scholarly journals Detection of Rickettsia lusitaniae Among Ornithodoros sawaii Soft Ticks Collected From Japanese Murrelet Seabird Nest Material From Gugul Island, Republic of Korea

Author(s):  
Heung-Chul Kim ◽  
Ju Jiang ◽  
Jun Hang ◽  
Su Yeon Kim ◽  
Seok-Min Yun ◽  
...  

Abstract In a follow-up to the investigations of soft ticks identified from seabird nest soil and litter collected from coastal islands of the Republic of Korea (ROK), Ornithodoros sawaii and Ornithodoros capensis were assessed for the presence and identification of rickettsiae. Ticks collected from samples of 50–100 g of nest litter and soil from seabird nests were identified individually by morphological techniques, and species confirmed by sequencing of the mt-rrs gene. Subsequently, tick DNA preparations were screened for the presence of rickettsiae using a genus-specific nested PCR (nPCR) assay targeting the 17 kDa antigen gene. The amplicons from the 17 kDa assay and two additional nPCR assays targeting the gltA and ompB gene fragments were sequenced and used to identify the rickettsiae. A total of 134 soft ticks belonging to two species, O. sawaii Kitaoka & Suzuki 1973 (n = 125) and O. capensis Neumann 1901 (n = 9), were collected. Rickettsia lusitaniae DNA was detected and identified among O. sawaii ticks (n = 11, 8.8%) collected from nest litter and soil of the Japanese murrelet (Synthliboramphus wumizusume Temminck 1836) at Gugul Island along the western coastal area of the ROK. This study confirmed for the first time the presence of R. lusitaniae associated with O. sawaii collected from migratory seabird nests in the ROK.

Phytotaxa ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 286 (2) ◽  
pp. 75 ◽  
Author(s):  
RHIM RYOO ◽  
VLADIMÍR ANTONÍN ◽  
KANG-HYEON KA ◽  
MICHAL TOMŠOVSKÝ

Collections of Gymnopus sect. Impudicae from the Republic of Korea are evaluated. Three recorded species (G. densilamellatus, G. similis, and G. variicolor) are described as new for the science: Gymnopus densilamellatus is macroscopically characterized as having a brown to reddish brown, sometimes pale ochraceous and later whitish pileus and crowded lamellae. Gymnopus similis has an ochraceous-grey, brownish orange or brownish red pileus, and moderately distant, whitish, later dirty yellowish, greyish, or brownish orange or light brown lamellae. Gymnopus variicolor is characterized by a reddish brown, brownish red or violet brown pileus drying-up to light brown or brown, greyish brown or greyish red, later pale brownish orange lamellae, and greyish brown or greyish red pileus, grey-brown, light to reddish brown in upper part. Gymnopus dysodes is recorded for the first time in Korea. The morphological characteristics of the species are provided with a key for their identification. The taxonomic positions of all taxa are confirmed by the DNA sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region and the large subunit of ribosomal rRNA gene.


2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 279-285
Author(s):  
Seongjun Choe ◽  
Il-Hun Kim ◽  
Min-Seop Kim ◽  
Hae Rim Lee ◽  
Youngjun Kim ◽  
...  

We intended to describe 2 digenean trematodes found from a Chinese sea snake, Laticauda semifasciata, as the new fauna in the Republic of Korea. The snake was caught offshore of Aewol-eup, Jeju-do, in August 2017. Two species of fluke were found in the lung and intestinal tract of the snake in the process of necropsy. They were identified as Pulmovermis cyanovitellosus Coil and Kuntz, 1960 and Harmotrema laticaudae Yamaguti, 1933, respectively based on the morphological characters. Pulmovermis cyanovitellosus showed elongated body with well-developed and elongated male genital system and compact vitelline. And H. laticaudae was characterized by linguiform body with heavily armed cirrus with excretory system. This is the first time both species have been reported and described off the Korean coast. We provide morphological descriptions with some comments on their biology and geographical distribution. In addition, the taxonomic validity of the genus Hydrophitrema Sandars, 1960 was discussed, in terms of morphological descriptions and host ranges. This study provides novel insight into digenean fluke species existing off the coast of Korea.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (11) ◽  
pp. 1994-2002
Author(s):  
Sung-Tae Chong ◽  
Heung-Chul Kim ◽  
Sang-Jae Suh ◽  
Terry A. Klein ◽  
Richard G. Robbins

Tick-borne disease surveillance was conducted by tick drag among uncut grasses/herbaceous vegetation and mixed forest habitats from 2018–2020 at US Army Garrison Humphreys, Pyeongtaek, the Republic of Korea (ROK). While identifying ticks collected in the spring of 2020, teratological anomalies were observed in nymphs of Haemaphysalis longicornis (in one specimen, partial twinning of the posterior idiosoma, resulting in 2 anuses; in a second, asymmetry of the idiosoma) and Ixodes nipponensis (7 legs). These teratological observations in H. longicornis and I. nipponensis are reported for the first time in the ROK.


