Associations of apolipoprotein E exon 4 and lipoprotein lipase S447X polymorphisms with acute ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction

Background: Because apolipoprotein E (apoE) and lipopoprotein lipase (LPL) polymorphisms interact with each other and with other factors to affect lipid metabolism, we sought to determine their separate and combined effects in association with ischemic vascular disease. Methods: We performed a case-control study of 816 subjects: 246 acute ischemic stroke patients, 234 acute myocardial infarction patients, and 336 controls. APOE exon 4 and LPL S447X genotypes were determined. Results: APOE ε2 and ε4 homozygotes were increased in stroke (4.5% vs. 1.0%, p = 0.008), while in myocardial infarction the ε4 allele was increased (12.6% vs. 9.5%, p = 0.006) but ε2 was decreased (3.7% vs. 12.1%, p = 0.000006). For subjects with either APOE ε2 or ε4 alleles, LPL X alleles were increased in vascular disease (OR = 2.2, p = 0.01). LPL X alleles displayed opposite tendencies toward association with disease when subjects were divided by sex, smoking, or APOE genotype. Meta-analysis and regression analysis of previous studies supported the sex and smoking dichotomies. Conclusion: This is the first report of an association of vascular disease with an interaction of APOE exon 4 and LPL S447X genotypes. Therefore, APOE genotypes and LPL S447X interactions with apoE, sex, and smoking may affect the risk of myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. © 2006 by Walter de Gruyter.published_or_final_versio

Cambridge quantum network

AbstractFuture-proofing current fibre networks with quantum key distribution (QKD) is an attractive approach to combat the ever growing breaches of data theft. To succeed, this approach must offer broadband transport of quantum keys, efficient quantum key delivery and seamless user interaction, all within the existing fibre network. However, quantum networks to date either require dark fibres and/or offer bit rates inadequate for serving a large number of users. Here we report a city wide high-speed metropolitan QKD network—the Cambridge quantum network—operating on fibres already populated with high-bandwidth data traffic. We implement a robust key delivery layer to demonstrate essential network operation, as well as enabling encryption of 100 Gigabit per second (Gbps) simultaneous data traffic with rapidly refreshed quantum keys. Network resilience against link disruption is supported by high-QKD link rates and network link redundancy. We reveal that such a metropolitan network can support tens of thousands of users with key rates in excess of 1 kilobit per second (kbps) per user. Our result hence demonstrates a clear path for implementing quantum security in metropolitan fibre networks.</jats:p

Handwashing practice and the use of personal protective equipment among medical students after the SARS epidemic in Hong Kong

Background: Hand hygiene is an important element of infection control. We conducted 2 surveys on hand hygiene practices and use of personal protective equipment among medical students during and after the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) to study its impact on their personal hygiene practice when they contacted patients. Methods: Two cross-sectional surveys were conducted among medical students in their clinical training years (years 3-5) in a teaching hospital (at which the first and major SARS outbreak occurred) in March 2003 and August 2004, respectively. Results: Prior to the recognition of the SARS outbreak in March 2003, 35.2% of the students washed their hands before and 72.5% after they physically examined patients in the wards. None of the students wore masks during history taking and physical examination. In the 2004 survey, the corresponding proportions were 60.3% and 100%, respectively, and 86.1% and 93.8% of students wore masks during history taking and physical examination, respectively. Attitudes to handwashing and perception of infection risk were not significantly associated with handwashing practice, whereas peer behavior might be a significant influencing factor. Conclusion: A significant improvement in compliance with hand hygiene practice was found after the SARS outbreak. Copyright © 2005 by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

A review of the evidence for hand hygiene in different clinical and community settings for family physicians

This paper discusses the evidence of hand hygiene (mainly hygienic hand antisepsis) in reducing infections in different settings. In the hospital setting, there is convincing evidence that hand hygiene is effective in reducing nosocomial infections such as urinary tract infection, pneumonia, surgical wound infection and sepsis of in-patients, and in reducing the incidence rates of infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). In long-term care facilities, there is limited evidence to prove whether hand hygiene is effective or not in reducing infections. In institutions such as schools, it is evident that hand hygiene is effective in reducing gastrointestinal illnesses and probably respiratory illnesses among healthy children and young adults. In the community, it is evident that hand hygiene is effective in reducing diarrhoea among healthy individuals within families. Unfortunately, despite the above evidence, doctors are constantly reported to have poor compliance in many studies. Therefore it is important for doctors to improve their compliance in hand hygiene whether they practise in hospitals or in their own clinics.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Anxiety among university students during the SARS epidemic in Hong Kong

A questionnaire survey was conducted during the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic to assess the anxiety level and the perceived sources of stress among students from two universities where the outbreak occurred in the teaching hospital of one of the universities. The anxiety level caused by SARS in medical students at the teaching hospital was higher than in non-medical students in the same university and lowest in students of the other university situated 20 km away from the affected hospital. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Harmony in family relations: exploratory analysis in search of a harmony scale

Poster session 2: Chronic disease: P2-340IEA World Congress of Epidemiology, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom, 7-11 August 2011. In Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 2011, v. 65 n. Suppl. 1, p. A316, abstract no. P2-34

Association between sleep behavior and sleep-related factors among university students in Hong Kong

Sleep problems among university students are common; however, the association between many sleep-related factors and sleep behaviors is still unclear. The purpose of this study is to examine different sleep behaviors and sleep-related factors influencing such behaviors in university students. A descriptive survey was conducted on 400 university students in Hong Kong. The instruments for data collection consisted of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), a sleep hygiene practice questionnaire, demographic data, and other sleep-related factors. The results reveal that 57.5% of the 400 university students are poor sleepers. Sex, year of study, sleep hygiene practice, and perceived adequate sleep in the past month all demonstrate significant associations with poor sleepers. A high prevalence of sleep-related problems among college students is confirmed and associated factors are identified. Students should be encouraged to follow sleep hygiene practice, adequate time management for academic and social activities, and suitable stress-relieving measures. Copyright © Informa Healthcare.link_to_subscribed_fulltex