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Metabolic Indicators For Early Pregnancy In Zebu And Crossbreddairy Cows Reared In A Subtropical Climate, Muzamil Abdulah, Tushar Kumar Mohanty, Mukesh Bhakat, Arumugam Kumaresan, Tapas Kumar Patbandha, Ambadas Rakhamaji Madkar, Ashok Kumar Mohanty

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

To identify metabolic indicators in blood and urine for early pregnancy in dairy cows (32 crossbred and 12 purebred zebu cows), blood and urine samples were collected on days 0, 15, 20, 24, and 30 postbreeding. The plasma progesterone (P4) concentration was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in pregnant cows than in nonpregnant cows after day 15. The plasma blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration remained significantly (P < 0.05) higher in pregnant cows on day 15. The plasma concentrations of cholesterol, glucose, protein, and nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) did not differ between pregnant and nonpregnant cows. The urine protein concentration was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in pregnant zebu cows compared to nonpregnant zebu cows. Plasma P4 was significantly (P < 0.001) and positively associated with urine glucose levels in nonpregnant crossbred cows. In nonpregnant zebu cows, the correlation between P4 was positive (P < 0.05) with plasma cholesterol, glucose, urine glucose, and protein. In pregnant zebu cows, P4 was negatively associated with plasma BUN and positively (P < 0.05) associated with both plasma and urine glucose levels. Thus, urinary proteins can be used as a noninvasive tool for early nonpregnancy confirmation in cows with very high accuracy at around 24 days after artificial insemination.

Optical Density Changes In Ultrasonographic Images Of The Endometrium And Corpus Luteum In Pregnant And Cyclic Cows, Mehmet Cengi̇z, Armağan Çolak, Armağan Hayirli, Orçun Cannazi̇k

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Optical density image (ODI) analysis, based on the intensity of pixels in digital images, is commonly used in orthopedic medicine. This study was conducted to quantify endometrial and luteal changes in early pregnant and cyclic cows by ODI analysis. Twenty healthy primiparous Simmental cows on days 80?120 postpartum were subjected to ultrasonography and ODI analysis on the days of estrus (day 0) and metestrus (day 4) as well as 12, 15, 18, and 21 days after insemination. The ODI values of pregnant (P) and nonpregnant (NP) cows were compared using two-way ANOVA. The P cows tended to have greater endometrial …

Randomized Trial Of Two Doses Of Vitamin D3 In Preterm Infants <32 Weeks: Dose Impact On Achieving Desired Serum 25(Oh)D3 In A Nicu Population., Ann Anderson-Berry, Melissa Thoene, Julie Wagner, Elizabeth Lyden, Glenville Jones, Martin Kaufmann, Matthew Van Ormer, Corrine K. Hanson

Journal Articles: Pediatrics

BACKGROUND: Recommendations for vitamin D supplementation for preterm infants span a wide range of doses. Response to vitamin D supplementation and impact on outcomes in preterm infants is not well understood.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate serum 25(OH)D3 concentration changes after 4 weeks in response to two different doses of vitamin D3 supplementation in a population of premature infants and quantify the impact on NICU outcomes.

DESIGN: 32 infants born at 24-32 weeks gestation were prospectively randomized to receive 400 or 800 IU/day vitamin D3 supplementation. Serum 25(OH)D3 levels were measured every 4 weeks. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare …

Safeguarding Maternal And Child Health In South Africa By Starting The Child Support Grant Before Birth: Design Lessons From Pregnancy Support Programmes In 27 Countries, M. F. Chersich, Stanley Luchters, D. Blaauw, F. Scorgie, E. Kern, A. Van Den Heever, H. Rees, E. Peach, S. Kharadi, S. Fonn

Population Health, East Africa

Background: Deprivation during pregnancy and the neonatal period increases maternal morbidity, reduces birth weight and impairs child development, with lifelong consequences. Many poor countries provide grants to mitigate the impact of poverty during pregnancy. South Africa (SA) offers a post-delivery Child Support Grant (CSG), which could encompass support during pregnancy, informed by lessons learnt from similar grants.

Objectives: To review design and operational features of pregnancy support programmes, highlighting features that promote their effectiveness and efficiency, and implications thereof for SA.

Methods: Systematic review of programmes providing cash or other support during pregnancy in low- and middle-income countries.

