Search

Background: Many factors such as social and behavioral are related to appropriate weight gain during pregnancy, and there is much of importance to find them. The aim of the study was to explore the association of personality traits, with eating behaviors, food intake, maternal weight gain during pregnancy as well as the neonatal birth weight., Methods: This is a longitudinal and cross-sectional study. Eating behaviors were assessed using the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ), and the NEO personality inventory was used to assess personality in pregnant subjects. A validated food frequency questionnaire was used to determine food intake. Three hundred and sixty pregnant subjects from Ahvaz (the capital city of Khuzestan province, Iran) were followed from the 20th week of pregnancy until delivery., Results: High neuroticism was associated with higher consumption of highly energetic foods (p < 0.05) and less consumption of vegetables (p < 0.01), also was related with lower weight gain during pregnancy and neonatal birth weight (p < 0.05). Openness to experience, extraversion and agreeableness were linked with higher consumption of vegetables (p < 0.05). Conscientiousness predicted lower neonatal weight (odds ratio: 1.20, confidence interval: 1.07-1.34, p < 0.01)., Conclusions: Identification of personality traits would help to change the lifestyle and improve management guidelines.

Background: Since labor and delivery units often serve as emergency units for pregnant women, the use of obstetric triage systems with poor or inadequate quality can lead to unintended consequences such as over and under-triage and so a waste of humans and financial resources. Therefore, this systematic review was conducted to evaluate the measurement properties of obstetric triage tools., Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, and Medline were searched to identify studies in October 2018 and were updated in May 2019. The risk of bias COSMIN checklist was used to evaluate the quality of the studies. The quality of every measurement property was appraised by the update criteria of COSMIN. Evidence quality was judged using the modified GRADE approach., Results: A total of 444 studies were retrieved in initial search. Six studies evaluating 4 tools were included in this study. All the included studies reported only content validity and reliability. The quality of evidence varied from very low to moderate. The quality of content validity and reliability of the included tools was sufficient except for the reliability of the maternal-fetal triage index. The obstetric triage acuity scale (OTAS) was found to have higher reliability than other tools., Conclusions: Due to insufficient evidence, the conclusions about the quality of measurement properties of each obstetric triage tool may be uncertain. This review emphasizes the necessity for further studies with robust methodological quality on the measurement properties of obstetric triage tools.

Background: Scorpionism is one of the most important health problems in tropical regions, which unfortunately results in thousands of deaths annually. Pregnant women are potential victims in areas with high scorpion-sting prevalence. Limited medical data are available on the effects of scorpion envenomation in pregnant women. This study aimed to examine the effect of scorpion envenomation on pregnancy outcomes in 66 cases., Methods: The present descriptive/analytical cross-sectional study was performed on 66 scorpion-envenomed pregnant women referred to the clinical toxicology unit of Ahvaz Razi Hospital in Iran during 2015-2017. The variables assessed in all cases, via questionnaire and hospital medical records, were: age, patient residency, gestational week, status of the fetus, laboratory anomalies, clinical severity of envenomation, sting site and scorpion species. Pregnancy outcome (miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth, normal delivery) and status of the newborns were also evaluated. Data were analyzed using SPSS ® software (version 24.0)., Results: The following pregnancy outcomes were recorded from envenomed pregnant women: miscarriage = 1.5% (n = 1), stillbirth = 4.5% (n = 3), preterm birth = 10.6% (n = 7), normal birth = 83% (n = 55). Among participants whose pregnancy led to birth, 11(17.7%) cases had prenatal-neonatal complications. Neonatal complications, including Apgar score less than 8 points at 5 min, were found in 7 (11.3%) preterm birth cases and in 4 (6.4%) normal birth cases, along with birth weight below 2500 g in normal births. A significant relationship was found between adverse pregnancy outcomes and bite location, as well as scorpion species, but no relationship was found with other variables., Conclusion: Envenomation significantly contributes to preterm birth. Moreover, the location of bites and the type of scorpion species have a decisive role in the pregnancy outcome of scorpion-envenomed pregnant women., Competing Interests: Competing interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Background: The development of a maternal immune response to fetal antigens and deficiency in regulatory T-cells (Tregs) may lead to preeclampsia. A plausible explanation for the reduced Treg cell function in women with preeclampsia is the presence of exhausted Treg cells which express CD279 or programmed cell death receptor-1 (PD-1), a negative regulatory molecule associated with limited proliferative capacity and reduced immune suppression., Objective: To assess the number of Treg CD4+ CD25 high and exhausted Treg CD4+ CD25 high CD279+ cells in women with preeclampsia (PE group) and healthy pregnant women (HP group) during the third trimester of pregnancy., Methods: Three-color flow cytometry was used to determine the proportion of Treg and exhausted Treg cells in 40 women in the PE group and 37 women in the HP group. Participants' blood samples were placed in EDTA blood collection tubes. Peripheral mononuclear cells were separated from the samples and stained with flurochrome-conjugated antibodies against human CD4, CD25 and CD279 markers, and subsequently analyzed by flow cytometry., Results: The PE group had fewer Tregs compared to the HP group (p=0.011). There was a significant increase in the percentage of exhausted PD-1+(CD279) Tregs (p=0.035) in the PE group comparisons with the HP group., Conclusion: The increased number of PD-1 (CD279) molecules on the Treg cells may play a role in preeclampsia, hence it recommendation as a therapeutic target for the disease.

