• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2024

Purpose: The inflammatory response due to inflammatory cytokines, bacterial pathogens, and the altered lipoprotein metabolism in patients with periodontitis indicates that infection with periodontal anaerobic bacteria may influence atherogenesis in vitro and in vivo. We aimed to explore the effect of periodontitis concerning clinical and ultrasound markers of early atherosclerosis. Methods: In this case-control study, a total of 30 systemically healthy adults (15 with periodontitis and 15 without periodontitis) over 40 years of age were studied. Periodontitis was determined by measuring the clinical attachment level (CAL) and radiographic bone loss (RBL). Conventional cardiovascular risk factors, including body mass index, serum levels of total cholesterol (TCH), triglycerides (TG), and high-density and low-density lipoprotein (HDL and LDL, respectively) cholesterol were evaluated. Carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) was measured using ultrasonography. Results: The mean values of the CAL and carotid IMT were 5.02±0.9 mm and 0.084±0.01 cm vs. 1.6±0.61 mm and 0.072±0.02 cm in the periodontitis and healthy groups, respectively, reflecting statistically significant differences (P=0.001 and P=0.037, respectively). There were statistically significant differences in the serum levels of TCH, TG, and LDL between the 2 groups (P=0.017). The CAL and RBL were positively associated with carotid IMT and serum cholesterol levels, except for HDL, whereas tooth loss was not associated with any markers (P<0.05). Compared to the healthy group, participants with periodontitis exhibited 2.09 times higher odds (95% confidence interval, 1.22-3.59) of having subclinical atherosclerosis. Conclusions: The presence of periodontitis increased the risk of atherosclerosis.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.41-54
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• 1985

This study was conducted for the improvement of milk quality and milk hygiene in public health point of view. Investigation of mastiris infection rate, isolation and identification of causative microorganisms in CMT positive milk, investigation of milk contamination level by measuring the bacteria and soma tic cell counts and investigation of dairy management in farms were performed on 1.605 quarters milk of 434 cows of 20 dairy farms in Gyunggi-area from September 1983 to March 1984. The results were summarized as follows 1. Sixteen (3.7%) of 434 cows were found to be infected with clinical mastiris. 234 (53.9%) of 434 cows and 608(37.9%) of 1, 605 quarters were found to be infected with subclinical mastiris. 2. The causative microorganisms isolated were Staphylococcus aureus (38.3%), Staphylococcus epidermidis(21.0%), Micrococci(13.6%), Streptococcus spp. (12.3%), E. coli (7.4%), Fungus & Yeast (1.6%) and others (5.8%). 3. Total numbers of bacteria were $9.2{\times}10^6$ to $1.21{\times}10^7/ml$(av. $1.805{\times} 10^7/ml$), numbers of coliform bacteria were $4.1{\times} 10^5$ to $9.4{\times} 10^5$/ml(av. $7.05{\times} 10^5$/ml) and somatic cell counts were $4.8{\times} 10^5$ to $1.52{\times} 10^6$ cells/ml (av. $9.5{\times} 10^5$cells/ml) in bulk milk. 4. As comparing with CMT score of +, ++ and +++, somatic cell counts were $3.4{\times} 10^5$ to $1.64{\times} 10^6$ cells/ml (av. $6.41{\times} 10^5$cells/ml), $5.4{\times} 10^5$ to $2.75{\times} 10^6$ cells/ml(av. $1.762{\times} 10^6$cells/ml) and $1.97{\times} 10^6$ to $9.75{\times} 10^6$ cells/ml(av. $7.781{\times} 10^6$cells/ml), respectively. 5. In investigation on dairy management, performance of dry cow therapy, teat dipping after milking, disinfection of milking machine at every milking, replacement of milk liner within 6months and opportunity of acquirement for the mastiris control techniques by dairy education were 65%, 40%, 45%, 55% and 50% in 20 dairy farms, respectively.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.283-288
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• 2017

