• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.72-78
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• 2015

Recently, noninvasive prenatal test (NIPT) has been adopted as a primary screening tool for fetal chromosomal aneuploidy. The principle of NIPT lies in isolating the fetal fraction of cell-free DNA in maternal plasma and analyzing it with bioinformatic tools to measure the amount of gene from the target chromosome, such as chromosomes 21, 18, and 13. NIPT will contribute to decreasing the need for unnecessary invasive procedures, including amniocentesis and chorionic villi sampling, for confirming fetal aneuploidy because of its higher positive predictive value than that of the conventional prenatal screening method. However, its greater cost than that of the current antenatal screening protocol may be an obstacle to the adoption of this innovative technique in clinical practice. Digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) is a novel approach for detecting and quantifying nucleic acid. dPCR provides real-time diagnostic advantages with higher sensitivity, accuracy, and absolute quantification than conventional quantitative PCR. Since the groundbreaking discovery that fetal cell-free nucleic acid exists in maternal plasma was reported, dPCR has been used for the quantification of fetal DNA and for screening for fetal aneuploidy. It has been suggested that dPCR will decrease the cost by targeting specific sequences in the target chromosome, and dPCR-based noninvasive testing will facilitate progress toward the implementation of a noninvasive approach for screening for trisomy 21, 18, and 13. In this review, we highlight the principle of dPCR and discuss its future implications in clinical practice.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.118-122
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• 2015

Noninvasive prenatal test (NIPT) is a novel screening method for the diagnosis of fetal chromosomal aneuploidies. NIPT is based on technology that detects cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma and analyzes it with massively parallel sequencing technology to determine whether the fetus is at risk of trisomy 21, trisomy 18, trisomy 13 or sex chromosome abnormalities (SCAs). NIPT has been reported to have sensitivity of 99% and a false positive rate of less than 1% for detecting trisomy 21 and trisomy 18. Although extension of the application of NIPT to other SCAs has been attempted, there are concerns in extending NIPT to SCAs because of maternal or fetal mosaicism, undetected maternal SCAs, and multiple pregnancies. Recently, we assessed a pregnancy with the rare Turner syndrome mosaicism 45, X/47, XXX, which was reported as 45, X with NIPT. We present the case here and briefly review the current literatures on NIPT in testing for fetal monosomy X. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the 45, X/47, XXX mosaicism in Korea to be reported as 45, X by NIPT with whole genome sequencing. This case report will provide valuable information for counseling women who want to undergo NIPT.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.132-143
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• 2000

