Historical footsteps of Korean women doctors during modernization in Korea

Women doctors played an exceptional role during the period of modernization in Korea, making tremendous contributions toward the development of Korean society. The first woman doctor, Esther Park, started a community service program for women in adverse circumstances, but later, expanded it to serve both men and women equally. Esther Park's spirit of service earned her tremendous respect and inspired later generations of women doctors, whose contributions and competences have been acknowledged, and who made steps toward establishing and demanding sexual equality between men and women. In addition, women doctors have contributed to informing people on about important health issues, administering treatment, and preventing of disease. All these considerations demonstrate that during the modernization of Korea, women doctors played a crucial role in the national liberation movement. The most important aspect of this period was that women became role models in many parts of society and pioneered the path toward sexual equality. They became a symbol of responsibility and collective leadership for the following generations, and women doctors, in particular, were notable examples of the spirit of leadership.

Historical footsteps of Korean women doctors during modernization in Korea

Women doctors played an exceptional role during the period of modernization in Korea, making tremendous contributions toward the development of Korean society. The first woman doctor, Esther Park, started a community service program for women in adverse circumstances, but later, expanded it to serve both men and women equally. Esther Park's spirit of service earned her tremendous respect and inspired later generations of women doctors, whose contributions and competences have been acknowledged, and who made steps toward establishing and demanding sexual equality between men and women. In addition, women doctors have contributed to informing people on about important health issues, administering treatment, and preventing of disease. All these considerations demonstrate that during the modernization of Korea, women doctors played a crucial role in the national liberation movement. The most important aspect of this period was that women became role models in many parts of society and pioneered the path toward sexual equality. They became a symbol of responsibility and collective leadership for the following generations, and women doctors, in particular, were notable examples of the spirit of leadership.

A Case of Generalized Auditory Agnosia with Unilateral Subcortical Brain Lesion

The mechanisms and functional anatomy underlying the early stages of speech perception are still not well understood. Auditory agnosia is a deficit of auditory object processing defined as a disability to recognize spoken languages and/or nonverbal environmental sounds and music despite adequate hearing while spontaneous speech, reading and writing are preserved. Usually, either the bilateral or unilateral temporal lobe, especially the transverse gyral lesions, are responsible for auditory agnosia. Subcortical lesions without cortical damage rarely causes auditory agnosia. We present a 73-year-old right-handed male with generalized auditory agnosia caused by a unilateral subcortical lesion. He was not able to repeat or dictate but to perform fluent and comprehensible speech. He could understand and read written words and phrases. His auditory brainstem evoked potential and audiometry were intact. This case suggested that the subcortical lesion involving unilateral acoustic radiation could cause generalized auditory agnosia.

Dehydroepiandrosterone supplement increases malate dehydrogenase activity and decreases NADPH-dependent antioxidant enzyme activity in rat hepatocellular carcinogenesis

Beneficial effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplement on age-associated chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance and diabetes, have been reported. However, its mechanism of action in hepatocellular carcinoma in vivo has not been investigated in detail. We have previously shown that during hepatocellular carcinogenesis, DHEA treatment decreases formation of preneoplastic glutathione S-transferase placental form-positive foci in the liver and has antioxidant effects. Here we aimed to determine the mechanism of actions of DHEA, in comparison to vitamin E, in a chemically-induced hepatocellular carcinoma model in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were administered with control diet without a carcinogen, diets with 1.5% vitamin E, 0.5% DHEA and both of the compounds with a carcinogen for 6 weeks. The doses were previously reported to have anti-cancer effects in animals without known toxicities. With DHEA treatment, cytosolic malate dehydrogenase activities were significantly increased by ~5 fold and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities were decreased by ~25% compared to carcinogen treated group. Activities of Se-glutathione peroxidase in the cytotol was decreased significantly with DHEA treatment, confirming its antioxidative effect. However, liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 content and NADPH-dependent cytochrome P-450 reductase activities were not altered with DHEA treatment. Vitamin E treatment decreased cytosolic Se-glutathione peroxidase activities in accordance with our previous reports. However, vitamin E did not alter glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase or malate dehydrogenase activities. Our results suggest that DHEA may have decreased tumor nodule formation and reduced lipid peroxidation as previously reported, possibly by increasing the production of NADPH, a reducing equivalent for NADPH-dependent antioxidant enzymes. DHEA treatment tended to reduce glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities, which may have resulted in limited supply for de novo synthesis of DNA via inhibiting the hexose monophophaste pathway. Although both DHEA and vitamin E effectively reduced preneoplastic foci in this model, they seemed to function in different mechanisms. In conclusion, DHEA may be used to reduce hepatocellular carcinoma growth by targeting NADPH synthesis, cell proliferation and anti-oxidant enzyme activities during tumor growth.

