Browse publications by year: 2014

  1. Fulltext Molecular imaging of plaques in coronary arteries with PET and SPECT
    Sun ZH, Rashmizal H, Xu L
    J Geriatr Cardiol, 2014 Sep;11(3):259-73.
    PMID: 25278976 DOI: 10.11909/j.issn.1671-5411.2014.03.005
    Coronary artery disease remains a major cause of mortality. Presence of atherosclerotic plaques in the coronary artery is responsible for lumen stenosis which is often used as an indicator for determining the severity of coronary artery disease. However, the degree of coronary lumen stenosis is not often related to compromising myocardial blood flow, as most of the cardiac events that are caused by atherosclerotic plaques are the result of vulnerable plaques which are prone to rupture. Thus, identification of vulnerable plaques in coronary arteries has become increasingly important to assist identify patients with high cardiovascular risks. Molecular imaging with use of positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) has fulfilled this goal by providing functional information about plaque activity which enables accurate assessment of plaque stability. This review article provides an overview of diagnostic applications of molecular imaging techniques in the detection of plaques in coronary arteries with PET and SPECT. New radiopharmaceuticals used in the molecular imaging of coronary plaques and diagnostic applications of integrated PET/CT and PET/MRI in coronary plaques are also discussed.
  2. Fulltext The outcomes of salvage surgery for vascular injury in the extremities: a special consideration for delayed revascularization
    Jagdish K, Paiman M, Nawfar A, Yusof M, Zulmi W, Azman W, et al.
    Malays Orthop J, 2014 Mar;8(1):14-20.
    PMID: 25279079 MyJurnal DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.1403.012
    A seven years retrospective study was performed in 45 consecutive vascular injuries in the extremities to investigate the pattern of injuries, managements and outcomes. Motor-vehicle accidents were the leading cause of injuries (80%), followed by industrial injuries (11.1%) and iatrogenic injuries (4.4%). Popliteal and brachial artery injuries were commonly involved (20%). Fifteen (33.3%) patients had fractures, dislocation or fracture dislocation around the knee joint and 6 (13.3%) patients had soft tissue injuries without fracture. Traumatic arterial transection accounted for 34 (75.6%) cases, followed by laceration in 7 (15.6%) and 9 (6.7%) contusions. Associated nerve injuries were seen in 8 (17.8 %) patients using intra-operative findings as the gold standard, both conventional angiogram (CA) and computerized tomography angiogram (CTA) had 100% specificity and 100% sensitivity in determining the site of arterial injuries. The mean ischemic time was 25.31 hours (4 - 278 hours). Thirty-three (73.3 %) patients were treated more than 6 hours after injury and 6 patients underwent revascularization after 24 hours; all had good collateral circulation without distal pulses or evidence of ischemic neurological deficit. The mean ischemic time in 39 patients who underwent revascularization within 24 hours was 13.2 hours. Delayed amputation was performed in 5 patients (11.1%). Of the 6 patients who underwent delayed revascularization, one patient had early amputation, one -had delayed amputation following infection and multiple flap procedures while the rest of the patients' limbs survived. Joint stiffness was noted in 10 patients (22.2%) involving the knee joint, elbow and shoulder in two patients each. Infection was also noted in 5 patients (11.1%) with two of them were due to infected implants. Other complications encountered included nonunion (2 patients, 4.4%), delayed union (1 patient, 2.2%),limb length discrepancy (1 patient, 2.2%), hematoma (1 patient, 2.2%) and leaking anastomosis in one patient (2.2%). Volkmann's ischemic contracture occurred in 3 (6.7%) patients. There was no complication noted in 8 (17.8%) patients Three patients (6.7%) died of whom two were not due to vascular causes. We conclude that early detection and revascularization of traumatic vascular injuries is important but delayed revascularization also produced acceptable results.
