• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.72 no.4
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• pp.360-366
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• 2012

Background: Carbapenem-resistance is rapidly evolving among the pathogenic microbes in intensive care units (ICUs). This study aimed to determine annual trend of carbapenem-resistance in the ICU for 4 years, since the opening of a university-affiliated hospital in South Korea. Methods: From 2005 to 2008, microbial samples from consecutive 6,772 patients were screened in the ICU. Three hundred and ninety-seven patients (5.9%) and their first isolates of carbapenem-resistant pathogens were analyzed. Results: The percentage of patients infected with carbapenem-resistant organisms increased constantly during the initial three years (2.3% in 2005, 6.2% in 2006, 7.8% in 2007), then it declined to 6.5% in 2008. Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) III score at admission was $58.0{\pm}23.5$, the median length of the ICU stay was 37 days, and the mortality rate was 37.5%. The sampling sites were endotracheal suction (67%), catheterized urine (17%), wound (6%) and others (10%). Bacteria with carbapenem-resistance were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (247 isolates, 62%), Acinetobacter baumannii (117 isolates, 30%), Enterobacteriaceae (12 isolates, 3%), and others (21, 5%). Of note, peak isolation of carbapenem-resistant microorganisms in medical ICU was followed by the same epidemic at surgical ICU. Conclusion: Taken together, carbapenem-resistant pathogens are of growing concern in the ICU.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.107-117
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• 2006

This paper described the epidemiological characteristics of 2002 outbreak of classical swine fever (CSF) in Korea. A total of thirteen CSF-infected farms could be classified into two clusters according to the location and time of outbreak. Two farms located in the same county of Gangwon province and 11 farms located in several different districts of Incheon metropolitan/Gyeonggi province were identified as CSF-infected from April 16 to 30 and from October 7 to December 21 in 2002, respectively. As the result of epidemiological analysis, the two clusters of outbreaks were turned out to be independent epidemics which had different sources of virus introduction. Three farms were found to have been infected primarily; one located in Cheolwon county of Gangwon province and two located in Kangwha county of Incheon metropolitan area. The most likely factors of virus introduction into these primary infected farms were considered to be direct or indirect contact by foreign workers and/or owners of the infected farms who had come back from traveling in China before outbreaks. This was supported by the genetic typing of CSF viruses isolated from the pigs of infected farms. All the virus isolates of 2002 outbreak were found to be genetic type 2, whereas the viruses isolated before 2000 were type 3 and the reference strains, such as attenuated live vaccine virus (LOM strain) and high virulent challenge virus (ALD strain), were type 1. Accordingly, we concluded that the 2002 CSF outbreak must have been caused by a newly introduced virus from overseas and the type 3 virus must have been eradicated after the last outbreak of 1999 by the national CSF eradication campaign which were implemented since 1996. Based on the combined analysis of epidemiological data and genetic typing, the transmission routes of classical swine fever virus were found to be the movement of vehicles (60%) and persons (10%), neighbourhood spread (20%) and unknown (10%). It is expected that the analyzed data and findings of classical swine fever outbreak epidemic could be very useful to establish the disease control and eradication program for the country in the future.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.620-626
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• 2004

Viruses causing acute conjuntivitis were isolated from 675 patients carrying eye infections for year 2001 to 2003 in Busan reagion and their antigenic properties characterized by a serological survey. In 2001, adenoviruses (serotype 8) were found in 5 of 48 cases. In 2002, the isolated viruses were 7 adenoviruses (serotype 8 and 37), 8 coxsakieviruses (serotype A24 and B3) and 1 echoviruses (serotype 6) from 324 specimens that are known as the causative agents of acute hemorrhagic conjuctivitis (AHC). In 2003, 25 case of 303 specimens were 7 adenoviruses (serotype 3, 4, 8 and 37), 7 echoviruses (serotype 6 and 7) and 4 untypable enteroviruses. Although coxsakievirus (serotype B3) and echoviruses (serotype 6 and 7) were generally known as causative agent of aseptic meningitis, it hasn't been reported until now that they were isolated from the conjunctival swabs. The out break of AC was observed from April to October in Busan. These isolated viruses showed a strong cytophatic effects on HEp-2, RD, Vero and BGM cell strains. Analysis of electron micrograph of those viruses showed that adenovirus consists of a 80 nm diameter and nonenvloped icosahedron and then echovirus and coxsackievirus were small nonenveloped and isometric-shaped viruses. Adenovirus showing a cytophatic effect was resulted in a 458 bp single band by PCR and echovirus, coxsackievirus and untypable enterovirus were detected a 437 bp products by RT-PCR.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.271-298
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• 1998

