游离睾酮指数联合血清GnSAF、SHBG对多囊卵巢综合征不孕患者IVF-ET治疗妊娠结局的预测价值

摘要 目的：探讨游离睾酮指数（FAI）联合血清促性腺激素平抑因子（GnSAF）、性激素结合球蛋白（SHBG）对多囊卵巢综合征（PCOS）不孕患者体外受精-胚胎移植（IVF-ET）治疗妊娠结局的预测价值。方法：选取2020年1月～2022年6月湖南省妇幼保健院生殖医学中心收治的197例PCOS不孕患者为PCOS组,根据IVF-ET治疗妊娠结局分为妊娠失败组和妊娠成功组,另选取同期68名体检健康妇女为对照组。收集PCOS不孕患者临床资料,计算FAI并检测血清GnSAF、SHBG水平。采用单因素和多因素Logistic回归分析PCOS不孕患者IVF-ET治疗妊娠结局的影响因素,采用受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析FAI和血清GnSAF、SHBG对PCOS不孕患者IVF-ET治疗妊娠结局的预测价值。结果：PCOS组FAI和血清GnSAF水平高于对照组,SHBG水平低于对照组（P＜0.05）。197例PCOS不孕患者IVF-ET治疗妊娠成功率为51.27%（101/197）。单因素分析显示,妊娠失败组体质指数、黄体生成素（LH）、LH/促卵泡生成素（FSH）、睾酮、抗苗勒管激素（AMH）、FAI、GnSAF高于妊娠成功组,FSH、受精率、优胚率、SHBG低于妊娠成功组（P＜0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析显示,体质指数增加和LH、LH/FSH、AMH、FAI、GnSAF升高为PCOS不孕患者IVF-ET治疗妊娠失败的独立危险因素,SHBG升高为其独立保护因素（P＜0.05）。ROC曲线分析显示,FAI和血清GnSAF、SHBG联合预测PCOS不孕患者IVF-ET治疗妊娠结局的曲线下面积大于FAI、GnSAF、SHBG单独预测。结论：FAI和血清GnSAF、SHBG水平联合预测PCOS不孕患者IVF-ET治疗妊娠结局的价值较高。     

血清SF、AMH、APN、NF-κB与肥胖型多囊卵巢综合征不孕患者胰岛素抵抗和IVF-ET助孕妊娠结局的关系研究

摘要 目的：探讨血清铁蛋白（SF）、抗苗勒管激素（AMH）、脂联素（APN）、核因子-κB（NF-κB）与肥胖型多囊卵巢综合征（PCOS）不孕患者胰岛素抵抗（IR）和体外受精-胚胎移植（IVF-ET）助孕妊娠结局的关系。方法：选取2019年1月～2021年1月广西医科大学第一附属医院收治的120例PCOS不孕症患者,根据体重指数（BMI）分为肥胖组（BMI≥28 kg/m²,79例）和非肥胖组（BMI＜28 kg/m²,41例）,肥胖组患者根据IVF-ET妊娠结局分为妊娠失败组47例和妊娠成功组32例。酶联免疫吸附法检测血清AMH、APN、NF-κB、SF水平,计算稳态模型胰岛素抵抗指数（HOMA-IR）,采用Pearson相关系数分析肥胖型PCOS不孕症患者血清AMH、APN、NF-κB、SF水平与HOMA-IR的相关性,采用多因素Logistic回归分析IVF-ET助孕妊娠结局的影响因素。结果：肥胖组血清AMH、NF-κB、SF水平和HOMA-IR高于非肥胖组,APN水平低于非肥胖组（P＜0.05）。Pearson相关性分析显示,肥胖型PCOS不孕症患者的HOMA-IR与血清AMH、NF-κB、SF水平呈正相关（r=0.663、0.734、0.687,均P＜0.05）,与APN水平呈负相关（r=-0.683,P＜0.05）。妊娠失败组黄体生成素（LH）、LH/促卵泡生成素（FSH）比值、HOMA-IR、血清AMH、NF-κB、SF水平均高于妊娠成功组,受精率、优胚率、FSH、APN水平均低于妊娠成功组（P＜0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析显示,LH、LH/FSH、HOMA-IR、SF、AMH、NF-κB水平升高是肥胖型PCOS不孕症患者IVF-ET妊娠失败的危险因素,APN水平升高是IVF-ET妊娠失败的保护因素（P＜0.05）。结论：肥胖型PCOS不孕症患者血清AMH、NF-κB、SF水平升高,APN水平降低,且与IR和IVF-ET助孕妊娠结局有关。     

