Immediate Risk for Cardiovascular Events in Hip Fracture Patients: A Population-Based Cohort Study

Background: Emerging evidence showed that bone metabolism and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are closely related. We previously observed a potential immediate risk of cardiovascular mortality after hip fracture. However, whether there is an immediate risk of cardiovascular events after hip fracture is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) between patients having experienced falls with and without hip fracture. / Methods: This retrospective population-based cohort study used data from a centralized electronic health record database managed by Hong Kong Hospital Authority. Patients having experienced falls with and without hip fracture were matched by propensity score (PS) at a 1:1 ratio. Adjusted associations between hip fracture and risk of MACEs were evaluated using competing risk regression after accounting for competing risk of death. / Results: Competing risk regression showed that hip fracture was associated with increased one-year risk of MACEs (hazard ratio [HR], 1.27; 95% CI, 1.21 to 1.33; p<0.001), with a 1-year cumulative incidence difference of 2.40% (1.94% to 2.87%). The HR was the highest in the first 90-day after hip fracture (HR of 1.32), and such an estimate was continuously reduced in 180-day, 270-day, and 1-year after hip fracture. / Conclusions: Hip fracture was associated with increased immediate risk of MACEs. This study suggested that a prompt evaluation of MACE among older adults aged 65 years and older who are diagnosed with hip fracture irrespectively of cardiovascular risk factors may be important, as early management may reduce subsequent risk of MACE

Origin and Examination of a Leafhopper Facultative Endosymbiont

Eukaryotes engage in intimate interactions with microbes that range in age and type of association. Although many conspicuous examples of ancient insect associates are studied (e.g., Buchneraaphidicola), fewer examples of younger associations are known. Here, we further characterize a recently evolved bacterial endosymbiont of the leafhopper Euscelidius variegatus (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae), called BEV. We found that BEV, continuously maintained in E. variegatus hosts at UC Berkeley since 1984, is vertically transmitted with high fidelity. Unlike many vertically transmitted, ancient endosymbioses, the BEV–E. variegatus association is not obligate for either partner, and BEV can be cultivated axenically. Sufficient BEV colonies were grown and harvested to estimate its genome size and provide a partial survey of the genome sequence. The BEV chromosome is about 3.8 Mbp, and there is evidence for an extrachromosomal element roughly 53 kb in size (e.g., prophage or plasmid). We sequenced 438 kb of unique short-insert clones, representing about 12% of the BEV genome. Nearly half of the gene fragments were similar to mobile DNA, including 15 distinct types of insertion sequences (IS). Analyses revealed that BEV not only shares virulence genes with plant pathogens, but also is closely related to the plant pathogenic genera Dickeya, Pectobacterium, and Brenneria. However, the slightly reduced genome size, abundance of mobile DNA, fastidious growth in culture, and efficient vertical transmission suggest that symbiosis with E. variegatus has had a significant impact on genome evolution in BEV

Assisted reproduction in Hong Kong: Status in the 1990s

Information on assisted reproduction in Hong Kong for the period from January 1992 to December 1993 was collected from the three centres that offer assisted reproduction. Altogether, 912 treatment cycles of in vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer, 158 treatment cycles of gamete intrafallopian transfer, and 87 cycles of zygote intrafallopian transfer were initiated during this period. The delivery rates per cycle started were 8.4% for in vitro fertilisation, 29.1% for gamete intrafallopian transfer, and 13.8% for zygote intrafallopian transfer. During the same period, 233 cycles of replacement of frozen thawed embryos were completed with a delivery rate of 11.2% per cycle. Pregnancies were also achieved using oocyte donation and micromanipulation techniques.published_or_final_versio

Lectin from Agaricus bisporus suppresses Akt phosphorylation and arrests cell cycle progression in primary human retinal pigment epithelial cells

Session 511. Retinal Degenerative Diseases: no. 5339/A4PURPOSE: Lectin from the edible mushroom Agaricus bisporus (ABL) was found to inhibit growth of certain cancer cell lines as well as proliferation of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell lines in a potent manner. The mechanism for the observed inhibition is unclear. To elucidate the mechanism through which ABL inhibits RPE cell proliferation, we investigated the changes in cell proliferation-related signaling pathways and cell cycle distribution patterns. METHODS: Primary human RPE cells (passages 6 to 10) were utilized. Cells were grown in DMEM/F12 …link_to_OA_fulltex

The effects of 5-fluorouracil and agaricus bisporus lectin on regulating retinal pigment epithelial cell wound healing activities

Conference Theme: Emerging Therapies for an Aging Populatio

The effects of 5-fluorouracil and agaricus bisporis lectin on regulating retinal pigment epithelial cell wound healing activities

Conference Theme: Emerging Therapies for an Aging Populatio

A prospective randomized control study to compare the effect of serum and a commercial serum substitute (Plasmanate) on the outcome of assisted reproduction program

Objectives: To compare the effect of supplementation of serum and Plasmanate, a commercial serum substitute, to culture medium on the IVF outcome. Methods: One hundred eighty-nine subfertile couples were prospective randomized into the serum and the Plasmanate group during their IVF treatment. In vitro experiment was also performed to determine the fraction of Plasmanate that might affect embryo development. Results: The pregnancy rate were similar in both groups. The fertilization rate, the number of gestational sacs and good quality spare embryos suitable for cryopreservation were higher in the serum group than the Plasmanate group. However, these differences did not reach statistical significance. Significantly more embryos in the former cleaved to more than 4 cells at the time of transfer than the latter (p < 0.05). Ultrafiltration study showed that this inhibitory effect resided in the low molecular weight fraction (< 30-kD) of Plasmanate. Conclusions: Serum is slightly better than Plasmanate as a protein supplement. However, Plasmanate may still be used for short term embryo culture in assisted reproduction.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Is there any difference in pregnancy and implantation rates when nurses perform embryo transfer in an IVF-ET program?

A retrospective analysis of fresh in vitro fertilization treatment cycles and frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles from mid-1995 to December 31, 1998, was undertaken. Nurses performed embryo transfer (ET) for government-funded cycles, whereas doctors performed ET for self-funded cycles. During the study period, fresh ET was performed in 1,165 treatment cycles. There were no significant differences in demographic data, ovarian responses and the number of embryos replaced between ET cycles performed by nurses and doctors. Pregnancy rates for ETs performed by nurses and doctors were 16.7 and 15.8% per transfer, respectively, whereas the corresponding implantation rates were 8.3 and 6.9%, respectively. Similar pregnancy and implantation rates were encountered in FET cycles whether ET was performed by nurses or doctors. Copyright © 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel.link_to_subscribed_fulltex