• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.16
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• pp.7097-7101
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• 2015

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is linked to Epstein Barr virus infection and is particularly common in the Far East, particularly among some Chinese groups. Certain ethnicities have been reported to have low incidence of NPC. This study looked at NPC in Brunei Darussalam over a three decade period. Materials and Methods: The cancer registry from 1986 to 2014 maintained by the State Laboratory was retrospectively reviewed. The age standardized rates (ASR) and the age specific incidence rates (ASIR) were calculated. Non NPC tumors were excluded from the study. Results: Altogether, there were a total of 450 NPC cases diagnosed accounting for 4.4% of all total cancer cases over the study period, declining from 10.3% in 1986-1990 to 2.3% in 2011-2014. The most common tumor type was the undifferentiated carcinoma (96.4%). The case characteristics were mean age $50.4{\pm}14.4$ years old, male 69%, and predominately Malays 74.4%, followed by Chinese 16.7%. The mean age of diagnosis increased over the study period from $45.6{\pm}17.1$ years (1986-1989) to $54.1{\pm}12.5$ years (ANOVA, p<0.01 for trend). There were no differences in the mean age of diagnosis between the ethnic groups or genders. The ASR showed a declining trend from 11.1 per 100,000 in 1986-1990 to 5.95 per 100,000 in 2011-2014, similar trends been observedfor both genders. Among the age groups, declining trends were seen in all the other age groups apart from the >70 years group. The overall ASRs for the Malays and Chinese were 7.92/100,000 and 8.83/100,000 respectively, both showing declining trends. Conclusions: The incidence of NPC in Brunei Darussalam is comparable to rates reported from Singapore and Malaysia, but higher than rates reported from the other Southeast Asian nations. Unlike higher rates reported for Chinese compared to the Malays in other countries, the rates between the Malays and Chinese in our study was comparable. Importantly, the ASR is declining overall and for both genders and ethnic groups.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.129-134
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• 2001

Since NNK is one of the most abundant tobacco-specific alkaloids and a strong carcinogenic nitrosamine, it has been used for evaluating a potential of carcinogenicity in the animal models. The present study has attempted to examine the potential of carcinogenicity of NNK in human epithelial cells, from which the cell type the most of cancers including oral cancer and nasal cavity cancer are originated. The cellular model used for the study is a human keratinocyte cell system immortalized by Ad12-SV40 hybrid virus. The cellular system has successfully been used for the carcinogenicity studies because of its limitless life span, epithelial morphology and nontumorigenicity. When cells were treated with a variety of NNK concentrations, levels of saturation density and soft agar colony formation were increased in a dose-dependent fashion. Colonies of large cell aggregates were above 5 at the higher doses. The results indicate that exposure of human cells with NNK induced loss of contact inhibition and increases of anchorage independence and cellular adhesion, which are typical characteristics of the neoplatically transformed cells. When cells were exposed with 100uM NNK for 2hr, mRNA levels of IL-1 and PAI-2 were increased in a dose-dependent manner, but expression of TGF- 1 was not affected. While expression of growth regulatory factors were altered with a short-term exposure, there was no alteration of these factors in the NNK-transformed cells. However, mRNA levels of fibronectin were increased both in the short-term treatment and in the transformation. The results suggest that altered expression of extracellular matrix such as fibronectin following short-term exposure might be fixed in the genome and these altered properties be continuously transfered throughout the cell division. Western blot analysis showed a translocation of PKC- from cytosolic fraction to the particulate fraction, indicating a possible role of NNK in the signal transduction pathway. The present study provided an evidence that NNK in the smoking may be associated with epithelial origin cancer such as oral and nasal cavity cancers. In addition, this study suggested that altered expression of extracellular matrix and PKC may play an important role in the carcinogenic mechanism of NNK.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.305-311
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• 1993

