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At least 433 records · Page 24Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Effect of maternal age curve on the predicted detection rate in maternal serum screening for Down syndrome.

The effect of the choice of maternal age-specific prevalence curve on the model predicted Down syndrome detection rate was examined. All 19 published regression curves from 11 birth prevalence series in four meta-analyses were included. The detection rate for a five per cent false-positive rate was estimated for three combinations of markers. For free beta human chorionic gonadotropin and alpha-fetoprotein the lowest predicted detection rate was 62.3 per cent and the highest 64.1 per cent, a range of 1.8 per cent. When unconjugated oestriol was added as a third marker it was 65.6-67.3 per cent, a 1.7 per cent range, and when inhibin A was the fourth marker the detection rate was 72.0-73.4 per cent, a 1.4 per cent range. The number of series included in the regression had the biggest effect: when the authors had used a subset thought to have the highest ascertainment the predicted detection rate generally increased. The type of regression equation used and restrictions on the age range over which the regression was performed were less important factors. The effect of the choice of curve on the predicted increase in detection achieved by incorporating additional markers was relatively small: 3.1-3.3 per cent for unconjugated oestriol and a further 6.1-6.5 per cent for inhibin A. This analysis shows that the model inaccuracy caused by the maternal age curve is not small but is unlikely to be large enough to influence Down syndrome screening policy decisions.

Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Maternal serum human chorionic gonadotropin as a marker for the delivery of low-birth-weight infants in women with unexplained elevations in maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein.

We wished to ascertain whether the measurement of maternal serum human chorionic gonadotropin (MShCG) in the serum of pregnant women with unexplained elevations of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) would more precisely define those women at risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. MShCG was measured in samples of serum obtained from women in the second trimester of pregnancy who had elevated MSAFP, normal Level II ultrasounds, and normal fetal karyotypes. Based on the characteristics of a receiver-operator curve for MShCG and birth weight, patients were divided into two groups and pregnancy outcomes were compared. Pregnant women with an unexplained elevation in MSAFP, who also had an abnormal MShCG (< or = 0.5 MoM > or = 2.5) were at significantly greater risk of delivering a low-birth-weight infant compared to women with a normal MShCG (43% and 15%, respectively; P = 0.013). They were also more likely to deliver a preterm infant (48% and 11.9%), respectively; P = 0.001). In the prediction of low birth weight, an abnormal MShCG had a sensitivity of 50%, a specificity of 81%, and a positive predictive value of 43%; in the detection of preterm delivery the values were 59%, 88%, and 48%, respectively. These findings suggest that in pregnant women with a second trimester unexplained elevation in MSAFP, abnormal MShCG levels may identify a group of women at high risk of preterm delivery or delivery of a low-birth-weight infant.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Comparison of maternal and fetal chromosome heteromorphisms to monitor maternal cell contamination in chorionic villus samples.

Maternal cell contamination (MCC) presents a potential problem in the analysis of chorionic villus sampling (CVS) preparations for early prenatal diagnosis by chromosomal, biochemical and molecular methods. Through the comparison of fluorescent chromosome variants from CVS and maternal cells, we found three out of 50 samples to have MCC. One of these was observed on a direct preparation. Routine chromosome heteromorphism analysis is suggested as a reliable method for monitoring MCC in CVS specimens.

Chorionic Villi↗
PubMed2001

Confined placental mosaicism for trisomy 14 and maternal uniparental disomy in association with elevated second trimester maternal serum human chorionic gonadotrophin and third trimester fetal growth restriction.

A case of confined placental mosaicism (CPM) and maternal uniparental isodisomy 14 identified after placental karyotype revealed trisomy 14 in a newborn with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and minor dysmorphic features is reported. During the second trimester of the pregnancy, multiple marker screening revealed an increased risk for Down syndrome of > 1 in 10. The maternal serum human chorionic gonadotrophin (MShCG) was markedly elevated at 4.19 MoM. Amniocentesis revealed a normal 46,XX karyotype. Fetal growth restriction has been associated with elevated MShCG and placental aneuploidy with CPM for chromosomes 2, 7, 9 and 16. The present case of CPM for chromosome 14 was also associated with fetal growth restriction and elevated second trimester MShCG, suggesting a common link. Further studies need to be done to determine if indeed elevation of second trimester MShCG is associated with increased risk of CPM. The present case again demonstrates the need to perform placental karyotype in unexplained fetal growth restriction.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Confirmation of maternal transmission ratio distortion at Om and direct evidence that the maternal and paternal "DDK syndrome" genes are linked.

