Annual Report on the External Quality Assessment Scheme for Clinical Parasitology in Korea (2017)

Annual proficiency surveys were conducted in March, May, and August of 2017 as the Korean Association of External Quality Assessment Service. Overall, four image samples (MPI-17-01, MPI-17-02, MPI-17-03, MPI-17-04) in the first trial, three image samples (MPI-17-05, MPI-17-06 , MPI-17-07) in the second trial, and a slide specimen (MPS-17-01) using parasite samples in the third trial were distributed to participating institutions. The first and second trial specimens were prepared by photographing slides made of formalin-ether concentrate of positive samples stored for educational purposes. The slide distributed in the third trial was prepared using cellophane tape, which was stored after diagnosis of the patients infected with Enterobius vermicularis . There were 191 participating institutions in the first, 204 in the second, and 212 in the third trial. The correct identification rates were 27.2% for MPI-17-01 Diphyllobothrium species (sp.), 96.6% for MPI-17-02 no parasite, 67.5% for MPI-17-03 Metagonimus yokogawai , 71.2% for MPI-17-04 Balantidium coli , 99.0% for MPI-17-05 Taenia sp., 99.0% for MPI-17-06 Trichuris trichiura , 92.7% for MPI-17-07 Cryptosporidium sp., and 96.7% for MPS-17-01 E. vermicularis . The current external quality assessment for clinical parasitology was performed using image samples and standard slides. Surveys of parasitic infections should be accompanied by continuous education on various parasitic infections, for which there was lack of experience of inspection in clinical laboratories. In the future, it will be necessary to establish a standard material using parasitic samples, and ultimately to conduct a survey on whole series of tests for the diagnosis of parasitic diseases.

A comparison of lip prints between Aryans-Dravidians and Mongols.

Context: Lip prints are very useful in forensic investigation and personal identification. Like finger prints, even lip prints can be instrumental in identifying a person positively. Aims: Indians are closer to Mongoloids than to Caucasoids or Negroids as indicated by the phylogenetic tree. Most of the studies on lip prints are done in their own population. We have compared lip prints of Manipuris with other Indians (Aryans and Dravidians) who are both close to Mongoloid race and are genetically similar. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 students 50 males and 50 females were selected of whom 30 males and 30 females were of Aryan and Dravidian features and 20 males and 20 females showed the Mongol features. Study materials used were Red colored lipstick, Lip brush, Cellophane tape, White chart paper and Magnifying lens. The lip prints were analyzed by dividing them into eight compartments. Results: Analysis of lip prints showed that the most common and the least common pattern in both males and females (Aryans-Dravidians and Mongols) were the same, but the compartment wise distribution of the lip patterns was different. Conclusion: In the present study, it is established that there is no similarity of lip prints from one individual to another individual and between males and females. Regarding the comparison with Mongols, more studies with a larger sample size is necessary.

Hallux Valgus and Cartilage Erosion in First Metatarsal Head: Correlation between Intraoperative Cartilage Erosion and Preoperative Parameters / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: To analyze relation between age or parameters measured before operation and cartilage erosion of the first metatarsal head measured during operation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was targeted at 56 patients and 79 feet, who underwent Scarf osteotomy or Scarf and Akin osteotomy from November 2009 through November 2010, and whose cartilage lesion of the first metatarsal head referred to the cartilage grade III or IV of the International Cartilage Repair Society. The measurement parameters were age, hallux valgus angle, intermetatarsal angle (1~2), tibial sesamoid position, proximal articular set angle and distal articular set angle. The cartilage erosion of the first metatarsal head was measured by one surgeon using cellophane. Occupancy rate and frequent involved sites of the cartilage erosion were recorded using AutoCAD(R) and adobe Illustrator CS4 program. SPSS correlation test and T-test were used for statistical analysis of the parameters and the cartilage erosion. RESULTS: The cartilage erosion was incurred frequently in the sagittal groove and the site where subluxation or dislocation of the tibial sesamoild bone occurred but frequent involved sites had no statistical significance with cartilage erosion. The age showed a statistical significance with the cartilage erosion in the correlation test (p=0.003). Especially, the group of over 51 year old patients was turned out to have association with the cartilage erosion, compared to the group of below 51 (p=0.007). But, hallux valgus angle, intermetatarsal angle (1~2), tibial sesamoid position, proximal articular set angle and distal articular set angle were no statistical significance with the cartilage erosion. CONCLUSION: We found the more the age of patients increased (especially above 51), the more cartilage erosion increased. And it is thought that we pay attention to reduce tibial sesamoid bone.

