• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.16-26
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• 2015

The female reproductive tract has two main functions: protection against microbial challenge and maintenance of pregnancy to term. The upper reproductive tract comprises the fallopian tubes and the uterus, including the endocervix, and the lower tract consists of the ectocervix and the vagina. Immune cells residing in the reproductive tract play contradictory roles: they maintain immunity against vaginal pathogens in the lower tract and establish immune tolerance for sperm and an embryo/fetus in the upper tract. The immune system is significantly influenced by sex steroid hormones, although leukocytes in the reproductive tract lack receptors for estrogen and progesterone. The leukocytes in the reproductive tract are distributed in either an aggregated or a dispersed form in the epithelial layer, lamina propria, and stroma. Even though immune cells are differentially distributed in each organ of the reproductive tract, the predominant immune cells are T cells, macrophages/dendritic cells, natural killer (NK) cells, neutrophils, and mast cells. B cells are rare in the female reproductive tract. NK cells in the endometrium significantly expand in the late secretory phase and further increase their number during early pregnancy. It is evident that NK cells and regulatory T (Treg) cells are extremely important in decidual angiogenesis, trophoblast migration, and immune tolerance during pregnancy. Dysregulation of endometrial/decidual immune cells is strongly related to infertility, miscarriage, and other obstetric complications. Understanding the immune system of the female reproductive tract will significantly contribute to women's health and to success in pregnancy.

• 한국가축번식학회지
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.273-280
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• 1990

This study was conducted to find out the changes of progesterone and 20$\alpha$-dihydroprogesterone(OHP) levels in the serum of female rats by progesterone-tube implantation during late pregnancy. One hundred and twenty rats, 10-13 weeks old, were offered for this experiment. Blood samples were taken from the rats on 18, 20, 21 and 22days of pregnancy. The rats were implanted with silicon tubes filled with pregesterone on day 15 of pregnancy. The progesterone and 20$\alpha$-OHP in serum were assayed by radioimmunoassay. The results obtained are summarized as follows : 1. The progesterone levels in rats of control group showed 126.36$\pm$20.19ng/ml on 18days and gradually decreased to 69.3$\pm$11.9, 29.2$\pm$1.8ng/ml 20 and 21 days. 2. The progesterone levels after progesterone-tube implantation showed 120.1$\pm$8.5, 59.01$\pm$3.1, 85.33$\pm$17.9 and 62.9$\pm$6.1ng/ml on 18, 20, 21 and 22days of pregnancy, respectively. 3. The 20$\alpha$-OHP levels in rats of control group showed 68.5$\pm$8.0ng/ml on 18 days and gradually increased to 139.9$\pm$3.7 and 141.4$\pm$6.7ng/ml on 21 and 22days. 4. The 20$\alpha$-OHP levles after progesterone-tube implantation showed 108.5$\pm$32.7 and 106.4$\pm$10.6ng/ml on 18 and 20days and increased to reach the peak level at 21days(225.01$\pm$9.9ng/ml) and rapidly decreased on 22days(85.9$\pm$10.7ng/ml).

• 대한간호학회지
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• 제4권2호
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• pp.121-130
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• 1974

This study was performed with, two groups of 369 pregnant women, which consisted of the first group of 186 pregnant women taking physical examinations for birth at the Korea clinic in Seoul during the months of November and December in 1972, and the second group of 183 pregnant women taking physical examinations for birth at the Kang Won Provincial Hospital for the 12 months from October, 1972 to September 1973, as the results of this study the following concussion was obtained. 1. Age distribution indicated that the group of 25 through 34 age among them fallen 76 percent. 2. The time of the first physical examination by the 76% pregnant women of the second group at Chun Chon was in the initial period of pregnancy, but the time of that by every 33% pregnant women of the first group in Seoul came to the initial, middle and late period of pregnancy, evenly. 3. The 65.6% of the second group had one or two times of physical examination and the 80% of the first group had one to eight times of physical examination. 4. The mean pregnancy times was 1.9 to the first group and 2.8 to the second group, showing high pregnancy rate in Seoul city- 5. The 57.3% of the first group and the 31.3% of the second group did one times of abortion. The 3.2% of the first group and the 10.7% of the second group did more then six times of abortion, this meant big difference between two groups. The 24.1% of the first group had four times of pregnancy and the 18.1% of the second group had three or four times of it. These percentages was the highest of all. 6. Death rate during the period of pregnancy was shown to be 3.2% to the first group and 9.7% to the second group, consequently indicating gre311y high death rate in local city. 7. Many of the first group have three children and some of the second group have seven children. 8. As to totemics of pregnancy, 23.7% of the first group, and 49.7% of the second group were shown to have totemics of pregnancy, consequently with greatly high totemics rate of pregnancy in local city. The 4.0% of the first group and 37.0% of the second group was short of hemoglobin, with remarkable difference between the two groups.

