Dementia predicted one-year mortality for patients with first hip fracture: a population-based study.

Aims: We aimed to determine the effect of dementia and Parkinson's disease on one, three and 12-month mortality following surgery for fracture of the hip in elderly patients from an Asian population. Patients and Methods: Using a random sample of patients taken from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, this retrospective cohort study analyzed the data on 6626 elderly patients who sustained a fracture of the hip between 1997 and 2012 who had ICD-9 codes within the general range of hip fracture (820.xx). We used Cox regression to estimate the risk of death associated with dementia, Parkinson's disease or both, adjusting for demographic, clinical, treatment, and provider factors. Results: Among 6626 hip fracture patients, 10.20% had dementia alone, 5.60% had Parkinson's disease alone, and 2.67% had both. Corresponding one-year mortality rates were 15.53%, 11.59%, and 15.82%, compared with 9.22% for those without neurological illness. Adjusted hazard ratio for one-year mortality was 1.45 (95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.17 to 1.79) for those with dementia, and 1.57 (95% CI 1.07 to 2.30) with both dementia and Parkinson's disease versus patients with neither. There was no significant association with death for Parkinson's disease alone. Age, male gender and comorbidities were also associated with a higher risk of mortality. Conclusion: Dementia, with or without Parkinson's disease, is an independent predictor of mortality following surgery for fractures of the hip. Age, male gender and comorbidities also increase the risk of death. Parkinson's disease alone has no significant effect. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:1220-6.

Lower limb loading in step aerobic dance.

Participation in aerobic dance is associated with a number of lower extremity injuries, and abnormal joint loading seems to be a factor in these. However, information on joint loading is limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate the kinetics of the lower extremity in step aerobic dance and to compare the differences of high-impact and low-impact step aerobic dance in 4 aerobic movements (mambo, kick, L step and leg curl). 18 subjects were recruited for this study. High-impact aerobic dance requires a significantly greater range of motion, joint force and joint moment than low-impact step aerobic dance. The peak joint forces and moments in high-impact step aerobic dance were found to be 1.4 times higher than in low-impact step aerobic dance. Understanding the nature of joint loading may help choreographers develop dance combinations that are less injury-prone. Furthermore, increased knowledge about joint loading may be helpful in lowering the risk of injuries in aerobic dance instructors and students.

Forensic Science in Support of Wildlife Conservation Efforts - Developments in Genetic Approaches in Taiwan.

To control illegal wildlife-product trade and protect endangered species of animals, unambiguous identification of the animal specimens is vitally important. Genetic approaches were adopted to identify animal species for conservation and to prevent their fraudulent misidentification in Taiwan, especially for samples of animal residues, powders, and processed products. PCR or nested PCR based on the nature of DNA was used for amplification of cyt b, COI, CHD, and D-loop DNA fragments. Sequences of these fragments were compared with those registered in DNA databases and phylogenetic analysis was performed. The established methods were applied in forensic cases for support of conservation efforts and they were proved to be robust. For conservation animal identification, various samples seized by law enforcement agents have been identified by our systems as rhinoceros horns, Indian sawback turtles, shahtoosh, ivories, dolphins, whales, etc. The systems were also successfully used in investigating the illegal trade of commercial turtle shells and the fraudulent misidentification of food contents on product labels in Taiwanese markets. This review summarizes the work conducted in our laboratory and describes the Taiwan experience.

Molecular characterization of dermatophytes of the Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex found in Taiwan with emphasis on their correlation with clinical observations.

BACKGROUND: Fungi of the Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex are important pathogenic dermatophytes capable of causing various human skin infections. There are many species and varieties involved in this complex. Due to morphological similarity and existing intermediate forms and variants, unequivocally separating these dermatophytes is not always straightforward, and sampling appropriate isolates for research is often troublesome. Communicating epidemiological statistics of these dermatophytes is greatly impeded because taxonomic schemes adopted by different research groups are inconsistent and hardly comparable. OBJECTIVES: To analyse the molecular types existing within isolates of the T. mentagrophytes complex in Taiwan and evaluate the applicability of the current taxonomy on these isolates. METHODS: Forty-eight isolates of the T. mentagrophytes complex were obtained from humans and animals (rabbit, guinea pig and hedgehog) in Taiwan. Sequences of ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 and b-tubulin gene regions of each isolate were used for molecular typing. RESULTS: Among the 48 isolates, 43 belonged to the T. interdigitale clade, including 21 of the anthropophilic strain and 22 of the zoophilic strain, and five belonged to the T. erinacei clade. No isolates of the T. mentagrophytes genotype were found. CONCLUSIONS: The isolates previously identified as T. mentagrophytes should be relabelled as T. interdigitale according to current taxonomy. Because the taxonomy is quite different from what it used to be, confusion in the nomenclature of the T. mentagrophytes complex is to be expected. The applicability of the current taxonomic concept may require further evaluation.

