• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.145-155
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• 2019

Purpose: Amendment to the Act on Decisions on Life-sustaining Treatment was recently enacted to designate long-term care hospitals as providers of hospice and palliative care. Despite its benefit of providing improved accessibility to end-of-life care, the amendment has raised concerns about its effect on quality of service. This study aimed to use information obtained from an expert group interview and previous studies to compare how cancer patients, family caregivers, physicians, and the general Korean population perceive the potential benefits and risks of this amendment. Methods: We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional study from July to October 2016. The included participants answered a structured questionnaire regarding the extent to which they agree or disagree with the questionnaire items indicating the potential benefits and risks of the amendment. Chi-square tests and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: Compared with the general population, physicians agreed more that long-term care hospitals are currently not adequately equipped to provide quality hospice and palliative care. Family caregivers found improved access to long-term care hospitals more favorable but were more likely to agree that these hospitals might prioritize profits, thereby threatening the philosophy of hospice care, and that families might cease to fulfill filial responsibilities. Compared with the general population, cancer patients were more concerned about the potentially decreased service quality in this setting. Conclusion: Although potential service beneficiaries and providers expected improved accessibility of hospice and palliative care services, they were also concerned whether the system can provide adequate quality of end-of-life care.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.152-160
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of aging process on the immunity in human subjects. In this investigation, nineteen families of three generations (daughters on college age, their mothers, and grandmothers) participated to avoid genetic variation among individuals. Dietary food records, anthropometric measurements and biochemical assessments of serum nutrients were used to evaluate the nutritional status of subjects. The immune parameters of subjects were assessed by the total and differential WBC count. Total B and T lymphocytes, and T cell subsets were quantified by flowcytometer. Serum immunoglobulin G, A, M concentrations were also measured as an index of humoral immunity. The result of this study can be summarized as follows: 1. Along with the aging process, body fat was found to be increased whereas lean body mass and total body water were diminished. Since there were no significant difference in serum vitamin E levels in all age groups, serum retinal concentrations tended to decrease as one gets old. 2. Although total number of T lymphocytes seemed to be unchanged, B lymphocytes and NK cell numbers were increased by aging. The Percentage of CD8 + lymphocytes was lower in the elderly subjects compared with the younger, resulting in higher ratio of CD4 +/CD8 + lymphocytes in the elderly. Serum Ig G and Ig A levels remained unchanged, but IgM levels were significantly decreased as the age processes continue. Taking all together, it could be suggested that the alteration of immune cell population by aging is selective and possibly nonage factors such as nutrition may be attributable to the change of immunity in the elderly. The nutritional status and aging process may selectively affect both the cell-mediated (CD8 +, CD4 + CD8 + ratio, NK cell) and humoral (B lymphocyte, Immunoglobulin M, G) immune parameters in human subjects.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.251-270
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is to offer the basic data and method for assessing the naturaliness of temple environment by applying the ecological index of plant to quantitatively and objectively assess the flora and to understand the flora distributed in major temple forest. The ecological index of plant was based in the surveyed flora. The whole flora were summarized as 535 taxa including 103 families, 310 genera, 426 species, 5 subspecies, 82 varieties and 22 forms. And, the numbers of taxa in the Beopheungsa were 267 taxa, 314 taxa of the Daeseungsa and 296 taxa of the Seongjusa. The rare plants were 9 taxa including Aristolochia contorta, Viola albida, Arisaema heterophyllumand so forth, and the Korean endemic plants were 11 taxa including Clematis trichotoma, Stewartia pseudocamellia, Vicia chosenensis and so forth. The specific plants by floristic region were 51 taxa including Wistaria floribunda, Celtis aurantiaca, Angelica gigas and so forth, and the pteridophyta were 26 taxa including Osmunda japonica, Polystichum braunii, Onoclea orientalis and so forth. The naturalized plants were 35 taxa including Fallopia dumetorum, Conyza canadensis, Xanthium strumarium and so forth, the invasive alien plants were 3 taxa including Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Aster pilosus and Eupatorium rugosum. In the results of analysing the ecological index of plant in whole temple forests, RI(Rare Index) was 1.7%, 2.1% of EI(Endemic Index), 9.5% of SI(Specific Index), 1.2 of PI(Pteridophyta Index) and 6.5% of NI(Naturalized Index) in narrow sense. In broad sense, FI(Flora Index) was 11.0%, 1.5% of RI, 3.4% of EI, 4.8% of SI, 10.1% of PI, 10.9% of UI(Urbanized Index) and 25.0% of DI(Disturbed Index). The FI of the Daeseungsa was the highest among the three temple forests. In narrow sense, the RI, SI, NI and DI of the Beopheungsa was high, the seongjusa was higher the EI and SI. In broad sense, the RI and SI of the Beopheungsa, the EI, SI and PI of the Seongjusa, the UI is high in the Daeseungsa. In future, if we will analyze ecological index of plant in other temple forests, we will offer the help to establishing the plan of conservation and restoration on ecosystem in whole temple forests.Environmental Specimen Banks (ESBs) are playing pivotal role in monitoring the effect of environmental pollution on the ecosystem based on the retrospective analysis of the representative samples collected regularly and stored in cryogenic condition.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.307-321
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• 2018

