OBJECTIVE: To investigate the sequences of internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) and cyclooxygenase 1 (COX1) genes of Paragonimus metacercariae in freshwater crabs in Henan Province, identify the species of Paragonimus and evaluate its genetic relationships with Paragonimus isolates from other provinces in China. METHODS: Freshwater crabs were collected from 8 survey sites in Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Pingdingshan, Nanyang and Jiyuan cities of Henan Province from 2016 to 2021, and Paragonimus metacercariae were detected in freshwater crabs. Genomic DNA was extracted from Paragonimus metacercariae, and the ITS2 and COX1 genes were amplified using PCR assay, followed by sequencing of PCR amplification products. The gene sequences were spliced and aligned using the software DNASTAR, and aligned with the sequences of Paragonimus genes in the GenBank. Phylogenetic trees were created using the MEGA6 software with the Neighbor-Joining method based on ITS2 and COX1 gene sequences, with Fasciola hepatica as the outgroup. RESULTS: The detection rates of Paragonimus metacercariae were 6.83% (11/161), 50.82% (31/61), 18.52% (5/26), 8.76% (12/137), 14.29% (9/63), 17.76% (19/105), 18.50% (32/173) and 42.71% (41/96) in freshwater crabs from 8 survey sites in Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Pingdingshan, Nanyang and Jiyuan cities of Henan Province, with a mean detection rate of 19.46% (160/822), and a mean infection intensity of 0.57 metacercariae/g. The amplified ITS2 and COX1 gene fragments of Paragonimus were approximately 500 bp and 450 bp in lengths, respectively. The ITS2 gene sequences of Paragonimus metacercariae from 8 survey sites of Henan Province showed the highest homology (99.8% to 100.0%) with the gene sequence of P. skrjabini (GenBank accession number: MW960209.1), and phylogenetic analysis showed that the Paragonimus in this study was clustered into the same clade with P. skrjabini from Sichuan Province (GenBank accession number: AY618747.1), Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (GenBank accession number: AY618729.1) and Hubei Province (GenBank accession number: AY618751.1), and P. miyazaki from Fujian Province (GenBank accession number: AY618741.1) and Japan (GenBank accession number: AB713405.1). The COX1 gene sequences of Paragonimus metacercariae from 8 survey sites of Henan Province showed the highest homology (90.0% to 100.0%) with the gene sequence of P. skrjabini (GenBank accession number: AY618798.1), and phylogenetic analysis showed that the Paragonimus in this study was clustered into the same clade with all P. skrjabini and clustered into the same sub-clade with P. skrjabini from Hubei Province (GenBank accession numbers: AY618782.1 and AY618764.1). CONCLUSIONS Paragonimus species from freshwater crabs in Henan Province were all characterized as P. skrjabini, and the ITS2 and COX1 gene sequences had the highest homology to those of P. skrjabini from Hubei Province. The results provide insights into study of Paragonimus in Henan Province and China.
Animals ; Paragonimus/genetics* ; Brachyura/genetics* ; Cyclooxygenase 1/genetics* ; Phylogeny ; China/epidemiology* ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Paragonimiasis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The prevalence of unruptured cerebral aneurysms (UCAs) in ischemic stroke patients is not clearly defined. This study aimed to measure the prevalence and characteristics of UCAs in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and to compare our findings with those of the general population. In addition, we investigated the factors associated with cerebral aneurysms in AIS patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the brain magnetic resonance angiography images of 955 patients with AIS and 2,118 controls who had received a brain magnetic resonance angiography as part of a health check-up. We investigated the prevalence, size, location, and risk factors of the subjects in the context of UCAs. RESULTS: UCAs were found in 74 patients with AIS (7.7%) and in 79 who received a health check-up (3.7%). The prevalence of UCAs was significantly higher in the AIS group than in the health check-up group (odds ratio 2.17, 95% confidence interval 1.56-3.01). The mean aneurysm diameter was larger in the AIS group than in the health check-up group (3.75 mm vs. 3.02 mm, P=0.009). UCAs were primarily located in the internal carotid artery in both groups, and aneurysms in the middle cerebral artery were particularly common in the AIS group. According to multivariate analysis, hypertension alone was associated with an increased prevalence of UCAs in stroke patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified a higher prevalence and larger size of UCAs in AIS patients than in the general population. Hypertension was an independent risk factor of UCA in AIS.
Aneurysm ; Brachyura ; Brain ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; Magnetic Resonance Angiography ; Middle Cerebral Artery ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prevalence* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Stroke*