A study on lip print types among the people of Kerala.

Cheiloscopy, the study of lip prints is an upcoming tool for the identification of persons. The lip print of every person is unique and can be used to fix personal identity. Previous work done on the subject also reveals that lip prints show differences according to the race and the ethnic origins of a person. This study was taken up to determine the predominant lip print type in Kerala population. 50 male and 50 female subjects of Kerala origin were included in the study and the middle 1 cm of the lower lip was taken as the study area. The lip prints were recorded by applying lipstick on the lips, then cellophane tape was applied on the lips and the prints were taken. These prints were studied and classified according to Tsuchihashi’s classification of Type I (complete vertical grooves), Type I‟ (incomplete vertical grooves), Type II (forking grooves), Type III (intersect-ing grooves), Type IV (reticular grooves) and Type V (undetermined grooves). The predominant type in each qua-drant was noted and the percentage was calculated. It was found that Type IV (reticular grooves) was the predomi-nant pattern.

The potential usefulness of the modified Kato thick smear technique in the detection of intestinal sarcocystosis during field surveys.

A total of 479 stool specimens were collected from rural communities of Ubon Ratchathani Province, Thailand and examined by two techniques: the modified Kato thick smear and the direct smear. The prevalence of Opisthorchis viverrini (14.8%), hookworm (10.2%), Sarcocystis spp (4.6%), Taenia spp (2.9%), Strongyloides stercoralis (2.1%), Giardia lamblia (1.2%), Echinostoma spp (0.6%), Ascaris lumbricoides (0.4%), Entamoeba histolytica (0.2%), Chilomastix mesnili (0.2%) and Endolimax nana (0.2%) were determined. The morphology of the Sarcocystis spp sporocysts examined by both procedures looked similar and was found to be easily recognizable. Among these specimens, 22 cases (4.6%) were positive for Sarcocystis infection detected by the modified Kato technique, whereas only one case (0.2%) was detected by both techniques. These differences were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05), indicating that the modified Kato technique was decidedly more sensitive than the direct smear procedure in identifying Sarcocystis infection. An epidemiological survey was conducted in Khon Kaen Province involving 1124 stool samples using the modified Kato technique. The greatest frequency was Opisthorchis viverrini at 32.0% while the second highest was Sarcocystis spp at 8.0%. The prevalences of hookworm, Echinostoma spp, Taenia spp, Trichuris trichiura and Enterobius vermicularis were 2.7, 2.1, 1.0, 0.2 and 0.2%, respectively. Other than opisthorchiasis, northeastern Thailand may be an endemic area for sarcocystosis. This is the first report of the applicability and potential usefulness of the Kato thick smear technique for the diagnosis of Sarcocystis infection in a field survey.

Prevalence of intestinal parasites in three socioeconomically-different regions of Sivas, Turkey.

The study was carried out to determine the prevalence of parasites in three socioeconomically-different regions (Alibaba, Esentepe, and Cayboyu) of Sivas, Turkey, to determine the most accurate method for the diagnosis of taeniasis and enterobiasis, to determine the importance of household visits in primary healthcare to control parasitic diseases, and to treat intestinal parasitic diseases in those regions. Both stool specimens and cellophane tape (CT) samples were taken from 1,864 participants during 641 household visits in the three regions. The age groups included were pre-school [(0-6 year(s)], primary school (7-15 years), and the upper age group (16 years and above). The total prevalence of intestinal parasites in the three regions was 37.2%. Eleven intestinal parasite species were detected in both stool specimens and CT samples. Giardia intestinalis and Enterobius vermicularis were the most frequent species identified in all the three regions. Region I (Alibaba) had a higher prevalence of parasites compared to the other two regions. There was no significant difference between Region II (Esentepe) and Region III (Cayboyu) in isolation of intestinal parasites. There were statistically significant differences between the age groups when the rates of parasitic infection were compared. The highest prevalence of parasitosis was observed among the age group of 7-15 years and in the socioeconomically lowest one of the three regions. While the most accurate way of diagnosis for taeniasis was the combined usage of the CT and direct preparation methods, the CT method was the best method for the diagnosis of enterobiasis. Thus, the local administrators in cities need to pay more attention to the prevention of parasitic infections along with improvements in educational, environmental and sanitary conditions.

