Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic disease that affects approximately 50,000 people annually in Asia, causing 10,000 deaths. Considering the role of pigs as the virus-amplifying host and the economic loss in the swine industry, JE is an important disease for both public and animal health. A nationwide JE virus (JEV) vaccination program has been conducted annually for more than 30 years to prevent severe reproductive disorders in the Korean sow population. Remarkable progress in molecular biology has made it possible to analyze the genome of the vaccine strain at the nucleotide and amino acid levels. However, the scientific record of the current JEV veterinary vaccine has not been reported. Therefore, this article outlines the current JEV vaccine strain used in animals and discusses future directions for developing new veterinary JEV vaccines.
Animals ; Asia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Encephalitis Viruses, Japanese ; Encephalitis, Japanese* ; Genome ; Humans ; Korea* ; Molecular Biology ; Swine ; Vaccination ; Vaccines* ; Zoonoses

Ninety five patients of rectal cancer treated with surgery with or without adjuvant radiation therapy since January 1982 to December 1990 at the Chonnam University Hospital were analysed retrospectively regarding local failure. Of these 95 patients 72 patients were treated with surgery alone and remaining 23 patients received postoperative radiation therapy to pelvis. There were 45 men and 50 women with 53 years of median age. Minimum tool low-up period was 19 months and Median was 47 months (range, 19-125 months). Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate actuarial risk of local recurrence and survival rate. Comparison between two groups was evaluated by Log rank test. Of total 95 patients twenty seven patients (28.4%) developed local recurrence and 13 patients(17.3%) developed local and distant metastasis oncomitantly. Eighty nine percent(24/27) of patients developed local recurrence within 24 months. Pelvic organ adjacent to the primary tumor area was the most common site of initial local recurrence. Of 72 patients treated with surgery alone local recurrence developed in 24 patients. Of 17 patients with stage A and B1 (Gunderson-Sosin modification of Dukes' staging system) 6 patients experienced local recurrence(31.2%). The local recurrence rate of B2 and B3 group was 29.9%(7/33) and that of C2 and C3 was 54.7%(l1/19), respectively. There was statistically significant difference between two groups(p< 0.05). Of 23 patients treated with definitive surgery and radiation therapy 10%(1/10) ecurred in B2 and B3 patients. This was slightly lower than C2 and C3 patients(22.2%, 2/10) of similar policy, but revealed no statistically significant difference(p>0.05). In the patients of B2+3 local failure rate decreased when radiation therapy was added(29.9% vs 10%, p>0.05) and also similar results in C2+3 group(34.7% vs 22.2%, p<0.05). The local failure rate in relation to distance from the anal verge had no statistically significant difference.
Female ; Humans ; Jeollanam-do ; Male ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pelvis ; Rectal Neoplasms* ; Recurrence* ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

Fourteen African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks occurred in the pig farms in the northwestern region of South Korea, near the border with North Korea, from September 16, 2019 to October 9, 2019. Active and passive surveillance on the ASF-infected farms indicated that the infection was limited only to pigsties where the infected pigs were detected on the farm for the first time before further transmission to other pigsties and farms. This early detection could be one of the pivotal factors for the prompt eradication of ASF in domestic pig farms within 1 month in the northwestern region of South Korea.

Purpose: A care coordinator is an emerging nursing professional role in South Korea. The purpose of this study was to identify educational needs and priorities for care coordinators among nurses. Methods: An online survey was conducted on 661 current or retired nurses from January 30 to February 28, 2021. A total of 17 essential competencies for care coordinators, recognized based on literature review, were used to analyze the educational needs. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, a paired t-test, and one-way analysis of variance with SPSS 25.0. The educational needs analysis was conducted by using a paired t-test, the Borich Needs Assessment Model, and the Locus for Focus Model. Results: Five contents were identified as the first priorities for educational needs: ‘Health program planning and evaluation’, ‘Care planning’, ‘Coordinating community-based services’, ‘Case management’, and ‘Transitional care’. The second priorities for educational needs included 'Population health management' and'Welfare resource linkages via communicating with social workers’. Conclusion The priority items derived from this study offer underpinning insights for the development of care coordination training program.

Fourteen African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks occurred in the pig farms in the northwestern region of South Korea, near the border with North Korea, from September 16, 2019 to October 9, 2019. Active and passive surveillance on the ASF-infected farms indicated that the infection was limited only to pigsties where the infected pigs were detected on the farm for the first time before further transmission to other pigsties and farms. This early detection could be one of the pivotal factors for the prompt eradication of ASF in domestic pig farms within 1 month in the northwestern region of South Korea.

