• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.196-210
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• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to review the research trends of infertile women with uterine myoma in Korean medicine and to recognize the efficacy of Korean medicine intervention. Methods: A search was conducted on November 18, 2022, using six databases, including Research Information Sharing Service (RISS), Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS), Cochrane Library Central, Pubmed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and WangFang Med Online. We analyzed the studies using Korean medicine on women with uterine myoma preparing for pregnancy or complaining infertility. Results: Total 4 studies were selected and all of which were case reports. Among 6 cases, Korean medicine treatment including herbal medicine, acupuncture, electroacupuncture, moxibustion was used alone. Ikgibohyeol-tang-gami-bang, Gyejibokryeong-hwan, Saenghwa-tang-gami-bang were prescribed in 2 cases each. Angelicae Gigantis Radix and CV4 were most frequently used herb and acupoint. All subjects were successful in becoming pregnant. Conclusion: This review shows that Korean medicine treatment can be effective in infertile women with uterine myoma. However, the number of included studies is small, so the level of evidence needs to be raised through more clinical studies in the future.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.128-136
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• 2023

Purpose: Topic modeling is a text mining technique that extracts concepts from textual data and uncovers semantic structures and potential knowledge frameworks within context. This study aimed to identify major keywords and network structures for each major topic to discern research trends in women's health nursing published in the Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing (KJWHN) using text network analysis and topic modeling. Methods: The study targeted papers with English abstracts among 373 articles published in KJWHN from January 2011 to December 2021. Text network analysis and topic modeling were employed, and the analysis consisted of five steps: (1) data collection, (2) word extraction and refinement, (3) extraction of keywords and creation of networks, (4) network centrality analysis and key topic selection, and (5) topic modeling. Results: Six major keywords, each corresponding to a topic, were extracted through topic modeling analysis: "gynecologic neoplasms," "menopausal health," "health behavior," "infertility," "women's health in transition," and "nursing education for women." Conclusion: The latent topics from the target studies primarily focused on the health of women across all age groups. Research related to women's health is evolving with changing times and warrants further progress in the future. Future research on women's health nursing should explore various topics that reflect changes in social trends, and research methods should be diversified accordingly.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.77-86
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• 2008

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) on the derivation of mouse ES cells from isolated blastomeres. Two-cell stage mouse embryos were obtained from superovulated BDF1 female mice. Collected embryos were cultured to blastocyst stage in culture medium supplemented with 0, 1,000, 2,500 or 5,000 U/mL of LIF. Cultured blastocysts were examined by counting the number of cells in the inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE) using differential staining method. When 2-cell embryos were cultured with 2,500 U/ml of LIF, the cell numbers of ICM significantly increased in comparing with those of the control($21.0{\pm}4.0$ vs. $15.9{\pm}5.0$, P<0.01) and 1,000 U/mL of LIF-containing group ($21.0{\pm}4.0$ vs. $16.6{\pm}4.9$, P<0.05). We used an ES cell establishment medium with 20% Knockout Serum Replacement and 0.01 mg/mL ACTH instead of fetal bovine serum. Establishing efficacy of ES cell lines were the highest in 2,500 U/mL of LIF-containing group as 36.7% (11/30). This culture medium was applied to the culture of isolated blastomeres and to derivate ES cell lines. Three ES cell lines (21.4%) from isolated blastomeres of 2-cell stage embryos were established. In further experiments, we could establish one ES cell line (4.0%) from single blastomere of 4-cell stage embryo. The subcultured ES cells and their embryoid bodies were characterized by analyzing gene expression for undifferentiation and differentiation marker gene using immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR. In conclusion, LIF supplementation in culture medium could increase the cell number in ICM of blastocysts and support derivation of ES cell lines from isolated blastomeres.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.159-170
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• 2017

The development of biomarkers of reproductive medicine is still in its infancy because many black boxes are still present in reproductive medicine. Novel approaches to human infertility diagnostics and treatment must be developed because reproductive medicine has lagged behind in the implementation of biomarkers in clinical medicine. Despite the dearth of the available literature, the current rapid pace of publications suggests that this gap will soon be filled therefore; this review is a $pr\acute{e}cis$ of the research that has been done so far and will provide a basis for the development of biomarkers in reproductive medicine.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.61-68
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• 2001