血清OC、TSP-1、ANGPTL2与多囊卵巢综合征患者胰岛素抵抗、性激素和卵巢间质血流的关系研究

摘要 目的：分析血清骨钙素（OC）、血小板反应蛋白-1（TSP-1）、血管生成素样蛋白2（ANGPTL2）与多囊卵巢综合征（PCOS）患者胰岛素抵抗（IR）、性激素和卵巢间质血流的关系。方法：选取2020年1月～2022年4月内蒙古自治区人民医院收治的125例PCOS患者（PCOS组）,根据稳态模型评估（HOMA）-IR分为IR组68例和非IR组57例,另选取同期67例体检健康成年女性（对照组）。收集研究对象HOMA-IR和性激素、卵巢间质血流指标,采用酶联免疫吸附法检测血清OC、TSP-1、ANGPTL2水平。比较PCOS组与对照组、IR组与非IR组之间性激素、卵巢间质血流指标、血清OC、TSP-1、ANGPTL2水平的差异。采用Pearson/Spearman相关性分析法分析PCOS患者血清OC、TSP-1、ANGPTL2水平与HOMA-IR、性激素和卵巢间质血流指标的相关性。结果：PCOS组HOMA-IR、黄体生成素（LH）、LH/促卵泡生成素（FSH）、睾酮（T）、收缩期峰值速度（PSV）、ANGPTL2水平高于对照组,搏动指数（PI）和阻力指数（RI）、OC、TSP-1水平低于对照组（P＜0.05）。IR组LH、LH/FSH、T、PSV、ANGPTL2水平高于非IR组,PI、RI、OC、TSP-1水平低于非IR组（P＜0.05）。Pearson/Spearman相关性分析显示,PCOS患者血清OC、TSP-1水平与HOMA-IR、LH、LH/FSH、T、PSV呈负相关,与PI、RI呈正相关（P＜0.05）;血清ANGPTL2水平与PCOS患者HOMA-IR、LH、LH/FSH、T、PSV呈正相关,与PI、RI呈负相关（P＜0.05）。结论：血清OC、TSP-1在PCOS患者血清中低表达,ANGPTL2在PCOS患者血清中高表达,三者与PCOS患者IR、性激素和卵巢间质血流密切相关。     

龙鹿丸联合来曲唑对多囊卵巢综合征不孕症患者性激素、Th1/Th2免疫失衡和临床结局的影响

摘要 目的：探讨龙鹿丸联合来曲唑对多囊卵巢综合征（PCOS）不孕症患者性激素、辅助性T细胞1/辅助性T细胞2（Th1/Th2）免疫失衡和临床结局的影响。方法：选择2020年4月~2023年4月期间在湖南省妇幼保健院接受治疗的135例PCOS不孕症患者。采用双色球法将患者分为对照组和联合组,分别为67例和68例。对照组接受来曲唑治疗,联合组接受龙鹿丸联合来曲唑治疗。对比两组疗效、性激素指标[雌二醇（E₂）、促卵泡激素（FSH）、孕酮（P）和黄体生成素（LH）]、Th1/Th2免疫失衡相关指标[干扰素γ（IFN-γ）、白细胞介素4（IL-4）和Th1/Th2]、临床结局和安全性。结果：与对照组相比,联合组临床总有效率更高（P<0.05）。治疗后,联合组E₂、FSH、P高于对照组,LH低于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗后,联合组IFN-γ、IL-4、Th1/Th2低于对照组（P<0.05）。联合组的排卵率、妊娠率高于对照组（P<0.05）。两组不良反应发生率组间对比未见差异（P>0.05）。结论：PCOS不孕症患者采用龙鹿丸联合来曲唑治疗,可通过更好地改善性激素水平和提高抗病能力来改善其临床结局。     

