Plasma Fibronectin Concentration in Obese/Overweight Pregnant Women: A Possible Risk Factor for Preeclampsia

Plasma fibronectin (FN) levels in obese/overweight and non-obese pregnant women were evaluated as a possible risk factor for preeclampsia. A total of one hundred and sixty three pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at University of Calabar Teaching Hospital participated in the study and sixty non-pregnant women served as control. About 77 (47.24%) of the pregnant women were followed up for any subsequent development of preeclampsia during the pregnancy. Fibronectin levels in plasma were measured by ELISA assay and serum total protein, urea and creatinine were determined spectrophotometrically. The mean plasma FN concentration of non-obese pregnant women in first trimester was lower than those of the non-pregnant women by 24%, but however, increased to the non-pregnant level in second and third trimesters. Obese/overweight pregnant women had significantly (P < 0.05) higher values than non-obese pregnant women in second and third trimesters. FN in obese/overweight pregnant women correlated positively with mean arterial blood pressure (MAP: r = 0.414, P = 0.04). About 28.57% of the pregnant women with FN above cut off point of 330 μg/ml at 18–24 weeks of gestation developed preeclampsia. This value increased to 40.0% when only the obese/overweight women were considered. On analysis of both fibronectin >330 μg/ml and MAP > 90, the predictive value increased to 66.7%. We therefore conclude that elevated FN may be regarded as a risk factor of preeclampsia especially among the obese women.     

BMD and Serum Intact Osteocalcin in Postmenopausal Osteoporosis Women

India seems to have the highest prevalence of osteoporosis. With growing awareness of osteoporosis and its impact on life span especially in India, special attention is being paid to early detection, management and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis in women. Measurement of BMD and osteocalcin are of value in estimating bone turnover rates. The aim of this study is (1) to measure the specific, sensitive bone formation marker such as osteocalcin and BMD in postmenopausal osteoporosis women and postmenopausal non-osteoporosis women; (2) the follow up study to evaluate the impact of specific antiresorptive therapy (alendronate + calcium + vitamin D) regimen in postmenopausal osteoporosis by assaying osteocalcin and BMD. Sixty clinically diagnosed postmenopausal osteoporosis patients and 60 normal subjects (postmenopausal non-osteoporosis women) were recruited as control. Mean bone mineral density T score and Z score was significantly decreased (P < 0.001) in postmenopausal osteoporosis patients as compared to controls. Highly significant increase in the mean score of BMD—T score and Z score from baseline to post therapy of 3 months was observed in postmenopausal osteoporosis women. Serum osteocalcin levels were significantly increased (P < 0.001) as compared to control group. Serum osteocalcin levels were decreased significantly (P < 0.001) from baseline to post therapy of 3 months in postmenopausal osteoporosis women. BMD is the best quantifiable predictor of osteoporotic fracture and osteocalcin is specific, sensitive, promising, currently used marker for better prognosis of osteoporosis and for monitoring responses to antiresorptive therapy.     

Hyperhomocysteinemia, as an Independent Risk Factor for Retinal Venous Occlusion in an Indian Population

Total plasma homocysteine was analysed in 64 cases of retinal vein occlusion (RVO) of which 24 cases of central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and 40 cases of branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and compared with 45 age and sex matched control. Homocysteine was significantly increased in RVO cases in respect to control (P < 0.001). Analysis also revealed that prevalence of rise of plasma homocysteine was more in cases of CRVO (OR = 13) than that of BRVO (OR = 5.03).     

