Background and purpose: Osteopontin (OPN) is a glycophosphoprotein that is expressed by numerous human cancer cells. The function of OPN in skeletal modeling and remodeling, bone resorption, angiogenesis and tumor cell metastasis and progression through binding with integrin and CD44 receptors were studied. Our purpose of the study was to detect the level of osteopontin(OPN) and CD44 variant isoforms(CD44v6) in multiple myeloma (MM) patients, and to explore the relationship between OPN and CD44v6 with the progress of MM. Methods: 32 MM patients were admitted to our hospital from Sep. 2007 to Dec. 2008. The patients were divided into two groups, group A (untreated and relapsed MM patients) and B (stable MM patients), and the control group including 15 subjects were the benign anemia patients or healthy people who suffered bone fracture. Bone marrow mononuclear cells (MNCs) and bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) from MM patients and subjects were investigated as potential OPN and CD44v6 producers. The level of OPN and CD44v6 of the conditioned media from MM patients and subjects were analyzed by ELISA. Results: The OPN level in group A (19 cases) was significantly higher than group B (13 cases) and control group (P<0.05). The CD44v6 level of 14 patients in group A was significantly higher than that of 10 cases in group B and control group (P<0.05); The OPN level of MM patients was correlated with the level of CD44v6 (r=0.52, P=0.000), the percentage of plasma cells in the bone marrow (r=0.74, P=0.000), M protein (r=0.53, P=0.014), and β2-microglubin (r=0.62, P=0.002). Conclusion: The increase of OPN and CD44v6 is associated with progress and pathogenesis of MM,and may be involved with tumor burden, stage and tumor invasion.

PURPOSE:To investigate the significance of umbilical artery acidosis and compare perinatal outcomes according to the types of acidosis for a tertiary hospital population delivered at term. METHODS:We reviewed maternal and neonatal medical records of all term liveborn infants with an umbilical artery pH<7.25 who were delivered at our university-based center for three years. Two hundred seventy two study population were grouped into respiratory (N=137), metabolic (N=103), and mixed (N=32) acidosis. Pregnancy complications and perinatal outcomes were analyzed using student T test and chi square test. RESULTS:The mean umbilical artery pH values of respiratory, metabolic, and mixed acidosis were 7.20+/-.05, 7.16+/-.90, and 7.07+/-.10, respectively. Neonates with pathologic fetal acidemia were more frequent in mixed acidosis and less frequent in respiratory acidosis (P<0.001). However, there were no significant differences in 1min and 5min Apgar scores. The cases with multiple nuchal cords were significantly common in mixed acidosis (P=0.021) and oligohydroamnios was higher in the metabolic acidosis (P=0.037). While the high base deficit (> or =20 mEq/L) and high pCO2 (> or =20 mmHg) were significantly associated with low pH value, the perinatal outcomes were not significantly different according to the level of base deficit or pCO2. CONCLUSION:The mixed acidemia was more associated with pathologic fetal acidemia than pure respiratory or metabolic acidosis. The ability to predict not only metabolic but also respiratory component of fetal acidemia may help in safe management of delivery leading to reduce the fetal acidemia.
Acidosis ; Acidosis, Respiratory ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Medical Records ; Nuchal Cord ; Pregnancy Complications ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Umbilical Arteries

In spite of the fact that there is general consensus that neonatal depressed skull fractures are caused largely by instrumental extraction, there are a few reports regarding congenital depression of the skull unrelated to external trauma. In the case herein, the mother did not have any history of abdominal trauma during pregnancy and the neonate was delivered vaginally without the use of instruments, yet a round depression was noted in the left parietal bone of the neonate at the time of delivery. Computed tomography with three dimensional reconstruction images was performed and a congenital depression of the neonatal skull without fracture was diagnosed. We describe this case with a brief review of the literature.
Consensus ; Depression ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Mothers ; Parietal Bone ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Skull ; Skull Fracture, Depressed