    MeSH terms: Accidents, Traffic; Amputation; Brachial Artery; Collateral Circulation; Contusions; Elbow Joint; Humans; Retrospective Studies; Shoulder; Soft Tissue Injuries; Lacerations; Fractures, Bone; Ischemic Contracture; Vascular System Injuries; Fracture Dislocation
  3. Fulltext Correlation of psychosocial factor with functional outcome: one year after hip fracture surgery
    Chua B, Bonifacio L, Faisham W
    Malays Orthop J, 2014 Mar;8(1):21-5.
    PMID: 25279080 DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.1403.013
  4. Fulltext The Prevalence of Accidental Needle Stick Injury and their Reporting among Healthcare Workers in Orthopaedic Wards in General Hospital Melaka, Malaysia
    Bhardwaj A, Sivapathasundaram N, Yusof M, Minghat A, Swe K, Sinha N
    Malays Orthop J, 2014 Jul;8(2):6-13.
    PMID: 25279086 DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.1407.009
    ABSTRACT: Background :Accidental needle-stick injuries (NSIs) are a hazard for health-care workers and general public health. Orthopaedic surgeons may be more prone to NSIs due to the prevalence of bone spikes in the operative field and the use of sharp orthopaedic instruments such as drills, saws and wires. A hospital-based cross sectional study was conducted in the orthopedic wards of Melaka General Hospital. The prevalence of NSIs was 32 (20.9%) and majority of it occurred during assisting in operation theatre 13(37.4%). Among them six (18.8%) were specialist, 12(37.5%) medical officer, 10 (31.2%) house officer and four staff nurses (12.5%). Among the respondents 142 (92.8%) had been immunized against Hepatitis B and 148 (96.7%) participants had knowledge regarding universal precaution. The incidence of NSI among health care workers at orthopaedics ward was not any higher in comparison with the similar studies and it was found out that the prevalence was more in junior doctors compared with specialist and staff nurses and it was statistically significant.

    KEY WORDS: Needle sticks injury, health care workers, and standard precaution.

  5. Fulltext Cannulated Screw Fixation For Femoral Neck Fractures : A 5-year Experience In A Single Institution
    Khoo C, Haseeb A, Ajit Singh V
    Malays Orthop J, 2014 Jul;8(2):14-21.
    PMID: 25279087 DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.1407.010
    Cannulated screw fixation is a widely accepted surgical method for management of fractures of the neck of femur especially in patients with poor premorbid conditions, minimally displaced fractures and those from a younger age group. A five year retrospective study was carried out in 53 consecutive patients between 2006 to 2010 to determine the pattern of injuries, management, outcomes and the associated predictive factors.All the patients underwent cannulated screw fixation, with 37 (69.8%) having had surgery within 24 hours and the remaining 16 (30.2%) 24 hours after the initial injury. All patients were followed up to union of fractures and complications thereafter if any. Good outcome was observed in 43 (81.1%) patients leaving only 10 (18.9%) patients with a poor outcome, of whom nine developed avascular necrosis (90%) and one non-union (10%). We found no significant relationship between the incidence of avascular necrosis and age of patient, fracture displacement, numbers of cannulated screws used, fracture reduction acceptability and anatomical location of the fracture. The time interval from injury to surgery and the presence of posterior comminution did seem to influence the rate of avascular necrosis but due to the small number of patients, was not statistically significant.We conclude that cannulated screw fixation is a viable option of treatment for fractures of the neck of femur.
    MeSH terms: Bone Screws; Fracture Fixation; Humans; Osteonecrosis; Retrospective Studies; Incidence; Fractures, Comminuted; Fractures, Bone
  6. Fulltext A Biomechanical Comparison between Taylor's Spatial Frame and Ilizarov External Fixator
    Tan B, Shanmugam R, Gunalan R, Chua Y, Hossain G, Saw A
    Malays Orthop J, 2014 Jul;8(2):35-9.
