Does chocolate intake during pregnancy reduce the risks of preeclampsia and gestational hypertension?

Purpose: Chocolate consumption is associated with favorable levels of blood pressure and other cardiovascular disease risk markers. We analyzed a prospective cohort study to determine whether regular chocolate intake during pregnancy is associated with reduced risks of preeclampsia and gestational hypertension (GH).

Methods: Subjects were recruited from 13 prenatal care practices in Connecticut (1988-1991).

Intimate partner violence as a risk factor for postpartum depression among Canadian women in the Maternity Experience Survey.

Purpose: Intimate partner violence is a worldwide public health concern that predominantly affects women of reproductive age. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of exposure to intimate partner violence before, during, or after pregnancy on postpartum depression in a nationally representative sample of Canadian women.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was performed with the use of data from the Maternity Experience Survey conducted by Statistics Canada in 2006.

The impact of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist on gonadotropin ovulation induction cycles in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a prospective randomized study.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist Ganirelix on gonadotropin ovulation induction (OI) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled study.

Setting: Academic infertility center.

Pubertal development of the first cohort of young adults conceived by in vitro fertilization in the United States.

Objective: To characterize pubertal development of the first generation of young adults born as a result of in vitro fertilization (IVF). Demographic, clinical, and body size characteristics were examined regarding developmental milestones.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Associations among 25-hydroxyvitamin D, diet quality, and metabolic disturbance differ by adiposity in adults in the United States.

Context: Recent evidence indicates that a higher plasma level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] is associated with lower adiposity and a reduced number of metabolic disturbances (MetD).

Objectives: We examined associations among dietary quality, 25(OH)D, percent body fat (%BF), and MetD, and a pathway linking them, across central obesity.

Design: This cross-sectional nationally representative study used extensive data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys of 2001-2004.

Socio-demographic and behavioral correlates of herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 infections and co-infections among adults in the USA.

Objectives: Although herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 and HSV-2 may co-exist and interact, some epidemiologic features including geographical distribution, secular trends, route of transmission, and established risk factors may distinguish these HSV sub-types. With recent data indicating a link between genital herpes and either strain, a re-evaluation of risk factors for HSV-1/HSV-2 infection and co-infection is needed.

Methods: We used the 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Study (NHANES) data and logistic regression modeling to identify socio-demographic and behavioral risk factors that can independently predict HSV-1/HSV-2 infection and co-infection.

A cross-sectional evaluation of the first cohort of young adults conceived by in vitro fertilization in the United States.

Objective: To assess the quality of life and susceptibility for chronic disease development of the oldest generation of young adults conceived by IVF in the U.S.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Feasibility of using guidelines to choose treatment for prostate cancer.

Introduction: Treatment for localized prostate cancer (LPC) may not improve survival and commonly impairs health related quality of life. National guidelines provide algorithms to choose between treatment or observation for LPC, but the algorithms require the factoring of the patient's baseline comorbidity adjusted life expectancy (CALE). However, no method is available to estimate CALE of 10 or more years.

Development of a scale to assess patient misperceptions about treatment choices for localized prostate cancer.

Objectives: To develop a questionnaire to assess a patient's knowledge of his cancer, understanding of treatment choices, and judgement of his survival (KUJ) with and without treatment, as treatment for localized prostate cancer (LPC) can lead to urinary, sexual and bowel side-effects and might not improve survival in 75% of patients.

Patients And Methods: Although >90% of patients in the USA are diagnosed with LPC, approximately 94% of them choose treatment, such that newly diagnosed patients need individualized counselling to address misperceptions about the management of LPC. The internal consistency of an 18-item KUJ scale was evaluated among 184 patients recently diagnosed with LPC at a major urology practice.

The sex-specific role of plasma folate in mediating the association of dietary quality with depressive symptoms.

Folate deficiency has been implicated in the etiology of unipolar depression. In this study, we attempted to cross-link plasma folate, depressive symptoms, and dietary quality (or dietary intake of folate) together in a comprehensive framework, while examining effect modification of those associations by sex. This was a cross-sectional, population-based study of 1681 participants aged 30-64 y (Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Lifespan Study).

Imaging mass spectrometry of a specific fragment of mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase kinase 2 discriminates cancer from uninvolved prostate tissue.

Purpose: Histopathology is the standard approach for tissue diagnostics and centerpiece of pathology. Although the current system provides prognostic information, there is need for molecular markers that enhance diagnosis and better predict clinical prognosis. The ability to localize disease-specific molecular changes in biopsy tissue would help improve critical pathology decision making.

Polycystic ovary syndrome, body mass index and outcomes of assisted reproductive technologies.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and body mass index (BMI) on selected indicators of IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment success. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using existing data on 69 IVF/ICSI treatment cycles undergone by PCOS women and an individually matched sample of 69 IVF/ICSI treatment cycles undergone by non-PCOS women at a major fertility treatment centre. BMI (kg/m(2)) was analysed as a continuous and categorical (<25, 25-29.

Patients' survival expectations before localized prostate cancer treatment by treatment status.

Background: Cancer-specific mortality is projected to be only 1% in 15 years in approximately 75% of patients with screen-detected localized prostate cancer (LPC). Nearly 94% of patients choose treatment even though treatment damages health-related quality of life. No data are available regarding what survival benefit patients expected from treatment.

Impact of polycystic ovary syndrome on selected indicators of in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment success.

