The purpose of this study was to assess the maternal zinc status during pregnancy and to evaluate the relationship between the zinc concentration of maternal, umblical cord blood and placental tissue and pregnancy outcomes. Venous blood samples were drawn from 53 pregnant women just before delivery and the cord blood of their newborn babies was collected immediately after birth. In addition, placental tissues were extracted. We investigated the difference in the concentration of zinc in maternal, umbilical cord blood and placental tissue in two gestational age groups (preterm delivery group [PT] and normal term delivery group [NT]) at 34.7 wk and 39.0 wk of mean gestational age, respectively). We also assessed correlations of the zinc concentration of maternal, umbilical cord blood and placental tissue. Lastly, we studied the correlations between the birth weights and the zinc concentration in the maternal, umbilical cord blood and placental tissue. The concentrations of maternal serum zinc and of umbilical cord serum zinc were significantly higher in the PT group (76.9 +/- 37.4 microgram/dl, 101.3 +/- 41.4 microgram/dl) than in those of the NT group (57.8 +/- 22.4 microgram/dl, 80.7 +/- 27.5 microgram/dl), respectively (p < 0.05). The zinc concentration of the umbilical cord blood was significantly higher than that of the maternal blood in both groups (p < 0.05). There was no significant correlation between the gestational age and the serum zinc concentration in the cord or the maternal serum. Our results showed that there was a negative relationship between the birth weight (r = -0.286) and the maternal serum zinc concentration. Despite there not being a significant difference, there was tendency for the highest concentrations of maternal serum zinc to be associated with the lowest birth weights. These findings support a possible relationship between the maternal zinc status and the pregnancy outcome, and suggest that zinc may play a role in the many biological processes involved in the successful outcome of a pregnancy.
Biological Processes ; Birth Weight* ; Female ; Fetal Blood ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Parturition* ; Placenta* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnant Women ; Umbilical Cord* ; Zinc*

The lactose, total nitrogen and total lipid contents of human breast milk were determined longitudinally after protein and term deliveries. Milk samples were obtained from day 2 to 5, on weeks 1, 2, 4, and 6 after preform (PM: n=24) and term (TM: n=22) deliveries. The lactose contents of PM and TM increased from 5.28 g/dl and 5.93 g/dl at days 2 to 5, to 7.95 g/dl,7.87 g/dl at 6 weeks, respectively. The total nitrogen contents of PM and TM decreased significantly during the first 6 weeks after birth (from 374 to 220 mg/dl versus 382 to 220 mg/dl respectively). However the total lipid contents of the PM and TM increased during the same periods. Significant differences in the total lipid contents between the PM and TM were 2.15 versus 3.27 g/dl at 2 weeks, and 3.26 versus 2.52 g/dl at 6 weeks, respectively. The energy intakes of preform infants was 134.8 kcal/kg/d during the 6 weeks of lactation, which satisfied with energy requirements (85-130 kcal/kg/d) of the preform infants.
Breast* ; Female ; Humans* ; Infant ; Lactation ; Lactose* ; Milk ; Milk, Human* ; Nitrogen* ; Parturition

The purpose of this study is to assess the maternal iron status during pregnancy and to evaluate the relationships between the iron indices of maternal, umbilical cord serum, placenta and pregnancy outcomes. Venous bloods samples were drawn from 54 pregnant women just before delivery and cord bloods of their newborn babies were collected immediately after birth. And also, placental tissues were extracted. We investigated the difference of the iron status indices of maternal, umbilical cord serum and placental tissue between two gestational age group (PT group, NT group : preterm delivery and normal term delivery at 34.9wk and 39.0wk of mean gestational length, respectively) and also assessed correlations of iron status indices of maternal, umbilical cord serum and placenta tissue. And lastly, we related between birth weight and iron status indices of maternal, umbilical cord serum and placental tissue. The concentrations of maternal serum ferritin and of placental iron were significantly higher in PT group (32.1 +/- 21.1 ng/ml, 68.5 +/- 16.7microgram / g), than those of NT group (20.8 +/- 11.6 ng / ml, 53.2 +/- 17.4 microgram / g) respectively (p < 0.001). However the serum ferritin of umbilical cord were significantly higher in NT group (PT : 109.4 +/- 65.7 ng/ml, NT : 147.0 +/- 56.8 ng / ml) than those of PT group (p < 0.05). Our results showed that a negative association between birth weight (r=-0.361) and maternal serum ferritin and that a positive association between birth weight and umbilical cord serum ferritin (r=0.261). Despite not a significant difference, there was tendency that highest concentration of maternal serum ferritin was associated with the lowest birth weight. These findings indicate that birth weight of newborn is dependent of multiple factors such as maternal iron status during pre-pregnancy, body size, general nutritional status. Although for women who enter pregnancy with low iron stores, enough intakes of iron during pregnancy could produce undesirable pregnancy outcome. Therefore we suggest for successful pregnancy outcome and delivery differential iron supplementation program will be carried out individual pregnant women on the basis of pre-pregnancy nutritional status.
Birth Weight* ; Body Size ; Female ; Ferritins ; Fetal Blood ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Iron* ; Nutritional Status ; Parturition* ; Placenta* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnant Women ; Umbilical Cord*