During these days of new understanding, western medicine has developed remarkably and a revaluation of traditional medicine has been achieved. This appears to have resulted from the sound criticisms of what western medicine has achieved up to now; excessive subdivisions of clinical medicine, severe toxicity of chemical drugs, lack of understanding about patients complaints which cannot be understood objectively, and etc. It is thought that the role of traditional medicine will be more important in the future than it is now. Someone said that the research methods of traditional medicine depends on the way of experimental science too much. That there was no consideration of a system for traditional medicine and the critic also went so far as to assert that in some cases the characteristics of eastern ideas is to permit irrationalism itself. In view of this thinking, the term traditional medicine seems to have been used somewhat too vaguely. However, traditional medicine is a medical treatment which has existed since before the appearance of modern medicine and it was formed from a traditional culture with a long history. One form of traditional medicine, oriental medicine based upon ancient Chinese medicine, was received in such countries as Korea, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Tibet, and Mongolia. Oriental medicine then developed in accordance with its own environment, race, national characteristics, and history. Although there are some simultaneous differences between them, three nations in Eastern Asia; Korea, Japan, and China, have especially similar features in their clinical prescriptions and medical literature. These three nations are trying to understand each others unique traditional medicines through numerous exchanges. Even though many differences in their ways of studying have developed over history exist, recent academic discussions have been made to explore new ways into oriental medicine. Therefore a comparative study of oriental medicine has gradually been thought to be more important. In Korea the formation of a new future-oriented paradigm for oriental medicine is being demanded. The purpose of the new paradigm is to create a new recognition of traditional culture which creates an understanding of oriental medicine to replace the diminished understanding of oriental medicine that was brought about by the self-denial of traditional culture in modem history and cultural collisions between oriental and occidental points of view. Therefore, to make a new paradigm for oriental medicine which is suitable for these days, and fortifies the merit of oriental medicine while compensating its defects, the author has compared the characteristics of oriental medicines in Korea, Japan, and China. The conclusions of this research are as follows: 1. The fundamental differences of the traditional medicines of these three nations are caused by the differences in the systems of Naekyung and Sanghannon. 2. The pattern-identification of illnesses is generally divided into two categories; the pattern identification of Zang-Fu and the pattern identification of prescription. 3. There are many differences in the definition of terms, such as Yin and Yang, Deficiency and Excess, and etc. 4. Chinese traditional medicine has some new concepts about pattern identification and epidemic febrile disease. 5. Japanese traditional medicine has some characteristics about pattern identification of the whole bodys condition and signs of abdominal palpation. 6. In terms of the effects of herbal drugs, Chinese traditional medicine attaches great importance to the experiential efficacy of the herb, and Japanese traditional medicine is taking a serious view of the effects of experimental medical actions.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.577-583
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• 2011

