• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.199-214
• /
• 2010

Objective : Atopic dermatitis (AD) may profoundly affect patient's quality of life (QOL), and also cause economic impact. The aim of our study was to evaluate the quality of life and the economic impact of adult atopic dermatitis patient in Seoul. We also evaluate the relationship of QOL and economic impact with severity of AD. Methods : 30 adult atopic dermatitis patient were included and evaluated by using the SCORAD Index and EASI. Patients were asked to fill in the questionnaires about their quality of life and financial costs during the past year by AD. Data about sleep disturbance and pruritus were also obtained. Pearson's correlation were used for statistical analysis. Results : 1. Among 30 patients, women were 19(63.3%), men were 11(36.7%). The mean age of the patients were 27.3 years old, patients between the ages of 17 and 30 years were 23, over 30 were seven. 2. The mean score of Objective SCORAD was $32.89{\pm}7.30$, Subjective SCORAD was $8.13{\pm}3.53$ and EASI was $9.15{\pm}6.90$이었다. 3. The mean score of Skindex-29 was $28.26{\pm}7.58$, DLQI was $10.17{\pm}5.55$. 4. By analyzing the questionnaire, a monthly average cost of 583,200 won for each patient was determined. Direct cost was 236,800 won and indirect cost was 346,300 won. 5. By analyzing the correlation between the severity of AD and QOL, Objective SCORAD and EASI were positively correlated with QOL(Skindex-29, DLQI) but not significant, meanwhile subjective SCORAD were significantly and positively correlated with QOL(Skindex-29, DLQI). 6. By analyzing the correlation between the severity of AD and economic impact, Objective SCORAD were significantly and positively correlated with direct cost and indirect cost. Also, EASI were significantly and positively correlated with direct cost and oriental medical hospital visits. Conclusions : The above results show that the QOL of the patients with atopic dermatitis is significantly related to their disease severity. Atopic dermatitis patients pay 583,200 won a month, and the economic impact of the patients is significantly related to their disease severity.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.248-288
• /
• 2022

The study on vascular plants of Gayasan National Park was conducted in 2016 over a period of 34 days from March to October 2016. As the study, a total of 768 taxa were recorded, including 118 families, 396 genera, 691 species, 15 subspecies, 51 varieties, and 11 forms. In the vascular plants, four endangered wild plants were recorded, Ponerorchis cucullata (L.) X.H.Jin, Trientalis europaea var. arctica (Fisch.) Ledeb., Cypripedium macranthos Sw., and Pedicularis hallaisanensis Hurus. Taxa of Least Concern (LC) or higher level on National Red List published by the Ministry of Environment of Korea were 21 taxa for example Tricyrtis macropoda Miq., and Lilium cernuum Kom. A total of 37 Korean endemic plants were investigated for example Abies koreana E.H.Wilson and Impatiens atrosanguinea (Nakai) B.U.Oh & Y.P.Hong. A total of 162 taxa of floristic regional indicators (3^rd to 5^th degree) were investigated including 9 taxa of V, 15 taxa of IV, 38 taxa of III, 45 taxa of II, and 53 taxa of I. Naturalized plants were recorded a total of 46 taxa with a Naturalization Index of 6.0%, the Urbanization Index was calculated to be 14.3% and 5 taxa of ecosystem disturbance plants were investigated such as Sicyos angulatus L., Rumex acetosella L., and Humulus scandens (Lour.) Merr. As the result of comparison with previous studies, in this study a total of 206 taxa were newly identified including 62 families, 144 genera, 184 species, 2 subspecies, 15 varieties, and 5 forms.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.112-119
• /
• 2021

