OBJECTIVE: We investigated the expression of uPA and uPAR in eutopic endometrium of advanced stage endometriosis and control patients. METHODS: The 33 endometriosis patients and 32 controls were enrolled. Endometrial samples were obtained from 65 premenopausal women aged 29~44 years, undergoing laparoscopic surgery or hysterectomy for non-malignant lesions. Sufficient samples were collected from 33 patients with endometriosis stage III and IV and 32 controls without endometriosis confirmed by laparoscopic surgery. The mRNA expression of uPA and uPAR from eutopic endometrium were analyzed by RT-QC PCR. RESULTS: The mRNAs of uPA and uPAR were expressed in eutopic endometrium from endometriosis and normal controls throughout the menstrual cycle. Uterine endometrium from women with endometriosis expresses significantly (p<0.05) higher levels of u-PA mRNA than endometrium from normal women without endometriosis in the proliferative phase. There were no significant differences in expression of uPAR in eutopic endometrium between controls and endometriosis patients. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that eutopic endometrium from endometriosis patients may be more invasive and prone to peritoneal implantation because of greater u-PA mRNA expression than endometrium from women without endometriosis. Thus, increased proteolytic activity may be one etiology for the invasive properties of the endometrium resulting in the development of endometriosis.
Endometriosis* ; Endometrium* ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Laparoscopy ; Menstrual Cycle ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Proteolysis ; RNA, Messenger* ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the expression of TSP-1 and -2 in eutopic endometrium of advanced endometriosis and control patients. METHODS: The 33 endometriosis patients and 32 controls were enrolled. Endometrial samples were obtained from 65 premenopausal women aged 29-44 years, undergoing laparoscopic surgery or hysterectomy for non-malignant lesions. Sufficient samples were collected from 33 patients with endometriosis stage III and IV and 32 controls without endometriosis confirmed by laparoscopic surgery. The mRNA expression from eutopic endometrium for TSP-1 and -2 were analyzed by RT-QC PCR. RESULTS: The mRNAs of TSP-1 and -2 were expressed in eutopic endometrium from endometriosis and normal controls throughout the menstrual cycle. There were no significant differences in expression of TSP-1 and TSP-2 in eutopic endometrium between controls and endometriosis patients. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that TSP-1 and -2 had no crucial role compared to other molecules in the regulation of angiogenesis. These findings also suggest that dysregulation of other angiogenic regulators would be concerned in pathophysiologic role in endometriosis development.
Endometriosis* ; Endometrium ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Laparoscopy ; Menstrual Cycle ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger* ; Thrombospondin 1 ; Thrombospondins

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether polymorphisms of gene encoding CYP1B1 is associated with the risk of endometriosis in Korean women. METHODS: We investigated 199 patients with histopathologically confirmed endometriosis rAFS stage III/IV and 183 control group women who were surgically proven to have no endometriosis. The genetic distribution of four different CYP1B1 polymorphisms at G119-T, G432-C, T449-C, and A453-G were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism of PCR products. RESULTS: We found no overall association between each individual CYP1B1 genotype and the risk of endometriosis. The odds ratio of genotype GG/GC+GG/TC+TT/AA compared to GG/CC/CC/AA (reference) was calculated as 2.06 with a 95% confidence interval of 1.003~4.216. CONCLUSIONS: This results suggest that CYP1B1 genetic polymorphism may be associated with development of endometriosis in Korean women.
Endometriosis* ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Odds Ratio ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length