Change of Skin Barrier Function According to Stratum Corneum Removal by Tape Stripping / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: The major function of the skin is to prevent loss of water and electrolytes and transepidermal penetration of harmful materials. The stratum corneum is known to play a major role in the skin barrier function. Tape stripping (TS) with adhesive cellophane tape is one of the best method of removing the stratum corneum on the skin surface, and has been used in studies of the skin barrier function when investigating material distribution in the stratum corneum and transepidermal absorption of drugs. OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to evaluate the skin barrier function according to removal of the stratum corneum by TS. METHOD: Six vitiligo patients who had undergone autologous suction blister grafting were tested. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was measured on the normal skin of the buttocks in each patient after every fifth TS, plus on the skin where the entire epidermis had been removed by autologous suction blister grafting. We compared these two values and also examined morphological change of the stratum corneum after TS, by both light and electron microscope. RESULTS: The TEWL value slightly increased when TS was carried out up to 30 times, but greatly increased to 20g/m2h of TEWL when TS was done 30-40 times. Thereafter, no increase in TEWL was observed when TS was carried out up to 100 times. The pattern of TEWL according to numbers of TS approximately plotted a sigmoid curve. On average, there was about 88% impairment to the skin permeability barrier function after TS. When the TEWL increased to more than 70g/m2h over baseline TEWL, the stratum corneum was almost removed, as revealed by light and transmission electron microscope. CONCLUSION: The stratum corneum acts as a major skin barrier, and the mid to lower portion of the entire stratum corneum appears to play a significant role in the skin permeability barrier function.

Correlation of egg counts of Clonorchis sinensis by three methods of fecal examination

The Kato-Katz (KK) method is a well-known method of fecal examination for helminthiases. Its diagnostic sensitivity was found very high for clonorchiasis. The present study evaluated the correlation of Clonorchis sinensis egg counts by the KK method with those by direct smear and formalin-ether (FE) technique. The egg counts obtained by the KK method (Y) were correlated with the counts by direct smear (X) with the equation of Y = 659.4 + 0.266X (r2= 0.738), but not with those by the FE method. The present study demonstrated that the KK method and direct smear were useful for both qualitative and quantitative diagnosis of clonorchiasis, especially in the field.

Egg positive rate of Enterobius vermicularis and Taenia spp. by cellophane tape method in primary school children in Sivas, Turkey

The aim of the present study was to find out the number of students with enterobiasis and/or taeniasis in primary schools of Sivas. Among the 2, 029 students in 6 primary schools, 316 (15.6%) were positive to Enterobius vermicularis eggs and 32 (1.6%) were positive to Taenia spp. eggs by the cellophane tape method. The egg positive rates of E. vermicularis and Taenia spp. ranged from 9.4% to 27.2% and from 0.8% to 2.6% respectively among six schools. The egg positive rate of E. vermicularis was found to be significantly different among these schools (chi2 = 31.96, P 0.05). The rate (18.7%) of E. vermicularis in the urban slum regions was higher than the rate (11.5%) in the urban central regions (chi2 = 19.20; P < 0.05). Above results demonstrate that the egg positive rate of E. vermicularis and Taenia spp. was still prevalent among primary school children.

