The timed up and go test predicts fracture risk in older women independently of clinical risk factors and bone mineral density

Summary The timed up and go (TUG) test measures physical performance and predicts falls in the elderly. In older women, TUG time predicts the risk of major osteoporotic fracture and hip fracture independently of clinical risk factors and bone mineral density, and has a substantial impact on fracture probabilities. Introduction The timed up and go (TUG) test measures physical performance and predicts falls in the elderly. A slow TUG has been associated with an increased fracture risk, but it is unclear whether the association is independent of clinical risk factors and bone mineral density (BMD). The aim of this study was to investigate if TUG time was associated with fracture risk independently of clinical risk factors and BMD and to determine its impact on fracture probabilities in older women. Methods A standardized questionnaire was used to assess information regarding clinical risk factors in the large population-based SUPERB study of 3028 older women (75–80 years). At baseline, the TUG test was performed and BMD measured with DXA. The association between TUG time and the risk of hip fracture and major osteoporotic fracture (MOF) was examined using an extension of Poisson regression. Results Fracture incidence increased steeply with increasing TUG time up to 12 s and subsequently started to level off. A slow TUG time was therefore defined as TUG > 12 s, a cutoff level then used in Cox models to study the association between slow TUG and fracture risk. A slow TUG time was associated with an increased risk of fracture (MOF 2.39 [1.80–3.18] and hip fracture 2.96 [1.62–5.40]). These associations were slightly attenuated but remained significant after adjustment for clinical risk factors and femoral neck BMD. Depending on BMD, the 4-year fracture probability of MOF increased by a factor of 1.5–1.9 in a 75-year-old woman with slow TUG (> 12 s). Conclusion The TUG time predicts the risk of MOF and hip fracture independently of clinical risk factors and BMD and has a substantial impact on fracture probabilities, indicating that inclusion of the TUG test in patient evaluation should be considered in order to improve fracture prediction in older women

Grape and wine biotechnology: challenges, opportunities and potential benefits

The image of wine as a harmonious blend of nature, art and science invites tension between tradition and innovation, and no tension in the business of making wine is greater than that brought into play by the potential afforded by 21st century grape and wine biotechnology. The challenge is to realise the potential of technological innovation without stripping the ancient art of grapegrowing and winemaking of its charm, mysticism and romanticism. Equally challenging is the multitude of complex and interconnected agronomic, business, regulatory and social obstacles currently blocking commercial availability of transgenic grapes, wine yeast and malolactic bacterial starter strains. While the need to assess rigorously the potential negative impacts of new technologies is self-evident, over the long term, failure to overcome these hurdles will disadvantage the international wine sector and consumers alike. This contention is illustrated with reference to recent examples of genetically improved grapevine, yeast and bacterial prototypes showing potential for enhanced, cost-effective production of wine with minimised resource inputs, improved quality and low environmental impact

Antimicrobial Peptides of Lactic Acid Bacteria: Mode of Action, Genetics and Biosynthesis.

B