In 2012, the National Park Service conducted an ecological health assessment to efficiently preserve and manage the ecosystem. The need for improving pre-existing management indicators was recognized from the revised Natural Park Act because, while the indicators of the existing evaluation system focused on endangered species, ecosystem disturbance, diversity, water quality (BOD, DO), and habitat fragmentation, they did not reflect the lack of indicators for marine ecological assessment, policy changes, and the time demands. The evaluation results comprised a five-point grading system, which made the analysis of immediate changes, difficult. Therefore, the benthic pollution index (BPI) and habitat restoration indicators were added to improve the evaluation system. The National Park was assessed using 10 classifications, however, only four classifications were evaluated. The ratings were divided into five states, and ten classes were presented as pictograms. The assessment results showed a similar trend as the indicators were improved, increasing from level 3 to level 5. However, the results of the Wolaksan National Park after improvement in the indicators were lower than that before the improvement, whereas, for the Juwangsan National Park, it was higher. This study aims at contributing to the scientific and systematic management of the national park ecosystem by improving the ecological health assessment system.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.314-340
• /
• 2023

Vascular plants of Yeonhwasan Mt., located in Taebaek-si, Gangwon-do, were investigated. Field surveys were conducted fourteen times between April and September of 2022. A total of 505 taxa were found consisting of 87 families, 282 genera, 441 species, 15 subspecies, 41 varieties, and 8 forma. Among them, the endemic plants of Korea were 22 taxa. The number of threatened and near threatened Red List plants designated by the Korean National Arboretum was four, comprising each one of critically endangered (CN), endangered (EN), vulnerable (VU), and near threatened (NT) species. The number of floristic target plants designated by the Ministry of Environment was 102, including one taxon of level V, 9 taxa of level IV, and 34 taxa of level III. Invasive alien plants were 34 taxa, and three taxa were ecosystem disturbance plants. The urbanization index of investigated site was 12.8%, and the naturalization index was 6.7%. To wisely manage Yeonhwasan, measures for preserving biodiversity and preventing invasive plants are needed.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.34-40
• /
• 2002

Objectives: The gold standard for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is nocturnal polysomnography (NPSG). This is rather expensive and somewhat inconvenient, however, and consequently simpler and cheaper alternatives to NPSG have been proposed. Oximetry is appealing because of its widespread availability and ease of application. In this study, we have evaluated whether oximetry alone can be used to diagnose or screen OSAS. The diagnostic performance of an analysis algorithm using arterial oxygen saturation ($SaO_2$) base on 'dip index', mean of $SaO_2$, and CT90 (the percentage of time spent at $SaO_2$<90%) was compared with that of NPSG. Methods: Fifty-six patients referred for NPSG to the Division of Sleep Studies at Seoul National University Hospital, were randomly selected. For each patient, NPSG with oximetry was carried out. We obtained three variables from the oximetry data such as the dip index most linearly correlated with respiratory disturbance index (RDI) from NPSG, mean $SaO_2$, and CT90 with diagnosis from NPSG. In each case, sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values of oximetry data were calculated. Results: Thirty-nine patients out of fifty-six patients were diagnosed as OSAS with NPSG. Mean RDI was 17.5, mean $SaO_2$ was 94.9%, and mean CT90 was 5.1%. The dip index [4%-4sec] was most linearly correlated with RDI (r=0.861). With dip index [4%-4sec]${\geq}2$ as diagnostic criteria, we obtained sensitivity of 0.95, specificity of 0.71, positive predictive value of 0.88, and negative predictive value of 0.86. Using mean $SaO_2{\leq}97%$, we obtained sensitivity of 0.95, specificity of 0.41, positive predictive value of 0.79, and negative predictive value of 0.78. Using $CT90{\geq}5%$, we obtained sensitivity of 0.28, specificity of 1.00, positive predictive value of 1.00, and negative predictive value of 0.38. Conclusions: The dip index [4%-4sec] and mean $SaO_2{\leq}97%$ obtained from nocturnal oximetry data are helpful in diagnosis of OSAS. CT90${\leq}$5% can be also used in excluding OSAS.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.95-104
• /
• 2006

