PURPOSE: The purpose of this descriptive survey study was designed to identify the stress coping types of married immigrant pregnant women and find out the differences in maternal-fetal attachment and maternal identity based on each types. METHODS: 151 married immigrant women who visited 3 women's hospitals located in J-do for pre-pregnancy checkup were selected as study objects. Data were analyzed by dsecriptive statistics, cluster analysis, t- test, ANOVA, and Scheffe multiple comparison test. RESULTS: Cluster analysis revealed 4 distinct stress coping styles; low stress-coping involvement social support-oriented type, high stress-coping involvement hopeful thinking type, low stress-coping involvement type, effective stress coping types. Women frequently using effective stress coping type among the four types reported higher maternal-fetal attachment. The group of active coping styles got significantly higher score on maternal identity. CONCLUSION: Proper stress coping of married immigrant pregnant women regarding pregnancies proved to result in high levels of maternal-fetal attachment and maternal identity. Studies measuring the stress coping styles that affect pregnancies should be continuously conducted.
Emigrants and Immigrants ; Emigration and Immigration* ; Female ; Hope ; Humans ; Maternal-Fetal Relations ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnant Women ; Thinking

PURPOSE: This study aims to provide base data for designing education and counseling programs for child-raising by identifying the types, characteristics and predictors of parenting behaviors of married immigrant women. METHODS: We used a self-report questionnaire to survey 126 immigrant mothers of young children, who agreed to participate, and who could speak Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Filipino, or English, at two children's hospitals and two multicultural support centers. Statistical analysis was conducted using descriptive analysis, K-means clustering, χ2 test, Fisher's exact test, one-way ANOVA, Schéffe's test, and multinominal logistic regression. RESULTS: We identified three clusters of parenting behaviors: ‘affectionate acceptance group’ (38.9%), ‘active engaging group’ (26.2%), and ‘passive parenting group’ (34.9%). Passive parenting and affectionate acceptance groups were distinguished by the conversation time between couples (p=.028, OR=5.52), ideology of motherhood (p=.032, OR=4.33), and parenting stress between parent and child (p=.049, OR=0.22). Passive parenting was distinguished from active engaging group by support from spouses for participating in multicultural support centers or relevant programs (p=.011, OR=2.37), and ideology of motherhood (p=.001, OR=16.65). Ideology of motherhood was also the distinguishing factor between affectionate acceptance and active engaging groups (p=.041, OR=3.85). CONCLUSION: Since immigrant women's parenting type depends on their ideology of motherhood, parenting stress, and spousal relationships in terms of communication and support to help their child-raising and socio-cultural adaptation, it is necessary to provide them with systematic education and support, as well as interventions across personal, family, and community levels.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Child ; Cluster Analysis ; Counseling ; Education ; Emigrants and Immigrants ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Mothers ; Parenting ; Parents ; Spouses

PURPOSE: This study aims to provide base data for designing education and counseling programs for child-raising by identifying the types, characteristics and predictors of parenting behaviors of married immigrant women. METHODS: We used a self-report questionnaire to survey 126 immigrant mothers of young children, who agreed to participate, and who could speak Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Filipino, or English, at two children's hospitals and two multicultural support centers. Statistical analysis was conducted using descriptive analysis, K-means clustering, χ2 test, Fisher's exact test, one-way ANOVA, Schéffe's test, and multinominal logistic regression. RESULTS: We identified three clusters of parenting behaviors: ‘affectionate acceptance group’ (38.9%), ‘active engaging group’ (26.2%), and ‘passive parenting group’ (34.9%). Passive parenting and affectionate acceptance groups were distinguished by the conversation time between couples (p=.028, OR=5.52), ideology of motherhood (p=.032, OR=4.33), and parenting stress between parent and child (p=.049, OR=0.22). Passive parenting was distinguished from active engaging group by support from spouses for participating in multicultural support centers or relevant programs (p=.011, OR=2.37), and ideology of motherhood (p=.001, OR=16.65). Ideology of motherhood was also the distinguishing factor between affectionate acceptance and active engaging groups (p=.041, OR=3.85). CONCLUSION Since immigrant women's parenting type depends on their ideology of motherhood, parenting stress, and spousal relationships in terms of communication and support to help their child-raising and socio-cultural adaptation, it is necessary to provide them with systematic education and support, as well as interventions across personal, family, and community levels.