Fish fauna and lentic ecosystem health assessment in freshwater were analyzed in the two reservoirs (Uirim Reservoir(Ur) and Solbangjuk Reservoir(Sr)) of the Jecheon City during May-September 2017. Total numbers of the species and genus (7 family) sampled were 21 and 16, respectively. Cyprinidae was most dominant taxa, which accounted for 11 species (52.4%) of the total species, and the relative abundance, based on the number of individuals, was 318 individuals (46.2%). Subdominant families were taxa of Centrachidae (2 species; 264 ind. (38.4%). The dominant species, based on the relative abundance, were Squalidus chankaensistsuchigae(22.7%). Subdominant species were Lepomis macrochirus(19.5%, 134 ind.) and Micropterus salmoides(18.9%, 134 ind.). Trophic state index of Korea ($TSI_{KO}$), based on chemical oxygen demand (COD), total phosphorus (TP) and chlorophyll-a (CHL),ranged mesotrophic state. The purpose of this study was to apply a multi-metric model of Lentic Ecosystem Health Assessments (LEHA) for environmental impact assessments of two reservoirs and assessed the ecological health model values. Trophic composition's metrics showed that tolerant species (56.8%, 98.3%) and omnivore species (43.9%, 65.6%) dominated the fish fauna in the two reservoirs (Ur and Sr) of Jecheon City, indicating a biological degradation in the aquatic ecosystem. The relative proportions of Micropterus salmoides, also showed greater than 16.3% (Ur), 31.1% (Sr) of the total, indicating a ecological disturbance. The average value of LEHA model was 22 (Ur) and 12 (Sr) in the reservoirs, indicating a "poor condition (Ur)" and "very poor condition (Sr)" by the criteria of MOE (2014).

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.232-237
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• 2004

Purpose: DNR order is generally accepted for cancer patients near the end of life at Hospice Ward. It means not only no CPR when cardiopulmonary arrest develops but no aggressive meaningless medical interventions. Usually on admission, we discuss with the patients' family about DNR order at the Hospice Ward. Recently, we experienced a terminal lung cancer patient who had been on the ventilator for two months after pulmonary arrest. CPR and artificial ventilation were performed because patient's family refused DNR order. There is no consensus when, who, and how DNR order could be written for terminal cancer patients in Korea, yet. Methods: Hospice charts of 60 patients who admitted between Jan and Jun 2003 to Hospice Ward were reviewed retrospectively. Results: The median age was 66(range $31{\sim}93$) and there were 31 males and 29 females. Their underlying cancers were lung (12), stomach (12), biliary tract (7), colon (6), pancreas (4) and others (19). The persons who signed DNR order were son (22), spouse(19), daughter (16) and others (3). But, there was no patients who signed DNR order by oneself. Thirty families of 60 patients signed on day of admission and 30 signed during hospitalization when there were symptom aggravation (19), vital sign change (4), organ failure (3) and others (4). There were 13 patients who died within 5 days after DNR order. Most of patients died at our hospice ward, except in 1 patient. The level of care was mostly 1, except in 2 patients. (We set level of care as 3 categories. Level 1 is general medical care: 2 is general nursing care: 3 is terminal care.) Conclusion: We have to consider carefully discussing DNR order with terminal cancer patients in the future & values on withholding futile intervention.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.35 no.2 s.98
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• pp.63-70
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• 2002

