• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.5-10
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• 2007

Background: Korean national guidelines for examining contacts with active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) are a tuberculin skin test (TST) and chest radiographs. The treatment of a latent TB infection as performed only in those younger than six years of age who test positive for TST. Although there is a high incidence of active TB in young Korean soldiers, the current national guidelines for controlling contacts with active TB in soldiers are insufficient. This study highlights the problems with the Korean guidelines for controlling a TB outbreak in a small military unit. Material and Methods: In December of 2005, there was a tuberculosis outbreak in a military unit with a total of 464 soldiers in Kyung Gi province. The chest radiographs were taken of all the soldiers, and TST were carried out on 408 candidates. Results: In the first screening of the chest radiographs, two active TB patients were detected. By August of 2006, four additional cases were detected, making a total of six cases after the outbreak. All the patients showed active pulmonary TB or TB pleuritis. When the results of TST in the close contacts and non-close contacts were compared, there was a significant difference in the absolute size of the induration($9.70{\pm}7.50mm$ vs. $6.26{\pm}7.02mm$, p<0.001) as well as the ratio of patients showing an induration > 10mm (50.0% vs. 32.0%, p<0.001) and 15mm (33.2% vs. 20.9%, p= 0.005). Conclusion: Although the national guidelines for managing a TB outbreak in a military unit were followed, there were continuous instances of new active TB cases. This highlights the need for new guidelines to prevent the spread of TB.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2007

Background: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have often been reported to suffer from depression and anxiety possibly due to the exacerbation, hospitalization and mortality of COPD. However,scarce data are available in Korea. This study assessed degree of depression and anxiety, and evaluated the factors associated with depressive symptoms in COPD. Methods: The cross-sectional data on the lung function measurements, smoking behavior, body mass index (BMI), age, gender, depressive symptoms using Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and anxiety using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were evaluated in 72 outpatients with COPD and 50 controls without underling lung diseases from September, 2005 to October, 2006 in the Ewha medical center. Results: 1) The age, body mass index (BMI) and serum albumin levels were similar in the patients and controls. The BDI scores (16(0-37) vs. 12(1-30), p=0.001) and the prevalence of depression (36% vs. 6%, p<0.0001) were higher in the COPD patients than in the controls. In the COPD group, the prevalence of depression increased with increasing GOLD stage (p=0.008). The prevalence was 18%(4/22), in mild cases, 30%(6/20) in moderate cases, 52%(13/25) in severe cases and 60%(3/5) in very severe cases. 2) The SAI and TAI scores were higher in the COPD patients (44(20-67) and 47(20-66)) than in the healthy controls (39(26-65) and 44(33-90)). There were a significant correlation between the depression and anxiety scores (p<0.001). 3) A lower BMI, lower postbronchodilator $FEV_1$, current smoking behavior and severity of COPD were univariately associated with the depressive group in COPD, 4) while multivariate logistic analysis revealed only the severe-to-very severe group (OR 3.9, 95% CI 1.2 to 12.9) to be independently associated with depressive symptoms. Conclusion: COPD is strongly associated with depression and anxiety. Therfore, screening for psychological problems in COPD patients is essential, particularly in patients with severe-to-very severe COPD.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.93-98
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• 2017

This experiment investigated characteristic changes in a $Cu_2ZnSnS_4$(CZTS) solar cell by applying a $Zn(O_x,S_{1-x})$ butter layer with various compositions on the upper side of the absorber layer. Among the four single layers such as $Zn(O_{0.76},S_{0.24})$, $Zn(O_{0.56},S_{0.44})$, $Zn(O_{0.33},S_{0.67})$, and $Zn(O_{0.17},S_{0.83})$, the $Zn(O_{0.76},S_{0.24})$ buffer layer was applied to the device due to its bandgap structure for suppressing electron-hole recombination. In the application of the $Zn(O_{0.76},S_{0.24})$ buffer layer to the device, the buffer layer in the device showed the composition of $Zn(O_{0.7},S_{0.3})$ because S diffused into the buffer layer from the absorber layer. The $Zn(O_{0.7},S_{0.3})$ buffer layer, having a lower energy level ($E_V$) than a CdS buffer layer, improved the $J_{SC}$ and $V_{OC}$ characteristics of the CZTS solar cell because the $Zn(O_{0.7},S_{0.3})$ buffer layer effectively suppressed electron-hole recombination. A substitution of the CdS buffer layer by the $Zn(O_{0.7},S_{0.3})$ buffer layer improved the efficiency of the CZTS solar cell from 2.75% to 4.86%.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.135-143
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• 2008