This study is basic research focused on product development and market activation based on analysis of current usage and demand for development of processed blue crabs. A total of 556 subjects aged 20s to 60s living in the Seoul area were surveyed. According to the survey, 65.1% of subjects consumed blue crabs at home, and 82% of them purchased blue crabs whole and undressed. Respondents gave higher marks to taste, nutrition, and texture compared to ingredient preparation, eating method, and price. Majority of blue crab consumers had no experiences of consuming processed blue crabs. Exactly 57.0% of consumers purchased them at big shopping centers, and the reason for purchasing was their good taste. When female consumers purchased processed blue crabs, they checked every part carefully compared to male consumers. Women gave high scores to blue crab powder, blue crab extract, blue crab croquette, and blue crab cake compared to men, demonstrating the necessity of developing processed blue crabs. Furthermore, the experienced processed blue crab group recognized the necessity of developing processed blue crabs compared to the inexperienced group. People showed significant differences in purchasing processed blue crabs according to gender as well as previous experience of blue crab consumption.
Brachyura* ; Consumer Satisfaction ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Eating ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Seoul

Among Paragonimus species, P. paishuihoensis is one of the most mysterious and poorly understood species. Metacercariae are characterized by having a unique dendritically branched excretory bladder. However, the morphology of the adult worm remains unknown. To date, metacercariae of this species have been reported only in China and Thailand. In this study, we first found P. paishuihoensis metacercariae in freshwater crabs, Potamon lipkei, in Hinheub District, Vientiane, Lao PDR, with a prevalence of 77.7% and the average intensity of 10.3 (range 1-28) metacercariae per crab. The molecular data based on ITS2 and CO1 markers indicated that P. paishuihoensis from Laos and Thailand were almost completely identical and were close to members of the Paragonimus bangkokensis/Paragonimus harinasutai complex. Attempts to infect experimental animals (cats, dogs, and rats) with P. paishuihoensis were unsuccessful, suggesting that these animals might be unsuitable definitive hosts for the species. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the taxonomic status and life cycle of P. paishuihoensis.
Animals ; Brachyura/*parasitology ; Cluster Analysis ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer/chemistry/genetics ; Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics ; Fresh Water ; Laos ; Metacercariae/*isolation & purification ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Paragonimus/*isolation & purification ; Phylogeny ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Sequence Homology

BACKGROUND: Prostate adenocarcinoma (PACa) cells are rarely identified in urine cytology specimens and might be easily overlooked or misdiagnosed as urothelial neoplasm when clinically unsuspected. METHODS: We reviewed 19 urine cytology specimens obtained from 13 patients with PACa and evaluated the characteristic features discriminating PACa from urothelial carcinoma (UCa). For comparison, 27 cases of high-grade UCa (HGUCa) and 10 cases of urothelial carcinoma in situ (UCis) were also evaluated. RESULTS: The urine cytologic evaluation of PACa revealed clustered cells forming 3-dimensional syncytial fragments with occasional microacinar grouping in a clean background. Most tumor cells were small and uniform with a high nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio and indistinct cell borders. The nuclei were round-to-oval and the cytoplasm was scanty and thin. One or more centrally-located prominent nucleoli were characteristically noted in one half of the cases. The nucleoli had a well-defined, large, round and eosinophilic appearance. In four high-grade cases, large tumor cells were encountered and had relatively monotonous cells with smooth-outlined cell clusters, well-defined and thin cytoplasm, and round nuclei with characteristic prominent nucleoli. CONCLUSIONS: Combining the information of prostate cancer and the recognition of cytomorphologic features of PACa will help differentiate PACa from HGUCa and UCis.
Adenocarcinoma ; Brachyura ; Carcinoma in Situ ; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell ; Cytoplasm ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Prostate ; Prostatic Neoplasms