• 대한약리학회지
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.37-60
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• 1983

The uterus receives adrenergic terminals from the mesenteric ganglia and considerably large amount of catecholamines have been shown to be contained in this organ. On the other hand, the activities of epinephrine, norepinephrine or adrenergic nerve on uterine motility is so complicated that many controversial results have been reporter. Recently, a large number of reports concerning the changes of uterine catecholamines content have appeared, but little is known about the role of uterine catecholamines in their activities on uterine motility. The present experiments were undertaken to determine the significance of the intrinsic uterine catecholamines in the physiology of uterus. Female albino rabbits weighing approximately 2 kg were employed in this experiment. uterine strip3 were prepared and suspended in a constant temperature $bath(38^{\circ}C)$ containing 100 ml of Locke's solution aerated with 95% oxygen and 5% carbon dioxide. Spontaneous motility was recorded on a smoked drum with an isotonic lever. The catecholamines concentration of the uterus was determined according to the Procedure described of Shore and Olin (1958). Human uterus obtained from patients was also used to determine the catecholam ines content of myometrium. Followings are summarized results. 1) On the non-pregnant rabbit uterine strips, epinephrine and norepinephrine significantly elevated the tonus and stimulated the spontaneous motility. Pretreatment with dichloroisoproterenol(DCI), an adrenergic beta-receptor blocker, enhanced the stimulatory activity of epinephrine or norepinephrine. On the other hand, pretreatment with dibenamine, an adrenergic alpha-receptor blocker, rendered the uterine muscle to exhibit inhibition after the administration of epinephrine or norepinephrine. Following the treatment with both DCI and dibenamine, epinephrine or norepinephrine produced no appreciable effects on the spontaneous motility of the uterus. These results suggest there exist both alpha and beta-adrenergic receptors in the uterine muscle and the response to epinephrine of the former is predominant over that of latter in the non-pregnant uterus of rabbits. The total catecholamines concentration of the non-pregnant uterus was $351\;m{\mu}g/g$ and the fractional concentrations of epinephrine and norepinephrine were $125\;m{\mu}g/g(35.7%)$ and $226\;m{\mu}g/g$ respectively. It is interesting to note that the catecholamines content of uterus was characterized by a high fractional corcentration of epinephrine relative to norepinephrine. 2) On the pregnant rabbit uterine strips, the effects of epinephrine and norepinephrine varied according to the period of pregnancy. The response to epinephrine of adrenergic beta receptor of uterus increased during pregnancy, and the effect of catecholamine was inhibitory in the early pregnancy but became stimulatory as the pregnancy progressed. This stimulating action on the uterine motility was found to occur through the action of norepinephrine. The uterine catecholamines concentration was markedly reduced during pregnancy. The catecholamines concentration was started to decrease in the early pregnancy, reached the lowest level in the mid-pregnancy and then started to increaae again in the late pregnancy when the total catecholamines content became the highest level of all. This increase of catefholamines in late pregnancy was chiefly due to the increase of norepinephrine. These results suggest that the uterine motility may be related to the catecholamines content, especially norepinephrine content in the uterus. 3) Bilateral oophorectomy of rabbits results in a marked shrink of the uterus in size. The spontaneous motility of the uterine segment of these animals was very weak and irregular. Norepinephrine produced inhibitory effect, whereas epinephrine was stimulatory or inhibitory effect on the uterine segment. The total catecholamines tontent in whole uterus was markedly reduced. The injection of estrogen into the oophorectornized rabbit increased the weight of uterus to approximately three times of that of oophorectornized animal. The apontaneous motility and the response to epinephrine and norepinephrine of the uterine segment were greatly enhanced. Both epinephrine and norepinephrine produced a marked stimulatory effects of the uterine motility. The uterine content of catecholamines, particularly epinephrine, was markedly increased. The injection of progesterone into the oophorectornized rabbit increaeed the weight of uterus to approximately 2.5 times of that of eophorectornized animal. The spontaneous motility of the uterine segment was weak and irregular. Epinephrine produced stimulatory effect at high concentrations but norepinephrine always prcdnced inhibitory effect on the uterine segment. The uterine content of catecholamines, particularly of norepinephrine, was markedly reduced. These results suggested that ovarian hormones play an important role not only on the growth and spontaneous norepinephrine of uterus but also on the catecholamines content and responee to epinephrine and norepinephrine of the uterus. 4) The intraperitoneal injection of reserpine(3 mg/kg) into the non-pregnant, pregnant and oophorectornieed rabbits markedly decreased the uterine content of catecholamines, particularly of the norepinephrine. The stimulatory response to epinephrine and. norepinephrine of the uterine segment of these reserpinized ratbits was markedly reduced whereas the inhibitory response to these catecholamines was enhanced. This finding further support the close relationship between the uterine catecholamines content and uterine response to epineptrire and norepinephrine. 5) In the human uterus, the concentration of epinephrine was actrally greater than that of norepinephrine and it was significantly greater during the proliferative phase of the menstrtal cycle. In the human pregnant uterus, the concentrations of toth epinephrine and ncrefinephrine were markedly reduced and showed about 45 percent rednction after 6-8 weeks of ectopic Pregnancy. At full term ana during labor, the concentrations of epinephrine and norepinephrine at placental sites were less than those found in the non-pregnant group. Of interest was the finding that the norepinephrine concentration of uterus from toxemic patients was two and half times higher than that of lower uterine segment of the nontoxemic pregnant individuals. Also the epinephrine concentraticn was slightly increaeed.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.275-280
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• 2016

