• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.321-330
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• 2022

Coronavirus has been spreading rapidly around the world since it broke out in China in 2019. Respiratory diseases caused by coronavirus infection cause various diseases ranging from asymptomatic subclinical infections to severe pneumonia and cardiovascular complications, leading to death. In this regard, natural products are being studied to prevent various diseases caused by COVID-19. In current review, we would like to present mechanisms related to the inhibition of heart disease in ginseng and ginsenoside against SARS-CoV-2. In many previous studies, ginseng and ginsenoside are known to have antioxidant, blood flow improvement, improvement of vascular and heart function, blood pressure control, suppression of myocardial infarction and heart failure, and antiarrhythmia. Therefore, ginseng and ginsenoside have a possibility to suppress cardiovascular complications caused by COVID-19. Many of research provide evidence for ginseng and ginsenoside as treatments for the risk of cardiovascular complications. However, in this review, more specific contents on the proposition of the efficacy of ginseng and ginsenoside for COVID-19 should be presented. Therefore, we hope that researches to reduce cardiovascular complications of ginseng and ginsenoside for COVID-19 should be presented to reduce mortality for COVID-19.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.195-201
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• 2005

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of herpes zoster in children and adolescents in Korea and to delineate the effects of varicella vaccine on the incidence of zoster and its complication. Methods : We evaluated the clinical records of 201 patients younger than 20 years admitted for herpes zoster at four hospitals located in Kyung-Gi provine during Jul. 1995 to Jun. 2005. Results : The admitted patients for herpes zoster have increased during the past 10 years. The effects of varicella vaccine on the incidence of herpes zoster remain inconclusive in this study. Only twelve percent of the study patients had underlying diseases. In 34(17%) of 201 patients, complications were confirmed during hospitalization. Of 34 patients, meningitis occurred most frequently. Irrespective of varicella vaccination, occurrence of complications was higher in patients who had experienced varicella previously(=overt varicella infection) than patients who had not(=subclinical varicella infection). In case of no previous varicella history, we found complications to be much lower in those who had received the varicella vaccine than those who had not. Conclusion : We cannot conclude whether the varicella vaccine has an effect on the increasing incidence of zoster. We can conclude that the subclinical varicella infection or vaccination for varicella might lead to a decreased incidence of zoster complications.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.171-181
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• 2006

Background: $Clonorchis$ $sinensis$ is an important human parasite that is usually found in the biliary tract. It is widely distributed in East Asia in Taiwan, Japan, China and Korea. About 2 million people are estimated to be infected with $C.$ $sinensis$ in Korea. This study was conducted to evaluate the state of infestation and clinical aspects of $C.$ $sinensis$. Material and Methods: We evaluate 1,063 patients with clonorchiasis retrospectively at Yeungnam University Hospital and Health Promotion Center from January 2001 to December 2003. All patients were diagnosed by a positive stool test for $C.$ $sinensis$ eggs. Clinical features, laboratory data and imaging studies were evaluated. Results: The ratio between affected males and females was 3.6 : 1. The highest infection rate was noted in the 40-60 age groups regardless of sex. The infection rate of $C.$ $sinensis$ among the residents of urban areas was higher than in rural areas. There were 813 (76.5%) patients who were asymptomatic. Common symptoms included right upper abdominal pain in 7.6% and epigastric pain in 7.2%. For the laboratory studies, serum ALP and GGT levels were within normal limits in 85.2% and 56.0% respectively. Peripheral eosinophilia was noted in 66.1% of cases. Of the 83 cases undergoing ERCP, 27 cases (32.5%) showed peripheral dilatation of the intrahepatic duct. Conclusion: This study suggests that $C.$ $sinensis$ infection is still endemic even in rural areas of Korea and that asymptomatic infections are common. Further work should be focused on the early diagnosis and treatment of patients with subclinical infection.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.351-362
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• 2002