The Effect of Paroxetine on the Reduction of Migraine Frequency is Independent of Its Anxiolytic Effect

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Anxiety is the most important precipitating factor of migraine attacks, and more than half of migraineurs have coexisting anxiety disorders. Paroxetine, an antidepressant, is one of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that has an anxiolytic effect, and is also known to be effective for migraine prophylaxis. The aim of this study was to determine the role of the anxiolytic effect of paroxetine on the prevention of migraine. METHODS: This study investigated migraineurs with a general anxiety disorder who visited the neurological clinic. The following efficacy variables were assessed at baseline and after taking paroxetine (20 for 12 weeks: headache frequency, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Headache Management Self-Efficacy Scale (HMSE), and Headache Disability Inventory (HDI). The correlation between the headache responsiveness to paroxetine and improvement in anxiety levels was analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients (aged 54.96+/-12.09 years, mean+/-SD) were included in this study. Paroxetine reduced headache frequency by 49.1% within 12 weeks (p<0.05 vs baseline). HAM-A and HMSE scores also showed an improvement, whereas there was no significant change in HDI score. The baseline HAM-A scores did not differ between paroxetine responders and nonresponders. In addition, the improvement in HAM-A score was not correlated with the reduction in headache frequency. CONCLUSIONS: Paroxetine decreased the headache frequency and reduced anxiety levels. However, the anxiolytic effect of paroxetine was not correlated with the migraine prevention effect. These observation indicate that the anxiolytic effect of paroxetine does not contribute strongly to its prophylactic effect on migraine frequency in migraineurs with anxiety disorder.

Effects of Soyoligosaccharide on Lipid Metabolism in Rats Fed the High Fat or Low Fat Diet

This study investigated the effects of soyoligosaccharide consumption on lipid profile of plasma, liver and feces and immune responses in Sprague-Dawley male rats. Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats 4-wk-old were provided the soyoligosaccharide containing diets for 4 weeks (0, 100 g/kg diet); each of these diets was supplemented with either 70 or 200 g fat/kg diet, giving a total of 4 experimental groups. The effect of weight reduction was most significantly observed in the group fed low fat and soyoligosacchairde diet. The plasma total lipid and cholesterol contents were not changed by either fat proportion or soyoligosaccharide supplementation in the diets. Also the plasma triglyceride lowering effect by soyoligosaccharide was not observed in rats fed either low fat or high fat diet. However, the significant decrease in TG contents was found with rats fed high fat diets compared to the control/no soyoligosaccharide diet. Elevation of plasma LDL-cholesterol and reduction of HDL-cholesterol by feeding high fat diet was not altered by supplementing soyoligosaccharide. This was also applied to the liver lipid profiles. The significant increases in liver total lipid, triglycerides and cholesterol by high fat diet was not abolished by feeding soyoligosaccharide. However, the desirable effects of feeding soyoligosaccharide were found with total lipid and cholesterol excretion through feces in rats fed high fat diets. Immune organ weights and spleen cell proliferations did not affected by experimental diets. These results demonstrated that soyoligosaccharide intakes increased the lipid output via feces, especially in rats fed the high fat diet, but more researches are needed on immune responses.

