Population dynamics of hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) and their harboring rates of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) virus in four landscapes of Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.

Population dynamics of hard ticks and their harboring rates of fatal severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) were monitored from 2021 to 2022 in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Hard ticks were surveyed monthly using CO2-bait traps in four vegetation types, including grassland, grave, mountain trail, and shrub. From the 2-year monitoring, totals of 5,737 and 14,298 hard ticks were collected in 2021 and 2022, respectively, all of which belonged to the genus Haemaphysalis. Of these collected ticks, 97.9 and 98.3% of adults and nymphs were identified as Haemaphysalis longicornis. Generally, density peaks of H. longicornis nymphs and adults were observed from April to May and from June to July, respectively. For Haemaphysalis flava, adults showed density peaks in September, whereas no obvious seasonal patterns were observed for nymphs. The density peak of Haemaphysalis larvae was observed in August and September, followed by a density peak of adults. There was a large variation in the number of hard ticks collected among the four vegetation types, yielding no significant difference among them over the 2-year monitoring. Half of the collected ticks from each vegetation type were pooled into groups by species and developmental stage and subjected to analysis of SFTS virus harboring rates, which yielded no SFTS positive pool detected over the 2-year monitoring.

Species diversity of environmentally-transmitted bacteria colonizing Riptortus pedestris (Hemiptera: Alydidae) and symbiotic effects of the most dominant bacteria.

Riptortus pedestris (Hemiptera: Alydidae) establish endosymbiosis with specific bacteria from extremely diverse microbiota in soil. To better understand ecology and evolution of the symbiosis, it is important to characterize bacterial species diversity colonizing R. pedestris and evaluate their symbiotic effects. Nonetheless, previous research was limited to a few bacteria strains such as Caballeronia insecticola. In this study, second-instar nymphs were provided with field soils and reared to adult. Then, bacteria colonizing the midgut M4 region of R. pedestris were analyzed for bacterial species identification based on the 16S rRNA gene. First, a total of 15 bacterial species were detected belonging to Burkholderiaceae. Most of R. pedestris were found to harbor single bacterial species, whereas several insects harbored at most two bacterial species simultaneously. Among the total insects harboring single bacterial species, 91.2% harbored genus Caballeronia. The most dominant species was C. jiangsuensis, not previously documented for symbiotic associations with R. pedestris. Second, in laboratory conditions, C. jiangsuensis significantly enhanced the development, body size, and reproductive potentials of R. pedestris, compared to individuals with no symbiotic bacteria. These results add novel information to better understand symbiotic bacteria community establishing in R. pedestris and symbiotic effects on the host insects.

Clinical and radiological results of early pin removal in pediatric radial neck fractures treated with stepwise percutaneous leverage technique.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare radiological and clinical results between early (≤3 weeks) and late (>3 weeks) removal of pins in patients treated with the stepwise percutaneous leverage technique for radial neck fractures. METHODS: 37 patients (aged 3-15) who underwent fixation with stepwise percutaneous leverage technique for Judet class III and class IV radial neck fractures between 2003 and 2019 were included in this retrospective study. Patients were divided into two groups according to the time of pin removal; 19 had early pin removal (≤3 weeks) and 18 had late pin removal (>3 weeks). The patients' radiological results were graded using the Metaizeau classification and their clinical results were evaluated by measuring their range of motion (ROM) and Mayo elbow performance scores (MEPS) at postoperative follow-ups. Statistical tests, including the Mann-Whitney U and Chi-square tests, were performed to compare the demographic factors and outcomes. RESULTS: The mean time of removal of pins for all patients was 21 (10-43) days. The mean time for early and late removal was 15.1 (10-21) and 27.6 (22-43) days, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between groups radiologically according to the Metaizeau classification (P = .723). Furthermore, no statistically significant difference was found in the ROM (extension/flexion: P = .620, pronation/supination: P = .578) or MEPS (P = .695) between groups. CONCLUSION: This study has shown us that early removal of pins in patients with pediatric radial neck fractures treated with stepwise percutaneous leverage technique demonstrated good radiological and clinical results comparable to late pin removal. Level of Evidince: Level IV, Therapeutic Study.

