• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.169-178
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• 1997

Thin study measured dietary intakes in late pregnancy and psychological stress during the period of gestation and examined the roles of diet and psychological stress in pregnancy weight gain and infant birth weight. Study subjects were 98 pregnant women who delivered infants at 2 general hospitals in Taejon city. Mean weight gain during pregnancy was 14.6$\pm$4.89Kg. Mean infant birth weight was 3.39$\pm$0.62kg in males and 3.28$\pm$0.43Kg in females. Mean energy and protein intake levels were adequate, but mean iron and calcium intakes were only 61.2$\pm$14.9% and 79.1$\pm$18.2$\%$ of RDA, respectively. Fat intake which constitutes 22.0$\pm$4.3$\%$ of total energy intake, and animal protein intake which constitutes 22.0$\pm$4.3$\%$ of total energy intake, and animal protein intake which constitutes 53.7$\%$ of total protein intake were moderately high. Though mean energy, fat, animal protein, and meat protein intakes in the low psychological stress group were higher than those in the middle or high stress group, psychological stress did not significantly affect pregnancy weight gain and infant birth weight. High intakes of nutrients except for dairy protein, iron, and niacin were associated with higher pregnancy weight gain and high intakes of protein and meat protein were associated with higher infant birth weight. It is concluded that dietary intakes during pregnancy has effects on pregnancy weight gain and infant birth weight, and psychological stress has no direct effect on them.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.255-265
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• 2022

The cellular communication network factor (CCN) family proteins regulate many biological events such as angiogenesis, tumor growth, placentation, implantation, and embryogenesis. The expression and function of CCN1, CCN2, and CCN3 at the maternal-conceptus interface are established in humans and rodents, but little is known about the role of CCN4 to CCN6 in the reproductive organs in any other species. Several studies in transcriptome analysis in pigs have shown that the expression of CCN4 and CCN6 increases in the endometrium during early pregnancy. However, their expression, regulation, and function in the endometrium throughout the estrous cycle and pregnancy have not been fully understood in pigs. Thus, we determined the expression, localization, and regulation of CCN4 and CCN6 during the estrous cycle and at the maternal-conceptus interface in pigs. We found that the levels of CCN4, but not CCN6, changed during the estrous cycle. The levels of CCN4 were greater during mid- to late pregnancy than in the early stage, and the levels of CCN6 were greatest on Day 15 of pregnancy. CCN4 and CCN6 were detected in conceptus tissues during early pregnancy and in chorioallantoic tissues during the later stage of pregnancy. CCN4 mRNA was mainly localized to epithelial cells, CCN6 mRNAs to epithelial and stromal cells in the endometrium. In endometrial explant cultures, CCN4 expression was increased by progesterone, and CCN6 expression by interferon-𝛾. These results suggest that CCN4 and CCN6 may play roles in the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy by regulating the endometrial epithelial cell functions in pigs.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.533-543
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• 2022

Objective: Caspase-mediated apoptosis plays a crucial role in the regulation of endometrial and placental function in females. Caspase activity is tightly controlled by members of the inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) family. However, the expression and regulation of IAPs at the maternal-conceptus interface has not been studied in pigs. Therefore, we determined the expression of IAP family members baculovirus IAP repeat-containing 1 (BIRC1) to BIRC6 at the maternal-conceptus interface in pigs. Methods: We obtained endometrial tissues from pigs at various stages of the estrous cycle and pregnancy, conceptus tissues during early pregnancy, and chorioallantoic tissues during mid- to late pregnancy and analyzed the expression of IAPs. Furthermore, we determined the effects of the steroid hormones estradiol-17β (E2) and progesterone on the expression of IAPs in endometrial explant tissue cultures. Results: During the estrous cycle, BIRC2 and BIRC5 expression varied cyclically, and during pregnancy, endometrial BIRC1, BIRC2, BIRC3, BIRC4, and BIRC5 expression varied in a stage-specific manner. Conceptus and chorioallantoic tissues also expressed IAPs during pregnancy. The BIRC2 and BIR3 mRNAs were localized to luminal epithelial cells, and BIRC4 proteins to glandular epithelial cells in the endometrium. Exposure of endometrial tissues to E2 increased the expression of BIRC6, while progesterone increased the expression of BIRC1, BIRC4, and BIRC6 in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: These results indicated that IAPs were expressed in the endometrium during the estrous cycle and at the maternal-conceptus interface during pregnancy in a stage-specific manner. In addition, steroid hormones were found to be responsible for the expression of some IAPs in pigs. Together, the results suggested that IAPs may play important roles in endometrial and placental functions by regulating caspase action and apoptosis at the maternal-conceptus interface.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.45-51
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• 2011

