• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.7
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• pp.811-817
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• 2009

Purpose : Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are used as first-line agents for the treatment of persistent asthma; however, their use is accompanied by apprehension of potential systemic adverse effects. This study aimed to assess the effects of ICS on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone metabolism in children with asthma. Methods : From February 2008 to September 2008, 26 asthmatic children treated with ICS (ICS group), 15 asthmatic children treated with leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA) (LTRA group), and 30 healthy children (Control group) were selected from the Korea University Anam Hospital. BMD and serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) levels were measured. The asthmatic children underwent spirometry and methacholine bronchial challenge test. Results : There were no significant differences in BMD in the lumbar spine (P=0.254) and proximal femur (P=0.297) among the 3 groups. The serum BALP levels were significantly higher in both the ICS (P=0.017) and LTRA (P=0.025) groups than in the Control group. None of the parameters pertaining to ICS use, such as the mean daily dose during the last 6 months, the total cumulative dose, duration of use, and age of commencement of use, showed significant correlations with BMD (P>0.05 for all parameters). Conclusions : We demonstrated that a low dose of ICS does not exert any significant adverse effect on bone metabolism in asthmatic children. These findings support the current recommendations with regard to the use of ICS for asthmatic children.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.13-28
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• 2007

Objectives : Clinical character of chronic tension-type headache is bilateral, moderate intensity, persistent and chronic, repeating disease and CTTH is a common prevalent disease, but pathophysiology and likely mechanism remain unclear. It impedes subjective quality of life. The purpose of this research is to examine the effect of sa-am acupuncture method for chronic tension-type headache. Methods : In this randomized, single blind, placebo-controlled study, we compared active acupuncture with sham acupuncture for the treatment of chronic tension-type headache. Volunteers who satisfied the requirements were enrolled in study. Evaluation of chronic tension-type headache was measured by VAS and Headache Disability Inventory(HDI), Six point Linkert Scale before and after treatments. Results : 26 subjects finished study. There were not difference between two groups on age, sex, weight, height, blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, Byeonjeung, sunrise of treatment. In change of VAS, there were not difference between two groups on before treatment. Before treatment per visit, VAS of 6th and 7th visit were significantly decreased in active acupuncture(each p=0.039, p=0.008) and were not decreased in sham acupuncture. In change of VAS on a withdrawing needling after treatment, VAS of 1st, 2nd, 6th and 7th visit were significantly decreased in active acupuncture (each p=0.001, 0.038, 0.035, 0.008) and VAS of 2nd, 4th and 5th, 6th visit were significantly decreased in sham acupuncture(each p=0.033, 0.032, 0.035, 0.031). In change of VAS on 2hrs after treatment, VAS of 4th and 5th, 6th visit were significantly decreased in active acupuncture(each p=0.014, 0.023, 0.027) and 5th visit were significantly decreased in sham acupuncture(each p=0.004, 0.009). In change of VAS on 4hrs after treatment, VAS of 4th and 5th, 6th visit were significantly decreased in active acupuncture(each p=0.018, 0.011, 0.015) and 5th, 6th visit were significantly decreased in sham acupuncture(each p=0.020, 0.015). In change of VAS on the next day after treatment, VAS of 3th and 4th and 5th, 6th visit were significantly decreased in active acupuncture(each p=0.032, 0.011, 0.005, 0.012) and 4th, 5th visit were significantly decreased in sham acupuncture(each p=0.001, 0.012). In change of VAS according to a current time(before treatment, after a withdrawing needling, 2hrs, 4hrs, the next day), total score of VAS was decreased more active acupuncture group than sham acupuncture group, but there were no statistical significance compared with sham acupuncture group. In change of HDI score, after treatment was decreased than before treatment in two group, but there were no statistical significance compared with two group. In change of Six point Linkert scale score, after treatment was decreased than before treatment in two group on 6th, 7th visit(active acupuncture 6th 7th each p=0.002, 0.003, sham acupuncture 6th 7th each 0.003, 0.009), but there were no statistical significance compared with tow group. Conclusion : Sa-am acupuncture treatment is effective to improve the symptoms and quality of life in patients with chronic tension-type headache.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.241-263
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• 2010