In 2007, pet food contaminated with melamine caused hundreds of dogs and cats to develop renal failure all over the world. In 2008, over 294,000 infants consumed infant formula and developed kidney stones in China. Further investigation revealed that fish feed also contained melamine; this raised concerns about melamine residues in edible fish tissues, which could have caused the urinary tract stone epidemic. In Korea, catfish fed with assorted feed that included cuttlefish organs that contained melamine developed whitening syndrome and fell dead in some populations in 2008. This event raised suspicions about the toxicity of melamine and all feeds containing melamine were immediately recalled. In this study, we investigated the rates of melamine accumulation and depletion in muscle and viscera of catfish to propose proper withdrawal periods. One group of catfish was fed a commercially available diet that contained 30, 100 and 300 mg melamine per kg diet for 14 days. To investigate residual melamine contents in muscle and viscera, other experimental groups were fed a melamine free diet after being fed melamine for 7 days. The residual amount of melamine was analyzed by LC-MS/MS. The melamine concentration in muscle was estimated to be 3.7 mg/kg after 6 days of feeding with a diet containing 300 mg melamine/kg. After 2 days of culture with a melamine free diet, the residual melamine was depleted and the concentration had decreased from 1.15 mg/kg to 0.19 mg/kg in the muscle of catfish fed a diet containing 300 mg melamine/kg for 7 days. The residual amount of melamine was reduced to 0.03 mg/kg in muscle after 7 days of culture with a melamine free diet and was undetectable after a prolonged culture period of 14 days. Catfish tend to excrete melamine rapidly after oral administration and changes in body color were not observed during the short dosing period.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.89-101
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• 2015

Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza(HPAI) subtype H5N8 have occurred in Korea, January 2014 and it continued more than a year until 2015. And more than 5 million heads of poultry hads been damaged in 196 farms until May 2014. So, we studied the spatial, temporal and spatio-temporal patterns of the HPAI epidemics for understanding the propagation and diffusion characteristics of the 2014 HPAI. The results are expressed using GIS. Throughout the study period three epidemic waves occurred over the time. And outbreaks made three clusters in space. First spatial cluster is adjacent areas of province of Chungcheongbuk-do, Chungcheongnam-do and Gyeonggi -do. Second is Jeonlabuk-do Gomso Bay area. And the last is Naju and Yeongam in Jeollanam-do. Also, most of spatio-temporal clusters were formed in spatially high clustered areas. Especially, in Gomso Bay area space density and spatio-temporal density were concurrent. It means that the effective prevention activity for HPAI was carried out. But there are some exceptional areas such as Chungcheongbuk-do, Chungcheongnam-do, Gyeonggi-do adjacent area. In these areas the outbreak density was high in space but the spatio-temporal cluster was not formed. It means that the HPAI virus was continuing inflow over a long period.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.254-263
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• 2006

Background: Type 2 diabetes is occuring in epidemic proportions worldwide and aging has been defined as one of the risk factors for the progression to diabetes. High carbohydrates intake increases blood sugar level and obesity in type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between carbohydrate intake and obesity in type 2 diabetes. Methods: The study subjects were 72 patients (male 27, female 45), who had been diagnosed as type 2 diabetes at Seoul National University of Bundang Hospital. Their anthropometric(height, weight, waist and hip circumference), biochemical(fasting blood sugar, postprandial -2hour blood sugar, HbA1C, C-peptide, insulin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol) and body composition were measured. Dietary data were collected by trained interviewers using three non-consecutive food records. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 55.86$\pm$9.30 years, and the mean duration of disease was 1.9$\pm$1.72 years. The mean fasting blood sugar, postprandial-2hour blood sugar and HbA1C of the subjects were 151.91$\pm$34.65mg/dl, 235.23$\pm$70.74mg/dl and 7.45$\pm$1.13%, respectively. There was significant positive correlation of the percent body fat and hip to carbohydrate intake/kg of body weight in obese males (p<0.05). However, the correlation of biochemical factors to carbohydrate intake was not significantly different in obese and non-obese male. The correlation of anthropometry to carbohydrate intake/kg of body weight was not significantly different in obese and non-obese females (p<0.05), and other nutrients. We found significant association between carbohydrate intake and obesity in obese males among type 2 diabetes. The females in type 2 diabetes were affected by several factors rather than energy nutrient intake. Conclusion: In conclusion, the correlation of carbohydrate intake with obesity factor was different in males and females. Therefore, diabetic educators should individualize diabetes nutrition therapy considering the gender.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.113-120
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• 2005

