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Fulltext Consistent patterns of common species across tropical tree communities

Cooper DLM, Lewis SL, Sullivan MJP, Prado PI, Ter Steege H, Barbier N, et al.

Nature, 2024 Jan;625(7996):728-734.
PMID: 38200314 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06820-z

Trees structure the Earth's most biodiverse ecosystem, tropical forests. The vast number of tree species presents a formidable challenge to understanding these forests, including their response to environmental change, as very little is known about most tropical tree species. A focus on the common species may circumvent this challenge. Here we investigate abundance patterns of common tree species using inventory data on 1,003,805 trees with trunk diameters of at least 10 cm across 1,568 locations1-6 in closed-canopy, structurally intact old-growth tropical forests in Africa, Amazonia and Southeast Asia. We estimate that 2.2%, 2.2% and 2.3% of species comprise 50% of the tropical trees in these regions, respectively. Extrapolating across all closed-canopy tropical forests, we estimate that just 1,053 species comprise half of Earth's 800 billion tropical trees with trunk diameters of at least 10 cm. Despite differing biogeographic, climatic and anthropogenic histories7, we find notably consistent patterns of common species and species abundance distributions across the continents. This suggests that fundamental mechanisms of tree community assembly may apply to all tropical forests. Resampling analyses show that the most common species are likely to belong to a manageable list of known species, enabling targeted efforts to understand their ecology. Although they do not detract from the importance of rare species, our results open new opportunities to understand the world's most diverse forests, including modelling their response to environmental change, by focusing on the common species that constitute the majority of their trees.
The Invasive Plant Impatiens glandulifera Manipulates Microbial Associates of Competing Native Species

Ab Razak N, Gange AC, Sutton BC, Mansor A

Plants (Basel), 2023 Apr 04;12(7).
PMID: 37050178 DOI: 10.3390/plants12071552

Impatiens glandulifera or Himalayan balsam is one of the most invasive weeds across Europe and can seriously reduce native plant diversity. It often forms continuous monocultures along river banks, but the mechanisms of this arrested succession are largely unknown. Here, we investigated the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on balsam competitive ability with two native plant species, Plantago lanceolata and Holcus lanatus. We also studied how competition with Impatiens affects colonisation by foliar endophytes and mycorrhizas of two other co-occurring native species, Urtica dioica and Cirsium arvense. Mycorrhizal colonisation reduced balsam growth when the plants were grown singly, but appeared to have little effect when balsam experienced intra- or interspecific competition. Competition with balsam together with the addition of mycorrhizas had no effect on P. lanceolata biomass, suggesting that the fungi were beneficial to the latter, enabling it to compete effectively with balsam. However, this was not so with H. lanatus. Meanwhile, competition with Impatiens reduced endophyte numbers and mycorrhizal colonisation in U. dioica and C. arvense, leading to enhanced susceptibility of these plants to insect attack. Himalayan balsam is known to degrade soil fungal populations and can also reduce foliar beneficial fungi in neighbouring plants. This allows the plant to compete effectively with itself and other native species, thereby leading to the continuous monocultures.
Effects of processing and gamma radiation on mechanical properties and organic composition of frozen, freeze-dried and demineralised human cortical bone allograft

Mansor A, Ariffin AF, Yusof N, Mohd S, Ramalingam S, Md Saad AP, et al.

Cell Tissue Bank, 2023 Mar;24(1):25-35.
PMID: 35610332 DOI: 10.1007/s10561-022-10013-9

Bone processing and radiation were reported to influence mechanical properties of cortical bones due in part to structural changes and denaturation of collagen composition. This comparative study was to determine effects of bone processing on mechanical properties and organic composition, and to what extent the radiation damaging after each processing. Human femur cortical bones were processed by freezing, freeze-drying and demineralisation and then gamma irradiated at 5, 15, 20, 25 and 50 kGy. In the compression test, freeze drying significantly decreased the Young's Modulus by 15%, while demineralisation reduced further by 90% (P
Fulltext Deep-Freezing Temperatures During Irradiation Preserves the Compressive Strength of Human Cortical Bone Allografts: A Cadaver Study

