• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.117-123
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• 2005

A cumulative evidence indicates that consumption of tea catechin, flavan-3-ol derived from green tea leaves, lowers the risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, a precise mechanism for this cardiovascular action has not yet been fully understood. In the present study, we investigated the effects of different green tea catechins, such as epigallocatechin-3 gallate (EGCG), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin-3 gallate (ECG), and epicatechin (EC), on angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertrophy in primary cultured rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC). [$^3H$]-leucine incorporation was used to assess VSMC hypertrophy, protein kinase assay, and western blot analysis were used to assess mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity, and RT-PCR was used to assess c-jun or c-fos transcription. Ang II increased [$^3H$]-leucine incorporation into VSMC. However, EGCG and ECG, but not EGC or EC, inhibited [$^3H$]-leucine incorporation increased by Ang II. Ang II increased phosphorylation of c-Jun, extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and p38 MAPK in VSMC, however, EGCG and ECG , but not EGC or EC, attenuated c-Jun phosphorylation increased by Ang II. ERK 1/2 and p38 MAPK phosphorylation induced by Ang II were not affected by any catechins. Ang II increased c-jun and c-fos mRNA expression in VSMC, however, EGCG inhibited c-jun but not c-fos mRNA expression induced by Ang II. ECG, EGC and EC did not affect c-jun or c-fos mRNA expression induced by Ang II. Our findings indicate that the galloyl group in the position 3 of the catechin structure of EGCG or ECG is essential for inhibiting VSMC hypertrophy induced by Ang II via the specific inhibition of JNK signaling pathway, which may explain the beneficial effects of green tea catechin on the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases observed in several epidemiological studies.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.67-90
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• 2001

Korea National Statistical Office(KNSO) estimated period birth rates, period death rates, and probability of dying for infant(q$q_{0}$) at period life table, considering the unregistered infant deaths. As Ministry of Health and Welfare(MHW) conducted 1993 and 1996 birth cohort infant death surveys. KNSO re-estimated infant mortality levels(especially q$q_{0}$). For the re-estimation, reference data were derived from death registration. MHW surveys, death registration of developed countries. Model Life Tables, and Life Table for Japan. Seventeen simulations were made by the combination of estimation methods and reference data. The final $q_{0}$ was estimated based on the relationship between $q_{0}$ of MHW 1993 survey and $q_{1-4}$ of registered deaths for the period of 1971~1997. For 1993, $q_{0}$ was calculated directly from the 1993 MHW survey and interpolation and extrapolation were made for 1995 and 1997 using the relative decrease rates of $q_{0}$ between 1993 and 1996 MHW surveys. Utilizing the formular of Coale-Demeny North Model, $q_{0}$ was transformed into $m_{0}$ for the period 1971~1997. Finally, cremation data are found to be very useful for the estimation of 1998 infant mortality level by supplementing unregistered infant deaths, especially neonatal deaths. Furthermore, they are found to be very useful to produce fetal and perinatal death statistics.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.3029-3034
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• 2015

Background: While the perinatal outcomes of active maternal smoking are well documented, results of the effects of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure during pregnancy are inconsistent. We aimed to examine the effect of ETS exposure, assessed by maternal hair nicotine levels at $35^{th}$ week of gestation, on birth weight and the risk of small for gestational age (SGA) and low birth weight (LBW). Materials and Methods: A total of 871 non-smoking healthy pregnant women were recruited by one Korean hospital between 1 October 2006 and 31 July 2007. Hair samples were collected and anthropometric questionnaires administered at $35^{th}$ week of gestation. The primary outcome was birth weight and secondary outcomes were the risk of babies being SGA and LBW. Results: Log-transformed hair nicotine concentrations were inversely related with birth weight after adjusting for confounding variables (${\beta}=-0.077$, p=0.037). After stratifying hair nicotine levels by tertiles (T1, low [0.0-0.28 ng/mg]; T2, medium [0.29-0.62 ng/mg]; and T3, high [0.63-5.99 ng/mg]), the mean birth weight in each groups were 3,342g (T1) 3,296g (T2) and 3,290 g (T3), respectively. However the difference between groups was not statistically significant by analysis of co-variance (ANCOVA) adjusting for covariates (p=0.062). In logistic regression analysis, the risk of SGA was higher in the T3 (OR=1.59, 95%CI 1.05-2.42) than in the reference group (T1), after controlling for confounding variables. The risk of low birth weight (<2,500g, LBW) was not significantly higher (OR=1.44, 95%CI 0.95-2.19), but the risk of babies being below 3,000g birth weight was increased in the T3 group (OR=1.53, 95%CI 1.00-2.36) compared with that in the T1 group. Conclusions: Maternal ETS exposure during pregnancy was inversely related with birth weight. The risk of SGA increased in the highest ETS exposure group compared with in the low exposure group. To prevent ETS exposure during pregnancy, more comprehensive tobacco control policies are needed.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.267-284
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• 1999