血清25(OH)D、AMH和INHB联合检测在卵巢储备功能低下患者体外受精-胚胎移植妊娠结局中的应用价值

摘要 目的：血清25-羟维生素D[25(OH)D]、抗苗勒管激素（AMH）和抑制素B（INHB）联合检测在卵巢储备功能低下（DOR）患者体外受精-胚胎移植（IVR-ET）妊娠结局中的应用价值。方法：选择2019年8月~2021年10月我院行IVR-ET助孕的DOR患者292例,根据助孕后的妊娠结局分为妊娠组（n=158）和未妊娠组（n=134）,比较两组临床资料及血清25(OH)D、AMH和INHB水平,应用受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线评价血清25(OH)D、AMH和INHB单独及联合检测对妊娠失败的预测价值。应用单因素、多因素Logisitic回归分析妊娠失败的影响因素。结果：妊娠组血清25(OH)D、AMH、INHB水平显著高于未妊娠组（P<0.05）。ROC曲线分析显示,血清25(OH)D、AMH、INHB及三者联合检验对DOR患者IVR-ET妊娠失败的预测的曲线下面积（AUC）分别为0.714（0.631~0.802）、0.801（0.731~0.852）、0.634（0.578~0.741）、0.853（0.806~0.913）,三者联合检验对DOR患者IVR-ET妊娠失败预测AUC高于单独检验。单因素分析显示未妊娠组窦卵泡个数<5、获卵个数<8、卵泡刺激素（FSH）/黄体生成激素(LH)≥1.8、血清25(OH)D≤25.05 μg/L、血清AMH≤1.08 ng/mL、血清INHB≤84.28 pg/mL比例显著高于妊娠组（P<0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析显示FSH/LH≥1.8、血清25(OH)D≤25.05 μg/L、血清AMH≤1.08 ng/mL、血清INHB≤84.28 pg/mL是DOR患者IVR-ET妊娠失败的危险因素（P＜0.05）。结论：血清25(OH)D、AMH和INHB 水平较低与DOR患者IVR-ET妊娠失败有关,且联合检测上述指标水平对患者IVR-ET妊娠失败有较高的辅助预测价值。     

促排卵过程中添加重组人生长激素对卵巢储备功能低下患者IVF-ET结局的影响及妊娠结局的影响因素探讨

摘要 目的：探讨促排卵过程中添加重组人生长激素（r-hGH）对卵巢储备功能低下（DOR）患者体外授精-胚胎移植（IVF-ET）结局的影响,并分析妊娠结局的影响因素。方法：选择2021年1月至2022年1月徐州市中心医院拟接受IVF-ET治疗的DOR患者60例、徐州医科大学附属沭阳医院拟接受IVF-ET治疗的DOR患者36例,共计96例,采用随机数字表法分为两组,每组48例,对照组予以常规促排卵治疗,观察组促排卵过程中添加r-hGH治疗,比较两组促排卵、体外受精、胚胎移植以及妊娠相关指标。此外,根据妊娠结局将所有患者分成妊娠成功组和妊娠失败组,采用多因素Logistic回归分析IVF-ET结局的影响因素。结果：观察组胚胎种植率、临床妊娠率高于对照组（P＜0.05）;观察组与对照组注射重组人促卵泡激素（Gn）天数、Gn用量、人绒毛膜促性腺激素（HCG）日雌二醇（E2）水平、HCG日黄体生成素（LH）水平、HCG日子宫内膜厚度、获卵数、成熟卵数、受精率、卵裂率、可移植胚胎数、优质胚胎数、移植胚胎数、早期流产率比较差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。单因素分析结果显示：妊娠失败组女方平均年龄大于妊娠成功组,基础卵泡刺激素（FSH）水平、IVF周期≥2个的患者比例高于妊娠成功组,促排卵应用了r-hGH的患者比例低于妊娠成功组,HCG日子宫内膜厚度小于妊娠成功组,基础窦卵泡数（AFC）个数、成熟卵数、优质胚胎数少于妊娠成功组,差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示：女方年龄≥35岁、基础FSH≥14.40 IU/L、HCG日子宫内膜厚度＜10 mm、基础AFC＜5.5个是DOR患者IVF-ET妊娠失败的危险因素,而促排卵应用r-hGH治疗是保护因素（P＜0.05）。结论：促排卵过程中增加r-hGH治疗可提高DOR患者IVF-ET胚胎种植率、临床妊娠率。女方年龄、基础FSH和AFC、HCG日子宫内膜厚度、r-hGH治疗均与IVF-ET妊娠结局有关。     