Results: Thirty-two …

Concluding Commentary: Children In All Cancer Prevention Policy Decisions., Cynthia F Bearer, Lynn Goldman

Environmental and Occupational Health Faculty Publications

This interesting series of articles on Opportunities for Cancer Prevention During Early Life brings many ideas for the primary prevention of cancer in childhood, or in adults due to early life events. The economic burden not only of cancer mortality but also of lifelong morbidity among cancer survivors, as shown by Guy et al,1 raises the importance of this critical public health issue. The topics of these articles were developed during online seminars with the pioneers in this area, some of whom authored the articles. They reflect the determinants of health diagrammed so eloquently in Healthy People 2020.2 …

Effect Of A Randomised Exclusive Breastfeeding Counselling Intervention Nested Into The Minimat Prenatal Nutrition Trial In Bangladesh, Ashraful Islam Khan, Iqbal Kabir, Hanna Eneroth, Shams El Arifeen, Eva-Charlotte Ekström, Edward A. Frongillo Jr., Lars Åke Persson

Faculty Publications

AIM: It is unknown whether maternal malnutrition reduces the effect of counselling on exclusive breastfeeding. This study evaluated the effect of breastfeeding counselling on the duration of exclusive breastfeeding, and whether the timing of prenatal food and different micronutrient supplements further prolonged this duration. METHODS: Pregnant women in Matlab, Bangladesh, were randomised to receive daily food supplements of 600 kcal at nine weeks of gestation or at the standard 20 weeks. They also were allocated to either 30 mg of iron and 400 μg folic acid, or the standard programme 60 mg of iron and folic acid or multiple micronutrients. …

Glucose Monitoring In Pregnancy Complicated By Diabetes., Aisha Sheikh, Abdul Jabbar

Department of Medicine

Diabetes in pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Due to variations in insulin resistance throughout pregnancy there is a continuous need to implement Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT), exercise and pharmacological treatments which have to be escalated. Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is integral to the management of diabetes in pregnancy. Proper implementation of SMBG in pregnant women with diabetes requires patient education and understanding of its applications and limitations. Real-time results enable individuals to make informed daily self-care decisions regarding diet, exercise, and insulin. Retrospective analysis of SMBG data enables clinicians to develop individualized care plans, informing …

More Than Me: The Voices Of African American Adolescent Mothers And Their Pursuit Of Post-Secondary Education, Chanel Phillips

Dissertations

Adolescent mothers are not a homogenous group. Like non-parenting adolescents they come from various educational and socio-economic backgrounds. Adolescent mothers are generally labelled to be at high risk of dropping out of school, making poor life choices, and ultimately living poor life outcomes. However, there is no substantial empirical data that supports this premise. Nor is there currently any national data which consistently tracks the triumphs, challenges, and general life experiences of adolescent mothers. Utilizing a sample of fifteen African American adolescent mothers, this qualitative study seeks to explore the life experiences of adolescent mothers leading up to their current …

Reproductive Health Knowledge Among African American Women Enrolled In A Clinic-Based Randomized Controlled Trial To Reduce Psychosocial And Behavioral Risk, Project Dc-Hope, Uba Backonja, Candace Robledo, Maeve Wallace, Katrina F. Flores, Michele Kiely

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Washington, DC, has among the highest rates of sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy in the United States. Increasing women's reproductive health knowledge may help to address these reproductive health issues. This analysis assessed whether high-risk pregnant African American women in Washington, DC, who participated in an intervention to reduce behavioral and psychosocial risks had greater reproductive health knowledge than women receiving usual care.

Methods: Project DC-HOPE was a randomized, controlled trial that included pregnant African American women in Washington, DC, recruited during prenatal care (PNC). Women in the intervention group were provided reproductive health education and received tailored …

Violence Against Pregnant Women With Disabilities, Ari K. Mwachofi

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Background

Each year, violence is perpetrated against 1.5 million US women, of whom 324,000 are pregnant. Violence in pregnancy has adverse effects on maternal and infant health. Although there are 4.7 million childbearing age women with disabilities, and their pregnancy rates are growing, there is very little information about violence against pregnant women with disabilities.

Objectives

The study questions are: Are there differences in pre- and in-pregnancy violence experiences of women with and without disabilities? Is disability a significant predictor of pre- and in-pregnancy violence against women?

