The effect of weight change before midtrimester on gestational diabetes mellitus in Korean women with low body mass index

( Yun Ji Jung ),( Yejin Park ),( Ja Young Kwon ),( Joonho Lee ),( Young-han Kim ) 대한산부인과학회 2018 대한산부인과학회 학술대회 Vol.104 No.-

Objective: To investigate the change in maternal BMI from before pregnancy to midtrimester in Korean women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) over recent 12 years and to identify the association between weight gain before midtrimester and GDM development in women with normal range of body mass index (BMI). Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of pregnant women diagnosed with GDM among Korean pregnant women who delivered at Severance Hospital from 2008 to 2017 (n=742). The sample period of 12 years was divided into three equal, consecutive 4-year sub-periods. Clinical characteristics including maternal BMI before pregnancy and at midtrimester, gestational weight gain at early and mid-trimester, GDM treatment methods, and delivery outcomes were reviewed. Results: Third period (from 2014 to 2017) was associated with a higher maternal height (162cm vs. 158cm, P=0.033), lower pre pregnancy BMI (22.6 kg/m2 vs 24.5 kg/m2, P=0.045), and lower midtrimester BMI (24.7 kg/m2 vs 26.9 kg/m2, P=0.048) compared to the first period (from 2006 to 2009). There was no statistical significant difference in the proportion of patients who were treated with insulin, but the incidents of large-for-gestational-age significantly decreased in the last 4 years compared to the first period (4.97% vs. 10.2%, p=0.037). There was no association between excessive early-midtrimester weight gain and LGA. The proportion of GDM pregnant women who had excessive weight gain in the early and midtrimester in last 4 years was increasing but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that the incidence of GDM in Korean pregnant women with low BMI is increasing. Increased weight gain between early trimester and midtrimester of pregnancy may affect the increased incidence of gestational diabetes, and further research is needed.

Micro-CT Analysis of Cranial Bone and Tooth Density in Mice Deficient for GDF11 or Myostatin

Suh, Joonho,Kim, Na-Kyung,Lee, Yun-Sil Korean Academy of Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine 2020 Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain Vol.45 No.4

Purpose: Growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) and myostatin (MSTN) are closely-related transforming growth factor β family members reported to play crucial roles in bone formation. We previously reported that, in contrast to MSTN, GDF11 promotes osteogenesis of vertebrae and limbs. GDF11 has been also reported as an important regulator in tooth development by inducing differentiation of pulp stem cells into odontoblasts for reparative dentin formation. The goal of this study was to investigate the differential roles of GDF11 and MSTN in dental and cranial bone formation. Methods: Micro-computed tomography analysis was performed on cranial bones, including frontal, parietal, and interparietal bones, and lower incisors of wild-type, Gdf11 knockout (Gdf11-/-), and Mstn knockout (Mstn-/-) mice. Tissue volume, thickness, and mineral density were evaluated for both cranial bone and lower incisors. Lower incisor lengths were also measured. Because Gdf11-/- mice die shortly after birth, analysis was performed on newborn (P0) mice. Results: Compared to those of Mstn-/- mice, cranial bone volume, thickness, and mineral density levels were all significantly diminished in Gdf11-/- mice. Tissue mineral density of Gdf11-/- mice were also significantly decreased compared to wild-type mice. Likewise, lower incisor length, tissue volume, thickness, and mineral density levels were all significantly reduced in Gdf11-/- mice compared to Mstn-/- mice. Incisor length was also significantly decreased in Gdf11-/- mice compared to wild-type mice. Mstn-/- mice exhibited mildly increased levels of tissue volume, thickness, and density in cranial bone and lower incisor compared to wild-type mice although statistically not significant. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that GDF11, unlike MSTN, endogenously promotes cranial bone and tooth development.

Mitochondria as secretory organelles and therapeutic cargos

Suh Joonho,Lee Yun-Sil 생화학분자생물학회 2024 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.56 No.-

Mitochondria have been primarily considered intracellular organelles that are responsible for generating energy for cell survival. However, accumulating evidence suggests that mitochondria are secreted into the extracellular space under physiological and pathological conditions, and these secreted mitochondria play diverse roles by regulating metabolism, the immune response, or the differentiation/maturation in target cells. Furthermore, increasing amount of research shows the therapeutic effects of local or systemic administration of mitochondria in various disease models. These findings have led to growing interest in exploring mitochondria as potential therapeutic agents. Here, we discuss the emerging roles of mitochondria as extracellularly secreted organelles to shed light on their functions beyond energy production. Additionally, we provide information on therapeutic outcomes of mitochondrial transplantation in animal models of diseases and an update on ongoing clinical trials, underscoring the potential of using mitochondria as a novel therapeutic intervention.

