Background: Shift work, including night shift work, during pregnancy has been associated with adverse birth outcomes such as small for gestational age (SGA) infants and preterm births. This study, conducted in South Korea using the Korean CHildren’s ENvironmental health Study (Ko-CHENS) cohort, aimed to investigate the association between shift work and night shift status during pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes. Methods: The Korean Ko-CHENS is a nationwide prospective birth cohort study of children’s environmental diseases, conducted by the Ministry of Environment and the National Institute of Environmental Research. This study included pregnant women recruited from 2015 to 2020 for Ko-CHENS Core Cohorts, and 4,944 out of a total of 5,213 pregnant women were selected as final subjects. A logistic regression model was used to identify the risk factors affecting SGA births, preterm births, and low-birth-weight infants, and the odds ratio (OR) was adjusted.This was confirmed by calculating ORs. Maternal age, infant sex, maternal educational status, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol consumption status, parity, gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, and abortion history were used as adjusted variables. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed in the birth outcomes or maternal working patterns. There were no significant differences in the adjusted odds ratios (aORs) of SGA and preterm births between the non-worker, day worker, and shift worker.However, there was a significant difference in the aORs of SGA between non-workers and night shift workers. (aORs [95% confidence interval], 2.643 [1.193–5.859]). Conclusion Working during pregnancy did not increase the risk of SGA or preterm birth, and night shift work did not increase the risk of preterm birth. However, night-shift work increases the risk of SGA.

Species in the genus Trametes (Basidiomycota, Polyporales) have been used in natural medicine for a long time. Many studies reported that mycelia or fruiting bodies of Trametes spp. exhibited effects of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities.However, comparative analysis in this genus is scarce due to limitation of morphological identification and the sample number. In this study, the 19 strains of seven Trametes species were chosen to generate a five-gene-based phylogeny with the 31 global references. In addition, 39 culture extracts were prepared for 13 strains to test for anticancer and antibacterial activities. Strong anticancer activities were found in several extracts from T. hirsuta and T. suaveolens. Anticancer activities of T. suaveolens, T. cf. junipericola and T. trogii were first described here. The antibacterial ability of T. versicolor and T. hirsuta extracts has been confirmed. The antibacterial activities of T. suaveolens have been reported at the first time in this study. These results suggest an efficient application of the genus Trametes as the drug resources especially for anticancer agents.

Purpose: Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MP) is a major cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children and is associated with extrapulmonary manifestations (EPM). The incidence and risk factors for EPM in children are unknown. Methods: This was a retrospective study involving 65,243 pediatric patients with CAP between 2010 and 2015 at 23 nationwide hospitals in South Korea. Medical records were reviewed to collect information regarding the clinical characteristics, radiological results, and laboratory findings. Logistic regression with multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate the risk factors associated with EPM in MP. Results: The incidence of EPM was 23.9%, including elevation of liver enzymes (18.1%), mucocutaneous manifestations (4.4%), proteinuria (4.1%), cardiovascular and neurological manifestations (0.4%), hematologic manifestations (0.2%), and arthritis (0.2%). Statistical analysis showed that mucocutaneous manifestations significantly increased with elevated alanine aminotransferase (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.623; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.933-6.790) and atopic sensitization (aOR, 2.973; 95% CI, 1.615–5.475) and decreased with respiratory virus coinfection (aOR, 0.273; 95% CI, 0.084–0.887). Elevated liver enzymes were significantly associated with elevated lactate dehydrogenase (aOR, 3.055; 95% CI, 2.257–4.137), presence of pleural effusion (aOR, 2.635; 95% CI, 1.767–3.930), and proteinuria with respiratory virus coinfection (aOR, 2.245; 95% CI, 1.113–4.527). Conclusion Approximately 24% of pediatric patients with MP had various EPM. As the risk factors associated with each EPM were different, it is necessary to evaluate the various clinical aspects and findings of MP to predict and prepare for the occurrence of EPM.

