• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.353-362
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• 2022

This study was a randomized controlled trial to examine the effects of breast massage applied to women of childbearing age with cyclic mastagia on breast pain, breast hardness, nipple extensibility, breast size, and breast blood circulation. The study participants were 54 women with cyclic mastalgia who were recruited from Medical Center C, Women's Hospital M, department stores located in City D, and Internet cafes. The experimental treatment was to apply breast massage for a total of 30 minutes, 15 minutes each to the left and right breasts during the period of cyclic mastalgia. After experimental treatment, breast pain (F=49.16, p<.001), breast hardness (Rt t=8.93, p<.001; Lt t=-10.34, p<.001), nipple extensibility (Rt t=3.58, p<.001 ; Lt t=4.66, p<.001), breast size (Rt F=60.59, p<.001; Lt F=51.05, p<.001) and breast blood circulation (Rt t=-1.30, p=.201; Lt t=-2.82, p=.007) were significantly different between the two groups. In conclusion, breast massage performed in this study was effective in relieving breast pain, relieving breast hardness, and improving breast blood circulation in participants with cyclic mastalgia.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.77-87
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• 2018

The study was a mixed design study that analyzed the effects of developing and applying a program to improve pregnancy recognition for severe low fertility. The study period was from April 1, 2018, to October 26, 2018, and the participants included 16 women of 19~21 age who lived in M City and M Gun. The process of program development is based on Dorothy Johnson 's theory of behavior system to induce change of perception, and reference literature review and national policy report. The program developed through the literature was finally developed by examining the experts panel discussion after deriving causes and alternatives for low fertility from 25 fertility women. The contents of program consist of three areas. Quantitative research results were analyzed using Shapiro Wilk and Wilcoxon sign rank using SPSS 18.0, and qualitative research results were analyzed using focus group. As a result of study, the perception of pregnancy increased significantly (P<0.01) with statistical significance as pre-experimental (M=3.21, SD=.342), post-experimental (M=4.46, SD=.398) and the result of content analysis appeared three themes as , , . In conclusion, the program was effective in improving the recognition of pregnancy for young women.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.121-127
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• 2009

Objective: To investigate the prevalence, the distribution of deciduosis, and the relationship with endometriosis in fertile women during Cesarean delivery. Methods: In this study, pelvic tissues suspicious for ectopic deciduas were taken for biopsy during Cesarean section from 154 parturients of full term pregnancy from January 1990 to December 2003. And then those patients were followed up till April 2008. Results: Tissues from 94 parturients (94/154, 61%) were evaluated histopathologically, and ectopic decidua was observed in 70.2% (66/94). Ectopic sites were ovaries only (65/94, 69.1%), ovaries and uterine serosa (12/94, 12.8%), uterine serosa only (9/94, 9.6%), and pelvic serosa. Twenty seven (27/66, 40.9%) parturients had past history of diagnosis and treatments for endometriosis. We have tried to connect 39 (39/66, 59.1%) patients who had never been diagnosed for endometriosis but pathologically confirmed for deciduosis, and 18 patients were able to contact by phone. Twelve patients (12/18, 66.6%) showed no symptoms of endometriosis and had not received any treatments for endometriosis. Conclusion: We can conclude that most of incidental cases confirmed pathologically for deciduosis during pregnancy do not symptomatically progress.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2007

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate whether serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) measured at ovulation triggering day reflect ovarian response in intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles. Methods: Forty-nine fertile women who undergoing superovulation and IUI were included. Superovulation was performed using clomiphene citrate (100 mg/d on day 3$\sim$7) in combination with human menopausal gonadotropin (150 IU every other day starting on day 5). Serum samples were obtained on the day of hCG administration and the levels of VEGF-A and estradiol were measured. The numbers of mature follicle $\geq$17 mm in diameter were also counted. Results: Serum VEGF-A levels did not correlate with the numbers of mature follicle count nor serum estradiol levels. Serum estradiol level was positively associated with mature follicle count. Serum VEGF-A levels tended to be lower in women with mature follicle count less than three or women with more than five. Conclusion: Our results indicate that serum VEGF-A levels do not have an association with superovulation outcome in IUI cycles. However, a tendency of lower VEGF-A level in poor and high responder suggests that those with extreme response to superovulation may be related with abnormal angiogenesis. Further studies should be warranted in larger populations.