The DMZ is a 248km long thin green line which has various landscapes of fields, hills and mountains. This study focused on western part of DMZ and vicinity which consist of abandoned rice paddy, wetlands and fields. The main purpose of this study is to detect the vegetation vitality from the western part of MDL to DMZ vicinity and identify and quantify ecological buffer(ecotone) width adopting logistic function derived from 'Vegetation Index-distance curve' using an Landsat ETM+ image acquired on June of 2002. Green leaf vegetation was quantified to identify the ecotone buffer in western DMZ and vicinity(civilian control area: CCA) using Transformed Vegetation Index(TVI) which is one of common measurement among various indices. Vegetation measurement from Military Demarcation Line(MDL) to vicinity area was investigated at 500m intervals to 10kms of southern and northern part of western DMZ and vicinity. The Logistic function models the sigmoid curve of growth with three stages of growth of initial competition and maturity. In the TVI-distance logistic curve, the maturity is high vegetation vitality, the competition is vitality changing, and the initial is low vitality. In the TVI-distance curve, maturity area of high TVI value is core area for ecological conservation, and the competition area between inflection points can be an ecotone(ecological buffer). In case of southern part, maximum TVI value is 221.92 and minimum is 207.16, and maximum TVI of northen part is 215.32 and minimum is 188.35. That means forest devastation of north Korean part of DMZ and vicinity is severer than that of south Korea. The width of core area for ecological conservation is 2,311m, and ecotone in the southern part is 5,339m, so minimum width from MDL for ecological conservation can be computed as 7,651m. In case of Northern part, the width of core area is 1,841m, and ecotone buffer is 5,014m, so ecological conservation width can be estimated as 6,855m. In case of northen part, width of estimated core area is less than that of DMZ width, which means ecological disturbance is very severe in northern part of western DMZ.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.184-192
• /
• 2007

This study was to evaluate ecological health of Sumjin River during April${\sim}$June 2006. The ecological health assessments was based on the Index of Biological Integrity (IBI), Qualitative Babitat Evaluation Index (QHEI), and water chemistry. For the study, the models of IBI and QHEI were modified as 10 and 11 metric attributes, respectively. We also analyzed spatial patterns of chemical water quality over the period of $2002{\sim}2005$, using the water chemistry dataset, obtained from the Ministry of Environment, Korea. In Sumjin River, values of IBI averaged 33 (n= 12), which is judged as a "Fair${\sim}$Good" condition after the criteria of Barbour at al. (1999). There was a distinct spatial variation. Mean IBI score at Site 5 was estimated as 40, indicating a "Good" condition whereas, the mean at Site 3 was 23, indicating a "Poor${\sim}$Fair" condition. Habitat analysis showed that QHEI values in the river averaged 109 (n=6), indicating a "Marginal" condition after the criteria of Harbour et al. (1999). Values of BOD and COD averaged 1.3 mg $L^{-1}$ (scope: $0.9{\sim}1.8$ mg $L^{-1}$) and 3.3 mg $L^{-1}$ (scope: $2.8{\sim}4.0$ mg $L^{-1}$), respectively during the study. It was evident that chemical pollutions by organic matter were minor in the river. Total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) averaged 2.5 mg $L^{-1}$ and 0.067 mg $L^{-1}$, respectively, and the nutrients did not show large longitudinal gradients between the upper and lower reach. Overall, dataset of IBI, QHEI, and water chemistry suggest that river health has been well maintained, compared to other major watersheds in Korea and should be protected from habitat disturbance and chemical pollutions.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.43 no.2
• /
• pp.307-318
• /
• 2010

This study was to analyze the ecological conditions, based on physical habitat, chemical, and biological conditions before (2006, 2007) and after ecological restoration (2009) in five sites of Changwon Stream (CS) and six sites of Nam Stream (NS), respectively, and then to compare ecological health between the two period. The analysis of ecological health was based on the multimetric models of Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) and Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) along with water chemistry in the streams. For the study, the models of IBI and QHEI were modified as 8 and 11 metric attributes, respectively. For the evaluations, the survey was conducted in the period of 2006~2007 before the restoration and in 2009 after the restoration by the city. Chemical conditions, based on conductivity, in both streams showed a typical longitudinal declines along the axis of the upstream-to-downstream. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in water quality between the two periods. Values of IBI in the CS and NS averaged 21.6 and 19.7, respectively, indicating a C grade in the criteria of Ministry of Environment, Korea, and there was no significant differences in the IBI between the two periods. Values of QHEI after the restoration averaged 29.2 and 63.2 in the CS and NS, respectively and the values decreased markedly especially, in the NS (35.3) after the restoration. The habitat disturbance was mainly attributed to destructions (i.e., the narrower width of riparian vegetation and higher substrate exposure by the air) of artificial materials by massive flood in 2009. Overall, our results suggest that the restoration was not effective in the two streams between the two periods, even if the budget was used a lot and that such ecological restoration, not considered the natural disaster, may not effect for the stream restoration.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.45 no.5
• /
• pp.1039-1046
• /
• 1998