麒麟丸联合炔雌醇环丙孕酮对多囊卵巢综合征致不孕症患者子宫内膜容受性、血清性激素和氧化应激水平的影响

摘要 目的：探讨麒麟丸联合炔雌醇环丙孕酮对多囊卵巢综合征（PCOS）致不孕症患者子宫内膜容受性、血清性激素和氧化应激水平的影响。方法：选取我院于2018年1月~2020年1月期间收治的PCOS致不孕症患者460例,符合要求的患者按照随机数字表法分为对照组和研究组,各为230例。对照组患者予以炔雌醇环丙孕酮治疗,研究组予以麒麟丸联合炔雌醇环丙孕酮治疗,对比两组疗效、子宫内膜容受性、性激素、氧化应激、排卵率、妊娠率和不良反应。结果：研究组的临床总有效率较对照组更高（P<0.05）。研究组治疗后子宫动脉搏动指数（PI）、子宫动脉血流阻力指数（RI）低于对照组,子宫内膜厚度大于对照组（P<0.05）。研究组治疗后促卵泡激素（FSH）和黄体生成素（LH）低于对照组,雌二醇（E2）高于对照组（P<0.05）。研究组治疗后丙二醛（MDA）、活性氧物质（ROS）低于对照组,过氧化物歧化酶（SOD）高于对照组（P<0.05）。随访6个月后,研究组的妊娠率、排卵率明显高于对照组（P<0.05）。两组不良反应发生率组间对比无差异（P>0.05）。结论：麒麟丸联合炔雌醇环丙孕酮治疗PCOS致不孕症患者,可以有效改善患者子宫内膜容受性、血清性激素和氧化应激状态,提高妊娠率、排卵率,安全有效。     

补脾滋肾汤联合针灸治疗多囊卵巢综合征不孕症的临床疗效观察

摘要 目的：观察补脾滋肾汤联合针灸治疗多囊卵巢综合征（PCOS）不孕症的临床疗效。方法：选择2018年9月~2020年9月就诊的120例PCOS不孕症患者,随机分为观察组和对照组各60例。均给予口服枸橼酸氯米芬基础治疗,观察组在基础治疗上增加补脾滋肾汤联合针灸治疗,28 d为一个治疗周期,对比两组患者3个疗程后总有效率、中医证候量表评分、BMI（体质量指数）、月经情况、排卵情况、妊娠情况、血清性激素指标[T（睾酮）、LH（促黄体生成激素）、FSH（促卵泡生成激素）]、B超测定子宫内膜容受性指标[子宫内膜厚度、PI（子宫内膜螺旋动脉搏动指数）与RI（阻力指数）]。结果：治疗3个疗程后观察组的临床总有效率为90%（54/60）,高于对照组的83%（50/60）（P<0.05）。经过3个疗程治疗后,两组PCOS不孕症患者中医症候量表评分改善,月经情况改善,两组排卵率、妊娠率提高,且观察组高于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗3个疗程后,两组BMI、RI、PI、LH、T均下降,且观察组低于对照组（P<0.05）;两组子宫内膜厚度、FSH均增高,且观察组高于对照组（P<0.05）。结论：补脾滋肾汤联合针灸治疗多囊卵巢综合征不孕患者通过中药滋补脾肾、针灸治疗后,有效缓解了临床症状,性激素水平得到调节、体重减轻,提高调经促排卵助孕率,疗效确切。     

