• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.129-132
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• 2010

The epidemiology of reported food-borne disease (FBD) outbreaks from 2001 to 2008 in Korea nd Japan were compared in this study. The outbreak rate of FBD in Japan was significantly higher although the average umber of patient in each outbreak in Korea was much higher. In both countries, summer was the season when most FBD outbreaks occurred. The comparison study revealed that FBD outbreaks in spring were more frequent in Korea, and outbreaks in winter were more frequent in Japan. Almost half of FBD outbreaks were observed at restaurants in both countries while FBD outbreaks at schools and work-places in Korea were much higher than in Japan. The most frequent cause of bacterial FBDs in Korea was pathogenic Escherichia coli followed by Salmonella species. On the other hand, Campylobacter jejuni was the most frequent source of bacterial FBDs in Japan. Norovirus, which is elated to uncontrolled hand hygiene and involvement of ill food workers, was the main cause of viral FBDs in both countries. In conclusion, there are common epidemiological characteristics as well as several differences in FBD outbreaks of Korea and Japan. These are suggested to be originated from the characteristic of climate, food sources, and life styles in two countries. Establishment of stricter control and surveillance system for FBD outbreaks are required or prevention and reduction of FBD outbreaks in both countries.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.199-206
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• 2020

Background: In a wide range of industries, noise-induced hearing loss remains one of the most prevalent occupational problems. This study aimed to assess the noise exposure level and associated factors of hearing loss among textile workers in Yangon Region, Myanmar. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a Textile mill (Thamine), Yangon Region, from April to December 2018. In total, 226 workers who were randomly selected from 3 weaving sections participated in face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. A digital sound level meter and pure-tone audiometer were used for the assessment of noise exposure level and hearing loss, respectively. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the associated factors of hearing loss. Results: In total workers, 66.4% were exposed to ≥85 dB(A) of noise exposure, and the prevalence of hearing loss was 25.7%. Age ≥35 years, below high school education, hearing difficulty, tinnitus, hypertension, > 9 years of service duration in a textile mill were positively associated with hearing loss. After adjusting confounding factors, age ≥35 years (adjusted odds ratio = 6.90, 95% confidence interval = 3.45-13.82) and tinnitus (adjusted odds ratio = 2.88, 95% confidence interval = 1.13-7.37) were persistently associated with hearing loss. Conclusion: Providing occupational hazard education and enforcement of occupational safety regulations should be taken to decrease the noise exposure level. The regular audiometry test should be conducted for assessment of hearing threshold shift. The employer needs to implement a hearing conservation program in workplace when noise exposure reaches or exceeds 85 dB(A) for 8 hours.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.10 no.11
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• pp.559-564
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• 2012

It has been reported that dried orange peel in a medicine prepared from crude drugs has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral functions, prevents circulatory diseases, reduces lipids, improves immunity, and strengthens capillary vessels. This study attempted to identify the antibacterial effects of dried orange peel extract on S. mutans causing dental caries, and its effects on GTase activation. The extract was put on the medium at the concentration of 5, 10 and 20 mg/ml and its effects on the inhibition of S. mutans growth were examined. Analysis found that the higher the concentration was, the more the number of colonies was reduced. In accordance with the measurement after 8 hours, the extract displayed a high growth inhibition rate: 92% at a concentration of 5 mg/ml, 95% at a concentration of 10 mg/ml and 99% at a concentration of 20 mg/ml. Furthermore, the GTase deactivation rate by the extract was measured. The higher the concentration of extract was, the more rapidly the deactivation rate increased. The deactivation rate of the extract was significant at 42% at a concentration of 5mg/ml.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.177-184
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• 1997

