Ten year survival and outcomes in a prospective cohort of new onset Chinese Parkinson's disease patients.

Objective: The 10 year outcomes and impact of motor and non-motor features on survival of a cohort of new onset Chinese Parkinson's disease (PD) patients were prospectively studied.

Method: A cohort of new onset PD patients from 1995 to 2002 was recruited from a regional hospital based movement disorder clinic. Subjects were classified into postural instability gait disorder (PIGD), tremor predominant type or mixed subtypes at presentation.

Highly sensitive DNA hybridization detection with single nanoparticle flash-lamp darkfield microscopy.

We developed a novel method for counting single gold nanoparticles in free solution with flash-lamp darkfield microscopy and demonstrated that it could be applied to highly sensitive DNA hybridization detection based on target DNA induced AuNP aggregation and counts reduction.

Detection of diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy by corneal confocal microscopy in type 1 diabetes: a concurrent validity study.

Objective: We aimed to determine the corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) parameter that best identifies diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSP) in type 1 diabetes and to describe its performance characteristics.

Research Design And Methods: Concurrent with clinical and electrophysiological examination for classification of DSP, CCM was performed on 89 type 1 diabetic and 64 healthy subjects to determine corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL), density, tortuosity, and branch density. Area under the curve (AUC) and optimal thresholds for DSP identification in those with diabetes were determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Adiposity and sex hormones across the menstrual cycle: the BioCycle Study.

Objective: To investigate the influence of adiposity on patterns of sex hormones across the menstrual cycle among regularly menstruating women.

Subjects: The BioCycle Study followed 239 healthy women for 1-2 menstrual cycles, with up to eight visits per cycle timed using fertility monitors.

Methods: Serum estradiol (E2), progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were measured at each visit.

Superlocalization spectral imaging microscopy of a multicolor quantum dot complex.

The key factor of realizing super-resolution optical microscopy at the single-molecule level is to separately position two adjacent molecules. An opportunity to independently localize target molecules is provided by the intermittency (blinking) in fluorescence of a quantum dot (QD) under the condition that the blinking of each emitter can be recorded and identified. Herein we develop a spectral imaging based color nanoscopy which is capable of determining which QD is blinking in the multicolor QD complex through tracking the first-order spectrum, and thus, the distance at tens of nanometers between two QDs is measured.

Mid-term results of third-generation alumina-on-alumina ceramic bearings in cementless total hip arthroplasty: a ten-year minimum follow-up.

Background: Alumina ceramic-on-ceramic bearings have gained popularity in hip arthroplasty because of their properties of low wear and chemical inertness. In a previous study, we reported the excellent clinical results in a series of cementless ceramic-on-ceramic primary total hip arthroplasties at a minimum of five years of follow-up. The purpose of the present study was to determine the results in the same patient cohort at a minimum of ten years of follow-up.

Electrical stimulation influences satellite cell proliferation and apoptosis in unloading-induced muscle atrophy in mice.

Muscle atrophy caused by disuse is accompanied by adverse physiological and functional consequences. Satellite cells are the primary source of skeletal muscle regeneration. Satellite cell dysfunction, as a result of impaired proliferative potential and/or increased apoptosis, is thought to be one of the causes contributing to the decreased muscle regeneration capacity in atrophy.

A prospective study of prepregnancy dietary fat intake and risk of gestational diabetes.

Background: Fatty acids play a vital role in glucose homeostasis; however, studies on habitual dietary fat intakes and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk are limited and provide conflicting findings.

Objective: We determined whether the total amount and the type and source of prepregnancy dietary fats are related to risk of GDM.

Design: A prospective study was conducted in 13,475 women who reported a singleton pregnancy between 1991 and 2001 in the Nurses' Health Study II.

The Fetal Safety of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers.

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) are known to cause fetal renal damage in pregnancy. Due to conflicting reports in the literature, their safety after first trimester exposure has been debated. Our aim was to determine whether the use of ACE inhibitors or ARBs in the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with an increased risk for major malformations or other adverse outcomes.

Highly sensitive detection of microRNA by chemiluminescence based on enzymatic polymerization.

We have developed a new methodology for miRNA assay using chemiluminescence imaging by poly(U) polymerase catalyzed miRNA polymerization. This method is very sensitive with a 50 fM limit of detection, which is comparable to or better than current assay methods. Multiplex detection for miRNA can be easily realized by introducing different capture probes onto the biosensor array, which will make it highly versatile for various research purposes.

Kinematic and electromyographic studies on unaided, unilateral and bilateral crutch walking in adolescents with spastic diplegia.

Background: Back pain and ambulation deterioration among ambulatory individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) are common as they grow older and walking aids are often prescribed to improve stability and promote maximal weight-bear on lower limbs during gait.

Objective: To investigate the effects of walking aids on back muscle activity and whole body kinematics among adolescents with spastic diplegia.

Study Design: A repeated-measures design was adopted with participants tested under different walking conditions.

Expression and association of TRPC1 with TRPC3 during skeletal myogenesis.

Introduction: TRPC1 and TRPC3 proteins are widely expressed in skeletal muscles in forming calcium-permeable channels. Herein we characterize the expression pattern of TRPC transcripts during skeletal myogenesis in C2C12 myoblasts.

