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Fulltext Primary plasma cell leukaemia in a 39-year-old man

Kasinathan G

BMJ Case Rep, 2020 Jul 23;13(7).
PMID: 32709663 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2020-235543

Plasma cell leukaemia (PCL) is an aggressive haematological malignancy which is classified into primary (pPCL) and secondary PCL. A 39-year-old Indian man presented to the Department of Hematology with a 2-week history of fever and lethargy. Clinically, he was pale and febrile. Haemogram revealed bicytopenia with leucocytosis. The peripheral blood film portrayed rouleax formation with 45% of circulating plasma cells. Serum protein electrophoresis and immunofixation revealed IgG lambda paraproteinaemia of 48 g/L. Bone marrow aspirate, flow cytometry and trephine were consistent with IgG lambda pPCL. He was treated with six cycles of bortezomib, thalidomide and dexamethasone combination chemotherapy followed by high-dose melphalan conditioning and autologous stem cell transplant. Currently, he is in complete remission for the past 18 months and is on oral lenalidomide maintenance therapy. Prognosis is often dismal in pPCL with the median overall survival below 1 year if treatment is delayed.

Matched MeSH terms: Maintenance
Fulltext Agarwood branch ethanolic extract: optimal extraction process conditions and cytotoxic effects

Phirdaous Abbas, Yumi Zuhanis Has-Yun Hashim, Hamzah Mohd Salleh, Saripah Salbiah Syed Abdul Azzizz

Biological and Natural Resources Engineering Journal, 2020;3(2):7-26.
MyJurnal

Uninfected agarwood branch is readily available as raw material in agarwood plantation as new practices of agarwood plantation scheme were opted as substitute to the endangered wild type agarwood. The uninfected branch can be easily obtained during pruning process (one of plantation’s common maintenance procedure), throughout the years before inoculation stage. This current study aimed to investigate the optimal extraction process conditions of agarwood branch using ethanol as solvent system for maximal yield, and assess its cytotoxic effects towards MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Uninfected branch of Aquilaria subintegra was subjected to One Factor at a Time (OFAT) and Response Surface Methodology (RSM)-guided ethanolic extraction to achieve maximal yield. The extract was then subjected to cytotoxicity, cell attachment and cell viability assays, respectively. Optimization Run 2 (temperature 45 °C, solid-liquid ratio of 1:30, 16 hours maceration) gave the highest agarwood branch ethanolic extract (ABEE) yield of 44.70 ± 18.9 mg/g dried material (DM). Meanwhile Run 7 (temperature 45 °C, solid-liquid ratio of 1:10, 16 hours of maceration) gave the lowest yield (19.34 ± 14.1 mg/g DM). However, while maintaining the 16 hour-maceration, the model predicted a slightly lower yield of 30.232 ± 0.266 mg/g DM of ABEE with process conditions of 45 °C and solid-liquid ratio of 1:19 when the desirable parameters were factored in namely using (ⅰ) the most suitable temperature (that does not risk the bioactivities of the extract), and (ⅱ) an economical volume of solvent. Crude ABEE obtained from the optimal process conditions resulted in cytotoxicity effects on MCF-7 breast cancer cells with IC50 estimate of 3.645 ± 0.099 μg/mL. The extract also affected MCF-7 cell attachment and viability with altered morphology. More work to elucidate the mechanism of actions of the extract are warranted; which could further lead to development of breast cancer natural product-based therapeutics.

Matched MeSH terms: Maintenance
Fulltext Isolation of Antidiabetic Withanolides from Withania coagulans Dunal and Their In Vitro and In Silico Validation

Maher S, Choudhary MI, Saleem F, Rasheed S, Waheed I, Halim SA, et al.