Although corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids are now widely grown as a silage crop in Korea, but agronomic data and silage quality of the corn hybrids produced from farmer's fields have not been published. Therefore, a research survey assessing forage yield and quality of the corn hybrids was conducted at 8 and 13 dairy farms in 1988 and 1989, respectively. in Yoju and Ichon. Kyeongi Province. In 1988, percent ear bearing plants, plant population, ear/total dry matter ratio. percent dry matter and dry matter yield of corn hybrids were 75.3%, 75,826 plants/ha, 38.3%, 23.8% and 12,661 kg/ha. respectively. compared with corresponding values of 79.5%. 79,981 plants/ha, 41.1%. 20.7% and 16.152 kg/ha in 1989, but 11.9% of rice black streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV) was recorded in 1989. The Flieg's score of corn silage made by dairy farmers ranged from 70 to 100 and averaged 91. The corn silage produced from dairy farms was characterized as a high quality grade. Survey data indicated that late maturing types of corn hybrids with a higher plant population were grown at farmer's fields. As a result, the performances of the corn hybrids produced by farmers were much lower than those of research institutes. Therefore, dairy farmers in the mid-northern regions of Korea should grow more early maturing corn hybrids and use much lower plant population than those of the present.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.464-472
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• 2012

To assess the space-time clustering of FMD(Foot-and-Mouth Disease) epidemic occurred in Korea between November 2010 to April 2011, geographical information system (GIS)-based spatial analysis technique was used. Farm address and geographic data obtained from a commercial portal site were integrated into GIS software, which we used to map out the color-shading geographic features of the outbreaks through a process called thematic mapping, and to produce a visual representation of the relationship between epidemic course and time throughout the country. FMD cases reported in northern area of Gyounggi province were clustered in space and time within small geographic areas due to the environmental characteristics which livestock population density is high enough to ease transmit FMD virus to the neighboring farm, whereas FMD cases were clustered in space but not in time for southern and eastern area of Gyounggi province. When analyzing the data for 7-day interval, the mean radius of the spatial-time clustering was 25km with minimum 5.4km and maximum 74km. In addition, the radius of clustering was relatively small in the early stage of FMD epidemic, but the size was geographically expanded over the epidemic course. Prior to implementing control measures during the outbreak period, assessment of geographic units potentially affected and identification of risky areas which are subsequently be targeted for specific intervention measures is recommended.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.1177-1180
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• 2014

Background: Anogenital warts (AGWs) are common results of sexually transmitted infection (STI). Human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6 and 11, which are non-oncogenic types, account for 90% of the clinical manifestations. Although the quadrivalent HPV vaccine has been launched, AGW remains prevalent in some countries and shows association with abnormal cervical cytology. Objectives: To study the prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology (low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions or worse; LSIL+) in immunocompetent Thai women newly presenting with external AGWs. Materials and Methods: Medical charts of all women attending Siriraj STI clinic during 2007-2011 were reviewed. Only women presenting with external AGWs who were not immunocompromised (pregnant, human immunodeficiency virus positive or being on immunosuppressant drugs) and had not been diagnosed with cervical cancer were included into the study. Multivariate analysis was used to determine the association between the characteristics of the patients and those of AGWs and LSIL+. Results: A total of 191 women were eligible, with a mean age of $27.0{\pm}8.9$ years; and a mean body mass index of $20.6{\pm}8.9kg/m^2$. Half of them finished university. The most common type of AGWs was exophytic (80.1%). The posterior fourchette appeared to be the most common affected site of the warts (31.9%), followed by labia minora (26.6%) and mons pubis (19.9%). The median number of lesions was 3 (range 1-20). Around 40% of them had recurrent warts within 6 months after completing the treatment. The prevalence of LSIL+ at the first visit was 16.3% (LSIL 12.6%, ASC-H 1.1%, HSIL 2.6%). After adjusting for age, parity and miscarriage, number of warts ${\geq}5$ was the only factor associated with LSIL+(aOR 2.65, 95%CI 1.11-6.29, p 0.027). Conclusions: LSIL+ is prevalent among immunocompetent Thai women presenting with external AGWs, especially those with multiple lesions.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.184-191
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• 2020