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is a notorious and ubiquitous virus in the swine industry. The susceptibility of the host to PCV2 infection is considered to be one factor associated with the dynamics of PCV2. The objective of this study was to verify the criteria for host susceptibility to PCV2, using blood parameters of post-weaned pigs naturally infected with the virus. The PCV2 DNA viral load, antibody titer, and leukopenia characteristics were measured in the serum extracted from the pigs at the 10th week. We classified the pigs into high (>5.0), intermediate (3.0 to 5.0), and low (<3.0) groups on the basis of the PCV2 viral load (log copies/ml), or as positive (${\leq}0.50$) and negative (>0.50) groups on the basis of antibody titer (sample-to-negative corrected ratio). Moreover, using these two categorized parameters, we suggested the criteria for classification into the susceptible and resistant groups. Statistical analyses revealed that pigs in the susceptible group had a significantly higher viral load (p<0.001) and negative antibody titer (p<0.001), as well as significantly lower leukocyte counts (p=0.018) and lower amounts of several leukocyte components (p<0.05), than pigs in the resistant group. We concluded that the susceptible group could be considered to have PCV2-induced leukopenia. Therefore, we suggest that the combined classifications of viral loads and anti-PCV2 antibodies can be used to determine PCV2-induced leukopenia in the subclinical PCV2 infection of post-weaned pig populations.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.61-66
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• 2005

Purpose : Since hepatitis A virus almost is transmitted by fecal-to-oral route, individual and public sanitation affects the prevalence and ages of hepatitis A infection. We researched the positivity rate of hepatitis A antibody at Pohang to make the basic data for subclinical infection and vaccination schedule. Methods : From January 2004 to February 2005, a total of 603 patients who were admitted at Hangdong University Sunlin Hospital, Dongguk University Hospital, and Christianity Hospital without any hepatic disease and vaccination of hepatitis A were enrolled. IgG antibody to hepatitis A virus were measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay(ECLIA). Results : Among 603 patients, 523 patients were less than 15 year of age and 80 patients were in above 15 years. The prevalence rate was 19.3%(101/523) in pediatric group and 70.0%(56/80) in above 15 years. In detail, the prevalence rate was 73.2%(52/71) in 0~5 months, 14.9%(11/74) in 6~11 month, 8.9%(7/79) in 12~17 month, 7.3%(6/82) in 18~23 month, 5.5%(4/72) in 2~3 years, 12.1%(9/74) in 4~8 years, 16.9%(12/71) in 9~14 years, 52.5%(19/40) in 15~29 years, and 92.5%(37/40) in group aged over 30 years. The prevalence rates in male and female showed no significant differences. Conclusion : The prevalence rate of hepatitis A in the group of 4~8 years and 9~14 years at Pohang was lower comparing with previous reports of other cities in Korea. We can postulate that the sanitation of children living at Pohang is at least not bad than other cities. And for the prevalence rate of hepatitis A is increased after 3 years, we should recommend that the vaccination of hepatitis A may be finished until 3 years.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.207-216
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• 2022

Canine babesiosis has been scarcely investigated in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Although it is known that Babesia gibsoni is its primary causative agent, its clinical presentation has not been completely clarified in the ROK. Consequently, the aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical appearance of this parasitic infection based on the anamnesis of the patient and compare of hematological and biochemical test results. Four hundred whole blood samples from patients with a presumptive diagnosis of tick-borne disease were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify the Babesia spp. 18S rRNA gene and by a rapid diagnostic test kit (VetAll Laboratories^®) to detect B. gibsoni seroreactive animals. Thirty-six (9.0%) dogs were PCR-positive but only 24 (6.0%) were seropositive. The investigation revealed that all the courses of the disease are present in the ROK, with the acute course being predominant. The acute course tends to consist of inappetence, lethargy, pyrexia, gastrointestinal symptoms, and occasionally hematuria. It also occurs with common hematological abnormalities, such as thrombocytopenia and anemia, and to a lesser extent biochemical abnormalities, such as hyperbilirubinemia, hypoalbuminemia, and elevated liver enzymes. This research shows that B. gibsoni is an endemic hemoparasite capable of producing a variety of clinical manifestations in dogs. For its accurate diagnosis, a descriptive history of the clinical signs, hematology, and biochemical profile of the patient, along with a well-performing PCR assay, are essential. These findings will help in planning pragmatic preventive strategies against this potent threat in the ROK.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.181-190
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• 2024