Canine parvovirus(CPV) is a very highly contagious virus causing hemorrhagic enteritis and myocarditis mainly in young dogs. The diseases were first recognized in 1978, and then spread throughout the world by 1980. The main source of the infection seems to be the feces of infected dogs, at the same time feces are suitable materials for detection of virus in the enteric form exactly for the same reasons. Recently, a new technique of in vitro DNA amplification, Known as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), has been widely applied to clinical viral diagnosis because of its sensitivity, specificity and rapidity. In this research, we attemped to set up the PCR for the detection of CPV in fecal samples and conformed the canine parvpviral enteritis by PCR. To increase the sensitivity and specificity of a PCR, the nested PCR (two-step PCR) was performed. We also surveyed the contamination status of CPV in the research using fecal specimen was highly sensitive and specific. Of the 100 fecal specimens suspected canine parvoviral enteritis, 45 fecal specimens were positive in HA test, 64 fecal specimens were positive in the first PCR, and 87 fecal specimens were positive in the second PCR. CPV contamination status of animal clinics and breeding centers was serious, wo hygienic management of environment in which dogs are reared is required. The nested PCR described here seems to be a rapid, sensitive and specific for the detection of canine parvovirus.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.449-454
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• 2004

Ninety pigs under the age of 120-day-old requested at the diagnostic laboratory of animal diseases in Cheju National University were evaluated for the prevalence of tissue antigen and serum antibody to swine influenza virus (SIV). For histopathologic examination there was sampled at the consolidated area in cranioventral or dorsocaudal lobes of lungs. Lung tissues from all pigs were tested for the antigen of SIV type A by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Sera from 56 pigs were used for the antibody detection to SIV type A (subtype H1N1 and H3N2) by haemagglutinin inhibition test. Pneumonic lesions were observed in 72 cases (80%) of 90 pigs. Broncho-interstitial or interstitial pneumonia were more prevalent than suppurative or fibrinous bronchopneumonia. According to HI test, 46.4% of the tested sera showed seropositive. Positive sera were consisted with 5.3% for SIV H1N1, 28.6% for SIV H3N2, and 12.5% for both subtype to be tested, respectively. SIV antigens were detected in 51 cases(56.6%) of 90 pigs. Most SIV antigens were presented in the epithelium of the bronchi and bronchiole. Necrotizing bronchitis or bronchiolitis were observed in 28(31.1%) cases of all inspected pigs. These results suggested that SIV might be an important role to induce swine pneumonia in Jeju. Also IHC was very useful for the detection of SIV in the lung.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.244-270
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• 1998

This study was performed to investigate an anti-HBV activities of the aqueous extracts from 10 Korean herbal medicines in the HepG2 2.2.15 cell culture system and the results were as follows: 1. The extracts of 6 plants (Herba Artemisiae Capillaris, Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, Cortex Cinnamomi, Fructus Chebulae, Fructus Rubi and Radix Rubi) decreased, significantly and dose-dependently, the levels of extracellular HBV virion in the concentrations (10, 100, 500 and $1,000\;{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) tested. 2. However, others (Radix lsatidis, Lignum Sappan, Herba Lysimachiae and Fructus Lycii) did not show any effect either on the replication of HBV or on the levels of virion DNA in the culture media of HepG2 2.2.15 cell. 3. Among the 6 plants which showed the inhibitory potency on the production of extracellular HBV virion, Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, Cortex Cinnamomi, Fructus Chebulae, Fructus Rubi and Radix Rubi except Herba Artemisiae Capillaris also showed the inhibition of the replication of intracellular HEV DNA in the range of $100{\sim}500\;{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. Considering the above results, it is thought that 6 plants(Herba Artemisiae Capillaris, Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, Cortex Cinnamomi, Fructus Chebulae, Fructus Rubi and Radix Rubi) possess the anti-HBV activities in the HepG2 2.2.15 cell culture system. We thus suggest that these plants possess a potential as a therapeutic agent for the chronic viral hepatitis. These results might be useful as a basic data for the development of the new preventive drugs for HBV diseases.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.115-120
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• 2010