The polar, preimplantation-embryo lethal phenotype known as the "DDK syndrome" in the mouse is the result of the complex interaction of genetic factors and a parental-origin effect. We previously observed a modest degree of transmission-ratio distortion in favor of the inheritance of DDK alleles in the Ovum mutant (Om) region of Chromosome (Chr) 11, among offspring of reciprocal F1-hybrid females and C57BL/6 males. In this study, we confirm that a significant excess of offspring inherit DDK alleles from F1 mothers and demonstrate that the preference for the inheritance of DDK alleles is not a specific bias against the C57BL/6 allele or a simple preference for offspring that are heterozygous at Om. Because none of the previous genetic models for the inheritance of the "DDK syndrome" predicted transmission-ratio distortion through F1 females, we reconsidered the possibility that the genes encoding the maternal and paternal components of this phenotype were not linked. We have examined the fertility phenotype of N2 females and demonstrate that the inter-strain fertility of these females is correlated with their genotype in the Om region. This result establishes, directly, that the genes encoding the maternal and paternal components of the DDK syndrome are genetically linked.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Development of a self-administered questionnaire to measure maternal adjustment and maternal attitudes during pregnancy and after delivery.

Having a baby entails very great changes in maternal intrapsychic and interpersonal adjustment, and childbearing is associated with an increased risk of psychiatric disorder. It may be possible, as pregnancy progresses, to find clues to such disturbances among the changes that occur in maternal attitudes and self-perceptions, This report describes the development and validation of a 60-item, self-administered questionnaire which aims to measure a mother's perceptions of her body, of somatic symptoms, the marital relationship, attitudes to sex and attitudes to the pregnancy and the baby. A pilot study of 99 women in late pregnancy was followed by repeated measures taken from 119 first-time mothers who were subjects in a longitudinal survey of mental health in a routine obstetric service setting. The questionnaire was acceptable to the mothers, it was reliable (test-retest and split-half) and comparisons with independently gathered interview data showed that it had criterion-related validity. The questionnaire is appended to this report (Appendix I).

Attitude↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Obstetrics by ear. Maternal and caregiver perceptions of the meaning of maternal sounds during second stage labor.

In a study at the University of Colorado School of Nursing, Department of Nurse-Midwifery, women's second stage labors were videotaped to study caregiver behavior during second stage labor. Postpartum interviews of the mothers (n = 10) and caregivers (n = 16) were conducted to learn about their responses as they viewed the videotapes. Qualitative analysis was conducted of the transcribed interviews using the Ethnograph computer software. One of the themes emerging from the data was the significance of maternal sounds. Both caregivers and mothers were able to articulate differences between adaptive and nonadaptive sounds according to their quality, pitch, feeling state, and accompanying verbalizations. Data about women's second stage labor sounds have been categorized according to the following maternal states: work/effort, coping, childlike, out-of-control, and with epidural anesthesia. Typical sounds/verbalization, significance, and facilitative caregiver responses are defined for each category. It is concluded that when a "no noise" rule is evoked during second stage labor, valuable behavioral cues are unavailable to guide caregiver behavior.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of khat on maternal food intake, maternal weight gain and fetal growth in the late-pregnant guinea pig.

Khat chewing is a widespread male social habit in countries around the southern shore of the Red Sea and in eastern Africa and is also practiced by women, even during pregnancy and lactation. In order to study the potentially adverse effects of khat chewing during pregnancy, guinea pigs were fed 2.2 g/kg of khat leaves daily throughout the third trimester. Control animals were given aspen leaves. Maternal daily food intake was significantly reduced during the first 10 days of feeding and maternal weight gain was slightly lower in the khat group. Khat feeding of the mother significantly reduced the mean birth weight of the offspring by 7% without any effect on litter size or length of gestational period. Since low birth weight is a well-established risk factor for both perinatal and young infant death, khat chewing during pregnancy may be one of the factors contributing to infant mortality.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Maternal and weanling bone: the influence of lowered calcium intake and maternal dietary history.

