• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.241-249
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• 2004

As a part of epidemiologic investigation of tsutsugamushi disease, the wild rodents which were captured in Gyeongnam area were diagnosed with indirect immunofluorescent antibody assay (IFA) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to find if they have an antibody against Orientia tsutsugamushi. The conclusion was drawn as followings. (1) The captured 58 wild rodents showed that the subspecies distribution of Apodemus agrarius was 86.2%, Microtus fortis was 8.6% and Crocidura lasiura was 5.2%. (2) The antibody positive rate of O. tsutsugamushi Gilliam, Karp, Karto and Boryong by IFA method was 32.0% in Apodemus agrarius among 50 wild rodents and 40.0% in Microtus fortis among 5 wild rodents, respectively. It was negative in the case of all the 3 Crocidura lasiura. (3) The antibody titers on Apodemus agrarius, Microtus fortis and Crocidura lasiura against Gilliam, Karp, Karto and Boryong were measured between 1:20 and 1:640. The antibody titer against each antigen was in the order Boryong>Gilliam>Karp. (4) O. tsutsugamushi was detected from the blood, spleen and kidney from the artificially infected mice by IFA and PCR. IFA showed the positive response between 3 and 18 days after inoculation. On the other hand, positive response was found from all the samples by PCR. (5) From PCR of the genomic DNA extracted from the blood, spleen and kidney samples of the captured wild rodents, Boryong-specific amplification product with size of 210 bp, which is particular in Boryong, was detected from spleen and kidney samples, but not detected in the blood. (6) Boryong-specific amplification product was detected from spleen and kidney samples which were obtained at 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 days after the infection with Boryong. But, it wasn't detected from the uninfected samples. (7) From PCR of spleen and kidney samples of the captured wild rodents, it was found that positive rate of O. tsutsugamushi in Apodemus agrarius and Microtus fortis were 25.0% (4/16) and 20.0% (1/5), respectively. From the above results, it can be concluded that Apodemus agrarius resided in Gyeongnam area carried O. tsutsugamushi and PCR method might be a simple, precise, rapid and useful diagnostic tool than IFA for the diagnosis of O. tsutsugamushi.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.381-402
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• 2017

In order to investigate distribution of vascular plants along elevational gradient in the Nodong valley of Gyebangsan, vascular plants of eight sections with 100-meter-high were surveyed from the Auto-camping site (800 m) to the top of a mountain (1,577 m). There were a total of 382 taxa: 89 families, 234 genera, 339 species, 7 subspecies, 34 varieties, and 2 forms. As a result of analyzing the pattern of species richness, it showed a reversed hump-shaped with minimum richness at mid-high elevation. As a result of analyzing habitat affinity types, the proportion of forest species increased with increasing elevation. But, the ruderal species decreased with increasing elevation, and then increased at the top of a mountain. As for the proportion of life forms, the annual herbs gradually decreased with increasing elevation, but it did not appear between 1,300 m and 1,500 m and then increased at the top of a mountain. The trees gradually increased with elevation and decreased from 1,300~1,400 m. The vascular plants divided into four groups by using DCA. The arrangement of each stands was arranged in order from right to left on the I axis according to the elevation. The distribution of vascular plants is determined by their own optimal ranges of vegetation. Also, rise in temperature due to climate change affects the distribution of vascular plants, composition, and diversity. Therefore, continuous monitoring is necessary to confirm ecological and environmental characteristics of vegetation, distribution ranges, changes of habitat. Furthermore, plans for conservation and management based on these data should be prepared according to climate change.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.151-170
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• 1993