Background: Pediatric deep neck infection can cause critical complications in that they are seldom able to verbalize symptoms or cooperate with physical examination. The objective of this study is to identify the clinical characteristics according to age. Material and Method: A retrospective study was performed on 26 cases with pediatric deep neck infection during 12 years. Patients were classified infancy group (1-7 yr, 19.2%), preschool age group (7-15 yr, 30.8%) and school age group (15 yr-, 50%). We analyzed the age, sex, sites of abscess, predisposing factors, symptoms and compared onset, hospital date, laboratory and outcomes at each group. Results: In pediatric patients with deep neck infection, the age distribution was 18 males (69.2%) and 8 females (30.8%), the mean age was 7.4 years. The most common infection site was the anterior cervical triangle and submandibular space (19.2%). The most commonly known associated preceding disease was upper viral infection (34.6%), but we could not find the preceding diseases in most of cases (50%). Neck swelling (69.2%) was the most frequent symptom. The mean age of patients who performed neck CT was 8.23 years and neck US was 2.75 years. The younger patients were preferred to perform the neck US than the neck CT (p=0.022). The mean time from disease onset to admission was 9 days in the infancy, 5.5 days in the preschool aged and 5 days in the school aged group. The surgical treatment was performed in 30.8% of school aged, 62.5% of preschool aged and 100% of infancy group. Surgical treatment was preferred to younger patients (p=0.026). Conclusion: Abscess sites, size, and antibiotics susceptibility and especially patient age should be carefully considered in treating pediatric deep neck infection.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.275-281
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• 2017

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are fossil viruses that began to be assimilated into the human genome some 30~40 million years ago, and now constitute nearly 8% of the human genome. These ancient retroviruses have since accumulated mutations that have rendered them defective; thus, they have been termed junk DNA. However, recent research indicates that not all HERVs remain silent passengers. Although they have not been shown to be causative of any human disease, endogenous retroviral sequences may become expressed under select pathological circumstances such as neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS), schizophrenia, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS); viral infections, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and herpesvirus; and multiple types of cancers. This review focused on the possible interactions of HERVs and neurological diseases.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2008

The severe damage induced by the important viruses of Rice stripe virus (RSV), Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV), Melon necrotic spot virus (MNSV), Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) and Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) was described on major crops in Korea. In 2007, the plot incidence rate of RSV was 100% on the precocious rice cultivars at the Western coastal provinces of Gyeonggido, Chungcheongnamdo, Jellabugdo and Jellanamdo, and Jejudo. RSV occurred in 2,441 ha with incidence rate of 70% over at 5 areas of Seocheon, Seosan, Boryung, Hongsung and Buyou in Chungcheongnamdo. At 4 areas of Buan, Gimje, Gunsan and Gochang in Jellabukdo, RSV occurred in 2.016 ha. CGMMV occurred on watermelon in 4.6 ha at Cheongyang area, and its outbreak was also 890 ha on oriental melon for 120 farmers with the incidence area of 23% against total cultivation areas of Seongju. MNSV was recorded firstly on watermelon in 2006 at Andong and it spread to 3 areas of Hapcheon, Gochang and Yanggu. TSWV occurred firstly at Danggin in Chungcheongnamdo in 2005. TSWV in 2006 spread to 6 areas; Taian, Hongsung and Seosan in Chungcheongnando, Namwon in Jellabukdo, and Sunchon and Kwangju in Jellanamdo. In 2007, TSWV covered 17 areas of western and southern parts; the 5 area including Taian in Chungcheongnamdo, Kwangju in Jellanamdo, Bucheon in Gyunggido, and so forth. TBSV was described firstly on table tomato at Sacheon in Kyungsangnamdo in 2004. TBSV occurred on cherry tomato at Chungju in 2006 and on table tomato at Busan area.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.207-211
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• 2011

Dengue is an acute febrile viral disease which is found in tropical and sub-tropical regions around the world. Dengue fever has steadily increased in both incidence and distribution over the past 50 years. Even though Korea is not an endemic country for dengue fever, with the increasing numbers of overseas travelers in Korea, the numbers of imported dengue cases are steadily increasing. Here, we report a case of imported dengue hemorrhagic fever in a Korean child presenting with fever and epistaxis. Dengue fever should be considered if a patient who has a recent travel history to endemic areas showed classical symptoms.