Analysis of Plasma Albumin,Vitamin D,and Apolipoproteins A and B as Predictive Coronary Risk Biomarkers in the REGICOR Study

Introduction and objectives

New biomarkers could improve the predictive capacity of classic risk functions. The aims of this study were to determine the association between circulating levels of apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1), apolipoprotein B (apoB), albumin, and 25-OH-vitamin D and coronary events and to analyze whether these biomarkers improve the predictive capacity of the Framingham-REGICOR risk function.

简述医院质量管理新进展

论述了当前医院质量管理的研究热点:病例分型管理、医院质量实时控制、临床路径、ISO9000质量体系认证、持续质量改进、循证医学、主诊医师负责制等。介绍了医院质量管理发展趋势。     

Baseline MRI atrophy predicts 2-year cognitive outcomes in early-onset Alzheimer’s disease

Journal of Neurology - MRI atrophy predicts cognitive status in AD. However, this relationship has not been investigated in early-onset AD (EOAD, < 65 years) patients...     

Natural hybridization generates mammalian lineage with species characteristics

Most diploid species arise from single-species ancestors. Hybrid origins of new species are uncommon (except among polyploids) and are documented infrequently in animals. Examples of natural hybridization leading to speciation in mammals are exceedingly rare. Here, we show a Caribbean species of bat (Artibeus schwartzi) has a nuclear genome derived from two nonsister but congeneric species (A. jamaicensis and A. planirostris) and a mitochondrial genome that is from a third extinct or uncharacterized congener. Artibeus schwartzi is self-sustaining, morphologically distinct, and exists in near geographic isolation of its known parent species. Island effects (i.e., area, reduced habitat variability, and geographic isolation) likely have restricted gene flow from parental species into the Caribbean populations of this hybrid lineage, thus contributing to local adaptation and isolation of this newly produced taxon. We hypothesize differential rates of the development of reproductive isolation within the genus and estimate that 2.5 million years was an insufficient amount of time for the development of postzygotic isolation among the three species that hybridized to produce A. schwartzi. Reticulated evolution thus has resulted in a genomic combination from three evolutionary lineages and a transgressive phenotype that is distinct from all other known species of Artibeus. The data herein further demonstrate the phenomenon of speciation by hybridization in mammals is possible in nature.     

Oral bisphosphonates are associated with reduced mortality in frail older people: a prospective five-year study

Summary  

In a study of 2005 institutionalized older people, use of oral bisphosphonates was associated with a 27% reduction in risk of death compared to non-users after adjusting for potential confounders.     

Vaginal bromocriptine in hyperprolactinemic patients and puerperal women.

Fifteen hyperprolactinemic and 7 puerperal women were treated with bromocriptine per vaginam (2.5-5 mg) because of absolute intolerance to the oral administration of this drug. In both groups the prolactinemia was normalized without the typical side effects of bromocriptine. Three patients reported vaginal burning, but only one discontinued the therapy because of the intensity of the symptom. This study suggests that vaginal bromocriptine should be considered as a useful alternative for the treatment of hyperprolactinemia.     

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in mucopolysaccharidoses: Regression after bone marrow transplantation

Summary Mucopolysaccharide storage disease (MPS) presents clinically with a broad spectrum of abnormalities, among which cardiovascular involvement has been described.The echocardiographic findings have recently been reported for the various types of MPS. Among these, asymmetric septal hypertrophy (ASH) has been documented.We present a case of a 9-year-old girl suffering from type I MPS, atypical variant, with echocardiographic signs of ASH. She was given a bone marrow transplant after which the hypertrophic cardiomyopathy regressed.     

Pregnancy outcome in women with müllerian duct anomalies

The outcomes of 186 pregnancies in 150 women with müllerian duct anomalies who delivered over an eight-year period were analyzed. The average birth weight was 2,919 g. Eighty-three percent of the deliveries were by cesarean section; malpresentation was the indication for 80% of those deliveries. The incidences of breech presentation and transverse lie were 61% and 11%, respectively. Delivery of preterm infants occurred in 25% of the pregnancies, and 12% were small for their gestational age. There were two sets of twins. A history of a previous preterm infant, recurrent abortion or a second-trimester loss was given by 13%, 9% and 59% of the patients, respectively. Of patients examined for renal anomalies, 11% had a defect, usually unilateral renal agenesis.