Morphometric, band-pattern and electrophoretic analysis on Cobitis taenia complex were performed to investigate the morphological and genetic differentiation and to clarify their taxonomic status. Intermediate types of band-pattern (C and D type) were more frequently expressed than that of types of C. t. taenia(type A) and C. t. lutheri (type B). Sexual dimorphism of band-pattern was observed not only in C. t. taenia(type A) and C. t. lutheri(type B). Sexual dimorphism of band-pattern was observed not only in C. t. lutheri but also in C. t. taenia and C. t. striata as well. Discriminant function analysis based on 19 morphological characters shows no significant differences among C. taenia complex. The degree of genic variation of C. t. striata was higher ( =1.48, P=31.2%, HD=0.009) than those of C. t. striata was higher( =1.48, P=31.2%, HD=0.082 and HG=0.009) than those of C. t. lutheri ( =1.37, P=2.7%, HD=0.058 and HG=0.065). The average genetic similarities between C. t. lutheri and C. t. taenia-C. t. striata were S=0.62 and S=0.66 respectively and these values indicate that C. t. tanenia has evolved specific level of differentiation. C. t. striata and C. t. lutheri show subspecifc level of close genetic similarity (S=0.82). Based on the divergent time estimate (Nei, 1975) it is assumed that C. t. tanenia was branched off from the other subspecies about two million years before present (MYBP) and C. t. striata and C. t. lutheri were differentiated about 0.6 MYBP. The use of C. sinesis an the scientific name for the Korean C. t. taenia, proposed by Kim and Lee (1988) seems incorrect since they are quite different in the structure of lamina circularis (Vladycov, 1935), the external morphology and distribution (Cheng and Zheng, 1987) and the chromosome number(Yu et al., 1989). Kim and Lee(1988) also argued that C.t. striata and C. t. lutheri should be treated as distinct species but the present study and other reports (Kim and Lee, 1984; Kim and Yang, 1993) do not support it. We conclude that C. t. taenia is a good species and C. t. striata and C. t. lutheri are subspecific status. Their scientific names should be revised in the future.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.190-196
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• 2009

Purpose: Candida infection has increased in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). However, recent reports on systemic candida infections in preterm newborns are rare in Korea. The aim of this study was to examine the epidemiological features of systemic candida infection in very low birth weight infants (VLBW) over the past five years. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 19 patients with systemic candida infections in VLBW that were admitted to the neonatal intensive care units of three hospitals affiliated with the College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea from January 2004 to December 2008. We analyzed the birth weight, gestational age, age at diagnosis, risk factors, co-morbidity, antifungal treatment, and mortality rates among the 19 patients. Results: Systemic candida infections occurred in 19 cases (4.7%) among the VLBW infants. The mean birth weight and gestational age were 959.0$\pm$255.9 g and 26.7$\pm$2.1 weeks. The isolated Candida species were C. albicans (4), C. parapsilosis (9), C. glabrata (2), C. famata (2), and unkown subspecies (2). Most patients had various associated risk factors, including a central venous catheter, broad spectrum antibiotics, parenteral nutrition, intravenous lipid emulsion, endotracheal intubation and $H_2$ blocker therapy. There was no significant difference in the risk factors between newborns that survived and those that died with regard to the systemic candida infection, except for gestational age. Nine (47.4%) out of 19 patients with a candida infection died and four cases (21.2%) were directly related to the candida infection. Conclusion: The prevalence of systemic candida infection is increasing in VLBW infants. The majority of Candida species has shifted to C. non-albicans, especially C. parapsilosis. Because of the high mortality associated with candida infection in the NICU, prophylaxis and early treatment based on epidemiological features is necessary.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.29-41
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• 2015