Sperm competent for fertilization can become capacitated, bind to the zona pellucida (ZP) of an egg in a specific manner, and complete acrosomal exocytosis. Failure to carry out these functions results in infertility. Although the interactions between the ZP and the plasma mem-brane overlying the sperm acrosome have been considered important for sperm-egg recognition and signalling, recent results have prompted a reassessment of current paradigms concerning these interactions. In this review, we're going to discuss about the roles of the acrosomal matrix, the particulate component of the acrosomal contents, in fertilization. The general hypothesis is that acrosomal exocytosis leads to the exposure of acrosomal matrix proteins that become de-facto extracellular matrix (ECM) on the surface of the sperm head, and that the dynamic interactions of this newly-exposed sperm ECM with the egg ECM (the ZP) govern sperm-egg recognition and sperm penetration of the ZP Informations from these experiments may provide new ways to address the poor ZP binding of sperm from some human infertility patients and may offer new avenues for contraception through the disruption of purposeful sperm-ZP binding.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.199-207
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• 2001

Objective: The present study was undertaken to examine the effects of magnesium ion in the culture medium on the development of mouse fertilized oocytes either before or after pronuclear formation, and to investigate whether the effect of magnesium ion is related with the redistributional change of mitochondria. Methods : Fertilized oocytes obtained from the oviducts of mice at 15 hr after hCG injection before pronuclear formation (pre-PN) or 21 hr after hCG injection after pronuclear formation (post-PN) were used. The embryos were cultured for 3 days with basic T6 medium-magnesium free and various concentrations of magnesium ion, 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 or 8.0 mM, respectively. After culture, the developmental stages of embryos and the number of nuclei were evaluated. To observe the effects of magnesium ion on the mitochondrial distribution, fertilized oocytes were collected at 21 hr after hCG injection and cultured for 6 hr with various concentration of magnesium ion. As a control, fertilized oocytes with pronuclei at 27 hr after hCG injection were used. Results: The concentration of magnesium ion to accelerate the in vitro development of mouse fertilized oocytes appeared to be at 2.0 mM for the pre-PN and the post-PN stage embryos. In the mitochondrial redistribution patterns, the embryos cultured in 2.0 mM concentration of magnesium ion showed the highest percentage (22.6%) of distinct perinuclear clustering pattern comparing to other experimental group. Conclusion: The effect of magnesium ion may be related to the cytoplasmic redistribution of mitochondria. This relationship seems to connect the developmental competence of preimplantation mouse embryos in vitro. These results can suggest that higher concentration of magnesium ion (2.0 mM) than those of conventional culture medium ($0.2{\sim}1.2\;mM$) is more suitable for in vitro culture of preimplantation mouse embryos.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.114-128
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• 2023

Objectives: This study was conducted to reflect Korean Medicine doctors (KMD)' perception of lifestyle management in the process of developing a Korean Medicine (KM) Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) of female infertility. Methods: We sent four e-mails containing links to online questionnaires to 25,286 KMD belonging to the Association of Korean Medicine. The questionnaire consisted of sexual intercourse, weight, diet, exercise, drinking, smoking, caffeine intake, stress etc. KMD responded to self-administered questionnaires, and we analyzed 786 responds. Results: KMD put stress first among the infertile women's lifestyle management items, weight and sexual intercourse were next. Also KMD put stress first among the spouses' lifestyle management items, drinking and sexual intercourse were next. In relation to sexual intercourse, 'Recognizing the Fertile Window' was the most important. In relation to stress in the emotional domain, 'Depression' and 'Anxiety' were the most important, and in relation to stress in the relationship domain, 'Deteriorating of marital relationship' was the most important. Conclusions: We surveyed the status of KMD' awareness of infertility lifestyle management for patient education, and reflected it in the modification of the CPG for female infertility.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.75-85
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• 2007