This study investigated potential relationship between fetal deaths and plasma progesterone concentrations of bitches. Serial ultrasonographic examinations were performed on small-pet 23 dogs from gestation day (GD) 15 through parturition. The dogs were 3 non-pregnant bitches, 9 spontaneous delivery bitches, 6 partial early embryonic death bitches, 2 whole early embryonic death bitches, and 3 aborted bitches. The late pregnancy (GD 51-54) appeared in 2 of the 3 aborted bitches and the hypoluteoidism appeared in 1 of the 3 aborted bitches. The plasma progesterone concentrations of partial early embryonic death bitches (n=6) showed no significant difference when compared with the spontaneous delivery bitches. We observed that plasma progesterone concentrations were dramatic decrease before the onset of embryonic death in whole early embryonic death bitches that plasma progesterone concentrations of aborted bitches at late pregnancy were significantly decreased when compared with those of spontaneous delivery bitches. The plasma progesterone concentrations of the hypoluteoidism bitch were lower than those of spontaneous delivery bitches. At the hypoluteoidism bitch, fetuses were resorbed in early pregnancy and aborted in late pregnancy. On the basis of the results, the diagnosis of partial early embryonic death could not be confirmed without ultrasonographic examination. The partial early embryonic death was considered a spontaneous phenomenon and uncorrelated with plasma progesterone concentration. However, aborted bitches and whole early embryonic death bitches were related to plasma progesterone concentrations and that of bitches gradually decreased before fetal death. These findings suggest that administration of progesterone may be a useful preventing agent against fetal death.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.489-497
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• 2016

The purpose of this study is to most appropriately develop maternity wear according to the preferences of specific age groups of pregnant women. The specific age groups were women in their twenties, early thirties, and late thirties. This survey was conducted in the metropolitan area around Seoul, South Korea through a questionnaire given to 150 pregnant women. The study found that pregnant women purchased significantly cheaper clothes after their pregnancy than before. The participants responded that they mostly bought clothes using the Internet, but they also reported many instances of returning the clothes due to fit and sizing. It was shown that women in their twenties tended to consider the price, design, and activity more than women in their thirties when purchasing maternity wear. The study showed that pregnant women tended to wear maternity wear from early in the pregnancy-preferring leggings, one-piece dresses, pants, shirts, briefs, and bras with the girdle on the outside. More women in their late thirties purchased maternity support belts than younger age groups. In any case, in purchasing maternity wear, clothing features that the respondents focused on were comfort, functionality, fit, the covering of their body changes, and fashion. Still, many respondents 35 years and older reported more interest in safety rather than fashion in comparison to the responses of respondents under the age of 35.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.1-18
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to identify the design features appropriate for the altered physical characteristics of pregnant women and formulate the direction of future design and development of maternity wear. A Delphi research method based on a panel of experts and pregnant women was used and the survey was conducted to determine the suitability of maternity wear. The survey found that A-line silhouette outerwear with round necklines, with wide sleeves and snap-button fastening on the front with a formal and decent look was considered appropriate as maternity and postpartum wear. Shirts and blouses long enough to cover the hip area to complement women's curvy and full figures, especially around the bust, waist, and hip areas during the later stages of pregnancy were found to be appropriate. Calf-length pleated skirts were comfortable to wear during pregnancy due to the abundant freedom of movement and space offered by pleats. Ankle-length straight leg pants were rated appropriate in terms of comfort and style both during late stages of pregnancy and at work postpartum. Dresses decorated with pleats from the armholes all the way down to the knees were found to provide high levels of comfort at the abdomen, chest, and hips, and considered appropriate. Based on this study results, a follow-up study will be conducted to examine the design of maternity wear during pregnancy as well as at work after pregnancy.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.277-284
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• 2023

Objective: In this retrospective study, we analyzed factors influencing the ongoing pregnancy rate (PR) in women with repeated implantation failure (RIF) undergoing embryo transfer with endometrial receptivity array (ERA). Methods: Eighty-three consecutive personalized embryo transfers (pETs) with ERA, from 54 women with RIF, were selected from June 2020 to April 2022. Vitrified blastocyst transfer was timed based on ERA results. Results: The ongoing PR per pET was 33.7%. Using ERA, the endometrium was identified as pre-receptive in 26 cycles, early receptive in 25 cycles, receptive in 31 cycles, and late receptive in one cycle. With cycles categorized into three receptivity phases (pre-receptive, early receptive, or receptive), no significant differences were found in the clinical PR (27.3%, 55.6%, and 40%, respectively) or ongoing PR (9.1%, 55.6%, and 40%, respectively) after a single blastocyst transfer. Similarly, no significant differences were observed in the clinical PR or ongoing PR after the transfer of two or more blastocysts. Among women with ongoing pregnancy relative to those without, age at first pET was significantly lower (35 years vs. 39 years, p=0.001), while blastocyst score (23 vs. 18, p=0.012) and the proportion of blastocyst scores >18 (71.4% vs. 38.9%, p=0.005) were significantly higher. In multiple logistic regression analysis, the woman's age (odds ratio [OR], 0.814; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.706 to 0.940; p=0.005) and blastocyst score >18 (OR, 3.052; 95% CI, 1.075 to 8.665; p=0.036) were identified as significant factors influencing ongoing pregnancy. Conclusion: In pET with ERA, ongoing pregnancy was closely associated with woman's age and blastocyst quality.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.8
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• pp.888-892
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• 2009