Lipoprotein (a): a Unique Independent Risk Factor for Coronary Artery Disease

The current epidemic affecting Indians is coronary artery disease (CAD), and is currently one of the most common causes of mortality and morbidity in developed and developing countries. The higher rate of CAD in Indians, as compared to people of other ethnic origin, may indicate a possible genetic susceptibility. Hence, Lp(a), an independent genetic risk marker for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease assumes great importance. Lp(a), an atherogenic lipoprotein, contains a cholesterol rich LDL particle, one molecule of apolipoprotein B-100 and a unique protein, apolipoprotein (a) which distinguishes it from LDL. Apo(a) is highly polymorphic and an inverse relationship between Lp(a) concentration and apo(a) isoform size has been observed. This is genetically controlled suggesting a functional diversity among the apo(a) isoforms. The LPA gene codes for apo(a) whose genetic heterogeneity is due to variations in its number of kringles. The exact pathogenic mechanism of Lp(a) is still not completely elucidated, but the structural homology of Lp(a) with LDL and plasmin is possibly responsible for its acting as a link between atherosclerosis and thrombosis. Upper limits of normal Lp(a) levels have not been defined for the Indian population. A cut off limit of 20 mg/dL has been suggested while for the Caucasian population it is 30 mg/dL. Though a variety of assays are available for its measurement, standardization of the analytical method is highly complicated as a majority of the methods are affected by the heterogeneity in apo(a) size. No therapeutic drug selectively targets Lp(a) but recently, new modifiers of apo(a) synthesis are being considered.     

Lead toxicity as a result of herbal medication

Awareness about the toxic effects of non-essential metals is still lacking in developing countries. Lead is one among them, which ranks second in the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’ s top 20 lists of toxic metals. Some of the herbal medicines prepared from certain roots and leaves are known to contain this toxic metal at alarming levels. We have a case of a person who suffered from the toxic effects of lead such as vomiting and colicky abdominal pain after consuming a herbal remedy for Jaundice treatment. This went unrecognized initially because of the presence of multiple problems like Malaria and Renal calculi. Lead poisoning as causative factor for anemia, vomiting and colic were confirmed only when blood lead concentration was estimated. A combination of chelation therapy and nutritional supplementation was found to be useful in reducing the body lead burden.     

IT外包中知识转移的风险识别与风险因素分析

从IT外包的知识转移过程入手,把IT外包中知识转移分为发送、获取、交流、积累和反馈5个阶段,并对每个阶段进行特征描述,构建了符合IT外包知识转移过程模型,即SOEAF模型。在此基础上分析知识转移风险识别的特点,利用问卷调查的数据对IT外包知识转移风险因素进行识别,得出知识共享与反馈、学习能力、技术创新评价体系、协作和信任程度、知识转移的激励机制等5个因素是IT外包知识转移的主要风险因素,最后对知识转移风险因素进行分析。     

不对称二甲基精氨酸:心血管疾病的一个新的危险因子

不对称二甲基精氨酸（ADMA）是内源性一氧化氮合酶抑制剂,它抑制血管活性物质NO的合成．导制内皮功能不全,在心血管疾病的发生发展中具有重要作用。大量研究证明,ADMA可能是心血管疾病的一个新的危险因子。     

基于承包商视角的IT服务外包项目风险因素的辨识

提出IT服务外包项目的全新分类视角,利用文献资料法和专家访谈法,收集整理57个风险因素,针对承包商企业高管收集调研数据,采用分层聚类和T检验,从不同的角度对57个风险因素的重要程度进行辨识,为我国承担IT服务外包项目的承包商在评估风险、规避风险时提供依据.     

企业模仿创新项目风险因素实证研究

通过实证研究,识别出对模仿创新项目风险后果具有显著影响的38个风险因素,分析结果显示,模仿创新项目风险因素的组成具有独特性,一些一般意义上的技术创新风险因素研究结论对模仿创新项目并不成立。     

Hyperinsulinemia and Hypoadiponectinemia are Associated with Increased Risk for Occurrence of Ovarian Cancer in Non-diabetic Women of North Indian Population

Ovarian cancer has been emerged as a most common and lethal gynecological malignancy in India. High serum insulin and low adiponectin have been associated with increased risk of ovarian cancer. But their role in development of ovarian cancer is conflicting and little evidence is available. We aimed to evaluate blood levels of insulin and adiponectin in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients and their association with the risk to develop EOC. The study included following three groups; Group 1: fifty cases of cytohistopathologically confirmed cases of EOC, Group 2: fifty age matched cases of benign ovarian conditions and Group 3: fifty ages matched healthy controls with no evidence of any benign or malignant ovarian pathology as ruled out by clinical examination and relevant investigations. Cytohistopathologically confirmed and newly diagnosed cases of EOC and benign ovarian cancer were included in this study. The median value of fasting serum insulin was significantly high (15.0 µlU/ml, P = 0.02) and adiponectin were significantly low (5.1 µg/ml, P < 0.001) in ovarian cancer patients compared to benign ovarian tumors and healthy controls group. A significant increase risk of ovarian cancer was found in high tertile (≥ 18.7 µlU/ml) of serum insulin level (OR = 2.7; 95% CI = 1.00–6.67, P = 0.04) and lower tertile (≤ 5.45 µg/ml) of adiponectin level (OR = 3.2; 95% CI = 1.10–9.71, P = 0.03). High serum insulin level and low adiponectin levels were significantly associated with increased risk for development of ovarian cancer.     

