• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.71-77
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• 2018

Purpose: Small for gestational age (SGA) is confusingly defined as birth weight (BW) either below 3rd percentile or 10th percentile for infants. This study aimed to compare postnatal catch-up growth between SGA groups according to different definitions. Methods: Data of 129 infants born with BW below the 10th percentile and admitted to Korea University Anam Hospital and Ansan Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Height and weight were measured at 6, 12, and 24 months. Results were compared between group A (BW: <3rd percentile) and group B (BW: 3rd-10th percentile). Results: Group A included 66 infants and group B included 63. At age 6 months (n=122), 62.9% of group A and 71.7% (P=0.303) of group B showed catch-up growth in weight. At 6 months (n=69), 55.9% of group A and 80.0% of group B (P<0.05) showed catch-up growth in height. At 12 months (n=106), 58.5% of group A, and 75.5% (P=0.062) of group B showed catch-up growth in weight. At 12 months (n=75), 52.8% of group A and 64.1% of group B (P=0.320) showed catch-up growth in height. Up to age 24 months, 66.7%/80.0% in group A and 63.6%/80.0% in group B showed catch-up growth in weight/height. Conclusion: Despite different definitions, there were no significant differences between the two SGA groups in postnatal catch-up growth up to age 24 months, except for height at 6 months. Compared to infants with appropriate catch-up growth, low gestational age and BW were risk factors for failed catch-up growth at 6 months.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.313-322
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• 2019

The epididymal fat pad is a male gonadal adipocyte tissue and is histochemically separated into distal and proximal parts. The development of epididymal fat during postnatal period has not been examined in detail. A previous research showed that expression of adipocyte-associated molecules in the distal epididymal fat of mouse is generally increased as postnatally aged. In the present study, expressional patterns of same adipocyte-associated molecules in the mouse proximal epididymal fat at 2, 5, 8, and 12 months of age were studied by quantitative real-time PCR analysis and were compared with those in the distal epididymal fat. The expressional levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (Pparg), lipoprotein lipase (Lpl), and fatty acid synthase (Fasn) at 5 months of age were significantly lower than those at 2 months of age, while transcript level of leptin (Lep) at 5 months was higher than that at 2 months of age. The transcript levels of all molecules at 8 months of age were significantly increased, compared with those at 2 and 5 months of age. At 12 months of age, expression of delta like non-canonical Notch ligand 1 (Dlk1) was further significantly increased, while there was no change on the transcript level of Pparg and significant decreases of Fabp4, Retn, Lpl, Lep, Fasn, and adiponectin (Adipoq) transcript levels. The current findings show that expressional patterns of molecules associated with adipocyte in the proximal epididymal fat is somewhat different with those of the distal epididymal fat, suggesting the existence of regional variance in the epididymal fat.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.233-240
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• 1997

Neurons in the nucleus raphe magnus are involved in descending modulation of nociceptive transmission. In this study, we attempted to investigate electrophysiological properties of the NRM neurons dissociated from the postnatal rat medulla. The NRM neurons in the coronal slices of and the dissociated neurons from the postnatal rat medullae were immunohistochemically identified using antibody against serotonin. Relatively small number of neurons were positively stained in both preparations. The positively stained neurons displayed large cell body with double or multiple neurites. Using whole-cell patch clamp configuration ionic currents were recorded from the dissociated NRM-like neurons selected by criteria such as size and shape of cell body and cell population. Two types, high- and low-threshold, of voltage-dependent calcium currents were recorded from the dissociated NRM-like neurons. Some neurons displayed both types of calcium currents, whereas others displayed only high-threshold calcium current. Voltage-dependent potassium currents were also recorded from the dissociated NRM neurons. Some neurons displayed both transient outward and delayed rectifier currents but others showed only delayed rectifier current. These results suggest that there are at least two types of calcium currents and two types of potassium currents in the dissociated NRM neurons.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.69-77
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• 2015

