• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.601-613
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• 2011

The purpose of this study is to provide an protected wildlife species and potential habitats in Seoul through the overall present status of the species which live in Seoul. This study was performed in Seoul, the entire area of which is 605.52 $km^2$. We analyzed a total of 57 studies, including academic papers and research reports, for the natural ecology in Seoul. As for the results from the study, it was found that a total 1,907 species from 5 taxa were inhabiting and growing within the area. Among the total, plants of 1,656 species accounted for 86.7%, 197 species of wild birds made up 10.3%, 29 species of amphibians and reptiles consisted of 1.5%, and 27 species of mammalia totaled 1.4%. A total of 440 species except foreign species and species legally preserved by the Ministry of Environment, common species and uncertain species were selected as primary candidates. By taxon, it shows 212 species of plants, 180 species of wild birds, 24 species of mammalia, and 24 species of amphibians and reptiles. For extensive research subjects and research data limited in certain insect family, analysis by literature for discovered insects was excluded. The selection criteria for the second candidate species was based on extinction crisis, rarity, historicity and locality, academic value, habitat specificity, etc. The second candidate species from the primary species were selected through taxon experts' evaluations. As for the results of the selection of the second candidates, a total 77 species were selected through the experts' evaluations. Each species by taxon was 25 species for plants, 21 species for wild birds, 5 for mammalia, 10 for amphibians and reptiles and 16 species for insects. A site investigation for the second candidates was conducted to select the final candidate species. For the target areas, the habitats of the second candidates given by the literature and 46 potential areas in Seoul, which show good natural resistance, were finally selected. From the result of the site investigation, it was found that 14 species of plants, 19 species of wild birds, 2 species of mammalia, 4 species of amphibians and reptiles, and 16 species of insects were actually inhabiting Seoul; thus, the final 55 protected species were selected.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.115-125
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• 2015

Objectives: Colorectal cancer is one of the major cancers in South Korea. We described the time trends in colorectal cancer incidence in Daejeon, a metropolitan city, and Chungcheongnam-do (Chungnam), a rural province, South Korea. Methods: Using the databases from the Daejeon Cancer Registry (DCR) and the Chungnam Cancer Registry (CCR), age-standardized (to world standard population) rates for incidence (ASRW) were calculated. Average annual percent change (AAPC) was assessed as a trend indicator. The completeness (such as the mortality/incidence ratio) and validity (such as the death certificate only %, microscopic verification %, primary site uncertain %, and age unknown %) were analyzed to examine the data quality of DCR and CCR. Results: Incidence of colorectal cancer showed increasing trend in both sexes. Over the years 2000-2012 in Daejeon, ASRW was increased significantly from 37.2 to 51.7 per 100,000 person-years (AAPC, 3.9%) among men and from 17.1 to 28.4 (AAPC, 3.9%) among women, respectively. In Chungnam, ASRW was also increased from 29.8 to 50.1 per 100,000 person-years (AAPC, 5.1%) among men and from 15.9 to 26.6 (AAPC, 3.2%) among women, respectively. The AAPC for colon cancer was greater than rectal cancer in both Daejeon and Chungnam. The trend of rectal cancer incidence was differ by sex (AAPC in men vs women, 2.7% vs 1.7% in Daejeon; 3.5% vs 0.8% in Chungnam). Indices of completeness and validity showed that the quality control of DCR and CCR was adequate to describe the trends of ASRW. Conclusions: Both Daejeon and Chungnam have had a rapid increase in colorectal cancer incidence. Monitoring and intervention are required on the risk factors which may contribute to this trend.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.60-67
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• 2010

Although several studies have reported that Cr, Cu and As can leach from CCA-treated woods, few studies have been conducted on this topic in Korea. Therefore, this study was conducted to monitor Cr, Cu and As leaching from CCA-treated wood products and to develop a rapid identification method for CCA-treated wood products by using indicators such as PAN stain. Soil samples were collected at depths of 0-70 cm and wood samples were collected by thickness of wood layer. The soil and wood samples were then digested and analyzed for Cr, Cu and As concentrations using an atomic absorption spectrometer. The As and Cu concentrations decreased sharply with depth from 34.38 and 33.65 mg $kg^{-1}$ at 0-1 cm to 1.72 and 7.84 mg $kg^{-1}$ at 70 cm, respectively. In general, As was more mobile than Cr and Cu in the soil. For wood samples, the Cr, Cu and As concentrations were higher in the outer layer (0-0.5cm) than the inner layers (0.6-4.5cm). Evaluation of rapid identification methods revealed that 100% acetone with 0.1% PAN indicator was the best combination for detection of CCA-treated wood in the field.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.163-172
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• 2013

