RESUMEN
Objective@#The association between preterm birth (PTB), Spindle and Kinetochore Associated Complex Subunit 2 gene (SKA2), cortisol and anxiety have been shown, but in this study, we aimed to clarify whether the expression of the SKA2 gene plays a role in interleukin1β (IL-1β) level since increasing level of IL-1β is linked with PTB. @*Methods@#The case-control study was conducted on 49 and 51 women with preterm and term delivery, respectively. The score of anxiety was ranked according to the Spielberger state trait Anxiety Inventory. The concentration of cortisol and IL-1β was determined by the ELISA method. The expression of SKA2 gene was assessed by the quantitative real time real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The western blot analysis was also performed to confirm the expression of SKA2 at the levels of protein. @*Results@#The results showed that the gene/protein expression of SKA2, the concentrations of cortisol and IL-1β were significantly higher in the preterm than the term group. In the preterm group, the expression of SKA2 was positively correlated to the other factors including cortisol, IL-1β, and the degree of anxiety. @*Conclusion@#Our findings suggest that the expression of SKA2 was correlated positively to the levels of cortisol, IL-1β and the rate of anxiety in women with PTB.
RESUMEN
CuT380A intra uterine device Intra Uterine Device [IUD] is used in the health system of Iran. The most important and frequent side effects of the lUDs are hypermenorrhea and polymenorrhea. In Iran, iron supplement are not prescribed for the IUD users and there are no documents indicating their iron reservation status. This study was performed to determine the iron status in Gorganian IUD users. This historical cohort study was performed on 100 IUD users [exposed group] and 100 non-IUD users [non-exposed group] in the Golestan province in north east of Iran in 2008. To evaluate the iron status hemoglobin and ferritin levels were measured. Data was analyzed by SPSS 13 by using Chi square and Independent T-test. A p-value less than 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Hgb less than 10.5 was seen in 5% and 6% of IUD users and non-IUD users respectively which was not statistically significant [OR: 1.43, 95% CI: 0.39-5.25]. Low Ferretin Level [less than 15] was seen in 53% of IUD users and in 35% of non-IUD users which was statistically significant [OR: 2.35, 95% CI: 1.28-4.29] Duration of menstrual period in the two groups was statistically significant [7.5 +/- 2.4 vs. 6.4 +/- 1.8, p= 0.005] but interval of menstruation [days] was not statistically significant [26.7 +/- 4.7 vs. 28 +/- 11.2, p> 0.05]. On the basis of the results obtained we suggest either routine iron supplementation following application of IUD, or use of the hormone releasing IUD as an alternative for copper lUDs