Abandoned paddy field provides an excellent opportunity to improve the species diversity and habitat quality. Ecological characteristic on the changing of plant communities at different seral stages is a major basis data for ecological restoration. In this study, we investigated changes of the species composition and community indices on the plant community associated with abandonment of cultivated rice paddies. The ecological stability of the habitat was evaluated by using eco-floristic characters(Di; Disturbance index, AUI; Actual urbanization index). Survey sites were grouped into six stages(stageI (${\leq}3years$), stageII(3-5years), stageIII(5-7years), stageIV(7-10years), stageV(10-15years), stageVI(${\geq}20years$). Vegetation investigation was done from May 2009 to October 2012 and carried out phytosociological approach. The total flora were summarized as 176 taxa including 58 families, 127 genera, 157 species, 3 subspecies, 15 varieties and 1 forms. At each of successional stages, 64 taxa in stage I, 34 taxa in stage II, 84 taxa in stage III, 83 taxa in stage IV, 92 taxa in stage V, 23 taxa in stage VI were identified. Of the occurrence plants, the species with the highest r-NCD value were Alopecurus aequalis, Juncus effuusus var. decipiens, Persicaria thunbergii, Artemisia princeps, Salix koreensis and Alnus japonica at each stages. Herbaceous annual plants were dominated in the early stage, but its r-NCD value declined in the middle stage and the late stage. On the other hand, herbaceous perennial plants and Persicaria thunbergii, annual hydrophytes, increases in the middle stage. Woody plant and herbaceous plant which appeared in the forest edge increases in the late stage. Community indices correlate with successional stages. Richness and diversity index increase along the successional gradient. But dominance index decrease along the successional gradient. Evenness index was correlated with lower. In the ecological stability analysis of the habitat that evaluated by eco-floristic characters, stage I was the most unstable habitat. And the stability of the habitat has improved according to the successional stage.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.251-270
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is to offer the basic data and method for assessing the naturaliness of temple environment by applying the ecological index of plant to quantitatively and objectively assess the flora and to understand the flora distributed in major temple forest. The ecological index of plant was based in the surveyed flora. The whole flora were summarized as 535 taxa including 103 families, 310 genera, 426 species, 5 subspecies, 82 varieties and 22 forms. And, the numbers of taxa in the Beopheungsa were 267 taxa, 314 taxa of the Daeseungsa and 296 taxa of the Seongjusa. The rare plants were 9 taxa including Aristolochia contorta, Viola albida, Arisaema heterophyllumand so forth, and the Korean endemic plants were 11 taxa including Clematis trichotoma, Stewartia pseudocamellia, Vicia chosenensis and so forth. The specific plants by floristic region were 51 taxa including Wistaria floribunda, Celtis aurantiaca, Angelica gigas and so forth, and the pteridophyta were 26 taxa including Osmunda japonica, Polystichum braunii, Onoclea orientalis and so forth. The naturalized plants were 35 taxa including Fallopia dumetorum, Conyza canadensis, Xanthium strumarium and so forth, the invasive alien plants were 3 taxa including Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Aster pilosus and Eupatorium rugosum. In the results of analysing the ecological index of plant in whole temple forests, RI(Rare Index) was 1.7%, 2.1% of EI(Endemic Index), 9.5% of SI(Specific Index), 1.2 of PI(Pteridophyta Index) and 6.5% of NI(Naturalized Index) in narrow sense. In broad sense, FI(Flora Index) was 11.0%, 1.5% of RI, 3.4% of EI, 4.8% of SI, 10.1% of PI, 10.9% of UI(Urbanized Index) and 25.0% of DI(Disturbed Index). The FI of the Daeseungsa was the highest among the three temple forests. In narrow sense, the RI, SI, NI and DI of the Beopheungsa was high, the seongjusa was higher the EI and SI. In broad sense, the RI and SI of the Beopheungsa, the EI, SI and PI of the Seongjusa, the UI is high in the Daeseungsa. In future, if we will analyze ecological index of plant in other temple forests, we will offer the help to establishing the plan of conservation and restoration on ecosystem in whole temple forests.Environmental Specimen Banks (ESBs) are playing pivotal role in monitoring the effect of environmental pollution on the ecosystem based on the retrospective analysis of the representative samples collected regularly and stored in cryogenic condition.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.144-155
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• 2011

The infraspecific taxa of Adonis amurensis Regel et Radde are currently known to include one subspecies (subsp. nanus Y. Lee), two varieties (var. ramosa Makino, and var. dissectipetalis Y. Lee) and two forms (for. argentatus Y. Lee, and for. viridescensicalyx Y. Lee). Among them, the remaining three taxa except for subsp. nanus and var. dissectipetalis are unified with A. amurensis. Therefore, we examined the morphological characteristics and geographical distribution of A. amurensis in effort to elucidate the taxonomic status of subsp. nanus and var. dissectipetalis. After the subsp. nanus samples had been transplanted from their type locality, i.e. highland at more than 1,000 m above sea level, to a lowland habitat, we measured the samples' morphological characteristics. The range of values we recorded of the plant height and floral diameter from the subsp. nanus samples were within the parameters used to characterize A. amurensis. Accordingly, subsp. nanus has been characterized as an ecophene of A. amurensis. It is considered as a synonym of A. amurensis. Among the populations of A. amurensis (sensu Y.Lee, author), those with highly dissected petals at their apices have previously been described as var. dissectipetalis. However, this characteristic has been observed together with obtuse or rounded petal apices not only in one population but also in a single individual. However, populations with these characteristics belong to A. pseudoamurensis due to the simultaneous development of leaves and flowers, branched stems, acute leaf apices, and petals that are shorter than sepals. Therefore, we suggest that A. amurensis var. dissectipetalis be unified with A. pseudoamurensis. Very useful characteristics for distinguishing A. amurensis from its relative species are anthesis, the presence or absence of branches, the development of scales into normal leaves, the relative length of the sepals and petals, and the position of the stipules. A. amurensis is geographically restricted to E. Asia, including E. Siberia, and especially on the Korean Peninsula, it is distributed throughout the northern provinces of Gyeonggi province and in Gangwon province, Gyeongbuk province (Mt. Bohyeon-san) and Jeonbuk province (Mt Jeoksang-san) along Baekdudaegan mountain.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.284-294
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• 2011

