• Journal of Menopausal Medicine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.139-145
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• 2017

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) and complicated vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) are frequently occurring vaginal infections in postmenopausal women, caused by an imbalance in vaginal microflora. Postmenopausal women suffer from decreased ovarian hormones estrogen and progesterone. A normal, healthy vaginal microflora mainly comprises Lactobacillus species (spp.), which act beneficially as a bacterial barrier in the vagina, interfering with uropathogens. During premenopausal period, estrogen promotes vaginal colonization by lactobacilli that metabolizing glycogen and producing lactic acid, and maintains intravaginal health by lowering the intravaginal pH level. A lower vaginal pH inhibits uropathogen growth, preventing vaginal infections. Decreased estrogen secretion in postmenopausal women depletes lactobacilli and increases intravaginal pH, resulting in increased vaginal colonization by harmful microorganisms (e.g., Enterobacter, Escherichia coli, Candida, and Gardnerella). Probiotics positively effects on vaginal microflora composition by promoting the proliferation of beneficial microorganisms, alters the intravaginal microbiota composition, prevents vaginal infections in postmenopausal. Probiotics also reduce the symptoms of vaginal infections (e.g., vaginal discharge, odor, etc.), and are thus helpful for the treatment and prevention of BV and VVC. In this review article, we provide information on the intravaginal mechanism of postmenopausal vaginal infections, and describes the effectiveness of probiotics in the treatment and prevention of BV and VVC.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.185-194
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• 2018

Objectives: Vaginal Candidiasis with an approximate prevalence of 30% is the second cause of vaginal infections. Antifungal azole is the first treatment for Vaginal Candidiasis; however, some side effects have been reported for this chemical medicine. Based on the antifungal activity of Inner Stratum of Quercus Brantii (Q. Brantii), the aim of our study was to compare the effects of vaginal douche of Q. Brantii extract and clotrimazole on vaginal candidiasis symptoms before and after the treatments, in women. Methods: 89 non-pregnant women with positive KOH test which is capable of identifying the presence of hyphae and mycelium by adding KOH (10%), and a positive vaginal candidiasis culture were randomly divided into two experimental groups, using permuted block randomization method. One group received clotrimazole vaginal cream (1%) and the other group received vaginal douche of Q. Brantii extract. Groups were treated for 7 days and KOH tests and cultures were evaluated again. Data were analyzed via chi-square and independent t-test, using SPSS software. Results: According to the results, there were no significant differences between experimental groups for demographic characteristics like age (p=0.403), BMI (p=0.911), educational levels (p=0.862) and contraceptive methods (p=0.702). Moreover, significant differences were seen in vaginal discharge between the groups after the treatments (P=0.043). Conclusion: The results suggested that the therapeutic effect of vaginal douche of Q. Brantii extract was approximately similar to that of clotrimazole vaginal cream.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.2211-2215
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• 2014

Background: To examine the incidence of positive vaginal surgical margins and determine the predicting factors following radical hysterectomy for stage IB1 carcinoma of the cervix. Materials and Methods: The clinical and histological data of 656 FIGO stage IB1 cervical cancer patients who had radical hysterectomy with bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy (RHPL) from January 2003 to December 2012 were retrospectively reviewed and were analyzed for their association with a positive vaginal surgical margin. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Thirty-five patients (5.3%) had positive vaginal surgical margins following RHPL; 24 (3.7%) for intraepithelial lesions and 11 (1.7%) for carcinoma. On multivariate analysis, microscopic vaginal involvement by high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion and/or carcinoma (adjusted odd ratio (OR) 186.8; 95% confidence interval (CI) 48.5-718.5) and squamous histology (OR 8.7; 95% CI 1.7-44.0), were significantly associated with positive vaginal surgical margin. Conclusions: Microscopic vaginal involvement by HSIL and/or carcinoma are strong predictors for positive vaginal surgical margins for stage IB1 cervical cancer patients undergoing radical hysterectomy. Preoperative 'mapping' colposcopy or other strategies should be considered to ensure optimal vaginal resection.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.248-258
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• 2020