Clinical efficacy of urgent cerclage in cervical incompetence predicted by transvaginal ultrasonography in second trimester / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical efficacy of urgent cerclage on perinatal outcome in cervical incompetence predicted by transvaginal ultrasonography in second trimester. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 27 pregnant women who received urgent cerclage at Asan Medical Center between January, 1998 and August, 2002. When the cervical length was less than 25 mm and abnormal cervical shape by transvaginal ultrasonography in second trimester, we performed urgent cerclage. Abnormal cervical shapes were categorized as U-shape, Y-shape and V-shape. These data were compared with those of 102 patients who received prophylactic cerclage and 25 patients who received emergent cerclage during the same period. Analysis of variance and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: In urgent cerclage, the mean gestational age at delivery was 35.1 +/- 4.4 weeks. The mean birth weight was 2524.2 +/- 860.8 gm and perinatal survival rate was 92.6% (25/27). We compared these data with the other two cerclages. In prophylactic cerclage, the mean gestational age at delivery was 36.2 +/- 4.6 weeks. The mean birth weight was 2711.5 +/- 860.8 gm and perinatal survival rate was 94.1% (96/102). There was no statistically significant difference between urgent cerclage and prophylactic cerclage. In emergent cerclage, the mean gestational age at delivery was 27.5 +/- 6.9 weeks. The mean birth weight was 1373.8 +/- 1196.7 gm and perinatal survival rate was 48.0% (12/25). There was statistically significant difference between urgent cerclage and emergent cerclage based on our finding, The gestational age, birth weight and perinatal survival rate in urgent cerclage were not different from prophylactic cerclage. However, in emergent cerclage, these data were different from the other two cerclages. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that perinatal outcomes after urgent cerclage were comparable to those of prophylactic cerclage. Urgent cerclage could be a valuable alternative to a policy of uniform prophylactic cerclage.

Comparisons of Student Satisfaction with the School Food Service Programs in Middle and High Schools by Food Service Management Types

This study on satisfaction with school food service (FS) programs was conducted with 485 middle school students and 515 high school students based on FS management type. There were four types of FS management: independent-conventional (IC), independent-commissary (ICM), contract-conventional (CC), and contract-delivery (CD). About seventy percent of the students expressed satisfaction with the food quantity of the school lunches. But one third of the students, who felt the quantity was insufficient, cited the small size of the rice serving. Many high school students cited the small size of the side dishes as well as the rice serving. It is suggested that the meal quantity should be determined in consideration of the students' physical development. The satisfaction with FS sanitation was lower than that with the meal quality, eating environment, and environment of dining room with respect to all four types of FS management, and was lowest in the CD. It is suggested that FS sanitation should be managed more thoroughly for the students' safety, and that the school FS Committee should carefully monitor the sanitary management of the contract FS companies by means of a well-designed and monitored management system. Most of middle and high school students expected good taste and a diversity of foods in their school lunches. Food taste should be improved, and various food materials and cooking methods should be used for balanced nutrition and greater student satisfaction, particularly in contract FS types (CC and CD).

Extraovarian endodermal sinus tumor arising from myometrium: A case report / 대한산부인과학회잡지

Endodermal sinus tumor (EST) is not so common germ cell neoplasm which arises most commonly in the ovary. The extraovarian sites such as the upper female genital tract are rare sites of origin. The 26-year-old female patient was found to have hemoperitoneum. Emergency laparotomy at local clinic, revealed a 8 cm sized mass, which arose from the anterior myometrium. Because both of the ovaries appeared to be normal, the tumor was thought to be originated from the myometrium. The excision of tumor mass was performed and the permanent biopsy confirmed the mass as EST histologically. The patient was transferred to AMC and staging operation including hystrectomy, left salpingooophorectomy, omentectomy, retroperitoneal lymph node (LN) and paraaortic LN dissection, appendectomy was performed and no metastasis was found. She received 6 cycles of combination chemotherapy (bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatinum). Her serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level dropped to normal from the initial level of 19,300 ng/ml. In the author's knowledge, the myometrium has not been reported as a site of EST origin. So we report this case with brief review of the literatures.

