• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.123-126
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• 1999

A successful outcome of pregnancy requires an efficient uteroplacental vascular system. Since this system may be compromised by disorders of haemostasis associated with a prothrombotic state, maternal thrombophilia might be a risk factor for fetal loss. Hereditary deficiencies of the naturally occuring anticoagulants are well recognized conditions predisposing to recurrent venous thromboembolism. Since thrombotic phenomena have been implied as a cause of abortion and stillbirth, these deficiencies might increase the risk of fetal demise. We have experienced a case of antiphospholipid syndrome associated with protein C deficiency in patient with recurrent spontaneous abortion. So we report this case with a brief review of literatures.

• Hip & pelvis
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.210-218
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• 2018

Purpose: This is a report on the outcomes associated with a consecutive series of 1,000 cementless hip arthroplasties utilizing the $Bencox^{(R)}$ hip stem-the first Korean-developed hip prosthesis. Materials and Methods: A consecutive series of 1,000 hip arthroplasties using the $Bencox^{(R)}$ hip stem were analyzed, starting from its initial release (September 2006) until June 2014. Patients in this consecutive series underwent surgery for fractures (n=552), arthritis (n=155), avascular necrosis (n=209), and revisions (n=84). Of these 1,000 cases, patients with a minimum follow-up of at least 1 year (n=616) were retrospectively analyzed for radiographic and clinical outcomes (i.e., Harris hip score). The stability of the prosthesis was evaluated by examining subsidence. Results: During the follow-up period (mean follow-up period of 54.8 months), there were 2 cases requiring revision of the femoral stem-both were caused by periprosthetic fractures and neither involved stem loosening. The mean Harris hip score during follow-up was 95.5. Bone ongrowth occurred in 95% of patients; no cases of subsidence or aseptic loosening of the stem were detected, and no cases of postoperative complications such as ceramic breakage were observed. Conclusion: Clinical and radiographic evaluations of hip arthroplasty using the $Bencox^{(R)}$ hip stem revealed excellent outcomes with an average of 54.8 month follow-up in a consecutive series of 1,000 cases.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.48-54
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• 2022

Parthenogenesis is maternally uniparental reproduction through the embryonic development of oocytes without fertilization. Artificial activation of mature oocytes could generate homozygous haploid embryos with the extrusion of the second polar body. However, the haploid embryos showed low embryo development in preimplantation embryos. In this study, we investigated whether the electronic fusion of the haploid embryos could enhance embryo development and ESC establishment in mice. Haploid embryos showed the developmental delay from 4-cell to the blastocyst stage. The haploid blastomeres of the 2-cell stage were fused electronically, resulting in that the fused embryos showed a significantly higher rate of blastocysts compared to non-fused haploid embryos (55% vs. 37%). Further, the embryonic stem cells (ESCs) derived from the fused embryos were confirmed to be diploid. The rate of ESC establishment in fused embryos was significantly higher compared to non-fused ones. Based on the results, we concluded that the electronic fusion of haploid embryos could be efficient to generate homozygous ESCs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.4
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• pp.948-952
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• 2021

The absence of the common carotid artery (CCA) and the common origin of the left external carotid artery (ECA) and the right CCA are rare anomalies of the cervical vascular system. We report here a case involving the coexistence of these vascular anomalies with an aberrant right subclavian artery, which is a common congenital anomaly in the aortic arch, and review the embryologic mechanism and clinical importance of this case.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.225-228
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• 2018

Our results suggested that thermal stress can lead to activation of hippocampal cell damage and reduction of memory-associated molecules in HT22 cells. These findings also provide a part of molecular rationale for the role of ginsenoside Rg5 as a potent cognitive impairment preventive compound in blocking the initiation of hippocampal damage.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.217-222
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• 2003

Objective: To investigate the association of genetic background between MTHFR C677T genotype and infertile females with polycystic ovarian syndrome. Materials and Methods: We compared 86 infertile females with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) with 100 healthy fertile females with one or more offspring. Pyrosequencing analysis for MTHFR C677T variation was performed on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product of study group. To validate pyrosequencing data of C677T variation for randomly selected 50 samples, we compared the pyrosequencing result with the PCR-RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) result of MTHFR C677T genotype. Results: The prevalence of the C677T mutant homozygous (TT) was significantly lower (p=0.0085) in females with PCOS (8.14%) than in fertile females (21.00%). MTHFR 677 TT genotype had a decreased risk (3.7-fold) of PCOS compared with wild type (MTHFR 677 CC). Conclusion: Our data support a role for MTHFR mutant homozygous (677 TT) genotype in reducing risk in Korean infertile females with Polycystic ovarian syndrome.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.120-125
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• 2016

