PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the factors associated with postpartum depression and its influence on maternal identity of postpartum women. METHODS: Research design was a cross sectional descriptive study with a total of 89 women within the six month postpartum period. Associations of eating habits, overall sleep quality and other factors with postpartum depression utilizing the Korean Beck Depression Inventory (K-BDI) were done. The influence of postpartum depression on maternal identity was analyzed. Variables yielding significant associations (p<.05) were included in an adjusted logistic regression and a stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS: Mean scores of postpartum depression was 9.42+/-6.08 and 31.5% (n=28) for mild depression, 11.2% (n=10) was moderate and 4.5% (n=4) was severe depression on the K-BDI scale. Perceived health status and overall sleep quality were predictors of postpartum depression. Postpartum depression and the husband's love were predictors of maternal identity. CONCLUSION: Awareness of poor health perception and sleep quality will be helpful to detect for postpartum depression. Strategies to increase maternal identity during the postpartum period would be tailored by level of depression.
Depression ; Depression, Postpartum* ; Eating ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Love ; Postpartum Period* ; Research Design

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) and the hyperphosphorylation of tau protein in the brain, leading to the increase in inflammation and neuronal loss. Recently, evidences to support the association between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and AD have markedly increased by clinical researches and experimental studies. Reduced insulin action and impaired glucose metabolism in the brain leads to diabetes induced AD. Androgen, a male sex hormone, was known to regulate inflammatory response, Aβ deposition in AD, insulin signaling, and synaptic plasticity in brain. Clinical studies demonstrated that androgen deficiency results in the increased risk of AD and its severe progression in male subjects. We reviewed the significant evidences to support that low testosterone levels are linked to diabetes-induced AD based on previous studies. Thus, we highlight the therapeutic potential of androgen in diabetes induced AD.
Alzheimer Disease* ; Amyloid ; Brain ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Glucose ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Metabolism ; Neuronal Plasticity ; Neurons ; tau Proteins ; Testosterone

OBJECTIVE: We wanted to evaluate the degree of conformity of papillary carcinoma and follicular carcinoma to the reported ultrasonographic findings of malignant thyroid tumor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2003 and December 2004, fine needle aspiration biopsy was performed in 1,036 patients with palpable and non-palpable thyroid lesions. We retrospectively reviewed the ultrasonographic findings of patients with papillary carcinomas (n = 127) and follicular carcinomas (n = 23) that were proven by operation or fine needle aspiration biopsy. We analyzed the ultrasonographic findings of these nodules based on the reported ultrasonographic findings of malignant thyroid tumor: hypoechogenicity, a taller than wide orientation, a microlobulated or irregular margin, a thick hypoechoic rim (halo sign), microcalcification and cystic change. RESULTS: The echogenicity was hypoechoic in 72.4% (92/127) of the papillary carcinomas, but it was isoechoic in 65.2% (15/23) of the follicular carcinomas (p < 0.001). The nodule shape was tall or round in 74.1% of the papillary carcinomas, but it was flat in 72.7% of the follicular carcinomas (p < 0.001). The tumor margin was microlobulated or irregular in 92.9% of the papillary carcinomas and in 60.9% of the follicular carcinomas (p < 0.001). A hypoechoic rim was seen in 26% of the papillary carcinomas (thin rim: 13.4%, thick rim: 12.6%) and in 86.6% of the follicular carcinomas (thin rim: 39.1%, thick rim: 47.8%, p < 0.001). Microcalcifications were demonstrated in 33.9% of the papillary carcinomas and in none of the cases of follicular carcinoma (p < 0.001). A solid mass without cystic change were seen in 98.4% of the papillary carcinomas and in 82.6% of the follicular carcinomas (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The previously reported ultrasonography findings of malignant thyroid tumor are in conformity with most of the papillary carcinomas, but not with follicular carcinomas. The current ultrasonographic features for thyroid malignancy should be cautiously applied as the indication for needle aspiration biopsy so that follicular carcinomas are not missed by too narrow and strict biopsy criteria.
Adenocarcinoma, Follicular/*ultrasonography ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Calcinosis/ultrasonography ; Carcinoma, Papillary/*ultrasonography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Gland/pathology ; Thyroid Neoplasms/*ultrasonography