Skeletal changes in the dam during lactation (a period of skeletal depletion) and the post-lactation period (a time of skeletal repletion) are of interest as a model for the study of mineral metabolism. With the introduction of lowered calcium (Ca) intake during gestation, lactation and the post-partum period, the model can be used to investigate factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of peak bone mass. We have employed this model in the rat with varied calcium intake during gestation, lactation and neonatal growth. In one experiment, dams were maintained on 0.02% Ca during gestation-lactation; at the end of lactation vertebral bone showed decreased bone area, increased osteoid surface and increased osteoblast numbers compared with controls. Trabeculae showed woven bone and diffuse tetracycline label. Offspring from these dams maintained on 0.02% Ca post-weaning weighed less and incurred spontaneous fractures and mortality. In the second experiment dams maintained on 0.5% Ca showed a bone mineral depletion (by single photon densitometry) on days 6 and 19 of lactation, which did not resolve until 28 days post-weaning. Control dams on 1.0% Ca showed no statistically significant depletion nor post-weaning repletion. The third study examined bone mineral content of pups born to 0.5% or 1% Ca-intake dams. Offspring from 0.5% dams retained a bone mineral content deficit despite being fed 1% Ca post-weaning. Offspring from 1% dams placed on 0.5% Ca post-weaning also showed a mineral deficit. Offspring data point to the influence of maternal Ca intake during gestation/lactation. Maternal data point to the import of adequate dietary Ca to maintain the dam's bone quality and quantity during the reproductive and post-reproductive periods.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Placental insufficiency as a possible cause of low maternal serum human chorionic gonadotropin and low maternal serum unconjugated estriol levels in triploidy.

We report three cases in which triploidy (69,XXX) was detected by amniocentesis performed for very low maternal serum human chorionic gonadotropin levels. All three cases also had low maternal serum unconjugated estriol levels. We suggest placental insufficiency as the cause of the very low human chorionic gonadotropin because of histologic observations and because a known marker for placental insufficiency, estriol, was also very low.

Abortion, Therapeutic↗
PubMed1999

Leptin concentrations in maternal serum and amniotic fluid during the second trimenon: differential relation to fetal gender and maternal morphometry.

Leptin, a hormone produced by adipocytes, provides information on the availability of fat stores to the hypothalamus and acts as an afferent satiety signal regulating appetite and energy expenditure in both rodents and humans [Zhang Y, Proenca R, Maffei M, Barone M, Leopold L, Friedman JM. Positional cloning of the mouse obese gene and its human homologue. Nature 1994;372:425-432; Sinha MK. Human leptin: the hormone of adipose tissue. Eur J Endocrinol 1997;136:461-4; Campfield LA, Smith FJ, Guisez Y, Devos R, Burn P. Recombinant mouse ob protein: evidence for a peripheral signal linking adiposity and central neural networks. Science 1995;269:546-9; Halaas JL, Gajiwala KS, Maffei M, Cohen SL, Chait BT, Rabinowitz D, Lallone RL, Burley SK, Friedman JM. Weight-reducing effects of the plasma protein encoded by the obese gene. Science 1995;269:543-6; Saladin R, De Vos P, Guerre-Millo M, Leturque A, Girard J, Staels B, Auwern J. Transient increase in obese gene expression after food intake or insulin administration. Nature 1995;377:527-9; Campfield LA, Smith FJ, Burn P. The OB protein (leptin) pathway - a link between adipose tissue mass and central neural networks. Horm Metab Res 1996;28:619-632; Blum WF, Kiess W, Rascher W, editors. Leptin - the voice of the adipose tissue. J&J Edition, JA Barth Verlag, Heidelberg, 1997]. In addition, leptin is thought to play an important role for reproduction and during gestation [Kiess W, Blum WF, Aubert ML. Leptin, puberty and reproductive function: lessons from animal studies and observations in humans. Eur J Endocrinol 1997;138:1-4; Barash IA, Cheung CC, Wigle DS, Ren H, Kabitting EB, Kuijer JL, Clifton DK, Steiner RA. Leptin is a metabolic signal to the reproductive system. Endocrinology 1996;133:3144-47; Chehab F, Lim M, Lu R. Correction of the sterility defect in homozygous obese female mice by treatment with the human recombinant leptin. Nature Genetics 1996;12:318-20; Kiess W, Schubring C, Prohaska F, Englaro P, Rascher W, Attanasio A, Blum WF. Leptin in amniotic fluid at term and at midgestation. In: Blum WF, Kiess W, Rascher W, editors. Leptin - the voice of the adipose tissue. J&J Edition, JA Barth Verlag, Heidelberg, 1997]. The purpose of this study was to gain more insight into a putative role of leptin during midgestation. Therefore we have measured leptin concentrations in maternal serum and amniotic fluid using a specific radioimmunoassay (RIA) employing human recombinant leptin for tracer and standard preparation [Blum WF, Kiess W, Rascher W, editors, Leptin - The voice of the adipose tissue. J&J Edition, JA Barth Verlag, Heidelberg, 1997; Blum WF, Englaro P, Heiman M, Attanasio Am, Kiess W, Rascher W. Clinical studies of serum leptin. In: Blum WF, Kiess W, Rascher W. Leptin - The voice of the adipose tissue. J&J Edition, JA Barth Verlag, Heidelberg, 1997; Blum WF, Englaro P, Heiman M, Attanasio AM, Kiess W, Rascher W. Plasma leptin levels in healthy children and adolescents: dependence on body mass index, body fat mass, gender, pubertal stage and testosterone. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1997;82:2904-2910]. In addition, estriol, hCG and alphafetoprotein were measured in maternal serum. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Infant growth in the context of maternal eating disorders and maternal depression: a comparative study.