Effects of neuromuscular electrical muscle stimulation on the deltoid for shoulder function restoration after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty in the early recovery period: a prospective randomized study.

INTRODUCTION: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is a treatment modality that has been used to accelerate the rehabilitation of patients with neurological damage. However, it is unclear whether NMES of the deltoid can lead to the early restoration of shoulder function after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective and randomized study, 88 patients who underwent RSA with the same prosthesis design for cuff tear arthropathy or irreparable rotator cuff tear were assessed. The patients were divided into two groups (NMES group and non-NMES group, 44 patients each). For the NMES group, two pads of the NMES device were placed over the middle and posterior deltoid area, and NMES was maintained for 1 month after surgery. Shoulder functional outcomes and deltoid thickness were compared at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Shoulder functional outcomes were assessed based on the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), and Constant scores and the range of motion (ROM) and power of the affected shoulder. The thickness of the anterior, middle, and posterior deltoid was measured by ultrasonography. RESULTS: A total of 76 patients (NMES group, 33 patients; non-NMES group, 43 patients) were enrolled in the final analysis. The preoperative demographics and status of the remaining rotator cuff of both groups were not significantly different. At postoperative 3 months, the ROM and power of external rotation of the NMES group were significantly greater than those of the non-NMES group (ROM, 36° ± 14° vs. 29° ± 12°; P = .003; power, 4.8 kg ± 1.8 kg vs. 3.8 kg ± 1.0 kg; P < .002). The ROM of external rotation of the NMES group at postoperative 6 months was also greater than that of the non-NMES group (41° ± 12° vs. 34° ± 11°; P = .013). However, there was no significant difference in the VAS, ASES, and Constant scores at all follow-up points despite gradual improvements until 1 year postoperatively. Serial measurements of the thickness of the anterior, middle, and posterior deltoid of both groups did not show significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative NMES of the deltoid after RSA contributed to significantly faster ROM restoration and considerable improvement in the power of external rotation. Therefore, NMES following RSA could lead to the early restoration of external rotation and recovery of deltoid function.

Species-specific environmental DNA analysis of the index species in soil ecosystem, Allonychiurus kimi (Collembola: Onychiuridae).

Collembola are abundant and have significant roles in the soil ecosystem. Therefore, the phenotypic endpoints of Collembola population or community have been used as an effective bioindicator for assessing soil quality. Since the identification and counting the collembolans in the soil is a laborious and costly procedure, environmental DNA (eDNA)-based biomonitoring was proposed as an analysis tool of collembolan species found in the soil. In this study, standard primer sets for the species-specific eDNA analysis using Allonychiurus kimi, a soil bioindicator species was selected. Then, the primers were tested for specificity and sensitivity from the soil samples. Two different eDNA samples were tested: (1) eDNA samples were extracted from the soil with A. kimi individuals (intra-organismal eDNA). (2) The samples from the soil without A. kimi individuals (extra-organismal eDNA). The two primers were confirmed in their sensitivity and specificity to the two types of eDNA samples selected. C t-values from both intra- and extra-organismal eDNA showed the significant correlations to the number of inoculated A. kimi (adj. R 2 = 0.7453-0.9489). These results suggest that in excretion, egg, and other exuviae had a significant effect on eDNA analysis from soil samples taken. Furthermore, our results suggest that environmental factors should be considered when analyzing eDNA collected from soil.

Survey of overwintering Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in ports of export and natural landscapes surrounding the ports in Republic of Korea.

Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), an important agricultural and nuisance pest, is highly invasive with peculiar hiding behavior in human-made structures for overwintering. To evaluate the contamination risk of overwintering H. halys in non-agricultural export goods, we conducted a two-year field survey in Republic of Korea to locate overwintering H. halys in two major ports of export, Ulsan and Pyeongtaek ports, and monitored both active and overwintering H. halys population levels with varying distances from the ports ranging from 1 km to 48 km. First, we deployed wooden shelters in the two ports to catch dispersing H. halys for overwintering and conducted visual inspections for human-made structures in the ports to locate overwintering H. halys. In addition, we sampled dead trees to find overwintering H. halys in wooded areas. Second, we monitored active H. halys populations using pheromone traps with varying distances from the ports. From the survey of overwintering populations, no H. halys was collected from wooden shelters deployed in the two ports. However, we found four adults overwintering in human-made structures in Pyeongtaek port in the first year of survey. One dead adult was also found from a dead tree located in a wooded area adjacent to Pyeongtaek port in the second year. For active populations, results of pheromone trapping indicated that H. halys populations were present during autumn dispersal period not only in agricultural areas, but also in wooded areas adjacent to the two ports. This study reports for the first time that overwintering H. halys were found from the inside the port of export in its native areas with a low density. The results were discussed for evaluating contamination risk of overwintering H. halys in export goods shipping from the Republic of Korea.

Dispersal and oviposition patterns of Lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) during the oviposition period in Ailanthus altissima (Simaroubaceae).

The spotted lanternfly (SLF), Lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae), has the potential to become a global pest and is currently expanding its range in the United States. In this study, we investigated the dispersal patterns of SLF in Ailanthus altissima during its oviposition period in South Korea using a fluorescent marking system. Oviposition patterns of SLF were then analyzed by surveying egg masses in A. altissima patches. The recapture rate of fluorescent-marked SLF rapidly decreased to 30% within the first two weeks. During the oviposition period, seven cases of among-patch dispersal of SLF adults were observed. The minimum distance that SLF could have traveled to achieve these among-patch dispersal events ranged from 10 to 1740 m, with most events spanning under 60 m. Also, the number of A. altissima trees on which fluorescent marked SLF were detected increased until September. Based on the egg mass survey, a total of 159 egg masses were detected from 38 out of 247 A. altissima trees. Furthermore, 79.2% of egg masses were located < 2.5 m above the ground. Finally, a generalized linear mixed model showed that tree height and diameter at root collar (DRC) of A. altissima trees had significant effects on the number of egg masses.

Seasonal activity of Haemaphysalis longicornis and Haemaphysalis flava (Acari: Ixodida), vectors of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) virus, and their SFTS virus harboring rates in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.

Seasonal activity of ticks, including disease vectors of fatal severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) virus, was monitored using CO2-bait traps from April to November in 2019 and 2020 in a rural area in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Traps were deployed for 24 h once a month in four vegetation types: grassland, grave, mountain trail, and shrubs. A total of 4516 ticks were caught, all of which belong to the genus Haemaphysalis; larvae, nymphs, and adults were 41.9, 39.5, and 18.6%, respectively. The nymphs and adults belonged to two tick species, H. longicornis and H. flava, and H. longicornis was dominant, comprising 97.9% of the two stages collected. Larvae were identified only to the genus level due to difficulty of morphological distinction between species. For H. longicornis, nymph numbers peaked between April and June, followed by adults between June and July. Haemaphysalis larvae showed clear peaks in August. In general, H. longicornis nymphs and adults were most abundant in grassland, whereas larvae were so in the grave area. Collected ticks were pooled and subjected to PCR analysis to estimate SFTS virus harboring rate. In 2019, only one SFTS virus-positive sample was detected in June. However, a total of 18 SFTS-virus positive samples were detected from August to October in 2020.

Interactive Gene Expression Between Metarhizium anisopliae JEF-290 and Longhorned Tick Haemaphysalis longicornis at Early Stage of Infection.

