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ABSTRACT: Background: Despite continuous research on the prevention of preterm labor, preterm delivery still occurs often. Different neonatal outcomes in association with chorioamnionitis might occur with the introduction of antenatal steroids. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of chorioamnionitis on the outcome of preterm infants and the association of antenatal steroids in the presence of histological chorioamnionitis (HC). Methods: Two hundred and fifty-seven infants born at <34 weeks and admitted to Ewha Womans University Hospital from 2005 to 2010 were enrolled. They were divided into 2 groups, one with HC (n = 89) and the other without HC (n = 168). The clinical characteristics and outcomes of the preterm infants including sepsis, respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) were analyzed. Results: HC was associated with IVH (p = 0.019) and early-onset sepsis (p = 0.038). In the HC group, the infants exposed to antenatal steroids developed BPD less than those without steroid exposure. The duration of mechanical ventilation was significantly decreased in the group with antenatal steroids. Conclusion: HC increased the incidence of early-onset sepsis and IVH in preterm infants of less than 34 weeks' gestation with a high odds ratio of 9.54. In the presence of HC, antenatal steroids significantly decreased the incidence of BPD.
Neonatology 08/2012; 102(4):259-264. · 2.66 Impact Factor
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Byung-Mi Kim,
Mina Ha, Hye-Sook Park,
Bo Eun Lee,
Young Ju Kim,
Yun-Chul Hong,
Yangho Kim,
Namsoo Chang,
Young-Man Roh,
Boong-Nnyun Kim,
Se-young Oh,
Eun-Hee Ha,
The MOCEH Study Group
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ABSTRACT: The MOCEH study is a prospective hospital- and community-based cohort study designed to collect information related to environmental
exposures (chemical, biological, nutritional, physical, and psychosocial) during pregnancy and childhood and to examine how
exposure to environmental pollutants affects growth, development, and disease. The MOCEH network includes one coordinating
center, four local centers responsible for recruiting pregnant women, and four evaluation centers (a nutrition center, bio-repository
center, neurocognitive development center, and environment assessment center). At the local centers, trained nurses interview
the participants to gather information regarding their demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, complications related
to the current gestation period, health behaviors and environmental factors. These centers also collect samples of blood,
placenta, urine, and breast milk. Environmental hygienists measure each participant’s level of exposure to indoor and outdoor
pollutants during the pre- and postnatal periods. The participants are followed up through delivery and until the child is
5years of age. The MOCEH study plans to recruit 1,500 pregnant women between 2006 and 2010 and to perform follow-up studies
on their children. We expect this study to provide evidence to support the hypothesis that the gestational environment has
an effect on the development of diseases during adulthood. We also expect the study results to enable evaluation of latency
and age-specific susceptibility to exposure to hazardous environmental pollutants, evaluation of growth retardation focused
on environmental and genetic risk factors, selection of target environmental diseases in children, development of an environmental
health index, and establishment of a national policy for improving the health of pregnant women and their children.
European Journal of Epidemiology 04/2012; 24(9):573-583. · 4.71 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To investigate the seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and its relationship to nutritional factors in female Vietnamese immigrants to Korea.
A total of 390 female immigrants from Vietnam and 206 Korean male spouses participated in the study. Blood samples from 321 female immigrants and 201 Korean male spouses were analyzed for H. pylori antibodies. Data on age, sex, alcohol consumption, smoking status, dietary nutritional factors and gastrointestinal symptoms were collected using questionnaires. The daily intakes of the following nutrients were estimated: energy, protein, niacin, lipid, fiber, calcium, iron, sodium, potassium, zinc, folate, cholesterol, and vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C and E.
The prevalence of H. pylori positivity was lower in the immigrants than in age-matched Korean females (55.7% vs 71.4%, respectively; P < 0.0001) and the domestic population of Vietnam. The prevalence of H. pylori positivity among married couples was 31.7% for both spouses. There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of smoking, amount of alcohol consumed, or nutritional factors between the H. pylori-positive and negative groups.
