OBJECTIVE: The differential expression patterns of the two progesterone receptor (PR) isoforms, PRA and PRB were examined using immunohistochemistry and real time quantitative RT-PCR in normal and neoplastic ovarian tissues, and in cell lines derived from epithelial ovarian cancer and breast cancer as a positive control in order to further elucidate the possible involvement of progesterone in the development of ovarian neoplasia. METHODS: Breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and ovarian cancer cell line SNU-8 were seeded to 24-well plate with 5 X 10(5) cell/well and incubated overnight. Those cell lines were treated with 17-beta-estradiol and incubated for another 24 hrs. RNA were purified for RT-PCR and whole cell prepared total proteins were subject to immunoblot with DAB-staining. DNA ladder pattern and flowcytometry were studied to evaluate progestins induced apoptosis in the ovarian epithelium. RESULTS: The median H-scores for PR isoforms in normal (n=8), benign (n=10), borderline (n=8) and malignant (n=24) ovarian tissues were as follows; PRA: 194.0, 171.0, 49.5, 0.0 (P<0.05), and PRB: 175.0, 180.5, 251.5, 168.5, respectively. In ovarian cancer cell line (SNU-8), PRB/PRAB mRNA ratio was not increased by 17-beta-estradiol, but that ratio was increased by 17-beta-estradiol in breast cancer cell line (MCF 7). Immunoblotting analysis demonstrated that PRB protein expression was markedly up- regulated in SNU-8, whereas the PRA and PRB isoforms both appeared to be increased in MCF-7. DNA ladder pattern was increased in dose and time related exposure of progestins and apoptotic cells were markedly increased during exposure progestins in ovarian cancer cell line were found by flowcytometry. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that down-regulation of PRA is associated with the development of ovarian epithelial carcinoma. Progestins can activate the apoptotic pathway in the ovarian epithelium for protection of normal tissues from neoplatic transformation suggests that progestins deserve further evaluation as potential ovarian cancer preventive agents.
Apoptosis ; Breast Neoplasms ; Cell Line ; DNA ; Down-Regulation ; Epithelium ; Female ; Immunoblotting ; Immunohistochemistry ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Ovary* ; Progesterone* ; Progestins ; Protein Isoforms* ; Receptors, Progesterone* ; RNA ; RNA, Messenger

Diagnostic Errors ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Leiomyoma ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography ; Uterine Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Uterus ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; Venous Thrombosis ; diagnosis ; surgery

No abstract available.
Female ; Fetal Heart* ; Hearing* ; Heart Rate, Fetal* ; Pregnancy

Congenital malformations are a common cause of illness, handicapping conditions, and death. Errors of morphogenesis leading to congenital anomalies have many recognized causes, including specific single-gene mutations, chromosome imbalances, and the action of teratogenic agents. Most congenital anomalies, however, are of multifactorial origin, occurring by complex interactions between not yet well understood genetic and environmental factors. Two to six percent of the newborn babies worldwide, i.e., 3 to 9 million infants a year, suffer from major congenital anomalies and genetic diseases. However, a great deal of this misery could be avoided. In particular, preconception care is more important than prenatal care for prevention of congenital anomalies since as many as 30 percent of pregnant women begin traditional prenatal care in the second trimester (>13 weeks of gestation), which is after the period of maximal organogenesis. Women and their partners whose ethnic background, race, or personal or family history places them at increased risk of having a fetus with a genetic disease should receive appropriate counseling. Furthermore, certain laboratory tests of the infection status of couples may be helpful in assessing the risk for and preventing some complications during pregnancy. Preconception evaluation and appropriate counseling permits parents to make informed reproductive decisions and provides reassurance.
Continental Population Groups ; Counseling ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Fetus ; Genetic Counseling ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Morphogenesis ; Organogenesis ; Parents ; Preconception Care ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second ; Pregnant Women ; Prenatal Care

A 29-year-old woman presented with secondary amenorrhea, primary infertility, and virilization, which had developed over the past 2 years was suspected to have a virilizing tumor at her left ovary. Her serum testosterone level was markedly elevated (380 ng/dL). Left salpingooophorectomy was performed, and histopathological examination revealed a thecoma of the left ovary. The postoperative serum testosterone level returned to 65 ng/dL. The patient did not have regression of virilism soon. However, the patient had a normal menstruation 29 days after surgery and gave birth to a baby 13 months after surgery.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Menstruation ; Ovarian Neoplasms/blood/*complications/*surgery ; Ovariectomy ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Testosterone/blood ; Thecoma/blood/*complications/*surgery ; Virilism/blood/*etiology/surgery

