The relationship between general health and coping style with perceived stress in primigravida healthy pregnant women: Using the PATH model

The aim of this study was to analyze relationships among general health, coping style, and perceived stress in healthy primigravida pregnant women. A cross-sectional study was conducted at public health clinics in Hamadan city, Iran between July and December 2015. In total, 380 pregnant women were selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using the Revised Prenatal Coping Inventory and General Health Questionnaire. Perceived stress was assessed through an interview comprised of open-ended questions. The final PATH model fit well; general health (β = 0.02) as well as anxiety and sleep disorders (β = 0.03) were slightly directly associated with perceived stress, and only planning–preparation was related to perceived stress through general health (β = 0.09). The findings enhance the knowledge gained from previous perinatal stress research. General health status was directly related to stress, and coping style was indirectly related to stress. Coping styles may mediate the relationship between general health status and perceived stress, suggesting that midwives should attempt to improve the general health of women to reduce stress and its consequences during pregnancy by teaching patients appropriate coping styles. Further studies on the effect of coping style interventions on stress are warranted.     

Negative Association of Plasma Levels of Vitamin D and miR-378 With Viral Load in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B Infection

Background:

Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) is accompanied by inflammation of liver because of infection with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). Previous studies revealed an inverse association between vitamin D and HBV DNA levels.

Objectives:

The current study aimed to investigate the levels of 25 (OH) D3 (the steady form of vitamin D), miR-378 and HBV DNA in the patients with CHB.

Patients and Methods:

One hundred and seventy three patients with HBeAg negative CHB were recruited for the study. Plasma levels of HBVDNA and 25 (OH) D3 were quantified. The expression level of miR-378 in plasma was measured by a relative quantitative Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) assay.

Results:

In the pathway regression analysis, the plasma level of 25 (OH) D3 showed a significant inverse correlation with plasma levels of HBV DNA (-0.198, P = 0.008) and direct correlation with miR-378 (0.188, P = 0.013). Similarly plasma level of miR-378 had inverse association with HBV DNA level (-0.177, P = 0.020).

Conclusions:

These results suggest that vitamin D could involve in a miRNA- mediated regulatory pathway in control of HBV replication. Further studies are recommended to understand the effects of miR-378 and anti-infective action of vitamin D on Hepatitis B Virus.     

Influence of B cells in liver fibrosis associated with hepatitis B virus harboring basal core promoter mutations

The development of the liver disease in chronic hepatitis B with common viral variants can be determined through the interaction between the virus and the host immune response. B cells constitute half of the intrahepatic lymphocyte population with an impact on fibrosis. A proliferation‐inducing ligand (APRIL) has been shown to have a co‐stimulatory activity on B cells. For this study HBV DNA was amplified and then sequenced to show the presence of the basal core promoter (BCP) mutations in the serum from 57 patients with chronic hepatitis B. The range of IgD‐positive B cells was detected by immunohistochemistry in liver biopsies; and patients serum was assayed for APRIL levels by enzyme immunoassay. Twenty‐seven patients (47.4%) harbored the A1762T‐G1764A BCP mutations. Coefficients of logistic regression showed that the effect of increasing IgD‐positive B cells in rising odds of the liver disease is the same in the patients with BCP mutation A1762T‐G1764A and in the patients without mutation, nevertheless the effect of APRIL is not similar in these two groups of patients. Logistic regression in patients with BCP A1762T‐G1764A mutations demonstrated that increasing one score of APRIL decreased the odds of fibrosis stage about 8%. These results suggest that in infection with viral variants of hepatitis B virus, the population of IgD‐positive B cells may play a decisive role in later stages of the liver disease which is reduced by APRIL in chronic hepatitis patients with BCP mutations. J. Med. Virol. 84:1889–1896, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The effect of aspartame administration on oncogene and suppressor gene expressions

BACKGROUND: Aspartame (L-phenylalanine N-L-alpha-aspartyl-1-methyl ester) is an artificial sweetener with widespread applications. Previously published results have shown that among rats receiving aspartame a significant increase of lymphoreticular neoplasms, brain tumours and transitional cell tumours occurred. The aim of our short-term experiment was to investigate the biological effect of aspartame consumption by determining the expressions of key oncogenes and a tumour suppressor gene. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After one week per os administration of various doses of aspartame to CBA/CA female mice, p53, c-myc, Ha-ras gene expression alterations were determined in individual organs. RESULTS: The results showed an increase in gene expressions concerning all the investigated genes especially in organs with a high proliferation rate: lymphoreticular organs, bone-marrow and kidney. CONCLUSION: Aspartame has a biological effect even at the recommended daily maximum dose.     

Serum Fetuin-A and Pentraxin3 in hemodialysis and renal transplant patients

ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to evaluate of Fetuin-A and Pentraxin3 (PTX3) as the main factors for vascular calcification and inflammation in hemodialysis (HD) and renal transplant (RT) patients.MethodSerum was obtained from 45 stable chronic HD patients and 44 stable RT recipients. Biochemical factors, intact Parathormone, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), Fetuin-A and PTX3 levels were determined by standard methods.ResultsIn the RT recipients PTX3 level was significantly higher than the HD patients [5.78(1.09–20.36) ng/mL vs. 1.65(0.24–7.89) ng/mL, p ≤ 0.001]. Serum Fetuin-A concentration was significantly higher in the HD compared to RT group [43.39(27.75–81.48) ng/mL vs. 38.76(22.26–89.07) ng/mL, p = 0.020]. hsCRP level was also higher in the HD than the RT group [2.90(0.1–8.50) mg/L vs. 1.1(0.1–7.9) mg/L, p = 0.003].ConclusionAlthough our study shows that serum PTX3 is increased and Fetuin-A is decreased after successful RT, their direct role on atherosclerosis needs further studies in the future.     

Modeling the survival in patients with HIV by the presence of competing risks for death: sub-distribution and cause-specific hazard approach

Journal of Public Health - In the presence of competing risks, patients with human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) experience death by various causes, including co-infection with acquired immune...     

Correlation between clinical severity score and the lower esophageal sphincter relaxation pressure in idiopathic achalasia

OBJECTIVES: Achalasia is an esophageal motor disorder characterized by aperistalsis and incomplete relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The meaningful correlation between LES relaxation pressure and the severity of clinical symptoms is uncertain. The aim of this study was to elucidate the correlation between the clinical scoring and the LES relaxation pressure. METHODS: Over a 4-yr period from 1997 to 2001, all newly diagnosed patients with idiopathic achalasia were consecutively enrolled in a study. Diagnosis was established based on clinical, radiographic, endoscopic, and manometric criteria. The severity of five cardinal symptoms was scored on a scale of 0-3, and each patient received a total symptom score of 1-15. Manometry was subsequently performed, and the mean of five complete pull-through measurements was recorded as the resting LES relaxation pressure. RESULTS: A total of 115 patients (67 male and 48 female) with a mean age of 37.7 yr (range 12-90 yr) were included in the study. The mean total symptom score was 9.32 (range 3.00-14.00) and mean LES relaxation pressure before therapy was 56.29 mm Hg (range 8.00-107.80 mm Hg). Linear regression analysis showed a significant association between the total symptom score and LES relaxation pressure (p < 0.002, r = 0.290). Among the main symptoms, active and passive regurgitation showed significant correlation with LES relaxation pressure when compared to other individual symptoms using Pearson's correlation coefficient (p < 0.001 and 0.002, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that a clinical symptom score can be an appropriate predictor of the LES relaxation pressure in patients with idiopathic achalasia before therapy. Further studies are needed to evaluate similar correlations after therapeutic intervention.