• Journal of Cadastre & Land InformatiX
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.151-168
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• 2021

This study compared and analyzed the effect of the burden of household expenditure in the metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas on the intention to childbirth intention to married women using a panel logit model. To this end, this analysis targeted married women aged 25 to 39 who are highly likely to be fertile. The main results are as follows; First of all, it was confirmed that the economic power of spouse can be an important factor in the childbirth intention regardless of region. Second, it was found that the higher the satisfaction of marriage had a positive effect on the childbirth intention, and also higher the value that children must have, the higher the childbirth intention. Third, it was confirmed that the burden of household expenditure is the most important factor in the willingness to childbirth intention, excluding factors such as the number of existing children. In particular, the burden on education spending in both the capital region and non-capital region was found to be a key reason for the decrease in the childbirth intention. Lastly, the burden of household expenditure showed different effects on childbirth intention on depending on the region. Specifically, in the capital region, medical spending and loans had a greater impact, while, in the non-capital region, transportation and communication costs had a greater impact on childbirth intentions. Through the results, this study confirmed the implication that easing the burden on household expenditure is continuously necessary to enhance childbirth, and that discriminatory policy approaches are required depending on the area of residence.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.139-144
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• 2008

We report on two cases of pericentric inversion of X chromosome. The cases were found in a 40-year-old man with azoospermia and in a family of a 38-year-old pregnant woman. The first case with 46,Y,inv(X)(p22.1q27) had concentrations of LH, prolactin, estradiol, and testosterone that were within normal ranges; however, FSH levels were elevated. Testis biopsy revealed maturation arrest at the primary and secondary spermatocytes without spermatozoa. There were no microdeletions in the 6 loci of chromosome Y. For the second case, the cytogenetic study of thepregnant woman referring for advanced maternal age and a family history of inversion X chromosome was 46,X,inv(X)(p22.11q27.2). The karyotype of her fetus was 46,X,inv(X)(p22.1q27). Among other family members, the karyotypes of an older sister in pregnancy and her fetus were 46,X,inv(X)(p22.11q27.2), and 46,Y,?inv(X), respectively. The proband's father was 46,Y,inv(X)(p22.11q27.2). All carriers in the family discussed above were fertile and phenotypically normal. In addition, the ratio of inactivation of inv(X) by RBG-banding was discordant between the two sisters, with the older sister having only 4.1% of cells carrying inactivated inv(X) while the proband had a 69.5% incidence of late replicating inv(X). Therefore, we suggest that the cause of azoospermia in the first case might be related to inversion X chromosome with positional effect. Also, the family of the second case showing normal phenotype of the balanced inv(X) might be not affected any positional effect of genes.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.115-124
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• 2010

Objective: To testify whether the increased peripheral blood natural killer (pbNK) cells fraction and their cytolytic activity could coincide with patient's history of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) and to evaluate these factors are can be valuable diagnostic markers in RSA. Methods: Women with a history of RSA comprised the patient group (n=35). Normal fertile women, who were experienced at least one healthy term birth without history of infertility or recurrent miscarriage, were included as the healthy control group (n=15). The pbNK cells of $CD3^-/CD56^+/CD16^+$ and their cytolytic activities against K562 cells were measured by flow cytometry and the values were compared between study and control groups. Results: Proportions of pbNK cells among peripheral blood monocytes (PBMC) ($14.2{\pm}5.2$ vs. $9.4{\pm}3.7%$, p=0.002, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8 to 7.8) was significantly higher in the patient group. The odds ratio of having RSA history was increased as 8.4 folds (59% of sensitivity, 80% of specificity, and 95% CI: 2.0 to 35.8) in patients who showed pbNK cells fraction above 12.1% which was determined as cut-off value by using ROC curve analysis. The cytolytic activities of pbNK cells which measured by three different ratio of effecter pbNK cells to target K562 cells and calculated by the percent of cytolytic K562 cells, were significantly higher in study group than that of control group (in 50:1 ratio, $48.3{\pm}19.0$ vs. $31.3{\pm}11.9%$, p=0.002; in 25:1 ratio, $37.0{\pm}18.1$ vs. $20.2{\pm}9.2%$, p<0.001; in 12.5:1 ratio, $23.5{\pm}12.7$ vs. $12.4{\pm}7.3%$, p=0.001). With the cut-off values of cytolytic activity of pbNK cells as 43.1% (50:1), 26.9% (25:1), and 17.4% (12.5:1) each, the risk of having RSA history was increased by 10.0, 11.4, and 15.0 folds in patients who had increased in each effector of pbNK to target of K562 cells ratio. Conclusion: The analysis of pbNK cells fraction and their cytolytic activity can be valuable diagnostic markers for RSA. We are going to planning the large scaled studies which include the data of obstetric outcomes in subsequent pregnancies to clarify our results of this study.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.29-39
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• 1999