    PMID: 25279090 DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.1407.012
    Taylor's spatial frame (TSF) and Ilizarov external fixators (IEF) are two circular external fixator commonly used to address complex deformity and fractures. There is currently no data available comparing the biomechanical properties of these two external fixators. This study looks into the mechanical characteristics of each system. TSF rings with 6 oblique struts, 4 tube connectors, 4 threaded rods, and 6 threaded rods were compared to a standard IEF rings with 4 threaded rods. Compression and torsional loading was performed to the frame as well as construct with Polyvinylchloride tubes. TSF rings with 4 tube connectors had the highest stiffness (3288 N/mm) while TSF rings with 6 struts was the least stiff. The situation was reversed for torsion where TSF rings with 6 oblique struts had the highest torsional stiffness (82.01 Nm/Degree) and frame Ilizarov rings with 4 threaded rods the least. Standard TSF construct of two ring with 6 oblique struts have better torsional stiffness and lower axial stiffness compared to the standard IEF.
    MeSH terms: Pressure; External Fixators; Fractures, Bone
  7. Fulltext Trapezius Rotational Flap for Cervico-thoracic Wound Breakdown in Post-radiotherapy Necrosis : A Case Report
    Ariffin M, Lloyd S, Rhani S, Kamalnizat, Baharudin A
    Malays Orthop J, 2014 Jul;8(2):40-2.
    PMID: 25279091 DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.1407.001
    The management of post-radiation wound breakdown over the posterior cervico thoracic region can be a challenging task for a surgeon. The aim of the treatment is to produce a well vascularized and a low tensile flap which will close a large defect. We describe the use of the lower trapezius flap to reconstruct the wound breakdown and to obtain stable tissue coverage in a patient with postradiation necrosis. This flap minimizes the disruption of the scapula-thoracic function while preserving the range of movement over the shoulder. From the literature review, it was noted that the dorsal scapular artery (DSA) and transverse cervical artery (TCA) aid in the blood supply to the trapezius muscle and prevent local necrosis during rotation of the flap. The trapezius flap is widely accepted because of the minor donor site morbidity, large arc of rotation and adequate blood supply.
    MeSH terms: Arteries; Humans; Neck; Rotation; Scapula; Shoulder; Surgical Flaps; Surgical Wound Dehiscence; Superficial Back Muscles; Surgeons
  8. Fulltext Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in Infected Wound following Posterior Spinal Instrumentation using Simple Self-assembled System: A Case Report
    Chang C, Chan H, Lim S, Khoo E, Zulkiflee O
    Malays Orthop J, 2014 Jul;8(2):49-51.
    PMID: 25279094 MyJurnal DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.1407.004
    Postoperative wound infection in an instrumented spine patient is often disastrous. Management includes implant removal leading to spine instability. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) applied to the spine surgical wound is one of the wound care technique with successful results. We report a case of a man who sustained Chance fracture of Lumbar 1 (L1) vertebra treated with long segment posterior instrumentation, who unfortunately developed Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) positive E. coli infection one month after the operation. After careful debridement of the wound, the implant became exposed. Three cycles of NPWT were applied and the wound healed with granulation tissue completely covering the implant, and thus negating the need to remove the implant. In conclusion, the NPWT is a good alternative in postoperative wound management especially in an instrumented spine patient.
    MeSH terms: beta-Lactamases; Debridement; Escherichia coli; Granulation Tissue; Humans; Lumbar Vertebrae; Male; Spinal Diseases; Surgical Wound Infection; Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy; Surgical Wound
  9. Fulltext Salmonella Osteomyelitis in a one year old Child without Sickle Cell Disease: A Case Report
    Saturveithan C, Arieff A, Premganesh G, Sivapathasundaram N
    Malays Orthop J, 2014 Jul;8(2):52-4.