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is a multisystem syndrome that is a primary source of fetal-maternal morbidity and mortality. Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) is a nonclassical Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class-Ib molecule expressed on the extravillous trophoblast and seems to have immunomodulatory functions during pregnancy. The purpose of our study was to investigate whether HLA-G may be a vital marker in the modulation of the pregnancy., Methods: In this case-control study, a number of 150 healthy pregnant women and 150 patients with PE had been genotyped for the 14 base-pair (bp) insertion/deletion polymorphism in exon 8 of the HLA-G gene, and the serum level of soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) protein was measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay., Results: Data showed that the PE syndrome was not related to the HLA-G 14 bp genotype. But, the serum level of sHLA-G in PE patients was significantly lower than that in healthy pregnant women in the third trimester (11.74 and 24.48 U/ml, respectively, p < 0.001). However, no significant association was observed between the HLA-G 14 bp genotype and serum sHLA-G level., Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that measurement of sHLA-G protein level may be helpful as a primary diagnosis for the pathogenesis of PE. Overall, this study suggests that the association between HLA-G 14 bp polymorphism and serum sHLA-G level in different ethnic populations of PE should be taken into consideration.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of fennel on sexual function in postmenopausal women. It was a randomized controlled trial in 60 postmenopausal women with sexual dysfunction who were randomly assigned to two groups receiving either fennel vaginal cream (n=30) or placebo (n=30). Vaginal atrophy in the women was assessed using symptoms such as pallor, dryness, dyspareunia, itching and burning. The pH of the vagina and cytology of the vaginal mucosa were also measured at baseline and 8 weeks after the intervention. All participants were requested to fill out the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) at baseline and after 8 weeks. The intervention group was requested to use fennel vaginal cream (5 grams) every night, while the control group used placebo each night for 8 weeks. The data were analyzed using the independent t-test and Chi-square, Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests. All areas of sexual function including arousal, lubrication, orgasm, sexual satisfaction and pain improved in both fennel and placebo groups after 8 weeks; however, the differences in the fennel group were more evident (p<0.05). The total FSFI score was significantly higher in the fennel group compared to the control group (8.2 ±9.4 and 8.03±10.36 before the intervention and changing to 33.79±0.7 and 18.99±1.09 after the intervention in the fennel and placebo groups, respectively; p<0.001). Discussion: According to our results, fennel vaginal cream is an effective means of improving sexual activity in postmenopausal women. The use of this product in women who have sexual dysfunction and contraindications for hormone therapy is recommended.

Background: More than 50 different species of bacteria may live in a woman's vagina, with lactobacilli being the predominant microorganism found in healthy adult females. Lactobacilli are relevant as a barrier to infection and are important in the impairment of colonization by pathogens, owing to competitive adherence to adhesion sites in the vaginal epithelium and their capacity to produce antimicrobial compounds., Methods: The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the inhibitory capability of Lactobacillus metabolites against Clostridium perfringens, an anaerobic Gram-positive bacterium. These bacteria were isolated from vaginal swabs by using culture-dependent approaches, and the bacteriostatic effect of Lactobacillus metabolites, extracted from different isolates, was assessed using a modified E test., Results: Among the 100 vaginal swabs, 59 (59%) samples showed the presence of Lactobacillus strains and only one sample contained C. perfringens. Lactobacillus metabolites demonstrated the significant potency of in vitro activity against C. perfringens, with minimal inhibitory concentration values ranging from 15.6 μg/mL to 31.2 μg/mL., Conclusion: This study suggests that women without vaginal Lactobacillus strains may be susceptible to nonindigenous and potentially harmful microorganisms., (Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC.)