Clinical Significance of Emerging Eclampsia Distinct from Preeclampsia

( Yejin Park ),( Yun Ji Jung ),( Ja Young Kwon ),( Joonho Lee ),( Young-han Kim ) 대한산부인과학회 2018 대한산부인과학회 학술대회 Vol.104 No.-

Objective: Eclampsia refers to the development of new-onset seizures or coma in preeclampsia, as the severe end of its spectrum. The Objective of this study was to investigate clinical characteristics of emerging eclampsia on the spectrum of preeclampsia. Methods: 24 patients manifested eclamptic seizure between January 2007 and July 2018 were compared with 240 of preeclamptic patients in Severance Hospital. Clinical characteristics including maternal age, gestational age at delivery, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, gravidity, pre-pregnancy body mass index, and maternal complication such as HELLP syndrome (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, Low Platelets), placental abruption, and neurologic sequelae were compared between eclampsia and preeclampsia followed by comparison of maternal laboratory findings. Moreover, clinical characteristics of eclampsia were analyzed depending on the onset time of eclamptic seizure-before and after labor. Results: Approximately 2.5% of eclampsia was emerged in preeclampsia. Eclamptic patients showed significantly younger (30.73.8 vs. 33.15.0, P=0.008), lower body mass index (20.733.54 vs. 22.604.44, P=0.046) and higher blood pressure (systolic: 178.4±22.0 vs. 151.3±2.0, P<0.0001; diastolic: 109.9±18.8 vs. 96.4±10.0, P<0.0001), especially during seizure episode. Furthermore, higher risks of HELLP syndrome and neurologic sequelae was accompanied with eclampsia (18.2% vs. 5.4%, P=0.043, 13% vs 0%, P<0.0001). Higher risk of eclampsia was accompanied with hyperuricemia (12.8% vs. 1.9%, P=0.001), despite no significant correlation with HELLP syndrome and placental abruption. Conclusion: Eclampsia had significant differences in clinical manifestation distinct from preeclampsia and our results suggested that higher serum uric acid level, higher risk of eclampsia. Moreover, physicians should concern the probability of eclampsia if high diastolic blood pressure continues after delivery.

Prenatal diagnosis and postnatal outcome of fetal intracranial hemorrhage: a single-center experience

Suhra Kim,Yun Ji Jung,Jiwon Baik,Hayan Kwon,JoonHo Lee,Ja-Young Kwon,Young-Han Kim 대한산부인과학회 2024 Obstetrics & Gynecology Science Vol.67 No.4

Objective To assess prenatal ultrasonographic findings and postnatal outcomes in fetuses with intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). Methods This retrospective study included fetuses prenatally diagnosed with ICH between December 2012 and August 2023. Maternal characteristics, prenatal ultrasonographic findings, and postnatal outcomes were reviewed. Results Twenty-seven fetuses with ICH were reviewed. Intracranial hemorrhage was classified as grade 3 and 4 in 24 fetuses. Twenty-two fetuses had ICH, four had ICH with subdural hemorrhage, and one had ICH with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Ventriculomegaly was the most common ultrasonographic finding, and was observed in 22 of the 27 (81.5%) fetuses. Seven fetuses were lost to follow-up, and four intrauterine fetal deaths occurred. The remaining 16 fetuses were delivered at a median gestational age of 35+2 weeks. The infants were followed-up for 40.1 months (range, 4-88). Nine of the 16 infants underwent ventriculoperitoneal placement. One infant underwent brain surgery for severe epilepsy. Motor impairment, including cerebral palsy, was observed in 13 infants (81.2%). Neurologic impairment occurred in six infants (37.5%), developmental delay in nine (56.2%), and epilepsy in 11 (68.7%). Conclusion Fetal ICH is a rare complication diagnosed during pregnancy, which results in subsequent fetal neurological sequelae or death. This study demonstrated that the common ultrasonographic findings in fetal ICH were progressive ventriculomegaly and increased periventricular echogenicity. Fetuses diagnosed with prenatal ICH, especially those affected by higher-grade ICH, may be at an increased risk of long-term neurodevelopmental problems.

Magnesium hydroxide flame retardant and its application to a low-density polyethylene/ethylene vinyl acetate composite

Hyung Mi Lim,Joonho Yun,Mikyung Hyun,Yeomyoung Yoon,Dong Jin Lee,Sang Ok Jeong,Seung-Ho Lee,Chin Myung Whang 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2009 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.10 No.4

Magnesium hydroxide as a halogen-free flame retardant attracts increasing attention due to environmental regulations and its unique physical properties such as non-toxicity and smoke suppressant ability during combustion. Low-density polyethylene/ethylene vinyl acetate(LDPE/EVA) blends are one of the polyolefins of which the flame retardance is enhanced by compositions containing magnesium hydroxide. Natural magnesium hydroxide flame retardant is available from the mineral brucite by the adjusting size distribution and surface treatment. A synthetic magnesium hydroxide is usually prepared by precipitation and hydrothermal treatment from magnesium salts or hydrolysis of MgO mineral(periclase). Natural and synthetic magnesium hydroxide have been prepared and mixed with LDPE/EVA by melt compounding. The dependence of the particle size and purity of the magnesium hydroxide and various additives for the synergistic effect on the flame retardance of LDPE/EVA has been studied through combustion tests of the polymer composites. The combustion behavior has been tested by limited oxygen index tests and the vertical burning tests of UL-94. Magnesium hydroxide as a halogen-free flame retardant attracts increasing attention due to environmental regulations and its unique physical properties such as non-toxicity and smoke suppressant ability during combustion. Low-density polyethylene/ethylene vinyl acetate(LDPE/EVA) blends are one of the polyolefins of which the flame retardance is enhanced by compositions containing magnesium hydroxide. Natural magnesium hydroxide flame retardant is available from the mineral brucite by the adjusting size distribution and surface treatment. A synthetic magnesium hydroxide is usually prepared by precipitation and hydrothermal treatment from magnesium salts or hydrolysis of MgO mineral(periclase). Natural and synthetic magnesium hydroxide have been prepared and mixed with LDPE/EVA by melt compounding. The dependence of the particle size and purity of the magnesium hydroxide and various additives for the synergistic effect on the flame retardance of LDPE/EVA has been studied through combustion tests of the polymer composites. The combustion behavior has been tested by limited oxygen index tests and the vertical burning tests of UL-94.

수변구조물 통합관리를 위한 피해정보 시스템 구현 및 설계

윤권영,손종권,김주형,권준호,Yun, Kwonyoung,Son, Jongkwon,Kim, Juhyeong,Kwon, Joonho 한국전기전자학회 2014 전기전자학회논문지 Vol.18 No.1

최근 전 세계적으로 호우, 지진, 태풍 등의 재난으로 인한 피해가 증가하고 있다. 한반도 역시 거듭된 기후 변화에 따라 호우 일수가 매년 증가하고 있으며, 지난 30년간의 지진 통계에 따르면 지진 발생 가능성도 높아지고 있다. 또한 지구 온난화의 심화에 따라 인근 바닷가의 기온 상승으로 강도 높은 태풍이 한반도에 올 가능성이 증대되고 있다. 이처럼 호우, 지진, 태풍으로 인한 재해의 발생 가능성이 증가하고 있으며, 그로인한 수변구조물의 피해와 규모 역시 증가하고 있지만 수변구조물에 대한 피해 정보의 관리가 부족하다. 본 연구에서는 수변구조물 통합관리를 위하여 자연재해로 인한 피해정보를 분류하고, 피해 정보를 표현하기 위한 데이터베이스를 설계하였다. 또한 피해정보 관리 시스템을 구현하여 예제 질의를 수행하여 구현한 시스템의 동작과 가능성을 확인하였다. Recently, damages from disasters such as downpours, earthquakes and typhoons are increasing throughout the world. The downpour days of Korean Peninsula are also increasing every year due to rapid climate change. According to statistics over the last 30 years of the earthquakes in Korean Peninsula, the probability of a future earthquake is very high. In addition, super typhoons will hit Korean Peninsula due to the temperature rise in the nearby sea caused by the deepening of global warming. Thus, damage costs of the waterfront structures by natural disasters are also growing. But damage information system for integrated management of waterfront structures are insufficient. In this paper, we designed and implemented a damage information system for integrated management of waterfront structures. First, we classified damage information caused by natural disaster. Then we designed the databases of damage information and implemented damage information system. Lastly, we checked operations and the feasibility by testing queries on the proposed system.

Decreased differentiation potential of human cord blood derived lymphatic endothelial progenitor cells in severe preeclampsia

( Ja-young Kwon ),( Yun-ji Jung ),( Yeijin Park ),( Hanoll Pi ),( Joonho Lee ),( Young-han Kim ),( Yong Sun Maeng ) 대한산부인과학회 2018 대한산부인과학회 학술대회 Vol.104 No.-

Objective: Abnormal development or disruption of lymphatic vasculature has been implicated in metabolic disease or hypertensive diseases. Recent evidence suggests that offspring delivered from pregnancy complicated with preeclampsia remains increased risk for long-term, adulthood issues such as cardiovascular and metabolic diseases due to in utero fetal programming. We aim to investigate functional impairment of lymphatic endothelial progenitor cell in offspring born to preeclamptic mother. Methods: Human umbilical cord blood lymphatic endothelial progenitor cells (LEPCs) were purified with anti-VEGFR3/Pod/CD11b microbeads using a magnetic cell sorter device in severe preeclampsia (n=10) and gestationally matched normal pregnant women (n=10) were retrospectively analyzed. Differentiation of progenitor cells to lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) was assessed by morphology, differentiation day and the number of colonies using light microscopy in both groups. Lymph-angiogenic function of LECs differentiated was evaluated by migration, adhesion and 3D-sprouting assay. Results: Differentiation day of LEPCs was significantly delayed (9 vs 15 days; p<0.05) and the number of LEC colonies were significantly reduced in preeclampsia compared with normal pregnancy. In addition, activity of migration, adhesion and 3D-sprouting of LECs was diminished in preeclampsia. Moreover, LEC from preeclampsia showed the increased lymphatic permeability by disorganizing VE-cadherin junctions. In vivo lymphangiogenic function of LEPC in matrigel plug of mouse was significantly decreased in preeclampsia compared with normal pregnancy. Conclusion: In preeclampsia, differentiation potency of LEPCs to LECs was reduced and lymph-angiogenic function of LECs was significantly diminished in preeclampsia in vitro and in vivo. Acknowledgements: This study was supported by National Research Foundation grant (NRF-2016R1D1A1B03933337, NRF-2017R1D1A1B03029081)

Risk factors for postpartum endometritis after uterine artery embolization for postpartum hemorrhage

( Eun Jin Lee ),( Yun Ji Jung ),( Hayan Kwon ),( Ja-young Kwon ),( Young-han Kim ),( Joonho Lee ) 대한산부인과학회 2022 대한산부인과학회 학술대회 Vol.108 No.-

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for the development of puerperal endometritis following uterine artery embolization (UAE) for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). Methods: Retrospective cohort study including women who underwent delivery and UAE for PPH at Severance hospital between May 2010 and May 2022 was conducted. Maternal demographics and clinical characteristics were reviewed. Postpartum endometritis was defined as fever ≥ 38 with either fundal tenderness or abnormal vaginal discharge or odor in the absence of any other source. Univariative and multivariative analysis with logistic regression models were performed to determine the factors related to postpartum endometritis. Results: Of the 106 women who received UAE, 14 (13.2%) had postpartum endometritis and 3 patients were diagnosed with pathologically confirmed uterine necrosis. The presence of labor before delivery and the higher number of vaginal examination were associated with an increased risk of postpartum endometritis (adjusted for postpartum antibiotic use; p=0.004 and 0.002, respectively) In the subgroup analysis, higher number of vaginal examination were associated with an increased risk of postpartum endometritis in the vaginal delivery group (adjusted OR 1.62; p=0.012). In the Cesarean section group, emergency operation (adjusted OR 6.43; p=0.018) and the presence of labor before delivery (adjusted OR 9.60; p=0.011) were associated with an increase the risk of postpartum endometritis. Conclusion: We conclude that labor before delivery and multiple vaginal examination are strongly correlated with the development of postpartum endometritis after uterine artery embolization.

Facile synthesis of ZnO-Au nanocomposites for high-performance supercapacitors

Mahajan, Hansa,Bae, Joonho,Yun, Kyusik Elsevier 2018 JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS Vol.758 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>A facile and economic method for the synthesis of ZnO-Au heterostructured nanoflowers was developed by implementing a surfactant-mediated route. Pure ZnO nano-flowers were initially synthesized and Au nanoparticles (NPs) were further deposited on the ZnO surface by using hydrazine hydrate as a reducing agent. The effect of the accumulated Au NPs on the surface of ZnO was demonstrated by applying the as-synthesized nanostructures in supercapacitors. The ZnO-Au composite functioned as a pseudocapacitor electrode in 2 M KOH aqueous electrolyte. The Au NP formed a systematic nanocomposite after deposition on the ZnO surface. The composite exhibited enhanced conductivity and hence high specific capacitance and good cycling stability during cyclic voltammetric and charge/discharge analyses when used as the electrode material in supercapacitors. The average specific capacitance of the fabricated composite was augmented relative increasing from 89 Fg<SUP>-1</SUP> (ZnO nanoflowers) to 205 Fg<SUP>-1</SUP> (ZnO-Au composite) at a scan rate of 20 mVs<SUP>-1</SUP> in a two-electrode system at 0 to 0.8 Ag<SUP>-1</SUP> current density. Metal oxides are considered the most promising materials for next-generation supercapacitors owing to their unique physical and chemical properties. The magnificent performance of the composite material is attributed to the synergetic effects of the size and good redox activity of the ZnO particles, combined with the high surface area of the ZnO-Au composites.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Synthesis of ZnO nanoflowers and ZnO-Au composite for supercapacitor were proposed. </LI> <LI> The synthesis method is facile, low-cost and low-temperature based. </LI> <LI> Main mechanism of synthesis is investigated. </LI> <LI> ZnO-Au composite demonstrate excellent electrochemical characteristics compared to ZnO nanoflowers. </LI> </UL> </P>