During germination, aleurone layer cells of barley (Hordeum vulgare) grains synthesize and secrete hydrolytic enzymes (principally α-amylase) in response to gibberellic acid (GA); shortly thereafter, the aleurone layer cells undergo programmed death. Gluconeogenesis of lipid reserves within aleurone cells, which supports this hydrolytic enzyme synthesis, results in the generation of H2O2, which is catabolized by glyoxysomal catalase. Lowered amounts of catalase may contribute to aleurone cell death because of a compromised capacity to cope with reactive oxygen species generated by glyoxysomes and mitochondria. In the presence of GA, cells of intact aleurone layers underwent programmed death between 18 and 48 h; in the presence of ABA, no cell death was evident over 60 h. The capacity of GA-treated layers to metabolize exogenous H2O2 increased steadily over the first 24 h, during the stage of lipid mobilization and the major synthesis and secretion of α-amylase; thereafter, this capacity declined markedly. In contrast, cells of ABA-treated aleurone layers exhibited little change in their capacity for H2O2-metabolism. Glyoxysomal catalase increased in activity over the first 12–24 h of GA treatment, which was accompanied by an increase in catalase-1 transcripts between 12 and 18 h. Catalase protein and activity declined after 24 h in GA-treated layers, prior to the onset of rapid programmed death at 30 h. These data suggest that a decline in glyoxysomal catalase precedes death of aleurone cells and may indeed contribute to an increase in cellular oxidative stress.

Background The fertility rate in South Korea has been decreasing dramatically, as working women postpone or avoid childbirth due to the challenges of maintaining a career while raising a family. Working mothers with infants or toddlers have unique maternal adaptation needs, which must be understood in order to support their needs during childbearing years. Supporting successful maternal adaptation of working mothers is not only essential for each individual new working mother, but also benefits her family, her workplace, and the country. Methods A systematic review was conducted to describe the current state of the science on maternal adaptation of working mothers with infants or toddlers in South Korea. Eligible studies, published between 2009 and 2018, were identified by searching electronic databases. Quantitative studies related to the maternal adaptation of Korean working mothers who had a child younger than age 3 years were included. 37 articles met the inclusion criteria for narrative analysis and synthesis. Results Studies were classified into 4 major groups by maternal adaptation categories as psychological, behavioral, relational, and cognitive adaptation. The majority of studies were focused on working mothers’ psychological adaptation (n = 36, 97.3%), followed by behavioral (n = 10, 27.0%), relational (n = 9, 24.3%), and cognitive (n = 3, 8.1%) adaptation. We found that maternal adaptation of working mothers was ultimately influenced by diverse variables within their communities, spousal and familial support, personal attributes, and job-related characteristics. Conclusions These findings demonstrate the importance of understanding variable aspects of maternal adaptation of working mothers with infants or toddlers. The complexity of working mothers’ needs at the individual, family, and community levels must be considered in order to develop effective intervention programs and public policy for supporting maternal adaptation in Korea.

Abstract Background Many South Korean women stay in specialized postpartum care centers called Sanhujoriwon for 2 weeks after childbirth, a time which is widely recognized as a critical period for maternal role adjustment. Mothers’ time within the postpartum care center offers a unique opportunity for nursing intervention to promote a successful transition to motherhood, especially for first time mothers. This study aimed to develop a maternal role adjustment program within the Sanhujoriwon based on the ecological model, and to evaluate its effects on maternal role confidence and breastfeeding success. Methods A non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. Data were collected from 30 participants in the experimental group and 37 in the control group at four measurement times, i.e., admission day to Sanhujoriwon, discharge day from Sanhujoriwon, 4–6 weeks postpartum, and 12 weeks postpartum. The experimental group received the maternal role adjustment program, which included family education and counseling regarding breastfeeding and infant care, and encouraged rooming-in practices during their stay in the Sanhujoriwon. The data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS statistics 25.0 program using descriptive statistics, t-test, chi-square test, ANCOVA, and GEE. Results There were significant interaction effects showing different patterns in maternal role confidence and breastfeeding success scores over the four time points. Maternal role confidence in the experimental group gradually increased over time. Maternal role confidence in the control group also increased from baseline to 4 to 6 week postpartum, but abruptly decreased at 12 week postpartum. At 12 weeks postpartum, maternal role confidence in the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group. In addition, breastfeeding success scores in the experimental group also gradually increased over the four time points, while those of the control group showed a gradual decline. Breastfeeding success scores were significantly higher than those of control group at both 4–6 weeks and 12 weeks postpartum. Conclusions These results indicate that the maternal role adjustment program was effective in improving maternal role confidence and breastfeeding success among first time mothers in the postpartum care center.

