• 한국제4기학회지
• /
• 제21권1호
• /
• pp.15-26
• /
• 2007

A wide tree-ring data network from Western Himalayan region as well as from Central and Peninsular India have been established by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, India. This includes several ring width and density chronologies of Himalayan conifers (Pinus, Picea, Cedrus, Abies)covering entire area of Western Himalaya and teak (Tectona grandis L.F.) from central and peninsular India. Many of these chronologies go back to $15^{th}$ century. Tree-ring based reconstructed pre-monsoon (March-April-May) summer climate of Western Himalaya do not show any significant increasing or decreasing trend since past several centuries. High altitude tree-ring chronologies near tree line-glacier boundary are sensitive to the winter temperature. Unprecedented higher growth in recent decades is closely associated with the warming trend over the Himalayan region. Dendroclimatic analysis of teak (Tectona grandis) from Central and Peninsular India show significant relationship with pre-monsoon and monsoon climate. Moisture index over the region indicates strong association with tree-ring variations rather than the direct influence of rainfall. It is evident that, two to three consecutive good monsoon years are capable of maintaining normal or above normal tree growth, even though the following year is low precipitation year.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
• /
• 제35권3호
• /
• pp.151-161
• /
• 2018

Understanding solar influences on extreme weather is important. Insight into the causes of extreme weather events, including the solar-terrestrial connection, would allow better preparation for these events and help minimize the damage caused by disasters that threaten the human population. In this study, we examined category three, four, and five tropical cyclones that occurred in the western North Pacific Ocean from 1977 to 2016. We compared long-term trends in the positions of tropical cyclone occurrence and development with variations of the observed sunspot area, the solar North-South asymmetry, and the southern oscillation index (SOI). We found that tropical cyclones formed, had their maximum intensity, and terminated more northward in latitude and more westward in longitude over the period analyzed; they also became stronger during that period. It was found that tropical cyclones cannot be correlated or anti-correlated with the solar cycle. No evidence showing that properties (including positions of occurrence/development and other characteristics) of tropical cyclones are modulated by solar activity was found, at least not in terms of a spectral analysis using the wavelet transform method.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• 제44권1호
• /
• pp.27-33
• /
• 2006

Two species of Cryptosporidium are known to infect man; C. hominis which shows anthroponotic transmission between humans, and C. parvum which shows zoonotic transmission between animals or between animals and man. In this study, we focused on identifying genotypes of Cryptosporidium prevalent among inhabitants and domestic animals (cattle and goats), to elucidate transmittal routes in a known endemic area in Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea. The existence of Cryptosporidium oocysts was confirmed using a modified ZiehlNeelsen stain. Human infections were found in 7 $(25.9\%)$ of 27 people examined. Cattle cryptosporidiosis cases constituted 7 $(41.2\%)$ of 17 examined, and goat cases 3 $(42.9\%)$ of 7 examined. Species characterizations were performed on the small subunit of the rRNA gene using both PCR-RFLP and sequence analysis. Most of the human isolates were mixtures of C. hominis and C. parvum genotypes and similar PCR-RFLP patterns were observed in cattle and goat isolates. However, sequence analyses identified only C. hominis in all isolates examined. The natural infection of cattle and goats with C. hominis is a new and unique finding in the present study. It is suggested that human cryptosporidiosis in the studied area is caused by mixtures of C. hominis and C. parvum oocysts originating from both inhabitants and domestic animals.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• 제59권2호
• /
• pp.131-138
• /
• 2021

