Predictive value of blood measurement of Complement System proteins and metabolic components for early detection of obstetric complications linked to poor placental function.

Preeclampsia-eclampsia syndrome (PES) is associated with severe obstetric complications and there are no efficient methods available for an early detection. We studied blood concentration of some immunological and metabolic markers in association with obstetric outcome in healthy pregnant women and patients with obstetric risk factors, by ELISA and biochemical tests. Patients with complications showed higher levels of CRP and C4 positively correlated with Triglycerides and Cholesterol concentrations.

Teaching tobacco cessation to large student cohorts through train-the-trainers and problem based learning strategies.

Background: Smoking is a leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide. Graduates of medical schools receive limited training on tobacco cessation and are ill-equipped to treat tobacco dependence. In this paper, we describe and present evidence from an educational intervention based on a train-the-trainers model and problem-based learning strategy aimed to educate a large number of first-year medical students on tobacco-related issues.