• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.85-87
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• 2013

An outbreak of Staphylococcus aureus infections occurred in a university with an enrollment of 80 students in the city of Daejon, Republic of Korea. All nine S. aureus isolates from patients (n = 7), staff members (n = 1), and the fried chicken served as the lunch (n = 1) harbored the enterotoxin A gene and showed an identical antibioticresistant profile, PFGE banding pattern (STAS16.001), and sequence type, ST 6. These results suggested that the outbreak was associated with eating the fried chicken that had been handled by an infected staff member. This case report demonstrated a practical approach to identifying the source and transmission of an infection.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.531-536
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• 2019

Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia duodenalis are the main diarrhea-causing parasitic pathogens; however, their prevalence in Korea is unknown. Here, we conducted a survey to determine the prevalence and genotype distribution of these 2 pathogens causing acute diarrhea in 8,571 patients hospitalized in 17 Regional Institute of Health Environment sites in Korea, during 2013-2016. C. parvum and G. duodenalis were detected and genotyped by nested PCR, and the isolate were molecularly characterized by sequencing the glycoprotein 60 (Gp60) and ${\beta}-giardin$ genes, respectively. The overall prevalence of C. parvum and G. duodenalis was 0.37% (n=32) and 0.55% (n=47), respectively, and both pathogens were more prevalent in children under 9 years old. Molecular epidemiological analysis showed that the C. parvum isolates belonged to the IIa family and were subtyped as IIaA13G2R1, IIaA14G2R1, IIaA15G2R1, and IIaA18G3R1. Analysis of the ${\beta}-giardin$ gene fragment from G. duodenalis showed that all positive strains belong to assemblage A. This is the first report on the molecular epidemiology and subtyping of C. parvum and G. duodenalis in such a large number of diarrheal patients in Korea. These results highlight the need for continuous monitoring of these zoonotic pathogens and provide a basis for implementing control and prevention strategies. Further, the results might be useful for epidemiological investigation of the source of outbreak.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.60 no.5
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• pp.309-315
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• 2022

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic and recurrent illness of the gastrointestinal tract. Treatment of IBD traditionally involves the use of aminosalicylic acid and steroids, while these drugs has been associated with untoward effects and refractoriness. The absence of effective treatment regimen against IBD has led to the exploration of new targets. Parasites are promising as an alternative therapy for IBD. Recent studies have highlighted the use of parasite-derived substances, such as excretory secretory products, extracellular vesicles (EVs), and exosomes, for the treatment of IBD. In this report, we examined whether EVs secreted by Giardia lamblia could prevent colitis in a mouse model. G. lamblia EVs (GlEVs) were prepared from in vitro cultures of Giardia trophozoites. Clinical signs, microscopic colon tissue inflammation, and cytokine expression levels were detected to assess the effect of GlEV treatment on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced experimental murine colitis. The administration of GlEVs prior to DSS challenge reduced the expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 1 beta, and interferon gamma. Our results indicate that GlEV can exert preventive effects and possess therapeutic properties against DSS-induced colitis.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.84-88
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• 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the positive rates for Enterobius vermicularis eggs among preschool children in Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do, the Republic of Korea (Korea) over a period of 5 years (2017-2021). Perianal swab samples, obtained using cellotape, from 10,392 preschool children in 26 districts were examined microscopically for E. vermicularis eggs. The test results were notified through the local health center, and the families of children who tested positive were advised to provide them anthelmintics treatment. The annual positive rates were 5.0%, 5.2%, 4.4%, 2.2%, and 1.0% in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively. The overall positive rate was higher in boys than in girls (P< 0.05), and children aged 5-7 years were at a higher risk of being infected than those aged 0-4 years (P< 0.05). Although the rates of infection by E. vermicularis in the survey area, Yeosu-si, were still in the 1% range , the results of this study suggest that they can be significantly reduced through continuous intervention centered around the test-treatment strategy.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.215-229
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• 2024