Cytochrome b gene for species identification of the conservation animals.

A partial DNA sequence of cytochrome b gene was used to identify the remains of endangered animals and species endemic to Taiwan. The conservation of animals species included in this study were: the formosan gem-faced civets, leopard cats, tigers, clouded leopards, lion, formosan muntjacs, formosan sika deers, formosan sambars, formosan serows, water buffalo, formosan pangolins and formosan macaques. The control species used included domestic cats, domestic dogs, domestic sheeps, domestic cattles, domestic pigs and humans. Heteroplasmy was detected in the formosan macaque, domestic pig and domestic cats. The frequencies of heteroplasmy in these animals were about 0.25% (1 in 402bp). Sequences were aligned by Pileup program of GCG computer package, and the phylogenetic tree was constructed by the neighbor-joining method. The results of sequence comparison showed that the percentage range of sequence diversity in the same species was from 0.25 to 2.74%, and that between the different species was from 5.97 to 34.83%. The results of phylogenetic analysis showed that the genetic distance between the different species was from 6.33 to 40.59. Animals of the same species, both the endangered animal species and domestic animals, were clustered together in the neighbor-joining tree. Three unknown samples of animal remains were identified by this system. The partial sequence of cytochrome b gene adopted in this study proved to be usable for animal identification.

A novel nomenclature for the hypervariable short tandem repeat APOAI1.

A novel nomenclature for the hypervariable microsatellite DNA, APOAI1 locus, is proposed. The complex nature of the repeat unit in this locus results in alleles separated by a single base. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products amplified from this locus were separated by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) electrophoresis. All the single-stranded DNA bands on the SSCP gel were removed from the gel and a second amplification performed. Homozygous DNA fragments amplified from single-stranded DNA were sequenced. From the 100 individuals studied, 30 alleles and 73 genotypes were found. A system of nomenclature for the APOAI1 locus is provided that is logical and in line with previous models. Using the primers described, the locus can be amplified and alleles designated on the basis of size. This system of nomenclature will assist in the exchange of data between laboratories for this locus.

Neuroprotective effect of hexasulfobutylated C60 on rats subjected to focal cerebral ischemia.

The effects of hexasulfobutylated C60 (FC4S), a free radical remover, on the total volume infarct size elicited by the damaging effects of focal cerebral ischemia were studied on Long-Evans rats in vivo. FC4S was administered intravenously either 15 min before middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion (pretreatment groups) or it was injected when the common carotid arteries clips were removed (treatment groups). FC4S did not alter the pH, blood gases, heart rate, or mean arterial blood pressure in either pretreatment or treatment groups of the rats. However, after administration of FC4S at dosages of 10 and 100 microg/kg, the total volume of infarction was significantly reduced in both pretreatment and treatment groups. In addition, after FC4S administration, the nitric oxide (NO) content in plasma was increased and the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels was decreased. It is concluded that FC4S may be used as a neuroprotective agent on focal cerebral ischemia. The beneficial effects may be partly related to its antioxidant property and to the upregulation of NO production of the compound.

Burst firing of action potentials in central snail neurons elicited by d-amphetamine: effect of anticonvulsants.

The effect of anticonvulsants on the burst firing of action potentials in snail central neuron elicited by d-amphetamine was studied in the identified RP4 neuron of the African snail, Achatina fulica Ferussac. Oscillation of membrane potential and burst firing of action potentials were elicited by d-amphetamine in a concentration-dependent manner. Voltage clamped studies revealed that d-amphetamine elicited a negative slope resistance (NSR) in steady-state I-V curve between - 40 and - 10 mV. The burst firing of action potentials was alleviated following extracellular application of phenytoin, but was not affected after ethosuximide, carbamazepine, and valproic acid. The NSR elicited by d-amphetamine was blocked by phenytoin. However, the NSR was not altered if carbamazepine was added. These results suggest that of the four anticonvulsants tested, only phenytoin could alleviate the burst firing of action potentials elicited by d-amphetamine in snail neuron.