This study was conducted to determine the effect of large amounts of whole cow's milk intake on serum levels of minerals and lipids. Subjects were normal infants who were brought to the pediatric hospital for vaccination at the age of 7-26 months after birth, living in Eumsung-Choongbuk area. The serum concentrations of the imnerals(calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc and copper), lipids and fatty acids composition were analyzed in 38 infants which consumed large amount of whole cow's milk(over 700ml/day). The results obtained are summarized as follows : 1) The mean levels of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in the serum of the total subjects were 7.56+/-0.51mg/dl, 11.12+/-0.72mg/dl and 1.62+/-0.13mg/dl respectively. The serum concentrations of iron, zinc and copper in total subjects averaged 72.42+/-1.62 microgram/dl, 76.29+/-3. 62 microgram/dl and 86.44+/-2.98 microgram/dl respectively. 2) The mean serum concentrations of triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL in the total number of subjects were 96.84+/-9.22mg/dl, 133.45+/-6.30mg/dl, 32.79+/-1.77mg/dl and 81.29+/-4.81mg/dl respectively. 3) The average percentages of SFA, MUFA and PUFA inth total serum fatty acids were 38.98+/-2.42%, 25.82+/-0.98% and 37.30+/-1.09% respectively and the mean omega6/omega3 fatty acids ratio was 13.48. In general, the levels of serum minerals and omega3 fatty acid composition in the subjects of this study, who were whole cow's milk fed infants were lower than those reported in breast milk or formula fed infants. Therefore, the intake of large amount of whole cow's milk in the weani ng period should be controlled and adequate for the infant's nutritional status.
Calcium ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Copper ; Fatty Acids* ; Hospitals, Pediatric ; Humans ; Infant ; Iron ; Magnesium ; Milk* ; Milk, Human ; Minerals* ; Nutritional Status ; Parturition ; Phosphorus ; Trace Elements* ; Triglycerides ; Vaccination ; Zinc

Precise mechanism which the fetus can escape from mother's immune rejection is not well understood yet during last 50 years. The clarification of immune mechanism at the feto-maternal interface is very important, because this can be a common pathogenesis of various pathologic conditions including spontaneous abortion and habitual abortion. The pivot of this mechanism is cross-talk between the expression of HLA-C, E, G on the extravillous cytotrophoblasts and their receptors on decidual NK (natural killer) cell. The mechanism through which HLA-C, E, G regulation on the extravillous trophoblast is poorly understood. The IFN-gamma is known to be harmful to the successful maintenance of early pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: To clarify whether the IFN-gamma could be involved in the regulation of the HTR-8/SVneo human first trimester cell line. METHODS: We investigated the effects of IFN-gamma only or with other cytokines on the HLA-C, E, G transcripts in human first trimester trophoblast cell-line by using Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: The trophoblast cells expressed HLA-C, E constitutively. When cultured in the presence of IFN-gamma only or with other cytokines, HLA-C, E transcripts were not significantly affected. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that harmful IFN-gamma to maintain early pregnancy may affect through another mechanism besides regulation of HLA-C, E on the extravillous cytotrophoblasts at the feto-maternal interface.
Abortion, Habitual ; Abortion, Spontaneous ; Cell Line* ; Cytokines ; Female ; Fetus ; HLA Antigens* ; HLA-C Antigens ; Humans* ; Interferon-gamma* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, First* ; Reverse Transcription ; Trophoblasts* ; United Nations