Helminth infections are prevalent in Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). This study aimed at determining the prevalence and risk factors of intestinal helminthiasis in remote mountainous villages of northern Lao PDR. During the dry season in January 2017, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in 3 remote mountainous villages in Oudomxay province, Lao PDR. Villagers older than 18 years of age who agreed to submit stool samples or undergo an interview, were recruited. Stool samples from 198 individuals were examined by the Kato-Katz method, and a questionnaire surveyed 161 individuals among them. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors associated with the intestinal helminthiasis. An overall prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis was 75.8%. Hookworm infection was the most common (63.1%), followed by Opisthorchis viverrini/minute intestinal flukes (17.7%), Taenia spp. (15.2%), Trichuris trichiura (2.0%), Ascaris lumbricoides (1.5%), and Enterobius vermicularis (1.0%). Questionnaire analysis revealed sex (male) and absence of latrine to be significant risk factors for hookworm infection and consumption of raw meat for taeniasis. These results suggest that the mountainous area in northern Lao PDR has a different composition of helminth infections from other studies conducted in Lao PDR; a high prevalence of hookworm infection and taeniasis and low prevalence of T. trichiura and A. lumbricoides infections were observed. Also, liver flukes or intestinal flukes were similarly prevalent in the mountainous area.

• 대기
• /
• 제21권4호
• /
• pp.361-371
• /
• 2011

In this study, characteristics and trends of tropical night (TN) are investigated by using the KMA 14 observation data for the recent 50 years (1958-2007) over South Korea. The TN is defined as a day with a daily minimum temperature exceeds the absolute threshold temperature ($25^{\circ}C$), and the relative deviation from normal temperature, 95th percentile of all observed daily minimum temperature. Although the spatial distribution of TN occurrence depends on the choice of the definitions, the frequency of TN shows strong spatial and interannual variations with the minimum at high land area (Chupungnyeong and wet years) and maximum at southern coastal area and large city area (Jeju, Busan, Seoul, Daegu). Most of TN occurs in August (56%) and July (41%), and the duration date of TN is proportional to the frequency of TN without regard to the definition method. In general, increasing trends are found in the TN time series without regard to the analysis method, but the trends are clearly depending on the analysis period and geographic locations. Decreasing trends are prominent during the most of analysis period, especially until the mid of 1990, whereas strong increasing trends are found during recent 30 years (1988-2007), especially at Jeju, Ulsan, Daegu and Pohang. Also the severity of TN is significantly increased in recent years.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• 제55권2호
• /
• pp.167-174
• /
• 2017

China still has more than 30,000 patients of advanced schistosomiasis while new cases being reported consistently. D-dimer is a fibrin degradation product. As ascites being the dominating symptom in advanced schistosomiasis, the present study aimed to explore a prediction model of ascites with D-dimer and other clinical easy-achievable indicators. A case-control study nested in a prospective cohort was conducted in schistosomiasis-endemic area of southern China. A total of 291 patients of advanced schistosomiasis were first investigated in 2013 and further followed in 2014. Information on clinical history, physical examination, and abdominal ultrasonography, including the symptom of ascites was repeatedly collected. Result showed 44 patients having ascites. Most of the patients' ascites were confined in the kidney area with median area of $20mm^2$. The level of plasma D-dimer and pertinent liver function indicators were measured at the initial investigation in 2013. Compared with those without ascites, cases with ascites had significantly higher levels of D-dimer ($0.71{\pm}2.44{\mu}g/L$ vs $0.48{\pm}2.12{\mu}g/L$, P=0.005), as well ALB (44.5 vs 46.2, g/L) and Type IV collagen (50.04 vs $44.50{\mu}g/L$). Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses indicated a moderate predictive value of D-dimer by its own area under curve (AUC) of 0.64 (95% CI: 0.54-0.73) and the cutoff value as $0.81{\mu}g/L$. Dichotomized by the cutoff level, D-dimer along with other categorical variables generated a prediction model with AUC of 0.76 (95% CI: 0.68-0.89). Risks of patients with specific characteristics in the prediction model were summarized. Our study suggests that the plasma D-dimer level is a reliable predictor for incident ascites in advanced schistosomiasis japonica patients.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• 제50권4호
• /
• pp.339-343
• /
• 2012