Objectives: To examine the effect of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a marker of the metabolic syndrome, on selected indicators of in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment success.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using existing data on 69 IVF/ICSI treatment cycles undergone by PCOS women and a caliper-matched sample of 69 IVF/ICSI treatment cycles undergone by non-PCOS women over a 7-year period at a major fertility treatment center. Matching criteria were age and date at IVF/ICSI treatment initiation.

How does gestational diabetes affect postpartum contraception in nondiabetic primiparous women?

Background: The aim of the study is to explore the effect of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on postpartum contraception among nondiabetic primiparous women.

Study Design: Secondary analyses of 2004-2005 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data from Michigan and Oregon.

Methods: Analyses were performed on 2332 women, taking complex survey design into consideration.

Recurrent long QT syndrome and syncope in transient apical ballooning syndrome (takotsubo cardiomyopathy).

Transient apical ballooning syndrome, or takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a syndrome characterized by reversible dilation of the left ventricular apex. It usually occurs in response to stress, and resolves completely in a few weeks. The present report describes a 55-year-old woman who presented with chest pain and syncope in response to emotional stress.

Violent behavior among adolescents in post-war Lebanon: the role of personal factors and correlation with other problem behaviors.

Background: Adolescent violence is a significant public health problem. The primary objective of this study is to assess the prevalence and correlates of violent behavior among adolescent students in Lebanon.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among a representative sample of 827 secondary students enrolled in public and private schools in Beirut.

Physical and mental health outcomes of prenatal maternal stress in human and animal studies: a review of recent evidence.

Prenatal maternal stress (PNMS) has been linked with adverse health outcomes in the offspring through experimental studies using animal models and epidemiological studies of human populations. The purpose of this review article is to establish a parallel between animal and human studies, while focusing on methodological issues and gaps in knowledge. The review examines the quality of recent evidence for prevailing PNMS theoretical models, namely the biopsychosocial model for adverse pregnancy outcomes and the fetal programming model for chronic diseases.

Obesity and central obesity as risk factors for incident dementia and its subtypes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

While dementia affects 6-10% of persons 65 years or older, industrialized countries have witnessed an alarming rise in obesity. However, obesity's influence on dementia remains poorly understood. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Predictors of colorectal cancer screening behaviors among average-risk older adults in the United States.

Objective: To critically evaluate recent studies that examined determinants of CRC screening behaviors among average-risk older adults (>or=50 years) in the United States.

Methods: A PUBMED (1996-2006) search was conducted to identify recent articles that focused on predictors of CRC initiation and adherence to screening guidelines among average-risk older adults in the United States.

Results: Frequently reported predictors of CRC screening behaviors include older age, male gender, marriage, higher education, higher income, White race, non-Hispanic ethnicity, smoking history, presence of chronic diseases, family history of CRC, usual source of care, physician recommendation, utilization of other preventive health services, and health insurance coverage.

Patterns and predictors of tobacco smoking cessation: a hospital-based study of pregnant women in Lebanon.

Objectives: To describe patterns of cigarette and narghile (hubble-bubble or water-pipe) smoking before and during pregnancy and identify predictors of successful smoking cessation.

Methods: A survey was conducted on 4660 pregnant women who delivered single live births between September 1st, 2001 and December 31st, 2002 at five hospitals in Beirut, Lebanon. Women were classified into four groups according to patterns of tobacco use before and during pregnancy: 1) consistent non-users, 2) successful quitters, 3) unsuccessful quitters and 4) consistent users.

Intrauterine growth standards in a developing country: a study of singleton livebirths at 28-42 weeks' gestation.

This study aimed to develop fetal growth charts for the population of Greater Beirut, Lebanon, and compare them with previously established references. A survey of consecutive singleton livebirths admitted to normal nurseries and neonatal intensive care units of major hospitals, through the database project of the National Collaborative Perinatal Neonatal Network was used as a design. The study was conducted in nine major healthcare institutions serving the population of Beirut and its suburbs.

Combining conditional and unconditional recruitment incentives could facilitate telephone tracing in surveys of postpartum women.

Background And Objective: To compare tracing and contact rates using alternative incentives in a computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) survey among postpartum women.

Methods: In a randomized trial of 1,061 postpartum women 18-49 years of age selected from four Iowa counties, we compared the effects of: (1) unconditional $5 telephone card incentive enclosed with the introductory letter followed by $25 incentive conditional upon successful telephone tracing, contact, and completion of CATI (Group 1, n = 530) vs. (2) $30 incentive conditional upon subject completion of CATI (Group 2, n = 531).

Immunogenetic determinants of preeclampsia and related pregnancy disorders: a systematic review.

Objective: We sought to systematically review the impact of immunogenetic factors, specifically human leukocyte antigen (HLA) allele frequencies, maternal homozygosity, couple sharing, and maternal-fetal sharing, on the risk of preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction.

Data Sources: A computerized search of PubMed databases from 1975 to 2003 was performed with the terms "preeclampsia," "eclampsia," "intrauterine growth restriction," and "human leukocyte antigens" and limited to studies of human subjects in English. No restrictions were placed on study design.

Association of human leucocyte antigen sharing with recurrent spontaneous abortions.

An estimated 15% of clinically recognized pregnancies abort spontaneously. Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is defined as three or more consecutive miscarriages conceived with the same partner in the absence of uterine, genetic or autoimmune abnormalities. Evidence points to human leucocyte antigens (HLA) as playing a role in the successful development of the foetus.