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical characteristics of placental abruption according to the presence or absence of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. METHODS: The retrospective analysis was performed in total 363 cases of placental abruption among 25,895 deliveries during 5 years from January, 2003 to December, 2007 in 8 hospitals of Catholic university in Korea. Maternal characteristics and neonatal outcomes were compared with parametric test. RESULTS: The incidence of placental abruption was 1.40% during the study period. The proportion of patients complicated with hypertensive disorders was 33.1%. There was no difference in maternal age and the number of previous pregnancy between two groups with or without hypertensive disorders. As expected, mean gestational age at delivery was lower in placental abruption with hypertensive disorders compared to those without the diseases (237.1 days vs 239.1 days). The incidence of abnormal fetal presentation, multiple gestation, PPROM, and polyhydramnios were more common in patients with placental abruption without hypertensive disorders. On the other hand, the incidence of maternal thrombophilia was significantly higher in patients with placental abruption with hypertensive disorders. The patients with placental abruption with hypertensive disorders had higher incidence of abdominal pain, fetal distress, uterine contraction, and uterine hypertonus (p<0.05). In terms of maternal complication, the patients with placental abruption with hypertensive disorders had more severe complications including shock, coagulopathy and renal failure (p<0.05) and had worse perinatal outcome including FDIU (fetal death in uterus) and neonatal death (10.8% vs 10.3%). CONCLUSION: In patients with placental abruption with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, maternal complications were more common and prenatal outcome was worse compared to patients with placental abruption without hypertensive disorders.
Abdominal Pain ; Abruptio Placentae ; Female ; Fetal Distress ; Gestational Age ; Hand ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Labor Presentation ; Maternal Age ; Polyhydramnios ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy ; Renal Insufficiency ; Retrospective Studies ; Shock ; Thrombophilia ; Uterine Contraction

We describe a case of thrombocytopenia-absent radius syndrome suspected by ultrasonography, later confirmed by fetal blood analysis. From this case we confirmed the usefulness of three-dimensional ultrasonography in diagnosing abnormalities in the fetal skeletal system and genetic counseling.
Fetal Blood ; Genetic Counseling ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Radius ; Thrombocytopenia ; Upper Extremity Deformities, Congenital

An intrauterine device (IUD) is one of the most commonly used contraceptive method in the world. One of the major complications of intrauterine contraception is the perforation through the uterine wall into the pelvic or abdominal cavity. The incidence is 0.9 people per 1000. However, bladder perforation is even more rare. It happens mostly at the time when it was inserted. The symptom varies from no symptom at all to low abdominal pain, massive bleeding, et cetera. We report a case with displaced intrauterine device in bladder, producing the bladder stone which was managed with cystoscopic lithotripsy and intrauterine device removal, followed by a review of the literature.
Abdominal Cavity ; Abdominal Pain ; Contraception ; Copper* ; Hemorrhage ; Incidence ; Intrauterine Devices* ; Lithotripsy ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder Calculi ; Uterine Perforation