    PMID: 25279095 MyJurnal DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.1407.005
    A one year old boy was admitted with left shoulder pain with reduced range of motion of five days' duration associated. Inflammatory markers were raised and radiograph of the left shoulder revealed widening of the metaphysis of the proximal humerus. Empirically, he was started on intravenous C-penicillin and cloxacillin after initial joint aspiration yielded only synovial fluid with negative culture. Subsequent MRI revealed acute osteomyelitis of the proximal left humerus with concurrent septic arthritis of the shoulder joint. Cultures from the arthrotomy washout grew Salmonella sp, sensitive to ampicillin. He recovered following six weeks of intravenous unasyn ( ampicillin and sulbactum). This rare case of salmonella osteomyelitis in a non-sickle cell disease patient was diagnosed with serial laboratory and radiological studies and was successfully treated with adequate duration of antibiotics and operative intervention.
    MeSH terms: Child; Male; Osteomyelitis
  10. Fulltext Rare presentation of metachronous multicentric pelvic and extracranial chondrosarcoma : a case report
    Choong C, Chan H, Azuhairy A, Hau MA, Zulkiflee O
    Malays Orthop J, 2014 Jul;8(2):55-8.
    PMID: 25279096 DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.1407.006
    Conventional chondrosarcomas rarely metastasize and it is extremely unusual to see multicentric- behaviour in malignant cartilage tumour. We report a 40 year old lady with presentation of two non-contiguous metachronous foci of low to intermediate grade of chondrosarcoma over left pelvic bone and right scalp respectively in the absence of pulmonary or visceral metastasis.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Bone Neoplasms; Cartilage; Chondrosarcoma; Female; Humans; Neoplastic Processes; Pelvic Bones; Scalp
  11. Fulltext Arthroscopic resection of the distal clavicle with concomitant subacromial decompression: a case series
    Chan H, Ooi C, Lim M, Ong E, Zulkiflee O
    Malays Orthop J, 2014 Jul;8(2):59-62.
    PMID: 25279097 MyJurnal DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.1407.007
    Shoulder impingement syndrome and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis often occur simultaneously and easily missed. Kay et al. reported excellent results with combined arthroscopic subacromial decompression and resection of the distal end of the clavicle in patients with both disorders(1). Arthroscopic treatment of these disorders produces more favourable results than open procedures. We report two patients who were not responding to conservative management and were treated with direct arthroscopic distal clavicle excision and subacromial decompression in single setting. Both patients gained good postoperative outcome in terms of pain score, function and strength improvement assessed objectively with visual analogue score (VAS) and University of California Los Angeles Score (UCLA).
    MeSH terms: Acromioclavicular Joint; Clavicle; Humans; Osteoarthritis; Pain; Postoperative Period; Los Angeles; Decompression, Surgical; Shoulder Impingement Syndrome; Conservative Treatment
  12. Fulltext Reimplantation of an Extruded Femoral Segment After Gamma Sterilization in A Type IIIA Supracondylar Femur Fracture: A Case Report
    Aizah N, Su Y, Shaifulnizam C, MRos M
    Malays Orthop J, 2014 Jul;8(2):66-8.
    PMID: 25279099 MyJurnal DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.1407.015
    Extruded bone is a rare complication of high energy open fractures, and there is only a handful of literature on reimplantation of the extruded segment. No clear guidelines exist regarding timing of reimplantation, stabilization of extruded bone segments, and also bone disinfection and sterilization techniques. Previous reports describe sterilization using thermal or chemical methods. We present a case of successful reimplantation of an extruded metaphyseal segment of femur after gamma sterilization in a fourteen- year old boy.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Disinfection; Femur; Fractures, Open; Gamma Rays; Humans; Male; Replantation; Sterilization, Reproductive
  13. Early expression of local cytokines during systemic Candida albicans infection in a murine intravenous challenge model
    Chin VK, Foong KJ, Maha A, Rusliza B, Norhafizah M, Chong PP
    Biomed Rep, 2014 Nov;2(6):869-874.