The purpose of this study are 1. Evaluate the degree of knowledge of Vaginal Birth After Cesarean(VBAC) of Korean nurses. 2. To gather and develop educational material for VBAC. The sample was surveyed Korean Nurses knowledge about VBAC, from November 1998 through March 1999. For the data analysis, the SPSS computer program percentage and frequency were used for descriptive statistics. The x2 and the t-test were used to compare the results of the two sample groups. Open questions asked in the survey were sorted out by content, then displayed in chart form. For the education material, the Internet was the main source of information. Information on the Internet was provided by professional doctors and prenatal educational nurses. The results of the survey are as follows: 1. Out of 97 Nurses 15.3% answered that cesarean deliveries do not need to be performed after previous cesarean sections : however. 46.4% answered that cesarean sections must be performed after previous cesarean sections. 2. Of the nurses surveyed 14% had no knowledge or had never heard of VBAC. 3 Nurses did not have questions from patients concerning VBAC was 34.7%. This led to the conclusion that patients either do not have knowledge about VBAC or patients have no interest in the trial of labor. 4, Nurses indicated that their information about VBAC originated from other people's experiences (31%), Nursing School (25%), Media information (9%), and through literature review (6%). This data led to the conclusion that the knowledge about VBAC may not be extensive enough to counsel and guide patients who are willing to endure the trial of labor. 5. Nurses preferred hospital education programs to develop their knowledge concerning VBAC. Based upon survey, the conclusion was made that General Nurses and Maternity Nurses did not have knowledge about VBAC success rates and the possibility of a trial of labor. In order for nurses to help patients make decisions concerning VBAC, nurses have to gam more knowledge through hospital educational programs. Further more, the study suggests that through hospital educational programs, the possibility and importance of VBAC must be emphasized to nurses who work in maternity areas. Second, through prenatal educational programs, the possibility and importance of VBAC must be explained and emphasized to patients who had previous cesarean sections. Third, the clinical pathways of VBAC need to be developed. Fourth, each hospital needs to develop multi-disciplinary teams, consis-ting of obstetricians, risk management/quality management, staff registered nurses, and the director for perinatal services. This team can review cesarean section rates and help to increase the practice of VBAC.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.105-110
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• 2009

Purpose : Perinatal asphyxia is an important cause of neonatal mortality and subsequent lifelong neurodevelopmental handicaps. Although many treatment strategies have been tested, there is currently no clinically effective treatment to prevent or reduce the harmful effects of hypoxia and ischemia in humans. Erythropoietin (Epo) has been shown to exert neuroprotective effects in various brain injury models although the exact mechanisms through which Epo functions are not completely understood. This study investigates the effect of Epo on hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain injury and the possibility that its neuroprotective actions may be associated with iron-mediated metabolism. Methods : HI brain injury was produced in 7-day-old rats by unilateral carotid artery ligation followed by hypoxia with 8% oxygen for 2 h. At the end of HI brain injury, the rats received an intraperitoneal injection of 5,000 units/kg erythropoietin. Random premedication with iron, deferoxamine, iron-deferoxamine, or saline were performed 23 d before HI brain injury. The severity of the brain injury was assessed at 7 d after HI. Results : Single Epo treatment post-HI brain injury reduced the gross and histopathological findings of brain injury. Iron premedication did not increase the incidence or severity of the injury as measured by the damage score. Deferoxamine administration before HI brain injury improved the brain injury as compared to no treatment or Epo treatment. Conclusion : These findings indicate that Epo provides neuroprotective benefits after HI in the developing brain. These findings suggest that Epos neuroprotective actions may involve reducing iron in tissues that mediate the formation of free radicals.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.21 no.2 s.24
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• pp.207-216
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• 1988

