The Korean sawmills have recently recognized the importance of prevention of fungal discoloration due to increased losses in revenue. Before establishing integrated control strategies of fungal discoloration, more complete knowledge about causal organisms is needed. As a first step, we initiated a through survey of fungi colonizing commercially important softwood (Pinus densiflora, Pinus koraiensis, and Pinus radiata) logs and lumber in Korea. In this paper we report results obtained from Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora) log study. In summer 2000, fungi were isolated from Japanese red pine logs in storage, and identified based on their cultural and morphological characteristics. A total of 595 fungi were isolated, representing 21 genera and 30 species. Mold fungi, mostly Trichoderma species, were the most frequently isolating fungi, representing more than half of all isolates. Dematiaceous fungi represented approximately one fifth of the isolates, and Rhinocladiella atorvirens was the most abundant in all samples. Opiostoma species represented 7% of all isolates from cores planted on malt extract agar (MEA) and the incidence of these species doubled with the addition of streptomycin and cycloheximide to MEA. The results indicate that Japanese red pine sapwood is susceptible to colonization by a variety of fungal species. As a result, control strategies that concentrate on one fungus may have limited success because of interference from competing flora.
Agar ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Colon* ; Cycloheximide ; Fungi* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Pinus ; Plants ; Streptomycin ; Trichoderma

The susceptibility of radiata pine sapwood to fungal attack and the ability of selected fungicides to control colonization of sapstain and mold fungi on green radiata pine sapwood were evaluated. Radiata pine sapwood was highly susceptible to fungal staining, suggesting that prompt application of fungicides after sawing is essential for preventing fungal colonization. The ability of commercial fungicides to prevent fungal discoloration on radiata pine sapwood was assessed using an accelerated 6-week test on small samples in the laboratory, and in field tests using bulk-piled boards exposed outdoors for 6 weeks during summer rainy season. In laboratory tests, Hylite extra provided excellent protection against fungal discoloration even at the lowest concentrations. Hylite clear, Britewood S, and NP-1 Plus provided good short-term protection (2 to 4 weeks), but higher chemical loadings were required for long-term protection (6 weeks). Woodguard produced little or no protection over the test periods. In field tests, Kathon 893 provided markedly superior protection at the concentration of 0.5 percent or higher. NP-1 Plus provided relatively good protection at all concentrations evaluated. Hylite extra was effective only for short-term protection (2 to 4 weeks) at all concentrations tested, but higher solution strengths were needed for long-term protection.
Colon ; Fungi* ; Seasons

In this article, the ethical statement was missing.

We used HPLC and AdvanSure real-time PCR (LG Life Sciences, Korea) to retrospectively analyze non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in 133 clinical specimens. The specimens were culture-positive for NTM and the HPLC method identified 130 strains of mycobacteria from the cultures (97.7%) at the species level. Among the isolates, 48 Mycobacterium. kansasii (36.1%), 39 M. intracellulare (29.3%), 17 M. avium (12.8%), 16 M. abscessus (12.0%), 6 M. fortuitum (4.5%), 2 M. szulgai (1.5%), 2 M. gordonae (1.5%), and 3 unclassified NTM strains (2.3%) were identified. The real-time PCR assay identified 60 NTM-positive specimens (45.1%), 65 negative specimens (48.9%), and 8 M. tuberculosis (TB)-positive specimens (6.0%). The real-time PCR assay is advantageous because of its rapid identification of NTM. However, in our study, the real-time PCR assay showed relatively low sensitivity (45.1%) when using direct specimens including sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. HPLC is useful as it discriminates NTM at the species level, although it is time-consuming and requires specific equipment and technical expertise. A combination of both methods will be helpful for the rapid and accurate identification of mycobacteria in clinical laboratories.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid/microbiology ; *Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mycobacterium/*genetics/isolation & purification ; Mycobacterium Infections/diagnosis/*microbiology ; *Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sputum/microbiology

