• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.147-164
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• 2018

Objectives: This study was performed to analyze the pattern identification in infertile women who participated in infertility support program of Cheongju-city. Methods: The project proceeded from October, 2016 to June 2017. Participants filled in the questionnaire which is composed of 33 symptoms before korean medical treatments. Data were collected from 17 participants. We classified symptoms into six pattern identifications based on previous research and rated each answer to score. Results: Throughout the study, the average age of 26 patients was $34.88{\pm}3.19$ years old, the average height was $162.51{\pm}4.99cm$, and average weight was $58.41{\pm}7.88kg$. The average duration of acupuncture treatment was $121.03{\pm}52.73$ days and the average times of acupuncture treatment was $27.42{\pm}10.77$ times. The average number of herbal medicine treatment was $2.65{\pm}0.69$, the majority of it was Chokyungjongok-tang. After the treatment, 3 patients of infertility became pregnant (11.54%) in twenty six patients. By analyzing pattern identification survey papers, We can classify infertile women into 6 pattern identification based on previous research. The majority of participants was identified as Blood deficiency and the other participants were identified as Kidney deficiency, Liver depression, Dampness-phlegm, Qi deficiency and Static blood in order of priority. Most of patients' pattern identification were combined with two kind of pattern identification. In terms of priority, Liver depression combined with Kidney deficiency, Blood deficiency combined with Kidney deficiency, Liver depression combined with Qi deficiency, Liver depression combined with Dampness-phlegm. Conclusions: After the study we confirmed that Korean traditional medicine is a safe treatment for infertile women. Further clinical study about herbal medicines of patients who have combined pattern identification is needed.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.12
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• pp.1206-1211
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• 2007

Purpose : The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of low birth weight associated with delayed first childbearing in Korea. Methods : The national birth certificate data of the singletons and first babies in Korea from January 2001 to December 2003 (n=736,167) was used. Outcome measures were rates of low birth weight infant, very low birth weight infant between 6 maternal age group (<20 years, 20-24 years, 25-29 years, 30-34 years and >35years). Odd ratios were calculated by multiple logistic regression on marital state, maternal education, maternal occupation, paternal occupation, duration of marriage and address. Results : Compared with women aged 25 to 29 years, women aged 30-35 years, 35-40 years and over 40 years had higher odds ratios of low birth weight, odd ratios were 1.3, 2.1, 2.4 respectively. Even though adjusted by marital state, maternal education, maternal occupation, paternal occupation, duration of marriage and address, odds ratios were 1.3, 1.9, 2.0 respectively. Compared with women aged 25 to 29 years, women aged 30-35 years, 35-40 years and over 40 years had higher odds ratios of very low birth weight, odd ratios were 1.8, 3.3, 3.7 respectively. Even though adjusted, odd ratios were 1.6, 2.7, 2.6 respectively. Compared with the incidence of low birth weight in each maternal age, maternal education, marital state, married, high school graduated thirties women was lower incidence than unmarried, high school graduated twenties women. Conclusion : These findings suggest that delayed childbearing increase the risk of low birth weight and very low birth weight, but if pregnant women have better socioeconomic condition, the impact of advanced maternal age on the risk of low birth weight will be decreased.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.77-87
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• 1971