The survey was conducted to look out the characteristics of menstruation and it's management, menstrual attitudes and degree of dysmenorrhea in the adult women. The subjects were 601 women, aged 20 year old and over, selected by convenient sampling. The results were as follows; 1. The mean age of the subjects was 29.1 years, the subjects were consisted of 346 unmarried and 304 delivery experienced person. 2.The characteristics of menstruation were as follows; irregular 167 person(27.8%), painful 451 person(75%), mean score of pain was 5.9 point and first day was most severe(45.1%). On the while, they have used the method to manage the pain such as "endure 50.8%", "to have a medicine 31.5%". 3.Menstrual attitudes were as follows; attitudes was negative such as it was meaningful as a woman (78.9%), only for birth a baby (51.6%), and menstruation was acceptable (42.9%), hope to get away(28.8%). 4.The degree of dysmenorrhea was a significant difference by age(F=4.0, P<0.01). Especially, in the subcategory, it was significant except for water retension. That is, lower concentration(F=2.60, p<0.05), negative affect(F=3.09, p<0.05), behavior change (F=6.41, p<0.050), pain(F=3.89, p<0.01), autonomic nerve response(F=2.80, p<0.05). We can conclude there were many women to have negative attitudes to menstruation and first day was most severe dysmenorrhea and it was different by age. From this results, we may suggest as follows; 1. We suggest the program for women to have a positive attitudes will be developed. 2. We can suggest that we need to develop the active and effective method to control dysmenorrhea in the first day during menstruation.
Adult* ; Autonomic Pathways ; Dysmenorrhea* ; Female ; Hope ; Humans ; Menstruation ; Parturition ; Single Person ; Water ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether polymorphism of gene encoding COMT is associated with the risk of endometriosis in Korean women. METHODS: We investigated 136 patients with histopathologically confirmed endometriosis rAFS stage III/IV and 251 control group women who were surgically proven to have no endometriosis. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of PCR products were done to determine each participant's COMT genotype. RESULTS: The distribution according to NIaIII genetic polymorphisms of COMT were as follows. COMT HH, COMT HL, and COMT LL genotypes were 56.6% (77 women), 34.6% (47 women) and 8.8% (12 women) in the study group and 50.6% (127 women), 39.4% (99 women) and 10.0% (25 women) in the control group. There was no significant difference between the study group and the control group. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that COMT genetic polymorphism may not be associated with the development of endometriosis in Korean women.
Endometriosis* ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether polymorphism of CYP19 gene is associated with the risk of advanced endometriosis in Korean women. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 202 endometriosis patients and 221 controls. The patients with endometriosis of stages III and IV diagnosed by both pathologic and laparoscopic findings to according modified AFS classification. The women undergoing laparoscopic surgery or laparotomy for non-malignant lesions were included in the control group. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of PCR products were done to determine all individuals' genotype. RESULTS: The heterozygous allele in CYP19 gene was the most common genotypes in both endometriosis and healthy control groups (52.0% vs. 46.1%). CYP19 gene polymorphisms did not show the significant differences between the control group and endometriosis group. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that the CYP19 genetic polymorphism was not associated with a risk of advanced endometriosis in Korean women.
Alleles ; Aromatase* ; Classification ; Endometriosis* ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Laparotomy ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length

BACKGROUND: There is high interest in a new approach to improve children's lifestyle habits in order to prevent childhood obesity. A smartphone application (app) is a new technology platform that can be used to prevent childhood obesity. METHODS: The key messages for healthy eating habits and physical activities were selected by experts in nutrition, physical activity, and psychology and were adjusted for use in elementary school students. Gamification techniques were used to increase app user engagement. A total of 249 students in grades 4-6 were asked to rate their satisfaction for the app after 4 weeks of use. RESULTS: The main menu of "HAPPY ME" was composed of user profile, "EVERYDAY QUEST," exercise diary, diet diary, settings, and notifications. The app users were asked to complete 6-9 daily missions regarding healthy eating habits and physical activities through "EVERYDAY QUEST." The mean satisfaction scores for each variable were distributed from 3.6 to 4.0 points, and most of the students responded that they would continue to use the app (4.0 points). CONCLUSION: We developed a smartphone app (HAPPY ME) for 4th-6th grade elementary students aimed to provide educational information about healthy eating habits and physical activities in order to prevent childhood.
Child ; Diet ; Eating ; Humans ; Life Style ; Motor Activity ; Pediatric Obesity ; Psychology ; Religious Missions ; Smartphone