Because of the various patterns of deep-water inrush and complicated mechanisms, accurately predicting mine water inflows is always a difficult problem for coal mine geologists. In study presented in this paper, the water inrush channels were divided into four basic water diversion structures: aquifer, rock fracture zone, fracture zone and goaf. The fluid flow characteristics in each water-conducting structure were investigated by laboratory tests, and multistructure and multisystem coupling flow analysis models of different water-conducting structures were established to describe the entire water inrush process. Based on the research of the water inrush flow paths, the analysis model of different water inrush space structures was established and applied to the prediction of mine water inrush inflow. The results prove that the conduction sequence of different water-conducting structures and the changing rule of permeability caused by stress changes before and after the peak have important influences on the characteristics of mine water-gushing. Influenced by the differences in geological structure and combined with rock mass RQD and fault conductivity characteristics and other mine exploration data, the prediction of mine water inflow can be realized accurately. Taking the water transmitting path in the multistructure as the research object of water inrush, breaking through the limitation of traditional stratigraphic structure division, the prediction of water inflow and the estimation of potentially flooded area was realized, and water bursting intensity was predicted. It is of great significance in making reasonable emergency plans.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.62 no.3
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• pp.323-329
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• 2024

We developed a new concentration kit, called the ParaEgg (PE), for easy detection trematode eggs from fecal samples in endemic areas of clonorchiasis and metagonimiasis in Korea. To create a standard of detection efficiency, 120 fecal samples were examined using the water-ether concentration method (WECM). The PE kit and Mini ParaSep (PS) kit were used to compare the detection sensitivity of 100 egg-positive and 20 egg-negative samples in WECM. Additionally, stool samples, which were intentionally spiked with 10, 20, and 30 Clonorchis sinensis eggs, were evaluated to assess the sensitivity in low-infection cases. The PE and PS kits showed detection rates of 100% and 92%, respectively, from 100 egg-positive samples in WECM. Meanwhile, eggs were detected in 3 (PE) and 2 (PS) out of 20 egg-negative samples in WECM. The PE kit detected the highest number of eggs per gram of feces (727 on average), followed by the WECM (524) and PS kit (432). In fecal samples that were intentionally spiked with 10, 20, and 30 C. sinensis eggs, PE only detected eggs 2 out of 5 samples in 10 eggs spiked (40%), and the detection rates were 80% and 100%, respectively. The PE kit enabled a more accurate identification of trematode eggs because of the clearance of small fecal debris in the microscopic field. In conclusion, the PE kit is obviously helpful to detect and identify trematode eggs in stool examinations especially in endemic areas of clonorchiasis and metagonimiasis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.95-106
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• 2001

Since many adolescents start and continue Smoking to cope with stress from school and home environments, peer pressure, and to compensate for lowered self-esteem The smoking prevention program should consist of the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding smoking and how to cope with these stresses. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a smoking prevention program on smoking related knowledge, attitudes, and self-esteem and stress in first year middle school students. The study was performed on a non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest. 151 subjects(76 experimental group, 75 control group) were selected by a convenience sampling method. The study was carried out in two middle schools in Kwang-ju city, Korea, from the 1st of May to the 23rd of June, 2000. The experimental group attended the smoking prevention program which was held for 45 minutes a week for 4 weeks. The questionnaire was administered to measure the degree of knowledge, attitudes, self-esteem and stress of the subjects. The SAS-PC program was used to analyze the data along with peroentages, $x^2$-test. t-test, and paired t-test. The results of this study were as follows: 1. The first hypothesis, 'The experimental group who receives a smoking prevention program would have higher scores of smoking related knowledge than the control group', was supported(t=3.68, p=0.0003). 2. The second hypothesis, 'The experimental group who receives a Smoking prevention program would have more positive attitudes regarding smoking than the control group', was supported(t=3.42, p=0.0008). 3. The third hypothesis, 'The experimental group who receives a smoking prevention program would have higher scores of self-esteem than the control group', was supported(t=2.24, p=0.0270). 4. The forth hypothesis, "The experimental group who receives a smoking prevention program would have lower scores of stress than the control group', was supported(t=-2.07, p=0.0407). The smoking prevention program in this study was effective in increasing the knowledge regarding smoking, enhancing more positive attitudes regarding smoking, and also increasing the scores of self-esteem and lowering the scores of stress. The results of this study will be applicable in smoking prevention education for early adolescents in middle schools.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.143-154
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• 1995

