Perinatal infection is the leading cause of fetal and neonatal mortality and is directly related to childhood morbidity. Perinatal infections cause abnormal growth, delayed development, and many other clinical pro blems in newborns. In particular, TORCH syndrome can cause serious fetal and neonatal health problems through vertical infection, and timely diagnosis and treatment through regular antenatal examinations are important. There are no therapeutic options or vaccines for parvovirus or cytomegalovirus. Therefore, prevention is the most important method. In the case of toxoplasmosis, prenatal education is important because it can be prevented through hygiene management, although there are therapeutic drugs. Syphilis has a high preva­lence, so early diagnosis is important. Rubella and varicella zoster infections can lead to fatal results in vertical transmission to the fetus. Therefore, preconception vaccination should be performed.Women with herpes simplex, which has a high prevalence in the community, need to be mindful when choosing a childbirth method by evaluating the infection through regular prenatal care to prevent vertical infection. Seasonal flu is rarely transmitted vertically to the fetus, but the morbidity and mortality risk to the mother is higher than that of the general population. Thus, prevention through vaccination is important.Lastly, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection has yet to be well studied, although the mother's mor­bidity and mortality are similar to those of the general population and there is no evidence of vertical in­fection. Since the findings of the effects on the mother and fetus are limited, transmission should be pre­vented through social distancing and personal hygiene practices.

Purpose: This study investigated levels of childbirth fear and related prenatal factors (self-confidence for childbirth, prenatal depression, knowledge about childbirth, and spousal support) among pregnant women in South Korea. Methods: A correlational study design was used to explore levels of childbirth fear and related prenatal factors in 200 pregnant women over 28 weeks of gestation. A self-administered questionnaire was used to measure fear of childbirth and related factors, such as self-confidence for childbirth, prenatal depression, knowledge about childbirth, and spousal support. Results: One-third of the pregnant women were aged 35 years and older. Sixty-one percent of women were nulliparae, but only 26.0% had experienced prenatal education. The mean score for fear of childbirth was 66.99 out of 165. The prevalence of fear of childbirth was 72.0%, and childbirth fear was severe in 26.5% of the participants and moderate in 45.5%. Fear of childbirth was negatively related to self-confidence (r=.45, p<.001), but positively related to prenatal depression (r=.21, p=.002). Two significant predictors were found to explain the fear of childbirth. Higher self-confidence for childbirth was associated with less severe fear of childbirth (β=–6.49, p<.001), while higher prenatal depression was associated with more severe fear of childbirth (β=2.08, p=.038). Conclusion The level of fear of childbirth was higher among pregnant women with lower self-confidence and higher prenatal depression. Reasonable evidence should be provided for implementing prenatal and childbirth classes to reduce pregnant women’s depression and to increase their confidence.

Purpose: This study investigated levels of childbirth fear and related prenatal factors (self-confidence for childbirth, prenatal depression, knowledge about childbirth, and spousal support) among pregnant women in South Korea. Methods: A correlational study design was used to explore levels of childbirth fear and related prenatal factors in 200 pregnant women over 28 weeks of gestation. A self-administered questionnaire was used to measure fear of childbirth and related factors, such as self-confidence for childbirth, prenatal depression, knowledge about childbirth, and spousal support. Results: One-third of the pregnant women were aged 35 years and older. Sixty-one percent of women were nulliparae, but only 26.0% had experienced prenatal education. The mean score for fear of childbirth was 66.99 out of 165. The prevalence of fear of childbirth was 72.0%, and childbirth fear was severe in 26.5% of the participants and moderate in 45.5%. Fear of childbirth was negatively related to self-confidence (r=.45, p<.001), but positively related to prenatal depression (r=.21, p=.002). Two significant predictors were found to explain the fear of childbirth. Higher self-confidence for childbirth was associated with less severe fear of childbirth (β=–6.49, p<.001), while higher prenatal depression was associated with more severe fear of childbirth (β=2.08, p=.038). Conclusion The level of fear of childbirth was higher among pregnant women with lower self-confidence and higher prenatal depression. Reasonable evidence should be provided for implementing prenatal and childbirth classes to reduce pregnant women’s depression and to increase their confidence.