Objectives: The aim of this study was to find out the attitude of Korean women towards IVF surrogacy which is not yet regulated by the law. Methods: We evaluated with a questionnaire, in how far IVF surrogacy was accepted in different groups of Korean women. Total 300 questionnaires were sent out to women who visited our infertility clinic, and to the nurses and office workers of our hospital. Among them, 246 questionnaires were returned, and 211 of them (85.7%) were complete and analyzed. The responders were 58 unmarried women and 153 married women including 60 infertile patients. Results: Only 17 (8.1%) women believed that IVF surrogacy was an acceptable treatment for infertile women without uterus (eg. MRKH or hysterectomized patients), and 125 (59.2%) women chose the adoption. There were no significant differences in response amongst different age group, marital status, or in relation to income level or educational level, or infertility status. A significantly higher level of acceptance was noted only in religious groups, especially in Christians. Most of responders (66.5%) chose unrelated and unknown women as a desirable host, and 28.4% of responders chose the sister or sister-in-law. Conclusions: Overall the different groups were critical towards IVF Surrogacy in Korea, irrespective of the infertile patient group. Despite the established clinical ability to have her own genetic child in women without uterus, this survey reveals that only minority supports the IVF surrogacy. So we need the survey with large, randomized population and then make a regulation about the IVF surrogacy in law.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.133-139
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• 2004

Objective: To investigate the association of FSH receptor (FSHR) polymorphism at position 680 with outcomes of controlled ovarian hyper-stimulation for IVF-ET in Korean women. Design: Genetic polymorphism analysis. Materials and Methods: The FSHR polymorphism was analyzed by PCR-RFLP in 172 ovulatory women below the age of 40 year. Patients with polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, or previous history of ovarian surgery were excluded. Results: Genotype distribution was 41.9% for the Asn/Asn, 47.7% for the Asn/Ser, and 10.5% for the Ser/Ser FSHR genotype group. There was no difference in age of subjects and infertility diagnosis between genotype groups. When the patients were grouped according to their FSHR genotype, the basal levels of FSH (day 3) were significantly different among the three groups ($6.0{\pm}0.3\;IU/L$ (mean $\pm$ SEM), $5.8{\pm}0.3\;IU/L$, and $8.6{\pm}1.2\;IU/L$ for the Asn/Asn, Asn/Ser, and Ser/Ser groups, respectively, p=0.002). The Ser/Ser group showed a higher total doses of gonadotropins required to achieve ovulation induction, and a lower serum estradiol levels at the time of hCG administration compared with other two groups, but the differences were of no statistical significance. The numbers of oocytes retrieved were significantly different among the three groups ($8.6{\pm}0.8$, $9.9{\pm}0.6$, and $6.3{\pm}0.9$, for the Asn/Asn, Asn/Ser, and Ser/Ser groups, respectively, p=0.049). Clinical pregnancy rates were 42.4%, 25.9%, and 29.4% for the Asn/Asn, Asn/Ser, and Ser/Ser groups, respectively. Conclusion: Homozygous Ser/Ser genotype of FSHR polymorphism at position 680 was associated with decreased ovarian response to gonadotropin stimulation for IVF-ET.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.226-234
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• 2004

Purpose: This study was to examine health status, reproductive health problems and the degree of prenatal management in working women. Method: The subjects were 902 married working women among 2,000 women selected by cluster sampling. The work area was classified to product factory, school, office, etc. After an Informed consent was obtained, participants were asked to fill out a self-administered questionnaire. The instruments included a questionnaire, parity check list, menstrual problems and gynecologic problem check list. Result: Many women have experienced menstrual cycle change during the past year. There was a significant difference in general health, menstrual regularity, reproductive health and prenatal management by occupation type. 40.6 percent of the subjects have gynecological problems such as menstrual cycle change, perineal inflammation, irregular vaginal bleeding, amenorrhea, ovarian/uterine disease, infertility, or abortion. Prenatal care was received in only 28.5% of the total subjects. In addition, 16.3% answered they had experienced low birth weight babies. Conclusion: We can conclude that working woman have changes in menstruation cycle and in reproductive health status. Therefore, we suggest that some occupational characteristics may affect subject's reproductive health, these should be clear and avoided as much as possible.