二甲双胍联合炔雌醇环丙孕酮片治疗对多囊卵巢综合征患者临床疗效及糖脂代谢的影响

摘要 目的：研究二甲双胍联合炔雌醇环丙孕酮片治疗多囊卵巢综合征（polycystic ovarian syndrome,PCOS）患者的临床疗效及对患者糖脂代谢的影响。方法：选取2018年1月~2020年12月在我院接受治疗的60例PCOS患者作为研究对象,随机数表法均分为对照组和研究组：对照组患者接受炔雌醇环丙孕酮片治疗,而研究组患者接受二甲双胍联合炔雌醇环丙孕酮片治疗。比较两组患者治疗后排卵和妊娠情况,并比较治疗前后性激素水平和糖脂代谢的变化。结果：研究组治疗总有效率为83.33%,显著高于对照组63.33%的治疗总有效率（P<0.05）。治疗前,两组患者血清卵泡刺激素（Follicle Stimulating Hormone, FSH）、黄体生成素（Luteinizing hormone, LH）、雌二醇（Estradiol, E2）、睾酮（Testosterone, T）等性激素水平,空腹血糖（fasting plasma glucose, FPG）、空腹胰岛素（Fasting serum lisulin, FINS）、口服葡萄糖耐量试验（oral glucose tolerance test, OGTT）2 h血糖和胰岛素等糖代谢指标以及甘油三酯（Triglycerides, TG）、胆固醇（Total cholesterol, TC）、高密度脂蛋白（High density lipoprotein, HDL）和低密度脂蛋白（Low density lipoprotein, LDL）等脂代谢指标脂代谢指标比较均无显著差异（P>0.05）;治疗后,所有患者血清FSH、LH、T、E2、TG、LDL、TC、FPG、FINS、OGTT 2h PG和OGTT 2h INS均较治疗前显著降低（P<0.05）,而HDL较治疗前升高（P<0.05）;研究组患者治疗后血清FSH、LH、T、E2、TG、LDL、TC、FPG、FINS、OGTT 2h PG和OGTT 2h INS均较显著低于对照组患者（P<0.05）,而HDL显著高于对照组患者（P<0.05）。结论：二甲双胍联合炔雌醇环丙孕酮片治疗多囊卵巢综合征临床效果显著,可有效改善患者糖脂代谢水平。     

多囊卵巢综合征患者血清IMA、HIF1α、Vaspin、IGF-1水平与性激素、糖脂代谢及胰岛素抵抗的关系研究

摘要 目的：探讨多囊卵巢综合征（PCOS）患者血清缺血修饰白蛋白（IMA）、缺氧诱导因子1α（HIF1α）、内脏脂肪特异性丝氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂（Vaspin）、胰岛素样生长因子-1（IGF-1）水平与性激素、糖脂代谢及胰岛素抵抗的相关性。方法：选择2017年1月至2019年12月我院收治的268例PCOS患者（PCOS组）,根据体质量指数（BMI）将PCOS患者分为超重/肥胖组（BMI≥24 kg/m²,161例）和正常体重组（18.5 kg/m2≤BMI＜24 kg/m²,107例）,另选择135例于妇科门诊体检的健康女性志愿者为对照组。检测血清IMA、HIF1α、Vaspin、IGF-1水平以及性激素、糖脂代谢、胰岛素抵抗指标,Pearson相关性分析其相关性。结果：PCOS组血清IMA、HIF1α、Vaspin、IGF-1、睾酮（T）、促黄体生成素(LH)、促卵泡激素（FSH）、总胆固醇（TC）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-C）、空腹血糖（FPG）、餐后2小时血糖（2hPG）、空腹胰岛素（FINS）水平,胰岛素抵抗指数（HOMA-IR）均高于对照组（P＜0.001）。PCOS患者超重/肥胖组血清IMA、HIF1α、Vaspin、IGF-1、T、TC、LDL-C、FPG、FINS、2hPG水平,HOMA-IR均高于正常体重组（P＜0.001）。PCOS患者血清IMA、HIF1α水平与T、HOMA-IR呈正相关（P＜0.05）,血清Vaspin、IGF-1水平与TC、LDL-C、FPG、FINS、2hPG 、HOMA-IR呈正相关（P＜0.05）。结论：PCOS患者血清IMA、HIF-1α、Vaspin、IGF-1水平均升高,IMA、HIF-1α、Vaspin、IGF-1均与PCOS胰岛素抵抗有关。     