Long-term changes of the fish fauna and its community structure from the Jungrang Creek of the Han River system in Seoul were investigeted from 1990 to 2000. Total species occurred during the survey period were 14 species in 6 families, and total individual number was 108,366. Fishes at the Jungrang Creek had not been distributed in the 1980s and 1990 because of heavy water pollution as well as environmental damage in the riparian areas. However, Cyprinus carpio and Carassius auratus in cyprinidae were rehabitated since the early 1990s when the water quality was improved because of foundation of sewage division pipe. Species nombers gradually increased to 6 species in 1996, 9 species in 1998, and 11 species in 2000. Individual numbers rapidly increased to 164 individuals in 1996, 146 individuals in 1998, and 108,094 individuals in 2000. A large number of Cyprinus carpio and Carassius auratus, which are abundantly distributed in the main course of the Han River, were found when they migrate to the upper reaches of the Jungrang Creek for spawning. Mass fish floatings were occurred on the 21st of April and the 11th of June in 2000 due to DO depletion at the lower site (Site 4) of discharging point of Jungrang sewage treatment plant and stagnant spot(Site 3) of dammed pool. Major dominant species were Cyprinus carpio and Carassius auratus (Cyprinidae). Others dominant species were Pseudorasbora lab대 (Cyprinidae) and Silurus asotus (Siluridae). Dominance indices were relatively high (0.79 to 1.00). Species diversity andrichness indices were relatively low (0 to 1.66and 0 to 1.41, respectively). Species diversity and richness indices were slightly higher at the middle reaches (Site 2 and Site 3) than the upper reaches and the mouth of the Jungrang Creek. However, the fish fauna of the Jungrang Creek was very poor and its community structure was very simple.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.273-302
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• 2006

The introduction of cash payments for care is a distinct trend that characterizes changes in care policies since the 1990s. Recently, many developed countries have newly introduced or extended cash payments for care that allow care users to be able to plan themselves for their cares instead of receiving direct care services from the state. Cash payments for care can be said to be one of the alternative policies by which user choices are extended, and it becomes possible to establish demand-cantered care delivery systems more economically and effectively, hence addressing the issue of the financial limitations and rigid systems that are common in modern welfare states, which make it difficult to response to various needs. However, the design and administration of cash for care vary across different countries. Such variations of cash for care policies influence on the combination of consumerism (based on liberal market values intrinsic in the care market) and citizenship based on social solidarity. Those variations eventually produce impacts on the balance of responsibilities and the roles of families, the state and market regarding care in other words, balancing of welfare pluralism. This paper has attempted to find general meanings and particularity of cash for care polices in modem welfare states by means of looking at the characteristics of cash for care policies of four different countries (Netherlands, France, Germany and Italy) and their impacts on their care market. If the four countries are ranked by the degree that they emphasize citizenship in light with social rights, the Netherlands, France, Germany and Italy could be placed in due order. From an economic point of view and in terms of cost containment, those countries will be placed in an inverse order, It is apparent that in the course of planting cash for care policies in the existing social systems involving different socio-cultural conditions and labour markets, sometimes more emphasis is placed on the citizenship of care users, family carers and care providers than on cost containment issue, and sometimes vice versa. Behind this lies the process of different social valuation on what care is about; who can better deliver care; who should be responsible for care; how responsibilities should be shared and so on.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.173-184
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• 2003

Beetles belonging to the families Scolytidae, Platypodidae, Bostrichidae, and Lyctidae intercepted from imported timbers at Busan port were investigated from March 1 to November 30 in 2000. In addition, hosts imported country were examined. A total of 52 species of within 23 genera was intercepted from nineteen species of timbers or logs from fifteen countries. In Scolytidae, 35 species of 16 genera in three subfamilies were identified 12 species in Xyleborus, 6 species in Ips, 3 species in Trypodendron, 2 species in Arixyleborus, and 12 species of all different genera including Alinphagous. Scolytidae were intercepted from 16 species of timbers in 13 genera imported from 11 countries. The highest beetles were intercepted from Malaysian lauan. In Platypodidae, 9 species of one genus (Platypus) were intercepted from 6 species of timbers in 4 genera imported from 6 countries including Australia. The highest numbers were intercepted from Malysian lauan. In Bostrychidae, 5 species of 4 genera in two subfamilies were intercepted from 6 species of timbers in 4 genera imported from four countries. In Lyctidae, Trogoxylon sp., Minthea sp., and Minthea rugicollis were intercepted from 3 species of timbers in 2 genera imported from 3 countries.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.269-278
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• 2002