Prenatal nicotine exposure over an entire pregnancy has been associated with an increased prevalence of hyperactivity, anxiety-like behavior and depression-like behavior in mature rats. However, the effects of maternal nicotine exposure in late gestation and lactation on the psychology and behavior of adolescent rat offspring are unclear. Thus, we investigated the effect of nicotine exposure during late gestation and lactation on anxiety-like and impulsive decision-making behavior in adolescent offspring of rat. Female rats were orally exposed to nicotine which is within range of plasma level of human chronic smokers during the period of third last period of gestation and lactation. When the offspring were weaned, we observed alterations in the anxiety-like behavior and decision-making ability of adolescent rat offspring using light/dark box test and T-maze delay-based cost-benefit decision-making task. The maternal consumption of nicotine reduced both the time spent in the light compartment and the number of transitions compared to nicotine-free rats. Moreover, such nicotine exposed adolescent offspring rats showed impulsive decision making which chose the instant reward in a decision-making situation. We found that nicotine exposure during late gestation and lactation induces an increase in anxiety-like and impulsive decision-making behavior at this developmental stage. These findings suggest that maternal nicotine-exposed offspring are at an increased risk of developing anxious and impulsive behavior.

• 한국환경성돌연변이발암원학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국환경성돌연변이발암원학회 2002년도 Molecular and Cellular Response to Toxic Substances
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• pp.165-165
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• 2002

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.52-56
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• 2010

Idiopathic peripartum cardiomyopathy is an uncommon malady disease. Making the diagnosis is often difficult and it is always necessary to exclude other prior heart disease and other causes of left ventricular dysfunction in pregnant women. Heart failure in these women ensues when the cardiovascular demands of normal pregnancy are further amplified when the common complications of pregnancy complications superimposed upon these underlying conditions that cause compensated ventricular hypertrophy. This may be aggravated by making a late diagnosis and providing inappropriate treatment. We experienced a 38-year-primigravida who has diagnosed with idiopathic peripartum cardiomyopathy and underwent elective cesarean section with general anesthesia.

