Browse publications by year: 2018

Fulltext Iatrogenic lingual neuralgia following laryngoscopy

Aziah Ab Rani, Nadarajah, Sanjeevan

Journal of Clinical and Health Sciences, 2018;3(2):48-50.
MyJurnal

Tongue pain attributed to lingual neuralgia has been reported following dental and oral surgical procedures. Lingual nerve insult through traction and compression during laryngoscopic examination has been proposed as possible etiology for lingual nerve neuralgia. We report a case of tongue ischemia during laryngoscopic procedure which resulted in lingual neuralgia. We recommend that intermittent release of pressure by relaxing the instrument or gag and monitoring the perfusion state of the tongue will reduce the risk of this lingual neuralgia.

MeSH terms: Glossalgia; Laryngoscopy; Lingual Nerve; Neuralgia; Tongue; Traction; Oral Surgical Procedures; Laryngoscopes
Fulltext Improper technique of eye drop instillation leading to corneal ulcer in a visually impaired glaucoma patient

Azhan, A., Zunaina, E., Fatimah, S.S., Ahmad Nurfahmi Akhtar Ali, Khairidzan, M.K.

Journal of Clinical and Health Sciences, 2018;3(2):43-47.
MyJurnal

We report a case of visually impaired glaucoma patient with long term use of topical glaucoma medications presented with a corneal ulcer due to the improper technique of eye drop instillation. A 70-year-old gentleman with advanced primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) on his right eye and absolute glaucoma on his left eye, presented with painful redness and purulent discharge of the right eye for two weeks. He was using four types of topical glaucoma medication on his right eye since failed trabeculectomy two years ago. His right eye vision was 6/24 and painless blindness of the left eye before the presentation. He was administering all the medications himself despite his current vision status. Right eye examination showed visual acuity of 3/60 with clinical features of corneal ulcer. During the observation of his eye drop instillation technique, he consistently touched the tip of the bottle to his right cornea. The corneal contact area corresponded to the corneal ulcer area and size. In addition to this, the culture result obtained from both corneal ulcer and the bottles’ tips yielded similar microorganism which was Staphylococcus aureus. After an intensive course of topical antibiotics treatment, the corneal ulcer healed with a scar and the vision improved to 6/24 from 3/60. Although this incident is rare, it is crucial for the treating physicians to address the issue properly and co-manage these patients with pharmacists and nursing staffs as well as to seek support from the caretakers to prevent this blinding complication.
Fulltext Model of a critical size defect in the New Zealand white rabbit’s tibia

Che Nor Zarida Che Seman, Zamzuri Zakaria

International Medical Journal Malaysia, 2018;17(1):13-18.
MyJurnal

Critical size defects (CSD) in the long bones of New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) have been used for years as an experimental model for investigation of the effectiveness of a new bone substitute material. There are varieties of protocols available in the literature. This technical note attempts to present an alternative surgical technique of a CSD in the New Zealand white rabbit tibia. Methods: Thirty-nine New Zealand White rabbits were used in this study. A CSD of approximately 4.5 mm (width) X 9.0 mm (length) was surgically drilled at the proximal tibial metaphysis, approximately 1 cm from the knee joint. The surrounding of soft tissue was repositioned and sutured layer by layer with bioabsorbable surgical suture. Two x-rays of anteroposterior and lateral were taken before assessed under computed tomography scan at 6, 12 and 24 weeks. Results: This alternative method created CSD with less bleeding from the muscle observed. No mortality or other surgical complications observed within 6 weeks, 12 weeks and 24 weeks following surgery. Conclusion: A simple and safe method for performing CSD was demonstrated and recommended as an alternative approach for surgery on New Zealand White rabbits.

MeSH terms: Animals; Bone and Bones; Knee Joint; Models, Theoretical; Rabbits; Radiography; Sutures; Tibia; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; X-Rays; Bone Substitutes; Absorbable Implants
Fulltext Epidemiology and outcomes of candidaemia among adult patients admitted at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM): a 5-year review

Haydar, A.