BACKGROUND:There is global acceptance of the need for prelicensure nursing students to complete practice experience hours during their program of education. Yet questions remain about these practice experiences, including those related to duration.METHOD:This article reports findings of a scoping exercise that compared the number of practice experience hours mandated for students undertaking courses that lead to RN licensure in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.RESULTS:Substantial differences were evident between the four countries regarding the number of mandated practice experience hours. There is no clearly linked research evidence to justify the decision made in relation to the mandated number of hours.CONCLUSION:Internationally, there is a need to reexamine the rationale for mandating a minimum number of practice experience hours for students in programs of education that lead to licensing as an RN. [J Nurs Educ. 2019;58(1):33-41.].

New HIV infection rates in Black women are 15 times higher than that of White women, and new infections in women have been primarily associated with heterosexual sex. Encouraging sex partner testing may increase HIV status awareness. Prevention campaigns have not recommended specific approaches with established efficacy for women to encourage partner testing. We examined approaches to encourage HIV testing, interpersonal contexts of relationships, and HIV testing behaviors in 18- to 29-year-old Black women (n = 158). Findings from our quantitative analysis included the following: (a) Partner type (main or nonmain), intimate risk taking, sexual coercion, condom use, and age were related to varied approaches (Active Persuasion, Decisive Collaboration, Ultimatum, and Sweet Talking); (b) the greatest predictor of male partner HIV testing was whether the female partner had been tested for HIV; and (c) Active Persuasion and Decisive Collaboration approaches were associated with partner HIV testing. These findings can inform HIV prevention campaigns.

Background and Purpose: Black women are disproportionately affected by HIV. Increasing status awareness through partner testing can improve status awareness and reduce transmission. Varying approaches to encourage HIV testing are described but a measurement instrument is lacking. The AIDS Discussion Strategy Scale (ADSS) was adapted into the HIV Testing Approach Scale (HTAS) to measure Black women's approaches to encourage partners to test for HIV. Methods: Preliminary adaptation included five steps to ensure validity. Participants comprised 158 sexually active 18-29-year-old Black women. The HTAS was analyzed with principal components analysis (PCA). Results: PCA indicated a four-factor model explaining 67% of variance. Four distinct approaches were Active Persuasion, Decisive Collaboration, Ultimatum, and Sweet Talking. The HTAS approaches demonstrated adequate reliability. Conclusion: The HTAS may serve as a valid and reliable instrument for research. HIV prevention should encourage testing discussion to increase status awareness.

Migration across international borders places tremendous stress on immigrant families and may put women at greater risk for intimate partner violence. In this study, we used narrative analysis methods to explore how nine Mexican immigrant women in the Northeastern United States described their experiences of intimate partner sexual violence, and how these stories were embedded within narratives of transition and movement across borders. We identified three major themes: The Virgin and the Whore, The Family, and Getting Ahead. We share important implications for researchers and health and social service providers working with this population.

International marriage migration is now one of the most prominent forms of migration in Asia, and the number of women migrating to South Korea for marriage has increased dramatically in the last two decades. In this article, we provide a systematic review regarding the health status and health-related issues of international marriage immigrant women. The literature search identified 620 articles, of which 53 studies are presented in the article. Three overarching categories including six subcategories were identified according to the research focus; ‘Environmental factors of health’ including social support and barriers, ‘Health status’ including physical, psychological and social health, and quality of life as ‘Outcome of health’. Overall women immigrants by marriage showed relatively poor health outcomes. Social support was an important factor affecting the health status and quality of life in this population. We offer recommendations to develop and implement culturally and linguistically appropriate health promoting programs for international marriage immigrant women in South Korea.