A study of the knowledge, attitude and practices about the maternal and child health of 305 married women residing in apartments at the Yonsei Community Health area was conducted during the period from November to December 1970 using designed questionnaire with well trained interviewers. The results and findings obtained from the study are summarized as follows: A. Pregnancy and Birth Questions were asked about their last child. 1. 16.4% of the women were pregnant. 2. Among 281 women who had experienced delivery, 48.0% were assisted by doctor or midwisves for their last delivery, while the rest of women delivered their last baby at home without any professional's assistance. The higher the level of education or the greater exposure to mass communication, the more the deliveries were assisted by doctors or midwives. Those women who were born and raised in cities had more deliveries assisted by doctors and midwives than those who were not. 3. Kinds of delivery sheets used. Among 141 cases of home delivery 68% used cement bag paper or vinyl sheets. Three% used nothing and remained used unsterile materials. 4. Among 141 cases of home delivery, 70.2% used scissors. The rest of them used other methods. 5. 47.3% of the women had a rest for one month or more after birth. The higher the level of education, the longer the period of rest was observed. 6. 52.4% of the women fed the colostrum to their babies. This was not related to the mother's education. 7 About half(42.9%) of the women had poor knowledge about a proper diet for the pre and post natal period. B. Child Health 1. Knowledge and practice regarding to the immunization for their children: Most of the women (93.2%) could name at least one kind of immunization. 20.3% could name 6 kinds of immunization. Mothers education level did not influence their ability to name immunizations. 85.2% of children had been immunized at least once. 2. Morbidity of last born children: 48.1% of their last born children were found to have been sick during the last year. Less than half(41.5%) of the sick children were seen by doctor. 3. Counselling at well baby clinic: Most of the women(76.5%) had no counselling for their children. Registration rate at the well baby clinic at the Severance Hospital was 13.2%. 45.9% wanted to visit to the well baby clinic at the Severance Hospital. 4. Weaning Period: 44.6% said that the beginning of the weaning for their last born children was from 6 months to twelve months of age. The most important reason of weaning was the health of both mothers and children. 5. Knowledge and Practice regarding birth and death Registration: 64.6% of the women could name correctly the Ku-office as the place for the registration. Only 29.2% registered the birth of their last born children within 14 days. C. Knowledge, Attitude and Practice regarding to family planning Most: of the women accepted the idea of family planning. 97.7% could name at least one contraceptive method. 35.4% were found to be current users of contraceptive methods. The ideal number of children was 3.1 in average.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.733-739
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• 1966

A 371 agricultural households from 26 different communities in South Korea was subjected on a study of food taboos in January of 1966. To the pregnant women, those to whom a high protein diet is particurally important, as many as 14 different kinds of foods, mostly portein rich foods, were avoided to eat. It is believed that if duck is eaten while pregnant her baby may walk like a duck in later life. Some mother have a strong aversion to the rabbit meat that her unborn baby must be a harelip. It is feared to eat chicken, shark or carp by the pregnant mother for her baby may get a gooseflesh appearance, or fish scale-like skin in later life. It is thought that if mother eats soup made of meat borns, especially chicken bones, a disfigured baby may be born. Some area informed that if mother eats crab meat her future baby will always bubble. To the child-bearing mothers 13 different kinds of foods were avoided to eat. Some believe that if raddish kimchi, soybean curd, squash are eaten while dilivery that mother may get dental decay or to lose all her teeth. Other think that highly spiced raddish kimchi cause delivery difficult. To the lactating mothers 7 different items of foods were not recommended to eat. It is a common belief that eating green vegetables, especially fresh lettuce, are restricted that her baby may stool greenish. It is said that eating ginsen-chicken soup, or ginsen tea during lactating reduces breast milk secretion. To the weaning babies 7 different kinds of foods were prohibited to fee. Eggs are not eaten because mothers think her babies will start to talk very late. Eight different items of foods in cases of gastro-intestinal diseases, 5 items for liver disease, 7 items for high blood pressure as well as for paralysis were respectively restricted. It is said that meats including pork, beef, and chicken are neither desirable for the patients of high blood pressure nor those of paralysis. To the measles children 10 varieties of foods were restricted. Especially soybean products and meats were not encouraged to use for avoiding asecond attack of measles. For the common cold 8 different kinds of foods were aversed and men think that eating of soup of undria delays a recovery. For the tuberculosis 4 kinds of foods were prohibited to eat. It is said that wine, red pepper and ginsen will stimulate lung bleeding. Many mothers had a strong aversion to fermented shrimp and fish in case of style. and 5 different items of foods were restricted. In case of menstration not so many foods were restricted as other cases, but meat soup is not eaten in this condition in some areas. Majority of food taboos in Korean villages are neither based on tribal nor religious factors. But no one knows how, since what ages, from where, these food taboos have been transmitted and spread over the country. This survey found a great variety of food taboos, aversions, traditional beliefs and prohibitions latent unknown reseasons, or non-scientific conceptions, or completely different ideas from the modern medical aspect, or somewhat fallacious and superstitious beliefs. For the vascular disease contrasting approach were found between modern the oritical therapy and popular remedy among the rural populations who largely depend on the eastern medication. Further scientific study on either side should be done to lead the patient proper way. Many restricted foods such as rabbit, duck, chicken and fish are best resources of protein rich foods which are available in the village. Emphasis should be laid upon breaking down fallacious and supersititious food taboos through the extended nutrition education activities in order to improve food habit and good eating pattern for healthier and stronger generations of Korea.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.133-144
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• 2003