    PMID: 25279161
    Local cytokine production is a significant indicator for disease pathogenesis or progression. Previous studies on cytokine production during systemic Candida albicans (C. albicans) infection were solely on kidney or single cell type interaction with C. albicans. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the early cytokine expression of various target organs (kidney, spleen and brain) over a 72-h time course during systemic C. albicans infection. The local cytokine profiles of the target organs during systemic C. albicans infection were measured by cytometric bead array and ELISA analysis. The results demonstrated that interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-2 were statistically significant (P<0.05) in the spleen at 24 and 72 h post-infection, whereas in the kidney, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were statistically significant (P<0.05) at 24 and 72 h post-infection and CXCL-1 and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) were statistically significant (P<0.05) at 72 h post-infection. In the brain, IL-6 and TNF-α were statistically significant (P<0.05) at 24 and 72 h post-infection, whereas TGF-β was statistically significant (P<0.05) at 72 h post-infection. These findings demonstrate that host immune responses were varied among target organs during systemic C. albicans infection. This could be important for designing targeted immunotherapy against this pathogen through immunomodulatory approaches in future exploratory research.
    MeSH terms: Brain; Candida albicans; Candidiasis; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Immunologic Factors; Immunotherapy; Interleukin-2; Kidney; Spleen; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Transforming Growth Factors; Interleukin-6; Cytokines; Transforming Growth Factor beta
  14. Fulltext Formulation of Trichoderma sp. SL2 inoculants using different carriers for soil treatment in rice seedling growth
    Doni F, Isahak A, Che Mohd Zain CR, Mohd Ariffin S, Wan Mohamad WN, Wan Yusoff WM
    Springerplus, 2014;3:532.
    PMID: 25279323 DOI: 10.1186/2193-1801-3-532
    BACKGROUND: Trichoderma sp. SL2 has been previously reported to enhance rice germination, vigour, growth and physiological characteristics. The use of Potato Dextrose Agar as carrier of Trichoderma sp. SL2 inoculant is not practical for field application due to its short shelf life and high cost. This study focuses on the use of corn and sugarcane bagasse as potential carriers for Trichoderma sp. SL2 inoculants.

    FINDINGS: A completely randomized design was applied for this study. Trichoderma sp. SL2 suspension mixed with corn and sugarcane bagasse were used as treatment mixture in soil. Growth parameters including rice seedling height, root length, wet weight, leaf number and biomass were measured and compared to control. The results showed that Trichoderma sp. SL2 mixed with corn significantly enhanced rice seedlings root length, wet weight and biomass compared to Trichoderma sp. SL2 mixed with sugarcane bagasse and control.

    CONCLUSION: Corn can be a potential carrier for Trichoderma spp. inoculants for field application.

    MeSH terms: Agar; Callosities; Cellulose; Edible Grain; Zea mays; Glucose; Solanum tuberosum; Oryza; Soil; Trichoderma; Plant Leaves; Germination; Biomass; Saccharum; Seedlings
  15. Fulltext Do we protect freshwater eels or do we drive them to extinction?
    Arai T
    Springerplus, 2014;3:534.
    PMID: 25279325 DOI: 10.1186/2193-1801-3-534
    Freshwater eels are important animals because they have a unique catadromous life history and are used as food resources. European, American and Japanese eel populations now are considered to be outside the safe biological limits and are seriously threatened with extinction. Therefore, the European eel was recently categorised as critically endangered by the European Union and the United Nations. One of the reasons for the drastic decline in eel populations is overfishing, which has caused a high demand for eel aquaculture; eel aquaculture completely depends on wild juveniles, and in contrast to animals, artificial propagation has not yet succeeded for the eels. Therefore, commercial eel industries are now considering tropical eels as possible replacement for European and Japanese eels to compensate for declining stocks. In this study, I attempt to examine the present status of the biology and stock of tropical eels. However, useful scientific research and information on the biology and stock assessments of tropical eels are lacking, a situation quite different from that for other temperate freshwater eels, which have been well studied for several decades with trends and recruitment patterns being on record. Nevertheless, the present tropical eel catch has been reported as being less than half that of 20 years ago. The present trends in eel stocks and utilization for human consumption suggest that all eel populations will decline to numbers that fall outside safe biological limits and will be seriously threatened with extinction without protection and conservation from strict enforcement of local and international laws.