The prevalence of H. pylori positivity was lower among female Vietnamese immigrants than among Korean females. Nutritional factors did not differ between the H. pylori-positive and negative groups.
World Journal of Gastroenterology 02/2012; 18(6):517-21. · 2.47 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Alcohol is frequently a factor affecting emergency department patients, and alcohol consumption is more common among those who are injured. In Korea, the socioeconomic impact of alcohol has been enormous because of traditional permissive attitudes toward alcohol. Juvenile drinking has increased recently; consequently, an increase in alcohol-related injuries is likely in this population. Therefore, we compared the characteristics and severity of alcohol-related injuries in adolescents and adults. All injured patients seen at six EDs throughout 2007 were included. We obtained data from the 'Development of a model for an in-depth injury surveillance system based on the emergency department' surveillance. The proportion of adolescents who drank was 5.0%. No significant alcohol-related difference in injuries was found between male and female adolescents (P = 0.14), whereas in adults, being male was strongly related to alcohol consumption (P < 0.001). Among traffic accidents, motorcycle-related injuries were strongly associated with alcohol use in adolescents (odds ratio [OR] 2.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-5.83). Results also indicated that alcohol-related injuries in adolescents showed poor outcomes (OR 2.36, 95% CI 1.47-3.81) as compared with those in adults (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.26-1.59). Preventive strategy on alcohol-related injuries in adolescents should focus on reducing motorcycle accidents.
Journal of Korean medical science 03/2011; 26(3):431-7. · 0.84 Impact Factor
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Hyun Joo Song,
Jin-Yong Kim,
Sung-Ae Jung,
Seong-Eun Kim, Hye-Sook Park,
Yoolwon Jeong,
Sung Pil Hong,
Jae Hee Cheon,
Won Ho Kim,
Hyo-Jong Kim,
Byong Duk Ye,
Suk-Kyun Yang,
Sang-Woo Kim,
Sung-Jae Shin,
Hyun-Soo Kim,
Jae-Kyu Sung,
Eun Young Kim
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ABSTRACT: Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) is a common complication of antibiotic use. There is growing interest in probiotics for the treatment of AAD and Clostridium difficile infection because of the wide availability of probiotics. The aim of this multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial was to assess the efficacy of probiotic Lactobacillus (Lacidofil® cap) for the prevention of AAD in adults. From September 2008 to November 2009, a total of 214 patients with respiratory tract infection who had begun receiving antibiotics were randomized to receive Lactobacillus (Lacidofil® cap) or placebo for 14 days. Patients recorded bowel frequency and stool consistency daily for 14 days. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients who developed AAD within 14 days of enrollment. AAD developed in 4 (3.9%) of 103 patients in the Lactobacillus group and in 8 (7.2%) of 111 patients in the placebo group (P=0.44). However, the Lactobacillus group showed lower change in bowel frequency and consistency (50/103, 48.5%) than the placebo group (35/111, 31.5%) (P=0.01). Although the Lacidofil® cap does not reduce the rate of occurrence of AAD in adult patients with respiratory tract infection who have taken antibiotics, the Lactobacillus group maintains their bowel habits to a greater extent than the placebo group.