International Medical Journal Malaysia, 2018;17(1):3-12.
MyJurnal

Candida organisms are opportunistic fungal pathogens that have become a major cause of nosocomial infections worldwide. We investigated the clinical characteristics and outcomes of hospitalized patients with candidaemia caused by Candida albicans and non-albicans Candida spp at HUSM. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated all hospitalized patients with candidaemia from January 2010 till December 2014 based on inpatient hospital records and laboratory data. Results: A total of 134 patients with candidaemia were enrolled. Candida albicans and non-albicans Candida spp were responsible for 20% (27/134) and 80% (107/134) of candidaemia cases, respectively. Hospitalized patients with diabetes mellitus, surgical conditions, or concomitant septicaemia and those who received instrumentations such as CVC or CBD, and those admitted under medical settings were prone to develop candidaemia caused by either C. albicans or non-albicans Candida spp. All isolates were susceptible to Fluconazole except for C. krusei isolates. All-cause mortality within 30 days post diagnosis of candidaemia was 59%. Factors associated with mortality were solid tumor (p =0.014), surgical illness (p=0.128), central venous catheterization (p= 0.096) and leucocytosis (p=0.116). Only solid tumor was an independent contributory factor for mortality among patients with C. albicans candidaemia in the multivariate analyses (OR 5.09, 95% CI 1.38,18.74, p=0.014). Conclusions: The patients’ clinical characteristics were fairly comparable between Candida albicans and non-albicans candidaemia. The changing epidemiology of candidaemia at this centre was in fact alarming. The outcome associated with candidaemia was poor.

MeSH terms: Candida; Candida albicans; Catheterization, Central Venous; Cross Infection; Diabetes Mellitus; Hospital Records; Humans; Inpatients; Neoplasms; Retrospective Studies; Fluconazole; Multivariate Analysis; Candidemia
Fulltext The lifestyle and behavioural risk factors of future doctors in Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia

Xin, Wee Chen, Zaliha Ismail

Journal of Clinical and Health Sciences, 2018;3(2):36-42.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Lifestyle and behavioural risk factors in middle-aged adults are proven to have an impact on later-life outcomes; hence health promotion activities should aim at the population before they reach their mid-life. Medical students will be representing a community in promoting health, henceforth they should have a healthy lifestyle and behaviour in order to facilitate and adoption of preventive practices in their future life as physicians. Therefore, this study was aimed to determine the lifestyle and behavioural risk factors among future doctors in a public university in Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA (Sungai Buloh Campus). Simple random sampling was used to select eligible subjects among undergraduate medical students (pre-clinical years). A self-administered pro forma checklist was given to the subjects who consented. Descriptive analysis was performed, and univariate analysis was done by Chi-square, Fisher’s Exact test and independent t-test. Results: A total of 252 subjects participated. The majority (96.8%) were of Malay ethnicity and three-quarter of the subjects were females (76.2%). A small number of subjects were smokers (2.4%) and alcoholic consumers (1.2%). Approximately half (57.3%) of the female subjects had normal body mass indices, while this was only seen in one-third (35.0%) of male subjects. Most subjects (72.2%) exercised at least once a week, however only 17.1% of the subjects exercised at the recommended levels. There was a significantly higher proportion of males who had adequate exercise compared to that of females. Conclusion: Inadequate physical activity and imperfect BMI of the study subjects warrant exclusive promotion and education of healthy lifestyle in this population. It would probably be beneficial if assessment of lifestyle and behavioural risk factors could be conducted before these subjects embark into their professional working life.
Fulltext Knowledge, attitude, prior exposure and intention to breastfeed among undergraduate university students