The longhorned tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae), is a hard tick and a vector for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) virus. The number of patients infected with SFTS is rapidly increasing. Recently, the invertebrate pathogen Metarhizium anisopliae JEF-290 was reported to be useful to control the tick as an alternative to chemical acaricides, which are not easily applicable in human living areas where the tick is widely spread. In this study, we analyzed how the tick and the fungal pathogen interact at the transcriptional level. Field-collected tick nymphs were treated with JEF-290 conidia at 1 × 108 conidia/ml. In the early stage of infection with 2.5% mortality, the infected ticks were subjected to RNA sequencing, and non-infected ticks and fungal masses served as controls. Fungus and tick genes were mostly up-regulated at the early stage of infection. In the gene set enrichment analysis of the infecting fungus, catabolic processes that included lipids, phospholipids, and detoxification processes, the response to oxidative stress, and toxic substances were significantly up-regulated. In this fungal up-regulation, various lipase, antioxidant enzyme, and hydrolase genes were highly transcribed. The gene set enrichment analysis of the infected tick showed that many peptide synthesis processes including translation, peptide metabolism, ribonucleotide metabolism, and energy production processes that included ATP generation and ADP metabolism were significantly up-regulated. Structurally, mitochondria and ribosome subunit genes in ticks were highly transcribed to upregulate these processes. Together these results indicate that JEF-290 initiates process that infects the tick while the tick actively defends against the fungal attack. This work provides background to improve our understanding of the early stage of fungal infection in longhorned tick.

Behavioral variation according to feeding organ diversification in glossiphoniid leeches (Phylum: Annelida).

Adaptive radiation is a phenomenon in which various organs are diversified morphologically or functionally as animals adapt to environmental inputs. Leeches exhibit a variety of ingestion behaviors and morphologically diverse ingestion organs. In this study, we investigated the correlation between behavioral pattern and feeding organ structure of leech species. Among them, we found that Alboglossiphonia sp. swallows prey whole using its proboscis, whereas other leeches exhibit typical fluid-sucking behavior. To address whether the different feeding behaviors are intrinsic, we investigated the behavioral patterns and muscle arrangements in the earlier developmental stage of glossiphoniid leeches. Juvenile Glossiphoniidae including the Alboglossiphonia sp. exhibit the fluid ingestion behavior and have the proboscis with the compartmentalized muscle layers. This study provides the characteristics of leeches with specific ingestion behaviors, and a comparison of structural differences that serves as the first evidence of the proboscis diversification.

Early restoration of shoulder function in patients with the Grammont prosthesis compared to lateralized humeral design in reverse shoulder arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes and radiographic parameters of patients after reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) between the Grammont prosthesis and lateralized humeral design prosthesis. METHODS: A total of 114 patients who underwent RSA with a lateralized humeral design (group L; 71 shoulders) and medialized humeral design (group M; 43 shoulders) prosthesis for cuff tear arthropathy or irreparable rotator cuff tear were enrolled. Clinical outcomes including visual analog scale (VAS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form (ASES), and Constant scores and range of motion (ROM) were serially followed up at postoperative 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. Radiographic parameters were measured to evaluate preoperative and postoperative status. RESULTS: Both prostheses demonstrated similar clinical outcomes and shoulder function preoperatively and at postoperative 2 years (P >.05). However, patients in group M had significantly better postoperative active forward flexion (postoperative 3 months, 115° ± 12° vs. 101° ± 14°; P <.001; 6 months, 125° ± 13° vs. 118° ± 13°; P <.013) and abduction (3 months, 105° ± 12° vs. 98° ± 12°; P = .002); VAS (3 months, 3.1 ± 1.2 vs. 3.7 ± 1.4; P = .031; 6 months, 2.3 ± 1.1 vs. 2.8 ± 1.3; P = .038); ASES (3 months, 64.2 ± 7.0 vs. 60.4 ± 9.2; P = .022; 6 months, 70.6 ± 6.0 vs. 66.6 ± 8.1; P = .007); and Constant scores (6 months, 59.6 ± 6.9 vs. 55.7 ± 9.3; P = .020). Group L showed a significantly lower rate of scapular notching than group M (15.5% vs. 41.8%; P < .001). The position of the proximal humerus in group L was more lateralized and less distalized than in group M after RSA. CONCLUSIONS: RSA with both the Grammont and lateralized humeral design prostheses provided similar shoulder ROM restoration and functional improvements at a minimum of 2 years. However, patients with a humeral lateralized prosthesis showed slower recovery of shoulder function and ROM up to postoperative 6 months despite a lower incidence of scapular notching.