Purpose: Recent studies have focused on policies aimed at supporting the independence of individuals with disabilities in communities. As part of this initiative, supportive housing, integrated care, and residential spaces offer tailored services based on individual needs and autonomy. The attitudes and knowledge of the administrators supporting supportive housing residents regarding health management can influence the well-being of individuals with disabilities. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the challenges faced by supporting housing workers in enhancing the self-management skills of individuals with disabilities. Methods: In this qualitative study, focus group interviews were conducted in August 2023 with nine administrators working to support housing in Seoul. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the interview data. Results: The needs and challenges in enhancing the self-management skills of individuals with disabilities were as follows: (1) the complexity of health management challenges, (2) bidirectional strategies for strengthening health management capabilities, and (3) support for systematic health management. Additionally, eight subthemes were derived. Conclusion By investigating the difficulties experienced and identifying the necessary support requirements for supportive housing workers, this study seeks to uncover insights and identifies areas for improvement and strategies for health management. This study acknowledges the educational and institutional support necessary to improve the health and quality of life of individuals with disabilities residing in supportive housing.

Recent global warming trends may have a significant impact on vector-borne viral diseases, possibly affecting vector population dynamics and disease transmission. This study measured levels of hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) antibodies against Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and neutralizing antibodies against Akabane virus (AKAV) and Aino virus (AINV) for Thoroughbred horses in Korea. Blood samples were collected from 989 racehorses in several provinces, between October 2005 and March 2007. Sera were tested using either an HI assay or a virus neutralization test. Approximately half (49.7%; 492/989) of the horses tested were antibody-positive for JEV. The HI titer against JEV was significantly correlated with racehorse age (p < 0.05). Horses with an HI antibody titer of 1: 160 or higher accounted for 3.9% of the animals tested, indicating that vectors transmitting arthropod- borne viruses bit relatively few horses. In contrast, 3.8% (19/497) and 19.5% (97/497) of horse sera collected in March 2007 were positive against AKAV and AINV, respectively. The presence of antibodies against AKAV and AINV may indicate the multiplication of AKAV and AINV in these horses.
Aging ; Animals ; Encephalitis Virus, Japanese/*isolation & purification ; Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests/veterinary ; Horse Diseases/blood/*epidemiology ; Horses ; Korea/epidemiology ; Orthobunyavirus/*isolation & purification ; Seroepidemiologic Studies

Gastric volvulus is an uncommon condition which is difficult to diagnose and treat. It designates abnormal rotation of the stomach along its longitudinal (organoaxial) or transverse (mesenteroaxial) axis. When the rotation exceeds 180 degrees, gastric obstruction or strangulation may occur. The classical presentation of acute gastric volvulus is the triad of severe epigastric pain, vomiting followed by retching without the ability to vomit, and difficulty or inability to pass a nasogastric tube. Delay in diagnosis and treatment of gastric volvulus can lead to fatal complications such as gastric ischemia, perforation, and hemorrhage. Gastric volvulus is a true emergency which should be treated immediately either surgically or by upper endoscopy. We report a case of an acute incarcerated gastric volvulus due to a left-sided diaphragmatic hernia in an adult male patient, which was treated successfully by operation.
Acute Disease ; Hernia, Diaphragmatic/*complications ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stomach Volvulus/diagnosis/*etiology

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have ability to differentiate into multi-lineage cells, which confer a great promise for regenerative medicine to the cells. The aim of this study was to establish a method for isolation and characterization of adipose tissue-derived MSC (pAD-MSC) and bone marrow-derived MSC (pBM-MSC) in pigs. Isolated cells from all tissues were positive for CD29, CD44, CD90 and CD105, but negative for hematopoietic stem cell associated markers, CD45. In addition, the cells expressed the transcription factors, such as Oct4, Sox2, and Nanog by RT-PCR. pAD-MSC and pBM-MSC at early passage successfully differentiated into chondrocytes, osteocytes and adipocytes. Collectively, pig AD-MSC and BM-MSC with multipotency were optimized in our study.
Adipocytes ; Adipose Tissue ; Bone Marrow ; Chondrocytes ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Osteocytes ; Regenerative Medicine ; Swine ; Transcription Factors

Aujeszky's disease caused by Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV) is one of the most important diseases in the pig industry. In this study, we conducted a seroepidemiological survey of ADV in wild boars and raccoon dogs in South Korea. In total, 217 wild boar sera collected between March and August 2013, and 96 raccoon dogs between 2011 and 2012 were screened for the presence of antibodies against ADV. The sero-positive rates in wild boars and raccoon dogs tested for ADV were found to be 3.55% (8/225) and 0% (0/96), respectively. The presence of virus neutralization antibody titer against ADV means that small number of wild boars was infected with ADV and AD may be circulated continuously in Korean wild boar populations, and that wild boars may act as a potential reservoir of ADV. Therefore, to achieve the declaration of AD free, effective preventive measures to block transmission of AD should be taken to the wild boars.
Antibodies ; Herpesvirus 1, Suid* ; Korea ; Pseudorabies ; Raccoon Dogs* ; Sus scrofa*