Ann Acad Med Singap
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Ann Acad Med Singap · May 2010
Multicenter StudyValidity and reliability of the expectations regarding aging (ERA-12) instrument among middle-aged Singaporeans.
The 12-item Expectations Regarding Aging (ERA-12) instrument measures expectations that individuals have about how their health and cognitive function will be when they age. To date, primarily assessed among older adults in Western settings, expectations regarding ageing have been associated with physical activity and healthcare seeking behaviour. It has been suggested that it may be possible to develop interventions that promote positive expectations about ageing. Assessment of expectations regarding ageing among today's middle-aged population would allow for earlier interventions to help give them positive (but realistic) ageing expectations, and age successfully. We assess the reliability and validity of ERA-12 for middle-aged Singaporeans. ⋯ ERA-12 can be used to evaluate expectations regarding ageing not only among elderly populations in the West, but also among middle-aged Singaporeans.
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Ann Acad Med Singap · May 2010
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is expressed during articular cartilage growth and re-expressed in osteoarthritis.
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is expressed in osteoarthritic articular cartilage. However, the pattern of VEGF expression throughout the whole life cycle of articular cartilage is not well elucidated. The aim of the study was to investigate the spatiotemporal expression of VEGF and its receptors, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGFR1) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2), in articular cartilage during growth, maturation and degeneration, using the guinea pig model of spontaneous osteoarthritis. ⋯ This spatiotemporal distribution of VEGF and its receptors suggests that VEGF is expressed during articular cartilage growth, becomes quiescent at maturity, and is re-expressed in osteoarthritis.