Objective: Although serum ferritin is considered the best measure of total body iron, with low levels indicating iron deficiency, recent studies have shown that high levels are associated with gestational diabetes, premature birth, and low birth weight. This study aimed to analyze the association between serum ferritin levels in the third trimester of pregnancy and low birth weight and preterm birth. Methods: This study included pregnant women who delivered a single fetus at Kangwon National University Hospital between January 2009 and December 2013 and in whom serum ferritin levels were measured between 28 and 34 weeks of gestation. The association between serum ferritin levels measured in the early third trimester of pregnancy and preterm birth and low birth weight infants was analyzed. Results: A total of 1,079 women fulfilled the study criteria and had their serum ferritin level measured during the third trimester (28–33.9 weeks of gestation) and later delivered at Kangwon National University Hospital. Comparison of the group with serum ferritin levels above the 75th percentile and those below the 25th percentile at the beginning of the third trimester revealed that the incidence of preterm births (<34 weeks of gestation, <37 weeks of gestation) and low birth weight were significantly higher in the group with serum ferritin levels above the 75th percentile than those below the 25th percentile (p<0.05). When variable factors were controlled through multiple regression analysis, the group whose serum ferritin levels were above the 75th percentile at 30–31.9 weeks of gestation had the highest risk of preterm birth before 34 weeks of gestation (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 7.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.32–29.9) and low birth weight (adjusted OR, 6.49; 95% CI, 2.10–20.0). Conclusion In this study, when serum ferritin was high in the third trimester of pregnancy, it was significantly increased with preterm birth (<34 and 37 weeks) and low birth weight. In particular, when serum ferritin levels were high at 30–31.9 weeks of gestation, the risk of premature birth before 34 weeks and low birth weight was statistically highest.

Spontaneous rupture of an ovarian artery aneurysm is an extremely rare, life-threatening disease and has been reported to be most highly associated with pregnancy. The current study presents a case of intraperitoneal and retroperitoneal hematoma caused by spontaneous rupture of a right ovarian artery aneurysm in a 56-year-old woman. A 56-year-old woman visited the emergency room with right lower quadrant abdominal pain. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a large retroperitoneal and intraperitoneal hematoma and active extravasation of contrast medium in the right retroperitoneum. Consequently, transcatheter arterial embolization was successfully performed. Spontaneous rupture of an ovarian artery aneurysm should be suspected in multiparous women with abdominal or flank pain even if it is unrelated to pregnancy. Suspicion of this entity is needed for earlier diagnosis and management.

Spontaneous rupture of an ovarian artery aneurysm is an extremely rare, life-threatening disease and has been reported to be most highly associated with pregnancy. The current study presents a case of intraperitoneal and retroperitoneal hematoma caused by spontaneous rupture of a right ovarian artery aneurysm in a 56-year-old woman. A 56-year-old woman visited the emergency room with right lower quadrant abdominal pain. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a large retroperitoneal and intraperitoneal hematoma and active extravasation of contrast medium in the right retroperitoneum. Consequently, transcatheter arterial embolization was successfully performed. Spontaneous rupture of an ovarian artery aneurysm should be suspected in multiparous women with abdominal or flank pain even if it is unrelated to pregnancy. Suspicion of this entity is needed for earlier diagnosis and management.

Three isolates belonging to the ascomycetous genus Zygotorulaspora were obtained from the fruits of Cornus officinalis and Smilax china, and flowers of Dendranthema zawadskii var. latilobum in Gongju-si, Korea. Phylogenetic Analyses of the LSU D1/D2 domain and ITS region sequences supported the recognition of two new species: Zygotorulaspora cornina sp. nov. (type strain NIBRFGC000500475 = KACC93346PPP) and Zygotorulaspora smilacis sp. nov. (type strain NIBRFGC000500476 = KACC93347PPP). The two novel species revealed no growth on D-Galactose, unlike the other six species in the genus Zygotorulaspora. They are distinguished from each other by their phylogenetic differences and phenotypic characteristics such as assimilation of xylitol, 5-keto-D-gluconate, and ethanol. All species in the genus Zygotorulaspora including the two novel species have phenotypic traits of genus Zygotorulaspora: asci are persistent, sucrose and raffinose are assimilated, and m-inositol is not required for growth, and they are mainly associated with plants.