The 5th outbreak of trichinosis occurred in a mountainous area of North Vietnam in 2012, involving 24 patients among 27 people who consumed raw pork together. Six of these patients visited several hospitals in Hanoi for treatment. Similar clinical symptoms appeared in these patients within 5-8 days after eating infected raw pork, which consisted of fever, muscle pain, difficult moving, edema, difficult swallowing, and difficult breathing. ELISA revealed all (6/6) positive reactions against Trichinella spiralis antigen and all cases showed positive biopsy results for Trichinella sp. larvae in the muscle. The larvae detected in the patients were identified as T. spiralis (Vietnamese strain) by the molecular analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit III (cox3) gene.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• 제45권1호
• /
• pp.39-44
• /
• 2007

A new endemic focus of Gymnophalloides seoi infection has been discovered on Aphae Island(Shinan-gun, Jeollanam-do), Republic of Korea. This area, which is referred to as Bokyong-ri, is a small seashore village located in the northern portion of the island. Fecal samples were collected from a total of 57 residents and examined by the Kato-Katz and formalin-ether sedimentation techniques. Helminth eggs were detected in 37 samples(64.9%); 33 samples were positive for G. seoi eggs(57.9%), 4 for Pygidiopsis summa(7.0%), 13 for other heterophyids(22.8%), 1 for Clonorchis sinensis(1.7%), and 1 for Trichuris trichiura(1.7%). Women(70.4%) revealed higher rates of G. seoi infection than did men(46.7%), and individuals older than 50 years of age also evidenced higher rates of G. seoi infection than in other age groups(P<0.05). In worm collection from 13 G. seoi egg positive cases, G. seoi (total 86,558 specimens), Heterophyes nocens(278), Stictodora sp.(10), Heterophyopsis continua(3), P. summa(3), and unidentified flukes(42) were collected. Oysters, the source of G. seoi infection, were collected from an area proximal to the village and 50 were examined for metacercariae; 47(94%) were found infected and the observed metacercarial density was $9.5{\pm}8.9$ per oyster. The results of this study indicate that Bokyong-ri is a new endemic area of G. seoi infection, with high rates of infection in humans and oysters.

• KIEAE Journal
• /
• 제14권3호
• /
• pp.47-54
• /
• 2014

This study is performed to establish the basis of the development of unique tropical botanical garden that will be connected with the identity of the local inheritance resources, 'Silla'. The glasshouse is the traditional 'Silla; housing and the landscape facilities are tried to imagine 'Silla' kingdom. Combination of the plant exhibition and the cultural inheritance resources can create their own unique theme. The garden divided into five spaces by life cycles of plants and the purpose of appreciation, the palm garden, ornamental foliage garden, flower garden, water lily garden, and tropical fruits garden. The appropriate flowers and trees are selected by their flowering time and the purpose of enjoyment. Especially, Ficus religiosa is the symbol plant of buddhism which is the state religion of 'Silla'.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• 제47권1호
• /
• pp.19-23
• /
• 2009

We measured changes in sonographic findings of patients with clonorchiasis after a treatment in a highly endemic area. A total of 347 residents showed positive stool results for Clonorchis sinensis eggs in a village in northeastern China, and were treated with praziquantel. Of them, 132 patients underwent abdominal sonography both before and 1 year after treatment, and the changes in sonographic findings of 83 cured subjects were compared. Diffuse dilatation of intrahepatic bile ducts (DDIHD) was found in 82 patients (98.2%) before and 80 (96.4%) after treatment, which was improved in 3, aggravated in 1, and unchanged in 79 patients. Increased periductal echogenicity (IPDE) as observed in 42 patients (50.6%) before and 45 (54.2%) after treatment, which was improved in 5, aggravated in 8, and unchanged in 70 patients. Floating echogenic foci in the gallbladder (FEFGB) was detected in 32 patients (38.6%) before and 17 (20.5%) after treatment, which was improved in 20, aggravated in 5, and unchanged in 58 patients. Improvement of FEFGB only was statistically significantly (P = 0.004). The present results confirm that DDIHD and IPDE persist but FEFGB decreases significantly at 1 year after treatment. In a heavy endemic area, the sonographic finding of FEFGB may suggest active clonorchiasis 1 year after treatment.