Biology (Basel), 2020 Jul 30;9(8).
PMID: 32751610 DOI: 10.3390/biology9080197

Withania coagulans (W. coagulans) is well-known in herbal medicinal systems for its high biological potential. Different parts of the plant are used against insomnia, liver complications, asthma, and biliousness, as well as it is reported to be sedative, emetic, diuretic, antidiabetic antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, hepatoprotective, antihyperglycemic, cardiovascular, immuno-suppressive and central nervous system depressant. Withanolides present in W. coagulans have attracted an immense interest in the scientific field due to their diverse therapeutic applications. The current study deals with chemical and biological evaluation of chloroform, and n-butanol fractions of W. coagulans. The activity-guided fractionation of both extracts via multiple chromatographic steps and structure elucidation of pure isolates using spectroscopies (NMR, mass spectrometry, FTIR and UV-Vis) led to the identification of a new withanolide glycoside, withacogulanoside-B (1) from n-butanol extract and five known withanolides from chloroform extract [withanolid J (2), coagulin E (3), withaperuvin C (4), 27-hydroxywithanolide I (5), and ajugin E (6)]. Among the tested compounds, compound 5 was the most potent α-glucosidase inhibitor with IC50 = 66.7 ± 3.6 µM, followed by compound 4 (IC50: 407 ± 4.5 µM) and compound 2 (IC50: 683 ± 0.94 µM), while no antiglycation activity was observed with the six isolated compounds. Molecular docking was used to predict the binding potential and binding site interactions of these compounds as α-glucosidase inhibitors. Consequently, this study provides basis to discover specific antidiabetic compounds from W. coagulans.

Matched MeSH terms: Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
Fulltext Recommendations on otorhinolaryngology procedural-based services during covid-19 pandemic

Sobani Din, Fadzilah Ismail, Teh, Carren Sui Lin, Raudha Ezaty Ruslan, Shiraz Qamil Muhammad Abdul Kadar, Azuin Izzati Arshad

Borneo Journal of Medical Sciences, 2021;15(1):67-71.
MyJurnal

The current COVID-19 pandemic has forced many clinical disciplines to evolve to function safely and still provide the necessary care. Otorhinolaryngology (ORL) is a field that has been greatly affected by this highly transmissible viral pathogen. Aerosolizing procedures, proximity examination and other common procedures must be revamped to suit current time. The usual norm ORL procedures need also be altered to incorporate safeguards to protect both patient and healthcare workers. This recommendation for current practices aims to give a practical approach to modify current practices to maintain safety during the pandemic. These recommendations are the consensus amongst ORL practitioners in Hospital Sungai Buloh which is the designated COVID-19 centre for Malaysia’s central region and is currently being practised.

Matched MeSH terms: Maintenance
Fulltext Investigation of Deacetylation Treatment at Different Temperature for Chitosan Extraction from Shrimp Shell Waste

William, W., Newati Wid

Borneo Journal of Medical Sciences, 2018;12(101):65-0.
MyJurnal

Disposal of shrimp shell waste is gradually increasing throughout the years due to the constant growing of cultured shrimp production at the local area which in turn increases the bio-waste of shrimp shell. Shrimp shell waste contains valuable components such as protein and chitin. Chitin can be found at the outer surface of shrimp shell, while chitosan can be derived from chitin. Chitosan is a valuable natural polymer as it holds major potentials for industrial applications. However, the poor quality of chitosan has restricted its potential in applications and this is due to the difficulties in maintaining its degree of deacetylation, solubility, and ash content. Hence, several factors such as the temperature for deacetylation treatment, concentration of alkaline solution, ratio of chitin to alkaline solution, and few other factors are important to produce a good quality of chitosan.

Matched MeSH terms: Maintenance
Fulltext Asymptomatic Lymphocytic Interstitial Pneumonia with Extensive HRCT Changes Preceding Sjogren's Syndrome

Baharuddin H, Hanafiah M, Aflah SSS, Zim MAM, Ch'Ng SS

Case Rep Pulmonol, 2021;2021:6693031.
PMID: 33505755 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6693031

Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia (LIP) is a rare condition, commonly associated with Sjogren's syndrome (SS). We report a 53-year-old woman with an incidental finding of an abnormal chest radiograph. LIP was diagnosed based on high-resolution computed tomography and lung biopsy, but treatment was not initiated. Six years later, she developed cough and dyspnoea, associated with dry eyes, dry mouth, and arthralgia. While being investigated for the respiratory symptoms, she developed cutaneous vasculitis and was treated with 1 mg/kg prednisolone, which resulted in the improvement of her respiratory symptoms. Physical examination revealed fine bibasal crepitations, active vasculitic skin lesions, and a positive Schirmer's test. Investigations revealed a restrictive pattern in the pulmonary function test, stable LIP pattern in HRCT, and positive anti-Ro antibodies. She was treated with prednisolone and azathioprine for 18 months, and within this time, she was hospitalised for flare of LIP, as well as respiratory tract infection on three occasions. During the third flare, when she also developed cutaneous vasculitis, she agreed for prednisolone but refused other second-line agents. To date, she remained well with the maintenance of prednisolone 2.5 mg monotherapy for more than one year. The lessons from this case are (i) patients with LIP can be asymptomatic, (ii) LIP can precede symptoms of SS, and (iii) treatment decision for asymptomatic patients with abnormal imaging or patients with mild severity should be weighed between the risk of immunosuppression and risk of active disease.

Matched MeSH terms: Maintenance
A synergistic heterostructured ZnO/BaTiO3 loaded carbon photoanode in photocatalytic fuel cell for degradation of Reactive Red 120 and electricity generation

Ong YP, Ho LN, Ong SA, Banjuraizah J, Ibrahim AH, Lee SL, et al.

Chemosphere, 2019 Mar;219:277-285.
PMID: 30543963 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.12.004

Photocatalytic fuel cell (PFC) is considered as a sustainable green technology which could degrade organic pollutant and generate electricity simultaneously. A synergistic double-sided ZnO/BaTiO3 loaded carbon plate heterojunction photoanode was fabricated in different ratios by using simple ultrasonication and mixed-annealed method. The double-sided design of photoanode allowed the lights irradiated at both sides of the photoanode. The ferroelectricity fabricated photoanode was applied in a membraneless PFC with platinum-loaded carbon as the cathode. Results revealed that the photoanode with 1:1 ratio of BaTiO3 and ZnO exhibited a superior photocatalytic activity among all the photoanodes prepared in this study. The heterojunction of this photoanode was able to achieve up to a removal efficiency of 93.67% with a maximum power density of 0.5284 μW cm-2 in 10 mg L-1 of Reactive Red 120 (RR120) without any supporting electrolyte. This photoanode was able to maintain at high performance after recycling 3 times. Overloading of ZnO above 50% on BaTiO3 could lead to deterioration of the performance of PFC due to the charge defects and light trapping ability. The interactions, interesting polarizations of the photocatalysts and proposed mechanism of the n-n type heterojunction in the photoanode of ZnO/BaTiO3 was also discussed.

Matched MeSH terms: Maintenance
Fulltext Therapeutic roles of natural remedies in combating hereditary ataxia: A systematic review

Phang MWL, Lew SY, Chung I, Lim WK, Lim LW, Wong KH

Chin Med, 2021 Jan 28;16(1):15.
PMID: 33509239 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-020-00414-x

BACKGROUND: Hereditary ataxia (HA) represents a group of genetically heterogeneous neurodegenerative diseases caused by dysfunction of the cerebellum or disruption of the connection between the cerebellum and other areas of the central nervous system. Phenotypic manifestation of HA includes unsteadiness of stance and gait, dysarthria, nystagmus, dysmetria and complaints of clumsiness. There are no specific treatments for HA. Management strategies provide supportive treatment to reduce symptoms.
OBJECTIVES: This systematic review aimed to identify, evaluate and summarise the published literature on the therapeutic roles of natural remedies in the treatment of HA to provide evidence for clinical practice.
METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Web of Science, PubMed and Science Direct Scopus were thoroughly searched for relevant published articles from June 2007 to July 2020.
RESULTS: Ten pre-clinical and two clinical studies were eligible for inclusion in this systematic review. We identified the therapeutic roles of medicinal plants Brassica napus, Gardenia jasminoides, Gastrodia elata, Ginkgo biloba, Glycyrrhiza inflata, Paeonia lactiflora, Pueraria lobata and Rehmannia glutinosa; herbal formulations Shaoyao Gancao Tang and Zhengan Xifeng Tang; and medicinal mushroom Hericium erinaceus in the treatment of HA. In this review, we evaluated the mode of actions contributing to their therapeutic effects, including activation of the ubiquitin-proteasome system, activation of antioxidant pathways, maintenance of intracellular calcium homeostasis and regulation of chaperones. We also briefly highlighted the integral cellular signalling pathways responsible for orchestrating the mode of actions.
CONCLUSION: We reviewed the therapeutic roles of natural remedies in improving or halting the progression of HA, which warrant further study for applications into clinical practice.