Author(s):  
Jinho Kim ◽  
Seongyoon Lee ◽  
Jaiill Lee ◽  
Seokjung Kang

AbstractThis study was conducted to evaluate the performance of a contracting-out project for military base management in response to recent defense reforms in the Republic of Korea that require military forces to concentrate on operations and combat missions. In this study, the service quality perspective via SERVQUAL was applied to the ROK defense sector for the first time, with the soldiers viewed as customers receiving a service. In addition, to improve the effectiveness of the contracted services, the importance-performance analysis framework was employed to identify the tasks that required urgent attention. We conducted a large-scale survey of 2,112 uniformed members within pilot project units. To avoid problems such as insincere responses or low response rates, we held interviews with the officers managing the units on the subject of the importance and purpose of the questionnaire. As a result, it was found that the outsourcing of cleaning services was the most successful initiative, while mowing/landscaping had the most urgent tasks for improvement, with some respondents believing that reliability and assurance should be improved.


2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 243-250
Author(s):  
Yu. S. Mamontov ◽  
T. I. Koroteeva ◽  
E. V. Sofronova ◽  
A. D. Potemkin

Frullania usamiensis is recorded for the first time for Russia from Kunashir Island, the southernmost island of the Greater Kuril Chain. It is the northernmost locality of the species, which was previously known from Japan (Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu), China (coastal provinces Fujian and Liaoning) and the Republic of Korea. Frullania usamiensis is distinguished by (1) relatively large, emarginate or shallowly bilobed underleaves with obtuse lobes and mostly rounded sinus, (2) characteristic leaf lobules which are transversely elongated (when inflated), about × 1.5–1.9 as wide as long, with incurved rostral portion, and (3) smooth perianth with three keels. Description and photomicrographs of F. usamiensis from Kunashir Island are provided together with discussion on its ecology, variation and differentiation from having much in common F. kagoshimensis and F. taradakensis.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eunjeong Heo ◽  
Yoonhee Choi ◽  
Hyung-sook Kim ◽  
Hyung Wook Namgung ◽  
Eunsook Lee ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to describe current status of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) at a tertiary care hospital in the Republic of Korea. Methods This retrospective study was conducted on outpatients and referral patients who had a prescription of parenteral antibiotics from July to December 2019. We reviewed the prescribed antimicrobials, the indication of antimicrobial therapy, where patients administered antimicrobial injection and management of pre- and post- prescriptions. Results Of the 577 episodes included in this study, 399 (69.2%) were delivered by referral model, 178 (30.8%) by outpatient model. About 70% of OPATs were prescribed in the pulmonology, infectious diseases, orthopedics, gastroenterology, and hematology departments. Five antibiotics (ertapenem (26.0%), ceftriaxone (12.8%), kanamycin (11.8%), amikacin (10.1%), and cefazolin (8.5%)) accounted for 69.2% of the total OPATs. Urinary tract infections (27.3%), respiratory infections (20.8%), and intra-abdominal infections (15.9%) are the most frequent indications of OPAT. After prescription, there were 295 (73.9%) follow-up visits in referral model and 150 (84.3%) in outpatient model (p<0.05). Laboratory tests necessary for monitoring were totally performed in 274 (47.5%). Conclusions We found that significant number of OPAT was prescribed, follow-up visits were not performed in about a quarter of episodes, and laboratory monitoring was not fully conducted in more than half of the cases. Therefore, it is necessary to establish an appropriate management program for OPAT. Considering limited resources and the distribution of OPAT prescriptions, it may be effective to select frequently used antibiotics or frequently prescribed departments and start the program for them.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (2s) ◽  
pp. 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
John A. Johnson ◽  
Wojciech J. Cynarski ◽  
Sunjang Lee