Yang Harmony TC, Yusof N, Ramalingam S, Baharin R, Syahrom A, Mansor A

Clin Orthop Relat Res, 2022 Feb 01;480(2):407-418.
PMID: 34491235 DOI: 10.1097/CORR.0000000000001968

BACKGROUND: Gamma irradiation, which minimizes the risk of infectious disease transmission when human bone allograft is used, has been found to negatively affect its biomechanical properties. However, in those studies, the deep-freezing temperature during irradiation was not necessarily maintained during transportation and sterilization, which may have affected the findings. Prior reports have also suggested that controlled deep freezing may mitigate the detrimental effects of irradiation on the mechanical properties of bone allograft.
QUESTION/PURPOSE: Does a controlled deep-freezing temperature during irradiation help preserve the compressive mechanical properties of human femoral cortical bone allografts?
METHODS: Cortical bone cube samples, each measuring 64 mm3, were cut from the mid-diaphyseal midshaft of five fresh-frozen cadaver femurs (four male donors, mean [range] age at procurement 42 years [42 to 43]) and were allocated via block randomization into one of three experimental groups (with equal numbers of samples from each donor allocated into each group). Each experimental group consisted of 20 bone cube samples. Samples irradiated in dry ice were subjected to irradiation doses ranging from 26.7 kGy to 27.1 kGy (mean 26.9 kGy) at a deep-freezing temperature below -40°C (the recommended long-term storage temperature for allografts). Samples irradiated in gel ice underwent irradiation doses ranging from 26.2 kGy and 26.4 kGy (mean 26.3 kGy) in a freezing temperature range between -40°C and 0°C. Acting as controls, samples in a third group were not subjected to gamma irradiation. The mechanical properties (0.2% offset yield stress, ultimate compression stress, toughness, and the Young modulus) of samples from each group were subsequently evaluated via axial compression loading to failure along the long axis of the bone. The investigators were blinded to sample group during compression testing.
RESULTS: The mean ultimate compression stress (84 ± 27 MPa versus 119 ± 31 MPa, mean difference 35 [95% CI 9 to 60]; p = 0.005) and toughness (3622 ± 1720 kJ/m3 versus 5854 ± 2900 kJ/m3, mean difference 2232 [95% CI 70 to 4394]; p = 0.009) of samples irradiated at a higher temperature range (-40°C to 0°C) were lower than in those irradiated at deep-freezing temperatures (below -40°C). The mean 0.2% offset yield stress (73 ± 28 MPa versus 109 ± 38 MPa, mean difference 36 [95% CI 11 to 60]; p = 0.002) and ultimate compression stress (84 ± 27 MPa versus 128 ± 40 MPa, mean difference 44 [95% CI 17 to 69]; p < 0.001) of samples irradiated at a higher temperature range (-40°C to 0°C) were lower than the nonirradiated control group samples. The mean 0.2% offset yield stress (73 ± 28 MPa versus 101 ± 28 MPa, mean difference 28 [95% CI 3 to 52]; p = 0.02; effect size = 1.0 [95% CI 0.8 to 1.2]) of samples irradiated at higher temperature range (-40°C to 0°C) were no different with the numbers available to those irradiated at deep-freezing temperature. The mean toughness (3622 ± 1720 kJ/m3 versus 6231 ± 3410 kJ/m3, mean difference 2609 [95% CI 447 to 4771]; p = 0.02; effect size = 1.0 [95% CI 0.8 to 1.2]) of samples irradiated at higher temperature range (-40°C to 0°C) were no different with the numbers available to the non-irradiated control group samples. The mean 0.2% offset yield stress, ultimate compression stress, and toughness of samples irradiated in deep-freezing temperatures (below -40°C) were not different with the numbers available to the non-irradiated control group samples. The Young modulus was not different with the numbers available among the three groups.
CONCLUSION: In this study, maintenance of a deep-freezing temperature below -40°C, using dry ice as a cooling agent, consistently mitigated the adverse effects of irradiation on the monotonic-compression mechanical properties of human cortical bone tissue. Preserving the mechanical properties of a cortical allograft, when irradiated in a deep-freezing temperature, may have resulted from attenuation of the deleterious, indirect effects of gamma radiation on its collagen architecture in a frozen state. Immobilization of water molecules in this state prevents radiolysis and the subsequent generation of free radicals. This hypothesis was supported by an apparent loss of the protective effect when a range of higher freezing temperatures was used during irradiation.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Deep-freezing temperatures below -40°C during gamma irradiation may be a promising approach to better retain the native mechanical properties of cortical bone allografts. A further study of the effect of deep-freezing during gamma radiation sterilization on sterility and other important biomechanical properties of cortical bone (such as, tensile strength, fracture toughness, and fatigue) is needed to confirm these findings.
Fulltext Cadaveric Bone Donation amid COVID-19 Pandemic: An Unstoppable Chronicle in Uncharted Waters