Newcastle disease (ND) is a highly contagious infection of poultry, Two pathology-based techniques, in situ RT-PCR and in situ hybridization (ISH) were applied to formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from chickens naturally infected with velogenic ND virus (VNDV). Two pairs of primers and a probe for ISH and in situ RT-PCR, respectively, were selected from highly conserved region of matrix gene of NDV. The ISH experiment was carried out using MicroProbe$^{TM}$ capillary action system within 2 hours. In situ RT-PCR was performed using MicroProbe$^{TM}$ capillary action system and GeneAmp In Situ PCR system. With ISH and in situ RT-PCR, viral nucleic acid was detected in the central nervous system of chickens from infected with neurotropic velogenic Newcastle disease virus (NVNDV), whereas viral nucleic acid was detected in various organs or tissues of chickens from infected with viscerotropic velogenic Newcastle disease virus (VVNDV). In the NVND group, positive signals were characteristically defined in the cytoplasm of neuron, vascular endothelial cells, and perivascular mononuclear macrophages in the central nervous system. One of NVND group, chicken from one farm exhibited positive signals in the bronchial epithelium. The VVND group chickens showed positive reaction in the macrophages, vascular endothelium, and bronchiolar epithelium. Markedly, viral nucleic acid was detected in the macrophages of morphologically normal tissues which were peripheral or located in distant areas from lesions. The central nervous system of chickens infected with VVND virus had positive signals in the vascular endothelial cell, perivascular mononuclear macrophages and some neuron. The number and intensity of the positive cells by in situ RT-PCR were more and stronger, respectively, in comparison with those by ISH. Particularly, positive reaction was detected in macrophages infiltrating in cardiac muscle by in situ RT-PCR, but not obtained by ISH. Therefore, these results demonstrated that ISH is a rapid diagnostic method for detection of NDV and in situ RT-PCR can be used as an efficient method for detection of low viral load infection or subclinical viral infection of NDV.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.93-98
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• 2007

Purpose: Many options are available for the incision and pocket selection in breast augmentation. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages. To leave an invisible operation scar and to achieve easier pocket dissection by the central location of the incision on the breast, we made a transareolar-perinipple incision. To overcome the disadvantages of the transareolar incision, originally advocated by Pitanguy in 1973, we modified the direction of incision line and dissection plane. Methods: To avoid the injury of 4th intercostal nerve responsible for nipple sensation, we made perinipple incision on the medial side of the nipple instead of trans-nipple incision and made the transareolar incision as 11-5 o'clock on the left side and 1-7 o'clock on the right side instead of 3-9 o'clock on both sides. To avoid the possible infection and breast feeding problem caused by the injury to the lactiferous duct, and the possible implant hernia caused by the incisions lying on a same plane of pocket dissection, we made a subcutaneous dissection just above the breast tissue medially down to the bottom of breast tissue and made a subglandular or subfascial pocket, which may avoid the injury of lactiferous duct and create different planes for skin incision and pocket dissection. Other advantages of the transareolar-perinipple incision include easier pocket dissection, less chance of hematoma, and as a result less postoperative pain because of the central location of the approach which allow finger dissection and meticulous bleeding control with direct vision, without any specialized instrument such as an endoscope or long mammary dissectors. As for pocket selection, we made dual pockets. We prefer subglandular or subfascial pocket. Also, we made a subpectoral pocket in the upper 1/4 of the pocket to add more volume on the upper part of the augmented breast, which can make aesthetically more desirable breasts in thin Asian women with small breasts. Possible disadvantages of our method are subclinical infection and scar widening, which could be overcome by meticulous operation techniques, antibiotic therapy, and intradermal tattooing. Results: From September, 2003 to August, 2005, 12 patients underwent breast augmentation using round smooth surface saline implants by our method. During the mean follow-up period of 13 months, there were no complications such as infection, hematoma, capsular contracture, and sensory change of nipple, and results were satisfactory. Conclusion: We suggest breast augmentation via transareolar-perinipple incision and dual pockets(subpectoral-subglandular or subfascial) as a valuable method in thin oriental women with small breasts.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2012

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is an epidemiologically important virus with a worldwide distribution. It causes acute hepatitis in humans. HAV infection is often subclinical or asymptomatic in children; however, symptomatic acute infections become more common with age. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of anti-HAV among hospital workers in Jeonbuk province. 447 (127 males, 320 females) persons were included in the study from January to June, 2011. Anti-HAV (total and IgM) in the sample serum was measured by VIDAS Hepatitis A (bioMerieux, France), and IgM positive samples were tested in terms of their serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels by a HITACHI 7600-010 automatic analyzer (HITACHI, Japan). The overall prevalence of total anti-HAV was 45.9% (205/447), and rate for males (60.6%) was higher than that for females (40%). According to the age group, the prevalence rates of total anti-HAV were 20% (1/5) in those under 20 years old, 11.3% (18/160) in those 20-29 years, 49.7% (71/143) in those 30-39 years, 86.5% (83/96) in those 40-49 years, 92.9% (26/28) in those 50-59 years, and 40% (6/15) in those over 60 years old. The total prevalence of anti-HAV IgM was 0.8% (4/447), and rate for males (1.6%) was higher than that for females (0.6%). Through this study, we determined the prevalence of anti-HAV among hospital workers in Jeonbuk province. The prevalence of the HAV antibody overall was low in hospital workers under 40 years old and in those over 60 years old. Therefore, an improvement in sanitary conditions and hygiene and vaccinations against HAV in this population are recommended.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.361-363
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• 1988