OBJECTIVE: To compare the disability grades previously evaluated and registered, with the re-evaluated ones for individuals with disability living in Seoul. METHOD: Thee hundred and eleven people with disability living in Seoul were selected by the hierarchical systematic extraction method. Their disability grade was re-evaluated in the otolaryngology, ophthalmology, rehabilitation outpatient clinic or via home visit. And the disability level of each person was evaluated by the Korean Activities of Daily Living (K-ADL). RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty nine people with disability were re-evaluated on their disability grades. One hundred and thirty four (58.5%) cases had the same disability grade as initially evaluated. Thirty three cases were re-adjusted to a higher disability grade and sixty two cases to a lower grade. The K-ADL scores of people with brain lesion and spine/spinal cord injury were higher than those of other type of disability, which indicated a higher level of disability. CONCLUSION: When disability grades were re-evaluated, discrepancy rate was 41.5%. For proper management in the process of disability registration, it is imperative to implement a policy, which ensures the re-evaluation of the disability grade at a regular interval, the clear guidelines for grading as well as the competency of the evaluators.
Activities of Daily Living ; Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Brain ; Disabled Persons ; House Calls ; Humans ; Ophthalmology ; Otolaryngology

BACKGROUND: Bacterial pneumonia occurring after respiratory viral infection is common. However, the predominant bacterial species causing pneumonia secondary to respiratory viral infections other than influenza remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to know whether the pathogens causing post-viral bacterial pneumonia vary according to the type of respiratory virus. METHODS: Study subjects were 5,298 patients, who underwent multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction for simultaneous detection of respiratory viruses, among who visited the emergency department or outpatient clinic with respiratory symptoms at Ulsan University Hospital between April 2013 and March 2016. The patients' medical records were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 251 clinically significant bacteria were identified in 233 patients with post-viral bacterial pneumonia. Mycoplasma pneumoniae was the most frequent bacterium in patients aged <16 years, regardless of the preceding virus type (p=0.630). In patients aged ≥16 years, the isolated bacteria varied according to the preceding virus type. The major results were as follows (p<0.001): pneumonia in patients with influenza virus (type A/B), rhinovirus, and human metapneumovirus infections was caused by similar bacteria, and the findings indicated that Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia was very common in these patients. In contrast, coronavirus, parainfluenza virus, and respiratory syncytial virus infections were associated with pneumonia caused by gram-negative bacteria. CONCLUSION: The pathogens causing post-viral bacterial pneumonia vary according to the type of preceding respiratory virus. This information could help in selecting empirical antibiotics in patients with post-viral pneumonia.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteria ; Coronavirus ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; Humans ; Influenza, Human ; Medical Records ; Metapneumovirus ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae ; Orthomyxoviridae ; Paramyxoviridae Infections ; Pneumonia ; Pneumonia, Bacterial ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; Pneumonia, Staphylococcal ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections ; Retrospective Studies ; Rhinovirus ; Ulsan

Background: Because the etiologies of bronchiectasis and related diseases vary significantly among different regions and ethnicities, this study aimed to develop a diagnostic bundle for bronchiectasis in South Korea. Methods: A modified Delphi method was used to develop expert consensus statements on a diagnostic bundle for bronchiectasis in South Korea. Initial statements proposed by a core panel, based on international bronchiectasis guidelines, were discussed in an online meeting and two email surveys by a panel of experts (≥70% agreement). Results: The study involved 21 expert participants, and 30 statements regarding a diagnostic bundle for bronchiectasis were classified as recommended, conditional, or not recommended. The consensus statements of the expert panel were as follows: A standardized diagnostic bundle is useful in clinical practice; diagnostic tests for specific diseases, including immunodeficiency and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, are necessary when clinically suspected; initial diagnostic tests, including sputum microbiology and spirometry, are essential in all patients with bronchiectasis, and patients suspected with rare causes such as primary ciliary dyskinesia should be referred to specialized centers. Conclusion Based on this Delphi survey, expert consensus statements were generated including specific diagnostic, laboratory, microbiological, and pulmonary function tests required to manage patients with bronchiectasis in South Korea.