Syahrul Bariah Abdul Hamid, Nabilah Yahya

Journal of Clinical and Health Sciences, 2018;3(2):26-35.
MyJurnal

Introduction: The Theory of Planned Behaviour by Ajzen (1985) states that breastfeeding intention which is made prior to pregnancy predicted future breastfeeding outcomes and also influenced by factors including attitude, knowledge and exposure. The goal of this study was to investigate the level of breastfeeding knowledge, attitude, prior exposure and intention to breastfeed and the relationship between these factors among non-pregnant, single undergraduates. There are limited studies in Malaysia involving young adults who will be future parents. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 377 students in UiTM Puncak Alam, Selangor. Self- administered questionnaires adapted from Infant Feeding Knowledge Test and Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Score (IIFAS) were included as research instruments. Results: Overall study population had a low level of knowledge (10.61±2.10) and attitude (60.64± 5.02) towards breastfeeding, high exposure (2.7±0.52) and intention (4.74±0.64) to breastfeed especially in females. Breastfeeding knowledge is significantly associated with breastfeeding attitude and prior breastfeeding exposure. Breastfeeding intention also established an association with breastfeeding attitude and prior breastfeeding exposure. Subsequent predictive analysis found that breastfeeding attitude impacts breastfeeding intention. Conclusion: Breastfeeding intervention should target undergraduate university students in preparing these future parents with adequate and accurate knowledge and positive attitudes towards breastfeeding thus, resulting in higher breastfeeding intention and greater efforts of initiation and sustenance of breastfeeding.
Fulltext Detection of JAK2 V617F mutation among donors with erythrocytosis

Siti Fatimah Mohamed Kamaruzzaman, Noor Haslina Mohd Noor, Shafini Mohd Yusoff, Wan Zaidah Abdullah, Mohd Nazri Hasan

Journal of Clinical and Health Sciences, 2018;3(2):19-25.
MyJurnal

Introduction: It is mandatory that every blood donor must have their haemoglobin (Hb) values measured before blood donation. High Hb may indicate an underlying hidden pathological condition. The aim of this study is to investigate the occurrence of the JAK2 V617F gene mutation in blood donors with erythrocytosis. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over a nine-month period involving blood donors with high pre-donation Hb. A total of 45 blood donors with total white cell (TWC) > 12.0x 109/l, platelet > 450x109/ l and Hb > 18g/dL were subjected to JAK2 V617F gene mutation analysis. Samples were collected and analysed for haematological tests and detection of JAK2 V617F mutation. Results: From a total of 2238 blood donors, 175 blood donors had high haemoglobin value. Samples from forty-five of these donors were then analysed for JAK2 V617F using allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The prevalence of blood donors with erythrocytosis was 7.8%. All samples were negative for the JAK2 V617F mutation. Conclusions: Erythrocytosis can be relative or absolute and the different causes can be distinguished on the basis of clinical signs and symptoms. An absence of the JAK2 V617F mutation cannot by itself excludes the diagnosis of polycyhaemia vera (PV) since erythrocytosis is the single clinical feature that sets PV apart from other types of myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN). Further study is required for the detection of other gene mutations that activates the JAK-STAT signalling pathway that could be identified in JAK2 V617F-negative MPN patients.

MeSH terms: Alleles; Blood Donors; Blood Platelets; Cross-Sectional Studies; Hematologic Tests; Hemoglobins; Humans; Mutation; Myeloproliferative Disorders; Neoplasms; Polycythemia; Prevalence; Polymerase Chain Reaction
Oral administration of Lactobacillus casei Shirota can ameliorate the adverse effect of an acute aflatoxin exposure in Sprague Dawley rats

Nikbakht E, Jamaluddin R, Redzwan SM, Khalesi S

Int J Vitam Nutr Res, 2018 Jun;88(3-4):199-208.
PMID: 31056010 DOI: 10.1024/0300-9831/a000513

Aflatoxin B1(AFB1) is a toxic compound commonly found in some crops with an adverse health effect on human and animals. Some beneficial microorganisms (or probiotics) such as lactic acid bacteria have shown the ability to reduce the bioavailability of aflatoxins and its intestinal absorption. However, the dose and duration of aflatoxins exposure and probiotic treatment can influence the ability of probiotics to remove aflatoxins. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the efficacy of oral probiotic Lactobacillus casei Shirota strain (LcS) induction in an acute exposure to AFB1 in rats. Experimentally, Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups: AFB1 only (n = 9); AFB1 treated with LcS (n = 9); and control (no AFB1 exposure) (n = 6) groups. The blood AFB1 level of rats treated with LcS was slightly lower than the untreated AFB1 induced rats (11.12 ± 0.71 vs 10.93 ± 0.69 ng g-1). Also, LcS treatment slightly moderated the liver and kidney biomarkers in AFB1 induced rats. However, a trend for a significant difference was only observed in ALT of AFB1 induced rats treated with LcS compared to their counterparts (126.11 ± 36.90 vs 157.36 ± 15.46, p = 0.06). Rats' body weight decreased in all animals force-fed with AFB1 with no significant difference between LcS treatment compared to the counterpart. In conclusion, this experiment indicated that probiotic LsC was able to slightly ameliorate the adverse effect of an acute exposure to AFB1 in rats. However, future studies with longer probiotics treatment or higher probiotics dose is required to confirm these findings.