Current data on reproductive characters of endemic and native species are essential to provide a strategy for the conservation of these species. Red pine (Pinus densiflora Sieb. & Zucc.) is one of the dominant, native tree species in Korea, but its reproductive ecology is not well-known. In 1997, the pattern of variation in cone and seed yields contributing to the conservation of declining populations of red pines was examined. Plant height and dbh were measured, and several new cones were collected from each tagged tree after counting the number of cones on each tree. For a subset of cones sampled, the number of fertile scales, the number of seeds at three development stages (early/late aborted, and filled seed), seed wing size, wing color, and individual filled seed mass were measured. The three sites which differed significantly in mean plant size also differed in mean cone and seed production per plant. However further analyses showed that most variation in characters examined occurred among plants within sites, but not among sites. An average of 90% of the potential seeds on the cones aborted at an early developmental stage, demonstrating that early abortion is a major factor affecting the number of filled seeds per cone. Individual seed mass was the only character which exhibited significant variations among sites as well as among trees within sites. Individual seed mass was overall negatively correlated with both the percentage of late abortion and the number of old cones per plant, suggesting that both the past and current years' reproductive activities have caused variations in seed mass. The potential dispersal distance of red pine seeds is quite large. However, wing loading was correlated with seed mass and number in a complex pattern across the sites. Distribution of seeds with varied colored wings differed among sites and among trees within sites. These results suggest that red pines at different sites might possess different strategies to cope with selection pressures acting during the final phase of reproduction, from seed dispersal to establishment. Then the ‘fitted’ red pine trees at each site should be identified and managed to conserve or restore populations.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.114-128
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• 2023

Objectives: This study was conducted to reflect Korean Medicine doctors (KMD)' perception of lifestyle management in the process of developing a Korean Medicine (KM) Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) of female infertility. Methods: We sent four e-mails containing links to online questionnaires to 25,286 KMD belonging to the Association of Korean Medicine. The questionnaire consisted of sexual intercourse, weight, diet, exercise, drinking, smoking, caffeine intake, stress etc. KMD responded to self-administered questionnaires, and we analyzed 786 responds. Results: KMD put stress first among the infertile women's lifestyle management items, weight and sexual intercourse were next. Also KMD put stress first among the spouses' lifestyle management items, drinking and sexual intercourse were next. In relation to sexual intercourse, 'Recognizing the Fertile Window' was the most important. In relation to stress in the emotional domain, 'Depression' and 'Anxiety' were the most important, and in relation to stress in the relationship domain, 'Deteriorating of marital relationship' was the most important. Conclusions: We surveyed the status of KMD' awareness of infertility lifestyle management for patient education, and reflected it in the modification of the CPG for female infertility.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.231-237
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• 2010

Objective: To evaluate whether T helper 1 (Th1) immune response is predominant in women with reproductive failures (recurrent spontaneous abortion and recurrent implantation failure) and the activation of T cell is related to Th1 propensity. Methods: Women with a history of recurrent implantation failure or recurrent spontaneous abortion comprise the study group (n=37). Controls are normal fertile women without a history of infertility or pregnancy losses (n=11). Th1/Th2 ratios of interferon (INF)-$\gamma$/interleukin (IL)-10 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$/IL-10 expression on $CD3^+/4^+$ cells, CD154, and CD69 expression on T cells are measured by flow cytometric analysis. Results: The ratios of TNF-$\alpha$ to IL-10 expressing on $CD3^+/4^+$ cells (Th1/Th2 cell ratios) are significantly higher in study group ($42.1{\pm}2.3$) as compared with that of controls ($28.7{\pm}2.7$) (p=0.002). The overall trend of CD154 and CD69 expression on T cells are elevated in study group than those of controls. The proportion (%) of $CD3^+/4^+/154^+$ cells ($1.7{\pm}0.5$ vs. $0.3{\pm}0.2$, p=0.038) and the % of $CD3^+/8^+/154^+$ cells ($0.6{\pm}0.2$ vs. $0.1{\pm}0.0$, p=0.024) are significantly higher in study group. The % of $CD3^+/69^+$ cells ($5.6{\pm}1.9$ vs. $1.3{\pm}5.4$, p=0.046) and % of $CD3^+/8^+/69^+$ cells ($4.8{\pm}1.3$ vs. $1.8{\pm}0.2$, p=0.035) among $CD3^+/8^+$ cells are significantly increased in study group. Conclusion: Women with reproductive failures have Th1 propensity with increased T cell activation. These finding means that activated T cell has a harmful effect on early pregnancy and implantation by induction of Th1 immunity.