  16. Fulltext Andrographis paniculata leaf extract prevents thioacetamide-induced liver cirrhosis in rats
    Abdulaziz Bardi D, Halabi MF, Hassandarvish P, Rouhollahi E, Paydar M, Moghadamtousi SZ, et al.
    PLoS One, 2014;9(10):e109424.
    PMID: 25280007 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0109424
    This study investigated the hepatoprotective effects of ethanolic Andrographis paniculata leaf extract (ELAP) on thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. An acute toxicity study proved that ELAP is not toxic in rats. To examine the effects of ELAP in vivo, male Sprague Dawley rats were given intraperitoneal injections of vehicle 10% Tween-20, 5 mL/kg (normal control) or 200 mg/kg TAA thioacetamide (to induce liver cirrhosis) three times per week. Three additional groups were treated with thioacetamide plus daily oral silymarin (50 mg/kg) or ELAP (250 or 500 mg/kg). Liver injury was assessed using biochemical tests, macroscopic and microscopic tissue analysis, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry. In addition, HepG2 and WRL-68 cells were treated in vitro with ELAP fractions to test cytotoxicity. Rats treated with ELAP exhibited significantly lower liver/body weight ratios and smoother, more normal liver surfaces compared with the cirrhosis group. Histopathology using Hematoxylin and Eosin along with Masson's Trichrome stain showed minimal disruption of hepatic cellular structure, minor fibrotic septa, a low degree of lymphocyte infiltration, and minimal collagen deposition after ELAP treatment. Immunohistochemistry indicated that ELAP induced down regulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Also, hepatic antioxidant enzymes and oxidative stress parameters in ELAP-treated rats were comparable to silymarin-treated rats. ELAP administration reduced levels of altered serum liver biomarkers. ELAP fractions were non-cytotoxic to WRL-68 cells, but possessed anti-proliferative activity on HepG2 cells, which was confirmed by a significant elevation of lactate dehydrogenase, reactive oxygen species, cell membrane permeability, cytochrome c, and caspase-8,-9, and, -3/7 activity in HepG2 cells. A reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential was also detected in ELAP-treated HepG2 cells. The hepatoprotective effect of 500 mg/kg of ELAP is proposed to result from the reduction of thioacetamide-induced toxicity, normalizing reactive oxygen species levels, inhibiting cellular proliferation, and inducing apoptosis in HepG2 cells.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Antioxidants/pharmacology; Cells, Cultured; Female; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Liver Cirrhosis/chemically induced; Liver Cirrhosis/pathology; Liver Cirrhosis/prevention & control*; Liver Function Tests; Male; Phytotherapy*; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*; Thioacetamide/toxicity*; Blotting, Western; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Apoptosis/drug effects; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism; Oxidative Stress/drug effects; Plant Leaves/chemistry*; Andrographis/chemistry*; Cell Proliferation/drug effects; Rats; Hep G2 Cells
  17. Fulltext Endogenous lentivirus in Malayan colugo (Galeopterus variegatus), a close relative of primates
    Hron T, Fábryová H, Pačes J, Elleder D
    Retrovirology, 2014;11:84.
    PMID: 25280529 DOI: 10.1186/s12977-014-0084-x
    A significant fraction of mammalian genomes is composed of endogenous retroviral (ERV) sequences that are formed by germline infiltration of various retroviruses. In contrast to other retroviral genera, lentiviruses only rarely form ERV copies. We performed a computational search aimed at identification of novel endogenous lentiviruses in vertebrate genomes.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Genes, Viral; Malaysia; Mammals/virology*; Phylogeny; Lentivirus/classification*; Lentivirus/genetics*; Evolution, Molecular; Computational Biology; Endogenous Retroviruses/classification*; Endogenous Retroviruses/genetics*; Gene Order
  18. Effects of action observation on corticospinal excitability: Muscle specificity, direction, and timing of the mirror response
    Naish KR, Houston-Price C, Bremner AJ, Holmes NP
    Neuropsychologia, 2014 11;64:331-48.