Methods

The study uses data from the 2009 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System …

Ramadan & Pregnancy, Omar Rizvi

Celebration of Learning

Fasting during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, is one of the five pillars of Islam and is fard (obligatory) for all Muslims physically and mentally capable of doing so. In the Qur’an, it is made abundantly clear that religion and its acts of worship are not meant to pose undue difficulty or hardship (Qur’an 22:78, 5:6, 2:185). My paper explores the Islamic definitions for “unnecessary difficulty” and “physically capable” specifically in regards to pregnant women. At what point does fasting incur significant, if any, damage to the fetus that it should prevent the mother from participating in …

Perceptions Of The Role Of The Man In Family Planning, During Pregnancy And Childbirth: A Qualitative Study With Fifteen Nepali Men, Magdalena Mattebo, Bharati Sharma, Erica Dahlkvist, Eleonor Molinder, Kerstin Erlandsson

Journal of Asian Midwives (JAM)

Introduction: In Nepal, by tradition, family life and marriage are generally controlled by patriarchal norms, sanctions, values and gender differences. Women in Nepal have limited possibilities to make decisions regarding their sexual and reproductive health, as the husbands and other elders in the family make most of the decisions regarding family planning, pregnancy and childbirth.
Aim: To describe the perceptions of Nepali men regarding the role of the man with respect to family planning, pregnancy and childbirth.
Methods: A qualitative study was conducted with 15 Nepali men in both urban and rural areas. The material was analyzed through inductive …

Assessment Of Micronutrient Status In Pregnant Malawian Women Before And After Treatment For Moderate Malnutrition, Cambria M. Glosz

Master's Theses

Background: Multiple micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent in pregnant women in developing countries and can result in adverse effects to both the mother and infant. Multiple micronutrient supplements or supplementary foods may be a way to combat micronutrient deficiencies.

Objective: To assess change in micronutrient and protein levels in moderately malnourished pregnant Malawian women after receiving one of three nutritional interventions.

Methods: Serum retinol, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, ferritin, vitamin B₁₂, folate, zinc, albumin and C-reactive protein concentrations were measured in pregnant women with MUAC >20.6 cm and

Results: Baseline micronutrient concentrations indicated high rates of deficiency …

Human Papillomavirus And Its Impact On Vulnerable Populations, Harpriya Kaur

Theses & Dissertations

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection. The infection is higher in certain racial/ethnic groups and those who are immunocompromised including pregnant women. Because immune system is suppressed during pregnancy, women are at higher risk of various types of infection including HPV, a known risk factor for pregnancy complications. However, its role in adverse pregnancy outcomes is unclear. Another high risk population is Northern Plain American Indian. In the Northern Plains region, American Indian women have significantly higher rate of HPV infection than white counterparts and are infected with different types of HPVs than the general population. …

Examining The High Rate Of Infant Mortality Among Minorities In Norristown, Pa, Wendy Kaye

Graduate Theses & Dissertations

Background: According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) (2016), infant mortality is defined as “the death of a baby before his or her first birthday”. The statistics provided by the CDC (2016) state that 23,440 infants died in the US in 2013. Racial and ethnic minorities experience higher rates of infant mortality than White people. In Norristown, PA, between 2008 and 2012, the rate of infant death for African Americans was 25 percent, versus 15 percent for their Caucasian counterparts.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the reasons for high infant mortality, with the goal of …

The Effects Of Iron Deficiency Anemia And Iron Supplementation In Pregnancy, Anna J. Cox

Senior Honors Theses

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a condition that occurs in both underdeveloped and developed countries worldwide. This disorder is diagnosed in an individual who presents the common signs and symptoms of anemia along with consistently low clinical markers of stored iron. Iron deficiency (ID) usually precedes a diagnosis of IDA as the insufficient amount of iron often goes undetected until one’s quality of life is diminished. Certain populations, such as women who are pregnant or of reproductive age, are particularly at risk for ID and the development of IDA. During pregnancy, the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for iron is greater …

Pregnancy And Childbirth Practices Among Immigrant Women From India: “Have A Healthy Baby”, Rama Cousik, M. Gail Hickey

The Qualitative Report

In India, practices relating to pregnancy, childbirth and child development have been rooted in cultural beliefs and traditions that are based on knowledge contained in ancient Indian texts. Many Indians residing across the globe continue to observe these practices. Some may find it challenging to do so when they are residing abroad, away from familiar surroundings and separated from their extended families. A small body of research exists that shows that migrant Indian women do observe traditional maternal practices based on cultural beliefs, but there is a need to learn more about how this knowledge is acquired, disseminated and preserved. …

The Relationship Between Religiosity And Health-Promoting Behaviors In Pregnant Women At Pregnancy Resource Centers, Natalie Cyphers, Andrea D. Clements, Jody L. Ralph

ETSU Faculty Works

Abstract available through the Annals of Behavioral Medicine.

