• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권15호
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• pp.6391-6396
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• 2015

Background: To analyze cervical cancer mortality trends in China from 1991-2013 and forecast the mortality distribution in future five years (2014-2018), and provide clues for prevention and treatment. Materials and Methods: Mortality data for cervical cancer in China from 1991 to 2013 were used to describe the epidemiological characteristics and distribution, including the trend of the standardized mortality rate, urban-rural differences, and age variation. Trend-surface analysis was used to analyze the geographical distribution of mortality. Curve estimation, time series, gray modeling, and joinpoint regression were performed to predict and forecast mortality trends. Results: In recent years, the mortality rate of cervical cancer has increased, and there is also a steady increase in the incidence from 2003 to 2013 in China. Mortality rates in rural areas are higher than in urban areas. The mortality dramatically increases in the 40+ yr age group, reaching a peak in the >85 yr age group. In addition, geographical analysis showed that the cervical cancer mortality increased from the southwest to west-central and from the southeast to northeast of the country. Conclusions: The incidence rate and the mortality rate are increasing from 1991 to 2013, and the predictions show this will continue in the future. Thus, implementation of prevention and management programs for cervical cancer are necessary in China, especially for rural areas, young women in urban areas, and high risk regions (the west-central).

• Journal of Mycology and Infection
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.99-104
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• 2018

Background: Trichophyton verrucosum (T. verrucosum) is a zoophilic dermatophyte that causes ringworm in cattle and is prevalent worldwide. This dermatophyte may be responsible for various conditions, especially inflammatory skin lesions. Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate the changes in the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of T. verrucosum infections in southeastern Korea. Methods: A total of 34 patients who visited the Catholic Skin Clinic and the Kyungpook National University Hospital in Daegu, Korea from 2005 to 2017 were diagnosed with T. verrucosum infection. The diagnosis was confirmed using fungal culture. The data were based on a retrospective survey of the medical records. Results: The annual incidence of T. verrucosum infection was very low. There was no difference in the sexual incidence. T. verrucosum infection was most common among subjects in their fifties and sixties. The highest incidence was during the month of September. The arm was most frequently involved, followed by the face. This infection was predominant in patients living in rural areas. Conclusion: These clinicoepidemiological findings provide useful information for understanding the changes in the infection caused by T. verrucosum. In particular, it was interesting to note that the incidence was very low, majority of the affected subjects were in their fifties and sixties, and the most commonly affected site was the arm.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제56권6호
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• pp.531-543
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• 2018

Historically, Plasmodium vivax malaria has been one of the most highly endemic parasitic diseases in the Korean Peninsula. Until the 1970s, vivax malaria was rarely directly lethal and was controlled through the Korean Government Program administered by the National Malaria Eradication Service in association with the World Health Organization's Global Malaria Eradication Program. Vivax malaria has re-emerged in 1993 near the Demilitarized Zone between South and North Korea and has since become an endemic infectious disease that now poses a serious public health threat through local transmission in the Republic of Korea. This review presents major lessons learned from past and current malaria research, including epidemiological and biological characteristics of the re-emergent disease, and considers some interesting patterns of diversity. Among other features, this review highlights temporal changes in the genetic makeup of the parasitic population, patient demographic features, and spatial distribution of cases, which all provide insight into the factors contributing to local transmission. The data indicate that vivax malaria in Korea is not expanding exponentially. However, continued surveillance is needed to prevent future resurgence.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.458-464
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• 2023

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a complex disorder characterized by widespread chronic pain and tenderness in the muscles, ligaments, and soft tissues. It is a chronic pain condition often accompanied by other symptoms and comorbidities. To effectively manage FM, it is crucial to obtain fundamental epidemiological data pertaining to the target population. Therefore, this study was conducted to elucidate the epidemiological characteristics of FM in the Korean population. Methods: Population-based medical data of 51,276,314 subscribers to the National Health Insurance Service of Korea from 2014 to 2018 were used in this study. Results: The overall incidence of FM ranged from 441 (2014) to 541 (2018) cases per 100,000 person-years, with a higher prevalence observed among female patients compared to male patients. The incidence gradually increased until middle age, followed by a decrease. The highest incidence rates were observed in the fifth decade of life for females and the sixth decade of life for males. When categorizing the affected parts of the body, the shoulder region was observed to be the most frequently affected. A comparison of the drug prescriptions based on medical specialty showed that antidepressants were the most commonly prescribed medications. The management of FM leads to consistent increases in medical expenses, regional disparities, and variations in prescription patterns across different medical specialties. Conclusions: The findings of this study will not only contribute to the understanding of FM characteristics but also provide a vital foundation for efficient management of FM in Korea.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권8호
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• pp.4169-4173
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• 2016

