Platelet Indices and CXCL12 Levels in Patients with Intrauterine Growth Restriction.

BACKGROUND: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a multifactorial condition, and the precise mechanism is still unknown. In the current study, we aimed to determine the relationship between the platelet (PLT) indices and CXC12 levels in patients with IUGR. PATIENTS AND MATERIALS: In this study, 36 patients with IUGR and 36 healthy pregnant mothers were enrolled as the case and control groups, respectively. Gestational age for both groups was between 24 and 40 years. Blood samples were taken, and platelet indices were examined by a full-diff cell counter. Serum levels of CXCL12 were measured by ELISA, and the data were analyzed using an independent Student's t-test. RESULTS: In this study, we observed that the mean value of PLT count (154.3 ± 50 vs 236 ± 36) and plateletcrit (0.124 ± 0.038 vs 0.178 ± 0.021) were significantly lower in the case than the control group. In contrast, the mean platelet volume (7.94 ± 0.55 vs 7.62 ± 0.53) and platelet distribution width (17.57 ± 0.7 vs 16.96 ± 0.59) were significantly higher in the case than the control group. More importantly, we found that the serum levels of CXCL12 were significantly higher (5.3 ng/mL± 3.1 vs 2.8 ± 1.6) in the patients compared to the pregnancy controls. CONCLUSION: Our data show that platelet indices are changed in IUGR, and the levels of circulating CXCL12 are increased in patients with IUGR. These findings provide a base for further studies to better defining the pathophysiology of IUGR.

Psychometric properties of the mammography self-efficacy and fear of breast cancer scales in Iranian women.

BACKGROUND: Research investigating mammography screening has often reported low mammography self-efficacy and breast cancer fear contribute to underutilization of mammography. This study aimed to examine the reliability and validity of Champion's Mammography Self-efficacy Scale (CMSS) and Champion's Breast Cancer Fear Scale (CBCFS) in a sample of Iranian women. METHODS: The adapted instruments were administered to a community sample of 482 women aged 40 years or older. They inhibited in Sanandaj, Iran. Cronbach's α coefficients, item-total, and test-retest correlations were used to assess the reliability of the scales. Confirmatory factor analysis was applied to assess construct validity. RESULTS: The α coefficients for the Farsi 14-item CMSS and 8-item BCFS were .87 and.95, respectively. In terms of the CMSS confirmatory factor analysis, the proportion of x 2/df was 2.4, Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.93, Tucker Lewis Index (TLI) = 0.96 providing a strong fit to the data induced by two-factor model. With regard to CBCFS, x 2/df was 86.33, CFI =0.99, and TLI =0.99 supporting one-factor model. CONCLUSION: The CMSS and CBCFS exhibited strong initial psychometric properties; therefore, they are recommended to understand women's breast cancer screening behaviors better.

A seroprevalence and relationship survey of brucellosis between pregnant women and women with spontaneous abortion in Iran.

Background: Brucellosis is one of the most prevalent diseases common between humans and animals. It is also called Malta fever, Undulant fever and Mediterranean fever. This disease is spread by consuming milk and its unpasteurized derivatives. Clinical symptoms of brucellosis in humans are fever, chills, headache, muscular pain, tiredness, loss of appetite, joint pain, weight loss, constipation, sore throat, and dry cough. The present study aimed at surveying the seroprevalence of brucellosis in pregnant women and those women who suffered from spontaneous abortion. Methods: This case- control study was conducted in Sanandaj (Iran) in 2016 and included 2 groups of pregnant women: one group included 160 pregnant women and the other included 160 women who suffered from spontaneous abortion. Then, the participants were asked to fill out the questionnaire. After receiving permission from an obstetrician, a 10-cc blood sample was taken from each person to be used in the Rose Bengal, Wright, 2ME, and Coombs tests. Independent samples t test and Chi-square test were used to analyze the data and compare the groups. Results: Mean±SD age of women in the case group was 30.9±7.3 years, while it was 27.74±5.41 years in control women. The Rose Bengal, Wright, and 2ME prevalence for both groups was negative, but the Coombs and Wright tests score was 33 (20.6%) in pregnant women and it was 27 (16.9%) in women who experienced spontaneous abortion. No meaningful relationship was observed between spontaneous abortion and brucellosis (p= 0.39). Conclusion: Even though the present study did not find a meaningful relationship between spontaneous abortion and brucellosis (p=0.39), high brucella seroprevalence rates between both groups of women indicated that screening tests should be considered before gestation as an appropriate therapeutic strategy.

The effect of vitamin D supplementation on gestational diabetes in high-risk women: Results from a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency is common in pregnancy, leading to increase in the frequency of preeclampsia, cesarean delivery, neonatal bacterial vaginosis, and gestational diabetes. The current study was designed and implemented to investigate the effect of vitamin D during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy in reducing the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in women who are at high risk [history of GDM, birth macrosomia, family history, and high body mass index (BMI)]. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial, 90 pregnant women who had at least one risk factor for GDM were randomized into intervention (46 participants) and control (44 participants) groups. Participants in the intervention group took 5000 units of vitamin D daily and the control group took placebo until the 26th week of pregnancy. Then the glucose challenge test (GCT) and the glucose tolerance test (GTT) were performed to evaluate GDM. RESULTS: Mean ± standard deviation (SD) age was 31.28 ± 6.38 years and 29 ± 6.24 years for the intervention group and the placebo group, respectively, (P > 0.05). In addition, there were no significant differences between two groups in terms of vitamin D levels and GCT (P > 0.05), and the difference was not significant. The incidence of diabetes in the intervention groups was statistically lower than in control group (11.4% vs 34.8; P < 0.01). The results showed that abnormal GCT in the placebo group was statistically higher than in intervention group (35.9% vs 10.9 P < 0.005). CONCLUSION: The results of the current study showed that the prescription of vitamin D supplementation in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy was effective in reducing GDM and controlling GTT and GTC.