Mansor A, Ramalingam S, Yusof N

Malays Orthop J, 2021 Nov;15(3):155-156.
PMID: 34966515 DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.2111.028
Fulltext Molecular Phylogeny of Endophytic Fungi from Rattan (Calamus castaneus Griff.) Spines and Their Antagonistic Activities against Plant Pathogenic Fungi

Azuddin NF, Mohd MH, Rosely NFN, Mansor A, Zakaria L

J Fungi (Basel), 2021 Apr 15;7(4).
PMID: 33920922 DOI: 10.3390/jof7040301

Calamus castaneus is a common rattan palm species in the tropical forests of Peninsular Malaysia and is noticeable by the yellow-based spines that cover the stems. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of fungal endophytes within C. castaneus spines and whether they inhibit the growth of fungal pathogens. Twenty-one genera with 40 species of fungal endophytes were isolated and identified from rattan palm spines. Based on molecular identification, the most common isolates recovered from the spines were Colletotrichum (n = 19) and Diaporthe spp. (n = 18), followed by Phyllosticta spp., Xylaria sp., Trichoderma spp., Helminthosporium spp., Penicillium spp., Fusarium spp., Neopestalotiopsis spp., Arthrinium sp., Cyphellophora sp., Cladosporium spp., Curvularia sp., Bionectria sp., and Acremonium spp. Non-sporulating fungi were also identified, namely Nemania primolutea, Pidoplitchkoviella terricola, Muyocopron laterale, Acrocalymma fici, Acrocalymma medicaginis, and Endomelanconiopsis endophytica. The isolation of these endophytes showed that the spines harbor endophytic fungi. Most of the fungal endophytes inhibited the growth of several plant pathogenic fungi, with 68% of the interactions resulting in mutual inhibition, producing a clear inhibition zone of <2 mm. Our findings demonstrate the potential of the fungal endophytes from C. castaneus spines as biocontrol agents.
Fulltext Rattan spines as deterrence? A spinescence study on different species of rattans

Liu K, Mansor A, Ruppert N, Fadzly N

Plant Signal Behav, 2020 10 02;15(10):1795393.
PMID: 32693670 DOI: 10.1080/15592324.2020.1795393

Rattan spines are most often regarded as an identification trait and perhaps as a physical protection structure. In this study, we study the spinescence traits from five different species rattan: Daemonorops lewisiana, Daemonorops geniculata, Calamus castaneus, Plectomia griffithii, and Korthalsia scortechinii. We tested length, width, angle, strength, spine density, cross-section surface, spine color, and leaf trichomes (only for D. lewisiana, C. castaneus and D. geniculata). We also tested whether the spines were capable of deterring small climbing mammals (for Plectomia griffithii and Calamus castaneus) by using a choice selection experiment. Due to a variety of spine traits, we could not categorize whether any species is more or less spinescent than the others. We suggest that spines have a much more significant role than merely as a physical defense and work together with other rattan characteristics. This is also evidenced by our choice selection experiment, in which the spines on a single stem donot deter small climbing mammals. However, this is a work in progress, and we have outlined several alternative methods to be used in future work.
Fulltext Injury Incidence, Patterns, and Risk Factors in Functional Training Athletes in an Asian Population

Cheng TTJ, Mansor A, Lim YZ, Hossain Parash MT

Orthop J Sports Med, 2020 Oct;8(10):2325967120957412.
PMID: 33195710 DOI: 10.1177/2325967120957412

