• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.59-75
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• 2005

The experiments were undertaken to evaluate the effects of Bosaengtang in pregnant rats and fetuses. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administered with Bosaengtang at the dose of 5mg/kg/day for 20 days. Pregnant rats were sacrificed at the 20th day of gestation, and observed internal and reproductive organs. Fetuses were randomly selected and fixed in 95% ethanol. Fetuses were stained with alcian blue and alizarin red S, and observed skeletal malformations. The results obtained were as follows : Bosaengtang administered group showed higher maternal body weight than the control group, but both groups showed increase in weight. Bosaengtang administered group showed lower than the control group, and higher liver and kidney weight than the control group, but the differences were minimal. There were no significant changes between the control and treated group in blood chemistry values and hematological values but all the groups were within in normal ranges. There were no significant changes in the number of corpus luteum, implantation, live fetus and implantation rate, delivery rate, late resorption rate, sex ratio, but Bosaengtang administered group showed higher early resorption rate than control group. comparing the control and Bosaengtang group, neonatal body weight and the number of fetuses were increased in Bosaengtang group. The fetuses of dams treated with Oriental medicine didn't showed external malformation. Vertebral and sternal variations were observed in Bosaengtang group, but the differences were not apparent compared to the control group. The number of ribs, cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebrae were normal. The number of sacral was similar and the number of caudal was increased. Fetuses showed significant difference in the number of caudal vertebrae. (P<0.01) From these results, we can carefully conclude that Bosaengtang showed beneficial effects on maternal body weight, early resorption rate, number of live fetus. There were no significant changes in organ weight, hematoscopy, reproduction organs. External malformation wasn't visible. Skeletal variations were showed in vertebrae and sternum but compared to the control group, these variations weren't much different.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.157-165
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• 2004

Objectives : This study aimed to investigate the toxic effects of chromium (VI) on the placental function and reproduction in rats. For the study, the placental prolactin-growth hormone (PRL-GH) gene expression, placental trophoblast cell differentiation and reproductive data were analyzed. Methods : The pregnancies of F344 Fisher rats were checked by the presence of a copulatory plug or sperm in the vaginal smear, which was defined as day 0 of the pregnancy. Pregnant rats were divided into the three groups. The control group was given tap water (chromium level < 0.001 ppm) and the remaining groups were given 250 or 750 ppm of chromium (VI) [as potassium dichromate], from day 7 to 19 of the pregnancy. Rats were sacrificed at days 11 and 20 of pregnancy. The mRNA levels of PRL-GH and Pit-1a and b isotype genes were analyzed by Northern blot hybridization and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The hormonal concentration was analyzed by radioimmunoassay, and the differentiation of placental trophoblast cells were observed by histochemical studies. Reproductive data, such as placental and fetal weights, pregnancy period, and litter size, were surveyed at day 20 of pregnancy and after birth. A statistical analysis was carried out using the SAS program (version 8.1). Results : The mRNA levels of the prolactin-growth hormone (PRL-GH) family of genes were dose dependently reduced by chromium exposure. The mRNA levels of Pit-1a and b isotype genes that induce the expression of the PRL-GH family of genes were also reduced by chromium exposure. The PRL-GH hormonal concentration in the rat placenta, fetus and maternal blood were decreased by chromium exposure. In the middle stage of pregnancy (day 11), a high dose of chromium suppressed the differentiation of spongiotrophoblast cells that secret the PRLGH hormones. In the last stage of pregnancy (day 20), a high dose of chromium induced apoptosis of placental cells. Reproductive data, such as placental and fetal weights, litter size, were reduced, but the pregnancy period was extended in the group exposed to chromium compared with the controls. Conclusion : Chromium (VI) disrupts the ordered functions of the placenta, which leads to reproductive disorders in rats.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.56-66
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• 2003

