No abstract available.
Fetus* ; Humans ; Pregnancy, Twin*

This study was designed to analyze and compare production management practices and labor productivity between conventional and commissary school foodservices and 46 dietitians of commissary school foodservices in Kyunggi-do. The response rates were 89.7% and 91.3%, respectively. The number of meals served was ranged from less than 100 to over 1,900 in conventional school foodservices and from 200 to 1,600 in commissary foodservices. Thirty three conventional foodservices(42.3%) produced less than 300 meals per day. Numbers of satellite school per central kitchen were ranged from 1 to 5 schools ; fifty percent of commissary foodservices have contained 3 satellite schools. Meals for satellite schools were transported between 11:00 a.m.and 12:00 a.m ; transportation time was from 10 to 90 minutes. Waiting time before service in satellite schools was between 10 minutes and 80 minutes. Part time employees supported by parents were hired in 37.3% of conventional and 50% of commissary school foodservices. Voluntary workers were supplied for 64.9% of conventional and 52.4% of commissary school foodservices. Labor productivity was calculated from work schedule. Labor productivity(labor minutes per meal)was lowest in foodservices with 101-4-- meals(8.48 min)was lower than that of foodservices with above 401 meals ; no significant differences were found among 401-700(6.02 min), 701-1,100(4.01 min), 1,101-1,500(3.41 min), and 1,501-1,900(3.15 min)meals in conventional foodservices. Labor minutes per meal of foodservices which served less than 400 meals(6.90 min) per day was significantly lower than those of foodservices which served 401-1,900 meal(3.41-4.92 min) in commissary foodservices(p<0.05)
Appointments and Schedules ; Efficiency ; Gyeonggi-do* ; Humans ; Meals ; Nutritionists ; Parents ; Transportation ; Volunteers

Uterine torsion is defined as the mtation of more than 45 degrees around the long axis of the uterus or a rotation which is severe enough to produce symptoms. Torsion of the human pregnant uterus is a very rare complication. The diagnosis is problematic and is often made during a cesrean section due to inhibited labor. Torsion of the human pregnant uterus can be caused by myoma or other uterine abnormalities, ovarian cysts, adhesions, abnormal fetal presentations, or fetal abnormalities ( though no cause can be found in about 20% of cases ). Uterine torsion produces symptoms of varying severity depending on the degree of rotation, and duration of the pregnancy. High mortality rates for both mother and infant have been reported. We experienced one case of the torsion of term pregnant uterus and report this case with a brief review of the concerned literature.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Fetus* ; Humans ; Infant ; Mortality ; Mothers ; Myoma ; Ovarian Cysts ; Pregnancy ; Uterus*

The Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger-1 (NHE-1) is a ubiquitously expressed pH-regulatory membrane protein that functions in the brain, heart, and other organs. It is increased by intracellular acidosis through the interaction of intracellular H⁺ with an allosteric modifier site in the transport domain. In the previous study, we reported that glutamate-induced NHE-1 phosphorylation mediated by activation of protein kinase C-β (PKC-β) in cultured neuron cells via extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)/p90 ribosomal s6 kinases (p90RSK) pathway results in NHE-1 activation. However, whether glutamate stimulates NHE-1 activity solely by the allosteric mechanism remains elusive. Cultured primary cortical neuronal cells were subjected to intracellular acidosis by exposure to 100 μM glutamate or 20 mM NH₄Cl. After the desired duration of intracellular acidosis, the phosphorylation and activation of PKC-β, ERK1/2 and p90RSK were determined by Western blotting. We investigated whether the duration of intracellular acidosis is controlled by glutamate exposure time. The NHE-1 activation increased while intracellular acidosis sustained for >3 min. To determine if sustained intracellular acidosis induced NHE-1 phosphorylation, we examined phosphorylation of NHE-1 induced by intracellular acidosis by transient exposure to NH₄Cl. Sustained intracellular acidosis led to activation and phosphorylation of NHE-1. In addition, sustained intracellular acidosis also activated the PKC-β, ERK1/2, and p90RSK in neuronal cells. We conclude that glutamate stimulates NHE-1 activity through sustained intracellular acidosis, which mediates NHE-1 phosphorylation regulated by PKC-β/ERK1/2/p90RSK pathway in neuronal cells.
Acidosis* ; Blotting, Western ; Brain ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; Glutamic Acid* ; Heart ; Membrane Proteins ; Neurons ; Phosphorylation ; Phosphotransferases ; Protein Kinases

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep has an essential role in the process of learning and memory in the hippocampus. It has been reported that linalool, a major component of Lavandula angustifolia, has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects, along with other effects. However, the effect of linalool on the cognitive impairment and behavioral alterations that are induced by REM-sleep deprivation has not yet been elucidated. Several studies have reported that REM-sleep deprivation-induced memory deficits provide a well-known model of behavioral alterations. In the present study, we examined whether linalool elicited an anti-stress effect, reversing the behavioral alterations observed following REM-sleep deprivation in mice. Furthermore, we investigated the underlying mechanism of the effect of linalool. Spatial memory and learning memory were assessed through Y maze and passive avoidance tests, respectively, and the forced swimming test was used to evaluate anti-stress activity. The mechanisms through which linalool improves memory loss and behavioral alterations in sleep-deprived mice appeared to be through an increase in the serotonin levels. Linalool significantly ameliorated the spatial and learning memory deficits, and stress activity observed in sleep-deprived animals. Moreover, linalool led to serotonin release, and cortisol level reduction. Our findings suggest that linalool has beneficial effects on the memory loss and behavioral alterations induced by REM-sleep deprivation through the regulation of serotonin levels.
Animals ; Cognition Disorders ; Hippocampus ; Hydrocortisone ; Lavandula ; Learning ; Memory Disorders* ; Memory* ; Mice ; Neuroprotective Agents ; Physical Exertion ; Serotonin ; Sleep, REM ; Spatial Memory

