• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.686-695
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• 2002

The purpose of this study is to assess the maternal iron status during pregnancy and to evaluate the relationships bet-ween the iron indices of maternal, umbilical cord serum, placenta and pregnancy outcomes. Venous bloods samples were drawn from 54 pregnant women just before delivery and cord bloods of their newborn babies were collected immediately after birth. And also, placental tissues were extracted. We investigated the difference of the iron status indices of maternal, umbilical cord serum and placental tissue between two gestational age group (PT group, NT group : preform delivery and normal term delivery at 34.9wk and 39.0wk of mean gestational length, respectively) and also assessed correlations of iron status indices of maternal, umbilical cord serum and placenta tissue. And lastly, we related between birth weight and iron status indices of maternal, umbilical cord serum and placental tissue. The concentrations of maternal serum ferritin and of placental iron were significantly higher in NT group (32.1 $\pm$ 21.1 ng/ml, 68.5 $\pm$ 16.7 $\mu$g/g), than those of NT group (20.8 $\pm$ 11.6 ng/ml, 53.2 $\pm$ 17.4 $\mu$/g) respectively (p<0.001). However the serum ferritin of umbilical cord were significantly higher in NT group (PT : 109.4 $\pm$ 65.7 ng/ml, NT : 147.0 $\pm$ 56.8 ng/ml) than those of PT group (p<0.05). Our results showed that a negative association between birth weight (r=-0.361) and maternal serum ferritin and that a positive association between birth weight and umbilical cord serum ferritin (r=0.261). Despite not a significant difference, there was tendency that highest concentration of maternal serum ferritin was associated with the lowest birth weight. These findings indicate that birth weight of newborn is dependent of multiple factors such as maternal iron status during pre-pregnancy, body size, general nutritional status. Although for women who enter pregnancy with low iron stores, enough intakes of iron during pregnancy could produce undesirable pregnancy outcome. Therefore we suggest for successful pregnancy outcome and delivery differential iron supplementation program will be carried out individual pregnant women on the basis of pre-pregnancy nutritional status.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.103-108
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• 2011

Objective: To investigate adverse pregnancy outcomes in non-obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) compared with obese-PCOS and control groups. Methods: Women with PCOS who underwent assisted reproductive technology (ART) from August, 2003 to December, 2007, were considered. A total of 336 women with PCOS were included in the study group and 1,003 infertile women who had tubal factor as an indication for ART were collected as controls. They were divided into four groups: a non-obese PCOS group, obese-PCOS group, non-obese tubal factor group, and obese tubal factor group, with obesity defined by a body mass index over 25 kg/$m^2$, and reviewed focusing on the basal characteristics, ART outcomes, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Results: There was no difference among the groups' the clinical pregnancy rate or live birth rate. Regarding adverse pregnancy outcomes, the miscarriage rate, multiple pregnancy rate, and prevalence of preterm delivery and pregnancy induced hypertension were not different among the four groups. The incidence of small for gestational age infant was higher in the PCOS groups than the tubal factor groups ($p$ <0.02). On the other hand, the morbidity of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) was not high in the non-obese PCOS group but was in the obese groups. And in the obese PCOS group, the newborns were heavier than in the other groups ($p$ <0.02). Conclusion: Non-obese PCOS presents many differences compared with obese PCOS, not only in the IVF-parameters but also in the morbidity of adverse pregnancy outcomes, especially in GDM and fetal macrosomia.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.164-169
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• 2013

Red cell alloantibodies other than naturally occurring anti-A or anti-B are called unexpected red cell antibodies, and can be detected by performing an antibody screening. The frequency and distribution of unexpected antibody identified in Asan Medical Center were analyzed. We investigated a total of 135,238 cases of antibody screening test in AMC for 3 years from 2010 to 2012. Using column agglutination techniques, antibody identification tests were performed for the cases with positive antibody screening. Among 135,238 cases, 854 (0.6%) cases showed positive results of antibody screening test. In the order of frequency, 284 (33.3%) anti-Rh, 89 (10.4%) anti-MNS, 62 (7.3%) anti-Lewis, 34 (4.0%) anti-Kidd, 10 (1.2%) anti-Duffy, and 9 (1.1%) anti-P were identified. Multiple antibodies were detected in 199 (23.3%) cases. Among 381 subjects investigated for transfusion history, 299 (78.5%) had history of transfusion while 82 (21.5%) had unknown history. Thus the incidence of unexpected antibody was higher in the group with history of transfusion than the group without (p<0.001). Also, among 435 subjects investigated for the history of pregnancy, 46 (10.6%) had no history while 389 (89.4%) had history of pregnancy, showing higher incidence of unexpected antibody in the group with history of pregnancy than the group without pregnancy (p<0.001). Evaluated amounts and frequency of antigen exposure due to transfusion and pregnancy is suggested to increase the frequency of identification of unexpected antibody.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the MTHFR variants, folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ deficiencies increase the risk of hyperhomocysteinaemia and adverse pregnancy outcome such as short gestational age or reduced birth weight. Healthy pregnant women (n=136; 24-28 gestational weeks; 20-40 years old), who visited Ewha Womans University Hospital for prenatal care, participated in this study. At the time of delivery, trained nurses recorded the pregnancy outcome from medical chart. We determined maternal MTHFR polymorphisms (C to T subsitution at nucleotide 677) and measured serum homocyteine, vitamin $B_{12}$, and folate concentrations. We compared serum homocysteine level by MTHFR genotype, serum folate and serum vitamin B12 levels using ANOVA. To evaluate the association between serum homocysteine level and pregnancy outcome, we compared the gestational age and birth weight by serum homocysteine levels using multiple regression analysis, adjusting for other potential predictors. Mean level of serum homocysteine was highest among pregnant women of the MTHFR variants with low levels of serum folate and vitamin $B_{12}$. Regarding association with birth outcome, we found the relationship between homocysteine levels and increased gestational age (p=0.03) and reduced birth outcome (p>0.05). Our data demonstrates that serum level of folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ among pregnant women affects significantly serum homocysteine levels, and the genetic polymorphism of MTHFR modulates the relationship between them. However, we did not have conclusive evidence of association between high homocysteine level and adverse pregnancy outcome such as preterm or low birth weight.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.804-810
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• 2020

The profitability of the dairy and beef industries is largely affected by the actually achieved reproductive efficiency. Although a large proportion of cows worldwide are bred by artificial insemination (AI) services, many potential factors affecting the outcome of pregnancy by AI remain to be addressed. In the present study, we investigated the vaginal microbiota by high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene and analyzed their association with differential pregnancy outcomes (i.e., pregnant vs. nonpregnant) of multiple AI services in dairy cows. Sequencing of the V3-V4 region totally produced 512,046 high-quality sequences that were computationally clustered into 2,584 operational taxonomic units (OTUs). All OTUs were taxonomically assigned to 10 bacterial phyla. There were statistically significant differences among the three AI service times (T1, T2 and T3) with respect to the Shannon index and number of observed OTUs (p < 0.05). Bray-Curtis distance-based PCoA analysis also revealed that T2 group could be significantly distinguished from T1 and T3. However, no significant difference between the pregnant and nonpregnant cows was found in confidence regarding both alpha diversity and beta diversity. These results could help us better understand the possible influence of vaginal microbial community on pregnancy outcomes of AI service in cows.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.263-270
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• 2000

The ovaries of 178 Holstein heifers or cows (heifer; 41, 1 parity; 72, 2$\leq$ parity; 65) on Day 6 or 7 (Day 0=day of estrus) were examined by transrectal ultrasonography. Diameter of corpus luteum (CL) and large follicle ( $\geq$ 10 mm), and luteal tissue area were determined by ultrasound system with a 5 MHB rectal probe. Blood samples were taken to progesterone analysis. After selection of recipients, frozen Holstein embryos were thawed and directly transferred to recipients non-surgically. The diameter of CL and luteal tissue area was greater (P<0.01) on Day 7 than on Day 6 in heifers, 1 parity or 2 $\leq$ parity cows, respectively, although progesterone concentrations were not different. The presence of fluid-filled luteal cavitied or multiple CL (2 or more) did not affect serum progesterone concentration. A large follicles were observed in 67.4% of heifers or cows and the average diameter was 14.1 mm. Greater luteal tissue area attributed higher pregnancy in heifers, but not in cows, although there were no difference on pregnancy rate according to progesterone concentration in heifers or cows. The pregnancy rate of recipients contained a large follicle at embryo transfer was lower than that of recipients not contained. These results show ultrasonic assessment of ovaries in Holstein recipients is a reliable tool to determine the follicle and CL for recipient selection.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.25-30
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• 2018

