Characteristics of Smoking Behavior Among Poor Pregnant Women in Izmir, Turkey: A Qualitative Study.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the negative aspects of cigarette use on pregnant, the level of smoking is extremely high among low-income women during pregnancy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study which has been conducted using an in-depth individual interview method, qualitatively explores and describes the characteristics of smoking behavior among poor pregnant women in Izmir, Turkey. A conventional content analysis method was used in the data analysis. Twelve pregnant women who smoked at least 1 cigarette a day and had $4 daily income were chosen as participants in this study. Interviews were recorded using a voice recorder, and the average duration of the interviews was 31 min. RESULTS: The smoking behavior of poor pregnant women is classified under 2 themes: "Individual attitudes and behavior" and "Interpersonal factors." CONCLUSION: Public health nurses should include smoking/non-smoking criteria in their routine check-ups and follow up with pregnant women while undertaking the role of educator and counseling regarding smoking cessation.

Evaluation of Total Antioxidant Capacity and Total Oxidant Status of Preterm and Term Breast Milk during the Course of Lactation and within a Nursing Session.

OBJECTIVE: Breast milk (BM) contains antioxidant molecules which may offer protection against oxidative stress (OS). We aim to investigate oxidant-antioxidant balance in preterm BM during the course of lactation and within a nursing session. STUDY DESIGN: Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidant status (TOS) were measured in colostrum, transitional, and mature BM samples of preterm infants born earlier than 34th week of pregnancy and healthy term infants. Oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. Foremilk and hindmilk samples were collected separately. RESULTS: In colostrum and transitional milk, TAC (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively) and TOS (p = 0.005 and p < 0.001, respectively) were lower in preterm BM compared with term BM. OSI was also lower in preterm BM, but it was statistically significant only in transitional milk (p < 0.001). TAC was highest in colostrum and decreased through the course of lactation. However, the decrease in TAC was not statistically significant in preterm BM. Lowest values of TOS and OSI were observed in colostrum. In transitional term BM, hindmilk had a better oxidant-antioxidant profile as indicated by lower TOS and OSI. CONCLUSION: Oxidant-antioxidant balance is preserved in BM in every stage of lactation. Preterm BM has lower OSI which may offer benefits to preterm newborn against OS.

Celecoxib-loaded liposomes: effect of cholesterol on encapsulation and in vitro release characteristics.

CLX (celecoxib) is a highly hydrophobic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with high plasma protein binding. We describe here the encapsulation of CLX in MLVs (multilamellar vesicles) composed of DSPC (1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) and variable amounts of cholesterol. The effects of cholesterol content on liposome size, percentage drug loading and in vitro drug release profiles were investigated. Differential scanning calorimetry and FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared) spectroscopy were used to determine molecular interactions between CLX, cholesterol and DSPC. The phase transition temperature (Tm) of vesicles was reduced in a synergistic manner in the presence of both CLX and cholesterol. Encapsulation efficiency, loading and release of CLX decreased with increasing cholesterol content. FTIR results indicated that this decrease was due to a competition between CLX and cholesterol for the co-operativity region of the phospholipids. In the presence of cholesterol, CLX was pushed further into the hydrophobic core of the bilayer. However, MLVs prepared with DSPC only (without cholesterol) exhibited the lowest ability for drug retention after 72 h. Our results indicated that CLX, without the requirement of modifications to enhance solubilization, can be encapsulated and released from liposomal formulations. This method of drug delivery may be used to circumvent the low bioavailability and systemic side effects of oral CLX formulations.