    PMID: 25281883 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2014.09.034
    Many human behaviours and pathologies have been attributed to the putative mirror neuron system, a neural system that is active during both the observation and execution of actions. While there are now a very large number of papers on the mirror neuron system, variations in the methods and analyses employed by researchers mean that the basic characteristics of the mirror response are not clear. This review focuses on three important aspects of the mirror response, as measured by modulations in corticospinal excitability: (1) muscle specificity; (2) direction; and (3) timing of modulation. We focus mainly on electromyographic (EMG) data gathered following single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), because this method provides precise information regarding these three aspects of the response. Data from paired-pulse TMS paradigms and peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) are also considered when we discuss the possible mechanisms underlying the mirror response. In this systematic review of the literature, we examine the findings of 85 TMS and PNS studies of the human mirror response, and consider the limitations and advantages of the different methodological approaches these have adopted in relation to discrepancies between their findings. We conclude by proposing a testable model of how action observation modulates corticospinal excitability in humans. Specifically, we propose that action observation elicits an early, non-specific facilitation of corticospinal excitability (at around 90ms from action onset), followed by a later modulation of activity specific to the muscles involved in the observed action (from around 200ms). Testing this model will greatly advance our understanding of the mirror mechanism and provide a more stable grounding on which to base inferences about its role in human behaviour.
    MeSH terms: Humans; Motor Activity/physiology; Motor Cortex/physiology; Photic Stimulation; Pyramidal Tracts/physiology*; Time Factors; Visual Perception/physiology*; Muscle, Skeletal/physiology*; Evoked Potentials, Motor/physiology*; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation; Mirror Neurons/physiology*
  19. The genus Hormiops Fage, 1933 (Hormuridae, Scorpiones), a palaeoendemic of the South China Sea: systematics and biogeography
    Monod L
    C. R. Biol., 2014 Oct;337(10):596-608.
    PMID: 25282174 DOI: 10.1016/j.crvi.2014.07.009
    The monotypic genus Hormiops Fage, 1933 is so far only known from two groups of granitic islands off the coasts of Peninsular Malaysia and Vietnam. Examination of newly collected material from both archipelagos and of the type series of Hormiops davidovi Fage, 1933 reveals previously disregarded morphological differences sufficient to assign the Malaysian specimens to a distinct species, described here as Hormiops infulcra sp. nov. An updated diagnosis of the genus, as well as a dichotomic key enabling the determination of Hormiops from its close relatives, Hormurus Thorell, 1876 and Liocheles Sundevall, 1833 are also provided. The phylogenetic position, distribution pattern, and ecology of these insular scorpions suggest that they are palaeoendemics, remnants of a previously more widely distributed lineage. A biogeographical model is proposed for the genus based on these observations and on a synthesis of palaeogeographical and palaeoenvironmental data currently available for Sundaland.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Conservation of Natural Resources; Ecology; Biological Evolution; Female; Malaysia; Male; Phylogeny; Reproduction; Scorpions/anatomy & histology; Scorpions/classification*; Scorpions/physiology; Silicon Dioxide; Thailand; Vietnam
  20. Ebola and compliance with infection prevention measures in Nigeria
    Yusuf I, Adam RU, Ahmad SA, Yee PL
    Lancet Infect Dis, 2014 Nov;14(11):1045-1046.
    PMID: 25282666 DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(14)70954-5
    MeSH terms: Communicable Disease Control/methods*; Humans; Nigeria/epidemiology; Disease Transmission, Infectious/prevention & control*; Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/epidemiology*; Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/prevention & control*; Guideline Adherence*
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