Journal of Korean medical science 12/2010; 25(12):1784-91. · 0.84 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To understand the preventable fraction of low birthweight (LBW) deliveries due to maternal exposure to air pollution during pregnancy in Korea, it is important to quantify the population-attributable risk (PAR). Thus, we investigated the association between maternal exposure to air pollution during pregnancy and LBW, and calculated the PAR for air pollution and LBW in seven Korean cities. We used birth records from the Korean National Birth Register for 2004. A geographic information system and kriging methods were used to construct exposure models. Associations between air pollution and LBW were evaluated using univariable and multivariable logistic regression, and the PAR for LBW due to air pollution was calculated. Of 177 660 full-term singleton births, 1.4% were LBW. When only spatial variation of air pollution was considered in each city, the adjusted odds ratios unit of particulate matter <10 microm in diameter (PM(10)) for LBW were 1.08 [95% confidence interval [CI] 0.99, 1.18] in Seoul, 1.24 [95% CI 1.02, 1.52] in Pusan, 1.19 [95% CI 1.04, 1.37] in Daegu, 1.12 [95% CI 0.98, 1.28] in Incheon, 1.22 [95% CI 0.98, 1.52] in Kwangju, 1.05 [95% CI 1.00, 1.11] in Daejeon and 1.19 [95% CI 1.03, 1.38] in Ulsan. The PARs for LBW attributable to maternal PM(10) exposure during pregnancy were 7%, 19%, 16%, 11%, 18%, 5% and 16% respectively. Because a large proportion of pregnant women in Korea are exposed to PM(10)--which is associated with LBW--a substantial proportion of LBW could be prevented in Korea if air pollution was reduced.
Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 03/2010; 24(2):140-8. · 2.31 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This study was undertaken to evaluate whether uterine artery notch is associated with placental expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), and Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor (Lox) in pregnant women.
Uterine artery Doppler was performed in 30 pregnant women divided into two groups with or without the presence of uterine artery notches. After delivery, placental expression of eNOS, Hsp70, and Lox were evaluated with western blot analysis.
Higher levels of placental eNOS (p = 0.02) and Hsp70 (p = 0.001) were expressed in the group with uterine artery notch compared with the group without uterine artery notch. There was no significant difference for placental Lox expression between group with uterine artery notch and without uterine artery notch (p = 0.17).
Our results suggest that uterine artery notch is associated with increased placental expression of eNOS and Hsp in pregnant women.
The journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine: the official journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians 12/2009; 23(2):153-7. · 1.36 Impact Factor
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Byung-Mi Kim,
Mina Ha, Hye-Sook Park,
Bo Eun Lee,
Young Ju Kim,
Yun-Chul Hong,
Yangho Kim,
Namsoo Chang,
Young-Man Roh,
Boong-Nnyun Kim,
Se-young Oh,
Eun-Hee Ha
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The MOCEH study is a prospective hospital- and community-based cohort study designed to collect information related to environmental exposures (chemical, biological, nutritional, physical, and psychosocial) during pregnancy and childhood and to examine how exposure to environmental pollutants affects growth, development, and disease. The MOCEH network includes one coordinating center, four local centers responsible for recruiting pregnant women, and four evaluation centers (a nutrition center, bio-repository center, neurocognitive development center, and environment assessment center). At the local centers, trained nurses interview the participants to gather information regarding their demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, complications related to the current gestation period, health behaviors and environmental factors. These centers also collect samples of blood, placenta, urine, and breast milk. Environmental hygienists measure each participant's level of exposure to indoor and outdoor pollutants during the pre- and postnatal periods. The participants are followed up through delivery and until the child is 5 years of age. The MOCEH study plans to recruit 1,500 pregnant women between 2006 and 2010 and to perform follow-up studies on their children. We expect this study to provide evidence to support the hypothesis that the gestational environment has an effect on the development of diseases during adulthood. We also expect the study results to enable evaluation of latency and age-specific susceptibility to exposure to hazardous environmental pollutants, evaluation of growth retardation focused on environmental and genetic risk factors, selection of target environmental diseases in children, development of an environmental health index, and establishment of a national policy for improving the health of pregnant women and their children.
European Journal of Epidemiology 08/2009; 24(9):573-83. · 4.71 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Escherichia coli is the most frequently identified microbiological agent in childhood urinary tract infections (UTIs). However, the pathogenic role of this organism in young children remains to be clearly elucidated. So far, no studies have been conducted in which multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been applied to determine the association between childhood UTIs and E. coli and urovirulent genes.