Matched MeSH terms: Maintenance
Fulltext Coenzyme Q10, oxidative stress, and male infertility: A review

Alahmar AT, Calogero AE, Singh R, Cannarella R, Sengupta P, Dutta S

Clin Exp Reprod Med, 2021 Jun;48(2):97-104.
PMID: 34078005 DOI: 10.5653/cerm.2020.04175

Male infertility has a complex etiopathology, which mostly remains elusive. Although research has claimed that oxidative stress (OS) is the most likely underlying mechanism of idiopathic male infertility, the specific treatment of OS-mediated male infertility requires further investigation. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a vitamin-like substance, has been found in measurable levels in human semen. It exhibits essential metabolic and antioxidant functions, as well as playing a vital role in mitochondrial bioenergetics. Thus, CoQ10 may be a key player in the maintenance of biological redox balance. CoQ10 concentrations in seminal plasma directly correlate with semen parameters, especially sperm count and sperm motility. Seminal CoQ10 concentrations have been shown to be altered in various male infertility states, such as varicocele, asthenozoospermia, and medical or surgical regimens used to treat male infertility. These observations imply that CoQ10 plays an important physiological role in the maintenance and amelioration of semen quality. The present article thereby aimed to review the possible mechanisms through which CoQ10 plays a role in the regulation of male reproductive function, and to concisely discuss its efficacy as an ameliorative agent in restoring semen parameters in male infertility, as well as its impact on OS markers, sperm DNA fragmentation, pregnancy, and assisted reproductive technology outcomes.

Matched MeSH terms: Maintenance
The prioritization of visuo-spatial associations during mental imagery

Umar H, Mast FW, Cacchione T, Martarelli CS

Cogn Process, 2021 May;22(2):227-237.
PMID: 33404898 DOI: 10.1007/s10339-020-01010-5

While previous research has shown that during mental imagery participants look back to areas visited during encoding it is unclear what happens when information presented during encoding is incongruent. To investigate this research question, we presented 30 participants with incongruent audio-visual associations (e.g. the image of a car paired with the sound of a cat) and later asked them to create a congruent mental representation based on the auditory cue (e.g. to create a mental representation of a cat while hearing the sound of a cat). The results revealed that participants spent more time in the areas where they previously saw the object and that incongruent audio-visual information during encoding did not appear to interfere with the generation and maintenance of mental images. This finding suggests that eye movements can be flexibly employed during mental imagery depending on the demands of the task.

Matched MeSH terms: Maintenance
A Review Of Oculoplastic Photography: A Guide For Clinician Photographers

Ong CT, Yap JF, Wai YZ, Ng QX

Cureus, 2016;8(8):e733.
PMID: 27630805 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.733

Clinical photography in the field of oculoplastic surgery has many applications. It is possible for clinicians to obtain standardized clinical photographs without a studio. A clinician photographer has the advantage of knowing exactly what to photograph as well as having immediate access to the images. In order to maintain standardization in the photographs, the photographic settings should remain constant. This article covers essential photographic equipment, camera settings, patient pose, and digital asset management.

Matched MeSH terms: Maintenance
Data on the relationship of emotional intelligence and stages of change among Malaysian prison inmates

Ahmed Tharbe IH, Kamaruddin MKA, Sumari M, Chong IM

Data Brief, 2021 Apr;35:106804.
PMID: 33604426 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2021.106804

The data presented in this article examine the relationship between the subcomponents of emotional intelligence (emotional perception and expression, emotional facilitation of thinking, emotional understanding and emotional management) and the stages of change (pre-contemplation, contemplation, action and maintenance). The final data were obtained from 429 Malaysian inmates (374 male and 55 female) recruited from eight Malaysian prisons in four different zones. The two instruments used were the Self-Rated Malaysian Emotional Intelligence Scale (SRMEIS) and the University Rhodes Island Change Assessment Scale (URICA). Both instruments underwent expert validation through construct and test-retest validity. The researcher randomly distributed a total of 550 questionnaires, of which 429 were accepted and 121 were rejected due to missing data and outliers, resulting in 78% of participants providing data that could be used in the analyses. All participants were informed of the confidentiality of their data, and their participation was voluntary. SPSS and Excel files are provided as supplementary material.

