• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.26
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• pp.6.1-6.8
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• 2011

Objectives: The present study investigated the potential adverse effects of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on pregnant dams and embryonic development following maternal exposure in rats. Methods: MWCNTs were orally administered to pregnant rats from gestational day (GD) 6 through 19 at dose levels of 0, 8, 40, 200, and 1000 mg/kg/day. During the test period, clinical signs, mortality, body weights, food consumption, serum biochemistry, oxidant-antioxidant status, gross findings, organ weights, and Caesarean section findings were examined. Results: All animals survived to the end of the study. A decrease in thymus weight was observed in the highest dose group. However, maternal body weight, food consumption, serum biochemical parameters, and oxidant-antioxidant balance in the kidneys were not affected by treatment with MWCNTs. No treatment-related differences in gestational index, embryo-fetal mortality, or fetal and placental weights were observed between treated and control groups. Conclusions: The results show that 14-day repeated oral dosing of MWCNTs during pregnancy induces minimal maternal toxicity at 1000 mg/kg/day in rats. Under these experimental conditions, the no-observed-adverse-effect level of MWCNTs is considered to be 200 mg/kg/day for dams and 1000 mg/kg/day for embryonic development.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.847-849
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• 2010

Purpose: Traditional radical surgery for vulvar cancer produces severe skin and soft tissue defects in the vulvar and vaginal area. Vulvoperineal V-Y advancement fasciocutaneous flaps have limitations in advancement and tension at the wound margin and vaginal orifice area, causing wound disruption or vaginal wall exposure. Therefore, we designed the "Butterfly flap" using a vulvoperineal V-Y advancement fasciocutaneous flap and an inguinal rotational skin flap for 3-dimensional reconstruction of vagina and vulvar area. Methods: A 27 year-old female was diagnosed with vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia. Radical vulvectomy and full-thickness-skin-graft was performed. We designed a vulvoperineal V-Y advancement fasciocutaneous flap as the greater wing and inguinal rotational skin as the lesser wing. After flap elevation, the inguinal flap was rotated $180^{\circ}$ to reconstruct the labia major and vaginal orifice. The perineum was reconstructed using V-Y advancement flaps. Results: The flap survived completely, without any complications. After 6 months, the patient was able to perform normal sexual activities and after 18 months, the patient was able to give birth to normal child by caesarean section. Conclusion: The traditional vulvoperineal V-Y advancement fasciocutaneous flap is thin, reliable, easily elevated and matches local skin quality. However, the vaginal wall becomes exposed due to limited advancement and tension of the flap. The "Butterfly flap" using a vulvoperineal V-Y advancement fasciocutaneous flap and an inguinal rotational skin flap is useful for the release of vaginal orifice contracture, reconstruction of the labia major, and 3-dimensional reconstruction of vagina and vulvar area.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.268-272
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• 2021

Bone marrow-derived cell (BMDC) therapy has numerous applications as potential biological cells for use in regenerative medicine. Here, we present an original case of endometrial atrophy associated with genital tuberculosis in a woman who achieved a live birth with BMDC. This 27-year-old woman came to our center with endometrial atrophy and primary infertility. She had a past history of genital tuberculosis and amenorrhea. Her husband's semen quality was normal. The patient was counseled for hysteroscopy due to thin endometrium and advised in vitro fertilization (IVF) with donor eggs in lieu of poor ovarian reserve. Several attempts of IVF with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) were made, but the desired thickness of the endometrium was not achieved. Uterine artery injection of BMDC through interventional radiology was given, followed by HRT for three months, which resulted in improved endometrium. This was subsequently followed by IVF with donor egg. The treatment resulted in the conception and delivery of a 3.1-kg baby boy through lower segment caesarean section with no antenatal, intranatal or postnatal complications. Recently, there has been massive interest in stem cells as a novel treatment method for regenerative medicine, and more specifically for the regeneration of human endometrium disorders like Asherman syndrome and thin endometrium, which was the reason behind using this strategy for treatment.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.57-72
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• 2019

Objectives: This study aims to assess the maternal characteristics and changes of body among patients who received Korean medicine postpartum care compared to pre-study. Methods: From January 1, 2018 to February 28, 2019, we included 31 postpartum patients who had body composition analysis at admission and discharge among 34 patients who received postpartum care in ${\square}{\square}$ University Hospital. We used SPSS 21.0 for window to test for statistical significance. Results: The average age, weight, and caesarean section rate increased compared to previous study. The average period of postpartum care has decreased. After postpartum care, abdominal circumference, body weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) was significantly decreased, but not as much as pre-study. The coefficient of determination was derived to predict the effects of postpartum care and calculated as "$Abdominal\;circumference\;change=2.745+0.593{\times}admission\;period$", "$weight\;change=0.214+0.345{\times}admission\;period$" and "$BMI\;change=0.198+0.120{\times}admission\;period$". Conclusions: Compared to previous study, as the maternal age increased and admission period decreased, the weight loss after childbirth decreased. It is necessary to provide individual treatment through coefficient of determination.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.71-78
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• 2022