MeSH terms: Administration, Oral; Animals; Humans; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Probiotics*; Rats
Fulltext Principlism and neonatology: utilising the principles of medical ethics in decision-making for neonates

Tan, Mark Kiak Min

Journal of Clinical and Health Sciences, 2018;3(2):5-12.
MyJurnal

Prematurity is the leading cause of infant mortality and one of the main reasons for newborn infants to be admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Advancements in medicine has made the NICU a maze of sophisticated modern technology and expensive to run. These advances in technology have also resulted in an added layer of complexity to many ethical dilemmas that are encountered in the NICU. In 1977, Beauchamp and Childress introduced the principles of biomedical ethics. These four principles of (1)respect for autonomy, (2)nonmaleficence, (3)beneficence and (4)justice, form a suitable starting point for the analysis of the moral challenges of medical innovation. This article explores how the four ethical principles relate to decision-making in the NICU, and how they can be applied to the treatment of sick newborn infants in clinical practice. It also highlights the reasons why healthcare personnel need to equip themselves with good communication skills and up to date knowledge of ethical considerations in the NICU in order to make quality decisions about care for their patients. This article also suggests that a Clinical Ethics Committee can play a vital role in ensuring that the best decisions are achieved for these patients.

MeSH terms: Bioethics; Child; Decision Making; Humans; Infant Mortality; Infant, Newborn; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; Social Justice; Beneficence; Moral Obligations; Ethics Committees, Clinical
Fulltext A rare and challenging case of pulmonary mycobacterium genavense in an immunocompetent adult

Nur ‘Aini Eddy Warman, Nurul Yaqeen Mohd Esa

Journal of Clinical and Health Sciences, 2018;3(1):47-50.
MyJurnal

Mycobacterium genavense, a non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM), usually affects patients severely immunodeficient from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or any other immunocompromised states. We reported a case in a 70-year-old female with well-controlled diabetes and history of proximal cystic bronchiectasis. She presented with 2 months history of cough, haemoptysis, and night sweats of which serial sputa were positive for acid-fast bacilli and the culture repeatedly grew M. genavense. Treatment with rifampicin, ofloxacin, and clarithromycin was complicated with drug-induced liver injury and intractable gastrointestinal side effects. We also presented a brief review of relevant literature.

MeSH terms: Aged; Bronchiectasis; Cough; Diabetes Mellitus; Female; Hemoptysis; Humans; Nontuberculous Mycobacteria; Rifampin; Sweat; Ofloxacin; HIV Infections; Immunocompromised Host; Clarithromycin
Fulltext Heavy metals contamination in paddy soil and water and associated dermal health risk among farmers

Siti Khairunnisaq Rudzi, Ho, Yu Bin, Intan Idayu Abd Kharni

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2018;14(102):2-10.
MyJurnal

Introduction: This study aims to quantify the concentrations of Cu, Cr, Zn, Ni, Pb, As and Cd in paddy soil and water and assess their potential dermal health risk to the farmers at Kampung Sawah Sempadan, Malaysia. Methods: 72 water samples and 72 soil samples were collected and analysed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). 117 respondents were interviewed using a questionnaire to obtain the exposure information for dermal health risk assessments. Results: All elements in water did not exceed the recommended concentration by Malaysia National Water Quality Standard (NWQS) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Nevertheless, the maxi- mum concentration of As (31.49 mg/kg) in paddy soil exceeded the Dutch Target Value for soil protection (29 mg/ kg). There was no significant chronic non-carcinogenic health risk for farmers working in the paddy soil and water (HQ

MeSH terms: Farmers; Agriculture; Food; Lead; Malaysia; Surveys and Questionnaires; Soil; Mass Spectrometry; Water; Zinc; Risk Assessment; Water Quality
Fulltext Migraine masquerading as temporomandibular disorders: a case report

