01). For musculoskeletal diseases before and after Separation of Prescription and Dispensing, number of prescribed drugs per each claim decreased significantly from 3.7 to 3.2 and the prescription rate of injection decreased significantly from 64.9% to 1.7%, and the prescription rate of high-price antiphlogistic drugs increased significantly from 29.1% to 397%(p<0.01). In consideration of above findings, the mean visited days decreased and on the contrary, the mean prescribed days per each prescription increased after Separation of Prescription and Dispensing than before in health centers. For the prescription pattern of physicians, number of prescribed drugs and the prescription rates of injection and antibiotics per each claim decreased, but the prescription rate of high-price antiphlogistic drugs increased after Separation of Prescription and Dispensing.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.107-122
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• 2003

Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the use rate and some aspect of complementary therapies used by patients with chronic illness(hypertension, diabetic mellitus and chronic arthritis). Methods: 600 patients visiting the health center for one month(Jan. 2001) were interviewed on their complementary therapies used by the subjects for the previous year. Results: About fourteen-eight percent of the respondents used therapies; 35% of patients with hypertension, 44.6% of patients with diabetic mellitus and 62.9% of patients with chronic arthritis, which shows the highest rate among patients with three chronic disease. The use rate of complementary therapies indicates few meaningful differences according to the general characteristics of the interviewees. Hypertension patients used herb medication(31.0%) acupuncture(29.6%) and most of all the other therapies. Diabetic patients used dietary therapy(57.5%) and herb medication(35.1%). Chronic arthritis patients used acupuncture(85%) and herb medication(34.7%). 36.8% of all the patients who used complementary therapies tried more than two therapies. 18.3% of hypertension patients, 24.1% of diabetic patients and 55.9% of chronic arthritis patients used more than two therapies. Acupuncture(47%) was used most frequently, followed by herb medications(26.3%), health assistance utensils(21.8%). oriental therapy(21.8%), physical therapy(9.5%), health assistance food(8.4%), herb(7.7%), Korea hand acupuncture(3.2%), abdomen respiration(1.1%), and pore therapy(0.7%) Oriental clinic was visited most frequently(42.8%), which was used to cure diseases(61.8%), and to relieve symptoms(26.0%). (p<0.001) The cost spent on complementary therapies last year was 90,000 won(40.3%) and there are some cases of more than 500,000 won(31.2%). Most of the patients(56.1%) were satisfied with the complementary therapies, with 6% of them having side effects. 74% of the patients used complementary therapies answered that they would continue them and 56.1% of them also answered that they would continue them and 56.1% of them also answered that they would advise other patients to do them. Advantages(compared with those of orthodox medical treatment) are psychological comfort(28.1%), body protection(26.0%), effectiveness(20.0%). 34% of the patients using complementary therapies wanted to have informational orientation on complementary therapies. These findings reveal that a considerable number of patients with chronic illness(47.5%) tried a variety of complementary therapies. Though 6% of the patients using therapies had side effects, most of the subjects seemed satisfied with them and they are supposed to continue them. Conclusions: In conclusion, health center personnels and medical doctors should pay more attention to the complementary therapies used by patients with chronic illness. They also have to try their best to advise more scientific and informative complementary programs with less side effects and more help to improve their conditions.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.248-252
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• 2012

To evaluate the possibility of water plant wastes in composting for agricultural recycling, Phragmites communis (PHRCO), Typha orientalis (TYHOR) and Zizania latifolia (ZIZLA) were used as a compost materials. In composting basin, cumulative oxygen consumptions of the compost used by water plant wastes were rapidly increased at the early stage and slightly decreased in around 15 days. Cumulative oxygen consumptions under different water plant wastes were higher in the order of TYHOR > ZIZLA > PHRCO. Temperature changes during composting process were rapidly increased at the early stage and then slowly decreased to $30{\sim}40^{\circ}C$. The maximum temperatures were higher in the order of ZIZLA ($72.2^{\circ}C$ at 11 days after starting composting) > TYHOR ($70.2^{\circ}C$ at 10 days after starting composting) > PHRCO ($66.5^{\circ}C$ at 7 days after starting composting). Oxygen consumptions at maximum temperature were higher in the order of TYHOR ($12,485mg\;O_2\;kg^{-1}$) > ZIZLA ($12,400mg\;O_2\;kg^{-1}$) > PHRCO ($9,340mg\;O_2\;kg^{-1}$). Organic matter contents, moisture contents and OM/N rates in the compost ranged 39.5~44.8%, 29.6~35.6% and 27.9~32.9, respectively. Considering that water plant waste can supply some of the nutrient requirements of crops and is a valuable fertilizer.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.36-51
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• 2012