The purpose of this correlational study was to find the correlation between the infant temperament, mother-infant interaction, and child-rearing environment. The subjects of this study were 37 dyads of healthy mothers and healthy infants. Data were collected from 15th of March to 3rd of September, 1999. Convenient sampling was done at Obstetric wards of one University hospital, and demographic data were collected before discharge. At one month and three month postpartum, we visited subject's home, and collected the data on the infant temperament, and also video taped the mother-infant interaction during feeding. In addition, child-rearing environment was checked by researcher according to HOME(Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment) at three months postpartum. Mother-infant interactions were rated according to the NCAST Feeding Scale later. Data were analyzed by window SPSS program, and correlations between the infant temperament, mother-infant interaction, and child-rearing environment were analyzed by Pearson's correlational coefficient. The results were as follows: 1. Infant temperament. 1) Among the subscales of infant temperament, mothers perceived cuddliness and amenability most positively at one month, and responsivity and amenability most positively at three months. 2) In subscale analysis of stability, amenability, responsivity, and persistence were stable with the time. 3) Significant relationships were found between the malleability and amenability, between the malleability and responsivity at one month, and also between the malleability and amenability, and between the malleability and cuddliness at three months. 2. Correlations of infant temperament and mother-infant interaction. 1) There was no significant relationship between the infant temperament and mother-infant interaction at one month. 2) There was a significant relationship between the infant temperament and mother-infant interaction at three months(r=.335, p<.05). In subscale analysis, there were significnt relationships between the total score of infant temperament and maternal sensitivity to infant's cues(r=.372, p<.05), and between the total score of infant temperament and maternal response to infant's distress (r=.331, p<.05). 3. Correlations of infant temperament and child-rearing environment. 1) There was no significant relationship between the total score of infant temperament at one month and total score of HOME at three months. In subscal analysis, the total score of infant temperament at one showed significant relationships with the organization of environment(r=.413, p<.05), and the emotional, verbal response at three months(r=.337, p<.05). 2) There was a significant relationship between the total score of infant temperament at three months and the total score of HOME at three months (r=.599, p<.01). In subscal analysis, the total score of infant temperament at three months showed significant relationships with the organization of environment(r=.410, p<.05), maternal involvement(r=.482, p,.01), and the emotional, verbal response(r=.695, p<.01) at three months. 4. Correlations of mother-infant interaction and child-rearing environment. There was a significant relationship between the maternal score of mother-infant interaction at one month and three months and the total score of HOME at three months (r=.474, p<.01; r=.452, p<.01). In conclusion, it was proved that infant temperament had significant relationships with mother-infant interaction and child-rearing environment, especially when the infants were getting older. This showed the possibility for changeability of infant teperament by the maternal factors.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness(ASFT) and maternal gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM) measured by ultrasound at period of pregnancy. We compared maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index, and weight gain during pregnancy in 286 pregnant women who were diagnosed with early pregnancy ASFT and high GDM screening test(50 g OGTT) of more than 140 mg/dL. ROC curve analysis was used to determine the cut-off value of ASFT for GDM prediction. Maternal age and weight gain during pregnancy were not related to GDM in the mid-trimester and pre-pregnancy body mass index and earely pregnancy ASFT were significantly different between normal and GDM high risk groups. The cut-off value of ASFT for GDM prediction was 2.23 cm(AUC 0.913. Sensitivity 76.19%, Specificity 93.72%). ASFT measured by ultrasound in early pregnancy was useful as an important index for predicting mid-trimester GDM prediction. Therefore, ASFT can be used as an auxiliary diagnostic index for early recognition of GDM.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.47-62
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is comparing parenting efficacy, knowledge of infant-care and sensitivity, The subjects of this study were 100 parents having 12-24 monthes old child in the city of Jeonju, Korea. Parenting efficacy was developed by Shin, Suk-Jae(1997) and consisting of 16 questions. The knowledge of infant-care was assessed using Knowledge of Child Development Inventory(KCDI) by Yoon Hyung Ju, which was modified by pedology Professor and 3 graduate school students in master's or doctorate courses. In addition, by using a tool made by Gwon, Mi-Gyeong(1998) centering on the literatures on infant cue in Barnard's NCAST program, the parents' sensitivity of infant cue is investigated. The statistical analysis of the collected data is done with SPSS 10.0, and frequency, percentage, average, standard deviation, t/F test and Pearson's correlation are also used. The results of this study were as following: First, mother's parenting efficacy was higher than father's. There were significant differences in parenting efficacy by eudcational level of mothers. Second, knowledge of infant-care was higher in mothers than fathers. Areas that mothers have knowledge of infant-care in the order of the lowest areas are emotional development, sociality development, physical development and cognitive development. Third, mothers reaction to infant cue is more sensitive and positive than father's. Fourth, There were positive correlations with father's parenting efficacy and knowledge of infant-care on emotional development, and paternal parenting uneasiness has negative correlations with his sociality development and emotional development.Meanwhile, There were positive correlations with mother's parenting efficacy and knowledge of infant-care on emotional development. Maternal parenting efficacy has negative correlations with her knowledge of infant-care on emotional development.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.191-195
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• 2016

The aim of this study was to evaluate different methods for Trichomonas vaginalis diagnosis during pregnancy in order to prevent maternal and perinatal complications. A total of 386 vaginal exudates from pregnant women were analyzed. T. vaginalis was investigated by 3 types of microscopic examinations direct wet mount with physiologic saline solution, prolonged May-Grunwald Giemsa (MGG) staining, and wet mount with sodium-acetate-formalin (SAF)/methylene blue method. PCR for 18S rRNA gene as well as culture in liquid medium were performed. The sensitivity and specificity of the microscopic examinations were evaluated considering the culture media positivity or the PCR techniques as gold standard. The frequency of T. vaginalis infection was 6.2% by culture and/or PCR, 5.2% by PCR, 4.7% by culture, 3.1% by SAF/methylene blue method and 2.8% by direct wet smear and prolonged MGG staining. The sensitivities were 83.3%, 75.0%, 50.0%, and 45.8% for PCR, culture, SAF/methylene blue method, and direct wet smear-prolonged MGG staining, respectively. The specificity was 100% for all the assessed methods. Microscopic examinations showed low sensitivity, mainly in asymptomatic pregnant patients. It is necessary to improve the detection of T. vaginalis using combined methods providing higher sensitivity, such as culture and PCR, mainly in asymptomatic pregnant patients, in order to prevent maternal and perinatal complications.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.96-107
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• 2001