Epidemiological Significance of Sero-positive Inhabitants against Sparganum in Kangwon-do, Korea

Sparganum is a plerocercoid of pseudophyllidean tapeworms, Diphyllobothrium or Spirometra spp. Human sparganosis is endemic mainly in East and Southeast Asian countries where the custom of eating raw snake or frog meat, or poulticing with snake's skin exists. From January 1995 to November 1999, an epidemiological survey was undertaken to evaluate the serum levels of anti-sparganum specific IgG antibodies in Whachon-gun residents, Korea. An enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblot analysis of the sera from 316 subjects were used. In addition, a stool examination from 416 inhabitants and questionnaires regarding the consumption of raw meat were given. Out of 416 inhabitants examined coprologically, one was infected with Clonorchis sinensis and two were infected with Metagonimus spp. The sera from 36 inhabitants (11.4 %) showed a positive reaction to the sparganum antigen. Out of these 36 inhabitants, the sera from 25 people were examined 7, 19, and 50 months later. The sera were found to still show positive reactions without any remarkable changes of anti-sparganum specific antibody titers except for one. An analysis of the questionnaires suggested that a history of eating of raw snakes or frogs was important risk factor for clinical or covert sparganosis (odd ratio=15.6 and 3.1, respectively).

A Case of Abdomino - Amniotic Shunting in Idiopathic Isolated Fetal Ascites / 대한주산의학회잡지

No abstract available.

The effect of a static magnetic field of Nd-Fe-B magnet on alkaline phosphatase activity of MC3T3-E1 cells / 대한치과교정학회지

more efficient tooth movement. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of different static magnetic fields of ND-Fe-B magnet on MC3T3-E1 cells by measuring the alkaline phosphatase activity and observing the amount of stained alkaline phosphatase. For measuring of alkaline phosphatase activity, MC3T3-E1 cells were seeded in first and third row of 12 well culture plate. And Nd-Fe-B magnets were positioned under the first column of first and third row to apply different static magnetic fields(first column:100mT ; second column:4.6mT ; third column:0.5mT ; forth column:0.0mT) to the cells for 7, 13, 19, and 25 days. For staining of alkaline phosphatase, MC3T3-E1 cells were seeded in 100mm culture plates. And Nd-Fe-B magnets were positioned under the corner of plates to apply different static magnetic fields(magnet side:100mT ; the opposite side:0.5mT) to the cells for 7, 13, 19 and 25 days. The results were as follows : 1. ALP activity was increased until day 19 in biochemical determination as well as in histochemical staining. 2. The application of higher magnetic field(100mT) suppressed ALP activity at day 13, 19, 25. On the contrary, the application of the lower magnetic field(4.6mT, 0.5mT) significantly enhanced the ALP activity. 3. Consistent with enzyme assay, histochemical staining of ALP also demonstrated that higher magnetic field(100mT) suppressed ALP activity, lower one(0.5mT) enhanced.

The Effect of Sil-Select and Percoll on the Ultrastructure of Spermatozoa / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: We performed this study to evaluate the effects of Sil-Select and Percoll in sperm preparation. METHODS: Semen samples of 22 patients with normal sperm parameters by WHO criteria were divided into two equal parts and prepared with Percoll and Sil-Select. After completion of semen preparation procedures with Percoll and Sil-Select, sperm concentration, motility and morphology using strict criteria were evaluated in each group and all semen samples were fixed and stained for transmission electron microscopy(TEM). RESULTS: There were no significant diffrences in sperm concentration, percentage of motile spermatozoa and percentage of normal spermatozoa in morphology evaluation using strict criteria under light microscopy between Percoll and Sil-Select-treated groups. However, the percentage of normal shape and position of acrosome, and normal helix assembly of mitochondria under TEM were significantly higher in the Sil-Select-treated group compared to Percoll-treated group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that Sil-Select is less detrimental to the acrosome and mitochondria of spermatozoa in sperm preparation compared to Percoll.

Immunological studies on collyban of collybia confluens / 대한암학회지

No abstract available.