• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.43 no.3 s.135
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• pp.115-117
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• 2005

The Kato-Katz (KK) method is a well-known method of fecal examination for helminthiases. Its diagnostic sensitivity was found very high for clonorchiasis. The present study evaluated the correlation of Clonorchis sinensis egg counts by the KK method with those by direct smear and formalin-ether (FE) technique. The egg counts obtained by the KK method (Y) were correlated with the counts by direct smear (X) with the equation of Y = 659.4 + 0.266X ($r^2$ = 0.738), but not with those by the FE method. The present study demonstrated that the KK method and direct smear were useful for both qualitative and quantitative diagnosis of clonorchiasis, especially in the field.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.160-170
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to develop an explanatory model to predict factors related to continuous participation in the Pap smear screening among Korean women. A hypothetical model was constructed on the basis of Health Belief Model and extensive review of literature on the Pap smear screening. Exogeneous variables included in this model were knowledge, perceived sensitivity, perceived severity, negative and positive emotional responses and professional support from physicians and nurses. Endogeneous variables were threat to cervical cancer, perceived benefit of the Pap smear screening, perceived barrier, and the final outcome variable was continuous participation in the Pap smear screening. The hypothetical model was tested with an empirical study. The data was collected from 623 married women whose age range was 24 - 83 using a self-reported survey questionnaire which was developed by the researcher. It's Cronbach's alpha score ranged from .6478 to .9118. Data was collected at different locations in Seoul; a university hospital, a local health center, and apartment complexes. Data analysis was done using SPSS 7.5 WIN Program for descriptive statistics and LISREL 8.12a WIN Program for covariance structural analysis. In conclusion, threat, perceived benefit, perceived barrier, positive emotion and professional support had a significant direct effect on continuous participation in the Pap smear screening among Korean women. The results of this study also showed that perceived barrier had the most significant direct effect on continuous participation in the Pap smear screening while negative emotional response had the most significant direct effect on perceived barrier. It can be suggested that decreasing perceived barrier by reducing negative emotional responses may be the most effective strategies for increasing continuous participation in the Pap smear screening among married Korean women.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.243-252
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• 1974

The experiment was performed in order to investigate the applicability of the rapid detection of salmonellae in various animal-origin foods by means of the direct fluorescent antibody technique. Egg, sausage and chicken were inoculated with various concentrations of Sal.paratuphi A, Sal. paratyhi B and Sal. thompson, and the fluorescent antibody technique was applied and compared with the conventional cultura method for the sensitivity of detection of the organisms. Two methods were employed in the fluorescent antibody technique; the direct smear method in which the smear being made directly from the specimens, and the enrichment smear method in which the smear being made from the enrichment broth. The effect of various enrichment time (1,5,8,11 and 13 hours) in tetrathionate broth on the detection of salmonellae in the fluoresent antibody technique was also studied. The results obtained were summarized as followings; 1. Of the three methods, the enrichment smear method of fluorescedt antibody technique was highly effective as cultural method for the detection of salmonella organisms. 2. Direct smear method of fluorescent antibody technique was effective as two other methods $5{\times}10^4$ organisms presented in 50 g(ml) of specimens. This method may not be applicable when the specimens contained $5{\times}10^2$ or less organisms. 3. Of the three specimens, the recovery rate of Salmonella organisms from egg was slightly higher than that of sausage and chicken. 4. In fluorescent antibody technique and cultural method, the specimens inoculated with Sal. thompson were found to be higher detection rate than the specimens inoculated with Sal. paratyphi A, 5. The optimum enrichment time of Salmonella organisms in tetrathionate broth on the detection by fluorscent antibody technique was found to be 11 hours or longer when the specimens of egg, sausage and chicken were inoculated with approximately 500 organisms. The longer enrichment time was the higher detection rate up to 11 hours tested.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.13
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• pp.5143-5147
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• 2014

Cervical cancer screening in Malaysia is by opportunistic Pap smear which contributes to the low uptake rate. To overcome this, a pilot project called the SIPPS program (translated as information system of Pap smear program) had been introduced whereby women aged 20-65 years old are invited for Pap smear and receive recall to repeat the test. This study aimed at determining which recall method is most cost-effective in getting women to repeat Pap smear. A randomised control trial was conducted where one thousand women were recalled for repeat smear either by registered letter, phone messages, phone call or the usual postal letter. The total cost applied for cost-effectiveness analysis includes the cost of sending letter for first invitation, cost of the recall method and cost of two Pap smears. Cost-effective analysis (CEA) of Pap smear uptake by each recall method was then performed. The uptake of Pap smear by postal letter, registered letters, SMS and phone calls were 18.8%, 20.0%, 21.6% and 34.4%, respectively (p<0.05). The CER for the recall method was lowest by phone call compared to other interventions; RM 69.18 (SD RM 0.14) compared to RM 106.53 (SD RM 0.13), RM 134.02 (SD RM 0.15) and RM 136.38 (SD RM 0.11) for SMS, registered letter and letter, respectively. ICER showed that it is most cost saving if the usual method of recall by postal letter be changed to recall by phone call. The possibility of letter as a recall for repeat Pap smear to reach the women is higher compared to sending SMS or making phone call. However, getting women to do repeat Pap smear is better with phone call which allows direct communication. Despite the high cost of the phone call as a recall method for repeat Pap smear, it is the most cost-effective method compared to others.