Background: Functional training, also known as CrossFit, is a unique sport that combines weightlifting, gymnastics, and metabolic conditioning into a single program. There are an estimated 50 functional training centers in Malaysia.
Purpose: To analyze the injury rates, patterns, and risk factors of functional training/CrossFit.
Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study.
Methods: Electronic questionnaires were distributed to 244 participants from 15 centers in the country. Descriptive data regarding the athletes, injury occurrence within the past 6 months, injury details, and risk factors were collected.
Results: Of the 244 athletes, 112 (46%) developed at least 1 new injury over the previous 6 months. Injury rates were significantly higher in athletes from nonaffiliate training gyms compared with CrossFit-affiliated gyms, in athletes with previous injuries, and in those who perceived themselves as having more than average fitness.
Conclusion: Coaches and athletes need to be more aware of risk factors for injury to enable safer and better training strategies.
Does bone marrow aspirate help enhance the integration of gamma irradiated allograft bone?

Thong FY, Mansor A, Ramalingam S, Yusof N

Cell Tissue Bank, 2020 Mar;21(1):107-117.
PMID: 31894432 DOI: 10.1007/s10561-019-09804-4

Bone allografts donated by other individuals offer a viable alternative to autograft. Risks of disease transmission are overcome by sterilizing the bone; unfortunately sterilization methods generally affect bone functional properties including osteogenic potential and biomechanical integrity. This study aimed to determine any enhancement effect when gamma sterilised allografts was impregnated with autologous bone marrow in improving the rate and quality of integration in metaphyseal-tibial defects of rabbits. Almost all subjects showed 50% of the defect being covered by new bones by the third week and smaller residual defect size in the treated group at the fifth week. Hounsfield units at the defect site showed increasing healing in all samples, with the treated group having an apparent advantage although insignificant (p > 0.05). In the histopathological score evaluating healing over cortical and cancellous bone at the fracture site showed only slight variations between the groups (p > 0.05). Therefore no enhanced healing by the autologous bone marrow was observed when added to the bone allografts in treating the unicortical defects.
Verifying measurements of residual calcium content in demineralised cortical bone

Ariffin AF, Yusof N, Mohd S, Rahman SA, Ramalingam S, Mansor A, et al.

Cell Tissue Bank, 2019 Dec;20(4):527-534.
PMID: 31456097 DOI: 10.1007/s10561-019-09785-4

Calcium contents of demineralised human cortical bone determined by titrimetric assay and atomic absorption spectrophotometry technique were verified by comparing to neutron activation analysis which has high recovery of more than 90%. Conversion factors determined from the comparison is necessary to correct the calcium content for each technique. Femurs from cadaveric donors were cut into cortical rings and demineralised in 0.5 M hydrochloric acid for varying immersion times. Initial calcium content in the cortical bone measured by titration was 4.57%, only 21% of the measurement by neutron activation analysis; while measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer was 13.4%, only 61% of neutron activation analysis. By comparing more readings with the measurements by neutron activation analysis with 93% recovery, a conversion factor of 4.83 was verified and applied for the readings by titration and 1.45 for atomic absorption spectrophotometer in calculating the correct calcium contents. The residual calcium content started to reduce after the cortical bone was demineralised in hydrochloric acid for 8 h and reduced to 13% after 24 h. Using the linear relationship, the residual calcium content could be reduced to less than 8% after immersion in hydrochloric acid for 40 h. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry technique is the method of choice for calcium content determination as it is more reliable compared to titrimetric assay.
Macaques can contribute to greener practices in oil palm plantations when used as biological pest control

Holzner A, Ruppert N, Swat F, Schmidt M, Weiß BM, Villa G, et al.

Curr Biol, 2019 10 21;29(20):R1066-R1067.
PMID: 31639346 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2019.09.011

Conversion of tropical forests into oil palm plantations reduces the habitats of many species, including primates, and frequently leads to human-wildlife conflicts. Contrary to the widespread belief that macaques foraging in the forest-oil palm matrix are detrimental crop pests, we show that the impact of macaques on oil palm yield is minor. More importantly, our data suggest that wild macaques have the potential to act as biological pest control by feeding on plantation rats, the major pest for oil palm crops, with each macaque group estimated to reduce rat populations by about 3,000 individuals per year (mitigating annual losses of 112 USD per hectare). If used for rodent control in place of the conventional method of poison, macaques could provide an important ecosystem service and enhance palm oil sustainability.
Fulltext Improving knowledge of doctors and paramedics through effective bone procurement workshop: A cognitive approach

Mohd S, Yusof N, Lai LL, Hossain MG, Ramalingam S, Hamid SSA, et al.