Recent research indicates that the new mothers want to learn about childrearing, and have burden in care of infants. Also it indicates that the new mothers say the lack of confidence and knowledge about infant care. This study was a prospective longitudinal reseach developing parent role education program and evaluating the effectiveness of this program for mother-infant interaction, childrearing environment and infant development. Longitudinal quasi-experimental design was used. The subjects were the healthy infants weighing over 2,500gm at birth, whose gestational age was more than 37weeks, and their mothers. The sample consisted of 19 mother-infant dyads for intervention group and 18 dyads for control group. Data were collected from March 15th to December 14th in 1999. For the intervention group received programmed education that was consisted of discharge education, telephone counselling, and home visiting for maternal education. The data were analyzed using chi-square test and t-test to test the equivalence of two groups, and the effectiveness of intervention program. This study was focused on the results of six months time point. The results were as follows: 1. There was significant difference in the mean score of mother-infant interaction(NCAST) between two groups. Intervention group showed higher scores in the subscales of sensitivity to cues, cognitive growth fostering, and caregiver total. 2. There was no significant difference in the mean score of child rearing environment (HOME) between two groups of six-month-infants. But when each subscale of HOME was examined, intervention group showed higher scores in the dimensions of opportunities for variety in daily stimulation, maternal involvement with child, and emotional, verbal response. 3. Six-month-infants of the intervention group showed significantly higher GQ in the Griffiths mental development scale. In conclusion, the maternal education program was effective in promoting the mother-infant interaction, organizing the childrearing environment, and fostering the infant development. These results were very meaningful that we found parent role education necessary for normal infants' mothers, and nurses can make a great contribution in promoting health of infants and mothers.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.105-115
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• 2011

Mercury is a toxic, persistent pollutant that bioaccumulates and biomagnifies through food webs. People are exposed to methyhnercruy mainly through their diet, especially through the consumption of freshwater and marine fish and of other animals that consume fish (e.g., marine mammals). All humans are exposed to low levels of mercury. Dietary patterns can increase exposure to a fish-eating population where the fish and seafood are contaminated with mercury. The primary toxicity targets of mercury and mercury compounds are the nervous system, kidneys, and cardiovascular system. It is generally accepted that developing organ systems are most sensitive to the toxic effects of mercury. The fetal-brain mercury levels appear to be significantly higher than the maternal-blood mercury levels, and the developing central nervous system of the fetus is currently regarded as the main system of concern as it demonstrates the greatest sensitivity. The subpopulation that may be at greater risk for mercury toxicity are those exposed to higher levels of methylmercury due to carnivorous fish, including sharks.

• Korean Journal of Child Studies
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.35-46
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• 2010

This study analyzed variables that affect children's leadership qualities. The subjects were 400 five-year-old children and their mothers living in the Seoul metropolitan area. The instruments used in this study were the Young Children's Leadership Scale (Kim, 2006), Temperament(Hong, 2008), Peer Interaction (Choi, 2004), Mother's Verbal Control Modes(Do, 1997), and the HOME instrument (Rhee and Jang, 1982). The data collected was analyzed by descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, and multiple regression analysis. Our results indicated that (a) girls' scores on leadership were higher than those of boys. (b) Boys' leadership qualities were related to children's temperament, peer relationship, maternal verbal control modes, and home environment. (c) Girls' leadership qualities were related to children's temperament, peer relationship, and home environment. (d) In particular, it was noted that children's temperament (in terms of their sensitivity/endurance) was the strongest predictor for leadership qualities in both boys and girls.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.21 no.1 s.52
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• pp.81-86
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• 2006

Embryotoxicity tests were performed in Daphnia magna to assess aquatic ecotoxicity of bisphenol A, a well known industrial compound showing estrogen-like activity in vivo, and to examine their effectiveness in the toxicological assessment. The whole embryonic developmental period was classified into 6 stages and developmental abnormality was checked to evaluate the embryotoxicity. In the present study, bisphenol A showed the ability to interfere with embryonic development, suggesting its antiecdysteroidal activity. The rates of mortality, delayed development, deformity and immobility all showed good concentration-response relationship, demonstrating their possibility as useful toxicological indices in daphnid embryotoxicity tests that have been rarely performed so far. It seemed favorable to the test sensitivity that embryos are removed from maternal daphnids around 7 hr after deposition from the ovaries to the brood chamber. These results suggest that daphnid embryotoxicity tests can be one of useful tools available for the assessment of ecotoxicity of various chemicals in the aquatic environment.