An emergy concept was used to evaluate the environment and economy of the estuarine areas of Yeongsan River, Seomjin River, and Han River in Korea. The emergy evaluations clearly showed ecological and socioeconomic characteristics of the estuarine areas that act as ecological and economic centers of surrounding areas. River, tide, and rain provided most of the renewable emergy inputs to the estuarine areas with their contribution to the total emergy input less than 8%. The estuarine areas mostly relied for their operation on the purchased emergy which accounted for $92{\sim}98%$ of the total emergy input to the systems. Emergy indices such as emergy use per unit area, population carrying capacity, environmental loading ratio, and emergy sustainability index revealed that the estuarine areas of Yeongsan River, Seomjin River, and Han River are not sustainable at the current level of economic activities in the areas. The ecological economic values of the environment of the areas were in the range of $7.29{\sim}22.06$ million Em\/ha/yr. They are more than twice that for the whole country, indicating the ecological and economic importance of the eatuarine areas. It is, therefore, urgent to establish and implement estuarine management policies to protect and restore the ecological and economic potentials of the estuarine areas of Yeongsan River, Seomjin River, and Han River. Management plans for the estuarine areas should include both demand-side measures such as reduction of population and economic concentration and consideration of ecological carrying capacity in planning stages for utilization and development of the areas, and supply-side ones such as restoration of degraded ecosystems and construction of new productive ecosystems.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.165-178
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• 2018

Objectives: To determine the current status of the treatment of breast cancer patients by Korean Medicine doctors (KMDs) and to examine the need for clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for the supportive care of these patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study used a self-administered questionnaire. Participants were asked about their experience in treating breast cancer patients; the number of breast cancer patients they currently treat; the main complaints expressed by, diagnoses of, and treatments used for such patients; and their opinions about Korean Medicine (KM) as the basis for providing supportive care for breast cancer. Results: The data for this study were collected from 322 respondents. 84 of whom reported having ever treated patients with breast cancer. Most breast cancer patients who visited the KM clinic were classified as stage I or II, and their major complaints were fatigue, general weakness and musculoskeletal pain. The major diagnostic strategies were syndrome differentiation and pulse diagnosis. The major treatments administered were herbal medicine, acupuncture, and moxibustion. KMDs cited a need for medical information, such as CPGs, as their most important concern with regard to the treatment of breast cancer patients. Conclusions: This survey determined the prevalence of the use of KM for Korean breast cancer patients. Our results underscore the need for clinical practice guidelines for using of KM as the basis of supportive care for breast cancer and for informing clinicians and patients about this approach.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.185-198
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• 2016

Korea has put in significant efforts to increase the number of wildlife crossings between fragmented habitats to prevent loss of biodiversity and to encourage the habitat connectivity in Korea. However, there is a lack of biological data on the effect of vegetation structure in these wildlife crossings and guidelines for design and management of wildlife crossing structures in Korea. Therefore, we selected ground beetle assemblages as model organisms to compare the effect of vegetation structure in wildlife crossings, i.e. bare ground- and shrub-type corridors, in agro-forested landscapes. For this study, 4,207 ground beetles belonging to 33 species were collected through pitfall trapping along the northern forest-corridor-southern forest transects from late April to early September in 2015. Dominant species, abundance, and species richness of ground beetles were significantly higher in the shrub-type corridors than the bare ground-type corridors. Also, the species composition of bare ground-type corridor was significantly different compared to the other habitats such as shrub-type corridor and forests. Similarly, environmental variables were also influenced by vegetation management regimes or trap locations. Collectively, our study clearly indicates that the movement of forest associated ground beetles between forest patches can increase as the vegetation in wildlife crossings becomes complex. Although further studies are needed to verify this, there are indications that the current wildlife crossings that comply with the guidelines may be unfriendly to the movement of ground dwelling arthropods as well as ground beetles. To enhance the ecological function of wildlife crossings, the guidelines need to be rectified as follows: 1) Shrubs or trees should be planted along the corridor verges to provide refuge or movement paths for small mammals and ground dwelling arthropods, and 2) Open spaces should be provided in the middle of the corridors to be used as a path for the movement of large mammals.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.474-484
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• 2015

This study aims at providing exercisable basic data for the management of protection areas in China by investigating into their legal system such as current laws, regulations, other relevant laws and international treaties and the management system such as history, classification, organization, personnel, funds and main management work.. In People's Republic of China (1954), several laws have been enacted in succession, such as Environment Law (1989), Regulations of Natural Reserves (1994) and Land Management Methods of Natural Reserves (1995). The development process of China's natural reserves is divided into the following five phases. In the initial phase (1956-1965), about 20 natural reserves were established; in the lag phase (1966-1978), a part of the natural reserves was destroyed under the influence of the Great Cultural Revolution; in the development phase (1979-1998), a normative legal system began to appear after the reform and opening up; in the leap phase (1999-2006), the number of natural reserves increased dramatically; in the stable phase ( 2007-present), the protection and restoration of the ecological environment have been implemented, and the supervision and management have been strengthened. China has established natural reserves of national, provincial, municipal and county levels according to the relevant laws. According to the resource categories, natural reserves can be divided into natural ecosystem reserves, wildlife reserves and natural relic reserves. The Ministry of Forestry is in charge of 1,958 natural reserves which account for 74.2 % of the total natural reserves in China. In China, there are 1,384 natural reserves (52.4 %) for which management institutions have been set up. 1,702 natural reserves (64.47 %) are equipped with management staff, showing a higher ratio than the natural reserves which have set up management institutions. China has established natural reserves of national level, provincial level, municipal level and county level according to law. According to the resource categories, natural reserves can be divided into natural ecosystem reserves, wildlife reserves, and natural relic reserves. The Ministry of Forestry is in charge of 1,958 natural reserves which accounts for 74.2 % of the total natural reserves in China. In China, there are 1,384 natural reserves (52.4 %) which have set up management institutions. 1,702 natural reserves (64.47 %) are equipped with management staff with a higher ratio than the natural reserves which have set up management institutions.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.374-390
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• 2015