There is evidence of growth faltering in infants of mothers with eating disorders. The aim of the current study was to examine whether this is a specific relationship. Thus, the infants of mothers with eating disorders were compared with infants of mothers with post-natal depression and a large comparison group. This study also aimed to explore possible mechanisms whereby growth disturbance comes about. It was found that the infants of mothers with eating disorders were smaller, both in terms of weight for length and weight for age, than either comparison group infants or infants of mothers with post-natal depression. There was little evidence, however, that mothers with eating disorders preferred smaller children or were dissatisfied with their children's shape or that they misperceived their children's size. On the contrary these mothers seemed highly sensitive to their children's shape and, compared with the other two groups, were more likely to judge their children's size accurately. None of these maternal measures significantly predicted the child's growth. The mechanism whereby growth disturbance arises in the context of eating disorders does not appear to be by means of a direct extension of the maternal psychopathology to the infant.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Domestic violence, maternal parenting, maternal mental health, and infant externalizing behavior.

This study examined whether maternal functioning mediated the relationship between domestic violence (DV) and infant externalizing behavior. Participants were 203 mother-infant dyads. Support was found for a partially mediated model in which maternal functioning mediated the relationship between current DV and infant externalizing behaviors. Past DV was directly associated with infants' externalizing behavior. Results suggest the need for early intervention and prevention efforts for families living with DV.

Anxiety Disorders↗
PubMed2006

Transient local overexpression of human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in mouse feto-maternal interface during mid-term pregnancy lowers systemic maternal blood pressure.

The effect on maternal circulation of transient human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (165) cDNA transfection into the mouse feto-maternal interface at day 14.5 post coitus (p.c.) using a hemagglutinating virus of Japan-envelope (HVJ-E) vector system is reported. On day 15.5 p.c., Western blotting clearly showed overexpression of 18 kD VEGF protein in the uterus. After VEGF transfection, the blood pressure was significantly lowered for 48 hours. On day 17.5 p.c., the blood pressure returned to the control level. Proteinuria was not observed after VEGF transfection. No preterm birth was observed during the course of pregnancy after the transfection procedure. After 24 hours of transfection, human VEGF was not detectable and the mouse VEGF level was similar to that in peripheral blood. However, the soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (Flt)-1 concentration was significantly lower in VEGF-transfected mice. These results suggest that extraamniotic VEGF overexpression lowered the systemic blood pressure without altering the VEGF concentration in the peripheral blood. Local overexpression of VEGF may become a novel treatment for pregnancy-related disorders such as hypertension complicated-pregnancy and preeclampsia.

Animals↗
PubMed1974

Recombinant rabbit secretory immunoglobulin molecules: alpha chains with maternal (paternal) variable-region allotypes and paternal (maternal) constant-region allotypes.