Purpose : Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs) play an important role in regulating blood flow by releasing vasoactive substances. It has been reported that endothelial impairment and dysfunction might be a primary cause of placental vascular disease, which is manifested clinically as preeclampsia in mother and intrauterine growth restriction in fetus. Furthermore, the frequency of apoptotic changes is increased in umbilical and placental tissues from growth-restricted pregnancies. However, the various mechanisms of umbilical endothelial cell apoptosis have not been broadly proposed. We investigate the effects of amiloride derivatives on apoptotic death of HUVECs and identify their ionic mechanism. Methods : HUVECs were purchased from Clonetics, and cultured on endothelial cell growth medium. MTT assay and flow cytometry were used for assessing cytotoxic effect and confirming the apoptosis. Changes in intracellular ion concentrations were measured with specific fluorescent dyes and fluorescence imaging analysis system. Results : Amiloride derivatives elicited cytotoxic effects on HUVECs with dose-dependent manners and the rank order of potency is HMA($IC_{50}\;11.2{\mu}M$), MIA>EIPA>>amiloride. HMA-induced cytotoxicity is dependent on extra- and intracellular pH, that is, increase extra- and intracellular pH augmented the cytotoxic effects of HMA. HMA dose-dependently reduced intracellular major ions, such as $K^+$ and $Cl^-$. Interestingly, the depletion of intracellular ions induced by HMA was also significantly enhanced at alkaline extracellular pH. Conclusion : Amiloride derivatives induce apoptosis of HUVECs with dose and pH dependent manners. They reduce intracellular $K^+$ and $Cl^-$ concentration, which is also extracellular pH dependent.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.306-316
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• 2007

This study have a object to found out the effects of oriental herb medicine, Antaeeum, to dams of rats and their offsprings. The Antaeeum was savaged to female Sprague-Dawley rats at a dose of 5 mg/kg/day for 3 weeks during gestation periods. Dams of rat were sacrificed at 20th day of gestation, and were observed major internal and reproductive organs. Approximately live fetuses in the 20th days of gestation were selected randomly and examined with stereo microscopes. Others offsprings were fixed with 95% ethanol for skeletal examinations. The fixed fetuses were stained with alcian blue and alizarin red S to observe skeletal variations or malformations. Maternal body weight of Antaeeum treated dams have a tendency of increasing compared with control dams. There were no significant difference in internal and reproductive organs of weight or findings. The spleenic organ relative weight of treated dams were decreased compared with the control significaltly (p<0.05). There were no significant changes between two groups in blood chemistry and hematological values. There were no significant changes in number of corpus luteum, implantation, live fetuses and implantation rate, delivery rate, late resorption rate and sex ratio. But in the Antaeeum treated group showed lower early resorption rate than that of the control dams. Fetal body weight and number of fetus a dam at Antaeeum treated group were higher than that of control group. The fetuses of dams treated with Antaeeum didn't induced external malformations. Vertebral and sternal variations were observed in Antaeeum group, but compared with the control, those variations were not significant. The ossification numbers of rib, cervical, thoracic, and lumber were normal. Fetuses treated with Antaeeum to the dams showed no significant difference in the number of caudal vertebra (P>0.01). From these results, it can be concluded that Antaeeum showed no toxicity effects on maternal side especially on body weight, early resorption rate, and number of live fetuses. Also there were no significant changes on maternal organ weights except spleen, hematological data, reproductive organs. Although skeletal variations were examined at vertebra and sternum, this Antaeeum could not induced significant choses in bone malformation.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.32 no.4 s.91
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• pp.342-352
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• 2006