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to elucidate the clinicopathological significance and diagnostic accuracy of immunohistochemistry (IHC) for determining the mesenchymal epidermal transition (c-MET) expression in patients with gastric cancer (GC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present meta-analysis investigated the correlation between c-MET expression as determined by IHC and the clinicopathological parameters in 8,395 GC patients from 37 studies that satisfied the eligibility criteria. In addition, a concordance analysis was performed between c-MET expression as determined by IHC and c-MET amplification, and the diagnostic test accuracy was reviewed. RESULTS: The estimated rate of c-MET overexpression was 0.403 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.327~0.484) and it was significantly correlated with male patients, poor differentiation, lymph node metastasis, higher TNM stage, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positivity in IHC analysis. There was a significant correlation between c-MET expression and worse overall survival rate (hazard ratio, 1.588; 95% CI, 1.266~1.992). The concordance rates between c-MET expression and c-MET amplification were 0.967 (95% CI, 0.916~0.987) and 0.270 (95% CI, 0.173~0.395) for cases with non-overexpressed and overexpressed c-MET, respectively. In the diagnostic test accuracy review, the pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.56 (95% CI, 0.50~0.63) and 0.79 (95% CI, 0.77~0.81), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The c-MET overexpression as determined by IHC was significantly correlated with aggressive tumor behavior and positive IHC status for HER2 in patients with GC. In addition, the c-MET expression status could be useful in the screening of c-MET amplification in patients with GC.
Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry* ; Lymph Nodes ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Survival Rate

Black staining of the teeth in children and adolescents does not cause pain or serious illness, but it can be socially debilitating for esthetic reasons. Black staining is easily removed through periodic professional mechanical tooth cleaning and ultrasonic scaling, but it can easily recur within few months. Using essential oil-containing mouth rinses diluted at 50% twice per day could prevent the black staining from returning after it is removed, reducing the need for mechanical treatments and improving esthetics.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate how fetal head and abdominal circumferences are related to the incidence of neonatal complications in mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and pre-gestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM) compared to normal pregnancies. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data of expectant mothers with GDM, PGDM, and normal pregnancies who delivered singleton full-term infants (≥37 weeks) at a tertiary center from January 2013 to December 2022. Ultrasonography-measured fetal weight, fetal head circumference, fetal abdominal circumference, difference between head and abdominal circumference, and head-to-abdominal circumference ratio were assessed. Neonatal outcomes were evaluated based on the rates of admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, intubation, and hypoglycemia. Statistical analyses, including univariate and multivariate analyses, were performed using the SPSS software (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results: Among the 473 participants, 175 (37.0%) were mothers with diabetes (DM). A head-to-abdominal circumference ratio <0.95 and a difference of ≥2.5 cm were significantly associated with neonatal hypoglycemia in all mothers with DM, with statistical significance noted only in the PGDM group. No significant association was observed in normal pregnancies. Conclusion Our findings indicate that a head-to-abdominal circumference ratio <0.95 and a ≥2.5 cm difference in circumferences are associated with neonatal hypoglycemia in mothers with DM.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate how fetal head and abdominal circumferences are related to the incidence of neonatal complications in mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and pre-gestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM) compared to normal pregnancies. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data of expectant mothers with GDM, PGDM, and normal pregnancies who delivered singleton full-term infants (≥37 weeks) at a tertiary center from January 2013 to December 2022. Ultrasonography-measured fetal weight, fetal head circumference, fetal abdominal circumference, difference between head and abdominal circumference, and head-to-abdominal circumference ratio were assessed. Neonatal outcomes were evaluated based on the rates of admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, intubation, and hypoglycemia. Statistical analyses, including univariate and multivariate analyses, were performed using the SPSS software (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results: Among the 473 participants, 175 (37.0%) were mothers with diabetes (DM). A head-to-abdominal circumference ratio <0.95 and a difference of ≥2.5 cm were significantly associated with neonatal hypoglycemia in all mothers with DM, with statistical significance noted only in the PGDM group. No significant association was observed in normal pregnancies. Conclusion Our findings indicate that a head-to-abdominal circumference ratio <0.95 and a ≥2.5 cm difference in circumferences are associated with neonatal hypoglycemia in mothers with DM.