In Korea, many people enjoy eating raw or underkooked freshwater crayfish and crabs which unfortunately may cause paragonimiasis. Here, we describe a case of pulmonary and abdominal paragonimiasis in a 9-year-old girl, who presented with a 1-month history of abdominal pain, especially in the right flank and the right inguinal area, with anorexia. A chest radiograph revealed pleural effusion in both lungs, and her abdominal sonography indicated an inflammatory lesion in the right psoas muscle. Peripheral blood analysis of the patient showed hypereosinophilia (66.0%) and an elevated total serum IgE level (>2,500 IU/ml). The pleural effusion tested by ELISA were also positive for antibodies against paragonimiasis. Her dietary history stated that she had ingested raw freshwater crab, 4 months previously. The diagnosis was pulmonary paragonimiasis accompanied by abdominal muscle involvement. She was improved after 5 cycles of praziquantel treatment and 2 times of pleural effusion drainage. In conclusion, herein, we report a case of pulmonary and abdominal paragonimiasis in a girl who presented with abdominal pain and tenderness in the inguinal area.
Abdominal Muscles/*parasitology/pathology/ultrasonography ; Animals ; Anthelmintics/therapeutic use ; Brachyura/*parasitology ; Child ; Drainage ; Female ; Humans ; Lung/parasitology/pathology ; Lung Diseases, Parasitic/*diagnosis/drug therapy/radiography ; Paragonimiasis/*diagnosis/drug therapy/radiography ; Paragonimus/isolation & purification ; Pleural Effusion/parasitology/therapy ; Praziquantel/therapeutic use ; Republic of Korea ; Shellfish/*parasitology ; Treatment Outcome

The purpose of this study was to assess calcium and sodium intakes and urinary excretion of adults in Busan and to evaluate the relationship between urinary calcium excretion (UCa) and the status of anthropometric, blood pressure, urine analysis, and nutrient intake of subjects. Nutrient intake by 24 hr recall, 24 hr urinary calcium and sodium excretion (UNa) were measured with 87 adults aged 20-59 yrs (42 men and 45 women). The mean calcium intake was 88.0% for men and 103.0% for women of Recommended Intake. The mean sodium intake was 283.4% for men and 250.5% for women of Adequate Intake (AI). The mean 24hr UCa was 127.4 mg in men and 107.3 mg in women. The mean 24 hr UNa was 3650.6mg in men and 3276.4mg in women. The intake and urinary excretion of calcium and sodium were not significantly different by gender. UCa showed significantly positive correlations with sodium intake and UNa in men (p < 0.001, p < 0.05) and women (p < 0.001, p < 0.001) and with age, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and sodium density in women (p < 0.05, p < 0.05, p < 0.01). The UCa/creatinine showed significantly positive correlations with age, sodium intake, sodium density, and UNa in women (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, p < 0.01, p < 0.01). When UCa was stratified into quartile (Q1-Q4), age, SBP, UCa, UNa, sodium intake, and AI percentage of sodium (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001) were significantly higher in Q4. The mean intake and AI percentage of sodium in Q4 were 4768.8mg and 329.0. Based on the results, UCa was related to age, SBP, UNa, and sodium intake. Therefore, nutritional education of decreasing sodium intake for decreasing UCa is needed.
Adult ; Aged ; Blood Pressure ; Brachyura ; Calcium ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Sodium