The experiments was undertaken to evaluate the effects of herbal medicine, Dalsaengtang, in pregnant rats and fetuses. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administered with the Dalsaengtang at dose of 5 mg/kg/day for 20 days. Pregnant rats were sacrificed at 20th day of gestation, and observed internal and reproductive organs. Approximately live fetuses in the 20th day of gestation were randomly selected and fixed in 95% ethanol. To observe skeletal malformations, fetuses were stained with alcian blue and alizarin red S. Maternal body weight of dalsaengtang treated group has a tendency to increase compared to that of control group. The relative liver and kidney weights of dalsaengtang treated group were also increased to that of control group. There were no significant changes between two groups in blood chemistry and hematological values. There were no significant changes in number of corpus luteum, implantation, live fetuses and implantation rate, delivery rate, late resorption rate and sex ratio. But Dalsaengtang administered group showed lower early resorption rate than the control group. From the sex ratio, number of females, bigger than number of males in the control group, and more males than females in Dalsaengtang administered group. Neonatal body weight and number of fetus of Dalsaengtang group were increased to that of control group. The fetuses of dams treated with Dalsaengtang didn't showed external malformation. Vertebral and sternal variations were observed in Dalsaengtang group but, compared to the control, those variations were insignificant. The number of ribs, cervical, thoracic, and lumber were normal. The number of sacral and caudal vertebrae were increased. Fetuses showed significant difference in the number of caudal vertebra (P<0.01). From these results, it can be concluded that Dalsaengtang showed no toxicity effects on maternal body weight, early resorption rate, and number of live fetuses. There were no significant changes in organ weight, hematological data, reproductive organs. Although skeletal variations were showed in vertebrate and sternum, Dalsaengtang did not shown significant changes in bone malformation.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.119-137
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• 1995

Maternity nurses' roles are to find out women's various responses related to the health problems during pregnancy, to intervene adequate nursing and supports, and to help them adapt satisfactorily to new situation, such as hospitalization. The purposes of this study are : firstly, to inquire about women's emotional status, feeling of discomfort, and the nursing need during hospitalization because of discomfort, and the nursing needs during hospitalization because of the possibility of abortion by threatened and habitual abortion : secondly, to provide fundamental data for developing adequate nursing intervention and improving hospital management. The subjects of this study were 62 women who were hospitalized, visited out-patient clinic for follow-up, and stayed at home after discharge since August, 1993 from one hospital located in Seoul, from March 23 to April 13, 1994. The questionnaire was consisted of 21 items of emotion(Reliability Cronbach's alpa, .77), 19 items of feeling of discomfort(.79), and 21 items of nursing needs (.89), and nurses' performance according to nursing needs,(.90). These were measured by using Likert Scale and analyzed by using SPSS / $PC^+$ with the descriptive statistics, $X^2$-test, and ANOVA. Research findings are as follows : 1) The subjects' average age, hospitalized days, and gestational age are 32.2, 15.7, 12.9 by respectively. 2) 88.7% of the subjects are getting antepatal care, 66.1% are experiencing 1.75 times of spontaneous abortion, and 82.3% are nuclear family. 3) The Emotions were mainly comprized negative and subjective state of minds such as uneasiness, anxiety, and discomfort. The domains of emotions were related to 'fetus', 'herself', 'hospitalization', and 'husband's 'families', in rank. The highest scored item was "I, above anyone else, am mostly stressed from abortion." 4) The feelings of discomforts were firstly related to 'personal discomfort arising from absolute bed rest', 'meals provided', Usage of hospital, perse', 'health team', in rank. 5) The nursing needs frequently pointed out were 'Nurses kindly explain of me the purpose, method, and results of the lab. test', 'Nurses sincerely pay attention to my word in communication'. The least nursing needs were 'Nurses observe my feces and whether I have constipation or not'. 'When I can't move, nurses help me by holding my arms or pulling my bed'. 6) The highest performed items were 'Nurses observe whether I bleed or not', and 'Nurses give me drug with exact dose in time'. The least performed items was about hospital environment, such as 'Temperature, ventilation & humidity in the room should be controlled'. 7) Besides religion that is related to nursing need with statistically significant difference, none of general characteristics were related to emotion, feeling of discomfort, and nursing needs.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.31-49
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• 2006