Objectives: Post-term pregnancy is a condition associated with increased maternal and fetal complications. Administration of castor oil causes cervical stimulation by increasing the production of prostaglandins. We examined the effects of castor oil on cervical ripening and labor induction through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: The search process was performed to obtain relevant articles from databases including Pubmed, Cochrane library, Scopus, Science direct, SID, Iran Medex, and Google Scholar using the English keywords of cervical ripening, post-term, castor oil, labor induction, Bishop score, and pregnancy considering all possible combinations without time constraints and their Persian equivalents from national databases. Results: A total of eight related articles from the 19 primary studies were extracted and systematically reviewed. According to a cumulative chart, the difference in the post-intervention Bishop score was statistically significant (standard mean difference [SMD]: 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.67-2.11, p = 0.001), indicating an effect of castor oil on increasing the Bishop score. In addition, the difference in labor induction was statistically significant after the intervention (odds ratio: 11.67, 95% CI: 3.34-40.81, p = 0.001), indicating an effect of castor oil on increasing the odds ratio of labor induction (experience of vaginal delivery). Conclusion: This meta-analysis showed that oral administration of castor oil is effective for cervical ripening and labor induction. Midwives should closely monitor pregnant women with prolonged labor and collaborate with obstetricians to employ castor oil as a safe intervention to induce cervical ripening and labor to prevent undue caesarean surgery.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.29-39
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence of delivery and puerperium complications in South Korea and analyze the correlations between the patient's characteristics and delivery and complications before and after 10 years. Methods: This study used the data from an Korean National Hospital Discharge In-depth Injury Survey. Cases of which the principal diagnosis and second diagnoses were disease classification ICD code O00-O99(Pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium) were defined as the study subjects, and the first study group was divided as the year of discharge from 2005 to 2007, and the second study group from 2015 to 2017. Results: The number of patients discharged whose principal diagnosis or second diagnoses was O00-O99 was 21,598(Weighted 423,306) from 2005 to 2007 and 19,028(Weighted 364,384) from 2015 to 2017, which decreased by 13.9% compared to 10 years ago. The average age of discharged patients increased by about 2 years and was statistically significant (p<.0001). Factors associating spontaneous delivery, caesarean section and puerperium complication were hospitalization route, bed size, maternal age, length of hospital stay, and the year of discharge. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, health and education policies and economic support for medical care for high-risk pregnancy and delivery management would be necessary continuously. In addition, policies to strengthen the medical system for high-risk pregnancy management in non-metropolitan areas with high fertility rates would also be needed.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.161-165
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• 2022

We report a case of successful treatment of congenital syphilis in an extremely preterm baby. A 1,395 g female infant was born by emergency Caesarean section due to preterm labor and breech presentation at gestational age at 29 weeks and 3 days with an Apgar score of 2 and 4 at 1 minute and 5 minutes, respectively. The mother of the newborn, an illegal immigrant who did not receive any antenatal care, was diagnosed as active syphilis infection by reactive rapid plasma regain (RPR) (titer 1:128) just before the delivery. Upon birth, the newborn presented with various clinical manifestations, including severe respiratory distress syndrome, persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, desquamation and scaling of the whole body, and osteolytic changes of long bone ends. Results of laboratory tests showed signs of early congenital syphilis, including positive syphilis reagin test (12.7 R.U.), reactive with RPR titer of 1:64, and positive for immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgG fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test. However, after completion of penicillin G treatment for two weeks, laboratory results dramatically improved, showing a negative syphilis reagin test (0.5 R.U.) and non-reactive in RPR. In conclusion, the incidence of congenital syphilis is prone to be resurgent in South Korea, neonatologists should be fully aware of the clinical features of congenital syphilis because early diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential in order to reduce the social and economic burden due to congenital syphilis.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 2023