Purpose : To evaluate the risk factors for hospital readmission during the neonatal period among late preterm infants who were discharged after nursery care. Methods : In this retrospective study, we reviewed medical records of 135 late preterm infants readmitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) during the neonatal period, after discharge from nursery of IL Sin Christian Hospital from January 2003 to December 2008. We compared the risk factors of the hospital readmission group with the control group. Results : The gestational age and birth weight of 135 study infants were $36^{+1}{\pm}0.5$ weeks and $2,718.4{\pm}296.9gm$, respectively. Identified risk factors of hospital readmission were breastfeeding (71.9% vs. 44.4%), short duration of nursery stay ($3.3{\pm}1.6$ days vs. $4.1{\pm}2.0$ days), firstborn (60.0% vs. 45.3%), and maternal pregnancy complication (31.9% vs. 18.8%). Jaundice accounted for the majority of hospital readmissions (83.7%), and the age at hospital readmission was $6.2{\pm}3.6$ postnatal days, mostly at 5-6 postnatal days (40.7%). Identified risk factors of hospital readmission due to jaundice were spontaneous normal vaginal delivery (43.4% vs. 1.8%), younger maternal age ($29.8{\pm}3.4$ yrs vs. $32.1{\pm}4.2$ yrs), and lower maternal pregnancy complication (28.3% vs. 50%). Conclusion : Identified risk factors of hospital readmission were breastfeeding, short duration of nursery stay, firstborn, and maternal pregnancy complication. Jaundice accounted for the majority of hospital readmissions, and the age at hospital readmission was $6.2{\pm}3.6$ postnatal days.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.1735-1740
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• 2005

Forty-two single-bearing and 42 twin-bearing mature Angus${\times}$Hereford cows were allocated, seven per cell to 3 replications of 2 stocking rates (3.2 cows/ha; medium stocking rate [MSR], and 3.8 cows/ha; high stocking rate [HSR]) to graze summer-active and winter-active pastures from late pregnancy to the weaning of their calves. Cow liveweights and growth of calves were recorded as well as estimates of pasture quantity and forage intake. Pasture quantity did not differ in the paddocks grazed by single- and twin-bearing cows during pregnancy, nor effectively did forage intake. Subsequently, intake was higher during mid-lactation especially with twin-rearing cows (25% higher than single-rearing cows at the MSR; 9% at the HSR). However, quantity of pasture decreased for twin-rearing cows and was less than that available to single-rearing cows as lactation progressed. Liveweights of twinrearing cows decreased by 16% from late pregnancy to weaning at the MSR, and by 14% at the HSR, compared to decreases of 1% for single-rearing cows. Twin calves were lighter at birth, had slower growth rates, and were lighter at weaning than single calves. In spite of weaning smaller calves twinning increased the output (kg of calf weaned) per cow and per ha, and increased the efficiency (kg calf weaned per unit of forage eaten by the cow) over single calf production by 46% at the MSR and by 58% at the HSR. Twinning also increased the marginal returns from investment in high input pastures required by the enterprise.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.347-356
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• 1993

Plasma concentrations of zinc and copper were measured in 59 non-pregnant women and 105 pregnant women(12 ; early pregant, 93 ; late pregnant) to estimate and compare both groups and to detect the effects of iron supplementation on the plasma zinc and copper concentrations in the pregant women. The mean plasma zinc concentration of the early pregnant group was not significantly different with those of the non-pregnant group. But in contrast, the mean plasma zinc concentration of the late pregnant group was significantly lower than those of the non-pregnant and early pregnant group. Mean plasma copper concentration were significantly elevated in ealry pregnant group and doubled in late pregnant compared to non-pregnant. In Fe supplemented group, mean plasma zinc concentrations were lower and mean plasma copper higher than those of Fe non-supplemented group. It appeared that Fe supplementation had effects on the decrease of plasma zinc concentrations in pregnancy.