The aquatic insect collected at six areas (each 2 for mountain area, plain field, and urban area) from 2009 to 2011 were classified to analyze the distribution and diversity of species. Frequency (number of aquatic insect: N), number of species (S), similarity index (C), richness index (R1, R2), variety index (V1, V2), evenness index (E1, E2, E3, E4, E5), and dominance index (D1) were investigated. Total N and S were 143 and 84, respectively. C matrix of 153 combinations was constructed with the average of 0.542. The average C of 3 years (0.659) was 9.9% P, more higher than the average C of 6 areas (0.560). The average values of the index of 18 plots were 2.28, 0.17, 1.24, 1.08, 0.07, 0.06, 0.01, 0.87, 0.31, 0.93 for R1, R2, V1, V2, E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, D1, respectively. The order in the coefficient of variation (CV) of the indicator for 18 plots was N (70.0%) > E3 (54.9%) > E1 (49.6%) > R2 (40.5%) > S (35.3%) > R1 (33.7%) > E2 (28.4%) > E5 (15.9%) > V1 (11.1%) > E4 (6.3%) > V2 (5.1%) > D1 (4.8%). The correlation matrix with 66 combinations between the indexes was constructed with statistical significance for 33 combinations. However, R1, V1, E2 and D1 were the proper indexes to represent species diversity of aquatic insect based on the correlation matrix and the theory of statistical independence. The richness index was highest in mountain, variety index in urban area, and evenness index in plain field. However, the dominance index was lowest in urban area.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.279-284
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• 2008

This study was performed to investigate effect of different soil managements on physical properties and microbial activities in volcanic ash citrus orchard soil. Experiment plots had managed to control weeds on soil for 4 years with clean cultivation (CCM) used with herbicide, natural sod cultivation (NSCM), kentucky blue grass sod cultivation (KBG). Soil samples were taken on October, in both 1998 and 2000 from 3 experimental plots. In NSCM, Soil hardness was lower at 11.8 mm than in CCM. And water stable Aggregation coefficient(>0.5 mm) was high at 26.7% compared with CCM. Soil bulk density and porosity showed no significant among the treatments. Soil acid phosphatase was high in sod cultivation plots and the amount of microbial biomass C was about twice higher at $525.4mg\;kg^{-1}$ in KBG than in CCM. Conclusionally, Sod cultivation improved soil physical properties such as aggregation, hardness and increased microbial activities compared with clean cultivation in citrus orchard soil. Soil total PLFA, acid phosphatase, and microbial biomass C contents were investigated on May in nonvolcanic ash citrus soil. Soil samples were collected at 5 sites each; convention cultivation grown with herbicide, natural sod cultivation grown with 1/2 chemicals, organic cultivation. That sites have been managed for 5 years over. PLFA contents were two times higher at $112.2n\;mol\;g^{-1}$ in organic cultivation than in convention cultivation. According to the PLFA indicator, Gram negative bacteria and actinomycetes in organic cultivation were high compared with convention cultivation, which were at 15.1%, 6.6%, respectively. Soil microbial biomass C contents was about twice higher in organic cultivation than in convention cultivation. Soil acid phosphatase was high at 17.6% in organic cultivation compared with convention cultivation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.733-739
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• 2000

Background : Pleural eosinophilia is rare and commonly considered to be an indicator of good prognosis. The diagnostic significance of eosinophilic pleural effusions remains controversial despite a century of observation and discussion. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of eosinophilia in 446 consecutive samples of pleural fluid, to review the cause of eosinophilic pleural effusion and to determine whether the presence of eosinophils increases the likehood of benign conditions. Method : A retrospective analysis was performed upon patients that underwent first thoracentesis due to pleural effusion between January 1999 and December 1999. Results : Eosinophilic pleural effusions were identified in 24 of the 446 patients (5.4%). Malignancy, parapneumonic effusion and tuberculosis were determined the major causes of pleural effusion (80.6%). Malignancy was diagnosed as frequently in eosinophilic effusions as in non-eosinophilic effusions (54.2% vs 50.5%, p=0.725). No difference was found in the prevalence of eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic effusion according to the etiology. The mean blood eosinophil ratio in patients with eosinophilic pleural effusion was 5.4% and no significant correlation existed between the blood and pleural eosinophilic count. Conclusion : Pleural eosinophilia is not helpful for differentiating benign and malignant etiology and is not related with bood eosinophilia or repeated tapping.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.24-32
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• 2000

Purpose: Microsatellite instability(MSI) is frequently used as an indicator of microsatellite mutator phenotype(MMP) tumors. MSI has been observed in a percentage of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC). However, its role in tumorigenesis of NSCLC remains unknown. The frequency and pattern of MSI in NSCLC were evaluated and clinical parameters of MSI-positive tumors with those of MSS(microsatellite stable) tumors were compared. Materials and Methods: Twenty surgically resected NSCLCs were analyzed for 15 microsatellite markers located at chromosomes 3p and 9p. The peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients were used as the source of the normal DNA. Results: 1) Of 20 cases, 8(40%) demonstrated MSI. 2) Instability was observed more frequently in tri- and tetra-nucleotide repeats than in dinucleotide repeats. In all cases, instability appeared as a shift of individual allelic bands. 3) LDH was observed in 10(50%) of 20 tumors analyzed. 4) Of 20 cases, MSI-H tumor(showing MSI in the majority of markers) was absent. There were 5 MSI-L tumors(showing MSI in a greater than 10% of markers). 5) No significant difference was observed between MSI-L tumors and MSI-negative tumors in terms of clinicopathologic features such as pack-year history of smoking, histologic subtype, and(delete) stage of disease. There was also no significant difference in the incidence of LDH in relation to the status of MSI. Conclusion: These data strongly suggest that MSI plays different roles in lung and colon cancer. MMP pathway appears to be far less important in the tumorigenesis of NSCLC, caused mainly by cigarette smoke, with little familial tendency.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.34-40
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• 2006