Background: Sleep-related breathing disorders(SRBD) and periodic leg movements disorder(PLMD) are both common, and are considered as separate sleep disorders. However, both disorders show high comorbidity. SRBD and PLMD can result in excessive daytime sleepiness and insomnia due to frequent sleep fragmentation. So, it is very important to consider the presence of PLMD, when we are dealing with the diagnosis and management of SRBD. The objectives of this study were to determine the incidence of PLMD in patients with SRBD, and to describe any differences between patients with and without PLMD. Method: The authors reviewed the sleep recordings of 106 patients with a final diagnosis of SRBD(obstructive sleep apnea or upper airway resistance syndrome), who underwent full nocturnal polysomnography, including the monitoring of the anterior tibialis electromyogram. All sleep records were recorded and scored using the standard criteria. The data was analyzed by the student t-test. Result: 106 patients(M=76, F=30) were included in the analysis. Data revealed a mean age of $49.5{\pm}13.6$ years, a respiratory disturbance index(RDI) of $22.3{\pm}25.4$/hour sleep, a lowest oxygen saturation of $84.9{\pm}11.3%$, a maximal esophageal pressure of $-41.0{\pm}19.1cmH_2O$, and PLM index(PLMI) of $13.1{\pm}22.4$movements/hour sleep. Forty four percent(47 of 106 patients) had a PLMI of greater than 5 on this study. The mean age of the patients with PLMD was significantly higher than that of the patients without PLMD(p<0.005). Female patients with SRBD accompanied more PLMD(p<0.05). The apnea index of the patients with PLMD was significantly lower than that of the patients without PLMD(p<0.01). The percentage of stage 1 sleep in the patients with PLMD was significantly lower than that of the patients without PLMD(p<0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of PLMD in the patients with SRBD was high at 44.3%. The patients with PLMD were older and had more high RDI in comparison to the patients without PLMD, which was consistent with previous findings. The authors recommend that more careful consideration of PLMD is required when diagnosing and treating SRBD.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.183-191
• /
• 2009

This study was to evaluate ecological health of Dongjin River in October 2007. The ecological health assessments was based on the Index of Biological Integrity (IBI), Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI), and water chemistry. For the study, the models of IBI and QHEI were modified as 8 and 11 metric attributes, respectively. We also analyzed spatial patterns of chemical water quality over the period of 2005${\sim}$2008, using the water chemistry dataset, obtained from the Ministry of Environment, Korea. In Dongjin River, values of IBI averaged 19 (n=3), which is judged as a "Fair" condition after the criteria of Barbour et al. (1999). There was a distinct spatial variation. IBI score at Site 1 was estimated as 28, indicating a "Good" condition whereas, IBI at Site 2 and Site 3 were as 18 and 12, indicating "Fair" and "Poor" condition, respectively. Habitat analysis showed that QHEI values in the river averaged 117 (n=3), indicating a "Fair${\sim}$Good" condition after the criteria of Barbour et al. (1999). Values of BOD and COD averaged 2.3 mg $L^{-1}$ (scope: 0.1${\sim}$8.9 mg $L^{-1}$) and 5.5 mg $L^{-1}$ (scope: 1.8${\sim}$12.6 mg $L^{-1}$), respectively during the study. Total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) averaged 2.7mg $L^{-1}$ and 0.127mg $L^{-1}$, respectively, and the nutrients showed large longitudinal gradients between the upper and lower reach. Overall, dataset of IBI, QHEI, and water chemistry showed that river health was a gradual decline at upstream to downstream. So, Dongjin River should be protected from habitat disturbance and chemical pollutions.