• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.11-46
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• 2022

This study was carried out to examine vascular plants and invasive alien plants in Gyodong Island, located at the northwestern Civilian Control Line (CCL) of Ganghwa-gun, Incheon, and to use them as basic data for systematic management of identified plants and establishing biodiversity conservation measures. The survey was conducted 13 times from April 2019 to August 2021. The vascularflora in Gyodong Island was identified as 109 families, 378 genera, 641 species, 15 subspecies, 49 variants, 8 forma, a total of 713 taxa. This was found to be about 15.36% of the total 4,641 taxa of vascular plants in Korea. The northern linage plants on the Korean Peninsula appearing in the Gyodong Island area were identified in 83 classification groups, including Red-based leaf edge (Carex erythrobasis H.Lev. & Vaniot). Korea endemic plants were identified as 16 taxa such as Seoul wild-ginger [Asarum heterotropoides var. seoulense (Nakai) Kitag.], and a total of 20 taxa of rare plants designated by IUCN were observed, including the endangered grade Beardless iris (Iris ruthenica Ker Gawl.). Floristic target species were classified with a total of 99 taxa. For V grade, Beardless iris 1 taxon was found. and also IV grade and III grade were identified in 8 taxa and 20 taxa respectively. The invasive alien plants identified as 75 taxa, such as Verbesina alternifolia (L.) Britton ex Kearney. The naturalization rate was 10.51%, and the urbanization index was calculated as 23.29%. Since large-scale construction has been currently underway on Hwagae Mt. in Gyodong Island as the target of survey area, the influx of invasive plants will be expected to promote. Therefore, it is urgent to establish in-situ protection and conservation measures for notable plants such as Beardless iris and Water smartweed [Persicaria amphibia (L.) S.F.Gray].

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.481-504
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• 2008

This study was carried out to investigate the flora of Mt. Biseul. The vascular plants collected 10 times(from May 2006 to October 2007) were identified as 468 taxa in total, including 89 families, 302 genera, 397 species, 1 subspecies, 59 varieties and 11 forms. Korean endemic plants of this area were identified as 17 taxa including Thalictrum uchiyamai, Coreanomecon hylomeconoides, Lonicera subsessilis, etc.; the Ministry of Environment-designated plants, which should be protected by the wildlife protection law, were identified as one taxon including Aconitum austrokoreense; the Office of Forestry-designated rare & endangered plants were identified as 6 taxa including Viola albida, Lloydia triflora, Streptopus ovalis, etc.; the naturalized plants were identified as 34 taxa, and their naturalization ratio and urban index were found to be 7.3%, and 12.2% respectively. This study newly identified about 160 taxa of the plants, among which 17 taxa were newly added to the list of naturalized plants, such as Phytolacca americana, Dicentra spectabilis, Lepidium apetalum, Medicago lupulina, Euphorbia supina, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Cosmos bipinnatus, Crassocephalum crepidioides, Galinsoga ciliata, Rudbeckia bicolor, Sonchus oleraceus, Tagetes minuta, Taraxacum officinale, Chloris virgata, Festuca arundinacea, Lolium perenne, Tradescantia reflexa, etc. There existed many kinds of plants resources having conservational value like Aconitum austrokoreense etc. in this area, but there remains a fear of nature destruction's acceleration due to indiscriminate human development and access of a lot of visitors, so it is judged that there should be a management plan, such as a limit on the number of visitors or rest-year-system for restoration of nature.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.20-24
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• 2017

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of Okchun-hwan on Diabetes Mellitus. We searched articles from Oasis and Chinese Academic Journals(CAJ) online databases. Searching keywords were '玉泉丸', '옥천환'. Among the articles published from January 2000 to September 2016, The 79 articles were found. After review the title, abstract and original, The five articles were selected finally to rule out a completely different prescriptions and an animal test articles. Okchun-hwan is effective in improving the symptoms(dry mouth and throat, fatigue, eat easy to hunger, shortness of breath, sweating, palpitation, cardiac heat, insomnia, and tongue)of a patient with deficiency of both qi and yin diagnosis(氣陰兩虛證) on Diabetes Mellitus, as well as act on protection of endothelial cells and regulation of insulin sensitivity, insulin resistance that cause the diabetic chronic vascular complications.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.8
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• pp.584-589
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• 2002

Background : The thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic surgery is a complicated procedure that has various method of approach and protection. The authors have performed several methods to treat these diseases. Therefore, we attempt to analyze their results and risks. Material and Method: From June of 1992 to August of 2001, we performed 26 cases of thoracic aortic surgery and 10 cases of thoracoabdominal aortic surgery. There were 17 aortic dissections, 17 aortic aneurysms, one coarctation of aorta and one traumatic aortic aneurysm. The thoracic aortic replacement was performed under a femorofemoral bypass, an LA to femoral bypass, or a deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. The thoracoabdominal aortic replacement was performed under a femorofemoral bypass or a pump assisted rapid infusion. Result: There were 7 renal failures, 11 hepatopathies, 7 cerebral vascular accidents, 2 heart failures, 5 respiratory insufficiencies, and 2 sepsis in postoperative period. There were 9 hospital mortalities which were from 2 bleedings, 2 heart failures, 2 renal failures, a sepsis, a respiratory failure, and a cerebral infarction. There were 3 late deaths which were from ruptured distal anastomosis, cerebral infarction, and pneumonia. Conclusion: Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest was not good supportive methods for thoracic aortic replacement. Total thoracoabdominal aortic replacement was a high risk operation.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.215-222
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• 2002