Promoter structure and activity of type 1 rice metallothionein-like gene.

A novel stress-inducible metallothionein-like gene from rice, designated as rgMT-1 (rice genomic metallothionein-like gene-1), was isolated and sequenced. From the sequence analysis of its 5'-flanking region, two putative TATA boxes, one CAAT box, and several short sequences homologous to regulatory cis-elements previously reported were identified. Two direct repeats, one 10 bp in length (CAAAATCAAA) and the other 11 bp (GTGAAAATACT), respectively, were also found. By transient GUS (beta-glucuronidase) assay, the expression of GUS, in vitro, was enhanced by the presence of the rgMT-1 intron. The critical region which controls the basal transcription was shown to lie between -73 and -36 upstream of rgMT-1, in which one of the two putative TATA boxes was located. The promoter activity was lost completely when both putative TATA boxes were deleted. This is the first report describing the genomic structure and regulation of a monocotyledonous metallothionein-like gene critical to the response of stress.

Type 2 rice metallothionein-like gene has two introns.

A type 2 rice metallothionein-like gene was isolated from root by PCR and sequenced. The PCR fragment was designated as pcr1460, which overlaps with OsMT-2, a cDNA sequence previously characterized, with the presence of two additional segments, 583 and 613 bp in length. These segments are recognized as introns which divide the coding sequence into three exons, 65, 78 and 106 base pairs in length. The sequences flanking the introns conform with the GT/AG rule for splice junctions, and one exonic open reading frame can be identified in each of the introns. The observation that MT-like gene has two introns is the first of such a finding obtained from monocotyledonous plants.

Improved translational efficiency of subtilisin YaB gene with different initiation codons in Bacillus subtilis and alkalophilic Bacillus YaB.

The ale gene specifying the subtilisin YaB produced by alkalophilic Bacillus YaB, has an unusual start codon UUG. Changing this codon to AUG and GUG increased expression of the ale gene in B. subtilis DB104 and in an ale deficient mutant strain YaB-DEC4. The relative translational efficiency order of the three initiation codons is AUG > GUG > UUG in B. subtilis DB104 and in YaB-DEC4. These data suggest that the preferred initiation codon is AUG for ale gene expression in Bacillus.

RNA expression patterns of a type 2 metallothionein-like gene from rice.

A type 2 metallothionein-like gene from rice, OsMT-2 (Oryza sativa metallothionein-like gene-2), was isolated in its cDNA form and sequenced. By northern analyses OsMT-2 expression was shown to be induced under stress by sucrose starvation, heat shock and, to a lesser extent, abscisic acid, but not excess metals, including copper. Its response to sucrose starvation was transient and different from OsMT-1, a type 1 metallothionein-like gene of rice inducible by copper. These results suggest that while OsMT-2 is also involved in cellular response to stress, its function may be complementary to that of OsMT-1.

A novel stress-inducible metallothionein-like gene from rice.

A novel rice genomic sequence encoding coding segments homologous to other metallothionein-like genes was isolated from Oryza sativa genomic library. This sequence, hereby designated as rgMT (rice genomic metallothionein-like gene), consists of two exons and one intron. From the coding sequence, it is predicted that rgMT encodes one protein of 74 amino acids. Differential expression of rgMT in rice plants was observed as mature transcripts were more abundant in roots than in leaves and sheaths. Under different stress conditions, such as excess heavy metals and heat shock, expression of rgMT was significantly elevated. This was especially noticeable with 250 microM CuCl2 for 16 h, 40 degrees C heat for 2 h and 0.06% DMSO for 1 h. Under sucrose starvation, rgMT transcripts also increased with time up to 72 h. During recovery from sucrose starvation, the transcripts declined slightly within 12 h of recovery. rgMT transcripts were also seen to have increased expression in senescent leaves. These results support the notion that rgMT is a stress-inducible gene in rice heretofore unreported.