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate how fetal head and abdominal circumferences are related to the incidence of neonatal complications in mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and pre-gestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM) compared to normal pregnancies. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data of expectant mothers with GDM, PGDM, and normal pregnancies who delivered singleton full-term infants (≥37 weeks) at a tertiary center from January 2013 to December 2022. Ultrasonography-measured fetal weight, fetal head circumference, fetal abdominal circumference, difference between head and abdominal circumference, and head-to-abdominal circumference ratio were assessed. Neonatal outcomes were evaluated based on the rates of admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, intubation, and hypoglycemia. Statistical analyses, including univariate and multivariate analyses, were performed using the SPSS software (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results: Among the 473 participants, 175 (37.0%) were mothers with diabetes (DM). A head-to-abdominal circumference ratio <0.95 and a difference of ≥2.5 cm were significantly associated with neonatal hypoglycemia in all mothers with DM, with statistical significance noted only in the PGDM group. No significant association was observed in normal pregnancies. Conclusion Our findings indicate that a head-to-abdominal circumference ratio <0.95 and a ≥2.5 cm difference in circumferences are associated with neonatal hypoglycemia in mothers with DM.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate how fetal head and abdominal circumferences are related to the incidence of neonatal complications in mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and pre-gestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM) compared to normal pregnancies. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data of expectant mothers with GDM, PGDM, and normal pregnancies who delivered singleton full-term infants (≥37 weeks) at a tertiary center from January 2013 to December 2022. Ultrasonography-measured fetal weight, fetal head circumference, fetal abdominal circumference, difference between head and abdominal circumference, and head-to-abdominal circumference ratio were assessed. Neonatal outcomes were evaluated based on the rates of admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, intubation, and hypoglycemia. Statistical analyses, including univariate and multivariate analyses, were performed using the SPSS software (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results: Among the 473 participants, 175 (37.0%) were mothers with diabetes (DM). A head-to-abdominal circumference ratio <0.95 and a difference of ≥2.5 cm were significantly associated with neonatal hypoglycemia in all mothers with DM, with statistical significance noted only in the PGDM group. No significant association was observed in normal pregnancies. Conclusion Our findings indicate that a head-to-abdominal circumference ratio <0.95 and a ≥2.5 cm difference in circumferences are associated with neonatal hypoglycemia in mothers with DM.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate how fetal head and abdominal circumferences are related to the incidence of neonatal complications in mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and pre-gestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM) compared to normal pregnancies. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data of expectant mothers with GDM, PGDM, and normal pregnancies who delivered singleton full-term infants (≥37 weeks) at a tertiary center from January 2013 to December 2022. Ultrasonography-measured fetal weight, fetal head circumference, fetal abdominal circumference, difference between head and abdominal circumference, and head-to-abdominal circumference ratio were assessed. Neonatal outcomes were evaluated based on the rates of admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, intubation, and hypoglycemia. Statistical analyses, including univariate and multivariate analyses, were performed using the SPSS software (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results: Among the 473 participants, 175 (37.0%) were mothers with diabetes (DM). A head-to-abdominal circumference ratio <0.95 and a difference of ≥2.5 cm were significantly associated with neonatal hypoglycemia in all mothers with DM, with statistical significance noted only in the PGDM group. No significant association was observed in normal pregnancies. Conclusion Our findings indicate that a head-to-abdominal circumference ratio <0.95 and a ≥2.5 cm difference in circumferences are associated with neonatal hypoglycemia in mothers with DM.