• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.299-307
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• 1992

An antigenic protein in cystic quid of Taenia solium metacestodes (CF) of 150 kDa was measured by antibody-sandwich ELISA in serum and cerebrospinal quid (CSF) of neurocysticercosis patients. Capture antibodies were rabbit antisera against CF (RACF) and a monoclonal antibody (MAb) against 150 kDa protein in CF. Lower limit of antibody-sandwich ELISA was 8 ng/ml of the protein. Except CF, no tested helminthes extracts reacted. Levels of the protein in 351 sera from 255 patients (55 surgery confirmed and 202 antibody and CT/MRl confirmed) were below sensitivity of the assay. Of 276 CSF from 212 patients, 31 samples (11.2%) showed positive findings. This assay, therefore, was not sensitive enough to be a diagnostic. Instead, the 150 kDa protein appeared in CSF in such situations as in 2 days after prasiquantel treatment, or as in a patient infected with a racemose cysticercus with degenerated cyst wall. Of cases whose follow-up CSF were assayed, 2 cases showed that the protein appeared intermittently, These results suggest strongly that appearance of free 150 kDa protein is associated with cyst wall rupture. In CSF which contained the 150 kDa protein over 61 ng/ml, the protein was recognized in 505-PAGE before and after immunoprecipitation.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.261-270
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• 1989

The present study is intended to observe the chronologic changes of experimental sparganosis by histopathological observation and detection of circulating anti-sparganum IgG antibody using ELISA. Each of 25 mice was infected with aye spargana, and they were examined after 1, 2, 4, 10 weeks or 6 months from infection. The followings are summarized results. - 1. The plerocercoids were detected in the subcutaneous tissue of the trunk, neck or axilla, but a few often extended into the skeletal muscle. The recovery rates were 72% at the first week, 80% at the second week, 95% at the fourth week, 92% at the tenth week and 100% at .the sixth month. The larvae grew slowly in both length and weight until 6 months. 2. Histopathologically, most of the larvae were observed alive in the soft tissue or skeletal muscle. Numerous eosinophils, neutrophils, Iymphocytes and plasma cells were infiltrated focally around the worms by the second week, but they surrounded the worms to form a layer of inflammatory reaction after 4 weeks of infection. Also histiocytes and fibroblasts began to appear around the inflammatory cells at 4 weeks. After 10 weeks, the worms encircled by a thin fibrous layer were found. After 6 months, the worms were surrounded by either fibrous tissue or active inflammatory cells. The inflammation looked more severe in the tracks left by the worms, rather than around the worms. 3, The level of anti-sparganum IgG antibody in the serum showed an increase by the fourth week, and a rapid and continuous increase was observed thereafter by the tenth week after infection. The high level of the IgG antibody was maintained up to 6 months forming a plateau curve. The present results suggest that the tissue reaction and antibody production in subcutaneous sparganosis become distinctive by the fourth week after infection.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.140-149
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• 1997

Purpose : Kawasaki Disease(KD) is a febrile disease with acute multisystemic vasculitis which is seen commonly in early childhood. The cause and etiologic agents are still unknown to identify using ordinary bacterial and viral culture, but the clinical labaratory studies suggest that KD is one of autoimmune disorder caused by infectious agents, but that is not proved yet. The study was performed to investigate the IgG subclasses in acute stage of KB before treatment of IVIG(Intravenous immunoglobulin). Method : The 35 cases in acute stage of KD before treatment of IVIG who were hospitalized from jan. 1995 to dec. 1996. The obtained sera were measured level of total IgG, IgM, IgA, IgE and IgG subclasses IgGl, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4 by using EIA and SRID method. Results : 1) The sex ratio is male to female is 1.5: 1.0, and male is prone to infected. 2) Total IgG, IgM, IgA and IgE level is normal range with age adjusted, but few cases are shown slight high level of total IgG compare to normal range of age adjusted. 3) acute phage reactants such as CRP, C3, ESR are all increased in acute stage of cases. 4) IgG subclasses IgGl, IgG2, IgG3 are shown normal range of age adjusted, but remarkably low level of IgG4 in all of cases. Conclusions : The low level of IgG4 is able to increasing the incidence of KD, and may use early diagnostic tools combine with other clinical symptoms and signs. But the resulsts of reported studies are different to each other, so it needs more times and cases to get final evaluation of changes of serum immnunoglobulin levels correlate to increase the incidence of high risk group of KD patients.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.55-72
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• 1995

