• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.306-311
• /
• 2004

Background : The roles of antioxidants in the placenta and genetic susceptibility to oxidant chemicals in relation to neonatal birth weight have not been elucidated. We determined whether the level of placental manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and its genetic polymorphism plays any role in oxidative stress and neonatal birth weight. Methods : We measured placental MnSOD and determined MnSOD genetic polymorphism among 108 pregnant women who were hospitalized for delivery and their singleton live births in Korea. Main outcome measurements are maternal urinary malondialdehyde (MDA) and birth weight. Results : Maternal urinary concentrations of MDA were significantly associated with neonatal birth weight (P=0.04). The enzyme level of placental MnSOD was also significantly associated with MDA concentration (P=0.04) and neonatal birth weight (p<0.01). We observed dose-response relationships between placental MnSOD and maternal urinary MDA, and neonatal birth weight after adjusting for maternal weight, height, age, and neonatal sex. After controlling for covariates, MnSOD variant genotype increased maternal urinary MDA concentrations (p<0.01) and reduced birth weight by 149 gm (P=0.08). Conclusions : This study demonstrates that the placental level of MnSOD during pregnancy significantly affects fetal growth by reducing oxidative stress, and that genetic polymorphism of MnSOD probably modulate the effects of oxidants on fetal growth.

• Child Health Nursing Research
• /
• v.8 no.3
• /
• pp.291-301
• /
• 2002

This study was performed to develop a scale of maternal conflict based on already established scales and the literature review. The major purpose of this study was to develop a scale of which contains difficulties which mother can feel to rearing her child and can be applied to mothers at home or employed mothers. 68 items were developed. For content validity test, the items were examined by 7 experts panel with Likert 4 scale. The 39 items were selected as high validity from 86% of the experts. The item number of each area and the misunderstanding words were corrected by advices of experts. 10 mothers again examined 39 items in order to correct the misunderstanding words and the long sentences. For reliability and factor analysis of 39 items, 496 mothers participated. 34 items were chosen because 5 items that corrected item-total correlation coefficient were lower than 0.2 were excluded by the result of reliability analysis. Factor analysis was done with 34items. 6 factors were classified higher than eigen value 1.0, 28 items were chosen because 6 items that factor loadings were lower than 0.4 were excluded. These factors were named as employment and caring for child(6 items), child education(5 items), support system for caring for child(4 items), interaction with mother and child(4 items), view of maternal role(5 items) and me as human being(4 items). Reliability analysis was done with 28 items. 1 item(36 number of factor 1) was excluded because corrected item-total correlation coefficient were lower than 0.2. Therefore, 27 items were chosen. Maternal Conflict Scale was contained 27 items. The corrected item-total correlation coefficient of 27 items were ranged from .2345 to .5240 and Cronbach alpha coefficient of those was .8207 by the results of reliability analysis. It can be evaluated that this scale had a high validity and reliability because of passing through an objective process of test.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.65-87
• /
• 2021

Objective: This study aimed to examine the effects of maternal monitoring, shared activities with children, maternal education-oriented behavior, and allowing children to own smart-phones on smart media usage patterns based on smart-phone usage time and purposes among elementary school children. Methods: The participants were 1,315 second-grade elementary school children from the 9th wave of PSKC. Latent profile analysis and the three-step estimation approach were used to examine the determinants of the latent profile and the effects of maternal parenting on the profile. Results: Four latent profiles were identified: 'High-level usage & Entertaining oriented,' 'Moderate-level usage & Social/entertaining oriented,' 'Moderate-level usage & Learning oriented,' and 'Low-level usage.' Additionally, results showed that each profile can be predicted by maternal monitoring, education-oriented behavior, and permitting children to own smart-phones. Conclusion/Implications: Our outcomes suggested that it would be necessary to understand the smart media usage patterns of elementary school children, considering both the amount of time spent with smart media and purposes of uses. Further, it is helpful for mothers to monitor children's daily activities, support their educational activities, and take the role of gatekeeper for smart media as a way of appropriate guidance for their children's use of smart media.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.533-543
• /
• 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 Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.56 no.2
• /
• pp.111-127
• /
• 2023

Objectives: Pre-pregnancy diet has an important role in preparing for healthy generation. However, evidence on this issue has been scarce. A scoping review synthesising current evidence will support the demand to map 'what has been researched' on pre-pregnancy diet and maternal and child health. Methods: Systematic search was performed using PICOS (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes, and Study design) framework in electronic databases. Articles were screened for eligibility, summarized, and the quality was assessed using the National Institute of Health assessment tool. The review structure complies with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews guide. Results: Forty-two articles were included after full-text screening. Twenty-five studies were in high-income countries (HICs), six in each upper-middle income, five in lower-middle income countries (LMICs), and one in low-income countries (LIC). Based on the regions: North America (n=16), Europe (n=5), South America (n=4), Australia (n=4), Asia (n=5), Middle East (n=2), and sub-Saharan Africa (n=1). The two-most observed diet-related exposures were dietary pattern (n=17) and dietary quality (n=12). The most assessed outcome was gestational diabetes mellitus (n=28) and fetal and newborn anthropometry (n=7). The average quality score±standard deviation was 70±18%. Conclusions: Research related to pre-pregnancy diet is still concentrated in HICs. The context of diet may vary; therefore, future research is encouraged in LMICs and LICs context, and Mediterranean, South-East Asia, Pacific, and African regions. Some maternal and child nutrition-related morbidity, such as anemia and micronutrient deficiencies, have not been discussed. Research on these aspects will benefit to fill in the gaps related to pre-pregnancy diet and maternal and child health.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.229-246
• /
• 1997

