Retina conditions and disorders,such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD),diabetic retinopathy (DR),retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and retinal or choroidal tumors,are relevant diseases to retinal neurons and vasculatures.Although genetic factors such as gene mutation and single nucleotide polymorphisms cause changes of gene expression and involve in the pathogenesis of certain retinal diseases,the alteration of gene expression can be observed without changing the genome sequences under the external or internal stimuli.This epigenetic role,especially histones and its modification,has been considered as a part of mechanisms of those diseases described above.Current advances have drawn our attentions to this field in both pathological and therapeutical challenges of retinal diseases.

The phenomenon of age-related loss of muscle mass and strength was named sarcopenia in 1988 by Rosenberg. Since then, sarcopenia has evolved to include the loss of muscle function in the definition. Sarcopenia has a high prevalence in specific clinical conditions and in the older population and can lead to significant morbidity, poor recovery from adverse events and ultimately, institutionalisation. In spite of the severe health care burden posed, the diagnosis and treatment of sarcopenia have yet to become standard care. Emerging consensus on definition and diagnosis by the international work groups on sarcopenia with tailored population-based cut-offs and growing evidence-based management options will facilitate the meeting of these needs.

Introduction. Stroke continues to be a major cause of mortality and disability. Besides having residual motor, sensory, or language deficits, there is a need to identify cognitive and mood related issues as well. Stroke recovery may be best defined as improvement across a variety of outcomes, beginning with biological and neurologic changes that manifest as improvement in performance and activity based behavioural measures Alternatively, the broad definition of stroke rehabilitation is: any aspect of stroke care that aims to reduce disability and promote participation in activities of daily living. The objectives of this process are: to prevent deterioration of function; improve function; achieve the highest possible level of independence within the limits of the persistent stroke impairments. The three approaches of rehabilitation are that of restoration, compensation and modification. Four phases (1.hyperacute, 2.acute, 3.subacute and 4.community reintegration phase) are recognized during stroke rehabilitation, although there is no consensus for the duration of each phase. Specific conditions such as post stroke shoulder pain, depression and spasticity should be identified and appropriate treatment rendered to improve function and quality of life for the patient. Conclusion. Post-stroke patients are more and more likely to survive and progress to the chronic phase of rehabilitation. It is useful to understand the difference between stroke recovery and rehabilitation and to be aware of pathologies that may impede rehabilitation.

The populations in Singapore and worldwide are ageing rapidly and poses many challenges to patients, medical professionals and the healthcare system. Recent population-based research in community-dwelling older adults in Singapore suggest that after the age of 80, impaired physical ability and cognition are two major contributors to loss of independent living. Hence, there is an urgent need to raise awareness of the importance of muscle health in older adults as one of the modifiable factors to reduce and prevent disability in later life. Good muscle health is essential to facilitate independent living for as long as possible. The SARC-F questionnaire is an ideal screening tool in the community setting for sarcopenia in older adults. For screening of low muscle mass, calf-circumference can be used in the community as a surrogate measure. Bio-electrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) and Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) can be used to assess appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) in the community and hospital setting respectively. Low ASMI with low muscle strength leads to the diagnosis of sarcopenia. Severe sarcopenia is diagnosed when all three of low muscle mass, low muscle strength and low physical performance are present. Muscle health is intimately linked with nutritional health and physical activity. Risk of malnutrition in older adults can be rapidly screened using Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) in both inpatient and outpatient settings. For best outcomes, a combined multidisciplinary approach using targeted progressive resistance exercise training (RET) and provision of adequate protein, energy and replacement of any underlying Vitamin D deficiency is required. Efforts are urgently required to raise awareness and knowledge on the importance of muscle health, and its impact on function and clinical outcomes in older people.

1) In Canada, the working conditions of medical residents are negotiated on a province-by-province basis between provincial associations of residents and their respective employers. This paper focuses on the role of the Professional Association of Interns and Residents of Ontario (PAIRO).2) PAIRO negotiates working conditions with the Council of Academic Hospitals of Ontario and has obtained for its members a monthly salary of approximately 390,000 yen for first-year residents (the salary increases with each year of residency), a restriction of on-call duties to 7 of 28 days, and 4 weeks of paid vacation per year.3) In Japan, consideration should be given to the development of guidelines for the working conditions and salaries of residents based on the realities of each specialty and on local needs. To establish and enforce such guidelines, public funding and a third-party agency are necessary.

Objective: To identify the possible antiplasmodial drugs from bacteria associated with marine sponge Clathria indica. Methods: Clathria indica samples were collected from Thondi coast and subjected for enumeration and isolation of associated bacteria. Filter sterilized extracts (100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25 and 3.125 μg.mL-1) from isolated bacterial isolates were screened for antiplasmodial activity against Palsmodium falciparum and potential extracts were also screened for biochemical constituents. Results: The count of bacterial strains were maximum in November 2007 (19×104 CFU.g-1) and the average count was maximum during the monsoon season (107×10 3 CFU.g-1). Thirty one morphologically different bacterial isolates were isolated from Clathria indica and the ethyl acetate bacterial extracts were screened for antiplasmodial activity against Palsmodiumfalciparum. The antiplasmodial activity of a isolate THB23 (IC 50 28.80 μg.mL-1) extract is highly comparable with the positive control chloroquine (IC50 19.59 μg.mL-1) and 17 bacterial extracts which showed IC50 value of more than 100 μg.mL-1. Statistical analysis reveals that, significant in vitro antiplasmodial activity (P<0.05) was observed between the concentrations and time of exposure. The chemical injury to erythrocytes showed no morphological changes in erythrocytes by the ethyl acetate extract of bacterial strains after 48 h of incubation. The in vitro antiplasmodial activity might be due to the presence of carbohydrates and alkaloids in the ethyl acetate extracts of bacterial isolates. Conclusions: The ethyl acetate extracts of THB23 possesses novel compounds for the development of antiplasmodial drugs.

Objective: To identify the antiplasmodial drugs from the marine sponge Hyattella intestinalis (H. intestinalis) associated bacteria. Methods: The H. intestinalis samples were collected from Thondi coast and subjected for enumeration and isolation of associated bacteria. Filter sterilized extracts (100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25 and 3.125μg/mL) from bacterial isolates were screened for antiplasmodial activity against P. falciparum and potential extracts were also screened for biochemical constituents. Results: The count of THB isolates were maximum in November 2007 (20×10 4 CFU/g) and the average count was maximum during the monsoon season (77×103 CFU/g). A total of 29 bacteria were isolated based on the morphological characteristics and screened for antiplasmodial activity. The antiplasmodial activity of THB20 extract (IC50 41.88 μg/mL) showed at two fold concentration of IC50 value of the positive control chloroquine (IC50 19.59 μg/mL) and 14 bacterial isolates showed IC50 value of more than 100 μg/mL. Statistical analysis reveals that, significant in vitro antiplasmodial activity (P<0.05) was observed between the concentrations and time of exposure. The chemical injury to erythrocytes showed no morphological changes in erythrocytes by the ethyl acetate extract of THB isolates after 48 h of incubation. The antiplasmodial activity of potential bacterial isolates might be due to the presence of sugars and alkaloids in the ethyl acetate extracts. Conclusions: It is concluded from the present study that, the ethyl acetate extracts of THB20 posses novel metabolites for the development of newer antiplasmodial drugs.

Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Neonatal Screening