The vaginal microbiota may be important for pregnancy prognosis because vaginal dysbiosis during pregnancy appears to be related to preterm birth (PTB) or pregnancy loss. Previous reports have indicated that a Lactobacillus-poor microbial flora in the vagina and intrauterine infection by diverse anaerobes ascending from the vagina are associated with undesirable delivery outcomes. However, no research has involved the use of pyrosequencing analysis to examine vaginal microbiota profiles or their potential associations with high-risk pregnancy in Korean women. Vaginal swabs were collected from 500 Korean women for the identification of community state types (CSTs). Of these, 137 samples were further analyzed using a Roche/454 GS Junior pyrosequencer. Three distinct CSTs were identified based on the dominant vaginal microbes: CST I (Lactobacillus crispatus dominated), CST III (Lactobacillus iners dominated), and CST IV (with diverse species of anaerobes). Twelve of the 67 pregnant women had undesirable pregnancy outcomes (four miscarriages and eight PTBs). The dominant microbe in the vaginal microbiota of women who gave birth at full-term was L. crispatus. In contrast, L. iners was the dominant vaginal microbe in women who miscarried. Most (n = 6/8) vaginal microbiota profiles of women who experienced PTB could be classified as CST IV, with diverse bacteria, including anaerobic vaginal species. The present study provides valuable information regarding the characteristics of the vaginal microbiota of Korean women related to high-risk pregnancy. Investigation of the vaginal microbiotic structure in pregnant Korean women is necessary to enable better prediction of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.444-453
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• 1992

Recent research reported that postpartum mothers showed different responses according to the type of delivery, and though most mothers preferred vaginal delivery to cesarean section, the numbers of negative comments about the delivery experience were higher in a vaginal delivery group than in a cesarean section group. This study set out to understand the meaning of vaginal delivery as perceived by mother who delivered their babies vaginally and how the mothers felt about their delivery experience. The subjects of this study were 17 primiparous mothers right after vaginal delivery in one university affiliated hospital. Date were collected from March to April, 1992 through interviews lasting 20∼30 minutes using open ended questions about the delivery experience. The data were analyzed by Giorgi's phenomenological analysis method and categorized according to similarity of countent. The meaning of the vaginal delivery was grouped in to four categories and the reason for vaginal in to three. One category of the meaning of vaginal delivery was pain, consisting of the subcategories too painful, want to be rid of the pain, unbearable pain and bearable pain. Another cutegory was a sense of accomplishment containing the subgroups wonderful, good and being finished, The third category was the feeling of becoming a mother The fourth category was that of not having any sense yet of the experience. The reasons for preference for vaginal delivery to a cesarean section were categorized in to the instinctive thinking that vaginal delivery was the natural method, a shortened period of recovery and a lower incidence of complications and a stronger feeling of maternal identity.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.93-98
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• 1997

The vaginal endoscopy was performed in two Labrador Retrievers from onset of vaginal bleeding until metestrus accompanying with vaginal smear and blood progesterone concentration to investigate estral changes, and the intrauterine infusion of radiopaque fluid using vaginal endoscope (rigid 25-degree endoscope, Karl Storz) was detected by radiogrphy to determine if theis technique is feasible for future artificial insemination in the dogs. During the proestrus vaginal mucous membrane folds were edematous and a large amount of clear red discharge was present. In the beginning of estrus, the mucous membrane folds was present and the amount of the red discharge was decreased. In the estrus there were obbvious shrinkage, angulation of the membrane folds and decreasing of the discharge. In metestrus the vaginal folds started to round out and the surface appeared moist and sticky. The endoscope used for endoscopic monitoring of the vaginal mucosa was advanced until the external os of the cervix could be visualized. A plastic catheter, 8Fr guage was manupulated into the cervical os and then advanced through into the uterus. The radiopaque fluid was injected into the uterus through the catheter and radiographs taken to detect the site of insemination using the endoscopic technique revealed the exact infusion of the fluid in the uterus, consequentlyto prove that this technique is usable for more successful artificial insemintion tn the bitch.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.119-124
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• 2022

