Background: This study was undertaken to analyze the distribution and ecological characteristics of invasive alien plant species on Jeju Island, and to provide basic data for their management and control. Results: A field research was conducted at 436 locations on Jeju Island. The field research identified nine species of invasive alien species growing on Jeju Island. Based on the distribution pattern, Hypochaeris radicata L., Rumex acetosella, and Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. were found to be distributed horizontally throughout Jeju Island, with vertical growth in two or more vegetation zones, from warm temperate to the subalpine zone. Widely distributed species penetrate various habitats, such as grasslands, ranches, roadsides, farmlands, and empty lots, and have an immensely negative impact on the ecosystem, including declining biodiversity on Jeju Island. Paspalum distichum var. indutum Shinners, Paspalum distichum L., Solanum carolinense L., and Aster pilosus Willd. were distributed in some areas as a biased distribution species, whereas Lactuca scariola L. and Solidago altissima L. were found only in certain areas as centralized distribution species. Conclusions: The centralized distribution species and biased distribution species of the invasive plants in the ecosystem of Jeju Island should be physically eliminated, keeping in mind the short-and mid-term perspectives and monitoring, and by considering expansion of additional distribution areas. Due to limitations of physical/ chemical elimination, time, and cost, widely distributed species require to be eliminated and managed, mainly to restore the integrity of the ecosystem, by planting native species to reestablish the habitat.

Documentation of diversity and assessment of cultural importance of wild edible plants gathered and consumed in Ulleung Island, South Korea was conducted in this research by asking 83 key informants (average age 70) using semi-structured interview questionnaire, and utilizing quantitative ethnobotanical indices such as use value (UV) and fidelity level (FL). A total of 66 taxa in 36 families of wild food plants were recorded, 10 of which, endemic. Asteraceae and Rosaceae were the most represented families with 10 taxa for each. Leaves, young shoots and fruits were the most collected plant parts especially in spring. The plants which recorded high UVs were Allium ochotense (0.627), Aster pseudoglehnii (0.398) and Aruncus dioicus var. kamtschaticus (0.349), indicating that these plants are considered the most important by the informants. This study also recorded 29 wild edible plant taxa with 100 % FL values. Notable plants (and their preparation) with relatively high FL and use-mentions are Vitis coignetiae (89.47 %), Anthriscus sylvestris (86.67 %) and Lilium hansonii (86.67 %) which are consumed as fruit, prepared by parboiling the shoots and by steaming the bulbs, respectively. Category 5 ''Cooked'' (COO) was the most preferred mode of preparation when taken as a whole recording 49 % of the total, implying that wild edible plants play a big role in the informants' regular diet despite growing modernization in the island brought about by government-led tourism and infrastructure development programs. Some social, cultural, nutritional and ecological aspects were also discussed in this paper.

-To survey and collect the traditional knowledge on the regional folk plants, we interviewed 125 (male 37, female 88) native inhabitants in inland, 12 cities and counties of Chungnam province from March to October, 2011. The results showed that the regional folk plants in inland of Chungnam province consisted of a total 273 taxa; 92 families, 225 genera, 237 species, 4 subspecies, 29 varieties and 3 forms. Of 273 taxa surveyed ; 5 Korean endemic plants, 8 rare plants and 16 naturalized plants were also included. And of 273 taxa, cultivated plants were 82 taxa and 191 taxa were wild plants. The analysis of use by usage for 273 taxa showed that the edible use was the highest with 981 times, followed by medicinal with 439 times, material with 179 times, oil with 68 times, respectively. The leaf of plant was the most useful part, followed by stem and fruit. The consistency comparison between the Korean name and the local name were the highest in 50's and the lowest in 90's. Key words -

ObjectivesA fast and accurate diagnosis is necessary to control and eliminate tuberculosis (TB). In Korea, TB continues to be a serious public health problem. In this study, diagnostic tests on clinical samples from patients suspected to have TB were performed and the sensitivity and specificity of the various techniques were compared. The main objective of the study was to compare various diagnostic tests and evaluate their sensitivity and specificity for detecting tuberculosis.MethodsFrom January 2013 to December 2013, 170,240 clinical samples from patients suspected to have TB were tested with smear microscopy, acid-fast bacilli culture, and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The test results were compared and data were analyzed.ResultsA total of 8216 cultures tested positive for TB (positive detection rate, 4.8%). The contamination rate in the culture was 0.6% and the isolation rate of nontuberculous mycobacteria was 1.0%. The sensitivity and specificity of smear microscopy were 56.8% and 99.6%, respectively. The concordance rate between the solid and liquid cultures was 92.8%. Mycobacterium isolates were not detected in 0.4% of the cases in the liquid culture, whereas no Mycobacterium isolates were detected in 6.8% of the cases in the solid culture. The sensitivity and specificity of real-time PCR for the solid culture were 97.2% and 72.4%, respectively, whereas the corresponding data for the liquid culture were 93.5% and 97.2%.ConclusionThe study results can be used to improve existing TB diagnosis procedure as well as for comparing the effectiveness of the assay tests used for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates.

-This study was carried out to clarify the regional folk plants in the southern inland area of Gyeonggi-do Province. According to the survey results, derived from 1,229 sheets of 90 residents at 35 places from 9 counties and cities between October 2009 and December 2010, the folk plants in the inland southern area of Gyeonggi-do consisted of a total of 259 taxa; 82 families, 200 genera, 221 species, 4 subspecies, 32 varieties, and 2 forma. The classification of the plants by its usage was; 214 as edible, 119 as medicinal, 34 as ornamental, 18 as timber, 12 as dye, 5 as oil, 3 as spice, 2 as fiber, 2 as aroma, and 22 as others uses. So, the edible and medicinal uses are higher than other uses. The most useful part was the leaf, followed by fruit, stem, root, and flower. The collection season was focused on spring and summer, because the leaf was mainly collected in an edible condition during those seasons. Traditional knowledge of folk plants was mostly passed down orally. The consistency comparison between the standard common name and the local name was the highest in the people in 50s and the lowest in those in 80s.