Sixty percent of young adults living with HIV in the United States are unaware of their status despite recommendations to screen everyone. Effective approaches to encourage partner testing may increase status awareness. The purpose of our study was to understand young Black women's experiences when encouraging a partner to test for HIV, preferred approaches, and whether interpersonal context influenced the approach. Black women (n=26) participated in the study in Boston-area focus groups (n=6). Discussions ranged from difficult and stressful to positive and empowering. A variety of approaches (expressing caring, seeking understanding, leveraging the relationship, ultimatums, subtlety) were described in varied interpersonal contexts. Testing and sharing results fostered trust and relationship growth. If a partner was resistant, some ended relationships while others tested themselves and interpreted their results as their partners' status. Our findings could encourage HIV prevention initiatives to consider varied interpersonal contexts and enhance partner testing. Copyright (C) 2017 Association of Nurses in AIDS Care

Background: Although the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) began surveillance for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission in 1984, STI-related incidence and prevalence rates are unavailable for the larger Saudi population, and more specifically, for married Saudi Arabian women. Studies show that married Saudi Arabian women are at risk of contracting STIs from their husbands, but studies regarding married Saudi Arabian Women’s STI-related knowledge and attitudes are lacking because there is no valid and reliable quantitative measurement instrument available. The aims of this qualitative study were to explore the perceptions of married Saudi Arabian women’s knowledge and attitudes about the risk of becoming infected with STIs, and to generate themes needed to guide the development of a valid and reliable quantitative instrument that is culturally appropriate and gender-specific for married Saudi Arabian women. Methods: A grounded theory (GT) approach was used for data collection, guided by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Model. Married Saudi Arabian women over age 18 who had been living in the United States (US) for less than 18 months underwent private interviews about STI-related knowledge and attitudes. Themes resulting from the GT analysis were assembled into a framework. Results: Twelve participants were interviewed before saturation of themes was reached. The 153 codes identified were categorized and assembled into a hierarchical thematic framework. Eight themes pertinent to STI-related knowledge and attitudes were uncovered. Discussion: The results revealed that Saudi Arabian married women are aware that they are lacking knowledge about STIs, and would like more education and resources to provide this information. In addition, these women were concerned about prevention and treatment of STIs, not only personally, but in the community at large. The results of this study will be used as a basis to develop a quantitative instrument that focus on measuring the STI-related knowledge and attitudes of married Saudi Arabian women.

Objective: to synthesise the evidence of immigrant women's experiences of maternal adaptation in Korea.Methods: eligible studies were identified by searching MEDLINE, CINAHL, and the Korean electronic databases. Qualitative research studies, published in English and Korean addressing maternal adaptation experiences of immigrant women by marriage in Korea, were considered in the review. The suitability of the quality of articles was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute's Critical Appraisal Checklist. Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria for data analysis. Authors, purpose of the study, study design, theoretical framework, population (nationality and sample size), data collection (setting and method), and main study findings were extracted and summarised in a data extraction form for further narrative analysis and synthesis. A qualitative systematic review was performed by means of thematic synthesis.Findings: the literature search identified 7,628 articles, of which 15 studies, published between 2009 and 2014, were evaluated in the systematic review. Two overarching categories including five themes were identified in the qualitative studies related to maternal adaptation experiences; 'Experiences of motherhood transition' and 'Experiences of child-rearing'.Conclusions: these findings demonstrate the importance of understanding and improving maternal adaptation of immigrant women living in Korea. This can be achieved by enhancing social support, providing culturally sensitive maternal healthcare services, and expanding opportunities for immigrant women in education, job training, and economic independence. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Migration across international borders places tremendous stress on immigrant families and may put women at greater risk for intimate partner violence. In this study, we used narrative analysis methods to explore how nine Mexican immigrant women in the Northeastern United States described their experiences of intimate partner sexual violence, and how these stories were embedded within narratives of transition and movement across borders. We identified three major themes: The Virgin and the Whore, The Family, and Getting Ahead. We share important implications for researchers and health and social service providers working with this population.