Vaginal microbiome deeply influences vaginal health via production of messenger molecules. The healthy vaginal pH ranges between 3.5 and 4.5. However, dysbiosis of vaginal microbiome increases the pH level, leading to the incidence of vaginitis. The commensal vaginal bacterium Dermabacter vaginalis-which was isolated from the vaginal fluid of a Korean female-was incubated in acidic and neutral pH to simulate healthy and vaginitis conditions, respectively. The chemical profiles of the two different cultures were compared using HPLC. The compound showing distinctive difference between the two sets of data was presumed to be a chemical messenger, which was identified as cyclo(L-pro-L-met) by analysis of NMR, MS, and specific rotation data. Synthesis was achieved in three steps (overall yield 15%), enabling structure confirmation and antimicrobial evaluation against vaginal pathogens. Cyclo(L-pro-L-met) showed antifungal activity against Candida albicans, a major cause of vulvovaginal candidiasis.

• CELLMED
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• v.13 no.15
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• pp.53.1-53.4
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• 2023

Objective: A case study on the use of OCNT for postmenopausal vaginal dryness. Methods: A 50-year-old Korean female who experienced severe vaginal dryness after menopause in early 2023 was treated with OCNT. Results: After implementing OCNT, symptoms of vaginal dryness improved. Conclusion: OCNT can be beneficial in alleviating symptoms of vaginal dryness in postmenopausal patients.

• 대한상한금궤의학회지
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.53-63
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• 2015

Objective : This case report show the effect of Dahuanghuanglianxiexin-tang on VulvoVaginal Candidiasis. Methods : According to disease pattern identification diagnostic system based on shanghanlun provisions, The author diagnosed Taeyang-byung kyeolhyung. The symptoms of VulvoVaginal Candidiasis were worsen when the patient had long sitting position and digestive problems. Therefore the patient treated with Dahuanghuanglianxiexin-tang for 3 months. The severity of Candida Vaginitis was evaluated by patient's subjective statements(Vaginal pruritus, Vaginal secretion, Burning sensation). Results : After the treatment, Level of syptoms decreased from Severe to Trace and Eliminated. Conclusions : Dahuanghuanglianxiexin-tang improved the symptoms of VulvoVaginal Candidiasis on this study. Although Dahuanghuanglianxiexin-tang is not an usual treatment for VulvoVaginal Candidiasis, the author could prescribe the medicine due to shanghanlun six meridian patterns diagnostic system.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.3619-3623
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• 2014

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the vaginal dose and toxicity in patients of cervical cancer treated with image guided brachytherapy at our institute. Materials and Methods: Thirty-five patients treated with image based brachytherapy for cervical cancer were included. Vaginal contouring was done on MRI at brachytherapy and with CT scans of subsequent brachytherapy fractions. Dose volume parameters (DVH) were reported in accordance with the GEC-ESTRO guidelines. These were correlated with vaginal toxicity (assessed by CTCAE version 3) and quality of sexual life assessed at one year of completion of treatment. Results: Vaginal shortness was observed in 22 out of 30 (62.8%) patients, Nine (25.7%) had vaginal dryness and in 10 (28.5%) patients, there was contact bleeding. No association could be demonstrated between the dose volume parameters and vaginal toxicity in the present study. Conclusions: The lack of association between dose volume parameters of vagina with vaginal morbidity may be due to uncertainties involved in the delineation of vaginal wall and dosimetry. Future research is required to accurately define vaginal dose distribution to study its correlation with vaginal morbidity. Vaginal morbidity needs to be documented in order to improve the sexual outcome in these patients.