BMC Med Educ, 2019 Jul 01;19(1):238.
PMID: 31262281 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-019-1685-9

BACKGROUND: Procurement of bone allograft must be performed by trained personnel. Improper handling and lack of knowledge during bone procurement will lead to contamination hence jeopardizing quality of the procured bones and expose bone recipients to risks of infection in post-operative phase. Bone procurement workshop is the fundamental training programme to enhance skill among personnel who has been or will be involved in bone procurement. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the workshop contents including teaching materials by assessing the knowledge on bone procurement among the participants before and after the workshop.
METHODS: Bone procurement workshop was held for 2 days for doctors and paramedics. The knowledge on bone procurement was evaluated in pre- and post-assessments by answering self administration questionnaire before and after the workshop, respectively.
RESULTS: A total of 50 participants comprised of doctors and paramedics attended the workshop however only 15 (55.6%) doctors and 12 (44.4%) paramedics completed the assessments. Overall, the mean total score for the post-assessment (61.4%) was significantly higher (p
Fulltext Rattan litter-collecting structures attract nest-building and defending ants

Liu K, Mansor A, Ruppert N, Lee CY, Azman NM, Fadzly N

Plant Signal Behav, 2019;14(8):1621245.
PMID: 31132922 DOI: 10.1080/15592324.2019.1621245

Rattan is an important climbing palm taxon in Malaysian tropical rain forests. Many rattan species have unique structures directly associated with certain ant species. In this study, four rattan species (Daemonorops lewisiana, Calamus castaneus, Daemonorops geniculata and Korthalsia scortechinii) were inspected and documented in a field survey concerning their relationships with several ant species. We noticed that two rattan species (D. lewisiana and C. castaneus) were more likely to be associated with ants compared to their neighbouring rattan (Plectomia griffithii). However, D. lewisiana and C. castaneus did not directly provide shelters for ant colonies, but possessed unique structures: upward-pointing spines and funnel-shaped leaves, which are equipped to collect more litter than P. griffithii. To test our litter collecting hypothesis, we measured the inclination of spines from the stem. Our results showed the presence of ant colonies in the litter-collecting rattans (D. lewisiana and C. castaneus), which was significantly higher compared to a non-litter-collecting rattan (P. griffithii). We propose a complex and novel type of adaptation (litter-collection and provision of nesting materials) for rattans, which promotes interactions between the rattan and ants through the arrangements of leaves, leaflets, and spines. In return, the rattan may benefit from ants' services, such as protection, nutrient enhancement, and pollination.
Fulltext Establishing freeze drying process for cortical and cancellous bone allograft cubes

Ariffin, A.A., Chan, H.H., Yusof, N., Mohd, S., Ng, W.M., Mansor A.

JUMMEC, 2019;22(1):66-71.
MyJurnal

Freeze drying is a dehydration method to dry bone under freezing environment, enabling removal of water
with no or minimial effects on bone strength and durability. Larger size bones obviously require longer freeze
drying time to reduce water content to the required level for long term storage at room temperature. For small
size bone cubes or chips, it is a normal practice to pool cortical and cancellous bones for freeze drying. The
study was aimed at determining if different type of bones of the same size influence the drying time. Human
bone cubes of 10 mm x 10 mm x 10 mm were prepared from cortical bone of tibiae and cancellous bone from
femoral heads. The bone cubes were freeze dried to reduce water content to less than 6%. Moisture content
was monitored using gravimetric method.Weight and density of cortical bone were significantly higher than
cancellous bone despite of having similar small size (p
Fulltext The physicochemical and biomechanical profile of forsterite and its osteogenic potential of mesenchymal stromal cells

Krishnamurithy G, Mohan S, Yahya NA, Mansor A, Murali MR, Raghavendran HRB, et al.

