Search Results - (Author, Cooperation:S. C. Ho)

2015-07-04

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

0036-8075

1095-9203

Biology

Chemistry and Pharmacology

Computer Science

Medicine

Natural Sciences in General

Physics

Codon, Terminator ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; Peptide Chain Termination, Translational/*genetics ; *Proteolysis ; SKP Cullin F-Box Protein Ligases/*metabolism ; Selenium/metabolism ; Selenocysteine/genetics/*metabolism ; Selenoproteins/genetics/*metabolism ; Ubiquitin/metabolism

2018-03-23

American Society of Hematology (ASH)

0006-4971

1528-0020

Biology

Medicine

Transplantation, Clinical Trials and Observations

0003-9861

Elsevier Journal Backfiles on ScienceDirect 1907 - 2002

Biology

Chemistry and Pharmacology

Physics

Electronic Resource

0304-4165

(Mouse submaxillary gland) ; Antigenicity ; Immuno-affinity column ; Pressor response ; Renin

Elsevier Journal Backfiles on ScienceDirect 1907 - 2002

Biology

Chemistry and Pharmacology

Medicine

Physics

Electronic Resource

1433-2965

Key words:Hip fracture – Hospital discharge data – Incidence rates – International comparison – Osteoporosis

Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Medicine

Abstract: A cross-national study of hip fracture incidence was carried out in five geographic areas – Beijing, China; Budapest, Hungary; Hong Kong; Porto Alegre, Brazil; and Reykjavik, Iceland – during the years 1990–1992. Cases of hip fracture among women and men of age 20 years and older were identified using hospital discharge data in conjunction with medical records, operating room logs, and radiology logs. Estimated incidence rates varied widely, with Beijing reporting the lowest rates (age-adjusted rate per 100 000 population for men 20 years and older = 45.4; women = 39.6) and Reykjavik the highest rates (men = 141.3; women = 274.1). Rates were higher for women than for men in every area except Beijing. In every area except Budapest, review of the operating room or radiology logs identified additional cases that were not reported in the discharge list, increasing the estimated number of hip fractures by 11% to 62%, depending on the area. Review of medical records identified miscoding of hip fractures (ICD9 820) as ‘shaft of femur and other femur fractures’ (ICD9 821) in the discharge lists of every area except Budapest, increasing the estimated number of hip fractures by 1% to 30%. The final estimates of hip fracture incidence taking into account all investigated sources of undercount and overcount ranged from 15% lower to 89% higher than an estimate based on the discharge diagnoses alone. Although these results indicate substantial limitations in relying on hospital discharge data alone to estimate hip fracture incidence rates, the extent of errors found in the discharge lists is smaller than the large international variation found here and previously reported in incidence rates. The findings support the conclusion that the differences reported among countries mainly reflect genuine variation in the hip fracture incidence rates.

Electronic Resource

1433-2965

Key words:Asian – Bone mineral density – Chinese – Elderly – Vitamin D receptor gene

Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Medicine

Abstract: Although genetic factors have been strongly implicated in determining bone mineral density (BMD), the role of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphism remains controversial. An overall consensus is difficult, as the populations studied have been heterogeneous with respect to menopausal status and ethnicity. Moreover, some studies have examined only small populations, and relatively few studies have been conducted in Asian populations. There is mounting evidence that calcium homeostasis in Asian populations differs from that in Caucasians. This difference may be mediated, in part, through VDR effects. In a cross-sectional study we have examined the relationship between the VDR polymorphism and BMD in 272 women (mean age 75 years) and 237 men (mean age 73 years) of Chinese origin from Hong Kong. Consistent with other studies in Asian populations we found higher frequencies of the T, b and a alleles compared with those reported in Caucasian populations. Moreover, no significant difference in BMD was observed when subjects were grouped by a combination of the genotypes (bbAATT, bbAaTT, bbaaTT, BbAaTt, BbAATt). These results suggest that VDR polymorphism is not associated with BMD in elderly Hong Kong Chinese men and women.

Electronic Resource

1433-2965

Bone mineral density ; Calcium density ; Calcium:protein ratio ; Dietary calcium ; Young Chinese women

Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Medicine

Abstract A study on the determinants of bone mass in young women is being carried out among 287 young Chinese women aged 21–40 years. The baseline cross-sectional data show that the mean dietary calcium intake, estimated from the quantitative food frequency method, was 448 mg/day (standard deviation = 219). About 50% of the calcium source was from vegetables and 22% from dairy products. Among women aged 21–30 years, those with a dietary calcium intake of at least 600 mg/day had a 4%–7% higher mean bone mineral density at the spine and femur when compared with those with a mean intake below 300 mg/day. In women aged 31–40 years, subjects belonging to the highest quartile of calcium density (⩾35 mg/420 kJ) had a 3%–8% higher mean bone mineral density at the spine and femur when compared with those in the lowest quartile (〈20.8 mg/420 kJ). Favorable calcium intake is beneficial in this population of young women with habitual low dietary calcium intake.