OBJECTIVE: Endometriosis is the presence of normal endometrial mucosa (glands and stroma) abnormally implanted on the outside of uterus. The pathophysiology of endometriosis is not clear yet, but Sampson's theory of the transplantation of endometrial tissue onto the pelvic peritoneum via retrograde menstruation is most widely accepted. Vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) is involved in the pathophysiology of endometriosis via its angiogenetic property. This study was designed to investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphism and its haplotype and diplotype of VEGF genes are associated with the risk of advanced endometriosis or not. METHODS: This study investigated 260 patients of endometriosis; they underwent operation, and were diagnosed with endometriosis stage III, IV histopathologically. And control group of 199 women underwent surgery with benign ovarian cyst. The single nucleotide polymorphisms of VEGF gene were -2578C>A, 405G>C, 936C>T. They were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism, and haplotype and diplotype analysis were done. RESULTS: The result of this study showed no association among -2578C/A, 405G>C, 936C>T single nucleotide polymorphisms and severe endometriosis. Haplotype and diplotype of -2578C>A, 405G>C, 936C>T in the VEGF gene were shown to have no association with endometriosis. We found no association between VEGF genetic polymorphism and risk of endometriosis. And haplotype and diplotype analysis also revealed no statistically significant value between VEGF polymorphism and endometriosis. CONCLUSIONS: So, the results of this study suggest polymorphism of VEGF gene may not be associated with risk of endometriosis in Korean women.
Endometriosis ; Endothelial Cells ; Female ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Menstruation Disturbances ; Mucous Membrane ; Ovarian Cysts ; Peritoneum ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Transplants ; Uterus ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is characterized by acute nonfollicular sterile pustules on a background of edematous erythema. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), an antimalarial drug, widely used to treat rheumatic and dermatologic diseases. HCQ has been reported to be an uncommon cause of AGEP. We report a 60-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis requiring the use of HCQ presented fever and erythematous eruption on the trunk with sterile pustules. Leukocytosis and elevated erythrocyte sedimention rate noted on laboratory examination. On the histopathological examination of the skin biopsy specimen showed neutrophilic infiltration and scattered eosinohpils. The lesions were resolved with removal of HCQ. The clinical course was consistent with the diagnosis of AGEP associated with HCQ. We reported a case of typical AGEP associated with HCQ in a patient with Rheumatoid arthritis. The patient presented resolution from cutaneous lesions with withdrawal of culprit drug, without the need of systemic steroid.
Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Biopsy ; Erythema ; Erythrocytes ; Female ; Fever ; Humans ; Hydroxychloroquine ; Leukocytosis ; Neutrophils ; Skin

Objective: This study aimed to demonstrate the use of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings to select the optimal surgical technique between single-site (SS) and multi-site (MS) robotic myomectomy based on clinical experience, for the preservation of fertility. Methods: Ninety-eight patients who underwent SS or MS robotic myomectomy using the da Vinci® Si system after undergoing MRI were evaluated retrospectively. The correlation between preoperative MRI findings and the intraoperative or postoperative findings during robotic myomectomy for the preservation of fertility was analyzed. The reproductive outcome was investigated when the patient wished to conceive. Results: The mean age of the patients was 35.68±5.04 years and 80 patients (81.6%) were nulliparous. The total diameter of myomas on MRI was 106.75±54.52 mm. The number of resected myomas was 4.31±4.39 (range, 1–27), and the total weight of resected myomas was 293.11±281.13 (range, 30–1,260) g. Myomas with high signal intensity on MRI required less time for resection. MS robotic myomectomy was performed for an increased number and total diameter of a myoma or a deep-seated myoma. Postoperatively, all patients resumed normal menstruation. Of the 15 patients who wished to conceive, 12 (80%) conceived successfully. Of these, uterine dehiscence occurred in 1 patient and 10 patients underwent an uneventful cesarean section. Conclusion SS or MS robotic myomectomy can be recommended for patients who wish to conserve fertility. However, the optimal surgical technique should be selected based on preoperative MRI findings to predict an effective surgical process and the successful preservation of fertility.