Shoji Y, Cohen HV

Journal of Clinical and Health Sciences, 2018;3(1):43-46.
MyJurnal

Migraine is a common disabling primary headache disorder. Ipsilateral radiation of pain to orofacial regions, including teeth, jaws and temporomandibular joints, although not a common complaint, could occur. The area of involvement may obscure the diagnosis and lead to unnecessary dental treatment. A case is presented in which a patient initially sought dental care for left jaw pain that radiated to her left maxillary teeth and temple region and she was also experiencing discomfort in the left masticatory musculature. Subsequently a medical consult diagnosed migraine headache without aura and fortunately unnecessary dental treatment was not done. The key issue here is the complexity of the Trigeminal nerve when the dentist is assessing a patient for dental or other orofacial pain complaints and dental pathology has been ruled out. Equally as important is the dentist taking thorough medical history since a patient may not tell a dentist about a “headache” because the pain is in the teeth and/or jaws. And, perhaps most important is the final differential diagnosis whether made by the dentist or medical care provider.

MeSH terms: Female; Humans; Malaysia; Migraine Disorders; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders*; Young Adult
Fulltext Assessment of survival and cardiotoxicity of adjuvant trastuzumab among her2 breast cancer patients in an oncology centre in Malaysia

Harissa H. Hasbullah, Anita Bustamam, Tho, Lye Munn, Phua, Vincent

Journal of Clinical and Health Sciences, 2018;3(1):33-42.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Adjuvant trastuzumab has been used in human epidermal growth factor-2 (HER2) breast cancer to improve survival but with concern of cardiotoxicity. Our study is the first to review efficacy and toxicity of adjuvant trastuzumab in Malaysia. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study on HER2 non metastatic breast cancer patients in University Malaya Medical Centre diagnosed between October 2006 and May 2011. Two cohorts were created based on whether or not they received adjuvant trastuzumab. Disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) for both groups were estimated using Kaplan Meier method and compared using Log rank test. Cox proportional hazards regression models analysed for potential covariates of age, tumour size and grade, node and estrogen receptor (ER) status. Trastuzumab cardiotoxicity was defined as left ventricular systolic dysfunction or heart failure with or without symptoms and graded using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE 4.0). Results: 170 HER2 non metastatic breast cancer patients were identified. Thirty-three received trastuzumab and 136 did not. Median age was 53.4 ± 10.3 years old. Significantly more ER negative patients received trastuzumab. Four years DFS in ‘trastuzumab’ versus ‘no trastuzumab’ cohort was 90.9% vs 74.5% (p = 0.027). Four years OS was 91% vs 84.7% (p = 0.30) respectively. Majority tolerated trastuzumab with no toxicity. Five patients (15.2%) experienced cardiotoxicity (all grade I).Conclusions: Adjuvant trastuzumab significantly improved DFS in HER2 breast cancer. Treatment was well tolerated. With this we propose the justification for adjuvant trastuzumab in HER2 breast cancer in our population.
Fulltext Prevalence of coronary artery disease in young sudden death cases and correlation with post-mortem computed tomography calcium score

Omar, E., Faizuddin, R., Mansharan, K., Razuin, R., Mahmood, M.S., Nurliza, A., et al.

Journal of Clinical and Health Sciences, 2018;3(1):27-32.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Data on prevalence of coronary atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD) in young sudden death autopsy cases in Malaysia are still scarce. Calcium scoring (CS) on Computed Tomography (CT) was suggested to be predictive for CAD; however the reports have been conflicting. Objectives: to investigate (i) the prevalence of young CAD in sudden death cases in a Malaysian population; (ii) the association between CT CS and CAD in such cases and correlation with age. Methods: Sudden death cases received at the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, Kuala Lumpur between September 2012 and December 2013 were recruited. The cases were divided into young [≤40] and old [>40 years old] age groups. Presence of CAD was recorded during autopsy. Results: A total of 155 cases was included; 64.5% of the subjects were below 40 years old. CAD was the cause of death of 34 [21.9%] cases; of these, young individuals comprise 47.1% of cases [n=16; 10.3% of total cases, 16% of young sudden death cases]. Both young and old subjects with CAD had lower CS compared to those without CAD [p
Fulltext Determination of the optimum time for preparation of half-boiled eggs free from salmonella enterica serovar enteritidis

Mohamad Fithri Akmar Omar, Nurdiyana Syahirah Abdul Manaf, Siti Nurnajwa Nadhirah Mohd Sufian, Norsuhaida Zakaria, Nur Farhah Najwa Ayub, Siti Farah Alwani Mohd Nawi, et al.