Cell-cell direct communication through channel-forming molecules, connexin (Cx), is essential for a tissue to exchange signaling molecules between neighboring cells and establish unique functional characteristics during postnatal development. The corpus epididymis is a well-known androgen-responsive tissue and involves in proper sperm maturation. In the present research, it was attempted to determine if expression of Cx isoforms in the corpus epididymis in the adult is modulated by exposure to estrogenic or anti-androgenic compound during the early postnatal period. The neonatal male rats at 7 days of age were subcutaneously injected by estradiol benzoate (EB) at low-dose ($0.015{\mu}g/kg$ body weight) or high-dose ($1.5{\mu}g/kg$ body weight) or flutamide (Flu) at low-dose ($500{\mu}g/kg$ body weight) or high-dose (50 mg/kg body weight). The corpus epididymis collected at 4 months of age was subjected to evaluate expressional changes of Cx isoforms by quantitative real-time PCR. Treatment of low-dose EB resulted in increases of Cx32, Cx37, and Cx45 transcript levels, while exposure to high-dose EB decreased expression of Cx26, Cx30.3, Cx31, Cx31.1, Cx32, Cx40, Cx43, and Cx45. Treatments of Flu caused significant decreases of expression of all examined Cx isoforms, except Cx37 and Cx43 shown no expressional change with high-dose Flu treatment. These findings imply that expression of most Cx isoforms present in the corpus epididymis would be transcriptionally regulated by actions of androgen and/or estrogen during postnatal period.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.257-265
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• 2000

Harderian glands are the unique organs in several mammals, which human and non-human primates do not have. We report the ultrastructural changes in the postnatal developmental periods of Harderian glands in Mongolian gerbil(Meriones unguiculatus). Male and female Mongolian gerbils were sacrificed on days 3, 10, 30 and 60 after birth and their Harderian glands were observed by transmission electron microscope. The obtained results were summarized as follows; 1. In 3-day-old Mongolian gerbils, Harderian gland was composed of one excretory duct and immature tubules which have two type cells, dark and light cells, identified electron-dense and electron-lucent respectively. 2. In 10-day-old Mongolian gerbils, small lipid vacuoles began to be found in the cytoplasm of the secretory cells of the Harderian gland. Mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, polysomes and slash were more abundant in the cytoplasm of dark cells than those of light cells. The arrangement of tubules in the gland was much more condensed than that of 3-day-old Mongolian gerbils. 3. In 30-day-old Mongolian gerbils, the secretory cells of the tubule were typically columnar in shape and there was one type cell in the tubule. Most of the columnar secretory cells contained various size vacuoles. 4. In 60-day-old Mongolian gerbils, the Harderian gland possessed the typical structural characteristics of adults. The mature glandular structures were more significant than those of 30-day-old animals.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2006

Background : Some reports have suggested that decreased nitric oxide metabolites($NO_x$) and activity of nitric oxide synthase could be related to the pathophysiology of depression. We evaluated plasma levels of $NO_x$ in pregnant women with and without postpartum depression at prenatal and postnatal period. Methods : The plasma concentrations of $NO_x$ were measured in 104 pregnant women in the third trimester and at 6 weeks postpartum and in 64 normal controls. The severity of depression and anxiety was measured with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale(EPDS), Beck Depression Inventory(BDI), and Beck Anxiety Scale(BAI). Results : Plasma $NO_x$ levels at 6 weeks postpartum were significantly lower in cases of postpartum major depression(EDPS scores${\geq}$13 points) than in cases without depression(EDPS scores${\leq}$9 points). Plasma $NO_x$ levels had significantly negative correlation with EPDS scores at 6 weeks postpartum. Conclusion : We demonstrate that decreased plasma $NO_x$ is associated with postpartum depression. Further studies are required to determine whether individual serum concentration of plasma $NO_x$ alone could predict maternal depression.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.92-97
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• 2006

Congenital diaphragmatic eventration is the abnormal elevation of the diaphragm into the thoracic cavity. Sometimes, it is not easy to differentiate congenital diaphragmatic eventration from diaphragmatic hernia by either prenatal sonography or postnatal chest radiography. However, differential diagnosis of both diseases is practical because of different prognosis and surgical approaches. Careful interpretation of postnatal serial chest X-rays is mandatory to differentiate between both diseases. We report two neonates with congenital diaphragmatic eventration of left diaphragm that initially misdiagnosed as diaphragmatic hernia by prenatal sonography and postnatal chest radiography.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.74-78
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• 2014