<div><p><em>Background</em>. Despite the style of Taekwon-Do taught by the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) being founded in the Republic of Korea (ROK; South Korea), it is known predominately as “North Korean Taekwon-Do.” <em>Problem and Aim</em>. Taekwon-Do was introduced to the People’s Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK; North Korea) in 1980, but since then no studies have reported how it is practiced in that country due to the DPRK government’s restricting access to its populace. This research aims to begin establishing if there are differences in pedagogical purpose and praxis in DPRK Taekwon-Do. <em>Methodology</em>. An internet search for individuals who traveled to the DPRK to practice Taekwon-Do specifically was conducted. A systematic literature of ITF pedagogical materials was performed, and a multipurpose, qualitative questionnaire was implemented. Out of the seven individuals who were identified and contacted, two agreed to participate in the current study; however, one of those two were disqualified due to incorrectly completing the questionnaire. A descriptive, non-experimental case study of one subject (Singaporean female aged 36 yr.) was then conducted. A qualitative analysis of the data resulting from the questionnaire and follow-up interviews was performed. <em>Results</em>. All five areas of the ITF’s curriculum (i.e., fundamental techniques, <em>tul </em>[forms], sparring, <em>dallyon</em> [forging or conditioning of the body], and self-defense) and the three levels of Taekwon-do’s pedagogy (i.e., <em>musul</em> [martial technique], <em>muyae</em> [martial artistry], and <em>mudo</em> [martial way]) were found in DPRK Taekwon-Do. <em>Discussion and Conclusions</em>. Despite the severe limitations of being unable to interview DPRK Taekwon-Do practitioners directly and the smallest small sample group possible, it was learned that DPRK instructors most likely teach all aspects of General Choi’s Composition of Taekwon-Do, and the stratified Taekwon-Do pedagogy theory was found in the subject’s practice in the DPRK.</p></div>


2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 647-656
Author(s):  
Seongjun Choe ◽  
Ki-Jeong Na ◽  
Youngjun Kim ◽  
Dong-Hyuk Jeong ◽  
Jeong-Jin Yang ◽  
...  

<i>Isthmiophora</i> <i>hortensis</i> (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) is a dominant echinostome in animal reservoir hosts and humans in the Republic of Korea (Korea). We intended to investigate the infection status with this echinostome species in the several species of wild animals and describe the morphological characteristics in the faunistic view point. A total of 175 animal carcasses belonging to 3 families, i.e., Canidae, Felidae and Mustelidae, were collected from the southern regions of Korea from March 2010 to July 2017. <i>Isthmiophora</i> spp. worms were recovered from the small intestines of each animal under a stereomicroscope after washing of intestinal contents. <i>Isthmiophora</i> <i>hortensis</i> was recovered from 4 species of wild carnivores, i.e., <i>Nyctereutes</i> <i>procyonoides</i> (3/107: 2.8%), <i>Mustela</i> <i>sibirica</i> (11/31: 35.5%), <i>Meles</i> <i>lucurus</i> (2/3: 33.3%) and <i>Martes</i> <i>flavigula</i> (1/2: 50%). The other 3 carnivores comprising stray dogs, cat and leopard cat were negative for <i>I</i>. <i>hortensis</i> infection (0/2, 0/10 and 0/12, respectively). Specimens obtained from the <i>Lutra</i> <i>lutra</i> (6/8: 75%) were identified as a distinct species, <i>I</i>. <i>inermis</i>, by morphological comparison. <i>Isthmiophora</i> <i>inermis</i> has thinner body, elongate testes and different anterior limits of vitelline fields. Detailed morphological descriptions and comparisons with the morphological characteristics are provided. Conclusively, it was confirmed for the first time that 3 species of mustelid mammals, i.e., <i>M</i>. <i>sibirica</i>, <i>M</i>. <i>lucurus</i>, and <i>M</i>. <i>flavigula</i>, are to be the new definitive hosts of <i>I</i>. <i>hortensis</i> in Korea. Additionally, <i>I</i>. <i>inermis</i> is to be newly added in the Korean echinostome fauna.


Crisis ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 130-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danica W. Y. Liu ◽  
A. Kate Fairweather-Schmidt ◽  
Richard Burns ◽  
Rachel M. Roberts ◽  
Kaarin J. Anstey

Abstract. Background: Little is known about the role of resilience in the likelihood of suicidal ideation (SI) over time. Aims: We examined the association between resilience and SI in a young-adult cohort over 4 years. Our objectives were to determine whether resilience was associated with SI at follow-up or, conversely, whether SI was associated with lowered resilience at follow-up. Method: Participants were selected from the Personality and Total Health (PATH) Through Life Project from Canberra and Queanbeyan, Australia, aged 28–32 years at the first time point and 32–36 at the second. Multinomial, linear, and binary regression analyses explored the association between resilience and SI over two time points. Models were adjusted for suicidality risk factors. Results: While unadjusted analyses identified associations between resilience and SI, these effects were fully explained by the inclusion of other suicidality risk factors. Conclusion: Despite strong cross-sectional associations, resilience and SI appear to be unrelated in a longitudinal context, once risk/resilience factors are controlled for. As independent indicators of psychological well-being, suicidality and resilience are essential if current status is to be captured. However, the addition of other factors (e.g., support, mastery) makes this association tenuous. Consequently, resilience per se may not be protective of SI.


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