Matched MeSH terms: Maintenance
Fulltext The Impact of Different Types of Abuse on Depression

Radell ML, Abo Hamza EG, Daghustani WH, Perveen A, Moustafa AA

Depress Res Treat, 2021;2021:6654503.
PMID: 33936814 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6654503

Despite a large amount of research on depression and abuse, there is still a controversy on how abuse is measured and on childhood trauma's effect on the physiological function of adults. Here, we attempt to clarify the relationship between different types of abuse and depression while focusing on childhood abuse. This article, unlike prior research, provides an overview that addresses physical, psychological, and sexual abuse and their psychological impact on the victims. Results show that abuse is a vulnerability factor for a variety of mental and physical health problems and that psychological abuse is strongly associated with depression. More research is needed to understand (a) the role of abuse in the development and maintenance of depression and, in particular, longitudinal studies that also account for the large number of risk and protective factors that influence this relationship and (b) how different types of abuse can influence response to treatment among survivors with depression, in order to provide effective trauma-focused approaches to manage depressive symptoms.

Matched MeSH terms: Maintenance
Fulltext Practical Recommendations for the Topical Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis in South and East Asia

Luk D, Hon KLE, Dizon MVC, Leong KF, Tay YK, Koh MJ, et al.

Dermatol Ther (Heidelb), 2021 Feb;11(1):275-291.
PMID: 33313998 DOI: 10.1007/s13555-020-00467-8

INTRODUCTION: There is some evidence to suggest that the prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) in Asia is rising. We have therefore developed an algorithm for the topical treatment of AD throughout South and East Asia for use by primary care physicians, pediatricians and dermatologists.
METHODS: Nine AD experts from South and East Asia and one from Europe developed the algorithm based upon treatment guidelines, relevant literature and local treatment practices. The algorithm outlines current best practice for the use of emollients, topical corticosteroids (TCS) and topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCI), with the intention of simplifying the treatment regimen of mild-to-moderate AD in South and East Asia.
RESULTS: Patients with AD should bathe and cleanse affected skin to remove crusts and scales daily. Emollients should also be applied daily as a maintenance treatment. When selecting appropriate topical anti-inflammatory treatment for AD flares, several factors should be taken into consideration, including the patient's age, attitude to treatment options and site of AD lesions. Given the concerns regarding the risk of skin atrophy with use of TCS, a TCI should be used to treat AD lesions in sensitive skin areas: pimecrolimus is recommended for mild-to-moderate AD in these locations, while tacrolimus should be considered for moderate and severe cases. Either pimecrolimus or tacrolimus is recommended for flares in other, non-sensitive body locations. A proactive or intermittent maintenance treatment strategy involving regular emollient use and twice-weekly application of a TCI to previously affected areas is encouraged to reduce the risk of flares.
CONCLUSIONS: The algorithm proposed here is intended to simplify the topical treatment of mild-to-moderate AD in daily practice in South and East Asian countries.

Matched MeSH terms: Maintenance
Fulltext Wait time analysis to optimize number of opened counters

Noraini Noordin, Nurul Elfieqah Rostam, Nur Ariena Farhana Noor Hamizan

ESTEEM Academic Journal, 2020;16(2):1-10.
MyJurnal

The Morning Shift (MS) flow of passengers on Thursday is similar to any other day in the week at an urban train station. However, passenger congestion occurring in the Evening Shift (ES) affects the system behaviour. The system has been showing this characteristic over the years. However,
only one counter is opened. This counter also sells different types of tickets. Thus, the system is not cost-effective. The study aims to determine the optimal number of counters that should be opened on Thursday. In order to solve this problem, the study has applied Poisson Queuing Simulation (PQ) to the MS and ES data. Findings indicate that running one or two counters in MS
maintains the mean of wait time in-queue and in-system at less than one minute, while the mean of in-queue and in-system passengers is also at one person. Extra cost has to be incurred to hire another teller; thus, one counter is optimal. For ES, the service rate was only slightly higher than the arrival rate. Based on the mean number of in-queue and in-system passengers, there was no way that one counter can efficiently service the queue that was formed. A simulation was done to determine if there was a need to set up a two-counter or a three-counter system. Although a two-counter system will be idle 47% of the time, it was not cost-effective for the management to two
extra tellers for a three-counter system. The management must take future corrective measures. Based on the findings, one counter is optimal for MS, but cost-effectiveness tests must confirm that two counters are optimal for ES. Besides, the management should also identify actions that can be taken during the 47% idle system time in ES.