Background: Mesotheliomas are relatively rare tumors in Lebanon. The only previous study goes back to 14 years ago, when we published epidemiological characteristics of mesotheliomas in Lebanon, showing that the pleural location accounted for the vast majority of cases, with clear evidence of asbestos exposure from the Eternit factory of Chekka region. The objective of this current study was to estimate the incidence of mesothelioma in the past decade and to identify its epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic characteristics, making comparisons with our first study published in 2001. Materials and Methods: Between 2002 and 2014, patients diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma at Hotel-Dieu de France University Hospital were investigated. Epidemiological data focusing on asbestos exposure history were collected from medical records and interviews with the families. Results: A total of 26 patients were diagnosed with mesothelioma, 21 of which were successfully investigated. The mean age of these 21 patients is 62.5 (19-82). Only 3 (14.29%) are women. 18 (85.71%) were smokers. Among the 21 available mesotheliomas, 15 (71.4%) are pleural, while 5 (23.8%) are peritoneal and 1 (4.8%) pericardial. Only 60% of patients with pleural mesothelioma and 50% of those with an obvious exposure to asbestos lived and/or worked in Chekka region. The mean time of asbestos exposure in patients with mesothelioma is 24.5 (1-50) years and the mean latency is 37.4 (4-61) years. Of the 21 patients, 10 (47.6%) underwent surgery during their treatment, 16 (76.2%) received chemotherapy and 3 (14.3%) received best supportive care. Conclusions: Compared to the previous study (1991-2000), substantial changes in the epidemiology of mesothelioma in Lebanon were observed, such as an increase in peritoneal localizations and a lower correlation with Chekka region asbestos contamination.

• 한국동물위생학회지
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.201-208
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• 2011

Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (S. zooepidemicus) is a pathogen of a variety of infections in horse. We studied biochemical and molecular characteristics of S. zooepidemicus isolated from the genital tract of Thoroughbred mares in Korea. Seventy-nine isolates were identified as S. zooepidemicus by biochemical and PCR method from 374 horses. The biochemical characteristics of S. zooepidemicus isolates were positive reaction of lactose and sorbitol. However, S. zooepidemicus isoltes were negative reaction of inulin, mannitol, raffinose, trehalose, aesculin hydrolysis, growth in 6.5% NaCl and variable reaction of maltose. Epidemiological investigations of S. zooepidemicus isolates were performed by fragment analysis of SzP (S. zooepidemicus protective protein) gene, CNE (collagen binding protein) gene and ISR (16s rRNA intergenic spacer region) gene using ABI Prism $3,130{\times}1$ Genetic Analyzer System. All isolates were shown single amplification size of 906 bp in CNE gene, but SzP and ISR gene were shown variable patterns of fragment size. The characteristics of S. zooepidemicus investigated in this study will be very useful for the prevention of infection and the studies of epidemiologic characteristics of S. zooepidemicus, causing the severe economic losses due to reproductive failures.

• KSBB Journal
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• 제18권6호
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• pp.522-528
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• 2003

본 연구는 식중독 환자로부터 분리한 장염비브리오균 120 균주를 세균학적 특성시험, 항균제 감수성 여부, 독소 유전자와 독소조절유전자의 검출 및 보유 여부를 PCR, RPLA 로 시험하였으며, 각 지역간의 분리 세균을 GS-PCR, PFGE 시험으로 병원체 상관 관계를 분석한 결과 다음과 같은 결론을 얻었다. 장염비브리오균은 0%의 NaCl 농도에서는 성장을 보이지 않았고, 8% NaCl이 첨가된 농도에서는 성장을 보였다. 국내 설사환자의 장염비브리오균의 O, K 혈청형은 17가지로 나타났으며, 이 중 O3:K6형이 68.3%로 가장 많았다. Ampicillin 등 18가지 항균제 시험에서 Ampicillin, Ticacillin에 높은 내성을 보였으며, Ampicillin, Ticacillin, Vancomycin에 동시 내성을 나타낸 경우가 52.5%로 나타났다. 독소조절 유전자 toxR은 PCR시험에서 시험균주 모두 368bp 크기의 유전자를 가지고 있었으며 장염 비브리오균의 조기진단에 유용한 것으로 확인되었고, 독소유전자 tdh는 120균주 중 109 균주만이 199bp 크기의 유전자를 보유하고 11균주가 음성이었다. trh 독소 유전자를 보유한 균주는 시험균주 중 3 균주만이 250bp 크기의 유전자를 보유하고 있었으며, tdh, trh 유전자를 동시에 가지고 있는 균주는 3균주로 이 균주의 TDH 독소 생성능은 x16 정도로 독소 생성능이 미약했다. 독소생성 Kanagawa 시험에서 120균주 중 107균주가 양성반응 을 나타내었으며, Kanagawa 양성반응을 보인 균주은 모두 tdh 유전자를 보유하고 있었다. Group Specific-PCR에서 최근에 유행을 일으키는 O3:K6 혈청형의 유연관계를 찾는데 유용한 것으로 나타났다. 조절유전자 toxRS 염기서열을 분석한 결과 같은 혈청형이라도 3균주는 7개의 염기서열 차이를 나타내었으며, 이는 현재 유행을 일으키는 균주와는 다른 균주임을 확인하였다. PFGE로 보다 더 세분화하여 혈청관계를 분류할 수 있었으며, 식중독 환자 유래 장염비브리오균은 3가지 type으로 나타났으며, 이들 균주 사이에는 상호 밀접한 상관관계를 나타내었다. 따라서 PFGE 기법으로 얻어진 결과는 분자 역학적으로 유용한 도구로 사용될 수 있음을 확인하였다.