Electronic Resource

1433-2965

Alcohol consumption ; Anthropometry ; Bone density ; Calcium ; Femur neck ; Osteoporosis ; Physical fitness

Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Medicine

Abstract One hundred and eighty-eight elderly men and women were included in a study of bone mass at the neck of femur and its related factors. The study subjects were a subsample of a Hong Kong wide study of the elderly population aged 70 years and above. The study variables included age, sex, body measurements of height, weight, body mass index, dietary calcium intake, grip strength, 16 feet (5 m) gait speed, smoking, drinking, and years since menopause among women. The neck of femur bone mineral density among elderly men was about 1 standard deviation higher than that of women. Subjects aged 85 years and above had about 20% lower bone mineral density at the neck of femur when compared with those in the age group 70–74 years. Mean dietary calcium intake ranged between 300 and 430 mg/day and was not associated with bone mass. Multiple regression analysis showed that body weight, 16 feet gait speed, sex and alcohol consumption explained 46% of the total variance of femoral neck bone mineral density. Body weight was the most significant predictor of bone mineral density, with a partial correlation coefficient of 0.5. The maintenance of body weight within the acceptable weight range and promotion of physical fitness may be important measures in reducing bone loss in the elderly population.

Electronic Resource

1433-2965

Hip fracture ; Hospital discharge data ; Incidence rates ; International comparison

Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Medicine

Abstract A comparison of hip fracture rates among nine countries (Canada, Chile, Finland, Hong Kong, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States and Venezuela) was made using national hospital discharge data for the same time interval. The rates increased by age and were higher for females than males in all nine countries. When based on overall discharge rates, the incidence of hip fracture appeared high in three European countries (Finland, Scotland and Sweden) relative to the other countries. However, when transfer cases were removed and adjustments made for differences in case definition, the risk of hip fracture for both men and women was much similar among the four European and two North American countries, but higher than in Hong Kong. Rates of fracture were lowest in Venezuela and Chile, varying from three to 11 times less than for residents of the other seven countries. Although there are limitations in using hospital discharge data as a measure of incidence, the wide variation in the risk of hip fracture across the nine countries appears real but differences between North American and north European countries may not be as great as previously reported. Such cross-national comparisons may help clarify different etiologic hypotheses.

Electronic Resource

1573-4986

lectin ; gene expression ; cell-cell adhesion

Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Chemistry and Pharmacology

Abstract BJ38 is a galactose/lactose-specific lectin (M r ∼ 38000) found at one pole ofBradyrhizobium japonicum. It has been implicated in mediating the adhesion of the bacteria to soybean roots, leading to the establishment of a nitrogen-fixing symbiosis. When the ligand lactose is added to cultures of the bacteria for at least 1 h prior to harvesting the cells for BJ38 isolation, the yield of the protein was found to be elevated in a dose-dependent fashion. Half maximal stimulation was observed at ∼ 50 µm; the effect was saturated at ∼ 1mm, where a 10-fold higher yield of BJ38 was obtained. Saccharides with a lower affinity for BJ38 than lactose yielded a correspondingly smaller induction effect when compared at a concentration of 1mm. The higher level of BJ38 induced by lactose is also manifested by an elevated amount of BJ38 detectable at the cell surface and by a higher number ofB. japonicum cells adsorbed onto soybean cells. Surprisingly, the induction of BJ38 expression seen with lactose was also observed with certain, but not all, flavonoids that induce thenod genes of the bacteria; genistein mimicked the induction observed with lactose, whereas luteolin failed to stimulate BJ38 production.

Electronic Resource

1572-9893

Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Geography

Abstract Malaysia has a climate of high humidity, high temperature and abundant rainfall. Rivers supply about 97% of the country's total water needs while ground water accounts for the rest. About 40% of the treated water is lost through man-caused leakages. With a population of 18.3 million people, the total annual domestic, industrial and irrigation water demand is about 11.6 x 106 MI. This figure is projected to rise to 15.2 x 106 MI by year 2000. At present, the total daily water demand is about 4,979 MI and the production capacity is 6,513 MI. Water use and misuse now strain the nation's fragile aquatic environment and natural ecosystems. Current water resource management priorities include water quality improvement, river rehabilitation to restore over-channalized or polluted rivers and development of the inland fisheries potential especially in large man-made reservoirs. A River Basin Information System has been developed to provide integrated information on catchment characteristics, landuse, population and socio-economic profile, river flow, pollution sources, water quality classification, and aquatic biota. Vision 2020 challenges call for a long-term perspective in inland water resource management. Critical post-audits of largescale development and strategic research aimed at alternative and interacting patterns of landwater use are urgently needed.

Electronic Resource