Objective s: Chromosome aneuploidy is associated with recurrent abortion and congenital anomaly and genetic diseases occur repeatedly in the specific families. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) can prevent aneuploidy or genetic disease by selecting normal embryos before implantation and is an alternative to prenatal diagnosis. The aim of this study is to assess the outcome of PGD cycles by using FISH or PCR, and to determine the clinical usefulness and values in patients with risk of chromosomal aneuploidy or genetic disease. Materials and Methods: From 1995 to Apr. 2001, a total of 108 PGD cycles in 65 patients with poor reproductive outcome were analyzed. The indications of PGD were translocation (n=49), inversion (n=2), aneuploidy screening (n=7), Duchenne muscular dystrophy (n=5) and spinal muscular atrophy (n=2). PGD was applied due to the history of recurrent abortion, previous birth of affected child or risk of aneuploidy related to sex chromosome aneuploidy or old age. Blastomere biopsy was performed in 6$\sim$10 cell stage embryo after IVF with ICSI. In the single blastomere, chromosome aneuploidy was diagnosed by using FISH and PCR was performed for the diagnosis of exon deletion in DMD or SMA. Results: The FISH or PCR amplification was successful in 94.3% of biopsied blastomeres. The rate of transferable balanced emb ryos was 24.0% in the chromosome translocation and inversion, 57.1% for the DMD and SMA, and 28.8% for the aneuploidy screening. Overall hCG positive rate per transfer was 17.8% (18/101) and clinical pregnancy rate was 13.9% (14/101) (11 term pregnancy, 3 abortion, and 4 biochemical pregnancy). The clinical pregnancy rate of translocation and inversion was 12.9% (11/85) and abortion rate was 27.3% (3/11). In the DMD and SMA, the clinical pregnancy rate was 33.3% (3/9) and all delivered at term. The PGD results were confirmed by amniocentesis and were correct. When the embryos developed to compaction or morula, the pregnancy rate was higher (32%) than that of the cases without compaction (7.2%, p<0.01). Conclusions: PGD by using FISH or PCR is useful to get n ormal pregnancy by reducing spontaneous abortion associated with chromosome aneuploidy in the patients with structural chromosome aberration or risk of aneuploidy and can prevent genetic disease prior to implantation.

• 한국균학회소식:학술대회논문집
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• 2015.11a
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• pp.16-16
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• 2015

Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) mushrooms play a major role in plant growth promotion through symbiotic association with roots of forest trees. They also provide an economically important food resource to us and therefore they have been studied for their artificial cultivation for decades in Korea. We have secured bio-resources of ECM mushrooms from Korean forests and performed their physiological studies. To investigate the cultural characteristics, the fungi were cultured under different conditions (medium, temperature, pH of the medium, inorganic nitrogen source). More than 90% of total 160 strains grew on three solid media (potato dextrose agar, PDA; sabouraud dextrose agar, SDA; modified Melin-Norkrans medium, MMN). The rate of mycelial growth on malt extract agar (MEA) was lower than those of three media (PDA, SDA, MMN). None of the Tricholomataceae strains grew on MEA. Many strains of ECM mushrooms were able to grow at the temperature range of $15{\sim}25^{\circ}C$ on PDA, while they showed poor growth at $10^{\circ}C$ or $30^{\circ}C$. In particular, the growth rates of both Gomphaceae and Tricholomataceae were significantly lower at $10^{\circ}C$ than at $30^{\circ}C$. The optimal pH of many strains was pH 5.0 when they cultured in potato dextrose broth (PDB). Fifty-seven percent of tested strains grew well on medium containing ammonium source than nitrate source. Many strains of Tricholomataceae showed a notable growth on ammonium medium than nitrate medium. Twenty-three percent of strains preferred nitrate source than ammonium source for their mycelial growth. The production and activity of two enzymes (cellulase and laccase) by ECM fungi were also assayed on the enzyme screening media containing CMC or ABTS. Each strains exhibited different levels of enzymatic activities as well as enzyme production. The number of laccase-producing strains was less than that of cellulase-producing strains. We found that 77% of tested strains produced both cellulase and laccase, whereas 2% of strains did not produce any enzymes. The morphological characteristics of mycelial colony were also examined on four different solid media. Yellow was a dominant color in mycelial colony and followed by white and brown on all culture media. ECM mushrooms formed mycelial colonies with a single or multiple colors within a culture medium depending on the strains and culture media. The most common shape of mycelial colony was a circular form on all media tested. Other families except for Amanitaceae formed an irregular colony on MMN than PDA. All strains of Tricholomataceae did not form a filamentous colony on all media. The pigmentation of culture media by mycelial colonies was observed in more than 50% of strains tested on both PDA and SDA. The degree of pigmentation on PDA or SDA was higher than MMN and brown color was dominant than yellow color. The production of exudates from mycelial colony was higher on PDA than MMN. Brown exudates were mainly produced by many strains on PDA or SDA, whereas transparent exudates were mainly produced by strains on MMN. We observed the mycelial colonies with a single or multiple textures in just one culture plate. Wrinkled or uneven colony surfaces were remarkably observed in many strains on PDA or SDA, while an even colony surface was observed in many strains on MMN. Sixty percent of Tricholomaceae strains formed wrinkled surface on PDA. However, they did not form any wrinkle on MMN plate. Cottony texture was observed in mycelia colonies of many strains. Velvety texture was often observed in the mycelial colonies on SDA than PDA and accounted for 60% of Suillaceae strains on SDA.