Pollen,ovules, and pollination in pea: Success,failure, and resilience in heat

Field pea (Pisum sativum), a major grain legume crop, is autogamous and adapted to temperate climates. The objectives of this study were to investigate effects of high temperature stress on stamen chemical composition, anther dehiscence, pollen viability, pollen interactions with pistil and ovules, and ovule growth and viability. Two cultivars (“CDC Golden” and “CDC Sage”) were exposed to 24/18°C (day/night) continually or to 35/18°C for 4 or 7 days. Heat stress altered stamen chemical composition, with lipid composition of “CDC Sage” being more stable compared with “CDC Golden.” Heat stress reduced pollen viability and the proportion of ovules that received a pollen tube. After 4 days at 35°C, pollen viability in flower buds decreased in “CDC Golden,” but not in “CDC Sage.” After 7 days, partial to full failure of anthers to dehisce resulted in subnormal pollen loads on stigmas. Although growth (ovule size) of fertilized ovules was stimulated by 35°C, heat stress tended to decrease ovule viability. Pollen appears susceptible to stress, but not many grains are needed for successful fertilization. Ovule fertilization and embryos are less susceptible to heat, but further research is warranted to link the exact degree of resilience to stress intensity.     

Cadmium transport, resistance, and toxicity in bacteria, algae, and fungi

Cadmium is an important environmental pollutant and a potent toxicant to bacteria, algae, and fungi. Mechanisms of Cd toxicity and resistance are variable, depending on the organism. It is very clear that the form of the metal and the environment it is studied in, play an important role in how Cd exerts its effect and how the organism(s) responds. A wide range of Cd concentrations have been used to designate resistance in organisms. To date, no concentration has been specified that is applicable to all species studied under standardized conditions. Cadmium exerts its toxic effect(s) over a wide range of concentrations. In most cases, algae and cyanobacteria are the most sensitive organisms, whereas bacteria and fungi appear to be more resistant. In some bacteria, plasmid-encoded resistance can lead to reduced Cd2+ uptake. However, some Gram-negative bacteria without plasmids are just as resistant to Cd as are bacteria containing plasmids encoding for Cd resistance. According to Silver and Misra (1984), there is no evidence for enzymatic or chemical transformations associated with Cd resistance. Insufficient information is available on the genetics of Cd uptake and resistance in cyanobacteria and algae. Mechanisms remain largely unknown at this point in time. Cadmium is toxic to these organisms, causing severe inhibition of such physiological processes as growth, photosynthesis, and nitrogen fixation at concentrations less than 2 ppm, and often in the ppb range (Tables 2 and 3). Cadmium also causes pronounced morphological aberrations in these organisms, which are probably related to deleterious effects on cell division. This may be direct or indirect, as a result of Cd effects on protein synthesis and cellular organelles such as mitochondria and chloroplasts. Cadmium is accumulated internally in algae (Table 4) as a result of a two-phase uptake process. The first phase involves a rapid physicochemical adsorption of Cd onto cell wall binding sites, which are probably proteins and (or) polysaccharides. This is followed by a lag period and then a slow, steady intracellular uptake. This latter phase is energy dependent and may involve transport systems used to accumulate other divalent cations, such as Mn2+ and Ca2+. Some data indicate that Cd resistance, and possibly uptake, in algae and cyanobacteria is controlled by a plasmid-encoded gene(s). Although considerable information is available on Cd toxicity to, and uptake in fungi, further work is clearly needed in several areas. There is little information about Cd uptake by filamentous fungi, and even in yeasts, information on the specificity, kinetics, and mechanisms of Cd uptake is limited.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Incorporating Science,Technology, Fairness,and Accountability in Environmental,Health, and Safety Decisions