Implantation is a most important biological process during pregnancy whereby conceptus establishes its survival as well as maintenance of pregnancy. During the periimplantation period, both uterine endometriurn and conceptus synthesize and secrete a host of growth factors and cytokines which mediate the actions of estrogen and /or progesterone and also exert their steroid-independent actions. Growth factors expressed by the materno-conceptal unit en masse have important roles in cell migration, stimulation or inhibition of cell proliferation, cellular differentiation, maintenance of pregnancy and materno-conceptal communications in an autorcrine /paracrine manner. The present review focuses on the role of the intrauterine IGF system during periimplantation conceptus development. The IGF system comprises of IGF- I and IGF- II ligands, types I and II IGF receptors and six or more IGF-binding proteins(IGFBPs). IGFs and IGFBPs are expressed and secreted by uterine endometrium with tissue, pregnancy stage and species specificities under the influence of estrogen, progesterone and other growth factor(s). Conceptus also synthesizes components of the IGF system beginning from a period between 2-cell and blastocyst stages. Maternal IGFs are utilized by both maternal and conceptal tissues; conceptus-derived growth factors are believed to be taken up primarily by conceptus. IGFs enhance the development of both maternal and conceptal compartments in a wide range of biological processes. They stimulate proliferation and differentiation of endometrial cells and placental precursor cells including decidual transformation from stromal cells, placental formation and the synthesis of some steroid and protein hormones by differentiated endometrial cells or placenta. It is also well-documented in a number of experimental settings that both IGFs stimulate preimplantation embryo development. In slight contrast to these, prenatal mice carrying a null mutation of IGF and /or IGF receptor gene do not exhibit any apparent growth retardation until after implantation. Reason (s) for this discrepancy between the knock-out result and the in vitro ones, however, is not known. IGFBPs, in general, are believed to inhibit IGF action within the materno-conceptal unit, thereby allowing endometrial stromal cell differentiation as well as dampening ex cessive placental invasion into maternal tissue. There is evidence, however, indicating that IGFBP can enhance IGF action depending on environrnental conditions perhaps by directioning IGF ligand to the target cell. There is also a third possibility that certain IGFBPs and their proteolytic fragments may have their own biological activities independent of the IGF. In addition to IGFBPs, IGFBP proteases including those found within the uterine tissue or lumen are thought to enhance IGF bioavailability by degrading their substrates without affecting their bound ligand. In this regard, preliminary results in early pregnant pigs suggest that a partially characterized IGFBP protease activity in uterine luminal fluid enhances intrauterine IGF bioavailability during conceptus morphological development. In summary, a number of in vitro results indicate that IGFs stimulates the development of the rnaterno-conceptal unit during the periimplantation period. IGFBPs appear to inhibit IGF action by sequestering their ligands, whereas IGFBP proteases are thought to enhance intrauterine bioavailability of IGFs. Much is remaining to be clarified, however, regarding the roles of the individual IGF system components. These include in vivo evidence for the role of IGFs in early conceptus development, identification of IGF-regulated genes and their functions, specific roles for individual IGFBPs, identification and characterization of IGFBP proteases. The intrauterine IGF club house thus will be paying a lot of attention to forthcoming results in above and other areas, with its door wide-open!

• Women's Health Nursing
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.84-102
• /
• 1998