A population of IgA molecules having heavy chains coded by two parental chromosomes in trans position has been identified in rabbits heterozygous at both the V(H)a locus, which controls allotypic specificities on the variable part of heavy chains, and the C(alpha)g locus, which controls allotypic specificities on the constant part of alpha chains. These recombinant molecules have alpha-chain allotypic specificities controlled by both the maternal V(H)a gene and the paternal C(alpha)g gene or conversely, the paternal V(H)a gene and the maternal C(alpha)g gene. These recombinant molecules were found in F(ab)(2alpha) fractions obtained after passage of F(ab)(2alpha) preparations through immunosorbent columns designed to remove one population of F(ab)(2alpha) molecules, i.e., g74- or g75-type molecules. The effluent F(ab)(2alpha) fractions were then examined by radioprecipitation methods for allotypic specificities controlled by the V(H)a and C(alpha)g loci. About 40% of the g75 F(ab)(2alpha) molecules from each of three rabbits with the a(1)g(74) and a(2)g(75) allogroups were alg75 recombinants. These alg75 recombinant molecules represented from 2.5-5.6% of the total unfractionated F(ab)(2alpha) sample. The F(ab)(2alpha) fractions from two rabbits with the a(1)g(75) and a(3)g(74) allogroups had from 1.8-8.2% recombinant molecules: some were alg74 recombinants and some were a3g75 recombinants. Somatic recombination as a mechanism responsible for the synthesis of polypeptide chains in which part of the information is obtained from one chromosome and part from the homologous chromosome is discussed.

Alleles↗
PubMed1997

Effects of maternal exposure to chlorinated diphenyl ethers on thyroid hormone concentrations in maternal and juvenile rats.

Polychlorinated diphenyl ethers (PCDEs) are industrial byproducts and widespread environmental contaminants. Their structural similarity to PCBs suggests that they may exhibit subtle effects on both adult and juvenile mammals. We examined the effects of 3 PCDEs (2,2',4,5,6'-pentachlorodiphenyl ether, 2',3,4,6'-tetrachlorodiphenyl ether, and 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorodiphenyl ether) on maternal rat thyroid levels shortly after exposure, and on the thyroid levels of 16 day old juvenile rats that had been prenatally exposed. Both 2,2',4,5, 6'-pentachlorodiphenyl ether and 2',3,4,6'-tetrachlorodiphenyl ether depressed thyroxine (T4) levels in the maternal females as well as in both sexes of juvenile rats. 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorodiphenyl ether did not alter T4 levels in the pregnant females, but depressed juvenile T4 levels. None of the congeners studied significantly altered T3 levels. Effects on thyroid hormones did not correlate with the congeners' induction of cytochrome P450.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1983

Differences in maternal lineages of New Zealand Black mice defined by restriction endonuclease analysis of mitochondrial DNA and by expression of maternally transmitted antigen.

Two substrains of New Zealand Black (NZB) mice have been compared with respect to expression of a maternally transmitted cell surface antigen, Mta, defined by cloned cytolytic T cells, and for restriction enzyme polymorphisms of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). These independent assays of maternal cytoplasmic inheritance provide strong evidence for genetic contamination of the NZB/BlPt substrain (NZB/Bl mice from Michael Potter's separate colony at the National Institutes of Health), in which the typical NZB immunologic abnormalities are at least partially ameliorated. The decisive data are the restriction enzyme maps of mtDNA for NZB/BlPt, which were identical with those of the common "old inbred" strains and quite different from those of NZB/BlN (NZB/Bl mice from the breeding facility at the National Institutes of Health). It is probable that the contamination of the NZB/BlPt substrain is related to phenotypic changes in their autoimmune state. More interestingly, the data are consistent with, although they do not prove, involvement of the mitochondrial genome in expression of a cell surface molecule.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

The Ariel Project: A prospective cohort study of maternal-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in the era of maternal antiretroviral therapy.

In a prospective cohort study, clinical and biologic factors that contribute to maternal-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) were studied. HIV-infected pregnant women and their infants were evaluated prospectively according to a standardized protocol. Of 204 evaluable women, 81% received zidovudine during their pregnancy. The infection rate among the 209 evaluable infants was 9.1%. By univariate analysis, histologic chorioamnionitis, prolonged rupture of membranes, and a history of genital warts were significantly associated with transmission. Additional factors associated with transmission that approached significance included a higher maternal virus load at delivery and the presence of cocaine in the urine. In a logistic regression model, histologic chorioamnionitis was the only independent predictor of transmission. Despite a significantly higher transmission rate at one site, no unique viral genotype was found at any site. Thus, chorioamnionitis was found to be the major risk factor for transmission among women receiving zidovudine.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