European Scientific Journal, ESJ

Stress Spectrum in Pregnancy: Association with SocioEconomic, Educational, and Cultural Factors

N. Masiukovichi, E. Nikoleishvili, W.M. Caudle — Sat, 15 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction: The multifaceted nature of stress during pregnancy is known to influence maternal health, pregnancy outcomes, and fetal development. Objective: This study aims to explore the association between stress during pregnancy and socio-economic, educational, and cultural factors in Tbilisi, Georgia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 398 pregnant women in Tbilisi, Georgia, utilizing a pregnancy-specific questionnaire approved by the University of Georgia's ethics board. Saliva cortisol levels were measured in a focus group of 95 pregnant women who self-reported stress. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSSv.23.0. Results: Two groups were identified: Group I (n = 172), comprising women who self-reported stress and had elevated cortisol levels (n = 95), and Group II (n = 226), who did not report stress. In Group I, saliva cortisol levels indicated mild stress in 30.5%, moderate stress in 34.7%, and high stress in 34.7%. Occupational stress factors were more prominent in Group I compared to Group II: job-related stress (OR = 1.59, p = 0.02, CI = 95%), overtime work (OR = 3.05, p = 0.001, CI = 95%), and continued work throughout pregnancy (OR = 1.82, p = 0.01, CI = 95%). Environmental stress was more prevalent among women living alone or with a partner (OR = 1.59, p = 0.03, CI = 95%). Relationship stress was significantly lower in Group I (p = 0.01), while psychological stress, such as spontaneous abortion, was higher (OR = 2.19, p = 0.001, CI = 95%). Educational levels did not differ significantly between groups. Conclusions: Self-reported stress is closely linked to elevated cortisol levels during pregnancy. Findings highlight the importance of addressing psychological, social, and occupational factors in prenatal care, to address the improvement of maternal and fetal health outcomes in the future.

Oral Microbiome and Its Role in Oral Lichen Planus Development: A Literature Review

Nazanin Nouraddini, Giorgi Dugashvili — Sat, 15 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This article aims to explore the oral microbiome, the implications of its dysbiosis and its role in the development of oral lichen planus (OLP) and systemic diseases. This underscores the necessity for additional research to elucidate the connections between oral microorganisms and the pathology of OLP. Furthermore, a deeper understanding of these intricate interactions may pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies and improved disease management. An electronic search was conducted using PubMed and Scopus, complemented by a manual review of the reference lists of the identified articles for full-text evaluation. Initially, titles and abstracts were assessed, followed by a comprehensive review of pertinent articles for potential inclusion. The human body hosts a diverse array of microorganisms that can influence both health and illness. Recent progress in genomic technologies, including next-generation sequencing, has significantly improved our comprehension of these microbial communities and their impact on human health. Importantly, cancer, currently the second leading cause of death worldwide, has been associated with specific oral pathogens. Certain bacterial species, such as Helicobacter pylori and various oral periopathogens, have been linked to the development of cancers, especially in the gastrointestinal system. Elevated levels of bacterial populations, including C. sputigena, E. corrodens, L. crispatus, M. curtisii, N. mucosa, P. bivia, P. intermedia, S. agalactiae and S. haemolyticus, have been identified in the lesions associated with oral lichen planus. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that individuals with oral lichen planus demonstrated increased infection rates of A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis, P. intermedia, T. forsythia and T. denticola when compared to those without oral lichen planus. Oral lichen planus, a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting the oral mucosa, is marked by T cell-mediated immune responses and is frequently correlated with microbial dysbiosis. OLP is classified as a precancerous condition, underscoring the importance of monitoring and investigating its microbial influences.

Content Marketing as a Tourism Promotion Strategy: A Conceptual Review

Irakli Abashidze — Sat, 15 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The global tourism industry is characterized by a fluctuating and unpredictable market environment, where advanced marketing approaches are essential to gaining and maintaining competitiveness. Content marketing has emerged as a powerful strategy to promote tourism services in such conditions. Its potential in achieving various marketing objectives makes it one of the primary choices for managing communication with target audiences. As online technologies develop, modern trends emerge at the same pace. Adopting these trends and technologies ensures an effective influence on travelers' behavior. Furthermore, to establish long-lasting and valuable relationships with customers, content marketing decisions must be data-driven. Thus, successful management of marketing communications in the tourism industry relies heavily on content creation, distribution across various channels, and the evaluation of its effectiveness. However, challenges related to measurement precision persist. To address these challenges in content marketing management within the tourism sector, it is essential to regularly examine the issue as it evolves both theoretically and in terms of practical application. The issue is multifaceted and requires complex research considering multiple factors. This paper reviews the concept from various perspectives to analyze the key aspects of modern content marketing management in tourism, which is the objective of the study. To achieve this, a contemporary literature review is conducted. The final section of the paper provides conclusive remarks and findings regarding the management of content marketing in the current conditions of the tourism industry and technological advancements.