Altogether, 330 suprapubic urine specimens from febrile young children were cultured. In 33 of the cases, E. coli was identified; among these cases, 18 had a UTI (>10(4)-10(5) cfu/ml), four had a suspected UTI (>10(2)-10(3) cfu/ml) and 11 did not have UTIs (10(2) cfu/ml). Using multiplex PCR, three uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) genes and two enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) genes were detected.
In the UTI-UPEC cases, the kps gene was detected in 18 of 22 cases (82%) and the usp gene in 16 of 22 cases (73%). Among the 18 cases of children with UTIs characterized by 10(4)-10(5) E. coli cfu/ml, urinary tract abnormalities were identified via dimercaptosuccinic acid scans in seven of 18 cases (39%) and via voiding cystourethrograms in four of the 18 cases (22%).
The UPEC kps and usp genes were clearly associated with childhood UTIs, and may also be associated with kidney or urinary tract dysfunctions in young children. Escherichia coli colony count numbers in excess of 10(4)-10(5) cfu/ml in the suprapubic urine were considered to be strong evidence of UTI in infants.
Scandinavian Journal of Urology and Nephrology 09/2008; 43(1):51-7. · 0.99 Impact Factor
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Ok-Jin Kim,
Eun-Hee Ha,
Byung-Mi Kim,
Ju-Hee Seo, Hye-Sook Park,
Woo-Jae Jung,
Bo-Eun Lee,
Young-Ju Suh,
Young-Ju Kim,
Jong-Tae Lee,
Ho Kim,
Yun-Chul Hong
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ABSTRACT: : The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of PM10 on birth outcomes using a prospective cohort of pregnant women.
: The multicenter prospective study was conducted in Korea from 2001 to 2004. To estimate the effects of PM10 exposure on birth outcomes, the logistic and linear regression model and the generalized additive model for nonlinear relationships were used.
: Stillbirths were affected by PM10 level during the third trimesters (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.02-1.14), and birth defects were influenced by the PM10 exposure during the second trimesters (OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.00-1.34). Intrauterine growth retardation was affected by the first trimester's PM10 exposure. On the other hand, premature birth was affected by the PM10 exposure during the third trimester, and low-birth-weight births were affected by the PM10 level during entire trimesters of pregnancy.
: PM10 exposure during pregnancy may result in adverse birth outcomes with different critical periods.
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 01/2008; 49(12):1394-402. · 2.06 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, induces endothelial dysfunction by reversibly blocking NO production from L-arginine. To elucidate the association of prenatal status of ADMA with placental heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) and lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) in normal full-term pregnancies, we evaluated the expression of placental HSP70 and LOX-1.
Tissue samples of placentas obtained from 60 normal-term pregnancies were categorized into 30 cases with a lower level of prenatal ADMA (0.28 +/- 0.07 microM) and 30 cases with a higher level of prenatal ADMA (1.31 +/- 0.44 microM). We evaluated the placental expression of HSP70 and LOX-1 with Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry and determined the correlation between HSP70 and LOX-1.
We found that prenatal increased ADMA is associated with increased placental HSP70 and LOX-1 expression.
We postulate that higher ADMA levels are associated with excessive levels of oxidative damage and stress markers (HSP, LOX-1) in placental tissues.
Archives of Medical Research 12/2007; 38(8):839-45. · 1.88 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The principal objective of this study was to determine the relationship between maternal exposure to air pollution and low birth weight and to propose a possible environmental health surveillance system for low birth weight.
We acquired air monitoring data for Seoul from the Ministry of Environment, the meteorological data from the Korean Meteorological Administration, the exposure assessments from the National Institute of Environmental Research, and the birth data from the Korean National Statistical Office between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2003. The final birth data were limited to singletons within 37-44 weeks of gestational age. We defined the Low Birth Weight (LBW) group as infants with birth weights of less than 2500g and calculated the annual LBW rate by district. The air monitoring data were measured for CO, SO(2), NO(2), and PM(10) concentrations at 27 monitoring stations in Seoul. We utilized two models to evaluate the effects of air pollution on low birth weight: the first was the relationship between the annual concentration of air pollution and low birth weight (LBW) by individual and district, and the second involved a GIS exposure model constructed by Arc View 3.1.