Objectives: This study was conducted to implement Health Plus Happiness Plus projects in Gyeongsangnam-Do and assess the policy implications of initiatives to address regional health inequalities. Methods: Health Plus Happiness Plus projects were started as strategies to address regional health inequalities in Gyeongsangnam-Do. The principles of these projects are taken from the Health Action Zones initiatives in England: participation, partnership, resource concentration in project areas. The time period for these projects is from 2010 to 2017, and the total budget is 5.6 billion won. In 2010, a 6.8 hundred million won total budget was invested in 17 project areas. Such investments fell into four broad categories: establishment of the means and local framework; survey development to analyze the health determinants; development of an education and training center; and establishment of a technical support center. Results: Education and training programs for practitioners and coordinators were provided, and project teams and project promotion committees were established in project areas. Health survey result briefing meetings were held, and 17 health committees were established in project areas. Conclusions: Health Plus Happiness Plus projects have some problems in relation to participation and partnerships, however, if these principled projects are performed continuously, they will contribute to a reduction of standardized mortality rate and regional health inequalities in Gyeongsangnam-Do and the improvement of residents' well-being in project areas.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.77-89
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• 2004

Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the change of health status through the intervention of physical activity arid exercise program for the people living in the area where health promotion program has been executed. Methods: The data was obtained from self--administered questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of general characteristics, physical activity transition and health status variables using the SF-36(36-Item Short-From Health Survey). Data were analyzed 134 subjects participating in the physical activity arid exercise intervention programs. Results: The 35.1% of adults above 20 years of age are regularly physical activity and exercise before intervention program. but the rate increased to 49.3% after that. Frequency and duration of physical activity were increased, and frequency of participating in physical activity was increased from 0.9 times a week to 2.1 times especially. Scores of health status measured by SF-36 was increased in category (if general health after intervention of program, but those were decreased in category of vitality and mental health. Physical function of four groups classified by change of behavioral pattern were increased after intervention of program, especially in groups starting to physical activity. Conclusions: Physical activity and exercise is associated with health status. This study suggest that effective strategy and policy supporting for the promotion of physical activity and exercise should be needed in all peoples.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.77-83
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• 2016

The objectives of this study was to investigate the difference between organic-farming and conventional-farming soils relatives to soil chemical properties and microbial flora. Fifteen soil sampling sites were chosen from the certified organic upland farm, considered with its location, crop and application of organic compost types. Soil chemical properties were analyzed by standard methods established by National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration. For the soil chemical properties, the values of pH were ranged from 4.5 to 7.3. The values of electrical conductivity (EC) in the sampling sites were below 2 dS/m of convention cultivation soil. For analyzing the microbial flora, the bacillus(16S rDNA) and cladothricosis(18S rDNA) were analyzed by using PCR-DGGE (Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis) in the soil of 15 sampling sites. Cluster analysis of biodiversity index was performed by using pattern of DGGE. DGGE patterns and clustering analysis of bacterial DNA from soil extracts revealed that the bacterial community was differentiated between less than 5 years and more than 5 years depending on the cultivation history. But there was no consistent tendency between cultivation history and regional trend in the case of molds. Therefore, it would be very effective to analyze bacterial clusters of organically cultivated soils in long - term cultivated soil for more than 5 years.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7459-7466
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• 2013