Bovine mastitis-associated Escherichia coli (BMEC) is considered the main causative agent of significant financial losses in the dairy industry worldwide, as it alters both the quantity and quality of milk produced and increases the rate of culling. This creates a variety of challenges for researchers, veterinarians, and farmers in understanding and determining the most effective therapies and diagnostic techniques. Subclinical mastitis is particularly concerning, as infected bovines exhibit no obvious symptoms and continue to secrete apparently normal milk over an extended period, allowing the causative pathogen, E. coli, to spread within the herd. For effective prevention, understanding the pathogenesis of mastitis through three stages invasion, infection, and inflammation is essential. To date, no clear correlation has been found between virulence factors and pathogenicity contributing to the clinical severity of BMEC. Multidrug-resistant E. coli and the evolution of novel resistance mechanisms have become concerns owing to the extensive use of antibiotics to treat mastitis. Therefore, it is vital to explore alternative controls to enhance the efficacy of BMEC treatment. Over the past 30 years, various genetic typing techniques have been used to examine the subspecies-level epidemiology of bovine mastitis. These studies have advanced our understanding of the origin, transmission pathway, population structure, and evolutionary relatedness of BMEC strains. In this review we provide an overview of BMEC, including insights into its etiology, genetic relationship, pathogenesis, and management of the disease, as well as new therapy options.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.298-305
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• 1993

In order to evaluate the clinical usefulness of maternal serum C-reactive protein measurement in early detection of infectious morbidity at term laboring women, serum C-reactive protein levels were measured in 521 healthy pregnant women ; 64 who were not in labor before term, 55 who were in labor before term, 71 who were not in labor at term and 331 who were in labor at term. The frequencies of elevated serum C-reactive protein level were compared in relation to the gestational weeks, the presence or absence of labor, the status of amniotic membranes and the degree of cervical dilation. The obtained results were as follows. 1. The frequencies of women with elevated serum C-reactive protein, 0.8mg/dl or higher and 2.0mg/dl or higher, in 521 health pregnant women were 12% and 4%, respectively. 2. C-reactive pretein levels of 0.8mg/dl or higher were more frequent in the group of women in labor than those not in labor(5.93%, vs. 13.73%, p<0.05), but the frequencies of C-reactive protein level of 2.0mg/dl or higher were not statistically different between both groups. The frequencies of C-reactive protein level of 0.8mg/dl or higher and 2.0mg/dl or higher were not statistically different between the groups before term and at term, intact and ruptured membranes, latent phase and active phase of labor, respectively. 3. Before term, C-reactive protein levels of 0.8mg/dl or higher and 2.0mg/dl or higher were more frequent in the group of women in labor than those not in labor(23.64 vs. 4.69, p<0.001 and 12.73% vs. 3.13%, p<0.05, respectively), but those statistical differences were not seen between both group at term. Above results and review of literature suggest that serum C-reactive protein level of 2.0mg/dl or higher may be reliable in early detection of infectious morbidity at term laboring women as well as laboring women before term, and the presence of subclinical infection should be suspected in the laboring women before term with serum C-reactive protein level of 0.8mg/dl or higher.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.293-307
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• 1975