LBW risk (by Gu, or district) was significantly increased to 1.113(95% CI=1.111-1.116) for CO, 1.004 (95% CI=1.003-1.005) for NO(2), 1.202(95% CI=1.199-1.206) for SO(2), and 1.077(95% CI=1.075-1.078) for PM(10) with each interquartile range change. Personal LBW risk was significantly increased to 1.081(95% CI=1.002-1.166) for CO, 1.145(95% CI=1.036-1.267) for SO(2), and 1.053(95% CI=1.002-1.108) for PM(10) with each interquartile range change. Personal LBW risk was increased to 1.003(95% CI=0.954-1.055) for NO(2), but this was not statistically significant. The air pollution concentrations predicted by GIS positively correlated with the numbers of low birth weights, particularly in highly polluted regions.
Environmental health surveillance is a systemic, ongoing collection effort including the analysis of data correlated with environmentally-associated diseases and exposures. In addition, environmental health surveillance allows for a timely dissemination of information to those who require that information in order to take effective action. GIS modeling is crucially important for this purpose, and thus we attempted to develop a GIS-based environmental surveillance system for low birth weight.
Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health 10/2007; 40(5):363-70.
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ABSTRACT: When Viagra was first launched in Korea in 1999, there were high expectations for its efficacy, and strong concerns regarding its safety and potential for misuse.
To research changes in perceptions of erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment 5 years after Viagra was launched.
Participants in the study were drawn from six provinces in Korea. They were 120 physicians, 80 patients with ED who had been treated with Viagra, and 40 women who knew that their husbands were being treated with Viagra. The study was conducted using a random face-to-face interview and a questionnaire.
Most physicians responded that since the launch of Viagra, discussions on the topic of sex are more acceptable (92%), and the number of patients seeking medical treatment for ED has increased (92%). They now have a better understanding of ED (98%). They are more confident of treatment (96%), more interested in identifying ED patients (72%), and more comfortable at initiating discussions on ED with patients (80%). Prior to the launch of Viagra, 65% of internal medicine/family medicine doctors did not prescribe any special treatment for ED. However, after Viagra became available, 92% of these doctors prescribed oral medication for ED, thus confirming their position as primary physicians for ED treatment. One of the most distinct changes in perceptions related to Viagra is the higher level of confidence shown by physicians, patients, and patients' spouses in the safety of the drug.
Five years after the launch of Viagra, the social environment has changed, making discussions of sex more acceptable. A larger number of patients now seek medical treatment for ED, and there is an increased acknowledgment for ED treatment by physicians, patients, and patients' spouses. Moreover, these parties are now more confident about the safety of Viagra.
Journal of Sexual Medicine 02/2006; 3(1):132-7. · 3.55 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of air pollution on the daily respiratory symptoms of elementary school children in Seoul.
Using the panel study design, we collected diary data for the children's respiratory symptoms during the 1st day approximately 15th day of April, July, October and December in 2003 among the 2nd and 3rd grade elementary school students. We merged the respiratory symptom data with the ambient air pollution data that was monitored by Ministry of Environment. Using a generalized estimate equation, we evaluated the relationship between the daily symptoms of the subjects and the exposure to air pollution after controlling for various potential confounders.
The nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure of the current day significantly increased the upper respiratory symptoms (adjusted odds ratio=1.12, 95% CI=1.01-1.24) and the lower respiratory symptoms (adjusted odds ratio=1.18, 95% CI=1.06-1.31) in the elementary school children. The sulfur dioxide (SO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) exposure in the current day was associated with the lower respiratory symptoms (adjusted odds ratio=1.12, 95% CI=1.01-1.25 for SO2; adjusted odds ratio=1.16, 95% CI=1.02-1.32 for CO).