Background: Some 60 years after introduction of the Papanicolaou smear worldwide, cervical cancer remains a burden in developing countries where >85% of world new cases and deaths occur, suggesting a failure to establish comprehensive cervical-cancer control programs. Effective interventions are available to control cervical cancer but are not all affordable in low-income settings. Disease awareness saves lives by risk-reduction as witnessed in reducing mortality of HIV/AIDS and smoking-related cancers. Subjects and Methods: We initiated a community-based awareness program on cervical cancer in two low-income Muslim Uyghur townships in Kashi (Kashgar) Prefecture, Xinjiang, China in 2008. The education involved more than 5,000 women from two rural townships and awareness was then evaluated in 2010 and 2011, respectively, using a questionnaire with 10 basic knowledge questions on cervical cancer. Demographic information was also collected and included in an EpiData database. A 10-point scoring system was used to score the awareness. Results: The effectiveness and feasibility of the program were evaluated among 4,475 women aged 19-70 years, of whom >92% lived on/below US$1.00/day. Women without prior education showed a poor average awareness rate of 6.4% (164/2,559). A onetime education intervention, however, sharply raised the awareness rate by 4-fold to 25.5% (493/1,916). Importantly, low income and illiteracy were two reliable factors affecting awareness before or after education intervention. Conclusions: Education intervention can significantly raise the awareness of cervical cancer in low-income women. Economic development and compulsory education are two important solutions in raising general disease awareness. We propose that implementing community-based awareness programs against cervical cancer is realistic, locally affordable and sustainable in low-income countries, which may save many lives over time and, importantly, will facilitate the integration of comprehensive programs when feasible. In this context, adopting this strategy may provide one good example of how to achieve "good health at low cost".

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.51-64
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• 2002

This study was aimed to provide the basic data for the development of effective educational program by reflecting the opinions of the visiting health service workers. The subjects were 144 visiting health service workers in Gwangju and Jeollanam-do area who responded the mail questionnaire. The data were collected from June to July, 2001 using questionnaire composed of the education need, knowledge by subjective appraisal, and experience of education. The major findings of this study were as follows: 1. The number of respondents who received at least one education within recent three years were 43(29.9%) at the central level, 57(39.6%) at the provincial level and 53(36.8%) at the district level. The satisfaction with education was higher at the central level than at the provincial and district level. 2. Knowledges by subjective appraisal on the 'chronic degenerative diseases management' and 'health promotion' was relatively high. while that of 'rehabilitation' was low. 3. The knowledge by subjective appraisal of visiting health service was related with experience of education and license status. The knowledge was higher in registered nurses than in nurse aids. The curricula related to increased level of knowledge of visting health service workers were 'elderly health care', 'rehabilitation' and 'psychiatric-mental health nursing' educations at the central level 'continuing education for the community health practioners' and 'psychiatric-mental health education' at the provincial level and 'elderly health care', 'rehabilitation' 'psychiatric-mental health' and 'acute diseases control' educations at the district level. 4. The respondents preferred elderly health management as the contents of education, officer group education as the method of education, province(30.4%) as the main body of education, exercise and practice as the form of education, 2-3 times per year as the frequency of education, and 3-5days as the period of education. The findings of this study could suggest that future education program should be planned to increae the knowledge level of visiting health service workers by reflecting their educational need.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.37-45
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• 2014

Objective: This study was conducted in order to evaluate an education program for cardio-cerebrovascular high-risk patients. Methods: To evaluate patients' quality of life, EQ-5D was used and an organized survey was conducted via calls and interviews for hypertension, diabetes patients who had visited the KHyDDI(Korea Hypertension Diabetes DaeguInitiative) education center or 70 clinics through out the nation. Results: The subjects included 537 patients, 320 of who were in the clinic education and 217 of who were in the education center program. Sixty eight of the subjects went through the EQ-5D evaluation before and after the education program. In the EQ-5D index distribution of their quality of life before the education program, there was a statistically significant difference in gender(p<0.001) with higher points among males. Regarding age, there was a statistically significant difference between those aged over 65 years and under 65(p<0.001), with higher points in the group under the age of 65. Further, the EQ-5D 5 scope index was statistically significant different before and after receiving the education(p<0.05). Conclusion: Therefore, the KHyDDI staged education program is effective for improving the quality of life. Moreover, it could contribute to the complications of the disease through a variety of approaches by considering both gender and age.