The Precautionary Principle is in sharp political focus today because (1) the nature of scientific uncertainty is changing and (2) there is increasing pressure to base governmental action on more “rational” schemes, such as cost-benefit analysis and quantitative risk assessment, the former being an embodiment of ‘rational choice theory’ promoted by the Chicago school of law and economics. The Precautionary Principle has been criticized as being both too vague and too arbitrary to form a basis for rational decision making. The assumption underlying this criticism is that any scheme not based on cost-benefit analysis and risk assessment is both irrational and without secure foundation in either science or economics. This paper contests that view and makes explicit the rational tenets of the Precautionary Principle within an analytical framework as rigorous as uncertainties permit, and one that mirrors democratic values embodied in regulatory, compensatory, and common law. Unlike other formulations that reject risk assessment, this paper argues that risk assessment can be used within the formalism of tradeoff analysis—a more appropriate alternative to traditional cost-benefit analysis and one that satisfies the need for well-grounded public policy decision making. This paper will argue that the precautionary approach is the most appropriate basis for policy, even when large uncertainties do not exist, especially where the fairness of the distributions of costs and benefits of hazardous activities and products are a concern. Furthermore, it will offer an approach to making decisions within an analytic framework, based on equity and justice, to replace the economic paradigm of utilitarian cost-benefit analysis.     

Love, careers, and heights in France, 2001

Short men are less likely to be married or live in a permanent relationship than their taller counterparts. This pattern is not due to their social status. While blue-collar workers are shorter on average than managers, the effects of height on finding a mate are similar in the two social groups. Being tall is also economically advantageous for men. With identical educational attainment levels, tall men have better careers than short men as they are given greater supervisory responsibilities. In making a commitment, some women might take height into account as an anticipated indicator of future resources of the household. Choice of partner is also influenced by social norms--i.e., partners should be physically well-matched--which is more difficult for shorter men.     

Levels of iron, zinc, and copper in aqueous humor, lens, and serum in nondiabetic and diabetic patients

The purpose of this study was to investigate iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) levels of aqueous humor, lens, and serum in nondiabetics and diabetics and to determine the effects of diabetes on Fe, Zn, and Cu contents in the lens. Fe, Zn, and Cu contents of aqueous humor, lens, and serum samples of 19 patients (9 nondiabetic patients with a mean age of 62.3±5.4 yr, and 10 diabetic patients with a mean age of 59.5±5.9 yr) were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry using a prospective study design. The lens levels of Cu in diabetic patients were significantly higher compared with nondiabetic patients (p=0.02); however; there was no difference in the other elements (Zn, Fe; p=0.28, p=0.74, respectively). The levels of Fe, Zn, and Cu in the aqueous humor and serum of diabetic patients were not found to be statistically significant when compared to nondiabetics (p=0.46, p=0.11, p=0.18, and p=0.22, p=0.43, p=0.72, respectively). These results demonstrate that increased Cu content of the lens presumably has a greater association with the development of lens opacification in diabetics than Zn and Fe content.     

Frequency of Discrimination,Harassment, and Violence in Lesbian,Gay Men,and Bisexual in Italy

Background

This cross-sectional study assessed the frequency of discrimination, harassment, and violence and the associated factors among a random sample of 1000 lesbian, gay men, and bisexual women and men recruited from randomly selected public venues in Italy.

Methods

A face-to-face interview sought information about: socio-demographics, frequency of discrimination, verbal harassment, and physical and sexual violence because of their sexual orientation, and their fear of suffering each types of victimization.