We found that exposure to air pollution affects the daily respiratory symptoms in children. This study suggests that the effect on children's health? due to the short term changes in air pollution levels needs to be considered as an important public health problem.
Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health 12/2005; 38(4):465-72.
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ABSTRACT: DNA methylation is one of the best characterized epigenetic mechanisms that play a regulatory role in genome programming and imprinting during embryogenesis. In this present study, we investigated the association between DNA methylation in the human placenta and the maternal folate and homocysteine concentrations on the Methylenetetrahydrofolatereductase (MTHFR) genetic polymorphism during pregnancy.
We investigated 107 pregnant women who visited Ewha Woman's University Hospital for prenatal care during their 24-28 weeks-period of gestation. During the second trimester, we measured the serum homocysteine and folate concentrations. The MTHFR 677 genetic polymorphism was determine by performing PCR-RFLP assay. The expression of DNA methylation in the human placentas was estimated by using immunohistochemistry method.
Serum folate was negatively correlated with the serum homocysteine concentration for all the MTHFR genotypes. We found positive correlation between the folate concentrations and the DNA methylation in the human placenta (p<0.05). An increasing concentration of homocysteine was associated with reduced DNA methylation in the human placenta. The coefficient value was -2.03 (-3.77, -0.29) on the regression model (p<0.05).
These findings suggest that the maternal folate and homocysteine levels along with the MTHFR 677 genetic polymorphism during pregnancy affect the DNA methylation in the human placenta.
Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health 11/2005; 38(4):437-42.
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to determine whether genetic variability in oxidative stress-related enzymes contributes to individual preeclampsia susceptibility differences.
Polymorphisms in the cytochrome P450 (CYP)1A1 (MspI), CYP1A1(Ile/Val), glutathione S-transferase (GST)M1, GSTT1, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) genes were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) in 214 healthy controls with an uncomplicated obstetric history, and in 121 preeclampsia patients. Chi2 analyses were used to statistically evaluate differences.
No significant differences in the CYP1A1(MspI) or CYP1A1(Ile/Val) genotypes were observed between the healthy controls and the preeclampsia patients (chi2 = 1.43, P = 0.49 versus chi2 = 1.54, P = 0.46). The GSTM1 homozygous null type and GSTT1 homozygous null type were no differences in the patients and controls (chi2 = 0.01, P = 0.92 versus chi(2) = 0.31, P = 0.57), and no significant differences in the polymorphisms of the MPO and MnSOD genotypes were found between the patients and controls (chi2 = 2.00, P = 0.37 versus chi2 = 0.07, P = 0.96).
Polymorphisms in the oxidative stress-related genes (CYP1A1, GSTM1, GSTT1, MPO, MnSOD) do not seem to be risk factors for preeclampsia.
European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology 04/2005; 119(1):42-6. · 1.97 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Preterm birth is a major determinant of neonatal morbidity and mortality and remains one of the most serious problems in obstetrics. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for preterm birth in Korean pregnant women. A total of 2,645 women were evaluated between 20 and 42 weeks' gestation at 5 centers using a prospective study design. The patient population is limited to singleton gestations. Demographic factors, socioeconomic statuses, previous and current medical histories, complications of current gestation, and drug and alcohol abuse were evaluated, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses performed. Among nulliparous women, the factors that showed a significant association with preterm delivery were as follows; vaginal bleeding during pregnancy (OR 2.6, CI 1.7-4.2), and below USD 1,000 average income (OR 5.1, CI 1.9-13.5). The factors that showed a significant association with preterm delivery among multiparous women were as follows; a history of spontaneous abortion (OR 2.4, CI 1.1-5.2), and a history of preterm delivery (OR 3.5, CI 1.02-11.8). In conclusion, vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, below USD 1,000 of average income, prior spontaneous abortion, and prior preterm delivery, were positively associated with preterm birth.
Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation 02/2005; 60(4):206-12. · 1.28 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The contribution of genetic factors to preeclampsia has been well documented. However, there has not been any study done on the association between preeclampsia and the angiotensinogen (AGT) M235T polymorphism and angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) intron 16 insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism among Korean preeclampsia women. We performed a hospital-based case-control study on Korean women to investigate the association between preeclampsia and the angiotensinogen M235T polymorphism and also to determine the association between preeclampsia and the angiotensin-converting-enzyme intron 16 polymorphism.
DNA was extracted from whole blood of 104 preeclampsia patients and 114 healthy pregnant women. All samples were genotyped for all the polymorphisms using amplification after PCR of known allelic variants. Results were analyzed with the chi-square test, Student's t-test, and logistic regression.
18 of 50 women with preeclampsia (36.0%) in nulliparous women and 15 of 37 women with preeclampsia (40.5%) in parous women were homozygous for methionine (M235) to threonine (T235) substitution at residue 235 of AGT gene, versus 12 of 38 women in nulliparous control women and 18 of 50 women in parous control women. There was no association between the AGT M235T polymorphism and preeclampsia according to age. Fourteen of 55 women with preeclampsia (25.5%) in nulliparous women and 11 of 39 women with preeclampsia (28.2%) in parous women were homozygous for the D allele of the ACE intron 16, versus 9 of 52 women in nulliparous control women and 16 of 53 women in parous control women. No association was demonstrated between D allele of ACE intron 16 and preeclampsia according to age. There were significant differences in birth weight and delivery weeks between controls and preeclampsia patients (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in age and nulliparity between controls and preeclampsia patients.
The result indicates that the AGT M235T polymorphism and the ACE intron 16 polymorphism play no significant role in preeclampsia observed in Korean women.
European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology 09/2004; 116(1):48-53. · 1.97 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Susceptibility of target populations to air pollution is an important issue, because air pollution policies and standards should be based on the susceptibilities of those at particular risk. To evaluate which age group is more susceptible to the adverse health effects of air pollution, we compared the effects of air pollution on mortality among postneonates, those aged 2 to 64 years, and those over 65 years of age.
Daily counts of total and respiratory death along with daily levels of meteorological variables and air pollutants were analyzed using generalized additive Poisson regression. The relative risks (RR) of mortality for interquartile changes of the levels of particulate matter <10 micro m (PM(10)) were calculated on the same day.
For postneonates, the RR of total mortality for an interquartile change (42.9 micro g/m(3)) in PM(10) (RR: 1.142; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.096-1.190) was greatest among age groups. Next were the elderly over 65 years of age (RR: 1.023; 95% CI: 1.022-1.024). Regarding respiratory mortality, RR for an interquartile change of PM(10) in postneonates (RR: 2.018; 95% CI: 1.784-2.283) was also greater than those in the other groups.
These results agree with the hypothesis that infants are most susceptible to PM(10) in terms of mortality, particularly respiratory mortality.
PEDIATRICS 02/2003; 111(2):284-90. · 4.47 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We investigated the influence of glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1) polymorphisms upon DNA-protein crosslinks (DPC) induced by benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) in cultured human lymphocytes. Lymphocyte samples were collected from 30 healthy nonsmoking hospital administrative workers. DPC was detected with KCl-SDS assay and the distributions of GSTM1 and GSTT1 were determined by polymerase chain reaction. B[a]P was found to induce a significant dose-responsive increase in cytotoxicity and DPC regardless of the genotypes (p<0.05). We did not find statistically significant genetic modification effect of GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms in the cytotoxicity and DPC formation (p>0.05). In terms of the genes examined, the level of cytotoxicity and DPC formation were found to be highest in the GSTM1-null and GSTT1-null cells. In conclusion, B[a]P induced a significant increase in the cytotoxicity and the level of DPC formation in cultured human lymphocytes. Our findings suggest that DPC could be used as a biomarker of B[a]P exposure.
Journal of Korean Medical Science 06/2002; 17(3):316-21. · 0.99 Impact Factor