Phonophoresis of theophylline through cellophane membrane and rabbit skin

The influence of ultrasound waves upon the permeation of theophylline through cellophane membrane and rabbit skin was studied in vitro. Sonication was carried out with continuous mode at intensities [0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 W/cm 2 at constant frequency 800 KHz for one sr. Different gel formulations with [hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose and carbopol 934P] in different concentrations [1-4% w/w] were utilized. Phonophoresis of theophylline through rabbit skin were significantly less than that obtained with the cellophane membrane. Ultrasound application has showed a significant increase in the amount of theophylline permeation with increasing intensity. For all the tested gelling agents, the amount of drug released was decreased by increasing polymer concentrations. The Flux values were 5.99, 3.69 and 2.4 [micro g/min cm 2] for 2% HPMC, 4% Na CMC and 2% carbopol 934P gels respectively. It was found that drug release from HPMC gels obeys Zero-Order model while its release from Na CMC and carbopol 934P were fitted with First-Order and Higuchi-diffusion model respectively

Etude comparative de deux techniques de recherche des oeufs d'oxyure chez les enfants d'age scolaire : l'ecouvillonage anal ; le scotch-test anal de graham; la cellophane adhesive

Cette etude prospective s'est faite en zone urbaine sur 346 eleves (195 garcons et 151 filles) de 5 a 15 ans; provenant de l'ecole regionale de Treichville d'Abidjan; l'echantillonnage s'est effectue par sondage aleatoire systematique a partir du debut Juin 2000 au 15 Juillet 2000. Notre etude a pour but de determiner les performances de l'ecouvillonnage anal par rapport au scotch-test anal (test de reference). Les prevalences de l'oxyurose selon les differentes techniques de recherche des oufs d'oxyure sont : -ecouvillonnage anal 12; 43 pour cent; -Scotch-test anal 27; 46 pour cent; -prevalence globale : 29;77 pour cent. Au terme de cette etude comparative des deux principales techniques de recherche des oufs d'oxyure; les performances de l'ecouvillonnage anal par rapport au scotch-test anal sont : -la sensibilite 36;17 pour cent; -la specificite : 96;42 pour cent; -la valeur predictive positive 79;06 pour cent; -la valeur predictive negative 80;19 pour cent; -la valeur globale 81;47 pour cent. Dans cette etude; la survenue de l'oxyurose est influencee par certains facteurs dont l'age; le niveau de scolarisation de la personne en charge de l'enfant; le type de logement; la promiscuite; le mode d'approvisionnement en eau; les antecedents de deparasitage; le nombre de bains par jour; le lavage des mains avant les repas et apres les selles et la prise du petit dejeuner et du dejeuner a l'ecole. Les donnees techniques de laboratoire et les tests statistiques nous ont permis de conclure que l'ecouvillonnage anal est une technique de recherche difficile a realiser; polyphasique; longue et necessitant une logistique plus couteuse pour une faible efficacite par rapport au scotch-test anal (test de reference)

Hyaluronic Acid Effect on Adhesions in the Chicken Flexor Tendons / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Although many different attempts have been made to reduce adhesions after tendon surgery, this complicated problem continues to be foremost among factors compromising tendon surgery and repair. The results of the finest tendon surgery and repair are frequently compromised by adhesions that restrict motion, decrease function and often lead to permanent deformation. Many substances and materials have been introduced into the area around primary flexor tendon repairs in an effort to prevent or diminish the adhesion formation. Various biochemical agents including antihistamines, anaboilic agents, lathyrogenic drug, betaamino-propionitrile and steroids, have been investigated and material such as nylon, cellophane, polyethylene film and silastic have been used to form pseudosheath. However the results with all of these method have been disappointing. Recently, interest has grown in a mucopolysaccharide found in synovial fluid hyaluronic acid. Synovial fluid normally contains a concentration of 2-3 mg/ml of hyaluronic acid. Preliminary investigations suggest that hyaluronic acid placed between the tendon and its sheath promote tendon healing and decrease adhesion formation. With this in mind, the present study was designed to examine the effect of hyaluronic acid on injured chicken flexor tendon healing and to determine the quantity and quality for adhesions in hyaluronic acid treated chicken compared to control. The stereomicroangiographic technique has enabled us to study the vascular process inside the tendon and surrounding tissues after injury of the tendon. For the study, the deep flexor tendon of the third toe of adult chicken with initial weight of about 2kg was used. Animals were divided into three groups and treated with different levels of hyaluronic acid. After 1,3,7,21,35 and 42 days postoperation, the animals were sacrificed and specimen were prepared. Obtained specimen were examined macroscopically and microscopically. At 1,3,5, and 7 weeks postoperation, microangiographic study were done and examind specimen by stereomicroscope. The results were as follows: 1. Though both the treated and control groups showed adhesion, hyaluronic acid treated tendon showed less adhesion tissue and better sliding properties as compared to the controls. 2. During the first week after operation, microangiographic studies showed failure of filling of all the vessels within the injured tendon. At 3 weeks highly vascular adhesions which extended throughout the injured site were observed. After then, the amount of vascularity decreased. 3. There were no difference microscopically between hyaluronic acid treated and control group at first week. After one week hyaluronic acid treated group showed less granulation tissue and less formation of collagen fibers. 4. There were no difference of healing process between hyaluronic acid treated and control group. From this results, it is suggested that hyaluronic acid is effective in reducing the adhesions after the tendon surgery.