Journal of Clinical and Health Sciences, 2018;3(1):16-19.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Consuming half-boiled eggs during breakfast is popular among Malaysians. The eggs are usually prepared by submerging them in freshly boiled water for about 20 minutes duration. As chickens have the likelihood of harbouring Salmonella enterica Serovar Enteritidis in their eggs, it is feared that consumption of half-boiled eggs contaminated with S. Enteritidis could lead to gastroenteritis. Hence, this study was carried out to determine the optimum time required for boiled water to kill S. Enteritidis in half-boiled eggs. Methods: Grade C chicken eggs (average weight 54.5 g) were obtained from a local sundry shop and were confirmed to be Salmonella-free prior to the experiment. Fifteen eggs that were previously spiked with 106 colony-forming units (CFU) of S. Enteritidis were completely submerged into freshly-boiled water (≈100ºC) for a maximum of 20 min. Positive controls consisted of eggs that were inoculated but were not treated. At every 5 min interval, three eggs were taken out and checked for presence of viable S. Enteritidis on MacConkey agar, and the respective water temperature was recorded. Results: Results of two independent trials showed that after 10 min of submerging the eggs in the hot water, there were an average of 3 log reductions in the CFU of S. Enteritidis but after 15 min, no viable S. Enteritidis was detected. Conclusion: A half-boiled egg should be prepared by submerging it in freshly boiled water for at least 15 min to ensure that it is safe to be consumed.
Fulltext The burden of mental illness: an emerging global disaster

Mohd Razali Salleh

Journal of Clinical and Health Sciences, 2018;3(1):5-12.
MyJurnal

The global burden of disease (GBD) has shifted from communicable to non-communicable diseases, and from premature death to years live with disabilities (YLDs) over the past 30 years. Mental and substance use disorders constitute a major component in the scenario of the global health with a significant impact on the global burden of disease, especially in the developing countries. The 1990 GBD study listed depression as the fourth common cause of global burden of disease; while lower respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases and conditions arising during perinatal period are top in the list. In GBD 2000 study depressive disorders climbed to the third place, however still behind lower respiratory infections and diarrheal diseases. The subsequent 2010 GBD study ranked depression in the second place of the global disability burden, and are also considered as a major contributor to the burden of suicide and ischaemic heart disease. The WHO predicted that depressive disorders will be the leading cause of global burden in 2030.

MeSH terms: Coronary Artery Disease; Depression; Depressive Disorder; Developing Countries; Disabled Persons; Respiratory Tract Infections; Suicide; Global Health; World Health Organization; Myocardial Ischemia; Substance-Related Disorders; Mortality, Premature; Global Burden of Disease
Fulltext Maurice KH Yap: academic, administrator, innovator in myopia research and public health

Woo GC

Clin Exp Optom, 2018 07;101(4):616-617.
PMID: 28714215 DOI: 10.1111/cxo.12569
MeSH terms: Administrative Personnel/history*; Hong Kong; Humans; Malaysia; Myopia/history*; Optometry/history*; Public Health/history*; Biomedical Research/history*; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century
Fulltext Olfactory language and abstraction across cultures

Majid A, Burenhult N, Stensmyr M, de Valk J, Hansson BS

Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci, 2018 08 05;373(1752).
PMID: 29915007 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2017.0139

Olfaction presents a particularly interesting arena to explore abstraction in language. Like other abstract domains, such as time, odours can be difficult to conceptualize. An odour cannot be seen or held, it can be difficult to locate in space, and for most people odours are difficult to verbalize. On the other hand, odours give rise to primary sensory experiences. Every time we inhale we are using olfaction to make sense of our environment. We present new experimental data from 30 Jahai hunter-gatherers from the Malay Peninsula and 30 matched Dutch participants from the Netherlands in an odour naming experiment. Participants smelled monomolecular odorants and named odours while reaction times, odour descriptors and facial expressions were measured. We show that while Dutch speakers relied on concrete descriptors, i.e. they referred to odour sources (e.g. smells like lemon), the Jahai used abstract vocabulary to name the same odours (e.g. musty). Despite this differential linguistic categorization, analysis of facial expressions showed that the two groups, nevertheless, had the same initial emotional reactions to odours. Critically, these cross-cultural data present a challenge for how to think about abstraction in language.This article is part of the theme issue 'Varieties of abstract concepts: development, use and representation in the brain'.

MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Concept Formation*; Female; Humans; Language*; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Netherlands; Odors*; Smell; Vocabulary; Young Adult
Fulltext A Systematic Review of the Prevalence of Atopic Diseases in Children on the Arabian Peninsula

Al-Herz W

Med Princ Pract, 2018;27(5):436-442.
PMID: 30149382 DOI: 10.1159/000493267

OBJECTIVES: To study the available data on the prevalence of atopic diseases and food allergy in children living on the Arabian Peninsula.
METHODS: A PubMed search for relevant published articles was conducted using the following search terms singly or in combination: "atopy," "atopic disease," "atopic disorder," "International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood," "ISAAC," "asthma," "allergic rhinitis," "eczema," and "food allergy" in combination with the names of countries of the Arabian Peninsula (Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Yemen). The search captured studies published up to December 2017.
RESULTS: A total of 8 publications reporting prevalence rates of any type of atopic disease in children in 7 countries of the Arabian Peninsula were retrieved. The prevalence of all atopic disorders was comparable between countries of the Arabian Peninsula. The overall prevalence of asthma ranged from 8 to 23%, while the reported prevalence of eczema ranged from 7.5 to 22.5%. There was great variation in the prevalence rates of rhinoconjunctivitis, which ranged from 6.3 to 30.5%. The prevalence of food allergy (8.1%) was reported for 1 country only, the United Arab Emirates.
CONCLUSIONS: The reported overall rates of atopic disease in countries of the Arabian Peninsula are comparable to those reported in other industrialized countries. This is probably related to the good economic status in the region, which is reflected in the living standards and lifestyle. Further, genetic factors, such as factors related to gene polymorphism, and the high rate of consanguinity in the region may contribute to the higher prevalence of atopic diseases.

MeSH terms: Asthma/genetics; Asthma/epidemiology*; Eczema/epidemiology*; Food Hypersensitivity/epidemiology*; Humans; Hypersensitivity/epidemiology; Middle East/epidemiology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Risk Factors; Prevalence; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Rhinitis, Allergic/epidemiology*
Fulltext Brain Beta-Catenin Signalling During Stress and Depression

Teo CH, Soga T, Parhar IS

Neurosignals, 2018 02 22;26(1):31-42.
PMID: 29490303 DOI: 10.1159/000487764

Beta-catenin is a protein with dual functions in the cell, playing a role in both adhesion between cells as well as gene transcription via the canonical Wnt signalling pathway. In the canonical Wnt signalling pathway, beta-catenin again plays multiple roles. In the embryonic stage, the regulation of beta-catenin levels activates genes that govern cell proliferation and differentiation. In an adult organism, beta-catenin continues to regulate the cell cycle - as a result over-expression of beta-catenin may lead to cancer. In the brain, dysfunctions in Wnt signalling related to beta-catenin levels may also cause various pathological conditions like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and depression. Beta-catenin can be influenced by stressful conditions and increases in glucocorticoid levels. In addition, beta-catenin can be regulated by neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. Fluctuations in beta-catenin in brain regions under duress have been associated with depressive-like behaviours. It is theorized that the change in behaviour can be attributed to the regulation of Dicer by beta-catenin. Dicer, a protein that produces micro-RNAs in the cell, is a target gene for beta-catenin. Amongst the micro-RNA that it produces are those involved in stress resilience. In this way, beta-catenin has taken its place in the well-studied biochemistry of stress and depression, and future research into this interesting protein may yet yield fruitful results in that field.

MeSH terms: Alzheimer Disease; Brain; Cell Cycle; Cell Differentiation; Depression; Dopamine; Glucocorticoids; Neoplasms; Parkinson Disease; Serotonin; Transcription, Genetic; Neurotransmitter Agents; MicroRNAs; Ribonuclease III; Cell Proliferation; beta Catenin; DEAD-box RNA Helicases

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