This study was conducted to investigate the flora of habitats distributed with Allium victorialis var. platyphyllum populations in the South Korea. The vascular plants were surveyed 4 times from March 2009 to June 2010. The flora of studied area was listed as 214 taxa; 64 families, 142 genus, 181 species, 2 subspecies, 30 varieties, 1 forma. According to the specific plant species by classes, class I has 17 taxa; 15 families, 16 genus, 15 species, 2 varieties. Class II has 16 taxa; 13 families, 16 genus, 15 species, 2 varieties. Class III has 20 taxa; 16 families, 19 genus, 18 species, 2 varieties. Class III has 20 taxa; 16 families, 19 genus, 18 species, 2 varieties. Class IV has 23 taxa; 20 families, 23 genus, 19 species, 4 varieties. Class V has 2 taxa; 2 families, 2 genus, 2 species. Rare plant was 12 taxa; 9 families, 11 genus, 10 species, 2 varieties. Endemic plant was 21 taxa; 17 families, 19 genus, 18 species, 3 varieties. Endangered plant was not present in study area. It was considered that the ecosystem was probably stabilized for nothing of naturalized species and ecosystem disturbance species there. The characteristics of growth environments in the habitats with Allium victorialis var. platyphyllum were considered to be related to valley species and subalpine species such as Actinidia polygama, Cornus controversa, Rhododendron brachycarpum and Sorbus commixta.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.617-627
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• 2006

The wild plants of the studied area in the Gosan recreational forest was listed 327 taxa: 99 families, 252 genera, 289 species,1 subspecies, 34 varieties and 3 forms. Based on the list of the rare plants by the Forest Research Institute, 2 taxa were recorded in the studied areas; Lilium distichum (Presevation priority order: No. 159), Aristolochia contorta (No. 151) and based on the list of Korean endemic plants, 4 taxa were recorded; Cephalotaxus koreana, Carex okamotoi, Salix purpurea var. japonica, Weigela subsessilis. Specific plant species by floral region were total 21 taxa; 2 taxa (Asperula lasiantha, Lonicera subhispida) in class III, 4 taxa (Lilium distichum, Potentilla dickinsii, Caryopteris incana, Ligularia fischeri) in class II, 15 taxa (Hosta capitata, Alnus hirsuta, Ribes mandshuricum, Cayratia japonica, Vaccinium oldhami, etc.) in class I. The naturalized plants in this site were 12 families, 28 genera, 31 species, 1 varieties, 32 taxa and naturalization rate was 9.8%. So, wild plants disturbing ecosystem like Ambrosia artemisiifolia var. elatior have been increasing and it needs continuing control and conservation measures on the plant ecosystem.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.62-89
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• 2016

The great part of the traditional knowledge on ethnobotanical plants and their uses is gradually vanishing due to industrialization, therefore ethnobotanical studies that explore and preserve the knowledge are in urgent needed before the knowledge are lost ever. This study was conducted to record and conserve the traditional knowledge of botanical taxa in Korea from 2006 to 2014. According to the survey results, derived from 17,328 sheets of 1,771 residents at 868 places, the ethnobotanical plants in Korea consisted of a total 924 taxa; 130 families, 493 genera, 813 species, 7 subspecies, 92 varieties and 12 form. Of them, herbs were 619 taxa (67.0%) and woody plants were 305 taxa (33.0%). 707 taxa (76.5%) out of 924 taxa grow wild, 44 taxa (4.8%) were cultivated wild species, 145 taxa (15.7%) were introduced for cultivation, and 28 taxa (3.0%) were naturalized plants. The analysis of usage for 924 taxa showed that the edible use was the highest with 58.9%, followed by medicinal with 26.9%, material with 3.7% and ornamental with 2.3%, respectively. The leaf of plant was the most useful part, followed by stem and root. Quantitative analysis of the ethnobotanical plants in Korea was performed by the basic values of FC, NU and UR, and indices of CI, RFC, RI and CV. As a result, The CI place Artemisia princeps in first position, followed by Aster scaber, Kalopanax septemlobus. The RFC place A. scaber in first position, followed by A. princeps, Aralia elata. The RI place A. princeps in first position, followed by Pinus densiflora, Morus alba. The CV place A. princeps in first position, followed by P. densiflora, K. septemlobus.