This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of Gyoaesamultang in pregnant rats and their fetuses. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administered with the Gyoaesamultang at dose of 5mg/kg/day for 20 days. Pregnant rats were sacrificed at 20th day of gestation, and observed internal and reproductive organs. Approximately, live fetuses in the 20th day of gestation were randomly selected and fixed in 95% ethanol. To observe skeletal malformations, fetuses were stained with alcian blue and alizarin red S. Maternal body weight of Gyoaesamultang treated group has a tendency to increase compared to that of control group. There were no significant difference in internal and reproductive organs. There were no significant changes between two groups in blood chemistry and hematological values. There were no significant changes in number of corpus luteum, implantation, live fetuses and implantation rate, delivery rate, late resorption rate and sex ratio. But Gyoaesamultang administered group showed lower early resorption rate than the control group. Neonatal body weight and number of fetus of Gyoaesamultang group were increased to that of control group. The fetuses of dams treated with Gyoaesamultang didn't showed external malformation. Vertebral and sternal variations were observed in Gyoaesamultang group but, compared to the control, those variations were insignificant. The number of ribs, cervical, thoracic, and lumber were normal. The number of sacral and caudal vertebrae were increased. Fetuses treated with Gyoaesamultang showed significant difference in the number of caudal vertebra(P<0.01). From these results, it can be concluded that Gyoaesamultang showed no toxicity effects on maternal body weight, early resorption rate, and number of live fetuses. There were no significant changes in organ weight, hematological data, reproductive organs. Although skeletal variations were showed in vertebrate and sternum, Gyoaesamultang were shown insignificant changes in bone malformation.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.91-104
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• 2010

The experiments were undertaken to evaluate the effects of herbal medicine, Bojungiggitang and Gwibitang in pregnant rats and their fetuses. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administered with the Bojungiggitang and Gwibitang at dose of 5ml/kg/day for 20 days. Pregnant rats were sacrificed at 20th day of gestation, and the internal and reproductive organs. Approximately live fetuses in the 20th day of gestation were randomly selected and fixed in 95% ethanol. To observe skeletal malformations, fetuses were stained with alcian blue and alizarin red S. Maternal body weights of Bojungiggitang and Gwibitang treated group has a tendency to increase compared to that of control group. There were no significant differences in internal and reproductive organs. There were no significant changes between two groups in blood chemistry and hematological values. There were no significant changes in number of corpus luteum, implantation and live fetuses. But Bojungiggitang and Gwibitang administered group showed higher implantation rate than the control group. Also, Bojungiggitang and Gwibitang administered groups showed lower early resorption rate than the control group. And Gwibitang had the higher value in all the other groups in all items. From the sex ratio, the number of females were larger than the number of males in the control group, and more males than females in Gwibitang administered group. Neonatal body weight and the number of fetus of Bojungiggitang and Gwibitang group were higher than that of control group. The fetuses of dams treated with Bojungiggitang and Gwibitang did not show external malformation. Vertebral and sternal variations were observed in Bojungiggitang and Gwibitang administered group compared to the control group. Those variations were insignificant. There were no significant changes in number of ribs, cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and caudal vertebras. From these results, it can be concluded that Bojungiggitang and Gwibitang showed no toxic effects on maternal body weight and the number of live fetuses. There were no significant changes in organ weight, hematological data, and reproductive organs. Although skeletal variations were shown in vertebra and sternum, Bojungiggitang, Gwibitang were shown insignificant changes in bone malformation.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.776-781
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• 2006