This study aimed to identify the insect diversity and forest in urban green space, which can determine the current status of the ecosystem and provide basic data and information required for conservation planning and sustainable use of the environment. For this study, we have surveyed insect diversity by habitat types in the botanic garden of Wonkwang University, Iksan, from September, 2010 to September, 2011. During the research period, a total of 209 species, 78 families and 10 orders were observed, including 10 exportable species, 1 species of Korean Red List, 2 climate-sensitive indicator species and 70 designated species. Among these taxonomic groups, Coleoptera (36.36 %) showed the highest diversity with 76 species, followed by Hemiptera (25.36 %) with 46 species, Diptera (11.48 %) with 24 species and Hymenoptera (7.66 %) with 16 species. As for the diversity by survey time, the largest number of species were observed in September 2010 (52 families, 105 species), followed by May 2011 (37 families, 87 species), July 2011 (50 families, 86 species), June 2011 (40 families, 80 species) and August 2011 (43 families, 73 species). Relatively low diversity was observed in September 2011 (38 families, 60 species), October 2010 (36 families, 52 species) and April 2011 (19 families, 29 species). As for the diversity by survey point, the highest diversity was observed in S4 (75 families, 186 species, 88.99 %), followed by S1 (41 families, 70 species, 33.49 %), S2 (41 families, 63 species, 30.14 %), and S3 (36 families, 59 species, 28.22 %). According to the community analysis, the survey area S4 (H'=3.344, RI=9.257) showed the highest numbers in diversity index (H') and richness index (RI) of insects and S1 (0.985) showed the highest species evenness index (EI). On the other hand, S3 showed the lowest numbers (H'=2.428, RI=4.307, EI=0.832) in every index. The insect fauna is closely associated with the plants and vegetation structure in the green space. Therefore, it is necessary to manage and maintain the urban green space to make it similar to the natural environment.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.235-242
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• 2016

This study was conducted to investigate the microbiological sanitation status of raw chicken meat distributed in Korea, and potential changes in chicken breast quality during storage. The microbiological sanitation status analysis of raw chicken involved studying the results of microbiological monitoring for a 5-year period (2010~2014) by the Korean Food and Drug Administration. Furthermore, the microbiological status of raw chicken meat in meat packing centers and shops in Seoul/Gyeonggi, Kangwon, and Chungcheong Provinces was investigated from July to August 2015. The total bacterial counts of chicken meat in the packaging centers and meat shop of these Provinces were below the level specified in the Korean Meat Microbiological Guideline ($1{\times}10^7$ colony forming units [CFU]/g) and showed a similar microbiological sanitation status with results of the microbiological monitoring for the analyzed 5-year period. To evaluate the relationship between quality change and microbiological level of the meat distributed in Korea, the pH and microbiological and sensory quality characteristics of the chicken breast samples during storage at $4{\pm}2^{\circ}C$were determined. On day 4, the total bacterial count of the chicken breast was 6.76 log CFU/g, which was close to the official $1{\times}10^7CFU/g$ standard, the pH was 5.96, and the overall acceptability was reduced significantly (p<0.05). In particular, the aroma score was <5, indicating that the consumer panel expressed a negative perception even though the chicken contained a lower microbial level than that specified in the Korean microbiological guideline. These results suggest that the current Korean microbiological guideline for raw chicken meat may require a stricter level of up to $1{\times}10^6CFU/g$ to satisfy both meat safety standards and organoleptic quality for consumers.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.528-533
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• 2009

In the current study, the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated and propagated from the human umbilical cord blood (UCB) were tested for their capabilities of differentiation into chondrocytes in vitro. The mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs) collected from UCB were cultured in a low glucose DMEM medium with 10% FBS, L-glutamine and antibiotics. The human MSC colonies were positively stained by PAS reaction. When the immunophenotypes of surface antigens on the MSCs were analyzed by fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis, these cells expressed positively MSC-related antigens of CD 29, CD44, CD 90 and CD105, whereas they did not express antigens of CD14, CD31, CD34, CD45, CD133 and HLA-DR. Following induction these MSCs into chondrocytes in the chondrogenic differentiation medium for 3 weeks or more, the cells were stained positively with safranin O. We clearly confirmed that human MSCs were successfully differentiated into chondrocytes by RT-PCR and immunofluorescent stain of type-II collagen protein. These data also indicate that the isolation, proliferation and differentiation of the hUCB-derived MSCs in vitro can be used for elucidating the mechanisms involved in chondrogenesis. Moreover this differentiation technique can be applied to developing cell-based tissue regeneration or repair damaged tissues.