Objectives: This study was performed to analyze cases of food poisoning outbreaks reported in Chungcheongnamdo Province in 2019 and report it as effective data for preventing food poisoning in the future. Methods: Food poisoning outbreaks were analyzed to detect virus, bacteria, and protozoa according to the Manual for Detection of Foodborne Pathogens in Outbreaks to clarify the causes of food poisoning that occurred in Chungcheongnam-do Province in 2019. Results: Among the 79 cases of food poisoning outbreaks, 59 cases (74.7%) were in general restaurants, 15 cases (19.0%) in food service institutions, three cases at banquets, and two cases in take-out food. The 42 cases at general seafood restaurants made up the majority of food poisoning in Chungcheongnam-do. Food poisoning pathogens were shown in 13 cases (86.7%) out of the 15 cases at food service institutions, and 10 cases were related to Norovirus. Among the 79 cases, food-borne pathogens were identified in 35 cases of outbreaks, accounting for 44.3%. The confirmed pathogens were as follows: bacteria (24 cases), Norovirus (12 cases) and Kudoa septempunctata. (five cases). The food-borne bacteria were pathogenic E. coli (12 cases), Staphylococcus aureus (six cases), Salmonella spp. (two cases), Campylobacter jejuni, Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus (one case). Conclusions: To prevent food poisoning, it is necessary to analyze regional characteristics and environments and to hold a campaign for the prevention of food poisoning based on that analysis. In addition, when food poisoning occurs, the results of analyzing its cause and spread based on accurate epidemiological survey need to be shared.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.111-116
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• 2020

Purpose: Human parvovirus B19 infection is widespread and has a heterogeneous clinical spectrum, ranging from asymptomatic infection to potentially life-threatening complications. We investigated the various clinical features of human parvovirus B19 infection during an outbreak of the virus in our community. Methods: A retrospective chart review study was conducted at the Pusan National University Children's Hospital from December 2017 to April 2019. We investigated the clinical features of children with parvovirus B19 immunoglobulin M or parvovirus B19 DNA detected using polymerase chain reaction. Results: A total of 24 children were diagnosed with parvovirus B19 infection. Twelve (50%) had lace form rashes, and four (16.7%) had petechial rashes. Two (8.3%) were diagnosed with fever without a focus. Six (25%) developed aplastic crisis as a complication of infection, of whom three were previously diagnosed with hereditary spherocytosis and three with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Conclusions: In addition to erythema infectiosum, the parvovirus B19 infection can present clinically with various types of rashes and fever without a focus. Furthermore, hematologic manifestations such as neutropenia and aplastic crisis can occur during infection.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.165-172
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• 2013

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of bulblet size on growth and bulb enlargement of Lilium Oriental hybrids, such as 'Sorbonne', 'Siberia', and 'Casa Blanca', grown in areas of high altitude (780 m), in 2009. The bulblets were oriented from tissue culture and planted to produce virus-free bulblets. All the three cultivars showed high vitality, with more than 93% producing shoots, even from small bulblets with a bulb circumference (BC) of less than 6 cm. Bulblets with BC 9-10 cm showed an increased height and number of leaves rapidly to induce the phase conversation from vegetative growth to reproductive growth. The bulblets of BC 9-10 cm in 'Sorbonne', 'Siberia', and 'Casa Blanca' had 2.0, 2.9, and 2.8 flower bud sets per plant, respectively. However, the flowers from those bulblets were not adequate as standard bulbs to produce cut-flowers for the domestic market. The larger bulblets showed more prosperous characteristics in growth and development of Lilium Oriental hybrids. Small bulblets had a high occurrence of viruses and leaf blight symptoms during cultivation, indicating the aggravated disease symptoms in the previously infected bulbs. 'Sorbonne' cultivars showed a high rate of enlargement of bulbs, and small bulblets under BC 6 cm produced more than 23% of the standard bulbs of BC 14-16 cm, which could produce cut-flowers for export. However, 'Casa Blanca' bulblets with BC 6-9 cm produced low bulbs of BC 14-16 cm at 21% level. 'Casa Blanca' cultivars had more bulb roots, longer root lengths, and higher weights than 'Sorbonne' and 'Siberia' cultivars. 'Casa Blanca' cultivars with BC over 9-10 cm grew rapidly and produced a high quantity of bulbs. In these results, 'Sorbonne' bulblets of BC 9-10, 'Siberia' bulblets of BC 10-12 cm, and 'Casa Blanca' bulblets of BC 10-12 cm produced 89%, 86%, and 93% of the standard bulbs of BC 14-16 cm, respectively. It is recommended that bulblets larger than the above sizes be used to produce cut-flowers for the export market. Experiment results suggest that production of bulbs larger than BC 18 cm requires bulblets that are larger than BC 12-14 cm of the three cultivars for the highest quality cut-flowers.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2017