Purpose: Viral gastroenteritis among children is mainly caused by rotavirus, norovirus, astrovirus, or adenovirus strains. However, changing socioeconomic conditions and a rotavirus vaccination program may be affecting the prevalence of these viral infections. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the season-specific trends in viral infections for facilitating prophylaxis and surveillance in our region. Methods: We evaluated 345 pediatric patients (203 males, 142 females; age, 1 month to 16 years) who visited the CHA Bundang Medical Center because of gastroenteric symptoms between June 2014 and May 2015. The specimens were simultaneously tested for norovirus, rotavirus, astrovirus, and adenovirus via multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Clinical characteristics of patients were analyzed retrospectively. Results: The most common virus was norovirus, followed by rotavirus, adenovirus, and astrovirus. Of all viral infections, 45.2% occurred mainly between 6 and 24 months of age; in particular, norovirus infection mostly occurred in all age groups except those below 6 months of age, when rotavirus was most prevalent. In addition, seasonal variation was observed, such as norovirus infection from December to February, rotavirus infection from February to April, and adenovirus infection from July to October. Conclusion: Our results showed that the most common cause of acute pediatric viral gastroenteritis had changed from rotavirus to norovirus in our patients, because of effective rotaviral vaccination. We recommend the management of food and personal hygiene in accordance with age or seasons as well as active vaccination for preventing viral gastroenteritis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.359-366
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• 2001

More than half of the cryptococcal infections occur in acquired immune deficiency (AIDS) patients, and more than half of the non-AIDS patients with cryptococcosis are immunocompromised. Most immunocompromised patients have meningoencephalitis at the time of diagnosis. Without the appropriate therapy, this form of the infection is invariably fatal. Death can occur any time from 2 weeks to several years after the onset of symptoms. Pulmonary cryptococcosis in immunocompromised patients is usually asymptomatic, but coughing, chest pain, fever, or hemoptysis may occur in immunocompetent patients. Pulmonary cryptococcosis symptoms in immunocompetent patients tend to improve without treatment. Here, we describe the various pulmonary manifestations of cryptococcal pneumoniae in three immunocompetent patients.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.337-344
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• 2016

Intravenous administration of mesenchymal stem cells (IV-MSC) protects the ischemic rat brain in a stroke model, but the molecular mechanism underlying its therapeutic effect is unclear. We compared genomic profiles using the mRNA microarray technique in a rodent stroke model. Rats were treated with $1{\times}10^6$ IV-MSC or saline (sham group) 2 h after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo). mRNA microarray was conducted 72 h after MCAo using brain tissue from normal rats (normal group) and the sham and MSC groups. Predicted pathway analysis was performed in differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and functional tests and immunohistochemistry for inflammation-related proteins were performed. We identified 857 DEGs between the sham and normal groups, with the majority of them (88.7%) upregulated in sham group. Predicted pathway analysis revealed that cerebral ischemia activated 10 signaling pathways mainly related to inflammation and cell cycle. IV-MSC attenuated the numbers of dysregulated genes in cerebral ischemia (118 DEGs between the MSC and normal groups). In addition, a total of 218 transcripts were differentially expressed between the MSC and sham groups, and most of them (175/218 DEGs, 80.2%) were downregulated in the MSC group. IV-MSC reduced the number of Iba-$1^+$ cells in the peri-infarct area, reduced the overall infarct size, and improved functional deficits in MCAo rats. In conclusion, transcriptome analysis revealed that IV-MSC attenuated postischemic genomic alterations in the ischemic brain. Amelioration of dysregulated inflammation- and cell cycle-related gene expression in the host brain is one of the molecular mechanisms of IV-MSC therapy for cerebral ischemia.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.604-608
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• 2000

Objective : The purpose of this non randomized prospective study was to verify the effect of pain control in small doses of epidural morphine and bupivacaine through continuous infusion for 48 hours. Patients and Methods : Thirty-five patients who underwent spine surgery including laminectomy, fusion with fixation were assigned into two groups ; pain control group(n＝20) and control group(n＝15). Pain score was measured on a visual analogue scale(VAS). A continuous infusor was used to give morphine and bupivacaine continuously via indwelling epidural catheter which was placed before closure of muscles in pain control group. Results : Mean scores(VAS) of pain control group were between 1.3 and 2.1 from the 30 min to the 72 hour, but the lowest mean score in the control group was about 2.6 at the 72 hour. Although a number of extra-analgesics were used in control group, differences of mean scores were statistically significant till 24 hour in pain control group. The patients in pain control group was less painful than the patients in control group from 24 hour till 72 hour, but it was statistically insignificant. There were some side effects such as nausea/vomiting, pruritus, urinary retention which existed transiently, but there was no respiratory depression. Conclusion : It was concluded that the early postoperative pain can be easily and safely controlled with continuous infusion of epidural morphine and bupivacaine in small doses.