Korea has been recently reducing the quality of life as well as rising medical cost because of the increase of chronic diseases. But we can prevent those chronic diseases through the improvement of environment or life style. We evaluated the educational effectiveness of chronic diseases(hypertention, diabetes, cancer, stroke and other chronic diseases) designed to increase the knowledge, attitude and practice of chronic diseases among university students. Between August 1994 and November 1994, we implemented chronic diseases prevention instruction in intervention students; unmatched control students were selected in same university. We conducted pre- and post-intervention surveys both intervention and control students with self-reported questionnaires(50 items). We assigned score(0-4 points) to items and conducted a analysis of covariance(ANCOVA) with sex, grade and economic status as the covariate, using the SAS PC computer statistical package. And we culculated odds ratio with safety scores between intervention and control students. The results of this study were followed. 1. In demographic characteristics of subjects both pre- and post intervention, we found no significant differences in intervention and control students at religion, father's education, mother's education, mother's occupation and type of residence(p>0.05), but we found significant differences at sex(p<0.001), grade(p<0.001) and economic status(p<0.05). 2. The sex, grade and economic status-adjusted mean prevention knowledge scores for diabetes and stroke increased from the pre- to post-survey in the intervention students(p<0.001), but control students did not increased(p>0.05). As odds ratios in knowledge were below 1, the knowledge of intervention students were higher than control students. 3. The attitudes for general adult health increased from the pre- to post-survey in the intervention students(p<0.05), but control students did not increased(p>0.05). As odds ratios in attitudes were approximately 1, we can not say effectiveness in intervention students 4. The pratices for cancer and stroke increased from the pre- to post-survey in both the intervention and control students(p<0.001). Also odds ratio of hypertention was 0.91, and that of stroke was 1.14. 5. Health related behaviors did not increased from the pre- to post- survey in both the intervention and control students(p>0.05). But odds ratio of drinking was 0.76 and that of body weight was 1.21. 6. Health status did not increased from the pre- to post- survey in both the intervention and control students(p>0.05). As odds ratio of health status was 1.09, prevention education was not effect in intervention students We would like to recommend as follows; 1. University students must learn about prevention of chronic diseases. Because the knowledge of invetervention students was higher than that of control students. 2. The prevention education of chronic diseases should be taught from primary school. 3. Adult health education for university students must be practiced continuously. Education period(l5 weeks) in this study was not complete. 4. The evaluation of chronic diseases was conducted real measurement(such as BP check) as well as self reported-survey. 5. Educational materials(video tape, pamphlet) related the prevention of chronic diseases should be developed at national level. And we must easely use those materials. 6. The prevention education of chronic diseases should be made through mass media as well as school education.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.77-94
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• 2008

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to develop the children obesity prevention program and to analyze how this program has an effect on students' degree of knowledge, attitude for obesity prevention. Methods: The study design was Compromise Experience Group Pre-Post Design. 238 students in the 4th and 5th grade of 4 elementary schools in Seoul were nonrandomly assigned to the study group(n=115) or the control group(n=113). The Program was applied for 3 times and surveys were conducted 2 times as pre-test and post-test. Results: 1. The obesity prevention CD-ROM was developed by analyzing of learners and educational facilities, selecting the study object and contents and producing educational methods and materials. The study contents were included definition, types, factors and side-effects of obesity, and It was contained dietary habit, exercise and life style for obesity prevention and healthy life. 2. Demographic characteristics were not significantly different between study group and control group. Among the subjects investigated, 27.8% of the study group and 38.1% of the control group stated that they had experienced in the obesity prevention program in past. 3. The obesity knowledge and attitude score after this obesity prevention program were improved significantly than before the program(P<0.001). Conclusion: The CD-ROM developed in this study for the children obesity prevention program was proven to be effective in improving obesity knowledge, attitude for the obesity prevention.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.54-61
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• 2018

Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of a class-based school violence prevention program for elementary school student. Methods: 29 students were assigned to the school violence prevention program of 8 sessions, 28 students have been assigned to the control group. We assessed participants at baseline and post-intervention, through their self-report questionnaires such as Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and school violence experience, awareness about school violence, and coping ability to school violence. We compared the baseline and post-intervention result of each group and compared the post-test scores between the intervention group and the control group. Results: Comparing the intervention group and the control group, the post-intervention CDI total score and the awareness about school violence showed significant improvement in the intervention group. When compared according to gender, male students' perception of school violence was improved, and female students showed significant differences in CDI scores. Conclusion: The CDI total scores and the perception of school violence were improved in the intervention group compared to the control group. And there are differential pattern of intervention effects according to gender. These findings have important implications to develop effective violence prevention programs.