Apgar score is most widely used evaluating indicator of newborn health, but it is very subjective. Umbilical cord blood gas analysis is more objective and effective than Apgar score in evaluation of newborn status. Cord blood gas was changed slightly by processing of time after fetal birth. This study was undertaken to observe objectiveness and effectiveness of umbilical arterial blood gas analysis and effects of time interval of cord clamping to newborn health with 122 pregnant women and their babies. We observed following results: 1. There were poor correlation between Apgar score and umbilical cord arterial blood analysis in evaluating of newborn health (P>0.05). 2. There was no clinical significance of Apgar score or umbilical arterial blood gas analysis as single indicator in evaluating of newborn health (P>0.05). 3. Gas analysis and pH of umbilical arterial blood was more helpful in evaluating of newborn health than Apgar score. 4. There were no significant effects of time interval of umbilical cord clamping to newborn health. 5. If there were no indications of early umbilical cord clamping, cord blood sampling at immediately after birth without cord clamping was more effective to evaluate newborn status.
Apgar Score* ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Constriction ; Cordocentesis ; Female ; Fetal Blood ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration* ; Infant Health* ; Infant, Newborn* ; Parturition ; Pregnant Women ; Umbilical Cord

The KFDA (Korea Food & Drug Administration) has performed a collaborative toxicogenomics project since 2003. Its aim is to construct a toxicology database of 12 compounds administered to mice at initial phase. We chose 6-MP (6-mercaptopurine) which has been used in the treatment of childhood leukemia. It was administered at low (0.224 mg/kg) and at high (2.24 mg/kg) dose (5 mice per group) intraperitonealy to the postnatal 6 weeks mice, then the serum and liver were collected at the indicated time (6, 24 and 72 h) after scarification. Serum biochemical markers for liver toxicity were measured and histopathologic studies also were carried out. The gene expression profiling was carried out by using Applied Biosystems 1700 Full Genome Expression Mouse. By self-organization maps (SOM), we identified groups with unique gene expression patterns, some of them are supposed to be related to 6-MP induced toxicity, including lipid metabolism abnormality, inflammatory response, oxidative stress, ATP depletion and cell death. The potential toxic effects appearing as gene expression changes are dependent of the time of 6-MP but independent of the dosage of it. This study would contribute to establishment of international database as well as national one about hepatotoxicity.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; Animals ; Cell Death ; Gene Expression Profiling* ; Gene Expression* ; Genome ; Leukemia ; Lipid Metabolism ; Liver* ; Mice ; Microarray Analysis ; Oxidative Stress ; Toxicogenetics ; Toxicology ; Biomarkers

OBJECTIVE: To establish the evaluation system of the quality of oocytes on the basis of the incidence of cumulus cells apoptosis, to investigate the relationships between the incidence of cumulus cells and the outcomes of IVF-ET. METHOD: Thirth-four cycles undergoing controlled ovarian hypersimulation for IVF-ET with tubal infertility (23 cycles) or unexplained infertility (11 cycles) were included in this study. Cumulus cell masses surrounding mature oocyte and co-culture of embryos with autologous cumulus cells during IVF-ET process. The incidence of apoptosis in cumulus cells was assessed by apoptosis detection kit fluorescein. The effect of co-culture using cumulus cells and the incidence of cumulus cells apoptosis. RESULTS: The results were as follows: 1. The incidence of apoptosis in cumulus cells markedly increased in patients aged 40 or over, while the fertilization rate was greatly decreased in those age group. 2. Apoptosis in cumulus cells was found in both the fertilized oocytes and unfertilized oocytes, but the incidence of apoptosis was higher in unfertilized oocytes. 3. There is no clear correlation between apoptosis in cumulus cells and the number of oocytes retrieved. However, the incidence of apoptosis was increased when the number of oocytes retrieved was 5 and fewer in comparison with 6~10. 4. Embryo grade was significantly affected by the incidence of apoptosis in cumulus cells. 5. Pregnancy rate of IVF-ET per cycle was 29.4%, and the pregnant group had the higher fertilization rate and a significantly lower incidence of apoptosis in cumulus cells compared with the nonpregnant group. 6. When cumulus cells were used as helper cells in the co-culture of the embryo, in vitro activity of cumulus cells based on morphological change and proliferation did not influence the quality of embryo, but was closely associated with the implantation rate and pregnancy rate, which was enhanced when morphological changes and proliferation of cumulus cells was more active. 7. This difference in the outcome of IVF-ET according to in vitro activity of cumulus cells used for co-cultue was not associated with the incidence of apoptosis in cumulus cells, but rather had likely relations with the different secretion pattern of protein, which may be an embryotrophic factor by cumulus cells. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the incidence of apoptosis in cumulus cells can be used in predicting oocyte qualities and the outcomes of IVF-ET. And the effect of co-culture largely depends on the in vitro activity of cumulus cells as well.
Apoptosis ; Coculture Techniques ; Cumulus Cells* ; Embryonic Structures ; Fertilization ; Fluorescein ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infertility ; Oocytes ; Pregnancy Rate ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer

No abstract available.
Humans ; Nephrotic Syndrome* ; Renal Veins* ; Thrombosis*

Holoprosencephaly is a rare and complex malformation affecting the cleavage of the developing forebrain and is usually associated with defects of the mid Face. We have experienced a case of holoprosencephaly, diagnosed prenatally by ultrasound examination at 31 weeks of pregnancy in a 31-year-old primigravida woman. This case is characterized by holoprosencephaly, cleft palate, cleft lip, left renal aplasia and right renal hypertrophy. The chromosomal study showed a deletion of the long arm of chromosome 7, 46, XX, del(7)(q32), We report with a terminal deletion of chromosome 7q associated with atypical clinical picture and holoprosencephaly.
Adult ; Arm ; Chromosome Aberrations* ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 7 ; Cleft Lip ; Cleft Palate ; Female ; Holoprosencephaly ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Multicystic Dysplastic Kidney* ; Pregnancy ; Prosencephalon ; Ultrasonography

Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most potent antigen presenting cells that can activate naive T cells. Mature DCs exress high levels of MHC and costimulatory molecules on their surface and have capacity to produce IL-12, a 75 kDa heterodimeric cytokine composed of p35 and p40 subunit. IL-12 is currently thought to be one of most critical determinants for skewing the immune response towards Th1. Expression of IL-12 in dendritic cells seems to be regulated by various stimuli including CD40L. In the present study we investigated expression of IL-12 in mature DCs, which were cultured from bone marrow cells in the presence of GM-CSF. Maturity of the DCs was confirmed by morphologic characteristics, immunophenotypes, and allostimulatory activities. Exprssion levels of IL-12 p40 in the DCs were measured by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Increases in IL-12 p40 expression were observed after treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an anti-MHC class II monoclonal antibody, or an anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody. The most remarkable increases, however, were observed in the DCs treated with an anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody. These results support a previous notion that signals through CD40/CD40L interaction may be important for the production of IL-12 by DCs. Moreover, results of this study show a possibility of using monoclonal antibodies against CD40 molecules for preparing DCs producing high amount of IL-12, which can be used for anti-tumor or anti-viral immunotherapy.
Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Antigen-Presenting Cells ; Bone Marrow Cells ; CD40 Ligand ; Dendritic Cells* ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Immunotherapy ; Interleukin-12* ; Mice* ; T-Lymphocytes

We produced two murine monoclonal antibodies designated S2E1 and S2C11, which recognize S antigen of hepatitis B virus (HBsAg). S2E1 could bind to denatured form of recombinant HBsAg as well as native form of HBsAg, but S2C11 could bind only to native form of HBsAg. Both antibodies reacted with HBsAg in the hepatocyte of patient infected with hepatitis B virus. Analyses of the nucleotide sequences encoding the variable regions of these antibodies revealed that S2E1 and S2C11 utilize variable gene segment which belong to V4/5 gene family and utilize the J5 and Jk4 gene segments, respectively. In addition, the heavy chain of S2E1 express a member of V14 gene family and a member of DSP2.9 and Jh3 gene families. S2C11 is related to the V1 gene family and expresses DFL16.1 gene regions in conjunction with the Jh3 gene segment.
Antibodies ; Antibodies, Monoclonal* ; Base Sequence ; Clone Cells* ; Cloning, Organism* ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus* ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis* ; Hepatocytes ; Humans

No abstract available.
Adult ; Autoantibodies/*immunology ; Female ; Hashimoto Disease/*diagnosis ; Humans ; Luminescent Measurements ; Radioimmunoassay ; Republic of Korea ; Thyroid Function Tests ; Thyroxine/*blood/immunology ; Triiodothyronine/blood

BACKGROUND: Postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) is a significant complication after coronary artery bypass surgery. Prior coronary angiography increases the likelihood of AKI due to the use of a radiocontrast dye. This study examined the effect of coronary angiography on the postoperative renal function after off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB). METHODS: The records of 110 patients who required OPCAB were reviewed. These patients also had at least two of the following conditions: chronic kidney disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, emergency surgery, congestive heart failure, age >75 years, hematocrit <30%, a left ventricular ejection fraction <40%, or the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers. The patients were divided into two groups; coronary angiography performed within two days of OPCAB (Control group, n = 55), and coronary angiography performed more than two days before OPCAB (Angio group, n = 55). The serum creatinine (SCr) and serum cystatin C levels were measured on the day before surgery, as well as on postoperative days 1, 2, 3 and 7. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was also obtained on those days. AKI was defined as an increase in Cr > or =50% or > or =0.3 mg/dl within 48 hours. RESULTS: The postoperative changes in the SCr, cystatin C and eGFR were similar in the two groups. The incidence of AKI and renal replacement therapy were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Coronary angiography performed within two days of OPCAB does not affect the postoperative renal function.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists ; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump ; Creatinine ; Cystatin C ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Emergencies ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Heart Failure ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Kidney ; Postoperative Period ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Renal Replacement Therapy ; Stroke Volume

BACKGROUND: Postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) is a significant complication after coronary artery bypass surgery. Prior coronary angiography increases the likelihood of AKI due to the use of a radiocontrast dye. This study examined the effect of coronary angiography on the postoperative renal function after off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB). METHODS: The records of 110 patients who required OPCAB were reviewed. These patients also had at least two of the following conditions: chronic kidney disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, emergency surgery, congestive heart failure, age >75 years, hematocrit <30%, a left ventricular ejection fraction <40%, or the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers. The patients were divided into two groups; coronary angiography performed within two days of OPCAB (Control group, n = 55), and coronary angiography performed more than two days before OPCAB (Angio group, n = 55). The serum creatinine (SCr) and serum cystatin C levels were measured on the day before surgery, as well as on postoperative days 1, 2, 3 and 7. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was also obtained on those days. AKI was defined as an increase in Cr > or =50% or > or =0.3 mg/dl within 48 hours. RESULTS: The postoperative changes in the SCr, cystatin C and eGFR were similar in the two groups. The incidence of AKI and renal replacement therapy were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Coronary angiography performed within two days of OPCAB does not affect the postoperative renal function.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists ; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump ; Creatinine ; Cystatin C ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Emergencies ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Heart Failure ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Kidney ; Postoperative Period ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Renal Replacement Therapy ; Stroke Volume