• 한방안이비인후피부과학회지
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.1-11
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• 2023

Objectives : The objective of this study is to identify the characteristics of outpatients and the frequently diagnosed diseases in dermatology of Korean medicine through periodic research and comparison with previous studies. Methods : We analyzed medical records of new outpatients who visited department of dermatology at Kyung Hee university Korean medicine hospital between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2022. We analyzed the patient demographic characteristics and the frequency of diagnosed diseases. Then we compared these results with previous studies in 2000, 2007 and 2016. Results : 1. Average number of patients and proportion of male patients have increased from 1996 to 2022. 2. From 1996 to 2022, there was a decrease in the proportion of patients aged 0-39 and an increase in the proportion of patients aged over 40. 3. The distribution proportions of eczema, atopic dermatitis, and rosacea during 2018-2022 have increased compared to those during 2011-2015. 4. The distribution of diseases according to age appears to vary based on the epidemiological characteristics of the diseases. 5. The distribution of diseases according to gender also appears to vary based on the epidemiological characteristics of the diseases, as well as cosmetic issues related to the affected areas. Conclusions : Considering the sustained trend of a high proportion of non-infectious inflammatory diseases since 1996, it is important to enhance treatment capacity through continuous research.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.94-101
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• 2024

목적: 전세계적으로 코로나19에 대한 사회적 거리두기의 일환으로 보육시설에 대한 폐쇄, 휴원 및 재개원 등 영유아 대상 보육관련 정책에 변화가 있었다. 본 논문에서는 서울시에서 코로나19로 확진 영유아를 대상으로 인구학적, 역학적 특성을 파악하고, 연관이 있는 요인에 대한 분석을 하고자 하였다. 방법: 2020년 3월부터 2021년 12월까지 서울시에서 코로나19로 확진된 만 5세 미만의 영유아를 대상으로 역학조사서 및 집단발생 관련 자료를 분석하였다. 결과: 서울시 코로나19 확진 영유아는 총 5,025명이었다. 유증상자는 2,720명(54.1%)이며, 주된 증상은 발열(1,941명, 71.4%)이었다. 전체 코로나19 확진 영유아 중 96.4%는 기저질환이 없었다. 시간연장(야간, 24시, 휴일 등) 보육운영시설 비율이 높을수록 보육시설 관련 영유아 확진 비율이 높았음을 확인하였다. 결론: 영유아들의 낮은 중증화율과 치명률을 고려한 '일상 진료 시스템'과 같은 효율적인 모니터링 시스템이 필요할 것이다. 또한 무조건적인 폐쇄적 접근이 아닌, 과학적 근거에 기반하고 사회성 발달 과제를 놓치지 않을 수 있는 '감염병으로부터 안전한 보육 정책 마련'이라는 적절한 중재가 필요할 것이다.

• 한국동물위생학회지
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.349-360
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• 2000

An epidemiological survey was conducted to investigate fowl typhoid outbreaks in Kyungnam province of Korea. The causative agent, salmonella gallinarum was isolated from 68 chicken samples of tentatively diagnosed fowl typhoid cases occurred during the period from January 1996 to September 1999. Comparative studies were also carried out to evaluate the diagnostic methods for detection of S gallinam The results obtained were as follows; 1. Of the 68 cases of tentatively diagnosed fowl typhoid, 56 (82%) cases were determined as fowl typhoid by biochemical test and pathological findings. The other 12 (18%) cases were determined as paratyphoid. 2. Fowl typhoid outbreaks occur continuously all seasons in the year, however the incidence was remarkably increased from May to September. 3. The frequency of incidence of fowl typhoid in terms of regional distribution was relatively high in egg-laying hens facilities, and the mode of transmission is likely to be either egg-to-egg or lateral transfer by wild birds or rats. 4. All of 18 isolates from 56 cases were identified as S gallinarum by biochemical and serological test. 5. Antimicrobial drug susceptibility test against 18 isolates showed that the isolates were highly susceptible to ASH, CZ, CF and GM (above 90%), whereas those strains were 100% resistant to EM, NA and PC. 6. S gallinarum rfbS gene was targeted to be amplified by PCR for comparative detection of S gallinarum in the experimentally infected chickens. The amplified 720bp DNA fragment, which is specific in D serogroup strains of S enterica subspecies was confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis. 7. A comparison made between fecal culture and PCR-method revealed that later-method was relatively higher in detection rate than that of former method for S gallinarum. 8. Comparison of currently applied methods, rapid serum agglutination test (RST) and microplate agglutination test (MAT), with experimentally infected chickens were made to evaluate sensitivity of detection by neutralizing antibody titration. Both methods detected neutralizing antibodies from the challenged chickens of 5 day post infection. However, positive reactions were determined after 7 and 9 days post infection by MAT and RST, respectively.