• Proceedings of the KACD Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.720-720
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• 2002

A number of investigations have shown that the presence of bacteria is prerequisite for developing pulpal and/or periradicular pathosis. Depending on the stage of pulpal pathosis, various species of bacteria can be cultured from infected root canals. Kakehashi et al. showed that exposure of pulpal tissue in germ-free rats was characterized by minimal inflammation and dentinal bridging while exposure of pulpal tissue in conventional rats with normal oral flora was characterized by pulpal necrosis, chronic inflammation, and periapical lesions. Currently used methods of cleaning and shaping, especially rotary instrumentation techniques, produce a smear layer that covers root canal walls and the openings to the dentinal tubules. The smear layer contains inorganic and organic substances that include fragments of odontoblastic processes, microorganisms, their by products and necrotic materials. Because of its potential contamination and adverse effect on the outcome of root canal therapy, it seems reasonable to suggest removal of the smear layer for disinfection of the entire root canal system. Presence of this smear layer prevents penetration of intracanal medications into the irregularities of the root canal system and the dentinal tubules and also prevents complete adaptation of obturation materials to the prepared root canal surfaces. Removal of the smear layer by an intracanal irrigant and placement of an antibacterial agent in direct contact with the content of dentinal tubules should allow disinfection of this complex system and better outcome for the root canal therapy. A new solution, which was a mixture of a tetracycline, an acid, and a detergent(MTAD), was developed in the Department of Endodontics, Dental School. Lorna Linda University, USA. It has been demonstrated that MTAD was an effective solution for the removal of the smear layer and does not significantly change the structure of the dentinal tubules when used as a final irrigant in conjunction with 1 % NaOCl as a root canal irrigant. Studies are in progress to compare the anti- microbial properties of this newly developed solution with those of sodium hypochlorite and EDTA that are currently used to irrigate the root canals and remove the smear layer from the surfaces of instrumented root canals.canals.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.373-376
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• 2016

The Mini Parasep SF fecal parasite concentrator (MPSFC) is a new modification of the closed concentration system, which can easily be adopted in any routine clinical pathology laboratory. Here we describe our experience with the system in diagnosing Opisthorchis viverrini. A total of 199 fecal samples was submitted for routine examination in the clinical pathology laboratory of Suranaree University of Technology hospital, Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand, during August to October 2015. Out of all samples examined, 10 (5.03%) were positive with intestinal parasites including O. viverrini (2.01%), followed by Strongyloided stercoralis (1.51%), Hookworm (0.5%), Taenia spp. (0.5%), and Entamoeba coli (0.5%). Regarding the distribution of intestinal parasites in relation to the methods used, and found that 4 samples (2.01%) were positive using the direct wet smear method while 10 (5.03%) were positive with the Mini Parasep SF method; the difference was statistically significant ($X^2$-test = 116.506, p-value =0.001). Mean time for processing using the Parasep system was 6.03 min/sample, the conventional direct wet smear method at 0.3 min/sample. Cost per test, conventional direct wet smear method costing less than the Parasep method at USD 0.74/sample versus USD 1.47/sample. This first report of O. viverrini detection using MPSFC indicates that Parasep concentration test is useful in the routine laboratory, increasing the yield of parasites as compared to direct microscopy, but with greater processing time and cost. Further comparisons between the Parasep concentration test and common methods for O. viverrini detection are required, particularly concerning use in epidemiological surveys.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.5901-5904
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• 2013

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of different methods of recall for repeat Pap smear among women who had normal smears in the previous screening. Design: Prospective randomized controlled study. Setting: All community clinics in Klang under the Ministry of Health Malaysia. Participants: Women of Klang who attended cervical screening and had a normal Pap smear in the previous year, and were due for a repeat smear were recruited and randomly assigned to four different methods of recall for repeat smear. Intervention: The recall methods given to the women to remind them for a repeat smear were either by postal letter, registered letter, short message by phone (SMS) or phone call. Main Outcome Measures: Number and percentage of women who responded to the recall within 8 weeks after they had received the recall, irrespective whether they had Pap test conducted. Also the numbers of women in each recall method that came for repeat Pap smear. Results: The rates of recall messages reaching the women when using letter, registered letter, SMS and phone calls were 79%, 87%, 66% and 68%, respectively. However, the positive responses to recall by letter, registered letter, phone messages and telephone call were 23.9%, 23.0%, 32.9% and 50.9%, respectively (p<0.05). Furthermore, more women who received recall by phone call had been screened (p<0.05) compared to those who received recall by postal letter (OR=2.38, CI=1.56-3.62). Conclusion: Both the usual way of sending letters and registered letters had higher chances of reaching patients compared to using phone either for sending messages or calling. The response to the recall method and uptake of repeat smear, however, were highest via phone call, indicating the importance of direct communication.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.285-292
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• 1985