KoFlux is a Korean network of micrometeorological tower sites that use eddy covariance methods to monitor the cycles of energy, water, and carbon dioxide between the atmosphere and the key terrestrial ecosystems in Korea. KoFlux embraces the mission of AsiaFlux, i.e. to bring Asia's key ecosystems under observation to ensure quality and sustainability of life on earth. The main purposes of KoFlux are to provide (1) an infrastructure to monitor, compile, archive and distribute data for the science community and (2) a forum and short courses for the application and distribution of knowledge and data between scientists including practitioners. The KoFlux community pursues the vision of AsiaFlux, i.e., "thinking community, learning frontiers" by creating information and knowledge of ecosystem science on carbon, water and energy exchanges in key terrestrial ecosystems in Asia, by promoting multidisciplinary cooperations and integration of scientific researches and practices, and by providing the local communities with sustainable ecosystem services. Currently, KoFlux has seven sites in key terrestrial ecosystems (i.e., five sites in Korea and two sites in the Arctic and Antarctic). KoFlux has systemized a standardized data processing based on scrutiny of the data observed from these ecosystems and synthesized the processed data for constructing database for further uses with open access. Through publications, workshops, and training courses on a regular basis, KoFlux has provided an agora for building networks, exchanging information among flux measurement and modelling experts, and educating scientists in flux measurement and data analysis. Despite such persistent initiatives, the collaborative networking is still limited within the KoFlux community. In order to break the walls between different disciplines and boost up partnership and ownership of the network, KoFlux will be housed in the National Center for Agro-Meteorology (NCAM) at Seoul National University in 2011 and provide several core services of NCAM. Such concerted efforts will facilitate the augmentation of the current monitoring network, the education of the next-generation scientists, and the provision of sustainable ecosystem services to our society.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.133-150
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• 2022

Calling the 21th century the age of 'cultural competition' is not an overstatement. In an era of globalization, we try to find the 'identity of our country' in our culture. 'Culture' is the unique ethnicity of the people of each country that reflects the traces of their lives. As the world is transforming into a multi-dimensional place, traditional patterns in reference to cultural uniqueness and original formativeness are the brands that represent the people. France's luxury brand, GOYARD's Y-shaped pattern naturally made during the persistent traditional handmade process is still France's representative corporate brand and is considered prestigious even after 150 years have passed. On the other hand, in low-income countries, patterns created in the natural process of weaving fabrics are succeeded as a unique cultural aesthetic and are loved by people all over the world. Like this, people living in the global multi-dimensional world look to attain the framework 'One Planet Perspective' which is to succeed their own native culture and preserve the unique culture of others. For example, in the process of international relief organizations delivering relief supplies to Columbia's "Wayu tribe" due to the water shortage in 2013, a handmade product, "Mochila Bag" was discovered. Triggered by this incident, Europe and Korea decide to import it to support the livelihood of the "Wayu tribe." Also, the aesthetic and cultural values of the traditional culture in minority tribes that have evolved through thousands of years have been listed on UNESCO and preserved worldwide. Likewise, culture doesn't suddenly appear overnight, but rather the brand representing the company is the pattern used in the trend of the era kept for over 100 years. Moreover, patterns that reflect the country's identity are inherited as the unique aesthetic of the culture. Our country does inherit the unique aesthetic of our culture, but doesn't have a 'strong image' that displays the practical value reinterpreted creatively and aesthetically to fit the modern trend. Traditional patterns are important in perspective of study and theoretical research, but the brand's image using those patterns is a new medium from the past existence continuing to the current tradition. Furthermore, this study suggests that the image of a company that uses traditional patterns will have high economical potential as a national brand.