OBJECTIVES: Vaginal birth or trial of labor after previous cesarean section has become one of the most remarkable changes in obstetric practice. The safety and efficacy of a trial of labor and vaginal birth after previous cesarean are well documented. The purpose of this report is to predict the likelihood of vaginal birth in patients undergoing a trial of labor after previous cesarean delivery using factors known at the time of hospital admission. METHOD: In this retrospective study, 120 women who attempted vaginal birth at Kyung-Hee University Hospital from March 1997 to March 1999. An attempt to identify possible prognostic factors for success of such a trial was made and we evaluated the variables of significant predictive value and the patients' characteristics in the success group and failure group of women who attempted VBAC. RESULT: 87 cases(72.5%) in 120 cases succeeded in VBAC and 33 cases(27.5%) failed. In this comparative groups in VBAC, there was significant difference in CPD index(cephalopelvic disproportion index) and Bishop score, but no significant difference in gestational age, the estimated fetal weight by sonography and newborn birth weight. CONCLUSION: In this study, Bishop score and CPD index and age may be useful and valid predictor of success in VBAC and this information could be particularly valuable. The CPD index may prove most important in determining if a vaginal birth should occur after a cesarean section because it can clearly identify some patients who need a repeat cesarean section.
Birth Weight ; Cesarean Section ; Cesarean Section, Repeat ; Female ; Fetal Weight ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies ; Trial of Labor ; Vaginal Birth after Cesarean*

Purpose: A case of a huge ethmoid sinus and orbital cyst causing ocular deviation initially diagnosed as a mucocele-like cyst and after orbitotomy eventually discovered to be a naso-orbital encephalocele is described.Case summary: A 5-year-old male with no previous medical history presented with a palpable mass in the medial canthus area with left exodeviation of the left eye. His best-corrected visual acuity was 20/25 in the right eye and 6/12 in the left eye with limitation of motion of -4 at adduction in the left eye. Brain magnetic resonance imaging scans revealed a 3.0 × 2.5 × 2.5 cm-sized cystic mass suspected as a mucocele or nasolacrimal duct cyst invading the orbital space. The cyst was removed using a Lynch and caruncle incision, and intracystic fluid was aspirated. During the excision, a small defect of the skull base was detected with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage and leaking point of dura was sealed. His pathologic result was disorganized glial and fibrous tissue, consistent with encephalocele. Three days later, CSF leakage recurred. On postoperative day 8, duroplasty was performed. A one month later, his best-corrected visual acuity was 6/12 in the left eye with orthotropic eye position. Limitation of motion was improved to -1 at adduction with enophthalmos. No other complications were detected. Conclusions Congenital naso-orbital encephalocele invading the orbit is rare. However, a cystic mass in the sinuses involving the orbit should be considered, rendering thorough physical and radiologic examinations including computed tomography scans necessary to look for bone defects.

Since endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) may interfere with the endocrine system(s) of our body and have an estrogenicity, we evaluated the effect(s) of bisphenol A (BPA) on the transcriptional levels of altered genes in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive BG-1 ovarian cancer cells by microarray and real-time polymerase-chain reaction. In this study, treatment with 17beta-estradiol (E2) or BPA increased mRNA levels of E2-responsive genes related to apoptosis, cancer and cell cycle, signal transduction and nucleic acid binding etc. In parallel with their microarray data, the mRNA levels of some altered genes including RAB31_MEMBER RAS ONCOGENE FAMILY (U59877), CYCLIN D1 (X59798), CYCLIN-DEPENDENT KINASE 4 (U37022), IGF-BINDING PROTEIN 4 (U20982), and ANTI-MULLERIAN HORMONE (NM_000479) were significantly induced by E2 or BPA in this cell model. These results indicate that BPA in parallel with E2 induced the transcriptional levels of E2-responsive genes in an estrogen receptor (ER)-positive BG-1 cells. In conclusion, these microarray and real-time polymerase-chain reaction results indicate that BPA, a potential weak estrogen, may have estrogenic effect by regulating E2-responsive genes in ER-positive BG-1 cells and BG-1 cells would be the best in vitro model to detect these estrogenic EDCs.
Anti-Mullerian Hormone ; Apoptosis ; Benzhydryl Compounds ; Cell Cycle ; Cyclin D1 ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 ; Endocrine Disruptors ; Estrogens ; Genes, ras ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 4 ; Microarray Analysis ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Phenols ; Receptors, Estrogen ; RNA, Messenger ; Signal Transduction

PURPOSE: To evaluate the CT findings in patients with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) involving the orbit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Orbital CT scans of six children with pathologically proven LCH were retrospectively analyzed. Follow-up CT (n = 5) and MR (n = 1) imaging findings were also revi ewed. RESULTS: Initial CT scans revealed varying degree of bone destruction with soft-tissue masses, and on nonenhanced images the mean attenuation value was 44 Hounsfield units(HU). All masses showed mild to moderate enhancement with a mean attenuation value of 74 HU. The bony margins abutting onto soft tissue masses were irregular but clearly demarcated. No evidence of calcification or periosteal reaction was noted. Suprasellar mass and rib involvement was noted in one patient and hepatos-plenomegaly in two. Follow-up CT and MR images showed that the soft tissue masses were almost completely resolve d, with bone remodeling and reossification. CONCLUSION: A soft tissue mass with irregular but clearly demarcated bone destruction is thought to be a characteristic finding of LCH involving the orbit. Follow-up images after treatment showed bone remodeling and reossification.
Bone Remodeling ; Child ; Follow-Up Studies ; Histiocytosis ; Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell* ; Humans ; Orbit* ; Retrospective Studies ; Ribs ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed