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In this study, a new monopropellant which consists of ammonium dinitramide (ADN) water solution and tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether (Tetraglyme) fuel is reported. The purpose of research was to improve the specific impulse and to compensate for the preheating temperature and vapor pressure of LMP-103S (63 wt% ADN, 14 wt% water, 18.4 wt% methanol, and 4.6 wt% ammonia). Methanol, ethanol, acetone, and glycerol were also used as the organic fuels to prepare the ADN based monopropellant with and without ammonia solution. Further, the characteristic properties and performance of ADN based monopropellants were determined and compared with each other. The thermal properties and explosive power of those monopropellants were performed by using thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (TGA-DSC) analysis and the blasting cap test, respectively. The TGA-DSC analysis revealed that a catalyst active material was an important factor more than the flash point and auto-ignition temperature of fuel for the propellant's preheating temperature. The ADN based monopropellant mixed with tetraglyme exhibited a similar explosive power as with the LMP-103S. Moreover, the theoretical vacuum specific impulse of the propellants mixed with tetraglyme was of 1–6% higher than the propellants with other fuels. Overall, ADN water solution blended with tetraglyme may be one of the promising fuel candidates for the satellite application.

“High risk” human papillomaviruses (HPV) are known to cause or are closely associated with the development of head and neck cancers including oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs). Integration of HPV DNA into host genome and subsequent expression of viral oncogenes, such as E6 and E7, are critical initial events for the HPV-associated cancer development; however, HPV infection alone is not sufficient to convert normal cells to malignant phenotypes, and other additional genetic and/or epigenetic events in the HPV-infected cells are required. Previously, we utilized the high-throughput RNAi Decode Library system on human oral keratinocyte-16B (HOK-16B), an immortalized but non-tumorigenic keratinocyte harboring HPV-16 genome, and identified ADAM23 as a putative tumor suppressor that functionally convert HOK-16B cells to tumorigenic. Here, we aimed to determine effects of ADAM23 in proliferation potential (e.g., population doublings) in the absence of HPV backgrounds in normal human oral and epidermal keratinocytes (NHOKs and NHEKs) and OKF6, hTERT-immortalized human oral keratinocytes. During the serially subcultured NHOKs, ADAM23 expression was significant increased during replicative senescence. Overexpression ADAM23 in NHOKs and NHEKs did not cause any changes in population doubling although they exhibited increased expression of p16. Knockdown of ADAM23 in NHEKs had no significant changes in their population doubling. Similarly, overexpression of ADAM23 OKF6 cells yielded no gross alterations in proliferation potential. When the Wnt signaling pathway is examined by treating LiCl or Wnt3a, overexpression of ADAM23 activated Wnt signaling pathway as demonstrated by increased expression of beta-catenin. Our data suggest that ADAM23 has limited effects on keratinocytes in the absence of HPV.

Background Among non-hormonal treatments, herbal products are frequently used by women. Korean red ginseng (KRG) is one of the popular herbal medicines. KRG could be one option for relieving menopausal symptoms. However, there are still concerns about the safety for long-term use. In order to be used for alleviating menopausal symptoms, the safety of KRG on breast must be ensured. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of KRG on breast cells. Methods MCF-7 and MCF-10A cells were treated with different concentrations of KRG extracts for 48 h. Cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay, and apoptosis by flow cytometry. The expression of apoptosis-related proteins was determined by western blot analysis and estrogen receptor (ER) affinity by ER binding assay. Results KRG extract inhibited growth and induced apoptosis of both MCF-7 and MCF-10A cells in dose-dependent manner. KRG extract increased the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins BAX, BAK, and BAD and decreased the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL in both cells. The expressions of Fas and FasL were increased in lower doses, but decreased in higher doses in both cells. Activities of caspase-3, -8 and -9 increased in MCF-10A, while caspase-8 and -9 showed increase in MCF-7. Competition of KRG to E2 was significant in MCF-7 as KRG dose increased, whereas ER binding was hardly shown in MCF-10. Conclusion KRG induced apoptosis via extrinsic and intrinsic pathway in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and MCF-10A non-malignant cells. KRG may be safely used with regard to breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women to reduce the vasomotor symptoms.

Objective To describe the clinical outcomes of frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) with artificial preparation of the endometrium, using a combination of estrogen (E2) and progesterone (P4) with or without a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa), and the modified natural cycle (MNC) with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) trigger. Methods In this retrospective study, we evaluated 187 patients during 3 years (February 2012-April 2015). The patients were allocated to the following treatment groups: group A, comprising 113 patients (181 cycles) who received GnRHa+E2+P4; group B, comprising 49 patients (88 cycles) who received E2+P4; and group C, comprising 25 patients (42 cycles) who received hCG+P4. The inclusion criteria were regular menstrual cycles (length 24-35 days) and age 21-45 years. Results The primary outcome of the study - implantation rate (IR) per embryo transferred - was not statistically different among the 3 groups. Similar results were found for the IRs with fetal heartbeat per embryo transferred (68/181 [37.6%] in group A vs. 22/88 [25.0%] in group B vs. 14/42 [33.3%] in group C) and for the live birth rates (LBRs) per embryo transferred (56/181 [30.9%] in group A vs. 18/88 [20.5%] in group B vs. 11/42 [26.2%] in group C). Conclusion Although the pregnancy outcomes were better in the hormone therapy with GnRHa group, hormone therapy FET with GnRHa for pituitary suppression did not result in significantly improved IRs and LBRs when compared with hormone therapy FET without GnRHa or MNC FET.

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) is one of the most promising candidate materials for flexible thermoelectric generators. We report changes in morphological, electrical, and thermoelectric properties of strained PEDOT:PSS thin films treated with solvents, including H2SO4, MeOH, and polyethylene glycol (PEG). The stretching creates macroscopic cracks on the thin film surface and microscopically change the domain structure from a dense network to an isolated state. With increasing strain, short, fine cracks at small strains propagate into long, thick cracks. The H2SO4 treatment makes PEDOT:PSS very brittle even at ∼5% strain, whereas PEG improves the stretchability of PEDOT:PSS up to 50%. Stretching reduces the electrical conductivity of solvent-treated samples, which agrees well with the decreased hole concentration of strained PEDOT:PSS, as confirmed by ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy. In contrast, the Seebeck coefficient (S) of the strained PEDOT:PSS thin films increases. The PEG sample shows the highest S, and thus exhibits an enhanced power factor (PF) with strain, while other solvent treatments reduce PF. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the strain-induced enhancement of S and thermoelectric PF of PEDOT:PSS.

Converting body heat into electricity using flexible thermoelectric generators can be useful for self-powered wearable electronic devices. However, the temperature difference that can be obtained by body heat is insufficient, which limits its practical applications. In this study, we present a wearable solar thermoelectric generator driven by a significantly high temperature difference created by introducing a local solar absorber and thermoelectric legs on a polyimide substrate. The solar absorber is a five-period Ti/MgF2 superlattice, in which the structure and thickness of each layer was designed for optimal absorption of sunlight. The thermoelectric legs were prepared by dispenser printing with an ink consisting of mechanically alloyed BiTe-based powders and an Sb2Te3-based sintering additive dispersed in glycerol. Thermoelectric p- and n-type legs have electrical conductivities of ~ 25,000 S m−1 with Seebeck coefficients of 166.37 and −116.38 μV K−1, respectively. When exposed to sunlight, a wearable solar thermoelectric generator comprising 10 pairs of p-n legs has an open-circuit voltage of 55.15 mV and an output power of 4.44 μW. The temperature difference is as high as 20.9 °C, which is much higher than the typical temperature differences of 1.5–4.1 °C of wearable thermoelectric generators driven by body heat. The wearable solar thermoelectric generators have been demonstrated on various surfaces exposed to sunlight, such as clothes or windows.

OBJECTIVES Menopause is a natural aging process causing estrogen deficiency, accelerating atherogenic processes including dyslipidemia. Prevalence of thyroid dysfunction is also high in postmenopausal women, and it is known to elevate the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Therefore, we are to study on the associations in between serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and prevalence of CVD in postmenopausal women who have normal thyroid function. METHODS We performed a retrospective review of 247 Korean postmenopausal women who visited the health promotion center from January, 2007 to December, 2009. Postmenopausal women with normal serum TSH were included in the study. Coronary atherosclerosis was assessed by 64-row multidetector computed tomography. RESULTS In multiple linear regression analysis, serum TSH was associated with serum triglyceride (TG) (β = 0.146, P = 0.023). In multiple logistic regression analysis, increasing age and serum TSH were associated with an increased risk of coronary atherosclerosis in euthyroid postmenopausal women (odds ratio [OR] = 1.107 [1.024-1.197], P = 0.011 and OR = 1.303 [1.024-1.658], P = 0.031, respectively). CONCLUSIONS It revealed that significant predictor of serum TSH was serum TG, and increasing age and TSH were found to have associations with an increased risk of coronary atherosclerosis in euthyroid postmenopausal women. Screening and assessing risks for CVD in healthy postmenopausal women would be helpful before atherosclerosis develops.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES:Various recent literature suggests that a negative multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) allows to rule out significant prostate cancer. The objective of our study was to investigate whether a specific portion of D'Amico intermediate risk group could be reclassified as low risk if the mpMRI is negative. We evaluated the histopathological results after radical prostatectomy (RP) in preoperative D'Amico intermediate risk patients that had a negative preoperative mpMRI.METHODS:We retrospectively identified 604 D'Amico intermediate risk patients and 355 low risk patients among 1,347 who underwent a preoperative mpMRI and radical prostatectomy in a single institution. Intermediate risk patients were sub-classified according to Gleason score, clinical stage and preoperative PSA level and the positivity of mpMRI. The final pathology from each RP specimen of each sub-classified group was compared with that of D'Amico low risk group. The MRIs were considered negative when no suspicious lesion was...

Purpose This study aimed to investigate whether Mullerian inhibiting substance (MIS) in combination with calcitriol modulates proliferation and apoptosis of human ovarian cancer (OCa) cell lines (SKOV3, OVCAR3, and OVCA433) and identify the signaling pathway by which MIS mediates apoptosis. Materials and methods OCa cell lines were treated with MIS in the absence or presence of calcitriol. Cell viability and proliferation were evaluated using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and apoptosis was evaluated by DNA fragmentation assay. Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to determine the signaling pathway. Results The cells showed specific staining for the MIS type II receptor. Treatment of OCa cells with MIS and calcitriol led to dose- and time-dependent inhibition of cell growth and survival. The combination treatment significantly suppressed cell growth, down-regulated the expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), and up-regulated the expressions of Bcl-2 associated X protein, caspase-3, and caspase-9 through the extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling pathway. Conclusion These results, coupled with a much-needed decrease in the toxic side effects of currently employed therapeutic agents, provide a strong rationale for testing the therapeutic potential of MIS, alone or in combination with calcitriol, in the treatment of OCa.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of ketorolac, a commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) as patient controlled intravenous infusion analgesia (PCIA) for the patients underwent radical cystectomy (RC) due to bladder cancer regarding post-operational indices of recovery. Total seventy patients who underwent radical cystectomy for the treatment of bladder cancer were included in the study. 35 patients received ketorolac as PCIA (NSAIDS group) and 35 patients had morphine infusion as PCIA (morphine group). Pain intensity, bowel function recovery and length of hospital stay were evaluated. Early postoperative complications were analyzed according to surgical types (robot RC vs. open RC). Demographics were similar between two groups. NSAIDS group showed a significant reduction in postoperative vomiting (p = 0.001), time to flatus (p = 0.028), time to first bowel movement (p = 0.001) and time to first clear liquid diet (p = 0.002) compared with morphine group. No statistically significant differences were observed between two groups regarding length of hospitalization, and postoperative complications. For 48 hours after RC, pain relief was slightly better in morphine group (p

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of scheduled ramosetron injections for controlling postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after single-port access total laparoscopic hysterectomy (SPA-TLH). Methods Ninety patients who underwent SPA-TLH at the Korean National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital between June 2013 and July 2014 were enrolled in this prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. The patients were divided into 2 groups as follows: the ramosetron group (0.3 mg intravenously [IV]; n=45) and the placebo group (normal saline IV; n=45). Both groups received their respective injections 12 and 24 hours post surgery. The incidence and severity of PONV (numerical rating scale, 0–10), and the use of rescue antiemetics post surgery were evaluated. Results Demographic and perioperative statistically significant differences were not observed between the 2 groups. The incidence of PONV in the ramosetron and placebo groups was 46.7% and 51.1%, respectively (P=0.51). We found significant differences in the severity of PONV between the 24- to 48-hour postoperative periods in both groups (ramosetron group, P=0.04 and placebo group, P=0.03). The use of rescue antiemetics was significantly lower in the ramosetron group than in the placebo group (P=0.02). Conclusion After general anesthesia, scheduled injections of ramosetron 12 and 24 hours after SPA-TLH reduced the severity of PONV and the use of rescue antiemetics. Administration of ramosetron can be considered not only immediately after SPA-TLH but also during the first 24-hour recovery period. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT 02011659

Objectives: Lymphangiogenesis may be involved in the pathogenesis of adenomyosis. We investigated the lymphatic vessels of patients with adenomyosis, including those treated with levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS). Methods: Full-thickness uterine samples were obtained from patients who received hysterectomies. Twenty-one patients with adenomyosis and 17 patients with adenomyosis who were treated with LNG-IUS were included. Eighteen patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia served as controls. Immunohistochemical staining was performed with antibodies against podoplanin and lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1. The lymphovascular density (LVD) was analyzed in each sample by the “hot spot” method. Results: The LVDs were significantly higher in the endometrial and myometrial tissues of patients with adenomyosis compared with those of patients treated with the LNG-IUS or controls. No significant differences were noted between the LNG-IUS–treated group and controls. Evaluation of the LVDs according to the menstrual cycle showed that the differences in the endometrial tissues of the adenomyosis group and those of the LNG-IUS–treated group or the controls were more prominent during the secretory phase. Conclusions: Treatment with the LNG-IUS resulted in reduced lymphangiogenesis and LVD in the endometrial and myometrial tissues of patients with adenomyosis. Reduced lymphangiogenesis may be one mechanism by which the LNG-IUS reduces adenomyosis-related symptoms.

A new record of the eyeshade sculpin Nautichthys pribilovius is described on the basis of a single specimen collected from the East Sea, Korea. The species has 23 second dorsal fin rays, rounded spines on the occiput, a black band through the eye and across the cheek, branched caudal fin rays and a branchiostegal membrane attached to the isthmus. The new Korean name "Gum-eun-tti-nun-hoet-dae-sok" is proposed for the genus Nautichthys, and "Gum-eun-tti-nun-hoet-dae" is proposed for the species N. pribilovius.

Red ginseng (RG) has been widely used to treat various diseases in East Asian countries. Previous studies have shown the anti-oxidative and anti-diabetic effects of RG. This study aimed to investigate the effects of RG on oxidative stress and insulin resistance in postmenopausal women.We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 82 postmenopausal women aged 45-60 years. Participants were randomized to receive 3g red ginseng daily or placebo for 12 weeks. Antioxidant enzymes activity (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase) and oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine) were assessed, and the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance index was calculated at the baseline and at the end of the trial.A total of 71 postmenopausal women completed the study. Serum superoxide dismutase activity was significantly increased after the 12-week RG supplementation (P0.001), and these changes were statistically significant compared with the placebo group (P=0.004). Serum malondialdehyde levels showed a tendency to decrease after the 12-week RG supplementation (P=0.001), but these changes were not statistically significant compared with the placebo group (P=0.064). No statistically significant changes in serum glutathione peroxidase and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine were noted. Further, RG supplementation showed no effects on fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and insulin resistance.The results suggest that RG may reduce oxidative stress by increasing antioxidant enzyme activity in postmenopausal women.