Objectives: Dental or maxillofacial emergencies are uncommon during pregnancy, but if they occur, they are challenging to treat due to potential risks. The mother should not be denied necessary medical or dental care because of pregnancy. The aim of the study is to observe outcomes of pregnancy in patients requiring emergency minor oral surgical procedures during gestation and to determine the safety of the pregnant woman undergoing the procedure and the fetus. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 52 pregnant women requiring emergency oral surgical procedures. A standard treatment protocol for treatment of specific entities was followed. Close monitoring and observation were the primary goal of treatment. All patients were followed postoperatively until complete recovery from the surgical procedures and then until birth of the baby. A control group of 52 healthy pregnant patients who did not require oral surgical procedures was considered for statistical analysis. The measurements to calculate observation were fetal loss (spontaneous abortion), preterm birth, low-birth weight, or incidence of any congenital anomalies in the baby and its association with surgical procedures. Results: No fetal loss occurred in any of the cases. However, four patients experienced preterm birth and seven neonates exhibited low birth weights. No congenital abnormalities were discovered. In one instance, a patient who underwent surgery for a mandibular symphysis fracture under general anesthesia in the 31st week of pregnancy experienced labor pain on the fourth postoperative day, requiring an emergency Caesarean section. Conclusion: The results of our study demonstrate that, compared to the control group, minor emergency surgeries performed during pregnancy have no discernible negative effects on the fetus. These procedures can safely be performed by adhering to our described protocols.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.27-31
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• 2008

This study was performed to investigate the correlations between steroids and TGF-${\beta}_1$ levels and delayed parturition in SCNT clone calving. The recipients pregnant by AI were used as control (AI-R). All AI-R were labored by natural delivery (n=5, day $284{\pm}0.71$ of pregnancy). The recipients pregnant by SCNT embryo (SCNT-R) showing no signs of delivery about 10 days after expected date were operated by Caesarean section (n=5, day 292). The blood and placentome samples were obtained and weighed at parturition. The concentrations of plasma progesterone (P4) and Estradiol-$17{\beta}$ (E2) were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The levels of plasma and placental TGF-${\beta}_1$ levels were examined by ELISA. The placentomes from SCNT-R were overweight (p<0.05) compared to those of AI-R. The plasma P4 (p<0.01) level in SCNT-R at parturition was significantly higher compared to that of AI-R. In contrast, the plasma E2 level in the SCNT-R was significantly lower compared to that of AI-R (p<0.05). The plasma and placental TGF-${\beta}_1$ protein levels in the SCNT-R were significantly higher than those of AI-R at parturition, respectively (p<0.01). Based on these results, aberrant expressions of steroid hormones and high levels of plasma and placental TGF-${\beta}_1$ protein at parturition may be one of the key indicators on delayed parturition of SCNT clone calving.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.27-41
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to discern the level of satisfaction of postpartum care in hospitals. the level of importance of traditional postpartum care and the need for home health care for postpartum women. The study's design was to obtain data needed to develop a community-based postpartum care program and to improve the quality of nursing for postpartum care recipients. Data for the study was collected from 1 March to 31 June 2000 from 116 postpartum care recipients treated in Chung-Buk, Korea. Data analysis consisted of frequency, percentage, t-test, and ANOVA. using SPSS win program. The results the of analysis were as follows: 1) The level of satisfaction of postpartum care in the hospital (mean 1.31) was very low. The most laudable items of nursing care by category were: moderate satisfaction with 'perineal wound care' (2.04) and 'afterpain observation'(2.09). The overall level of satisfaction of postpartum care in the hospital. however, was very low. 2) Among other items of postpartum care in the hospital, 'postpartum exercise' $(25.9\%)$. 'assessment and support for postpartum depression' $(25.9\%)$, 'operation wound care for women who underwent Caesarean sections' $(24.5\%)$. and 'contraception and family planning' $(20.4\%)$ showed a need for home health care for postpartum care recipients above $20\%$. 3) The level of importance of traditional postpartum care (Sanhujori) was relatively high (mean 2.72). The importance of Sanhujori by category was as followed: 'the fourth principle: protecting the body from harmful strains' was the highest (2.88), 'the third principle: eating well', 'the first principle: invigorating the body by augmenting heat and avoiding cold', 'the second principle: resting without working', 'the fifth principle: keeping clean' and 'the sixth principle: handling with the whole heart' showed 2.85, 2.80, 2.70, 2.51 and 2.46 respectively. 4) The need for home health care with Sanhujori was very low. 5) The relationship between demographic factors and the level of satisfaction with postpartum care in the hospital was as follows: the satisfaction levels were significantly different among' delivery frequency' and 'health status' alteration after delivery'. 6) The relationship between demographic factors and the importance of the Sanhujori category was as follows: There were no significant differences in the level of importance of the first and the forth principle of Sanhujori. The level of importance of the second principle of Sanhujori was significantly different among 'income' and 'family type'. The level of importance of the third principle of Sanhujori was significantly different among 'having a boy'. The level of importance of the fifth principle of Sanhujori was significantly different among 'income' and 'feeding type'. The level of importance of the sixth principle of Sanhujori was significantly different among 'education background' and 'feeding type'. In conclusion. the findings of this study illustrate the nursing needs of postpartum care recipients. It provides a challenge to caregivers in the healthcare industry to develop a continuous postpartum care program and integrative postpartum care system that embodies the oriental and western paradigm for the promotion of women's health.