PLoS One, 2019;14(3):e0214212.
PMID: 30917166 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214212

It has been demonstrated that nanocrystalline forsterite powder synthesised using urea as a fuel in sol-gel combustion method had produced a pure forsterite (FU) and possessed superior bioactive characteristics such as bone apatite formation and antibacterial properties. In the present study, 3D-scaffold was fabricated using nanocrystalline forsterite powder in polymer sponge method. The FU scaffold was used in investigating the physicochemical, biomechanics, cell attachment, in vitro biocompatibility and osteogenic differentiation properties. For physicochemical characterisation, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoemission spectrometer (XPS) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) were used. FTIR, EDX, XRD peaks and Raman spectroscopy demonstrated correlating to FU. The XPS confirmed the surface chemistry associating to FU. The BET revealed FU scaffold surface area of 12.67 m2/g and total pore size of 0.03 cm3/g. Compressive strength of the FU scaffold was found to be 27.18 ± 13.4 MPa. The human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hBMSCs) characterisation prior to perform seeding on FU scaffold verified the stromal cell phenotypic and lineage commitments. SEM, confocal images and presto blue viability assay suggested good cell attachment and proliferation of hBMSCs on FU scaffold and comparable to a commercial bone substitutes (cBS). Osteogenic proteins and gene expression from day 7 onward indicated FU scaffold had a significant osteogenic potential (p<0.05), when compared with day 1 as well as between FU and cBS. These findings suggest that FU scaffold has a greater potential for use in orthopaedic and/or orthodontic applications.
Quantifying the ultrastructure changes of air-dried and irradiated human amniotic membrane using atomic force microscopy: a preliminary study

Mohd S, Ghazali MI, Yusof N, Sulaiman S, Ramalingam S, Kamarul T, et al.

Cell Tissue Bank, 2018 Dec;19(4):613-622.
PMID: 30056604 DOI: 10.1007/s10561-018-9711-4

Air-dried and sterilized amnion has been widely used as a dressing to treat burn and partial thickness wounds. Sterilisation at the standard dose of 25 kGy was reported to cause changes in the morphological structure as observed under the scanning electron microscope. This study aimed to quantify the changes in the ultrastructure of the air-dried amnion after gamma-irradiated at several doses by using atomic force microscope. Human placentae were retrieved from mothers who had undergone cesarean elective surgery. Amnion separated from chorion was processed and air-dried for 16 h. It was cut into 10 × 10 mm, individually packed and exposed to gamma irradiation at 5, 15, 25 and 35 kGy. Changes in the ultrastructural images of the amnion were quantified in term of diameter of the epithelial cells, size of the intercellular gap and membrane surface roughness. The longest diameter of the amnion cells reduced significantly after radiation (p
Performance of cooling materials and their composites in maintaining freezing temperature during irradiation and transportation of bone allografts

Ramalingam S, Samsuddin SM, Yusof N, Mohd S, Hanafi NN, Min NW, et al.

J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong), 2018 4 27;26(2):2309499018770906.
PMID: 29695196 DOI: 10.1177/2309499018770906

PURPOSE: Bone allografts supplied by University Malaya Medical Centre Bone Bank are sterilized by gamma radiation at 25 kGy in dry ice (DI) to minimize radiation effects. Use of cheaper and easily available cooling materials, gel ice (GI) and ice pack (IP), was explored. Composites of DI and GI were also studied for the use in routine transportations and radiation process.
METHODS: (a) Five dummy bones were packed with DI, GI, or IP in a polystyrene box. The bone temperatures were monitored while the boxes were placed at room temperature over 96 h. Durations for each cooling material maintaining freezing temperatures below -40°C, -20°C, and 0°C were obtained from the bone temperature over time profiles. (b) Composites of DI (20, 15, 10, 5, and 0 kg) and GI were used to pack five dummy bones in a polystyrene box. The durations maintaining varying levels of freezing temperature were compared.
RESULTS: DI (20 kg) maintained temperature below -40°C for 76.4 h as compared to 6.3 h in GI (20 bags) and 4.0 h in IP (15 packs). Composites of 15DI (15 kg DI and 9 GI bags) and 10DI (10 kg DI and 17 GI bags) maintained the temperature below -40°C for 61 and 35.5 h, respectively.
CONCLUSION: Composites of DI and GI can be used to maintain bones in deep frozen state during irradiation, thus avoiding radiation effects on biomechanical properties. Sterile frozen bone allograft with preserved functional properties is required in clinical applications.
Fulltext Phylogenetic classification of the world's tropical forests