Clinical comparison of humeral-lateralization reverse total shoulder arthroplasty between patients with irreparable rotator cuff tear and patients with cuff tear arthropathy.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the clinical and radiologic outcomes between patients with irreparable cuff tears (ICTs) and those with cuff tear arthropathy (CTA) after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) with a humeral-lateralization prosthesis. METHODS: A total of 127 patients with ICTs and CTA who underwent RTSA were enrolled and matched at a 1:2 ratio by propensity score. Preoperative shoulder function was assessed for all patients. Radiologic parameters including the acromion-deltoid tuberosity (ADT) distance, lateral humeral offset, and scapular notching were evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients in the ICT group and 68 patients in the CTA group were matched for comparison. Preoperatively, mean active forward flexion in the ICT group (89.7° ± 29.4°) was significantly better than that in the CTA group (65.5° ± 24.0°, P < .001). In the CTA group, fatty infiltration of the supraspinatus was worse (3.7 ± 0.5) and the ADT distance was shorter (134.0 ± 12.0 mm) compared with the ICT group preoperatively (3.3 ± 0.8 [P = .008] and 140.7 ± 12.5 mm [P = .001], respectively). There was no significant difference in postoperative functional or radiologic outcomes between the 2 groups. However, gains in active forward flexion (37.9° in ICT group vs. 61.5° in CTA group, P < .01) and abduction (42.1° in ICT group vs. 60.6° in CTA group, P < .01) were significantly greater in the CTA group than in the ICT group. CONCLUSIONS: Shoulder function was significantly improved after RTSA regardless of the preoperative diagnosis. Postoperatively, radiologic findings were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Due to the fact that preoperative range of motion and rotator cuff status were better in patients with ICTs, improvements in active forward flexion and abduction were significantly greater in patients with CTA.

Characterization of overwintering sites of Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae) and tick infection rate with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus from eight provinces in South Korea.

Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae) is an important vector of pathogens causing tick-borne diseases such as severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) in eastern Asia. Although an understanding of the overwintering ecology of ticks is fundamental to management of this vector, its winter biology remains unclear. Therefore, we conducted a field survey from eight provinces in South Korea to characterize overwintering sites of H. longicornis and investigate their SFTS virus infection rates. First, we conducted flagging which consists of horizontal sweeping of a 1 m2 cloth back-and-forth to collect ticks that may exhibit questing behaviors in four different landscapes: grassland, shrub, coniferous forest, and deciduous forest. From 640 sweeps of flagging (where each sweep covered 3.8 m2), we collected five unfed ixodid ticks. However, H. longicornis was not found. After the flagging, to locate overwintering ticks, we inspected a total of 679 samples consisting of three different structures: ground (leaf litter, soil surface, and topsoil layer), rocks, and dead trees. From the samples inspected, 85 unfed overwintering ixodid ticks were found. Haemaphysalis longicornis was the dominant species (88 %), and mostly nymphs were collected (94 %). This species was collected from ground samples, especially from the topsoil layer. Most H. longicornis were found in herbaceous landscapes such as grassland (46 %) and shrub (52 %). SFTS virus was found in 3 out of 38 pools of unfed nymphs (minimal infection rate: 4 %). Our results can serve as baseline information for the development of vector management programs.