Forty gentamicin-resistant isolates of Enterococcus faecalis were selected from various clinical materials, determined their antimicrobial susceptibility, and studied there R-plasmid characteristics and polypeptide patterns. All of the isolates were susceptible to vancomycin. The MICs($\mu$/ml) of antimicrobial agents to the isolates were as follows; the MIC of gentamicin was 128 and $\geq$2040, ampicillin 1 and 1, chlorarmphenicol 2 and 8, erythromycin 32 and 256, and vancomycin 1 and 2. E. faecalis HL-1 strain had 8 plasmid DNA elements, HL-2 and HL-3 strains had 6, HL-4 had 7, HL-5 had 4, and HL-6 had 5. The 51.7 Kb of gentamicin resistance plasmid DNA was conjugally transferred from two strains of E. faecalis HL-1 and HL-6 to S. aureus SK 982. The plasmid transfer frequency between S. aureus SK 982 and E. faecalis HL-1 or E. faecalis HL-6 was 6.3$\times10^{-4} and 3.7$\times10^{-5}$, respectively. Plasmid curing ratio after the treatment of ethidium bromide(10$\mu$/ml) to E. faecalis tarnsconjugants R-1 and R-6 were about 51% and 67%, respectively. The tetracycline gene was located in 2.15 Kb plasmid of E. faecalis HL-1, but it was not found in the E. faecalis HL-6 by Southern blot analyses. The antigenic components of E. faecalis HL-1, HL-6, R-1 and R-6 strains were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting. The E. faecalis strains had 7 to 16 polypeptide bands, however their major proteins were 97.8 and 26.8 Kd. At the Immunoblotting, 97.8, 95.8, 74.8, 63.5, 33.7 and 26.8 Kd polypeptides of the strains showed major antigenic activities with patient's sera infected intra-abdominally with an E. faecalis strain.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.425-432
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• 1992

Background: The prevalence of tuberculosis in Korea decreased remarkably for the past 30 years, while for at least the recent 10 years, the frequency of disease attributable to mycobacteria other than tuberculosis (MOTT) began to increase both in actual numbers and in the proportion of the total burden of mycobacterioses. Method: Twenty nine cases, diagnosed as having pulmonary disease due to MOTT on the basis of repeated isolations of the relevant organisms from sputum specimens and chest X-ray findings from Jan. 1982 throught Dec. 1991 at the Chest Clinic of the Korean Institute of Tuberculosis, were reviewed in terms of clinical features and courses. Results: 1) Nineteen cases (66%) were infected with Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare, 5 cases (17%) with M. fortuitum, 4 cases (14%) with M. chelonei, and 1 cases (3%) with M. szulgai. 2) The ratio of male versus female patients was 1.9:1. 3) The peak incidence was in the fifth decade. 4) Eighteen cases (62%) had moderately advanced disease and 11 cases (38%) had far advanced disease on chest P-A film. 5) The common symptoms were cough (59%), sputum (52%), and dyspnea (34%). 6) All cases had a previous history of tuberculosis. 7) Most of the isolates were highly resistant to the major antituberculosis drugs and 48~52% showed a sensitivity to cycloserine, kanamycin or enviomycin. 8) Of 19 cases which were treated and followed-up for over 12 months, 3 cases attained negative conversion on cultures (2 M. fortuitum infections, 1 M. szulgai infection). Sixteen cases failed in attaining negative conversion on cultures. However, their clinical courses were chronic and indolent despite of persistant culture positivity. Conclusion: Treatment of these patients has been difficult because of the frequency of severe underlying conditions and the natural resistance of most of the nontuberculous mycobacteria to the presently available drugs.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.163-175
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• 2004

