Screening for depression during pregnancy using the Kurdish version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale in Erbil city.

We aimed to determine any difference in the prevalence rate of depression during the three trimesters of pregnancy and its association with certain obstetric risk factors. In total, 1000 pregnant women attending primary health centers in the city of Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq were assessed for depression using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Women in the first and second trimesters had a significantly higher probability of depression than those in the third trimester.

Attitudes and beliefs related to reporting alcohol consumption in research studies: a case from Jordan.

Background: Acceptability of alcohol consumption varies wildly across cultures. Several factors such as religious beliefs and social desirability might influence reporting of such behaviors to researchers during relevant investigations.

Aims: This study aimed at assessing reporting of alcohol consumption during participation in research studies in Jordan, and identifying potential reasons and ethical challenges associated with reporting this behavior.

Tempol prevents chronic sleep-deprivation induced memory impairment.

Sleep deprivation is associated with oxidative stress that causes learning and memory impairment. Tempol is a nitroxide compound that promotes the metabolism of many reactive oxygen species (ROS) and has antioxidant and neuroprotective effect. The current study investigated whether chronic administration of tempol can overcome oxidative stress and prevent learning and memory impairment induced by sleep deprivation.

The Effect of Waterpipe Tobacco Smoke Exposure on Learning and Memory Functions in the Rat Model.

Tobacco smoking is a global health hazard that kills about 5 million people annually. Waterpipe smoking is among the most popular methods of tobacco consumption worldwide. In this study, we investigated whether waterpipe smoking impairs learning and memory in the hippocampus, a question of special concern due to the particular popularity of waterpipe use among youth.

Chronic Melatonin Treatment Prevents Memory Impairment Induced by Chronic Sleep Deprivation.

Sleep deprivation (SD) has been associated with memory impairment through induction of oxidative stress. Melatonin, which promotes the metabolism of many reactive oxygen species (ROS), has antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. In this study, the effect of melatonin on memory impairment induced by 4 weeks of SD was investigated using rat animal model.

Lack of Association between Polymorphisms of Hepatic Lipase with Lipid Profile in Young Jordanian Adults.

The human hepatic lipase (LIPC) gene encodes hepatic lipase, an enzyme involved in lipoprotein metabolism and regulation. Therefore, variants in LIPC gene may influence plasma lipoprotein levels. In this study, the association of LIPC C-514T and G-250A polymorphisms with plasma lipid profiles in 348 young Jordanians was investigated.

Association of adiponectin protein and ADIPOQ gene variants with lumbar disc degeneration.

Lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) is a widespread public health problem that may lead to disability and loss of productivity. Adiponectin is an adipokine secreted by adipose tissue and has been shown to be involved in cartilage homeostasis. In the present study, the association between the rs266729 (-11377C/G) and rs2241766 (45T/G) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the adiponectin gene (ADIPOQ) and LDD was investigated.

Effect of oxidative stress on the expression of thin filament-associated proteins in gastric smooth muscle cells.

Thin filament-associated proteins such as calponin, caldesmon, and smoothelin are believed to regulate acto-myosin interaction and thus, muscle contraction. Oxidative stress has been found to affect the normal contractile behavior of smooth muscle and is involved in the pathogenesis of a number of human diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and atherosclerosis. However, very little is known about the effect of oxidative stress on the expression of smooth muscle contractile proteins.

Non-genomic effects of progesterone on Rho kinase II in rat gastric smooth muscle cells.

Various studies have shown that pregnancy is associated with gastrointestinal complaints that might result from disturbance of the normal contractile pattern of smooth muscle. Progesterone is an important steroid hormone, which plays a crucial role in female pregnancy. Progesterone affects muscle cells by genomic mechanisms, through nuclear receptors, and non-genomic mechanisms, through unidentified pathways.