Background: Although the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) began surveillance for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission in 1984, STI-related incidence and prevalence rates are unavailable for the larger Saudi population, and more specifically, for married Saudi Arabian women. Studies show that married Saudi Arabian women are at risk of contracting STIs from their husbands, but studies regarding married Saudi Arabian Women’s STI-related knowledge and attitudes are lacking because there is no valid and reliable quantitative measurement instrument available. The aims of this qualitative study were to explore the perceptions of married Saudi Arabian women’s knowledge and attitudes about the risk of becoming infected with STIs, and to generate themes needed to guide the development of a valid and reliable quantitative instrument that is culturally appropriate and gender-specific for married Saudi Arabian women. Methods: A grounded theory (GT) approach was used for data collection, guided by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Model. Married Saudi Arabian women over age 18 who had been living in the United States (US) for less than 18 months underwent private interviews about STI-related knowledge and attitudes. Themes resulting from the GT analysis were assembled into a framework. Results: Twelve participants were interviewed before saturation of themes was reached. The 153 codes identified were categorized and assembled into a hierarchical thematic framework. Eight themes pertinent to STI-related knowledge and attitudes were uncovered. Discussion: The results revealed that Saudi Arabian married women are aware that they are lacking knowledge about STIs, and would like more education and resources to provide this information. In addition, these women were concerned about prevention and treatment of STIs, not only personally, but in the community at large. The results of this study will be used as a basis to develop a quantitative instrument that focus on measuring the STI-related knowledge and attitudes of married Saudi Arabian women.

Transitions in care in the perioperative environment are numerous and should be considered high-risk endeavors. The preoperative area is the first transition in care for a surgical patient and should be considered a critical dimension of care transition. The purposes of this study were to identify nursing's contributions to transitions in care in the perioperative environment and to identify the role of the preoperative assessment in this transition. Qualitative descriptive design was used. Focus groups were conducted with 24 nurses in a 975-bed medical center. The themes that arose in the focus groups were: (1) understanding patient vulnerabilities, (2) multidimensional communication, (3) managing patients' expectations, and (4) nursing's role in compensating for gaps. We conclude that the nurse's role in the preoperative assessment during the transition of preoperative care is that of advocate who identifies the patient's needs and risk factors that may be affected by the surgical experience. This study suggests that the nursing preoperative assessment can be useful in identifying and defining patients' risk factors not just for surgery, but for the entire perioperative care trajectory.

OBJECTIVE:To analyze the effects of psychosocial interventions with the aim of reducing the intensity of stress in mothers during the postpartum period as compared with usual care.DATA SOURCES:Eligible studies were identified by searching MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and ProQuest dissertations and theses.STUDY SELECTION:Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) treating stress in postpartum mothers older than age 19 years were included. The suitability of the quality of articles was evaluated using Joanna Briggs Institute's Critical Appraisal Checklist for Experimental Studies. Fourteen articles met the inclusion criteria for data analysis.DATA EXTRACTION:Authors, country, sample, setting, methods, time period, major content of the intervention, outcome measures, and salient findings were extracted and summarized in a data extraction form for further analysis and synthesis.DATA SYNTHESIS:Standardized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals were calculated for 13 suitable articles using Cochrane Review Manager.RESULTS:Of 1,871 publications, 14 RCTs, conducted between 1994 and 2012, were evaluated in the systematic review and 13 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Studies were categorized into three major types by interventional methods. We found that psychosocial interventions in general (standard mean difference -1.66, 95% confidence interval [-2.74, -0.57], p = .003), and supportive stress management programs in particular (standard mean difference -0.59, 95% confidence interval [-0.94, -0.23], p = .001), were effective for women dealing with postpartum stress.CONCLUSIONS:This review indicated that psychosocial interventions including supportive stress management programs are effective for reducing postpartum stress in women, so those interventions should become an essential part of maternity care.