Preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction are conditions associated with placental hypoperfusion and villous hypoxia. The villous response to this environment includes elevated apoptosis. Recently, trophoblast stem (TS) cells had been successfully derived. FGF-4 locates in the inner cell mass (ICM) of blastocyst and TS cells have fibroblast growth factor receptor-2 (FGFR-2). To identify whether FGF-4 protects hypoxia-induced apoptosis in TS cells, this study was carried out. TS cells were cultured up to 48 h in standard (PO2 = 20%) or hypoxic (PO2 = 3%) conditions. TS cells were very vulnerable against exposure to hypoxia for 48 h but embryonic stem (ES) cells were very resistant to hypoxiamediated apoptosis. Death of TS cells bears the typical hallmarks of apoptosis as determined by DNA laddering. FGF- 4 and epidermal growth factor (EGF) protected the hypoxia-mediated cell death of trophoblast but granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GMSF) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) did not protect. In conclusion, we speculate that the effects of FGF-4 on apoptosis in trophoblasts may play an important role in protecting the placenta from hypoxic injury in pregnancy related with placental hypoperfusion.
Anoxia ; Apoptosis* ; Blastocyst ; Cell Death ; Colony-Stimulating Factors ; DNA ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; Fetal Development ; Fibroblast Growth Factors ; Placenta ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy ; Stem Cells* ; Trophoblasts*

PURPOSE: This study was done to identify the mediating effect of resilience on the relationship between nurse's character and happiness for nurses in general hospitals. METHODS: Participants were 139 nurses working in general hospitals. A survey was used and data were collected in April 2019. Data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS/WIN 22.0 program. RESULTS: The significant predictors for the happiness of nurses were nurse's character (β=.56) and resilience (β=.80). These variables explained 67% of the variance in happiness of nurses. Also, resilience had a total mediating effect on the relationship between nurse's character and happiness. CONCLUSION Findings indicate that nurse's character and resilience are important factors for the happiness of nurses in general hospitals.

Objective: To investigate imaging biomarkers of microperfusion in contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) using contrastenhanced ultrasound (CEUS). Materials and Methods: The CIN model was fabricated by administering indomethacin (10 mg/kg), L-NAME (15 mg/kg), and iopamidol (10 mL/kg) to Sprague-Dawley rats. After 24 hours, CEUS was performed on CIN (n = 6) and control (n = 6) rats with sulphur hexafluoride microbubbles (SonoVue). From time-intensity curves obtained from the kidney arriving time (AT), acceleration time (AC), time to peak (TTP), and peak enhancement (PE) were measured and compared between the groups. After CEUS, the rats were sacrificed, and cell apoptosis markers were evaluated to confirm the development of CIN. Results: Among CEUS parameters, AT (7.8 ± 1.6 vs. 4.2 ± 0.5 s, p = 0.002), AC (4.7 ± 1.4 vs. 2.0 ± 0.4 s, p = 0.002), and TTP (12.5 ± 2.9 vs. 6.2 ± 0.6 s, p = 0.002) were significantly prolonged in the CIN group compared to controls. PE was significantly higher in the control group than in the CIN group (17.1 ± 1.9 vs. 12.2 ± 2.0 dB, p = 0.004). In kidney tissue, mRNA and protein levels of the apoptotic makers were significantly higher in the CIN group than in the control group (p = 0.003 and p = 0.002). Conclusion CEUS parameters can be used as imaging biomarkers for microperfusion in CIN. In rats with CIN, AT, AC, and TTP were significantly prolonged, while PE was significantly lower compared to controls.

Objective: To investigate imaging biomarkers of microperfusion in contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) using contrastenhanced ultrasound (CEUS). Materials and Methods: The CIN model was fabricated by administering indomethacin (10 mg/kg), L-NAME (15 mg/kg), and iopamidol (10 mL/kg) to Sprague-Dawley rats. After 24 hours, CEUS was performed on CIN (n = 6) and control (n = 6) rats with sulphur hexafluoride microbubbles (SonoVue). From time-intensity curves obtained from the kidney arriving time (AT), acceleration time (AC), time to peak (TTP), and peak enhancement (PE) were measured and compared between the groups. After CEUS, the rats were sacrificed, and cell apoptosis markers were evaluated to confirm the development of CIN. Results: Among CEUS parameters, AT (7.8 ± 1.6 vs. 4.2 ± 0.5 s, p = 0.002), AC (4.7 ± 1.4 vs. 2.0 ± 0.4 s, p = 0.002), and TTP (12.5 ± 2.9 vs. 6.2 ± 0.6 s, p = 0.002) were significantly prolonged in the CIN group compared to controls. PE was significantly higher in the control group than in the CIN group (17.1 ± 1.9 vs. 12.2 ± 2.0 dB, p = 0.004). In kidney tissue, mRNA and protein levels of the apoptotic makers were significantly higher in the CIN group than in the control group (p = 0.003 and p = 0.002). Conclusion CEUS parameters can be used as imaging biomarkers for microperfusion in CIN. In rats with CIN, AT, AC, and TTP were significantly prolonged, while PE was significantly lower compared to controls.

Several wars and pandemics have demonstrated the serious impacts of infectious diseases on the military, highlighting the importance of infection control. As a national defense organiza-tion, the military operates within specific cultural and environmental contexts distinct from civilian organizations. The unique conditions of war necessitate extensive efforts to prevent in-fections. Therefore, a strategic approach based on the understanding of its unique strengths and challenges is essential for proper infection control in the military. As the military is nationally dispersed and in contact with the surrounding communities, the readiness of this organization,along with its personnel, resources, and operational systems, is crucial for the protection ofsoldiers and civilians during infectious disease outbreaks. Therefore, joint efforts and academic and practical exchanges between the military and civilian sectors based on the comprehensiveunderstanding of the military conditions and operations are necessary for prompt response to and control of infectious diseases.