Background: The lactobacilli are a part of the bacterial flora of the human vagina. Detection of normal Lactobacillus species in the vaginas of healthy women in different geographical locations, and evaluation of their specific properties, can aid in the selection of the best species for preventing sexually transmitted diseases in the future. This study was performed to isolate and identify the Lactobacillus species in the vaginas of healthy women and to evaluate the adherence of these lactobacilli to Vero and HeLa cell lines., Methods: The study included 100 women. Bacteria were isolated from healthy women and purified. Phenotypic and biochemical tests were performed to identify the lactobacilli. The Lactobacillus species were detected by molecular methods using polymerase chain reaction amplification of the full length of the 16S rDNA of the isolated bacteria. Several isolates of each species were then selected to study their adherence to Vero and HeLa cell lines., Results: Among the 50 samples taken from healthy women meeting the inclusion criteria, Lactobacillus species were identified in 33 (66%) samples. Of these lactobacilli, 14 isolates were Lactobacillus crispatus, six (18.2%) were Lactobacillus gasseri, nine (27%) were Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and the rest were either Lactobacillus salivarius (6%) or Lactobacillus plantarum (6%). L. rhamnosus showed the greatest adhesion to the cells when compared to the other tested species. All the lactobacilli isolated in this study showed a smaller capacity for cell adherence when compared with control species., Conclusion: L. crispatus, L. rhamnosus, and L. gasseri were the dominant Lactobacillus species in the vaginas of healthy women in Iran. L. rhamnosus attached more readily to the cells than did the other species; therefore, this isolate is a good candidate for further studies on the potential health benefits and application of lactobacilli as probiotics., (Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC.)

Background: Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococci, GBS) is a colonizing microorganism in pregnant women and without causing symptoms. Colonization of GBS in the rectovaginal region in late of pregnancy is a risk factor for newborn diseases. GBS infection in newborn babies is acquired by the aspiration of infected amniotic fluid or vertical transmission during delivery through the birth canal. The aim of this study was determination of GBS prevalence among vaginal and anorectal specimens at gestation females by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and culture-based methods., Methods: In this study, 137 rectal and vaginal swabs were separately collected from women with gestational age 35-37 weeks from July 2013 to March 2014 at the teaching hospital of Razi, Ahvaz, Iran. All samples were enrichment in selective culture media Todd-Hewitt broth for 24 hours and recognized by standard culture using blood agar, phenotypic tests, and amplification of the CFB gene., Results: Age range was 16-45 years (mean, 28.34 ± 0.7 years). Of rectal samples, 42 (30.7%) were positive based on culture method and 57 (41.6%) samples were positive by PCR. Of 137 vaginal samples, 38 (27.7%) were positive by culture and 60 (43.8%) samples were positive by PCR. The chance of colonization with GBS was increased in women with a history of urinary tract infection., Conclusion: The frequency of GBS culture from rectal samples was higher than vaginal samples. However, the detection percentage of GBS using PCR from vaginal samples was higher than rectal samples. By contrast, the culture is a time-consuming method requiring at least 48 hours for GBS fully identification but PCR is a sensitive and rapid technique in detection of GBS, with the result was acquired during 3 hours., (Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC.)

Background: Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is one of the most dangerous complications of pregnancy and without prompt diagnosis and treatment, it could become a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality., Objectives: In this randomized controlled study, we compared single and double dose of methotrexate (MTX) therapy in the treatment of ectopic pregnancy., Patients and Methods: This study was performed on 76 patients who were admitted to Obstetrics Ward with primary diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy based on their medical history, physical examination, beta subunit (β-HCG) level, and transvaginal ultrasonography. Using random block allocation, the patients were classified in two groups of single dose and double dose administration of MTX. In single dose group, 50 mg/m(2) of MTX was given at day 0 and in double dose group, the patients received two doses of MTX at day 0 and 4. The level of β-HCG was measured at day 0, 4, 7 in both groups. The successful treatment was defined as 15% reduction in β-HCG level between day 4 and 7. The two groups were compared with each other with regard to their need for operation, or extra dose of MTX; duration of hospitalization; and MTX complications., Results: Results showed that the rate of success in double dose method was more than single dose one (79% versus 69%) but the difference was not significant (P = 0.29). Although the need for operation and extra dose of MTX were lower in the double dose group (15.8% vs. 18.8% and 5.26% vs. 13.2%, respectively), these differences were not significant too. Duration of hospitalization was significantly lower in double dose compared to the single dose (11.55 d vs. 14.76 d, P < 0.001)., Conclusions: Single dose therapy of MTX has sufficient power and efficacy in the treatment of ectopic pregnancy, however in patients with higher serum level of β-HCG, the successful treatment increases by using double dose method. Using double dose also could decrease the necessity of operation, re-administration of MTX, and duration of hospitalization.