Purpose: The objective of this study was to compare the clinical characteristics of influenza A and B infections and analyze the effect of oseltamivir in hospitalized children. Methods: We investigated children under the age of 15, who were diagnosed with influenza A/H1N1, A/H3N2, or B from January to April 2014. The subjects were admitted to the Changwon Fatima Hospital and diagnosed using a rapid antigen test from nasopharyngeal swabs. The medical records of the patients were retrospectively reviewed. Results: A total of 302 pediatric patients with influenza were enrolled. Influenza B infection was the most common type (n=187, 61.9%), followed by A/H3N2 (n=100, 33.1%) and A/H1N1 (n=15, 5.0%). Compared to patients diagnosed with influenza A, patients diagnosed with influenza B were older (P=0.005), and the duration of fever was significantly longer (P=0.001). A total of 161 patients (53.3%) had been vaccinated against influenza during the season, before admission. Among the patients infected with A/H3N2 and B, the duration of fever was shorter in oseltamivir recipients compared to oseltamivir non-recipients (P=0.026 and P=0.004, respectively). Conclusions: There were significant differences between influenza A and B groups in terms of age, demographics, and clinical course. Although the effectiveness of oseltamivir on influenza differs according to the type of influenza, our data provides evidence that oseltamivir is beneficial for both A and B infections.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.175-185
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• 2007

This study was carried out to investigate the pathogenesis and pathogenicity of the porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) Korean isolate from weaned pigs. Twenty four weaned pigs, PCV2, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and porcine parvovirus (PPV) antibodies free, were allocated to 4 groups (n = 6). Six pigs were inoculated intranasally with PCV2 alone, 6 with PCV2 and PRRSV, 6 with the combined PCV2/PRRSV/PPV inoculum, and 6 were remained as a uninoculated negative control. Pigs were killed 3 and 6 weeks after inoculation and tissue samples examined for gross and microscopic lesions and for the presence of PCV2 antigens and nucleic acids. Experimentally inoculated pigs were evaluated for 3 considerations: 1. development of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS), 2. distribution of viral antigens by immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and 3. cytokine mRNA levels in lymph nodes. Pigs inoculated with PCV2/PRRSV/PPV showed typical clinical signs, gross findings, and histopathologic characteristics of PMWS. In the PCV2/PRRSV/PPV inoculated group, the PCV2 antigen was widely distributed in various parenchymal organs such as brain, spinal cord, tonsil, lymph nodes, lung, heart, liver, kidney, spleen, and peyer's patch. Lymph node mRNA expression of IL-$1{\alpha}$, IL-2R and IL-8 was determined by real-time PCR. The pigs of PCV2/PRRSV and PCV2/PRRSV/PPV inoculation group, the mRNA expression was characterized by a decrease of IL-$1{\alpha}$, IL-2R and IL-8. The decrease of cytokine mRNA represent the state of T cell immuno-suppression in pig, and nicely support the evidence for the impairment of immune system in pigs with PMWS. In conclusion, PCV2 infection and some additional infectious causes such as PRRSV and/or PPV are warranted for the presence of PMWS in weaned pigs in Korea.