Slik JWF, Franklin J, Arroyo-Rodríguez V, Field R, Aguilar S, Aguirre N, et al.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2018 02 20;115(8):1837-1842.
PMID: 29432167 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1714977115

Knowledge about the biogeographic affinities of the world's tropical forests helps to better understand regional differences in forest structure, diversity, composition, and dynamics. Such understanding will enable anticipation of region-specific responses to global environmental change. Modern phylogenies, in combination with broad coverage of species inventory data, now allow for global biogeographic analyses that take species evolutionary distance into account. Here we present a classification of the world's tropical forests based on their phylogenetic similarity. We identify five principal floristic regions and their floristic relationships: (i) Indo-Pacific, (ii) Subtropical, (iii) African, (iv) American, and (v) Dry forests. Our results do not support the traditional neo- versus paleotropical forest division but instead separate the combined American and African forests from their Indo-Pacific counterparts. We also find indications for the existence of a global dry forest region, with representatives in America, Africa, Madagascar, and India. Additionally, a northern-hemisphere Subtropical forest region was identified with representatives in Asia and America, providing support for a link between Asian and American northern-hemisphere forests.
Replantation and revascularization of amputated upper limb appendages outcome and predicting the factors influencing the success rates of these procedures in a tertiary hospital: An 8-year retrospective, cross-sectional study

Kamarul T, Mansor A, Robson N, Albusaidi SH, Suhaeb AM, Samsudin EZ

J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong), 2018 1 13;26(1):2309499017749983.
PMID: 29320962 DOI: 10.1177/2309499017749983

PURPOSE: Worldwide advances in microsurgery have made salvaging of amputated hand via replantation and revascularization common procedures. The present study examines the outcome of these procedures in a tertiary hospital in Malaysia.
METHODS: Patients with hand amputation who underwent replantation or revascularization from 2005 to 2012 were identified and reviewed for patient characteristics, amputation characteristics and survival rates. Successfully treated patients were interviewed to assess the functional outcome using Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (Quick-DASH) questionnaire and Michigan Hand Outcome Questionnaire (MHQ). Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate outcome and elicit predictive factors.
RESULTS: Fifty-five patients were enrolled: 37 (67.3%) underwent replantation and 18 (32.7%) underwent revascularization. The overall success rate of 78% ( n = 43) was within the range of previously reported data (61.6% to 96.0%). Ischaemic time <6 h provided significantly better survival rates ( p < 0.05). Functional outcomes were successfully assessed in 34 patients (79%), at a mean follow-up of 40 months (range 11-93 months). The overall Quick-DASH and MHQ scores were 42.82 ± 23.69 and 60.94 ± 12.82, respectively. No previous reports of functional outcome were available for comparison. Both Quick-DASH ( p = 0.001) and MHQ scores ( p < 0.001) were significantly higher for finger injuries, followed by thumb, wrist and palm injuries.
CONCLUSION: Ischaemic time and level of injury are important predictors of success rate of replantation and revascularization of amputated upper limb appendages.
Fulltext The dual defensive strategy of Amorphophallus throughout its ontogeny

Liu K, Fadzly N, Mansor A, Zakaria R, Ruppert N, Lee CY

Plant Signal Behav, 2017 Oct 03;12(10):e1371890.
PMID: 28841358 DOI: 10.1080/15592324.2017.1371890

Amorphophallus bufo is a rarely studied plant in Malaysian tropical rainforests. We measured the spectral reflectance of different developmental stages of A. bufo (seedlings, juveniles and adults), background soil/ debris and leaves from other neighboring plant species. Results show that the leaves of A. bufo seedling have a similar reflectance curve as the background soil and debris. Adults and juveniles of A. bufo are similar to other neighboring plants' leaf colors. We hypothesize that the cryptic coloration of A. bufo seedlings plays an important role in camouflage and that the numerous black spots on the surface of the petioles and rachises, may serve as a defensive mimicry against herbivores.

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