Several international initiatives have taken place with themes such as "Men as Partners in reproductive health". Furthermore, many articles have recently been published concerning men's preconception care before pregnancy. However, little attention has been paid to this field in Korea. The concept of preconception health and health care for men is very important for pregnancy outcomes, and furthermore, for the health of their future families. Men's contribution to the pregnancy is clear for planned pregnancy and also offers an opportunity for disease prevention and health promotion in men themselves. This paper reviews the important concept of men's health for preparing for pregnancy, and summarizes key component of a comprehensive approach to optimizing the preconception health status of men as expecting fathers. In fact, many clinicians including most obstetricians-gynecologists in Korea are not trained to provide preconception health and care for men. In addition, no consensus has been developed on basic guidelines for preconception care including the pregnancy planning for men and women, laboratory tests before pregnancy, vaccination programs, and much more information on preparing for a successful pregnancy. To improve preconception care for men in Korea, many barriers must be overcome, such as lack of national services, financing, organization, and men's and women's understanding of the importance of preconception health for their pregnancy. Therefore, much more research is needed on men's preconception care in Korea.
Consensus ; Delivery of Health Care ; Family Planning Services ; Fathers ; Female ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Korea ; Male ; Men's Health ; Mitochondrial Diseases ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Preconception Care ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Vaccination

No abstract available.
Female ; Fetal Heart* ; Heart Rate, Fetal* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy*

Migration of an intrauterine device into the bladder, together with secondary stone formation is an extremely rare complication. We have recently encountered the migration of a Lippes loop into the urinary bladder and an associated secondary stone formation. We report our findings together with a review of the literature.
Intrauterine Devices ; Urinary Bladder Calculi* ; Urinary Bladder*

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of Vitamin-C vaginal tablets on vaginal pH and vaginitis symptoms of pregnant women. METHODS: Ninety pregnant women who visited the antenatal clinic were included in this study after giving their informed consent. The treatment regimen of the vitamin-C vaginal tablets (250 mg, Vagi-C(R), Taurus Pharma GmbH, Germany) was one tablet given once a day for 6 consecutive days. Vaginal pH was measured the day before and the day after the Vit-C vaginal treatment. Ninety women of initial, ten failed to follow-up (participate). After routine screening using microscopic analysis of the vaginal smears, 31 of the 80 participating women fell into one of 3 pathologic groups (15 monilial infection, 10 bacterial vaginosis, 6 trichomonial infection) and leaving 49 pathogen-free pregnant women. 10 of the pathogen-free pregnant women were excluded during the study because they did not complete the treatment period due to vaginal irritation such as itching or burning sensations. The diagnosis of each vaginal infection was made by specific pathologic findings. RESULT: Mean vaginal pH values for the pathology group decreased significantly from 4.9 to 4.2. Pathologic findings of each infection were also improved without specific treatment. Bacterial vaginosis disappeared in 80.0% (8/10) of patients. The specific pathogens of the remained two vaginitis types were not detected in 33.3% (5/15) of monilial infection and 33.3% (2/6) trichomonial infection 1 week after discontinuation of Vitamin-C vaginal tablets. Although it is not significant, mean vaginal pH values decreased from 4.4 to 4.2 in the pathogen-free pregnant women. CONCLUSION: Vitamin-C, when vaginally applied, is effective in lowering vaginal pH and in the treatment of vaginitis in pregnant women.
Burns ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Informed Consent ; Mass Screening ; Pathology ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnant Women* ; Pruritus ; Sensation ; Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies* ; Vaginal Smears ; Vaginitis* ; Vaginosis, Bacterial

In Korea, malaria is known to have been eradicated for several years due to our persistent national health programs. But recently imported malarias through increased traveling to abroad are becoming a problem and occasional malarial infections are being reported. No malarial infection of pregnant woman has been reported until now, but recently, we have experienced one case of malaria infected pregnant woman who has no history of traveling and blood transfusion. This patient has been treated with hydroxychlorquine. We present this case with a brief review of literatures.
Blood Transfusion ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Malaria* ; National Health Programs ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnant Women