Matched MeSH terms: Maintenance
Silver linings: a qualitative study of desirable changes to cancer care during the COVID-19 pandemic

Lombe D, Sullivan R, Caduff C, Ali Z, Bhoo-Pathy N, Cleary J, et al.

Ecancermedicalscience, 2021;15:1202.
PMID: 33889211 DOI: 10.3332/ecancer.2021.1202

Introduction: Public health emergencies and crises such as the current COVID-19 pandemic can accelerate innovation and place renewed focus on the value of health interventions. Capturing important lessons learnt, both positive and negative, is vital. We aimed to document the perceived positive changes (silver linings) in cancer care that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify challenges that may limit their long-term adoption.
Methods: This study employed a qualitative design. Semi-structured interviews (n = 20) were conducted with key opinion leaders from 14 countries. The participants were predominantly members of the International COVID-19 and Cancer Taskforce, who convened in March 2020 to address delivery of cancer care in the context of the pandemic. The Framework Method was employed to analyse the positive changes of the pandemic with corresponding challenges to their maintenance post-pandemic.
Results: Ten themes of positive changes were identified which included: value in cancer care, digital communication, convenience, inclusivity and cooperation, decentralisation of cancer care, acceleration of policy change, human interactions, hygiene practices, health awareness and promotion and systems improvement. Impediments to the scale-up of these positive changes included resource disparities and variation in legal frameworks across regions. Barriers were largely attributed to behaviours and attitudes of stakeholders.
Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to important value-based innovations and changes for better cancer care across different health systems. The challenges to maintaining/implementing these changes vary by setting. Efforts are needed to implement improved elements of care that evolved during the pandemic.

Matched MeSH terms: Maintenance
Fulltext The effects of catchment and riparian forest quality on stream environmental conditions across a tropical rainforest and oil palm landscape in Malaysian Borneo

Luke SH, Barclay H, Bidin K, Chey VK, Ewers RM, Foster WA, et al.

Ecohydrology, 2017 06;10(4):e1827.
PMID: 28706573 DOI: 10.1002/eco.1827

Freshwaters provide valuable habitat and important ecosystem services but are threatened worldwide by habitat loss and degradation. In Southeast Asia, rainforest streams are particularly threatened by logging and conversion to oil palm, but we lack information on the impacts of this on freshwater environmental conditions, and the relative importance of catchment versus riparian-scale disturbance. We studied 16 streams in Sabah, Borneo, including old-growth forest, logged forest, and oil palm sites. We assessed forest quality in riparian zones and across the whole catchment and compared it with stream environmental conditions including water quality, structural complexity, and organic inputs. We found that streams with the highest riparian forest quality were nearly 4 °C cooler, over 20 cm deeper, had over 40% less sand, greater canopy cover, more stored leaf litter, and wider channels than oil palm streams with the lowest riparian forest quality. Other variables were significantly related to catchment-scale forest quality, with streams in the highest quality forest catchments having 40% more bedrock and 20 times more dead wood, along with higher phosphorus, and lower nitrate-N levels compared to streams with the lowest catchment-scale forest quality. Although riparian buffer strips went some way to protecting waterways, they did not maintain fully forest-like stream conditions. In addition, logged forest streams still showed signs of disturbance 10-15 years after selective logging. Our results suggest that maintenance and restoration of buffer strips can help to protect healthy freshwater ecosystems but logging practices and catchment-scale forest management also need to be considered.