BACKGROUND: It has been known that a reversal of usual relationship between aortic and radial artery pressures(RAP) can occur in adult patients following cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB). The phenomenon of a pressure gradient between RAP and femoral artery pressure(FAP) were evaluated in pediatric patients before and after CPB. METHODS: 141 perdiatric patients undergoing open heart surgery were allocated into 2 groups. Group 1(n=77): infant's body weight was below 10kg. Group 2(n=64): child's body weight was between 10 and 20kg. After induction of anesthesia RAP was measured through 22G(1 inch) or 24G(3/4 inch) catheters and FAP was measured through 20G(2 inch) or 22G(1 inch) catheters using calibrated transducers. Hematocrit, rectal and nasopharyngeal temperature and left atrial pressure(LAP) were recorded 10 min after induction, immediately, l5, 30 and 60 min after CPB. Values are expressed as mean+/-SD and analysed using paired and unpaired t-test; p<0.05 was considered significant. RESULT: Systolic femoral arterial pressure(SFAP) was higher than radial arterial pressure(SRAP) before CPB in both groups. After CPB, the pressure gradient persisted in group 2 but was reversed with statistical significance in group l. CONCLUSION: When hypotension occurs during cardiac surgery, a comparison is recommended between radial and femoral or aortic pressure before treatment for hypotension is contemplated.
Adult ; Anesthesia ; Arterial Pressure* ; Blood Pressure ; Body Weight ; Catheters ; Femoral Artery ; Heart* ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Radial Artery ; Thoracic Surgery* ; Transducers

BACKGROUND: It has been known that a reversal of usual relationship between aortic and radial artery pressures(RAP) can occur in adult patients following cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB). The phenomenon of a pressure gradient between RAP and femoral artery pressure(FAP) were evaluated in pediatric patients before and after CPB. METHODS: 141 perdiatric patients undergoing open heart surgery were allocated into 2 groups. Group 1(n=77): infant's body weight was below 10kg. Group 2(n=64): child's body weight was between 10 and 20kg. After induction of anesthesia RAP was measured through 22G(1 inch) or 24G(3/4 inch) catheters and FAP was measured through 20G(2 inch) or 22G(1 inch) catheters using calibrated transducers. Hematocrit, rectal and nasopharyngeal temperature and left atrial pressure(LAP) were recorded 10 min after induction, immediately, l5, 30 and 60 min after CPB. Values are expressed as mean+/-SD and analysed using paired and unpaired t-test; p<0.05 was considered significant. RESULT: Systolic femoral arterial pressure(SFAP) was higher than radial arterial pressure(SRAP) before CPB in both groups. After CPB, the pressure gradient persisted in group 2 but was reversed with statistical significance in group l. CONCLUSION: When hypotension occurs during cardiac surgery, a comparison is recommended between radial and femoral or aortic pressure before treatment for hypotension is contemplated.
Adult ; Anesthesia ; Arterial Pressure* ; Blood Pressure ; Body Weight ; Catheters ; Femoral Artery ; Heart* ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Radial Artery ; Thoracic Surgery* ; Transducers