The purpose of this study was to determine the urinary Ca, P, Mg, Zn, Cu, and Mn levels and bone mineral density (BMD) in sixty-two postmenopausal women. The study was conducted through anthropometric checkup, 24-hour recall, 24-hour urine and bone mineral density using DEXA. Average age, height, weight and body fat of the subjects were respectively 65.39 years, 150.19 cm, 58.03 kg and 37.22%. The average spine and femoral neck BMD of subjects were -2.19, -3.13. The mean intakes of Ca, P and Mg were 524.7 mg, 993.10 mg, and 254.6 mg and those of Zn, Cu and Mn were 8.6 mg, 1.5 mg, and 3.5 mg. The average 24-hour urinary excretion of Ca (UCa), P (UP) and Mg (UMg) were 161.07 mg, 673.68 mg, and 99.87 mg. The average 24-hour urinary excretion of Zn (UZn), Cu (UCu) and Mn (UMn) were 366.50 microg, 22.57 microg, and 1.55 microg. Ca intake showed significantly positive correlations with urinary UCa (p < 0.05), UMg (p < 0.01) and spine BMD (p < 0.05). P intake showed significantly positive correlations with UCa (p < 0.05), UMg (p < 0.05) and UZn (p < 0.05). Mg intake showed significantly positive correlations with UZn (p < 0.05) and Mn intake showed significantly positive correlations with UCa (p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis indicates that Ca intake and UMg is the most important factor to increase spine BMD. On the other hand, UCa is the most important factor to decrease spine BMD. Higher femoral neck BMD was related to UP, while lower femoral neck BMD was related to UCa. In conclusion, Dietary intake of Ca showed positive effect of spine BMD, while excessive P intake showed negative effect on BMD due to increases in UCa, UMg and UZn. Further studies are required to investigate the relationship between bone metabolism and mineral excretion.
Adipose Tissue ; Bone Density ; Brachyura ; Female ; Femur Neck ; Hand ; Humans ; Magnesium ; Spine

Maritrema spp. (Digenea: Microphallidae) are parasites of birds, but have not been found in the Republic of Korea. In this study, metacercariae of Maritrema sp. were discovered in the Asian shore crab, Hemigrapsus sanguineus, caught in the mud-flats of Jebu-do, Hwasung-gun, Gyeonggi-do, and the adult flukes were confirmed by experimental infection into mice. Based on the symmetric ribbon-like vitellarium, adult flukes of Maritrema sp. were identified, but did not belong to previously described species in terms of the following morphologic characteristics: ceca reaching to the lateral wall at the anterior border of the ovary; ventral sucker larger than oral sucker; a prominent metraterm; and vitellarium forming a complete ring. Hence, we named this microphallid M. jebuensis n. sp. after the island where the second intermediate hosts were collected. From this study, it has been shown that Maritrema sp. is distributed in Korea and transmitted by the Asian shore crab, H. sanguineus.
Animals ; Brachyura/*parasitology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Metacercariae/anatomy & histology/isolation & purification ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Republic of Korea ; Trematoda/anatomy & histology/*classification/*isolation & purification ; Trematode Infections/parasitology/pathology

To figure out the geographical distribution of Gynaecotyla squatarolae and Microphallus koreana metacercariae in Korea, shore crabs of southwestern coastal areas were examined. Eight coastal areas in Inchon-si (A), Gyeonggi-do (B), Chungcheongnam-do (C, D, and E), Jeollabuk-do (F), and Jeollanam-do (G and H) were selected, and 2 kinds of crabs, Macrophthalmus dilatatus and/or Macrophthalmus japonicus, were caught. After transportation to the laboratory, 15 crabs per each group were grouped and ground in a mortar and pestle, and examined for microphallid metacercariae. In M. dilatatus, G. squatarolae metacercariae were recovered from 3 (C, E, and H) out of 6 regions, but M. koreana metacercariae were not recovered. In the case of M. japonicus, G. squatarolae metacercariae were recovered from 6 (B, D, E, F, G, and H) of 7 areas surveyed, and M. koreana matacercariae were detected from 5 regions (A, B, D, F, and H). These results indicate that the life cycle of G. squatarolae is maintained in the western coastal areas using M. dilatatus and M. japonicus as intermediate hosts, while that of M. koreana is maintained only using M. japonicus.
Animals ; Brachyura/*parasitology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Geography ; Republic of Korea ; Trematoda/*isolation & purification