Results

In the whole sample, 28.3% and 11.9% self-reported at least one episode of victimization because of the sexual orientation in their lifetime and in the last year. Those unmarried, compared to the others, and with a college degree or higher, compared to less educated respondents, were more likely to have experienced an episode of victimization in their lifetime. Lesbians, compared to bisexual, had almost twice the odds of experiencing an episode of victimization. The most commonly reported experiences across the lifetime were verbal harassment, discrimination, and physical or sexual violence. Among those who had experienced one episode of victimization in their lifetime, 42.1% self-reported one episode in the last year. Perceived fear of suffering violence because of their sexual orientation, measured on a 10-point Likert scale with a higher score indicative of greater fear, ranges from 5.7 for verbal harassment to 6.4 for discrimination. Participants were more likely to have fear of suffering victimization because of their sexual orientation if they were female (compared to male), lesbian and gay men (compared to bisexual women and men), unmarried (compared to the others), and if they have already suffered an episode of victimization (compared to those who have not suffered an episode).

Conclusions

The study provides important insights into the violence experiences of lesbian, gay men, and bisexual women and men and the results may serve for improving policy initiatives to reduce such episodes.     

Serum Zinc, Copper, Selenium, Calcium, and Magnesium Levels in Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women in Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia

Pregnant women in developing countries are vulnerable to multiple micronutrient deficiencies. Studies assessing serum levels of the micronutrients and magnitude of their deficiencies are very scarce in African subjects. This study was aimed at determining serum levels of micronutrients in 375 pregnant (42 HIV seropositive) and 76 non-pregnant women (20 HIV seropositive) who visited the University of Gondar Hospital, Gondar, Ethiopia. Serum concentrations of zinc,\ copper, selenium, calcium, and magnesium were determined using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Irrespective of HIV serostatus, pregnant women had significantly higher serum concentrations of copper and copper/zinc ratio and significantly lower magnesium compared to those in non-pregnant women (P < 0.05). Except for selenium, which was significantly lower in HIV-seropositive pregnant women (P < 0.05), the mean serum concentrations of zinc, copper, calcium, and magnesium were not significantly different between pregnant women by HIV serostatus. The prevalence of deficiency in zinc, magnesium, selenium, and calcium in the pregnant women, irrespective of their HIV serostatus, was 66.7%, 25.6%, 21.9%, and 9.3%, respectively. The magnitude of deficiency in zinc, magnesium, and selenium was significantly higher in HIV seropositive pregnant women (76.2%, 52.4%, and 45.2%) than that in HIV-seronegative pregnant women (65.5%, 22.2%, and 18.9%) and in HIV-seronegative non-pregnant women (42.9%, 8.1%, and 30.4%; P < 0.05). Deficiency in one, two, three, or four mineral elements was observed in 44.8%, 14.4%, 9.9%, and 5.1% of the pregnant women, respectively. Only 25.9% of the pregnant women and 44.7% of the non-pregnant women were not deficient in any of the micronutrients. The high prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies in pregnant and non-pregnant women in Gondar, Ethiopia warrants the need for strategies on prevention and control of the deficiencies.     

Magnesium,calcium, copper,and zinc in meals

Meals of 12 diets were prepared from conventional foods with precautions against contamination by metallic elements because of epidemiologic associations between ischemic heart disease and the metabolism of magnesium, calcium, copper, and zinc. Magnesium, calcium, copper, and zinc were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry with satisfactory accuracy and precision. The mean daily amount of copper in the diets was less than the apparent adult requirement. Mean amounts of magnesium and zinc were close to apparent requirements; however, adults consuming amounts less than one standard deviation below these means may be depleting body stores and be at risk of pathology. Magnesium and copper were highly correlated (r=0.849,P=0.0001) in meals. This and other significant correlations probably will prevent the relationships of these elements to ischemic heart disease from being elucidated by epidemiology. Metabolic experiments will be necessary to differentiate among several hypotheses.