Prognostic factors of acute ankle sprain: Need for ultrasonography to predict prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Ankle sprains are one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries. To guide management decisions, a clear insight into the relevant subgroups of patients with a potentially better or worse prognosis is important. This study aimed to evaluate injury severity, using ultrasonography (US), as a prognostic factor of acute ankle sprain and other possible factors including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), level of job activity, and level of sports activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 28 patients with acute ankle sprain who reported at initial examination with an acutely twisted ankle. All patients had received a standard physical examination, radiography and standard ultrasound, to diagnose specific ligament injuries and their ankle sprain had been treated using standard conservative management. Various data including age, sex, BMI, level of sports activity, level of daily job activity, and final functional score (Foot and Ankle Outcome Scores, FAOS) were obtained. Mean comparison and correlations were used to assess risk factors. Risk factors associated with functional outcomes were evaluated using a multiple linear regression test. RESULTS: At final follow-up as 1 year after injury, FAOS differed significantly for injury severity, age, and BMI. There were no significant differences in sex, job activity, and exercise levels. The factor most affecting FAOS for both pain (FAOS-Pain) and symptoms (FAOS-Sx) was the number of completely torn ligaments. Age was the most important factor affecting the FAOS-Daily Living Activity (ADL). BMI was the most important factor for sports activity level (FAOS-Sports). Age and the number of completely torn ligaments were both important to FAOS-Sports and quality of life (FAOS-QOL). CONCLUSION: The severity of injury, defined using US, was a prognostic factor for long-term outcome following acute ankle sprain. Therefore, US imaging of acute ankle ligament injury may be important to predict prognosis of acute ankle sprain.

Use of Metarhizum aniopliae s.l. to control soil-dwelling longhorned tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis.

The longhorned tick (bush tick),Haemaphysalis longicornis (Ixodida: Ixodidae), is a serious pest; it transmits the severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) virus to humans and has a wide distribution. The use of chemical control is not favored for environmental and health reasons, so more environmentally sound management methods need to be developed. Herein, we describe the use of an entomopathogenic fungal library to develop a fungus-mediated tick management system. Field-collected nymphs were assayed for their susceptibility to entomopathogenic fungi belonging to genera Beauveria, Metarhizium, Cordyceps, and Akanthomyces. Three M. anisopliae s.l. isolates, JEF-214, -279, and -290 showed high virulence in a dose-dependent manner. One Cordyceps isolate was pathogenic but virulence was much lower than the M. anisopliae isolates. Beauveria isolates were not pathogenic to the tick. Because the longhorned tick dwells on the soil surface except for blood-feeding periods, the soil surface was sprayed with conidial suspensions of the isolates after the release of longhorned ticks. The treatments resulted in 60-90% mortality after 30 days. M. anisopliae s.l. isolates were highly virulent against longhorned tick, and the application of fungus-based biopesticides on the soil surface could be an effective control strategy to reduce the tick population for long-term tick management.

Abundance and diversity of gut-symbiotic bacteria, the genus Burkholderia in overwintering Riptortus pedestris (Hemiptera: Alydidae) populations and soil in South Korea.

Riptortus pedestris is a major agricultural pest on leguminous plants in South Korea and Japan. Recent studies have revealed that R. pedestris can form beneficial symbiosis with bacteria belonging to genus Burkholderia acquired from soil newly for every generation. Although their physiological interactions are relatively well-understood, infection rate and abundance of the Burkholderia in overwintering natural populations of R. pedestris remain unknown. Therefore, the objective of this study was to characterize Burkholderia infection ratio and clade composition of overwintering R. pedestris populations as well as prevalence and diversity of the genus Burkholderia in soil by conducting a two-year field survey. From the field survey, we found 29 overwintering R. pedestris adults in forested areas nearby soybean fields. Diagnostic PCR analysis revealed that overall infection rate of the symbiotic Burkholderia was 93.1% from overwintering adults. Among the Burkholderia-infected R. pedestris, 70.4% of individuals harbored unclassified Burkholderia clades whereas 22.2% and 7.4% of R. pedestris harbor stinkbug-associated beneficial and environmental (SBE) group and Burkholderia cepacia and complex (BCC), respectively. All R. pedestris were infected with a single clade of Burkholderia. In soil, 56.2% of soil samples were Burkholderia positive, and unlike R. pedestris, multiple Burkholderia clades were detected from 62.2% of those samples. Clade composition of the genus Burkholderia in the samples with the bacteria was 91.1%, 60.0%, 31.1% and 8.8% for plant-associated beneficial and environment (PBE), BCC, SBE and unclassified clade, respectively.