Several wars and pandemics have demonstrated the serious impacts of infectious diseases on the military, highlighting the importance of infection control. As a national defense organiza-tion, the military operates within specific cultural and environmental contexts distinct from civilian organizations. The unique conditions of war necessitate extensive efforts to prevent in-fections. Therefore, a strategic approach based on the understanding of its unique strengths and challenges is essential for proper infection control in the military. As the military is nationally dispersed and in contact with the surrounding communities, the readiness of this organization,along with its personnel, resources, and operational systems, is crucial for the protection ofsoldiers and civilians during infectious disease outbreaks. Therefore, joint efforts and academic and practical exchanges between the military and civilian sectors based on the comprehensiveunderstanding of the military conditions and operations are necessary for prompt response to and control of infectious diseases.

Several wars and pandemics have demonstrated the serious impacts of infectious diseases on the military, highlighting the importance of infection control. As a national defense organiza-tion, the military operates within specific cultural and environmental contexts distinct from civilian organizations. The unique conditions of war necessitate extensive efforts to prevent in-fections. Therefore, a strategic approach based on the understanding of its unique strengths and challenges is essential for proper infection control in the military. As the military is nationally dispersed and in contact with the surrounding communities, the readiness of this organization,along with its personnel, resources, and operational systems, is crucial for the protection ofsoldiers and civilians during infectious disease outbreaks. Therefore, joint efforts and academic and practical exchanges between the military and civilian sectors based on the comprehensiveunderstanding of the military conditions and operations are necessary for prompt response to and control of infectious diseases.

Several wars and pandemics have demonstrated the serious impacts of infectious diseases on the military, highlighting the importance of infection control. As a national defense organiza-tion, the military operates within specific cultural and environmental contexts distinct from civilian organizations. The unique conditions of war necessitate extensive efforts to prevent in-fections. Therefore, a strategic approach based on the understanding of its unique strengths and challenges is essential for proper infection control in the military. As the military is nationally dispersed and in contact with the surrounding communities, the readiness of this organization,along with its personnel, resources, and operational systems, is crucial for the protection ofsoldiers and civilians during infectious disease outbreaks. Therefore, joint efforts and academic and practical exchanges between the military and civilian sectors based on the comprehensiveunderstanding of the military conditions and operations are necessary for prompt response to and control of infectious diseases.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Serum levels of highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), a vascular inflammatory marker, may predict the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at greater risk for type 2 diabetes and CVD. The aim of this study was to compare hsCRP levels between normal weight women with PCOS and controls with a normal menstrual cycle and to determine the factors associated with serum hsCRP levels. METHODS: Thirty-nine lean PCOS patients and 24 healthy, regular cycling women were enrolled in this study. We performed anthropometric measurements, fat computed tomography (CT), and blood sampling to determine blood chemistry and levels of hsCRP, gonadotropins, testosterone, and sex-hormone binding globulin. We also conducted 75-g oral glucose-tolerance test and euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp to assess insulin sensitivity. RESULTS: Serum hsCRP concentrations were higher in women with PCOS than in women with regular mensturation. However, this difference was no longer significant after adjusting for body mass index (BMI). hsCRP levels were correlated with waist circumference (r=0.46, p<0.01), BMI (r=0.46, p<0.01), visceral fat area (r=0.45, p<0.01), and systolic (r=0.42, p<0.05) and diastolic blood pressure (r=0.39, p<0.05). hsCRP also tended to be negatively associated with insulin-mediated glucose uptake (IMGU) (r=-0.31, p=0.07). A multiple regression analysis revealed that BMI (beta=0.29, p<0.05), systolic blood pressure (beta=0.39, p<0.01), and IMGU (beta=-0.31, p<0.05) predicted serum hsCRP levels in women with PCOS. CONCLUSIONS: PCOS by itself does not seem to be associated with increased hsCRP levels, whereas known CVD risk factors affect serum hsCRP levels in PCOS.
Adult ; Body Mass Index ; C-Reactive Protein/*analysis ; Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/*blood/complications ; Regression Analysis

OBJECTIVES: The current study examined the effect of birth weight on the relationship between age and IQ of children, who were born preterm with very low birth weight (VLBW) or extremely low birth weight (ELBW). METHODS: The study subjects were 82 children, aged between 3–5 years, who visited the neonatal intensive care unit of a university hospital located in Seoul. The children had been born prematurely with VLBW or ELBW. Their IQ was tested using the performed Korean-Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence fourth edition. RESULTS: A hierarchical regression analysis showed a significant interaction effect of birth weight and age on Full Scale IQ (FSIQ); the effect of age on FSIQ differed according to birth weight. For the group with VLBW, FSIQ was more likely to be higher with increasing age. Conversely, for the group with ELBW, FSIQ remained low regardless of the age level. In addition, birth weight and age had a significant interaction effect on the Visual Spatial Index. Birth weight had a significant main effect on Verbal Comprehension Index. CONCLUSION: This research suggested the possibility of predicting the cognitive developmental of premature children, by highlighting the fact that prematurely born children, with VLBW/ELBW, have different cognitive developmental trajectories.
Birth Weight ; Child ; Comprehension ; Humans ; Infant, Low Birth Weight* ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Intelligence ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Premature Birth ; Seoul