Transcripts of metallothionein genes in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Using oligonucleotides with highly conserved cysteine-rich codons as probes, we isolated from a lambda YES Arabidopsis thaliana cDNA library two different sequences, each encodes an unique protein. These proteins, hereby designated as AtMT-q (AtMT-2) and AtMT-k (AtMT-1), are characteristic of metallothionein, carrying 13 and 14 cysteines in a total of 45 and 81 amino acids, respectively.

The rete mirabile of the maxillary artery in the lion (Panthera leo).

The afferent and efferent arterial branches of the maxillary rete were investigated in 4 lion (Panthera s. Felis leo) heads preserved in the author's department. The heads were injected with acryl plastic via the common carotid arteries to make corrosion casts of the carotid system, and examined from the standpoint of comparative anatomy. The following afferent arterial branches were observed. Medial retial branches from the maxillary artery, anterior retial branches from the anterior deep temporal artery and intraretial branches of the maxillary artery passing in the rete. The rete was constructed from the following arterial resources: Most of the lateral and inferior surfaces of the rete and deep part of the maxillary nerve tunnel from the intraretial branches; the posterior surface and posterior part of the lateral surface from the medial retial branches, and the anterosuperior part of the lateral surface from the anterior retial branches. Eight efferent arterial branches were observed. The external ethmoidal, lacrimal, interretial and anastomotic arteries, the extraocular muscular, meningeal and temporal muscular branches and the communicating branch with the external ethmoidal artery. The anastomotic artery was always well developed and played the role of the main supply route to the brain instead of the obliterated internal carotid artery as observed in the cat. Unlike that of the cat, however, the maxillary artery of the lion always passed lateral to the pterygoideus lateralis muscle, and the lateral part of the rete was not constructed because there were no lateral retial branches such as those observed in the cat.

[A case of the right subclavian artery as the last branch of the aortic arch in the human fetus and a new classification on these variations].

An anomalous case of the right subclavian artery arising from the aortic arch as the last branch, in which the first branch was the right common carotid, the second the left common carotid and the third the left subclavian artery, was found in a 10 months human fetus among 173 fetuses. The right subclavian artery arose from the posterior wall of the aortic arch at the level of the Th4 and passed obliquely between the esophagus and the thoracic vertebrae. The right and the left vertebral arteries arising from the subclavian arteries on the same side entered the transverse foramen of the C6 of each side. This case belonged to type G of Adachi's classification and as well type 5 of Holzapfel's. The present authors wish to offer a new trial classification on these variations, including the origins and numbers of the vertebral arteries, by investigating many original reports in Japanese, as follows: 1) A new classification is fixed on the basis of the type G and H of Adachi-Williams et al.-Nakagawa in the classification of the branching types of the aortic arch. The type G represents that the right common carotid, the left common carotid, the left subclavian and the right subclavian arteries arise from the aortic arch in this order. The type H represents that the bicarotid trunk, the left subclavian and the right subclavian arteries arise from the aortic arch. 2) When the left vertebral artery arising from the aortic arch is found in the type G and H, "C" is prefixed G or H, as type CG, type CH. 3) When the right vertebral artery arising from the right common carotid artery is found, a prime mark, ""', is put on G or H, as type G', type H'. 4) In order to represent a compound type of the above 2) and 3), both "C" and ""' are put, as type CG', type CH'. 5) When the bilateral vertebral arteries arising from the respective subclavian artery are found in the above 2), 3) and 4) "2" postfixed "C" and the prime mark ""', as type G'2, type C2G, type CG'2, type C2G', type C2G'2, type H'2, type C2H, type CH'2, type C2H', type C2H'2. According to the above new classification, Adachi's type G can be arranged into 18 branching types. This classification may be helpful and sufficient to provide more than 100 cases of the type G and H reported on Japanese.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amniotic fluid lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio in high risk pregnancy.

The amniotic fluid lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio from 128 cases of high risk pregnancies were measured by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The L/S ratio was found to be increased in patients with pre-eclampsia, hypertension, intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), prolonged rupture of membranes (PROM), and twin gestation, but decreased in patients with diabetes from gestational diabetes to class C. In patients with placenta previa, the L/S ratio was not affected.