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine whether women with PCOS have greater subclinical atherosclerosis and evaluate the relationship to risk factors for atherosclerosis. METHODS: Women with PCOS(n=24) and age and body mass index(BMI)-matched cycling women(n=16) as control group underwent carotid scanning for the measurement of the IMT. We compared IMT and plaque between cases and controls, assessed some risk factors for atherosclerosis, and analyzed factors affecting IMT. RESULTS: There was no difference between the groups in waist-hip ratio(WHR) and in the levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride(TG), LDL, Lp(a), fibrinogen, homocystein, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1. However, HDL was significantly lower, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood sugar or insulin concentration and IMT was significantly higher in PCOS group than control group (51.1+/-11.6 vs 60.4+/- 10.0mg/dl, 119.4+/-12.5 vs 109.0+/-11.6mmHg, 79.1+/-11.1 vs 68.9+/-7.8mmHg, 93.6+/-11.1 vs 85.0+/-5.9 mg/dl, 8.9+/-5.2 vs 5.0+/-3.3milliunit/ml, 0.57+/-0.12 vs 0.49+/-0.11mm respectively, all p<.05). In the analysis of correlation between the IMT and clinical characteristics, PCOS status, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood sugar or insulin concentration, TG, HDL, fibrinogen were significantly independent variables (Coefficients of correlation were 0.358, 0.461, 0.452, 0.349, 0.405, 0.466, 0.478, -0.433, 0.349 respectively, all p<.05). The factors affecting IMT by multivariate regression were PCOS status and fasting insulin concentration. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that women with PCOS might have an increased risk of subclinical atherosclerosis and insulin resistance was assumed to be the main risk factor of atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis* ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Cholesterol ; Fasting ; Female ; Fibrinogen ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance* ; Insulin* ; Ovary* ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to evaluate the cell cycle signaling pathway by cyclins-cyclin dependent kinases (CDKs) and cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKIs) in endometriosis. METHODS: 38 women with endometriosis were recruited. Endometrioma and the normal ovarian tissues were obtained during laparoscopic surgery on the follicular phase of menstrual cycle. And then, the normal endometrial tissues were taken by currettage. Nuclear proteins (cyclin D1, cyclin E etc), CDK molecules and CDK inhibitors (p27(kip1), p21 etc) were quantitated on transcriptional and translational levels by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: In RT-PCR analysis, the expression of cyclin D1-CDK6, cyclin E-CDK2 of endometrioma and eutopic endometrium was increased, and the expression of p27(kip1) was decreased compared with normal ovary. The mRNA expression of cyclins-CDKs and p27(kip1) was not significantly different between endometrioma and eutopic endometrium. In Western blot analysis, the expression of cyclin D1-CDK6, cyclin E-CDK2 was significantly increased and the expression of p27(kip1) was significantly decreased in endometrioma and eutopic endometrium compared with normal ovary. And, the expression of p27(kip1) in endometrioma was further decreased than that of eutopic endometrium. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that p27(kip1) on the translational level, in the cell cycle signaling pathway, was closely related to endometriosis. In future, further experimental studies will be needed for the understanding of the cell cycle signaling pathway in endometriosis.
Blotting, Western ; Cell Cycle* ; Cyclin E ; Cyclins ; Endometriosis* ; Endometrium ; Female ; Follicular Phase ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Menstrual Cycle ; Nuclear Proteins ; Ovary ; Phosphotransferases ; RNA, Messenger

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to evaluate the cell cycle signaling pathway by cyclins-cyclin dependent kinases (CDKs) and cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKIs) in endometriosis. METHODS: 38 women with endometriosis were recruited. Endometrioma and the normal ovarian tissues were obtained during laparoscopic surgery on the follicular phase of menstrual cycle. And then, the normal endometrial tissues were taken by currettage. Nuclear proteins (cyclin D1, cyclin E etc), CDK molecules and CDK inhibitors (p27(kip1), p21 etc) were quantitated on transcriptional and translational levels by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: In RT-PCR analysis, the expression of cyclin D1-CDK6, cyclin E-CDK2 of endometrioma and eutopic endometrium was increased, and the expression of p27(kip1) was decreased compared with normal ovary. The mRNA expression of cyclins-CDKs and p27(kip1) was not significantly different between endometrioma and eutopic endometrium. In Western blot analysis, the expression of cyclin D1-CDK6, cyclin E-CDK2 was significantly increased and the expression of p27(kip1) was significantly decreased in endometrioma and eutopic endometrium compared with normal ovary. And, the expression of p27(kip1) in endometrioma was further decreased than that of eutopic endometrium. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that p27(kip1) on the translational level, in the cell cycle signaling pathway, was closely related to endometriosis. In future, further experimental studies will be needed for the understanding of the cell cycle signaling pathway in endometriosis.
Blotting, Western ; Cell Cycle* ; Cyclin E ; Cyclins ; Endometriosis* ; Endometrium ; Female ; Follicular Phase ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Menstrual Cycle ; Nuclear Proteins ; Ovary ; Phosphotransferases ; RNA, Messenger