This study is carrying out a before and after experiment design for the non-equal comparative group to identify the effects of the breast self-examination education on breast self-examination participant education compliance and health promotion in women. The subject of this study was 58 women residing in Chungju. Their age ranged from 20 to 40. These women were not pregnant or did not breast feed, as well as they did not have any breast disease, at the time of survey. They were available for the response to the questionnaires, and understood the purpose of this study. They also agreed to participate in the study, and responded to the 3rd time questionnaires to the end. Thus, brochures and lectures were provided side by side to a group of 19 of those women, and only brochures were provided to another group of 39 of those women. With regard to education, a brochure and a program using a breast model were applied. Then, the frequency of the breast self examination compliance, breast self examination capability and the relations between the breast self examination and activities to promote health were measured, before the education, after 4 weeks of education and after 12 weeks of education. Before education and after 4 weeks of education. I collected the questionnaires myself visiting them, and after 12 weeks of education, the questionnaires were collected by mail. In relation to the study tool, the breast self examination activity was measured by two measuring tools: breast self examination activity frequency and breast self examination compliance capability. As for the frequency, the number of self examination for the period of 3 months, before the questionnaire survey, was measured in the form of self report. In relation to the tool to measure the breast self examination capability, the BSEPRI tool, which was developed by Wood in 1994, was used. Here, as the score was higher, the capability was indicated to be higher. The translated and revised version of Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (Walker, Sechrist & Pender. 2002) was used as a tool for health promotion. As the measured score was higher, the health promoting activity was indicated to be higher. The results of this study were as follows: 1. As a result of checking the breast self examination compliance frequency between the experiment group that received the breast self examination participant education and the comparative group that did not receive the education, there was a significant difference in interaction between groups by time, as time passed by. 2. As a result of checking the breast self examination compliance capability between the experiment group and the comparative group, there was a significant difference in interaction between groups by time, as time passed by. 3. As a result of carrying out a repetitive measurement analysis, between the experiment group that received the breast self examination education and the comparative group that did not receive the education, which was carried out to validate the hypothesis that the former would have higher health promoting activities than the latter, there was no significant difference after the breast self examination education was conducted.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.87-104
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• 2011

Objectives : A safety issue on acupuncture and moxibustion treatment during pregnancy is as important as effectiveness. To establish a rationale and research strategy for future studies, a traditional literature review was performed to summarize how and for what conditions acupuncture and moxibustion treatment was given during pregnancy. Methods : An extensive traditional literature search for acupuncture and moxibustion treatment during pregnancy was conducted in texts on acupuncture and moxibustion, obstetrics and gynecology, and comprehensive medical texts. Treatment conditions, methods, and contraindications were summarized and tabulated. Results : Twenty-eight books were included in our review. Most frequent description of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment use during pregnancy was for difficult delivery including breech presentations; commonly used acupuncture points for difficult labor included LI4, SP6, BL67, BL60, KI6, ST30, SP12, LR4, LR3, PC6, CV3, CV14, KI13, and GB21, indicating that they may have to be avoided during pregnancy. Descriptions of other symptoms or conditions were sparse. For habitual abortion or recurrent miscarriage, moxibustion on GV4, BL23, CV3, KI8, and KI2 was indicated. A combination of LI4 and SP6, and CV4 were contraindicated during pregnancy consistently across the reviewed books. Conclusions : Our traditional literature review has shown that the use of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment during pregnancy has been limited. Given that more and more pregnant women are interested in safe and effective treatment, further research of acupuncture's safety and efficacy during pregnancy is urgently needed.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.194-204
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• 2009

Purpose: When pregnant women get symptom like pain, because of fear of using analgesic drugs and X-ray test during pregnancy, pain is nevertheless often left. This study was to report the clinical application and safety of oriental treatment to low back pain and pelvic pain caused by traffic accident during pregnancy. Methods: We experienced seven patients who suffered from low back pain and pelvic pain caused by traffic accident during pregnancy. During their admission, we treated with acupuncture, cupping therapy and herbal medicine. We checked the symptoms during admission at progress note, and follow up by phone call. Results: The degree of low back pain and pelvic pain were decreased or resolved. After treatment, no serious adverse effects were found on the patients, and there were no adverse effects at all on the infants. Conclusion: The results indicate that oriental treatment can be effective for the management of low back pain and pelvic pain caused by traffic accident during pregnancy. And these treatments are safe to both patients and infants.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.264-273
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• 2006