Background: Extubation failure was associated with poor prognosis and high hospital mortality. Cuff leak test (CLT) has been proposed as a relatively simple method for detecting laryngeal obstruction that predispose toward postextubation stridor (PES) and reintubation. We examined the risk factors of extubation failure and evaluated the usefulness and limitation of CLT for predicting PES and reintubation. Methods: Thirty-four consecutive patients intubated more than 24 hours were examined. The subjects were evaluated daily for extubation readiness, and CLT was performed prior to extubation. Several parameters in the extubation success and failure group were compared. The accuracy and limitation of CLT were evaluated after choosing the thresholds values of the cuff leak volume (CLV) and percentage (CLP). Results: Of the 34 patients studied, 6 (17.6%) developed extubation failure and 3 (8.8%) were accompanied by PES. The patients who had extubation failure were more likely to have a longer duration of intubation and more severe illness. The patients who developed PES had a smaller cuff leak than the others: according to the CLV ($22.5{\pm}23.8$ vs $233.3{\pm}147.1ml$, p=0.020) or CLP ($6.2{\pm}7.3$ vs $44.3{\pm}24.7%$, p=0.013). The best cut off values for the CLV and CLP were 50ml and 14.7%, respectively. The sensitivity, negative predictive value, and specificity of CLT were relatively high, but the positive predictive value was low. Conclusion: The likelihood of developing extubation failure increases with increasing severity of illness and duration of intubation. A low CLV or CLP (<50ml or 14.7%) is useful in identifying patients at risk of PES, but the CLT is not an absolute predictor and should not be used an indicator for delaying extubation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.20-25
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• 2006

Background: Although fever is one of the most common and challenging problem in intensive care medicine(ICU), it is difficult to distinguish between infectious and non-infectious causes. Procalcitonin(PCT) has recently been reported to be an indicator of various infectious diseases. This study examined whether or not measuring the serum PCT level in patients with fever in the ICU can help distinguish fevers with infectious causes from those with non-infectious causes. Methods: ICU patients with fever at $38^{\circ}C$ or over from March to August 2005 were prospectively enrolled. The cause of the fever was identified by the culture results and clinical course. The leukocytes, CRP, PCT, IL-6, and $TNF-{\alpha}$ in the fever patients with infectious and non-infectious causes were compared, and the PCT level in the patients with fever in the ICU were compared with those without fever. Results: 1) 42 patients were enrolled and 46 cases of fever were analyzed. 26 cases were considered to be infectious, while 13 cases were considered to be non-infectious. 7 cases were found to have no clear causes. 2) There were no significant differences in the degree of fever, leukocytes count, CRP, IL-6, and $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels in the patiemts with infectious and non-infectious causes. 3) The serum PCT level was higher in those with infectious causes than in those with non-infectious causes ($15.1{\pm}32.57ng/mL$ vs $2.68{\pm}3.63ng/mL$) but there was no statistical significance (p=0.06). 4) The serum PCT level of the ICU patients with fever was significantly higher than in those without fever ($10.94{\pm}27.15ng/mL$ vs $0.45{\pm}0.49ng/mL$) (p=0.02). Conclusion: The serum PCT cannot be used to distinguish the fever in ICU patients with infectious causes from that with non-infectious causes.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.661-674
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to quantify and compare the level of MMP-2, MMP-8 in the healthy, inflammed gingival tissue and inflammed gingival tissue associated with type 2 DM. We investigate whether expression of MMP-2, MMP-8 is increased by chronic periodontitis associated with type 2 DM. Gingival tissue samples were obtained during periodontal surgery or tooth extraction. Based on patient's systemic condition & clinical criteria of gingiva, each gingival samples were divided into three groups. Group l(n=8) is clinically healthy gingiva without bleeding and no evidence of bone resorption or periodontal pockets, obtained from 8 systemically healthy patients. Group 2(n=8) is inflammed gingiva from patients with chronic periodontitis. Group 3(n=8) is inflammed gingiva from type 2 diabetic patients with chronic periodontitis. Tissue samples were prepared and analyzed by Western blotting. The quantification of MMP-2, MMP-8 was performed using a densitometer and statistically analyzed by ANOVA. MMP-2, MMP-8 was expressed in all samples including healthy gingiva and increased in group 3 compared to group 1 and 2, and showed that significant variation was observed between group 1 & 3 in MMP-8 results. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that human gingival tissue with chronic periodontitis associated to type 2 diabetes showed slightly elevated MMP-2, MMP-8 levels compared to healthy gingiva and non-diabetic inflamed gingiva.