A 46-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a chief complaint of hemoptysis for 2 months. Taken from local clinic, multiple metastatic pulmonary nodules on both lung fields were noted on chest X-ray. On our evaluation for primary lesion, IVP showed suspected space occupying lesion at the upper pole of left kidney. Ultrasonogram and abdominal CT of kidneys showed bilateral renal solid masses and a simple renal cyst of right kidney. Bilateral selective renal angiogram showed a huge hypervascular mass on the upper pole of left kidney and a small hypervascular solid mass on the middle pole of contralateral mate kidney. Under the clinical diagnosis of synchronous bilateral renal cell carcinoma, right partial nephrectomy with marsupialization of right renal cyst and left radical nephrectomy with lymphadenectomy was performed by Chevron's incision The patient was discharged from the hospital without any complication on 12th postoperative day. Three weeks after surgery, alpha interferon injection was started as 3 mega units intramuscularly once daily for 2 months and then 5 times per week, with cimetidine 200mg p.o. 4 times daily and continued until now for the control of pulmonary metastasis. On postoperative 10 months; control chest X-ray shows partial response of pulmonary metastasis.
Angiolymphoid Hyperplasia with Eosinophilia* ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Cimetidine ; Diagnosis ; Hemoptysis ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; Kidney ; Lung ; Lymph Node Excision ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Nephrectomy ; Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND: The flowers of Inula japonica (Inulae Flos) have long been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory properties of Inulae Flos Extract (IFE). METHODS: The anti-inflammatory effects of IFE against nitric oxide (NO), PGE2, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 release, as well as NF-kappa B and MAP kinase activation were evaluated in RAW 264.7 cells. RESULTS: IFE inhibited the production of NO and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. In addition, IFE reduced the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-alpha and IL-6. Furthermore, IFE inhibited the NF-kappa B activation induced by LPS, which was associated with the abrogation of I kappa B-alpha degradation and subsequent decreases in nuclear p65 and p50 levels. Moreover, the phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, and p38 MAP kinases in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells was suppressed by IFE in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the anti-inflammation activities of IFE might be attributed to the inhibition of NO, iNOS and cytokine expression through the down-regulation of NF-kappa B activation via suppression of I kappa B alpha and MAP kinase phosphorylation in macrophages.
Cytokines ; Dinoprostone ; Down-Regulation ; Flowers ; I-kappa B Proteins ; Interleukin-6 ; Inula ; Macrophages ; Medicine, Traditional ; NF-kappa B ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; Phosphorylation ; Phosphotransferases ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

We report a case of testicular tunica albuginea cyst with psammoma body which was treated with excision and testicular preservation. The presumptive diagnosis of a simple intratesticular cyst was made by ultrasound. The intraoperative pathological diagnosis was benign serous cyst and then simple excision of the lesion with testicular masses, and it may permit identification of lesions that can be excised locally with testicular preservation. To our knowledge tunica albuginea cyst with psammoma body, a characteristic histological finding, has not been reported. Its histogenesis was also discussed.
Diagnosis ; Testis ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: This study was performed to determine the natural history of histologically confirmed IgA nephropathy in pediatric patients who presented with hematuria and proteinuria. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the clinical course of 57 patients diagnosed with IgA nephropathy at the age of 15 years or younger from 1981 to 2000. All patients presented with hematuria or minimal proteinuria(<40 mg/m2/day) and had normal renal function and blood pressure at the time of renal biopsy. Based on the clinical and pathological findings at the time of diagnosis, we sought for complications of IgA nephropathy such as heavy proteinuria(> or =40 mg/m2/day), hypertension, and chronic renal failure. RESULTS: The mean age at presentation was 9.5+/-2.8 years(4 to 15 years) and 42(74%) were male. Isolated gross hematuria was observed in 20 patients(35%), microscopic hematuria in 3(5%), minimal proteinuria in 4(7%), both gross hematuria and minimal proteinuria in 15(26 %), and both microscopic hematuria and minimal proteinuria in 15(26%). During a median follow-up of 7.0+/-3.5 years, 38(67%) had complete resolution of hematuria and proteinuria, 12(21%) had persistently abnormal urinalysis without development of adverse events. Only 7(12%) developed adverse events:4(7%) developed severe proteinuria, 1(2%) became hypertensive, and 2(3%) developed impaired renal function. By univariate analysis using the chi-square test, the age at presentation(>10 years)(P<0.01) and poor histological classes of the Lee or Haas classification at onset(P<0.05) were significantly correlated with adverse events, whereas sex and clinical signs at onset were less concordant. CONCLUSION: We can conclude that the prognosis of IgA nephropathy diagnosed in early childhood is better and a good correlation exists between the clinical manifestations of this disease and the histological classes.
Biopsy ; Blood Pressure ; Child* ; Classification ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA* ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Immunoglobulin A* ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Male ; Natural History ; Prognosis* ; Proteinuria ; Urinalysis