A Liberal Dilemma: Respecting Autonomy While Also Protecting Inchoate Children From Prenatal Substance Abuse., Andrew J. Weisberg, Frank E. Vandervort

Articles

Substance abuse is a significant social problem in America. It is estimated that some eighteen million Americans have an alcohol abuse problem and that almost five million have a drug abuse problem. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, substance abuse costs some $700 billion per year Substance abuse is a major contributor to child maltreatment. It is estimated that between one- and two-thirds of cases in which children enter foster care are linked to parental substance abuse. Unfortunately, this may be an underestimate as recent research suggests that many cases, particularly cases in which children have been exposed …

Non-Antibiotic Alternatives For Reducing Antepartum Group B Streptococcus Colonization, Rebecca M. Smith

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Streptococcus agalactiae (known as Group B strep, or GBS) is a bacterium that resides in the gastrointestinal tract and/or vaginal canal and is typically benign, but during pregnancy and birth it can potentially colonize the neonate, causing early-onset group B streptococcal disease (EOGBSD) of the neonate. The use of antibiotics has reduced the morbidity and mortality associated with neonatal infections, but it is not an entirely effective means of preventing the infections and the development of antibiotic resistance may render antibiotics ineffective for this purpose. Alternative methods of preventing GBS colonization are in use by consumers and out-of-hospital birth …

Analysis Of Protein Expression Changes In The Blood Plasma Of Cows During The Last Month Before Parturition And 2 Months After Calving, Anna Katarzyna Kurpinska, Agnieszka Jarosz, Malgorzata Ozgo, Wieslaw Franciszek Skrzypczak

Turkish Journal of Biology

The organism undergoes tremendous changes at the end of pregnancy and beginning of lactation. The aim of the study was to analyze the physiological changes in cows during the last month of a first pregnancy and the first 2 months of lactation, based on the protein expression in peripheral blood plasma. Changes were observed in the expression of proteins involved in lipid metabolism (apolipoprotein A-I, apolipoprotein E, apolipoprotein J, and apolipoprotein A-IV); immune defense (complement C4 protein and mannose-binding protein C); blood clotting (fibrinogen alpha chain, fibrinogen gamma B-chain, and fibrinogen-like protein 1); as well as reconstruction, regeneration, and defense …

Traditional Practices Of Konya Women During Pregnancy, Birth, The Postpartumperiod, And Newborn Care, Berri̇n Okka, Yasemi̇n Durduran, Nesli̇han Değerli̇ Kodaz

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The purpose of the present study was to identify traditional practices and the extent to which they are practiced by mothers during pregnancy, birth, the postpartum period, and newborn care. Materials and methods: This study was conducted in the city center of Konya (Turkey). Data were collected through questionnaires completed by volunteers. The research sample comprised 450 mothers, all of whom had given birth to at least one live baby. The forms were completed during face-to-face interviews. Results: Some traditional pregnancy practices were followed by 70.7% of the participants. Of the women who performed these practices, 57.4% consciously chose …

Mindful Fitness: Guidelines For Prenatal Practice, Kimberlee Bethany Bonura

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Mindfulness exercise practices offer a form of physical activity which is uniquely suited to support both psychological and physical health during pregnancy. Mindfulness exercise practices, which include yoga, qi gong, tai chi, and martial art forms such as kung fu, karate, and tae kwon do, combine physical activity with deliberate breathing exercises and focused attentional strategies. The purpose of this article is to review the various forms of mindfulness exercise and outline basic guidelines for mindfulness exercise training during pregnancy.

Neighborhood-Level Poverty At Menarche And Prepregnancy Obesity In African-American Women, Andrea E. Cassidy-Bushrow, Rosalind M. Peters, Charlotte Burmeister, Lawrence F. Bielak, Dayna A. Johnson

Public Health Sciences Articles

Introduction: Menarche is a critical time point in a woman's reproductive system development; exposures at menarche may influence maternal health. Living in a poorer neighborhood is associated with adult obesity; however, little is known if neighborhood factors at menarche are associated with prepregnancy obesity.