PURPOSE: An ideal bony construct can be divided into two broad categories: (1) the design and fabrication of biodegradable, biomimetic scaffolds that provide correct signals to induce osteogenesis: (2) the identification of an ideal source of osteoprogenitor cells to seed onto the scaffold. We selected poly-glycolic acid as a synthetic scaffold among various scaffolds because of these properties. Meanwhile, culture medium is supplemented with fetal bovine serum(FBS): such serum contains essential elements such as proteins, hormones, growth factors and trace minerals. The composition of FBS can be ideal for various cell growth in vitro. We supposed that we could enhance bone growth at a fractured site if FBS was mixed with synthetic scaffold-PGA. METHODS: We cultured human osteoblasts in five different prepared culture dishes made with FBS and PGA mixture. The mixtures contained different ratio of FBS, that is, 0, 1.5, 3, 7, and 10%. We cultured human osteoblasts for seven days and examined the growth and attachment of the cells at the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th days, respectively. RESULTS: In the mixture of 0% FBS and PGA, the growth of the cells lasted for one day. In 1.5 and 3% FBS and PGA, the growth of the cells was examined at the 3rd day, then minimally declined at the 5th and 7th days. In 7% FBS and PGA, the growth of the cells lasted for 5 days, then declined at the 7th day. In 10% FBS and PGA, the growth of the cells lasted for 5 days, then declined at the 7th day. Staining status of the osteoblasts with alkaline phosphatase showed pale pink color in 0% FBS and PGA groups, but bright pink color in 1.5, 3, 7, 10% FBS and PGA groups, especially in 3%, 7%. CONCLUSION: In consequence, the growth of human osteoblast was higher in the mixture of FBS and PGA groups than in pure PGA ones. It is assumed that the mixture of FBS and PGA affects the proliferation of human osteoblasts.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Biomimetics ; Bone Development ; Humans* ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Minerals ; Osteoblasts* ; Osteogenesis

The p53 gene, which resides on the short arm of chromosome 17, has been described as a tumor suppressor gene playing a role of G1 checkpoint monitering DNA damage, but mutation of this gene has been shown in numerous types of human cancers. The nm23-H1 gene encodes human NDP(nucleotide diphosphate) kinase. The expression of nm23-H1 gene was postulated to inversely correlate with metastatic potential of malignant tumors. We examined immunohistochemical expression in 30 cases of stomach cancers including 10 cases each of early gastric cancers(EGC), advanced gastric cancers without lymph node involvement, and advanced gastric cancers with lymph node involvement, which were stained with mouse monoclonal antibody of p53(PB53-12) and nm23-H1. Positive nuclear staining of p53 was frequently found in advanced gastric cancers with lymph node involvement (80%). The lymph node positive group showed high expression of p53(80%), and low expression of nm23-Hl(30%) than lymph node negative group. There was no significant correlation of p53 and nm23-H1 expression with tumor size, invasion depth, TNM stages, distant metastasis and histologic differentiation. Based on the present study, the expression of p53 and down regulation of nm23-H1 are thought to be correlated with tumor progression and lymph node involvement, and may be a useful prognostic factor in gastric cancers.
Humans ; Mice ; Animals ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Genes, p53

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the type of placenta and the portion of umbilical cord insertion on birthweight and growth discordancy in twin pregnancies. METHODS: We selected 120 twins of 146 multiple pregnancies between March, 2000 and March, 2002, and one fetus of all cases at least weighed 500 g or more and over 24 weeks of gestation. The fetuses were included that 44 twins (88 fetuses) had monochorionic placentas and the 76 twins (152 fetuses) had dichorionic placentas. The dichorionic twins were divided into two groups; one (38 twins, 76 fetuses) showed the fused type of placenta and the other (38 twins, 76 fetuses) showed the separate type of placenta. The types of umbilical cord insertion were also divided into the central portion and the peripheral portion, the peripheral portion was defined within 2 cm of margin of placenta, and included marginal and velamentous insertion of umbilical cord. Stastical analysis were performed with Student t-test and runs test. p<0.05 was defined significantly. RESULTS: 1. The central type of umbilical cord insertion in dichorionic placenta was more frequent than that of monochorionic placenta (p<0.01). 2. The dichorionic infants, regardless the number of placenta, who weighed more than monochorionic infants at birth (p<0.01). 3. Twin pairs with over 25% of growth discordancy were 16 cases (13.3%), which included 9 cases (9/76, 11.8%) of dichorionic placenta and 7 cases (7/44, 15.9%) of monochorionic placenta. The severe growth discordancy was more commonly developed in monochorionic twins than dichorionic twins (p<0.01). 4. Perinatal deaths in twin pairs with over 25% of GD were 12 cases, which included 3 cases (3/18, 16.7%) of dichorions, and 9 cases (9/14, 64.3%) of monochorions. Therefore, perinatal death was showed more commonly in monochorinic twin infants (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The type of umbilical cord insertion affected the birthweight of dichorionic separated infants. Monochorionic placenta attributed to more severe growth discordancy and increased perinatal death rate than the dichorionic placenta. Antenatal detection of chorionicity and the portion of umbilical cord insertion may improve the perinatal outcome.
Chorion ; Female ; Fetus ; Humans ; Infant ; Mortality ; Parturition ; Placenta* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Multiple ; Pregnancy, Twin* ; Umbilical Cord*