Objectives: This study was carried out to decrease the prevalence of human clonorchiasis and to evaluate the control effect in two Clonorchis sinensis-endemic area of Gokseong-gun and Sunchang-gun adjacent to the Sumjin River in Korea. Methods: The formalin-ether concentration method for stool egg examination or ELISA was applied for the diagnosis of clonorchiasis. As a primary survey, according to the non-probability sampling, a total of 1,2.13 inhabitants at Gokseong-gun were screened through the stool examination, and 1,004 inhabitants at Sunchang-gun were screened through the ELISA. The humans infected with C. sinensis were medicated with praziquantel and educated for the prevention of reinfection with the fluke. After 9 months, as a secondary survey, each prevalence of 616 inhabitants at Gokseong-gun and 2.637 inhabitants at Sunchang-gun was followed-up for the decrease of human clonorchiasis. Results: The prevalence before the mass control was 39.0% at Gokseong-gun and 30.1% at Sunchang-gun in average from 61.5% to 8.9% according to the villages (Myeon) of the survey. In the riverside villages to the Sumjin River the prevalences were higher than other villages located far from the river. The prevalence after the control was decreased to the level of 22.4% at Gokseong-gun(P<0.0001) and 16,3% at Sunchang-gun (P<0.0001). Conclusions: These results suggested that human clonorchiasis was still highly endemic in riverside area of the Sumjin River and could be decreased through the control activities such as diagnosis, medication and education. It was highly recommended that a integrated control such as those of the present study must be adopted in other localities along the Sumjin River for the eradication of human clonorchiasis.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.231-237
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• 2011

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal master apical file size with minimal transportation and optimal efficiency in removing infected dentin. We evaluated the transportation of the canal center and the change in untouched areas after sequential preparation with a #25 to #40 file using 3 different instruments: stainless steel K-type (SS K-file) hand file, ProFile and LightSpeed using microcomputed tomography (MCT). Materials and Methods: Thirty extracted human mandibular molars with separated orifices and apical foramens on mesial canals were used. Teeth were randomly divided into three groups: SS K-file, Profile, LightSpeed and the root canals were instrumented using corresponding instruments from #20 to #40. All teeth were scanned with MCT before and after instrumentation. Cross section images were used to evaluate canal transportation and untouched area at 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5- mm level from the apex. Data were statistically analyzed according to 'repeated nested design' and Mann-Whitney test (p = 0.05). Results: In SS K-file group, canal transportation was significantly increased over #30 instrument. In the ProFile group, canal transportation was significantly increased after preparation with the #40 instrument at the 1- and 2- mm levels. LightSpeed group showed better centering ability than ProFile group after preparation with the #40 instrument at the 1 and 2 mm levels. Conclusions: SS K-file, Profile, and LightSpeed showed differences in the degree of apical transportation depending on the size of the master apical file.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.13-25
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• 1999

Background: Ineffective cell-mediated immune response in human tuberculosis is associated with a depressed Thl cytokine response and reduced production of IFN-$\gamma$. Most persons infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis are healthy tuberculin reactors with protective immunity, but a minority with ineffective immunity develop extensive pulmonary tuberculosis. The cell-mediated immune response is an important aspect of host resistance to mycobacterial infection and is believed to be tightly regulated by a balance between Th1 cytokines including IFN-$\gamma$, IL-12, IL-18, regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) and Th2 counterparts such as IL-4, monocyte chemoattractant protein-l (MCP-l). Methods: Proliferation and mRNA expression of IFN-$\gamma$, RANTES and MCP-l by RT-PCR in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in response to in vitro stimulation with mycobacterial antigens were compared in pulmonary tuberculosis patients with cured and treatment failure and in tuberculin-positive and tuberculin-negative healthy subjects. Results: Defective proliferative responsiveness to aqueous TSP antigen was involved with treatment failure tuberculosis patients. Aqueous TSP antigen-induced IFN-$\gamma$ and RANTES mRNA expression was decreased in treatment failure tuberculosis patients compared with healthy tuberculin reactors and cured tuberculosis patients (23.1 % versus 90.0% for IFN-$\gamma$ and 46.2% versus 70.0% versus 46.2% for RANTES). The frequency of MCP-l mRNA expression to aqueous TSP antigen in treatment failure tuberculosis patients was greater than in healthy tuberculin reactors and cured tuberculosis patients (76.9% versus 40.0%). Conclusion: The increasing expression of MCP-1 mRNA in response to aqueous TSP antigen might be predicted to favor Th1 responses and restricted Th1 responses in treatment failure of pulmonary tuberculosis.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.155-168
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• 1986