Elevated maternal plasma homocysteine concentrations have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Serum homocysteine levels may be affected by the MTHFR genotypes and the nutritional status of B vitamins including vitamin $B_2,\;B_6$, folate and vitamin $B_{12}$. We investigated whether postnatal growth measurements were influenced by maternal MTHFR genotypes and their mid-pregnancy serum vitamin B and homocysteine levels. In 130 pregnant women of 24-28 wks of gestation, the MTHFR genotypes, serum B vitamins and homocysteine concentrations were analyzed. Physical growth status was assessed in their offsprings by measuring height, weight, and head and chest circumferences from birth up to 24 months. Serum homocysteine levels were higher in the subjects with T/T genotype than those with the C/T or C/C. Heights and head and chest circumferences of offsprings from the T/T mothers were significantly lower than those from the C/C or C/T mothers only when the serum homocysteine levels were above the median. The mean height of offsprings from the T/T mothers was significantly lower than those from the C/C and C/T mothers. The mean weight and head circumferences of offsprings born from the mothers whose mid-term pregnancy PLP levels were in the lowest quartile was significantly lower than those from mothers in the highest quartile. Heights and head circumferences of offsprings from the T/T mothers were significantly lower than those from the C/C or C/T mothers only when the serum FAD levels were in the lowest quartile. These results suggest that postnatal growth up to 24 months may be influenced by the maternal C677T MTHFR genotypes, and mid-pregnancy serum homocysteine and vitamin B status.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.140-146
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• 2020

Objective: To investigate whether the degree of post-warming embryo or blastocyst development is associated with clinical pregnancy in vitrified embryo or blastocyst transfer cycles. Methods: Ninety-six vitrified cleavage-stage embryos and 58 vitrified blastocyst transfer cycles were selected. All transfer cycles were performed from February 2011 to March 2019, and all vitrified embryos or blastocysts were warmed from 4 PM to 6 PM and then transferred the next morning from 9 AM to 10 AM. The scores of the cleavage-stage embryos and blastocysts were assessed at warming and at transfer using the modified Steer method and the Gardner method, respectively. The mean embryo or blastocyst score, score of the single top-quality embryo or blastocyst, and the difference in the score between warming and transfer were compared between nonpregnant and pregnant women. Results: In the cleavage-stage embryo transfer cycles, both the top-quality embryo score at transfer and the difference in the score between warming and transfer were significantly associated with clinical pregnancy. A top-quality embryo score at transfer of ≥ 60.0 (area under the curve [AUC], 0.673; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.531-0.815) and a difference in the score between warming and transfer of ≥ 23.0 (AUC, 0.675; 95% CI, 0.514-0.835) were significant predictors of clinical pregnancy. In blastocyst transfer cycles, the top-quality blastocyst score at transfer was the only significant factor associated with clinical pregnancy. A top-quality blastocyst score at transfer of ≥ 38.3 was a significant predictor of clinical pregnancy (AUC, 0.666; 95% CI, 0.525-0.807). Conclusion: The top-quality embryo score at transfer and the degree of post-warming embryo development were associated with clinical pregnancy in vitrified cleavage-stage embryo transfer cycles. In vitrified blastocyst transfer cycles, the top-quality blastocyst score at transfer was the only significant factor affecting clinical pregnancy.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.42-53
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• 2020

Objective: Recently, microRNA (miRNA) has been identified both as a powerful regulator involved in various biological processes through the regulation of numerous genes and as an effective biomarker for the prediction and diagnosis of various disease states. The objective of this study was to identify and validate miRNAs and their target genes involved in inflammation in placental tissue. Methods: Microarrays were utilized to obtain miRNA and gene expression profiles from placentas with or without inflammation obtained from nine normal pregnant women and 10 preterm labor patients. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blots were performed to validate the miRNAs and differentially-expressed genes in the placentas with inflammation. Correlations between miRNA and target gene expression were confirmed by luciferase assays in HTR-8/SVneo cells. Results: We identified and validated miRNAs and their target genes that were differentially expressed in placentas with inflammation. We also demonstrated that several miRNAs (miR-371a-5p, miR-3065-3p, miR-519b-3p, and miR-373-3p) directly targeted their target genes (LEF1, LOX, ITGB4, and CD44). However, some miRNAs and their direct target genes showed no correlation in tissue samples. Interestingly, miR-373-3p and miR-3065-3p were markedly regulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment, although the expression of their direct targets CD44 and LOX was not altered by LPS treatment. Conclusion: These results provide candidate miRNAs and their target genes that could be used as placental biomarkers of inflammation. These candidates may be useful for further miRNA-based biomarker development.