Objective : Previous studies have suggested that hyperhomocysteinemia and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR C677T) mutations are associated with increased risk of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). Recently, a second site polymorphism in MTHFR, 1298A-->C, which changes a glutamic acid into an alanine residue, was shown to be associated with a decreased enzyme activity. We tested whether the variant alleles of MTHFR C677T and A1298C are risk factor (biomarker) for RSA. Materials and Methods: We analyzed DNA from a case-control study in the Korean DNA was extracted from blood samples of 118 patients with RSA and 123 healthy fertile patients as the controls. MTHFR variant alleles were determined by a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. Results: We found no evidence for an association between 677TT genotype and risk of RSA (OR=1.95, 95% CI=$0.84{\sim}4.50$, p=0.12). However, the MTHFR 1298AC (OR=0.36, 95% CI=$0.20{\sim}0.63$, p=0.0004) and 1298AC+CC (OR=0.35, 95% CI=$0.20{\sim}0.61$, p=0.0002) genotypes were lower among 118 RSA cases compared with 123 controls, conferring a 2.8-fold decrease in risk of RSA, respectively. Moreover, the combined genotypes of MTHFR 677CC/1298AC (OR=0.30, 95% CI=$0.10{\sim}0.88$, p=0.029) and 677CT/1298AC (OR=0.77, 95% CI=$0.60{\sim}0.99$, p=0.043) also showed significantly lower risk than those with MTHFR 677CC/1298AA type. Conclusion: MTHFR 1298AC, MTHFR 677CC/1298AC and 677CT/1298AC genotypes may represent genetic markers for the protection of RSA at least in Korean women.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.163-177
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• 2008

Periodontal disease, a form of chronic inflammatory bacterial infectious disease, is known to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Porphyromonas gingivalis has been implicated in periodontal disease and widely studied for its role in the pathogenesis of CVD. A previous study demonstrating that periodontopathic P. gingivalis is involved in CVD showed that invasion of endothelial cells by the bacterium is accompanied by an increase in cytokine production, which may result in vascular atherosclerotic changes. The present study was performed in order to further elucidate the role of P. gingivalis in the process of atherosclerosis and CVD. For this purpose, invasion of human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC) by P. gingivalis 381 and its isogenic mutants of KDP150 ($fimA^-$), CW120 ($ppk^-$) and KS7 ($relA^-$) was assessed using a metronidazole protection assay. Wild type P. gingivalis invaded HASMCs with an efficiency of 0.12%. In contrast, KDP150 failed to demonstrate any invasive ability. CW120 and KS7 showed relatively higher invasion efficiencies, but results for these variants were still negligible when compared to the wild type invasiveness. These results suggest that fimbriae are required for invasion and that energy metabolism in association with regulatory genes involved in stress and stringent response may also be important for this process. ELISA assays revealed that the invasive P. gingivalis 381 increased production of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$ and the chemotactic cytokines (chemokine) IL (interleukin)-8 and monocyte chemotactic (MCP) protein-1 during the 30-90 min incubation periods (P<0.05). Expression of RANTES (regulation upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted) and Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4, a pattern recognition receptor (PRR), was increased in HASMCs infected with P. gingivalis 381 by RT-PCR analysis. P. gingivalis infection did not alter interferon-$\gamma$-inducible protein-10 expression in HASMCs. HASMC nonspecific necrosis and apoptotic cell death were measured by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and caspase activity assays, respectively. LDH release from HASMCs and HAMC caspase activity were significantly higher after a 90 min incubation with P. gingivalis 381. Taken together, P. gingivalis invasion of HASMCs induces inflammatory cytokine production, apoptotic cell death, and expression of TLR-4, a PRR which may react with the bacterial molecules and induce the expression of the chemokines IL-8, MCP-1 and RANTES. Overall, these results suggest that invasive P. gingivalis may participate in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, leading to CVD.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.351-358
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• 2016

Consistent with a previous study on the brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens (BPH) (Seo et al., 2009), we identified seven distinct EPG waveforms (np, L1, L2, L3, L4-a, L4-b, and L5) in adult female Laodelphax striatellus (SBPH) that fed on rice plants, by using the direct current electrical penetration graph (DC-EPG) system. The shape of waveforms and the pattern of occurrence of each waveform of SBPH were very similar to those of BPH. L3 and L4-a always occurred prior to L4-b. Periodical honeydew excretion was observed in L4-b only. Microsection observation following laser stylectomy revealed that the tips of SBPH stylets severed in L3, L4-a, and L4-b were commonly located in or near the phloem region of rice plants, but were located in the xylem in L5. Plant sap flowed from the stylets severed in L4-b only, and its main carbohydrate component was detected as sucrose by HPLC analysis. These results and the patterns of EPG waveform progress in SBPH suggested that feeding activities on rice plant tissue were relevant to each EPG waveform. L1 and L2 corresponded to the initiation of stylet penetration and stylet movement with salivation on the outside of the vascular bundle. L3 and L4-a were related to feeding activities within the phloem region in preparation for phloem sap ingestion. L4-b was closely associated with phloem sap ingestion, and L5 corresponded to xylem feeding behavior.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.11-38
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• 2012