Objectives: The worldwide epidemic of obesity is reporting but also in Korea. But there are few studies reporting with a community-based longitudinal data in Korea. This issues objects to measure the prevalence and evaluate the trends of overweight based on the repeated cross-sectional studies at a rural community adults during 10 years. Methods: With 1990~1999 Yang-Pyeong Cohort Baseline Survey Dataset, BMI is calculated and Overweight is categorized according to the classification of overweight in adult by Korean Society for the Study of Obesity. Results and Conclusions: Crude BMI means at 1990 is estimated to $22.0Kg/m^2$ and at 1999, $24.4Kg/m^2$(p for trend<0.0001). Trends of age adjusted BMI has borderline significant, but that of Age and Sex adjusted BMI is statistically significant(p for trend=0.039). In male population the change of the overweight prevalence from 1990 to 1999 is 35%, and in female population the change is 21.9%(Z=0.55). Female has more increased prevalence than male, but the change is more dominant in male than in female. At a rural community, obesity has markedly been increasing during the past decade and female in a rural community has higher prevalence of overweight.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.285-290
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• 2007

Objectives : Cases of human brucellosis in Korea have recently increased due to the increasing incidence of bovine brucellosis. The authors conducted this study to elucidate the status of brucellosis through seroepidemiologic study. Methods : We selected our study population from a high risk group. We conducted a questionnaire survey and obtained blood samples to determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis antibodies for 10 days in February, 2005. The titers of brucellosis were measured by the combination of standard tube agglutination test (STA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. Results : Our study subjects comprised 1,075 cases: 971 livestock workers, 51 veterinarians, and 53 artificial inseminators. In the STA test, 27 cases (2.5%) had titers of greater than or equal to 1:20. Of 1,068 cases (7 cases were excluded due to previous brucellosis), 7 cases of brucellosis were diagnosed with titers of 1:160, giving a seroprevalence of brucellosis of 0.66%. The seroprevalence in the male group was 0.95%, and that of livestock workers, veterinarians, and artificial inseminators was 0.52%, 4.17%, and 0.00%, respectively. The Spearman's correlation coefficient between the positive rate of bovine brucellosis per capita and household and human brucellosis was 0.806 and 0.744, respectively. The concordance rate between the Korea National Institute of Health and the Gyeongsangbuk-do Institute of Health and Environment by the STA and ELISA tests was 94.7% and 100.0%, respectively. Conclusions : The study results indicated in higher seroprevalence rate among veterinarians than among livestock workers and artificial inseminators. Because veterinarians may be exposed to this high risk, effective working guidelines for veterinarians to guard against brucellosis must be developed. Moreover, more extensive epidemiologic research for laboratory workers and meat handlers is needed.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.24-30
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• 2003

Aqueous extracts from eleven species of Korean medicinal plants were screened for antiviral activity against transmissble gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) and porcine epidemic diarrhae virus (PEDV). Seven of eleven plant extracts were found to have cytotoxicity for ST cells at the concentration of 1mg/ml, and ten extracts except Ephedra sinica were found to have non-cytotoxicity for Vero cells at the same concentration, Extracts of Zanthoxylum piperium, Cudrina tricuspidata, Clerodendron trichomum, Sophora flavescens, effectively inhibited TGEV, respectively. There were the antiviral activity against TGEV in the extracts of Glesdistsia sinensis, Euonymus alatus, Ficus carica, Solanum nigrum, Ephedra sinica, Xanthium strumarium, Acanthopanax seeliflorus in spite of their cytotoxicities. Nine extracts except Xanthium strumarium and Acanthopanax seeliflorus were found to have the antiviral activitity against PEDV. Extracts of Zanthoxylum piperium, Sophora flavescens was shown to have antiviral activities against both TGEV and PEDV.