Comparison Between Early Functional Rehabilitation and Cast Immobilization After Minimally Invasive Repair for an Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture.

The purpose of the present study was to compare the outcomes of patients with Achilles tendon rupture treated with minimally invasive repair and early functional rehabilitation with the outcomes of similar patients treated with cast immobilization. After undergoing minimally invasive surgery, a below-knee splint with the foot in 30° of plantarflexion was applied to each patient for the first week. Patients were then assigned to a cast immobilization group (IG; n = 25) or a functional group (FG; n = 16). Data were collected during outpatient checks at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year. Outcomes of interest included range of motion (ROM), heel height, calf circumference, pain and functional score, return to work and light sports activity, and complications. The time interval for return to work in the FG was faster than that in the IG (p = .026). There was no clinically important difference between the 2 groups with regard to heel height, ROM, return to sports, calf circumference, visual analog scale, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score, or Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score at every outpatient check except ROM difference at 6 weeks and heel height at 3 months. Rerupture occurred in 2 patients (1 [4%] in the IG and 1 [6.25%] in the FG). Early functional rehabilitation seemed to be as safe as traditional postoperative immobilization with a similar functional result and complications, but it was advantageous for the early phase of rehabilitation only.

Seasonal Occurrence of Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae) and Haemaphysalis flava, Vectors of Severe Fever With Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) in South Korea.

The seasonal abundance of Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann and H. flava Neumann (Acari: Ixodidae) was monitored from 2015 through 2017 in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. The hard ticks were surveyed monthly using CO2 bait traps from April to November and flagging from July to September in a coniferous forest, a deciduous forest, shrubs, and a grassland vegetation types. Haemaphysalis longicornis and H. flava were most abundant in the grassland and shrubs, which yielded over 50% of the total number of ticks in all 3 yr. Furthermore, H. longicornis comprised up to 90% of the ticks collected. Generally, peaks of nymph, adult, and larva numbers were observed from April to June, from June to July, and from August to September, respectively. Half of the ticks were pooled and tested for the presence of the SFTS virus with negative results.

Assessment of potential effects and detection efficacy of a fluorescent marking system on a medically important hard tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae).

BACKGROUND: Although Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae) is an important disease vector, its small size restricts the tracking methods applicable. Recently, fluorescent marking as a conventional detection method for small arthropods has been improved by combining it with an ultraviolet laser. We examined the application potential of this new fluorescent marking system (FMS) for tracking H. longicornis by evaluating the effect of fluorescent marking on the ticks and detection efficacy. RESULTS: Under laboratory conditions, fluorescent marking did not significantly affect the survivorship, movement patterns, and CO2 response of H. longicornis at all three developmental stages. Fluorescent-marked individuals could be detected at distances ranging from 12 to 29 m under dark, increasing with the body size. Finally, in grassland, >90% of fluorescent-marked individuals were retrieved at night regardless of developmental stage. However, the overall detection rate (<42%) was substantially reduced during the day. CONCLUSIOIN: Our results show that FMS can reliably detect H. longicornis at night. Nevertheless, fluorescent-marked individuals are not as conspicuous under sunlight when they are illuminated with ultraviolet lasers, limiting the use of FMS during the day. Therefore, the development of an alternative tracking method is warranted for an effective detection of ticks during the day. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.