• 대한임상독성학회지
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• 제7권1호
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• pp.44-46
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• 2009

Herein, we report a case of emergency cesarean section after severe maternal drug intoxication in late pregnancy. At a 38-week-gestation, a 32-year-old woman with a 10-year history of bipolar disorder took olanzapine (200 mg), diazepam (20 mg), and zolpidem (200 mg) as part of a suicidal attempt. Given her unconscious state and the evident concern regarding the toxic effects of the drugs on the fetus, a cesarean section was performed immediately. The patient gave birth to a male baby with Apgar scores of 5 at 1 and 8 at 5 minutes. The baby showed dyspnea and decreased activity directly after birth. After supportive care, the condition of both mother and baby improved and both were discharged.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제39권2호
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• pp.150-152
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• 2022

Complications related to the vascular anastomosis of the placental vessels in monochorionic twins are fatal. The clinical syndromes of feto-fetal transfusion include twin anemia polycythemia sequence (TAPS), twin-twin transfusion syndrome, and twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence. We present an extremely rare case of TAPS in a dichorionic diamniotic pregnancy. A 36-year-old woman, gravida 0, para 0, was referred to our hospital with suspected preterm premature membrane rupture. Although her pelvic examination did not reveal specific findings, the non-stress test result showed minimal variability in the first fetus and late deceleration in the second one. An emergency cesarean section was performed. The placenta was fused, and one portion of the placenta was pale, while the other portion was dark red. The hemoglobin level of the first fetus was 7.8 g/dL and that of the second one was 22.2 g/dL.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제17권6호
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• pp.760-768
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• 2004

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the accuracy of ultrasonography in early pregnancy diagnosis in goats. Ultrasonographic scanning with real time B-mode ultrasound machine having 5 MHz linear array transducer was performed on gravid uterus (n=24) obtained from slaughterhouse (Group I). Crown rump length (CRL) measured by ultrasound was found significantly different (p<0.05) with actual CRL measured after dissection in early pregnancy. However, age predicted by ultrasound through the measurement of CRL was found highly correlated (r=0.92) with age measured after dissection through CRL and the weight of fetus. Ages predicted by ultrasound through the measurement of trunk diameter (TD) and uterine diameter (UD) and ages measured after dissection were found highly and equally correlated (r=0.98) and did not differ significantly. Data from six does synchronized (Group II) with PGF2$\alpha$ (Estrumate) at 11 days apart were collected through ultrasound from 17 to 42 days post breding. The correlation between CRL and gestational age was high (r=0.97) in day 30 to 42 post breeding. A high coefficient of correlation (r=0.98) was also observed between predicated age by ultrasound and actual age calculated after kidding. The correlation between CRL and gestational age by the formula Y=(a+bX) i.e. Y=24.42+0.39 X where Y=gestational age and X=CRL, was recorded very high (r=0.99). Accuracy of ultrasonography was lowest on day 17 to 19 (66%) and reached 100% on day 34. Data from 30 does (group III) randomly subjected to only one time ultrasounds scanning to assess the accuracy of pregnancy diagnosis were also obtained. Ages predicted by TD and UD measurements were observed to be non-significantly different with actual age obtained after kidding and correlation between ages predicted by TD and UD measurement with actual age after kidding was found equally and highly correlated (r=0.98). The operator's accuracy in the whole experiment including all three groups was found to be 92%. The sensitivity was 93% and specificity was 86%. From the present study, it was observed that CRL was the most reliable parameter to find out gestational age in early pregnancy and the new formula derived was found very accurate to find out gestational age. TD and UD were also found to be equally reliable parameter to find out gestational age in mid and late stage of pregnancy through ultrasonography. It was concluded that ultrasonography by real time B mode with 5 MHz transrectal transducer was found to be reliable, safe and accurate and practicable means in diagnosing early pregnancy diagnosis as early as 25 days post breeding.