Background/Aims: This study aimed to investigate the effect of renal function on bone mineral density (BMD) and arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women. Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study. We studied 252 postmenopausal women who visited a health promotion center for a medical checkup. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the Cockcroft-Gault (CG) formula and the modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) formula. Areal BMD measurements were performed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and arterial stiffness was measured using the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). Results: The eGFR according to the CG formula was significantly correlated with age, BMI, follicle-stimulating hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, baPWV, and BMD at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip sites. However, the eGFR according to the MDRD formula was significantly correlated with age and baPWV but not with BMD at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip sites. Decreased renal function (eGFR 2 according to the CG formula) was independently associated with decreased BMD at the femoral neck site and with increased baPWV (>1,500 cm/s) after adjusting for confounding variables. Conclusion: Postmenopausal women with decreased renal function are more likely to have a decreased BMD and greater arterial stiffness.

Background Serum ferritin levels increase in postmenopausal women, and they are reported to be linked to major health problems. Here, we investigated the association between serum ferritin levels and insulin resistance (IR) in postmenopausal women. Methods A total of 6632 healthy Korean women (4357 premenopausal and 2275 postmenopausal) who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) in 2007–2010 were enrolled in the study. Serum ferritin values were divided into six groups for the premenopausal and postmenopausal groups. IR and obesity indices were evaluated according to the six serum ferritin groups. Statistical analysis was carried out using SAS software, version 9.2 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Results The association between the IR indices and ferritin groups had a higher level of statistical significance in the postmenopausal group than in the premenopausal group. In addition, for the postmenopausal group, the estimates increased significantly in the sixth ferritin group compared to those in the first ferritin group. However, the association between the obesity indices and ferritin levels was not significantly different between the premenopausal and postmenopausal groups. Conclusion Elevated serum ferritin levels were associated with an increased risk of insulin resistance in postmenopausal women.

This study aimed to investigate the association between serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and metabolic syndrome along with its associated risk factors in Korean postmenopausal women. This study was performed using data from the KNHANES 2008-2010 study and included 4,364 postmenopausal Korean women. Clinical and other objective characteristics, seasonality, and presence of metabolic syndrome with its five components were evaluated and correlated with the serum levels of 25(OH)D. Although no statistically significant associations were observed between the levels of serum 25(OH)D and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, the adjusted OR for elevated blood pressure, elevated triglycerides (TGs), and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) showed tendency to decrease sequentially as tertiles of serum 25(OH)D levels increased (p for trends = 0.066, 0.043, and 0.010, respectively). Women in the highest tertile of serum 25(OH)D showed a significant decrease in the prevalence of elevated blood pressure, elevated TGs, and reduced HDL-C as compared with those in the lowest tertile of serum 25(OH)D (p = 0.020, 0.014, and 0.002, respectively). Based on these results, we consider that adequate serum levels of 25(OH)D in Korean postmenopausal women may not entirely indicate a lower risk of developing metabolic syndrome. However, adequate serum levels of 25(OH)D are significantly associated with a decrease in elevated blood pressure, elevated TGs, and reduced HDL-C levels in postmenopausal women.

Copyright © 2012. Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a bulge or protrusion into or through the vagina of pelvic organs and associated vaginal segments [1]. With the aging population, POP is an increasingly common condition seen in women with a lifetime prevalence of 30% to 50% [1,2]. Symptomatic urogenital prolapse has been shown to have significant negative impacts such as those relating to the lower urinary tract, fecal incontinence, back pain, pelvic pain, defecatory problems, and dyspareunia. Management options for women with symptomatic POP include observation, pelvic floor muscle training, mechanical support (pessaries), and surgery. A patient’s perception of discomfort from POP and subsequent treatment will vary in relation to the stage of the POP and her ethnicity. Currently, many surgical approaches have been introduced to correct POP. The life time risk of undergoing surgery was estimated to be between 11% and 19%. However, none of these techniques is without risks for complications [2-4]. The prevalence of reoperaORIGINAL ARTICLE

Endometriosis is usually found in pelvic cavity such as in ovary. But, endometriosis has been described in other organs, although rare, such as intestine, kidney, lung, liver, gall bladder, and pancreas. Catamenial pneumothorax is defined as a recurrent pneumothorax within 72 hours of onset of menstruation and it is a rare cause of spontaneous pneumothorax. We, hereby, report two cases of successfully treated catamenial pneumothorax by gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonist with progestin or oral pill after surgical treatment.