In Korea, lots of Israeli carp (Cyprinus carpio) are cultured by means of net cages in dams and lakes, but many carp have been subjected to heavy infestation of the cestoid, Bothriocephalus opsariichthydis. Nevertheless the parasitic state and life history of the cestoid are not yet reported. This reason led the author to study the parasitic state and life history of B. opsariichthydis parasitized in the carp in order to take effective control measures against its damage. Israeli carp were sampled from two fish farms, in Taech'on and Kyongch'on. After dissection of the specimens, the cestoid were obtained and the parasitic rates were examined. After taking the eggs from adult worms, the development of the eggs were observed. Coracidia were exposed to four kinds of crustaceans in order to investigate the infection rate and development of the larva. Finally, tile development of the larva in the final host was investigated. The fully mature eggs were in the cleavage stage, when they are released, and the size ranged 47.5 to 55.0 $(50.9){\times}30.0$ to 32.5 (31.1) um, in the state of under-developed coracidia and blastomeres. The parasitic rate of the cestoid in Israeli carp from Taechon was $55.5\%$ in 1984 and $21.6\%$ in 1985, that from Kyongchon was $64.7\%$ in 1984, and color carp from Kusan was $14.9\%$ in 1984. The eggs were hatched to coracidia within 48 hours under 26 to $28^{\circ}C$. The cestoid showed a strong affinity to Thermocyclops hyalinus and Paracyclops fimbriatus and the infection rates were $93.5\%$ and $75.5\%$, respectively. At 14 days after the infection to Thermocyclops hyalinus and Paracyclops fimbriatus, the larvae of the cestoid grew into fully developed procercoids; 207 to $226 (214){\times}90$ to 102 (94) um in size. Sixty days after carp have ingested the Thermocyclops hyalinus infected with the fully developed procercoids, the larvae of the cestoid matured into adult worms in the intestines of the carp.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.118-126
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• 1986

Vibrio vulnificus is a recently recognized halophilic organism that nay cause serious human infections. Patients infected with V. vulnificus often have a history of exposure to the sea, suggesting that the organism may be common inhabitant of marine environment. The purpose of this experiment is to investigate the distribution and bacteriological characteristics of V. vulnificus. The strain used in this experiment was isolated from sea water and sea products such as common octopus (Octopus variabilis), ark shell (Anadara broughtonii), blue crab (Ericheir japonica), and sea squirt (Synthia roretzi) collected in Pusan area from July to October in 1985. V. vulnificus was frequently isolated in August when temperature of sea water was around $26^{\circ}C$ and rarely isolated in October when temperature of sea water was around $18.5^{\circ}C$. The distinctive biochemical characteristics of V. vulnificus were ONPG hydrolysis positive and fermented lactose and not grown in peptone water contained $8\%$ NaCl. The optical density at 660 nm of the growth of V. vulnificus was reached maximum level after 8 hours of culture at $35^{\circ}C$ in brain heart infusion broth but that of V. vulnificus was little increased at $15^{\circ}C$ for 14 hours. Optimum temperature and pH for the growth of V. vulnificus were around $35^{\circ}C$ and 8.0. The specific growth rate and the generation time of V. vulnificus isolated from the samples were $1.21\;hr^{-1}$, 34 min at $35^{\circ}C$ and $0.61\;hr^{-1}$, 69 min at $25^{\circ}C$, respectively. V. vulnificus did not grow on eosin-methylene-blue agar, salmonella-shigella agar, deoxycholate agar but grew well on Endo agar, xylose-lysine-deoxycholate agar and hektoen enteric agar. On Endo agar, the colonies of V. vulnificus were red and achieved a diameter of 2 to 4 mm as a feature enabling differentiation of V. vulnificus from other Vibrio spp. V. vulnificus grow well on TCBS agar forming green colonies. V. vulnificus refrigerated at $4^{\circ}C$ exhibited a linear decline of its viablity as 1 log cycle in every 16 hours storage, while V. vulnificus freezed at $-18^{\circ}C$ almost became extinct.