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    A systimatic review of the literature exploring experiences and perceptions of pregnant women regarding physical activity
    (Cardiff University, 2024-03-22) Hakami, Ghusun; Visser, Karen
    Background: Physical activity during pregnancy has been widely acknowledged for its significant benefits to maternal health and fetal development. However, the engagement of pregnant women in physical exercise remains a complex issue, influenced by a myriad of factors ranging from personal beliefs to medical advice. Understanding the experiences and perceptions of pregnant women towards physical activity is crucial for developing interventions that are not only effective but also resonate with their needs and preferences. This systematic review aims to shed light on these perspectives by exploring the multifaceted relationship pregnant women have with exercise. By examining their personal viewpoints, experiences, and the challenges they encounter, this review seeks to provide valuable insights that can guide clinicians and healthcare providers in crafting more targeted and supportive physical activity programs for pregnant women. The ultimate goal is to enhance the well being of both mothers and their unborn children through informed and accessible exercise interventions. Objectives The aim of the review was to ascertain the most reliable evidence available to explore the experiences and perceptions of pregnant women regarding physical activity during pregnancy. This review sought to understand the perspectives of pregnant women towards engaging in physical exercise, focusing on their personal viewpoints and how these activities are integrated into their daily lives during pregnancy. Additionally, it aimed to investigate the specific challenges pregnant women face in participating in physical activity and to uncover any recurring themes arising from their experiences. By examining these aspects, the review intends to provide insights that could assist clinicians and healthcare practitioners in devising more personalized and effective physical activity interventions tailored to the needs of pregnant women. Inclusion criteria: The review focused on pregnant women from diverse backgrounds and at different stages of their trimesters, who had engaged in physical activity during their pregnancy. It concentrated on those participating in both structured exercise programs and informal physical activities. A comprehensive database search was initiated following the formulation of a search strategy, with a preference for studies that were qualitative in nature. A total of 671articles were retrieved, and 6 of these studies were considered appropriate for the critical appraisal process. Utilizing the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines, two reviewers employed a specially developed appraisal tool suitable for qualitative studies. Six studies were ultimately deemed suitable for final inclusion and data extraction. The data extraction was primarily undertaken by one reviewer, utilizing the JBI QARI Data Extraction Form for Interpretive & Critical Research, with a consensus reached on the findings. Meta aggregation was employed for data synthesis, creating categories based on similarities in the themes that emerged from the data. Results This systematic review synthesized qualitative studies to understand pregnant women's experiences and perceptions of physical activity, revealing significant insights across variousdimensions. Pregnant women from five countries reported a crucial need for clear, consistent guidance from healthcare professionals on safe exercise practices, often facing misinformation and inconsistency in advice that affected their engagement in physical activity. Psychological and social influences, including fear of harm to the fetus and cultural norms around rest, significantly impacted their physical activity levels. Barriers to exercise were multifaceted, encompassing both intrinsic fears related to pregnancy outcomes and extrinsic factors like time constraints and physical discomforts. Accessibility to suitable exercise facilities and motivation from social support circles were identified as key enablers, whereas safety concerns, particularly in shared facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, posed additional challenges. Across the studies, the meta-aggregation synthesis created categories based on similarities, emphasizing the diverse yet common experiences that shape pregnant women's attitudes and behaviors towards physical activity, underscoring the importance of addressing these factors to promote healthier pregnancy outcomes
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    The Efficacy and Safety of Vitamin D Supplementation during Pregnancy on the Incidence Rate of Pre-Eclampsia: a Systematic Review of Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes
    (Saudi Digital Library, 2023-12-01) Alanazi, Rehab; McCullough, Fiona
    Background: The aetiology of pre-eclampsia (PE) remains poorly understood, yet recent research suggests that an increase in inflammatory mediators produced by the placenta may be a potential causative mechanism. To date, studies published on vitamin D (Vit D) emphasise the association between its deficiency and the development of PE. However, data regarding the efficacy of Vit D supplementation in reducing PE risk are inconclusive. Objective: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effect of Vit D supplementation on the incidence of PE, preterm delivery, Caesarean section (C- section), and 25(OH)-D serum levels, assess the safety of supplements for pregnant women, and determine the optimal supplementation strategy. Methodology: A systematic search of four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase via Ovid, and Scopus) was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) of full-text English- language papers published from 2013 to 2023. Eligible studies were randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that examined the effects of Vit D supplementation on the incidence of PE and maternal and infant outcomes referring to birth weight, preterm delivery, C-section and 25(OH)-D levels. An independent t-test was performed to compare the mean difference between groups. Results: In total, six RCTs with a total sample size of 762 pregnant women were included and showed that prenatal Vit D supplementation was associated with a non- significant decrease in PE risk (8.47± 8.070 vs 15.59±9.522, P=0.193) and birth weight (BW) (2957.75±296.679 vs. 2819.47±313.248g, P= 0.545), preterm delivery (7.07 % vs 15.92 %, P=0.165) C-section (37.55 vs 42.80 %, P=0.464) and 25(OH)-D levels (46.11±7421 nmol/l vs 80±51.53 nmol/l. P=0.143). Moreover, no major side effects were reported. Conclusion: Vit D supplementation during pregnancy is a potential safe intervention strategy for preventing preeclampsia in pregnancy. However, the impact of the supplementation was not significant on PE odds, birth weight, preterm delivery C- section and 25(OH)-D levels; thus, more RCTs are needed to determine the optimal strategy in terms of population-specific dose recommendations and ideal timing.
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    Melanin Nanoparticles as a Potential Iron Chelation Therapy for Women with Beta Thalassemia during Pregnancy
    (2022-12-09) Bakhamis, Nahla; Townley, Helen
    The main challenges in developing medications that are safe to use during pregnancy is to minimize foetal exposure to the drug, which has become increasingly challenging with the increased prevalence of chronic conditions among young women. In beta thalassemia, patients can now survive beyond puberty and achieve pregnancy. β-TM pregnancies, however, are at high risk of maternal morbidity due to the complication of iron overload. Current chelation medications are withheld during pregnancy as they can cross the placenta causing potential risk to the foetus. This thesis addressed this complicated challenge in which a chelation agent needs to be retained in the maternal circulation and not cross the placenta. Previous experiments in iron-overloaded mice have shown that melanin nanoparticles can effectively chelate iron. Since the interaction between nanoparticles and cells/tissues is determined by particle characteristics and functionalization that can manipulated at synthesis, it was hypothesized that a melanin nanoparticulates with appropriate characteristics could be restricted from movement across the placenta, and safely used to treat the mother. A library of melanin nanoparticles of different sizes was established, and functionalized. This was followed by particle characterization and imaging. Functional analysis confirmed that particles were able to chelate iron more effectively than the iron chelator desferroxamine at the same concentration. Haemocompatibility testing found that the particles did not cause red cell haemolysis or blood clots. Moreover, it was determined that a cut off size of 200 nm can be restricted from passing across the placental barrier in an in vitro model using a human choriocarcinoma cell line and ex vivo human placental perfusion. Finally, physiological changes during pregnancy such as the decrease in plasma albumin concentrations can alter the volume of distribution as well as the transport of drugs. Proteomics analysis was used to identify nanoparticle binding proteins in the serum from pregnant women, non-pregnant women, and women with beta thalassemia. 43 significantly different proteins between the three serum groups were identified, followed by the gene ontology analysis of cellular components that revealed the mediation of biological identity of the bio-inspired melanin in the biological system.
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