The prevalence of yeasts in mammary glands of dairy cows and teat cups of milking machines was studied in Chinju area. The rate of subclinical yeast infection in 330 quarters was 3.6%. Of 12 isolates from the milk, 4 Candida pseudotropicalis, 3 C tropicalis, 2 C krusei, 2 C albicans and 1 Rhodotorula spp were identified. The 91.7% of the isolates belonged to the genus Candida and C pseudotropicalis was the predominant species. From 20.5% of 200 teat cups tested, 51 strains of yeasts were isolated. These were 13 C pseudotropicalis, 9 C guilliermondii, 7 C tropicalis, 5 C krusei, 5 C parapsilosis, 3 C albicans, 2 Torulopsis glabrata, 2 Geotrichum candidum and 5 unidentified yeasts. C pseudotropicalis was most frequently encountcred.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.221-225
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• 2015

The bacterium causing Johne's disease (JD), Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), is distributed worldwide and causes progressive intestinal disease, also known as paratuberculosis, in domestic and exotic ruminants, including cattle. The subclinical form of this disease results in progressive weight loss, reduced milk production, lower slaughter value, and premature culling, with possible impacts on fertility and udder health. Eventually, infection can lead to the clinical form that manifests chronic diarrhea, emaciation, debilitation, and eventual death. JD is a major cause of economic loss in cattle industry. In this study, serological testing was conducted by ELISA to determine the prevalence of MAP in Korean native cattle of Jeju during the duration of 2010 to 2013. A total of 5,150 blood sera were collected in 111 farms and the samples were classified into four different age groups for MAP; group 1 (2 years or less), group 2 (2~4 years), group 3 (5~7 years), and group 4 (over 8 years). Overall seroprevalence of MAP was 5.2% (269/5,150), and annually from 2010 to 2013, they were 11.6% (106/915), 2.1% (10/474), 5.5% (89/1,627), and 3.0% (64/2,134), respectively. Also, the prevalence rates was determined by age groups: 48 of group 1 (17.8%), 154 of group 2 (57.3%), 48 of group 3 (17.8%), and 19 of group 4 (7.1%) were seropositive for MAP. Although seropositive samples were found in all age groups, the highest seroprevalence was found in group 2. This study showed that during the investigation the seroprevalence of MAP tended to decrease.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.249-254
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• 2013

This study was done to determine the seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii in cattle with reproductive disorders reared in eastern Gyeongbuk province. A total of 146 cattle blood samples from 83 farms in eastern Gyeongbuk province were collected in 2011~2012. Among them, 17 (11.6%) samples from 11 (13.3%) farms were seropositive for C. burnetii by ELISA. In dairy cattle with mastitis, 15 (38.5%) milk samples from 9 (42.9%) farms were seropositive among 39 milk samples from 21 farms. Among the seropositive farms, one farm with high seroprevalence was selected to assess the seroprevalence of C. burnetii in the bulk-tank milk (BTM) and blood samples of dairy cattle. The BTM sample from the farm was seropositive to C. burnetii and 6 (15%) out of 40 dairy cattle were seropositive. In cattle with reproductive disorders including infertility, abortion and stillbirth, 2 (1.9%) samples from 2 (3.2%) farms were positive among 107 samples collected from 62 farms. Among 2 positive samples, one of them is dariy cattle (100%) and the other is Korean cattle (0.9%) (P<0.001). This suggests that Korean cattle was relatively resistant to C. burnetii. Based on the data obtained, we identified association between C. burnetii shedding in milk and chronic subclinical mastitis in dairy cattle. Since seroprevalence of C. burnetii is relatively high in dairy cattle, further intensive studies on C. burnetii among the high risk milk farms and dairy cattle herds are needed to evaluate infection status.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2021

Red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV), belonging to the genus Megalocytivirus, is the predominant cause of mortality in marine fishes in Korea, including rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus). Rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii) are the host fish for RSIV, exhibiting no clinical signs or mortality. Cohabitation challenges, which mimicked natural transmission conditions, were performed to evaluate viral transmission between rock bream and rockfish, and to determine the pathogenicity and viral loads. In cohabitation challenge, artificially RSIV-infected rock bream were the viral donor, and healthy rockfish were the recipient. The results showed that although the donor rock bream had 95-100 % cumulative mortality (>10⁸ viral genome copies/mg of spleen 7-14 days after viral infection), the recipient rockfish did not die, even when the viral genome copies in the spleen were >10⁵ copies/mg. These results indicated asymptomatic infections. Notably, in a reverse-cohabitation challenge (artificially RSIV-infected rockfish as the viral donor and healthy rock bream as the recipient), RSIV horizontally infected from subclinical rockfish to rock bream (10⁷ viral genome copies/mg of spleen 21 days after cohabitation) with 10-20% cumulative mortality. These results suggest that an asymptomatic, infected rockfish can naturally transmit the RSIV without being sacrificed.