As it has been known recently that anisakis type larvae harbouring in marine fishes are a causal agent of zoonosis to human and probably to land living mammal animals, attention was focused on the study on the larvae in an aspect of epidemiology or epizootiology. The present work was conducted from 1966 to 1975 for i) survey on the harbouring status of anisakis type larvae in marine fishes of this country, ii) observation on the response to the experimental infestation of the larvae to the pigs, in the reason that they could well fetid raw fish viscera occasionally containing the larvae as a high protein source of swine food, and iii) observation on the larval resistance and response to vermicidal agents for the purpose of prevention of the larval infection to the mammal animals. The data obtained in the studies were summarized as follows: 1. In the survey on the status of larvae harbouring in main species of marine fishes of this country, 15 species, a total of 1,940 fishes, were observed and the result was summarized in table 2. Average number of larvae, in upper rank of 5 out of all 15 species of fishes, were as highest as 156 larvae ranging 74 to 450 in Pseudosciaena manchurica (chamjogi), 54.5 ranging 15 to 240 in Trichiurus haumela (kalchi), 35.6 ranging 8 to 112 in Trachurus japonica (junggengi), 30.6 ranging 4 to 65 in Parapristipama trilineatum (benjari) and 20.5 ranging 3 to 48 in Nibea argentata (boguchi) respectively. In morphological observation, size of the larvae in the fishes were varied, ranging from 2 to 32mm long, and a tendency to larger size and number of larvae in the fishes, which were wider sea migration, higher age and lager bodily size, was observed The favorite places harbouring the larvae in fishes were mainly around the intraperitoneal viscera such as mesentery, omentum, liver, pyloric suspensory, fat tissue and cloaca, and rarely in body muscles of fish. Fishes heartily infested with the larvae showed stunted growth decreased egg formation and severe damage of liver. 2. In the experimental infestation of the larvae to normal pigs, as illustrated in table 3, a group with large dose of larvae (a total of 1,800 larvae, 300 larvae Per dose, twice in a dart for 3 days) showed acute clinical syndrome terminatine death with a week course, whereas two groups with less dose of larvae (a total of 180~360 larvae, 10 larvae per dose, at 5 days interval for 70~180 days) showed subclinical syndrome with remarkably stunted growth as. much as approximately one half of body size in contest to the control pigs. In the pathological findings, a group with large dose of larvae showed macroscopically larvae penetrating to the gastric wall with severe gastroenteritis, and histopathologically various acute lesions caused by active larvae penetration into the wall of stomach and interstine, whereas two groups with less dose of larvae showed chronic lesions such as hypertrophy and verminous granulomatous swelling of gastric wall, suggesting strongly the possibility of natural infestation of larvae to swine. 3. In the resistance of the larvae to the chemical solutions, the larvae tolerated for 2 days in 15 percent solution of sodium chloride and acetic acid, and for 7 days in 70 percent solution of ethyl alcohol. In the resistance to the temperature, the larvae died within 1 second at $62^{\circ}C$ and tolerated for 24 hours at $-3^{\circ}C$, 12 hours $-5^{\circ}C$ respectively. 4. For the experiment on the vermicidal effect to larvae, general vermicidal drugs such as Neguvon, Combantrin, antimony Potassium, piperazine adipate and piperazine dihydrochloride, oxidizer such as potassium permanganate and potassium chlorate, and dyes such as gentian violet and crystal violet were used, and among them, as illustrated in table 6, potassium permanganate was proved as the best. In the successive test for the practical use of potassium permanganate, vermicidal effect in seawater solution of potassium permanganate and common-water solution of potassium permanganate were compared, and then retested by dipping the fish viscera including the larvae into the two different solutions of potassium permanganate. The result through these tests indicated that 0.01 percent common water and sea-water solution of potassium permanganate could be apparently recommended as a preventive vermicidal solution, having 90 to 100 percent vermicidal effect by dipping for 12 to 24 hours even though sea-water solution of potassium permanganate had a tendency to slightly less effect than the common-water solution of potassium permanganate (Table 8).