Purpose: To compare pregnancy complications between the 2 groups of patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM): those diagnosed by the 1-step method and those diagnosed by the 2-step method. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, the data from outpatient and hospitalization medical records of 201 patients diagnosed with GDM between 2013 and 2017 were reviewed. We compared the pregnancy complications of these patients based on whether they were diagnosed by the 1-step or 2-step method. SPSS ver. 20.0 was used to analyze the data from the 2 groups. The odds ratio and 95% confidence interval of the pregnancy outcomes were estimated using binary logistic regression analysis. Results: On comparing pregnancy-related complications between the groups, there was no significant difference in the incidence of preeclampsia or delivery by cesarean section (p>0.99 and p=0.50, respectively). In the 1-step and 2-step groups, the prevalence of premature birth was significantly high at 19.7 % and 40.3% (p=0.01), respectively. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of macrosomia, large for gestational age (LGA), small for gestational age (SGA), low APGAR score, and neonatal hypoglycemia (p>0.99, p>0.26, p>0.62, p>0.57, and p>0.45, respectively). Conclusion On comparing the 2 groups, we found that the 1-step and 2-step GDM groups had similar risks of pregnancy complications, namely preeclampsia, delivery by cesarean section, macrosomia, LGA, SGA, low APGAR scores, and neonatal hypoglycemia.

Norovirus is a leading cause of epidemic and sporadic acute gastroenteritis worldwide. Rapid and accurate detection of norovirus is essential for the prevention and control of norovirus outbreaks. The purpose of this study was to propose and develop a process for establishing appropriate standardized guidelines for the approval and evaluation of in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDD) for norovirus detection in Korea based on the related laws, regulations, and guidelines of USA, Europe, and Korea. We expect that this study could be used for diagnostic test standardization and the approval and evaluation of domestic norovirus diagnostic devices. We also expect the results will contribute to industrial expansion and public health promotion.
Diagnostic Tests, Routine* ; Disease Outbreaks ; Europe ; Gastroenteritis ; Jurisprudence ; Korea* ; Norovirus* ; Public Health ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; Social Control, Formal

PURPOSE: To identify the potential risk factors for preterm birth (PTB) in women with advanced maternal age in the Korean population. METHODS: We selected the data of 531 pregnant women and singletons in the Korean Preterm Collaborate Network Study. Among the data, we analyzed variables related to demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and delivery information. Maternal age was divided into two groups: younger ( < 35 years) and advanced (≥35 years). Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the potential risk factors for PTB in advanced maternal age. RESULTS: In advanced maternal age, education level, occupation, passive smoking, iron intake, and parity showed significant differences between term birth and PTB. In particular, women who were exposed to passive smoking (odds ratio [OR]=2.83, confidence interval [CI]=1.14~7.04) and had folic acid intake during pregnancy (OR=2.67, CI=1.11~6.43) were at a significantly increased risk of PTB, after adjusting for all variables. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that smoking and lifestyle factors are the potential risk factors for PTB in advanced maternal age.
Education ; Female ; Folic Acid ; Humans ; Iron ; Life Style ; Logistic Models ; Maternal Age ; Occupations ; Parity ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Premature Birth ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Term Birth ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution

Objective: Here, we investigated whether cytokines in the cervicovaginal fluid (CVF) can be predictive markers of preterm birth (PTB). Methods: A multi-center prospective cohort study was conducted on 59 singleton pregnant women hospitalized for preterm labor (PTL) and/or preterm premature rupture of membranes (pPROM) between 22 weeks and 36 weeks 6 days of gestation from 2014 to 2015. The levels of 13 inflammatory cytokines (macrophage inflammatory protein [MIP]-1α, MIP-1β, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17α, granulocyte colony stimulating factor [G-CSF], IL-7, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13) were measured using a multiplex bead-based immunoassay and that of fetal fibronectin (fFN) was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analyses were performed using Student’s t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson’s correlation, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis in SPSS version 20.0. Results: Among the 13 cytokines assessed, the levels of 3 cytokines (MIP-1α, IL-6, and IL-7) were negatively correlated with gestational age at delivery (P=0.028, P=0.002, and P=0.018, respectively). Sensitivities of MIP-1α, IL-6, and IL-17α were 70%, 80%, and 75%, respectively, and their specificities were 57%, 65%, and 69%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of fFN were 33% and 95%, respectively. Conclusion In symptomatic women diagnosed with PTL and/or pPROM, cytokines from cervicovaginal fluid, especially IL-6 and IL-17α, could be better predictive markers of PTB than fFN.

Objective: Here, we investigated whether cytokines in the cervicovaginal fluid (CVF) can be predictive markers of preterm birth (PTB). Methods: A multi-center prospective cohort study was conducted on 59 singleton pregnant women hospitalized for preterm labor (PTL) and/or preterm premature rupture of membranes (pPROM) between 22 weeks and 36 weeks 6 days of gestation from 2014 to 2015. The levels of 13 inflammatory cytokines (macrophage inflammatory protein [MIP]-1α, MIP-1β, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17α, granulocyte colony stimulating factor [G-CSF], IL-7, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13) were measured using a multiplex bead-based immunoassay and that of fetal fibronectin (fFN) was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analyses were performed using Student’s t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson’s correlation, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis in SPSS version 20.0. Results: Among the 13 cytokines assessed, the levels of 3 cytokines (MIP-1α, IL-6, and IL-7) were negatively correlated with gestational age at delivery (P=0.028, P=0.002, and P=0.018, respectively). Sensitivities of MIP-1α, IL-6, and IL-17α were 70%, 80%, and 75%, respectively, and their specificities were 57%, 65%, and 69%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of fFN were 33% and 95%, respectively. Conclusion In symptomatic women diagnosed with PTL and/or pPROM, cytokines from cervicovaginal fluid, especially IL-6 and IL-17α, could be better predictive markers of PTB than fFN.