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the early diagnostic key of ovarian pregnancy. METHODS: A Retrospective case study of 31 cases of ovarian pregnancies treated between 1990 and 2007 at Kangnam St. Mary's hospital Catholic University of Korea was performed. The maternal age, obstetric history, clinical symptoms, sonographic findings, preceding factors, diagnostic modalities, and surgical treatment methods were investigated. RESULT: 31 ovarian pregnancies, diagnosed between 1990 and 2007, comprised (31/1176) 2.6% of all ectopic pregnancies. The most common sonographic finding was fluid collection surrounding the ovary and an ipsilateral enlarged ovary (83.9%). Presenting symptoms were similar to those of tubal pregnancies. Before 1997, wedge resection was done mostly by laparotomy (15/16 cases, 93.8 %) and from then on by laparoscopy (8/14 cases, 57.1%). CONCLUSION: Ovarian pregnancy should be suspected in young woman with symptom of lower abdominal pain, history of pelvic adhesion and sonographic finding of fluid collection around ovary or enlarged ovary for an early diagnosis. Early diagnosis and management can preserve fertility and ovarian function.
Abdominal Pain ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Fertility ; Humans ; Korea ; Laparoscopy ; Laparotomy ; Maternal Age ; Ovary ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Ectopic ; Pregnancy, Tubal ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: In postmenopausal women, there is rapid bone loss due to estrogen depletion. In women, reproductive factors such as age at menarche, breastfeeding, and parity are considered risk factors of osteoporosis. Many reports suggest that obesity is associated with a reduced risk of osteoporosis. This nationwide, population-based study aims to identify the association between maternal age and osteoporosis risk in postmenopausal women of different obesity classifications. METHODS: We assessed data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010–2012. The study included 1,328 postmenopausal women, after excluding women with missing data for reproductive history among 4,546 postmenopausal women in the survey. Multivariate regression was used to identify the association between childbirth age and postmenopausal bone mineral density after adjustments for confounding factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of postmenopausal osteoporosis was 35.24% (n = 468). After dividing the subjects into obese and non-obese groups based on body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, there were significant differences between non-osteoporosis and osteoporosis groups with regard to age at first childbirth, age at last childbirth, and parity in the BMI-based general obesity group. The prevalence of osteoporosis was highest in women older than 35 years old at last childbirth. The prevalence of osteoporosis was also greater in women with parity ≥ 4 compared to those with lower parity levels. CONCLUSION: Postmenopausal women of older age at last childbirth and higher parity were at increased risk of osteoporosis in the BMI-based non-general obesity group.
Body Mass Index ; Bone Density* ; Breast Feeding ; Classification ; Estrogens ; Female ; Humans ; Maternal Age ; Menarche ; Nutrition Surveys ; Obesity ; Osteoporosis ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; Parity ; Parturition* ; Prevalence ; Reproductive History ; Risk Factors ; Waist Circumference

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate female sexual function after colpoperineoplasty. METHODS: Women who visited regional clinic for colpoperineoplasty from June. 2004-Aug. 2004. filled in FSFI (The Female Sexual Function Index) questionnarie before and 4 months after surgery. Six weeks after surgery, they start pelvic muscle training with HMT 2000 (Korea, electric stimulator). RESULTS: Frequency of coitus, sexual desire, arousal, lubrication and orgasm was increased after colpoperineoplasty. Percentage of patients who had coitus more than once a week increased from 18% to 63%. In sexual desire, about 18% felt sexual arousal more than or about half the time before surgery, but increased to 45% after surgery. In sexual arousal, percentage of who felt sexually aroused during more than half of sexual activity increased from 34% before surgery to 69% after surgery. In Lubrication, percentage of who became lubricated during more than half of sexual activity increased from 44% before surgery to 82% after surgery. Who reached orgasm more than half of sexual activity increased from 29% before surgery to 70%. CONCLUSION: Colpoperineoplasty increased female sexual activity.
Arousal ; Coitus ; Female* ; Humans ; Lubrication ; Orgasm ; Sexual Behavior

OBJECTIVE: This exploratory study was undertaken to analyze the anxiety of parents of prenatally diagnosed fetal congenital disease and satisfaction after the multidisciplinary counseling. METHODS: The study included 32 prospective parents of antenatally diagnosed congenital disease fetus who received multidisciplinary counseling at The Catholic Congenital Disease Center (CCDC) for the period from May, 2009 through March, 2010. The Korean version of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was utilized to assess parental anxiety. Categories of satisfaction survey were classified into accessibility, professionalism, empathy, recoverability, satisfaction, and expectation after counseling. RESULTS: The mean time and number of medical professionals for each counseling were 58.0+/-36.9 min and 3.5+/-1.1 persons. Most common congenital diseases were cardiovascular (36.1%) and urogenital diseases (25.0%). STAI scores were significantly decreased after than before counseling (43.5+/-5.9 vs 36.9+/-6.0, P=0.0007). STAI scores after counseling showed significant decrease in prospective mothers who were nulliparous (P=0.0005), less than 35 years old (P=0.0014), had religion (P=0.0014) and counseled more than 40 minutes (P=0.0027). The mean rate of positive satisfactory response about multidisciplinary counseling was 85.6% in satisfaction survey. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence of the positive impact on the prospective parental anxiety of a multidisciplinary counseling in prenatal management of fetal congenital diseases.
Anxiety ; Counseling ; Empathy ; Fetus ; Humans ; Mothers ; Parents ; Prospective Studies