Perchlorate ion($ClO_4^-$), which is present in the solid propellant for rocket, herbicide and some fertilizers. Perchlorate inhibits iodide uptake by the human thyroid gland. Impairment of thyroid function in expectant mothers may impact the fetus and result in effects including cerebral palsy, give rise to thyroid gland cancer. The US EPA(Environmental Protection Agency) adopted a reference dose(RfD) for perchlorate 0.0007 mg/kg-day, and this guidance lead to a Drinking Water Equivalent Level(DWEL) of 24.5 ${\mu}g/L$. The studies about perchlorate are actively performed in foreign countries, especially in USA but there is no study which surveyed the perchlorate contamination in Korea. Therefore, this study was done to investigate perchlorate contamination in Nak-dong river and tap water. The perchlorate was detected in Nakdong river and ranged from ND to 278.4 ${\mu}g/L$. The highest concentration was observed in Kumichon. The perchlorate concentration was decreased with the down stream of Nakdong river. The perchlorate concentration in tap water was varied with the cities and the concentration levels were $ND{\sim}34.1$ ppb. The highest perchlorate concentration was observed in DalsuGoo in Daegu and the similar concentration($9{\sim}11$ ${\mu}g/L$) was detected in most of the districts in Busan. The result of this study suggests that there is a perchlorate source near the Nakdong river and the urgent policy is needed to control perchlorate for the cities which are supplied from Nakdong river as for their tap water.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.27-37
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• 1990

The extrafetal transfer of $Li^{+}$ in amniotic fluid was studied in 45 pregnant rabbits. LiCl solution was administered either intravenously to mother or directly into the amniotic sac and monitored the appearance and disappearance of $Li^{+}$ in the amniotic fluid, then calculated the transfer rate of $Li^{+}$ of extrafetal origin. To study the transplacental $Li^{+}$ transfer, a solution of 150 mM LiCl was infused continuously via maternal vein (initial dose: 0.7 mmol/kg, maintaining dose: 0.03 mmol/kg/min) and the $Li^{+}$ concentration was measured in maternal blood and amniotic fluid after 60 and 120 minutes of infusion. Change in the volume of aminotic fluid was determined by Congo red dilution method at the same time. Effects of duration of gestation was not considered in this study. Extrafetal transport of $Li^{+}$ into the amniotic fluid was estimated by comparing the $Li^{+}$ concentration and volume of amniotic fluid determined before and after ligating the placental vessels. Extrafetal $Li^{+}$ transport from the amniotic fluid was determined by observing the time dependent disappearance of $Li^{+}$ and Congo red in amniotic fluid after injecting 0.5 ml solution of 15 mM or 90 mM LiCl and 50 mg/ml Congo red. Following are the results obtained: 1) During infusion of LiCl through maternal vein the ratio of the aminotic $Li^{+}$/maternal plasma $Li^{+}$ increased significantly along with the increment of fetal weight. 2) The volume of amniotic fluid of larger fetuses than 20.5 gm increased significantly during administration of LiCl while that of smaller fetuses did not change. 3) After umbilical cord ligation the $Li^{+}$ concentration of amniotic fluid of larger fetuses than 20.5 gm was decreased to $59.9{\pm}10.3%$ and $56.9{\pm}42.9%$ $(mean{\pm}S.D.)$ of those of control group after 60 and 120 minutes of LiCl infusion respectively. In amniotic fluid of smaller fetuses than 20.5 gm, there was no significant difference between control and ligation groups. 4) The disappearance rate of Congo red in the amniotic fluid was $45.2{\pm}8.2%/hr$. 5) The disappearance rate of $Li^{+}$ after intraamniotic injection of LiCl depended on the amount injected. On injecting $7.5\;{\mu}mol$ LiCl, $Li^{+}$ disappeared rapidly from the amniotic fluid and the rates after 60 min and 90 min were $97.0{\pm}2.8,\;98.5{\pm}2.0%$ respectively. On injecting $45\;{\mu}mol$ LiCl, the rates were $56.0{\pm}15.4,\;78.9{\pm}14.5%$ at 60 and 90 min. 6) From the above results it was concluded: a) $Li^{+}$ transfer into the amniotic fluid increased along with the fetal growth and one half of $Li^{+}$ influx is through the extrafetal route even after the maturation of fetal kidney. b) One half of the $Li^{+}$ transfer from the amniotic fluid was through swallowing of fetus, while the remaining half was transfered rapidly through amniotic membrane, which was concentration limited.