BACKGROUND: There have been numerous methods to treat androgenetic alopecia but few methods to treat it effectively and permanently. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate bundle hair grafting as an effective treatment for patients with androgenetic alopecia. METHODS: Bundle hair grafiing was performed on 52 patients with androgenetic alopecia who had visited the department of dermatology, Kyungpook National University Hospital and Fatima Hospital. Questionaires regarding cosmetic satisfaction, side effects and general efficacy were recorded by patients themselves one year after hair grafting. RESULTS: The results are as follows : 1. The loss of transplanted hair was most common during the third week(48.1%) after hair grafting. 2. The regrowth of the hair on the recipient site was most common during the 4th month(59.6 %) after the hair graft. 3. Bundle grafting afforded excellent cosmetic satisfaction even after one session in the alopecic area, 4. Facial edema, temporary sensory loss on the donor site, folliculitis and small pitted scarring were seen 19.2%, 5.8%, 1.9% and 3.8% of patients, respectively. 5. The disadvantages were the time necessary to carry out the procedure and the need for an experienced operator and assistants. CONCLUSION: We concluded that bundle hair grafting was an effective and safe therapeutic method for patients with androgenetic alopecia.
Alopecia* ; Cicatrix ; Dermatology ; Edema ; Folliculitis ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Hair* ; Humans ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants*

PURPOSE: To explore nurses' compliance with standards for critical care nursing practice in intensive care units (ICUs) and to provide basic data for high quality of critical care nursing. METHOD: A total of 616 participants from 61 ICUs which are graded from 1 to 7 throughout the nation were surveyed. Data were collected from February 9 to February 27, 2009 using a uestionnaire consisting of 58 questions including 50 nursing activities as indicators. RESULTS: The rate of ICU nurses' compliance with standards for critical care nursing practice was high. As for individual standards, compliance with the standard of assessment was the highest, followed by implementation, diagnosis, and planning in that order. There were differences in compliance according to nurses' ICU experience, work place (unit), and ICU grade. A shortage of manpower was considered as a main cause for noncompliance. CONCLUSION: The present compliance rate with standards for critical care nursing practice by ICU nurses was identified. Therefore, compliance rate can be used to promote quality of critical care nursing and development of educational programs for ICU nurses.
Compliance ; Critical Care ; Hypogonadism ; Intensive Care Units ; Mitochondrial Diseases ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Workplace

Purpose: This study was implemented to develop and validate a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (SQ-FFQ) to assess the dietary intake of married migrant women in multicultural families. Methods: The SQ-FFQ consisting of 41 food items was selected based on the information of frequently consumed foods from the preliminary studies on dietary intake survey for married migrant women or a Korean Health and Nutrition Examination survey. Thirty-five subjects who visited the Multicultural Family Support Center in Seoul and Daejeon area completed their three-day diet records and SQ-FFQ 2 times. The reproducibility and relative validity of SQ-FFQ were assessed by comparing the 1st and 2nd SQ-FFQ and by comparison with the three-day diet records, respectively. Results: The reliability of SQ-FFQ, which was examined 1–2 weeks apart, showed no significant difference in the energy and macronutrient intake (carbohydrate, fat, protein), while the average intakes of vitamin A, riboflavin, calcium, and potassium were slightly higher in the 2nd than 1st SQ-FFQ. All correlation coefficients for the reliability for nutrients were statistically significant, ranging from 0.453 to 0.885. The mean intakes of energy, carbohydrate, vitamin C, thiamin, folate, vitamin B 12 , calcium, and sodium obtained from the SQ-FFQ were greater than those of the 3-day dietary records. The Spearman's correlation coefficient between the 2 methods was the highest for plant fat (r = 0.602; p < 0.001) and relatively higher for energy, carbohydrate, fat, and thiamin ranging from 0.512 to 0.599; and protein, riboflavin, niacin, folate ranging from 0.335 to 0.499, while no significant correlation was observed for vitamin A, C, calcium, iron, and sodium. Conclusion The developed SQ-FFQ for married migrant women in multicultural families in this study appears to be useful for estimating the nutritional status, particularly energy, carbohydrates, fat, and vitamin B group.

Mitochondria are essential for proper neuronal morphogenesis and functions, as they are the major source of energy for neural development. The dynamic morphology of mitochondria determines the key functions of mitochondria. Several regulatory proteins such as dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) are required to maintain mitochondrial morphology via a balance between continuous fusion and fission. Activity of Drp1, a key regulator in mitochondrial fission, is modulated by multiple post-translation modifications and receptor interactions. In addition, numerous researches have revealed that the regulation of Drp1 activity and mitochondrial dynamics is closely associated with several neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. In this article, we concisely review the recent findings about the biological importance of Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission in neurons under physiological and pathological conditions.
Mitochondria ; Mitochondrial Dynamics ; Morphogenesis ; Nervous System ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Neurons ; Proteins