Premature rupture of membrane is the most frequent cause of low birth weight infant delivery which increase the maternal and fetal morbidity and perinatal mortality. A retrospective case-control study was performed on 315 mothers who delivered low birth weight infants($\leq$2.5kg) with premature rupture of membrane and as control group 546 mothers who delivered normal birth weight infants(2.9-3.7kg) without premature rupture of membrane were chosen. The results obtained from this study were as follows: 1. The proportion of low birth weight infants due to premature rupture of membrane among all low birth weight infant deliveries was 14.5%, and this is equivalent to 1.1% among all deliveries. 2. The most significant maternal risk factor of low birth weight infant deliveries with premature rupture of membrane was infections on vagina, cervix and uterus during pregnancy. Compared with control, adjusted odds ratio was 7.61(95% confidence interval(CI) 1.88-30.88, p=0.004). Other significant maternal risk factors were the history of induced abortion, spontaneous abortion, and the experience of premature delivery. The risk ratios were 1.82, 2.07, 4.42, respectively. 3. Breech presentation did increase the risk of low birth weight infant delivery with premature rupture of membrane compared with control(Adjusted Odds ratio=2.66, 95% CI 1.35-5.26, p=0.005). 4. Mothers who had not taken antenatal care were having higher risk of low birth weight infant delivery with premature rupture of membrane against control(Adjusted odds ratio=1.73, 95% CI 1.19-2.53, p=0.004). These study results show that maternal factors such as the infection of genital organs during pregnancy, the history of induced abortion and breech presentation are significantly associated with the premature rupture of membrane in the low birth weight deliveries, and that most of these risk factors are controllable ones through proper antenatal cares.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.5-27
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• 1995

One of the important tasks for new parents, especially mothers, is to establish warm, mutually affirming interpersonal relationships with the new baby in the family, with the purpose of promoting the health development of the child and the well-being of the whole family. Nurses assess the quality of the behavioral characteristics of the maternal-infant interaction. The purpose of this longitudinal descriptive correlational study is to investigate the changes of the mother - infant interactions from postpartum 1 day to postpartum 8weeks of the transition to parenthood. The aim was to contribute to the development of theoretical under standing on which to base care toward promoting the quality of maternal - infant interaction. Data were collect ed directly by the investigator and at rained from Jul, 1, 1990 to Jun 8, 1991, Subjects were a random sample of 44 mothers, 44 who had a normal delivery (but with out other perinatal complications) at four general hospitals in Seoul. Instruments used were the Stainton Parent-infant Interaction Scale (1981). The first observations were made in the delivery room, followed by day 1, day 2, day 3 and 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks and 8 weeks after, birth, for a total of 8 contacts. Observations in the hospital were made during the hour prior to scheduled feedings. The infant was placed beside the mother. Later contacts were made at home. Data analysis was don by computer using as SPSS program and included, Paired t-test, t-test and Pearson Correlation coefficient ; the results were as follows. 1. The daily maternal-infant interaction score for the initial contact ofter birth to 8 weeks postpartum had the lowest average score 5.21 and the highest 8.02(in a range of 0-10). This subject group of mothers needed Extra nursing supporting to promote their maternal-infant interaction. 2. The daily scores for the maternal-infant interaction tended to rise, showing a gradual improvement over the period of eight weeks. However, there were significantly different increases in maternal-infant interaction only from the first to second day (p=0.000) and from the fourth to sixth weeks ofter birth.(p=0.000) 3. When the seven items of maternal-infant interaction were evaluated items of maternal-infant inter action were evaluated separately, "Care taking for the baby" had the highest average score, 1.60(in a range of 0-2) and "Speaks to baby" the lowest, 0.8. All items, suggested the subjects' need of nursing intervention to promote maternal-infant interaction 4. There were positive correlations between certain general characteristics, namely, both a higher economic status (p=0.027) and breast feeding (p=0.021) and maternal-infant interaction.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.1930-1939
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• 2020

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the differences in several serum adipokines in perinatal dairy cows with type I and II ketosis, and the correlations between these adipokines and the two types of ketosis. Methods: Serum adiponectin (ADP), leptin (LEP), resistin, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, and energy balance indicators related to ketosis were measured. Type I and II ketosis were distinguished by serum glucose (Glu) and Y values and the correlations between adipokines in the two types of ketosis were analyzed. Results: β-Hydroxybutyric acid of type I ketosis cows was significantly negatively correlated with insulin (INS) and LEP and had a significant positive correlation with serum ADP. In type II ketosis cows, ADP and LEP were significantly negatively correlated, and INS and resistin were significantly positively correlated. Revised quantitative INS sensitivity check index (RQUICKI) values had a significantly positive correlation with ADP and had a very significant and significant negative correlation with resistin, TNF-α, and IL-6. ADP was significantly negatively correlated with resistin and TNF-α, LEP had a significantly positive correlation with TNF-α, and a significantly positive correlation was shown among resistin, IL-6, and TNF-α. There was also a significant positive correlation between IL-6 and TNF-α. Conclusion: INS, ADP, and LEP might exert biological influences to help the body recover from negative energy balance, whereas resistin, TNF-α, and IL-6 in type II ketosis cows exacerbated INS resistance and inhibited the production and secretion of ADP, weakened INS sensitivity, and liver protection function, and aggravated ketosis.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 1997