In this study the levels and influencing characteristics of maternal identity and self confidence for caring the baby were identified during the immediate postpartum period. 114 primiparous women who delivered vaginally normal baby participated in the survey from August 1 to October 31, 1996. SD scale was to measure maternal identity which consisted of 11 items for mother and 6 items for baby. Likert scale was to measure self confidence for caring the baby (38 items). Cronbach's alphas for evaluating internal consistency as follows : .86 for maternal identity and .96 for self confidence scale for caring the baby. The study showed these results : 1. Mean score of maternal identity(82.03 : 52.65 for mother, 29.38 for baby) was considered relatively low. 2. Mean score of self confidence for caring the baby(113.91) was considered relatively low. 3. There were significant influencing characteristics of primiparous to maternal identity : age(total ; F=3.53, p=.0329, for mother ; F=2.60, p=.0719, for baby ; F=3.12, p=.0481), prenatal infant care preparation(total ; t=2.31, p=.0306, for mother ; F=2.62, p=.0160), knowledge about infant care during the hospitalization(for baby ; F=3.94, p=.02222), colostrum feeding(total ; t=1.95, p=.0541, for baby ; t=2.71, p=.0080), frequency of breast feeding during the hospitalization(for baby ; F=3.91, p=.0228)and feeding type after discharge(for baby ; F=3.18, p=.0456). 4. There were significant influencing characteristics of primiparous to self confidence for caring the baby : routine husband support(F=6.09, p=.0031), prenatal infant care preparation(t=2.04, p=.0574), knowledge about infant care during the hospitalization(F=3.15, p=.0467), education of breast feeding during the hospitalization(t=-1.79, p=.0850). 5. Correlation between maternal identity and self confidence for caring the baby was r=.37608(p=.0001). This study implies that special education programs for primipara are needed. For the future, this study suggest that maternal role variables need to be monitored through the home visiting follow up. Also intervention programs related to prenatal care, discharge education, home visiting follow up need to be developed and then evaluated their effectiveness.

• Women's Health Nursing
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.245-255
• /
• 2003

Purpose: This study is to define the structural patterns of pregnancy motivation of married women. Method: Q-methodology was used on 110 statements collected from interviews with women and a literature review. 38 Q-samples were selected. The Q-samples were administerd to 30 randomized P-sample. Result: Data analysis of Q-type obtained by QUANL program shows three types of subjectivity in the perception of pregnancy motivation. Type 1, $\ulcorner$Family-connection strengthening$\lrcorner$, Pregnancy motivation is characterized by the tendency to make home, to tie family member, to connect couple firmly. Type 2, $\ulcorner$Self-satisfaction$\lrcorner$, Women of this type take pleasure and happiness from child rearing in terms of being a mother and having maternal affection. Type 3, $\ulcorner$Self-centered$\lrcorner$, This type of pregnancy motivation puts on high emphasis on self achievement and they make a family planning suitable for the maternal role. Conclusion: The stronger was women's pregnancy motivation, the more positive were women's pregnancy experience and maternal role attainment. Conclusion: Therefore, When nurses take care of pregnancy women, they should understand the women's psycho-social aspects and then apply a program of nursing intervention to the pregnant women, It is necessary to continue to study on social and psychological problems related to pregnancy.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.10-22
• /
• 2018

Purpose: This study was performed to establish the role and to analyze the job of MFICU (Maternal Fetal Intensive Care Unit) nurses using DACUM (Developing a curriculum). Methods: A DACUM workshop was held to define MFICU nurses' role and identify their duties and tasks. A DACUM committee was consisted of 7 nurses, 2 nursing professors and 1 medical doctor and as a result, a survey was developed which contained duties and tasks of MFICU nurse. Pre-test was carried out for the validity, finally collected the data from 97 nurses who worked at 7 MFICU and 10 delivery room. Results: A total of 60 duties, 115 tasks and 822 elements of tasks were defined on the DACUM chart and survey. The importance, frequency and difficulty of the tasks were presented the determinant coefficient (DC), the highest DC duty was 'Manage maternal ventilator' (15.09) and the lowest DC was 'Provide nursing care for leisure to gestation extension mother' (6.52). Twenty-eight tasks were differentiated between MFICU and delivery nurses significantly. And the most important, frequently, difficulty task perceived by MFICU nurse was 'Check fetal heartbeat with electronic fetal heart monitor'. Conclusion: The organized educational program and policy was needed to develop for MFICU nurses.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.477-488
• /
• 1997

The purpose of this study was to understand the subjective breastfeeding experience of primiparous women to identify how breastfeeding was started and to explore the process of breastfeeding. The Grounded theory methodology was used. Data was collected from 6 primiparous women who had breastfed their infants for at least over 8weeks, recently breastfeeding or having breatfed their infants within the last 6 months. With the permission of the subjects, the interviews were recorded and transcribed. The data were analysed in the framework of grounded theory method as mapped out by Strauss and Corbin(1990). 105 concepts and 21 subcategories were confirmed in the analysis. In the process of data analysis, "Identity as a mother" was found to be the core phenomenon. The 21 sub-categories were as follows : natural food, neighbour inducement, self purpose, good feeling, tenderness, breast pain, change of breast shape, physical discomfort, loss of physical energy, confirmation of maternal role, formation of affection feeling of adhesion, one body through coupling, tie, capacity, role performance, mental comfort, healthy mother, healthy infant, confidence of breast milk, feeling of satisfaction. The sub -categories were again grouped into 14 categories including infant nutritious food, formation of breastfeeding opportunity, feeling of satisfaction, injury of the breast, physical suffering, awareness of mothering, formation of maternal affection, connecting, coupling, acceptance, effort, emotional stability, mother and child health and feeling of achievement.hievement.