Evaluation of Low Blood Lead Levels and Its Association with Oxidative Stress in Pregnant Anemic Women: A Comparative Prospective Study

To correlate blood lead levels (BLLs) and oxidative stress parameters in pregnant anemic women. A total of 175 pregnant women were found suitable and included for this study. Following WHO criteria, 50 each were identified as non-anemic, mild anemic and moderate anemic and 25 were severe anemic. The age of all study subjects ranged from 24–41 years. At admission, BLLs and oxidative stress parameters were estimated as per standard protocols and subjected with ANOVA, Pearson correlation analysis and cluster analysis. Results showed significantly (p < 0.01) high BLLs, zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), lipid peroxide (LPO) levels while low delta aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (δ-ALAD), iron (Fe), selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), red blood cell (RBC) count, reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in all groups of anemic pregnant women as compared with non anemic pregnant women. In all groups of pregnant women, BLLs showed significant (p < 0.01) and direct association with ZPP, GSSG and LPO while inverse relation with δ-ALAD, Fe, Se, Zn, Hb, Hct, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RBC, GSH, SOD, CAT and TAC. Study concluded that low BLLs perturb oxidant-antioxidant balance and negatively affected hematological parameters which may eventually Pb to Fe deficiency anemia during pregnancy.     

领先市场:分析国家竞争优势的新视角

传统的观点认为国家在特定技术或产品方面的竞争优势源于技术能力,然而,许多在特定技术或产品上具有国际竞争力的国家却并不是该技术的发明国.Beise提出了领先市场模型并对此进行了解释.介绍了Beise的领先市场模型,并对模型的局限性及对我国的启示进行了探讨.     

风险、不确定性与利润以及企业组织--奈特理论介评

本文是对弗兰克.奈特的《风险、不确定性与利润》理论的介绍和评述。竞争性均衡条件下是否存在利润,是新古典经济学与质疑者争论的焦点。奈特创新性地引入了“不确定性”概念,通过对风险与不确定性的区别,论证了长期均衡条件下利润的存在。奈特的这种论证,第一讨论了企业组织以及企业家出现的原因;第二回归了斯密论述分工对人类福祉的作用。     

Preeminent Biologist Joins CAS to Lead a New Research Center in Shanghai

Dr. ZHU Jiankang, an internationally renowned plant cell biologist and member of the US National Academy of Sciences, will work as Director of the Shanghai Center for Plant Stress Biology, which was officially inaugurated on April 28, 2012 in suburban Shanghai. Before     

对CJCR中期刊评价指标“扩散因子”的质疑

《中国科技期刊引证报告》（CJCR）已成为计量评价中国科技期刊质量最主要的工具。扩散因子是2002年版CJCR首次推出的用于评估科技期刊真实影响力的学术指标。3年多的使用实践发现，该指标与经典的期刊学术影响力指标——总被引频次和影响因子在部分期刊中并不平行一致，与部分科技期刊的实际学术影响力也不一致，甚至呈现反向变化趋势。因而认为，“扩散因子”在科学性和合理性方面存在着不容忽视的某些缺陷。建议暂停使用该指标，应对其重新进行深入研究，尤其应改进和完善其计算公式。     

基于因子分析的企业隐性知识管理支撑体系构建

提出企业隐性知识管理支撑体系这一概念,从支撑体系的内涵着手,以沈阳、抚顺、本溪三地的8家企业知识型员工为研究对象,采用了因子分析方法,对隐性知识管理支撑要素进行了实证研究,并从智力资源系统、物质技术系统和组织情境系统三个方面初步构建了隐性知识管理支撑体系.