Objective: This study conducted a preliminary examination of the effects of three-area laser-assisted zona thinning (LAZT) during the cleavage stage of embryo development on the hatching process in human in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) with subjects of advanced female age or frozen-thawed (FT) embryos. Methods: Eight-cell stage embryos were treated with LAZT in three areas of the zona pellucida at $120^{\circ}$ intervals. The control group was embryos without LAZT. Of the 72 consecutive fresh cycles and the 28 FT embryo transfer cycles, the patients in 55 fresh cycles and 17 FT cycles declined LAZT, and those cycles were defined as the control group. Results: In the fresh cycles, the pregnancy rates were similar in the LAZT and control groups. However, in the FT cycles, the pregnancy rate was significantly higher in the LAZT group than in the control group (45.5% in the LAZT group vs. 23.5% in the control group, p< 0.05). Conclusion: These results show that multi-area LAZT resulted in significantly improved pregnancy outcomes in human 8-cell embryos compared to controls.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.191-200
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• 2004

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy of double intrauterine insemination with single intrauterine insemination in GnRH antagonist combined ovarian hyperstimulation (Mild ovarian hyperstimulation) Materials and Methods: From Jan. 2001 to Jul. 2004, a retrospective clinical analysis was done of a total of 295 cycles in 170 patients who underwent ovarian hyperstimulation for ART (assisted reproductive technique). Subjects were divided into three groups; only clomiphene citrate ovarian hyperstimulation (n=55, 95cycles), GnRH antagonist combined ovarian hyperstimulation (soft ovarian hyperstimulation) (n=66 99cycles), and GnRH agonist combined ovarian hyperstimulation (short protocol) (n=49, 101cycles) Each group were randomly devided into two subgroups. One group underwent single IUI and the other group underwent double IUI. Results: GnRH antagonist group and GnRH agonist group had similar pregnancy rate. In GnRH antagonist Group, pregnancy rate was 36.1% in single IUI subgroup and was 36.6% in double IUI subgroup. These finding were not statistically significant. And Pregnancy rate was 20.8% in single IUI subgroup and was 19.3% in double IUI subgroup in single clomiphene citrate group, and 36.3% in single IUI subgroup and was 33.3% in double IUI subgroup in GnRH agonist group. These finding were not statistically significant, too. Conclusion: Pregnancy rate of GnRH antagonist was high and complication rate such as OHSS and multiple pregnancy was lower. In GnRH antagonist group, to compare with single IUI and double IUI, the result do not statistically differ. So GnRH antagonist single injection with single IUI was relatively comparable ART in infertiliry patient.

• Korean Parent-Child Health Journal
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.159-168
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to provide the basic data for developing a program for effective prevention for postpartum depression (PPD) by investigate the level of PPD in postpartum women. The subjects were 104 women. The data were collected from march, 2003 to June, using a 36 item questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS program for t-test, ANOVA, multiple regression. The results were as follow 1. The score of Postpartum depression was 44.1. The level of PPD according to General Characteristics was significantly difference according to home care need. 2. The level of PPD according to obstetrical characteristics was significantly differences according to postpartum complication(p<.05). depression in pregnancy(p<.01), baby's health state(p<.01). 3. The variables to predict postpartum depression in postpartum women are depression related to depression during pregnancy, complication after delivery, and a baby's condition. As the result of multiple regression analysis, variables bringing about postpartum discomfort were depression during pregnancy, complication after delivery, and a baby's condition, and this model showed the explanatory power at 28.8%. In conclusion, it is necessary to care mothers belonging to a risk group more concentrically by taking the factors causing postpartum depression into account, and to keep on studying repeatedly in order to raise the number of objects and to find related variables because this study has more or less limited objects not enough to generalize a bit. It is also necessary to study to make a program of arbitration in nursing of postpartum depression actually.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.89-101
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• 2015

This study examined the effects of self-differentiation and psychological discomfort on antenatal attachment of pregnant couples in their third trimester of pregnancy. The subjects were 182 couples in J province who had participated in the first wave of the Korea Attachment Longitudinal Study (KALS). Data were analyzed by means of frequency, percentages, Pearson's correlations, and stepwise multiple regression models using SPSS 20.0. The findings were as follows. First, the independent t-test showed that the mean scores of pregnant women's self-differentiation were lower than their spouses in all subscales except emotional cutoff, and higher than in all psychological discomfort subscales. There was no significant difference in antenatal attachment quality between women and men, but the pregnant women significantly spent more time thinking about the fetus than their spouses. Second, the stepwise multiple regression models revealed that pregnant women's emotional cutoff in self-differentiation influenced the most on both quality and quantity of antenatal attachment. Among subscales of their spouses' self-differentiation, only emotional reactivity had an impact on quality of antenatal attachment, and fusion with others had the most impact on quantity of antenatal attachment. Among the pregnant women's and their spouses' psychological discomfort subscales, only depression influenced each quality and quantity of antenatal attachment. This is the very first and only study in which the impact of the pregnant couples' self-differentiation on antenatal attachment has been examined.