Background: Thioflavin T (ThT) is a well-known probe of amyloid fibrils with a benzothiazole core structure. As a compound with partial inhibitory effect on alpha-amylase, the results of oral ThT administration were investigated on a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced rat model of diabetes., Methods: STZ was administered intraperitoneally for induction of diabetes. Afterwards, doses of 2, 8, 16, and 32 mg/kg of ThT were used in diabetic and non-diabetic rats. Blood glucose levels, lipid profiles, alpha-amylase activity, food and water intake and urine volume were assessed. Docking was also performed to evaluate the inhibitory effect of ThT on alpha-amylase., Results: Upon treatment with ThT, blood glucose levels and lipid profile of diabetic rats improved significantly. Furthermore, alpha-amylase serum levels of treated animals decreased compared to the control group, suggesting a possible effect of ThT on this digestive enzyme. On the other hand, the food intake of treated animals showed a decrease. ThT effects were also seen to some extent in the non-diabetic group., Conclusion: ThT is suggested to be a potentially useful compound in treatment and prevention of diabetes and associated complications., (Copyright © 2014 Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier Urban & Partner Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved.)

Phloridzin is the specific and competitive inhibition of sodium/glucose cotransporters in the intestine (SGLT1) and kidney (SGLT2). This property which could be useful in the management of postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetes and related disorders. Phloridzin is one of the dihydrochalcones typically contained in apples and in apple-derived products. The effect of phloridzin orally doses 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg body weight on diabetes was tested in a streptozotocin-induced rat model of diabetes type 1. From beneficial effect of this compound is significant reduction of blood glucose levels and improve dyslipidemia in diabetic rats. As a well-known consequence of becoming diabetic, urine volume and water intake were significantly increased. Administration of phloridzin reduced urine volume and water intake in a dose-dependent manner. Phloretin decreases of food consumption, as well as a marked lowering in the weight. In conclusion, this compound could be proposed as an antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic agent in diabetes and potential therapeutic in obesity.

Background. Macrosomia is defined as an infant's birth weight of more than 4000 g at term which is to different maternal and neonatal complications. Several studies have been done on factors influencing risk of macrosomia, but there is lack of information and study in our country regarding macrosomia complications. Objective. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of macrosomia and its complications. Method. A cohort study was conducted from 2007 to 2011 at Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Razi Hospital in Ahvaz city, Iran. All pregnant mothers who were referred to Obstetrics and Gynecology Department for delivery were included in this study. The total number of 201,102 pregnant mothers was recruited and divided into case and control groups after delivery (macrosomia (case) and normal weight infants (control) groups). Results. Out of total deliveries (201,102), there were 1800 macrosomia, (9%). Gestational diabetes, maternal obesity (BMI), maternal aged and positive history of previous macrosomia were the major risk factors for macrosomia which were compared with the normal weight infant groups (P < 0.001 for all parameters). Neonatal complications associated with macrosomia included humerus-clavicle fractures and arm-brachial plexus injury which were significant compared to the control group (P < 0.001 for all parameters). Conclusion. The macrosomia is potentially dangerous for the mother and the neonate. It is important to recognize the suspected fetal macrosomia to prevent its risk factors and complications. There is a need to provide all delivery facilities and care services to prevent and reduce the maternal and neonatal macrosomia complications.

Trans-chalcone (1,3-diphenyl-2-propen-1-one), a biphenolic core structure of flavonoids precursor was tested for inhibitory activity toward alpha-amylase. Porcine pancreatic alpha-amylase was observed to be effectively inhibited by this compound, which showed competitive behavior with a K(i) of 48 μM. Soluble starch (the natural substrate of the enzyme) was used in this study in order to obtain more realistic results. The possible binding mode of the compound was assessed in silico, and the two residues Trp59, and Tyr62 were proposed as main interacting residues with trans-chalcone. In conclusion, this compound could be used to design effective inhibitors of alpha-amylase.

trans-Chalcone is the core structure of naringenin chalcone, located halfway in the biosynthesis pathway of flavonoids. Flavonoids have been reported as mammalian alpha-amylase inhibitors, a property which could be useful in the management of postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetes and related disorders. As a mammalian alpha-amylase inhibitor in vitro, the putative beneficial effect of trans-chalcone on diabetes was tested in a streptozotocin-induced rat model of diabetes type 1, and the results analyzed with commonly used statistical methods. Significant reduction of blood glucose levels and beneficial effect on dyslipidemia were observed in diabetic rats, as well as reduction of disturbing consequences of diabetes such as high urine volume and water intake. trans-chalcone was observed to have a weight loss-inductive effect, alongside with a reduction in food intake, which is suggestive of a therapeutic potential of this compound in overweight and obese patients.