Located in the middle part of the Korean peninsula, Pyeong-chang and Yeong-wol (Gangwon-do) areas are limestone regions that are important biogeographically showing the peculiar flora. In order to manage efficiently endangered and rare plant species, we have investigated flora of these above regions from March to October, 2010. The result of the investigation showed a total of vascular plants of 1,145 taxa; 134 families, 503 genera, and 1,010 species, 11 subspecies, 110 varieties, 10 forms and four hybrids. Among taxa investigated, endangered species designated by the law called 'Protection Law for Endangered wild fauna and flora' were seven taxa, and 50 taxa were considered to be endemic to Korea. Based on the floristic degrees categorized by the specific distribution of plant species, 24 taxa revealed the floristic degree (FD) V, 30 for FD IV, and 60 for FD III, 45 for FD II and 79 taxa for FD I. The 82 taxa were identified to be naturalized. Of those species investigated in this survey, 53 taxa were identified as specific ones biogeographically as compared to flora of other terrestrial regions; 35 of calcicolous plants, 15 with distribution in the northern part of the Korean peninsula, three with coastal habitats.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.469-472
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• 2010

Purpose: Aplasia Cutis Congenita (ACC) is a rare disease characterized by the focal defect of the skin at birth, frequently involving scalp, but it may affect any region of the body. There are no etiology known but some conditions such as intrauterine vascular ischemia, amniotic adherences and viral infections are associated. The ideal treatment for the ACC is not known. Superficial and relatively small sized defects (< $3{\times}5\;cm$) may heal spontaneously and large defects related with risks of infection and bleeding may require aggressive surgical treatment. Hyalomatrix$^{(R)}$ is a bilayer of an esterified hyaluronan scaffold beneath a silicone membrane. It has been used as a temporary dermal substitute to cover deep thickness skin defect and has physiological functions derive from the structural role in extracellular matrix and interaction with cell surface receptor. This material has been used for the wound bed pre-treatment for skin graft to follow and especially in uncooperative patient, like a newborn, this could be a efficient and aseptic way of promoting granulation without daily irritative wound care. For this reason, using Hyalomatrix$^{(R)}$ for the treatment of ACC was preferred in this paper. Methods: We report a case of a newborn with ACC of the vertex scalp and non-ossified partial skull defect. The large sized skin and skull defect ($6{\times}6\;cm$) was found with intact dura mater. No other complications such as bleeding or abnormal neurologic sign were accompanied. Escharectomy was performed and Hyalomatrix$^{(R)}$ was applied for the protection and the induction of acute wound healing for 3 months before the split-thickness skin graft. During the 3 months period, the dressing was renewed in aseptic technique for every 3 weeks. The skin graft was achieved on the healthy granulation bed. Results: The operative procedure was uneventful without necessity of blood transfusion. Postoperative physical examination revealed no additional abnormalities. Regular wound management was performed in out-patient clinic and the grafted skin was taken completely. No other problems developed during follow-up. Conclusion: Hyalomatrix$^{(R)}$ provides protective and favorable environment for wound healing. The combination of the use of Hyalomatrix$^{(R)}$ and the skin graft will be a good alternative for the ACC patients with relatively large defect on vertex.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.197-205
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• 2010

This study was carried out to investigate the flora and vegetation in wetland of Mueuido. The forest vegetation was classified into 2 communities group (Utricularia bifida-Eriocaulon sikokianum and Alnus japonica) and 6 communities (Rhynchospora chinensis, Phragmites communis, Molinia japonica, Ischaemum crassipes, Quercus serrata and Pinus rigida-Miscanthus sinesis). Resources vascular plants were composed of 30 families, 53 genera, 50 species and 8 varieties, totaling 58 taxa. Among the investigated resources plants, Utricularia bifida and Utricularia racemosa were rare and endangered species. The special plants based on floral region by Ministry of Environment were 5 taxa; V rank species 2 taxa, II rank species 1 taxa and I rank species 2 taxa. A naturalized plants was 1 species of totaling 290 species appeared in South Korea. The Life-form were Hydatophytes (20.7%), Geophyte (19%), Microphanerophytes (19%), Hemicryptophytes (17.2%), Nanophanerophytes (17.2%), Chamaephytes (5.2%), Therophytes (1.7%). In marsh-type wetland of Mueuido, we predict that bog-type swamp, where various type of swamp plants are distributed, is starting to be formed based on the fact that Utricularia bifida and Utricularia racemosa, insectivorous plants, are dominant and sphagnum also is found. Along with the notion, there are reportedly found serious damages around wetland by human being and we have to prepare protection plans against it.