Isoelectroenfoque de proteínas: desarrollo de una técnica simple y económica / Isoelectrofocusing of proteins: development of a simple and economic technic

Se detallan todos los pasos a llevar a cabo para realizar isoelectroenfoque en geles de poliacrilamida de 1 mm de espesor adheridos a un celofán como soporte. El gel se adhiere firmemente al celofán durante todos las operaciones (corrida, tinción y desteñido) y el soporte lo protege de las roturas, razón por la cual es fácilmente manejable. Se discute la optimización de las condiciones de trabajo para anfolito no comercial. Se muestra la buena resolución obtenida con dicho anfolito de sueros humanos normales y patológicos

Permeability of a locally produced membrane for artificial kidney

Cellophane is considered the most common membrane use for hemodialysis. Although many other types of membranes have been synthesized tested for hemodialysis [1-3], yet, cellophane represents the most widely used membrane for that purpose

The Present Status and a Proposal of the Prospective Measure for Parasitic Control in Korea / 예방의학회지

The present status of control treasures for public health important helminthic infections in Korea was surveyed in 1969 and the following results were obtained The activities of parasitic examination and Acaris treatment for the positives which were done during 1966 to 1969 were brought in poor result and could not decrease the infection rate. It is needed to improve or strengthen the activities. The mass treatment activities for paragonimiasis and clonorchiasis in the areas which were designated by the Ministry of Health were carried out during 1965 to 1968 with no good results in decrease of estimated number of the patients. There were too many pharmaceutical companies where many kinds of anthelmintics were produced. It may be better to reduce the number of anthelmintics produced and control the quality. The human feces, the most important source of helminthic infection, was generally not treated in sanitary ways because of the poor sewerage system and no sewage treatment plant in urban areas and insanitary latrines in rural areas. The field soils of 170 specimens were collected from 34 areas out of 55 urban and tourist areas where night soil has been prohibited by a regulation to be used as a fertilizer, and examined for parasites contamination with the result of Ascaris egg detection in 44%. Some kinds of vegetables of 64 specimens each from the supply agents of parasite free vegetables and general markets were collected and examined for parasites contamination with the results of Ascaris egg detection in 25% and 36% respectively. The parasite control activities and the ability of parasitological examination techniques in the health centers of the country were not satisfactory. The budget of the Ministry of Health for the parasite control was very poor. The actual expenditure needed for cellophane thick smear technique was 8 Won per a specimen. As a principle the control of helminthic infections might be led toward breaking the chain of events in the life cycle of the prasites and eliminating environmental and host factors concerned with the infections, and the following methods may be pointed out. 1) Mass treatment might be done to eliminate human reservoirs of an infection. 2) Animal reservoirs which are related with human infections might be eliminated. 3) The excretes of reservoirs, particularly human feces, should be treated in sanitary ways by the means of sanitary sewerage system and sewage treatment plant in urban areas and sanitary latrines such as waterborne latrine, aqua privy and pit latrine in rural areas. The increase of national economical development and prohibition of the habit of using night soil as a Fertilizer might be very important factors to achieve the purpose. 4) The control of vehicles and intermediate hosts might be done by the means of prohibition of soil contamination with parasites, food sanitation, insect control and snail control. 5) The improvement of insanitary attitudes and bad habit which are related with parasitic infections might be done by the means of prohibition of habit of using night soils as a fertilizer, and improving eating habits and personal hygiene. 6) Chemoprohylactic measure and vaccination may be effective to prevent the infections or the development of a parasite to adult in the bodies were invaded by parasites. Further studies and development of this kind of measures are needed.