The present study has been designed as a basic study on laboratory diagnosis of giardiasis and to demonstrate a more effective method for the detection of Giardia lamblia cyst with the inherent advantages of minimizing both the number of stool examinations required and the interval of stool collections for estimating the real state of prevalence in the shortest time possible. There were 3 subject groups of 75 children each currently residing in an orphanage in Gunsan city, Jeonbuk province from which stool specimens were collected every day, every other day, and every 3 days. The procedure is as follows: 1) resuspend the InKed sample after fixation with SAF solution 2) centrifuge the sediment for 1 min. at 2, 000 rpm after straining through gauze into a tube 3) divide the sediment into 3 parts and use them for direct fecal smear, formalin-ether concentration (MGL) and zinc sulfate ($ZnSO_4$) floatation techniques. The results are summarized as follows: 1. Overall infection rate after 10 trials showed a 60% positive indication. The positive rate among children under 4 years old was significantly higher than the rate in children over 4 years old. No significant difference in rate by sex was observed. 2. The results of eBaminations by direct fecal smear and MGL techniques appeared more accurate than that obtained by $ZnSO_4$ ftoatation method as indicated by a higher positive rate. Of all three methods concerned, combinations of two demonstrated a higher positive rate than that shown by any one alone. 3. In three consecutive examinations under varying conditions such as different days, the cyst detection rate by MGL technique indicated 83%. In 5 examinations under the same varying conditions, the indicated rate was 94%. 4. The interval of stool collection proved to be insignificant for the cyst detection rate. In conclusion, both MGL method and modified fecal direct smear can provide a good cyst detection rate of G. lamblia provided that more than 3 consecutive examinations of stool under varying conditions are carried out.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.47-52
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• 1988

The intradermal(ID) test has been widely used in Korea and several reports about the results of the ID test are known. We examined the egg of Clonorchis sinensis(C. s.) by ID test in 443, stool's egg-counting technique in 79 and direct smear(cellophane thick smear technique) in 1304 subjects. The results are as follows.: 1. The positive rate of C. s. was 3.8% out of 1304 persons. 2. The sensitivity of ID test was 82.1% out of 39 persons and, the specificity was 64.6% out of 404 persons. 3. The false positive of ID test 35.4% out of 404 persons and, the false negative was 17.9% out of 39 persons. Intradermal test is a rapid, sensitive and useful supplementary diagnostic tool for the detection of Clonorchiasis infection and must be used as screening test with direct smear of stool but cross reaction with other helminth infections and moderate false reaction are the main disadvantages in its practical application.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.747-756
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• 1999

Background: Acid-fast stain and cultures for diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis are primary and essential method, but have their limitation : low sensitivity and time consuming. The objective of this study is comparison of amplified Mycobacterium tuberculosis direct test(MTD) by the conventional AFB smears and cultures in the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in respiratory specimens. Methods: During the period between November, 1997 and May, 1998 a total of 267 respiratory specimens (sputum 173, bronchial washing 94) from 187 patients suspected pulmonary tuberculosis were subjected to AFB smears, cultures and MID test. MID is based on nucleic acid amplification. We compared the MID with 3% Ogawa culture method. In positive AFB smear and negative MID specimen, positive culture identification between nontuberculous mycobacterium and M.tuberculosis was assesed by using Accuprobe M.tuberculosis complex probe. In negative AFB smear and negative AFB culture, MTD results are assessed by clinical follow-up. Results : 1) Compared with culture in sputum and bronchial fluid specimens, sensitivity and specificity of MTD in positive AFB smear is 79.7% and 20.0%, sensitivity and specificity of MTD in negative AFB smear specimens is 75.0% and 79.7%. 2) Discrepant analysis is assessed by clinical follow-up and other specimen results beyond study. Culture negative but MTD positive specimens were proved to be true positive and gave MTD sensitivity 79.2%, specificity of 84.4%, positive predictive value 80.5% and negative predictive value 83.2%. 3) 14 out of 31 specimens in negative AFB smear, negative AFB culture and positive MTD showed pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosed on clinical follow-up and sensitivity is 45.2%. 4) 2 out of 13 specimens in positive AFB smear, positive AFB culture and negative MID diagnosed as non tuberculous mycobacterium by Accuprobe culture. Conclusion: This study suggested that MID in respiratory specimens is simple and rapid diagnostic method, but considered adjuvant method rather than replace the conventional AFB smear and culture.