A prospective cohort study on the relationship between maternal prenatal depressive symptoms and children's behavioral problems at 2 years old / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective: To explore the associations between maternal and prenatal depressive symptoms and children's behavioral problems at 2 years old. Methods: In the present study, a total of 491 mother-child pairs were selected from the Shanghai-Minhang Birth Cohort Study (S-MBCS) which was conducted in Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Minhang District in Shanghai between April and December, 2012. Data from the Center for Epidemiologic Studies on Depression was gathered to assess the maternal depressive symptoms in the second and third trimester of pregnancy, as well as at 6 months and 12 months postpartum. Neurodevelopment at 2 years was assessed, using the Child Behavior Checklist. We used generalized linear models with a log-link function and a Binomial distribution to estimate the risk ratios (RRs) and 95%CIs, on children's behavioral problems at 2 years of age. Sensitivity analyses were performed among participants without postpartum depressive symptoms. Results: After adjustment on factors as maternal age, gestation week, average monthly income per person, parental education and children's gender etc., maternal depression in second trimester of pregnancy was found associated with higher risk of both developing emotional (RR=2.61, 95%CI: 1.36-4.99) and internalizing problems (RR=1.94, 95%CI: 1.22-3.08). However, maternal depression in third trimester was found to be associated with higher risks of developing emotional (RR=6.46, 95%CI: 3.09-13.53), withdrawn (RR=2.42, 95%CI: 1.16-5.02), aggressive (RR=2.93, 95%CI: 1.45-5.94), internalizing (RR=1.79, 95%CI: 1.01-3.16) or externalizing problems (RR=2.56, 95%CI:1.49-4.42). In sensitivity analysis, antenatal maternal depression was found positively associated with children's emotional, internalizing and externalizing problems and the differences all statistically significant. Conclusions: Maternal depression during pregnancy might increase the risks of children's behavioral problems. In order to decrease the incidence of children's behavioral problems and promoting both maternal and child health status, monitoring program regarding maternal mental health care should be strengthened.

Effect of famine exposure on the risk of chronic disease in later life among population in Harbin / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective: To study the relations between famine exposure and the risk of chronic diseases as diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension, coronary heart disease and stroke in the population of Harbin. Methods: Our data was collected from the baseline survey-the China Kadoorie Biobank project (CKB) in Harbin. Retrospective cohort study design was used. Related risks on chronic diseases including diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension, coronary heart disease and stroke, were compared among the famine exposed or non-exposed people, respectively by logistic analysis method. Results: After adjusted for factors as age, sex, physical activity, smoking, alcohol intake, diet, family history of diseases, it appeared that the factor 'famine exposure' had increased the risks of diseases as obesity (OR=1.204, 95%CI: 1.104-1.313, P<0.01), hypertension (OR=1.315, 95%CI: 1.210-1.429, P<0.01) and coronary heart disease (OR=1.495, 95%CI: 1.369-1.632, P<0.01). The lower the age of population being exposed to famine, the greater the risk of the development of all kinds of chronic diseases. Conclusions: Famine exposure appeared a risk factor for obesity, hypertension, and coronary heart disease. It is of great significance to ensure the life-long nutrition of the people, especially in the early and adolescent stages, to prevent obesity, hypertension, and coronary heart disease in their later lives.

anti-inflammatory properties of interleukin 18 binding protein in rheumatoid arthritis

Interleukin-18 binding protein [IL-18BP] is functioning as a natural anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive molecule by neutralizing the effects of IL-18 during inflammation. This study aimed to identify the role of IL-18BPa in the regulation of immune responses associated with the pathogenesis of RA. 65 RA patients, 22 OA patients, and 40 sex and age matched healthy donors were enrolled in this study. Synovial specimens were obtained through synovectomy or arthroscopic procedures. SFMC and PBMC were prepared by using Ficoll-Hypaque separation procedure. Superarray analysis was used to measure the expression profile of immune-related genes in normal PBMC treated with recombinant human IL-18BPa. The mRNA levels of Th1 and Th2 cytokines were measured by Real-time PCR, and the protein levels of IFN-gamma, IL-4 were detected by ELISA. SuperArray analysis of immune related gene expression profile in normal PBMC treated with IL-18BPa indicated decreases in the gene expression of IFN- gamma and its regulatory molecules STAT-1 and STAT-2. This study pointed out that IL-18BPa has additional anti-inflammatory property through downregulating the expression of IFN- gamma and IL-12, at the same time, upregulating the expression of IL-4 and IL-10. Both IFN- gamma and IL-12 could upregulate the mRNA and protein levels of IL-18BPa in both the normal and RA subjects. Our results demonstrated the importance of IL-18BPa as an immune regulatory molecule and as a promising therapy for treating RA