Matched MeSH terms: Maintenance
Fulltext Switching from monoculture to polyculture farming benefits birds in oil palm production landscapes: Evidence from mist netting data

Yahya MS, Syafiq M, Ashton-Butt A, Ghazali A, Asmah S, Azhar B

Ecol Evol, 2017 08;7(16):6314-6325.
PMID: 28861235 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3205

Monoculture farming is pervasive in industrial oil palm agriculture, including those RSPO plantations certified as sustainably managed. This farming practice does not promote the maintenance of farmland biodiversity. However, little scientific attention has been given to polyculture farming in oil palm production landscapes. Polyculture farming is likely to increase the floristic diversity and stand structural complexity that underpins biodiversity. Mist nets were used to sample birds at 120 smallholdings in Peninsular Malaysia. At each site, 12 vegetation structure characteristics were measured. We compared bird species richness, abundance, and composition between monoculture and polyculture smallholdings and used predictive models to examine the effects of habitat quality on avian biodiversity. Bird species richness was significantly greater in polyculture than that of monoculture smallholdings. The number of fallen and standing, dead oil palms were also important positive predictors of species richness. Bird abundance was also strongly increased by standing and dead oil palms and decreased with oil palm stand height. Our results indicate that polyculture farming can improve bird species richness in oil palm production landscapes. In addition, key habitat variables that are closely associated with farming practices, such as the removal of dead trees, should and can be managed by oil palm growers in order to promote biodiversity. To increase the sustainability of oil palm agriculture, it is imperative that stakeholders modify the way oil palms are currently planted and managed. Our findings can guide policy makers and certification bodies to promote oil palm production landscapes that will function more sustainably and increase existing biodiversity of oil palm landscapes.

Matched MeSH terms: Maintenance
Fulltext Sleep Promoting Effects of IQP-AO-101: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Exploratory Trial

Bongartz U, Tan BK, Seibt S, Bothe G, Uebelhack R, Chong PW, et al.

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2019;2019:9178218.
PMID: 31186669 DOI: 10.1155/2019/9178218

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the clinical benefit and tolerability of IQP-AO-101 in healthy subjects with sleep complaints.
Methods: This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial involved fifty subjects with sleep complaints. Subjects with a Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score between 6 and 15 were randomized to receive either IQP-AO-101 or placebo for 6 weeks, following a run-in period of one week. Sleep parameters were assessed at baseline and after 1, 4, and 6 weeks using the modified Athens Insomnia Scale (mAIS). Subjects were also instructed to wear an activity tracker and keep a sleep diary during the study. Other questionnaires administered were the Frankfurt Attention Inventory (FAIR-2) and the Profile of Mood States (POMS-65). Blood samples for safety laboratory parameters were taken before and at the end of the study.
Results: After 6 weeks, subjects who consumed IQP-AO-101 reported significant improvements in mAIS scores compared with placebo, including mAIS total score (11.76 ± 6.85 vs 4.00 ± 4.80; p < 0.001); night parameters composite score (5.20 ± 3.80 vs 2.04 ± 3.16; p = 0.001); and day parameters composite score (6.56 ± 4.10 vs 1.96 ± 2.65; p < 0.001). All individual parameters (Items 1 to 8) were also significantly improved from baseline after 6 weeks of IQP-AO-101 intake. Analysis of variance with baseline values as covariates showed statistically significant improvements across all individual parameters for IQP-AO-101 when compared to placebo. The measurements using the activity tracker, sleep diary, FAIR-2, and POMS did not reveal any significant differences between groups. No adverse effects related to the intake of IQP-AO-101 were reported. Tolerability was rated as very good by all the subjects and by the investigator for all cases.
Conclusions: In this study, IQP-AO-101 was well tolerated and efficacious for promoting sleep and enhancing daytime performance in subjects with moderate sleep disturbances.
Clinical Trial Registration: This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, no. NCT03114696.

Matched MeSH terms: Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
Management problems of insomnia in primary care

Sidek Nontak MA, Hamzah N, Salleh MO

Family Physician, 1993;5:28-34.

There is increasing evidence that insomnia is a common complaint. Furthermore, physicians tend to institute treatment without adequate assessment of the patients with insomnia. For the purpose of management, cases are presented on the basis of classification. A survey of doctor's knowledge and practice in the primary care department is discussed. Management principles and problems are outlined.

Matched MeSH terms: Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

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