Correlation of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the promoter region of the ANXA5 (annexin A5) gene with recurrent miscarriages in women of Greek origin.

Recent findings show that a number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the promoter region of the annexin A5-gene (ANXA5) reduce the expression of the reporter gene and so they display a significant association with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). The objective of the present study aimed to address the contribution of ANXA5 M2 haplotype consisting of four minor alleles: (SNP1: (-)467G > A, SNP2: (-)448A > C, SNP3: (-)422T > C, and SNP4: (-)373G > A) in the occurrence of recurrent pregnancy losses in the Greek population, and the role of further two minor alleles: SNP5: (-)302 T > G and SNP6: (-)1C > T as independent risk factors for RPL. A 752-bp genomic region of ANXA5 promoter was amplified by PCR using specific primers.

Factors affecting breastfeeding duration in Greece: What is important?

Aim: To investigate factors associated with breastfeeding duration (BD) in a sample of mothers living in Greece.

Methods: Four hundred and twenty-eight mothers (438 infants) were initially recruited in a tertiary University Hospital. Monthly telephone interviews (1665 in total) using a structured questionnaire (one for each infant) were conducted until the sixth postpartum month.

Immigrant status as important determinant of breastfeeding practice in southern Europe.

Aim: Breastfeeding is universally accepted as the optimal way to nourish infants. There is evidence that socio-demographic factors, including immigrant status, are related to infant feeding practices. The aim of the present study was to identify the factors which are associated with breastfeeding initiation and duration, with special focus on the role of immigrant status of the mother in breastfeeding practice.

Factors affecting breast-feeding initiation in Greece: What is important?

Objective: to investigate the association between breast-feeding initiation and socio-demographic, lifestyle-related, clinical and lactation-related factors in a sample of mothers living in Greece.

Design: cross-sectional study.

Setting: Tertiary University Hospital, maternity ward.

Sexual delusion in a case of vaginal aplasia after surgical operation for neovagina.

The Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser (MRKH) is a syndrome of unknown etiology characterized by congenital aplasia of the uterus and the upper part (2/3) of the vagina in women showing normal development of secondary sexual characteristics. We report the case of a patient with vaginal aplasia and schizophrenia presenting with sexual delusion. To the authors' knowledge this is the first case to provide evidence of coexistence between MRKH and sexual delusion in a schizophrenic patient.