Background: Clinical specimens are valuable materials that require a traceable management system. Maintenance of temperature and loss prevention during transport are important for the reliability of the clinical test results. Current transportation systems can suffer from temperature changes and agitation. Quality improvement in this pre-analytic phase is required. This study acquired preliminary data from a newly developed specimen transportation system adopting a real-time temperature monitoring during transportation using temperature sensor and global positioning system to establish appropriate guidelines. Methods: Temperature preservation performance was compared between two transportation boxes (newly developed one [A] and conventional one [B]) at exterior temperatures of 35℃ and ?18℃, reflecting the extreme temperature range in Korea. Influences of the temperatures on analytical results of whole blood, serum, plasma, and urine specimens were investigated, as were the effects of vibration. Results: The interior temperature of box A measured at multiple sites was maintained within 1.0?9.0℃ at both exterior temperatures. The interior temperature of box B was outside of this range. The analyzed parameters varied comparably with the variations occurring at the recommended and published storage temperature. Vibration affected nonspecific enolase and lactate dehydrogenase. Conclusions Temperature preservation and real-time monitoring during specimen transportation are important. The present data highlight the importance of transportation conditions and indicate that laboratories should know the characteristics of temperature changes in their transportation system.

Awareness during general anesthesia occurs in approximately 0.1–0.2% of cases; nevertheless, particular attention is required because it can lead to critical complications including insomnia, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. To prevent these complications, bispectral index (BIS) and end-tidal anesthetic gas (ETAG) concentration monitoring are commonly used to examine patient consciousness during surgery. In the present case, an 80-year-old man was scheduled for total gastrectomy. Anesthesia was maintained using desflurane 4.0–5.0% vol, oxygen, and nitrous oxide. The authors simultaneously monitored BIS, which was maintained between 37 and 43, and ETAG, which was maintained between 0.9 and 1.2 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC). After the operation, however, the authors were surprised to learn that the patient complained of awareness during anesthesia. Although BIS and ETAG concentration monitoring are useful in preventing awareness during anesthesia, they cannot be completely trusted. Even though BIS was maintained at approximately 40 and ETAG at 0.7–1.3 MAC, awareness during anesthesia occurred.
Aged, 80 and over ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Anxiety ; Consciousness ; Consciousness Monitors ; Depression ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Intraoperative Awareness ; Nitrous Oxide ; Oxygen ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

BACKGROUND: Macrophages have been known to have diverse roles either after tissue damage or during the wound healing process; however, their roles in flap wound healing are poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to evaluate how macrophages contribute to the flap wound regeneration.METHODS: A murine model of a pedicled flap was generated, and the time-course of the wound healing process was determined. Especially, the interface between the flap and the residual tissue was histopathologically evaluated. Using clodronate liposome, a macrophage-depleting agent, the functional role of macrophages in flap wound healing was investigated. Coculture of human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT and monocytic cell line THP-1 was performed to unveil relationship between the two cell types.RESULTS: Macrophage depletion significantly impaired flap wound healing process showing increased necrotic area after clodronate liposome administration. Interestingly, microscopic evaluation revealed that epithelial remodeling between the flap tissue and residual normal tissue did not occurred under the lack of macrophage infiltration. Coculture and scratch wound healing assays indicated that macrophages significantly affected the migration of keratinocytes.CONCLUSION: Macrophages play a critical role in the flap wound regeneration. Especially, epithelial remodeling at the flap margin is dependent on proper macrophage infiltration. These results implicate to support the cellular mechanisms of impaired flap wound healing.
Cell Line ; Clodronic Acid ; Coculture Techniques ; Humans ; Keratinocytes ; Liposomes ; Macrophages ; Regeneration ; Surgical Flaps ; Wound Healing ; Wounds and Injuries