Analysis on the relationship between fisheries economic growth and marine environmental pollution in China's coastal regions.

The rapid development of China's fisheries economy is accompanied by intensified marine environmental pollution over the period covered by this study. Based on data from multiple sources, this paper attempts to measure the relationship between fisheries economic growth and marine environmental pollution among China's coastal regions over the past 17 years. For this purpose, it firstly quantifies changes in fisheries economy and fisheries population. It then goes onto comparing the degree of changes in fisheries economy and marine environment. Finally, it depicts the relationship between fisheries added value (FAV) and polluted marine area (PMA) and between per capita net income of fishermen (PCNIF) and PMA ratio. Results suggest that.

Development of a Breastfeeding Effectiveness Scale (BES).

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate breastfeeding effectiveness scale to measure effectiveness of breastfeeding for mothers in the early postpartum period. METHODS: A conceptual framework was constructed from properties of effective breastfeeding (Yang and Seo, 2011), and item construction was derived from literature review and analysis of the data along with interviews with breastfeeding mothers. Content validity was tested by experts. Each item was scored on a five-point Likert scale. The preliminary questionnaire was administered to 248 breastfeeding mothers. Data were analyzed using item analysis, factor analysis, Pearson correlation coefficients, and Cronbach's α. RESULTS: From the factor analysis, 20 items in seven factors were derived. The factors were identified as mother's satisfaction, suckling, assurance of milk quantity, infant's satisfaction, latching on, infant's feeding desire, and breastfeeding positioning. The seven factors explained 65.1% of total variance, Cronbach's α of the total items was .83 and the factors ranged from .44 to .75. CONCLUSION: Results of this study suggest that breastfeeding effectiveness scale is a reliable and valid instrument to measure breastfeeding effectiveness of mothers in the early postpartum period.

[A structural model for primiparas' breastfeeding behavior].

PURPOSE: The study was done to construct and test a structural model to explain primipara breastfeeding behavior. METHODS: The participants were 213 primiparas on postpartum wards. Data were analyzed using the PASW 18.0 and AMOS 19.0 programs. RESULTS: Fitness statistics for the hypothetical model were appropriate (χ² =38.50, p=.070, GFI=.96, RMSEA=.05, AGFI=.93, NFI=.95, TLI=.97, CFI=.98, PNFI=.57, χ²/df=1.43). Breastfeeding behaviors were directly influenced by intention to breastfeed, perceived effectiveness of breastfeeding, and the amount of supplementary feeding. The amount of supplementary feeding had the largest direct impact on breastfeeding behavior. The largest total effect on breastfeeding behavior was intention to breastfeed. The environment of the maternity hospital indirectly influenced breastfeeding behavior. These factors explained 18.9% of variance in the primipara breastfeeding behavior. CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate that in order to promote primipara breastfeeding the amount of supplementary feeding immediately after the birth should be limited and an environment that encourages exclusive breastfeeding in the hospital should be provided. The results also suggest it is necessary to provide nursing interventions that increase the intention to breastfeed and the perceived effectiveness of breastfeeding.

Postpartum Depressive Score and Related Factors Pre- and Post-delivery.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the scores of postpartum depression(PPD) on the first day, 1st week, and 6th week after the delivery and to explore their related factors before and after delivery in postpartum women. METHODS: With a survey design, 293 postpartum women were recruited from a postpartum unit, Ilsin Christian hospital in Pusan via convenience sampling and were followed at 1st week and 6th week in the outpatient clinic. RESULTS: Results showed that the scores of PPD(EPDS score) were low at postpartum 1st day, 1st week and 6th week but prevalence of PPD(EPDS > or =13) was 3.1% at 1st day, 8.2% at 1st week and 7.5% at 6th week, respectively. The pre-delivery factors were experience of depression, and the post-delivery factors were baby's sex(1st day), no caregiver for baby(1st week), and no help and concern for taking care of baby from husband and family(1st day and 6th week). The greater satisfaction with becoming a mother and her life, and greater maternal attachment were related to lower level of PPD at the three time points. CONCLUSION: Regular screening for postpartum depression and supportive and informative education is needed for postpartum women visiting the outpatient clinic for follow-up.

Activation of intrarenal complement system in mouse model for chronic cyclosporine nephrotoxicity.

