Worldwide, millions of young and elderly patients receive procedures that could not be performed without the use of anesthetics. Unfortunately, emerging animal and human data suggest an association between exposure to general anesthesia and impairment of cognitive function in pediatric and geriatric patients. Recent laboratory data have shown that general anesthetics are potentially damaging to the developing and aging brain. However, the mechanism by which this happens is still unknown. General anesthetics affect learning and memory, a brain function involving neural plasticity. An important form of neural plasticity receiving attention is postnatal neurogenesis. This process is highly regulated and involved in hippocampal functions under physiological conditions. This dissertation hypothesizes that anesthetic induced alteration of postnatal neurogenesis may explain the cognitive impairment observed in some pediatric and geriatric patients after anesthesia. In order to accurately address this hypothesis, in the first portion of this dissertation, an animal model is used to examine the effects of two different anesthetics on cognition and new cell proliferation in young and aged rats. Furthermore, the second and third portion of this dissertation emphasizes on the effects of these two widely used anesthetics on each of the various stage of postnatal neurogenesis in young and aged rats.

Maternal mortality is a huge concern globally leading to more than a quarter of a million deaths every year. Similarly, an estimated 4 million neonates die every year worldwide, contributing to the majority of deaths of under-5 children. The majority of these deaths take place in under-developed countries, and specifically, in the sub-Saharan Africa region. It is evidenced that maternal ill-health and death contribute to the majority of child deaths. Reducing the death of children under 5 years by two thirds and also improving maternal health/reducing maternal death by three quarters between the years 1990 and 2015 are two of the eight aims of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), MDG-4 and MDG-5 respectively. The report on maternal health services in Eritrea, a nation in the sub-Saharan Africa, shows a low utilization of antenatal care, family planning services, and postnatal care. Furthermore, there is insufficient use of skilled assistance at delivery. The purpose of this study was to explore the reproductive health knowledge and practice of women aged 18-49 and the impact of these on infant birth outcomes. Participants were all living in the Central Zone of Eritrea. This study proposed that knowledge of reproductive health is one of the key factors contributing to the health of women in the reproductive age group, and thereby reduction of maternal and child deaths and morbidities. An exploratory cross-sectional study design was implemented in this study using an investigator-designed questionnaire. Data were collected from participants intending to assess awareness on the domains of reproductive health including knowledge of family planning, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), antenatal and postnatal care, importance of vaccinations, and identification of pregnancy/labor danger signs. Data on the most recent birth outcome that took place in the past five years were collected to investigate any existing associations. Findings showed that a majority of participants recognized danger signs and where to seek help in case of complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. Participants also stated the importance of child vaccination, identified STDs and family planning methods as well. Further, the majority also acknowledged the importance of antenatal care (ANC) and postnatal care by skilled personnel. However, a large percentage did not start ANC visits until after the first trimester. Also, a large number of participants did not know when fetal anomalies were most likely to occur or when conception can happen in relation to the menstrual cycle. Looking at birth outcomes, marital status and educational status showed a significant relationship with birth weight, while educational status was further a significant predictor of maturity of fetus at birth. Overall, these findings indicate the need for increased efforts in providing adequate reproductive health education, especially in certain target areas, so that women are better equipped with the necessary basic reproductive health information. This will hopefully contribute to the betterment of maternal health, further leading to a desired birth outcome.

This research was conducted to investigate the expression of porcine intestinal nutrient transporters along the neonatal crypt-villus axis and during the postnatal development. First, we examined the transport kinetics of Na+-glucose co-tranporter 1 (SGLT1) and Na+-dependent neutral amino acid (AA) transporter B0AT1 and then the protein and mRNA abundances of SGLT1, B0AT1 and Na+-dependent neutral AA exchanger ASCT2 along the jejunal crypt-villus axis in the neonatal pig and the potential mechanisms associated with their regulations. Our results suggested that: 1) high levels of apical maximal SGLT1 and B0AT1 uptake activities were shown to exist along the entire jejunal crypt-villus axis in the neonatal pig; 2) there were no significant differences in the SGLT1, B0AT1 and ASCT2 protein abundances in spite of their different mRNA abundances among the crypt-villus axis, suggesting unique posttranscriptional regulatory mechanisms; and 3) global protein translational efficiency, as assessed by examining some of the key protein translational initiation and elongation factors, was higher in the crypt cells than in the upper villus cells, likely playing a regulatory role for maintaining apical nutrient transporter abundances in crypt cells of the neonate. Second, we further examined the protein and mRNA abundances of jejunal neutral AA transporters B0AT1 and ASCT2 and acidic AA transporter EAAC1 during the postnatal development in pigs at the ages of d 1, 4, 6, 12, 20, 28 (1-wk post-weaning), and 70 (mature gut at grower phase), respectively. Our results showed that the jejunal apical B0AT1, ASCT2 and EAAC1 protein abundances were dramatically decreased during the postnatal development and were likely regulated at both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. These substantial decreases in the small intestinal apical Na+-dependent AA transporter abundances may contribute to increased intestinal microbial catabolism of AA, which may be partially responsible for the reduced whole body efficiency of nitrogen utilization during the postnatal growth in pigs. Collectively, our results suggest that apical nutrient transporters SGLT1, B0AT1 and ASCT2 are abundantly expressed along the entire jejunal crypt-villus axis in the neonatal pig, whereas abundances of jejunal apical AA transporters EAAC1, B0AT1 and ASCT2 declined substantially during the postnatal growth in pigs.

Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht die Steroidogenese und die Expression Leydig-Zellspezifischer Gene in Kulturen postnataler fetaler Leydig-Zellen (PFLC). Die Stimulation von PFLC mit hCG und (Bu)2cAMP bewirkt eine Steigerung der Testosteronproduktion in vitro. Es wurde eine zeitabhängige Abschwächung der Testosteronproduktion durch (Bu)2cAMPstimulierte PFLC beobachtet. Diese war begleitet von einer Akkumulation von Progesteron im Kulturmedium und einer Suppression der Expression von P450c17 auf dem translatorischen Level. Während der Kultivierung verloren PFLC ihre Fähigkeit der Expression Leydig-Zell-spezifischer Gene (z.B. 3βHSD, P450c17, Insl3). Dieses Phänomen konnte durch Stimulation mit (Bu)2cAMP rückgängig gemacht werden. Außerdem zeigte sich, dass PDGFα allein und in Kombination mit (Bu)2cAMP signifikant die Proliferation der PFLC in vitro stimulierte. Die vorliegende Arbeit deutet darauf hin, dass cAMP-aktivierte Signalkaskaden eine wichtige Rolle in der Regulation von Differenzierung und Funktion von PFLC spielen.

Bakgrund: Förlossningsdepression drabbar cirka 8-15 procent av nyblivna mödrar och uppstår vanligtvis inom en till tre månader efter förlossningen. Förlossningsdepression ses som ett tabubelagt problem, vilket gör det svårt att upptäcka kvinnor som drabbats. Syfte: Belysa kvinnors upplevelse av förlossningsdepression. Metod: Kvalitativ litteraturstudie. Resultat: Resultatet visade att kvinnor har orealistiska ideal och förväntningar under graviditeten som hamnar i konflikt med verkligheten efter förlossningen. Rädsla för stigmatisering är en orsak till att kvinnor har svårt att söka hjälp samt acceptera sitt tillstånd. Känslor av skuld och misslyckande var centrala delar för många kvinnor när de genomgick förlossningsdepression, vilket yttrade sig i ett lidande. Kvinnor upplevde det svårt att tala om sina känslor, både med partnern och med personer utanför familjen, i tron att ingen skulle förstå, vilket leder till ensamhet och isolering. Stödet kvinnor får av sin omgivning är av stor betydelse och ofta avgörande för hur hon tar sig an moderskapet. Slutsats: Upplevelsen av förlossningsdepression kan vara omfattande och mångfacetterad för kvinnor världen över. För många nyblivna mödrar kan stressen över sina egna och andras förväntningar bli genomgripande. Omställningen till föräldraskapet och inte minst de höga kraven på att vara en perfekt förälder kan effektivt motarbeta glädjen. Klinisk betydelse: Resultatet i studien skulle kunna bidra till hur hälso- och sjukvårdspersonal kan identifiera och hjälpa nyblivna mödrar med psykisk ohälsa. Resultatet skulle också kunna bidra till diskussion och reflektion över attityder och förhållningssätt inom hälso- och sjukvården när det kommer till psykisk ohälsa i samhället. / Background: Postpartum depression affects about 8-15 percent of new mothers and usually occur within one to three months after childbirth. Postpartum depression is seen as a taboo issue, making it difficult to detect women affected. Aim: Illustrate women´s experience of postpartum depression. Method: Qualitative literature review. Results: Results showed that women have unrealistic ideals and expectations during pregnancy that conflict with reality after birth. Fear of stigmatization is a reason why women find it difficult to seek help and accept their condition. Feelings of guilt and failure were key elements for many women when they went through postpartum depression, which led to suffering. Women experienced it difficult to talk about their feelings, both with their partners and with people outside the family, in the belief that no one would understand, leading to loneliness and isolation. The support women receive from their environment is of great importance, and often determine how she tackles motherhood. Conclusion: The experience of postpartum depression can be extensive and multifaceted for women worldwide. For many new mothers stress over their own and others' expectations become pervasive. The transition to parenthood and not least the high demands of being a perfect parent can effectively shatter the joy. Clinical significance: The results of this study could contribute to how health professionals can identify and help parents with mental illness. The result could also contribute to discussion and reflection on the attitudes of health care when it comes to mental illness in the community.

Tez (Yüksek Lisans) - Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi, Sağlık Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Halk Sağlığı Anabilim Dalı, 2005. / Bibliyografya var.

Diss. Luleå : Luleå tekniska universitet, 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1977.

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2008. / Directed by Cheryl Lovelady; submitted to the Dept. of Nutrition. Title from PDF t.p. (viewed Aug. 25, 2009). Includes bibliographical references (p. 5-6, p. 36-44, p. 61-63, p.90-93).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Idaho, May 2006. / Major professor: Dennis Dolny. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 42-51). Also available online in PDF format.