Sotos syndrome (SS, OMIM 117550) is characterized by prenatal and postnatal overgrowth with multiple congenital anomalies. However, there have been few cases of growth retardation caused by renal failure from infancy. We report a case of dysplasia of the bilateral kidneys with renal failure and poor postnatal growth. A 2-month-old boy visited the emergency room owing to poor oral intake and abdominal distension. He was born at the gestational age of 38 weeks with a birth weight of 4,180 g. After birth, he had feeding difficulty and abdominal distension. Upon physical examination, his height and weight were in less than the 3rd percentile, while his head circumference was in the 50th percentile on the growth curve. He also showed a broad and protruding forehead and high hairline. Blood laboratory tests showed severe azotemia; emergent hemodialysis was needed. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed bilateral renal dysplasia with multiple cysts and diffuse bladder wall thickening. A posterior urethral valve was suggested based on vesicoureterography and abdominal magnetic resonance findings. Results of a colon study to rule out congenital megacolon did not reveal any specific findings. The conventional karyotype of the patient was 46, XY. Array comparative genomic hybridization study revealed a chromosome 5q35 microdeletion including the NSD1 gene, based on which SS was diagnosed. We describe a case of SS presenting with end stage renal disease due to posterior urethral valve. The typical somatic overgrowth of SS in the postnatal period was not observed due to chronic renal failure that started in the neonatal period.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.16-20
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• 2020

Purpose: Duodenal atresia (DA) and atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) are well known ultrasonographic findings associated with Down syndrome. The risk of Down syndrome in fetuses with these anomalies has been reported as 30% to 40%. However, on the basis of our clinical experience, the risk of Down syndrome of DA may be lower in Korean population. To clarify this issue, we compared the risk of Down syndrome between cases with DA and AVSD. Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of neonates who were confirmed as DA or AVSD by postnatal diagnosis. Postnatal diagnosis was made by surgery, postnatal echocardiography, or autopsy. Medical record was reviewed retrospectively. Results: A total of 213 neonates with DA or AVSD were included: 67 cases with DA and 146 cases with AVSD. The risk of Down syndrome was 4.5% (3/67) in DA vs. 29.5% (43/146) in AVSD. When confining analysis to those whose karyotyping were not performed during antenatal period, the risk of Down syndrome were 7.9% (3/38) in DA and 35.4% (35/99) in AVSD. Conclusion: The risk of Down syndrome in cases with DA was much lower in Korean population than previously reported risk in the literature. The significance of some antenatal sonographic markers for Down syndrome may be different according to ethnicity.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.855-863
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• 1999

This study was performed to investigate the effect of dietary protein level throughout gestation and lactation on milk composition and on postnatal growth in infants, using rats as an animal model. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were provided with either high(25% ISP(Isolated Soy Protein)diet) or low protein diet(10% ISP diet) throughout gestation and lactation. Milk samples were taken for analysis from the lactating rats at days of 7, 14, 21, of lactation. Dams and some pups were killed after 4 weeks from parturtion (Experiment 1). Pups from dams of each diet groups were randomly selected and reared with 25% or 10% ISP diet for 4 more weeks (Experiment 2). In experiment 1, maternal protein intake and body weight gain throughout gestation and lactation was higher in 25% ISP group. Serum protein, Ca, Fe, Zn, K concentrations were significantly higher in 25% ISP group. There was no difference in birth weight between two groups, however the mean body weight at 4 weeks postpartum were significantly higher in 25% ISP group. Serum profiles of pups at weaning were similar to that of dams. Milk compositions were changed during lactation processes and were affected by dietary protein level. Lactose and Ca, Cu, Fe concentrations in milk were higher in 25% ISP group, whereas, lipid, triglyceride were higher in 10% ISP group. In experiment 2, food intake was higher in milk were higher in 25% ISP group but was unaffected by pup's dietary protein level after weaning. The weights of liver and kidney were affected by maternal protein intake. The weight of intestine was affected by pup's dietary protein level after weaning. The weight of femur and scapula were affected by maternal protein intake. There were no differences between four groups in serum profiles. Therefore, as mentioned above, it seemed that the effect of maternal protein malnutrition to fetus was able to be overcome to some extent by high protein diet intake after weaning. In conclusion, 1) Dietary protein level throughout gestation and lactation affected both nutritional status of dams and pups and milk composition: 25% ISP groups supported better nutritional status than 10% ISP group 2) It seemed that effect of dietary protein level after weaning on pups was able to be overcome the influence of maternal diet in fetus to some extent.