Redox adaptation is an important concept that explains the mechanisms by which cancer cells survive under persistent endogenous oxidative stress and become resistant to certain anticancer agents. To investigate this concept, we determined the expression levels of peroxiredoxins (Prxs), antioxidant enzymes in drug-resistant non-small cell lung carcinoma cells. Prx II was remarkably increased only in A549/GR (gefitinib-resistant) cells compared with A549 cells, consistent with methylation/demethylation. Prx II was highly methylated in the A549 cells but was demethylated in the A549/GR cells. The elevated expression of Prx II resulted in the downregulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell death and upregulation of cell cycle progression in the A549/GR cells. When Prx II mRNA in the A549/GR cells was knocked down, the levels of ROS and apoptosis were significantly recovered to the levels of the controls. In addition, signaling molecules involved in apoptosis were increased in the A549/GR-shPrx II cells. There was no difference in the expression of MAPK/ERK between the A549/GR cells and A549/GR-shPrx II cells, but the phosphorylation of JNK was increased in the A549/GR cells and was markedly decreased in the A549/GR-shPrx II cells. Colony number and tumor growth were significantly decreased in the A549/GR-shPrx II cells compared with the A549/GR cells. Our findings suggest that Prx II has an important role in cancer cell survival via the modulation of signaling molecules involved in apoptosis and the phosphorylation of JNK by the downregulation of ROS levels in A549/GR cells.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents/*therapeutic use ; Apoptosis/drug effects ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/*drug therapy/genetics/metabolism/pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Female ; Humans ; Lung/drug effects/metabolism/pathology ; Lung Neoplasms/*drug therapy/genetics/metabolism/pathology ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects ; Peroxiredoxins/*genetics/metabolism ; Quinazolines/*therapeutic use ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism

Redox adaptation is an important concept that explains the mechanisms by which cancer cells survive under persistent endogenous oxidative stress and become resistant to certain anticancer agents. To investigate this concept, we determined the expression levels of peroxiredoxins (Prxs), antioxidant enzymes in drug-resistant non-small cell lung carcinoma cells. Prx II was remarkably increased only in A549/GR (gefitinib-resistant) cells compared with A549 cells, consistent with methylation/demethylation. Prx II was highly methylated in the A549 cells but was demethylated in the A549/GR cells. The elevated expression of Prx II resulted in the downregulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell death and upregulation of cell cycle progression in the A549/GR cells. When Prx II mRNA in the A549/GR cells was knocked down, the levels of ROS and apoptosis were significantly recovered to the levels of the controls. In addition, signaling molecules involved in apoptosis were increased in the A549/GR-shPrx II cells. There was no difference in the expression of MAPK/ERK between the A549/GR cells and A549/GR-shPrx II cells, but the phosphorylation of JNK was increased in the A549/GR cells and was markedly decreased in the A549/GR-shPrx II cells. Colony number and tumor growth were significantly decreased in the A549/GR-shPrx II cells compared with the A549/GR cells. Our findings suggest that Prx II has an important role in cancer cell survival via the modulation of signaling molecules involved in apoptosis and the phosphorylation of JNK by the downregulation of ROS levels in A549/GR cells.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents/*therapeutic use ; Apoptosis/drug effects ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/*drug therapy/genetics/metabolism/pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Female ; Humans ; Lung/drug effects/metabolism/pathology ; Lung Neoplasms/*drug therapy/genetics/metabolism/pathology ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects ; Peroxiredoxins/*genetics/metabolism ; Quinazolines/*therapeutic use ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism

Objective: The air pollution on pregnancy outcome (APPO) study is a prospective hospital-based cohort study designed to investigate the maternal and fetal effects of a particulate matter with an aerodynamic below 10 μm (PM10) and PM2.5 (below 2.5 μm) exposure. This study aims to analyze a relationship between particulate matter and adverse pregnancy outcomes and to find related biomarkers and develop management guidelines. Methods: About 1,200 pregnant women are recruited for 3 years (from January 2021 to December 2023) from seven university hospitals to investigate the effects of particulate matter on pregnancy complications and adverse pregnancy outcomes. We collect biological samples by 5 mL of maternal venous blood and 15 mL of urine in each trimester of pregnancy, and 5 mL of umbilical cord blood and 2×2×2 cm of placental tissue are collected after delivery. In addition, by applying PM10 and PM2.5 concentration values and time-activity patterns from the time weighted average model, the individual predicted exposure of air pollution for the pregnant women are obtained. Results: The average exposure of PM10 and PM2.5 of the participants in the entire period of pregnancy, was exceeded the World Health Organization air quality guidelines (an annual level, PM10 >15 μg/m3, PM2.5 >5 μg/m3). Moreover, it was revealed that the PM concentration was increasing toward the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Conclusion The APPO study will be able to identify the degree of exposure to air pollution in pregnant women and use it as basic data for estimating individual exposure to particulate matter. And the results of the APPO study will facilitate in the development of health management for pregnant women against air pollution.