Methods: We examined the association of neighborhood-level poverty at menarche with prepregnancy body mass index category in 144 pregnant African-American women. Address at menarche was geocoded to census tract (closest to year of menarche); neighborhood-level poverty was defined as the proportion of residents living under the federal poverty level. Cumulative logistic regression was used to examine …

Review Of Diabetes Among Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander People, Samantha Burrow, Kathy Ride

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Diabetes is the world’s fastest growing chronic disease. Type 2 diabetes in particular, has reached epidemic proportions globally and in Australia, and poses a challenge for public health systems everywhere. The greatest burden tends to fall on socially disadvantaged groups and Indigenous peoples Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians experience disproportionately high levels of diabetes. They are three times more likely to have diabetes than non-Indigenous Australians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are almost twice as likely to develop gestational diabetes as non-Indigenous women. There is also evidence that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are eight times …

Implementation And Evaluation Of Dietary Modification With Gestational Diabetes, Celia T. Ojeaga

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) negatively affects the health of both mothers and babies, and is the most common pregnancy complication in the United States. Many dietary modification programs for pregnant women diagnosed with GDM rely on a one-size-fits-all approach to menu planning. The purpose of this project was to develop a diet modification program for GDM management using a patient-centered approach. The project objective was to develop the policies, procedures, and supporting documents needed to implement a successful GDM management program for pregnant women receiving antenatal care at an obstetrical clinic. The developed program incorporated strategies for clinic nursing staff …

Early Life Events And Motor Development: A Longitudinal Study, Tegan Grace

Theses

Longitudinal studies are important to fully understand the processes of neurological development during gestation and how risk factors present during this time impact motor development outcomes, yet few to date have focused on this critical time period.

The purpose of this study was to identify modifiable risk factors influencing motor development during the prenatal period. Of particular interest was finding out whether these risk factors differed between the sexes.

Participants (N=2900) were from the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study. The Raine Study began in May 1989 and women were recruited between 16-20 weeks gestation (m = 18 weeks) from …

Placental Epigenetics In Children’S Environmental Health, Carmen Marsit

Dartmouth Scholarship

There is a growing interest in understanding the mechanisms that drive the developmental origins of health and disease, and the role of epigenetic regulation has risen to the forefront of these studies. In particular, the placenta may be a model organ to consider as a mediator of the impact of the environment on developmental programming of children's health, as this organ plays a critical role in directing development and regulating the fetal environment. Several recent studies have begun to examine how environmental toxicant exposures can impact the placental epigenome, focusing on studies of DNA methylation and microRNA expression. This review …

Relationship Between Fasting Plasma Glucose Levels And Maternal Food Group And Macronutrient Intakes In Pregnancy, Laura Mullaney, Aisling Brennan, Shona Cawley, Amy C. O'Higgins, Daniel Mccartney, Michael J. Turner

Articles

Aim Increased maternal body mass index (BMI) has been consistently associated with elevated blood glucose levels during pregnancy. Studies to date investigating the relationship between maternal blood glucose levels and dietary intake have shown mixed results. We investigated the association between maternal fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels and food group and macronutrient intakes in the first trimester of pregnancy, after adjustment for maternal bodyweight.

Methods Women were recruited after sonographic confirmation of an ongoing singleton pregnancy in the first trimester. Dietary information was collected using the validated Willett Food Frequency Questionnaire. Maternal height and weight were measured and BMI calculated. …

Use Of A Web-Based Dietary Assessment Tool In Early Pregnancy, Laura Mullaney, Amy C. O'Higgins, Shona Cawley, R. Kennedy, Daniel Mccartney, M.J. Turner

Articles

Background Maternal diet is critical to fetal development and lifelong health outcomes. In this context, dietary quality indices in pregnancy should be explicitly underpinned by data correlating food intake patterns with nutrient intakes known to be important for gestation.

Aims Our aim was to assess the correlation between dietary quality scores derived from a novel online dietary assessment tool (DAT) and nutrient intake data derived from the previously validated Willett Food Frequency Questionnaire (WFFQ).

Methods 524 women completed the validated semiquantitive WFFQ and online DAT questionnaire in their first trimester. Spearman correlation and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to test associations …