PURPOSE: Local activation of the complement system plays a role in target organ damage. The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of cyclosporine (CsA)- induced renal injury on the complement system in the kidney. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mice fed a low salt (0.01%) diet were treated with vehicle (VH, olive oil, 1 mL/kg/day) or CsA (30 mg/kg/day) for one or four weeks. Induction of chronic CsA nephrotoxicity was evaluated with renal function and histomorphology. Activation of the complement system was assessed through analysis of the expression of C3, C4d, and membrane attack complex (MAC), and the regulatory proteins, CD46 and CD55. CsA treatment induced renal dysfunction and typical morphology (tubulointerstitial inflammation and fibrosis) at four weeks. RESULTS: CsA-induced renal injury was associated with increased the expression of C3, C4d, and MAC (C9 and upregulation of complement regulatory proteins (CD 46 and CD55). Immunohistochemistry revealed that the activated complement components were mainly confined to the injured tubulointerstitium. CONCLUSION: CsA-induced renal injury is associated with activation of the intrarenal complement system.

Influence of angiotensin II on expression of toll-like receptor 2 and maturation of dendritic cells in chronic cyclosporine nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: Angiotensin (Ang) II plays an important role in immune regulation. We evaluate the influence of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the innate immune response caused by cyclosporine A (CsA)-induced renal injury. METHODS: Two separate studies were performed in Sprague Dawley rats. First, losartan (LSRT, 10 mg/kg per day) was concurrently administered with CsA (15 mg/kg per day) for 28 days. Second, AngII (435 ng/kg/min) was infused with or without LSRT for 14 days. RESULTS: AngII blockade with LSRT decreased toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 mRNA and protein expression, expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha mRNA, and expression of major histocompatibility complex class II antigen, which was upregulated in CsA-induced renal injury. The increased number of matured dendritic cells (DCs) in CsA-induced renal injury was also decreased by concomitant treatment of LSRT. Direct infusion of AngII increased TNF-alpha mRNA, TLR2 mRNA, and protein and the number of DCs, compared with the control rat kidney. In contrast, concomitant treatment of LSRT decreased all parameters. CONCLUSION: AngII plays a pivotal role in activating the innate immune response in CsA-induced renal injury.

Induction of PPAR gamma mRNA and protein expression by rosiglitazone in chronic cyclosporine nephropathy in the rat.

PURPOSE: We recently reported that rosiglitazone (RGTZ), a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) agonist, has a protective effect against cyclosporine (CsA)- induced renal injury. Here we report the effect of RGTZ on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) expression in an experimental model of chronic cyclosporine (CsA) nephropathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chronic CsA nephropathy was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by administering CsA (15mg/kg per day) for 28 days, and control rats were treated with vehicle (VH group, olive oil 1mL/kg per day) for 28 days. RGTZ (3mg/kg) was concurrently administered via gavage to the CsA and VH groups. Expression of PPARgamma mRNA and protein was evaluated with RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and immunoblotting. RESULTS: PPARgamma mRNA expression was similar to the level of PPARgamma protein constitutively expressed in the kidneys of the VH treated rats, with expression in the glomerular epithelial, distal tubular cells, and collecting tubular cells. PPARgamma protein expression in CsA-treated rat kidneys was significantly less than in the VH group. However, concomitant administration of RGTZ restored PPARgamma protein expression in the kidneys of the CsA- reated rats. CONCLUSION: Exogenous administration of RGTZ treatment upregulates PPARgamma expression and that this mechanism may play a role in protecting against CsA-induced renal injury.

Effect of FTY720 on chronic cyclosporine nephropathy in rats.

BACKGROUND: Long-term treatment with cyclosporine A (CsA) causes tubulointerstitial inflammation and fibrosis in the kidney. To define the role of lymphocytes in this process, the novel lymphocyte-specific inhibitor FTY720 was administered to rats with experimental model of chronic CsA nephropathy. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were treated daily for 4 weeks with CsA (7.5 mg/kg), or both CsA and FTY720 (0.125 mg/kg). The effects of FTY720 on CsA-induced renal injury were evaluated using renal function tests and histopathology, and the expression of mediators of CsA-induced renal injury (osteopontin, transforming growth factor-beta1 [TGF-beta1], betaig-h3, and angiotensin II). RESULTS: FTY720 treatment significantly decreased T-lymphocyte accumulation in kidneys compared with CsA treatment alone. FTY720 treatment improved not only CsA-induced renal dysfunction but also renal histopathology, demonstrated by decreased macrophage infiltration and interstitial fibrosis. Increased osteopontin, TGF-beta1, betaig-h3, and angiotensin II expression in CsA-treated rat kidneys were decreased with FTY720 treatment. CONCLUSIONS: FTY720 treatment prevents CsA-induced renal injury.