뇌성마비는 뇌 발달시기중 초기의 장애로 인하여 운동기능과 자세의 이상 등을 초래하는 질환으로 임상적으로 여러 유형으로 나누어진다. 뇌성마비 환자중에서 MRI 상 롤란도야의 이상소견을 보이는 경우 특이한 임상적 특징을 나타낸다고 보고되어있다. 본 논문에서는 이들을 대상으로 하여 뇌 단일광자컴퓨터촬영에서 나타나는 뇌혈류 이상 소견과 MRI 소견, 그리고 임상양상들을 비교해보고자 하였다. 임상적으로 뇌성마비로 진단된 80여명의 환자중 MRI상 롤란도야에 저산소성 뇌질환의 소견을 보인 7명을 대상으로 하였다. 이들에게 5-10mCi의 Tc-99m-ECD를 정맥주사후 뇌 단일광자컴퓨터촬영을 하였다. 뇌 단일광자컴퓨터촬영상에서는 특히 뇌피질, 선조체, 시상, 뇌간 및 소뇌의 혈류이상 소견을 분석하였고, 이를 MRI 소견 및 임상증상과 비교하였다. 모든 환자들은 만삭 또는 만삭에 가깝게 태어났고, 주산기 아사가 여섯명의 환자에서 있었다. 임상적으로는 긴장성 사지마비로 나타났다. Tc-99m ECD를 이용한 뇌 단일광자 컴퓨터촬영상 롤란도야의 혈류감소는 모두에서 확연하게 나타났다 MRI상에서 롤란도야의 이상소견은 5명에서는 확실하게 나타났고, 2명에서는 의심되었다. MRI상에서 이상소견을 보인 것보다 더 광범위한 부분에서 뇌단일광자컴퓨터촬영상 이상소견이 보였다. 결론적으로, 롤란도야에서 이상소견을 보인 환자는 임상적, 구조적, 그리고 기능적으로 특이한 소견을 보였다. Tc-99m-ECD를 이용한 뇌 단일광자컴퓨터촬영은 매우 민감하게 반영하였고, MRI보다 뇌의 더 광범위한 부위에서 이상소견을 보였다.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.251-257
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• 1984

Low birth weight baby, defined as the baby born with less than or equal to 2,500g of body weight by WHO has been a great concern in the fold of maternal and child health since the low birth weight is a major cause of high perinatal mortality. Any measure to prevent the low birth weight baby is most desirable not only for saving the life of a baby but also for levelling up the health of the whole society. The authors attempted to figure out how some known maternal risk factors are related to the low birth weight and to measure their strengh of associations in terms of relative risk using hospital birth records. For this study, hospital birth records of 66 low birth weight cases and sex-parity matched 198 normal controls were chosen from Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic Medical Center, and the data were analyzed in regards to several maternal factors. The risk factors studied were mother's age, mother's ABO blood type, previous histories of abortion, low birth weight baby, fetal wastage, and maternal diseases represented by anemia, hypertension, proteinuria, and glucosuria. The results obtained in this study were as follows: 1. The mean body weight of the cases and controls were 1,955g and 3,251g, respectively, and the heights were 41cm for cases and 50cm for controls. Mean gestation periods of cases and controls were 34 weeks and 39 weeks, respectively. 2. Young mother(less than or equal to 20 years of age) or old mother(more than or equal to 30 years of age) experienced more frequently the delivery of low birth weight babies than mothers in between 21 and 29 years of age. But the difference was not statistically significant. 3. Mothers whose blood type was O tended to have slighty higher frequency of low birth weight babies while B mothers have lower frequency. But the difference was not statistically significant too. 4. Those mothers who had experienced low birth weight baby in the past tended to give more births of low birth weight babies. This factor is even statistically significant and the relative risk of the prior experience of low birth weight was 6.7. 5. Mothers with experience of fetal losses and mothers of more than two pregnancies had higher frequency of low birth weight than the mothers with no fatal losses and of first pregnancy, but the difference was not statistically significant. 6. Statistically significant higher frequency of low birth weight were found in mothers with hypertension(odds ratio=4.07), anemia(odds ratio=22,33), and proteinuria(odds ratio=2.79). In summary, these study results strongly suggest that in order to prevent the low birth weight, special care should be made when the mother is too young or too old, and when the mother has experienced deliveries of low birth weight and fetal deaths. Medical control for the maternal diseases such as anemia and hypertension is also needed before or during the pregnency.