OBJECTIVE : To evaluate the vitamin D nutritional status and its influencing factors in Korean mothers and their newborn infants. METHODS : Maternal (n=181) and cord blood (n=180) serum concentrations of vitamin D (25OHD3), calcium, inorganic phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, intact parathyroid hormone were measured at the time of delivery. We defined vitamin D deficient, insufficient, and sufficient as 25OHD3 <11, 11~30, and >30 ng/mL, respectively. Using questionnaires, average duration of sun-light exposure (minutes/day) and dietary intake of vitamin D (microngram/day) were obtained. RESULTS : 1) The mean 25OHD3 level in mothers was 23.4+/-9.9 (range 4~71.6) ng/mL, and in newborns, 16.9+/-7.5 (range 0.9~53.6) ng/mL. 2) 8.3% of mothers and 22.2 % of newborns were vitamin D deficient, and 70% of both mothers and newborns were insufficient. 3) Maternal 25OHD3 showed a strong positive correlation with cord blood 25OHD3 (r=0.727, p<0.001). 4) The most significant risk factor for low 25OHD3 levels was the season of birth (June through November) in both mothers and newborns. 5) In multiple logistic regression analysis, the season of birth and the mode of delivery remained significant for maternal vitamin D status, whereas maternal 25OHD3 and the mode of delivery remained significant for neonatal vitamin D status. CONCLUSION : In conclusion, vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency was relatively common in Korean mothers and their newborn infants, and the most significant risk factor for low vitamin D status was the season of birth.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Calcium ; Fetal Blood ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Logistic Models ; Mothers* ; Nutritional Status* ; Parathyroid Hormone ; Parturition ; Phosphorus ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Risk Factors ; Seasons ; Vitamin D Deficiency ; Vitamin D* ; Vitamins*

We investigated the vitamin D status and the effect of vitamin D supplementation in Korean breast-fed infants. The healthy term newborns were divided into 3 groups; A, formula-fed; B, breast-fed only; S, breast-fed with vitamin D supplementation. We measured serum concentrations of vitamin D (25OHD3), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), alkaline phosphatase (AP), intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and bone mineral density (BMD) at 6 and 12 months of age. Using questionnaires, average duration of sun-light exposure and dietary intake of vitamin D, Ca and P were obtained. At 6 and 12 months of age, 25OHD3 was significantly higher in group S than in group B (P<0.001). iPTH was significantly lower in group S than in group B at 6 months (P=0.001), but did not differ at 12 months. Regardless of vitamin D supplementation, BMD was lower in group B and S than in group A (P<0.05). Total intake of vitamin D differed among 3 groups (P<0.001, A>S>B), but total intake of Ca and P were higher in group A than in group B and S (P<0.001). In conclusion, breast-fed infants show lower vitamin D status and bone mineralization than formula-fed infants. Vitamin D supplementation (200 IU/day) in breast-fed infants increases serum 25-OH vitamin D3, but not bone mineral density.
Alkaline Phosphatase/blood ; Bone Density ; *Breast Feeding ; Calcifediol/*blood ; Calcium/blood ; Cholecalciferol/blood ; *Dietary Supplements ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Parathyroid Hormone/blood ; Phosphorus/blood ; Questionnaires ; Republic of Korea ; Vitamin D/*administration & dosage

The aim of this study was to determine whether britanin, isolated from the flowers of Inula japonica (Inulae Flos), modulates the generation of allergic inflammatory mediators in activated mast cells. To understand the biological activity of britanin, the authors investigated its effects on the generation of prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), leukotriene C4 (LTC4), and degranulation in IgE/Ag-induced bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs). Britanin dose dependently inhibited degranulation and the generations of PGD2 and LTC4 in BMMCs. Biochemical analyses of IgE/Ag-mediated signaling pathways demonstrated that britanin suppressed the phosphorylation of Syk kinase and multiple downstream signaling processes, including phospholipase Cgamma1 (PLCgamma1)-mediated calcium influx, the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs; extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase and p38), and the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) pathway. Taken together, the findings of this study suggest britanin suppresses degranulation and eicosanoid generation by inhibiting the Syk-dependent pathway and britanin might be useful for the treatment of allergic inflammatory diseases.
Calcium ; Family Characteristics ; Flowers ; Inula ; Leukotriene C4 ; Mast Cells* ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; Phospholipases ; Phosphorylation ; Phosphotransferases ; Prostaglandin D2