Methods: We used polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting to detect expression levels, immunohistochemistry for subcellular localization, and co-immunoprecipitation techniques to assess interaction.

Influence of eicosapentaenoic acid supplementation on lean body mass in cancer cachexia.

Cancer cachexia is characterised by a progressive loss of muscle, resulting in functional impairment and shorter survival. Eicosapentaenoic acid, an n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid found in fish, has been studied for its role as an anti-cachexia therapy. Initial results of eicosapentaenoic supplementation in advanced cancer were promising with improvements in lean body mass (LBM), appetite and quality of life.

Functionalized fluorescent gold nanodots: synthesis and application for Pb2+ sensing.

We developed a novel strategy to prepare functionalized fluorescent gold nanodots (AuNDs) based on a ligand exchange reaction and demonstrated that glutathione modified AuNDs can be utilized for highly sensitive and selective Pb(2+) sensing in aqueous solution.

Polymorphisms in the neuropeptide Y gene and the risk of obesity: findings from two prospective cohorts.

Context: Neuropeptide Y (NPY) increases appetite and food intake in animals. Conflicting evidence has been found for the association between polymorphisms of the NPY gene and obesity in humans.

Objective: The objective of the investigation was to study four single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the NPY gene [rs17149106 (G>T), rs16147 (C>T), rs16139 (T>C), rs5574 (C>T)] with body adiposity.

Noise-free dual-wavelength difference imaging of plasmonic resonant nanoparticles in living cells.

Herein, we demonstrated a new optical microscopy method to selectively image small-size gold nanoparticles (GNPs) inside noisy living cells through determination of the difference image between the probe beam (illuminated at the resonance wavelength of GNPs, 532 nm) and the reference beam (illuminated at 473 nm). From computer simulation and single-particle imaging experiments, we demonstrated that GNPs with a diameter of 45 nm could be selectively imaged in the GNPs/cell lysates mixture and inside living cells by dual-wavelength difference (DWD) imaging. The diffusion dynamics of nucleic acids functionalized GNPs on cell membranes and the internalization kinetics of these GNPs by living cells were explored with this method.

Enzyme digestion of entrapped single-DNA molecules in nanopores.

The real-time digestion of entrapped single-DNA molecules by λ-exonuclease in nanoporous alumina membranes was observed using an epifluorescence microscope. The alumina membrane provides pL (∼ 10(-12)L) containers for confining single-DNA molecules without immobilization. When one end of the DNA molecule was inserted into a nanopore, it was possible to monitor the digestion process outside, near and inside the pore, where the individual DNA molecules exhibited different characteristic digestion modes.

Suppression of scant identifies Endos as a substrate of greatwall kinase and a negative regulator of protein phosphatase 2A in mitosis.

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) plays a major role in dephosphorylating the targets of the major mitotic kinase Cdk1 at mitotic exit, yet how it is regulated in mitotic progression is poorly understood. Here we show that mutations in either the catalytic or regulatory twins/B55 subunit of PP2A act as enhancers of gwl(Scant), a gain-of-function allele of the Greatwall kinase gene that leads to embryonic lethality in Drosophila when the maternal dosage of the mitotic kinase Polo is reduced. We also show that heterozygous mutant endos alleles suppress heterozygous gwl(Scant); many more embryos survive.

Aerobic exercise training in addition to conventional physiotherapy for chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To examine the effect of adding aerobic exercise to conventional physiotherapy treatment for patients with chronic low back pain (LBP) in reducing pain and disability.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Setting: A physiotherapy outpatient setting in Hong Kong.

Interventions for preventing lower limb soft-tissue running injuries.

Background: Overuse soft-tissue injuries occur frequently in runners. Stretching exercises, modification of training schedules, and the use of protective devices such as braces and insoles are often advocated for prevention. This is an update of a review first published in 2001.

A prospective study of prepregnancy dietary iron intake and risk for gestational diabetes mellitus.

Objective: It is important to identify modifiable factors that may lower gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk. Dietary iron is of particular interest given that iron is a strong prooxidant, and high body iron levels can damage pancreatic β-cell function and impair glucose metabolism. The current study is to determine if prepregnancy dietary and supplemental iron intakes are associated with the risk of GDM.

Impulse control disorders in Chinese Parkinson's disease patients: the effect of ergot derived dopamine agonist.

Objective: We studied the prevalence and related risk factors of impulse control disorders in Chinese Parkinson's disease patients.

Method: We screened all non-demented Parkinson's disease patients attending our Parkinson's disease clinic from August 2009 to March 2010. The clinical characteristics of patients with impulse control disorders and those without were compared.

Beliefs about attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and response to stereotypes: youth postings in Facebook groups.

Purpose: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood psychiatric disorder characterized by abnormal levels of hyperactivity and distractibility. However, very few studies have been conducted to examine how youth with ADHD view themselves in the context of their disorder. The aim of this project was to examine what youth think about having ADHD by collecting data in a naturalistic setting - a popular social networking site.

Spontaneous haemopneumothorax: current management.

Spontaneous haemopneumothorax (SHP) can be life threatening and is an important cause for unexplained signs of significant hypovolaemia. There is still some debate relating to patient selection and timing of surgery, particularly in those who become stable following chest tube insertion without further blood loss. Review of the literature over the past decade in the management of SHP are presented and discussed.